Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 754) (1892 01 05)
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No. 754. 82:59. SR iil Hy IH CLUTCHING THE WEAPON FIRMLY, THE UNDAUNTED BILLY FACED THE FIERCE BRUTE, WAITING FOR THE SIGNAL FROM HER EQUALLY VICIOUS MASTER. APPELLEE W-OABA2To lal ; te January 5, 182, Gente, VOR RAS Willi, Vp ] = ff | Mi = hh) The Villainy That hd Not Pay. BY T. C. HARBAUGH, AUTHOR OF ‘' BUCKSKIN DETECTIVE,” ‘ PBTD FLASH,” “BOY SHADOW,” * WIDE AWAKE LEM,” ‘DAISY DELL,” ““ DODGER D1eK” NOVELS, ETC,, ETC, CHAPTER I. ONE VIOTIM CAUGHT. TOWARD the Close of a warm day two men ea- tered a room near the top of a flight of dusty steps, and carefully locked the door behind them. They were in a part of New York, where “shady ” characters abound, and the couple did not bear Many marks of good reputation. The room itself was almost devoid of furniture
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2 of every kind, and but two chairs and a rickety table greeted them when one turned on the gas. “Don’t you see that everything is working right to our hand?” remarked one of them, ‘‘ We are on the right road to the biggest fortune ever picked up in this city, and, so far asI can see, nothing can get between us.” ‘** Unless the old man himself should do that,” There was a coarse laugh. ** Which, of course, he could not doif he want- ed to,” wasthe reply. ‘‘ Timothy Turk is utter- ly incapable of doing anything of the kind, and that makes our game doubly sure,” ‘* Of course Mother Magog will never ‘* peach” on us.” **T’d like to see her do it!” and the speaker snapped his fingers, ‘*She knows better than to say anything that would give our game away, for she has heard of me before and knows what I know about her and her beautiful son.” *“'That’s a good club, Simon,” ‘““¥ want no better. Mother Magog, who is ey T acknowledge, won’t dare to say a word while 1 have that club in my hands, and that will be furever if necossai y.” Both men now took out cigars and lighted them, after which they cocked their feet upon the table and began to smoke, By and by a footstep came up the stair, and they looked at one another. **T guess that’s the captain!” saidone. ‘ Now, let me do the talking and you listen, nothing more,” The steps approached the door, and a knock was heard. Simeon Slyboots arose and opened the portal, admitting a distinguished-looking man who bow- ed rather stiffly as he came forward, *Cuptain Ortiz, this is the friend I told you about the other night,” said Simon, waving bis hand toward bis companion, who went by the name of Reck Sloper. ‘I assure you he can be trusted in every particular. Ihave the utmost confidence in him, for I have seen him tried on more than one occasion.” The man designated as, Captain Ortiz, looked like a sea-faring man and a Spaniard, for his skin was dark and his eyes of the same hue, Simon stood up to give the captain bis chair, when the new-comer said: ‘**T have the papers with me and you cau look them over. I think you will know better just what to do when you have done so,” Slyboots took the papers which the captain drew from an inner pocket and began to ex- amine them. ‘* These papers say plainly that the money be- longing to one Napoleon Gregg'will fall to the boy Tom if be should survive his grandfather,” he observed after examination, ‘* That’s exactly what they say.” “And we are to have ten thousand if the boy should not survive his grandfather?” There was a nod anda flash in the eyes that regarded Simon Slyboots and his pard, “J guess we understand one another, cap- tain,” continued Simon, ‘“You need have no alarm. By the way, how is the old gentleman?” ‘* About the same, The sea breeze did not help him one whit and he is slowly approaching death.” “There is but the one will?” ‘There is but one,” ** And the boy?—” ““He lives in expectation of being the richest kid in this city when the old man shuffles off.” ““[€ he lives he will be, of course,” was the reply. Captain Ortiz put on his hat, “*T must get back to the ship. I have business there, and now I leave everything in your hands.” ‘The confidence you repose in us shall not be misplaced.” In another moment the two rascals were alone again, **Ten thousand is but a starter,” cried Simon Slyboots, clutching Sloper’s band and grinning in bis face. ‘*We will have Captain Ortiz in our power as well as the money. Don’t you see? The boy will be nothing to handle, I have already made his acquaintance and he seems to have taken quite a fancy tome. _ Going back to his vessel, eh? That isn’t true, Reck. He isn’t a square from the house and you have eyes sharp enough to track him, Go and do it, Track him wherever he goes and don’t lose sight of bim until he does go k to the ship, if that be not till morning.” Reck Sloper bolted from the room on hunt of ‘Captain Ortiz while Simon remained a moment longer and then went out himself, locking the door behind bim. Half an hour later Simon turned up on a handsome street and seemed to take some delight in watching a fine house of three stories, Presently a boy came out and the moment Simon saw the slight figure his eyes lighted up and he went forward. ‘* Hello, Tom!” the sharp called out. The boy, who was good-looking, well built and rhaps seventeen, looked up a little startled and changed color the moment he saw who had spoken, ‘* How’s your grandfather?” asked Simon, ‘* A bout the same,” ‘* No better, no worse, eh?” ‘¢ That’s about it,” ** Where were you going? out for a walk?’ **T was about to take a stroll through the Park to catch a little fresh air; it’s so close in the house, you know.” ‘*T was going over to the other side and there is where you get the purest air,” Tom Wagner, the boy, seemed to hesitate. ** We wouldn’t be gone long and, then, I would like to talk with you, anyhow,” Somehow or other, Simon Slyboots, the black- leg, sad secured a strange ascendancy over the heir to thousands, and for some time bad been meeting him in odd places and talking about his grandfather who was dying of a singular malady which the shrewdest doctors in the city could not control, Tom could not have told why this man had gained his confidence, and it never occurred to him that he was in the pay of sucb a deep villain as Captain Ortiz, of the ship Centipede, which bad come back from the West Indies within the last few days, In a little time Tom found himself moving alongside of Simon, and both were headed to- ward the opposite side of the metropolis. All the time Simon was talking and Tom would now and then get to put in a word or two. By and by they reached a house which Simon said was occupied by a friend of his, and pro- posed that they should enter, at the same time saying that his friend was a traveler and had a museum of curiosities which he had picked up during his tours of the globe. Now, Tom Wagner was fond of looking at such things, and this overcame his hesitancy and he entered the building. Simon ushered him into a room which was rather dark and left him, , For some time the boy waited for his return, when he thought: the chamber would be lighted up, and ‘nearly an hour elapsed before he heard any noise. All at once the door opened and a woman, in- stead of Simon Slyboots, came in. ‘* Well, how are you getting along?” she asked, and the moment she spoke a sense of fear seemed to take*possession of the young heir, ** Not very well, as you might see. I am here allalone. Where is the man who left me in the dark?” ‘** Gone away.” In an instant Tom Wagner was upon his feet, “What! did he decoy me to this house and then desert me?” he exclaimed. ‘You may call it what you please, here and—” ** But [ won’t remain!” was the sudden inter- ruption, bk Couns don’t be foolish, You are here and are liable to stay some time,” the woman coolly announced, She was tall of figure and strongly built. “ T have to go back to my grandfather. He will fret himself to death over my absence and, then, I am his only heir.” You are toward Tom and looking into his face. ‘If that’s the case, I guess you’re worth keeping.” In another moment the boy had sprung to a chair, and was holding it in a menacing manner above his bead. “Get out of my way, or I will bring this chair down upon your head. I am going back home, and you sha’n’t stand between me and Grandfather Gregg.” But, instead of falling back, the woman threw out one band and caught the chair, There was a brief struggle for its possession, and in the end it was twisted from Tom Wagner's grip, and he was flung across the room, «You'll be almighty lucky if you ever see that grandfather again!” grinned the Amazon, and Tom from bis corner, half-stunned, realized that he had fallen among wolves, and that Simon Slyboots was the head monster of the pack. ** T ought to suffer for having ever listened to that oily rascal,” he thought, ‘‘ This will kill grandfather, and some one besides myself will get the fortune,” Just then the door was slaramed in his face, and he was alone in the room, ‘“You are, eh?” laughed the woman, bending | Billy Winks, the Boss Boy Shadower. r myer Fs CHAPTER II. SEND FOR THE POLICE, CAPTAIN ORTIZ, unwatched as he thought, moved down the street until he reached the first corner, which he turned abruptly and went in another direction. If he had looked back he might have discover- ed that he had Reck Sloper at bis heels, and also that Mr. Sloper was watched in turn by a boy who had the movements of a young panther, This boy was bright-faced and strong-limbed, and had the velvet step of a cat. He kept Reck Sloper in sight, and was not long finding out that he was shadowing the Cap- tain of the Centipede. Captain Ortiz kept on until he came to a com- mon-looking house, at the front door of which he knocked and was admittea. “That is right where I thought he would land,” mentally ejaculated Sloper. ‘ There is where Mother Magog holds forth, and there seems to be a connecting link between her and the Captain of the Centipede,” Mr, Sloper drew off and began to watch the house, and the boy ferret kept bis eye on him, ‘““T don’t get tired watching the two pards, for they give me a good deal to do,” the young beagle said to himself, while he watched Sloper. ‘They are up to something mean and dark. In the first place, they are hand-in-glove with Cap- tain Ortiz, the Cuban; then, Simon Slyboots has wormed himself into the good graces of the boy, Tom, whois old Gregg’s heir, as I found out last week. Secondly, the old man is near death’s door, and there don’t seem to be any living kin but Tom, his daugbter’s child. Now, Captain Ortiz, who came in the other day from the Tropics, and Slyboots and Sloper wouldn’t be holding secret caucuses if there wasn’t a deep game on hand, And from the way Simon has gained control over the boy, Napoleon Gregg’s money is what the stake is, They can’t get hold of it while the boy lives, that’s pretty certain, but this sweet-scented crowd wouldn’t stop at anything. This very night yet I will see the boy himself, and put him on his guard. I met him last week and struck up a sort of friendship, so I won’t have to introduce myself now.” While Billy Winks, the young detective, is watching Mr, Reck Sloper who is waiting like a fox for Captain Ortiz to come out of the house, let us enter the building and see with.whom the captain of the Centipede is talking. ; n a small room rather loudly furnished sat Captain Ortiz and a woman, the latter about forty and rather handsome, Her figure was immense in size, she looked like a giantess, hence the nickname she had secured, that of ‘‘ Mother Magog.” The captain of the Centipede was riser long slender cigar which he took from his mouth whenever he wanted to talk, ‘¢T think you’ve employed a precious pair of rascals to help you,” said the woman, ‘‘Why so? You told me yourself that there wasn’t a cooler man in the city than Simon Sly boots,” *T don’t go back on that either, but he is an unconscionable villain all the same.” ‘*T couldn’t get any satisfactory work out of an angel,” smiled Captain Ortiz, ‘Of course you couldn’t. Now, I want to tell you one thing. When you pay them off it must be once for all,” ‘* Will they try to bleed me?” ‘*'They will do nothing else.” The bands of the Cuban captain were seen to shut. “Oh, I know what you’re thinking about,” continued the, woman smiling again. ‘' You may thivk that you can turn on them and silence them, That will do to think about, but when it comes to doing it, that isa horse of another color.” ‘** They don’t know Captain Ortiz!” “* Yes, they do, and that is why they are serving you. Simon has promised you that the boy shall pot outlive his grandfather, hasn't he?” : There was no reply. ‘¢ Your silence tells me that he hus,” she went ov, ‘* Well, he will see to it that the boy dis- appears—that he is put out of the way and so well that all the detectives of this city can’t strike the trail. I know Simon Slyboots, I tell you. I could send bim to where dogs never bark at people and no ove knows this better than Simon and his pard, Sloper. Now—” Mother Magog crossed the room and looked out into the hallway before she resumed. ‘* You must be sure that the boy is dead before you pay them one dollar,” she continued. “They may swear that he is out of the way, but you know that so long as he lives he will ee ns Pe ae a. eo ee
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4 e, j f if } 0S A a AE “a Napoleon Gregg’s heir, You must know every- thing, and guess at nothing. Simon Slyboots will take your money and still hold a winning card—a card stolen from the deck to belp out bis game. Then, there is Timothy Turk— ‘¢ The eccentric old man who haunts my foot- ‘steps with the story that he was beaten out of his money some years ago by aman who shipped in the Centipede?” ‘‘The same old man! Timothy Turk is the boy heir’s uncle; he has been aged by trouble, and is not so crazy as be letson, He is on the trail of these men, Slyboots and Sloper, and they can’t altogether silence him, though they think they need not fear him any more, Old Timothy will break up the whole game if he can, hen do you sail again?” ‘<7 can hoist anchor and goat any time, but I don’t want to sail until I know that everything is well and that the sod covers Napoleon Gregg.” ‘The boy gets everything if he survives bis grandfather, does he?” oe ‘© 1f he dies first, what?” Captain Ortiz laughed. “ You ought to know without asking me,” he answered, ‘‘Tbe last clause in the will settles that matter. The whole estate falls to me.” “© Why to you?” The captain of the Centipede looked sharply for a moment at Mother Magog, . *¢) used to have another name,” he explained, *¢There was a time when I was not the captain of the Centipede. I used to be Pedron Jarillo, Napoleon Gregg came to Cuba and I secured for him a handsome wife. That was years ago; she is dead, and he isn’t far from the grave, He told me once that be would remember me in his will, for he lived happily with his Cuban wife, What has he done? Well, he gives his grand- son, Tom Wagner, the whole estate in case he survives him, and if he should not, it falls to Pedron Jarillo, ‘if he be living,’ so reads the will; and the executors are empowered to hunt me up and see that I get the thousands left by the old man,” Mother Magog had listened to this with a smile at her Tit, and when Captain Ortiz had finished, she spoke. ‘* In one sense I don’t wonder that you are at the head of the game now being played. The stakes are worth playing for, for the old man 1s worth nearly a half million. That would en- rich even you, and you would have to become Pedron Jarillo again, “TY would do that with pleasure, I have all the papers necessary to establish my identity. I am Gaptain Ortiz only for the present, and whenever the prover time comes, I will be Pe- dron Jarillo once more.” He stood erect and looked at the woman. “ But, remember: you must watch your tools,” she warned, ‘7 will if you say so.” “J do say so,” said Magog, firmly. “I know this man, Simon Slyboots, know and hate him,” * Don’t you fear him, too?” The cheek of the woman lost color. “J do. I will be fair with you. im,” He looked her over and seemed to make a mental note of her strength. ; ‘Yeu are strong enough to finish bim in a fair fight, but [ don’t want you to do anything of the kind until after he has served me in the me, “‘T don’t want to have to meet him. I bave cause for fearing him, though perhaps 1 am strong enough to bold him against the wall and choke him to death. He is so full of tricks that are dark and devilish. I would sooner tackle bis partner, Reck Sloper, for [ believe he fears me,” “ J} will look out for the afterwork,” assured Captain Ortiz, ‘ [don’t think I have lived fifty years for nothing.” “T hope you have not.” | The next minute the captain of the Centipede was on the sidewalk, and Sloper, who had not left his place, looked delighted. Once more he started after the Cuban, whom he tracked to the wharves, where he took a boat, and was propelled toward a vessel lying in the barbor. , ““T can go back and see Tom now,” said Billy Winks, turning back with Sloper. ‘‘ There is being played a dark game, and if Lam not mis- taken the boy is in danger, Mother Magog seems to be mixed up in the scheme, and that is bad. I’ve got my hands full, but I’ve had ’em full before. ! it took him some time to reach the street where lived the man known as Napoleon Gregg, and when he rung the bell at the side door he I do fear a Billy Winks, the Boss Boy Shadower. looked into the face of a man who started at sight of him. ‘‘ Have you seen Tom?” asked this person, who was much excited, ‘Nu. I came to see him myself, and—” ** He went off several hours ago, and the old gentleman is nearly dead with fright over his absence. I’ve been tothe Park, where he usually goes for a little air, and all I could learn was that be was there awhile in company with a strange man, We're about to notify the police, for Mr. Gregg will have it so, and—” At that moment a loud voice rung throughout the house. “Send for the police at once! coming true, ed!” ‘* That is him now,” said the servant. ‘‘ What a voice he bas for a dying man!” Billy Winks did not wait to hear another word, but bounded away, ‘*Il guess my work has beguu,” he cried, **The plot has already begun, and Tom Wagper is in the meshes, or I miss my guess,” In another minute the Koss Boy Stuadower was a square from the scene of the excitement, My dream is Tom Wagner has been kidnap- CHAPTER III, BILLY WINKS ON DUTY, NAPOLEON GREGG, the rich man gasping in bed and closely watched by three doctors, was waiting for news from Tom Wagner, his grand- son, whom the police of New York were hunting for as thoug! he had been gone several days and not a few hours. The old man had but a few hours to live, and the doctors were doing their best to keep life in a frail body. Outside, eying the bonse like a hawk with his body half in shadow, stood a man who had not taken his eyes from the building for a long time. He seemed to be waiting for the announce- ment of old man Gregg’s death, but as the mo- ments flew by without bringing him that wel- come intelligence, be grew nervous, like a man about to lose his prey. This person was no Jess a character than the captain of the Centipede. He knew what was up, and the failure of the mav-huoters of New York to find Tom Wagner tola him that Simon Slyboots bad carried out his part of the game, and that there stood no one between him and the stricken man’s fortune but old Gregg bimself. Captain Ortiz had disguised himself so that it would bave been difficult for any one to have recognized him, and he was waiting in the shad- ows for tidings of the old man’s death, Meantime Billy Winks, the Boy Shadower, had not been idle. Determined to look after the case without calling to his aid the several detectives whom he well knew, and to share with them no secret which he might pick up, he was huating for Tom on bis own hook and it would be very strange if he did not soon strike a trail of some kind. He had discovered that the boy had been seen in the Park in company with a strange man, and he had guessed that that person was Simon ws tea the sharper. : tep by step he had tracked the pair almost across the city, but be lost the trail so suddenly that for a moment he was entirely nonplused. It seemed as if the pavement had opened and swallowed both Tom and his kidnapper, and Billy Winks was in a quandary. He came back to the bouse on the avenue while Captain Ortiz of the Centipede was still on guard waiting for news from the inside, The keen eyes of the Boy Shadower caught sight of the Cuban, and ina moment he was shadowing him, By and by a man came out of the house and walked away, In an instant the Cuban left his hiding-place and touched the person on the arm. It hap- pened to be one of the doctors, ‘* How is the old gentleman now?” Billy heard the captain ask, “ A little better,” was the reply. ‘‘ We are determined to keep life in bim until they find the boy.” Captain Ortiz made an effort to seem uncon- cerned, but his countenance betrayed his ex- citement. He did not seo the little figure that hugged one of the trees on the sidewalk. “‘Confound the doctors! they are ready to do anything,” he snarled, as he passed the boy beagle, ‘Going to keep life in him till they find the boy, are they? We'll see about that.” nnn UU ttt ° When be started off he had a figure at his heels, but not for long, A form flitted past Billy Winks, going toward the house, and the boy turned back, ‘* What's up now, Sloper?’ queried Billy, eying the man whom he followed, ‘' Are you, too, going in search of information, and when you have obtained it will you take it to your pard?” Reck Sloper, also disguised, walked to within a few feet of the Gregg residence when he took up a position convenient for watching. Of course he was watched by the boy detec- tive, who, after awhile slipped to the side door and was admitted, By and by Billy Winks came out at the front and walked toward Sloper, : Just as he expected, he was seized by the man on watch, who asked in eager tones: ‘Ts he dead yet?” Billy Winks turned upon the inquirer with a comical leer, ‘What is it to you whether he lives or dies?” he asked. ‘‘ I'm interested in the old gentl I've bad suroe pleasant talks Wit Park,” he managed to say, “Ob, that’s why, is 1t? Well, he’s apt to drop off ina few hours, Why don’t you goin and see bim?” Sloper seemed to demur to this and looked omer “They haven’t found the boy yet,” Billy in- formed. ‘““What boy?” innocently asked the sleek ras- mon. haranee him in the val, “Why, Tom, his grandson; but 1 guess he'll turn up after the funeral.” ** Likely,” assented the uneasy Sloper, at the same time trying to get away without exciting suspicion, For some little time the two walked along to- gether, when Sloper, suddenly remembering that he had business in another part of the city separated himself from the Boy Shadower and was gone, Billy bad hard work following Sloper, but managed to track him toa certain house.which he quickly discovered bad an addition, with a low-down roof. This roof he was not long in mounting. Billy had barely reached the new point of ob- servation when he saw a light straight ahead, and the next moment he saw Sloper carrying a match in one hand, Sloper lighted the gas and took a chair, as if to wait for some one. He did not bave to wait very long for the door opened and Simon Slyboots came into view. Billy now listened intently, and while he did so his keen eyes were not idle, ‘Well, how is be?” asked Slyboots. ‘‘Nearly gone. I saw a boy who came out of thé house with the latest news. ‘‘ He ought to bave known something.” ‘7 think he told the truth,” A gleam of victory came into Simon's eyes. ‘* We're sure of the ten thousand anyhow,” he said, ‘You sea, Sloper, we've got part of it already and of course have had a time with it. When we bave our hands on the captain’s purse-strings we'll make the rest of ib fly and will feather our nest in great shape.” “Unless Mother Magog gets her dander up and lets the cat out of the bag.” ‘There you goagain, Don't you know that I hold a club over her head and at the first sign of her opening ber mouth, out comes what I know about ber son and shut goes that mouth you may be sure.” ‘‘T hope so, J haven’t seen old Timothy for some days, but I shouldn’t be surprised if he turned up.” : “Sloper, you have no right to be in a game of this sort and have such foolish fears,” cried Simon, ‘‘Confound it, I’m built that way.” Simon seemed to eye his companion with mali- ciousness fora moment and Billy Winks saw that Sloper was actually afraid of him, ‘Do you think there’s any danger of the de- tectives ever discovering anything?” asked Reck, ‘* Would Ibe Simon Slyboots if there was?” was the quick retort. ‘Do you think I would play for half a million—for mind you we don’t intend to stop till we have had a finger on ge dollar of it~if I hadn’t looked abead far enoug tosee the outcome? I know what these man- hunters are and how to treat them, I’ve had to deal with them before thisand I know them thoroughly. Catch Simon Slyboots napping, arinlly with such a plum at stake!’ For a little while Sloper seemed reassured and his courage came back. The two men smoked and discussed the game,
