Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 742) (1891 10 13)
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Me ee 2) Ra 4 0 eae = WR Go \ Pri —e PIriGr ns | OO, mits CODY FIERY 1891, by BEADLE AND aL SS APPEL RL or r eh _ enone > 13, 1891. es HED Y BY BE: iE D ; No. 742. $2. 50 ~~ PUBLIS I “WEEKLY ADLE AND, ADAMS. Price Vol XXIX, a Year, No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. Cents. pike \, B80 ml it nh " i i a Mi i i 4 iN Sug i h\ ii Ht | i } Hin a | OR, Breaking the Meshes of the Golden Coil. BY T. C. HARBAUGH, AUTHOR or ‘ BUCKSKIN DergoctTrve,” “ PHIL BY.ASH,” ‘‘ DODGER DICK” NOVELS, ETC. CHAPTER is TWO LATE ARRIVALS, BiLj.x Winks, the head bell boy of the Me- tropolis Hotel, looked up at the slock’and saw that one hand was stiller the the other, It was just twelve—midnight, o persons were in the office at the time but = the clerk and himself, and when he had noted 0 Ea ie en — SSS the hour he fell back on the bench in his favorite ‘““WE HAVE DISCOVERED THE LOST HEIRS,” SAM THE VILLAIN GLOATINGLY, THE corner and went off in a doze, PHILADELPHIA SHADOWER STARTED,
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2 Billy Win NS NS All at once he was startled by a cry. * Wront?” Billy Winks sprung up, awake in an instant, and crossed to the desk where the last arrivals were now standing. These were:two men. One was taller than the other by at least two inches, and both were well dressed, “Here, Front, take these gentlemen to 291,” commanded the clerk, tossing Billy a key. In another moment the boy was leading the way to the elevator, which, owing to the lateness of the hour, he was compelled to manage him- “tet and all were soon on their way to the third oor. There was nothing particular about the men to claim more than a passing look from the lad, He was used to seeing strange people, and settling back in one corner of the elevator, he let them talk without so much as trying to catch a word. ** Well, how do you like it?’ suddenly asked the taller of the pair, addressing Billy. *“‘ How do I like what?” ‘Why, being up at all bours ranning the ele- vator?” ‘* Oh, anything suits me,” was the reply, ** Been at it long?” “ Two years,” * Got used to it, then?” “This isn’t my part of the job, The elevator boy went home sick early in the evening, and I agreed to help him out.” . “So, What's your name?” “ Billy Winks,” Both men laughed a little at the oddity of the cognomen. * Billy Winks is a nickname, isn’t it?” queried the shorter man. “ T guess it’s all [ll ever have,” returned the por ‘“* ve had it ever since I can remember,” The elevator stopped, all stepped out, and Billy showed the guests to Room 291. He was about to quit the chamber when one of the men caught him by the arm and stood him off at arm’s length, | ‘*Have you always lived in New York?’ he asked. * Always.” ‘‘ Born here, then?” ** So far as t know. Oh, I’ve been out of the city, down to Coney and around; but never for long at a time.” ‘Got any relatives?” ‘‘None that I know of. [ve looked the Di- rectory over time and again, but I never could find any Winkses, It’s not very queer, though, for mine isn’t a familiar name, you know, and T guess I’m the sole and only Winks in the city. : Once more the two men smiled and Billy was released, f *‘Good-night!” he said as he withdrew and e next moment he was moving toward the elevator. “fT wonder if I don’t look like some one they’ve seen before?” his thoughts ran, ‘ They looked at me so closely that it must be some- thing of the kind, Pll go down and see who they are.” ; . ‘eam the night clerk half asleep in his chair. ‘*Where are they from, Chip?” asked Billy, going up to the desk and tip-toeing to get a look at the register. ‘ Chip smiled half dreamily and the boy read as follows: ** Chuck Holcomb, Philadelphia. ‘Fred Phlox, . ‘Quaker City gents, eh?” he smiled, turning away, and went back to his seat in the corner. In alittle while he fell into another doze to be again awakened by the call of “* Front!” and when he opened his eyes he saw Chip looking at the room board back of the desk. ‘*291 has called. Go up and see what is wanted,” ‘ , Away went Billy Winks, and when he reach- ed the room to his disgust he found the two in a game of cards and that they wanted a pitcher of water. He had no sooner crossed the threshold than they began to eye him as before and one of them, the smaller of the pair, said pleasantly: “Billy Winks, eh?” That’s a funny name— funny enough to be a nickname.” “T know it’s ag) ong you’re not the only gentlemen who have been attracted by it.” Billy brought the water and when he came near the door, walking softly on the carpet in the hall, he was startled by a sentences. a | tell you he’s got the Pettibone eye and _ nose, I don’t let anything deceive me and this is a hunt that must not be given up till success | pe ; att crowns our efforts,” ‘*T half believe you're right, Chuck, but, what surprises me is, that we should strike the trail so soon, if we have struck it.” ‘*Look at his eyes when he comes with the water?” In a moment Billy was at the door and when he opened it the two men fell to their game, But all at once the gaze of Phlox was fastened upou him and he felt himself drawn under a strange influence, There was no questioning this time, and when the men had looked at him awhile one tossed hin a half dollar and he went out, Billy Winks now had something to think about, and when he was again seated on his. bench he did not fall asleep, but kept his bright -eyes wide open and thought of what he had overheard at the door of 291. ‘*T wonder if they meant me?” he thought. ‘*They looked me through, as it were, and I thought ney would pin me to the wall with their eyes. I don’t know any onein Philadelphy, never was there to my knowledge, and, as I told ’em, I haven’t a living relative in the world,” Billy Winks was relieved from duty early in the morning and when he touched his hat to Chip, es was his wont, he went out upon the cool street and made a bee line for home. ‘““The bell boy’s home was nothing great in the line of homes —only a little garret-like room at the head of a flight of steps, and when he bad opened the door with a pass-key be threw him- self upon the rough couch with a sigh of relief, Not many moments elapsed before the scene at the Metropolis was forgotten in sleep and the breathing of the boy was all that disturbed the silence of the cbamber, “Billy? Billy Winks?” called some one at the door, and the bell boy springing up and rubbing ‘his eyes went forward and opened the door, **T thought you was going ter sleep all day,” and a queer looking specimen of city bumanity slipped into the room and took a chair, A little old man past sixty with a quantity of gray hair, rather feeble of step, but bright-eyed, and good-looking. ’ ‘ve got another idea in my head,” he re- marked, with a smile, as he drew from beneath his coat a bit of work which looked like a little model of some new invention, . ‘*Tf I thought Edison would treat me fair, I'd take it to Menlo Park and show it to him, It’s all right now and all [ want is capital to get it started.” He placed the machine on the table, touched a spring and away it went, humming like a hundred bees with its wheels and fans, “Tt works well enough as a model, Pappy Pink,” said the boy, gazimg at the litte thing so busy on the table. ‘I wish I bad ten thousand dollars to start, you out,” ‘*Bless your heart, you'd give it all to me, wouldn’t you? know you, Billy inks, You’ve got a beartas big as Vanderbilt’s for- tune; but you’ll never get the ten thousand as long as you are a bell boy at the Metropolis.”. ‘Right you are, There’s no fortune there for a bell boy. We boys don’t strike big tips there ae j did get a balf-dollar last night.” ‘No. : “‘Here, Look at the shiner, Pappy Pink,” and the boy tossed the silver piece on the table, ** Take it and buy something for the machine,” ‘* Where did you get it?’ asked the old man, picking up the money and eying it closely, **One of the last arrivals gave it to me—Mr. Chuck Holeomb from Philadelphy. There are two of them and they eyed me like hawks and asked me forty questions about myself.” “They did, eh? Now, look here, Billy! I’ve always said there was a future in store for you and that -you’d turn out something besides a mere bell boy. Does everybody whom you take up in the elevator look at you and ask you ques- ons about yourself?” ‘* Not one in a thousand,” Pappy Pink seemed to reflect for a moment. Y oe they there yet—these two men?” es, Ten minutes later the little old inventor had taken his departure and Billy was alone. If he had followed Pappy Pink home he would have seen*him write a few lines which he sealed in an envelope and took in. person to the Metropolis Hotel. om Handing the letter to the clerk he said it was to be delivered to Chuck Holcomb, Room 291, as soon as possible, CHAPTER II. IN THE MESHES. It lapses that no bell boy was yet on dut tropolis when the note was delivered, » 4 - ’ i | NG ee 2 ar thee areal therefore the cler’- placed it in the key-box be- longing to Room 291 and went about his business, He did not think of the letter any more that day. Holcomb and his friend came down toa late breakfast, finished it and went out, Tbey did not return until evening when the clerk suddenly thinking of the letter in the box, called “Holcomb up to the desk and delivered it. It was evident that the guest of the Metropolis was surprised, and when he broke the seal and glanced through the contents of the sheet his astonishment increased, The letter was brief and little better than a poor scrawl], but Mr. Holcomb was more than surprised, ‘“*Here’s a stunner in the right direction, Flash,” he said to his companion and in a mo- ment Phlox was reading as follows: “Mr. Cnouck Hotcoms:— ‘‘Tam here in the city and want to see you right off. I think Iam in possession of the very information you want, and if you can trust me I will put you on the right track. Come to me at once, and don’t let any one see you, : \ ‘* Pappy PINK.”’ “Tt looks straight,” said Cbuck, looking at his friend whose astonishment seemed as great as his own. ‘* It’s a windfall if it is anything,” was the re- ply. ‘* You must go at once, We want to strike the trail as soon as possible for I want to get at the stakes.” Holcomb looked at his watch and glanced at the seat usually occupied by Billy Winks, but the bell boy had not returned, ‘Stay here and watch the boy,” he suggested to the Phlox, ‘I tell you he has the Pettibone face, and I dreamed of him last nigh!. Don’t render him suspicious by questioning him, but let us work under cover, and not spring the mine till everything is ready for it.” Chuck Holcomb, with Pappy Pink’s Aetter in his pocket, sauntered out in the street and walk- ed off. Directions for finding the old man had been given in one corner of the sheet, and he resolved to walk the whole distance, as the hiring of a cab might attract undue attention. It was a long walk, for the house oveupied by Pappy Pink was across the city, and he was yet three squares from it, when he was stopped by a man. Holcomb turned and saw a tall, dark-faced person, with a full beard, which was very black. At the same momenta closed carriage drove up to the sidewalk and halted. V “That is the gentleman I want to see, I am quite sure of it,” was remarked as the door of the vehicle swung open and Holcomb saw a face on the inside, ~ . ‘‘The gentleman wants to see you, sir,” said the man who bad stopped the Philadelphian. “You will oblige him by stepping forward for a moment,” Suspecting no trap, Chuck obeyed, and stepped to the open door, when he was seized by a hand that seemed to have a grip of iron, and with the assistance of the man who had. hailed him on the street, he was hustled into the vehicle and the door was shut on all. ‘‘ Not a word, Mr. Holcomb!” warned a men- acing voice, as he was thrust back into one of — the dark corners, while something like a hand- kerchief was placed over his mouth. ‘What right have you to seize me in this manner? You—” ‘Hush! You talk at the risk of your life. We know what we are doing.” Away went the carriage, and the hands at his S throat, choking him almost into insensibility, — prevented him from uttering another word, Holcomb thought of the letter in his pocket, | and tried to reach it for the purpose of throwing it into the street, but was prevented by one of the men, and after a long drive through a por- tion of the city unknown to him, the cab halted and he was helped out, He now found a cocked revolver at his head and was walked intoan alley, where they found a door, and Chuck was led into a house, « “Place bim ina chair, Simon,” and the Waa — wf \ from Philadelphia was conducted toa seat, while | the gas was turned on, and for the first time he some lively adventures. ; Both were determined looking fellows, and it was plain to Chuck that they were highly amused with the success of their trick, “Turn out your pockets, Mr. Holcomb,” or- dered one of the men, Chuck Holcomb looked indignant. ““ You are p: go as soon as possible,” Chuck urged, ’ ae 4 aes La APRs hs Bip S: * ing a game liable to get you into trouble, and the best you can do is to let me . 5 AA) a * cee) ea saw two men with whom he was destined to have *» o a i opt = w oe oe ‘
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oe | : : b His words were answered with the revolver, pushed close to his face, ‘*Go through him, Simon!” And Simon at once put his hand on his pris- ner. ‘Tf he offers resistance, you shall search a dead man, Simon,” he of the six-shooter went on. * He’s gone through more than one man in his lifetime, and he shouldn’t object to a bit of his own medicine,” Holcomb, seeing that resistance was useless, allowed Simon to search him, There was very little money on his person, but there was the note from Pappy Pink, Taking this note from Chuck’s pocket, Simon tossed it to his companion, * Hello!” cried that worthy. ‘ Here’s a go, sure enough! I told you we’d find something on him, Simon. Search further! Maybe you'll find something else of importance,” But nothing else was found, and when Simon's fingers were withdrawn, Chuck drew a breath of relief, but watched the man who was now reading the letter from Pappy Pink for the third time. “T reckon you'll let me go now,” remarked Holcomb. ‘What, let you go? I guess not, Mr. Hol- comb, When did you come in?” “You ought to know, seeing what has hap- pened.” “you came in with a iriend. Where is he? Holcomb was silent. “Don’t want to tell, eh? Well, keep the se- cret, if you want to. It is immaterial to us, You were on your way to call on the writer of this nute, weren’t you!” “No!” cried Chuck, with the boldness of a born deceiver. ‘‘I wasn’t moving toward his house at al).” **You were mighty close to it, anyhow,” laughed the other, ‘I guess the letter tickled the right spot in your conniving brain, Pappy Pink? Is that what he calls himself now?” No answer; then Simon, at a sign from his friend, retired for a moment, but only soon to return with a pair of steol handcuffs, ‘*By heavens! you rascals sha’n’t manacle me!” cried Holcomb; but the revolver was thrust forward once more and he saw a pair of gleam- ing, tigerish eyes behind it, ‘*We intend to do what we please, so don’t give us any unnecessary trouble. If you had remained away you would not have fallen into the trap we set for you.” Chuck evidently wished he had remained away, for, menaced by the revolver, he was se- cured with the bracelets and found himself a prisoner of the chair. ‘Well, what success had you two?” asked the spokesman. Holeomb’s answer was a vengeful look, ‘What is he going to pay you to strike the trail and carry out his schemes?” ‘* See here,” suddenly cried Chuck, ‘‘I don’t intend to tell you anything. You may manacle me, you may even keep me a close prisoner in this house or elsewhere, but you can’t loosen my tongue, No, you can’t do that!” There was a laugh from Simon who stood at the back of the chair, and the next moment he was leaning over and looking down into Hol- comb’s face, “You've heard of missing men, I suppose?” he suggested. ‘‘You are sags to jolu that caravan of the missing. Yes, Chuck Holcomb, ou have seen your friend in the game for the ast time, for you have fallen into the grip of the Golden Coil, and unless you open your mouth and tell the truth you will die where you are! An expression of set resolution settled over the Philadelphian’s face. ‘¢ Don’t you intend to tell us anything?” asked the man with the revolver. ** Not much, I don’t!” ‘Don’t, Simon! Give him time for repent- ance,” and Simon fell back and looked at the prisoner, vindictively—murder in his heart. ‘¢ We've struck the trail in this,” went on the other, bolding Pappy Pink's letter in Chuck’s face, ‘‘We know something now we had not known before, thanks to your coming to Gotham, Mr, Holcomb,” The occupant of the chair made no reply and ae another look full of meaning the men with- rew. ‘In Heaven’s name, where am I?” the prison- er asked himself, ; He made an effort to quit the chair, but some unseen agency held him to the seat; the chair was a trap, capable of holding bim as though it had jaws of steel, Billy Winks, the Bell Boy Detective. CHAPTER III. BILLY WINKS STARTS HIS TRAIL, A SHORT time before these exciting events, Billy Winks, with some time on his bands, be- fore he was expected to go on duty at the Metropolis, left his humble quarters and made his way to the home of a friend, whose friend- ship extended from a chance acquaintance that happened some time prior to the opening of our story. ‘*T haven’t seen Josie for some time, and I'll kinder drop in and see how she’s coming on,” he mused, as he ran nin Lly up a flight of steps and knocked at a door in a narrow ball on the second floor, back. ‘‘Heigh, Josie!” cried the bell boy, springing into the room and surprising a neat-looking girl of seventeen, who had just put away the re- mains of a frugal supper. ‘‘I was going down to business, but thought I’d drop in and see how the world wasusing you. You look as fresh as a peach, Josie,” he girl blushed under the compliment. ‘* Rattling the type-writer don’t seem to hurt you, Josie. I believe it does you good, really, now I do.” ‘One has to do something, Billy,” was the reply, ‘‘and 1 guess my fingers were made for just what I do every day.” The bell boy crossed his legs and looked ad- miringly at the type- writer. ‘You don’t see that man any more, do you, Josie?” “Hush! I saw bim again to-day,” was the answer. ‘‘He nearly frightened me to death for I did not know he was near, and when I looked back as I sometimes do when on the street, I found him right at my shoulder, I nearly fainted.” ‘“*T would like to know who heis. He's been watching you off and on for months, hasn’t he, Josie?” ‘For three months, at any rate. I believe I haven’t made a single trip to the office that he haso’t seen me, It is something terrible to be watched that way! This morning something exciting happened on the car. An old man was robbed by some pickpocket, and of all be had, too, He went on at a terrible rate, for a time, and then broke down and sat half-dazed in one corner, I pitied bim from the depth of my heart, and when he got off I alighted, too, and made him take a little something to help him along.” - “That’s just like you, Josie. You've got a big heart, I'll bet you gave bim all you had.” ““Not quite, Billy,” smiled the pretty type- writer. ‘I left myself enough to get home on, I gave the oli man my address; he seemed to want it. And then we parted on the side- walk,” : “€ You didn’t know him, Josie?” ‘*He said he was a stranger in the city—that he had come to New York on an important errand, and there he stopped suddenly, as if something strangely affected him, and left me rather suddenly and was swallowed up in the crowd on Broadway.” ‘‘ He wasn’t like the man who has been watch- ing you?” : ‘Not at all, That man is a villain of the deepest dye, and I have been thinking of giving up my job and not going out on the street any more,” ‘Don’t do that, Josie—at least not until I can get a look at the man. I'll follow you down town to-morrow, but you are not to notice me atall, What do yousay?” — ** That will be the thing, Billy. I want you to get a fair look at my watcher, for [am sure he will be on my track in the morning.” ‘What does Nelse say?” ‘¢Ob, be wants to call in the police, but I don’t want to get into the papers.” ‘“‘ Has Nelse seen the man?” ‘Once, I believe. He caught sight of him on Broadway in company With another person who seemed, to be his chum.” ; ‘“‘Then, there are two of them?” ‘Tt would seem so from what Nelse says, but I have seen but the one, aud he has frightened me enough,” Billy Winks arose and went to the window, “I’m going on, now, Josie,” he said. ‘I had arun of luck last night. Got a good tip, but was almost stared out of countenance by two men from Philadelphy. Good-by, Josie!” and, with the cheery good- hn the type-writer ring- ing in his ears, Billy Winks darted from the room and went back to the hotel. For some hours he saw poring either Hol- comb or his partner, Mr. Phlox, but at the end of that time he caught sight of the latter in the office, considerably disturbed in mind, Phlox was watching the main entrance of the Metropolis with all eyes, and every now and then he would go to the door and look up and down the street. These movements did not escape the keen eyes of the alert boy, and for some time he amused himself watching the nervous man who, after every trip to the door, became more disturbed than before. ‘*Mebbe he’s lost his mate,” thought Buly Winks. ‘‘He acts that way, anyhow, but uess he won’t tell me anything—not from what beard last night,” For some time PhlJox had glanced at the boy on the bench, and at last, after four hours of mental torture, he came forward, ‘‘Here you are,” he remarked, taking a seat beside Billy. ‘Tm always on hand,” was the reply. ‘¢ Where's your friend?” In an instant the face of young Phlox paled, ‘To be plain with you, that is just what puz- zles me,” he answered, ‘I’m afraid everything did not go well with him, and if I thought he had fallen into a trap, I should go mad.” ‘‘Into a trap?” echoed the boy, and then he gave a prolonged whistle of amazement, ‘ You don’t think a trap could catch a sharp like yer pardner, do you?” **T—don’'t—know,” slowly answered Phlox, with a shake of his head, ‘There are some Diane shrewd men in these cities and they’re capable of catching anything.” ‘«They’re cute in New York, Was yer pard- ner to come back very soon?” ‘* He didn’t expect to be gone over an hour, and here six have passed and he isn’t back y ‘* What do you think?” ‘*] daren’t tell you, I think the most borrible things you can imagine,” ‘*He must have gone off on important busi- ness?” See here, boy, “* He did, he did! know—” ‘* Flash ” Phlox put his hand to his forehead fora moment to brighten his recollection and then continued: “T have it now, named Pappy Pink?” Billy Winks nearly fell from the bench, “Old Pink, the inventor? I should say I **T don’t know what he does, but I do know that is the way he signed the letter,” *“ He wrote a letter, did he?” ‘*- Yes, to Chuck, It was signed ‘ Pappy Pink,’ and I thought at the time it was the funniest name | ever heard,” ‘““-You thought mine was funny, too, didn’t you? I know Pappy Pink, but the queer thing with me is that he should know anything about you,” Phlox did not reply for a moment, but the bell boy watched him closely, ‘Could that letter have been a decoy?” the Philadelphian asked at last, ‘What, the letter from Pappy Pink? Not a bit of it! I know the old man and he is as harmless as a dove, All he knows is how to get up the queerest machines you ever saw, and one of these days be’ll strike it rich and then we'll be somebody.” ‘| We?” ‘“*Me and Pappy Pink, He always says he is going to share the fortune with me unless mine comes first, when I am to share with him,” Phlox seemed to forget his companion for a moment, ‘* Where would your fortune come from?” he asked, looking into Billy’s face, intently. ‘‘Hrom the moon, probably,” and the bell boy whistled again, ‘I should think it would be as likely to come from there as any where else, But, it’s fuony that Pappy Pink should write to your companion.” Perhaps Flash Phlox thought that he had said too pits or bad resolved to curb his tongue, for he relapsed into silence and it was some time before he spoke again, During his silence he continued to watch the door, or look at the clock in the office, and whenever Billy Winks came back to his bench, after serving some guests, he found the man in the same mood. ‘‘T can’t stand this any longer,” suddenly de- cided Phlox, dropping down upon the bench be- side the lad. oP believe you are honest and square, boy, and can keep a secret, I came to New York on some very important business in which there are thousands not only for ourselves, but for a lost boy and girl if we ean find them,” Do you Do you know any one 3" Chuck and at *
