Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 741) (1891 10 06)
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a I~ * ix . 4 : 2 = 2 Ss x ~ TaD! Len! Len ann Le a! 5 es = Ws — Ww fal iS (| i i a Entered as Second Class M: Moca... ee Rise ar Vol, XXIX, ari October 6, 1891. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET. NEW YORK. MM y Yj Giz a, \\ Yj \ y yj TO ALL ——— Yj Yj ; fj YU — | Yi =~ Yf | V/ h\ = — LY S SSS / \\ \ SQ QR “LES \\\| ES SSS Ss ) A Romance of Magic City. H} LO BY WILLIAM G. PATTEN, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ WILD VULCAN,” “ DAISY DARE,” ‘TRON FERN, THE MAN OF FIRE,” ‘‘ OLD MISERY,” ETU,, ETC., ETC. CHAPTER I. ‘* SOMETHING INTERESTING.” MOUNTED on a milk-white horse, a man was riding along the rugged mountain trail that led gp tan be City. P © = ne horseman was young and something ofa [NS - es SSS dandy, as could be sean at a glance, 4 was THE RUFFIAN REACHED FOR DANDY VANE’s COLLAR TO DRAG HIM FROM THE ANIMAL’S dressed in a finely-fitting suit of black velvet, BACK; BUT AT THAT MOMENT SOMETHING HAPPENED. the legs of his pantaloons being tucked into the , TT Ny | / iS i
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tops of high boots. He wore a ‘‘ b’iled” shirt and standing collar, and his head was crowned with a bigh silk bat. A small bunch of fresh mountain violets was fastened on the lapel of his coat, and not a weapon could be seen about his person. This neatly-dressed individual was rather handsome, although there was a sad, dreamy look about his dark eyes, A well-trained mus- tache shaded a firm, yet pleasant mouth, and his square-cut chin denoted a resolute nature. Hon- esty and integrity were written in every line of his countenance, and a person of good judgment would have pronounced him ‘‘a man to tie to.” Despite the fact that the horseman was some- what below medium height, and was not quite so heavy as the average man, he was a person of rare strength and. suppleness. His grace was apparent as he sat in the saddle, seeming for the time a part of the horse, The individual who picked him up asa *‘ weakling,” or thought him ‘*skeery,” was apt to come to his senses and find he had made a tremendous fool of himself. ‘The dandy was entirely able to look after Number ne, This was Philip Vane Howard, or, as he was better known in the West, Violet Vane, the Velvet Sport, An bonest gambler! The existence of such a person is not an im- possibility, although they are rare indeed. But, such was Violet Vane. Not that he did not understand all the tricks of the profession, for had it been otherwise, he could have made more money sawing wood than playing cards; but he never employed any of those tricks except in self-defense, when matched with an unscru- ulous opponent whose dishonesty it was impossi- le to expo3e and prove. At such times he was forced to fight fire with firs, figuratively speak- ing, and meet the tricky gamester with his own tricks, When playing in an honest game he depended entirely on his own keen judgment and the won- derful luck that had never failed him, From camp to camp in the mining regions he wandered, going wherever chance or fancy led him, leading a roving life of excitement and ad- venture, There was a reason why he chose such a life, as the unhappy look in his eyes plain- ly indicated, Vane rode slowly, his bead bowed, paying no attention to the wild and picturesque scenery about him, His lips moved, and he muttered: “ Another chapter of my life has closed. I go to face new scenes and new adventures, and an- other chapter will soon be begun. In this wild life I try to forget the past—to forget what it has cost me, t try to forget I ever loved one who played me false— God bless her! Yes, I say it for all she has done—God bless her! It was not fated she should be mine, Now she is happy with the man _ she loves, and her child sleeps on her breast! And I—my God! I am a wanderer on the face of the earth!” What bitter mental anguish was expressed by those words! Suddenly the breeze sent a slip of paper flut- tering along the trail infront of him, It caught his eye. of ‘* A bit of paper,” he murmured. ‘‘ Strange! I wonder how it came here, in this wild place?” He drew rein, dismounted end picked up the paper, It was folded and seemed like a leaf torn from a pocket diary. When he had unfolded it, he discovered there was writing upon it, and with astonishment he read the following words, which were written with a lead-pencil: “To THE UNKNOWN Frienp WHO Frnds THIs LEAF:— “T appeal to you for help, for lam a captive in the hands of unscrupulous villains—men who have plotted my death! Iwas on my way to Magic City to take possession and look after the gna left me by the sudden death of my father, when I was captured by two ruffians, since whicn time—now two days—i have been kept a prisoner in an old hut among the mountains. From a conversation I over- heard I know there is a plan afoot to rob me of what is rightfully miné, and—oh, God!—I fear Iam to be murdered! I heard them whisper of puiting me out of the way! I have also heard enough to cause me to have a horrible suspicion that my father, Daniel Marden, was murdered by these same scoun- drels! To-night I am to be taken from this old hut and carried to another place of imprisonment, and I have determined to drwy this piece of paper while on the journey, hoping Providence will cause it to reach the hands of one who will aid me. My heart- felt— Ihear a step!—some one comes! I must—” That was all, The writing, though hurriedly scrawled, was plainly that of a female. But it ended abruptly, without so much asa or a long time Violet Vane stood beside his milk-white horse, staring at the strange note, reading it over and over, and wrinkling bis fore- head with a scowl, Finally be gave a low whistle, then muttered: ‘* Well, here is something interesting! I seem to have stumbled upon a mystery and struck the scent of crooked work before setting foot within the limits of Magic City. I wish this bad been finished and signed. Still I havea pcinter as to the nameof the writer. If sheis an unmarried daughter of this Daniel Marden, of course her name is Marden, Vane, old man, there is work for you in Magic City!” Again he fell to studying the bit of paper, reading it over and over until every word was fixed in his mind. Then he carefully folded it and placed it within a note-book he took from an inner pocket, after which the book was restored to its usual place of concealment. Then Vane swung ioto the saddle again, ‘*Here is a chance for me to turn detective again,” he murmured, as the white steed carried him onwared toward Magic City. _‘‘ My success at Coftin City leads me to think I might make quite a ferret. Old Daddy Duzenberry is to meet me in Magic, although I shall probably get there first, It is possible the queer old fel- low may be able to give me some assistance, for he is sharp and trustworthy. If I am suspected as being interested in this business, it may be necessary for me to assume a disguise, so I will provide for such an emergency at the start.” Thirty minutes later he came in sight of Magic City, a little camp of two bundred and fifty souls, lying well down in a_ picturesque pocket through which ran a brawling mountain stream, Vane paused and surveyed the town, He saw a few placers were being worked, for there were men toiling atsluice and rocker near the stream; but the principal cause of the camp’s existence seemed to be a mine whose mouth hoe could see in the mountain-side. The monoto- nous sound of an ore-crusher came to his ears, and he discerned men and mules moving about the buildings at the opening of the shaft. Having ‘‘taken in” the town, the Velvet Sport rode onward down the trail Entering the camp, he halted in front of the building which bore a sign reading as follows: “BANG UP HOTEL. “Hr Jenks, Head Boss, “Good Feed, Good Drink, Clean Bunks, Undertaker Next Door,” This singular reference to the undertaker was explained when Vane came to read that worthy’s sigu. It bore these words: * BOB JENKS, UNDERTAKER. “ Plain Four-Cornered Coffin Made to Order Dirt Cheap.” The hotel ie hg ae and the undertaker were relatives, probably brothers, There were several loafers lounging in front of the hotel when Violet Vane drew rein, one of whom, a large, brawny, ugly-looking customer, arose to.his feet, stared hard at the stranger in town, then placed bis huge hands on his hips, bis arms akimbo, threw back his head and burst into a hoarse laugh, Quite naturally, every eye was turned on the velvet dandy, for there was much curiosity to know how the big fellow’s coarse merriment and evident derision would affect the new- comer, In a moment Vane understood what was com- ing. He had floated around in the West enough to know there was trouble brewing when a big tough like this one selected him as an object of ridicule, He was not the person to avoid an en- counter, for he had learned that the only way for him to hold his own in a strange camp was o ‘“show his sand” as soon as he entered the place. The sport instantly decided on an old ruse of his, and swinging his right leg over the pommel of his saddle, he sat facing the hotel, staring in apparent amazement at the laughing ruffian, his under jaw having dropped till his mouth was agape and the expression of his face that of blank surprise. At this the big fellow laughed the harder, and several of the others joined in the merriment. ‘Oh, ther great catamaran!” snorted the tough, ‘Jest take a look at it! Hain’t thet thar er sight fer ye, oh, my countrymen! Hain’t thet ernough ter wring tears frum er stun? Ob, holy poker! Jest looker ther critter, will ye?” Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidocq. | At this the dandy seemed to gasp, with diffi- culty: ‘*Goodneth gwathuth!” “Haw! haw! haw!” roared the big fellow flapping his arms asif they were wings. ‘ Did ye heur thet, pards? Huah! huah!” “T weally believe the cweacher can talk, ye know!” exclaimed Vane, as if still more aston- ished. ‘It ith wonderful what things they are twaining jackathes to do in these dayths—it weally ith!” This brought a snicker from the others, and caused the big ruffiap to suddenly grow sober, ‘* Looker hyer!” he growled, craning his thick neck forward and glaring at Vane with a bull- dog expression, ‘* D’yer know who J be?” The Velvet Sport ignored the question, but muttered, as if speaking to bimself: “Tt mutht have ethcaped fwom thome men- agerwie, I will have to thecure it and take it to ew York faw the Zoo, 1 weally believe there will be money in the cweacher.” ‘Waal, I'll be jozzled!” snarjed the ruffian, Some of the others laughed, and one cried: “Ther dude is makin’ sport of ye, Sam, shore’s - ye’r’ born!” - In truth the tables had been turned in a re- markably brief space of time, and the tough found himself the object of derision instead of the one who was baving the fun, ‘*Go fer him, Sam!” is SE his mug!” ** Knock him silly!” ‘* Tarn him better’n ter laff at ye!” The bully deliberately spat on his hands, keeping his his eyes on the dandy all the time. ‘‘T’m goin’ ter kill: the leetle runt!” he de- clared, ‘*Oh, gwathuth|” gasped the velvet fop, be- ginning to look alarmed, — | ; At this a gleam of evil satisfaction shot from the big man’s eyes and he advanced a few steps. . “Yep,” he added, ‘I’m jest nacherly goin’ ter chaw him all up. I won’t leave ernough of ther blasted dood ter hev er fooneral over!’ ‘*T believe the wetch weally meanth it!” “You kin bet thet high hat I mean it! P’r’aps ye don’t know w’at I be?” ‘* Baw Jawvel you are wight, I thould have to look in the nawcheral hithtory to find yer name, ye know.” “Waal, I'll tell ye w’at I 'be—I’m er terror! Round in these yere parts ’m called Sledge- hammer Sam, an’ thar’s my sledge-hammer,” clinching bis huge band and shaking it under sport’s the nose, ‘ With thet thar thing ’'m jest goin’ ter nacherlly knock thunder outer you, you leetle tailor’s dummy !” CHAPTER II. VANE IS PUZZLED. ‘*GOODNETH!” cried the dandy, starting back © and catching hold of his nose with his thumb ané first finger. ‘‘ Pleathe don’t do that till you have wathed your handth! The sthmell ith weally thocking!” “ Ugh-r-r-rr!” snarled Sledge-hammer Sam. ‘‘Thet is the wu’st yit! Now I will kill ye with- out so much ez er throb of regret! Kem down off thet boss!” The rvftian reached for Dandy Vane’s collar to drag bim from the animal’s back; but at that moment something happened. The Velvet Sport’s foot shot upward; the toe of his riding-boot caught the bully under the chin, and, a moment later Sledge-hammer Sam was lying on his back in the dust. Slipping from the saddle, the wearer of the violets motioned to the hostler, who was stand- ing near. When the man approached, he said, in a low tone; “Take excellent care of my horse, please; I am going to stop here.” The hostler gave him a queer look, but led the white steed away. However, he paused at a an distance to observe the outcome of the ght, ' The overturned bully sat up and glared ‘around: > ‘Wat done it!” he mumbled, carefully feel- ing of his jaw. ‘Seems like my chin wuz all tored ter slivers. I jest reckon er reg’ler charge of dymonite must hey s’ploded thar! It’s derned lucky my tongue wuzn’t atween my teeth, else I w’udn’t bev hed nary tongue now,” Then he ceased speaking and glared hard at Vane. The spectators were all on their feet now, for they felt sure they were going to g something worth witnessing in a few momenté **Sam ll shorely kill ther dood now!” “You bet!” ** 1 w’u’dn’t be in thet velvet critter’s place fer five thousan’ dollars!” he ha a ; f ¥ ‘ — ‘A oe" , Pik iy Pf " ‘ \ ~s 4 , / 4 *) 3 Y 4 . = ’ waxy, a4 "a 5 , i fe \ Jerr 4) iff ‘ , iv he le Ke ae “4 id , : eS 4 " we mY ‘ ‘. a ‘ p> 2 Sta A ae
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[ry \e “A ny : > Dp 1 7 i ‘ ‘ . Ps ty . am te a ay a et e 4 ) 4) i > ' L eg “< * 3 as ee ¢ 3 ' ‘punch ther head offen ye! po, Nang DA ‘e - “gat Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vid “Bob Jenks ’ll git er job!” “So you’re er kicker, be ye?” growled the Sledge-hammer, arising to his feet. ‘ Thet’s ther way ye treats people, is it? Waal, J’m derned ef thet don’t settle it! Say yer pra’rs!” ‘Oh, thir!” cried Vane, in assumed terror. ** What would you weally do?” The tough laughed, harsbly. *“*T did jest think of Varnin’ ye er lesson at fu’st,” he asserted; ‘‘ but now I’m goin’ ter chaw yeup. W’at wuz you thinkin’ of ter come inter this yere town togged in thet thar way? We don’t "low but one man in Magic City ter dress like thet, an’ he’s Elegant Ed. Thar he is!” The speaker pointed toward a man who had come out of the hotel, and Vane cast a hasty glance in that direction to behold a medium- sized man attired in the finest cloth, patent leathers, white shirt and silk hat. His face was cold but bandsome, a beavy mustache shading his lips. He was calmly smoking a cigar. ‘¢ Thet’s ther only man we ’low ter swell roun’ an’ wear er silk hat in Magic,” Sam again as- serted, “Ther fu’st thing I’m goin’ ter do is bu’st thet dice-box on yer head, sonny.” Clinching bis rude fists, the bully rushed straight at Vane, but the dandy dodged. Sam followed him up, his eyes blazing fiercely. ‘Tl Yarn ye ter kick me on ther jaw! Til Let me git my claws on ye, an’ then I'll tear ye all ter pieces!” ‘* Help! help!” faintly squawked the dandy, as he continued to avoid the bully of the camp, “7 cawn’t fight thith horwid beatht! Take him off, pleathe!” But nobody paid any attention to the suppli- cation. ‘‘Mutht I fight?’ moaned the Velvet Sport. **Oh, marmar! What a horwid thing todo! I wish 1 had nevah come to thith dweadful plathe!” The crowd began to laugh, for the spectacle ‘was really a comical one, * Looker ther foot-race!” ** Ther dood’s er dodger!” ** Sam’ll ketch him!” ' Suddenly Vane faced his foe. **Now I’ve got ye!” gritted the tough, reach- ing out to grasp the dandy. Quick as thought the hand was knocked aside, Vane leaped forward, and then Sledge- hammer Sam went reeling backward before a steam-drill blow. A cry of amazement came from the specta- rs. . ‘Ther dandy punched him!” ** Shore’s yer shoutin’!” “Tt wuz er clean cut!” ‘* Brace up, Sam!” There was no need to advise the bully to ** brace up,” for he was fairly fuming with rage, and as soon as he regained his ‘‘ level” he made another rush for the deceptive fop. * Rot ye!” he panted. ‘‘ You’re wuss then er %skeeter, but (ll crunch ye w’en I do ketch ye.” ‘* When you do!” laughed the dandy, dancing lightly around his big foe, ‘‘ My dear thir, you will have to get a move on yourthelf before you do, Inevah thaw thuth a big blunderheelth in all my life—weally I nevah did!” “Oh, great catamaran! Holy smoke! Thun- deran’ tar! Dll wring ye all ter pieces! Ugh- r-r-rr-rrr!” ; With this savage snarl, Sledge-hammer Sam began pounding the air in a vain endeavor to strike his foe. ; Time after time he delivered tell- ing blows straight at the little sport’s head, but Vane did not wait to receive them. He did not content himself, however, with dodging the blows, for he sent back some in return. He began pounding the bully’s exposed body, for Sledge-hammer Sam knew very little about the spe art, and every biow counted. Once in a while he would send the tough stag- gering backward with a heavy one on the jaw or sconce, During all this time the dandy had not re- moved so much as his tall hat, and, although he had made several attempts to do so, Sam had been unable to crush it, is seemed strange to the spectators, and they yelled: ‘“* Kill ther hat!” = ‘“‘ Sp’ile ther dice-box!” ** Crush ther shiner!” But one of them shouted; “*Sam’s met his match, ur my name hain’t Brad Thorne!” This became more apparent as the minutes passed, and the big fellow continued to get the worst of it. The crowd ceased its cries and watched with new interest and increasing won- der. Conld it be possible the lisping fop would rove a match for the aeknowledyed ** Chief of agic City?” Elegant Ed puffed furiously at his cigar as he watched the contest. ‘* Hanged if that fellow isn’t a game-cock!” he muttered, his eyes following Vane’s movements, ‘“*T swear [ cannot belp admiring the way he handles bimself! There is something singular about bim, and I reckon he is not what he seems, If he downs Sam, it will fall to me to cut his comb.” Suddenly a great cry went up from the throng which had gathered; with one terrific blow, Violet Vane had sent the bully to the ground, **Didn’t I tole yer!” yelled Brad Thorne, “TI knowed it all ther time!” But, Sledge-hammer Sam was not whipped— : fact which he announced as be arose to his eet. A knife gleamed in his hand! A warning cry broke from the throng, but Vane did not need it. He had met men like the bully before, and well knew the knife was their favorite resort when they saw they were fairly flogged. As Sam rushed forward Vane sprung to meet him. The knife descended, but the bully’s thick wrists were caught by fingers which seemed like grips of steel, Then canie a ter- rible wrench, and, with a yell of pain, the “ chief” dropped the knife and fell on his knees. With a surge and another twist, the velvet dandy flipped the man fairly upon his back in the Gust, the bully’s right arm being sprained so badly it was useless for the time. Then Vane turned calmly away and moved toward the hotel steps, his dark eyes running over the throng. “I’ve seen thet galoot afore!” cried Brad Thorne, ‘‘ I saw him over in Coffin City, Dern it all! thet is Violet Vane !” At this Elegant Ed started, and gazed with greater interest at the dandy, making it plain he had heard of Violet Vane before, He stood fairly iu the center of the steps, and he made no offer to move as Vane came up, The Velvet ai halted, and the eyes of the two men met. nwaveringly they stared at each other, and _ recognized a foe in the man who confronted im. Politely lifting his silk hat, Vane said: ‘* Will you have the kindness to permit me to pass, sir?” Elegant Ed blew out a ring of smoke, showed his faultless white teeth in a tigerish smile, lifted his hat a bit and moved aside, saying: ‘** With pleasure, sir.” There was another exchange of dagger-like glances, then Vane went on into the botee ** I shall have trouble with that man,” decided the sport, ‘It is plain he is a card-sharp, and he will probably try to pick a quarrel over the Well, be will find me ready for ‘*T am known here by my traveling title, so it is useless for me to attempt to keep up a decep- tion. One of those fellows out there shouted my rrr and declared he had seen me in Coffin ity. He registered as ** Violet Vane, Coffin City.” After he had eaten a square meal, he sent to the stable for a pair of shoes he had brought with him, anda sigh of relief escaped his lips when his feet were withdrawn from the riding- boots, ; Jenks, the landlord, was very attentive, for Vane had paid his bills three days in advance and had not demurred at the exorbitant price charged. So when the sport seated himself by au open window to enjoy a good cigar, the pro- prietor of the hotel sat down near at hand and volunteered a large amount of information about Magic City and its inhabitants, Lile they were sitting there a rather nice- looking young lady rode past on a spirited horse, She sat as if glued to the saddle, and Vane fol- lowed her with admiring eyes till she vanished down the street, ‘*A graceful rider!” he exclaimed. ‘ Who is she, landlord?” ’ ‘““That’s old Dan Marden’s gal,” was the prompt reply, ‘Her dad’s dead—shot hisself, though I dunno why he sh’u’d ‘a’ done it_seein’s he wuz makin’ money band over fist. But, he wuz quare, old Marden wuz. Left all his prop- Pperty ter his gal as you saw an’ ter er boy thet’s dead, I reckon.” It is needless to say Vane was interested, *It appears to me I have heard of Dan Marden,” he remarked, deliberately blowing out a ring of smoke, appearing quite calm, although his heart had given a great thump and was beat- ing faster than usual. “ Quite likely ye hev ef ye ever heerd much of anything bout Magic City,” nodded Jenks, ocq. “Tt wuz him as made this town, He diskivered ther Leetle Marion Mine, an’ Magic City sprung inter existence arter thet,” ** How long ago did he die?” “Two weeks yisterday.” ** And when did his daughter arrive in town?? ** Three days ergo,” The Velvet Sport seemed to have struck a puzzle, CHAPTER III, THE SPORT'S GALLANT ACT. VIOLET VANE quickly took a mental observa- tion of the situation, Could it be Daniel Mar- den’s daughter had escaped her foes and reached Magic City in safety? If so, she certainly would have related her adventures, and the landlord must know something of them. “Did the young aay come on the regular stage?” Vane carelessly inquired, “ee Ye a “*T do not suppose this section is troubled with road-agents?” ‘*Nary whit! We did hev er leetle whirl with ther critters bout three months ergo, but ther citizens jest formed er kermitty an’ went fer ‘em. In jest four days we hung five men, an’ thar bain’t bin no sign of agents sence thet. Thet jest cleaned ’em out, you bet!” ‘Then the young lady’s journey to Magic City was of an uneventful nature?” ‘Waal, {dunno, I never heerd her say any- thin’ ’bout it a tall,” The mystery deepened, If Miss Marden had been kidnapped, she surely would have told of her adventure On escaping from the clutches of her enemies, What meant the slip of paper he had found on the mountain trail? Was it a“ fake?” After a few moments of silence, during which his brain was busy, Vane spoke again: **- You say Daniel Marden committed suicide?” The landlord looked around as if to make sure there was no one else within hearing, then he answered in a low tone: ‘*No, I don’t say nary sech thing.” ** But I surely understood you so,” ‘Waal, mebbe I did guv ye thet impression; but I don’t say so, all ther same, I hain’t makin’ much talk ’bout it, anyhow.” Vane believed himself on track of something interesting, and by skillful questioning he led the man on till Jenks said: ‘Tt has allus seemed ’tarnal sing’ler ter me thet er man like Dan Marden sh’u’d kermit suicide, W’y, he wuz on ther bigh road of pros- rity, jest makin’ money fast as he c’u’d pull it in. Ther Leetle Marion wuz payin’ big, an’ Dan seemed ter be er jolly feller all ther time, He didn’t hev enny enemies thet I knows of, an’ he owned ther best bouse in Magic. Was allus tellin bout hevin’ his gal come out hyer, some time, She was at school, Thar wuz sntbin’ *bout er boy thet wuz wild an’ run erway, though I never caught jest all of it. Sence Dan died I’ve heerd ther boy’s dead. “Waal, things wuz thet-a-way wen one mornin’? Dan Marden wuz foun’ dead in bis own house. Ther winder wuz open, an’ he lay on ther floor with his revolver in his han’ an’ er bullet in his brain. One chamber o’ ther revol- ver hed been fired, At fu’st some thought it wuz murder, but w’en they begun ter ’zamine an’ see thar wurn’t no robbery, they didn’t know wat ter think. Then nobody knew of Dan hevin any enemies, which wuz ’tarnal sing’lar, fer er man in bis place, Thar wuz an’ inquest, an ther jury guv a verdic’ of suicide,” Then Hi Jenks leaned toward the Velvet Sport, speaking in a whisper: “But, I'll tell ye this: I don’t take er blamed bit of stock in ther suicide theory!” ‘Then you believe the man was murdered?” ‘““Be be didn’t kermit suicide, he wuz mur dered!” 3 “But, what was the object?” « “Thar—right thar you’ve got me, pard!” ‘There is never a murder without an object, unless the man who commits the crime is a maniac.” , “y reckon ye’re right, but I hain’t got this yere case through my ole head, though I hev puzzled over it some,” ; ‘‘ How does Miss Marden seem to feel over her father’s death? I did not notice she was in mourning.’ “‘Tlow she hain’t got no mournin’ fer her ridin’ suit. She wears black w’en she don’t go out ridin’.” “She might wear a vail then.” Vane shook his head, feeling sure there was something strange about the case. The convic- tion increased when he was informed that Miss Paes AO tm ent Bh pave Me a ee =r x i. ears eee t a = ow eS ai
