Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 727) (1891 06 30)
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ree mT | a ~— ee : Ac ihentiltul a S ORR 1M Dg i ih an SS ae athe | db Entered as Second Class Matter at the New TT Pe a Sean OR, Mad Madge, the Outlaw Queen. A RAILWAY ROMANCE, BY COL, A, F, HOLT, AUTHOR OF “ BLACK BUCKSKIN,” ‘THE DANDY SPORT,” “‘ LITTLE LIGHTFOOT,” ETC., ETO, CHAPTER I,’ A STRANGE CONSIGNMENT, “Comm, boys, get a move on you! It’s almost starting-time, so you'll need to stir your stumps, Fire them in lively, now! That’s the talk!” The speaker was one of Wells, Fargo & Co’s trusty Express-messengers, who, standing within the open door of his car, was busily engaged in receiving the miscellaneous assortment of boxes, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. \ RMhAk NAMA. |W . \ \ “tn of a a York, N Post Office. . Copyright 1:91, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price, No scents, VOLXXVIII ZF tjjj7 -_ AN = Wit HULME | PANE HGH Th ’ TS) Hin | “ii if ete ll i A AAT] . alll IT WAS, INDEED, MAD MADGE, QUEEN OF THE TRAIN-WRECKERS, WHO STOOD BEFORE THE ASTONISHED YOUNG ENGINEER!
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2 bundles and what not that a@ seemingly endless shower. The scene was the railway station at Grandon, poured upon him in a thriving Western town, just prior to the de- | parture of the evening Mail and Express, The lat- ter was already made up and in position, headed by a monster iron-horse, resplendent in bright paint and highly-polished brasses, that throbbed and thrilled as if eager to be off on its impetuous career. Six elegant coaches, together with mail, Express and baggage cars, went to make up this important train which, leaving Grandon Jate in the afternoon, made a long but rapid run westward to Richton, reacbing that point short- ly after midnight. Hundreds of hurrying people thronged the spacious platforms—belated passengers, train- hands, cabmen and truckmen, newsboys, mes- sengers and countless others, all jostling and elbowing one another as they hastened in various directions, while the incessant rattle of baggage- trucks and the shouts of the busy workers served to augment the uproar and excitement peculiar to ap important railway station at train-time. Amid the universal bustle and confusion the Express-car before-mentioned, presented, per- haps, the busiest scene of all, belated van, heavily laden, bad only just arrived, and a force of brawny truckmen were hard at work trans- ferring its contents to the door of the car where the messenger and his assistant waited to receive them, With but a few moments remaining in which to complete their work, these lusty fel- Jows toiled with such herculean energy that the men in the car found themselves in imminent danger of being buried beneath the perfect ava- lanche of miscellaneous articles that poured in- incessantly upon them, Boxes and packages of every shape and size, from a dry-goods case down to a tiny parcel, flew from van to truck and from truck to car with astonishing rapidity, when suddenly from the conglomerate mass was unearthed an object quite out of the ordinary run of Express matter, and which received a trifle nore than usual at- tention from the hurrying truckmen, It wasa rough pine box, about seven by three, and its very shape was grimly suggestive of the hidden coutents. There was something peculiarly weird and uncanny about this humble box and its inanimate burden, sufficiently so to inspire _ the awe of these rough-and-ready men, for a dead bush took the place of their usual shouts, while they exercised a care in handling it that was quite at variance with their customary recklessness. Not enough s6, however, to satisfy a certain individual who hovered close at band, watchin the course of the box with an air of great se tude, He wasa queer little old man, apparently bent with age, with long, gray beard falling to bis waist, and twinkling black eyes that peered share rom beneath the shaggy brows. He was y attired, and might be taken fora native of the back districts, judging from the nervous, undecided air with which he contem- plated his surroundings. When the pine box was raised on high bya dozen sinewy arms, this queer old fellow imme- diately rushed forward, making bis presence known by a series of excited exclamations de- livered ia shrill, high-pitched tones, ‘*Be keerful, there, yeou fellers!"be scream- ed. ‘‘ Don’t bandle that ere box as if "twasa bundle o’ rags, for it contains the earthly re- maius o’ my poor ole brother Bill, an’ a better chap never cavorted up an’ down God’s footstool. I’m a-sendin’ bim home to the old folks, and durn me if I don’t believe he’ll arrive there in more’n a thousan’ pieces, judgin’ by the way you ’tarnal railroad folks 1s bangin’ things around,” Displaying an agility astonishing in one of his ears, the stranger gave a bound which landed im inside the Express-car, “Poor Bul! It’s powerful tough to hev to leave ye to the tender mercy o’ these railroad hustlers, but I reckon thar’s no help for it, Howsumdever, I'll see to it that ye ride as com- fortable as possible under the circumstances. I s’pose, mister,” he went on, addressing the Ex- press-messenger, ‘“* thar’s no objection to my ar- Tangin’ this box sort of cozy-like. Ye see, I’ve planked down a right smart sum for the trans- portation of my brother’s remains, an’ it kinder / ag’in’ my grain to have him buried under forty ton weight o’ rubbish.” “ All right, my friend! Fix him up to suit yourself, If you'll place the box in yonder vacant corner, I'll rebar your deceased re- lative will enjoy bis long journey unmolested, But, make baste, partner, for we are off in just minute,” And laughing good-naturedly, the messenger turned once more to his task, while the old man, Headlight Harry’s Siren. unaided, proceeded to drag his precious box to its allotted corner. This done, he stood over it apparently lost in coptemplation of the mani- fold virtues of his departed fraternal relative. Clang! went the great depot gong, the wait- | ing conductor shouted *‘ All aboard!” and, an | instant later, the long train was in motion, The last package of Express matter was thrown in even as the car started, and now Roy Noble, the Express-messenger, turned hurriedly to bis queer old visitor who stood seemingly oblivious of the fact that the train was under way. ‘** Look sharp, my friend! Don’t you know the train has started?” he cried, sharply; and the | old man turned with a violent start. ‘* Sakes alive, ye don’t say so!” he exclaimed. ‘* Waal, Bill, [ s\pose I. must leave ye, Wish I c’u’d stay with ye to the end, but circum- stances won’t allow it. Good-by, old fellow! An’ say, Mr. Expressman. take good care o’ poor Bill, an’ see that he’s let off easy when he gets to Branford.” Bestowing a last affectionate glance at the box that inclosed his deceased relative’s re- mains, the old fellow jumped from the slowly- moving car to the platform, where he stood in- dustriously applying a red cotton handkerchief to his eyes, and gazing after the train until it had disappeared trom view, ‘* A queer old customer, that,” remarked Roy Noble, seating bimself upon a crate to enjoy a few moments’ rest before beginning tbe work of assorting the miscellaneous pile of mer- chandise that sirrounded him—a privilege he was enabled to take because the train ran a considerable distance before making its first stop. ‘* Ay, the rustiest old rooster from Wayback that I ever sot my two peepers on,” rejoined the messenger’s assistant, a rollicking youth named Tim Tupper. ‘‘ Mighty particular, too, about his poor brother Bill, Reckon he oughter en- gage a special palace car to transport tle cadaver in, I, for one, don’t keer for sich g host- ly company, hanyed if I do,” The speaker cast a suspicious glance toward the long pine box, lying there in that dimly- lighted corner, as though fearful that its ghastly occupant might burst suddenly from his prison and confront him. ** Well, Tim, Til admit that such a neighbor is not altogether desirable; but if the Company sees fit to accept a consignment of that nature, of course we, as its humble servants, have no right to object. ‘brother Bilt’ will not barm eitherof us, 1 reckon, and we'll soon be rid of his company.” “Not until we strike Branford, and that is more’n half the run,” growled Tim, by no means hore at the prospect. ‘‘ However, I reckon ll manage to weather it somehow.” ** Yonder box and its contents don’t worry me in the least,” declared the messenger; ‘‘ though there are other more important matters on my mind, which, to tell the truth, are causing meno little uneasiness,” Roy Noble’s bandsome couutenance, usually beaming with smiles, now bore unmistakable traces of anx ety; and it was with much sur- prise that his companion now observed the change, “ Why, pard, what has struck you, now?” he exclaimed. ‘‘ Never saw you look so serious be- fore. What’s up?” The pom a anak laughed a short, un- easy laugh, ‘Oh, there’s really nothing the matter, Tim, I’m merely indulging in the objectionable prac- tice of borrowing trouble, ory foolish, Pl admit; nevertheless, I can’t help it. * Pooh! Is that all?’ snorted Tim, in disgust. ‘* Why, you look as woebegone asa feller that’s sentenced to be electrocuted; what the dickens are ye borrowin’ trouble about, any way?” “Well, Tim, there’s an extra responsibility resting on my shoulders, to-night. Listen!” and he lowered his voice toa confideutial whisper, as though fearful that the very car itself had ears. ‘* Yonder safe contains a fortune, Tim—a verit- able fortune! In fact, this is by far the most vajuable consignment ever placed in my charge during my connection with this Company.” ‘¢ You don’t say so!” *T do, In addition to an unusually large number of packages containing money, jewelry and other valuables, there is one particular item that exceeds in value all the rest combined.” ** And thatis—” ‘““A package consigned to the Richville Na- tional Bank. It contains a cool bandred thou- sand dollars in crisp new treasu 4 Tim Tupper’s eyes protruded Mke peeled- onions, and he gave a prolonged whistle to ex- press his ment, ‘‘ Je-rusalem! That’s a powerful lot o’ swag!” he commented, ‘‘ Just so, And as lam responsible for its safe delivery, do you wonder that [ feel the least bit nervous?” ‘“There’s no need of worry, I reckon, The stuff’ll reach its destination all right. What's to binder?” ‘* Nothing, probably; but several things, pos- sibly, For instance, there have been a number of Express robberies in the history of this line, , Others are just as liable tooccur, If the knigbts of the road should capture this car, to-night, , what a harvest they would reap!” ‘True; but the aforesaid knights are not so promiscuous in these parts asthey might be. It is overa year since Nick Norman’s gang was wiped out, right after they beld up an excursion — on the Belmout Branch, an’ nothin’ bas been done in that line since.” : : ye ‘But that is no guaranty of immunity inthe | future. It is the unexpected that alwayshap- | i pens, and in this wild country one cannot be too ie cautious,” - “Well, I reckon it?d take a mighty smart. gang ©’ robbers to gain an entrance to this car,” Tim Tupper declared. ‘* With good stout doors, locked and larred, and trusty revolvers in our fists, we c’u’d bid ’em all defiance. We're per- fectly safe from outsiders, The only danger is that ‘ brother Bill’ yonder might take a notion to come out of his box an’ try for that hundred thousand. Ha, ha!” So absurd was Tim’s remark that the Express- messenger was forced to smile. ‘““T do not anticipate any trouble from tbat source,” he said, ‘‘and I certainly hope there will be none from any other, Uowever, I shall not breathe freely until the trip isended, But come, Tim! We are wasting too much time in idle talk, There’s a lot of work abead of us, and we'll need to hump ourselves to get things straightened out before the next stop.” In another moment the two men were indus- triously at work. CHAPTER II. THE ROBBERY, THE long train rolled on its rapid way, stead- ily leaving mile after mile bebin.d, now drawing ) up ata Lustling station, then steaming swiftly Sp on again through long stretches of fertile ficlds f and virgin forests. Night had succeeded day, ay and gleaming lights that flashed like fireflies marked the course of the train as it sped along in the darkness. Within the Express-car, the gieom was but partially relieved by the aingy kerosene lamps ot tn that hung suspended from the ceiling, The mo- tion of the car caused these lights to sway and flicker in an eccentric manner, throwing fantas- tic shadows on every hand. The corner that contained the long pine box was almost entirely shrouded in darkness, for & quantity of other articles had been piled so as to sbut out the rays of the nearest lamp, at the same time biding the death-box from the view of the living occupants of the car. iy The latter were now enjoying a brief period Cab of ease, for the train had just left a station and 2, entered a long stretch of unbroken country, with the next stopping-place nearly twenty Sipe miles distant. The messenger was idly turning ‘ the leaves of bis receipt-book, while Tim Tup- per, perched on an improvised seat of boxes 1d was endeavoring to read the latest novel by aid ; of the feeble light that danced and flickered overhead, May Neither gaveasingle thoughtto“ poor brother __ Bill,” lying there in his narrow ccflin; and this ~ utter disregard proved, indeed, unfortunate for - both, for had they chanced to visit thatdimly- lighted corner, they might have witnessedavery remarkable scene, st pi One end of that innocent-appearing box sud- pea commenced to move inward, swing slowly, noiselessly, like a door on well-oiled — hinges, Then, through the spacious opening ~ thus created, a human head protruded. =. When but a few minutes previous, Tim Tup- per had laughingly mentioned the ibility of nate “brother Bill” emerging from bis box, he of course intended itas a jest; but now tbat pre~ diction seemed actually about to be fulfilled! ben Nor was this phenomenon attributable to any — as ay supernatural agency, It was but the resultof = —- — remarkable human ingenuity. One end of the fi f fi box, while seemingly a solid part of the whole, = was really a shrowdl contrived door swinging — inward, and opera from the inside by means of a concealed spring. It fitted perfectly into place, and was well calculated to defy detection. — The coffin suppor to be contained witbin this — box was conspicuous by its absence, but the
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*‘corpse” itself was there, and an exceedingly lively one be seemed to be, The easy snake-like manner in which “ brother Bill "issued from his narrow prison would have electrified the Express- men close by, if they had witnessed the perform- ance, Then, too, they would have understood why the queer old man at Granion was so particular about placing the box in a spot where it was ijikely to remain undisturbed; for had it chanced to be beneath a pile of other articles, the ‘*corpse” would have found it extremely diffi- cult to operate his secret door successfully, But why such extraordinary proceedings? What was meant by the presence of this cun- ningly-contrived box and its mysterious occu- pant? The question was destined to be speedily apswered, On hands and knees, the supposed dead man crept stealthily behind a pile of merchandise that effectually screened him from view. Then he slowly rose to his full height, revealing a slender but well-knit frame, evidently that of a mere youth, He was clad in close-fitting gar- ments, and a black mask effectually concealed his face. In his rigbt hand be held a short but heavy club, while the other clutched a cocked revolver. Bac, Truly a formidable-looking ‘‘ corpse,” viewe fn the weird lamp-light, as be crouched there in ' the semi-darkness, peering intently in the direc- tion of the two men who sat at their ease but a ‘i ‘few steps away, quite oblivious of what was ._ sranspiring behind them. eae: 4 A briet survey seemed to satisfy the masked intruder that they wera wholly engrossed in their occupation, and without farther delay he emerged from his hidiug-pl:ce, dropping to the floor again and moving stealtbily forward, In this manner he advanced slowly but surely, inch by inch, until he was close to the unsus- i ecting Expressmen. Once more he rose to his eiy eet, with ready weapon clutched in either hand, wy tet _ his eyes fairly blazing through the holes in irs -~-~——s somber mask as he gloatingly contemplated his -__-vietims. Tne fact that the odds were two to one against him did not daunt the bold marauder in the least. He counted on taking the two men completely by surprise, and in tbis he was _ wholly successful, § at For an instant the masked man stood like an -* @bon statue, nerving himself for a mighty effort; then he bounded like a panther upon Roy Noble, | bringing that murderous club down upon the head of the latter with all the force of his sinewy right arm. : at Bia, <7, ithout a cry, the luckless messenger sunk ss anconscious to the floor; and almost simultane- ously the desperado covered Tim Tupper with his ready revolver. __ - That youth was in the middle of an intensely interesting chapter when suddenly interrupted by the appearance of the masked intruder, At sight of the latter, [im started so violently that the pile of boxes on which he perched was upset, and went to the floor with a terrific crash, with _ the hapless youth entangled in the debris. When he freed himself it was to find the un- welcome visitor bending over him, pressing the muzzle of bis weapon close to his temple. ‘Get up!” was the terse command, and Tim obeyed with alacrity, The cold touch of the pistol-barrel sent a _ shiver down his spine, and caused all his vaunt- ed courage to disappear like magic, He stood before his captor, the very picture of meekness and submission, } ; “T want ao to help me a little, my festive _- youth,” said the masked man, grimly, ‘Obey _ orders, and your life is safe. Make any at- tempt) at outery, an’ I'll blow out your brains quicker’n you can say ‘scat,’ Understand?” _ “Treckon I’ve got good ears,” retorted Tim, stale _ “What d’ye want me to do, mis- , pees hey be door swung open, three stalwart fel- © had neen crouching Jow upon the Headlight Harry’s Siren. platform, bounded into the car with such sud- denness as to nearly upset Tim Tupper, who was rather slow in getting out of the way. They were rough, burly fellows, armed,/and though without masks the thick bushy beards they wore were quite as effective in concealing their features, The trio glidec in without a word, and stood mutely awaiting the pleasure of the slender youth in black who seemed to be their leader, and who greeted their appearance with an ap- proving nod. **Good enough, boys! You're right on hand, as urual,” he complimented. ‘* Now, young fel- ler, close and lock that door again, and be quick about it! That’s right! Now, march for- ward to where your festive friend is lying.” Tim Tupper obeyed these instructions prompt- ly, for that grim revolver still looked him in the oo with a persuasive power that was irresisti- e. Meantime, Roy Noble lay where the rutbless hand of the assailant bad felled him, quite un- conscious yet, but breathing heavily. It was apparently but the question of a few minutes when he would regain his senses, “Get some rope, boys, and tie this critter hand and foot, for [ opine he will soon come to, and be may be inclined to cut up rusty, Also, supply a gag to prevent any unncessary neise on his part.” While this was being done, the masked leader coolly turned bis attention to the buge safe that occupied one end of the var. On account of the frequency with which the messenger must of necessity visit the safe during his long trip, the massive outside doors bearing the combina- tion lock were always left ajar; therefore, noth- ing but the inner door stood between the robbers aud their prospective bovty. All this was noted by the man in the mask with the utmost satis- faction, **Good plain sailing. No pesky combina- tions to monkey with,” be commented, with a chuckle. .“‘ Now, young man, where do you keep the keys that open that door?” ‘**T dunno nothin’ about the safe, mister,” was Tim’s dogged answer, : ‘*Humph! You don’t, eb? See if this will help you to remember a little something about it,” and tbe robbe1’s weapon suddenly shot for- ward until the steely tube fairly touched Tim’s nose, giving that wortby a violent start, ‘*‘ No monkey bizness with me, young fellow! Where are the keys? Out with it, quick, or off goes your head!” This startling demonstration had its desired effect, “*I—1—I guess you'll find ‘em in the mes- senger’s pocket,” faltered the victim in blank despair. “Produce them and then unlock that door!” was the next order, delivered in harsh, unyield- ing tones. entally cursing the ill-luck that had led him into this awkward scrape, Tim Tupper reluc- tantly obeyed. The doors swung slowly open, and the coveted treasures of the vault were re- vealed to the avaricious eyes of the marauders, ‘Now, boys,” cried the leader, “‘let’s settle down to’ business, The boodle is before us, but we must work lively if we would get away with it in safety, for our time is limited. You, Jack, keep this fellow covered, and shoot bim at the first sign of treachery, No, don’t bother to tie him up, for I shall want to use him again presently. ow, the rest of you work with me, Acting under the black mask’s instructions, the lawiess plunderers went immediately to work, Their first act was to drag forth the long pine box, by means of which their leader. had so shrewdly gained entrance to the Express- car. Then began the work of transferring the many valuable packages from the safe to the box,” which was sufficiently commodious to con- tain them all, This nefarious werk bad not continued long, however, before the plunderers were interrupted, The train suddenly slackened speed; and Tim Tupper’s face brightened considerably when he noted this fact, for he knew they were approach- ing a station, and felt there was still a chance of outwitting the robbers, But, while the masked leader was equally quick to comprehend the situation, he gave no visible symptoms of uneasiness. Coolly turning to the Expressman, he demanded: ‘* What station is this we are approaching?” “Silver Valley, I reckon.” * Any em matter to be left there?” “* Yes; and probable some to be taken,” ** Well, we won’t interfere with zea. regular duties at all, laughed the marauder. ‘ You bk itis We ae Woe NARS ee may proceed to receive and deliver in the usual manner, just as though notbing had happened. We won't interrupt you.” Tim could hardly conceal his surprise, W hat did the robber mean? Was the latter foolish enough to invite bis own destruction by allow- ing him an opportunity to escape, and give the alarm?! The youth’s heart thumped hard and fast at the thought. But while he stood ruminating thus, the four plunderers were not idle, They lifted the still unconscious Express messenger, and bore him to the furthermost corner, where, behind a pile of merchandise, be was safe from observation, Then the half-filled plunder-box was also bur- riedly concealed, : ‘* Now,” said tke grim lender, addressing Tim Tupper, “‘ we are all reacy to transact the com- pany’s bizness. We will take up positions be- bind these boxes, where we can see and yet be unseen, You will perform your necessary duties as promptly as possible, with the knowl- — edge that we are watching you closely, prepared to frustrate apy attempt at treachery. Bear in mind that four trusty weapons will cover you, backed by men who never miss their aim, and, if by word or sign you attempt to betray us, you will fall, riddled Ly bullets, the next in- stant. Do you comprehend?” ‘*T reckon I do, mister.” **Good! Now, open the door and proceed to business.” Tim obeyed, for the train had now come toa standstill at the Silver Valley Station, where, despite the lateness of the hour, quite a crowd had assembled. There were among them a num- ber of bold, well-armed men, who would have liked nothing better than an outlaw-bunt, end it needed but a knowledge of their presence to bring a formidable party cown upon the au- dacious scoundrels who lurked within the Ex- press-car. Truly, it was a desperate game that the latter were playing, and its success or failure depend- ed upon Tim Tuppe r. That youth mechanically handed out all i matter consigned to Silver Valley, and received the few packages thrown in at the door; but, while thus manually employed, bis mental faculties were also busily at work, However, Tim was not an over-courageous lad, and the result of his mental pola. proved him to be unequal to the trying occasion, : Conscious that four glittering pistol-barrels were focused on bis head, and doubting not that the first hostile movement on his part would result in instant death, it is perbaps hardly tobe wondered at that the young man hesitated ere inviting such a fate. Great as was his desire to perform his duty and give an alarm, his self-perservative ivstinct was stronger, and, as he stood thus undecided, the train moved on again and the opportunity was lost. “Young fellow bb si a trump!” gleefully cried the robber leader, emerging from his con- cealment when the station was left behind and the car closed once more, ‘‘T calculated you'd value your life too highly to. make any false » breaks, and I see I gauge yor character just fe) right, What you lack in courage is made up in common-sense, I’d like to give you a place in my tan.” “That honor is declined, an’ no thanks to ye for tbe offer,” returned Tim, dryly. “I don't keer about associatin’ with sich people, an’ the sooner ye finish up yer dirty work here an’ clear out, the better I'shall like it.” ‘Ha, ba! Well spoken, my boy,” laughed the masked leader. ‘' We'll soon rid you of our unwelcome presence, never fear. Let's see, the next stopping-place is Branford, is it not?” “You are right.” “* How far away?” ‘* A matter of ten miles or thereabouts.” “Good! our work willbe completed when wo reach there, Come, boys, settle down to business again,” / i The work of transferring the contents of the” safe, interrupted by the stop at Silver Valley, was now resumed and pushed to completion, The secret door of the treasure-box. was then closed, and the four Express-robbers calmly rested from their labors, ei Ree A few minutes afterward the train slackened d at Branford, *" “Bere we are! Now, my young friend, be so kind as to hand out all goods consigned to this station, not forgetting this valuable box which is marked ‘John Thomas, Branford,’ and is supposed to contain the body of ‘poor brother Bill.’ Ha, ba ha!” y It was with very ill grace that Tim carried out the instructions of his captor, but those — r. SOR h Nad -} = x ne %