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4 Billy Winks, the Bell Boy Detective. Billy looked at the man and saw that he was | telling the truth, or at least he thought he was. *‘We are liable to be crossed if our business becomes known to another party,” Phlox went on. ‘itis a deep game of diamond cut dia- mond. A great injustice has been done; but I am not at liberty to go back aad tell you all I know. If Chuck has fallen into bad hands through the decoy letter—” “If that letter actually came from Pappy Pink it was not a decoy,” broke in Billy Winks, **T’ll go the old man’s security for honesty. He don’t know how to be a rascal, As I have told ou, all he knows is how to put wheels and pul- eys together, and make the most wonderful machines you ever heard of.” “Tt may be as you say. I read the letter Chuck got, but I forget Pappy Pink’s address,” “Tl give you that,” cried Billy, ‘‘and if you'll wait ten minutes, till ‘Jingle’ comes in, I'll go witb you.” Mr, Phlox concluded to wait, and in a short time ‘‘ Jingle,” another bell boy, came in, and Billy got leave of absence, for the ge of ** pniding the gentleman to another part of the city;” but, in reality, to inaugurate the most thrilling adventures of his life, CHAPTER IV, PHLOX’S STORY, ‘¢ Mr, Curp, if you please, l’ve come to throw up my job.” The bediamonded young clerk who presided over the desk of the Metropolis Hotel looked at Billy Winks like one in a maze, “Throw up your job?” he cried, ‘‘ What, don’t it suit you?” ‘Oh, I haven’t anything to complain of, but the truth is, Mr. Chip, I’ve gone into other busi- ness, When Chip had recovered from his astonish- ment the proprietor was called in, Billy was paid off, and walked out with some money in his pocket, At the door he was joined by Flash Phlox, with whom hoe walked off, saying, while his face was lit up with a smile: “mm at your service from now on, Mr, Phlox, I believe what you told me in Papp Pink’s deserted room to be the truth, the whole truth and nothing else, and the fact is, I’m in- terested in this mysterious affair as I’ve never been interested beforein my life, The question is not only what’s become of Chuck Holcomb, but, why bas Pappy Pink run off without leay- ing word behind? Billy Winks and Phlox, whom we saw at the conclusion of the previous chapter on their way to the abode of the old inventor known as Pappy Pink, was confronted by a genuine surp when the bell boy opened the door, The little room was quite deserted, and every- thing pointed to a hasty flight. **T don’t think the old man intends to come back any more,” said Billy, looking round the room, while Phlox stared with open eyes and pale and speechless, ‘It’s very queer.” “* Hang it all, it’s amazing!” broke out Flash. **T feel as though he knew we were coming, and went off just to beat us, “There may be more in this flight than you think. I still stick to it that Pappy Pink never intended that letter to decoy anybody. He is incapable of doing that.” *“ But it seems to have gotten Chuck into trouble.” ‘1m afraid so; but look here! we ought to be able to find Josie at home now.” ‘¢ Who's Josie?” asked Phlox. ‘The best girl in the world, I don’t mind in- troducing you but I don’t think Nelse will like it very well, 'Nelse is somewhat sweet on Josie but no one can cut him out, so we will go an see her.” The pair went from the old man’s home to the room occupied by the pretty type-writer, and the moment Phlox entered the room and set og on Josie he fell back with a cry that drew illy’s attention to him, “Why, what’s the matter, Phlox?” he cried. “It’s only Josie, and she wouldn’t burt any one. Josie, this is Mr. Phlox, and we have gone in partnership in a little matter,” Josie looked first at_the boy and then at his companion. She could not conjecture why Billy should form a partnership with Flash Phlox, who, while thasideorie and well dressed, did not very favorably impress her, hen the introduction had been gone through with, Billy suddenly asked the type-writer when she had last seen Pappy Pink. “Not for some days,” was ‘the reply, “He then dropped in to show me his new idea, and did not stay long as I was sick and he would not bother me,” All the time Phlox was looking most strangely at Josie, and when he and Billy had left the house he caught his companion’s arm, and ex- claimed: * Who is that girl, Billy?” ‘Why, Josie.” ** Yes, yes; but Josie who?” ** Josie Jackson.” ** How long have you known her?” ‘* Nearly ever since I’ve knownanything. It’s kind o’ queer that Josie and I should be frionds, for there’s not much in common be- tween us; but somehow or other, we seem to bave been drawn toward one another, and I think as much of her as I would of a sister, if I had one.” Flash Phlox did not reply for a moment, and then looking again at the boy, he went on: “Pll bet a dollar that the fellow who gets Josie will get a fine one,” ‘¢ That girl’s finer than silk, Phlox,” declared the boy. “The other day she gave her last cent to an old man who had been robbed on a car, That’s Josie Jackson all over, She’s got pluck, too—could fight if she had to. I don’t know where she gets her blood from, but it’s the right kind,” **T believe you, Billy.” ** Now, Mr, Phiox, if we could find Chuck—” ** Heavens! we must find him,” was the reply. “There is to be no ifs and ands about this ques- tion, There is too much at stake. Chuck Hol- comlL4nust turn up.” iit tell you what TH do. Tl resign my position at the hotel and devote my whole time to ink hunt, You don’t want to employ a detec- tive?” Flash Phlox started violently. ‘*T don’t want to do anything of the kind,” he said, ‘‘I would sooner go back and leave the whole thing unraveled than throw this case into the hands of the ferrets of this city. I have told you too much already, Billy—that is, more than I should have told you, ou know what brought Chuck and I to New York; you know that we are employed by a certain man to discover, if possible, what ever became of two children whose home was destroyed by fire over in Jersey, years and years ago when they were little more than babes. You know what awaits them if they still live. The fortune is simply enormous, though the man who is using it is spending a good deal of it, but there is enough left to enrich the young heirs.” ** But, Phlox, do you think the father of the children really perished in the fire?’ asked Billy who had not lost a word of Phlox’s story. ‘*The impression is that he did. You see that it is to the advantage of the man who is using the property not to have the children turn up, He is a cool rascal who will not spare means to keep himself in possession of the fortune—the ** Pettibone Fortune,” as it is called among the people there, The children disappeared the night of the fire and from that hour have never been beard of. The iron safe which stood in one corner of the Pettibone library was found in the ruins of the fire and when it was opened it was found to contain a will made in a singular manner, That wiil said: should the children die or “disappear” (that’s the very way it was worded) the property after a certain time should descend to the man who holds it now.” ** What claims had he to it?” ‘* He once saved John Pettibone’s life, and the old man was much attached to him. But, at the end of the will there was a clause that said a good deal in very few words. In substance, this was, that, should Blake Belden, the man now in possession of the fortue, marry a certain woman, the children should have the fortune, no matter when they turned up. Don’t you see? Well, Belden married the very woman John Pettibone hated, and now he wants to make sure that the heirs of the estate don’t turn up.” Billy gave a whistle. “*T see. And the man who sent you to New York pays you and Chuck Holcomb for looking after the two children because he wants to beat Belden out of the estate?” **That’s it. More than this: it is believed that the fire which destroyed the house was not acci- dental—that the father, John Pettibone, if he did not perish in the flames, would tell the truth and so place Blake Belden in very tight quarters. We believe that Belden has kept in his employ in this city men who have been looking for the Pettibone children—not with any kind intentions either,” **T should say not, Phlox, when one hears the story of the past, hope the children, if they are alive, won’t fall into the hands of Blake Bel- den’s agents,” ““If they do they are lost forever; thatis all there is of it,” was the confident assertion, ‘‘This does settle it,” cried Billy Winks with emphasis. ‘*I am Boing straight to the hotel and throw up the job.” The above is how the boy’s resignation came about and when he walked from the Metropolis Hotel, and looked up into Phlox’s face he smiled good-naturedly. **T never thought I would become a little fer- ret, myself, Phlox; but, ’m going to find the Pettibone children and baffle Blake Belden’s. agents. I know this city as few boys know it, for before I went into the hotel I was a sort of gutter-snipe and nobody knew the dark places of New York better than Billy Winks, I guess we understand one another, Phlox. If I see any- thing suspicious about you I'll drop you like a hot potato and you may do the same with me,” **T don’t think I shall have occasion to do any- thing of the kind,” said the other. ‘‘Iam sure Chuck would not have made you his confidant, for Chuck is a queer chicken, but, just now, he isn’t in the bargain, and, in fact, I believe he is in a tight trap of some kind, or he would have put in appearance long before this.” The two went to Billy’s room where they had along talk, at the end of which the Bell Boy Detective thought he could trust the man to a certain extent. ** Now I have a little job on my hands for to- morrow morning,” observed Billy. ‘‘ I promised Josie to take a look at the man who has beer dogging her footsteps to and from her work.” ** What shall I do?” asked Phlox, i: Go back to the Metropolis and keep both eyes open. Flash promised to do this, and when he and the boy separated for the night he returned to the hotel, wondering what would come of the adventure. As for Billy Winks he glided from his room and went back to the little place once occupied by Pappy Pink in hopes of finding some trace of the old inventor. But, he found nothing, and as be came down the steps he stopped and looked at a man stand- ing in the shadow of the wall with his hat pulled over his eyes, CHAPTER V. BILLY HEARS SOMETHING, F'RoM the looks of the man, as the boy could see him, he thought at once that he was the per- son who had followed Josie Jackson to and from the office where she worked the type-writer. What had brought the man to old Pink’s house?” While the bell boy looked the figure moved, and allat once sprung out into the street and vanished. : Billy stood awhile on the stair and then went own, He saw no one, but to make sure that the man had come to Pappy Pink’s den he watched the doorway for some time, but the fellow did not come back, “That was a singular proceeding,” said the boy to himself, ‘‘ I won’t go back and tell Josie, nor will I hunt up Phlox and say anything to him. Tl just keep my own counsel and see what comes of this adventure,” His earnest desire was to find some trace of Chuck Holcomb, but he had not forgotten the story of the lost children and the fire in Jersey. An hour later Billy almost ran into a man who looked very much like the person he saw on the stair, and the following moment he was surprised to see the man joinea by another who was much younger and rather dudish in appear- ance, “The youngest one is the man Nelse saw with the watcher on Broadway,” Billy muttered, and then he fell to watching the twain as he would have watched a brace of tigers, The longer he looked at them the firmer grew his belief that one Was the person he had seen on the stairway leading to Pappy Pink’s room. He was weil built and handsome, though. rather dark of face, and the boy noticed that he had a springy step like a cheetab. “ A pretty pair, [ll be bound, Up to some sort of mischief too, andif I watch them long enough I will see something that may iet some light in upon the very thing I am looking after.” illy Winks was led after the pair to a_ street near the river, and while eying the taller one when they had se , the dude having van- ished in another direction, he was astonished to have his arm seized from behind, a rt
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are eee “What's up?’ cried the Bell Boy Detective, ‘turning the moment he felt the grip, and looking up into the face that confronted him, He had been caught by the dude, and now he Saw that the fellow, while good-looking, had a pair of bad eyes,in his head and that he wore gloves buttoned far up his wrist. Caught you looking, eh?” he grinned, ** Caught who looking?” echoed Billy, ‘* Look here, don’t you know a boy bas aright to be out as long as he pleases, and as for looking, I use my eyes: whenever I’m out, That's what they're for. In a second Billy felt that he was being drag- ged toward the man supposed to be Josie’s shad- ow, and all at once he jerked back and with such force that the man not lookiag for aplay of this sort was thrown forward and the grip was broken. Before he could re-seize the agile boy, he was out of reach, and Billy laughing in his face told him to take a tighter hold next time and not leta boy outwit him. Despite his narrow escape from what might have been an uapleasant time, Billy Winks did not quit the vicinity, but came back and con- tinued to watch the man he had concluded to track. He picked him up after a little search, and ‘was soon on his trail. In a very short time he found himself in a house which be had entered, and was listening in the dark. He had tracked the man to the house adjoin- ing, and having seen on the door of the other one the legend: ‘‘To Let,” he managed to effect an entrance in bopes of hearing something through the walls, as the two buildings were close together. The interior of the house was dark, and the boy did not move for some time after entering it He had been enabled to discover nothing but a coil of rope in one corner, and while wondering what it was for, be was startled by a sound which from the very first enlisted his attention, The boy ferret had found an iron riog in the floor near the center of the room, and for a moment had associated the rope and ring to- gether in his mind. Voices suddenly came up from below, but they seemed too distant for him to make out any- thing but confused sounds, Billy got down on all-fours and began to feel the floor for a trap door, He found it so suddenly that a cry came from his lips, and be felt its dimensions besides find- ing the way to open it. When he had pulled it open he thought of the rope and the ring, and in a moment had brought the two together, “I believe I could discover something if I could go down into the cellar and listen at one of the walls. The voices I hear seem to come upward, and I must find out what they mean.” He made one end of the rope fast to the ring, and then deliberately swung over the edge of the trap. Hand over hand like a sailor Billy Winks lowered his body into the dark place, and the downward journey seemed endless, Once he stopped in mid-air, for a door some- where overhead was heard to open and shut, Yor once, at Jeast, his heart was in his throat, and when the sound died away he went on, He reached the ground at last, and found him- self in a place as dark as the room above, That it was an old cellar he had po doubt, for it was half filled with rubbish in several places, and he stood for a time among it all and listened, ep Bhan in the cellar could not see his band before his face, nor could he hear a single sound, : Suddenly he heard a voice seemingly so near that he recoiled, It seemed at first that he was not the only oc- cupant of the cellar, but he was soon disabused of this idea. The voice had come from beyond the opposite wall in the cellar of the adjoining house. “*T guess you won't feel so sanguine when you get out of the net,” said some one in tones of tri- umph, apgorne one will have to pay for it all in the end, “Do you really think so? Now, don’t you sa trumps are all in our hands?” o “You don’t, eh? I'd like to know what you are going to do to beat the game. We know everything you have been doing ever since the old man sent you out on the mission of revenge and recovery. The trail is blocked against you at every point and all I have todo is to raise my | ee ee a hand and you will step from the drama and will never be heard of again,” There was no reply and Billy wondered who the speakers were. ‘*What is he to pay you two for finding the trail?’ asked the man who had spoken last, ‘*That is our business,” ** All right. Chuck Holcomb, you are at the end of the string and your companion will never hear of you again,” Chuck Holeomb! The name drew a cry from Billy. He had found the missing pard, but a stone wall separ- ated them and he did not know what else. Yes, Chuck was just beyond that wall and in the cellar of the adjoining house to which he had tracked the man from the street. ** You haven’t been here long enough to strike the trailif it is here,” continued the speaker, ‘*Wesaw youcome and planned the neat job we carried out. When you undertake to beat us, Chuck, you will have to stay up all night, We know more than you think and as you are to end your days where you are, I[ will tell you that we know what became of the Pettibone children and that we intend to see that Blake Belden is not disturbed in possession of his rights,” “His rights?” laughed the other—Chuck Hol- comb—derisively. ‘*Why, the only right that rascal has is the right to be hung,” ** Come, you’re a pretty man to say that. You are not anangel by any means, Mr. Holeomb, But we won’t review characters just now. You say you won’t tell me what you had discovered before we netted youf Very well; keep the secret,” This seemed to end the conversation for there was no reply and Billy Winks thought he heard the closing of a door, The silence that came after this sound was al- most palpabie, The Bell Boy Detective leaned against the wall and tried to locate the man be- ond, But in this he was disappointed for he could bear nothing to guide him though he listened a long time, ‘* Pll go back and start anew in another place,” he said, Billy groped his way to the middle of the cellar and began to feel for the rope, Finding it at last he managed to climb up to the room and stood once more over the cellar, Intent now on getting out of the house with a view to exploring the one where Holcomb was imprisoned he opened the door and caught a whiff of night air, He had barely touched the step when a figure flitted by and in an instant he hugged the door- way and held his breath, But a footstep came back, a figure leaned to- ward him—a figure like that of a giant—and be- fore he could fall back into the silent hallway he bers by a powerful hand, ** Watching, eh?” and Billy was drawn toward the speaker, ‘‘ I’ve a mind to wring your neck like a chicken; but, I won’t do that because you're nothing but a city rat,” and the bell boy ferret was thrown into the gutter at the risk of a broken head and the man disappeared, ” I'l make that cost you something yet!” ex- claimed Billy Winks as be scrambled to his feet, fortunately with no broken bones. CHAPTER VI. TOO FOOLISH BY HALF, WHEN the Bell Boy Detective scrambled from the gutter he lost no time in getting out of that tough neighorhood, | He returned to the hotel in hopes of finding Phlox, but learned from the clerk that the young man had paid his score and departed. “‘T won ler if Phlox hasn’t been scared away?” questioned the youthful rogue-catcher. “I could see that he wished he hadn’t told: me as much as he did, and fearing Chuck’s displeasure, he has gone away and I may not see him any more,” The next morning bright and early Billy Winks went down to the neighborhood of Josie’s humble home to be on the lookout when she should start to the office where she worked, He was anxious to get a look at the man who had been watching ber so long. In a little while the pretty type-writer came out and walked away. It was Josie’s custom to walk several squares and then take a car; but sometimes she varied this custom by walking all the way. Billy was.not noticed by the girl under pre- vious arrangement and when she started off be Mg far behind with his keen eyes on the alert. Billy Winks, the Bell Boy Detective, 5 For some time nothing occurred to interest him and he was about to believe that he was to be disappointed when, in passing a corner Josie came face to face with a man who looked at her and then followed her toward the office. “That is be!” said Billy. ‘That is the man who has been shadowing Josie. He is like the man I saw last night—the one who flung me into the street.” The boy ferret saw that the man was rather tall and fashionably dressed, that he carried a gold-headed cane, looked like a person of wealth and leisure, but at the same time there was about him a look which did not impress the young detective in bis favor, He followed the type-writer ata respectful distance and Josie, wondering if Billy was on the lookout, never looked behind her and in- stead of taking the car, resolved to walk all the way. Severa) times the man seemed to increase his gait, asif to overtake the girl, but as often he changed his mind and let her go on without molestation, By the time Josie reached the office Billy had had a good look at the man and when the girl disappeared within the building he turned and walked back, ‘‘That’s the very man,” decided Billy, ‘1 can’t be mistaken, and while he is away from the house, Why can’t 1 go there and look in the right building for Chuck Holcomb?” Suiting action to his words, the boy witha final look at the man, went over into that part of the city where he had met with his somewhat thrilling encounter and managed to enter the house adjoining the scene of his adventure. * He found it but little different in shape from the first-named place and when he bad descended to the door of the cellar be found it locked. This made him almost sure that he would find Holcomb in the cellar, but when he leaned for- ward and called the man’s name no one answered him, Was it possible that the prisoner had been re- moved to another part of the city—that his pres- ence had frightened the players of the game? He found an iron bar in the house and return- ing with it to the cellar door, forced the staple and entered, , The next instant he fell back with a cry and stared at the bare room, The old piace wasempty, but there were proofs that it had been tenanted by some one and that that person had been there against his will, A chair turned upside down lay in one corner of the room and some ropes strewn about told the story of a prisoner, As the place was quite dark, Billy struck a light and began to explore the cellar. He suddenly stopped in front of some scrib- bling on the stones and holding his light close read the name of Chuck Holcomb. This settle the question of the tenantry of the hole and he was nonplused as to his next move, It was now certain that Holeomb, who was working in the interests of justice, had fallen into the hands of Blake Belden’s bired agents who were trying to baffle him; but what bad be- come of the captive of the underground place? Billy went_back with the discovery agitating his mind, He concluded to look after the man who had paid so much attention to Jessie, the pretty type-writer, and to this end he frequented the down-town streets where he thought he would be likely to run across the fellow. All at once there crossed Billy’s path on lower Broadway, not the girl-watcher, but the dudish fellow who held him in bis clutches for a few moments, as the reader will readily recall. ‘Follow the slave and find the master,” thought the Bell Boy Detective and sure enough a little chase brought him face to face with the otber one, The pair did not seem to be acquainted with each other, but this was mere sham and only served to sharpen the boy’s wits. After an hour’s atone: he followed the tall- est one into a restaurant, and to his su was called up to the table where the man sa Billy said nothing, but went forward, wonder- ing what was in the wind, Do you ever carry messages, boy?” said the man looking at the young ferret, * Sometimes,” was the reply. ‘** Would you carry one for mef” t It was evident that the man did not recognize Billy as the boy he had thrown into the street, for he took out bis note book and tore off a leaf, In a moment he was writing, and when he had finished be asked one of the waiters for an en- velope into which he put what he had written, and then addressed it, Billy was eager to read the superscription, and
