Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 774) (1892 05 24)
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EON x = q ‘ Cea -% : Ga f at a (a | eereeeeeceer Criss aiaialkNS May 2, 1892. Copyrighted 1892, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, No. 774. "$2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price, Vol XXX. © s i] a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. aly | ‘ll Nea" 1 ll . | Me “ulnar * mat : | et Pam \\ ih lia ’ | 2 N Ke li < : \\ ny am aps \ u \ \ VR es aS ; * a — a \ + th \ NE ats | HE. @ Lenny \ os win a Pe iw | | , | | ih i ki i ass a ain a. \ i — OR, The Strange Case of Captain Scudd. BY WILLIAM G, PATTEN, AUTHOR OF “VIOLET VANE” SERIES, ‘‘ DAISY DARE,” ‘‘OLD BOMBSHELL,” “WILD VUL- CAN,” ‘* THE DIAMOND SPORT, ” ETO. \ CHAPTER I, MURDER OR—WHAT? A MAN ran lightly up the steps of a splendid mansion situated in tbe most aristocratic 2 tion of New York City. The man was p wd dressed and about thirty years of age, althoug = = his i gee shaved, youthful face made him look EVERY MAN SEEMED LISTENING WITH HUSHED HEART AND STILLED BREATH TO THE several years younger, To glance at him WONDERFUL REVELATION OF THE HYPNOTIZED MAN.
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2 Clear-Grit Cal. casually, one would not have suspected he was one of the most famous ‘' rogue-catchers” un- connected with the regular detective force of Gotham. Yet such was the case, Calvin Carcer—known to friends and foes as ** Clear-Grit Cal”—bad made an enviable repu- tation for himself as an ‘‘independent detec- tive.” In him were combined skill, courage, sbrewdness, perseverance and honesty, This lat- ter quality is confessedly something out of the common order of things in private detectives, although there are certainly a fsw—a very few —honest men who are privates, But it is really a wonderful thing to find one who is both honest and wel! up in bis busi- ness, ‘ Cal did not have to ring at the door of the mansion, although he had put out his bana to do 80. The door was opened, as if his appearance was expected. Such was really the case, ** Are you the detective?” “ I am,” Then he was ushered into a room where a ray-bearded, dark-clothed man seemed waiting or him, This man arose, ‘You are Calvin Carter?” ‘That is my name, sir.” ‘“T am the family physician of the Scudds; my name is Andros.” The detective bowed. “Tt isa terrible affair, sir,” contiaued the physician, after acknowledging the bow by one in return, ‘* You may have heard of Captain Scudd?” ‘*T have,” ' ‘* At his request, I have made no more inves- tigations than were absolutely necessary, for he wished you to see everything exactly as they were at the time of young Thornton’s death, The police have not yet been notified.” ‘“T beg your pardon, sir, but I really know nothing of what bas occurred, The messenger requested me to come here without a moment’s delay, which I was able todo. Noreasons why I should come were given. Will you be kind enough to teil me what bas happened?” At this the doctor seemed very much disturb+ ed. He walked nervously about, rubbing his bands together excitedly, before replying. Sud- denly be paused before the detective, saying, with forced deliberation: ‘Tam not ready to say what has happened, sir, but there isa dead man in Captain Jobn Scudd’s room which he uses as a private office.” ** Captain Scudd—” , "Ts all right.” ‘* Who is the corpse?” ** His nephew.” “Ah ‘a Dr. Andros went on swiftly, as if that exclam- ation bad been something like an accusation: ‘*T do not know what happened in that room, but I wish to say right here that Charley Thorn- ton was highly respected and beloved by bis un- cle, and Captain Scudd is quite prostrated by the terrible shock.” “* How did he die?” “ He has a bullet in his brain!” Calvin Carter did not betray any surprise at this statement, for he was half-expecting some- thing of the sort, ‘* Where is Captan Scudd?” « “In bis private room, He has a little organic trouble, and I almost fear this affair will prove too much for bim, He is quite broken up at present, and he was forced toask me to meet you and show you everything.” ‘* Then take me to the corpse.” ** Come.” The physician led the way from the parlor, and they passed toaroom that was something like a combined library and office, It was finely furnished, showing the owner of the mansion had a taste for luxury evenin a “den” for bis own especial use, There were shelves for books, a table, a desk, cere etc, Three or four costly paintings hung on the walls, These were all marine views, .In one corner bung a cutlass and a brace of old-fashioned pistols, Above the desk was a miniature full-rigged ship, a skillful and dainty piece of work that must have cost many weeks of patient, painstaking labor, The detective’s eyes: seemed to take in every- ae at a glance, and be saw a couch on which ny the figure of a young man in a posture that could not be termed one of repose, for it seemed ready to slip to the floor, Clear-Grit Cal went directly to the couch and : looked into the face of the dead, for the young man had passed into the ‘* Great Unknown,” i —_-— ; pt a RTE OE TET ee Despite the position of the body, the faceof | ‘‘ Well, the fact is—ahem!—that the captain the young man was in perfect repose and the eyes were almost closed, But for the tiny round hole near the right temple, he night have seemed asleep. On the floor, about three feet from the couch, lay a bandsome revolver. Carter again looked searchingly about the room before be touched a thing. Dr. Andros stood in the door. ‘* Has anything been disturbed since the corpse was discovered?” asked the ferret. ‘* Not to my knowledge,” was the reply. Cal observed the position of the revolver and noted it lay with the muzzle toward the couch. It might have fallen from the hand of the dead and— No! The right hand of the corpse was par- tially beneath the body! The detective scowled a bit as he noted this, ** Conie here, doctor.” The pbysician came to his side, ** You say you did not disturb anything more than was necessary in making your investiga- tions?” ** That is what I said, sir.” ‘* Did you move the body at all?” ‘* Not in the least.” ‘This right hand—was it in that position when you first came?” “* Tt was,” ‘* The bullet seems to have entered at a spot that must bave brought death instantly?” ‘You are right—it did.” ‘*The young man would not have stirred after the shot was fired?” “ ? ‘** Not in the least?” * No more than a tremor,” ‘*He would not have started up and then fal- len back in his present position?” ** No, sir.” Cal again looked at the revolver on the floor and surveyed the position of the corpse. Then he knelt and examined the wound. “Tbe muzzle of the weapon was within six inches of his head when tke shot was fired,” he said. The doctor nodded, ‘* You think it was suicide?” **T did not say so, sir,” the detective replied. **T would like to examine thut weapon, but, if it bad not been disturbed, I should prefer the coroner to see everything.’ ** Ts there no way this affair can be kept from the newspapers and the public?” Cal looked at the physician in surprise. ‘*Ts it possible you understand the boasted enterprise of New York newspapers?” he ex- claimed, Tbe doctor winced a little, and the ferret swiftly added: ‘Here is a sensation; nothing can keep it pe the papers, Why, sir! this may be mur- er! Dr. Andros recoiled. ‘** [mpossible!” For a moment the detective’s eyes were half- closed, and he looked searchingly at the pby- sician; then he deliberately put a question: ** Are you ready to make oath this is suicide?” The physician drew himself up rather stiffly: **T am not here to decide that,” he said, ‘I am simply Captain Scudd’s private medical at- tendant, I have ascertained beyond a doubt that the youth is dead, and, as I can be of no aid to a dead man, my service ends, Itis for the coroner to say whether this is a case of sui- cide or not,” ‘Exactly, And do you think you will find a corouer ready to keep this matter private?” ** Money will do almost anything, and Captain Scudd is a wealthy mav.” Cal was silent for a moment, looking straight into the doctor’s face, and then he said: ‘*T should not advise Captain Seudd to at- tempt to keep this quiet. know it may burt his pride to have it made public, but it will look very bad if he tries to cover anything up.” ‘© And he sent for you for the very purpose of investigating this matter quietly.” ‘*] will do so as quietly as possible, but this story will have to go to the papers, I have not learned any of the particulars, but it strikes me there may be a mystery here,” The doctor was silenced, Cal drew the physician to a chair. “How long ago was this young man found?” he asked, ‘“‘ Not more than an hour,” * Who discovered him?” The doctor hesitated and couched behind his hand, at the same time looking sharply at Carter from beneath his bushy eyebrows, you see he—he was—ahem!— Confound it!” Cal was surprised at the sudden display nervousness On the part of the physician, and wondered why the man could not come to ! point at once. Why should he seem so broken : over a simple question? ‘*'The captain was what?” ‘* He was in this room when the discovery wa made,” . Then he discovered the corpse?” ae No?” ** He did not,” “Then who—” ** Mrs, Scudd,” ‘The captain’s wife?” “SY eayeire’ ‘* Explain,” ‘** Well, she happened to want to see her hus gi for something, and she came to the room,’ * Yes, ‘*Sha rapped on the door.” “Go on.” ‘The first time she rapped there was no re- sponse,” **She repeated the knock?” **She did.” ** And then?” ‘* Her husband’s voice asked who was there.” ‘*He was within the room?” “* Yes, sir.” ; Detective Carter scowled again, as was his habit when he struck anything a bit puzzling. ‘* What followed?” “Mrs. Scudd asked to be admitted. tain asked her to wait a moment, she heard the key turn in tbe lock.” .Cal bent forward in bis chair, bis face sudden- ly becoming very grave, “She heard the key turn in the lock?” he echoed, plainly surprised at that. ‘*‘ Then the door was locked from the inside?” Dr. Andros was very pale, for he understood vm detective’s thoughts, but he was forced to reply: ‘ te It was.” The cap- Pretty soon — CHAPTER II. ‘* WHAT THEN—WHAT FOLLOWED?” “THis is becoming interesting,” declared Cal- vin Carte. ‘I vhought I scented a mystery, Go on; what followed The physician cleared his throat. ‘*Captain Scudd opened the door,” he said, speaking a bit buskily, ‘‘ and his wife entered, She noticed Charley Thornton on the couch, and she asked what was the matter with him, The captain seemed surprised, replying that he did not know anything was the matter. He said Charley was not feeling well and bad Jain down to rest.” The detective was drinking in every word, oe seemed impatient when tbe doctor paused. ** And then—what?” a et bg saw the revolver on tbe floor.” “She uttered a little cry and pointed toward it, The captain started forward in amazement, —s atit. ‘ Why, itis a revolver!’ he cried, But his wife’s eyes had become fixed on Thorn- ton’s face. ‘Heis dead!’ shegasped. The doctor’s manner was so realistic that he seemed to paint the whole scene with those few words, He went on: “It was a terrible discovery. Mrs, Scudd nearly fainted, and tbe captain could scarcely believe the evidence of his eyes, He was so astounded he could not speak for some time, and then horror overcame him,” ' “But I cannot understand this,” said the fer- ret, knitting his brows. ‘‘He was here in the room with the corpse, you say—locked in ?” ““And yet he did not know the young man was dead?” * No.” “* Huab!” There was something strangely expressive about that exclamation—both amazement and doubt were mingled. The physician hastened to say: ‘“*T know such a thing seems quite impossible, but—but—” ** What?” “T have the utmost confidence in Captain Scudd,” Carter lifted one hand, “‘That may be true, but it will bave no bear- ing se peta ll Sie 2 e doctor arose 18 feet, plainly touc to the guick. i . y teacnet ‘* Have you formed an opinion thus soon?’ he
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“= - - — asked, somewhat scornfully. ‘‘ You were sum- moned for the purpose of investigating this sin- gular and sad affair, and—” “That is just what [ proposetodo. I beg you not be offended by mer hae I may have said, 1 have formed no opinion, | assure you, for that isnot my way. Ishall not form an opinion till everything is settled in my mind. Doctor, I must see Captain Scudd.” é ** At once?” ** At once,” ** He is all broken down over this affair, for this young man wasa beloved nephew. He was Charles Thornton’s guardian.” ‘* Did Thornton have any money ?” ** Yes, I believe so.” ‘** And this was in the captain’s bands?” “ Yes,” “Was young Thornton steady?” “T regret to say.be was not. He was in- clined to be wild, and the captain was obliged to keep a strict hand on him,” Carter arose and took the doctor’s arm, then he led the physician t> the spot where the revol- ver lay. ** Please note the position of that weapon very carefully,” was his request. ‘‘ You see it is about three feet from the couch, toward which its muzzle points. This is not of great im- portance; but I wish to examine the weapon, and the coroner will ask about where it was found,,and its position,” He had taken a paper-weight from the desk and, when he lifted the weapon, he placed the weight on the spot where it had lain, Then he took the revolver to a window and critically ex- amined it by the light, muttering aloud: “Thirty-eight caliber—one chamber dis- charged—no marks on the weapon to tell owner —self-cocker—Jonee & Markbam, makers,” Having examined the revolver,to his satisfac- tion, he returned it to the spot indicated by the paper-weight. ‘*Have you made a discovery?” ‘anxiously asked the doctor. ** Nothing of especial note,” was the reply. ** Now IL wish to see Captain Scudd.” ‘*T will learn if be is prepared to meet you.” The doctor left the room. While be was gone, Carter busied himself making note of everything. He discovered there was but one way of entering and leaving the room, There were two other doors, but they led to closets, Captain Scudd had plainly been a sea-captain, and that he had made a comfortable fortune was apparent. The doctor soon returned with the announce- ment that the captain was waiting in the parlor ‘to see the detective. ‘* Be as considerate as you can with your ques- tions,” urged the old physician. ‘“‘He is in a bad way. Do not shock him, I beg of you.” Clear-Grit Cal followed the physician to the parlor, where he found a rather corpulent, square-jawed man of about sixty awaiting him, This gentleman was seated in a comfortable chair, and a man-servant was fanning him. As the physician and the detective entered, Captain Scudd dismissed the servant, who immediately left the room. “You will pardon me for not rising, sir?’ he said, in something like bluff frankness. ‘‘I really feel unequal to the exertion, You are Calvin Carter, the detective?” “Tam, sir.’ ‘* And the doctor—he has told you—” “* He has told me a great deal, I wish to learn much more,” ‘“*T shall be only too glad to give you any in- formation possible. This is a terrible affiair— terrible! Ido notunderstand iti— Doctor, did ‘you lock the door of my room?” **T did, captain,” “That is right. I want no one but yourself and the detective to enter there till the coroner comes.” ‘* Have you sent for the coroner?” asked (al, * Not yet, sir—not yet. I wished your advice, I am so torn to pieces! Poor Charley—poor boy! God, sir! I loved that boy! I thought as much of him asif he were my own! Cal was closely watching the man’s face as these words were spoken, trying to read Captain Scudd’s character rightly. It was no easy task, for he knew it was not impossible the man was playing the bypocrite; but he was forced to con- Clear-Grit Cal. fess be was acting the part skillfully—if it was acting. The captain fumbled with his hands and pro- duced a handkerchief, The detective thought he was going to wipe his eyes, but he blew his nose instead, If the old salt had wiped his eyes with that handkerchief Cal would have been in- clined to believe be was trying to make an im- pression, but what he did was so in keeping with the character of the man as the detective bad sized him up that Carter was favorably im- pressed, The physician was a very nervous man, He could not keep still, and his hands were in con- stant motion, He really annoyed Carter, who tried not to notice his nervousness, “This isa sad affair, captain,” said Cal, ‘I trust you will be able to give me all the infor- mation possible,so I may get at this business quickly.” Tbe old salt straightened up in his chair, ‘*Go on, sir,” he said, ‘‘I am ready.” ‘* Well, to begin with, do you think the young man took his own life?” The captain fell back, his face turning pale, ‘*T really can’t say—I don’t know what to think.” And then, with a sudden vehemence that startled the detective, he cried: ‘*Of course he did? What else could have happened? Yes, sir, be took his own life!” ‘* Then why did you summon me, sir? If you are sure of this, why should you need the service of a detective?” ‘‘It was my wife—Mrs, Scudd thought best that a detective should make investigations,” ‘‘ And why did you not summon one of the regulars?” Once more the captain tried to straighten up stiffly. “You understand, sir, we have a desire to keep this matter private,” ‘A difficult thing to do,” ‘*'You do not think we shall be able to do so?” **Prankly, I do not.” The captain’s face, which had been pale at first, was now flushed crimson, and be mopped it nervously with bis handkerchief, Cal Carter was watching and noting every inove and say | change, am sorry. I suppose it will be in the newspapers, Condemn the newspapers, sir! That is what I say, sir! They ought to be!” ‘**Some of them had, that is true. You say your nepbew was inclined to be wild at times?” “T regret to confess it, but it is true. Not that he was a bad or vicious boy,” he hastily added, ‘On the contrary, he was always gen- tle and kind. Even when he had been drink- ing, he remained a gentleman-——he showed his breeding, sir.” ‘* Had he been drinking to-day?” The captain hesitated, then bowed, ‘* He bad.” ‘* Was he intoxicated?” “That I cannot say. He did not stagger when he came in, but there was a wild look in his eyes, 1 asked what was the matter, and he said he did not know. Then I accused him of cig He declared he had only taken one — of heer. Then he lay down on that coucb. © said something about being drugged, and—” The detective started, A Drugged?” ; 6 -Vas y **'W hat then—what followed?” A dazed look came over the old captain’s face and he moved his hands in an aimless manner. “What then?” he echoed. ‘That is what puzzles me. What followed?” Carter leaned forward in his cbair. ‘You do not mean to say you cannot tell what followed?” he asked, almost breathlessly. “That is what I mean,” declared Captain Seudd, “Everything seems a blank—I do not remember anything till I heard my wife rapping at the door!” CHAPTER III, SINGULAR STATEMENTS. DETECTIVE CARTER was more than surprised at this statement—he was astounded, He looked at Captain Scudd in wonder, scarcely able to be- lieve the man was in earnest, But evidently the man was never soberer or morein earnest in all his life. The doctor had paused in his nervous walk and was staring breathlessiy at the two men. He seemed to be trying to read the effect of the captain’s words on Carter, “This is a most astonishing statement, cap- tain,” said the detective, slowly. ‘Do you mean to say you remained in the room till your wife came and still know nothing of what oc- curred?” ‘*T know it is astonishing,” acknowledged the old salt. ‘‘It can scarcely be more surprising to you than to me, but it is true—I swear it!” ** You remained in the room?” ‘*T presume so, I was in the room when Charley came, and I was there when Mrs, Scudd knocked on the door, I bave no recollection of leaving that room.” ‘* How much time passed between the moment when your nephew came in and Mrs, Scudd rap) at the door?” **T do not know, but it only seems afew mo- ments to me, It seems that I bad just heard Charley say he was drugged. . Barely had the words passed his lips when I heard the knocking at the door,” ‘* You did not immediately answer when she first knocked?” “ce No, ” Why not?” “Well, I donot know, sir. I believe I tried to do so, but could not seem to utter a word.” **- You had not fallen asleep?” ** Tt is impossible.” ‘*When your wife called your name you re- sponded?” ‘© 7 did.” ** And then?” **T asked what she wanted.” ** Her reply?” ‘*Was that she wanted to see me a moment,” ** And next?” ‘**f called for her to come in; she replied that the door was locked.” ‘© You bad locked it?” ‘* Not to my knowledge.” ‘* Where was the key?” ‘Tn my pocket,” ‘Then you must have locked it.” ‘*T suppose so,” was the helpless reply ; ‘‘ but I have not the least recollection of doing such a thing.” The detective now fully realized that be had struck a case that promised to prove decidedly out of the usual order, He was becoming more and more interested with each passing moment, Dr. Andros now stood like a statue, staring and listening. He seemed utterly incapable of moving or speaking a word, ‘© You were forced to unlock the door to admit your wife?” ‘* Yes, sir.” ‘* She entered the room?” **She did,” ** And then—what?” ‘* She saw Charley on the couch,” Captain Scudd was breathing heavily, like a man who had over-exerted himself. He looked up at the physician, saying faintly: ** Wan me, doctor.” Dr. Andros hasteved to do so, ‘Did Mrs, Scudd immediately approach the couch?” Cal asked, after a brief silence, ‘2 yon, sir.” ‘*But you were the ‘one who discovered the young man was dead?” “e No. ” “ No” ‘“*Sbe made that discovery. She pointed to the revolver on the floor, but [ looked at Char- ley’s face, ‘Itisa pistol ! she cried; but I could only gasp: ‘ He is dead—dead!’” he old salt was very much overcome by the remembrance, and, behind the captain’s chair, Dr. Andros shook his bead warningly at Cal. Although burning with impatience to hear more, the detective held himself in restraint for at least three minutes, making rapid short-hand notes in a little book. After a while, the captain went on, vol- untarily: ‘IT could scarcely believe my eyes, but I was forced to attend to Mrs. Scudd, who fainted, sir, like a woman, sir. I had sense enough to carry ber from the room and lock the door be- fore Isummoned any of the servants, so they know nothing of what has happened, though they suspect something is the matter.” “You afterward returned to the room?” “Yes, sir.” ‘* For what purpose?” ‘* Well, I could not believe I had not been deceived, I went back to — myself Charle was really there with a bullet-hole in h temple.” ** Did you move anything?” “ Nothing,” .** You did not touch the body?” “ No, sir,” a ‘* Nor the revolver” “ No,” Cal’s face was like a mask, but if Captain Scudd could have read his thoughts, he would have been startled, to say the least, ;
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Clear-Grit Cal. “Captain, this is a most extraordinary story, to say the least. I beg you to consider carefully every statement you have made, and if there is anything you wish to retract—” The captain balf-started from his chair. “Gad, sir!” he cried. ‘‘ Do you think I have lied? Ihave summoned you to investigate this affair, not to insult me in my own house!” “| have no thought of insulting you, sir,” calmly returned the detective, ‘‘ When I said those words, I was only thinking of you—of your best interest. Such astory as you have told will have a terrible overhauling by the coroner. You must realize how strange it is—” ‘*T do, sir, I do! [ cannot expect you to understand it, for I do not understand it my- self,” “ For a time you must bave been quite uncon- scious of anything that occurred?” “1 think i was,” ‘It is simply wonderful! such spells before?” Captain Scudd looked puzzled. ‘“Well, | do not know,” be slowly replied; **but I think [have, 1 bave complained to tke doctor here that | was getting absent-minded, for t ere have been times when a whole afternoon has seemed like a minute, Il would go in there to my desk and it would seem that barely was I seated before it was night, and still I know I entered the room near midday. Sometimes I wrote letters or did things of which I had not the least recollection afterward,” ‘Have you proof that you are troubled by such spells?” ** All the proof I have is what I have told Mrs, Seudd and Dr, Andros concerning them.” The detective arose and led the physician aside, begging Captain Scudd’s tobe for doing so, ** Doctor,” he said, speaking guardedly, so the old galt could not hear, ‘ I have a few questions to ask you.” ** Go ahead.” ‘In the first place, you have utter confidence in Captain Scudd?” ‘* Implicit, sir.” ** He bas told you of these spells?” ** He spoke of them once or twice,” * What do you think of them?” “T have not formed an opinion,” ‘Well, you must see that this story he tells will be riddled by a coroner’s jury. It will not hold water unless it can be proved beyond a doubt that he has these very spells of which he speaks. And then—” ‘* And then—what, sir?” “* Anotber question will arise,” ** What question?” ‘*One with regard to his sanity!” Have you ever had CHAPTER IV. MRS, SCUDD. Dr. ANDROS started, “What do you mean?” “Ts Captain Scudd always in his right mind?” **T have no reason to believe he is not,” “Then be may find himself entangled in a net that will drag him into very deep water. This affair is bound to make a great sensation,” ** {6 cannot be kept quiet?” Cal shook his head. “* Such a thing is simply impossible.” ‘*] am sorry—for the captain’s sake. It will crush him completely, for I suppose all the par- ticulars of bis nepbew’s occasional larks will be prated through the papers.” “Yes; it will be better to try to conceal noth- ing, for every point will be nosed out. But, worse than everything else, the captain will be suspected of the murder of his nephew,” The doctor groaned. **That is what I have feared!” he confessed, ‘It cannot be avoided, It is not improbable that he will be arrested,” * Arrested?” k 6 Yous,” x “Such a thing must not occur!” ‘*You must see that the case looks black against him, and it is not improbable that much will be discovered that will make it still blacker.” Dr, Andros was pale and nervous again. ‘*This is horrible!” he whispered, ‘* Why, the captain loved that young man asif he were his own son!” “ And still he may have killed him,” The physician fell back, staring bard at the detective, “Sir—” Cal checked him with a motion, **Careful, doctor—he will hear you. 1 do not mean to say the captain would do such a thing while in bis right mind, but—” “ What?’ ‘*He may have done su while ina state of mental aberration.” ‘*] will not believe such a thing possible!” ‘* You may be forced to believe. But I have some more questions to ask the captain.” They returned to the spot where Captain Scudd was sitting, “Captain,” said the detective, ‘‘you have spoken of your nephew’s occasional wildness, Was he inclined to drink?” A look of pain settled on the old sailor’s face, ‘* At times, sir, at times, I have often talked with him, and only last evening I warned him against the pace he was inclined to travel.” ** Had he other follies?” ‘* He was inclined to let his fancy run away with him in one other respect.” ‘¢ What was that?” ; ‘* He fancied ballet-dancers.” “Ah! Anything more?” ** He bet on tue races,” ‘* Was inclined to gamble a little, eb?” ‘‘ Yes, sir. But I do not see how this can con- cern the case at all.” ‘* And still it may be of great importance, The future will reveal whether it is or not. How did your nephew reach the house to-day? Did he walk or come iu a carriage?” “T have not inquired.” ‘* Will the butler know?” “Tt is quite probable,” ‘“‘Then I will question him later, own a revolver?” “* Yes, sir.” ‘* Where is it?” “In the desk of my room—the room where poor Charley is.” You are sure it is still in your desk?” ““T presume it is.” ‘* Doctor, will you kindly ascertain if the wea- pou is there?” Dr. Andros bowed and left the room. Ina few moments he returned, saying the desk was locked. Captain Scudd gave him the keys, and he went back to the room. His face lcoked grave when he re-entered the parlor, ‘There is no revolver there,” he declared. ‘* Not there?” exclaimed the captain, ‘‘ Well, that is most singular. Are yousure? Did you look carefully, doctor?” “‘T did. It is not there.” Again the old salt blew his nose vigorously. * T wonder what in the world can have be- come of it!” he cried. “I always leave it there.” ‘Was it marked with your name or initials?” asked Cal. ‘No, sir; it was not marked in any way.” ‘““The weapon on the floor—that was not yours?” Captain Scudd looked startled, but instantly replied; **No, sir; it was not.” Cal made some more notes, and then he said: ‘Captain, I would like to see your wife,” **T am afraid that will be impossible at present, sir,” was the reply. ‘' She is completely broken down by this affair.” “Tf itis possible, 1 hope she will give mea few mivuutes,” ** Well, sir, I will see.” The captain arose and slowly left the room, The detective and the doctor looked into each other’s eyes, “What do you make of it?” questioned the physician. “ Nothing yet.” “Do you think you will be able to get at the exact truth?” ‘*T think so, I am not in the habit of failing in anything I undertake. I have a motto, sir, It is ‘Never Say Die.’ For that reason I am sometimes called the ‘ Never-Say-Die Detective.’ ff I am given full swing on this case, I will get at the bottom facts or go out of the busi- ness,” Dr, Andros bowed with satisfaction. ‘That is the kind of talk I like to hear, and I believe you will succeed.” ‘¢ Was Thornton an only cbild?” ** He was the only child of the captain’s sister, but Harriet Scudd married a man who had a tiny daughter living. Bartley Thornton was a widower, and I believe the young man’s half- sister is somewhere in the city. Her name is Ollie. She is about three years older than Charley.” “* How old was he?” ; ‘In his nineteenth year, I think.” ** He looked older.” ‘* Yes, he looked twenty-one, at least.” At this moment the captain returned, saying his wife would be down in a short time, The detective then engaged him in conver- Do you te @ é “ oe ee a ‘ y i Fae 77 Ne i? xt ren ie ere PRR! Oe tame. —_——_—— or SSSeEeESeEeeEFESeESESESESFESESESESESESESEeESEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEEEEEEEEEEEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEE nn — — ——— ees SS A esses sation of a nature that bad little or no bearing on the case, watching his face and trying to “*sound ” him, After a little, Carter asked to be left alone with Mrs. Scudder when she came in, Tbe captain and the doctor retired from the room, leaving the ferret to make some more notes in bis little book and run swiftly over the case in bis mind. ‘‘This promises to be a case worth working,” he softly muttered. ‘It is not every day fF strike something out of the usual, and surely this is not common, At present, there seems but one explanation, and that is that Captain Scudd has fits of temporary insanity. In one of those spells be may have killed bis nephew, wno was sipeping on that cot, all unaware of any dange#, If this is not the true explanation, am ready to give no solution at present.” He waited impatiently for Mrs, Scudd to ap~ pear. She was a long time coming, and Carter felt that every moment might be precious, completely up:et her, Well, this may be but: the beginning. She may bave many trials to go through before she is given rest.” The portieres parted and a woman stepped iu- to the room. The detective instantly arose aud bowed, finding himself confronted by a vision of female loveliness—a beautiful woman who was. certainly Jess than thirty years of age, She was a brunette with flashing eyes and red lips, while her figure was supple, graceful and round. She was plump and delicious as a ripe peach, but there was not one ounce too much flesh on ber, Calvin Carter was actually startled by this vision of beauty, and he stammered in bis sur- prise. A musical voice asked: ** Did you send for me?” ‘Tf you are Mrs, Scudd, I did, madam.” ‘“*T am Mrs, Scudd,” was her assurance, as she advanced. CHAPTER V. NO LIGHT ON THE MYSTERY. Tuer lady was plainly nervous and excited. She paused beside a chair, resting cne band on the back. Detective Carter saw the hand tremble as sbe lifted it, In her other hand she held a handkerchief tightly grasped. The woman’s eyes drooped before the detec- tive’s searching gaze. . Carter was scarcely prepared to meet such a young and handsome female when Mrs, Scudd ee the room, but he quickly recovered him- self, ‘*“Won’t you be seated, madam?” he asked, by way of saying something. ‘‘T had rather stand,” was the answer. ‘* You —you are the detective,” e bowed. Tram,” “Ob, I bope you will be successful in quickly getting at the truth of thiz terrible affair!” “‘T shall do my best, I assure you. I find it necessary to ask you some questicns,” “‘T am ready to give you auy information that can be of service in solving the mystery of poor Charley’s death.” “To begin with, I wish to ask if at any time to-day you heard a sound like a pistol-shot?” 5 I did not,” ‘* You did not suspect anything was wrong till you entered your busband’s room and saw the body on the cot?” “ No, sir.” ae y dors you go to that room?” Mrs, Scudd hesitated and her eyes drooped again. “*T really do not know,” was her low reply. “*T think I was lonely.” “Great Scott)” thought Carter, though he took good care not to speak the words aloud. “Can it be this charming young creature is really in love with that poddish old sailor?” He coughed bebind his hand, which censed Mrs. Scudd to quickly lift her eyes, Not till that moment had he observed how darkly mag- netic and flashing were those eyes, Something about them attracted him and caused bim to catch his breath. : Almost as quickly as they bad been lifted, those eyes fell before his earnest look. ‘* T sometimes get lonesome and go there,” she explained, as if she wanted to say something, “* Very naturally,” said Cal, although be did not think it was such a natural thing. “ You a 2 at the door?” ‘Yes, sir.” ‘Did Captain Scudd immediately reply?” ‘** He did not.” ** Is this a common occurrence?” “* What do you mean, sir?” “She is probably a woman of fifty,” thought. | Cal; ‘‘and, as the captain explains, this has”
