Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 753) (1891 12 29)
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584 . he = : aS 2 a “ad f ~ a YZ \ S C4 ree Cnn a tT ft tl i yal Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y., Post Office. Copyright 1891, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, December 29, i891. $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price, No. 7953. a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. Vol, XXIX, | ate (Leal mn re Wun i 4 | ent |i CONT ly : The Oath Cah Combination. BY J. C. COWDRICK, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ BROADWAY BILLY ” NOVELS, &TC. CHAPTER I, BILLY AND SKINNY ARRIVE, ‘Sweet pertaters!” ‘Well, what’s up this time, Billy?’ _ ‘‘Why, Skinny, it looks like a slice right out of New York!” : ‘* What did you expect to see, a wild camp of log cabins, shanties, and such like?” ie = So =~ Tite: th) “ Well, no; but, drown my mammy’s pet cat ee a ee if it iswt a bigger town than I was expecting to a) SO Sea) = find, So, this is Denver, is it?” THE UNSHORN VILLAIN WAS GLARING AT BILLY LIKE A TIGER, THE COMBINATION Broadway Billy, Skinny—but Skinny nbd HAD INDEED STRUCK ILE! loiger—and their old ranger friend.
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2. Broadway Billy in Denver. Coming up from the direction of Manitou, the lads mounted and the old ranger walking, they had here caught their first full view of the city, and stopped. “Yas; that’s what it are, me son,” affirmed Roger Watts, or Roger the Rover, in response to Billy’s observation; “this beur are Denver, an’ a right purty place it are, too.” ‘‘ Anybody can see that, with half an eye,” declared Billy. For some moments they were silent, gazing upon the beautiful vista that lay open before them, Beautiful it was—is, To the north and west were the foot- hills of the giant Rockies, with snow-capped monarchs beyond. There was Long’s Peak, seventy miles to the northwest; Gray’s Peak, seventy miles west; while Pike’s Peak lay ninety miles to the south- west. At their feet was the glinting Platte River, flowing through the center of the city; on every hand were beautiful suburban villas; the larger and more important of the city’s buildings could be made out clearly; and all in all it was a scene once looked upon not easily forgotten. “Well, what do you think of it?” Skinny presently asked, rousing Billy from his thought- ful reverie. “What dol think of it, my slender—I mean my fat and hearty alderman; what do I think of it? I think it’s bang up, that’s what.” ‘* It are somethin’ fer size, I allow,” declared Roger the Rover. ‘‘I never feel to home in sech big places; but, of course, that won’t trouble you lads any, seein’ us you’re from New York.” ‘“*No; I don’t believe it will,” assured Billy. **T was born in tho Sixth Ward, kicked up on Broadway, and had my eyeteeth cut by hard knocks generally. I guess I can hold my own in this town, It’s the same with Skinny.” ** Yes; I guess ye can, too. Waal, if ye has seen about egg we'll forge on an’ git thar.” “All right, Roger; it won’t do to monkey away time here. A little further, and we'll be in town.” * And then good by to wild adventure,” said Skiony. ‘‘ No moreof it for me, for ’m going to stick to the cities after this, you can bet, I’ve had enough of the wilds,” “*}. guess I’m ready to agree with you, pard,” assented Billy. ‘‘ We have had our little fling, and now it is about time for us to settle down and cast our anchors to the windward in the business of life.” sy And we'll get to New York as soon as we can, “* We must take time to see the place,” chided Billy. ‘‘It wouldn’t do to slight Denver in that style, you know.” “1 had as lief go rigbt in and get aboard the train.” “Fer shame, Skinny! We must see the town, anyhow, and if a bit of detective work comes in our way, we won't throw it over our shoulders, you bet. Id jestlike to show the Denver blues how New York boys can shuck a crook or roast a rogue!” ‘*{ was in bopes you had got over that disease for a little while.” **Got over it! Does a duck decline to swim? Well, bardly! WhenI get tired of the detec- tive business it will be when Russell Sage asks me to take charge of his puts.” ‘‘ But, lads, this ain’t gettin’ on,” Roger re- minded. ‘*Right you are,” admitted Billy. ‘‘ It was Skimny's fault, for he’s always talking, when he isn’t eating, and it’s about an even thing be- tween the two diseases, I guess.” ‘* You dry up,” Skinny retorted. ‘*That’s something I thought you had set out to do, Skin, but it seems you have given it up, the way you are growing fat. Sweet pertaters! we'll have to fit you out with new clothes once a week, that’s sure, the way your are filling these!” They had started forward. Skinny, once so remarkably thin, was getting to be remarkably fat. He was now plainly heavier than Billy, and the latter was not by any manner of means a light-weight. “* You ’tend to the fillin’ of yer own clothes,” Skinny growled, ‘‘ and ll see to mine.” ‘*T believe you, my gay and festive prize-win- ner,” Billy answered, smiling, ‘‘ You seem to be bending every energy in that direction now.” ““T almost wish I was thin again, if you are cing to keep at me this way, I was in hopes if Lever did round out you would let up and give me a rest, after all you have said.” “*Yes; and you will quite wish you were thin again, if you keep on at this rate. You have ee ee a eee ee ee ee ee ee eee rounded out like a Rondout squash, but the trouble is you do not seem to be going to stop rounding. You keep right on. If we had any further to go, Skia, I would suggest a spring for your saddle,” ‘* A spring for my saddle!” **'Yes; so tbat your horse wouldn’t have to carry so much weight,” Roger the Rover enjoyed another of his hearty Jaughs, at that, which was as amusing to Billy and Skinny as anything could be, “By ther smoke o’ Gittysburg,” the old ranger presently exclaimed, ‘‘it’s a wonder ther youngster don’t rise up an’ smite ye, ther way ye tease him. An’ he’ll doit, too, some o’ these days,” ‘*What! Skinny smite me?” cried Billy. ie Yer couldn’t blame him if he did, that’s sar- tain, ‘** But he loves me like a brother, Skinny does, an’ he wouldn’t doit,” “Waal, we'll let it drop asit are. Now, lads, seein that we are comin’ nigh to our desternation, what is goin’ ter be done when we gits thar!” This brought their attention to business at once, ** You say you have been here before,” Billy made response. : ‘Yas; agood many times,” ‘“*And maybe you know where there is a decent hotel, where men of our apparent stamp can find lodging.” ‘*'Yas; I allow I do know of sech a place,” ** Then it will fall to you to lead us to it, that’s the first thing on the programme,” * All right, Pll do that.” ‘* After that, Skinny and I will go out and tog ourselves in raiment more befitting to our station in life,” ** An’ so create a social barrier atween us, as it were,” Roger complained. “Nothing of the kind,” cried Billy. ‘‘ You said you are done with the mountains, didn’t you? “Yas: I allowed I’d go home, seein’ that my revenge is had,” ‘* Well, you won’t want to go in these old mountain clothes you’re wearing now, so we'll all fix out new, spick and span.” **T don’t know but you're right, me son, but I won’t know how ter act.” ‘* You'll get used to itin a day or two, Then, when we’ve got fixed up, we’ll go to a hotel of a better order, and Skipny and I will look up our baggage. That is awaiting us herein Denver somewhere.” « ** Well, well, it ain’t no use fer me ter try ter tell a lad like you anything. You was born ter command, that’s plain, so go right ahead. Skinny, thar is yer leftenant, an’ I’m ther rank an’ file.” So talking as they moved forward, they were soon in the city. Suddenly Billy let out his pet exclamation: ‘* Sweet pertaters!” ‘* What now?” asked Skinny. > ‘* Here’s a Brcadway, sure as I live!” It was even so. re a slight deviation from their course, they had entered upon that thoroughfare, ‘“*Then you’d orter feel quite to home kere,” remarked Roger. “Pm at home anywhere,” assumed Billy. S Give me a place to hang up my hat, and there am. Turning to the left, presently, the streets be- came more thickly populated, and ere long they were in the heart of the high-up city. Here Billy felt strangely out of place in bis cowboy attire, and was in eager haste to get it off as soon as possible. While the rig was jast the thing for the plains and mountains, he was not vainglorious enough to want to pose in it in a city like Denver, So it was with Skinny, who was even more modest; but not so with the old ranger, He strode boldly along in the middle of the street, ahead of the horses, his old rifle in band. Billy was glad when the better part of the city had been passed, and they were again in streets of more modest pretensions, Roger was leading the way, and finally he came to a stop before a hotel. A glance satisfied Billy what it was. It seemed to be a drovers’ headquarters, and a big gate a little further on suggested a drove- yard, He was not mistaken in his guess, either, for such it was. A little knot of men in rough at- tire was before the door. - Billy drew in to the stoop, and did not stop ey the fore feet of his horse were upoa the step. ‘¢ Hello, in there!” he then called out. A man, evidently the proprietor, was immedi- ately at the door, ‘“* Any chance heur fer lodgin’ fer man an’ beast?” Billy made inquiry, in broad dialect. ‘* Waal, yes; I guess so,” vas the response, ‘* Drive on down to ther gate t iar, an’ go in an’ put away yer beasts, an’ then come in,” Billy and Skinny turned in the direction of the gate, Roger now followinj; instead of lead- ing. hs the inclosure they dis ounted, and Billy gave directions about the care of their ani- mals, putting money into the, hands of the hos- tler. Then they went back to the hotel, and present- ed themselves in the bar-room for the purpose of registering their names, Their advent into the city of Denver had been modest and lowly, but their exit was cestings to be of a differentsort. Something bad recet ly happened that, in the detective way, wai add another star to Billy’s already brillie crown, CHAPTER II. THE PARDS CROSS SWORDS. DENVER is not an old cit’’., But a generat ago it was only a mount ‘n wilderness, among the oldest houses of | sich the place cc boast was this hotel at wh # Billy and Ski with their ‘* pard,” bad st: .ped. It stood as a landmark, ‘epresemting the cb hood of the town, and F d never outgrowr first usefulness, but still c» tered to the same c of patrons as at first. It was a small, insignificant hostelry, thor at the time of its building, it had no doubt b considered quite a grand affair, And even } take away a!l the greate surroundings, or tr sport it toa simple minipg-camp, and it wo appear a palace, When our trio entered the bar-room, tl found there quite a ccverie of congenial loat lounging around, They had been tall.ug, as the new arrive had heard as they aj proached the room, bi upon their entering 13e fellows became sile’ anid stared at them. ; Billy took a casuals .rvey of the room and its occupants, and stepp: to the bar in his ersy manner. Some of the } lows cast wistful glances at him, as if wishing, would treat. ‘© Where's your'aut’ “aph-album?” he inquired of the beaming land, . ‘‘My—my what?” | 8 host had to question. ‘““Why, your regi/ »r, to be sure,” Billy ex- plained. ‘*Oh! why didn’t yor say so?” was the laugh- ing response, ‘‘ Heui qt is,” From a sbelf under the bar be drew forth worn and aged volume and opened it at a p) ~ where a dog-eared blotter protruded, Billy took up the pen, and first glancing ati > names on that page, in a casual way, while he de- bated how he should sign, struck out boldly and set forth the true names of himself and compapn- ions, as follows: “ WILLIAM WESTON, ‘“*JaMmES CALLAHAN, “ RoGER WATTS, As soon as he had finished writing, Billy laid an arm on the regit}er and called the landlord’s attention to Skinny ; ‘*T suppose youscan see my partner there, * - § can’t you, Mr. Lan ilord?” Skinny blushed, und the landlord hardly knew how to reply. ; : ** Don’t be backward about it, if you can’t see him,” Billy urged; ‘** but if you do see him, then say 80. X Do I see him?” the landlord repeated, ‘In course Isee him, Why, if anything, he’s big- “Y ger’n what you be yourself.” ie! “That's it!” cried Billy. ‘‘ You wouldn't be- lieve how thin that lad was only a short time ago. I knew he was getting fat, but I wanted solid proof of it.” “You had better shut up!” Skinny protested. ‘Hold on, now, and hear me out,” Billy urged. ‘Yes; he was the thinnest fellow you eversaw,” to the landlord. ‘* The first year of his life he had to be carried in a basket for fear he’d drop apart, and the basket had to be lined with fea- thers so’s his bones wouldn’t rub through the |e York.” skin, You wouldn’t believe it, to look at him now.” BS Oe “* Hardly; that’s fact.” ih ‘Do let up,” Skinny enjoined. i “Skinny, it is all on your account, and I am Nias aiming at a point I want to bring out,” ‘‘- You are taking mighty long aim, that’s all I’ve got to say.”
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“Tf that’s all you’ve got to say, then please keep still and hear me out, It is for your good that I am making these statements,” ** Bosh!” The old ranger was grinning from ear to ear, ‘“ After the basket era,” Billy went on, still addressing the “andlord, ‘‘then he had to be padded to make any showing at all asa baby. He was late in walking, for his legs were so small that be wasn’t to be trusted on them. You have no idea how’'thin he really was,” Everybody in te room was all attention now, and Skinny was ¢v.tting decidedly worked up. ** Yer can’t call him thin no longer, anyhow,” ‘ventured the landlord. ** That’s it,” echoed Billy. ‘‘ That is the point Tam comivg at. You see, he has always been'sc very thin that he was called Skinny, and hardly anybody ever had any other name for him, Now that he is getting stouter, I think he ought be able to wear his real name, don’t you?” [': I should think so.” *< You see, he had the fever some weeks ago, ___ the mountains, and since then he has been — ying on meat at a great rate, and it looks out placs to be calli g him Skinny, though I sup- Ns that name wi.i stick to him in spite of all. inny, beloved pard, I have here given your ——i1e name tothe w rid ‘for the first time. You » big enough t “be entitled to the honor, Foaora, let me’, soducehim, notas ‘Skinny,’ t as ‘James ©. ‘than, Esquire,’ with the aspect of becomi: an alderman from the xth Ward in the noar future,” fhe crowd laughé. Billy was a refreshing velty to them, - ‘ Are you done now?” Skinny asked. re big you may have the floor,” Billy an- ‘ered, - “Thea, Mr. Landlord, let me chirp once,” sinny requested. “J admit that I have al- ays been thin, and that it is only within a few 2eks that I have had any meat on my bones to eak of; but [Pd rathér be thin than be sucha iower as Billy Westch is, If we stop here a veek you will be talke to death. ‘Skinny’ bas ways been my handy Jame, and I don’t object 0 it now, for it comé ‘natural; but hereafter \y pard has got to ca)' me James—James right out in full, too; not Jin nor Jimmy, nor Jeems, nor anything else but mes, Roger, you hear what I say.” ' The old ranger couid ‘l'7suppress his laughter. ‘*T reckons yer has, .t him, Skinny—er—I mean—” ‘Go right ahead,” . ,inny granted. ‘‘ You may call me Skinny as 1, 1g as you want to; I’m James only to Billy, tha ,3 all.” ““Y reckons yer has ;ot him, then,” the old ranger returned. ‘Hel be six months tryin’ ter break off ther old hi.bit.” **You had better go slow about that,” cau- oned Billy. ” . ‘What can you do about it?” Skinny de- émanded, ‘*fcan make you call me William instead of Billy.” “Ginger! that will be easy enough. If you do, treugh, I'll drop the title you love so well.” ** What’s that?” “Broadway. It’s easy enough to call you Broadway Billy, but I'll never try a mouthful like Broadway William, you bet.” They did not notice that one of the loungers in the room started at heat'ne that name men- tioned. He was a rough-} ioking fellow, in cow- boy attire, and seemed to’e about half drunk. A new light gleamed'in his eyes, and he ‘watched Billy closely. ‘ What his interest was we will not stop new to earn. As for Billy, he did not take kindly to the matter of his identity being thus let out so un- wittingly. “You can call my name Mud, if you want to,” he snapped. ‘‘ Next time I get out to do you such a Siaanes you will know it,” He did not let it appear that he was angry, but assumed an injured air. ““Then don’t be so free with your tongue about me,” retorted Skinny. “You feel important, now that you are big- ger, don’t you!” “*] begin to feel pretty near big enough for you, anyhow,” was Skinny’s rejoinder to that. ‘Here! here!” chided the old ranger. ‘* You two pards ain’t goin’ ter git into no muss in my presence, you bet. Orter be ’shamed o’ yer- selves, Whar would you be, Skinny, only fer yer pard? Ap’ who was you sheddin’ tears Over, when I fu’st fell in wi’ ye, Billy?’ Before the old ranger had ceased speaking the pards had cla hands. “We'll call it even,” said Billy. Broadway Billy in Denver. ‘* Yes; providin’ you call) me James,” an- swered Skinny. “Ti do it, when I can think of it; Vl call you King James, if you say so. Anything you want.” ‘* No; plain James will do. Welll carry out the joke you commenced, and maybe you won’t be so funny in the future,” ‘“*T have a suspicion that you are about right,” Billy admitted. ‘‘I don’t feel half as frisky now as [ did a dozen years ago, and I suppose when a dozen more have passed I'll be ta mo enough for Deacon Sage’s coafidential put- ter.’ The landlord had been scanning the register, dividing his attention between it and the new- comers. “Yer don’t mean ter say you fellers are from New York, do ye?” he now inquired, ‘¢ Well, rather,” was Billy’s response, The rough-looking cowboy seemed interested anew. Was his interest friendly? The landlord had laid his folded arms on the bar and was resting upon them, while he sur- veyed Billy coolly. ‘ What sort 0’ joke are ye tryin’ ter work on me, young feller,” he demanded, ** What do you mean?” Billy asked, ‘Of course it ain’t none o’? my business, but I like to see things hang tergether,” ‘* Then cast your eyes at Skinny and me,” Billy returned. ‘‘I guess we have been hangin’ to- gether about as long as most o’ pards do, What is it you are trying to get at, though?” The landlord emiled a broad smile, ** Am I on the wrong trail?” Billy asked. ‘Why, lad, yer has ther stamp of ther West all over ye, an’ still ye has ther narve ter say ye are from New York, It ’muses me.” That the stamp of the West was upon them was true enough, and especially true of the old ranger. ‘* What has that got todo with the case?” Billy queried. ‘We are pilgrims in a strange land, that’s all; we haven’t got the burrs out of our wool yet. You just wait a couple of hours, till we get slicked up a bit, and then see,” The watchful cowboy of the rough aspect smiled as he listened. ‘Then you have been some yearsin ther West, I take it,” the inquisitive landlord pursued, ‘* Well, yes:” was Billy’s response to that, ‘“‘Mr. Watts, bere, has been a rover in this land for something like a quarter of a century, while Mr, James Callahan and myself have been bere long enough to get case-hardened about the feet, Nevertheless, New York claims us all. See?” ‘“Oh, yes; I see, now.” CHAPTER III. BILLY’S SUSPICIONS AND PLANS, Broapway BILLY thought he saw too—he saw that the landlord was likely to keep right on questioning. It was about time, he thought, to cut him short, if he could do it in an easy way. ‘“* Well, if you see so clearly,” he remarked pleasantly, ‘‘suppose you show us up to the room we are to occupy. We've had a long ride.” ‘*Sartainly,” and tbe Jandlord roused up at once, ** Been a gooc spell in ther saddle, hev ef “Yes; a long spell; don’t believe I could spell again if I had to.” se Saay,” suddenty irawled the attentive cow- 0. Billy’s eyes were upon him immediately. ee Wall, say it,” ie invited. sy Didn t your pardner thar call ye Broadway By 8 ere was what Billy had been expecting—that some one would recognize the name. His doings at Manitou bad been in the pa- pers, and any one who had read about that affair would not be likely to forget the name go soon, Witn his full name, as he had registered, it would be different, for that had been mentioned only casually; the main drift of the adventures, as narrated in the papers, having been centered around ‘‘ Broadway Billy.” ‘*] believe he did,” Billy was prompt to an- swer. ** An’ ain’t you ther fellers what found that lost gal?” the man further inquired, ‘*We seem to be in for it,” answered Billy, “so we may as well own up to all our misdeeds at once,” ‘* I thort ye was ther same fellers.” ** But, that was nothing,” Billy excused. “It was only dumb luck.” ** Ther papers don’t seem ter look at it that way. ’ ‘“‘ Sweet pertaters! you don’t want to believe all you see in the papers,” Billy laughed, ‘Tf you do, you will believe too much, Come, Mr. Landlord, have you hit the trail to that room et?” “ Why, sartain; right this way,” and he led off, having first motioned to the man near at hand to take his place at the office, The trio was conducted to a large room that contained two beds, ** How will this heur fill ther bill?” the hotel man asked, ‘* Hirst rate,” answered Billy. be better,” ** Anything 1 kin do fer ye?” ‘* No; we'll see you later, when we have got our wind,” ** All right; you know whar ter find me. My name’s Hodge Ruddle.” The Jandlord withdrew, closing the door, and Billy slipped the bolt into ths socket and hung his hat on the knob to curtain the keyhole. ‘That fellow didn’t seem to know you, Rover,” he then remarked to the old ranger, ‘““No; fer be ain’t ther man what run this ranch when I was heur last time, meson. Ther house must hev changed hands,” ‘Then you don’t feel as much at home as you did?” ‘“* Hardly.” ‘** Do you think this fellow is honest?” ‘* Hard ter tell. He looks ter be allright,” ‘‘Looks don’t allus count. What’s your opinion, Skinny?” ‘* Did you speak to me?” asked Skinny, with lazy indifference, ‘Of course I did. What’s the matter witb you?” ** Nothing the matter, only to you my name is James, you know.” Billy bad to laugh. He well knew, though, that Skinny was thoroughly in earnest, ‘* Well, then, James, what do you think about t ” ‘“*] think the landlord is all right,” was Skin- ny’s opinion, They had been speaking in low tones through- out. “That settles Mr. Ruddle, then,” decided Billy. ‘'I have the greatest respect for tbe opinions of you two gentlemen, and especially when they coincide with my own, Ahem!” Then he added: “Tt couldn’t me? What do you think of him ? ‘Td call him a drunken loafer,” declared the ranger. ** What do you say, Skinny—James, I mean?” Skinny had to grin, while the old ranger laughed heartily. ‘*T won’t go heavy on his honesty,” Skinny now made answer, “That settles it,” cried Billy, that fellow down as a bad egg.” ‘That don’t matter to us, though, so long as he don’t interfere with us,” remarked the old rover. ** Just where the pain is,” responded Billy. ‘*[’m afraid he don’t mean to let us alone.” 3 What now?” and old Roger’s eyes opened wide. ‘*He’s found another mare’s-nest,” sneered Skinny. ‘** And you'll be ready witb the wet blanket, in proper time, no doubt,” was the retort. ‘*That fellow don’t look to me te be what he seems, that’s one pointer against him, and the next is, that my inner compass is pointin’ his way. “Yer inner compass?” Roger questioned, The knowledge gained by the sea voyage still cropped out occasionally, ‘*Yes, my inner compass,” Billy reiterated, ‘The mariner has a compass to go by, you know, and the ace-of-spades of the thing allus points north, With this inner compass 0’ mine the center of ’traction is crime an’ villainy, every time, Sometimes it pints NNE or NE, and sometimes NNW or NW;; but this time it’s set dead plumb at N, and covers this make-believe cowboy jest like you’d cover a bear with that old rifle o’ yours.” “Do you think he’s only a make-believe?” asked Skinny. “That’s what I do, Skinny,” Billy declared firmly. He is not what he seems.” ‘*What makes ye think that?” inquired the ranger, somewhat interested. ‘* Sweet pertaters! that’s whatI’d like to know myself,” was Billy’s answer. ‘I didn’t notice him much till he spoke to me, an’ then I sized him up. If he’s ever been a cowboy, it’s a good while since he was on the plains, for he hasn’t got the tan, in spite of hisdirty face, And next, “T have set ““ You saw that cowboy fellow who spoke to” »]