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6 when he reached the sidewalk his first act was to do this, He discovered that the letter was addressed to— **BuRTON VAN LOO, No, 244 S—— St., City.” ‘¢ That’s in a good quarter,” said the boy ferret with asmile, “If | could see what is in this letter I would give a good deal—that is, all I am worth; but I'll deliver it and get a look at Van Loo.” ; It did not take the young and eager messen- ger long to reach S—— street, and when he ran up the steps of No, 244, he was ushered into a wide hall and ordered to go into the parlor and wait for Mr. Van Loo, ‘*There’s money here,” thought Billy Winks while he waited for the master of the house and amused himself looking at the fine paintings on the wall. ‘* This is a better house than the one to which I tracked Chuck Holcomb.” His words were cut short by the entrance of aman at whom he began to stare the moment he caught sight of him, This was Van Loo, a fine looking, florid-faced man with a superb figure and gray side-whiskers after the manner of an English nobleman, Billy at once handed the man his note, and that gentleman dropped into a chair and opened it. hile he sat there the boy had a good op- portunity to study him, and he improved 1t. He sawa faint smile overspread the man’s face as he read, and when he had finished the message he looked up at Billy with the paper A a on the table. ** You're to take a message back? That’s the way I understand this matter,” he said, and then he drew writing materials toward him and be- gan to write. ‘*Go on,” said the boy to himself while be watched Van Loo. ‘The man at the restau- raut told me nothing of the kind, but if you want tointrust me with a letter it’s all rigkt, Mr. Van Loo,” The person at the table finished his task, sealed what he had written and addressed it to **Spanker,” thinking, no doubt, that the boy knew the rest, ‘*Take that to bira, and here’s something for your trouble,” said the man, and a silver dollar rolled toward Billy Winks. Billy smiled, bowed his acknowledgments and withdrew, but he had barely left the house ere Van Loo, looking again at the letter on the table, lost color and fairly flew to the door. He had discovered that no answer was re- quired and that he bad committed a serious blunder in sending one, But Billy Winks had cut around the corner and was out of sight and he had his curses for his pains, ‘Gone with the letter!” growled the man, go- ing back into the luxurious parlor. “ [ ought to be kicked across the continent. What if the boy opens that letter and is sharp soon, to figure out what it means? Great Cesar! 1’m a fool,” and kicking an innocent cat half way across the parlor, he sat down, swearing more than ever. Meantime Billy Winks, highly elated over something, was on the street with the letter re- ceived from Van Loo burning a hole in hia inside pocket, ““T think I’ve picked up an important link,” he chuckled, ‘It’s almost as good as finding sek Holcomb, for ’ve an idea who this Van 00 is, CHAPTER VII. MASTER AND MAN, It was later in the day when the sender of the note by Billy Wloks, sitting in the cool parlor of the fine house on S—— street, was aroused by the jingling of the bell ip the hall, and when there stepped in the room the man who had met the boy detective in the restaurant, he gave vent to an exclamation of delight, ‘Did you get my letter?’ demanded Van Loo. ““What letter?” was the quick response, ac- ae a by a look of wonder. “Why, the one I sent back by the boy who brought yours,” ‘“* Did you do that? Ifyou had read my note carefully you would have seen that no answer was required, The truth is, I sent that message by one of these street Arabs and the chances are that I will never see bim again.” Yan Loo’s countenance clouded and he gasped for breath, “‘I did discover my mistake when it was too ber boy was off and I could not overtake m, ** Oh, let it go,” said the other in an off-hand way, though it was evident tnat he was some- what disturbed over the blunder. ‘‘The boy will be looking for me at the restaurant, and 1 will drop down and waitin the neighborhood for him.” This seemed to relieve Van Loo and he took a cigar from the box on the table. ‘When are we going to wind the thing up?” he asked with a glance at bis visitor, “ Pretty soon with Holeomt where he won’t be likely to give ua furtber trouble—” “Be sure of that as you go along,” was the interruption. “Tam, I guess Simon and I are equal to the emergency. I was looking at tie girl again to- day. There can be no mistake, aud the boy is the only one who really puzzles me.” ‘* Ts she really pretty?” ‘She is very good-lovukipng.” * A type-writer, you say?” SY eu,” ‘© Where does she work?” **Up-stairs for Nuff & Fancy, No. — Broad- way. Sueis the veiy image of the photograph ou have shown me and if the boy looks any vay ike her, we will run «cross bim, too. I have told Simon to keep his eyes open and in the course of time we will be ready to close on both of them.” ** What about the old man?” Spanker fellgbace: in bis chair and laughed. ** He’s rattled here,” he said, touching his fore- head, ‘ Yes, old Pappy Pink is as harmless asa kitten, He is all the time getting up queer look- ing inventions none of which will ever amount to anything, but, you see, it occupies his time and that is all he wants,” ‘* But you had no trouble with him?” “Not the least in the*world. He went with me like a lamb, and when I told him that I would furnish all the money he wanted to carry out his plans he was eager to go. No one will miss him much but a boy on whom he calls occasion- ally—a bell boy at one of the minor hotels, Old Pink and the boy are pretty thick, and he is the only one who cared anything about the old man, He’s comfortable an is willing to stay where be is till the trump of Jadginent blows,” “Dm glad you succeeded so well with him, answered Van Loo with a self-gatisfied smile. ‘* We are getting along as satisfactorily as could be expected, I guess; but I am anxious to get back where I can be Blake Belden once more,” ** You'll be going back ere long,” was the as- surance, “I will see to that. I have spotted the girl—I am sure of that, but the boy is the only drawback now.” ‘* How far had Holcomb and his partner got?” “Not very far, They had just struck the city and the trail had not been found, Chuck Holcomb is a shrewd man and we did well in getting hold of him in time,” So Van Loo was Blake Belden, the conspira- tor against the fortune due the Pettibone chil- dren, and Spanker was one of the agents men- tioned to Billy Winks by Flash Phlox, Holcomb’s ard. ; . This man, Belden, bad come to New York himself so as to be near the scene of operations and his hand had directed the movements of his men, and was responsible for the} capture of Chuck Holcomb and the disappearance of Pappy Pink, Billy’s friend the inventor. “When do you expect to draw the net on the girl?” he asked, after a pause of a few seconds. ‘Just as soon as I get it spread to suit me,” was the reply, ** Don’t make a misplay.” ‘* What! me make sucha thing? I guess there's no danger.” ‘“‘ I'd like to see this type-writer just for luck. I would know her on sight.” There was no reply to this. “* Would it be dangerous for me to go down and wait till she came out of the building to go home?” **T don’t know. I have always told you that the best thing for all of us in this game is for you to lie low and not appear in it at all.” ‘*T know that; but I would like to get a glimpse of the girl. You may have made a mistake— remember, I don’t say you bave—and none must be made. The wrong girl must not be netted.” “Well, if you promise to behave discreetly and not to give yourself away you may go down and watch for her. You want to get there just about six, for she comes down punctually and goes off home.” Van Loo, or Belden, glanced at his watch. “Tl get ready now,” said he. ‘It’s nearing that time, and I am anxious for the little ad- venture, Spanker sat in the parlor and smoked until Billy Winks, the Bell Boy Detective. Van Loo came down-stairs acne | quite differ- ent from his natural self, and when he announced that he was ready, both left the house, ‘¢- You want to be very careful,” said Spanker, in low tones. ‘* Remember that Phlox, the other one, is still at large and may’be on the watch, though I have discovered that he has paid his bill and is no longer at the hotel. He is not as dangerous as Holcomb, who is the brains of the game against us, and I am not afraid of him.” ** Allright; [ll play my part of the game te perfection, and would suggest that while I am watching for the girl you go back to tbe restau- rant and see if the boy has left that letter for ou.” ‘* A good idea, and I'll do it at once, You know where the office is!” Van Loo hurried on and soon came opposite the building where Josie Jackson ran the type- writer, It wanted a few minutes of six, and he sta- tioned bimself at a convenient spot and fell to watching the door, In ashort time there came tripping out of the tall building a graceful figure, at sight of which he uttered a sharp cry. *“*That’s the game!” he cried. ‘' By Jericho! Spanker was right, She’s as pretty asa picture. There’s no mistake. We have found tke ver person we've been scouring the city for, and all we want now is the boy.” Josie, thinking of the man who had been in the habit of dogging her steps, threw a cautious glance around when she emerged from the house, but did not see Van Loo on the watch. In another moment the man had started for- ward and with. bis eyes fastened on the girl, seemed to see no one else, ‘*Great Scot!” suddenly.cried a voice at his elbow, and turning be beheld a youngish man staring at him with eyes that seemed on the eve of popping from his head. peas instant Van Loo colored, He saw at once that he had been discovered despite the clever mask he wore, but did not for a moment guess the identity of the other man. ‘* Here, you don’t know me, [ guess,” and) the speaker stepped forward. ‘‘ Let me set your doubts at rest. You are Blake Belden and came to New York for a purpose. I want to know what your agents have done with Chuck Hol- comb, There’s no use mincing matters at this stage of the game. Where is be, I say?” hese words, spoken in a loud tone, reached the ears of Josie Jackson, and the girl, turning suddenly, saw that the speaker was the man Billy Winks had presented to her at her lodgings a few hours before. Josie involuntarily stopped and looked at the pair, She saw the color leave Van Loo’s face and in a moment kad connected him with her own fortunes. “T know nothing about your partner,” cried Van Loo, madly. ‘‘I am an inoffensive gentle- man and don’t propose to be browbeaten on the street.” He went at Phlox as he spoke and a cullision was imminent, but at that moment a boy ran between the pair and Phlox was thrown back, “Don’t get into a gs with that man, Phlox. That is Mr. Van Loo, and you don’t want to waste time on him now,” ** Billy Winks!” cried Phlox as he fell back. ‘‘The very boy I want,” exclaimed Van Loo, making a dart at the young ferret. ‘ Here; where is that letter I gave you this morning?” “Oh, it’s all O. K.,” grinned Billy. ‘“‘ I’ve de- livered it.” “To whom?” “Why, to Spanker, at the restaurant,” A look of relief crossed Van Loo’s face and Billy Winks and Phlox at once vanished, ‘That was the man,” cried Phlox, catching hold of the boy’s arm. ‘“‘ We have just had an encounter with Blake Belden, the head of the Golden Coil,” ** Right you are, Phlox; but come with me. I want to show you the copy of acertain letter. I delivered the original to Spanker, but I took a copy all the same,” ‘You're worth your weight in gold,” said the admiring Phlox; but Billy Winks, laughed in monies ‘ : : No, I’m all ‘brass,’ Phlox. But come and see, CHAPTER VIII THE GRIP OF THE GOLDEN COIL, Bruuy Winks led Phlox to his little den in the house where he had lodged for several years and locking the door, opened a drawer and took but a piece of folded paper ““T did it up as slick asI could,” said he. ‘I went down-stairs to Mother Snipe’s room and let rae ‘
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Ws Foss Sie ~ 2 aj ig ry; ’ i 4 - a +) ee wi. " e ts | | J u » RR se , Duk’ her steam the letter till it came open as nice as you please. [t was a neat job and Mother Snipe seemed to go about it as though she had opened letters by that process before. 1 was delighted when she did the job, but of course did not show her the contents of the letter, Here is the copy I made; the other I took back to the restaurant where I feund Spanker to whom I delivered it with him none the wiser for what I bad done,” Tne boy detective spread before the eager Phlox the copy he spoke of and the man bent forward, Billy, knowing what was in the letter, settled back in his chair and made a study of Phlox’s face, This is what he read: “My Dear Sam:— “T have our letter before me with its cheering news. Be sure to make no mistake, for if, as you say, you have tracked the girl down, one-half of the workis done. I will pay you_ the two thousand to- morrow when you po and then we will go back to Jersey provided you bring me more encouraging news. von were lucky to catch the tall man; now, if you can entrap the other one as well, with what ou have done with the «ld one, we shall be on the op wave of success and need fear no further trouble, I say again, Sam, make no mistake, The boy is in the city if the girl is. Silence is the only safe course and you know that dead people never give one any anxiety. Don’t fail. Ihave more than enough to pay you all and you know the pledge. Bop.” Phlox’s eyes were aglow with excitement when he looked up at Billy Winks. ‘*It was a find sure enough,” said he. ‘ It settles one point beyond doubt, Van Loo, the man who gave you the original letter, is Blake Belden the conspirator.” * That is right.” : **Heis bound to deal harshly with the Petti- bone children. If be can help it they sball never touch a dollar of the estate rightfully theirs, He has come to this city for that purpose. He and his men, Spanker and Simon Short, are at work and this letter tells us how far along the have got. They have netted both Chuck Hol- comb, my partner, and Pappy Pink, for he cer- tainly is the ‘“old man” mentioned in this in- famous letter.” ; “Right you are again, Phlox. The old in- ventor has fallen into the toils, You remember that he wrote the letter to Chuck which took him from the Metropolitan the night he disappeared. You don’t think now that the old man wasa decoy ?” / “Ido not. He must have known Holcomb, however, and had some news for us,” Phlox took up the letter and read it again, - “Van Loo, or Belden, was foolish to write such a letter,” he said. : “Yes, and I think he regretted it before I was gone far for I saw him at the door just as I turned the corner, but I didn’t go back; not very much!” ‘**But look here, They say they have found the girl.” “So the letter reads,” ‘Belden was watching Josie when I came across him and he att me such a shock that I couldn’t keep from betraying myself,” ‘Which was very foolish in you, Phlox.” “T know it, but the first thing that came up in my mind was the vanishment ot Chuck, and I could not keep my hands off bim, That man is Blake Belden and no mistake, and we will have to look out with him in the city directing tho game, The chances are that Holcomb has been murdered somewhere, and if the girl falls into ‘the grip of the Golden Coil, she will not far very well,” ae said nothing fora moment; but Phlox saw his eyes twinkling across the table, “Phlox,” suddenly said the boy detective, ‘IT was thinking about something.” * Well?” ** Did you ever see a photograph of the missing children?” ‘* A thousand times, We brought one to the city with us.” * Where is it?” ** At my room,” “ Where is that now?” « T would like 10 806 that photograph, Phlox.” “T would like to see that ph bh ox, “ When, Billy?” P ih “Now. i _ The next minute the pair were on the sidewalk, be copy of the important letter having been put Way again, « Phlox in quitting the hotel had taken up humble quarters where he was not likely to be found by the men who had netted his friend and fellow-worker, Chuck, and he led Billy to the place, In a little while Phlox laid before the boy a photograph of two small children taken in their childish clothes. They were standing together, the girl a mite the tallest. **Copies of that picture have been circulated all over the country, ‘Chey have gone to Europe but nothing has been beard of the children, I have told you, Billy, that the father, John Pettibone, is supposed to have perished in the ruins of his bome.and that the children were ab- ducted that same night, You see the estate was worth thousands and under Blake Belden’s con- trol it bas nearly doubled in value and is to-day one of the richest places in Jersey.” Billy Winks was looking at the photograph while Phlox talked and wben he handed it back he smiled and said: ** Phlox, what do you think?” The man looked at a loss what to say. ‘*T mean what is your opinion of the girl these rascals have tracked?” ‘*T guess my re is the same as yours,” * Out with it, Phlox,” “That missing girl 1s Josie.” In an instant B.lly was half-way across the table and his band had dropped into Phlox’s alo, - ‘*You’ve hit my opinion to a T!” he cried. ‘t Josie 1s not Josie Jackson but Josie Pettibone! Now, look here, Phlox! Everything goes to show this. Spanker is the.man who has dogged her footsteps for three months, He follows her to and from work and once or twice he bas been caught looking in at ber window. Then, the next thing we see is Belden himself on the watch, They have closed in on Holcomb; they bave got old Pappy Pink in the toils, and now they want to fiud the boy before they wind up the whole raseally game by one big play.” “That's it!” cried Phlox, ‘**Not a word about this to Josie,” continued Billy Winks, ‘* She must not know what we think; time enough yet for that, We are to baffle this gang of villains. The airl will be watched so long as they can keep an eye on her, I know Josie. Some-how-or-other, she is willing to take my advice in everything. She must get out of the shadow at once, Josie must go!” ‘Give up the type-writing job, you mean?” ve Yes,” } ‘¢ Will she do it?” “If danger threatens she will do anything. She fears the man who has been watching her. I will see her at once.” This being determined on between Billy and Phlox, the two left the house and after promising to come together again two bours later on, the Bell Boy Detective went toward Josie’s home, ‘“‘1t’s a deep game,” be said to himself as he flitted through the ssadows, ‘“‘ This is more ex- citing than playing bell boy at the Metropole, I am almost sure Josie is the missing child of the Pettibones and in time we wili run across the boy and some day astonish Mr. Blake Belden and make bin jump out of bis boots, I won't leton to Josie what is up, but she shall know that it is best for her to quit the old rooms at once and give up type-writing till the clouds roll by. \ I'm going to stand by her, and Nelse needn’t be jealous, either,” ily thought over what he would say to the pretty type-writer and when he ran up the stair and rapped on the door he bad his plans laid, There was no response to his raps, and rapping louder than before he waited a moment longer and then tried the knob. But the door was locked and would not yield. “I never knew her to go out after coming home from work,” said he with a little white suddenly appearing on his face. ‘I don’t be- lieve anything. has happened to her, though she is watched by as precious a lot of scoundrels as ever drew a breath,” All at once be heard a footstep and the next instant saw standing before him a woman with a lank figure and peaked face, He took it for granted at once that be was looking at a tenant of one of the other rooms, “The girl | suppose you are hunting isn’t at home,” said the woman, “T want to see Miss Jackson.” “Yes, but she went off awhile ago with a gen- open.” illy started. “Not with Nelse? Do you know Nelse?” he 861d, ‘* Nelse is the young gentleman who calls now and then? I know him. But that wasn’t the man who escorted Miss Jackson from the house,” **My God!” cried Billy, covering the distance between himself and the woman at a bound, ‘What sort of man was be? You must have seen him from what you say?!” : **T caught a glimpse of him as they went down- stairs,” was the reply, ‘fle was tall, had a i) Billy Winks, the Bell Boy Detective, “ 9 good figure and wore a mustache which drooped over his mouth, He was dressed in dark clothes and had hold of Miss Jackson’s arm.” ‘*'The ‘infernal villain!” cried Billy. long have they been gone?” ‘* Not twenty minutes,” For a second Billy Winks stood like one thun- derstruck in the hallway. He had received the greatest shock of his life, He had come too late to help Josie, She had falien into the power of the Golden Coil; the plot bad found its victim. “ How CHAPTER IX, BLED. Tue identity of the man knownas Burton Van Loo was no longer a question with the Bell Boy Detective, He was none other than Blake Belden, the person who was enjoying the proceeds of the rich Pettibone estate over in Jersey—an es- tate which had peers into his hands through the strange will left bebind by John Pettibone, who was supposed to have perished in the fire that wiped out his home, Pettibone was a widower at the time of the fire, but bad two children who vanished the same night, and of whom from that time no- thing had been heard. It was true, as Flash Phlox had told Billy Winks, that, unless the children were found within a given time the estate would become the permanent property of Blake Belden, hence the man’s desire to prevent the boy and girl from turning up to plague him, There were some who believed that the little ones were taken off the night of the fire by a wandering band of Gypsies who were in the neighborhood, but the tramps bad been followed by a detective in the pay of interested people, without results. Blake Belden, we need call bim Van Loo no longer, since his true identity is fully known, went home after his encounter with Phlox on the sidewalk with singular thoughts. He bad seen Josie Jackson, aud the sight of the pretty bal Sothabrines. had thrilled bim, e was confident that he had looked upon one of the Pettibone beirs, and while seated in his parlor, he waited with im atience for the com- Ls, ae the tool called Spanker, o one in Jerse Belden. All missed him from the elegant home there, but none knew that he was in New York directing one of the coolest conspiracies against two young people, only one of whom bad, as yet, been found. He knew that an enemy had hired Holcomb and Phlox and sent them to the trail for the pur- pose of baffling him, but be was more than that enemy’s match, and had resolved not to come off second best, \ ‘ i If Belden could bave seen Billy Winks in the hall-way of Josie’s home extracting information from the peaked-face woman he might have formed another opinion of the boy detective, but this sight was not forhim. !' Spanker dropped in at last, with a smile on nis face, ‘* Well, one’s safely in the net,” he said, unable to conceal his delight, Blake Belden almost sprung from bis chair, “Which one have you netted, Spanker?” ‘The girl, of course,” ‘* Not the pretty type-writer?” ** Josie!” The next moment Belden put bis hand across the table and seized the one on the other side, ‘** Avy trouble, Sam?” “None to speak of. She went along almost as quietly as the old man did, * You're a tramp: ‘“‘ T thought you knew that before.” ‘So I did, but you are two trumps,” “That will do better,” grinned the rascal’s tool, ‘* Now that we bave her safely housed—” . “Where is she?” eagerly asked Belden, ‘You must let me keep that secret for the present, . There must be no blunders'in game, and the fewer the sharers of the secret the surer will be its keeping.” — The man in the arm-chair bit his lips, but was compelled to accede to his agent’s wishes, és The next one is the boy,” he said. “ Yes.” “‘ Haven’t you no clew concerning him? Don’t the girl know anything about ber brother?” . “| haven't asked her yet, When I left her she was in no mood for talking to me, and [ thought I would let her cool down 4 little,” “A wise plan, Sam, But does she suspect the Wy truth ‘© No! she had never heard of the Pettibongs knew what had become of. from what hints I dropped just to try ber, but x
