Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 767) (1892 04 05)
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NY \ eS =) ipl ‘ \ = ela No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. meal Vial lnmeetl lneeel ve! |! ts Dt! Un! |g! Vp I | Sot lal | aa Ve Sa | | Copyrighted 1892, by PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. DSABBR=So mo i= i] BEADLE AND ADAMS, April 5, 1892. Price, & Cents. mi mT Litt AEE IM i}\\ cn III) (i I A sl \ Irs i —— AU BUT VAIN ENDEAVORS TO ESCAPE THE TORTURER, Matty i In \\ nul i ith \) Vol. XXX, 1 : | : Met A NG v UAL Ws ah HE The Diabotical Three The Expose of the Bafiling Barret Mystery. BY DAN DUNNING, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ QUIET JACK, THE SECRET SERVICE SPY,” ETC,, ETO, CHAPTER I. A DEVILISH DEED. “ Hg will recover within an bour, Herman?” ** Yes, sir—positively.” * And this time wil) be sufficient?” “ Itshould be, Mr. Fulton—” ‘+ But if not, we can try again, eh?”
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2 | Mac and Jack, the Invincibles. -y 4p. ., = 4, 2,920, a pa" The scene was an elegantly furnished room, on the second story of a house situated in the center of the fashionable quarter of New York. This room was evidently a sleeping apartment, for it contaimed a bed, on which rested the <— of a man, e say figure, because 1t might have been waxen, for all the indications of life that were were apparent, Yet, that it was a mau, and alive, was proved by the conversation between the two men stand- ing at the bedside, The tall, well-formed, well-groomed first speak- er—Mr. Fulton—was evidently the master, and the neatly attired, rather stout and short, Her- man, the servant—or slave, A sardonic laugh accompanied Mr, Fulton’s last words, to which Herman responded with an obsequious smile as he whispered: ‘*But why take all this trouble, Mr, Fulton? One little drop, that [ can easily get—” “Would hang you!” calmly interrupted the other, ‘ “Hang me?” exclaimed Herman, turning ale, iM ‘Certainly. You don’t suppose I would al- low you to hang me ? That little Parisian affair would discredit anything you might endeavor to tell, and hang you in the bargain, ‘* But, Herman, I’ve no wish to harm you, so don’t make these foolish suggestions, Only blunderers murder, where it can be avoided.” Smiling, (and thus showing bis beautiful, even, white teeth,) while the ashen-faced Herman fairly shivered with terror, Mr. Fultun, after a short pause, continued: “* You know what to do, and when, ing for the doctors,” As Mr. Fulton withdrew, the valet, (that was Herman’s nominal position,) recovered his com- posure, and shaking his fist vengefully, mut- tered: ‘** Don’t be so sure, my fine gentleman! One can talk as well as another.” Below, on the parlor floor, Mr, Fulton, looking very sad, and speaking very’mournfully, was saying to a beautiful looking girl, and still handsome though aged matron: ‘*T fear—indeed I am certain—that poor Rob- ert is about to have another attack, “Do not go near the room;—it would only trouble you. [am going for the doctors,” The latter part of Mr, Fulton’s speech was broken—as though he was overcome by emotion, But, Mr, Fulton bad overreached himself for once: he had forbidden something, and since the days of Eve forbidness has, to a certain extent, meant an inducement to transgression—and it did shortly after Mr, Fulton left bis aunt and cousin, Up-stairs, Herman sat, for a half hour after his master had left him, in deep thought. It was about half-past two in the afternoon when Mr, Fulton left the sick-chamber. At three Herman started up with the half- muttered exclamation: : “The stake’s too big! Tl finish—as I’ve started.” : ; Walking to the bedside of the unconscious man, the valet looked at him long and earnest- ly, but there was no mercy in his gaze, ‘*He’s coming to,” be muttered, and as he spoke, threw back the spread covering the uncon- scious man’s feet, revealing the fact that they were strapped to the bed! j Having thrown back the spread, Herman went to a small cupboard, from which he took a small bottle of oil, and a long feather, With these, he took a seat at the foot of the bed, and watched patiently until the sleeper emitted a low moan, “Time to begin!” muttered Herman, dipping the feather into the oil, and, after another look at the now half-conscious man on the bed, began ¥ draw it up and down the sole of the victim’s oot! The object was a simple one—merely to drive the man on the bed mad / By simply touching the sole of your foot, un- der the instep, you will experience quite an elec- trical sersation; but, let another rub even a dry feather thrice on it, and you will pot undergo that sensation again—witb your consent, For a few minotes, the tickling sensation did not produce any effect on the victim, except to make bim stir a little uneasily, “A powerful constitution!” exclaimed the fiend at the foot of the bed, as the torture began to take effect. Soon the hapless victim moaned most pitiful- ly, as he writhed (as much as his bonds would permit), in his agonized, but vain endeavors to J am go- escape the torturer. The latter calmly continued his diabolical ' wee work, and, as with returning consciousness, the | of conspiring against him—in which t® torture increased, shrieks, prayers and curses echoed through the house, At times, it seemed as if, in his terrible agony, the miserable victim would burst his bonds—or a blood-vessel, but be was securely fastened just above the knee cap, and at the ankles, Above the waist, the sufferer was strapped, as were his arms, but the bands that secured the knees were iron, and ran right through the thin mattress! The legs, from the knees downward, being thus rendered immovable, the struggles of the victim did not disturb the devilish work of Her- man, which was continued until the door-bell rung twice, * Five minutes, eh?” muttered Herman, Glancing first at the handsome clock on the mantel, and then taking a long look at the man, who was now a raving maniac, frothing at the mouth, he continued: ‘* He will do now. More might spoil it.” Having put away the instruments of torture, Herman returned to the foot of the’bed, In his band he carried some cotton batting, evitient- ly intending to remove all traces of bis nefarious work, Seating himself in his former position, he drew down the bedclothes until only the feet were exposed, and wiped a little oil from one foot. At that moment, hearing voices of persons approaching, the atrocious wretch sprung to his feet, dropping the cotton on the floor, just as his master, accompanied by three gentlemen, entered the sick chamber, They were the physicians—two above fifty years of age, and the third about thirty, **T fear, professor,” said Mr, Fulton, address- ing one of the two older gentlemen, ‘‘I fear poor Robert is growing worse, ‘* Has he been very violeut, Herman?” * Terrible, sir, terrible!” The young physician, meantime,"had moved to the foot of the bed; his quick eye caught the glistening oil on the sole of the patient's foot, and stooping, he touched it with his forefinger, just as tne professor, said: ‘There is no doubt of it, my dear sir, Mr. Barret is mad!” ‘*Mad as a March bare!” assented the other old physician, ‘Sweet oil! What does it mean?’ asked the young physician, He turned to Herman, as he spoke, and the other—his colleagues—looked at bim in surprise, Mr, Fulton in alarm, and the valet in quite evident confusion. Quickly recovering bimself, Mr. Fulton, in a soothing tone, said: Don’t be ashamed, Herman! You shall be amply compensated for your goodness to my poor cousin,” Turning to the physicians, the speaker ex- plained, ‘* Herman was my cousin’s valet, as you, per- haps, khow, and became so attached to him that we thought it best to allow him to nurse Robert, Night and day he has attended to him, per. forming service that no one could be hired to 0. ‘©One of Robert’s fancies, Doctor Lewis, is that devils are tormenting—burning—bis feet, and Herman rubs oil on them.” “ You lie! Save me from those fiends! They are driving me mad!” This shrieking appeal from the victim, con- jirmed Mr, Folton’s words, and Professors Tcherza and Sanders exchanged significant glances, Mr. Fulton saw, and smiled, but looked ap- prebensively at Doctor Lewis, on catching the latter’s eyes fixed upon bim. ‘*You cannot keep him here!” declared Pro- fessor Sanders, ‘No, no!” agreed Tcherza, longer.” ‘Well, what shall I do?” appealed Mr, Ful- ton. ‘*Send bim to a private asylum,” suggested Sanders, adding: ‘‘ He can be better cared for there than here,” ‘Yes, and if necessary, this good fellow can have charge of him,” added Tcherza. ‘*Then you are agreed that he is mad, gentle- men?” Mr. Fulton shot a sharp glance at Doctor Lewis as he asked the question, and not:d that the latter did not join in the— ** Oh, ves!” from Teherza. ‘* Undoubtedly !” from Sanders, ; The patient, himself, settled the question, how- ever, at that moment, by emitting a succession of curses and shrieks, combined with accusations ‘**Not here, any -_————-———_- e—nn—n— nn cians were included, Ftp. ** And you, Doctor Lewis?” asked Mr, Folté seeing the effect of this outburst, With a reluctant sigh, the young, but already becoming famous physician, bowed assent to the verdict of his colleagues, ‘‘Then you had better sign the necessary papers at once,” enjoined Mr, Fulton, adding: “Since it will be better for poor Robert, he should be removed as soon as possible, I will send for a lawyer immediately.” : CHAPTER II. AT GOODHEART’S ASYLUM, ““ WELL, doctor, bow is the patient to-day?” “Doing nicely, Mr. Fulton, After the first day we had no trouble whatever.” ; “Is he sane? Has he full possession of his senses?” ‘* Well, yes, but he is still very nervous, and a few days’ rest will do him no barm.” _ The * doctor” was Morris Goodheart, a patri- archial looking Hebrew, and the scene the office of his private lunatic asylum, just outside the city limits; the time une week after Robert Bar- ret (who was the patient referred to) had been declared insane, The visitor appeared pleased to hear the doc- tor’s favorable report, and said so, adding: *¢ You have worked wonders, doctor,” The aged physician stroked his long white beard for a few moments, evidently thinking of something other than his visitor’s laudatory re- marks, and then asked: ‘‘Has Mr. Barret recently received any sud- den shock— such as might temporarily deprive him of his senses?” “* No, not tbat I know of,” replied Fulton, “ And you would be likely to know?” “*T would be very likely to know.” “Strange, very strange. 1 bave known of but one—” The aged physician was thinking aloud, but here his voice sunk, and the balance remained unuttered, although, judging from the eager ex- pression of bis face, Mr. Fulton would have given quite a little to bear that balance, — An impatient movement of bis visitor, aroused the doctor trom his thoughts, and, looking up, he said; “ Except that he is very nervous—suffering from sowe borrible fear—Mr, Barret nage right. ** After be recovered from the opiate, which I gave him on the day he arrived bere, there has been vo trouble with bim, and be might, with perfect safety, be discharged at once, 3 ‘*T would, however, recommend bis remain- ing here another week, and when he is dis- charged, that be should have plenty of rest and quietness—no business!” Mr. Fulton exhibited great satisfaction on hearing this. ‘‘ Your directions and suggestions shall be fol- lowed to the letter!” be declared, “Suppose we go see Mr, Barret? He is out on the grounds,” suggested the doctor, and the visitor assenting, they left the office, and enter- ing the small park, (in the center of which the asylum stood.) met Robert Barret just about coming in at the rear door, The latter, (more as if startled, than for any other reason,) shrunk back on seeing Fulton, but the Jatter sprung forward, exclaiming: “Robert, my dear fellow, l’m delighted! I could bardly believe the good news the doctor had for me this morning!” “Thank you,” quietly returned the patient, as if repenting his coolness: “Of course, I know you are glad, George.” “Glad!” echoed the other, 'reproachfully, ““why, I’ve been almost crazy myself since you've been here! ‘ “And, now, the doctor nearly drives me crazy” (with a smile) * by telling me, this morn- ing, that you are yourself again, and only need rest and quiet for—for how long, doctor?” “On, a little while—say a montb,” replied the physician, adding: “ But the longer the better.” ‘ “Then I may resume control at once!” ex- claimed the patient, and there was a ring of ex- ultation in his voice. “Who bas the management, now?” he con- tinued, addressing Fulton, “T have—as representing your holdings, of course, ‘*so you can follow Doctor Goodheart’s advice, and enjoy a long rest,” replied Fulton, the frown whicb had gathered a minute before, disappearing from his usually calm countenance. **No, no! J must be the head,” promptly de- cided Barret, but without any trace of excite- ment,
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Ay ze 2° o. a Po et ey a - eS 7 aa y eee al * » Pon Ominous calmness: “Very well. Everything is running smooth- ly, so there is nothing to trouble yourself about for the present.” 1 “ And, now, no more business, gentlemen, or I wili not invite you to luncheon,” threatened the doctor. “Very well, we'll stop at once, rather than lose that,” laughed Barret, Fulton looked at him in surprise. “ He certainly is himself,” he muttered, ** My aunt and Eunice?” asked Barret, * Are both well, and will be rejoiced to hear of your speedy recovery,” replied Fulton, In honor of the patient’s recovery, or the visitor, or both, the luncheon was quite an elaborate affair, and before it was over, the doctor had agreed that Robert Barret might be discharged that week. “ Very well,” said Fulton, “‘ sign a certificate, and I will get the necessary papers.” The certificate was signed and Mr, Fulton de- parted—but not for home. His carriage was driven further on, fully five milea, stopping at ** Doctor Salter’s Sanitarium,” where it remain- ed an hour before Mr. Fulton re-entered it, and gave the order to drive home, CHAPTER IIT. A TREACHEROUS TRIP. ABOUT dusk, on the evening of the second day following Fulton’s visit, Robert Barret was sitting in tbe office of the asylum, with the doctor, when closed carriage whirled up to the ate. a Late visitors,” remarked Barret, looking up from the paper he was reading. “Hello! It’s Fulton!” be exclaimed a mo- ment later, as that gentleman leaped out of the carriage, and burried toward the office. ** Couldn’t get here any earlier,” explained the visitor, skaking Barret’s hand with his right hand, while with his left, he extended a legal locking document to the doctor. ‘“‘ What’s this?” demanded the latter, in sur- prise, ‘** An order for Mr. Barret’s discharge.” ‘* You didn’t delay very long,” observed the doctor, looking sharply at Fulton, after examin- ing the order, ‘No, The sooner he’s out, the quicker that month’s idleness will be over, and then he can return to business,” replied Fulton. ** Right you are, George,” laughiugly exclaim- ed Barret, who, like all men, rejoiced to be re- lieved of even the suspicion of restraint. “It's getting late, and the drive is long and ecold—stay to-night, Mr, Barrett,” urged the doc- tor. : He had a queer, undefinable, almost suspicious feeling regarding this bastily-procured discharge, es disliked to allow Barret to take this night- a, ‘** Nonsense!” angrily exclaimed Fulton, who looked very much excited, ‘‘ nonsense! Do you think a man who would le an bour in @ snow- bank for the sake of shooting a duck, cares about a little cold weather?” ‘*No use, doctor, I am going,” smilingly de- elared Barret, ‘Very well, willful man—you know, ** But, since you will go, don’t delay,” There was very little delay. Fulton assisted in packing the baggage of bis friend and patron, and bidding the good old doctor adieu, they en- tered the carriage. ‘‘Hello! Who the deuce is this?” It was Barret who spoke, and his words were caused by the presence of a short, thick-set, pow- erfully-built rman, sitting in one corner of the carriage—that nearest tbe open door, which pre- vented his being seen until Barret was seated. ‘Oh, he’s a deputy sheriff!” explained Fulton, witb a nervous laugh, adding: ‘‘Weare nov entirely through with the law, yet, and he must remain with us to-night.” It was the Barret carriage, and the owner quietly, but very firmly said: “He ean ride with the evachman.” It was bitter cold, but at a sign from Fulton, the ‘“‘deputy sheriff—’—the carriage being stopped—left bis seat, and ascended to the box, muttering sometbing, which Sarret did not catch, but which was: ** You'll pay for this, pretty dear, too, my fine gentleman!” _ After this, Fulton kept up a constant fire of remarks and questions, so engaging his un- suspecting companion’s attention, that the latter did not perceive that the carriage was proceed- ing out of, instead of into, the city. ; Mn Fulton’s face darkened, as he answered, | SS = a — . —s fe ie bs , = me , 4 Mac and Jack, the Invincibles. They had been riding about twenty minutes, and were rapidly nearing their destinatiou, when Barret suddenly remarked: “By Jove, I’m getting sleepy! What’s the matter with me?” ‘“*Why not take a nap—it will do you good,” suggested his friend. ** Believe I will,” sleepily returned the victim, as bis head fell back against the cushions, Fulton gazed at him with an ironical smile, and remarkea; ‘*That last glass of wine was too much—just one too much for you, my dear Robert, Iam very mucb afraid that you will not resume the management next month—nor next year—nor ever!” The last words were uttered with a fierce energy, that seemed to convey their terrible meaving to the brain of the victim, who groaned and muttered: **Spare me! Save me from those devils!” Fulton was startled for a moment, but recov- ering himself, muttered: ‘*Pshaw! I must be getting nervous, myself. Salter was mistaken about the power of the drug, though. I was afraid it wouldn’t act in time.” And then recurring to Barret’s appeal: “No, no, Robert! You’vye bad your last chance, but you would resume the manage- ment! ‘* Now, you must go mad!” As the fiend finished, tue carriage stopped. Tbey were in front «of ** Doctor Salter’s Sanita- rium,” and four men stepped to the door with a stretcher. Evidently everything was in readiness for the reception of Robert Barret. As the unconscions victim was lifted from the carriage he groaned, **Sbut up, curse you!” ordered the®‘‘ deputy sheriff,” striking him a savage blow in the face. That was Doctor Salter’s ‘‘ method ”—or rath- er one of his ‘‘ methods,” CHAPTER IV. AT SALTER’S SANITARIUM, As Robert Barret, bis face bleeding from the brutal blow struck by the ‘!deputy sheriff,” was carried into ‘* Doctor Salter’s Sanitarium,” a man, somewhat resembling him, was led out and placed in the carriage, Accompanying this man was Herman, Mr. Barret’s former valet, and as soon as tl ey were in the carriage, it was driven to the nearest railroad depot, where bota boarded the train. AR one. Mr, Fulton gave the order to drive ome, Robert Barret, meantime, had been carried into the ‘‘ Sanitarium,” and thrown into a pad- ded cell! It was daylight when he returned to conscious- ness, and, still under the influence of the drug, the victim could not realize where he was, or what had bappened. In one respect Fulton bad overreached bim- self—or rather, his tool had, for him, Had the victim returned to consciousness in theifull possession of his senses, able to realize that he was now confined in a padded cell as a violent maniac, it is more than likely that he would have become one, But the full force of bis situation did not strike Barret for some time. Little by little he pieced out what had bap- pened from the time of Fulton’s arrival at the well-named Dr, Goodheartv’s Asylum, until be grew drowsy in the carriage, Then, as with a glance at the grated door, he realized the treachery of the man he had be- friended, raised from a mere clerk toa man of standing and influence in the commercial and social world, bis heart sunk, “This man must be playing for tremen- dously high stakes, He will, therefore, hesi- tate at votbing!” Such wes the conclusion that forced itself upon the unhappy prisoner, as be lay upon the floor of his padded cell, doomed to a living death! Cries, shrieks, groans, curses, yells of every description, soon began to echo throughout the “Sanitarium ”—started by one unfortunate, and taken up by the others, Barret’s cell was in an isolated quarter of the den, where none but the violent and most noisy lunatics were confined, and soon the din was maddening. But Robert Barret, free for nearly two weeks from the infernal tortures of Herman, and rested and strengthened by the care of Dr, heart, was more like his old self than he had been for a long time, A man of iron constitution, great will power, and strong nerve, originally, be still retained enough of these necessary qualities, he believed, to thwart the treacherous villain who was plot- ting against him. he thought of his danger, and Fulton’s treachery, now only served to clear a brain that a month previous would bave succumbed to the low, In a few minutes he heard the keeper coming, and with a biow of tue fist bere, a crack of the cane there, the cries began to Cease, Soon they reached Barret’s cell, and paused in front of the grated door. ““He’s takin’ a long time t? come to,” re- marked one. “Yes, but when he does—” replied the other, and the blank was so expressive, that it was only by a tremendous effort the listener repressed a shudder, ‘““Why, I thought he wss some big gun— comin’ here in such a fancy rig. Who is he, anybow?” “‘ Don’t you mind who he is! Who was it had this coop before him?” ‘“‘Hanged if 1 know, except that he was a simple, harmless chap, who had no one belongin’ to bim. Peter Simple, we called him.” ‘¢ Well, this feller’s Peter Simple from this, out—understand?” ‘*Of course I do, When the commissioners, or examiners, or whatever ye call ’em, come around, he’s t’? be Peter Simple—and he looks like bim, too!” “Right! And now about treatment. **You saw me bit hia?” “ I did,” ‘“ Well, Andy, that’s the course of treatment i the quicker ye begin it, the better the boss "i ike ye! ‘« He'll. be ugly as soon as be wakes up ’n’ finds out how he's been fooled, so you'll have a good chance to begin.” Andy made no response, and the} other con- tinued: ‘* You heard what I said?” “Of course I did!” testily returned Andy, adding: ‘“Come on, an’ stop these divils!, They’re enough t’ drive a sane man mad!” As they moved away from the door, Barret maniged to get a glimpse of this precious pair, and saw that one was the ‘‘ deputy sheriff.” This was svfficient to confirm what he had already concluded—that Fulton was a most diabolical seoundrel! And the course of treatment! The “‘ deputy sheriff’s”” words had revealed to Barret the cause of the soreness and swelling on one side of his face; also, that he was to be beat- en, kicked and otherwise maltreated at every opportunity—and opportunities are never lack- ing, when one wishes to find fault, Still he was free from the horrible torture in- flicted by Herman, and lying quietly on his back, studied the situation, The purpose of the conspirators was, quite evidently, to. drive him mad, and that he re- solved to thwart by immediately appearing to be so, ‘T will feign to be what they wish to make me—a gibbering idiot!” decided Barret, Just as he came to this decision, the cries and shrieks, (mingled with the sounds of blows,) be- came terrific; but they soon ceased, and shortly after the ‘‘depnty sheriff” passed, muttering curses at every step. Soon after, Barret heard the heavy footsteps of ‘“* Andy” as he approached—notwithstanding the latter’s Potbeacted felt shoes—and, within $ few seconds, the giant keeper stood before his oor. CHAPTER V., FEIGNING INSANITY. Tur big keeper was talking to himself when he stopped before Barret’s cell door, From his mutterings, the prisoner gathered that Andy bad bad a tussle with one of the noisy lunatics, and had been burt, ‘*How well it wasn’t Lamb—(the ‘ deputy sheriff ”)—that was hurt,” muttered Andy. ‘““Lamb, indeed!” he continued, ‘* Wolf ’u’d be a fitter name for him, an’ my wrist ’d be all right now, if it wasn’t for bis beautiful temper, “ God help this poor divil when he begins on him! Metaphorically and literally, the words, and the tone in which they were uttered, opened the listener’s eyes, ‘This man is rtly buman, at all events,” thought Barret, 4s ““P)l try bim!
