Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 720) (1891 05 12)
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i Li REE WEA NS” Yaarea, WNT HER, \\ en <a PY ————— = _ TASK Nek TT AE s » -_ 1 ot i aS el il it Pl tl a et ican 4 in Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. . Post Office. \ Copyright 1891, by BEADLE AND ADAMS. May 12, 1891. $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price, No. 720. a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK, 5 Cents. Vol. XXVIII, The Gamin Detective’s Double Snap at Santa Fe. BY J. C. COWDRICK, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ BROADWAY BILLY ” NOVELS, ETC, CHAPTEK I, WHO FIRED THE SHOT. ‘* SWEET pertaters!” ‘* What’s the trouble with ye this time?” **T don’t know about it, Skinny, an’ that’s the fack.” “Why don’t ye know about it? Ain’t ye goin” to see what he wants?” as Ree aye $$ $$ ———_—_—— . —- . * Ob, bet yer life I’m goin’, Skinny; my con- THE DISGUISED BILLY HAD PAUSKD AND SMILED TO SEE THAT SKINNY’S MAKE-UP cern is all on your account. I don’t know about HAD STOOD THE TEST, takin’ you with me,” :
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J Skinny cried. ¥ ae Broadway Billy's Full Hand. et) neal “Ye don't, hey? Well, if that is all that troubles you, Billy, I can set ye straightin short order, You are goin’ ter take me with yer, which is ter say, ’'m goin’.” Broadway Billy had a half-comical, half- troubled look upon his face, and read over once more a note which be held in his hand. He and his lean lieutenant were at their hotel ia Santa Fe, It was some days after their adventures as narrated in the last preceding story, and they were as goxd as new and ripe for furtber ex- ploits. “Ye see, it is like this,” Billy said, thought- fully:**' The gentleman says he wants tu see us, an’ that’s where the diffikilty will be. He can see me all right, no question about that, but when he comes ter look fer you—” “Now you shut right up, Billy!” Skinny cried. ‘If yedon’t, I'll kick a lung out of ye.” And he made a charge upon his more weighty partner. Billy laughed, and dodged around to the jee side of the table near which they bappened to be. “Well, ain’t it so?’ he demanded. ‘ Ain’t you so thin that he’ll have ter be sharp-sighted ter see ye?” “ If can make myself heard, an’ that will answer jest as well, Anyhow, I’m goin’, an’ that set- tles it,” All i, oo Shadder, Ill take your word for it. But I must insist on tyin’ a string to ye afore I take yeout. You will notice that the wind is blowin’ some, and a gentle zephyr might waft ye away.” ‘‘Oh! shut up with your nonsense, You make me weary. But say, read that note over again, will ye? I want ter fix it better in my mind, Who is this Cleverdale Finck? Is he anybody you know? Seems ter know your bandle well enough,” “That’s ther proper question, Skinny, and quite properly put. Hang me for a dried onion, though, if { can Finck who he is— Hold on, don’t faint; I won’t do it again. That was a ory far reach to fetch a poor pun, I admit. ut open yer ears, my gay an’ festive atom, and here’s the wording of the ’pistle.” With that Billy read aloud as follows: *‘To Mr. Wm. Weston:— “Will you and your partner come to my office soon as convenient? Your landlord can tell you who Iam and where to find me. Do not. consult any one else about it, It is important, and I hope you will not disappoint me. I will add that it concerns de- tective work. I want to see you. “Very truly yours, * CLEVERDALE FINCK.” ‘* Go !” Billy cried, as he folded the note and put it in his pocket; ‘‘ we'll go, Skinuy, if it costs a leg, When you mention detective work, Broadway William is right on deck, every time, Partner, we'll amble right out and find this Clever-what’s-his-name, and ferret out a peddy- as for him clear back to Adam, before sun- own. What do ye say?” there’s no use sayin’ anything. If you have made up your mind to go, why, go you will, spite of guns and spiter, too, I only hope there’s no danger in it for us, for I have got ner- vous of late about you. You are so darin’ that ye don’t stop at nothin’, and some of these fine days yon are goin’ ter git dosed and planted, and that will be the last of ye; see if ’t ain’t.” ‘* Croakin’ again, are ye?’ Why, Skinny, I’m *%shamed of ye. I’m not goin’ to scold ye, nor yet spank ye—as I feel I’d ought to do, but I’m goin’ to let ye know that I’m really and truly ’shamed of ye. A feller can’t die but wunst in the nat’ral order of things, kin be? And what’s the differ- ence whether it comes a few days sooner or later? In my case, though, I’ve been disposed of so often that I’ve got hardened to it. You wouldn’t mind it, I know, if there was more of ye: but as it is you can’t help it. Now if you had more heft—’ **Oh! shut up and say no more about it,” | “When you set that mill of | ours runnin’, you never know when to stop. f we’re goin’ to see this Clever-and-the-rest-of-it fellow, let’s be about it.” “Skinny, my attenuated molecule, it is bad manners ter interrupt yer elders, ter say nothin’ of superiors, when they’re talkin’. Bear it in mind, as in the casein point, ter wit. I’Jl for- ive ye this time, seein’ you look so sorry, but more careful hereafter, Since you mention it, niebby it would be as well to be movin’. Come along, my gay an’ festive trifle-of-nothin’-in- particular.” ce gp Papa Skinny was etting a little pro- voked, odael lly gave him a playful poke and d * out of the room, and Skinny followed. eae can’t be seen,” was Skinny’s retort, ‘‘ I Going down, they entered the bar-room of their temporary place of abode, and Billy ac- costed the landlord, ‘¢ Who is Mr, Cleverdale Finck, landlord?” ‘*Cleverdale Finck? Why, he’s our pop’lar young insurance agent,” ‘** Insurance agent, hey?” ‘Exactly. But, what do you want with him?” ‘*Tll ’splain that presently,” Billy answered. ‘© Where is his office?” The information was correctly given, and Billy made a mental note of it as he was told. Yer see, landlord,” he then proceeded to explain, ‘‘ I’ve made up my mind that I have ect to have my frail follower here insured, nly last night I w.issed bim, after we'd gone to bed, and I had to get up and shake the sheet to find him, It is too wearin’ on my nerves, and I can’t stand it. Now if it—” ‘*Shut up!” cried Skinny, reas, | up a chair and Cine | back with it as if ready to strike, “or Tll— There, I was goin’ ter say I'd brain ye, but it would he a bard matter to draw blood froma turnip, much less to find brains in a bead of cabbage.” This raised @, lsugh against Billy. “There, see how he takes on!” said Billy, with an injured air, ‘* When I am usin’ my best en- deavors in his behalf, this is the thanks I get for it. Ain’t it ’most enough ter make a stone image shed tears? If he could only realize th’ fatherly feelin’ I have fer him, I’m sure he wouldn’t do so. Butit’sno use feedin’ swine to pearls, as the old sayin’ is, an’ I guess—” Skinny had dropped the chair, and stepping up to Billy, was now going through the motion of turning a crank, as of a barrel organ, No telling to what lengths they might have gone, but, abont the time Billy cut short in what he was saying, and took a small magnifying glass from his pocket to look at Skinny through it, a pistol shot startled everybody in the room. Instantly the lads dropped their foolishness, and were keenly on the alert to learn who had fired the shot and what the effect had been. Immediately a young man staggered into the room, his face pale and his hand clasped to his side, Broadway Billy sprung to the door quickly and looked out, but no one was in sight upon whom he could fasten suspicion. No one was on the piazza, and no one on the street was immediately near. It was a mystery who had fired the shot, ‘*T—J—I’m shot!” the young man had gasped, and that wasall. He fell forward upon bis face with the words, and when they picked him up he was dead, It was a thrilling event for that staid and orderly town, and the excitement was t “ Heavenst” gasped the landlord, “ it is Harry Rentaway!” ** And who is he?” inquired Buy ; “One of the squarest young fellows in this town.” ‘« And who d’ye suppose killed him? Haveany enemy that you know of?” “‘Nary a one, that I could name, But, this is ho time to answer questions on the matter.” The half-dozen men in the room had lifted the body and laid it upon a table, and expressions of the greatest s thy were heard from all, ‘This is awful!” the landlord gasped, wiping the dampness from his own forehead, ‘I never imagined what a shock it would give a feller to see a murder done,” ‘But you didn’t see it done,” reminded Billy. ‘“The person who did the deed has got off, and it may be a bard job to find him, or “er ; for it’s just as likely to be a she as a he.” “Chance for you to prove what you are good for,” hinted one, ‘‘ You havegot your name up here as a first-class detective.” ‘* And it may be a case that would puzzle an older head than mine,” bag made response. ‘“But you kin bet that Biily will solve it if anybody does,” boasted Skinny, it was remarkable how soon a crowd filled the bar-room, and how quickly the news spread. In less than ten minutes the room was filled, and within half an bour, it seemed, the whole city knew of the crime. But, the wider the news spread, the deeper the mystery seemed to grow. No one could offer any guess as to who could have done the awful deed, and suspicion seemed unable to fasten any where. For the time Billy and Skinny forgot all about their summons to the office of Mr, Cleverdale Finck, and lent all their attention to this mat- ter, gathering up every bit of information that came to their ears. As usual, Billy was keenly *" aj | alive to the case, and his detective “ fever” was) » raging. Harry Rentaway, the lads learned, had been the only son, in fact the only child, of Barring- ton Rentaway, a retired army officer of means, who bad settled at Santa Fe upon retiring from the service, He had married a Mexican belle, and Harry had been their only offspring. The father was living, though his wife had been dead some years. Barrington aud Harry bad been close companions, and it had often been remarked that they were more like brotbers than like father and son, Barrington was at Fort Marcy when the tragic event took place, where he was in the habit of going frequently, finding it hard to break away from bis old life; and when the news came to | him, it was said that the shock almost killed him, Certain it was that when he reached the hotel, those who knew him declared he bad aged ten_ years, L His grief, when he beheld the body of his son, was something terrible to witness. And as soon as the first force of it had been spent, he swore that tbe murderer should forfeit bis life in penalty, if he had to devote his remaining years and his last dollar to that end, And, further- more, be then and there proclaimed a reward of five tnousand dollars for information that would lead to his detection and arrest. Billy and Skinny bad remained in the bar- room, and were witnesses to this as to every- thing else that took place. Something had been said about a certain Miss Wesselley, and Billy bad inferred that she must bave been engoged to the murdered man, Another name, too, that cf one Harrison Waldmar, had been mentioned in connection, and Billy inferred that he had been either a rival of the dead Harry, or a very intimate friend. He could not decide which. The conversation bad been in low tones, frag- mentary, and none too clear at best, and Billy had not been able to arrive at the true state of affairs, He stored the names in mind, however, intending to question the landlord when the ex- citementabated. CHAPTER II. A QUICK ARREST MADE. WueEn finally the body of the young man had been removed from the hotel, and comparative order had been restored, Broadway Billy sought to pick up further information by putting some inquiries to his host. kinny was as intent as Billy, too, Their young blood bad been fired with the desire to unt down the cowardly assassin and bring him to account for his dastardly crime. And that was what Billy had quietly resolved he would do, if it lay in his power. Choosing his time to suit the landlord’s mood, Billy approached him and offered the remark; “That was a nasty piece of business,” with a shrug of the shoulders to express something of the horror he had seen the landlord exhibit. ‘* 1] should remark that it was,” was the ready assent. ‘* And Harry was such a fine fellow, too. It’s a pity, and I only hope they'll find out who did it, that’s all, I don’t want to see the cuss get away. I'd like to know who it was,” “So would 1,” echoed the New York lad, * Are you willing to talk about it now? You choked me off before, and I waited till I thought you looked lonesome for somebody to talk to,” “Oh, yes, I’m willin’ enough to talk about it,” was the response. ‘I was too much worked up to have much to say then.” ‘*T could see that you didn’t want to be both- ered, so I closed my trap and waited, Now there’s some questions I'd like to ask, and not out of idle curiosity, either.” “T can believe that, seein’ the name you’ve got as a detective.” “No matter about that. By the way it looks, there’s nobody that can be suspected of this crime,” “It most certainly does look that way. Some- body done it, of course, but who it was is more than I can imagine. I didn’t think Harry bad an enemy in the world. I don’t believe he had, either.” ‘Then why was ho killed?” ‘‘That’s where you’ve got me. ‘Let’s take a glance at the circumstances,” Billy observed. ‘ Here it is broad daylight, and that shot was fired out there on the piazza or on the street in front of the house, as we know by the direction of the report we heard, and by the fact that the man staggered in from the piazza and fell on the floor.” ‘* Yes, there’s no gettin’ around them points,” ‘“‘ Well, I looked out right away, or as soon as ” TRE STR ++ zs cas SS ra
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vw I could get to the door, but nobody was in sight who looked suspicious, No one was on the jazza, and nobody was very near anyhow. Ihe ove who fired the shot must have dodged around the bouse, there at the right side, and I’m sorry now that I didn’t run out to that end of the piazza. But I would have been too late, of course.” ‘*No doubt about it, The one who fired that shot dodged quick, you may bet on that,” “And it seems strange that no one in the street turned this way. But then the report was not so very loud, though it must have been heard, Still they may have given a glance, and seeing no excitement, gone right on about their business, One thing is plain, and that is that it was murder, cool and deliberate; and the mur- derer took the most favorable chan that offered. All this is guessing at it though; what we are after are facts—points,” “Right you are in that, my lad,” the land- lord agreed. ‘ Supposings won’t hang the ras- cal, let alone fiud him for the hanging.” ** Well, let’s stop guessin’ and begin to fish for facts. Now, there’s one or two points that 1’d like to have more light on, Will you hold your candle my way?” : The landlord smiled. **)ll lighten you all I can,” he assured. ** Well, then, to begin at the front end of the uzzle, who is this lady they spoke of as Miss esselley ?” **She’s one of the belles of Santa Fe, and one of the finest girls you ever saw. Harry was payin’ attention to her,” “T thought so. Were they engaged, d’ye know?” “T don’t know; Mebby they was. “Don’t matter in p’tic’lar, an they was sweet on each other. you know.” Billy was dropping into his free-and-easy every-day manner of speech, which was so nat- ural to him, and in which he was a master artist. ‘No, I don’t reckon it does,” the landlord coincided, ‘“And then there’s a Harrison Waldmar I heard mentioned while the crowd was here. Who is he?” “Why, he is a chum of Harry’s, or leastways he was sich—I mean that they were pards, and the best sort o’ pards, up to some weeks ago, when they had a falling out.” “There! that is what I was tryin’ to get at. I couldn’t make out whether they was good friends or what. How did they happen to fail out? Do you know all about their diffikilty?”’ “Oh, yes, everybody knows about it. You see, they both was hit with the sameclub at the same time—that is to say, both got in love with Cora Wesselley at once, and when that is the case, you kuow, feelins’ can’t be pleasant.” « Sweet pertaters! I shonld say not! I re- meinber when I fell in love with Molly McGee, and a red-headed young—” “You'd better stick ter facts,” interrupted Skiony. ‘“ What has that got ter do with this ** Bless me!” Billy snorted, looking at his lean partner in “pape surprise, ** you are there, ain't you? didn’t see you, a8 you’re standin in th’ shadow of the light— Study that when you have time, Mebby you're right, little one, hadn’t any means to find out. Phow, so long as That’s the p’int $0 we'll take a fresh start. With that Billy turned again to the landlord. ** You don’t imagine this man Waldmar is the one who did the thing, do you?” he questioned, ‘*Great stars! no!” earnestly. ‘‘ Waldmar is as fine a fellow as Harry was. No, that’s im- possible,” *T hope so, for his sake, but rivals in love sometimes do crazy things that they wouldn't think of doin’ at any other timé, Now that red- headed— That’s so, Skin, I wasn’t to drift off to that, Who is this Waldmar, landlord?” * He’s all I’ve said of him. Besides that, he’s a son of of a rich father, and thedamily is a re- spectable one all around. No, it don’t seem _ possible that he would do sich a thing as kill a man, and most least of all Harry Rentaway, I couldn’t believe that of him.” ‘No, sir!” exclaimed others in the room, who ere listening, ‘** you needn’t look there for your 0. ma “They mebby didn’t feel rigbt to’rds each other,” another speaker put in, ‘an’ we can’t i spose they did; but they wouldn’t come to shootin’.” “Then Is there’s no use lookin’ to him,” Not a bit 0’ use,” the landlord assured. i ' Just then two or three men entered the bar- ~ wemarked Billy. ———————=— Broadway Billy’s Full Hand. room in excited haste, and one of them ex- claimed: ‘* Have you heard the latest?” * No,” was the more than prompt answer. ‘* Harrison Waldmar bas been ’rested.” “What! Harrison Waldmar ’rested?” **That’s what’s happened. They think he’s th’ one done it.” ‘*Tll never believe it!” protested the landlord. ‘** Td ‘most as soon think Harry’s father done it,” Billy and Skinny were all attention. ‘* But how did he ever come ter be s’pected?” was asked, w It is knowed they had a quarrel t’other night. “What of that? Must every quarrel lead to murder?” ‘* No; but there’s murder here, anda quarrel is not goin’ to be overlooked. When that was made known, his arrest was ordered.” ‘¢ An’ that ain’t th’ wu’st of it, either,” averred another of the new-comers. | ‘*What’s th’ rest of it then?” “One chamber of his revolver was found empty.” ‘* Whew /” the landlord whistled, drawing a long face, **No, nor that ain’t th’ hull of ther wu’st of it,” another struck in. “Well, let’s have it allin a lump,” was the eager cry. ‘Give us th’ hull piece ter chaw on.” ‘** Why, some fellers seen him hurryin’ away from this direction after ther shot had been fired, near as anybody kin tell, an’ he looked ex- cited. And his pistol was smoke-white on th’ nose when it was looked at, after they’d nabbed him. ‘‘ Where was he when arrested?’ asked Billy. ‘* Home,” was answered. si And he went straight home from this direc- tion?’ ‘So it seems,” ‘* How long had he been there?” ** See here, J don’t know every p’int about it,” was the retort. ‘“*No matter; I merely asked.” For some minutes then there was a general rattle of question, answer and surmise, It seemed that Harrison Waldmar had been arrested, as shown, and under the circumstan- ces mentioned. He would say nothing, except to declare most positively that he was innocent of the crime, Tn fag, according to his own words, he had not known of it till his arrest, The men who had been sent for him, it was further mentioned, had stated that the young mad had almost fainted with fright when they made known their errand, showing every evi- dence of guilt, Waldmar, in his own behalf, said it was caused by the shock it gave him to hear that Harry Rentaway had been killed by an as- sassin’s buliet. But beyond, that nothing had yet been cleared up. Waldmar would not explain about the empty chamber in his revolver, nor would be say where he had been when seen moving to- ward home in haste about the time the crime was done, Altogether it looked dark for him, and gradually public opinion went against him, And the more so since it had come out that he had used threats at the time of his quarrel with the murdered man, ; Al] this, and a good deal more of minor im- portance, did Billy and Skinny get hold of, and when the New York lad, after awhile, asked the landlord what he thought about it, the man shook his head. He wouldn’t have believed it, he couldn’t have believed it, he declared, if the roof wasu’t so strong. And it certainly did ook as though the right man was in the toils for the cowardly crime. CHAPTER III. BILLY’S OPINION WANTED. Bruuy and Skiuny presently left the hotel and walked down the street, Their minds were busy with this new problem that had been thrust a their notice. Eager were they both to solve this mystery, to bring the cowardly assassin to account, and win further renown for themselves, Skinny had the “ fever” now almost.as bad as Billy, though he did not like to admit that such was the case. He wanted Billy to be responsible for everything in this line, Perhaps this was with a wise foresight toa pos- sible failure, when he, Sxinny, could have ample room to fall gracefully, as it were, and put the blame of everything upon bis ner. If suc- cessful,he would come in for a share of the glory. There was nothing slow about Skinny. ‘* Well, my gay an’ festive sliver,” spoke Billy, ‘* what do you think of this case? Do you think this Harriscn Waldmar is guilty?” “Pll be twisted if { know what to think about it,” was Skinny’s response to that. ‘‘ It seems to look bad for him, and folks seems to think it must beso, What do you think?” “Tm like you. I don’t know jest what ter think, But it is wonderful easy for folks to he mistaken once in a while, and I bave an idee that folks may be mistaken this time, Some- thin’ seems to tell me that he didn’t do it at all. It is for you and me to find out,” ‘*- Yes, and maybe it will be for you and me to get ourselves into trouble if we go to poking our noses into it too far. But there’s no use talking to you, as I have found out by a dear experience, And I suppose you will drag me into it with you, and I'll have to share the dangers in order to lend you my protecting care, Go ahead, and good luck attend you.” ‘Sweet pertaters!” exclaimed, Billy ‘* but that’s quite an able address fer you to make Skin, Don’t you feel tired after it? Dll bet if you’d own up, that you’re as anxious toget at the bottom of this thing aslam, Never mind I’m going into it anyhow, boots and all, and if t don’t stir things up 16 will be because I have for- got how. T want to seetbis Harrison Waldmar, if it’s possible, and have a talk with him if he’s willing.” ‘* That will be the best thing we—I mean you —can do, Then you will know what sort of fellow he is.” ‘*Exactly, my little trifle. And then we— excuse me—Z/ will know where to take hold.” Appearances against him are ugly enough just now, Billy.” ‘*T admit it; but we'll see what’s what.” ® ‘‘ Well, where are you going now?” ‘**T guess we had better call on this Clever-and- the-rest-of-it fellow, and see where his pain lies.” ‘* That's so; I had almost forgotten about him, We better go there and see what he wants, and tell him we can’t bother with his case now.” ‘“ We ?” interrogated Billy. ‘I thought it was I,” ‘Oh! you know what I mean, anybow,” ‘* Yes; I know you’re mean cnough for any- thing. As to giving os his case, if it is a case, we'll see about that. If it ain’t too heavy for us to carry, I guess we will take it aboard, Skinny protested vigorously, and their talk Ean on as they proceeded to the office of Mr, inck. Following the direction of their landlord, they were presently at their destination. At the side of the door of a rather respectable looking building, was a sign indicating that ‘* Cleverdale Finck, Insurance” occupied a room on the second floor, The lads went in and up-stairs, and at the first door on their right, at the top, the sign was re- Pell y opened the door, and they walked boldly in and looked around. ' A good-looking and well-dressed young man was at a desk near a window, and at the other window sat a thin, wrinkled man of age uncer- tain. ‘* Ah! my lads, glad to see you!” the young man exclaimed, getting up and offering his han to Billy, ‘I know you, of course; everybody in Sante Fe knows you. ‘Take chairs.” “We might have been here a little sooner,” responded Billy, ‘‘but that awful affair at the hotel kicked up such an excitement that we couldn’t get away from it. I will introduce my rtner, Mr, Skinny. He is little but exceeding- y good, “Glad to know you, Mr. Skinny. I knew = by sight, of course. Aud now— But, my umble apology to you, Mr. Ferret;” turning to the other man, ‘ Let me introduce these young gentlemen to you. This is Mr. Weston, popu- Jarly called Broadway Billy; and this other is Mr. Skinny, his partmer, Young gentlemen, Mr, Ferret,” _These introductions were made with all the airs of a French dancing master, and Billy took a dislike to Mr, Finck from that moment. There was something about him too airish to suit Billy’s sense of the fitness of things. So honestly blunt and hearty himself, he hated anything that savored of affectation in others, In his mind he set Mr, Finck down for a dude, “T am glad to make your acquaintance,” ac- knowledged Mr. Ferret, rising and extending his hand, ‘‘I have heard of you since my ar- rival here, Mr. Weston, and have had a curiosity to see you.” ‘ ‘Good enough,” returned the Gotham Gamin, ‘* but I can’t say whether I’m glad to make your acquaintance yet or not, Shall have to reserve my decision till we are better acquainted, if that is destined to be, If it isn’t, no matter,”
