Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 712) (1891)
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& < hd) Ve KV Vl US ~~ C4 BOA SSE TN P. CO TEIN SE Somes OLY) a vc a DT il a! AIT March 17, 1891. $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price, a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK, 5 Cents. Vol. XXVITL SSS ee SSS 2 \S Vey | ‘The Mystied Detective A Strange Romance of the Mines. BY LIEUT. A, K. SIMS, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ THE SILVER SPORT,” “‘ BILDAD BAR- NACLE,” ‘‘ WARBLING WILLIAM,” “ THE TEXAS TOM-CAT,” ETC,, ETC, CHAPTER I. FLEECING THE LAMBS, Maaic GuLoou is one of the boom towns which flare up like a rocket and come down like the gick. It is still living, but in a feeble, strug- se@g Way, its fire, vigor and glory greatly di- rhed, or almost vanished: The TARE 5 ia ert oe, att hee Bu 18 are full of such towns, Every new gold NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO ASSIST THE IMPERILED DIAMOND SPORT,
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we time, I'd be compelled to quit the business, you 2 fever brings them into existence by the score; and then, as the wave of excitement subsides, leaves them stranded wrecks, The heyday of prosperity for Magic Gulch does not lie in the misty, historic past, however. On the contrary, its meteoric career is of but yesterday. It was a typical career, too. There was a glare and glitter about it, a flavor of tin- sel and paint, and a flaunting of quickly-acquired wealth, that largely. hid from sight the gross under-current of its life, where meanness, wicked- ness and crime all too plentifully abounded. The trouble with Magic Gulch, and with all mining-camps of its kind, came from a lack of the moral and social balance-wheel given to older communities by the existence of family ties and the refining presence and influence of women and children, Magic Gulch was not, however, better nor worse than its class, There were honorable men there; but the wild, lawless and vicious element predominated, Saloons and gambling hells ran wide open, day and night, and bore their legiti- mate fruits in various grades of ruffianism and crime, Into this representative mining-camp there came, on a summer’s day about two years ago, @ young man of remarkable appearance. He was not especially handsome, though there was an attractive look in his open, intelligent coun- tenance, and a gleam of friendliness in his frank, blue eyes that quickly drew friends about him and knit them to him as with hooks of steel. He gave his name as Dan Donnelly, and it was quickly whispered about that he was one of the most expert gamblers who had yet struck the place. But, Dan Donnelly did not wear, as a cognomen. Scarcely a day passed after his arrival when it became transformed into Dia- mond Dan,’ By this and by the further explan- atorytitle of the Gilt-Edged Sport, he became every where known, and his real name passed in- to swift oblivion. The titles were peculiarly appropriate and de- scriptive of the man. His bearing and manner were those of the professional card-sharp, His dressy was always of the neatest fit and the most becoming and expensive material. His shirt front, collars and cuffs were immaculate in their snowy whiteness. A high, silk hat of the latest shape adorned his curling, brown locks, But the blaze and fire of the diamonds which burned on his breast in a massive gold crescent, always drew to themselves the looks and admiration of all beholders, The saloon which he most frequented was known as Fiddler’s Palace. It was palatial after the garish fashion of such places, The proprietor, Mat Fiddler, understood his business; in consequence there was a dazzling array o mirrors and cut glass, brilliant chandeliers and reflectors, upholstered furniture and rather cost- ly gaming-tables. Diamond Dan seldom played, though often urged, but apparently spent the most of his time in observing the play of others, or in chatty and familiar conversation with. the habitues of the place. He was free with his money, and such liberality will draw gambling parasites and admirers with more readiness than any- thing else, Stepping into the Palace one evening, some two weeks after bis arrival in the camp, he found the front of the place occupied by a three- card monte dealer known to local fame as Mar- cus Maximin, Maximin was one of the few men with whom the sport had not been able,to get on familiar terms. They were not enemies, ln fact, Dan had tried to gain the good will of the monte-dealer, but for some reason the latter had held himself aloof and could never be in- duced to pass beyond the bounds of formal cor- diality. ‘*Here you are, gentlemen,” the dealer was crying, as Diamond Dan entered the room. ** The queen of hearts is the winning card! You will please to watch the lady closely. She is a retiring creature and not easily caught. But I will exhibit her face to you, so that you may know her when you see her again.” There were three cards in his hands, and he spread them out with their faces to the crowd, the queen of hearts placed conspicuously in. the center. ‘““Now, here we go again,” deftly shuffling the cards. ‘‘ Watch the queen, gentlemen. The queen is the winning card. Of course, 1 shall trick you if I can, Ifyou should win all the see. So, to-night, I’m going to win as often as possible. But the chances are with you, gentle- men, if 6nly you watch close enough. It’s the queen of hearts; don’t forget that. The queen of hearts wins!” | | | The Mesmerist Sport. The crowd in front of the monte man was much excited. Maximin’s fingers were white and nervous, and moved with lightning-like rapidity; but a gleam of the winning card could be caught now and then as the fluttering paste- boards flew backward and torward beneath his nimble touch. Some, who believed themselves keen-eyed, also fancied they detected a mark by which the winning card could be distinguished. Through some accident, as it seemed, one corner of the card bad become slightly bent. ‘“*The queen, and the queen! You will have to have good vision, gentlemen, if you follow her movements, No lady of the ball-room ever tripped so swiftly. But, she is there, gentlemen; though I will go any man twenty that he can’t pick her out. Fortune favors the brave! Who will gome twenty? You will never have a bet- ter chance to make a double eagle, in your lives, This is the time for men withsand, Remember the queen is the winning card, gentlemen! Will anybody go me twenty?” He placed the cards face downward on a little table. But there was the one with the corner slightly bent, and a miner, who had been watch- ing it all the time, slapped down a gold piece, which the gambler as quickly covered. * Ah, you are mistaken!” as the miner lifted the card, and found a ten-spot instead of the ex- yected queen. ‘I told you I should deceive you. our eyes will have to be quick if you win. And here we go again, gentlemen. The queen; and the queen!” The next man was allowed to win; and this drew others on, until the monte man’s gains must bave mounted into the hundreds, There was on the outskirts of the crowd a thin, dark-eyed, nervous individual, whose face shone eagerly as he watched the pile of heaped-up gold, “ He was pressing forward to wager a twenty on the elusive queen, when Diamond Dan stopped him by a tap on the shoulder, The sport bad nodded to the man as he enter- ed, in the manner of a casual acquaintance, * Don’t risk your money there,” be whispered, ‘It’s a regular skin game, There is no chance to win, unless he chooses to let you. And he’ll not do that to-night. There are too many suck- ers here ready toswallow his bait,” Cautiously as the words were spoken they reached the ears of Maximin, and he gave Dia- Fete Dan such a look as the latter did not soon orget. “This is my game, gentlemen. Nobody is forced to bet on it. You pick your/card and take your chances, If you have keen eyes, you win; otherwise you lose, There is no hoodoo aboutit. It is erage Me case of quick fingers against quick eyes, ho will go me another twenty ?” The nervous individual had reluctantly with- drawn on receiving Dan’s warning advice, in ob- vious doubt, however, whether or not he was acting wisely, The sport had retired to his for- mer position, where he leaned lightly against the bar,'composedly smoking a cigar, and from whence he coolly watched the monte man’s swindling operations, *Tt’s a low business,” he muttered, under his breath, ‘‘and I’m half ashamed of myself for herding with such a lot of scoundrels,” Manifestly he had no regard for the men who lived by fleecing those-who were ignorant or gul- lible enough to believe their softly spoken words, It was strange, too—this opinion, for he was ac- ¢ounted one of them, For a full half-hour he stood thus, keenly ob- servant of all that was occurring about him. In the rear of the room various games and “ lay- outs” were running under high pressure; and, as the tables were crowded, the dealers were doubtless taking in stacks of money, The ave- rage miner loves his fling at cards, and those of me Gulch were no exception. Again and again they will return to the exciting and de- morelizing play, frequently spending in one night's wild dissipation the hoarded gains which have been wrested by months of hard toil from the flinty hillsides. No faro-dealer there, however, seemed to draw better than the monte man. But, there came a sudden break in his seeming streak of luck. Five times in succession ons keen-eyed individual, who was evidently up to Maximin’s tricks, placed his finger on the queen of bearts, and raked in the gambler’s shining double-eagle, This was too much fo: Maximin’s equanimity. Three-card monte was a very enjoyable thing to bim as long as the —., rolled in his direction, But, when the tide turned—why, that was a very different matter! Maximin would have refused to allow the man to play furtber, but that he had in the beginning boastingly declared there should be no limit to seca en a a en ae a cpt it Rimmer eneonnaininstinkinieipaios og the game. Anxious to stop his losses, 3 tempted to shift the queen after the man ba plainly pointed out the card. ** No you don’t!” the fellow cried, leaping for- ward with tiger-like quickness, ‘‘ You can’t come anything like that on me!” He stretched out bis hand to grasp the money, Maximin mistook the motion for an attempted blow, and shooting out bis fist gave the mana stinging tap on the face, The miner was made of fighting metal and flew at the monte sharp like an enraged animal, endeavoring to draw a revolver as he did so, At this one of Maximin’s “pigeons,” named Mike Hogan, leaped upon the man and bore him struggling to the floor, The greatest excitement instantly ensued. The miners had been pleased to discover that one of their number was up to “snuff,” as they termed it; and they now rushed eagerly to his assistance, Shouts and calls flew fast and furi- ous, weapons were drawn and a general melee seemed about to result, Hogan and the miner arose, clinched again, and stumbled fighting in- to the street, They were quickly separated, however; but the struggle had enraged the mob, and the monte-dealer was forced to suspend business for the night, CHAPTER II, A PAIR OF SCHEMERS. For an hour or more Maximin and Hogan loitered in the gaming-room, guardedly watch- ing every one who came near them, Then, not caring to enter into the other games, they quiet- ly withdrew, and ascended to their room on the second floor, *¢ Curses on that fellow!” Maximin growled, sinking into a seat and tugging furiously at a balf-smoked cigar, ‘I aln ost wish you had knifed him, e’s knocked us out of a cool hun- dred to-night.” “How did he do it?” Hogan questioned, with a puzzled air, referring to the remarkable cer- tainty with which the miner had named the win- ning card, ‘‘ He seemed to know just where the queen was every time,” ‘*Tt was that infernal Diamond Dan, accord- ing to my notion, Didu’t you notice that be was standing where he could see every movement of my bands? | think he must have been in league with the chap, and some way managed to sig- nal him which was the queen, when I turned the cards upon the table, ‘That’s twice he’s put bis fingers into our pie to-night. Well, be wants to look out for himself, that’s all! He pretends to be a professional, but I’m thinking a brother sharp wouldn’t treat us that way.” ‘What did he do the first time?” Hogan queried, reflecting the shadow that rested on Maximin’s face, ‘*W-by, i should have snaked one or two twen- ties out of the pockets of Paul Carom. if he hadn’t whispered the fool a warning. Perhaps it’s all right, though. If there’s any man in town that needs his money, Carom’s the mav.” Metaphorically speaking, Hogan bad pricked up his earsat mention of the name of the nervous individual whom Diamond Dan had prevented from risking bis money on the monte man’s ame, “JT seen the girl ag’in this morning,” be ven- tured, looking askance at his superior. ‘‘ She’s a hummer, Max, and no mistake.” ‘Yes, she is good looking,” the monte man asserted, tossing aside his smoked-out cigar and squaring himself in the large easy-chair, ‘* But, pretty is as pretty does, you know, I’m not ex- actly after beauty this round, though it will no doubt make the game a deuced sight pleasanter for me, And, by the way. I’ve come onto more evidence going to prove what we’ve for some time believed.’ y Hogan licked his heavy lips after the fashion of a dog that anticipates a good feeding, and leaned eagerly forward. Maximin laughed at this show of ardent in- terest. Then be took a letter from an inner pocket, unfolded it, and held it between his white and nervous fingers, “You know I told you some time ago,” glanc- ing from the letter to Hogan, “ that I’d acciden- tally stumbled on a bit of information that would pay us bigger than the monte business, if we could only work it, Well, I’ve been figuring along that line ever since, though I’ve kept mighty quiet, and said little to you_abont it, ‘It seems that this Jeannette La Rue, or Jeannie, as the old man alls her, will come intg a fortune of a handsome size, if the fellows have the present handling of it can find She is su to be somewhere here mountains, but, as the said mountains,
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. \ : : | | | | . Sd deal of territory, the finding of her is not Sc easy as it might appear. “ All this I got from the first letter sent by my old pard, Luke Jenkins, of New York. Luke’s an old-timer. and as sharp as they make ’em, We got into a little scrape together, back there, a number of years ago, and Luke went to Sing Sing, while I took the advice of good old Horace (reeley and moved West. I thoughtit would be healthier for me out here, you understand!” Hogan grinned as if the last sentence held for him a personal application. i ** Luke is beating around in New York again, now, and while doing a little shadowing on bis own account, found out that a search is being in- stituted for the heiress of certain millions, He got the young lady’s supposed description, and a bushel of other valuable information, and then wrote me all about it. “Well, I got his second letter yesterday,” fooking again at the paper, ‘“‘and it proves tome we are on the right track, There isn’t a doubt in my mind, now, that Jeannie La Rue is the wingless angel for whom a mansion and millions are waiting.” r Hogan’s eyes glinted with covetous desires as he looked at his companion and waited for him to go on. “Do you reckon you can work the old man?” the asked, as Maximin stowed the letter again in his ket and seemed about to subside. P should think you’d know [ have eat ood reasons for believing I can,” was the smil- ing and positive rejoinder. ‘ Our little experi- ments a month or soago ought to have convinced ou on that score. Didn’t I work him most Peautifally, then?” ** But this new chap, Diamond Dan?” “Vd thought of him,” with a sudden glare of fierce vindictiveness. ‘‘ And I’ve wondered if he’d be fool enough to stand in our way, But psbaw! there can’t be anything in that, rl venture he hasn’t more than a passing acquaint- ance with the old gent. ‘No, I don’t anticipate any trouble from that source. The trouble will come from the girl. Suppose, after we get the old man fixed, she should flare up and refuse to have anything to do with me? There, my boy, is where the break- ers will lie, should there be any.” ** Can’t you string the cards so as to rescue her out of some trouble or other? Make yourself a hero, you know. Or else help them when they get into a tight pinch?” ‘Win the old man’s money, and then return itin the way of grub and knick-knacks? No, Hogan, that wouldn’t do at all, I’m afraid you’d make mighty r headway should you attempt to become as ladies? man. A girl’s heart can’t be won in that sort of style. The hero business might do; but the charity racket would turn out a flat failure.” “What about Luke Jenkins?’ Hogan ques- tioned, again licking bis lips asif already tasting the sweets of the fortupe they hoped to gain, while his greedy look showed that if once the fortune were in their possession he would be loth to divide his share of it with any one, Maximin comprehended the nature of his com- nion’s thoughts. *“’T would be a pity to divvy with Luke, that’s true. Maybe we could put him off with a few thousands; or we could just drop him, and never Jet him know what we’d done in the matter.” The monte man had evidently forgotten his strictures on the action of Diamond Dan, ut- tered but a few minutes before, There is an axiomatic “‘ honor ” supposed to exist among thieves, but neither Maximin nor Hogan were afflicted with it to any alarming degree, Luke Jenkins, a brother sharp, had given them the pointers they were endeavoring to follow; and even now, before they had fairly commenced the work his information had foreshadowed, they were prepared to hurl him overboard. *** am almost in love with the girl from just thinking of that bit of money,” Maximin averred, turning from Jenkins to thoughts of Jeannie La Rue’s fortune. *‘ il have to practice up, Hogan, in al! those little arts of gentility which a fellow is so quick to forget in a place like this Plt play the age adorer to perfec- tion, I warrant you! I flatter myself I’m nei- ‘ther old nor ugly,” ‘ The monte man was aa right in this. He ‘was not unhandsome. To many, women he would have seemed the beaw ideal. of comely manhood, ““Tll marry the girl, of course,” with an air of easy superiority, ‘Then I'll place myself in communication with the legal gentlemen wh are anxious tu bestow this money on her, an gee that she comes into her own. When I have managed to shift the fortune inte my possession The Mesmerist Sport. —Wwhich you may believe I’ll not be long in doing—Tll bid the gentle Jeannie adieu; and we'll fly to parts unknown.” From the intense manner in which Hogan looked at bis friend it was plain to see that a thought of possible trickery on the part of the latter had flashed into his mind, ** Well, when you get your grip on the dust you don’t want to play no Jenkins business on me, I wouldn't stand it.” He laughed hollowly to temper the threat, but Maximin could not escape the knowledge that he meant every word of it, and would hound bim to the ends of the earth if a thing of the kind were tried. CHAPTER III, LA BELLE JEANNETTE, ‘*WHAT is it, father?” Jeannette La Rue—La Belle Jeannette, her foster-father called her—arose from her seat by the window where she had been sewing, and hurried toward the bed at the further side of the room, Paul Carom looked up with a smile that ban- ished the spasm of pain which had swept across his face, “* Did I call? I was half asleep, I guess. But you may bring me a drink, Jeannie—that’s a good girl!” He watched ber light figure as she hastened into the kitchen for the glass of water, Paul Carom had had a bad fall in the mine that morning. <A piece of rock at which he was prying. had suddenly given way, precipitating im a distance of a dozen feet, and hurling him heavilzyen his back on the stony floor. is in- juries were severe and painful; though the young doctor who had been called in gave the assurance that tbey were not of a serious char- acter, and that Carom would be able to be out within a week or ten days. But the loss of that much time, just then, was a grave matter, Nothwithstanding the fact that Carom had been so eager to wager his money on the game of the monte man, the evening before, be was in poor circumstances, A drink of liquor with a com- rade had been the impelling force on that occa- sion, It bad not been sufficient to fully intoxi- cate, but had lifted his fancy into the deceptive clouds where poverty becomes wealth and empty pockets turn to bulging purses. The. twenty dollars he would have staked; on the chance of picking out the queen was the'sole coin in his pos- session and almost the only thing that stood be- tween him and want, And now there would be a “doctor bill to pay, the living expenses would go on, and he could do nothing to meet them! The groan which had caught the quick ear of Jeannette bad been forced from Carom by a knowledge of this, as much as by the pain he was suffering. He returned the glass to her with a sigh, after he bad emptied it, and still followed her with his eyes as she resumec her seat at the window. She was a handsome girl, Jeannette La Rue, though her beanty was.of the modest, quiet typa, A girl, one would say, who loved better to.do good deeds in ber own home, than to flaunt in silk attire and chase her youth away after the vanities of the world. An opportunity to taste the sweets of fashionable dissipation bad never come to her, however, and to judge by present appearances never would, A dark, sweet face, lighted by brown eyes, and surmounted by a coil of jetty hair. It was strong and resolute, too, and denoted French an- cestry. Her French extractiou was also indi- cated by the becoming simplicity and charm of her dress, its harmonizing and unobtrusive taste- fulness, and the lady-like air which even its coarse materials conferred on her. There was very little furniture in the apart- ment, but that little showed evidence of her deft handiwork, and was lighted by gay colored rugs, lambrequins and tidies, A rose bloomed against the window, and a half-opened bud plucked from it was pinned at the girl’s throat, All this Paul Carom noted with considerable pride as he lay so quietly against his pillow and allowed his gaze to wander from the girl at her sewing to the contents of the room.. Quickly his memory sketched the scenes of the fleeting years since she first came into his life. He, bad no home, then; and it seemed strange to think so bright a flower had been given into the charge of one no better fitted to care for it. It did him good just to see her walk about the room; so he called to her again: “ Will you shift that-curtain, Jeannie, to keep the light from coming in so strong?” . Jeannie was nervous that day, made so by the shock of the accident, The fall had produced a 3 fainting-fit, she had been told, and she was in constant fear of its recurrence. The sound of his voice caused her to start; but she quickly re- covered, and arranged the curtain according to his wish. ‘* Now, draw your chair up here; I’d like to talk to you a little.” She complied with alacrity, glad to see him so far rallied from the deathlike state in which he bad been brought home. ‘*Oh, you will be well in a short time,” en- couragingly. ‘‘You have improved ever so much, already.” “Then you were frightened about me, eh?” a smile lighting up the thin, dark face, ** Well, you know you’re not strong, father; and—and—yes, I was a little bit scared.” ‘“Tamall right, now! I can feel that.” He reached out his toil-worn fingers, which were so flesbless they resembled claws, and placed them upon ber head, ‘It’s a good thing, likely, that I fell this morning. It has laid me up bere and given me a chance to think, I haven’t been traveling as straight a path Jately as | should, But I intend to turn over a new leaf, ** Yes, I’ve been thinking, Jeannie—about you and me, and about the past and the future. Take it all around there’s a good deal to think about in this life, if one will but stop and give himself a chance, ““T want to ’specially talk about Marc Maxi- min, however, more than about anything else, I was fool enough to want to take a fling at his monte, last night. Some way thatsticksin m mind and keeps me thinking of the fellow. . If there’s a bad man in this camp it’s Maximin!” “Why, father!” and Jeannette’s face showed her astonishment. ‘“‘T know what you mean,” he went on. “I oughtn’t to speak so about one who treated me so well when I was sick a couple of months ago! But I can’t help it, Jeannie. He was kind then, that’s true; and it seems almost like backbiting a friend to say anything. But I don’t mean to talk about his gambling, and all tbat,” His manner bewildered her quite as much as his words. He was fairly trembling from sheer nervousness, and there was in his speech an in- tensity very uncommon. ‘* Yes, I must warn you to beware of Maxi- min,” a shudder creeping over bim as the name seed his lips. ‘‘ Something, I can’t tell what, impresses me with the feeling that he is no friend of ours. I can’t recall that he bas ever injured me, yet it seems to me he certainly has, at some time or other, It isn’t a memory, but an impression, which I can’t understand or sbake off, Just the thought of him to-day is enough to bring a shadow over me.” ** You’re not as strong as you think you are,” she said, soothingly. ‘That is all, I feel sure. It may be you are troubled with the vague re- collection of some dream. I'd try to get some sleep, and think no more about it.” The perspiration was standing on his anguish- ed face, and in his deeply-sunken eyes there was a shade as if some great and indefinable fear oppressed him. “You fancy Iam flighty,” with an attempt ata laugh which sounded like hoarse mockery. ‘“‘But my bead was never clearer, and I was never more in earnest in my life. I’m as posi- tive of the fact that Marc Maximin has injured me in the past and will try to do so again, as I am that I can’t prove it or even name what he did. That sounds silly, don’t it?” It certainly did, though Jeannette did not care to state it so barshly. “T think you have a touch of fever,” she urged. ‘ {f you'll let ponenest get some rest you will feel differently about a good many things by to-morrow.” : **Not about this, Jeannie!” again smoothing her hair with his claw-like fingers. “I haven't a particle of fever. 1 wish I could explain to you just how I feel—tell it to you so that you could comprehend it. But I can’t. It’s so dif- ferent from any other feeling I ever had that L can’t find words to say just what I want to. But you'll promise me one thing, Jeannie?” He looked at her so mournfully and earnestly that she could scarcely repress the starting ““Of course I will, father. tried to do as you wish,” ‘*T know you have, You are a good girl—too for such a wild camp as Magic Gulch, And that’s why I fear for you; and why I want to. put you on your guard against Marc Maxi- min, mise me that you'll hold yourself aloof from him and from any one who comes in his name!” ; So terrible was Carom’s expression that’ she I have always