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& Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidocg, Marden had been out to ride every day since ar- riving at Magic City. * Does no one accompany her?” ** Nop. She don’t seem ter keer fer any one,” After talking with the landlord a while lon- ger, the sport arose and sauntered out of the ho- tel, He was favored by the curious glances of the crowd gathered in the shade in front of the building, and more than one admiring whis- per came to his ears, Noting Elegant Ed was not with the throng, he walked slowly onward, apparently indifferent to the stir his appearance had created, Unconsciously he turned in the direction pur- sued by the young lady he had seen from the ho- tel window, ‘It’s plain I have struck a mystery that needs clearing up,” be cogitated, as he sauntered along. ‘It is my opinion there has been a large amount of crooked work here, but, if I can get at the facts, I will be pretty apt to step on some rogue’s toes. I believe the note I found on the trail is honest and square, and, if it is, there is something rotten in Denmark. A bold game is being played, and somebody’s hands are red with human blood, I bave brought more than one piece of villainy to an end, and I will see what I can do on this case. For a time I will turn detective again, for the excitement of the thing, and to satisfy my interest in this strange note. ‘* My first move must be to meet this girl who claims to be Daniel Marden’s daughter. She is probably an impostor and an adventuress, but, there is certainly a power beaind hor, and that is what I must get at. it will puzzle me to find an excuse for calling on Miss Marden, self-styled. I must set my wits at work about it.” But, fortune had decided to favor the sport. Buried in thought, he walked along until he had passed beyond the limits of the town and entered a canyon. Suddenly the clear crack of a revolver gavo him a start, and the next moment the gorge rung with the frightened ery of a female, fol- lowed by a sharp clatter of approaching hoofs, A short distance ahead of Vane was an abrupt bend which kept from his view the exciting scene being enacted, but he knew the horse would soon burst into view. ‘The cry he bad heard led him to believe the rider of the horse was a wo- man. Perhaps the animal was running away with er! To think was to act with Vane Howard, Ina moment he determined on a course of action in case it proved he was right—he would make a desperate attempt to stop the runaway. Gathering himself for action, he was ready when the horse came into view round the bend. It was as he surmised; the horse was running away, and, clinging to his back, was a girl, while one of the reins hung dangling as if cut clean off, : When the horse appeared Vane was ready for the run, and took the same course of the fright- ened animal, having the start and aiming to,in- tercept the creature. Fortunately the horse seemed blind with ter- ror, and so it did not swerve and thwart the sport. \ As the runaway came up, Vane caught it by the bit, getting a firm hold at the first grasp, which was a most lucky thing, as he would not have been given time for a second attempt. “Cling fast!” he cried; and then he exerted his wonderful strength. With a powerful twist that threatened to break the animal’s jaw, he set the horse back on his haunches, something like a laugh breaking from his lips as Le felt sure he was master of the situation, CHAPTER IV. SAVED BY A TRICK. Tue horse recognized its master, and witha few soothing words Vane swiftly cooled the frightened animal down. he girl slipped from the saddle as soon as it was safe todosoand stood watching the sport till he had overcome the fears of the horse. “¢ Oh, sir!” she cried; “how can I thank you for saving my life!” “Thanks are quite unnecessary,” smiled the dandy, lifting his silk hat gallantly. ‘* Do not _ put yourself to the trouble,” ‘¢Oh, but I must thank you! and that will be but poorly showing my gratitude. You see the Siierein is cut, and so Moro was quite un- manageable.” **Tt was fortunate for me you were here, ee eee ee ne ae A ee There are but few men who could have stopped him so easily, if they had succeeded in stopping bim at all.” Her words were flattering enough, but her blue eyes spoke more than her words expressed. ‘* She is a coquette,” thought Vane, He saw the girl was decidedly charming, to say the least. She could not have been much more than twenty years of age, Her figure, though slightly below medium height, was per- fectly molded, its outline being one of curves with no angles visible. Her riding-habit dis- played it in all its charming contour. She was neither slim nor too plump, but seemed fashioned in a happy medium. Her face was oval and her complexion good, although it was slightly tanned by exposure, There was a flush of perfect health in her cheeks, and her lips were red as berries, being a trifle too full, if anything, thus having just a sugges- tion of sensuality. When she smiled her chin had a strange quiver that was most bewitching. Her hair was golden-brown, being coiled in a knot at the back of her head, Ataglance Violet Vane recognized the charms of the girl whom he had saved. _ He was struck with her uncommon beauty, and in his heart he wondered if she could be an adventuress. Such a thing did not seem possible, ‘*T am sure you give me too much credit,” re- turned tbe sport. ‘I did the most natural thing under the circumstances. I saw you were in danger, and I did my level best to save you, as hundreds of others would have done in the same position,” ‘¢But only one out of a hundred could have succeeded. You took a great risk, sir, and I will not soon forget it,” She seemed sincere, but Vane wondered at her coolness after such an exciting adventure, ‘* By Jove she has nerve!” he thought. Aloud he said; ; “How did your rein become cut in this manner?” At this the girl cast something like a frighten- ed glance over her shoulder, the color leaving ber cheeks for an instant, ‘*Tt was done by a bullet.” ‘*By a bullet? That is strange,” ‘*T was fired at back there,” ‘* Wired at—you? Great Scott! Who did such a thing?” ‘* A man who arose from behind some rocks. It was the sight of him and the whistle of the bullet that frightened Moro.” ‘* How far back was that?” ‘* Only a short distance beyond the bend.” Vane came to a sudden determination, ‘Here, can you take care of this horse now?” ‘Yes, sir, But, what are you going to do?” “Tam going back there and find that das- tardly whelp who fired at you!” ‘ ary caught him by the arm with one gloved and, ‘No, no!” she cried. ‘Do not do it, sir, I entreat! He is a desperate man, and he might shoot you! Do not venture—” She paused abruptly, for she saw she had struck the wrong chord; the man before her was rot one to be detained by fear. Realizing this, she turned upon anbther course, ** Do not leave me now! I have not recover- ed ae composure. I beg you not to leave me!” ‘* But the dastard may make his escape!” ‘** Let him go, for the present,” “If we let him go now, he may yet finda chance to do his foul work before he can be prevented.” ’ ‘** No; for I will have him looked after.” ** Then you know him?” She hesitated. “*T have seen bim in the past,” she reluctantly confessed, ‘‘ I knew his face,” “‘ Then it was an old enemy?” The girl bowed. ‘* Will you tell me his name?” She broke into a short laugh and seemed con- ssa For a moment she turned away, and ane was puzzled to understand her manner and its meaning. When she turned back her face was very grave. : ‘*T have a favor to ask of you,” she said. ‘‘It shall be granted,” was his impulsive as- surance, ‘* It is that you do not seek to meet the man who fired the shot at me and that you make no mention of the occurrence in Magic City.” He bowed. ‘“ You have my pledge, lady.” She held out her hand, a grateful look in her blue eyes. ‘* I thank you,” came softly from her red lips, “It is a favor 1 will remember,” He clasped her gloved hand, and felt a gentle, pressure of those slender fingers—a pressure that ES 1S AY FT) 8 Ee nee eee sent an electric thrill along hisarm. Their eyes- met, and he saw no gleam of treaclery in her: biue orbs, ‘* Great beavens!” was his mental exclamation? “can this beautiful girl be an impostor—an ad- venturess* I cannot believe it! Her face is- frank and open as the day, It must be this is the genuine Marion Marden!” ‘* Now,” she said, ‘‘ we have arrived at an agreement, as it were; but as yet we are stran- gers to each other. Of course, I have nota card with me, I am Marion Marden, and anybody in Magic City can tell you wherel live. You must call,” Vane produced a card and handed it to her. ‘*T am more fortunate than you,” he laughed. “T always carry cards,” ‘* Philip Vane Howard,” she read. Then she- looked him fairly in the face again, saying: “I like that name,” “T am glad you do,” he assured. ‘You will call on me? It is so lonesome here, and I am just from school, I long for some one to talk with. ” “*T will cali.” ““Thank you. To-morrow?” ‘‘ Yes, to-morrow P, M.” “‘T will be expecting you. Do not fail to come,” “*T will not.” . ‘Now, can you fix this rein so I can ride home?” **T think so.” In afew moments he had knotted the rein se- curely so it could not slip, and it was found still quite long enough for. use. Again she thanked him, and then he assisted her to mount. It seemed as if there was an unnecessary deliberation about his movements, a clinging of his touch, as if he were loth to part with her. Shesmiled down at him from the saddle, “You will not forget me?” ‘“* Forget you!” he repeated, a strange thrill in his voice. ‘*I will never forget you) That was enough; what woman could ask more? She felt the emotion expressed by his words, ever though his voice was even and de- liberate in its tone. The color in her cheeks. grew stronger, and then it suddenly faded as if with fear. A light of terror came into her eyes. for a moment, and he saw her hands tremble, What did it mean? The question was not answered, With a word of parting, she rode away to- ward Magic City. Before she disappeared she looked back and waved her hand, to which he lifted his hat in: response. Then he was alone in the canyon—apparently. Seating himself on a bowlder near at hand, he fell into a reverie, Some of his thoughts were expressed aloud, ‘“‘It seems as if fortune had favored me, I was wondering how I could meet this girl, what ‘excuse I could find, when this occurrence gave me the very opening I was desiring, But I am disappointed. I expected to find a cold and cal- culating adventuress, and I found a warm, im- pulsive girl, By Jove! she is bandsome! ** Who could have fired at her? But for my promise, I would try to find the devil now and call him to an account. And why should uny one fire at her? Gracious! can it be she is the genuine Marion Marden, and her enemies,driven to desperate measures, are trying to put her out of the way in some manner? I declare it looks like that! “The thing that puzzles me most is why, if she is the genuine Marion, she tells nothing of her adventures after being kidnapped by her en- emies. If she were a man, I could understand that, well enough, But as she is not a man, I am puzzled, Perhaps she has good reasons for keeping it quiet, and it is possible she will tell me when I call to-morrow. If I can doso with- out being too inquisitive, I shall question her some, ‘The girl has a charming face! Those eyes— those red lips! By Jove! I begin to fear { am hit! Tam afraid I stand on the verge of mak- ing a fool of myself. If she. is an adventuress, her acting is most admirable, ? ‘““But stop! That look of fear! What did it mean? The color suddenly left her face and a haunted light filled her eyes, I almost fancied she was on the point of fainting, but she quickly recovered ber composure. I cannot understand the meaning of thai,” For some time he sat thinking it over, but the more he thought the more puzzled he grew. At length, he arose to his feet. ‘Well, I will return to town, for it is past: sunset and night is coming on.” It was true darkness was not faraway. Al- ready there were dusky shadows in the canyon, PENIS Mb «BY New Aaa eae y ARE ne Pees ea as
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Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidocq. but he paid little attention to his surroundings as he walked along. ‘* Halt thar, you critter!” The words ®grated harshly on his ears, He looked up to see a man confronting him with a -cocked revolver. It was Sledge-bhammer Sam! ** Hello!” chuckled the ruffian, with an evil laugh. ‘So I bev es ye, hev I, purty bird? Wal, wal! I reckon [ll jest rumple up yer feuthers er bit. l’ve got er leetle score ter squar’ with ye, Han’s up!” “Stand aside and let me pass!” commanded ‘Vane, sternly. ‘‘Not by er derned sight! You can’t come nary bit of thet on this chick! Ef you don’t putt yer han’s up ter once, I’m derned ef I don’t ‘salt ye ’thout no more p’laver!” The tough meant it, and Vane saw he must “Obey or be shot down in cold blood, so he eleva- ted his hands. ‘*Thet’s right,” nodded the desperado, with an ugly leer. ‘‘f reckon you knows which side yer bread is buttered on. Oh, hain’t I goin’ ter soke ye!” Vane discerned that the man wasdrunk. It was probable he had been ‘ filling up” since the encounter in front of the hotel, intending all the time to tackle the sport again, Not guy. was he drunk, but he was ‘‘ ugly drunk.” There was no telling what such a rascal would do while under the influence of liquor, and the Velvet Sport knew bis situation was one of per- sonal peril. “Oh, yes!” chuckled Sam, nodding his head and rolling his bloodshotten eyes; “Um goin’ ter fix ye fer w’at you done! I’m ther Chief of Magic City, an’ I don’t low no _leetle runts like ‘you ter down me fer keeps. I’ve got my own private graveyard up ther gulch hyer a piece, an’ lll plant ye thar. You'll never be missed any ter speak of, an’ them thet misses ye won’t make no fuss over yer disappearance,” “What do you mean to do?’ asked Vane, calmly. **Ho! ho! ho!” came harshly from the tough’s lips. “So yeare beginnin’ ter git kinder in- trasted like? Wal, you’ve got good reasons ter he int’rusted. W’atam I goin’ ter do? D’yer see this gun?” ac es, ” ‘Wal, it’s loaded—yes, it am! I’ve got ther drap on ye.” ** Well?” **T’m goin’ ter shoot ye.” **Tn cold blood?” **Cold blood ur hot blood don’t make no dif with me,” ame you going to give me a chance for my ife ** Wat kind of er chance?” **An even chance with you. Of course you are not going to shoot me while I am standing with my bands elevated in this way?” ‘Oh, I hain’t, hain’t 1? Wal, thet’s whar ye fools yerself, fer I jest be!” Tt will be murder!” *Pish! W’at’s thet! I’ve killed lots of fellers in thet way.” The ruffian made the declaration with evident pride, and Vane shuddered as he saw the kind of a man he had to deal with, ' “Are ye goin’ ter beg?’ asked Sam, ‘Go erhead, fer 1 wants ter heur ye, Thet’d tickle me like fun!” “ You have made a big mistake if you think ‘you will hear me beg.” ‘* So ye hain’t goin’ ter beg fer yer life?” “Nary beg.” ; ‘ “Then I reckon I might jest ez well finish ye a ay yer pra’rs an’ make ready fer sher final flop The tough really meant to shoot, ‘Are you aware I[ have friends who ‘avenge me?” Dern yer friends!” “ You may say so now, but they will know no rest till er have bunted you down.” ‘*T don’t keer er hoot fer em!” “You would be apt to care if you knew just how you stood at this minute, ‘You would be apt to care if you knew one of my friends was ‘behind you with a cocked reyolyer held within two feet of your head.” Sam grinned, “But thar hain’t no such galoot thar, You ‘n’t foo] me in thet way. ‘Then ,the tough heard a voice bebind him wy; “You are mistaken, Sam. I have the drop on you! Hands up, or I will blow the roof of your head off!” With a snarl of amazement and fury, the tough whirled to confront the individual behind will him, To his astonishment he saw no one, He had no time to wonder what it meant, for Violet Vane’s hard fist struck him in the back of his head, and a moment later he was stretched face downward on the ground. He had been tricked! CHAPTER V. ELEGANT ED'S LITTLE GAME, IN a moment Violet Vane was upon the ruf- fian’s back, pinning the stunned man tw the ground, as he swiftly disarmed him, His ventriloquial powers had stood him in ood stead and saved his life without a doubt, y atrick of his voice he had led the Sledge- hammer to believe there was some one behind him. ‘** You see the tables are turned, my dear sir,” laughed Vane, as he secured the weapons of the tough, ‘Just at the moment when you fancied yourself high cock of the walk you are beauti- fully fooled. It is very aggravating I will con- fess, but such things will occur.” The would-be murderer was too dazed and astounded to made any resistance, and Vane had soon disarmed him, Taking possession of the desperado’s weapons, he sat down on a bowlder near at hand, holding Sam ‘‘covered” with one of his own revolvers. The tough sat up and stared around, still looking for the man who had spoken behind him. “Whar did ther cuss go ter so quick?” he mumbled, shaking his head. ‘*He must be er holy dodger!” Vane laughed aloud. ‘Well, he is pretty quick,” acknowledged the sport. ‘ He is always around when I want him, and nobody else seems able to see him,” The tough could not understand it, and free- ly confessed to that fact, ‘* Well, I would not puzzle my head over it if I were you,” said Vane. ‘ It is a small mat- ter anyway. I suppose you are ready to climb the golden stairs?” “ Wat's thet?” *‘T suppose you are ready to shuffle off this mortal coil, for of course I will treat you as you were about to serve me.” ‘* You don’t mean ter shoot me, pard?” ** Don’t 1? Well, ifnot, why not?” ‘Oh, ye w’u’dn’t do thet!” ‘* But you were about to serve me that way.” “No reteatt nuther.” ‘* But you said so,” “T wuz only foolin’.” ‘That won’t hold water. I saw it in your eye. You meant to shoot me, and now it is m duty ‘to serve you with a dose of your own medi- cins. Say your prayers.” ; , The rascal flopped over on his knees, holding out his hands to Vane in supplication. ‘* Oh, say, pard, don’t yedo it! Don’tbe hard on me! i reckon I am er dite full of bug-juice, but Inever meant ter salt ye! Don’t shoot, pard—don’t, fer God’s sake!” Vane gave an exclamation of disgust. “You miserable coward!” be cried. ‘ You haven’t a bit of sand! Take your medicine like a man,” ‘No, no, no! I hain’t reddy ter die yit! Jest let me off this time, pard! Don’t shoot !” “If I let you off, you must tell who put you up to this job,” ‘Thar didn’t nobody,” declared Sam, besitat- ingly. ‘*I wuz jest doin’ of it ter git even fer ther lickin’ ye guv me, But I didn’t mean ter shoot yea tall! he hastily added, ‘* Thet’s ther honest gospel truth, pard!” ‘** Well, I see I will have to shoot you, for you do not mean to tell the truth, There is some- body behind you in this affair, and I reckon I shall have to blow your head off if you do not tell who itis.” ° Once more the tough protested there was no one behind him, but Vane cat his words short. ‘‘Say your prayers, for [ shall fire when I have counted up to twenty.” Then, in a deliberate manner, he began to count aloud, That was too much for the ras- cal, and by the time fifteen was reached be cried: ‘Say, hole on! I'll tell! I'll tell!” “All right, spit it out. I have no time to waste, for it is growing dark, Who was it?” " Will ye let me goefI tell” Yes; but talk lively. Who was it?” “It wuz Elegant Ed. J wuz sw’arin’ I’d hey revenge On ye w’en he comes up an’ says he'd guv me fifty dollars ef I'd salt ye. I felt like saltin’ ye, anyhow, so I tuck ther job.” Vane laughed, icily ‘ * Tt is about as [ thought,” fell from his lips, ‘¢ Wlegant Ed will find me a bad man to butt against, As for you, for all of your protests mn) that you did not mean to kill me, it is plain you did mean just that. ‘You are a miserable red- handed dog, who ought to have your neck stretched, and if you remain in Magic City, I will see that it is stretched. My advice to you is to get out as soon as you know how. Do you see that bend down there?” “ Ye 7? “Well, I am going to count ay once more, and if you are not out of sight, beyond that bend, by the time I finish, I shall practice on you for a target.” ; “But, my weppins, pard—w’at’ll ye do with em? ‘*T will leave them with Hi Jenks, at the hotel. You can callon him for them. Are you ready to start?” ‘*Say, Jenks an’I hain’t very good frien’s, S’pose you—” But Vane began to count, and the “ chief” instantly took to his heels. Before the twenty were counted he had disappeared. ‘* Now,” said Vane, arising, ‘ I will go back to Magic City and Elegant Ed. I have taken a fair look at his cards, and I ought to be able to thwart his game.” The lights were beginning to twinkle from cabin windows when he entered the town, At the hotel he came face to face with the dandy sport of Magic City. Something like an ex- cjlamation of surprise, of disgust, escaped Ele- gant Ed's lips, and Vane smiled sweetly in bis face. Then each passed on. Later that evening, Vane entered the ‘ Gol- den Hand” Saloon, which was directly across the street from the hotel. He found the place filled with a motley assembly. The bar was do- ing a rushing business, and the gaming-tables were surrounded by the throng of men who were eager to stake their hard earned-money on the turn of a card, To some the scene would have been strange and facsinating, but Violet Vane was used to such things. With a lighted cigar between kis teeth, he sauntered leisurely down the room till ha reached that portion occupied by the gam- blers, He kept his dark eyes roving restlessly about till he bad taken in everything in the place, and then, although constantly on his guard, he scarcely seemed to notice anything that occurred at his elbow, Among others, Vane noticed Elegant Ed, the vambler being seated at a table playing cards with a seedy-looking man of uncertain age, The clothes worn by Ed’s oponent fitted bis person in a slouchy mauner and his face was covered by a tangled beard. Unobserved by the Magic City sharp, Violet Vane took a position where he could watcb Ed’s every movement, Tbe gamo was a quiet one and therefore at- tracted little attention, Everything was favor- able for Elegant Ed to work whatever game he saw fit, as it appeared, without being detected by any of the spectators. Vane well knew the gam- bler would play some kind of a trick if he found himself matched against a lucky or skillful op- ponent, After watching the game a few moments, the Velvet Sport came to the conclusion that the cards were running to the seedy man, This be- lief was confirmed when the man drew ina pot with a laugh, saying: “Wal, this is ther fu’st time Seth Slouch ever bed any bit of luck at keerds, but he’s right on it ter-day, an’ don’t ye fergit it! Ef this streak keeps on, Pll bu’st ye wide open, pard,” “ That is true,” confessed Elegant Ed, coolly, “You are having wonderful luck, stranger, I[ reckon | am no good to-night.” “Now he will try his little snap,” thought Vane, and from that moment he watched the gambler’s hands still more closely. In less than than a minute he detected a crooked move. CHAPTER VI. THE GAME BLOCKED, Exxcant Ep was. working a sleeve hold-out, but the fellow who had called himself Seth Slouch was playing a square game, Ed drewa pair of kings and an ace, and with the aid of bis hold-out “ filled” his hand with aces, thus mak- ing the strongest ‘‘ full house” in existence. Seth Slouch “ drew ” to a pair of ten-spots, The Magic City sharp started the ball with a light bet, and Slouch promptly “saw ” him and ‘‘set” him in return, Then there was some lively betting. Blegant Ed felt sure he held a hand that would be ‘‘ good,” for it seemed certain the other had drawn to a pair. Of course Slouch could not hold a straight flush or anything of that sort, ‘*You have good pluck, partner,” observed