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a Headlight Harry’s Siren. death-dealing six-shooters at his back again ex- erted their persuasive powers; and when the train moved on aguin, that long pine box, with its valuable contents, lay on the depot platform at Braoford. ‘* Now, then, the pox has gone, and we must follow to look after our treasure,” said the chief robber, hurriedly. ‘* Accept my sincere thanks, young man, for the valuable nid you have ren- dered, and be assured we shall never forget it. And now, since I have no further need of your services, and as I desire to postpone the discov- ery of this affair as long as possibie, I'll take the liberty to have you bound and gagged and placed beside your friend yonder. This was speedily done, and then, while the train was still running at but a moderate rate of speed, the four successful Express-robbers leaped one by enue from the open door and disappeared in the gloom, CHAPTER III. VAIN PURSUIT. THUS was consummated a robbery that, for s*rewdness of plot and boldness of execution, +ond without a parallel in Western railway his- tory; and, as the train rolled rapidly onward, the luckless fellows who had so easily fallen vic- tims to this daring scheme, bound and gagged as they were, could but commune with their own unpleasant reflections, utterly powerless to pre- vent the escape of the audacious thieves with their plunder. However, they were not destined to long re- main ia that disagreeable position, At the very next sopping. place, a dozen miles beyond the point where the four marauders decamped, the suspicions of the station people were aroused by the messenger’s non-appearance, and the side door of the car being wide open, they immedi- ately entered to investigate. Of course the plight of the two Expressmen wai quickly discovered, and as soon as released they told their startling story. The news of the robbery created a great sen- sation, as may well be imagined, Trainmen and passengers, together with a considerable number of townspeople who chanced to be at the station, now gathered in an excited throng, erly discussing the situation. ‘Now, there’s still a slight chance left to thwart the robbers, if we act immediately,” cried Roy Noble, with difficulty making himself heard above the Babel cf voices, * Advise the agent at Branford of the situa- tion instantly! The box containing the booty was left in bis care, and if the rascals have not already secured it, he may be able to preserve it from their clutches,” This advice was well worth acting upon, and a rush was instantly made for the operator, In a moment the magic ey Ssh making merry music, as it fairly flew beneath his nimble fin- gers. In breathless suspense the crowd awaited a re- ply, but, to their increasing surprise and disap- pointment, none was forthcoming. Despite his repeated calls for Branford, that station made no answer; and finally the operator * abandoned the attempt in disgust. ‘No use, gentlemen; can’t get ’em!” he an- nounced. ‘There is something wrong,on the line. Probably the’wires are cit.” Then Tim Tupper declared that he had seen a pair of linemen’s spurs protruding from the ket of one of the men who had entered the xpress-car, and this fact went far to strengthen the operator’s theory. The cunning brain that planned this stupen- dous robbery had seemingly provided for every possible exigency; and, without doubt, the very first act of the gang after leaving the car had been to climb the nearest telegraph-pole and sever the wires, thus effectually shutting off all communication between Branford and the West, For the present, at least, the robbers were masters of the situation. The country there- abouts was wild and sparsely inhabited, while the settlements were sinall and far apart, The nearest place where adequate assistance could be obtained was at Richville, the western terminus of the route, now over two hours’ run distant. To proceed to the latter place as quick- ly as possidle seemed the wisest course, aud this was accordingly done, Arriving at Richville an alarm was at once given, and, though the hour was late, and the majority of the citizens wrapt in slumber, the news spread with marvelous rapidity. The authorities were thoroughly aroused, and deter- mined upon prompt and energetic action; and in a comparatively short time a strong sheriff's ee ad had been organized, and was on the way the scene of action aboard a special train. It was scarcely daylight when the party reached the quiet little community of Branford. | The station agent was immediately sought out, and roused from his downy couch. He appear- ed at the door in response to their imperative summons, sleepily ruboing his eyes, and aston- ished beyond measure at the appearance of these early morning visitors, From bim it was learned that an old man had driven up to the depot in a stout wagon, drawn by a single horse, perbaps half an hour before the arrival of the train. In conversation witb the agent, the stranger gave his name as John Thomas, Claiming to reside in the back districts a dozen miles froin town, and stating that he had come for the body of his son, Bill, who had just died in Grandon, and whose body was to be sent home that night for burial, Though the man was a perfect stranger to him, the agent had no reason to suspect anything wrong in his presence, and when the train arrived and the lieve him of furtber duty until the investigation long box, plainly addressed to John Thomas, was carefully banded out, be at once turned it over to its supposed owner. No sooner was the box safoly deposited in the wagon than the stranger, remarking that he hada long journey ahead of him, whipped up his horse and quickly disappeared, Here, then, was fresh evidence of the marvel- ously cunning manner in which the Express rob- bery had been planned and executed, Clearly, no ordinary thief was at the head of this gang, but a master hand at villainy, to capture whom would require no small amount of strategy. After obtaining a minute description of the man who ‘ecured the box, together with the direction taken by him, the sheriff’s party pusbed on, leaving the agent fairly overwhelmed with chagrin and astonishment at the knowledge that a gigantic robbery bad been committed, and the valuable booty carried away before bis eyes in the very box be had handled so gingerly under the impression that it contained a corpse. For a mile or two it was an easy matter to trace the course of the robber’s team; but soon the road merged into a broader and more fre- quented thoroughfare, and then the troubles of the outlaw-bunters began. For here the hoof and wheel marks were so plentiful that to fol- low any particular carriage by this means was an utter impossibility, The sheriff’s party soon realized this fact, and wisely abandoned the attempt. There were other resources left, however, and the search was prosecuted as vigorously as cir- cumstances would allow. But luck was decid- edly against the man-bunters, Constant inquiry failed to reveal any person who had seen the man with the box, or, indeed, any other stran- rs who might be associated with the robbery, he gang had doubtless put many a mile behind them before daybreak, and no man knew whither they had flown. After spending the entire day in fruitless search, the party returned to Richville baffled ani discouraged. Meantime, the news of the robbery had spread like wildfire, and the entire community was wrought to the highest pitch of excitement; for, while deeds of crime an violence were by no means infrequent along this line, running as it did through a wild and half-civilized section of the West, this latest exploit fairly eclipsed all previous performances of the kind. In the thriving town of Richyille the excite- ment was particularly intense, The daily news- papers came out with great flaring headlines, iving higbly-colored descriptions of the affair, eople neglected their business, and congregated upon the streets to talk about the audacious robbery, which now became the sole topic of conversation, The detailed statement of the Express-messen- ger, published by the papers, was eagerly read and discussed. Some believed the story impli- citly, while others were inclined to reject it as being bighly improbable and quite unworthy of belief. That yarn about the box with a secret door and a robber concealed within was, they declared, quite too transparent to deceive intel- ligent people, More likely the messenger and his youthful associate, Tim Tupper, were in league with the robbers, and bad deliberately admitted them to the car, if, indeed, they hac not actually helped to plunder the safe, It was quite natural that the Expressmen should take every possible precaution to conceal their own implicacy in the affair, and, therefore, to accom- plish that end had caused themselves to be bound and gagged, this together with the cunning man- in-the-box story being well calculated to avert suspicion, * Of course Roy Noble’s many friends, knowing well his sterling character, vigorously denounced this story as being quite preposterous and un- ! worthy of the slightest attention; nevertheless, there were uot a few others inclined:to believe otnerwise, and the ugly rumors, once put into circulation, spread with marvelous rapidity. It was not long, therefore, before the messenger was made aware of the existing rumors connect- ing him with the train-robbers; and his feelings on receiving this intelligence can better be im- agined than described. Roy was already sore and discomfited at the ridiculously easy manuer in which he had been outwitted by the robbers, and now this new pbase in the situation was hardly calculated to soothe his injured feelings. Ais dismay was in- creased when, a few hours later, he received @ message from the local superintendent of the great Expres, Company, requesting an immedi- ate interview, and upon reaching the latter’s office was coolly informed that, while having the utmost confidence in his integrity, it was deemed best, in view of existing circumstances, to re- of the robbery was completed. Poor Roy! As he emerged from the super- inte:denw’s office it was to feel that he was a marked man, cursed by the sbadow of sus- picion, and he expected at any moment to be seized by the law’s minions and burried away to a prison cell, While the latter event did not take place, it was none the less a fact that bis every movement was closely watched, and any attempt at flight, had he been so inclined, would have been speedily frustrated, It was bad enough to lose the valuable pro- perty intrusted to his care: but to be suspected of impli-acy in the robbery was more than the sensitive messenger could bear with equanim- ity. Hosts of sympathetic friends were ready to assist him, however; and, consoled by their cheering words, Roy waited as patiently as pos- sible for the lifting of the cloud of suspicion that now hung threateningly over him. CHAPTER IV. IIAD MADGE’S MANIFESTO, On the second morning after the great Express robbery, an interesting group of individuals might have been found in a certain building be- longing to the railroad corporation, and located near the Richville station. The party numbered perbaps half a score, and was composed entirely of railway mmplovers The place where they had assembled was @ large, bail-like apartment comprising an entire upper floor, and had been fitted up expressly for the use of the company» employees during their moments of leisure. sides answering the pur- pose of a reading and smoking room, it was also supplied with the paraphernalia for billiards, gymnastics and other kindred amusements, It was Superintendent,Renwood who bad been instrumental in providing this cozy lounging place for the hard-working “ boys” on hig divi- sion. He was ever mindful of the comfort and welfare of his employers: his interest perhaps increased by the knowledge that they were most of them his old-time comrades, for it was buta short time since he bad risen from an engineer’s cab to the reponsible position he now occupied, It is needless to say. that this act of generosi- ty and thoughtfulness on the partcf their super- intendent was fully appreciated by the gallant There was scarcely an hour in the day that the place was wholly deserted, being resorted to during the riods of enforced idleness between ‘‘runs;” while in the evening, when all hands were off duty, ove might bunt the whole town over and fail to find a livelier lace. - On the present occasion, however, the various means of diversion that usually attracted the “‘ boys” bad apparently lost their charm, for all bands gathered in a little group engaged in earnest conversation, the sole topic of which was naturally the recent robbery, he center of this little knct of railroaders was Headlight Harry, a tall, athletic youth with sparkling blue eyes and wavy auburn hair. The youngest engineer in the company’s service, he was second to none in point of skill and reli- ability, and enjoyed at once the implicit confi- dence of his employers and the bighest csteem of all who knew him, By his side stood his fireman, Rufe Ruffle, a sturdy vows fellow whose sterling worth as a bold and fearless rail- roader had been proved on many 4 trying occa- sion This pair were fast friends and inseparable companions, off duty as well as on, and together they bad figured in innumerable perilous adven- tures each of which bad served to unite them mors firmly in the bonds of friendship, This mutual attachment was so obvious that their railroad boys.
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ae ee ees Ob apes |. revelation. associates invariably referred to them collec- tively as the Railroad Pards, “The most striking outcome of this robbery,” Headlight Harry was saying, ‘‘ is the manner in which suspicion has been fastened upon Roy Noble, It is astounding to note the wesc f with which this ridiculous rumor bas spread, and that it has received such general credence is a fact much to be regretted by bis friends. Why, even his employers believe him guilty, if their recent action in tempo arily relieving bim from duty is to be taken as a criterion.” _ “Tvs a "tarnal shame, that’s what it is, to have sich ugly stories floatin’ round,” broke in Rofe Ruffle, righteously indignant. ‘“ Roy Noble should be the last man in the world to be accused of complicity in sich a dirty job. [ s’pose the next move ‘ll be to nab the suspect an’ lock him up for safe-keepiv.’ I should think the authorities would be afraid their bird might un- fold bis wings an’ quietly soar away.” ““That would prove a difficult task, 1 think, should Roy choose to attempt it,” declared the engineer, with a knowing smile, ‘‘It may not be generally understood, but is nevertheless true, that while the police have not seen fit to arrest the object of suspicion, yet bis every movement is closely spied upon, and should he make an effort to leave town it would be to find his intentions neatly frustrated. Such precautions are quite unnecessary, however, for Roy Noble is not the coward to seek safety in flight, when he is perfectly innocent of any wrong-doing.” ** Now you’re just a-talkin’, pard!” cried the irrepressible Rufe. ‘‘Roy is goin’ to face the music like a man, an’ there’s plenty of us that'll stan’ by him until his innocence is demonstrated to the satisfaction of all concerned. Us rail- roaders are bis friends, evry man Jack of us an’ we're a-goin’ to stick to bim through thick an’ thin, Ain’t that so, boys?” A murmur of approval instantly ran through * the room, showing that the young fireman in his uncouth and vigorous language had voiced the sentiments of a)l present. “Thank you, gentlemen, for the opinion so emphatically expressed, Believe me, it is grati- fying to know that I bave still a few true friends left in this hour of trouble when they are needed most,” These words, falling in clear, ringing tones upon the ears of the railroaders, bad much the effect of an electric shock, for the entrance of the speaker had been quite noiseless, and until _ this moment none were aware that the subject of their conversation was standing in the open doorway, quietly listening to all that was said, he Express-messenger now advanced, to be in- stantly surrounded by the surprised railroad boys, all eager to grasp his hand. He looked a perfect picture of health and strength as he stood there in their midst, and from the smile . that wreathed his handsome face, no one would , take him for a man under the dread shadow of suspicion, ** Well, boys,” he exclaimed, ‘' there is an old saw that asserts that ‘the listener never hears aught good of bimself,’ but for once I am in- clined to dispute the truth of that time-honored saying. Once more, my friends, permit me to thank you for your expressions of eymperey and, in return, I have to offer a bit of news which I feel sure will be welcome,” _. * About the robbery?” questioned everybody, in an eager chorus, _ Roy smilingly nodded in the affirmative as he threw himselt into a vacant seat, and displayed @ newspaper still damp from the press, “ {ts quite a story that. the morning papers give us; they’re selling like hot cakes on the streets, You see, the perpetrators of the rob- bery have communicated with President Mel- _ Tose, very considerately revealiog their identity - and explaining why the crime was committed; also, binting that other similar exploits may be expected in the near future. In fact, these miscreants proposs to inaugurate a veritable reign of outlawry and crime, if their own boast- ful statement is to be relied upon.” “Very bola of them, not to say indiscreet, to publish their intentions in advance,” declared Freadlight Harry. “Bat, go on with your How was this communication re- ceived?” | “Tn rather an unusual manner, I should say. I was making acall at Mr. Melrose’s bouse last evening, and, while we were all cozily seat- _ edip the parlor, our tranquillity was suddenly _ ‘disturbed by a ring at the bell so violent as to bring us all to our feet in dismay. The servant who answered the bell was just in time to see a horseman ride down the graveled path like mad m9 Ral grey in the gloom. A small package dressed to President Melrose was found upon ie OE catia it ad Headlight Harry’s Siren, the steps where it had been placed by the mys- terious messenger; and, upon opening the same, a most curious and interesting document was disclosed. ‘* It comprised several sheets of brown wrap- ping paper, each covered with writing in the same bold, irregular hand as the superscrip- tion. From the appearance of this wonerful epistle, 1t’?s my opinion that the author used a sbarpened stick for a pen,and in lieu of ink utilized the juice of some wild berry, Be that as it may, it took us fully two hours to decipher the communication and make a copy of it for future use. ‘* I'd like to show you the document, but Mr, Melrose has Jocked it up, and declares bis inten- tion to preserve it as a chirographic curiosity, However, the daily papers were favored with a copy, and here we have the interesting epistle verbatim et literatim. Listen!” All bands gathered closer ina state of eager expectancy as Roy Noble leisurely unfolded his newspaper and read: ‘*Mavrice Mrenroser, Esq., ‘ President, R. & S R. R. Co:— “Dear Srr:—As this c mmunication greatly con- cerns the corporation of which you are chief cook and high-cockoiorum, the writer takes the liberty of inviting your personal attention to the same, feel- ing that you cannot fail to become deeply interested in its contents, As a starter, I desire to inform you in particular and the public in general that mine was the brain that pia: ned the recent Express robbery which has cr. ated such a bubbub in your lively town, and under my personal guidatres was that pJot brought to a successfu! culmination, Asa direct result of our enterprise, we are to-day some- thing cver a hundred thc usand collars richer in cold eash, not to mention a quantity of watches and other trifles, fur all of which we are duly thankful. Aud right here let me sav, in behalf of those who, as I understand, are suspected of complicity in the aff.ir, that we recrived no aid whatsoever from that source; and the reason why the Expressmen made no resistance is simply because we gave them no opportunity fir sd doing. You see, I object to sharing the glory of tris achiqyement which right- fully belongs to me alone, *“T> proceed, Maurice Melrose, I must tell you who I am and what I propose to do, and, if the lat- ter doesn’t_ startle you, then I'm n>) Yankee at guessing. Dc you recall the name of Nick N rman? Do you remember the man who was once an hum- ble employee of the great corporation whose head you have the honor of being? who was thrown into a prison cell for some trivial offense? who escaped and, accompanied by his faithful daughter, sought shelter in the wilderness, only to be hounded from place to place and finally brougrt t» death at the ruthless hands of your own bloodthirsty minions? Of course you remember, Maurice Melrose! The circumstances are yet fresh in ycur memory, I'll warrant, Know, then, that Iam Madge Norman the daughter of the man so mercilessly hurted down by his enemies—that daughter who was faith- ful to her father till te Jast, and who is now pre- pared to avenge his wrongs! ‘“* Doubtless you will recollect that when my fath r was killed, I made my escape frem the gang that wrought his destruction by hiding in th» f rest, ‘hey scoured the country in every direction, but [ fooled them all. Ha, ha! In the year or more that has elapsed since that time I have not been idle. I have worked indefatigabiy with but one object in view—to acguire &p sition where I could strike to avenge my father, . One by one my men were select- ed, many of them old friends and comrades of Nick Norman, and every one bold, determined fellows, until now I can boast of a powerful band, ready at all times to do my bidding. “ Already we have struck the first blow for venge- ance. The recent plundering of the Express w ll serve to illustrate what we are capable of doing; but that exploit is by no means a circumstance to what is bound ‘o follow. With my powerful force, I propose to inaugurate a veritable reign « f terror all along your line. Trains shall be wrecked, pas- sengers robbed, property destroyed—in short, there shall be no limit to my p rsecution. And when the story of our doings shall Lave spread b oadcast, when timid travelers will no longer intrust i 4 precious lives to your care, and shippers of freight object. to consign their property to probable ce- struction; when traffic is suspended along the entire line and a once powerful corporation swe pt over the verge of irretrievable ruin- th: n,I say, and not till then, shall I deem my work of vengeance complete! “Laugh, if you will, at this warning. Maurice Mel- rose, and call it on idle threat. It is for the fyture to show how thoroughly Iam in earnest. Ere many days have elapsed, you will feel the full weight of a woman’s vengeance, and look in mingled oe and amazement he destructive care ro eine **Map Mapce.” Such was the remarkable effusion that Roy Noble read to his interested hearers, and when he bad finished, all stood in open-mouthed aston- ishment. “Well, boys, what d’ye think of it?” queried the messenger, at length breaking the silence, ‘Ts it not a choice specimen of epistolary ele- gance?” “ A very suggestive nroduction, truly, breath- ing of knives and pistols and dvnamite bombs,” xy an Svar { Re rege at a j ; i) be eae ean a a yl Sas ea Tiga te Bieta! bila aa rae a i ‘oc ope teal fear ae “ph Dline fe > o ees . : a Me Lae a ee — eas oe < Z roms re a BE —— Se Th alt i b] commented Headlight Harry, with a grim smile, ** According to the assertions of the author, this railroad is doomed to complete annihilation in the near future. The prospect is exceedingly dubious, to say the least,” ‘* Little need of anticipating so dire a calam- ity, | reckon,” returned Roy, incredulously, ‘I, for one, am inclined to view the contents of this letter merely as a big bluff. Should this Mad Madge be rash enough to attempt the nefarious business she hints at, I fancy she'll find a bigger task on her fair hands than she bargained for, She will soon run up against a snag, and prob- ably meet the same fate that overtook her es- teemed paternal ancestor.” But Headlight Harry gravely sbook bis head. ‘*T sincerely hope, for the company’s sake, that your idea is correct; yet, | fear there is. something more than mere bluff in this strange letter from the outlaw’s daughter. We have already witnessed a fair specimen of ber prowess; and, in my humble opinion, the brain that con- trived that cunning Express robbery is fully capable of plotting any amount of mischief. That she has a strong force at her back to ex~ ecute these schemes is hardly to be doubted, We may expect to see some lively times before lcng, just mark my words, boys!” “Let ’er rip, say I!” cried Rufe Ruffle, eager- ly, ‘tll seem like cll times to haye a little fightin’ mixed in with our ev’ry-day routine, I swear I’m gettin’ rusty for want of a sc:im- mage. Why, it’s be’n more’n A year, hain’t it, pard, since we wiped out Nick Norman’s, gang ” \ “Yes, Rufe; considerably more than a year has elapsed since that memorable occasion; though, in truth, it seems but yesterday, so vividly are the events impressed upon my mem- ory. Well doIT remember the tragic death of Nick Norman and the mysterious disappearance of his beautiful daughter. And now she as suddenly reappears in the awful role of an avenger. Why, I can scarcely believe that so young and beautiful a woman would launch herself upon a career of violence and crime.” ‘* Yet, ouch is the case, if we are to credit the misguided girl’s own vainglorious statement, I have yet to be convinced that these terrible tbreats amount to anything more than a colossal bluff, If, however, she undertakes to perform the deeds at which she hints, it will prove, to my satisfaction at least, that she is mentally unbalanced, for surely no sane person would be guilty of such foolhardiness.” “True; it is quite possible that grief for her ill-fated father has driven the poor girl insane. In that event, she merits the sympathy and charity of all. However, we are likely to know the whole truth before long. Méantime, Roy, you may be assured that this Jetter from the perpetrator of the recent robbery is bound to have one good effect—tbat of lifting the cloud of suspicion that has hung over you on account of that affair.” “Do you really think so, Harry?” and the messenger’s fase brightened visibly, “So sure of it that I extend my congratu- lations in advance, and— Hello! Bless me, it’s nine o’clock and time to be going. Come, Rufus, stir your Jazy shanks!” ‘It’s barely possible female avenger,” sugge Roy, as the Railroad Pards hurriedly arose to depart, ‘If so, please extend my best regards, and look out you don’t fall in love with her, yourself, for, as everybody knows, Madge Norman is lovely aud fascinating as a houri.” “Don’t laugh at me in that connection,” laugbed Headlight Harry, as be hastened from the room. ‘My heart is already appropriated, you know,” | Fifteen minutes later the morning Express moved slowly out of Richville station and en- tered upon its long eastward run, In the cab of the ponderous iron-horse sat the Railroad Pards, light-hearted and merry as was their wont, neither suspecting that the present trip was destined to add a most exciting chapter to their already eventful bistory, CHAPTER V. THE RAILROAD PARDS IN DIFFICULTY. Tue Railroad Pards bore the enviable reputa~ tion of being the best, as well as youngest, e ine crew in the employ of the great R. & 8. . R, Co., and consequently were favored with a regular run on one of the most important trains. Leaving Richville at 9:15 A. M., they conducted the Fast Express east as far as Gran- don; then, after a short wait at the latter point, | returned with the western Mail-and- Express. that reached Richville early in the evening, Diy after day, week in and week out, was ou may meet this q o af a. f a ht 4 * wok) la ey Te Sik Ahh De Lad i ES at . =3 lp an ye