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& bowed her head against his pillow and allowed the long-pent tears to flow, as she gave the promise he exacted. CHAPTER IV. ALMOST TRAPPED, AFTER the fight between Mike Hogan and the pugnacious miner, who was resolved not to be cheated by the monte mau, Diamond Dan kept Maximin and Hogan under close surveillance until the pair quitted the gaming apartment for the purpose of retiring to their own room, He was actuated to this by a conversation had with a gambler named Dick Sloan. ‘*Our monte friends seem to be baving a rocky time to-night,” Sloan had observed, referring to the actionsof the enraged mob. ‘‘ These miners are balf drunk; and if they should take it into their crazy heads to have a hanging bee it would go hard with Max and Hogan.” There was something in his tones which caused Dan to look at him observantly. Manifestly Sloan cared very little for the safety of his brother gamblers. Dan even suspected that he would be rather pleased than otherwise if the mob should develop bloodthirsty propensities and string the monte men to the nearest tree. **Maximin was a fool for attempting to cheat the fellow in that open fashion. e should have known that if the miner bad eyes keen enough to pick out the queen with such unerring cer- tainty, he would also-be able to detect anything like a change in the cards after they ‘were once on the table, The sport watched Sloan closely while giving expression to this terse criticism; so closely it seemed he was trying to read the gambler’s in- must heart. “Right you are!” Sloan assented, the work of an idiot.” They were standing in a small indentation or alcove, far enough from the excited buzz to talk freely and in low tones, and where they were not likely to be seen or observed by eyes or ears friendly to Maximin and Hogan. Diamond Dan had had many quiet, gossipy chats with Sloan, and knew him to be 4 shrewd observer and an accurate judge of human nature; and likewise a man well posted concerning the lives and records of various members of the sporting colony then congregated at Magic Gulch, “What do you know of them? he queried, with the air of a man who has but a trivial and passing interest in the question seh de *Tve been told they haven’t been here a great while,” **'No; they’ve not been here long. But I met Max over at Golden Canyon a year or two ago. He was on a funny lay, then, too. A bigger swindle even than this three-card monte busi- ness, if there can be a bigger; and it paid almost as well, I should judge.” “c Ah!” Dan lifted his handsome eyebrows in an an- ticipatory way that served to tickle Sloan’s bump of pen. 2 and launch him headlong into the details of Maximin’s career, so far as they were known to bim. “The first time I ever saw him was in the public hall at Golden Canyon, where he appeared asa mesmerist. He done some very wonderful things, too, though I fancy yo must have been on the fake order. He put fellows to sleep, and then had them go through al! sorts of queer an- tics at the word of command, I thought the chaps must be pals of his, at first; but I became acquainted with one of them afterward, and he told me on his bonor that he did not know how it was done. In fact didn’t know a bit more about it than I did. *T never saw anything draw like those ex- hibitions. The camp about went wild over them, that’s a fact. And the mesmeric part wasn’t all there was tothem. He gave us some imitations of this spiritualistic business; had rappings and all that sort of thing, you under- stand, and made tables move, etc, Some of it was really too wonderful to believe, almost; and I suppose I never should have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, “ Seeing is oe = know, and I couldn't back on it; though I never can be convinced t it wasn’t all trickery, especially that part relating tothespirits. He didn’t claim it wasn’t trickery, if I recollect aright; but he didn’t explain, and a good many ple thought he couldn’t have done so, even if he wanted to.” This was a new phase of Maximin’s character, and one of absorbing interest to Diamond Dan, and he covered Sloan with a multitude of ques- tions concerning it, ** He staid there a month or so, until the thing began to grow a little bit stale and ceased to draw as it had at first; and then he disappeared, “Tt was The Mesmerist Sport. and I never saw anything more of the fellow till he showed up here in the Gulch as a monte man, with Dick Hogan as his ‘ pigeon.’” ** And he’s had a wonderful run of luck here, I understand?” Dan questioned, ‘Yes; he’s been stacking up the rocks pretty lively! One of the first things he did was to burst the faro-bank, That gave him money with which to pay Mat Fiddler for the privilege of running the monte business in here; and he’s been flying bigh ever since,” This talk with Sloan seemed to excite Dia- mord Dan’s curiosity in a strange way. He gave closer heed to the gamblers than he had ever done before; and grew uneasy the moment they left the room, He continued the conversa- tion, bowever, for some minutes, though it was very evident his heart was notinit. He wus pleased, therefore, when one of Sloan’s cronies approached and gave him an excuse for with- drawing. He had previously learned the location of Max- jimin’s room, His own was on thesame floor and just beyond that of the gambler’s—there being two or three apartments between them, how- ever, When he had released himself from Sloan’s companionship, be burried quickly, but quietly, up-stairs, When the corridor had been gained he slipped his shoes from off bis feet and stole forward with the noiselessness of a cat. The faint light of a lamp bighb up in the corridor’s further end served to dimly illuminate the place and show the location of the door, There was a subdued murmur of voices in the room of the monte man. Ina crouching position Dan advanced along the corridor, and applied an ear to the crevice beneath the door, through which came the rays of a lamp. The rascals were in the midst of their conver- sation concerning Jeannie La Rue and the for- tune of which she was expected to come into pos- session, Diamond Dan’s attention was immedi- ately riveted, and he glued his ear still closer to the aperture, that no word might escape him. “* A very singular coincidence!” was his men- tal comment. ‘I don't think 1 ever ran across anything just like it, I reckon she can’t be the girl I’m looking for? Pshaw,no! That’salmost too silly to think about, I’ve seen this Jeannie La Rue and she don’t fit the description worth a cent, It would be a go, now, if these fellows should carry out their scheme, and then discov- er, when it’s too late, that they've blundered and got hold of the wrong gir),” Convinced that he could have no personal in- terest in the matter, he still listened, resolved to fully understand their plan. A desire to thwart them was rapidly growing up in his mind, “Tt would be an outrage to let them go ahead with that!” and his pulses thrilled with indigna- nation. ‘Jt looks as if it’s none of my business, and according to my rule of attending tom own affairs, f ought to keep out of it. But 1 could never forgive myself for permitting such acrime. ‘I’}l have todrop Carom a warning word, “TIT may be giving myself an unnecessary amount of uneasiness, though, for if I read Jeannie’s character aright, she’s not the girl to take kindly toa man like Mare Maximin, On the whole, unless they resort to force, I think she can be trusted to look out for berself, If they that, they may count on having me afoul of them, that’s sure!” ‘* Well, when you get your grip on the dust, you don’t want to play no Jenkins business on me. I wouldn’t stand it!” The words were uttered in Hogan’s hoarse voice, and came clearly and distinctly to Dan, as he crouched in the corridor. They were fol- lowed by the hollow laugh by which Hogan meant to temper the harshness of the threat. The laugh enced suddenly, for Hogan, glancing up, noticed that his superior’s face was white with an unspoken fear, and that he was staring hard at the door. Diamond Dan had made an incautious move- ment, which had been caught by the monte man’s quick ear, Without waiting to reply to Hogan’s menace, he took a hurried step forward, clicked the key around in the lock with nervous rapidity, threw the door open and looked into the corridor, There was a wicked glare in his eye, and his right hand swiftly fished a revolver from his coat-pocket. But, brisk as were his movements, Diamond Dan bad been equally nimble, The stairway was ten feet avery A few alert, but almost silent, bounds enabled him to gain this; and when the door was thrown open by the monte man, Dan had slipped into his shoes and seemed to be ascending from the floor below. Ithad re- “s_losses, B quired all his adrvitness to do this. To escapfor- down the stairway or into his room had been “+_ impossible, His pulses were leaping, and there was a flush in his face, but feeling that a bold course ‘was | the only one now open, he stepped lightly into the corridor and advanced along it with all the carelessness be could assume. Maximin was standing in the door, a black and suspicious look disfiguring his handsome features, ‘** Good-evening,” said Dan, steadying bis voice and assuming an air of jocular familiarity. ‘*Been having some high play below. You missed it by leaving so soon.” Maximin scarcely knew what to say, but gul down his passion, gave an unintelligible reply, and then stared bard at the sport as the Jatter coolly sauntered toward bis own room. “Phew!” and the sweat came ont on Dan’s forehead, as he closed the door and dropped heavily into a chair, ‘I feel as limp as a wet rag. I don’t think I ever came so near to being: caught in my life!” CHAPTER V. A VICIOUS ATTACK. Marcus MaXxiMIn chuckled softly as he closed the gate opening upon the Carom residence, and stood in the cool evening air, in the narrow street. The abode of Paul Carom rested against. a hillside not far from the mine in which he worked, The houses thinned out at that point, the few cottages seeming mere stragglers on the ae oe of the dusty highway. he shadows of coming night were creeping up from the valleys, driving the flame and gold from the mountain tops. No light glowed with- in the residence which the gambler had just: quitted, In spite of his chuckling he was some- what uneasy, and looked up and down the street in a sort of fearful expectancy, “Tf Il can just get away without the girl see- ing me!” he muttered, ‘Things have worked like a charm. I couldn't ask to have them better.” From which, and from his manner and actions, it was very apparent he had been paying a visit: to Paul Carom, the man he bad determined to ** work,” “ve got him just where I want him, now. He was a little obdurate at first, and I thought I was going tohave trouble, But he came under beautifully, as I knew he would. From this on, I ought to have easy sailing. The succéss or failure of the scheme now lies with tbe girl. If she is half as easy of management as the old man, I can marry ber within a month; and if [ don’t miss my guess, it won’t be two months more until I have my grip on the fortune.” With these pleasant‘ cogitations, he pulled his hat over his eyes, and burried up the street toward the heart of the town, He endeavored to keep well within the shadows of the rocks and buildings, however; and move as quietly as if be were but a shadow bimself, His features, dimly revealed now and then would bave presented a fine study for one versed in facial expression. If thoughts are ever re- vealed in one’s ccuntenance, surely Marc Maxi- min’s were, at that moment. Such a look of craft as distorted his visage is not often seen. The curl of bis a was fiendish, and tie con- tracted pupils of his eyes reflected diabolical visions, Hellish thoughts were stirring blackly in his mind. “It's a great plan! A great plan!” rubbing the palms of bis hands togetber. ‘I flatter my- self it goes away ahead of anything that I ever tried, I can foree Carom—” The thought was never completed. A man leaped quickly from the dark depths of a hollow at the sideof a path, and attacked him furiously. It was at the most deserted point of the long street, There was no house within a hundred yards, and no human being anywhere visible. A cry of surprise and sudden terror arose to the monte man’s lips, only to be shut off by the heavy blow which bruised his face and tumbled him among the rocks in the hollow. Before he could rise, the unknown assailant sprung down and rushed upon him like an enraged animal. Maximin was so bewildered by the unexpected assault, and so shaken up mentally and pbysical- ly, that he was almost wholly unprepared to resist this second onslaught. Nevertheless, a long schooling in scenes of danger and excite- ment made him prompt to think and act, There was @ heavy club or bludgeon in the man’s hand, and with it he aimed a blow intended to brain the prostrate gambler. But Maximin slipped aside with the nimbleness of an eel, and the blow descended harmlessly on the rocks. Up to this time the assailant had uttered man ba \ :
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The Mesmerist Sport. 5. fer word nor cry; but now, a smothered ex- amation of anger broke from his lips, for the club, slipping from the granite point on which it had faller: with such a terrific force, almcst dragged him from his feet. The mishap was adroitly seized by Maximin, He struggled to his feet before the other could recover bis equi- librium, and attempted to draw the revolver which he always carried loosely in the right pocket of bis coat, In this, however, he was unsuccessful; and when the angry man came at him again, the ef- fort brought about a well-nigh fatal result. The revolver caught in the living of the pocket, and bis attempts to extricate it gave the aggres- sor time to regain his legsand hishead. He had Jost his club; but he dashed forward, neverthe- oer with all the fierce impetuosity of a mad bull, Maximin was trembling in a way that illy fitted him to withstand this wild charge, He suc- ceeded in parrying the hastily aimed blow, how- ever; and then closed with bis antagonist, be- fore the latter could strike again. The struggle that ensued was silent, but terrible. With bodies writhing and straining, and limbs locked together, they rolled over and over, like huge serpents contending for the mastery, For a time it seemed that neither gained any advantage over the other, But as they stagger- ed to their feet, only to fall again, Maximin’s arm came in contact with a stone with such stunniug force that it fell disabled at his side. The other perceived the slackening of the grasp and comprehended the character of the low ery that fell from the monte man, ‘Curse you!” he grated as he tightened his fingers about the gambler’s ‘throat. “I’ve got you where I want you, and I'll do you up in mighty short meter!” aximin felt his senses reeling under the com- ression of the iron-like clutch which sent the lood in hot tides to his brain and shut the air from his lungs with as much certainty as if a screw-clamp had been set about his throat, Helpless as a child, the instinct of self-preserva- tion was yet strong upon him, and with a bloody blur before his eyes-and a cloud settling over his mind, he managed to send forth one wild cry for tm 3 before complete ;unconsciousness enveloped im. The cry was answered by a shout, and a hurried patter of footsteps. Mike Hogan, grown tired of waiting for the laggard monte man, bad left the curbstone where he had been seated, a couple of squares above the hollow, and was sauntering slowly down the street, His impa- tient growls at being compelled to tarry so long were cut short by Maximin’s call for help. The very faintness and unnaturalness of the sound convinced him that the monte man had fallen into deadly peril of some kind, So he gave that encouraging shout and bounded to the rescue, whipping out his revolver as he ran, Maximin had sunk limply to the earth, all the life apparently choked out of him; and the would- be assassin was fambling blindly for a knife with which to finish his murderous task. The echoing pavement so multiplied the sounds of Hogan’s foot-falls that the fellow drew himself erect, a scared look coming into his face, Foul, odious assassination was a crime not readily condoned by the people of Magic Gulch, and he knew that if caught, scant mercy would be meted out to him, He was loth to abandon a work so nearly completed, and which could be finished at a blow, and again felt for the’elusive knife, which had slipped from his belt and evidently dropped to the ground. Manifestly his batred of the monte man, from whatever cause it arose, was of a malignant aud rancorous character. Hogan was rapidly drawing near, shouting his encouragement at almost every bound. sf ** Curse the luck!” the man angrily ejaculated, searching once more for the knife, ‘* Those fellows will be on top of me in another minute,” The gloom was so intense in the hollow, and had also so inc,eased on the higher slope along which Hogan was racing, that his belief that a force was rushing toward him remained undispelled, As for the monte man himself, all sense of life or peril was still in abeyance, A ery of joy arose to the man’s lips as his hands touched the cold handle of the knife, Hogan was dangerously near, now, “Take that)” he cried, striking heavily at Maximin. Then he scrambled over the rocks and fled up the hollow as fast as his legs could carry bim, Hogan saw him, and fired two or three shots in rapid succession. But the fellow continued on; an’ Hogan leaped down the incline, excited- ly calling his friend’s name. *‘ Where are you, Max?” he bawled, stumbling about in the darkness and barking his shins against the rocky projections. ‘‘ It’s so cussed dark in here I can’t see a thing!” Just then he tripped and fell headlong across the apparently inanimate form, ‘* Heavens!” he ejaculated. ‘‘ He’s dead!” Without more ado he struck a match and flared its feeble light into Maximin’s face, A glance showed him that his fears were not true. The muscles of the monte man’s face were twitching, and he was gasping with returning life, The ight had revealed more, although it had flickered out in an instant, The handle of a knife seemed to protrude from the injured man’s breast. “*Stabbed, by hookey!” and he reached for- ward and felt cautiously for the haft of the knife, ‘‘I’m much afraid the scamp has done him up.” A touch reassured him, however. The assail- ant, in his haste, bad bent too far forward in dealing the blow, and the blade of the weapon had passed through the clothing over the breast and down between the side and arm, inflicting only a’slight flesh wound. At this point Maximin began to stir and endeavor to sit uP, muttering incoherently. Oh, you’re all right!” Hogan cried, assuring- ly, at the same time lifting the prostrate man into a comfortable position. ‘‘ I declare, though, I'd have sworn you was done for, a minute ago, The cuss had it in for you, and he’d have wiped you out if [ hadn’t got bere just when [ did,” The words and tones recalled Maximin to a sense of bis whereabouts, ‘* Ah! it’s you, Hogan? I feel as if I had been run through a quartz mill. But Ill be all right in a moment. I’m giddy and sick from the choking I got.” ‘“*Tf you can walk we’d better be going,” said Hogan, ‘I suppose you know the name of the fellow that done it?” ‘*No!” and the monte man staggered to his feet, with his friend’s aid. ‘‘ He struck me with a ciub, I think, and knocked me down here, be- fore I knew he was near me,” ‘“ Well,” and Hogan firmly compressed his lips. ‘It was dark, and I didn’t get as gooda look at him as I'd have liked; but from what I — see, I’m willing to bet high it was Diamond an! CHAPTER VI. AN ASTOUNDING CONFESSION, As stated, Jeannie had been away from home during Maximin’s visit to the Carom residence. Several days had passed since Carom’s unlucky fall in the mine, and, although still confined to his bed, he was rapidly improving. But, there was a chance, he feared, that his place might be taken by another, and so he had sent Jeannie to the residence of the superintendent to say that he would be able for duty in a few days, and that be hoped the prene would be held for him, The superintendent lived in a smart cottage at the opposite side of the town, His office and the mine were near; but Carom had not thought it best to troubie him during business hours on his way home, It was quite dark when Jeannie returned, worn out with the long walk over the uneven streets. It had been thoughtless in Carom to send her forth at such an hour, for after night- fall the place swarmed with villains of high and low degree, Jeannie knew full well the charac- ter of the men she saw at every corner; and although a sickening fear came upon her at times, she pursued her way deliberately and courageously, and reached home without insult or molestation, Carom was sitting up in bed anxiously await- ing her coming, An unnatural light shone in his eyes and he was unusually nervous, his bird- like fingers shaking visibly as he pressed them against the white covering. The gir] was startled, thinking he had taken a turn for the worse, or bad been intruded upon and alarmed, ‘*Has any one been here, father?” she asked, looking at him anxiously. “ No,” he said, never faltering as he met her gaze, “The superintendent said you needn’t give yourself any uneasiness, for you can go,to work at any time.” She communicated this in a cheery voice, hoping the good news would actasa tonic. But if Carom heard her he paid no beed. ** You need rest and sleep,” she asserted, seat- ing herself at the bedside, ‘Hadn't you better take one of those powders the doctor left?” He put out bis hand in a deprecatery way, “TI want to talk with you a little, Jeannie!” His manner was altogether so distrait that it puzzled her. One thing seemed certain, how- ever. He had been distressed while she was ab- | sent. She accepted his statement that no one | bad been there. Therefore bis present nervous tension must be due to thoughts or memories which had gathered