Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 769) (1892 04 19)
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ololelalalaly/ 2 MS f \ \\ N \ \ \\ \ \\ \ on a BOD \ \ A\\ ' ee QHYy ¥ So N = 5 snihiait ”? ‘Call me James, if you please, William. But what is it? Let’s hear it, for I guess we can stand it; hey, Roger?” “JT opine we kin, lad. You are big enough, THEIR WAY TO THE FERRY, and I’m sartainly old enough and tough enough,
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Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective. so I guess he kin onwind ther burden of his dis- tress without any danger.” In their hotel at Denver; Broadway Billy, Skinny, and Roger Watts. Billy had just received a telegram, the cause of his ernphatic exclamation. Skiany and the old ranger were eager to learn what it contained, ‘* Well, my gay and festive partuers, the diffi- kilty is just this: Here’s a telegram saying my poor old mother is very sick, and urging me to cut short my sojourn and hasten home,” ‘Great ginger!” cried Skinny. ‘Is that so, Billy?” ‘** Yes, frail youth; it is so.” ** And you’re goin’?” “Sure! When mammy calls I always says * Here!” ‘* Hoo-ray!” yelled Skinny, jumping up and dancing around the room wildly. ‘I tell ye ’m glad of that, Billy. Not glad your mammy’s sick, but glad we’re going home. I have had more than enough of this cavoortin’ around,” ** Well, I don’t know but I’m ready to go my- self,” confessed Billy. ‘I did want to stop over in the different cities on the way, thougb. But, no matter; I can take another trip some time _ and make up forit, Yes, we must start as soon as we cap. But, Rover, what are you looking so glum about?” This was the old ranger, who was looking rather sad and downcast. ** Well, lad, I war jest a-thinkin’, that’s all. If you two are goin’ ter pick up and strike out fer ther East, of course, that means partin’ with me, and I’ve come ter like ye so well that, bang me, ef I don’t hate ther idee of losin’ yer com- pany. I'll be lonesome,” ‘‘Sweet pertaters! What are you talkin’ about, old man? Isn’t your own home in New York State? And wasn’t you goin’ there, any- how? You'll go with us, and stop over with us in New York for a visit before we let you go, and don’t you forget that/ You are going right along with us, you bet,” The old ranger cheered up at once, ‘* Well, ef that’s the case,” he answered, ‘**thar’s no use cryin’ over the partin’ jest yet.” “Course not, So, mom is sick, is she? I hope she ain’t bad, and I don’t believe she is, either, for I think : smell a rat in this thing.” Do ye, Billy?” ** Yes, 1 do, I have a sneaking idea that it is only a trick to get us home, But, it won’t do to act on that thought and not go.” ‘** No, I should say not, for you can’t tell how bad off she is, Billy, and it would be awful if she should die before you get home, I have often thought of that, and the same of my poor old mother, too,” ‘** You're a dutiful son, Skinny, and your heart is in the right place—or at any rate I s’pose it is; you’ve got so fat there is no telling anything about your inner workings any more. There was a time when I could tell whetber your heart, lungs, gizzards, and so forth, were in good work- ing order or not,” ““Get out. Roger, he’s talkin’ to hear himself now.” ‘*Oh! but it’s the fact,” Billy urged. ‘You remember how thin he was the day you saw him for the first time, Roger; eh?” ‘*Parfectly well, meson. I wouldn’t want ter see him any thinner than he was then,” ‘* No, [ should think not, Well, all I bad to do was to shake him, andI couid hear his inner organs rattle around like dice ina box, Fact. And I could tell by the sound of them whether they were all right and in good working order or not, Once in awhile it was necessary to inspect a little closer than that, and then 1’d hold him up to the light and look through him. Why, he was so thin—” : ‘* Ob! give usa rest,” cried Skinny. ‘* What time do we have to start?” Billy, while talking, was already consulting a time-table, and was able to answer the question promptly. ‘** We’ve got just one hour and twenty minutes,” he said. ‘*Come, we shall have to bustle our- selves to get there. Time and. steam don’t wait worth a cent in these latter days of get-up-and- hump.” *‘And it will take us the twenty minutes to get over to the Seventeenth-street Station,” added Skinny. And at once he began to make preparations for a ‘‘ b’iled” shirt. ‘* We'll shorten things up a bit,” said Billy. “1H go right down to the office and order a hack to take us over, bag and baggage, and we'll bave lots of time then to pack our Saratoga.” ‘“That’s about the proper thing,” agreed Skinny, ‘* And what am I goin’ ter be doin’!” asked the old ranger. ‘* Be putting on your purple and fine linen, the same as Skinny,” directed Billy in all earnest- ness, ‘*Mebby 1’4d better be lendin’ him a band,” suggested Roger, witha wink. ‘ He is gettin’ so fat I think he’ll have a hard time to make out alone.” Skinny growled something about being able to help himself, he guessed, and Billy went out laughing, leaving them to have it out between themselves, for there was little time for play. Skinny,bad been taking on flesh and fat by the hour, seemingly. Ever since his long sickness in the mountains he had been gaining, and now he was really larger and heavier than Billy, In- deed he weighed closer to two hundred than to one hundred pounds, and was no longer recog- nizablo as the ‘‘ Skinny ” of old, As soon as Billy was gone, he and Roger set about preparing for their trip. Skinny was overjoyed at the prospect of see- ing home again, after his long absence, and about the same feeling animated the old ranger, They were hard at work when Billy returned, and at once he fell in with them in the necessary work, changing clothes and packing up; and it was no easy task, for they had a big stock of personal effects, ‘Well, it is all right,” Billy remarked, ‘‘The hack and extra wagon will be here in time to make connection,” ‘The extra wagon?” queried obese Skinny, worderingly. ‘‘ What do you want with an ex- tra wagon, Billy?” ‘* What do we want with it? Do you suppose there is a back in Denver dig enough to take me and Rover, and the baggage, and yow besides? The extra wagon is for you, of course,” ‘*Now you see here, Billy Weston,” cried Skinny, stopping with his head and cne arm in his shirt, ‘if you begin that business I’m not goia’ to travel with ye, thatisall. I had enough of it when I was thin, and I don’t want any more of it now.” ‘*Pshaw! you are too particular,” placated Billy. ‘* Now that you are bigger, you ought to be able to stand it all the better. Besides, itisa change, and there won’t beso many chestnuts for you to juggle witb, Never mind, though; lL will let up for now.” Skinny growled, and after some little straining managed to get into bis shirt, though it was a close fit, At Jast the trunk was packed and roped, their other bundles were done up and secured, and they were ready. A porter was called, the trunk was taken down, and after it went the lads and their old friend, Bidding good-by to their acquaintances at the hotel, they set off, and as they bad time enough Billy called a balt at the Police Headquarters, where he ran in to take a proper leave of the friends he had made there, All expressed regrets at losing him so soon, and cordially invited him to come again. Arriving at the station, Billy made it his busi- ness to get the tickets, which he made sure were via Kansas City, Chicago and Philadelphia. It had been his intention and desire to stop over at these, and other cities, but it was now impossible, and he secretly made up his mind that he would pay them a visit later on. They started, and as our story has not to do with the journey, it may be passed over hastily, or at any rate until Pbiladelpbia was reached. Passing through the different cities en route, Billy looked back at them regretfully, There was no help for it, however; duty called. Finally, after some days and nights of weary riding, they crossed the Schuylkill River and rolled into the Broad Street Station, Phila- delphia, It was early morning, and Billy and bis friends had enjoyed their best night’s sleep since leaving Denver, and they were up and dressed and feeling in first-rate condition, There was a wait here, and they were glad to get out and stretch their legs, ‘Thank goodness we are on the home stretch, anybow,” Billy cried. ‘‘Come, my gay and festive pards, and we'll see if our stomachs and y0cketbooks wil) stand another railroad meal, his is to be the last. If nothing happens we'll dine in dear old Gotham.” ‘‘And if nothing bappens I’m going to dine there for a good many days to come,” declared Fatty-Skinny. ‘' I wesn’tcut out for u rover, and I'm going to stay at |omeafter this, I have bad enough of traveling to last me all the rest of my vatural days, I think, How isit with you, Rover?” ‘ ‘*'Waal, me son, my years are beginn grow hefty on me shoulders, and I think wD I git settled down now J’)! pass my days in com- fort, with now and then a leetle tramp in ther woods with dog and gun, mebby.” They found their way to the restaurant and bolted a really excellent breakfast; after which Billy sought a telegraph office. ; He sent word to his mother they were nearing home, telling her the hour they would probably arrive, and bidding her haye Skinny’s mother at the house to meet them, Then they had to run to catch the departing train. ‘*Now for home!” exclaimed Skinny, who could bardly contain himself, ‘‘I can’t get there soon enough, now,” ‘‘ There is no foolishness about this rate of moving, anyhow,” averred Billy. ‘‘I guess we'll get somewhere, in the course of a day or two.” ; They were on one of the “flyers,” now, and the old ranger was holding fast to the seat and looking out at the window with bulging eyes. They had done some lively traveling before, but this capped it all—sixty miles an hour, it seemed to him, ‘“*Smoke o’ Gittysburg!” the old man ejacu- lated, ‘‘ but this is what I call goin’. I hope nothin’ won’t bu’st till we git thar.” Billy laughed, and hilariously enjoyed the situation. After a time his attention was drawn to some passengers who had seats a little distance ahead of theirs, There were two men, two women, and a young lady of perhaps eighteen years, The more Billy gave attention to them, the more it grew upon bim that somethiag was not altogether right. His ‘‘ detective fever” began to make itself felt, but for a long time he said nothing to bis companions about it. He wanted to be sure of his ground, if possible, before he drew their attention to the matter. But the longer he waited the bigher grew the ‘fe fer,” and finally he could hold in no longer, CHAPTER II. BILLY SCENTS A MYSTERY, ‘““SwEeEtT pertaters!” he at last exclaimed, in subdued tone, ‘“*What now?’ demanded Fatty. ‘‘ That means somethin’, I know well enough.” ‘* Hain’t forgot nothin’, have ye, son?” queried the old ranger. ‘Shell I git off and run back after et?” ‘*Tf you could run back and get me a pint o’ brains, I'd say go, by all means,” was Billy’s ironical response. ‘‘ As most o’ folks like ter hold fast to the limited supply they happen to bave, though, that wouldn’t be any use,” “What has got hold of ye, anyhow?” de- manded bis pard. ‘‘Seems to me I ketch a sign of detective fever about your eyes. Is it that? If it is, fer the love of goodness keep it down till we git safe in New York. Then you can let yourself loose just as soon as you want to,” ‘* Skinny,” Billy whispered, ‘‘you have hit it the first shot.” “Great ginger! I bave been hopin’ and pray- in’ all the way along that you wouldn’t see any- thing toset ye off, and I was sure l’d get ye home safe, but— Whatisit, anyhow?” ‘*T was rather in hopes myself that I’d get home without any spell on the way,” rejoined Billy, ‘‘ but it’s no use. 1t is on me, and on mé bad, too, 1t is gettin’ higher all the time, and it’ll soon be so ragin’ kot you won’t be able to hold me.” ** But, lad, what is et?” from the ranger. ‘*Tell us what it. is,” urged his fat pard. don’t see anything.” ‘*That’s because your skin is thicker than mine, and you are not so sensitive; and then Roger is getting old, and his sight isn’t what it used to be, When he was my age—” ‘* Shut right up!” interrupted Skinny. ‘Tell us right out, or don’t say another word about it. ‘*My! but you are somebody since ye got big, ain’t ye! But, you are right, all the same, and I'll put ye onto it right away. Do you see these folks ahead of us bere?” ‘* Yes,” answered Skinny, ‘‘ of course I see!” ‘*T sight ’em,” the ranger supplemented, ‘* Well, they are my game, or l’m no §olo- mon!” Billy announced, Fatty-Skinny and Roger Watts took along and close look at the persons in question, but could see nothing to arouse Billy’s suspicions or interest, One of the men was about fifty years of age, evidently, and Jooked something like a sleek, well-fed preacher. He had a smooth” look, that bespoke his eminent respectability in every fold and wrinkle of his coat, eT
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fe wore a high hat that had no flaw in its shiny nap; bis hair, black and silver mixed, was meatly cut behind and smoothly brushed; he had a high all-around collar, and his black broadcloth coat fitted him as neatly as though it had grown upon bim naturally. His back was toward our trio, but now and then a side view of his face was had, when he would glance at his companion on the same seat, and it was seen that be wore a pair of | gold-rimmed glasses, and had a chin whisker. This man appeared to be the head of the party, for he held the tickets for himself and the others, Skinny and Roger could find no fault with bim. Beside this man was seated 8 woman who was maturally taken to be his wife. She was a per- son of forty, if appearances counted, and dressed in keeping with the man’s elegant attire. She ‘was topped off with a costly bonnet, joy of the feminine heart! and had a gorgeously black- beaded cape. The sleeves of her dress, one of which could be seen, snowed tbat garment to be of black satin. Her hair was mostly dark, but was considera- bly threaded with white, and her wrinkles, when her face was occasiunally seen in profile, summed her years to tha number mentioned, at least. Her natural skin was yellowish, but her face was seen to be painted and powdered almost to the bloom of youth, A pairof diamond ear- rings of no mean size sparkled and flasued con- tantly with every jar or movement. She looked to be as eminently respectable as the man. Neither were Billy’s ‘‘ pards” able to detect anytbing wrong about her. These persons were seated three teats distant, the two between being unoccupied, save for one old lady in the one nearest them, The next seat beyond had been turned the persons occupying that were facing Billy and bis companions. The ranger and Skinny, iggy way, occupied the seat just ahead of illy. The two persons occupying the reversed seat ‘were both women, or one woman and the young lady who has been mentioned. The latter sat nearest the window, and her face was sad and her eyes exhibited traces of weeping. She was a pretty girl, but was very plainly dressed. er companion was a woman of middle age, with a hard, barsh visage. Her eyes, particu- larly, bad an evil glint, and ber whole appear- ance was coarse. She was clad in a most un- tasteful way, with a bonnet that might once have been vulgarly ‘‘ loud,” but now had a for- lorn and slattern appearance sad to behold. She was strangely out of place in such well-dressed company. But, even here, Skinny and Roger did not allow their imagination to play any part, and saw nothing wrong. When Billy called their attention to the fifth personage of the party, however, it was differ- ent. This wasa man who'sat on the next seat beyond, He was a brutal-looking, low-browed fellow, with a stubby beard aud mustache that did not add anything to his beauty. He was sitting with bis back to the side of the car, and cover- ing the whole seat. At first Skinny and the ranger had not count- ed him as one of the party with the otber four, but now that Billy drew their attention to bim, they saw he belonged to the same set, He was sitting side-face to them, and occasionally his evil eyes looked in their direction, ‘Well, what do you thiok now?’ Billy de- manded, “T don’t like ther face of that feller, anyhow,” admitted the ranger. ‘Same with me,” assured Skinny, ‘If eny- thing is wrong, he is the rooster you have got your eye on, Billy.” ‘“‘He is one of ’em, that’s 80,” agreed Billy, ** but the king-pin of the bunch is the sleek, pol- ished chap in the dicer and gold lookers, Don’t get excited now, and don’t give ’em any more at- tention.” ; ‘Et ain’t possible!” ejaculated the ranger. “* Why, he’s a Bible patrol, or I’m a chicken,” **Don’t bet all your money on that,” Billy cautioned, ‘f All isn’t gold that glitters, and everything isn’t a preacber that looks like one, **Oh, you are allus looking for a mare’s nest,” growled Skinny. ‘How do you know he isn’t what he seems to be?” ‘Sweet pertaters!” Billy exclaimed at that, **T am not denyin’ that he ain’t what he seems ter be; I’m only too certain that he is just what ihe seems to be, and nothing else.” “A sky pilot?” from the ranger. and ‘Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective. 3 ‘* Nixey, McGinnis! I miss my pumpkin.” Roger and Skinny stole another glance at the man, and shook their heads, It seemed they Could not agree with Billy in this. ** Stop lookin’ at ’em,” Billy cautioned again, ** for we don’t want that ugly customer to get onto the fact that we are sizing them up, Give me your ’tention, and I'll tell ye— Ha! did ye see that?” They bad seen it, and were able to appreciate Billy’s grounds for suspicion. Tbe conductor had just entered the door, and the rough, brutal fellow was seen to give the girl’s head a a jog with hisarm, At the same time the pol- ished man leaned forward and whispered a word to her, while the woman beside her moved nearer. ‘“*Great ginger!” exclaimed Skinny, ‘‘ I don’t know but there is something in it, Billy, after all,’ “IT know there is something in it,” Billy averred, ‘‘ My blood is fairly beginnirg to boil, and the fever is creeping right up to the top notch, They are my game, sure pop!” ** What do you think is wrong, my son?’ in- od the;ranger. ‘‘ Whatdo ye make out of et all? ‘‘ T haven’t made et out, yet,” answered Billy. “That is the reason the fever is raging so, When I do I’ll let you know all about it.” ** No; but what is et ye s’pect? That’s what I meant ter ask ye,” ** Pll tell ye,” returned Billy, speaking guard- edly. ‘‘I bave had my eyes on them for some time, and the longer i study them the less I know. The first thing that made me notice ’em was the fact of that nasty-lookin’ woman riding face to face with such a well-dressed couple,” ‘* That’s so, when ye come ter think of et,” as- sented the ranger, “Then,” Billy went on, ‘‘I got onto the fact that she is holding fast to one of that girl’s hunds, and that the girl has been crying. There’s two big drops in ber eyes now, after that scoun- drel poked her with his arm that time— No, don’t look now, for he is looking this way. He’s an ugly customer, I’ll bet on that.” ‘* He'll be a first rate fellow to keep out of the way of,” assumed Skinny. ‘* Sut be is going to find mein his way, if he is up to any rascal work with that girl, and I give you notice of that now,” declared Billy, firmly. “*He’ll kill ye; he looks like it,” Skinny warned, ‘* Mebbe he would if he got the chance, but Ili try to keep him from getting the chance, No matter, ’m going to know more about them before I know less. But, to tell you the rest of it. If my thinker isn’t out of order, and I don’t believe it is, I have sized it up pretty close, This preacher-looking man is the chief rascal, and the young woman is the victim. The evil-faced man and woman are the tools who are doing bis villain’s work for him. What do you ~~ to that?” t was Roger Watts who responded, ‘*Now that I git ther same look at et that you do, Billy,” be said, “bang me ef it don’t *pear so. But, mebby et’s all right, mebby ther gal is sick, or sometbin’, and they are takin’ care of ber—” ““Nixey, McGinnis! They don’t poke sick girls over the head, do they? They don’t make prisoners of ’em, do they? Preachers and prize- fighting ruffians don’t ride arm in arm as a gen- eral thing, do they? There’s more to it than that, Rover, and I’m going’ to know what it is.” ‘“‘How are you going to find out?” asked his fat confederate, ‘* Why, trail them, of course!” ‘* But, you can’t do that. We have got to go home as soon as we get to New York, and you will bave to let this case drop.” “Skinny, I am ’shamed of ye. I couldn’t never forgive myself if I did, and should ever hear that this girl had come to-grief when I might bave boosted her out of her diffikilty.” ‘But, your sick mother!” urged the other. ‘* Skinny, [love my mom right up to the chin, and I’m going to ber just as soon as business will permit: but, I can’tdesert beauty in dis- tress, nohow, and you must not expect it of me, Lam only human, and when the detective fever gets hold of me the way it bas hold of me now, might as well give right up. You know Broadway Billy.” He’s a polished rascal, or CHAPTER III. HOT UPON THE DOUBLE TRAIL, So_was the matter eettled, as far as Broad- way Billy was concerned; yet, it was one which had its unpleasant features, and he wished heartily he could tbave reached home without any new case to draw bis attention from the duty be owed his mother. But, be bad spoken the truth; it was simply impossible for bim to think of giving up the case, or what promised to be one, and allow the young woman to be taken off be knew not where, possibly into some deadly peril from which noth- ing would save her if he did not obey the in- stinct that had spoken to him, One thing be partly regretted, and that was that he had telegraphed to his mother. Had he not done that, she would not be expecting him at any certain hour, and a little delay would not worry her apy. Her reported sickness did not worry him great- ly, for he was suspicious that it bad not been very serious. Her letters had been full of wishes for bis return, and he felt that a slight illness had been taken advantage of to telegraph for bim, Stili, be could not be sure of this, and hence was not by any means as easy in mind as he might bave been, Seeing that Billy was fixed in his resolve, Skinny suggested that he and the ranger go on to the house at once, and tell them he, Billy, would be along later. Billy could nct agree to that, either, how- ever. He wanted to bein at the first welcome home, and not come in as an after edition, as he expressed it. That was not to his liking at all, “Then bow are we going to fix it?’ demanded Skinny. “*' We'll have to stick together till we hole the game, that’s the only way cut of it I can see,” Billy answered. ‘* And your mother mebby on her deathbed, and prayin’ you'll only burry up and get there *fore sbe has to give up the ghost and go flittin’ across the dark—” “Sbut up!” cried Billy, ‘tor your ghost will go flitting before you know it. You allus come in with that wet blanket of yours and cbill a fellow to the bone, Ugh! you have made me shiver.” ‘Which proves your conscience isn’t easy,” Skinny assumed, “It’s mighty sure it wouldn’t be easy, if I didn’t look into this matter and see whether or not this lamb is in the power of wolves or not,” cried Billy. ““Ther lad is right,” the old ranger agreed with him, ‘‘Et won’t take long ter find out somethin’ about ’erm, and alittle while won’t make mucb difference. It will be laid to ther count of a late train.” Billy urged the matter with Skinny until he bad finally won him over. They bad by this time seen enough more of the suspected persons to assure themselves that they were all against the helpless girl, The girl was in their power, and afraid of them, and her distress of mind was plainly shown in her woe-begone face. At times tears would start, and she would put up her free hand to hide her emotion. That one hand was held by the woman in the seat with her, could no longer be doubted, and more than once the man behind her was seen to whisper something in her ear, while the sleek gentleman now and then leaned over to say just a word, And they seemed to do this especially whenever the conductor passed through. So passed the time until the train neared its destination, Finally the end of the long, long ride came, and the train rolled down from the Jersey City Heights to the ferry. Billy bad cautioned Skinny and the old ranger not to pay much attention to the suspect- ed persons, but to let him do the watching in bis own way, so they could not be detected at it. During this final short stretch of the run, the passengers all prepared to leave the train, those who had not already made their preparations, and among others the ones upon whom Billy had his waccbful eyes. And it was while they were doing so that Billy made a new discovery. This was, that one hand of the pretty bat sor- rowful girl was secured to the wrist of the wo- man beside ber by means of a handcuff! He bad only a glimpse of this, true; but that was enough, and it brought to his lips his pet ejaculation, ‘* Sweet pertaters!” he cried, ‘I knew it!” The woman in the fine bat and satin dress helped the woman opposite her to button her cape at the throat, and a shawl was pinned around the shoulders of the girl. Into the station rumbled the train; there were some fitful thumps and jars, and the panting
