Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 715) (1891 04 07)
The text was read from the page scans by machine (OCR), so it has mistakes and its columns may run together. See the pages · About this title · At the Internet Archive
Page 1
mo WB, MD \\ WY Sow au April 7, 1891. Copyright 1891, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, {Vm Ulin a a? Sa A Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., at Second Class Mail Rates. a PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE ANI‘ ADAMS. Price, No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. Vo], XXVIII, $2.50 es Ak... a Soar. TTTVTTTTT TTT | Val Thin i) HE Ny Nj N N y \ | | in i Mm < AY \ : Wh : — f : \\}| i . | Kl ! = | i} \ WWE i | — 2s Looe) FERRET aE t i HH } j . 1) Hl Sp — . J — “ : Kt ‘Nha le Ml SSS it SS Ss YY NAY hit WY | BY T. C. HARBAUGH, WHR / dll AUTHOR or “BUCKSKIN DETECTIVE,” “ par, Siig yi i} 3) atl ape: : S | i Nn Mitr / UU il he FLASH,” ‘‘ BOY SHADOW,” ‘‘ DOD DICK ” NOVELS, ETC,, ETC, _ N } = A MORNING THUNDERBOLT, * Has that boy come in yet, Smithson?” ** Just got in, sir.” **Send him here right off.” « Yes, sir.” pL cuuene words passe] between Me. Clare Gat EB tee pedi < cee ts sia Sate Seg: A 4 e, of the firm of Gummage & Blynn, No, — WHILE THE SOUTHERNER HELD OLD ISAAC IN BIS POWERFUL GRASP, WIDE-AWAKE b street, Philadelphia, and Noah Smithson, LEN DISARMED THE VENERABLE VILLAIN, ‘HAPTER I. = S CHA \ Seer ; S SS = MAH
Page 2
an attache of the house one morning in mid- summer, not many months ago, and were follow- ed by the immediate withdrawal of Mr. Smith- son, who knew that Gummage was a little out of humor and not the man to stand any ‘back talk,” “The old man wants you at the office right away,” said Smithson, running across a good- looking boy of sixteen, who was changing coats in a little room where several sets of garments decorated as many hooks, ‘ Be careful how you handle him; he’s out o’ sorts about something this morning, as one can see by his eye. So, look our for a storm.” The boy made his way to the office and gently opened the door. In another moment be stood in the presence of Gummage, who looked up from his desk with a frown, then he ran his yel- low fingers into a handy pigeon-hole and drew forth a sealed envelopa, such as the wages of clerks are sometimes made up in. ** Here, see if that’s all right to date,” said he, handing the envelope toward the wondering boy without so much as looking in his direction. The boy tore open the envelope with trembling hands and took out some bills, and a piece of paper which looked like a monthly pay-roll na “This squares us to date, Mr. Gummage,” he remarked, “That’s what I thought,” was the surly an- swer. ‘Sign the receipt. You're discharged.” The last words seemed to fall upon the ears of the boy like a knell of doom. “Discharged?” he echoed with a gasp. ** That's what I said, wasn’t it? [ aim to speak the English language, though I’m no Chester- field. Sign the receipt, and retire.” - The astounded youth could not stir for looking at Gummage in amazement. “I'd like to know—” * Time is too precious with me to stop.and tell hits why you are discharged,” broke in the man n the office chair. ‘‘ Your part of the transac- tion is to sign the receipt which you hold in your hand, and then to get out of the house as soon as you can,” The boy, now equally angered and astonished, mastered his feelings to a certain degree, step- ped forward and dashed his name at the bottom . band and fell back. of the receipt, then tossed it toward Gummage’s “ Good-day, Mr. Gummage,” said he. ‘ You may hear from me some other time.” “Get out, you young scamp, My eyes are open at last. Keep your distance and don’t use any threats, for I won’t put up with any.” Len Dalray gave the gruff old fellow another look, and quitted the office, going back to the little room above mentioned, where he threw over bis arm the coat he bad lately doffed and ‘quietly left the house. As he passed out he met Noah Smithson, who seemed to have stationed himself at the door for t_ purpose, “Tt’s quits between Gummage and me, Noah,” announced Len with asmile. The long face of - Noah seemed to lengthen. % _—s “What was the matter boy?” he asked. _ “Heaven knows. He never explained any- thing, but paid me off and told me to go, and was insolent about it, too.” Len held out his band, which the old man took. “Tl see you again, Len, boy,” said he. ‘ By the way, come to my room to-night, say, at six. Don't forget it, I have something to talk about —something I can’t talk about here.” “Tl be on hand, Noah,” and a moment later young Dalray was walking up Arch street, once more in the tn “ytd of no one. “TI wonder if Gummage saw me last night?? he suddenly asked himself. ‘‘ He couldn’t have been in that closed carriage that crossed the bridge. I stood in the shadows as best I could, and was hard to see. I would like to know what made hitn give me my walking-papers this morn- ing,and I’m not going to stop till I do know, that’s certain!” ‘Half an hour later Wide-Awake Len ran up a flight of steps on a short street a few squares . from Arch, and opening a door entered a small _ room which was occupied by a man who satin a listless manner in an arm-chair, which was drawn up to the gf window. This person was about five and forty; bis figure was rather heavy, for it filled the chair which held it, and there was a green shade over his eyes, “Ts that you, Len?” asked the man as the boy _ went forward. ae t’s nobody else,” answered the boy in cheery es, “What brought you back so soon? They vent given you a holiday, have they?” Wide-Awake Len. ‘¢ Yes, and a very long cne at that.” An ashen pallor overspread the man’s face, ~ ‘* You're not discharged, Len?” ‘I’m discharged,” was the response, “ Who did it?” * Clark Gummage,” ‘* What for?’ **T don’t know. He wouldn’t tell me.” “He wouldn’t tell you?—the infernal rascal!” ated the man in the chair, who was so near lind that be could just distinguish darkness from light. ‘*‘He turned you off without a word, eb? Did be pay you, Len?” **Oh, I’m paid in full. 'There’s not a cent be- tween us, thank Heaven!” For several seconds the man at the window remained silent, though the boy could see by the workings of his countenance that he was fight- ing within himself a mental battle, “I'm putting two and two together,” he ob- served at last, a smile passing over his face. He had turned his chair from the window, and was facing the boy he could not see, ‘‘ What sort of horses were attached to that carriage, Len?” “The one | saw cross Girard Avenue Bridge last mght?” se Yes,” “They were bays.” ‘‘The carriage was entirely closed, you said?” “ Entirely shut up.” * And it was warm, too—almost suffocating, I could hardly get any air, even at the open window; and yet that carriage was shut up.” The boy did not reply, but looked at the man and waited for him to proceed. ‘“‘T think that episode had something to do with your discharge,” continued the blind man, ‘“‘T would have sworn that 1 was not seen; there are deep shadows on the bridge,” Len has- tened to explain, ‘‘ And there were keen eyes in that carriage,” laughed the other, ‘‘ Mind you, I don’t say that Clark Gummage was on the inside, but some- body was there who saw you, and Gummage was told about the circumstances. That is why you got your papers. You didn’t see Blynn?” ‘“‘Mr. Blynn is not in the city. He went over to New York yesterday.” “To New York, eh? Seems to me he goes over pretty often.” Len smiled. ‘* What ere you going to do now?” asked the man. “Pm going to find out a few things,” answered Len, resolutely. “Dm glad of that, Be careful; you know soine things already, and enough to tell Pn that you are dealing with desperate men. The paw of the tiger is soft, but it can kill all the same; the snake looks pretty with its glossy skin, but it can crush a giant to death. Be careful, I say, Len, my boy. I have no one else but you.” “T will ‘i careful, don’t fear,” and the out- spoken lad Jaid a band in the man’s palm, “TI want to baffle the rascals who are, I believe, playing one of the deepest and most infamous games ever played in this or any other city. It makes my blood boil when I think of it. I’m going to beat the Cormorants, or know why no “‘T can’t help you very much, but you know where to goif you need assistance,” “To Captain Ferrars, the detective?” ‘‘And my friend,” added the blind man, “Yes, Len, if you need help, Dick Ferrars will give you all that lies in bis power.” “T sha’n’t go to him till I have to. Too many hounds spoil the chase. I’m going out now, and maybe I will not be back till night. I have an engagement with Noah at six,” ‘With old ae gpm oes Noah?” and the blind man smiled, ; ‘* He isn’t pretty, but like bim,” — “T think he is honest, Len. Tell him to drop insome time, I’dlike to hear his tongue go, once more,” ‘eee The boy replied that he would convey the message to Noah Smithson, and then left the ae at the window, and was soon on the street again. “*T don’t have to be on deck at six to-morrow morning, nor the next morning, either,” laughed Len to himself. ‘‘Tbanks, Gummage! You've given me the very string I’ve been wishing for, I can stick to the trail day and night, now, [ want to find who rode in the closed rig and be- hind the bays last night. The carriage came from toward Fairmount Park, and that’s some- thing. Iguess I'll go out and see Mrs, Mennes- see,” and turning into another street, Len walked a square and boarded acar, which Anal ly carried him into Girard avenue and bore him toward the Park. — } 3 He cypssed the bridge and smiled as he passed the spoiWwhere he had stood the night before, for the everis which had occurred there all rushed back to bim, and, a few minutes later, he alight- ed and knocked at the front door of a plain house, into which he was ushered by a little middle-aged woman who seemed surprised to see bim there at that hour, CHAPTER ITI, TERRIBLY CONFRONTED, LEAVING Wide-Awake Len at Mrs. Mennes- see’s for the present, let us retrace our steps to the heart of the city and meet several men who are destined to become prominent characters in our story. Not a great distance from the somewhat well- known establishment of Gummage & Blynn stood a queer-looking house to be in that par-| ticular part of the city. It was a cross between | a business house and a dwelling, and was used at > tbe time for both purposes, The lower floor was taken up with a lot of trumpery which at one time might have been called furniture. Here were second-hand tables and stands of every description, and people who wanted to sell some old trash in this line, and those who wanted to be cheated when buy- ing the same, camé to this ‘* depository.” (ee The store was presided over by a rough-look- ing man whose crooked nose and little eyes be- trayed his nationality, and at the moment of our visit he was nct alone, The back part of the room was quite dark, dark enough for a light, though nope was at hand, and Isaac Wen- del was talking to two men who seemed to have some important business with him, ** You've got : soverstall one of these m of nearly fifty. @ to us.” etor of the in the other, ‘‘ we know you’ got the c on’t we cffer you good security hat are you growling about?” **T don’t know this Mr. Gummage.” “You don’t, eh?” with a laugh, ‘‘ You don’t know that he is at the head of the house of Garsiises & Blynn? Why, he’s good for fifty ~ thousand.” : Old Isaac passed his band over his forehead hesitatingly. “Talk quick,” urged the tall man, men. acingly. fhe tell you I haven’t got the money just now. ; The next moment the tall man’s companion, in resporise to a look, threw one arm around the old Jew’s neck and drew him close. At the same time the other opened his bosom and jerked out a greasy pocketbook, which seemed well filled, after which he told his companion to “ hug” oni bia th hey harder, glot the vain did the furniture-dealer struggle in t grasp of the robber, He was relieved of his wealth in a moment, and when the two men released him he sunk to the floor like a dead man. But, before consciousness left him he hearg whispered at his ear the ominous words: life! and with the old man lying on the r, two men walked out as coolly as though they had been bargaining for some of the second- hand stuff, se When they reached the street they kept to. gether for a time and then separated, one goin one way and the other taking the opposite route, The man with the pocketbook went toward the river, but turned into Arch street and walkeq rapidly until he came to Gummage & Blynw’s, into which he dodged and disappeared. “Is Mr. Gummage in?’ he asked of Noah Smitbson against whom he nearly ran. ‘He is, Name, please,” the old man Te~ quested. \ . ‘‘ Name be hanged!” cried the other. “‘ If he’s in, that’s all I want to know,” and be bolted to- ward the private office, stared at by Noah tall he. vanished, f Clark Gummage received a shock when he heard his office door openjand looked up to see the man standing before him. “Haven't you forgotten?” asked Gummage, ‘* Were you to come here, Ore" h ‘“ Never mind what I was to do,” broke in the caller. ‘P’ve got something for you,” and he threw upon the desk the pooketbook he had taken from the old man of the furniture-shop, ‘Gummage looked at it staringly ; then his hand pounced upon it and his long yellow fingers en- '| circled it like talons of an eagle. ; “ rt this to any one and we'll take your ~ word to the wise ought to be sufficient,” -~ x
Page 3
~ pe Le —_———— ~~ SS Se? Pon A a tle a = tg PE * ¢ < oS eS Ser tte onda « z +s B tg ~ c / pS ~ him a man well ig trange, hax however, may not be strange to you.” a) Wide-Awake Len. “i 3 **T would rather you had not brought it here,” “paar saga ‘Did anybody see you come in ‘Nobody but old Leather-face,” was the an- swer. ‘‘ He wanted me to give him my name, but I was too sharp for that.” ‘“¢Did you have any trouble in getting this?” ot was looking at the pocketbook agaiv. eC Not much, We had to bug the old fellow alittle. It didn’t hurt him, and he knows better than to look for the pocketbook, for we told him what’s what before we came away.” Opening a drawer before him, the senior part- ner dropped the pocketbook into it and then took out his own. ** Something for present needs,” said he, count- ing out some bills of good denominations, which he passed over to his visitor. ‘‘ You know how to divide them. Whendo you go away?” To-night.” Gummage looked up at the clock on the desk, and seemed to mentally count the hours that lay between the present time and nightfall, **T'm much obliged to you, besides,” he added, **T hope you will have a nice trip. Good-by.” er two men shook hands, and Gummage was alone. ‘*- You wish me anice trip, don’t you?” laughed the man who walked from the store with a chuckle on his tongue and a smile overspread- ing hisface. ‘‘I don’t blame you, Clark Gum- mage. Some men are born fools, and you’re one of them, Yes, I'll have a pleasant time with your money.” Gummage waited till the office door had shut on bis visitor, when he brought forth the pocket- book which had been taken by force from old Isaac Wendel. He locked the door before he investigated the wallet’s contents, Opening it, he took from its depths some pa- rs which he began to sort out, All at once, 6 paused in his investigation, looking at a cu- rious thing to be in such a hiding-place, It was wrapped in oil silk, and when he un- loosed the folds, there fell out upon the desk an arrow-head, which was black in color, The point was almost as sharp as the point of a needle, and the barbs were well-defined. Gummage took it up with the greatest care and looked at it scrutinizingly, a full minute. He went though the papers, one by one, but returned to the arrow-head and handled it again with the same care as before. ‘‘Tt’s worth more than all the other things,” he murmured. ‘‘I got it cheap, too. I would pusdek. prt twice as much for it rather than have mi it altogether. It doesn’t look dangerous aow, with no bow or shaft near by; but it is dangerous all the same—to those who w how it can be used |” He restored the stone to the silk and put it back in the pocketbook and placed the whole within the steel-doored safe in the office, ‘I’m invincible now,” mused Gummage, ‘I’m armed as man was never armed in this country, They may talk about the steel armor of old. Bah! I’m better protected than ever were the knights of old,” and Gummage’s laugh was a laugh of triumph, and when be had transacted the daily business of the office he went out nod- i g pleasantly to all his employees, especiall old Noah, asif he recalled the title his last visitor had bestowed upon him—that of Old ' Leather-face, ; wpm i a bachelor, but he lived in ele- gant qua ina quarter of the city. He was used to taking bis meals at a restaurant near by, and, feeling somewhat gaunt, when in the vicinity of the tables, he sauntered in and sat down in his usual corner. Several hcurs had passed since the events we have recorded and the restaurant was not very well patronized at that particular time of day. ‘‘Mr. Gummage, I believe?” asked a voice as Gummage took ace bis Mr, Blynn’s_ partner loo up, to see dressed, not thirty, a hones oo marked, but at the same time not bad looking, “T am Clark Gumm air,” anew merchant. ‘To whote tars I'the piso alae listening?” The stranger came close, sidling round the table like a tiger stealing upon bis prey unable ‘to resist. The face seemed to glow with strange st the eyes fairly snapped in their scint; on, seeing that we have never met, My ‘ Z _“ Perbaps not,” said Gummage. Tam Neil Porterhouse son of se late of Feliciana Parish, oust **T guess you don’t know me; but, that’s not | Gummage fell back in his chair with a gasp. | taurant this day, and a man whom he addressed If there had been anything in his throat he would have strangled. As it was, he seemed to be choking; bis face was both flushed and pale, and above him stood Mr. Porterhouse looking down at his consternation and evidently enjoying the scene, ‘*You appear to have heard the name before,” cruelly added the man, There was no answer. Gummage was looking at him, as yet unable to utter a single word. “Did you think I was dead?” he went on, ‘I’m not the kind that die to suit people who want them dead. How much have you made with the start you got that night?” Not until then did Clark Gummage find his tongue. ‘*T thought you were dead, but I’m not afraid of you,” he cried. ‘‘ I am doubly armed—” “* Have you got that deadly arrow-head?” broke in Pérterhouse. “If you have, I want to say that 1’m poison proof!” A derisive laugh followed the words, and Gum- mage with a cry of terror fell from the chair and lay like one dead at the stranger’s feet. CHAPTER III, THE LONG-LOST TRAIL, ‘Tre termination of thatinterview was some- what remarkable,” said Porterhouse to himself, when he had left the restaurant with Clark Gum- mage under the servant’s care. ‘I am the last man he was looking for, and no wonder. He seemed to go down like a person bullet-struck when I referred to the poisoned arrow-head and told him that I was poison proof. I wonder what he will do when he comes to and thinks the matter over? But I can’t stay to see; I have other business on hand, Let mesee: what is his number!” He took a little memorandum-book from his cket and looked at an address which he found it. ‘*Ah, yes!” he exclaimed. ‘Carlton Crisp, o. — Race street,” and then he put up the book and walked rapidly away. It was not lon fore he went up the stairs that led to the blind man’s room, There was a Ne deal of eagerness on Neil Porterhouse’s ace ‘*T wonder if he will know me?” he muttered. ‘* Pshaw! he cannot, if his eyes are so bad; but, he may recognize my voice,” and then, having reached a certain door, he knocked, to hear a voice on the inside invite him to enter. The man from Louisiana opened the door and stepped forward, to find himself face to face with a man seated at an open window. The eyes were hidden by a green shade, but the face was turned toward the visitor, Porterhouse went forward. ‘* How are you, Crisp?” said he. The man in the chair started violently. **It is Porterhouse!” he cried. ‘‘[ can’t see ou, but I would have known you among a mil- on, by your voice, Sit down, but let me hold your hand. I’m very glad you’vye come. When did you get in?” “*} reached Philadelphia this morving, and already I’ve knocked one man down.” ‘What do you mean? You haven’t had a fight, I hope?” oF Oh, no,” laughed Porterhouse. ‘I didn’t touch him, I only leaned over a table and said afew words, He dropped like a beef.” ‘* The meeting must have been accidental?” ‘*Entirely so. I dropped into a restaurant to get a bite, and he came in. you live alone here, Crisp?” and the caller looked around the room as he rut the question. ‘No; my eyes and I live together.” “Your eyes?” ** Yes, t must have some one to see for me, since I can’t see for myself. Len is out just now, but he will come in presently, Len is my eyes —Wide-Awake Len. You haven't seen him? He is the boy who. wrote the letters that have passed between us. He will be delighted to see you, for he knows that you—” , The blind man paused abruptly, for there were steps in the hall, and the next instant Len burst into the room. | Seeing a stranger with his friend and foster- father, the sharp-witted boy stopped at once, “Do you know this gentleman, Len?” “IT do now, though I bave never seen him_be- fore. It is Mr, Neil Porterhouse,” and Len advanced and put forth his hand, “Yes, boy, the gentleman is Neil, to whom you have written so often. at my dictation. He in this morning, and I am sure is ready to help us. He had a singular meeting in a res- at Crisp, fell in a swoon at his feet,” ‘Tt must have been Mr, Gummage,” assumed the boy. Porterhouse smiled. ‘You seem to know,” said he, looking at the lad. ‘* Yes, I had the luck to run against him quite early, and thought I would show my hand a little. He went down in a jiffy, and I left the servants to bring him to.” ‘* Where have you been?” asked the blindman before Len could reply. *‘Out to my friend’s—Mrs, Mennessee’s,” was the answer. ‘1 am trying to trace that closed carriage of last night.” “ What luck?” “ More than I looked for,” Here Len turned to Porterhouse, who seemed deeply interested, and addressed him: ‘T's my duty, now that you have come, to tell you briefly what we know about the Cormo- rants—that’s what we call them,” he continued. ‘* There seems to be four of them, and they are desperate men. The real quarters of the band are beyond the Girard Avenue Bridge, and somewhere in tbe vicinity of Fairmount Park, Three weeks ago a man was robbed of a lot of money and some very valuable papers, From what Carlton, here, has told me, your house was robbed some years ago, and your father foully murdered in defending his property, but the trail of the robbers was lost. ‘¢ Somehow or other, Carlton, then a detective, discovered that the trail led to this city, and he came here in hopes of clearing up the mystery. He was getting along fairly well when, one day, he received a letter which pretended to convey some important information. The envelope that held it was very tough, and when he tore it open with a desperate effort, some fine powder, thrown out, flew into his face and cost him eventually his sight.” Here the blind man sighed and clinched his hands. ‘* We areconfident that the Cormorant League sent that letter to Carlton for the express pur- pose of paps a his eyesight,” Len went on. **It was a diabolical deed, but the League is capable of doing anything. Now, what have [ done? Not as much as I wish, but I have not been idle. I have been trying to carry on theyhunt where Carlton left off. He has iven me his work, and I have followed his Instructions. Last night I was passed on I have mentioned by a closed from the employment of Gumma turned off without the semblance of a notice. was invited into the office, was then paid off and told to skip. That’s the plain English of it.” ‘* Who discharged you?” asked Porterhouse. ‘“Old Gummage himself,” smiled Len. “TI ny know more about it to-night, for I prom- ised to visit Noah Smithson at his house, Old Noah is attached to the house and lets nothing escape him. He may have pace up a few points, for he bas a knack of whittling things down ve fine.” i And Pork isn’t slow, either, eh, Len?’ Crisp i, ested. he young detective colored. ' “ Dora is Noah’s niece, you see,” he explained to Porterhouse, and with a glance at the blind man, ‘She is a knowing girl and can see through some real hard problems just by look ing at them once. So you floored Clark Gum mage without touching him, did you?’ ; “T did,” smiled the uisianian, ‘Now that Tam here, we will look after the Cormorants to- gether, “Not yet, but they’re not far from The closed carriage passed Mrs, Mennessee’s last night and has dene 80 on several previous occa- sions, It’s a deep game, and, as Carlton says, a little dangerous, Carlton believes that the mur- derers of "se father came to this cit with, and to kill me, so they destroyed my sight. But, — they did not know, Porterhouse, that get other eyes—that Len here, my Wide- substitute, should see for me and follow the while I sat in darkness in this house.” __ The man from the South looked a long ie. ae ‘ time You don’t know their exact quarters?” e bridge. © te be y