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A sly glance revealed that the keeper was rue- fully examining his wrist, and seeing what was wrong, the prisoner arose, saying: ‘*Putin your hand and stand close to the door. T'll fix that wrist for you.” Although suprised by the sudden awakening, and the quiet, sensible tone and demeanor of Barret, the keeper obeyed without hesitation. “Your wrist isout of joint—a sudden pull will, probably, snap it back. Steady, now— so ” Andy felt a little twinge of pain as, with the last word, Barret jorked him against the grated Then his hand was released—and it was door, all right. ‘Are youa doctor?” he asked, after looking at his wrist. **No, but I’ve had plenty of experience at that sort of work, through football and boxing.” Had he tried, Barret could not bave made a more interesting statement—to Andy. The big keeper was an ardent admirer of the manly art, but his knowledge of it was confined, almost altogether, to what was to be gathered from ‘* Somebody’s Art of Self Defense,” and to newspaper accounts of meetings between gladi- ators of the fistic arena. He hada set of gloves, but was too big and powerful, to be able to induce the other keepers ani attendants to practice with him, so, Andy was compelled to be content with theory—until pow, “Kin you box?” he eagerly inquired. ** A little,” replied Barret, * Well, I'l come up after breakfast—” “at y stopped short, looking rather vexed, and asked: ‘You were awake all the time—just sham- min’?”’ ‘*T was,” quietly admitted Barret, “Well, ye heard the orders, of course, and J see what the game is, **-You’re no more crazy than I am?” ** You look pretty level-headed,” returned Bar- ret. **-Yes, but don’t ye see what they’re up to? You're to be driven mad! 7 ** Oh, it isn’t such a bard job as you may think,” he continued, as Barret shook his head doubtfully, ‘‘ Clubs, an’ cold water droppin’ for hours on yer bare-shaved skull, wil] work won- ders with the hardest head!” * But I am mad already—at least, I shall pre- tend to be,” rejoined Barret. ** No, no; that’d be too quick. Whoever put e here, knows better than that, an’ these devils’d suspicious.” Aady paused, and, after thoughtfully regard- ing the patievt for a few moments, continued: *D’ye know who put ye here? Have ye any sure friends, or money, if ye got out?” ‘* Both friends and money,” replied Barret, ig- . noring the first question, and almost regretting that he bad revealed bis plan of feigning mad- ness, The big keeper, however, meant him no harm, and hurried away, saying: “T must be off! Tuere’s no time to talk, now, but I'll come up to-night, ** Breakfast will soon come along. Don’t stir for it—act as if ye were stupid from the drug. T'li report that ye are, and mebbe they won bother ye t’-day. “Pll bring ye a bite, after a while.” These words both cheered and depressed Bar- ret. That he had a friend in Andy he felt pretty certain, and that was comforting; but ‘* mebbe they won’t botber ye t’-day” brought to mind ** clubs an’ cold water,” and he shuddered at the thought. Soon the clatter of pans and clanging of doors warned the prisoner that breakfast was being served to the violent cases, and that observant eyes soon would be upon bim, In a few minutes, two men bearing a large wooden tray covered with tin pans and cups, stopped before Barret’s door for a moment, but after one glance at the inmate, (sitting on the floor with his hack to the wall, staring stupidly at the ceiling.) passed on, Coming back, he was in the sarne position, and after another momentary stop to observe him, they disappeared, CHAPTER VI, THE FRAUD DETECTED, _APTER an bour’s absence, Andy made good his promise to return, appearing tefore Barret’s cell, carrying a small parcel, the contents of which proved to be sand wiches—chicken!, ‘* tfere, take these,” said the big fellow,and as the gaa obeyed, drew a small bottle fem bi 7 res Mae and Jack. the Invincibles. *““That’s good claret,” be continued, putting the bottle between the bars, ‘* You go ahead’n’ eat-—I’ll watch.” ‘“Where the deuce did you get—” began the patient, but Andy stopped bim. ** You go ahead ’n’ eat—this ain’t no time for talk!” remonstrated the good-natured, if un- grammatical keeper, 3arret obeyed, and while he was eating, Andy continued: ‘*] stand in with the cook, ’n’ often used to bring the poor chap, whose place and name you’ve taken, little outside bits, so you keep up the starvation dodge, ‘* Eat a little once a day, or every other day, an’ play bein’ very weak ’n’ silly.” The prisoner nodded, and kept on industrious- ly demolishing the sandwiches, while Andy watched in silence, until the last bit and drop were gone, Then he said: ‘*T wouldn’t get nervous over it—but the head devil is comin’ t’ see ye in a little while, ’n’ unless ye kin fool him—an’ that’s a tough job—you’re v get a dose o’ the shower this morning! ‘When ye get the order t’ strip, don’t make no fuss—that’s what they want, for then, they’ll bave an excuse for the clubs. ‘*T hope they won’t order me t’ be there, for if there’s trouble, they’ll expect me t? jump in— and—I—won’t! That’s flat!” The danger he was in appeared to act as a nerve-restorer on Robert Barret. “How many, generally, are present at this devilish work?” be said, ‘¢The boss, Lamb, and maybe one more, ‘“‘1’m here only a few months, but I’ve got it from the others, They’ve got me here, just because I’m bigger ’n’ stronger than the aver- age, so I suppose I’d be the third,” “Well, you are bigger, and look stronger, than the average man, but, if you are the third, keep out of my reach, or down ye’ll go!” Barret smiled wickedly as he uttered this warning, causing Andy to stare at him in ad- miring surprise, ‘*Well, you have got nerve!” exclaimed the big keeper, adding: ** But, look bebe! One dose o’ the shower won't kill ye, an’ it won’t drive ye crazy—” though it’s powerful weakenin’—an’ the easy way’s the best, so if they don’t try t’ rile ye, zo easy, ’n’ Jet on that the effect is terrible. Play weak, ’n° faint, “*Hello! He’s comin’, already! So sit down, ‘n’ shiver ’n’ shakeas if ye were afraid t’ stir. I'll swear I’ve been lickin’ ye. Don’t mind what I say!” At the moment he interrupted himself, Andy had discovered Dr. Salter stealthily approach- ing, but, when the latter came within eet he found that the big keeper was cursing an abusing Barret. So stealthily had the rascally doctor come, that the start with which the keeper greeted bis first words, was more than half genuine. ‘* What’s the trouble?” he asked, “Eh! Oh, I didn’t notice ye comin’, ‘¢There’s no trouble of any account, doctor, I’ve just been givin’ bim a few thumps, t’ kind o’ break him. Mr, Lamb said he was an ugly brute, but he’s tame enough, now.” Doctor Salter smiled, (showing his teeth in an unpleasant fashion,) and appreaching the door, looked sharply at the cowering wretch on the floor; then, turning to Andy, asked: ‘* How was be when he came to?” ‘Shaky first, then ugly until I stepped in.” Salter turned to Barret once more, evidently somewhat puzzled, and after another long and sea ching look, said: ‘* Be very careful in dealing with this man, Andy. He's dangerous—treacherous—and you have begun the right way. Keep him in fear of you, and don’t hesitate about braining hin, if he shows signs of fight!” : “There ain’t much fight in him, now,” re- marked Andy, “No, | Keep him so.” : ** Well, you’re out of it this time,” observed the big keeper, as the doctor left the corridor. So, the game was playod—Andy pretending a be abusing Barret, and the latter feigning iocy. There were gertainly some odd thumping- scenes in Barret’s cell—the big keeper making an excuse of thumping the patient to take les- sons in boxing! The gloves were kept in Barret’s cell, Andy pointing out a secret receptacle in the wall, dug by a former occupant. F As may be imagined, becoming so friendly with the keeper, Barret endeavored to com- municate with the outside world, but in vain— Andy would neither carry, nor send, a¥ of any kind. . ‘* No, sir, I’m sorry, but I can’t do it,” he sai when Barret mentioned the subject. ‘“* When 1 was hired, 1 swore never to take — or send any kind of a message further than the office, and, right or wrong, I’ve always Eept my word,” ‘* But,” he added, fiercely, ‘I didn’t swear I'd not break their skulls, and if they lay a fin- fier on ye, Mr. Barret, Pl spread them out like sheep! “And, I know bow t’ do it, now—thanks t? ou,” With that, and Andy’s consolatory assertion, that some of bis friends would look him up, Barret was compelled to be satisfied, and, so, the days and nights passed, until] Lamb, without any apparent reason, grew suspicious of the night visits, and watched one performance with the gloves from the opposite corridor. Next morning the ‘‘deputy sberiff’ appeared at ree docr, and, with a saraonic smile, said: ** Well, you did fool the old man, didn’t ye? But, yer uncle got onto ye last night, and yer pupil’s gone this morning! **No more use for the gloves, Mister B., so we’}l take them while you’re takin’ a bath ! “* And the best of the joke is, your pupil will consider the oath he took when he came here, just as binding as if he was still with us! **Oh, how you will get it for losing us such a good man!” Tbat was in the seventh month of Robert Bar- ret’s lunacy, CHAPTER. VII. THREE MONTHS AFTER, Ir is evening of the first day of spring, and a fire in the grate of the rear parlor of the old- fashioned mansion of the Barret family, made it only comfortable for the occupants—a lady and a gentleman, The lady—a young and strikingly beautiful brunette, is saying: ‘* Heed my warning, George, or you will soon regret it!” “Don’t worry so, my dear girl, Everything is moving smoothly,” responds the tall, elegaut gentleman, leaning against the mantel. The carelessly soothing tone irritates the young lady. “Yes! And, so, everything moves smoothly, until the match is touched to the fuse! ‘* You are st nding over a mine, George; be- ware of the match!” ‘But, my dear girl, what harm can she do? Ske knows nothing!” protests the gentleman, in a weary tone, that indicatesto his companion — ae tired of the topic he is, and she gives it up with: ‘Very well, but I bope you will not rue your carelessness—she is acting very strangely.” ‘*Thank goodness!” ejaculated the gentleman, under bis breath, while the lady continued: ‘* And, now, tell me, George, by what lucky chance did you obtain such wonderful influence over Robert Barret?” “Luck had nothing to do witb it,” calmly re- turned the otber, “it was a)! planned out. “To begin with, I studied the man’s charac- ter, found out bis weak points—and _ ed upon tbem, until, from being a mere clerk, I became an indispensable companion, as well as assistant. “7 soon was thoroughly acquainted with bis ap affairs, and with every detail of the usiness, until 1 knew more el out bis matters _ tian be did himself—although be was very sbrewd in all bis business.” , . The gentleman appeared to enjoy his story, and pausing, lighted a cigar (as though accus- tomed to smoke in the presence of his com- panior), after which, ho continued: “As we grew more intimate, we became somewhat convivial in our habits (that is to sy he did, while I pretended tc), and soon, 1 ‘ad almost fall charge of everything, ; * Almost, however, was not enough—1l must have all, so I bad to save his life!” y, ‘* Had to save his life!” echoed the young lady, for the first time interrupting this strange story. ‘“* Yes, and I flatter myself that wasa stroke of genius,” replied her companion complacently, as he paused to knock the ash off bis cigar. “ We bad been drinking one afternoon, and I suggested a ride—to work off the effects. “* For a joke, (and a five-dollar bill,) the groom ave him an ugly, runaway, beast. He was a ne horseman—sober—but, when I accidentally struck bis borse—I was a little behind—the beast cut up terribly, and would probably have killed him, had I not been present. Th
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yee als _ as zy, and fearing they would arrive too soon, scalp wound—enough to draw blood, Then I fell. **He was terribly frightened about me, or- dered a carriage and would have driven me to the nearest doctor's, but I—for very good reasons —insisted on my own physician, ‘* Once in the carriage, I became worse, com- plaining of intense pain in my side, and head, and was fairly carried into my room, ‘¢ We had called for my physician on the way home, and, on making an examination, be found several ribs broken, as well as a dangerous wound in the head! ‘‘George was full of gratitude and anxiety, and the papers made me a hero, but even that failed to fetch the mark, He was with me day and night until I was out of danger, and then bad me removed to this house, where he declared I should stay as long as I lived; put twenty-five thousand dollars’ worth of stock in my pame— but, still retained the management,” The speaker stopped, and puffed leisurely at bis cigar, as though the story were ended, ‘Well, what then?” asked the Jady. “Oh, then, he went mad,” carelessly replied the story-teller, adding: ‘* And, of course, having charge of his estate, which gave me the controlling votes, Jam now in his place.” Some one was now heard opening tbe ball door, and the young lady hastily left the room, just in time to avoid two ladies, who entered the front parlor, ‘* What, alone, Mr. Fulton?” asked the elder of the vew-comers, a handsome matron of fifty or thereabouts, ** Alone, as you see, Mrs, Barret,” responded the gentleman. ‘*Too bad~and very unfeeling of Emily,” jestingly observed Mrs, Barret. ‘‘[ fear the Emilys do not favor me, but I trust this Emily eujoyed the concert?” As Mr. Falton says this, he turns to the younger lady, who has been standing a little aside, drawing off her gloves, ‘*This Emily,” as be designates ber, but for the blue eyes and golden hair she possesses, could not be distinguisned from the young lady who qitted tbe room a few minutes before. Quite different to the otber, this Emily regards Mr. Fulton very coolly, and answers very coldly that the concert was ‘‘ fairly good,”—disregard- ing the question of her enjoyment of it. ‘And Doctor Lewis?” questions the gentle- man, looking a little malicious, ‘*Kmily” regards him with a steady, cold, questioning stare. She can be as freezing as the ** other Emily is fiery, and the usually unruffled Mr. Fulton grows confused, ‘I mean—that is, I presume that Doctor Lewis enjoyed 1t?” he explains. * Well, really, that is a strange question to ask me! How sbould I know?” Mr, Fulton withers under the freezing scorn of the reply, but Mrs, Barret mercifully inter- poses; ‘What are you ‘fencing’ about? The con- Lewis enjoyed it.” This does not end the warfare, bowever, in the rear parlor, for when Mrs, Barret and ber daughter retire, (which they do in a few min- is utes,) the other ** Eunly” enters, ber black eyes ae bee flashing fire, ber cheeks burning with indignant et i rage, Tae ‘* What is the meaning of all this bending and mr cringing?” she angrily demands, There is a touch of jealousy in her voice, but be does not—or pretends not to—notice it, With a significant glance at the window, | through’ which the angry girl bad entered from ta the piazza, Mr, Fulton replies: e ‘‘We must sometimes stoop—very low—to i conquer.” ‘* Well, I have the right to know!” defiantly answers Emily, adding, as she turned to leave * the room: ; ree ‘*Remember what I said about the mine, wt: George, and beware of the match! if you do 4 not, you will find in that girl, cold as she looks, ah your match !” ‘*T wish to Heaven she would!” exclaims the ie he gentleman, when his companiov has gone, and sf as he lights a fresh cigar, adds: ‘Or, at least show some indication of one day becoming so, “Emily says: ‘beware of the matcb,’ but Eunice appears to be entirely too wary of the match to please me. . “If she would only give the slightest hope, how quick I would decide upon what to do; but— ‘Well, all the worse for her, if she refuses.” saw mounted policemen, and others, com- | P cisked a broken skull, and managed to get a | cert was really good, aud, of course, Doctor | CHAPTER VIII. LOVE AND JEALOUSY. ON reti ing to their rooms, Mrs, Barret and Eunice had a long cnat, as was customary, in the course of which each had much to say to the other, regarding the man below, | Mrs, Barret, who was the widowed sister-in- law of the millionaire owner of the house, opened the subject with: “Eunice, why do you treat Mr. Fulton so coldly, almost contemptuously ?”’ ** Mother, I do not like him,” ‘* But, you might be, at least, courteous to one who has done so much for your unfortunate un- cle,” expostulates Mrs, Barret. ‘*Too much, I fear,” replies Eunice. ‘* What do you mean? I am sure no one could have doue more. He was unremitting in his at- tentions, and kindness and consideration per- sovified, during the time poor Robert was here,” ** Are you sure he was kind to Uncle Robert?” asks Eunice, without looking up, her chin rest- ing in her palm, ber eyes sta) ing straight ahead, ‘““Why, Eunice, what has happened to you? Such cruel suspicions are utterly unlike you! What do you mean?” **T hardly know, mother,” she replies, with a weary sigh, ‘‘ but, something tells me that Uncle Robert bas not been fairly dealt. with, ‘*Is it not strange that, after his release from the asylum, he should immediately start West without even calling bere?” ‘* But, my dear, that was explained by Mr. Fulton, and it is scarcely just to expect him, burdened, as he now is, with all of Robert’s af- fairs, to keep a bulletin posted, as it were, stat- ing vour uncle’s condition, and whereabouts. ‘You are neither courteous nor just, Eunice!” finishes Mrs, Barret, warm with indignation, ‘* Well, perhaps, | wrong him, and [| will en- deavor to avoid another lecture, but, mother, I am often strongly tempted to test the truth of some of these things,” And, kissing ber mother good-night, Eunice passed into her own room, Next the rooms of Mrs, Barret and her daugh- ter, and separated from the former by only a thin door—originally intended for temporary use—was that of Emily Morgan, whose bistory will develop later, Every word of the conversation regarding Fulton, bad been heard by Emily, who immedi- ately on entering ber room, bad gone to the key- ne to listen, for she was beginning to grow jealous, When the conversation was ended, she laughed softly, though by no means gleefully, for her thoughts were not pleasing. ‘““Now, if he wishes to play me false,” she soliloquized, ‘‘1 shall be revenged by the one who, I suspect, is beginning to displace me, ‘* But she must be watched, for, if she should yield to that temptation she speaks of, all is Jost, and, until be proves himself one way or the other, I must look after her, **It will not take long to determine whether be is true or false—now that she promises to treat him with common decency—and if there is a declaration cf love, I will take care to be on | hand at the finish,” | Thus the two girls (so strangely alike in ap- | pearance, and opposite in nature), retired full of | doubt regarding the same man, | Next day Fulton was agreeably surprised. to find bimself treated courteously, even kindly, by | At first he was somewhat suspicious of this sudden change, but as it continued he began to grow hopeful that ber previous coldness was only assumed, and finally, at the end of a month, having paid Eunice considerable attention, without being repulsed, resolved to venture on a declaration of his love (2), Keen, villainously keen, as he was in al) other matters, woman was a mystery to George Ful- ton—as sbe is to most men—and willing to be deceived by Eunice’s enforced kindness, he would not see that it barely concealed an in- tense, and constantly increasing, dislike, Emily, however (who saw ail that was going on), easily penetrated the thin vail of courtesy, and, concealing her jealous rage, awaited the bour of her revenge—now, plainly, close at band, The declaration, however, was unexpectedly deferred, by a sudden business call—of such im- portance that Mr, Fulton jumped into a cab, drove to the depot, and went westward by special train, without notice to any one until he was on the road, A month elapsed before be returned—full of exultation over the successful accomplishment of his business, and of hope that Cupid would not prove less propitious than Mercury—for his Eunice Barret, | sess business had involved bundreds of hitherto solid concerns in difficulties, from which but few re- covered, His return was as unexpected as bis depar- ture, and he was delighted to learn, on his arri- val home, that Emily bad an engagement which would compel her to be out during the early part of the night. ‘“*Now is my time,” he thought, on learning this, ‘* Such another opportunity will not pre- sent itself for some time,” and he determined to “have it out” (as he expressed it) with Eunice that night. When Emily was going out Fulton accom- panied her to the door, and kissing her tenderly, murmured: ‘“When you return the others will have re- tired; then we will have an opportunity to tatk.” Emily looked up with a sweet smile, nodded intelligently, and departed—re-entering by way of the basement—while he, poor, mere, dull man, returned to the parlor, his countenance express- ing the satisfaction he felt at thus being freed of her watcbful eye. As if to favor his design, Mrs. Barret now complained of beadache, and retired to her room, leaving Eunice and Fulton together, “Now or never!” thought the now sanguine conde and plunging headlong .into the subject, egan: O Miss Barret—Eunice—you must have ver- ceived my love for you—” He never got any further, Turning on him with the air and toneofa tragedy queen, Eunice uttered just one word: “ Srr?’ But, there was a whole font of indignant, contemptuous interrogation points in that mono- svilable, and Mr. Fulton shrunk back, while Eunice swept out of the room, She had hardly gone when the curtains of one of the rear parlor windows were parted, and to bis utter confusion, and not a little to his con- sternation, Emily stepped into the room! CHAPTER IX, EXPLANATION—RECONCILIATION, THERE was an ugly smile on Emily’s face as she stepped into the room, that was almost as Ewere as Eunice’s ‘‘ Sir!” he did not speak, but her eyes were full of jealous rage and fury over his unfaithfulness-— as it proved to be, He could not deny the fact, but he might ex- plain the act, “T-ah— Why, Emily, I thought that—” ‘*That I was gone to the Vastors! *“ No, George, dear, as you see, I did not, I thought it would be better fun to wait, and see you crushed—and, dear me! weren’t you?” George looked anything but bappy on bearing this, which was followed by a burst of sardonic laughter. : ‘"And so you thoucht I was blind to all that was going on, George?” she continned, ‘* Why, my dear, dearly beloved, I saw it all from the beginning, I—” “But you did not understand it all—or any part of it—at any time!” interrupted Fulton. He was beginning to fear Emily—if not her- self, certainly what she knew, and .etermined to make a desperate effort to regain her con- fidence. ‘You saw it all,” he continued, speaking rapidly, “‘ but you did not speak—did not ask what if meant, and I, like a fool, supposed it was unnecessary to explain anything to you! “Now, I shall do so—whether you care or not! ‘Eunice Barret, through Robert, owns a large interest in the road—but she has not the faintest idea of bow large it is, ‘* Now there will be a combination formed to oust me, at the annual meeting, but, as her ac- cepted suitor, I would be sure of controlling ber interest—otherwise it might be used against me, and her votes, (which Robert did not even ask the privilege of using,) give the balance of power. Do you understand, now, why I wished—why Eunice Barret is 80 attractive?” As he continued, Fulton saw he was gaining ground, and he finished almost fiercely. Emily knew nothing of business matters, and she was willing—more than willing, anxious, to be convinced that she was mistaken—that Fulton was merely pretending love for Eunice, ** Well, you certainly looked the lover,” she said, very mevkly, and then warming up, con- tinued: ‘* And, Dow, allow me to tell you something of int vest to yourself, **} ,arned you that you were standing over amine, and that that girl would prove your \ \