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4 Broadway Billy in Denver. his eyes didn’t look half as drunk as the rest of _ the detectives are baffled completely. They talk | of clews, of suspicions, of progress, of develop- “Smoke o’ Gittysburg, but you bas sharp | ments, of everything under the sun but facts, him seemed to be.” eyes,” muttered the ranger. “And now bere’s the final chapter,” Billy concluded: ‘* Don’t it strike you that this fel- low looks like that Pinon Pete we had the diffi- kilty with down there at Manitou?” “Thar!” exclaimed the ranger, clapping his hand down upon his knee with force, ‘ that’s it! I«nowed I’d seen a shadder o’ that face afore.” “You are right,” acknowledged Skinny, promptly, ‘ He looks enough like Pinon Pete to be his brother.” “Now we are getting at the point of the thing,” Billy summed up. ‘This man _ isn’t what he seems. He looks like P:non Pete, Now, suppose he is a brother to that rascal, he’s our mortalenemy. No getting around that, I opine.” ** Right,” agreed the others, *Tiat being the case, we must watch till we get proof one way or the other.” ‘You is talkin’ sound sense, lad,” averred the ranger. ‘*We mustn’t let him give us a dig in the back if we can help it, for that might be his game.” ‘* Well, the only way to prevent that is to watch him, and you are just the man for that business, Roger.’ ‘*Me!” in great surprise. ‘* Why, he’d know me on sight, sure as guous,” ‘*That’s where our fine work must come in,” ** T don’t see how.” ‘* Will you try it, if 1 show you the way?” “Try it! Dll try anything for you, Billy, an’ you know it.” ** All right; just listen to the oracle. You / They can’t tell me who killed my daughter!” He clinched his fists in his excitement, and dashed nis arms downward with force, ** No; they don’t tell me that!” be grated. He strove forward with increased energy, bis face working with the conflicting emotions he felt witbin. ‘‘Ob!” he presently almost moaned, “it is killing me, killing me! Why can’t they point outto met eslayer of my child—my beautiful Gertrude? How quickly I would speed a bullet to find bis vile heart!” Silence again. He spoke by fits and starts, as it were, ‘¢T will see Brandland once more, and if he has nothing for me— What tben? I dare not think. How long can I stand the terrible strain? And to-morrow my child, my only one, must be buried-—” His voice broke at last, and tears strearaed from his eyes. People passing noticed him, but he heeded them not. Few could understand the depth of his sorrow. Now and then one would recognize him, pointing him out to others, and a group would stare at bim until he had passed, but he did not see them. Passing on down the street, he turned a corner after awhile, and by the time be had overcome his emotions he had reached his des- tination. Turning into an open doorway, he ascended the stairs that filled the widta of the entrance, He was no stranger bere, evidently, for he did not pause to look at the directory, The name be had mentioned was there, among leave your old rifle and other traps bere in the | others: closet. There’s alock to it, you see, Then you go out, get shaved clean and a good deal of that hair taken off, and rig yourself out in new duds from crown to toe,” ‘Smoke o’ Gittysburg!” the ranger ejacu- lated. ** W hat’s the matter?” “Why, yer lays out a week’s work as though it could be done in ten minutes,” **Tt can be done in an hour, neat as wax,” Billy assured. ‘‘Leave everything here that you want to keep, so that you will not have any- thing to hamper you, and give away your old duds where you buy your new ones, See?” ** An’ what will you be doin’ while I’m gone?” *““We'll stay here, You know Denver better than wedo, No danger of your being followed, Go right out, bold as a big bruve, and when you come back into the bar-room a good deal bolder, Not much fear that they’)l recognize you, so step right up to the bar and ask for a room, and register as Jackson Jenks. Can you remember all that?” The old ravger’s bead was in a whirl, almost, but he was into the thing with his younger ** pards,” beart and soul, and was ready to co anything. **T reckons I kin try,” he said, more’n make a mess of it, anyhow,’ They planned further, and when aclear and full understanding bad been arrived at, the old ranger set out upon bis mission. CHAPTER IV. THE MYSTERY OF A MURDER. Ow the northwest corner of Fourteenth and Larimer streets, Denver, stands the City Hall, which is the headquarters of all city officers. It is an imposing building, with a tall tower in the front center, under which is the main entrance, Midway up the tower is a town clock, Each front corner of the building presents a sharp bip, serving to relieve the sameness of the mansard and at the same time lending symmetry to the whole, In the rear is what appears to be an extension. Here are other entrances, and also another tower, this one supporting a pole and flying the national erblem., The building, as a whole, makes a picture pleasing to the eye, About the time when our trio were holding their conference in the little inn, a man of mid- dle age came out of the police department in the big building. His face wore an expression of sadness; he walked with bowed head, and seem- ed to be in deep grief. With hands clasped behind his back, he turn- ed down the street and moved slowly away. “They can tell me nothing yet,” he muttered to himself, as he proceeded. ‘tI wonder if the mystery is never to be cleared away!” He was silent a moment. ‘Four days have passed,” be resumed, ‘‘and ‘*Can’t no “DESMOND BRANDLAND, * P,wale D-_tective” When the sorrowing gentleman stopped, it was at a door bearing that name, and he barely stopped, either, but went right in, At a desk by a window sat the man he want- ed to find, and he called him by name at once, ‘“‘ Branaland, for Eieaven’s sake tell me some- thing!” tie demanded, ‘¢ Would to Heaven that I could, Mr. Cottrell,” was the earnest answer. ‘“*'Toen the murderer has not yet been discoy- ered?” ‘* Nor even a clew to him,” was the yet more Mee assurance, he sorrowing gentleman aned, ‘Tt is a baffling case,” added the detective, ‘¢ Have you been to the police to-day?” ‘*T have just come from there,” * And they—” ** Nothing.” “You see it is a deep can get a starting-point, suspicion to direct us,” ‘*My confidence in detectives is about gone, Srandland,” ‘*Nor can I blame you. I am disgusted with myself and all my fellows, to see how this case drags, Here it is four days since the crime was discovered,” ‘¢ Four days that have seemed like four ages to me.” *T cannot wonder at it, Let us go over the whole matter in detail once more, We may bring something new to light—give some sug- estion.” ‘““What is the use of it? 1t will make the third time, if we do,” ‘**No matter. Now, I will go over the ground, and if I make any mistake, or omit anything, prompt me,” ‘*Go ahead,” The caller leaned back in his chair wearily. ‘* Pay attention, Marvin Cottrell, yourself, a private banker and broker of No, — —— street, missed your daughter from ber home on the morning of the twelfth, It gave you much con- cern, and on leaving the house for your office you left word for notice to be sent to you as soon us your daughter returned. You—” ‘© Hold on, hold on,” Mr, Cottrell interrupted. “Tet me tell it myself. I bate your brief summing of a matter that is taking the life out of me every moment. [ will rehearse it for you, since you think it must be done.” The detective smiled, This seemed te be what he had wanted to bring about. ‘Very well, go ahead,” he consented, ‘* You can tell it better than I, I know, and be sure of omitting nothing.” ‘*'You have stated my name and business,” the sorrowing man began. ‘I will go on from a ef None of us oO one can pointa that. I am a widower, and live with my~ daughter, baving a housekeeper and servants. On the night in question I was not at home. I was spending the night with a friend, as has been shown, After breakfast with my friend, 1 hastened home to see that all was well there, and to let my daughter know that I waa all right.” “That is better; go on.” “ Arriving at my house, what was my amaze- ment when told that my child had not been seen ; that she was not in her room; that she bad not slept in her bed. [ was almost crazed at once, for Lloved my child as I love my life— Pah! the comparison is odious! I loved ber above everything. I questioned the household. (t was shown tbat my daughter had bad no callers dur- ing the evening, and bad gone to her room at an early bour. ‘* Yes, yes,” encouragingly. ‘‘ At the regular hour the bouse was closed, and it was foun:! properly closed and secured in the morning. Upon that point the housekeeper is positive, Sbe had no suspicion that my child was out until the maid went to the room at her usual hour and found the state of uffairs as 1 have stated. This was only a short time before I arrived, I sent messengers at once to the places where I thought my daughter might pos- sibly be, leaving word that they must notify me the moment she was found.. You see, after the first shock, I had no real fear tbat bodily harm bad come to her, end having business that de- manded my earliest attention at the office, I went there.” *¢ All of which bas been shown and proven,” put in the detective. ‘* Your non-attention to that business, upon making the awful discovery, bas resulted in the loss of several thousand dol- lars to you, ‘‘Don’t mention that,” cried Mr. Cottrell, with an impatient wave of the band, “J would give every dollar Iam worth, could that bring my child to life.” ‘*N» one doubts it, sir,” Mr. Cottrell was now upon his feet and pacing the floor nervously. ‘‘ Well,” he resumed, with fierce earnestness, ‘¢T reached the office, and on the way, with my business in mind, the matter of my daughter’s absence was partly blotted out for the time, As I walked I framed my plans, and knew just what orders to give to my clerks the moment I entered. When I reaghed the office, Lowever, and saw that only oL9 window was open, and toat the shutters had not been removed from the door, a chill went through me, I do not know what I thought or imagined. My daughter’s ab- sence and this seemed to be connected, “T ran up the steps and fairly bounded into the room. know my face must have been white, It felt cold asicetome, There in the outer room was a crowd, and behind the rails I caught sightof the bats of some policemen, My three clerks were there, with faces like death. I wonder that T kept my feet, for I felt sick at heart, and know that I must have been on the point of fainting.” The banker was now speaking wildly, fran- tically. The detective eyed him with the keenest in- terest, studying his every word and movement well, “Can you imagine it?” Mr, Cottrell suddenly demanded, stopping in front of the seated de- tective, *‘ Can you put yourself in my place for that moment?” “T fear not,” was the answer, “Tl know you can not!” was the almost fierce cry. ‘‘It is impossible for me to repeat the reality in imagination. 1 knew that something had happened— What?” **'You could not suspect the awful truth.” “How coulil? There was not the delay of a second, however, No sooner was I in the room than I demanded to know what bad hap- pened, and pushed my way fiercely into the inclosed part, knozking men this way and that, and then— Oh! ny Gol!” He stopped, his bead dropped, and tears ran from his eyes anew. The detective waited, waited patiently for the storm of grief to spend its force, Minutes passed before the broken man could speak again, He made no effort to speak until he had command of his voice once more, Presently he resumed, ‘““There on the floor lay my daughter, my beautiful daugbter, my peerless Gertrude; blood covering ber fair young breast, and she was dead. A cruel bullet had torn its way to her heart!” With a groan the stricken fatber fell into the nearest chair, covering his face with his hands.
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The detective knew he could say no more, He took up the thread himself, “Your daughrer was dead,” he repeated; *tand further, the safe was open and its valua- ble contents gone.” ‘“*Never mind the robbery,” cried Mr. Cot- trell, ‘‘ Only show me the wretch who killed my child!” ‘*The facts go hand in hand,” reminded the detective, ‘‘Finding one, we have both, There is no doubt that one person did both deeds.” ‘But, why can’t be be found?’ the banker cried. ‘*How much longer is this to go una- venged! Only show him to me! Only prove to me that you have the right man! Only let me see him, and—” His very fierceness choked him, and he did not finish the threat be had meant to utter, CHAPTER V. THE MYSTERIES OF THE MYSTERY. THE detective remained silent—waiting for the storm to pass again, before speaking. Mr. Cottrell made an effort to control his smotions, and presently could do so, ‘So far,” said the detective, then, ‘‘ we have dealt with facts,” ‘** Verrible facts,” Mr. Cottrell emphasized, ‘* And baving gone over the facts, let us now give some attention to theories.” ‘*T hate your theories!” cried Mr. Cottrell. ** We bave had too many of them already, and what have they amounted to?” ** Nothing, 1 am forced to admit; but such work is never lost. A clew is likely to appear at any moment, from some insignificant fact that has been overlooked, and which onJy specu- lation can bring out.” ** Well, speculate, then; do anything, if there is a ray of hope in it.” ** You have told me that you know of no rea- son why your daughter should go to your office at night.” ‘The same old questions!” ‘** [ have some new ones to ask, however. You have also stated that your daughter bad no means of gaining entrance into the bank.” ‘*She positively bad no such means,” ‘* And the only person who had, besides your- self, was John Boweross, your head clerk? Aa Yes,” ‘Tt has been satisfactorily proven that he did not visit the bank after closing hours, on that fatal night, and you did not. Who, then, is the person who opened not only the door of the bank, but the safe as well?” ‘That is the mystery.” ‘* You are sure there are no other keys besides those you and your clerk carry, are you?” “T thought I was sure, before this terrible thing happened.” ** You have said that your keys were in your possession that night, and Bowcross has proved that bis were with him.” ; ‘* Yes, yes,” ** A word about Bowcross, He is a married man, and has been with you for years. You trust him as you trust yourself. On this fatal night one of bis children was very ill. He was up nearly all the night, and by several witnesses has made bis alibi perfect.” Mr. Cottrell nodded, ‘**1t was Bowcross who made the discovery,” the detective went on, ‘It so unnerved him that he had not recovered from the shock yet. Was thereany reason why Jobn Bowcross should rob and kill yourchild, Mr. Cottrell?” Mr, Cottrell sprung to his feet, and looked at the detective with dilated eyes, ‘* Heavens!” he gasped. ‘* You might as well suspect me of the crime!” ‘*Well, then, that settles John Bowcross,” said Brandland, quietly. ‘Still, he was one who had keys to the office; you yourself the other, Now, let us look in another direction, Was there any reason why your daughter should rob you?” ** Are you a lunatic?” cried Mr, Cottrell, say- agely. ‘“*T hope not, Let us reason the thing out if we can, Your daughter left the house very secret- ly, after she was supposed to have retired. No one knew she was out, We know only too well where and how she was found. Now, why did she go out so secretly, and go to your office? And how did she gain entrance to the office when she got there? Puzzling points.” *“And hkely to remain so, What are you going to learn, sitting here in your office?” ‘*Every man I have is on the case, sir, and they may be in to report at any moment.” “What are they doing? Speculating upon theories?’ Denver, Broadway Billy in The detective was a little nettled at this, but remained cool, ‘* One, for instance,” he answered, ‘is giving his attention to your daughter’s friends and ac- quaintances. Sbe did not go to that office at night without some powerful motive.” **T am aware of that,” ‘Can it be possible that she expected to find you there?” ‘*No; decidedly. On the contrary, she knew I was going to spend the night with my friend.” ‘Then that would give her a grand oppor- tunity to pay a secret visit to the bank, would it not?’ ~ “T can’t deny it; but, what under heavens took her there?” ‘* There are other questions fully as mysterious as that, I think.” ‘* What are they? I fail to see them,” ‘“We-know all that was found upon your daughter was a tiny pocketbook, with a trifling sum of money in it, and a handkerchief.” ‘*' That was all.” ‘* Your bousekeeper has testified that she closed up the bouse, as usual, after your daugh- ter had retired, You have said all the doors were bolted as well as locked, The housekeeper bas said they were so found on this morning. Now, how did your daughter expect to get back into the houss again?” Mr. Cottrell was now staring with intense in- terest. **] had not thought of that,” he declared. ‘* Nor did the coroner think of it,” said the de- tective. ‘‘ lt is a thought that came to me this morning. Perhaps your daughter had no inten- tion of going back to the house. Maybe it was, after all, suicide.” ‘*Bosh! Do you imagine a merry girl like Gertrude, who had everything to live for, would take her life? Nonsense.” ‘* Tt does not look reasonable, and everything is against it. She was shot from a distance of some feet at least, and no weapon was found near her. You speak of her as a merry girl; was she always so? A frown came over the banker’s face, “You bring to mind that I have seen her un- accountabiy sad at times, without any reason to offer for being so.” ** Your daughter held a secret, Mr. Cottrell.” The bereaved father smiled sadly. ‘*She had no secrets from me,” he declared confidently, ‘* All the appearances go to show that she had, nevertheless,” Brandland insisted. ‘““What do youimagine her secret can have been?” ‘*That is going further than human eyes can penetrate,” was the response, ‘‘I cannot guess it; hence i must ferret it out if I can,” ** And that is what you are trying to do?” ‘© XG ts.” “T think you are a long waysfrom finding out the mystery of the matter,” Mr. Cottrell sighed. “Your confidence in your daughter, sir, is commendable, and I honestly hope that I may be wrong in my guess, May she not have held some secret she would keep from you out of love for you?” ‘*T can’t imagine what it would be.” ** Are you quite sure you are not holding some- barr back yourself?” ‘Tam positive on that head, I have told you everything concerning the case as plainly and as clearly as 1 know how,” “Well, Mr. Cottrell, let me unfold a page of your history for you. You came here from New York about thirty years ago. You went into business right at the start of Denver’s boom, and have seen your dollars double almost faster than you can count, You married here, when you had been bere about ten years, and this daughter was born to you about nineteen years ago. This wasa plain statement of facts, and the banker listened to it in a weary manner, ‘* Before coming to Denver, however, you had been married, and—” The banker started, and was all interest now, ‘* How have you learned that?” be demanded. “By making inquiry,” was the answer, ‘I make it my business to leave no spot untouched in a matter of this kind, You had been married before, but for good reason you left your wife and came West, Do you know what became of that woman and her boy?” _ “T neither know nor care,” was the answer, in a fierce way, ‘““And yet, just there may lie the secret of this terrible tragedy that bas taken place.” ‘* Heavens!” ‘** You see it now, do you?” ‘Can it be possible that that woman--” 5 ‘* Or her son—your son—” ‘* Not my son, by heavens!” “‘T agree with you, if the information I have received is correct, Well, {am turning my at- tention that way, and hope to discover some- thing to bearout my theory. That child, if living, must be a man of thirty years now.” ‘** A bout that.” * And the woman?” ‘* Wifty, at least.” “* Now, sir, think hard! Have you, atany time seen any woman here in Denver who reminded you of that other?” ‘* Never.” ‘“* About the boy it is useless to ask, for you would not know him; but has any man, of about the age in question, at any time crossed your path?” “Not that Lam aware of.” ‘Have you ever had letters from these per- sons?” ‘‘ Never. I believe the woman never heard of me after 1 left ber.” “You may be right; you may be wrong. Some things I am sure of: that your man Bow- cross is not the person, nor iseither of your other clerks, I bave no suspicion against any of them,” “Tam giad of that. I feared you did suspect poor Bowcross, 1 love him as if he were a son,” “No; in my mind there is nothing against either of them. I have shown you, though, bow important it is to bring out everything possible, You did not connect that old marriage of yours with this case, did you?” ** T certainly did not,” * Tell me, then, are there any other facts con- nected with the past which may have bearing upon the present?” “You must give me time to think,” was the response, ‘It is evident that the poiice have not learned what you have, so far.” “They will probably have the information be- fore another day passes, No doubt they are after it, for I do not claim to be any smarter than other men,” ‘¢ Well, give me time to think,” said Mr, Cot- trell, rising. ‘I will see you after the tuneral. Remember, I live only to avenge my child, My office shall never be opened for business again,” CHAPTER VI. BILLY LEARNS THE GREAT SENSATION, THE ** Cottrell Case,” as it was known, was the sensation of the city. Nothing had ever created a greater stir in po- lice and detective circles, and it was the mys- tery of the bour, Police detectives and all others, whether di- rectly engaged upon it or not, were taking & band in the matter, each man being eager to be the one to solve the terrible enigma, The details of the case need not be dwelt upon; the foregoing chapters bave made it sufliciently clear for immadiate purposes, Our interest being mainly with Broadway Billy and his pards, let us return to them. When Roger Watts set out from the hotel, Billy and Skinny talked over the situation, Whether there was danger ahead or not, they felt better in taking due precautions against avy. They talked for a time, and presently Skinny uttered an exclamation, and hit his fist hard upon the sill of the window, ‘Great ginger!” he ejaculated, ** What is it now?” inquired Billy. ‘*T thought somethin’ was wantin’, Billy.” “Well, what is it? Hope nothin’ has bu’sted,” “Why, we haven’t bad anything to eat!” Skinny exclaimed. ‘ “a, ha!” laughed Billy, “It is surprising that you haven’t thought of that before,” * Ain’t you hungry, too?” Skinny asked. “Come to think of it, [ believe I am a little that way,” Billy admitted, ‘¢ And there we let Roger go off without any- thing on his stummick, He'll be sick,” ‘“Hoolish if he is,” declared Billy, ‘*There’s no indications of a famine in Denver, and I guess he'll fill up if he feels the pangs.” ‘* But that won’t belp us any, Let’s go down and scout around,” “Dm with ye, shoulder to shoulder.” They left the room, locking the door, and re- turned to the bar-room, “Say, Mr. Ruddle,” Billy saluted the land~ lord, “‘ we made a mistake, and want to make it right,” “Ts that so?” 7 “Yes; you asked us if there was anything more we wanted, and we never thought of grub, We think we can go a snack of that article.” “ Somethin’ ter eat, hey?’ the landlord drawl-