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a 6 Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidocgq. the gambler, coldly, as Slouch continued to “ raise” the pot. ‘It is possible, however, your pluck is superior to your judgment.” The seedy man laughed. *“*Oh, ’m on it!” he declared. ‘I’ve jest got er ’tarnal streak of luck, an’ ’m goin’ ter shove it ter ther eand, T’ll tell ye w’at I'll do,” Well?” ‘* Pll putt up my hull pile on this han’ ’ginst ther same ermount of yourn, then we’ll show keerds, W’at d’yer say?” The card-sharp hesitated a moment, then a look of desperate determination passed over his face. He would put up the money and claim a foul if it happened that he was beaten, ‘Tam agreeable.” “Then it’s er go!” The seedy man produced a roll of bills and counted out nearly fifteen hundred dollars. De- liberately Elegant Ed covered the sum with a similar amount, ‘“‘Thar ye hev it!” cried Slouch, excitedly. ** Now show up an’ we'll see who’s ther best fel- er.” Calraly Elegant Ed turned bis cards so the seedy man could see them. “‘ It is the best full house to be found in the — he said, ‘Have you anything to beat t ** You bet yer boots!” laughed Slouch, ‘* How duz them look ter yer eyes?” Then he displayed his cards, and with dis- may the gambler saw four ten spots spread be- fore him! *‘ They look rich, don’t they, pard!” chuckled the seedy man. The card-sharp turned white, then flushed hotly, a light of anger in his eyes. ““Reckon I scvop ther boodle,” and Slouch reached to rake in the pile. **T reckon not!” retorted Ed, icily, his words being accompanied by the click of a revolver. ** Hands off, or chew lead!” Slouch started back in apparent amazement. ** Wy, w’at in thunder d’ye mean?” he cried. **I won thet thar movey, didn’t I?” ** By a foul,” ‘“*Tt’s er derned lie! I played er squar’ game” Elegant Ex’s eyes were blazing with a deadly light, He had determined to secure the money at all hazards, By this time the attention of the crowd was drawn to the two men, and spectators began to surge around the table, iolet Vane placed himself directly behind the Magic City sharp, al- though others were careful to keep out of prob- able pistol range. ‘““T say you played crooked,” declared Ed, grimly. ’ . ** An’ [ say it’s er lie!” again retorted the seedy man. ‘I played a squar’ game, an’ thar’s my keerds, Four tens allus beats ary derned kind of er full house you kin scar’ up, so I takes ther mai ‘* Not this evening, stranger. Ihave the drop and ”—reaching out to draw in the amount of the wager—‘“ I also have the boodle,” ** Go a little slow there!” advised Violet Vane, as he thrust the cold muzzle of a revolver against Elegant Ed’s head just back of the right ear. **T believe I will chip into this little game. I happen to know somediing about it.” he card-sbarp vented a furious exclamation, ** Kindly accommodate me by removing your hands from that money,” commanded the Velvet Sport, ‘“‘Many thanks. That will save me the trouble of blowing off the roof of your shapely head. Now we will come to an understanding.” ‘** Look here!” cried Ed, ‘‘ What do you mean by this? You are not in this game anyway.” ‘* But I have invited myself to come in, See? It may not be pleasant to you, but it is a way I have,” Then the Magic City sharp appealed to the crowd: ‘* Gentlemen, are you going to see me robbed in this fashion? It is a put-up game. This money is mine,” ‘* Gentlemen,” came deliberately from Vane’s lips, ‘‘ this man claims the pot, but cards talk in this case. There are the two hanc; before vour eyes. One is a full house, the other four tens, verybody who knows a thing about draw poker knows fours beat a full house always.” A But I claim foul play,” insisted the gam- er. ‘In what way?” 25 He did not get those four tens in a fair raw. “Js—that—so/! Well, if you are going to make such a claim as that, I suppose you will submit to have your own sleeves searched?” The card-sharp paled. This is all a trick—a game to rob me!” he fumed, finding himself fairly cornered, ‘‘ Some one shall pay dearly for it! I will yet call them to an account!” ‘* There is no need of getting excited about it,” came slowly from Vane’s lips. “I fancy this other gentleman stands ready to be searched?” “You bet!” was Seth Slouch’s prompt reply. “Pm willin’ ter be pawed all over.” ‘*Of course you will stand the same test?” and the Velvet Sport addressed Elegant Ed. ‘‘ You cannot refuse under the circumstances,” ‘* But Ido refuse. I see youare bound to beat me anyway, Take the money ”—to Slouch— ** but you will hear from me again.” “'Thankee,” nodded the seedy man, as he raked in the pot. ‘‘ Now I am onter ther kind of a cuss you be,I shell be reddy fer ye most any time.” With as much calmness as he could command, Elegant Ed restored his revolver to a pocket and arose from the table. Then he turned and faced the Velvet Sport,a hard, cruel look on his rather handsome face. “*T will not forget you very soon,” he said, harshly. ‘‘ You have stepped into my path, but you shall rue the moment you firstsaw me! I am a man who never forgets an enemy, and you have shgwn yourself my enemy.” ‘* Good enough!” smiled Vane. ‘‘ Now we un- derstand each other, and an open fight is to be preferred to an underhand one, [I knew you for an enemy as soon as I saw you. Something told me to look out for you. You hired an as- sassin to put me out of your way, but he failed.” ‘* Tt is not true!” “Tt is true, and Sledge-hammer Sam is the man,” The Magic City sharp flung out one hand with a gesture of contempt, ‘What kind of astory are you trying to hatch up? WhenI want such a job as that done, 1 atcend to it myself, and it is done in a manner fair and above-board. That is the way I shall dispose of your case if you have not taken your- self out of Magic City within the next twenty- four hours!” Having uttered this threat, Elegant Ed turned away and left the saloon. CHAPTER VIL. GUILTY OR NOT. THAT night Violet Vane took extra precau- tions against being taken at an advantage by an assassin after he had retired to his room, He knew Elegant Ed was a dangerons man who would pause at nothing to remove an obstacle from his path, and the Velvet Sport had plainly proved himself such an obstacle. **Tt would be liko him to hire two or, three toughs to break intothis room and wipe me out,” muttered Vane, as ho prepared to obtain some sleep. ‘That is the way such as he usually get rid of their foes, Well, if the thugs come they will be received very cordially.” He looked to his weapons to make sure they were in perfect working order, then placed them where his hands would grasp them at the first alarm, With the revolvers he deposited a knife that had a ‘ business look” about it. “ That will be handy at close quarters,” laugh- ed the wearer of violets, ‘* I despise the thing, for it seems to me like an assassin’s Weapon, but it is necessary to carry it in this section. If there is anything I dread it is the thought of being cut with aknife, It does not seem half so bad to think of being plinked with a bullet, But, when a fellow is crowded, a knife is worth more than a dozen revolvers.” ‘ He was right. Vane lay down, determined to ‘sleep with one eye open,” asit were. He fully anticipated a call from the hired assassins of the Magic City sharp, but he was to be happily disappointed. The night passed quietly away and he was not disturbed, Despite the fact that had retired at a late hour, the Velvet Sport aroso bright and early and took a wall i. the clear bracing air before breakfast. He rambled far enough “vom the border oi the {ittlo town to find a fresh bunch of violets, and when he returned to ¢!10 hotel, they were pinned upon the lapel of his coat, the dew still glistening upon them, Vane looked as neat and fresh as one could wish, for there was a barber connected with the Bang-Up Hotel, and the sport was the “ ton- sorial artist’s” first customer that cay, The barber seemed tuclined to talk—a strange thing for barbers!—and Vane skillfully led him he speak of Daniel Marden and his mysterious eath. “TI tell you,” confidentially declared the bar- ber, lowering his voice as if he did not wish to. he overheard, ‘‘there is something powerful singular about that!” “What do you mean?” asked Vane, ‘“*T mean’ it seems queer such a man as Dan Marden should shoot himself. There was no reason in the world that I can see why he should have done so.” ** And yet he did?” ‘* Well, Iam not so sure. I believe there area few in Magic who have their doubts about it.” ‘* But he was found with a bullet in his brain,” ‘* That may have been the work of other hands than his,” ‘*Ha! Do you think he was murdered?” “Well, Iam not willing to say what I think: but it was only yesterday I heard something that set me to thinking powerful hard.” “cc Yes?” The barber coughed, hesitated, then went on: ‘*Tt has been a wonder who could have had a motive in putting Dan Merden out of the way, if it was not suicide; but I believe I have struck something worth investigating.” Ae think you have found a motive for the “‘ Perhaps so.” ‘* Would you mind letting me in?” “Well, Ido not want to throw suspicions on any one whois not guilty, but I have heard he had trouble wita his mine superintendent only two days before he died.” ‘That is important, if true. Who was his superintendent?” , uh A young fellow by the name of Bruce Wel- on, ‘* Where is he now?” ‘* Here in Magic. He gave out he left Marden, but I reckon he was discharged,” “What is he doing?” * Nothing that [ know of,” Vane made a mental determination to see Bruce Weldon and have a talk with him, and after breakfast he set out to find the ex- superintendent. The task did not prove a very severe one, but, to the sport’s surprise,-he was favorably impressed by the young man’s appear- ance, The Velvet Sport represented himself as being a speculator looking for an investment in Magic City, and he gave the impression that_there was a syndicate of capitalists at bis back. In this i he led Weldon-to speak of the Little Marion ine, “IT have been informed you were Daniel Marden’s superintendent?” was an interrogative inflection. ‘*T was, sir,” was the young man’s reply, as his brown eyes met the sport’s black orbs square- ly. ‘“‘ Then it is possible you can tell me something about that piece of property ?” Weldon shook his head with a faint smile. ‘“You have como to the wrong party for in- formation. Mr. Marden often requested me to remain silent upon the very point you desire in- formation about.” ‘*But Daniel Marden is dead row.” “That makes no difference with me; his daugh- ter is in possession of the property.” “But I hear you were discharged by Mar- den,” “Tt is not true.” “ Ah ” ‘‘T resigned my position,” “Ob, that was it?” 6 Yes,.sir,” “Then there was some trouble between you and your employer?” Bruce Weldon scowled a bit, as if he scarcely fancied being led to talk about that, but he an- swered: ‘* No, sir, there was no trouble,” Vane scarcely knew what question to put next, pat the ex-superintendent solved the problem by ing: “There might have been some trouble, but when Mr. Marden began to complain 1 prompt- ly resigned my position, He thought he knew of a better man to fill my place, and informed him he was at liberty to fill it as he chose. But, if Iam not mistaken, 1 know the man who was. at the bottom of the whole affair, He plotted to oust me, and he succeeded; but he has not heard the last of Bruce Weldon, 1 have my eye on him, and he may yet find himself with a rope around his neck.” as Vane was curious to know who this man was, but he felt it would not be prudent to question Weldon on that line. Still he believed in bold- ness, and he suddenly asked: * Do you think Daniel Marden committed suicide? : ; The young man started, gazed searchingly at |
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: : : ~——— the sport, pulling nervously at his brown mus- tache, then sent a question in retura: ‘* What makes you ask that?” *¢ Well, to tell you the truth, I have heard it hinted that he was murdered.” “¢ Who hinted such a thing?” ‘More than one since 1 struck Magic City yesterday.” ‘*T thought every one believed in the suicide theory,” muttered Weldon, speaking more to himself than to Vane, ‘ They all seem to think he killed himself—all who have talked to me. Can it be—” He stopped abruptly and glanced swiftly into the sport’s face, ‘“*T should fancy you are more interested about this point than you are concerning the mine,” he asserted. ‘Tt is possible,” acknowledged the wearer of the violets, his keen eyes fixed almost accusivgly on the other. ‘“‘Then you are a detective?” Vane fancied there was an expression of alarm in the question. “ No ? «No? “‘T have simply taken an interest in the affair. Iam not an officer of the law, But, if lam not mistaken, there is good material for a detective to work upon in this case.” Weldon did not immediately reply, but he jarred said: ‘You may he right. I have thought as much; but Miss Marden does not seem to think there was anything crooked about the affair.” ‘‘Then you have spoken to her about it?” “ Yes.” ‘‘ Did you mention such a thing as murder?” “*T hinted at it.” ‘“‘ How did she receive it?” ‘* It seemed to distress her very much, bu‘ she did not appear to think it was possible ber father had been murdered.” ‘From your words, I infer you consider it quite possible,” Again the ex-superintendent was silent for a moment, then he lifted his eyes till they were met by Vane’s, and with apparent frankness he asserted: **T do think it possible.” Once more Vane resolved on a bold stroke, and fixing a piercing gaze upon Weldon, he said: ** Do you know there are those who think ou may know more about Mr. Marden’s death than you care to tell?” Bruce reeled back as if struck nt od in the face, growing pale to the lips. ben he at- tempted to speak he seemed to be choked, and he grasped at his throat with his hands, A thrill passed over the Velvet Sport as he wit- nessed this display of emotion. **God!” cried Weldon, hoarsely. Then he sprung forward and caught Violet Vane by the shoulders, grating harshly: “Is that true? Speak out! Do not dare play any tricks on me! Has any one so much as hinted I had anything to do with Dan Marden’s death? Speak, I say!” The sport was as cool as you please, ““Now what is the use of getting excited,” he began. “It will not—” “Excited!” echoed Bruce Weldon. ‘‘ Who would not get excited with such a suspicion hovering over them? But if you are trying 4 trick on me, I wil] make it a sorrv joke for you! I am not a man to be fooled with!” ‘‘ Evidently not. But you will rot gain any- thing by losing control of your nerves. Keep ” *Cool--cool! Is a man who finds himself suspected of murder apt to keep cvol? here! I want you to tell me just what you have heard.” “What if I decline?” ** Then I will force it from your lips!” Vane laughed, “You might find you had tackled a large job. But, if you are innocent, there is n0 reason why we should have trouble,” “Tf} if! I would like to face the man who dared accuse me of such a thing! You must tell me what you have heard!” “JT hardly fancy there is any compulsion about it, but I do not mind telling you. It is very insignificant, for it was a simple hint that, as you had trouble with Marden, you might reef more about bis death than you cared to ** And who said this?” “*T trust you will pardon me if I do not call any names,” t first, Weldon seemed determined to know who it was, but when he saw Vane would not tell, he dropped that point. ‘** This is the first time J have dreamed I was suspected of such a thing,” he said, ‘* Now I see there is work ahead, I have thought I would investigate the affair and seek to discover if Mr, Marden really committed suicide; now my mind is made up to do so, If he was mur- dered, the wretch who did the foui work shall be brought to justice!” ‘That tall has the right ring.” **T mean it! I shall turn detective on my own account,” “*T wish you success,” ‘*T shall succeed if such a thing is possible. If the man was murdered, his assassin shall be given little time to cover his tracks. I think I recognize the bandiwork of a foe in these sus- picious hints against me, and that foe— Well, Elegant Ed, the foxy gambler, shall find me a hard man to down!” CHAPTER VIII. A SHRIEK, WHEN Violet Vane parkeg from Bruce Wel- don he was in a decidedly puzzled state of mind, for he could not arrive at a conclusion concern- ing the young man. Some of Weldon’s acts had seemed like those of a guilty man, while others —the majority—made the sport think the ex- superintendent innocent, “Tf he bad any hand in the murder of Daniel Marden—and I now believe the mine-owner was murdered—he is a skillful actor, to say the least, Once or twice I detected something like a look of guilt on his face, but the most of the time his eyes met mine squarely and frankly. I must watch bim, ‘* This afternoor I will visit Marion Marden— if she is Marion Marden, It scarcely seems ossible such a beautiful girl can be anything ut honest, but I am not the person to be easily deceived, She has found a way into my heart. for I dreamed of ber blue eyes last night; but if she is an advepturess, I will cast her out, even though it may cost me more than a common ra I could love such a girl as she seems to !” The remainder of the forenoon Vane spent in wandering about the place, taking mental notes. Near noon the stage came in and stopped in front of the Bang-Up Hotel. The Velvet Sport was one of the throng that witnessed its arrival. About the first passenger to appear was a tall, awkward-looking old fellow, whose long legs and gawky appearance brought smiles to the faces of many who saw him for the first time. In one hand he carried a large, old-fashioned carpet-bag, that seemed stuffed full, “Wal, by gosh!” he drawled, stretching him- self almost as soon as he reached the ground. ‘*T don’t know as I keer abaout ridin’ more’n three ur four millyon mile in that ole waggon! I'm all crampy frum bein’ doubled up so menny times, I tell you, folkses, my laigs wur never built fer conveyance in sech snug quarters, an’ that’s er fac’, ur my name hain’t Ole Bob Sbucks, of Mizzury.” Having thus expressed himself, the old fellow ascended the steps and entered the hotel, brush- ing against Violet Vane as he did so, The two exchanged meaning glances, Thirty minutes later they were together in Vane’s room, It was plain the two were not strangers, but they,bad no desire to be known as friends in Magic City. Near the middle of the afternoon Vane made his way to the most imposing residence in the little town. As he ascended the steps, the door Was Opened and a young man appeared, ; _ Vane saw before him a rather rakisb-looking individual of twenty-two or three, whose face indicated he had lived a decidedly-fast life and whose clothes were of the sort best designated as ‘‘loud.” This person was smoking an exceed- ingly black cigar and had his stiff hat cocked over one eye in a ‘‘ tough” manner. ** Hello!” he exclaimed, as his face rested on Vane. ‘* Hello!” retorted the sport. “Who are you?” saucily asked the young man of the black cigar. “The same to yourself,” flashed Vane, re- eed not to be ontdone 7 impudence, 16 young man scowled. ‘** Seems ~ me you're sassy.” “That is what I was thinking about you,” For a moment it seemed doubtful whether the young fellow would fight or laugh, but he finally decided to do the latter. ‘* Say!” he exclaimed, surveying Vane from head to feet; ‘‘I like your style! You’re a Jim! ? Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidocgq, 7 Reckon you’re something of a sport? Well, that’s my lay, though to tell the honest truth, |’m not getting rich atit, First ’m up, then ’m down, In the business a man is rich one day, poor the next and poorer the next. What’s your handle?” ‘*T am called Violet Vane.” **Oh, a fancy cog! Well, shake! Iam Mark Marden, and this is the vanch that belonged to my dad before he turned toes up to the daisics, Maybe you know all about that, as you were coming here, I just struck town this morning, Didn’t hear of the governor’s demise till three days ago, Was down in New Mex then, but humped it hot-foot, you bet. Calling to see any one?” But Vane was so astonished he could not reply at once. So this was Daniel Marden’s son, so long believed to be dead? ‘** Calling to see any one?” repeated Mark Mar- den. ‘* Yes—yes,” stammered Vane, ‘‘I was call- ing to see Miss Marden.” The young maa scowled a bit, but said, with apparent carelessness: **Oh, it’s sis! Well, she is in, She’s grown to-be a stunner since I saw her last. Hope you'll have a pleasant call, See you later. So long, old man.” With this he descended the steps, leaving Vane to ring. The bell was answered by Marion herself, and she greeted him warmly. He glanced search- ingly at her face, and made a discovery. She had been weeping! Although pains had been taken to conceal all trace of tears, there was a suspicious redness about her eyes. The sport followed her into the parlor, which be found was luxuriously furnished for that part of the country, and in a short time they were seated tete-a-tete, ‘‘T am so glad you came!” exclaimed the girl, impulsively, her face growing warm with pleas- ure, ‘I was afraid you would forget.” ‘“*T never forget when my word is pledged to a lady,” replied Vane, ‘‘ You may rest assured I was glad to come,” Her eyes fell before his earnest gaze, ‘*T see your brother has arrived.” She started, ‘*My brother? Oh, yes!” She seemed strangely confused for a moment, then she added: **'You must have met him?” “*T did at the door. You were probably greatly surprised to see him, for I hear he was supposed dead,” ** Yes, it was a surprise,” came slowly from her lips, as she nervously twined her fingers about each other. ‘‘ He has changed so I scarce- ly knew him at first,” Vane could not help thinking the change had not been for the better, and to his mind that was a possible explanation of her tears, For a long time they talked of various sub- jects, the girl proving herself a charming con- versationalist, It did not take the sport long to discover she was well informed, but this seemed to rob her of none of her bewitebin air, Indeed, with each passing moment he fe more and more under the influence of the spell the beautiful gir] unconsciously cast over him. From books and authors he led the talk to other things, and after a time he turned it up- on herself, Up to that moment, while they were talking of foreign subjects, the girl had seemed quite at ease; but as soon as they were drawn by the sport’s subtle craft to speak of herself and her past life, she began to grow uneasy. This was not lost to Vane’s keen eyes, ‘‘T cannot understand it,” hethought. ‘She seems so frank and honest that I am almost sure she is not an adventuress, yet there is some secret about her life. How am I to get atit without being rude?” , That was © difficult question to answer. He turned the talk upon the mine, ‘“‘T went over and took a look at the mouth of the sbaft this forenoon,” he laughed, ‘‘ Every- thing seems booming there now,” ; ’ “Yes; but it is a horrid place! I visited it once, and that was quite enough for me.” ‘¢ Whois conducting your father’s business, for there seems to have been no break caused by his death?” ” ‘He had it arranged so everything should go. on if anything happened to him,” “Ah!” thought Vane. ‘That surely looks like contemplated suicide. It may be Daniel Marden killed himself after all.” The girl arose and passed across the floor toa window, It seemed Fie the act of one who was. too nervous to remain in her seat, ee a