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4 See at Billy Winks, the Boss Boy Shadower. but not a word was uttered that gave Billy Winks the slightest clew to Tom Wagner’s whereal outs, * Tm off!” suddenly announced Simon. Sloper looked at him but said nothing, ** We'll want to see the papers to-morrow,” he went on, ‘Great excitement! Young beir mnissing—kidvapped, and held for ransom! That will be the story told by the newspapers. They won’t say one word about the finding of the boy, nor of the arrest of bis kidnappers, That they will leave for another chapter, ha, ha! Simon threw his cigar into a corner and went toward the door, Pausiag there, he looked back at Sloper and eyed him for a moment, but did not spenk, hen he shut the door and left his friend alone, “Now’s my time,” decided Billy Winks, ** Simon is the man I am to follow,” He scrambled from the roof and hurried to thefront of the building, but as he emerged from the alley he saw a man step into a cab and drive off. Sore peel a “Whorc’s manyan slip.” said Billy, laughin in spite of the misfortune. a Vi have fo go back and play on Reck Sloper’s fears,” Just then a hand fell heavily upon his shoulder and he looked up, A mas he bad seen but twice before in his life, stood beside him. “I’ve “ound you at last,” said the man. ** Molly evould like tu see you.” ‘© Molly?” ‘* Molly Marks, my niece.” CHAPTER IV. MOLLY MARKS. ““] won’r be losing much time,” thought the boy detective, as he signified his willingness to accompany the man, ‘‘So Molly wants to see mo? “i wonder what is up now?” He follewed the man, and halted at last at a door, which they had reached by climbing two flights of dark stairs, * Did you find him?” cried a girlish voice the moment the door upened, “You shall sea for yourself,” and Billy was led into a little room, where he stood face to face with a fair-faced creature, whose face lit up with joy the moment he was seen, * He found me by accident, for I don’t know why we should meet just where we did,” the boy detective explained. “Pll tell you some other time,” replied the man, ‘It wasn’t so much of an accident as you seem to imagine. But, here he is, Molly, and I turn him over to you;” and the speaker stepped into anotker room, leaving Billy and the girl to- gether, Molly Marks was one of the thousands who who werk with the needle for a living in the great metropolis. She had not toiled hard enough to take all the glow from her cheeks, nor the gleam from her Sewitching eyes: but she worked hard, nevertheless, and was counted one of the best stitchers on the street, ** Maybe you wil think this visit time lost,” said Molly, with a smile. ‘‘ But I have had Unele Josh looking for you these three days, and to think that, sharp as he is, he could not find you, “T baven’t tried to keep out of his way. He couldn’t find me, that’s all.” “The other day I came across a man whose resence strangely thrilled me,” continued Mol- y. ‘I ean’t tell you why, only [ know that the moment his eyes fell upon me I started and al- most let my bundle fall. It was on Broadway, which you know I have to cross on my way to the shop, Well, he was sauntering down the street, talking confidentially to another man, but I dido’t pay much attention to the compan- ion, I bad to look at Captain Ortiz.” “At Captain Ortiz?’ cried the young shad- ower. * Yes, for [ accidentally discovered that to be his name,” answerei Molly Marks, ‘1 iell you, he thrilled me as I was never thrilled before, and f almest forgot my business for looking at him.” “* But why should ho interest you?” Molly glanced toward the door, and then un- 9 a drawer in a little stand at which she sat. Her hand took out a package of papers which she untied and selected from the middle of the lot a letter, which she handed to Billy Winks, * Real that,” she said at the same time. The youthful detective drew the letter from the old-time envelope and began to read. “*T don’t think I ought to read this; it is some- body’s leve-letter.” “Don’t let that sto you. You will find there the naine of Captain Ortiz,” ‘*T bave reacued it al.eady,” said Billy, with- out looking up. ‘¢ That letter was written by my father to my «nother during their courtship, which of course Was some years ago, Futber was lost some- here in the West Indies, from whence that very letter came, and, by the way, it was writ- ten from Cuba, Three years after my birth he was lost, They say the ship foundered in a storm, but you see that at one time father in- curred the undying hatred of one Captain Or- tiz.’ “The same man you encountered on the street?” ‘*T am sure it is the same one, Now for letter number two,” Molly went back to the packet and drew forth another letter, which she also handed to the young ferret. ‘“Why, this is from Captain Ortiz himself,” exclaimed Billy Winks, ‘*Yes, He writes mother that the ship was lost in a storm, aud that my father, who was ag perished with the crew.” illy read to the end of the Cuban’s letter, and then looked up into Molly’s eyes, “*T want this man to confess the truth!” she cried, ‘I want him to tell all about the death of myfather. I have heard rumors of a duel; I have been told that the Fleetwing was burned at sea, and not ingulfed by astorm. So you see there are two stories out—one by this Captain Ortiz and another by those who ought to know just as much. I have no money to employ any one to hunt up this mystery, and if I bad not seen this very man on the streets of New York, the probability is that I would have left these letters iu the stand, Mind you,I never saw this man till the other day; but the moment I caught his eye—ot course he didn’t know me—-I knew I stood face to face wits the man who had some- thing to do with my fatber’s death. That blow killed my mother, and threw me upon the charity of Uncle Josh, who is peculiar, and whom I now support with the needle,” Molly ceased and Biily’s eyes wandered back to the letters, He recalled the case of old man Gregg dying at home, of Tom Wagner lost somewhere in the toils of a plot, at the bead of which was this very Captain Ortiz; and when he brought his band down upon the work-stand, with an emphasis which startled the girl, he said something that brought color to bis cheeks, “A bigger rascal than this man Captain Ortiz does not exist!” he exclaimed. ‘*I am going to run bim down, and those with whom he has united his fortunes. The man mentioned in your father’s letter and the one who wrote to your mother are one and the same. You saw the right man, Molly. You stood face to face with Captain Ortiz, of the Centipede, a Cuban serpent and a scoun Irelly villain!” Molly Marks took back the two letters and re- stored them to the pack, **' Then you have seen him?” she said. ‘* Haveu’t 1, though? Didn’t I see him on the lookout this very night, watching for death to come to an old man whose fortune is in the scales? I know Captain Ortiz and those letters will make me stick to his trail till Ihave un- masked bim,” “T won’t know how to thank you,” cried Molly. “1 won’t take even that for my services for I will be doing justice a service and that will be reward enough.” “He isa dangerous man for his eyes are as keen asa hawk’s and be has a way that marks him a polished rascal,” “Like a good many others who come from Cuba. He has two precious villains in his em- ploy and from what 1 know already, they are playing about the coolest game that was ever played in New York. I have had dealings with some big scoundrels, but [ guess Captain Ortiz and bis tools are the biggest of them all,” Billy Winks again promised Molly to be care- ful while at work and quitted the humble house with new ideas in his bead, ‘“*T always did want to be of some service to Molly and now I can help her. She’s one of the girls that wear, and somebow or other when- ever [ look into her face, I seam to see new beauty there. I never guessed that Captain Ortiz was in any way connected with her life, but he is and in a dark manner, at that.” it was not long before the boy detective stood on @ certain street looking at a man who was walking slowly toward the river, ‘That is the renowned captain now,” said he, ** That is Captain Ortiz of the Centipede,” All at once the man watched turned and came toward him, and Billy, seeing that he could not avoid being seen, stood bis ground and waited for the collision. The master of the Centipede came om until he had reuched a spot within ten feet of the boy when he suddenly jerked a letter trom his pocket and deposited it in a Jatter-box, At the same time a bit of paper flattered to the ground and was not missed by him when he walked off, Scarceiy was his back turned when the boy detective pounced, eagle-like, upon the paper. Half a minute later be was leaning toward the light in a window and his eye was reading the following: “My Dear Capram:—Everything is going O. K. I have the fly in the web an: tere is no escape. From what I hear, death, the old destroyer is dcing his work inth big house on the avenue, 1 will occupy No. 110 a few dsuys longer when I will move out. Vivlet is ‘he serpent I have on guard. You may have beard of ber. We call her Violet, the Death-Fiower. Will see yu to-morrow and when the time comes will have proofs of death. Burua this, of sade =e £ Twice did Billy Winks read this terribly sug- gestive letter in the light that emanated from the window, It thrilled him forit could have but one mean- ing and that was that Tom Wagner was in the clutches of the man who wrote it, When Billy turned bis attention to Captain Ortiz that person was gone, but the shadower had the tell-tale letter which mig t be of ser- vice to him in the future. He was about to quit the vicinity when a figure came gliding back, and the boy ferret dodged into a doorway. Captain Ortiz was returning, looking at the ground, **He has missed his letter,” said Billy Winks to himself, Sure enough, the captain of the Centipede walked to the letter-box under which be pros- pected with the greatest care and at lust turned away disappointed. ‘You ought to look in my pocket, captain,” mused Billy with a grin that Shamdenod on his face, ‘** You should have taken Simon’s advice and burned the letter. If 1 am not mistaken, it will rise to plague you one of these days,” Not finding that which he looked for, Captain Ortiz turnee away and this time was followed by the Boy Shadower, He proceeded to the wharf where he stood solitary a few moments and then. as if deeming everything snug on board his ship, wheeled aud started back. Of course Billy Winks followed, but if he could have foreseen the outcome of bis adven- ture, be might bave followed witb added caution, He was tracking one of the shrewdest and coolest men he had ever dealt with. —_— CHAPTER V. A TERRIBLE ORDEAL, Tue young shadower kept Captain Ortiz in sight and when be saw him turn down a darken- ed street and at Jast run up the steps of a very common-looking house he was almost sure he had made a strike, $ He was certain that the vessel lying in the harbor was not tbe only haunt the Cuban had, that he was domicilea on shore as permanently as in his own ship, and that he would find him, when not on the vessel, in the city and probably in the very house to which he had tracked him. It was not Billy Winks’s intention to enter the house and disturb Captain Ortiz at anything be migbt be doing within its walls, There’ wag danger in such proceedings and he was not the person to unnecessarily run his meck inte trouble, While he watched the house, a man came out. but he did not look much like the persen ke had just tracked. When he started off Billy Winks debated in his mind v .~* todo aud when be started after him it was with the intention of following him a short distance to get at hisidentity if possible, Tbe truth is the nan was Captain Ortiz bim- self and the boy detective was to make this dis- covery in no pleasant manner. Billy was turning a corner when he was seized and pulled toward the person who had captured him. “The arch fiend himself!” he exclaimed, look- ing up into the man’s face, “Tracking me, were you?” answered the captor and the next moment Billy felt the grip sink into his flesh and be was on bis way to the rivet which was not many squares distant, Captain Ortiz 8 id nothing till be was very near the wharves when, looking down inte the boy’s face, he remarked:
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it Wee S- ——— ‘‘Do you bunt people very often? Aren’t you one of these young ferrets I hear about?” Billy snoiled, ‘¢ You may have of me whatever opinion you piease,” he said. “Then, I call you a rascally young spy who was prying into business not your own when caught. My boat willbe here ina moment. It is about the hour. Ah, bere it 1s!” At this moment the boy ferret saw a boat come in sight and Captain Ortiz forced him to the edge of the pier. Billy drew back, making a sudden and desperate effort to release himself from the grip that encircled him, but without avail, and he was tumbled down into the captain’s gig without much ceremony and in another instant was on his way to the Cubun’s vessel, He could almost guess how his adventure was going to end and resolved to betray nothing, he fell back in the boat and saw himself closely regarded by the captain, fie saw the boat pulled alongside a trim- looking vessel and he was taken on board and guided to a cabin where he was left alone a few moments. He thought suddenly of the letter he had found, and quick as a flash he pulled it forth and rolling it into a small compass, swallowed it just as the door opened and Captain Ortiz came back with a grin of triumph on his !ace. In another moment he would havé been de- tected in the act, Captain Ortiz looked like his old self and Billy could not avoid noticing how black the eyes were and how bandsome he was in every par- ticular. F ‘‘ Why did you follow me?” queried the cap- tain of the Centipede, looking Billy Winks in the face while he took aseat at a table and across the way from his young prisoner, ‘* How do you know [ was?” **Come, you can't fool me! lowed before,” “Very well, then, If you know I was on your track I need not try to deny it.” ‘*You make a business of following people, don’t you?” No answer, Captain Ortiz turned toward the door and struck the table with bis band, The next moment the door opened and a face of a cast decidedly Cuban made its appearance. ‘*Is the Princess in good humor, Blanco?” isked the captain, ‘She is all right, senor,” ** Fetch her in.” The bead vanished and the door was shut. Instead of turning again to the boy captive, the Cuban captain rohed a cigarette and lit it without emotion, , At the end of a minute silken footsteps were heard, an’ the door opened once more, Billy Winks, who was watching the door at the time, fell back with a cry he could not re- strain. ' Blanco bad come back, but he was not alone, On the contrary, he was accompanied by a handsome jaguar that purred at his Jegs like a kitten, ‘* Come, Princess,” said Captain Ortiz, snap- ping his fingers, at which sound the animal ap- proached and showed her teeth, “« Here, this 1s a young spy from the gutters,” he went on, looking toward Billy wno had not for moment taken bis eyes from the jaguar. ‘¢ What, are you going to turn me over to that beast?” cried the boy, the situation forcing the words from his mouth. “Why not? You have followed me, and while Princess has you in charge, you won't get to ply your calling.” : lanco now withdrew, leaving Captain Ortiz, the animal and Billy Winks in tne cabin, The’ jaguar was licking ber master’s dark hand, and the boy detective was looking at ver beautiful skin, but not without feelings of fear, ‘Confess to everything,” suddenly said Cap- tain Ortiz, ‘ Why were you watch ng me?” The young ferret of the streets did not speak, All at once the Cuban captain threw the jaguar from him, and she crouched on the floor with a long whine, At the same moment Billy Winks sprung from his chair and drew back, He was armed with nothing but a knife, the lade of which was barely long enough to pene- trate the sleek hide of the beast, Still be drew it forth and opened the blade. ** Fool!” laughed Captain Ortiz, ‘You can’t kill a Jagnar with a jack-knite.” bere was more truth in these words than Billy Winks realized, but he did not abate his resolution, and placing bimself on the defensive I have been fol- —* while he eyed the beast, he awaited the spring which he felt was near at hand. ‘* What, are you going to mar theskin of Prin- cess with that blade? Throw that knife across the cabin!” Instead of obeying this command, Billy only grasped the knife the more firmly and looked from the animal to the Cuban captain, Suddenly Captain Ortiz sprang to his feet and let out a barsh Spanish oath, ‘Kye him, Princess!” he said, to the crouch- ing terror on the floor, ‘‘ At the snap of my finger you will spring forward and ‘ kiss’? him!” The jaguar seemed to understand every word, “You young spy, you have been on my trail longer than this day,” continued the enraged Cubav. ‘You are in the employ of the police of New York, and they are watching me through your keen eyes,” ‘It is not true, at all. hook.” ** A confession! Billy was silent, ‘‘ Now, what were you after?) Why were you following me under the lamps of yon city?” “T bad a right to,” and the lips of the boy closed behind the last words in a manner which must have told the captain that he would go no further, jaguar or no jaguar, Meantime the animal was creeping forward eager to get at the boy ferret, She was covering, inch by inch, the sbip’s floor, slipping over it without the slightest noise and all the time with her eyeballs riveted upon her chosen victim, Billy Winks had never been in sucha situation before. He had had narrow escapes and had been in close situations, but never bad be faced a huge cat like the one crouching before him, Captain Ortiz showed no mercy in look or gesture. He was a Cuban to the backbone, and Billy could see that he would let the j:guar rend him in pieces, In backing off the boy detective reached a quaint old-fashioned cupboard set in the wall, the door of which was open. A glance showed him half a dozen revolvers so arranged on the shelves-as to be ready for instant use, Captain Ortiz seemed to divine the boy’s in- tentions, for all at once he cried out to bim to come forward, at the same time applying an epi- thet calculated to nettle his courage, But Billy Winks, driven to the wall by the menace of tooth and claw, whirled suddenly to- ward the cupboard and seized one of the nearest six-shooters, Clutching the weapon firmly, the undaunted Billy faced the fierce brute, waiting for the sig- nal from ber equally vicious master, and leveled the weapon at her bead, The jaguar showed her teeth and whined. ‘* Princess is quicker than eye and finger,” de- risively laughed the Cuban captain, and at the same time he snapped his fingers. Quick as a flash, up leaped the spotted terror, and straight at the boy detective’s toroat! She was clear of the floor when the cabin rung with a wild report, and there succeeded a groan almost buman as the beautiful pet fell back, The white stnoke lifted. Captain Ortiz stood like one petrified on the spot; Billy Winks, breath- less, leaned forward with the smoking revolver in his band and— The jaguar lay on the floor, shot through the brain! Iam not serving the police When I watch any one it ison my own You were watching mes?” CHAPTER VI. IN THE CENTIPEDE’S HOLD, Tue tigerish rage of Captain Ortiz at the death of bis prt knew no bounds, For a moment he sat spellbound in his cbair, glaring at the boy detective, and Billy fully ex- pected to see him leap at bim with as much im- pulsiveness as the jaguar had done. The animal had not moved since falling. The shot had been decisive, and the terror of the tropics was dead at ber masier’s feet. The sound of the shot brought a dark face to the door and the boy once more saw the face of Blanco. The Cuban’s man only waited for orders and stood resdy to carry them out no matter what they might be. This tableau lasted a full minute when the hand of the Cuben captain came down upon the table and he cried: “You have killed ithe best friend Captain Ortiz ever had, You shall pay dearly for this rourder!” “One ought to be permitted to defend one’s life,” was the answer, ‘The beast was leapin at my throat when | fired and I saw my lifea stake,” P Captain Ortiz arose and faced the young erret, ‘** Come in, Blanco,” he said, for he had caught sight of the head at the door, Tbe door opened and Blanco stood in the room, ** Seize that young rascal!” said Ortiz, Blanco stepped forward, but in an instant he was covered by the same weapon that had taken the life of the jaguar, “*} will kill you if you attempt any violence,” _ the boy said coolly. ‘Captain Ortiz, as he calls bimself, had no right to bring me to this vessel and I will act as Isee fit. Stand your dis- tance,” Blanco looked at the captain but did not move. ‘* Furies! are You afraid of a boy?’ yelled ne infuriated man, beating the table with his st. Blanco bit bis lip and made ready for a spring, pistol or no pistol, The next moment he came at Billy Winks, and when the trigger was pressed no report fol- lowed, “Ha, ba! I took the chances,” laughed the Cuban captain, ‘One of the revolvers was sparingly loaded, and I thought you had itin your band. The only loaded chamber killed Princess, aud now it is useless,” Billy felt like throwing the pistol away for he was in Blanco’s grip, and the hand of the ne nti slave was sinking, as it seemed, to the One, ‘¢ Hold him well, Blanco, my boy. You shall take the place of Princess as far as you can,” Billy could only look at the man wio had spoken and wonder what would happen next, “Take him below to the cage till he is wanted,” continued Captain Ortiz and without being permitted to bave another word, the boy ferret was marched off under escort of Blanco and in a little while he found himself in a small room where be could hear the swish of waters as the vessels rocked on the tide, The place was dark enough at first, but after awhile he discovered a bit of light and watched it as the beams stole across the floor, showing him a room without furniture, and forbidding enough to suggest a prison-bouse of death, Billy Winks threw himself upon tbe cot that showed up in one corner, and thought over the sudden change in his fortunes, He was in the hold of Captain Ortiz’s ship and no person outside of its tenants knew aught of his situation. What nad become of Tom Wagner the victim of the plot, and was old man Gregg dead? These thoughts were enough to almost still the heart of the courageous boy, but one thing he was sure of, and that was that the jaguar wonld never leap at another throat, He had slain the beast of the tropics, and, as a matter of course, expected to feel the ven- geance of her master, Meantime Captain Ortiz had gone back to the city, leaving Billy Winks guarded by the shrewd Blanco who was ready to carry out any com- mands that might be issued, Captain Ortidiwas anxious to know what had taken place since le was last in the Metropolis, and not long after bis arrival he reached the vicinity of Napoleon Gregg’s house. The place wus as silent as the grave, and he took it for granted that the end had come, and that the rich old man was dead, He remained on the watch till the front door Opened and a man came out, - Approaching this person cautiously, the cap- tain of the Centipede was about to inquire after Gregg’s health when the person turned upen him, and be fell back with a ery, It was Simon Slyboots! ‘* Well, youre the coolest man I ever saw,” cried Captain Ortiz. ‘ You baven’t been inside | of that bouse, 1 hope?” “ Why not?” grinned the other, ‘Or course, I don’t object, but you ought to be very careful.” ‘ Who is more so? know what ’'m abeut?” ‘ Captain Ortiz said no more for a spell, during which the two men walked together. In a little while they entered a certain place where they found themselves secluded, when the captain leaned forward and clutched Simon’s arm. ‘*‘ Hovv is he?” he asked. ** About the ssme. He bas started the whole | police force on bunt of the bay, and says he will ive till Tom is found,” A ss... I am serving you and I