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Broadway Billy, the Retrieve r Detective. engine stood still; then out poured the passen- gers, everybody in haste to get somewhere, Billy and his companions were sluwer than the others, making a show of getting their effects fished up from under their seats at the last mo- ment, but really killing time to let the suspected ones go out of the car abead of them, They, however, were in no hurry either, and it was not until the car was getting emptied that they rose to go out, Billy had his eyes on them, while pretending not to look their way at all. He saw the hard-visaged woman give a jerk at the arm of the girl, while the man caught hold of ber other arm and lifted ber to her feet with no gentle effort. At this the girl broke into tears, sobbing aloud. ‘*Shut up that, now!” Billy heard the man hiss at her. ‘‘[f ye don’t, you'll be sorry, that’s all.” At the same time the elegantly dressed couple glanced around to see if any one was paying at- tention to the scene, No one appeared to be, and, in fact, no one was, save Billy. The girl gave another stifled sob or two, and all went forward and passed out of the car be- hind the crowd, Billy and bis partners sought the opposite door, and stepped down to the long platform about the same time the suspects were getting out, Hence, the detective trio were behind the sad-faced girl’s keepers as they made their way to the ferry, and did not put themselves in the way of being seen at all, though Billy did not — sight of any of the party while crossing the erry, On the New York side the usual rush was mude, and bere Billy and his * pards” were in the front ranks, Billy bad a reason for wanting to be the first off, if he could, for there was no chance for the party to escape bim now until Ty had emerged to the street. aking their way out tothe line of howling cabmen, Billy quickly selected one and hustled the ranger, Skinny and their bundles into his vehicle, but paused himself to talk with the Jehu. ** Well, what’s your terms these days, Patsey?” he asked, ‘‘Do you sock it on as largely as ever when you get a chance?” The cabby looked at Billy in amazement, ** You have got the best of me,” he declared, **'You seem to know me, but hang me if I know you. No;I never sock it on; only the regular rates, you know, But, where to?” ‘* Yes, I know you, you bet!” Billy laughed. **T know you skin a hayseed every time you get hol.i of one, if be will let you. But, be easy, for Til pay yon well enough. You see, Patsey, old socks, I’ve got a diffikilty on hand—” *“*Great mackerel!” cried the astounded cab- man, ‘‘if it ain’t Broadway Billy!” ‘“* Nobody else,” Billy assured, ‘ But, keep it still now!” The cabman aad made a grab at Billy’s band and was trying to wring it off, or seetned to be, “* Easy, now,” cautioned Billy, and he spoke in tones of caution. ‘I want you to follow a certain party who are coming off this boat, Don’t let them suspect it, but don’t lose them. Let’s step around to the other side, and I'll put you onto them,” ‘* Still up to your old tricks, I see, Billy,” tbe cabman remnurked, grinning, as he followed Billy’s lead around the rear of his vehicle. “‘ But, you know Patsey, and he’ll follow them if they go to the moon,” Partly out of sight, Billy watched, and pres- ently the party came off and out upon the street. The well-dressed couple were abead, while the other man and woman, with the girl, were fol- lowing a few steps bebind, Billy indicated them carefully to the cabman, and together they watched to see what they in- tended doing. They had not long to remain in une: rtainty. _Tie man of the clerical appearance pushed right forward to a carriage, one of the larger sort, and as soon as the driver sprung to his call he burried the woman, the man, and the girl into it, He closed the door upon them instantly, and made terms with the driver, paying him in ad- vence for the services he was to render. “That done, he and his woman companion crossed the street, arm in arm, and went up to- war Broadway. _ “Sweet pertaters!” exclaimed Billy, ‘this means a division of force, right off, quick. Patsey, you follow the carriage, and be sure you don’t miss the place the game gets out at. Skin- ny isinside— Don’t faint; no time to explain now; he has got fat. He is inside, and he will take note of things. See that there’s no mistake, No time to waste. Youtell him, Ta-ta!” And with a wave of the hand Billy was gone, leaving the cabman and Fatty-Skinny to follow the other trail, But, Billy knew his man, and knew it would be all right, Hastening forward, Billy soon came within good uistance of the man and woman he must follow. They were going along arm in arm, models of propriety and goodness, and had he seen them thus for the first time he could not have doubted their priestly calling and goodly walk in life, As it was, he could not help looking upon them as the sleekest pair of hypocrites he had ever seen in bis life, and their every motion was in itself a declaration of their true characters, Billy was firm in his suspicion of them, and it would be hard to shake bis faith, When they reached Broadway they turned up that great thoroughfare, and ere very long en- tered a leading hotel). “This is all right,” said Billy to himself. ** Now, if Skinny and Patsey don’t make a mess of their part of it we will have them where the bair is short, and not a great deal of time lost either,” Giving them a little start, Billy entered the hotel too, and was at the right moment to see the man entering his name on the register, Billy was well dressed, as we know, and looked what he really was, now, a young gentleman of our model nation, of sturdy, self-made men of every walk in life, As the man had had his back to hizm all the way in the train, Billy bad no fear of being recognized, 80 went boldly forward to the clerk’s desk, and stood waiting, as if to be served next with hotel accommodations. The man finished, exchanged some remarks with the clerk, and went away with one of the porters. The moment he had gone Billy stepped to the register and read what he had putdown, The entry. was as follows: “ Rev. B, GREENE GRACEAWAY, AND WIFE, ‘* Washington, D. C.” Billy had done well, and knew it. Whatever was to come of it, he bad followed this pair to their present stopping-place, and was accord- ingly. satisfied. CHAPTER IV. AT THE THRESHOLD OF HOME, ‘“ WELL, what can I do for you?” the hotel clerk politely asked. ‘*T guess my uncle hasn’t got here yet,” Billy observed, taking another look up and down the page. “Your uncle?” said the clerk, ‘* What is his name?” ‘* Horace Hamperton, sir.” ‘No; no such name as that here, sir, the polite information, ‘*Maybe he will be here before night, If he stops bere, here is where I will put up, too, Good day, and thank you, sir.” ** Good-day, sir.” Billy knew the fact that the hotel clerk is a power ip the land, and was as polite to this one as a French cook to a liberal marketman. He might bave occasion to call there again, Going out, he sauntered up the street, {t was useless for him to think of finding Skinny and the old ranger now, and he could only await their arrival at the final destination, Billy’s bome, “Sweet pertaters!” he said to himself, as he sauntered up tbe familiar street, ‘the fellow that said there is no place like home knew what he was talking about. There is only one city in the world, and its name is New York!” He noted many changes, of course, When one goes away from home it is a signal for the place to take on changes as fast as possible until bis return, Suddenly he thought of the old corner where the old stand stood, and he was all eagerness to get there and see it again. Perbaps it was open, and either his mother or Mrs. Callahan would be there, Pushing forward with eager haste he presently came in sight of it, and found it open for busi- ness as of old, with a lad in charge who was almost the counterpart of what Skinny had been about the time he first made his acquaintance. It was a brother of the “‘ Lean” Lieutenant, as Billy quickly recognized, who had been was 7a a aint rw _ 4 ab aoe S 9 Le OE ee gee ee pressed into service during the absence of partners. Billy knew him more by his resem- blance to Skinny than from any knowledge he had ever had of the boy, and knew he would never recognize him, Stopping a little distance off, he took a sur- vey of the stand before approaching nearer, ‘* Sweet pertaters!” he exclaimed under his breath, ‘‘I have been growing some sure enough, The place that knew me once will know me no more forever, by crackey! I bave outgrown my small clothes as sure as I’m alive. I’m too big fer the business, no use talking. But, I’m not sorry, for I’m edging on to twenty-one, now, and meant to drop out of it. Sweet per- taters!” he ejaculated again, ‘‘ how little and mean it does look, anyhow! Ha, ba, ha! Why, when I had my eye on this stand, and the one ambition of my soul was to possess it, it looked as big in my eye as Stewart's big store, That is natural, I suppose.” Natural or not, Billy spent a moment in sad reflection. He saw himself as he was now, and realized that his boyhood days had gone for- ever. It might yet be possible for him to play boy a little longer, but the fact remained that he was & man, or very near it. While he stood there he saw some familiar faces, men who had been bis customers, some of them, and was startled to find that be was as big in stature as most of them, and larger than some, : ‘It’s no use, William,” he said to himself. ‘* You may kick up your heels and be frisky for a little while longer if you want to, but the grim fact is here that you are a pretty old boy, and your days of lugging a leather pol- isher’s kit around on your shoulder are gone forever. No use your spilling any salt, sad tears over it, either. Sweet pertaters! I wonder if I am any nearer to gaiuing the confidence of In- spector Br—— Ha, ha, ba! That bas been the dream of my life,so far, but I guess I have almost graduated in my special line, and per- haps he would nod his bead at me if I called around to see him, But, no more of this,” Bidding adieu to his dreams, he went forward to the stand. Skinny’s brother was on the alert for business at once, and made ready to display any of the articles in stock that might be called for, ‘*Ts this the stand that used to be run by a lad named Broadway Billy?’ the ex-gamin asked, ‘Yes, sir,” was the answer; ‘this is the place.” ‘* Where is Billy now, do you know?” ‘He has been away a long time, sir, but is *spected home ter-day.” “The reason I ask,” Billy explained, ‘‘ I used to know his mother, and wanted to inquire where she lives. Can you tell me that?” Yes, the lad coujd, and he did, ‘*Do you know whether she is well or not?” Billy next asked, and with some eagerness, ‘©Oh, yes, she is well, sir,” was the assuring report. ‘* She was sick a few days ago, but she isall right again now. You will find ’em mak- in’ a great time over there to welcome Billy and. my brother bome.” ‘Your brother? Ob, yes, be was the shadow who used to be seen here when the day was clear and light strong enough. Oh! yes, 1 remember Skinny. ‘‘ Ha, ha, ba! How is be?” The lad was looking at Billy curiously now. **Ob, he was well the last we heard,” he an swered. ** And as thin as ever?” “Thinner,” the latter declared. ‘Mom is real worried about him, sir.” ‘Ha, ha, hal” laughed Billy. ‘‘Ob! sweet pertaters! but this is too rich, or it will be when that dear skeleton falls upon his mother’s collar bone and weeps his tears of joy all over her breastpin! Ha, ha, ha! Say, Jerry, you little rat, you don’t know me, do you?’ ‘Tt must be Billy himself!” the lad saw wee ‘Billy it is, bless your little heart! could almost hug you for your brother’s sake, for you look like he used to, I'll have to hug you, if I want to hug anybody, too, I guess, for he is past hugging now.” Billy had taken the little fellow’s hand and shaken it warmly. “Why, what’s the matter with Skinny?” the lad asked, with a little of alarm in his tone, “ Oh, nothing, only he’s got so awfu! thin now that there is nothing to hug.” explained Billy; and then he went off into another fit, **Come, “baa little terrapin,” Billy presently ordered, ‘‘shut up shop and come along home with me and get a share of the good things you were telling me about. This is a holiday for the firm of Weston and CalJaban,” =n ie ae _
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5 ‘* But, mom told me to stay here, and said she would send for me when Skinny come home,” ‘* Never mind what your mom told you now,” urged Billy. ‘*Close.up and lock up and come along. If there is anything to scold about Ill take the scolding. Get at it, now.” Jerry was glad enongh to do it, and since Billy was one of the bosses of the business he did not hesitate any longer about obeying. With Billy’s belp the stand was speedily closed, and taking Jerry by the hand they set out for Billy’s home. It was not a great distance away, and as they neared the place Billy saw and realized how truly poor and miserable his home was, He would better things in a short time, in this re- spect, he secretly declared. As they drew near the house Billy saw a cab turn into the street a little distance above, and recognized the one in which he had left Skinny and the old ranger. He had told his little companion where Skinny was, and now he exclaimed: ‘‘ Here he comes, now, Jerry, Hurry up, and we'll meet bim at the door. But, don’t make too much fuss till we get in the house, or folks will think,you are crazy,” They reached the door about the sams time that the cab drew up, and the driver greeted Billy with an exclamaticn. “Here you are, hey?” be cried. ‘* Well, we holed ’em, and if they ain’t a p’izen lot, you can use me for a foot-wipe.” **T xnow they are,” declared Billy. ‘* Where did you hole them?” ‘* Why, at a miserable den of a house, No. — —— street, That poor girl is a prisoner, and only that I knowed you was on the track of ’em, l’d ’a’ told the police.” ‘* Tm glad you didn’t do that. I and Skinny will take care of them, just as soon as we can mow. Don’t saya word aboutit. By the way, what do you think of Skinny now?” Skinny and tbe old ranger had got out, and the driver took a survey of Skinny, a broad grin ou his face, ‘Tt ain’t possible!” he cried, Billy could hardly believe it was, either, Now that he saw Skinny hereon familiar ground, and the picture of what he had been came to mind, it did not seem possible that this could be he, ‘* Tt don’t seem possible, and that’s a fact,” he admitted, ‘‘but it is, all the same. Skinny, don’t be too big to notice old friends, You know Patsey, don’t you? Give bim your little hand, now, like a man,” Whether it was Skinny or not, this was Billy, sure enough, and after a bearty laugh anda shaking of bands, the jolly driver drove off and Jeft them, Skinny was now making himself known to his g»piog brother, who could not believe it possi- ble that this monster could be the Skinny he had known only two sh rt years ago, ‘** Now,” Fatty-Skinuy soon exclaimed, “let's go up,” ‘ {fold on just one minute,” requested Billy. *‘This is my castle, and not yours, you know, frail youth. I have a request to make of you,” ‘Well, what is it? Don’t fool any now, but furry up.” * All right; Pll rattle it out of me just as fast as ever can. You see, it is sume time since ‘you have seen your mother, Skinny, and it will be too much of a shock for her to see you all at once, as it were. It will be too big a surprise, so tosay. I want to go abead and announce it to her, so she will be a little prepared for the great change in you.” “Do you mean that, Billy, bonest?” “Of course I do. Do you suppose I would stand here and chin to you if I didn’t? Wouldn't I prance up the stairs like a frisky colt and hug my mother ’most to death, and never a thought about you, if I didn’t love you? Come, what do ou say to it?” ‘Well, if you think it’s best, why—” “Of course it’s best! Besides, I haven’t got my life insured, and if we all go in together, and I say you are Skinny, your mother would light on me and brain me with anything sbe might Jay ber hands on, I don’t want to takeany risk, This is a serious thing, Skinny, and you must spare your mother all the shock youcan. It will be great enough, goodness knows,” ** Well, go abead, then,” “There, that’s sensible. You keep Jerry here with you, and follow on up in about two min- ® ates, or less, Pll open the door when I want you to step in.” “ All right,” “Don’t forget. Now, Roger, you and me for it. I will lead the way and you follow right on behind and I'll introduce you to my mother.” 4 \, + £ ~y ws } it ) % ee drill dou loahe aise ee Ny *' , S wide ite - Be ¥ Sree “s Tyo! G “wh ty Sit ect Sh eee ced . It was evident that the women were not aware of their arrival, or they would have been out and down ere this, and Billy led the way up the stairs with light step. CHAPTER V. THE WELCOMING AND THE SURPRISES, WHEN the door was reached, Billy touched the ranger’s arm to enjoin silence, and fora moment he listened. It was his mother’s voice he heard first, and it gave him athrill such as he had not felt in many a day. It was a thrill of joy, and he realized what it was to have so good and dear a mother, **Ob! I know he will come home all right, Mrs, Callaban,” she was saying, ‘‘ My Billy has always been a good boy, he never told a lie, and he never touched a drop of drink; indeed, he does not even smoke, I wish all the boys in this city were like my Billy.” ‘Sure, it was a good b’y he was,”*responded the voice of Mrs. Callaban, ‘‘and Oi do belave he was dhe making av my Jimmie, so Oi do, It was only a thought Oi spoke out, Mrs. Weston, dhat maybe dhey would come home spoiled and not so good as dhey went away, but God forbid dhat. Me poor Jimmie! Oi am afraid be is comin’ home to die, so t’in he is gettin’.” Billy was smiling from ear to’ear as he listened to this innocent talk of the two old ladies, and he now knocked at the door. Instantly all was burry and confusion within,’ with many an exclamution, and the next mo- Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective. | cover her face with her hands, stood and simply stared in speecbless amazement. ** Don’t you know me, mother?” Skinny asked. ‘Saints presarve me!” screamed the woman. “Ts it possible it is me Jimmie! May dhe good angel furgive ye, Billy Weston, fur dhe sthory ye tould me!” With that Skinny jumped in, very much alive and quite able to stand, and caught his mother in bis arms, or as much of ber as he could get hold of, while she did the same by him, Impossible to quote all that was said during the next minute or two. Finally, after a long embrace, the woman pushed her son from her, and laying ber hand on his head took a long look at his face, Then she rubbed his chubby cheeks, laughing as she did so. Then she walked slowly around bim, taking a good long survey of him on every side. While this was being done, Mrs. Weston, Billy, and the old ranger, all were enjoying the heartiest kind of a laugh. ‘* Well, Oi would never have belaved it, had ye tould me in your letthers,” she declared, ‘‘ It is dbe most wonderful change Oi ever saw in me loife, soitis. Sure, Mrs, Weston, Oi have more av a b’y nor phwat you have!” ‘* You certainly have,” Mrs. Weston had to acknowledge. “That is the reason we did not tell you, Mrs. Callaban,” said Billy. ‘‘We knew you would not believe it if wedid, and so we thought we would let you see for yourself.” ‘* But it was a m’ane thing av ye, Billy Weston, ment Billy opened the door and sprung in, clasp- | to be afther tellin’*me how awful t’in me poor ing bis mother in bis arms, . “Whoo!” screamed Mrs. Callahan, at sight of bim; ‘‘sure it is a man he .is now, so he is! And, phwere is me Jimmie, Billy! Phbwere is me Jimmie?’ And without waiting for a reply out into the hall she dashed, It was dark there as compared with the room, and she ran plump against the old ranger, catching him in her arms with a whoop of joy and lifting him bodily into the room, She was a powerful woman, this Mrs. Calla- han, as strong as ske was big and fat, and it was no effort for her to do this, Tue moment she got the old man into the light where she could see bim, bowever, she dropped him with another whoop. This caused Mrs, Weston and Billy to unlock their embrace to see what was the matter, and Billy almost went into a fit then and there, ‘““f beg yer pardon, ma’m,” the old ranger was saying, as, with bat off he made a bow, ‘but I guess I'm mistook fer somebody else, Billy, lad, jest interdoose me, and make me more ter home, will ye?” As soon us Billy could speak he said: ‘* Mother, and you, Mrs, Callahan, this is our old friend Roger Watts, whom we have told you all about in our letters. It is the man who saved Skinny’s life when be had the fever so bad, Mrs. Callahan.” ; ‘*And muy God bless ye fur dhat same, sor,” Mrs, Callahan cried, as she in her turn made a bow, ‘But, phwere is me b’y, Billy? Phwere is he, Oisay? Sure, Oi took you to be him, sor, in dhe dark,” to Roger. ‘He is coming,” said Billy, then, ‘ You know, Mrs, Callahan, I bave told you in my let- ters that he is getting thinner than ever, and he is really so changed that it is hard work for bim to walk, He is coming, and will be bere as soon ashe can, You must not faint when you see him—” “*Oh! me poor b’y, me poor b’y!” So the mother wailed, as she stood wringing her hands, so eager to see her sop. “*Sure, Mrs, Weston, it is proud ye should be to have so big and foine a man to come home to ye, and me wid me poor Jimmie comin’ home to die. Ob! it is too bad it is, so it is.” Billy had closed the door, and now he heard Skinny without, ‘“*T guess he is coming now,” he whispered, “Have a chair ready for him to sit down, mother. It is bard work for him to stand now,” ‘*Ob! me poor b’y, me poor b’y!” wailed Mrs, Callahan again, in Ru tone so that Skinny him- self might not hear, ‘* Do you think yeu can stand the shock,now, Mrs, Callahan?” Billy whispered. ‘* Vis, yis, let me know dbe worst,” the mother cried, ** Well, then, behold!” With tbat Billy flung open the coor and there stood Skinny in all the strength of health and all the glory of bis two hundred pounds of flesh and fat. ‘‘ Merciful heavens!” gasped Mrs, Weston. Mrs. Callahan, who had stood prepared to | / b’y had got, and bavin’ dhe heartav me allina flurry.” To tell all that was said during the next hour, would be to leave no room for anything else, so it must be passed over hastily. The two mothers could not keep their ad- miring eyes off their sons, and while Billy and Skinny told something of where they had been aud what they bad seen, they went about pre- paring a dinner, The savings of many a day had been ex~- pended lavishly, to make this a feast, and, as Billy expressed it, the fatted calf bad been killed in honor of the prodigal’s return, The old ranger was made to feel at home, too, and needless to say the party was a joyous one, Neighbors came in to welcome Billy home again, and there was a great time generally. Every vow and again Mrs, Callahan would brexk out in a fit of laughing, as she looked at her son, and Billy would havesome droll remark to make that would cause them all to roar, Skinny took it all in good part, since he could not we}l do anything else, Billy said nothing about the business he had on band untilat dinner, when he made it known. ‘Well, mom,” he said, ‘you will have to let me off this afternoon, for 1 bave got business on hand that won’t be put off. After that is at- tended to lll give you a whole week just to look at me ani do nothing else,” ‘** Business on hand?” the mother repeated. “Yes; a detective diffikilty, and one that has got to be done right away or not at all.” ‘* Now, Billy, that will not do, and I am not going to bave it so,” Mrs, Weston declared, “What on earth bave you got bold of so soon?” Billy told the whole story, and wken his mother bad heard it she was more willing for him to goahead. Still, she suggested that he tell the police, and turn the case over to them, “Nixey McGinnis!” cried Billy, “I don’t give my bones to other dogs just now, mom. No; Skinny and I have got to attend to this, just to let folks know we have got home, and to keep our hand in. But, we'll soon wind it up, and then we are yours for a week,” Argument was useless, Vihen the dinner was over Billy and Skinny set out from tbe house, leaving the old ranger there to entertain their mothers with tales of the wild West, This the old man was glad enough to do, for he declared New York was a trifle too big a place for him. And it goes without saying that he talked more about Billy and Skinny tban about anything else. Billy and Skinny set off in the direction of the old corner stand, which the “ lean” lieu- tenant declared ne was dying to see, and as they went egy Skinuy asked: ‘Well, you found out who the man and wo- man was, eh, Billy?” ‘“Yes; and that is to say, I found out who they claim to be,” Billy answered. ‘They claim to be a preacher and wife, from Wash ington.” “* But you don’t believe they are, eh?” ‘** Not a bit.” +