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P “Toes he usually fail to reply at once when you knock?” “No, sir. But there have been times when he ‘has failed to do so.” j “Then you thought nothing strange of it?” ‘*T did not,” ** You called to him?” a ef ” ‘* Then he replied?” ** He did,” ‘*-You told him who you were and he came to ‘the door at once?” + ‘* Well, not exactly, He seemed to hesitate about coming to the door. He came part way and then asked me what I wanted.” * Your reply?” ‘That I wanted to come in.” ‘* And then he opened the door?” ‘“*He did—after some fumbling for a brief space of time.” ‘* You immediately entered the room?” ‘‘ Yes, sir; and almost the first thing I saw was the body on tbe couch.” “ Ab?’ “1 thought nothing of it, although it gave me a start to find some one with the captain. But the next minute I saw the revolver on the floor, I pointed to it, and then my husband cried out something, of which I only caught the word dead. I looked at Charley and saw how ghastly and rigid was bis face, and then the room began to whirl around me and everything grew black,” ** You fainted?” ** Yes, sir.” ; Up to this point she had remained standing, but now she sunk into the chair, as if her strength had suddenly deserted her. She did not seem scriving to make an impression, but her manner was perfectly natural, apparently. ‘¢ When you recovered you were—where?” *¢ In the room,” ‘* Did you know Captain Scudd intended send- ing for a detective?” ‘Tt was by my advice he did so,” ‘‘ Have you ever noticed anything odd about your busband?’ A Again those dark eyes flashed up at-him, ‘* What do you mean, sir?” ‘* Have you ever observed anything eccentric in bis manner?” ‘* Much, for, to say the very least, he is an eccentric map, sir.” ‘* Has he ever seemed absent-minded?” ** At times.” “Could not remember things that had oc- curred?” ** Yes, sir,” ‘“‘ What have you thought of these spells?” **That he had studied so much his memory was failing. He is at work on an invention of some kind to be used on ocean steamers, It was by an invention he acquired his present wealch, but he thinks he has struck a still greater idea, only he bad never been quite able to bring it to perfection. Sometimes he will spend days locked in that borrid room, not even coming out to eat. He will have his food taken there, and when he is utterly exhausted, will sleep for a brief space of time on that cot. It is then he is trying to bring his invewtion to perfection, and he usually comes forth in a wretched humor, for he never quite succeeds, Then perbaps he will not go near that room again for weeks.” The detective listened with interest, for he was learning something of Captain Scudd that might possibly be of advantage to@him. He wished to thoroughly understand the nature of br man, for he thought he could do better if he did. “Is it after one of those long spells in that room that he seems absent-minded?” ‘“‘ Nor always, although he is sometimes unable to tell whether he has spent one day or ten in there.” ‘*Does be ever appear wild and unreason- able?” ‘Once or twice I bave fancied so, but it was about the invention, That is the only thing that throws him off his balance.” “Do you know if he was working on this in- vention to-day?” ‘**T think he has three days,” Carter walked across*the room and back, then be made a few hasty notes in his little book, ‘** Now,” he said, ‘* what can you tell me about this young man—Charles Thornton?” ‘* What do you wish to know?” ** What were his habits?” ; “They migbt have been steadier.” ‘* What was the relation between the captain and Thornton?” _ “I presume you know Captain Scudd was his guardian?” been at work on it for the past Clear-Grit Cal. iad Yes,” ‘*He had‘ charge of the property to which Charley was heir. Captain Scudd tried to re- strain the young man and keep him from squan- dering bis possession, and the result was an oc- casional disagreement. I think they quarreled last evening—I am sure they did, for 1 heard a few words asI happened to be passing the door of that room,” ‘*Then the door must have been open, for when it is closed, the sound of a pistol-shot in that room does not alarm the household.” ‘‘ That is not so very singular.” “ No?” ‘No, sir. Had the report been heard, it is possible nothing would have been thought of it, Tn one of those closets be bas a chest of chemi- cals, and he often experiments with them while in that room, They have something to do with his invention, although I do not understand what. Very often explosions are heard, but they are explosions of the chemicals.” ‘‘ This is important,” said Cal. ‘' I have been wondering why that pistol-shot was not heard. This explains it.” ‘The door was slightly open last evening. I did not pause to listen, but I heard Charley de- clare he would raise a row if tbe captain did not give him a certain amount of money. His voice showed he was decidedly angry, and I heard Captain Scudd reply in a barsher tone than is usual with him, Then I went up- stairs.” ‘* Ts the captain a man of violent temper?” ‘“‘Tf so, I have never seen a display of it. He bas always been very kind and considerate with me.” ‘‘ Were you on friendly terms with young Thornton?” ¢¢'Yis8, sir.” ‘* He always treated you most considerately ?” ‘* He treated me with such respect as was due his uncle’s wife.” ‘* He was in no way presuming?” “Only once.” ‘Ah! When was that?” ‘* Several weeks ago, He had been drinking. I gave him a talking to that sobered him up, and he begged my pardon. Never since by word or Jook has he overstepped the bounds of propriety.” ‘“*Do you think it possible he committed sui- cide?” ‘*He may have done so while intoxicated, al- though it does not seem probable,” ‘““How do you explain the fact that Captain Scudd was found in'the room with the corpse, and still did vot seem to know anything about it?” ‘©Oh, sir! I can’t explain that! I do not un- derstand it! It is terrible—terrible!” ** You see it looks suspicious?” She started to her feet. “*T care not how it looks!” she almost cried. Captain Scudd is my busband—a gentleman aud a man of honor. He has done nothing wrong!” Somehow her excited manner seemed uncalled for, but Carter remembered her nerves must be at a high tension, and that might cause ber to act strangely, “There is no accusation against your hus- band, madam,” he calmly said; ‘ but you must see his position, Unless this matter can be cleared up, and he can be proved innocent, be will surely suffer for the murder of Charles Thorvton!” His words were harsher than he had intended to make them when be began to speak, and he immediately regretted baving uttered them. By instinct a gentleman, he sometimes found it most repulsive to carry out the duties of his profession. Many times he was compelled to stoop to do things which duty demanded, but which galled his very soul. Mrs. Scudd récoiled with a little ery, and clutched at the back of the chair, ‘* No, no, no!” she hoarsely whispered. ‘‘ You do not mean that! No, no!” ‘“‘T humbly beg your pardon for my hasty words,” came from the detective’s lips. ‘I sbould have been more considerate.” With en apparent effort, she straightened up before him, Once more those magnetic eyes met his, ‘I believe, sir, a wife cannot be compelled to testify against her husband?” “ Assuredly not, madam.” ‘“* Then my lips sball be sealed,” **Do you believe your husband guiltless?” “Of course I do!” “Then it may be for the best to tell the whole truth. Of that you can better decide at a later period,” ‘* But what I have told you, sir, will—” ‘*Havelno fear. I have been summoned to get at the truth of this affair, but I shall be dis- creet,” She held out her hand. He took it. It was hot and throbbing as if the woman had a fever, **I thank you,” she said; and those flashing eyes were hidden by the long, drooping lashes, CHAPTER VI. PICKING UP SOME POIN DETECTIVE CARTER was far from being satis- fied with the result of bis investigations, The mystery was still a deep one, and no new light had been thrown upon it, When Mrs, Scudd returned to her room, Cal sought the butler. ** Did you let Charley Thornton in to-day?” ‘** Yes, sir.” ‘* Did he come to the house afoot?” ‘*No, sir; he came in a carriage.” ve Did you notice anything peculiar in his man- ner? **T thought his eyes looked wild like, sir.” ‘* He did not stagger?” ** No, sir.” ‘Have you noticed the sound of a pistol shot any time since he came in?” ‘No, sir.” That was all; the butler could tell him nothing more. Cal next sought the doctor and the captain. ‘* Take my advice,” be said; ‘‘call in the un- dertaker at once and notify young Thornton’s sister. Do not try to conceal anything, for it will look suspicious. An inquest must be held, and the sooner it takes place the better. I must be present to testify and make notes,” ‘**What do you think?” asked the captain. ‘* What conclusion have you arrived at, sir?” ‘* No conclusion,” ‘* Do—do you think it was suicide?” ‘*T spoke the truth when I said I bad arrived at no conclusion. Can you tell me anythin about the young man’s associates? I must fin some of them.” ‘*T know nothirg of them,” ‘* Nor the places he frequented?” ‘*He sometimes went to the Hoffman House.” * Any other place?” ‘* He seldom told me where he went. of no other place be frequented.” ‘* Then to the Hoffman House I will go, I must be present at the inquest. A notice sent to my office will reach me, for I shall look for it.” A few moments later, he took bis departure. Straight to the Hoffman House he made his way. He had secured a picture of Charley Thornton, and with the aid of that, he made his inquiries. Almost the first person be struck knew the young man, ‘*He sometimes comes in with some of the bloods about town,” this individual explained. ‘“‘T think he has money on the races, He was in here last evening, and, from his talk, I fancied he had been a heavy loser or was talking for the sake of using his mouth, He seemed in a reck- less mood.” ‘*Did you notice who ke was with?” ‘Yes, twoof the youths who wish to be known as sports. They opened some wine, Thornton settled for it, Then a tall and neatly dressed man came and whispered something to young Thornton. He was about going away with the tall man when a young man came in and called him ont onimportant business, he said.; By Jove! there’s the very young fellow now!” He pointed out a well-dressed, manly-appear- ing young fellow, apparently about twenty-five years of age, who had just entered and seemed looking for some one, The detective thanked the man and made his way toward the one pointed out, ‘* Excuse me,” said Cal. ‘1 am looking for Charley Thornton, A gentleman over they said he believed you knew Thornton,” The young man’s blue eyes ran swiftly over the detective’s figure and rested on his face. “He was right,” was the reply; ‘‘Ido know him, but I may not be able to aid in your search for him, I was looking for him myself.” “ Are you a particular friend of his?” There was a moment of hesitation, **T can’t say that I am,” “You met bim here last night?” “Yes, sir.” “And you called him out on ‘ particular busi- ness.’ Do you mind telling what that business was? A cynical look flashed across the young man’s I know fa ce, ‘“‘T advised him to go home before he became any drunker,” r arter was surprised, .
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SMe ** Rather free for one who is not a particular friend, eh?” smiled the young man. ‘Tt struck me so,” confessed the ferret. ** Now look here,” came from the youth’s lips, “T want to know what Charley Thornton has been up to that they have put a detective after him, ** A detective—” ‘*That’s what you are, I should say.” Cal saw that it was useless to conceal the truth, so he bowed, ‘*You are right,” was his reply, “‘I am a de- tective. Any information you can give me con- cerniug Charley Thornton will be appreciated,” “Tf you want to get anything out of me, tell me what he has done. My name is Val Sedman. I will be frank, for I believe in frankness, Iam engaged to Thornton’s sister, and that is why I take an interest in him, Now you willsee how the land lays. If you expect to get anything damaging against Charley out of me, you will be disappointed.” ‘** You have been frank, as you say, and I will be equally frank with you. Charley Thornton is dead!” Val Sedman nearly fell down in his astonish- ent. ‘* Good God!” he gasped. It was some moments before he recovered suf- fieiently to utter another word. He could only stare at the detective, borror in his eyes, ** You don’t mean that?” he finally exclaimed. ** But I do.” ‘*It is impossible! Why he was as well as ever last evening!” ‘* Torday he is dead with a bullet in his brain.” ‘* Murder |” * Or suicide.” “+ Where is he?” ** In his uncle’s house.” ** Where did this terrible thing take place?” ‘In that house.” ‘* When?” ** To-day.” ‘Great Heaven! this will bea terrible blow m ' for Ollie, She thought everything of Charley, though be was only her half-brother, It will nearly kill her! He was always so kind and ten- der toward her! Why, it does not seem possible this thing can be true! Tell me the particulars.” The detective did so, making the story as brief and direct as possible, “Charley Thornton was murdered!” That was Val Sedman’s assertion when he bad heard the particulars, death.” ; ** And I will do my best to aid you. What do you want to know?” “T have heard Thornton speculated—bet on the races, etc. Is that true?” **T am sorry to say it is,” ** He sometimes lost?” “Of course, and he lost big sums, too. He had been losing yesterday, and that was what ailed him. He was being played for a sucker. There was a certain man who had a grip on a Who” ‘*The one I took him away from last night— Silky Hall,” “Silky Hall! He isa sharp—the associate of crooks!” ‘Exactly, That’s the man who has done his level best to ruin Charley Thornton. He has it in for me, for I have coaxed Charley from bim several times, He was dragging him off tosome lace last night, but 1 induced Charley to go ome, Silky Hall goes on the list,” nodded Clear- Grit Cal. ‘‘ He shall be shadowed,” CHAPTER VII. PLAYING THE SHADOW. “* AND I would like the job of shadowing him,” quickly declared Val Sedman, * You?” exclaimed Carter. “Yes. Why not4” ** My dear fellow, the man is a sharp,” ** What of that?” “Tt will be a dangerous. job to dog his foot- steps.” ; Val laughed. b fa **T do not mind the danger.” **Tt will also be a difficult one, It will take a shadower who ls not a novice in the business.” “* Well, I am ready to try it,” said the young man, gravely. ‘I believe I can doit all right, and I want to bave a hand in clearing up this mystery.” : ‘Well, I'll tell you what you do: Go tell ; fhornton’s sister what has happened—impart : lear-Grit Cal. a i ss the news as gently as possible. Then come to my office. If I am not there, the boy will tell you where to find me. Here is the number,” “Allright,” said Val, ‘ Find something for mé to do. I want to have a part in the busi- ness. Ollie will expect me to, you know,” They parted. Carter went directly to his office. There he found a beardless youth who was lounging in an office chair, bis feet on the top of a writing desk and the stump of a cigar in his mouth. He was very well dressed, but there was acertain air of carelessness about his ap- pearance that seemed to indicate he was a happy-go-lucky individual. ** Hello,” be modded, as Cal came in, his feet suddenly disappearing from the desk, ‘‘ What’s on? ** Business, Shark,” ** Am I in it?” “ Yes,” ‘*Good! Tm tired of hanging on a peg. Hope it’s something lively. Give us de p’ints.’ Shark had been a street gamin and after- wards a ‘‘ tough boy ” with a desire to become a detective. By accident Clear-Grit Cal had dis- covered there was good stuff in him and had taken him in as an assistant. He knewvevery crook and turn of the great city, and proved to be a wonderful ‘shadower,” Carter never trusted anything of vital importance in his hands, unless it was a case of shadowing, Sometimes when Shark was excited or inter- ested he would fall into the dialect of the street gamin, **Do you know Silky Hall?” asked Cal. ** Better than bis own mammy does,” ** Well, I want you to shadow him,” ‘* What has he been up ter?” **T don’t know as he has been up to anything, but that is what I want you to find out, Last evening he was at the Hoffman House bar, Trace him from the time he left there up to the present time. Can you do it?” ‘Can I breathe! Can a frog jump!” ‘* That settles it.” ‘* Where do you want me to report—here?”’ “Tf [ am not here, you will find me at this address, Where is Blinker?” ** Asleep in the back room. Said he had to sit upall night with his sick sister.” *“ All right. Strike for Hall. Good luck,” Sbark tbrew the butt of the cigar into the cuspidore, crusbed his soft hat over bis eyes and hurried out, tucking the address Carter had given him into bis vest pocket, The detective then went into tho dingy little back room and aroused thé office-boy. “ Brace up, Blinker,” he said, ‘* You’ve got to look after things now.” ‘* Where’s Shark?” asked the boy, rubbing his eyes. fe Off on business,” “Den Dll git a brace on, boss, I’se_ pritty nigh used up fer der want of sleep, but dis nap’!l set me all right.” ‘You will have to look after the office and answer the telepbone, for I shal) not be here a great deal.” Carter then went back to his desk, and for an hour he busied bimself there, looking over some papers and studying the nutes he had taken in his little book, The Scudd case would have seemed simple enough had be been willing to admit the captain killed bis nephew, but Carter did not like to think so. Somehow, he was inclined to believe that was not the true solution of the mystery, But it looked very black for Captain Scudd. The ol gentleman was certainly ina tight place, and unless something could be done wo rescue him, he would be apt to suffer. ‘I suppose I will have to look up his record all the way back te the time when he was a sailor,” thought Ca], ‘‘ It may be time wasted, and it may give me the key to the whole thing. One never knows when he'll strike the right trail. Of course the old captain may have de- liberately murdered young Thornton,” He then went to the telephone and called fora certain down-town marine journal, on which a retired sea-captain was a sort of editorial figure- head, the real editor being a brilliant young man who could write a telling article on deep- water harbors, although he had never been fur- ther out at sea than the eastern limit of the Sound, 3 Jt happened that the ‘‘ well-known editor” of the journal was well acquainted with Captain Seudd, and able to give Carter many points con- cerning him. Within thirty minutes, the detective was seat- ‘ in the office of the journal, talking with the itor, This conversation lasted half an hour, and” ferret departed a much wiser mau in one char nel, and still more firmly convinced Captain Seudd did not murder his nephew. As be made his way toward the Sixth avenue Elevated, be was not a little surprised to hear the newsboys crying: ‘“*Eixtr-ah! All about der mysterious murder! Paper, mister?” He bought one, and found a column and a half concerning the death of Charley Thornton. ‘* Well, it beats the dickens how quickly these newspapers get hold of anything of this kind and get itinto print. A little more than two hours ago Captain Scudd protested agaiust an account of the affair going into the papers, and it is not probable the secret was divulged immediately after my devarture, All the same, the papers have got it,” ‘ On the train he read the account, and a scow) settled over his face, : **T expected it,” be muttered, as he discovered the papers, with one accord, spoke in & manner that insinuated there could be no doubt as to the murderer, ‘*They take not a bit of stock in the captain’s story. Well, so much the better for me, if I succeed in showing them they are all fools. I shall bave about a dozen of the so- called ‘ reporter-detectives’to contend against, and not one out of twenty of that class know their business. They are generally very fresh,” Going to the office, he found Val Sedman waiting for him there. k ‘ ** Ollie has gone to the captain’s,” said the young man. “I came here, and the boy said you would return soon.” Cal found there was no word from Shark, and so he told the eager young man he could not make use of him then. ‘Call around to-morrow,” was his advice, and Val departed in a disappointed frame of mind, Cal patronized a neighboring restaurant, re- turned and wrote some letters, and then, having had no call from Scudd’s, resolved to return to the captain’s, The straet lights were glimmering as he made his way up town. He was on the point of hail- ing a car, when be felt a touch on \his farm, and a low voice said: ‘*There goes Silky Hall—the man in the light suit, with the coat on bis arm.” é The speaker was Shark, Without attracting the attention of a single passer, he indicated the man he was ‘ shadowing.” ‘* Struck anything?” asked Cal, as be walked ‘along at a little distance from Shark. not even looking toward the young man. ‘Nothing much.” . “ All right. Stick.” When Sbark had passed on, Cal suddenly changed his plans, ‘Pil take a hand in this shadowing business myself,” he muttered, “It is not at all likely there is going to be an inquest to-day. It is too late now. Somehow, | believe Silky Hall had a finger in the pie in one way or another.” So the detective followed as a shadow on the gambler’s track, I : Silky Hall strolled leisurely toward Sixth avenue. He wes neatly and tastily dressed and was smoking a good cigar. He carried a cene, as well as the light top-coat thrown over his left arm, He seemed in no particular burry, and apparently did not dream be was tracked, He turned up the avenue. Near Thirtieth street he ehtered what appeared to be a cigar store. al knew the place, The cigar store was simply a blind to one of the biggest gambling houses in the city, Shark soon fullowed Hall into the store, and, strolling past the place a few seconds later, Cal discovered neither man was in the little front room, ‘* Well,” be thought, ‘‘ I have a fancy to go in there, but some of them might know me and think I was piping the place for the police. 1 must be in some kind of disguise.” , He hastened to the nearest hotel, knowing Shark would not lose track of the gambler if Hall left the place. In the toilet-room of the hotel he soon made a transformation im bis ap- pearance. He went in a common Yankee, but he came out a ‘ bloomin’ Briton.” mutton-chop whiskers and the touch of a pencil and a little paint here and there on his face worked a greet change. His clothes were not just what be de- sired to make the alteration complete, so oe ~ slipped into a clothing store and purchased & coat, bat and necktie, His regular garments he dispatched to his office by a messenger-boy, Only a comparatively sbort time bad been spent in the metamorphosis, but the change was
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nik tee ming wonderful. In the high-headed Eng- But it happened that Hall’and Moore were too | ‘ Oh, drop tbat, Moore!” snapped the gambler. han who turned into Sixth avenue no one rould have recognized the detective who passed the cigar store thirty minutes before. Cal made bis way to the cigar store witkout hesitation and entered boldly. Without pausing or displaying any unfamiliarity in the place, he passed round behind the couuter and paused at a heavy door that had the conventional ‘' peep- hole,” “ Aw) right, don’t yaw know,” he said, his voice being that of a very languid and world- weary Briton. ‘The map behind the counter had looked sharp- ly at Cal, but the deliberate assurance of the de- tective convinced him it was some tourist who had been there before. His band fell beneath the counter and touched a button, whereupon the door quietly swung open. Ca) entered, eA CHAPTER VIII. THE MONTE CARLO OF GOTHAM, A TRANSFORMATION scene greeted his eyes. He found himself in a large room, at least fifty feet long. The air was so thick with tobacco- smoke that it could almost be cut with a knife, but the lights of the place revealed the figures of two bundred men, these figures growing dimmer in the haze of the smoke at the further end of the | place. The greater part of those within the “Monte Carlo of Gotham” were gambling, either at bazard, roulette or faro, The most of the gamblers were young men with pale faces and reckless looks. A study of many would reveal the fact that they were al- ready breaking down physically and, unless they made an abrupt change in their mode of living— which was not to be expected—they would soon go the pace that kills and reach the end of the journey—a coffin! Those young fellows were living many years in one and, at the very time when their hearts should have been full of cheer and their steps buoyant, they were blase and languid, taking a somber view of life and firm in the belief that irene are no joys enduring iu this world, The whirr of little balls, the clink of chips and the hum of voices affe'ted Cal strangely when he first entered, but he soon recovered himself, although te wondered why the snunds were not heard on the sidewalk without, There were ten or twelve tables in full blast, and each table was surrounded by a little knot of anxious players. Although the ventures were small, it was plain that the risks of many a callow youth meant a great deal to him. Occasionally a low fierce curse would be uttered beneath the breath, and a player would turn from the table where be had squandered his last dollar. There were several waiters in the room, their white aprons being seen to flit here and there, as | they brought on drinks or cigars. The faces of some players were flushed with drink and their eyes red with the light fed by the demon of gam- ing. Cal’s entrance was unnoticed. He sauntered about the place without getting a second glance, It was not long before he came to a table where Silky Hall was sitting, talking in low tones with a companion whom Cal instantly recognized as a sharper with a dark record, a man known as ‘* Tired Moore,” and who was said to be almost too lazy to eat. For all of that, he was flashily, even expensively, dressed, Cal Jooked for Shark and discovered the young man playing roulette at a close-by table. ‘*T don’t fancy that,” thought the disguised detective. ‘‘He should be trying to hear what these fellows are saying.” f Without more ado, Cal sat down at the table, striking a little bell upom it. He did not look at Hall or his companion, but he saw them both glange atbim, When the waiter appeared, he sald: 5 “* Waitaw, I wawnt a cocktail, don’t yaw busy talking to pay any particular attention to the map, even though *‘ Lawd Alfwed’s” man- ner was little short of insolent. In fact, the two men were on the verge of a quarrel, Although they were speaking in low tones, the disguised detective could now and then catch a few words, He soon learned that the trouble was over a “ boodle ” of some sort,” ** You've got ter do der square or lll blow on yer!” declared Tired Moore, allowing his voice to rise a little, ‘* Hush up!” growled Hall, ‘* You'll have all the crowd looking this way, ‘** Let ’em look an’ be—” The crook did not finish, ** You seem determined to pick a row!” grated Hall. Moore looked sullen, ‘“Look here,” and the dark-faced gambler lowered his voice till only an occasional word could be caught by the detective, “if you want trouble, you shall haveit. I have two friends to your one in this place.” **T don’t want no troubie if youse do der white; but I hain’t no chump ter be played dirt der way youse are tryin’ ter. Dat’s w’at’s der matter wid me, See?” ‘*Ob, come off, Moore! Nobody is playing you dirt. You are imagining all this.” ‘‘ But where’s my part of der bood’?” **-You bave bad it.” ** Mighty smal) lot I got!” ** You received a fair share,” sé Bah hd ‘It is true.” “ Dat’s guff,” ‘* 1's straight.” ‘* But youse said Jere was a big snatch in it,” ‘*And so there was, but the young fool has gone and blown a hole in bis head,” ‘** Der pape’s don’t give 1t dat way.” ay No.” ‘Dey say it was murder.” ‘“*That shows what fools these reporters can make of themselves, The boy wasin a bad way last night, and still worse to-day. His losses broke him all up. It is pretty certain he put a bullet into his own head,” Tired Moore looked at Hall insinuatingly. “That sounds very well, but Dll bet der drinks you don’t mean it,” The gambler scowled, “You're altogether too familiar, Moore, ‘You'll get pulled cown one of these days,” ‘€ An’ youse ‘ll git pulled in. Ob, it hain’t no use ter play funny wid me, I’m on,” ‘Well, what in blazes do you mean?” ‘“*T guess youse wants it tought der fresh blowed hisself cold,” ; Hall halt started up, as if to grasp the insinu- ating crook by the throat, but be thought better of it and settled back in bis seat. “You make me tired!” he snapped, ‘* You are a knowing bloke—you are!” ~ ‘““Well, [ am some,” grinned Moore, nodding his bead, ‘* You know too much for your health!” *‘T know too much fer your health! w’at’s der matter.” “ What do you think I care what the papers say about this? If it was murder, it is plain the kid’s old uncle did the job.” ‘** Mebbe so,” ‘** There is no other way.” At this moment the waiter placed Cal’s cock- tail and cigar before him, The detective lifted the cocktail and sniffed suspiciously of it, and then muttered: e Haw » With that exclamation, he put it down and paid the bill, not failing to tip the waiter in a manner that attracted attention. ‘Something faw yawseif, you know, waitaw,” he said, as he placed a piece of money in the hand of the white-aproned individual, ‘‘ We Dat’s know, _Now mix me up a weglaw cocktail; ; Englishmen of wank awlways wemembaw the don’t give me awny demned pawtent-medisawn,) waitaw, If this cocktail is nawt aw! wight I *mixtchaw. And, waitaw?” ‘6 Yes, sir.” 2 ‘“‘ Bwing me the best cigar to be hawd in New Yawk. 1 don’t_wawnt any cawb:ge-leaf to- bacaw eithaw. You bawve such confwounded mean cigaws in this bloody countway thawt the sight awve them is nawseating, don’t yaw know. Iam Lawd Alfwed Twombly, saw, and a particulaw fwiend awve the Pwince awve ales, saw. Now, be demned lively in fwilling this awdab.” ’ The waiter departed, something like a grin on his face, while Cal lay back in bis chair, pro- ducing a single-barreled eye-glass, through which he stared in the boldest manner at Silky Hall and his associate. . shall feel it me duty to knawk yaw eye out, you know. Thawt is awl, saw.” Whereupon the waiter retired, ‘““Lawd Alfwed” seemed in no particular hurry to drink the liquor, but he leisurely light- ed the cigar. When there was a good oppor- tunity to do so witnvut being observed, he emptied the cocktail into a handy cuspidore, .Clear-Grit Cal was a temprrate man, and he never touched liquor of any kind as a beverage, Meantime, the conversation between Silky Hall and Tired Moore had taken a still more Fr turn, Moore bad been drinkiag and was ugly. “© Youse hain’t done der right ting by me, Silky,” he declared, ‘‘ an’ ye know it,” ‘* You have lived off me for the last three months, and now you kick and say I have not used you white.” ‘¢ An’ youse have lived off der green.” *« Well, he’s croaked now, and so bothfof us are out in the cold.” ‘*T don’t reckon you are out in der cold much, I’m der one asis gittin’ left, but I hain’t ter be shook dat easy. If youse don’t divvy, Vil squawk,” “Squawk? Why, map, what can you tell?” ‘* More dan youse wants told. Ill ring yous inter dis business an’ der perlice’]] haul ye over der coals.” This threat aroused Hall. “Tf you dare blow anything, I'll bave you breaking stone before you know it!” he bissed. ‘*)’m not aman to be bluffed or bullied by a common thief of your cut.” ‘* Who’s a common thief?’ “You are!” ** You lie!” Both men sprung up. Out shot Silky Hall’s fist, and ‘‘smack” it struck fairly between Tired Moore’s eyes. The common rascal was knocked back against the table, grasping at anything to keep from going to the floor. His hand happened to fasten in Cal Carter’s false beard. The mutton-chop whiskers from the detective’s face! CHAPIER IX. OUT OF THE TRAP. Ir was a mosc unlucky occurrence, for Car- ter’s disguise had teen so effectual that but for the accidental exposure be would not have been suspected by any one within the gambling-house. Of course the sudden and astonishing removal of ‘‘ Lawd Alfwed’s” whiskers attracted universal attention, ‘* A spotter! A spy!” That was the cry tuat went up. ** Cut bim off!” ** Don’t let bim get out!” ‘ Make him explain!” The trouble between Silky Hall and Tired Moore was of no moment vow. Even the prin- cipals seemed to have forgotten their recent dis- agreement, There was a rush of men, and the exposed de- tective’s retreat by the door was cut off, No one was more astonished than Shark. He gazed at bis chief in wonder for a moment, but he was shrewd enough not to betray the fact that he was ‘‘in” witb Cal, ; ‘ Detective Carter coolly picked up the mutton- chop whiskers which Tired Moore bad dropped, und thrust them into his pocket Then he arose to bis feet as deliberately as can be imagined and calmly surveyed the excited throng. He did not seem to mind in the least the ugly looks which were cast upon him, ‘* Good-evening, gentlemen,” he said, pleas- antly. ‘This proves to be something of a sur- prise-party,” ‘It will be a sorry surprise for you,” was the retort of a big man who was sometimes pointed out as the proprietor of the place. ‘* We treat spies tough bere.” ** OF course it will be useless for me to deny I am a spy, for—” **- You'd be lyin’!” ‘©! knows him!” cried a big iron-jawed fellow who wore an immense blazer in bis neck-searf, ‘“ He’s Cal Carter, ther Private.” “If you know me so well,” came steadily from Cal’s lips, ‘‘ you ought to know I do not ron with the police. Oaly so far as it is necessary do I have anything to do with them,” At this there was a chorus of groans, hoots and hisses; but the detective smiled as blandly as if he stood in the midst of friends, For all of his calmness,.be fully realized the danger. lt was not probable these men would commit mur- der, although without a doubt there were those within that very room vicious enough to com- mit any crime. Re But there were too many of them. It would not do to take a human life, for such a thing could not be kept quiet; but Cal Cartar could consider himself a fortunate man if he escaped without being pounded and kicked into uncon- sciousness, Still he was calm and his brain was busy de- vising some kind of a scheme that would enable him to escape, He knew he could give Shark the wink and that worthy would do bis best to bring the police down on the place. But the chances were the officers would be very reluct- ant about meking a descent, and when they did move it would be ata snail’s pace. That would give the gang plenty of time to do their work were snatched