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6 ——— ed. ‘I guess I kin fix ye out, if yer is willin’ ter take it cold. Ye see, ye are too late for din- ner, an’ too early fer supper.” ‘* We'll take it cold, an’ raw, too, if need be,” Billy assured, “This pard of mine is about as near starved as he can be, You wouldn’t think it, ter look at him, butit’s so, You never saw a feller eat like he does since he bad that fever.” ** Reckon 1 know somethin’ about that meself, I have been thar, an’ it leaves a feller about empty, fer a fact.” ‘*Have you got a scales handy?” asked Billy, soberly. “No; what d’ye want a scales fer?” ** Some blame foolishness,” chippedin Skinny. ** Nothing foolish about it, Skinny, dear,” as- sured Billy. ‘‘ I want to be honest with our host, that’s all,” ** And can’t ye be honest without a scales?” Skinny asked, wondering what was coming, yet knowing that it must be some joke in which he must figure. **T don’t see how we can,” Billy answered thoughtfully. ‘‘ Ye see, Ruddle, this pard of mine is a terrible eater, an’ I don’t know how you are goin’ ter gauge how much he really does put under his shirt unless you weigh him before he begins and weigh him again when he stops. This seemed to strike the landlord as being articularly funny, and he set up a hearty augh, While Billy was rattling off the above, he allowed his eyes to wander over the group of men seated around. He was in search of the rough-looking cowboy against whom his suspicion had been aroused, and feund that he was still there. ‘¢] reckon we won't go ter that pains, will we, pard,” the landlord said to Skinny. * A feed is a feed, big or little, and the price is ther same to all.” ** That isa’t hardly a square deal, as the bald- headed man said to the barber.” ‘* What did he say?’ queried the inquisitive Ruddle, “Why, the bald-headed man had his hair cut, the little he had, and the barber cbarged him full rate. The bald-headed party bec =a that he considered his case ought to be allowed cut rates, If you don’t see the p’int, Pil give youa diagram after I fill in.” “The only difference is,” observed Skinny, ‘“‘that here we are charged full rates. The price is the same, whether the ‘ full” is little or big, you see,” ** Better be careful,” warned Billy. ‘ Don’t try to get off such heavy ones now, with the extra burden you have taken upon yourself to carry.” ‘* What do ye mean now?” ‘* Yer name,” ** Yes; that reminds me; see that you call me James,” * But, abeut that grub, Mr, Ruddle: have you struck the trail yet?” Billy reminded. He had discovered that the landlord was more attentive to gossip and small talk than he was to business, **Sartainly!” he declared, ‘‘ Come right this way, me lads, an’ I'll see that ye don’t starve, even if it is cold wittles.” Motioning to his handy-man to take his place, he led the way to the dining-room of his esiab- lishment, There, having seated his guests, and having put a newspaper before them to engage their at- tention while they waited, he went further to give orders concerning them. Billy took up the paper when the landlord had left the room, and glanced at it. Suddenly Skinny saw his eyes fly open with interest, which was immediately followed with: ‘¢ Sweet pertaters!” The headlines of the Cottrell matter had caught his eye. ‘© What is it?’ Skinny asked, “The fever is on me, Skinny, hot!” was the response, “Oh, mercy,” Skinny groaned, ‘* Don’t for- get that my name is James, all the same, though,” he added, ‘**] don’t care if it’s James James,” was Billy’s sg Pong ** Jest lend yer ears to this,” Wit that, he read aloud the glaring and thrilling headlines, ‘* ) guess that is a case, sure enough,” Skinay agreed. ** A case!” Billy exclaimed. ‘‘ I should say it was! Id call it the toughest tangle yet.” ‘** And no use your tryin’ it.” ** No use?” “ No.” ** And why not?” ‘Cause it’s too hefty fer ye.” Get out! With you an’ Roger ter back me, Pll bet I kin stir up some sort of a warm chase,” _ “And git inter trouble, like ye allus do,” Skinny complained, ‘‘T thought the wet blanket would come around after awhile,” said Billy. ‘* Well, read all of it, and see what it has to | say, anyhow,” Skinny requested, eagerly. Hal feel a touch of the fever yourself, do e? Skinny had to smile an admission, **No time ter read it now,” said Billy, ‘Til | freeze onto the paper, though, and we’ll get at the bottom facts as soon as we go to our room.” * All rigbt.” The landlord returned. ‘* A spread will soon be ready fer ye,” he an- nounced. ‘ Don’t be afeerd ter lay inter it.” ** You bet,” respouded Skinny. When the landlord had gone, Billy folded the paper and thrust it into his pocket, and soon after the edibles were forthcoming. Skinny ate with bis usual hearty appetite, and Billy was not much behind bim when they stopped. Most of the plates had been denuded of their contents, As they passed through the bar-room, after their repast, Billy remarked to his host: “That was about as good asa square meal, anyhow. I was satisfied, but I had to choke my partner off to save the dishes. He'll get even with ye at supper, I have no doubt. Better hustle round and get a scales, as I mentioned.” The landlord had some response to offer, to which Skinny had something to say on his own account, and they left the bar-room and weut up-stairs, As soon as they had entered the room and closed the.door, they took their places at the window, and Billy read aloud a full account of the mysterious murder of the banker’s daughter. ‘““Sweet pertaters!” be exclaimed, as soon as he came to the end of it, ‘but that takes the cake, don’t it, para? It is on a par with the best detective story we ever bent our minds to when we used to waste the midnight tallow in that way. Here is work for us, my alderman-to-be, and don’t ye mistake it!” ‘** You don’t mean to say you are really going to bother with it, do ye?’ Skinny soberly in quired. ‘* Sweet pertaters!” exclaimed the young dis- ciple of Pinkerton, ‘‘do you think I’d let a chance like this slip by? I guess not, while I can scout round and hunt fer clews with ther rest of ’em,” ‘* Tl be mighty thankful when we get to New York, anyhow,” muttered Skinny. ‘*Why will ye, pard?' ‘* Because, then the responsibility of takin’ \care of you will be off my bands, In turn ye over to yer mammy, and that will settle it.” Billy was seriousin an instant. “Skinny,” be said, ‘* our first business must be to find the post-office and get our letters, and our next business must be to write home,” “T agree with ye,” cried Skinny, letting the name pass for the once, ‘ Business before pleasure, always; and maybe by that time this matter will be cleared up, and they won’t need your help,” And so they talked, Meantime, below, no sooner bad they Isft the bar-room than the landlord took a look into the dining-room, and returning, said to the rough- looking cowboy: ‘* Yas; they took ther paper with ’em.” ‘*T thort they would,” was the response, grimly spoken. CHAPTER VII. BILLY AND SKINNY’S DEBATE, ACCORDING to their plans, the lads were not to leave the hotel until their friend the ranger re- turned, ‘ They were to watch for him from the window, and an agreed-upon signal was to be exchanged so that there might be no mistake. So, while they waited, they talked about the Cottrell Case, speculating upon it with the amount of light upon the matter the newspaper had given them, ‘*T tell ye it’s a tough tangle to tackle,” Billy declared. ‘‘The more I put my mind to it, the more it puzzlesme, My fever is gettin’ right up to the hundred, just as fast as it can,” “Tt’s jest so tough that I don’t think ye had better tackle it at all,” the lieutenant expressed opinion, ** Not tackle it! Bless yer big heart, Skinny —James, I mean: if I let this go by without try- in’ my hand at it I could never look the Inspector Broadway Billy in Denver. in the face when we get home! ¢ with my~ going into it, Skin— Jim— 4 servants. your neck dislocated, that’s a.'.,2re, and Skinny. abt. ‘** But it sticks me, hang me if it dons mused, ‘If I only had some brainsin m, 22 ‘masheen, like other folks, I might do some.?4 > “Tt seems to stump the whole lot of 20t reminded Skinny, ce, “That's so, come to think of it, Wis’ )»! answer a few questions, Skinny, pard.”. 0V° ‘* James, if you please,” Skinny remi +“ was ‘“‘ Hang James!” growled Billy, ‘I; dur- used to 1b,” cat an “You'll have to, forI meanit. Ski, fit me any more, ye see.” ‘*T have ter admit that, my gay a losed, alderman; but I can’t get James to fit m_ ted in nohow.” pe SOepEr They were indulging freely in .Y child and most natural manver of talk, 3 at her of the street was their mother tongui,4!s as t “And besides that, I’m getting (¢ before when I’ve got a real name to lay clai; to the been thinkin’ a good while of spea ¢hit pos- about it, but hated to,” ptify me “Well, why didn’t ye do it?” iter the ‘Oh, I knowed you’d only poke s \ly barm fun at me.” that de- “Sweet pertaters! It hits me th; office, L take care of yerself in that line nowe ¥ “Oh, 1 can’t begin to keep up w 7roven, use talking. What I think about it, ution to that ’m getting on towards twenty-o $covery, yourself, and that name don’t fit me 0d dol- to.” i “l agree with ye, Skinny, but—” (Jottrell, “ James, if you please,” ‘id. “Sweet pertaters! did I say Skpld that time?” “Sure ye did.” 5 ‘Then I might as well give right up, PaAcue never get used to it. Can’t we dr somewhere?” estness, ‘“Nary a line,” Skinny firmly held ith my has got to be James, same as I saij ghter’s won’t be hard with ye first off; onl!e- AS ’mind ye of it when ye go wroug.” pw just ‘Well, if ye mean it 1 s’pose Pll ha ment “ the best | can. What was we talkin’ ab, W°ver, how?? D, and ‘“‘*Bout that murder case,” vu the “Sure. I wanted you to answer af? know tions.” ors ab- ‘* What are they?” p “Well, fPrinstance, why did that ga } into her dad’s office that night?” _ been “Saay, what do ye take me for? den, the Skinny. “Do ye think I’m a Sixth ; ails I seer, the seventh son of a seven sisters, 0: thin’ of that sort?” jeath. Billy had to laugh. ack at ‘Well, maybe that was hitting you <2 the hard the first shot,” he said, ‘‘I will gi an easier one this time. Tell me who f,fT@0- shot that cut her off in the bloom of yo". it were,” jst in- “You'd orter be ’shamed ter speak ot ?™eDt light,” ‘‘ Well, I am. But that don’t arswe: Jenny question.” f for ** And I'll never answer it,” . ‘es ‘“*Too hard yet, eh? Well, here’s one e. Who was it opened the bank and the door safe?” lerce “ Give it up.” Th a “80 do I. Skinny, it’s a tangle that is /"5 ter make the boys put on their thinkin’ afore they are done with it, One fact is f enough, none of ’em has got hold of ther rin end yet,” 4 es “That's the way it looks, ’cordin’ to [8P- aper’s story.” er And newspapers never lie,” declared Bi hat, soberly. ‘‘If you see it in the newspaper, , so, and that settles it. No: they haven’t ' at the right end of thetangle yet, and I know, ran I’m goin’ ter starton a p’int that nene of », the has thought of yet.” tala ‘Great ginger! You don’t set up ter ati smarter’o all the police.and detectives in De ver, do ye!” ‘Sweet pertaters! no!” responded Billy, wi. like force, ‘1 don’t say this idee of mine is th?Y rigbt one, do I?” ne *‘ Well, no, that’s so.” "ty “It?s like a lottery, ye see, No tellin’ wher ;“° the prize is comin’ out, an’ my chance may be as good as the rest.” i ‘* What is this idee of yours, then?” doay ‘*T have been givin’ my brains a rest while
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: “That’s the fever!” cried Billy. The detective sinuation meant, if ye find any- He took up thxical about that; and while my “Your daug»stin’ I was runnin’ these different ‘and further, ‘ma, mind, Now, it seems that the ble contents ~ “the bank has proved a clear case, “Never « « it altogether.” trell, ‘'©, heis proved clear.” my chil*n’ we know it wasn’t his keys that opened ‘Thc ank, because he was seen ter use ’em ter detecti' 1nd amuse the sick child durin’ the night.” There Dlear as a whistle, so far.” deeds,” Well, then, why in the dickens don’t they ‘*Bu. after the other set of keys a little closer?” cried. don’t mean to say that Mr. Cottrell had venged! od in it?” to me theeet pertaters! no!” cried Billy, imitating me see hi.prise. ‘ But, they have got only bis bare His ver:or it that his keys were in his possession finish the it.” a’t that enough?” may be for the rest of ’em, but it ain’t THE “” Tr me.” THE detec: 3 @ deeper thinker than anybody else, storm to pas 8 the reason, Your skull will bu’st Mr. Cott: hese days.” amotions, aik ye for the compliment, pard; but I **So far, »w my head ter swell, All my idees dealt with } chance; there’s no deep thinkin’ ter get * 'Verribl ‘* And he , how do you mean to go to work to find give some a.her Mr, Cottrell lies about it or not?” ‘*T hate + your growin’ soul, Skinny—I mean ** We bave [ don’t believe he does lie. He’s as in- what have s you be, ‘* Nothin trderin’? his own daughter, do ye? I work is not.” at any mx } what in the world are ye drivin’ at?” that has be. this: I want ter know all about what lation can . Cottrell away from home on that par- ** Well, s night; fer that murder business wasn’t isa ray of ulse of a minnit, an’ you kin bet on it,” ‘You h:’ is diggin’ deep,” admitted Skinny, son why » do ye know it wasn’t the impulseof a at night.’ ), though, as you poetically express it.” “The s hew!” Billy whistled, ‘‘ you beat me that ‘*f have Why, if it bad been the— No, I won't have also it that way. If it had been done without means of .on aforethought, ahem! it would have ap- ‘She pi on sight why the girl went to the office.” ‘‘ And ; tention aforethought is good,” commented self, was y. *‘I can’t agree with ye on the point at * Yes,’ though.” ‘Tt ha-al that’s good, too, not visit » with me?” fatal nis ‘he girl’s doings don’t argue any more for person t de than for the other.” bank, b veg ter differ, pardner. Do yer think she ‘““'Th ¢ to the bank a-purpose to be killed? Hard- ‘‘Y~ An’ it’s plain she didn’t kill herself. Be- those }'s, how wasshe going to get back into the But, why can’t you ‘7 se again?” thing Hang it,” muttered Skinny, “ you are argu- “Yc right on my side of the question now, Billy, possess ” that bi dow do ye make that out?” **-Y: She didn’t go to the bank expectin’ ter be ‘* A ed, an’ so it wasdone on ther unexpected. man, ¢’ she didn’t go there to kill berself, fer she trust i ‘ld ’a’done that at home. Then, as ter how night was goin’ ter get into the house— Saay—” up ne ‘Ha! smell a mice do ye?” has n “‘ Somebody in the house had something to do My ith it.” “1 “Thatis ther way it looks, sure; fer if she the « 9nt out on the sly she didn’t go without leavin’ that way to get backinagain, [f she left sech a Was ‘ay it was shut off, unless somebody tells lies.” rob: “That’s the sticker,” complained Skinny, M.houghtfully. ‘* We can’t tell how many royal the ciars are loose in the case, That is what baffles ‘“« ustice a good many times in these days of diffi- sus} <ilties and tribbylations, as you used to say.” ‘* Billy patted his partner on the back rather said vigorously. wh ‘Don’t choke,” he cautioned, “The bigger oth you grow the more voluminous your vocabulary Waseems to get,” rot. Skinny pretended to faint at that. * ‘With all their horse-play, however, they did ag: not fail to keep watch for Roger's return, ‘ “It’s a big case,” Billy declared, ‘and I ca’ agree with you that it isa good deal too hefty ly for me, Skinny—I mean Jeemsey. It will take op all three of us, and we will have to buckle right w down to it, even then.” sii ** Well, ’'m with ye now, red hot,” Skinny ds- 4. clared, % **Hal I thought I could warm you up to it!” laugbed Billy. : “I want to know all about it, now that I’ve got this much,” Skinny declared. “That's a sure sign that you’ve got it. Well, give me Never heard of a case of a | t } Denver. Broadway Billy in Denver. kin’ ter you, my gay an’ festive | your hand, and we'll know more or bu’st, that’s } all.” They shook hands on it, ‘* There’s somethin’ rotten,” cried Billy, “‘ and it ain’t in Denmark, either. it’s right bere in This case wouldn’t be so mighty mys- terious if it wasn’t a mighty deep one, and that I'l) bet. my bootson, It’s either as deep as a well, or so shaller that everybody is lookin’ clear over the truth. Skinny, we’re in fer it, sure, an’ I hope we’ll win,” James, if you please,” reminded Skinny. “Pll Jet it pass this time, though. Yes; it’s deep, and we may find it a good deal deeper be- fore we get done withit.. Our work has been all talk so far, Action is somethin’ different altogether. If it is deep, as you think it is, then there’s desperate rascals at the bottom of it, and if they get hold of us there will be no hope for us, you bet.” ‘But they haven’t got us yet, and what's more, they won't, if— Hello! isn’t that Rover comin’ there?” CHAPTER VIII. THE OLD RANGER PLAYS DETECTIVE. Time had passed rapidly; their watch was re- warded. They had not felt tha time drag, so earnestly had they been discussing the murder. Skinny looked quickly where Billy pointed, and there the Rover came, as they both believed, though they could not be sure yet, And such a change! Both the pards laughed heartily at his appear- ance, “Great ginger!” ejaculated Skinny, ‘is it him, fer a fact?” ‘*Guess it is,” responded Billy. ‘'Get onto the coat, will you!” At that moment the man glanced up ats the window, and seeing the lads there, gave the sig- nal. The signal was to drop his handkerchief and pick it up again, and it was done as naturally as could be, “That’s him!” exclaimed Billy. no slouch, is be?’ “Not a bit!” cried Skinny. ain’t he togged some!” ‘‘T should say so. Hang me if I would have known him, at a glance, if we hadn’t been look- ing for him,” “Nor me. Say, let’s get down to the bar- room and see him come in. We’vegot just time enough to do it, and no more,” Billy’s answer was to move to the door, The old ranger certainly did present a differ- ent appearance, His beard and rough raiment were gone, and he was clad in a suit that was truly a mixture, But, let us take a nearer view of him, Billy and Skinny had made haste;down and through the hall, but they entered the bar-room leisurely. Roger had not yet come in, as they saw ata glance, though that glance was one that could not expose the fact that they were expecting some one, They stepped to the bar and Billy spoke to the landlord, and even when the door opened they did not turn around, Nor was it necessary, for a glass over the bar shelves reflected the front of the room, The ranger—ranger no more—paused within the door and looked around. Tbat was but momentary, and he advanced to the end of the bar and waited for the landlord to attend to him, Ruddle was responding te Billy’s simple ques- tion or remark, but be was soon done, and turn- ed to see what the new-comer wanted, ‘* How about lodgin’ and board for a day or two?” Roger asked. “Guess I kin fix ye out,” the landlord an- swered, ** All right; gimme yer quillaw’ Pll sign ther roll ©’ honor here.” Billy trembled, for the ex-ranger had not quite managed to disguise bis voice and speech, The pen was handed him, the register pushed out, and in a labored way he proceeded to set down bis name, And now to describe him, He had, evidently, visited a second-hand store, Of this fact Billy was secretly glad, for it took off the newness from his outfit. He had on a soft/roll-brim black hat, such as may be found in any city in the land. His coat was a long frock, a little faded. His trowgers were of striped material, and a trifle short, and a pair of haif-worn gaiters incased his feet, Not a man in the room had a suspicion of the trick that was being played upon them, “He ain’t ““Ginger! but 7 Even the landlord, who stood right in front of him, did not recognize bim. ‘*There you have it,” he said, as he pushed back the book and laid down the pen, *“ Jack- son Jenks, from Keukuk,” Broadway Billy rejoiced to see how well that part of it was acted, but his soul saddened again immediately when be saw the ex-ranger’s right hand reach mechanically to grasp the old rifle, There was nothing there to grasp; and as soon as he realized what he was doing, Roger turned his back re his pards, “Shell 1 show ye up to yer room?” the land- lord asked, ** No; it ain’t necessary,” was the draw]. “TI ain’t no use fer it till sleep-time.” Saying that, the new-comer sauntered away from the bar and took a survey of the maps, pos- ters, etc,, with which the walls were decorated, The landlord gave attention again to Billy.’ “We're going out,” Billy said. ‘If our old pard returns while we are gone, tell him we'll be here by supper-time, 1f nothing bappens.” , * All right, [ll] mind ter tell him,” the land- lord responded, ‘‘ Shell I tell him where ye bave gone to, if be asks that?” Inguisitiveness was a disease with Hodge Rud- dle. ‘Well, you might tell him we have gone out to buy new clothes, and such like. You won’t know us when we come back, old man,” * Trust me fer thet, me laddy,” was the boast- ful rejoinder. ‘‘I’d know ye if ye was ter change yer skin,” Billy made some passing answer, and he and Skinny went out, It was the busines of Roger Watts, now, to play the detective upon the suspected cowboy. he reason has been set forth in a preceding chapter, and need not be repeated here, That it was a sufficient one need not be urged. The role of detective, however, wasone that was new to Roger Watts, and he felt entirely out of place. He bad never been so uncomfort- able in his life, be believed, For some moments after the Jads had gone, he stood and pretended deepest. interest in the rail- road maps on the wail, bat that could not be continued indefinitely, so presently he turned, cast a glance at the cowboy, and took a seat, The suspect, he discovered, was looking at bim intently. Taking up a paper he glanced over it, and pretty soon striking upon the murder case, he became interested, and soon felt at ease, The cowboy watched bim in a covert way, hardly taking his gaze off of him for a moment, Roger was soon interested in what he was reading, and forgot his duty. Suddenly, drawn to it, he looked up. His eyes and those of the suspected man met, and both appeared to be not a littled confused for the second, The cowboy was the first to recover, and let his gaze wander on around the room, as though it had been but chance, while Roger had to force bis attention again to the paper. A little time later a new-comer entered, He was a man of thirty, or thereabouts, wear- ing a full, black beard, Looking around the room for a moment, be advanced and sat down near the suspected cow- boy. Tie latter glanced at him, but gave him no further attention then,\and the new-comer took a paper from his pocket and opened it, his Roger noticed, but be did not understand the art of watching, and was afraid of meeting the eyes of the man he had been set to shadow, No wonder he felt out of place. Some moments passed, and presently the new- comer was heard to ask the cowboy for.a light. From that they began a conversation, which gradually dropped to a low tone, Roger looked at them occasionally, findin them getting more and more interested at eac time, but presently, when he looked up, ‘he found that both were looking straight at him. This time Roger met their eyes unflinchingly held the gaze for a few seconds while he turned his paper, and resumed his reading. e had been trying to school himself, and cousidering that this was bis first lesson in de- tective work, was making progress finely. But that did not regain the lost ground. That he was watching the cowboy he felt, of course, was no secret to that worthy. Further, he was aware that the cowboy was returning the compliment with interest. There was a question that puzzled Roger Watts. Was the cowboy only trying to recall where he had seen him before? or was he really aware that he was spying upon him? —