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* Poor papa!” she sighed, chokingly. ‘‘ He has not been right since mother died, although it was a secret he managed to keep from the world. He was troubled with his head, He wrote—me—that—” She paused as if choking, turned her eyes to Vane in an appealing manner. He saw her be- come very white. She putout her hands and tried to speak, finally succeeding in gasping: **T can’t! can’t! Forgive me for—” She started as if, to return to her chair, but staggered blindly, causing Vane to spring to his feet and assist her to the seat, ‘*What is it?’be anxiously asked, bending over her. ‘‘ You are so pale! What can I do? ‘Nothing, nothing!” she panted, plainly struggling to regain her composure. ‘‘Oh, what will you think of moe? I know not what the mat- ter is! It must be speaking of—of—him!” “That is it!” was the thought which passed through his head, ‘ It was a faintspell brought about by speaking of her father, Poor girl! She is dreadfully shaken!” His genuine avxiety was apparent in the way he hung over her, and the look in his dark eyes, She saw this, and a feeling of joy—a wild thrill of delight—passed over her. ‘** He loves me!” flashed through her mind, * I can read it in his face-—in his midnight eyes! And 1—I love him! J love him!” With this thought the color came back swiftly to her cheeks, He still held one of her hands, which he had caught as he assisted her to the chair, and he felt her fingers trembling in bis grasp. With all the impulsiveness of his warm nature, he lifted the slender hand to his lips and pressed a kiss upon it. It was a rash and thought- less act, and he realized his folly the moment it was done, but there was no time to back out then, With a little cry of amazement, she snatched her fingers away, springing to her feet witha guick return of strength. “ Mr. Howard !” His face became crimson with dismay. ‘* [I beg your pardon!” he stammered, ‘I should have controlled myself more, But now it is done, if cannot be helped. I assure you I meant no indignity! It was an act controlled by my feelings and not by my reason, I beg you not to be offended!” She stood in an uncertain attitude before him, seeming almost angry, yet apparently unable to resist his appeal. ‘*We are almost strangers,” she murmured. ‘Tt was only yesterday we met.” ‘* That is true, but yesterday seems weeks ago. You must remember that we are in the West, and here the people are not bound by such iron rules of society as control everything in the East. Won’t you forgive me this time?” A soft smile crept over her face and her chin sectpte in that manner he thought so charm- ng. we ge I shall have to—this time,” she said. ‘* But you—” At that moment a muffled cry like the shrill scream of a woman in a distant partof the house came faintly to their ears, Vane uttered an exclamation of astonishment and the girl turned pale once more, CHAPTER IX, OLD BOB IS BELLIGERENT. ‘WHat was that?” Violet Vane asked the question, but for some moments the girl did not reply. At length she answered: ‘¢Tt sounded like a cry of fear or pain,” ‘Tt surely did,” agreed the sport; ‘‘and it was uttered by a woman,” Ons “It seemed to come from below.” “In tbat case it must have been the cook, I will go see what has happened,” She hastened out of the room, and the door gave a strange click as it closed behind her. ‘* That was strange,” muttered Vane. ‘That ery seemed to cut me like a keen knife. It sounded like an appeal for aid, And Miss Marden’s manner is strange. By George! I know not what to think! I feel sure I have struck a mystery, but I am almost afraid to in- vestigate, If it should turn out she is an adven- turess—great heavens!” With a gesture of horror, he glided softly to the door through which the gir] had vanished; but when he tried it, it refused to open at his touch, It was locked! **That looks bad—bad!” he muttered, a look of pain on bis face, ‘‘She was careful that the door should be secure behind ber, Can it be Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidocq. she suspects I have an interest iu this strange case? Things have a black look!” Nervously he paced the carpeted floor, “Tt is possible the girl is an impostor, and it may be that cry was uttered by the genuine Marion Marden, who is acaptive in this very house! The thought is horrible! Those blue eyes—that perfect mouth—those pearly teeth! By Jove! am in love with that giri!” He struck his hands together, and then seemed to suddenly become cool. When the girl return- ed she found him calmly seated on a chair. “Tt was nothing,” she laughed, but he fancied the merriment was forced. ‘The cook was frightened by a mouse, that was all,” He seemed to believe her words, and the mat- ter passed without further comment, the even tenor of conversation being again resumed, From that time till he left the house Vane carefully avoided speaking of anything that could give the girl a thrill of pain. He was un- der the spell of her bewitching ways and musi- cal voice, and wken at last he left, it was with reluctance he did so, She gave him a parting hand-shake at the door, and he clung to her soft, warm fingers a little longer than was absolutely necessary, Once clear of the house, a feeling of dejection settled upon him, ‘Tf she proves to be anything but the noble girl sbe appears, I shall curse the day I ever saw her!” he muttered, bitterly. ‘‘ It may be [am making a fool of myself, but if Iam, I cannot help it. It isa pleasant thing to be a fool some- times. But I am not blind, I am going to know the truth if it takes a wheel! Once I was tempted to show her the note I found on the trail, but my better judgment prevented. It is possible she could explain everything with a word; and it is possible I might give my game away to my worst enemies by showing it,” There was one thing he resolved to find out, and as soon as possible, he began making in- quiries about the cook who the girl said, had been frightened by a mouse. The result was astounding. He learned the cook was a man! ‘That flooks like a nigger in the wood-pile!” he thought. ‘‘ A man is not going to be fright- ened of a mouse and scream in that manner; besides that, the cry was that of a female, It looks black, black! ‘* And there is this young fellow who claims to be Daniel Marden’s son; I am not able to say I like his appearance. I wonder if it is gener- ally known he has turned up,” He soon found the appearance of Mark Mar- den was a common topic of conversation. Then he set out to find the young man, ‘¢T will draw him into conversation and see how he will talk,” muttered the amateur detec- tive, After visiting several places, he learned the young man had been seen in the Golden Hand Saloon, and he turned his steps in that direction. As he crossed the threshold, he heard a bigh- pitched voice saying: “That's what 1 kem heur fer, ter lick ther stuffin’ outer that galoot who calls hisself Violet Vane. He won abaout seven bundred dollars of my hard-’arned money at keerds in Coffin City, then he skipped. Old Bob Sbucks is a kinder peaceable critter, but I’m gosh darned ef I kin stan’ ter be robbed! I tell ye whut, I don’t think much of these fellers as goes around over the kentry all rigged aout in their fine togs skinnin’ folks’ money at keerds. You wait tell I get my han’s on this Violet Vane, an’ you seg if Faon t warm bim upin— Great gosh!” . The long-legged old fellow known as Old Bob Shucks was the speaker, and he nearly fell over with apparent consternation when he saw Vio- Jet Vane before him. Old Bob’s listeners were the loafers in the saloon, among whom were Elegant Ed and the flashy youth who proclaimed himself Daniel Marden’s son, Vane regarded Old Bob sternly. ‘Were you speaking of me?” he demanded, ‘*N-n-no!” stammered the Missourian, ‘It must have bin some other feller.” But, as he heard a snicker go round, he made a sudden change, blustering: “*-Yes, I wur speakin’ of you! J hain’t goin’ ter deny it, ‘You are ther very feller!” ‘* What were you saying?” “That you are ther gosh blamedest cheat outer jail, by thutter!” ** Are you aware you May have to back up your talk?” “Wal, [ don’t keer fer that, I’m able ter back it up ur back it down, I know whut I'm abaout,” As Vane seemed decidedly cool and unaggres- sive, the old man began to prance around, wav- ing his arms and trying to look very savage. He presented a comical aspect, and many of the spectators laughed outright. Vane smiled, ‘“‘Grin, darn ye, grin!” cried Bob, shaking a knotty fist under the sport’s nose, ‘' You beat me aout of seven hundred dollars in Coffin City, dash ye!”’ ‘That is not true.” ‘* Do ye mean ter say I lie?” baa & you say I ever beat you out of seven cents —yes,’ mmediately the old man peeled off his coat and spat on his hands. “‘ That duz settle it!” he squawked. Go fer him, ole coon!” shouted one, ** Down him!” yelled another, ‘* We will bet on you!” put in a third. The crowd was anxious to see the sport, and so they urged Old Bob on. **Ob, Pildo him, I wull!” nodded the old man, and then he made arush for the smiling dandy. Vane did not attempt to avoid the charge, and in a moment the two men were clinched. ‘Then there was a howl, a pair of long legs waved wildly in the air, and a crash followed. , Old Bob found himself flat on his back on the floor, while Vane leaned against the bar and smiled, ‘Wal, by gosh!” mumbled the fallen man, as he slowly sat up and then struggled to his feet, rubbing his back, ‘I didn’t hev time ter git holt.” ‘*Go fer him again!” shouted a voice, But Old Bob shook his head, ‘*Not now,” he said, ‘‘ My back’s purty nigh broke. But in git at yeag’in, you velvet shark! I want ye ter understan’ you can’t jump on the ole man in this way an’ live ter brag ’bout it, Pll fix ye w’en ye bain’t lookin’ fer me,” ith that threat he turned and walked slowly out of the saloon, still keeping his hands pressed upon his back. CHAPTER X. A TRAGEDY. WHEN Old Bob Shucks had disappeared Vane looked around for the young fellow in search of whom he entered the saloon, but to his surprise, he discovered both Mark Marden and Elegant Ed had disappeared. During the scuffle they had left the saloon by the back way. “That looks suspicions,” thought the sport, ‘They both departed at the same time, and so it is probable they are acquainted. If the self- styled Mark Mardén is on familiar terms with that shark I will guarantee there is something crooked about the fellow. It must be they thought I did not see them when I entered, else they would not have slipped out in com- any. i He purchased some cigars at the bar, but in putting them in his case he extracted one of his own and lighted that, for he had no fancy to smoke the villainous weeds to be obtained in such aplace, He was decidedly particular about the kind of a cigar he smoked, As he was standing by the bar Seth Slouch entered the saloon, The seedy man espied Vane and “eet gare eame forward, holding out his hand. “ Pard, you’re er Jim!” he cried, with enthu- siasm. ‘You skipped las’ night afore I hed a chance ter thank ye fer chippin’ in jest as ye did an’ savin’ my boodle. Thet’s doin’ a galoot a great turn! ‘Ther critter’d swiped me ef you hedn’t exposed his trick, fer I didn’t see bim work ther game, I’m jest glad ter grip yer fin!” The seedy man shook Vane’s hand in a hearty manner. “*Tain’t uvery day I play poker,” he went on; ‘*an’ so I hain’t posted on all ther skin games, IL play a squar’ game, I do, I reckon you must hev handled ther keerds some yerself ter tumble ter sech er trick?” ** Well, I have played some,” smiled the wear- er of the violets. **T knowed it! Say, hev er drink with me? Come poison yerself.’ : ‘*-You will have to excuse me; I donot drink,” “Wat?” Slouch seemed almost paralyzed with amaze- ment, ‘‘ That is straight goods,” smiled the sport. ** Wal, you’re er good one! An’ you’re one of ther boys too! I sw’ar!” 3 When the seedy man had gotten over his as- tonishment somewhat, he drew Vane toward one of the card-tables, and the two sat down, ‘*T want ter ax er few questions,” said Slouch, ** Ye see I’m er stranger in this yere camp,” **So am I.” “Ts thet so? Wal, wal! Then mebbe you can’t tell me northin’, I wuz goin’ ter ax ’bout | .
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“er young feller in checker-board pants as I saw slippin’ out at the back door jest afore I kem in.” ‘¢-You must mean Mark Marden.” “TY low that’s w’at he calls hisself. Him an’ I hed er leetle muss ter-day an’I upsot his apple- cart. He made fun of my togs, an’ w’en I shook er fist-full of bills in his face he snickered an’ said he c’u’d cover ev’ry cent I hed with er ten- dollar bill. He said he wuz ole Dan Marden’s son, an’ ole Dan owned the biggest part of this town afore he kicked the bucket.” ‘Well, he was right in regard to Mr. Mar- den’s financial condition, whether he is the genuine Mark Marden or not,” ‘“‘Then you think mebbe he kain’t straight goods?” ; But Vane was too cautious to freely express his opinion, ** Have I said so?” ‘No; but ye kind of guv thet impression. Ef you do think so, I’m ‘lowin’ ye are right.” ‘¢ What makes you say that?” ‘‘ Wal, l’ve seen this feller afore I saw him in Magic City.” ‘ “ Yep; an’ I hev seen Mark Marden too!” Vane uttered an exclamation, ‘Ha! thet starts ye!” chuckled Slouch, rub- bing his hands together and looking delighted, *“*T reckoned it w’u’d. I kind of surmised you hed an int’rust in this yere ‘fair, fer 1 saw ye go inter Dan Marden’s house ter-day, an’ J saw ye meet ther checker-board feller on ther steps.” **Are you honest in saying you knew the genuine Mark Marden?” a“ Ye ” ’ * When and where?” *¢ Well, not so very long ergo.” ** Where?” ** Down in New Mex,” ** But bow do you know it was Dan Marden’s son—the Dan Marden of Magic City?” **Cause I heerd him brag ’bout his dad an’ how rich he wuz, Said he run away frum ther ole gent an’ he wuzn’t goin’ back tell he wuz rich too, though I’m derned ef I saw much chance fer him ter ever be wu’th shucks he wuz so shiftless; He said his dad hed moved roun’ sence he run erway, but he hed kep’ track of him an’ he wuz owner of er mine in this very camp!” The Velvet Sport regarded the man closely, feeling somewhat doubtful about the truth of the statement. A sudden suspicion flashed through Vane’s mind: was it not possible Seth Slouch was an accomplice of Elegant Ed and the card game all a trick to blind the spectators’ eyes? e had known of such games being played successfully, and the more he thought of this one the stronger became his belief that Seth Slouch was not just what be claimed, The man’s story about Mark Marden did not seem avery straight one; but Vane resolved not to let the seedy man know he was suspected, **Then you mean to say you know this person who represents bimself as Daniel Marden’s son *~ not the genuine Mark Marden?” _ * 'Phet’s whatever,” nodded Slouch, ‘ Down wid aa he called hisself Burt Bishop,” “Yep; an’ he an’ ther ginnowine Mark Mar- den wuz pards,” ‘That is interesting information.” “It’s straight, too.” ‘What became of the genuine Mark Mar- den?” “Thar, now you hev axed suthin’ as puzzled W'ite Lightnin’ Bar fer some time, The ginoo- wine Mark Marden suddenly disappeared, an’ nobody seemed ter know w’at bekem o’ him, Even Burt Bishop declared be didn’t know, He never turned up in thet camp arter thet,” “Um! What do you think?” dairy leaned across the table and lowered bis voice. ‘* Foul play!” he hissed, ‘‘Thet is jest w’at I think.” ‘* You believe Mark Marden was—” Vane poe and the seedy man declared: “*T believe Burt Bishop e’w’d tell w’at happen- ed ter Mark Marden,” Vane understood that what the man had told was important if true, but how was he to be sure it was not all a crafty invention to en- trap him? ‘ouch seemed to read the doubt expressed by the sport’s face, for he said, with great earnest- ness: “Thet is honest Injun, pard. Burt Bish skun out of W’ite Lightain’ Bar shortly arter thet an’ nobody knowed whar he hed gone, | didn’t see him arterwards tell I met him ter-day.” ** Didn't he know you?” The seedy man shook his head. ‘*'Ye see I hev let my w’iskers grow,” he ex- plained. Vane regarded the man’s beard closely and made a surprising discovery. It was false ! ‘Lhe Velvet Sport was obliged to feign a cough to disguise the exclamation that forced itself from his lips, but in a moment he was as cool and unconcerned in manner as before. But tbe discovery seemed to confirm hissuspicions, The seedy man was playing some kind of a game, and what could it be if he was not an accom- lic, of Elegant Ed and the self-styled Mark arden, It looked as if the story of White Lightning Bar was a myth invented for the occasion, “That explains how he failed to recognize you,” came calmly from the sport’s lips. ‘‘If you are right in believing this fellow to be the 3urt Bishop you speak of, there must be some kind of a crooked game afoot; but it seems that Marion Marden has recognized the fellow as her brother.” A strange light passed through Seth Slouch’s eyes. ‘‘ Marion Marden!” he repeated, with some- thing like a bitter laugh, ‘ There may be two Marion Mardens in ther kentry! Did ye ever think of thet?” Vane seemed greatly surprised, and pretend- ed he did not catch the man’s meaning, ‘*T reckon 1 hev talked ernough,” nodded the disguised man. ‘‘ It will set ye thinkin’, ef you hain’t bin thunkin’ already, I hev said this ter you because] reckoned you wuz w'ite, Thar is goin’ ter be an overturn in this yere town afore long, you beur me! W’en thet time comes, you want ter beon ther right side, fer ther fur will fly, you bet, Keep yer eyes open fer devel- opments. So long.” With this advice, the seedy man arose and left the table, Straight out of the saloon he walked, not once turning to look back, aud the sport’s eyes followed him till he disappeared, “Well,” thought Vane, ‘‘ [ am getting more and more puzzled. Who and what is that man? That is a question I woutd like to have answered. That he is not what he appears 1s very plain now that I have discovered he is in disguise, He is up to some kind of game, but what kind of a game isit? I can searcely fix upon the belief that he isin league with Elegant Ed, although I know there is a possibility such is the case, If he is not, then be must be an enemy of the smooth shark and the fellow who claims to be Mark Marden, ‘“*It is possible there is no deception about this affair, for if the young man is not Mark Marden, then it cannot be possible the girl is the genuine Marion. ‘‘Oh, it is the worst infernal tangle I ever struck! Instead of getting ahead, I am becom- ing more and more puzzled. The case is grow- ing too complicated; it would puzzle a Vidocq. Who killed Dan Marden? What has become of Marion Marden? Who is the girl who pretends to be Marion? What relation does the self- styled Mark bear to her? Is Bruce Weldon con- cerned? How is Elegant Ed connected with the case? Whois Seth Slouch? What— ‘* But what is the use to go on? Those are not half the questions that are troubling me!” He arose, relighted the cigar which he had allowed to go out while talking with Slouch, then left the saloon. ** T believe I will find Bruce Weldon and have another talk with him,” he muttered, But he was unable to find the ex-superin- tencent, _ Vane spent the rest of the afternoon in study- ing the situation, and trying to set things aright in his own mind, but the more he puz- zled over it the more mixed and uncertain he became. Near sunset he wandered away into the hills, to be alone with bis thoughts, The sun had gone down, and he was return- ing to the town, when his attention was at- tracted by the sound of voices, A moment later he found himself looking down into a little hollow where the shadows of night had already began to gather, Within the hollow two men stood face to face, and angry words were passing between them. One of them Vane recognized as the per- son known in Magic City as Mark Marden, and he was speaking, os why bave you followed her here, Jack Corker?” he angrily demanded. ‘You know she is tired and sick of you! You forced your attentions on her in the first place!” ‘*Bah!” cried the other, a rakish-appearing young fellow, who was an utter stranger to Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidocg. a) SS SS LLL ae A | Vane. ‘She is a flirt! She gave me encour- agement at first, then treated me like a dog!” “You lie! She only used you decent, that was all the encouragement she ever gave you,” “You'd better go slow!” growled Corker, with a threatening gesture, ‘I hain’t got no love for you, and | won’t stand everything from e! Marden laughed, sneeringly. ‘* Bosh, Corker! You have not the pluck of a kitten! I know you of old, for we have been concerned in more than one deal! Bottle up, old man, and simmer down! The best thing you can do is get out of these parts lively,” ‘* And leave the field to you! Hanged if I will!” Then) you will get into trouble, She says you fired at her, and your bullet cut the bridle- rein of the horse she was riding. If you ever try that again, Jack Corker, I won’t leave enough of you for a funeral! You must be crazy!” Rt t love her—” ** Bah! Is that the way you show your affec- tion?” ‘*T have sworn she shall neyer marry any other man,” aye he more fool you! Sheis going to marry me, * Never!” ** But she is, just the same,” ** She does not love you!” ‘“Love me! Ha! ha! ha! Well, I can’t say she : does; but Tom has said she shall marry me, ‘* He would force her to it?” ‘Oh, I do not think it will be necessary to force her.” With an attempt at calmness, Jack Corker declared: ‘** You shall never have her!” ‘* You will not be able to prevent it,” **T will kill her first!” Marden’s hand fell on the other’s shoulder, and he spoke with terrible earnestness: “Tf you ever harm her, it will be better for you to blow out your own brains the next in- stant! I will make you rue the day you were born!” Corker struck the hand from his shoulder, ut- tering a savage snarl, ‘Curse you!” he grated, ‘ You will not be alive then! I have stood enough from you, and I will finish you right bere!” A knife glistened in his band! “* Keep off!” cried Mark Marden, retreating a step, his hand falling toward his hip-pocket. “I will bore you if you try it!” ‘No you won't, for I will not give you time!” Then the man with the knife leaped forward, Marden tried to draw the revolver, but the hammer caught and he was not successful, With remarkable nimbleness, he avoided the rush of the infuriated man, then he wheeled and his fist shot out from the shoulder. The blow caught Jack Corker behind the right ear, hurling him face downward onthe ground. The fallen man uttered a horrible groan and lay still. ‘The fool!” exclaimed Mark Marden, assum- ing a position of defense and looking for the man to rise. Corker did not stir. ‘* Well, I must have hit him a swynder!” mut- tered the victor, Then he bent down and turned the other over, _A cry of amazement and horror escaped his lips. Jack Corker had fallen. on his own knife, and the blade was driven throngh his beart! ‘* My God!” gasped Marden. ‘ He is dead!” Then he turned and fled the spot, quickly dis- appearing in the gathering darkness. CHAPTER XI. VANE’S ALLY GETS A POINT, Tur Velvet Sport had witnessed the tragedy, but the fatal part of the affair had occurred too quickly for bim to have interfered had he been thus inclined. “That fellow must not get away!” he thought, as Mark Marden burried from thespot, ‘* With the aid of this little occurrence, I may be able to force a confession from his lips,” He started in pursuit of the fleeing man, but fear seemed to lend wings to Marden’s feet, and tbe darkness surely favored him. Vane was a swift runner, but the other succeeded—quite un- consciously—in giving him the slip. ‘* Well,” muttered the sport, as he halted on the outskirts of the camp, “ that fellow has got away for the present, and I bave lost a grand opportunity. en I see him next it is possible he will have regained his composure, then it will Pe