unbidden, ‘Is there anything I can do for you?” ‘she queried, giving him her hand as she settled her- self to hear what he had to say, ‘*T feel impelled to a confession,” he went on, without answering her question, ‘‘ Jeannie, my / | name is not Carom, but La Rue; and—J am your father |” The confession was so astounding, so wholly unexpected, and so contrary to anytbing he had ever told ber before, that her face became as white as marble as the blood rushed in upon her heartin a quick tide, In hopeless bewilderment she stared at him, wondering vaguely if she bad heard ,aright, The knowledge brought with it such a world of tumultuous emotions, such a whirl of new ideas, that her senses were numb- ed and dazed. ‘*Ob, father!” she managed to gasp, usin oe title by which she had always nda 1m, *Tt’s true!” he declared, nodding his head, | while his burning glances seemed to search out her inmost heart. ‘‘ You think it funny I never told you before?” She could not reply—in fact, she scarcely heard the query. Her mind was striving to grasp the heights and depths of this wonderful revelation, She bad always longed for the true, strong love of a real father, even while confessing that no ties of blood ceuld increase the strength of ber attachment for the man who | had been to ber both father and mother since E days of her earliest recollection. Yet a warmer glow came to her heart with the thought that Carom was her father in fact as well as in name, It was driven out b freeze the currents of a chill that seemed to er very existence. Obs viously the story was conjured up by a feverish imagination. The evidence of this, to her eyes was visible in bis flushed cheeks and exci mauner, **' You doubt it!” he said, coldly drawing back. “Oh, how can I believe, father?” throwing her arms about his neck, ‘It is so strange—so strange! Why did you never tell me before? Why did you leave me in ignorance of this all these years?” . ‘“*T had a good reason, Jeannette!” holding her from him, and looking at her in bis new, strange way. ‘‘ The best of reasons,” He stopped and hid his face in bis hands, as if hesitating to go on, “Years ago I killed a manin the heatof pas- / sion; I fled trom the place, and have been trem- bling ever since, feeling that the day of punish- ment would surely come. It was then I decided to bring you up in ignorance of the fact that I am your father, so that when the evil day came it would not strike you with such crushing force, ** Lying here, thinking the matter over, I came to the sudden resolve that 1 would deceive you no longer. It was not justice to you to*keep you in suck ignorance.” Jeannette again had her arms around his neck, and was sobbing like a child. Carom was very pale, but also very quiet and earnest, **T have made a discovery lately,” he said, going straight on with bis narration, ‘ And that is that ws have no better friend here than Marc Maximin. He was befriending us even while we were misjudging him. I found that out from the talk of some of the men who were here this afternoon.” This also was a startling change of tront; but coming so quickly on the heels of the otber. its singularity was not so noticeable to Jeannette, As yet that filled ber mind, almost to the exclu- sion of everything else. ‘If it were not for bis influence, I wouldn’t be able to hold my poeton in the mine a single day. You know that in my weakened state I am barely capable of earning the wages I re- ceive; and half the time I do not earn them, The superintendent knows that; but as Maximin is one of the heaviest stockholders, he keeps me, at his request.” Jeannette had been trained to strict dutiful- ness; and now that the first tumult of doubt was passing away, she gave a ready acceptance to Carom’s statements, She recalled Maximin’s kindness during her father’s illness, some time before. It had been in a line with these develop- ments; and her heart glowed with gratitude for the gambler against whom she had been so re- cently warned,
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i The Mesmerist Sport. = ite, ample time to wash and dry his hands, andy For a moment Carom hesitated, as if anxious how she would accept these strange communica- tions. ** Most men are selfish, of course, and I am sorry to say Maximin is not an exception. He isn’t doing this without hope of repayment. He loves you, Jeannie, and kopes to so win your favor that he may one day be encouraged to ask you to become his wife.” ; oo, drew herself up, flushed and star- tled. ** He is not worse than other men of the place,” he declared, going right on, as if to cut short any objections. ‘‘Gambling is not one of the deadly sins in Magic Gulch; and that is his worst offense. The most prominent men of the camp habitually take their little fling at cards, and no one thinks the less of them for it,” The girl knew that this was true; and, while she could not but feel that gambling and drink- ing must be wrong, even her naturally fine sen- sibilities had been dulled by daily contact with these vices, **You will receive Maximin well, for my sake?” he asked, but giving the question a tone of command. A feeling of rebellion stirred in the girl’s breast, but the unquestioning sense of obedience which had descended upon her from her French ancestors stilled the rising storm. “If you wish it, father!” in tones that were calm and submissive, but with a crushing, in- ward pang. ‘** I do wish it, Jeannie!” and he laid bis hand softly on her head, ‘‘I knew you would not disappoint me; and we must repay Maximin in some way.” CHAPTER VIL. A TRICK THAT FAILED, HoGAN’s statement, together with his own suspicious feelings regarding Diamond Dan, al- most convinced the monte man that the latter — the one who had so mysteriously assaulted im. He was in no condition to speculate on the subject, however, as Hogan assisted him to the vement and toward Fiddler’s Palace. His throat throbbed and ached from the choking, and the bruised and swollen place on his chee caused his bead to feel as big asa bushel. The flesh wound in the side, which Hogan had band- aged as well as he could, was also painful and troublesome, It required quite a week to put Maximin in presentable condition, during which time he re- mained close in his room. The enforced im- prisonment chafed him, for it kept him from visiting Jeannette and likewise stopped his large gains at three-card monte. Hogan was an ex- cellent “‘ pigeon,” but his fingers were not suffi- ciently nimble to enable him to run the game, But Maximin did not remain idle. He em- ployed his hours of seclusion in perfecting his scheme to obtain the girl’s fortune and in care- ie study of the acts and character of Diamond an, Notwithstanding Hogan’s declaration, and his own fears; be could not find actual proof strong enough to bolster the theory tbat Dan had been his assailant. So far as he could see there was absolutely no cause for enmity between them, And yet he felt almost sure that the sport bad been listening at the door of his room on the oc- casion of the conversation between himself and Hogan concerning Jeannie La Rue. That was a circumstance which added mystery to the nt muddled state of affairs. Thus thinking, he resolved to put this last re- lief to the test. If Diamond Dan had eaves- dropped once he would do it again, should chance lead him to think anything could be gained by it. Therefore, as soon as Maximin was again able to baunt the gaming-room, he constantly sought a suitable opportunity to ap- ply the test. One night, while standing near Diamond Dan and engaged in talk with Hogan, he let fall a remark intended to ex¢ite the sport’s curiosity. It was a reference to Jeannie La Rue and her fortune, spoken in tones that were intentionally unguarded. Soon after, be left the place with his pal, and ascended to the second floor. The bait took, as the monte man had hoped and expected. Diamond Dan bad not been inactive all these days. Asa friend, he had called on Carom, and had thus obtained a good look at the girl whose cause he bad more than half-resolved to cham- pion against the gamblers. Hence, Maximin’s apparently careless words acted upon him as a magnet, Within ten minutes from the time they left the room he followed them. Warned by his previous experience he passed to his own apart- ment, without any effort at concealment, he lighted a lamp, and leaving the door slightly ajar that he might the more readily pass out, he rustlingly took up a newspaper and settled bim- self in a chair as if to read it. As he went by the gamblers’ apartment he had observed that they had a light burning low | and were engaged in subdued conversation. On their part they had anxiously awaited his coming, having prepared a trap which they be- lieved could not fail to catch him, Its very sim- plicity rendered it dangerously effective. All they had done was to scatter a few handfuls of flour on the corridor floor just in front of the door of their room, All unaware of this, and not in the least sus- peeting that he wes being made the victim of a preconcerted plot, Diamond Dan sat in his own apartment with the paper held loosely in his hand, and with ears strained to catch the faint sounds coming from Maximin’s chamber. After a little he allowed the paper to slide noiselessly to the floor, cautiously removed his shoes, and swung the door open wide enough to permit the easy passage of his body. Then he crept into the corridor, In previously advancing along it ke had un- consciously crowded near the further wall, and = shoes had thus escaped contact with the our, His movements were so silent and stealthy that he succeeded in gaining the gamblers’ door with- out their knowledge, though they stopped their talk every little while to listen. ‘*I’'m afraid he ain’t going to come,” he heard Hogan observe,in a growling undertone. ‘I reckon be couldn’t have dropped onto our little game?” The words caused Diamond Dan to suspect that all was not right. He bad already detected the floury, slippery feeling of the floor, which was plainly observable through his stockings; and he had likewise wondered at it withovt a thought that it had reference to himself. Now he put out a band, and discovered the true state of affairs, for bis quick intuition immediately revealed to him the nature of the trap. ‘Oh, he'll be along by and by, if we’re not totally off in our guess,” the monte man made answer; and then they again fell to talking of the games of the evening, Shaking the flour dust from his hand as well as he could, Diamond Dan drew himself erect with the utmost care, and began a mental search for some way by which he could withdraw with- out revealing the fact that he bad been there. It was evident at first glance that he could not ef- face the marks he bad made in the flour; and should he beat a ‘retreat along the corridor in that condition, a series of -floury footprints would betray him. One thing, at least, had been this night proven to his entire satisfaction, and that was that Maximin and Hogan strongly suspected him of being their enemy. It was a position to incline one to nervousness, Should the gamblers hear him he could not bope to get out of the difficulty as easily as before; and to be found there in his stocking feet would so prove his guilt that no evasion or explanation could be possible, ( “T think I’d better quit trying to shadow these fellows!” was the thought that swept grim- ly through his mind. ‘‘ They must be lineal de- scendants of ‘The Artful Dodger.” He lifted a foot, and with floury hand care- fully removed the stocking from it. Then be stepped far ont, and breathed freer when his bare foot touched the clean flogr. Holding the other foot over the floured space, he removed the stocking from it in the same way, Having accomplished this, he wrapped his handkerchief about the hand and the steckings to keep any of the tell-tale dust from dropping to the floor, and then hurried as quickly as be could to his room, He had scarcely gained it when he heard one of the men spring into the corridor, They had fancied they caught the sound of his footsteps, ‘Bring the lamp!” came in excited tones From Hogan, who had glared pugilistically about and failed to see any one, The light showed the imprints in the flour, but they looked in vain for avy indications of the direction the spy had taken. ‘‘Thundering queer, that is!” Maximin mut- tered; while Hogan without any orders from his superior, hurried to Dan’s room and. tapped on the door, The sport met him, lamp in hand, and with no traces of flour on his person. He had had _ slip on bis shoes, ** Ah, it’s you, Hogan?” with a smile that was Tere / sphinx-like and imperturbable. **{ thought I heard you call!” and Hogan looked the sport squarely in the eyes. ‘“Then your ears deceived you, for I have been as quiet as a mouse for the last half hour,” At this Hogan apologized and retreated, but be was not convinced; and he and Maximin spent half the night in cleaning up the muss in the corridor and in discussing the mysterious and exciting event. CHAPTER VIII, A MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR, THEIR trick bad not resulted to their satisfac- tion, Yet, they were more than ever satisfied that Diamond Dan was shadowing them, though for what purpose did not seem. clear. The history of each was stained with so many. dark deeds, any one! of which would be sufficient, if proven, to place him behind prison bars, ““The guilty flee when no man pursueth,” is an axiom as true to-day as when first uttered; and the tremblings and fears of Maximin and. Hogan were but new proofs of its correctness, ‘We'll have to watch for a chance to settle him,” had been Maximin’s conclusion of the long: discussion of the night, The next morning, chance seemed to throw in his way the vupportunity sought for, He heard Diam nd Dan questioning concerning the prog- ress of work in the nearest mine, the one in which Carcm had been employed; and caught the sport’s statement that be intended to descend the shaft and satisfy his curiosity by taking a look around, The mine was known as the Climax Lode, and was one of the newest that had been opened, Max- imin‘had visited it a number of times, and felt tolerably familiar with the windings of its black passages, If there was one place more than an- other favorable to assassination, that place was the heart of Climax Lode. The galleries were gloomy and narrow, tbe roofs low and sodden, and the monotonous drip of water sounded everywhere, Owing to this latter peculiarity it was accounted one of the most dangerous niines. of that mineral belt; and’ huge timbers were for- ever being set in position to brace the treach- erous walls. All through the forenoon the gambler watched Diamond Dan closely; and, when the latter set off alone for the mouth of the shaft, he followed as soon after as he dared, without attracting at- tention. When he gained the mine, he found that Diamond Dan had descended; and the car, on its next trip, carried him also into the black depths. The galleries had not been sufficiently extend- ed to make it likely that any one would get lost in exploring them. Hence, Diamond Dan was given a miner’s lamp and told to look about the place as much as he wished, “There are several passages of goodish length, . and they sometimes bow. and twist like all git- out; butall you’ve got to do is to foller em up and they'll fetch you into the big chamber at the further end, where the men are at work.” This was the information and instruction given to the sport by the miner who furnished him with the lamp. : Dan was guided wholly by curiosity in mak- ing this trip, and trudged slowly into the first allery, flashing the light now and then on the ripping walls, or stopping to examine a re- markably brilliant bit of quartz, He was dressed in a manner to make him al- most unrecognizable to any but an intimate acquaintance. His polisbed silk hat, neatly fit- ting clothing, and low shoes had been discarded for a style of attire more becoming a miner. But his white sbirt front was visible beneath the rough coat, and in its center the diamond cres- cent burned with unusual luster under the rays of the lamp, The monte man managed to escape from the cage, at the bottom of the shaft, without attract- ing the attention of the man stationed there: and this he did by crawling out on bands ana knees while the other was working ata car of ibe which he was preparing to send to the sur- ace. Maximin felt that he reeded no light, and cer- tainly wished for none. dancing point of flame, which he believed to be Dan’s lantern, caught bis eye, and he crept stealthily after it. His object was to overtake and leap upon the unsuspecting man, at some place where no call for aid could avail, and by the suddenness and impetuosity of the assault, overwhelm and slay him. He believed Dan had tried the serve him | 2 en = os
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/ PR fat way, and it would be a vengeful turning of the tables, The nature of the mine and the character of the pasaages seemed especially adapted for the accomplishment of his evil ends. The splash and drip of the water would serve to cover any noise he might make, and the gloom would con- | ceal his'movements. But for the fear that the report of a pistol might bring discovery, he would have elected to shoot the sport rather than risk the chances of a personal combat. The dancing point of light was drawing away from him, and be hastened after it, made ner- vous by the thought that the sport might reach the further chamber before he could overhaul him. Occasionally the light was concealed by a turn of the gallery, and then be splashed heed- lessly on, moved by feverish excitement, The light disappeared, finally. He was near- ing the chamber at the opposite end, now. There were one or two narrow, side passages near the spot where the lamp seemed to have gone out. In one of these a miner was delving, the lantern at his side casting a flickering flame upon the rocks, as an occasional gust of air, from some unknown quarter swept over it. Maximin went on some distance further; and then feeling that Dan must have stumbled into one of the side passages, he turned back to seek him. Suddenly he heard a soft splashing in the water, and feeling sure Dan had regained tho main gallery and was now cautiously feeling his way forward, the gambler crowded himself = the wall and prepared to spring upon m. He held a knife in his hand, and his whole frame quivered with suppressed excitement, With tiger-like bound he leaped out as the man came opposite. He was mistaken in his expectations of finding the latter unprepared, The assailed must have heard his movements as he prepared to attack, for the blow. was parried, ed: another given with the fist that caused the sport to reel. Furious with rage and hate, Maximin dashed at him again, dipping and writhing in an effort to strike with the knife, But the other closed with a rush, and then squeezed him in sucha bear-like grasp that the knife was rendered use- less. Thus struggling they fell to the floor of the gallery and rolled over and over in the muddy pools that had collected from the dripping walls, Maximin was fired with an insane animosity that wonderfully increased his strength and fighting capacity. But the other seemed built of iron and muscled with steel. Time and again they re, va to their feet only to go down as before. The pools were stirred into beds of slime with which their persons and clothin were plastered. The knife was dropped; an thus with only the weapons of nature they con- tended in that horrible place for the mastery, The sounds of the combat had reached the ears of the miner, and, not knowing whether the fight was being waged by human beings or by animals, he had darted away tospread an alarm among the miners in the chamber. The combatants had not heard this; but when the workmen came swarming toward them, with loud shouts, the waving lamps illuminating the passage, their attention was necessarily at- tracted, ° With a furious curse the man tore himself away from Maximin, and giving him a last vi- cious blow fled backward along the gallery. The blow tumbled the gambler again into the mire, and before be could arise the excited crowd was upon him, At their head was Diamond Dan ! Maximin stared in amazement, a low cry of fear and astonishment escaping bim. Diamond Dan’s clothing.was unsoiled except by the drip of the water, the whiteness of his sbirt front was unstained, and the crescented diamonds gleamed with all their former brilliancy. Nothing could be more certain than that the man he had at- tacked had not been the sport! ‘ ** Hello! what’s up here?” and Dan advanced and flashed the rays of his lamp into Maximin’s face, which was, however, so covered with mud and slime that it was unrecognizable. The gambler had got upon his feet, and to judge by his attitude was more than half-in- clined to break into a panicky flight. “Skin me ef ’tain’t Marc Maximia!” declared one of the miners, more keen-eyed than the rest, There was no escape, now, and the monte man endeavored to make the best of a bad situation, “T am rather used up!” he confessed, attempt- ing to laugh at his sorry plight. ‘I was com- ing along the gallery a little while ago when some fellow 1 me, and we had a fight, The Mesmerist Sport. ——— ee ee ! with the result you see. He ran when he heard you coming, and must be in the gallery between here and the shaft.” The statement created the most profound won- der, and a search was immediately instituted for the unknown assailant, Maximin assisted eagerly in this, extremely anxious to get at the root of the mystery. But the galleries, if not numerous, were dark and forbidding and filled with many crevices in which one might hide, and the man was not found, CHAPTER IX, WAS IT AN ACCIDENT? THE affair was as puzzling to Diamond Dan asit was to Maximin. How came the monte man in the passage without a lantern? was the question that kept rising in bis mind. Speaking to no one of his suspicions, ha yet proceeded to investigate the matter in a quiet way. After Maximin had been given an extra coat and had ascended to tae surface, the sport approached the man who handled the ore cars at the bottom of the shaft. He had met him a few times at Fiddler’s Palace, and presuming upon the acquaintance thus formed spoke of the mystery of the fight in the gallery, The man had heard the details from a fellow workman, and was nothing loth to discuss the subject. ‘By the way, when did Max come down?” and the sport gave as careless a tone tothe ques- tion as he could command. “‘That’s what 1 was jes’ thinkin’ about a little while ago. Hanged if [know. I reec’lect when you come down, well enough; but I don’t have no remembrance of t’other feller, I reckon be must ’a’ been in the mine before I went on this morn- ing, though it don’t seem like he’d keer to stay so long as that,” It was anything but likely, Dan thought, though he did not choose to put his opinion in words; and as he left the talkative miner the feel- ing grew upon him that the monte man had ob- served and followed him for purposes of assassi- nation. No direct reasoning led to this belief, but it came as if by intuition, and was fostered by thoughts of what had occurred the previous night, But the mystery of the strange assailant re- mained a mystery, refusing to be cleared away by any course of logic, All desire for further exploration in the galleries had been dissipated; and Diamond Dan soon after went above, thinking the pure air and bright sunlight might clear the cobwebs from his brain. Maximin had disappeared; nor did he see yim again that day. He wasin his usual place that evening, however, and seemed but little affected by his experience in the mine. The sport avoided the gaming-tables that night, and spent his time in observing the move- ments of the monte men and their cronies, There were numbers of the latter, for the gamblers had a large following among the rougher elements of the place; and several times Dan fancied that averted glances were given him by these men as they passed. But the days slipped away without anything occurring to justify kis beliefs, until one fine morning when be took his way past the Carom residence toward the office of the mine super- intendent, The latter was reputed to be an honorable, upright man, and, as he had come there at the very inception of the boom, Dan hoped to ex- tract some hints from him that might prove of service, He wanted to question him concerning Maximin and Hogan, and perhaps about Paul Carom and Jennie La Rue. He had not liked the way affairs were going. ln his own work he had accomplished notbing, and had heard that the monte.man was paying visits to Carom’s ward. The