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4 Broadway Billy’s Full Hand. PSS RS SR a TCR A AE TTT LCT At this Mr. Ferret laughed a dry little laugh that was like a cackle, ““T admire your frank manner, anyhow,” he declared. ‘‘l hope that we shall know more of each other, and that your opinion of me will ripen into a good one.” “*T¢ will depend entirely on you, if it does or does not,” decided Billy. ““OF course you are here in response to my note,”observed Mr, Finck. ‘*‘ You have said as much, so the question is idle. Let us now to business.” ‘* Yes, let’s get the cat by the tail at once. Are we to talk the business before Mr. Ferret?” ** Most assuredly. It was to have you consult with him that I[ invited _ here. Mr. Ferret is a detective, in the employ of the Equiralent Insurance Company. He is here working up an important case,” roadway Billy looked at Mr, Ferret with a new interest. That gertleman smiled, his face puckering it- self into a succession of wrinkles. “So, that’s the how of it, eh? Billy re- marked. ‘‘ Well, if tiat’s the case, I guess I had better make my little bow and retire, I don’t care to set myself up as the peer to a pro- fessional.” ‘Let me say a word about that,” spoke Mr. Ferret. ‘‘I am a professional, it is true. You may have heard of me. My name is Alexander Keene Ferret, in full; which I abbreviate to A, Keene Ferret, Quite an appropriate name for one in our line, eh?” * A, Keene Ferret ought to be a good one,” Billy acknowledged. ‘If name counts for any- thing, you ought to get there every time, MP, Ferret.” ** And I ’most always do, too,” was the return. *“ Just now, however, I seem to have a case that puzzles me,” ‘**It is of little use for me to have anything to do with it then,” Billy modestly observed, ‘“* We will see about that later. We want to consult with you about it, anyhow.” ** Well, then, let ’er slide!” and leaning back in bis chair aad crossing his legs, Billy was ready to hear whatever was coming. ‘* You may state the case if you please, Mr, Finck,” said the detective, giving the young man that part in the matter in hand. “ eg A well, if you say so.” And then turn- ing to Billy and putting on a serious air, the agent went on: **T mentioned you to Mr. Ferret, and it was at his request that. you were called here. We want to give the facts of the case to you, and see what you think of it. We know by the repu- tation you enjoy that you have had experience, and that your opinion will be worth something.” ** Say,” interrupted Billy, ‘‘ let all that. rest, if you please, aud get down to the particulars of the jcase,” ‘Right, there!” put in Skinny. ‘All bis — lies at the end of his tongue, Mr. inck,” ‘* You keep quiet,” ordered Billy, ‘‘ or I'll fold you up and put you in my pocket.” ‘* Well, then, for the case: A little less than a@ year agoan old gentleman came to me seek- ing insurance on his life. Hs was a man about seventy years of age. His name was Hiram Lodgelaw, and he was a well-known and re- spected citizen of this place. ‘* His age was against him, of course, but he ssed examination all right, and took out a policy for a large amount, making it payable to his young wife. Hecame to us of his own ac- cord, and so far 4s I have, been able to find out, without consulting anybody about it. His widow declares that she knew nothing about it until it was all done, when he put the policy into her hands; ‘His was a rather peculiar case. He was well-to-do, but his income was his ovly during life; he could not dispose of it by will, At his death it went to another part of the Lodgelaw family. Knowing this, and wanting to provide for his widow, as he explained it, he considered life insurance bis best and only means of attain- ing the desired end. Accordingly, as I said, he was insured, and for as large an amount as the company would allow, ** He paid his premium, and everything rested quietly until about. seven weeks ago, when be suddenly died. The doctors attributed bis death toa natural cause, after careful examination, and he was buried. 1 had .been promptly noti- fied, and forwarded the facts of the matter to headquarters, I have no yersonal opivign to ress, one way or the other, though if my opinion were demanded it would have to be that I can see nothing crooked about the affair. Mr, Lodgelaw was_too well known to admit of his being concerned in any fraud. He was simply insured, all in good faith so far as any one knew, and now he is dead. ‘The insurance company, however, is not sat- isfied with the case, and the matter is under of- ficial investigation. Mr. Ferret has been sent here to look into it, but there seems to be noth- ing to look into. Itseems to bea plain and hon- est deal, all round, and public opinion is that the widow ought to have the money. On my own part, being the agent of the company,1 have nothing tosay. If there has been any crooked business anywhere, I want it hunted out and the thing exposed. I don’t want the company to be swindled. On the other band, if itis all straight, then I think the woman ought tobe paid. That is the case, and with it you have my opinion after all. Now what do you tbink of it?” ‘* There don’t seem to be any case aboutit, If that is the situation, and Mr, Ferret can’t alter it, | guess the company will have to come down with the money,” was Billy’s promptly expressed opinion, ‘“That is the way it looks,” confessed the in- surance detective, ‘But, Mr. Weston, if you had been sent here, as I have been, what would be your move? Let’s see bow near alike we think.” ‘* What would be my move? Why, I’d go into the thing and plow it up from ‘way back, and I'd settle it in my own mind one way or the other, and call it done.” CHAPTER IV, BILLY’S BIT OF ADVICE, The detective looked at Billy keenly, smiling. “That is the very thing 1 am trying to do,” he admitted. ‘* Well, then, why don’t you do it?” demanded Billy. ‘* The field is open.” ‘*T know it is; but there is such a thing as making a beginning on a case you take up.” ‘* Well, if you haven’t made a beginning you are wasting time,” was Bi ly’s comment on that. ‘* You bad better begin,” ‘“‘ What I am driving at,” the detective made plain, ‘tis to ask you where you would make your beginning, if you were in my place. You have all the facts of the case, and know as much about it as I do,” ““Say, do you want me todo your work for you?” Billy asked. ‘*T would pay for your help, if you could lend me any assistance in it,” was the answer. ** Which I don’t believe I can,” Billy declared. ‘“*If you want me to take the case and tackle it for you, Pll do that, with’Skinny’s help.” ““T think we’ve got about all we can handle now,” protested Skinny. ‘* Why, what else are you working at?’ asked the detective. ‘This Rentaway murder,” answered Skinny. “Now, Shadowy, you're telling tales out of school,” Billy admonished. ‘‘ You shouldn’t do that.” ‘*So, you intend to try your hand at that affair, eh?’ spoke tke detective in something of admiration. ‘If that is so, no’use looking for any assistance from you in this matter.” “There is something there to work on,” said Billy. ‘*‘ You don’t seem to know whether you have got a case or not. I guess I'll stick to the one I have got in tow; but if you want me to lend you a hand, when you get started, why, just call on me, If I can’t come myself I’)l send Skinny.” ‘** Well, I will do that,” the detective agreed. ‘I am glad I have met you, although calling you here has amcunted to little result.” ‘© And we'll be going,” returned Billy. ‘* You wanted my opinion, and you have had it, plain, No charge.” He rose, and Skinny with him, and after a few words more all around, the two went out, ‘That was a flat fake,” remarked Skinny, as soon as they reached the street. “So it appears, my slender shadow. What is your opinion about the supposed case?” *T don’t believe there is any case atall, I guess it’s a square deal, and the insurance folks will have to come down.” ‘* It may be, but you can’t say that this detec- tive is altogether a fool. If be bad no ability he would not be in the employ of that company, would he?” ** There’s reason in that, sure,” ‘* And he has a pair of eyes that speak for themselves,” ‘* Well, what’s your opinion, then? You seem to have something in your crop,” ** My opinion is that there is a good deal in the case. I don’t know what it is vet, but I’m going to find out,” — ‘*Great ginger! You don’t mean to say you are going to work at it, do you?” ‘* That’s what’s the matter. I am interested in it, Sweet pertaters! you can’t mention any- thing that’s gota mystery to it, but what you raise my detective fever a few degrees. Going into it? Of course !m going intoit. And if a third case comes along, I’ll tackle that, too.” There was no doubting that he meant it, “You're going to get too many irons in the fire,” warned Skinny, ‘‘and the first you know you will makea mess of everything.” “Well, there’s one consolation, if I do,” ‘* And what’s that?” ‘You'll be in the boat with me. We'll both protested. ‘“T’ve got go down together.” **Not much!” Skinn nothing to do with it, It is your own funeral,” “All right, then, my tender little lily-of-the- valley, Vil remember that, and if good luck comes my way and I scoop that reward that’s offered, you don’t get a smell of it. How do you like that?” ‘*Ob! Pm in with you on that case,” Skinny quickly assured, ‘‘l’m into it to protect you, as I’ve said before, It is this other that ’m kicking about.” Billy laughed, and bantered his thin partner all the way back to the hotel, where they went direct from the insurance office, There Billy inquired whether anything new had appeared in regard to the murder mystery, and was assured that nothing had. It stood the same, What, the inquest would bring out, re- mained to be seen. The inquest was to be held on the following forenoon, if everything went according to pro- gramme, and Billy and Skiony promised them- selves that they would be on band. The father of the murdered pone man, it was understood, had declared his belief in the inno- cence of the accused man, This was something Billy was glad to .hear, for it was in accord with his own idea. Billy watched his chance, and engaged bis landlord in conversation again. After some remarks about the murder, he changed the subject, ‘*Were you acquainted with Mr. Lodgelaw. , who died some time ago?” he inquired, ‘* Yes; everybody knowed him,” was the an- swer. ‘Nice old man, buta good deal too easy- goin’ for this rougb world.” ** How was that?” ‘¢Oh, anybody could worm into his great big heart, that’s all,” ‘ Rather inclined to be generous and free with his money, I suppose?” “Yes, though he didn’t throw any of the needful away. Darn nice wife he got, all the same.” ‘““In what sense do you mean that?” “Mean just what I say. Sbe’s a fine little woman,” ‘* Was she his wife long before he died?” ‘* A year or two; don’t recollect just how long a spell it was,” ‘* Married her here, did he?” ‘*No; she’s from Mexico. Her folks American, though.” ‘‘T see, I’ve heard about her ving in getting the insurance, or something of that kind. Seems to me she ought to have it.’ “Ob, she'll get it; no doubt about thas. Plenty of time yet. Isuppose the company must was monkey just so long, anyhow, and run it through — the red-tape mill once or twice before they shell out,’ ‘“Probably. There’s talk about there being fraud somewhere, but I don’t see how that can be,” ‘“That’s all bosh. There was no fraud in bon- est old Hiram Lodgelaw; not a bit of it.” ‘No, of course not; but they think there was somebody else might have been concerned in it,” ‘*Nonsense! ‘he company will have to pony up, or. they may as well shut up shop in this own. ‘“* And the ohly one that could be concerned in fraud would be the widow.” “Yes; and you might as well look for fraud in % angel,” ; ‘“‘ That settles that affair then.” So Billy said, but he didn’t speak his thoughts about it. He bad had experience enough to know that appearances were not always to be relied on. Not that he bad any reason to believe there was anything wrong about the matter, but be had not investiga self otherwise, “TI tell you what it is, Skinny,” he remeebey to his leany lieutenant, ‘“‘ we have got 4 hand this time. If this insurance business ee a far enough to assure him~ :
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ay x eet geet al poe Mounts to anything, and we unravel both cases, t will be a feather in our cap.” ‘* Don’t blow about it,” advised Skinny. ‘‘ My think about it is, that you will bave all the work you want ou tbe murder case, let alone any other.” “You mean we,” Billy corrected, ‘* You are into that affair with me, you know,” laughing. That evening the lads had not been long in their room when there came a knock at the door. Opening it,the New York Gamin Detective found there an aged map, with white hair and whiskers, with a cane in bis hand and a tremble in his frame. “Guess you have come to the wrong door, sir,” Billy politely suggested, as the manjdid not speak, ‘“T guess not, young man,” was the slow an- swer, ‘‘Are you William Weston the detec- tive? If so, you are the person I am seeking.” “That is my name,” answered Billy; ‘‘ but I don’t lay very strong claim to the title, sir.” ‘Don’t ye believe him,” chipped in Skinny. “Tf I was to say he wasn’t a detective, he’d choke me.” * Bo still, shadow!’ commanded Billy, with an authoritative wave of the hand. The old gentleman stepped in, closing the door after bim, Billy eyed him keenly. He had never seen him before, that he wasaware of. Whocould he be?” ‘*T see you do not recognize me,” the man ob- served. ** You see straight this time,” anwered Billy, * for you hit the mark,” ** Still you have met me before, and have even shaken hands with me, What is the matter with your eyes?” Billy looked at him more keenly, at this, step- ing nearer and*giviug bim a close scrutiny. e had not suspected before that the man might be in disguise, “Sweet pertaters!” he exclaimed, “‘ but, you are a good one, aad no mistake, I thought I had sharp eyes, but you closed them up tight. No one would be likely to recognize you.” Skinny looked on in amazement. 6 had not got at the man’s identity yet. **] thought I could stand the test,” the man laughed, now ih a more hearty tone of voice, but speaking low. And his trembling left him and he took a seat. “Well Dll be hanged!” ejaculated Skinny, now learning who the man was, since he as- sumed his natural tone of voice. ‘* Who would have thought it?” “Itis I, A. Keene Ferret, at your service,” the visitor said, laughingly. ‘*Bat, what brings you here?” asked Billy, “* Merely to test your rig-up?” **Not that alone; but to carry out the inter- view we commenced at the offize to-day.” An idea flashed through Billy’s mind with the quickness of lightning. It was plain that the detective was not trusting the agent altogether, but was playing a double role with him. “Ha! ed ” ejaculated the boy, ‘ You are not letting Mr, Clever-and-so-forth into all your doings.” “Exactly, and the way you talked when you were at the office led me to think pretty well of “Glad of that! What do you want of me now?” “*T want to ask again just what your opinion is in regard to that case. Do you see anything croakei about it?” “Not a thing,” Billy assured. ‘It looks as clear and above-board as a bald head in the front row. Still, it will bear investigation, and when you begin that sort of thing, always begin with the woman in the cage,” —— CHAPTER V PROPOSAL ACCEPTED, THE detective laughed at this odd and blunt manner of expression. . ** You are a queer one, my lad,” he retnarked. “TT like you, and the more I see of you the more T like you.” “That’s owing to my fascinating ways,” re- turned Billy, with a grin. ‘‘ Before you know me a month you will be in love withme, That's what is the matter with Skinny bere,” “Not what makes him so remarkably thin, you don’t mean.” : “Exactly. His regard for me is a consuming ion, and he is wasting away under the burn- ng fires of his uncontrollable ardor. Ob, be has gt it bad, and no mistake about that, Hey, kinny?” Broadway Billy’s Full Hand ‘You would have it worse, if I had a club handy,” answered Skinny. **Then I will look out and not let my regard for you run away with me,” the detective joked. ‘* But about thiscase,” Billy came to the point. ‘You seem to think there is crooked work going on regarding the Lodgelaw affair, and you seem to have one eye aimed at Mr. Clever-and-some- more-of-it Finck.” “That is precisely it, Mr. Weston, and I want to see if you won’t go into the affair with me and lend me some help. If you will, I will drop out and let you have the field almost all to your- self, and perhaps if there is anything wrong in the air, you will get at it.” “Dm willing totry it,” Billy declared. ‘ Fact is, I have already begun to look after it a little, I meant to settle it in my mind one way or the other,” ‘Well, you are an odd one, You seem to be born to detective work. From what I have heard of you, [ am more than willing to take you in upon this case, and if you discover any- thing you will be rewarded.” “All right; and now let’s get at it. What is your suspicion? What do you want me to do?” ‘* We will consider your first question first. Mr. Finck is a man who has not been in the em- ploy of the Equivalent Company very long. His business has been light, and he never had a big policy on bis list till thisof Mr, Lodgelaw. These things have combined to make the company sus- picious, You can see how that is yourself,” ** Yes, I see,” ‘** Well, the suspicion is, then, that if there is anything wrong this young man may have had abandinit. Ihave had myeye upon him for some days, but can discover nothing. He knows I am here, and of course would carry himself mighty straight, Whether there is anything crooked about him or not, remains to be seen. That answers the first question you put, Now for the second, _‘*My own plan was, to give Mr. Finck the im- pression that I believed the matter to be per- fectly bonest all around, and to take my leave, Then I would come back in disguise and give the affair a new turn, without bis knowledge. But I have discovered ove thing about this young gentleman, and that is, that be has a wonder- fully keen pair of eyes, and be might suspect something or might penetrate my disguise. With you, however, it would be different. What do you say?” ‘*T have said it already,” reminded Billy. ‘‘I have said that I am willing to try it. Go ahead and let me in on the ground floor of your little scheme,” “Well, it is simple, and about as I bave out- lined it. I will pretend to go away satisfied, and you can take up the case where I leave it off. I will merely drop down to Albuquerque for a day, and will return in disguise, but will leave you to do the work till I am wanted to help. I will stop bere at this house with you, and so will be near you all the time, yf will ap- ar as an aged Mexican, and will register as on Alva Paso, from Mexico,” “Good enough. I'll try my band atit, with the help of my lean lieutenant here, and J guess we can sift Mr. Clever-and-somewhat-additional Finck, and find out whetber there is anything wrong with him or not.” ** And then it is understood that you will do it, and I may depend on you, eb?” “You bet! When Broadway William says a thing, that is the thing he means, most gener- ally. You can count on us, every time.” “All right; I will depend on you. Don Alva Paso will appear here ina day or so, and you will let him know what progress you have made, and consult with him about the affair from time to time.” ‘Correct; that’s settled, We'll cast outa hook in Mr, Clever-with-another-addition’s way, and if we get a bite there'll be some fun, you bet. Sweet pertaters! we must be doing some- thing to keep our blood in motion, you know,” *“And you speak for your partner, too, of course?” “Yes, I have to,” Billy quickly declared. ‘You see Skinny is so frail that be has to be careful of bimself, and in order to save him all the wear and tear possible, J talk for,him.” “That ain’t so at all,” Skinny quickly pro- tested. ‘* He is stuffin’ you, Mr. Ferret. he reason I don’t have much to say, is because I never get the chance to put in a word when Billy is around. When he gets that mill of bis to running there is no show for algae & else,” “Now, Skinny, how can you?” said Billy, re- roachfully. ‘ After alJ the good things I ave n saying about you, how can you? After the way I have stuck to you through thick and thin —particularly thin, you ought to be ashamed of yourself to make so light of a serious matter. I haven't said a single word that won't stand the truth, and you can’t deny it.” “Te you would i him a chance, perhaps Mr, Ferret would like to say something more.” ‘*Sweet pertaters! what am J doin’? Mr. Ferret has got the floor, I’m sure, and can say whatever he likes,” ““Tf you give bim the chance, Choke off and give your jaws a rest.’ “One would think you two fellows were on the point of fighting,” observed the detective. ‘* Tf you wert nearer of a size, I would really ex- pect to see you coming to blows. But I under- stand your play. By the way, anything new in that murder case, Mr. Weston?” ‘‘Nothing so far,” answered Billy. ‘‘If you strike anvtbing, I suppose you will take a hand in that, Mr. Ferret.” “No, I think not, If anything should come my way, l’ll pass it along to you and let you make use of it. That will be fair for your help on my case,” ‘*Good enough, it’s a bargain, Skinny, we'll call this Broadway Billy’s double duty, or some- thin’ meaning the same. I would give it a more snappy name than that, but you might get of- fended,” ‘* Don’t expect me to ask what it would be,” said Skinny, ‘‘ for I don’t want to hear any of your poor gags,” ‘* All right; but you’ve missed the best one Aa beg heard—rather didn’t hear, in your ife, ‘IT guess I can stand it, I’d rather take my chances of life without it than with it.” “* He’s little, but oh, my!” exclaimed Billy, turning to Ferret, with a wave of the band at his thin partner, This was carried on for some minutes, and at length Mr, Ferret took his leave. ‘Well, what do you think, Skin?” Billy asked then, seriously, ‘*] think you have got your hands about full, if you tackle this double case,” was the re- sponse, ‘* Mebby 1 have, Skin, but we are equal to it, I imagine, you and me; and if we don’t yank tbe bun it will be because it is hung too high,” Next morning at the hour of the inquest the lads were on hand at the residence of Barrington Rentaway, where it was to be held. They found the main room of the house well filled, but were admitted, and made themselves as comfortable as possible in a corner where they were out of the way, but where they could see anc hear everything. The inquest opened in the usual form, and pro- ceeded ia the time-honored manner. The first witness was the Jandlord of the hotel where the crime had been done, who was re- quired to tell what he knew about it, This he did, and two others were called for about the same questions, as if it was necessary to prove that Harry Rentaway had really been shot, and that it was not a mistake. That fact established, and that was about all, too, for it was a mystery of the deepest sort; other witnesses were called. One was the man who had let out that be had overheard a quar- re} between Harry and Harrison Waldmar. After be was done, then came the witnesses who had seen Waldmar hastening from the vicinity of the hotel about the time of the crime, and who supported what they had previously made known. There was a dark look on the face of the evidence for the young map. Finally Harrison Waldmar was called to speak for himself. Broadway Billy and bis lean lieutenant were er to get asight of him, to form their own opinion of his character, They found him to be a young man, good look- ing, With a pair of honest eyes that won the New York delegates’ favor to him immediately, “There’s no murderer abont that feller, an’ Tl bet a gooseberry on it,” observed Billy to Skinny, aside, “T ‘gree with ye on that,” the thin partner whispered back. ‘If he is, Pll never Judge a man by his face agein.” The prisoner was pale and worn in appearance, as though he had passed a sleepless night, but his bearing was cool and firm, though sad, He took his place with a firm step. The preliminary inquiries were put and re- sponded to, and then the coroner came to the point with a vital question as to where he, the prisoner, was at the time of the crime. ‘*T suppose I passed the hotel a few minutes before,” was the reply. ‘+ At the exfct time I think [ was at home, I can not be sure toa few minutes one way or the other.” you mean,