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match. Well, she has been very near it—and may do so, yet! ‘““Two months ago, I overheard her tell her | mother that she was strangely tempted to in- vestigate this matter—and you know what that a ba mean, if sharp men were put on your trail, ‘* Well, since’ then, notwithstanding what I saw, J have had her every movement watched, to see that she did not yield to the temptation. without our knowing it. “Now, it is for you to say what shall be done.” Fulton seemed to be strongly moved by this watchfulness in his behalf, and said: ‘*Emily, you should know better than judge by appearances, but, henceforth, you shalt not have even the ghost of a chance to complain. *“You are to be my wife, and shall be—but, Emily, it must be as Eunice Barret! ** As you know, it was your resemblance to her—aside from your beauty—that first attract- ed my attention, and now the titne is fast ap- proaching when that resemblance must be made use of ! ‘The old lady can be got out of the way, by an appeal from Barret (#) to join him—without the daughter. ‘At the first sign of trouble from her, she can be easily disposed of. You will disappear— return home—and reappear as Eunice Barret!” ‘But how can I do that? She isa blonde, while I am a brunette.” **Go immediately to one of those women who make a business of changing hair and complex- ions, engage one of their people to accompany you and transform you from brunette to londe. ** Some large hotel in the city will be the best place to go to—I can then reach you easily and quickly—and you must be ready, at an hour’s notice, to assume the character of Eunice Bar- ret, ‘* The letter that calls you back will give full instructions as to how you are to act,” Next day, Emily declared her intention of re- turning home—to visit her father, and from that hour, Eunice Bariet’s every movement was watched, That was just five and one-half months after Robert Barret’s physicians decided that he was a lunatic. CHAPTER X. SIX MONTHS AFTER, A. SCORCHING hot day in July; an office on the top floor of a high building in Broadway; a roughly-dres-ed, innocent-looking, but keen-eyed man of about forty-five, and an elegantly- attired, beautiful blonde of nineteen, or there- abouts—and you have the scene. *“*Ts Mr. Austin in?” The young lady is asking for the junior mem- ber of the firm whose name adorns the door: “MoVricH & AUSTIN.” (Nothing more appears on the sign, nor does the interior of the office give any indication of the character of the business carried on by the ) **He is not, ma’am,” promptly replies the rough-looking old fellow, The young lady looks distressed, and hesitating- ly asks if Mr. McVeigh 1s in, ‘Faith, he is, ma’am,” is the rich brogue re- BY, Do you think I could see him?” This timidly-asked question caused the man to grin, as he replied: “* Indade, ye kin, ma’am, for yer eyes are fine, an’ Mac sthands forninst thim.’ The visitor shrunk back in evident confusion, and apparent or real awe, “ Why!” she exclaimed. you looked like a—” Becoming even more confused, the young lady ae short; but Mac filled up the blank with: ** Like a hod-carrier. wan ye’r’ aftber.” *“ Bat 1 thought hod-carriers wore white—” “Vis, ma’am, so the’ do, but these ’r’ me Sun- da’ clothes, “Ye see, if 1 wore me phite pants, I’d have t? wear me hod, too, an’ that 'd niver do, for instance; runnin’ down @ dark alley afther a Ditchman! ** An’, now, ma’am, phat kin I do fer ye? **Don’t be afeard,” he continued, as the visitor _ stood hesitating. ‘‘ I’m th’ roight man—ye kin tell that be me brogues!” “Mr, Hamilton said Yis, ma’am, I’m the Mac and Jack, the Invincibles. As Mac well knew, it was not doubt of his identity that caused bis visitor’s hesitation, but the sight of his proffered proof called up a smile, which seemed to give her confidence, an after a smiling glance at the balf black- ened uppers, and white edges of the brogans, she bogan: ‘* My name, as you see by my card, is Barret— Eunice Barret, ““T was recommended to your firm by Mr. Hamilton—the gentleman whose life you saved, but he said I had better see Mr. Austin: that you were very—” : She paused with a half smile, and then jump- ing the reason, continued: ‘That is why I asked for your partner.” ‘* Phat did ye say was th’ raysun, ma’am?” ** Well—he said you might be a little cross,” was the reply, accompanied by a nervous laugh, sk Well, may th’ divil admire him!” muttered ac, ‘*[ beg your pardon, sir, I did not catch what you said.” “*T said I was much obliged t? him,” unblush- ingly replied the old détective, ‘‘an’, now, pl’aze tell me yer business—or will ye wait for me partner?” ‘*Oh, no! Indeed, 1 prefer to tell it to you.” Mac bowed quite gracefully, but grinned most disgracefully, while his fair client con- tinued: ‘* My business is to engage your firm to solve certain doubts which exist only in my mind—as to the identity of the man now traveling through the country under the name of Robert Barret, and to ascertain what has become of the man whom he pretends to be!” Mac had heard too many queer tales in his long experience to show much surprise, but, as he afterward remarked to Austin, this pre- liminary statement was ‘‘a corker!” “Is it Robert Barret, the railroad an’ steam- boat millionaire, ye m’ane?” be asked, “The same, I am his niece.” ** An’ pbac makes ye think tbat it’s not himself but somebody else he is(!)?” ‘* Because on the day my uncle was declared insane, Mr. Fulton, bis cousin, and my cousin, too, forbade me to approach Mr, Barret’s door, saying he was about to have another violent fit.’ ‘Violent fit! Phy, I thought it was softenin’ 0’ the brain?” ‘** So the papers kad it. ‘* Well, altbough, I bad been forbidden before and had no desire to see or bear my unfortunate uncle as a raving maniac, this unnecessary warning arovsed my curiosity. ‘““We bave a very intelligent boy in the house—bis mother was my nurse, and he is much attached to me—and calling Jo, I sent bim to see what was going on up-stairs, ‘He is half Indian, and being warned, did his work without exciting suspicion, returning to me just as Mr, Fulton entered with three physi- cians, for whom he had gone immediately after warning me against going up-stairs. ** Joe reported that be had heard nothing but my uncle’s moans and cries, until Mr. Fulton re- turned witb the doctors, Then, be heard Her- man, who was my uncle’s attendant say: Five minutes, eb?’ and then: ‘He will do; more might spoil it!’” ‘© Did he see anythin’?” ‘* Well, yes, he saw, or rather thinks he saw Herman tickling my uncle’s feet with some- thing. oe Bicklin’ his feet!” echoed the detective and in a curious tone, ‘ Well, now, that’s quare.” ‘Five minits,” muttered Mac reflectively, and seemivgly reminded of as omission by these words, the visitor continued: *“*T should have stated, tbat each time Mr. Fulton brought the doctors, I noticed tnat they remained down-stairs for five minutes after he rung the bell,” ‘** Afther who rung the bell?” “Mr, Fulton.” ‘* Didn’t he havea kay*” “Oh, yes, and that is one of my reasons for being suspicious that everything was not as. it should have been. ‘“The doctors came several times, each time accompanied by my cousin, and each time he had forgotten the key—and rung twice!” ‘P—hew!” whistled Mac, and looking admir- ingly at his fair client, asked: ‘*Anythin’ else that ye noticed, that was quare?” ‘“'Yes, my uncle was taken toa lum, but remained there only a wee ‘Since he left home, neither my mother nor myself, have seen him, but people who knew my uncle, and have accidentally met the man travel- Bins asy- ee EE ing through the country as Robert Barrewy clare (according to the newspapers), that the would never recognize him—he is so mu changed.” ‘* Where is he, now?” “IT donot know, We have to ask Mr. Fulton, when desirous ef learning where he is,” **Humph! Wh» wire th’ doctors?” ** Professors ‘'caerza and Sanders, and Doctor Lewis.” The last named was uttered after a momen- tary hesitation, accompanied by a slight. blush, on of which escaped keen-eyed, quick-witted ac, ‘““T'd like t? talk t? wan o’ th’ docthors,” be said, ‘* will ye allow it?” ‘** Ye-es,” was the hesitating reply, might speak to Doctor Lewis.” ** Oh, ther’ all above suspicion,” declared Mac, adding: ‘* But I'd like t’ hear what the’ know of it, ‘* Td like ye’d be home t?-morra’—I’ll be want- in’ t? see th’ room, ’n’ ax some questions.” ‘*T shall be there,” returned Miss Barret, and as she was escorted to the elevator, was aston- isbed and amused at the irrelevant remark of the ‘* hod carrier :” . “Its a pity ye’r’ rich could take ye in wud us!” “ you If yer were poor, we CHAPTER XI, THE ‘* HOD-CARRIER ” AND THE DOCTOR, From the ‘ hod-carrier’s” Jast remark, it would appear tbat he bad no mean opinion of Miss Barret’s abilities as a detective, and when his partner, ‘“‘ Quiet Jack” Austin (who came in shortly afterward), heard the story, he re- marked: Z “Wonderfully clever, though it’s a remark- ably queer story.” ‘* All th’ more likely t’ be thrue! “Now, how’ll we arrange it? You, in your own quiet way, lock up Misther Fulton, an’ me th docthor an’ house?” ‘¢ Just as you say—it suits me,” carelessly re- plied Austin, adding, as he arose from his chair: ‘* Better begin at once, I suppose.” Mac looked admiringly at bis partner, who bad just returned from a long, and weary—but successful—bunt, and after a half-hour’s rest, proposed starting on a new chase. “Quiet Jack” was the very reverse of his partner in appearance, being a well-dressed, handsome, gentlemanly-looking, unobtrusive mean of about thirty-five. P ‘© Well, for an ordinary lookin’ chap like your- self, ye’r’ th’ most dasavin’ [fever met!” exclaim- ed Mac, adding: / ** But, I’m not goin’ t’ let ye kill yerself, “We'll talk this over while ’m gettin’ some- thin’ t’ ate.” 2 ‘* By George! that reminds me, I’ve had noth- ing but a cup of coffee to-day.” “Just like ye! wasn’t for me. / ‘“« Three o'clock, an’ nothin’ but a sup o’ coffee in his stomach.” « Phot are ye med of, anyhow?” Austin laughed, but made no response; he was accustomed to his partner’s remonstrances, though these remonstrances and remarks were none the less deserved, Under an ordinary exterior, ‘Quiet Jack” concealed an iron frame; muscles of steel; un- failing nerve, and dauntless courage. Like bis partner, Quiet Jack was a most de- ceptive man, hile eating, the partners discussed the affair in hand, and on parting decided to hold to the original plan, ‘*“T’ll meet you, then, about this time tc-mor- row,” said Austin, adding: «It’s too late tofgo down-town, so I’ll see what’s to be learned around the clubs and hotels.” “ An’ I'm not feelin’ well, so Pll consult Doc- ther Lewis,” rejoined Mac. Jack laughed in his quiet way, and started on his tour of the hotels and clubs, while Mac sought “his” physician, We will accompany the latter. For so young a man—be was about twenty~ eight—Doctor Lewis had become eg promi- nent in bis profession, and though Mac did not know bim, he knew of him. ; , “‘There’s no more doubt of his honor, than there is of his ability,” mused Mac, as he pro- ceeded on bis way, ‘‘and if there was any foul play, it’s strange that ke didn’t discover it, “One thing is certain—the fair Eunice has more than a family physician regard for him, “It would bea mighty fine match for him, for some of the Barret millions will surely come Shure it's dead ye’d be, if it.
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q ry Se es bent. oe at ae ws RS oh Colne il ’ to waste it.” _ titious cases, | must beg to be excused, ‘I ‘*She kam t’ consult me t’-day, an’ said I might ax you some queskins,” “Came to consult you?” repeated Lewis, in- credulously. ‘* Who are you?” ‘*No wan very pertic'ler, sir, but me name is | ginerally McVeigh,” —and besides, she’s a splendid girl—sharp | | ‘What! The hod—” began the doctor, and | | is a steel-trap, too, or she wouldn’t have noticed 80 many little points, * As Jack says, it is a truly remarkable tale, but, I’ll be hanged if I don’t take a good deal of stock in that girl’s intuitive detective qualities.” Thus musing, Mac arrived at Doctor Lewis’s handsome residence, and though the colored gentleman, who came to the door, viewed with contempt the bent figure, and old-fashioned clothing, he did not hesitate a moment, Doctor Lewis had many poor patients, and hesitation about admitting one of them, had cost his predecessor of the present colored gen- tleman his position, so Mac was instantly ad- mitted to the doctor’s study. Doctor Lewis was engaged with some writing, and requesting to be excused ‘fora few min- ena waved the visitor to a chair beside Lis esk , This was just what Mac wanted, for it gave him an opportunity to “size up” his man, be- then with one sbarp glance at Mac’s famvuus fuotwear, burst out laughing. “ve no apology to offer; the case demands nune,” he said, when bis mirth had subsided, **Indeed,” continued Lewis, ‘‘1 think you | should make the apology tor springing yourself on me without warning.” The ‘ hod-carrier” grinned at the compliment, and returning to tbe object of his visit, asked: ** An’ now, will ye pl’aze tell me if ye saw any- thin’ suspicious about that case?” Doctor Lewis instantly became grave, and looked a little perplexed by the question, ‘* As one of those who signed the medical cer- tifieate, I should be the last tosay that I thougbt there was auything suspicious about that case,” he rephed, after several minutes’ deep thought. ** But was ther’?” ‘* Certainly not to be seen, or I should not bave signed the papers, nor would those with whom I was called in; but you have awakened a queer idea that has been slumtering since it flashed terough my brain, on the day the papers were signed,” he doctor paused irresolutely, and then sud- denly usked: ‘You know the delusion under which Mr, Barret suffered, I suppose?” ** Faith, I don’t!” ‘* You must excuse my asking you to solemnly assure me that that is true.” Doetor Lewis spoke earnestly, and evidently attached great importance to the detective’s an- swer, but there was nothing solemn about it. ‘*Arrah, go an wud yer solemn assurances! Sore sbe didn’t, an’ thin how th’ divil c’u’d I know?” ‘* Miss Barret does not know of it?” Well, if she does, I'll take me book oath nayther she nor any one else tould me!” ‘*Strange! Tell me why you stated that sup- posititious case about tickling a man’s feet?” Mac related what the boy thought he saw through the keyhole, From the doctor’s manner and question the detective already susp :cted that there was nore in the boy’s story than was at first sup- posed, but he was hardly prepared to hear Lewis exclaim: ‘Great Heavens! Can it be possible!” He sprung up, and began servously pacing the floor, exbibiting a great deal of agitation, bnt after a few minutes grew calmer, and stopping im front of Mag, said: ‘*From what you tell me, I fear a great wrong has been committed, and partly through my fanlt—but, of that you shall judge. ‘Have 1 your word, that what you are about to hear, will not be repeated?” Mac had been doing some tall thinking him- self, and bad ccncluded that the doctor would be a valuable, and willing ally in undoing the terrible wrong, which he now felt sure had been committed, and he replied: “Until we kin prove our case, I'll never sp’ake of it,” ““Good! Mr, Barret’s supposed delusion was Pree a devil was tormenting, burning, his eet! ““T say supposed, because I now believe there was a devil-a fiend in human form—doing so. ““Only recently in France, through a dying confession, it was learned that a man had been driven mad, by having the soles of his feet tickled with a feather dipped in oil.” ‘Yes, I heard of it,” calmly put in Mac, “You did! Well—the boy only thought he saw something, but I saw the oil!’ ‘Saw the oil,” repeated Mac, a little puzzled. “Yes, the day the papers were signed, I saw something glistening on the sole of Mr, Barret’s foot! The doctor then went on to tell what occur- red after that, and when he had finished, said: ‘* It was your supposititious case, that brought tomy mind the French case, which flashed across me when I saw the oil, but the reputa- tion of my colleagues, and the fact that the man was undoubtely mad at the time, caused me to dismiss the idea,’ ** And now?” ‘* Now, I am satisfied that I was criminal] negligent, in not refusing to sign them, until T had an opportunity of staying awhile with the patient—that is, after what I had seen, but I will join you in this work, and drop everything until the wrong is righted p fore talking to him. ‘* That man’s full of grit—thinks like thunder, and acts like lightning. ‘* 4 bad man for an enemy, but no better for a friend. “Straight as a string, too, and I’ll bet on it!” Such was the detective’s estimate of Doctor Frank Lewis, as he looked at the flashing black eyes, firm moutb, determined chin, and noble, thoughtful brow of the writer. In a few minutes, the doctor threw down bis pens and, turning to his supposed poor patient, n a pleasant, cheery way, asked: ‘* Well, sir, what’s the trouble?” oat A gr’ate d’ale, sur, a gr’ate d’ale,” replied ac. ‘* Well?” (a little impatiently.) “Well, sur, ’'d like t? know, if ye ever at- tinded Misther Robert Barret?” “What has that to do with your trouble?” asked the surprised pbysician, adding: ** Are you troubled in the same way?” “Well, sur, I don’t know but I might be— some time.” Doctor Lewis looked perplexed—balf angry, but not wishing to hurt the feelings of his poor patient, said: ** You will bave to be more explicit, sir.. My time is entirely at your service, as far as neces- sary, but it is of value to me, and I cannot afford “* But ye did attind Misther Barret?” persisted ac, SOF did f? ‘Well, now, w’u’d ye pl’aze vw’ tell me, if ye 4 fe ther’ was anytbin’ wrong about that If the physician was surprised before, he was amazed now, “What do you mean?” he asked, slowly, and looking sharply at the detective, as Well, Suppose you wanted t? dhrive me mad —couldn’t ye do it be ticklin’ me feet?” Starting up, as though struck a sudden blow, the Me ysician began: “* By heavens! Could—” ‘* The girl is right!” decided Mac, and aloud: ' “Ye think ye could, sur?” Lovking at the detective suspiciously, Lewis replied: “If you have come to me to discuss supposi- sup- posed you were @ poor person, here to ask for treatment, but as you appear to have come mere- ly to talk of other people’s troubles, you will be kind enough to CLEAR ouT!” The last words were fairly shouted, and Mac arose, saying, very meekly: ‘* Yis, sur, but Miss Eunice ’ll be sorry—” Zz ~ ota interrupted “r other, y, I thought ye knew,” innocently replied Mac. ‘ Miss Manice Barret wanted met? talk v ye about ber uncle,” ‘*Why didn’t you say so at once?” demanded Lewis, irately. ‘Oh, it’s a way I have, an’ sare I can’t help it —it wuz born in me,” (Mac spoke the truth, and though be had not acted as was usual with him in dealing with Eunice Barret, it was fear of bis ‘' way,” that caused Mr. Hamilton to recommend Austin as the man to confer with.) ‘* Well, it’s a mighty poor way, I can assure you,” remarked Lewis, an then growing suspi- cious as he gazed at the queer-looking character before him, asked: “How do I know that you come from Miss Barret?” ‘* Faith, I dunno, onliss ye’ll take me word for it,” replied Mac with a grin; and then, seeing ‘that the young physician was firing up again, continued: > ee " o, * > 5 Nas so Mac bad a holy borror of amateur aszsis- tance, but remembering Eunice’s remark about a private asylum, siid: ** Well, th’ first thing t’ do is—nothbin’ at all. “Tf ye stir, or sp’ake, before ye’r’ tould to, Pil give up th’ case, I'll dhrop in on’ ye t?-morra, Good-night, sir, an’ ’'m much obliged t’ ye.” CHAPTER XII. SHADOWED. HE would be a clever man indeed, who could, undetected, shadow the “ hod-carrier” for any distance, and, now, on his way bome to “ think it over,” the detective was less preoccupied, than when on his way to visit Doctor Lewis, ‘* Mac’s shadow on the other hand, embolden- ed by bis success became less cautious, and soon the detective became aware that he was being followed, ‘*What the deuce does it mean?’ muttered Mac, much puzzled. Having taken up the Barret matter only a few hours before, he could hardly bring biinself to believe, that that was the cause of the atten- tion he was receiving. ‘* But it must be,” mused Mac, for, when Jack arrived this afternoon, that cleared the calender of all the old cases, and this 1s the ooly new one, ‘*T wonder where be picked me up? Well, I'll find out who he is, anyhow.” After leaving Doctur Lewis, the detective bad crossed to Madison avenue, down which he was walking, at a gait suited to his age and character, when he discovered the ‘* shadow,” He was now close to the house of Harry Hamilton, (a man whom he and his partner had cleared of a charge of mur.ier,) and, as this oc- curred to him, the fertile brain of Mac suggest- ed a plan, which was immediately executed. Mr. Hamilton’s residence adjomed the avenue, and by turning the corner quickly, Mac could have darted into the house, and thus ‘ lose” his shadow, for as it was still early in the night, some of the servants—and all knew hin.—would be about the door, and the lattice gate at the base- ment open. But Mac’s purpose was to “ find” his shadow —not “lose” him. Accordingly, as he approached the corner, the ‘* hod-carrier” slackened bis already slow gait, and, as be turned, saw two of the Hamilton servants at the gate, “Don’t seem tv? know me,” warned Mac, as he approached the girls, and then stopping when a yard away, as if to ask a question, continued: ““You, Mary, tell me t’? come inside an’ Pade the way. You, Maggie, come right afther us,” The quick-witted girls instantly comprehbend- ed that Mac was ‘ton business,” and followed his instructions to the levter. Once inside, the detective continued: ‘* Now, Mary, there’s a chap acrass the sthreet that’s follyin’ me, an’ I want t’ have a chance t? folly him. So, take this inviloop, an’ go down th’ sthreet wud it. Walk fast, an’ carry it in yer hand, “This chap ‘ll be afther biddin’ ye good- evenin’ purty soon, an’ thin stbick th’ inviloop in yer pocket. ‘** He'll offer ye somethin’ for it, but don’t give it to him—though divil a thiug’s in it. “Thin he'll ax ye about me, an’ ye kin tell him, innocent-like, that I brought a message from Doctor Lewis t’ Maggie, an’ that’s all ye know about it.” ‘“* But, maybe be might follow me, an’ then be’d know ‘twas a story I was tellin’ bim, ‘* Couldn’t I say, after a bit, that I was goin to the station- ery store, t? match this?” ‘Begob, ye’r’ a jewel, Mary! Do just that, an’ ye’ll find somethin’ here for ye, when ye get back. Be off,wud ye, now!” Mary obeyed, carrying the empty envelope conspicuously thrust a little in front, and walk- ing rapidly. The family were away in tbe country, and Mac hurried to the parlor window, from which he quickly bad the satisfaction of seeing his “shadow” following Mary. ‘* Now, me bucko, I’ve got ye!”; he exclaimed, full of glee over his easy success, and began using the parlor 4s an (un)dressing room. Hat, coat, trowsers, even the famous brogans were removed, and, of course, replaced—and with the rapidity of a “ lightning-change artist.” Underneath the ‘* Sunda’ coat” was a short, close-fitting sack; alsoa pair of low-cut patent- leather shoes, which, when not in use, served to give Mac a slightly humped-back appear- ance, The ‘‘ Sunda’ pants,”—a string at the pocket Mac and Jack, the Invincibles. 7