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this service repeated with never-varying regular- ity, until the pards had become thoroughly ac- quainted with every mile of track ovar which their daily run extended. -Indeed, Headlight Harry was wont to laughingly boast that there was not even a tree or post along the entire line that had not become familiar to him from frequent observation. et, despite their perfect knowledge of the road, one might have imagined this to be their maiden trip, such was the remarkable care and vigilance displayed by the youthful pair who piloted the Fast Express, This extra precaution on their part was directly attributable to that remarkable epistle bearing the signature of *“Mad Madge”; for, while the vague threats embodied in the contents of that communication were generally regarded as a huge bluff, and mothing more, the Railroad Pards were united in viewing the matter in a far more serious light. With a past experience fraught with innu- merable adventures with robbers, wreckers and others of like ilk, whose evil machinations go to increase ten-fold the dangers and difficulties of the luckless railroader’s life, they bad learned, among other valuable bits of wisdom, that a little extra precaution, while costing nothing, is frequently the means of averting serious trouble, Therefore, with visions of displaced rails, open switches and the like constantly flash- ing before his mind, Headlight Marry, while running between stations, never for an instant allowed his eager gaze to wander from.the con- verging lines of steel that glistened so brightly in the morning sunlight, The outward run to Grandon was made with- out the occurrence of anything unusual; but this fact did not serve to abate one particle the vigil- ance of the Pards when, in due course of time, they found themselves well launched upon the return trip. Rather, their apprehensions in- creased with the approach of nightfall, realizing as they did the increased opportunities for mis- chief afforded under cover of darkness, And that their feelings of uneasiness were by mo means groundless was fully proved by sub- sequent events. Peril most imminent at that moment hung threateningly over the Railroad Pards, both the nature of whick and the direc- tion whence it came were alike quite unex- As nigbt fell upon the scene, great somber banks of clouds rolled rapidly up from the West a harbingers of a coming storin—quite ing Heaven’s luminaries; and soon the Jandscape was shrouded in inky darkness, re- lieved only by the fitful flashes emitted by the locomotive, rushing like sume huge flame- breathing monster on its impetuous way. It was a night well-fitted for deeds of violence and crime, and this fact served to sharpen the senses of the wide-awake railroad boys, who, cognizant of the tremendous responsibility rest- ing upon them, were fully resolved that no lack of vigilance on their part should prevent the train trom reaching its destination in safety. But, alas! for the Railroad Pards, apprehen- sive though they were of coming evil, and ever on the alert to discover and avert it, yet Fate had designed their well-directed efforts to be of mo avail. As the train moved slowly out of a small station, shortly after nightfall, four shadowy forms might have been seen to dart from their places of concealment, two on either side of the track, and, witb a series of agile and noiseless movements, gain the front platform of the fore- most car, where they crouched unobserved while the train gradually gathered speed. Who were these nocturnal prowlers, and why their mysterious movements? Tramps, perhaps bent on securing free passage, who had selected the “ blind” end of the Express-car as being the place least liable to visitation from the argus- eyed ticket-puncher. Yet, the subsequent ma- neuvers of the four unknowns would seem to indicate a far different object. No sooner was the station left well behind than those mysterious forms on the front plat- form became suddenly possessed of renewed ac- tivity. One after another they crossed to the end of the tender, and mounted stealthily to the top. Here they paused again, as though appre- hensive that their movements had been ob- served, But no; the men in the cab were too thor- oughly engrossed in their duties to heed these silent movements in their rea. Headlight Harry was leaning far forward in his seat, one ready hand upon the throttle-lever, straining his eager eyes to pierce the gloom; while Rufe Ruffle, having just replenisbed the seething fires of the iron horse, was keeping an equaily = ! / Headlight Harry’s Siren. em lookout. Alas! for the Railroad Pards! While watching for an imaginary danger ahead, they failed to discover the veritable peril that threatened from behind, which is scarcely to be marveled at, considering the totally unexpected quarter from whence it came, Once more the four unknowns were in motion, creeping stealthily over the huge pile of fuel that filled the tender to repletion, While to pass over this yielding mass entirely without noise was quite an impossibility, yet the slight “sounds actually made were drowned by the clatter of the speeding train; and the prowlers, advancing inch by inch, soon reached a position almost within reach of their intended victims. One backward glance would have warned the Pards of their danger, and perbaps afforded an opportunity to avert the fatal consequences; but Fate destined otherwise, and the luckless fellows, quite unconscious of the impending dis- aster, sat with their gaze riveted upon the track abead, until— There was a sudden rush of heavy feet, as four ruffians bounded into the cab, and attacked their victims with tke fierceness of jungle tigers, A fearful blow upon the head sent Freadlignt Harry senseless to the floor; but Rufe Ruffle was nct disposed of quite so easily, Chbhancing to turn his bead at that moment, a blow savage enough to have split his skull was narrowly averted, and, witb a cry of defiance, the in- trepid fireman instantly grappled with his as- sailants. So unequal a contest, however, with odds four to one, could bave but one result; and in far less time than it takes to record the fact, Rufe found himself bound, gagged and helpless, though pbysically none the worse for the brief encounter, As he lay upon the rough floor, close beside his senseless pard, vaguely conscious of the fact that their pet engine was in the bands of a gang of masked ruffians, the face of the vaniguidhed fire- man was a study. Astonishment, disgust and anger were ludicroysly blended, The four marauders proceeded with a prompti- tude that showed the details of their scheme to be carefully prearranged. Two of their num- ber immediately took the posts recently occu- pied by the engine crew, while their compan- ions, after unceremoniously dragging the luck- less victims back into the t»der, themselves took up a crouching p)sition beside them, Thus, if any person had chanced to look into the cab from the rear, there was nothing visible to arouse suspicion, for, in the indistinct light, the two unknowns who perched so coolly in their lofty seats might easily have been mistaken for the bona fide engineer and fireman. On rusbed the long train upon its way, with all on board quite ignorant of the change that had taken place within the locomotive cab, and, ten minutes after the capture of the Railroad Pards, the next stopping-place was approached, Then it was that the bold marauders prepared for the next move in their desperate game, As the huge driving-wheels ceased to revolve, the pair who had hitherto crouched in the back- ground now leaped lightly from the cab on the side opposite to that on which the station was located, Their comrades quickly raised the form of the still unconscious engineer, and low- ered it into the arms that waited to receive it, An instant later, captors and captive disap- ety within the dense bushes that skirted the rac That this bold move was accomplished with- out detection was due to a combination of favor- able circumstances, The place was a small one, and but few people were about the station at the time, all of them being assembled upon the platform to meet the incoming train, Then, too, the pseudo-engineer bad planned to stop at a point fully two ecar’s lengths beyond the lighted depot, where there was nothing to re- lieve the intense blackness of the night, With the train-hands all engaged in their duties at the station, it is scarcely to bé wondered at that the mysterious marauders accomplished their purpose without discovery. Onttv more the train moved on, with the two remaining unknowns still at their self-appointed posts. Their part in this strange night’s work yet remained unfinished. The cool and efficient manner in which they managed the great iron- horse, was evidence of past experience at the lever and throttle, Several stations were passed, one after another, but they stuck tenaciously to the cab until a point was reached fuly twenty miles beyond the scene of Headlight Harry’s abduction. Hero it was evident they were about to relin- quish the role which they had enacted with such good effect, As the train again came to a stop, one of the unknown bent over Rufe Ruffle, who had re- mained a dumb but interested witness of the entire proceedings, and loosened the cords that ) bound him so that it would require but a few moments effort on the fireman’s part to free : himself entirely.. Scarcely had this been done | when the swing of the conductor’s red-light set | the train again in motion, and, a moment later, ) the two ruffians leaped nimbly to the ground, leaving Rufe Ruffle, bound and gagged, the sole | Occupant of the locomotive cab, Ten minutes later these same individuals might have been seen riding briskly over a rough country road, in the direction of tke dis- tant foot-hills, mounted on mettlesome steecs, and accompanied by a third desperado, to whom they were gleefully recounting their successful night’s adventures. Meantime, Rufe Ruffle had lost no time in im- proving hisopportunity. Working energetically at the bonds so considerately loosened by his late captors, he soon hed the satisfaction of finding himself at liberty, His first act was to bring the train to a stand- still; then, as the train-hands rushed excitedly forward to learn the cause of this action, he quickly explained what bad occurred on the en- give during that eventful trip, To say that his story caused a sensation is put+ ting it but mildly, All stood aghast as they realized the audacious scheme that bad been brought to a successful culmination beneath their very noses. <A brief consultation was held, and the impossibility of succoring the unfortu- nate engineer at the present time was speedily demonstrated, To push cn to Richville and no- tify the authorities seemed the most sensible procedure under the circumstances, and this was accordingly done without further delay, The news of Headlight Harry’s mysterious abduction spread like wildfire, furnishing a new theme for conversation, and promising to create an even greater sensation than the famous Ex- press robbery that bad but recently set the com- munity agog with excitement, CHAPTER VI. THE UNDERGROUND CHAMBER. SecuRE from observation in their leafy covert, the captors of Headlight Harry remained until the fast receding train had vanished in the distance, Then, lifting the still unconscious en- gineer between them, they emerged from the thicket and moved noiselessly across an adjacent field. The night marsaucers had evinced great shrewdness ia selecting this mnall and unimpor- tant station as a fitting place to escape from the engine with their victim. Houses were few and far between, and it was quite an easy matter to elude the mere handful of people who chanced to be in the immediate vicinity. Traversing the field, they soon reached a nar- row highway at a point not far distant from the railroad. Pausing here, one of the ruffians gave a low, peculiar whistle which was instantly re- turned, while from the dense thicket that fringed the road a dusky form emerged, “ Hello, Pat! salutation. “Raith, an’ it?s me own silf, an’ nobody’s else,” came the ready response, in accents un- “Shure, an’ it’s tired Did yez fetch Is it you?” was the cautious mistakably Milesian. enough [ am, a-waitin’ fer yez. the spalpeen along?” ‘Use yer eyes more an’ yer tongue less, an? ye’ll see the bloomin’ beauty right bere under yer nose, I reckon Black Jobn is not the galoot to trip up on an easy job like this, but he brings down bis game ev’ry time. Eh,’pard?” “Right you are, pard,” rejoined the third unknown, ‘An’ il allow the cap’n ’ll be mighty tickled when we bring the critter in safe an’ sound,” “* An’ by the shades of Holy St. Patrick, phat does the cap’n want 0’ this bloody spalpeen of am engineer? Shure, she’s taken puins enough to git bim, but phat the divil it’s all about is more than I can tell.” * And the same is none of our bigness, Pat me boy,” tersely returned the individual called “It?s our duty to obey orders an” So, cease your blarney an’ We've got a long, hard Black John. | ask no questions. trot out pape bosses. ride ahead of us. , The Irishman thereupon quickly subsided, and roceeded to lead three powerful steeds from the thicket where they had been tethered, The trio quickly mounted, Headlight Harry bein thrown unceremoniously across the pommel o Black John’s saddle; in which uncomfortable position he was sustained by the stout arm of that redoubtable ruffian. Without further con< the mysterious versation, night-riders now :
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\ ” Bar objects that presented themselves a0 that the outer world is not far distant, It’s ev- _ ident, too, that there is another and larger Headlight Harry’s Siren. ‘moved briskly alo toward the rugged distance. They followed this high way for several miles, then branched off into a narrow path that wound its serpentine course up the rugged mountain-side, along this tortuous path the little party slowly and laboriously wended their way, until at length the passage became so narrow that it was found necessary to dis- mount, Leaving the horses in charge of one of their number, the others pressed forward on foot, bearing their captive between them, forc- ' ing their way with extreme difficulty through the maze of bushes and briers that choked the path and rendered it well-nigh impassable, Headlight Harry was handled with as scant ceremony as though he was but a sack of meal, instead of a human being with flesh susceptible to the tenacious clutch of thorns and briers; yet, the poor fellow was providentially spared all consciousness of the rough usage to which he was now subjected, for that blow that laid him senseless wasa most terrific one, and he had not yet recovered from its terrible effects. And when he finally did regain his senses, it was to find himself amid far different sur- roundings—no longer roughly borne through the chill nigbt air, but lying peacefully upon a comfortable couch of furs within a commodious apartment. Dazed and bewildered, it was some time before be could recollect his scattered wits sufficiently to grasp the situation. Without attempting to change his recumbent position, he allowed his curious gaze to wander over the range of vision, mentally noting the various view, hat he was now witbin a subterranean chamber was evident at a glance. The walls and floor were of stone, smooth as though polished by human hands, while from the roof, fully twenty feet above his head, thousands of glittering stalactites hung pendent, presenting a most beautiful appearance in the soft light that pervaded the place, he walls were hung with skins of various animals, while the floor was thickly carpeted with the same material, this going far to impart awarm and cozy look to the otherwis3 bare rock-chamber. be room was but sparsely furnished, containing a plain deal table, two chairs, a chest and a variety of miscellaneous articles quite needless to enumerate, On one side the wall of skins took the form of a heavy ‘curtain, suspended from a stout rope that stretched across the cavern, there being a space of several feet between the top of this and the rocky roof, showing that the apartment tbus formed was but a small portion of the whole. All this Headlight Harry was enabled to see by the mellow light of two lamps that hung in the winding country road s that loomed up in the : _. brackets attached to the wall; and to say that he was surprised thereat is giving but a faint expression to his actual rie |= From the cab of a speeding locomotive to this mysterious underground chamber was, indeed, a wonderful transition; and it’s hardly to be marveled at that the bewildered engineer should for fully ten minutes lie motionless on the couch, bs dead staring about the room, and striving to get his coufused brain into working order. Finally, he struggled to a sitting posture, still faint and dizzy from the fearful blow he had received, and witb bis aching bead clasped bo- tween his hands, lapsed into a soliloquy that soon found audible expression, “ What manner of enchantment is this? Am _ Lin the realm, of fairies and hobgoblins, or am - still an upright citizen of the good old United States of America? I sbould certainly swear _. Ihada severe dose of the nightmare, were it not for this infernal headache, which furnishes most pat Sere prot that Iam vide-awake. Now, let’s see, what can [remember? Oh, yes, it’s all clear enough, now! I was sittingin my seat on old Number Six, es out of Zippsville, when suddenly I got a clipon the noddle-box that sent me kiting. Andthen—and then— 1 just woke up and found myself here! “Now, where am I? and what the deuce was _ Llugged here for in such a mysterious fashion? These are the momentous questions that call for @lucidation. It’s plain that ['m now in some eee roand chamber, but whether the same is _ inthe iv sap ol I'm quite unable to determine. Judg- ing from appearances, however, I should say apartment beyond this, the mysteries of which _ Inow propose to explore, there being spparent- tee. around to interpose objections to— Just as Headlight Harry was about to rise, 70 eA 7 ae United States or in Old Nick’s own do-. . by ‘ ie mas e Le 7 ag" Uitte K is cai ee. Lots = Smeets ie eae bent on carrying out his purpose, the heavy cur- tain was abruptly parted, and a villainous, be- whiskered face peered in upon him, Only for an instant, however, for the new-comer almost instantly withdrew, “T’'m not so entirely alone as I fondly ima- gined,” quoth the engineer, dryly. ‘‘ Reckon I'll go slow, and see what’s in the wind.” He had not long to wait, for the fellow soon returned and this time entered the apartment. He bore a tray containing various dishes of edibles, all of which he deliberately proceeded to arrange upon the table. This done, he turned to Headlight Harry, who had watched the opera- tion with appreciative eyes. ‘The captain sends regards, an’ says as how if ye’r’ bungry, now’s the time to pitch in an’ git a squar’ meal. Afterward, prepare to re- ceive a visit from the captain.” **TIndeed! Kindly return my compliments to ‘the captain,’ and say that his kind considera- tion for the welfare of my inner man is heartily appreciated. Also, please say that I trust he will defer his intended call until I have fully satisfied my appetite, for I dislike most de- cidedly to disturbed while at table. And say, my friend, if I may make bold to ask, who the dickens is ‘ the captain,’ anyway, and what particular organization is he captain of?” But the party addressed abruptly withdrew witbout vouchsafing the desired information. “Humph! That pump is dry, I see,” mut- tered the young engineer, and he turned to in- spect the repast that now awaited his pleasure. There was an abundance of plain but palatable food, and a bottle of wine with which to wash it down, and to the eyes of the hungry youth the spread wasa most appetizing one, Without hesitation he drew up a chair and proceeded to demolish the tempting edibles, While thus engaged, Headlight Harry found opportunity to ponder well the situation. He had already seen enough to convince him that this was the retreat of some unknown organiza- tion; and at once his mind reverted to that ominous letter signed by Mad Madge, That the latter’s boasted band was actually in existence he had scarcely a doubt; but could it be possi- ble that he was now in the hidden haunt of that self-styled Queen of Train Wreckers? The occa was a startling one, and served to make Headlight Harry anxious for the comiug inter- view, which would determine beyond a doubt if his surmises were correct. Finishing his repast, he threw himself back upon the couch and awaited with fast-growing impatience the coming of the expected visitor. en minutes later the curtains suddenly part- ed, and a lithe form appeared in the opening. Headlight Harry with difficulty suppressed the cry that welled to his lips, for it was, indeed, Mad Madge, Queen of the Train Wreckers, who stood before the astonished young engineer. CHAPTER VII. THE OUTLAW QUEEN, Map MAnDGE glided noiselessly into the apart- ment, her every movement the very personifica- tion of ease and grace; and, as she boldly con- fronted the captive engineer, it was to presept the most attractive picture of youth and beauty. She was of slightly more than medium height, lithe and supple as the willow; and, though ap- parently still in her teens, all the charms of ripened womanhood. Her clear, oval face was almost perfect in its beauty, every feature being as clear-cut and regular as though chiseled by a sculptor’s mas- ter-hand. The ruddy glow of health was on her cheeks, while her sloe-black eyes glistened with wondrous intensity. Her queenly head was crowned by a wealth of lustrous black locks, cut short in boy-fashion, which curled in luxuri- ant ringlets about a neck of alabaster white- ness, The Queen’s habiliments were those of a man, consisting in part of blue flannel shirt, tastefully embroidered, jacket of somber black witb trowsers of the same material, the latter being held in place by a belt of scarlet leather, into which were thrust a brace of glistening six- shooters, these deadly weapons seeming strange- ly out of place on the person of their girlish and innocent appearing owner. | Beaded Indian moccasins incased her feet, while upon her head rested a jaunty cap, ornamented by a handsome eagle’s plume. The girl’s masculine attire re- vealed her exquisite figure in all its voluptuous contour, while her entire appearance was bold and dashing in the extreme, : No wonder that Headlight Harry continued to stare in mingled surprise and admiration at this fascinating vision of female loveliness, until ‘ finally recalled to his senses by the voice of his visitor. ‘In deference to your expressed wish, I have ~ endeavored to allow you ample time to finish your repast undisturbed, I trust you are now at liberty to grant mean interview,” . | Mad Madge’s voice was clear and resonant as | the notes of a silvery bell, and her ripe red lips, | parting as she spoke, revealed two dainty rows of teeth of pearly whiteness, In a measure recovered from tke spell into which the advent of the beauteous Outlaw Queen had thrown him, Headlight Harry was immedi- ately on his feet, making his most elaborate bow, ‘* Lot me assure you that, had I been aware of the identity of my intended visitor, { would readily have foregone my repast in order to hasten the interview,” he gallantly exclaimed, ** And judging by appearances, I imagine that would have been quite a sacrifice on your part,” and, as she spoke, Mad Madge glanced signifi- cantly at the table, whereon the half-famished engineer had left very little that was edible, “Tam ag? to see that you possess so vigorous an appetite, that being a pretty sure indication that you are feeling no particularly ill effects from your recent trying experience,” ‘Indeed, Richard is quite himself again, if I may except a slight headache, doubtless super- induced by a gentle love-tap received at the hands of parties at present unknown,” and the young engineer ruefully pressed his throbbing temples as he spoke, Over the girl’s fair face flitted a shade of solici- tude and pity. ‘‘T.am very sorry,” she hastened to say, ‘that my men should have caused you any bodily injury. My instructions were to use the least possible violence; and I shall lose no ‘time in calling the fellows to account for their appar- ent disobedience,” '** Please spare yourself the trouble,” returned Headlight Harry, and there was the slightest tinge of irony in his tone, ‘‘Of course the fel- lows, anxious to obey orders to the best of their ability, were forced to resort to extreme meas- ures. Otherwise, it is barely possible that this interesting interview would never have taken lace,” “That I do not question, for the great bravery of Headlight Harry, prince of engineers, has been thoroughly demonstrated in the past. However, the lion was caugbt cff.bis guard at last. Ha, ha, ha!” and Madge’s elfiu laughter re-echoed loud and clear. “T am to understand, then, that it is to you that I am indebted for the pleasure of being here to-night?” said the engineer, anxious to get down to business without further waste of time in complimentary pbrases, “You are quite right. I freely admit that I, eos am responsible for the present situa- on. ‘““Humph! It strikes me forcibly that you were exceedingly solicitous for my company, to go to such extraordinary pains to secure it. When a gentleman's presence is particularly de- sired, it is considered the proper thing to for- ward a polite note of invitation, this being slightly preferable to unceremoniously knock- ing a fellow on the head ani dragging him off like a lamb to the slaughter,” ‘« That would be a more conventional method, Til admit; yet, it is to be feared that in this setaginy or instance the result would not have n so highly satisfactory. Ipreferred toadopt a scbeme whereby the unwilling guest would Hah no opportunity to send his regrets. Ha, a ** Well; admitting that your novel plan suc- ceeded admirably, I would now like to ask the motive for such extraordinary proceedings, It strikes me that, in view of the peculiar cireum- stances, a full explanation should be immediately forthcom!ng.” , ““Which was precisely my object in paying you this, early visit,” laughed Mad Meige ‘*“Only have a little patience, my friend, and everything shall be thoreughly elucidated.” ‘* The sooner the better, then, for my bump of curiosity is considerably inflamed.” “ Well, listen !” commanded the Outlaw Queen, and, drawing up & Chair, she gracefully seated herself therein, motioning the engineer to do likewise. \ “Tm all attention, Please proceed,” ex- claimed the latter, eagerly. “To begin with, then, Headlight Harry, do you know who I am?” “Quite a needless question, I should say,” Jaughed the youth, ‘“‘Itiseasy enough to recog- nize in you one whom J have known eyer since > we were happy, romping children together—