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6 Billy Winks, the Boss Boy Shadower. . Captain Ortiz drew off and looked at Simon Slyboots, ‘Well, are you going to let the boy be found?” **T guess not.” ‘* Of course not.” ‘*T understand that he is to be lost forever.” “Certainly. Nothing comes to you if he is found,” A curious smile overspread the face of Simon Slyboots., ** You know what you are doing, I’m sure you do,” the captain went on. ‘‘By the way, did you ever hear of a boy detective who has the faculty of hitting on puzzles and solving them?” ‘*T should say I have heard of him,” and Simon laughed outright. ‘‘ Have you run across him, captain?” There was no reply for a moment, but the face of the Cuban captain was a study. “They call him Billy, don’t they?’ Simon wenton. ‘| have bad him on my trail for some time, but I manage to give him the slip so easily that he hasn’t even bothered me any of late.” **T guess he won’t bother any one any more,” gaid the captain significantly. By and by Simon’s hand stole up over the edge of the table at which they sat and he said: * You got my letter, captain?” “ce Yes,” * Did it suit?” ‘It was all right. You said in it that when we met again you would have proofs of death,” Simon Slyboots took from under his coat a small box which he opened cautiously. The moment the Cuban captain looked into the box he fell back and shred: at the plotter. ‘Ig that proof enough?” grinned Simon, “You knew! couldn’t bring the whole body and I thought I would fetch you a bit—enough to let you know that I carry out my parts of the programmes,” The object that had chased the color from Captain Ortiz’s face was a human hand which lay in the box and he was almost willing to swear that it was the hand of a young person, “Don’t you think,” he said in a whisper, “‘that if the old man had proof of the boy’s death he wouldn’t last much longer himself?” ‘¢T shouldn’t be surprised.” ‘* Then, why don’t you furnish the proof?” ‘That wasn’t in my part of the bargain.” Captain Ortiz must have thought of Mother Magog’s words when he looked at Simon Sly- boots. He was a cool fellow and knew how to play a deep game for himself, ‘“*T am aware that it wasn’t exactly in the bargain, but you might do that much without extra pay.” In an instant Simon seemed to get angry. ‘“*You want us to take every risk,” said he, “while you sit back and rake in the big stakes,” *“*T expect nothing of the kind. Iam willing to pay for every service I get outof you and Sloper.” ‘* That’s a horse of another color.” ‘*T want the proof of the boy’s death to reach Old Man Gregg, and in the form of a shock, ** Well, that will be worth two thousand ex- tra, The figures seomed to take Captain Ortiz’s breath, but he did not betray himself, ‘*E consent,” be said. ‘I will pay the price you name for the extra service, Tho money will be paid when the old man closes his ac- counts with mortality.” Simon nodded and got up. ‘You seem to have the entree to the house,” remarked Ortiz. ‘* How did you get it?” ** Ask no questions and get no lies, I tell you I am risking my precious neck every time I en- ter that house, for it is watched by the police, and Napoleon Grege’s money has employed the best detectives in Gotham.” ‘“* But you are shrewder than all, eh, Simon?” ‘*Catch a weasel asleep!” laughed the great rascal, and in a minute they were again on the sidewalk, and some distance from the place of consultation they separated and went different ways. ** This is only the beginning,” muttered Simon, looking after the Cuban, ‘* You won’t have a dollar of the pile when we get through with you. I know a good thing when f see it,” CHAPTER VII, THE NOTE UNDER THE DOOR, MorHEeR MacoG had a son who had been criminal in some of his acts and a full knowledge of this was the ‘‘club” which Simon Slyboots sen, for some time been holding over the woman’s The reader will remember that she told Cap | Simon. tain Ortiz that she feared the sharp, and so she did, for he bad threatened to expose her boy and get him into serious ti cuble. Soon after his interview with Captain Ortiz, Simon made his way to Mother Magog’s house and was met at the door by the giantess, Her start when she saw who her visitor was enough to confirm her statement that she actually teared him when she was strong enough to hurl him against the wall and choke him to death. Simon slid into the house without the sem- rain invitation and immediately asked for ‘Jim, Mother Magog, who loved her son despite his character, told the rascal that she did not know where he was at that time, whereupon Simon smiled one of his malicious smiles and hinted that it would be best for Jim to be about when he was wanted. Mother Magog sat and eyed the man, wonder- ing what would be his next word, and be was for some time silent, **Tell Jim I want to see him when he comes home and say it in such a way that he will know that it will not do to disobey the summons,” The woman started and seemed to shudder. ‘* Will he get into trouble if he obeys?” she asked. ‘* He will if he doesn’t,” was the quick retort. ‘“* Why can’t you leave Jim alone, Simon Sly- boots?” The villain laughed, ‘* [ know that you happen to know something about Jim’s past, but I don’t see why you should all the time hold it over our heads like a club, Let the boy bave a moment’s peace; give hima chance to be an honest man.” “Who? Jim?’ grinned Simon. ‘i'd like to see bim be that even if he tried. What's bred in the bone—” He did not get/to complete his sentence, for like a tigress the woman sprung up and her face was almost dark, ‘“*That will do! You sha’n’t assault the mem- ory of my husband, for that was what you were about to do. He was honest, and if it hadn’t been for men of your stamp, Jim wouldn’t have goue astray, and you know it. He looked at her towering above bim like a mountain, and saw that ber hands were clinched and that fire was flying from the depths of her eyes, Mother Magog glanced toward a door across the room, and Simon feared that some ally was within call. But what would a woman of her strength want with an ajly? ** Well, do just what you Jike, but mind you, you take the consequences,” he went on. “1 want Jim, and he will do well by calling on me as soon as possible,” Mother Magog drew back and again looked toward the door. ‘* Who’s in that room?” asked Simon, The next moment the door flew open and a young man, whose face bore a hunted look, came forward, It was Jim himself, ‘*Here you are, eb?’ said Simon, ‘ Been in the house all the time, and your mother would never have told you to come forth.” There was no reply for a little while, and Jim, standing in the middle of the room, looked at Simon Slyboots with a strange glare, ‘** You want to see me,” he said at last, ‘* What is your business with me?” ‘This is not the place for business of the na- ture I want to transact,” ‘You will proceed, for by Heavens! mother and I understand one another, and whatever you have to say to me you will spit it out here or keep still.” For a moment the oily rascal seemed to draw within bimself, but the young man continued: ‘Say it here, I tell you. will listen to you powheres else,’ At the same time Mother Magog planted her- self more firmly on the floor and smiled at Jim, ** You told me the other day that you wanted a job,” said Simon, ‘I have found a place for you, and one that will pay big wages for little service,” “ Eb ud ‘*] can get you inside One of the finest houses in the city and where an old man needs a little care while he is dying.” Mother Magog started. * Do you inean Napoleon Gregg?” she asked, | ag Slyboots looked ather witha sudden stare, ‘* What do you know about that man?’ he ex- claimed. ‘** Never mind; go on with your talk to Jim.” ‘*Well, I can get you that job,” continued ‘*Tt won’t cost you much labor. All zon have to do is toreport to me every few ours the progress of the old man’s disease and follow out a few other instructions which you may receive from time to time,” Jim threw a swift glance toward his mother. “*T will take the job,” said he. ‘‘ I won’t run any risk, will I?” “None whatever. You will use your eyes and deliver a certain letter which you will find under the door—deliver it to Napoleon Gregg, and to no one else,” ‘* How do you know I can get the place?” ‘*T have already secured it for you.” **'You are very kind. Whenam I to take it?” ** As soon as possible, I have just come from the house’'and they have agreed to accept the nurse I am to send.” As Simon Slyboots rose to go, the soft step of Jim’s mother approached him and when he look- ed back he saw her eying him intently. “Jim is going to Napoleon Gregg’s house,” said she, ‘* He will serve you as far as he can in the interests of justice; but he shall commit no crime for you.” ‘**T haven’t asked him to commit one,” was the reply. ‘All he has to dois to deliver a letter to me old man himself, That’s not very much, is it?” Simon laid his hand on the knob and opened the door, If he had looked at Jim he would have seen a singular expression on the face of that young man who was eying him like a hawk, An hour later Jim presented himself at the door of the Gregg mansion and was admitted, When he said that he was the nurse sent by Simon Slyboots he was placed on duty and for the first time looked into the face of Napoleon Gregg, Tom Wagner’s grandfather. For some time Jim watched the dying man who was gs ogg up in bed witb pillows, and when he thought him asleep, he stole from the and at acertain hour went into the front hall. He discovered a bit of paper protruding from beneath the front door, and taking itin his band, knew that he had theidentical note which he was to hand to the old man, Jim, the criminal, felt his fingers tremble while he held the paper. He was alone and the old house was quiet. He went back to the little parlor near the old man’s chamber and closely eyed his find. What did that letter contain? He stood there undecided, thinking, no doubt, of the hold Simon Slyboots had on him, and of his mother’s last words, A hundred times did the young man turn .the sealed note in his hand, and more than once be walked toward the door, only to fall back witha shiver. “*T don’t believe it can kill him,” suddenly said Jim. ‘‘ It is something which Simon wants him to see all by himself, and that is why I was to deliver it to him alone.” Jim left the room and went over to where old Gregg lay. yt the door and stole into the room on tip- The patient had fallen into a doze, and he stood and looked at him some time. All at once the eyes opened and were fixed upon Jim. ‘** What is it?” asked Napoleon Gregg. ‘‘ You have a letter forme, It is from Tom!” It Jim bad tried to hide the note he would have been unsuccessful, for the keen eyes of old Gregg had already discovered it, and advancing across the room, he placed it in the wrinkled bands, Napoleon Gregg’s eyes lit up with intense ex- citernent, Jim was alone with him, **Open it for me,” said the old man, ‘‘It is from Tom, and I haven’t strength enough to break the seal.” Jim took the letter and opened it. ** Hand it here!” cried the dying man, ‘ You must not read it first.” But Mother Magog’s son did not heed the last injunction. e opened the paper, and in an instant bis face lost color and he looked toward Napoleon OneGy- ** You can’t see this,” he said. “T must! I must! It is news from Tom, and—” ** It is as cool a plot as was ever hatched in the brain of man,” was the answer. Napoleon Gregg held out his hands imploring- ly, but Jim drew back with the letter, ‘*Give it tome! If you don’t, you are in the plot yourself,”
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57 The old man fell forward, his voice ringing through the house like a shriek. Jim caught bim and forced him back. Tom Wagner’s grandfather fell back among the pillows like a lifeless person, and when Jiin saw that he was unconscious, if not dead, he stooped and hid the letter in his bosom. ‘*] guess [am as well armed as you are, Simon Slyboots,” he said to himself, ‘* Now, if I could only see the boy detective mother has told me about, there would be a turning of the tide,” Mother Magog’s son was destined to see Billy Winks, and that when he was not looking for him. CHAPTER VIII. BILLY WINKS TURNS UP, NAPOLEON GREGG never recovered from the shock of the letter which Jim refused to let him see. In less than an hour he was dead, and the dor- tors who were called in said that he died sudden- ly because of a shock of some kind; but Mother Magog’s son did not proceed to enlighten them. When he was sure ‘om Wagner's grandfather was dead, he stole from the house and crept down the streets. He did not know for some time that he was watched, but all at once he became aware that this was 80, and he found himseelf in the grip of Simon Slyboots. Tkis time Simon was not alone, but was in company with Sloper, and the three adjourned to a room inhabited by Simon at odd times, and there Jim was asked to tell what he knew about the old man’s death, Mother Magog’s son said he had carried the letter to old Gregg, that he had shown it to the dying man, who, when he had read it, fell back unconscious, and in that condition died an hour or so later. “You saved the letter for me?” said Simon, putting out bis hand, “T destroyed it,” In an instant the eagle eyes of the sharper were rivited upon the young man, and the eed he had to undergo was something ter- rible, But Jim had prepared for the ordeal, and when it was over mentally congratulated him- self and thought that he was a cousummate actor. ; ‘* T guess you'll do,” said Simon, with a smile, Jim was dismissed at last, and when on the street again did not stop until he was under his mother’s roof, _All this time he had kept the fatal letter concealed, and was wondering where Billy Winks was, Mother Magog, who knew a good deal about the boy detective, told her son where he might find the young shadower, and, intent on finding Billy, Jim started of. If he had gone to the Centipede lying in the harbor he might have found the object of bis search, but he*never thought of looking on the water for the boy, i All at once—it was daylight now—Jim was stopped by an odd-looking man who gazed up into his face, and said: “ You’re Mother Magog’s boy, aren’t you?” Jim did not know what to say, but finally ad- mitted that he bore that relation to the fainous woman. ‘“‘They call me Timothy Turk, and I am re- lated to Tom Wagner, who has been kid- napped.” “Ob,” said Jim, “I am glad to see you, Mr. Turk; but I can’t stop now, for I've got a job on band, and it can’t be overlooked,” “ It can’t, eh?” and the old man grinned, ‘I have a job, too; one of looking up Tom, but I don’t know just how it will end.” In another moment Jim felt the speaker's hand on his arm, and he was being dragged to- ward the harbor. ‘eta “Do you see that little sbip lying out yonder?” continued Tom Waguer’s relative, pointing to- ward the Centipede which was plainly visible from where they bad stopped. “Td be blind if I didn’t,” said Jim, ‘* Well, sbe b’longs to Captain Ortiz and came up from Cuba some days ago. Tkere’s nothing startling in that, ha? No? Well, you don’t know that Captain Ortiz will be the heir if Tom never turns up.” ‘Captain Ortiz, the Cuban?” “Thats what.” ** What relation to Napoleon Gregg was be?” None, the serpent! but he knew enough to play a good hand some yearsago when Napoleon regg was looking for a wife and the will says that, in case of the boy’s death, Captain Jarillo comes in next,” Billy a a ete pee: whe el Slee Winks, the Boss Boy Shadower, pr enenees ‘*Bat you were just now talking about Cap- tain Ortiz?” ‘Pm talking ’bout him yet, though I cail him by another name sometimes as it suits me to. AslI was saying, that ship out yonder is his, and I was lying bereabouts last night when a very strange thing happened.” Jim was all attention now and was looking at the Centipede with increasing curiosity. “Tsaw a man whom I at once knew was Captain Ortiz come down here with a boy who seemed to be a prisoner from the way he was held by the villain, They went out to the ship ina boat which seemed to come from her to meet them here,” ‘““A boy, Mr. Turk?” ‘“A boy, and he was a sharp-looking boy, at that, I fancy he had been captured somewhere by the captain and he was taking him to the Centipede where he would be safe and could not get to watch him any more,” In an instant a thought of Billy Winks cross- ed Jim’s mind. ‘* What was the boy like?’ he asked, with erness, ‘imothy Turk described the boy in as few words as he could and Jim’s heart seemed to stand still, “Tt must bave been Billy, the very boy ’m looking for!” he said to himself, ‘*1f he went out yonder with Captain Ortiz and asa prisoner, he is out there yet,” Jim eyed the Centipede and tried to form a plan for getting out to ber, Meantime Timothy Turk was watching bim as though he would read his very thoughts, ‘*T don’t think the boy was ‘a prisoner,” he said at last. ‘I can’t stop to think of such things now but must go about my business.” He tore himself from tke old man’s grip and started off, Timothy Turk turned and watched bim out of sight when he burst into an immoderate fit of laughter which reached the ears of a man who was on the lookout and who followed the old gentleman when he walked off, Jim gave up his hunt for Billy Winks at last and went home, The day passed and he did not venture into the street until nightfall when he slipped down stairs and glided out among the lights. He lounged into a cheap eating-bouse which he sometimes visited when he had some small change in his pocket and on taking a seat at one of the tables picked up the latest edition of an afternoon paper, Now a reference to Napoleon Gregg was the last thing Jim expected to find in that paper: but he was suddenly disturbed by the heading of a short article and in a second he was reading as follows: “A NEW HEIR TURNS UP. “« Before Napoleon Gregg of M—— avenue is buried an heir turns up, and unless the missing boy is found, or if he is found dead, this new heir will glide into one of the snuggest fortunes in this city. One of the clauses of the Gregg will makes one Pedron Jarillo next of kin, though, in reality, the kinship between Napoleon Gregg and Jarillo is barely traceable, The man Jarillo, who is known in certain circles as Captain Ovtiz, of the ship Centipede, is here and has put ina claim to the estate conditional, of course, on the outcome of the parch for the missing grandson. If Tom Wagner has disappeared for good, and this is not improb- able, the Gregg estate will pass into the hands of Captain Ortiz who has the papers to prove that he is the real Pedron Jarillo, though he has been masquerading under the name of Ortiz for some years.” ea The reader may imagine with what feeling Jim read the startling paragraph. He forgot to order his supper though he had entered the restaurant as ravenous as a wolf, and when he came fully to bis senses, he was on the pavement with bis head in a whirl, , “This beats the Jews,” said Jim. ‘* Captain Ortiz Pedron Jarillo and the next in line? I begin to see through a stone wall and when mother told me that Simon Slyboots and pard were in the captain’s pay, I wondered what it all meant. But I think I see now.” Jim started off, but bad not gone far when his arm was Caught and he looked into the face of a boy. “You are Jim and the very person I want to see,” said the youth, “I have hada fight for liberty, but here Il am to prove that I came off et ha They never hold Billy Winks very ong— ‘** What, are yon Billy Winks?” “The only Billy, Jim, But we don’t want to be seen talking hers, I have just escaped from the floating trap