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10 Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidocq. be useless to a ttempt to frighten anything like the truth from him. The other fellow was killed in self-defense. He was armed, while the one he assaulted was bare-handed., It was by a stroke of fortune that the knife slew its owner.” The conversation which the sport had over- heard settled one point in his mind: Tbe ones be knew as Mark and Marion Marden were not brother and sister! ‘‘The game is crooked, that is sure now, There is no longer a doubt in my mind about that. I am sorry—-sorry on account of thab girl! And so he is to marry her! If I am not mistaken, she cares nothing for him, but there is a third party in the case who is com- pelling her to marry this fellow. That explains the traces of tears | detected about her eyes when I called on her this afternoon, And he was just leaving her then. She is entangled in some kind of a net from which she cannot es- cape, and I-—I am going to help ber out. When the crash comes, as it surely will, the others will find themselves in a tight box—a very tight box! ‘TI believe the real Marion Marden is a cap- tive in the house that is rightfully hers, and it was her cry that [ beard. She said the cry came from the lips of the cook, who was frigbt- ened by a mouse, Oh, that those red lips should tell a falsehood! But, no matter what she is, 1 love her still!” He fully understood his own folly, but love | does not listen to reason. With bowed head, he walked onward into the wn. By this time it had grown quite dark. As he was passing a small cabin, a man leaped suddenly around a corner and struck at his breast. He saw something bright glisten in the fellow’s hand, and, by arare stroke of luck, he parried the blow. The next moment he sent the fellow reeling to the ground, As the man went down his head struck beavily on a stone, and he lay still, making no offer to arise. ‘Knocked out with a single stroke!” half laughed the Velvet Sport, bending over the would-be assassin. ‘tI wonder whoheis? Ah— Samuel!” It was Sledge-hammer Sam. ‘* Instead of taking my advice and getting out, he remained and watched for a chance to finish me, Well, this is the second time he has met defeat; I wonder if be will try it again?” He turned away, leaving the unconscious man where he fell, , Vane went straight to the hotel and ate a hearty supper. Then he ascended to his room. Lighting the candle allowed him,/he glanced around, Near the center of the floor lay a small stone, around which a slip of paper was wrapped and made fast with a bit o? string. Vane laughed as he saw this, *¢ Ah, the old man is at work} what he has to say.” He removed the paper frora the stone and found there was writing upon it, Carefully smoothing it out, he sat down and with great difficulty, deciphered the following message, written in a wretched band with a lead-pencil, “Parp:—i am jest foolin them in Grate shape. I hav got some pints and tHe right Gal is a Prizner, They Think iam down on On youand i bet igit Onto the hole Bizness. mark Marden hain’t Mark marden no more then whut i Bee, D. D.” Vane laughed aloud when he had read this te Well, let’s see note. ‘*That old fellow is a shrewd one!” he ex- claimed. ‘Taken together, we make a great detective team. But look at the spelling of this! By Jove! that is unique and original!” Then he held the slip of paper in the flame of the candle and allowed it to burn to ashes, ‘*Tt is best to cover all traces,” muttered the sport. ‘‘ I know they suspect I have taken an interest in this case, but I do not reckon they dream I have an ally, and I do not want them to discover the fact,” A few moments later he left the room and de- scended to the street, ‘* Now what shall I do?” was the question he put to himself. ‘I am growing impatient to crowd this affair toa close, If Marion Marden is a captive, the hours must drag wearily for her. I wish I might get into that house and go through it. I would soon discover if she is con- fined there,” At that moment he noticed two men entering the Golden Hand Saloon, ‘‘Blegant Ed and Sledge-hammer Sam!” he softly exclaimed, ‘‘I would give something to hear any talk that may pass between them, It is so early in the evening there cannot be many people in the saloon, and they would spot me the moment | entered,” A sudden thought struck him, and he cried: **T will try it!” Then he wheeled and hurried back into the hotel. Straight to his room he went, Thirty minutes later a rather slouchy-looking, roughly-dressed man came down the stairs and left the hctel, When he reached the street he softly chuckled: ‘** It is lucky the old man brought that carpet- bag of disguises. This one will work in very handy to-night. If any one recognizes me it will be Old Daddy himself!” It was Violet Vane in disguise! Straight toward the saloon across the street be made his way. At the door he paused to pull the slouch bat still further down over his eyes, then be lurched heavily against the portal, burst it open and staggered into the room, ‘* Whoop!” be gurgled, clinging to the door- knob and seeming to keep on bis feet with con- siderable difficulty. ‘‘ Heur I be, ther Howlin’ Horror from Hot Hill! I’m on er rip-holy ole tear an’ I’m boun’ ter schplit things all open ur bu’st my Diiler, I’m loaded wish boodle thet I’m jesht boun’ ter blowin! Git out ther way an’ gnv P’ison Dave « chance ter spread hisself, Yow-wow! Whoop! Letting go the door, he staggered toward the har, down upon which he slapped a ten-dollar gold piece, ‘* Coffin varnish, barkeep!” he shouted—‘“ cof- fin varnish fer zish whole crowd! Cum up, pards, come up an’ guzzle wisb zer Howlin’ Horror! I’m P’ison Dave, an’ I’ve made er ten- strike, bet yer boots! Feller ash don’t want ter drink bain’t ’bliged ter, but I kin lick schtuffin’ outer him, b’thunder! Whoop!” Elegant Ed, Sledge-hammer Sam and Mark Marden were sitting at a card-table in a distant partof theroom, They were not playivg, but were talking earnestly in a low tone, Neither of them offered toa proach the bar, but vhe rest of the crowd burried forward at the prospect of free drinks, ‘* Who ish zem galoots?” inquired the disguised Vane, pointing unsteadily toward the trio. ‘*Reckon zey ish too good to drink wish me! Wal”—spitting at his hand and missing it by a foot—‘tI can lick zer hull six uf ’em, b’tbunder!” As he reeled toward the three the barkeeper called for him to take his change. ' ‘Drink it up,” was his reply. ‘ W’at I care *bout zat. [hash got lots more shame stuff. I ish goin’ lick zem fellersh, b’thunder!” But before he reached the table where the three were sitting he seemed to change his mind, and started to turn back. Then he reeled un- steadily and fellinto a chair ata table, Utter- ing something like an angry grunt, be made an attempt to arize, but fell back. Then he glared around as if ready to fight. Elegant Ed bad been watching this perform- ance, “He is carrying a big jag,” said the card- sharp. ‘“T’ll bet he’ll be sound asleep at that table in less than two minutes,” CHAPTER XII. UNMASKED, To all appearance the disguised man was sleeping witbin a minute, having fell forward on the table in a sprawling position, The trio at the adjoining table paid little attention to him after that. But it was plain they were speaking of some- thing of a secret nature, for, to Vane’s disap- pointment, their voices were so low he could only catch a word now and then, However, what be did hear was enough to make one or two points doubly certain in his mind. Elegant Ed seemed to be the leading spirit, and, as he was speaking earnestly, Vane felt cer- tain he was making bis schemes plain to his companions, The others listened attentively, now and then putting in a word, Vane lay in such a position that he could look through his fingers and watch the faces of the bully and the young man of tha Joud clothes, but the cvard-sharp sat nearly back toward bim, which made it more difficult to understand his words, When Ed bad unfolded his plans, the one known as Mark Marden began speaking, and it was not long before the sport came to the con- clusion he was telling of hisencounter with Jack Corker, and the tragic termination of that meet- ing. As he went on, the disguised man could hear enough to be sure he was right. A sudden thought entered Vane’s head, and he came near laughing aloud. ‘*T will do it!” he thought, 2 Then, listening closely, be heard Mark Mar- den say: ‘*I did not mean to finish the fool, but he went down on his own knife.” * Well, it is good riddance,” laughed Elegant Ed, speaking a bit louder than before. ‘lam glad he is out of our way. He never amounted to anything in the gang.” Then Sledge-hammer Sam seemed to declare: **7t wuz er derned murder, jest ther same!” “What's that?’ exclaimed the others, in chorus, turning on the tough with amazemen|, “What did you say?” ‘* What do you mean?” ws y never said er derned word,” asserted the tough. ‘*Oh, come now!” growled Elegant Ed, an- grily. ‘‘Thatis too thin! How long since you have turned pious, Sam?” ‘* You're a pretty fellow to talk about mur- der!” sneered Marden, ‘‘ Your bands are red enough! Iam no hired asgassin!” The big ruffian uttered a subdued snarl and seemed ready to leap at the daring speaker, ‘‘ You want ter go mighty slow, young feller!” he hissed, ‘*I hain’t ther man ter stan’ much of thet!” ‘* Here, here!” broke in the card-sharp. ‘‘ We can’t afford to quarrel,” Then their voices were .owered once more. Violet Vane felt like hugging himself with de- light. His little trick bad worked like a charm, and he believed he knew where to look for the hired assassin of Daniel Marden, For several minutes the three talked in a low tone, then they became less cautious, and Vane could catch a word now and then. Among otber things, he heard “ plucky girl,” ‘safe ip cellar,” ‘‘ bave to dispose of her,” ete, With the listening man these bits of conveérsa- tion made ‘‘ assurance doubly sure,” and it gave him a direct clew to the whereabouts of the real Marion Marden. She was, without doubt, ‘‘safe in the cellar” of the house her fatber bad built. ‘*T don’t think much of this business,” Sledge- hammer Sam seemed to suddenly assert, ‘“* What business?” asked Elegant Ed, in as- tonishment, ‘¢ This gal-ketchin’,.” The words were uttered in quite a loud tone, and the other two glanced around in consterna- tion to see if they were overheard, The crowd near the bar were laughing und talking, and the apparently drunken man at the next table snored audibly. ‘* You fool!” hissed Elegant Ed, giaring. at Sam. ‘ Whatin thunder do you mean? You will give everything away! Speak lower!” The ruffian returned the glare with interest, ‘* Wat’s gnawin’ ye?” be snorted. ‘I hain’t said northin’.” ‘You said you didn’t think mucb of this busi- ness.” ““T never! It wuz one of you as said thet.” Ed and Mark looked at each other. ‘* Did you say that?” asked the card-sharp, “I didn’t yip. Did you?” “ee No.” ‘¢-You fellers are both liars!” were the words which seemed to come from the bully’s lips. ‘Look here, Sam,” sibilated Elegant Ed, ** you are either drunk or crazy |” ‘At this the big fellow bristled. ‘*¢] dunno w’at’s chawin’ of you two critters,” be snapped; ‘* but I kin liek ther both of ye!” Elegant Ed tried to make peace, but Mark Marden seemed to sneer: ‘‘ The big fool can’t lick anything!” That was enough to thorougbly arouse the bully. The next moment he reached for Marden’s nose and caught it between his thumb and fore finger. **T kin twist your rooter!” he averred. And he proceeded to twist it, With a how] of rage, Mark Marden arose and struck straight at Sam’s face, but Elegant Ed thrust the blow aside and shoved the furious young man down into his seat. ‘None of this!” exclaimed the card-sharp, sternly. ‘‘Are you both deranged? We cannot afford to quarre]!” ‘“* He insulted me, an’ I kin chaw him up!” ‘The big bloke pulled my nose.” “ Rats /” The three stared at each other to see who had uttered the word. Suddenly from beneath the table a solemn voice seemed to proceed, and they distinctly heard these words: “You are all doomed! I am the shade of Daniel Marden, and I will follow you to your graves! Ha! ha! ha!”
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The startled trio turned pale and started back, ‘* Holy blizzards!” gasped Sam, “My God!” came from the gambler’s lips, Then they all looked under the table, but no person was there, It would be difficult to imagine a more dis- concerted trio, They were all badly fright- ened. ‘* What does it mean?” asked Mark Marden. ‘*T reckon ther ole cuss is arter us!” faltered Sledge-bhammer Sam. ‘OSh!” cautioned Ed, ‘‘ We areattracting at- tention.” It was not strange their curious actions should cause the inmates of the saloon to stare inquir- ingly at them. And at tbe next table the apparently drunken man seemed sleeping peacefully, the sound of his snoring coming to their ears, ‘*¥ believe there is some trickery about this,” averred Elegant Ed. ‘‘ Which of you fellows is trying to work a practical joke?” ° oth of his companions asserted their inro- cence. *¢ Burt Bishop !” The youngest of the three started. ‘¢ Who spoke my name?” he demanded, looking around, “‘ It was I,” answered a voice that seemed to come from the air above bis head. ** Tt was the devil himself!” muttered Ed. Suddenly from beneath the table came a shriek that seemed uttered by a female. ‘* Help, help!” cried the strange voice, ‘ ] am Marion Marden and these three men are my deadly enemies! They have me confined in the cellar of my father’s house, and they mean to murder me! Help! help!” The villainous trio leaped to their feet in con- sternation and horror, very person in the sa- loon had heard the cry, and the eyes of all were turned in that direction. Sledge-hammer Sam trembled from head to feet and his knees knocked together, Elegant Ei was pale, but he had dropped a band on the butt of a revolver. Without a word, the gambler wheeled toward the disguised sport. Two strides carried him to Vane’s side, and his band fell on the shoulder cf the apparently drunken man. ; “T believe you know something about this monkey-business!” grated the gambler, yanking Vaneinto an upright position. ‘‘ Great Scott !” His fingers had become entangled in the sport’s false beard, and the disguise was jerked from Vane’s face. ** Violet Vane!” With that cry, Elegant Ed tried to draw his weapon, but a revolver was flashed in his face, and the sport said, quite coolly: ** Go slow, Eddie, or chew lead!” CHAPTER XIII THREE TO ONE, Of course the reader has already fathomed the Velvet Sport’s ruse and understands Vane had been bringing his ventriloquial powers into play. In that manner he had succeeded in settling several points in bis mind, He now no longer doubted Daniel Marden bad been murdered, and he believed he could lay bis hand on the wretch who did the deed. Elegant Ed was at the bottom of the whole affair. But he bad learned another important thing. Seth Slouch had told the truth when he declared the name of the false Mark Marden was Burt Bishop. , Although not expecting the gambler’s move, he bad been ready for any emergency, and in the astonishment following the exposure of his face by the accidental removal of the false beard he bad obtained the “ drop.” ‘* Hands off that barker!” commanded Vane, his dark eyes flashing dangerously. “I am not going to provide a target for you to practice on. **So it is you, is it!” came hissingly from the gambler’s lips. ‘You were playing a pretty game, I swear!” ‘‘ Tf you swear you won’t catch any fish,” was the calm response, “It is avery bad practice— swearing. I should advise you to swear off.” ‘* Curse you!” “ Now don’t!” “You are an infernal spy!” “Tsthat the worst name you can think of? You are an infernal villain.” — Elegant Ed fairly gnashed his teeth, **So you pretended to be drunk and was list- ening all the time!” he fumed. — : “That is about the size of it,” smiled the Vel- vet Sport. ** You shall pay for your meddling!” Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vi “Tam afraid you will have to charge it, and it will be a long time before you collect the bill. Sledge-hammer Sam and Mark Marden, the false, came forward. As they did so, a revolver appeared in the sport’s left hand, and he cover- ed them. ‘Dern ye!” scowled the big bully. ‘* Hello, Sammie!” was Vane’s bland greeting. ‘Ts this really you? The last I saw of vou, you were lying beside a cabin with a stone for your pillow. You seemed to be fast asleep. This caused the tough to rub the back of his head and make a grimace. ‘* Head aches now, I suppose?” smiled the cool sport, { “Oh, you’re goin’ ter come ter ther eend of your rope purty soon.” ‘* Bet you ten to one you come to the end of a rope first, The fact is, there is a rope waiting for you now, and the end will be around your neck when you come to it.” ‘You wait tell I git another chance at ye!” “T should think you would be satisfied, Sammie. You must be a regular hog,” ** Tl do ye yit.” ‘Tf you remain in Magic, you will not live to do much of anything more. Your neck will get a bad pulling for what you have already done.” ‘* Wat are you referrin’ ter?” ‘* The murder of Daniel Marden.” The bulty paled, ** Blast vel” he grated, ‘‘Do you mean ter ’sinoowate I know ary blamed thing ’bout thet job?” ‘You have struck it first shot.” ‘* Youre a derned lier ef you say so!” **You will be given a chance to prove your innocence before long. Justice is on the track of this trio of villains,” ‘This is foolish talk!” cried Elegant Ed. ‘I do not understand what the idiot means!” ‘You will understand a little later on.” ‘* Put down those revolvers!” ‘* Well, I guess not.” ‘*Put them down, or it will be the worse for you!” ‘*Tt would be the worse for me if I did put them down, No, no, Eddie! I know you for what you are—a treacherous rascal, would not trust you so far as I could sling a steer by the tail.” ‘* What do you mean by the trick you played a few moments ago?” “Trick—whbat trick? Do you mean coming in here in this rig? My dear sir, there is no law for such a little escapade,” ‘““That is not what I mean, what I mean well enough.” **' Think so?” The sport’s manner was terribly aggravating, and the elegant sharp of Magic City longed to fly at Vane’s throat; but that threatening revol- ver told him he had better ‘‘ go slow,” ‘‘ You bad better surrender,” asserted Ed. Vane looked amazed. ‘Surrender! What for? To whom? There are two questions for you to answer,” And it puzzled the other to answer them, ‘“* Well,” came savagely from the card-sharp’s lips, “‘if you will not surrender, we will take you. Spread out, boys, and come at him from different directions when T give the word,” “* Keep your places, boys,” ordered Vane, ‘‘ The first one who moves gets perforated,” Neither of the elegant gambler’s satellites dared make a move. The crowd within the saloon Jooked on with increasing interest. It was a novel sight to wit- ness one man holding three helpless beneath the muzzles of his revolvers. Violet Vane bad won quite a reputation in Magic City since arriving there, and mutterings of admiration were beard on every side, : ‘* He is a cooler!” ‘ He is a man of nerve!” “Waal, you bet!” ** He’s built of pure sand!” ** Elegant Ed has met his match.” ‘Yes, more than his match.” The Magic City sharp heard these words, and his face flushed hotly thev paled till he looked as white as a corpse. He wculd bave given any sum he possessed at that moment if he could have obtained a fair advantage Over the cool man of the violets; but, being unable to obtain a fair advantage, he was willing to get it in any man- ner possible, Just then it seemed a deadlock, and how to get out of it was something that puzzled Violet Vane. However, he resolved to try a ventrilo- quial trick, trusting to luck for success, ‘Talk about surrendering,” he laughed; “ you are the ones to surrender.” You understand il docq. ‘*That’s a fact,” cried a voice behind the three, “We have them all covered, and they may as well cave in.” With one motion, the trio whirled to see who was behind them, Tbere was no one there! Vane bad ‘*thrown” his voice and deceived them, but two or three moments passed before they understood this, Then they wheeled back, with angry exclama- tions, to find that— The sport was gone! An open window explained how he hac made his escape. ‘* Satan seize the luck!” snarled Elegant Ed, snatching out a revolver and rig 2 toward the window. ‘ After him, pards! He must not get away!” Without pausing for a look, he vaulted through the winduw into the darkness, His satellites were about to follow him, when they were amazed to see the form of their leader shoot back through the window and land on the floor at their feet! Then the sound of a merry laugh came from without, ‘Jump out, boys, and I will toss you back!” cried the voice of the slippery sport. ‘It is dead loads of fun!” Both Sledge-bammer Sam and his companion drew revolvers and blazed away through the open window, regardless of who they hit, if they could “wing” their enemy by a fortunate chance. At the very first shots there came aloud groan aud the sound of a body falling to the ground, ‘*Whoop! Hooray!” bellowed the heavy-fisted tough. ‘‘We bev plugged ther cuss kerchug! Thet’s royal luck! Heur I go fer bis ha’r!” Then he vaulted through the window, reyol- ver in hand, CHAPTER XIV. A DESPERATE MOVE, SCARCELY had the bully’s feet struck the ground beneath the window when he felt him- self seized by a clutch of steel, and a mocking voice laugbed.,in his ear: ** Fooled you, Sammie—fooled you in great. sbape! You did not even graze me with vour lead.” Then the tough was lifted bodily into the air and cast back through the window, as his chief bad been a few moments before, Although a small man, the strength of the Velvet Sport was. simply marvelous, Elegant Ed was just struggling to his feet when the huge body of his satellite came burt- ling through the window. Sam’s head struck the gambler fairly in the pit of the stomach, and both fell sprawling and howling to the floor, To the spectators of this strange scene this oc- currence seemed supremely ridiculous, and the crowd burst into a roar of laughter, “Oh, holy Moses and the prophets!” howled one fellow, ‘‘ Did you ever see the likes of that? That little cuss in velvet must be a boly jim-howler! He is up to all manner of tricks,. and it} will take more than a good man to down him,” The false Mark Marden drew back from the window, as if he feared the sport would come vaulting through himself in another minute, But Vane did not appear. Siedge-bammer Sam and the gambler were furious as they arose to their feet. The laugh- ter of the crowd cut the proud spirit of the card- sharp to the quick, He did not fancy being the sport of such a throng. “Double dern ther Sslipperty leetle rip!” snarled the bully. ‘* We'll git at him yit!” “Jump out of the window and be will throw you back!” laughed one of the crowd, ‘¢ He is more than a match for the three!” as- serted another. ‘‘ He is a Jim-dandy from Headwaters!” ‘7 am betting all my wealth on him!” “ Me too!” Elegant Ed took note of the speakers, and his heart was hot with anger as he saw anene them those who had professed friendship for him in the past. : “Tf Violet Vane is not destroyed, he will work my ruin!” was his thought. “ The little devi} must be put out of the way!” But he did not offer to follow the sport through the window again. Instead of that, he turned to his companions and asked them to fol- low bim, then led the way from the saloon by the back entrance, . As soon as they were outside they began te look for the man who had tricked them, but Violet Vane was already far from the vicinity of the saloon,