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or “ o *ng ee - ae oe eos yon ~ errs : oan epee, aoe ~ ee 2 ae Sel Headlight Harry’s Siren. beautiful Margaret Norman, the belle of Rich- ville.” ' “She who was once Margaret Norman,” cor- rected the maiden, sharply, ‘‘but now Mad Madge, the Queen of Train Wreckers!” “ Quite a sensational title, to be sure—” ‘And one that is destined to be known throughout the land, one tkat shall become an emblem of retributive justice, and strike terror to a soulless corporation,” cried Mad Madge, ber black eyes flashing brightly. r “ Listen!” sbe continued, ‘and you shall hear what I propose todo, I suppose it is unneces- sary to recite the facts relative to the death of my poor father, Nick Norman, something over ayearago, You are already familiar with the circumstances attending that sadevent. Driven to outlawry because of merciless persecution for minor offenses—misdeeds that would have been freely condoned in one possessing wealth and influence, he was finally hounded toan ignomni- ous doom, and I, bis daughter, left friendless, homeless and alone. ‘* My father’s enemies were mine, and fleeing from them like the fox from the baying hounds, I buried myself in the heart of the virgin forest, Long and persistent were the searches made for me, but I managed to evade them all; and at length the attempt to discover my whereabouts was abandoned, and I was given up for dead, Never were they more mistaken, for at that time I was comfortably ensconced in this hid- ing-place, laughing at the discomfiture of my foes, and deliberately planning vengeance, ‘Tt was by merest chance that I stumbled upon this underground retreat, after several days spent in wandering aimlessly through the wilderness, Itis truly a marvelous place, and, while I have made it my bome for over a year, many of its recesses yet remain unexplored. Here I have led a solitary existence, subsisting chiefly on game brought down by my trusty rifle; and here was evolved the scheme for ven- geance that is now about to reach a succe:sful culmination. ‘* From the very first, ae sole ambition was to avenge my father’s cruel death, and how to devise the means of accomplisbing this work was a.problem that occupied my thoughts by day and by night. I knew that many of my father’s old men were still in the vicinity—bold, faithful fellows who fairly worshiped their chief, and who could be counted upon to join with a willin the work of vengeance. I searched high and low for these men, and finally sueceede? in find- ing the lieutenant of my father’s band—Black Jobn, a gallant man and true, who quickly ap- proved my plans and joined in the work of se- curing recruits. It was tediously slow work at first, but one by one my men were found and pledged, until at length I found myself the proud commander of a splendid band, all brave and reliable fellows, ready and willing to do my slightest bidding. Then it was, and not till then, that I deemed the time ripe for immediate action. y ‘Within this spacious cavern, which is large enough to quarter a regiment, my band finds a comfortable retreat when free from duty. The entrance to the place is exceedingly difficult of access, and it is doubtful if the enemy ever suc- ceedsin findingit. If discovered, so advantage- ously are we situated that my well-armed men can hold an army at bay. In short, we afe in every way qualified to not only bid defiarice to our foes, but to carry the war into Africa, as the saying is, and inaugurate a veritable reign of terror in their midst, ‘* Already has tlie work of vengeance com- menced, as witnes: the recent Express robbery that bas created such a furor throughout the community. Of course, you are quite familiar with the circumstances attending thaf event.” ‘*And w.o, indeed, is not? An achievement in every way remarkable, evidencing great in- genuity of plot and boldness of execution on the part of the rascally perpetrators,” the engineer frankly admitted, ** Many thanks for the compliment,” laughed Mad Madge, “for it was my brain, and mine alone, that devised the entire scheme. It was I who so successfully enacted the role of a corpse thus gaining possession of the Express-car, an stripping the same of its valuable contents, with the timely assistance of my confederates. Ha, ha, ha! It was a glorious scheme, and worked like a charm.” “Indeed, your skill and bravery are worthy of a better cause—” **Bah! What better cause could I have than avenging my father’s death? Already have I entered upon the path of vengeance, and I shall follow it in a way to, make the guilty quake. Let them beware of the wrath that is to come, eee Eee ¢ = NS ~ I have already given them fair warning in my communication addressed to the president of the road, Hava you seen the proclamation?” ** A copy of 1t, yes; the morning papers hay- ing published the document in full.” ‘Indeed? May I ask how the news was re- ceived at Richville?’ inquired Mad Madge, eagerly. ‘*Generally with incredulity, I think I may truthfully say,” returned Headlight Harry, promptly. ‘* The people, with a few exceptions, are inclined to look upon your so-called mani- festo as mere bombast, and laugh at the idea of such a chaotic state of affairs as hinted at there- 7 ” Mad Madge was instantly upon her feet, ber black eyes burning with an ominous light. “ So they laugh at my threats, do they?” she fiercely cried. ‘‘ They scoff, even with the evi- dence of my power before their eyes! Fools! They shall soon feel the weight of my ven- geance. Ere another sun has set, the reign of desolation and ruin shall be inaugurated. I swear it.” With her beautiful face suffused with the light of passion, Mad Madge paced to and fro like a caged tigress, Headlight Harry waited in silence, watching with mingled surprise and pity this unmistakabie evidence of the tempest that was raging within the bosom of this unfor- tunate woman, Finally she resumed her seat, as calm to all outward appearance as before; and there en- sued a brief silence, broken at length by the young engineer, who was beginning to grow im- patient. ‘* Well, madam,” he commenced, “I have been an attentive listener to your story, and I must say that the same has proved exceedingly interesting, Yet, the main point in view still lacks elucidation; for I have yet to learn where- in my humble self is so particularly concerned in this affair, Surely, you have not brought me here, at so great an expense of time and trouble, merely for the purpose of telling me this,” ‘You are right, Headlight Harry, I have not,” promptly averred the Outlaw Queer. ‘It is for a far different. purpose that 1 have brougbt about this interview: and, since you are grow- ing impatient, I will proceed to the point without further deviation, I have dwelt upon past events at such length in order that you may know just how matters stand, and be pre- pared for what is to follow.” “Well?” **T see you have not the faintest idea of my purpose.” “No; unless, perhaps, you bave picked me out as one of your worst enemies, and have brought me here for the purpose of putting me to death by slow torture at your leisure,” bezard- ed the engineer, with a carele-s laugh, ‘* Wrong, most decidedly,” the girl declared. Then, drawing her chair a little closer, she fixed her beautiful eyes full upon bis face, ‘ Listen Headlight Harry! The primary reason why | have caused you to become my involuntary guest is simply because—because J love you |” CHAPTER VIII. MAD MADGE’S WOOING, Hap Mad Madge suddenly leveled a cocked revolver at his head, and declared her intention of blowing bim into smithereens at a moment’s notice, Headlight Harry would have faced the rmousic without a tremor; but, when she delib- erately declared her love for him, the effect upon the young engineer was bighly disastrous, If the stony floor of the cabin had suddenly rose up and smote him bip and thigh, he could have been scarcely more astounded. He sat there as if petrified, staring in open-mouthed amazement at the beautiful girl before him, hardly believing that he had beard aright. But when Mad Madge again spoke, after a brief but painful silence, it was to speedily con- vince bim that there was no mistake, “Yes, Harry, I repeat that | love you! Sur- prising as this statement may be to you, it is none the less true. And it was to acquaint you with the truth, that I caused you to be borne to this secret cavern among the mountains. Nor is this love of mine a new-born fancy, as you may suppose; but it bas existed ever since the time when I wasa happy Village miaid, long ere unfortunate circumstances compelled me to for- sake the friends of mv childhood, in obedience to the still greater affection due to my out- lawed father ‘*But, true and unwavering as is my love for you, do not for a moment believe that I would have been driven to this nnwomanly declaration for love’s sake alone. Another, and even more De 2S eS A a SF | 5owertal passion constantly surging in m OE TT A breast, with the blood of my murdered father crying out for reyenge, bas spurred me on to this decisive step, With this insatiate thirst for revenge paramount to everything, I seek only to make my work as rapid and complete as - ble. It is my desire to attack the enemy simul- taneously all along the Jine, and to do this suc- cessfully requires a large addition to my al- ready extensive force, Therefore, it becomes imperative that I should have a friend and part- ner—one who will share the duties of captaincy, and join with genuine enthusiasm in this grand work of vengeance, And _ that position I de- sign for you, Headlight Harry, well knowing that no man on earth is more competent to fill iG ‘*T have watched with interest your work in ~ the past, noting the marvelous skill and bravery which you have displayed in the face of cireum- stances that would have appelled most men, sutwitting your enemies again and again, and thereby winning a reputation to be justly proud of. And is there any reason why you should not do equally good service under another banner? By bringing your extensive experience and supe- rior executive ability to my aid, the work of vengeance would be facilitated to a marvelous extent. Together, we could map out a plan of action, the consummation of which would bring swift and absolute destruction upon the foe, ** And so, in the desire to make my retributive task more swift and certain, I have sought to obtain the assistance of the man whom I have long secretly adored, and who, I repeat, would never have known my passion but for the grave Foon that demanded it. For I reasoned that, with a full knowledge of the truth, you might be induced to give the indorsement to m ropositicn that would otherwise be withheld, ut for this, the secret of my affection would have ever remained locked within my breast. for I never could bave brought myself to reveal it, save in pursuance of the stern, unwavering path of duty. Now, Headlight Harry, you hava listened to my proposition—tell me candidly what you think of it?” There was a wistful look in the dark eyes fixed so intently upon the handsome face of the young engineer, as Mad Madge finally ceased speaking and waited calmly for a reply. As for Headlight Harry, be bad eagerly drank inevery word of the girl’s impassioned utterance; and to adequately describe his varied emotions would Le quite an impossibility. Was it true» that this misguided young woman, whose mind was no doubt partially unbalanced by the terrible experience of the past, actually felt the tender regard for him that she had so unbesitat- ingly expressed? Or was this a cunning move to secure his friendship and assistance by appealing to bis susceptible nature, luring bim to self- destruction by the pevtemice of a love that was far from being felt From the earnest look upon Mad Madge’s beautiful countenance, it seemed impossible to believe that she was otherwise than in sober earnest. Be that as it may, however, Head- light Harry found himself longing for some avenue of escape from his embarrassing position, There was no alternative, though, but to face the music like @ man; and, after no small amount of hesitation, the engineer contrived to regain the use of his tongue, “ Well, Miss Norman, I—” ““Mad Madge, if you please!” the Queen sharp- ly interrupted, ‘Did I not tell you that my old name is dead?” “Very well, then; Mad Madge it shall bet As I was about to say, I have listened attentive- ly to all you have said, and to declare that I am greatly surprised thereat is doing but feeble justice to my feelings, Of all things under the sun, this was the very least to be expected; so, if you arranged to spring a little surprise-party / upon me, why, you have succeeded admirably.” — “Indeed, your amazement was even greater than I had anticipated,” Mad Madge admitted, smiling faintly, ‘‘But now, however, I trust you have recovered your usual self-pcssession sufficiently to give the subject the sericus con- - sideration it, merits,” ‘*Humpb! I’m inclined to look upon the mat- ter as being quite the reverse of serious,” de- clared Headlight Harry, lightly. ‘* Your methods of love-making are, to say the least, unccnven- tional, and remind me of a certain custom said to exist in various barbarian lands. There, when a fellow wants to take unto himself a wife, be mounts bis horse and sallies forth until he meets a maid who suits bis’ fancy. The lover then gives chase, and upon overtaking his prize, which be usually succeeds in doing, be bears her off to his tent without so much as saying ‘ by am \; De
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_ Headlight Harry, quickly. _ your leave,’ and the courtship question is settled then and there. Our case is very similar, save that the position of man and maid are exactly reversed. However, as this is leap-year, I sup- pose you are entitled to all the privileges apper- taining thereto,” A flush of annoyance suffused the cheeks of the Outlaw Queen, and she frowned asif in anger. Evidently such apparent levity on the part of her guest had scarcely been anticipated. “Spare your sarcasm, I plead,” she cried, and there was the slightest perceptible tremor in her voice, ‘‘ This is, indeed, a serious subject to me, and I fail to see why you should view it in so ludi- crous a light. Perhaps you may entertain some doubt of my sincerity in the matter, in which case I hasten to assure you that I never was more thorougbly in earnest.” “Tndeed, if I have indulged in undue levity, I most humbly crave forgiveness,” Headlight Harry hastened tosay. ‘“‘It is true that I en- tertained doubts of your sincerity, viewing the affair as a buge joke; but since you so earnestly assert otherwise, I will endeavor to meet your proposal with proper seriousness.” ‘* Yes,” eagerly. ‘*Tt is, indeed, flattering to the vanity of a homely, good-for-nothing rascal like myself to know that he possesses the affection of one so highly blessed with personal charms; and espe- cially so, to hear the pleasing intelligence from the fair lady’s own lips. Well might any man, no matter how exalted his station, be proud to “soauigg so beautiful a boing for his wife; and e —s yet—?” ‘Much though I appreciate the honor, cir- cumsances oblige me to most emphatically de- cline.” A look of surprise, disappointment, indigna- tion swept over the face of the Outlaw Queen, as these words, so cold and deliberately uttered, fell from the ergineer’s lips, “What! Do you, then, scorn my love? Are you so supsrior to other men that you can afford to reject what others would risk eyvery- thing to obtain? Surely you value yourself most highly, Headlight Harry!” she exclaimed, bitterly. ‘“* You misunderstand me, I fear. Personally, I repeat, you are well worthy of any man, while, as for my humble self, I feel as much inferior to you in point of good looks and intellect as the tiniest twinkling star is to the glorious God of Day. However, there are material reasons why I must decline to look with favor upon your proposition; and the same shall be speedily elucidated, with your kind permission,” * Please proceed; for Iam ready and anxious to hear.” “Well, to commence with, the conditions imposed by you as the price of your hand are decidedly objectionable, Your husband-to-be must join in your career of outlawry, abandon- ing bis former humdrum but honest life for the d, crime-stained existence of a mountain bandit, and eventually bringing up at the end of the hangman’s rope. Ob, no! Such a life is altogether too rapid for an easy, slow-going chap like myself; therefore, I must respectfully decline.” - “So, then, you have no sympathy with my cause—no love, no pity, no desire to aid a poor, helpless woman, who is striving with all her wer to avenge a fearful wrong! The fact hat I am engaged in the fulfillment of a solemn duty rises like an insurmountable barrier between us, But I will not be deterred from my set purpose, Strong though is my affection for you, it pales before the filial love I bear to my poor father;so do not, 1 beseech you, seek to swerve me from my work of vengeance,” “Such is not my intention, tru'y,” declared ‘““You are mis- taken if you suppose that the mere fact of your being engaged in this strange scheme is what events me from reciprocating your affections, [can but admire the devotion that has led you to so great a self-sacrifice, questionable though your methods may be,” j “Then you mean—” e sig gd that for another reason as yet un- stated, I give that reason, or can you not guess it with- _ out?” Mad Madge gave a sudden start, and a gleam of intelligence lighted her eyes, “*You—you are not already married?” she _ “Not fairly within the matrimonial state, yet very near the threshold. I have been en- i oe or some time to a most worthy young y, and the wedding is already set for a not far distant day.” . \ ' can never give you my love. Shall ‘* Ah, indeed!” ‘* This, you see, is a very conclusive reason vide pein for a moment entertain your pro- posal. ‘* Engagements are easily broken,” remarked Mad Madge, sententiously. ‘“By unprincipled people, yes. Surely, you would not desire me to break mine?” exclaimed Headlight Harry, in surprise, * Did [ask you to?” ‘*Not directiy; but your words implied as much,” With an impatient gesture the Queen sudden- ly arose, and again paced to and fro over the stony floor, What wild thoughts were strug- gling in ber excited brain? At length she paused before the engineer, and her beautiful face gave no symptom of unusual emotion as she again ad- dressed him. “‘So, then, my place in your affections is fore- stalled by another. The young lady is to be congratulated upon her good fortune in securing the love of so worthy a man. I suppose she must be very beautiful—even more beautiful than 1?” ‘On the contrary, while by no means bad- looking, yet, she might not be considered a beauty by good judges of female loveliness,” Headlight Harry frankly admitted, ‘‘ Com- pared with you, she is like the modest, unassum- ing violet beside the proud and queenly rose.” ** And yet you prefer ber to me?” “Why not? Beauty is but )skin-ceep, you know, I love my wife that is to be, not:o much for her charms of person as for the many wo- manly attributes that she possesses, She is in- telligent, industrious, affectionate and true— what more does an ordinary, every-day work- ingman like myself require?” “* Well, there is nothing like being satisfied, I suppose,” said the Outlaw Queen, with what was very like a sneer, ‘‘ But there’s really no accountiug for some men’s tastes, I should like to see this womanly paragon of whom you boast. Pray tell me, what is her name, and where is her abiding-place?” Even as Headlight Harry was unhesitatingly about to reply to this question, he chanced to catch the devilish gleam tbat for an instant seemed to dance like some subtle demon in Mad Madge’s eyes, Instinctively warned thereby, he was immediately on bis guard. ‘“*Come—come! Can you not tell me?’ urged the girl, noting his hesitation, and but illy con- cealing her own impatience to obtain the desired information, ‘‘Surely, there can be no secret about the identity of your inamorata !” ‘*Since there cau be no couceivable use for further associating the young lady with this un- fortunate affair, J must politely but firmly de- cline to enligbten you on that point,” the en- gineer resolutely declared, At these words, conveying no doubt of the speaker’s determination, Mad Madge tbrew off the mask of calmness and indifference, and once more allowed her pent-up passions full play. Oita, ha, ha!” she laughed, wildly. “So you are suddenly suspicious, eh? With very good reason, too, I assure you. But, do not for an in- stant suppose that you can thwart my purpose by refusing to answer me, I will seek out this Innocent little maid of whom you are so boast- fully proud—I will seek her out, I say, and then, Headlight Harry, beware !” The engineer’s heart gave a sudden bound, while his bronzed face turned pale, at this ominous speech of the angry Outlaw Queen. Was it possible that, in her madness, she con- templated harm to his betrothed?” oe by should you desire to search her out? What do you mean, anyhow?” he impatiently demanded, ‘* What do I mean?” echoed Madge, with an- other imsane laugh. ‘‘ You sball learn in due time what I mean Headlight Harry! You shall know by just what means I propose to enforce compliance with my wishes, For I do intend to carry my point, despite your strenuous objec- tions, and it is only a question of time when I shall be successful, I offered you my love and | you rejected it—laughed my proposition to scorn, because, as you said, the fact of your en- gagement to another rendered an acceptance impossible, Such being the case, the removal of this other from the way will result in destroying the chief obstacle between us, will it not?” ‘In Heaven’s name, woman, tell me what you mean! What madness are you about to at- tempt?” cried the engineer, in desperation. ‘“*Ha, ba! You seem to bave awakened a sudden interest in the subject. reached your most vulnerable point, I fancy I have Unfor- tunately, 1am not prepared to enlighten your | her especial pride, the flagmanu’s daughter sat’ anxious mind as to the exact details of my plans; that must be left for your imagination to supply, at least for the present. And now I am obliged to bring this interview to a close, for, owing to _your refractory spirit, I have of necessity spent considerable time here that should bave been devoted to other purposes. When I see you again, I trust it will be to find you more recon- ciled to the situation,” “Never!” declared Headlight Harry, em- phatically. ‘Il have already given you my an- swer, and no empty threats on your part can induce me to cbauge it, So you had better turn me loose, and end this farce without further un- necessary palaver.” Mad Madge only smiled: grimly. ‘*You shall soon see whether or not my threats are empty ones,” she cried, ‘‘ Beware bow you incur the wrath of Mad Madge, lest, when you know the truth, it will be to sue on bended knees for the love you have so ruthlessly spurned, I have you in my power, Headlight Harry, and in this mountain cavern you sball remain a close prisoner, with no hope of escape to: the outside world. until you are ready. to listen to reason, I will send my men to change your quarters from this, my private apartment, to another better adapted for a captive’s cell, where you can repent of your perverseness at leisure. Ha, ha, ha! You see I am determined to break your proud spirit, Headlight Harry, may the effort cost what it will!” With this taunting speech Mad Madge glided from the room, ber weird, mocking laugh float- ing back to the earsof the young engineer as she abruptly disappeared from view. CHAPTER IX. IN THE TOILS, THE strange abduction of Headlight Harry had created a decided sensation in Richville, where he was a universal favorite. Rufe Ruffle’s story, giving mipute particulars of the mysteri- ous affair, was eagerly listened to and repeated from mouth to mouth; while the newspapers devoted considerable space to the occurrence, characterizing it as a most remarkable link in the chain of stirring events that were just then setting the entire community agog with excite- ment. And, while the engineer’s strange and unac- countable absence was generaly lamented, there was one amid that cityful of people who viewed the startling event with far more than the usual interest, not to say anxiety. That. one, it is needless to say, was pretty Ruth Sharon, the be- trothed bride of the missing youth, In a modest, vine-covered little cottage, not far from the Richville Station, nestling cozily against the side of a grassy slope, overlooking the railroad and its numerous trains clattering noisily by—there dwelt the maid who bad won Headlight Harry’s affections, and who, in that young man’s mind at least, was the embodiment of all that.was good and truein woman, A trim, graceful little body, with a decidedly pretty face, cheeks rosy red end lips like ripened cherries; wavy, nut-brown hair hanging in graceful ringlets, and eyes of the same color fairly sparkling with merriment; such im brief, was dainty Ruth Sbaron, the flagman’s daugh- ter. Living here alone with her crippled father, performing the multifarious housevold duties that had devolved upon ber since ber mother’s death, several years before, and consequently deprived of many of the pleasures so tempting to the youth of her sex, hers was a position that few girls would have envied, However, Ruth was perfectly contented in her bumble home, finding pleasure both in administering to her | father’s comfort, and in the pursuit of her every- day duties, And now, possessed of the steadfast love of Headlight Harry, it was to find new en- joyment in anticipating the not far distant day when they would begin tbe new life of matrimo- nial blessdness, no more to be separated on earth, But alas! bow rudely was this dream of bliss awakened by the cruel circumstances that now suddenly threatened the happiness of this loving air, fo a most mysterious manner, while the bride- elect was plunged from the height of joy and hope to the depths of grief and despair. t was late on the second evening after the engineer’s abduction, and most good people were wrapt in peaceful slumber; but from the windows of Seth Sharon’s bumble dwelling a cheerful light still gleamed, telling that some of its occupants were astir despite the lateness of the hour, Within her cozy little sitting-room that was Headlight Harry had been spirited away ~