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Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective. first?” “Yes, or ’ma Dutchman. I can see about as far up a dark alley as the next one.” ““T know youcan. Well, where are we going to take hold of this thing, and how are we going to vee to wind it up?” ote ou holed the other safe enougb, you told me, ** You bet we did, and they never looked at us once, Oh! they are a bad lot, sure.” ‘*T know they are. Did they abuse the girl any more?” ; ‘“*They abused her enough, with the woman yanking her along and the man giving her a push as they entered the house.” **Confound them!” Billy muttered. ‘I want to get a chance to pay that big bully back for all that. It makes me mad all over when I think of that girl in their hands,” “IT hope you wou’t get into his hands, Billy, for I think he’d make short work of you.” “Oh, do you? Well, maybe he would, but you can safely bet I'd try to make it interesting for him, anyhow. Now, prepare to feast your eyes, Skin, for here is the old stand.” They were coming out to it now, from a cross street, and Skinny was eager to see the old spot once again, It was soon in view, and immediately on be- holding it Skinny stopped short. ae ginger!” he cried, ‘* bow it has shrunk u Billy laughed. “It isn’t so much that,” he declared, “‘ as that ou have expanded since you have been away. hy, Skinny, ll bet you can’t get behind it any more!” , eet you don’t think I’m an elephant, do ou “No; but Pll bet a quarter you can’t, Come on and let’s try it, just for the fun of it. If you Page a have to look up new quarters, that is all, They had brought the key with them, and un- locking the door, Billy threw up the lift and in- vited Skinny to step in. Skinny went forward with all confidence, but he soon came toa stop. It was next to impos- sible for him to get behind the narrow counter, He grew red and drew back, and Billy enjoyed a hearty laugh. ‘*T give it up, Billy,” he said. ‘It’s no use. Besides, the place looks so small and mean now that I'll be glad to make a change. Come, let’s attend to business,” CHAPTER V1. IN A BOWERY BEER GARDEN. THE same impression which had taken hold Spee Billy had seized Skinny too; he was too big for the business. In his case this may be taken with a double meaning. Locking the establishment up again, they turned away, but as they started to go Billy suddenly caught Skinny by the arm and detained him. Ashedid so he cautiously pointed, whis- pering: ‘** Do you see that pretty gentleman, Skinny?” “ Great ginger!” Skinny ejaculated, “ it’s him, sure enough!’ “* Of course it is, Wonder who the young fel- low is he’s talking with? We are on the trail again, I guess, before we expected to be,” The man indicated was the man whom Billy had followed to the hotel, and who had there registered as Rey, B. Greene Graceaway. The person he was talking with was a young man, with a foppish air, ; “No chance to hear what they say, I s’pose,” observed Skinny. “Too bad I’m not a boy agaiv,” mourned Billy. ‘ With my kit on my arm I could slide right up and strike them for the contract of polishing their understandings,” “That dog is dead. We'll have to make the best of the matter as itis, If we can’t listen we can watch, anyhow,” “Yes; but that don’t satisfy. Come on, and we'll edge that way, and we'll be pretending to be looking for some sign or something or other,” Skinny agreed, and they moved toward the two men, not looking at them, but with their eyes fixed upon the buildings on the other side of the street and staring away like countrymen, In a few moments they were near enough to overhear what was being said, and yet no notice ‘had been taken of them. They were now with their backs to the men, their faces to the curb, and seemed deeply interested in their search for something. _ “That looks like the building, right over iets PA, i ree es i eee ae Si re Mas aA Se Pk ! . ‘hen they are rascals, jest as you said at there,” Billy was saying to Skinny, as they sto ppea. “Yes, I think that’s it,” Skinny agreed. Then no more was said for a moment, ‘Then you think it is a sure thing, do you?” the younger man of the two under watch was saying. oF ot a sure thing, Robert,” the elder made response. ‘‘She will not remain there long be- fore she will consent to marry you, and then it will be all right.” ** Women have stubborn wills, sometimes,” “That’s true enough, but there is a way of breaking them,” ‘* Well, 1 hope it will turn out as you say.” “We are going to make it turn out so, Robert. Then you will be in clover for the rest of your natural life.” “It is to be hoped so, I have been browsin in stubble long enough, I think, Well, shall meet you there to-night?” ** Yes, at nine,” ‘*What number did you say” Tbe number was given, and Billy and Skinny atonce recognized the number as that of the house where the girl had been taken, The two conspirators parted company and went off in different directions, ‘*Sweet pertaters!” cried Billy, ‘‘ that wasn’t bad, eh, Skinny?” ‘It was pretty good, I should say,” was the response, ‘* Which way now? Going to follow them?” ‘** We'll follow the new one. We have got the sleek rooster’s headquarters all right, and need not trouble our heads about him just now.” So, after the young man they went, keeping him in sight. Tbe young man had, as said, a foppish air, and had also a dissipated look, A certain something about him, which the two detectives read at a glance, told them he wasa Bowery sport and maybe worse, ‘** Now, Skinny, you can just bet your money on the bob-tailed nag that there is a diffikilty a- brewin’ here,” Billy remarked. ‘*We have heard enough to give us some idea about it, This girl is being forced to marry that Bowery bum, for some reason or other, and from what was said I take it to be a money reason,” ‘*That’s it, dollars to dimes,” agreed Skinny. ** And if that is the case, it is our business to slip in a little joker and nip their game right in the bud,” . “* Exactly.” ‘ se And we'll do it, too, or bu’st a buckle try- ng. t seemed natural enough when the men turn- ed iv the direction of the Bowery, and the two ‘* pards” so fresh from the Western wilds went right after bim. hey were at home here, knowing every street as they did, and it seemed like old times to be on their own stamping-ground, as Billy expressed it. When the man reached the Bowery he turned up that thoroughfare and proceeded for some distance, when he entered one of the leading ‘* gardens ” which there abound in ail their glory of beer and blare, ‘We are wid ye, McGulligan,” remarked Billy. ‘‘Come right along, Skin, and we will follow him up. Remember, we are Bowery toughs for the present, regular ‘dis and dat’ boys. We'll have to buy something in here, too, but no need to drink ‘it if we do, and of course we won't,” In they followed, and seeing their man about to sit down at a table, they played the same old ‘yom dg and took seats at the table just behind im. Waiters were at their elbows at once, and Billy held up bis fingers to indicate that two beers might be brought, and two mugs of the amber colored German enthusiasm were soon be- fore them. It is an old saying that, going to Rome one should do as Romans do; but here all the noble “Romans ” were drinking and smoking, in which Billy and Skinny did not follow example. They toyed with the stuff that had been brought them, but not once was it put to their lips. At the table where their man had taken seat another fellow was already sitting at the time, and the two fell into conversation, The first few words eer oe Billy and Skinny did not catch, being bothered with the waiter, but after that they were enabled to hear quite a good deal that was said, ‘So, your prospects begin to brighten, do they, Rob?” the one said to the new-comer. ‘* Yes, Jake, there is now some show for me,” was Robert's answer, ‘* You have seen the parson, then?” * ' eee ee ; pal M alc bSad Saat Sites “Yes; just left him.” * What's he say?” ‘‘ He is in high feather; thinks it’s a sure go.” ** And the angel?” ‘*She is bere, too, The whole thing is work- ing finely, and if we can only carry it out there will be no trouble.” ‘* Not likely that any one will get onto it, eh?” **No, not at all, Don’t see how any one could. It has been managed finely all the way through.” ; ** When are you going to know sure about it?” “Maybe to-night.” ‘* Going to see ber, then?” “* Yes; and I guess the parson means to force things, tuo.” “Good for him, he knows when his nest is covered well, He means to line it, too, if he can,” **I’m willing he should, for it means a golden egg for me at the same time, And I don’t be- lieve you are going to kick, Jake,” ‘*Say, Rob.” m “Well?” ‘*Have you got any particular love for the rson?? ‘*Not a bit. What makes you ask that?” ! ‘“*T was thinking whether you couldn’t beat him at this game and collar all the stuff your- self.” tre 3 it! I hadn’t thought of that. How could it be done?” ‘Oh, I don’t know that it could be done; but it wouldn’t do any harm to try it on.” “* But, suppose it slips up, and the parson gets mad and won't come to time with me, what then?’ ‘Not much fear of that, You bave too good a grip on him for that. If he does find it out he may make a good deal of fuss, and threaten a good deal, but that won’t hurt you, and you can tighten the screws on him whenever you want to,” ‘*That’s so, But, how would you do it?” ‘* You say the girl objects to marrying you,” ** Yes, flat.” ‘“* And yet she is in a dickensof a scrape all ou account of it, being held a prisoner till she will vag or sign off,” “es es,” ‘* Well, couldn’t you go to her ina secret way, and make a proposal to her? You to rescue her and get her out of the hands of the parson, on condition that she marry you?” **T don’t believe it would work.” “ You don’t know whether it would work or not, It won’t cost much to try it, anyhow, and then you would know.” ‘*That’s so, too; but I wouldn’t know how to go ahead with it.” ‘Then you are not much of a general, but a good soldier, it seems.” ‘* You may be right; but, I’m satisfied to be a soldier, if the pay is as good as it promises to be ere,” ‘* Well, you can do as you please about that, of course, but I would play for the whole thing, if it was my game,” ** How would you work it?” “ Why, go and see her, on the sly, and tell ber you will! get ber out of the bands of her enemies if she will marry you.” ** And see her lip curl with scorn that would make a chill run down your back, eh?” “What if it did? You could stand that. Or, you might go with another tale, and so get her in your power and let the parson find her if he “That would do no one any good. And, if she got away from me the fat would be in the fire sure enough.” ‘*Oh, well, there is no use talking with you on that line, I see, You are satisfied well enough as it is,” **T think it’s best to let well enough alone,” ‘Well, however it turns out, Rob, I want my motey just as soon as you get your fingers on any of it.” ‘Ob! that will be all right; you know I mean to pay you.” ‘“‘T know that I mean to see that you do, so don’t forget that. By the way, you haven’t told me where she is stored away.” “*She’s at No. — —— street. Burke Wedger and Mary Ann have her in charge, and you can bet high she won’t get out of their clutches in a hurry.” ‘And you say you are going to try it to- night?” ‘Yes; we are to be there at nine, and the parson will see what he vando then, J have my doubts about success so soon, but he seems to think it will work, Anyhow, I will do all I can to make a success of it, you bet.” » ee? the: = at ‘zg Ducat
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Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective. 7 CHAPTER VII. ANOTHER SPLIT IN THE TRAIL, Two young women at this moment came along and joined them, and the important part of their conversation ended at once and they be- gan a light run of nonsense with the women, This gave Billy and Skinny a chance for a lit- tle talk, which Billy was eager to take advan- tage of. ‘* Skinny,” he said, in a tone that could not be overheard, ‘‘ this thing is going to b’ile up pretty soon, and unless we look out pretty sharp it is going to scorch before we can get it off the fire.” ‘* What do you mean by that, Billy?” Skinny asked, ‘* You heard what they have been talking about.” ** Of course.” ‘* Well, add up the sum and see what it comes to,” ‘Oh, speak out and say what you have got to say, and no fooling about it.” ‘* Well, I have been hit with an idee, and as it isn’t often anything of that kind comes my way I have held fast to it.” ** What 1s it?” ‘This fellow Jake seems to have a hold on Robert in a money matter of some kind,” **So it would appear.” **Ani thar Jakeis more of a plotter than Robert, is plain to be seen.” ** It looks so,” ‘* Well, you heard what he proposed, and what Robert said to it, I have un idea Jake may try the same thing bimself, and so throw Robert and the parson both overboard. What do you think of that?” ‘*Great ginger! 1 hadn’t thought of it, Billy.” ‘* No discredit to ye, Skinny, for it was only a chavce idea with me, and it may not amount to anything. Bat, I’m going to have an eye on Mr. Jake.” They/ paused, but there was nothing worth = ii to being said by the others, and Biily said: ‘* Skinny, I am going home right off and rig up. I want you to stay here and keep your eyesand ears open. Will you do that?” “What good will it do yeto rig up?” Skinny asked, ‘* Because I’m too well dressed to be hanging around over there where the girl is imprisoned,” “ Well, all right; but what am I to do if they go rpg 9 And if they part company, which one am [ to follow?” Like Mr, Robert, Fatty-Skinny was a better soldier than he was a general. ‘Why, stay here, if they stay, but if they go away keep your eye on ake and follow him, Don’t let him get away from you till you find out more about him and where he hangs out,” **T savvy.” “All right, and I guess you’re big enough to carry it out,” Billy took his leave, **T ought to have known enough to tone down a little,” be muttered, as be bent his steps in the direction of home, ‘But, then I had an idea that mebby Id have to go to that hotel again, and they don’t admit tramps there,” He had gone only a few steps from the beer arden when he came to a sudden stop. “Sweet pertaters!” he exclaimed, ‘‘ here is auvother go! Now I am ina fix, forsure. There are going to be more horns to this dilemma than Iand my slender— Ha, ha! That shows what the force of habit will do My fat and solid partner, | mean. More horns to the beast than we can take care of without danger of missing some and getting hooked by others, Now, what is going on here, I wonder?” He had reason to stop sbort and consider, Just ahead of bim was the villainous-looking rascal he had seen on the train that morning, and whose name he had now learned was Burke Wedger. He was talking with another fellow as evil- looking as himself, and they seemed to be deeply engrossed in whatever they were talking about. here was au excellent opportunity, too, as Billy immediately discovered, for him to get near enough to hear what was passing between them. They were standing near the steps lead- ing to an Elevated Station above, and all he would have to do would be to get quickly around on the other side, That he lost no time in doing. “But will there be money in it?” Burke Wedger’s companion was asking. “Of course there’ll be money in it!” was the assurance. ‘If there wasn’t, it ain’t likely I'd be in it, is it?” em bas, et Ae eaT eS = FR bi i Bee Dig a ah Baise : - . L ae ee ** Well, no; but then, you will get it all and I'll have ter whistle fer what I git out of it. That is about the way I figger it out, anyhow.” ‘*Now you look here, Gil Brand; yeu orter know Burke Wedger better’n that. I say there / | is money in it for you and me both, and that or- | ter settle it. When I say a thing to a pal I mean it. ‘But a feller is likely ter git inter trouble, ain’t he?” ‘* Haven’t you been likely to get into trouble any time during the last twenty years or more? And haven’t you got off scot free so far?” ‘* But they say it’s a long lane that don’t have no turn in it.” “Well, if you are afraid, say so, and I'll look for somebody else to help me, I thought you bad more backbone than this,” ‘Hold on, now; don’t go off in too big a hurry. Give a feller a chance ter think a min- nit, can’t ye?” ** What’s the use, if you are afraid of it?” **Don’t be too sartain about my bein’ afraid of it. How much money is there init for me?” ‘* Well, a hundred dollars, anyhow.” ‘* That means, a hundred dollars whether you | succeed in your little game or not, I s’pose.” ‘*Nixey. That means if I do succeed. If I don’t, then you don’t get anything. 1 can’t af- se to pay unless I make something to pay with, ‘* Must be makin’ somethin’ anyhow, ain’t ye? ‘* Well, if [ am, that is another affair. This will be a new dodge to make more than my regular fee, don’t ye see? And if you help me, then you come in for some too,” “Well, I'll take hold of it with ye. Whatis it ye want of me?” ** Could you take the gal to your house, after we let her ’scape?” ‘** Sure,” ‘* And youand your woman would see to it that she didn’t ’scape fer good and git all ther puddin’ in ther muck.” “Yer could trust us fer that.” “Then consider it a bargain. You come oe jest about dark and we’!l talk it over fur- ther. ‘“*T'll be there, sure.” A word or two more and they parted, one go- ing one way and the other the opposite. Billy did not have to stand to decide which of the fine fellows he should follow. He knew where Burke Wedger was lodged, but he knew nothing about this other man, Gil Brand, Accordingly it was to Mr, Brand he gave bis attention, ‘Sweet. pertaters!” be muttered, as he moved cff after him, ‘‘how many more mixes is this thing going to have to it before I can get a grip on it? If they stir it up much more I won't know which is head or tail to it, and Pll go off aud commit hara-kiri with a bootjack, or do somethin’ else about as desperate. Never seen a case double up so fast in my life. Seems to me it’s a reg’lar cut-throat game all around, and the best villain will be the one to win—providing I don’t get in my little act somewhere. Le’s see, I'll have to think a little on this matter, or it is going to get so big pretty soon that I won’t be able to hold it at all.’ He snatched off his hat and scratched his head as he went along, “In the first place,” he mused, ‘‘ there was the bit of a suspicion that bit me in the cheese-box on the train this morning. That was only a mole-hill then, but it has grown until it’s a mountain with half a dozen peaks, more or less, and I guess it’s more than less by several, First, there is that slick-lonking preacher, so-called. He is the king-bee of the lot, and the greatest rascal of them all, No preacher about him, not abit. He’s more like a thoroughbred gambler than anything else. He has a bold on the young lady, somehow, and means to make her marry Robert if he can. Robert is willin’ enough, but not so the girl, Then here is Jake, be comes in with advice for Robert, and has some sort of a hold on him. I have got to keep an eye on Jacob, or somethin’ may get away from me yet. Then, to make it worse yet, here is Burke trying to get up a bargain with this Gil Brand to run the gir] through another course of money-makin’ jugglery. Sweet pertaters! I’d like ter be in- spector, with the hull police forceat my command fer about one hour, now!” But, he wasn’t, and he realized it. ‘Poor girl,” he said to himself, thoughtfully, **they are makin’ it interestin’ for her, whoever she is. Wish I could get a chance to talk to her about two minutes, Here they are pitching her about from pillar to post, and daca her through rat-holes without number, so ter say, j each one smaller than t’other, and there won’t be anything left of her if they keep that business up long. Willyum, you have got to get in your little graft here somewhere, and the sooner you go about it the better. It won’t do for you to take bold of any more sub-divisions, if there are avy; you have got about as many irons in the fire as you can at- tend to, The next thing you know you will have to call out your reserve force, which same is Roger, ana then you will have to get out the police to keep him out of trouble. You have got to buckle right down to it, Willyum, and come out on top of the heap, or it won’t do for you to go around to see the inspector. Hello! this seems to be the end of the trail.” He had followed his man to a miserable house on a miserable street on the east side of the Bowery, where he entered and- shut the door efter kim with a bang. There was no fastening to the door, or did not appear to be any in use if so, and Billy migbt bave gone in if he desired, but be had no desire in that direction. He waited outside, As some minutes passed, and the man did not reappear, he set about finding out whether it was his residence or not, This was easy enough to accomplish, Hav- ing the man’s name, he inquired of some children if they knew where such a person lived, and they promptly directed bim to the house into which he had seen him enter, That was all Billy wanted with Mr. Brand for the present. If the young woman fell into his hands, Billy would know where to look for her, and that was a winning point in the game. Without further loss of time he hastened home, where he found the old ranger regaling the two women and several other persons with tales of the wild and woolly West, dwelling particularly upon the exploits of Billy. Billy only stopped long enough to give an outline of his plans, and then weut for his trunk and got out his Chinese disguise, When he stepped out of the adjoining room in full Celestial array, there were several screams from the women, and be had to tulk pretty straight English for a few moments to reassure them. Finally, when he made his appearance upon the street again, bardly avy one would bave taken him for anything but a genuine China- man, without a closer Jook than he was likely to. receive from passers in the street. CHAPTER VIII. ONLY A DOOR BETWEEN THEM. Wrrnovrt loss of time Billy made his way to the garden, where he .bad left Skinny to watch the man Robert and his friend Jake—particu- larly the latter. No one cbjected to bis going in, but be had no sooner entered than there was a general objection to his remaining there for any ex- tended period, It was clear that he was barred. ‘“*What d’ye want here?’ a rough fellow de- manded, steppirg up to him. Billy thought at once he bad made # mistake in acopting this disguise, after all. ‘‘ Me wantee find a man,” he said, in as good Chinee lingo as he could command, ‘t Mebbe you seen him allee samee?” “How the deuce do I know anytbing abcut him?” was tbe retort, ‘‘Take a look around, and if you don’t see him quick, then git.” Billy took a survey of the room, and not see- ing anything of bis partner there, took the man’s hint and “got” according to direction, not caring to get into trouble. “That settles it,” hesaid tohimself, ‘‘ Skinny has had to take to the trail alone, and I hope he will make a big showing for his part in the ame. He will certainly make a big subject, if they fix him cut for the hospital, But, he knows a thing or two, does Skinny.” The next move for him to make was to go over and take a survey of the place where he knew the girl to be imprisoned, By this time it was the middle of the after- noor, and he did not hope for much furtber than a general survey of the place from the out- side, e did not think any opportunity would offer for him to get in before night. But, in this one respect he made a mistake, for his disguise as a Chinaman was going to serve his purpose here better than he had thought. When he reached the place of his destination he found it was in a Chinese neighborhood, and that some of the Celestials occupied the very house to which he was giving his attention, 4 a>