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*/ ’ ‘Did you see Harry Rentaway?” “*T did not.” **And saw nothing of the excitement at the hotel?” “* Nothing.” ** When did you first hear of the murder?” ** When I was put under arrest.” vt oro knew nothing about it previously?” Oo. It was a clear denial all along that line, ** Now,” spoke the coroner, ‘‘ when you were arrested a pistol was found in your possession, One chamber had been recently discharged. The bullet that killed Harry Rentaway fits your weapon exactly. What can you say to this?” ‘*Tt is the fate of circumstance,” was the an- swer. P ‘* Will you explain when you fired your weapon last, and for what purpose?” ““No; Ican not explain that. I assure you, however, that Iam innocent of the crime with which I am charged.” “Tf that is so, and we want to believe it so, you must make an effort to do away with this damaging proof, The circumstantial evidence is against you, and your life is in danger, as you must know. Weigh well your words, for upon your response to this will depend your fate,” CHAPTER V1. A STREAK OF GOOD LUCK, FoR some seconds the prisoner was silent. Evidently a struggle of some sort was going on in his mind while he hesitated, Every eye was upon bim, and indeed his, fate seemed to hang upon his words, one way or the other, as he might turn the baJance in his favor or against him. ‘*‘T have but one answer to make,” be finally said, *‘ I did not kill Harry Rentaway. I did not know he was dead until my arrest. Where I had been, and why my pistol had been dis- charged, are points I cannot answer now.” ** You had better think well before—” “That is my answer,” was the interruption. “T cannot tell more, I am bound tosilence, and cannot speak. Do not press me further, but let matters take their own course. By the time my trial comes around, events may have shaped themselves in my favor.” And that was all he said, all he wouldsay, The inquest was concluded, and the case given to the jury for decision. The verdict was what might have been ex- pected, and Harrison Waldmar was held for trial upon the eviderce, Waldmar maintained bis composure when he heard the verdict, and leaned back in his chair in a manoer of easy resignation. For some seconds silence reigned, finally broken by the father of the murdered young man, Stepping forward and facing the prisoner, he said: ** Harrison, [ cannot understand this, but you have tue assurance that I am one who believes you innocent. Here’s my hand on it.” The young man looked up, and tears dimmed his eyes as he took the offered hand of the sor- rowing father. “Thank you, Mr. Rentaway,” he spoke, husk- ily. ‘‘ You are not mistaken, for I swear to you that I am innocent of the crime. Make every effort to get hold of the murderer.” Their hands pressed firmly, and Barrington Rentaway was from that moment Wakdmar’s ean eae friend, in spite of appearances against im. Some few there were who sneered at this, and said it was good acting on the part of Waldmar, but others merely shook their heads, 6 As for Billy &nd Skinny, they held to their conviction about the matter, and said nothing, They left the room before the crowd, but did not quit the house, Turning down the hall, they sat down ona settee that was partly hid behind the overhang- ing staircase, Here they waited, talking about the matter, until finally the last of the men had left the house, and Mr. Rentaway and his servants were alone once more, With the front door closed, they were in par- tial darkness where they sat, and no one discov- ered them, and they remained there some time longer before making any move in the program they had outlined, Mr. Rentaway could be heard walking to and fro in the room where the body of hisdead son lay, and the voices of the servants, when the were heard at all, were low-toned and saddened. A terriblo blow had fallen upon this home, At last Bhly and ‘Skinny came forth, and Billy tapped lightly upon the door where Mr, Rentaway was known to be, No response at first, and he knocked again, This time the dour opened, Mr. Rentaway was seen to give a start of sur- prise as his eyes fell upon them, atid he demand- ed; ‘** How came you here? What do you want?” ‘*We were here at the inquest,’ answered Billy, ‘and haven’t gone away yet. What we want is to help you find the murderer of your son. ‘** Yuu are the two detective lads who cleared up that bank affair, are you not?” ‘** You have hit it right,” Billy assured. ‘‘Come in here, then, and I will talk with you,” With that the gentleman threw the door open wider, and they stepped into the room, It was the room in the rear of the one where the inquest had been held, and there the body of the dead young man lay. “Now,” spoke Mr, Rentaway, when he had iven the lads seats, ‘‘ what do you propose to do in the matter?’ ‘* We want to get a start the first thing we do,” replied Billy. ‘*We want to inquire whether you have any suspicion against any one,” ‘*No, I have not; none whatever,” ‘* But you do believe they have got the wrong man?” ‘T know they have, Harrison Waldmar never killed my boy, never,” ‘* We aré inclined to agree with you there, sir. That’s what we think, and we want to find out who did.” ‘You do that, my lads, and you shall have the reward IJ have offered, I mean to have the wretch, it it costs me my last dollar and a life- time hunt.” ‘* That’s the way to go at it, sir. Now, do you know whether your son had any enemy or not? ‘“* He badn’t an evemy in the world, It is true that be and Waldmar had some trouble about Miss Wesselley, but that amounted to nothing compared with a crime like this,” ‘* Yes, that all came out at the inquest, and a thought struck me at the time,” Billy meditated. ‘* What was the thought?” Mr. Rentaway at once queried. “That perhaps there is a third lover in the field, who”— “Thunder!” the old gentleman ejaculated, **T hadn’t thought of that!” ‘Then do you know of some one who was knocked out by your son when he got into the lady’s good graces?” **No;I don’t; but, the idea isa good one, It may be the case, and it must be looked into, What lackbrains we all were not to think of that before!” E ‘There may be something in it, or there may not; it is about aneven thing.” Still, it is not to be overlooked. I want to go and see this lady, and wish you would give mea note of in- troduction to her,” ‘Pll do better than that; P’ll go with you.” ‘*No, that won't eo, I don’t want it to ap- pear too openly that Iam working on the case, It wouldn’t matter about Skinny, for be could not be seen between us, if we walked close to- gether.” “T see, I see,” the gentleman interrupted, “Well, Ti give you the note, and I hope you will make something out of your visit, unt down the murderer of my boy, lads, and you will have earned my undying gratitude,” ** We'll do it, if it can be done,” Billy faith- fully promised. Mr. Rentaway stepped toa desk and hastily wrote a brief note, tanding it to Biily and tell- ing him where the lady lived. Billy and his lieutenant returned to their hotel. It was not their intention to make their call on the lady immediately. A little while after supper they set out, and still not in the direction’ of Miss Wesselley’s home, but toward where the dead Mr, Lodgelaw had lived, Interested in that case too, they had to give it a share of their attention, and had agreed to give a look in that direction next, Kvening was coming on, but there was plenty of light yet, and as they turned into the street upon which the Lodgelaw residence was situ- ated, they noticed a woman ahead of them in deepest mourning. he’ was going in the same direction they were, but at a much slower pace, and they paid no attention to her, further than a casual glance, “Hello!” Billy presently exclaimed, ‘‘ here comes that young Mexican what’s stoppin’ at the hotel where we are, Skinny!” “Yes, that’s him, sure. S’pose he’s out takin’ a stroll fer his health, after his supper.” ‘“Same as we are, eh? Mebby he’s a detec ™ tive, too, in disguise?” ‘** He’s in disguise, if he is one, that’s sure,” The man in question was coming toward them, and was about meeting the woman in mourning. They met and passed just as Billy offered his last remark, and the young detectives noticed that the lady gave a start, and stopped and looked after the Mexican when he had gone by, ‘* Ha! what does that mean?” questioned Biily. ‘¢ She’s stuck on his shape, I guess,” ventured Skinny. ** Too bad we're so close, or we might pipe ’em off. We'll have to go ov.” The woman, standing irresolute for a second, started after the Mexican, at a quick pace, and soon laid a hand on bis arm. Billy and Skinny were upon them now, and there was no chance for them to do anything but keep right on about their business, And certainly this was none of their business, they had to own. : “Miguel, isn’t it you?” they heard the woman demand, in full, rich voice. t “Who are you?” was the question. The heavy vail was drawn aside an instant, just as Billy passed, and be caught sight of a handsome face. * Ata!” the Mexican exclaimed. Their hands clasped, and Billy and Skinny keeping on their way, heard no more. ‘* Case number three!” observed Billy, as soon as they were well away from the pair, ‘** What do you mean?” ** Didn’t you ketch on?” ‘*Well I did! You know this Mexican is reg- istered at the hotel as Pablo Costo, but this wo- man called him Miguel !” “Great ginger! so she did! But, that’s voth- ing tous, If you go to tryin’ to find out who he is, hang me if I con't have you examined for softening of the brain; I will, sure.” They laughed and continued on their way, Billy glauced back, after a few seconds, and saw tne couple still there, A moment later and he glanced back again. The woman was coming on her way, and the. Mexican was goiug on his, “‘That’s notbing to us,” observed Billy. ‘‘ The woman may be his sister, for all we know; and it’s none of our business anyhow, Here’s the house we are looking for, I take it,” The house in question was on the other side of the street, and all its front windows were closed with shutters, They had paused opposite the house, and were taking a survey of it, without any very particu- lar interest, when the woman in mourning was seen to cross the street and continue on the other side, It was growing dusk, but still plenty light enough for them to see. They moved on slowly, not wehting to be seer paying too cluse attention to the house, as the woman was nearly opposite them now, and sud- denly they were given a slight thrill of renewed interest. The vailed woman turned and entered that very house, proving that she was at home there, CHAPTER VII. ANGLING FOR POINTERS, : “Sweet pertaters, skinned eels, whoopin? cough and no-money-ia!” and Broadway Billy pirouetted around in his old-time boyish manner, ‘* What’s bitin’ ye now?’ demanded Skinny, balf ashamed of his partner’s antics on the public street. ‘Are ye crazy?” . ‘“* Don’s ye see what’s th’ matter?” and Billy, coming to a sudden stop, fuced his lieutenant, ‘“* Didn’t ye glue yer optics to ther fact that our woman in black went into that house?” ‘Great ginger! 1s that what you're makin’ all ther fuss about? I didn’t know but what you'd found a fortune in diamonds, or some such tri- fling thing as that. Hope you won’t cut up eny more in sich a way. Your’re end too big.” ‘‘ Maybe I am, Skinny, but 1 couldn’t belp it. I feel jast as young as I ever did, and 1 went cff afore i thought.” “And you act jest as young, too, most of the time,” Skinny complained ina reproving way. “Well, come along, Jean one, and we'll talk about it. What will you bet that that women isn’t the widow of the late lamented Lodgelaw!” “That idea popped into my head, too, and I don’t know what to think about it, one Way or tother,” was Skinny’s reply, “Tf it is, we've got _our eyes on ber, and we know she knows our Pablo Coato, at the hotel; whose real name seems to be Miguel.” “Yes: andif he ain’t blind in one eye and deaf in the other, he knows tbat we spotted him, , too,” reminded Skinny, ~ ~ PRY Ere a ig ET 6p OL OEY iia > PM gb ag H he
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<< . bey es Tire ay tae ea ay mir 6) he saw us, funny if he didn’t; but we ambled right by, ’tendin’ to our own busi- ness, an’ mebby he wouldn’t think nothin’ of it. Anyhow, if our guess is right, he’s another sink- er on our line.” **But bow are we goin’ ter find out if it was Mrs, Lodgelaw we seen?” ‘Why, we'll make it our business ter see the genuine article before long, and then we'll w ow. “Allright, Where to now?” ‘Well, we have sized up this mansion, let’s amble around and call on Miss Wesselley. It will be gettin’ dark by the time we get there,” ‘*T’m with ye.” “Glad ye told me, I was just goin’ to feel fer ‘Say, how old are you, Billy?” “‘Crowdin’ twenty. Why?’ “Do you think you'll be a man when you are twenty-one?” “I'd smile if I wasn’t,” answered Billy, ‘if I meep on growin’. But what are you drivin’ at? “Pm hopin’ you will be. Mebby then you’ll stop your blame foolin’ all the time, You don’t know how tired it makes me,” Billy laughed beartily. “That reminds me that I have got to crowd a good deal of fun into a brief period of while,” he remarked, “The time is short, so you will have to prin and bear it a little longer, feather- ra “That is accordin’ to how you spread it on,” retorted Skinny. “If you go to spreadiw’ it on too thick, and then tryin’ to rub it in, the way “ee bave been doin’, Pil get a soft club and atter your head in with it... So you'd better taper off a little, I tell you.” his sort of talk was kept up until they had reackerl their destination. The Wesselley residence was a neat one, be- speaking wealth and station for the family, and when Billy pulled the bell, he and Skinny put on their best faces, The lads were still in their cowboy attire, but their appearance was rather more neat than rougb. A servant answered the summons, and Billy inquired for Miss Wesselley and was allowed to enter the hall, he and his partner together. “What name shall I say?” asked the girl,a rather pretty miss of about seventeen years, ““You needn’t say any name, Miss Rosy- cheek,” answered Billy, favoring the girl witha smile, ‘‘ Just give her this note, if you please,” “And will you wait for an answer?” ** Yon bet!” pleasantly, and with a wink, The girl blushed to her hair, and turned away, evidently wondering what manner of young man this could be, When she returned, it was to show the lads into the parlor, where they made themselves at bome until Miss Wesselley came down. They had not long to wait, for presently a handsome, stately young lady“entered the room, She was pale, and her eyes showed a redness that told of weeping. Billy and Skinny arose as she came in, and were pleasantly greeted, and after the first ex- change of words, were told to resume their seats, the lady taking a chair quite near them. “I suppose Mr, Rentaway mentioned in his note the reason for our calling on you,” Billy re- marked, ‘Yes; but very briefly,” was the sad answer. ** You are trying to discover who murdered poor Harry, he tells me.” “That is what we want to do,” Billy assured. ** And you want to make some inquiries of me?” “Yes; if you please,” * Well, ask anything you like, I will tell you ee Ican.” | “is at do you think about the arrest that has ‘ béen made?” ** You speak of Mr. Waldmar.” “Yes; Ras any other been made?” “Not that I know of. I wanted to be sure. mys s cannot bring myself to believe that he is guilty. “Mr, ip big f fe) is of the opinion positivel that he is not. 4 u know all about the reason . of his being suspected, of course.” Yes; and it is most unfortunate.” *“No one will deny that. Now the question is, Miss Wesselley, is there any other man who might have ill will toward Mr. Rentaway for the same reason?” ., No, positively, so far as I know.” “In a matter like this there’s no getting around Oxy egecoe questions,” explained Billy, ‘‘I want to help clear Waidmar, if Ke is innocent, and I _ want to bring the guilty man to face the music. a dpa eis! = Has any one been paying unwelcome attentions to you? Any person who might think he could win your favor with Mr. Rentaway out of the way?” The young lady’s face was burning, but she met the question frankly, knowing its import- ance, ‘*No, no one, so far as I know,” she replied. Broadway Billy’s Full Hand", : ‘*Mr, Rentaway and Mr. Waldmar are the only | gentlemen with whom I have been on really intimate terms. To Mr. Rentaway I was affianced.” * And there bas been no one, one whom you would not notice socially, perhaps, who has an- noved you?” ** No one, sir.” “And there 1s no one whom you can suspect of having done the crime?” ‘** Positively no one. It is a mystery to me. If Waldmar is innocent, and [I cannot believe him guilty, Ido not know who the assassin can have been.” ‘**That settles that part of the matter, then,” declared Billy. ‘‘ Now, knowing Harry as well as you did, have you ever heard him speak of | having any enemy? Or being at the outs with any one?” ** Never. had not an enemy. That is what makes the crime so difficult to understand.” ‘*That’s another point settled,” Billy decided, as he mentally checked it off his list. ‘* Now here is another, and I want you to think well before you answer it, I have kept it till the last because I attach more importance to it.” ‘** Let me hear the question. dealt with. You may be sure I am anxious to have the guilty party found out.” “*T believe it. Now the question is this: loved Harry, and would be your rival? One who might have become desperate enough to kill him to cheat you of his love?” The young woman had paled at. this. was clearly sometbing she had not thought of before, _ She hesitated some moments before ing. ‘*No,” she finally answered, firmly, ‘“‘ none. There are some who undoubtedly regarded Harry with much favor, but not one who can be thought guilty of anything of thissort. I will not mention their names,” ‘*T have to depend on what you choose ‘to tell me,” Billy reminded, : ** And you car 4 depend on this, fully. No woman, so far as [ am permitted to know, can be suspected of this crime.” “That settles it. haf knocks out the last prop. Either Waldmar is guilty, it seems, or there is a dark horse in the race,’ { mean to find out the truth of the matter, if it can be done.” *“ And I only hope you will be able toclear the mystery up.” “Might I be allowed to put in my oar?” Skinny asked, at this point. ““Why, cert,” assented his pard. “Step out more in the light thougb, so we can see you while you talk,” Skinny paid no attention to this, but address- ed Miss Wesselley. ““Have you any idea about the secret that Harrison Waldmar is holding back?—the secret concerning the empty chamber found in his re- volver when he was arrested?” “Bully for you!” exclaimed Billy, giving Skinny a slapon the shoulder. “I bave been trying all along to tell you that you are tbe brains of our combination; but you wouldn’t be- lieve it.” ‘** No, I have not,” the young lady answered. ‘“*T have been wondering about that a good deal, and it puzzles me,” ‘¢ And nobody else seems to know anything about it,” added Skinny, ‘It is plain that he fired at something, and that not a great while before bis arrest, but I can’t see what it was, if he didn’t kill Rentaway. And, if he did that, what would be easier than for bim to say he had shot at a dog, or something of that kind?” “ Allan Pinkerton Vidocq Skinny!” cried Billy, ‘‘ You reason like a veteran, and I’m proud of you. I’m going to promote you and raise your pay, sure,” In spite of her sadness, and the sadness of the occasion—or the interview, for her, the lady had to smile, f “You mustn’t mind him, miss,” Skinny re- marked, apologetically. ‘He is subject to such spells, and can’t help it,” “* But I mean it,” Billy persisted. ‘* You can’t imagin how proud I am of this attenuated atom of nothing, Miss Wesselley, I leave it to you if his question don’t show a brainy head.” r¢ ply- He was liked by everybody, and | It | | see that you don’t forget itif we fail. It shall be fairly | if ‘Tt was certainly a question that ought to be answered,” was the response. ** And it must be answered,” Billy declared. ““Y¥m going to learn where that missing bullet went to. “If it killed Harry Rentaway, so much the worse for Waldmar, that’s all,” “*T wish you all success. Indeed, I only hope that you will be able to sift the matter to the bottom. Now, is there anything further you would like to ask me concerning the case?” ‘“No, I guess not,” answered Billy. ‘ That seems to wind it up, and with your permission I will amble, taking my shadow with me.” There was no objection, and after some fur- ther remarks, they ‘‘ ambled.” CHAPTER VIII. A SPLENDID RUN OF RIPE LUCK. ‘* WELL, what next to be done?” asked Skinny, when they were once more upon the street of the quiet old town. ** We'll do some private thinking now I guess, my gay an’ festive tidbit,” was the response, ‘*We have got a big thing on hand, if we only knew it.” ““T have an idea that you’ll find it heavy be- fore you are done with it,” was Skinny’s com- ment, ‘‘ It wouldn’ts’prise me any if you found it too heavy to carry to the end of the stretch.” ‘“We, my gay an’ festive cherub, we,” Billy corrected, ‘‘Remember you are in this thing with me. Don’t forget that. 1 know you won’t, if we happen to gobble that big reward, and Dll Weare But both in it, so please say we,” ‘* All right; anything to please you. | wkere to now?’ Ts | there any woman, as far as you know,. who | ‘** Back to the house, I guess,” ** What for?” ‘*1t’s a good place to get news,” “Well, and what after that? lan?” ‘That brings us back to the beginstment of our observations, little one. We must do some thinking.” ‘* Well, think away, then, and when you have got your grip on the right idea, let me know. I’m no good at plannin’, and never was.” ** Modesty is a virtue, Skinny. I wish I had that virtue. I have got ’most allthe rest of °em, but that one seems to be lacking in my compo- sish, That’s what you’ve told me, anybow.” Skinny was responding to that, somewbat at length, when Billy suddenly interrupted with his usual exclamation. ‘‘ Sweet pertaters!” he muttered, “we are in for something more, Skin!” : ‘* What’s that?” demanded Skinny. ‘** Look jest ahead, other side,” “ Ginger!” ‘That's our Mr, Clever-and-knows.he-is Finck, sure,” ‘* Shall we follow him, and see what he’s up to?” **You bet! It won’t do any harm even if it don’tdo any good. Say, Skinny, I believe you are going to make a famous detective.” « What makes you say that? No more of your blame foolishness now, or I] jump on ye.” “That wouldn't hurt, not a bit; you’re too light. But what I was going to say, you’re tound to be famous because you are such a splendid shadow-er,” Skinny made a motion as though he meant to draw a revolver and shoot Billy on the spot, and if it badn’t been necessary for them to observe silence just then, he would perhaps have made it interesting, Mr. Finck was some distance ahead of them now, and they set out after him, the shades of night favoring them. They bad made out their man as he passed under a lamp, and believed tbat they had not been noticed by him in turn, The agent was a sprightly young man, well dressed always, and on this occasion seemed to be a little more than usually so, the brief glante Billy had bad of bim; and walked with a quick, nervous step. sO I : The lads kept him in sight, and soon were in- terested to find that he was going in the direc- tion of the Lodgelaw residence, Little was said between them now, and they followed their man with all care not to be de tected. Finck held to his course, and presently was opposite the Lodgelaw dwelling. There he noticeably slackened his pace, and eré long stopped. Billy and Skinny did likewise. The next moment the young man stooped and struck a match on the ground, as it appeared, and proceeded to light a cigar. He was standing facing the house now, and What’s your