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10 ‘ some tidings from her missing lover, - might be. ' thus made it was an easy matter to reach an alone. Reclining listlessly in a comfortable easy- chair, her feet upon an ottoman, her sewing- work on which sbe had vainly sought to fix her mind lying unheeded in her lap, she presented a most abject spectacle of grief and misery. Her | through the o cheeks had lost their rosy bloom, her once bright eyes were dimmed with tears—her entire appear- ance was woe-begone in the extreme, She had but just returned from the center of the town, whence she had jvurneyed to seek Fully a score of times had this errand been repeated since the news of his disappearance first reached her ears; and now, as before, the same cruel an- swer awaited her. No tidings from Headlight Harry! Where was her unfortunate lover, and _ for what fell purpose was he spirited away? Was he yet among the living, or was he—horrible thought—lying at that moment cold in death, in some wild and desolate spot, food for the moun- tain vultures? It was generally believed in town, she had heard, that the notorious girl bandit, Mad Madge, might, if she chose, clear away the mystery surrounding the engineer’s disappearapee. This might, or might not, be the case, since at that particular time all deeds of violence and crime were likely to be attributed to the Outlaw Queen, however innocent she If true, however, what could be ber motive in kidnapping Headlight Harry? Did this female fiend, said to be beautiful as a houri, wish to steal ber handsome lover from her? A pang of jealousy pierced her breast, as, with a woman’s wonderful intuition, she divined the truth. With these and myriad other thoughts surging madly through her fevered brain, poor Ruth endured au existence of intense mental agony. Ob! why had this cruel blow fallen upon her in the very hour of supreme happiness, when the future seemed bright with glorious prospects? The terrible suspense, she feared, was slowly driving her to madness, If she could but receive ove word from her absent lover, telling ber thit he was alive and well, what a welcome relief it would be to her anxious mind! The hour was growing late, and the lamp burued low. The weary flagman had long since sought much-needed rest in the adjoining bed- room, from which his sonorous snores now re- sounded with startling distinctness. And still the maid continued ber reveries, quite regard- less of the flight of time. Gradually, however, the soothing influences of slumber stole over her senses, Her heavy lids droopeid. and closed; ber head bowed low upon the swelling bosom that regularly rose and fell, ‘Soundly she slept; and for the time her troubles were obliterated. Swiftly the moments flew, with naught to break the silence save the deep breathing of the sleepers, and the monotonous “‘ tick—tick”’ of the old-fashioned clock on the mantel, as it faithfully chronicled the flight of time, staring down upon the slumbering girl with its great solemn face as though aghast at this unusual scene, Lower burned the light, while fantastic shadows disported themselves about the room. The old clock warningly proclaimed the hour of midnight; but still Ruth Sharon slept peace- fully on, Then it was that the two shadowy forms, that for some time past had skuiked like red Indians in the thick shrubbery outside, stealthily emerged from their lurking-place and drew nearer to the window from which shone the shimmering light. The curtain was but partially drawn, and, through the aperture thus Famers left, it was possible to view much of the interior of the dimly-lighted room—a fact that appeared to give shag satisfaction to this pair of midnight ‘owlers, Great burly fellows, the latter, whose faces were shrouded by somber masks, through the holes of which their eyes burned with demoni- acal glee, as they beheld the apparent object of their search reclining, sound asleep, in the easy- chair, almost within their reach. Who were these nocturnal prowlers, and what their mission here? What fresh deed of violence was about to be committed? Without a word, without a sound, the pre- cious pair of rascals went about their business with a dexterity that. betokened long practice at such nefarious work. The window was securel se nesronnli means of the ordinary catch, but this proved only a slight obstacle in the way of the intending house-breakers, A glazier’s dia- mond was produced, and with it a pane deft] jiece of the removed, Through the openin i , , Peat > I ' }4. i : a ae b m aus “a ie = he be are pees, 3) , o* . , “ioe n aie a + SEN ra rae 4 > v es ° aie + 4 | | a Headlight Harry’s Siren. undo the fastening, after which the window was noiselessly raised, the entire operation having taken bardly a minute to perform, Oue of the unknowns now proceeded to climb pen window, his passage being greatly facilitated by a liberal boost from the accomplice who remained outside. In another moment he alighted, catlike, upon the floor of the apartment, and stood witt glouting eyes fixed upon the fair girl who peacefully slumbered scarce ten feet away. Poor Ruth Sbaron! Was she, too, destined to fall an easy victim to the wiles of these midnight marauders? Was there no escape from the horrible peril that threatened her? Pausing only for an instant, the bold intruder move stealthily toward his unconscious victim, Suddenly she stirred, while muttered words fell from her parted lips. Was she about to wake? Like a flash, the masked visitor vanished behind a high-backed rocker; but bis alarm proved to be quite groundless. Ruth was only dreaming— a very pleasant dream, judging by the sweet smile that played about her marble face, Alas! could she have but known the truth, that bliss- ful dream would have had a rude awakening. Once more the stalwart intruder resumed his interrupted work. Drawing still closer, be bent over the sleepiug maiden; then, producing from his pocket a large handkerchief, he saturated it with the contents of a tiny vial, and with a dexterous movement clapped it over her nose and mouth. The effect was instantaneous, for the half-wakened girl gave one skort, convulsive struggle, then lay like one dead, quite overcome by the powerful drug. Ap audible chuckle escaped the miscreant’s lips, as for a moment he gloatingly surveyed his work; the next, he had lifted the frail form lightly in his powerful arms and passed it through the window to tke accomplice who waited impatiently outside. Across the garden and into the road, the triumphant night-hawks now noiselessly flitted with their prey, to the spot where several comrade3 with horses anx- iously awaited their coming. One minute later, the inysterious party was riding swiftly along the road that led from the town into the country, in the direction of the neighboring mountains; while across the saddle of her stal- wart captor, supported by his giant arm, poor Ruth Sharon jay, unconscious of her terrible situation. CHAPTER X. THE WRECKERS AT WORK. THAT Mad Madge, the Outlaw Queen, was fully resolved to carry out to the Jetter those terrible threats embodied in her famous mani- festo, was evidenced by the series of startling exploits that followed closely upon the Express robbery and the equally audacious kidnapping of Headlight Harry. Freight trains were ruthlessly plunged over steep embankments, such of the crews as es- caped with life and limb driven away, and the cars plundered and burned. Several passenger trains, too, heavily Jaden with precious human- ity, were saved from a similar fate only by ex- traordinary vigilance and good fortune. Depots and other railroad property at various points along the line vanished at dead of night before the flaming torch of the incendiary. Growing even bolder, the marauders next invaded the Richville yard, in the'very heart of the town, overpowered the watchmen, ruine? fully a dozen costly locomotives that were housed for the night, destroyed a large quantity of tools and supplies, and finally departed after kindling ar extensive confligration thet was extinguished only when thousands of dollars worth of proper- ty bad gone up in smoke, - These sturtling deeds of vandalism and crime followed one another in swift and bewildering succession, Searcely was one wreck cleared away and the tracks rendered passable, when another even more serious would startle the community, and bring fresh toil and trouble to the exasperated railroad men. ; Mad Madge’s predictions, so lately laughed to scorn by the haughty railroad maznates, were already becoming verified; for, as the existence of this chaotic state of affairs on the R. & S. rapidly became known on every hand, that Juck- less road suffered an immediate loss of traffic in allitsdepartments, Intenling passengers either stayed at home or chosesome more roundabout route, preferring this inconvenience to risking their precious lives; while shippers were equally chary, about making consignments via this line, when it was almost a certainty that their freight would either bring up at the bottom of a ditch or Mirra ~ in’ smoke before the incendiary’s torch, ‘ , ‘ ¢ ' ‘rae E ' ¥ 7 ip» Wena , mAN SI, 3 EN ores ite ee 4s Wt. aoe ae Can he Ve eth part OT aby ec eS Oe heal ae ‘ The circumstance of so miany incendiary fires occurring simultaneously at numerous stations, covering a distance of fifty miles or more, was evidence that Mad Madge had her secret emis- saries well distributed along theline. However, the various wrecks and robberies, which would naturally require greater numerica! strength to accomplish, bad all taken place witbin a few miles of Richville; and this would indicate that the Outlaw Queen’s main force was concentrated at no great distance from that town, Yet, while the opinion generally prevailed that the authors of all this mischief had their rendez- vous somewhere among the neighboring moun- tains, the authorities bad as yet proved unequal to the task of ferreting them out. Lying care- fully concealed by day, the miscreants continued their dastardly work under cover of darkness, laughing to scorn all efforts to check their career of outlawry aud crime, And while the authorities seemed powerless to cope with this new and enormous evil, the un- lucky rai‘road people were plunged into the depths of despair, If such a chaotic state of affairs had been brought about in a few short days, what might not be anticipated a month hence, if Mad Madge were permitied to continue her revengeful career uninterrupted? It was to be feared that the latter, in ber in- sane thirst for vengeance, would fulfil] her dire threats to the very letter, nor rest content from her dreadful work until the entire road was an- nibilated; and, in her impatience to accomplish this fell purpose, it wes likely that she would a continue to “ strike while the iron was hot,” be- Us pony fore the dazed and terror-stricken community 0 could recover sufficiently to cffer effectual re- sistance. The next exploit of the notorious Outlaw Queen was fully equal to ber past efforts in point of audacity. Peis 8 As before stated, though several attempts had already been made to wreck various passenger trains, the alertness of the trainmen bad in { every instance enabled them to discover and avert the threatening peril, much to the dis~ i ee comfiture and rage of the would-be wreckers. ay 4 However, such immunity from the ‘wrath of y Mad Madge was not Jong to continue. The first to succumb to her cunning machina- tions was the evening Mail-and- Express — the train that Headlight Harry bad driven, up to the time of his inveluntary yisit to the secret haunts of the Outlaw Queen. > Since his strange disappearance, the run was given to Rufe Ruffle, and that gallant youth, in the face of trying circumstances, had acquitted himself wiih great ability in bis new and — responsible ) sition. Constantly on the lookout — for danger, Rufe was never more Vigilant than upon this perticular occasion; nevertheless, he went straight into the trap that cunning hands had prepared. fae It was an early hour in the evening, and the train was rapidly approaching the end of its long homeward run. The night was dark as Erebus, and objects along the line were dis- tinguishable only by means of the powerful headlight. At a point perhaps a dozen miles ie from Richville, the road ran through a deepand tags narrow cut, the precipitous sides of which arose rh to a height of a bundred feet or more on either hand. ‘This place was abruptly spproached around a sbarp and giddy curve, rendering it impossible fir an engineer to see objects in the cut until close upon them, even in broad day. light. \ FAs the train rounded this curve atordinary speed, and plunged between the gloomy walls of the cut, the headlight’s fer-extemding rayssud- denly revealed a spectacle that fairly caused yi ictae Rufe Ruffle’s hair to rise with horror, There, = directly in front of, the & ing iron-herse, dn cnormous bowlder blocked the way, threat- “sa instant destruction to the train and all op oar, f ‘Even as the gaze of the horrified engineer fell upon this terrible monster lying across bis f course, it was to fully comprehend the enormity of the impending peril, and spring with ready = hands to the task of averting it, quite hopeless eve though that task might be, "3 x One short, sharp, piercing whistle for brakes, ’ 4 a frantic but futile endeavor tocheck thetrain’s wild flight, then— | ae With searcely abated speed, the ponderous ak locomotive collided with that huge, uvyieldir ae: mass of stone, with a mighty clash that Shook =~ the very hills. The great iron-horse, its kead- long flight so suddenly arrested, reared into the air like a prancing steed, then fell over upon its side in the adjacent ditch, crushing the uplucky fireman who was unable to poacialy ” time to save his life. t vita fee” f + igen) f . eae ze A > « »
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Headlight Harry’s Siren. 11 Rufe Ruffle was more fortunate, being upon the side sid are to that chosen by the iron steed for its fatal plunge; and a despsrate leap, at the very moment of the collision, carried him to safety upon the sloping bank. Nor did the disaster end with the derailment of the locomotive; for one car followed another in swift succession, until the entire train was precipitated into the ditch. Then ensued ascene of terror and confusion, quite impossible for words to adequately describe. Where once was mirth and gayety, horror now reigned, Men, women and children, suddenly found themselves pent up within the overturned coaches, in many instances pinioned by car-seats and shattered timbers, and their frantic cries for help rung in agonized accents upon the evening air. To increase the horror of the situation, the burning oil from the broken lamps in the coaches quickly kindled a blazs that, spreading with terrible rapidity, thraateued to speedily consume the train and its imprisoned occu- pants. As soon as they could recover sufficiently from their surprise and bewilderment, the train- men and passengers who had escaped from the wreck with little or no injury, now bastened to the assistance of their less fortunate companions. With Herculean energy the work of rescue was pushed to completion, and in an incredibly short time the injured ones were all removed beyond the reach of the devouring flames, It was then found that, while some were seriously crusbed and burned, and nearly all had suffered more or less injury, yet no one was killed outright, with the single exception of the unfortunate fireman, whose mangled form was lying beneath the ponderous locomotive, Thankful that the situation was no worse, the bruised and weary travelers, whose journey had thus been disastrously interrupted, now gathered in an eager group around the burning train, to discuss the best means of escaping from their unpleasant predicament. It was while thus en- gaged that a piercing whistle suddenly sounded upon their sturtled ears, and, looking anxiously about, it was to become aware that other people than themselves were upon the scene, The steep banks on either side had suddenly become alive with masked men, grim and ter- rible in their garb of somber black, each with belts fairly bristling with small-arms, while two rows of gleaming rifles frowned down upon the amazed group in the cut below. And from their midst emerged a person of slender form and graceful pose, who, though fully masked, and dressed in man’s attire, all in- tuitively knew to be no other than Mad Madge, the notorious Queen of Outlaws. Boldly she descended into the very center of the astonished crowd. F “ Hands-up, gentlemen!” she cried, authori- tatively. ‘‘ We have you well covered, as you may see, and the first sign of eppediaee op your part will resalt in immediate bloodshed.” This command was obeyed without demur, for while the victims felt quite in the mood to resist the dastardly authors of their present mis- fortune, they were quick to realiza that, all un- armed as they were, there was no chance for success with that double row of deadly Win- chesters whew yf them in the face, An amused laugh escaped Mad Madge’s lips as she noted the ludicrous haste with which her imperative order was obeyed, “Glad to find you so docile, good people,” she remarked, sarcastically. ‘Such meekness and Obedience does you credit, especially after such a@ rough and blood-stirring experience as you have just passed through. Really, I suppose I ought to apologize for interrupting your journey in this unceremonious fashion; the fact is, I was exceedingly anxious to scrape your acquaint- ance, and knew of no better way of forcing an introduction, With your kind permission, I will now hasten to commence my work, for I see that yonder flames are creeping dangerously close to the coveted treasure.” A single wave of her gloved hand was the signal for the work of plunder to begin; and, while balf the outlaws still maintained the drop upon their victims, on the alert to frustrate any attempt at opposition, the remainder hurried to secure the valuable contents of the Mail-and-Ex- press cars, around the sides of which ravenous tongues of flame had already begun to twine. But a short time was required in which to secure the booty, aud, this done, the marauders tip awaited the orders of their youthful chief. The latter had eagerly watched the operations of her men; and now she turned once more to ay a of anxious passengers, many of whom, having been caught in similar predicaments be- ; fore, felt their disgust iucrease with the thought that they would next be called upon to surren- der their pocketbooks and jewelry to the ava- ricious train-robbers, In this, however, they were agreeably disap- pointed; for Mad Madge, seeming to divine their thoughts, laughed good-naturedly as she exclaimed: **Don’t bother to produce your valuables, gentlemen, I assure you I have no use for them, Understand, please, that I am working solely for revenge; and that my efforts are di- rected against the road—not its innocent pas- sengers. I sincerely regret that, in this partic- ular instance, it was necessary to put you all to such great personal inconvenience, in order to accomplish my purpose, And now, having completed my night’s work, I will no longer trouble— Ha! Whom have we here? The president's daughter, as I live!” While speaking, the Outlaw Queen bad glanced carelessly over the expectant throng, and as her gaze rested upon one particular face, every feature of which was Ber st revealed by the glare of the conflagration, she gave a sudden start of recognition, while the excited words above quoted fell from her lips. It was, indeed, Mabel Melrose, the fair daugh- ter of the great railway magnate—a petite, graceful blonde of perfect form and feature, who had thus unluckily attracted the attention of Mad Madge, at the moment when she seemed about to depart, Returning home from a visit to a distant relative, she bad chanced to be vpon this ill-starred train, but, fortunately escaped from the wreck withcut serious injury. Mabel’s rosy cheeks suddenly paled at finding herself the direct object of the Outlaw Queen’s attention,and, asthe Jatter advanced, she shrunk behind a friend in abject terror, ‘* So you are Maurice Melrose’s daughter, eh?” cried Mad Madge, eagerly. ‘‘Do not attempt to conceal your identity, for I know you well. This is, indeed, a meeting as pleasant as it is unexpected, for I have long anticipated another interview with the railway nabob’s daughter. Now, young lady, I am sorry to interrupt your journey, but it is quite imperative that you should accompany me to my headquarters, I have a most excellent reason for claiming you for my guest; and I trust you will accept the situation gracefully.” Like a thunderbolt in their midst fell this dire announcement from the lips of the Outlaw Queen. Mabel Melrose gave a piercing scream as, in Obedience to their leader’s signal, two outlaws advanced to seize her; then, quite over- come with affright, fell fainting in the arms of her friends, A murmur of indignation ran through the crowd, and there was a movement as if to pre- vent the carrying out of this dastardly outrage; but the decisive action of Mad Madge’s re- doubtable band quickly dampened tbeir ardor. A score of rifle-locks suddenly clicked in uni- son, and as many gleaming Seveele conveyed until the rebellious passengers found themselves completed surrounded by a cordon of rifles, ready to belch forth their deadly contents at an | In the face of such overwhelm- | instant’s notice, ing odds, resistance was sheer foolhardiness; and so the poor girl’s friends were forced to stand idly by, and see her borne away, limp on unconscious, in the arms of two burly rut- ans, Five minutes later the Train Wreckers had disappeared as silently as they came, bearing aivay totheir distant mountain retreat beautiful Mabel Melrose, the belle of Richville; while her friends, bitterly lamenting their inability to prevent the heinous outrage, lingered sorrow- fully near the burning train, the lurid light from which, mounting high in the heavens, was already drawing the attention of people for miles around to the awful scene of desolation and death, CHAPTER XI, RAYS OF HOPE, MEANWHILE, a close prisoner in Mad Madge's subterranean retreat, Headlight Harry was bravely enduring a most miserable existence, Carrying out ber threat, the Queen had caused a change in his quarters immediately after their stormy interview; so that be no longer occupied her comfortable private apartment. The place | in which he now found himself, was a small and | cell-like room, hardly ten feet square, separated from the main cavern by a natural partition of | solid rock, through which a narrow passage ex- tended, providing the only means of ingress or egress. This passage was blocked at the outer | entrance, by a heavy slab of stone, the latter being securely fastened in place from the out- | side, thus rendering it impossible for the prisoner | to leave his cell. As a further precaution against any attempt he might make to escape | the engineer’s arms were now securely bound behind his back, being released only for the pur- pose of eating the fuod that a masked attendant brought in at regular intervals. | Within this natural prison-cell, furnished only with a rude couch, and a dingy lamp upon the wall which shed its feeble light upon the bare and cheerless surroundings, Headlight Harry remained for what seémed to bis restless mind to be a month at Jeast, but which his trusty chronometer sbowed to be an actual period of two days and nights, During that time bis only visitor was the man who brought his meals—a morose fellow who performed his duties in utter silence, ignoring the volleys of interrogation points fired at him by the prisoner, whose 4m- | patience and anxiety was momentarily increas- ing. Meantime, where -was Mad Madge? What new schemes of deviltry was she so industriously engaged upor that she could find no opportunity for a second interview? The novelty of bis un- paralleled position as the recalcitrant lover of a dashing female bandit, who had Jured him to her mountain stronghold in order to secure bim, was at first decidedly pleasing to the young man’s adventurous nature; but when be com- prehended how fully in earnest was the grief- crazed maiden, and to what extremes she was ready to go to accomplish her ardent purpose, ** was to lose all love of the sensational, and heart- ily wish himself well out of bisaw kward predica- ; ment, The ominous threats of the Outlaw Queen, in reference to Ruth Sbaron, both surprised and alarmed him. Was it possible that the ven- geance of the former could be directed upon this pure and innocent maiden? Fortunately, be had been shrewd enough to withbold the name of his betrothed; yet, to this beautiful fiend in female guise, who seemed capable of accomplish- ing all manner of evil deeds, would it not be a simple matter to discover her identity? And then—to what deed of violence might she not be | driven, in her insane jealousy? Tortured by such mad thoughts as these, Headlight Harry’s position’ was fast becoming unendurable. herefore, it was with feelings of relief and pleasure tbat, on the morning of the third day of bis imprisonment, he beard footsteps in the passage, and looked up to once more behold the Outlaw Queen. A uliar smile appeared upon the fair face of Madge Norman—a smile at once so sinister, so expressive of malignant triumph, that the engineer intuitively divined that something of rare importance had occurred during her pro longed absence. ‘Ha, ha! So my precious prisoner is stil} safe and sound, though looking a trifle pale after hie long confinement. A fancy, would not come amiss,” was her familiar greeting, as she entered the narrow cell. ““The fact that you bave left me for two whole days and nigbts to languish olcne in this | confounded hole, is not very conclusive evidence | of your desire for my personal comfort,” sar- casticaliy retorted Headlight Harry. “I'd rather Le taken out and shot, sans ceremony, than endvre this miserable existence much longer. It’s fortunate your wortby grub-dis- penser was not equally neglectful, else 1 would certainly bave hecome transformed into a living skeleton by this time.” ‘* Which would have been a fate fearful, in- deed, to contemplate,” laughed Madge. ‘* How- ever, I trust you will pardon my apparent neglect, for I assure you it was ubavoidable, as Ihave been exceedingly busy putting a few of my cherished plans into execution, That I have been highly successful in these, goes without saying; for Mad Madge never fails in anything that she seriously undertakes, “TY bave a great surprise jin store for you, Headlight Harry—the nature of which you can hardly guess. It is to the effect that the number of my guests—or prisoners, whichever you choose to call them—bas recently been in- creased; and the new-comers, I believe—or, at least, one of them—are particular friends of yours. Are you not delightec at the prospect of meeting them here, beneath. my hospitable roof?” The engineer gave a sudden start of surprise, while his bronzed face grew pale. Was it possible that—? | JT gee you are interested,” continued Mad | Madge, before he had time to speak; ‘so ] will endea\ or to explain matters to the best of my A little fresb air, I)