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= i : ae = — ie is ; \ t she is the right girl all the same, and we have the fly safely in the golden web,” For a few moments Blake Belden sat at the table and drummed thereon with the tips of his white fingers. “Pll take a little money now.” ‘“* Certainly,” acquiesced Belden, with a start. He crossed the room toa safe in one corner and threw back the steel door, revealing some- thing that made Spanker’s eyes glitter. ** How much?” “ Five thousand.” “What!” and Blake Belden turned upon Spanker, with eyes widened with amazement. ** Five thousand. Do you think Iam going to take all the risk for nothing? Why, you are the one who will reap the harvest, and you must remember that Simon and I are the ones who are risking our necks that you may sit at your ease, and get your clutches on the biggest estate in Jersey.” Spanker spoke coolly, and with his eyes on the open safe, and Belden evidently saw that he was in thé villain’s grip, for he laid his hand on a pile of bills, ‘ The next time it will be ten thousand, won't it?’ be queried, coming back to the table. ‘Never mind what it will be. What would it amount to, anyway? Why, fifty thousand wouldn’t make a hole in the pile, and bere you are kicking on five!” Spanker subsided and watched Belden count out the bills and when the last one had fallen on the table he put out his soft hand and raked them in. ** Are you sure the girl won’t get out?” asked Belden, Sam Spanker fell back in his chair and burst into a laugh, “Tm no fool, Blake Belden, I know where my neck is now, and if you think I have lefta loophole you are the worst fooled man on this island, Safe? I should say she is safe.” ‘*The boy who came between me and Phlox gave me a shock—I don’t know why.” " eoreply because you acted the fool and gave him a letter to carry to me,” ‘*Tt was the same boy. ‘* And I got the letter—a very foolish one for you to intrust to anybody. Don’t you know ‘that a letter can be steamed and so adroitly opened that the game can’t be detected?” ‘* But mine wasn’t treated that way?” “T hope not,” **Did you look at it?” “ Yes.” “Well?” “‘T couldn’t detect anything wrong.” ‘*1t?s all right, then.” ** Don’t you ever commit another blunder like that,” warned the tool. Belden’s very looka promised that he wouldn’t. **T would like to know where the girl is,” he said, ‘ Not that I don’t think she is safe, but I would like to talk with her—” 5 **And put heron her guard? Jf you want to see ee go and talk to Pappy Pink.” But Belden seemed to shrink within himself, ‘‘ I'd rather see the girl,” he answered, Sam Spanker smiled, but made no reply, He had the five thousand dollars in crisp notes in his pocket and picking up his hat, strode toward the door, _ f **Ob,” said he, stopping suddenly, “I forgot something.” He came back, at the same time looking _ sharply into Belden’s face. ** Do you recollect Betsy Snipe?” 1 § Beavers yes! You haven’t found her, too, () “i believe I have,” replied the other. ‘ She was the half-witted servant who lived with the Pettibones at the time of the fire, She went off a few days before the event and from that time to this has never been heard of, If I am not mistaken the woman is here in New York,” ao den listened in no easy frame of mind, “It seems to me that all have gathered to- Rie tc here, Betsy Snipe isa woman [ would eo x ese but you may not have found her r a ~] ** Well, then, [ have seen her counterpart—a hatchet-faced thing as sharp asa brier and for all the world like the same Betsy Snipe who . has been accused of carrying off the Pettibone -ebildren,” | “ Where is this creature?” ** Down on the Bowery.” Living alone?” 4 _“ Yes, but in a human bee-hiye,” “What does she do for a living?” _ “Idon’t know” * , “Give me her number.” i Py Ana , Billy Winks, the Bell Boy Detective. This Sam Spanker did without hesitation, and when he left the house Blake Belden stood in the middle of the room looking at the paper with careful eyes, ‘*What if it is the same woman? he said aloud. ‘* What if this is the same Betsy Snipe? —the creature. who did me a favor years and years ago?” He went back into his private room, put on a hat he seldom wore, crushed it down over his forehead, put a pistol in his pocket and went out. **T must see this woman at once—before Sam Spanker sees her again,” he decided, and then hurried away on his mission, CHAPTER X. ‘KEEP OUT OF THAT MAN’S WAY.” LirrLe did the head of the Golden Coil sus- pect while he threaded the streets of New York that he was going to the same house occupied by Billy Winks, He was bent on meeting the woman called Betsy Snipe, not dreaming that she was so near the boy destined to play such a part in the fell conspiracy against the Pettibone fortune. He reached the house and looked up at it some time before he made up his mind to enter. When he rung he was confronted by a girl who in reply to his question told him where Betsy Snipe was to be found and in a momert Belden was mounting the flight to her room, Three minutes later the man stood looking into the little eyes and peaked face of the woman who had opened his letter for Billy Winks, ** Are you Betsy Snipe?” he asked. ‘*'Shat’s who I am and no mistake,” responded the woman, in shrewish tones. ‘‘Il’ve been Betsy Snipe for fifty-nine years and I guess I'll remain the same person to the end.” She was looking into the plotter’s face as if it recalled the past and all at once she fell back with a cry. ‘*T know you now! In the name of heaven, when did you turn up?” ** Hush!” warned ‘Belden springing ferward and seizing her wrist. “T don’t want to be known here and itis to your interest to keep a still tongue in your head,” Making no reply Betsy Snipe ‘stood off and gazed at the man. ‘“You live alone here, don’t you?’ Belden asked, ‘** Yes, alone,” ** How long have you been living in the cit7? ** Nearly seventeen years. I came here s90n after— You know what, Blake Belden.” ‘*T understand you. In all that time no one has recognized you?” ‘ **T didn’t care to be recognized.” “Yet you didn’t drop your name?” “No, I thought too much of my dead hus- band todo that, Iam true to the memory of Jack se ever to give up his name for any cause, You look a little older and I suppose you are rolling in clover.” ~ ‘* Moderately so,” answered Belden, looking at the woman with more and more intensity, ‘I want to ask you, Betsy’—and he lowered his voice—“* what ever became of them?” In an instant the face of the woman seemed to change. ** T don’t know,” she said firmly. As she spoke she averted her gaze and tried to look away. “You were said to have taken them off the night of tho fire because of some slight John Pettibone put upon you.” “‘T didn’t like bim—that’s a fact; there was no love between us, They accuse me of taking the children off, do they? Well, if they hadn’t been abducted don’t you think théy’d have escaped the fire” Blake Belden was trying to keep back some- thing that seemed to th ee to his lips, ““T know you did it, Betsy Snipe,” he said. “You did not carry out my instructions,” “‘T didn’t have to,” snapped the woman with fire in the depths of her eyes, The man glared at her with the mien of a human tiger, \ } ‘* Listen to me, Blake Belden, since you have taken pains to hunt me up,” she went on. “TI haven’t seen you for years and have hoped that we would never meet again, Are you still after thechildren? Aren’t you satisfied with what fell to your lot? I know you have had the enjoy- ‘ment of the fortune all these years—that you ar even now ‘rolling in clover,” as they say. If knew where the children were do you think I would tell you? Do you think that Betsy Snipe, who once helped you to the wealth you have , t now, would betray them? You have come to the wron - house; you have sought out the wrong “a . 7 | reach it, woman. I haven’t many years to live, but I won't add another blot to my life.” : She stood before Blake Belden with her angular figure drawn to its full height, and he almost re- coiled from the angry flashes of the sunken eyes, Betsv Snipe could be a tigress when aroused, ‘Who told you 1 live here?’ she demanded, “One of your paid spies, ’ll be bound, Yes, I’ve been leading an honest life these many years, but there is one thing I can’t forget and that is the past, If you want any information I have none for you. I don’t give up my secrets. I guess they look like their mother, ha, ha, ha!” The woman’s laugh seemed to chill him. **- You do know where they are!” he cried. **T haven’t said so,” ‘*No, but you have just intimated as much.” ** Just as you please,” and Betsy laughed in his face, ‘*The boy especially resembles his mother.” “Thunder and guns!” cried Belden, reaching for the woman’s arm, but she backed out of bis way. ‘* You know all about them. You did steal them that night, but you failed to carry out my instructions, You took my money, you was glad enough to get that—” “Well, you had enough and to spare, didn’t you? A quick movement on his part and he had the woman in his grip though she tried to squirm out of it, but failed. “Pil shriek if you don’t let go,” she warned. “T am still Betsy Snipe; but there’s no murder in my heart any more.” He looked at her and grated his teeth, but dropped the arm he bad taken and looked say- agely at the woman. *¢’‘You won’t tell me?” “T won’t. 1 want to die here without ae any man’s agent, I won’t tell you what, know.” ‘* They are here~-in this city?” There was no reply, ‘You don’t have things in plenty bere,” he went on, glancing around the room, “You are right, Sometimes I am pinched for the necessary things of this life. I have known what it is to shiver through a long winter and even now I am very poor, but I don’t want 2 gua dollar of your money—not a copper of it ‘“You needn’t get so independent; I haven’t offered you any yet.” ‘““But you did once and 1 took it! It burned a hole in my soul, too. It brought me lower than the angels who fell from heaven, It cal- loused the better nature of Betsy Snipe, and made her too contemptible to be noticed by her fellow humans.” ‘* Very well; stay here and starve when there are riches at your door,” he snapped and started as if to go. ‘‘Tcan do that; I’ve done it before,” she an- swered, ‘Starving’s nothing new to Betsy ig ore : e opened the door and looked out into the hall, when, all of a sudden he returned, his eyes fairly blazing. ** Don’t you ever try tu betray me,” he hissed, ** Don’t you ever sell me out, Betsy Snipe.” She merely laughed at him. ** Sell you out?” she cried. ‘‘I don’t want to bandie any money that would be in any way connected with you, Get out of my room! Bad as | am, your presence stains the floor I tread.” He weut toward the door again; this time he stepped out into the ball, when she slammed the - portal in his face as she bade him begone! She was a picture of rage, and when he was gone she s in the middle of the apartment and shook her skeleton fists at him. ** Sell you out?” she cried, repeating her own words, ‘“‘I would like to do it for I know you would dance on a gallows; but I won't, no, not yet, at any rate,” Betsy was locking her door against a recur-_ rence of the visit, when some one seemed to if a Mother Snipe?” called a voice from the out- — side, . In an instant the door flew open and there stood Billy Winks, the boy ferret. . “You, Billy Winks?” cried the woman, bend- ing down and looking into the sparkling eyes of the young shadow, ‘ What on airth brings you here at this time o’ night? You haven’t got an- other letter for me to steam, have you “Not that, Mother Snipe; but ’mhereonim- — portant business just the same,” “Well?” “You have just hada visitor. A man has ne just quitted this house, He came here tosee you and yor alone, Mother Snipe. I wantto know —> who he is and why he should come to see you.” , ih N } j ' “
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For a moment the eyes of Betsy Snipe seemed to avoid those that glistened in the boy detec- tive’s head; but, all at once, as they got a new light, she caught his arm and drew him for- ward, All the fierceness of her nature had vanished and her look was now soft and full of pity. “ Billy, my boy, I wish you wouldn’t ask such questions,” she said. ‘‘I do, indeed, .There was aman here. He came to see me. Lf used to know him.” ‘‘ You, Mother Snipe?” cried Billy Winks. ‘*God pity me, I used to know him!” was the reply. ‘* You have been listening. You may have heard what be said to me. There! don’t ask me another question; but let me say, what- ever you do, keep out of that man’s way !” CHAPTER XI. MR, PHLOX SHOOTS, Bru.y Winks was inclined to laugh at Betsy Snipe’s warning. ‘*Ts he dangerous, Mother Snipe?” he asked, To you, doubly dangerous,” was the empha- sized reply. ‘I think a good deal of you, Billy, and I don’t want you to fall into the clutches of a man tiger like that. There! don’t let me talk any more on this subject; but, mind what I’ve told you. Keep out of his power!” Finding that on the subject now nearest his heart Mrs, Snipe had ceased to be communica- tive, the boy detective withdréw and went. back to his own quarters. He bad something to think about, for not only had he discovered that Betsy Snipe was an old acquaintance of Blake Belden’s, but he had over- heard a part of the conversation that passed be- tween the two and had learned something of the woman’s past, f Not only this, but he had found out a little more about the lost Pettibone children, and by putting it with what Phlox had seen fit to com- municate, he thought he had picked upa very important link in the chain, elden left Mrs, Snipe’s house in no enviable frame of mind. The woman had not helped him any, and he resolved that she should not carry out any threat, “She knows where the boy is, at any rate,” said he. ‘* We have the girl fast enough ani all we want to complete the job is to run across the other. Betsy Snipe, you will have to be watch- ed, Spanker would not tell me where the girl is but advised me if I wanted to interview any one to hunt upold Pink and seehim, I will do noth- ing of the kind. I don’t care about the old man and his crazy inventions and I won’t lose any time with him.” Meantime the boy detective had left the house and gone down on the street. \ The sudden disappearance of Josie Jackson troubled him not a little, He was sure, from what he had learned from the woman in the house occupied by the pretty type-writer that she had been spirited away by Spanker, and since discovering, as he thought he had, that she was one of the Pettibone chil- dren, he was more than ever anxious to find her. ae egering if Phlox had discovered anything new, Billy Winks went over to that young gentleman’s lodgings and found him in a per- turbed state of mind. ** Look here; this is the way they strike a fel- low,” cried Phlox, the moment he caught sight of the young ferret. At the same time he handed Billy a note, which he said he found on his table when he came back to the room after a walk, and the boy read as follows: “Tf you know what is good for yourself you will et out of this city at once. Don’t raise any alarm, or we know what weare about, and we don’t inreod to be beaten by a man of your stripe. It is worth your life to remain here another day __ By order of “THE GOLDEN Corn,’ *¢ That means business,” said Phlox when Billy looked up with a smile on his face. “They seem to have it in for you, Phlox,” was the answer, * Yes; and I’ve been thinking that the best thing I can dois to obey that warning and get out of town. I want fo live to a green old age—” **And you expect to get to that point by play- ing coward at the start? Look here, Phlox, my boy: Do you intend to abandon Chuck Holcomb to his fate?” “*T don’t want to, that’s a fact, but a man must look out for Number One, you know,” “ That's right, but Chuck is in the grip of this same Golden Coil, and it’s our duty to find him.” “Pm afraid it can’t be done.” ‘That hasn’t been tried yet to any extent, I know that he isn’t in the house where I believe / eee nn — cellar, They’ve taken him elsewhere—” ‘*Tf they haven’t finished him,” **Of course,” **And Pappy Pink bas vanished, and now you tell me that the girl Josie is gone?” Billy Winks made no reply. ‘* All this knocks me silly,” continued Phlox. “*T did not expect to fight such an enemy when I undertook this mission along with Chuck, It is simply irresistible.” ‘* Well,” said Billy, looking at the man a mo- ment, ‘‘ go, if you want to, Phlox,” ** No, | won’t, I won't run off and leave you to fight the league alone, I wouldn’t do that for the world because I like your grit and, then, I’m interested in the girl, [am going to stay if I lose my head by it, I’m with you, Billy.” Phlox put forth his hand and Billy took it with pleasure and smiled on the fellow. He did not havea very high opinion of Polox’s bravery, but he thought he would fight well if cornered and told him that they would work together and see if they could not baffle the Golden Coil, ‘*Dead or alive, I would like to know what has become of Chuck,” said Phlox. ‘¢ We shall know in time,” *¢ But how are you going to strike his trail?” ** Leave that tome, I overheard a conversa- tion to-night which promises to lead to results and I sball follow up that clew.” ‘* Don’t let anything escape you for Heaven's sake, We must outwit the Coil or fall into its power,” ‘‘'That’s very evident. But, Phlox, why does the man who employed you and Chuck to ferret out the missing Pettibone children hate Blake Belden?’ ‘“‘Tt’'s an old grudge, I guess, At any rate, Chuck used to say so.” ‘* Where does he live?” “Over in Jersey.” ‘* Near Belden?” ““Yes, His name is Tippe Tolliver Tipps, and he isa man who never lets up on any one when he has a pick at them. He is rich, and we were to get three thousand for finding the chil- dren.” ‘* But they are grown now, that is if they are living.” ‘© Yes,” ‘* Were there no marks on them?” ‘*The girl had a pretty little mole on one arm and the boy—” Phlox stopped and drew one hand across his forehead to brighten his memory. ** Well, what about the boy?” ‘“‘T don’t know as he had any distinguishing mark,” was the response. ‘‘ Wait! He was hurt while playing, fell off of something and the fall Jeft a sear, but that was years ago and scars sometimes disappear, you know.” Billy nodded, ‘*Which way now?’ asked Phlox when the young detective picked up bis hat. “Tam off on the trail. You can do what you like best, Phlox—remain here or go out; but if you do the latter, keep your eyes open and look out for the Coil,” The next moment Phlox was alone in his room and shaking his head, he exclaimed: “That last was a good piece of advice, Look out for the Coil!” He went to the window and looked down into the street, AJ] at once he saw a man cross it opposite the house and Jooking at him a moment he fell"back and bolted the door. ** Curse it all, I believe the Coil has found me out already !” he almost gasped. “I think I know that man. It is the tall fellow [ saw on the street to-day, and be nearly looked me through. I wish I hadn’t taken part in this case, I bad no business to, but listened to Chuck and was lured into it bya display of Tolliver Tipps’s cash. It’s going to end both of us; it’s ended Chuck already, and here I am in the shadow of the same death,” Phlox stood in the room waiting for the man he had seen come up-stairs. He had locked the door, but did not expect that precautionary Measure to save his neck. ; Presently, just as he predicted in his mind, ootsteps came up the ball steps and he fixed his eyes on the door. The revolver shook in his grip, Phlox counted the steps a8 they approached Lae. i and when they ceased, he fairly held his reath, In a little while gentle raps were heard and with welded lips and a gleam of madvess in his eye, Phlox went forward and opened the door, The man he had seen cross the street in the gas-light stood beforebim! Quick as a flash Phlox raised the pistol and holding it in the man’s face as well as he could for his shaky hand, he fired at point-blank range without a word of explanation, Phlox looked once and no more, then slammed his door and bolting it, fell nerveless into a chair and let the pistol slide from his grip to the floor. ‘* What if I’ve killed him?” he thought. ‘He ! was coming for me; they have tracked me down and I was to share the fate of Holcomb, I bad a right to kill that man. It was self-defense, But, heavens! what a hubbub I’ve raised.” Sure enough the wkole house was in an up- roar, and when Phlox ventured to look into the hall he saw a crowd at the foot of the stairs, ** What's that?—not to be found?” he cried when he had listened a moment, ‘' Why, I held the revolver in his face,” ’ It was true; the man fired at was gone, and when poor Phlox realized this he went back to the chair trembling more than ever. ‘*T must vanish now or perish in the Golden Coil,” he gasped, and that moment he vowed to get out of the game. By and by he questioned one of the parties on the steps and learned that the man he had fired at was not to be found, CHAPTER XII, BILLY WINKS SCORES A RUN, Two days have passed since the somewhat ex- citing events detailed in the chapter just ended. In a little room, the windows of which, from the way they are protected by cross-bars of iron, indicate that it is the prison of some person, sits aman who is at work on a queer-looking ma- chine on a table before him, He bends over the board and works steadily, never looking up but seemingly absorbed in the task that takes up his time. He is the sole occupant of the dull chamber and not a sound is heard but the occasional click of his tools, Presently the old man holds his work at arm’s length and admires it. “That’s the beauty that will make my for- tune!” he said, ‘I havebit it at last, and when I go out of this house I will be one of the richest inventors in the world. Edison won’t be no- where and Menlo Park will sink into insignifi- cance before the works I will erect. The gentle- man who is furnishing me with money will be my silent partner and I wil) buy myselfa palace to live in. Ihave to keep shut up here with bars at the windows to keep rival inventors out, Ha, ha! that was an excellent idea of my friend's; but I wonder if Chuck Holeomb ever got the note I took to the Metropolitan for him? I wish I could have seen him.” Here the speaker stops suddenly and goes back to his work. All at once he is disturbed by a light tapping, which seems to come from one of the closed windows, and dropping the model he crosses the cell-like room, ; ‘* Who's there?” he asks, leaning close to the window. + Me, Pappy Pink.” “ Gods! lieve it’s Billy Winks!” exclaimed the worker, falling back with consternation on his face, ‘* How on earth did he ever find me?” Are you going to let me in?” ‘Yes, Billy, just as soon as I ean.” The person outside was told how to reach a certain door which the old man opened, and ina little while be stood in the presence of the only Pappy Pink in New York. : ‘How did you find me, anyhow?” laughed the inventor, looking into the pleased and sparkling face of the boy detective, ‘‘I’ve thought a thousand.times of you and wondered what had become of you. You see, I am not in the old quarters, but bave sought other, where I am safe from the spies who want to steal my inven- tions, My new partner says it wasn’t good to remain where I was for fear of them, and so I went off with him. I sent you a letter by him once, to tell you where I was; but I suppcse he hasn’t had time to deliver it,” Billy could not keep back a laugh, ‘¢ Of course a pressure of private business pre- vented the delivery of your letter,” he said, * But, who is your pga Pappy Pink?’ ** A tall man, with the blackest eyes you ever saw,” : “Sam Spanker, the cute rascal!” inwardly ejaculated the Bell Boy Detective. “‘ A partner, Yes, of course. They've made old Pink believe all this stuff, and they don’t intend to let bim ” pret here, Pappy Pink,” he said aloud. ‘Do ‘ou know why Chuck Holcomb never got your etter?” The old man started, =a t . ay Fy Aa WAS dat nas Fi SL liad casas nt Ua a wee ae sg . rx.