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. muzzle pressed against his forehead. when the match had burned into a bright flame he applied it to the cigar, giving three strong puffs at intervals of a second apart. This done, he went leisurely on. Perbaps the lads would not have thought any- thing of this, or at any rate they might not have attached much importance to it, but, a mo- ment later, a sound was heard on the opposite side of the street. It was like a clapping of hands, and was heard three times, giving three distinct raps at inter- vals of about a second. Broadway Billy caught hold of Skinny. “Sweet pertaters! lan one, did you hear that?” he demanded, ‘* Yes, I heard it hard enough,” was the reply. ** What do you think of it?” ** What Go you?” ‘Tf it wasn’t a signal, then it’s the strangest coincidence I ever heard of, that’s all.” “The same idee hit me, and hit me hard, too,” “ Then we’ve got to take it as such.” ** What’s goin’ to be done?” “It’s got to be done quick. You go on and follow Clever-and-so-forth, and I will hang 7round here and spot the house. We'll meet at the hotel when we find there’s nothin’ to be gained.” ‘*Quereck,” decided Skinny. ‘I’m off likea hossfly.” And away he went, and his shadowy form was soon swallowed in the gathering gloom. This house was a corner one, and Billy took up his station where he could keep an eye in two directions, He had before taken note that there was a side entrance as well as a front, and in order not to let anything escape him he must watch both. It was some time before there wasjany sign of life about the house, Then a light appeared over the hall door, as though carried by a per- son coming down stairs. This light grew brighter, then diminished, and finally disappeared again and all was dark as before. A little time later and Billy heard a door close, and be was on the alert instantly. The next moment a dark form came out from the side gate, turned down the street, and moved rapidly away. Needless to say the Gotham Gamin followed. It was his business to learn who this person was, Approaching as near as he considered safe, he followed after, almost as silently as the person’s own sha/ow. Straight toward the outskirts of the town he was led,in the direction in which he had met with his other adventures, and with which neighborhood he was somewhat acquainted by this time. He noticed that the woman—he bad made the figure out to be a woman—kept to the most de- serted of the streets, and proceeded straight ahead without a glance to the right or left. Finally, in a really lonesome place, not far froma growth of/trees and the ruins of some old building, she stupped. Billy immediately sunk to the ground, and crept forward, keeping in the shadow of every- thing that offered. He soon found himself behind a low portion of the wall of an old building, where a surprise awaited him, Putting forth his hand to creep just a little furtuer before stopping, he placed it upon some- thing warm, and drew back quickly. Instantly his hand sought a revolver, but be- fore he could draw the weapon he felt a cold And im- mediately a voice in lowest whisper demanded: ** Who is it ?” Billy recognized the voice, It was the lean lieutenant whom he bad stum- bled upon! ** It’s me—Billy,” he hastened to declare. ‘‘ Be still as a rat dead in a trap,” Tbe weapon was removed, and the lads were as silent as as though no living thing was behind the wall, Immediately they heard steps on the opposite side, and the next moment there were low words of greeting between a man and a woman, Billy needed no one to explain the situation to him, Skinny had followed his man to this place, and the signals they had seen and heard were to this end. After their first words, the man and woman drew near to the stone wall, and in another mo- ment were leaning upon it in easy conversation. The pard detectives had never had a better ce sna .” ** And you think it is now all safe?” the woman questioned. ‘lam sure of it,” was the response, ‘The ities + , Stes 7 srerares | Rites enders” 4 mah Re ity i! 5 i Broadway Billy’s Full Hand. oon has gone away satisfied, That is proof of it.’ “Tam glad, I did not see how they could find anything wrong. We know there was not, and therefore no need for them to question it.” “You are right. You will now probably get the insurance in the course of a few weeks, In the mean time you must keep exceedingly close, and play the sad widow to perfection.” “IT do not think you can find any fault with ee way I have been playing the role, Clever- ale, ‘* Indeed, no! But, you mustn’t relax a bit. Keep it right up.” “*T will do that, until I close my hands over the thousands, anyhow,” ‘““ Yes, and afterward too. Our little private arrangement must beof slow growth. We must not be seen together under a year at least.” **T suppose not.” ‘*It would raise a talk, you know, and talk might raise the devil.” ‘IT understand you perfectly. After due time, then we wil! meet, become better acquaint- ed,finally you will be my lover, and then—” ‘* And then a neat little wedding, and yours truly will fill the dead man’s shoes and help you enjoy the money, In the mean time we can have our little meetings on the quiet just the same,” ** Of course.” At this point these pretty rogues exchanged a kiss, and Billy and Skinny exchanged a sly poke in the ribs. ‘“*How are we to communicate?” the woman presently asked. ‘By leaving sealed notes at the place agreed upon, the best way_ I know of,” was the answer. ‘*] suppose so. It will hardly do to make use of the post-office.” ‘Decidedly not. Every precaution must be observed, especially until you get your hands on that money.” So they talked on, finally drifting into the soft nothings of the love-sick idiot and spooney maid, Tie listening lads heard sufficient to let them well into the scheme the ag! had in action, They had planned to have the husband insured, and now that he was out of the way, wanted the money, intending to marry as soon as they con- sidered it safe to do so! Finally the pair parted and went off, in dif- ferent directions, and Billy and Skinny came forth from their place of hiding. They fell into each other’s arms, held their sides with laugh- ing, and acted like unruly, mild lunatics gen- erally. CHAPTER IX. BILLY AND SKINNY INTERVIEWED. WHEN they had become half rational again, Skinny demanded: ‘‘ Well, what’s th’ tone of yer think now, Pard Billy? Do ye think we'll git thar and corral th’ herd?” ‘* It will be the strangest thing you ever heard of if we don’t, my gay an’ festive littie snoozer, If we don’t shake some persimmons off ther tree, you kin take me out an’ kick me, that’s all!’ “Great ginger! but wasn’t it ther sickest old time you ever saw!” **T should say it was, That woman is one gay old widow. Pity the ghost of old Lodgelaw didn’t appear to’em, an’ scare ’em out of their boots.” “Right you be. But I guess ghosts is a dead fake, or his would have been on hand, sure. There’s one thing we didn’t get hold of, Billy. There ain’t much doubt about it, though.” ‘* What’s that, slender one?” “They didn’t Jet on whether they killed the old map or not,” ‘*No, they didu’t let that out, that’s so; but you kin bet on it that they had a hand in bis goin’ off.” 4 “Tt would be funny if they hadn’t, after plan- nin’ to get bim insured as they did, a-purpose ter git ther spondulics after he had petered out. Whew! but it was a cold deal on him.” “Skinny, this world is full.of jest sich p’izen critters. What a pity it is that all folks can’t be good, true and beautiful, like you and me, What a glorious old world it would be then! But sich ain’t ther cass, and bence we mourn,” **Ohb, dry up with yer filiysoffykill nonsense, Billy. We ain’t got no time fer any of that now. We have got our hands full, an’ we have got ter hustle and git our grip onto these hard- €ase sinners. 1’m jest itchin’, now, ter see ’em squirm when we begia ter wind ’em up.” ‘© Made up your mind that it is we, have you?” laughed Billy. “T thought you would, when - you saw the prospects of victory loomin’ up. And this is th’ case you was fightin’ against our takin’, too. This don’t say who killed Harry Rentaway, not by a big heapit don’t, We ain’t half done yet, But come along, snoozer, and we'll amble back to town.” In due time they were again at their hotel, their point of departure and base of supplies, as Billy termed it. They entered with lazy easiness, as though they bad been out for a stroll and had been tak- ing plenty of time about it, and Billy looked around to see who was in the room. He hardly expected to find the old Mexican, ‘*Don Alva Paso,” there yet, but thought pos- sibly be might be; He was not, however, but the other Mexican, Pablo Costo, was. He was seated at a table, dreamily smoking cigar- ettes,” Billy paid no attention to him, but fell into bet with the landlord for a little wotle, There was nothing new regarding the murder mystery, so far as he was able to hear. Work on the cases seemed to be about done for that day. When Billy and Skinny turned away from the landlord, the Mexican accosted them, pulling chairs for them to sit down, Billy readily accepted the invitation, but de- clined the cigarettes. ““No, thank you,” be said, ‘‘I don’t care to imbibe any poison this evening; I don’t in- dulge.” uch to his surprise, the face of the Mexican assumed a dirty pallor, about the color of putty, and he seemed for the second to be somewhat confused, ‘““Wh—what do you meen?” he asked, e beh don’t imagine I would poison you, do you? Billy was still wrestling mentally with the man’s sudden changing of color, and his con- fusion at the innocent remark he bad made. But undoubtedly it meant nothing, he decided, **No, of course not,” be responded, * but I would poison myself if I smoked these things, I am ‘posed to cigarettes the worst way. [ve seen too much of. their deadly work in New York.” “Oh, ah! Now I see. Ha, ha, ha! But these are different, my young friend; you see I make them myself,” “Can’t help it,” answered Billy, ‘ There’s only two kinds of cigarettes,” ‘* And what two kinds are they?” “The bad and the mighty bad,” The Mexican laughed, ‘* Well, sorry you won't smoke,” he remarked, putting the things in bis pocket. ‘: Perbaps you won’t object to some wine at my expe nse.’ “There you hit me wrong again,” answered Billy, pleasantly, but firmly. ‘We don’t drink anything in that line, my pard and I, so we'll have to decline with thanks, and let you have our share,” “Well, you are exceptions to the rule, for cowboys, that’s certain. That is what I take you to be, by your Gress—cowboys,” ‘“* And you ain t far from wrong.” ** You can’t object to a quiet chat, then, cer- tainly.” ‘ . ‘““Pm with you there, every time!” Billy ex- claimed. ‘‘I can hold my end up in @ confab, every time.” ‘“J have received that impression of you,” was the smiling response, “and I guess your partner is not far behind you.” ‘Skinny behind? Never! He’s small, but he gets there,” ** And I guess both of you arein the habit of getting there, judging by what I hear about you, “You mustn’t believe half you hear,” said Billy, ‘If you do you will find that you have been stuffed a good many times with fancy fic- tion.” “But there is no fiction about this, I guess, You have the reputation of being quite able de- tectives, and I understand you are trying your hands at the mystery of this shooting.” “That's it,” cried Billy. ‘‘Give a dog a bad name, and he’s got to carry it whether he would or not. Just because we happened to get mixed up in that bank affair, we are expected to get tangled up in this otber thing, too.” * But you are paying attention to it, are you not? “Everybody is interested,” answered Billy. “*T see you doen't want to admit that you are after the rascal. What prospect is there of get- ting at the truth of it, provided Waldmar is the ; wrong man?” ‘ ‘‘ Sweet pertaters!” exclaimed Billy, “‘do you . | ip hi eas! SE oe < NEP Se lee Rt gl
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ei nig Be een 7 sits a tt ’ , ee ee : eer “a 3 wre eomaell ¥ 5 ae ember pT ae take me for a wise man out of the East? What do I know about it, any more than anybody else? If any clew happened to get in my way, of course I’d pick it up; but, asitis— Well, you know as much about the affair as I do.” “Then you admit that you don’t know any- thing about it.” ‘* That’s about the size of it.” ‘‘My opinion is,” remarked the Mexican, “that the man who has been arrested is the rigbt one. No sane man would act as he does, if he wasn’t,” ‘*T have a notion that way myself,” confessed the New York lad, “ but then a fellow can’t al- ways tell,” “True enough; but it don’t stand to reason that a sane man would keep still in such a fix if he had any way of clearing himself,” “That’s what’s the matter. Here’s Skinny, f’rinstance. Do yousuppose he'd stay as thin as he is, if he had any way of pickin’ up meat an’ gettin’ fat? Not by a hatful!” ‘And do you suppose Billy would be’ the fool he is, if he could help that?’ chipped in Skinny. **He was born so, an’ he can’t help it any more’n I can help bein’ a little thin.” “A little thin!” exclaimed Billy. “ See you're the thinnest thin anybody ever seen, If you was any thinner, there wouldn’t be any- thing of you at all. A hairpin would be fat alongside of you.” The Mexican langhed heartily over their badinage, and changed the subject. ‘You were out walking, I take it,” he ob- served. ei You take it about right then,” acknowledged illy. *“*T have been out too, but I didn’t happen to fall in with you.” ‘“We walked about all over the town; which way did you go?” he Mexican gave a general idea of the route he had taken, being particular, as Billy saw, to mention the street upon which the lads had run across him, “Why, we were through that street,” Billy admitted, ‘*It must have been either before or after you was there, I suppose, Quite a pleas- ant old town at evening, isn’t it.” He was willing to drop the question as of no importance, It was his idea to let the Mexican think he had not been seen at all. ‘“Yes, it is indeed. By the way, did you eel lady all in black in any of your wander- ings he man was evidently eager to push the mat- ter to the last, to find out whether he had been recognized or not. He little knew that he was tampering with dynamite in this same Broadway Billy. That every word he uttered in this direction put the lad more keenly upon the scent of something, he knew not what, Billy was thoughtful a moment before reply- ing. He was debating how to auswer. It would not do to appear too deme about the matter, he decided. ‘*T have an eye out for the fair sex, always,” he replied. “It’s one of my worst failin’s. I believe I did see such a piece of calico as you mention.” ‘* Where was it you saw her?” “Why, it was down the south side a ways, and around a corner into the street next this oue. She was comin’ toward us, and stopped to speak to a gentleman just before we came up. **Did you know the man?” ‘Don’t think we looked at him long enough. We went right on about our biz,” ‘*T thought you acted very cool abont it,” was the rejoinder to that, ‘‘Jam the man the lady talked witb,” “You! Get out.” ‘Tia, ba, ha! You are not so wonderfully observing, after all.” t ‘* Well, if you say it was you, of course we'll take your word for it,” said Billy, “but it's hard to swallow, for we would ’a’ knowed you, I should think, But then we didn’t hardly glanceattheman.” = —s_ ‘*No matter; I was just joking about not sev- ing you. I had my eyes more about me than you had, it seems,” “T didn’t know but you had some mystery to spring upon us,” remarked “or some in black, head,” __ Billy’s manner was so open and sincere, that if the Mexican had had any suspicion of any- thing, it was disarmed. They talked on for a time, upon nothing ia at illy, reat story to tell us about a woman ow you have knocked it all in the | particular, and then the Mexican, with a glance | at his watch, took leave of them and went out. Billy and Skinny repaired to their room, | where they bad a lengthy debate over the peculiar | turn of affairs, It was their final decision that this Mexican had an ax of some sort ! to grind, though what it was they could not guess, Tbat he was not just what he seemed, they "had proof already, in the fact that the woman in black had called him Miguel. CHAPTER X. PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE REWARDED. Next day a vailed woman, not over particu- lar in matters of dress, appeared at the lock-up to see Harrison Waldmar, She had a note of introduction to somebody in authority, and that note gained her admis- sion without much questioning, and without | necessity of showing her face, She was admitted into the presence of the sos and left with him, the dcor being ocked upon them both, after the usual manner; the prisoner looking the amazement he felt at her appearance, The visitor did not speak until the door had been locked, and the man had gone away from it. | Then she took another note from under the | shawl she had around her, and handed it to Waldmar, with the remark that he was to read it. This the young man did, and looked at bis vis- | itor even more surprised than ever. ‘* What is the meaning Of all this?’ he asked, “Tt means that your friends want to help you,” was the answer. ‘* And you are here to question me?” **'To hear whatever you will teil.” ‘*Then you have come in vain.” ‘*You don’t intend to talk, eh?” “*T have nothing to say.” “Sweet pertaters! won’t you say enough to clear yourself, if you are innocent of the crime?” That exclamation reveals to us who the ‘*woman” was, It was Broadway Billy, in a disguise we have seen him assume before in the preceding story. _ “T can say nothing now, and will say noth- ing,” was the response Billy got to his demand, ** It will be useless for you to question me, Ido not want your help at present,” “Well, you are going to have it whether you want it or not, that’s flat asa thin griddle-cake,” Billy assured, ‘*But I don’t want you to meddle with the case,” the prisoner urged. ‘‘I want it left alone.” *Can’t help what you want; if you are inno- cent, and won’t help yourself, then somebody must help you. Mr, Rentaway thinks you are innocent, and so dv [.” “There is plenty of time before my trial comes off.” “Yes; and plenty of time for the real mur- derer to get away in, too,” The prisoner bit bis lip at this, “That is so,” he observed, ‘‘ That is the only thing that worries me.” Billy was assured of this man’s innocence; in- deed, he had been almost from the first sure that he was not the guilty one, ‘Have you any suspicion who did kill Harry Rentaway?” Billy asked. ‘* No; not the least,” was the straight answer. ‘Tt is more and more of @ mystery to me, the more I think of it.” ‘ care seem to have been the only enemy he a . “f was not his enemy!’ was the exclaimed correction, ‘I was his rival in love, as I have to admit, and we had some hot words; but I would never have done him a wrong like this.” ‘But you threatened him when you had the quarrel with him?” ‘Perhaps I did; Ido not remember my words; if 80, it was without any real meaning, I assure ‘¢ And still you refuse to do what you can to- ward hunting down bis murderer, but rather let the rascal have the chance to escape.” __ ‘Nothing of the kind, my young friend, I simply refuse to speak at this time to clear my- self, The whole field is open to you, and any one else who is willing to believe my word ana hunt further than me for the rascal.” “Yes; but with you a prisoner, under the charge, every eye is upon you, and folks Won't look beyond, so Jong as you don’t make the ef- fort to clear yourself of the accusation. A good many believe that you must be the one, and you are in a bad place, ‘*T care not for what they are mean enough to ee ag: Broadway Billy’s Full Hand. think of me. Thank heaven Iam well enough known to Mr, Rentaway for him to believe in me, “Well, there is no use trying to get anything out of you, I see,” ih . No; there is no use. 1 wiil not talk about it. ‘*Can you suggest anything that will maybe set me on the right track, or give mea clew to work on?” “No; if I could, I would have mentioned it long ago. I am anxious to see the right man captured, for that will clear me, of course.” ** Hasn’t the thought come to you that it may not have been a man, but a woman? These women are tough customers, some of them, and they’re none too good to do a deed of that sort.” The prisoner reflected, ‘*No; Ido not think of any person of either sex upon whom I can look with suspicion, Harry Rentaway was one of the squarest fel- lows in this place, and his record was clear and clean. He was never mixed up in any un- pleasant musses, and had a character as spotless as any one I ever knew or beard of.” **You certainly don’t speak like an enemy, but your action in theaffair is more than I am able to get through my thick head.” ‘*Tt is not necessary that you should under- stand it, I don’t want you to meddle with any of my affairs, young man, understand that. Do all you can toward finding the murderer, but leave my business alone,” “That’s as plain as Latin, and a good deal more to the point,” observed Billy. ‘‘ If yousay so, of course Ill have to do it, though I am mighty curious to know whaé¢ your revolver was fired at that time. There’s a bullet to be ac- counted for, Mr. Waldmar, before you will be out of ‘the toils,” ‘* Never mind; I will take care of that, You just leave that part of it alone, and don’t meddle with what don’t concern you. Now, is there anything elso that I can give you information on? ‘*T suppose I ought to be satisfied with what I’ve got already,” remarked Billy, sarcastically. ‘** Don’t believe I could carry much more,” ** Well, I can’t help not telling you more than Ihave. Goahead and do all you can toward finding the assassin, and if you succeed in run- ning him down I will add to the reward. But leave my personal affairs alone,” ‘All right! If that’s the way of it, why I won’t kick any longer. Reckon 1 won’t trouble you again.” “T hope you are not offended, but really I eannot help my silence, my young friend.” ‘*No, I’m not fended, bat I am sorry fer you. I reckon you'll have to swing,” This shot was a final one, with the hope that it might draw out something by making the prisoner think that he, too, now believed him guilty. But it bad no effect, and Billy called for the attendant and was let out of the place, going away as he had come, After a long and roundabout course, he finally entered his hotel by the rear way, and was pres- ently in the room once more where he and his skinny partner were domiciled. He found his lean lieutenant occupied with a singular bit of work, and at first glance could not guess what he was doing. Before him on the table were a great number of tiny bits of paper, and Skinny was examin- ing them piece by piece. ‘Sweet pertaters!” Billy called out, “‘ what are you up to now, you young beggar?” “Git out!” cried Skinny. ‘‘ No shemales al- lowed here, I’in too busy to be interrupted.” “But, what are you doin’?” Billy insisted, stepping forward to the table and examining the mess, “‘ Trying to patch up a written docky- mint?” “You have hit it,” Skinny admitted, ‘I have got a note here that bas been torn all to smithereens, and I have got to mend it if it takes all day. , There’s meat in it or lm a sinner,” : ‘“* Where did you get it, thin one?” “Spent ten minutes fishing it out of every cor- ner of the back yard,” ‘** But who threw it away? That’s what I’m tryin’ to get at.” ** Why, that Mexican fellow, Pablo Costo,” “ Sweet pertaters! You don’t say so! Skinny, you are worth your weight in sawdust, every day in the week. Let the good work go on, and as soon as I can get out of* this toggery Ill help ” ou. ** What luck did you have?’ ** None at all, ‘e’s mum as a Clam,”