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Mac and Jack, the Invincibles. being pulled—ripped all the way down the side, revealing trowsers matching the short sack. Having slipped on the patent leathers, Mac pulled a soft, dove-colored, hat from bis pocket, and, only that his voice reassured Maggie, she would have screamed for the police when he ap- peared before her, ** Arrah, bad ’cess t’ ye!” he exclaimed on see- ing her start back in alarm, ‘‘ can’t a man change bis duds? ‘Gimme a wet towel, quick!” Stull trembling, Maggie obeyed, and Mac be- gan scrubbing his face, While thus engaged, he managed to give Mag- gie her instructions: “This laddybuck ’ll be here purty soon, t? ax e what I wanted wud ye. ‘Tell bim ye wor ookin’ fur a ‘ place,’ an’ that ye’r’ recomminded t? Docthor Lewis, an’ that he sint afther ye, an’ that ye haven’t decided yit whether ye’ll go or Stay. ‘* Tf he axes any more, get mad ! ‘* Where’s me hat? ‘*Oh! Here’s ten dollars—divide it, and take good care of those things up-stairs!” And, snatching up the hat he had left aside, while scrubbing, Mac darted out, leaving Maggie half-fainting, and uncertain whether, after all, it was the “ hod-carrier” who came down-stairs. When Mac’s face emerged from the towel, the last trace of the ** hod-carrier ” had disappeared, and the astonished girl saw a fresh-faced young man with prematurely gray hair—a lasting me- mento of a terrible experience, The bang of the gate recalled Magyie to the fact that she, too, bad something to do, and, picking up the ten-dollar bill, she took her posi- tion at the gate. She had not long to wait, Five minutes after Mac bad left, a short, thick-set, loudly-dressed, and altogether ill-favored fellow, came along inquiring for ‘‘ Maggie Sullivan,” and, before she got rid of him, Maggie was compelled to follow Mac’s suggestion, namely, ‘‘ get mad.” ‘*Be off, or Vl call the police!” she threat- ened, and the baffled *t shadower” Jeft her. CHAPTER XIII. SHADOWING THE SHADOWER. Mac chuckled as he saw his shadower driven away from the Hamilton residence, but was rather startled when he saw the latter’s face. The ‘*shadow” wus a private detective! Secure in bis disguise, Mac bad stood leaning against an electric Jight, pale, watching the “shadow” and Maggie,fand when the former was driven off, he passed close to the detective, who instantly recognized bim as Dick Wilson, an employee of one of the many so-called detec- \tive agencies, ‘*Well! This is a funny caper, by Jove!” commented Mac, with a perplexed laugh, as be -fell in behind Wilson, and began shadowing the shadow.” ; He knew the man and bis employers well, and neither bore a very good character— Wilson be- ing an ex-convict, and the agency of the class “wbose principal business is finding evidence in divorce cases, which they generally manage to do, according to the wishes of the man or woman who pays them best, Knowing this, Mac was sorely puzzled to ac- _ count for Wilson’s shadowing him, for he could not believe that Fulton (whom he suspected of being the mainspring of the wrong in the Barret matter), who was a man prominent in business and social circles, would have any connection with such people. But if Mac was puzzled when he began to take his turn at shadowing, be was dumfounded, fairly paralyzed, at the finish. — Straight ahead went Dick Wilson, until, as they neared Madison Square, Mac began to sus- ct that, notwithstanding the character of the ‘ Bogus Detective Agency,” Mr, Fulton was their employer, ‘* By Jupiter! for what he is!” This exclamation was caused by Mac’s seein his former ** shadow ” turn into the old-fashion . Barret Mansion. Not only did Wilson turn in there, but, in- stead of ringing for admission, he took a key from his pocket, with which be opened the door, ‘And a servant, leaning on the gate, did not _ seem to remark anything unusual about this ex- felon entering the milliouaire’s residence! Great Scott!” ejaculated Mac, as he saw the ex-convict pass bimself into the house. ** Evidently this is nothing new, That fellow _is as much at home there as the unfortunate owner formerly was,” Now we know our gentleman That was surprise number two, but number | three—and the most startling—was yet to come, Sauntering along in a careless way, Mac stopped in front of the servant girl, thinking, as he did so, that once again the situations of Wilson and himself were reversed. ‘Ts Mr, Barret or Mr. Fulton at bome?” asked Mac. The girl stared on hearing the first name, but replied: ‘* Mr, Barret hasn’t been here since I came. He’s travelin’,” ‘* Ah, yes; [ had forgotten that,” blandly as- sented Mac, adding: ‘* And Mr, Fulton—he is in, I presume?” He made a step forward, as if about to ascend to the door, but the servant stopped him with the startling announcement: ‘*Mr, Fulton isn’t in town. There is no one here now but Miss Barret and her mother.” ‘*Tnank you,” returned Mac, as he walked away, stopping mechanically at the next corner to keep the house in view, He was simply paralyzed by what he had heard, for, if Fulton was away—and there was no reason to doubt the girl’s statement—then Wilson’s employer must be Miss Barret or her mother! Could mother and daughter be opposed—or —but no, the detective could not believe that the beautiful girl who had engaged him was playing a double game, ‘* But, if the mother’s on the other side, how the deuce am I to see the danghter, without ex- posing the fact that I am in the game? ‘*Pshaw! My brains must be wool-gathering. If that wasn’t known already, why would this fellow be following me?” Thus musing, and muttering occasionally, Mac continued to watch the house unti) an hour had passed. ‘What the deuce can be keeping him so long? Can it Le possible that he lives there?” As this idea suggested itself to Mac, he saw a servant—a negro—coming out of the house next the Barrets, carrying a pitcher. All the residents of the neighborhood were out of town, it was about ten o’clock, and this was not the first pitcher the detective bad seen traveling tothe beer saloon on Fourth avenue. A man of fertile imagination, Mae quickly formulated a plan, and as the negro was pasting, hailed bim, lad to hear it, for if youll give me a glass, I'll pay for the full of your pitcher.” ‘* Well, ye kin jes’ bet I will!” ‘*Good enough! Here’s a quarter.” The negro took the money, and soon returned with a foaming pitcher of beer. “* Kean’t ye come up t’d’ kouse?” he asked, looking curiously at Mac, ‘*Oh, yes; but I can’t go inside. stay on the sidewalk,” This, of course, added to the negro’s curiosity, and when he brought outa glass of beer, Mac still further increased it, by remarking: ‘* By George, that is good! 1 was as dry as a fish, but didn’t dare go away.” ‘** Watchin’ a house?” hazarded the darky, nt Yes, and, being the first night, I’m afraid to stir. Mae was about to offer the negro a cigar, in order to keep bim in conversation, when the latter, remarked: ‘“* Feller next door’s got a nice snap, Healthy watchin’ he does. Lives in «’ bouse, gets bis meals dere, ’u’ goes t’ sleep jes’ d’ same z d’ rest, ** Where?” ‘* Right nex’ doah, heah, in d’ Barrets’ house. See him go in, ’bout ’n hour ’go,” “Watchman eh?’ thought Mac. ‘ Watch- mav—at four dollars a day, and the same or more for the night? Well, I guess not!” Except that Wilson had been an occupant of the Barret house, since the family had gone to the country, the negro could tell nothing further, and, with the excuse that be *‘ must keep mov- ing,” Mac bade his informant ‘ good-night.” He was puzzled as to whether he should risk a | yisit to the Barret residence or send for Miss arret, ‘This Wilson’s followed her,” thought Mac, } and that’s bow my connection with the matter became known, “If I send for ber to-morrow, she'll be fol- lowed again, and thus remove any dust I may have thrown in that fellow’s eyes to-night, “If I gothere— By George, I’ve gotit! I'll use that boy—Joe, she calledhim, Hecancarry my questions, and keep me posted, I’ve got to ‘**) must post her about this affair, fom course, it won’t do to allow that fellow to sprim™ any traps on her. “Pl send for Quiet Jack in the morning, and talk it over with him,” CHAPTER XIV. JACK REPORTS AND DISAPPEARS. NExt morning, before leaving the hotel where he had spent thé night—for he would not think of going to his two modest rooms, except as the ‘* hod-carrier "—Mac called two messenger boys, one of whom he dispatched to Mr, Hamilton’s house, and the other to Austin. The first messenger had returned, and Mac was once more the ‘ hod-carrier,” when Quiet Jack, made his appearance, " ‘ “* Ye'r’ lookin’ very shwell this mornin’?” said Mac, commenting on bis partner’s elegant “ get- 3 >? ‘Going down among my Wall street friends,” replied Austin, he reply was perfectly sincere, for the speaker had made many friends and acquaint- ances among bankers and brokers, who supposed he was a man of wealth. ** Well, did you learn anythin’?” ‘Only that Mr. Fulton is regarded as a man of great business ability; bigbly respected by bis associates, and admired tor the skillful man- ner in which he has managed to fill Robert Bar- ret’s shoes,” ae He's a keen scoundrel, Jack,” observed the ‘* hod-carrier,” thoughtfully, an’ we're goin’ t’ have a tough job, v’ prove anythin’ ag’in’ him.” “‘Then you are satisfied that Fulton ts at the bottom of this alleged queer business—that is, if there is any bottom to 11?” j ; ‘* Faith the’ is a bottom to it, an’ ther’s no allege about it all. ’ ‘“T had a shadow’ wud me last night.” ** The devil!” “No, Dick Wilson—ye know tbe Jaddybuck, ‘* Well, Misther Wilson picked me up—for th’ second time, I’m purty sure, after I left th’ doc- thor’s. ; ‘* Av coarse, he wasn’t long at his tbricks, before I knew it, ’n’ I took a notion t’ find out who he was workin’ for, an’ where d’ye’ think Misther Wilson fetched up?” ** Give it up.” ay ‘* At the Barret mansion; an’, pbat’s more, he lives there!” : Austin looked greatly astonished, but made no remark, and bis partner went on to relate bis night’s experience, The interview with Doctor Lewis appeared to make a great impression on Quiet Jack. “That is the key to the whole affair,” be de- clared, ‘and the first thing to do is, find this fellow Herman.” j ‘He's reported t’ be wud, what Miss Barret calls th’ bogus Misther Barret.” ** And where is be?” “That yev’ got t’ ax Misther Fulton, an’ he’s away now, but that brings up anotber question: Shall I call on Miss B., or let you take me place? ‘* What is there to be done?” ; ‘Well, I dunno that ther’s much, outside of @ queskin or two atout ber nether, an’ Wilson, ap’ t? warn ber that he’s on the wetecb.” “If I go, kell know me, an’ if | meke any, change sbe—but the fact is, Jack, I aon’t want t? make the change, so you go.” ‘Very well,” replied Austin, ta an absent way that showed he was thinking, aud Mac did not disturb him. a Suddenly, Austin stoed up, saying: ** Well, hn be off to your Miss Barret, and meet you bere when I get through.” *« An’ phot’ll I be doin’ bere, ’n’ the office closed, n’ the b’y waitin’ v get in?” ‘Never mind that,” cheerfully returned Jack, “Tm not going back to the cffice. Fact is, Mac, we'll have to dissolve partnersbip!” : For fully a minute, Mac stared at Austin, as though he thought the latter had suddenly gone mad, Then a light broke upon him, and he nodded approvingly. } Hs Cotitection with you will only place me un- der surveillance, like yourself,” continned Jack “so T will no longer appear at the cflice, and think it would be wise to remove my Dame from the door, “T will take an office down-town, and may thus avoid suspicion—for you can rely on it, Mac, that if this is what we think it is, we are nitted against not only Fulton, Wilson and this Herman, bul a dozen or more, “The thing is too big to take any chances, and ‘there are probably a dozen of this man’s agents on the lookout for interference,
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5 asa 7 7 ee eae I will be watched when I leave there, but that will just suit me, for if they will only trace me carefully, they will find I am just about to open a brokerage office.” ** Good enougn! an’ if ther’ wuz twinty ag’in’ us, we'll b’ate them,” said Mac, adding: ‘* But it’d be betther not t? come back here at all. Just drop me a line on yer way down-town, an’, av coorse, fix on yer office addhress, so I kin wache ye any time.” ‘* Very well; Pll write you from some down- town hotel, and fix upon an office by noon, so you will have a letter by four or five this after- noon, * After this, of course, we sball bave to meet in disguise,” With the last words, Quiet Jack was on his | way to visit Miss Barret, and baving nothing else to claim his attention, the ‘* hod-carrier ” started for his office, where he proceeded to have Austin’s name removed from the sign, Four, five, six o’clock passed witoout any let- ter from Jack, and becoming uneasy, the ‘‘ hod- carrier” visited the quiet hotel where his part- ner resided, but he had not been there, nor did he arrive up to the time Mac departed-—mid- night. CHAPTER XV. A QUEER INTERVIEW. THE ‘‘hod-carrier’ passed a rather uncom- _ fortable night, because of his partner’s failure either to report or turn up at bis hotel, and was at the office early next morning looking for a letter, but there was none from Jack. ‘* That’s quare,” muttered Mae, and calling a messenger, dispatched him with a letter to Aus- tin’s hotel. ‘‘ Not in, sir. Hasn't been there since yest'd’y mornin’,” reported the boy, who returned within a few minutes—the hotel having been chosen be- cause of its proximity to the office. Mac was puzzled and uneasy over this, and bidding the messenger wait, passed into the pri- vate office where, for a few minutes, he remained in deep thought, No one knew better than the “ bod-carrier” the dangerous possibilities of his calling, and with a keen appreciation of the fact that, in this case, the stakes were so vast, that notbing would be stopped at, he sent the boy back with the letter, ‘* Give it to the clerk, and tell him it is to be given to no one but Mr, Austin—no messenger from him, with or witnout an order for mail, is to receive that letter. ‘“*When you’ve done that,” continued Mac, after a sharp Jook at the messenger boy, “‘ come back here, The door will be locked, but here is the key, and remain until | return, ‘Tf Mr. Austin comes here, tell bim to wait, If any one else calls, get the name and address, but you can say you don’t know where I’m gone, or when I'll be back.” ' The messenger boy nodded intelligently, and asked: “If you are not back, when’ll I close up?” “ Five o’clock will do, and if 1’m not back by that time, open the office to-morrow. I'll ar- range with your manager,” The boy took the key and departed, while Mac burrie@ly transformed himself into a very swell looking young man, after which be sat down to await thereturn of the sbarp-eyed messenger, upon whom be wished to test the effect of the change. r From the detective’s instructions to the boy, it will be seen that he was preparing for a prolong- ed abserce from his office, although Miss Barret’s residence was within ten minutes’ walk, Apparently, the change was an effectual dis- guise, for when the messenger returned, he ac- cepted the statement, that Mr. McVeigh had left the elegant looking gentleman in charge of the office, without question, : Satisfied on this bead, the detective proceeded to the nearest livery stable, engaged a coupe with a liveried driver, and was driven to the Bar- ret mansion. As the cab stopped at the door, Mac, as he step- ped out, saw Miss Barret peeping through the curtains, but, to his astonisoment, was informed by the servant who came to the door, that Miss Barret was not at home! . Mac’s business bad not brought bim any know- ledge of the habits of fashionable ladies, and, thinking that perhaps bis call was made too early, -he left a beautifully engraved card, saying he would call again, : “To the Park!” ordered the detective, as he re-entered the coupe. ' “ Now if you want to do any shadowing, come Ye’v’ got a good head, Jack, | Mac and Jack, the Invincibles. right along,” he continued, and, telling the driver to go slow, seated himself. A long drive through the Park, and luncheon | ata famous road-house, passed away the time | until three in the afternoon, when ** Mr. Fred- | eric Ormond” again called at the Barret man- | sion. ) ’ | This time, it was Miss Barret, herself, who came to the door, and greeting bim pleasantly, invited him into the parlor. ‘* How the deuce did she recognize me?’ won- dered Mac, as be followed her into the cool, darkened parlor, and, in a more polite form, that | was the first question he asked Miss Barret, ‘* Why, there was no trouble in that, I have good eyes, and know how to use them,” was the | smiling reply. ** You have indeed!” thought the discomfited detective, who bad intended to introduce himself | as his own agent, for there were few who felt at all certain that they knew McVeigh, the detec- tive, as his natural self. ‘** Austin called on you yesterday,” he said, tentatively, ‘*'Yes, but he’s been taken care of by this time,” was the queer reply. “* What do you mean?” ** Well, you should know more about that than Ido!” impatiently answered the lady. ‘* What has Jack been doing, or saying!” Mac wonderingly asked himself, and aloud: ‘Did you know that you were being watched?” ‘*Me watched? Nonsense!” “T tell you it is so!” asserted Mac, “ Dick Wilson is here really to watch you,” “Tf I thought that—” began the lady, in a strangely threatening tone, when the door-bell was rung, and, interrupting herself, she ex- claimed; ae down, and out through the basement, uick | “It must be that old fool they caJ) the hod- carrier! I’ve been waiting all day for bim. ‘Pll send him after his partner, and then you must return and tell me what you mean,” For a couple of moments Mac sat paralyzed by this speech, “Hurry!” commanded the lady, and, me- chanically, the bewildered detective obeyed, CHAPTER XVI. THK COCKNEY. To say that Mac was astonished, to hear himself spoken of as “that old fool they call the hod-carrier,” is putting the state be was in on leaving the parlor, very mildly; but, before he had reached the bottom of the basement steps, the detective instinct had asserted itself and “ Richard was bimself again.” “She mistook me for somebody else, and that somebody may have just arrived, so I bad better make myself scarce,” be decided, and hurrying through tbe ball jumped into the coupe, ‘Drive slow to the next corner! Turn into Broadway, and then go for all you’re worth to the Battery!” Cabmen are accustomed to receiving all kinds of orders, and without winking at this decided- ly queer one, the driver obeyed. _ Whether there was any attempt, or inten- tion, to follow him, Mac never knew, but follow- ing his directions to the letter, (and thereby causing much profanity among pedestrians and other drivers,) the coupe driver opened the door, at the Battery, just twenty minutes after leaving the Barret mansion, to inquire: ‘** Where to now, sir?” Mac could not forbear smiling at the stonily calm countenance of the driver, but he appre- ciated the tact that caused the man to look up the street while asking the question, for the detective bad been altering his appearance, and the other evidently did not wish to appear to notice it, In reply to the driver’s question, Mac shoved a ten-dollar bill into the hand resting on the window, ani stepped out, saying: 2 ‘Phin I want a sinsible man that knows how t’ bould his tongue, ag’in, I'll look for ye, avick,” The driver now stared at him in open-mouthed astonishment. Mac had often engaged his ser- vices—as the “‘ hod-carrier,” but now he bore every appearance of an Englishman, having, (in addition to other changes,) grown a pair of mutton-chop whiskers while riding down-town. “Well, Ill be—(not blest)!” exclaimed tie driver, as his fare walked off toward the Stevens House, ‘If that ain’t himself, it’s his voice, anybow !” Into the Stevens House turned Mac, through the bar, out into Morris street, along Greenwich across Fulton, into Park Row, and then jumped onto a car, which he left as it entered the Bowery. All this was not done for amusement. On the way down-town, Mac’s brain had been much more busy than bis busy bands, He was considerably troubled by Miss Barret’s statement that Jack had ‘*‘ been taken care of by this time.” It sounded ominously followed by ‘‘that old fool they call the ‘hod-carrier’,” yet, why had she sought their assistance? They had not been interested in the Barret matter, mor troubling her, or Fulton, in any way. ‘*She paid the biggest retaining fee I ever re- ceived,” muttered the mystified detective, as be sauntered up the Bowery, ‘‘ but I’d willingly give it back to know that Jack was safe and alive.” Still pondering over the strange occurrences of the past forty-eght hours, Mac entered a costumer’s. Half an hour later he emerged still wearing the ‘*mutton-cbops,” but dressed in a decidedly loud suit of clothes, and looking like an English “ crook,” It was about six o’clock when the detective re- turned to the strect, and the great tide of Lonest working humanity tbat swells thrcugh the Bow- ery morning and evening was at its flood. fore to get out of the way; ‘and have a chance to think, than anything else, Mac entered a saloon, which chanced to be one of those old- fashioned places, where the regular customer sits down and sips his beer—spending an hour over one glass, if he feels so disposed. | Old fashioned or new fangled, it would have been all the same to the detective, He wanted to think, and he wanted to sit down, and, on en- tering the saloon he took possession of the first vacant chair he saw, saying to the barkeeper: ‘A pint of ’alf ’n’ ’alf, if you please!” “V’ot’s dot you say?” demanded the old German bebind the bar, ‘‘Hi said plain hewcugh, | ’ope—a pint hof ’alf °n’ ’alf!” “Ve don'd sell no bints do gustomers at de dables,” replied the German, amid a roar of laughter from a half dc zen men sitting near the detective, One thing Mac never forgcet--the language or slang of the character he was assuming, and althcugb bis brain was busy witb Jack end the Barret mystery, be was talking the cockney— the character be wisbed to assume, The roar of laugbter awakened bim to the fact that be was altracting attention, and, also, that the saloon-keeper was angry—two things that he, just then, wisbed to avoid. ‘Mac was about to get up and leave the place, when bappening to glance at the laughing party at the next table, bis eye fell upon Dick Wilson, The latter, from the expression of bis face, was heartily enjoying the fun, and Mac’s inten- tion changed instantly. : “‘Tli say, Jads!” be cried, appealing more par- ticularly to the private detective, ‘‘ w’ov’s the matter with this chap? Cawn’t a chap border is pint ere? No blcomin’ chawff, now, for Hi don’t know hapythin’ babout the bleedin’ coun- try, ye know.” ‘Come over here,” replied Wilson, laughing, ‘* we’}] initiate you,” and to the landlord: ‘“‘Here, Jake! Give his jaggs a bottle of Bass, and a bottle of Guinness,” ‘© Hif you gentlemen will join me Hi shall be leased,” said Mac, us be took a seat opporite ilson, “Him a Brummagen bloke hand Hi ’ates t’ be guyed.” The pseudo-cockney looked around, and threw a coin on the table, as be uttered this in a defiant manner, ————— CHAPTER XVII. MAC UNDERTAKES A MURDER, THE coin was ani English two-shilling piece, which Mac bad received in change months be- fore, and had since carried as a pocket piece. | Wilson looked at the piece, and laugbingly observed: : “Tf you offered this to Jake, be’d think ye were shovin’ the ‘queer’— counterfeiter, ye know—and crack ye over the nut with a mal- let.” ‘“‘Coiner, ye mean? Well, give it ’ere—Hi wouldn’t part with that two-‘ bob’ for one bof yer’ bloomin’ dollars.” : ‘* May be it’s all you’ve got?” innocently sug- gested one of the party. ‘“Hoh, no! Hi’ve got plenty bof ‘ blunt’, but bits hall in Hamerican money, ye know.” This interesting information rendered the en- tire party more respectful, and very attentive