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~- At first he had been unable to decide, but now he felt sure, almost, since the new-comer too was interested, that he was being watched be- cause he was suspected of watching them. Looking up again, he met their eyes once more, This time it was too much for tnem, could stand it no longer. Getting up, one strode over to where Roger was seated, and demanded in no gentle tone: “Say, do we owe you anything?” “ Bless ye, no!” was the response, in a good attempt at feigned amazement, ‘‘ What makes you ask that? pr It was the man with the black whiskers who had made the charge, “‘ Because you have been staring at me ever since | came in here,” he answered. ‘I can’t look up but your eyes are upon me.” Roger was a cool man, whatever he lacked in detecti ze training, and this just put him upon his mettle. ‘*Seems to me that it must be a rule that works both ways, stranger,” he remarked. ‘If you hadn’t been looking at me you wouldn’t ’a? seen where I was lookin’, that is sart’in.” ‘* No matter; I don’t want to be stared at all the time.” “Well, if I was lookin’ your way,” retorted eer **T didn’t see you. No matter; I'll fix it 8 you needn’t complain again.” vie had been sitting on a bench by the wall. The table at which the men were seated was a few steps distant, Taking a chair, Roger jerk- ed it around so that its back was toward them, and dropping into it, put his feet on the bench, That change made, he gave his attention again to his paper. Now Roger Watts had sharp ears, and even while on the bench he could almost overhear some things the two mien said. When they spoke again, in probably the same tone, or lower, their words reached him distinctly. **T don’t know what to think,” one said, ‘* but there’s a way to prove,” It was he of the black whiskers who spoke, and with his words he made a sign to his com- panion, immediately adding in louder tone: ‘*Come, let’s take a walk and stretch our legs. We'll be back before your pards get ready to go.” ** All right, ” assented the cowboy, and they rose and went from. the room. Roger Watts was now in a dilemma, To be discovered following them would be awkward; but then he had his orders, and like the soldier he had been, knew that orders had to be obeyed. Maybe he could escape discovery. They CHAPTER IX, ROGER SCORES A FAILURE, RoGER left the hotel a few. moments after the others bad gone out, He saw them walking up the street at a leisurely pace, talking together in evident earn- est tones. Pulling down his hat, as he had heard or read detectives have a way of doing, he pro- ceeded after them, hoping they would hot turn around and discover him. He knew if they did turn, discovery must follow. Here were no trees, bushes or bowlders such as-he had been accustomed to, He was out of his natural element, as it were, There was but one thing for him to do, and that was to do the best he could, Meanwhile, the conversation of the men ahead, could he have heard it, might have open- ed hiseyes. $ **Who.do you take the feller to be?” the cow- boy wag asking. “TI give that o he I can’t tell who he is,” was the response, ne of the accursed detectives, though, you may be sure of that.” ‘And if so, then they are ou the right track at last, eh?” “ 1 would appear so; and yet I don’t see how it can beso, But, is the fellow following us?” ‘Tt won't do to turn ’round to see,” **) can fix it,” Taking a small circular looking-glass from his pocket, the man of the black whiskers held it up so that it reflected the street behind them. ‘* There he comes, sure enough,” he announced, ‘*T can’t make myself believe that he is a detec- tive. Why, there is no caution about his way of shadowing us at all.” ‘* We must prove it.” “ By giving bim a long walk, eb?” “Yes; we will take the most winding course we can, and if be still persists we shall know his game,” eg Ss pS SSS SSS SSS SSS SSS Re Or ape eee ae ORE Billy in Denver. ‘*T agree with you. We need not let bim sus- ct that he is noticed, however, Let him have it all his own way, and we'll have our inning presently.” ‘Allright. But what about our gettin’ out of the city? Isn’t the way open yet?” ‘We made the grand mistake in not going at once, [ am avait though I do not see how yon earth any suspicion can be turned against us,’ “Nor I; but if this is a detective, and he is following us, what is it for? They’ have cer~- tainly found no clew, or it would have been in the papers. We know there was no clew left.” ‘* Perhaps you have been up to some other dev- iltry,” he of the black whiskers hinted. ‘*T don’t know of anything that would put the police after me,” ‘Well, we'll see. let‘s turn this corner. walk, anyhow.” ‘What about what I was telling you?” the supposed cowboy asked. *¢ About the lads?” $e xreg,"” “You seem to have more you have of the police,” ‘* You remember what the papers had to say about them, don’t you? They are sharper than rats.” ** How did you get onto them?” “ They gave their names away in the bar- room,’ ** And you think becanse they took the paper to their room with them, and that was a clever trick on your part, by the way; you think, be- cnuse they were interested in the Cottrell Ca 8e, that they will take a hand in it, eh?” “T feel most certain they will.” All right, let them; how are they going to come any nearer the truth 'than the police and other detectives?” ‘*T don’t know; but somehow when I caught that lad’s eyes he seemed to look clear through me. I never saw such a pair of eyes in my life. I don’t wonder he got Pete on the hip like he did,” **Then if he were to confront you, with an ac- cusing look, I suppose you would give up and make a mess of it all.” ‘© No; blast him!” “And what do vou want to do?” “I'd like to put them under, Pete,” ‘*And you want me to lend youa hand at that dirty work?” ‘*T haven’t been doing any dirty work for you, I suppose?” ‘¢ Well, let us see to this fellow first, and we’ll talk about the lads later on.” “All right, What will you do with himif you find he is following us?” “T think it must be you alone he’s after. If he keeps it up, what do you say to parting com- pany? Then he will follow one or the other of us, and that will give us proof,” «That's a good idea, Is' after us yet?” The black whiskered a xed his glass again, ‘* Yes; there be comes,’ answered, * All right, let bim cor.-; and what do you say to this idea?” ** Well, what is it?” ‘Whichever one he follows, let the other fol- low him.” ‘¢T intended that.” ‘ "y A nd the other lead him to the Cherry Creek den, ‘*Ha! now you are coming at it. There we can hold him prisoner, if we find anything against him,” ‘© Yes; or worse,” During their conversation, of which we have quoted only a tithe, they had turned several corners, The man of the black whiskers made use of his glass again, and discovered the mysterious stranger still after them, At the next corner they stopped, shook hands and parted, This was in plain sight of the unsuspecting ranger—rather ex-ranger. The seeming cowboy turned up the street in one direction, while the man of the whiskers went the opposite way. When Roger came to the corner he glanced the way the cowboy had gone, and set off after him, but looked around the other way to see what had bec: me of the other. The man of the black whiskers was stilhwalk- ing away, but by the aid of his glass was noting every action of the suspected man, and when Roger }ad set forth on the track of the cowboy, stopped and turned back, ‘*Hal it was Jake Towser be was after, after all,” be muttered tobimself, ‘‘ He is wanted for He is still following us; We'll give bim a nice dread of them than to avenge something that be is keeping from me, But that detective— Pah! icould do better than that myself, But I’d better take care, he may look back at any momert,” With that, however, came another thought. It was not necessary to follow; Jake would lead the man to the place named. It would be better for him to get there first and prepare for his reception. At the first corner be came to he turned, and was immediately bastening off in another direc- tion, Roger Watts found it easy enough to follow the cowboy. The fellow lolled along lazily, never looked back—though he had done so once unseen, and appeared to be heading for nowhere in particu- lar. ‘Darn ther feller!” Roger at last growled. **Why don’t ae go some'rs or do somethin’? This is purty dry sort 0’ detective work, Ishould say. I don’t believe it is necessary ter foller him at all, but orders is orders, an’ Billy is no fool, even ‘if he has got a boyish face.” He was thougbtful. ‘No; I doo’t believe ther feller had any idee against Billy,” he presently muttered again. of “Billy is so used ter playin’ detective, that he binks every bushisa bear. It ain’t really none o’ my biz, howsumdever. {have got my orders, and ther rank and file must bey orders no mat- ter what itis. VI] run this coyote to his hole, no matter what comes of it,” With that resolve firmly in mind, Roger went on. Jake Towser, aS we have heard him spoken of, seemed determined to lead the spy a weary way. He went this way and that, turning corner after corner, until Roger Watts began to get out of patience with him, Finally, however, the fellow held to one di- rection, and made his pace somewhat slower, and the ranger was nearer to him almost before he was aware of it. They were in a not very savory quarter of the town now, Suddenly the cowboy turned into an alley, and was lost to sight in an instant from Rog- er’s place. ** Smoke Cy Gittysburg!” Roger ejaculated, ‘is he goin’ ter suake me off like that? This i be ther critter’s den, I reckon.” He ran forward and looked down the alley. The cowboy was just disappearing at the other end of it. Swiftly but silently Roger followed, and peer- ed around the rear corner with caution, That was the last be knew for some time. As he leaned forward, be was given a stun- ning blow from behind with a piece of lead ipe, He fell forward to the ground, but was speedi- ly picked up and carried into the building, and to a room on the second floor, It was in this room that he found himself when he came to his senses, He stared about him in a bewildered way, wondering where be could be, but could not de- cide until his eyes presently fell upon two men who were present. These two were the cowboy and the man of the black whiskers, and they were smoking to- getber and taking things easy. Hello!” commented the man with the whis- kers, ‘‘coming around, are you?” “Where am I, anyhow?” the ranger demand- ed. ‘‘ Where you are likely to stay for some time,” the cowboy made response. ‘ We will show you, what it costs to follow two gentlemen like us.’ ‘* An’ who follered ye?” Roger demanded, “Why, you did!” accused the man with the whiskers. ‘‘Thet’s whar yer is mistaken,” Roger denied. *¢ What makes yer think I did? a Botb the fellows laughed, “That story is too thin,” declared the whis- kered man, “No chance could have led you after us the way we came.” ‘*Great Scott!” suddenly exclaimed the cow- boy. “What is it?’ asked his companion, glancing at him, so forceful had been the exclamation, ss Why, kill me for a loon if this isn’t the very man that came to town with Broadway Billy! I was blind not to see it before!” ‘*What! You don’t mean it!” “Tt is a sure thing!” Roger could only stare, helpless, Just returning to consciousness, he had drop- ped into his natural way of speaking, and so had given the felluw every chance to unmask him.
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ee ne nn eet = + ern a now,” said the cowboy. CHAPTER X. BILLY AND SKINNY READY FOR BUSINESS. “WHAT have you to say to that?” demanded the whiskered man, Roger had bad just time sufficient to see what he had done, and to gather up his scattered ideas, “Tf T knowed what you was talking about, I might know what you mean,” he made response, ‘* What are ye trying to get at, anyhow?” ‘Pil tell you what we are trying to get at,” retorted the cowboy. ‘‘ You area spy, and the partner of Broadway Billy and his pal, that’s what we are coming at I know ye now.” ‘*- You know me better’n I know myself, then,” averred Roger. ‘*Do you mean to say you ain’t?” “‘T’'m Jackson Jenks, and I[ ain’t nobody else.” ‘7 don’t care what you call yerself; ye can’t fool me any ionger. What was yo doggin’ us for?” ‘You are a blasted idiot\” cried Roger, in some anger-—anger at finding that he was bound hand and toot, no doubt, ‘““Not half the idiot you were, to think you could play the detective on me.” ‘We want to know why you followed us,” urged the whiskered man. ** Tt don’t make much difference why he did it, “This is the old fellow I told you about, and it proves all that I sus- pected. That devil of a New York rat is after us,” ‘But why should he be? insisted the other. **Come, tell me why this man should follow you? It was you he was following; not mo ” Roger looked at the man in surprise, as if wondering how he knew that, **T don’t know,” was the answer Jake Towser made, ** but I do know this much: I have got hold of one of the fellows that made it hot for my brother Pete, and I’m going to make it hot- ter for him.” Here was information, and Roger took it in eagerly. This carried out the suspicion Billy had had. ‘*T suppose by examining him we might prove whether you are right or not,” suggested Whis- kers, ‘** That’s so; never thought of that.” “Still, you wouldn’t find anything you’d recognize,” ‘* Pll see what is to be found, anyhow,” cried the cowboy, and he proceeded to carry out his intention. Roger struggled, but in vain, for he was well secured, and the fellow searched his pockets thoroughly. As his confederate had said, though, he found nothing he could recognize, or that proved the man’s identity, There was a considerable sum of money, some tobacco, a knife and other trifles; but that was all, except a formidable revolver, “Tm in this much money, anyhow,” laughed Towser, stuffing the ranger’s money into his own pocket. ‘ I’ve made that much out of it.” * And ye would make somethin’ else, too, if I could only git loose,” growled Roger, fiercely. “Little fear of your getting loose,” rejoined Towser. guess you won’t get free any more, for I think Cherry Creek is hungry for you.” ** Well, what are you going to do with him?” asked W biskers, “Tl tell you,” wasthe response, ‘ We'll keep him, and use him to decoy the others into the same trap, Then [ll make my revenge com- plete, and we'll he safe against that sharp fel- low’s meddling with other things,” “Well, I'm willing to have it so, but I am sure there is no danger in that direction, get one: That idea is altogether out of sense. There was some other reason for his following you.” Roger’s mind flew at once to the conclusion that they were talking about the matter of which he had read in the paper. He almost trembled at the suspicion, If he could only get free and tell Billy! “You seem to forget the great puff the papers gave this Broadway Billy, after theaffair at Manitou, don’t you?” was the response Towser made, ‘ According to that, be is the devil at detective business Clews appear to fall right in his way, and when he gets one he knows how to handle it, too,” “Ob, that was all puff. Why, he’s nothing more than a boy in years, and it’s altogether out of reason,” ‘Pinon Fete didn’t find it so, anyhow. He was too much of a man for Pete and his pards.” **Luck helped him.” “You are bound up for keeps. I | : Where | ‘the police and others have failed to get a clew, how do you suppose these raw rectuits could | Broadway Billy in Denver. 9 “That be darn. If it did, though, it will have to help him more this time, for I have made up ys mind that the cuss shall never leave Denver alive, “Tf you carry out that idea you will be making sure of him, anyhow. Now, itis time for us to see about what next is on the pro- gramme, ‘*I’m goin’? back to Hodge’s and lay for the fellows, that’s what I’m going todo. They commenced the circus, and now they must see ee panen Where shall we meet for another talk? ‘*Can’t you come back here to-night?” ‘Yes; and them fellows with me, maybe.” ‘All right, come, If you can lure them here I'll help you with the job of getting them out of the way. But, come anyhow.” There was considerable more talk between them, much of which was of interest to Roger Watts, and then they left the room, locking the door, and were gone, ** Smoke o’ Gittysburg!” the old man exclaim- ed, “but ’'m ina pickle now for sure. [ was a blamed fool to undertake a thing I didn’t know apything about; but then who would ’a’ s’posed it would ecme tothis? An’ there’s them two boys, in danger of their lives, and [can’t help ’em a bit. Roger Watts, you old fool! you ought to be kicked to death by a mule, you had!” He struggled hard to get free, but that was useless, He only worked himself into a sweat, and made bis wrists almost raw, Tiring cf that, he began calling for help, pound- ing his heels upon the floor with great force, He had not kept this up long when heavy steps sounded without, the door was thrown open, and into the room came the man with the whiskers and a burly ruffian with him, ‘“ What are you doing bere, making such an infernal racket?’ the whiskers demanded. ‘We'll fix youso you won’t do any more of that.” The big fellow had already laid hold upon him, and he was speedily gagged and bound tighter than ever. Lf he had been in a bad fix before, he was in a worse now, and realized it. He was picked up and thrown upon a bed the room contained, and there he was left to his pleasant rc flections. And there for the present we must leave him, while we follow Broadway Billy and his lieuten- ant. It being their intention first of all to go to the post-office, they made inquiries of the first police- man they met where to find it and how to fget there, Being told that it wason Champa street, be- tween Seventeenth and Eighteenth, and being further directed the nearest and best way to reach that quarter, they thanked the officer and went on. The direction they had received presently brought them to one of the cable roads, and taking a car they settled down to enjoy the ride while they took in the sights of that magic city of the Rockies, ‘Sweet pertaters!” Billy had to ejaculate as they went along, ‘this is no slouch of a town, Skinny.” Skinny did not notice him. Billy was not long in guessing the reason, ** Ahem!” he prefaced, ‘James, I remarked tbat this city of Denver is rather a pretty, elegant place,” ““Lagree with you, William,” was the re- sponse, ‘Oh, don’t mind putting on any flourishes when you speak to me,” Billy cried. ‘‘ Plain Billy is good enough for ms Don’t call me anything else.” “T thought P’d let you see how much more manly it sounds,” ‘“So as to impress the same idea of James, eb?” This was in low tones and just between them- selves, and their tongues went ata lively rate till they came to the place where they must get out, A short walk then brought them to the post- office, Their inquiry for letters Jed to some questions corcerning their identity, and it was some minutes before they got their mail. Billy had ordered the holding of their mail, upon setting out from Santa Fe, in order that delay would not cause it to be returned as un- delivered, Broadway Billy soon impressed it upon the clerk at the window that he was the right party, and when that was accomplished four or five letters were handed out to them, They read the letters then and there, learned that their mothers were well, and responded by postals at once, promising letters to follow im- mediately. ‘‘Now for business,” said Billy firmly, when that was off their minds and hands, ‘“ Now for different clothes, you mean,” Skin- ny corrected. ‘I’m tired of going about in this wild West fashion.” “So am I, too, little one—but not very little,” answered Billy, ‘‘These were just the thing when we were out in the woolly, but there isn’t anything wild about Denver. New clothes, out and out, and then a peep at this great mystery. Hope you haven’t forgot that,” ‘*No: L haven’t forgotten it; but what about that trunk?” ‘‘Ob, that will keep a day or so longer, I guess, Plenty of time to see about that. ere, this street seems to be one of the great centers of the town. 3illy was right, for they were upon Seven- teenth, Presently they sighted a large clothing and furnishing store, and entered. When they came out again they were hardly recognizable, Clad in neat business suits, with hats and shoes in keeping, the change was great. And a handsome pair of young men they were, too. Billy was a little the taller, but Skinny had now grown to be the Jarger other- wise. He was growing decidedly fat, and the change became him well, ‘“ What now, Billy?” Skinny now asked, ‘¢ A barber is the next thing in order, James,” Billy answered, ‘Hello!” cried Skinny, ‘‘ you did get it out that time, didn’t you! How did you do it?” ‘Oh, it’s no trouble now,” assured Billy, ‘You look every inch a man, Skin—I mean James—and that’s the fact,” Their hair had grown decidedly long, so a bar- ber was next sought out, and after he bad done with them they had laid aside the last vestige that marked their sojourn on the plains. By this time evening was drawing on, and they bent their steps in the direction of the hotel, where they had left their friend Roger. They little imagined what had happened to him in their absence, Taking the shortest route they knew, they were not long in reaching their destination. CHAPTER XI, PUZZLED. ‘6 WONDER if we'll find Mr. Jackson Jenks on band?” queried Billy, as they drew near the hotel. ‘*S’pose so, unless that cow boy fellow has led him off on a wild-goose chase,” was Skinny’s respouse, ‘© Well, we'll soon know, for here we are.” ‘‘ Reckon he’ll stare at us, sure,” They went in, but a glauce around showed them that neither the cowboy nor the old ran- ger was ther. Ste; ping up to the bar, where the proprie- tor bad *quered himself for business opon their entering, they gave bim a chance to recognize them. ‘¢ Bless my eyes!” Ruddle exclaimed. be pessible that you is the same fellers?” “T guess it is, old man,” answered Billy, ‘* But, say, has that old pard of ours got back ot?” ‘¢ Haven't seen bide nor ba’r of him,” the land- lord answered. “Sweet pertaters! is that so?” “True as preachin’.” ‘“ What do you think of it, Skim—James” ** Don’t know what to think,” was the lieuten- ant’s response, “By ther way,” spoke up the landlord, ‘“heur’s a note fer you, me son, and that may explain it,” * A note for me?” cried Billy. iad Yes,” Billy took the envelope and quickly tore it open. eal wing forth the half sheet it contained, this wis what he read: ** Kin it “BILLY! — ‘““T have met vith an accident. My leg is broke. When y 1 get this coy e to me at onceand have me tak niothe hotel. The bov wil wait and fetch you to tue right place, I get_a man to write this for me. : * Your old pard, ‘Roger Watts,” ve Billy looked around at once for the boy, A lad of fifteen or so was seated in one corner of the room. “Is that the fellow who brought this?” Billy jnquired,