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} i - —— = | marae Sheen Rite cap MLM aI jan) MTT TY af 8 Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective. ‘Sweet pertaters!” he exclaimed, on seeing this, ‘* here is good luck or bad, one or the other, and hang me if I know which it is going to be. If I could only talk Chinese now I would be all hunk, But, I can’t. I can talk considerable of U. §8., however, and J’ll have to make that an- swer the purpose,” He was about crossing the street to the house, when something caused him to stop. That something was the sudden appearance around the corner of the man Jake, ** Hello!” Billy said to bimself, ‘* I'll bet my hat against your boots,, Willyum, that Skinny ain’t far behind,” He waited, and sure enough Skinny soon put in an appearance. Watching bim for a moment, Billy wanted to see what kind of detective shadowing he was 7 of doing. Skinny appeared to be looking neither to the right nor the left, nor in any other direction in fara He strolled abead as though aim- essly. The man Jake had stopped opposite the house, and only a few steps from where Billy was standing, and was taking a leisurely survey of the premises as though he had some idea of buy- ing the house, Skinny crossed the street, and disappeared behind the next corner, and Billy wondered whether he hadn’t lost the trail. In a few seconds he was reassured, There was a saloon on that corner, the corner furthest from Billy, andina moment Billy saw his ally looking out the window of that delectable ‘*‘ shebang.” ‘** He is a jewel, and no discount,” Billy said to himself, ‘* He had his eve on his man all the time, and seeing him stop here, dodged into that place to watch him out of the window. That wasn’t slow, Skinny, and I’m going to promote you. Pll make you acaptain, just as sure as your name is Jim. Wonder it he recognizes me? Anyhow, I won’t give him the tip, for it might make him careless,” Billy stopped short in bis reflections, for the man Jake had stepped up to him. ** You live ’round here, John?” he asked. ‘* Me live ovel on Mott stleet,” was Billy’s an- swer. “Oh! ye do, hey? Darn meif you ain’t the best-lookin’ Chinee I ever seen in New York, W hat’s yer name?” ‘* Name Sam Kee,” was the prompt response. ‘*Got any friends around here?” ‘* Noue light here,” answered Billy, ‘ Fliends on Mott stleet, Me not long ’go comee flom San F'lisco,” “Ob! that’s it, is it? Then you don’t know who lives in that house over there where the Chinese sign is, of course.” My 0, me don’t know; me just out lookee lound ittle, “Ob, allright. I only wanted to know, that’s all. Much ’bliged to ye, John; you are a purty decent sort of Chinee,” With that Mr, Jake turned and walked away afew paces, took another survey of the house, and passed on up the street. Billy looked to see if Skinny was going to fol- low him further, and presently saw his fat lieu- tenant put in an appearance and saunter off in the same direction, ** He’s good for bim,” thought Billy. ‘* I’ll bet he will track him to his lodging place, or wher- ever he roosts, and find out all about him that is to be learned, Iam proud of you, Skinny, and some day I’}l tell you so.” The coast all clear now, Billy had to act. So far he bad learned no more than had the man Jake. And what he had gained very evi- dently could not have been much. Taking only a look at tbe outside of the house was not going to reveal what might be within, any more than studying the outside of a prize- package would give knowledge of its contents, Of course both Billy and the man had the general information that here the girl was im- prisoned, guarded by the man and woman— Burke Wedger and his wife, Mary Ann, And in respect to this Billy had the advantage of Jake, He knew Burke was not now within, Without long puzzling his head concerning what good Jake’s visit to the place could have done him, Billy crossed the street and boldly entered the hall door of the barracks, The smell of all that was evil greeted him immediately, but he meant to face the music and so did not Jet that deter him from going further. The hall was somewhat dark, but Billy made out the stairs, and proceeded up them as though he was quite at home there. He heard talking above, and knew some Chinamen had their home somewhere in tbat direction, This was to his liking, for his presence in the hall would not be so likely to arouse suspicion, At the first landing he stopped to listen, Some talking in the nearest room proclaimed Italian tenants there, proof, he concluded, that that was not the place he wanted to find. Going further he fared better, When he reached the next landing he heard a woman talking in tones more forcible than polite, and in a louder tone than caution would have sug- gested, ‘*You want to shut right up this sniveling, now,” she was saying, ‘Sor it will be the worse for you. ‘‘I’ll give ye somethin’ to remember, if ye don’t.” ‘*Oh! please have mercy on me and let me get away!” pleaded a different voice. ‘‘I will do anythirg in the world for you, afterward, wheniam able. I will give youa good deal more money than you will ever get out of my guardian.” ‘Oh, now, you have said that before, and you baven’t a dollar to your name, All you have got is the duds on your back, and they ain’t any toomany. Besides, we are not waiting for dol- lars to grow.” A sob was plainly heard, “Shut up, [ say!” the woman growled. “If you do that again, I'll give you something tocry about. If you try to make a noise to draw at- tention, [ll lick ye within an inch of your life, ahd if you holler for help, I’ll spoil your beauty if I have to poke one of your eyes out!” The fierceress with which this was said told Billy she meant it,and he knew the prisoner was cowed to silence, ‘* You bave got to do as your guardian wants you to this time, young miss, and no more fool- in’ about it,” the woman wenton, ‘‘ You are makin’ a fool of yourself, if you only knowed it, He has done his duty by you all these years, and now for you to defy him at last is the worst thing you could do, I don’t blame him, nota bit I don’t.” “ But, Mrs, Wedger, you know how I hate Robert Howmark, and I never can give willing consent to marry bim.” ‘You area fool!” cried the woman. ‘ He is a fine young gentleman in every way, and it is only because you have got your head full of fool ideas about Bronson Pender that you are so stubborn, He is worth a dozen of that poor up- start, and if you have not the sense to know it, your guardian is going to see to it for you. Now I don’t want another word with you, and it won’t be well for you if I have to come in here again. I warn you of that,” After that there was the slamming of a door, and Billy beard a sigh from the fair prisoner. ‘“‘Here’s another notch in my stick,” Billy thought, ‘‘ There is another lover in the case, it seems, whose name is Bronson Pender. I must remember names, Then, too, the so-cajled par- son is the young lady’s guardian, I have got that. much down fine as a crowbar, anyhow, Well, here I am; what am I going to do?” He reflected. What be desired was, to see the young lady and talk with her. If he could do that, by any means, and inspire her with some hope, then it might be more easy for her to hold out against her foes, He was at the front of the hall, on the third floor of the house, and the room in which the young woman was seemed to be a small hail bedroom, opening into the larger room adjoin- ing. These facts he had gathered from hearing the woman go out and close a door after her, There was, as the reader will understand, a door from the hall into the room where the pris- oner was, but that, as Billy knew well enough without trying it, was secured, He thought it all over well, and decided that if he expected to be of any help to the girl he must not let the woman find out he was there, Hence, if was useless for him to try and see her, But, could he not talk with her through the door. This he decided to try, at all risks, His first proceeding was to tap gently with his finger-nails a sort of tattoo on one of the panels, He listened, and the low sobbing he had heard had now ceased, Again he tapped, and after that, putting his lips to the keyhole he whispered, as loudly as he dared: ‘**Do you hear me, young lady?” Billy beard her move and come to the door, ‘“*Be careful not to make a noise,” he cau- tioned, ‘ Do—you—hear—me?” “Yes, sir, I hear you,” came the whispered answer, in excited breaths. ‘‘ Who are you?” “Tam “T ama friend,” Billy made known, ! here to help you, but I cannot do anything yet, further than talk with you a minute. Who are you, and why are you here asa prisoner? Don’t be afraid to tell me,” CHAPTER IX. A FINAL HOME CONSULTATION, ““THank God! My prayers are answered So Buly heard the girl exclaim in yet lower tone, to herself. > “You must tell me who you are,” she said a little louder. ‘‘ It seems to me I have no friend in all the world, and I must know you before I tell you much.” “And I can’t tell you who I am, any further than that fam a friend,” Billy made response, ‘*T am here to he)p you if I can.” ‘“How did you know I was here, and that I am a prisoner?” ‘*T have just heard enough to tell mea good deal. I have mads up my mind to help you out of here if I can.” ** Well, I must trust you.” ‘¢] assure you I mean just what I say.” ‘* What do you want to know?” ‘+ Will you answer some questions?” ‘Yes, willingly. I am hopeless, and I be- lieve you have been sent to help me, What can I tell you?” ‘* What is your name?” “Laura Wardley.” ‘¢ Where are you from?” ** Philadelphia,” ‘* 1s the Reverend B, Greene Graceaway your guardian?” LS ‘*T never heard of such a person, sir.” _ ‘‘That so? Then there must be some mistake, What is your guardian’s real name?” ‘¢ His name is Tomkins Green.” ‘* Does he look something like a preacher?” ‘¢-Ves, if you don’t know what heis, perbaps he does.” : ‘‘ He is the man who brought you from Phila- delphia this morning?” ; ‘ ‘“'Yes; he and his wife, and their two misera- ble hirelings.” i ‘‘ Why did they bring you from there to New York?” ‘* Bechuse they are afraid of the only friend I have in the world, and want to force me to marry a man of their selecting.” ‘‘Who is your friend, this Bronson Pender, whose name [| heard mentioned?” “ee Yes.” “1s there money at stake somewhere? Are you worth a fortune in your own name, or something of that sort?” ‘* Yes, I have always understood that I should have a considerable fortune when I marry or come to legal age.” i “That is about what I thought was in the wind. But, P gees keep a stiff upper lip, Miss Wardley,and if we don’t fix them out, it won’t be my fault.” ‘“* How are you going to help me?” ‘Tm going to make out a casé against them and then I’)l bring the police, if necessary, an get you out of their bands that way and make them sick of their undertaking.” ‘*Ob! if you can only do that!” “7 can, and will. Now, pay attention to what I am goiug to tell you. Are you listen- ing?” * Yos, yes,” eagerly. “Well, it is this:; Perhaps you will get a chance to escape to-night. Perbaps they will leave a door unfastened, or something of that kind, and if they do that you must—” Billy heard a heavy step on the stairs, and had to stop. There was considerable noise in the old bar- racks all the time, and this step bad not caught his attention until quite near. ‘ He bad been on the point of telling the girl what he had heard between Burke Wedger and Gil Brand, and so put her on her guard, but be had to spring back in order not to be detected there, The person who was coming was s0 close that Billy bad to beat a hasty retreat up the next flight of stairs, but he did not go all the way. Tbe hall was not very light, and he stopped and looked down over the railing. A man was striding slong toward the front door, and Billy recognized the man whuse name he had learned to be Burke Wedger. Stopping at the door near the front, he opened it and went in. With two or three basty strides Billy was at that door, his felt shoes having permitted him to move almost silently. ‘‘ Well, what of it, Burke?’ he heard the wo- man greet. 1” _ re
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Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective. “T guess it’s going to work,” was the re- sponse, ‘* Then you have seen Gil? What’s he say?” “He ’grees to it. He is comin’ here after dark to talk it over.” **T have been thinkin’ maybe it won’t be for the best, after all, Burke.” ‘Oh! what’s the matter now? woman’s fool notions about it? reason it won’t be for the best?” * Well, you know what confidence Green is puttin’ in vs, and it will be a thin story when we tell him the girl has got away from us, He'll know we lie to him,” ‘‘Oh! it’s that’s all that troubles ye, is it? Well, I bave been thinkin’ some about it, too, and I’ve come to the ’clusion not ter lis to him atall., Vl tell him more money or no girl.” ** Dare you do it?” “Dare { doit! Did you ever know anything that Burke Wedger didn’t dare to do?” ‘* But, he may turn us off altogether after he gets the girl back again,” ‘* No fear of that. We have got too much knowledge about him and his affairs fer tbat. *Sides, we won’t let him get her back till we make him come down another five hundred; see?’ “* Well, it is your business, but I thought we were making out well enough as it was,” “Mary Ann, we ain’t into this thing fer fun, but to make money, aud the more we can make the better for us. See? When they come here to-night there won’t be no girl here, and they won’t see her, either, unless they come down with just five hundred dollars*more,” “Well, I suppose you know best, so let it be as you say. But, hadn’t we better be careful how we talk? Shecan hear every word we say.” The man took the bint, and lowered his voice so that Billy failed to catch anything more for some moments. _ Billy remained there at the door, still listen- ing, and at the same time was running matters over in mind in order to make something like order of the different threads, Presently the door opened suddenly, and the man stepped out, Billy had had vo warning of this, and he was caught as neatly as could have been possible bad a trap been laid for him. fe was upon his feet in a second, before the astonished Burke could lay bands on him, and sprung back out of reach, muttering something in make believe Chinese, *“What in blazes are you doing here, you heathen?” Burke cried, fiercely. _‘* Allee same me dlop some money, tly to findee him,” was the answer, in rather shaky tones. Billy thought a little pretense of fear would help the story, _ Lost some money, did ye? Are ye sure ye ain’tlyin’ tome? Wasn’t ye listenin’ there at the door? Say!” ‘*No, me no lie; me— Hi! here is, allee samee!” With that Billy stooped suddenly, and held a quarter up to view, The ruse was successful; the man was made to believe it, and so the ex-gamin escaped getting into trouble with bim, *“* Well, get along away from bere, then!” Burke ordered, “‘1f I fing you bere by this door again Dl kick nares in weer 7 “Me allee light now,” cried Bill erfully. “‘Me go "long. Good-by !” y, cheerfully And along be went, down the stairs, and out of the house. Burke followed him down, having started on an errand when he opened the door, and when Billy left the house he looked after him closely. Billy, however, never once turned his head to look back, but kept on his way, turned the cor- ner, and was out of sight in no time, ‘*Sweet pertaters!” he muttered, ‘but that was a close rub to getting into a peck o’ trouble sure pop. It makes me think ’'m a boy again, almost, Never took up a case yet that didn’t get me into some sort of a diffikilty before I got done with it. Now I must get off this rig and put on another.” He went home, and there found fat Skinny, ** Hello!” Billy cried, you here, Skin?” “Tt looks like me, don’t it?” _“ Yes, that’s so. A fellow can see you now, right plain. Time was when there was no finding you, even with a glass.” “On! dry up!” ‘* Well, where did you leave your man?” Billy inqvired. “Why, I had followed bim to the house where the girl is, where he took a look at rg | Place, had a few words with you, and went nD. Some more What is the 9 ** How did you know it was me?” “T thought so then, and when I got here I asked your mom whatrig you had on. Now your own appearance proves it right up.” ** Didn’t know whether you spotted me or not. You did good work on that trail. But, where did you leave him?” ‘“ Why, over at No. — —— street.” ‘* Sweet pertaters!” ‘* What’s the matter now?” ‘*Matter enough. That is where Gil Brand lives!” ‘* And who the mischief is Gil Brand?” ‘‘That’s so; you haven’t been posted on that lay, have you.” The old ranger and the mothers were giving all attention, and often putting in a word, but no need to quote them. ‘***Course I haven’t,” responded Skinny. “What has he got todo with the matter, any- how? Is he in it with the rest of them?’ ‘* Well, rather,” ** How?” Billy told what his experience had been after taking his leave of the lean—now fat—lieuten- ant, thus posting Skinny on the latest to date. “This is getting to bea complicated mix of mess,” Billy presently remarked, ‘‘ That young lady has gotto be got out of the hands of the foe, or something is going to happen yet so we’ll lose track of her, “T wouldn’t be ’ary bit s’prised,” observed the ranger, “Tl tell you what, Billy,” spoke up Mrs. Weston, Me 1 hex let’s hear from you, mom,” Billy in- vited, ‘Why don’t you rescue the poor dear and bring her here?” ‘Bully fer you!” cried Billy. “ That is just what_we will do with her, if-we can get her. But, I musv slick up and take a trip up to‘Head- quarters,” ‘* Headquarters!” cried Skinny. ‘*That’s what I said,” ‘Billy assured. ‘I haven’t been to pay my respects to the in- spector yet, and I’m going now. I want a badge, and a right to call on some of his boys when I need them,” CHAPTER X. BILLY'S HEART BEATS HIGH. THERE was some further talk all around, after which Billy retired to lay off his Chinese disguise, and adopt his\own proper attire once more, When he came forth be was himself again. He had put in his pockets such papers as oc- casion might require him to exhibit to the in- spector, as well as his San Francisco badge, and was ready to set out. “What am I to do?” asked Skinny. *“T don’t know, now, unless you take a rest while [am gone,” Billy answered. ‘He can be company for me,” Roger sug- gested. ‘Sorry to leave you here all the time, Roger,” said Billy, then, “but, there don’t seem to be any part for you to play this act. But, you need rest, anyhow, and the women need some one to talk to them or they would have the blues, for sure,” * You see that you don’t forget the week you have promised me, when you get done with this case,” urged Mrs, Weston. * All right, mom! I'll shut my eyes when I get Gone, and walk straight home, and I’ll stay in the house all the whole week; then I'll be sure I won't see anything to give me the fever,” With a ligbt laugh he was gone. A short time later found him at Headquarters, Here he was not altogether a stranger, and he went right in, and into the inner office, without asking permission of any one. Some officers around looked at him, but con- sidered from his independent air he must know where he was going and whom he wanted to see, so offered no hindrance. As he entered he found the inspector in con- versation with a young man of about twenty-five, a good-looking, dark haired fellow, who seemed considerably anxious about something. the inspector looked up, and ina moment was on his feet, exclaiming: ‘* Broadway Billy!” i. plead guilty,” responded Billy, with a smile, The inspector took his hand and shook it warmly, giving him a hearty welcome home, _ The young man looked on with something of interest during the few moments so occupied, but the inspector soon asked Billy to sit down and wait, and turned again to business. * As you were saying?” he started his visitor, ‘* Well, that is allI can tell you. Ihave no clew to offer, but there is no mistake about what I have told you. Tomkins Green is here in this city, and the young lady is in his power—” ‘Sweet pertaters!” So exclaimed Billy, and be was on bis feet in an instant. “Hello!” exclaimed the inspector, ‘‘this young gentleman knows something about the case, Il bet!” ** 1}] bet he does, too,” cried Billy. ‘* Say,” to the young man, ‘‘isn’t your name Bronson Pender?” “Tt is, sir.” “T knew it! And you are from Phila- delphia?” ** Yes, yes,” ‘*Good! Inspector, I have got the bulge on this case, and 1t was partly that that brought me here,” ‘*Is it possible? Let’s hear how much you know about 1t.” ““Why, lknow this Tomkins Green and his wife came here this morning from Philade}phia, bringing with them a young lady named Laura Wardley. She wasa prisoner in their power, and was guarded by a man and woman named Burke Wedger and Mary Ann, bis wife.” ‘* Heavens!” cried Pender, ‘‘ you are right. What more do you know? Can you tell me where Miss Wardley is now?” --“*- Yes, 1 know where she is, and was talking with her not so very long ago.” ‘* Then she is alive and well?” “ce Yes.” “Thank God. once,” ‘* Go a little slow!” Billy advised, ‘* We can’t doitallat once, Let’s talk the thing over a little first.” * But, I must get ber out of their power as soon as possible, I would not bave her remain in their hands another hour, now that I know where she is,” ‘* Which you do not know, yet,” the inspec- tor reminded, ‘‘ Give this young man bis own time, Mr. Pender, and everything will come out all right. He is a young detectivein whom I have the greatest confidence.” Broadway Billy’s heart gave a great bound, in spite of himself, At last, the great goal of bis ambition had been reached, and from the inspector’s own lips bad come the thrilling words. It had always been the dream of his youthful career one day to gain the confidence of this man, and now that day had come! If he felt proud and highly elated we may excuse it, ‘““The fact of the business is,” he said, ‘‘ the thing isn’t quite ripe, and the game mustn’t be blocked just yet. Our man Green is playing a fine game, and when I pull the string I want him to be one of the rascals todance, It will be all ready to-ni- ht, bowever.” ‘*- You may tell us all about it, if you like,” tke inspector bere suggested. Billy thereupon gave him the history of the case from beginning to end, and his story was listened to with close attention, “You have been doing good work,” the inspector complimented, ‘* Tobe sure you have been lucky in several points, but Juck is as much a matter of brains as anything e2e.” “Yes, there was luck about it, or I wouldn’t have got any of the facts,” Billy declared. ‘That is allright, sir. How about that medal you got in San Francisco?” Billy blushed to the roots of bis hair. ‘How did you know anything about that?” be asked. The inspector smiled, ““T heve a way of knowing a good many things, Billy,” he answered, ‘‘ Let me see it, will you?” ‘You seem to think pretty sure lve got it with me,” ‘*T know you have, together{with other things you would like me to see,” Billy felt that he was no match for this man. His very thoughts seemed to be read at will by the keen-eyed inspector, Without any more ado Billy showed his badge and some papers in which he bad some pride, and justly, too, and the inspector looked at them with real interest, ‘¢ Billy,” he said, when he had done, “ you are a credit to New York, I have had my eye upon you for a long time, and I know what the aim of your ambition has been, lam going to give you a chance.” ‘*[ might make a good hand to sweep out office, and the like,” Billy suggested, in his dry way. You must take me to her at Se » J ~ oe sheet - ' REA BL ee ee ri tiles Sk aa, RR ee a ee per an Se park OFF ; P