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po ie ae eee Sy coerh~ eal = _— ee ent ht pa eagi geet 4 it 10 : y: fy “s Meee aeammenmercmasit (vu ~~ c Broadway Billy’s Full Hand. “ Guilty, think you” “No; innocent.” ‘ Bully!” Skinvy went on with his task, while Billy laid off his disguise, and in a short time Billy was ready to help him. ‘Tell me all about this note,” Billy asked, as he set about trying to match the fragments, ** How did you get onto it?” “Why, id was lounging around in the bar- room, and Pablo was there, and one of these half- naked Indian boys came into the room and handed a note tothelandlord. He went off again without a word, and I thought that was the end of it. But, when the landlord had glanced at it, and then called to Mr. Costo and said it was for him, then I was interested, you bet!” ‘*T should reckon, thin one.” ‘* Well, the Mexican took it and opened it, and it seemed to interest hima gooddeal, He locked mighty pleased over somethin’, and walked the floor with the note in his hand a good while, and finally went out and walked on the piazza the same way. I had an eye on him, without seemin’ to have, Pretty soon he tore the note all up, just as you see it, couldn’t ’a’ tore it any finer it he had tried; and then at the end of the piazza flung it off into the back yard.” ** And then you went for it. Bully for you, Skin. I’m goin’ to promote you, sure as you have got a name.” ‘Yes; I went for it, but not right away. I waited till the fellow had gone off, and then out I went, and the way I did scour that back yard was a caution to tom-cats; and here’s the re- sult of my scourin’, But hang me if I believe we will ever be able to put it together in the world.” ‘‘Sweet pertaters! Skinny, we'll put it to- gether if it takes all the restof the day. Itmay not pay us for the trouble, and it may. Any- how, you bet we are not the chickens to throw it away without seeing what there is in it,” They worked with untiring patience, and the —- hour found them still bending over their task, At that time they had some of the pieces matched, in patches here and there, but only about a third of the whole lot, It looked like a gigantic task, and indeed it was, but the lads were determined to master it. After dinner they tackled it again, and work- ed at it faithfully till three o’clock, when they had it done, The note was before them, just as it bad been read by the Mexican, with only a missing piece here and there, CHAPTER XI. A\COUNCIL OF WAR, “GrvE us your hand, skeleton pard!” Billy mo lag yh “Here it is, what there is of it,” responded Skinny, cheerfully. They shook hands, and then embraced and waltzed around the room in their delight, When they had thus given vent to their feel- ings in the only way they could, as it seemed, then they went back to the table and looked at the result of their long and hard labor. There before them lay the note, in hundreds of pieces, but matched carefully, and it read as follows: * DEAR MIGUEL: — “Tsend you this to let you know that I will see ou this evening. You cannot imagine how pleased was to meet you, and how happy I am to know you are still dearto me. Go out this evening, down the street past the place of our meeting, and there I will make myself known to you. I shall be in dis- iise, for it would never do for me to be recognized. have much to tell you. Do not fail, if you love me still. Nine o’clock. With fondest love, “Your Ara,”’ “What do you think now, Skinny?” Billy sked. “*T think there’sa nigger in the fence as big as a house,” was the reply. “Bigger too,” declared Billy. ‘Ob, but we are after something, Skin, and I will bet high onit. If we don’t rattle up the dry bones I’m no prophet.” “You bet we will! What a hard case this woman must be. She’s got devil enough in her to supply a whole regiment, Wonder what new string this is that she is working?” *T give it up; but you bet we will find out, or lose a leg tryin’, If we ain’t on’ hand at that meetin’ it will be because we can’t get there, that’s all. Oh, but the fever has got me now the worst way. You are a jewel, Skinny, for oing for this note, and I don’t care who knows ‘But, what is this Mexican to that woman; Billy?) And what is he sailin’ under false colors for? Them’s p’ints that I'd like ter have made clear to me,” ** Give it up, tender plant. Don’t let it worry you, but wait with patience for the coming of the appointed hour, and then we’ll see,” For them the remainder of the afternoon dragged wearily enough. They met the Mexican in the bar-room and on the piazza, and they could see by his actions that he was. at loss how to kill the time. They took care not to let him suspect that he had any interest for them, and their remarks to kim, when they passed any, were of the most commonplace sort. Toward night an old man, a Mexican as any one could tell by a glance at him, came into the hotel and registered. When he had been shown to his room, Billy made it his business to take a peep at the regis- ter. The name he had inscribed there was Don Alva Paso, Billy gave Skinny the wink that it was their man, the detective, and after awhile the boys had business in their room. They had not been there loug when there was a light tap at the door, and the door being opened, in stepped Mr. Ferret, in his disguise, as he had promised to appear ere long. Billy closed the door, turned the key in the lock, and then shook hands with the detective, The conversation that followed was in low tones that could not possibly be overheard. ‘** Well, you see I am here as [ promised,” the detective remarked. ‘© And you’re as welcome as the flowers of spring, too,” responded Billy, ** You seem to be glad to see me, Is it possi- ble that vou have news for me so soon?” **T should smile if it wasn’t! We have yanked the biggest old persimmon of the wholedot, and the skeleton in the closet is out for a holiday. You hit the nail right on the head when you fixed your eye on Clever-so-clever, and he’s your mutton, sure /” “Indeed? Tell me all about it. You have done more, and in shorter time than I would have believed possible,” Billy narrated the events’that bad occurred, so far as they interested this man. ‘You are a trump!” the detective compli- mented. ‘*Give me your band, my lad. do not wonder at your enjoying the reputation you do. Now we will arrest this man, as soon as possible, and—” “Just put on the breaks right there!” inter- rupted Billy, with a wave of the hand, ‘‘ Hold your hosses, as it were. There’s another mare’s- nest that has got to be looked into before we go off and spoil everything, That woman is the p’izenest critter of the whole p’izen lot of ’em.” ‘* Why, what else bas she been up to?” ‘“‘That’s what we don’t know yet, but we are going to find out to-night, or bu’st a buckle.” ‘* What do you mean? You have interested me more than a little.” ‘* Well, we’re willing to let you in on the ground floor with us, but if we do, it is with the understanding that we are to boss the business, It’s our puddin’, and we want to do the dishin’.” “Ob, I agree to that. The only thing I ask for myself is that you will do nothing that will enable my rascals to give me the slip.’ “Trust us for that,” said Billy. chickens, Mr. Ferret,” **T can well believe that,” Billy went ahead then, and laid everything out for the inspection of the insurance detective, When he had done, be and Skinny were com- plimented again. ‘*Never mind compliments,” waived Billy; “they are likely to sour on the stummick ifa fellow takes in too many. Just tellus what you think of the business all the way round.” ‘*T can’t help complimenting where it is de- served,” was the response, ‘‘ Good luck bas helped you, we can’t deny; but it is the way you have taken advantage of every chance, that has counted, Why, your work on this torn message is a thing that would have made a veteran tear his-hair.” ‘Sweet pertaters! own,” Billy cried. bet he lost flesh.” ** And now you want my opinion further, eh?” “* Jost as far as you can reach,” assured Billy. ‘Well, then, it is that you should go abead just a’ you have planned. I will lie back and take it easy, and let you have all the glory that comes of it. {f I see a chance to chip in and help, I'll do it.” * Good enough! that murder case, don’t fail to grip it, case is dragging behind the procession,” “We're no I felt like yankin’ out my ‘And as for Skinny, Vl And if you get a pointer on That ““T agree with you. That promises to be a stubborn affair. I will keep my eyes open for you. And now I will leave you, for I must take _ care not to let it be known that I am not what I seem.” ‘*T'll take a squint out and see if the coast is clear,” announced Billy, ‘‘and if it is you can scoot.” He unlocked the door and took a survey of the hall, and there being no one around, the detective slipped out and went to his own room. When Billy turned back into the room he found Skinny with an exceedingly long face. * Hello! got your wet blanket on, have you?” “T think it’s about time there was a damper of some sort put on,” muttered the lean lieuten- ant, ‘¢ Why, what’s the matter now?” asked Billy. ps Don’t you think you’ve trusted this man too far? ‘No further than he trusted me with his business, Skin,” ‘‘ Maybe not; but, suppose he fools us, dnd gets around us and scoops that big reward?” ‘“‘T don’t believe he’d try it, my son, and it wouldn’t be healthy for him if he did, you can bet on that.” ’ ‘¢ What could you do, after it was done?” ‘*T believe I’m big enough to take satisfaction out of his hide, if it was to come to that, that’s one thing I could do. But, there’s no danger, and your fears are groundless,” “¢ You don’t know that, though. He may be a deeper man than we figure on, and for all we can tell, may have had a hand in the murder himself!” “Oh! get out! You are batty in the upper story, Skinny. There’s no such thing the matter with him,” ‘“You don’t know it. I tried to get your eye to make you stop onwinding to him, but it was no use, and now he knows as much as we know ourselves,” : ‘* Yes, I saw you drawing all sorts of mugs at me,” admitted Billy, ‘t but I was deaf in one ear and couldn’t see cut of the other. Let me lay some pearls of logic out before you,” ‘¢ Well, what is it?” ‘¢ You see, we have brought this case to a focus for bim, almost, If I kept anything back, it ought to have been that fact. Having let that out, it was necessary to go further and impress him with the necessity of letting his case hang fire for a time till we could see what else is to follow. See?” ‘¢T hope it’s all right. I wouldn’t ’a’ done it, that’s all I’ve got to say about it.” ‘¢ Well, now that you have made me make a speech, just take off your wet blanket and put on your smiling face once more, It gives me the creeps to see you goin’ around lookin’ so sad.” ‘© Why does it?” “Why, you’re so thin you make me think of death’s-heads, grave-yards, and al] such stuff.” 4 Skinny made a kick at him, and they fell into their horse-play for a time, till Skinny was brigbtened up a little, About that time came a knock at their door again. a) ening it, there stood Cleverdale Finck, “How d’e do?’ Billy greeted, cheerfully: ‘¢ come right in.” The young insurance agent entered, smiling as ever, and took a seat. “You boys seem to be having some fun all by yourselves,” he remarked, ‘You evidently miss the ranch life, where you bad more room to vent your spirits,” ‘ ‘Ob, we were only having a little frolic,” de- clared Billy. ‘You see, [ bad bet Skinny that he couldn’t jump through By bands faster than I could open and sbut them, but he’s so thin be won every time, Can’t hold him any more than you could hold the tailend of a shadow of noth- ing. “No, I suppose not,” the agent laughed. ‘1 thought I’d drop in 9n you and ask what yon 4 thought of Mr. Ferret when you saw him. What sort of detective do you take him to be? and what of bis case? Wasn’t that the weakest thing yet?” “T Should say so,” Billy sneered. ‘ There was no case at all, and any one could see that, I wouldn’t monkey my time away on it, and I hope be’s bad the good sense to drop it by this time, He didn’t impress me very strong, any- how,” Mr. Finck looked gratified, if not actually — reliaved. He seemed satisfied that these younger . ferrets were not trying to worm avything out of the case,
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aS I a Broadway Billy’s Full Hand,” When he went away, it was with the belief that he had done a clever piece of playing. Billy and Skinny had a good laugh after he had departed. CHAPTER XII. SKINNY HAS THE LAUGH ON BILLY. THE New York delegates had work to do. And they were awake to the importance of it, Some time after supper, and when night was about at hand, tkey set out from their hotel for another stroll, They went off leisurely, paying no attention to any one, and aimed for out of the town on the north side, with a definite purpose in view, By the time they were out of the city, or nearly so, it was quite dark, and when they came to a stop it was in a lonesome place, where they were not likely to be discovered. Here they proceeded to make changes in their re art Vhen they had done, no one, unless by close inspection, would have taken thet to be the same fellows, Billy was a darky, as dark as the darkest, while Skinny, with a whito beard, and walking with a crooked back, was an aged man, They were ina gully, and had lighted their work with the use of matches new and again, and when they were finally done, they both struck matches for mutual inspection. Both enjoyed a quiet laugh. Golly!” exclaimed Billy, ‘‘1 reckon yo’ is de granddad to Noah, ain’t yo’?” “Young man,” spoke Skinny, in excellent imitation of an old man, ‘do not jest witha man of my years,” *Wouldn’t tink ob doin’ sich a ting,” de- clared Billy. ‘‘ If you isold *cordin’ in p’portion as yo’ is thin, old *Thuselah would be a boy to ‘oO’. ’ ‘* And if you are sinful within in any similar degree as you are black without,” returned Skinny, in cracked and measured tone, ‘‘ the Old Boy would be a saint compared to you.” Both laughed quietly, and their matches went out, ** Well, now for it,” said Billy. * And we'll be in time, won’t we?” ‘Yes, we've got half an hour and a little more, Twenty minutes will see us on the spot.” ‘*Good enough! Let’s be off, and if we can do as well on this lay as we did last night, I won't kick. We'll git thar, You bet.” They made their way out of the gully, where on another occasion they had so nearly met their death, and were soon once more on the streets of Sante Fe, 4 There they parted company, with the inten- tion of getting to the appointed place of meeting in as short a time as possible. Billy made haste, but when he finally reached the street where the woman had appointed the meeting with the mysterious Mexican, he found that Skinny had anticipated him. Skinny was there, an aged man, and was beg- ging alms of every one who passed by. ‘* Sweet pertaters!” Billy exclaimed, ‘‘ but that little snoozer is a good one, and no discountin’ that fack.” Billy went on down toward where the lean lieutenant was standing, and at his approach Skinny held out bis hand with a melancholy whine. : “Help a poor old man,” he implored. ‘ Give me a trifle that will help me to get a bite to eat and a place to sleep. My days ain’t many more, and [’ll be numbered with the majority.” Git out, yo’ ol’ duffer!” cried Billy, playfully. “Tf yo’ had saved when yo was young yo’ wouldh’t be heah now, Dat’s what I is tryin’ to do, sah, an’ yo’ git nuffin’ out ob me, yo’ jes’ bet yo’ boots yo’ don’t.” “ How do I do it?’ Skinny asked in whisper, as no one Was near, “Bully!” Billy complimented. idee. Deep our ’sirymon. = EN ‘ Billy indicated the direction with an inclina- tion of the head, and immediately moved on, as the Mexican, Pablo Costo, was leisurely ap- proaching. Billy passed him, face, to face, and gave him “It’s a good it up, if you wani to. Ha! here’s ’ every chance to recognize him if he could, but the man no more than merely glanced at bim, keeping straight on his way. " na moment more he was where Skinny was stationed, “Have mercy on a poor old man,” Skinny whined, putting out bis Jean hand. tet out, mendigo!” the Mexican snapped, kinny drew back immediately, without further parley, i - weer (TS The disguised Billy paused and smiled to see that Skinny’s make-up had stood the test, ** The fellow hasn’t the least idee who we are,” he said to himself. ‘* And now let the female part of the combination appear as soon as she wants to He moved on in the direction of the Lodgelaw house, and was passing the corner when he saw a figure emerge from a sido gate, as on the other occasion. It was the figure of a woman, as before, and this time that of an aged woman, bent and feeble; but Billy bad no doubt as to her identity. She moved down the street in the direction in which the Mexican had gone, Billy following at safe distance, Skinny, after the Mexican had passed, bad hore to the other side, and was now out of sight, Billy kept his eyes upon the woman, following carefully, and finally she came up to the Mex- oan when she put her arm in his withouta word. Pablo Costo did not seem in any wise surpris- ed, and the pair went on from that point as though they had come arm in arm a long distance, Billy kept a lookout for Skinny, but the thin partner was not to be discovered. Why he had disappeared, and where he had gone, Billy could not imagine, ‘Some new thought must have popped into his head, I reckon,” Billy mused. ‘I can trust Skinny, anyhow, no matter what is going on. My business is to see what is to be found out here.” He pressed on after the pair, keeping them in sight, but taking’ extra precaution against being discovered following them, In the mean time Skinny ‘had made a move that was not looked for by Billy, who was not into the secret. Getting away from the scene as speedily as possible, he had dodged around a near corner, where a waiting carriage was standing. It was a box-seat vehicle, with a fall top, and intended for two persons, Into this Skinny got, with all haste, and ina moment more was curled up under the seat, where there was just room enough for one of his meager bulk, with little to spare. A word of explanation will make everything clear in this connection. Arriving in the neigh- borhood before Billy, Skinny had seen the Mex- ican drive up in the carriage, tie the horse, and walk away in the direction of the Lodgelaw residence. It was after he had gone that Skinny had fol- lowed for a distance and taken up his stand in thé way he must return, playing the beggar. He had been there but a few isinutes when Billy appeared, and the return of the Mexican so soon, hindered Skinny from telling Billy any- thing. Billy now kept on, as described, and present- ly, coming around the corner to the point where the carriage stood, saw the pair stop, and ina moment more get into the vehicle and drive off, “Sweet pertaters!” Billy exclaimed. ‘‘ Here’s apretty go! This is something I didn’t figure on, How the merry deuce am I going to fol- low them now, [ wonder? If that bony pard of mine hadn’t gone off so sudden— ut that wouldn’¢ help matters any, I don’t believe, There’s only one thing to be done, and that is, I have got to play boy again and catch on behind, as I have done many a time before.” Crossing the street, he ran speedily forward, after the carriage, and choosing the darkest place he was likely to find, darted out into the road and caught hold bebind, The man and woman were talking, in low tones, but Billy’s running hindered him from catching ther words to any extent. Presently a corner was turned, where it was quite light, and where a number of children were at yf What Billy had dreaded, the moment he heard the,chatter of these youngsters, came to pass, Espying him, they raised as ‘1t to the driver of the vehicle, telling him to* Cut behind! cut bebind!” Tbe Mexican looked around, and the next moment down came bis whip, full force across Billy’s back, causing him to let go with a howl of pain. c Sweet per—Lan’ ob goodness!” he cried, al- most coming ont with bis pet exclamation, but switching it off to s-mething else. ‘‘ What yo’ done hit me like dat fo’?’ he demanded, “T wouldn’t hurt yo’ blame ol’ go-cart, would I?” “You trv catching on behind again, if you dare,” the Mexican shouted beck, ‘and Pll hurt you worse than I did that time!” Seeing that if was useless to follow further, without a change of disguiso, and well knowing that the carriage would be out of sight before he could make a change, Billy fell out of the race, disgusted. “More proof that Iam a know-nothin’!” he muttered to himself, ashe burried beyon hearing of the jeers of the children who had caused his mistortune. ‘'I believe I will go and bag my head, and then hire somebody to kick me. Wish I could get hold of Skinny now, and I'd take it out of bis bide, maybe.” This thought was some relief to his feelings, though of course he did not mean that he would do it, literally. He was retracing his steps the way he had come, boping to find Skinny, and pretty soon thought he saw him just ahead, comiig toward im. “das lief take another lickin’ as to have Skinny find out what’s happened; sweet perta- ters, yes! I’d never hear the last of it, sure, Bet if he ever finds it out he won’t get it by me, But, bello! it ain’t Skin.” Now that the person was nearer, he could see this, and the pext moment he recognized who it Was, It was the insurance detective, in his disguise, ** What!” the latter exclaimed, ‘‘ off the track so soon?” ** Yes; he tumbled to me, and 1 dropped out of the race,” Billy owned. ** Your disguise is a good one,” the detective complimented. ‘‘I would not have penetrated it, if I hadn’t overheard you and your partner’s whispered words,” ‘You overbeard!” ce Yes,” ‘Where were you?” ‘*T was near enough to hear,” ** Well, this case bus flunked, anyhow. Won- der where that walking skeleton went off to. Did you see where he went?” ‘Yes; he is in that carriage, under the seat. i cake is not all dough yet, not by a good eal, ** Sweet pertaters !”” Billy managed to say that much, but got no further just then. “Your partner is a good one, and no mis- take,” observed the man. “If you wait around here you will probably fallin with bim when tke carriage comes back.” “Yes, [s’poseso, [I] stay. If I had wings though, l’d take fligbt for New York instead, Don’t ask me why; you didn’t answer my ques- tion a minute ago. I’m not as great as I wus.” CHAPTER XIII. WHAT SKINNY OVERHEARD, In the mean time Skinny was in clover, Once under the seat of the carriage, he was all right, It was not likely that he would be discovered, unless by some unlooked-for mishap. When the couple had got in, and the carriage started off, then he felt secure enough, and was congratulating himself and wondering what Billy would think of his disappearance, Being so close to the pair on the seat, he could hear all they said. ‘* May we talk now?” asked the woman, when they were settled down and moving along the street. “Yes, Ata, we may talk now,” was the re- sponse. ‘‘ We cannot be too careful, and I thought this was about the surest means of not being overheard.” “You are right. There is no danger that any oue will hear us, And now tell me about your- self, Miguel, and what it is brings you here, Oy again that you do not bate me for what i Ra - “Hate you! Llove you, I will ever love you. You were proud, andl was as poor as I well could be, : cannot blame you that you married that old man and bis money, I suppose it was the woman nature in you, or at any rate your nature,” \ ; ‘“But 1 never loved him, Miguel; believe me in this, I never loved any but you, never shall love any but you. He was rich, and could not live many years. Then I planned to offer my- self to you, ricb, and be happy in your love. But my hopes were dashed to the ground.” “ How was that? Tell me everything.” ““T will. I learned that his wealth was his only while be lived; that at bis death I would be a beggar, so far as any of his money would ever help me. I cursed the hour that made me his wife.” ‘‘ Well, that was a set-back, truly. But what 2 —'~ ot <n Rae 1g re a i er A Fed . [eS : 11 the - ares