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\ } # i! 12 Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidocq. After causing the bully to follow his master ‘back through the window, Vane waited for mothing more. ‘¢*T do not fancy any more of them will follow me by the window,” he thought. “If I remain, they will try to get the d ropon me in some other way, so I will take a skip.’ Not till he was far from the saloon did he pause; then he halted in the deeper shadow of a cabin. “Well,” he muttered, “‘ things have about come to a boiling pomt. There will be bot times before long, or I am mistaken, I can now see quite through the scheme, and I have the chief rascals spotted. I suppose I ought to go to the marshal and have him search the Marden house, but thoughts of that lovely girl hold me back. I would save her when the crash comes, How she became entangled in this ame with such a set of villains is more than can understand, for I will not believe she is a common adventuress. Iam versed in the art of reading faces, and I know she bas not an evil countenance. She can never be anything to ine, but for all that I love her!” For some moments he was silent, as if think- ing deeply, but at length he began muttering again: : ‘“*T would give something to knowif Bruce Weldon is concerned with this gang of rascals. His face was a puzzle to me, I will confess, al- though I decided he was honest. If be is crooked, he is a good actor, to say the least. But he has disappeared, I cannot find him, and that looks bad. It almost seemsas if he had skipped to escape the crash that iscoming. My words gave him the knowledge he was suspected, and his disappearance looks bad for him, to say the very least about that point, “Then there is Seth Slouch—who and what is he? Heis not what he appears, that is plain to me. He is in disguise, but is he an honest man or a rascal? His story sounded weak, but the fact that he told me the false Mark Marden’s true name counts in his favor, He may be a detective. ‘‘ One more man in disguise isOld Bob Shucks. His disguise is simple, indeed, but my enemies little dream he is Old Daddy Duzenberry, as faithful a friend as I ever had. He has succeed- ed in working his way into their confidence, and together we will bafile their schemes. ‘“*T wonder where Daddy is now.” ‘Waal, I’m jest abaout beur,” observed a drawling voice, and the tall figure of the man who had given his name as Old Bob Skucks ap- peared, ‘¢T never’d knowed you in that rig if I hedn’t heered yer voice, pard,” *¢ And still I obtained this rig from the nag of disguises you brought, old man,” laughed Vane, as he warmly shook his ally’s hand. “Waal, I never pawed ’em over ter see whut thar wur thar. I jest fetched ’em along, as you said.” ‘* What news?” “Good ernough.”’ ‘‘Then that is good enough. You have made a discovery?” sO Vos.” ‘‘ What is it” “Did you git my letter?” oil ie 0 Fg ‘¢ Waal, in that I tole ye Mark Marden warn’t mo Mark Marden.” “ Yes. ” a oe ther right gal wur a prisoner,” ‘‘ Waal, sence then I have found aout whar she is,”’ ‘You bave! Where?” ‘* Tn the cellar of the haouse that b’longs to her.” ‘*T suspected as much,” ‘*Waal, I know haow ter git inter that hhaouse.” ** You do?” “ Sartin,” “ How q”7 “By a winder.” ‘¢ But they must keep the windows fastened?” ‘*T have left one of ’em unfastened, fer I man- aged to git inter ther ranch with ther gang. foun’ er chance ter unfasten a winder while I wor har, an’ you bet I ’proved my oppertoo- nity. ‘You had no chance to make an iavestiga- tion?” ‘* Nary chance,” * Did you see the girl?” “‘Tbunder, no. She’s cooped up in the cellar, I tell ye.” **T do not mean that one, but the other.” ‘Oh, yes, I saw her. pa thar’s suthin’ mighty sing’ler abaout that gal.” b ard ‘How? What do you mean?” “Waal, I only got a glimp’ of her, but that wur enough ter see she hed bin cryin’.” ** Crying ?” ‘Tell ber eyes wur red.” ** And she had been weeping when I called: I swear I cannot understand it!” ‘That warn’t all. I heerd ber an’ ther feller as they call Elegant Ed have a terrific set-to.” ** A gset-to?” “ Yes,” ‘What kind of a set-to?” ‘* He wur tryin’ ter make ber do sutbin’ an she jest swore she’d be ’tarnally jimfizzled if sbe’d do it.” The Velvet Sport struck his hands together excitedly. ‘* For all of her position, I do not believe that girl is all bad!” he cried, ‘‘ Mebbe not,” acknowledged Daddy Duzen- berry; ‘‘ but she’s in allfired bad comp’ny.” “That is true, but we must not judge her till we know what fortune placed her there.” ‘¢] bain’t settin’ myself up as jedge,” ‘* She must be saved from the catastrophe that is coming.” ‘* Haow ye goin’ ter do it ’thout givin’ her chaince ter warn t’?others?” ‘*That is a difficult thing to tell; but I shall try to find a way.” ** Saay,” drawled the old fellow. “What is it?” ‘* Aire ye stuck on that gal?” Vane faced Daddy Duzenberry squarely, lay- ing a band on the old man’s arm, “Tt is not often I make a fool of myself,” came slowly from his lips. ‘* Do not be hard on me, Daddy, if I ama trifle foolish in this mat- ter!” The old man laughed, ‘“‘T have bin thar myself, pard,” he asserted, *©T once did love a blue-haired an’ auburn-eyed dam-sel ter distraction, an’ 1 kinder thort she returned my affectation with compaound int’rust, I wur younger then than I be naow—younger by sevarial moons, I spent my time in lally- gaggin’ raound Mandy an’ buyin’ peanuts an’ merlasses candy fer her. I swore she wuz ther sweetest of sweet sweet-cakes, an’ she called me her ducky ducksy-wucksy, I thort I hed her solid fast, an’ I knowed I e’u’dn’t live ’thout her. She tole me I wur ther very soul of her existence. But she went an merried ’Bijah Bodfish, an’ if thar wur ever a feller I jest deespised it wur *Bijah. It nighly broke my heart, an’ fer as mucb as three days I felt like doin’ suthin’ des- prit, but I got over it arter a time!” Vane had scarcely heard the old fellow’s words, for he had been buried in deep thought while Daddy was speaking. He now observed: ‘‘You say you can get into the Marden house?” “ Sart’in.” ‘Then let’s go there at once, We mayas well do so now as at any time, Perhaps we can get in aa eer Marion Marden without {further delay. Daddy was ready for the adventure, and they were soon moving toward the residence of the murdered mine-owner, CHAPTER XV. AN UNFORUNATE GIRL, In a short time they had reached the house and were at work on the window which Daddy declared be had unfastened from the inner side. It was soon opened, and Vane followed the old man into the house. “Do you know the way to get into the cellar?” asked the sport, in a cautious whisper., ‘“No; we’ve got ter find ther way.” They moved with caution and were soon in a hallway. Daddy was some distance in advance, Suddenly at Vane’s very side a door swung open and the false Marion Marden appeared with a light in her hand, ‘*T thought I heard a slight noise,” she said. Then she caught sight of the sport and uttered a suppressed scream. Filled with dismay at this occurrence, Daddy Duzenberry stood still and was not seen by the irl. 7 In a Moment the wearer of the violets turned toward the girl, Speaking with wonderful self- possession; ‘*T beg you not to be frightened, miss, There is not the least cause for alarm,” She had fallen back a step and néarly dropped the lamp. Her face was blanched and she trem- led in every limb, ‘“ Who—who are you?” she gasped, with the greatest difficulty. ‘Can it be—Mr. How- q “Yes, it is I.” Ee ee ee Ree nt) ‘* But—but, how came you here?” ‘* Business brought me.” ‘* Business? I do not understand,” He stepped boldly into the room and closed the door, leaving Daddy Duzenberry in the hall. A glance showed him the curtains of the room were drawn so any one could not look in from without, The girl placed the lamp upon a small stand, then sunk tremblingly into a chair. ‘* You gave me such a fright!” she said, faint- ly. ‘Oh, this horrid house! I will vot stay in it another night! How came you here?” ‘* Never mind how I came here,” was his re- tort, as he stood before her, drinking in her quivering beauty with his dark eyes, ‘*I came for your good.” ‘* Ror my good? I do not understand!” “Possibly not, I will explain. I fancy my appearance was like that of a ourglar.” She attempted to force a smile, but it was a sorry failure. ‘**T fancied I secured the door, but I must have left it unfastened. Did I?” ‘*T cannot say, for I came in by a window,” ‘* A window!” ‘Yes; and now I seem more than ever like a burglar,” “Oh, but [ know you are not! Still I cannot understand it,” “ Have you thought of the other possibility?” Which?” ‘*T may be a detective.” She sprung to her feet, uttering a low ery of horror and shrinking from bim. ‘¢ You—you a detective?” she gasped. Her dismay and fear cut him to the heart, for her appearance was that of a guilty thing, A low groan forced itself from bis lips, and he turned his head away. When he looked back she had sunk into the chair again and covered her. face with her handkerchief. For some moments both were silent, Vane was the one to speak first: ‘*T have come bere to save you.” ** To save me?” “+ Yes,” **T do not understand,” He walked twice the length of the room, then paused before her again, “‘T speak the truth when I say I am here to save you,” he declared, ‘It all depends on whether you will consent to be saved or not.” ‘*T do not understand you now,” ‘¢ How can J make my meaning plainer? You must know bow desperate is the game in which you are engaged.” “Game! What game?” He made a gesture of entreaty. “Do not feign innocence, I entreat you! It cau avail you nothing now, for I know the whole black truth, I know how you have deceived the people of Magic City. You sre not what you pretend to be, I am not the only one who knows this, and a terrible storm is approaching. I am here to save you from its fury.” ** Why should you do this for me?” In a moment he was at ber side and had both her hands clasped in his, while he gazed into her blue eyes, His entire being was athrob witha devouring passion; his warm breath fanned her cheek, At that moment the usually cool and nervy sport quite lost control of himself, He threw reason to the winds. Swiftly, almost Serene he spoke: ““ Why should I do this for you? Because I love you! Nay, do not attempt to take your hands away, for I will not let them go! ou must listen to me! I love yon! I love you! Your eyes, your bair, your lips—your whole be- ing I love! You are more tuan life to me! It must be yon love me in return! it cannot be otherwise!” She seemed too astounded to speak, but the hot flush that filled ber cheeks gave him courage, He felt ber bands trembling in his grasp. In another rnoment he had her in his arms, “My little darling!” he murmured. ‘I know you love me, and nothing shall tear us apart! [I will pass through fire and flood to retain you!” Her face was upturned, her. red lips were tempting—in a moment he was raining kisses upon them, That seemed to arouse her. With the cry of a frightened creature, she tore ber herself from his grasp and stood panting before bim, She drew herself up to her full height and her blue eyes flashed. hen he would have clasped her in his arms once more, she waved him back, “No!” she cried; ‘‘no, n0, no! I am not what you think! I understand you only too well! I may have fallen, but I have not come to that!” He saw she misunderstood his love, and ha was cut to the heart. —
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—— eS **You do not understand me!” he hastily as- serted. ‘*I mean you no wrong!” But she shook her head, Violet Vane, the Ventriloqui ‘*My name is Lona Lewis,” “You are right, Lona; no time is to be lost. But the rightful Marion Marden must be set st Vidocq, 13 “Now the doom of this velvet-clad spy is sealed!” Elegant Ed snarled, ‘‘ He shall never live to leave this house! Lona, you must be in- “*T swear it!” he cried— ‘‘ I swear it by high | free before we leave this house; your brother’s | sane! He would drag us all to ruin! be would Heaven!” crooked game must be baffled. For your sake I | cast us behind prison bars! Even you would not Still she seemed to doubt. will not attempt to bring him to justice, though | escape! His affection for you is a farce gotten ‘* How can it be otherwise?” she asked, doubt- ingly. ‘‘ You say you know me for what 1 am. Then how can you love me with an honest love?” “T care not what you are, I love you! You must believe me! I will make you believe!” : ings seemed to hesitate, and he sprung to her side, ‘*T will prove my love by any test you may demand!” he declared. ‘‘ If you will marry me at once—” ““ Would you marry me?” ** Yes, yes, yes!” **Can you mean it?” * Again I swear!” She put out her hands, as if struck with sud- den blindness, and sunk into the chair, moan- ing: R Oh, God! why did not this love come to me before? Now it is too late—too late!” A horrible chill struck to his heart; he fell on his knees at her side; he caught her hands and held them fast. “Don’t say that!” came tremblingly from his lips. ‘‘ Don’t, don’t! It cannot be too late!” But she only sobbed: “Tt is, it is!” ** How too late? wh words! Great God! ried to another?” She shook her head. ** Not yet, not yet!” ‘Then it is not too late! That is the only ue that could hold you. You love me—I can read itin your beautiful face and in your blue eyes! I love youl! hat can keep us apart? The whole world shall not!” “But, you do not understand—you do not know all the truth, You know I am an adven- turess—usurping the place of another, You know that, and still you love me?” ‘** Yes, yes, yes!” Her bosom rose and fell convulsively, _ * Tt does not seem possible; I can scarcely bs- lieve it! Oh, that I could set myself right in your eyes, for I do love you!” ‘*T knew it!” he cried, exultantly. “You know not how I despise myself—you cannot know! I was forced into this wretched plot, and I did not know how bad it was, Oh, that poor girl. I have threatened to set her free, but he swore he would kill me if I did.” “T knew it was like that!” cried Vane, ex- eu: “But, who holds this power over ou aes My brother.” *¢ And your brother is—” ‘*In Magic City he is knuwn as Elegant Ed.” cc Ha !” ‘* Yes, he is at the bottom of this scheme, He says Daniel Marden once did him a great in- jury, and he is only trying to get what is right- ully his due. It was by telling such a tale he lured me into the wretched deception. He did not let me know another girl was to be made a prisoner. Now I have begun to believe he did not tell the truth when he said Mr. Marden had done him an injury.” “Surely not. But, who is this fellow who professes to be Mark Marden, your brother?” She made a gesture of repugnance, **He is one whom my brother swears I shall marry !” : “Do you care for him?” *T abhor him, yet fear him!” ** Yet you have consented to marry him?” “I dared not do otherwise. Oh, sir, you do not know my brother—you do not understand the influence he wields over me! Never have I dared disobey him in anything. When he tells me to do a thing I am compelled to do it whether I wish or not, for a will other than my own seems to govern me, I aim in con- stant fear of him, and, oh! so unhappy!” “The wretch! You shall be removed from his evil influence, for it would ruin you, dar- ling! I will protect you from him, my little one, And this other—do you think I will give you up tohim! He shall never possess you— never |” ** And would you still marry me?” “Yes /—a hundred times, yes!” A glad cry came from her lips. hen let’s go from here—let’s go at once!” she exclaimed, excitedly. ‘‘They may come and find you! There is no time to be lost!” as i ay are right, little one. What shall I call you too late? Explain your t cannot be you are mar- he richly merits punishment.” ** Are you truly a detective?” ‘* Not a professional. Iam working this case on my own account,” She looked at him admiringly, and he caught her in his strong arms once more, kissing her tenderly on the lips. ‘‘ Where is the girl confined? he asked, **Tn the cellar.” ‘Then we will go down,” ‘¢ There is another prisoner there,” ‘* Another?” Li Yes,” 7 Ww ho?” ‘*A young man who attemped to rescue her. He was Daniel Marden’s mine superintendent.” **Tt is Bruce Weldon!” cried Vane, Then he took up the lamp, adding: “We will not loseanothermoment, Lead tha way Lona,” hey passed from the room together and Vane looked around for Daddy Duzenberry. To his amazement, the old man had vanished, but he found himself confronted by Elegant Ed and his two satellites, Burt Bishop and Sledge- hammer Sam! CHAPTER XVI. THE STRUGGLE IN THE CELLAR, THE Velvet Sport’s hand disappeared into a pocket where lay a ready revolver, but before he could produce the weapon he received a terrific blow on the head and was knocked senseless, ; ‘Ha! ha!” laughed Sledge-hammer Sam, who had wielded the club that robbed Vane of his senses. ‘‘I reckon thet kind of knocks the slippery critter stiff fer ther time! Holy Moses! but I did swat him a good one!” ‘Have you killed him?’ asked Elegant Ed, eagerly. ‘Dunno, boss; mebbe 80, mebbe not. But I kin finish ther jcb with one or two more licks like thet. Reckon I'll let him hey.” Lona had seemed dazed by the sudden calamity, but now she uttered a scream, sprung forward and struck out with both hands. Her hard knuckles found the brutal bully’s face, and Sam reeled back against the wall, ‘* Wretches!” she cried. Then she wheeled and faced her brother and the man he would force her to marry. She stood over the fallen sport as if she would protect hin from further harm, Her figure was drawn to its greatest height, her hands clinched, her blue eyes flashing, her lips drawn back till her white teeth were exposed. Regally beautiful she looked in all the fury that possessed her soul at that moment! Burt Bishop had caught the re from Violet Vane’s hand as thesport fell, but he came near dropping it in hisamazement as he witnessed this exhibition of spirit on the pers of the girl whom he had considered spiritless in her brother's presence, For the moment Elegant Ed’s power over his sister was naught! Some other influ- ence was greater! ‘*Great Jinks!” gurgled Sledge-hammer Sam. ““Thet wuz er reg’ler swynder! Your pussy cat has claws, Pard Ed.” No one could have been more astonished than the gambler himself, ‘** What does this mean?” he demanded. “Tt means you shall not murder this man!” was the brave reply. ‘‘ You shall not touch him! ‘* You fool!” hissed Ed. ‘* Will you spoil every- thing now we have him fairly in thesnare? You have played your part well.” , “Yes,” she cried, wildly, “T have played it well—too well! too well!” “What do you mean?” ‘*Mean? Just this: you wished me tolead him into a snare by making him fall in love with me, T have succeeded, but at the same time I have learned to love him.” _ “Fool!” again broke from the card-sharp’s lips. ‘You should have possessed more reason! ou can be nothing to him! He isa spy—a de- tective! He would ruin us all! Another has a claim on you, as you must well understand!” “Itis false! No tiving being bas a claim on me! You have tried to force me into an ob- noxious alliance with one for whom I feel nothing but repugnance, but Burt Bishop shall never possess me!” Bishop himself said nothing, for he knew not what to say, but his face turned pale, up to deceive you while he worked his game! Girl, you must come to your senses!” He saw his words had some effect upon her, and he followed up the advantage, Suddenly she sunk on her knees beside the prostrate sport and lifted his head toher lap, Wildly she gazed. into his pallid face, * Devils!” she shrieked, “you can do him no further harm! He is dead!’ It looked as if she had spoken the truth, ‘«Et may be, boss,” nodded Sam, as Ed cast am inquiring look toward him, ‘‘1’low I swatted him a solid ’un, though I didn’t think it ernough ter finish him.” Again and again Lona called to the man she loved. In utter abandon she kissed his lips, They seemed cold to her touch, and once more crying out he was dead, she sunk fainting on his body. ‘*Tt is all the better,” said the gambler, al- though there was a look of pain on his face, ““She will not bother us now, Burt, take her back iato that room, while Sam and [ look after this dog of a detective.” : Burt Bishop lifted the unconscious girl in his arms and carried her into the room indicated Ed following with the lamp, which he returned to the stand, : For a moment the gambler stood looking pityingly down at the marble-like face of his sister, his countenance working strangely, then he turned away, with something like a groan. ‘‘Look after her, Burt,” he said, hoarsely, ‘¢Get some water and bathe her face and wrists, Loosen her dress. When she recovers, tell her we have set Violet Vane free, That may keep her quiet.” He passed from the room to another where he found a candle, Lighting this, he returned to Sledge-hammer Sam, who was standing over the body of the still insensible sport. “Can you carry him, Sam?’ ‘* Waal, you bet!” The bully lifted Vane in his arms, and Ed led led the way. In that manner they descended to the cellar. The cellar was not very large, but it was well built, the floor and walls being cemented, At one side an iron door was set in the wall, Whatever Daniel Marden bad it built for no one knew, but beyond the door was a dungeon- like apartment. ‘This cell the plotters had found very handy for their use in carrying out their desperate scheme to secure the whole or a part of Marden’s wealth, , The two villains did not take their new cap- tive to the dungeon. command, Sam unceremoniously dumped the in- sensible Vane on the cemented bottom of the cel. Ed had brought some cords along, and they proceeded to bind the sport, although such lar, trouble seemed like wasting time. ‘‘T don’t reckon he'll squirm much fer some: time ter come,” grinned the brutal tough. But, Vane’s head was barder than the edn gpm and it was not long before he showed signs o returning consciousness, ‘Dern my eyes!” exclaimed the big rough. “ He is er tough leetle nut,” When Vane opened his eyes his gaze rested on the face of Elegant Ed revealed to him by the light of the candle, At first the sport was dazed and his head throbbed with a terrible pain that prevented him from recognizing the exultant countenance of his bitter foe; but the sneering, triumphant voice of the Magic City sharp cleared away the clouds which seemed hanging around his brain. BS Fhe “Well, my pretty bird,” cried Ed, “ we have you safe and fast. Your goose is as good as cooked.” ’ “Thet’s er fact, fer ’'m goin’ ter finish cookin’ it purty soon.” The sound of Sledge-hammer Sam’s harsh voice gave Vane a start and he turned his eyes to see the wretch leering down upon him, The villains certainly seemed triumphant, The sport tried tospeak, but his tongue seemed paralyzed, He was unable to utter a sound just then, and his captors laughed in his face. ‘*-You are not so very brave after all,” cried Ed. ‘Fear has frozen your tongue. ou will be begging for your life in a few moments.” _ They did not know him yet. Beg for his life of such creatures as they! No torture they could inflict would cause him to do that! “ You made a fool of yourself when ycu at- tempted to butt against me,” went on the elegant. tae " At the chief conspirator’s. ‘ a oliali ‘ wu ‘ Ths ; q “¥ y } ad . ‘ w" eed iy “Tyre h has Cantera ‘She meet + : : k td ve 5 di tagetel x tinal: Soaks MGA T NR ag ey 3 I ea AAU aie eae, . Piet is ts ues oe ee Lata x ‘ - Bes = ctor}: = | A 2 .