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10 ‘Nonsense, Iam going to put this case of Mr Pender’s into your bands, where it nowis, and let you work it out in your own way. When you have wound it up I want you to come and see me,” “But,” said Billy, ‘‘I came here to ask help, sir. I don’t—” ‘*Here is all the help you need, and I guess this is what you would Jike to ask for, anybow, Take it, and call on any of my men at any time. If San Francisco can honor you with a badge I guess New York can do tbe same.” To say that Broadway Billy was proud and happy would but tamely express in words his actual feelings. “Thank you, sir,” he said, ‘Pll do as you say, and I'll try and take care not to disgrace the badge,” ‘“*T know you well enough for that. Now, Mr. Pender, you confide everything to Mr. Weston here, and trust him, and everything will come out all right. I had no hope of being able to help you much, when you told me our story, for once let such rascals get lost in New York and it takes time to find them. You see what Weston bas done already, and 1 guess you can have confidence in him.” With that the inspector dismissed them, turn- ing at once to his papers, and there was vothing for them to do but withdraw. Billy led the way out, and together they left the building. ‘* How soon will you get the young Jady out of their hated power?’ Pender asked as they walk- edaway. “T could do it right away, I suppose,” Billy answered. “Then why not doit, and let every other con- sideration slip?” ‘* You heard the reasons I gave the inspector,” “Yes; and, to tell you the truth, I couldn’t have much confidence in you, only for the name he has got, and the way he seemed to think so well of you.” “Well, if you can have a little confidence, so much the better. You won’t be so likely to spoil my fue. But, I want to know more about this business, Will you tell me all about it?” * What is it you want to know?” “ Well, what is the rascally game this sleek Green is playing?” “Why, this Robert Howmark is a nephew of his, you see, aud he bhasselected bim as a husband for Miss Wardley. He, Green, is her guardian, you see, and means to get ber fortune away from her if he can, or some ofit, anyhow. He is giv- ing Howmark this chance, on condition that Howmark is to pay him ten thousand dollars when he gets bis hands on the money.” ** The old rascal!” ‘You may well say so. He tried me on that bait at first, after I and the lady were secretly engaged, and before I knew anything about her expectations, and he got his answer in few words, After tbat he forbade me the house, and sent Laura away. It was some time before Ilearnod where she was, but at last I found out, and tried to help her, but that brute of a Burke Wedger was always around to balk me. I bad my eye on them, however, and a secret spy after them, and no sooner had they taken train for New York than I was informed, and I came here in a hurry. But, I was too late, for they had got into the city, and were, as the inspector said, lost.” “Well, the lost is found, now, and if there isn’t some rattling among the dry bones, it will be funny. I want you to go with me to-night, Mr. Pender, and you can bave the satisfaction of seeing the rascals trapped.” “Nothing would suit me better, and I will tell Green what I think of him, too, although he knows that pretty well already.” ** Sweet pertaters!” “What's that? What did you say?” “*That’s only a way I have of going off, when an idee hits me hard, that’s all, and one hit me just then pretty solid.” : The young man laughed, ‘* What is it?” he asked, ‘““Wry, we'll play them a good trick, if every- thing works so wecan. How will that suit you?” ‘* Tt is according to what the trick is.” Billy explained it as they went along, and Pender fell in with the plan at once. If every- thing worked favorably, there was going to bea surprise for somebody before many hours passed by. No need to explain what it was here. CHAPTER XI, NAILING SOME FACTS, THE ‘Rev. B. Greene Graceaway” and bis “@:, in their rooms at the hotel, received a caller late in the afternoon. Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective, This time the personage was a clergyman in fact, and avery wellknown one. He greeted Graceaway ina proper brotherly fashion, and sat down to learn the business that was required of him. He bad been sent for and requested to call at the hotel at this hour, ‘*T will tell you, sir, what it is,” said Grace- away. ‘I am the guardian of a very self-willed young lady, who has set my authority at defiance in more ways than one, Her latest caprice was to run away and come here to New York.” ‘* Indeed.” ‘*Exactly. You see, sir, she fancies she is in love witha yourg man who isin no wise her social equal, and whom she positively must not marry, On the other hand my nephew, rich and talented, is eager to marry ber, and at last I have partly got the girl’s promise to marry him.” ‘*Then you bave found her?” ‘* Yes; and, like the prodigal, she has seen the error of her way, bas had a taste of the bitter side of life, and is ready to admit that perbaps we, my wife and I, know a little more than she, and that we are her best friends after all.” ‘* Well, there is some hope, then, I sbould say.” ‘*Exactly. Now, the final arrangement is, to have her and my nephew meet here in these rooms at ten to-night, and have the ceremony erformed. I desire you to be here to officiate. being ber guardian prefer to have another tie the knot for them, you see.” **T see; and though tke hour is rather later than I could wish, I will be on hand,” “That is something that cannot be helped. You see, we bave had to order some suitable clothes for the young woman, and woman’s clothes cannot be made to order in a moment.” “ True, true,” ‘* However, your reward will be such as to make up for the inconvenience of the hour.” ‘*T will be here, I promise, Brother Grace- away.” There was some other talk, and the genuine clergyman took his leave, while the sham preach- er turned to bis wife, rubbing his sleek hands, and they exchanged a meaning smile. An hour later they bad another caller. This time it was a member of the legal frater- nity, or one who claimed to be. He was, in truth, a ‘‘shyster,” one who was ready for avy sort of work that came to hand, particularly such cases as his more respectable brethren declined. ‘* Gracea way ?” be inquired. ‘“*The same,” was the response, Fudgley?”’ ‘* At your service, sir. Whatis the nature of the business I understand you want done?” ** Sit down and Jet me explain in full.” The shyster sat and the sleek rascal began to unfold his tale, ‘*T know thekind of man you are, Mr. Fudg- ley,” be began, ‘‘and let me tell you rigbt at the start that this little business is going to put two hundred dollars into your pocket, if you serve me well,” “Ab!” the shyster exclaimed, rubbing bis hands around and around vigorously, as though to clean them of everything else for the time being. ‘* You may count on me, sir.” ‘*T know it, sir. 1 know toe man I am deal- ing. witb,” udgley washed his hands some more, ‘**'You flatter me, sir,” he declared. ‘*T don’t mean to, though; I mean to Lire you for a certain bit of work, paying you well for it. I will give you the price I said; a on mati many a poor devil has to toil a month or. ‘* Longer than that, sir.” ‘We are talking of men with any claim to a profession, Professions are supposed to yield more than trades. But, this is not to the point. Give me your close attention, now.” “rou have it, sir. Not a point shall escape me. “ Well, to begin witb, Iam the guardian of a young lady. Nothing strange about that, in itself, but this particular young lady is worth a cool guage of a million in her own right.” oc al ‘*' You are **That is the point.” ‘*T should think so, if there is any point to it at all.” ‘*Now, Lam going to be plain with you, and let you right into the whole thing, so that you can see just what is required of you.” ** That is right.” ; ‘*This young woman has her mind made up to marrya certain young man, whois as poor as a i and who is only after her money. ou see “T see,” ‘*On the other hand, I have a nephew who is going mad about her, and yet he is not aware that she is worth a dollar. Do you see?” “cc [ see,” ** Now, for the reason that [ will tell you pri- vately, lam more in favor of my nephew for her husband than I am a stranger.” **T think I see that, too.” “Well, think what you please about it, that is the fact, What is the use of allowing this money to go out of the family?” ‘* Sheer madness to do so,” ‘¢] think so. My nephew will come in for the bulk of it, and he will see that I donot want, for putting the golden opportunity in his way.” oF see,” . ‘“* Now, here is the thing boiled right down, I want you to draw up a legal paper for this lady, to sign as soon as she becomes the wife of my nephew, in which she does willingly and freely, and so forth, transfer everything to her husband, ' Can you do that?” ‘*To be sure | can.” y “That is the idea, then. She is to be married here to-night, in these rooms, and you are to be on band, As soon as the knot has been tied you will have the paper ready for her name, and I will see that she signs it, willingly, Thenit wilh be properly witnessed, and the deed is done.” ** How does she hold this property, sir?” ‘* It is money, sir; hard cash. It is to be hers when she comes of legal age, which will be three years hence, Or, it is to be hers when she mar- ries, no matter what ber age may be.’ “Then it isall plain sailing. Now, sir, the names of these persons, and I will be prepared to serve you truly and well.” ‘The name of my nephew is Robert How- mark, That of my ward is Laura Wardley. But, bear in mind, at the time of her sgning this document her name will be Mrs, Robert Howmark, Don’t forget that.” ‘‘Ha! that isso, 1 will bear that in mind. But, I will make it all right, sir; I wili make it allright, and it will be so binding that nothing on earth can alter its force when once it has been signed.” “That is good; that is the way I want it.” ‘That is the way you shall haveit. And, the two bundred—” ‘* You shall have it, all in bright new bills like these, as soon as the job is done,” He displayed a wad of fresh bills as he spoke, to whet the shyster’s appetite for the reward that had been promised. There was some further talk over the matter in hand, and the shyster took his leave, washing bis bands all the wey down to the street, a broad smile on his face, When he was gone from the room the pre- tending parson turned to his wife. ‘* Tt is working well, Naucy,” be observed. ‘¢ Yes, if the girl can only be made to do our will.” ‘* And she shall, if we have to half kill her, that I swear.” ; ‘* Yes, for it won’t do to fail now, after all the trouble we have gone to in the matter.” ‘¢T don’t know any such word as fail, in this business, I have another plan in mind, if she does refuse out any out,” What is that? ‘The one I have binted at before. Getting some one else to play her part in the busi- ness,” * But, would it stand in law?” ‘* Every witness would have to swear to what he sees,” ‘*True; but the identity of the persor. How ~ would you get around that? I am afraid there is but one way.” ‘* The ** parson ’ scratched his bead. “That is the sticker,” he had to admit, — ‘* Well, all the more reason why she must and shall marry Robert.” : ; ‘What time are we to go where she is?” ‘* We must be there nat inte than nine.” ‘That will give us scapt time.” ‘Shall we make it an hour earlier, then?” ‘** Yes, I think you had better do that.” “T guess you are right. I will send word around at once,” No more was said, and a few moments later the ‘* parson” left the room and went out of the house, ing room, 3 his room was part of a suite, and between © the two apartments were large folding-doors, now locked. tide This is no unusual thing in the larger hotels. _ When the full suite is wanted, there it is; but, when smaller apartments are wanted, but equal- ¢ Let us take a look for a moment in an adjoin- # | —
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ly well located, then the suite is made into two smaller ones, In the other room, then, at the time these things were taking place, with his ear pressed into service, was no other personage than Broad- way Billy. ; With him, too, was Bronson Pender, now with a false beard on, in order to escape recog- nition in case he should meet his enemy in the hotel. Billy had taken the precaution. When the rascal left the other room, Billy and Pender sprung up and clasped hands ina hearty shake. Both were smiling, and were delighted at the success of a plan Billy had happened to think of after their leaving Headquarters. “What do you think of it now?’ Billy asked, in low voice. ‘They deserve prison, the whole lot of them,” was the answer, “You are right; that is to say, all but the genuine preacher, He will] be useful.” “Yes, thatisso, But, we must be moving, or something may turn up to balk our plans, I could never forgive myself if anything bap- pened to Laura,” ““Don’t worry about your Laura. My part- ner will have his eye out for her, if she gets away from one place and is taken to another, But we must be up and doing; so, come along.” CHAPTER XII, SOME UNDERHAND PLOTTING, Fatty-SkINNY’s report concerning the man he had been set to watch had been correct, of course. Jake Washers—that was the fellow’s name— had gone to the home of Gil Brand, which was also his own home, and there Skinny left him, Like Billy when afcer Brand, Skinny had made sure it was the fellow’s abiding-place, and that was all be cared about for the present. He og up the trail and returned to the home- ase, When Jake Washers entered he sought Gil Brand at once, and found him at home. ** Hello!” Gil exclaimed, when he saw who it was, ‘‘ what brings you home at this bour? Whatis wanted? Come for me?” ‘* Well, I wanted to see ye,” was the answer, “How would you like to go in with me and make a fortune? I think I’ve got one right where I kin lay my hands on it, and a sure thing.” ‘** Nobody but a fool would refuse ter make his poceane if chance offered,” Gil declared, immedi- ately. ** Then you'll do it?” f dy n, if it’s aape! safe.” - ell, it is as e as anything you gen’! take hold of.” sar Lath id ‘* What is it?” z Help me get a gal in my power and marry r ‘* That is a new thing in your line, that is sure. When do ye mean ter do it?” “ Right away to-night,” ‘“*Can’t do it; Pve got somethin’ else on hand.” ** What is it?” eo in which another gal is concern- ‘* How much is there in it?” “4 hundred.” “Tl give ye two hundred, if you'll help me.” “Where would you git two bundred dollars?” ** Well, I haven’t got it now, that’s so; but it is there, sure pop, and as soon as I git hold of the gal it’s mine.” Jake had dropped into the free and easy man- ner of th that came most natural to him, though he could use better language, as we have seen, _ He was not a bad looking fellow, a little older than Robert Howmark, and he believed he would be able to carry the point be bad in mind; that was, he could make the girl marry him, “Tt won’t do,” Gil Brand objected. ‘ Ready oy comes before money protised, every ime, “Then I'll have to get somebody else to take : hold with me, that’s all,” 3 I guess you'll have to.” _“* You see, Gil, 1 thought I could bring the gal here and youand your wife could hold fast to her for me till I had carried my point.” Can’t be done. One cese of that kind on hand at a time is enough, We couldn't do any- thing with two stolen gals in the house at once, _ Burke Wedger has got first chance—” “Burke Wer ger!” “‘That’s what I said,” Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective. ‘* What gal is it he is interested in?’ Jake had sprung to his feet, now, and appear- ed enly excited, “Why, some gal he is going ter wring some money out of. But, what has come over ye all of a suddent?” ‘**)’ll bet a dollar it’s the same one!” “Ther same gal?” “ce Yes,” “Git out! How kin it be ther same one? Who is this one you mean? What bas Burke got ter do with her?” f **T tell you what it is, Gil, it is the same one, and here’s a double chance for you to make a big stake. It is the same one, and I know it.” ‘** How do you know it?” ‘* Because Burke isn’t interested in but one gal just now. He brought her from Philadelphia this morning, and she is going to be forced to marry a fellow to-night, against her will—” ‘“*Tt is ther same one, Jake, and that’s a fact, How did you git onto it? What interest have you init? Tell me ther bull story.” “*T happen to know the fellow they want her to marry. He has told me all about it. He owes me money, and has been telling me of this thing for a month or more. As soon as he gets hold of the girl’s money he is going to square up, But, I have got a game worth two of that.” * What is it?” “‘ Haven’t I told you already?” ““ Not that I know of.” ‘“-Yes, Ihave, The girl is rich in her own name, and the fellow she marries is going to be fixed for life. I made up my mind to knock Robert out and marry the girl myself.” ‘‘ Not a bad idee; but, would she have ye?” “‘She’d have to, whether she wanted to or not. lll make her do it, or it will be the worse for her. And if you will cbeat Burke and help me, there will be a big thing in it for you,” : You said thers was a double chance for me it. ‘* And so there is.” “ How ” “Why, if I fail in my plans, then we can make Burke come down handsomely and give the girl back to bim,” “It looks good enough, Jake, but you don’t want to forget as you go along that Burke Wedger is a migt ty bad sort of man ter cross,” ‘*T am not afraid of him.” ‘‘Nur me, nuther, but be’d as leev shoot a fel- ler as not,” ‘“Wecan all play at that game, But, what do yesay? What is bis game, anyhow, that he wants you to take the girl?” ‘“ Why, he-is goin’ ter make the other fellers come up higher "fore he lets’em have her.” ‘It isa sort of sbarp game all around, then, ain’t it?” © z Yes; and the sharpest man is going to win ‘‘And there’s another thing about it, too, Jake,” ** What is that?” ‘* Why, it looks as if we have either got to pull together, er else fight bead against each other.” . “That is a fact. You have either got to help me, or lose all, and I will be the one who will count the dollars all alone.” ‘“*Mebby you will. I kin expose your little skeem to Burke, and so balk you all around, See?” ‘And that won’t do atall. Gil, if we work togetber we are going to win, and notbin’ can stop us. Come in with me, and I'll go halves with you,” ‘* Even if you marry the girl?’ “cc Yes.” “111 do it, by great guns!” ‘And if I can’t marry her, then we'll bleed Burke, and you can go shares with me in that,” “T don’t know about that. That is my own case, and you hadn’t orter come in for a sbare of that.’ ‘‘Then it means a fight between us on that, We had better have it all understood before we in,’ ** That’s so.” : ‘Ha! here is the idea, and more money in it, too!” ““What is iti” “‘ Say you’ll share and sbare alike, all around; that is, you ang me: and Tl put you onto the best thing yet, that is to say, providing my plau don’t work,” ‘** Well, all right, if I must. What is it?” ‘You swear you'll keep your word?” one ** Well, if the marrving game don’t work, then we'll step over Burke’s head and deal with the man that is most interested, and make him ‘ ime sitetag sy et ae me be come down with a cool thousand. How does that strike you?” ** Hal now youaretalking. Thatis something worth fighting for.” The two rascals sbook hands over it, and begam to lay plans, trying to leave nothing undone to insure the success of their villainous plot. Night came on, and when it was about dark Gil Brand went to keep his appointment with Burke Wedger. He found Burke waiting for bim, and im- mediately they began planning the scheme, Pievious to this, Broadway Billy, in rough attire, bad paid anotber visit to the house, and bad bad a few words of conversation with the prisoner, as before. “Well,” asked Gil, in low tone, ‘how are ye going to work it?” ‘¢T have been tryin’ to think out a good plan,” answered Burke, ‘‘ but can’t seem to get hold of the right thing.” * Well, let’s hear how close ye have come to it. ‘The only thing I bave half-settled on is two things; that is to say, ove of ’em, whichever you think is best,” ‘‘Out with ’em, then.” “Well, one is, to take the gal right cut by force, and take her to your bouse and have done with it.” . “ That’s a good one, if it wasn’t that she might make a fuss, draw ’tention, and so make a mess of the hull thing for us. What's t’other?” ‘* Well, thiat was, to let her have a chance to get away, and when she is on the move bave your wife meet her and get her to go home with her— ‘That won't do. gettin’ away.” “That’s what I thought, and I think the first is best.” ‘*And that won't do, fer the same reason, Now, let me tell ye a plan I have in my head. 1 have been thinkin’ some about it, too.” ‘* Well, what is your idea?” ‘“You, and your wife, make a bargain with the gal, offerin’ to let her escape if she will promise to pay you five bundred dollars when she gets her boodle, She will bite at that bait quick enough, Then, to impress on her mind tbat you mean biz, make her sign a paper ’fore ye will let her go. See?” ‘That is the best yet,” spoke up Burke’s wife. ‘*T b’lieve it 1s,” agreed Burke, ‘‘ Then,” continued Brand, ‘* when it has been fixed all right, so as to blind the girl and make her think it’s all a real thing, you offer to go out. and get a cab for ber, telling her the driver will take ber to a place where a good woman wilk care for ber till morning, when she can go back to Philadelphia.” ‘‘ First rate!” Burke cried. ‘‘ That will do it right brown, Mary Ann, you go right in and tell the girl the story, for you are just the one to do that, and if she agrees to the plan we will carry it outin a hurry. We have got to be quick about it, anyhow, for the parson is com- ing here an hour earlier than we looked for him.” Too many chances of her CHAPTER XIII, FROM FRYINGPAN TO FIRE. THE woman went into the room where the fair prisoner was, Of course the foregoing conversation had been in too low a tone for the girl to overbear. ‘* Well, how are you, pretty one?” she asked, “Oh, if you would only take pity on me, Mrs. Wedger!” the girl cried. ‘* Are you so determined not to marry the man your guardian wants you to marry, poor child?” the woman asked, Her softened tone surprised the girl, “Oh! if you could only know!” she cried. “Won't you please let me go, Mrs, Wedger?” The woman sat down and paused in a thought- ful way. ‘« We have been talking this thing over, Burke and me,” she suid, ‘‘and we have made up our minds that it is playing it rough on you. But, you see, if we let you go we lose money.” “No! No, you will not lose money! Only let me go, and when I get my money I will pay you double what that wretch would give you. I promise it—I swear I will do what I say. Won't you let me go?” ‘* How much would you promise to pay?” a Anything you demand; anything that 1 can ay. at Would you pay five bundred dollars?” “Yes! Yes!” ** But where will you go if we let you out?” Se