Page 4
fe 2 ee **Do you need any money?” he asked. ‘* None,” was the reply. ‘‘ You have been liberal, but I want you to answer me one ques- tion: Why didn’t you come sooner?” ‘*T have been across the water. I have been three months on the Continent. I thought I had a clew to the Cormorants, and it took me to England.” ‘But, you did not find the clew there?” “T discovered something. You recollect that my father was supposed to have been mur ‘ered by a poisoned instrument of some kind; that there was the merest scratch on his neck which the doctors said produced death?” The blind man nodded and smiled. ‘That was the theory.” _** Well, my visit to England convinced me that it is the correct one, I fell in there witb a learned toxicologist, or one who understands poisons of all kinds, and a night with him strengtbened my belief concerning my father’s death, The wild tribes of the globe have soms singular poisons, They can poison their arrows until the merest scratch will produce death, Now ”—Porterhouse leaned toward Len and the blind man and went on: ‘* There lived in Lon- don, until a few years ago, an old Jew who daelt in everything. He bad a hobby for deal- ing in these subtle poisons, and he kept it up until the police made it too hot for him. One night he left London, He came to America, I managed to find this out. He landed in New Orleans, where he settled down aud where he stayed until after the robbery and murder, I did not know these things when I sent you to the trail, Crisp. I learned them by crossing the sea, Now, what has become of the old Jew?” Carlton Crisp shook his head, ‘* What was he like?” asked Len, who had not lost a single syllable of Porterhouse’s narrative, ‘* Something like this when he fled from Eng- Jand,” was the reply, and. Porterhouse threw upon the table at the boy’s elbow a much car- ried photograph. The young ferret} picked up the picture and gave it a close scrutiny. Suddenly he uttered a sharp cry. ‘*I know that man !” cried be. ‘‘ His name is Jsadc Wendel and he runs a second-hand fur- niture shop on M—— street.” CHAPTER IV. A STUBBORN JEW. THE man from the South was agreeably startled by the positiveness of the boy’s reply, but the Wide-Awake boy again assured him that he knew Isaac Wendel by sight and a slight ac- quaintance, “T do not say the Jew really had anything to do with the murder and robbery,” added Porterhouse, ‘‘I only know that he dealt in some things that take human life in a secret manner —in the strange weapons of savages, for in- ate When did you see the old artful dodger “Three days ago standing in the door of his shop,” answered Len. ~ * Are you busy now?” **T have nothing to do.” 3 “Then, let’s go down-town and see the Israel- te Five minutes later Len and Porterhouse were walking toward the second-hand shop of the Jew, and in due time the young Wide-Awake detect- ive pointed the place out to his friend, ‘*But it’s’ shut ap!” exclaimed the man from Feliciana, ‘‘Is it possible that we have come too late to get a peep at the old scamp?” Len did not reply, and they walked on until they found themselves at the door of the shop, or store. It was closed, sure enough, but the shutters were not up, showing that the Jew was still in the city—probably in the living rooms above the first floor. “What's the matter here?’ Len asked a boy who came out of the adjoiniug shop and eyed them closely. ; “Ole Isaac is sick. He’s in a bed way up in Lis room,” “ What ails him?” ‘ ‘** He won't tell, but from the way he goes on ‘at times one would think he has been robbed by some city highwaymen,” ** When did it occur?” * This morning.” ‘Nonsense; nobody is going to rob old Isaac in his own shop,” laughed Len, ‘“ Is the hallway rs) es was awhile ago.” Len Dalray led Porterhouse to the door open- ing into the hallway alongside the furniture shop, and the two mounted to the old man’s », A knock at the door elicited a low _ “Come in,” and they entered together to dis- Wide-Awake Len. cover Isaac drawn up on a dirty cot in one cor- ner of the room. Porterhouse looked at Len and nodded the moment he saw that descendant of Abraham; which meant that be had found the man who hac run off from London; but Isaac, staring at his visitors with all eyes, was saying nothing, though he showed signs of fright. Porterhouse bent over the bed and looked for a moment into the pinched face before him. Len drew near and gazed, too, ** 1 haf got nodings for you,” old Isaac whined, drawing back as far as hecould. ‘ You took all I had v’en you caught me in mine shop. V’at more you vants with old Isaac?” ** We don’t want to rob you, that’s certain,” responded Porterhouse. | am not the man who despailed you in your shop, What did he take? ‘*T tell nodings, I vas robbed all de same,” ‘* Have you informed the police?” At mention of the police the old son of Israel seemed to tremble, “*T hates dem!” he cried, clinching his hands. **T haf hated dem ever since—” He stopped like a man on the threshold of a secret which he desires to keep to himself, and turned his face away from Porterhouse. ‘* Ever since you left England, eb?’ ventured the man from the South. The change that came over Isaac’s counte- nance was as startling assudden, He grew al- most white, and his deepset eyes seemed ready to start from their sockets. ‘Go avay and let me die in peace!” cried the old rogue, ‘‘I haf been hunted long enough, I don’t know you, but I know v’at you be—a de- tective from across the vater.” Porterhouse rose and looked at Len. ‘*This man is actually dying,” said he under his breath, The boy ferret drew back, in surprise and ap- prehension, “Shall I go for a doctor? There is one just around the nearest corner,” “Stay here! Go into the hallway and see that: nobody comes in for a little while.” Len withdrew as directed, knowing well what the Louisianian prop»sed to do, ; Old Isaac was staring into Porterhouse’s face as if it recalled one he bad seen somewhere be- fore. His hands were clutching the cover and strange looking liquid was oozing from his mouth, ‘*What have you done with your collection of arrow-beads?” asked the visitor in a business way. “T vas robbed of the last one to-day. You don’t b’lieve it Isee, but I vas, They came in under pretense of buying some chairs, but they robbed me.” ‘* Who were they?” Old Isaac shook bis head with an effort. ‘Do you mean to tell me on your death-bed that you don’t know who robbed you?” cried Porterhouse. ‘* You ought to know who would be apt to want the last arrow-head,” ‘*T don’t know who took it.” ‘“But that is not the question, I asked you who would be likely to want it,” pronounced slowly and emphatically. There was no answer; the old man took a long breath which seemed to give hirn pain, and shut ote “Pid they offer to buy the barb?” queried Porterhouse, ‘*No, They just cateh me round the body and while one holds me fast, the oder one robs me, ‘¢ What, were they like?” In reply to this question, so important to Por- terhouse, there was nothing but a dull stare, “See here, old man,” he exclaimed, seizing a shoulder. ‘I have a right to know these things!” *“* Who—are— you?” slowly. ' ‘“My name is Porterhouse. Do you recollect hearing of the murder and robbery of an old ee in his own house in Louisiana, some years ago EL dart “Well, I am the son of the man who was killed and robbed. I have been to England. I discovered that you kept for sake 90% would do anything for movey—certain deadly poisons which, for the most part, are cou teree to the victims on arrow-heads and such things. To whom did you sell a poisoned shaft, say, three summers ago?” ORE t,” muttered Isaac, Porterhouse’: teeth met madly and his dark eyes seemed to flash, and he bent closer to the form on the bed. ‘You don’t forget,” be said. ‘ You know, ! but you don’t want to tell, that isall. You may live long enough t9 grace the gallows.” A queer smile came to the drawn face of the old Israelite; and his look wandered to one cor- ner of the room where stood an old-fashioned desk whicb was almost as strong as an iron safe. In fact, it was the old fellow’s treasure-box, and Porterhonse realized as much as he followed the glance. ‘*T tell you I forgets,” reiterated Isaac. “I don’t know whoall 1 sells to.” **T wouldn’t like to be one of your customers,” returned the Southerner. ‘‘ Men of your stamp keep a record of all their customers, for there is money in them long after the sale has been made,” ‘* Pse no blackmailer,” whined Isaac. ‘Then you have been terribly misrepresent- ed,” smilad Porterhouse. A moment’s silence followed. ‘*Von’t you let me die in manded the old sinner, whiningly. ‘‘Not if the doctors can save you,” was the reply. ‘‘l want the courts and the gallows to have a chance at you!” a can’t tell you any more den I haf, so hellup me The man from Feliciana turned and moved toward the old desk mentioned. If he had looked back over his shoulder he would have seen the restless eyes of the venerable rascal closely following his every movement, Porterhouse bad not covered more than half the distance between bed and desk when he heard a strange sound, and, turning, saw Isaac standing in the middie of the room, and about to launch himself upon him with the madness of a tiger! “Stand off,” cried Porterhouse. “If you won’t tell me anything about your customers, maybe your desk will. Kuow what I want to I will—so interfere at your peril!” The response he received was a wild cry, and the Jew came forward, holding in his bony hand a knife, which he must have had concealed in the couch. There was murder in the glazed eyes of; the half-crazed man, but Porterhouse was quick enough for him, and when he threw himself forward he was deftly caught by the Southerner, and held as in a vise of steel. Hearing the racket the boy on guard ran in to see Porterhouse master of the situation, and while the Southerner held old Isaac in his powerful grasp, Wide-Awake Len disarmed the venerable villain. “Now keep quiet a few moments,” ordered Portebouse, ‘‘I won’t rob you very deeply. Where are your keys? In your pocket? Yes, here they are,” and producing the keys which he had found, the tall man proceeded to the desk, while Isaac, frothing more than ever at the mouth, looked on in a fit of helpless rage and fear. All at once the little old fellow = a strange ery and fell back on the couch in a faint, but Porterhouse did not stir. He had opened the desk by this time, and was rummaging among its contents, , In one corner of the main compartment he found two little books, in greasy leatber bind- ing, They had the impress of age, and looked like old cast-off diaries, A dirty string en- circled therm, and it was evident that it had not been untied for years, Porterbouse seemed to start the moment he drew his find into the light. He cut the string and leaned to the light, One look seemed enough, for be thrust the books into his pocket, and shut the lid. of the desk. * **Come!” he said to Len. ‘' The old chap will come out of his swoon by and by. We won’t bother him any longer, If our find pans out rly he won’t have anything to regret; if we ave struck it rich, ditto,” and looking at Isaac for a moment, Porterhouse led the way from the room, aud he and Len went down the gether. “If Isaac was robbed this morning as he says,” remarked Porterhouse, ‘ it was the work of the Cormorant League.” ‘Always the Cormorants. We'll have to work hard to down them, Mr. Porterhouse.” CHAPTER V. TRE CLAW OF A CORMORANT. WHEN sone distance from the house of old Wendel, Len aud Porterhouse separated, the former going to another part of the city and the latter proceeding to his hotel, where he intended to examine the memorandum - books he had found in Isaac’s desk. At precisely six o'clock that day the dis- charged lad presented himself at Noah Smith- ce now?” de- eo Sg ES oe en ee 0 P=, ee
Page 5
b | son’s house according to agreement. He found Woah and Dora his niece at home and was warmly welcomed. Noah Smithson was a tall man with a skin like parchment. His face was perfectly smooth, and his eyes looked out from the depths of their bony sockets with a good deal of inquisitive- ness, Dora, on the other band, was tair and vivacious—the very opposite of ber ‘‘ uncle,” ‘*T was out to see Mrs, Mennessee to-day,” Len announced after the usual greetings, ‘*Oh, yes, the woman whose husband myste- riously disappeared some days ago, Has she any news of bim?” * Not a word,” answered the boy Hawkshaw. ** Did she ever tind that letter which decoyed him from home?” . ** Yes; she ran across it this morning,” and Len dived into his pocket and produced a erumpled letter which he handed to Noah, who adjusted his glasses and leaned toward the light. “T want you to examine the letter carefully,” continued foo ‘““Note the handwriting par- ticularly, You may have seen some like it in the course of your life,” Ralpb Mennessee, the missing man, was a pri- vate watchman, and had been missing for ten days. His wife, a friend of Len’s, was greatly distressed, and there was about the circum- stances something which led him to believe that the Cormorant League had to do with the dis- appearance, ‘or some minutes old Noah studied the letter earefully, then he arose and went to his desk in one corner of the little room, From this he took several letters which he carried back to the table, where he sat down again and went over them, comparing them with the decoy message. 8h aca thus engaged, Len was conferring with Dora. All at once the old clerk uttered a cry. “What is it?’ asked the boy, springing from his seat. “Tt can’t be and yet there is a similarity be- tween the fatal letter and some of the writing I have before me.” The lad had approached the table. He leaned over Noah’s shoulder and looked at both docu- ments. ‘* Who wrote the letter in your right hand?” he queried, “Mr, Clark Gummage,” was the reply, ‘* He sent me several when [ was sick and housed up some months ago; but you don’t suppose for a moment he had anything to do with Raiph Mennessee’s disappearance?” “T hardly know what to think about some po 1 am sure the message in your left band is the one that decoyed Mennessee from home and that he has not been heard from since going off. You see the letter asks him to call at . — Sansom street. I have no doubt be went to that number, and that was the last ever heard of bim by his relatives,” ‘* Why do you associate the Cormorant League with his disappearance, Mr, Len?’ asked Noah, turning so as to look the boy ferret in the face, “Tl tell you. The mght before the disap- pearance of the watchman, be followed a closed carriage into Fairmount Park. He told his wife something about it when he came home, It must have been the one I saw on the bridge last night. Mennessee followed the carriage so well that it bad difficulty in eluding bim, and his wife be- lieves that he saw more than be cared to tell her. I am convinced thatthe Cormorants drove Past me on the bridge. Now, you can put this and that together for yourself, Noah, and reach about the conclusions I have reached.” The clerk of Gummage & Blynn, rubber mer- chants, looked at the two letters once more and Len turned to Dora again. ““T saw you walking with a strange gentle- man to-day,” remarked Noah, glancing at Len. ** Was be your new employer?” ‘“*T was going to tell you about him when you had examined the letters. That was Mr. Neil 1 £orterbouse from the South,” __ * From what part of the South?” “From Louisiana. He is bere on a mission of vengeance.” * Ah,” exclaimed the old man, mission of vengeance, eh?” ‘‘ He is anxious to discover who robbed and murdered bis father some years ago,” explained ‘the youth. ‘An old trail, I should say.” ; Yes, but it is getting fresh again. I have promised to help bim.” ‘Here on a ~ * You? T thought you had your hands full _ with the Cormorants,” . have, but what if the two trails should , OS |. Roee ether Noah Smithson started and lvoked over his spectacles; then he laid the letters down and was silent for a moment, ‘*Tf I were you, Len, I would be very careful how I entered into this ~ This League is all- powerful from what I have heard of it. If it decoyed Ralph Mennessee from home, it is strong enough to keep him from home forever, and the chances are that his wife has seen him for the last time.” ‘*T will be careful, of course, but the more I think of the Cormorants, the more I want to run them down and see them suffer for what I be- lieve they have done, They blinded Carlton Crisp, the man who took me out of the streets and adopted me. Why? Because he was on their trail and was running them down for the Louisiana crime.”. ‘*Ts that true? Did the Cormorants have a hand in that ?” ‘*They undoubtedly did,” was the prompt as- surance, ‘* Think of it, Noah. You don’t want such a League to exist in our fair city, do you?” “JT want to see it crushed, of course, but I don’t want you to get into trouble for the sake of others.” Here the old man glanced at Dora, who was listening intently while she regarded the boy spy with an anxious look, The conversation would have been resumed if the girl had not left her chair near the win- dow, and crossed the room with ber hand at ber ips. ‘*Not another word abcut these things!” said she, with lowered voice, ‘‘There is somebody on the sloping roof outside, and underneath the window. I have heard a noise there once or twice this evening, but now I am convinced that we are being overbeard!” This was enough to silence Len and Noah, and the old man risinz, went to the window and sud- denly drew the curtain aside. His action let a flood of light upon the roof, an the moment it fell there, a dark figure scrambled down and dropped out of sigbt. “You were right,,” said the clerk, look- ing at Dora. ‘There was a spy on the rcof, but,” with a smile, ‘‘ he isn’t there now.” By this time Len was on his feet, his face flushed and his eyes filled with indignation. ‘*Wemay be able to catch him in the back yard,” cried he. “TJl go and see, anyhow,” and before he could be restrained, he rushed from the room and flew down-stairs, Tea minutes later he came back, saying that he had found no one, If the spy had been dis- covered, he had also made himself scarce, for there were no traces of him in the back yard attached to the house, , Dora followed Len to the lower door, when he went away. “‘Tam sure it was not the first time there has beep a spy on our roof,” she asserted, ‘‘I did not like to say anything to alarm uncle. He doesn’t sleep well of nights, anyhow. Two nights ago 1 heard the same noise I heard awhile ago, and when I threw back the curtain a man dropped from the rocf to the ground, Why should they want to watch us?” Len Dalray thought more than he said, and replying in a manner intended to disarm Dora’s fears, he bade her good-night and went away. **Vll go down to Porterhouse’s room and see what ke has found in old Wendel’s diaries,” said he to himself, and running over to Arch street he caught acar and ensconced himself in one corner, The car would teke him within two squares of the hotel where Porterhouse bad taken rooms. It was almost entirely devoid of passengers when he boarded it, but it had not proceeded two blocks when a man swung himself up on the rear platform, and then came in. _He dropped alongside of Len with a glance at him, and then began to look at the other passen- gers. The young shadower saw that the man was a stoutly-built person of forty or thereabouts, that be wore his coat closely buttoned to the chin, despite the sultriness of the night, and that he kept one hand in bisleft ket. ‘* He’s watching me,” thought Len, who from the corners of bis eyes bad scrutinized the man from the moment of his entrance. ‘I am un- der espionage, and by the Cormorant League! Can be be the spy who was on Noah’s roof to- night?” When the car reached Eleventh street, where the boy had determined to quit it, the man was still sitting like a stick on his seat. Len watched his opportunity, and when the car slowed up, he rcse and alighted. Now, old fellow, will you follow me?” men- claimed the bo tally e His feet had herely touched the stones when ——L NS DS he knew that the seat he bad just left held no- body, for the stranger had risen, and when Len reached the street he had him at bis heels, “Just as I thought. [ am tracked by the League,” passed through his mind. “If I go © straight to the hotel they may discover the presence of Porterkouse in the city. But hold! didn’t he meet Clark Gummage in the restaurant this morning? Now, if Gummage belongs to—” He did not get time to finish bis sentence, for at that moment, having reached a spot where the light of the nearest lamp did not strike, he felt his arm encircled by a hand of iron, and he was dragged into the mouth of an alley before he could resist. “Give up that letter!” said a hard, stern voice, ‘‘ What letter?” gasped Len. “You know, ere, hand it over. This is no time for fooling,” and at the same time a hand was thrust into the very pocket where he had deposited the decoy letter, and it was abstract- ‘* Now, be very careful, and don’t antagonize us,” continued the same voice. ‘‘We know all you do and will pay you in bard coin, A word to the wise is sufficient,” and Len was pusbed against the nearest wall and the man disap- peared, ; ‘‘Tracked and robbed by the Cormorants!” cried the boy. ‘‘ Never mind, it will be my turn next,’ CHAPTER VI, PORTERHOUSE AND LEN CATCH A TARTAR. FINDING himself alone and at liberty to move on once more, though robbed, Len Dalray left the alley in baste, but not soon enough to catch sight of the man who bad despoiled bim, He made his way to the hotel, where he expected to find Porterhouse, and the clerk directed bim to a room on the third floor. Neil Porterhouse happened to be in at the time, and the ng detective was soon closeted with him. e Southerner was seated at a table upon which lay the greasy books he had taken from old Isaac’s desk, and when he saw who his visitor was a smile appeared on his face, “They’re just what I supposed them to be,” anncunced Porterhouse, waving his band to- ward the books. ‘‘These books contain some very dark business transactions between Isaac and his patrons, Some of the entries ccntain descriptions of his customers, in order that he might identify them in after years.” ‘Wor black-mailing purposes,” ‘For nothing else, of course. I find that on the 10th of June, five years ago, he sold a Kaffir arrow-head to a man whose name he gives as G. Clark, an American. Now, the Kaffirs of Africa nmke very poisonous arrows—so poison- ous, indeed, that a slight scratch is said to be si ficient to produce speedy death, What do I know about G, Clark, my boy?” ‘‘-Ves, what about him?” queried Len. Porterhouse smiled again, and took out his own diary. ‘“T bappened to find out while in London, when leoking over an old hotel register, that during the month of June, of the year men- tioned in Isaac’s diary, Clark Gummage was in England—not only in England, but that he stop- ped at the hotel two days before the sale of the Kaffir arrow-head to ‘G,. Clark,’” Neil Porterhouse looked at Len scme time be- fore he spoke again. **'You’ve got a scratch on your hand there,” The boy shadow looked down at his hand and discovered that it was bleeding, and recalled bis struggle with the man in the alley. “Oh,” said be, ‘tI had a tussle with one of the Cormorants.” ** Tell me,” exclaimed Porterbouse, interested at once; whereupon Len spun the whole narra- tive, which was closely listened to, “You are watched,” was the answer, watched, too!” ‘You?’ cried Len, “Yes; twicesince I locked myself in this room footsteps have approached and departed from yon door. I am sure some one has been looking through the keyhole, but they did not discover much,’ “The See enero doubt.” The Soutberner nodded, **Tbhe man who robbed you of the letter was the man seen on old Noah’s roof,” he decided. ‘‘ He knew you had the letter and he followed. you from the house, That letter was a clew to the men who decoyed Ralph Mennessee from home and probable murdered bim, for nothing is too wicked for the League we are fighting.” . ‘*T don’t think the possession of the letter will “Tam
Page 6