outin the harbor and there may be some one on my track.” na ne ne Billy Winks drew Jim into the first hallway that presented itself and went on: ‘* What bas happened, Jim?” ‘* The old man is dead,” ** Napoleon Gregg?” ‘wen. Billy Winks was silent for a moment, ** And what else has occurred?” **Tbhe new heir has turned up,” ** Captain Ortiz?” “The captain of the Centipede,” ‘*T thought as much, And the boy, Tom, is still missing?” ‘They are all at fault,” ‘** Jim, where is your mother?” ‘* At home, sir. — I guess she don’t fear the club as much as she did. I have armed myself, I hold a paper pistol at Simon Slyboots’s head, and the moment he lifts the club I touch the trigger. See?” The couple remained in the hallway nearly an hour, and when they slipped forth they burried away, Billy Winks had told the story of his escape from the Centipede; how he had managed to elude even the watchful Blavco and secure one of the ship’s boats in which he had effected his escape to the city, and Jim had listened with a smile on bis lips. ‘* They'll look for you, Billy,” said Jim, ‘‘Of course, but I will be too sharp for the whole gang.” “You will have Slyboots and Sloper after ou,” ‘“‘T know it. They will have to cage me or get caged themselves, and they realize what that means,” “Sing Sing, eh?” ‘* Yes, if not something worse than that,” A. few squares from the hallway the two sep- arated for the time being, and Billy Winks re- solved to play aswift and deadly band against the plot for Napoleon Gregg’s thousands, “They’re all against me—all but Jim and Mother Magog; but I won’t throw down a fool- ish card,” he said, CHAPTER IX, ENTRAPPING HIMSELF, ONE very remarkable thing astonished Cap- tain Ortiz before he was many bours older, and that was that he was observed by nearly every person who happened to run across him. He was the observed of every one on Broad- way, and did not know what it all meant until he picked up a paper and read the paragraph that bad surprised Jim in the restaurant, “Tl go out to the vessel and see how things are there,” he said, ‘and come back and fix my- self solid, for the boy is one of those things that don’t turn up, and] am the holder of the win- ning cards.” As no boat came to take him out to the Centi- pede, he had to hire his way to the vessel, and when he found himself on deck, he went below in search of Blanco. Bot Blanco was not to be found, nor was the cage where he left Billy Winks occupied by the young prisoner, ? Captain Ortiz stood liky one thunderstruck on the threshold of the dark cage, but all at once, with a fierce oath, he ran back and burst into his own private apartments, which were fitted up without regard to cost, In a moment he realized that he had been robbed, Everything indicated that the thief had taken a good deal of valuable property, but here and there something of value remained. Blanco was not to be {found on beard, and when he questioned one of the half drunken sail- ors, be learned that the Cuban bad been gone some time, Back he went to the city, Maybe after all Blanco had finished Billy Winks before quitting the vessel, The harbor was deep and a body could be lowered from the ship without discovery, and Blanco had every reason for making away with the Boy Shadower, This thought somewhat calmed the captain's fears, and he found himself in the city, with his mind made up what to do, He cared but little for the stolen articles, for was be not about to come into possession of a vast sum of money? He would soon lay hold of the Gregg estate, and never again would be sail the deep, and be Captain Ortiz of the Centipede. He was stopped when he thought no one was near, ‘Come with me, I have news,” and he walked off, looking into the face of Simon Sly- boots, wondering what news he could have, Simon shut tne door of his nest carefully be-
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‘oat a r he oe eee hind them, and Captain Ortiz waited for him to speak, ‘“When are you going to pay up?” abruptly asked the blackleg, ‘““When everything is done,” *- What more is there todo? The grandfather is dead, the boy is not foand, and the papers are «tae of you as the only heir, Seems to me the gameis played out,” Tho two men sat face to face in the little room, and for some time Captain Ortiz looked into the eyes of the cool spider. “Perhaps you woul: like to see more than the hand,” said Simon. ‘‘f am prepared to furnish you with all the proof you want. Will you come wih me?” The Gaban drew back. “T am willing to take your word, after what 1 have seen, but you must remember that I am not yet in possession of the estate, that [ will not get it until certain weeks have passed, and the poliee of New York are satisfied that Tom Wegner will never bother me.” ‘ Hang the police!” growled Simon. ‘‘ Meand my pard can’t live on wind,” ‘* f don’t ask you to confine yourself to so slim a diet,” smiled the Cuban, Weil take the check, then,” ** Not all of it?” “Phe whole amount,” Captain Ortiz glared at his man, Simon Slyboots had crossed his legs, and was coolly looking, now at him and now at writing materials that stood on a table near at band, ‘* We'll taka the ten thousand,” he continued, “Life is uncertain, captain, and we want our own very badly,” The eaptain of the Centipede moved to the table and bent over it, pen in hand. Ali this time there were eyes at the window which opened on a sloping roof in the back- yard, These eyes were as keen as any in the city, and when they saw Captain Ortiz seat himself at the table they got a quick light, Billy Winks was ‘‘on deck” as usual, and it was his figure that lay on the roof and his eyes that watched the two men in the room—the mas- ter and his man. For several moments Captain Ortiz wrote and then tossed the paper to the watchful Simon, Mr. Styboots caught it up and looked it over with a good deal of care. Without a word he put it in his pocket and rned to the Cuban. ‘“Thaz counfounded boy has turned up again,” he remarked, Captain Ortiz started as though stung by a snake, ‘** Where is he?” “Tracking, as usual, I have thought of curbing him just to show him that I am still im the ring; but, then, he can’t do me any par- ticular damage. You're not afraid of him, cap- tain?” The color of the Cuban’s cheeks was answer enough, ‘* Simon, do you think you could be as success- ful dealing with this young fox as you were with the other one?” he asked, ‘* When did I ever fail?” ‘'T can’t recall a failure, of course; but you must know that 1 don’t want any spies at my heels at this stage of the game,” ‘* Certainly not; but, captain, you see there might be some trouble connected with the net- ting of ashrewd young rascal who knows the whole city lke this boy does—” “J understand. I don’t know who else to trust, You have furnished the other game and I don’t want you to work for nothing. Would a thousand do?” “That would ouly be five hundred apiece for me an’ Sloper, for 1 would have to get him to help me,” The captain of the Ceutipade bit his lip, and turnei once more toward the table, He wrote a moment and handed the results of his labor to Simon Sly boots. It was a check for three thousand dollars, and the eyes of the sharper emitted a gleam of triumph as ho looked at if, He knew he had Captain Ortiz in his power. ‘* We'll do what we can,” he said, pocketing the check, ‘I don’t propose to have any one at my heels nor interfering with the happi- ness of my friends. Yes, we'll do what we can, ‘Bloper an’ I will. You needn’t fear Mother Magog. [bold a club over her head and she knows it.” ‘* Pm aware of that, Simon.” Billy Winks did noi slide from the roof until the twe worthies had left the room, and when the door had closed upon their retreating 4 SR RET ce see pat REI oes uannaneaiieel nna te a 8 Billy Winks, the Boss Boy Shadower. forms, he left bis perch aud went back to the street, Simon Slyboots was the man he now tracked. He followed him to a house on a very quiet street, and was so near him when he sbut the door, that he heard his footsteps on the stairs in the hall. Presently Simon was heard talking to some one, and when he came out of the house and walked away, Billy lingered and resolved to see the person inside, oe sie he slipped up to the door and knock- ed, It was opened half an inch, and he caught a glimpse of a woman’s face, ‘* What is it?” asked the person in the hall. “The gentleman has sent me back off an er- rand,” and Billy squeezed into the house only to be caught when across the threshold and held as in a grip of iron, There was light enough to show bim the face and figure of the woman who had captured him, She was still young, but not beautiful. There was something soft and silken about her looks, tut there was at the same time that grip which seemed to sink into bis flesh to the very bone and send a chill over it, ‘* He sent you back, did he?” she said, looking down into Billy’s face. ‘* Young man, be never did anything of the kind. If he wanted me to have any news, or if he wanted anything, he would have come back himself, You are play- ing a game of your own, and this is a bad place to do auything of the sort. But what does he want?” ‘* He won’t come back when he said he would,” said Billy, boldly. ‘‘ He’s changed his mind, I guess, The woman laughed. **T thought you wanted some excuse to get in- side, and what are you going to do now that you’re in?” Billy thought of the letter he had picked up under the lamp after Captain Ortiz had dropped it. This woman was the person referred to in that letter as ‘‘ Violet, the Death-F lower.” And he was in her grasp! While he thought of these things he was drag- ged back into the hall and a door alongside was opened, Billy Winks was carried into a dark room, where he was released as suddenly as he had been taken, but all was dark, and he did not know which way to go to find a door. ‘* This is almost as bad as the hold of the Cen- tipede,” he said to himse!f. ‘‘I am now in the clutches of a woman, and she knows that I have crossed the forbidden line by a lie, But there must be a door semewhere.” He started forward, with his bands in front of his face, but had not advanced half a dozen steps when his wrist was encircled by a band that had long fingers, **Stop! To investigate in this house is death!” said a voice in a hiss, and Billy Winks stood still, breathless, but calm. CHAPTER X. BILLY IN BONDAGE, TueE Boss Boy Detective knew that once more be was 1n the grip of the creature whom he had mentally named Violet the Death-Flower, that it was her hand at bis wrist, and that if be resisted he would, in all probability, be throttled in that chamber of darkness, For some little time after the last words, nota sound broke the stillness of the place, and he stood still, waiting for the next move of the un- seen foe, At the end of this time he was burried across the room and a door was opened. This time he was ushered into a chamber not so dark as the first, nor quite light enough to distinctly show him his surroundings, ** Keep a cool head, Billy Winks,” the boy said to himself, ‘“‘ You are in a trap of your own making, and must get out of it as best youcan.” This was true. He had poked his head into danger, but his-motto—*t Nothing risked, noth- ing gained ”—was one he had followed a long time, and he was not the boy to give it up be- cause a little peril threatened, ‘*Sit down, please,” said the woman, and Billy was dumped into a chair, up over the arms of which immediately came two hands that held bim fast, Billy looked foolish when he found bimself thus caught, and the woman met his look with a smile, : ** He » do you like it?” she queried, ‘Oh, I’m contented any where,” was the reply, but the boy detective did not look it, He was left alone in the room, but the me- chanical arms of the chair held him fast, and he could not escape. After a while bis captor came back and looked at bim some time without speaking. | ‘* Playing a game, weren’t you?” she said. Billy did not speak. “It’s all one; you may talk, or keep a still tongue in your head, I am not particular, I don’t like people who track other folks, and I de- | spise the ferret.” ** People who have fears of the police generally don’t like ferrets,” **'You don’t want to insinuate,” and she bent forward and gazed into Billy’s face, All at once she bounded from the room, and | presently the boy heard voices beyond the wall. There was & man on the otber side, anda thought of Simon Slyboots rushed -through his mind, What if that villain of villains had come back? By and by the noises died away and he heard nothing again, An hour passed, and he was still the occupant of the chair. No one seemed to inhabit the house, The dim light flickered along the walland then went out altogether. Billy was once more im darkness as deep as the darkness of Egvpt, nor was this all. He seemed to be rising in midair, propelled upward by unseen power, though be could not feel any hands about him, He had heard of traps opening in the floor and letting the victims down into unknown depths; but here this was reversed, and he was moving up and up, bigher and higher, The strange movement continued till he ap- peared to be fifty feet in the air. When he stopped he leaned forward in hopes of seeing how far he had risen, but could make out nothing, He tugged at bis singular bonds, essayed with all bis strength to get out of the chair, even though by so doing he would fall down and down to the bottom of an unknown abyss; but the mechanical claws would not open, Presently there was a a strange click and Billy was shot once more upward, tho floor seemed to open, and he was in a room well- lighted and well-furnished. As the chair stopped the hands fell off and he sprung from its depths, Free at last—free from the chair at any rate! The Boy Shadower stood a moment and collect- ed bis thoughts. He wasiaa little chamber well- carpeted and furnished with books, Tbe walls were adorned with paintings, and from the win- dow, which was crossed and recrossed with bars of steel, he could look down upon a thriving por- tion of the city and catch the lights and shadows of the streets. But the oddest thing about the apartment was the apparent absence of a door. The room did not seem to possess anything of the kind, This so puzzled Billy Winks that he smiled in spite of himself, A room without a door was indeed a mystery such as he had never heard of, He was hunting for a door when a sound caused him to turn suddenly and he saw that a legend bad appeared on the wall at his back. W here a moment before there were no letters, he now saw a line of words and this is what he read: “This room is as good as a tomb to the unfor- tunate who inhapirs it. It has no outlet and every sound made within its walls dies here,”’ This was not very pleasant reading for the boy detective of New York and for a moment every thing looked dark. He went closer to the letters and saw that they were actually there, that it was not the wild imagining of one’s brain. “Why don’t you come forward like a brave person and face me?” exclaimed Billy, “I am not afraid to face.my fate whatever it be and right here I want tosay that Iam not the sole possessor Of the secret for which tbe police of New York are hunting. The longer I am shut up here the sooner will the secret be given out by the avengers of justice and though I perish in this doorless chamber, I will be avenged by a hand as powerfull as Fate’s,” There was no response to these words which died away within the walls of the room, and Billy Winks fell back and seemed to wait for some sign, While he watched the letters on the wall they appeared to die out, but no others took their lace, re He went to the window and once more looked out,
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‘} of nd Bill Far below lay a small back-yard, and beyond it the tall brick wall of a large building, A group of children were playing in the back- yard, and Billy longed to acquaint them with his situation; but this was out of the question. He could gee the little onesin the light that fell from half a dozen windows, and for nearly ten minutes he stood at the sill and watched them, The same sound that acquainted him with the appearance of the letters on the wall, was heard again, and he turre’ to see another line, This time it was very brief: ‘* The fou knows he is caught !” Ah, how terribly true that was, Yes, Billy Winks knew ho had been netted, and that he was cooped up ina room from which there was no escape. All at once a certain frenzy seemed to seize the boy detective; he sprung to where the books were and jerked one from the shelves, When he opened if a cry welled from his throat, Every page was blank! “‘Tbis is worse than death itself!” cried the caged boy. “This is the most terrible trap I ever heard of,” and he flung himself into the chair from which ho bad lately escaped, and sat there with no color in his face, The long night—it was the longest in his history—passed, and he saw tho welcome hight of another day, He had slept but little, and was at the window looking out over the city. If the room was without a door, how would his food be brought to him, or perhaps none would be brought. After awhile a woman came out on a porch within a stoue’s throw of his prison. As she cast a look toward the barred window, the boy detective caught up one of the books and forced it through the bars, The next moment he was beating the glass with all bis might. ** | will tell them that Iam here, I will hava the police enter this den and rescue me, Simon Slyboots and his friends sha’n’t triumph over me very long.” But alas for Billy’s hopes, the glass was thick and would not yield, and he was obliged to withdraw the book without inflicting any in- jury. The woman was still on the porch, and Billy imagined that he had been seen, He drew back and taking out bis pocket-knife, hurled it at the window with all his might, As luck would have it, it spun between two bars and striking the glass sbattered it and let in a breath of air. The woman on the opposite porch seemed to have heard the noise of breaking glass for she looked at the window and Billy sprung to the opening witha ery of victory. “Help! help! help!” be shouted at the top of his voice and looked toward the porch, The young woman—he could see that she was young—seemed to understand the situation, for she waved her band, looked another moment and vanished. “TI don’t know what effect it .will have,” thought the boy prisoner of the League. ‘It may tighten the coils around me, but nothing risked nothing gained.” With his heart in his throat, as it were, be stood at the window, eagerly watching the op- posite porch. Seconds seemed hours to the boy and he was on the point of despairing when the girl came back. ‘*She sbakes her bead at mo, intimating that she can’t belp me,” gasped the young ferret of New York, and even while he spoke she vanish- ed again and he saw her no more, But at the same moment the floor seemed to tremble beneath his feet. CHAPTER XI. MOLLY MARKS SHOWS HER GRIT, CAPTAIN ORTIZ, who was posing now as Pe- dron Jurillo, the sole heir to Napoleon Grege’s estate, was in high feather. ’ He did not see how he could be baffled, for the boy, Tom Wagner, had not turned up and the police were of the opimon that he was goue for ‘ood, . No one seemed to think for a moment that the captain bimself bad bad a hand in the boy’s disappearance. He did not look like a villain, but if Billy Winks could have been heard while ae was cooped up in tbe Strange house he might have spun a tale that would have created some excitement, The reader will remember that Molly Marks, the fair seamstress and Billy Winks’s friend, —_—_—_ Oo —__—- - - Sn eh eee rr ns naa Is ISG iT I II ee had encountered the Cuban captain on the street and had suspected him of having to do with the death of her father some years prior to the date of our story. Tho young girl was alone in her little room on the night of Billy Winks’s adventure when a rap sounded on the door and the next moment with- out second thoughtshe had bade the knocker enter, In he came, the tall dark man from Cuba, and Molly guve vent toa sharpcry when her eyes fell upon him, Captain Ortiz—we will call him so to the end of the game despite the other name he has as- sumed for a purpose—came forward and took a cea, at the same time watching the girl likea snake, He did not hold back very long, but proceeded to business at once, ‘**T thought your face resembled a face I used to seo years ago,” said he, ‘‘ [twas in Cuba and when [ encountered you on the street the other day I could not help thinking about a man who was lost at sea near the Ever Faithful Isle when I was still there.” Molly started, for the cunning rascal was tall ing about her father, and she watched him nar- rowly hoping to see what he was after, for she believed his mission to her home was one which greatly concerned her welfare. “The man of whom you speak must have been my father for he was drowned at sea off the coast of Cuba years ago,” she auswered him, ** Captain Marks?” ** Captain Marks,” The Cuban was silent for a moment, but all at once he took a packet from an inner pocket and began to unwrap it, The face of Molly, the sewing-girl, lost color as she watched him and when sle saw the pic- ture which he uncovered she started to her feet. ‘*That is my mother’s face!” she cried, point- ing at the portrait, ‘* Let me see-it.” But Captain Ortiz, looking up with a smile, withheld the picture and seemed to draw out of her reach, ‘* What, do you withhold it from me?” “Tt is mine, for Captain Marks gave it to me when we were friends in Cuba and I was not to part with it, not even for a moment.” ‘¢ And you were friends there?” and the eyes of Molly Marks seemed to look the captain through. ‘¢ We were friends and a tie strong as life it- self united us.” “You wrote my mother about the loss of the Fleetwing,” said the girl, still eying him, ‘* T did and a sorrowful task it was, too,” For a moment longer Molly Marks sat and seemed to make a study of the Cuban’s face, ** Some time before the loss of the ship mother received a letter from father, In that letter he wrote about one Captain Ortiz with whom he had become acquainted, He told of the man’s jlantatioa, how rich he was, how many slaves 10 had and what a wonderful forest be had where he used to bunt. One day a letter came which told us that he had put the wrong esti- mate on this man, Ortiz, that he was not the gentleman he had judged him, that, instead of being his friend, he was, in fact, his foe, and that he had discovered a plot to seize the Fleet~ wing and perhaps murder all on bard.” _ Molly paused, but the face of the man who jlistered did not change, Captain Ortiz sat upright in bis chair with his keen eyes fastened upon the fair girl; not a mus- cle moved, His coolness did not flustrate Molly, indeed, it only seemed to nerve her to play the game out, for she had resolved to tell this man, now that he, had come to ber, that she knew him for a consummate scoundrel, ‘*When father came home he told us more than he had committed to paper,” she went on, ‘¢ He told us all be knew or bad learned about this Captain Ortiz, and, young as I was at the time, lL recall the advice motuer gave him—not to go back, but to trade elsewhere where such men did not exist,” ‘‘ But it seems he went back and the ship was lost.” ‘“‘He went back and fought a duel with this man.” “With Captain Ortiz?’ coolly asked the Cuban, “Yes.” Molly thonght she saw a smile at the corners of her visitor’s mouth, , ““T have every reason to believe that my father was wounded by Captain Ortiz,” she went on. ‘* We at first believed the letters we got from him, telling about the fate of the vessel, yer ey mt ee em ee ee 2 al Ae. ine, adower. 9 but by and by other tidings came from that part of the world, and, then, we had other views, You are Captain Ortiz; you are the man who wrote those letters, and they tell me that you have put ina claim for a large estate, claimin to be the person callod Pedron Jarillo in the wi which makes you the heir after the death of the boy, Tom Wagner. I got some of this from ther papers, and Uncle Josh who is somewhat pecu- liar, picks up a good deal on the street.” ‘You are very knowing. I am Pedron Jarillo, and in my time, for a purpose, | have been Cap- tain Ortiz, You have strange thoughts about the death of your father, an I want to say that you are making some grave charges, have - come to help the friend of my friend—to give you brigbter employment than that you have now, and to take you out of this’ house for one better and brighter, I will want a friend, a private secretary, when Tam in the big house on the avenue, and Iam here to offer the place to the daughter of my old friend, Captain M rks of the Fleetwing.” Molly had to look at the man for his au- dacity. ; ‘“T refuse to accept the situation,” she said, coldly. ‘*Ilam content where lam, Iam hap- py here with Uncle Josh, and, then, I have other friends who would advise me against the change even though I wanted to make it.” ‘* But you will have a better home, You will be surrounded with wealth and—” ‘*T refuse!” broke in the girl, ‘* You must not forget that your'denial of the charges made by my father has not altered my opinion of Cap- tain Ortiz.” “You believe, fought?” ‘‘T do, and, what is more, I am inclined to credit the story told me once by a man who came from Cuba that the Fleetwing was burned at sea, and by the orders of the man who owned the great plantation with the fine gro7zes.” The face of the handsome Cuban was now livid, Captain Ortiz arose and for a moment looked down upon the girl, ‘You may wish you bad not rejected the offer I have made,” he said, “*T don’t think I shall ever regret having done 80,” ‘* Think a moment,” “Tf to think means to come over to you and accept the offer of the home on the avenue and todwell under the same roof with the man sus- pected of having had to do with the death of my father, I will nut think,” i Molly Marks now stood erect with a smile on her beautiful face and ber eyes turned full upon the man from Cuba, ‘You don’t want to breathe abroad what you have told mo here,” almost hissed the captain, ‘“«[ shall tell ny opinions where they are likely to bring the guilty to justice!” ‘** You are bat a girl and years bave interven- ed since the Fleetwing vanished from human sight.” ‘* But all witnesses are not dead,” Captain Ortiz laid one band on the knob and ee toward Molly while his eyes got a sudden ash, ‘* Because [am a stranger here you must not think that I am powerless,” he said, ‘I am as much Captain Ortiz as when I lived and had my way in Cuba. Besides this, l am not alone. I have friends as well as cthers. I can strike and strike as hard as those who pro- fess to have hands of iron, You can’t make headway against me, girl. I can blight your life and by the lifting of my band, You are foolish to combat me,” At this juncture a noise was heard and Molly, stepping across the room, threw open the door, Captain Ortiz recoiled from the young man who threw bimself into the apartment and then laid one hand upon bis hip, “‘ Jim, thatis the man I bave told you about,” said Molly, turning to the youth, ‘Is he the same one you bave seen in consultation with Simon Slyboots and his friend?” “He's the same chicken, Molly, and the three have got away with Billy Winks in some man- ner.” “ Who are you?” demanded Captain Ortiz. “Dm Jim, the son of Mother Magog, for I guess you know her best by that name. J haven't as good a record as an angel, but it’s as good as ours, and I don’t intend to mince matters when n your presence,” Jim advanced a step, but threw a look to- ward Molly, ** Shall I throw bim out, Molly?” he asked, Captain Ortiz fell back against the door and jerked itopen, He did not want a collision with Jim, and instead of seeking one, he sprung then, that the duel was
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10 Billy Winks, the Boss Boy Shadower. across the step and halted a moment in the hall, ** T'll see both of you later,” he cried. ‘You'll have to do it almighty soon or the warden of Sing Sing will prevent the interview,” answered Jim, and the next moment the captain of the Centipede was gone. As he went down-stairs he growled to himself and what he said boded Molly Marks no good. CHAPTER XII. TWO IN A TRAP. ‘*T WONDER what’s going to happen now?” passed through Billy Winks’s mind when the floor trembled under his feet, He fully expected to sea it open and send him down into some unknown abyss, but nothing of the kind occurred, Instead, the trembling passed off, and he was left in the round room which had no doors, The morning bad fully come and he was hun- ry. ‘¢ This isn’t a place where one has a chance to order his breakfast,” he thought, ‘I can’t get drip coffee here and talk back to the waiter if the meat is underdone. -I will be lucky if 1 get ee at all.” 6 went to the window once more, and looked across the space that intervened between him and the house where he had seen the girl who had shown no disposition to assist him, but she was not there, But in her place stood a man who looked very like one who was connected with the police. Billy saw that the man was eying the broken window, and drawing near it, he thrust his hand through the opening and tried to wave it at the stranger on the porch. He thought be saw a nod telling that be had been seen, when the man disappeared as the girl had done, and Billy was left to himself, Click, click, went something on the wall again. The boy detective turned and saw another line of letters on the wall. “ The fuse is lighted and the fire runs !” ** Heavens! am I to be blown up with the house?” he cried, falling back from what he had just read, and for a moment he stood in the mid- dle of the room with the whitest face he had ever had. ‘* Where is the man who was on the porch?” he cried, rushing to the window, But the porch was quite deserted, and he could not see any one who seemed to cffer help, Once more the floor trembled, and this time it began to settle. n a short time Billy was out of the doorless chamber, and found himself in another apart- ment beneath it, and alone, This room was dark, but he could feel the fur- niture it contained, and he was on the point of trying to open a door, when it seemed to open of its own accord, and he fell back with a sharp exclamation, The woman—Violet the Death-Flower—stood before him once more! ‘* How did you like the upper story?’ she asked with a smile, leaning toward Billy. The young beagle laughed. **T believe I would sooner live on board the Centipede.” The woman started, ‘“‘She knows Captain Ortiz,” said the boy to bimself. ‘*‘ This woman is in the pay of the gang and has ber orders,” Violet, who had turned on the gas, stood off and looked closely at Billy Winks, ** You’re in the secret, aren’t you?” he asked. *¢ In what secret?” ‘* Why, in the one that puzzles the police, You know something about Tom Wagner.” “Why, you little rascal, you must think I am into everything,” was the quick retort, and the yonng detective saw the woman bending over him with flashing eyes. ‘*T don’t say that, but a woman who is con- nected in any way with Simon Slyboots is like- ly to be into a good many things not exactly straight.” ‘*Do you think so?” and she laughed again, It seemed to Billy that Violet was getting in better humor and he also thought he could de- tect a fear of something in her tone. “Don’t you know that they have their hands over Simon’s head, that they can drop onto him whenever they want to, and when they do, don’t you see that they will take all connected with the scheme?” She did not speak. * They will even rake in the Cuban captain, who is the real head of the plot against the bo a What boy?’ ‘“‘Tom Wagner, old Gregg’s grandson, for whom the police are looking now, though they | will have some lively work.” are not as shrewd as some others who reall hold the thread of the puzzle in their hands.’ ** Are you one of those?” asked Violet. Billy smiled knowingly. ‘*1f Iam I was sharp enough to leave what I know in the hands of somebody else before I be- came yourcaptive, You did not think 1 would come into this trap without having some one else on guard, ready to let the cat out of the bag if I got into trouble?” The look that had come into Violet’s eyes was a comical one, yet it gave the Boy Shadower some hope. ‘* When they are all pulled in what will you do, Violet?” he asked, No answer, : ‘**Won’t you look fine behind the ten of dia- monds, when you could have remained here and been as free as a bird in the forest?” “Look here,” anc the band of the woman clutched Billy Winks’s arm. ‘I know what you are trying to do; you want to get out of here the worst kind, and you are trying to frighten me into letting you out, It’s as plain as the nose on your faces, but I am not the person to open the door contrary to orders,” “ Just as you like. Iam in your power, but all the time the hands of the clock of fate are moving, and you must not complain if, when they reach a certain point, they pronounce your doom.” ** What will it be?” ** What do you think it ought to be after serv- ing Captain Ortiz and Simon Slyboots?” There was a sharp cry from the woman’s throat, and she fell back and looked into Billy Winks’s eyes. ‘* Tt won’t be a fine house and a big parlor,” he remarked. **Come, you can’t hoodwinak me,” **T don’t want to, Iam only giving you little bits of truth, and if you don’t want to accept them, why, Iam through. You can’t win this game. The boy is missing, but we know who took him off; we know with whom he walked out of the Park the night he vanished, and don’t you think we have: been on the trail long enough to have an idea where he is?” The next moment a bell tinkled over the wo- man’s head, and she turned to the hall. Billy heard her there a moment, and then fol- lowed the shutting of a door. In another instant the creature game back, excitement in her eyes, and springing toward him she seized his wrist and jerked him across the floor. ‘You have told the truth, but they sha’n’t find you when they come in!” she cried, Billy drew back, but the hand of Violet was too strong for bim, and he was dragged into an- other room and down a flight of steps, as if some infernal power clothed the womau’s muscles, All at once a key clicked in a lock, and as a door opened he was thrown forward, and the last words he heard were: ‘*T guess you'll have company in there, Go and see.” Billy Winks fell upon his face, but rose and stood in the dark till he heard a voice, ‘* Who are you?” asked the voice he heard. The young ferret of Gotham started forward, but brought up against a cot which he could feel in the dark, ‘*T am here, and have been ever since I fell into the trap they set for me. I am Tom Wag- ner, the lost boy for whom I guess grandfather is looking in every hole and corner of the city.” The words took Billy Winks’s breath, and for some moments he could only press the hand he had found, and could not use his tengue. ‘Vou seem to be a boy like myself.” ‘“*T am,” said the boy ferret, at last. ‘‘I am Billy Winks. You know we used to meet in the Park—” ‘*T remember you. But how came you here?” ‘*T made a trap and walked into it. I am looking for you—” *¢ And you have found me! What is the news outside? How is Grandfather Gregg?” Billy dia not answer. “7 guess it’s all over with him,” continued the lost boy of thaavenue. ‘‘He was near death’s door when they sprung the trapon me, I have been here, I can't tell how long, for I can’t reck- on time in this place. Simon Slyboots is at the head of the plot, and he is the man who netted me.” ‘* Netted you for Captain Ortiz!” ‘*'You may know more than I do,” said Tom, ‘You once told me that you sometimes hunted rascals down and turned them over to the po- lice,” EE ‘*T do that yet, and when I get out of here f ‘“‘When you get out, eh? get out of this place?” ‘Why not? I have never been in a trap that I did not get out and make somebody sweat for springing it on me,” “You've got the kind of grit I like, and of course I will do my share of the business, but it seems to me that we are two rats in a cage, and that the key has been lost.” Billy left the young heir and went to the door. ‘¢] was hustled down here in a way that told me tbat some one dangerous to the gang had discovered tbe trap. 1 was in the high room and managed to signal a man on a porch, but I can’t say what I accomplished.” ‘¢They brought me here at once. Simon Sly- boots turned me over to the tigress called Vio- let, and I have been in her power ever since.” Suddenly a noise startled both boys. In an instant they were on their feet, and were listening with all ears. ‘¢T will stand my ground, and the two are as safe here as at the bottom of the river!” said a voice. “I have locked the door for the last time, and when I quit the house it will never open to let any one out,” That was all, The voice ceased, and in the awful silence Billy Winks and Tom Wagner heard the beat- ing of their own hearts. CHAPTER XIII. THE IRON KEY, Ir the boys shut up in the dark place belong- ing to the old house could have looked beyond the door of their prison, they would have seen and recognized the speaker. It was Violet, the Death-Flower, and she faced a man who looked in the demi-gloom very like Simon Slyboots, the oily rascal of the city of mysteries. ‘“‘That’s all right,” said Simon, with a grin. ‘¢ All you have to do is to carry out your words and keep a still tongue in your head. I have finished with my employer for the present, though I am by no means done with him,” Violet walked away with Simon, looking up into his face until they had gained a lighted room when she sprung forward and caught his arm, ‘* 1']] take my pay now,” she said. In an instant Simon Slyboots was gazing into her face. ‘¢ Your pay?” he echoed with a derisive smile. ‘* Jd like to know what you’ve earned.” “What haven’t I earned?’ said the woman, ‘¢T have been the slave of the whole plot and now when I ask for my wages, Iam laughed at and by you, the last man who ought to be guilty of that.” ‘‘Tt seems to me you're very cool about this affair. Itold you that I would see that you were paid and I intend to.” ‘The game is out and lam waiting for what is coming to me,” and Violet hetd out her hand. “TI am going to keep still, and that is pay enough, I think.” The look that the startled creature shot Simon Slyboots was almost enough to shock bim. “Ts that my pay?” : «Isn't it enough?” ‘* What if I shouldn’t keep as still as you say you intead to!” ‘¢-You don’t think of giving the snap away, do ou?’ A There is no telling what a woman will do.” Simon laughed again and in her face, “Tam going away. I want to get asfar from New York asI can, I want to put seas between me and the door back there. I want to live in such a manner as not to think of the past which Iam leaving behind.” ‘* Well, live as you please; it’s all one to me,” Violet looked at him, and then came on with her hands shut. “*T am desperate, Simon Slyboots. You have made me as desperate a creature as this accurs- ed city shelters, I have served you and your master, the Cuban; I know what has been done, and I have’ been a partof the game, I have played jailer, and played it well. Without me you could not have succeeded, and the boy would not be now @ lost heir to half a million, Give me enough to get away on. I won't ask anything more.” Simon Slyboots, with a look that seomed to freeze the beholder, shrugged his shoulders in an insulting manner, and smiled provokinglyv, “Don’t you intend to give me my pay?” ** How much do you want?” ‘ Five hundred.’ Do you expect to
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| i ; i ] Li ‘“‘Heavens! I’m no millionaire. You must think I’m a bank president, or the owner of a Stock Exchange.” * But think what you get from Captain Ortiz, without taking half the risks I have,” ‘ “rou don’t know that he is to pay me a dol- ar. “¢-You don’t help men for nothing.” **T don’t, eh? Ll reckon I know what I get, if anything, and here you want five hundred merely for keeping the key toa certain door, I guess not!” and he ran his hands into the depths of his pockets and shook his head. Just as he turned toward the door, Violet's hand closed suddenly on his shoulder, aud he was jerked back into the middle of the room. ‘‘T can go away without pay,” she said, and there was a desperate glare in her eyes, “ I know where the river is.” “* Well, go to it, then!” He looked at her with a malicious eye and opened the door, “Tet me say one thing before we part,” be wenton, ‘ If youever do anything looking to- ward giving the snap into the hands of the cops, I want to say here that you will wish you had never seen the steeples of New York. Do it if you dare!” e shut the door in her face and went out. Violet stood in the room for a moment, and seemed to listen to his steps till the sound of them died away. ‘“Have I helped them for this?” she cried. ** He has received thousands for his share of the work, and I have made success certain. What did he do, anyhow? He decoyed the boy from home, brought him to my house, and I have acted as his jailer, keeping him out of sight, and the whole city believes him dead, Then, I kept the boy ferret in the trap when he came ona mission which, if successful, would render the play abortive, and here, when I ask for enough to take me from the scenes of my life, I am re- fused, even laughed at.” : She clinched her hands while she spoke, and when she had finished she went to the window and stood there some time, looking out upon the street through the shutters, *“T could go and tell all. Then I could go back and unlock the door which stands between the boys and liberty. But Iwou’d have to put many miles between me and Captain Ortiz and his men. I would be hunted as mercilessly as ever wolf was hunted. 1 know what they are— Simon Slyboots is one of the coolest cut-throats living, and Reck Sloper but little better, What shall | do?” She walked across the room, and seemed to have made up her mind, In another moment she was at the door lead- ing to the steps that took one to the chamber tenanted by Billy Winks and Tom Wagner. “Are you going to let the rats out?” said a yoice bebind her, Violet turned as if a serpent had hissed at her heels. Near by, grinning from ear to ear, stood Simon Slyboots! ‘¢ What, bave you come back?” cried the wom- an, ‘I thought you had gone a i “But I thought I would drop back and see how you were getting along.” There was no reply for a moment, and the half-frightened creature watched him with her foot at the dungeon door, “ Listen,” said Billy Winks to his companion in the dark, ‘The woman, Violet, is out there once more, and she is talking to some one.” The boys were at the threshold, and their eagerness was something startling, “Give me the key,” said Simon Slyboots, *T am jailer still.” “*No, you are discharged from this moment. Give me the key!” , Violet felt in her pocket and grasped the iron ch held the young friends in durance, ith a word which the boys could not com- prehend, she threw it at Simon’s feet, and the rattle of the iron on the stones was distinctly heard, ‘*You wanted five bundred, [ believe,” con- tinned the sharp, ‘There, take that.” Violet stooped and picked up @ roll of. bills which he had tossed at her feet, but the next mo- ment they were in his face, ‘It is three hundred short,” she cried, ‘I want five hundred or nothing,” Simon coolly transferred the money to his sg and at the same time gecreted the iron e * CG ood-by,” said he witha laugh, ‘‘ You can get away whenever you want to go, You know the road out of this house. But, as I have said, beware!” ——————————————————eE————E——————————————E———EEEE———————————— ee She nodded and looked after him with a sav- age gleam under her long lashes and he went whistling up the corridor till he disappeared, Scarcely had he gone when Violet threw her- self against the heavy door, ** Are you in there!” she asked, ** Of course we're bere,” answered Billy Winks. ** Well, you won’t stay very long. I am going to see that both of you get out.” ‘*That’s clever and we will see in return that you lose nothing by your act.” “*T don’t ask anything. I won’t expect to be protected even. 1 am tired of serving a nest of scoundrels and I want to see them lose the prize. She went off before either of the boys could reply and they were left again in darkness with no sounds of any sort to reach their ears, Violet gained the street and hurried off, There was an eagerness in her step and a cer- tain whiteness to her face that boded evil to Simon Slyboots and his game, She did not trust herself to the cars, but walk- ed on and on andat last turned into Mulberry street, Her last turn told of her destination. knew where the police station was, ‘*In afew moments you will be unmasked, Simon Slyboots,” she said half aloud. ‘I am desperate and you have dared me, I will get out of this infamous affair, even though it gets me into prison. Captain Ortiz, who has won thou- sands, may pay you, but you refuse to pay me and the whole gang shall suffer.” In another five minutes’ walk she would have reached the station, but some one was on her track, Violet looked back in time to see the hand that descended upon her shoulder, and before she could spring from beneath it, it fell with the power of a trip-hammer., “Going to give the snap away, were you?” cried the owner of the hand. ‘‘I guess you will come with me,” and as she was pulled back she tried but vainly to articulate a single word, Poor Violet! She was in the clutches of as cool a villain as ever played a bold hand for big stakes, and before she found her tongue she was half a block back and the giowing eyes of Simon Slyboots were looking triumphantly into her face, There was no doubt that the rascal had fol- lowed her from the house and had watched his opportunity. She CHAPTER XIV. AN OPPORTUNE ARRIVAL. MEANTIME Jim, Mother Magog’s son, was again looking for Billy Winks, whom he had lost for the second time, Jim knew the city, and as be had an inkling that Captain Ortiz was laying