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ey eH a ta ee 14 Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidocq,. sharp, as he crouched by Vane’s side. ‘ Did you think you were my match in cunning? Ha! ha! ba! I know tricks you never dreamed of! You came here through a trick, for you fancied ou had won the love of my sister. Ha! ha! Fon must consider yourself a charmer indeed to be able to win the love of a girl in such a short space of time! She played her part well, and now—” “* Stop !” cried Vane, suddenly recovering his power of speech, ‘‘Say no more of her! She is too good, too noble for her name to pass your Satan’s lips! You her brother! Great Heaven! it cannot be possible!” “That is the stuff!” laughed Elegant Ed. ‘‘I am glad to see you can still talk! want to hear you whimper and whine before Sam here shuts off your wind for good!” ‘“* You murderous devil!” ‘*‘ Hard words do not cause broken bones, you know, I have nota little bif of love for you, and I reckon Sam has less than I, if possible.” ‘* Thet’s kirect, boss.” ‘*- You are our captive, and you are alone with us in this old cellar. Yell—scream for help, if you will; no one will bear you. Daniel Marden must have planned this cellar for a private prison, but he could not have dreamed who woald: put it to use,” “T should fancy his spirit would haunt his murderer. Crime-stained wretch! how can you sleep nights!” ‘“ As sweetly as a child, It was not my hand that struck the blow which ended the life of Dan Marden, He was slain by another person,” Then he was murdered! The gambler had confessed as much, “Tf your hand did not strike the blow, I be- lieve your brain planned it, and that beast, there, was the executor of your foul plot?” ‘What if you are right! I had good cause to hate Dan Marden—a cause of which none in Magic knew. When I came here and found him prospering, I resolved to ruin him; but he was powerful and wealthy, I coveted his wealth, but I saw no way to gain possession of it while bs lived. Then I resolved he should die, He is ead! ‘“*And you are as much his murderer as if your hand struck the fatal blow!” ‘* Have it that way if you like; you will not live to prate it to the world.” ‘**You would stain your hands with more biood?” “ Without a shudder, so long as it is your ‘““What a heartless wretch you are!” ‘Heartless? Perhaps that is the right word, but I have been called nervy.” “The nerve of a villain!” ‘* Oh, w’at’s ther use of bandyin’ words with ther critter, pard?” impatiently cried Sam. “Lot's finish him off an’ git ther job off our han’s!” “Don’t be in a hurry, Sam. I want him to fully understand how he has played into our hands. He fancied he had deceived Lona by winning her love, and he was going to use her against us. Ha! ha! ha!” Se ha! ha!” laughed the card-sharp’s sat- ellite, “Now I will tell you the truth,” and Ed gazed sneeringly into the prostrate man’s dark eyes, ‘‘My sister cares not a whit for you. I asked her to lead you into the snare if she could, and you stumbled right into it. While youare lying here she is with the man who is to become her husband, They are in a room above, waiting till I shall return and announce that your are forever out of our way. Did you hold her in your arms? Did you kiss her? Now she is in the arms of another and his kisses are on her lips, She is—” With a cry of a furious animal, Vane burst his bonds asunder and leaped to his feet. ““Wretches! murderers!” he thundered, his face convulsed with his terrible fury, the cords standing out upon neck and temple. ‘‘ You shall not kill me like a dog! Lam unarmed, but Iam a match for you both!” Sledge-hammer Sam sprung toward the sport, but Vane sent him reeling to the floor with a single blow. Then he was clinched by the Ma- gic City sharp, and a desperate struggle en- sued. Vane knew he was fighting for his life— for more than life—for Lona! CHAPTER XVII. DADDY ON HAND, Wiri a wonderful exertion of strength, Vane paened his foe to the hard floor with stunning orce, : But, Sledge-hammer Sam was on his feet, and the sport was caught behind and hurled down. Vane was dazed by the violence of the fall. ‘* Now, dern ye! I will wipe ye out!” The candle-light fell on a knife that glittered ia the up-raised hand of the murderous wretch, but, at thatinstant, a sharp scream was heard above, then came the sound of hurrying feet. With a snarl, the ruffian struck at Vane with the knife.” By a quick squirm, the sport evaded the stroke in a measure, althougt he felt a sharp pain that told him he had been touched. ad he not moved, the blade would have reached his heart. Again the knife was lifted. Vane saw a flit- ting form leaping down the stairs, “Cuss ye!” grated the desperate bully. ‘TI fix ye this time!” Vane attempted to evade the stroke once more. Useless effort! But for the hand of another he would have been doomed, With another cry of horror, a repetition of the shriek heard above, the flitting form sprung at the murderous tough and hurled him aside. But the knife had fallen again, and once more it found a living sheath, Vane knew he was now badly wounded. He tried to rise to his feet, partially succeeded, then black spots floated before his eyes, his head swam and he sunk down limply. Was it fancy, or did he hear the loud calling of manly voices and the tramp of booted feet? He knew soft arms were about bis neck—he felt kisses on his lips! Then he heard her calling to him—Lona! What was that? Though his senses were reel- ing and consciousness was slipping from him, he recognized the voice of a man who shouted: “Come on, you fellers! Heur they be, ther bull gosh blamed pot an’ b’ilin’! Naow we have got ’em!”’ Old Daddy Duzenberry was on band. He found the sport unconscious and bleeding, in the arms of a beautiful girl who seemed crazed with grief and despair, as she shrieked: ‘* Dead! dead! dead!” To Vane all was like a wild dream that fol- lowed. For days he seemed fighting his foes, but they always had the best of the conflict. He was not battling for himself, but for her— for Lona! He thought they were trying to tear her from him, and life was nothing without her. There were other fancies, He fell from awful heights; he waded in blood; he fought his mad way through scorching flames. He was in the bleak desert, devoured by a horrible thirst, He sbrieked for water, water! Then she came and held a cooling draught to his parched lips. He begged her to stay with him, and sbe promised not to leave bis side. He would sleep, then awake with a start and call wildly to her, She always answered; she was always there! Like a good angel she hovered near; and her soft touch calmed him in his wildest moments, How he loved her! how he loved her! One day he recovered his right mind and found himself lying on a clean white bed, He looked around for her, but she was not there, Then he fell to wondering how much of the strange things he could remember was real and how much were the imaginings of a disordered brain. He knew he had been very ill-—near to the door of death, for he remembered about being stabbed. The doctor came, and with him came a beau- tiful girl, The wounded sport gazed eagerly at her, but uttered a sigh of disappointment. It was not Lona, The doctor pronounced the patient much _bet- ter, but cautioned them to keep him quiet, Vane would have asked questions, but the privilege was denied him, At length he fell asleep, hay- ing eaten some light but nourishing food. With one or two brief waking intervals, the sport slept until another day came. When he awoke a pleasant-faced young man was sitting by his bedside. ** Hello!” exclaimed the young man, in a cheer- ful voice, ‘‘ How do you feel now?” ‘* Better,” was the prompt py: “T am pe to hear that, for you have had quite a pull at it; but the Doc said yestercay you were all right. You will be around in a short time now.” Vane looked hard at the speaker, then said: ‘“‘ There seems something familiar about you, but I can’t make out just what it is.” The other laughed. ““T suppose you remember Seth Slouch?” he asked. “ Yes.” ‘‘ Well, lambe. That was a disguise,” ** Who are you now?” “Tam Mark Marden!” Then the young man explained that he was the genuine Mark Marden, and Burt Bishop had been his pard in the past. He acknowledged he had led pS peryiag of a wild life. One night he qnarreled with Bishop, and the young fellow tried to murder him. Bishop thought he had succeeded, but Mark was cared for by an old mountaineer till he was ready to take the trail and call Burt Bishop to an account. He tracked him to Magic City, and there learned of the des- perate game in which his former partner was concerned, Knowing Lona Lewis was not his sister, and believing his sister had fallen into the hands of the schemers, Mark attempted to probe the matter while still keeping disguised as he had been during the time he was trailing his treacherous pard. When Vane followed Lona into the room, the night he entered the Marden house by a window, Daddy Duzenberry had feared a sg 3 and at once hurried away for aid. An_ hour later, fol- lowed by the marshal and acrowd of men, among whom was the disguised Mark Marden, the faithful old fellow broke into the house. The party reached the cellar just in time to save Violet Vane’s life, though they found him seri- ously wounded, Beyond the iron door at one side of the cellar Marion Marden and Bruce poe igs were found, confined in a dungeon-like cell, In conclusion Mark said: ‘‘The girl who had so successfully played the part of my sister fancied you were dead, and she denounced Sledge-hammer Sam as your murderer, Within ten minutes the furious crowd had lynched the wretch. Thus the mur- derer of my father met his doom, for he con- fessed the crime before, he was strung up. ‘Elegant Ed and Burt Bishop were made prisoners, but they succeeded in escaping. How- ever, Daddy Duzenberry is on their trail, and he swears he will round ’em up.” ‘** But the girl—Lona?” asked Vane, eagerly. ‘She remained by your side as your nurse till night before last,” was the reply. ‘* She suddenly and mysteriously disappeared in the night, and she has not been seen since, I fancy she has gone to join her brother.” For a long time the wounded sport lay with- out speaking. Heseemed very calm. At length he stretched out one hand and said, with a sim- ple earnestness that made his declaration bind- ing as the most solemn oath; “* Twill find her.” The affair was the greatest sensation ever known in Magie City. As may be imagined, Violet Vane was given great credit for the part he had played in the exposure of the crook- ed game, and the camp was filled with delight when it was known the gritty little sport would surely recover from the wounds he had received. Mark and Marion Marden came into | posses- sion of the property that was rightfully theirs by heirskip. Bruce Weldon, Daniel Marden’s mine super- intendent, fell in love with Marion while he was confined with her in the dark dungeon beneath the house, and before a year she became his wife, The cellar-dungeon was filled up and oblitera- ted. When Violet Vane was able to do so, he turned his face from Magic City. He was cheered by the large crowd assembled to wit- ness his departure. Some tried toinduce him to remain longer in the camp, but he firmly shook his head, He now had a double mission! THE END. Beadle’s Dime Library. BY WM. G. PATTEN. 663 The Giant Spex or, Sold to Satan. 656 Old Plug Ugly, the Rough and Ready. 648 Gold Glove Gid, the Man of Grit. 641 Aztee Jack, the Desert Nomad. 631 Colonel Cool, the Santa Fe Sharp. 602 Captain Nameless, the Mountain Myst 571 Old Dismal, the Ranges Detective. 545 Hustler Harry, the Cowboy Sport, BY DR. NOEL DUNBAR. 604 The Detective in Rags; or, The Grim Shadower, 500 The True-Heart Pards. A new issue every Wednesday. ienaials Dime Library is eal sale hyo ewsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of twelve cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William street, New York,
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BY OLL COOMES. Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. The Dumb Spy. Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. Keen-Knife, the Prince of the Prairies. Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. Ifawk-eye Marry the Young Trapper Rangor, Rollo, the Bo aumeh 4 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman, Scar-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter Silver Star, the Boy Knight. Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon. Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. S Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 182 Little Hurricane, the wey aptain. 202 Prospect Pete ; or, The Young Outlaw Hunters, 208 The Boy Hercules: or, The Prairie Tramps, 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashing Dick; or, Trapper Tom’s Castle. 228 Little Wildtire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger, 248 The Disgulaed Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger. 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger, 272 Minkskin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. 800 The Sky Demon; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. B84 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero, 409 Hercules; vr, Dick, the Boy Ranger. A1? Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone. 444 Little Buckskin, tne Young Prairie Centaur, 457 Wingedfoot Fred; or, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarae ‘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. 652 Don Barr, the Plains Freelance, 661 Old Kit Bandy’s Deliverance. 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountatneer. 680 Dauntless Dan, the Freelance; or, Old Kit Bandy in Arcadia, 5 5 mS a ed ASSP Ree a ee ed ee BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Major Sam. 8, Hall.) 284 Old Rocky « ** Boyees; or, Benito, the Horse-Breaker 246 Glant George; or, The Ang’! of the Range. 275 Arizona Jnek ¢ or, Giant George’s Pard. 297 The Tarantula of Taos; or, Giant George’s Revenge, 807 The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. 818 Ker-wheop, Ker-whoo; or, The Tarantula of Taos, S27 Creeping Cat, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Pards, 282 Frio Fred; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. $44 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. 849 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front. 857 The Ranch Ralders; or, The Siege of Fort Pargatory. 864 Snap-Shot, the Boy Kanger,. 875 Chiocta, the Creek; or, The Three Thunderbolts, 881 Bandera BIL; or, Frio Frank to the Front. 892 Romeo and the Reda; or, The Beleaguered Ranch. 404 Little Lariat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. 414 The Dalsy from Denver. 427 The Three Tratlers; or,’Old Rocky on the Rampag: 442 Bluff Bill; or, The Lynx of the Leona. 455 Little Lone Star: or, The Belle of the Cibolo. 684 Cache Carl, the Chico Giant. BY PHILIP 8. WARNE. 67 Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. 175 Captatn Arizona; or, Patent-Leather Joe's Big Game, 198 Captain Mask; or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat. 219 Despard, the Duelist; ¢r, The Mountain Vompires, 888 A Tough Boy; or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. 868 Little Tornado}; or, The Outcasts of the Glen, B78 Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard. B88 Little Oh-my ¢ or, Caught in His Own Trap, 401 Little Shoo-Fly ; or, A Race for a Ranch. 408 Little Leather-Breeches ; or, Old Jumbo’sC 481 Little Ah Sing or, The Curse of Blood, 451 Colorado Kate. A Tale of the olines. 480 Three Jolly Parda. 517 Jim Gladden’s Deputy. 627 The Jolly Parda to the Rescue, 647 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down, 656 Lariat Lil; or, The Cast for a Life. 574 Old Weasel-top, the Man with the Dogs, 598 Keen Clem, the Ranch Imp. 599 Jim Dandy the No-Name Sport. 618 Billy Blazes; or, The Skeleton’s Legacy. ges Priskoma Hi, the Blne-Coat Scout. ; appy Marry’s Big Find. 664 Cheeky Charley, the Special, BY EDWARD WILLETT. bg 167 Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy. 199 F eatherweight the Boy Champion of the Muskingum. 228 Ozark Alf; or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws. 282 The Typo Detective ; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp. 295 Fearless Phil; or, The King of Quartzville. 811 The Roving Sport; or, The Pride of Chuckaluck Camp. 822 Nemo, the Detective; or, Kit Kenyon's Vendetta. 840 Clip the Contortionist: or, Tha Montana Vigilantes. BY JO PIEROF, G18 The Varuband Detcetives or, Bowery Bobs Br e on Ptectiv ’ o| c 452 Hots oe Heh, the Street-Boy Detectives” a Boom. 460 The Lawyer's Shadow ; or, Luke’s Legacy, 472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferrywan Detective, 5604 Five Pointe Phil 509 Jack Jaggera, the Butcher Boy Detective. 516 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerie, 626 North River Nat, the Pier Detective. 588 Wrestling Rex, the Pride of the Sixth Ward, 541 Jeff Flicker, the Stable Boy Detective. 551 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow. 559 Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective. 569 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detective. 577 Pavement Pete the Secret Sifter. 588 Jack-o’-Lantern, the Under-Seq Prospector. GOR Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer, 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid 628 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlom Hummer . n o the Bowery Badger; or BES Shy Hocket Rob, the Life-Saver’ -°°oras ® Slippery 688 Saltpeter Sol, the New York Navigator, 4 Spicy Jim, the Only One of His Kind, T06 om Thistle, the Reng Tare Detective, a ulto Jack, the Hustler Gamin, T26 Dennis Duff, the Brown Sport’s Kid. BY J. W. OSBON. 469 The Rival G Nowhar’. 498 Cactua ete te from Hard Luck, a Pow hacks @, the Sierra Shadow. or il, th Miner. Seo Boll y Dorrit, the Vatoran Detective u oA, 688 Plucky Poul, ee BEADLE'S« H ALF- [)IME«[_IBRARY. d Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl. 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. 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. 498 Taos Ted, tow Arizona Sport. 510 Cool Colorado, the Hal!-Breed Detective, 618 Cool Colorado in New York. BY GEORGE WALDO BROWNE, 86 Dandy Rock the Man from Texas. 90 ‘The Dread Rider; or, The Texan Duelist. 99 The Tiger of Taos; or, Dandy Rock’s Angel 115 The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock’s Doom. 181 The Golden Hand; or, Dandy Rock to the Rescue, 164 Dandy Rock’s Pledge}; or, Hunted to Death, 178 Dandy Rock’s Rival; oy, The Haunted Mald of Taos, BY GEORGE CO. JENKS, 455 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 Bear, 681 The Pitcher Detective’s Toughest Tussel, BY J, ©. COWDRIOK, 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. B69 Shasta, the Gold King; or, For Seven Years Dead, 420 The Delective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a Name, 424 Cibuta Jonn; or, Ror Hot Times at Ante Bar, 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Dilaco Dan, the Daisy Dude 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. 5606 Redlight Ralph the Prince of the Road. 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle. 524 The Engineer Detective. Broadway Billy’s ‘Ditikilty.” 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. 7 Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. 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 Chief of Chained Cyclone. 625 Broadv ay Iiliy’s Dend Act. Barebsrek Beth, the Centaur of the Cirole. 647 Typewriter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. 659 Moonlight Morgan, the * Pizenest ? Man of Ante Bas, 669 Broadway Billy Abroad. 675 Brondway Billy’s Beast; or, Beating San Francisco's Finest. 7 Broadway Billy tn Clover. 696 Broadway Billy in Texas. Broadway Billy’s Brand. 711 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe. 720 Broadway Billy’s Full Hand, BY FREDERICK DEWEY 818 Cimarron Jack, the King-Pin of Rifle-Shote. 478 Tangemund, the Desert Detective, oa! 542 The Ce~yon Parda, BY ARTHUR ©. GRISSOM. 440 Little Foxfoot, the Geld Bowle Kid, 558 The Sure-Shot Parda, 621 Truthful James, the “ Pecooliar” Man. BY MAJOR E. L. 8T. VRAIN, 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. 801 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. 8838 Brimstone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette, 852 Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “Sand.” 859 Durango Dave, the Young Champion Wrestler. 871 Kingbolt Chris, the Young Hard-Shell Detective. 880 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide. 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountuin Mail-Line, BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS. 6 BUl Biddon, Trapper. 8 Seth Jones; or, The Captives of the Frontier, 30 Nat Todd; or, The Fate of the Sioux Captive. 2 ‘Yne Frontier Angel. 98 The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island, 182 The Hunted Hunter; or, The Strange Horseman, 254 The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains, 271 The Huge Hunter; or, The Steam Prairie Man, BY MAJOR LEWIS W. CARSON, 78 The Ti.ree Trappers: or, The Mountain Monater. 288 Indian Joe; or, RRs White Spirit of the Hills, RY CAPT. MARK WILTON, 256 Young Kentuck; or, The Red Lasso, 270 Blizzard Ben; or, The Riot at Keno Camp. 286 Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot. BY BRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG. 89 Island Jim; or, The Pet of the Family. 91 The Captain of the Club; or. The Rival Athletes. 101 Jack Harkaway in New York, BY MAJOR NWENRY B. STODDARD, Ex-S8cout. 806 Neck-Tie Ned; or, The Dog-Out Pards, 846 Rapler Raphael; or. The Swordsmen of Zachtecas, 891 Kid-Glove Kit, the Dandy of the Rocktes. 898 Kid-Glove Kit and Pard; or, The Gold King. 406 The Mad Man-Hunter; or, The Golden Gulch Mystery, 505 Powell’s Pardy or, The One-Armed Giant. BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, 15 The Sea-Cat; or, The Witeh of Darien, 29 The Dumb Page; or, The Doge’s Deughter, 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider, 1 Lance and Lasao; or, The Children of the Chaco, 154 The Sword Hunters $ or, The Land ofthe Elephant Riders, 159 The Lost Captain: or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cruise, 200 The Roy Retoutass or, The Brothers of the Plumed J.ance 214 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine. 4 249 Milo Romer the Animal King; or, Round the World, 265 The riger Tamer ; or, The League of the Jungle. 881 Black Nick, the Demon Rider. 895 California Joe's War Trail. BY COL. A. F. HOLT. 899 Black Buckakin: or. The Masked Men of Death C 419 Kenneth, the Knite-King. bse 485 Littie Lightfoot, the Pilot of the Woods. B28 The Dandy sport; or, The King Pin Conspirator, 678 Ralph Renwood, the Lightning Express Detective, 691 Headlight Harry’. Haul, 727 Headlight Harry’s Siren, BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR, 2 Vellowatone Jnck} or, The Trapper. 48 Black John, the Road-Agent, or, The Outlaw’s Retreat 65 Wurricane Gills or, Mustang Sam and His Pard, 119 Muatang Sam} or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-llawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch, 144 Da nty 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 Parday; or, Dainty Lance Unmaska, 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City, 810 The Barranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thievea’ League, B85 Old Double Fiat; or, ‘The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Wralodn: or. Damel Boone’s Laat Trall, 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Tratler. 677 Chincapin Dan's Sccond Trail. 688 Chincapin Dan's Home Stretch. 698 Old Crary, the Man Without a Head, TOS Light-Meart Lute’s Legacy. T18 Light-Neart Lute’s Last Trall. 728 Silverblade, the Shoshone, BY W. J. HAMILTON, 68 The Red Brotherhood ; or, The Twelve Avengers. 66 Single Handy; or, A Life for a Life. 72 Mad Tom Weatern, the Texan Ranger. 