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oe eer +, se LI vm, Gee OES 2S a 4s 10 to the stranger, who “‘ bled” freely, and invari- ably remarked, as he paid for the drinks: ‘“There’s plenty more where that came from,” Mac’s (new) countenance was decidedly knav- ish, and, as the constant repetition of this re- mark attracted his attention, Wilson set down the cockney as an English crook. “Pll cultivate him,” decided the ex-convict, partly with a vague idea that he migbt be able to make use of ‘’Arry Roser” (Mac’s new name), but principally because he toped to ascertain where that ‘‘ plenty more” was to come from. An hour after the detective entered the saloon, his new-found friends departed, leaving bim with real reluctance, but 16 was still too early, and Mace too sober, to attempt any ‘‘ funny ” busi- ness, s0, having something of importance to at- tend to, the party broke up, Wilson, bowever, remained, and as they con- versed, hinted his suspicions of the detective’s character, which the latter tacitly admitted to be true, Thus. encouraged, the ex-convict came out boldly, asking: ‘*What’s your line, Roser?” **Hanythia’ from pitch’n’ toss t? manslaugh- ter,” was the reckless reply. The last word seemed to strike Wilson with peculiar force, and be asked: ‘* Ever done any of that?” ** Hany hof w’ot?” ** Manslaughter.” “Say, w'ot’s your lay?’ demanded Roser, looking very suspicious, ‘*Safes, generally, with an odd burglary,” carelessly replied the felon. (“* Sneak-tuief and pickpocket,” was the memo, under his photo, 1n the Rogues’ Gallery.) Roser gazed admiringly at the speaker, and in- quired: ** W’ot did ye ax that for?” “ Well, it’s not in my line, but I know where there’s money t’ be made for a littie job o’ that kind—it’s safe, too,” replied the other, adding: * But I suppose you’ve got too much ‘ dust’ to do anvthin’ for a while? ** No—Hi’m ’tendin’ t’ business ball the time. W’ot’s yer little game?” ** Well, it’s a detective—” ** A detective?” interrupted Roser, **-Yes. Scared already?” sneered Jack, “No! Hi’d just like t’ get a chance at one Hi knows of!” was the savage reply. “Scotland Yard, I suppose,” remarked Wil- son, with a malicious grin. ‘* Then you’ll take the job?” he continued. “Tell me somethin’ about it, ’n’ Hi’ll tell ye. 700 is he? his bit t? be done ’ere?” Wilson regarded the cockney long and care- fully before answering. He was favorably iw- pressed by the other’s cautiousness, aod finally replied: ‘ He’sa private detective, and it’s t? be done here—right back of this house! ‘“* It’s a safe an’ easy job, ’n’ 1t’s worth a pretty pam I fag come, let’s go into the rear ’n’ talk t over.” Passing out the side door, and back through the hall, Dick Wilson led the way across the yard into a tumble-down, two-story frame house, } which appeared to be deserted, The house was situated at the end of a long ard, fully one hundred and fifty feet from the ront house, and almost entirely hidden from view of the latter by two trees, with low, wide- spreading branches, This house, and there were muny like it until quite recently, looked old enough to have been, and probably was at one time, on the line of the ** Bowerie "—the old Boston Post Road. When the ex-convict said that the intended victim was a private detective, Mac’s heart leaped, connecting this fact with Miss Barret’s declaration that Jack Austin had been ‘‘ taken care of.” Mac noted the isolated situation of the old house, between two noisy streets, and offering every facility for the secure commission of crime, or a rendezvous for criminals, and wondered if this was a trap, He did not hesitate, however, but on reaching the door, demanded. “Stop ’ere! Let’s ear w’ot ye’y’ t’ say, before we meet th’ cove.” **Scared again?” **No, Hi hain’t funkin’, but Hi want t’ know “ wot Hi’m habout.” ‘Well, you won’t get any further than this room, until I’m sure you'll go ahead with the job, an’ not then, if you don’t swear silence,” While speaking ilson was unlocking the door, aud as he finished led the way in, “Take a seat,” he said, after carefully closing > = Set "a hagcare ne ae ae s SI ae and locking, the door, which Msc quickly saw was anything but the frail, worm-euten affair it appeared to be from the outside, being strengthened by heavy planking and cross-pieces, from top te bottom! Again, the suspicion flashed across the detec- tive that be was being led into—if not already in—a trap! There were but two chairs in the room, One was near the wall, which Wilson took posses- sion of, and the other in the center of the floor. Dim as the light was, Mac instantly de- tected tbe faint lines of a trap-door about the chair! Standing just outside the line of danger, with both hands turust into the pocket of his loose sack coat, Mac looked very inoffensive, as be de- clared bis intention of standing until their busi- ness was concluded. Yet the first sign of treachery would have cost Dick, the felon, bis life, for tue detective bad learned the Australian trick of shooting through the pocket, and each hand rested on the butt of a revolver, CHAPTER XVIII. IN A BAD BOX. ‘ ary right, suit yourself!” rejoined Wilson, on hearing the cockuey declare bis intention of standing. ‘* Now are you ready toswear you’ll keep your trap closed about this, and anything else you see?” he continued, “Swear be ’anged! D’ye think Hi’m a bloody fool—t? put ha rope round me bloomin’ neck?” This was a very convincing argument, and Dick added: ‘All right! D’ve told you who this duck is, and now I tell ye it’s worth a cool five hundred t? rap him over the head ’n’ drop him through that trap! Now, are you ready t’ earn the dust?” “Hi am, but, why don’t you bearn it, your- self? Hit’s a tidy lump t’ pick bup so heasy.” “Well, I don’t want it! It’s not in my line— and I can’t, and won't do it, I tell ye!” (The latter part of this was uttered as if the speaker was in conversation with some third person, causing Mac to surmise that Wilson was under orders to, bimself, put the prisoner out of the way—out of the world.) ‘Where is ’ef’ asked the cockney. ‘*Up-stairs, Come on!” “Wait a bit! Ye don’t s’pose Hi want hany witnesses, do ye? When we bring bim down ’ere, you've got t’ get hout.” Wilson hesitated a moment, but apparently too anxious to object, agreed to this, saying: “Very well; I'll give you fifteen minutes: but don’t stand talkin’ all night! Come on!” Unlocking another door, the excited scoun- drel led the way to the next floor, where, amid piles of merchandise of every description, Mac distinguished the form of a man Jying on the floor. The prisoner was not gagged, and as they entered moaned: “Water! For God’s sake, water!” Paying no attention to the piteous appeal, Wilson stooped to lift the prisoner’s feet, but see- ing that‘his corfederate made no movement, de- manded the reason, ‘Give ’:1m ba drink!” was the reply. “Oh, what does he want with a drink?” ex- claimed the ruffian, adding, with a brutal laugh: ‘“He’ll have plenty, when he strikes the sewer!” ** Water!” moaned the prisoner, “Give it bim, or you does the job yerself,” threatened Mac, “‘There’s none on this floor,” sulkily objected Wilson, ‘** Go for hit!” Cursing the English obstinacy of his com- pee, the heartless ruffian ieft the room, and ac stooped to look at the face of the prisoner. , As he hoped and prayed—it was Jack Austin! The latter, however, was almost delirious, and did not recognize his anxious partner, who felt inclined to throttle Wilson when be returned with the water, ‘“You’re darn careful of him,” sneered the ruffian, seeing Mac raise the prisoner’s head, and, supporting it on his knee, hold the glass to the latter’s lips, “The common ’angman will do has much for you!” retorted the other. ‘* What's that?” “Hi said, the common ’angman ’d do has much,” “Ob! Well, burry up!” . Mac and Jack, the Invincibles. — OO ee . —- Jack Austin was now lifted, and carn. the room below, where he was deposited ss the trap-door. “That’s the handle!” said the ex-convict point- ing to a knob projecting from the wall, “Pull that, and he drops into the sewer con- nection!” ‘*Get bout!” commanded Mac, feeling that he could restrain himself no longer. “Pn off! Fifteen mimits, remember. The gang’s liable t’ turn upany time now!” With this startling statement, Wilson went out—lovking the door, to prevent intrusion, be said, from without. This upset Mac’s plans, for he bad calculated ou scaling one of the adjoining fences, witb Jack, leaving the trap open, and the roffian ip dcubt as to what had become of them, Now, he bad a half-unconscious man, a beavy door, and the prospect ot a gang of cut-throats entering at any moment, to deal with. “Well, theyll be warmly received,” mutter- ed McVeigh, as be stooped, and litted Jack from the trap. : The drink of water seemed to have revived the latter, but he was still weak, and by no means clear-beaded. “Ob, for a little liquor!” exclaimed Mac, seeing the condition of his partner, ** Pocket!” murmured Jack. Scarcely deeming 1t worth while, Mac placed his hand on the other’s breast, and, to his mingled delight and astonishment, felt the thin, flat, silver flask in its usual place, The flask was full of the best French brandy, a draught of which seemed to put new life into Jack, who extended his hand, saying: *‘ That’s one I owe you, old man.” In spite of the danger, Mac chuckled—his partner did not recognize him! This was not because of lack of light, for the former had found and lighted a railroad Jantern. Grasping the proffered band, Mac solemnly rejoined: ' Faith, ye may bave many a chance t’ pay me afore we're out o’ this din!” This speech proved more potent than the brandy, acting on Jack like electricity. ‘“* Mac!” he cried, springing up in astonish- ment, ‘“*No liss!” was the calm response, in low tones, “But, ther’s no time t’ explain,” continued Mac. ‘Ye bad only fifteen minits t’ live, an’ that lad’ll be back— ‘“Hush! Be jabers, they’re comin’!” As Mac thus abruptly interrupted himself, the noise of a number of men approaching could be heard quite plainly. Tbey were just leaving the saloon for the house. For a moment Mac was puzzled, He didn’t want to reveal bis identity by fighting, but bad decided that they must, When his eye fe)] upon two heavy iron screw-eyes on either side of the door, ‘‘Where’s the bar?” flashed the question through his mind, to be answered the next in- stant, as he saw it standing against the door- post, Quietly slipping the bar into place, and put- ting out the ligkt, Mac whiapered: “Get up-stairs— quick and quiet! Tbere must bea window, and you can get into the next ard, me Wait for mein front! I’'msafe!l” * Relying on the last statement, Austi slipped up-stairs, and as he disappeared from view the key was turned in the lock. “What the deuce is the matter?’ demanded one, seeing the dvor still shut. Mac, meantime, bad thrown himself on the floor, where he rolled and kicked like a mad- man, ‘** Wkat’s that?) Who's inside?” demanded the same voice—evidently that of one in authority. “Wait till we get in’n’ I'll tell ye,” rephed Wilson, pounding op the door, and calling on ** Roser” to remove the bar, ““Cawn’t do it, ye know! down—no, Hi got im!” As he uttered the last word, Mac brought down his heel with a tremendous bang, and then springing up pulled the “2 which opened noiselessly but flew back with a crash that shook the building. Then Mac lifted the bar, the door was thrown back, and a dozen men rushed in, ‘ “ Fit’s hall hover,” pauted the exhausted cockney, ‘* but Hi wouldn’t go through—” “* Hush!” interrupted Wilson. “ Lock that door!” ordered the leader, while another struck alight. ; ‘ “ Now what’s the meanin’ o’ this?” The question was addressed to Wilson, but, "R’s—’e’s got me
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E speaker was looking at Mac, who presented Pa sorry appearance, with face and bands cov- ered with dust and dirt, and bis clothing both torn and dirty, from his apparently frantic struggle. ‘OK got loose, ye see—” began Mac, but Wil- son held up bis band warningly, while he whis- pered to the leader, who, when the former ey ceased, said: 4 “ That’s O. K.—as far as the noise goes, but it . don’t explain this.” He touched his cheek significantly, , shouted: ; ‘* Nail him, boys! He’s under cover!” va Instantly Mac was grasped by a dozen hands, x4 and borne to the floor, f : In tumbling about on the floor, be had lost one = of bis mutton-chop whiskers! and CHAPTER XIX, A STARTLING SHOT, |. Nor for an instant did Mac lose bis wits, and the first words he uttered as, bound band and foot, he struggled to a sitting position, were: “ Well, this his ha bloody fine go!” Come off!” growled the leader of the gang. **Ye might as well drop that; it’s played out, and so’re you!” ° ‘* Hi should say so,” returned Mac, “ hand so would you, bif ye wor me.” ** Keepin’ it up, eh? What about them whis- " kers?” asked the leader, with a sarcastic laugh, ¢ “Why, ye don’t think Hi’m such a bloomin’ . ijit has t’ come ere t? be ha mark for yer bloody : hg hagents, Hi ’opes!” replied Mac, scorn- ully. Oy i Nurse a man on the other side that ye know,” demanded the other after a moment’s thought, ' ** Piper Smith!” ‘* Never heard of bim! 2 aie, Where does he live?” & ‘© Whitechapel Road—keeps a ' pub,’—’is num- | ber’s 1400 A.” This prompt reply seemed to stagger the skep- tical leader, and after another pause, he said: ‘I’m goiv’ to test your story. if it’s O, K., ; you won’t be sorry for havin’ got in here, but if 7 it’s crooked, you can bet ye will! ‘Din goin’ t’? cable. What’s this Smith’s full name?” ‘* Peter— Peter the Piper, they calls’im, But, : Hi say! W’ot sort hof ba game d’ye call this? ‘3 Hi does ba little job, hand Hi get tied bup, hin- ; stead hof gettin’ the blunt,” Wilson whispered something to the leader, fin- ishing aloud with: ' “Tt's a fact, Billy. the rest,” * Billy ” paused in the act of handing one of the gang a message for transmission to London —(to which the reply would come, within an I. hour, that there was no such person as Peter ' Smith at the address given)—and looking coubt- fully at the speaker, ordered: “Turn out his pockets!” Two minutes after Mac’s bonds were severed, and, (although showing no sign of it,) be was the i most astonished man present. ie The clothes bought at the costumer’s were not new—that would never do—and almost the first thing taken from the detective’s pocket was an mar ed envelope postmarked London! bat settled it. Noone noticed that the post- F mark was over a year old, and names, of course, amount to nothing among criminals, } ; “* What’ll ye drink” asked Billy. ‘e. ‘* Hi think babout ba pint bof * bitter’ would a be the proper thing,” replied Mac, adding: oe ‘*Hand I say, Mister Wilson! ‘Hit you'll ’and 4 hover the coin, ye know, Hill stand treat.” pi Dick squirmed under this, and looked uneasy I saw the coin, and so did Vy as he answered: c “T haven’t enough—tbat is, I'll fix you up to- - morrow.” ‘ ; is’ Mac saw io this the opportunity be was wish- ti ing for to leave the place, and apparently in a an thundering rage, exclaimed: Se “No, you won’t fix me hup t?-morrn’} You'll fix me hup ¢t’-night—tbat’s w’ot ye'll do, me downy cove!” i ‘But I haven’t got that much now,” protested 5 Wilson. ‘' Wait until the banks open in the , an morning, and—” : A derisive laugh from the other interrupted Yo him, and he looked appealingly at Billy, the me. ie leader, who said: § i} “Give him what you’ve got,” and turning to nee the pretended cockney, continued: ae “Ye can’t get blood out o’ stone, Take what he’s got. l’ll see that ye get the rest to-morrow, ** Satisfied?” Without waiting for a reply, the speaker ordered some of the others to get drinks from Mac and Jack, the Invincibles. the saloon, and Mac saw him slip a piece of tbe others had passed into the house, took up paper, with whispered instructions, to one of the | the position indicated—with his face toward men. **1’s the cable! Time to git!” decided Mac, and, as Billy turned toward them, snatched the roll of bills which Wilson was proffering. * What! leader, The messengers were unlocking and-unbarring the door, there was no time for delay, and Mac started to leave, sullenly answering: “Gott? be, Hi s’pose, but Hy’Jl take the rest hoat hof ’is ’ide some day.” ** Hold on! Where’re you goin’?” ** Goin’ bout!” **Oh, no. We can’t let ye go that way.” ** Hi'd like t? see ’co’s goin’ for t’ stop me!” ‘* Keep that bar there!” ordered the leader, and to Mac: ‘* You sit down, and wait for yer beer |” He was emphasizing the command by drawing a revolver, but found bimself staring into the muzzle of Mac’s ‘‘ bulldog.” ** Now you sit down!” ordered the latter. A moment later one of the ruffians—who had been paralyzed by Mac’s action—seized a bottle, but, as be was about to,,wirl it, a shot rung out and the man fell. All turned instanvfy in the direction of the stairs, from which the shot came, and with a yell of terror, Wilson dropped on the floor. Standing at 'he foot of the stairs, the deatbly pues of bis face showing through streaks of lood, stood Quiet Jack! It was but a momentary view—another shot rung out, the lantern wassmashed, aud the room was at once in darkness! CHAPTER XX. ' THE ESCAPE, OF all in the room, no une, except Wilson, was more astonished to see Jack, than bis partner, who had supposed him to be safe out of the house, . Unlike Wilson, however, Mac had no idea that there was anything supernatural about Jack’s appearance on the scene, ith the light-destroying second shot, Mac fell to the floor, uttering the peculiar call of the Australian ‘hunter—‘‘ Co-o-o-ey!” as be went down, Then, on his hands and knees, be crawled to- ward the door, upsetting two of the gang, and thereby adding to the general confusion, on the way. Guard the door! ° “ Strike a light!” But, it was too late. Even as the leader uttered the second order, Mac’s band was on the bar, and the next instant the door flew back, ‘““After bim!” yelled Billy, as a dark form shot through the doorway, and the whole gang dashed out in pursuit, Mac had stepped aside on throwing open the door, hoping for just such a rush, but was per- plexe.l by the fugitive. ‘* Jack couldn’t have reached the door so quick,” he reavoned, and in a low tone called: Jack, Jack!” ‘* All right!” came the reply, and the speaker struck a match as he came toward the door. ‘Was it you gave that call?” he continued, “Yes, but Jet’s out of bere!” and pusbing Jack abead through the doorway, Mac started for the lower of the flanking fences, It_was too late, however, for the gang were re- turning (having discovered that it was cowardly, terror-stricken Wilson they were pursuing), and the detectives would be shot down like rats be- fore the high fence could be scaled, Perceiving this, Mac abandoned the idea of escaping by way of the next yard, ‘Stand here!” he said, dragging Jack under wn trees, and then, as a new idea occurred to im: **Up with ye, quick !” In an instant Jack was astride one of the lower limbs, with his feet drawn up, to escape notice, = Mac was in a similar position in the otver ee, The gang came along, noisily and angrily discussing the recentevents. Recrimination was rife, but on Wilson fell the brunt of the blame— Billy leading in the attack. : **You cursed cur, what’d ye run for?” he de- manded, as they passed the trees, adding: “‘Now, they’re over the fences ’n’ wit’ the street, while we've been huatin’ you!” ‘“Here, you Jim!” he continued, in a savage tone, “stand at the door, ’n’ sboot the first man that tries «? pass ye!” The fellow addressed fell behind, and, when | Not satisfied yet?” inquired the | | | ] | | | / the door, There was scarcely any light in the yard, but Mac could distinguish the form of a man stand- ing before the door leading into the saloon, whom he rightly surmised to be on guard, Dropping lightly to the ground, he motioned | Jack to do the same, and whispered: ‘“ When you see that fellow at the door fall, come as if tae Old Boy was after ye!” Without waiting for a reply, Mac walked boldly toward the saloon entrance, The guard at the house had his back to the detective, and the soft earth gave back no sound to Letray his presence. Watching from under the trees, Jack saw |,im walk up to the guard, and the next in-!aut the latter fell, Then, the watcher lwcanie a runver and so quick a one, that be was at the salvom door, when Jim turned to look for the cause of the noise, Quickly realizing what had happened, Jim gave the alarm. But, it was too late; Mac and his partner, were already lost in the crowded Bowery, having passed through the hallway adjoining the saloon, Turning into the first side-street, the detec tives entered a saloon, in the back room of which all traces of the “late disturbance” were re- moved, and while this was being done, Jack kept eying Lis companion, ; As may be supposed, Mac was well aware of the scrutiny be was undergoing,and baving great command over tbe facial muscles, kept chang- ing the expression of bis face—intending to finish with the ‘* bod-carrier ”—but before he jad time to do so, Dick uttered a sigh of relief, and in his quiet way, remarked: “Tf you would dye thut bair, or wear a wig, you would deceive the devil!” Then, Mac knew that his identity was fully discovered, and laughingly replied: “ Raith, it tuk yea long time, Jack, me boy!” * But,” he continued, bis tone and manner changing to terrible sternness, ‘that hair will never be changed, Jack—never tll the man that turned it gray bas a chance to look at it, as he goes to the rope!” CHAPTER XXI. HOW JACK WAS TRAPPED, JacK had never seen his partner in this mood, nor had he ever before referred to, or in any way touched on the latter’s prematurely gray hair, and now, before he could make any re- mark, Mac became bimself again. saying: “ And, now, we'd betther be off an’ talk over things,” “ Allright, 'm ready,” responded Austin, Accordingly the partners left the saloon, and hailing a passing cab, Jack gave him the office address. ‘“ We'll be able to discuss matters, and I can. fix up, there, better than anywhere else,” he explained, as he jumped into the cab, “Frith, yer’ gettin’ bigb-toned, avick,” re- marked Mac, *‘phot’s the -matther wud the caars?” ‘““T want to think—and I don’t want to be seen,’ was the quick reply. and not another word was spoken uniil the office was reached, Tbrowing himself on the Jounge, Jack said: “Mac, tell me whzt has happened—what brought you to that den—while I take a few minutes’ rest, for I’ve plenty to do,” Mac complied, and, for a few minutes after he had finished his story, Jack remained silent, Ther, slowly, and weighing bis words, he said; “1 don’t think either of us saw the girl, or woman, you saw here!” “On leaving you,” be continued, “ I went tothe Barret mansion, asked for Miss Eunice Barret, and was invited into the reception-room, “Shortly after the lady appeared, and, al- though the room was not very brigbt, 1 saw that her hair was bleacked—her eyes didn’t match it. *** Was it so with yours?” ** No,” replied Mac, “ Well, no matter—it’s too late, for that part of it, now. ‘« When Miss Barret entered, I introduced my- self as coming from Mr. McVeigh—keeping a sharp lookout for eavesdroppers. “She smiled sweetly, madesome remark about hod-carrying, and asked what I wanted, ‘*T replied that it would be dangerous for you © to appear there, yourself, and that Thad a list of questions to ask ber—producing the paper, (like an idiot,) as 1 said so. “Just then, the clock struck, and she rung for a servant, saying that every two hours she PP epee in