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12 Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective. ‘*T don’t know; I would go anywhere rather than fall! into his hands again,” ** But, you bave no money.” ** No; but Ido not care for that.” “New York is a bad place to be alune in without money. Might almost as well be in a howlin’ wilderness,” ** Oh, Ican find some one who will befriend me, I can go to the police and ask them to tale care of me and send for—for some friend at Pouauel- phia,” ** No, that won’t do, my dear.” ““Then you have only raised my hopes to dash them at once?” ‘*No; but it won’t do for you to go out alone without money or friends. We are short of anoney ourselves, or we’d belp you.” ‘*Then what am I to do?” ‘* You wait till I go talk to Burke a minute.” The woman returned to the otber room, ‘* Well, what does she say?” Burke demanded, in the same low, guarded tone, ‘*Sbe is willin’, She will give anything she’s got to get away.” The woman told what bad passed between her and the girl, and the twomen gave close atten- tion to her words. ‘That is all we want,” said Gil Brand, ‘I will go out and get the rig, and you do the rest, I'll be back here in no time.” ‘All right; and don’t make no bungle of it, fer we depend on you, now, you see, and your pay depends on our success.” ‘** 1m fly, you bet,” With that Gil was off, and Burke and his wife turned their attention to their part of the bate- ful scheme, The woman went into the other room, released the girl, and brought her out to face her master, meane woman had to acknowledge the brute to ‘Well, my gal, you want ter git away, do ye?” Burke said. “Oh! if you will only give me thechance!” ‘“‘ Well, that is what we think of doin’, if you do what we want ye to do.” ““T'll do anything you say.” ‘* Ye see, we have made up our minds that we ain’t gettin’ enough out of this thing fer the work we are doin’ and the risk we are takin’, and so we're goin’ ter give you a chance,” ‘*Only tell me what I must do,” * Well, you must sign a paper, sayin’ that you will pay us five hundred dollars as soon as you get your money, and sayin’ also that you won’t never bring this thing up against us,” **T will do that willingly, oh! so willingly!” “That is all right; but, when you get ont you won’t. know where to go, and ye may get into wuss trouble than you are in here. How about that?” ‘*T will take the risk of that.” “You don’t know what New York is, my gal. Now, hee’s a little game Mary Ann and me have beeu thinkin’ out.” ‘* What is it?” * Well, ye see it is all to our interest that ye don’t come to no barm, fer if ye do we will be out all around.” * Yes, that is so,” ‘* Now, Mary Ann has a friend, a ruther good woman, who will take keer of yea day or so, and we want yetogothere. I have sent out fera kerridge to take ye there and you must go,” ** You are not trying to deceive me?” “Does it look like it? Here we are cheatin’ your guardian, and givin’ up all we expected to pogo of him, I guess it shows fer itself, don’t i ‘*Yes, yes! When will the carriage be here?” “Mighty soon, Ill fix the paper while Mary Ann gits you ready.” “Allright, but be quick about it. Oh! how ean I ever repay you for this act of kind- ness?” ‘Oh, it ain’t so much kindness as it is busi- ness, so don’t think we are angels yet.” Burke busied himself with some writing at once, while the woman put a shaw! around the girl, adjusted her bat on, and made her ready. ‘* There!” exclaimed Burke, when he had fin- ished, ‘this covers the ground, I reckon, It says you are to pay us five hundred when you git your boodle, and that you ain’t tosay nothin’ about this little racket.” ‘*Give me the pen,” the girl hurried, It was put into her hand, and she signed her name to the paper, ** Now,” she cried, ‘let me go, I have done my part, don’t for Heaven's sake refuse to do yours,” ““No fear of that, me gal. The rig will be here in short order, and then you willsoon be out of reach of your hated guardian.” diy ew e ot souk EE: PERT PAIR . rs tc Just then came a lond knock at the door, Burke opened it, and it was Gil Brand, who stepped in, “The cab is ready and waitin’, sir,” said he, **cordin’ to your orders,” ‘* Allright, You are to take this young lady to the house of Mr. Gil Brand, and tell his wife to take the best of care of her as long as she wants to stay. You know where the place is,” ‘* Yes, | know.” ‘All right, Don’t let anything happen to the lady, and see that she gets safe in Mrs. Brand’s house before you leave ber.” “All right, Come right along with me, lady.” ‘* Yes, you go with him, my dear,” urged the woman. ‘ He will take you to the woman we told you about,” ‘** And, mind one thing,” added Burke. ‘* Don’t forget this paper I hold, and don’t you try to go back on it, when you get mage your friends again. lf you do, it won’t be well fer ye, that’s all,” “Oh! I will keep my word, surely I will.” The girl burried out after Gil Brand, who led the way down to the street. As soon as they were out the door he took her by the hand and led her to acab that was in waiting, and hurried her into it. Closing the door with a snap, he sprung up beside the driver and away the vehicle went, at alively pace, the girl not knowing where she was being taken. Nor was that the worst. No sooner had she been thrust into the cab than she found herself in the presence of an unknown man, one whom she had never seen before, and fear seized her at once, ‘* Who are you, sir?” she demanded, ** My name is Jacob Washers,” was the prompt answer, ‘* And what are you doing here? I was to have tbis cab alone, I thought.” “Tam merely going along to see that you reach your destination all right,” the man an- swered, ‘* By whose orders?” * Now, never you mind that. You are going to be taken care of all right, and that is all you need worry about.” Laura’s fears began to increase, but she tried to think perhaps it was all right. Perhaps it was only a precaution Burke Wedger bad taken, so that he would pot lose her, since her safety was his only security for the money she had promised to pay him, The cab rolled on, and nothing more was said between them, The man kept his seat, did not offer in any way to molest her, and so she was coming to think it was as she bad thought it out. Presently the cab stopped, and Mf.. Washers opened the door and sprung out, offering his band to her, and there was nothing for ber todo but accept his offered belp. Brand was down from the top at the same time, and as soon as her feet touched the ground she was burried across the sidewalk and into a house before she bad time to think or act, The door closed after her, snd she was bur- ried on up the stairs, now screaming with fright, and into a room at the rear. ‘*Here you are, my lady,” cried the man Washers. ‘* What do you mean, ruffians?” the girl cried, springing away from them, and drawing her figure to its full height, in a naturally tragic way, her eyes flashing. ‘* Keep cool a minute and we'll tell you what it means,” was the response. ‘*T demand my release at once, sir!” ‘You won’t get it.” ** Burke Wedger lied to me, then, did he?” ‘“*We have got the bulge on him, my lady! This is our game, now.” ‘* And what are you going to do with me?” “Well, if you are ready to hear it, I suppose I may as well tell you now as any time.” ‘* T demand to know at once,” ** Well, I know all about your trouble with your guardian, and about his wanting you to marry Bob Howmark.” Well?” ‘“ We are going to help you out of that fix.” ** And how?” ‘““We will give you your choice of two chances,” ‘* Name them!” * The first is, to marry me. I am—” ** You insult me!” ‘* Perhaps; but that is the situation.” ‘*T will take my own life first! You will drive me to do that, I demand you to’set me free, and that at once! Do you hear? At once!” CHAPTER XIV. ‘““THERE IS MANY A SLIP,” Git BRAND stood with bis back against the com while Jake Washers was nearer to the girl. Both laughed at her, in a manner that was not calcnlated to soften her anger any. She saw how helplessly in their power she was, ** ‘You need not get so bigh about it,” Wasbers said, ‘‘ Weare not going to let you get away from us, you can bet on that. You will either Fhe me or we wiil sell you back to your guar- ian, ‘*T will never marry you, you villain! nor will you ever put me in the power of my guar- dian, I tell you I will kill myself before I will submit to either, I am desperate, now, and mean just what I say. If I do that, my blood will be on your heads, and I will baunt you while you live.” ‘* That sounds all right, but such talk as that belongs to blood-and thunder drama, my dear, This is real life, as you will find before you are done with it. Now, let us consider the matter. I offer myself as your husband, I am as good as Rob Howmark, and maybe a little better. I won't brag of that. Anyhow, you might go further and fare worse.” The helpless girl had turned her back to bim. “Then, if you don’t cotton to me, after a fair trial, you could settle a good portion of your property on me and we'd part company, See? All I am after anyhow is your money; I don’t care particularly about you.” The girl turned instantly to face him. “Tf that is so,” she cried, ‘* you are welcome to the money. I will give you every dollar of it if you will only let me go,” The fellow laughed at that, **That sounds pretty, too,” he said, ‘‘ but it can’t be worked,” ‘*] mean what I say. I will pay you any amount you demand, if I have the money to pay it— ‘* Don’t say any more, please. You haven’t the money,and you can’t have it for twoor three years yet, unless you marry. If you marry, the man you marry will come in for it and I must be that man,” ‘*¢ Never!” Just then many heavy steps were heard below, and the two men looked at each other, their faces paling. ‘* What does that mean?” cried Jake. **T don’t know,” Gilanswered, ‘‘ Somethin’ is wrong.” There caine more and more of the steps, and they were mounting the stairs, Now thoroughly alarmed, the two rascals opened the door and looked out into tbe ball, As they did so, the light from tbe room they were in disclosed the place the intruders were in search of, and they sprung forward at once, “This way!” a voice called out, and Broadway Billy, revolver in band, sprung up the few re- maining stairs and forward at the door, the others right at his heels. Billy it was, with fat Skinny, Bronson Pender avd balf a dozen policemen at his back. With an oath, Gil Brand tried to close the door, but Billy got his foot in it to prevent that, and the next instant Pender and a policeman bad their shoulders against it. Others were right at band, and in a moment the door was hurled open, only to disclose the rascals trying to make their escape by a window, ‘Hold there!” cried Billy. ‘If you get out you'll drop dead to the ground, and here’s what says so!” The fellows glanced over their shoulders, and saw the resolute faces of the young detective and those with him, together with the weapons they had in band, and it made them hesitate. hat settled it, “Up with your hands,” Billy ordered, ‘or I'll drill you as quick as a Texas ranger can drill a coyote!” By this time the frightened girl recognized her lover, and with a cry of joy she threw herself into his arms, sobbing. : ‘“* Looks like it’s all up, Jake,” said Gil Brand, in undertone, ‘*- Yes; curse the luck!” ** Hands up!” Billy ordered again, ‘If you hesitate one second more we'll shoot you down in your tracks!” Their hands went up. No sooner done than Billy and one of the officers had handcuffs on them, ‘“* How do you like that?” Billy asked, ‘t That is the end such fellows as you are bound to come to, sooner or later,”
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“We'll live to fix you fer this,” growled Brand. ‘‘Who in blazes are you?” demanded Jake Washers, ‘*T used to be known as Broadway Billy, and [ guess the name will always hang tome,” was Billy’s response. ‘* Well, curse you, we'll remember the name, and you will hear from us later, so don’t forget that. We will fix you out for this dir ty trick,” “That’s all right. You arelikely to takea vacation first, however.” The officers had them, now, and Billy giving them some directions they took the ruffians off and away. When they had gone, Billy and the others sat down for a consultation, It lasted for a considerable time, and ended only when some of the officers returned. ‘* Leaving the house in their carriage, and the irl still in the room, as though yet a prisoner, Billy, Skinny, and Pender went away. It was some time later on, when the chief rascal, the so-called parson, and his wife, made their appearance at the house where they sup- ‘eon the girl to be in the power of their tools, They were partly in disguise, the man havin laid off his shiny silk hat for a slouch one, an the woman having a shawl over head and shoul- ders. They came in a cab, and ordered it to wait for them. They were ‘met at the door by Burke Wedger, who at once conducted them above, When they entered the room Green demanded: ‘* Well, where’s the gitl? How does she feel about it by this time?” ** Before we talk about tbat,” said Wedger, **T want to talk a little business to you,” “* Business to me! What do you mean, sir?” *‘ Well, I means business, I reckon,” “ Out with it, then.” ‘* We have come to the clusion that we ain’t gettin’ enough fer our share in this nasty work.” “The deuce you bave! You will get.no more than I agreed to pay, you can be sure of that. Where is the girl, I demand?” ‘* Well, she ain’t here, and you won’t see her till you come down witb an extra five hundred. Oh! we mean it, so you needn’t turn so blue around ther gills. h The * parson” was turning blue indeed. He ripped out a mighty oath, and paced the floor like a raving beast, **Curseson you!” hecried, ‘ You have played me false! You have let that girl get away, and all my plans are blocked,” ** Oh, no, it ain’t half as bad as that,” was the calm return, ‘I know where the gal is, and if ou come down with the ducats you shall have er back again all in good order.” ‘* But, where is she, { demand?” “That's tellin’; J know, and that’s enough.” ‘Burke, I ought to shoot you for this trick. Dye a notion to do it, too.” ‘Shoot away if you want to; if you do you greg never find the gal in this world, be sure of that ‘* Where is she?” “Come down, and I'll tell ye. I'll take ye to her, and the plot will go rigbt on as in- tended.” ** Tll give you one hundred more.” *¢ Five or nothin’.” “Then it will be nothing, and if you don’t produce that girl in ten minutes I'll turn you over to the police on that old charge,” “Ha, ba! I don’t feel a heapafraid of that, Mr. Green. I guess my hand is about as good as yours, now, You will have to come down with the money, or it is no gal.” “But, I did double once, when you said my first offer wasn’t big enougb. n “That was where I made a mistake, I only asked half enough. Now you will have to come to time or it is no deal.” ** Curse you!” **Oh! you may do that if you want to: that don’t hurt any. But it does hurt to shell ont the scads, don’t it? Come down with them, if you want the gal; and I am of tbe mind you do,” “* How far from here is she?” “Far enough for safe keepin’. “1 must have ber within half an hour, or it will be too late,” “All right; you plank down the money and 1'll_bave her here in that time, or less.” At that moment there came a rap at the door. The “parson” was standing nearest it, and opened it at once, A ragged, dirty youth of perhaps eighteen rears of age, to judge hastily, entered. “Say, be you Tomkins Green, mister!” he de- manded of the “ parson,” ” Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective. 13 **Who are you, and why do you ask that question?” was the counter-question at once. ‘*T want ter know who i’m talkin’ to, ’fore I tell all I know,” was the rejoinder. ‘I was sent here by a fellow what said bis name was How- mark, and he told me ter deal with nobody but Mr. Green.” ‘* Well, then, [am Green. Now, what is it?” “‘ And this other man is Burke Wedger, I take it?” ** Yes, yes. Goon.” “ And dhis is Sally Ann— No, I mean Mary Ann,” “Yes, yes, yes.” “ And it this Other is Mrs. Green—” ** Confound you, yes. Now say what you have to say and be done with it,” ‘* All right. Yesee, Robsaid as howI mustn't talk afore any one else, and I wanted to be ure, “Tt is all right, then, so now tell us what you have got to tell * Well, this Rod he has got on track of the gal, he told me to tell ye, and said for you to foller me and 1’d bring ye to the place where she is.” * Thunder!” ejaculated urke, “Oh! you ain’t in jt this time, Mr. Wedger,” the youth declared. ‘‘ You are out altogether now, so Robert said,” “ Where is be?” asked Green, ‘** That’s what I’m ter show ye, sir; but Rob said not bring Burke nor Mary Ann, as they was out of it, and they had tried ter dump you }. fer rotten pertaters but had got left bad. Are yeready? If ye are, why come right along and we'll trot back soon, fer Rob seemed to be ina swent about somethin’,” CHAPTER XV. PREPARING FOR THE LAST ACT. BURKE WEDGER and his better half were looking at each other in dismay. Here was something they had not counted on, and they knew not how to understand it. How had Rob Howmark been able to discover what had been done with the girl? How had he been able to outwit Gil Brand and his wife? **} want to know all about this thing before I take a step. I want to know all you know, Aas J man, and all you were told to tell me, here is this young lady, sir?” ‘* Sbe’s at a house on —— street—” as You lie!” cried Burke. ‘She ain’t there at a “AN right, if you know best ; but that’s what Rob Howmark told me to say.” ** What else did he tell you tosay? Come, out with it, for there is scant time now for talk,” ** Well, ter sum it all up in a lump, kere is what I was‘told ter tell ye, in case ye pinued me down toit, as ye have done, This man Burke Wedger, he laid a skeem with a pard of his, Gil Brand, ter take the gal away from bere and make you pay double, That was what they done, and that’s all this man knows about it, so Rob told me to say. But, Gil bad another pard, and they took the gal to another place, and they was goin’ ter dump this man, Wedger, and deal with you themselves, There, ye have it.” **Curse him!” cried Wedger. ‘If I find out that’s so P’ll kill him,” ** Well, let’s go, at once,” said the “ parson.” “Your words admit the truth of it, Burke, and you are out of it, indeed. Now you will whistle for your money. You made a fool of yourself.” “We'll see how much of a fool I made of myself, I don’t believe this gn and I’m goin’ ter see Gil Brand myself. f I find this is false, 1] make you pony up Talia thousard,” “The story speaks for its own truth,” re- torted the parson.” ‘‘I am going to get the girl now.’ The ragged young man had already backed out of the room, and now Green and his wife fol- lowed, closing the door after them, “Ts that your cab down by the door?” the guide asked. ‘* Yes, and we'll go in that,” was the answer, “That is jest what I was goin’ ter say, as it will save time. I kin ride on the top with the driver,” “Yes; and have him hurry up a little, too, for time is precious.” ‘You bet I will, fer Robert told me ter hump myself,” They left the house, entered the cab, and the ragged guide mounted to the box with the driver and directed him where to go. Their destination was the place where we last saw the fair prisoner, and where she had been left by Broadway Billy and her lover, in the care of others, seemingly a prisoner still. A knocking at the door caused it to be opened by an old man with mixed gray hair and beard, : La OTe hl el eae ie PCr eens Lo andi PL ait ~ le ee ae ** Wull, what do ye want hyer?” he asked, with a Western twang. It was no other than Roger the Rover. “This is the gent and lady what the young man sent fer,” answ ered the ragged youth, ‘* I'lk show ’em right up, ** All right; Pa: with ‘em! Broadway Billy—the reader has guessed it was he, of course;—led the way, and conducted the man and woman to the room where Laura Wardley was, A knock at the door caused it to be opened by the young man, Robert Howmark, who was now a rather battered- -looking gentleman. He had a. bandage over one eye, and a red mark was across one cheek, ‘* What on earth’s the matter?’ cried Green, at sight of him, ** Nothing, only I almost got killed in rescuing Laura from the hands of a couple of ruffians,” was the answer, “I should think so, by the looks of you. A fine-looking groom you will make now. Well, my young lady,” turning to Laura, ‘‘ what do- you think of it now?” ‘* Oh, Mr. Green!” the girl cried, ‘‘ I am ready to do anything you want me to "do now, only take me out of these horrible holes and let me get back again to Philadelphia.” ‘* Ha! 1 thought we should bring you to terms. ae ee ready to marry Robert, then ” es, yes; I will do anytbing.” ** Well, now, this is something like!” the de- lighted rascal cried, rubbing his hands, ‘I told you how it would be, wife, Now we can go ahead at once, Everything has been arranged for a nice little wedding at our hotel, and you will never regret the step, Laura, dear.” “*T begin to see it in that light, sir.” ‘* When she saw me fighting for her,” spoke up Robert, ‘it evidently made her realize that E do care for eds and when I asked her the ques- tion she said ** Well, well, aa is nice. Now we will all go to the botel as soon as we can, and there you will find better clothes which you can put on at once,” ‘*T am rather a sad-looking subject for a hotel wedding,” said Robert, ‘‘ Hadn’t we better put it off till we get home?” ‘“Never mind your looks, sir, That can be explained, and as everything ‘has been arranged it will not do to put itoff. No; it must take place at ten o’clock.” ‘* Well, sir, I will be there about that hour. I cannot go with you now. I will try and get myself up to look a little better than this, any- ow, You will take Laura with you, of course,” ‘Certainly. And you mustn’t fail us.” ** No fear of that; 1 will be on time to the minute,” The girl had eo on ber hat and shaw] now, and was ready to go with her much beloved guardian. “Don’t forget your promise,” reminded How- mark, as she was leaving the room in company with her guardian and his wife, ‘*] won't,” was her answer, “I will marry you now, and so do as Mr. Green has wanted me to do all along. I have been foolish long enough.” She passed out, leaning on the arm of Mrs, Green, ber guardian coming after them rubbing his hands in a highly satisfied manner, He ha one the will of this high-strung beauty at ast Ah, had he? When they had gone, fat Skinny went out, took another cab, and did not lose sight of them until they were safely lodged in their hotel apartments, “‘Sweet pertaters!” cried Broadway Billy, when he had watched them from the window until out of sigbt, ‘‘ but this is working fine! What do you think of it, Roger, old boy?’ And without waiting for any response he pro- ceeded to cut a pigeon wing in his old time boy- ish wa Ss think you have got ther game in a corner, now,” was the old ranger's comment, “ Bet your life we have!” Billy cried. ‘‘ There will be fun before long, now, and you shall be on hand to see it. This is the way we do it in New York.” “ And se are a young terror,” remarked Robert Howmark, with his bandaged eye and marked cheek, “That’s all right, Robert, old hoss!” Billy re- turned. ‘* You see that you "do your part in this business all right, or you may get sent up yet.” They all laughed, and ere long went out, lock- ing up the house after them, or rather the rooms, In the mean time something had happened at-