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10 ‘* He’s the chap,” the landlord answered. ‘* What does ic say?” asked Skinny. Billy handed him the note to let him read for himself, As soon as Skinny had mastered the contents, he and Billy exchanged a glance. “ Anything ther matter?’ inquired the land- lord, “Ves: our old pard has met with an acci- dent,” answered Billy. ‘‘ He has got a broken leg.” % Sho! you don’t tell me! That’s too bad, that is, darn me if it ain’t. And where is he? Is he bein’ cared fer?” **Oan’t tell where he is,” rejoined Billy, ‘* but this Jad is to take us to him, And that puts us out, too, for we can’t go just now, anyhow. This is bad luck.” Billy did not believe the message at all. His suspicion was aroused, and he wanted to think out a plan of operation, Was the landlord to be trusted? He and Skinny had previously agreed that he was an honest man, ‘Well, send somebody else,” suggested. **See here,” spoke Billy, in lower tones, *‘Can we trust you, Mr. Ruddle?” ‘*T take pride in sayin’ that ye kin,” was the prompt response. ‘‘ What is the sittywashun, my son?” ** What has become of that man who came in here just before we went out and registered as Jackson Jenks?” The landlord eyed the questioner keenly. ‘¢] begin ter see somethin’,” he mused, ** Why, he went out, arter awhile, and basn’t come back et.” ‘*Went out, eh? Who went with him? Did he meet some old pard and go off in company with him? I see you have guessed who Jackson Jenks was,” “May I be darn!” the jendlord ejaculated, **T wouldn’t ’a’ believed it, and that’s preachin’ true. No; he didn’t go out with nobody; he went off alone. He had some words with some fellers here.” ‘* Hal who were they?” “*You remember that cowboy who spoke to you when you kem heur?” 4 Yes,” ** Well, one was him, and the other was a man in black whiskers who had come in and was talkin’ to the cowboy.” ‘* What was their quarrel about?” * Why, the cowboy and his pard. ’cused the old map of starin’ at ’em,” Billy smiled. He understood about how it had been. ‘* Where is the cowboy now?” he inquired, “*Oh, he went off with the whiskered man,” “Was that after the old man had gone out?” ‘““No; it was before, 1 noticed that Mr, Jenks went out soon after them.” ** And hasn’t been back?” ee No,” ** Have the others been back?’ **The cowboy has, and ’peared to be waitin’ fer somebody, but he went out a spell ago.” ** How long a spell ago?” *€ An hour, I should reckon.” ** Before this lad came with the note?” ** Yes; ther lad ain’t been heur very long.” ** All right, that settles it. You said you were to be trusted; don’t mention what I have been asking you,” “Yer don’t think anything is wrong, do ye?” Ruddle asked, * There was a good deal wrong when we left the old man here alone,” was the response, “Do yer know,” and the landlord became yet more confidential, ‘‘ that [ have a s’picion that way meself?” * What do you mean?” Billy demanded, **You remember that newspaper I gev ye at ther table, don’t ye?” ** Perfectly well.” ‘* Waal, that cowboy feller put me up ter do it, Hesaid if you got onto that murder case you'd never let go of ther paper till you bad ended it; an’ sure enough ye aid take it up with e. ** And he asked you if I did that?” **' Yes; we'd bet a drink on it.” ‘*Sweet pertaters an’ tin horns!” cried Billy. And then he gave a long whistle. ‘* What do ye think on’t?” Ruddle asked. **T think if our old pard has got a broken leg we'll have to see to him, and tat in a hurry,” answered Billy. Then you are goin’ fer him?” ‘*Sure; and we’l! bring him here, if you don’t object—and you can’t.” the landlord Broadway Billy in Denver. ** Sartain not,” agreed the landlord, ‘‘ Bring him right heur, and we’ll see him through,” ‘*‘ All right, keep the boy here till we go up to the room a minute,” ‘* He'll stay.” Rilly and Skinny went out and up to their room, As soon as the door had closed Billy took off his hat and whirled it around his head, ‘Sweet pertaters!” he cried, in low tones, ** but this jest sets the pot to b’ilin’, Skinny, and that’s a sure thing. Roger is in ther hands of they enemy, and we have got ter get him out, don’t ye see?” ‘** And this note is a decoy to get us in thesame fix, sure,” “You are bright asa dollar, Skinony—I mean James, but haven’t time to stop now to correct myself. Take the will for the deed. Yes; that’s it; and instead of our falling into the trap, we must improve the chance to find out where Roger is corraled,” ‘* But how is it going to be done?” ; vy Send a note back by the boy, and follow him. “But, don’t it strike you that somebody will be on the watch?” ‘*That’s so. Sweet pertaters! if we only had that trunk and our disguises, eh, pard?” ‘* But we haven't, and Roger has got to be rescued, If it’s a broken leg fer a fact, all right; if it ain’t, it’s somethin’ worse.” ‘*T agree with ye, my fat philosopher, every time, Now, see here: it is going to be night be- fore long, so suppose we keep this boy till dark, give him his supper, and then go with him,” ** Jest what you think best, fer Roger must be rescued,” “And it strikes me hard that this thing is going to lead up to the murder mystery, too,” illy said, thoughtfully. ‘* What makes ye think that?” ‘Why, ther fact that that very fellow made the first move to bring it to our notice, He knew who we were, and had no need to try to prove us by that, He’s got a finger in that pie, pard, if not indeed his whole hand.” “Tt looks so,” ** And if that is the case, this is going to be a life or death racket,” “ You bet,” “But we're in it jest the same—sweet per- taters, yes! They have laid hands on our pard, and if we don’t make the fur and feathers fly, it will be because we can’t, that’s all. Look to yer ppers, and make sure they are in prime order, ! o may want ’em, andif we do, we'll want ’em acd. Both looked to their revolvers, ‘“Sweet pertaters!” Billy suddenly exclaimed. ‘What now?” demanded Skinny. ‘* Here's another way ter look atit, Seems ter me lam losin’ my head, and the sooner I get back to Gotham, the better, We want to get that boy up here and pump him, that’s what we want to do.” “ Holdon,” objected Skinny, ‘“‘ that will give it away that we suspect something under- handed,” ‘* Right,” Billy agreed. ‘I tell you I’m no good at all any more, Skinny. [ lay it all to your change of name, too. That has knocked me off my balance,” ‘*Get out! You better say this is the toughest tang!s you have tackled for a long time, that’s what’s the matter. Come, stir yourself up, and think of some plan of action.” J ** Mebby you’reright, Skinny; I dunno, If I bad somethin’ in my head besides mush, mebby I could think. Ha! here’s a skeem that will knock ’em silly, or I’m no jedge of molasses, We'll send a wagon to bring the ranger home, That will sort o’ upset their plans,” ** And what'll we do?” ** Follow the wagon. now,” That plan agreed upon, and details arranged, the lads went below. CHAPTER XII, VENTURED AND GAINED, BILuy explained bis idea to the landlord in the manner best suited to the case, He wanted a conveyance, he said, witha man to drive, in which to bring their wounded partner home, That would save time, As this was made known, Billy noticed that the boy in the corner appeared i!l at ease, The plan evidently did not suit him, Billy saw a new opening. Hemade uss of it, too, **That suits you, don’t it, sonny?” he asked. ‘““Are you the man what the note was for?’ the boy asked nervously. ‘*Yes; guess I am, You see, you ean ride ~~ See, it is gettin’ dark ETP IETS eS OSES ROSE SA . Oe" > “ A ieee att back, and they can put the hurt man wagon and bring bim right here. That save us the trouble of going.” ‘* But I was told to be sure and bring you with me,” ‘* Who told you that?” ‘The man what sent the note.” ‘All right, we'll go along, then,” agreed Billy, with another change to suit the circum- stances of the case, ‘* But they didn’t say nothin’ about no wagon,” the boy persisted. He had evidently been drilled upon the im- portance of bringing Billy aud his pard back with him, and could not invent excuses to cover his confusion, ‘*T know,” said Billy, ‘' they have left that for us todo. We couldn’t expect them to furnish a wagon at their own expense, We'll be ready in a few minutes and then we'll be off,” The landlord had sent to the stables for such a rig as they needed. Presently it came around to the front, and was announced as ready, and Billy and Skinny went out to it. The young messenger had gone out just a step ahead of them, and when Billy set foot outside he saw the boy making off up the street as fast as be could run, Into the wagon Billy sprung, Skinny follow- ing, and the driver was ordered to keep the boy in sight, even if he had to make the wheels spin to do it, or had to dump half a dozen cable cars, The wagon was a light spring affair, with one seat in front, and the two young detectives stood up behind the driver, holding fast to the back of the seat. The chase was not a long one. At acorner not far away the boy was seen to stop. Immediately a man joined him, and in the glare of an electric light Billy recognized the cowboy. ‘* Turn to the left, quick!” ** Left it is.” So Billy ordered, and so the driver responded, and in the same moment the wagon went spin- ning into another street. No sooner out of sight from the place where the boy bad stopped than Billy called a halt, and he and Skinny got ont, “That settles it for this round,” Billy ex- plained. ‘‘ You ride on a little distance, and then go back by some other way. We have sighted our game, “ Allright, sir; reckon you know what you are about, but it is a puzzler to me,” The driver went on, and Billy and ‘‘ pard” crossing the street, went back to the corner. Fortunately there was a friendly shadow there, and they could watch without being ob- served, The lad and the cowboy were still talking, but their business was about at an end now, as soon appeared. The boy made a jump to get out of reach of a kick that was sent in his direction, and ran off, while the cowboy walked away up the street, “Now for it,” said Billy to Skinny, ‘tHe hasn’t seen us since we slicked up, and he'll never know us uvless we come face to face in the light, and we'll try not to let that huppen.” ‘* This is the best that could have happened,” remarked Skinny. “You're right itis,” Billy assented, ‘‘ We're on the trail now, for sure.” s And their little plot is made as plain as day.’ “Yes; we were to go with the boy, ta some den or other, I suppose, and this fellow was to follow us and see that we were taken care of, It was a pretty nice scheme, but it bas bu’sted,” ** And there'll be a surprise for him, too,” de- clared Skinny, “‘if we once get our grip on him. There is no doubt now, not a bit, that he has some reason for wanting us out of the way,” They followed as closely as they dared, and no great precaution was needed, for they were prac- tically disguised, The man Towser had not seen them since their great change in appearance, and would not be hkely to recognize them at sight, even if he did, 3ut he evidently bad no suspicion that he could be followed, for he kept straight ahead, and finally reached the place where the old ranger was imprisoned, and entered. “nis is the den where Rover is, and I'l] bet on it,” declared Billy, as he and Skinny stopped opposite, The first floor of the building was occupied as a saloon, * And Vil chuck my bet right in with yours,” agreed Skinny. ‘‘ How are we going to get him out?” ee = : we ¥ ~ ae |
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i Do you think we dare go into the den boldly?” * We dare do it, but what would it amount to? We’re dressed too fine for the place, to judge by what we see,” The door was open, and a view of the interior revealed roughs and toughs of about the worst type the city could boast, evidently. ** Well, something has got to be done, and that right off, too,” declared Billy, in earnest tone. ‘* We are losing time here, and the Cottrell Case is suffering for us, you know.” “You wouldn’t tackle that to-night, any- how?” “* Wouldn’t I? I ratber think.” ** Well, it has got to be a bold move or none, that’s sure.” ‘“‘You say it right. We can’t call on the police to turn the ranch inside out, so come along with me.” Billy set forth to cross the street, and when he reached the opposite side stepped boldly to the hall door of the house, This was closed, but there was a light within and if not seen, the noise in the saloon would cover all chance of their being overheard. The door opened at Billy’s touch, and the two entered, To their surprise a woman stood ready there to meet them, ‘“*Good-evening, gentlemen,” she greeted, **Good-evening,” Billy responded, ‘‘ Seems we have made a mistake,” **Perbaps not; what place do you take this to be? Maybe you are all right. Who directed you bere?” At that moment a voice from somewhere above gave Billy the cue, ‘*Make your play, gentlemen,” were the words he heard. Immediately followed the closing of a door, and steps were heard in the hall approaching the stairs. “Po tell the truth,” said Billy, ‘*‘we were looking for a game, but this has no appear- ance of anything of that sort, so we'll back out. The opening of the door above, at the right moment, had, as said, given him the idea to act upon. As he finished, a man was descending the stairs. The woman made no response till he had reached the bottom and gone out, and in the few brief moments Billy and Skinny heard the laugh- ter of other women further above. Billy made up his mind that be had gotten into a bad nest of vipers, but his game was there, and having penetrated so far he must see it through, "No need to back out, if that is what you wanted te find,” was the woman’s smiling remark im response to Billy’s observation. . This is no doubt the place you are looking or. ‘*Up-stairs?” Billy queried. “Yes; right along there, first door to the right.” Billy went up boldly without further words, and just as he reached the top a welcome sight reeted bim. Farther along the hall, with his back toward him and Skinny, was the man whom they bad followed. Had they been a second later, they would have missed him, for he disappeared immediately into a rear room. ** We have holed him, pard, sure!” So Billy exclaimed, in whisper, ‘¢ Right you are!” Billy pressed on down the hall, regardless of the gambling room, There were several doors, about equal distance apart, in that end of the building, The one into which the seeming cowboy had disappeared was the one next to the last, and at that Billy stopped, He applied his ear to the doorand heard voices within, but it was no place to play the spy,.for the ball was lighted from end to end. Nor could he enter the room, for that would spoil everything, and perbaps precipitate a fight at once; for it was open war now between him and this unknown personage. Touching Skinny on the arm, Billy stepped quickly to the next door. This one he tried, but it was locked. Thay were taking desperate chances all around, how- ever, Billy thrust his hand into his pocket and drew out the key to their room at the botel, and thrust it into the lock to try it. Pd take a bird’s-eye view of it, Broadway Billy in Denver. baa But, even as it did so the thought came to him —What if discovered and taken for a thief?” There was no time to stop to debate the mat- ter then. To remain in the hall meant to draw attention, so into the room they stepped, closing the door after them silently. There being a transom over the door, the room was rendered light enough to reveal everything it coatained, Both the young but daring detectives cast quick glances around, and together made the discovery that there was a man on the bed, ** Seems to be asleep,” whispered Billy. ‘* We must make no noise to waken him, andif we can’t hear whavt’s going onin the other rdom we'll get out again.” ‘Yes; but he’s bound!” exclaimed Skinny, Billy went a step nearer, ‘* Sweet pertaters!” he explained, ‘‘ it’s Rover!” And Roger Watts it was, sound asleep, even though bound and gagged. Billy sprung to the bed, gave him a shaking, and when the old man opened his eyes he gave a start of surprise, ‘Don’t make a sound,” Billy cautioned, ‘* We're in a hot hole, Ruger, and may have to fight to get out. Not a word, now, and I'll free you.” tk eT, CHAPTER XIII, GOOD LUCK AND MUCH PLUCK, ; Ir had been a welcome surprise to the two ads, Skinny took his station at the door, revolvers in hand, Billy speedily set the old ranger at liberty, and helped him to get up. ‘*Not a word,” Billy cautioned again, ‘*‘ We are in the grip of Old Nick in this hole.” ‘Right you be,” echoed Roger, in whisper. ** And there may be somethin’ of a ruction be- fore we get out,” ‘* How came you bere?” asked Billy, ‘“*f was led right inter a trap, that’s how,” Roger answered, In as few words as possible he told what had happened, and then wanted to know bow ‘his pards bad discovered him. Billy explained that as briefly, following it up immediately with other questions as to whether the old ranger had been able to learo anything. ‘Smoke o’ Gittysburg,” Roger exclaimed in whisper, ‘*I should say [I did Yarn somethin’! This heur cowboy feller isa brother to that ’ar Pinon Pete what we trapped at Manitou.” ‘‘Sweet pertaters! I was sure I wasn’t mis- taken in him, 1 told him at once by the cut of bis phiz,” ‘“An’ that ain’t all, neither,” the ranger de- clared, “What more?” ‘Why, if these heur fellers ain’t got a hand in that ‘ar Cottrell mystery, then I’m a gosling, that’s all.” ‘* The Cottrell Case!” cried Billy. you learn about that?” Their talk was animated, but in the lowest and most cautious of whispers, “Why, I read about it in a paper at ther hotel,” the ranger explained, And from that he related all he had overheard, ‘* Sweet pertaters!” cried Billy, ‘* there’s meat in this pie, sure’s ye live! If we don’t yank the rag off the bush this time you can kick me hard!” All this had occupied but a few minutes, Billy now gave attention to business, caution- ing the others to remain quiet. He wanted, if possible to find some means of hearing what was being said in the adjoining room, Voices could be heard there, but no words could be made out, at first, though he pressed his ear tight to the wall to catch them. The walls were papered, and presently Skinny drew Billy’s attention to a spot bigher up that was stained, It was a circle darker than the rest of the surface, , ‘* A pipe-hole!”cried Billy. It took but a moment for him to mount a ebair and apply his ear there. Here, to his satisfaction, some words were made plain, but be was not satisfied yet. Wetting his finger, he drew a circle around the discolored paper several times, and then with his knife noiselessly cut it out, A hole was presented, covered at the opposite end by the wallpaper of the other room, It was a hole about six inches across, lined with piping, intended as a connection tor a pipe to a chimney further on, Not satisfied yet, Billy wet the second paper as he had the first, but in this case only on one ** How did To hissurprise it turned, and the dooropened. } spot sear the bottom, and with hisknifesilently es a ee Bh ait / Yiu ase ah ash . mt 4 . e Tifasiu. Ha ut ie 3/2 Le Ack oh 3 cd Gibal Fue ots vi e pA aw a a oe fe eh. ae ate Fe eae ™ Tee pas ty Tete oF mp au «3 z me = — — eh punctured a hole in it large enough to look through, though he soon found that it did not give him a very extended view, The five inches of thickness of the wall hin- dered bim from seeing well into the other room, and be could discern only one person, This was a man with a heavy black beard, and Bilty immediately guessed that it was the one whom Roger had mentioned, He heard but one other voice, and knew, of course, it was that of his enemy, the pretending cowboy, ** Yes; it has got to be done,” he of the black whiskers was saying. ‘‘ That infernal detective, Brandland, bas struck the right trail, and it iv now or never,” ‘* But, where shall we cut to?” asked the cow- boy. ‘* As far as possible, but not both to the same place. You had better strike for Califotnia or Texas. Um going straight to New York,” ** We'll see about that,” thought Billy, ** Even if you are innocent of the murder, you have been up to some sort of mischief, and Um going to snap you.” Skinny and the ranger, standing close to Billy, could bear what was said, now that the hole was open, ms And when will we start?” asked the cowboy. ‘* By the very first trains that pull out from the Union Depot,” ‘* But, you have said the police and detec- tives are watching the depot like so many hawks,” ‘* And so they are; but they are about use- less, for they can’t stop pent hee *3 and hold them all for trial, and our chancedgare as good as the rest.” ‘* You have changed your mind, then,” “Yes; for I kave been up to the depot, and could have passed as well as not. The only thing to guard against is buying the ticket.” *“ How’s that?” ‘“T noticed that Chief Farley’s men paid mighty close attention to all who beught long- distance tickets.” ‘“*T ketch on, We want to buy short-distance ones.” “ Yes; and return tickets at that.” “* Better still.” “Once let us get out of Denver, and Brand- land can whistle for us, and the police teo,” * You bet! What about our prisoner?” “That thing came to a bad mess, didn’t it? May as well leave him right where he is, THe’ll be discovered in the morning.” **}'d rather slit his neck for him,” “That won’t do. We have got enough trouble on our hands, Once let it be discovered that we cribbed Cottrell’s safe, and nothing would save our necks from the gallows,” Broadway Billy’s ears were wide open now, Here was a confession! But, what mystery was back of it yet? Was it possible that these men had committed the robbery, and yet were innocent of the worse crime? “It’s a puzzler to me who done that nasty work,” declared the cowboy. ‘ What call had the gal to come there? and who was it that shot ber when she did come?” ‘*Questions that we can’t answer, and all the more reason why we want to keep out of the hands of the police,” ** You bet! Well, what time does the train 0?” are We have two good hours yet, and may as well put in one of them right here, f suppose. We don’t want to be at the station toc early, and don’t want to rush in too late, See” “*T guess your head is level. S’pose we have a bottle of wine and a pack of cards te kelp pass the tire,” ** Not a bad idea.” ‘** Il go and get them.” The cowboy wept out, and Billy got down from the hole. “Did you catch what was said?” he carefully whispered, ‘‘ Some of it,”/ was the reply, “ These are the fellows that robbed the bank, sure as guns!” ‘“ An? what are ye going ter do about it?” ask- ed the ranger. ‘‘That cowboy has got my money in his pocket, too,” ; ‘* Well make bim disgorge,” declared Billy. ‘‘ Wait till he comes back, and we'll go in and scoop them.” ‘“Mebby they'll lock the door though,” sug- gested Skinny. ‘““Sweet pertaters!” cried Billy, ‘*mebby youre right. Besides, we can make sure work of ’em one atatime, Say, Roger, get on the bed there and groan fer all you are worth.”