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12 thad to take some mixture of wine—by orders of hier physician. **T fell right into the trap, for when the ser- ‘vant came, and, after bearing her give explicit directions tu bring two particular bottles, she said: ‘Keep me in countenance, and drink a glass of claret, while we talk,” I willingly agreed. ‘* Well, the wine was brought. It wasdruggec, and I woke up in that den in the Bowery—but I was conscious before it was known, and—Mac!” Well?” ‘*The real Robert Barret’s in New York!” “Eb? What?” ** The real Robert Barret is in New York,” re- peated Jack, adding: ‘*Your Miss Barret’s suspicions are well . founded, and that’s one reason why I doubted if I had seen her. “Now, we've got to divide up—how shall we manage?” Mac made no reply for several minutes, and, before he did, muttered: eZ “‘There’s three—mebbe four, uv us:—Jack, F the doctor, the b’y, an’ meself,” and aloud: ‘* Phere is he, Jack—Barret I m’ane?” ‘In some private lunatic asylum—I couldn’t catch the name—and the orders are to kill him, or drive him crazy!” “Phew! Well, how much dividin’ is the’r t? do?” “If this wan we sawis not th’ ginuine article —where is she? ‘* That's conundrubm number wan. ‘Thin ther’s Barret t’ be found—that’s num- ber two; an’ the pretinder t’ be caught an’ ex- posed—that’s number three, ** Now, the doctor ’n’ me, ’n’ the b’y, kin take eare 0’ any two—which wan d’ye want?” **T look for Barret—that will include the ex- ny posure of that she-devil,” a “ Allright, Jack; take your own choice. ; ‘* t believe—in fact, I’m sure, ye’r’ right about A the girrul, an’ anyhow, I’m in it for spite, now.” - i ‘Very good. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll take possession of the office for to-night, “You can bet on ons thing, Mac, you’ll hear from me regularly, hereafter. Neither man or devil—or woman—will fool me, again.” There was a queer rivalry existing between the partners regarding their ‘‘make up,” and taking the hint, Mac arose, saying: . **Good enough, Jack! We'll start our part t’-morra’ mornin’, an’ I'll look t’ hear from ye be night, Good-night.” CHAPTER XXII. SAM SHARP, MESSENGER-BOY, WHEN Mac arrived at the office next morn- f ing—once more the “‘ hod-carrier,’—he found cam the messenger-boy in charge. ‘*Did ye have any callers?” asked Mac, “*Nix—I mean—no, sir,” The detective had already seen that the boy was bright, and pow determined to intrust him with some work that a boy could do bet- ter than a man, ‘* What’s your name?” be asked, **Sam Sharp, sir.” “Well, Sam, I’m goin’ t’? see how sharp ye or Now, ye know, where—Madison avenue %, is ‘*Barret’s house? Yes, sir!” ‘“‘Humph! Well, ther's a b’y there that I wantt’ sce, All I know about him is, his name is Joe, and Miss Eunice Barret’s the key t’ un- lock bim with,” | “Allright, sir! When d’ye want him?” ** How d’ye know ye kin get. him at all?” asked Mac, surprised at the confident tone of the boy. ‘* Tl have him here whenever ye say, sir,” re- plied the boy, adding: “We've got wires in that house, so I won’t rs Ns hag about gittin’ in, Mr. Me Veigh,” oe b ‘Well, I know ye, Mr. McVeigh—we general- Jy know who’s who,” IMac could not repress a smile—the boy’s shrewdness amused as well as interested him. “Well, then, I suppose ye know what kind uv business ye’r’ goin’ on?” he asked, confidently expecting a reply in the negative, for not even the lordly janitor knew the business of tbe late firm of “‘ McVeigh & Austin.” “Oh, yes. Some kind of detective work!” promptly replied the boy. ‘Well, may the divil admire me!” exclaimed Mac. ‘ An’ how—what d’ye know uv that?” ** Nothin’ much, sir, only 1 thought I’d learn what I could while I was on the furce, and that’s one of the bey I learnt,” ___. ** Who else knows it?” Mac asked curiously. siesta ee be AS Sages and. aloud: off—kidnapped?” in the afternoon, lookin’ tickled t’ death, ’n’ said Mac and Jack. the Invincibles. ** Just me—that’s all.” ‘““Humph! Ye feel purty sure about gettin’ this b’y, Joe?” age that?” ‘** Oh, yes—certain’y! Come in on —— street— Pll give him me badge—say he’s after wires— come over the roof ’n’ down here, I kin let him in, when he raps on the roof door,” Mac expected to learn a great deal from ‘‘ Joe” when he got hold of him, but he also expected a great deal of difficulty in doing that, and now this boy appeared able to take the burden off his shoulders, ** Very well,” he said; ‘have him herein two hours. Ye kin go now,” Snatching up his cap, Sam started off on bis mission, looking nearly as confident as he felt, and shortly after Mac took his departure. The latter was bound for Doctor Lewis's, and, in accordance with his resolution to do nothing until Robert Barret was restored to liberty, the doctor was at home—reading, and impatiently awaiting a message from the * hod-carrier.” *““Ah! Good-morning, Mr. McVeigh!” ex- claimed Lewis, “I’m heartily glad to see you, and, to be frank with you, it’s not for yourself, but because you may have something for me to ‘*T have, sur,” replied Mac, ‘* Misther Barret is somewhere in New York—in some private asylum—and [ll give you a week t’ find him, ‘“* Never mind how I know it,” continued Mac; ‘*he’s here, an’ he’s got t’ be found! ‘‘ Tf you can get a hint as t? where heis, let me know, an’ we'll consult,” Mac was afraid to tell the doctor that he be- lieved that Eunice Barret had been led away from home, if not kidnapped, and so said noth- ing about her, “Deeply obliged to you for giving me some- thing to do,” rejoined Lewis, ‘I'll start to work at once, and report within a week,” ‘* Ye'll let me know, ez soon ez ye find him” T will, and ’'m going now,” Doctor Lewis accompanied Mac as far as the sidewalk, where they parted—one going up, and the other dowa-town, On returning to his «ffice, Mac found his mes- senger-boy, and a_ bright-looking, dark-eyed, dark-complexioned boy of about fourteen, await- ing him, ‘ This is Joe,” said Sam, . ‘““Oho! Well, Joe, when did ye see Miss Eunice?” ‘**Not in two days.” * “Eh? Are ye sure? looks like ber?” ‘“Sure ? Of course I’m sure! Emily you saw yesterday.” Who’s the lady that That’s Miss CHAPTER XXIII. FIVE AT WORK. AS we know, Mac was not unprepared to learn that Eunice Barret was being personated by somebody not friendly to her interests, but it was the boy’s detection of his identity that was the most startling, 3 “How did ye get along?” he asked, turning to am, “Just as I said I would, sir, Went in t’ test our box—met the ‘kid,’ ’n’ told ye wanted t) see him, He waited for me two blocks away, an’. came through, over the roofs from —— street here—I let him in,” Now, turning sharply on Joe, Mac asked: ‘** How dye know whether or not I called on Miss Barret yesterday?” ‘*Heard Miss Emily and Mr. Fulton talkin’ about it,” replied the boy, adding: ‘*She said as you got away they might as well jump the town, but he only laughed, and said he guessed they could take care of one man,” ** And Miss Barret—where is she?” “Went out with the new coachman, day be- fore yesterday, and didn’t come back, Report in the house is, that she’s gone to’ join her mother, who got a telegram t’come t? Mr. Robert the day before—but she ain’t done anything of the sort.” ‘* How do you know?” ‘* Because, just before she went out, she told me you were comin’, an’ t’ look out for ye and tell you to wait outside—but ye didn’t come.” ‘Good reasoning,” mentally commented Mac, a “Then you think Miss Barret’s been carried eS ENNIS, “Yes, sir, Mr. Fulton came back ’bout three t? Miss Emily; ‘ Well, she’s safe,’ an’ I’m sure meant Miss Eunice, ‘I'm goin’ after him, next time he goes out at night.” **That coachman goes into a place—a saloon, 7 os avenue,” put in the messenger-boy, adding: ‘ ‘*T often see him ‘ full,’” ‘* What is his name, and what is he like?” asked the detective, Joe gave him a minute description of the new coachman, whose name was Ward, and dispatcb- ing Sam with a letter informing Austin that Fulton had returned, Mac dismissed his youth- ful ally with a warning against exciting the sus- picions of the enemy, ** So Fulton’s back,” mused Mac, while await- ing the return of Sam, “This trip out of town was only a blind to cover the abduction of the girl. Having just come frum her, be won’t be apt to visit her for a day or two, anyhow, so I’!] devote myself to the coacbman, ‘‘That messenger-boy is well named—in fact they’re both sharp, and I’ll make use of them. ‘*Sam cap watch Fulton outside, and Joe can watch bim and the others inside. I wish I had thought of telling him to look out for addresses and post-marks on letters,” The messenger-boy now entered, and Mac in- structed him to take advantage of the first op- portunity to tell Joe to watch the letters, and notify him (Mac) the moment Wilson returned, “And ye needn’t come back bere,” he con- tinued, watching the gloom gather on the boy’s face, followed by an immediate brightening up, as Mae added: “Until night. ‘* Just keep yer eye open, an’ don’t let Misther Gecrge Fulton go out ©’ the city, without ye know where he’s goin’, an’ see that ye don’t let bim know what ye’r’ alout, or yell never make yh adi it’s likely ye'll die young, if ye to) a * Vil be careful, sir,” quietly replied Sam, “That’s number four unleashed—now to let loose the immortal hod-carrier!” soliloquized Mac (smiling at the conceit) as the messenger- boy siarted on bis mission, Av hour later a spruce-looking old fellow whose countenance, clothing and carriage saic **coachman” as plainly as if the word were stamped upon him, entered a Third ayenue saloon, He had had a quarrel with bis.‘ boss,” he confidentially informed the barkeeper, and had come into the city to look for work, He had a little money saved, and was in no great kurry, but didn’t like to be idle, Did the bookkeeper know any coachmen? ' Yes, several—one particularly, ‘‘ a nice fellow named Ward, liable to come in at any minute.” Workin’?* Ob, yes, workin’ for some big gun on Madison avenya—don’t know who; he’s pretty close-moutbed.” “We'll try how far whisky will open it,” mentally commented the listener, who, as the reader doubtless suspects, was the ‘immortal hod-carrier.” Sbortly after this conversation, and while the barkeeper was still singing bis praises, Mr. Ward entered, Jooking very angry about something. ‘* Perhaps he’s bad a row with bis ‘ boss’,” thought Mac—or Mr. Mulligan, as, at a sign from the gentleman bebind the counter, he came forward to be introduced to Mr. Ward. It was a wild thought—a stray shot, but it struck the bull’s-eye of the target of truth! Mr. Ward had been discharged, or as be phrased it “fired bodily,” and he was furious over it. f ouepsas CHAPTER XXIV. WHAT THE COACHMAN KNEW, It is the man witb a grievance who can best appreciate an attentive, symipathizing listener, and Mr. Mulligan proving just such a man, be and Mr. Ward became quite friendly—alsv quite drunk, later on, ; ‘* Ah, sir, ye should be like me—havea grip on him,” observed Mr. Mulligan, when the other bad finished his story, for the tenth time. ‘¢-You’ve been treated like a scoundrel! My old ‘ boss’ wouldn’t dare treat me that way,” be continued. “What d’ye mean?” asked Ward, looking at the speaker in surprise, “ Just what I say; but there’s no use talkin’ t’ you young men; they know it all. ‘*Now, I’ve bad more than one boss, but I could always go back or make some o’ them keep me, when I wanted to—and how did I do it? Just by gettin’ hold o' some little secret o’ the boss’s.
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ai ro on Mr. Fulton, ye could bring him down a fir. Ward shook his head with drunken gravity. ‘* He's too careful; don’t give no chance t’ get a grip op him,” he said, with sucb sincere re- gret that Mac was puzzled and disappointed. “How about women, Mr, Ward—is he mar- ried?” Mr. Ward started, and exclaimed: * By gum, that was funny! I wonder if there was anythin’ in it?” “That's right!” encouraged Mac, “If ye can fix up a vice Jittle story: I'll show ye how t’ bring him round.” “Ob, there ain’t no fixin’ about it,” returned Ward, ‘‘and I don’t know what it’s worth, but here it is: “The day before he went away, the boss told me that on a certain day one o’ the ladies—Miss Barret, would want t’ drive t’ Brooklyn, and that as soon as she went in, [ was t’ drive away. * That’s about all of it, except that it must be queer business to bring a lady like Miss Barret t’such ashanty. It looked like a ha’nted house.” Mac listened in amazement, for he had felt certain that Eunice was in some quiet country place, and could scarcely conceal his eagerness, ashe asked: “Remember where the house was? I'll have to be able to give him the exact points, ye know,” This looked plausible, and Mr, Ward did not " hesitate about giving tbe much desired informa- tion, “It’s in —— street, a half-mile, or more, from Fulton Ferry, A tumbje-down frame house, which, as I said before, looks as if it was ha’nt- ed. I’ve got the number of a house near it, and that’ll be close enough to fetch bim.” A search in a greasy note-book revealed the number, and then Mr. Mulligan departed—* to bring Mr. Fulton down a peg.” As he passed out of the saloon, Mac saw Sam the apm Lag | peeping in at the window, and guessing the latter had some information for him, revealed himself, “Joe said t’ tell ye that Herman’s back, and that bim ’n’ Fulton’s been growlin’ at each other all the afternoon,” was Sam’s story. ‘*Humph! Seems as if all the birds’d be back ' t? the roost at the same time,” commented Mac, ’ “ Anythin’ else, Sam?” ** No, sir.” It was nearly night, now, (for Mr. Ward bad @ very hard head, and it had required a great deal of oil to loosen his tongue,) and after a mo- ment’s deliberation, Mac decided to take Sam to Brooklyn, The house was quickly located—there could be no mistaking it, and its appearance fully justi- fied the coachman’s words, A few words uttered in a neighboring saloon, brought forth the information that in years no one had been known to enter or leave the “haunted house,” although it was certainly oc- cupied, for a grocer’s boy came two or three times a week with provisions, but he never got any furtber than the basement door, and could tell nothing except that his basket was received by a sour-looking, aged female. That such a house, in so densely populated a neighborhood, should remain an unsolved mys- tery, seemed queer, but so it was—and so it re- mains to this day! At the moment of writing, the front still re- mains, as it has been for years, unpainted; the wooden stoop a wreck; the iron basement gate missing; the windows and shutters smashed in a dozen places—but it is tenanted, and several lines of cars pass the once white-painted door, to which is still fastened a rusty, old-fashioned knocker. Sam now came in very handy, His uniform secured bim admission pretty near every where— from the church to the card-table in the gam- bling den, and Mac thought he would try its effect on the ‘‘ haunted house,” Addressing an envelope to ‘ Miss Eunice Bar- ret, No.—, street, Brooklyn,” he handed it to Sam, saying: - “She's there, and you know it, because Mr, George Fulton sent you, and that letter is to be delivered to her personally. “You, probably, won’t be let in, and, likely as not, won’t see her, but, if she should get to the door, cover whoever comes with her, with this reyolver—and shout!” . ** Yes, sir—I understand.” _Following close behind the messenger-boy Mac saw him go dewn the basement steps, an heard bim hammer on the door. PNow, ye see, if you had a little screw t’ Then came the angry tones of a woman, de- | { manding what was wanted, the bold reply of the boy, and again the woman’s voice in the one word: ‘© Wait!” The listener’s heart leaped, as he crouched be- side the stoop, and prepared to clear the railing into the basement. Seconds seemed like minutes, and minutes like hours, until the door opened again, and then came the summons: “Jump! Quick!” CHAPTER XXV, THE CLOSING OF THE NET, THE instant Sam shouted, Mac was behind in the basement, In front of bim stood the sour- looking female, and bebind ber Eunice Barret— both looking somewhat astonished! ** What does this mean?” indignantly demand- ed the former, ‘* Tt m’anes, ma’am, that Miss Barret’s wanted in Noo York,” replied Mac. ‘* But, this boy said he bad a letter for her!” ‘* Yis, ma’am; thrue for ye, an’ that’s phot’s in the letter,” ** How do you know?” ‘* Oh, faith, ma’am, I kem along wud it, but the people ’round here arr so bad-minded, the’ said I’d never have a chance t? deliver me mes- sage, 80, I had t’ get this b’y, d’ye see.” ‘That's it, is it? ‘* Well, miss, I suppose you must go—but re- member your promise.” *‘T shall not forget, madam,” quietly replied Eunice, as she turned away. Fearing be might lose ber, and a little curious to obtain a glimpse of the interior of this strange house, Mac asked; : ‘* Shall we wait here, ma’am?”’ ‘* Uncless you prefer the sidewalk,” was the prompt and chilling reply. a i guess we'll stay here,” returned Mac, dryly. = As you please,” In afew minutes, Eunice returned to the base- ment, and with a quiet ‘‘ good-night,” passed out into the street, unconscious—as it proved— that she had left what was meant to be at least a temporary prison, But that sbe had recognized the ‘ hod-car- rier’s” voice, Eunice informed him that she would not have Jeft the haunted house, and was amazed on learning, as the three rode to New York, that it was through Fulton’s macbina- tions she had gone there, ‘“ Why, L received a telegram, apparently from mother,” sbe explained, ‘ telling me to meet her and Uncle Robert at that house, and I was not allowed up-stairs until I had promised not to speak of anything I might see.” * And ye saw—?” ‘*Many things,” quietly replied Eunice, and that killed Mac’s curiosity. ‘Will ye got’ a fri’nd’s or some hotel?” he asked, after a short silence, adding: “* Uv coorse, it won’t do tv’ alarm him, yit, but sthill that gintleman’s comin’ fast t? the ind uv his rope, an’ it won’t do t’ thrusth him too much,’ ‘*T hardly know where to go,” replied Eunice, ‘*T suppose it’s better to go to some hotel, Friends will talk,” **Ye’r’ right, ma’am!” commended the “ hod- riba and then, another idea occurrinz to m; _‘‘Llive with a nice, quiet old lady, an’ if ye like the id’a, ye could sthop there for a day or two Eunice eagerly adopted this plan, and as the carriage stopped, Mac said: oe “Yell just be me niece, and this n’y is yer brother, Miss Barret, He'll stay and look for ye, for this man is liable to do anythin’,” Eunice made no objection to this, and having laced ber in the care of his landlady and Sam, ac hurried to ascertain if there was word from Austin or Lewis, He found a note from each—the first contain- ing just three words, “ Jack—back—to-morrow.”’ Doctor Lewis’s message also was brief: “Come at once—Blank’s Hotel, West Farms.” ‘“‘He’s found bim!” exclaimed Mac, and in- ony started for the hotel, where he met the octor, “Well, what luck?” asked the “ hod-carrier,” or rather coachman, for he had not stopped to eat Whee do sir?” st hat do you mean iffy de- manded Lewis, 4 ‘ ses “Faith, 1 dunno, sir, mebbe—” is — “Thank God!” fervently exclaimed the young: physician, adding: ‘“*T was beginning to fear that my message had miscarried.” ‘*Come, let us goto a room where we cam talk. We must stay here to-night, anyhow.” The doctor was ina highly excited state, and this confirmed Mac’s impression. Nor was he mistaken. ‘* Pye discovered him,” averred Lewis, almost. as soon as they were alone, “As you may know,” he continued, ‘‘I am writing a treatise—a book—on insanity—as alfi experts do,” (There was scorn and self-reproach to no smal} extent in the last words.) “Well, the fact that this wonderful book is on the road to publication, is well known, and” (modestly,) ‘Iam beginning to be known my- self, “This saved much trouble—that you, or any other stranger, would bave encountered, and besides, old Doctor Goodheart, who bad charge of Mr. Barret first, gave me a valuable hint— telling me tbat, instead of going toward the city, the carriage was driven further out. ** Well, to cutit short, I found bim in Salter’s Sanitarium—a place I’ve long suspected of not being what it should, abeve all other places, be— honest. ‘*T was looking for peculiar cases, you see, and, not baving seen the original commitment, Mr, Salter was unaware of the fact that I was oue of the experts that caused it to be issued; so. Mr. Barret was exbibited as a most peculiar case,” ‘** How does he look?” ‘* Well, if it were not for meeting a big fellow of the name of Kelly—Andy Kelly, he calls bim- self—I would say be was insane, but this fellow was formerly an attendant in the Sanitarium, and assures me that Mr, Barret is sane as you or I—or was until a few days ago,” At that moment there was a knock on the door, and Mr, ‘* Andy Kelly ” entered, CHAPTER XXVI. DOG EAT DOG, THE evening after the finding of Eunice and Robert Barret, Mr, Fulton and Herman, the valet, are seated in the room of the former in the Barret man- sion. Ill news travels fast, and the valet is saying: “Tt looks to me as if the last card was played ‘*Euvice Barret is free, and, of course, with that detective. Robert Barret bas in some mys- terious way got out of that asylum, and our dummy has been stolen ! ‘*T can’t see that there is anything to be done, except get all we can and skip. ‘ ** You've got Miss Emily and can raise a couple hundred thousand, so, I can’t seo why both of you shouldn’t be glad to quit. You were only a clerk—though a distant relative—and she a vari- ety actress who resembled Miss Barret—and both of you have bad more out of this than me, * What do you say? Shall we skip?” There was something threateningly suggestive of ‘State’s evidence” in Herman’s tone, but, making no sign of having noticed it, Fulton re- lied : F ‘*T hardly know what to do, It’ odd, that they’ve madenomove yet. How long d’ye think we've got, Herman?” **Tt’s hard tosay. They might be too fright- ened to stir for a day or two, and then, again, they are liable to come any time.” ‘* Well, I can’t do anything to-night, toward raising funds, so we’il have to wait until tu-mor- row morning, . ‘* And, now, 1 must have time to think, Her- man. Come back in an hour.” “ Allright, sir, Dil be back in an hour,” re- plied the valet, with a triumphant smile, Alone, Fulton arese and began pacing the floor, talking to himself—a bad habit, especially so, it proved for him, ‘* ve got nearly a quarter of a million in that. package in my trunk. It’s lucky I decided to make it up before oe pe the office, “With that mueh, I'l] be pretty easy in Belgium—and— Yes, I'll take Emily; sbe’ll be useful, but that scoundrel Herman is becoming Seneeepee. We'll start to-night, but he'll stay e Then, having decided on the course te be pur- sued, Mr. Fulton sat down and lighted a cigar, while Herman, whose ear bad been glued to the keyhole, quietly walked up-stairs muttering: ‘A quarter of a million, and J stay hevet Im | afraid not, Mr, Fulton, I'm afraid not! |The chances are that the fair Emily will go with me