air was cool and exhilarating, making simple existence enjoyable, and he strolled leisurely along, drinking in the beauty of the sky and the mountain scenery. On a wooded slope above the path he was pur- suing, @ number of men were at work, engaged in slipping heavy logsdownacbute, They were to be used as braces in the mine, where the extension of new galleries and the constant rot- ting effect of the water required a ceaseless supply of fresh material. Two of the workmen were prying at a log with handspikes, endeavoring to push it toward the chute. Dan recognized them as men known to be especially friendiy toward Maximin and Hogan. On a number of occasions when the monte business became slack, and Hogan seemed unable to infuse new life into it, they bad come forward and rekindled the excitement by win- | 7 ay o ning largely, thus stimulating their fellow- workmen to new bets, As the sport reached the foot of the slope, and while his attention was attracted in another direction, a sudden cry arose from the group of men on the hillside, Looking quickly up, Dan was horrified to see the huge log bounding down theincline straight toward him, In some way it had escaped from the men who were handling it. The consciousness of his dreadful peril rooted him for a moment to the spot. Then, with an inarticulate cry, he turned and ran downward and sidewise along the base of the bill, vainly hoping to outstrip the log in its headlong de- scent. It was plainly impossible; but, what man can stand still and do nothing to avert im- pending death, even though he realizes that all effort must prove unavailing? Like a missile hurled from some monster cata- pult, the log came on, rolling and bounding from obstruction to obstruction, and sweeping every- thing before it, The cry of the men ou the billside had pene- trated to the cffice and mill buildings at the mouth of the mine, and from these carne the superintendent and employees, only to be trans- fixed by horror as they comprehended the cause of the alarm. poehiok could be done to assist the imperiled Diamond Sport, and it seemed equally certain he could do nothing to aid himself, Scarcely more than a minute was occupied by Diamond Dan in bis flight, aud by the log in its descent, though to the horrified crowd the time seemed an age, Then the sport tripped and fell—and the log passed over his prostrate body! With excited cries the throng burried to the spot, expecting to find Dan’s body crushed into an unrecognizable mass, Their surprise was, therefore, great, when they found him still alive and breathing feebly, though unconscious, By some happy fatality, be had fallen into a depres- sion, and the cruel weight of the log had been warded off, but enough pressure had been ex- erted to bruise his left arm and shoulder bacly, and the pain and shock had brought a state of insensibility. Almost the first man to reach him was Paul Carom, who, when the log started on its mur- derous course, bad been standing near the mouth of the shaft preparatory to descending, “See! he is yet alive!” Czrom declared, bending over the bruised and bleeding form. **Carry him rignt up to my bouse and send for the doct. r.” There were scores of willing hands, for the men who delve in the mines at the daily risk of their lives are proverbially kind-hearted; and Dan was lifted and borne slowly toward the Carom residence. The cries and shouts had aroused Jeannie, who was now standing in the door, lookiug auxiously toward the scene of excitement, As the throng turned in tbe direction of the house, with their burden carried so quietly in their midst, a sickening fear swept over ber, for at that distauce she could not single her father out from among his associates, With the bounding step of a frightened deer she crossed the threshold and passed through the gate, Carom saw the movement, and uuder- standing its cause showed bimself on the edge of the throng, so that Jeannie might recognize Lim and be reassured, Still she came on, her fears for Carom’s safety dissipated, but with her beart torn with pity for the unknown, None seemed more oppressed by fesr and grief, however, than the two men who bad had the handling of the log, and from whose grasp it had escaped or been purposely hurled. Taey were undeniably agitated, and no one thought to question whether or not this agitation pro- ceeded from proper motives, At Carom’s instruction, Jeannie rushed back, pale-lipped and wild-eyed, and burriedly ar- ranged a cot for the injured man, Some min- utes before a messenger had sped away for the doctor; and, by the time the sport bad been com- fortably placed in the bed, the physician reached the house. A hasty examination served to eccnfirm the correctness of the superficial one made by the miners. No bones were broxen, and the sport’s head had entirely escaped contact with tbe log, But the bruises on the arm and shoulder were of a serious nature, and the man of medicine thought there might be internal injuries. As soon as the wounds were properly dressed, he attempted to restore the unfortunate man to consciousness, and with such gratifying success that Dan was soon able to Jook about him and take some interest in the affairs of the world,
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Se et Te = = meetin, ae apm ae ’ 8 pains - CHAPTER X, THE BIRTH OF TRUE LOVE. No invalid ever bad a more attentive nurse than had Diamond Dan in the persun of Jeannie LaRue. The opinion of the people of Mavic Gulch that Jeannie was ‘ta good girl” received daily confirmation, She was quiet, thonghtful, care- ful, and unwearied in her good offices. The re- turn of consciousness was but temporary; and there were many hours in which Diamond Dan raved deliriously, for the most part fleeing from imaginary logs that forever chased bim, A detail of miners and sports sat with him nightly, and the doctor’s calls were not infre- quent. Yet Jeannie was much alone with the patient. for Carom felt forced to continue his work in the mine, To Dan, whether conscious or delirious, she became his good angel, whose touch could charm away pain and whose voice could lull to repose. RS ee LTR Te nye ENRETT Strangely enough, he became restless and up- | easy whenever she passed from his sight; and if sbe did not return in what he considered a rea- sonable time he was almost sure to fret himself into a fever, As for Jeannie, tremulous and unbdidden thongbts were stirring in her heart. like fledgling birds; thoughts, too, which brought a strange commingling of pleasure and pain Hour after hour, when she supposed Dan sleeping, she had studied his face, drawn to it by an impulse that was irresistible. His low- spoken words, and oven his complaints, became as music to her; and when he smiled or praised, the heavens were irradiated with that light which was never yet on sea or land, Then, one fateful day, she awoke to the knowl- edge that, unsought, she had given her love to this man. She had not known what love was before. In compliance with her father’s wishes she had been accepting the attentions of Maxi- min with the unquestioning obedience which was a part of her nature, and endeavoring to cheat herself iato the belief that she liked him; but she could delude herself no longer, A thought of the monte man brought a sense of loathing. lf the workmen bad let slip the log purposely in the belief that the destruction of Diamond Dan would advance Maximin’s interests, they had made a most woeful blunder. The presence of the sport in the Carom residence seemed des- tined to imperil the plan that lay nearest the heart of their chief, The monte man was too well versed in the ways of the world, however, to show a sign of the displeasure he must have felt. Daily he called at the cottage, and always mado earnest inquiries concerning the welfare of the injured man. For some reason he never remained long. It may be he divined the changed feelings of the gir). One day he advanced into Dan’s room, seated himself at the bedside, and regarded the con- valescent sport Oxedly and with an oily smile. ‘* Getting along all right, eh?” and he endeay- ored to throw a ring of cheeriness into the words. ** Yes,” said Dan, returning the gaze and seeming half fascinated by it. ‘I couldn’t do better, Doc thinks I can get out next week.” * Ah! that’s encouraging. I’m truly glad to hear it.” There was a warmth it this that left no doubt of bis earnestness, for the sport had glready re- mained too long near Jeannie to suit his plans and wishes, ** How’s everything going on at the Palace?” Dan queried, trying to shake off the strange sensations that oppressed him, **Ohb, all right!” and the moate man’s tones were as soft as the notes of a cooing dove, “There are 2 good many inquiries about you every night; and the boys will be glad when you can get among them again.” ‘“*My friend Hogan, too, I suppose?” a spirit of grim bumor taking possession of him, ‘‘ Hogan? Oh, yes, he’s been quite anxious for your recovery.” The burning eyes he had fixed on Dan seemed to emit a greenish glare at this juncture, The sport strove to be jocular, but his wit a peared to have deserted him and an unutterable sense of drowsiness weighed him down, With ere he threw off the spell, and sat up in a. ‘* What was that you said?’ drawing his eves away by a strong exercise of will power, ‘Ob, Hogan! He’s been thinking about me? ell, ’m sure ’m much obliged to him, Give him my thanks, please, and tell him I should never bave thought it possible.” Maximin frowned and bit bis lip to keep back the gust of passion that strove for expression. | derstood Hogan’s character fairly well. not reply to the stricture, however, and seemed | averse to any extension of the interview. The Mesmerist Sport. * Rt re ee ESTER EE Ne **My dear Dan, I’m afraid you’re inclined to be facetious, credit that’s justly due him,” The sport’s manner showed he thought be un- He did Maximin started on a new tack and talked glibly for several minutes, not pleased with his | an early chapter, failure to engage Dan’s interest and attention. | But a discourteous spell had evidently fallen on | | I don’t think you give Hogan the | Magic Gulch, the latter, for be replied very infrequently and | usually only in caustic monosy]lables. Baffled and disgusted, the monte man at length took his departure, Hogan met him atthe corner of the square just above the house, ** What Juck?” was the ‘‘ pigeon’s” greeting. ** Just none at all!” and Maximin emphasized the statement with a bitter oath. ‘I couldn’t ‘work’ thefellow wortha cent, He’s too strong for me, some way.” Hogan’s face lengthened in sympathy with the disappointment of his chief, * That's bad! What was thetrouble? Maybe | it went against you to have the girl there. If | you could just have tolled her off somewhere, | now!” ‘“T wasn’t that!” and Maximin shook his head decidedly. ‘I couldn’t get a grip on him some- how, 1 don’t think the presence of the girl had anything to do with it. I thought I had him once, but he threw me off, and after that I couldn’t do a thing.” ** T don’t reckon he could have had any idea of what you was up to?” “Hardly! I’vo never given any public dis- plays in that line in this town, you know. If I had, I might think there was something in your remark, If we were at Golden City it would be different,” ‘* So it would!” Hogan admitted, ‘* No, I simply failed because his will power is too strong to succumb to my influence, I thought his physical weakness would help me, but it didn’t.” And imbittered by this failuro to gain mes- meric control over the sport, the pair of villains took their way slowly and thoughtfully toward the congenial atmosphere of Fiddler’s Palace: CHAPTER XI, HOPES AND FEARS, At the departure of the monte man Diamond Dan breathed a sigh of relief, He had felt very much as the dove must feel in the presence of the serpent. And, now that Maximin was gone a sense of mingled fear and hate convulsed his mind, “Max is a dangerous man!” ho muttered, striving to analyze his sensations, ‘ He'll be more than ever tempted to do me up when I leave here,” He looked at Jeannie, who had stepped into the room to refill the water pitcher. She blushed under his gaze—a blush that gave her the color of a freshly blown rose, ‘*T wonder if it’s possible she can be the girl I’m looking for?’ he questioned, when be was again alone. ‘It would be a big thing for her, but for me—” He did not finish the sentence, but whistled softly and glanced aimlessly about the room, The truth was that the elegant sport was fall- ing desperately in love with the quiet, humble Jeannette La Rue. As has been more than hinted he had come to that section searching for the heiress to a for- tune. The circumstance: of the case were rather peculiar. More than twenty years be- fore, Sydney Markham, the youngest son of wealthy Epglish parents, had married against the wishes of those parents, and been cast adrift for the offense, With his young wife he had come to the United States, Here all trace of him was finally lost, although it was believed he had gone to the gold fields of the Rocky Mountains, where he and his wife had died. A daughter had been born to them, and this daughter was the object of Dia mond Dan's search, The death of certain members of the family in England left a liberal portion of the fortune to Sydney’s heir or heirs; and so far as could be ascertained this daughter was his sole repre- sentative. It might be that even she was dead, though the contrary opinion was the one enter- tained. Certain well-known legal lights of New York had been employed to look her up, and these entlemen had placed the matter in the hands of iamond Dan, or Dan Donnelly as he was known to them. Dan had heen pushing the search energetically for a number of weeks, and ; wrong description, finally stumbled upon some clews that led But there the trail seemed eod. He could not tind the girl, nor any trace of her, The only thing that bad ever led him to think Jeannie La Rue might be the heiress to the Eng- lish fortune were the statements made by Maxi- min in bis conversation with Hogan, detuiled in But the descriptions of the girls failed to tally. Markham’s daughter was English born, and would doubtiess show trace of ber English descent; while Jeannie La Rue | was decidedly French. It was a knotty problem. More than once the sport had asked himself if he and Maximin could be hunting fcr the same girl. If so, there was a mistake somewhere; :and it must lie wita the monte man, who bad been given a lt could not be otherwise, for We information came from the fountain head, This conclusion was a most agreeable one for the convalescent, He was extremely anxious to find the heiress to the Markbam millions, but grateful that she had not been found in the per- son of Jeannie La Rue, This was inconsistent with his professional pride, which had always ac- counted success the prims factor, But if Jean- nie La Rue were the Markham heiress, then he could scarcely hope to win her for bis owu, and to attempt this he was already almost resolved on. Should it once become certain that she was | the girl he was hunting, he would'be forced to tell her of her actual station in hfe, and todo that would be to close the doors of hope against himself, His only capital was a well-trained mind and a vigorous body; and that kind of capital the world counts fcr little when matched against the wealth that is represented by money. It would be an ungentlemanly and even scoundrelly act, he told himself, to try to win the love of Jeannie La Rue, if convinced she was the girl he sought, and before acquainting her with the truth, That was what Maximin was doing, and he had been unable to find words strong evough to condemn the monte man’s ac- tion. Through the long days of bis illness the love he now felt for Carom’s ward had grown by al- most imperceptible degrees until it was the master passion of bis nature, absorbing every- thing else. He thought of her vy day and dreamed of her by night; her smile brought sunshine, and a shadow on her face was sure to be reflected in bis heart. ‘No, if she is the girl, I must keep my mouth closed,” he inwardly groaned. ‘*‘ What could I say to the men who sent me here should I do anything so perfidious? It would be a violation of the most sacred trust, They could never for- give me, and | could never forgive myself,” The perspiration was standing on his face, which was pale with anxiety and thought. ** Jeannie!” he said, calling her from the other room, ‘*[ don’t want to seem impertinent, but I'd like to ask you a few questions, which you can answer or not as you think best,” She seated herself quietly, although it was plain she was discomposed and startled by bis manner, “*I suppose I may claim we are fairly well acquainted by this time, and I am presuming on this acquaintance in what I am about to say. You must know I couldn’t help thivking a good deal about you, and a very natural desire bas sprung up to know more of you than I do,” The color came and went painfully in the girl’s cheeks, for she knew he was studying her face; but she folded ber hands demurely in her lap and made no reply. “You haye never told me anything about yourself,” he continued, feeling bis way very cautiously, and feariul lest he should say some- thing to offend. ‘‘ Would you mind doing so, now?” " : “ Why, there isn’t anything to tell!” she said, looking up archly; ‘ that is, nothing Leycnd the ordinary.” ‘It will be so much easier to tell, then,” he urged. Diamond Dan was forgetting the fine instincts which usually guided him. Had he checked his impetuous eagerness, and taken time for thought he would have realized that be was doing that which in another he would severely censure, He surely was not justified in pressing such in- quiries without first having laid bare the secrets of bis own life. He never hesitated to use craft against craft, nor to employ all the arts and tricks at his com- mand iz bis pursuit of criminals, but bere was a case very different. The girl was young and in- experienced, and withal so pure and innocent, pe
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4 | 7 q . hat any resort to subterfuge seemed inex- cusable, j ‘“T had fancied father had told you something of our history,” she faltered, ‘I have been told I was born in France, I never knew my mother, We came to this country when I was quite young; and it seems to me we have always lived in the mountains, and in a mining coun- try. ‘* And your real father—what of him?’ Dan questioned. A spasm of pain momentarily distorted her fine features, ““Mr. Carom is my father,” she said softly. Had the roof fallen in, the sport could not have been more astonished, “ But the names!” hecried, bewildered beyond measure. “It does seem puzzling,” she confessed, a hot flush burning in her cheeks, “I had always called = father, you know; but until very re- cently I had no owledge that he “was my father, I supposed him to be merely my foster- father, or guardian.” Her ‘distress was sO great and manifest that Dan forbore further questioning, although an insane and relentless curiosity was driving him half-mad. All his ideas and theories had been suddenly dislocated and hopelessly jumbled. One thought, however, rose above the others like a light-house above aseething sea: Jeannie La Rue could not be the Markham heiress; and ce might, therefore, hope to win her for his wife. CHAPTER XII. A PUZZLING INTERVIEW. To the anxious Jeannie, Carom’s manner seemed to grow stranger day by day. Since confessing himself her father he had spoken on the subject but once, and then appeared to be laboring under an excitement similar to that manifested on that occasion, At all other times he had acted as if the confession were a subject to be forgotten, never venturing to speak of it, or even to acknowledge the changed relation in which the ey stood to each other, Jeanuie’s Rael t timidity was increased by this. She longed to have him sit down by her side, or take ‘her in his arms, and review the history of their past, and minutely discuss all its incidents, She wanted him to tell her of her mother, of whom she had but faint recollections, It was not enough to know that he was her father, she wanted every day to be assured of it, and to receive those many little marks of regar rd to which a loving daughter is entitled. But Carom’s attitude toward her was not different from what*it always had been. He was kind and even affectionate; but this kindness and affec- tion was not changed in its aspect; and she was burt and disappointed. Two or three times she bad nerved herself to k out her thoughts to him, but her courage tea failed at the critical point, and he had gone his way and left her to wonder over his singular reticence, There was another thing that distressed ber. Carom seemed bewitched by the gamblers, Max- imin and Hogan. More and more he came to abandon her of evenings, and to spend his time at the Palace, presumably in their company. She had thought little of this at first. But since the coming of Diamond Dan, Maximin had ceased to hold so bigh a place in her estimation, In spite of her desire to think well of him, she began to look on him with fear. She could not reproach her father, however, for bis Paoeent high regard for the monte man was justified by the latter’s kindness in the past. But she did venture to remind him of the debili- tated state of his health, and express an opinion that late hours were not beneficial. He evaded a reply, and nothing came of her well-meant admonition, One evening Carom left the house in a state of ugusual tremor, and took his way to the gam- ing-rooms, He was met at the entrance by Hogan, who conducted him atonce to Maximin’s apartments, The monte man was in his most affable mood, and after forcing a drink on his guest engaged him ina long conversation. Before its conclu- sion he was interrupted and summoned below. Hogan was left in the room with Carom, who showed symptoms of anxiety and uneasiness as soon as Ma ximin left. But Hogan was in an ab- stracted way, caused by a quarrel with a brother gambler; and he paced heavily up and down the room, with his ribet thrust deep into bis pock- ets, and a black look on his face, and paid scant attention to his charge. Finally he strode into the corridor, where he SS $e Sr The Mesmerist ee ee ee walked gloomily about until high-keyed and ex- cited exclamations floated to him from the gam- ing room, attracting him so irresistibly that he bounded down the stairway two steps at a time. The little altercation which had produced the temporary hubbub was quickly over—and then Hogan remembered Carom, whom he had -so thoughtlessly and indiscreetly abandoned, Maximin recalled him, also, as he saw Hogan stand hesitatingly at the "foot of the stairs. ‘* Where’s Paul?” he questioned, with a rather sharp accent, as he burried up to his pal, ‘Tn the room,” said Hogan, confidently. But he was ill at ease, as was likewise Maxi- min, and together they ascended to the corri- dor with unseemly haste. Their worst fears were soon confirmed, Carom had disappeared, *“*Curse you!” cried Maximin, infuriated to desperation. ‘“‘What made you leave him against orders?” Hogan whitened, and faltered out a lame ex- cuse, “You've just spoiled everything!” fumed the chief, “* Knocked the fat plum into the fire. Hogan, you’re an idiot! A fool for want of sense!” Hogan had cowered at first, but these words were stinging him to a dangerous pitch of an- er, . It is to Carom, however, that the reader’s at- tention should be directed; and leaving these worthies to fume and threat, and fight if they so desire, we will follow the movements of the man over whose escape they are quarreling. As soon as Hogan had disappeared, he crept stealthily from the room, and hurried by a back way into the street. For some reason, Maxi- min had temporarily lost his hold on him; and Carom seemed anxious to put as great a dis- tance as possible between himself and Fiddler’s Palace. It was already growing dark as he hastened bomeward, In his mind there was an indefin- able fear, and in his veins there burned a fever which the coolness of the night wind could not allay. Jeannie was pleased at his early return, but alarmed at his altered appearance, ‘‘Shall I make you a cup of strong tea?” she asked, solicitously hovering over him. “No!” he said, with the petulant air of a man who wants to be let alone, Jeannie retreated, heartsick, for she seldom met with such a repulse ; and Carom covered his face with his hands and sat brooding in his chair. After a time he looked up and regarded her fixedly, “Joannie!” he said, drawing a cbair beside him and beckoning to ber. “I'd like to havea quiet talk with you,” Bewildered by the changeableness of his ac- ticns, she