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and vanish. It would be doubtful if the officers would find so much as a roulette table, He decided be must escape by bis own efforts, unaided by any one, unless Shark found a way to assist him. He did not underestimate his peril, but he simply kept himself calm, It was this coolness in the face of great dan- ger that bad caused him to be known as Clear- Grit Cal. ‘* What are you in bere for?” cried one. ‘* T came bere on business,” was the reply. Then there was a howl of derision—a how! that must have been heard in the street. The most brutal of the gang pushed toward the detective. ‘*Down him!” was the hoarse exclamation ut- tered by many lips. ‘‘ He means to blow any- way!” Cal bad thrust his hands into his pockets, The overturned table was at bis back. “* Keep off!” he commanded, ‘If you fellows will listen to reason, I will convince you it was not my intention to blow on this place,” ‘Oh, be is a ready liar!” ** He'll tell a slick story !” ** Hit der bloke in der aeck !” ** Smash his jaw!” * Get back!” * Out snapped a brace of revolvers, Cal Carter was an expert, and he could sboot with either hand or both at once, His eyes were beginning to flash, although the sbadow of tbat cool smile stil) haunted his lips. The startled ruffians fell back before those ready weapons, With their hands clincked and their faces black with anger, they glared at the man who so calmly defied them all. Cal had taken care to face Silky Hall aod Tired Moore, and one of his revolvers was turned on the former, Hall now stepped to the front, ‘*Look here,” came from his lips, ‘‘ you say you did not come in here to spot the place, If that is true, will you kindly tell why you did come in? You are here, and you came in dis- guise, which makes it look very black for you.” “[ have no objection to telling you why I came. It was to shadow a man v.ho was in bere,” ** And that man—who is he?” ** That is none of your business,” A hissing sound came from Hall’s teeth, ‘Tt is plain you do not understand your dan- ger, my man,” said the smooth gambler, ‘That is where you are mistaken,” replied Cal, ‘‘ But it is dead certain you do not under- stand yours,” , ** You dare not use those revolvers,” * Don’t fool yourself,” “Tf you did so, you’d get the breath of life kicked out of you.” ** And you would already have it let out of you by a bullet bole, I have you spotted, and you will hear from me, if there is trouble,” The gambler did not like this, ** Look here,” he said, ‘* I’m called a bad man when I’m mad,” ‘* Well?” ? \ ‘lf you get me down on you, it'll be bad for your health,” ‘*Oh, w’at’s der use of all dis pow-wow?” cried Tired Moore, ‘ Let’s all run over der bloke, We don’t want none of dem private sneaks here, an’ we bain’t goin’ ter hev ’em,” ‘Ob, you are in it, are you?” half-laughed Cal, ‘‘Just now you seem to have forgotten the rap your friend gave you a few seconds ago, Your eagerness to do me up has banished that from your mind completely.” ‘‘Dere’s lots of time ter settle dat, We’se goin’ ter settle youse fu’st,” ‘* Bet you don’t.” Some of the callow lads in the gambling room were very much frightened, but,a burly fellow had placed himself at the door and refused to let any one out till the trouble was settled, ‘Shark had edged toward the door, Cal saw this move of his pupil, and he knew it meant something, so he held himself ready to act in- stantly when the right time came, The threatening revolvers held the gang at bay for a time, but it would not always be thus, The moments were passing, and the men growing more determined with each one, ** Teach the spy a lesson!” cried a voice in the crowd. “He'll ruin tiis place anyway, but it isn’t best to let him get off scot free,” “That person does well to keep himself con- cealed behind others,” said Cal, ‘* He does not seem to have sufficient courage to come to the front and make bis talk.” At this there was a stir, but the man did not come forward. Meantime Shark had reached the door, He / Glear-Grit Cal. ri did not attempt to go out, but he came up be- hind the burly fell-w guarding the door, A short sand-bag suddenly found its way into Shark’s grip, and the following instant be used | it. EE Down to the floor dropped the guard, Shark giving him a pusb that sent bim stunned and dazed into a corner, Tben the crafty young fellow tore open the door, yelling: *“Now’s yer time, boys! Git out of here ev’ry bloke of yer! Der perlice are comin’, an’ youse’ll all be pulled if yer don’t do der vanishin’ act!” The result was an instantaneous surge toward the open door, Silky Hall understood what had happened, and made for Cal, snarling: ‘* The trick won’t get you off, you sneak * The detective met the gambler more than half-way. Parrying a blow, Cal dashed the muzzle of the weapon into Hall’s face, knocking the man back waid, Then the Never-Say-Die Detective made a short run and leaped to the top of a faro table, from which he vaulted into the air fairly over the heads of the ruffians who stretchei their bands upward to grasp bim, He landed on the shoulders of a large man who was in the very center of the crowd rush- ing toward the door, What unreasoning creatures human beings are when seized by a panic! Like a lot of frightened sbeep or cattle they pushed, jammed and. crowded out through the doorway, over- turning the connter in the cigar store and breaking the show-case, then went pouring out oo Sixth avenue, causing the passers-by to pause and stare in wonder. ‘* What is it—a fire?’ was the universal ques- tion, But the escaping gamblers did not tarry to explain, It was simply wonderful how swiftly they disappeared after reaching the outer air. Cal was carried out by the man on whose shoulders he had lighted, and he disappeared with the rest. Twenty minutes later, he and Shark were to- getber, laughing heartily over the exciting ad- venture, and congratulating themselves on the fortunate termination, CHAPTER X. LIZETTE’S STORY. THE following day Detective Garter again appeared at Captain Scudd’s, He learned the coroner had been informed and that the inquest would probably take place that afternoon, The morning papers had obtained long articles about the strange death of young Thornton, and with one aceerd they had insinuated Cap- tain Scudd migbt tell more about it if he cared to do so, Plainly, the old salt’s story was discredited. One paper went so far as to suggest that the captain’s handling young Thornton’s money be thoroughly investigated. ‘*] believe the fools are all adrift,” muttered Cal grimly. ‘‘ If Captain Scudd killed Charley Thornton it was not because be had in any way mishandled the young man’s inheritance,” This he afterward confirmed by investigation. Cal was led into the house without arousing the captain, but the butler told him Captain Scudd had been in the library for two hours, The detective wished to question the servants, and, after having a brief talk with the butler, which really amounted to nothing, he sought Mrs, Scudd’s maid, who wasa French girl known as Lizette. sd The maid did not wish to talk with the detec- tive, but she found she could not avoid it, At first she was sulky, but Carter assured her it would be best to tell the truth, and she would ovly injure berself by falsehood, **Do you like your mistress?’ asked the detec- tive, wishing to get Lizette started, ‘* Out monsieur.” ‘* She is always kind to you?” An instant of hesitation. ** Out, monsieur,” * Ah, Lizette! why won’t you tell the exact truth! She is sometimes fretful?” F Ob, one leetle beet sometime, not vera of- up. ‘* She speaks harshly?” ‘* Sometime she be mad,” ‘* |-thought so. When is she so?” ‘* When she have take zo wine.” *Ob—ho! Then my lady indulges in wine?” ‘*Zay all do zat, monsieur—all ze tone, work at one, two, t’ree—many place; aey all } | I haf | sing for ber—wiz her. drink ze wine, Zey do zat on ze sly, but zey haf t he eo. (4 ee * oe iat a pen, eet jus’ ze same. N’importe.” (It ma not. "Perhaps you think so, Lizette; but J have 4 different view. The woman who drinks is in danger, She may never fa)l, but she must have astrong willof herown. Sbe is liable to make a faux pas,” ; The maid was silent, ‘¢ Now tell me the truth, Lizette,” Cal contin- ued, ‘‘ does your mistress ever drink to excess?” ‘6 Bix-cess? What ees zat?” ‘Take too much—become intoxicated?” ‘Ob, vera seldom,” 6 “Then she does so oocasionally?” ‘¢ Monsieur, eet is not zeright for me to tell zese tings. Eet is very wrong.” ; “Tt may be the only way to save Captain Seudd from a murder trial. lama detective in the employ of the captain, and for that reason it is best that you sbould answer my questions. Iam trying to get at the truth of Charley Thornton’s death, You knew him?” ‘ec Oui.” A blush stole to Lizette’s cheeks. * Ab, I see,” smiled the detective. ‘‘ Well, now, you are ready to do anything to aid me in discovering who killed Cbariey?” “ Out, Oui!” “Then you should answer all my questions, Remember, | am working to bring the culprit to justice.” Lizette bowed. ‘Zon I weel answer, monsieur.” ‘‘ Does your mistress sometimes become very angry when sbe has been drinking wine?’ “Oui, One time she strike me with her hand.” “Ab! What did you do?” ‘“T threatun to leave.” ** But you did not?” oe No,” tt Why?” ‘* Monsieur Charlee was here.” **T see, How did your mistress and Charley get along?” **Oh, monsieur! she have a vera great passion for heem!” Carter started. ‘“* What is that, Lizett: ?” The maid looked frightened and glanced around, . “ Noting!” she answered, almost ina whisper —'* noting at all!” The detective’s hand fell on Lizette’s slender wrist. ‘*You have said too mucb to retreat now, Out with it all! That is the only thing to do, Was Mrs. Scudd in love with the young man?” Lizette was scared, but she answered: ** Zat I do believe.” ‘© W bat makes you think so?” “* Ma fois! she bave his picture “*Oo-ho! This grows interesting! She pos- sesses his picture, eh? Where does she keep it?” ‘In her private chambare,” £639 “Oui. She oftun look at eet.” ‘‘ You bave seen her do that?” Lizette nodded. * When?” ‘© When she have been drink ze wine.” ‘ You were in the cbamber@” ‘‘ Qui, She take ont ze picture of Charlee— she look at eet—she kiss eet !” Carter started as if be bad received an electric shock, ‘¢ Holy smoke!” be muttered, ‘* This grows in- teresting. 1 wonder if the young rascal was false to bis uncle and the old gentleman found it out?’ If so, tbe murder isexplained, and Charle Thornton’s blood is on Captain John Scudd’s hands, He probably killed the boy in a fit of jealous rage. He may have been half or wholl crazed at the time, I believe Iam on the trac of a remarkable discovery.” But he did not even then dream how remark- able the discovery was to prove, “She loved bim, Lizette?” : “She did, monsieur.” “‘ There is no doubt of it?” “‘T have not ze one doubt.” ‘* Were they much together?” ** Once.” * Once” iti Oui.” When?” ‘* Ze few weeks ago.” — ‘You have seen them together?” ‘Oh, many time.” ‘* What were they doing?” ; ‘Oh, madam she sing for heapm—she play; he He have ze be-e-eautiful 1” voice!” * Where did this occur?” nee eee ee ee ee Seat emer ae rte|a
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# ase a tee -<- ate ——< Tn ze parlor.” ** Nowhere else?” “Not zat I know.” ‘* Did he seem in love with her?” c we No, monsieur; he like her—he nevar love her, ** You seem very certain.” Siam,” * What makes you so?” ** He tell me zat,” Carter smiled. He knew how much depen- dance was to be put in what the young man had told the maid. Lizette was quick to understand that smile. **- You vink he not tell me ze trute, monsieur, but I know zat he do so, He say she do fasci- nate heem when he be wiz her, but he no care for her when he be away, She make z9 love to heem, and for a time he t’ink eet ees sport. Soon he see where eet take heem; zen he do stop.” ** Are you sure he stopped there?” ** Oui, monsieur.” ‘* What makes you so sure?” “One time 1 see zem in ze parlor.” “ Well?” * Zey not know eet,” **Go on.” ‘* Madame she do make ze love to heem,” ** And you watched them?” ** Oh, monsieur, my heart! f do hate her zen, for I fear he do care for her!” “TV understand, You watched them, for you were jealous. Well, what did you see?” **T see madame talk to heem—she speak oh, vera low! I see her face—eet was red wiz her blood! I see ber eyes—zey do shine like ze star! She bend ovare heem and her lips be close to hees,” “Go on!” came breathlessly from Carter, ‘*He seem like one person fascinate by ze snaik. He be still and look at her, Sbe put her arms round bees neck, All ze time she talk low and I do not bear ze words, Zen she do kees heem!” ‘*What did be do?” asked Cal, bolding bim- self in restraint. ‘‘Did he return her ca- resses?” _‘*No, When her lips do touch his he start like he was burn. He spring up and push her away. She catch her foot in ze dress and fall on ze floor,” ** And then—what?” “He do not peek her up—he stand looking down at her. She dorise to her knee and hold out her hands to heem. ‘Charlee!’ she ery; but he motion her off.” _“Great Scott! This may start me on the right road!” *‘Zen he say he have been wrong to be wiz her so much, He feel sorry.” ‘* How did she receive this?” “Madame sudden grow vera angry.. She spring up and come close to him, her hands clinch, She tel] heem he is ze one great fool and she do hate heem!” ‘** How did he receive that?” “He speak of Monsieur Scudd—he say she should be true. Madame grow ze more angry at zis, She say Monsieur Scudd be vera old and she be young, Zen Charlee say he weel not be ze traitor to hees uncale, At zis she call heem fool again and swear she do hate heem—she weel make heem sora. Then she leave heem.” Detective Carter struck bis hands together. “Tam on the right track!” he softly cried. CHAPTER XI. A STARTLING POSSIBILITY, Cat Carrer felt sure be bad struck a trail that would jead bim to tbe solution of Charley Thornton's mysterious death, but that mystery was still shrouded by shadows which seemed to defy penetration, Could it be possible Captain Scudd’s treacher- ous wife had killed the young man? If so, bow was it done with the captain in the room? That was hard to answer, If she bad really killed him, it certainly was not possible the captain was an accomplice. Had he been, they might bave manufactured a very different story than the one told—a story that would have averted suspicion from the captain. But was the beautiful woman capable of such a crime? It did not seem possible. What more could the maid tell? ** After this rebuff, did Mrs, Scudd again seek the companionship of Charley Thornton?” “Leannot say as to zat. only see zem alone togethare one time,” “Where was that” **In ze hall,” oh TR ot a Rae me SPRY Clear-Grit C ‘“‘ What happened then?” ‘She stop heem.” “ Ah?” ‘* He try to pass, but she step in hees way.” ** And then—what?” ‘‘Sbe hold out her hands like zis,” Lizette illustrated, her gesture being an entreating one.” ‘* Did he take them?” “ No, ” tiers al. **‘ He repelled her?” ‘s fe shake hees head and say he dare not.” ‘* What did she do then?” ‘She aske heem to be friend.” ‘* Did he agree?” ‘* He say he weel evar be her friend, but not ze same as before. He say bedare not,” ‘* How did she receive that?” ‘* She beg heem to be ze same,” ‘But it was useless?” uy “ Oui. He weel not. He is true to his nn- cale,” ‘‘ Well,” said Carter, slowly, ‘‘ Mrs, Scudd is uncommonly beautiful, and 1 must say Charley Thornton was almost a remarkably virtuous young man, In that respect he was a wonder for these degenerate days. I honor him!” ‘‘He was so good! Ma fois! he was like one od!” ‘*How did Mrs, Scudd behave after tais sec- ond rebuff?” ‘She go to her room, Two hour aftare ‘she do send tor me, When I go zere I see she have been drink vera hard, Her face be flush and her eyes wild. She be intoxicate,” Carter nodded. “Tt is plain the woman was desperately in love with the young man. What occurred in her chamber?” ‘‘ She have his picture, and she do rave. She tell him how sbe hate heem, She truly frightun me she ees so violent.” ‘‘This grows, more and more interesting! Did she injure the picture?” * Oui. Sve threw eet on the floor and stamp her foot on eet. Zen she pick eet up and begir to shed ze tear while sbe kees eet and call heem her darling.” ‘* What became of the picture?” ** She lock eet in her drawer.” Carter thought all this over swiftly. He saw there might be a remarkable denouement. Then ea decided to lead the maid into another chan- nel, “Did Mrs. Scudd always get along well with the captain?” ** 1 belief so.” ‘*You have never known them to quarrel?” ‘* Nevare,” ** He was always kind to her?” * Out.” “Do you believe Captain