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i? ae 9 An red eset em —— 12 ‘* What for, lad?” “That will draw old Black Beard in here, and we'll nab him.” The ranger smiled as he comprehended the young man’s meaning, and quickly obeyed. Billy and Skinny took their place behind the door, and in a moment an angry snarl] was heard in the other room, and hasty steps followed. Billy had not locked the door of the room they were in, but had taken out the key and returned it to his pocket. The door of the adjoining room was heard to open, and the next moment a band was laid on the knob of the one the detective trio were in. It was with an ejaculation of surprise that the man opened it, finding it unlocked, but he strode forward to the bed on which the supposed prisoner lay, and in a low tone demanded: ‘What's the matter with you? Stop your infernal noise, or—” He stopped short, and with a start, for the cold tubes of revolvers were pressing against bis head on each side, “Up with your hands!” hissed Billy, “‘or off goes your head!” With an oath the man knocked their arms aside, and sprung back, at the same time reach- ing for a weapon, ** Stop!” ordered Billy, ‘tor Pll plug you!” With the command, hesprung forward, caught the man by the throat, and pressed his revolver , sgainst bis forehead. The fierce light in Billy’s eyes cowed the man | ee more than the weapon, and for an instant he | did not resist. It was that instant that settled his fate, Roger the Rover and Skinny were upon him in the same moment, and before another second passed he was helplessly a prisoner. The gag was forced into his mouth, and his hands were securely bound. It had all taken place in a very brief space of time. ** Now for the other,” cried Billy. ‘‘I’m go- ing in there, and as soon as he enters, Roger, you come in after him, Skinny, give Roger one of your revolvers, and you stay here and guard this fellow.” His directions were brief and hasty, and as soon as they had been uttered, Billy lovked out to sea whether the cowboy was returning. Not seeing him, and the ball being for the moment deserted, it took the lad but a second to dodge from one room into the other and close the door. He was none too soon, for barely had he dis- appeared when Jake Towser came up the back steps bearing a bottle and having a pack of cards in hand, and was soon at the door. The door opened, and he stepped in. He stopped short in evident surprise at finding his confederate gone, but the same moment brought bim a greater surprise, Broadway Billy’s powerful right band gripped his neck, and the chilling tube of a revolver was pressed behind bis ear in a way that was terrible to feel. ** Don’t move,” Billy cautioned, ‘‘or Ill spat- ter your brains all over the room.” An instant later and Roger Watts sprung in, and the man was made secure. CHAPTER XIV. BILLY'S FULL HAND. ‘“ Wat do you think of this?” Billy asked, as he knelt beside the rascal, with his revolver in hand, ‘* What do ye mean by it?” the fellow gasped. ‘“* What have I done ter you? You let me up, an’ then give me half a chance at yer.” ‘* Tt isn’t what you have done so much as what you meant to do,” rejoined Billy. that brother of yours, Pivon Pete, and now we've done the same for you. And that isn’t all either; there’s another chapter to it.” Roger was preparing gag and bonds, while Billy held the fellow down, and having them now ready, Mr. Towser was soon as helpless as the other fellow. Again Billy took a cautious glance into the hall. The coast was all clear, and motioning to Roger, they quickly transferred the prisoner into the other room, This, as the three reasoned, wasthe safer room of the two, since it was the one in which Roger had been held prisoner, and less likely to be visited, ‘*Now” questioned Roger, greatly excited, ‘what next? Durn me if it ain’t ’most as ’citin’ as fightin’ b’ar at close range.” “‘T never had any experience in that line,” said Billy, ‘‘but if there is as much satisfaction ‘* We bagged | | on hand. and rob safe of everything. Leave all | the last help I can give you. Broadway Billy in Denver. in downing Bruin as there is in downing such rascals as these, I know how it is.” ** But, what next?” Skinny urged. “Sweet pertaters!” cried Billy. ‘*Give me time to think, will you? I can’t grind but one idea through my think-mill at once, you know.” ‘“*Take yer time about it,” said the ranger, ‘but as soon as ye come around to it Id like ter see if this cuss has got my money about him yet. ‘‘ Sweet pertaters! That is what I was try- ing to think of, I knew something was want- ing. We'll go through their pockets and see what they have got about them. Maybe there’s a clew to be bad that will unlock the whole tangle.” With that he gave his attention to the black- whiskered man, leaving Skinny and Roger to deal with the other. ‘* Sweet pertaters!” So they soon heard Billy exclaim, and Skinny and the Rover saw that he had the black beard in his hand, The beard was false, and the man’s face now exposed, was clean shaven, and the unsborn villain was glaring at Billy likea tiger. The combination had indeed struck it. He was trying to say sometbing, but the gag in his mouth prevented his making any intelligi- ble sound, and Billy certainly cared little what he was trying to make known. There was soonan exclamation also from the ranger, as he recovered his money. The two fellows were searched thoroughly, and presently the work was done, Broadway Billy had brought to light some let- ters and papers, ‘¢Have got to find out what isin these,’ he declared, ‘*‘Can’t go any further till I get all the information there is to be bad. If there’s a clew to be picked up, we’re the boys that want it,” ‘But is it light enough here to read them?’ asked Skinny. “Tf it isn’t it is in the other room,” an- swered Billy. ‘* You keep guard and [’ll step in there.” ** Mind ye don’t get diskivered,” cautioned the ranger. “That don’t worry me much now, Roger,” was the response, ‘‘ We've got the best band, and we're going to hold it, Still, it will pay to be careful.” Billy peered out, waited till favorable oppor- tunity offered, and then dodged from one room to the other, Light was burning in the second room, and closing the door, Billy looked at the letters, There were three of them, and all were ad- dressed thus: “WINDAM MARKISS, No. — STREET, Denver City.” “That’s a good name, anyhow,” Billy com- mented. ‘**And now Ill see what’s inside. hope it opens up big and gives me the grip onto the whole matter.” The first one he opened proved to be only a dun from a tailor. ‘* Humph!” Billy muttered, ‘‘ it don’t pan very rich at first, anybow. We'll see what the next one will show up,” This one was more to his liking, and read this way: ** MARK:— ‘* You will find it ready for you at ten o'clock, Be open, and be sure to leave keys. If not found ready, you will know s»mething has gone wrong. This is Be sure to leave outer Yours finally, naa oes = ‘* Sweet pertaters!” Billy ejaculated, when he had read; “this is a stunner, and no fooling about it, Who in the mischief is this P. H.? The third letter proved to be of no interest. Putting them into his pocket, Billy dodged back to the other room. Tbe man who had been denuded of the black whiskers, and whose name appeared to be Mar kiss, was still making a great fuss as though wanting to talk, ‘* See here,” demanded Billy. ‘‘If we'll take off the gag will you talk, but not give the alarm?” The man nodded vigorously. “ All right; we'll try you,” said Billy. ‘‘ Take off the gag, Rover, and if he sets up a yell it will be his last. Ill settle him for good!” Billy stood ready, revolver in band, while the old ranger removed the gag from the man’s movth, ** Now, whatis it?’ Billy asked, “You have got thé dead wood on me, hard.” door open slightly. _ a NN a rather think we have,” declare ily. ‘You bave got it all your own way. We can’t do anything. If, you run us in, though, you'll bang us, but we didn’t do that murder, that Pll swear.” “Then who did do it?’ Billy questioned. “Who but you could bave done it?” **T don’t know. It was done after we cracked the safe and were gone.” ‘*Wasnu’t it the person who signs herself P, He Billy had made out that the letter was in a woman’s hand, The man started, **T don’t know,” he assured, “Well, it looks a good deal that way,” Billy averred. ‘‘ And I guessthis isaclew that will lead up to the right party.” ‘“*But you won’t make anything by handing us over,” urged the man, ‘‘ Let me and my friend go free, and we'll give you a hundred thousand dollars in hand in clean cash, What do you say?” “That’s a big sum,” mused Billy, as if tempted. ‘* Big! Well, I should say so! You'll never get another chance like this in your life.” ‘* Where is the money, though?” asked Billy. ‘Maybe you are trying to play roots on us. We want something solid about it, or it’s no use to talk,” ‘The money is under this roof,” the man de- clared, ‘“‘Set us free, and l’Jl eo and get the money and bring it to you, You will never have such a chance again.” “You'll have to bid higher than that, now,” retorted Billy, thoughtfully. ‘‘That’s about all we got out of the thing.” ** You swear that you didn’t kill the girl, do you?” ** Yes; and we don’t know who did,” ‘* Well, tell me who this P. H. is.” “That Pll never tell you, never.” “ That settles it, then,” said Billy, resolutely. ‘““We can’t come to any bargain, 1 see. Bind him up again, Rover.” “Hold on!” the fellow pleaded. ‘* We'll give you every cent we got out of the thing. You'll be independent for life. Don’t go back on us this way.” silly made a motion, and the ranger replaced the gag. ‘“No use wasting breath talking to him,” he announced, ‘‘ We’re going to take ’em, now that we’ve got’em.” ‘**Can we get them outof thisden?” questioned Skinny. ‘““We will, or take the den with us,” Billy avowed, determinedly. ** Hadn’t ye better go and get the help of some policemen?” suggested the old ranger. *“You are all the policeman we want, just now,” Billy made response to that, ‘* Get them ready, and down and out we go, and goodness help the man that tries to stop us, that’s ali!” ** { don’t like ther looks of it that way,” the ranger opposed, meditatively, ‘*Mebby thar will be a fight, and ther odds will be all against us, We might fight out, but we’d lose ther pris- overs, and might get into a peck of trouble,’ Billy reflected, “Tf you feel that way about it,” he decided, ‘* maybe I bad better go slow up grade, It isn’t as though we were in New York, where we know every inch of ground, and we might get dumped. Can you hold the fort while [ go for the help?” ‘* Yes; we kin do that, never fear,” Roger promised, ‘* All right, I’m off, then, Don’t let them be taken from you if you bave to fight,” ‘** Rest easy on that part of it,” assured Skinny. ‘J will plug the first man that crosses the sill of this room witb that intention,” Billy stepped out boldly, and walked straight to the stairs and down. The woman on guard at the bottom gave him a smile, and opened the door for bim. “Tl be right back in a few minutes,” Billy observed. ** Had good Juck, I hope,” was the response. ‘Left-handed luck,” answered Billy, ‘I’m going for more help.” He meant it to be understood that he was go- ing for another supply of money, and so the wo- man took it, Once outside he stopped and looked around, Just across the street, talking together, were two policemen, ‘* Sweet pertaters!” Billy said to himself, ‘is it possible? On hand when they are wanted!” Going straight across to them, he said; ** Are you fellows interested any in the Cot- trell matter?”
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Broadway Billy in Denver. interest and evidently determined to learn more. ** What do you know about it?” one asked. Quite a good sized chunk,’ was the bold re- joinder. ‘‘How would you like the honor of elping me scoop in the fellows who robbed Cottrell’s safe?” ‘** See here, who are you?” the other officer de- manded, laying a han: on Billy’s shoulder, ‘* Well, when I’m home in New York,” Billy made answer, *‘ [’m known as Broadway Billy. Perhaps you saw my name in the papers a few days ago?” he officers were fairly in a fever of interest now, and were ready to hear what Billy bad to say. CHAPTER XV. BILLY WINS RECOGNITION, NEEDLEsS co say, Billy rattled off his story at a lively rate. The two officers could hardly believe that they heard aright, Could it be possible that the rob- bers had been captured? ‘* How do we know that you are what you claim to be?’ one questioned, when the youug detective bad come to the end of bis story. ‘* How do we know that you have been telling us the truth?” ‘*S weet pertaters!” Billy retorted, ‘‘ I haven’t got my name branded on me anywhere, nor yet a strawberry mark on my off shoulder; but you eee along with me, and if you don’t find *ve given it to you straight, you may ran me in, that’s all,” * And that’s what we'll do, too.” “ All right, I won’t kick, Come on.” ‘But, this isa bad den, young man, and we may have trouble,” “ Are you afraid to go?” ** No; but we ought to bave some backing,” “ Backing ? Sweet pertaters! My pard Roger is as good as two men, and Skinny is equal to ove and a half; while I make up the balance of power. If you are afraid and don’t want to come, stay, that’s all,” They were coming, however, and were right at Billy’s heels, Billy opened the hall door boldly, and at sight of the officers the woman in charge turned pale and reached for a bell-pul!l. “Never mind that!” cried Billy, catching her arm, although he did not know just what she intended doing, but guessed that it was to alarm those above. ‘Don’t you make any fuss, and there won’t be any harm done.” ‘Are you going to pull us?” the woman in- quired, ‘No; we are only after two fellows,” Billy ex- plained. ‘ You keep right still, and there won’t half a dozen know we have been here.” ‘** That’s so, Moll,” one of the officers confirmed. ‘We don’t mean to make a fuss,” “You remain here and see that she does keep quiet,” directed Billy, in a tone of authority. Broadway Billy was clearly born tocommand, for the officer stopped there as obediently as aa i the order baa been from the chief of police. With the other officer at his heels, Billy sprung 2 the stairs, waiting now to get his prisoners out of the place as quickly as possible, At the head of tie stairs he met two men, who had just come out of the gaming-room, ‘* Hello!” cried one, ** what’s up now?” “Nothing very exciting,” answered Billy, and notbing worth wasting any time over.” The men were curious to learn more, however, so stopped and turned back to see what was go- ing to be done. Billy led the way direct to the room where his ards and the prisoners were, and opened it, to be met with a pointed revolver in the hands of Skinny, “Tsee you are right on deck, pard,” Billy greeted. ‘Come, now, and we'll get out of here in a jiffy or two,” The old ranger and the policemen brought the prisoners to their feet, and they were marched out into the ball. Immediately exclamations were heard from the two men who had stopped out of curiosity to learn who was going to be arrested, __ “ Why, it’s Mark Windam!” they cried. “The dickens!” exclaimed the policeman. ? He's the proprietor of tis place, young fel- ow. *“‘T don’t care what he’s the proprietor of,” re- spondei Billy, forcibly, ‘‘He is my prisoner, and out of here he goes!” Billy scented trouble, and his revolver gleam- ed in band in an instant, while he laid a band They turned upon him in an instant, full of upon one of the prisoners’ shoulders and carried him forward at a run, The old ranger followed with the other, and for the moment the officer had nothing to do. ‘*'W hat is this about?” one of the men was de- manding of him, ‘*He’s said to be concerned in the Cottrell Case,” the officer answered, ‘* Have you got a warrant?” was the next de- mand, in something of a belligerent tone, ** No; but—” “Then, by Harry, Mark Windam don’t leave this houge!” One of the men drew a weapon, and the other immediately followed his example, But, ay was already half-way down the stairs with Windam, and Roger was not for be- bind him with the pretending cowboy. Skinoy was behind, and he realized that he had apart to play in the affair that was of no mean importance, Already the loud voices bad brought a crowd from the gaming-room, and Skinny, stopping at the top of the stairs, covered them with his wea- pons, shouting: ** Holi on, now! Don’t one of you attempt to interfere, or the worse for you. I’m one corner of this combination, and I go off mighty easy, so look out how you use your bands,” The policeman had now aodged past him, and descended, and bearing them at the bottom, Skinny.retreated backward, Billy’s weapons, and those of the old ranger, too,” now covered Skinny’s retreat, and the crowd at the top of the landing could do noth- ing. ' As soon as Skinny was at the bottom, the danger was over, for all knew that no one would be likely to fire into the group, and Billy took charge of the matter with bis usual grip. ‘* Here,” he said to one of the officers, ‘* you take hold of this fellow along with me, and you,” to the other, ‘‘take hold there with my old pard. Skinny, you may lead the way or bring up the rear, just as you please,” * T'll bring up the rear,” Skinny responded. “ Then we're ready. Open the door.” The door open, they pushed out, and hastened away up the street, Only a few steps had they gone when they heard the crowd Bins the den pour out into the street behind them, “Is there danger that they’ll mob us?” asked Billy quickly. ““Tuey might try to run us off,” answered the officer who had hold of the man with him, ** And, anyhow, I don’t know that I’m right in this business,” ‘* Never mind how right you are,” cried Billy, sternly. ‘Rap for assistance! I’m bound to take these fellows in, if it takes a leg, whether you stick to us or not, Weknow what we’re doing. Rap, I say!—d’yg hear?” The officer stooped and’ rapped witb his club, and it wansrenponaed to almost immediately in two or thrée directions, Hearing the answers, both policemen whistled, and in a few moments three other officers were with them, Billy nrade a hurried explanation, and the three went back toward the saloon while Billy and the others pusbed on, ‘** Where is your Headquarters?” Billy asked. ‘Fourteenth and Larimer,” was the response, “We'll steer right for there, then,” Billy di- rected, He was the master-spirit of the party, and what he directed was done, Arriving at their destination, they entered the Headquarters in a body, the policemen now with heads erect. A ‘‘ Hello!” exclaimed the sergeant in charge, ‘¢ what have we here?” ‘Just let me orate, first,” answered Billy, stepping to the front, ‘I want to introduce myself the first thing.” ‘* Well, who are you? ‘“ Ever hear of Broadway Billy?” “Broadway Billy? You don’t mean to say that’s you?” ** You've got it straight, and right from head- querters,” Billy assured, “Well, and what of these prisoners? What is this all about, officer?’ Who are these men?” ‘* Hold on!” interrupted Billy, “two can’t talk at once, and I’ve got the floor now, These prisoners, sir, are the men who robbed the Cot- trell office, and I can prove it.” The sergeant and everybody else present were amazed at this information, ** You don’t mean it?” “Oh, but I do, though, every time!” Bill sured, ‘‘ I’ve got the dead wood on them, my pards, here,” Dh as- and 13 ‘* Well, let’s hear your story, and we'll see if it’s all straight. Do you know these men, offi- cers?” ‘* Yes; this one is Mark Windam, proprietor of the —— Hall; and the other isa fellow named Jake Towser.” ‘‘Mark Windam, eh?” in some surprise, “ Ungag them, and let them speak for them- selves,” This was done, and Windam at once burst forth like a madman, He denounced as an outrage the indignity that had been heaped upon him, called Billy an ass, and demanded his release at once, ‘* We'll have to bear the charge,” be was re- minded, ‘‘One moment, young man,” to Billy, ‘“* Officers, what do you know about it ali?” One answered, telling bow billy bad come to them for belp, and the manner in which they had found the prisoners. When he had done, then Billy was allowed to ** orate,” Has began at the beginning, and told the whole story in a straightforward manver to the end, He was listened to in silence, except for an oc- casional sniff or denial from the prisoners, and wheu he had done it was plain that he bad made an impression, “This young gentleman seems to have a clear case against you, prisoners,” spoke the sergeant then. ‘ You will have to go down, and Vl send for the chief at once,” ‘¢Tt’s all an infernal hatched up plot,” assever- ated Windam, ** Of course it is,” echoed Towser. ‘* And mebby this lump on the back of my head is a batched up plot, too,” the old ranger suggested. And be displayed a swollen spot as big as an egg. “Tt looks like a clear case, as I said,” repeated the sergeant, ‘‘ I’m going to hold you, anvhow, till I’m sure about ir, Take them down, officers, and Vl telepbone at once for the chief,” The prisoners were dragged away, and the sergeant stepped to a ’phone.” ‘““Two prisoners brought in!” he said, when the usual preliminaries had been gone through with, “They are charged with the Cottrell robbery, Better come down at once,” Less than twenty minutes later an important personage entered the room, It was the chief in person, He heard what had taken place, and drew Broadway Billy aside and engaged him in a con- versation that lasted for an bour, The result was, that when Biily and his ‘* nards ” left the office Billy wore the badge of a private officer. He had work to do on the mor- row, ‘‘Sweet pertaters!” he cried, slapping Skinny on the back, “ain’t this rich! Here we haven't been here jong enough to say How d’e do, but see the streak of luck we have tumbled into,” CHAPTER XVI. THE MYSYERY MADE CLEAR, THE next day was an important one in the career of Brondway Billy, He had been givev authority to go ahead in the Cottrell mystery, since the chiet bad heard his ideas and approved of them, There were some things which Billy bad de- sired to know, and which, he thought, had a good deal of bearing upon the case, and he meant to find out if he could, " He was in possession of the only real clew that had been discovered, and it was but justice that he should be given a chance to follow it up, since he had already more than half won the battle, ‘ , Things he wanted to know in particular were-— What had taken Mr, Cottrell from his home on that particular night, and what had been going on at the house. where he had spent that night, Billy bad the name and address of the man with whom Mr, Cottrell had spent the night, and knew that it was a gentleman against whom vo suspicion could attach, He bad been a friend of Cottrell’s in their younger days, When Billy set out upon bis work that morn- ing he was aware that other detectives were watching him, but be did not let that trouble him. Roger and Skiony were with bim, ready to perform any duty to which he might seo fit to assign to them, } His first call was at the Cottrell residence, where he entered alone, He was shown into a room, where he found Mr, Cottrell pacing up and down the flour, an open letter in bis hand,