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~~ oa —_ 12 = =~ ~n f einem tS _ Broadway Billy’s Full Hand. me * Pare is this about insurance? What is the plan that ou bave on foot ia regard to that?” *¢ Ah! that was a thought, a glorious thought! Tt am playing a role you little suspect, little can suspect, There is nothing—” ‘Cut behind! Cut behind !” Loudly rung out the interrupting cry, and the Méxican glanced over his shoulder to learn what it meant. What happened then has been told. “Confound his impudence!” the Mexican muttered, as be turved again to the fore, ‘I ought to have given him more than I did.” ‘““Who was it?’ the woman asked, in some alarm. “Oh, only a common nigger.” ** Are you quite sure?” ** Didn’t you see for yourself?” “Yes; but I am nervous, Do you think he heard—” **No, no! And evenif he did, he wouldn’t be able to put it together to make anything out of it. Don’t let that worry you.” ‘!What were you saying, Miguel, dear?’ Skinny’s ears were set at full cock, taking in every word. Whata dashing widow this must be! was his thought, ‘*You were tatking, Ata,” was the answer, ** You were about to tell me of that insurance scheme,” **Oh, yes, sol was. Well, it isa darling plot, as lam sure you will agree with me; and when I tell you thatit was all owing tomy love for you that I have done it, you will see that my heart has never been false to you, no, not for a moment has it been false to you!” **T am willing to believe you, Ata, for I love you a8 woman was never loved before. Go on and tell me everything.” “T will, I will.. When I learned the truth re- Sarding old Lodgelaw’s money, I wasin despair. saw that I had thrown myself away for noth- ing, asI believed. But almost at the same time @ young insurance agent came here and hung out bis shingle, and the idea came to me to have the old dotard insured. I became the most loving and affectionate creature you ever heard ? ** Ha, ha, ha!” ** Yes, you well may laugh. Why, my genuine love and showing of affection for you, could not half come up to the way I played love with him. I could twist him around my fingers at will. Presently I mentioned insurance to him, show- ing him that I was unprovided for in case he died—though I could not bear the thought of that! and off he went and was insured for a big amount.” ‘* A wonder they accepted a man so old,” “You have not heard the half yet, dear Miguel. That part of thescheme by itself would be unworthy a woman of any intellect whatever. Any common mortal could think that far, ard perhaps might profit by it; but I went further and made the matter doubly sure, I put my- self in the way of: this agent, flirted with him, ot him to fallin love with me, and then when it was all ripe, made a proposal to him that ought to have made his hair stand on end—but it didn’t.” ‘*T begin to see. Curse hica! I[ hate him!” “A sure sign that you do love me, Miguel. But do not let jealousy ruin my plan, now that it is sure to succeed. He wanted me to elope with him, deserting old Lodgelaw, and [ agreed, Then, as though a new thought had come to me, I proposed that we insure Lodgelaw for a big amount, let bim die, and then bave the money to sport upon and have a goodtime. And he ‘Ha! Then it was you who put him out of the way.” ‘“*No, no! You are wrong fhere, Miguel. Not but that it might have been done, soon enough, but it wasn’t done, He died of natural causes. You see the doctor was bribed, and he was liable to die at any moment when he was in- sured, It was something the matter with his heart; this is the truth, believe me.” * All right, Pll take your word on that point.” * But don’t you approve of my work? Don’t ou think it immense? Now we shall soon have he money in our hands, and then—bappiness!” ‘Oh! it certainly is a fine scheme, and I think you have done nobly; but I can’t enthuse over it as I would have done some time ago.” ** Why, how is that?’ in some surprise. ** Because I am rich myself now.” ** Rich!” ‘**Immensely rich, I assure you.” “Explain. It is almost too good to be true.” ** Easily done. The last of the Mendez family is dead, and I am the sole heir: I could buy the half of this Territory.” **Ob! such news, such good news!” ‘** You see this little scheme of yours pales into insignificance,” “Yes, so it does, If I had only known— But, perhaps you will not desire me, now that you know me so well—know that money is one of my gods?” ‘* Res. vasy upon that point, Ata, I love you, love you as well as though no shadow had come between us. There is only one thing that I can ask, and there seems new to be something in the way of that.” ** Ask what you will, Miguel.” “It is that you go with mesto Mexico within a day or two,” **Oul would that I could—would that I dared doit! To run away would give the insurance people good grounds against me, and investiga- tion then might lead to discovery of fraud, and— and it might imprison me!” *‘T see all that as well as you do, but just as soon as you get bold of this woney I want you to cut loose trom that agent and come to Mex- 1C0,’ “T will do that, gladly will I do that! can whistle for me, as soon as I get the money in my grasp. Then I shall be safe, for he dare not say a word, and the company will be out of the race.” No need to say that Skinny was allears. He was storing this away \ ith care, making sure of every point as fast as they came to him, ‘““When are you going back?” the woman asked, ‘*T would go at once, were it not for one thing.” “ What is that?” “The murder that has been done here. Fora stranger to leave suddenly after that, might turn suspicion against him. I don’t want any of that in mine!” *“No, L should say not. But after a few days it will be all right, and then I suppose you will be off. Ob! how I wish I could go with you! My heart has been with you all this time.” ‘**Come to me as soon as possible, that is all I can say. Just as soon as you get the money, or a3 soon as itis safe, conse.” “T will, L will.” ‘And in the mean time take care to let no one know that Miguel Mendez has been here, [t would be ruin to me,in a certain direc- tion. ““T will take care of that. But, there is no one whom I would mention it to, and no one will ever know of this meeting but ourselves, When our interview comes to an end, I must get out of the carriage and you must leave me to go home alone,” * Yes; but I will take you nearly there, We have gone far enough ,to turn now, | suppose, One kiss, before we go back, old woman!” ‘““Old woman! MHa, ha, ha! Yes, take a dozen if you will.” By the sounds that followed, Skinny believed the measure was being filled up to the full num- ber, with perhaps a few over. After tbat the vehicle was turned, and the ride back into town was begun, the conversation running on much ag before, * Why is it that you do not want it known that you have been bere, Miguel?” the woman presently asked, after a brief pause. ‘** { capnot tell you that now,” was the answer. ** Believe me, it is important, and must not be known.” ** You are stopping at the very hotel where that murder was dore,” “ Yes, that is so; and I was there at the time when the crime was committed. If I went in a hurry, as I bave said, suspi¢ion might fall upon me,” “But you could prove your innocence, of course?” ‘*[ guess it would be a hard matter for them to prove me guilty; but, I want nothing to do with it. You can see howit would be, or I should say how it would have been. It was my intention to leave the town that sameday. Sup- pose I bad gone suddenly about the time the crime was done—Ugh |” “Tt was fortunate that nothing of the kind happened,” “More fortunate than you dream of,” was the response, ‘] tell you if must not be known, positively must not be known, that Miguel Men- dez has been here in Santa Fe,” “Tt will never be known through me, be sure of that.” From that point their talk was mainly a re- petition of what had already passed, more in de- tail, and interspersed with a good deal of love- talk and nonsense. At last tbe carriage stopped and the woman He | got out, and the Mexican lost no time then in getting the rig back to the place where he had hired it, Finally that place was reached, the man sprung out, paid the bill and went off, and the horse was taken out. When Skinvtiy beard the feet of the animal sounding on the stable floor, as it was led away, he shipped out from his place of hiding and put distance between that locality and himself as speedily as he could. CHAPTER XIV. SUSPICION AWAKENED. ‘7 GREAT ginger!” Skinny exclaimed to him- self, This was when he paused, after his sudden flight from the stable. ‘I wonder where JI] find that Billy now?” he questioned, ‘‘I want to see him bad.” As there was no one to answer the question for him, he had to trust to bis own powers of guess- ing. ‘*Mebby hes where I left him,” he thought, ‘for itis certain that he didn’t foller the car- riage any further— Ha, ha, ha!” . At the recollection of that ‘‘cut behind” episode, the lean lieutenant bad to laugh heart- ily. It had tickled him through and through, and be was not likely to get over it right away. “Ti amble around that way, anyhow,” he decided, ‘‘ If 1 don’t see him there, I’ll know he must be at the hotel. Vl off with this disguise though, for there’s no use wearing it any longer that I cun see.” It was but a little work for him to do this, and he went on as Skinny the Lean, in proper yeTsonu, | ‘“ Yes: I must see Billy as soon as possible,” he decided, ‘‘ for L must unload to somebody or bu’st, All that information [ took in is liable to congest my brain, if I don’t get rid of some of it soon, Can’t carry sich a load as that long, and retnin my even temper. I’m too thin, as Billy would say.” A short walk brought him into the neighbor- hood he aimed for, and a short hunt around dis- closed Billy. He had not yet removed the black from his face, having no eb grlrearseg not knowing how soon Skinny would return, and not wanting to miss him. He was leaning against a fence when Skinny came upon him, and looking rather cast down. Skinny went up quietly, gave bim a poke in the ribs, and exclaimed: ‘Cut bebind, Billy!” Instantly Billy’s arm swung around, with a stiff switch in bis grasp, and Skinny received a stinging cut across the lean legs that made him wince, “Yes, I'll cut behind,” Billy responded. “How do you like it?: I expected you would say jest tbat, and I was ready for you,” “That's the meanest thing you ever did in your life,” Skinny complained, “Thought I'd let you know how it feels, so it wouldn’t seem so awful funny to you. That was one on me, I admit, Skin; but I want to nip it right in the bud, so’s you won't bring it up forever. See?” “T see,” Skinny answered, ‘‘ You'll see, too, if you do that again. Ti) get mad and walk into you, see if I don’t! But, come; let’s get to the house as soon as we can, for I’ve got more infor- mation aboard than I can carry.’ ‘* What have you found out?” “‘Can’t tell you here; it would take a half- hour,” ** Any p’ints in it?” ‘There's millions in it, Billy!” “Got onto anything about the Mexican?” “You bet! Ob, if he ain’t a bad one, and if that woman ain’t a worse one, then you can kick me fer a Kickapoo.” Why?” “Why! Wait tillI tell you, That scene last nigbt didn’t half show what a terror she is.” “* Well, then, let’s get there as soon as we can.” ‘* How about your blackened face?” “Tl take the chance of smugglin’ in th’ back way,” ‘All right, and hope we won’t ke seen, not b that Mex, anyhow. He might ’spect somethin’, seein’ it was @ nig that was after his wagon.” “'That’s so; but we'll try it. Don’t know where else we could go, unless away out to that old witch’s cabin, ant that’s too far,” : Their minds made up on the point in question, they set out for their hotel at once, Arriving there, they went around and entered by the rear way. Billy had wiped a good deal of the black from his face, and hoped by making haste through
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= Pe: Broadway Billy’s Full Hand. 13 the hall, to gain his room without being de- tected. Skinny went ahead, and the first thing he did was to turn the light partly down, which,was likely to favor Billy all the more. He, Skinny, had gained the door of their room, * and Billy was coming, when suddenly another door opened and a glare of light flashed out, falling full upon the half-blackened young de- tective, And in the door, in the midst of the glare, was the Mexican! He was coming out, but at sight of Billy he Stopped short, And then, as he noted the black on him, reached out his hand and caught him by the shoulder. “ Ha! what merry lark havc you been up to?” he demanded playfully, wheeling Billy around facing him, “Only having a little innocent fun,” was the response, ‘*Got any "bjections to it? If ye baven’t jest remove yer hook from quarter-deck, an’ Ill sail on.” ‘*¢ You have been up to some sort of mischief, I'll bet,” laughed the Mexican, as he let him go, **Or maybe,” he added, “‘ you have been trying your hand at detective work,” ** Detective work be hanged!” growed Billy. “When I get back to New York, if the Fool Killer don’ get in his fine work on me before I do, I'm going to get a situation as dish-washer in a Bowery hash-house; I think the caliber of my intellect will just fit me for that sort of work,” The Mexican laughed, and the their ways, but no sooner had the ed than a cloud came over his face. “* Cascaras !” he bissed, ‘‘ was the young hound following me? If I thought he was, ’d— But he didn’t learn anything, he couldn’t learn any- thing, I shall look out for him.” Billy had gone right on and followed Skinny into the room. * Kick me, and kick me hard, partner,” Billy requested, as soon as the door od been closed, Skinny, remembering the blow from the whip which Billy had laid on bis legs, did not wait for a second invitation, but sent his foot to meet Billy’s person with considerable force, ‘Thank you; now I feel better,” Billy re- marked, quietly. “It was wuat I deserved, only a good deal more of it,” ‘* What are ye findin’ fault with yerself about now?” “I’m sorry I was born a fool.” “*So am I; but that don’t alter th’ facks of th’ case any, What particular bit of foolishness is it that is grievin’ you?” “That I ever run the risk of comin’ in here with this black on me, I ought to be taken out and tied to a mule’s tail and kicked to death. Why, I ought to have gone ten miles, if neces- sary, to get cleaned up before comin’ here, Now he will have an eye of suspicion on us, and it will be hard to play the spotter on him,” ‘‘ And it’s too bad, for that’s what’s got to be done. He’s a bad one, I tell you. But, let me unload my cargo, so’s you kin understand what I’m talkin’ about,” “ Wait till wash up. That won't take long, and it will be done with.” Billy set about the task immediately, and was soon himself once mvre and ready for his thin partner’s revelation. Skinny went ahead and told all he had heard, with an attention to details that proved his memory to be good. ‘Sweet pertaters!” Billy cried, when he had heard all, “This yanks the tart, sure pop.” Their conversation was in such tones that no one out of the room could overhear, * Just what I think myself,” assented Skinny; “‘and that woman is the Tartar of the whole batch, She’s a terror!” “Perror! Thatis no name for her, Skinny if my old mother wasn’t a woman, I’d hate the whole tribe of ’em worse’n p’izen; I couldn’t help it.” “They ain’t al) bad, that’s one blessin’,” Skinny responded. ‘This one is evil enough to make up for a good many of ’em. But, we'l| bring her up with a round turn, I’m thinkin’,” Just then came a light tapping at their window. They looked at each other in some surprise, The tapping was repeated. ‘| What’s that?” whispered Skinny. ou know as much about it as I do,” an- swered Billy, AB fsa ; esitation he leaned over bowara the nd blew j m a darkness out the light, plunging the roo at done, he went to the window and drew back the curtain, peering out to see if any passed on exican turn- person was there, as he naturally supposed there must be, Yes, there in the dim light was the outlines of a man, and as the curtain was pulled aside the man motioned, for the window to be raised. Billy took a revolver from his belt, and then obeyed, The window lifted a little, the man took hold under it and ran it up silently as possible, and dropped into the room. ‘* Don’t be alarmed,” he whispered, ‘‘ it’s only Ferret, ‘*Guess we’re not frightened very bad,” as- sured Billy. ‘‘ You would have had a fight for it if you had meant harm,” “Tf [ had meant harm I could have done it without coming in,” was the answer. ‘‘ When in a lighted room, my lads, don’t sit with your shadow on the curtain. It givesan enemy too good a target.” “Never thought of it!” cried Billy. ‘No matter, seein’ that we baven’t any enemy to be popping away at us, Much obliged for the pointer just the same.” ‘*Don’t be too sure about that. Detectives always have enemies, more or less, and it’s often more,” ‘But, what’s the reason you didn’t come by the hallway?” ‘“* Eyes are around, A man has been trying to listen at your door, but has gone away disgust- ed, J guess,” “Sweet pertaters! Is that so? Well, he’s welcome to all he heard; eh, Skinny?’ He re- lighted the lamp, ; ‘* T should say so,” the thin partner returned, ‘* Who was it?” asked Billy, ‘“The Mexican,” “‘T thought so, 1 bavegotit in for him, and he wants to look out. We have got more points now, Mr. Ferret,” ‘* May I come in for a share of them?” “*Tf Skiany is willin’,” answered Billy. ‘It is his findings, and he has one eye on you with some suspicion already.” Billy eyed the man keenly as he said this; the detective smiled, and Skinny grew red. ‘*T guess he may safely trust me,” the detect- ive remarked. ‘Suspicion is a good thing not to be out of, however,” The facts were laid bare, and the trio held a long consultation about the matter, It was understood that this Mexican, Pablo Costo, or Miguel Mendez, was guilty of some crime, and that be must be watched. What the crime was they could not tell yet. Finally the, detective took his leave, going back the way he had come, and when Billy and Skinny had made door and window doubly secure, they sought their bed for the rest of the night, CHAPTER XV. COMING AT THE TRUTH, Tue work of the next day, for Billy and Skinny, was to allay suspicion, if possible to do so, The Mexican seemed purposely to put himself in their way, but they paid no more attention to him than to anybody else; in fact not as much, Nor had they need to, There were other eyes upon this man, the eyes of the keen-scented in- surance detective, He had put himself to this as of the work, leaving the New York pards ree, Once, when opportunity offered, Billy en- gaged the landlord in conversation, when the Mexican could overhear all that was said. In the confab Billy gave it as bis opinion that Waldmar must be guilty. He didn’t see how any one else could be suspected, with the proof against him so positively. The Jandlord could not get around the proof, but hated to think it was so. He had known Waldmar too long and too well, and he was of the same opinion as Mr, Rentaway, that he was not the guilty man, All the talk, of course, was for the benefit of the Mexican, The idea had struck Billy, and be had kept the thought to himself, that possibly he knew some- thing about it. Billy made it bis business, when the oppor- tunity was favorable, to pay a visit to Mr, Rent- away. ; He found the old gentleman looking even more aged and worn. y “* Have you learned anything?” was the eager demand, : “‘T suspect something,” was Billy’s answer, ‘What is it?” *T must ask questions first,” “Very well, ask them. Anything to bring ad 2 fey this awful thirg toanend. I must see the mur- derer arrested.” ‘*Then you still believe in the innocence of Waldmar?” ‘“*T do, firmly. That boy never killed my Harry; never! It would be bard for me to be- lieve it, had there been eye-witnesses to the crime,” ‘* And I agree with you yet, though you may hear that I have said otherwise. I bave said so, but for a purpose. I have been told that you used to live in Mexico.” ‘Yes, that is true. I married there, and my boy was born there.” “* Do you know anything about a Mendez fam- ily down there?” ‘* Heavens!” ‘* What’s the matter, sir?” ‘*That was the name of my wife!” ‘‘The merry deuce it was! Havel struck ‘ile a’ready ?” ““My wife’s name was Dona Elena Mendez; she was a belle of the Mexican capital.” “Sweet pertaters! I’m gettin’ thar, sure as land and water make mud! Bet I can lay my finger on the man who killed your son.” The bereaved father sprung up and caught Billy by the shoulders, ‘*Te]l me his name, lad,” he cried. ‘‘ Tell me who he is, Let me see his face, only once, and—” “* And you’d get yourself into trouble by tak- ‘ing the law into your own hands, N:, sir; you don’t get me to tell.” ‘** What! Would you shield the murderer of my son from justice? Tell me who he is, lad, or it will be worse for you! I will shake it out of you!” ‘*Hold your hosses now, and cool off a bit,” suggested the composed Billy. ‘‘ You can’t shake it out of me, for it don’t lie so near the surface as that, Let me unwind in my own way.” ‘* But, Weston, the murderer of my boy is at large!” “What if be is? We bave our eyes on him, and he can’t get out of this town, Let him try it on, that’s all.” “Well, well, what is it you know? Tell me soon as you can, for this awful suspense is kill- ing ma, Why was Harry shot down in that cowardly way? What had he done? Are you going to tell me something that will leave a stain on bis memory?” ‘* Nixey!” Billy cried. ‘‘ His record is clean, far as 1 know, I want you to teH me why he was killed.” ‘* Would to heaven that I knew!” ‘“ You say your wife was a Mendez.” * Yes; she was,” “* And then your son had Mendez blood in his veins,” “To be sure; and proud he might be of it, t. ugh there are some who disgrace the name,” ‘‘ Did you ever hear of a Miguel Mendez?” “Certainly; a very wealthy man, very old, and in fact almost the last of his line,” ‘*Good, gooder, goodest! We are gettin’ thar, Eli, with both feet. But this isn’t the one I mean. Isn’t there a younger Miguel Mendez?” ‘I believe there was—yes, there was. 1 never saw him though, and certainly never beard any good of him, He ought to be a man of thirty to thirty-five, if I do not miistake,” ‘“He is about that age, somewhere mighty rich, accordin’ to his own tell. he has come into the old man’s shoes,” ““ What! Is old Mendez dead?” “Thats about it.” “Then my boy—” ““-Your boy what?” ‘Tt is too late now; it comes too late,” ‘What comes too late? Would he have come in for ashare of that money?” ‘‘-Yes; and undoubtedly a good slice of it, too; but it is idle to talk about that!” ‘‘ Sweet pertaters!” cried Billy, and jumpin up, he caught hold of the ccrners of his coat eal began to execute a quickstep, “Zounds!” cried the old gentleman, ‘‘ have you no feelings? Don’t you know the body of my dead son lies in the next room? Shall I throw you out of doors?” : ‘Your pardon, sir,” said Billy immediately, and in earnest tone. ‘ I should not have acted so; but I am overcome with the success of our hunt for the murderer, I have him now, sure,” * Who is he?” “Miguel Mendez, as sure as shootin’.” “But can you prove it? Why should he kill my boy— By heavens ya ‘Ba! you grasp it now, do you?” said Billy. ou see how it and is i take it. “T thought you would, sir. as,” -