Scudd would have any reason for wishing Charley Thornton out of the way?” ‘* No, monsieur.” ‘“Have you ever noticed anything peculiar about the captain?” ‘* He was always vera strange.” ‘* But was he not uncommonly odd at times?” ‘*Only once do I remembare zat.” ‘How did he appear then?” “* As eef be be asleep when ees wide awake!” The detective gave a start. ** How do you mean?” “Well, be talk—he walk and all zat, but something eet be strange about heem, I am not able to tellhow. Eetisodd, Aftare he do not remembare,” ‘You never saw hin that way but once?” ‘© Nevare,” ‘**Do you think he bad such spells often?” **T cannot tell, monsieur.” ‘Was he with Mrs, Scudd when he appeared so strangely?” “ No ” ‘* Where was she?” “Tn her chambare,” ** Did he ever oppose her in anything?” ‘* Nevare for a long time.” ‘*Then he used to do so?” ‘* Once or twice he do,” ‘What was the result?” ‘* Madame she have her own way. She look in his eyes and he change hees mind.” “That was strange. I took Captain Scudd for a very obstinate man,” ** So he ees,” ‘* And sti!l she governed him so easily?” Lizette nodded, ‘« [ do not understand that,” muttered Cal, ¢ pk you seen her?” “ es,” ‘* Have you looked in her eyes?” “ Yes.” ' Sahn Mer rat on “They do be black—they do fascinate! I fear them!” p ‘‘ That is true, her eyes have a strange fascin- ation about them. They are beautiful eyes, but something about them makes me shiver.” The maid shrugged her shoulders, “They have a power, monsieur,” ‘* And you believe she exercised that power over her husband?” ** Why not?” Why not, indeed! Carter knew something of A maa and he fancied he began to see a igbt. “Took here, Lizette,” he said, soberly, ‘‘I do not want you to let Mrs. Scudd know you have talked with me.” ‘“* Nevare fear.” “You will not tell her?” “ No.” “T may want to talk with you agaiv.” He placed a piece of money in her hand, ‘* At any time, monsieur. You have my t’ank, You are vera kind.” With that, he left her. Carter found himself with much to consider, He surely believed himself on the right track, but how was he to get at the whole truth? He had stood face to face with Mrs, Scudd, and he knew she was &@ woman who could not be led into a confession of guilt by any ordinary means, Not that the detective had settled the matter in his own mind. By no means! He was not certain the beautiful woman had any band in the untimely taking off of Charley Thornton, but he felt that such a thing was far from im- possible. But why should Mrs, Scudd wish the young man dead? That was a difficult question to an- swer, Was it possible the beautiful woman was such a fiend at heart that she brought about his death because she had been unsuccessful in her at- tempted conquest? Cal could hardly believe that of her, Still, what other motive was there for the commission of so great a crime? Her love had turned to hatred, and “hell bath no fury like a woman scorned,” Then be thought of his conversation with her the day before, and he confessed to himself that —if she had any hand in the crime—she was a pean of wonderful nerve, to say the very east. But the theory of hypnotism opened a wide field for speculation, It did not take bim long to convince himself that Mrs, Scudd was in the habit of thus casting a spell over her* husband, She possessed the mesmeric power, and by exer- cising it she was able to make her husband do exactly as she wished him to do, Cal knew that it was sometimes possible for one person to mesmerize another even though the two were separated by a considerable dis- tance. Once a “patient” bad been brought fully under the control of a mesmerist, it was not difficult to lead that person on from stage to stage till the time came when his mind could be controlled even though miles separated the two. And Cal believed that was exactly the ;condi- tion to which John Scudd had been brought by his beautiful wife. It was not necessary for Mrs, Scudd to leave ber chamber to throw a spell over the captain, By simply fixing her mind on him she coold throw bim into a trance from which he would not recover till she per- mitted. _ During these hypnotic spells be did ae of which be afterward had no recollec- t on, Had he taken the life of his nephew while in = a trance aod under the control of his wife’s wil If so, what was his crime? CHAPTER XII, AFTER THE INQUEST. THE inquest came off that afternoon. Detec- tive Carter was on hind and took many notes, As he had expected, the inquest made things look very black for Captain Jobn Scudd, It re- ally seemed that the old salt had ended the life of his somewhat wayward nephew, At first Cal was surprised when Mrs, Scudd appeared to give her testimony. She did not ap- pear at all like the almost remarkably steady- nerved woman of the day before, When he first saw her she told bim her nerves were all un- strung, but he grew surprised at ber apparent self-control. Now she was dissolved in tears and her voice was choked by sobs. But the detective was shrewd, and he discov- ered Mrs. Scudd was also crafty. The woman had sized him up as one on whom it would be useless to try shamming in order to make an im~
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pression, and she had displayed her wisdom by acting nearly natural. Not so with the coroner’s jury. She saw in that body a collection of men whose hearts she believed she could touch with a display of emotion, therefore she was dissolved in tears and carried from the room in what seemed to be a bysterical condition, Behiud the band that caressed the detective’s beardless upper lip was hidden something like a sardonic smile. He believed he understood the woman, aud what seemed tragedy to others was comedy to him. But there was one thought that almost appalled the ferret, and as he listened to the almost self-incriminating testi- mony of Captain Scudd that thought caused him to shudder and grow sick at heart. Had the beautiful sorceress cOmnelled her husband, while under ber baleful ivfluence, to take the life of Charley Thornton? If this was the true solution of the young man’s mysterious taking-off, how was he to prove it and save the old salt from the chair of death? The sensation was a godsend t> the reporters, for there happened to be a dearth of such events at about that time, and the readers of the news- papers were almost crying out for a tragic story, even though it was all a fake, But although the ‘ reporter-detectives” made much ado about the mystery of the young man’s death, scarcely one of them considered that mystery deep enough to require special investi- gation and attention. To the most of them it seemed plain enough that Captain Scudd was the man who had ended Charley Thornton’s life. The only thing they seemed inclined to investi- gate closely was the question of the old salt’s sanity. That was a courso that Carter had about dropped, feeling sure the man was perfectly sane at all times. Hypnotic influence, Cal felt sure, had controlled him, if he took young Thorn- ton’s life, : But why should Mrs, Scudd wish the young man killed? Was it possible her batred had be- come so intense that she had decided on his death? If so, it was also plain she bad schemed to so entangle ber husband that he would also be ‘‘removed.” That would leave her a young and beautiful widow of wealth, and she was sure to be much sought and courted, Another marriage with a mau nearer her age might give her the happiness she sought, To himself, Cal repeated again and again that it was a crafty and devilish scheme, Well might the beautiful woman believe there was no dan- ger that she would in any way be connected with the murder, for who would dream that she killed Charley Thornton through the means of her wonderful influence over the enamored old man who was wont to call her his ‘‘ darling.” But for the fact that sbe sometimes drank, and had a maid who was wonderfully shrewd, the detective might not bave struck the right track at all. But now he was fairly oa the trail. Carter felt that, despite bis past record, the solution of this mystery would bea feather in bis cap. Val Sedman was at the inquest, and Jistened with deep interest, The detective had told him that Sbark was again on the trail of Silky Hall, and, for some reason, Val believed that Hall would prove of importance in the case, Cal wa snot so sure of this after the hypnotic theory took possession of him, Cal had seen Ollie Field, Charley Thornton’s half-sister, and be decided Sediman was a lucky fellow. The girl was a most beautiful creature, although her grief for Charley, whom she had | almost idolized, was deep, and had left its traces, r From Val the detective learned Oliie had been taken in by Mrs. Scudd, and made something of a companion, Carter believed the girl was shrewd, and he sought to talk with her after the inquest was over, and the jury had found that ‘‘ Charles Thornton came to his death by a istol-bullet fired from a revolver held in the ands of some unknown person.” This was of a nature that gave Cal a feeling of relief, for he had expected at one time that the jury would make a charge against Captain Scuda. ‘* Miss Field,” said the detective to Ollie, ** Mr, Sedman has informed me that Mrs, Scudd has made something of a companion of you since you came to this house,” The girl bowed. ** It is true, sir.” ‘*She has taken you to her room and is very friendly with you? ‘* Yes, sir,” “Well now, Miss Field, I take you for a girl of good sense and I believe you earnestly desire av the mystery of your brother’s death.” 0. : Tired Moore rounded up, and I reckon he will = Clear-Giit Cal. fe : ‘*You may be able to aid in the solution of the riddle.” “How? I am ready to do anything—that I n, ‘*Well, I want you to watch Mrs, Scudd closely and remember as much as possible of what she says and does,” Ollie looked startled. - Why!” she exclaimed, ‘is Mrs, Scudd sus- pected?’ ‘* Every one who was in the house at the time of the murder is under suspicion. Mrs. Scudd may be as innocent as you or I, but some act or word of her’s may aid me in getting at the truth, Of course Ido not wish her to dream she is being watched, -so you will have to exercise some tact.” ‘Trust me for that.” ‘IT do, I believe you will exercise good judg- ment. As far as possible, I wish you to watch her, whether she is’sleeping or waking. If any- thing happens that you think might havea bear- ing on the case, communicate with me without delay, You will do this, I believe?” “ST will,” That was all. the woman was suspected, further than that every one within the house at the time of the crime was under suspicion, Cal had a brief interview with the old cap- tain, and found him in a pitiful condition. The strain bad been heavy upon him, and Dr, Andros had been unable to induce him to swallow an opiate. He was in sad want of sleep, but he was not aware of it, The doctor soberly shook his head behind the captain’s back, ‘*What do you think of it, Carter?” eagerly demaned the old salt. ‘‘ The inquest has beena failure—I insist it has been a failure! They have discovered nothing now, Egad, sir! from what they brought out it would scem that I was the murderer of my own nephew, sir!” Then he rolled bis eyes, shook his head and wheezed, All the while Dr, Andros was in terror lest bis patient be stricken with apoplexy. ‘*Tt is a complicated case, sir,” admitted the detective. / “*Complicated!. Well, I st ould say it was an infernally black one} I’m ina bad light here— I see that, sir. By Nepture! if I had been on that jury and another man in my place, in the face of such evidence as was given to-day [®be- lieve I should have advised the arrest of the other man, or done something of that kind, Why, sir, as I listened there, 1 almost began to believe I really did shoot Charley—my boy! But I couldn’t have done that—could 1?” It was an appeal, The man looked to Calvin Carter for an answer, and for one moment the detective hesitated. ‘No, captain,” he firmly retorted, ‘* you could not be guilty of such a thing.” The old sailor drew a deep breath of relief, and Cal did not add that be did not consider the captain guilty, even though the captain’s hand did the deed, I[f the man was governed by an- other, then that other was morally responsible for the murder of Charley Thornton. ‘*T didn’t know but the boy took his own life,” muttered Captain Scudd, as if speaking to himself; ‘but the evidence is against it. The position of the body, the revolver and other things go to show he was murdered—murdered in cold blood, sir! You must run down the guilty one, sir! Even if Captain John Scudd were the man, it would be your duty to bring him to the electric. chair!” Without telling the troubled captain that he believed he was on track of the solution, Detec- tive Carter left the house, There was no word for him at tbe office, and Sbark did not turn up till the following day. ‘* What’s the word?” asked Cal, ** Hall and Moore have had it,” ‘Who is best?” ‘Hall. He gave Moore a stick in the side,” * Baad?” : ** Not dangerous,” ‘* Well, where is Hall now?” “* Skipped,” : ** What do you mean?” ‘* He bas lit out—shaken the dust of New York off his feet.” ‘*The dickens! Which way did he go?” “To Boston. He gave me the shake,” was the rather sheepish confession. ‘' He had dusted be- fore I knew it.” Cal was not pleased, and Shark saw it, “Look _here, boss,” said the shadow, ‘I bave He gave her no hint of why blow what he knows, for he swears Hall did not use him right. Now Hall thought Moore was done for, and he has only skipped to wait till it blows over, When he finds the crook is not badly burt, he will return to his old stam ground, and we shall have no trouble in putt our fingers on him, Just now, I say pum Tired Moore,” ‘*'T’he advice is good,” acknowledged Cal. will follow it,” CHAPTER, XIII. PLAYING THE ‘ PUMP,” So they went to see the wounded tough, -They found bim in a decidedly ‘‘ low” locality on the East Side. ‘* This would be a bad place to be trapped in,” muttered Cal as they ascended the dark and un- steady stairs. ‘“¢ That’s so,” Shark admitted. ‘‘ But there is not much danger of being trapped, for we are not expected.” They found Moore stretched on a hard couch in adingy room, The man’s face was pale ani he did not look at all ugly just then, but they soon discovered the devil in him was only quelled for the time and was not subdued, There was a woman in the room, but they did scarcely more than give her a glance, She was dressed in gaudy finery, but ber hair bad not been touched by acomb that day and there was an air of neglect about her appearance, At a single look Carter knew her for what she ‘as. ‘‘ Hello!” growled Moore, as he looked up at his visitors, ‘*‘ Never mind knockin’—come right in an’ make yerselves ter home, 1 don’t bave no say round dis place; it b’longs ter any cove as wants ter walk in on me now. Dey don’t do it w’en I’m on mer pins dough. See?” Carter calmly appropriated a rickety chair and sat down near the couch, The wounded tough snarled as he witnessed the cool manner of his visitors. . E “Dat’s right!” hé grated. ‘' Dis place is free ter der public! If youse don’t see w’at yer want, ask fer it!” ‘‘ Well, it happens we just see what we want,” was the detective’s quiet retort, as he fixed his eyes on Moore. The tough started a bit. “Dat hain’t no go!” he huskily retorted. ‘*t Dere hain’t no charge ’g’inst me,” ‘* But you are wanted, just the same,” “ Fer wat—fer lettin’ dat bloke cut me?” ‘* For having anything to do with bim.” ‘Well, dat’s der worst I ever heard! Say, who be youse?” * You ought to know me. at my face,” Moore «id so, then he cried: ‘+ Blowed if ’tain’t der sharp w’at played der British blood!” “¢ Now you have hit it!” ‘Well, 1 s’pose you was after me den?” ** Parhaps so.” “Dashed if you hain’t a cool covel” was Moore’s admirivg observation, ‘An’ yer did play der English bigh-an’-mighty in great shape. It | badn’t snatched yer whiskers by accident, we'd never|tumbled ter ye.” Carter smiled. ‘* Well, what did it amount to, anyway?” ‘*‘ Nothing,” confessed the tough. ‘* You was worse dan an eel ter keep a grip on, an’ dat’s der fact. Vm stuck on your style, an’ dat’s on der dead level, I never went much on dem de- tective sharps, ’cause dey alwus bad a way of . interferin’ wid my business, but youse bas jest laid me out, I'd gointer der detective business myself if 1 could have der nerve dat you've t,” ‘* Now you are tatking to hear the sound of your own voice,” returned Cal, cynically, ** You know you don’t mean what you say, so what's — Pve dealt with Take a good look the use of trying to fool me, your kind before, ” Moore made a wry face. ** Well, you be sharp!” ‘* Will youcome off? Youare ene 4 Moore, but I didu’t come bere to be entertained.” * No?” “No. Itisa case of business with me.” “ Didn’t come out of anxiety ter know how V’se gittin’ on?” “* Hardly.” ‘ ‘* Well, dat’s der gall! Ter come inter a fel- ler’s house an’ tell him dat!” ‘Tt isn’t necessary for us to banter, Moore, if you will get it through your head that to banter will be to waste time.” At this the nvlucky thief stirred uneasily. i eyes did not meet those of the man at his side, ‘Well, wat yer want?” —— **T don’t sappose you love Silky Hall?” ' “Ob, yes, I do! I love him—he’ll fiud it out ro | p .