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The man was pale, worn, and now greatly ex- cited. ‘* Who are you?” he demanded. ‘‘ What do you want?’ “Tam from Police Headquarters,” Billy an- swered, ‘I am here with news for you, sir.” ‘*News? Ha! what is it?” **The men who robbed your safe have been arrested,” ‘*Pab! What care I for the robbers? I want the murderer of my child!” ‘* Well, we are on track of that, too, Hope to have the guilty one before this day closes,” ‘Then the robbers did not do the deed?” ‘* No,” Billy answered; and immediately ask- ed: ‘* Do you know this writing, Mr. Cottrell?” He handed him the letter he had taken from the pocket of Mark Windam. Mr. Cottrell read it, and an exclamation es- caped him, He compared it with the one he held in his hand. ‘The writing is the same!” he cried. ‘‘ This P. H. isthe same person who has written to me. Here, see for yourself.” Billy took the other letter and read: *““MARVEN CoTTRELL:— ‘*My resenge has been taken. How do you en- joy it? You little knew that a hand you have taken a hundred times in friendship was the band of your deadliest foe. Soit was. You can never discover who I am, and when next we grasp hands in greet- ing I shall smile within to think how I have wrun your heart. The murderer of your daughter will never be discovered. Your Hrppen For.” “Sweet pertaters!” Billy exclaimed, when he had read it; ‘' this is getting hot, now. Say, do we knew any one who answers to the initials ‘ H,” The man repeated the letters several times. ‘“‘T know of only one person,” he answered, ‘* but it is impossible that she—” ‘* Who is it?’ Billy interrupted impatiently. ‘““Why, the wife of my friend Hoffham— Philla Hoffham.” ‘Sweet pertaters and ginger snaps!” Billy cried, as he whirled around on his heel in his old-time boyish way. ‘This thing is gettin’ hoiiter ’n’ hotter, every step. It suits my guess right to a T,” ‘* What are you getting at?” ‘Answer a question first. What required you to go to visit Hoffham on that particular night?” ‘“‘Why, his wife was going out, and as we were both fond of chess we thought it would be a good plan to have a night together. He in- vited me to come,” At that moment another personage invaded the reom. lt was Brandland the detective, He glanced at Billy sharply, before speaking, and then said:, ‘*The police have made a discovery, Mr, Cot- treli. May, I speak out before,this young man?” “* He is from the police, and has told me about it, unless you have something very recent, sir.” ‘* The robbers have been taken, and the proof against them is solid. But they deny all knowl- edge of the murder.” ** So this young man has just informed me,” ‘*Them you,” to Billy, ‘‘ are—” ‘* Broadway Billy of New York city, an’ no- body else, sir!” But why dwell upon it in detail? Breadway Billy had the right clew, but to fol- low his steps in carrying it out were to exceed the limit of this narrative. His playing was shrewa, and his judgment unerring. He was, however, too late in one direction, The guilty one was warned of ber danger, and when wanted, she was found dead! She had taken her own life! Perhaps it was as well, for men adjudged her insane. The guilty one was Philla Hoffham, She, never suspected by Mr. Cottrell, had been his first wife. Putting away her child, she had afterward married Hoffham under an assumed name, She was the mother of Mark Windam, though he never knew that. She had done him favors in many ways, but always by letter, and always signing herself simply P, H. e bad come to trust P. H. as his good genius, and whatever she directed bim to do he was ever ready to doit. If he needed money, P. H. always supplied it, If he needed other help, he always got it. Yet he could never communicate with her, She seemed to know everything, aud yet wag invisible to him, As the wife of Hoffham, she moved ina high cirele, and was the friend of Cottrell and his ama dee Broadway Rilly in Denver. = daughter, seemingly. Over the daughter she seemed to have wonderful influence, and was ail the time preparing to strike a deadly blow at the heart of the young lady’s father, till at last the time was ripe for her to do so, She, as confessions, deductions and circum- stances went tv prove, saw Miss Cottrell prior to the night of the murder, and told her to meet her secretly at a certain place and hour, to par- ticipate in a great surprise for her father, At the same time it was she who had made up the arrangement for Mr. Cottrell to visit ber hus- band, to which he unwittingly lent help. Cottrell bad been a frequent visitor there, and she had learned that he carried his keys in the pocket of his light overcoat. She took them, and went to the bank and unlocked doors and safe, There she concealed herself until Windam and Towser had committed the theft. After that she hurried to keep her appointment with Miss Cottrell, and by a plausible story lured her to the bank, and there shot her with her own hand, The weapon was the same one with which she afterward took her own life. Holding the position she did, she had no thougbt that suspicion could ever point to her as the guilty one, and so felt secure enough to send the note to the man she had so fiendishly wronged, as shown, And, too, the last writing that ever left her pen was a note to Windam un- der the old initials, In it she confessed that she was his mother, but would not make her identity known, telling him that he would never hear from her again. The writing of Mrs. Hoffham and the mysterious P, H. were identical in all respects, Iv had been quick work, Before the body of the murdered gir) was Jaid to rest, the murder- ess was cold in death, Providence had been prompt in bringing tbe truth to light. Windam and Towser could not be held for the murder, of course, but they were destined to suf- fer the full penalty for the crimes they had done, And Broadway Billy—he could not be shown honor enough. His name was upon every lip. He and his “‘ pards” were the heroes of the hour, and the newspapers were full of the case, giving all credit to therm, Billy bore it all as modestly as possible, **T s’pose they’ll let up when they get tired,” he observed toSkinny. ‘Here we haven’t been in Denver long enough to bang up our hats yet, but see the fuss folks are makin’ over us, Would- n’t wonder if they made us a present of the whole city yet, my gay and festive dumpling,” ‘* Yet it was more dumb luck than anything else,” Skinny declared. ‘* T don’t know about that ’ar,” disputed Roger. ‘*Tt wasn’t no dumb luck that sent ye to my res- cue in sech a burry.” And everybody else, too, was evidently op- ‘posed to the lads on that question, Billy’s record of the past was enough, even had he not done anything at all, But, they were not done yet, Indeed they had done so much that Denver soon made other work for them. ‘*We are the people!” cried Billy, when he and his companions finally got back to their room at the humble hotel, and he threw up his hat with all his boyish enthusiasm, ‘‘ We are still on the wheels, you bet! and going ’round the circle in a dizzy whil-whirl. I feel it in my istol finger that there’s going to be a grand u’stification in some direction. I’ve made up my mind, my gay and festive pards, that in this town there’s fun enough for more circus than was ever dream’d of in our spellin’-books; and while we are into it we may as well make all the glory and shiners we can, We'll take a breath- ing-spell for awhile, and see the sights, and then the combination will be open to engagements. What say, pards?” mt say count me in!” answered Skinny, smil- ingly. ‘An’ yer’ the same, Billy, Yer uncle sez stay.” Avia they. dic. THE END, Beadle’s Dime Library. BY WM. G. PATTEN, 663 The Giant ee or, Sold to Satan. 656 Old Plug Ugly. the Rough and Ready. 648 Gold Glove Gid, the Man of Grit, 641 Aztec Jack, the Desert Nomad, 631 Colonel Cool, the Santa Fe Sharp. 602 Captain Nameless, the Mountain Mystery. 571 Old Dismal, the Range Detective. 545 Hustler Harry, the Cowboy Sport. 270 Andros, the Rover; or, The Pirate’s Daughter. BY NED BUNTLINE. 657 Lovg Tom, the Privateer. 633 The Sea Spy. 621 The Red Privateer; or, The Midshipman Rovez. 584 Fire Feather, the Buecaneer King. 517 Buffalo Bill's First Trail. 261 Tombstone Dick, the Train Pilot. 22 Saul Sabberday, the Idiot Spy. 111 The Smuggier Captain; or, The Skipper’s Crime, 61 Captain Seawaif, the Privat-er, 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, mF 14 Thayendanegea,the Scourge; or, The War-Eagle, = i BY CAPTAIN HOWARD HOLMES. y 664 Monk Morel, the Man-Hun‘er. 654 Sol Sphinx, the Ferret Detective. 642 Red Pard and Yellow 608 Silent Sam, the Shadow Sphinx. 592 Captain Sid, the Shasta Ferret. fn) 579 Old Cormorant t. e Bowery Shadow. 569 Captain Cobra, the Hooded Mystery. 559 Danton, the Shadow Sharp. } 550 Silk Hand, tie Mohave Ferret. f 543 The Magnate Detective. 582 Jack Javert, the Independent Detective. 623 Reynard of Red Jack: or, The Lost Detective, 512 Captain Velvet’s Big Stake. 505 Phil Fox, the Genteel Spotter, 496 Richard Redtire, the Two Worlds’ Detective. 487 Sunshine Sam, a Chip of the Old Block. 480 Hawkspear, the Man with a Secret. 468 Coldgrip in Deadwood, 460 Captain Coldgrip, the Detective 453 Captain Coldgrip’s Long Trail. 447 Volcano, the Frisco Spy. 441 The California Sharp. = 434 Lucifer Lynx, the \ onder Detective, mf 421 Father Ferret, the Frisco Shadow. 4 413 Captain Coldgrip in New York. 407 Captain Coldgrip’s Nerve; or, Injun Nick. 400 Captain Coldgrip; or, The New York Spetter. ; 892 The Lost Bonanza: or, The Boot of Silent Hound. f 382 The Bonanza Band; or, Dread Don of Cool Clan, 374 Major Blister, the Sport of Two Cities. 365 Keen Kennard, the Shasta Shadow, 352 The Desperate Dozen. 347 Denver Duke, the Man with “ Sand.” 340 Cool Conrad, the Dakota Detective. 335 Flash Dan, the Nabob; or, Blades of Bowie Bar, 821 California Claude, the Lone Bandit. d 294 Broadcloth Burt. the Denver Dandy. ; 278 Hercules Goldspur, the Man of the Velvet Hand, BY LIEUT. A, WK. SIMS. 666 Old Adamant, the Man of Rock. 618 Kansas Kerl, the Detective King 552 Prince Primrose, che Flower of the Flock 528 Huckleberry, the Foot-Hills Detective. BY OLL COOMES. 619 Kit Bandy & Co , the Border Detectives. 148 One-Armed Alf, the Giant Hunter. co 1387 Long Beard, the Giant Spy. 99 The Giant Rifleman: or, Wild Camp Life. 51 Red Rob, the Boy Road-Agent, 48 Jdaho 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. MISCELLANEOUS, 566 The Dauntless Detec:ive; or, The Daughter Avenger. By Tom W. King. 4 542 The Ocean Drift; or, The Fight for Two Lives, | By A. F’. Holt. 584 Green Mountain Joe: or, The Counterfeiter’s “ Cave. By Marmaduke Dey. H 518 Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred. By J. W. i sbon, ss 410 Sarah Brown, Detective. By K. F, Hill. 366 The Telegraph Detective. By George H. Morse. 5 853 Bart Brennan; or, The King of Straight Flush, f By John Cuthbert, ee 850 Flash Falcon, Society Detective. By W. J. Cape. ’ 812 Kinkfoot Karl, tbe Mountain Sceurge. By Mor- ris Redwing. ; 275 The Smuggler Cutter, By J.D. Conroy. i 261 Black Sam, the Prairie Thunderbolt. By Col, " Jo Yards. c t 190 The Three Guardsmen. By Alexander Dumas. 179 Conrad, the Convict. By Prof. Gildersleeve, 166 Owlet, the Robber Prince. By S. R. Urban. | 158 The Doomed Dozen. By Dr. Frank Powell : 152 Captain Ironnerve, the Counterfeiter Chief. j 146 The Doctor Detective. By George Lemuel. a 144 The Hunchback of Notre Dame. By Victor Hugo, itt 140 The Three Spaniards. By Geo. Walker. AL 133 Rody the Rover. By William Careton. ey ‘ 125 The Blacksmith Outlaw. By H. Ainsworth. Ak 110 The Silent Rifleman. By H. W..Herbert. Pap 102 The Masked Band. By George L. Aiken. ms 78 The Mysterious Spy. By Arthur M. Grainger. sath 76 The Queen’s Musketeers. By George Albany. of 68 The Fighting Trapper. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams, vt 60 Wide Awake, the Robber King. By F. Dumont. 32 B’hoys of Yale: or, The Scrapes of Collegians, 11 Midshipman Easy. By Captain Marryatt. 10 Vidocq, the French Police Spy. By himself. 9 Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover. 6 Wildcat Bob. By Edward L. Wheeler. A new issue every Wednesday. Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mail om receipt of twelve cents each. BEADLE & ADAMB, Publisiers, 98 William street, New York,
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4 f eee Sc 481 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Deadwood; or, Moll Mys- tery. By E. L. Wheeler. 82 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan; or, The Search for the Hidden Cache. By Oil Coomes. Ferrets Afloat; or, Wizard Will’s Last Case. By Oolonel Prentiss Ingraham. Comanche Dick and His Three Invincibles; or, Yankee Eph’s Prairie Cruise. By H. F, Thomas. 485 Git Thar Owney the U known; or, The Boy Oarsman-Detective’s Double Pull. By GC. Jenks 486 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkler; or, The Tribunal of Ten, By Edward L. Wheeler. 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger; or, The Young King of the Gold Mines. By Col. P. Ingraham. Wild Dick Racket; or, How He Fought for Honor. By Chas. Morris. 489 The Diamond Sport; or, The Double Face of Bed gp By Wm. G. Patien. Breadway Billy, the Bootblack. Bravo; Brought to Bay by a Bold Boy, drick. Deadwood Dick Jr.’s rea) or, Prince Pis- tol, the King of the West. By KE. L. ‘Wheeler. or, By J. C. Cow- 402 Git Thar Owney’'s Pledge; Ugly Brood. 493 Taos Ted, the Arizona Sport; or, Boston Bob’s Checkmate. By Albert W. Aiken. 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective; or, The Black Bluffs Mystery. By Jo Pierce. 495 Arizona Joe, the Boy Pard of Texas Jack. Gol. Prentiss Ingraham. 496 Deadwood Dick Jr.’s Inheritance; Cristc, Jr. By E. L. Wheeler. 497 Buck Taylor. King of the Cowboys; or, The Raiders and the Rangers. By Col. P. Ingraham. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Luck; or, Cap- tain No Name’s Mission. By J. W. Osbon. 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport; or, the Girl Protegee of Red Flash. By T.C. Harbaugn. 600 Deadwood Dick’s Diggings, or, Doctor Death Grip’s Swoop. By E. L. Wheeler. 501 Boets, the Boy Fireman; or, too Sharp for the Sharpers. By Charles Morris. 602 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret; or, The Octopus League of New York. By T. C. Harbaugh. 503 The Royal Middy; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 504 Five Points Phil, the Pavement Prince; Caught in the Spider’s Web. By Jo Pierce. 505 Powell’s Pard; or, The One-Armed Giant. Major H. B. Stoddard, Ex-Scout. 506 Redlight Ralph, the Prince of the Road; or, A Wild Night’s iid Work. By J. C. Cowdrick. 507 The Hunted Midshipman; or, The Young Sea Ranger. By Col. P. ngrabam. 508 Deadwood Dick’s Deliverance; or, Fata) Foot- steps. By E. L. Wheeler. 609 Jack Jaggers, the Butcher Boy Detective. Jo Pierce. 510 Cool ten aah the Half-Breed Detective. By A. or, The Owls’ Nest By Geo. C. Jenks. By or, Monte or, By By 512 bodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective; or, Jack o’ Diamonds and his Game. By T.C. Harbaugh. 518 The Demon Doctor; or, Deadhold, the Kid De- tective. By George CG. Jenks. 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle; or, Clearing up a Strange Case. “By J. C. Cowdrick. 515 Deadwood Dick’s Proregee; or, Baby Bess, the Girl Gold Miner. ByE. 1. Whesler.- 616 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerie. By Jo Pierce. 517 Jim Gladden’s Deputy; or, The Jolly Pard’s All- For-Love Campaign. By P. 8. Warne. 518 Cool Colorado in New York; or, the Cowboy’s Fight for a Million. By A. WA y 619 Ga om Mystery; or, Five in ey ‘By ‘Wm. G. 520 Buakskin Bill, the Comanche Shadow; or, A Grimson Trail. By Col. P. ngrabam. $21 Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge; or, The Gold Gan of Gatham. By T. C. Harbaugh: & 522 Deadwood cape ’s Three; or, The “ Bellerin’ Bull ” of Bismarck. By E. L. Wheeler. 523 The Dandy Sport; or, The King Pin Conspirator. By Col. A. F. Holt. 5% The Engineer Detective; or, Redlight Ralph’s Reselve. By J. C. Cowdrick. 525 Brothers in Buckskin; or, Tangled Trails in Texas. By Ool. P. Ingraham. 526 North River Nat, the Pier Detective; or, Five Points Phil’s Big Skirmish. By Jo. Pierce. 527 The Jolly Pards to the Rescue; or, The Jack Beadle’s Half-Dime Library 582 The Cowboy Duke; Mission. By E, B. Forrest. Wres'ling Rex, the Pride of the Sixth Ward; or Five Points Philand the Birds of Prey. By Jo. Pierce. Deadwood Dick’s Death Hunt; the Transgressor, By BE. L. Wheeler. 585 The Buckskin Rovers; or, The Prairie Fugitive. By Col. P. Ingraham. Broadway Billy’s “ Diffikilty ’; or, Old Rodman’s Millions. By J. C. Cowdrick. 587 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow; or, Against Desperate Odds. By Jobn W. Osbon, 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret; or, The Trail of a Missing Hand. By T. C. Harbaugh. 539 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Texas; or, The Ghouls of Galveston. By E. L. Wheeler. 540 Captain Ku Klux, the Marauder of the Rio; or, The Buckskin Pard’s Strange Quest. By Colone Prentiss Ingraham. 541 Jeff Flicker, the Stable Boy Detective; or, The Lively Racket in Jericho. By Jo Pierce. 842 The Canyon Pards; or, Cimarron Jack’s Last Hunt. By Fred Dewey. 5848 Dodger Dick’s Double; or, The Rival Boy Detec- tives. By T. C. Harbaugh. 544. Deadwood Dick Jr., the Wild West Vidocq; or, Leonora the Locator. By E. L. Wheeler. 645 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte; or, The Buc- caneers of Barrataria. By Col. P, Ingraham. 