887 Ben Bird, the Cave King; or, Big Pete’s Scoop. BY JACK FARRAGUT, 815 Ned, the Cabin Boy. — 820 The Sea Sorceress; or, Tho Boy Skipper. BY LIEUT. Hl. D. PERRY, U. 8. N, 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bay, 180 The Sen Trailer; or, A Vow Well Kept, 192 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montauk Point. BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. 8 Blue Dick; or, The Yellow Chiefs Vengeance. ST The Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil's Island, 87 The Helpless finnds or, Backwoods Retribution. 289 The Gold-secker Guide! or, The Lost Mountain. BY WILLIAY R, EYSTER, 190 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Frank; or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pards BY ©. DUNNING CLARK. 185 Captain Paul: or, The Boy Spy of the Mountains. 280 The Yankee Rajah; or, The Fate of the Black Shereef, BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR. U. 8, A. 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker, 194 Buffalo Bill's Bet; or, The Gambler Guide, BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS, 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock. 568 The Dandy of Dodge, 576 The Silver Sport. 588 Saffron Sel, the Man With a Shadow 5689 Tom-Cat and Pardy or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 601 Happy Hana, the Dutch Vidoeq. 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 622 Texas Tom-Cat’s Triad 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task, 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph; or. Bleck Dan's Great Combine. 646 Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. 657 W lien William, the Mountain Mountebank. 665 Jolly Jereminhy the Plains Detective, 676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout. G89 Billy the Gypsy Spy. 699 Siraple Sim, the Broncho Buster, 712 The Mesmertlat Sport; or, The Mystified Detective. MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Horse Hunters, By Capt. Mayne Reia and Frederick Whittaker. 9 Adventures of Baron Munchauson, 12 GulllVer’s Travels. By Dean Swift. 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp. 16 Robinson Crusoe, (27 I lustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sallor. His Seven Voyages, 22 Re Sen Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe, 2owls. 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, Tho Red Pirates of the Carribees, By 8, W. Pierce. 86 The Boy Clowns or, The Arona Queon, By F 8. Finn. 88 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 61 The Boy Rit'es; or, The Underground Camp, By A: C, Trona, 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Minalsalppi. By Liout.-Col. Hazeltine, 98 Robin Iood, the Outlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Green- wood, BY Prof. Gilderaleeve, 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmen. 112 The Mad Iuntery; or, TheCave of Death. By Burton Saxe, 124 Tippy, the Texany or, The Young Champion. By George eraon. 128 The Young Privateor; or, The Pirato’s Stronghold, By Harry Cavendish. 148 Sharp Samy or, The Adventures of a Friondless Boy. By J, Alexander Patten. : 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yol- lowatone. By Edward Emerson, 261 Fergus Fearnaught tho Now York Boy, ByG, L. Alken, 266 Killb’ar, the Guide; »r, Davy Crockett’s Crooked ‘Trail. By Ensign C. D. Warren. 298 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Clif, By Captain Comstock. 817 Peacock Pete. the Lively Lad from Leadville, By Lieu- tenant Alfred Thorne. B28 The Sk7 Detectives or, A Boy's Fight for Life and Honore By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Red Ralph, the River Rovers or, The Brother's Re venge, By Ned Buntline. 865 Baltimore Ren the Bootblack Detective, By A, P, Morris. 874 Gold-Duast Toms or, Bon’s Double Match. By @ H. Morse. 876 Callfornin Joe’s First Trail, By Colonel Thomas Hover Monastery, 418 Billy Rombshell, the Cliff Climber, By F. 8S. Winthrop. 47% The Black Ship. By John S$ Warner. 484 Comanche Dick and His Three Invinelblesa. By Henry J. Thomas, The Cowboy Duke. By Edwin Brooke Forrest, 55 Ariel the Athlete. By David Drald. B85 Will Waters, the Boy Ferret. By H. Enton. ; 682 The Dead Vetective’s Double. By Gerald Carlton, 721 Maverick Mose, the Arizona Detective; or, The Wizard ot Urkos Pass. By Will Lisenbee. A New issue Every Tucaday- The, Half-Dime Library is for sale by ail newsdealors, five cents por Copy, or sent by mall on receipt of six conts each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. By Juan
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BEADLE'’S«H ALF- DIME« LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novels. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Deadwood Dick’s Defiance; or, Double Daggers. + posaross dm = Dhow ulses ore Buffat, sen 5 Deadwoot ck in « Castle. AZ Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza; or, The «antom Miner. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omena Oll. 57 Deadwood Dick’s Engles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 78 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity 4 \ne, the Heroine, A apes Lo om picks > ree or, Corduroy Charlie. 0 end woo ekin Leady e. He? 4 ae nues ted “gi ice; a ‘The Double Cross Sign. endwooc ck as Detective. 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. 188 Deadwood Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bill. 149 Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party. 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dreamy or, The Rivals of the Road. 201 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. ace paaeeesd picks poss Asi ater. Jane’s Adventure, endw ooc ck’s Dea eal, 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death-Plant. 282 Gold-Dust Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, 4 pescwees a ae | bolocag one Spirit of Swamp Lake. endwo ch’s Death Trail. 809 Deadwood Dick’s Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. 821 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats 847 Deadwood Dick's Ducats; or, Days in the Diggings. td pesaweed alee eueeneee s or, the Terrible Vendetta, endwooc ck’s Claim. 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds, 421 Deadwood Dick in New York; or, A “ Cute Case,” pt pe tal pees Sens} or, The Chained Hand, ead woot ck, Jr. 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deflance. 458 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Full Hand, 459 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-Up. 465 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10, pid pene wees pick, 5 ad geereu or, Ecaioas Bill. z endwoo ek, Jr.’s, Do etective, 481 Deadwood Dick. Jr., In Dendy ood, 7 491 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Compact. A96 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance, 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Diggings. 5608 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deliverance, 615 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Protegee. 622 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Three. 629 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducks 56454 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’4, Death Hunt. 589 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Texas, 5 af enaweot Bick, ore the ia wet Mace 5649 Deadwood ek, Jdr., on « Mettle. BS4 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham, 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boston. b67 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Philadetphia. 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago. 7S Deadwood Dick, Jr., Afloat. HS4 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver. 5690 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decree. ate ey te pick $i ay: peemeyahs Basta. 00 Deadwoo¢ ek, Jr-, at Coney Island. 606 Deadwood Bick, Jr.’*, Leadville Lay. 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit. 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Cincinuatt. 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada. 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’as Land, 686 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. 642 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Buffalo. 648 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Chase Across the Continent by peecwews itm Aa ey a eee end woot d rs, Insurance Case. 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines, 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., tn Durango; or, “ Gathered In.” $54 - Saat hedge pick» a pueou very’ or, Found a Fortune, i eadwood ek, Jdr.’a. Dazzle. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a. Dollars. 695 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide. 700 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s, Drop. 704 Dendwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot. 710 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In San Franclaco, 216 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Still Munt. 222 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes, 728 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Disguise, BY CHARLES MORRIS, & Will Somers, the Boy Detective. 2 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. 6 Picayune Votes or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. 0 Detective Dick; or, The Hero tn Rags. 42 Mandsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, ? Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred. Black Ress, Will Wildfire’s Racer. Mike Merry; the Harbor Police Boy. Will Wildfire in the Woods, Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy, Trump Card; or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses. 4 Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York, Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, 8 The Hidden Mand; or, Wii! Wildfire’s Revenge. 187 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, 189 Bob RoecKett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed 5 or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life, 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 Tom Tanner} or, The Black Sheep of the Flock, 225 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky. 285 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two “ Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang, 252 Dick Dashaway ; or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sharps: or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail, 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Anpeaticns 289 Jolly Jim’s Job; or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughored. 805 Dashaway, of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in Quaker City, 824 Ralph Ready, the Hote) Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective, 858 The Reporter-Detectives or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard. BET Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. B79 Larry, the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard. 408 Fireily Jack, the River-Rat Detective, 425 The Lost Fingers or, The Entrapped Cashier, 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invinetble Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vaganond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive. 479 Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty, 488? Wild Dick Racket. 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman: or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, 686 The Secret Service Boy Detective. 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkansas; or, The Wolfin the Fold. 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. 667 Bob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. 709 The Curbstone Detective; or, Harry Hale’a Big Beat, . sew wee eee Seouens PANANIASIUS Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. 52 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. 583 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., tie Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn BILL; or. The Red Rifle Team 69 Gold Rifle, the Sharpehooter; or, The Boy Detective, 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight, 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner3 or, Rosebud Rob on Hand. 88 Phetograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance, 92 Can ode Chet ¢ or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp, 96 Watch-Eye; or, Araba and Angels of a Great City, 18 Jack Hoste the Young Speculator. 7 Gllt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 1 Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport. 5 Bonanza Jill, Miner. Boxs Bob the King of Bootblacks. Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. Captain Ferret, the New York Detective. New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. Nobny Nick of Nevaday or, The Sierras Scamps, 81 Wha # rank, the Buckskin Bravo. 9 U rioz, the buund-Boy Detective. 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter, 226 Bnoozer, the Boy Sharp; or, The Arab Detective, 286 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young G)adiator. 244 Slorra Sam, tho Frontier Ferret. 248 Slerra Sam’s Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 2558 Sierra Sam’s Pard; or, The Angel of Big Vista. 258 Sierra Sain’s Seven} or, The Stolen Bride, 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol: or, The Rival Heirs, 277 Venver Doll, the Detective Queen. 281 Denver Doll's Victory. 285 Denver Doll's Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza, 291 Turk the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or, The Road Queen. 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 808 ’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. 825 Kelley, Hickey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia, 880 Little Quick-Shot 3 or, The Dead Face of Daggeraville, 584 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner, 889 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood. 858 First-Class Fred, the Gent from Gopher. 868 Vreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer; or, The Life Lottery, 878 Yreka Jim’s Prize. 878 Nabob Neds or, The Secret of Slab City. 882 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, BS5 Yreka Jim's Joker; or, The Rivals of Red Nose, 889 Bicycle Ben; or. The Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High Mat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, 426 Sam Slabsaides, the Beggar-Boy Detective, 484 Jim Benak and Pal, Private Detectives, 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. 486 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkler. PRoeen rt ~ Cll el el el eel el gan = BY T. CO. HARBAUGH. 28 Nick o’ the Night; or, The Boy Spy of "76. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or. The Little Hunter, 47 Nightingale Nat} or, Tne Forest Captains, 64 Dandy Tnak; or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trait. S82 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 Tom; or, ae Jack From Red Core, 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 198 Arkansaw ¢ or, The Queen of Fate’s Revenge. 207 Navajo Nick. the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Rullet or, Little Tonknot’s Crusade, 281 Plucky Phil; or, Rosa, the Red Jezebel. 241 Bill Bravo: or, Tie Roughs of the Rockies, 255 Captain Apoliv, the King-Pin of Bowie, 267 The Buckskin Detective, 279 Old Winch? or, The Buckskin Desperadoes. 294 Dynamite Dan; or, The Bowie Blade giedachetopa. 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bully, 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Purdsx; or, The Terror of Take-Notice, 886 Bie Benson; or, The Queen of the Lasso. 845 Pitiless Matt; or, Ked Thunderbolt’s Secret, 856 Cool Sam and Pard; or The Terrible Six. 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 886 Captain Cutlaasy or, | he Breccaneer’s Girl Foe, 896 Rough Rob; or, The !win Champions of Blue Blazes, All The Silken Laseo:; or, The Rose of Ranch Robin, 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump, the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox. 445 The City Vamplres; or, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon. 461 One Agatnet Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow; or, Felix Fox’s Hunt. A7? The Exceisior Sport; or, The Washington Spotter. 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Rranded Ben, the Night Ferret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Wisarf-Spy Detective. 521 Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. 528 Fox and Faicon, the Bowery Shadows. 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret, 548 Dodger Dick’s Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodger Dick’s Desperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick, the Boy Vidoeq, 5678 The Two Shadows. 582 Dodger Dick’s Drop. 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sharp on Guard. 626 The Champton Pardas. 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective. 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. 671 Jersey Jed, the Bov Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower. 685 Happy Hugh, the Boy. Musician Detective. 701 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp. 715 Wide Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferret. BY WM, G. PATTEN. 489 The Diamond Sport: or, The Double Face of Bed Rook, 519 Kaptain Mystery ; or, Five in One, 581 Da 7 Mare the Sport from Denver. 587 Old Bombshell, the Ranger Detective, 604 Tron Fern, the Man of Fire. 619 The Boy Tramp Detective; or, The Double Grip Witness 629 Violet Vane, the Velvet Sport. 641 Dismal Dave’s Dandy Pard. 651 Bound Boy Frank, the Young Amateur Detective 66% Violet Vane’s Victory. 682 Wild Vulcan, the Lone-Range Rider, 69R Violet and Datay, the Posy Pardes. 705 Violet Vane’s Vow; or, The Crafty Detective’s Craft. 714 Old Misery, the Man from Missouri. 724 Violet Vane’s Vengeance. LS BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 7 The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Outcast. 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccancer; or. The Fugitive Yacht, 24 Diamond Dirk i or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone, 62 The Shadow Ship; or, The Rive) Lieutenants. 75 The Boy Duelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf. 02 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Sinuggier. 11 The Sea-Devil; or, The Midehipman’s Legacy. 16 The Hussar Captain ; or, The Hermit of Hel! Gate, YT Little Grit; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. 04 Gold Plume; or, Buffalo Bill, the Pony Express Rider. 216 Ulson BALL, the Prince of the Reins; or, Butialo Bill’s Pluck, 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer, 229 Crimaon Kate; or, The Cowboy's Triumph, 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 245 Merle, the Middy 3 or, The Freelance Heir, 250 The Midshipman Mutineer; or, Brandt, the Buccaneer. 264 The Floating Feather: or, Merle Monte’s Treasure. 26” The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned, 276 Merle Monte’« Cruise; or, “ The Gold Ship” Chase, 250 Merle Monte’s Fate ; or. Pearl, the Pirate's Bride, 284 The Sea Marauder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge, 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. 804 The Dead Siiot Dandy ; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler, 808 Keno kit; or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. 814 The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Trail. B77 Bonodel, the Buy Rover; or, The Flagiess Schooner, 888 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island, 887 Warpath WILL, the Boy Phantom, B98 Seawall, the Boy Lieutenant. 402 Inodor, the Young Consptrator ; or, The Fatal League. 407 The Boy Inaurgenty or, The Cuban Vendetta. 412 The Wild Vachtamany or, The War-Cloua’s Cruise, 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 A Cabin Boy’s Luck; or, The Corsair. 487 The Sea Raider. 441 The Ocean Firefly ; or, A Middy’s Vengeance. 446 Waphazard Harry; or, The Seapegrace of the Sea, 450 Wizard Will: or, Tive Boy Ferret of New York. 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouts. 462 The Born Guide; or, The Sailor Boy Wanderer, 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. 474 Flora; or, Wizard Will’s Vagavond Pard. 488 Ferrets Afloat; or, Wizard Will’s Last Case, AST Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger 495 Arizona Joe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack. 497 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 508 The Royal Middy sy or, The Shark and the Sea Cat. 507 The Hunted my Th Ries 511 The Outlawed Middy, 520 Buckskin Bill, the Comanche Shadow. 525 Brothers in Buckskin, 580 The Buckskin Bowers, 585 The Rue. 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, 5655 The Creole Corsair. 560 Pawnee BILL, the Prairie Shadower. 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King, 570 Camille, the Card Queen, 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective. 580 The Outcast Cadet; or, The False Detective. 5S6 The Buckskin Avenger, 591 Delonte, 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 Buceancer Midshipman, 674 The Wizard Sailor; or, Red Ralph, the Rover. 679 The Sen Shadower; or, The Freebooter’s Legacy. 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag; or, The Tarnished Name, 692 The Rival Sharps; or, Redfern, the Secret Service Scout. 697 The Scarlet Sombrero; or, The Sharp from Texna, 702 Blue Jacket Bill; or, The Red Hat Rangers’ Red Hot Racket 07 The Red Sombrero Rangers; or, Redfern’s Last Trail. 18 Carl, the Mad Cowboy; or, The Lariat Queen. 19 Pawnee Bill’s Pledge: or, The Cowboy Kidnapper, 25 Daring Dick, Pawnee Bill’s Pard; or, The Red Cavalry Raid Sele lelel BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm. F. Cody), 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand, 19 The Phantom my 7 & or, The Pilot of the Prairie, 55 Deadly-Fye, the Unknown Secut. 68 Bérder Robin Hoods or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Faney Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trost, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 729 Silverblade, the Half-Blood; or, The Border Beagle at Bay. By Joe, E. Badger, Jr. 780 Violet. Vane’s Verdict; or, The Crooked Game at Coftixs City. By Wm. G. Patten. 281 Ruth Redmond, the Girl Shadower; or, The Rivals in Buckskin. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. ‘ 782 Daisy Dell. the Pavement Detective; or, Trapping Big Game.. By T, C. Harbaugh, 3 788 Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector; or, Unearthing the Cavern League, By Lieut, A. K. Sims. 484 Dendwood Dick, Jr,’s, Double Deal: or, The All- Around Surprise. By Edward L, W heeler, ; ‘ 785 Brondway Billy’« Business; or, Waking Up Wind Can- yon Camp. By |. C, Cowdrick. 286 Larry, the Thoroughbred; or, Beaten on Every Side. e@ By George C. Jenks. pia 287 Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive; or, Buckskin Sam to the Rescue. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 788 Broadway Billy’s Curious Case; or, The Mysterious Disappearance at Manitou Springs, By J. c. ¢ owdrick, : 789 Silverblade, the Hostile, or, The Border Beagle’s Ghost Trail. By Jos. E. Badzer, Jr. 740 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathwatch; or, The Moving Mvstery at Mexican Mastang. By Edward L. W heeler. Ju% V41 Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidoeg; oF; Sport against Sport. By Wm. G, Patten, . 3 ; Y42 Billy Winks, the Bell Boy Detectives py Breaking the : e Golden Cot oT. C, Harbaugh, Meshes of th olden Coil. By Red Rilers of the Rio 748 Buck Taylor's Boys; or, The Grande. ey rahe Prentiss Ingraham. Ready October 20, * Y44 Night-Watch Dick, the Life Saver of the Docks. By Jc Pierce. Ready October 27. A New Iasue Every Tuesday: The Half. Dime Library !8 for sale by all newsdealers, fiver cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York / :