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ee et a ae apc “e - hd —————— eS ae eT i . eed ~ 10 ‘“No, I don’t. I always thought it queer that he didn’t turn up.” “You had sometbing to tell him, badn’t you?” “ I had.” “How did you bappen to know him?” *T can’t tell you just now, my head is so full of inventions; but I knew Chuck—knew him over in Jersey.” ; ‘¢ Did you ever live in Jersey, Pappy Pink?” *¢ TJ think I did once.” **t want you to be sure of it.” “6 Why?” ** Because it is important.” ‘ ‘‘Ha! important, is it?” and Pappy Pink bent forward till bis nose almost touched the boy fer- ret’s face. ‘Tt is very important, because it may help to throw light on a very dark case.” * How’s that?” **T can’t stop to explain just now, You knew Chuck Holcomb over in Jersey? Did you ever hear of the Pettibone children?” For a moment the old man stared vacantly at Billy Winks, then reason seemed to dawn on him, and he looked at the boy with quite a dif- ferent expression, ‘The Pettibones, did you say?” be asked. “Yes, John Pettibone’s children.” **T knew John Pettibone,” * And Blake Belden?” This name seemed to throw Pappy Pink into arage. He fell back a pee and then sprung forward with more agility than the boy had ever seen him use, and the next moment Billy Winks felt a pair of hands at bis collar. ** Where is he?” he cried, ‘* Where is Blake Belden? Know him? Of course I do! That name sometimes comes between me and my in- ventions, and I can’t shake it off, Where is he, I aN In the city?” ** Don’t fly off tbe handle like that,” protested the boy, in soothing tones, ‘‘I am working a lay myself, and I don’t want to be overheard in this house. When will your partner come to see you? ‘* He drops in eyery now and then,” ** Will he come to night?” ** He is liable to.” ** Look here, ws Pink: you seem to have a very distinct recollection of Blake Belden; so have I, and if you will come with me you will hear more of him, and bave a chance to pay him back.” ‘*How do you know I want to pay bim back for anything?” ‘‘That’s as plain as the nose on your face,” grinned Billy Winks. ‘I don’t want to meet er partner here, and if ha has promised to elp you on with your inventions, he is simply lying, and you are in a trap!” “A trap, is it?’ said Pappy Pink. ‘* Why, he wouldn’t set a trap for an old man like me,” “1 know bim; but if you want to gu back on Billy Winksand take the word of asmart rascal instead of his, all right, I sba’n’t argue the case, You recollect Josie? Well, she has fallen into a trap set by this same rascal, and he is the tool of a man who is working against the Pettibone children; he is simply Blake Belden’s right bower.” “* My partner?” cried Pappy Pink, beginning . to realize the truth, ‘‘Sam Spanker, your rascally partner, as he calls himself just to hoodwink you, What are ou going to do?—remain here in one of Blake Iden’s trapsor go back with me—Billy Winks, a friend at all times?” It was evident that the boy’s last words carried es weight with them, for no sooner had they n spoken than his hand was seized by Pappy Pink and warmly squeezed, ¢ “Go back with Billy Winks? Of course I will!” he cried, ‘‘ He’s the one I can trust.” “* Pack up then and off we are,” The little old man proceeded to get bis traps together at once, and when he stood ready with an old fashioned traveling sackin his hand, he said cunningly to the waiting boy: ** How did you smoke me out?” **Never mind; that’s one of my tricks,” was the reply. It did not take the pair long to reach the street. Billy Winks was anxious to quit the pe for be did not want to encounter Sam panker, the sharp, who was liable to come to the house at any moment, and when they were some distance from the place he bailed a cab and Pappy Pink was soon inside. “This is stealing a march on the Golden Coil,” said the boy to himself, “I thought I had struck it when 1 ran across the boy who saw a tall fellow escorting an old man down that street, I will hold on to Pappy Pink, for he’s worth something as a trump card, and, if I can Billy Winks, the Bell Boy Detective. help it, he will make no more models under Sam Spanker’s eye.” Billy was cute enough to dismiss the cab some distance from the place he had picked out for the old man, and after awhile he sat before Pappy Pink, questioning him about his ac- quaintance with Blake Belden. By and by recollection resumed its throne and he was surprised to hear from Pappy Pink’s lips the whole inside history of that man’s life. © - Billy Winks, it seems to me sometimes that I haven’t always been Pappy Pink,” he said. ‘*T don’t think you have been,” ‘*Every now and then I seem to hear the voices of children, and once or twice on the streets I have stopped little ones and taken them up in my arms, as though I used to have little tots of my own.” The boy detective was watching the old man and saw how his own words had affected him. ‘*T think there was a fire connected with my life, but just where it comes in is a mystery,” continued the old inventor. ‘I used to know a woman who fell out with me and threatened to work my ruin, That much is pretty distinct now since you have talked to me to-night.” Billy Winks leaned toward Pappy Pink in his eagerness, ‘* Was her name Betsy Snipe?” he asked. The name of the angular woman seemed to stagger the old inventor, “That is it, Her name was Snipe!” be cried. For a moment Billy Winks sat spellbound be- fore the strange man. ** What sort of mystery am I about to unravel now?” he asked himself, ‘Pappy Pink says there is a fire connected with his existence and he once knew Betsy Snipe, He has been in the trap of the Golden Coil, and Blake Bel’en and Spanker know who the man is, Heavens! -I wonder—I can’t help it—I wonder if this man I have known so long is John Pettibone himselt ?” Billy looked once more at Pappy Pink und saw him dive one hand into the depths of the big carpet-sack, The next moment he fished up his latest invention and went to work on it without another word, ‘* Whoever he had been, he was ‘* Pappy ” Pink once more, CHAPTER XIII. A PLUCKY GIRL. THERE was some uneasiness at the office where Josie Jackson worked the type-writer when she did not appear as usual. A messenger was sent to her lodgings to come back with the information that the girl had gone off, no one knew where, and another type- writer was secured in ber place. About the hour of Billy Winks’s adventure with Pappy Pink, a tall, good-looking man opened the door of a well-to-do house.on a quiet street and locked it after him. He went up stairs with cat-like tread and at the top of the flight knocked ona door which, after the moving of a bolt, was opened to him. He stood on the threshold of a neat room, and in the light stood a beautiful girl who looked at him with evident distrust. | Without an invitation the man entered the apartment and quietly took a seat, all the while looking at the girl who had closed the door, ‘* Well, how are you getting along?” asked the man. Tn reply to his question there was a light smile, but the face of the girl almost instantly paled. ‘This is not the oJd house,” she said. ‘It is not the old home by any means and I want to go | back,” The man in the chair gave her a cold look, “You do, eh?’ he grinned, ‘“ Why, I thought romised to try to like this place.” ut I can’t,” “You will-in time, There is a splendid future for you if you only knew it.” ‘7 was happy enough as it was, I don’t want anything more than! had, I was earning my bread by the sweat of my brow, and no one ought to be afraid to Go that, so long as it is done honestly.” There was no reply, the man was looking at per as if laying some mischievous plan in bis 2 vn ‘“We can make a pile if we would put our heads together and work in unison.” ‘The girl—Josie Jackson—seemed to recoil, but she did net remove her gaze from the man be- fore her. ‘What do you mean sir?” she instantly de- manded, “TI say you’re worth your weight in gold if you only knew it,” he went on, ‘“*T don’t want to know it then, for I see that you have sinister motives.” ‘* Ho, sinister motives?” laughed the other, who was Spanker of the Golden Coil. ‘I know what you are worth, and all you have to dois to say that you will play fair with me and we will make it pay.” ‘** T will do nothing of the kind. back to my old rooms. I want to return to the type-writer. I was happy there; here you must know I am not.” “You ought.to take advantage of the offer I am ready to make,” Josie seemed to look him through, ‘**Go on,” she commanded, sharply. All at once the eyes of Spanker glowed with anticipation. The girl was * coming round,” ‘*T know a secret that will ft you o«# the top wave of riches, and place you forever beyond want,” he went on, ‘ All you will bave to do will be to act under my instructions, and they will be easy to follow. The fortune is ready for your band, and besides, no one will ever dare to dispute your right to it.” He paused as if to note the effect of his words, and seeing that Josie was wuiting for him to go on, he proceeded: ‘*T know all the ropes of the case, which one to pull,.and when. There is no danger, no failure. We have the gamein our hands. We can secure the prize by a sudden play, and you will be the richest young girl in Jersey.” ‘Why do you say Jersey?” asked the young type-writer. ‘Because there’s where the fortune is, You see, it belongs in that State, but it is near enough to New York to let you live bere in clover. It’s a big scheme, and can be worked 80 nicely.” ‘* but L was satisfied where I was, I don’t. want to be burdened with wealth, I am con- tent to be plain Josie Jackson, type-writer for Naff & Fancy.” ““'You’re a queer creature,” laughed Spanker. “* But, see here: there is another phase of this matter, You are in danger unless you take hold of the matter with me.” 3 Tn an instant all color left the girl’s face. ““T am in danger,am I?” shecried, ‘‘l am to be thrown into the toils if I don’t come under the rules you have laid down in your mind?” He did not speak for a moment, ‘**You ought to know how far this danger goes,” he said at last. ‘I say you are in im- minent peril.” ‘* Tn peril of what?” ** Of your life.” * From whom?” ‘From the Golden Coil.” ‘¢ What is the Golden Coil?” Jcsie was speaking with great coolness, and looking Sam Spanker squarely in the eye, ‘““You will discover very soon if you reject the proposition of safety which I have just made, Lieut your friend, girl; I don’t want to see you robbed of your just rights, but the only avenue to salvation is the one I have just men- tioned.” i > The one which leads to the fortune through “ That's it, exactly.” The pretty type-writer looked away for a mo- ment. She was watched all the time like a hawk by the man in the room, “I don’t want any notoriety, I won't fight even for what you say is mine by right. Why was I taken from my old rooms and bromeht! to this house?” “To save you.” — “You can’t convince me that I was not safe where I was,” said the gir}, ‘* I was content there at any rate, and that was all I cared for. 1 tell you I want to go back.” ‘* And you won’t go in with me and get the fortune?” | ‘¢Go in with you? Why, of course I will not. You must remember that t never saw you until a few daysago, I don’t know anything about ou, and all I do know is that you came to my tosis and, surprising me, caught hold of my wrist till I thought your hand was sinking to the bone, and brought me to this place, I want to return, You must take me back.” * You command,” smiled the villain, coolly prone his legs and looking up into the girl’s ace, “Tdo. I will not submit to this imprison- ment another hour, It is nothing else. You bave no fortune to offer me, you are in the pay of some one, and I will not acquiesce in anything you say. : : The rascal] fell back in the chair and laughed + in Josie’s face, ; ‘I shall raise the alarm,” she cried, moving across the room, followed by his scrutiny. ** All right. There's no one to hear.” I want to go
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The girl seemed to realize the full terror of the situation, for all at once she stopped and looked into Spanker’s face. ‘“You are a villain of the deepest dye!” she cried, coming toward him, ‘*You may be right,” he added, “You have a dark motive, and, I believe, are connected with a plot against me, poor as | am! ** What have I told you? You are rich if you only knew it. You are’rich enough to buy me a dozen times over. I don’t know bow rich you are, but rich enough to make the fur fly even among the millionaires of New York.” He got up as he finished and went toward the door, His movement was so sudden that Josie for a moment thought he bad heard some one there; but when he came back with a smile she knew she bad been mistaken. ‘‘ Whatever became of your brother, girl?’ he asked. ‘‘My brotber?’ exclaimed the type-writer. ‘¢T never had a brother.” ‘Yes, you had. Here, look at this,” and Spanker took from his pocket a photograph which he handed to her, With a curiosity which she could not beat down, Josie leaned toward the light and looked at the two faces on the card—a boy and a girl, children who, from their looks, were evidently brother and sister, ‘*That’s your brother on your left,” continued Sam Spanker, with a quiet grin. ‘* You don’t remember him, do you?” Josie did not speak, but was looking at the pbotograph intently, j ‘You know something about my past if you speak the truth,” she said at last, looking up and catching the villain’s eye. “*T know enough to make you rich,” Her eyes wandered back to the picture, ‘T think I can see a resemblance between the boy’s face and—” Sam Spanker was actually holding his breath, but to his disgust Josie did not complete the sentence, ‘* Here, take it back,” she went on, ‘I don’t know what to think. I am an orphan, like my young friend Billy Winks. I don’t want to be mixed up in any squabble for a fortune,” Spanker took back the picture, but his eyes reste on the girl’s face. ** Well, what you don’t know about your past others do,” he went on, ‘lt is a sealed book to you, but not to us. They call you Josie Jackson, but that isn’t your true name. ut, if you won’t go in with me and let me pour a golden fortune in ‘fe lap, you may always be Josie Jackson, and may never touch the keys of another type- writer.” — ‘“* Merciful heavens, I understand you. 1 am to be got out of the way if I don’t come over to your plans?” ‘“‘ That is it exactly,” coolly said the scoundrel. ‘You play with me or you never quit this room alive.” “Then I perish here!” was the heroic answer. ** No compromise with crime!” CHAPTER XIV, BILLY COLLIDES WITH THE SPANKER. THE escape of the man at whom he had fired both troubled and mystified Fred, or ‘* Flash ” Phlox. He did not see how he had avoided killing him, but when he looked down the stair and saw no dead man lying on the floor, he resolved to go away. He had no doubt that Chuck Holeomb had perished at the hands of the Golden Coil and at the first opportunity he quitted the house and, disguised, hurried to the depot. “Pm done with this game,” said he. ‘I don’t want any more of it, for when you shoot at a man with your pistol right in bis face and then have him escape, something is bewitched and the sooner you get out of the affair the better,” He did not know that the man had saved his life by dodging in the nick of time and that the bullet intended for his head had missed it and buried itself in the ceiling, But, Phlox was not permitted to get out of the city, for in passing along the sidewalk he was run into by a drunken man and tumbled into the ter. Springing to his feet as soon as he could, he saw the reeling individual upon whom he fell with vengeance in his eye, and the upshot of the whole matter was that instead of quitting the city, he was escorted to the station and left to ar the night in a cell, where he was safe from e Golden Coil. _ Phlox wondered what had become Billy Winks; but as he was not permitted to solve ’ that question, he fell asleep and dreamed of fall- ing into the Coil’s grip, for all at once he awoke Billy Winks the Boy Detective, | ll —— Up to this moment Billy Winks had not de- cided what todo, He knew that if he let the with a yell which roused his companions and he | rascal have bis own way he would be among the was roundly cursed by all, The next day Billy made bis appearance at Phlox’s old place, but of course did not find that worthy in. He was quitting the house when he almost ran against a man who seemed about to enter it and drawing back, he looked at him to recognize the tall Ha hee for whom he had delivered the note to Blake Belden, It was Sam Spanker! In an instant the keen eyes of Spanker were riveted on the boy detective and though Billy tried to convince him by sundry motions that he was not the person he wanted to see, he was watched with a hawk’s eye and followed by Sam, Under this espionage which he did not like at all, the bell boy ferret went off and turned up in a small Park for the moment out of reach of Sam’s eye. Billy bad chosen a seat where the trees grew taick and the early shadows promised to screen him from observation, He had learned enough of Sam Spanker to know that he was a dangerous man and that it was to his advantage to get rid of him just then. At any other time be would have been glad to have tracked Sam; but now it was different, “What became of the boy?” thought the Spanker when he missed Billy. ‘‘I bad him under my eye awhile ago, but he has given me the slip and | have lost him.” If Sam had kept on he would have missed Billy Winks altogether; but it happened that all at ouce he came in sight of his prey and the next moment the boy ferret was watched again, ‘Tt is now or never,” said Sam, “If I don’t trap that young ferret the game will be in dan- er. I can’t do anything with the girl, but I aven’t given her up yet. There is too much money in Josie, the type-writer, to let her slip through my fingers, or to carry out Belden’s orders, I will bring ber round all right after awhile, and to do that I must attend to this sharp-eyed rat of the gutters.” Billy did not know that be was seen by the man he had avoided, for he continued to sit in the Park for some time. When at last he arose and walked toward the street it was with the iu- tention of going toa cheap chop-house near by apd getting a cup of coffee and a roll. Desirous of escaping the eyes Of all, he took a seat at the last table in the long and narrow room, but scarcely bad he done so when he saw the form of Sam Spanker advancing upon him down the aisle, “Tracked down!” said he under his breath. “This villain is one of the slickest and I have to face him fairly now.” ¢ With bis eyes riveted upon Billy, Sam came on and coolly took a seat on the opposite side of the table. ‘* Good-morning,” he said with a grim smile Mori told the boy ferret that he was recog- nized. ‘*Good-morning,” responded Billy, “You will oblige me by not moving till Pve discussed a cup of black coffee,” continued Sam. ‘**T know you and I guess you were trying to avoid me awhile ago, I don’t want to send an- other note any wheres; but I have business with you all the same,” ‘* All right!” assented Billy, appearing as cool as he knew how to be under the circumstances, and turning to the light breakfast the waiter bad just brought, he fell-to as if Sam Spanker of the Golden Coil were not in the city, let alone at the very table ready, vulture like, to sink his claws into his arm, ‘‘He’s a cool little one,” thought the man with the black eyes, ‘I never saw his like, and if Belden knew him as I think I do, he would consider the whole game in danger while he is at large.” ‘ : Billy and Sam ate together till the man sud- denly pushed back his plate/and arose, Aft the same time, seeing the crisis was at hand, Billy got up too. “ The eye of the rascal was fixed upon him and when he made a move toward the door the hand of the Golden Coil descended upon him and eripped his arm. Just as I thought,” decided the boy. “ This villain is playing one of his cool hands, I won- der if he knows that I took Pappy Pink out of the trap?” Still gripping Billy’s arm, Sam moved toward the door, where he stopped long enough to pay both scores, after which, with another look at his prisoner, he strode from the house and struck the sidewalk, missing like Chuck Holcomb and Josie, and that in all probability, the Golden Coil would score its final victory. “You understand?” said Sam, the moment they reached the pave. ‘I don’t want to resort to harsh measures, but if you don’t go quietly along, you will wish you had—that’s all.” This was warning enough; but it did not de- ter the boy detective, He looked up and down the street, but saw no officer of the force. As usual when a policemanis wanted none can be seen, and Billy Winks’s countenance fell when he made this discovery, The next moment an empty cab turned the nearest corner and came toward them, Was this design or an accident? When Sam Spanker saw the cab his eyes lit up with pleasure, Leading his captive from the sidewalk he ran out into the street and hailed the man on the box, **No you don’t!” cried the boy, pulling stoutly back and exerting all bis strength, ‘‘I don’t intend to become arat in yourtrap. Hello! I know thedriver, Itis Jimmy Jinks of the old hote].” , The last words were not spoken aloud, there- fore Sam did not hear them and when the vehicle came alongside he opened the door and hustled the boy inside. ‘* Which way? asked the driver. Instead of answering him verbally, Sam scrawled a number on a card and handed it out of the window, Away went the cab and the next moment the Man of the Coil was looking triumphantly into Billy’s face. For a time the boy seemed dazed by the sudden turning of the tide, He had been on the top wave of success, but now was under the water and in the web of the spider. It was torture for him to take that ride with Sam Spanker. It tore bis beart to think tbat he was going toaden from which there might be no escape, while Josie, somewhere in the same toils, was suffering in silence, The rattling cab went up one street and down another. ; Billy looked out and in passing a certain block said to himself, ‘“We are within a square of the old Metro- polis. I am going to try it, even if I get choked for the job. : The following moment the bell boy sprung to- ward the window and before Spanker could stop him he had thrust out his hand and seized the driver’s coat, “To the Metropolis Jimmy!” he shouted, ‘“T am in the grip of a rascal of the deepest dye. I am Billy Winks. You know me,” The last sentence was stifled by the hand of Spanker who had pulled the boy back, but the driver had heard enough, for he turned sbort andflashing bis horses into a mad gallop, tore down another street, In vain did Sam rave and curse the man on the box. He kept on, never minding the anathe- mas, and when the heated horses pulled up in front of the old hotel, Billy Winks’s heart took a great leap in his bosom. “ Move on!” shouted: Sait ““] won't, Me and Billy ar’ old friends,” was the reply. Sam turned upon the boy ferret with a demon in his eye, ‘* ve a mind to finish you here,” he cried, Better not try it,” said Billy who was almost at the rascal’s mercy, while he wondered wh7 no. one came to his rescue, , Spanker laid his band on something that rest- ed in an mner pocket. ‘‘Help! help!” shouted the boy detective vociferously. In a moment the door of the cab was thrown open by a man in uniform, and saying that the boy inside seemed to be sick, Sam Spanker, with the feos of an alderman, stepped out and walked away, “Where is he? cried Billy as be tumbled from the vehicle. ‘ What, didn’t you take him? Well, this beats all!” \ CHAPTER XV. BETSY SNIPE STILL HOLDS THE FORT, “THE next time | won't let bim get away,” — avowed Sam, when he turned a corner and, dodging into a paren escaped for the time, “ He is a hard rat to hold, but the trap will work all right next time. He happened to know the > ‘driver of the cab, and that was bad for me. -- a! —aat +4 -* _ és — - ae