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ul 4 14 tpn nape Banani ol a ie elma a ee OT, oe Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective. the other house; that is, the house where Wedger ann his wife had had the girl imprisoned. Only a few minutes after the departure of the ** parson” and his worthy consort, and just as Burke was about leaving the room to go in search of Gil Brand, three policemen entered, The rascal and bis wife were filled witb con- sternation at sight of them, and looked for means of escape, ‘** Don’t think you can get away,” the fore- most officer said. ‘* We have got you, and you are our prisoners,” ‘“What do you arrest us for?’ demanded Burke, fiercely. ‘** You know well enough what for,” was the response, ** | demand to know, and I demand to see your warrant, too.” ‘** Well, here is the document, then. You bad better come along quietly, or it will be the worse for you.” The warrant was all straight, and was gotten out by Bronson Pender, the charge being that of abduction, and so forth, set forth in full as known to the reader, A great deal of fuss was made by the rascally pair, but it amounted. to notbing with the gritn officers, and they were marched off to the station with little ceremony and less politeness, To return to Billy, Leaving the house as shown, they repaired at once to Biily’s home, There they found some supper awaiting them, of which they had uot yet partaken; and they made a hasty disposal of t. W hile they were eating, Fatty-Skinny came in, reporting all right regarding the matter he had just been attending to, and now the case was ripe for the final act. Billy laid off his disguise, dressed himself up in respectable manner once more, takin care to have his new badge under his coat lapel, and finally they all set out from the house. The man with the bandaged eye and scarred cheek was with them, Their first business was to visit one of the police stations, where they found a detective costumer awaiting them. This man was one who was a favorite with detectives, and on whom they frequently called when if was desirable to ‘‘make up” in any special manner with great care, e could do anything in his line. When he had greeted Billy, whom he had known as & boy, he set about the business that ‘was required of him. A prisoner was brought out, and the man with the bandaged eye removed the bandage and wiped the mark from his cheek, The first, the prisoner, was the real Robert Howmark, while the latter was no other than Bronson Pender{ This the reader has guessed, of course, The artist set to work, and as the size and general appearance of the men were about the same, his task was not difficult, In half an hour no one, without some suspicion, could have uessed that Bronson Pender was not Robert owmark, **You have got a pretty good double, Rob, old boy,” remarked Broadway Billy, then, **And you will bave your trouble for your pains,” the rascal snarled. ‘*You may think you can fool the old man, but you ean’t.” “Sweet pertaters! We have fooled him al- ready, without any disguise at all, except your clothes, and it will be funny if we can’t do it now. You rest easy on that score, Robby, me gander!” The prisoner was taken back to his cell, and after a few finishing touches, his double was ready for his part. His eye was discolored artistically, and the mark was left on his cheek toa certain extent, and no one could have guessed the deception without some knowledge to guide him to the truth of it all. They were now ready for the denouement, or nearly so, CHAPTER XV. WINDING UP THE RASCALLY GAME, THE next thing on the programme was a visit to the minister whom the rascally Green had sy 0 ag to perform the marriage ceremony. illy and Bronson Pender went to see him, while fat Skinny and the old ranger went to the hotel, together with two officers, to have an eye upon things there, To the minister a full disclosure of the matter ‘was made, and he was put in possession of all the facts. His service was still required, and when he bad learned all he was willing to go, ‘*My suspicion has been aroused,” he said» “for in looking over a list of the clergymen where this man claims to belong, I have failed to find such a name as Graceaway.” ‘tT guess not,” said Billy, ‘*He is about as far away from Grace as a rascal] can get. He is a humbug of the first water, but be is going to be brought up with a round turn, Please do not fail us, now, will you?” ‘**Oh, no; since my presence is necessary to the success of the scheme you have laid, I will be on hand todo my part. Itis right I should do so, to make the rascal fee] the full weight of ven- geance thatis hisdue, The hand of Providence is in this.” ‘* Yes; and so is mine,” Billy declared. They went away, and now their business was at the hotel, Parting before they reached there, Billy went on aga and learned that everything was all right, Finding it so, he reported to Pender, and noth- ing more remained to be done until the hour of ten rolled around; and it was not far away now. Meanwhile, in their rooms at the hotel, the Greens bad been pushing forward rapid prepa- rations for the carrying out of their infamous scheme. Mrs. Green had brought some of Miss Wardley’s best clothes with her, and the young lady was vow richly attired, and looked far dif- ferent from what she had appeared so shortly before, She bad brightened up, too, her eyes were sparkling, and she was like another person. The rascally pair could not understand it, but had to be satisfied with her explanation that since she had made up her mind to obey them, she felt really happy. As the hour of ten drew near, Sbhyster Fudg- ley put in an appearance, smiling broadly and washing his hands vigorously. He had high ex- pectations which were soon to be dashed to the ground, He bad a paper prepared, which he handed to Green for inspection. It seemed to be all satisfactory, and the two appeared to take a good deal of quiet satisfac- tion ont of it. In due time the minister came, and was cor- dially received. He tried to act naturally, but it was not easy work, though be did not arouse any suspicion, Finally came Robert, the proposed bride- groom. Now he looked more like himself. The ban- dage had been removed from his eye, the disfig- urement looked to have been painted, and the mark on his cheek was only about balfas bold as ithad been. He was greeted cordially by Green and his wife, who were smiling, sleek and eminently re- spectable; and was introduced to the minister and the lawyer. After some remarks all around, it was sug- gested that the ceremony had better be per- formed at once, as the hour was late. No one was unwilling, and the happy couple stood up to be made one, Mr, and Mrs. Graceaway stood up with them. ‘This is a proud and happy moment for me,” the rascally ‘‘ parson ” remarked. ** And for me, too,” echoed his wife. “Tam so gladI am going to obey you,” re- marked the smiling bride. ‘* We had to be a little cruel only to be kind, my dear,” remarked Mrs, Graceaway, with smiles, The minister began the ceremony, and it was soon noticed that he was proceeding without asking or mentioning names, No one interrupted him, though the sleek ras- cal Green noticed it, and it went on until the ors ay were pronounced man and wife, when he said: ‘* You did not mention names, I noticed, my brother.” ** Really, I could have done so,” was the re- sponse, ‘‘and perbaps should have done so, but a sbort ceremony was requested, you know. Then, it was not really necessary, for the per- sons are married as fast as the law can bind them.” ‘Then we are surely man and wife?” asked the groom, ** Positively,” was the assurance. The groom turned and kissed his smiling bride, who clung fondly to his arms, Green and wife congratulated them, warmly and heartily, and evidently in all sincerity. After that the sleek rascal turned to the shys- ter lawyer. ‘* Now, Mr. Fudgley,” he said, ‘‘ Mrs, How- mark will sign the paper you have prepared.” ‘One moment before you proceed to that,” interrupted the new-made husband, “oT see the paper, if you please.” ‘“‘Why, it 1s all right, Robert,” Green as- sured, ‘‘T don’t doubt that, but I desire to see it,” The paper was given into bis hand, and after a glance at it he folded it and put it in his pocket, ‘““Why, what are you doing?’ demanded the ** parson.” ‘* Are you crazy?” ‘“‘Not exactly crazy, I guess,” was the re- sponse. “‘I do not mean to allow my wife to sign such a document as this, however,” Green began to show signs of rising color. ‘*T want to know what you mean by this?” he demanded, ‘‘You know what that paper is, aud it was well understood that it was to be signed immediately after the ceremony, She must sign it!” ‘She shall not sign it, sir, Do not forget that your guardiansbip over this lady is at an end, and that she has now a busbanid to look out for her interest, Sbe bas one who intends to do it, too, Perbaps you do not recognize me, fully.” ith a sweep of his hand he tore off a wig of curly hair, and a pair of tender whiskers, and there stood—not Robert Howmark, but Bronson Pender! A quick wiping of his face with a wet rag which he had bandy for the purpose, and the charge was complete! Green and his wife had reeled back, both pale and very much dismayed. ** You scoundrel!” cried Pender, then, shaking his finger at the miserable wretch, ‘‘ You bave been outwitted, and your villainous scheme foiled!” The folding doors between the connecting rooms at that moment rolled open, and into the room stepped Broadway Billy, Fatry-Skinny, the old ranger, and two policemen. At the same moment another man entered from the ball. The latter was one well kvown to every detec- tive and almost every policeman in the city, ‘* Well done, Broadway Billy!” be exclaimed, ‘*You have won my confidence, fully. This thing has been handled about as neatly as any- thing I ever saw in my life.” Billy could not help blushing as he took the offered hand for a shake, The pretending ‘ parson” and his wife were too surprised to speak, but stood apart from the others, quaking. As soon as Billy was done receiving congratu- lations, be turned upon them, and in a tone of keenest. irony and sarcasm gave vent to his feelings, ‘*Well, Reverend B. Greene Graceaway, and angelic wife, what seems to be the matter? You are not so smiling and full of confidence as you were awhile ago, Is anything wrong?” Green had been making an effort to regain his self-possession, and now be blurted out: ‘* What is the meaning of all this anyhow? What is this cheat? I demand some explanation, and at once, This marriage was contracted un- der a fraud, and it is nulland void. It is no marriage at all. Miss Wardley, leave that man’s side at once, or I shall remove you forcibly.” ‘‘You had better not try it, you scoundrel,” warned Pender. ‘*The marriage, sir, is as binding as it can be made,” declared the minister who bad perform- ed the ceremony. “‘It was not contracted un- der fraud at all, except so far as your part in it was concerned, I bad some suspicion of your not being what yon pretended, after I left you, and was made aware of the whole vile scheme before I came here, You are a villain with whom the law cannot deal too severely.” Shyster was taking advantage of the moment to sneak out of the room. “No you don’t!” suddenly cried Lieutenant Skinny, and he laid hold upon his collar, “I can take care of you,” " And he could. The shyster was a little man, and Skinny’s weight anchored him as fast as though he had been taken hold of by a giant, “That's right, Skinny, hold him fast,” or- dered Billy. ‘‘ Not much danger of his getting away, though, with your weight hanging tq him, Officer, take charge of the rascal,” — The shyster protested, and declared bimsel¢ innocent of all evil intentions, but he was held on to ‘* just the same.” “ And now, Mr. Green, too green to bea ‘ par. son,’ let me have one word more with you,” Billy remarked, ‘‘ 1 bave had my eye on you ever since you left your native stamping-ground this morning. I suspected something was Ne when I saw you in the train, and meant to fin out something about you, I have got there fine ly. All of the rascals who were witb you in the
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me | Ae | oe ’ ee. . +4 iy ~4 , we - ad iy A ae. * ite se a Broadway Billy, the Retriever De ye are in limbo, and you are going there, too, am the ragged youngster wbo came to you with that pretty story when you were having it hot with Burke Wedger. Phat surprises you, does it? Well, you may meet more surprises before you are done with this world of tears and sorrows. your innocent-looking partner, and we will now take you in!” The rogue protested loudly, and made a great fuss, but he was soon silenced, A pair of hand- cuffs belped to do trat, He and his wife were taken away, together with the sbyster lawyer, and the others con- . ptaempenea the smiling groom and happy bride, t was their desire to return at once to Philadel- pbia, but they had to remain as wituesses against the rascals, There was a quiet wedding supper at the hotel, at woich Broadway Billy, the old ranger, and fat Skinny, were guests, after which our trio went home to seek some much needed rest. On the following day there was a hearing, and all the villains were held for trial. True to his word, Broadway Billy gave his mother a full week of his time, after which hs and Fatty-Skinny began to prospect for a new location—that is to say, a new business stand, The old place was transferred to Skinny’s brother on terms easy for him and satisfactory to the retiring partners, and the latter looked around for a new place in which to start. They were to continue still as partners, but it was understood that Billy was to furnish only the money, or most of it, while Skinny gave bis time and ex- perience, Of course, Billy had other ideas for himself, He was a detective born, and nothing else would suit him, He meant to branch out as a profes- sional as soon as he turned of age, and he had not a great while to wait. In the mean while, he would turn his hand to anything in that line that happened to come in bis way, Long live Broadway Billy! THE END. Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 WIL! 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 Wildfire, the Thoroughbred. 152 Black Ress, Will Wildfire’s Racer. 157 Mike Merry the Harbor Police Boy. 162 WILL Wildfire in the Woods, Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. 0 A Trump Card; or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses, 4 Bob Rockett ; or, Mysteries of New York. » Kob Rockett, the Bank Runner. #8 The Hidden Handy; or, Wi!) Wildfire’s Revenge. @ Fred Malyard, the Life Boat Boy; cr, The Smugglers, SY Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed ; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 ‘om Tanner 3 or, The Biack 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 Dashaway ¢ or, A Parole 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-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughored. £05 Dashaway, of Dakota or, A Western Lad in Quaker City. 824 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. $41 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. B58 The Reporter-Detective; or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard. BGT Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. B79 Larry, the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard. 408 Firetly Jack, the River-Rat Detective, 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier. 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective, 482 Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vaganond, 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive. A79 Detective Dodge ; or, The Mystery of Fftnk Hearty. 488 Wild Dick Racket. 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman: or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, b66 The Secret Service Boy Detective. 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 27 Tom Bruce of Arkansas; or, The Wolfin the Fold, 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. 667 Rob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. 709 The Curbsatone Detective; or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat. 757 Detective Frank’s Sweep-stakes, BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, 5 The &ea-Cat; or, The Witch of Darien. 9 The Dumb Page; or, The Doge’s Deughter, 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. 50 Lance and Laseo; or, The Children of the Chaco, 23 The Sword Munters; or, The Land of the Elephant Ridera, 0 9 The Lost Captain; or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cruise, 00 The Boy Be ouins$ or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lance, 4 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine. » Mile Romer the Animal King; or, Round the World, 65 The igor Tamer ; or, The League of the Jungle, 81 Black Nick, the Demon Rider. 95 California Joe’s War Trail. BY MAJOR HENRY B. STODDARD, Ex-8cout. 806 Neck-Tie Ned; or, The Dug-Out Pards, B46 Rapier Raphael; or, The Swordsmen of Zacatecas, B91 Kid-Glove Kit. the Dandy of the Rockies, 898 Kid-Glove Kit and Pard: or, The Gold King. 406 The Mad Man-Hunter: or, The Golden Gulch Mystery. 505 Powell’s Pard; or, The One-Armed Giant. This officer bas a warrant for you and | BY CAPT. J. F, ©. ADAMS, 84 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Whiffies’s Boy Spy. 46 Glass-Eye, the Great Shot of the West. 564 Ned Mazel, the Boy Trapper. 56 Nick Whiffies’s Pet; or, Ir The Valley of Death. 60 The White Indian; or, The Scovt of the Yeilowstone, Tv Old eo Cabin; or, The Greenhorn in the Woods. 81 Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Prairie. 85 Buck Buckram ; or, Bess, the Female Trapper, 247 Old Grizzly and His Pets; or, The Wild Huntress. 251 Light-house Lage? or, Osceola, the Firebrand. 257 The Lost Munters; or, The Underground Camp, #88 The Sealp King; or, The Human Thunderpolt, BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Major Sam. 8, Hall.) 284 Old Rocky « ** Boyees; or, Benito, tne Horse-Breaker 246 Giant George; or, The Ang’! of the Range. 275 Arizona Jack ; or, Giant George’s Pard. 297 The Tarantula of Taos; or, Giant George’s Revenge, 807 The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. 18 kKer-whoop, Ker-whoo; or, The Tarantula of Taos. 827 Creeping Cat, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Pards, 882 Frio Fred; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. 844 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. 849 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front. $57 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. 892 Romeo and the Reds; or, The Beleaguered Ranch. 404 Little Lurlat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. 414 The Daisy from Denver. The Three Trailers; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage, 442 Bluff Bill; or, The Lynx of the Leona. 455 Little Lone Star: or, The Belle of the Cibolo, 684 Cache Carl, the Chico Giart BY OLL COOMES, 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 18 The Dumb Spy. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. 81 Keen-Knife, the Prince of the Prairies. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. “68 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. 74 Hawk-eye Marry the Young Trapper Ranger. 88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman. 148 Sear-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter 146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight. 158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon. 168 Little ‘lexasa, the Young Mustanger 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 182 Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. 202 Prospect Pete; or, The Young Outlaw Aunters. 208 The Boy Mercules: or, The Prairie Tramps. 218 ‘Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashing Dick; or, Trapper Tom’s Castle. 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 288 The Parson Deteetive; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Diaguised Guide ; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger. 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger. 272 Minkskin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. 800 The Sky Demon; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Hercules; vr, Dick, the Boy Ranger. 417 Webfoot Moxe, the Tramp Detective. 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone. 444 Little Buckskin, toe Young Prairie Centaur 457 Wingedfoot Fred; or, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarac ‘Tom, the Big se ed Boy. 478 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemic. 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. 562 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trapper. 652 Don Barr, the Plains Freelance, 661 Old Kit Bandy’s Deliverance. 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer. 680 Dauntless Dan the Freelance, or, Old Kit Bandy in Arcadia, BY FREDERICK DEWEY 818 Cimarron Jack, the King-Pin of Rifle-Shots, 478 Tangemund, the Desert Detective. 642 The Canyon Parda. BY ARTHUR C. GRISSOM. 440 Little Foxfoot, the Gold Bowie Kid. 558 The Sure-Shot Pards, 621 Truthful James, the “Pecooliar’? Man. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes of a Bowery Girl. 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. 79 Bol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 288 Joe Buck of Angels and His Boy Pard. 447 New Yerk Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham. 458 New England Nick; or, The Fortunes of a Foundling, 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Pringe. 498 Taos Ted, toe Arizona Sport. 510 Cool Colorado, the Half-Breed Detective. 518 Cool Colorado in New York. BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. 2 Yellowstone Jack ; or, The Trappers 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retrea 65 Hurricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. 119 Mustang Sam 3 or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-llawk 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 Roy Trallers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Patt 208 The Boy Pards; 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 Woeds«: or Daniel Boone’s Last Trail. 449 Kit Fox. the Border Boy Detective. 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Trafler. 677 Chincapin Dan's Second Trail. 688 Chincapin Dan's Home Stretch, 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without a Head, 708 Light-Heart Lute’s Lonsey- 718 Light-Heart Lute’« Last Trail, 728 Silverblade, the Shoshone, 729 Silverblade, the Half-Blood; or, The Border Beagle at Bay. 789 Silverblade, the Hostile. F 748 Silverblade, the Friendly; or, The Border Beagle’s Boy Pard. BY J. W. OSBON. 469 The Rival Giants of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Luck. 587 Old Ruckeye, the Sierra Shadow. 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner. 609 Bolly Dorrit, the “eterwn Detective. 620 Little Lightning's League: or The Mystery of tne Is.and 688 Placky Pant, the Rov Procnector, 751 Gold-Dust Dan, the Trail Patrol. 755 Gold Dust Dan's Oath; or, Reckless Roy, the Regulator, tective. | 451 Colorado Kate. BY J0 PIERCE, BYT Bob o’ the Bowery ; or, The Prince of Mulberry Street. 415 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bob’s Boom. 452 Hotspur Bob, the Street-Buy Detective. 