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a 14 **} do, I do. He must be the last of the line, and with Harry out of the way, the whole estate would be his, Oh! the knave, the knave /” ‘* That’s what he is, and worse,” Billy agreed. ** But we have got him where the hair is short, you bet, and if we don’t make him squeal, it will be funny. But we have got to trap him,” ‘*Then you can’t prove what you assert.” ‘*Not yet; but it will come. [ve done it be- fore, and I guess I can do it again. Nothin’ suits me better.” ‘* But where is he? Who is he? Where is he hiding? I must know, I tell you 1 will know! I must get at him, and—” “There now, there now,I tell you it won't do,” Billy broke in. ‘‘ You shall not do any- thing to spoil the game, if Ican helpit, You must be patient, I know how you feel, but you would spoil everything if I put you on his track,” * Yes, yes, I suppose you are right; but it is hard to sit here doing nothing, and my poor boy ‘unavenged,” We'll get around to that allin good time. I have told you that the man is being watched, and he can’t get away eveu if he wants to,” **But isn’t there a chance that you may be mistaken? Perhaps you are raising my hopes only to dash them to the ground and leave me in worse despair than ever. Have a care, Wes- ton, how you—” * Oh! Pm preety sure of my ground,” assured Billy, ‘‘or I wouldn’t bave let out what I have. There is a chance to be mistaken, of course, but it is dollars to cents that ’'m not. To-night will tell the tale, however, if nothin’ bu’sts.” ‘* What is going to be done to-night?” ‘“We must lay plans and trap the whole kit an’ b’ilin’ of ’em,” ‘* Why, are there more than this villain con- cerned?” ‘Are there! Why, Mr. Rentaway, there’s the p’izenest old nest of vipers you ever heard of in your life!” ** What do you mean?” ** Just whatI say. You are goin’ to hear somethin’ that will make your ears ring, before twenty-four hours more, if I am any prophet. Rigtit bere in this town of Santa Fe is the worst old scheme you ever thought of; and I’m goin’ to stick a splinter into it and bu’st it, you bet!” “Young man, you are a riddle to me, I can’t understand you. But I have confijence in ae so you may direct me to do what you w “‘That’s the idee; and you can trust me to bring this thing to affocus now, if there’s nothin’ wrong about my figures, and I don’t think there is. But it will have to be worked down to the fraction and then tapered off to the fineness of hair, It mustn’t be allowed to spoil on our hands,” ** What do you want me to do?” “T must have a chat with my pards first, and—” “Your pards? I thought there were only two of you.” ‘There are three of us on thiscase, We have a genuine detective in with us; but keep this mum,” **T will, I will. Oh, may you succeed, and bring the murderer of my boy to the fate he so richly deserves! The reward will be yours, promptly.” ‘*Don’t mention reward now,” waived Billy, ** We'll talk about that later. I will go now and tatk with my pards, and then I’ll come back here and let you into our plans,” In a short time he took bis leave, and was soon at the hotel, There he made known to Skinny and Ferret that he had something to say to them, and as oo as they could the three met for consulta- on. Their conference lasted an hour, and when they parted company their plans of action were all laid, It was only necessary to put them into operation. They felt sure of their game, Billy returned to Mr, Rentaway, and made a proposition to him which, at first, almost took iid his breath. hen the scheme was outlined to him, how- ever, he readily agreed to it, and from that hour the beginning of the end was marked. CHAPTER XVI, THE FARDS GET THERE, THE remainder of the afternoon was spent in seeming idleness, Not a move was made that could excite the suspicion of the suspected Mexican, care being taken to that end, When the Mexican went to his supper, how- ‘ ‘ . ‘ ‘ . rl q Daler P wed “oth lik - heey i : : . ( fra i" tg Ne delle ae See a as> S.2nc ple eee ey ome 2 crepe rye eC >| Broadway Billy’s Full Hand. ever, then Broadway Billy and bis thin partner disappeared, and were not seen again. But not so the aged Mexican, the detective in disguise, He was on hand, and it was his busi- ness to see that Miguel Mendez did not get out of sight. No fear that he would. It was just dark when there was a summons at the door of the Lodgelaw residence, It was presently answered, by a woman ser- vant, and into the dark hall filed three men, grim, determined fellows. The last one to enter locked the Root, rhage his back against it, and there remained. The others promptly seized the, woman,'whose scream rung through the house. Hasty steps were heard in the rear, a woman’s voice demanded to know what was the matter, and the captured servant calling out that she was a prisoner, a door was heard to slam and the steps retreated. In that direction sprung one of the men, leav- ing the servant in the hands of the other, but he was too late, or would have been, The escaping person dashed to the other door, threw it open, and—was face to face with other determined captors, ** Don’t be in arush about it,” cried out the well known voice of Broadway Billy. “It won't take you long to stay half an hour or go, You are our prisoner, my fine lady.” ‘* Never!” the woman cried defiantly, and she wheeled to run back, but as she started she ran into the arms of the man who had pursued her, “You see it isall up,” spoke Billy, ‘‘so you may as well take it easy. esball have your lovers here pretty soon.’ “Why am I thus insulted, and in my own home?” the woman furiously demanded. ** No need to tell you,” wastheanswer. ‘‘ You know well enough.” When everything was secure, Broadway Billy retired out of sight for a moment and donned a hasty disguise, That done, he left the bouse, and in a brief time was dogging the steps of Cleverdale Finck, the rascally insurance agent, It was a little time later that Cleverdale Finck received a note in a woman’s hand, it coming to him by a messenger who went speedily off as soon as it had been delivered, Opening it, he found it to be from the woman, the Lodgelaw widow, It was in excellent imitation of her hand, and it invited him to come to the house, She had dismissed her servant, the note ex- plained, and was alone, He was to come to the side entrance, precisely at nine, and enter with- out gscre. It was about at the same time, too, that ‘Pablo Costo,” at the botel, received a similar message, with similar directions. The only dif- ference was in the time when he was to come, The hour set for him was half-past nine. At nine o’clock a man came down the street toward the residence, stopped for a few moments to make sure that no one was observing his movements, and then crossed, opened the gate and entered the yard, and going on, entered the house, A minute later and Cleverdale Finck was a prisoner, Half an hour passed, and the same was re- peated. Another man came down tothe corner, stopped for a considerable time, finally entering the yard and on into the house, The moment the door closed behind bim a light hand fell upon his arm, and a low voice whispered: ‘*-You have come! How glad I am!” He felt the skirts of a woman’s dress touch him, and a hand took his in the dark and led him forward, **Come right on,” spoke the low, sweet voice. “T have something to show you; and then— then—” The words were not supplied, but the break was full of enticing significance, and the man followed where he was led, unquestioningly. A door was opened, and they entered a dark room. Forward then, carefully, until a some- thing barred their further progress, when they stopped, and the voice once more spoke, ‘* Here, now, let me show you a surprise I have for coy Migvel. Look down at this table, and behold!” The voice was!in excellent imitation of that of the heartless widow, the Jezebel who had plotted and planmed too far. With the last word the light of a bull’s-eye flashed forth, its light centered upon the thing against which Miguel Mendez was standing, and pg which he was gazing the instant it was vis- ible, With a scream of horror he sprung back, only : 4 + = I RS 3 tg er th aie Sad - > z to find the supposed woman's hand closing upon him with a grip of steel, and a cold revolver against his head. He had beheld not a table, but an open coffin! arid in that coffin the body of the murdered Harry Rentaway! lt was more than his nerves could stand, and he trembled from head to foot. ‘“ Miguel Mendez, murderer! you are my pris- oner!” So rung out the voice of Broadway Billy, and in the next moment handcuffs were on the fellow’s wrists. “I deny the charge,” he faltered. 80. ‘* We shall see about that,” was the calm re- tort. ‘* Let?s see what you have in your pock- ets, The first thing brought to light was a revol- ver, of the same size as that carried by Harri- son .Waldmar, and—one chamber of it was empty! ‘* Hirst proof!” cried Billy, ‘There is no use your denying the charge, Miguel Mendez.” “But I do deny it!” was the now defiant re- tort. ‘‘That is not my name! I am Pablo Costo, and none other!” “Liar!” cried a voice, On the other side of the coffin stood the other prisoner, Finck. Atsight of him Mendez quailed. They were known to each other, and had been enemies, The woman was brought in, the Jscene was lighted, and a goodly number of men were seen to be inthe room; among them Barrington Rent- away. Stepping forward to the murderer, and point- ing at him with one band and at the body of the murdered son with the other, he cried, in tones ee uel and vindictive: “Tt is not ns ruel Mendez—dog! behold your work! You killed this man, my son, your second cousin, that you might have all the property of-old Mendez to yourself. ; No use to deny it; we have the proof,’ ‘‘ Tt is a lie—a lie!” the rascal cried. “I did not kill your son! T defy you to prove it!” At that moment one of the dead man’s arms was lifted, and a finger pointed straight at the accused, “The crime is yours!” voice, Miguel Mendez reeled back, his face ashy and his eyes staring. “Take it away! take it away!” he cried, “Confess!” said the same terrible voice, “*T do; I do!” A The rascal could stand no more, and turned his gaze, another way. The arm in the coffin was lowered, and a man came out from under the dread thing, the one who had lifted the arm and who had spoken the words, It was the detective, Ferret, now without dis- guise, and at sight of him the insurance agent gave an exclamation of horror and despair, He had not looked for this. Hesaw that all was lost. ‘“What do you think of it now, Mr. Clever- but-not-quite-clever-enough#” demanded Broad- way Billy. ‘‘ You have put your foot into it bad, and you can’t get it out again, it wasa pretty scheme, but it didn’t work.” “What do you mean?” was the curt demand, ‘“No need totry to get out of it, sir,” put in the insurance detective. ‘* We bave you dead to rights this time,” No time was lost in forcing the confession from the lips of Miguel Mendez, and as he gave it, it was recorded by a man there for that pur- said a sepulchral Se. PYarondés had come North from Mexico with the one intention of killing Harry Rentaway, who would have had an equal share in the Mendez estate. Miguel wanted it all, and took this means of getting it. Unknown at Santa Fe, he thought he could go there under an assumed name, accomplish his purpose, and goaway without any ore ever sus- pecting him of the crime, It was_a bold piece of work, but thanks to Broadway Billy and his pard it was balked, The murderer had fired at Harry Rentaway from the hall door of the hotel as Harry was crossing the piazza, and had dodged back into the house immediately without peng seen. When the victim of his bullet reeled into the bar-room, the assassin entered from a rear way. No one bad suspected him of the crime, and chances had been all in his favor for getting away. But the New York boys had playeda sharp game, and bad entrapped him neatly, The prisoners were taken away and locked ups after the business of the hour had been finished, | Aesesnesoagma ‘et Se = @Q=shknooew
Page 15
“a Broadway Billy’s Full Hand. 15 the woman being one of them, She had tried to play the innocent victim, but the proof of ber duplicity was not to be doubted. The body of the murdered man was carried back to Mr. Rentaway’s house, from where it was buried next day, the funeral being largely attended. Harrison Waldmar had been released as speed- ily as possible, and was heartily congratulated by everybody. He was still silent upon the mystery of the evidence that had placed him in danger, The prisoners were given a hearing, which re- sulted in their being held for trial. Eventually Finck and the wicked woman were sent to prison, and Mendez only escaped hanging by taking his own life, lt came out, later, that on the day of the mur- der Waldmar had fought a duel with a young man, one who had in some way spoken ill of bis sister, and had wounded him severely. It was for his sister’s sake that he had kept silent. In due course of time he and Cora Wesselley were married, and when Barrington Rentawa made his will he left everything to their little son, who had been named Harry Rentaway. But all this is of events that were of the future, taking date from the time of our story. Let us return. Billy and Skinny were given the reward that had been offered—it was forced upon them. They received also hearty thanks from the insurance detective. This man’s real name, by the way, was not A. ‘Keene Ferret, but simply Smith—plain Smith. Billy and bis lean lieutenant spent only a day or two moreat Santa Fe. They had photographs taken there, which they mailed bome, together with lengthy letters, and finally took their leave, setting out northward, their final objective point being Denver, They went on horseback, and the ride before them was a wild and long one. It was highly probable that they would have exciting adven- tures by the way, and, in any event, they would be weeks in the saddle, They knew not what lay before them; but one hint we may let fall: It was fortunate for Skinny that he had his photograph taken before setting out. Ere Billy reached Denver it wasdestined to be that Skinuy _ would be the thin partner no more. It wasa bright morning when they rode out of the town, and a great crowd of people was out to see them off. They bade good-by to all, and amid cheers and good wishes, set their faces to the north and rode away. The opening of our next story will discover the happy pards in the mountain wilderness, far from any camp, and in the desperate straits of adverse circumstances, THE END, Beadle's Half-Dime Library. BY J. W. OSBON, 469 The Rival Glant« of Nowhar’, 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Luck, 87 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow, 64 Pewder Phil, the Boy Miner. ri44 poy penta’ the ppp ptr 20 Little Lightning’s League; or, The Mys i $ss Plucky Paul, tha Boy Prospector. yatery of tne Island BY COL, A. F. HOLT, 899 Black Buekskin; or, The Masked Men of Death 419 Kenneth, the Knife-King. Canyon, 485 lLittie Lightfoot, the Pilot of the Woods, 628 The Dandy sport; or, The King Pin Conspirator, 678 Ralph Renwood, the Lightning Express Detective, 691 Headlight Harry's Haul, BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes of a Bowery Girl, T6 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. TY Sol Gluger, the Giant T reubee. 268 Joe Buck of Angels and His Boy Pard. 447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham, 353 New England Nick; or, The Fortunes of a Foundling, n &% “talet Vane’s« Victory. 2 Wild Vulcan, the Lone-Range Rider, 6 z Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince. 498 Taos Ted, toe Arizons Sport. 510 Cool Colorado, the Hal!-Breed Detective, 515 Cool Colorado in New York. BY WM. G. PATTEN, 489 The Diamond Sport: or, The D. Ris Captain mystery} or,Fivein Ong ne? ™ Bed Rock, ost Da “D Mare. the Sport from Denver. BST Old ombshell, the Ranger Detective. Sy eg ter the Mon sa Sree ‘ait The Boy Tramp Detective; or, The Doubdi 629 Violet Vane, the Velvet Sport ¢ Grip Witness 641 Dismal Pave’s Dandy Pard, €51 Bound Boy Frank, the Young Amateur Detective ® “tolet and Daltay, the t4 Pards, % Violet Vane’s Vow; or, The Crafty Deteetive’s Craft, ~ * BY CAPT. J. F. C, ADAMS, 84 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy. 46 Glass-Eye, the Great Shot of the West. 54 Ned Hazel, the Boy Trapper. 56 Nick W hitiies’s Pets or, Ir The Valley of Death. 60 The White Indian; or, The Scovt of the Yellowstone, 70 Old Zip’« Cabin; or, The Greenhorn in the Woods. 31 Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Prairie, 85 Buck Bueckramt; or, Bess, the Female Trapper, 247 Old Grizzly and Mis Peta; or, The Wild Huntress, 251 Light-houss Lige? or, Osceola, the Firebrand, 257 The Lost Munters; or, The Underground Camp, 283 The Sealp King; or, The Human Thunderpolt, BY MAJOR E, L. 8ST. VRAIN, 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. 801 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. 812 Redtep Kube, the Vigilante Prince. 888 Brimatone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette, 852 Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “Sand.” B59 Duranyy tenve, the Young Cham) ion Wrestler, 871 Kingbolt Chris, the Young Hard-Shell Detective. 880 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide, 890 Jaguar Jee, of the Mountuin Mail-Line, BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS, 6 Bill Blddon, Trapper. “SS 8 Seth Jones; or, the Captives oe Frontier, 30 Nat Todd; or, The Fate of the Sio Captive. 21 'xrne Frontier Angel. 98 The Boy Minera; or, The Enchanted Island, 182 The llunted Hunter; or, The Strange Horseman, 254 The Halt-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains, 271 The Muge Hunter; or, The Steam Prairie Man, BY MAJOR ITENRY B. STODDARD, Ex-Scout, 806 Neck-Tie Ned; or, The Dug-Out Pardes, 846 Rapler Raphael: or, The Swordsmen of Zacatecas. BY Kid-Glove Cit, the Dandy of the Rockies, 898 Kid-Glove Kit and Pard; or, The Gold King, 406 The Mad Man-Hunter or, The Golden Gulch Mystery. 505 Powell's Pardy or, The One-Armed Giant. BY ARTHUR ©. GRISSOM. 440 Little Foxfoot, the Gold Bowle Kid. 558 The Sure-Shot Pards. 621 Truthful James, the © Pecooliar’’ Man. "BY FREDERICK DEWEY 818 Cimarron Jack, the King-Pin of Rifle-Shots, 478 Tangemund, the Desert Detective. 542 The Canyon Pards. BYL IEUT. A. K, SIMS. 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock. 568 The Dandy of Dodge. 576 The Silver Sport. 583 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 589 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 601 Happy Hans, the Dutch Vidoeg. 611 Bildas Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 622 Texas Tom-Cat’s Triad 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task, 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph; or, Black Ivan’s Great Combine, 646 Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank. 665 Jolly Jeremiahs the Plains Detective, 676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout. 689 Billy the Gypsy Spy. 699 Siraple Sim, the Broncho Buster. 712 The Mesmerist Sport; or, The Mystified Detective. BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Majer Sam, 8, Hall.) 284 Old Rocky « ** Boyees; or, Benito, the Horse-Breaker 246 Giant George; or, The Ang’! of the Range. 275 Arizona Jack 3 or, Giant George’s Pard, 297 The Tarantula of mens or, Giant George’s Revenge. 807 The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. 818 Ber w Room Ker-whoo; or, The Tarantula of Taos. a 881 Bandera Bll; or. Frio Frank to the Front. 892 Romeo and the Reds; or, The Beleaguered Ranch, 404 Little Lariat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage, 414 The Daisy from Denver. 427 The Three Trailers; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage, 442 Bluff Bill; or, The Lynx of the Leona. 455 Little Lone Star? or, The Belle of the Cibolo, 684 Cache Carl, the Chico Glart BY OLL COOMES. 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 4 whe ey Spy. > > Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. 81 Keen-Rnife, the Prince of the Prairies. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 58 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. 74 Hawk-eye Harry the Young Trapper Ranger, 88 Rollo, the per Ranger. 184 Sure Shot Set » the Boy Rifleman, 148 Sear-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter 146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight. 158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon, F 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 182 Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. 202 eye Pete 3 or, The Young Outlaw Hunters, 208 The Boy Hercules: or, The Prairie Tramps. 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashing Dick; or, Trapper Tom’s Castle. 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 288 The Parson Detectives or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Disgulsed Guides or, Wild Raven, the Ranger. 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger. 272 Minkekin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy, 800 The Sky Demon; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Herenlest vr, Dick, the Boy Ranger. 417 Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. 422 Raby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone. 444 Little Buckskin, the Young Prairie Centaur. 457 Wingedtoot Fred; or, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. 478 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemie. pa + ate po me he i bow Troyan. undering Baall, the Hermit Boy Trapper. 652 Don Barr, the Plains Freelance, yeneee 661 Old Kit Bandy’s Deliverance. 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer. 680 Dauntless Dan, the Freelance, or, Old Kit Bandy in Arcadia, BY PHILIP 8. WARNE. 67 Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. 175 Waprain Arizona; or, Patent-Leather Joe's Big Game. 198 Captain Mask; or, Patent-Leether Jve’s Defeat. 219 Deapard, the Duelist; cr, The Mountain Vompires. 888 A Tough Boy ; or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. S68 Little Nornnades or, The Vutcasts of the Glen. BTB Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard, 8858 Little Oh-my $ or, Caught in His Own Trap. 401 Little Shoo-F ly ; or, A Race fora Ranch. 408 Little Leather-Breeches ; or, Old Jumbo’s Curse. 481 Little Ah Sin; or, The Curse of Blood, 451 Colorado Kate. A Tale of the slines. 480 Three Jolly Parda, 517 Jim Gladden’s Deputy. 527 The Jolly Pards to the Rescue. 547 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down, 5656 Lariat Lil; or, The Cast for a Life, 574 Old Weasel-tep, the Man with the Dogs, 598 Keen Clem, the Ranch Imp. 599 Jim Dandy the No-Name Sport. 618 Billy Blazes; or, The Skeleton’s Legacy, 685 Oklahoma Hi, the Blue-Coat Scout, 648 Happy Harry’s Big Find. 664 Cheeky Charley, the Special. BY JO PIEROE, 89T Bob o’ the Bowery}; or, The Prince of Mulberry Street 415 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bob’s Boom, 452 Hotspur Bob, the Street-Boy Detective. 460 The Lawyer’s Shadow}; or, Luke’s Legacy. 472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective, 604 Five Points Phil 509 Jack Jaggers, the Butcher Boy Detective. 5616 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerie, 526 North River Nat, the Pier Detective 588 Wrestling Rex, the Pride ofthe Sixth Ward. 641 Jeff Flicker. the Stable Boy Detective. 551 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow. 659 Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective. 569 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detective, 577 Pavement Pete the Secret Sifter, 588 Jack-o’-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector, €0R Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer, 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid. 628 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Hummer, 689 Sunrise Sanl, the Express-Train Ferret. 649 Gamin Bob, the Bowery Badger; or, Scooping a Slippery Set, 658 Sky-Rocket Rob, the Life-Saver. 688 Saltpeter Sol, the New York Navigator, 694 Spley Jim, the Only One of Hia Kind 706 Tom Thiatle, the Road-House Detective, BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. 2 Yellowstone Jack; or, The Trapper, 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Hurrleane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard, 119 Mustang Sam}; or, The King ef the Plains. 186 Night-tlawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue. 160 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy, 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire witb Fire. 184 The Boy Trallers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path. 208 The Boy Parda; or. Dainty Lance Unmasks. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City, 810 The Barranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider}; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League. 885 Old Double Fist; or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Woods: or Daniel Boone’s Last Trail, 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Traller, 677 Chineapin Dan’« Second Trail. 688 Chincapin Dan’s Home Stretch. 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without a Head, 708 Light-Heart Lute’s Legacy. MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-lorse Wunters. By Capt. Mayne Rela and Frederick Whittaker. 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 2 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift. 4 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp. 6 Robinson Crusoe. (27 Illustrations.) 8 Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Voyages. 2 The Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe, By Juan Lewis. 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribees. By S, W. Pierce. 86 The Boy Clowns or, The Arena Queen. By F 8. Finn. B88 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 61 The Boy Rifles; or, The Underground Camp. By A: C. Irons, 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississipp). By Lieut.-Col. Hazeltine. 98 Robin Hood, the Outlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Green- wood. By Prof. Gildersleeve, 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 112 The Mad Hunters or, 'he Cave of Death. By Burton Saxe. 124 Tippy, the Texan; or, The Young Champion. By George eraon. 128 The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By Harry Cavendish, 148 Sharp Samy; or, The Adventures of a Friendless Boy. By J, Alexander Patten. 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yel. lowstone. By Edward erson. 261 Fergus Fearnaught the New Y wrk Boy. By G. L. Atken. 266 Killb’ar, the Guide; 7, Davy Crockett's ed Trail, By Ensign C, D. Warren. 298 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid ot the Clif. By Captain Comstock. 817 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Leadville, By Lieu- tenant Alfred Thorne. \ 828 The Sky Detectives or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Honot. By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Red Ralph, the River Rovers or, The Brother’s Re- venge. By Ned Buntline. _ 865 Raltimore Ren the Bootblack Detective. By A. P Morris, 874 Gold-Dust Tom: or, Ben’s Double Match. By G@ H. Morse. 876 California Joc’s First Trail. By Cofone) Thomas Hoyer Monstery. y 418 Riily Bombshell, the Cliff Climber. By F. 8. Winthrop. 475 The Black Skip. By JohnS Warner. . 484 Comanche Iek and His Three Invinelbles. By Henry J. Thomas. 582 The Cowboy Duke. By Edwin Brooke Forrest. 552 Ariel the Athlete. By David Druid. 585 Will Waters, the Bov Ferret. By H. Enton. 682 The Dead Detective’s Double. By Gerald Carlton ° BO at pat tt es A New issue Every Tuesday- The Half-Dime Library {s for sale by a1! newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mall on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New Verk, y.