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~ o ‘ 12 “| ’ : P ss SUE PRS el? MA) “! ? abe het Wo Headlight Harry’s Siren. ability. First, let me tell briefly of afew im- portant events that have occurred in the outside world during your temporary sequestration.” Sbe skimmed rapidly over her various exploits, with Headlight Harry an attentive listener, ae touching upon the wrecking of the evening Mail-and-Express, and the attend- ant capture of Mabel Melrose. ** ‘You will doubtless recollect that the daughter of the railway president was once before in a similar position, having been seized by my father, Nick Norman, and carried tu his secret home in the wilderness, His object was to ex- tort a large ransom from the wealthy nabob for the safe return of the lady; but, very unfortu- nately, he met death at the bands of his enemies ere such a result could be broughtabout, Now, it has for some time been in my mind to repeat my father’s plan—to gain possession of this proud heiress and exact a pretty penny for her return; so you can imagine my elation at meet- ing her among the passengers of the Express, for I had not anticipated securing the coveted prize soeasily. I have her here, safe and sound; and the haughty Maurice Melrose wiil needs come down handsomely with tie dust, if he de- sires to ever see his darling daughter again. * But [ will burry on to another subject, in which [ know you will feel a still greater inter- est. At about the bour last night that my gal- lant band reached home, after the successful plundering of the Mail-and-Express, a small de- tachment composed of my most trustworthy men was riding away from the stronghold, bound on a most important and delicate mis- sion. That mission was to proceed to a certain dwelling in the very heart of Richville town, take a fair maiden from her home, at dead of night, and convey her to this distant mountain Tetreat. Quite a difficult commission, you may well say; yet, incredible as the statement may seem, my trusty minions accomplished their work so nicely that the fair victim had no know- ledge of what was transpiring, unti] she at lengta awoke to find herself an inmate of my private chamber. Now, Headlight Harry, can pe not guess the identity of my latest guest? isten! Sbeis none other than Ruth Sharon, the flagman’s daughter!” With ashy face and staring eyes, the young engineer heard the startling utterance of the girl-demon before him; and something like a groan escaped his bloodless lips. ‘* Ruth Sharon here? Impossible!” he gasped, though fully convinced, even as be spoke, that the crushing announcement was ail too true. ““'Yes; here, I repeat! In this very cavern, not a hundred feet from the spot on which you are now standing,” reiterated Mad Madge, glee- fully. ‘‘If you doubt my words, just come and test the evidence of your own eyes.” ‘* But why—why have you brought her to this dismal! place?” Soo utlaw Queen laughed loud in ghoulish glee ** Why have I brought her here?’ Why, in- ‘deed! Simply because she is your sweetheart— your betrothed wife! Ha, ba, ha! Did yon for a moment suppose that I would fail to discover her whereabouts? Why, nothing in the world was easier to ascertain; for does not half Rich- ville know of your engagement to the pretty flagman’s daugbter?” Wretched in look and spirit, the .enginger vouchsafed no reply; while for a few moments Mad Madge, too, was silent, evidently enjoying his manifest discomfort. Finally she spoke again: : ‘Now, Headlight Harry, [ have carefully ex- plained matters leading up to tbe very present moment; and, since you comprebend the situa- tion perfectly, perhaps we shall be able to come to some understanding between ourselves, re- garding the subject of which 1 spoke at our first interview,” ‘* Well, I am ready to listen to whatever you choose to say, but I warn you beforehand that it will be a mere waste of breath on your part,” declared Headlight Harry, firmly. ‘“@ have already answered you fully on the subject, and have as yet seen no good reason for reversing my decision.” “What? do you still defy me?’ cried Mad Madge, with eyes ablaze. ‘' With the knowl- edge that your sweetheart is at this moment hopelessly in my power, do you still meet my proposition with scorn? Beware, Headlight arry! You are as yet ignorant of the penalty of continued refusa!.” ‘*Oh, L suppose I shall be hung, drawn and paeeeree. or something else equally horrible, fully believe you are capable of it,” rejoined the engineer, with a brave effort to appear un- conceraed, though bis heart was already sinking in anticipation of the words about to issue from the lips of the Outlaw Queen, “Not upon you, but upon the innocent girl whom you adore, shall the burden of my ven- geance fall,” declared the latter, speaking with startling energy and distinctness, ‘* It was for this purpose that I brought Ruth Sbaron bere. Through her I propose to humble your proud spirit, and bring you in subjection at my feet, Now, listen to my ultimatum! ‘Agree at once to the proposition already “submitted, and Ruth shall go free—free to win another lover, and enjcy a life of sunshine and bappiness. On the other hand, persist in re- fusal and I shall immediately turn her over to the tender mercies of my band. You can readily imagine what that signifies! Now, Headlight Harry, knowing the alternative, will you not come to terms?” Coolly, deliberately, these thrilling words fell from the Jips of the Outlaw Queen. There was no mistaking the terrible earnestness of her pur- pose: and, asthe young engineer listened, anger, disgust and horror found expression upou his bloodless face. ‘*Mad Madge, youarea very fiend in human guise!” he criez, in righteous indignation, ‘* No sober-minded woman would so far forget herself as to talk in such a wild, blood-curdling man- ner. You are, indeed, a madwoman—a beauti- ful demon!” The Outlaw Queen laughed bitterly, ‘*'Yes; you are right! 1 am a madwoman; yet, there is method in my madness, Truly has it been said that ‘ hell hath uo fury likea woman scorned.’ You have rejected my proposal— laughed my professions of love toscorn; and this is my revenge. Through the woman you loveso truly, I will reach your hard heart and bring your proud spirit into subjection. I have no doubt what your decision will be, now that you know the alternative. No man, without he be an arrant coward at heart, would for an instant hesitate to make a slight self-sacrifice, rather than see a loved one consigned to life-long misery and shame. ‘**T go, now, to issue orders for the day’s cam- paign, for my work of vengeance must go on without interruption. In two hours’ time Isball return to learn your final decision. If still un- favorable, my threats shall be put into immedi- ate execution, I swear it; and Mad Madge al- ways keeps ber oatb!” So saying, the Queen turned to depart. As her receding footsteps died away, Headlight Harry paced the floor of his narrow ¢ell in an agony of suspense and horror, The situation was far more terrible than be had creamed, for there was not the slightest doubt that this mad creature intended to carry out her awful threats to the very letter. As he pondered deeply over the affair, it was to feel that be, himself, was to blame for Rutb’s misfortune, ad he but feigned acquiescence to Mad Madge’s plans when first proposed, and quietly awaited a favorable iif = plone for es- cape, it was probable that the flagman’s daugh- ter would never have been molested, But now, even though he professed to accept the girl ban- dit’s proposition, he had little faith in tte latter’s promises, and feared that his betrothed would never escape from the presence of that insanely- jealous woman alive. / Mentally cursing his own stupidity, Headlight Harry walked up and down like a caged tiger. In two short bours the crisis would be reached! Meantime, was there no way to foil the schemes of this beautiful demov?, With poor Ruth Sharon a captive, only afew yards away, could not ber escape by some means be effected? Turning suddenly in his excitement, be slipped upon the smooth, stony floor of the cell, and ina desperate attempt to recover, pitched heavily against the inner wall. Instantly there was a sound of crumbling stone, and to the engineer’s great amazement, he bebeld a yawning gap in what had apparently been a solid mass of rock, Assoon as be could recover sufficiently to make an investigation, be found that the wall was in reality but a thin partition—one of the numerous freaks of nature to be found in this wonderful series of subterra- nean chambers; and being here but a few inches thick and of a brittie formation, it required only a violent blow to demolish it. ’ And with this strange discovery came renewed hope and courage to the young engineer. Did not this subterranean passage, so strangely re- vealed, form an outlet tothe open air? If so, there was still a chance of escape during the two hours of grace that yet remained, With his heavy boot, Headlight Harry en- larged the opening until it would adrvit of the passage of his body. Then, taking the dingy lamp down from the wall, he passed through the yawning gap boldly, determined to explore the unknown region beyond. Finding bimself in a roomy passage, he moved cautiously ahead, his footsteps guided by the flickering light that but partially relieved the intense gloom, As he went, hopes that the pas- sage led to the outside world were mingled with fears that, on the contrary, it was only taking him still further into the bowels of the moun- tain. However, an occasional breath of cold air upon bis face, together with the fact that the way was now gradually ascending, encour- aged him to believe that the first theory was correct, Suddenly Headlight Harry paused, for his quick ear had caught the sound of approaching footsteps in the passage ahead. There was no time to retreat, no friendly niche in the wall to afford concealment; and, as the engineer stood in momentary bewilderment, two shadowy forms confronted bim! CHAPTER XII. FRIENDS TO THE RESCUE. ‘Yas, pard, it’s true enuff that ve knocked off work for a day or two. Oh, no! ’Tain’t *cause 1’m rattled on account o’ that smash-up last night. I’m jst as clear-headed an’ gritty to-day as ever I was, if I do have to say it my- self, But, ye see, ve got an important job on hand, the same bein’ to bunt up my missin’ pard, Headlight Harry, an’ I reckon it’l] require my undivided time an’ attention in order to make any kind o’ headway.” ' ‘TI, too, am decidedly of that opinion, since the authorities have failed ignominiously in their endeavor to solve the mystery of the engi- neer’s disappearance,” The first speaker was Refe Ruffle; the second, Roy Noble the Express-messenger; scene, the much-frequented club-room of the Richville railroad boys, on the morning succeeding the — destruction of the Mail-and-Express, The daougbty fireman had found it necessary tomake | a liberal application of court-plaster, to cover the numerous cuts and scratches received in bis desperate lifeleap from the locomotive; but this, while scarcely adding to his beauty, could not conceal the resolute look upon his face, as he ~ expressed himself in the uncouth and vigorous terms so characteri tic of the man. Roy Neble, too, wore a look of unusual seri- ousness and determination, Mad Madge’s most recent exploit—the abduction of Mabel Melrose — —was of the utmost personal importance to him, enjoying as be did the proud ition of husband-elect of the railway magnate’s beautiful daughter. It was with mingled grief and indig- nation that he learned of the outrage, and now, beneath a calm exterior, there burned an ardent desire to hasten to her rescue, * Authcrities, hey? Bab! Don’t mention ’em. What do they amount to, anyway ?—jest makin’ a big bluff at doin’ (amd. ar’ drawin’ a good fat salary for it,” an i was fully indicative of his contempt. ‘‘ Why, it’s been three hull days since my pard gvas knocked in the head like a beef-critter, an’ car- ried off, body, bones an’ breeches, An’ what have the authorities done, in the mean time, to find out whether he is dead or alive? They’ve done a powerful lot o’ talkin’ an’ considerable monkeyin’ around, but what the dickens does that amount to? The fact is, this ternal Mad Madge bizness has completely flabbergasted "em, They're afraid—downright afraid—to make any determined move against these pesky outlaws; an’ that’s the bull sum an’ substance of it, Now, I’m sick an’ disgusted waitin’ forthe proper par- ties to perform their duty av’\clear up the mys- tery surrounding the fate of Headlight Harry. Se, I’m jest a-goin’ to pitch right in, without further palaver, an’ do up the job myself. You hear me?’ The messenger’s face expressed both in- credulity and amusement. asi “Yours is a truly Jaudable intention, Rufe; but I fear tbat, when you attempt to carry out your purpose, it will be to speedily find you bave bitten off more than .you can chew, as the ex- pression is. How in the world do you expect to succeed where others have signally failed ‘Simply by the exercise of a little sound boss sense, backed up by plenty of Yankee pluck and energy,” was the bold fireman’s ready retort, “All these qualities, 1 reckon, were decidedly lacking m the individuals to whom you allude; hence their iznominious failure.” ** But still I don’t quite see the light, Rufe, my — boy. Tell me, what are your plans, and why are you so sanguine of success?” ye ‘Well, pard, ever since the nicht that Head- light Harry disappeared without even bidding Rufe Ruffle’s tone — y +
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tow P Headlight Harry’s Siren. us good-by, I have be’n doin’ a powerful lot of thinkin’; nis I’ve reached the conclusion that Mad Madge, the gal bandit, is the very duck that’s got him foul, though what the deuce she wants him for 1s more than my thick noddle can comprehend. However, it’s sartain that she’s got him in a box, an’ I have purty good reasons for believin’ that their present quarters are at no great distance from this town. “ The day before yesterday was Sunday, ye know, an’, bein’ off duty, 1 improved the oppor- tunity to do a little detective work on my own hook. For my base of operations, I selected the station at which Harry was removed from the engine by his captors. It was not long before I fell in with a lanky backwoodsman, who had an interesting story to relate. Riding over the lonely country road that night, he bau suddenly encountered a party of mounted men who were hastening in an opposite direction, Suspicious of strangers, he had discreetly sought conceal- ment in the bushes; and, as they passed rapidly by, be saw that they were four in number, and that one of them bore across the pommel of his saddle an object that looked strangely like a human form. That object, you kin readily bet, was the body of Headlight Harry. ‘* Directly opposite his hiding-placa, the four unknown left the highway an’ plunged inter the woods with their burden. An’ subsequently, after bein’ directed to the place, which is several miles from the railroad, a brief search resulted in the discovery of a narrow bridle-path leading up the mountain-si le. Though I didn’t pursue my investigation any further at the time, bein’ alone an’ unarmed, an’ afraid of runnin’ inter some 0’ the cantankerous varmints, there ain’ta doubt in my mind that this mountain trail leads straight into the den of Mad Madge.” ‘Tm exactly of the same opinion, pard,” ex- claimed Roy oble, who had listened eagerly to the fireman’s revelations, ‘‘But why bave you not imparted this important discovery to the authorities, thus giving them a tangible clew to work upon?” ‘* The authorities be dod-blasted!” was Rufe’s irrelevant rejoinder. ‘Dye s’pose I'm goin’ to give the result of my labors to the p’izen author- ities, free gratis for nothin’, an’ then see ’em make a botch o’ the hull bizness? No, sir-ee! I’m jest a-goin’ to circulate ’round amongst the boys, an’ pick up alittle party of my own, with which I pro to take the trail against Mad Madge— to invade hér stronghold, rescue her prisoners, and smash the hull gang into smithereens! + What d@’ye think o’ that for a scheme?” “Excellent! And you can count me in, ‘through thick and thin,” cried the Express- messenger, enthusiastically, ‘‘ But we should no time in perfecting our plars. Delays are dangerous, you know.” “This very night will find us on the war- th,” the fireman confidently declared. ‘‘ Now ben, the first act isto bustle for volunteers, for without a strong force back of us we kin do nothin’, Any minor arrangements kin be made afterwards,” Five minutes later the two friends separated, each bent on securing volunteers for the pro- expedition. So well did they succeed hat, sbortly after nightfall, over a score of sturdy fellows reported at the appointed place, all well armed, and eager to “Sy a band at outlaw-bunting. The organizers of this aveng- ing band bad picked their men with great care and deliberation, choosing only those personally known to be men of true courage, who could be thoroughly relied upon in an emergency. A — small orce, they reasoned, made up of men like these, was highly preferable to a larger party comprising some of untried quality, who doubtless would not only run themselyeg at the _. first smell of gunpowder, but also tend to demoralize the others, ¥ The contemplated movement against the out- laws was carefully kept a secret from the public at large, lest one of Mad Madge’s spies, of whom there were probably several in town, should carry the alarm to his chief in advance of the avengers. : - Shortly before midnight a through freight train pulled slowly out of Richville, on its way west; and within the caboose might have been seen Rufe Ruffle and his resolute band of outlaw- ‘hunters, They left the train at the proper point, and trudged silently over the. miles of dusty country road that intervened between _ them and the immediate scene of the proposed action. , _ tain trail diverged from the highway, ample ; it nee, impracticable to continue further Beaching the place where the moun- nity was given to take a much-needed until daylight came to guide their way. _ *Promptly at the break of day, however, the May ane ; 1s onward movement of the outlaw-hunters was | cuse, as he scrambled to his feet. “But I say, resumed, Entering upon the mountain trail | pard, come down bere, quick! I’ve made a big that was supposed to lead to Mad Madge’s secret | discovery!” stronghold, they moved slowly and cautiously in | single file, each man with weapon ready for in- stant use, as he realized they were now treading on dangerous ground, Pushing laborious! through the maze of briers and bushes that choked the narrow path and presented a serious berrier to rapid progress, they bad reached a point some distance from the highway when— Suddenly there came a deafening crash of fire- arms, and a biting storm of lead assailed the as- tonished trailers, while, simultaneously, a series of exultant yells told that the outlaws were wide awake and ready to receive them, CHAPTER XIII. VICTORY, STUNNED by. that withering volley, the de- voted band of outlaw-hunters stood for a mo- ment in surprise and indecision; before the greeting could be repeated, however, they had recovered sufficiently to seek shelter behind friendly trees and bow)ders, Several men were struck by the flying bullets, but fortunately their injuries were not severe, It was, however, a serious blow to their cherish- ed scheme, and their disgust and rage was inde- scribable, At this early hour the trailers bad hoped to find their enemies asleep, hut.it seemed the latter were already up and dressed, ard ready to give all unwelcome visitors a hot re- ception, ; nsconced bebind an enormous bowlder, the discomfited leaders of the expedition hurriedly discussed the situation. the ve start, they were in no wise disheart- ened, he fact that the outlaws were aware of their presence would, of course, render the work of rescue much more difficult to accomplish; but, sugceed they would, by some meansor other, The trailers were fully determined upon that point, though it must be admitted that, just at that particular moment, the manner in which this herculean task was tobe performed was by no means Clear to either, “Catch a wensel asleep, eh? I reckon not,” was Kufe Ruffle’s remark, as be ruefully rubbed the cheek where an outlaw’s bullet had ploweda bloody crease. ‘‘ Instead o’ givin’ the varmints a s’prise -party, we’ve be’n most decidedly sur- prised ourselves. Jiminy! It’s a wonder we weren’t all wiped out.” ““That friendly greeting was from the senti- nels, I imagine. Of course the shots will arouse the rest of, the gang, and we'll bave a regular hornets’ nest about our ears in a few minutes,” “*T reckon the varmints will act entirely on the defensive, at present. However, if. they should attack our posifion, we are sufficiently well-posted to hold our own.” 3 ‘Which is not at all what we are here for. Our purpose is to force the enemy’s position; and hang me if I don’t think the job will bea mighty tough one,” “Nevertheless, the victory shall be ours,” said the fireman, in grim determination. ‘*There’s more’n one way to skin a cat; and so, I believe, there is another way of gettin’ at our friends up the hillside, there. It therefore be- hooves us to reconnoiter a little, in view of find- ing a way by which we can attack the enemy from the rear. No time to waste here, doin’ nothin’, so le’s git a good-sized move on.” “An excellent idea, and I'm with you at once,” assured the messenger, who was equally anxious to tuke decisive action, So, leaving their men strongly posted, with orders to await their return, the leaders moved cautiously in a direction that took them ob- liquely up the hillside. Screened by the dense undergrowth that intervened, their maneuvers escaped the notice of the outlaw sentries, who lurked still further up the rugged trail. They had proceeded but a Short distance when Roy Noble, who was slightly in the rear, sud- denly beard a startled exclamation from his companion, and looked just in time to behold the latter throw up his arms and disappear from view. Rushing forward in alarm, it was to find the fireman sprawling at the bottom of a yawning pit, into which he had unwittingly tumbled, ‘* You're a pretty spectacle, I declare. Where in the world are your eyes?” saluted the mes- senger, laughing aay at the ludicrous situa- tion of his comrade, “The top of the confounded hole was com- pletely covered over with brush—that’s the reason I walked right into it,” was Rufe’s ex- / your men here without delay. ‘The dickens you have! What is it?” and Roy joined his comrade with alacrity, ‘This bere place is the entrance to some sub- terranean passage, which leads—” ‘““To the outlaws’, retreat,” eagerly broke in the messenger, at once greatly interested in this new discovery. ‘It is quite possible that Mad | Madge has taken up quarters in a cavern, and this is one of the avenues leading to it,” ‘In that case, seems ter me they’d have a guard at the entrance,” said Rufe, doubtfully, ‘Seemingly so, indeed; yet it’s quite possible tbat the outlaws bave failed to fully explore the recesses of their cavern retreat, and so remain In ignorance of a second entrance, How does that theory strike you?” ‘* Hang me if | don’t b’lieve ye’r’ right, pard,”” averred the fireman, eagerly. ‘I reckon itll pay us to explore this place a bit, an’ see where the deuce it does lead to,” Accordingly, the trailers boldly entered the passage, cautiously groping their way, step by step, through the Stygian gloom that immedi- ately encompassed them, They proceeded in utter silence; ever on the alert for danger, and yet quite unprepared for the complete surprise that awaited them when, after covering a distance of perhaps fifty feet, they rounded an abrupt turn in the passage and saw standing before them, lamp in hand, the familiar figure of Headlight Harry! ; It would be bard to say which of the three men was most astonished at this unexpected meeting. For some moments they stood like images of stone, unable to believe the evidence . of their senses, When, however, they did re- Despite this repulse at ( cover themselves, mutual explanations were quickly in order. It was,: indeed, a most re- markable and Providential meeting, and all hands were naturally elate to a high degree, “Thanks to this opportune meeting, victory is thrown within our grasp; but prompt and de- cisive action is necessary in order to secure it,” Headlight Harry hurriedly exclaimed, ‘‘ Bring It will be an easy matter to effect an entrance to the main cavern from this side, and so take the outlaws completely by surprise, I will leave this lam here to guide you, for I can find my way bac quite readily without it. Now, be off; but there’s nota minute to waste. Success depends entirely upon your eelerity of movement.” ‘“Ye kin expect'us back with tbe boys, jest as quick as the Jaw allows,” was Rufe Ruffle’s part- ing assurance, as the three friends again separa- As the engineer groped his way back to the cell, it was to feel hope and elation rise buoy- antly in the breast where but recently dwelt. the deepest grief and despair. With the knowl- edge of so. many stanch friends hastening to therescue, he was confident that, if all went well, another hour at most would find him mas-~ ter of the situation. \ Waiting re siete f for the reappearance of his friends, it was with fast increasing anxiety lest an inopportune visit fram Mad Sicdbe or some of ber satellites should result in the dis- covery of the newly-made bole in the wall, in which case suspicion would surely be aroused, and the frustration of their cherished plans be | the inevitable result. Happily, bis fears on that. score were groundless; and after waiting minutes that seemed like hours to his restless. mind, he caught the glimmer of an approaching light, and knew his comrades were on hand at ast. One by one, the avengers glided noiselessly through the opening like so many grim phan- toms—bold, resolute fellows, every man of whom fairly burned with impatience to be turned loose upon the outlaws, “Hyar we are, at last, pard!” was Rufe Ruffle’s whispered salutdtion, ‘Left part of the boys outside to intercept the varmints when we drive ’em out 0’ the cave. Jerusalem! Won't we jest give ’em their never-git-over?” All that now prevented an immediate entrance to the main cavern was the buge slab of stone which, secured in some way from the outside, effectually blocked the narrow mouth of the passage. This was, however, an obstacle easily to be removed, A quanitity of gun- wder was quickly placed under the edge of the stone, a train laid and the match app ied, while all hands eagerly awaited the result ata safe distance, There was a terrific explosion that shook the very walls, while the slab of stone was riven into a thousand fragments. No sooner was this last barrier removed than the avengers