his plans for the final capturing of old Gregg’s money, he was very anxious to discover the boy detective, for, with their heads together, he was sure that he and Billy could hatch out a plan that would baffle the plotters. : But one thing was against Jim, and this was his unenviable record, He was no angel by any manner of means, but he did not conceal this, though there were sever- al crimes which only Simon Sly beots knew about and this knowledge had been the club which the rascal had held over his head for months, But now Jim had a counter-club for, as we know, he had preserved the letter which, in reality, had frightened old man Gregg to deatb, and it was ready to come forth whenever occa- sion should require, It happened that Jim was on the street when Simon was leading Violet off in triumph, and seeing this, he resolved to follow the pair. If Simon Slyboots had seen the young man, there might have been a change of play, but he kept so well in shadow that he was not seen at all, and succeeded in following Simon and his charge to a house, which was the same one from which Violet bad fled, Jim watched the place til] he grew tired, and as no onecame out, he fell to wondering what had taken place. At last, bower, the door opened and the sleek rascal came out, and after having been followed some distance, was joined by Captain Ortiz, and the two adjourned to a drinking-place which Jim, with his hat pulled over his eyes, entered on a mission of investigation, Captain Ortiz was leaning over a small dark table talking earnestly to Simon, who was listen- ing very closely, The Cuban Captain was agitated. “You'll become more excited than you are Billy Winks, the Boss Boy Shadower. SS now as the game goes on,” remarked Jim in an undertone, ‘* You must have made a sudden discovery that everything isn’t going along just as you would like to have it. Just wait till Pve found Billy Winks and we get our noggins to- gether, Then look a little out, Captain Ortiz,” Jim did not get to hear very much, and when the two came out of the saloon they almost espied him, and would have done soif he had not dodged bebind a man, Yaptain Ortiz looked more hopeful when he came out of the place than he had when be en- tered it, and Simon was whistling a merry tunes as if everything was moving along to suit bim., Tbe Cuban walked off, followed by Jim, who wanted to see where he went, and in time he had bim run down in a house where, as Pedron Ja- rillo, be had rooms, The captain found several letters on his table when he entered the room on the second floor, and one of these he took up with more haste than the others. ‘‘ By Jove! this is the very hour named in this letter, and I wonder if-be will come,” he exclaim- ed aloud, There wasa heavy step on the stair just be- yond the room, and before he could prevent the entrance of any one the door opened and an old man came in, ‘*T guess ’'m on time, ain’t I?” said this person who was no one else than Timothy Turk, Tom Wagner’s eccentric relative, Captain Ortiz glared at him like a Cuban cat, but did not speak. “You got my letter, I see, and}I thought I would be punctual.” ‘‘ But I bave not consented to the interview.” ‘But we will have it all the same—” Captain Ortiz broke the sentence with an oath, and waved his yellow band toward the door, “Shut the coor, eh? Of course, Now we are alone and I will make my business known, You are Pedron Jarillo?” Pol ani’ “You will soon take possession of the estate left by Napoleon Gregg as being the person next to Tom Wagner in the will, The boy isa rela- tive of mine, and I represent bim here.” ** You do?” “That’s what I do, and Iam glad to be able to do so.” The old man talked with emphasis, under which the man from Cuba bit his lip. ‘*T want to know where Tom is,” The seeming absurdity of the words caused Captain Ortiz to burst into a fit of laughter. Took here; old fellow, lam inno mood for joking, and you will have to excuse me to-day.” Timothy Turk’s features did not change, ‘‘T am not joking. I never joke at all, and if you don’t like my language, you will have to put up with it while I am here,” **Go on.” Perhaps Captain Ortiz thought that the more be humored the old man the sooner he would get shut of bim, and so be allowed bim to proceed. ‘*In the first place, lam one of the few who don’t believe Tom Wagner dead,” he went on. ‘The boy is the victim of a plot, and I think I know one or two people who are concerned in it.” “That's good. Why don’t you take your in- formation to the police?” “‘]’m not quite ready for that yet.” “And you have concluded to consult me in- stead?” ** Just so.” Captain Ortiz glanced at the unopened letters, and waited for the old man to go On, ““ While the boy lives you can’t get your hands on the property,” he said. ; “That's not troubling me one whit.” “You will bave to prove that Tom Wagner is dead—” ‘¢ That will not be bard to do, I am sorry to say, from a certain point of view,” “You mean that you are sorry for the boy’s sake?” “ Yer.” ; “You once did Napoleon Gregg a service in Cuba?” : ; “1 got him a wife there—Tom’s mother.’ ‘¢ Yes, You seemed very anxious to have the match come off just as if you looked ahead to something of this sort,” The Cuban’s face grew very dark for a mo- ment. ‘* Now, my dear captain, what would you say if I, Timothy Turk, were to tell the story of the loss of the Fleetwing, and bow a duel was fought between you and her captain in your elegant orange grove?” “T would say that it would be money iv your pockets, for, as I am one of the lions of the
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Billy 12 hour, the newspapers are anxious to get all the news they ean about me, and they would allow you so much per column for the narrative.” The very coolness of the Cuban was perplex- ing and eccentric Timothy Turk. could not over- look it, F “TI guess I’m about through,” he said, leav- ing his ehair and retreating to the door with bis eyes riveted upon the man from Cuba, Ortiz drew a breath of relief, ‘No, bold on a minute! I forgot something. You haven’t told me where ‘om is,” ‘‘ What if I should say 1 didn’t know?” “Then I, the last of the Turks, would say de- liberately that Captain Ortiz lied.” A flush of brightness came instantly to he Cuban captain’s cheek, and he started toward the old man, but suddenly checked himself. ‘“*T guess you will tell me before you touch me,” cried old Timothy, suddenly drawing a re- volver and thrusting it into Captain Ortiz’s face, Taken aback by this sudden display of war, the man from the tropics stopped and looked into Timothy’s face over the leveled pistol. ‘*- You know, for one of your minions took him off,” continued Timothy Turk. ‘‘I have no compunctions, none at all, and would as soon blow out your brains as those of a pig.” His look confirmed these words, and the eyes that glared behind the six-shooter told Captain Ortiz that he must be dealing with a crazy man. “Tam going to count three, and if at the end of the eount [ haven’t been told where Tom Wagner is, I will proceed to give the coroner of New York a job.” The breath of the Cuban came fast. **] shall begin without any further ceremony, so here i go. One—” Captair Ortiz looked toward the door for he was almost sure he had caught the sound of footsteps there, “This weapon carries six bullets, captain. I am going to find Tom or turn the man who is playing such a cool hand into a lead mine, I am, wo— The door opened, On the threshold stood the tall figure of Reck Sloper who had not dropped in for the purpose of rescuing any one in particular, but on a mis- sion calculated to replenish his pockets through the blackmailer’s arts, He took in the situation at a glance, but did not stir, “Stand where you are! I am running this thing,” said Timothy Turk with a mad glance at the new-comer, -Captain Ortiz’s eyes made an appeal which was hard to resist, Perhaps Mr. Sloper thought that should Timothy press the trigger, a certain source of revenue would vanish, and in a mo- ment, with more courage than be bad ever dis- played, he bounded across the room, knocked the revolver into the air and threw the old man against the wall, It was like tho sudden swoop of a thunder- bolt. Captain Ortiz seized Sloper’s hand and looked into his eye. “TI won’t forget this,” worth—” ** About five thousand,” finished the money shark, ** Both of you are wrong,” put in old Timothy who was picking himself up in one corner. ‘“* It will coss you a term in Sing Sing if not a jig on the gallows,” and before either ceuld detain bim he bad sprung across the room and was gone. he said. “It is CHAPTER XV. LIFE IN A LION’S DEN. Wwan Reck Sloper left the room occupied hy Captain Ortiz he considered himself richer by several theusands than he was when he crossed its thresbheld. He bad been the means of saving the Cuban’s life from the pistol of Timothy Turk who would have pressed the trigger if the man from the tropics bad not given him the information he was after. Sloper, who lacked the cco’ness displayed by Simon Slyboots, was withal » man of some vood points, and he was soon far from the scene of bis adventure in search of his friend Simon to whom he was eager to detail his exploit. If he bad turned his face in another direc- tion he might bave ran across two boys sneak- ing through the shadows of New York, the one in advance being our friend Billy Winks and bis companion long-lost Tom Wagner who once more found himself on the streets of the city. Te eut a long story short, Violet had opened / Winks, the Boss Boy Shadower. the door of their prison and they were making their way toa place where tbe boy ferret was anxious that Tom should hide for a time, Tney reached this place which turned out to be Molly Marks’s little house, and there the lost boy heir was made as comfortable as possible, ‘*l am out of the trap and now the ratcateber will have to look out,” said Billy Winks, ‘* The first thing 1 shall turn my attention to will be the locating of the captait’s house, but I don’t think that will be difficult,” The following day Billy, looking over a news- paper while he was “ tuking a snip,” as he ealled it, in the cheap restaurant he patronized, saw a notice in the ‘‘ want column” that riveted his gaze, “IT wonder if I could get myself up so as to hoodwink the hawk from Cuba,” he thought, reading the notice for the second time, ‘it is risky, but worth trying, for it would give me an insight into the very workings of the plot, though, if { shou'd be discovered, it wouldn’t go very smoothly with yours truly.” Billy laid the paper down and went home, Jim bad been there looking for him, as be found out, and a note lying on the table, Jim having tossed it over the transom, told bim that, unless he found him elsewhere, he (Jim) would return that nigbt, “Vi play my uew band and then run the chances,” remarked Billy. At ten o’clock a boy who did not look in the least like the young ferret of New York present- ed himself at the door of the house occupied by Captain Ortiz. he door was opened by a young woman who asked him in, and in a moment he found himself ov the inside, ‘*Don’t look very much like a lion’s den, but that’s what it is,” muttered the boy detective, taking in the scene that presented itself, Just then he heard footsteps and in a second Captain Ortiz, in smoking jacket, made his ap- pearance, The captain of the Centipede looked at the boy and then nodded good-naturedly. ** 'You’re the tenth I’ve had already,” said he, ‘Then I’m lucky, for it’s queer you haven’t had ten hundred,” Captain Ortiz told the young ferret to enter a room alongside the hall and wait for him which he did and in a little while found himself alone, The Cuban was not out of sight very long and when he came sauntering in he had changed his apparel and looked more like his old self, ““T want a boy,” he began, crossing his legs and takiug a cigar from an open box on the table, ‘‘ You may have heard of me. 1am be- sieged by cranks, They have been calling ever since the rascally papers have told them that I live here. You see [ have beeu kicked into a fortune, and they come to me thinking that what comes easily will depart as easy, and that I stand here all the time with my purse striags open, ready to fill the pockets of every Tom, Dick and Harry who calls,” **That’s just like some people, and you want a boy who can tell a crank when he sees one and who will not let them inside?” ‘That's if exactly. The girl who opened the door to you won’t do at all, She thinks it her duty to let everybody in and she religiously obeys her sweet will, ou know the city?’ “1 ought to.” ** Born bere?” Vee,” * Name?” ** Ned Hanley.” ‘* Well, Master Hanley, I guess you will do. The job won’t be a very long one, for I expect to move to other quarters in a few days and then I will be among peopie Who don’t allow cranks within a stone’s throw of their homes.” And so Billy Winks found bimself in the em- oy of the very man who hed hissed a jaguar u .on kim, He realized that be was in ‘‘ the lion’s den,” as he calied it, that if he was suspected, he would be in a predicament to which even the confine- ment of the top room of the strange house would be a pleasure, but he had weighed everything bef: re coming to the place, aod he was prepared to take the consequences. If the ‘isguise beld out he was safe; if it failed, his life might pay the penalty. He had bardly taken bis place when the bell sent its tones through the bouse and Billy an- swered the ring, A mas stood on the step. “We ain’t giving our wealth away,” said Billy, shutting the door in the man’s face and watching his lips curl with scorn as he turned away. “Who was it, Ned?’ asked Captain Ortiz, coming into the hall, “ One of the Crank family, and I sent him off before be could get bis request in, I don’t know whether he wasan orphan or some agent for the Senegambian Society; but he didn’t get a cent all the same, and off he went,” Back went Billy to the little room where he was to answer the belland the long hours began to pass, The interior of the house shut off from the rays of the sup, was quite dark aud the room cool, Billy knew that Captain Ortiz was in the ad- joining roor, for a subtle perfume of tobacco stole into the chamber be occupied and he re- solved to be on his guard. The long day waned and the shadows of night came, He thought of Jim, and longed to have an in- terview with Mother Magog’s son. ‘‘T am here on duty and can’t steal out and see Jim,” said the boy detective, ‘1 will have to see him another time, for if I keep my post here I will win. Something will come to me here and [ will pick up the clew I want. Suddenly the bell rung and he bounded from his chair an’ sprung into the ball, As he entered he saw the door open and a man appeared to him. Simon Sly boots! The young detective knew him on sight, and when the tall form of the rascal came forward Billy dodged back into the room and let him go on to Captain Ortiz. He heard tbe door leading to the Cuban’s room open and shut and master and man were together. Billy moved over to the door between the rooms, and prepared to take mental notes of the interview. Captain Ortiz was surprised to see Simon there at that hour, and the first words dropped by the sleek tool startled him. ‘‘ What made you threaten the girl?” asked Simon. Captain Ortiz laughed, ‘*Confound ber, she don’t know a good thing when she sees it,” he exclaimed. ‘* But who told you that I have had an interview with Molly Marks?” ‘““T hear a good many things,” answered Simon, in an off-hand manner. ‘She might have been won over, but now it is too Jate, un- less a good hand is employed,” ‘““Thatmeans ‘hire me; Iam the good hand,’” said Billy, under his breath, ‘‘ This man is a gold-eater, He is money-hungry all the time, and now is trying to bleed the captain before he bas had a chance to get his hands upon the estate for which he has played his cards,” **Do you know Molly Marks, Simon?” “Don’t 1? If yeu bad come to ne some time ago and intimated so and so, [ could have ar- ranged this thing to your satisfaction, and you need not have had a tiff with the girl, You know how she lost her father?” C ptain Ortiz said ‘* Yes,” and then Simon went on: ‘“You see she more than half believes that the Fleetwing wasn’t lost, as at first reported, but that a duel was fought by her captain and a certain Cuban gentleman, and that her father was mortally wounded,” ‘* She as good as told me so,” ‘¢ You were a littla too fast, captain.” There was a moment’s silence, when the voice of Simon Slyboots was heard again: ‘You've got a boy, I noticed, when I came in?” ‘‘Got him through the papers, to give the cranks the bouace, and he seems to fill the Lill.” ‘‘He made himself scarce when he caught sight of nie. I guess he saw i wouldn’t stand any of his foolishness, and concluded to let me pass. About the same size of the boy I stopped from tracking us. He was really dangerous, captain, but it’s all O, K. now, and we don’t have to look back when we are abroad,” It was an hour before the interview ended and the footsteps of Simon Sly boots went toward the door. Billy Winks did not escort him out, but stood near the door, more than half fearing that some sudden impulse to look at him would take posses- sion of Simon’s noggin; but he was agreeably disappointed, and when be heard the door close on the figure of the oily villain of the streets he breathed free once more, Verily life in a ‘‘lion’s den” was somewhat exciting, ‘‘Nothing risked nothing gaived,” said the boy ferret. ‘‘f am here for business, and here I will stay till I am ready to go back to Jim,” oe
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fos CHAPTER XVI. AN EXCITED RASCAL, MORE than once, Mother Magog’s son caught himself woudering what had become of Billy Winks, the boy detective. He did not know that be hed entered the em- ploy of the most dangerous man of the whole gang, Captain Ortiz himself, and if he had dis- covered this he would have feared for Billy’s safety. Meantime the young ferret had his eyes open and was watching every move made by the cap- tain of the Centipede. He knew that discovery meant danger, and he was resolved not to let such an event take place, Captain Ortiz was so puffed up with the suc- cess he had achieved, that he was relaxing bis watcbfulness, and Billy observed tbis with a good deal of secret satisfaction, Tom Wagner, awaiting the course of events at Molly Mark’s house, was forming a friendship which promised to become permanent, Tbe sew- ing-girl told him her history as sbe knew it, and led bim to have a deeper seated hatred for the oe who had played such a bold game against im, The night after Billy’s adventure with Simon Slyboots, in Captain Ortiz’s house, Tom and Molly were in the little sewing-room occupied by the girl when a rap sounded on the door. In an instant the boy sprung bebind a curtain that hung acro-s one corner of the place, while Molly slowly opened the door to ber visitor. What was her surprise when the artful Simon presented biniself! The rascal was gotten up in style, and when be bowed to the yirl, there was a sleek smile oa bis newly-shaven face, “TY thought | would call ona matter of busi- ness,” said he, crossing his long legs complacent- mh “You see, Miss Molly, I bave an inkling of the fate of your father, an event that happened long ago. his vesse!?” Molly |ooked at bim, wondering what interest he could be taking in her private affairs, **T can not see how the event, saying that it is true, can interest you,” she began when he stop- ped her, “T beg your pardon, but it does all the same, Tam anxious to get at the truth for, though years have passed and the vessel and its gallant souls are at the bottom of the sea, we may make discoveries that will put a new face on the mat- ter,” “Do you mean tosay that the story of the Fleetwing, as it bas been told so often, may not be the true one?’ "Stranger things than that have happened.” Molly told as much of the story as she knew, but left out any reference to her father’s duel with Captain Ortiz on the latter’s plantation, Simon Slyboots listened with asmile at his ls it trus that he was lost at sea in When he was gone, Tom Wagner came from ‘behind the curtain and said: ‘* That villain has a motive io all he does, and be wanted to hear your story for the purpose of blackmailing some one,” “There is n> doubt of it, and who would he blackmail but Captain Ortiz” “The very man! I wonder what has become of Billy Wink-+? The boy ought to know of this visit. He can fathom the mun’s duplicity, sud Tam anxious to get back into the old house.” “But you won’t risk yourself on the street whilethese mep are in the game?” “T muet if Billy don’é soon come,, — want to spring the trap on Captain Ortiz and his friends, and it ean’t be done without the boy detective’s help.” “Tam for giving bim the glory of the catch,’ said Molly, with a glow of pride. “* Billy Winks is worth bis weight in gold, and lam proud of the boy.” To this ‘Tom assented, and the two talked on about the man whohad just left, and were can- Vassing the dark scheme that was being played When Molly’s uncle came 10. Simon Slytoots went back to his rooms and threw himself into a chair with a lang. ** Ho! [ have another hold on him, That was a lucky visit I made to the girl. I will hold him tight with the new rope, and it will be worth a good many thousands befure J Jet go.” The fellbw was in his element, and he smoked half a dozan cizars over bis thoughts. Yes, he had another hold on the man be was bleeding; he evyld pull Captain Ortiz’s purse, strings and draw from the purse itself more money for his needs, Presently in came his partner, Reck Sloper, and the moment Simon saw the face tefore bim he knew that something bad happened, Billy Winks, the B rr Sloper took a chair, and with the sullenness of a beaten wolf, said in hoarse tones: **T cuess we're in for it, now. out of the trap.” ‘¢ Out of what trap?’ cried Simon, starting in spite of bimself. ‘* Why, ont of the cellar in the old house—the house once occupied by Violet.” For a moment there was no reply, ‘*T mean every word | say, for I have been there and seen for myself,” was the answer. ‘I bad a dream that would not Jet me rest one mo- ment until 1 bad investigated, and so I went to the spot and found the rats gone,” ** And Violet?” ‘‘Of course; she wasn’t there waiting for me.” The clinched hand of Simon Siyboots came down upon the table with eraphasis, ‘A thousand curses upon the head of that woman!” he cried, ‘* That won’t mend matters, I am going.” A sneer curled the lips of Slyboots, ‘* Cowards always run off and leave the brave to figbt the battle single-handed,” he said, Reck Sloper looked at his old companion. ‘You and the captain ought to be able to take care of the game as it is now,” he replied. ‘*T have something to live for—” ** A neck to save, eb!” “Just as you think,” grinned Reck, ‘‘ Since you have said it, my neck is as dear to meas anything I possess, I don’t want to look out from behind bars, for ’m a young man yet.” ‘“*Of course, Mr, Sloper, there is the door. You can go!” Reck Sloper fell back, looking at his old pard, and reacbed the portal before be spoke again. ‘**Good-by, Simon,” he said. No answer, “‘T wish you success, bul, of course, I can't help you.” ln an instant Simon Slyboots was on bis feet, and his eyes were flashing fire. “Get out of the house, or by the holy stars! I won’t answer for what takes place,” he roared, ‘“*T have put up with your cowardice Jong enough, and the wonder is you haven't betrayed me to the cops before chis.” “JT don’t do that, Cant you give a fellow credit for some virtues? Good-by, Simon,” Sloper sbut tbe door in Simon’s face and went down stairs, ‘“* Escaped? That may not be true, but if it is they could not bave got out without the conniv- ance of Violet. That woman did not look at me when we parted for notbing. I thought I saw wickedness in ber eye, and this is what she has done.” He put on his hat and followed Sloper to the street, ; He glided under the Jamps, keeping in the shadows of the buildings as much as possible aan he reached the house formerly occupied by i: let, Opening the door with a key which he tock from bis pocket, he went in and made his way to the dungeon where he bad left the young cap- tives, Billy and Tom. It was locked as usual, but when he opened it and looked into the darkness ahead, a cbill Swept to his heart. The very silence told bim that the birds had esca ped, ‘“*T will get even with her! I think I know where to find the traitress,” he growled, ‘‘Sbe can’t get out of the reach of my arm, no matter where she goes, Ah! won’t I have vengeance for this?” He tore back with his anger at white heat. He left. the house, locking the doors bebind bim, and did not breathe free again until he was on the street, : An hour later he was standing on the sidewalk looking closely at a certain house, ‘*She nsed to come to this house when she got out of the old place for a spell, Her sister ow n- ed it when sbe died, and I believe left it to ber. But I will see.” The bh: ur was not very late, and he rung the bell that sent a musical tinkle through the hall. A woman’s face appeared at the threshold, and catching a glimpse of it, Simon forced bis body into the house and stood before Violet, He had found the woman who had betrayed bim, “Heavens! you?” cried the woman, whose face was white, . ‘*Why not? Did you expect to escape me? I would have followed you to the en's of the world, I am here to demand an explanation, and then to punish,” For a moment there was no reply. “IT could not see them die in that trap—” The rats are oss Boy Shadower. 