ak ,~ help them much beyond keeping the handwrit- ing in their clutches. I know what it contained; I can repeat its contents from memory.” ** That is something,” remarked Porterhouse, eagerly, ‘I’m glad youcandothat, Now let’s have it, Len.” Len proceeded and repeated almost word for ‘word the contents of the letter he had lost, and Porterhouse took them down as they fell from his lips. **So he was to have called at No. — Sansom street?” said the Southerner. ‘* We'll see what sort of house that is, and maybe we can find a clew there As to the purchaser of the arrow- head, these books don’t proved much, but_put- ws uit and two together, transposing G. Clark in Clark Gummage, we get a little light. Still he may have bought an arrow-head in London and yet not have been connected with the mur- der o1 my father. We'll drop this matter here for the present, and look after the house men- tioned in the decoy letter.” “ Now?’ “Right away,” responded Porterhouse, rising. $ Wait! There is that footstep again.” ’The man from the South crossed the room with a bound and threw open the door, He was just in time to seea figure flit round a turn in the corridor, but when he reached the head of the nearest staircase, it had vanished. In a minute Porterhouse came back laughing, and, nodding to Len, the two went down, The first man the boy caught sight of when _ they entered the office was a well-dressed gentle- man lighting a cigar at the cigar case. @ was sleek-looking end faultless!y attired and Len no- ticed that he was apparently unconscious of their presence. When he had lit his cigar he walked out upon the steps in ‘front of the building and looked around. Len and Porterhouse had followed after him and passed down the steps, almost touching him as they did so, ** Did you see that fellow?’ whispered Porter- house, **T saw him; I could not helpit.” * Well, that’s the man who came to my door. He’s one of the Cormorants; my head for a pan- cake if he isn’t.” Porterhouse spoke so confidently that Len looked back and he saw the man come down the steps and move forward. He conveyee this discovery to his companion. ‘** After us, is he,” grinned the man from the “South “Pi show him a trick he may never dream of. Just let him keep on. The sharpest fox gets caught sometimes. Howis he now?” ** Following us still, sir,” “Lead the way to Sansom street, Don’t let on that we see him ataJl. It all depends on our wits, I’m his equalin many ways, and I want to let him know it.” a The two friends walked on, the man follow- ing them at arespectful distance but with the treadand look of the born shadower. *“*Let’s turn down here,” suggested Porter- house, turning into a small side street, ‘‘ It’s as good a trap as any to catch the fox.” en obeyed, and looking back as he did so, saw the spy follow them, as if he did not suspect any danger. “Do you know anybody on this street?” the Southerner suddenly asked the young ferret, = ps one person, a young doctor who has his office a block below. “Gc straight to it and walk right in,” con- - tinued the other. Len nodded and obeyed. Arrived at the doctor’s office, he opened the door and stepped in, followed by Porterhouse. ** What in the world is he going to do here?” Len asked himself, ‘I don’t to Doctor Howard; but he doesn’t seem to be in, anyhow,” outer office was lit up and untenanted, Len turned to see what Porterhouse was doing, and found him standing at the door, but in a position which would prevent a passer-by from Me seeing him, but at the same time let him have a Jook at the man on the street. . The Louisianian was waiting, tiger-like, for 8 prey! : ‘A fall minute had not elapsed when a quick ay anagem was heard and Len saw the shoulders of the spy. oy Porterhouse saw them, too, and the next mo- ment he had seen the face of thetrailer. It was _ the same one recently seen at the cigar counter in the hotel. _ When the man came opposite the door, Porter- _ house turned the knob and opened it without any noise, Len saw him pass out and disappear ‘and moving toward the door himself, he saw - that the Southerner had caught his man! now what to say. “Don’t give us any trouble,” Porterhouse was. caving to the stranger, followed.” **T haven’t followed you, sir,” was the hot re- sponse, ‘1 will call you to account for this if apologies are not made at once. I am a gentle- man, my name is Wilson—” “ Never mind, Mr, Wilson. My nameis Porter- house, but I guess you know that already. You will go with us a little distance and answer a few questions I don’t like to put to you here.” The man drew back and one hand moved to- ward his coat, but Porterhouse, ever on, the alert, arrested it half way. “The quieter you keep the better it may be for you,” he warned, looking the stranger in-the eye, , ‘‘Well go on, then. Idon’t like to be seen here and in this position.” Still holding to his prisoner’s arm, Porter- house turned back toward the doctor’s office, but passed it and, guided by Len, struck San- som street, The prisoner seemed very docile now, but Len and bis companion did not take their eyes from him for a moment. “JT don’t like his eye,” thought Len. ‘If he is a Cormorant, he needs watching.” The words were hardly out of the boy detec- tive’s mouth when the prisoner turned upon Porterhouse with the fury of a tiger. In an instant he had thrown the Southerner against the nearest building and bad drawn a knife, Jong and dangerous looking, from his bosom. “Down with that knife, villain!” cried the shadow, bounding to Porterhouse’s assistance, But the mad man gave no heed. He pressed Porterhouse closer to the building and before Len could reach him to interfere he had struck twice, and then released the Southerner, The boy saw, with an ejaculation of horror, the attacked man slide from the scoundrel’s grip, and the next second the assassin had bounded off and was round the nearest corner, Allthis—the turning of the tables—had occupied such a short space of time that fora moment the boy shadower was paralyzed. The terrible scene had unnerved him, He was recalled to his sanses by a groan from Porterhouse, whose form straightened out on the stones, and when Len reached him, he looked up and said: ‘* Score one more for the Cormorants, boy!” CHAPTER VII. EYES AT THE WINDOW. Mr. CLARK GUMMAGE of Gummage & Blynn was alone in his bacbelor quarters. He sat ata table near a lamp looking over some papers a had the appearance of age, and was so deeply engrossed in his task that he did not hear the gentle knock that sounded at his door. The knock had to be repeated in order to catch his ear, and the mar, hiding the documents, looked round and bade his visitor enter. He started visibly when the door opened, revealing the tall figure of a man who came for- ward and stood before him, Gummage looked up somewhat amazed and seemed to look the man over from head to foot, ‘‘[’m not gone yet,” said the stranger, with a smile, ‘tI did not get off as I expected.” “So I see,” was the answer. ‘It is very evident that you have not gone,” and Gummage leaned back in his chair and waited for his caller to proceed, his was the same man who had brought him ee ae and the arrow-head done up’in oiled silk. Had he come for more money? It looked that way. “‘Diek and I have concluded that we'd like to join and share with the rest of you,” resumed the man, dropping into a chair without the sem- om ty of an invitation and coolly crossing his egs. The very audacity of the fellow astonished Gummage. ** You want to do what?” he exclaimed. ‘* You speak in riddles, sir. I don’t understand.” “‘T was afraid you would not,” grinned the other. ‘Dick and Ibave a notion that we'd like to belong to the gang.” _ “To the gang?” echoed ;Gummage, still affect- ing to be in the dark, ‘To the Cormorants,” “Man,” said the rubber-dealer, ‘you have come to the wrong man for accommodation.” “T guess not,” was the answer. “I know what I'm doing. We want to get into the Ly ue,” ** What League?” The man who had been — Gummage all the time with the eye of a hawk, burst into a shrill laugh. y “I'm no fool,” cried he at its conclusion. “See here, You can hire us to rob an old Jew ‘‘T don’t like to be | for your own gain, but you don’t want to as- sociate with us, We know something about the Cormorants, Dick and I do. We know where they bold forth o’ nights; we know what they do at their meetings, and I can track them from this seat to several darks deeds, which, if found out, would give all of you a free ride to the Penitentiary, if not a chance to dancea jig on the gallows,” Clark Gummage was looking at the man without a vestige of color in his countenance. He wondered if he had entered the house alone, and if his confederate, Dick, was not close by, ready to supplement the audacious application with a second one, : Such thoughts were in Gummage’s head when he heard another footstep beyond the door and thenext minute it opened without ceremony, A breath of relief came to the merchant’s res- cue and some color grew on his cheeks. He knew the man who bad come in. ‘Tl call again,” said the first caller, seeing who had entered, ‘‘ Please consider the applica- tion still before you all. Good-night.” He rose and went to the door, passing the second man, and in a moment was gone. ** Why didn’t you stop him?” cried Gummage springing from his chair. ‘‘He should not have been permitted to leave this room alive,” ** Why, who is he?” coolly asked the other, ‘*T don’t know his right name, but he knows more than he should, He wanted to join the League.” “That man?” ‘That man,” ‘* He’s a cool chicken, I think. Why didn’t you take him in?” Gummage smiled, ‘© 1d as soon want to take in a rattlesnake; but where have you been? Your clothes are all mussed,” f ‘Oh, I’ve been having a little sport,” grinned the other man. ‘I had to play cat to-night, What did Sandos get?” ‘** T haven’t seen him yet.” ‘“ He was to watch the boy—your bright young clerk. I’ve been playing gentleman, with claws under my starched cuffs. I want to get rid of this toggery; in fact, I must, and that right away. ait till I get into my old clothes,” The speaker retired to a room thatadjoined the one in which this conversation had taken place and was gone ten minutes. When he came back be looked like another person, having ex- changed his fine garments for a suit which com- letely altered his appearance, and he no longer ooked like one of the young swells of the Quaker City. Masstnns Clark Gummage had locked the door so as to be safe from unwelcome intruders, and the man took a seat at the table. ' “Have you recovered fully from ths encoun- ter at the restaurant?” > . “T hope so. Never had such a shock in all my life. Think of suddenly facing a man who has been dead for years. ho looked for Neil Por- terhouse in the flesh?” , ‘Tt was enough to unstring a fellow’s neryes— that’s a fact. But he hasn’t been dead, you see.” _ ‘¢Of course not; his presence in the city proves that, He’scome North for vengeance. He as good as said so. “* What did he say about being poison-proof??” “‘ He boasted of being so,” was the reply. ’ The listener laughed again. ‘* Well, I have news for you,” said he, ‘Old Isaac is dead,” ‘The old man of the deadly merchandise?” “Yes. He died a few hours ago—died alone in his room over the second-hand shop. There’s nothing wrong about the death. I happened to pass the shop on my way here and was told about it. On second thought I went back and _out of curiosity went up to look at him, with the morbid crowd, you know.” . es you in his private room up-stairs?” “Where his papers were?” “ Where he kept his precious things. I saw his desk in one corner of the room, and knowing that it might contain something of value to us, I managed to get to it and ransack it and that under the eyes of twenty pee , Clave what did you ark Gummage. 4s Nothing of value tous. If Isaac kept an ac- — count of his customers, a5 bas been said, it was not in his private desk, and I searched it thor- oughly. I don’t think he kept ede tales of the | kind,’ “May be not,” responded Gummage, somewhat: 7 an reliever. “I'm glad, of course, to hear that he 2 didn’t, Dead, eb? I might have waited, But Rad ele Dh 7 ’ ee ~~ 7 ee een | eagerly inquired _ ah
Page 7
¥ 7 — : > . ~ ho - a 7 tering the presence or) ‘my h never mind; it’s just as well perhaps,” and he turned to the table and took up a cigar. “T thought I'd drop in, change clothes and tell you this,” continued the man, “It is a piece of news which don’t burt us. [’m going now, If I see the man who left awhile ago, 1’ll tell him that he—and his pard, did you say#~—can pre- to join the Cormorants,” Gummage’s look became a stare, *© You don’t mean that?” he cried. ‘Why not? It’s easier to take care of an ene- my under your eyes all the time than to have him playing ana you in the dark an’ under the guise of friendship,” / ** That's a fact.” “ Then, I'll tell him if I run across him.” The rubber-dealer sat like a stone in the chair for some minutes after his visitor’s departure. ‘¢f wonder what Neil Porterhouse is doing?” he murmured at last. ‘‘ Heavens! how he did frighten meat the restaurant. It is time for Sandos to come in. Id like to know what he has ‘ discovered by his shrewd plays.” - At that moment the door opened and a man slipped into the room. ‘Tve been waiting for you,” cried Gummage recognizing him at once, “7 didn’t come straight here,” was the repl and the speaker put his hand into his bosom, ey made a pretty good haul to-night, though.” The next instant there fell upon the table at the rubber-dealer’s hand a letter which he pourced upon in a flash and held up to the light. “That is it. By Jove, you were lucky, San- dos, Where did you get it?” Sandos grinned from ear to ear. ‘*T had to resort to a little force, but nobody was hurt,” said he, ** Ah, you had to rob some one, you mean?” “Only a hor. The letter which Gummage was holding in his hand almost fell from it to the table, ‘* Did he have it, Sandos?” he asked, “Yes, your discharged rat had it. Of course he got it of Mrs. Mennessee.” **Tt was to be obtained nowhere else,” remark- ed Gummage. ‘ We'll fix it right here and for- ever,” and be rose to his feet and held the decoy letter in the flame of the jet until every vestige of it fell from his hand, ashes. Shortly after Gummage was again alone, and as if fearing that he would receive anotber visi- tor if he remained in that room, he shut up every- thing and went out, Down on the street he threw the stump of his cigar away, and walked off briskly. Not lon afterward he turned up at his own store whic he entered witb a al ey, and moving through the dimness inside entered the private office where he knelt before the safe, which he opened. _ With tbe aid only of the light that straggled into the little apartment from the lamp directly opposite the store, he took from the safe the old Jew’s pocketbook and removed from one of its $ something incased in oiled silk, Then he locked the safe again and went away, without having seen the pair of keen eyes at the window, ee Gummage had been watched, but by whom? — _ CHAPTER VIII. PORTERHOUSE’S ADVENTURE. THE face at the window was the face of a boy. The sharp eyes followed Clark Gummage from the little office and saw him quit the store. When the rubber-dealer: struck the street again the owner of the face was close upon his heels, and kept track of him until he re-entered boarding-house. 1, falling back, the boy, who was Quaker tity Len, watched the place for almost an hour, when, seeing that Gumma e did not come out, he went away with a smile of triumph on his face. _ *Tve been tracking an old fox,” said Len, en- a man who sat at a table with a green shade over his eyes, “In other words, I’ve been watching Clark Gummage, my old employor.” _“ And with what result, Len?” asked Carlton Crisp, the blind ferret. Len sat down and told the whole story, and the blind man did not let a syllable escape him, * So he took a pocketbook from the safe and from that, in turn, a small package, did he?” — “That's right.” : “And the little package was wrapped, or Seemed to be, in oiled silk?” _ As near as I could see, it was.” The detective bowed his head in his hands and ‘pee ht a while, . boy, chee oeyto Song yoy nd tH ie ae spear’, BO. e, put out D i ‘Tested on Len’s writ, a ° a2 4 Wi1de-A wake ** He took it home with bim.” “Yes, which shows that he expects to use it. What do you think the package contains?” ‘1 know what Porterhouse told me about his trip to England and what he learned there about old Isaac’s business,” was the reply. Crisp nodded. ‘“*You mean that the package may contain one of those deadly arrow-heads?” “ é do.” ** Tf the story Porterhouse tells is correct in every particular, and I see no reason to doubt it, the chances are that Clark Gummage took from his safe to-night one of those barbs. Now, what is he going to do with it?” ‘“* What do you think the Cormorants would do if they found themselves cornered?” “Why, they’d use that point with its deadly poison,” was the quick response, ‘ Certainly they would. Since the furious attack on Por- | | } | A few minutes later Porterhouse went away and bent his steps toward the house mentioned Mrs. Mennessee, ‘ ‘Tf there are new birds in the nest I want to get a glimpse at their feathers,” he muttered, as he wentalong. ‘* The nest of the Cormorants is what I’m after.” * In a short time he had turned into the street at the end of which stood the suspected buildin,, ani a brief walk brought him to where it loom- ed against the stars. As the woman had told him, it stood alone, its nearest neighbor being so far away that he could not distinguish its shape after dark. Porterhouss approached the place with a good deal of caution, and found it as silent as the grave, He seemed to have reached the limits of the city, for the sounds that came to his ears were but the echoes of the hum of business and trayel terhouse has failed, thanks to the blind madness | far away, and not a soul crossed his path. of the man who attacked him, the Cormorants will try again. They now know that the son of the man who was robbed and murdered in the South is on their trail; that he knows that they are here in the Quaker City, banded together for a dark purpose; that be wil] not let up until he has run them down, and, knowing all this, they will try to bafflo him, yet not one of them will run away.” t “ There is no doubt about Clark Gummage’s connection with the Cormorant League.” ‘Not the least doubt, Len. He may be at the head of it; I think he is. He looks anything but a dangerous man, but these are the very fellows we have to fear most. I once tracked a@ minister balf-way around the globe, and twice he turned on me like a tiger, Look out for the arrow-head of the Kaffirs,” “‘T shall. I know where it is—in Clark Gum- /mage’s hands,” While this conversation was in progress in Carltor Crisp’s lodgings, the man whom we saw last in the mad grip of a_ well-dressed person armed witn a knife was walking half-carelessly, as it seemed, toward Fairmount Park. He had left the busy city behind him and was moving slowly along where the lamps seemed very wide apart, PAt last he turned aside and knocked ata low door set between the two front windows of a small frame house, : The woman who opened the door looked at bim for a moment and then invited him to en- | ter. : ‘*You are Mrs, Susan Mennessee, I believe?” said the visitor, who was handsome, with a _darkish skin likesome people born under a warm % Iam Mrs, Mennessee,” was the response, and then shecontinued: ‘‘ I cannot tell you whether Iam a wife or a widow.” ‘*So I understand, madam, Myname is Por- terhouse,” at which the woman started slightly. **T have called to talk about the strange disap- pearance of your husband, the private watch- “*T will tell you all I know about it which is not very much, I believe you know my young friend Len?” **1 do,” said Porterhouse. ‘‘He is very ac- tive in your behalf and we are sworn friends and on the same trail. Now please go over the wholo ground for me,” This Mrs, Mennessee did, and was listened to with attention by the Southerner who did not speak again till sbe had concluded. “‘Do you think he had discovered the destina- tion of the closed carriage which has repeatedly passed your house?” ’ “‘f am thoroughly convinced of this, It can’t be far away for it never stayed away long at- ter going out, and when it came back it was oing at a good gait, and once or tevice I heard the laughter of men on the inside.” ‘* Are there any empty houses out this way?” Mrs, Mennessee thought a moment before an- swering. ‘There was one some daysago but it has been taken I believe.” ‘¢ Where is it?” “« It is the last house on the next street. I+ is but a few steps from it to the Park, You couldn’t well miss it even after dark.” ‘“Do you happen to know who took it last” ** No, but my husband said the night before he disappeared that the empty nest seemed to have birds in it—not that it had, mind you, but it appeared to have.” “*T understand you.” ** Are you going to look after that house?” re- sumed the woman. ; IT don’tknow but that I might,” smiled the man from the South. er eS ete cans tat The Southerner passed the house, looking at it closely, then stopped and came baok, but managed to slip round it and get a view of it from the rear. “The very place for a nest of conspirators,” said he to himself. ‘‘ They could be well hidden bere, and the sharpest man-hunter would have a nice time finding them. However, Ill see what the old trap will yield me.” It did not take Porterhouse long to get close to the house, and he was soon listening at the lower windows. Nothing rewarded his work until he was about to retire, when a window was raised directly over his head, and, looking up, be beheld the head of a woman, “Ho,” thought the Southerner, remaining as stationary as a post, ‘‘one of the birds of the nest, eh? I did not know there was a female Cormorant,” and he kept bis eye fastened on the head as long as it remained in the open window, When the window was shut down a light was seen in one of the apartments of the houso, and the tracker, catching the sill above his head, drew bimself up and looked in under the cur- tain, which was a mite short. It wasa very d ngerous position for a spy, for, if discovered, he might be shot before he could drop to the ground, but Porterhouse, having escaped a keen- edged knife, did not let this prospect daunt him, At first he did not see any living person in the room, but in a@ moment a woman entered and set a lamp on the table. She was still young and strikingly beautiful. Her figure was tall and sinewy, her face very gerk, and her eyes, deep-set, were as black as her air. ‘‘T am going to keep the nest for them but a short time longer,” Porterhouse heard her say, thanks to a crack in the glass. ‘‘I don’t like this life. If they are brought to justice I will be in the same boat, and there ought to be something better than this for me. If I go back on them 1 might as well quit this country, for I would not be safe between the oceans. They would be at my heels wherever I went, and I would be afraid to close my eyesasecond, I wish some ese would close in on them, but who can do it She stood at the table while she spoke, but when she finished she dropped into a chair and trembled as if her executioner had suddenly entered the room, Porterhouse grew tired of hanging to the sill, his whole weight on his hands, and he was forced todrop. This he did when he could hold on no longer, and in falling, he alighted amon some crockery which he had missed before an the next moment the window was raised and he knew that the woman was looking out, The man from the South lay Sdeing still, hoping to escape the keen eyes above, but he was seen and in a flash he found himself cov- ered by a revolver, “Stand up. I see you,” he heard in com- manding tones. ‘* You are a spy and the fate of spies is death.” | The Southerner stood up. “Shoot!” said he to the woman. ‘“ Add an- other crime tothe list youalready own. Lem — the man who can pull you out of the mire. Kill — me and be forever in the clutches of the men you serve, but hate.” ' There was no answer; the weapon covered him for a moment longer, and then the window _ came down with a hang, and the light inside vanished in a twinkling, ’ iy CHAPTER IX! FIGHTING FOR HIS OWN. NEIL PORTERHOUSE went back to the city ‘] Vay with strange feelin gs. He was confident that he had discovered the Ce 7 oh > ie
Page 8