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* in my be poor, i bs ‘ i'@ Headlight Harry’s Siren. rushed through the opening with triumphant shouts, To their surprise, the great ball-like cavern was quite empty! Evidently the entire gang was massed outside, in readiness to repulse an expected attack from below. Even as the avengers crossed the cavern, a number of out- laws, alarmed by the explosion, suddenly ap- peared at the entrance. They were met by a rattling volley that laid half their number Jow, while the remainder in- stantly turned and fled to rejoin the main body, ensconced a short distance down the mountain- side, Close at their heels followed the avengers, eharging fiercely upon the bewildered enemy, firing as they went. As Mad Madge’s band, surprised but still un- daunted, turned to resist this unexpected at- tack, the detachment of trailers left further down the hillside, who had eagerly awaited this opportunity for action, made a suddem and im- petuous assault from the rear, Then ensued a scene of wild confusion, The sharp explosion of firearms mingled with the loud sbouts of excited combatants, The con- flict, though fierce, was of but brief duration. Hemmed in on both sides A an irresistible foe, their numbers rapidly depleted by the endless storm of lead poured in upon them, the out- laws, after a short and ineffectual show of re- sistance, suddenly broke ranks and precipitately fled. The rout was complete.. Like sheep they scattered in every direction, with the merciless avengers in hot pursuit, slLooting them down without quarter. Headlight Harry, in the mean time, finding victory assured, sought the interior of the cay- . ernin search of Ruth Sharon. He was joined 2 Roy Noble, who bad‘a similar purpose in view. The fair objects of their search were speedily discovered, none the worse for their trying experience; and the meeting between the lovers, as may well be imagined, was both ten- der and affecting. Returning to the exterior of the cavern, they sought a position that commanded a view of the hillside below, and there awaited the return of the victorious outlaw-hunters, The sounds of conflict were constantly becoming fainter; evi- . dently those of the band not slain outright had by this time been pretty thoroughly dispersed, As Headlight Harry surveyed’ the field of car- nage, his mind reverted to the fair girl leader of the ill-starred victims. Had Mad Madge suc- ceeded in making her escape? or was hers one of the numerous ghastly corpses that strewed the the mountain-side? Even as he questioned himself thus, a series of pistol-sbots sounded in close proximity, and the next moment a slender, graceful form burst into view. It was Mad Madge, the Outlaw Queen! Fleeing like a deer, she was bout to pass the lit- tle group, when suddenly she tripped and fell heavily at the very feet of the engineer, even as her pursuers appeared only a few yards behind. Instantly Headhght Harry comprehended the situation, and, obeying a sudden impulse, he bounded forward, ‘That way—that way, my lads! After bim! Run the rascal to earth!” and he pointed toward a neighboring thicket as he spoke. / The trick worked like a charm, for, as Madge jay prone upon the earth, she was invisible to the pursuers; and the latter vanished as quickly as they came, quite unconscious of the engineet's clever ruse, When Headlight Harry turned again to the Outlaw Queen, it was to find she had already struggled to her feet,and was regarding him intently. With garments soiled and torn, hair disheveled, and flying in the morning breeze— with face pale as death, scratched and bleeding from contact with thorns and brambles, and the wild light of fear and madness shining in her ‘ied Madge presented a spectacle of grief and woe at which all stood aghast. | Why did you do that?) Why did you turn ~ those bloodhounds from their prey?’ she de- manded, in low, thrillingly earnest tones, ‘*To save your life, of course,” was the en- ineer’s response. ‘Those men undoubtedly ew not your sex, mistaking you for one of our followers, and would have killed you but ‘or my timely interference.” y “You rae indeed, magnauimous, to intercede half, especially after what I have done to you and yours,” and the Queen’s pale face clearly indicated her surprise. } “Let bygones be bygones, as the expression runs. Since your schemes have come to naught, I can easily afford to cin oe your intentions, for in Headlight Harry’s heart there remained _ nothing of resentment, only eb prey! for this misguided girl, whose grief for a beloved parent really had crazed her brain, and who, he believed, was quite irresponsible for her nu- merous questionable actions and crimes. “*T am glad to know that you bear me no malice for the past. It would be hard, indeed, to die knowing that I bore the hatred and con- tempt of the one [ love so dearly.” ; ‘Die?’ echoed Headlight Harry, struck by the girl’s peculiar tones. “Yes, die! Do you not see this?” and Madge smiled bitterly as she indicated what all had failed to observe before—a ragged rent in her jacket, just below the beart, through which a tiny stream of blood was trickling. “My God! You are wounded!” and Head- light Harry sprung forward, only to be waved back by the Outlaw Queen, “Yes, I’ve got my. death,” she said, with strange calmness. ‘* Your interference in my behalf was made too late to save me from the speeding bullet, I shall be with you but a short time longer. But, what matters it? My band is annihilated, my schemes for vengeance are nipped in the bud, and, should I live, it would be only to be hounded to death as an outlaw, as my father was before me, Is it not fitting that, with the death of my cherished hopes, the name of et Madge should, too, live only as a mem- ory The girl was rapidly growing weaker, She staggered and would have fallen, bad not the vigilant engineer leaped forward and caught her in his arms. Kneeling upon the green sward, he gently pillowed the head of the dying Queen upon his knee, and as she looked up into his bandsome, earnest face, there was a look of peace and happiness upon her own, ““T am dying—it is but a question of afew moments, now,” she murmured. ‘‘ And before I leave this world forever, there is one thing more I wish to say. The girl you love—Ruth Sbaron! Is shenot here? Then bid her come nearer, for what I have to say is for her ears, as well as yours, ‘* Listen! JI have wronged both of youtdeeply, I know; not so much in evil actually performed as in that contemplated. It was for love of you, Headlight Harry, that I was led to lift my band against a pureand innocent maiden, I know not why I did it. I was mad—mad with love for you! My passion got ube better of my reason, God knows what my insane spirit migbt bave led me to had not my plans been interrupted as they were. But now, all is over! - You are hap- pily reunited. Cannot you grant a dyin woman’s request, and assure her of your fu forgiveness?” | ‘Indeed, I bave already assured you that you are fully and freely forgiven,” declared the en- gineer, seriously. ‘‘ And I am sure that Ruthis equally ready to accord pardon for whatever in- tentions you may bave had against her.” It was only through a storm of sobs and tears that Ruth could signify her acquiescence, being too deeply affected for colLerent speech, **The knowledge of your forgiveness will rep- der death much easier to bear,” exclaimed Mad Madge, faintly. ‘I know you love each other truly, May God bless you! and may your lives be as peaceful and happy as mine has been on and miserable, is my dying wish, Good- The Outlaw Queen ceased speaking; her eyes closed, and she lay as peacefully as a sleeping child in the arms of Headlight Harry. It was pep when the graceful form grew cold and rigid, and the impulsive heart ceased to beat, that the awe-stricken watchers realized that Mad Madge was deaé! Dead! Lying there in the lonely forest, in the arms of the man she had loved so mad]. , and yet so hopelessly, with her once powerful band scattered to the winds—lying there with upturn- ed face, kissed by the morning sun, wearing an angelic smile of happiness and peace! 1 Who } could realize that this beautiful form of mortal clay was all that remained of the fair and ac- complished girl, once the village pride, whose insane desire to avenge her father’s wrongs had led her to a life of violence and crime, the end of which was so highly disastrous to herself? And now within the village churchyard she sleeps, beside the wayward father in avenging whose death she met her own; while ever in the memory of all lives the name of the beautiful being whose brief but brilliant career caused such a reign of terror in their midst—Mad Madge, the Outlaw Queen! THE END, ‘ ‘A : \ : ; 4 } ‘ ; ’ Beadle's Dime Library. BY WILLIAM R,. EYSTER, 634 Old Handeart's Big Dump, 622 The All Around Sports, 603 Desert Alf, the Man With the Cougar. 590 Gentle Jack, the High Roller from Humbug. 578 Seven Shot Steve, the Sport with a Smile, 568 The Dude Detective. 558 Hurrah Harry, the High Horse from Halcyon. 549 Belshazzar Brick, the Bailiff of Blue Blazes. 533 Oregon, the Sport With a Scar, 525 Fresh Frank, the Derringer Daisy. ‘ 508 The Dude from Denver. : 478 Pinnacle Pete; or, The Fool from Way Back, j 459 poe ag Sunshine, the Man of Three Lives. j 429 Hair Trigger Tom of Red Bend, | 402 Snapshot Sam; or, The Angels’ Flat Racket. 396 The Piper Detective; or, The Gilt Edge Gang. ty 875 Royal George, the Three in One. ae 356 Three Handsome Sports; or, The Combination, — ie 344 Double Shot Dave of the Left Hand. 5") 883 Derringer Dick, the Man with the Drop. 300 A Sport in Spectacles; or, Bad Time at Bunco, 268 Magic Mike, the Man of Frills. 229 Captain Cutsleeve; or, The Little Sport. 4 214 The Two Cool Sports; or, Gertie of the Gulch, . ay. 192 The Lightning Sport. i 182 Hands Up; or, The Knights of the Canyon. 160 Soft Hand, Sharp: or, Fhe Man with the Sand. 145 Pistol Pards; or, The Silent.Sport from Cinnabar, BY CAPT. FRED. WHITTAKER. 614 The Showman Detective; or, The Mad Magician. 609 The Texas Tramp; or, Solid Saul, ‘ae. 295 Old Cross-Eye, the Maverick-Hunter. } ai 290 The Lost Corvette: or, Blakeley’s Last Cruise. ea 284 The Three Frigates; or, Old Ironsides’ Revenge, 277 The Saucy Jane, Privateer. 272 Seth Slocum, Raiiroad Surveyor. bs * 265 Old Double-Sword; or, Pilots and Pirates. ed Ni 253 A Yankee Cossack; or,The Queen of the Nibilists, nyalad 247 Alligator Ike: or, The Secret of the Everglade, REL he 242 The Fog Devil; or, The Ski r of the Flash. He 230 The Fiving Dutchman of 1880, 226 ‘ibe Mad Hussars; or, The O’s and the Mac’s, oil aie cae 215 Parson Jim, King of the Cowboys. pay: 211 Colonel Plunger; or, The Unknown Sport, rd 206 One Eye. the Cannoneer. sg 198 The Man in Red; or, The Ghost of the Old Guard, a sud 187 Tbe Death’s Head Cuirassiers, ee) 174 The Phantom Knigbts. - 159 Red Rudiger, the Archer. is 132 Nemo, King of the py ; er 115 The Severed Head; or, The Castle Coucy Secret, ae 108 The Duke of Diamonas. *) ae 98 The Rock Rider; or, The Spirit of the Sierra, et 96 Double Death; or, The Spy of Wyoming. / 69 The Irish Captain. A Tale of Fontenoy. ; 65 The Red Rajah; or, The Scourge of the Indies, _ 89 The Russian Spy; or, The Starry Cross Brothers, 534 Green Mountain Joe; or, The Counterfeiter’s Cave. By Marmaduke Dey, Zl Se 518 Ro A Richard, the Thoroughbred. By J. We. sbon. 410 Sarah Brown, Detective. By K. F. Hill. 366 The Telegraph Detective, By George H. Morse, 353 Bart Brennan; or, The King of Straight Flush, By John Cuthbert. : 350 Flash Falcon, Society Detective. By W. J. Cobb, 312 Kinkfoot Karl, tbe Mountain Scourge. By Mor- ris Redwin By J. D. Conroy. 261 Black Gam, the Prairie Th MISCELLANEOUS, 566 The Dauntless Detec:ive; cr, The Daughter f Avenger. By Tom W. King. i 542 The Ocean Drift; or, The Fight for Two Lives, Hehe) By A. F. Holt. Teil i s &. 275 The Smuggler Cutter, y. iY underbolt, By Col, Jo Yards. (is 190 The Three Guardsmen. By a eaildecs Dumas, 179 Conrad, the Convict. By Prof. Gildersleeve, p! 166 Owlet, the Robber Prince. * v8. R. Urban, 158 The Doomed Dozen. By Dr. Frank Powell, et 152 Captain Ironnerve, the Counterfeiter Chief. George Lemuel. 144 The Hunchback of Notre Dame. By Victor Hugo | — By F. Dumont, Yale; or, The Scrapes of Wallcgians, : self, A new issue every Wednesday, f Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mailon — receipt of twelve cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS Publishers, 98 William street, New York, ih. *
Page 15
Published Every Tuesday. BY OLL COOMES. 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 18 The Dumb Spy. , 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. 7 B1 Keen-Knife, the Prince of the Prairies. wai, _ 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 6S The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. 74 Mawk-eye Harry the Young Trapper Ranger, 88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman. isa 148 Scear-Face Saul, the Sifent Hunter. : 146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight. 153 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon. ’ 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. : 182 Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. 2 Prospect Pete ; or, fhe 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. i: 88 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Disguised Guides or, Wild Raven, the Ranger. 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger, 272 Minkakin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter, 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. 800 The Sky Demon; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger, 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero, ; 409 hercules; »t, Dick, the Boy Ranger. PY oN A417 Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. CF 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone, 444 Little Buckskin, the Young Prairie Centaur, 457 Wingedfoot Fred}; or, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarac. ‘Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. 478 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemic, 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan, 662 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trapper. 65% Don Barr, the Plains Freelance. f 661 Old Kit Bandy’s Deliverance. . 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer. 68 Dauntless Dan, the Freelance, or, Old Kit Bandy In Arcadia, BY BUCKSKIN 8AM (Major Sam, 8, Hall.) 284 Old Rocky s ** Boyeens or, Benito, tne Horse-Breaker (246 Glant George; or, The Ang’! of the Range. 275 Arizona Jack ; or, Giant George’s Pard, 297 The Tarantula of Taoes or, Giant George’s Revenge, B07 The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. $18 Ker-whoop, Ker-whoo; or, The Tarantula of Taos, 27 Creeping Vat, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Pards, 82 Frio Fred; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. 44 The Fighting Trio}; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. 9 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front. B57 The Ranch Raiders; or, The Siege of Fort Pargatory. 864 Snap-Shot, the Boy Kanger. 875 Chiota, the Creek 3 or, The Three Thunderbolts, Ai 881 Randera Bill; or. Frio Frank to the Front, rom) ‘BY2 Romeo and the Reds; or, The Beleaguered Ranch. 404 Little Lariat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. 414 The Dalay from Denver. A427 The Three Tratlers; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage, Ba) 442 Bluff Bill; or, The Lynx of the Leona. ith 455 Little Lone Star: or, The Belle of the Cibolo, “y 684 Cache Carl, the Chico Giart BY PHILIP 8. WARNE, 6T Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. HW 175 Captain Arizona; or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Big Game. —-§- 498 Captain Mask; or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat. R19 ae the Duellat; cz, The Mountain Vempires. 888 A Tough Boy; or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. 868 Little Tornado; or, The Outcasts of the Glen BTS Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard. , 888 Little Chomy or, Caught in His Own Trap, 401 Little Sheo- ly} or, A Race for a Ranch. 408 Little Leather-Breeches ; or, Old Jumbo’s Curse. 481 Little Ah Sing or, The Curse of Blood. 451 Colorado Kate. A Tale of the alines. 480 Three Jolly Pards, 617 Jim Gladden’s Deputy. G27 The Jolly Pards to the Rescue. 647 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down, 66 Lariat Lils or, The Cast for a Life. 574 Old Weasel-top, the Man with the Dogs. 598 Keen Clem, the Ranch Imp. 699 Jim Dandy the No-Name Sport. , $18 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 EDWARD WILLETT. 167 Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy. 199 Featherwelght_ the Boy Champion of the Muskingum, 8 Ozark Alf; or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws. 282 The Typo Detectives or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp. EY Fearless Phil; or, The King of Quartzville, $811 The Roving Spovt' or, The Pride of Chuckaluck Camp, ss BBB Nemo, the Detective; or, Kit anew Vendetta, x Clip the Contortionint; or, The Montana Vigilantes, BY J0 PIERCE. pithe the Bowery } or, The Prince of Mulberry Street. : aga ¥ ry ey) . 44 hs 4 eo bond Detective; or, Bowery Bob’s Boom, ur Bob, the Street-Boy Detective. ; iawver « Shadow; or, Luke’s Legacy, nty Joe, the Young Horse-King. ‘Bim, the Young Ferryman Detective, 7 era, the Butcher Boy Detective. F Thin; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerie, _ orth River Nat, the Pier Detective. tling Rex, the Pride of the Sixth Ward. rs the Stable Boy Detective. ¢, the Boy Shadow. he Veteran Detective. ’ nes League; or, The Mystery ofthe Island, e Boy Prospector. ‘ a SS = BEADLE'S* HALF-DIME* LIBRARY. - Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes of a Bowery Girl. %6 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. E 79 Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 288 Joe Buck of Angels and His Boy Pard. 447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham, 458 New England Nick}; or, The Fortunes of a Foundling, 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince. 4938 Taos Ted, toe Arizona Sport. 510 Cool Colorado, the Hall-Breed Detective, 518 Cool Colorado in New York. BY GEORGE WALDU BROWNE, 86 Dandy Rock the Man from Texas. 90 The Dread Rider; or, The Texan Duelist, 99 The Tiger of Tuos; or, Dandy Rock’s Angel 115 The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock’s Deom. 181 The Golden Mund; or, Dandy Rock to the Reseue, 164 Dandy Rodk’s Pledge}; or, Hunted to Death, 178 Dandy Rock’s Rival; or, The tiaunted Maid of Taos, BY CAPT. J. F, ©. ADAMS, 84 Wregon 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 hiffles’s Pet; or, Ir The Valley of Death. 60 The White Indian; or, The Scovt of the Yellowstone, 70 Old Zip’s Cabin; or, The Greenhorn in the Woods, 81 Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Prairie. 85 Buck Bueckram ; or, Bess, the Female Trapper, 247 Old Grizzly and Mis Pets; or, The Wild Huntre 251 Light-house Liges or, Osceola, the Firebrand. 257 The Lost Hunters; or, The Underground Camp. 288 The Scalp King: or, The Human Thundervolt, BY ROGER STARBUCK. 25 The Boy Captain; or, The Pirate’s Daughter. 114 The Black Schooner; or, Jib Junk, the Old Tar, 259 The Golden Harpoon; or, Lost Among the Floes. 848 Fire-Meela; or, Old Skinflint, the Death-Shadow. 854 Big Horn Ike, the Hill Tramp; or, The Odd Parda, B61 The Phantom Light-house. 870 Breaker Ben, the Reef-Runner. BY WILLIAY BE EYSTER,. 190 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Frank; or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pards BY C. DUNNING CLARK. 185 Captain Paul; or, The Boy Spy of the Mountains. 0 The Yankee Rajah; or, The Fate of the Black Shereef. BY GEORGE C, JENKS, 485 Git Thar Owney the Unknown, 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. 518 The Demon Doctor. 581 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. 59S Flute, the Singer Detective, 608 The Pitcher Detective’s Foll; or, Dan’s Double Play, 616 The Ocean Detectives or. The Last Cruise of the Black Boar, 681 The Pitcher Detective’s Toughest Tussel. BY OAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR U. 8. A 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. 194 Buffalo Bill’s Bet; or, The Gambler Guide. BY WM. G. PATTEN, 489 The Diamond Sport: or, The Double Face of Bed Rock, 519 Captain systery ; or, Five in One. 581 Daisy vare tie Sport from Denver. 587 Old Bombshell, the Ranger Detective. 604 Iron Fern, the Man of Fire. 619 The Roy Tramp Detective; or, The Double Grip Witness 629 Violet Vane, the Velvet Sport. , Dismal Pave’s Dandy Pard. Bound Boy Frank, the Young Amateur Detective Violet Vane’s Victory. Wild Vulcan, the Lone-Range Rider, Violet and Datsy, the Posy Pards. Violet Vane’s Vow; or, The Cratty Deteetive’s Craft, BY MAJOR E, L. 8ST. VRAIN, 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. 801 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. 888 Brimstone Kob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette, 852 Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “ Sand.” 859 Durango Dave, the Young Chamrion Wrestlers 871 Kingbelt Chris, the Young Hard-Shel! Detective. B80 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide. 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountuin Mail-Line, BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS, Bill Biddon, Trapper. Seth Jones; or, The Captives of the Frontler, Nat Todd; or, The Fate of the Sloux Captive. ‘rne Frontier Angel. 98 The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island. 182 The Hunted Hunter} or, The ig Horseman, The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains, 71 The Huge Hunter} or, The Steam Prairie Man, BY MAJOR LEWIS W. CARSON. 278 The Th T ra; or, The Mountain Me ' 988 Indian Joc; or The White Spirit of the Hilis. BY CAPT. MARK WILTON. 256 Young Kentuckt or, The Red Lasso, 270 Blizzard Ben; or, The Riot at Keno Camp. 286 Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot. | BY RBRACEBRIDGE HEMYN@G. 89 Taland Jim; or, The Pet of the Family. 1 The in of the Club;_or. The Riva! Athletes. 101 Sack Horkaway tn New York, BY MAJOR WENRY B. STODDARD, Ex-Scont, 806 Neck-Tie Ned; or, The Dog-Out Pards, 846 Rapler Raph . The Swordsmen of Zacatecas, Bot deGlove Kits the Dandy of the Rockles. id-Glove Kit Pard: or, The Gold King. 406 The Mad Marctiuascn: or. The Golden Gulch Mystery. 505 Powell’s Pardy; or, The Une-Armed Giant, BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, 15 The Sea-Cat; or, The Witch of Darien. 