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| anne ne Fre ener meee BY 1 Deadwood 20 Deadwood 25 Deadwood 85 Deadwood 42 Deadwood 49 Deadwood 57 Deadwood 78 Deadwood 77 Deadwood 100 Deadwood 104 Deadwood 109 Deadwood 129 Deadwood 188 Deadwood 149 Deadwood 156 Deadwood 195 Deadwood 201 Deadwood 205 Deadwood 217 Deadwood 221 Deadwood 282 Gold-Duast 268 Deadwood 268 Deadwood $09 Deadwood 821 Deadwood 847 Deadwood 851 Deadwood B62 Deadwood 405 Deadwood 410 Deadwood 421 Deadwood 480 Deadwood 448 Deadwood 448 Deadwood 458 Deadwood 459 Deadwood 465 Deadwood 471 Deadwood 476 Deadwood 481 Deadwood 49L Deadwood 496 Deadwood 600 Deadwood 608 Deadwood 515 Deadwood 622 Deadwood 529 Deadwooa 5644 Deadwood 5689 Deadwood 5644 Deadwood 549 Deadwood 554 Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood 590 Deadwood 595 Deadwood 600 Deadwood 606 Deadwood Deadwood 618 Deadwood 624 Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood 648 Deadwood 654 Deadwood 660 Deadwood Deadwood Deadwoo Deadwood 684 Deadwood 690 Deadwood 695 Derdwood 700 Deadwood 704 Deadwood Dick, 710 Deadwood d Dick, BEADLE’S*HALF-DIME*]IBRARY. Published Every Tuesc lay. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novela. Dick, the Prince of the Road, Dick’s Defiance; or, Double Daggers. Dick in Disguise; or, Buffal) Ben Dick in His Castle. Dick’s Bonanza; or, The wantom Miner, Dick in Danger; or, Omaha Ol. Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. Dick on Deck; or. Calamity é :ne, the Heroine, Dick’s Last Act: or, Corduroy Charlie. Dick in Leadville. Dick’s Device; or, The Double Cross Sign. Dick as Detective. Dick’s Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bill. Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold. Diek of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party. Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road. Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Adventure, Dick’s Dead Deal. Dick’s Death-Plant. Diek. A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. Dick’s Death Trail. Dick’s Deals or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats. Dieck’a Ducats; or, Days in the Diggings. Diek Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta, Dick’s Claim. Dick in Dead City. Dick’s Diamonds, Dick in New Yorks or, A “ Cute Cae,” ak ag a 3 or, The Chained Hand. ek, Jr. Dick, Jr.’a, Defiance. Dick, Jr.’s, Full Hand. Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-Up. Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10. Dick, Jr.’s, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill. Dick, Jr.’*, Dog Detective. Dick. Jr., In Deadwood. Dick, Jr.’«, Compact. ‘a, Inheritance, Diggings. Deliverance, Protegee. Three. Danger Ducka, Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt. ;, drs, in Texas, Dick, Jdr., the Wild West Vidoeg Dick, Jr., on Mis Mettle. Dick, Jr., in Gotham, Dick, Jr., in Boston. Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia, Diek, Jr., in Chicago. Dick. Jr., Afloat. Dick, Jr., in Denver. Dick, Jr.’s, Decree. Dick, Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin, Dick, Jr., at Coney Island. Dick, Jr.’s, Leadville Lay. Dick, Jr., in Detroit. Dick, Jr., in Cincinnati. Dick, Jr., in Nevada, Dick, Jr., In No Man’s Land, Dick, Jr., After the Queer. Dick. Jr., in Buffalo, Dick, Jr.’a, Chase Across the Continent Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. Diek, Jr.’«, Insurance Case, Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines, dr., (tn Durango; or, *‘ Gathered In.” Diek, Jr.’«, Discovery; or, Found a Fortune, Jr.'s. Dazzle. Jrs. Dollars, Jr., at Danger Divide, Jrs, Drop. Jr., at Jdack-Pot. Dick, Jr., in San Franclaco, Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 26 Cloven Ho of, the Buffalo Demon. 82 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot, 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 53 Jim_ Bluds 61 Buckhorn oe, dr., the Boy Phenix. Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team, 69 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshocter; or, The Boy Detective, 80 Rosebud Reb or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand. 88 Phetograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance, 92 Canada Chet ; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. Cinnamon Solid Sam 5 Captain 1 New ¥ 7 Nobby Nie 1 Wild Wan bad oe Since 7 286 Apollo Bil 240 Cyclone K R44 She 6 Watech-Eye; or, Araba and Angels of a Great City, Jack Hoyle the Young Speculator. Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sp»rt Detective Chips the Girl Sport. Bonanza Bill, Miner. Bossa Bob the King of Bootblacks, 4 the Boy Road-Agent. erret, the New York Detective. York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. k of Nevada; or, The Sierras Scamps. k, the Buckskin Bravo. »Y Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective, 218 Fritz to the Front 226 Snoozer, the Boy Sharp; or, The Arab : or, The Mr tetic bo Hunter. wtective, 1, the TrailvTornado. it, the Young G)adiator. srra Sam, the Frontier Ferret. 248 Sierra Sam’s Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sterra Saw’a Pard; or, The Ange! ot Big Vista, 258 Sierra Sain’s Seven}; or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Koy Patrol: or, The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen, 281 Denver Do ll’« Victory. 285 Denver Doll’s Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza, 291 Turk the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll's Drift; or. The Road Queen. 299 A No. 1, th 808 ’Liza Jane @ Dashing Toll-Taker. », the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. 825 Kelley, Hickey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia, 880, Little Qu! ek-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Daggersville, 884 Kangaroo 889 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miuer, Kit’s Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood. 858 First-Class im. the Gold-Gatherer; or, The Life Lottery, B68 Yreka - Fred, ‘he Gent trom Gopher. 872 Yreka Jim's Prize. 878 Nabob.N B82 Cool Kit, Ved: or, The Secret of Slab City. the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, B85 Yreka Jim’s Joker; or, The Rivals of Red Nose, 889 Biecyele Ben; or. The Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. ais High Wat Harry, the Base Ball Detective. 6 Sam Slabaldes, the Begzar-Boy Detective. 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives. 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. 486 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkler. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 7 The Flyings Yankee; or, The Ocean Outcast, 17 Ralph Roy, the, Boy Bucenancer; or, The Fugitive Yacht, 24 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone, 62 The Shadow Ship; or, The Rival Lieutenants. 75 The Boy Dnellat; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf, 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggier. 111 The Sea-Devil; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 116 The Hussar Captain 3 or, ‘Tle Hermit o! Hell Gate. 197 Littlé Grit; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. 204 Gold Plume}; or, Buffalo Bill, the Pony Express Rider, 216 Bison BAll, the Prince of the Reins; or, Butfalo Bill’s Pluck. 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer, 229 Crimson Kate 3: or, The Cowboy’s Triumph. 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 245 Merle, the Middy : or, The Freelance Heir. The Midshipman Mutineer; or, Brandt, the Buccaneer. The Floating F eather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure. The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned, 276 Merle Monte’« Cruise; or,“ The Gold Ship ” Chase, 280 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Pearl, the Pirave’s Bride, 284 The Sea Marauder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge. 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. 804 The Pead Shot Dandy ; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler. 808 Keno Kit; or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. yt 814 The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler's Trail. 877 Bonodel, the Boy Rover; or, The Flagless Schooner. The Indlan Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island. 7 Warpath WII, the Boy Phantom. 898 Seawalf, the Boy Lieutenant. 402 Iaodor, the Young Consapirator; or, The Fatal League, 407 The Boy Insurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta. 412 The Wild Yachtaman; The War-Cloua’s Cruise. 429 Dunean Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 A Cabin Boy's Luck; or, The Corsair. 487 The Sea Ralder. 441 The Ocean Firefly ¢ or, A Middy’s Vengeance. 446 Waphazard Harry; or, Tne Scapegrace of the Sea, 450 Wizard Will: or, Tire Boy Ferret of New York, 454 Wizard WiLl'« Street Scouts. The Born Guide? or, The Saiiur Boy Wanderer, 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. 74 Flora; or, Wizard Will’s Vagahond Pard, ASS Ferrets Afloaty or, Wizard Will's Last Case, 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger. 495 Arizona doe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack. 497 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 508 The Royal Middy ; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat, The Hunted Midshipman. The Outlawed Middy. Buckskin Bill, the Comanche Shadow. 525 Brothers in Buckskin. The Buckskin Bowers, 5 The Buc skin Rovers. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marander ot the Rie. 545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. 550 Lafitte’«s Legacy; or. The Avenging Son. 555 The Creole Corsair. 560 Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shadower. 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. Camille, the Card Queen, & The Surgeon-Scout Detective. The Outcast Cadet; or, The False Detective. The Buckskin Avenger. Delmonte, the Young Sea Rover. The Young Texan Detective. The Vagabond of the Mines, The Rover Detective; or, Keno Kit’s Champions, 7 Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scouts or, The Rio Raiders. 644 The Hercules Highwaymauan, 650 Rutterfly Billy, the Pony Kider Detective; or, Buffalo Bill’s Boy Para. 656 Butterfly Billy’s Man Wunt. 662 Butterfly Billy’« Bonanza. 668 The Buccaneer Midshipman, 674 The Wizard Sailer; or, Red Ralph, the Rover. 679 The Sea Shadower; or, The Freevootr's Legacy 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag; or, The Tarnished Name. 692 The Rival Sharps; or, Redfern, the Secret Service Scont. 697 The Searlet Sombrero: or, The Sharp from Texna. 702 Blue Jacket Bill; or, The Red Hat Rangers’ Red Hot Recket 707 The Red Sombrero Rangers; or, Redfern’s Last Trai). BY BUFFALO BILL (ilfon. Wm. F. Cody). 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy : or, The Pilot of the Prairie. 55 Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Scout. 68 Border Robin Heod; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Faney Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust, BY CHARLES MORKIS. 18 Will Somers, the Bov Detective. 2 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. 6 Picayune Pete 3; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective, Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags. ‘ Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred. Black Ress, Will Wildfire’s Racer. Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy, Will Wildfire in the Woods, Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. A Tromp Card; or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses, Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, The Hidden Hand 3 or, Wil) Wildfire’s Revenge. Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, 89 Bob Rockett; ot, Driven to the Wall. 6 Shadowed ; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life, Dark Paul, the Tiger Kine. 12 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 20 Tom Tanner}; or, The Black Sheep of the Flock, 25 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky. 235 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway : or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sharps? or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail. 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’s Job; or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Hound: or, The Young Thoroughored. 805 Dashaway, of Daketa; or, A Western Lad in Quaker City, $24 Ralph Ready, the Hote) Bov Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detective ; or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. 879 Larry, the Leveler}; or. The Bloods of the Boulevard, A408 Firefly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier, 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vaganond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive. 479 Detective Dodge ¢ or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. 488 Wild Dick Racket. 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman: or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, b86 The Seerct Service Boy Detective. B96 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkanaast or. The Wo)fin the Fold. 655 Placky Paul, the Boy Speculator. E87 Rob and Ram, the Daisy Detectives. 709 The Curbstone Detectives or, Horry Hale’# Big Beat, ere Ses RONMSHSUOAIGNSS PRM 7 a RSE ok pa ek pk pk pk ep © ray ie sis oe le Fanta hii, a Wh ag i‘ ae » 4 ae Se ny qe BY J, ©. COWDRICK, 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. 869 Shasta, the Gold King ¢.or, For Seven Years Dead. 420 The Detective’s Apprentice ; or, A Boy Without . Name. 424 Cibuta John; or, Ked-Hot Times at Ante Bar. 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout, 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo, 606 Redlight Ralph, the Prince o/ the Road, 514 Broadway Billy’« Boodle. 524 The Engineer Detective. 586 Broadway Billy’« ‘ Difikilty.” 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. 557 Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. 571 Air-Line Luke the Young Engineer. 579 The Chimney Spy; or, Broadway Billy’s Surprite-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 Broadway Billy’ Dead Act. 640 Barebr bi Beth, the Centaur of the Circle, 647 ar, pevwiiter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward, 659 Moonlight Morgan, the *‘ Pizenest ’’ Man of Ante Bar. 669 Broadway Billy Abroad. 675 Broadway Billy’s Best; or, Beating San Francisco's Finest, 687 Broadway Billy in Clover. 696 Broadway Billy tn Texans. 708 Broadway Billy’s Brand. 711 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe. BY T. C. HARBAUGH. 28 Nick o° the Nights or, The Boy Spy of ’76. 8&7 The Hidden Lodge; or The Littl Hunter. 47 Nightingale Nat; or, Tne Forest Captains, 64 Dandy Jack; or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Tralts 82 Kit Harefovot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack 4 of, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Froaty, the Guide; or, The White Queem 128 Ktowa Charley the White Mustanger. 189 Judge Lynch, Jr.i or, The Bey Vigiante. 155 Gold Trigger, the Spert; er, The Girl Avenger. 169 Tornado Tomy or, Injun Jack From Red Core, 55 Captain Apoliv, tne King-Pin of Bowie, : The buckskin Detective, 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizons, 826 The Ten Parda; or. The Terror o! Take-Notice. 886 Bie Benson: or, The Queen of the La‘ so. 845 Pitiless Matt; or, Ked Thunderbdli’s Secret. 856 Cool Sam und Par: ¢ ov The Terrible Six. 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 886 Captain Cutlass; or, ‘he B ccoaneer’s Girl Foe, 896 Rough Robs or. The {win Champions of Blue Biases, 411 The Silken Masso: or, The Rose of Ranch Robin. 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump, the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Fla«h, the New York Fox: 445 The City Vampires; or, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon. 461 One Against Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow}; or, Felix Fox's Hunt. AT? The Exceisior Sport; or, The Washington Spotter. 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night ferret.J 512 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective. 521 Dodger Dick's Best Dodge. 528) Fox and Falcon, the Bowery Shadows, 588 Dodger Picky, the Dock Ferret, | 548 Dodger Dick's Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 5S Dodcer Dick's Desperate Case. 548 Dodger Dick. the Boy Vidoeq. 578 The Two Shadows. 582 Dodger Dick’s Drop. 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sherp on Guard. 626 The Champton Parda. 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective. 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. 671 Jersey Jed, the Roy Hastler; or, Shadowing the Shadower. 685 Happy Tugh, the Boy-Musician Detective. 701 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp. LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 718 Carl, the Mad Cowboy; 07, The Lariat Queen, By Col. Prentisa Ingraham. 14 Old Misery, the Man from Missourl; or, The Mystery of the Mountain League, By Wm. G. Patten T15 Wide Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferret; or, Caging the Cormorants.. By T. C. Harbaugh 716 Deadwood Mich, Jr.'s, Still Hunts or, The Second Round in San Francisco, By Edward L. Wheeler. 217 Mosquito Tack, the Hustler Gamin; or, Move-on Mike’s Grand Catch. , By Jo Plerce, 718 Licht-Heart Lute’s T ast, Trail; or, The Gold Crater’s ’ Secret. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 719 Pawnee Bill’« Pledges or, The Cowboy Kidnapper, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 720 Broadway Billy's Full Hand; or, The Gamin Detee- tive’s Double Snap at Santa Fe. By '. C. Cowdrick, 721 Maverick Mose, the Arizona Detec'lve; or, The Wizard of Urkos Pars, By Will Lisenbee- Ready May 19. 722 Deadwood Dicks Ir.’#, Dominoes; or, The Rival Camps of the Northern Borders By Edward L. Wheeler, Ready May 26. 728 Silverblade, the Shoshone; or, The Border Beagle’s By Joe. E. Badger, Jr. Secret Miesion. Ready June 2d. A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Half- Dime Library Is for ale by all newsdenlers, ive centa per copy, or sent by mal! on receipt of ax cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New we,