- _ sist, in part, of several le — ‘ nest of the Cormorant League, but the identity of the woman mystified him. She had held him at the mercy of her revol- ver, yet she had spared bis lite. This seemed to tell him that she was anxious to escape from the power of the League, but could not without help, and Porterhouse was ready to aid her if the scheme promised to bring to light the men he was after. While the Southerner was at his hotel think- ing over these things Quaker City Len was hav- ing an adventure not a little exciting consider- ing everything. The reader will remember that by watching Clark Gummage he had tracked him to thestore where, by aid of the window, he had seen him open the safe and take out something wrapped in oiled silk, that after this episode he followed the rubber merchant home, and had watched the house for his coming out but without avail. Despairing of finding Gummage any more that night, the young detective sought another part of the city where he knocked at a door which was opened bya girl who greeted him agen It was Dora, Noah Smithson’s ‘‘ niece,” Len had not seen her since the night of the last interview when there was a spy on the roof and the girl’s face showed a good deal of anx- iety. There had never been any secrets between the two, so Len did not hesitate to tell her about the stabbing of Porterhouse by the man who had followed them from the hotel, nor omit an ac- count of his own robbery. a They’ll be suspecting Noah next,” cried ora. “T think,” said Len, ‘‘ that they suspect him already. The spy on the roof will tell his em- ployers all he knows, and they will think that Noah is against the Cormorants.” oh That is about what I told him this morn- ing. * What did he say?” ‘*He smiled in his peculiar way and said: ‘ Let ’em suspect.’ ” ain LS NY re ened vy su 2k WOU OLS, very important concerning a matter which he would never let me into, perhaps because he thought it did not concern me,” ** An old secret, eh?” ‘* Something like that, you know.” ‘* Were the papers all together?” ‘* They were tied up in the same package.” : “ Their loss will set very hard on Noah, won’t it “Tm afraid it will nearly kill him,” replied the girl. ‘‘Heis very careful about his things, and I don’t see how I can meet him and tell him that I did not obey his injunction,” ‘But you had to go to market, Dora; the marketing had to be done, and there was no other persoa to do it.” Dora did not smile much, and Len, going to the window, pulled aside the curtain and looked across the street, Directly opposite the house stood a street lamp which threw its light for some distance on every side, As the young detective looked at it be caught sight of a figure leaning against the iron post. At first it did not look mucb like the form of a man, but by and by it became such, and he watched it forgetful of Dora and her narrative. It did not take the girl long to notice his ac- tions. She saw him drop the curtain, but not enough to prevent him from still seeing the man he had espied, and in a moment she had tripped to his side and was askivg him what he sat Bis covered. ‘ Look at the man under thatlamp,” said Len, Dora did so and fixed her eyes upon the appari- tion, ‘Why, he seems to be looking at the house,” said she, : ‘ That’s just what I think he isdoing. There; he moves away now, but not far.” The man had drawn back from the sare its light showed that he was not very tall, well set and agile, ‘* A spy!” cried Dora. The young shadow said nothing, but continued to eye the strange man, ** There he goes, as if he has had enough,” said and but Len drummed on ‘the table for a moment, and | Len, turning toward the girl.” ’m going away then looked up at Dora. ** Might I look at the papers which Noah com- pared to the one i got at Mrs, Mennessee’s?” he asked at length. ‘Certainly; there'll be no harm in that,” and the girl went to a secret place and found a bunch of keys, with one of whfth she opened old Noah’s desk in one corner of the room. “Why, the papers ain’t here,” she suddenly cried, looking at Len. * Not there?” exclaimed the boy ferret. ‘‘ May- be Noah took them away with him,” “I’m sure he did not, He told me to watch ‘the desk well when he went to the store.” ‘* Have you been away and left the house un- watched?” **T ‘have been to market, but I wasn’t gone over half an ‘hour, for market is handy, you know.” The face of the girl was quite white and full of fear. Len had crossed the room and stood be- ‘fore the open desk, ‘He kept his important papers in his particu- lar corner,” continued Dora, ‘‘ The package is not there now. It has disappeared.” . “Do you know it was there when you went to market?” ‘‘T remember opening the desk to get a little change for a few purchases, and am quite sure that I saw it in its place then,” ‘It looks as though it was stolen during your absence,” said the boy. ‘This is the work of the Cormorants.” Red hy sighed, and the next moment sunk intoa chair. *‘T don’t want them to harm Noah, he has been so kind to me,” said she, ‘‘Iregard him as a father, though I know he is but my uncle, or at least he’says he is,” ‘* What are your first recollections, Dora?” **T don’t recollect my father at all,” was the reply. ‘* When did you first meet Noah Smithson?” _ “ That’s a bard question to answer. I have known him almost all my life, We have been living together so sory Bea I have grown near and dear to him, and he to me,” “Yes, yes,” smiled Len. ‘“‘Has he never spoken of your father?” ‘“Nothing more than to tell me that he died long ago, and that my mother preceded him to the grave,” ‘* Now, of what do the lost ‘** Really, I cannot tell you rs consist?” ull, They con- rs from Clark Gum- mage, Noah’s employer; besides this, they con- _ sist of some papers which he seems to think now, I guess you won't have another visitor very soon as the re rs have disappeared,” ‘* Will you tell Noah? He went cut some hours ago and I have no idea where he can be found.” : ‘It’s astrange hour for him tobe out, isn’t i+)? itt’ Yes.” d Fearful of losing the man he wanted to follow, Len bade Dora a hasty good-night and left the house, He went down-stairs and slipped into the street. where he soon saw a figure that resembled the one he had just seen under the lamp. In an other moment he was on the trail and was being led along at a snail’s pace, Evidently the mar followed was expecting to meet some one, for he walked slowly, and Len kept him in sight several squares, when the wan met another person who seemed to join him by agreement, He followed the two when he bad them both under surveillancé, and was in the act of turn- ing into a new street wken he almost ran against a man who recognized bim with a ery. ‘“Noah Smithson!” cried Len, looking at the old clerk. “That's just who I am,” was the response. “ What are you doing here?” The boy pointed at the two men and thén drew old Noah into the shadow of a building. ‘* Have you got your papers with you?” he in- quired in a wiisper, ** No, of course I wouldn’t carry them about me; they're too precious for that. You cught to know where I keep them.” “T know where they were,” answered Len. ‘* They were in the desk, but if you haven't them on your person, I’m afraid they've fallen into wrong bands,” Noah Smithson’s reply was a deep gasp. ** What does Dora say?” he asked, Len told the sterv in a few brief words. ‘Heavens! if I have lpst those papers I bears lost everything,” exclaimed the old man. have bern robbed of the secret of a lifetime, and the person who took them must have known—” : , He stopped and gasped like a man fighting for air in a close apartment, “One of the men 1 have been following was watching the house a while ago,” put in the bo . ‘Which one?” “The shorter of the two.” | Old Noah started up and his bands clinched. ‘*He must be the thief,” cried he, ‘* Where \ are they? They went down yon street, dicn’t they?” “Yes, but they’re out of sight now I’m afraid.” ‘*Not out of sight,” cried Noah Smithson. ‘* They must give up my papers, Come!” and he started off and turfied the nearest corner before Len could stop him. Anxious to see what the old clerk would do, the boy ferret followed with the proper speed. Old Noah was some distance ahead as he could see by the light of the lamps, and the next min- ute be caught sight of the two men walking leisurely along. A singular exclamation leaped from Noah’s throat when he spied the men. ‘*T'll have my property or their blood!” Len heard him say, and in another instant he was rushing upon the men like a panther, “* The odds are against the old man,” thought the boy. ‘He is no match for the pards, and they won’t hesitate to treat him roughly. He won’t stop to count the odds, but rushes on like a whirlwind, Heavens! what an attack.” His last exclamation was drawn forth bya mad spring made at the shorter of the two men by Noab Smithson, He came upon the fellow with the suddenness of a thunderbolt and Len beard him call hima thief as he jammed him up against a wall and began to search his inner pockets. he tall man seemed thunderstruck for a moment and unable to come to his friend’s assis- tance. * You took ’em; I know you did!” criedold Noah. ‘‘ You robbed me of my papers and I want ’em or your life.” ‘* Help! help, Sandos,” cried the little man, This moved the other man to action. He sprung at Noah and seized him by the shoulder, but tae old clerk shook him off and then, quicker than a cat, turned upon him and dealt him a blow with his left hand which sent bim into the gutter. : “I’ve got some muscle if I do look like a mummy,” cried Neah, and to Len’s surprise he dragzed the little man back to the wali and con- tinued to search his clothes. \ . “I knew he had ’em!” suddenly exclaimed the old man, coming back toward Len and clutching something in his hand. ‘‘He bad the stolen property next to his skin, but I’ve got it ° now, ha, ha, and they’ll never getitbeir talons on it again!” and the nimble-footed boy found it difficult to keep up with the speaker who seemed to have springs in his heels, CHAPTER X, ‘ODD OR EVEN?” THE men so suddenly attacked by Noab Smith- son looked dazed and did not recover from their surprise until the old clerk bad vanished. ‘¢ Tnever saw anything like that,” said the man whom Noah had despoiled. jf Tke old mumm bas the grip of a vise, and I thought bis bands were going to meet in my windpipe. Which way did he go?” ; ‘ “What, do you want another experience with bim?” : “Not by a long shct. I did not see him go away.” nig Ob, he went off with the boy and turned down yon corner.” “With that young ferret who is always stick- ing his nose into everybody’s business but his own? We've got to look after bim, Sandos.” The man addressed said nothing, but frowned and the two then walked away, Meantime, Quaker City Len and Noah had gone to the latter’s home where the old clerk ex- amined his papers and found them all intact; not one was missing. ** It’s really better than I expected,” said the clerk, looking up into the boy’s face. ‘I feel better now and will see that these documents don’t fall back intu the hands of the rascals, ll turn them over to a deposit company, and take a receipt, for they’re too precious to have lying round at the mercy of the sort of men from whom I recovered them,” Leaving both Noah and Dora happy over the lucky recovery of the stolen papers, Len went away, and soon turned up in Carlton Crisp’s room, and the moment the blind man heard step he uttered an exclamation of joy. ; “Tye been waiting some time for you,” said Crisp, ‘I’ve had a very singular visitor.” You?” ; \ Yes,” a smile passed over Crisp’s face as he spoke, ‘“Of course I could not see bim, but I recollect voices very well, as you know, and though my visitor tried to disguise his, I found out before he bad talked two minutes,” ‘© Who was he, and what did he want?” A A ec | SS
Page 9
a en. / - “T was sitting at the table thinking of Porter- house and the long trail, when I heard a footstep in the hall. ‘Come in,’ said I, and the door opened. The next moment I knew some one was standing in the room looking at me, some- thing which neither you nor Porterhouse would have done, Presently he came forward and said: ‘Are you Carlton Crisp? and I told him I was, Then he dropped into a chair and began to talk. He said he was interested in a man who had come tothe city a day or so ago, that he could furnish that person with a clew to a iletlg which happened in the South some years Cc . ‘“* Why did you come to me?” I asked. *** Because you were once on the trail your- self,’ he replied, ‘and Neil Porterhouse would naturally come to you on his arrival in this city.’ I then asked him what his name was, and he called himself ‘John Backus,’ I had to smile just a little, but I don’t think he noticed it. I told him that, as yet, Porterhouse had not called upon me, which action I said was very strange, therefore I could not tell him where to look for the Southerner. ‘He sat and talked a little longer, and then bade me good-night. He went to the duoor, as I could tell by the sound of his steps, but there he paused ahd looked back. I was certain that he did not goaway for sev- eral minutes, and when he did go he shut the door easily and went down the stairs with the tread of a cat. That man was Clark Gum- mage, your old employer.” Len Dalray did not start nor show any great surprise. Carlton Crisp’s narrative had pre- pared bim for the man’s identity, and he only Smiled and said: i “A slippery eel, Carlton. You knew bis voice, eb?” The blind man’s lips met, : “Of course I know it. I shall never forget it, for I have cause to remember it to the last hour of my life. The Cormorants are determined to silence Porterhouse; the League is bound to come out of this struggle victorious, and at any cost. Somehow or other, they bave lost Porter- house for the time being, or at least Clark Gum- mage has, and that is why he came to me for in- formation which he did not get. Len then detailed all his adventures since see- ing the blind man last, and Crisp listened with eagerness, He was especially delighted with the story of Noah’s success, and laughed when he learned how the old clerk rescued his papers, ‘*T wish you could have seen Gummage,” said iy **T would like to know how he was dress- e mu ** Ask Bessie,” was the reply. ‘‘ She sees near- ly everything, you say.” “11 do it,” cried the boy. ‘Tl see her at once,” Leaving Crisp, Len ran down and crossed the street where the lamp-post stood and entered a small notion store, : He was immediately seen by a girl who came forward greeting him familiarly, and asking after Carlton Crisp’s health. This was the “ Bessie” referred to by the blind man, and Len at once came to his errand, He asked the girl if she had seen any one enter or leave the hallway directly across the street, and her eyes lighted up immediately. ‘*T saw a man come away not very long ago,” said she. ‘He crossed the street just above and passed our store. I was standing in the door at the time and had a good look at him, that is, a pretty good look, for his hat was pulled over his eyes, an if ke did not want everybody to see his ace, ‘* What did he look like?” queried Len. Bessie proceeded and gave him a good running description of the man, and thanking ber fcr her kindness, Len went off. Of course he went back to Carlton Crisp in high feather. ‘It was Clark Gummage in borrowed plumes,” said he to the blind man, “TI would know him among @& thousand, but he will not wear the disguisé very long. ‘* He may keep it on until he has found Porter- house, or given up the bunt for the time being.” . Why, the other Cormorant spies know where the Southerner is,” exclaimed Len, ‘ Porter- house has had them at his doorin the hotel. I don’t see why Clark Gummage should be looking for him.” “A little hunt independent of the rest. The rubber-dealer wants to play fox on his own hook, He’s at it now no doubt.” ; “Then, I’m going out tosee if I can’t pick : . bis up.” Ten minutes later the figure of Quaker City Len might have been seen moving through one of the open tree-planted squares which dot the earty home of William Penn. The little Park was well patronized that night, and he was giving everybody a good look. The fact is, he bad been on the track of a man who had entered the Park and was now sitting on one of the iron seats enjoying a cigar and seemingly at peace with the world, This personage was neither Clark Gummage nor one of the men who bad been despoiled by old Noah, the clerk, Len stood off where he was not apt to be seen and watched him with much interest. Ina short time another man sauntered down the walk and after a look all around dropped be- side the smoker. “I'm getting tired of this.” said the new-comer in an incautious tone. ‘‘He’s got enough to make us rich, and we can put the clamps on him and realize at once. They're not going to take us into the Cormorant League any more than they intend to give us a million apiece, Weran a risk when we raided the old Jew and took his pocketbook. The old rascal is dead enough and can’t identify us, but he don’t want the world to know that he, one of the city business men, em- ploys men to rob people.” *“That’s what he don’t, Zyno,” said the other man, witha nod, ‘Of course we’ve got a hold on him, and I’m about ready ‘to tighten it.” ‘* Why not make the break in earnest to- morrow?” “Pm willing.” “* What’s the best plan?” ‘I’m in for a bold game,” was the answer, ** We. lose nothing by being bold. Here,” the speaker stooped and picked up some small stones from the ground at bis feet. ‘*Odd or even? The guesser is to confront him at his place of business and win or lose the game for us,” ‘Allright, I guess odd.” The holder of the pebbles opened his hand and counted them. There were eight, “Tv’s onto me,” said he, with asmile, ‘I’m the man that’s to meet him, and 1’ll do it in great shape, too. At ten, to-morrow, he will be confronted by a man in his private office, and he’ll know just what he has todo, I don’t in- tend to strike bim for a baby sum, We know too much for him, and he’ll have to pay well to shut our mouths. Let’s be off, now,” and the two, rising, went away, watched some distance by the boy ferret and then left to themselves, Not long after the young detective went up the steps that led to Noah Smithson’s abode and found the old man writing at bis night table. In afew words he detailed his adventure in the Park, and wound up by telling the old clerk to keep aneye on the man who was to call on Clark Gummage the next day, for Len did not doubt that the conference in the little Park re- ferred to the rubber-dealer, nor that the men seen there were the ones who had robbed old Isaac Wendel, the Jew, in his own store, oe eh my eyes open,” said Noah with a smile. ‘Tl listen,’ too, if if get a chance and [ think I can make one. By the way. where do you think Porterhouse is at this time?” * At his hotel, if not on the trail. But wait. I would like to hear and see the blackmailer’s dodge myself. It will prove another link agaiust the Cormorants. 1 will call at the store at half past nine to-morrow,” ** You won’t stay long if Gummage sees you,” **He won't know meif he does,” smiled Len. “There’s a crack in the ceiling of the private office, aad the room above isn’t occupied. I must get into this room, and, once there, I'll use my eyes and ears in the interests of justice,” “This conspiracy is bigger than I thought,” was Noah’s reply. ‘“ But be on hand to-morrow and I'll see that you get into the room above the private office,” and Len, the ferret, was off again. CHAPTER Xt. THE UNEXPECTED TAKES PLACE. THE next day, at the appointed hour, Wide- Awake Len, well disguised, put in an appearance at the establishment of Gummage & Blyun, and was i to the room directly above the private office. The hour was kalf-past nine, and in a short time, if nothing happened, the man who was going to blackmail Clark Gummage, would make his ap- pearance, **Don’t betray your presence, whatever you do,” said old Noah as he withdrew, after locking Len in the room. ‘Look sharp and keep your ears Open, for this may be an Papuan move in the game, [| don’t like the way Gummage looked at me this morning. Can it be that he intends to give me my giking papers, too?”’ Len had been in the room before, and knew how to make himself comfortable. All he had to do was to remain perfectly quiet and await the coming of the man who was expected. He was sure that he would hear and see something which would have a bearing on the fight against the Cormorant League, and he was ready to suffer a good deal of incon- venience to obtain information. The hour of ten did not come with more prompti- tude than did the looked-for man who had won the trial of the pebbles in the Park, For some time previous to his coming Len had looked down upon Clark Gummage writing at his desk, and the moment he saw the door open he felt that the crisis was at hand. “A gentleman on very im rtant business,’’ an- nounced Noah, who sppeare at the door, and the following instant he ushered into the office a man, whom the boy overhead instantly recognized. Clark Gummage, Jooking up from his work, seemed to know the caller at once, for a dark look overspread his face, and his teeth met madly. Evi- dently he was inwardly cursing Noah for admitting the man without orders, but the fellow was there, and the door was shut between them. ‘**Good-morning,’’ began the visitor. dropping un- invited intoa chair near the merchant’s desk. ‘You were not looking for me, eh? Well, I'm here all the same, and we ought to transact our business without much l<st time.’ Clark Gummage seemed to look daggers at the speaker, as if he could guess the import of his mis- sion. “What is it?” he said gruffly. ‘I am expecting a business caller soon, and he will take up all my spare time.” The stranger, who was well built, with a smooth face, which looked the color of tanned leather, leaned toward the rubber-dealer and cid not reply. He seemed to be studying Gummage as a man studies an anim | he will soon bave to attack. * We've concluded to settle Gown in the West and try to be somebody,” he said, l tting the words rip- ple over his lips with the glibness of an oily villain. **But we can't do so without a lift in the beginning, You say you won't take us into the League, so we’re forced to do something else. Ten thousand will start us nicely; it will buy a ranch and—” “See bere,” broke in Gummage, with the air of a man who Lad concluded to play a be ld hand—to ‘take the bull by the horns” as the saying goes— **: can give you no such sum, not even at the risk of giving you and your pard a boost on the road to hon sty. It is time wasted to talk of money to me. Let us drop the matt«r here and forever.” The face of the man who listened to these words was a study, and the owner of the keen eyes survey- ing ae scene from above, could hardly keep back a laugh. He fell back in bis chair and for a moment looked dazed while Gummage coolly regaided him. “You mean that you won’t pay enything?” he finally said. “That's just what I mean if I didn’t say it,” was the reply. ‘I try to talk good English. I can’t ay you men a dollar, because l’ve settled with you sfore, and—”’ ‘“He paused. He was on'the verge of saying that old Isaac the Jew, was dead. and could not be a wit- ness to the fact that he had been robbed, bat he let the sentence go unuttered, “Look here, Mr. Clark Gummege: we s'and be- tween you and something very disagreeable. You maysay that we are in the mud as on ¢S you are in the mire, but we are two to one, and rem{the life you've led before, and are Jeading even now, I guess our word would go just as far as your own.” Gummage seemed to swaliow hard. ‘He understord what the man meant. If Ledid demanded, the two rascals with not pay the mone whom he had dealt, would turn on bim and get him into the clutches of the law after making a bargain with the courts by which for what they knew against him they were to escape themselves, f **You are striking in the dark,” continued Gum- mage, ‘‘ Wenever metuntil a short time ago, and I should have had more sense than to have employed such men as you two.” “In the dark, ha?” laughed the other, showlng his teeth. ‘Iguess not. We could unmask you and surprise the denizens of t) is city at their breakfast tables. Don’t intimate that] don’t know anything about your past life. [know more than you would have me know, I know when you were in England not as Mr. Clark rhage but as another gentle- man entirely different; Tam aware that you left the island between two days and just after a dicker with an old Jew who dealt in many curious things.” The face of the rubber-dealer |} ad become w ; **T know more than this,”’ resumed the man. *“ Why don’t you go on, then?” “T thought you were expecting a business caller who would take up your time, and I don’t want to prevent him from transacti:g his business, which may be as important as mine. What are you going to do with my ae pane “T thought I had answered you.” * Nothing, eh?” : Clark Gummage answered with a cold nod. ‘All right,’? replied the man, rising and _ picking up the hat he bad deposited on one end of the desk, *You want notoriety, I see. Well, by the etern you shall have it—perhaps more than you bargain or)" Gumm¢ge pushed back his chair, and looking the man in the eye, got up and faced him. ‘* Won't you take less?” he asked. **Not a dollar under ten th-usand.” The hand of the merchant dived into one of the igeon-holes. . “Show this man out, Mr. Smithson,” : The presence of a third y was not expected by the blackmailer; he had not heard the door open and Gummage’s command was so unexpected that, thrown off his guard, he turned half-way round. i ; a wy