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fore,” Me time! Dis business hain’t settled, boss, an’ n’t yer fergit dat!” y “ hat would you doif you knew Hall was laying to get you where you wouldn’t bother bins any more?” ‘* Bur he’s taken a skip.” “‘ Perhaps so; perhaps not.” Moore looked startled. ** Der boys said he had,” “They may be mistaken,” said Cal, who be lieved it was not wrong to mislead such a man as Moore if by so doing an end desired could be reached, ‘Well, I reckon dey hain’t. Dey hain’t often wrong,” ‘* All the same, Hall may have blowed on ou.” * Wat could he blow?” ‘‘He says you are a common thief, You are bothering him, and he wants you out of the way.” e Well, I'd like ter know if he’s better! He’s lived off der greens w’at killed hisself,” ‘¢ Charley Thornton?” ** Dat’s der kid.” ‘* But be denies it,” “ Well, he lies!” “You know this?’ ** Course I does!” You'll swear to it, even though he tries to heap it on you?” “On me?” ae Yes.” Ts dat cove tryin’ dat?” A ray.” ‘Well, he’s a skin an’aliar—see? He’s der cuss w’at led der young feller ter der devil!” ** And you?” , ““T only done some of der pickin’, at der bottom of it all.” “Tf you want to clear yourself, I hope you can prove this,” “Prove it? Why, dat sneak can’t prove der odder way! I tole him der kid was jest der kind ter blow hisself cold some time w’en he’d gone trough wid a big bood’,” “« He always had plenty of money ?” ** Not alwus, but sometimes he had dead loads. Dat was w’en he’d made a pull,” Hall was a discovery, and almost at the moment of vic- tory he bad been thrown. “That is all right, Moore,” came quietly from his lips. ‘tI don’t care whether you talk of that or not. Hall bas made his charges against Kg and you can do as you please about clear- ng yourself. If your record is as clean as you pretend, it will be for your good to make a straight break, Butif tse score stands against } ~~ why it is the best to cover your tracks, ut the chances are that Hall will be believed.” “Ob, come down! I hain’t swallerin’ every- ting pow! Did you Pink T was a Johnnie?” “T thought you sharp enough to look out for your own interest, that is all, “Well, w’at’s der matter anyhow? Der pidgeon is cooked. Who's raisin’ der wind—der old gent?” ‘* Perhaps so,” y “Well, [don’t blame him, Der pape’s make it out be’s in a box, but, den, reporters are big fools. See? Der old bloke never blowed dat boy.” # Perhaps not; perhaps he did,” “Well, he didn’t! Dat settles it P. D, Q.” ** Other people are not so certain as you,” ‘* Well, dey’re fools—dat’s w’at’s der matter! Der old gent t’ought too much of dat boy, Why, didn’t he fork like a prince w’en he had dem spells!” “ Spells?” “ee Yes.” ‘“‘T didn’t know be was generous then,” said Cal, seeking to lead Moore on. “I thought it was right the other way.” ; ‘* An’ dat’s where you're off. He didn’t fork wen he was O. K., but be turned out der stuff w’en be was havin’ one of dem spells. Dat is, be did till a while ago, an’ den he kinder shifted. Der greens had been hard to der wind fer a whole mont’, Der last bood’ der gov’ forked didn’t pay his debts, an’ he’d bin losin’ big der day be- Here, Cal felt, was an explanation that repaid bim for bis trouble in coming to Tired Moore, for it revealed how Charley Thornton had obtained the money that he had squandered, Captain Scudd bad “ forked over” while having one of his ‘‘spells,” and that meant that he had fur- nished Charley with money while influenced by his wife’s wonderful power. Being in love with the young man, the woman bad exercised her influence to cause her husband to provide Char- ley with all the money he desired, Cal sought to get more out of the wounded tough, but Moore suddenly became sullen and would not talk to the point at all, ‘*7’ve chinned too much now,” he said. “ You fellers may think l’m stuck on workin’ me tongue, but you're ’way off. See? [ guess yer best git out. Some of der boys is comin’ round, an’ dey’d make it hot if dey found yer.” ‘And do you think after I faced a gang of two hundred I’d care for ‘some of der boys?” “Well, dey hain’t no chickens, an’ youse wouldn’t have a gang ter run like a flock of sheep an’ lug yer out, Dat was a slick trick, but it wouldn’t work in here, me friend,” ‘Here come der boys now,” calmly observed the woman, ‘ By der sounds, I t)ink dey’re all bringing dey’re jags wid ’em,” Cal and Shark thought so, too, Twenty men seemed stumbling and cursing up the stairs. Tired Moore balf-started up. “ Dey bas dey’re war-paint on,” he caouckled, ‘tan’ I bets dey dooes you blokes up.” The sounds were really alarming,” but Cal was as cool as usual as he arose to his feet, ‘* Shark,” he said, ‘‘if they try to ride us, we will lick the packing out of the lot,” Moore fell back with a gasp, and stared at the nervy detective. CHAPTER XIV. HARD MEN TO DOWN, THEN a heavy foot kicked open the door and a man shambled into tbe dingy room, He was followed by four others, oue of whom was try- ing to sing a ribald song. They all halted and peered in astonishment at the detective and his assistant. ** Wat be dey?” ‘* Git onter der Johnnies!” ** Are dey livin’?” “ Wax-figgers, boys!” Then the fifth man observed: “f guess you has got some visitors, pal. Mebbe we hain’t in dis?” ‘Yes, you is,” Moore hastened to say. ‘* Dese blokes came in widout no invite, an’ dey makes demselves ter-home like dey owned der town.” At this four of the men growled in chorus, and the fifth one laughed hoarsely, “Den I guess we’s jest in time,” observed one. * Jest about,” replied Moore, who was delight- ed at the prospect of a general row for his enter- tainment, . : ‘s You hain’t got no furder. use fer dem?” No.” The biggest man of the crowd began to take off bis coat, . ‘* Where do you fellers want to be buried?” he asked, “You needn’t concern yourself about that,” answered Cal, ‘But before you tackle us you had better make sure your accident policy is all right. It would also be well to call an ambu- lance before the engagement comes off. That will save us the trouble of calling one for you when it is all over.” This coolness was more than the big follow had expected, and his under jaw dropped. The possessor of the hoarse laugh pulled the —— and sprung it again, appearing really amuse this time. : ** Oh, youse hain’t got no popinjays,” warned Moore, ‘ Dis mug is Carter der detective.” All five of the men involuntarily started back toward the door, te A fly {? ** Dat’s w’at,” aftirmed Moore. ‘* Here ter pull ye?” **T dunno,” ‘* Course he is!” ‘Well, he’s only a private.” ‘* He don t pull no sick man!” ‘* Wipe him!” Cal saw they meant to do him harm now, and he knew it was to be a fight against odds, The woman sat looking on with a sort of apathetic interest, as if she did not care whether the men fought or not, which was the truth. The detective’s keen eyes bad taken in the whole room, and he saw they must fight their way out by the door through which they had entered. The five ruffians were between them and the door, ‘*Tf you fellows are in search of blood, we will ar. to accommodate you,” be calmly observed, ‘* But after it is all over, it will be a caseof ‘ wish I hadn’t’ on your part.” ** Dat’s bluff. e’re goin’ ter kncck your eye: out! See?” Sbark had remained quiet, but he was ready to act when Cal gave the sigial. He had been brought up in the streets, and he really enjoyed a fight, but just then he felt as if the prospect was decidedly against them. ‘* You is goin’ ter see some fun, pal,” said the big fellow, addressing Tired Moore. ‘Dis is our day, av’ we’re on it. We eat dese kind of cbickers, Peel, pals.” The other tougbs began to take off their coats. Cal knew the time for action had come, If they waited till the toughs were prepared for the struggle, the odds might be too heavy to surmount, for these men were evidently fighters not to be despised. But they had been drinking freely, and, with the advantage of & sudden assault, the detectives might break through and escape down the dark stairs. Cal gave a covert signal which Shark alone understood, Then a surprising thing occurred. Like a flash, Carter snatched up the old chair and knocked the big fellow down! Then the two men hurled themselves on the toughs. The chair was used again and broke in a dezen pieces, mack, smack, smack! sounded the fists of the two men as they were driven into the faces of the men who were hampered with their half- removed coats. With a suddenness that was simply wonderful, they cleared a way to the open door, ° ‘*Ta, ta, chumpies!” called Shark, as he fol- lowed Cal down the stairs, ; What howls of pain and fury came from within that room! * After dem!” bowled a voice. ‘* We'll have der street wid us! Don’t let ’em git away!” So the five ruffians came tumbling down the stairs in pursuit of the man who had so easily worsted them all, Cal knew the danger was not over by apy means, for the locality was a bad one, and the toughs of the street would join in the chase. eapons of a deadly nature might be used. But the detective’s eyes were wide open, and never yet had ,be been caught inatrap from which he could not find any way of escape. As he sprung out of the door and reached the narrow sidewalk a dray happened to Le passing. ““Onto this!” he cried: and Shark followed im, Together they leaped upon the dray, and the driver was amazed when Cal snatched the reins and whip from his hands and lashed the horse into a wild gallop. ‘“* What in blue blazes you doin’?’ snarled the driver, and he would have tried to recover controb of his cart had it not been for Sbark, who grasp- ed him around the body from behind, Both men fell struggling to the bottom of the cart. For a short dist: nce the toughs pursued along the street, but they were forced to give up the chase and confess themselves outwitted and beaten, A policeman made a most unexpected appear- ance and tried to stop the cart, but Carter did not wish to make any explanations then, so the officer failed in his purpose, At the corner Cal drew up somewhat and Shark released bis hold on the \driver. Then the two — men leaped from the dray before a crowd could collect and disappeared beyond the swinging doors of a saloon that was on the corner. As Cal bad suspected, the saloon had another entrance that was on an alley-like street, and by this they left it, thus easily throwing those who might bother them with questions they did not care to answer. They took the first horse-car they came to, and when be was fairly seated within it, Shark gave vent to his mirth, laughing heartily over their adventure. ‘“We can afford to laugh now,” said Cal, “but the laugh might have been on the other side, We were certainly in a bad scrape.” ‘* Yes, but they were played in great shape. They will not forget that very soon.” ‘*T guess not, and I got a point from Moore, Now I know how the young fellow got so much money to squander. 1 do not fancy Moore knows anything of real importance against Silky Hall—anything that would criminate the gambler—although he may.” They were alone in the car, so they could freely discuss the adventure. Back to the office they went, and there Cad aa i a 7 So) secs ee TR CL Re YS ate i . —e FO aa = a OE ae ee ee eS ge ee
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His first move was ‘to have another brief talk with Captain Scudd, during the course of which he asked: ‘* Did you always allow Charley Thornton all Jaid out some new plans, ‘the money he wanted?” ‘“No, sir—no!” was the instant reply. always.” ‘“Are you aware that vp to a short time ago he has ever been supplied with plenty of mouey?” ‘“‘It was always my intention to keep him supplied with all the movey he needed, sir,” re- torted the captain, and Cal fancied he sought to avoid the question, ‘But he had more than he needed, He “blew in’ large sums, He bet on the races,” Captain Scudd said nothing. “This money came from somewhere,” con- tinued Cal. ‘*He was never very fortunate at the gaming-table.” ‘At the gaming-table? Sir, do you mean to insinuate my nephew was a gambler?” ‘* No, he was not a gambler—he was a pigeon for the gamblers to pluck.” ‘‘ Perhaps he occasionally indulged in a social game with some particular friends, Cards, sir, are very fascinating, sir. I sometimes take a band in a friendly game of draw.” *“*You are a manof mature judgment; your nephew was a youth withshot blood in his veins, You can do things that would not be advisable for a young man.” “T Satter myself, sir, I have a very good con- trol over myself. I know the limit,” ‘‘ Well, that is more than most young men know. But we have drifted from the question. How did he obtain so much money?” The captain hesitated, looked around the room, then drew his chair nearer the detective, ‘“*T have a confession to make,” he said, in a jow tone, “I suppose I must have given him whatever he had, though I did so during my spells of absent-mindedness, for I am sometimes troubled with such spells. I havea little safe where I keep a certain amount of ready cash on hand, and I drew on that sum severaltimes, I suppose be bothered me, and I did it to get rid of him, Yes, sir, yes—that must be the explana- tion. It was folly own my part—[ know it, sir. Don’t speak of that, I hardly knew when I gave jbim the money, but I afterward found it gone, “ And you never suspected him of appropriat- ing anything without your knowledge?’ Captain Scudd’s face grew crimson, and he lifted his somewhat unwieldy body from the chair. “Sir,” be gurgled, as he stood before the de- tective, ‘‘do you mean to insult the memory of my dead nephew? He was the scul of honor, ** Not sir! Egad! I tell you I gave him the money! That settles it, sir! And it did. Cal pacified the indignant captain and depart- ed from the house, more than ever realizing how wonderful was the mysterious power with which the beautiful Mrs, Scudd ruled the man who was utterly unconscious of her control over his thoughts and actions. CHAPTER XV. THE SUSPENDED SWORD. Tar funeral of Charley Thornton took place and three days went by. Then came the arrest of Captain Scudd! He was charged with the murder! Although be knew such a thing was impend- ing, the arrest occurred at a moment when it was least expected by Detective Carter, The captain was committed, and Cal visited him in bis cell. He found the old salt in a state of utter despondency and despair, ‘“T am very sorry, captain, that anything so regrettible—” The unfortunate man checked him with.a ges- ture, ‘It had to come,” he said, huskily. ‘I knew it must come, 1 wondered why they did not ar- rest me before. It looks mighty black for an oli man like me!” : ‘* But you are innocent—” Am 1? The question startled Cal. He looked sharply at the captain to see if he really intended it for a uestion or an exclamation, The old sailor saw that look, and he slowly said: “Perhaps you may think me innocent, but J am not so sure of that.” Cal made sure no one was listening, The mat- ter had not come to such a stage that the guard was obliged to remain in the cell with visitors, ‘and the detective decided they could converse guardedly with no danger of being overheard, Clear-Grit Cal. ‘ Look here, captain,” he said, “ just what do you mean by that?” ‘ But the old salt only shook his head. “Are you allowing me to workin the dark when you might aid me by a few words?” asked Cal, reproachfully. ‘‘What do you mean by saying you are not sure of your own innocence? e are alone and will not be overheard, so you can speak out. Is there anything you have concealed from me?” ‘Intentionally I have concealed nothing, sir; but you know I have been unable to give an account of what occurred between the time lL started to leave the reom after my nephew de- clared he thought himself drugged and the mo- ment when my wife rapped at the door. What did I do during that time?” Captain Scudd looked helplessly at the detec- tive. ‘* Captain,” said Cal, gravely, ‘‘ I bave a hope of discovering exactly what you did while you were in that room with your nephew,” ‘Tf you only can— But how?” ‘*T believe there isa way.” ‘* You do not think I am deceiving you—you do not think I am lying about this?” ‘*T believe you are telling the truth.” ‘¢ Thank God for that!” ‘The case certainly is a strange one; but there must be some way to solve the mystery.” ‘*T have a terrible fear.” The captain lowered bis voice still more and gazed at Cal with eyes in the depths of which there was something like a haunting dread. ** What do you fear?” “The very thing I long to know—the truth !” “ Why ”” “ Because it seems so black against me now, If I was alone with poor Charley all that tims and he lay in a drugged and unconscions condi- tion on that couch, who but I could have taken his life?” ‘*Why should you do such a thing?” ** God only knows!” “To you still deny that the revolver found on the floor is yours?” ‘Certainly Ido, I never saw the weapon be- fore my wife pointed to it.” ‘ But your own weapon is missing from your desk.” “T know,” ‘* What can bave become of it?” “T cannot tell, It is a mystery to me—as much astoyou, You do not seem to be making much progress on this matter. Are you baffled? If so, say so, like a man.” To this the detective calmly replied: ‘‘ Everything cannot be accomplishel in such a very brief space of time. Rome was not built in aday, you now. I will tell you nowl am making progress. If you knew ajl I have dis- covered your astonishment would be boundless, — Captain, though I do not know who fired the shot, I know exactly who the real murderer is !” Captain Seudd caught his b eati and stared at Detective Carter in a state of absolutely speechless wonderment, To him the statement he had just heard was utterly paradoxical. How could any one know who the reul murderer was and not know who fired the shot? Although be did not betray it, the detective was not a little amused by the astonishment of the oldsailor. He fully appreciated the captain’s wonder, ‘*Tcis true,” he affirmed, nodding his head, ** But although it is true, I am not ready to con- vince the world of its truth. First I must be ‘certain who fired the shot.” ‘*But wh-wh-what cap you mean?” faltered the duntfounded captain, ‘** Just what I said, captain—no more, no less,” ‘* But such a thing is utterly impossible!” ‘It may seem so, but if is not.” It was some little time before the captain re- covered sufficiently tocarry on the conversa- tion. Suddenly, Cal turned on him with: ‘* Captain Scudd, this has been a severe blow for your wife.” “That is true, sir—thatis true. Poor Milly! She really thougbt a great deal of Charley. They always got along very well together, They used to sing together and talk of books and horses and dogs and all that infernal nonsense.” ‘There was never any trouble between them?” ? rouble? No, sir—not to my knowledge, sir. ‘ “Have they been as good friends of late as they were a while ago?” ; “Well, 1 guess so, I don’t know,” speaking slowly. ‘They have not been so much together seiny a but I think they have remained just as good friends.” ** You are certain your wife did not dislike the | eS 34] young man? He had given her no reasons hate bim?” , **Ob, no, no! Charley was not a boy to offend — alady! Iam sure there was no trouble between them. But what makes you ask such questions? Surely, sir, you—” He stopped, gazing sharply into Cal’s face; then he suddenly cried: “If that is the line you are working on, sir, you may as well drop the whole matter! You are simply wasting your time and robbing me of the money I am foreed to pay you!” “You are inclined to jump ata conclusion too quickly, captain.” “Then fam mistaken—you are not working from that standpoint, sir?” “*T am working to get at the truth, and I have not lied in telling you I know the real murderer. You must trust me, captain.” Cal decided it could be of no advantage to talk longer with the captain, so, after cautioning him aguinst talking in a way that would give anyfone the belief that be thought himself guilty, be left him, passing the old sailor’s lawyer in going out, From thence he went directly .to Captain or home, He wished to have a talk with llie. There was a flush of excitement on the girl’s face as she appeared before him, ** Oh, I am so glad you have come!” she softly cried. ‘* Look at this!” And from a place of concealment she produced and held up a large revolver. ‘* Hallo!” exclaimed the detective, ‘‘ Where did you get that?” ‘*In Mrs, Scudd’s room.” ‘*Ab! Let me see it,” Carter examined the weapon. “Rather heavy for a lady,” he commented, speaking more to himself than his companion, ““T do not find any marks uponit. Where was it kept?” ‘* Tt was hidden beneath her dressing-case.” ‘*So-so! How did you discover where it was?” ‘“*Mrs, Scudd talked in her sleep, She has a nap every afternoon, especially if she happens to rise uncommonly early, To-day sbe muttered something about the revolver under the dressing- case, I found a chance to investigate, and this is what I discovered.” As he looked the weapon over, Carter decided it was the une that was missing from Captain Scudd’s desk, Why was the weapon in Mrs, Seudd’s room? His mind ran over a possible so- lution, Charley Thornton had been murdered with anotber weapon, but the one who did the deed wished it thought be was killed with the cap- tuin’s own revolver. It would not do to fire a second shot and so empty a chamber in the load- ed revolver, for there was a possibility of arous- ing the house. Besides that, the bullet must lodge somewhere, and a keen-eyed ferret might discover where, That would show two shots had been fired, but the revoiver would only have one empty chamber. If the revolver with which the murder was actually committed was left and the captain’s weapon removed, it might be that the captain’s assertion concerning his not owning the fatal weapon would be disbelieved, It might seem like a sballow trick to get out of the trap into which he had fallen, This seemed fairly reasonable. Cal examined the weapon till he was certain he could deseribe it accurately, and then he bad Ollie do the same, “Now I want you to'return it to the spot from whence you took it,” he said, ‘tI think it suight prove of some importance, but rather than alarm my lady by its removal, I will run the risk of her finding a way to get rid of it. ¥ She must not be alarmed now,” So the revolver was restored, and the beauti- ful sorceress remained unconscious of the sword suspended over her by a single hair. CHAPTER XVI. PICKING UP NEW POINTS. CLEAR-GRiT CAL did not leave the house without having a talk with Lizette, the French ~ maid, and that talk was of immense import in the solution of the mystery. ‘ “ Lizette,” he said, ‘‘does Mrs, Scudd ever have visitors whose presence in the bouse is not known to her husband?” . ** Oui, monsieur—one,” “Hal Who?” ‘* Her brozare.” ‘* Her brother?” Lizette nodded.