460 The Lawyer’s Shadow; or, Luke’s Legacy. 472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective. 504 Five Points Phil. 509 Jack Juggers, the Butcher Boy Detective. 516 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Piil’s Menagerie. 526 North River Nat, the Pier Detective. 538 Wrestling Rex, the Pride of the Sixth Ward. 5641 Jeff Flicker. the Stuble Boy Detective. 551 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow. 559 Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective. 569 Brooklyn Ben, the On-Hisr-Own-Hook Detective. 577 Pavement Pete the Secret Sifter. BSS Jack-o’-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospectot. ROR Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer. NV hixtling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid. 628 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Hummer. 689 Sunrise Saul, the Express-Train Ferret. 649 Gamin Bob, the Bowery Badger; or, Scoopmg a Slippery Set. 658 Sky-Rocket Koby the Lite-Saver. 683 Saltpeter Sel, lie New York Navigator, 694 Spicy Sim, the Only One of His Kind 706 Tom Thistle, the Rond-Honse Detective. T1T Mosquito Jack, the Hustier Gamin. 726 Dennis Dulf the Brown Sports Kid. 744 Dick of the Docks, the Night-Wateh. BY COL. A. F. HOLT. 899 Black Ruckskin: or, The Masked Men of Death Canyon. 419 Kenneth, the Knife-King. 485 Littie Lightfoot, the Pilot of the Woods, BeS The Dandy Sport; ov, The King Pin Conspirator. 678 Headlight Harry’s Hazard; or, The Lightning Express Detective. 691 Headlight Harry’s Maul. 727 Headlight Harry’s Siren. 759 Headlight Harry’s Heritage. BY PHILIP 8. WARNE, 67 Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. 175 ©aptain Arizona; or, Petent-Leather Joe's Big Game, 198 Captain Mask ; or, Patent-Leether Joe’s Defeat. 219 Despard, the Dueliat; cz, The Mountain Vempires. 888 A Tough Boy ; or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. 868 Little Tornado; or, The Outcasts of the Glen. B78 Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard. 888 Little Oh-my 4 or, Caught in His Own Trap, 401 Little Shoo- rly} or, A Race for a Ranch. 408 Little Leather-Breeches ; or, Old Jumbo’s Curse. 481 Little Ah Sin; or, The Curse of Blood. A Tale of the afines. 480 Three Jolly Parda. 517 Jim Gladden’s Deputy. 527 The Jolly Pards to the Rescue, 547 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down. 656 Lariat Lil; or, The Cast for a Life. 574 Old Weasel-top, the Man with the Dogs, 598 Keen Clem, the Ranch Imp. 599 Jim Dandy the No-Name Sport. 618 Billy Blazes; or, The Skeleton’s Legacy. 685 Oklahoma Hi the Blue-Coat Scout, 648 Happy Harry’s Big Find. 664 Cheeky Charley the Special. BY GEORGE ©. JENES. 485 Git Thar Owney the Unknown. 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. 518 The Demon Doctor. 581 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. 59S Flute, tne Singer Detective. 608 The Pitcher Detective’s Fol; or, Dan’s Double Play. 616 The Ocean Detectives br, The Last Cruise of the Black Bear, 681 The Pitcher Detective’s Toughest Tussle. 786 Larry the Thoroughbred; or, Beaten oa Every Side. MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Horse Munters. By Capt. Mayne Rela and Frederick Whittaker. 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen. 12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift. 14 Aladdin3 or, The Wonderful Lamp. 16 Robinson Crusoe. (27 I!lustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Voyages. 22 Fhe Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinsoz Crusoe. By Jnan Lewis. 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribees. By 8S, W. Pierce. 86 The Boy Clown; or, The Arena Queen. By F 8. Finn. 88 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 51 The Boy Rites; 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 Ear); or, The Merry Men of Green- wood. By Prof. Gildersleeve, 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 112 The Mad Hunter; or, !heCave of Death, By Burton Saxe. 124 ‘Tippy, the Texan} or, The Young Champion, By George even. 128 The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By Harry Cavendish, 148 Sharp Sam; or, The Adventures o: a Friendless Boy. By J. . Alexander Patten. 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yel- lowstone. By Edward Emerson. 261 Fergus Fearnaught the New Yirk Boy. By G. L. Aiken, 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 Alfred Thorne. 828 The Sky Detectives or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Honor By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Red Ralph, the River Rover; or, The Brother’s Re- venge. By Ned Buntline. 865 Raltimore Ren the Bootblack Detective. By A. P. Morris. 874 Gold-Duat Tom: or, Ben’s Double Match, By @ H. Morse. 876 Callfornin Joe’s First Trail, By Colonel Thomas . Hoyer Monstery. 418 Blily Bombshell, the Cliff Climber. By F.S. Winthrop. 475 The Black Ship. By JohnS Warner. 484 Comanche Dick and His Three Invinctbles. By Henry J. Thomas, 582 The Cowboy Puke. By Edwin Brooke Forrest. 552 Artel the Athlete. By David Druid. 585 Will Waters, the Bov Ferret. By H. Enton. 682 The Dead Petective’s Double. By Gerald Carlton, 721 Maverick Mose, the Arizona Detective; or, The Wizard of Urkos Pass. By Will Lisenbee. 746 Quiet Jack, the Secret Service Spy; or, Too Much for Red ry. By Dan Dunning, (of the Secret Service Corps). A New issue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library ‘+ for sale by at! newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. : BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. \
Page 16
Published Every Tuesday. READLE’S* H ALF-DIME*IBRARY. é and Sold at the Un Tah cette Lae iform Price of Five Cents. No Double Nu BY 1 Deadwood 20 Deadwood 28 Deadwood BS Deadwood 42 Deadwood 49 Deadwood 57 Deadweod 7B Deadwood 7 Deadwood 0 Deadwood 104 Deadwood 109 Deadwood 129 Deadwood 188 Deadwood 149 Deadwood 156 Deadwood 195 Deadwood Deadwood 205 Deadwood 217 Deadwood Deadwood 282 Gold-Duat 268 Deadwood 268 Deadwood 809 Deadwood 821 Deadwood 847 Deadwood 851 Deadwood 862 Deadwood 405 Deadwood 410 Deadwood 421 Deadwood 480 Beadwood 448 Deadwood 448 Deadwood 458 Deadwoo 459 Deadwood 465 Deadwood 471 Deadwood 476 Deadwood 481 Deadwood 491 Deadwood 496 Deadwood 500 Deadwooa 508 Deadwood 515 Deadwood 522 Dendwood 529 Deadwood 584 Deadwood 589 Peadwood 544 Deadwood 5649 Deadwood 554 Deadwoed 5661 Deadwood 567 Deadwood 572 Deadwood 578 Deadwood HS4 Deadwood q 590 Deadweo 4 595 Deadweod 600 Deadwood 606 Dendwood 612 Deadwood 618 Deadwood ; 624 Deadwood 680 Deadweod 686 Dendwood 642 Deadwood 648 Deadwood 654 Deadwood 660 Deadwood 666 Dendwood 672 Deadwoed 678 Deadwood 684 Deadwood 690 Deadwood 5 Deadwood 700 Deadwood 04 Deadwood 6 Deadwoed 6 Deadwood 2 Deadwood 8 4 0 Deadwood Deadwood Dendwood 7 Deadwood 52 Deadwood 58 Deadwood ; BY J, ©. EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novela. Dick, the Prince ot the Road. Dick’s Detiance; or, Double Daggers. Dick in Disguise; or, Bulfal, Ben Bick in His Castle. Dick’s Bonanzaj o:, The «antom Miner. Dick in Danger; or, Omaha Oll. Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. Dick on Deck; or. Calamity ¢ me, the Heroine, Dick’s Laat Acts or, Corduroy Charlie, Dick in Leadville, Dick’s Device: or, The Double Cross Sign. Dick ax Detective. Dick’sa Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. Dick’s Home Hase; or, Blonde Bill. Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold. Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party. Dick’s Dreamy or, The Rivuls of the Road. Dick’sa Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Adventure, Dick’s Dead Deal. Dick’s Death-P lant. Pick. A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. Dick’s Death Trall. Dick’s Deals or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir ofPhantom Flats Dick’s Ducatsa; or, Days in the Diggings. Bick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta. Dick’s Claim, Dick in Dead City. Dick’s Diamonds, Dick in New York; or, A “Cute Case,”” fos ae or, The Chained Hand. dick, dr. Dick, Jr.'s, Deflance. d Dick, Jr.’s, Full Hand, Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-Up. Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10, Dick, Jr.’a, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill. Dick, Jr.’*, Dog Detective, Dick. Jr., in Deadwood, Dick, Jr.’s, Compact. Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance, Diggings. Dick, Jr.’s, Deliverancé: Dick, Jr.'s, Protegee. Dick, Jr.’s, Three. Dick, Jr.'s, Danger Ducks. Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt. Dick, Jr., in Texas, Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidoog Dick, Jr., on Min Mettle. Jr., in Gotham, Boston. _ ~ 4 ic] = - = = = . Dick, Jr., ont. Dick, Jr., in Denver. od Dick, Jr.’«, Decree. Diek, Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin, Dick, Jr., at Coney Island, Dick, Jr.’a, Leadville Lay. Dick, Jr., in Detroit. Dick, Jr., in Cincinnati. Dick, Jr., in Nevada, Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land, Dick, Jr., After the Queer. Dick, Jr., In Buffalo. Dick, Jr.’a, Chase Across the Continent Pick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. Dick, Jr.’a, Insurance Case. Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines, Dick, Jr., (n Durango; or, “ Gathered In.” Diek, Jr.’s, Discovery; or, Found a Fortune, Dick, Jr’. Dazzle. Bick, Jr.’s. Dellarsa. ek 5 he at Danger Divide. ek, dr.’s, Drop. Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot. Dick, Jr., in San Franclace. Dick, Jr.’s, Still Munt, Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes, Diek, Jr.’s, Disguise. Dick, Jr.’s, Double Deal. Dick, Jr.’s, Deathwatch. Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet. Dick, Jr.’«, Deathblow. Dick, Jr.’s, Desperate Stralt, COWDRIOK, { Broadway Billy Novels. } 490 Broadway bi 514 Broadway 536 Broadway 557 Broadway 579 Broadway 605 Broadway 628 Broadway 669 Broadway 675 Broadway 687 Broadway 696 Broadway 708 Broadway Broadway 720 Broadway 785 Broadway 788 Broadway 758 Broadway 762 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. Billy’s Boodle. Billy’s ‘ Dittiktlty.” Billy’s Peath Racket. Billy’s Surprise Party. Billy; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning. Billy’s Dead Act. Billy Abroad. Billy’s Best; or, Beating San Francisco's Finest. Billy in Clover. Billy tn Texas, Billy’s Brand. Billy at Santa Fe. Billy’s Full Hand. Billy’sa Business, Billy’s Curious Case. Billy In Denver. Billy’s Bargain. P Other Novels by J. C. Cowdrick. 860 &ilver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. B69 Shasta, the Gold King or, For Seven Years Dead, 420 The Deteetive’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a Name, 424 Cibuta Jonny; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar, “ 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. i 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude, 4 506 Kedlight Ralph the Prince of the Road. 524 Th e Engineer Detective. 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. Alr-Line Luke the Young Engineer. 592 The Boy Pinkerton. 640 Bareback 9 615 Fighting Harry , 19 The Phant f 55 Deadly-Ey , 68 Border Robin Hood ¢ or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust. the Chief of Chained Cyclone. Reth, the Centaur of the Circle. 647 fF Ast okie ig Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. Moonlight Morgan, the * Pizenest ’’ Man of Ante Bac, BY BUFFALO BILL (Hen. Wm. F. Cody), 8 Kaneas King; or, The Red Right Hand. ei Spy : or, The Pilot of the Prairie, . the Unknown Scout, Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 26 Cloven Moof, the Buffalo Demon. 82 Bob Woolf or, The Girl Dead-Shot 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York, 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team. 69 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The Boy Detective. 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand, 88 Phetograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance. 92 Canada Chet; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp, 96 Watch-Eye3 or, Arabs and Angels of a Great City. 8 Jack HMeyle the Young Speculator. Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport. Benanza BU, Miner. Bose Bob the King of Bootblacks, Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. Captain Ferret, the New York Detective. New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Scamps. Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo, Y Fritz, the Beund-Boy Detective. 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter. 226 Snoozer, the Boy Sharp; or, The Arab Detective. 286 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator. 244 Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret. 248 Sierra Sam’s Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Sam’s Pard; or, The Angel of Big Vista, 258 Sierra Sam's Seven; or, The Stolen Bride, 278 Jumbe Joe, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen. 281 Denver Doll's Victory. 285 Denver Doll’« Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza. 291 Turk the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or, The Road Queen, 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 808 ’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. 825 Kelley, Mickey & Oo.,, the Detectives of Philadelphia. 880 Little Quick-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Daggersville, 884 Kangaroo Kits or, The Mysterious Miuer, 889 neerce Kit’s Racket, 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood. 858 First-Class Fred, the Gent from Gopher. B68 Vreka dim, the Gold-Gatherer; or, The Life Lottery, 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize. 878 Nabob Ned; or, The Secret of Slab City. 882 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 885 Yreka Jim’s Joker; or, The Rivals of Red Nose, 889 Bicycle Ben; or. The Lion of Lightning Lode. 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, ; 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High Hat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, 426 Sam Slabaides, the Beggar-Boy Detective. 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives, 488 Ranta Fe Sal, the Slasher. 486 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkler. BY T. C, HARBAUGH, 28 Nick o’ the Night; or, The Boy Spy of ’76. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or The Littl Hunter, 47 Nightingale Nat; or, Toe Forest Captains, 64 Dandy Jacky: or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trali. 82 Kit Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack 3 or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Froaty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 128 Kiowa Charley the White Mostanger. 189 Judge Lynch Jrii or, The Bey Vigilante, 155 Golk Trigger, the Sport; er, The Girl Avenger, 169 Tornado Tomy; or, Injun Jack From Red Core, 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 198 Arkanasow ; or, The Qu«n of Fate’s Revenge. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Topknot’s Crusade. Plucky Phil; or. Rosa, the Re! Jezebel. 241 Bill Bravo; or, Tie Roughs of the Rockies, 255 Captain Apoli. , tne King-Pin of Bowle 267 The Kuckskin Detective, 279 Old Winehs or, The Buckskin Desperadoes, 294 Dynamite Dan: or, The Bowle Blade of Gochetopa. 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bully, 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Pards; or. The Terror of Take-Notice. 886 Ble Benson: or, The Queen of the Lacse. 845 Pitilesa Matt; or, Ked Thunderbolt’s Secret. BE Cool > am ard Par’; om The Terrible Six. 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective, 886 Captain Cutlass; or, | he Beccaneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Rob: or, The 1 win Champions of Blue Blazes, 411 The Silken Lasso: 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 Against Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow; or, Fellx Fox’s Hunt. 477 The Exceisior Sport; or, The Washington Spotter, 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. 512 Poder Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective. $21 Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. 528 Fox and Faicon, the Bowery Shadows. 588 Dedger Dick, the Dock Ferret, 548 Dodger Dick’s Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodger Dick’s Desperate Case, 568 Dedger Dick, the Boy Vidocq. The Two Shadows. 582 Dodger Dick's Drop. 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective, 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sharp on Guard, 626 The Champton Parda. 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective, 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. 671 Jersey Jed, the Boy Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower. 685 Happy Hugh, the Boy Musician Detective. Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp. 715 Wiee Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferret. 782 Daisy Dell, the Pavement Detective; or, Trapping Big Game. 742 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 mMyatery } or, Five in One. Data? thare the Sport from Denver. 587 Old Bombshell, the Ranger Detective. 604 Iron Fern, the Man of Fire. 619 The Boy Tramp Detective; or, The Double Grip Witness 629 Violet Vane, the Velvet Spon, 641 Dismal Pave’s Dandy Pard. Round Boy Frank, the Young Amateur Detective 66% Violet Vane’s Victory. G82 Wild Vuleany, the Lene-Range Rider, 698 Violet and Datay, the Posy Pards. TO5 Violet Vane’s Vow: or, The Crafty Detective’s Craft. 714 Old Misery, the Man from Missouri. 4 Violet Vane’« Vengeance. Violet Vane'’s Verdict, 1 Vielet Vane, the Veniriloqnist Vidoog. 0 Violet Vane, the Vanquished, PEO = melding copie RD ra jt pk jk ff dp J Y tel ~ BY C@LONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, ? The Flying Yankee? or, The Ocean Outcast, 17 Ralph Roy, the Soy Buccan-er; or, The Fugitive Yacht, 24 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone, 62 The Shadow Ship; or, The Rival Lieutenants. %5 The Boy Duelist; or, The Cruise of Sea-Wolf. 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggier. 411 The Sca-Devil; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 116 The Mussar Captain: or, Ihe Hermit o! Hell Gate. 197 Little Grit, the Wild Rider; or, The Stock-Tender’s Daughter. 204 Buffale Bill, the Pony Express Rider. 216 Bison BIL, the Prince of the Reins; or, 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport 3 or, The Woman Trailer. 229 Crimson Kate, the Girl Truier. 287 Lone Star, the Cowbey Captain; or, The Mysterious Ranchero 245 Merle, the Middy ¢ or, The Heir of an Ocean Freelance. 250 The Midshipman Mutineer ; or, Brandt, the Buccaneer. 264 The Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure, 269 The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemied. 276 Merle Monte’s Cruise; or, “ The Gold Ship” Chase, 280 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, The Pirate’s Pride, 284 Merle Monte’s Pledge; or, The Sea Murauder. 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover. 804 The Dead Shot Dandy: or, Bento, the Boy Bugler. 808 Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. 814 The Mysterfoux Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Trail, 877 Bonodel, the Boy Kover; or, The Flagless Schooner, 888 The Indian Pilot; «r, The Search for Pirate Island, 887 Warpath WILL, the Traitor Guide; or, The Bey Phantom. $98 Seawalf, the Boy Lieutenant; or, The Red Clasped Hands, 402 Isodor, the Young Consptrator; or, The Fatal League, 407 The Boy Insurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta. 412 The Wild Yachtaman; or, The War-Clouo’s Cruise, 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 Captain Carl, the Corsair; or, A Cabin Boy’s Luck. 487 The Sea Raider; or, The Hawks of the Hook. 441 The Ocean Firefly ; or, A Middy’s Vengeance. 446 Haphazard Harry ; or, The Scapegrace of the Sea, 450 Wizard Will, the Wonder-Worker. 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouts. 462 The Born Guide; or, The Sailor Boy Wanderer, 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Conster, 474 Wizard Will's Vagabond Pard. 488 Wizard WIll’s Last Case; or, Ferrets Afloat. 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Kanger 495 Arizona Joe, the Boy Pard of Texas Jack. 497 Back Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 508 The Royal Middy ¢ or, The Shark and the Sea Cat. 507 The Hunted Midshipman; or, The Young Sea Ranger, 5611 The Outlaw Middy; or, The Young Patriot Sea Ranger, 520 Ruckskin BILI, the Comanche Shadow. ex 526 Brothers in Buckskin; or, The Tangled Trails in Texas. 580 The Buckskin Bowers. 585 The Buc skin Rovers; or, The Prairie Fugitive. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder ot the Rio, 545 Licutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. 550 Lafitte’« Legacy: or. The Avenging Son. 555 The Creole Corsair; or, The Gelden Wings of the Gulf, 560 Pawnee BIL, the Prairie Shadower. 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. 576 Camille, the Card Queen; or, The Skeleton Trail. 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective. 5bS0 The Outcast Cadets or, The False Detective. BS6 Pawnee Bill's Pledge; or, The Buckskin Avenger. 691 Delmente. tue Young Sea Rover; or, Tne Avenging Sailor. 5Y? The Young Texan Detective; or, The Black Bravos, 602 The Vagabond ofthe Mines. 607 The Rever Detective; or, Keno Kit’s Champions, 617 Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scout; or, The Rio Raiders. 644 The Hercules Highwayman. 650 Rutterfly Billy, the Pony Kider Detective; or, Buffalo Bill’s Boy Para. 656 Futterfly Rilly’s Man Hunt. 662 Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza. 668 The Buccaneer Midshipman; or, The Sea Kover’s Ruse, 674 The Wizard Sailor; or, Red Ralph, the Rover, 679 The Sea Shadower; or, The Freebooter’s Legacy. 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag; or, The Tarnished Name. 692 The Rival Sharps; or, Redfern, the Secret Service Scout, 697 The Scarlet Sombrero} or, The Sharp from Texas, 702 Blue Jacket Bill; or, Tne Red Hat Rangers’ Red Hot Racke? 707 The Red Sombrero Rangers; or, Redfern’s Last Trail, 718 Carl, the Mad Cowboy; or, The Lariat Queen. 719 Pawnee Bill’s Pledge or, The Cowboy Kidnapper’s Doom, %25 Daring Dick, Pawnee Bill’s Pard; or, The Red Cavalry Raid, 781 Ruth Redmond, the Girl Shadower. 787 Buck Tayler, the Comanche’s Captive, 748 Buck Taylor’s Boys; or, The Red Riders of the Rio Grande, 249 Dashing Charlie; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trail. . 756 Dashing Charlie’s Destiny; or, The Renegade’s Captive. LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 760 Dashing Charlie’s 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. Siins. 762 Broadway Billy’s Bargain; or, The Three Detectives in Denver. By J, C. Cowdrick. 268 Violet Vane’s Vision; or, The Fiery Hand of Fate. By Win. G, Patten. 264 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand; or, Kodak Kate Secret Seven. By Edward L. Wheeler. 765 Flipper Flynn, the Street Patro}; or, Knocking Out the Kid- nappers. By Jo Pierce. 766 Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer; or, The White Sioux Queen. By Col. Prenties Ingraham. ? Mae and Jack, the Invincibles; or, The Diabolical Three. By Dan Dunning. 768 Eagle Ned, the Boy on Guard; or, The Camp Spiders of Ragged Robin. By T. C. Harbaugh, 769 Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective; or, How the City Buzzards Were Brought In. By J.C. ¢ owdrick. 270 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Defeats or, The Tandam Team s Thorny Trail. By 1 dwardé L. Wheeler, 271 Foxy Fred’« Odd Pard; or, The Keener’s Huge Hustle. By Jo Pierce. Ready May &d. 272 Dick Doom’s Death-Grip; or, The Detective by Destiny, By Col. Prenties Ingrabam. Ready May 10h, A New Issue Every Tueaday. The Half- Dime Library |s fer sale by all newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMAB, Publishers, 98 WillMam Street, New York, -