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< Fa ‘ re that, since [ att Sait tvs. 12 ‘Look out, Billy Winks! I don’t intend to stop till I have caged you, for I know bow dangerous you are,” Haif an hour later he met a man on the street, and thetwo adjourned to a place where they knew they were safe from observation. To his friend Sam related the adventure of the morning, and ended by saying that the Bell Boy Detective would have to be watched as he had had not been watched before, ““T know that, Sam. He is just the sort of chap to give us trouble, [ will hold himif he falls into my hands, or my name isn’t Simon Short. By the way, what did you let the old man go for?” . “Pappy Pink? I didn’t lethim go,” “But he is gone, all thesame, I have.just come from the house, and the room is empty.” Spanker started. ‘He has escaped!” he cried, ‘If this is true he will go back to his old quarters and won’t be hard to find,” ** Unless the boy rescued him, when he won’t be found in the old house,” Blake Belden’s right-hand man made no reply for a moment. “‘T have made up my mind to call and seea woman I ran across the other day on the street,” he went on. , ‘The one you told me about—Betsy Snipe?” “e Yes,” ** Belden, the boss, has seen her,” «The dickens he has!” cried Sam, ‘* He has, indeed, and the interview wasn’t a ‘very pleasant one, from what he has dropped in my presence,” “ec e]l?” “He came down to business at once, and coolly asked. me what I thought it would cost to get the old creature out of the city?” _* And you told bim—” ‘ * That [ wasn’t bankering after the job.” **Simon Short, you missed a chance to line our pockets with the yellow stuff,” informed am, ‘'He would have given youa good slice of the Pettibone estate,” *T don’t doubt it; but I don’t intend to run my neck intoa halter for the sake of a few dol- Jars,’ The man who listened fell back in his chair and laughed. ** Well, I'll go and see Betsy, anyhow. She may know me and she may not, 1 want to see ust what she knows, for if she is the Betsy Snipo of New Jersey, she knows enough to wreck the whole game, for she was the nurse of the Petti- bone children,” | : “She’s got a tongue like a viper.” ‘‘ Then, it’s the original Betsy,” Sam Spanker made his way to the scene of lake Belden’s encounter with Billy Winks’s riend and in a little while stood in her pres- ence, Betsy Snipe was cautious after her last adven- ture and after admitting Sam, she seemed to regret it. , *What do you want?” she inquired in her sharp tones, ’ ““T want to know a few things that might be turned to our mutual advantage.” “You do? Do you mean that you would turn them so as to help meas well as yourselt?” “That's it exactly.” ‘‘Nary a turn then,” said the woman. don’t want anything to do with you,” ** But you don’t know me,” ‘fT know enough about you. You are the young man who years and years ago used to sit on the Jersey fences and laugh at Betsy Snipe. Don’t know you, eh? You are Sam Spanker of Spankersville.” ; _ In spite of himself Sam had to fall back in his chair and laugh. It was irresistibly funny to have his youth brought up by that woman whom he rememnbered so well, and while he laughed be was eyed by the batchet-faced creature whose hands seemed ready to pay him back for the acts of bis younger days, ? 1] at once the laughing ceased and putting on quite another face, Sam leaned toward ‘the w eT oman, ‘* How have you managed to escape the law so dong? he asked, _ There was a sudden recoil and he had Betsy Snipe staring at him asif he had suddenly shown an Officer’s badge. “That is what puzzles me, Betsy Snipe,” he wenton. ‘ You have done enough to be putting in your time at Sing Sing, but here you are liv- ing in clover and as happy as a bee _ “Ho, bo! As happy asa bee, eh? What are Aad doing, Sam Spanker?’ was the retort. ** What are you up to now? I have no doubt see’d you last, you’ve committed pug ae hed "as Fok ot ee } | |p . a thousand times. here’s lots o’ Jersey people in this city now, and they’re not all of the honest kind, either.” Sam listened and did not speak till Betsy had finished. ‘Look here, Betsy Snipe, I believé you know.” ‘* You believe I know what?” ‘Where the children are,” The face of the old woman was seen to lose color. “Tf I did, do you think I would tell you?” she said, ‘* Why should I tell you or any one else?” ‘* Ha, that settles it, You know where they are! What does the boy call himself now?” But to this there was no reply. Betsy Snipe with clinched hands backed away from Sam Spanker. ‘Go away!” she commanded, Sam seemed to take a new grip on the chair. “T know, Sam Spanker. I know who the boy is, and where he is to be found, I also know who the girl is, and what’s become of her. Do you think, after what has happened, that I wouldn’t keep the pair under my eye?” Blake Belden’s agent seemed to hold his breath, “IT thought all the time you knew. Do you know, Betsy Snipe, that you can go up the river for that guilty knowledge?” “What! failing himself, did he send you bith- er to get the information? Did Blake Belden send you to me to get the truth?” ‘*’m here on my own hook,” ‘*No, you're not. You are in his pay, and that’s easily seen. I am not going to tell you pny obniae ‘ Sam Spanker looked into the woman’s face and thought: ‘*She never did scare very muecb, and she don’t know how now, Betsy Snipe is a cool wo- man, and she has confessed that she knows where the boy is. I want to know myself. I must know, and before [ quit this room,” For some time the pair eyed each other, and then Sam moved bis chair toward the door, “Go!” again commanded the undaunted wo- man. ‘“When you've told me what I want to know,” . “Then you'll sit there till you’re gray.” “Oh, Vill go out and come back with some- body long before that.” ‘* You mean with an officer, don’t you?” Sam’s eyes answered, ‘*T wish you would,” declared Betsy, ‘‘ I wish you would go out and briug ina cop. I want to tell all I know, but only in his presence, I never felt like telling anything since I helped Blake Belden as 1 do right now.’ The rascal of the Coil was nonplused for a moment, ‘* You don’t mean that,” he laughed. ‘* You’re the last woman to tell a story that would get you behind bars,” : ‘* It wouldn’t deprive me of many years,” ‘*Come., Don’t play the fool for a little sen- timent. You are losing thousands by not tell- ing where the boy is,” **That’s what he intimated. But, why only the boy? Sam Spanker grinned, “Do you mean that one#” she demanded, : He was over-bold now, for he risked a good deal when he said: “ That’s what I mean,” “*T see through the whole scheme! The will was worced so that if the children did not turn up after so many years, the whole property was become the permanent estate of Blake Bel- en. “ You're right, Betsy, old gal!” “And you have found the girl and probably silenced her,” a We're getting along pretty well, thank you. \ Betsy Snipe did not speak. ‘‘ Where is the boy?” persisted the man. “I am willing to share with you, woman. will make you know want no more, You sha’n’t be ophuoml for your work in Jersey, I will stand tween you and that,” “You? You, a perjured wretch, stand be- tween me and the law? Why, you are likely to swing yourseif before you get out of this game, I won't tell you. There! I don’t pro- pose to throw the boy into the hands of the man who wants him out of the way,” “All right, then, I_ only wanted to know what you would do. I shall play my hand now,’ ite enough crimes to be bun you’ve found the other “I will keep my secret unti! I am ready to Billy Winks, the Boy Detective. SS SS SRS TA RASS SD! SAS eh AAT pe? tell it where it will do him some good,” she cried, advancing menacingly upon him, ‘I know both of them, the boy especially, I have seen him every day for years and the gir] not so often. I know the heirs of the Pettibone thou- sands; I know that Blake Belden is here to make his way clear to the estate; that he has employed you to. belp him. Betsy Snipe, if she is guilty of a crime, stands between you and success, You can’t succeed without I help you, and I'll rot first!” Sam Spanker shrunk from the menacing eyes and nervous hands before him, and, almost be~ fore he knew how it happened, found himself on the outside of the door, having beer thrown into the hall by the irate creature. FS ‘‘Jehosaphat! Goliath in petticoats!’ cried 2m, —— CHAPTER XVI. THE WRONG MAN FREED, THE bell boy’s adventure with Sam Spanker in the cab told him that be was dealing with a desperate scoundrel and that it behooved him to look out for Number One, He bad learned a good deal about the rela- tions which had existed in the past between Blake Belden and Mother Snipe, and resolved to follow up this clew, lf he had been at home during Sam Spanker’s visit to the old woman he might have overheard them and been a witness to the rascal’s defeat by the ‘* Goliath in petticoats;” but he happened to be out of the house at the time and was on another trail that promised to yield him some- thing. re we have seen, Blake Belden was considera- bly cut up over his discomfiture and as he walked homeward he concluded to get even with mone Snipe and pay her back for her scorn of Im, “There is one thing certain,” said the con- spirator. ‘*I am being made the dupe of the very men I have employed to help me out of the game, Sam Spanker has the girl somewhere and won’t tell ine where. Only afew hours age he extracted five thousand from me, and if I don’t circumvent him in some manner I wll be at bis mercy all the time, I must discover this girl's whereabouts myself and then I will be on top, his was easier said than done, but Belden set about the task with a good deal of shrewdness and hope, and before long he had tracked Sam to a house in which he was sure the pretty type- writer was confinea, Still he did not try to enter until hefhad seen’ Sam come out and walk away, The plece looked common enough and, in his mind, was just the place for the girl’s prison. Belden was now a desperate man, for a for- tune was slipping through his fingers, and he could almost see the Pettibone children in pos- session of their own, When he had effected an entrance into the house he stopped and listened, \ For a time he could hear no noise; then a strange sound was borne to his ears, [t did not sound Jike a human voice, but Bel- den was not to be deterred, for he had come to the bouse with the intentionjof carrying out cer- tain resolutions; so, at once crossing the room be had entered, he tried the door ahead. To his astonishment it opened readily, but he fell back, with a stifled ery at the sight he saw. Lashed toa chair, and the picture of starva- tion and death, sat a man whose eyes had a glassy look which seemed to congeal the artful Belden’s blood. f ; ‘* Who are you?” he cried; ‘* in Heaven’s name, what are you doing in this house?” A ghast yerin overspread the face before him. “Ym all that is left of Chuck Holcomb, I have suffered a thousand deaths, For Heaven’s sake, either release me or send me to my final account,” Chuck Holcomb! No wonder Blake Belden fell back and stared at the occupant of the chair, This was the man who had come to New York in company with Flash Phlox to prevent his winning the very triumph he was after! He had fallen into Sam Spanker’s net and was now on the vergeof the gravel ‘‘'Who are you ?” asked Holcomb, ‘‘ Ab, I see now! I recognize your face. You are Belden, but known as Van Loo, the man who wants to hold on to the Pettibone fortime. I can’t say that [ don’t blame you, but you see what your tool has done, I am about ready to quit the game, but I don’t want to die here in this man- ner. ‘ES ' Instead of cutting the rope that bound Chu P, , d ; ; 4 ] ~ ~ —_—
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=~ Billy Winks, the Boy Detective. 13 to the torture chair, he coolly took a seat near by and said: ‘You don’t mean what you've just told me, You want to get out so as to carry out your part of the scheme. You want to beat me at every point, and I don’t intend to trust you out of that chair,” ** You don’t, eh?” / “T can’t afford to, you see. It would be giv- ing my enemy a trump card, and that I don’t in- tend to do.” Holcomb looked at Belden for a moment and then ground his teeth, ‘* Well, I hope they'll catch all of you in the end and give you your just deserts,” he answer- ed. ‘It willcome, I am not the only one in the game against you.” ‘*We know who the other one is, and we're able to take care of him. Your friend, Phlox, won’t trouble us very much, and when we close in on him there won’t be any one in our ay 64 olecomb looked away once more, and even shut his eyes. ‘*What had you discovered when we came down on you on your way to Pappy Pink with his letter in your pocket?’ Belden asked. ** Never mind what,” ‘© Well, let me impart a little information. We have discovered the lost heirs,” said the villain, gloatingly. The Philadelphia shadower started. “What! found the children?” he cried. ‘I don't believe you, Blake Belden.” * Just as you like about that,” was the re- joinder. ‘‘ We have the game in our own hands t last, and there will be no turning up of the little ones. Your master has failed, for without the heirs he can do nothing.” Holcomb seemed to realize this, yet he did not know whether to believe the rascal or not, * Since you don’t want to tell mo anything, I will leave you alone,” continued Belden, arising and moving toward the door. He was followed by the gaze of the man in the chair, and when he reached the door he was ealled back, “T want to get out of this place at any price,” Holcomb said. ‘I can’t die here in my con- dition of mind, Let me out and I will quit the game for good, I will tell you all I know—” ** You will, eh?” “Yes, yes—everything! I won’t keepa single secret back.” Belden looked at the prisoner a moment, and then advanced upon him, : He had taken from his pocket a knife which he had opened, and Holcomb was looking at it like a grateful pensioner. “ There, you are free now,” said Belden, when he had severed the strong line that lashed bin to the fateful chair, and the man could sit bolt upright and feel the blood course uninterrupted through his veins once more, “T am not afraid to trust you. Now, you must keep your promise with me,” ‘I will, Goon!” ** Are you the sole tenant of this house?” “T think I am.” ; ** Are you sure there is no other captive under this roof?’ ‘¢ ¥ havo never heard of another,” Belden looked disappointed. ** Chuck Holcomb, you don't care much who you serve, do you?” he went on, ‘ Of course you haven’t a very friendly feeling for the man who tied you to that Devil’s seat, and the truth is, he is getting too arbitrary for me,” “Sam Spanker, eh?” ‘*Yes, He is nothing more nor less than a bleeder. I want a man whom I can trust and for such a person I will pay liberally.” i had eyed the plotter sharply, but did not ea **TLook here, Belden: I don’t know but what we might come to an agreement,” and while he spoke he slid across the floor as deftly as his swollen feet would permit, ‘We ought to be friends when a common interest unites us, I don’t care much about the children, and, a8 you know, I entered this game for the money there was in it for me.” “T thought so, Chuck.” The half starved man had risen from the chair and Belden saw in the depths of his eyes a light he had not noticed before. Instinctively he retreated toward the door. “I will talk to you as I should!” suddenly shouted Chuck, springing at the scoundrel, and before the astounded Belden could resist, he found his hand piniened by an iron grip and ° the rte orbs of the desperate Holcomb burn- ing in his face, ‘Take my place if you please!” he command- ed. ‘‘Go to the chair and see by actual experi- ence how it is yourself!” Horror settled over Blake Belden’s face, but, despite his struggles he was thrust into the chair. Then the eager hands of Holcomb were not long in lashing him init witb the rope which still hung over its arms. The infuriated man’s task was accomplished before Belden could recover from his astonish- ment, and when he found himself bound in the seat he groaned in absolute fear. ** Sam, ere he went off awhile ago, told me that he would never come back,” Holcomb informed him. ‘He left me to perish here and, as you must have noticed when you dropped in, I was near the end. I had no hopes when you came; but now, the tables bave turned and I have you in the toils, This is an awful place at night. The house is haunted by a headless ghost and what one sees here when all is dark makes one’s blood run cold,” Belden shuddered and gasped. **Good by, Blake Belden! The next time you run across an enemy in a torture-chair be care- ful what you do, You have found the Pettibone children, did you say? Frankly, I don’t believe it. You have lied before and one can’t put any dependence on your word. 1 want to tell you here that I am going back to the trail like a whirlwind of vengeance. I know I’m not a saint; but I intend to help justice this time—” Chuck Holcomb stopped suddenly and leaned toward his captive. ‘“‘ Heavens, he has fainted!” he cried, It was true, The horror of his situation had deprived Blake Belden of consciousness, CHAPTER XVII. THE LITTLE GAME THAT FAILED, SAM SPANKER was greatly incensed over the rough treatment he had received at Mother Snipe’s hands, and he vowed with more than one hard oath that be would get even with her, Besides this, the old woman was dangerous, and the sooner he got her out of the way the better it would be for the Golden Coil. If she really knew the whereabouts of the two heirs, she would always remain a stumbling-block in tho way of the plot, and the surest way to get rid of her would be to abduct her, and see that she never came back any more, It was night, and nearly twelve, when Sam and Simon Short, his partner, crouching in the shadow of some bales on one of the wharves, were in secret consultation ou this very point, The pair hed stolen to the spot for this meet- ing, and were talking in low tones while the waves broke against the water-soaked piles, and receded into the dark distance of the river, Near by, and in the shadow of the same bales, lay something that did not look much like a human form, but which had a pair of keen eyes and sharp ears, If the two rascals had taken the care to look back oftener than they did, they might have seen the shadow by which they had n fol- lowed to the pier, and this chapter would not be written, Crime continually makes blunders, and on this occasion it made a very serious one for Sam and Simon, , After detailing his adventure with Mother Snipe, Spanker went on to unfold his scheme, “You can get the cab again,” he explained. “You know how to play cabby to perfection, and I will do the stealing. [have never tried to capture a rattlesnake, and 1 can’t say that I like the job; but something’s got to be done with that woman, She knows too much, Simon, and she’s liable to tell it just where we don’t want it told—-at Police Headquarters,” ‘ ‘Tf she takes a notion to tell it there the jig is up,” said Simon Short. i Exactly. We've got to circumvent her to- night yet.’ nh Simon drew his watch and looked at it in the light of the nearest lamp. t was just twelve, ** She’s asleep now,” he observed. ““Of course. I know how to get into the room. She sometimes stays up till nearly morning, for of late I’ve seen a light in her room till after this hour.” " If she’s awake she won't let you in.” Don’t let the getting in bother you, Will you do the driving? “ Yes,” Every word of this plot was heard by the per- gon crouched in the shadow of the bale, and the eyes glowed with unwonted brilliancy. ‘* It’s the coolest plot of the whole game,” said the listener, “‘but they’re liable to find their fa bad Sg when they come to carry he’s got the pluck of a tiger hands full of a off Mother Snipe, and they ought to know that with her secrets she don’t intend to be carried off to prevent the success of Justice in this plot against the Petti- bone children,” We need not say that the speaker was Billy Winks, the boy ferret, nor that he bad followed the two scamps to the pier and by sneaking up on them, had overheard every word of the plot against Mother Snipe, who was to be carried off yet that night, and placed somewhere where she would be powerless to aid the cause of right. The plot stirred ae drop of the young detective’s blood, and he had listened to the men with indignation tugging at his heart-strings. He did not quit his place until he saw the forms of Sam and Simon fade in the distance; than he sprung up and bounded nimbly away. “Shall I go for help or can we outwit them?” he questioned, ‘‘ She is both cunning and strong, and with zs help may get away with the two vultures. guess I won’t go forhelp. I told Nelse, Josie’s beau, the other day, that I would not call any policemen into this case till I had to, I’ve worked it up so far without help, and I won’t call for any now.” A few minutes later the bell boy ferret crept. into the house, which had been his home for years, and went to his room, As he passed Mother Snipe’s door he heard no noise which might indicate that the old woman was still up, but a light shining through the key~ hole told him that the room was not dark, In the solitude of his little chamber, Billy Winks waited for the plotters. After awhile he heard a vehicle pass up the street, and then all was still once more. Presently a footstep came up the stairs, for he had left his door open for the purpose of hearing it. Had the plotters come for Mother Snipe? The what house seemed to be buried in slum- ber, and not a sound calculated to disturb the slick game was to be heard. Billy Winks stole to the door and looked out, He caught sight of a dark figure in the old hall, and af heard a gentle rap on Mother Snipe’s rials, “That is Sam Spanker, the man who had me in his grip in the cab,” thought Billy, ‘*He has come to do the work, and Simon is sitting on the box below,” For a moment the figure of the man at the old woman’s door was seen by the boy, and then a streak of light fell into the hall as the portal was opened, The next moment the figure of the villain dis- appeared in Mother Snipe’s room, and Billy took: several steps frum his door, ‘*Not a word, if you want to live another minute!” he heard a voice say, ‘‘I have come back for the truth about the boy. You said ou know where he is—not in so many words, Put TI understood it, all the same—and ‘that is what I’m here for. You threw me out of the house and [ did not resist, but now I’m here to. play a hand of trumps and you will come with ” me. “ With you?” cried Mother Snipe, ‘* You don’t know me, Sam Spanker, I am able to de- fend myself and, as for telling you where the boy is—I would rot first!” ‘Ho, not so bad as that, I hope, But come, T can’t waste time bere, e have a carriage” below and you will permit me to use this band- kerchief—” There was a brief struggle and from the sounds he heard, Billy Winks knew that this time the villain had taken advantage of the woman and that she was in his power, He ran to the door, but halted there, Sam had taken care to shut it when he entered the chamber, but it was not locked. “Help! belp!” rung from Mother Snipe’s throat, but the last cry was suddenly stifled, ““T never let a fly get out of my web,” laughed the man in the room. ‘There is too much at stake to let you escape, Mother Snipe, but if you don’t give us too much trouble, you may come back to the old nest and end your days in peace,” There was no answer to this, The truth is, Mother Snipe was too well gagged to make one, for the handkerchief had been drawn over her mouth and she was in the grip of the tool of the Golden Coil. ; With his hand on the latch of the room, Billy Winks hesitated. He hardly knew what todo —whether to rush in and confront the rascal or try to follow the cab in hopes of discovering something about Josie, His indecision was cut short by the opening of the door and he drop back along the wall. where there was no light and stood straight up, against it,