yet came and sat at bis side. “Maximin bas Nem here a number of times lately, and though he pretends to be a great friend of mine I know he came to see you.” This was a strange beginning from one who had requested her to accept Maximin’s atten- tions. “Yes, father,” she replied, not knowing how to meet the statement. **T am afraid be means us harm, Jeannie! I can’t bardly tell why I think so, for he was kind to me in my sickness, you know; bunt all the same I feel that I ought to warn you against bim, I am sure he is no friend of ours,” Jeannie was amazed beyond expression, and could only stare at the speaker ina aban way. “You think this strange, eb? ell, it is strange, but it’s true.” ** It’s so different from what you said the other pee when you said you were my father, and— She hesitated and stopped when she saw the look of hopeless confusion which had come into his face, Then a swift and indescribable change seemed to sweep ovor his features, replacing the previ- ous look as with a mask, ‘Yes, I am your father,” he confessed, in tones that were identical with those he had used in making the statement the first time. An overmastering fear descended upon Jean- nie; a fear which was fully justified by the sin- gular circumstances of the interview. Was her father’s mind becoming unhinged? It was certainly a warrantable conclusion. To all appearance ber unfortunate reference to his former declaration had thrown his weakened mind from its balance and sent it traveling in the circuit of its previous hallucinations, This was more evident as he continued: ‘Yes, I am your father; ‘and we ast SULEy tae Ras Ca a better friend in the world than Mare Maximin!” The words were so ey the same as those used in that other memorable interview that he seemed to be repeating them by rote, **T don’t know what we shculd do if it wasn’t forbim, [Im not strong enough for the work in the mine, and keep my place there solely through his influence, as he is one of the principal stock- holders; We owe him a great deal, Jeannie; more than we can ever hope to repay. So, when he calls on you, you must treat him well, # * Oh, father!” she cr ied, twining ber arms about his neck, while the tears str eamed from ber eyes. “ You are not well; I know you’re not well! You are not at all yourself, this evening, Won't you go to bed and try to get some sleep?” ‘Pm all right,” he declared, straightening up with an effort. “I never felt better. It’s on my mind to tell you these things about Max- imin, and I can’t help it. “He wants to make you his wife, Jeannie, That’s the real reason for bis kind treatment of us, And I know you will accept him, and that he'll make you a good busband, It’s true he’s a gambler, but so is nearly every man in Magic Gulch, They all gamble, and no one thinksany the less of them for it,” She felt she could endure the torture no longer. Her brain was on fire, and she must obtain relief in some way or go mad, herself. ** Do’ lie down, father!” she implored, piteous- ly. ‘* Please, please, do lie down! Oh, I don’t know what I shall do!” She had withdrawn her arms from about bim, and he looked up inquiringly as she pathetically wrung ber hands. “Yes, Dll go,” he said. out!” And forthwith be marched to bis bedroom; while Jeannie dropped into a chair and surren- dered herself to low moans and hysterical sobs, But, so wrought upon were ber feelings that she could remain quiet nowhere; and when the first outburst bad subsided, she wandered blindly into the yard and out to the gate, where she stood for a few minutes staring at the lights of the town, but with eyes that saw uothbing. CHAPTER XIII, DIAMOND DAN’S THEORY. SHE was startled by a light step on the flinty walk, and turned, tomeet Diamond Dan, who bad followed her from the house. The sport bad been convalescent for some days, and was now able to walk about, with prospects that another week would see him en- tirely recovered. He bad arrayed bimself in bis usual faultless mavner, and as he advanced, the diamond cres- cent on bis breast. scintillated brilliantly in the moonlight, ‘*T had no desire to play eavesdropper, but I couldn't avoid hearing what was said awhile ago,” There was such a ring of earnest sincerity in his voice, and such a manifest desire to help her, that in spite of herself her tears began to flow afresh. “If my presence distresses you, Miss La, Rue—” ‘Tt is not that!” and she put- out a band to bid him to stay. The warm sympathy of love made Dan wish he might fold her to bis beart and endeavor to comfort her in her affliction, So propitious was the occasion that be would probably have done so, and then ani there confessed his affection, bad not a vague fear that she was the heiress to the Markham fortune still clung to bim, “T ought to have been asleep, I know, as you doubtless supposed me, but unfortunately I am not as sleepy-headed as I was a week ago, I thougbt once of coming into the room where you were, a and so letting you know I could not help hearing.” “T fear 1 am glad you did hear, Mr. Don- nelly! a low pathos in ber voice, “ Otherwise I could not have approached you on the subject, as I desired to do.” She was agitated and trembling; and Diamond Dan conducted her to a seat on a low bench at one side of the path. “T am afraid father is losing his mind,” glancing apprehensively toward the house as she gave the words utterance. ‘AS you must have beard all that was said, I needn’t give my reasons.” “ There was something strange about it,” he admitted. ‘ But I can hardly base a jud ment on what little information I — to-night, I hardly think the trouble is insanity, though I can’t conceal from you the fact that it may be ** 1m tired and worn
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a al nr 10 The Mesmerist Sport. **-You spoke of him the other day as your father?” The sport laid much stress on this query, as he half believed that a solution of the mystery sur- rounding this would give the key to all of Carom’s eccentric actions, ‘¢Yes, he only recently told me of that,” **Pardon me, Miss La Rue, for any seeming impertinence in my questions, and believe me I have only the interests of yourself and your father at heart. But it seems to me there must be something back of what you told me. Why should your father keep this thing concealed from you so long?” Jeannie sat for some time silent and thought- ful before replying. ‘“‘Tt?s a secret, and I’m not sure I’m doing right in revealing it, If I only knew how much confidence to place in his statements! If his mind is really turning there is no way of sepa- rating truth from error. No way of assuring myself he is my father! And this secret, as I call it, may be only a faney, and have no foun- dation in fact.” *“*T do not insist on your violating any confi- dence,” he hastened to assure her. “T think I understand you, Mr. Donnelly, and thank you for your kindness and consideration.” Then in a few brief, low-spoken words she dis- closed the terrible revelation of mauslaughter which Carom had made, Diamond Dan listened with the deepest; inter- est, and before she concluded a credible theory had begun to form in his mind. “That lets in a good deal of light,” he said, “and I think I begin to see through the mystery, Mr, Carom has all along acted queerly, though I can't convince myself that he is at all insane, His actions, it seeras to me, are those of a man owerfully influenced by another. Few things, iss La Rue, will drive a man like fear, ** From all the circumstances I am led to con- clude that your father—we will take it for grant- ed that he is your father—committed this crime ears ago, as he says he did. In some manner ieariesin has gained a knowledge of it, and is now threatening him with exposure. “As you can easily see, this will explain a good many things that are now rather dark, It seems to prove that when your father came home this evening he had fully resolved to be true to himseJf and you, and defy Maximin to do his worst. But his resolution broke down, even while he was trying to set hitnself right, and he repeated his latest assertions.” he sport was so taken with the plausibleness of his theory that he had plunged eagerly on, raising his voice sometimes more than was con- sistent with safety. Jeannie, torn and distracted by apprehension, had yet given him the closest attention, **Then you think he is not my father?’ a sob half choking her utterance. He bad forgotten that in working out his con- clusions he might be destroying a belief which she had fondly cherished. “* Either that, or his mind is, as you fear, be- coming unhinged. I must admit that the whole affair is very much muddled,” ** Oh, [ don’t want to think that what you say istrue, Surely father—Mr. Carom—would not deliberately deceive me at the order, or even from fear, of Mr. Maximin. I should almost prefer to think he is losing his mind—tbough nothing could be more terrible than that!” .- The sport regretted now that he bad not tried ber nap ber alarm and kept his opinions to him- self. **T am sorry,” he said, «‘ It is distressing any way you look at it. I may be wholly wrong, and therefore trust you will not put too much confidence in my judgment,”, But he was, nevertheless, thoroughly con- vinced that he had guessed aright, For some minutes longer he talked, using his best efforts to subdue the nervous excitement under which Jeannie was laboring; and then ee | returned to the house, ‘o their astonishment they found Paul Carom gone, CHAPTER XIV. A WARNING NOTE. Wuitr Diamond Dan and Jeannie La Rue were thus engaged in conversation, a pair of snaky eyes were closely regarding them from be- neath the shadow of a small tree near the fence, and keen ears were eagerly drinking in every word, The owner of the eyes and ears was none other than Mike Hogan. The ill temper engendered between him and Maximin had not led to, blows. The rascals : could rot afford to quarrel with each other, and | and we must face it. I wish we could. But we when a few stinging epithets had passed, their | ought to be able, both of us, to down our friend returning sense told them so. Carom was gone; they had both heen negligent; and realizing it, | of the diamonds, and do it in a way to blind they quit calling each other hard names and set | about trying to discover a way to undo the mis- chief. As a result, Hogan was dispatched after Carom, in the hope that be might be able to in- tercept him before he could reach home, But Carom had traveled rapidly, and MHogan’s swiftest pace was not equal to this task, He gained the vicinity of the house while Carom was talking to Jeannie: and was prying about in the endeavor to overhear what was said, when Jeannie emerged and passed out to- ward the gate. Hogan withdrew somewhat precipitately, and in a nervous flurry, for he had narrowly escaped detection. He could not regain the street, and so crouched in the shadow of the tree in the expectation that she would soon retrace her way, He was glad he had not succeeded in beating a further retreat, when Diamond Dan came out and led the girl to a seat at the side of the path. “Pm much afraid the devil’s to pay!” he muttered, as be crawled over the fence after the speakers had returned to the house, ‘ We'll have to murder that Carom, yet!” With which pleasant reflection be hurried with all speed back to Fiddler's Palace. He found Maximin in the gaming-room, en- gaged in play; but succeeded in attracting his attention and giving him to understand tbat matters had gone woefully wrong. The monte man had waited for Hogan until patience ceased to be a virtue, and had then en- gaged in «a game of cards as a temporary ab- stractionu. Being in no mcod for play, be bad lost heavily; and was white and furious as he followed Hogan up-stairs, “You couldn’t catch the fool, eh?’ as he thrust akey into the lock of the door, “No!” and the tones were blunt, for Hogan was not pleased with bis chief’s manner, Then he added in a quieter tone, as they enter- ed the room: **7’m afraid he’s give us dead away. It looks asif we were idiots for ever monkeying with the fellow.” This was not reassuring; but it was quite as much so as was the story which Hogan pro- ceeded to hastily tell, “Curse that Diamond Dan, anybow!” Maxi- min exclaimed, as the unpleasant narration closed, ‘* He’s always crossing our path. It’s dollars to cents that he’s working against us all the time. The proof of it grows stronger every wg aximin felt at that moment that be had cause to hate Diamond Dan with all his heart. And not only to hate, but to fear him, The sport seemed destined to thwart him at every turn, Apparently he was trying to step between him and Jeannie La Rue’s fortune; and vow he was interfering in thcse schemes against Carmon, whatever they were. The first was decidedly the most bitter. At the outset the fortune bad been the one thing Maximin cared for. But the beauty of the irl had so won on him tbat he had lost his eart to her before he was aware of it. And it was now maddening torture to think he might lose her altogether, Not a word of this had be ever spoken to Hogan, In all conversations touching their plans he affected to think of nothing but the money to be gained, It would have been humiliating to acknowledge that the girl’s love- liness had over-reached his duplicity and cun- ning, and that he bad become tbe snared instead of the snarer, No, he could not tell that! The secret was not of a kind to be confined to even his dear friend, Hogan, especially when it was very likely that thesaid friend would greet the avowal with shouts of derisive laughter, This fear of Diamond Dan had grown on the gamblers from the Meg | first; and Hogan ex- pressed a thought that had been frequently on the mind of each, when he said: ** Ain’t there any way in which we can lay the fellow out? He’ll be the ruin of us, if we don’t!” “* Name it!” said Maximin, looking up with an unpleasantly suggestive smile, «Pye racked my brain on that point for a week at a stretch, If we cared to do anything desperate, there might be a’show. But, my dear fellow, we can’t run our necks into a halter!” ‘* Hire some bruiser to do him up!” advised the brutal Hogan, ‘ *¢ And in case he got nipped have him squeal onus! "[wouldn’t do at all. We can’t rely on any one but ourselves; that’s the truth, Hogan, - ; A ~ , eS pet eae, Se eee hae he fo TEN pitts | giving a short, bard laugh, suspicion. I thought I would be able to, once, but I failed, as 1 have good reason to remem- ber. The topic was not a cheerful one, and the monte man gulped down some fiery liquor to steady his nerves, ‘*Shouldn’t mind having a smell of that, my- self!” and Hogan longingly eyed the empty glass. *Tll get you some,” Maximin replied, feeling that the other must be as shaky as himself, This particular brand of liquor was kept locked in a drawer to which cnly the monte man had access; and to this drawer he went to obtain the bottle. Hogan, who had been following bis move- ments with longing eyes, at this moment caught sight of a folded bit of paper on the floor. ** Hello! what’s that?’ he cried. ‘ Looks like some one’s shoved a letter under the door while we were away.” He arose to pick it up, when a pistoi-shot startled him balf out of his wits and made him forget all about it, Mcximin, who bad pulled open the drawer containing the liquor, reeled backward, white as a sheet, and with the exclamation: ‘*My God! I’m killed!” The pistol-shot had come from the drawer, from which a cloud of gunpowder smoke was now issuing. The front panel of the drawer was splintered, showing that through it the deadly missile had sped, Hogan sprung quickly to the assistance of his friend, and as be beid him from falling, poured out a stream of excited questions. ““Where are you hurt, Max?” he queried, as he carried him bodily to a lounge, The monte man was beginning to regain his scattered wits, “*T don’t know,” he said. ‘“‘The bullet must have passed through me, for 1 was standing right in front of the thing.” ogan was kneeling at his side, making a hurried search for the supposed wound. “Why, you’re not burt at all!” rising and **Leastways, I can’t find anything. You’re just scared, I guess!” The statement wrought a wonderful change in Maximin. He sat up with sudden alacrity, and after satisfying himself that he was not in the least injnred, broke into a fit of hysterical laughter, The ball had passed dangerously near his body, cutting ragged rents through his clothing, but it had not even touched the skip. “ There it is!” and Hogan pointed toa splin- tered hole in the opposite wall. ‘‘1t come about as near getting meas it did you. How in thun- der did it happen, anyway? I didn’t know you kept a pistol in there.” “No more I don’t, old fellow!” and Maximin essayed asmile. ‘It’s the attempt of some one to wipe me out.” Hogan gave a low whistle and approached the desk, but very cautiously, as if he feared the pistol-shot might be repeated. Maximin felt almost too weak to move, and impatiently awaited the result of the investigation. ‘¢ A regular infernal] machine!” Hogan growl- ed, as be craned bis neck and took a wary look. *¢] guess it’s done its worst. Come and see it!” Maximin dragged himself up and tottered to his friend’s side, Looking down into the desk they saw only a revolver, with a piece of wire attached to the trigger in such a way that when the drawer was pulled open the trigger would be drawn and the weapon exploded. The weapon ointed outward, and it seemed scarcely possi- bie that one standing in front of the drawer could escape being bit by the bullet. Meximin bad approached af desk from one side, and bad foelined his body forward in unlocking it. This alone had saved him. y Seeing that the revolver was now entirely harmless the monte Man took it out and ran over it critically. It was of 44 caliber, and of the ordinary ‘‘ bull-log” pattern—a most dan- gerous tool at short range. It bad held but one cartridge. There was nothing about the weapon to give any hint of whose it was. Hundreds just like it could be seen in show-cases. in the town. “Tq give a good deal to know who put that there!” and Maximin looked again at the drawer. ‘‘ It wasn’t there a half hour ago, for I opened the drawer about that time and it was empty. The scoundrel must have had a key, too, that just fitted the lock in the door, as well as one for this, How he managed to duplicate ; Wo; Pe. Yee + hu } é PO os sae Ley be BE Meas ee : | \ | _
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mine gets me. It must be some fellow who has had access to the room. There was on Maximin’s face a look of annoy- ance and alarm. ‘“‘The trouble is, if he got in here once he can do it again; and as this trick has failed he’ll ners 3 try another one,” “ Nice things to give a chap pleasant dreams!” was Hogan’s grim observation. ‘‘ A fellow will sleep well if he fancies that the bed may take a notion to turn itself into a cannon before morn- ing, and shoot him through the roof. lll be *most afraid to sit down in a chair, after this!” His face was sorueful that the monte man ‘was forced to smile. ‘Tisn’t a laughing matter,” he apologized. “* But you did look too blue, then, for anything! Your face was as long as that of the head mourner in a’way-up funeral,” Hogan was about to attempt some facetious reply, when his eyes again lighted on the folded bit of paper he had observed just before the spring revolver created such a panic. He picked it up and looked it over curiously, an exclamation breaking from him as he glanced at the contents. * This knocks the pistol business!” ** What is it?’ and Maximin reached out a hand for the paper, ‘* Read it! It’s some sort of a warning. No name to it, either,” Maximin clutched the paper feverishly, and read, ina subdued voice: “Mr. Marc Maximum: — ’ “You will remember the tussle you had in the mine, when some chap jumped onto you, and then run when the miners come. I was down there then, and know all about it. You'll remember that we couldn’t find the fellow and finally give it up asa bad job. Well, I run onto him that evening. He had been hiding in one of the galleries, and waiting tilldark so he could get out without being seen. @ was as muddy as you was, only the mud had dried on him and he looked like afright. He tried to scoot past me, but I made out like [hada revolver and told him to just stop, for I knowed him; and he did. * I won’t give you his name; but you know him as well as you know anybody. I’ve seen you with him quite frequently of late, and you appeared to be on ood terms. He tried to explain how he come there ut I told him he might as well give it straight, for knowed all about it, and had been with the gang that had been hunting him; and Iasked him what in the world he jumped onto you for. But he wouldn’t say; he just be ged me tolet him out of the mine, and keep still about it. I told him I would, for he Was so scared I felt sorry for him. He shook likea leaf; and I believe if I hadn't promised he’d have jumped on me like a wild-cat.. And so I got hin ont of the mine without anybody seeing him; and I’d have kept still if it hadn’t been for this evening. “Teome along the hall here and saw a manin yourroom, Iknowed at once there was something wrong, for he was creeping about as still as a mouse, I draw back a little so as to listen, and heard him whispering something about fixing you, I couldn’t make out just what, I think he was trying to steal something, for T seen him go to your desk; though I can’t tell if he gotanything or not. Then heslipped out and down stairs, after he had locked the door, and Isaw who hewas. It was the fellow that jumped Bis 9 in rsp ye fea R **Tve scribbled this ina hurry, hoping you'll get it, and that it Ay PD of benefit.”’ tated aii rom ‘AN UNKNOWN FRIEND.” Tkere was the pallor of fear in the face of each as Maximin finished the reading, and they glanced toward the door and window as if ex- pecting tocatch sight of their unwelcome visi- _“* Who do you reckon it can be?” Hogan ques- ey hoarsely, A on’t know!” declared the monte man, And meee Aig 0 you know, Hogan, that I’m convinced Diamond Dan has an ally, as we've more than half-thought! While we're watching Dan, he’s watching us, and manages to nip our little plans in the bud just when they’re going nicely.” “Yes, the infernal scoundrel! And that says,” pointing to the letter, “that he’s a friend of yours, I’d like to choke his black heart out!” Hogan’s fear had given way to fury. * No use fuming,” Maximin advised, ‘‘ Bet- ter sit down and let's see if we can’t get at the bottom of this, We haven’t so many friends, or pretended friends, but we ought to be able to count them very easily.” Together they ran over the list of their inti- mate acquaintances, dwelling carefully on the peculiarities of each, and weighing the chances or and against: the proposition that he was the ilty all But they noua mie 4 N no one. of their intimates belongec © Sportin fraternity, & porting It don’t seem like itcan be any of them!” Hogan observed decidedly, ‘‘ We've had little The Mesmerist Sport. gambling quarrels, now and then, with most all of them, but nothing to cause them to have it in for us that way.” “There’s one we haven’t thought of,” and Maximin looked long and thoughtfully at his friend, ‘* It can’t possibly be that it’s Paul Carom!” CHAPTER XV. VIVIAN, THE GOLD SHARK. THE talk had by Diamond Dan with Jeannie La Rve decided bim to set about the task of elucidating the mystery of the hold which Maxi- min had on Carom, It was so difficult an un- dertaking that he allowed himself much time to think it over and map a plan of action. ] Within the week he managed to walk down | town, and of course paid a visit to Fiddler’s Palace, ‘The time was night, and on his return he stepped into a clothing store and purchased some articles which he deemed necessary for the new role ke intended to play. Then, after satis- fying himself that no one one was following or spying on him, ke went on tothe Carom resi- dence, where he still retained his room, An hour later, in the disguise of a well-to-do speculator and money-lender, he again betook himself to the Palace, and in a short time suc- ceeded in entering upon tolerably familiar terms with the habitues of the resort, His disguise was most elaborate and complete. There was an entire change of attire, The glit- tering crescent had been replaced by a modest gold stud, and silken, gray side-whiskers, held in place by clear, pebble glasses, gave a benevo- lent aspect to his features. He introduced bim- self as Mr, Jules Vivian, of the city of Denver. It was soon evident that the benignant Mr, Vivian liked a turn at cards quite as well as somes younger men, and he correspondingly rose in the estimation of the gambling brotherhood. Hogan generously took the pilgrim from Denver under the protecting shadow of his wing, and with Maximin’s assistance plucked him to a limited extent. But in very many things Mr. Vivian was ‘‘ up to snuff,” as Hogan elegantly phrased it, and the plucking process was sometimes reversed; all of which steadily raised Mr. Vivian to higher and yet higher planes, Between the somewhat scrappy conversation, the sedate and elderly gentleman managed to insinuate certain small bits of information about himself, all of them going to show that he had a good deal more money than he knew what to do with, and that, on gilt-edged security and at a high rate, he would be happy to accommo- date his new friends, sbould they at any time chance to be in sore need of funds, It was a piece of intelligence very gratifying to the monte men, who, in spite of the fact that their gains were always large, could searcely rake together enough cash each week to pay the high tax imposed on them by Mat Fiddler. They were typical gamblers in this, spending ee money as fast or faster than they obtained i “Pm not such a fool, gentlemen, as to carry any more of my money with me than necessity demands,” the benevolent Mr. Vivian observed, shrewdly guessing the thoughts of robbery or worse that were stirring in the minds of these genial companions, ‘‘ Nobody but an idiot ever carries his cash with him; but a bank check, with the name of Mr, Jules Vivian scratched in the proper corner, will, I assure yon, haul some handsome sums out of some Denver bank which I could name.” There was a certain grandiose self-assertion about the boast that might have impressed finer Sensibilities unfavorably. But the gamblers swallowed the bait unquestioningly, and became more than ever,attached to the Denver stranger. What became of Mr. Vivian during the suc- ceeding day neither of the monte men could ascertain. But he appeared in his place at the Palace on the following evening with commend- able promptness, After a time Maximin casually intimated that there was no room in the bui!ding more comfort- able than his, or wherea simple game of cards could be played with more quiet or ease. To this an adjournment was thereupon made; and in its seclusion Mr. Vivian became jovial] and even More communicative than ever, Encouraged by this the monte men asked for a liberalloan; and here a new phase of the man’s character was introduced. He became icily reticent, displaying all the cool reserve of the western money shark, ‘“‘] should greatly like to accommodate you, gentlemen. But the security! [ only loan in one way; and the security you offer wouldn’t be accepted by any man of business judgment, 11 *¢ However, I’m willing to make a small loan, simply as a favor, aud without any collateral.. You may count it a debt of honor, and pay as: soon as you are able.” This was altogether so generous that it quite won upon the good graces of the gamblers, and when they had divided the small loan between them, they celebrated the event and toasted the- the gold shark in liberal glasses of liquor. The latter was a sly fox, remaining serene and quiet under all circumstances, and never mud- dling his bead with the vile beverages sold in Magic Gulch. ‘*T haven’t a cast-iron stomach, gentlemen, nor one lined with non-corrosive copper; and so l let the stuff alone, It isn’t fit for a bog,—not meaning any reflection, you understand, by the statement.” Good feeling having been restored by the loan,. and all having become somewhat tired of play, a deal of conversational reminiscences was in-- dulged in, during the course of which the shrewd Mr. Vivian acknowledged that throughout the greater part of his career he had been a sport avd gambler himself. “But Pve reformed, gentlemen,” smiling: blandly at them over bis glasses, ‘‘ and bave be- come an honest lender of money at a hundred and fifty per cent. ‘* And by the way, that recalls a circumstance! Since coming to this town I have run across a fellow that I used to know as Diamond Dan.. You're acquainted with him, perbaps?” ‘‘T should smile!” replied the elegant Hogan, pipping a yawn in two and staring at the stran- ger with renewed interest. ‘‘ He’s counted one of us.” ‘ Well, you want to look out for that fellow!” and the pilgrim from Denver lifted a fore-finger warningly and impressively, ‘* You may count him one of you if you like, but he isn’t. The fellow is a detective, as 1 have good reason to know.” A look of blank astonisbment came to the faces of hishearers, This explained Dan’s eaves- dropping and prying, and the many queer ac- tions they had not Leen able to account for. And now tbe question arose, why had he been. shadowing them? ‘*-You are sure of that?’ Maximin faltered. “Why, certainly! And I wonder you didn’t find it out long ago; 1 thought maybe you’d be able to tell me something about him, 1 suppose you see him every day?” * About!” ‘*T have been watching bim myself a little: and [’ll double the Joan I just now made you if you'll explain the strange control he has over this man, Carom,” It was so entirely unexpected, this request, that the monte men fairly gasped their amaze- ment. It was indeed news to them that the sport had been exercising any sort of control over the miner, ‘¢ Ob, you must be mistaken about that, you know!” Maximin protested, ‘“* We know both parties well. Diamond Dan has been staying at Carom’s since he got hurt, and of course they’re on friendly terms, but that’s all, Why, there can’t be anything else!” The words were spoken with the positiveness: of a man who feels that be cannot be mistaken, *¢ Maybe I am,” Vivian reluctantly confessed, ** Of course, you ought to be better posted than I can possibly be, But it struck me that Carom must be an ally of his.” The statement that Diamond Dan was a detec- tive evoked much comment. But the rascals never dreamed they were talking to Diamond Dan himself, It was a late hour when the supposed Mr, Viv- ian took hisdeparture. He was vexed and dis- Sppoented. The whole trend of his talk had been along lines likely to lead the gamblers into an inadvertence that would reveal the secret of their mysterious influence over Paul Carom. . And the result had been a flat failure, “ Like the little boy of the reader, I’ll have to ‘try, try again!” he soliloquized, endeavoring to pluck up fresh courage, ‘ There’s a secret there somewhere, and I’m resolved to lay it bare.” CHAPTER XVI. A STRANGE ASSAULT. TuE following night witnessed a singular oc~ currence, Hic Diamond Dan, in the disguise of, Jules Virian, the morey-lenZer, had retreated somewhat early from the garishness, noise and heat of the gam- ing rooms. He had had another interview with the monte men, but nothing bad come of it; and. considerably disgusted and ill at ease he had be- taken himself to the half-lighted streets, where eon
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12 the cool air from the mountains olew gratefully, and the din of the rabble ceased to vex. On leaving the Palace he was careful to see that he was not observed and followed. This ‘was more from force of habit than anything else. He felt sure his disguise had not been penetrat- ed; and no one except a foot-pad would care to waylay the Denver stranger. Almost unconsciously he bent his footsteps toward the place which had for so many days been his home. Not the faintest shadow of dan- ger troubled him, and he was, therefore, taken completely by surprise, when, on turning a cor- ner two or three squares from Carom’s, he was suddenly and viciously assaulted. Bewildered by the unexpectedness of the at- tack he stumbled blindly backward and came near falling headlong. Witha snarl like that of an enraged avimal, the assailant leaped after him, flourishing a knife, Before the man could strike, the sport regained bis feet and closed with Lim. In that end of the town the street lamps were few and far between, and passers still fewer, at that time of night, About all the light there was came from anew moon. Hence, Dan could not determine who the man was, though his form was strangely familiar. While closing with him the sport managed to grasp the knife and quickly wrested it from his hand, A wonderful transformation was the result. The man ceased to struggle, and stood staring at Dan in a hopelessly bewildered way. . “Thunder!” and the sport stepped backward in amaze as the face came into view and the fea- tures were revealed. ‘‘ Is that you, Carom?” Yes, it was Paul Carom; and he now looked at Dan as if he did uot at all comprehend where he was or what had occurred, ‘* You don’t know me?” Dan questioned, not knowing what to make of this. Then he recollected bis disguise, which his most intimate friend would have found diffi- culty in penetrating. Adroitly removing the beard and glasses, he turned again to Carom, ‘You'll recogniza me now, old fellow! No wonder you took me fora stranger, But, what did you mean by jumping onto even a stranger in that way?” A look of comprehension came into the miner’s face. ** What are you parading around in that sort of rig for?” was his unexpected query. ‘* Pil explain that later,” returned Dan, ‘‘ Just now I want to know what you meant by attack- me with this knife?” Such an appearance of utter confusion as arom presented! His face became ashen and blank with fear and despair, “IT didn’t doit!” hedeclared, ‘‘ Surely I didn’t do that! Why, Donnelly, ’'m a friend of yours!” “That’s what I always thought!” and Dan was as much mystified as Carom seemed to be, **You don’t really mean to tell me that when yyou jumped onto me like a wild-cat awhile ago, syou didn’t know it?” ‘*My God! Then I must be losing my mind!” ani the unhappy man bowed bis face in his hands as if to shut out the horrible thought, Diamond Dan regarded him with compassion- ate anguish. Up to that time he was hardly ready to believe that Carom had not known what he was doing, but thought the miner had mistaken him for some one else. Carom’s sin- cerity, however, admitted of no further ques- tioning; and temporary aberration of the mind ‘was the only possible explanation. He was about to attempt some rejoinder, when Carom turned abruptly and strode off in the di- rection of home, But the anguished miner as quickly changed his intention and came back. ‘““Phere’s no use trying to conceal the truth from you, nor from myself, I was surely crazy a while ago, if I did what you say I did. But I ure no recollection of doing anything of the ind. He was making a great effort to maintain his usual calm. *Tt’s a terrible thing to think about or talk about, Mr. Donnelly! Still, if you'll step over here in the shadow with me, where we'll not be observed—” He stopped as his eye fell on the knife which rin cared in the moonlight, iamond Dan advanced and picked it up, “Ts that the weapon?’ and Carom held out his hhand for it. The sport nodded. “ Well, it isn’t mine, I don’t remember to thave seen it before this minute.” A queer look came into the face of the sport. The Mesmerist Sport. He recalled having seen the knife, though only once. That had been while in Maximin’s room, The latter bad opened the drawer of the desk where he kept his liquor, and the knife had thus been brought to Dan’s notice, There was a pe- culiar marking on the handle that enabled him to identify it. But of this he said nothing to Carom, merely looking the miner in the eyes for the purpose of discovering bis mental condition. He also re- solved not to say anything about it, preferring to work out his conclusions alone. ‘*Take it,” and he returned the knife to the sport. ‘I don’t know where it came from; and I don’t want even to see it or think about it.” ‘* Shall we go into the shadow?’ Dan asked, fearing some one might come that way. ‘* Other- wise I’]] have to transmogrify myself!” There wasa log where the shadows lay densest, and on this they sat down, ‘* Now tell me just everything I did,” the miner requested, And in answer Dan gavea detailed account of all that had happened, ** Do you know I’ve been afraid of something of that kind for weeks!” and there was a painful earnestness in Carom’s voice, ‘Several times lately ’'ve found myself wandering about the town, and for the life of me couldn’t tell bow I got there. It’s a borrible experience, You never walked in your sleep, J suppose?” Dan stated that he had not. **T used to when I was a boy. I remember one night that I wandered out into a field, and when I woke up I felt just as I have done re- cently when discovering myself in some strange quarter of the town,” “Tt’s queer!” said Dan, wishing with all his heart that he could change the course of the con- versation, ** Donnelly,” and Carom’s tones became tremu- lously impressive, ‘“if—if anything should go wrong with me, you'll see that Jeannie is re- moved from this place and put with good people, will you? You can sell the house and what things we have, and turn the money over to her, God knows it’s little enough, but it’s all I have!” ‘* You mustn’t talk that way!” Dan insisted, “Nothing is going to happen to you. You're weak and worn down, and your nerves are all unstrung, and the attacks you have bad are nothing more than a return of your old som- nambulism,” ‘*T wish I could believe so!” Carom solemnly affirmed, ‘That wouldn’t be so terrible. But some way I can’t convince myself that it’s mere sleep-walking. Anyway, you'll promise me, Donnelly?” ‘*T will!” Dan fervently responded. ‘*Tll do everything you ask!” CHAPTER XVII. A FURTHER TALK WITH JEANNIE. HAVING exacted this promise, Carom showed a disposition to return home, The talk bad led Dan’s thoughts into new channels, and a strong desire to see Jeannie now came over him. “You go on home, and I'll follow you pres- ently,” he said. And when he saw Carom well on iis way, he turned back toward the town, having in the mean time replaced the disguising beard and glasses, Twenty mivuutes later, in his own personality, he was trudging down the path taken by Carom, Jeannie had been informed of his coming and met him at the door, She was neatly aud be- comingly attired, and the slight flush on her cheeks added to ber beauty. The sport thought he had never seen her looking half so hand- some, An hour was spent in pleasant .conversation— pleasant at least to the young folks, though Carom was moody and abstracted. At the end of that time he excused himself and retired, say- ing he was half sick and generally out of sorts, his was the opportunity Dan had sought. Jeannis had dwelt much in his thoughts of late; and his investigations had forced him to the con- clusion that she was not the heiress to the Mark- ham estate, All the way down there he had diligently con- ned certain sentences with wbich he proposed to lead up to the subject nearest kis heart, He was sure they were appropriate and even brilliant; but now, when alone with tbe girl, be could not recall a single word or sentence that could be fit- ted into the small talk which custom sanctions. ‘* Jeannie!” be began, making a desperate plunge and feeling the earth reeling beneath him. ‘It’s long been on my mind to speak to you of—er—” my He stopped, confusedly, sure he was making himself ridiculous. The demure maiden who sat opposite must have guessed what he was striving to say, for her cheeks were burning scarlet and her eyes shone like stars, but she would not in the least deign to help him out of the mire. It even seemed to the humiliated lover that she must be taking pleasure in his discomfiture, ‘You certainly know what I mean, Jeannie,” and he ventured to clasp one of her hands in bis. ‘*T want toconfess my love for you, though I find myself as awkward as a booby in making theattempt. But 1 will speak—and you shall hear! Sinee the day I first came to this house I have loved you, Your goodness—your kindness! I couldn’t help it! Won’t you speak to me, Jean- nie? Won't you say that you return my affec- tion?” With quick and panting utterance he had stumbled on, filled with doubts and fears, ‘*You are sure you comprehend the meaning of all you say?” sbe questioned, in a voice that was as agitated as bis. ‘‘ You must not forget the difference in our station!” ‘*The difference is all in your favor!” he declared, with passionate earnestness, ‘* What am I, even, to dare aspire to your band? So far as the world knows, nothing but a gambler!” ‘* But you are not a gambler!” she said, softly, “T have felt that for this long time.” ‘Say that you return my love!” he whispered, drawing her toward bim, “‘I am not a common gambler, thank Heaven! But, no matter what am, I love you with all my beart, and would make you my wife!” She did not reply in’ words; but when he pressed the kiss of love on her upturned lips, she did not try to release herself or draw away. ‘* Now, tell me just who and what you are?” she requested, ‘* You owe it to me, by the con- fession you have made. Iam foolish for allow- ing you such privileges when 1 know so little of your past, or even of your present.” He realized the justice of this, and forthwith laid bare his life history, and the motives which had drawn him to Magic Guleb, Much that he told is of little interest to the general reader, and much has been already related. What struck Jeannie’s fancy most appealingly, per- haps, was the portion relating to bis search for the daughter of Syduey Markham, the Englisb- man;—thougb of this she bad previous knowl. edge, She bad never beard, though, that she was believed by Maximin to be the heiress to this fortune, or to one similar, ** And that’s what made Maximin callon me? I presume it can’t be that you are similarly in- fluenced !” She slipped from his embrace and looked up at him coquettishly. 4 ‘‘ Come, now, you're not treating me fairly,” and there was a flavor of reproach in his words. ‘*Tve struggled to be extra honest with myself and with you, As long asI thought there was a chance that you might be this Miss Markham, I tried to figbt down this passion.” “And are glad that you didn’t succeed?” archly, ‘Iam glad, too, ’Twould have been terrible, Mr. Donnelly, wouldn’t it?” Dan was in doubt as to whether she was jest- ing or in earnest, and was about to begin an- other coaxing protest. ‘*J wonder what gave Maximin such a foolish iden?” she continued, seeming to know what was on her lover’s mind, ‘It’s a very natural error,” Dan declared. “You forget that I came near making a similar one! I presume there was something in the let- ter he got which caused him to fix on you. How jong since he has been here?” “There you go,” and she shook a forefinger warningly. ‘You must recollect I baven’t made any promises, yet; and therefore you are not justified in quizzing me or in trying to as- sume control over my actions,” “But you will promise,” he smilingly assert- ed. ‘* You've gone too far to retract.” ‘* Well, then, be was here this forenoon, if you must know! © sail he came to see father, though he must have known father was at work at that bour. And he stayed, oh! ever so long.” “ And talked most divinely?” “6 He certainly did!” *¢ And you told him—” «J told him he needn’t come any more!” Surely she never appeared more bewitching than when making this statement, and the XS can not he blamed for again drawing her to him and ravishing her lips of another kiss, ** And what did he say?” ‘He wanted to know if I had lost my heart to a certain persor popularly known as the Dia- mond Sport?” “An “oe Th ** Go to me- our h y “ Ww blushe have | - aa te ey Rng
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** And you told him—” ‘That it was none of his business!” ‘*Good for you! Now, if you’d only confess to me—just to me—that you really had so lost = _your heart!” “Why, I wouldn’t be storying!” and the blushes were so hot and burning she would fain have hid her face in her hands if he had per- mitted it. “You are a jewel!” he declared, kissing her again and again, ‘‘I should be the happiest man on earth, if I only knew that your father would be favorable to our marriage,” A shade passed over her face at this mention. ‘Poor, dear father! I have had dreadful fears for him lately! You can’t know how he has changed in the past six or eight weeks. He hasn’t been strong for years, e is weaker; and yet that is not all. There seems to be some kind of shadow hanging over his life, You re- member our talk on the subject some time ago?” Dan remembered it full well. In fact it was seldom out of his mind long at a time. ‘You feared insanity then,” he ventured, ‘and I opposed your belief, The events of to- night almost convince me you were right and I was wrong, He hastily sketched the events connected with the strange assault of the evening. ‘*T didn’t intend to speak of this,” he apolo- | Sng *‘and should not, if you had not led'direct- ly to the subject, But it may be as well for you to know all, even the worst. Ignorance is seldom a blessing, It seems to me, from what your father said, that he is subject to temporary ab- errations and hallucinations, These may. pass away in time, But: you should be on your guard, for your own “life may be some time en- angered as mine was. I don’t think it best to speak of the matter to any one, nor even to al- low him to know you are aware of his affliction, The best thing, if it can be done, is to keep bis mind clear of the subject, and occupied with matters entirely disconnected from it.’ The conversation bad taken so serious a turn that the girl could not speak because of her emotions. But Dan deftly swung the pendulum backward; and when he took his leave tbe pul- : sations of requited love drove away the somber feeling which this other talk had produced. CHAPTER XVIIL. CAUGHT NAPPING, Tur discovery that the knife foundin Carom’s Possession belonged to the gambler, Maximin, gave Diamond Dan cause for much thought and ulation. It seemed altogether a very puzzling thing, and not to be accounted for on erdinary grounds of reasoning, And then, too, Carom did not know whose knife it was or how he came to have it! | _ The following evening, the sport, with the fe in his possession, repai to the Palace seating room, resolved to unravel the mystery f possible, He was in the disguise he had re- eently adopted; and as Vivian, the money- lender, was gladly welcomed by Maximin and a ogan. BD hs After a few turns about the room below, the " trio weut up-stairs at the bidding of the monte man, who had not yet abandoned the hope of alncag 2 the suave Mr. Vivian in a style to do ustice to his gambling profession. _ Once in the room, liquor and cards followed a8 matter of course, But the gold shark play- ed carelessly and uneasily, being not at all taken with the game, and finally broached the subject nearest his heart, J “Do you know, gentlemen, I had a strange experience last night! I keep thinking of it all A the time, and it interferes with my play; and _ soll unburden my mind and be rid of it once . for all! I was strolling around enjoying the _night air, and never dreaming of danger, when “ some fellow leaped on me and attacked me with aknife. If I hadn’t been rather quick and ac- tive for a man of my years he’d have done me 8 sar ci gas feat dm 8 ped an n fum in his pockets . oa brought out the knife be tad tiken tron rom, | The story had naturally attracted their curi- ae csity; but a look of fear and surprise came into faces as they saw the kuife, Dan, who was watching tbem furtively, was | ratified at this, He felt sure they not only re- aA lized the weapon, but that they knew fuil well how the miner came by it. : I thought you might be able to identify it,” | he said, quietly, ‘“ You know so many of the ay Ai ue FAY _ men about town, It’s arather poculiar weapon, The Mesmerist Sport. as you'll see, Idon’t recollect having ever run across another just like it!” He handed it over with a grave air. Hogan was badly rattled by this time. min was white, but outwardly calm, “It is a queer-looking thing!” the latter de- clared, turning it carelessly over in his hands, ‘*t And it seems to me I’ve seen it before.” He reached into his coat-pocket, as for a handkerchief to wipe away some specks of dust visible on the blade, The next moment the dis- guised sport was looking into the deadly tube of a cocked revolver. Never was therea more sur- prised man, He had been caught napping. ‘““Aha! my clever gent of the diamonds!” Maximin sneered. ‘‘ You have been playing it mighty fine on us for lo! these many nights! But, the game’s up! I see through your dis- guise!’ Dan was almost palsied with astonishment at this sudden turn of affairs. It was to him inex- plicable. how the monte man had made the dis- covery of his identity. Had the gambler known who he was all along, and been only playing with him as the cat does with the mouse before crushing it? ‘*What do you mean?” he demanded, thinking a bold course the safest, and clinging to his pre- tended character. ‘* A little explanation wouldn’t be ont of the way, Mr. Maximin,” P ‘*Faugh!” and the latter spat out his disgust. “You can’t pull the wool over my eyes any more, Donnelly! I’m willing to acknowledge you’re equal to the best in that line; but when my A are once open they don’t close very easily. Hogan, who until the monte man had dis- closed the fact that the gold shark was none other than Diamond Dan in disguise, had aever dreamed of such a thing, was now furious with wrath, ** Shoot the villain!” he howled, dragging out his own revolver and bringing it to bear on the common enemy. ‘‘ Put a siug into him, and then he'll be out of the way. The scoundrel! The—the—” There were not words strong enough in the language to do justice to his outraged feelings, though he showered the schsanoed sport with withering anathemas, “Take it cool, pardner mine!” Maximin ad- vised, ‘‘ Hard words break no bones, you know, and may bring unwelcome visitors from below ; though it does seem that this is an occasion for cussing. I'll not shoot him unless he tries to make a break, and then I'll down him, and ex- mare! to an inquisitive world that he tried to urgle us, Til not shoot him—but you may bet your boots he don’t leave this place alive!” Diamond Dan realized that any further at- tempts at denial would be useless. Having gone so far, they would not permit him to go, no mat- ter what his protestations, without first search- eg Bis and such a search must reveal the uth. ** Suppose lam Donnelly? In the lan of one greater than I, ‘What are you going to do about it?” deftly sweeping the beard and glasses aside. ‘‘I’ve been having a little lark at your expense. When I teil the boys about it in the morning, you'll have to set up the drinks all around, or you'll never hear the last of it. They will appreciate the joke, if you don’t,” “There are several ‘ifs’ in the way,” Maxi- min sneered, ‘‘the most important and most rominent of which is, tf you get the chance. ou don’t quite take me for a fool, Donnelly! I’m sure of that, whatever else you may think me, [ know who you are now; and you can thank this disguise trick of yours for the revela- tion, You are a detective! The boys will not think too highly of you when J tell them that, They are not in love with detectives, you know!” ** Assertion and proof are two different things!” Dan retorted, “If I deny the charge, I fancy my word will go quite as far as yours.” ‘Bab! What’s the use of beating about the bush? I’ve thought for some time you were on the detective lay, Now, what were you piping us for?” The threatening revolver was shifted to em- pbasize' the question, ‘*T see you are bound to have it your way!” and the sport essayed a smile. ‘“‘No doubt I’ve been piping you for fun—if you will have it that I’ve piping you. One question is as fair as another; and so [’ll answer Yankee fash- ion; What makes you think I’ve been shadow- ing you at all? Have you done anything to jus- tify suadowing? ‘The guilty flee,’ etc., you know!” It was evident to the monte man that Dan was fighting for time. Maxi- Ee Eee | Reply to what I've asked you!” he com-! 13 manded, a black frown disfiguring his hand- some face, ‘‘I’m not on the witness-stand at present!” ‘‘NeitheramI! I’m a prisoneron trial. The accused can’t be forced to incriminate himself, you ought to know that!” ‘This Vivian business gives you away, Dan! You can’t wriggle out of that!” ‘* What will you doif [speak the truth? Will you let me go?” ‘* We'llsee about that later, You might just as well confess everything, without requiriog any promises. If you don’t, we'll find means to make you.” “Talk is cheap, but it takes money to buy land!” the sport declared, with characteristic recklessness. ‘‘ With one yell I can bring a mob from the gaming-rooms; and what will you do then?” ‘*Drop you in your tracks before the yell is half uttered!” Maximin coolly asserted, ‘If ou doubt it, just proceed to try it on, I ain’t nam for monkey business, Donnelly, even if you do seem to think I am.” There could be no mistaking the deadly ear- nestness of his tone, ‘* Stop the pulaver and do something!” Hogan protested. ‘‘I’m in for tying him up, and drop- ping bim out here in the hills somewhere where nothing but a carrion crow will ever be able to find him, That’s the only way to work such cattle!” ‘‘Tf my dear friend Hogan only had his in- nings just now, ’m afraid my sbrift would be short!” and Diamond Dau gave a hard laugh, ‘¢ But he is crying entirely too soon. |‘ I’m willing to make a clean breast of everything. Not through any fears of those bulldogs you are threatening me witb, but for reasons of my ow fine and supercilious scorn, ‘‘ You are very kind!” ; ‘““T am e detective,” Dan went on, not heeding this, ‘‘and I have been shadowing you for a purpose, Perbaps you can guess what it is, but for fear you cannot, I'll tell you. oe giecaneret by chance that you are scheming to get posses- pit ofa arg which you think Miss La Rue!” The gamblers had surmised something of the ~ kind ever since their suspicions bad been first aroused against the sport, but their surprise was nevertheless as great as if the idea had been an entirely new one. They had never expected, with all their bluster, to wring such an admission from him. Dan, however, was guided in this confession solely by self-interest, and not by fear, as the believed. He thought it possible to learn if his surmises were true by studying their coun- tenances while they were thrown off their guard. Hence, he continued: ‘‘ And to that end, you have been exercising some hellish influence over the girl’s father, and bending him to your own base purposes,” The consternation visible on their faces nye paid him for tbe dangerous venture, He had bit home and they showed it in every line of their trembli.g countenances, ‘* What makes you think that?’ Maximin de- manded, without taking the trouble to deny the general correctness of the charge. “A thousand things! Your own actions, and Carom’s. I haven't been watching you fellows for nothing, you may understand, You have asked me to confess! A little confession on your parts it seems to me, wouldn’t come amiss, now! hat have you been doing to the fellow?” ‘** My dear Donnelly, you are entirely too wise to live long!” and there was an undercurrent of fearful meaning in the sweetly-spoken words. “Precocious youths have a fatality for dying young, and I fear you will not be an exception. Dan had gained his points: He had proved to bis own satisfaction that these men had been ex- ercising some diabolical influence, by threat or otherwise, over the poor miner; and had also succeeded in distracting their attention tempora- rily from himself. i With a quick movement he arose to his feet and hurled bis chair at the scoundrels, who were sitting together at the table near the center of the room, So unexpected was the movement, and so thoroughly were they off their guard, that they bad not time to fire their weapons or to escape. Like a bolt from a catapult the chair struck tbe table, bowling it over and hur them down with it, And before they could rise tha eport bad darted past them and gained the corridcr, “ Shoot him!” Maximin howled, *‘ He mustn't get away, now,” ¥ pn,” ‘* Ah!” and Maximin lifted his brows in @&. is coming t ; eR
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—/> 14 Dan had halted for an instant, before speeding ‘on, and was listening with amused pleasure to the din his sudden movement had evoked. ** Catching always before hanging!” he shout- ed back, and then bounded lightly down the cor- ridor toward the rear entrance. CHAPTER XIX. A STREET DUEL. Tue gamblers were panic-stricken, by this es- ‘cape of Diamond Dan, “If he gets away, now, we’re done up!” Maxi- min declared, as he pulled himself together and began to look for his revolver, which had drop- pec from his hand in the confusion of the down- ‘fall. ‘* We mustn’t let him get away!” He grasped the weapon and bounded through the doorway, closely followed by Hogan. They had been in no condition to note the route the sport had taken, and so, instead of go- ‘ing toward the rear door, they rushed down the stairway toward the gaming-room. Their sudden entrance into this rather startled the occupants. Shouting and loud talk were of such common occurrence that no heed had been paid to the cries which had come from the monte men’s room. But the appearance of the excited men could not fail to draw attention. A glance served to show that Donnelly was ‘not in that apartment, and concluding that he had hurried into the street, the gamblers rushed in the same direction. ‘* What's up?” a dozen voices shouted. Maximin did not reply, and a knot of men Swarmed after him, anxious to see for them- selves what, had aroused the monte man’sire, for it was plain to the most unobservant that he was in a towering rage, Hogan was close at the heels of his chief, but like his chief he was dumb to ali inquiries, It took but a moment to gain the street, There was a fair moon, and the street was artially lighted by/its gleaming, assisted by the eeble rays of the street lamp. As Maximin leaped from the doorway into the faint light cast by the lamp, be saw a form hur- rying by, and fancied it that of the sport. Without question or command he tbrew up his hand, and the revolver spouted its deadly fire into the heart of the night. The man fired at, wheeled and, seeing the monte man in the act of discharging his weapon, raised one in return and sent an answering bullet almost straight at the doorway. A big crowd had gathered there; and when ‘the leaden missile tore huge splinters from the very lintel over their heads, they fell back and scattered in dismay. A number of men had been lounging in the street, and the way in which they crowded themselves into corridors and alleys showed they realized the deadly nature of the average ‘Western street duel, in which a dozen innocent onlookers may be killed or wounded, and the principals escape unscathed. Hogan was not by nature as courageous as Maximin. Either that, or he was pifted with the discretion which is said to be the better part of valor. When the balls began to sing, and the gunpowder to spurt and flame, he took refuge behind the heavy walls of the Palace with the rest of the non-combatants, The individual fired at by the monte man ad- vanced, as he returned the shots, seeming not at all loth to come to close quarters with the en- ra Maximin. The advantages were against the latter. The lamp light revealed him plainly to his opponent, who was partially shrouded in gloom. A steady stream of fire seemed to issue from the muzzles of the weapons as the men hurried toward each other, working their revolvers as fast as they could, Of a sudden the monte man reeled and clutch- ed wildly at the air, But he regained his equi- librium, and with a bitter curse again fired, The weapvn of his oppnent cracked at the same instant. Both fell; and while the monte man strove to once more revolve the cylinder, the other lay quite still in the place where he had fallen. The duel was over; and one or both of the combatants seemed fatally injured! Realizing that all danger to themselves bad passed, the men of Fiddler’s Palace streamed through the doorway, and with excited cries hurried to the prostrate duelists, They had recognized Maximin from the first, and were eager to see who his enemy might be. Great was their -urprise, therefore, when they stooped above the unknown and looked into the face, not of Diamond Dan, but of Dick Sloan, the gambler! Sloan was quite dead; one of the heavy balls —— ee The Mesmerist Sport. from Maximin’s revolver having gone through his heart, The monte man was unconscious, and his in- juries appeared to be of a dangerous if not fatal character. Ae revived somewhat as the throng stood above him, and asked to be carried to his room. This was done; and when placed on the bed his first inquiry was for the man he had slain, and his next for Hogan. A look of surprise crossed his pain-racked face when told he had killed Dick Sloan, **Tt can’t be!” he asserted, straightening up and gasping out the exclamation. ‘‘ You are lying tome! Where is Hogan?” A search was made for the latter; and he was brought into the room under guard, he having been arrested a few moments before by Dia- mond Dan Donnelly, the detective, assisted by a body of friends whom the latter had called to his aid. Maximin groaned as he saw this. ‘* Pm afraid it’s up with us, old boy!” turning feebly to Hogan. ‘I’ve got it here; and I feel that my time is short!” He lifted a hand to the ragged wound in his breast, from which the blood was flowing so freely that it could not be stancheéd. Hogan whitened perceptibly, but made no sia ‘I thought I was firing at Donnelly there,” said the sinking gamester, ‘‘l never thought of Sloan!” ‘** Won’t somebody explain this muddle?” que- ried Fiddler, at which all looked at the sport. He was about to say something to appease the growing curiosity when a miner known as Tom Wood elbowed his way to the front, : “TIT think I understand this thing, pards!” glancing over the expectant gathering as one who has a message. ‘‘ You know me. I work in the mine down there. I writ a letter fer my friend hyer, Mare Maximin, and if he hain’t got it, it must be in the room yit. I was down in the mine when Max had the fight wi’ the chap what jumped onto him in the gallery; and I run acrost the feller afterward, and it wa’n’t no- body else but Dick Sloan, **Sloan tol’ me, then, that he had it in fer Max, and that sooner er later be’d do him up; an’ I low he’s been layin’ fer him ever sence, gage it looks mighty like it, from what's happened. *T’other night I see Sloan in hyer, a-grumb- lin’ an’ a-talkin’ to bimself, an’ thinkin’ it didn’t mean any good fer Max, I writ the letter as I said, tellin’ all I knowed, but never mention- in’ any names.” Dick Sloan, as the reader will remember, was the gambler that had told Diamond Dan of Maximin’s past, as related in an early chapter, Connecting what he had heard then with the story related by the miner, the sport was able to make a vere close guess at the truth. Sloan had long held a private grudge against the monte man, the grudge originating in a quarrel over cards, and he had frequently sought an opportunity to slay the man he so bit- terly hated. Thus he had attacked him, by night on the street not far from Carom’s resi- dence. Had followed him into the slushy mine in the hope that he might there find an opportu- nity to kill, And, failing in both these instan- ces, had placed the murderous spring pistol in the desk, trusting it to accomplish what he had been unable to do by direct attack. When Maximin, blind with rage and excite- ment, had rushed into the street, it was Sloan he bad tired at, mistaking him for Diamond Dan, Sloan seeing by the glow of the street lamp who his would-be slayer was; had been quick toreturn the fire. He was a good shot and felt sure he could bring the monte man down; in which case, by the recognized rules of border warfare, be would be excusable, as the monte man had openly commenced the fight. The excited men clustering in and about the room could not understand all the circumstances so clearly, being ignorant on many points, some of which were known only to Diamond Dan. So the story related by Wood was accepted as 4 plausible and even full explanation. And the fact that the sport had been in the room only a short time before masquerading as the gold, shark from Denver, was not unfolded. M **T got the letter,” said Maximin, confirming the miner’s statement. “I’m obliged to you, Wood!” Then his’ wavering glance wandered cver the room, dropping here and there, and finally rest- ing on the face of the sport, : “Tam going, Donnelly. I’m getting weaker every minute. I feel that I can’t stand this long. ButIdon’t want to go without telling you something first. It’s a weight on my mind and I can’t rest till it’s off.” There was a pallor on the gambler’s face, showing truly that he was not long for this world. **Do you want to see me alone?” Dan ques- tioned, coming near the bed. ‘Yes, please!” was the hollow answer. ‘ Put the others out. I’ve a message for you. For you! CHAPTER XX, CONCLUSION. THE room was quickly cleared, and then the sport drew a chair up to the bedside of the dyin gambler, and clasped one of the latter’s chill ‘hands in his own warm palm. “T's about Carom!” Maximin whispered, huskily. ‘* About the 4 you charged me with excercising over him, If you'll go to the desk there you'll find a roll of paper. want you to take it and look it over, af—after ’'m gone!” He nodded feebly toward the desk; and in obedience to the nod Dan arose and after a lit- tle search found the roll, and returned with it to the bedside. **T used to follow mesmerism,” Maximin went on, ‘* There were few better than me at the business, and I often went from place to place giviog exhibitions, You know something about mesmerism, Or animal magnetism, as it’s often called?” ‘“¢ Very little!” the sport was forced tc confess, The monte man was breathing heavily, ard it was only by theexercise of strong will power that he was able to talk with anything like coherence, Nevertheless, he continued, beating back the deadening sensations that were stealing over brain and nerves. ** Any book on mesmerism_ will ue sath what IT can’t, now. In my experiments I found out that a deeper influence than the mere trance condition so commonly seen could be exercised on certain people whose nervous state might render them susceptible. Carom was’ one of these, ‘*T had befriended bim, and on a number of occasions afterwards he let me throw him into the mesmeric trance, just as a pastime, and to amuse me and Hogan. ‘He is very nervous and susceptible, and I soon found I could throw him into a deeper sleep than that of mere mesmerism; and that while in that condition I could make suggestions which he would afterwards carry out, without knowing I had suggested anything of the kind, and without remembering I had had anything to do with him. ‘“T was induced to try this by reading of the experiments which certain medical men and scientists are now making. If you have noticed the papers closely you must also have read of their experiments, “But I—I can’t talk longer—my breath catches—I—I—” He clutched convulsively at the bed-clothing, and Dan thought him on the point of dissolution, But he rallied, and soon his yoice grew strong again, m I must hasten! I determined to secure the fortune which is coming to Jeannie La Rue, and I thought to do to by exercising my strange power over Paul Carom, her guardian. So I sought and obtained hypnotic control over him; and then made the hypnotic suggestion that he was really her father, that he had kept the fact a secret, though, because of manslaughter com- mitted years before—and that he had no better friend in the world than me. That I had an in- terest in the mine, and kept him at work when he could not earn wages; and that I was doin it all for love of bis daughter. And I impr on him that he must tell her these things, and use his best efforts to help me in my suit for her hand.” He stopped, for another strangling fit was coming on; which, when it had passed, left him very weak, and almost at death’s door, So strange had been the revelation that Dan sat as if stupefied, without vouchsafing a word, “T am going, Dan!” he cried again, ‘ For- give me for what I have done. It will make me feel easier. Above all, forgive me for influ- encing Carom to attack you with that knife!” . “T forgive you. freely!” the sport replied, solemnly, new licht breaking in on him at every feebly-uttered word of the gambler, — Again the latter tried to speak, his piroagtts apparently ebbing and flowing; then a pallor settled on his features—and Maximin, the monte man and mesmerist, had passed to his last a count, a ; A study of the paper which Dan had taken . i ae Ske ‘ $ at ter ie a ar * { lite . rr \ airy Bs ; I lt . ‘ , } fe ‘ < rl be av 7S A HL og 4
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fom the desk at the monte man’s request went - more fully into the subject of hypnotic influence ' than the dying man had beenableto, It seemed that Maximin had made a careful and exhaus- tive study of the subject, and had collected a great array of reports of cases and experi- ments. The following, reported from the Paris hospital of Salpetriere, was in line with his statements: _ “In the course of the investigations that have for q some years been prosecuted at this institution, it 3 has been shown that persons possessing an un- usually nervous organization can easily be hypno- tized, and that a es wip or an order impressed on them while in this condition will be subse- uently carried out, although they will be en- tirely ignorant that such an order has been given. A wooden dagger, for examp!e, was placed in the hand of a hypnotized young woman, and she was Pa directed to steal behind one of the persons present . and drive the dagger into his heart. Upon awaking | Jrom the trance she obeyed the injunction in every heal particular, and there was no doubt in the minds of the observers that, had the weapon been steel, the blow would have been mortal. Interrogated respect- ing the motive of her conduct, she averred that she had acted under an uncontrollable impulse, for which she could not account, ‘From such facts the inference was obvious that the power of producing hypnotic phenomena might, in the hands of unscrupulous operators, be fraught »with grave danger tothe community.” ee Other reported cases showed that certain per- sons under hypnotic influence appeared to pos- sess dual natures, somewhat after the manner of Dr. Jekyll and Mr, Hyde; and that these people, when in a normal condition, had no knowledge whatever of their other personality or character, and of course knew nothing of what they had done or where they had been. And, perhaps stranger than all, that many entrances into the hypnotic state so increased their susceptibility that they frequently fell into that condition without the intervention. of an operator.. Often these subjects would be met by the operator, at a distance from home, and wearing the assumed , character which they had acquired or which had been developed by habitual hypnotic suggestion. And upon coming out of this state would be be- wildered at finding themselves in astrange place = without the knowledge of how they came ere, With this statement or treatise, it was not difficult for Diamond Dan to comprehend the } dual character which Paul Carom had borne, together with his strange mental manifestations. { In all his acts favorable to the gamblers he had ~ been under Maximin’s control; even attacking Hie Dan at the latter’s suggestion, being able in some strange way to penetrate the sport's disguise, And this last unshrouded a further mystery: a that of the sudden discovery by the gamblers of Donnelly’s real character under the cloak of the retended Mr, Vivian. Carom, having been , rected to attack the sport and having instead : attacked the gold shark, revealed to- Maximin’s | _ shrewd inteiligence that the sport and the gold | shark were one and the same. _A few weeks later, Dan Donnelly, the detec- tive, and Jeannie La Rue, were quietly married at the Carom residence, ‘Hogan bad been punished for his many crimes; and Paul Carom had completely freed. himself from the baleful influence which had so long shrouded bis mind. 3 The failure to find the heiress tothe Markham fortune had rested heavily on Donnelly, and he ; had fully resolved to curtail the honéymoon and r recommence the search in some of the adjacent _\ camps, when he received from his employers the } following letter: ce a “ Y. a TOY ‘Mr, D. Dowearawe York, N. Y., f “DEAR SiR:-—We have received information show- + ing that Elsie Markham, the oldest daughter of the Tate Sydney Markham—ana, up till now, the only ‘ - « daughter of which we had any knowledge—died in ‘ ‘i infancy; but that there was born to the said Mark- ham, in Franee, by 4 Second wife, another daughter, _ -who'was called Jeannette, after’ her mother. The || mother died soon after Jeannette’s birth, We in- i ing close a picture of this second wife, which may ma- a terially assist you in your search,’ | _. And so the information that Maximin had re- _ @eived from his New York pal was correct. Jeannette La Rug—she had retained her moth- | @r’s family name—was the very image of that | - Mother, as shown by the picture. The fortune |) Which descended to her was hae | yet, true » Woman that she was, she cared far less for it bo! Ab hb she did for the devotion of the man she Vi grr hal TAY kt ! er at Ee The Mesmerist Sport. ; Beatle’s Half-Dime Library. 