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- > [ ? Bn age oh, Te ORD Gd ae Ae ain eat Meg i i= 7 2 Oe : 14 —not you. You will stay where I leave you when 1 say good-night !” ‘“*A quarter of a million! He would have played me false, and,takes me now only because I’m useful—so!” The speaker is Emily Morgan—the girl who was brought to the Barret mansion to take the place of Eunice, should it become necessary, Herman bas just left her, after repeating Ful- ton’s words, and urging her to fly with him, ‘* Pulton’s the man they’ll follow furthest,” he argued, ‘*and you won’t be safe if you go with him.’ ‘Suggest my being present when you return to him,” she had replied, ‘‘and Tl) decide after we leave him.” That settled her fate, for as the valet, having returned to his room, searched through a private cupboard, be muttered: “Well, ivs your own fault, mademoiselle, your own fault, I would have taken you, but, now, you, too, must stay behind |” When the bour bad elapsed, Herman returned to Mr. Fulton’s room. **Does Miss Emily accompany us?” asked the valet, as he threw himself into a chair, “Yes; why?” “Would it not be well to acquaint her with—” ‘Yes, you are right, She will have to get ready, for 1 have decided to leave to-morrow,” interrupted Fulton, adding: ‘¢ Ask her to come here—and, Herman! Bring a bottle of wine, and glasses,” The change in Herman’s tone, as he said: ** Yes, sir,” and the smile that accompanied the words, should have warned Fulton, but he was too excited—too intent on his own murderous plot—to notice anything, In a few minutes, Emily entered, followed by the valet, bearing a tray with a bottle and three glasses—the latter havirg just a suspicion of white powder on the bottom, ‘¢ Fill the glasses!” ordered Fulton. This was done, and the tray placed on the small table, around which all three now seated then.selves, After a minute’s preliminary talk, Fulton picked up one of the glasses—and dropped it on the floor! With a curse at his own awkwardness, he arose, saying: ‘Never mind! where,” And taking a glass from a shelf, Mr. Fulton Wed poured out some wine—thus preventing erman from seeing that there was a suspicion of white powder in this glass, also! Mr, Fulton’s glass was different, and there- fore easily distinguished from the others, Although in such a burry to fill it, Mr, Fulton placed the glass on the tray, and began talking of the intended flight. Herman listened thoughtfully, playing with the glasses until he had Mr, Fulton’s glass be- tween his fingers. _ Then there came a break in the talk, and the master-spirit said: ** Well, let’s drink to the voyage!” Herman could scarcely repress his laughter, He was just about to say the same thing. ** Success—altogether!” returned the valet. I’ve got a glass here, some- They were ominous words they were al- together—before their judge within a minute. ** Scoundrel!” ** Traitor!” ** Villains!” One word from each—Fulton, Herman, Ewily—and there were three corpses around the center-table! Ten minutes after, a party composed of McVeigh, Austin, Robert Barret, Doctor Lewis and the big keeper, Andy Kelly, entered the house—but human justice had been forestalled, The ‘ hod-carrier” was eto A affected, excited, on seeing Herman, and, on leaving, re- marked: “Tecan change my hair, now, Jack; the man is dead!” CHAPTER XXVIII, CONCLUSION, On the same night that Eunice was brought ‘back from the ‘‘ haunted house” in Brooklyn, Robert Barret was released, or rather rescued, from ‘ Salter’s Sanitarium.” There was nothing mysterious about the affair, nor could the rescue have been effected but for the assistance of the ex-keeper, Andy, and the isolated situation of the sanitarium. When Andy met Lewis and Mac at-the hotel, et he bad no intention of lending physical as- sistance against his former employer, but the doctor aud detective used their persuasive powers to such gvod effect that, within ten ininutes, the big fellow said: : * All right! I’m with ye, but, if I burt any- body, you’ll have to stand by me,” ‘“ Don’t worry about that,” assured Lewis, ‘* We'll take care of you.” ‘* Hurry up—it’s gettin’ late,” warned Mac, and the party started. The carriage, under double fare, quickly reacbed the sanitarium, where Andy announced his presence by a tremendous yauvking of the bell-nandle, ‘*Now, you stand back,” said the big fellow. “Tf the doctor comes, lll call ye, but, if any one else comes, 1’1l send for him,” In a few minutes an attendant came to the door, and on seeing the ex-keeper admitted him, with the remark: ‘* Lucky thing you come, Andy, The old man will be glad to see you.” ‘Tell him to come here right away. I’ve got somethin’ of importance—great importance for him to attend to,” ‘Allright, Andy; but he’s got a case in the bathroom!” ** Who is it?” ** Don’t know his name, but you used to attend him, I—hkold on! It’s Simple, that’s it!” ‘*Tell him to come here, quick!” Andy fairly thundered the words, and the attendant, thinking the carriage contained the ‘‘important case,”. hurried away to Doctor Salter, who, with a half-dozen of his tools, was preparing to give Robert Barret a bath!” The ex-keeper’s summons, brought the ‘‘ doc- tor” to the office, without delay, ‘**Come on!” yelle.| Andy, grasping Salter, and as the others entered: ‘*One of ye take care ©’ this scoundrel, ‘*They’re goin’ to torture our man!” ‘*Tll take care o’ him. You go ahead!” Mac ordered, peremptorily. Five minutes after, Robert Barret and his rescuers were speeding toward the city. Mac’s last words to Salter being: ** Pll be back in the mornin’ wud a warrant for ye, ye Satan’s commissar y !” Late as it was, the party drove direet to Mac’s Office, where a surprise was awaiting them in the shape of Quiet Jack, and a man sleeping ‘on the lounge. ‘There’s your 2ouble, Mr, Barret,” said Jack, pointing to the sleeper. ‘*My double?” “His double?” ““ Yes, Mr. Barret’s double,” replied Jack, add- ing: t I stole him from Herman in the Jersey City Depot. He was taken from Salter’s den the night Mr. Barret was brought there and, under Her- man’s tutelage, has been playing Mr. B, ever since. ‘* He’s a harmless lunatic, very much afraid of this fellow, Herman, and was only too glad to run away with me,” ‘Faith, between yerself an’ that girrul, Mac and Jack, the Invincibles. Eunice, ye’v’ robbed the docthor an’ meself uvoall | the glory!” exclaimed Mac, looking admiringly at his partner, ‘*By no means, You gentlemen obtained my conte J as well as my niece’s,” protested Mr, Bar- re “It’s Peter Simple,” interrupted Andy, who had been looking at the man on the lounge, ** And Eunice, what bave you done with her?” asked Mr, Barret, ‘*She’s wud me boordin’ missus,” answered Mac, adding: ‘*Tt’s purty late, but I think, if Docthor eet foci go afther her, she’d be home to- night, The ‘‘ hod-carrier” said this with a sly look that seemed very embarrassing to the doctor, but Barret relieved him, saying: ‘*No, no! The doctor and twill go to some botel for to-night, and Eunice had better remain where she is,” “Och, she’s safe enough; on’y I thought meb- be the docthor—” ‘*Come, come!” laughed Mr. Barret. ‘* Don’t cause any more blusbing,” “Pll stay here to-night and take care of Peter Simple,” volunteered Quiet Jack, changing the conversation, : ** And you bad better come with us,” said Bar- ret, addressing the ex-keeper, to whom he had taken a great fancy. Thore was a great sensation in the papers next morning regarding the triple suicide in the Bar- ret mansion—for, except Mac and Jack, and their immediate assistants, no one had any of the relationship formerly existing betwee Fulton, Herman, and Evily, but those that knew, (after the ** hod-carrier” found the quar- ter million in the ercb-fiena’s trunk.) bad a dif- ferent idea to that expressed by the verdict of the coroner’s jury. Tbe three principals in the conspiracy being dead, Robert Barret did not care to create a sen- sation, so the opinion of himself and his friends was not expressed, Doctor Lewis, with the full approval of bis former patient, was rewarded a short time ago, for his zealous search for that gentleman, by Eunice’s band and heart, Andy was rewarded for his kindness to Rohert Barret, by being installed us a kind of com- panion—or guard—to that gentleman. Tue boys, Sam aud Joe, r-ceived their reward in the shape of employment, the former going at a good salary to McVeigh & Austin, and the lat- ter to Doctor Lewis, Mac and Quiet Jack, although well paid in advance by Eunice, were amply compensated by Robert Barret, and the firm of McVeigh & Aus- tin is again in existence, “Doctor Salter’s Sanitarium” is no more, The doctor, not caring to await Mac’s promised visit with the warrant, vanished; but, as Satan’s Commissary, may be at Satan’s work elsewhere —who knows? THE END, Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. BY CHARLES MORKEIS. 118 WI!l Somers, the Boy Detective. 122 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. 126 Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective, 180 Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags. 142 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 147 WIll Wildiire, the Thoroughbred, 52 Black Keas, Will Wildfire’s Racer, BT Mike Merry the Harbor Police Boy. 6 i M 2 WiAll Wildfire tn the Woods, 5 Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. 0 A ‘Trump Cardy or, Will Wildtire Wins and Loses, 4 Rob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York, 9 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, y 8 The Hidden Tiand; or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 187 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, 189 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 2128 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective, 220 ‘Tom Tanner; or, The Inek Sheep of the Flock, 225 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky. : 235 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashawuy ; or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sharps; or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail, 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Anpencite, 289 Jolly Jim’s Job; or, The Young Detective, 298 The Water-Hound: or, The Young Thoroughored, 805 Dashaway, of Daketas or, A Western Lad in Quaker City, 824 Kalph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. B41 ‘Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. B68 ‘The Reporter-Detective; or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, 867 Wide-Awnke Joe; or, A Boy of the Times, 879 Larry. the Levelers or, The Bloods of the Boulevard. 408 Fireily Jack, the River-Rat Detective, 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier. 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret, 456 Billy Bricks the Jolly Vagavond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive. ATY Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. 485% Wild Dick Racket. 501 Koets, the Boy Fireman; or, Too Sharp for the Sharper bG6 The Secret Service Boy Detective. 9G Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce ot Arkansns; or, The Wolf in the Fold. 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. 667 Beb and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. 709 The Curbstone Detective; or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat, 757 Detective Frank’s Sweep-stakes, BY CAPTAIN FRED, WHITTAKER, & The Sea-Cat; or, The Witch of Darien. The Dumb Pa eh oF, The Doge’s Daughter, Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. 150 Lance and Lasso ; or, The Children of the Chaco. 154 The Sword ILunters; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders, 159 The Lost Captain; or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cruise. 200 T ‘he Boy Sakata or, The Brothers ot the Plumed Lance, 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 Nek, the Demon Rider, 895 Californian Joe’s War Trail. BY EDWARD WILLETT. 167 Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy. 199 Featherweight the Boy Champion of the Muskingum. 228 Ozark Alf’; or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws. 282 The Typo Detectives or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp. % Fearlers Phil; or, The King of Quartzville. 811 The Roving Sport; cr, The Pride of Chuckaluck Camp. 822 Nemo, the Detective; or, Kit Kenyon's Vendetta. 840 Olip the Contortioniat: or, The Montana Vigilantes. BY EDWARD 8, ELLIS. 6 BIll Biddon, bo - 4 8 Seth Jones; or, The Captives of tne Frontier. 10 Nat ‘odd; or, The Fate of the Sloax Captive. 2: xne Frontier Angel. 98 The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island. 182 The lunted Hunter; or, The Strange Horseman. 254 The Half-Blood ; or, The Panther of the Plains, 271 The luge Hunter; or, The Steam Prairie Man, A New Iasue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by al! newsdealers, five conte per copy, or sent by mail on recelpt of six cents encd BEADLE AND APAMEB, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York . he ek et ee eh pk eet z z z s
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f . = aly t a P READLE’S* H ALF- DIME* LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY OLL COOMER, 5 Varabond Joe. the Young Wandering Jew. 18 ‘he Dumb “py. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. 31 Keen-Kuife, the Prince of the Prairies. At Lasse Juck, the Young Mustanger. 58 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. Tl Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. 74 pace ers Harry the Young Trapper Ranger, Sis Kolloy the Boy Ranger. $4 Sure Shot Seth, th- boy Rifleman, 145 Scur-Face Saul, the Siient Hunter Jat -flver Star, the boy Knight, los sugle Kit, the Boy Demon. Ao tittle Texas, the Young Mustanger Wis Gid Selitary, the Hermit Trapper. As2 Little Murricane, the Boy Captain, 202 Vrospect Pete ; or, fie Young Outlaw Hunters. 208 the Boy Hercules: or, he Prairie Tramps. 218 Viger Tom, the Texas Terror, 224 Dashing Dicks or, !rapper Tom’s Castle. 22S Little Wildfire, the Yeung Prairle Nomad, 48 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Disgulsed Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger. 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Youny Prairie Ranger. 2T2Z Minkakin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 20 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. 800 Tie Sky Demon; er, Kainbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero, 409 Hercules; vr, Dick, the Boy Ranger. AIT Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone, 444 Little Buckskin, the Young Prairie Centaur. 457 Wingedfoot Fred; or, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarac Lom, the Big Trapper Boy. 478 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemte. 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. 662 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trapper. 652 Don Barr, the Plains Freelance. 661 Old Kit Bandy’s Dellverance. 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer. 680 Dauntless Dan the Freelance, or Old Kit Bandy in Arcadia, BY BUOKSKIN SAM (Major Sam. 8. Mall.) 284 Old Rocky « ** Boyeers or, Benito, tne Horse-Breaker 246 Giunt George; or, The Ang’l of the Range. 275 Arizonhk Jack; or, Giant George’s Pard. 297 The Tarantula of Face) or, Giant George’s Revenge. 807 The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. 818 ker-whovp, Ker-whoo; or, The Tarantula of Taos. 27 Greening Oat, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Pardes. 882 Frio Fredy? or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. 844 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. 849 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front, 857 The Ranch Raiders; or, The Siege of Fort Pargatory, 864 Snap-Shot, the Boy Kanger, 875 Chiota, the Creek; or, The Three Thunderbolts. 881 Bandera Bill; or. Frio Frank to the Front. 392 Romeo and the Reda; or, The Beleaguered Ranch, 404 Little Lariat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. as . oe 4 need ram eever. ‘a 1¢ Three Tratlers; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage. 442 Blu Bill; or, The Lynx ofthe pe f aly 455 Little Lone Star: or, The Belle of the Cibolo. 684 Cache Carl, the Chico Giart MY PHILIP 8. WARNE, 7 Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. 175 Unpcatn Arizona} or, Patent-Leather Joe's Big Game, 198 Captain Mask; or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat. 219 Deapard, the Duellat; cr, The Mountain Vempires, 388 A ‘Tough Boy ; or, The Dwarfs Revenge. $68 Little Tornado; or, The Outcasts of the Glen. BTe Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard. 88% Little Oh-my 3 or, Caught in His Own Trap, 401 Little Shoo-F ly ; or, A Race fora Ranch, 408 Little Leather-Breeches ; or, Old Jumbo’s Curse. 481 Little Ab Sing or, The Curse of Blood, 451 Colorado Kate. A Tale of the olines. 480 Three Jolly Pards. 51IZ Jim Gladden’. Deputy. 527 The Jolly Pards to the Reseue. 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, 598 Keen Clem, the Ranch Imp. 599 Jim Dandy the No-Name Sport. 618 Billy Blazes; or, The Skeleton’s Legacy. 685 Oklahoma WA, the Blie-Coat Scout. 643 Uappy Harry's Big Find. 664 Cheeky Charley the Special. BY EDWARD WILLETT. 167 Aan Scott, the Steamboat Boy. 199 Featherweight the Boy Champion of the Muskingum. 228 Ozark Alf j or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws. 282 The Typo Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp. 295 Fearless Phil; or, The King of Quartzville. 811 The Roving Sport; or, The Pride of Chuckaluck Camp, $22 Nemo, the Detective; or, Kit Kenyon’s Vendetta. 840 Olip the Contortioniat: or, The Montana Vigilantes. BY JO PLEROE, BNT Rob o’ the Bowery} or, The Prince of Street. 415 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bits Beon, o Hotspur Bob, +ks Steen beg Delective, GO Lawyer’s Shadow; or, Luke’s I ‘ A7z2 cones oe, the Young Horse-King, Coa 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective. 504 Five Points Phil. 509 Jack Jagger, the Butcher Boy Detective, 516 Tartar Tim; or. Five Peints Phil’s Menagerie, aan Rerth River Nat, ns few ee i 38 Wrestling Rex, the Pride ofthe Six ‘ard. 541 Jeff Flicker. the Stable Boy Detective, 551 Niek Nettle, the Boy Shadow. >i UWnarlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective. 569 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detective, STZ Pavement Pete the Secret Sifter, 588 Jack-o'-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector, 808 Wide-Awnke Bert, the Street-Steerer. 614 Ww hiatling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid. Buek Bumblebee, the Harlem Hummer, Suurixe Saunt, the Express-Train Ferret, 9 Gamin Rob, the Bowery Badger: or, Scooping a Slippery Set Sus Baie mocket Rob, the ag mg ai altpeter Sol, the New York Navigator, D4 Spicy Jim, the Only One of His Kind. £968 Tom Thiatle, the Road-House Detective, osquito Jack, the Hustler Gamin, 4 ennix Duff the Brown Sport’s Kid. t44 Dick of the Docks, the Night-Watch. + Di the Docks, Zz h BY J. W. OSBON. 469 The Rival Giants of Nowhar’ 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Lack. . S87 Old Buckeye, tho Sierra Shadow. BAL Powder Phil, the Boy Miner 20 Titel Dorrit, the Veteran Detective. see Late ¢ Lichtning’« Leagues or, The Mystery ofthe Ie.and Th aunt Past, the Rew Proapector, FES Gold pant, Dan, the Trail, Patrol. Old Dust Dan's Oaths or, Reckless Roy, the Regulator. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes of a Bowery Girl, 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. TY Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 258 Jove Luck of Angels and His Boy Pard. 447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham, 4558 New England Nick; or, The Fortunes of a Foundling, 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince. 498 Taon Ted, toe Arizenn Sport. 510 Cool Colorado, the Hall-Breed Detective. 615 Cool Colorado in New York. BY GEORGE Cc, JENKS, 485 Git Thar Owney the Unknown, 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. 518 The Demon Doctor. 581 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. 598 Flute, the Sinver Detective, 608 The Pitcher Detective’« Foll; or, Dan’s Double Play, 616 The Ocean Detectives or. The Last Cruise ofthe Black Bear, 681i The Pitcher Detective’s Teughest Tussle. %86 Larry the Thoroughbred; or, Beaten ou Every Side. BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 Wil! Somers, the Boy Detective, 122 Phil Mardy, the Boss Boy. 126 Picayune Petes or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. 180 Detective Dick ; or, The Hero tn Rags. 142 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 147 Will Wildiire, the Thoroughbred, 152 Black Ress, Wil! Wildtire’s Racer, 157 Mike Merry the Harbor Police Boy. 162 WILL Wildfire in the Woods. 165 Billy Boggage. the Railroad Boy. 170 A Trump Cardy or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses. 174 Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries ef New York, 179 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, 188 The Hidden Hand; or, Wil! Wildfire’s Revenge. 187 Fred Malyard, the Life Boat Boy; cr, The Smugglers. 189 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed ; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective, ‘Tom Tanner ; or, The Black Sheep of the Flock. 225 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky, : 235 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Diek Dashaway ; or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sharps; or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail. 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice, 289 Jolly Jim’s Job; or, The Young Detective, 298 The Water-Houid; or, The Young Thoroughored. 805 Dashaway, of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in Quaker City. 824 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detectives or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard. 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times, 879 Larry, the Leveler; or, The Bloods ot the Boulevard, 408 Firefly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 423 ‘The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier. 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invinetble Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vagavond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive, 479 Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. 488% Wild Dick Racket. 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman: or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, The Secret Service Boy Detective. ° 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Ameng Wolves. 627 fom Bruce of Arkansast or, The Welfin the Fold. 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. 667 Rob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives, : 709 The Curbstone Detective: or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat. 757 Detective Frank’s Sweep-stakes. BY FREDERICK DEWEY 818 Cimarron Jack, the King-Pin of Rifle-Shots, 478 Tangemund, the Desert Detective. 542 The Canyon Parda. BY ARTHUR ©. GRISSOM. 440 Little Foxfoot, the Gold Bowie Kid. 558 The Sure-Shot Parda. 621 Truthful James, the “ Pecooliar’” Man, BY MAJOR E, L. ST. VRAIN, 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. $01 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. 838 Lrimatone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette, 852 Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of Sand,” BAY Duransro feave, the Young harn ion Wrestler, 871 Kingbolt Chris, the Young Hard-Shell Detective. 880 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide. 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountuin Mail-Line. BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS. 6 BUL Blddon, Trapper. 8 Seth Jones; or, the Captives of the Frontier, 310 Nat Todd; or, The Fate of the Sloux Captive. 2c rne Frontler Angel. 98 The Roy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island. 152 The Munted Hunter; or, The Strange Horseman. 254 The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains. 271 The Huge Hunter; or, The Steain Prairie Man. BY BRAOERRIDGE NEMYNG. ge aes er oy ee Pet of the Family. ce Captain o © to » Ri . 101 Jack Harkaway rh wen oa eee BY MAJOR UENRY BR. STODPARD, Ex- 806 Neck-Tie Ned; or, The Dug-Out ae en srs 846 Ra fer Raphael; or, The Swordamen of Zacatecas, 891 Kid-Glove Kit, the Dandy of the Rockles, 898 Kid-Glove Kit and Pard: or, The Gold King. 406 The Mad Man-Hunter?: or. The Gaiden Gulch Mystery 5605 Powell's Pard 3 or, The One-Armed Giant. RY CAPTAIN FRED. wi 15 The Sea-Cat; or, The Witch of tee ABER. 29 The Dumb Page; or, The Doge’s Deughter, 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. 150 Lance and Lasso? or, The Children of the Chaco 154 The Sword Hunters; or, The Land ofthe Elephant Riders, 159 The Lost Captain: or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cruise, i 200 The Boy Bedoutna; or, The Brotiers ot the Plumed Tance 214 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine. P 249 Milo Romer the Animal King; or, Round the World 265 The Tiger Tamer; or, The League ot the Jungle. , 881 Black Nick, the Demon Rider. 895 California Joe’s War Trall. — - A Rg h A LA ROE T: Black Buckakin: or, The Masked Men of Death C; 419 re the Knife-King. Pay eme 485 Littie Lightfoot, the Pilet of the Woods. 8 The Dandy Sport; or, The King Pin Conspirater, 678 Ralph Renwood, the Lightning Express Detective. 691 Headlight Marry’s aul. T2T Neadlight Worry’s Siren. 