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EP , ro Billy Winks, the Boy Detective. = -_ He saw Sam Spanker emerge from the room with Mother Snipe in his grip; he noticed that, despite her tiger strength, the woman was in his power, and while he looked he thought he saw a gleam of triumph in Spanker’s eye. Phis was more than the boy ferret could stand. He rushed from the shadow of the hallway and faced the astonished man, ‘Halt! Let Mother Snipe alone!” he cried, Sam Spanker, terrified by the voice for an instant, recoiled and almost released his vic- tim. “You see I bave the drop on you, Sam Spanker, You should have held me when you had me in the cab.” ** Jehosaphat! the boy!” exclaimed the plot- ter. ‘I wish I had choked you when I had the chance, Stand back and drop that guu—” ** Release Mother Snipe!” Sam was not disposed to do this, but the men- ace of the little revolver which Billy Winks held in his face was an argument he did not relish, “Let her go, and be quick about it!” Billy or- dered, ‘:‘Thia isa game which two people can play at, 8am Spanker, I know what took place on the wharf. I had the pleasure of lying be- hind the bale and listening to the whole sweet sehome,” Spanker looked wickedly into the face reveal- ed in the light from Mother Snipe’s room, and Billy moved a step nearer, **Go back to your master, Blake Belden, alias Van Loo, and report failure,” continued Billy. *“T guess the game is nearly up. It will end when they hang you for the murder of Chuck Holeomb.” Sam laughéd, when he suddenly threw Mother Snipe almost headlong across her own threshold, and then stood grinning at Billy Winks and wishing that he could sweep the revolver aside, ‘Some other time!” said he, madly, ‘I’m not through with you yet, boy.” ** Just as you like. ere, Mother Snipe, we’ll even up matters right now, Take hold of Sam Spanker. If be moves, ll press the trigger and save the sheriff a job.” With a joyful cry, the woman came toward Spanker, her eyes fairly glistening. CHAPTER XVIII. SURPRISES ALL AROUND, CowED by the weapon in tae determined boy’s grip, the man of many crimes did not stir. Hoe felt the firm hand of Mother Snipe at his arm and drew back alarmed, as he stared into eyes that boded him no good. ‘*T guess that will do,” continued Billy, when Sam had been bound, ‘Vil go down and see what’s become of Simon Short.” ‘* You won’t find him around,” Sam declared. *““T won't, eh? Heisn’t waiting near here with the cab? He didn’t agree to be on hand with _ the vehicle that was to convey Mother Snipe somewhere? Oh, no! But Pll go down and see, all the same.” Guarded by the woman, who watched him with the eyes of a hawk, Sam Spanker began a cunning pie which did not succeed. He offer- ed first his watch, and then a goodly sum of money if Mother Snipe would let him go; but he soon discovered that he might as well have talk- ed to stone. The old woman, who bated him most cordial- ly, was as deaf as a post to his entreaties, and when he took the otber turn and began to threat- en, he found that be fared no better, In a short time steps came up the stair, and Sam started when he heard them; as well he might, for soon, to-his horror, two persons stood - before him, and Billy Winks, looking at his pegenion while he pointed at the villain, said uietly: “That is the man, Captain Duckgun. That is Sam Spanker, the partner of the man we arrest- ed on the box of the cab.” Spanker fell back from the tall policeman without a vestige of color on his face. Simon Short arrested, and he himself in the meshes of the law? It was enough to shock him. ; “]'ll drive the rig to the station, captain,” continued Billy. ‘I?ll do me more good than getting the Pettibone fortune if I was one of the eirs, “Who told you you were?” cried Motber Snipe, running forward and clutching the boy’s arm, illy Winks’s look became a stare, and when Duckgun laid his hand on Spanker’s arm, to lead him away, the Golden Coil’s right bower ex- “‘T think I see something now. Why didn’t - vou tell me or intimate as much, Mother Snipe?” “T didn’t have to; and then, I don’t think I’ve ame anything away.” this, the rascal was led from the house to the sidewalk, where he found Simon Short manacled in the bottom of a cab which was guarded by a patrolman, and Billy, mounting the box, drove down the street. A-few minutes later the two scoundrels entered the station-house, and when they found them- | selves alone in the cell, Sam clutched his com- | panion’s arm. | ‘* What fools we have been!” saidhe. ‘‘ Why | didn’t I guess Motber Snipe’s secret before? But, it is too late now, and our only hope for mercy lies in our telling everything and getting Belden as deep in the pickle as we can.” ** But Holcomb?” “T don’t think the fellow’s dead yet. I told him that I would come back no more.” ** And the girl, Josie?” ‘¢T oness we'll have to tell them where she is, and there is old Pappy Pink, You know who he is, don’t you Simon?” ‘lve an idea,” answered the otber one, ‘* When I saw the cop walking toward me, with the boy, I seized the lines, but the pistol held me and in a jiffy [ was in the toils,” Thus through the whole night long the two men talked in the darkness and gloom of the cell, and when morning came they were brought out for examination, All at once Sam Spanker recoiled on his seat with a wild ery, for there had entered the room a man at whom he stared as if his eyes would pop from his head, “ That’s the vulture who had me in his beak,” said this person, who was Chuck Holcomb, hag- gard of conntenance and hungry looking. “That is Sam Spanker, the tool of the man called Van Loo, but who really is Blake Belden, the plotter.” Both Sam and Simon sat spellbound and glared at Holeomb, ‘TL left him in the chair,” continued Chuck, bending forward and grinning in their faces, ‘“*T guess he is safe there—as safe as I was till he came and in a foolish moment cut me loose, Do you know this boy, Sam? I know him now!” Already Sam was looking at Billy Winks, who had accompanied Holcomb to the station after accidentally picking him up on the street, The rascal made no reply for a moment when he suddenly said: ‘‘ Does Belden know it?” “Not yet,” answered Holcomb, going to the house now,” The two pards exchanged looks, when Simon Short turned to the officer in charge and said they were ready to make a clean breast of the whole thing. ! This they were allowed to do, after which Billy Winks, accompanied by Chuck Holcomb | for a guide, and an officer, went to the house where Holcomb had left Blake Belden in the tor- ture chair. When they o all three looked amazedly at each other. was the first to speak. ‘‘'The eel bas given us the slip!” he cried, Yes, the chair was empty and Belden was **We are ned the door of the fatal room Chuck one! a To his house, then!” ordered the officer, and thither they proceeded. A search of the premises showed that Belden had been there, but had executed a hurried fligbt, and the three turned away. ‘That man mustn’t escape!” cried Billy Winks, ‘‘T promise you that he shall not,” was the | official’s assurance, ‘Tbe confession made_by Sam Spanker and | Simon Short revealed Josie’s hiding-place, and | the pretty type-writer was at once set free. She was overwhelmed with surprise when told that she was one of the lost Pettibone heirs; but, when Mother Snipe turned to Billy Winks, and leading bim forward spoke again to Josie, another scene ensued: “« Josie, this is the other one,” said the old wo- man, ‘ This is no longer Billy Winks, but your own brother, Mr, Pettibone.” ‘““ What, me?” cried Billy. ‘* Mother Snipe, I kin swallow a good deal, but this is too much. Couldn't you have made the pilla little smaller?” Then followed a strange story from Mother Snipe’s Jips—a story too long to be repeated here; but she told it so straight, and so proved everything as she went along, that there was no doubting it, Billy Winks and Josie were the lost heirs of the Pettibone thousands, and the Bell Boy Detec- tive, while working up the case against the Golden Coil, was all the time unconsciously help- ing bimself and clearing up the mystery that surrounded his own life, It was such a time for surprises that no one was astonished when Pappy Pink turned out to be John Pettibone, who had not perished at the destruction of his Jersey home, but who had wandered off after that event, singularly affect- ed. He almost at once had become invention mad, and actually seemed to be unaware of his own identity. - Sam and Simon, the two sharps, did not se- cure leniency a making a clean breast of the infamous plot. They were tried and given long terms in Sing Sing where they are to-day, and when Blake Belden was hunted down, as he was, and brought to justice, the two wretches once more looked into the face of their old master. Belden, coward like, tried to take his own life in the city prison, but was frustrated, and went ‘‘up the river” for a term that promises to amount to a life sentence, Chuck Holeomb and Phlox disappeared after the arrest and conviction of Belden; Mother Snipe moved into better quarters, while John Pettibone, Pappy Pink no longer, went back to Jersey, where he took possession of the old estate and with his children began a new life, It was not long, however, before.he was called upon to give ‘‘Josie” up, for Nelse Martin claimed her, and Billy—we must call bim by his old name—accompanied the young couple on their wedding tour, **T don’t feel as good as I did when I was bell boy at the old Metropolis, or unwinding the meshes of the Golden Coil,” he declared the day of Josie’s wedding. ‘I think I will go over to New York some time and set up as a detective on my own hook, I know the traps and trails of the old city pretty well and I just like the excitement, The land is full of Sam Spankers and Blake Beldens and they need watching. Yes, I think T’ll goto the city and settle down | to business as rogue-catcher and crook-trailer.” Jobn Pettibone’s inventions, really novel and singularly practical, have been recognized, and he has ‘*struck it rich,” aud while he is happy once more on the old farm, and Blake Belden is justly in durance vile, the bright boy who work- ed up the great Pettibone mystery to find that he himself was a part of it, has struck his true calling, and, if no ill betides him, will make his mark as one of that battalion of Hawkshaws whose silent band is the great city’s best protec- tion against the army of rogues whose presence is a ceaseless menace to every good citizen, THE END. Beadle’s Dime Library. BY OLL COOMES. 619 Kit Bandy & Co., the Border Detectives. 148 One-Armed Aif, the Giant Hunter. 137 Long Beard, the Giant Spy. 99 The Giant Rifleman: or, Wild Camp Life. 51 Red Rob, the Boy Road-Agent, 48 idaho Tom, the Young Outlaw of Silverland, 46 Bowie-Knife Ben, the Nor’west Hunter. 44 Old Dan Rackhack, the Great Extarminator, 43 Dakota Dan, the Reckless Ranger. 7 Death-Notch, the Destroyer. BY LIEUT, A, K. SIMS. 666 Old Adamant, the Man of Rock. 618 Kansas Karl, the Detective King 552 Prince Primrose, the Flower of the Flock 5¥8 Huckleberry, the Foot-Hills Detective, BY NED BUNTLINE. 657 Long Tom, the Privateer, 633 The Sea Spy. 5 621 The Red Privateer; or, The Midshipman Rover. 584 Fire Feather, the Buccaneer King. 517 Buffalo Bill’s First Trail. i 361 Tombstone Dick, the Train Pilot. 270 Andros, the Rover; or, The Pirate’s Daughter, 122 Saul Sabberday, the Idiot Spy. 111 The Smuggler Captain; or, The Skipper’s Crime, 61 Captain Seawaif, the Privateer, ° 23 The Red Warrior; or, The Comanche Lover. 18 The Sea Bandit; or, The Queen of the Isle. 16 The White Wizard; or, The Seminole Prophet. 14 Thayendanegea, the Scourge; or, The War-Eagle, BY WAJOR DANGERFIELD BURR, 448 Hark Kenton, the Traitor. _. 18% The Phantom Mazeppa; or, The Hyena. 156 Velvet Face, the Border Bravo, 142 Captain Crimson, the Man of the Iron Face. 117 Dashing Dandy; or, The Hotspur of the Hills, 92 Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King. A new issue every Wednesday. Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, OF sent by mail an — receipt of twelve cents each. ha BEADLE AND ADAMS, Pvustisuers, eet 98 William Street, New York, Rich
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oF \ A a 4 4 % f ¥ r ‘g “SAE hee | et - aly iv J ee’ bal Se i tes oe Ma} as w : ma ag i { 4 Ay . “4 ' ¢ at tC oy a _ y t a x a ae | " ey, ‘ eben. | « i aM a‘ Q 4 ; BY OLL COOMES. & Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 18 The Dumb Spy. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. 81 Keen-Kuife, the Prince of the Prairies. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 58 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. 74 Hawk-eye Harry the Young Trapper Ranger. 88 Rollo, the Boy Kanger. 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman. 148 Scar-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter 146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight. 158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon. 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit ‘Trapper. 182 Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. 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 Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Disguised 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. A17? Webtoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giunt of the Yellowstone. 444 Little Buckskin, tne Young Prairie Centaur, 457 Wingedtoot Fredy; or, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarac ‘Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. \ 78 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemic, 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. 662 Blundering Baail, the Hermit Boy Trapper, 652 Don Barr, the Plains Rreelance. 661 Old Kit Bandy’s Dellverance. 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer. 680 Dauntless Dan, the Freelance, or, Old Kit Bandy in Arcadia, 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 Jack ; or, Giant George’s Pard. 297 The Tarantula of Tavs; or, Giant George’s Revenge, 807 The Strange Pard {ots Little Ben’s Death Hunt. 818 Ker-wheop, Ker-whoo; or, The Tarantula of Taos, 627 Creeping Bat. the Caddo; or, The Red and White Pards, £82 Frio Fred; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust, 844 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. 849 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front. 857 The Ranch Raiders; or, The Siege of Fort Pargatory. 864 &nap-Shot, the Boy Kanger. 875 Chiota, 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 Lartat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. 414 The Daisy from Denver. 427 The Three Trallersa; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage 442 Bluff Bill; or, The Lynx of the Leona, 455 Little Lone Star: or, The Belle of the Cibolo, 684 Cache Carl, the Chico Giant. BY PHILIP 8. WARNE, 6T Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. 175 Captam Arizona; or, Patent-Leather Joe's Big Game, 198 Captain Maak; or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat. 219 Despard, the Dueliat; or, The Mountain Vempires, B88 A eongn Boy} or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. 868 Little Tornado; or, The Outcasts of the Glen, BT8. Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard. 88S Little ear) or, Caught in His Own Trap, 401 Little Shoo-Fly; or, A Race fora 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, 5617 Jim Gladden’s Deputy. 527 The Jolly Pardsto the Reacue, 547 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down. 556 Lariat Lil; or, The Cast for a Life. 574 Old Weasel-top, the Man with the Dogs, B98 Keen Clem, the Ranch Imp. 599 Jim Dandy the No-Name Sport. 618 Billy Blazex; or, The Skeleton’s Legacy. 685 Oklahoma Hi, the Blue-Coat Scout 648 Happy Harry’s Big Find. 664 Cheeky Charley, the Special, BY EDWARD WILLETT, tt pees trom me ee yh : ‘eatherwe t the Boy Champlon of th 228 Ozark hand or, Featherweight Among ho pen ig 282 The Typo Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp, R95 poatiess 5a ony The ane - Rearteville. 811 The Rovin ort; o ne Pride of Chuckaluck 822 Nemo, the ‘Detective "or, Kit Kenyon’s (ere aa 840 Clip the Contortioniat: or, The Montana Vigilantes. BY JO PIEROE, 89T Bob o’ the Bowery 3 or, The Prince of Malbe: 415 Fhe Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Divine” 452 Motapur Bob, the Street-Boy Detective, 460 The av Mpc Shadow; or, Luke’s Legney, 472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective, 504 Five Points Phil 509 Jack Ja ‘era, the Butcher Boy Detective, Tartar "ins: or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerie. 526 North River Nat, the Pier Detective. 538 Wrestling Rex, the Pride ofthe Sixth Ward, 641 Jeff Flicker, the Stable Boy Detective. 551 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow. 559 Harlem Jack, the Ofice Boy Detective. 569 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detective, 577 Pavement Pete the Secret Sifter, 688 Jack-o’-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector. GOR Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer. 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid. 628 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Hummer. ryt Sanrio Fouls i Pearls ein Ferret. sit Set. iamin Bob, the : mer; or, Sc a e & Aky-Hocket Rob, the Life-Saver? ene * ~ PROT 688 Saltpeter Sol, the New York Navigator, 694 Spicy . the Only One of His K TO6 recy Thintle. the Road-Houss Detective, T1Z Mosquito Jack, the Hustler Gamin, 726 Dennis Duff, the Brown Sport’s Kid. 469 Th BY J. W. OSBON. © Riv ts of Nowhar’. aoe Cactus Hur, the Man from Hard Lack, o64a Pe Nae Key ee ho Sierra Shadow. 609 ou >. Phil, the Boy Miners é 620 Little Lightning's Leagt oe on Tee Mystery oftne Island 688 Plucky Baul, if Boy Prospector, TUTE a BEADLE'S« H ALF- DIME* LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Hach Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. 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. 2868 Jee 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, toe Arizona Sport. 510 Cool Colorado, the Hall-Breed Detective, 518 Cool Colorado in New York. BY GEORGE WALDU BROWNE, 86 mena Rock the Man from Texas. 90 The Dread Rider; or, The Texan Duelist. 99 The Tiger of Tuos; or, Dandy Rock’s Angel, 115 The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock’s Doom, 181 The Golden Handy or, Dandy Rock to the Rescue, 164 Dandy Rock’s Pledge}; or, Hunted to Death, 178 Dandy Rock’s Rival; or, The Haunted Maid of Taos. BY GEORGE C. JENKS, 455 Git Thar Owney the Unknown, 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge, 518 The Demon Doctor. 581 Double-Ourve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. 59S Flute, the Singer Detective, 608 The Pitcher Detective’s Fol; or, Dan's Double Play, 616 The Ocean Detective: or, The Last Cruise ofthe Black Bear, 681 The Pitcher Detective’s Toughest Tussel. BY J, C. COWDRIOK, 860 Silver-Masak, the Man of Mystery, 869 Shasta, the Gold King} or, For Seven Years Dead, 420 The Detective’s aan tice; or, A Boy Without a Name, 424 OCibuta Jonny; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar, 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo, 506 Redlight Ralph the Prince of the Road. 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle. 524 The Engineer Detective. 586 Broadway Billy’s ‘ Difikilty.” 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. 557 Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. 571 Alr-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 Qyclone. 628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Act. 640 Barebsek Beth, the Centaur of the Cirole, 647 Typewriter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward, 659 Moonlight Morgnn, the *‘ Pizenest ’? Man of Ante Bas. 669 Broadway Billy Abroad. 675 Broadway Billy’s Best; or, Beating San Francisco's Finest. 687 Broadway Billy tn Clover. 696 Broadway Billy in Texas. 708 Broadway Billy’s Brand. Til Broadway Billy at Santa Fe. 720 Broadway Billy’s Full Hand. BY FREDERICK DEWEY 818 Cimarron Jack, the King-Pin of Rifle-Shots, 478 Tangemund, the Desert Detective, 542 The Or~yon Pards. BY ARTHUR C. GRISSOM, 440 Little Foxfoot, the Gold Bowle Kid. 558 The Sure-Shot Pards, 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, 888 Brimatone Rob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette, Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “Sand,” 859 Durango Dave, the Youns Champion Wrestler, 871 Kingbolt Chris, the Yung Hard-Shell Detective, B80 Avalancke Alf, the Foothills Guide. 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountain Mail-Line, BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS, 6 Bill Biddon, Trapper. / 8 Seth Jones; or, the Captives of the Frontier, 10 Nat Todds or, The Fate of the Sioux Captive, 21 ‘xne Frontier Angel. 98 The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island, 182 The Wunted Hunters or, The Strange Horseman, 254 The Walf-Rlood; or, The Panther of the Plains, 271 The Huge Hunter; or, The Steam Prairie Man, BY MAJOR LEWIS W. CARSON, 278 The Ti.rce Trappers; or, The Mountain M % 288 Indian Joe; or, ike White Spirit of the His BY 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 WEMYNG. | ge tleve oes ot the pal ad Family. The Oaptain of the Club; or. The Rival Athletes, 101 Jack arkaway in New Week. Be a BY MAJOR HENRY B. STODDARD, Ex-Scout. 806 Neck-Tie Ned; or, The Dug-Out Parda, 846 Rapler Raphael; or, The Swordsmen of Zacatecas, 891 Kid-Glove Kit, the Dandy of the Rockies, 898 Kid-Glove Kit and Pardy; or, The Gold King. 406 The Mad Man-Hunter?: or, The Golden Gulch Mystery, 505 Powell’s Pards or, The One-Armed Giant. BY CAPTAIN FRED. WITITTAKER, 265 The Ti The League of the Jungle, 881 Gieek Niet amor ton Rider. Be me gna 895 California Joe's War Trall. BY COL. A. F. HOLT. 899 Black Buckskin; or, The Masked Men of Death Can 419 Kenneth, the Knite-King. “par 485 Littie Lightfoot. the Pilot of the Woods. B28 The Dandy gport; or, The King Pin Conspirator, 678 Ralph Renwood, the Lightning Express Detective, oe Headlight Harry's Haul. 27 Headlight Narry’s Siren. } No Double Numbers. BY JOSEPH E, BADGER, JR, 2 Vellowatone Jack}; or, The Trapper. 