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 689 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 601 Happy Manas, the Dutch Vidocg. 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules, 622 Texas Tom-Cat’s Triad 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task. 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph; or, Black Ivan’s Great Combine, 646 Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank. 665 Jolly Jeremiahy the Plains Detective. 676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout., 689 Billy, the Gypsy Spy. BY COL, A. F. HOLT. 899 Black Buckekin; or, The Masked Men of Death Canyon. 419 Kenneth, the Knife-King. 485 Little Lightfoot, the Pilot of the Woods. 828 The Dandy sport; or, The King Pin Conspirator. 678 Ralph Renwood, the Lightning Express Detective, 691 Headlight Harry’s Haul. 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 Rosky Bar. 171 Ebony Dan; or The Rival Leagues. 185 Evil Eye; or, The Vultures of the Rio Grande. BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. 2 Vellowstone Jack; or, The pag, oy 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Murricane BIL; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard, 119 Mustang Sam ; or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-Iawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Reseue. + 160 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire, 184 The Boy Trailers 3 or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path, 208 The Boy Pards; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City, 810 The Barranca W olf’; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League, B85 Old Double Fiat; or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Wooda: or. Daniel Boone’s Last Trail. 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Traller. 677 Chincapin Dan’s Second Trail. 688 Chincapin Dan’s Home Stretch. BY BUOKSKIN SAM (Major Sam, 8, Hall.) 284 Old Rocky's **Boyees; or, Benito, the Horse-Breaker, 246 Giant Georges or, The Ang’! of the Range. 275 Arizona Jack ; or, Giant George’s Pard. 297 The Tarantula of Taos; or, Giant George’s Revenge, 807 The Strange Pard; or, Litt’. Ben’s Death Hunt. 818 Kern nere Ker-whoo; or, The Tarantula of Taoa, 827 Greening ‘at, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Pards, 882 Frio Fred; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. 844 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. 849 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front, 857 The Ranch Raiders; or, The Siege of Fort Pargatory, 864 Snap-Shot, the Boy Kanger, 875 Chiota, the Creek ; or, The Three Thunderbolts. 881 Bandera Bill; or. Frio Frank to the Front, 892 Romeo and the Reds} or, The Beleaguered Ranch, 404 Little Lariat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. 414 The Dalay from Denver. 427 The Three Tratlers; 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 CAPT. J. F, ©. ADAMS, 84 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy. 46 Glass-Eye, the Great Shot of the West, 54 Ned Hazel, the Boy Trapper. 56 Nick Whifiles’s Pet; or,.In The Valley of Death, 60 The White Indian; or, The Scovt of the Yellowstone, 70 Old Zip’s Cabin; or, The Greenhorn in the Woods, 81 Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Prairie. 85 Buck Buekram 3 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 or, The Under tH . 288 The i weet The Human und Camp. calp King ¢ or, underbolt, BY PHILIP 8. WARNE, 67 Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. 175 Ospratn Arizona ; or, Patent-Leather Joe's Big Game, 198 Captain Mask; or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat. 219 Despard, the Duelist ; or, The Mountain Vempires, 888 A Tough Boy; or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. 868 Little Tornado; or, The Outcasts of the Glen, 878 Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard. 888 Little Oh-my 3 or, Caught in His Own Trap, 401 Little Shoo-F ly; or, A Race for a Ranch. 408 Little Leather-Breeches ; or, Old Jumbo’s Curae. 481 Little Ah Sing or, The Curse of Blood, Colorado Kate. A Tale of the olines. 480 Three Jolly Pards. 517 Jim Gladden’s ty pgs + 527 The Jolly Pards to the Reseue, 547 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down, 556 Lariat Lil; or, The Cast for a Life. 574 Old Weasel-top, the Man with the Dogs. 598 Keen Clem, the Rauch Imp. ‘ 599 Jim Dandy the No-Name Sport. 618 Billy Blazes; or, The Skeleton’s Legacys G48 Happy Harrys Big Finke arry’s nd, 664 Cheeky Charley, the Special. 150 The Sword i The Land of the Elephant Riders, 15 e Swor te or. e Land ofthe t 15s The Loat Oaptatar cs, skipper Jubes Coma'a Pralae 200 The Boy oulns; or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lance, 214 wa. nae the ape! fea eee: o Béeba tan’ Wade, 249 o Romer the An hae : 51 The Boy Rivers; or, The Underground Camp, By A: C. Irons. : ‘ 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi. ' iY , By Lieut.-Col, Hazeltine, , « ante 98 Robin Ifood, the Outlawed Ear); or, The Merry Men of Green- wood. By Prof. Gildersleeve. y 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain a Hamilton Holmes. 112 The Mad Hunters or, The Cave of Death. By Burton Saxe. ye 124 Tippy, the Texan} or, The Young Champion. By George erson. ri 128 The Young Privateers or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By wt es Harry Caventuah, 148 Sharp Sam; or, The Adventures of a Friendless Boy. By J. Ensign C. D. 298 Rea Claw; the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Cliff By Captain Comstock. 817 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Leadville, By Lieu- tenant Alfred Thorne. a 828 The Sky Detectives or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Honor, By Maior ony “lag ee 850 Red Ralpw the dptver Rovers or, The Brother’s Re- Pee venge, By Ned Buntline. aa! : 865 Baltimore Ren. the Bootblack Detective. By A. P, Morris, ee 874 Gold-Dust Tym or, Ben’s Double Match, G H. Morse, ee 876 California Joe’s First Trail. By Colonel Thomas Hoyer Monstery. 4 ie ly Bombshell, the Cliff Climber. By F. 8. Winthrop. ae * aie Bite Binck Ship. By John 8 Warner, sa 484 Co anche Diek and His Three Invincible, By = enry J. fe aed 3 > 582 The Cowboy Duke. By Edwin Brooke Forrest. as 552 Ariel aS ae late. By David I Ne Wate rret. By H, * : Paes ey , S82 The Dend Detective’s Double. By Gerald Carlton — i A New issue Every Treeday, The Half-Dime Library 1s for sxle by ail newsdeslens, five = ents pur copy, or sent by mall om rpcelpt of aix comts each, : ae
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————— BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novels. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Deadwood Dick’s Detiance; or, Double Daggers. 28 Deadwood Dick in Disguise; or, Buffal, Ben 85 Deadwood Dick in His Castle. me enawoes ee Baxpanns or, The bor ipa Miner. 4 lendwooe ¢ n Dangers or, Omaha Ol. 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar, oe ae ae tees ry ny or, pg “ Py ve gins a Jeadwoo ek’s Last Aet: or, Corduroy Charlie. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. 104 Deadwood Dick's Device; or, The Double Cross Sign. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. 129 Deadwood Dick's Double; or, The Goran's Gulch Ghost. 11d Donlwoed Dek’s Ble Strikes on'A Game ot Gold. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party. aoe pose wees +e a prea ah, se ply tact she Road. Jeadwoo ek’s Wards; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. pot gosaweet ne ee 1m gored Jane's Adventure. ead woo ck’s Dent eal. 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death-Plant. 282 Gold-Dust Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, aon onawaee Dicks Bivite; ae Spirit of Swamp Lake. eadwoo ck’s Dea rail. 809 Deadwood Dick’s Veal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. $21 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats. 847 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Days in the Diggings. sos ee beh oe ed Reahenced 5 or, Ihe Terrible Vendetta, eadwo ck’s Claim, 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City, 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds, 421 Deadwood Dick in New York; or, A “Cute Case, pesawees oer set or, The Chained Hand. Jeadwo ek, dr. 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deflance. 458 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Full Hand. 459 Deadwoed Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-Up. 465 Deadwood Dick, dr.’s, Racket at Claim 10, rity peadveces pk pA Lorre’ or, fomniss Bill. eadwoe ck, dr.’a, Dog Detective, 4851 Deadwood Dick, dr., in Deadwood, 491 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Compact. 496 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance, 600 Deadwoed Dick, Jr.’s, Diggings. 5608 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Deliverance, 5615 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Protegee. S22 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Three. 529 Deadwood Dick, dr.’s, Danger Ducks 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s,; Death Hunt. 539 Deadwood Dick, Jr., tn Texas. 544 Deadwood Dick, dr., the Wild West Vidoog 549 Deadwood Dick, Jr., on His Mettle, 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham, 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boston. 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Philadelphia, 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago, 578 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Afloat. 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver, 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decree, 595 Deadwood Dick, dr., in Beelzebub’s Basin, 600 Deadwood Dick, Jdr., 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 Deadwoed Dick, Jr., In No Man’s Land, 686 Deadweeod Dick, Jr., After the Queer. 642 Dendwood Dick, Jr., in Buffalo. 648 Deadwood Dick, oF Fhe Pg wren Across the Continent 266 Dendvocd Bick, Seve, EnrotanseUgent oe” 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., ‘Back in the Mines. 672 Deadweod Dick, Jr., (n Durango; or, * Gathered In.” +4 ee lear ng Trice eee or, Found a Fortune. eadw ek, dr.’s. e. 690 Deadweed Dick, Jr.’s. Dollars. 695 Deadweod Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide, Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. 82 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot. 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 58 Jim Bludasoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Bueckhern BIL; or, The Red Rifle Team. 69 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The Boy Detective, 80 Rosebud op Lan ugget Ned, the Knight. h eo 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand, 88 Pheto raph Phil; or, Rosebod Rob's Reappearance, 92 Canada Chet ; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull's Camp, 96 Watch-Eye; or, Arabs and Angels of a Great City. 118 Jack Moyle the Young Speculator, 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective, 121 Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport. 125 Bonanza Bil Miner, 188 Boas Bob the King of Bootblacka 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent, 145 Captain Ferret, the New York Detective, 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 17% Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Scampa, 181 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo. 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective. 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter, 226 Snoozer, the Boy Sharp; or, The Arab Detective, 286 Apollo BIll, the Tyil Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young G)adiator. 244 Sierra Sam, the Frontier berret. 248 Sierra Sam’ Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Sam’s Pard; or, The Angel of Big Vista, 258 Sierra Sam’s Seven; or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol: or, The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen, ys 285 Denver Doll's Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza, 808 *Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. 825 Kelley, Hickey & Oo., the Detectives of Philadelphine BSO Little du! ek-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Dagge gas Kangaroo EtG ot, The Mysterious Miner, B18 we a eon Mik pare Blood anha @, the Bow ¢ $68 Yreka dim, the Gold-Ga eo ork on; The Life Lottery. reka tho Gatherer} or, e 87% Yreka Sim's Prize. 8 Nabob Neds or, The Secret of Sinb City. BS2 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengoanen, HT Yreka Jim’s Joker} or, The Rivals of Red Nose, 9 Bicycle Ren; er, The Lion of Lightning Lode, Yreka Jim of Yub: ‘al, Private SI 7 \ BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, ? The Flying Yankees or, The Ocean Ontcast, 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccancer; or, The Fugitive Yacht, 24 Diamond Dirk or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone, 62 The Shadow Ship’: or, The Rival Lientenanta, 75 The Boy Duelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf, 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggier. 111 The Sea-Devils or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 116 The Mussar Captain ; or, ‘he Hermit o! Hell Gate, 197 Little Grits or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter, 204 Gold Plume; or, The Kid-Glove Sport, 216 Bison BILL, the Prince of the Reins. 222 Grit, the bravo Sports or, The Woman Trailer, 229 Crimaen Kate; or, The Cowboy’s Triumph, 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 245 Merle, the Middy 3; or, The Freelance Heir. 250 The Midshipman Mutineer3 or, Brandt, the Buccaneer, 264 The Floating F eather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure, 269 The Gold Ship}; or, Merle, the Condemned, 276 Merle Monte’s Cruise; or, “'The Gold Ship’ Chase, 250 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Pearl, the Pirate's Bride, 284 The Sea Marauder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge. 287 Billy Blue-Eyesa, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. 804 The Dead Shot Dandy ; or, Benito, vhe Boy Bugler, 808 Keno Kit; or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. 814 The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler's Trail, 877 Bonodel, the Buy Rover; or, The Fingiess Schooner, 888 The Indian Pilot}; or, The Search'for Pirate Island, 887 Warpath WII, the Boy Phantom. 898 Seawall, the Boy Lieutenant, 402 Inodor, the Young Conspirator; or, The Fatal League. 407 The Boy Inaurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta. 412 The Wild Yachtamany or, The War-Cloua’s Cruise, 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 A Cabin Boy’s Luck; or, Tie Corsair. 487 The Sea Ralder. 441 The Ocean Firefly ¢ or, A Middy’s Vengeance. 446 Haphazard Harry 3 or, Tne Seapegrace of the Sea, 450 Wizard Will: or, The Boy Ferre: of New York. 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouta, 462 The Born Guide; or, The Salior Boy Wanderer. 466 Neptune Ned, the Boy Conster. 74 Fhorays or, Wizard Will's Vagabond Parad, 488 Ferreta Afloat; or, Wizard Will's Last Case, 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Kanger. 495 Arizona Joe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack, 497 Buck Taylor, King 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 Ka-Klux, the Marauder ot the Rio, 545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. 550 Lafitte’s Legacy: or. The Avenging Son, 5655 The Creole Corsair. 560 Pawnee BUI, the Prairie Shadower. 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. 570 Camille, the Card Queen. 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective, 580 The Outcnst Cadets or, The False Detective. 586 The Buckskin Avenger. 591 Delmonte, the Young Sea Rover. 597 The Young Texan Detective, 602 The Vagabond of the Mines, 607 The Rover Detectives or, Keno Kit’s Champions, 617 Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scout; or, The Rio Raiders, 644 The Hereules Highwayman, 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Kider Detective; or, Buffalo Bill’s Boy Para. 656 Butterfly Billy’s Man Hunt, 662 Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza. 668 The Buccaneer Midshipman, 674 The Wizard Sailor; or, Red Ralph, the Rover. 679 The Sen Shadower} or, The Freedooter’s Legacy. 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag; or, The Tarnished Nanae. 692 The Rival Sharps; or, Redfern, the Secret Service Scout, 697 The Scarlet Sombrero; or, The Sharp from Texas, BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm, F, Cody). 8 Kansas King; or, The Rod Right Hand, 19 The Phantom Spy: or, The Pilot of the Prairie, 5&5 Deadly-Eye, the Caincen 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. 6 Picayune Pete ; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective, 80 Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags, 42 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 47 Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred, 52 Bleck Resa, Will Wildtire’s Racer. Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. 62 Will Wildfire in the W ooda, 65 Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy, 70 A Trum ard 3 or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses, 74 Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. 79 Bob res the Bank Runner. 88 The Hidden Hand; or, Wi!! Wildfire’s Revenge, 8% Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smuyglera, 189 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Ghatewes! 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 Preimiiim Darky, 285 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy 242 The Two * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill ana His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway;: or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago, 262 The Young Sharps; or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’s Job; or, The Young Detective, 298 The Water-Hound: or, The Young Thorougnored. 805 Dashaway, of Dakotas or, A Western Lad in Quaker City, 824 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detectivet 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 Firetly Jack, the River-Rat Detective, The Lost Fingers or, The Entrapped Cashier, 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 2 Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Biily Brick, the Jolly Vaganond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive, 479 Detective Dodge: or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. Poe oe a oota, the Boy Fireman: or, Too Sharp for the Sharper. & The Secret Service Boy Detective. = 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkananat or, The Wolfin the Fold. $33 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. 7 Bob and Sam, tne Daisy Detectives, SN > "a pete SES Te ae ay i me — gt BEADLE'’S« H ALF- DIME* LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. oe BY J. ©. COWDRICK, 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. 869 Shasta, the Gold King} or, For Seven Years Dead, 420 The vetective’« Apprentice; or, A Boy V ithou. . Name 424 OCibuta Johny; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar. 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout, 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. 606 Redlight Ralph, the Prince of the Road, 514 Broadway LBilly’s Boodle. 524 The Engineer Detective. 586 Broadway Billy’s ‘ Diltikilty.” 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. 567 Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. 571 Air-Line Luke the Young Engineer. 579 The Chimney Spy; or, Broadway Billy’s Surprice-Party. 592 The Boy Pinkerton. 605 William ® Broadway; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning. 615 Fighting Harry the Chief of Chained Cyclone. 628 Broadva Billy's Dead Act. 640 Barebrek Beth, the Centaur of the Circle. 647 Typewriter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. 659 Moonlight Morgan, the “‘ Pizenest ”’ Man ot Ante Bar. 669 Broadway Billy Abroad. 675 Broadway Billy’s Best; or, Beating San Francisco's *irest, 687 Broadway Billy in Clover. 696 Broadway Billy in Texas. BY T, ©. HARBAUGH. 28 Nick o’ tha Night; or, The Boy Spy of 76 87 The Hidden Lodge; or The Littl: Hunter. 47 Nightingale Natj or, Tne Forest Captuins. 64 Dand ack or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Tralt, 82 Kit Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack 3 or, The Boy Trapper. 06 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen. 8 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 9 Judge Lynch, Jr.: or, The Boy Vigilante. & Gold Trigger, the yf arid or, The Girl Avenger, 9 Tornado Tem} or, Injun Jack From Red Core, 8 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 8 Arkansaw 3 or, The Quen 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 Roughs of the Rockies. 255 Captain Apoli:, tne King-Pin of Bowie. 267 The Buckskin Detective. 279 Old Winch? or, The Buckskin Desperadoes. 294 *\ynamite Dany or, The Bowle Blade of Gochetopa. 802 the Mountain Detective: or, The Trigger Bar Bally, 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizone, ‘ 826 The Ten Parda; or, The Terror of Take-Notice, 886 Big Benson; or, The Queen of the La-so. 845 Pitiless Matt; or, Red Thunderbolt’s Secret. B56 Cool Sam and Pard ys or The Terrible Six, 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. B86 Captain Cutlass; or, | he Brecaneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Rob: or, The Twin Champions of Blue Blazes. 411 The Siiken Lanso: or, The Rose of Ranct: Robin. 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump. the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox. 445 The City Vampires; ot, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon, 461 One Againat Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Roy Shadow; or, Felix Fox’s Hunt, 477 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 Ditck, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’s Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodger Dick’s Desperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick. the Boy Vidocq. 578 The Two Shadows. 582 Dodger Dick’s Drop. 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. 610 @ld Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sherp en Guard. 626 The Champien Pards. 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective, 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp, 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. 671 Jersey Jed, the Boy Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower: 685 Happy Hugh, the Boy-Musician Detective, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without n Head: or, Lighthesrt Lake's Clean Sweep, By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 699 Birnple re» ihe Broncho Buster; or, Playing the Foor for Big Stakes. Bv Lient. A. K. Sims, 700 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’a, Drops or, The Sojourn ad Satan’a Spring. By Edward L. Wheeler, 201 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp; or, The Fizht to the Finish. By T. C. Harbaugh, 702 Blue Jacket Bill; or. bi Red Hat Rangers Red Hot Racket. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. : 208 Broadway Billy’s Brand; or, The New York Delegates in Hard-up Camp. by J. C. Cowdriek 4 204 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pots or, Making Crookea Things Straight. Pv Edward L, Wheeler 705 Violet Vane’s Vow; ©: The Crafty Detective’s Craft. y Wm. G. . 06 Tom Thistle. tke Rond-House Detective; or, The Harlem Sport’s Star-Faced Pacer. By Jo Pierce. : 70? The Red Sombrero Rangers; or, Redfern’s Last Trail. Col. Prentias Ingraham. 708 Pttneart Lute’s Legacy: or, The Lucky Lad’e Winning Hand, By_Jos. E. Radger, Jr. : ° 709 The Curbatone Detective; or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat. By Charles Morris. a 710 Deadwood Pick, Ir., In San Francisco} °, Kota Kate, the Snap Shot. By Edward L, Wheeler. Polat 711 Broadway Pilly at Santa Fey or, The Par cc Clever Deal. By J. C, Cowdrick. Detectt B 712 The Mesmeriat Sport; or, The Mystified OME ae Lient. A. K. Sims. + Queen. By Col 718 Carl, the Mad Cowboy; orfThe Laria y Col, Pren * ae ee ee 2 8 5 6 8 9 Ready March 24. 714 Ola Misery, the Man from Missourt: or, The Mystery of the as Tp ei By Wm. G. Patten. : vy Marsh 3) . 716 Wide Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferret: or, Caging the Cormorants. Ly T. C, Harbaugh- Ieady April 7, A New Iesue Every Tuesday The Half- Dime Library 's for *le by al. newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on reeelot of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New Yorks