Page 10
*aO Wide-Awake Len. ° There was no man there, and the next instant he realized the full meaning of the stratagem. Clark Gummage had sprung forward and caught the stranger's wrist: he was pulling him toward the desk, while at the same time his other hand held aloft a singular-looking weapon—an arrow-head, as sharp as a needle, and but two inches long. The eyes of the blackmailer fell instantly upon the barb * You won't take less than ten thousand eh?” ex- claimed Gummage. “I can get off easier than that,” and he looked at the arrow-head. One prick of this little weapon, and you will never start a ranch in the West nor elsewhere.” The stranger drew back almost the length of Gummage’s arm, and Len at the crack above saw that he was mustering his powers. Allof a sudden the foremost foot of the man flew up, and striking the merchant’s arm, broke his grip and sent him back to the wall with a howl of pain. The arrow-head fell to the floor and stuck upright in the matting that covered it. “When you beat Byrd Davvidge you beat his Satanic Majesty!” laughed the fellow. crossing the space which separated him from the thunderstruck ummage. “ This is a game at which two can play | and afford a good deal of amusement for one an- other. Sit down at that desk.”’ Gummage did not stir. The hand of the man fell heavily upon his shoulder, and the next second he was dragged to his chair and dumped into it. “The check and be quick about it!’ continued Davvidge. ‘‘ Make it out for ten thousand, payable to Byrd Davvidge, or bearer. I make no promises. If the ranch proves a failure we may want another stars.” Drops of sweat stood out on the pale forehead of the rubber dealer of Philadelphia; his hand trem- bled when it took up the pen and pulled his check- book from a pigeon-hole. ** You'll lose in the end,” he said, looking up into the face that almost touched his shoulder. “That’s our business,’’ grinned the other one. ** Ah, thanks,’’ and the brown hand came down like the talons of an eagle and picked up the check. **Good- by,” followed this action, ‘‘ We'll see you later if we need another raise. Do just what you please, Mr. Gummage; but rememher that me and my pard are ready to play a lone hand against, the Cormorant League; quite ready whenever you start the game." Not a word from Clark Gummage—only a terrible look which would have killed if it had beena poison- ed arrow. The door opened and shut and he was alone once more. Len saw him pick up the arrow-head and hide it, then he grasped a green rope hanging along | the wali, and pulled it smartly. In another minute the door opened, and the head of Noah Smithson appeared. gn cesta yesterday to date, Mr. Smithson?” said Gummage. “Yes. sir,’ answered the old man. “Then we are quits. You are no longer in m employ. Get out of the store, straight. ait. Vl see you to the door, Keep out of my way._I think you understand Don’t question me. I am in authority bere.” The sentences followed each other like a succes- sion of pistol-shots, and Gummage and Old Noah went out. With their disappearance, Len, the young ferret, sprung to his feet. ‘* Here is a pretty kettle of soup,” cried he, *‘ Old Noah can't come back to let me out. Lamina trap, and this is a room which isn’t visited once in a month. I’ve seen and heard a good deal, and I may havé signed my own death-warrant,” CHAPTER XIL. THE TRAP THAT CAUGHT OLD NOAH. ‘THERE was nothing in the room in which Quaker City Len was imprisoned but a lot of pasteboard boxes. It wason the second floor of the building, and, as the boy had said, was hardly ever visited by the employees. Gummage himself never came near the place. Old Noah had the key but he had been dismissed and would not be allowed near the store, and Len Sa very blue when he looked the situation in the ace. He wanted now to communicate with Porterhouse and Carlton Crisp, for he had seen and heard a good deal, and had obtained some important information against the Cormorant League. There was no longer any doubt in his mind as to the position Clark Gummage held in the Order: the boy ferret believed him to be the ringleader of the whole plot rainst Porterhouse and Crisp, and he feared that oah would be watched, if not drawn into danger. The day passed wearily enough for the boy in the little room. He'couid watch the rubber-dealer through the hole in the ceiling, and this he did till lie grew tired of the sport. He saw the man write Several letters and then go away, after putting the arrow-head in his pocket, and then he went to the window and looked down into the street. He wondered what had become of Noah and Por- terhouse. What would his friend Dora say when she heara of sis predicament? Would she try to rescue him, and what could she do? Meantime old Noah had gone home. He was no longet in Clark Gummage's employ, but this did not worry him. He had made and saved some money, and there was no immediate danger of the wolf approaching the door. Dora met him in their little room and soon divined by his face that something unusual had happened. *‘T’ve got my walking papers, like Len,” said the old man, smiling as he took a seat. ‘Clark Gum- mage and I are two from now on,”’ ** What has happened?” Noah up and told all, ending with a forced laugh at Len’s situation. “The boy will have to stay there for a season,” said he. ‘It isn’t a very nice place, plenty of rats, I judge; but he will pant to be out and at work. I'd like to know just what he overheard, and I would have known if Gummage hadn’t conducted me to the door just as if he suspected that I had somebody in hiding whom I would like to get out of the box. The man who walked out of the store just ahead of me looked like he had won a victory. I guess he made his point with Gummage, whatever it was. Len would know, but—”’ The old man stopped and looked at Dora, smiling again, “Ts Mr. Redding still connected with the store?” asked the girl. ‘Yes. He is still head boolakeeper.” * Where does he live?’ ‘He boards at No. — Race, but last week he was talking about moving, and he may not be at the old place now.” Dora said nothing in reply, and Noah did not ask her why she had asked so suddenly about the book- keeper, for whom, on several occasions, she had ex- pressed a dislike. “T’m afraid we've got to let Len occupy the trap,” said Noah. “I don’t carry the store keys any more, and I don’t know to whom they have been given, probably to Pierson, though; and we were never riends.”’ Then the old man went out and Dora was alone. Noah Smithson went down-town, and turned up at a hotel where he was totally unknown. At the desk he inquired for Neil Porterhouse, and was told that the Southerner had paid his bill and was no longer a guest of the establishment. **That’s queer,’? mused the discharged clerk, turn- ing slowly from the counter, “I don’t understand it. It can’t be that he has given up the fight against the Cormorants. No, I won’t believe that he has,” At the first corner which he struck after quitting the hotel, Noah was accosted by a boy who asked him if his name was Smithson. ‘“That's me,” said the old clerk, and the young- ster drew a piece of paper from his dirty pocket and handed it to Noah, ‘Who gave you this?” asked Noah as he unfolded the slip. “A gentleman who wrote it on his pocketbook and told me to foller you and deliver it if your name was Smithsoo. I’ve beeu paid for the job,” and the boy disappeared. Old Noah adjusted his spectacles and read as fol- lows: “Mr. SmurrHson;—I learn that you are out of em- ployment. If you want a paying job, and a perma- nent one besides, please call at No. — Y—— street, between the hours of 6 and 10 p. M, to-day. We want a good man, and especially one who knows something about Mr. Clark Gummage, the rubber- merchant, and your former sci ae : a Way ** For the Company.” Noah read this strange letter over twice, and then put it in his pocket. There was a eee! about the whole thing, and especially about the last lines.» Why did the writer of the letter want a man who knew something about Clark Gummage? Was he, too, fighting the man supposed to be at the head of the Cormorant League, and was he ate expected to tell all he knew about the rubber-dealer? The old clerk looked at his watch. “Tl investigate,’ said he to himself. “There might be something in this matter for us. Iwant to know several things. What has become of Ralph Mennessee, the missing night-watchman, who was looking after the house near Fairmount Park? The poor wife is nearly distracted over him Then, what are the members of the League up to at their secret meetings? And did one of their number kill and rob Neil Porterhouse’s father in Louisiana?” He concluded to investigate the letter without telling Dora of his intention, and when the hour of seven came, he wended his way to Y—— street, Nobody seemed to be in sight when old Noah rung the bell, and in a moment the door opened and admitted him. He stood face to face with a young man whose countenance looked very youthful, even in the un- certain light of the hall. and in response to his in- quiry for * G, P. M.,”’ Noah was conducted up-stairs and shown into aroom which was empty at the time. Left to himself, the old clerk took in his sur- roundings and found that he was in an apartment which did not look very much like a business effice. There was a smal] table in one corner, and near by a big, rather uncomfortable-looking arm-chair. Noah was studying these things, when the door opened softly and a man came in. Dark-eyed, tall, smoothly-shaven, and with the look of a cunning rascal was this person. and Noah in a moment wished himself home with Dora. but it was now too late to get away till the man should let him out. “Ah, you are here, I see?” said the man, looking at Noah with the smile of a cool, calculating de- mon. “I thought our letter would pick you up. You know Mr. Clark Gummaze? “T ought to; I have been in his employ, but am out of it now, as you seem to know. “Yes, yes, we ara awace of this fact, but we won't discuss it here, Have you the papers on your per- | son?” Old Noah started. “The papers?”’ he asked. ‘* Yes, those you took home a short time ago.”’ Everything seemed to burst upon him in a flash. | The man wanted the papers which he had rescued from the thief on the street—an incident detailed in a previous chapter. **T don’t carry them with me,” said Noah. ‘* You leave them with the girl, then?” The old man was silent. “T have said that I don't carry them with me, and that ought to be enough.” ‘‘But it isn’t, Mr. Smithson,” codlly answered the other, complacently crossing his legs. “ You haye been summoned to this house for the purpose of placing those papers in our hands. If you haven’t them with you you will please go to that table and write an order for them, They are wanted,” ‘By whom?” demanded the old man, ‘“‘ Never mind that,’’ was the reply. “Those papers are, first, a record of my marriage; they concern no people but Dora and I.’ *“You may think so, but we want ’em,” was the gruff rejoinder. ‘‘ You will find the writing materials on the table.”’ Noah Smithson did not move. ‘* Aren’t you going to give us the order?” suddenly cried the man opposite him, “Tam not,” The next instant the stranger struck the floor with. his heavy heel, “ Here lam, Sandos,” said a voice as the door flew a and a man made his appearance. Old Noah almost sprung from his chair, for he was the very man from whom he had rescued the pre- cious papers. * Won’t he give ’efm up?” queried the new-comer, poate first at the man called Sandos and ther at Noah. “ That's what he says.” ‘** Won't you, eh?” and the speaker leaned forward on fe dark, repulsive face almost touched the old clerk’s. “]°ll die first,” was the quick reply. A signal passed between the two men and both threw themselves upon Noah who was forced back tothe wall where he was choked till he was biack in the face despite his struggles. The old man had the muscles of a lion, but the twain were too much for him, and in a short time he was completely in the men’s power, Almost unconscious, he was dragged to the arm- chair and made fast in it with. cords and left there till he came back to life, as it were, when he was again asked to give the required order. a You can’t have it,” said Noah with his old reso- ution. “Oh, we can rob the nest,” laughed one of the men. 5 “Tt won’t do you any good.” ‘What. aint’t the papers there?” x “They’re not there,” triumphantly answered Yoah. The fellow called Sandos came close to him and bent forward till their noses nearly met. “You've taken ’em to a Trust Company, eh?” he cried. ‘‘By Jove, if you don’t tell us where they are we'll leave you to shrivel up_in this house like a mummy in an Egyptian tomb. We don’t care so much about the paper which records your marriage, but we want another one that’s in the lot. Your name hasn’t always been Noah Smithson, not by a long shot. Give us the order now.” “Never, I don't intend to rob Dora of her rights.’’ Both men laughed, but stopped suddenly, “You don't, eh?” cried one. “You want to per ish here and Jeave the girl without a protector? Very well. You won't see her again soon, if ever,” “And you of the Cormorant League won’t win this game in the end, either. 1 may perish here, as you say, but there is a hunter on your trail who will see that justice is done and the guilty punished. Go ahead and reap the whirlwind.” The men looked at stubborn old Noah, then at one another, and the following moment he was the only occupant of the little room. CHAPTER XII. : WHAT DORA DID. Dora waited all day for old Noah’s return, but he came not. As the shades of evening deepened she grew un- er and finally became actually afraid. Something ha happened; an accident of some kind had over- taken the old man as dear to her as a father, and locking the door at last, she went down upon the street in search of him. But she might as well have looked for a needle in the gutter, for not a trace of Noah was obtainable, and she came back to the deserted home with a shadow on her track. a “He may come back while I'm away,”’ said the girl to herself. “I shall go and see Mr. Red Jing, though I dou’t like him. n might suggest some- thing about Noah, but he is locked up in the store and can’t get out until somebody liberates him. anat a Iam going to try to do with] Mr. Red- ng’s help.”’ She made her way to Arch street by the nearest cut and knocked at a certain door. Here she made inquiry for Mr, Willis Redding, the head bookkeeper of the house of Gummage & Blynn, but was told that the young man bad changed his quarters with- in the last week rom was to be found on another street. nearly a mile away. Dora started off again with the same shadow at her h and found the new house. Here she was pesto 1% for she was told that the account- ant was in his room. “Tl go up,” said Dora, “He knows me,” and she 2 ne
Page 11
= | * ‘ \ ‘ \ “AB his aad strike a m ' He drew Wide-Awake Len, ascended the stair, and rapped on a small door already ajar. Willis Redding was a young man of twenty-four, not at all handsome, nor the owner of a good figure, but he thought himself a power among the softer sex, and had on several occasions tried to get into the good graces of the old clerk’s prot-gee; but Dora had repelled him in a manner that had made his cheeks tingle. He was sitting at a round table upon which he had elevated both feet, and was sending clouds of not very fragrant smoke above his head, and when he realized who his caller was he almost sprung to his feet. _. “Pardon my late call, Mr. Redding,” said Dora; “but do you carry the key to the store?” “TI have it sometimes,” was the reply. ‘I go there 0’ nights and go over the books when we have been pushed during the day. What can I do for you?” Dora did not like to tell him that Len was a pris- oner jn the establishment because there was not the best of feeling between the two, but there seemed no way of getting out of it. “Locked up in the little waste room, is he?” grinned Willis Redding. ‘‘I dare say he’s had a hice time with the rats, and without anything to eat unless he caught a Norway or two and bolted them raw. How came he in that room? He was discharged by Mr. Gummage, and it looks rather suspicious to hear of him inthe store cfter what has happened.” ** He is there at all events and must get out,” re- joined Dora, resolutely. ‘*Gummage ought to know of it first.”’ Dora instantly lost color. ; “Tf you want me to think pet Bk of you, Willis Redding, he must not hear of it,’ she exclaimed, moving toward the hentia “T have resolved to trust you with a secret, and if you betray me you shall forfeit my friendship, Len did not get into the trap to steal anything. He did not intend to re- main long in the waste-room, but the unexpected occurred, and he was locked in.” ‘Did your—er—did Noah know it?” “He knew of his presence in the room, but he bed discharged so abruptly that he could not release en, “TI see,” drawled Willis Redding. ‘‘What if I should not have the key to-night?” “But you have it!” cried the girl. “You seem to know a good deal.” “Tecan seesomethings. The key is yonder on the bureau, If you will let me have it half an hour I will release Len myself and you need not quit this ouse.’ “Tecan’t do that. I can’t let the key get out of my clutches.” “Then come along and open the door.” “Sit down here and wait till I come back.” Dora looked at him and smiled, shaking her head at tbe same time. “T wouldn’t trust you out of my a ie Willis _ Redding,” she, muttered. ‘‘You’re as slippery as an eel, and if You could you would send the occu- ant of the trap to the station to answer a charge of urglary. No, you go with me, or not at all.” The young bookkeeper saw that he was dealing with a resolute girl and saying at last that he guessed he would have to help her, he picked up the key and his hat and bade her follow him, Down at the foot of the stair but on the sidewalk stood the same figure which had shadowed Dora from her own home. The moment the watcher saw - her accompanied by Willis Redding he let go a long whistle and took after the pair. Willis led Dora straight to the store and unlocked the door, The moment it was opened the girl i ee into the dark room and waited. e young bookkeeper did not strike a light, but found the staircase without it and Jed the way to the floor above. ; “‘ Here we are,”’ said he in a whisper, slipping the key into the lock of the waste-room. “I half-be- lieve he’s not here for I don’t hear a sound,” In a moment the door was opened and Dora craned her head forward. *‘ Len?” she called. » ‘* Len, are you here?” ere was no answer. _ “TL told you so,” said Willis Redding. “ Wait till ch.” a laciter across the wall and as the little flame leaped int: 1 d ie ard with Bor Pe ree eee he and Dora leane The room was empty ! “He might have escaped b y the windows if he hada nic resumed the bookkeeper, crossing the room. ut no, the windows are fastened on the inside, Somebody’came and let him out.” “But who?” que.ied Dora, and the young man ebook pag _ “Does Mr, Gumm come to the store often af- ter quitting it for the day?” she sua. of ak Hing its | denly inquired. * But sometimes?” 8, sometimes, but he would have Nad eee | no business in this room, I tell you, Len was let out, but whom is beyond my ken. Let’s go heey only if you are ready,” Yes, Dora was ready, for she could do nothing ‘there, and they left the building together, but not until she had exacted from Redding a solemn prom- ‘ise that he would not say anya of their visit to Clark Gummage, but even then she did not know ' iener she could trust the young man or not. _, The shadower who haa followed them to the store them back to Willis Reddiog’s lodgings, at of which Dora bade the bookkeeper good- turned homeward. shadower went in another direction and a a Se pulled up at a well-to-do house which he entered with a pass-key, and oe up a flight of steps, entered a room where he was greeted by a man who was seated at a table. ““T’ve just been witnessing some strange proceed- | ings,” said the trailer, dropping into a chair and helping himself to a cigar from a box on the table. ‘*T’ve just seen your store opened.”’ ** My store?” exclaimed the other, starting. ‘*Ves. I followed the burglars to and from the store, but they didn’t take anything away.”’ ‘*Did you know them?” “It was my business to do so. The pair were | your bookkeeper and old Noah’s girl.” Clark Gummage—the man at the tavle was the eer re not suppress a cry of astonish- ment. ‘““What did they do?’’ he asked. They wen‘ to the waste-room over your office; there the young man struck a light and examined the windows. I don’t think they found what they were looking for.” * Of course they didn’t,” smiled Gummage. “It’s pretty hard to get ahead of old foxes,” and the mer- chant laughed till he was satisfied. ** See here,”’ said he to his caller. ‘‘ I want you to go out to the nest and see that everything is all right there. I have set Martyn on the track of the man from the South. lines and finish the whole game. I’m tired of being trailed and watched by everybody. Old Noah is safe, you say? To-morrow we will know where the papers are, and I know what sort of hand the old man writes. I’ve got lots of samples at the store, and we can fix up @ document to suit us. Do you think the girl Dora suspects?” That she is—’”’ “No, that somebody let the boy out.” aoe is liable to think so,” answered the man, sing. “Well, I don’t care much,” grinned Gummage. “We have the whole lot in our talons, with the ex- ception of Davvidge and his partner; and we can manage them, Goto the house and see that Mona is s'ill there. She saw something in the yard—last night, I believe it was—but she won’t tell what it was “Ts that woman going back on the League?” “She dare not!” said Gummage, through his teeth. ‘“‘I tell you we have her in the net. She would like to quit the game, but she dare not, I tell you.”’ ‘ He got up and began to walk the floor, with his hands shut hard. “If I thought she would betray us, Sandos,” he suddenly cried, “if I even dreamt of such a thing, I'd make her occupy that caze through all time. She saw a spy in the yard—that’s what she saw.” ‘ 6 Do you think Neil Porterhouse would know er?” ; sone no telling; but I don’t want to take the risk.”’ ‘‘ What if he was the man she saw in the yard?” Clark Gummage made no reply, but came back to the chair at the table, and from it looked like a mad- man at the man who had offered the suggestion. ‘“We are here to win. The stakes are worth play- ing for. The Cormorants must let nothing slip through their talors. But go, Sandos—go to the nest and see that everything is right there,” and the man called Sandos, going out, left the head of the League alone. CHAPTER XIV. BACK TO THE NEST OF CORMORANTS. THE mysterious vanishment of Quaker City Len from the room above Clark Gummage’s office troubled Dora very much, In addition to this, she could hear of nothing that promised to tell her of Noah’s whereabouts, and the poor girl did not know what to do. ; When she got away from Willis Redding, the young clerk, she went home, but did not get to see her foster-father. Old Noah had not returned. “I will go and see Ca Iton Crisp, the blind man, with whom Len boards. I have never seen him, but Len has told me much abouthim. I believe he was a detective when he lost his sight, and he may t-ll me what todo,” Once more Dora went out upon the street, and in course of time rapped gentiy, at the blind man’s door, A pleasant “ come in” was the response. When Dora opened the door and saw a man seated at a table, with a dim light burning over bis head, she stopped short and looked at him. ‘Who is there?’ asked Crisp. “It is Len’s friend, Dora,” said the girl, going for- ward, and Crisp, turning, though he saw her not, placed his hand in hers. “T already know you,” said he, “Len has told me much about you, and lam glad you have come. Where is the boy?’ Dora started. The blind detective, then, knew nothing of the young ferret’s whereabouts! * IT have come to you for assistance,” continued Dora. ‘It isa very strange story,” " ekg Len?” es % “Tell me, child.” Thereupon Dora told him all she knew, saying. in closing, that Noah, too, was strangely absent, and that she feared something dire had overtaken both. When she had finished Carlton Crisp put his face tween his arms on the table and was silent for Tee pueee is d at thinki “Tu be good a ng mysteries out,” said he. * The question that uEsles” you now is: Who let Len out and what has f ed “That is it, aie. me of him? We are going to draw the | “T don’t think Noah ventured back to the store, | for when he quit Clark Gummage’s employ he was: obliged to give up the key. When you got to the | Zoom it was untenanted, eh? Somebody came and liberated the boy. I don’t want to frighten you,, | child, but I believe Len is still in a trap.” Dora could not keep down a cry. ‘In the hands of the League, you mean?” she ex- claimed. “T’m afraid so; but—” The sentence was cut short by a step in the oo and Crisp turned his sightless eyes toward the: oor. “If Porterhouse would but drop in now,”’ he said, “we might pick up aclew.” At that moment the door opened and Dora saw a tall, good-looking man walk iuto the room. “The very man,” cried Carlton Crisp, a smile overspreading his face. ‘‘ Here, Neil, you are just | in time.”’ | It was Porterhouse the Southerner, sure enough, and he came forward and touched the blind man’s arm, ‘* Who have we here?” he asked looking at Dora. “Tam Len’s friend Dora—the adopted child of Noah Smithson,”’ spake the girl for herself. Porterhouse seemed to start. **So you are Dora?’ said he stilleying her. ‘Do you resemble your motner, child?” “That's a strange question, seeing that I can tell you nothing about her,” was the reply. ‘* My mother? never saw her picture even. Old Noah never told me anything about her, but sometimes I have caught him looking at a picture which he keeps: among his treasures.” ‘*So, so,” smiled Porterbouse, and the hand of Crisp called him from the subject of Dora’s parent- age. e Dora will tell you the story she has just told me.. I want you to hear it. Go ahead, girl.” Neil Porterhouse listened to every word that fel? from the girl’s tongue, now and then glancing at Crisp during the narrative, but not interrupting the fair narrator to the end. “What do you think?” questioned — { Dh pe ae “Don’t, you think Len sti rap 29 ‘To be sure he is, and old Noah, too.” “Then, both are in danger,” exclaimed Dora. ** But why would they want to entrap Noah?” “Ah, you don’t know the workings of the Cor-: morants,”’ smiled the man from the South. “The League is just now clearing its way; the game must: be ended before long, and they don’t intend to let. anything stop them.”’ * Would they do murder?” “My child, they will do anything,” answered Por- terhouse. ‘‘ What they have done they will do again.. Desperate men will commit desperate crimes.” The face of Dora was white and full of solicitude. Porterhouse fell to questioning her about Noah’s disappearance, but she could not tell him much. She knew that the papers which the old man had rescued from the robbers had been placed in the safe of a Trust Company, end they were secure. “Safe if they are not taken away by an order of some kind,” said the Southerner. ‘ **But he won't give any such order: the papers are too precious for that,” cried the girl. ‘Orders are easily obtained nowadays,” rejoined the tall man. ‘“‘Do you know where the papers: A : are? Dora knew but she hesitated. She had never met. ' Porterhouse before and she did not like to betray one of o'd Noah’s secrets. facing in the “J am Noah's friend now more than ever,” re- — marked Porterhouse, coming to her rescue, “I am fighting the Cormorant League to the death. I shall crus” it with the assistance of Len Dalray and, I hope, with old Noah’s aid, too.” * You can tell him where the ere are, if you. know, child,” putin Crisp, and then Dora surren- dered her secret Company. “Thanks,” said Porterhouse, ‘Now, when are you oing home?” should be there now,” said Dora. by the tall Southerner, was on her way home, and when she opened the door and found the little room still unoccupied by Noah, she turned a pale face toward her companion. “T've picked up something new to-night,” mut- tered Porterhouse, when he had said good-night and left the room. ‘The papers are safe if the men who rung the Sep on old Noah don’t get an order for them. and land them in their net early to-morrow Let me see. There is just where the danger lies. Neil Porterhouse, there i§ a good deal of important. work between now and morning for you.” He walked rapidly back to his ‘hotel, and wert direct to room. ; Sitting down at the table he drew wri rials before him, and after several attempts, tHe first. few did not please him, he produced the following. * 7% the Columbian Trust Co. :— ‘** Please deliver to the bearer the package which FE left in your charge. He will pay expenses and give a receipt in my name, Noau SMITHSON," Having written this to his satisfaction, Porter- house went out again and turned up beyond the Girard Avenue Bridge, or in the vicinity of the house where he had had his adventure with the woman wh. discovered him crouched in the yard under the: ow. Once more he had come back to the scene of his: | shadow wi Five minutes later old Noah’s prolegee, accompanie® j mate — former par ewe and now he moved along like a — few people to see bim, for the hour * They are in the safes of the Columbian Trust: —
Page 12
ay LZ wide-Awake Len, was late, and the good citizens of the Quaker City were asleep. Porterhouse approached the house and found it quite dark so far as exterior looks were concerned, and in a short time he was playing spy again. It was not long before he discovered that the building was inhabited, fur he saw a light in one of the upper windows. It looked very like a signal to the Southern r, and he was watching it closely when he heard the sound of wheels. Turning his head toward the road, he soon caught sight of a vehicle, and in a minute one drew up a shot distance from the house. It was a closed ve- hicle, but Porterhouse saw a man alight and come toward him. “A Cormorant is coming back to the nest,” thought the Southerner. “IT shall have a glimpse of him when he passts that bit of ey thrown from the blind by the lamp inside, and his looks will determine my course of action.” : Nearer and nearer came the man, while the vehicle remained stationary in the road. Sheltered by a trea which stood near, Porterhouse kept his eyes on the night-bir.!, and the moment he crossed the line of light, he gave a quick start. He had just looked upon the figure of Clark Gum- mage, the rubber-dealer! *T ought to nail him at the throat,” flashed through Porterhouse’s mind. ‘I now know that he is at the head of the C.rmorants, but I was almost sure of it before. Ah, in he goes!” The door had opened and shut for the man thus discovered, and the Southerner was staring at the house. 1 at once a loud cry rung in his ears. te started from his post and ran toward the door. ** Why do you Jet him make a noise like that?”’ he heard a voice on the inside say. ‘*He’s out of his head, sir, and has been more or tess ever since he came here.”’ “Why, then, don’t you choke him into silenca?”’ “T've done enough asitis. Clark Gummage, I’m tired of this life, and I want you to iet me go.” The last speaker was a woman, as Porterhouse could tell by the voice; and her words were fol- lowed by a coarse, derisive laugh. CHAPTER XV. r WIIDE-AWAKE FINDS A MISSING LINK. Ir might have been worth the life of the man from the South to have entered tuat house at that var- ticular time. His blood was hot, and he felt like kicking in the door and rushing to the rescue of the person who had given utteranee to the ery that had thrilled him; but he knew the odds were agiinst him, and he wisely refrained from making the attempt. The laugh which followed the woman’s appeal seemed to have silenced her, for Porterhouse did not hear of her again. *“ Was he “Ts Len in there?’ he asked himself. mot taken from the room above the private office and conveyed to this nest by the League I am ficht- ing? I will see you later, Clark Gummage,” and in another moment the Southerner had withdrawn, and just in time, too, for he had barely left the door when it was opened and a man came ouf, Porterhouse did not see this person, but he heard the vehicle moving off, and soon it was hurrying toward the city. While it is pushing along under the myriad lights of the Soni gh City let us do what Porterhouse wise- ly refrained from doing—enter the Cormorant nest and see who occupied it. The house stood some distance from its neighbors, and looked forbidding enough when the night was dark, The windows were furnished with closed shutters and there were curtains inside, Standing in the hall as if listening to the footsteps of the man who came out to ride off in the riz, was a women of middle age, if looks are an indication. She was not in the best of humor, for her eyes flashed and she was biting her lip. “He wouldn’t let me go, and I am stillin the elutehes of the cabal,” she said, hotly. ‘*Lasked to be let off—even pocorn secrecy —but he laughed at me, and said I should not go. 1 wonder what has become of the man I saw crouching in the yard the other night? They seem to be afraid of some one. Isitof him? If I goaway now I will be watched; they will shadow me, and I would not have a mo- ment’s peace, But I can’t be their tool much longer. It is killing me. Why did I become their slave in the first place? One of those mad steps which cannot be recalled!” She would have been a handsome woman but for the dark rings under her eyes, and when she went back she clinched her hands acd shut the door madly after her. Passing through the room which she entered, she opened a door set in the wall and, descending sev- eral steps, opened another, whi h admitted her toa small apartment without windows. A lamp was set inaframe which was fastened to the wall, and its light, not very strong, showed her ‘the figure of a boy stretched on a pallet in one cor- mer. The form was raised a little at sight of the woman, and a pair of bright, inquisitive eyes were fixed upon her. As she crossed the room the boy got upon bis feet - and stood before her. It was Wide-Awake Len “Did he go off again?’ asked the young ferret. - Who?” \ “Why, Clark Gummage, the sleek rascal who is pla; asly hand for big stakes,” was the quick rejoinder. : __ “How do you know he was here?” . * “T heard him, You don’t think I’ve been his clerk for nothing? . 1 would know his voice among a thousand.” ; The woman looked at Len half a minute before she spoke again. ‘* We ought to be friends,”’ said she slowly. ‘** But I guess we can’t as long as you serve your present masters.” ** Don’t be too hard on me. Yuu don’t know why I am in their employ. Sometimes a slave’s heart isn’t in his work.” j ‘“That’s a fact.” ‘IT don’t want to be thought as bad asI appear.” “Then why don’t you get out of the trap? You don’t have to serve the Cormorants, do you?” ‘*T am in tneir clutches.” ‘But you seem satisfied, for they aren’t here all the time, and this house is beyond the bridge. I don’t see what’s to keep you here, unless you are willing to stay.” The woman seemed to swallow hard, to choke, as it were. ‘“There’s another man somewhere in this house,” continued Len. The guardian of the Nest started. ** Who told you?” ‘Never mind that. I know that I am not the only fly in the Cormorants’ snare.” ** Who is the otaer one?” “Tf I were to guess Id call him Ralph Mennessee. His poor wife is distracted over his absence. He was finding out too much poking his nose into other people's business, as it were. He was watch- ing the house when picked up by the Cormorants’ talons. Are you going to let his wife die of grief?” There was no answer. “You might tell me your story,” resumed Len. “T don’t want to drag any secret from you, but it would be in the interests of justice. Why not tell me? Weare alone.” ‘*T am watched at all times.”’ said the woman with ashiver. ‘‘I am under suspicion. They know that I want to get out of the talons of the merciless birds of blood, and the moment I tell what I know that moment will I be doomed. Tell you my story? Why, I would have to go back a good many years, No, no; don’t ask me to cdo that.” “Then, you want the League to win; you want it to crush Porterhouse.” At sound of the Southern: r’s name the woman came forward with a suddenly colorless face, and seemed to devour Len Dalray with her dark eyes. ‘* Where is Neil Porterhouse?” she cried, ‘* Nearer than you think.” “Tn this city?” * He is in this city.” “Then he was the man I saw in the yard.” “Perhaps. Do you want the League to win the game against him? Do you want to see him follow nis father who was killed in his own kouse by the deadly arrow of the Kaffirs?” * Who told you about the poisoned arrow-head?” ‘“*You forget that | have been playing detective against the Cormorants, and in the cause of Porter- house aod the man who was blinded because he was hot on the trail of the very men whom you now serve. I ought to know something.” “Where is this man Porterhouse?” asked the wo- man at last; she had not spoken for some time after the boy ferret’s reply. “T could lay bands on him in twenty minutes if I were out,”’ * And you would tell him about me?” “If you say so, yes.” ‘Did Porterhouse tell you about the crime?” ‘*T have the whole story from his own lips; be- sides, I heard it from Carlton Crisp betore Porter- house came to this city.” “Did either of them mention—" The woman paused and seemed afreid to go on. She acted like a person who was ¢bout to betray a well kept secret; but wios runk from the betrayal with a shudder. Len, looking at her all the time, waited for her to on. ‘Tell me,” she suddenly cried. springing forward and catching his shoulder. ‘Tell me. did either of those men—Porterhouse in particular — mention Myra his father’s servant?” “The story is not complete without a mention of her,” answered the young shadow. “Gods, that is too true,” was the retort. “The terrible tale would lack something if they were to leave her out. What did they say of her? They hate her, I suppose?” “You could not expect Porterhouse to think well of the maid who disappeared the night of the crime, as if her hand was in it.” “Don't say that,” exclaimed the woman, ‘ Don’t make things worse than they are. They are bad enough, Heaven knows, So, Neil Porterhouse hates Myra? Would he !1ke to find her?” ** You may not have heard that the maid is dead,” said the boy. °“A year after the tragedy Porter- house learned that t.e maid was killed a rail- road accident.” eats “ Ah, he heard that did he! Does he believe it?” “Tt hos never been contradicted.” ‘*Do you telieve it, boy?” ‘*No, I don’t,” the young shadow answered boldly. ““ Why should I when Myra the maid stands before me now.”’ : The woman recoi'ed from Len with a quick ner- vous ery. but the next moment she had recovered and was looking down into his face. “You'd tell Porterhouse, wouldn't you?” she cried. ¥ eng, Se I would. Don't you think he takes an in- terest in you?” ; “He ought to, I could tell him something, I “sp dent H h could make bright some of the dark places; but he might not believe mein every instance.” “Why don’t you tell him?” ; “The League,” was the reply, accompanied by ano her shudder. ‘It would be worth my life to turn against it now, it isso powerful. I dare not tell what I know. Why. if I should appear before Porterhouse, it would be like ohe having risen from the dead. I throw off my mask since you bave pen- etrated it. Iam Myra, the maid. Iamthe woman who holds the secret of that double crime which took place in the Louisiana home years ago. With- out me all cannot be made bright; the hand that committed it cannot be brought to justice; I don’t care what Porterhouse and bis trailers do, I must speak before the Cormorants cease to exist.” For a moment Myra stood before Len, and then, falling back suddenly as if asound had startled her, she ran to tte door and listened. y ‘Go back to your pallet,” she whispered, looking at Len, and at the same time holding one finger to her lips. ‘The future may not be as Cark as it looks. Trust a traitress—if you can, boy,”’ and glid- ing from the chamber, Myra closed and locked the door and Len, the ferret, was alone once more, ‘Everything seems to depend on that woman now,” said he. ‘‘She is the long lost accomplice of the double crime which Porterhouse is trying to avenge.”’ CHAPTER XVI. THE GOLDEN HOOK. OncE more Mr. Clark Gummage sat in his private office, the scene of several encounters which the reader bas witnessed in the course of Our story. ~ It wes early morning and he evidently expected no visitors at that hour, for he was immersed in business, so that when the man who had succeeded old Noah poked his head in at the door and told him that a caller would like to see him he started and looking up, asked what sort of a man he was, * He is tall and slim, sir,’’ answered the new man. ‘* Any beard?” ‘A perfectly smooth face.” Gummage thought a moment and then gave or- ders for the man to be admitted, Before bis caller came in however he put away several documents that Jay on the desk-lid, and then looked anxiously toward the door. Presently there came a siep from toward the store and the following secona he was looking up in'o the face of a man who appeared to be an entire stranger to him. , A spasm of sudden fear seemed to whiten Gum- mage’s cheeks, for an ins!ant. as if he thought the caller had come with scme evil intent, but he recov- ered shortly and smiled. ; One thing he was sure of. The man was not Byrd Davvidge, the cool scoundrel who bad forced from the check for ten thousand, but he might be the fellow’s partner. **T don’t want to take up too much of your pre- cious time,” said the merchant's caller, in a suave manner which bespoke an oo tongue. ‘“‘ My name for the present, is Jackson Havens; ‘don’t know as you ever heard it before.’ pe “‘ Never had that pleasure,’”’ answered the rubber- merchant. y “T have called to talk abcut a matter which may concern both of us.” ‘Ah, a mutual affair, then?” “Just sc. Mr. Gummage, do you know anything about a wi man named Myra Moss? It was with the greets effort, that the merchant kept himself from leaping out of his chair, The name secmed to go through him like a bullet. “Do I know a woman named Myra Moss?” he re- peated, almost unconscious that the eyes of the man at bis elbow were looking at him through a mass of black lashes. “1am sorry to inform you that the name and its possesscr are entirely unknown to me.” That this was a deliberate falsehood almost any one could have told by watching the man while he spoke. He told by bis looks the very opposite of what he said, and the smile that came unbidden to the lips of Jackson Havens denoted a disbelief of the answer he had received. “Ah, you do not know her? I might freshen your memory,” said Havens, “*Myra Moss once lived in the South, in Louisiana, I believe. Iam al mst sure that you know something about her, for she would not have spoken ycur name by acci- ‘When did she doso?” “ Not very lately to be sure,”’ was the reply; “* but late enough to keep it from slipping from my mind, Are you sure you never knew a woman of the name I have mentioned?” Clark Gummage appeared to reflc et by way of re- freshing his memory, when, in fact, he was schem- ing how to meet tho suspicions of the man who had invaded his sanctum. “T seem to recollect the name, now that you have spcken it,” said he. ‘It comes te me like the sha of a dream person. I can barely recollect it; but perhaps you might enlighten me further. e wanted to draw the man out—to see what he had in reserve and then he would know how to meet im ‘*Myra Moss lived in the family of a planter use. She disappeared very sudden- yp ee peer in the sank of Por- terhouse senior, thou believe no suspicion was ever Girecked against the girl. She wasabove doing anything wicked, though she may have been a little culpable in not locking tbe doors that particular night, which was an oversie ht on her part.” * Probably,”’ said Gummage, hardly knoving what he was saying. ‘I have found that servants named ly after a crime which
Page 13
_I have seen Mr. are not at all times trustworthy. But why do you omy ,to me with inquiries concerning Myra oss? ** You have been to England and I have understood that she went across the water after the murder. If she had stayed there she might have heard of some- bag ea her advantage.” ** In what way?” ** In the shape of a legacy.” “ A legacy for Myra Moss?” “Yes. I hunt up heirs to English estates. Myra Moss came from England, and | believe went back there to live after the crime of the plantation, though I cannot prove it.” * I’m always glad to hear of any one's good for- tune,” said Clark Gummage. “If TI recollect rizht, the Moss woman was tall and rather good looking. Seems to me I once saw her at the home of Mr. Porterhouse, I used to travel over a portion of the South and my business took me frequently among the planters of Louisiana.” “Yes, the Moss woman was tall, as you say, and not bad looking. The legacy would come quite good to her, and [I wouldn’t mind finding her, for my commission would put a neat sum in my pock- ets, besides getting a very vexatious case off my hands.”’ “Isthe legacy considerable?” queried Gummage. * Enough for any one to live on. I thiog her share would reach ten thousand pounds.” ‘Fifty thousand dollars,’? mused the rubber- dealer aloud. - “Just about, and a snug sum, as you will see. If you can’t give me any information about the Moss woman I must look elsewhere, and I’m afraid my hunt will be a w.ld goose chase whith may send me back to England,” Mr, Havens bad risen and was standing beside the desk, holding his hat in his hand. “Where are you to be found;»Mr. Havens?’ asked Gummage. “For the present I am stopping at a private | boarding-house, 878 ——th street. The rubber-merchant made a mental note of the ress. “[ might run across Myra Moss during the next few days,” he continued, ‘‘We pick up some Strange informa’ion in the course of trade, and then I have correspondents all over the world, and if I can help you I shall be only too glad to do so.” “Thank you,” responded Havens. ‘I shall ap- reciate an pay well for any information that will elp me unearth Myra Moss. I might state that un- less she is fuund soon she will lose the benefit of the will under which she realizes.” Clark Gummage seemed to gasp for breath, as if e room had suddenly grown close. **In what time must you find Miss Moss?’ he in- quired. . ‘* “* Within the nex’ three days. “ Heavens, that’s a very brief time, and I’m afraid you won't succeed.” “That is what worries me. Well, if she loses it Won't be my fault, for I've ransacked a big part of e world for her; in fact, she’s given me more trouble than all my cases Re together. I hope you May run across her. It'll be a nice fee in your pocket, Mr. Gummage.’ The next minute Clark Gummage was alone in the little office, but the affairs which Jackson Havens had interrupted now had no charms for him. His face was flushed with a strange eagerness, and he walked to the window. and looked out, as if he would follow the caller up the street. ‘Fifty thousand dollars!” he mused aloud. “That's a nest worth looking after. It is read to drop into my lap, and I needn’t share it wit anybody. It’s all mine, and, besides, if I play my Cards well, I can rake in a fee in addition to it. All have to do is to find Myra Moss, to produce the real woman who has inherited in England, and I I can do that.” : He laughed to himself at the end of his last sen- tence, and went back to his desk. + .,. Lknow where to find Jackson Havens,” said he, ‘and I can put my hand on this estate when I want to. She threatened to quit the coiis, but I'd like to see her. Why, she is tighter there than ever, and we don’t fear her.threats. Let’s see. It’s better to fall heir to a big estate than to drop into the hands of Porterhouse and the others who are helping him at thistime. I can bring her to time with a few words, and the bait of thousands which has been placed in ar will settle the matter.” e locked his desk and went out. The morning was a clear summer one, and the rubber-dealer tripped along as if ten years had been lifted from = “acca ck eantime the man 2d Jackson Hav vanished, but he did not direct his steps to 98th street. On the contrary, he went in the opposite ction after he had taken a few turns from the rubber store, and ran up a certain stairway and into @ room where a blind man sat at a front window. =f already?’ cried the sightless man, turning the moment the heir-hunter entered the room. ** You must have received the bluff and been shown to the door.” “Not by a long shot,” was the answer, as the speaker came forward and took a chair at the blind man’s side. ‘tI have met with the best of success, I r k Gummage in his office and had quite a chat with him.” :, Without being suspicioned?” : He never dreamt of my vin character. To him I was just what I represented myself, a lawyer hunt- ie lost heiress of an English estate. I was oss, and Gummage fell in’ e trap witho' ae troabie. I caught my fish with a golden bale. Myra Moss is in this city, and Gum- * | felt the talons to any great extent. Wide-Awake Len. 13 mage is going to find her for me, though I more than half Suspect where she is, as you know.” ** Yes, yes,”’ said Carlton Crisp. ‘“*T told him that she had to be found within three | days, andI am sure that my story will bear fruit. | Once in my power Myra Moss shall aid me to crush the Cormorants, and we will get even with the in- | famous League.” * But, Len, the boy ferret, and my young friend!” cried the blind detective. **Oh, he will turn up all O. K.,” was the quick re- / joinder, “The League may have finished him.” “T know enough of him to feel that he has not When we have closed in on the Cormorants I am sure the little fux of the Quaker City won't be far off.” ‘“*T hope you're right, Porterhouse, I want no one to feel the talons of the League as I have felt them,” and the speaker put his hands up to his eyes. “What are you going todo now?” ~ ‘I shall go to878 ——th street and wait for the news which Clark Gummage will fetch ere long. Iam sure he will come, for I played my cards well this morning, and he swallowed the golden hook, the foolish rascal.” A light laugh ended the Southerner’s sentence, and he betook himself away to proceed to the board- ing-house named to Clark Gummage, there to play the role of Jackson Havens for the purpose of scor- ing a victory. **IT will not be able to see the scoundrel swing,” said Carlton Crisp, *‘ but I shall rejoice with those pe do, Neil Porterhouse is worth his weight in gold, CHAPTER XVII. SWORN TO SILENCE. Wivre-Awake LEN waited a long time for the reap- pearance of the woman who seemed to have charge of the Cormorant nest near the Park. He was onthe eve of believing that she had de- serted him for good when the click of the key in the lock told him that she or some one e!se was coming in, and the following moment the same woman stood befove him once more. ‘* What would you do if I were to let you out?’ she asked, coming toward him with a smile. Xs You don’t think I'd linger about this house, do ou?” “You'd have some cause for doing so, though.” “Ah, do you think so? This is the Cormorants’ nest and you know that I am one of those who want to break up the infamous band and see that its members are punished for their past crimes.” “What do you think of me?” “Thave told you already. You are Msra Moss, the missing servant of the Porterhouses. Why don’t you come out and tell all you know?” The woman fell back with a blanched face and stared at the boy. : * I dare not,” she said. ‘You ought to realize my situation.” *‘lsee. Youare afraid of the vengeance of the Cormorants. That stands between you and the truth.’ There was no response. The woman walked across the room and listened at the door. The boy watched her and wondered what ‘she would do next. From what he could see she was fighting a great mental battle with herself, and once or twice he thought he saw her tremble as if fear had full pos- session of her heart. “You would betray me at once if you were to get out,”’ she said at last turning toward Len, ** Not if | agreed not to.”’ ‘“Would you keep my hiding-place a secret for, “You would not betrayme to Porterhouse within that time?” “Try me.” ‘ ‘*T will,” enswered the woman with determination. I am going to test the strength of your resolution, Within five minutes you will be clear of this house.” ‘I will not forget you,” replied Len, ‘ I know how to thank those who help me. I was found above Clark Gummage’s office and by the rubber-dealer himself through the merest of accidents. He came to the store accidentally and looked into the old waste room, something he had not done in six months. was there and from the room I came to this place which I know is the nest of the band.” Myra went away again, but soon came back, and Len was conducted from the room. He was taken up-stairs and halted in the back hall-way. ‘* What about the other man?” asked the boy fer- ret, looking up into the woman’s face. ‘*T know no other person in this affair,” said she. **T heard his voice in the house a while ago,aod then the voice of Clark Gummage.” ** Let that go; Ican help no one but you.” “Very well,” thought the young shadow. “ We will help Ralph Mennessee ourselves, for he shall not perish in the trap of the Cormorants. While I am under oath n»t to reveal Myra Moss’s hiding- place to Porterhouse during the next ten hours, I am under no obligations not to rescue the missing watchman, if I can."’ ' He said no more on this subject, but let the wo- man let him out without further ceremony, and once more he breathed the air of the starry nicht, Len Dalray lost no time in getting down to the heart of the city, and the first p he Carlton Crisp’s house, as he wanted to relieve an er the blind man might have concerniag his visited was | He found Crisp still up and glad to receive him, and from him he learned of old Noah’s disappear- ance, and all about Dora’s fears regarding him. From Crisp’s house he went to the hotel where he had last seen Porterbouse, but found that the South- | erner had gone away, and he lost him until he went back to the blind detective, and heard from his lips ; the story of the Louisianian's visit to Gummage and | of the golden bait he had held out to the prince of | scoundrels, Len had been longer in the old nest than he thought, for he had no wiy of calculating time, and when he quitted the blind man the second time, he won lered if Clark Gummage had returned Porter- h-use’s call. Before seeking the Southerner he went to Dora’s home and 1 arned from her that Noah was: still ab- sent. The girl was fearful that he had fallen back into the hands of the men from whom he had res- cued the stolen papers which were so precious. He told Dora that they would not be too good to forge an order on the Trust Company and get them by @ lie if they could, and he could not find out if this had been done until the house opened again for busi- ness, He did not find Porterhouse in his new quarters, ; and was forced at last to go back to Crisp’s and | Sleep till morning, which he did, getting up bright and early, ready for the adventures of the day. Len could hardly wait till ube Trust Compary opened its doors, and he was at the counter about ten minutes after t :is even*. “Has ey called for certain papers recently deposited here by Mr. Noah Smithson?” asked the boy ferret. “Yes, you are about five minutes too late,” was the reply which almost staggered Len, “Who got them?” 4 “That is too much for us,’’ smiled the clerk. “ We were to give them up on order, and that’s just what. was done.”’ ' ‘** Would you mind letting me see the order?” “Certainly not,” and the speaker produced a slip of paper which the young shadow seized with eager- ness. “That's not Noah Smithson’s writing,” cried Len, | holding up the paper, but looking at the spectucied | sim “it’s a pretty good imi ation, but it’s not it.” **Do you mean to say that the papers were deliv- ered up t » some one who bore a forged order?” “That's just what I mean,” was the reply. “Tm very sorry, sir.” “So am J, as the men who did this neat job are the greatest rascals unhung. What was the man like who got the papers?” “TI did not notice him particularly, as we were busy when he dropped in, but he was tall. well built, and had a smooth face, which I think was a little ay though I am not sure.” Seeing that he could get no more information at the counter, the young detective went »way, feeling that old Noah’s papers had fallen back into the hands of the gang. “If I had been a little earlier, I might have seen the rascal himself,’’ mused Len. ‘But ina case of this kind a miss is as good as a mile, and the chances are that we won’t see those papers again unless we catch the Cormorants, and maybe not then." ¢ Once more Len Dalray went to Porterhouse’s boarding-place and, having been posted by Crisp, asked for Jackson Havens. He was told the person who bore that name had just come in, and being directed to his room, Len ran up-stairs and burst in upon Neil Porterhouse. The eyes of the Southerner opened wide the mo- ment they saw the boy ferret. “I’m Jackson Havens for the time being,” said. ‘the man from the South. “I haveset a trap tor the cutest rascal in Philadelphia, and am waiting to see whether_he will walk into it. Now, what do you know’ You have been away long enough to have some news, for if I mistake not you were taken from the wa*te-room over Clark Gummage’s office by the old man himself.” ‘‘Ah, did you guess the truth?’ exclaimed the : “IT can tell you some things, but there must be alimit to my narrative—a place beyonu which | cannot go.” *- Sworn to secrecy, eh?” ‘For ten hours from a certain time.” ** Now, go ahead,” Len proceeded and told the story of his adven- tures up to a certain point, when he stopped ab- ruptly and caused a smile to appear at the South- erner’s mouth. “Don’t break your oath, though I would like to hear the rest of the story,’’ said Porterhouse. “You have picked up the very link we want, and. the one I’m fishing for.” There was no reply. “To the mean time, if you want a job, look for old Noah, who seems to have fallen into a trap,” said the Cormorant-hunter. |; “And .or the man who forged the order that. secured the papers at the Trust Company’s office,” ried Len... ** What, have they been captured?’ asked Porter- honse, a strange smile c his face. ‘“*I have just come from the office where I saw the order that secured them.” Neil Porterhouse opened a locked drawer in the table at which he sat and took outa package at m ic] sight of which the eyes of the boy ferret | jumped from his head. ‘“Where did you get them?” cried Len. “ Did you run across the man who swindled the Trust Company and take them from him?” “lam the swindler myself—Neil Porterhouse at. your service. I to.k them myself to prevent them
Page 14
res 14 Wide-Awake Len. from falling into the hands of the men who seem to thave trapped old Noah.” “This being the case, the for by the real Cormorants.” * Just 80.” “And the way to find who they are and perha ‘Noahb’s whereabouts is to watch the Trust office till ‘the second order is presented, for Noah will never papers may be called sign one of his own free will, and if the scamps find out where the papers are, they will have to forge -an order ”’ * You are right, Len.” “Then, Lam off for the Trust office. If the order -comes I won’t lose sight of it till I have tracked the ‘bearer down. Take good care of your fishif he comes int> the: net, Mr. Porterhouse, and trust me ‘to do,my part,” and the next moment the boy «shadow was flying down the stair. CHAPTER XVIII. THE ARROW-HEAD AGAIN. Net Porrernovsse sitting in his little room wait- ‘ing for Clark Gummage resembled a spider at the -door of his web waiting for the fly. He was confident that he had excited the rubber- dealer’s curiosity enough to bring him to the house, but the hours passed away and he did not come, The Southerner had resolved upon a course of ac- ‘tion, and was anxious to bring the doers of the old | crime to pee ae for he was confident that Gummags | was the head of the League which long before our story opened had visited the Louisiana home and | left death in its wake. He was anxious, too, to catch the whole lot, and to secure the poisoned arrow-head which he was “gure was in Clark Gummage’s possession. That would prove much, and with the missing finks, which he believed would be in his hands ere fone he would be at the end of the long hunt. hy did not Gummage come? Had he suspected .a trap at the last moment and was he inclined to have no further dealings with Jackson Havens? Porterhouse was on the eve of despairing when a footstep sounded on the staircase. With a smile on his face he looked toward the door and waited for his caller. In response to the knock he said “Come in” ina -cheery voice, and a man who did not look much like ‘Clark Gummage entered. The Louisianian saw at once that his caller was disguised, and that he was indeed tne rubber-dealer of —— street. ‘ Idid not want too many eyes after me,” pro- tested Gummage taking a seat opposite the South- -erner’s chair, “© Ours is very private business, you know. and I thought I would put on strange feathers ‘for the present.”” “ That's all right,” answered Porterhouse. ‘“‘ One -cannot be too careful nowadays. Iam glad to see you, and I hope you have some news of Miss Moss, whom I am hunting just now.” Clark Gummage sent a rapid glance toward the ‘door and seemed to take delight in noticing that it was shut. “lthink I have somenews,” said he. “You are very anxious to find the woman within three days, lL believe?’ “She must be unearthed within that time; after ‘that the will of the English relative becomes worta- less, so far as she is concerned.” Then he looked into Gummage’s eyes and saw a suspicious light there. ** Would she be prosecuted for complicity in the old crime of the plantation?” the merchant asked cautiously. “T think not.” *T must have some assurance on this point.” prosecu- ‘*T will promise you that she will not ted.” “But would she be required to tell what she might ‘know about the affair?” **She would not be forced to tell anything, You forget. Mr. Gummage, thatI have to do only with “the estate,” : The look that came into the rubber-dealer’s eyes -at this moment startled Porterhouse. “T have found Myra Moss,’ said Gur mage, lean- ‘ing toward the detective, while at the same time he row one of his hands in his waistcoat pocket. “TI ‘think I can direct you to the coca lady you are looking for; but— Ah, do you think -can’t see through a thin disguise?” The last words were accompanied by a tiger-like “spring across the table of the hand which suddenly shot out of the pocket, and the next instant the other hand, darting forward, too, seized the South- -erner’s wrist and gripped it tightly. “ Dolt!’’ cried Gummaye, his eyes now on fire as it were “I know youas well as though you gave me -yourrealname, I knowwhat youwant. Idid not -see through your disguise when you called at my office, but I’ve had my eyes opened since, You ara Neil Porterhouse, and are on that old trail. Do you think you are equal to the Cormorant League? ’m a fool who _ ha, man, you are even now inits deadly toils!” Porterhouse saw now what he hed not seen before —a dark, needle-pointed arrow-head in Clark Gum- “mage’s hana! Ashe drew back the barb made a shoot for his Be ia oerccaeeta at he € erturnin: e ©, <= ately to wound him on the Ay ; ““You can’t escape me,” cried Gummage. “I | | arrow-head against the Southerner’s exposed arr, and then held on with a gleam of devilish triumph in his mad eyes. “Didn’t you tell me once—it was at the restau- rant—that you were poison proof?” laughed Gum- mage. ‘Now prove your assertion.. The poison of the Kaffirs is in your system. In a few minutes it will have found the seat of life and the last enemy of the League will be no more. Ah! you've proved a good trailer—a persistent one, too; but the Cor- morants have been too much for you. Do you still want Myra Moss? She is able to take care of her- 2" and that story of the English legacy is all sh.” Porterhouse felt a poanae drowsiness stealing over him while the rubber dealer spoke. He tried to speak, but his tongue seemed to cling to the roof of his mouth. The dread poison of Africa was at work. All of a sudden he felt himself sinkin x to the floor, but Clark Gummage, now locking for all the world like a fiend, still clung to his hand, and the last thing Porterhouse saw ere darkness came was the laughing eye of his bitter foe. The room became dark to him; he felt no pain now; in place of it there was a pleasant sensation, but it might mean death, as well as a shooting ng. Clark Gummage released his victim and went over to the standin one corner of the room. He looked through it, but found nothing to reward his search. He searched the whole room, orly to loos disappointed at the end of his hunt, and, looking once more at Porterhouse, he left the place, shutting the door close behind him. Thirty minutes passed and then the door opened. Incaime Len, the boy detective, and fell back at sight of the man who lay on the floor. ‘It is Porterhouse and allis over with bim!” cried the young ferret. ‘‘ This isthe work of the Cormo- rants. They penetrated his disguise, and the fox he was laying for was too sharp for him.” Horrified by the sight, Len stooped over the South- erner and looked into his face. Instead of the pale- ness of death there was a slight flush, and the moment he felt Porterhouse’s pulse the eyes opened and the detective stirred. “Thank Heaven, you are still this side of the dark river!’’ exclaimed the boy. ‘I thought I had found the victim of the League, but you must have fallen in a faint of some kind.” The man from the South, having recovered some- what, smiled faintly. “T have been touched by the arrow-head,” said he, sitting up again. “The man came here, but he came to kill, and it is not his fault that he did not succeed. I told him at the restaurant, where I sud- denly encountered him after reaching the city, that I was poison proof, but he did not believe it, and I was not sure that I wasn’t making an empty boast.” Porterhouse took from his pocket a small vial wrapped in dark buckskin, and held it for a moment to his lips. ( “Tf the poison of the Kaffirs has an antidote, it is here,” said he, looking at Len. ‘‘ Daily, since arriv- ing in the city, I have fortified my system with this elixir; but all the time Lhave doubted its efficacy. Now, it seems to be of s»me force. I believe it is the only anticote for the African poison, Where did I get it? I bought it of an African traveler in London, ThereyI begin to feel myself once more. But what brought you back so soon? I thought you went of to watch the counters of the Trust Com- any ? pm So I did, but my work is done; or, at least, I did it as well as I could under the ci.cumstances.” ‘Tell me.” *T went to the building and first ascertained that no one had called for old Noah’s papers since you tookthem. ThenI drew off and began to watch. I had not been on guard more than an hour when a man passed me and slipped into the building. I thought his fizure looked a trifle familiar, and I was prey sure I had ryt one of the men with whom oah had his street battle the night he rescued the papers. I saw him go up tothe counter and present a piece of paper. I was sure of my man, now, I could not hear what the clerk told him, but what- ever it was, it did not suit him, and after a while he came out, growling like a bear. Then I dodged into the bank and asked the young clerk what was up, and he told me that the man had presented an order for the papers—an order which had old Noah’s name attached, and that he had told him that the docu- ments had been carried off on another order. “ Jehu! how I bounded out of that house and fo'- lowed that man who was still insight. Ididn’t want to lose sight of him, for he was too precious to lose. He took me a long chase, but finally halted at a house on Tenth street which looked rather suspi- cious. As he locked the door after him, I did not get to enter to see what was beyond the step, and so was forced to leave him there. \ll bet my head, though, that old Noah isn’t far off.” “That’s my opinion exactly," said Porterhouse. “You've done your work well, as you promised to do, so now we will see what is in that Tenth street house, besides doing something else in another di- rection, I haven’t found. Myra Moss yet, because Clark Gummage smelt my trick. and came here to = his. arrow-head and get rid of a troublesome fellow.’ j Neil Porterhouse smiled as he finished, and then vA ge. have too much at stake to let you make another | looked between the bed-ticking to make sure that move in the game.” Porterhouse was strong and active, but he found | left the dn the man he had tried to dupe a foeman worthy of his mettle. ‘ eae two men writhed and twisted over the carpet, certain oe were there, after which he and Len ouse. “Did you look at old Noah’s papers?” asked the | boy detective. ay did, because I thought they might be of some Gummage at last succeeded in pressing the ! use to me, — ** Are they so very important—impor‘ant enoish for Nozth to fight for?” ‘* Ay, that they are.” “Don’t they concern Dora?” The hand of Neil Porterhouse fell softly upon the boy detective’s shoulder, **Let us not pursue this subject at this time,” said he, kindly. “Idon’t think we ought to discuss it, anyway. Yes, I will say that the papers which fortunately are in my bands now, doconcern Dora, and that they should be guarded with one’s life. What am I going to do now? Lintend to break up the C rmorant League root and branch within the next ten hours.” “Count on me, Porterhouse,” cried Len, seizing the Southerner’s hand. ‘‘I’ve been in the trap of the band and I don’t owe my release to Clark Gum- mage, either.’’ ; ‘*T know that,” smiled the detective. it to a woman.”’ “T can’t answer you, because the ten hours of my oath have not expired. The moment they are up I will tell you something.” Porterhouse made no reply. “You owe CHAPTER XIX. NEAR THE END OF THE STRING. CiarK Gummage went back to his place of busi- ness, thinking that by a bit of shrewd playing he had swept the tireless Southerner from his path and by doing so had scored a great victory for the Cor- morants, No more would Porterhouse bother him, and there- fore he could afford to rejoice! It was later in the day and he was the sole occu- pant of the little office, thinking perhaps of the work he had done with the pan ten arrow-head when the door opened as it had opened a thousand times before. y As Gummage looked up he was confronted by two men, who nodded and came forward—Sancos and his pard. “What do you think?” at once cried Sandos. ‘* We called at the Trust Company’s counter with the order for the papers and were told that some- body had just got them.” : Clark Gummage started. “Somebody got them?’ he almost gasped. “That’s what,” smiled Sandos, ‘A pretty slick trick of the old man’s seems to me.” Gummage was silent for a moment, ‘Have you an idea?” he asked, , ‘No; unless the man from the South got ‘em ” “He'll never use them if he did get them,” as- serted Gummage. “I know what I’m talking about,” viciously. ; “But they’re nage, that’s certain.” “ What does the old man say?’ “Says he never gave any one an order for them, and I believe him.” : ‘“Those papers must not be lost to us,” declared Gummage. “I'll go and look for them.” / Sandos and his companion gazed at him in amaze- ment, “‘T think I know where to look,” he added, and was soon on the street again, somewhat disguised, © and in a great hurry. “Can it be that I overlooked them when in his room?” he asked himself. ‘“‘If he took them from the bank they must be somewhere on the premises, I won’t let them go without a good hunt, for a good deal of wealth hinges on those very papers.” He made his way to the place where he had left the body of the Southerner on the floor, and was met at the door by the mild-faced lady who had met him there on a previous occasion. In response to bis inquiry she said that she did not know whether Mr. Havens was in or not, but he might go up and see for himself, which Gummage was very willing to do. When he opened the door he got a slight shock, for the floor was not occupied as he had last seen it, He was the sole person in the chamber! This is queer, to say the least,”’ thought the rub- ber-dealer. “‘I never heard of the arrow failing to do its work. He can’t have been taken away without the knowledge of the landiady; but I can’t forget my errand,” and he went to work ransacking the room, looking in places that he had missed before, but finding nothing, greatly to his Genppobsaens, As he came down-stairs he came face to face with the little mistress of the house. “When did Mr. Havens go out?” asked Gum- mage. ‘I’m sure I cannot tell you,” was the reply. _ “But you have seen atin, within the Mise few hours?” f “Oh, yes. He talked some of giving up his room, said he did not think he would want it longer than to-night. He had only rented it for a few days in the first place. and gave me a good figure for it. Clarke Gummage seemed to choke: Neil Porterhouse was not dead! The arrow, for onee, had failed to do its work! And the execrable villain remembered with a start what the man from the South told him in the restaurant—that he was poison proof! What if it wasso? What if he had an antidote for the deadly arrows of the wild Kaf- rs? Eee The rubber-dealer breathed hard while he walked from the house, eager to get away, and fearing that he micht come in contact with the very man he wished to avoid. But, fortune favored _ and he got back to his office, unwatched, as he thought, by — the keen eyes of his arch foe. ere he almost fell into his chair and trembled. _ 1 Te Portertonse had escaped the poison what would pen ne “PK gentleman, sir,” said a voice at the door so — rs © ——n —— %.