48 Black John, the Road-Agent, or, The Outlaw’s Retreat 65 Murricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard, 119 Mustang Sam or, The King of the Plains. 186 Ni ht-fawi Cit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue. 160 The Black Glanty; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 184 The Roy Trallers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path 208 The Boy Parda; or, Dainty Lance Unmaska, 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial ray 810 The Barranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy, 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League, 885 Old Double Fiat; or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Wooda: or. Dante) Boono’s Laat Trail, 419 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Traller. 677 Chineapin Dan's Second Trail. 688 Chincapin Dan's Home Stretch. 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without » Head, TOS Light-Heart Lute’s Legacy. 718 Light-HMeart Lute’s Last Trall. 728 Silverblade, the Shoshone. BY W. J. HAMILTON, 68 The Red Brotherhood; or, The Twelve Avengers. 66 Single Hand; or, A Life for a Life. 72 Mad Tom Weatern, the Texan Ranger. 887 Ben Bird, the Cave King; or, Big Pote’s Scoop. BY JACK FARRAGUT, 815 Ned, the Cabin Boy. 820 The Sea Sorceress; or, The Boy Skipper, BY LIEUT. H, D. PERRY, U. 8, N. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bay, 180 The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow Well Kept, 192 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montauk Point, BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. § Blue Dicks or, The Yellow Chief's Vengeance. 8% The Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil’s Island, 87 The Helpless Hand; or, Backwouds Retribution, 289 The Gold-seeker Guide} or, The Loat Mountain, BY WILLIAM 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 Shereof, BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR WU. 8. A. 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. 194 Buffalo Bill's Bet; or, The Gambler Guide, BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS. 546 Captain Cactun, the Chaparral Cock. 568 The Dandy of Dodge. 576 The Silver Sport, 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With «a Shadow 5S9 Tom-Cat and) Pards; or, The Dead Set at Silver City, 601 Ha by Mana, the Dutch Vidoeg. 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 622 Texas Tom-Cat’s Triad 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task, 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumphs or. Bleck Dan’s Great Combine, 646 Cowboy Gidy the Cattle-Range Detective. 657% Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank, 665 Jolly Jereminhs the Plains Detective, 676 Signal Sams, the Lookout Scout. 689 Billy. the Gypsy Spy. 699 Bimple Sim, the Rroncho Buster. 712 The Meamerlist Sport; or, The Mystifled Detective, MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Horse Munters, By Capt, Mayne Rela and Frederick Whittaker, | 9 Adventures of Baron Munchaousen, 12 Gulliver’s Travels, By Dean Swift, 14 Aladding or, The Wonderful Lamp. 16 Robinson Crusoe, (27 Illustrations) 18 Sindbad the Satlor, His Seven Voyages, 22 ane Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe. By Juan awis, 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the he ne a S. W. Pierce. Fike 86 The Boy Clown, or, The Arena Queen, By F 8. . BS Ned Wylde, tho Boy Scout. By Ten Jack.” 561 The Boy Eitvex; or, The Underground Camp, By A.C. Irons, 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi, By Lieut.-Col, Haseltine. 98 Robin Hood, the Outlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Green- wood. By Prof. Gildersleave. 105 via Fea the Hunter; or, The Grow Captive. By Captain amilton Holmes. 112 The Mad Hunter; or, TheCave of Denth, By Burton Saxe, 124 Tippy, the Hennes or, The Young Champion. By George opaon. 128 The Young Privateers or, The Pirate’s Stronghoid,! By Harry Cavendiah. 148 Sharp Samy or, The Adventures of a Friendless Boy. By J, Alexander Patten, 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yel- lowstone, By Edward Emerson, 261 Fergus Fearnaught the New Y rk Boy. By@. L, Aiken. 266 Killb’ar, the Guide; or, Davy Crockett’s Crooked Tr By Enaign'C. D. Warren.’ all, 298 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid ot the Cliff By Captain ‘omatock, B17 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Leadville, By Leu tenant Alfred Thorne. 828 The Sky Detectives or, A Boy’s Fight for Lifeand Honor. By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Red Ralph, the River Rovers or, The Brother’s Re- venge, By Ned Buntline, Y 865 Baltimore Ben the Bootblack Detective. By Ae PM B74 Gold-Duat Tomy or, Ben’s Double Match. va H. > peb 876 California Joo’s First Trail. By, Colonel Th Hoyer Monstery. omas 418 Billy Bombshell, tho Clift Climber. By ¥. 8. Winth 45 The Black Ship. By John § Warmer rep. a4 Comanane mie and His Three Invincibles, By enry J. Thomas, 582 The Cowboy Duke, By Edwin Brooke Forrest, 552 Artel the Athlete. By David Druld. 585 Will Waters, the Boy Ferret. By H, Enton, O88 The Dead [ratective’s Doe OT en @21 Maverick Mone, the Arizona Detective; or, The Wizard ot Urkos Pass, By Will Lisenboe. A New issue Every Tuesday. The. Malf-Dime Libr conta per Copy, or sent by mail on receipt of alx cents BEADLE ANP ADAMB, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. ie for sale by atl news a 4 ae ee ;
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BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novela. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Deadwood Dick’s Deflance; or, Double Daggers. 28 Deadwood Dick in Disguise; or, Bulfaly Ben 85 Deadwood Dick in His Castle. yr peearess cons anes: or, The sfersvons Miner. 3 ecndw ooc ¢ n anger; or, Omana Ol. 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 7B Deadwood Dick on Deck ; or, Calamity é ‘ne, the Heroine, 100 a bale als Last rent or, Corduroy Charlie. 4 eadwoo eckin Leadville. oe pee mabe fe “gh a + The Double Cross Sign. naweo « *« elective. ae ponaweod my ag or, The Gorgoa’s Gelch Ghost. 8 Deadwoo ck’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 Dreams or, The Rivuls of the Road. 201 Deadwood Dick’s Ward or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. ae aenaweet Deke poe sr Se tsa aera Adventure, eandwoour :k’s Dead Deal. 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death-Plant. 282 Gold-Duat Diek. A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, 268 Deadweod Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail. 809 Deadwood Dick’« Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon, B21 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats 847 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Days in the Diggings, Pets pengweos oy Ete ar aa or, The Terrible Fondet a, ecndwoo ck’sa Claim, 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds, 421 Deadwood Dick in New Yorks or, A “Cute Case,” 480 Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand, ats Becarecd Bice 3, De cadw oor ck, Jr.’a, Defiance. 458 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Full Hand. A459 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-Up, 465 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10, AZ1 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill, 43? seatwees pian? gr * Dow Detective. endw ood ek, Jr., In Deadwood, 491 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Compact. 496 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Tuheritanss. 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Diggings. 608 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deliverance. 515 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Protegee. 622 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Three, 5629 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducks 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s) Death Hunt. Ly Deadwood pie? res in cones Wis 5 endwoo ek, dr., the Wild West Vidoog 649 Dendwood Dick, Jr., on Mia Mettle. aoe Rpoadwcod picks gre & Mae pe 61 Deadwoo ck, Jr., in Boston, 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Philadelphia, 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in_Chicago, +t ponawoes picks ores a tel end wood ck, Jr., in Denver, 590 Deadwood Dick, dr.’s, Decree. 5695 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Beclzebub’s Basin, 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr-, at Coney Island. eee osayees Riek? s% entree Lay. cadwooc ek, dr., in Detroit. 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Cincinuatl, 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada, 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Maw’s Land, 686 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. 642 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Buffalo. 648 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Chase Across the Continent 654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. 660 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Insurance Case, 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back In the Mines. 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., (n Durango; or, * Gathered In.” one pee hye emg or loco very’ or, Found a Fortune, S- eadwoo ck, Jr.’«. Dazzle. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dollars, 695 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide, 700 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Drop. 204 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot. 710 Dendwood Dick, Jr., in San Francisco, 716 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Still Hunt. 222 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes, 728 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Disguise. BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 Will Somers, the Boy Detective, 122 Phil ataray, the Boss Boy. 126 Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. 180 Detective Dick}; or, The Hero in Raga, 142 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 147 WIll Wildfire, the Thoroughbred. 152 Black Bess, Will Wildfire’s Racer, 157 Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy, Has MU uae es Tint 65 aggage, the Railroad Boy. ITO A Wien tara’ or, Will W tld fire Wins and Loses, 174 Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York, 179 Bob Roe a, the Bank Runner. 188 The Hidden tends or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 187 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, 189 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed ; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 Tom Tanner} or, The Black Sheep of the Flock, 25 Sam Chareoal the Premium Darky, 225 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy, 242 The Two “ Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bi] and His Gang, 252 Dick Dashaway ; or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago, 262 The Young Sharps: or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Tratl. 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jims Jobs or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughored. 805 Dashaway, of Dakota; or, A Weatern Lad in Quaker Clty, 824 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detectives or, Fred Flyer’s Blizsard. BOT Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times, ‘B79 Larry, the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard. 408 Firetly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Loat Finger} or, The Entrapped Cashier, 428 Fred Fiyer, the Reporter Detective. A482 Invinctble Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vaganond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive. A79 Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. 488 Wild Dick Racket. 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, 666 The Secret Service Boy Detective. 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkansas; or, The Wolf in the Fold. 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. 667 Bob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. 709 The Curbstone Detective; or, Harry Hale’s Big Boat. BEADLE'S« H ALF- DIME« LIBRARY. Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. 82 Bob Woolf or, The Girl Dead-Shot, 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand. 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., toe Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bills; or, The Red Rifle Team, 69 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The Boy Detective, 80 Rosebud Roby or. Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand. 88 Phetograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob's Reappearance, 92 Canada Chet} or, Old Anaconda jn Sitting Bull’s Camp, 96 Watch-Eye; or, Arabs and Angels of a Great City, 18 Jack Moyle the Young Speculator, Z Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport. Bouanzsa Sill, Miner, Buss Bob the King of Bootblacks, Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. Cuptain Ferret, the New York Detective. New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. Nobny Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Scamps, Wa Franky, the Buckskin Bravo, U riczy, the Bound-Boy Detective. 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 Gladiator. 244 Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret. 248 Sierra Sam's Secret; or, The Bloody Footprinta, 258 Sierra Sam’s Pard; or, The Angel of Big Vista, 258 Sierra Sam’a Sevens or, The Stolen Bride, 278 Jumbo Joe, the boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver 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 & ©o., the Detectives of Philadelphia, 880 Little Quick-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Daggersville, 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner. 889 Kangaroo Kit’*« Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood. 858 First-Class Fred, the Gent from Gopher. 868 Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherers or, The Life Lottery, 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize. 878 Nabob Ned; or, The Secret of Slab City. 882 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, B85 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 Hat Harry, the Base Ball Detective. 426 Sam Slabaides, the Beggar-Boy Detective. 424 Jim Benak and Pal, Private Detectives, 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. 486 Seualskin Sam, the Sparkler. medin orm oo BORE ee pk pf ik ek pt S$ = << SDV RRS = BY T. C, 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 Jack; or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trali. 82 Kit Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack ¢ or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Frosty, 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, Injun 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 Bullet; or, Little Tovknot’s Crusade, 281 Plucky Phil; or. Rosa, the Rel Jezebel. 241 Rill Bravo; or, Tie Roughs of the Rockies. 255 Captain Apolir, tne King-Pin of Bowie, 267 The buckskin Detective, 279 Old Winch; or, The Buckskin Desperadoes, 294 Dynamite Dany; or, The Bowle Blade ofg@ochetopa, 802 The Mountain Detective: or, The Trigger Bar Bully, 816 Old Eclipse, Tromp Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Purda; or, The Terror of Take-Notice. 886 Big Benson; or, The Queen of the Lavso, 845 Pitiless Matt; or, Ked Thunderholt’s Secret. B56 Oool am and Pardy or The Terrible Six, B66 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 886 Captain Cutlass; or, The Beccaneer’s Girl Foe, 896 Rough Rob: or, The !'win Champions of Blue Blazea, 411 The Silken Lasso: or, The Rose of Ranch Robin, 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump. the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Flaaeh, the New York Fox; 445 The City Vampires; or, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon. 461 One Againat Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Roy Shadow; or, Felix fox’s Hunt. ATT The Exceisior Sports or, The Washington Spotter. 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport, 502 Branded Ren, the Night Ferret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Weurl-Spy Detective, S21 Dodger Dick’s Rest Dodge. 528 Fox and Falcon, the Bowery Shadows. 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’« Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodger Dick’s Desperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick, the Boy Vidocq. 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 Parda, 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective. 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. 671 Jersey Jed, the Boy Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower. 685 Happy Hugh, the Boy-Muaician Detective. 701 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp. 715 Wide Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferret. BY WM. G. PATTEN. 489 The Iiamond Sport or, The Double Face of Bed Rock. 519 Paptats Mystery ; or, Five in One. 881 Da “4 i)are 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 668 Vialet Vane’sa Victory. 682 Wild Vulcan, the Lone-Range Rider, 692% Violet and Datay, the Posy Pards. 705 Violet Vane’s Vow; or, The Cratty Detective’s Craft. 714 Old Misery, the Man from Missouri. F24 Violet Vane’s Vengeance. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 7 The Flying Yankees or, The Ocean Outcast, 17 Ralph Rey, the boy Buceancer; or. The Fugitive Yacht. 24 Diamond Dirk 3 or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone. 62 The Shadow Ship; or. The Rival Lieutenants. 75 The Boy Duell«t; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf. 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Sinugyier. 111 The Sea-Devil; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 116 The Iussar Captain 3 or, The Hermit of Hell Gate. 197 Little Grit; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. 204 Gold Plume ; or, Buffiio Bill, the Pony Express Rider, 216 Bilson Bill, the Prince of the Reins; or, Buttato Bill’s Pluck, 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer, 229 Crimson Kate; or, The Cowboy's Triumph, 237 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 245 Merle, the Middy ; or, The Freelance Heir. 250 The Midshipman Mutineer$ or, Brandt, the Buccaneer. 264 The Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure. 26% The Gold Ships or, Merle, the Condemned, 276 Merle Monte’« Crulse; or,“ The Gold Ship ” Chase, 250 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Pear), the Pirate's Bride, 284 The Sea Marauder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge. 2s7 Lilly Blue-Eyea, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. 804 The Dead Snot Dandy ; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler. 808 Keno Kit; or, Dend Shot Dandy’s Double. 814 The Mysterious Marauder}; or, The Boy Bugler’s Traik 877 Bonodel, the Buy Kover; or, The Flagless Schooner, BS8 The Indian Pilots or, The Search for Pirate Island, 887 Warpath WIL, the Boy Phantom. 898 Seawalf, the Boy Lieutenant. 402 Inodor, the Young Consptirator 5 or, The Fatal League, 407 The Boy Inaurgents or, The Cuban Vendetta. 412 The Wild VYachtaman yj or, The War-Clouu’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, Mne Scapegrace of the Sea, 450 Wizard Will: or, The 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. A474 Florays or, Wizard Witi’s Vagabond Pard. 488 Ferrets Afloat; or, Wizard Will’s Last Case. 487 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 ; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat. 5607 The Hunted Midshipman, 511 The Outlawed Middy. 520 Buckskin BIL, the Comanche Shadow, 525 Brothers in Buckskin. 5630 The Buckskin Bowers, 585 The Bue skin Rovers. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder of the Rio, 545 Licutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte, 550 Lafitte’a Legney: or. The Avenging Son, 555 The Creole Corsair. 560 Pawnee BUI, the Prairie Shadower, 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. 570 Camille, the Card Queen. 5675 The Surgeon-Scout Detective. 580 The Outcast Cadet; or, The False Detective, 586 The Buckskin Avenger. 5YL VDelmonte, the Young Sea Rover. 57 The Young Texan Detective. 602 The Vagabond ofthe Mines, 607 The Rover_ Detective; or, Keno Kit’s Champions. 617 Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scouts or, The Rio Raiders. 644 The Hercules Highwaymun, 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Rider Detective; or, Buffalo Bill’s Boy Para, 656 Butterfly Billy’«s Man Hunt. 662 Butterlly Billy’s Bonanza. 668 The Buccaneer Midshipman. 674 The Wizard Saflor; or, Red Ralph, the Rover. 679 The Sea Shadower; or, The Freebeoter’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 Texas, 02 Rine Jacket Bill; or, The Red Hat Rangers’ Red Hot Racked 7? The Red Sombrero Rangers; or, Redfern’s Last Trall. 18 Carl, the Mad Cowboy; or, The Lariat Queen. 19 Pawnee Bill's Pledge; or, The Cowboy Kidnanper, 25 Daring Dick, Pawnee Bill’s Pard; or, The Red Cavalry Raid, BY BUFFALO BILL (Hen. Wm. F. Cody), 8 Kansas Kings or, The Red Right Hand, 19 The Phantom Spy: or, The Pilot of the Prairie. B65 beadly-Eye, the Unknown Sccut, 68 Border Robin Hood ¢ or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 729 Silverblade, the Half-Blood; or, The Border Beagle at Bay. By Jos, E. Badyer, Jr. 780 Violet Vane’s Verdict; or, The Crooked Game at Coffin City, By Wm. G. Patten. 781 Ruth Redmond, the Girl Shadower; or, The Ktivals in Buckskin. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. A ; 782 Dalay Dell, the Pavement Detective; or, Trapping Big Game. By T. C, Harbaugh. 788 Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector; or, Unearthing the Cavern League. fv Lieut. A. K. Sims, 484 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Deal; or, The All- Around Surprise. By Edward L. W heeler, 285 Broadway Billy’s Business; or, Waking Up Wind Can- yon Camp. By ', 0, Cowdrick. 786 Larry; the Thoroughbred; or, Beaten on Every Side, 3y George C. Jenks. Bz ok Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive; or, Buckskin Sam to the Rescue, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 788 Broadway Billy’s Curlous Cases or, The Mysterious » Disappearance at Manitou Springs. By J. C. Cowdrick. 789 Silverblade, the Hostile, or, The Border Beagle’s Ghont Trail. By Jos. E. Badver, Jr. 740 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathwatehs or, The Moving Mystery ut Mexican Mastang. By Edward L. Wheeler, VAL Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidocg; or, Sport against Sport. By Wm. G. Patten, u 7A2 Billy Winks, the Bell Boy Detective; or, Breaking the Meshes of the Golden Coil, By T.C- Harbaugh, %48 Buck Taylor's Boys; or, The Red Riders of the Rio , Grande. ae pau Prentiss Ingraham. Ready October 20. AA Night-Watch Dick, the Life Saver of the Docks: By Jo Pierce. Ready October 27. A New Iasue Every Tuesday: The Half- Dime Library '» for asle by all newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mat] on receipt of six conte each, BEADLE AND ADAMES, Publishers, 98 Willlam Street, New York. el