759 Headlight Harry’ Heritage. RY ©, DUNNING CLARK, 185 Captain Paul: or, The Boy Spy of the Mountains, 280 The Yankee Rajah; or, The Fate of the Black Shereef, BY JOSEPH E, BADGER, JR, 2 Yellowstone Juek 3 or, The Trapper. 48 Black John, the Road-Ayent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Hurricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. 119 Muatang Sam ; or, The King of the Plains, 186 Night-linwk 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 Bey Trallers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path, 208 The Boy Parda; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks, 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse Thieves’ League, 885 Old Double Fist; or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Wooda«: or. Daniel boone’s Last Trail.) 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Trailer. 677 Chineapin Dan's Second Trall. 688 Chincapin Dan’s Home Stretch. 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without a Head, TOR Light-lleurt Lute’s Legacy. 718 Light-Heart Lute’s Last Trail, 728 Silverblade, the Shoshone. 729 Silverblade, the Half-Blood; or, The Border Beagle at Bay. 789 Silverblade, the Mvstile. 748 Silverblade, tie Friendly; or, The Border Beagle’s Boy Pard, BY JACK FARRAGUT. 815 Ned, the Cabin Hoy. S20 The Sean Sorceress; or, The Boy Skipper. BY LIFUT. IH. D. RERRY, U, 8S. N. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bay 180 The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow Well Kept. 192 Captain kit; or, The Mystery of Montauk Point, BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID, 78 Blue Dick; or, The Yellow Chief's Vengeance. S87 The Land Pirates; or, The League ef Devil's Island, 187 The Helpless Hand; or, Backwoods Retribution. 289 The Geld-seeker Guide? or, The Lost Mountain, BY WILLIA.. R. EYS8TER, 190 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Franky; or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pards BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR U. 8. A, 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. 194 Buffalo Bill's Bet; or. The Gambler Guide. BY LIEUT, A. K. SIMS, 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock. 568 The Dandy of Dodge. 576 The Silver Sport. 588 Saffren Sol, the Man With a Shadow 589 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 601 Ha vy Hana, the Dutch Vidoeg. 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 622 Texas Tom-Cat’s Triad 681 Tom Cat's Terrible Task. 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph; er. Bleck Dan’s Great Combine. 646 Cowboy Gld, the Cattle-Range (etective. 657 Warbling Willlam, the Meuntain Mountebank. 665 Jolly Jeremiahy the Plains Detective. 676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout. 689 Billy the Gypsy Spy. 699 Staple Sim, the Broncho Buster. 712 The Mesmerlat Sport; or, The Mystified Detective, 788 Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospecter, 745 Kansas Jim, the Crose-Cut Detective. 76L Marmaduke, the Moustanger Detective. BY CAPT. MARK WILTON, 256 Young Kentuck; or, The Red Lasso. 270 Blizzard Benj or, The Riet at Keno Camp. 286 Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot, MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Horse Munters, By Capt. Mayne Reia and Frederick Whittaker. 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift. 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp. 16 Robinson Crusoe, (27 I! lostrations.) 18 Sindbad the Saflor. His Seven Voyages. 22 The Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe. By Juan wis. 88 The Ocean Bloodhound: or, The Red Pirates of the Carribers. By S. W. Pierce. 86 ‘The Boy Clown: or, The Arena Queen. By ¥ S, Finn. BS Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 51 The Boy Riftes; or, The Underground Camp, By A. C. Irons, 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississipp. By Lieut.-Col, Hazeltine. 98 Robin Hood, the Vutiawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Green- wood. By Pref. Gildersleeve. 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive, By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 112 The Mad Hunter? or, Ihe Cave of Death. By Burton Saxe. 124 Tippy, the Texan; or, The Young Champion. By George er 6on. 128 The V oung Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By Harry Cavendish. 148 Sharp Samy; or, The Adventures o1 a Friendiess 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 irk Boy. By G, L. Alken, 266 Killb’ar. the Guide; »%r, Davy Crockett’s Crooked Trail. By Ensign ©. D. Warren. 298 Red Claw. the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Cliff. By Captain Comstock. ~ 817 Peacock Pete. the Lively Lad’ from Leadville. By Lieu- tenant Alired Thorne. 828 The Sky Detectives or, A Boy’s Fight for Lifeand Honor. By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Red Ralph, the River Rovers or, The Brother’s Re- venge. By Ned Buntline, 865 Baltimore Ren the Bootblack Detective. By A, P. Morris, 874 Gold.Puat Tom: or, Ben’s Double Match, By@ H. Morse, 876 Cailfornian Joe’s First Trafl. By Colonel Themas Hoyer Monstery. 418 Billy Bombahcll, the Cliff Climber. By F.S. Winthrop, 475 The Black Ship. By JohnS Warner. 484 Comanche Pick and Hix Three Invinelbles, By Henry J. Thomas, 582 The Cowboy Duke. By Edwin Brooke Forrest, BB2 Artel the Athlete. By David Druid. 585 WIU Waters, the Boy Ferrét, By H. Enton. 682 The Dead Vetective’« Double, By Gerald Carlton, 721 Maverick Mose, tne Arizona Detective; or, Tho Wizard of Urkos Pass, By Will Lisenhee. 746 Quiet Jack, the Secret Service Spy; or, Too Much for Red Leary. By Dan Dunning, (of the Secret Service Corps). A New issue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library ‘» for sale by att newsdealers, five cents pur copy, or sent by mai! on receipt ef alx cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street New York, Jt i
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ra) BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, Deadwood Dick Novels, 1 Deadwood Wick, the Prince ot the Road. 20 Deadwood Dick's Deflance; or, Double Daggers. 28 Deadwood Dick in wisguise; or, Buffaly Ben B5 Deadwood Pick in this Castle. 42 Deadwood wick’s Bonanzay 0, The .antom Miner. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omana Ol. Ht Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards ot Flood Bar. 7B Dendwood Dick on Week; cr, Calamity ¢ ne, the Heroine, 77 Deadwood Dick’s Last Acts or, Corduroy Charlie. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. 104 Deadwood Dick's Device; or, The Double Cross Sign. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detcctive. 129 Deadwood Dick’« Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. 188 Deadwood BDick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bill. Dick’s Ble Strike; or, A Game of Gold. Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party, Dick’s Dreamy or, The Rivals of the Read. Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. Dick’s Doom; or. Calamity June’s Adventure, Dick’s Dead Deal. Dick’s Death-Plant. Dick. A Komance of Roughs and Toughs, Dick’s Divides or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. Dick’s Death Tratl. Dick’s Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon, Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats Dick’s Ducats; or, Days in the Diggings. Sieh ee ved; or, The Terrible Vendetta. Pick’sa Clal Bick in Dead City. Dick’s Dinmonda. Dick in New York; or, A “ Cute Case.” a ta Duat; or, The Chained Hand, Jick, Jr. Dick, Jr.’s, Defiance. Dick, Jr.’«, Full Hand. Dick, Jr.’«, Big Round-Up. Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10. Dick, dr.’s, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill. Dick, Jr.’s, Dog Detective, Dick, Jr., in Deadwood, Dick, Jr.’s, Compact. Dick, Jr.'s, Inheritance, Dick, Jr.'s, Diggings. Dick, Jr.’s, Deliverance, ter orm meeeee: ck, Jr.'s, ree, Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducka Dick, Jr.’s,; Death Hunt. Dick, dre, in Texas. has oes the yt West Vidoeg Jiek, Jr., on His Mettle. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham, Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boaton. Deadwood Bick, Jr., in Philadelphia. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago. Deadwood Dick. Jr., Afloat. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver. Deadwood Dick. Jr.'s, Decree, 5 re Nae eS oe "3 petal Basin, ead woo ¢ Jr., at Coney 6 Deudwood Dick, Jr.'s, Leadville Lay Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Cincinuatti, Deadwood Dick. Jr., in Nevada, Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land, Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. Deadwood Dick, Jr., tn Buffalo. penewecs paces aes po ay Across the Continent Weadcued Wek: Grrakesrenetase Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Minea, Deadwoed Dick, Jr., (n Durangeys or, Gathered In.” ep telus Dee Sine Paeerer sy Found a Fortune. endw ood ck, dr. azzle. Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s. Dollars, S ee bat a eh 5 ha ot Seance Divide, enadwoo ek, Jr.'s, Drop. Deadwood Dick, dr., at Jack-Pot. Deadwood Dick, Jr., In San Francisco. Deadwood Bick, Jr.’«, Still Hunt. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diagulae, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Deal. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathwatch. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathblow. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Desperate Strait, Deadwood § Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Gold-Duat Deadwood Deadwood Headwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Dendwood Deadwood 5 Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood } Deadwood Deadweoa Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwoed BPeadwood Peadwood Deadweod BY J, ©. COWDRIOCK, Broadway Billy Novela. Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. Broadway Billy’« Boodle. Rroadway Billy’s ‘Difikilty.” Broadway Billy’« Peath Racket. Breadway Billy’s Surprike Party. Broadway Billy; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning. Broadway Billy’«s Dead Act, Broadway Billy Abroad. Broadway Billy’s« Best; or, Beating San Francisco's Finest. Broadway Billy tn Clover. Broadway Billy tn_Texas. Broadway Billy’s Brand. Broadway Billy at Santa Fe, Broadway Billy’s Full Hand, Broadway Billy’s Business. Broadway Billy’« Curious Case, Broadway Billy in Denver. Broadway Billy’s Bargain. Other Novela by J. C. Cowdrick. Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. Shasta, the Gold Kings or, For Seven Years Dead, The Detective’« Apprentice; or, A Boy Without » Name, Cibuta Jonny; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar. Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. Redlitcht Ralph the Prince of the Road, The Engineer Detective. Mart, the Night Express Detective. Atr-Line Luke the Young Engineer. The Boy Pinkerton. 5 Firhting Warry the Chief of Chained Cyclone. Bareback Reth, the Centaur of the Circle. Typewrlter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. Moonlight Morgan, the *‘ Pizenest ’’ Man of Ante Baz. BY BUFFALO BILL (Hen. Wm, F. Cody) 8 Kansae« King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy: or, The Pilot of the Prairie, 55 Deadly-Eye, the | ac Scout. 68 Border Robin Hood; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Celorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust. Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. Cloven Hoof, tie Buffalo Demon Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot BY Death-Fuace, Detective; or, Life in New York. 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand. 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team 69 Geld Rifles tue Shar; oter: or, The Boy Detective. 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner or, Rosebud Rob on Hand. 88 Phetograph Vhil; or, I b’s Reappearance, 92 Canada Chet; or, Oli Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. 96 Watch-Eyes or, Arabs and Angels of a Great City. 118 Jack HMovle the Young Speculator. 5 117 Gilit-Kdged Dick, the Sport Detective 121 Cinnamon Chin, the Girl Sport. 125 Bonanza BILL, Miner. {88 Bexa eb the King of Bootblacks. 141 Solfd Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. 145 Captulu Ferret, the New York Detective, 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada The Sierras Scamps, 181 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo, 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective. 2138 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter, 226 Snoozer, the Buy Sharp; or, The Arab Detective. 86 Apollo BUll, the Trail Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator. 244 Slerra Sam, the Frontier Ferret. 248 Sierra Sam’s Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Slerra Sam’s Pard; or, The Angel of Big Vista. 258 Sterra Sam’s Sevens or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol: or, The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen. 281 Denver Doll’ Victory. 255 Denver Doll's Decoy ¢ or. Little Bill’s Bonanza. 291 Tx the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll's Drift; or, The Road Queen. 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 808 ’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. 825 Kelley, Hickey & ©o,, the Detectives of Philadelphia, B8O Little Qu!ek-Shot3 or, The Dead Face of Daggersville, 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner. 889 Kangaroo Kit’«s Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood. 858 First-Class Fred, the Gent from Gopher, 868 Vreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer; or, The Life Lottery. Yreka Jim’s Prize. Nabob Ned or, The Secret of Slab City. Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 5 Yreka Jim’s Joker; or, The Rivals of Red Nose. Bicyele Bens or. The Lion of Lightning Lode. Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam." Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. High Wat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, Sam Slabaides, the Beggar-Boy Detective, 484 Jim Beuak and Pal, Private Detectives, 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. 486 Seulskin Sam. the Sparkier. RY T. Cc. HARBAUGH, 28 Nick o’ the Night; or, Th» Boy Spy of '76. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or The Littl Hunter. 47 Nightingale Nats or, Tne Forest Captains, 64 Dandy Jnck ¢ or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trali. 82 Kit Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack ; er, The Boy Trapper. 6 Old Frosty, the Guide; ar, The White Queen, 8 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 9 Judge Lynch Jr: or, The Bey Vigiiante. 5 Goll Tr er, the Sport; er, The Girl Avenger. 9 Tornado Tomy or, Injun Jack From Red Core, 88 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. & Arkansaw ; or, The Que n of Pate’s Revenge. 7% Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 5& Captain Bullets or, Little Tovknot’s Crusade. 1 Plucky Phil; or, Kosa, the Re! Jezebel, 241 Bill Bravo; or, Tne Roughs of the Rockies. 255 Captain Apoli- , tne Kine-Pin of Bowie, 267 The buckskin Detective. 279 Old Winch} or, The buckskin Deaperadoes, 294 Dynamite Dany or, The Bowle Blade of Gochetopa. 802 The Mountain Detective: or, The Trigger Bar Bully, 816 Old Eclipse, Trurp Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Parda: or. The Terror of Take-Notice. 886 Bie Benson; or, Tie Queen of the Lasso, 845 Pitilessa Matt; or, Ked Thunderholt’s Secret. BSE Cool’ am und Parts ov The Terrible Six, 846 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 886 Captain Cutlases or, the B ccaneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Rob; or, The | win Champions of Blue Blazes, 411 The Silken Laaso: or, The Rose of Ranch Robin. 418 Felix Fox. the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump. the Border Rattler, 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox. 445 The City Vampires; or, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon. 461 One Againat Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow; or, Felix Fox’s Hunt. 477 The Exceisior Sport: or, The Washington Spotter. 499 Stugle Sight, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective, 621 Dodger Dick’« Beat Dodge. 528 Fox and Faicon, the Bowery Shadows, 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’« Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodger Dick’s Desperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick. the Boy Vidocq. 5678 The Two Shidows. 582 Dodger Dick’s« Drop. 694 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective, 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sharp on Guard. 626 The Champten Parda, 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective, 645 Kits the Pavement Sharp. 658 Pilly Bantam, the Boy Beagle. 671 Jersey Jed, the Roy Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower. 685 Happy Hugh, the Bey Musician Detective. 701 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp. 15 Wite Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferret. {82 Daisy Dell. the Pavement Detective; or, Trapping Big Game, FAQ Billy Winka, the Bell Boy Detective, 754 Billy Winks, the Boss Boy Shadow. 8Y WM. G. PATTEN, 489 The Diamond Sport: or, The Double Face of Bed Rock, 519 Captain Mystery ; or, Five in One. 581 Da ¥. tpare the Sport from Denver. 587 Old Rombshell, the Ranver Detective. 604 Tron Fern, the Man of Fire. G19 The Boy Tramp Petectiver or, The Double Grip Witness 629 Violet Vane, the Velvet Spon. 641 Dismal Dave's Dandy Pard. 651 Round Roy Frank, the Young Amateur Detective 66% Vielet Vane’s Victory. €R2 Wild Vulcan, the Lone-Range Rider. 698 “iolet and Dalay, the Posy Pards. TOS Violet Vane’« Vow: or. The Cratty Detective’s Craft, PAROS RD BS OO a rt a kt tt 2=se 714 Old Misery, the Man from Missourt. 724 Violet Vane’s Venreance. TRO Violet Vane’s Verdict. gat Vielet Vane, the Ventrilequiat Vidocg. 750 Violet Vane, the Vanquished, ¥ i 4 “vat . READLE'S« H ALF- DIME«[_IBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocea: Ralph Roy, the boy Buceun er; er. Th Diamond Birk ; or, The Mystery of the The Shadow Ship; or, 1! val 5 The Boy DBuelist; or, The Cra 2 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggier. 1 The Scea-Devil; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 6 The Hussar Captuin: or, Ihe Hermit ot Hell Gute. Z Little Grit, the Willi Rider; or, The -Teuder's Daughter. Ruffalo Bill, the Po ’ $ Bison BIL, the Prince of the Reins; or, Buffalo Bill’s Pluck. Grit, the Bravo Sport 3 or, The Wondn Trailer. Crimson Kate, the Girl Tr:i.er. Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain; «r, T % Merle, the Middy 3 or, The Heir of an Ox lance. The Midshipman Mutineer 3 or, braudt, the Buccaneer, The Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure, The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned. Merle Monte’s Cruise; or, * The Gold Ship” Chase, Merle Monte’s Fate; or. The Pirate's Pride Merle Monte’s ledge; or, The Sea Murander, Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover The Dead Shot Dandy ; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler, § bend Shot Dandy’s Bouble. The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler's Trail, 7 Bonodel, the Boy Rover; er, The Fingless Sehouner, The Indian Pilot; «r, T! rch fer Pirate Island. ive Yacht. tone. pts & Sea: Wolf, ruise of t Sto¢ Express Mysterious Ranchero in Free B87 Warpath WILL, the Triitor « e: or, The Boy Phantom. 898 Seawalf, the Boy Lieutenant; or, The Red Clasped Hands. Inodor, the Young Consaptirator; or, The Fatal League, The Boy lusurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta. The Wild Yachtsmany er, The War-Clou.’s Crulee. Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. Captain Carl, tne Corsair; or, A Cabin Boy’s Luck. The Sea Ralfder: or; The Hawks of the Hook. The Ocean Firefiy ¢ or, A Middy’s Vengeance. Waphazard Harry; or, The Scapegrace of the Sea, Wizard WIII, the Wonder-Worker. Wizard Wills Street Scouts. “? The Born Galde; or, The Sailor Boy Wanderer. Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. Wizard Wills Vagabond Pard. Wizard Will's Last Case; or, Ferrets Afloat. Nevadn Ned, the Revolver Kanger 5 Arizona doe, the Boy Pard of Texas Jack. Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys The Royal Middy ¢ or, The Shark and the Sea Cat. The Hunted Midshipman; or, The Young Sea Ranger. The Outlaw Middy; or, The Young Patriot Sea Ranger. Buckskin BALI, the Comanche Shadow Rs 5 Brothers in Buckskin; or, The Tangled Trails in Texas, The Buckskin Bowers, 585 The Buc skin Rovers; or, The Prairie Fugitive. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder o1 the Rio. 545 Licutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. Lalitte’s Legacy: or. The Avenging Son. 5 The Creole Corsair; or, The Golden Wings of the Gulf. Pawnee BIll, the Pmirie Shadower. & Kent Kingdon, the Card King. 570 Camille, the Card Queen; or, The Skelrton Trail. 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective, The Outcast Cadet; or, ‘The False Detective. Pawnee Bill's Pledge; or, The Buckskin Avenger. Delmente, tie Young Sea Rever; or, Tie Avenging Sailor. The Young Texan Detective; or, The Black Bravos. The Vagabond ofthe Mines. The Rover Detective; or, Keno Kit’s Champions. 617 Ralph, the Dead-Shoet Scontys or, The Kio Raiders, 644 The Hereules Highwaymun, 4 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Kider Detective; or, Buffalo Bill's Boy Para. 656 Butterfly Billy’s Man Hunt. 662 Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza. 668 The Buecancer Midshipman; or, The Sea Kover’s Ruse, 674 The Wizard Saflor; or, Red Ralph, the Rover. 679 The Sen Shadowers or, The Freebooter’s Legacy, 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag; or, The Tarnished Name. 692 The Rival Sharps; or, Rediern, the Secret Service Scout, 697 The Scarlet Sombrero; or, The Sharp from Texas, 702 Blue Jacket Bill; or, The Red Hat Rangers’ Red Hot Racke? 707 The Red Sombrero Rangers; or, Redfern’s Last Trail, 718 Carl, the Mad Cowboy; or, Tie Lariat Queen, 719 Pawnee Bill's Pledges or, The Cowboy Kidnapper’s Doom. =, %25 Daring Dick, Pawnee Bill’s Pard; or, The Red Cavalry Raid. |: 781 Ruth Redmond, the Gir] Shadower, ? BT Buck Tayler, the Comanche’s Captive. 748 Buck Taylor’s Boys; or, The Red Riders of the Rio Grande. 749 Dashing Charlies or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trail. 256 Dashing Charlie’s Destiny; or, The Renegade’s Captive~ LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 760 Dashing Charlie’« Pawnee Pard; or, Red Hair, the Renegade. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 761 Marmaduke, the Mustanger Detective; or, The Great Mix- Up at Crescent Butte. By Lieut, A. K. Sims. 762 Broadway Billy’s Bargain; or, The Three Detectives in Denver. By J, C, Cowdrick. 768 Violet Vane’s Vision; or, The Fiery Hand of Fate, By Wm. G, Patten, 764 Deadweed Dick, Jr.’s; Lone Hand; or, Kodak Kate Secret Seven, By Edward L. Wheeler. 765 Flipper Flynn, the Street Patrol; or, Knocking Ont the Kid~ nappers, By Jo Pierce. 766 Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer; or, The White Sioux Queen. 3y Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 4 767 Mae and Jack, the Invincibles; ‘or, The Diabotical Three. By Dan Dunning. ye am 768 Eagle Ned, the Bey on Guard;! or, The Camp Spidage of Ragged Robin. By T. ©. Harbaugh; 769 ray Billy: ‘the Retriever Detective; or, How the . Breede, Were Brought In. By J. C. Cowdrick. 270 Deadwood Dick, Ir.’*> Defeats or, The Tandam Team e Thorny Trail. By + dward L. Wheeler, T71 Foxy Fred’s Odd Pard; or, The Keener’s Huge Hustle. By Jo Pierce. Ready May 3. 772 Dick Troom’s Death-Grip}; or, The By Col, Prentiss Ingraham, Ready May 10th, A New Issue Every Tucaday- The Half- Dime Library ts for asle by sl) newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mai) on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 WilHam Street, New York. Detective by Destiny,