29 The Dumb Page; or, The Doge’s Deughter. 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. 150 Lance and Lasso: or, The Children of the Chaco. 154 The Sword Hunters; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders, 159 The Lost Captain; or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cruise, 200 The Boy Bedoutna; or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lance, 214 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine. see I ie. omer the a King: me Berea ee Wet, ; ie r Lamer ; or, e Jun; B51 Winek Nick. the Deon Riders ’ 895 California Joe’s War Trail. No Double Numbers, BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. . 2 Yellowstone Jack; or, The pag | nay 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat. 65 Murricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. 119 Mustang Sam ; or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-lLiawk 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 with 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 W olf; or, The Beautiful Decoy, 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League, 885 Old Double Fist; or, he Strange Guide : 855 The King of the Woods: or Daniel Soone’s Last Trail, 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Traller. 677 Chineapin Dan's Second Trail. ? 688 Chincapin Dan’s Home Stretch, 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without a Head. 708 Light-lieurt Lute’s Legacy. BY W. J. HAMILTON, 68 The Ked Brotherhood ; or, The Tweive Avengers. 66 Single Mandy; or, A Life fur a Life, 3 72 Mad Tom W estern, the Texan Ranger. i” 887 Ben Bird, the Cave King; or, Big Pete’s Scoop. i BY JACK FARRAGUT, 815 Ned, the Cabin Boy, 820 The Sea Soreeress; or, The Boy Skipper. BY LIEUT. i. D. PERRY, U, 8. N. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bay, 180 The Sea Trailer: or, A Vow Well Kept. tes 192 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montauk Point. at BY COL, A. F. HOLT. 899 Black Buckskin; or, The Masked Men of Death Canyom, ‘ 419 Kenneth, the Knife-King. ; 485 Littie Lightfoot, the Pilot of the Woods. Bv8 The Dandy sport; or, The King Pin Conspiraton 678 Ralph Renwood, the Lightning Express Detective, 691 Headlight Marry’« Haul. BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. ing 78 Blue Dick; or, Tie Yellow Chief's Vengeance. ; 87 The Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil’s leland, 187 The Uelpless linnd 3 or, Backwoods Retribution. 289 The Gold-seeker Guide? or, The Lost Mountain. "BY FREDERICK DEWEY 818 Cimarron Jack, the King-Pin of Rifle-Shots, 478 Tangemund, the Desert Detective. , 5642 The Canyon Pards, / ¥, BY ARTHUR C. GRISSOLL. 4 a 440 Little Foxfoot, the Gold Bowie Kid. } { 558 The Sure-Shet Parda. : ’ 621 Truthful James, the “ Pecooliar” Man. BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS, 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock, ms 568 The Dandy of Dodge. : 576 The Silver Sport. 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 6S9 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City, 601 nappy Hana, the Dutch Vidoeg. . 611 Bilda Barnacle, the Detective Hercules, _ * , 622 Texas Tom-Cat’s Triad “ 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task. Me 688 Tom-Cat’s Trinmphy or, Black Ivan’s Great Combine, 646 Cowboy Gid ite Yattle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank. , 665 Jolly Jeremiahs the Plains Detective, : 676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout, 689 Billy the Gypey Spy. ; 699 Straple Sim, the Broncho Buster. 4 Pere 712 The Mesmerist Sport; or, The Mystified Detective, MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, — { hy 4 The Wild-Horse Munters. By Capt. Mayne Reid and) J rederick Whittaker, ; ! 9 Adventures of Baron Manchauser. , 12 Gulliver’s Travels, By Dean Swift. 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp. 16 Robinson Crusoe. (27 Illustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven EF dae 22 The Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe, By Juaa 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribees. By S, W. Pierce. i 86 The Boy Clown; or, The Arena Queen. By F 8. Finn. B88 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 51 The Boy Rifes; or, The Underground Camp. By A; C. Irons, : ; 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi, eye By Lieut.-Col. Hazeltine. : i 98 Robin Hood, the Uutiawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Green- wood. By Prof, Gildersleeve. ey, 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain ; ee Hamilton Holmes. : 112 The Mad Manter; or, the Cave of Death. By Burton Saxe, ; 124 Tippy the Texan; or, The Young Champion. By George jepaon. 4 128 The Young Privateers or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By 2 Harry Cavendish. ae 148 Sharp Sam; or, The Adventures of a Friendless Boy. By J, jc; gh Alexander Patten. +) aan @27 Dusky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yel- met lowstone, By Edward re0! / ‘ n. 261 Fergus Fearnaught the New Y rk Boy. ByG. L, Aiken. | 266 Killb’ar, the Guides °F, Davy Crockett’s Crooked 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 Liea- Me tenant Alfred Thorne. yo 828 The Sky Detectives or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Honor, By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Red Raiph, the River Rover; or, The Brother’s Re- venge. By Ned Buntline. ses Baltimore sad oi ete Detectives B A. 4 = * a : uble toh. 8r6 Seittornia Joe’s First Trail. “By Cofone) Thomas Hoyer Monstery. 418 Biily Bombshell, the Cliff Climber. By ¥. 8. Winthrop. ) hy 475 The Black php: By John 8 Warner. Lo ee. 484 Comanche a and His Three Invinelbles, By, tail mry J. BDO . 582 The Cowboy Duke, By Edwin Brooke Forrest, B52 Ariel the Athlete. By David Druid. 585 Will Waters, the Boy Ferret.. By H. Enton. See 682 The Dead Detective’s Double. By Gerald Carlton ; A New issue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by a1! newsdealers, five ents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. . BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, ae { 98 William Street, New York, =.
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ea Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Compl BEADLE'’S«H ALF- DIME« LIBRARY. No Double Numbers. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, Deadwood Dick Novels. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince ot the Road, 20 Deadwood Dick's Defiance; or, Double Daggero. 28 pena wees er in ne Buffals Ben B5 Deadwoo dick in His Castle. A2 Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza; or, The wantom Miner. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omaha Oll, 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards ot Flood Bar. 78 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity ; -ne, the Heroine, “33 abe —~ ——s meat fat or, Corduroy Charlie. 0 eadwoe ekin Leady e. 104 oe wood peex’e — fee; or, The Double Cross Sign. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double: or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. 188 Deadwood Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bill. 149 Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party, 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road. 201 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. ret 4 cn a picks —— : or, Calamity Jane’s‘Adventure, 217 Deadwood Dick’s Dead Deal. 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death-Plant. 282 Gold-Dust Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, +43 penewees piens pivide j OF apg Spirit of Swamp Lake. 683 Deadwoo ck’s Death Trail. 809 Deadwood Dick’s Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. B21 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats 847 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Days in the Diggings, 4 penevees Ao Ba mai or, the Terriblo Vendetta, x eadwooc ck’s Claim, 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City, 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds, 421 Deadwood Dick in New Vork; or, A “Cute Case,” ret peta toad mien's Dust or, The Chained Hand, Jeadwoo ck, dr. 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Defiance. 458 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Full Hand, 459 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-Up. 465 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10. 4th peed vieod a 5 ang Gorrals A popmes Bil. a 2 el enawoo CK, re 8 og etective, 481 Deadwood Dick. Jr., in Deadw ood, A491 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Compact. 496 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance, 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Diggings. 5608 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deliverance, 515 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Protegee. H22 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’s, Threes 529 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Danger Ducka 244 ae ata twtr 7 * wees Hunt, 5) eadwoo ck, drs, in Texas. 544 Deadwood Dick, drs; the Wild West Vidoog ga4 Beaauses bee: $u> gr deuce o>. endwo ck, Jr., in Gotham, 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr, in Boston, 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia, 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago. 578 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Afloat. 5S4 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver. 590 Deadwood Diek, Jr.'s, Decree. 595 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin, 600 Deadwood Dick, dre, at Coney Island. $09 Bestuset pice: gr "ysgetctie La e : : ‘troit. Sea penawons Dick, Joes - Ginctenatt. 4 ecadwoo ek rey in Nevada, Sie Beod used Bicks gr nee mang uene end woot ek, Jr. er the Queer. 642 Deadwood Dick. Jr., in Buffalo. 648 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Chase Across the Continent 654 Dendwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. $4 Bossusot bee $e erring ae endwoo ck, Jr. ack in the nes, 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr, tu Durango or, “ Gathered In.” S32 pte dpe mak oe pocsyerys or, Found a Fortune, eadwo © r.’s. Dazzle, 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dollars. p44 pcanweoes aor og a; Venger Divide, ead woo e r,s, rop. 704 Deadwoed Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot. 710 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in San Franelsco, 716 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Still Hunt. 22 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes, Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 2G Cleven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. 82 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot. 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn ey or, The Red Rifle Team, 69 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The Boy Detective. 80 Rosebud Rob oi Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Idyl, the Girl Miners; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand. 88 Pheto ho Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance, ge Canede Chet} or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. 96 Watch-Eye ; or, Arabs and Angels of a Great City, 118 Jack Hoyle the Young Speculator. ‘ 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detectivo, 121 Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Spots, 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner. 188 Boss Kob the King of Bootblacks, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent, 145 Oaptain Ferret, the New York Detective. New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective, Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Scamps, Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo, ? Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective. 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter, 226 Snoozer, the Buy Sharp: or, The Arab Detective, 286 Apollo BAll, the Trail Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator, 244 Blerwa Sam, the Frontier Ferret. 245 Sierra Saim’« Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Sam’s Pardy; or, The Angel of Big Vista, 258 Sierra Sam's Seven; or, The Stolen Bride, 278 Jumbo Joey, the Key Patrol: or. The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen. 281 Denver Doll’« Victory, 255 Denver Doll's Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza, 291 Turk the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll’« Drift; or. The Road Queen, 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 808 ’Liza.Jane, the “irl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. 825 Kelley, skey & Co.,, the Detectives of Philadelphia, BSO Little Quis k-Shot 3 or, The Dead Face of Daggersvillo, 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner, 889 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood. B58 Firat-Clasa Fred, the Gent trom Gopher. BER Vreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherers or, The Life Lottery, 72 Yreka Jim’s Prize. 878 Nabob Neds or, The Secret of Sinh City. BS2 Cool Kit. the King of Kida; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 885 Yreka Jim’s Joker; or, The Rivals of Red Nose, 889 Bicyele Ben; or. The Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam. 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Wateh Detective. 416 High Wat Warry, the Base Ball Detective, 426 Sam Slabsides, the Beggar-Boy Detective, 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives, 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. 486 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkier, er 20 ba at pet SENs BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, ? The Flying Yankee}; or, The Ocean Outcast. 1% Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer; 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 ; or, The Hermit of Hell Gate, 197 Little Grit; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. 204 Gold Plume; or, Buffalo Bill, the Pony Express Rider, 216 Bison BILL, the Prince of the Reins; or, Butfulo Bill’s Pluck, 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer. 229 Crimson Kate ; or, The Cowboy’s Triumph. 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 245 Merle, the Middy ¢ or, The Freelance Heir, . 250 The Midshipman Mutineer; or, Brandt, the Buccaneer, 264 The Floating UC ecather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure. 26 The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned, 276 Merle Monte’s Cruise; or,“ The Gold Ship ” Chase, 2850 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Pearl, the Pirate's Bride, 284 The Sea Marauder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge. 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. 804 The Dead Shot Dandy ; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler. 808 Keno Kits or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. 814 The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Trall, 877 Bonodel, the Bey Bover; vr, The Flagless Schooner. 888 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island, 887 Warpath WIILl, the Boy Phantom. 898 Seawalf, the Boy Lieutenant. 402 LIsedor, the Young Consptirator; or, The Fatal League, 407 The Boy Insurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta, 412 The Wild Yachtaman; or, The War-Cloua’s Cruise. 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 A Cabin Boy’s Luck, or, Tie Corsair. 487 The Sea Raider. 441 The Ocean Firefly ¢ or, A Middy’s Vengeance, 446 Haphazard Marry + or, Tne Scapecrace of the Sea, 450 Wizard Will: or, The Boy Ferret of New York. 54 Wizard Will's Strect Scouts. 462 The Born Guides or, The Sailor Boy Wanderer, 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. ATZ4 Floras or, Wizard Will's Vagabond Pard. 488 Ferrets Afloat: or, Wizard Will’s Last Case, 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger. 495 Arizona doe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack, 497 Back Taylor, King of the Cowboys 508 The Royal Middy;: The Shark and the Sea Cat, 507 The Hunted Midshipman. 511 The Outiawed Middy. 520 Buckskin BID, the Comanche Shadow. 525 Brothers in Buckskin. 5630 The Buckskin Bowers, 585 The Bue skin Rovers. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder of the Rio, 545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. 550 Lafitte’s Legacy: or. The Avenging Son. 555 The Creole Corsair. 560 Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shadower. 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. 570 Camille, the Card Queen. 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective, 580 The Outcast Cadet; or, The False Detectivo. 586 The Buckskin Avenger. 591 Delmonte, the Young Sea Rover. 597 The Young Texan Detective. 602 The Vagabond of the Mines. 607 The Rover Detective; or, Keno Kit’s Champions. 617 Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scout; or, The Rio Raiders. 644 The Hercules Highwaymuan, 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Kider Detective; or, Buffalo Bill’s Boy Para. 656 Butterfly Billy’s Man Hunt. 662 Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza. 668 The Buccaneer Midshipman, 674 The Wizard Sailor; or, Red Ralph, the Rover. 9 The Sea Shadower}j or, The Freedeoter’s Legacy. 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag; or, Tne Tarnished Name, 692 The Rival Sharps; or, Redfern, the Secret Service Scout, 697 The Scarlet Sombrero; or, The Sharp from Texas. 702 Blue Jacket Bill; or, The Red Hat Rangers’ Red Hot Racket ZO? The Red Sonwrero Rangers; or, Redfern’s Last Trail BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm. F. Cody). 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy: or, The Pilot of the Prairie. 55 Deadly-Eye, the Gainown Scout. 68 Border Robin Hood; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Faney Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust. BY CHARLES MORRIS, 18 WII! Somers, the Boy Detective, 22 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. 26 Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. 80 Detective Dick ; or, The Hero in Rags, 42 Mandsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 47 Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred. 52 Black Ress, Will Wildfire’s Racer. 57 Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy, 62 Will Wildfire in the Woods, 65 Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. TO A Trump Card 3 or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses. 74 Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. 79 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, 88 The Hidden It andy or, Will Wildfre’s Revenge, 8% Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, 189 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed ; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 Tom Tanner; or, The Biack Sheep of the Flock, 25 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky. 285 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang, 252 Dick Dashawny ¢ or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sharps: or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail, 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 29 Jolly Jim’s Jobs or, The Young Detective, 298 The Water-Hound: or, The Young Thoroughored. 805 Dashaway, of Dakotas or, A Western Lad in Quaker City. $24 Ralph Ready, the Hétel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective, 858 The Reporter-Detective, or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard. 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. 879 Larry. the Leveler; or. The Bloods of the Boulevard, 408 Firetly Jack, the River-Rat Detective, 428% The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier. 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invincible Lowan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vagnvond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive, 479 Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. Soa PS a Dick Racket. oota, the Boy Firemans or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, 566 The Secret Service Boy Detective. ry 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkansas: or. The Wolf in the Fold. 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Specniator. 667 Rob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. 709 The Curbstone Detective: or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat. a 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. BY J. C. COWDRICK, 860 Silver-Masky the Man of Mystery, 869 Shautu, the Gold King}; or, For Seven Yeara Dead, 420 The vetective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without s Name, 421 Cibuia John; or, Red-Hot Tunes at Ante Bar. 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Brayo. 606 Redlight Ralph the Prince of the Road, 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle, 524 The Engineer Detective, 586 Broadway Billy’s ‘ Ditikilty.” 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 Surprise-Party. 592 The Boy Pinkerton. 605 William 0’ Broadway; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning. 615 Fighting Harry the Chie! of Chained Cyclone, 628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Act. 640 Barebsrek Beth, the Centaur of. the Cirele, G47 Typewriter Tilly, the Merchant's Ward. 659 Moonlight Morg» n, the “ Pizenest ’’ Man of Ante Baz. Sronadway Billy Abroad. srondway Billy’s Best; or, Beating San Fraucisco’s Finest, 7 Broadway Billy in Clover. 696 Broadway Billy tn Texas, 708 Broadway Billy’s Brand. Til Broadway Billy at Santa Fe. BY T. C. HARBAUGH. 228 Nick o’ the Night; or, The Boy Spy of ’76. 87 The Hidden Lodge}; or The Litth Hunter. 7 Nightingale Nat; or, Tne Forest Captains, 64 Dandy Jacks or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trals. 82 Kit Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack 3 or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Froaty, the Guide; or, The White Queen. 128 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 189 Judge Lynch, Jr. or, The Boy Vigilante, 155 Gold Trigger, the Sport; er, The Girl Avenger, 169 Tornado Tomy; or, Injun Jack From Red Core, 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy, | 198 Arkansaw ¢ or, The Quen of Fate’s Revenge. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. : 215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Topknot’s Crusade, 281 Plucky Phil; or. 1, the Re | Jezebel. 241 Bill Bravo: or, Tie Koughs of the Rockies. 255 Captain Apoli-, we King-Pin of Bowie. 267 The Buckskin Detective. 279 Old Winch 3 or, The Buckskin Desperadoes, 294 Dynamite Dan; or, The Bowle Blade of Gochetopa, 802 The Mo ain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bully, 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Pards3 or. The Terror of Take-Notice. B86 Ble Benson; or, The Queen of the Lasso. 845 Pitilesa Matt; or, Ked Thunderbolt’s Secret. B56 Cool sam and Par’ ¢ or The Terrible Six. B66 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. BS6 Captain Cutlass; or, | he Bocenneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Rob: or, The | win Champions of Blue Blazes. 411 The Silken Lasso? or, The Rose of Ranch Robin, 418 Fellx Fox, the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump. the Border Rattler, 486 Phil Flash, 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 Roy Shadow; or, Felix Fox's Hunt. 477 The Exceisior Sport: or, The Washington Spotter, A499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. B12 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective. 621 Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. 528 Pox Cowan? he ra oo, agp Shadows. 588 Dodger ek, the Dock Ferret. 548 thedver Dick’« Double: or, The Rival Boy Detectives, BD58 Dodger Pick’s Deaperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick. the Roy Vidocq. 678 The Two Shadows. 5S2 Dodger Dick's Drop. , 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sherp on Guard, 626 The Champion Pardes. : 687 Dick Donn, the Dock Bov Detective. 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. — 671 Jersey Jed, the Boy Hustler: or. Shadowing the Shadowen 685 Happy Hurh, the Boy Musician Detective, 701 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp. LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 718 Carl, the Mad Cowboy; or, The Lariat Queen. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 714 Old Misery; the Man from Missouri; or, The Mystery of the Mountain League. By Win. G, Patten. 715 Wide Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferret; or, Caging the Cormbrante By T. C, Harbaugh “ 716 Deadwood Dicky Jr.'s, Still Hunts or. The Second Round in San Francises, Ky Edward L., Wheeler. 717 Mosquito Jack, the Hustler Gamin; or, Move-on Mike’a Grard Catch, By Jo Pleree. Uerer 4 718 Light-Heart Lute’« Last Trall; 0, The Golé Craters Secret. Hy Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 719 Pawnee Bill's Pledge; or, The Cowboy Kidnapper, By ©Ool, Prentiss Ingraham. r * 220 Broadway Billy’s Full Handy or, The Gamin Detec- tive’s Double Snap at Santa Fe. v '. C, Cowdrick, 721 Maverick Moxe, the Arizona Detective; or, The Wizard of Urkos Pues. By Wil) Lisenbee. 722 Deadwood Dick, Ir.’ Pominocs: or, The Rival Camps of the Nogthern Border. By Edward L. Wheeler. 728 Silverblade, the Shoshone; or, The Border Beagle’e Secret Mission. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. %24 Violet Vane’«.Vengeance; or, The Wipe-Out at White Water, By William G. Patten. 725 Daring Dicks Pawnee Bill’s Pard; or, The Red Cavalry Raid, “By Col. Prentias Ingraham. 226 Dennia Duff, the Brown Sport’s Kid; or, The Covers and Blinds of Gotham. By Jo Pierce, 72? Headlight Harry’s Stren; or, Mad Madge, the Quilaw Queen. By Col. A. F. Holt, 728 Dendwood Pick, Jr.’«, Diaguiaes oF, Ivan, the Man of Iron, By Edward L. Wheeler. 729 Ailverhiade, the Half-Blood: or, The Border Beagle at Bay, Ry Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - 280 Violet. Vane’« Verdict; or, The Crooked Game at Coffin City. By Wm. G. Patten, 281 Ruth Redmond, the Girl Shadower; or, The Rivals fn Buckskin. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham, Ready July 28, . 782 Dalay Dell, che Pavement Detective; or, Trapping Big Game, By T. C, Harbaugh. Ready August 4. A New Iasue, Every Tucsday. The Half- Dime Library | for ste by all newsdenlers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.