Page 15
| | | suidenly that the chief of the Cormorant League trembled in his chair. “What is he like, Davy?” ‘“*He’s tall and good-looking, seems very anxious to have a talk with you, sir. Says he must, in fact.” Clark Gummage seemed to weigh certain things in his mind. Davy, the usher, and old Noah’ssuccessor, waited at the door. “I won’t take the risk,’ decided the merchant, acd he looked at Davy. “Say I’m busy with a gentleman,” he ordered. “Tell the gentleman to leave his name and call again. The attache turned away, and Gummage was con- grafuleting himself on the success of his scheme e when he heard a hasty footstep and the voice of old Davy. “‘ He’s busy, I tell you,” urged the clerk. ‘Not too Lusy to see me,” was the answer that Seemed to congeal the Gummage ‘blood. . heavens! is that man out there?” gasped the hunted man, even as the door was pushed open. “Alone? I thought so,” grinned the person who came forward with his eyes fastened upon Gum- mage. There was no reply, for the rubber-dealer was staring at him, with face destitute of color. The man before him was Byrd Davvidge, the black-mailer, and the person who had forced from him the ten-thousand-dollar check. “T’ve got a proposition,” Davvidge informed the chief, with a grin, as he noticed Gummage’s uneasi- ness. “I got that check cashed without a bit of trouble, but,me and my pard have been unlucky. I think the goddess went back on us by prearrange- ment, and we're as poor as the celebrated church mouse, of which I presume you have heard.” Gummage made no reply; he could only stare at the man and wish him in Hades. “We've got_to have another raise’? continued Davvidge, * You know we took a big risk when we robbed old Wandel, and brought you his pocketbook which contained, among other things, an arrow-head, which did not look very dangerous without the shaft. Come, don’t look at me that way, Mr. Gummage., I own that my errand isn’t very welcome to you just now, but business is busi- ness—” -* How much do yon want now?’ broke in the merchant, eager to get rid of the blood-sucker. * Five thousand apiece,” was the business-like rejoinder. * You want to break me up.” _“*No; we want to keep you out of Sing Sing, that’s all.” laughed the lesser scoundrel. pcan Gummage bit his lip and took out his check- “Payable to bearer, please,”’ reminded Davvidge, Watching his movements. ‘What if I should refuse to give this check?” hesi- = over the check-book. hath ; Just as you e. e don’t urge it, my pard and me, but } wouldn't go back on us if I was you.” was a significance in this which Clark Gum- marr “ net ee ‘ hat’s the last blood-money you get from me!” Said he as he pushed the check toward his visitor. anks!"? was the answer, and, a moment later, Davvidge had disappeared. I'll set the League on the track of the vampires!” grated Gummage. ‘I won't be safe while they can Set around here to bleed me. Let me see: We've £0 to work fast now. If Porterhouse esca the arrow by some sorcery, be must be looked after and silenced beyond all question. I'll issue the orders at once,”’ He pushed back his chair and got 4 As he reached the door he was met by the errand- boy of the establishment, who thrust a note into his “ A gentleman stopped me on the street and gave it tome,” explained the lad, and Len’s successor, He said it was very important, and that he was on he trail, or some stich language.” ee a bane did not wait to hear further, but step- ped back tite the office and opened the note. eavens!” fell from his tongue. ‘One thunder- Porites atl a another. This is a pretty baa one, ow. n Neil Porterhouse?” hat if she should fa This is what he read: ““T have just’come from the Nest. It is empty— not a soul in it f. a Myra. gone with the rest. nent Saag nee No wonder Clark Gummage stood like a statue in phe middle of his office, ae had to clutch the back of his chair for Support, but the whirlwind seemed Bi gs a oie time, '_ * Gone e old Nest empty? Myra has carried iat per threat. She has relogesa the boy ferret and of he man go. Sandos says he is on the trail; but, da © find her? The Cormorant League is in great : ry d S has to be met with a cool head anda . 9 the talons and be hg guess I’m cool enough to direct ‘He lit @ gas-burner over the desk and burned the htening @ut out, with a white face still, al- nten Peace fuiplo ees whom he re ll , . att they serve he head of a secret league = binod-stained villains _ that he had left his littie office for the last time, Pe Fate was closing in on the Cormorants! hen fu), 1 CHAPTER xx. | ee ead haan the mand jaculated LLO |} ; t to see!” € & VO vat y certain C or. Dasa, elbow as he turned a pery " t Wide-Awake Len, The rubber-dealer halted, as if struck in the side with a dagger and looked into the face of the speaker. It was Sandos. tt fot your letter,” whispered Gummage. “Is it true that all have escaped?” ‘“*T wouldn’t have sent the note if i+ was a lie,” was the reply. “I have lost the woman; but I know she is bent on revealing our identity, To whom? Why, to the Southerner—to Porterhouse, if she can find him.” “Tf we could find either one of them first—” “We'd finish the game, eh?” “That we would!’ fiercely. At that moment, the merchant, looking up and — his gaz) wander across the street, spied a little figure leaning half-way out of a door. “The boy spy!” he grated, loud enough for his companion to hear him, oe here?’ PN the street—in the door of that cigar- store. Sandos looked, but saw nothing. “ He is on tbe lookout for Porterhouse,” continued Gummage. for a moment. That would be long enough.” Sandos grinned. ‘We must separate for the present. He can’t follow two trails at the same time. Turn to the right at the next corner. I will go straight on. Meet me at the end of an hour at your own house. Iam known there, and will wait for you.” Sandos nodded and the twain parted at the first corner, which separation was seen by Wide-Awake Len, who slipped from tite cigar store for that i ‘se. The young ferret was determined not to lose sight of the chief villain; therefore he let Sandos proceed on his way, and in a short time had tracked the rubber-dealer to the latter’s place, the door of which he opened without knocking and disappeared. A few minutes later the boy detective turned up in another street and ascended a flight of steps, into a room where he found Carlton Crisp at his window. “TI have treed the head of the League,” cried the lad. “I-have run Clark Gummage down, and now I want to find Porterhouse.” * He has just eone out with Myra Moss.” “What, was the missing woman here?” “Yes, and I have listened to the whole story of that territle crime which turned Porterhouse into aman-hunter. She has fled from the talons of the Cormorants, and is ready to tell all she knows, which is enough to hang more than one man,” ‘“Gocd for Myra Moss!” exclaimed Wide-Awake Len. ‘* Now, Gummage must be nabbed.” “How's old Noah?” ‘“* Doing as well as can be expected of a man who has been bound to a chair for hours. We got to the ‘tenth street house in time to save him from a dee fainting fit, The two rascals Sandos and his pard, had left him to die there, for théy had lost the docu- ments, thanks to Porterhouse’s shrewdness. Noah's the bappiest man in Philadelphia, anc is eager to testify against the men who entrapped him. I’m off now, for the final round-up, I hope.”’ At this very moment the man from Feliciana was not far off, playing a game of his own. He had almost accidentally run across Myra Moss, the tool of the Cormorants, who had escaped from the old Nest near the Park. He had recog- nized her as his father’s fcrmer servant, and she had told him wuch concerning the mysterious crime, and had gone into details concerning Gummage's rivate life, which was not at all in the scoundrel’s avor. A After taking the girlto a place where he knew she would be safe, and out of the reach of the Cormo- rants, he had turned back to the hot trail again. Success had made him eager, The game was in sight! Ret of this time, though he knew it not, he was e A wat ed by a man who had the gliding of a anther. It was not Sandos, but Sandos’s pard, and € came across Porterhouse after he had secured Myra’s safety. x While that man breathes we are not safe,” said the wretch under his breath. * He is the implacable foe of the League—the man who has sworn to ac- pen ey our downfall, and will let nothing stop him short of victory and our destruction.” Porterhouse might have seen this man if he had looked back, but absorbed in bis hunt, he did not think of such a thing, and kept on. He was in the act of g acorner when he almost ran against a boy, who at the same time saw the man who was on the Southerner’s track. . Len drew back before the villain saw him, and then, gliding up to Porterhouse as if he intended to pass him, he warned him of the shadower. “The man in brown,” announced Len, ‘ Look out for him; he is a Cormorant.” Porterhouse, cool at all times, manifested no out- ward surprise, but kept on till he reached the open door of a small store, into. which he stepped. The spy stopped and waited for him to come out, but, as he did not, he grew impatient and came on, When he gained the front of the store and was pass- ing, Porterhouse fell upon bim, and a well-aimed blow straight from the shoulder sent him half-wa' across the sidewalk, Before he could regain his footing, he was seized by the man from Louisiana and held with the grip of a giant. Wide-Awake Len now came back and went with Porterhouse and his prisoner to the nearest station, where a few words of explanation to the sergeant caused the rogue to be beld—the first Cormorant to go bebind the bars, . ; Gummage, seated in Sandos’s room, was growing exc 'y impatient. “The hour is up and Sandos isn’t here,” cried he, | - “T wish Ihad my band at his throat know she is one of the best 15 | ‘* Has he fallen into the hands of that terrible Por- nee pene I won't think it, probably because I don’t want to.”’ He waited awhile longer; but nobody came. Then he took from his pccket an arrow-head and examined it in the light. **T do believe that if that cursed Len Dalray had not cross:d our path all would have been well. I never learned, till too late almost, that he was living with Carlton Crisp whom Porterhouse sent up from the South years ago to solve the mystery of the plantation house. The Southern detective lost his eyes by opening an envelope, ha, ha! He should have thrown it in the fire witbout opening it at all.” Still holding the barb in his hand, Gummage walked to the front window and drew aside the cur- tain Fai an inch, : ‘Hunting me yet!” he cried instinctively, falling back, while his face assumed an ashen pallor. “There is that boy across the street looking at this house! Can he lave tracked me hither? If he has found me it won’t be long before Porterhouse knows where Iam. The absence of Sandos bothers me, Has he deserted me at the end of the game, when allcan yet be recovered by a ten-strike? Is the Cormorant to be crushed by the band of that man?” He stood at the window locking at tbe figure of Len Dalray across the street, and, while he gazed, his eyes seemed to flash fire. Presently he noticed the boy look to the left, and, following his gaze, he saw advancing down the street the figure of Neil Porterhouse! He met Len, and the two crossed the street. Ina moment Gummage sprung to the door and saw ‘hat it was locked. He now had the look ofja wild beast brought to bay. All this ime he had not dropped the arrow-head. He stood at the table for a full minute, a statue of despair and stubborn resolution. f Footsteps came up the stairs, and Len and Porter- house reached the top of the flight together. . The young shadower pointed toward a certain ocr, ‘This must be the room,” he decided. Porterhouse knocked, but received no answer. He knocked again with the same result, and then drew back, looking fixedly at the barrier. Len saw him summon all his strength, and the next moment he launcbed himself against it, and the door fell in with a loud crash, The two friends a pv! into the room, Porter- house in advance, and nearly stumbled over a body stretched on the floor. ** Too late,” said Wide-Awake Len, looking up into his companion’s face. Porterhouse raised the body and gazed down into the staring eyes, then caught sight of some drops of blood on the right wrist. “ **Look! the coward has escaped the law!” cried the Louisianian. And Len, bending forward, stared at the mark of the arrow-point. It was true, Clark Gummage, the head of the Cormorant League, was dead, though the smile of bitter triumph which preceded the application of the barb, lingered still on his dark face! That afternoon a little y were gathered in the humble home of Noah Smithson, and the a, which had passed through so, many adventures had a opened for the benefit of Wide-Awake Len and ora. The ers were a revelation, sure enough, for they disclosed the fact that Noah’s dead wife was the are is owe of the elder Porterhouse, of Louisiana, and was, therefore, the detective’s own sister. She had married Nosh against her father’s will, and, dying, had left Dora joint heir with Neil, her uncle, to a splendid estate. If the execrable Cormorants had outer eres sion of the papers, they would have fois some other girl upon the public for the real heir, and, in the end, have cheated Dora out of her rights. Porterhouse had hunted down all the members of the League but one, and that person was Sandos, who seemed to have vanished completely. “TI won't stop till I know the fate of every one,” avowed the son, “I kriow that the arrow-head, bought of old Isaac Wandel, and used by Clark Gummage, took my father’s life. I have hunted down, with the assistance of plucky Len, and my dear friend, Carlton Crisp, the accursed Order of Cormorants, rightly named, and I know them all. While Myra Moss is not as guilty as we thought her, she did enough, and will atone for her acts in the future. Now Gor Sandos, the last bird of the foul nest!’’ We cannot follow him on his new trail, but suffice ; it to say that in the end he was successful, tracking Sandos down and seeing both him and his pard pay for their many and detestable crimes, Ralph Mennesse, the missing watchman who was confined in the Nest, left it when Myra did, and re- turned to his family. The firm of Gummage & Blynn is no more, owing to Mr. Gummage’s “ suddén retirement.” Porterhouse has taken up his residence in the City of Brotherly Love, and Wide-Awake Len, who, some day, will become a member of Noah Smithson’s little family, still lives with Carlton Crisp, whose one re- = is that Clark Gummage managed to cheat the aw. : ““Cowards genérally do that,” hie mays on reflec- tion; “ but Len, my boy, the Cormorant League will trouble us no more. I can never see Dora, but I girls in the country, be- cause she has Porterhouse blood in her veins. Heaven bless you both?’ THE END,
Page 16
~ BEADLE'S+«HALF-}. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold «i Tni for BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novels. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Deadwood Dick’s Defiance; or, Double Daggers. oe ra gaat om - pecan et Buffal, Ben. ead woo e a s Castle. 42 Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza; o., The w«antom Miner. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omaha Ol. 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 78 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity ¢ ne, the Heroine, 105 | belt Tons saat Fou or, Corduroy Charlie. eadwoo ck in Leadville. ate Se 2h | al my Pern oh The Double Cross Sign. eadwoo ck as Detective. 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. 188 Deadwood Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bill. 149 Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold, 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party, 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road, 201 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel, +t] penawees Pre oe 5 Eds Gaanty Jane’s Adventure. eadwoo ck’s Dea eal. 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death-Plant. 282 Gold-Dust Dick. A Rotnance of Roughs and Toughs, | na wenduced hd pew Sia Ha i Spirit of Swamp Lake. eadwo ck’s Dea ra B09 Deadwood Dick’s Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. B21 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats. 847 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Days in the Diggings. 851 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta, Big Round-Up. Racket at Claim 10, geings. sliverance, 522 Deadwood Di hree. 529 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducks. 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt, 589 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Texas. 544 Deadwood Dick, JIr., the Wild West Vidoeg 549 Deadwood Dick, Jr., on Ilia Mettle, B54 Deadwood Dick, Jr-,.in Gotham, 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Bosten, 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Philadelphia, eee Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago. 578 Deadwood Dick. Jr., Afloat. &S4 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver, 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Decree, 595 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin, 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island, 606 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Leadville Lay. 612 Deadwood Dick, Jdr., in Detroit. 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Cincinnati, 624 Deadwood Dick, .Jr., in Nevada, 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land. 686 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. 642 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in_ Buffalo. 648 Beadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Chase Across the Continent 654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. 660 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Insurance Case. 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines. 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., tn Durango; or, * Gathered In.” 678 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Discovery; or, Found « Fortune. 684 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dazzle, 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dollars, | 695 Deadwood Dick, dre» at Danger Divide. 700 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Drop, 704 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot. 710 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in San Francisco, Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler, 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffulo Demon. 82 Beb Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot, 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 1 Buckhorn Bills or, The Red Rifle Team. 69 Gold Rifle, the FosarOonter, or, The vor Detective, 80 Rosebud Rob hain ugget Ned, th» Knight. 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand. 88 Phetograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob's Reappearance, 92 Canada Chet 3 or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp, 96 Watch-Eyes or, Arabs and Angels of a Great City, 118 Jack Moyle the Young Specnlator. 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sp rt Detectivo, 121 Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport. 125 Beouanza Bill, Miner. 188 Boss Bob the King of Bootblacks, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. 145 Captaip Ferret, the New York Detective, 161 New York Nell, the Soy-Girl Detective. 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada} or, The Sierras Scamps, 181 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo. 209 Fritz, the Bound-Bey Detective. 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The sree ore Hunter, 226 Snoozer, the By Sharp: or, The Arab Detective, 286 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Ghuidiator. 244 Sierra Sam, th. Frontier Perret. 248 Sierra Sanm’« Sceret; or, The Bloody Footprints. 258 Sierra Raw’s Purdy; or. The Angel ot Big Vista. 258 Sierra Saim’s Seven; or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Koy Patrol: or, The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Dull, the Detective Queen. 281 Denver Doll's Victory. 255 Denver Doll’« Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza. 291 Turk tlie Boy Ferret. Denver Doll's Drift; or. The Road Queen. A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 808 ’Liza Jane, the irl Miner; or. the Iron-Nerved Sport. B25 Kelley, Uiekey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia, ‘sue ttle Quick-Shot 3 or, The Dead Face of Daggersville, angaroe Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner, 9 Kan; kK Racket. 48 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood, 5S First-Class Fred, the Gent trom Gopher. BER Vrekn Jim. the Gold-Gatherer; or, The Life Lottery, B72 Yreka Jim’s Prize. ‘ 878 Nahbob Ned; or, The Secret of Slab City. 882 Cool Kit. the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, B85 Yreka Jim's Jokers or, The Rivals of Red Nose, 3 9 Bicyele Ben; or. The Lion of Lightning Lode, 94 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam. Night-Watch Detective, » the Base Ball Detective, < r-Boy Detective, Detectives, B41 T BY COLONEL PRE?! 7 The Flying Yankee; o 17 Kalph Roy, the boy Buce 24 Diamond ret or, The } 62 The Shadow Ship; cr," 5 The Boy Duellat; or, T) 02 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy § 11 The Sea-Devil; or, The 3 16 The Hussar Capints 3.0 97 Little Grit; or, Bessie, the Tr 04 Gold Plume; or, Buffale | vider. 216 Bison BAL, the Prince of th: ' ’a Pluck, 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport; Y lier. 229 Crimson Kate; or, ‘The C 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy Se; 245 Merle, the Middy ; or,’ ele, 250 The Midshipman Muti: etry ct, Br necaneer, 264 The Floating F eather; \ , ; 26” The Gold Ship; or, Merle 276 Merle Monte’s Crulse; « 280 Merle Monte’s Fate; or. 284 The Sean Marauder; or, ? 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy 604 The Dead Shot Dandy; wi, the Bog 808 Keno Kit; or, Deud Shot Dandy’s Double. 814 The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler's Trail. 877 Bonodel, the Buy Kover; or, The Fingless Schooner. 888 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island, 887 Warpath Will, the Boy Phantom. 698 Seawalf, the boy Lieutenant, 402 Isodor, the Young Conspirater | or, The Fatal League. 407 The Boy Insurgents or, The Cuban Vendetta. 412 The Wild Yachtsmany or, The War-Cloua’s Cruise, 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refagee. 488 A Cabin Boy's Luck; or, The Corsair. 487 The Sca Raider. 441 The Oceun Firefly; or, A Middy’s Vengeance. 446 Waphazard Marry; or, The Scapegrace of the Sea. 450 Wizard Will: or, The Boy Ferret of New York. 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouts. 462 The Born Gulde; or, The Saiior Boy Wanderer, 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. 474 Flora; or, Wizard Will’s Vaganond Pard. 488 Ferrets Afloats or, Wizard Will’s Last Case, AST Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger. 495 Arizona Joe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack. 497 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 508 The Royal mitey: or, The Shark and the Sea Cat 507 The Hunted Midxhipman, 511 The Outlawed Middy. 520 Buckskin BIL, the Comanche Shadow. 525 Brothers in Buckskin, 5830 The Buckskin Bowers, 585 The Bue skin Rovers. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder of the Rie, 545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. 550 Lafitte’s Legacy; or. The Avenging Son. 555 The Creole Corsair. 560 Pawnee BIL, the Prairie Shadower. 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. 570 Camille, the Card Queen. 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective, 580 The Outcast Cadet; or, ‘Ile False Detective 586 The Buckskin Avenger. 591 Delmonte, the Young Sea Rover. 597 The Young Texan Detective. 602 The Vagabond ofthe Mines. 607 The Rover Deteétive; or, Keno Kit’s Champions. 617 Ralph, the weed-Sbet Scout; or, The Rio Raiders, 644 The Hercules Highwayman. 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Kider Detective; or, Buffalo Bill’s Boy Para, 656 Butterfly Biliy’s Man Hunt. 662 Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza. 668 The Buceaneer Midshipman. 674 The Wizard Sailor; or, Red Ralph, the Rover. 679 The Sea Shadower; or, The Freebcoter’s Legacy. 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flay; or, The Tarnished Name. 692 The Rival Sharps; or, Redfern, the Secret Service Scout. 697 The Searlet Sombrero; or, The Sharp from Texas. 702 Blue Jacket BI; or, Tne Red Hat Rangers’ Red Hot Racket 707 The Red Sombrero Rangers; or, Redfern’s Last Trai), BY BUFFALO BILL (Ion. Wm, F. Cody). 8 Kansas King: or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy: or, Ihe Pilot of the Prairie. 55 Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Ser ut, 68 Border Robin Hood; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust. BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 WIII Somers, the Bor Detective, 122 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. 126 Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective, 180 Detective Diek ; or, The Here fi Rags. 142 Uandsome Harry, the Boothlack Detective, 147 Will Wildtire, the Thoroughbred. Black Ress, Will Wildfire’s Racer. 157 Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. 2 Will Wildfire in the Woods. Billy Baggnge. the Railroad Boy. A Trump Card; or, Will Wilifire Wins and Loses, Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. Bob pene the Bank Runner, The Hidden Hand; or, Wi!) Wildfire’s Revenge. fy, Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Bov; or, The Smugglers, Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. Shadowed ; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life, 06 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 Tom Tanner}; or, The Black Sheep of the Flock, 225 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky. 235 Shadow eat. the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two “ Blooda”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Dick DPashaway ¢ or, A Dakota Boy in iy i 262 The Young Sharps: or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly oF inn? Jobs or. The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Hound: or. The Young Thoroughored. 805 Dashaway. of Daketas or, A Wretern Lad in Quaker City. S24 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Bow Detective. ony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 855 The Reporter-Detective or,jFred Flyer’s Blizzard. BET Wide-Awnake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times, , 879 Larry, the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard. 408 Firefly Jack, the River-Rat Detective 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier. 428 Fred Fiver, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invinetble Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Btily Brick, the Jolly Vaganond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive. T9 Detective Podge: or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. 8S Wild Dick Racket. ‘1 Roota, the Boy Fireman: or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, 6 v Secret Service Roy Detective. B96 foamy the Kids or, A Lamk Among Wolves. +44 Tom “ye of Arkanaan: or, The Wolf in the Fold. 5 Piseky aul, the Boy Speculator. ooo ob and 1 1 i 1 2 BBINAISS ASN Ceon 0 hk tp 2s Ram, the Daisy Detectives. 09 The Curbstone Detective; or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat. m Price of Five Cents. “ViE* LIBRARY. No Double Numbers. BY J, C. COWPRICK, 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. 869 Shasta, the Gold Kim; or, For Seven Years Dead. 420 The Petective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a Name, 424 OClibuta Jonny; 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 Rated the Printe of the Road, 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle. 524 The Engineer Detective. 536 Broadway Billy’s ‘Ditikilty.” 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. 557 Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. rth hire ane suke the rag ber oe ete ee ‘ ‘he imney Spy; or, Broadway y’s Surprise-Party. 592 The Boy Pinkerton. 605 William 0’ Broadway: or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning. 615 Fighting Harry the Chief of Chained Cyclone, 628 Broadva Bill, ‘a Dead Act. ; 640 Barebs ck Bethy the Centaur of the Circle, 647 Typewriter Tilly, the Merchont’s Ward, ‘ 659 Mm onlight Morgan, the “ Pizenest ’ Man of Ante Bar, Broadway Billy ‘Abroad. 675 Broadway Billy’s Best; or, Beating San Francisco's Finest. 687 Broadway Billy in Clover. 696 Broadway Billy In Texas. 708 Broadway Billy’s Brand, 711 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe. BY T. ©, HARBAUGH 28 Nick o’ the Night; or, Th» Boy Spy of ’76. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or The Littl Hunter. 47 Hightingsle N at} or, Tne Forest Captains, 64 Dandy Jacks; or, The Outlews of the Oregon Tralt. 82 Kit Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack § or, The Boy ‘Trapper. 06 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen. 28 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 4 Judge Lynch, Jr: or, The Boy Vigilante. 5 Gold Trigger, the Sport; er, The Girl Avenger. 69 Tornado Tomy or, Injun Jack From Red Core, 88 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 198 Arkansaw ¢ or, The Queen of Fate’s Revenge. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Tonknot’s Crusade. 281 Plucky Phil; or, Rosa, the Re | Jezebel, 241 Bill Bravo; or, The Roughs of the Rockies, 255 Captain Apoli: , tne King-Pin of Bowle. 267 The Ibuckskin Detective. 279 Old Winch} or, The Buckskin Desperadoes. 294 Dynamite Dan; or, The Bowle Blade of Gochetopa. 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bully, 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Curd of Arizona, 826 The Ten Parda; or, The Terror of Take-Notice. 886 Big Benson; or, The Queen of the Lasso, 845 Pitiless Matt; or, Ked Thunderbolt’s Secret, - 856 Cool Sam and Pard; or The Terrible Six, 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. ‘ 886 Captain Cutlass 5 or, The Brccaneer’s Girl Foe, 896 Rough Rob; or, The Twin Champions of Blue Blazes. 411 The Silken Lasao; or, The Rose of Ranch Robin, 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump. the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox. 445 The City Vamptres; or, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon. 461 One Againat Fifty s or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy 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 Fex and Falcon, the Bowery Shadows, 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’« Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodeer Dick’s Desperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick. the Boy Vidocq, 678 The Two Shadows. 582 Dodger Dick’s Drop. 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. . 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sharp on Guard. ~ 626 The Champion 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. 701 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp. LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 718 Carl, the Mad Cowboy; or, The Lariat Queen. By Co}, Prentiss Ingraham. ‘ 714 Old Misery, the Man from Missonrly or, The Mystery of the Mountain League. By Wm. G, Patten, 1 1 1 1 1 1 715 Wide Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferrets or, Caging the 4 Cormorants. By T. C, Harbaugh. , 716 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Still Wurt: or, The Second Round to San Francisco. By Edward L. Wheeler, : : 217 Mosautto Jack, the Hustler Gamin; or, Move-on Mike’e S Gra d Catch. By Jo Pierce. Ready April 21. 718 Light-Heart Lute’« Last, Trails or, The Gold Crater’s Secret. | y Joseph E. Badger, Jr. Ready April 98. 719 Pawnee Bili’« Pledges Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Ready May 5. A New Issue Every Tuesday- The Half- Dime Library !s for sale by all newsdealers, ive conte per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six conte each. ‘ BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, or, The Cowboy Kidnapper. By ? we : oer Btreet, New York, — <2 4 4 2 4