13 “When in Simon. of stone.” To this there was no reply, but the next mo- ment the door at the end of the ball opened and a tall, muscular female came forward, “Great Ceesar’s ghost!” exclaimed Simon, falling back. ‘ I did not look for you here.” “T guess not, but | am here all the same. Stand where you are,Simon Slybootea I want tu talk to you.” He kept bis place, for the speaker caugbt him by the shoulder, and with bis vaunted ecurage oozing out at his finger ends, he looked up inte the fuceof Mother Magog. CHAPTER XVII. THE DEAD COMES BACK, SHUT up in the house occupied by Captain Ortiz, the cool head of the plot, Billy Winks found a good deal to occupy his time, He had to keep his eyes open, and net one movement of the captain escaped him, Of course he could not follow the Cuban upor the street—that was not bis business—but he could watch those who came to see him aad take all the mental notes he could, On the second day Captain Ortiz made an elaborate toilet and went out, This was just the opportunity the boy detec- tive had been waiting for. He wailed some time after the man’s departure aud thenslipped into the room generally occu pied by him, He thought that perbaps the Cuban bad gone for a visit to the Centipede, and that he would bave a good deal of time on his hands, Ina little while the young ferret was looking througb the captain’s private room, Of course he found everything locked, but witi a bit of wire which be found in the house, he picked one of the numerous locks, and soon fell to looking at the contents of the Cuban's desk. Billy discovered there a good many papers, the most of which bad no especial siguificance in his eyes, but all at once be came acroes a pecu- liar-looking package, which he turved over and over in bis hands, At Jast becarefully untied the strings that held it togetber avu found init, among other things, a copy of Napoleon Gregg’s will, ‘Its very natural that this will should be here,” said the Loy detective, “ But here is another paper which looks a good deal hke it, [ don't see why there should be two ccpies of the same document, It looks tome like somebedy has been practicing,” and he carried the paper pear- er the windoW and fell to examining i¢ with more curiosity than ever, “The whole thing isa fraud!” be suddenly cried, ‘* The will that gives tbe money to Cap- tain Ortiz isa forged document. There papers prove !t. Son e-how-cr-other it was substituted for the real one which is missing. Captain Jarillo, as be calls himself now, never was the old man’s heir in any light. I see through the whole thing, He bas been at work long before the game really opened and has frathered bis nest, perhups with the secret he!p of Simona Sly- boots and bis pard, Reck Sloper,” The reader may imagine the excitement that filled Billy Winks’s heart when he made this astounding discovery, He bad never seen anything like it. For some time he could not eredit the evidence of sigit, but the papers in bis band spoke for themselves and he had to believe. After awhile be replaced the packsge as care- fully as be could and shut the desk. “If 1 don’t spring the trap soon the birds will get away,” he said, ‘* Captain Ortiz is liable to discover our escape from the old bonse snd then the whole game would be up. The gang could go aboard the Centipede which, hoisting the Cuban flag, would steam away for foreign parts and T would bave my troable for my psins—the first failure since 1 have been plaving ferret,” He was waiting anxiously for Captain Ortiz’s return when he heard a footstep on the stoop and the bell rong. Billy, hounding into the hallway, opened the door and Jooked at the person who faced him, A well built man who seemed to be somewhat fiscuised, und when he mentioned O»ptain Ortiz’s name in harsh tones he wos admitted, & Ain’t at home, eb? cried the caller, pashing past the hoy end entering the captain's roon, “% Where is he, anv how?” Is he gong to get away from me in this manner?” “1 ean’t tell you, sir.” “You can’t, eh? You are his young spy, i preeume?” . “J am not, but am in bis employ. did you get chicken-hearted?” broke “IT always thought you had a heart
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14 There was a half insane look in the eyes that regarded Billy Winks and all at once with the agility of a tiger the man sprung to the very desk the are ferret had just searched and tried to open the lid. “Give me the key! I want toseeif he has kept any records of the past.” “T have no key. It is in Captain Jarillo’s pocket,” “* But you are shrewd enough to open the desk for me., You look like a boy who can do almost anytbing. I want to see into that piece of fur- niture.” Billy stepped toward the man and looked him squarely in the face, ‘* Who are you?” he asked, “ That’s a pretty question, I kardly know who I am—I have been living a blank life so long. I used to be— Yes, there was a time when I had a name; but [ haven’t beard it spoken in so many years, that I have almost for- gotten it,” ** You don’t mean to say—” ‘* Ha, are you going to guess who [ am?” and the mau Jaughed. “I don’t think you can do that.’ Billy continued to look at the man, and felt that he was confronted by a mystery. ‘* Won’t you open the desk for me? asked the stranger, “T palf-beliove it ought to be done,” “That is right. This man, Captain Ortiz— that is what J call him—is one of the biggest vil- lains alive. When we fought our duel in the dark, he—” The boy detective could not keep back a cry. ““T know you now! You have come back from the dead!” he exclaimed. ‘** Back from the dead? That’s right, boy. I have come from nowhere else. Gradually the ast has come back to me, incident by incident, am.ence more Captain Marksof the Fleetwing, and JI curse the day I first met Captain Ortiz, the pirate planter of Cuba, There was a time when I was the head of a happy family, but now I am alone in the world.” Billy thought of Molly the sewing-girl, but be did nut mention her name. ‘** Now that I know you as Captain Marks, of whom I have heard, I want to say that Iam playing a hand against this very man, Captain arillo. Iam a spy in his house—” ‘* You, boy? nected with now?” “One of the coolest and deepest you ever heard of,” was the reply. ‘I can’t tell the story oo? for he is liable to come back and interrupt it. . ““T wish he would come!” and the hands of Captain Marks shut and bis eyes gleamed mad- ly. ‘‘I have longed to meet this wretch, and I have lived in hopes of encountering him some ~~, lf an hour later, Captain Ortiz came back and threw himself upon a sofa in his library. ** Where’s that confounded boy?” he Grid. Billy Winks heard the call and made his ap- pearance. The room was darkened by lowered curtains, and Captain Ortiz leaned forward and eyed him closely. ‘* Who’s been bere?” he inquired, ‘*The usual number of cranks.” ‘* Ha! and you gave all the bounce?” Billy nodded, Captain Ortiz strode hastily across the room. Unlocking the desk, he dived his hand into it as if looking for something and when he had found the package he drew it forth and thrust it into his bosom, ““That must not be lost,” passed through the mind of tbe boy detective. ‘That is the proof against bim and he shall not make way with it at this stage of the game,” **P) be back later on,” said Captain Ortiz, looking at the boy. ‘“‘I want you to keepa sharp eye in your head and not to let the callers who want to fleece me because I’ve struck it rich, get a penny for their pains,” ‘** Yes, sir” He walked to the door, watched like a hawk by the boy, and in a moment he was gone. ‘* Tf I Jose him now [| lose the proof of guilt,” Said Billy. Captain Ortiz had reached the nearest corner before he had any one at his heels and then he had a tracker in the boy he had employed to Seep the bleeders of the city at bay. é led Billy a good long chase through the city and at last turned into a narrow street and ei ed closely at the numbers of the houses ere. “* He is going to Simon Slyboots,” thought the young ferret. ‘The two will play the game out very speedily if they are left alone.” hat piece of infamy is he con- Shadower. At that moment a footstep sounded behind the boy and he had turned half way round when his arm was clutched by a hand that seemed to have the grip of a vise, and he looked up into the grinning face of Simon himself, Simon bad caught him fairly and there was no doubt in the boy’s mind that he was recog- nized. ‘*T thought I would run accross you!” hissed the oily rascal. ‘‘ { never let any one get away from me very long, so come along and I will introduce you to a trap that will bold you,” Billy felt himself dragged away by Simon, but this time he did not intend that the door of another trap should open to hide him from the world. He drew back the full length of Simon Sly- boots’s arm and threw into the villain’s face a look of grim defiance, ‘You sha’n’t put me in another of your traps. I know all and the hand of justice is hovering over every mother’s son of you. Even now the cops are moving and in less than an hour you will be in the toils, it makes no matter what you do with me,” Billy felt the grip suddenly loosen on his arm. His words seemed to have scared it loose, and all at once he jerked back and was free. Simon Slyboots stood likea man nonplused for a second; he glared at the boy detective, and even smiled. ““1t is you who are in the trap, Simon,” said Billy. ‘* The toils are all about you, and yonder comes Captain Sharpe of the police.” The scoundrel turned, looked once at the officer who bad turned the corner and bounded into the house entered by Captain Ortiz, CHAPTER XVIII. THE LAST BIRD CAGED, Bitty Winks did not expect to find either Simon Slyboots of Captain Ortiz in the house when it was searched by the officer who had made his appearance in the nick of time, for there isno doubt that Simon intended to execute a tigerish leap at the young detective if such an arrival had not taken place, Both worthies had disappeared, but the officer and the boy looked at each other and smiled. Billy went back to Jim and told his adven- tures while a watch was placed on Captain Ortiz’s city house, besides one on the ship lying in the harbor. Nothing was said to Molly Marks about her father’s return, and it was agreed that Tom should remain with her for the present. Several ov passed, but nothing was heard of Simon\or the captain. Billy and Jim followed every clew that offered itself, but without avail. They did not want to see the game get away, for the boy ferret’s victory would not be com- lete without them, and he went everywhere ooking for the pair. One night, nearly a week after these events, the young shadower was seated in one of the numerous parks of the city when he saw a mau glide into view, and after eying him for a mo- ment, slip away as rapidly as possible. ** Ah, Simon, my sleek fox, so you are still in the city?” cried Billy, following the vanishing figure. ‘‘ If I track you will I find the captain, or has he gone back to his dear Cuba, laughing in his sleeve how he gave me the slip?” Billy was sure he had discovered the subtile Slyboots, and for nearly an hour he followed him up one street and down another till he was beginning to oar ne All at once Simon was joined by another figure, with whom he exchanged words and they separated. But the keen eyes of the young detective had noticed the conversation, and in another instant he was after Simon once more, “*Catch the blackmailer, and he will tell on bis employer,” thought Billy. Simon stopped at last. Dodging down a flight of steps that led to a baser ent room, the city fox vanished, and when Billy came up he saw a shoemaker’s sign hang- ing conspicuously on the door, At the same time he heard the sound of a hammer, and smiled when he crept down the steps and saw a man half-soling a pair of boots. en minutes later the boy y Bok opened the door and walked in. The shoemaker looked up with a start, and then went on with bis work, The man at work was Simon Slyboots, turned shoemaker, not because he liked the business, but to deceive his hunters. Billy knew him at once, in spite of his cun- ning disguise. **Come, we will go up,” said the boy, at which words Simon’s hammer rested and he said: “What do you mean? I am busy now and can’t go away from the job.” ** You can’t, eb?” Billy Winks was standing near the door on the outside of which leaned a man in blue. “But you will go with me, job or no job. Iam here, Simon, to turn you over to the police,” The “shoemaker” lifted himself from the bench and threw the boot past the Boy Shad- ower’s head, The next instant he was looking into the muzzle of a revolver and behind it was the grinning face of Billy Winks. ‘*You have turned Crispin and it was a sly thought of yours, too, If I wanted a sleek job done I would give it to you, Simon.” ‘*T had you once and was a fool for letting you escape. But do you think I am afraid of the gun you carry?” “Just as you ‘like, Iam hereto take you to the police and you are to give up your trade this very night.” ** Which trade?’ smiled Simon. Billy gave the signal agreed upon between him and the officer waiting on the basement steps, and ina moment the door opened. and Simon saw that he was fairly captured. ‘* Here’s a shoe-shop for sale,” laughed he with the nonchalance of a practiced villain. ‘‘I was going to giveit up in a day, orso, but I am done with it now.” He seemed to reflect for a moment and then broke out fiercely: ‘‘ Have you captured the captain? Have you nailed the Cuban scoundrel whose cause I have served?” ** Not yet, but—” ‘* Maybe you don’t know where heis. I want him with me, It will look better to have both of us together.” Simon continued and told the officer and Billy where to find the captain, and then gave up his hands for the manacles, remarking that he bad bad a good time playing the. game for gold and that if he bad been let alone, he would have bled Captain Ortiz till he had fleeced him out of every dollar of his ill-gotten gains. “Tt was leech suck leech, but that’s no mat- ter,” said Simon, ‘I don’t think it a crime for one wolf to eat another, andI always act on that princivle.” When he found himself in the cell at the sta- tion he felt of the iron bars and laughed, **T guess you won’t find Sloper. He got frightened and sloped, but if you run across the woman called Violet, the Death-Flower, I will esteem it a personal favor if you let me have an interview.” ‘* And let ber throat be in danger, Simon?” said Billy Winks, ‘‘Wemay want to use Vio- let, and she sba’n’t get within reach of your hands.” Captain Ortiz was watching his chance, for when Billy and the officer went secretly to the house where Simon said he was to be found, he was not there, and Billy felt a pang of disap- pointment. Was the head of the plot to get away at last? Was he to lose the pleasure of seeing the Cuban captain behind the bars, and thus fail to carry out the vow he bad taken? Sloper had sloped, as Simon said, and was not in the city; but as he was not such a very great rascal, he was not looked after with very much care. Jim and Billy were on the pave the second night after Simon’s capture, when Mother Ma- gog’s son grasped the boy detective’s arm and called his attention to a man who was about to cross a street. ‘“*That’s the captain! Any one would know him by the way he carries bis head.” In a flash the young Vidocq was dashing for- ward, and was at the man’s heels when he sud- denly turned, ‘ “Don’t let him grip you, Pilly!” cried Jim. That seemed to tell the hunted man who was in his front, for he caught sight of the boy sharp, and instead of flying from him, he darted at him with a mad curse. . There was the gleam of desperation in the eyes of Captain Ortiz that reminded Billy of the light seen there when he hissed the jaguar at him on board the Centipede. “Found at last! Now I will settle everything, and then they can have Captain Ortiz!” pealed from his throat. Billy tried to meet the sudden attack, but it was too cyclonic in its nature to be avoided, iy # ) d
Page 15
i, ¢ - oo i —% ‘ te , \ ¥ ‘ v » - q , | 1 - mi ‘ ’ i , j nt > * or 7 o Billy Winks, the Boss Boy Shadower. 15 The Cuban captain came down upon him like a thunderbolt, and he was seized and lifted from his feet in an instant, “‘T'll throw you under a car!” he cried, turn- ing toward the middle of the street with his prisoner. ° A car was near at hand, and Billy felt the fingers of Captain Ortiz sinking into his throat and shutting off bis breath. He was lifted above the rascal’s head, and in another moment would bave been thrown under the rapidly passing car, if Captain Ortiz had not staggered back with a groan. Jim bad recovered his presence of mind and leaped to the rescue, The young man had thrown himself upon the maddened captain with all his strength, and it was his hand dealing a blow that sent the Cuban to the stones, The blow had been dealt in the very nick of time, and when Captain Ortiz pulled himself to- gether he knew that the game for Napoleon Gregg’s gold had failed. It was a happy party that assembled under the roof of the Gregg mansion on the avenue a few nights after the last events. It consisted of Billy Winks, Tom Wagner, Molly, Timothy Turk, Molly’s ‘‘ Uncle Josh” and another person who had a wonderfu! story to tell. The narrator was Captain Marks, for years believed to be dead, but while Molly listened to his story with her hand in his, she knew that a father had come back to her from the tropics. Simon Slyboots took his defeat with grim good nature, but he maintained that if he had thought that Violet intended to turn against them and liberate Billy and Tom, he would have blocked her game for, as he said, ‘as long as we had Captain Ortiz under our thumb, there was a for- tune at our command,” It was never known whose hand he bad shown the Cuban. in proof of Tom Wagner’s death, as he would never tell; but it is believed that one of the dissecting rooms furnished him with it. The Cuban was convicted of fraud and sent “up the river” for a long term, and Simon was his companion. Reck Sloper never turned up, and Violet also vanished, but not until after the trial. Jim and Mother Magog were rewarded for their part in helping to outwit the conspirators, and Billy Winks, proud of his last conquest, went back to his little ‘‘office” to wait for * another job.” I have but to add that the friendship between Molly and Tom has ripened into something deeper, and tbat “in the course of human events,” as Billy remarks when he refers to the marter, there is apt tobe a wedding. We congratulate Tom and Molly in advance, THE END. Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. , BY WILLIAM R, EYSTER, 190 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Frank; or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pard¢, BY FREDERIOK DEWEY $18 Cimarron Jack, the King-Pin of -Shots. ATS Tangemund, the + ony) a agg tts 542 The Canyon Parda, BY ARTHUR C. GRISSOM. 440 Little Foxfoot, the Gold Bowie Kia, 558 The Sare-Shot Pards, #21 Truthful James, the “Pecooliar” Man, RY MAJOR MENRY B. STODDARD, Ex-8cout. B06 Neck-Tie Ned: or, The Dug-Out Pards, B46 Rapier Raphael; or, The Swordsmen of Zacatecas, RY1 Kid-Glove Kit, the Dandy of the Rookier, B98 Kid-Glove Kit pnd paras re 4 Gola King. 0 » Mad Man-Hunters or, The Golden Gulc GOS Pogoli’s Pardy or The Ono-Armed Giant, uo" Mystery. BY COL. A. F. HOLT. 399 Black Buckakin; or, The Masked Men of Death Canyon, A419 Kenneth, the Knife-King. ; ASS Littie Lightfoot, the Pilot of the Woods, S28 The Dandy Sport; or, The King Pin Conspirator, 678 Ralph Renwood, the Lightning Express Detective, 691 Headlight Harry’s Haul. 727 Weadlight Harry’s Siren. BY CAPT. J. F. 0. ADAMS. 84 Oregon Sol}; or, Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy- 46 Glass-Eye, the Great Shot of the West. 54 Ned Hazel, the Boy Trapper. 56 Nick Whiffies’s Pet; or, Ir The Valley of Death. 60 The White Indian; or, The Scovt of the Yeilowstone, 70 Ola Zip’e Cabin; or, The Greenhorn in the Woods, at Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Prairie. uck Buckram ¢ or, Bess, the Female Trapper, 247 Old Grizzly and Mia Petss or, The Wild Huntress, aot Heht-house Lige?t or, Osceola, the Firebrand. 4-44 © Loat Hunters; or, The Underground Camp. 288 The Sealp King: or, The Human Thunderbolt. BY EDWARD WILLETT. 