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock; or, Josh Peppermint’s Ten Strike. By Lieut. A. K. Sims. S47 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down. By P.S. Warne. Mart, the Night Express Detective; or, The Mys- tery at Springside. By J. C. © owdrick, 549 Deadwood Dick on His Mettle; or, Captain Crim- son-Cowl, the Road Raider. By ik. L. Wheeler, Lafitte’s Legacy; or, The Avenging Son. By Col. P. Ingraham. Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow; or, The Old Well Mystery. By Jo Pierce. 552 Aric] the Athlete; or, the Ring Detective’s Trans- formation. By David Druid. Dodger Dick’s Desperate Case; or, Sharper than the Sharps. By T. C. Har baugh. Deadwood Dick Jr. in Gotham; or, Unraveling a Twisted Skein. By E. L. Wheeler, 555 The Creole Corsair; or, The Golden Wings of the Gulf. By Col. P. ingraham. Lariat Lil; or, The Cast for a Life. Warne. Broadway Billy’s De “ath Racket; 0 Arab’s Wake. By J. C. Cowdrick. 558 The Sure Shot Pards; or, The Marked Thirteen. By A. C. Grissom. 559 Harlem Jack, the Cousin's Crime. 534 or, The Way of By P.S r, The Street Office Bov Detective; or, The By Jo Pierce. 560 Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shadower; or, The Gold Queen’s Secret. By Col. P. Ingraham. The Bad Man from Wapsipinnicop. By ou Coomes. 563 Dodger Dick, the Boy Vidoeq; or, The Gang of Three. By T. 0. Harbaugh. 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner; or, The Man with- out a Past. By J. W. Osbon. 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King; or, The Owls of the Overland. By Col. P. Ingraham. 566 The Seeret Service Boy Detective; or, Tony Blink’s First Scoop. By ©. Morris. 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia; or, The Wild West Detective’ among the By E. L. Wheeler. 568 The Dandy of Dedge; or, Rustling for Millions. By A. K. Sims. 569 Brooklyn Ben, The On-his-own-hook Detective; or, Ned C hester’s Very Bad Case, By Jo. Pierce. 570 Camille, the Card Queen; or, The Skeleton Trail. By Col. P, Ingraham. 571 Air-Line Luke, the Engineer Detective; or, The Double Case. By J. C. Cowdrick. 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago; or, The Anarch- ist’s Daughter. By E. L. Wheeler. 578 The Two Shadows; or, Dodgder Dick's Stop Game. By T. C. Harbaugh. 574 Old Weasel-Top, the Man with the Dogs; or, Sandy Andy’s Life Run. By P. 8S. Warne. 575 The Surgeon-Seout Detective; or, Running Down the King. By Col. P. Ingraham. 576 The Silver “port; or, Josh Peppermint’s Jubilee. By Lieut. A. K. Sims. rooks. or, Lasso Louis’s Strange |! the Pitcher Detective; By Geo, OC. Jenks. The Man From Jersey. Double-Curve Dan, Against Heavy Odds, Dodger Dick’s Drop; or, By T. C. Harbaugh. Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow; or, Tigers of No Man’s Lass, By Lieut, A. K. Sims. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver; or, Cool Kate, The Queen of Crooks. By E. L. Wheeler Will Waters, the Boy Ferret; or, Marked With a Triangle. By H. Enton. 586 The Buckskin Avenger; By Col. P. Ingraham. 587 Old Bombshell, the Ranger Detective; or, The Bad Man of White Hoss. By Wm. G. Patten. Jack O’Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector; or, The Friend Indeed. By Jo Pierce. 589 Tom Cat and Pard:; or, The Dead-Set at Silver City. By Lieut. A. K. Sims. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decree; or, The Prince of Purgatory Pass. By E. L. Wheeler, Delmonte, the Young Sea Rover; or, The Aveng- ing Sailor. By Col. P. Ingraham. 592 The Boy Pinkerton; or, How Tom Hildreth Run the Rascals Out. By J. C0. Cowdrick. 593 Keen Clem, the Ranch Imp; or, Jim Reardon's Big Trouble. By P. 8. Warne. Little Lon. the Street-Singer Detective; or, Kit Christopher's Missing Link. By T. C. Harbaugh. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin; or, The Old Man of Mount Mab. By E. L. Wheeler. 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. By Charles Morris. 597 The Young Texan Detective; Bravos. By Col. P Ingraham, Flute, the Singer Detective; or, Git Thar Owney in a New Role. By Geo. C. Jenks. 599 Jim Dandy, the No-Name_ Sport; Harry’s Hurrah Pards. 600 Deadwood Dick Jr. at Coney Island; or, The * Piping” of Polly Pilgrim. By E. L. Wheeler. Happy Hans, the Dutch Vidoeq; or, Red-Hot Times at Round- -up. By Lieut, A. K. Sims. 602 The Vagabond of the Mines. Ingraham. 608 Wide-Awake Bert, the Pierce, 604 Tron Fern, the Man of Fire; or, The Deve Among the Vultures. By Wm. G. Patten, 605 William O° Broadway ; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning. By J. C. C towdrick, 606 Deadwood Dick Jr’s eee A Lay; and Bucket's Boom. By KE, L. W heeler. 607 The Rover Detective; or, io Kit’s Champions. By Col. P. Ingraham. 608 The Pitcher Detective’s Foil; or, Double-Curve Dan’s Double Play. By Geo, 0, Jenks. 609 Bolly Dorrit, the Veteran Detective: Lightning’s Invincibles, 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sharp on Guard, By T. C, Harbaugh. or, The or, Pawnee Bill’s Pledge. or, The Black 598 or, Happy By P. 8. Warne. 601 By Col, Prentiss Street Steerer. By Jo or, Bristol or, Little By John W. Osbon. Tables on Satan. By Edward L, Wheeler. 618 Billy Blazes; or, The Skeleton’s Strange-Legacy. By P. 8. Warne, 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid; er, The Queer OC. mbination, By Jo Pierce. 615 Fighting Harry, the Chief of Chained Oy eons or, The Heathen Chinee’s Mission, By J. Cowdrick. 616 The Sailor Detective; or, The Last Ordise of the Black Bear. By Geo. O. Jenks. 617 Ralph, the Death-Shot Scout; or, The Raiders and Red Riders of the Rio, By Col. P. Ingraham, 618 Deadwood Dick Jr. in_ Cincinnati; The Clincher Campaign, By E. L. Wheeler. Detective; or, The Double Grip ym, G. Patten. or, 619 The Boy Hi hes Witness. By V $20 Little Lightning’s League; or, The Mystery of By John , Osbon. 621 Truthful James, the “Pecooliar ”* Man; er, The Spoiler Dispoiled. By A. C. Grissom, 622 Texas Tom-Cat’s Triad; or, The Queer Affair at Tombstone. By Lieut. ‘a. K. Sims, 633 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Hummer; or, The Old Captain’s Moving Miracle. By Jo Pierce. 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Nevada; or, The Preacher of Pokerville By Edward L. Wheel eeler, 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Treiler; or, The Hero of the Crater. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 626 The Champion Pards; or, The Lucifer of Silver Bar. By T. C . Harbaugh, 627 Tom Bruce of Arkansas; or, The Wolf in the Fold. By Charles Morris. the Island. } of Hearts. By P. 8. 528 Fox and Falcon, the Bowery Shadows; or, Suspicious Lodger. By Jo. Pierce. 628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Acts or, The League of ror W. Aike 561 Deadwood Dick in Boston; or, The Cool Case. | 611 Bildad Barnacle, thea Detective Hercules; or, 511 The ai le Middy; or, the Young Patriot Sea By E. L. Wheeler. The Tussle at Table Mountain. By A. K. Sims. Ranger. By Col. P. Ingraham. 562 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trapper; or, | 612 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Detroit: or, Turning the Warne. 577 Pavement Pete, the Secret-Sifter; or, Mrs. Ingle’s owdrick, att Trapping for HumanGame. By T.C. Harbaugh. the Sworn Seven, By J. C ape 578 Deadwood Dick, Jr.. Afloat; or, The Prisoner of | g99 Violet Vane, the Velvet Sport; or, The Jubilee of ‘ty 529 ae mck ie + yo or, The Owls the Weird Isles.’ By E. L. Wheeler. Jacktown. ‘By Wm. G. Peveen, ’ De f Orego tsi) 530 The Bueks!: Pirates | 579 The Chimney Spy; or, Broadway Billy’s Surprise | 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in No Man's Land; or, Gol- of the Rio Grande wBy Col, terabatn: she's Party. By J. z Cowdrick. conda, the Gladiator. By Edward L. eeler. tan 531 Daisy Dare, the Snort from Denver or, The Toll | 580 The Outcast Cadet; or. The False Detective. By | 631 Tom Cat's Terrible Task; or, The Cowboy Detec- my 1 Takers of Colorado. By W. G. Patien. Col. P. Ingraham. tive’s Own Case. By Lieut, A. K. Sims, , ¢ Wh) : oe - re “i Re ah } 3 a pi ; i) ak re FAN a Us \ \ RSPR eee BER el vai ti) SONNE Pa ie Na i = a3 ; (fo r , ‘ atv, Lil Abt ‘ a muy q fet | PL iat A , } a ie : iets i" . ih
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_ 682 The Dead Detective’s Double. By Gerald Carlton, 633 Plucky Paul, the Boav Prospector; or, The Dead- wood Desperaco’s L .st Innings. By J. W. Osbon, 634 Cache Carl, the Chico Gant; or, The True Hearts of Reu E,e Rvost. By Buckskin Sam. 685 Oklahoma Hi, the Plue-Coat Scout; or, The Boomer’s Last Battle. Ly P. S$. Warne. 686 Deadwood Dick, Jr. After the Queer; cr, Saw- dust Sam’s Last Green Game. By Edward L. Wheel-r. 637 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective. By T. C. Harbaugb. 638 Tom Cat's Triumph; or, Black Ivan’s Great Combine. By Lieut. A, K. Sims. 639 Sunrise Saul, the Bxpress-Train Ferret. By Jo Pierce. 640 Bareb?ck .Beth, the Centaur of the Circle. By J. C. Cowdrick. 641 Dismal Dave’s Dandy Pard; or, The Clew to Captain Ciaw. By »: illiara G. Patten, 642 Dead vood Dick, Jr. in Buffalo; or, 4-11-44, By Edward L, Wheeler. 643 taal Harry‘s Big Find; or, The Beautiful Jezebel’s Last Stake. By P. 8. Warne. 644 The Hercules Highwayman; or, The Mounted Miners of the Overland. By Col P. Ingraham, 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. By T. C. Harbaugh. 646 Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective; or, ‘rhe Grand Corral at Cross-Notch. By Lieut, A. K. Sims. 647 Typewriter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward; or, Amateur Detective against Professional. By J. C. Cowdrick. 648 Deadwoo’ Dick Jr's. Chase Across the Conti- nent. By Edward L. Wheeler. 649 Gamin Bob, the Bowery Badger; or, Scooping a Slippery Set. By Jo Pierce. 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Rider Detective; or, Buffalo Bills Boy Pard, By Col. P. Ingraham. 651 Bound-Boy Frank the Young Amateur Detective, By William G, Patten, 652 Don Barr, the Plain’s Freelance. By Oll Coomes, 653 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. By T. C. Har- baugh. 654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. By Edward L, Wheeler, 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. By C. Morris. 656 Butterfly Billy’s Man Hunt, By Colonel Prentiss Ingrabam., 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank, By Lieut. A. K. Sims. 658 Sky-R -cket Rob, the Life-Saver; or, The Storm- Waif of Gi_nt’s Boot. By Jo Pierce. 659 Moonlight Morgan, the *‘ Pizenest ’? Man of Ante Bar; or, Cibuta Jolin’s Champion Chase, By J. C. Cowdrick. 660 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s., Insurance Case; or, Corraling a Cunning Trio. By Ed. L, Wheeler. 661 Old Kit Bandy's Deliverance; or, Banner Ben, the Wildfire of the Prairies. By Oll Coomes. 662 Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza; or, The Specter Soldier of the Uverland. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 663 Violet Vane’s Victory; or, The Jaspar City Clean Out. By William G, Patten. 664 Cheeky Charley, the Special; or, The Life Racket at Rattlesnake Rid e. By P. S. Warne. 665 Jolly Jeremiah, the Plains Detective; or, Warbling William’s Home Run. By Lieut. A. K. Sims. 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Buck in the Mines; or, The Mountain Amazon’s Double Game. By Edward L, Wheeler, 667 Bob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives; or, Gamin Spies’ Big Stase. By Charles Morris. 668 The Buccaneer Midshipman; or, The Sea Rover's Ruse. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 669 Broadway Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack Bravo in San Francisco. By J. C. Cowdrick. 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer; or, The Rival Rauchmen, By Oll Coomes. 671 Jersey Jed, the Boy Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower. By T. C. Harbaugh. 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Durango; or, ‘ Gathered In” By Edward L, Wheeler. 673 Ralph Renwoo4, the Lightning Express Detec- tive. By A F, Holt. 674 The Wizard Sailor; or, Red Ralph, the Rover. By Colonel Prenti-s Ingraham. 675 Broadway Billy’s Best: or, Beating San Fran- cisco’s Finest. By.J. C, Cowdrick. 676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scovt; or, The Tussle at the Big Bonanza. By Lieut. A. K, Sims. 677 Chincapiu Dan’s Second Trail; or. The Baffled Black Hawk’s Fate. B 7 Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 678 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s, Discovery; or, Found a Fortune. By Edward 1. Wheeler. 679 ‘he Sea Shadower; or, The Freebooter’s Legacy. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. The 680 Dauntless Dan, the Freelance; or, Old Kit Bandy in Arcadia. By Oll Coomes. 681 The Pitcher Detective’s Toughest Tussle; or, Double Curve Dan’s Dead Ball. By Georgo C. Jenks. 382 Wild Vulcan, the Long Range Rider. By William G. Patten. 683 Saltpeter Sol, the New York Navigator; or, The Unseen Enemy. By Jo Pierce, 684 Deadwood Dick’s Dazzle; or, The Nemesis of Nutmeg Bonanza. By Edward L. Wheeler. 685 Happy Hugh, the Boy Musician Detective; or, Bre’ king the Eureka Spider's Wed. Ly T. C. Harbaugh, 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag; or, The Tarnished Name. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, 687 Broadway Billy in Clover; cr, Tre Ruction at Lake Tulare. By J. C, Cowdrick, 688 Chincapin Dan’s Home Stretch; or, The Con- spirators of No Man’s Land. By Joseph E, Badger, Jr. 689 Billy, the Gypsy Spy; or, Working out The Mys- tery of Two Lives, By Lieut, A, K. Sims. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s, Do lars; or, The Humming Bird of Honeysuckle. By Edward L. Wheeler, 691 Headlight Harry’s Haul; or, The Railroad Pards’ hig Day. By A. F. Holt. 692 The Rival Sharps: or, Redfern, the Secret Ser- vice Scout. By Col. P. Ingraham. 693 Violet and Daisy, the Posy Pords; or, The Racket at Red Hot. Ry Wm, G. Patten. 694 Spicy Jim, the Only One of His Kind; or, Head- ing Off the Crooks, By Jv Pierce, 695 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide; or, De- veluping the Dead Secret. By E, L. Wheeler, 696 Broadway Billy in Texas; or, Rounding Up the Red River Rustler: By J, C. Cowdrick, 697 The Scarlet Sombrero; or, The Sharp from Texas. By Col. P. Ingraham, 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without a Head; or, Light- heart Luie’s Clean Sweep. By Jos, E, Badger, Jr. 699 Simple Sim, the Broncho Buster; or, Playing the Fool for Big Stakes. By Lieutenant A. K. Sims, 700. Deadwood Dic, Jn ’s, Drop; or, The Sojourn at Satan’s Spring. By Edward L. Wheeler, 701 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp; or, The Fight to the Finish. By T. C. Harbaugh. 702 Blue Jacket Bill; or, The Red Hat Ranger’s Red Hot Racket. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 703 Broadway Billy’s Brand; or, The New York Delegates in Hard-up Camp. By J. C. Cowdrick, 704 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot: or, Making Crooked Things S.raight. By Ed, L. Wheeler. 705 Violet Vane’s Vow: or, The Crafty Detective’s Craft. By William G. Patten. 706 Tom Thistle, the Road-House Detective; or, The Harlem Sport’s Star-Faced Pacer. By Jo rierce. 707 The Red Sombrero Rangers; or. Redfern’s Last Trail. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 708 Light-Heart Lute’s Legacy; or, The Lucky Lad’s Winning Hand. By JosephE Badgcr, Jr, 709 The Curbstone Detective; or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat. By Cnarles Morris, 710 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in San Francisco; or, Kodak Kate, the Snap Shot. By Edward L. Wheeler. 711 Broadway Billy at Santa le; or, The Pard De tectives’ Clever Deal. By J. C, Cowdrick. 712 The Mesmerist Sport: or, The Mystified Detec- tive. By Lieut. A. K. Sims. 718 Carl, the Mad Cowboy: or, The Lariat Queen, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 714 Old Misery, the Man from Missouri; or, The Mystery of the Mountain League. By Wm, G. Patten. 715 Wide Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferret; or, Caging the Cormorants. By T. C. Harbaugh. 716 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Still Hunt; or. The Sec- ond Round in San Francisco. By Edward L, Wheeler. 717 Mosquito Jac’. the Hustler Gamin; or, Move-on Mike s Grand Catch. By Jo Pierce. 718 Light-Heart Lute’s Last Trail: or The Gold Crater’s Secret. By Joseph E. Badger. Jr. 719 Pawne? Bill’s Pledge; or, The Cowboy Kidnap- per. By Col Prentiss Ingraham, 720 Broadway Billy’s Full Hand; or, The Gamin De- tective’s Double Snap at Santa Fe. By J. C. Cowdrick. | Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double 721 Maverick Mose. the Arizona Detective; or, The Wizard of Urkos Pass. Ly Wall Lisenbee. 722 Deadwood Dick, Jr.‘s, Dominres; or, The Rival Camps cf the Northern Borcer. By Edward L. Wheeler. 723 Silverblade, the Sheshene; or, The Border Beagie’s Secret Mission, By Jos, E, Badger, Jr. 24 Violet Vane's Vengeance; or, The Wipe-Out at Wuite Water, By William G, Patten. 725 Daring Dick, Pa~nee Bill’s Pard; or, The Red Cavalry Raid. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 726 Dennis Duff, the Brown Sport’s Kid; or, The Covers and Blinds of Gotham. By Jo Pierce. 727 Headlight Harry’s Siren; or, Mad Madge, the Outlawv Queen, By Col. A. F. Hoit. 728 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Disguise; or, Ivan, the Man of Iron. By Edward L. Wheeler. 729 Silverblade, the Half-Blood; or, the Border Beagle at Bay. By Jos. BE. Badger, Jr. 730 Violet Vane’s Verdict; or, The Crooked Game at Coffin City. By Wm, G. Patten. 731 Ruth Redmond, the Girl Sbhadower: or, The Rivals in Buckskin. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 732 Daisy Dell, the Pavement Detective: or, Trap- ping Big Game. By T. C. Harbaugh. 733 Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector: or, Unearthing the Cavern League, By Lieut. A. K. Sims, 734 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Deal; or, The All- Around Surprise, By Edward L. Wheeler. 735 Broadway Billy’s Business; or, Waking Up Wind Canyon Camp, By J. C, Cowdrick, 736 Larry, the Thoroughbred; or, Beaten on Every side. By George C. Jenks. 737 Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive; or, Buck- skin Sam to the Rescue. By Col. Prentiss Ingra- ham. 738 Broadway Billy’s Curious Case; or, The mye terious Disappearance at Manitou Springs. By J. ©. Cowdrick, 739 Silverblade, the Hostile; or, The Border Beagle’s Ghost Trail. By Jos, E. Badger, Jr. 740 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s, Deathwatch; or, The Moving Mystery at Mexican Mustang. By Ed- ward L, Wheeler. 741 Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidoeq; or, Sport against Sport. By Wm, G. Patten. 742 Billy Winks, the Bell-Boy Detective; or, Break- ing the Meshes of the Golden Coil. By T. C. Harbaugh, 743 Buck Taylor’s Boys; or The Red Riders of the Rio Grande. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 744 Dick of the Docks, the Night-Watch; or, The Water Waif’s Dead Past. By Jo Pierce. 745 Kansas Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective; or, The Raiders of the Range. By Lieut. A. K, Sims, 746 Quiet Jack, the Secret Service Spv; or, Too uch for Red Leary. By Dan Dunning, (of the Secret Service Corps), 747 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet; or, The Tandem Team of Teddy’s Tailings. By Ed. L. Wheeler, 748 Silverblade, the Friendly; or, the Border Beagle’s Boy Pard. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 745 Dashing Charlie, the Youns Scalp-Taker; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trail. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 750 Violet Vane, the Vanquished; or, The Life Strug- gle at Shanty City, By Wm. G, Patten. 751 Gold-Dust Dan, the Trail Patrol. By John W. Osbon, 752 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathblow; or, The Little Circus at Last Chance. By Edward L. Wheeler. 753 Broadway Billy in Denver; or, The On-the-Catch Combination. By J. C. Cowdrick, 754 Billy Winks, the Boss Boy Shadow. By T. C, Harbaugh. 755 Gold Dust Dan’s Oath; or, Reckleas Roy, the Regulator. By J. W. Osbon, Ready January 12. 756 Dashing Charlie’s Destiny; or, The Renegade’s Captive. By Col. Prentiss y January 19. A new issue every Tuesday. Khe Half-Dime Library is for sale by al) Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail, on. receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers. 98 William street, New York. Paok Ss