167 Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy. 199 Featherweight the Boy Champlon of the Muskingum, 228 Ozark Alt’; or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws. 282 The Typo Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp. 295 Fearless Phil; or, The King of Quartzville. | 811 The shoving Spates or, The Pride of Chuckaluck Camp, 822 Nemo, the Detective; or, Kit Kenyon's Vendetta. 840 Olip the Contortionist; or, The Montana Vigilantes, BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS, 646 Captain Cactua, the Chaparral Cock, 568 The Dandy of Dodge. 576 The Silver Sport. 688 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 5S9 Tom-Cat and Pardy or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 601 Happy Mans, the Dutch Vidocg, G11 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Horcules, 622 Texas Tom-Cat’s Triad 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task. 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph; or, Black Dan's Great Combine, 646 Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank, 665 Jolly Je ninhy the Plains Detective, 676 Signal Ss the Leokout Scout, 689 Billy the Gypsy Spy. 699 Simple Sim, the Broncho Buster, 712 The Meameriat Sport; or, The Mystified Detective, 788 Toltee Tom, the Mad Prospector, BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl, 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. 79 Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 288 Joe Buek of Angela and His Boy Pard. 447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham, 458 New England Nick; or, The Fortunes of a Foundling. 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince. 408 Taos Ted, toe Arizona ile 510 Cool Colorado, the Hall-Breed Detective. 518 Cool Colorado in New York. BY MAJOR E. L. ST. VRAIN, 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. B01 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. B12 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince, 888 Brimstone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette, 852 Tombatone Tom, the Arizona Boy of Sand.” B59 Pyranso ave, the Youny Champion Wrestler, BT1 Kingbolt Chris, the Yung Hard-Shell Detective, B80 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide. 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountuin Mail-Line, BY EPWARD 8, ELLIS. 6 Bil Biddon, Trapper. 8 Seth Jones; or, The Captives of the Frontier. 30 Nat Todd} or, The Fate of the Sloux Captive. 2c ‘xrne Frontier Angel. 98 The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island. 182 The Munted Hunter; or, The Strange Horseman, 254 The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains. 271 The Huge Hunter; or, The Steam Prairie Man, BY CAPTAIN FRED, WHITTAKER, 15 The Sea-Cat; or, The Witch of Darien. 29 The Dumb Page; or, The Doge’s Deughter, 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider, 50 Lance and Lasso}; or, The Children of the Chaco, 154 The Sword Hunters; or, The Land ofthe Elephant Riders, 159 The Lost Captain; or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cruise. 200 The Roy Bedoutnay or, The Brothers of the Plumed J,ance, 214 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine. 249 Milo Romer the Animal King; or, Round the World, 265 The Tiger Tamer}; or, The League of the Jungle. 881 Black Nick, the Demon Rider. 895 California Joe’s War Trail, BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. 2 Vellowatone Jack} or, The Trapper, AS Black John, the Road-Agent; or, Te Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Wurricane BiL; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. 119 M ustang Sam 3 or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-tlawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue, 160 The Black Giant: or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy, 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 184 The Boy Trailers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path. 208 The Boy Parda; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City, 810 The Rarraneca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. B19 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thievew’ League, B85 Old Double Fiat; or, The Strange Guide B55 The King of the Woods: or. Daniel Boone’s Last Trail, 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. 625 Chineapin Dan, the Boy Traller. GT? Ohineapin Dan's Second Tratl, 688 ChineapIn Dan’s Home Stretch. 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without a Head. TO8 Light-Heart Lute’s Legacy. Ti8 Light-Heart Lute’s Last Trail. Silverblade, the Shoshone. 729 Silverblade, the Half-Blood; or, The Border Beagle at Bay. 789 Sllverblade, tho Hostile. | - ‘ BY J. 0. COWDRIOK, 860 Silver-Maak, the Man of Mystery. B69 Shasta, the Gold King? or, For Seven Yoars Dead, 420 The Petective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without » Name, 424 Olbuta Johny; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar, 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. A6G7 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. B06 Redlight Raton the Prince of the Road, 514 Broadway Billy’« Boodle. 524 The Engineer Detective. 686 Broadway Billy’s ‘Dittkilty.” 54AS Mart, the Night Express Detective. 6ST Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. Alr-Line Luke the Young Engineer. B79 The Mae reat A Spy; or, Broadway Billy’s Surprise-Party, 592 The Boy nkerton. 605 William @ Broadway; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning, 615 Fighting Harry | the Chief of Chained Cyclone. 628 Broadway Billy’« Dead Act, 640 Barebsek Beth, the Centaur of the Circle, 642 7 pew titer Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward, Moonilht Morgiin, the * Pizenest ’? Man of Ante Bar, 669 Broadway Billy, Abroad. ‘ 675 Broadway Billy’a Best; or, Beating San Franciaco's Finest, 687 Broadway Billy in Clover, oe Rroadway Billy in_Texas. oes Broadway Billy’s Brand, a rete Broadway Billy at Santa Fe. i+ 4 Broadway Billy’s Full Hand, a8 Broadway Billy’s Business. 8 Broadway Billy’s Curious Case. BY PHILIP & WARNE, h OT Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. 175 Onpratn Arizona; or, Patent-Leather Joo's Big Gane, 198 Captain Mask} or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat, 219 Deapard, the Duellat; or, The Mountain Vempirea. BBS A Tough Boy; or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. 868 Little Tornados or, The Outcasts of the Glen. B7E Little Jingos or, the Queer Pard. Little Oh-my 3 or, Caught in His Own Trap, Little Shoo-F ly 3 or, A Race for a Ranch. 408 Little Leather-Breeches ; or, Old Jumbo’s Curse, Little Ah Sing or, The Curse of Blood, 451 Colorado Kate. A Tale of the olines. F 480 Three Jolly Pards. ; 517 Jim Gladden’s Deputy. | 527 The Jolly Pards to the Rescue, 547 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down, 656 Lariat Lil; or, The Cast for a Life. 574 Old Weasel-top, the Man with the Dogs. 5698 Keen Clem, the Ranch Imp. 599 Jim Dandy the No-Name Sport. 618 Billy Blazes; or, The Skeleton’s Legacy, 685 Oklahoma Hi, the Blue-Coat Scout, 648 Happy Harry’s Big Find. 664 Cheeky Charley, the Special. ; BY JO PIEROE, 897 Bob o’ the Bowery ; or, The Prince of Mulberry Street. 416 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bob's. Boom, 452 Hotspur Bob, the Street-Boy Detective. 460 The Lawyer’s Shadowy; or, Luke’s Legacy. A472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective, 5604 Five Pointa Phil. 509 Jnek Jagurern, the Butcher Boy Detective. 616 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerte. 526 North River Nat, the Pier Detective. Wrestling Rex, the Pride ofthe Sixth Ward. 641 Jelf Flicker, the Stable Boy Detective. Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow. 559 Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective, 569 Brooklyn Ben, the On-Hiv-Own-Hook Detective. Pave sant Pete the Secret Sifter, Lantern, the Under-Sea Proapector, wake Bert, the Street-Steerer, 614 Whistil Buck B ng Jncob, the Detective’s Aid. umblebees the Harlein Hummer. rise Saul, the Express-Train Ferret, amin Bob, the Bowery Badger; or, Scooping a Sltppery Set, 658 Sky-Rocket Rob, the Life-Saver, 688 Saltpeter Sol, the New York Naviyator, 694 Bpley Jims, the Only One of His Kind 706 Tom Thiatle, the Road-House Detective, 7 Moxquito Jack, the Hustler Gamin. 26 Dennis Duff the Brown Sport's Kid. BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Major Sam, 8, Nall.) 284 Old Rocky « “* Boyeess or, Benito, the Horse-RBreakor , 246 Glant Georges or, The Ang’! of the Range. 275 Arizona Jack ; or, Giant George's Pard. 207 The Tarantula of Taos; or, Giant George's Revenge, B07 The Strange Pards or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt, B18 Ker-whoop, Ker+whoo; or, The Tarantula of Taoa, 827 Creeping Vat, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Pards, 882 Frio Fredy; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust, $44 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. 849 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front, 857 The Ranch Raldera?: or, The Sloge of Fort Pargatory. 864 Anap-Shot, the Boy Kanger. 875 Chiota, the Creek; or, The Three Thunderbolts. 881 Bandera Bills or. Frio Frank to the Front. 892 Romeo and the Reday or, The Beleaguered Ranch. 404 Little Lartaty; or, Pecan Peto’s Big Rampage. 414 The Dalay from Denver. A427? The Three Tratlera; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage 442 Bluff Bills or, The Lynx of tho Leona, 455 Little Lone Star: or, The Belle of the Cibolo, 684 Cache Carl, the Chico Glant MISOELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Worse Munters. By Capt, Mayne Rela and Frederick Whittaker. ® Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 2 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift, 4 Aladding or, The Wonderful Lamp, @ Robinson Orusoe, (27 Illustrations.) 8 Sindbad the Sallor. His Seven Voyages, 22 % Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe. By Jnan sows, 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Plratea of the Carribees, By S, W. Pierce. 86 The Roy Clowns or, The Arena Queon, By & 8, Finn. 88 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 61 The Roy Rifles; or, The Underground Camp, By A. C.Trona 96 The Rival Rovera; or, The Freebooters of the Misalesipp. By Lieut.-Col. Hazeltine. 98 Robin Hood, the Outlawed Ear); or, The Merry Men of Green- wood. By Prof. Gilderaleeve, 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive, By Captain Hamilton Holmen. 112 The Mad Hunter; or, ) he Cave of Death. By Burton Saxe, 124 Tippy. the Texany or, The Young Champion, By George Gleeson. 128 The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate's Stronghold, By Harry Cavendish, ‘ 148 Sharp Samy; or, The Adventures o1 « Friendless Boy. By J, Alexander Patten. : 227 Dusky Darrell, ‘Trapper or, The Green Ranger of the Yel. lowstone, By Edward Emerson. 261 Fergus Fearnaught the New Y rk Boy. By G@, L, Alken, 266 Killb’ar, the Guides , Davy Crockett’s Crooked Trail. By Ensign C, D, Warren. : ; 2Q9B Red Claw, the One-Kyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Cm, By Captain Comatock. B1T Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Leadville, By Liens tenant Alfred Thorne. ‘ 828 The &ky Detectives or, A Boy's Fight for Lifeand Honor. By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Red Ralph, the River Rovers or, The Brother's Re- venge. By Ned Buntline, B68 Baltimore Ben the Bootblack Detective, By A. P. Morris. R74. Gold-Duart Toms or, Ben’s Double Match, By@ H. Morse. 876 Cailfornia Joe’s Firat Trail, By Colonel Thomas Hoyer Monastery. A18 Billy Bombshell, the Cliff Climber, By F. S. Winthrop. 47S The Black Ship. By John 8 Warner. 484 Comanche Dick and Wis Three Invinciblos, By Henry J. Thomas. 582 The Cowboy Duke, By Edwin Brooke Forrest. 552 Artel the Athlete. By David Druld. BRS WIM Waters, the Boy Ferret. By H. Enton. 682 The Dond Petective’a Double. By Gerald Carlton, 721 Maverick Mone, the Arizona Detective; or, The Wizard of Urko» Pass. By Will Lisenbee. A New tsane Every Tucaday. The Nalf-Dime Library {» for sale by ail newsdealers, five conts per copy, or sent by mall on receipt of aix conts oach, BEADLE AND ADAMES, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.
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633 Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector; or, The Dead- wood Desperado’s List Innings. By J. W. Osbon 634 Cache Carl, the Chico Giant; or, The True Hearts of Rei Eye Roost. By Buckskin Sam. 685 Oklahoma Hi, the Blue-Coat Scout; or, The Boomer’s Last Battle. By P. 8S. Warne. 636 Deadwood Dick, Jr. After the Queer; cr, Saw- dust Sam's Last Green Game. By Edward L. Wheel-r. 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Harbaugh. 638 Tom Cat’s Triumvh; or, Black Ivan’s Great Combine. By Lieut. A. K. Sims. 639 Sunrise Saul, the Kxpress-Train Ferret. Pierce. 640 Bareb ‘ck Beth, the Centaur of the Circle. By J. C. Cowdrick. 641 Dismal Dave’s Dandy Pard; or, The Clew to Oaptain Ciaw. By svilliara G, Patten. 642 Dead vood Dick, Jr. in Buffalo; or, 4-11-44, By Kdward L. Wheeler. 643 Happy Harry's Big Find; or, The Beautiful Jezsbel'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, ‘vrhe Grand Corral at Cross-Notch. By Lieut. A. K. Sims. 647 Typewriter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward; or, Amateur Detective against Professional. By J. 0. Cowdrick, 648 Deadwoo! Dick Jr's. Chase Across the Conti- nent. By E.iward L. Wheeler. 649 Gamin Bob, the Bowery Badger; or, Scooping a Slippery Set. By Jo Pierce. 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Rider Detective; ocr, Buffaio Bills Boy Pard, By Col. P. Ingraham. 651 Bound-B y Frank the Young Amateur Detective, By William G, Putten, 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 Bdward L, Wheeler. 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. By C. Morris. 656 Butterfly Billy’s Man Hunt. By Colonel Prentiss Togralam. 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank. By Lieut, A. K. Sims. 658 Sky-R ck-t 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 John’s Champion Chase. By J. C. Gowdrick. 660 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s., Insurance Case; or, Oor.aling a Cunning Trio. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 661 Old Kit Bandy's Deliverance; or, Banner Ben, the \ildfire of the Prairies. By Oll Coomes. 662 Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza; or, The Specter Soldier of the Uverland. By Colouel Prentiss Ingrabam. 663 Violet Vane's Victory: or, The Jaspar City Clean Out. By William G, Patten. 664 Oheeky Charley, the Special; or, The Life Racket as Ratilesnace Rid e. By P. 8. 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 Amwazon’s Double Game. By Edward L. Wheeler. 667 Bob an! Sam, the Daisy Detectives; or, The Gamin Spies’ Biz Sta .e. By C.arles Morris. 668 The Buccaneer Midshipman; or, The Sea Rover's Ruse. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 669 Froadway Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack Brav» io San Francisco. Ly J. C, Cowdrick, 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer; or, The Rival Ra chmen. By Oll Coomes 671 Jorsey 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 Renwoo ', the Lightning Express Detec- tive, By A F. Holt. 674 The Wizard ailor; or, Red Kalph, the Rover. By Colonel Prenti s Ingraham. 75 Rroadvay Billy’s Best: or, Beating San Fran- ciseo’s Finest. Ly J. C. Cowdriex. 676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout; cr, The Tussle 6 the Big Bonanza. By Lieut. A K. Sims. 677 Ohincanin Dan’s Second Trail; or. The Baffled Black Hauwk’s Fate. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 678 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s , Discovery; or, Found a Fortune. By Edward L. \ hecler, 679 The Sea Shadower; or, The Freebcoter’s Legacy. By Goloxel Prentiss Ingraham. 30y Detective. By T. C By Jo | } 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. 682 Wild Vulean, 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, Bresking the Eureka Spider’s Web. By T. C. Harbaugh. 686 Orlando, the Ocean ree Flag; or, The Tarnished Name By Colonel Prentiss In, raham, 687 Broadway Puy in C'over: Lake Tulare. By J. C. Cowdrick. 688 Chincapin Dan’s Home Stretch; or, The Con- spirators of No Man’s Lands By Joseph E, Badger, Jr. 689 Bi'ly, 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 Tumming Bird of Honeysuckle. By Edward L. Wheeler. er. Tre Ruction at _ BEADLE'S«H ALF-DIME* LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Isswe Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. 725 Daring Dick, Pa~nee Bill’s Pard; or, The Red Cavalry Raid. By Col, Prentiss Ingrdham., 726 Dennis Duff, the Covers and Blinds of Gutham, 727 Headligh FRarry’s Siren; or, Mad Madge, the Outla Queen. By Col. A. F. Hout. 728 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Disguise; or, Ivan, the Man of Iron. By Edward L. Wheeler. 729 Silverblade, the Ha!f-Blood; or, the Border Beagle at Bay. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 730 Violet Vane’s Verdict; or, The Crooked Game at Coffin City. By Wm. G. Patten. 731 Ruth Redmond, the Girl Shadower: or, The Rivals in Buckskin. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 782 Daisy Dell. the Pavement Detective: or, Trap- ping Big Game. by T.C. Harbaugh. 738 Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector: or, Unearthing the Cavern ‘League. By Lieut. A. K. Sims. Brown Sport’s Kid; or, The By Jo Pierce. 784 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Deal; or, The All- 691 Headlight Harry’s Haul; or, The Railroad Pards’ ' big Day. By A F. Holt. 692 The Rival Sharps: or, Redfern, the Secret Ser- vice Scout. By Vol, P. Ingraham. 693 Vi et and Daisy, the Posy Pords; or, The Racket at Red Hot. Ry Wm. G. Patten. 694 Spivy Jim, the Only One of His Kind; or, Head- ing Off the Crooks. By Ju Pierce, 695 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide; or, De- vel ._ping the Dead Secret. By E. L. Wheeler. 696 Broadway Billy in Texas; or, Rounding Up the Red River Rustler-. By J. C. Cuwdrick. 697 The Scarlet Sombrerc; or, The Sharp from Texas. By Col. P. Ingraham, 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without a Head; or, Light- heart Luke’s Clean Sweep. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 699 Simple Sim, the Broncho Buster: or, Playing the Foo! for Biz Stakes. By Lieutenant A. K. Sims, 700 Deadwood Dic’, J* ’s, Drop; or, The Sojourn at Satan's Spring. By Eiward L. Wheeler, 701 Photograph ¥red, Fight to the Finish. By T. C. Harbaugh. 702 Blue Jacket Bill; or, The Rei Hat Ranger's Red Hot Racket. by Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 703 Broadway Billy's Brand; cr, 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. \ heeler, © 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. the Camera Sharp; or, The | 707 The Red Sombrero Rangers; or, Redfern’s Last ' Trail. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 708 Lizht-Heart Lute’s Legacy; or, The Lucky Lad’s Winning Hand. By Juseph E Badgvr, Jr. 709 The Curbstone Detective; or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat, By Caarles Morris. 710 Deadwond Dick, Jr., in San Francisco; or, Kodak Kate, the Snap Shot By Edward L Wheeler. 711 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe; or, The Pard De tectives’ Clever Deal. By J. C. Cowdrick. 712 The Mesmerist Sport: or, The Mystified Detec- tive. By Lieut. A K. Sins. 713 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 Wite Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferret; or, Caging the Cormoranis. By T, C. Harbaugh. 716 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Still Hunt; or. The Sec- ond R und in San Francise,. By Edward L. Wheeler. 717 Mosquito Jae’r. tho Hustler Gamin; or, Move-on Mike s Grand Catch. By Jo Piere:. 718 Lizht-Heart Lute’s Last Trai’: or The Gold Crater’s Secret. By Josepa 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 Sania Fe. By J. C. Cowdrick. 721 Maverick Mose, the Arizona Det>ctive; or, The Wizard of Urkos Pass. by Wl Liseubee. 722 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Dominees; or, The Rival | Comps of the Northern Border. By Edward L. Wheeler. 723 Silverbilade, the Sheshone; or. The_ Border Beagie’s Secret Mission. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 724 Violet Vane's Venceance; or. The Wipe-Out at White Water. By William G. Patten. | %69 Headlight Harry’s Heritage; or Arvund Surprise. By Edward L. Wheeler. 735 Broadway Billy’s Business; or, Waking Wp Wind Canyon Camp. By J. C. Cowdrick. 736 Larry, the Thoroughbred; or, Beatea 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. 238 Broadway Billy’s' Curious Case; or, The “~ terious Disappearance at Manitou Springs. By J. C. Cowdrick. 729 Silverblade, the Hostile; or, The Border Beagie’s Ghost Truil. By Jos, E. Badger, Jr. 740 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s. Deathwatch; or, The Moving Mystery at Mexican Mustang. By Ed- ward L. Wheeler. 741 Vi let Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidocg; or, Sport against Sport. By Wm. G. Patten. 742 Billy Winks, the Bell-Boy Detective; er, Break ing the Meshes of the Golden Coil. by T. C H.urbaugh. 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 v. ater Waif’s Dead Past. By Jo Pierce. 745 Kansas Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective; or, Th: Raiders of the Range. By Lieut. A. K, Sims, 746 it Jack, the Secret Service Spe; or, Too Much fur Red Leary. By Dan Dunning, (of the S cret Service Corps). 74% Dea ‘wood Dick, Jr. 8, Double’; or, The Tandens T.a.o of Teddy’s Tailings. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 748 Silverblade, the Friendly ; or, the Border Beagle’s Boy Pard. By Joseph KE. Badger, Jr. 749 Dashing Charlie, the Young Scalp-Taker; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trail, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 760 Violet Vane, the Vanquished; or, The Life Strug gie at Shanty City. By Wm. G. Patten, 751 Gold-Dust Dan, the Traii Patrol. Osbon. 752 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathblow; or, The Little Circus at Last Chance. By Edward L. Wheeler. %53 Broadway Billy in Denver; or, The On the-Catch Combination. By J. C. Cowdrick. 754 Billy Winks, the Boss Boy Shadow, Harbaugh. 765 Gold Dust Dan’s Oath; or, Reckless Rey, the Regulator. By J, W. Osbon. 766 Dashing Charlie’s Destiny; or/ The Renegade’s Captive. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. "57 Detective Frank’s Sweep-stakes; or, A Very Re.arkab e Expose. By Charles Morris, 758 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Desperate Strait; or, The Demon Doctor of Dixon’s Deposit. By Edward L. Wheeler. By Jobn W. By T. C. The Railroad Pards in Fortune City, By A. F. Holt. Ready Februa y 9th. 760 Dashing Charlie’s Pawnee Pard; or, Red Hair, the Renegade Ly Col. Prentiss Ingrabam. Ready February 16th. A new issue every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail, on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers. 98 William street, New York.