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= gh ea = ‘© Well, why does she receive bim without the captain's knowledge?” ‘Zay do bave some trouble when first she mar- ree ze captaine. He do not like her brozare, and he do forbid him to come at all.” ‘““ Ah-ha! I see. Howoften did this brother visit Mrs, Scudd ?” “Not vera oftun,” ‘“ Where did she receive him?” ‘Tn her room.” “So? And the captain never suspected?” “ce No. ” ‘* How did he enter the house?” ‘* By ze back way, monsieur,” ‘‘Tnis grows interesting. The cook must be in the secret.” ‘* Oui ; she ees,” ‘“ By Jove! I wonder just how important this matter is! It may have some bearing on the case, or it may not,” “‘T did not tink of eet, or I tell you before, monsieur.” It will be necessary for me to find out about this brother,” thought Cal. ‘It is strange he should not demand his rights, It is not manly to come sneaking into another man’s house, even though it is to see a sister,” In one thing Cal had been somewhat baffled, That was in tracing the past life of Mrs. Scudd, He had followed her back to a certain point, but previous to that he could not learn anything about her. The captain had fallen in love with her, and she had married him on condition that he dia not question her concerning the past, which she declared had been ‘‘ very sad.” Being perfectly enamored, the captain had consented to the condition, Now, Carter had come to believe that the beautiful woman had the best of reasons for wishing her past career kept shady. He be- lieved the captain would not bave married her had he known the truth concerning that past. But if Mrs. Scudd had lived a criminal life, she had not been ‘‘ placed on record” in this country. Cal knew she might be English, but he was inclined to think her an American, He also knew she might have been in some way con- nected with criminals, and still escaped police attention. He now sawa chance to get at the truth of her past, and that was through the brother who secretly visited her in her beautifuul home. He felt sure that brother would prove a criminal of some sort, a ‘© When was he here last?” asked the detec- ve. ) **Oh, eet was some week ago.” ‘*One week ago?” **No, no! One, two, tree—a mont’,” **So long?” “ Out ” ** He visited Mrz, Scudd in her room then?” Lizette nodded. ‘Is there any one besides yourself and the cook in the secret?” **There was, monsieur.” ‘¢ Was?” o Out ” ‘Just what do you mean by that? If there was, is there not now?” “ No.” e ** How is that?” ‘* Ze ozare one he be dead,” ** Charley Thornton?” ‘* Zat be ze one.” fio Scott!” saat gain was new light brought to tec- tive. He found bimself standing tp geal with new possibilities. Of a sudden, he began to feel that he was not so sure he knew exactly who ~ ae saya A vee “Di arley ornton allow this report to bis uncle?” Eas not Oud ” 4 ‘* Well, I think less of the young man than I did.” ‘* Zis brozare do have some talk with Charles sometime.” ‘*In this house?” ‘One time here.” “* And the fool boy didn’t know he was play- we sert fire!” muttered Cal. e began to feel disgusted with Charley Thornton. ‘¢- You did not hear what they said, Lizette?” **T do just hear ze word monee,” “* Money?” Lizette aed: ‘* Zat was eet,” ‘“* Well this grows still more interesting! Why should ry be speaking of money? Christopher! Was Charley Thornton in league with this bro- ther in fleecing the captain? It begins to look ' that way!” SS —_—— OOO _ ee nnn Clear-Grit Cal. If that was true, there might have been an- other reason than hatred for the young man’s murder. It did not seem so very much as if Mrs. Scudd had killed him out of madness be- cause be had repulsed her when sbe tried to win his love. Instead of that, Tborntun might have fallen into a repentant mood and threatened to tell his uncle all, Then it would have been necessary to silence him in order for the beauti- ble Mrs. Scudd not to suffer a terrible downfall. The sharks saw theaiselves in danger and they resorted to a deadly and terrible method of re- taining their grip on their prey. And still, was Captain Scudd the one wko had fired the fatal shot? Had the wicked woman exercised her influence to compel him to take the life of bis own nephew? Those questions were still unanswerable, but Carter fancied he saw aray of hope for the un- fortunate man, But how it would crush and humiliate the old salt when he knew the whole horrible truth! It would be a terrible blow when be was forced to believe his charming wife guilty of conspiracy against him. And he might have to believe her guilty of murder! ‘* Lizette, I must see the cook.” Down to the kitchen went the detective, and there be found the cook was a buxom Irish girl with a face that was far from being uncomely aud g brogue that would “ give her away” un- der any circumstances. It was not such an easy thing to induce Mollie to talk about her mistress and the family secrets, but Carter was skilled in the art of questioning, and_ he finally caused her to believe it her duty to tell all she knew, in order to help clear up the mystery of the murder, Charley had been a favorite in the kitchen, as well as everywhere else, ‘“*Och, bone! th’ poor lard! niver will this hoouse say the loikes av him again!” And Mollie wiped her eyes with ber apron, ** Now, Mollie,” said Cal, in his most persuad- ing manner, *‘ you can aid me in clearing up this mystery, if you will, Your master is in juil, and it is your duty to help me in getting bim out, ‘* Arrah, but th’ misthress hiv cautioned me to soay niver a worrud.” ‘“About what?” ‘* About thot blackguard av a broother av hers, sur, It's divila bit do O1 loike the looks av him! He’s a schoundril, av Oi hiv a bit av brains in me hid!” ‘““You are right, Mollie, always right.” ‘*By me faith! yure th’ firrust Yarnkee Oi ivver hurrd soay th’ loikes av thot? It’s directly th’ opposite they do be afther tarkin’, They roon us doown to th’ larrust notch, an’ soay whoy didn’t we stay in Auld Oireland. Th’ S'ints know we'd bin glad enough to staid theer av Johnnie Bull didn’t sit hissilf over us wid a whip in his harrund! It’s not this wretched country we do be afther warntin’ av we kin hiv th’ Auld Sod to be ourown’” | Cal saw Mollie was flying off ata tangent, and he made haste to bring her back. ‘“ My any is witb the Irish,” he assured. “‘ When I take it into my bead to get married, Vll search around fora Yankee girl with Irish blood in her veins, Mollie, ’m keeping track of you from this on, “But Iam with you in thinking this brother of Mrs, Scudd a bad piece of property.” ‘*Hivven knows Oi’d not loike him on me hands!” ‘* He comes in by the kitchen?” “He do thot, an’ Oi biv had th’ pleasure av tellin’ him what Oi do think av him for thot sn’akiu’ way.” ° ‘** Does he come often?” ‘“Not very; he doon’t dare.” ** You let bim in?” ‘*Whin Oi am toold. Oi’d nivver do thot, but Masther Charley said it wur all roight. Poor Mastber Charley!” “ Well, bis death begins to make it look as if it was not all rigbt, Mollie.” ‘©O1 nivver could see how he could hiv any- thing to do wid th’ loikes av thot black-faced odamahoon.” ‘‘Then this brother is dark-faced?” You Irish are ‘* Vis, sur.” é ‘* With a black mustache?” ** Vis, sur.” * Tall?” - He is, sur.” 13 An exclamation of satisfaction came from Cal Carter’s lips. This was growing interesting, to say the very least. **- You let him in, Mollie?” ‘‘ Vis, sur, He samed a bit flustered loike an” said he must have a worrud wid his sister, It wur a mighty long wurrud be spoke!’ ** How long was he witb ber?” ** A coople av hours, sur.” “You let him out?’ ‘Vis, sur.” ‘* How did he appear then?” “Cool as oice, He did be afther givin’ me some money.” ‘“*Ha! A bribe?” ** No; a foive dollar bill, sur.” “So much? And he asked you to keep mum?” . “ He did thot,” ‘You and Mrs, Scudd are probably the only ones who know of bis visit on that day?” ** Barrin’ yersilf, sur.” “Well, I am in it tostay. Mollie, es you love your life—as you loved your young master who was murdered, con’t let a soul know you have told me these things.” “There is litthle danger av thot, sur. Oi hiv no desire to lose me place here.” ‘© Well, here is another five to match the one the dark-faced brother gave you.” A few minutes later the detective was on the —— and he walked with a swinging, springy step. ‘* The next thing in order,” he softly muttered, ‘*is to close my fingers on Silky Hall. I wonder if I will have to follow him to Boston?” But he was saved thetrouble. Hall had learn- ed Tired Moore was not ‘“‘done up,” and the dark-faced gambler was back in New York. CHAPTER XVII. THE REVELATION. SHARK gladdened the heart of his employer by informing him that Hall] had returned. ** How do you know this?” asked Cal. ** An old street friend of mine who knows the sport put me on.” ; ‘¢ Well, I shall need Hall directly. I have got. some new points, and he is in it—deep.” € Soe” ‘* Yes, I want to hunt him up.” ** All right.” : ‘¢T shall arrest him shortly.” “For. what?” ‘* Well, I will have a charge that is stiff enough to stand alone, I tell you, Shark, that man needs electricity to brace him up—and he is liable to get a heavy shock.” d ‘* Is it bad as that?” ** Tt looks that way from the road.” ** Then I’m onto bim,” “Stick by him, but den’t let him tumble, He must not be alarmed.” ‘** How soon will you be ready to gather him?” ** By to-morrow, I expect,” Cal had a theory, but he was not sure it could be worked out. From bis cffice he sought a cer-’ tain practitioner of hypnotism and had a long talk with him. When this talk was over it was too late to carry out his plan that day. At an early hour the next day Cal visited Cap- tain Scudd in his cell, With the detective came three other men, One was the professor of byp- notism, one was a certain police official high in office, and the third was a well-known citizen of great influence. The captain was surprised when he saw them all enter his cell. “Captain Seudd,” said Cal, after he had made his companions known to the unfortunate man, ‘*] know you are astonished by our appearance: here, but we have come for a purpose,” ‘* What purpose?” “The purpose of making an attempt to fully unfold the mystery of Charlie Thornton’s death,” ‘« Bgad, sir! you do not mean to infer that I can tell you anything more than I have already made known?” *“©Ob, yes I do!” ; : : The captain lifted nis weighty body, his face becoming almost purple with anger. “Sir, this is more than I can stand! You plainly express doubts as to my veracity! I have told yon everything | know, as I have be- fore gssured you, but you have now coms with the evident purpose of inti tating me into something like a ccnfession, Sir, | discharge you, and I refuse to have anything further to gay to you. You will find there is a limit!” te was with difficulty Cal calmed the excited. man in a measure, hastening to explain: ‘“‘Tbhave no thought of inferring you could have told more up to the present time, captain ;. TEESE TORIC 4 : a Pan fe Beer te I ee Se vr ve Tone or am
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14 but I think it is possible you can be assisted in remembering. It is the furthest thing from my thoughts to try to intimidate you into a con- fession.” Captain Scudd looked at Cal in silence, and the detective added: “Tf you will trust me, captain, I think I shall be able to get at the whole truth but you must consent to an experiment.” ‘‘ What experiment, sir?” ‘Sit down, and I will explain.” The captain sat down, but seemed to hold him- self on guard, ‘* Now you remember, captain, that you have been troubled with spells of forgetfulness.” The old sailor grunted. ‘“‘That,” continued Cal, ‘‘ is why you are not able to tell what occurred the day Charley Thornton was killed. Now,I believe I know the exact cause of your forgetfulness,” ‘“* What is it?” “*{ think it is hypnotism.” ** Hypnotism? Impossible, sir!” ‘Tt may seem so, but 1 fancy it not im- possible, I believe you were hypnotized at the time Charley Thornton was killed and that is “a you are unable to tell what took place.” he captain was inclined to turn up his nose at this, but Cal did his best to convince him of its possibility. “T trust you will not refuse to allow the ex- periment, for it is all for your good,” ‘*But who could have hypnotized me at that time?” ‘There is such a thing as self-hypnotism.” ** Bosh! All infernal nonsense!” ‘You may think so, but until this experiment proves a failure you cannot be certain.’ ‘These gentlemen have come here to witness this fool business, have they?” ‘*'T’he professor has come for the purpose of at-. tempting to bring you under his influence.” The captain braced up stiffly. ““T defy bim to! I have a will of my own, as you will discover. I am not a man to be easily controlled by others.” . ‘“‘Té you wish to combat me, sir,” smoothly observed the professor, ‘* you may be able to re- sist my power. Ido not dispute that. If I ‘had once obtained control of you, you would not be able to resist the seeond time, but as you are a new subject, you might make it difficult or im- possible for me to throw you into a hypnotic trance, If you are inclined togive me your as- sistance by surrendering yourself to the experi- ment and not attempting to combat me, I may be successful. ‘If you were in a hypnotic trance when your nephew was killed, you will be able to tell what occurred then,” The captain reflected a little while, then said: “Well, go ahead. It can’t do any barm that I can see, but I’m sure it won’t do any good.” Having received the captain’s consent, the rofessor seated him in a favorable position on he edge of his bed, requested bim to think about nothing in particular, and then set about the work of throwing him into a trance, The spectators looked on with bated breath, ‘Calbeing in fear lest the experiment prove a fail- ure, The professor continued to make bis passes for some time without producing any visible re- sult on the captain, but at length the old sailor’s eyes began to close. A look of satisfaction rest- ed on the hypnotizer’s face, ‘* Captain?” “ Ay, ay, sir!” ‘“* Why have you closed your eyes?” “T have not, sir; they are wide open.” **You are mistaken; they are closed. Open “them!” Captain Scudd’s eyes opened, and the man sat there before them, apparently in his natural state. ‘* Captain, you can’t’get up if you try.” And he could not! He struggled to arise, but it was useless, The spectators looked at each other in aston- ishment, . ’ Cal whipped out his book and ‘was ready]to take down anything of importance that fell from Captain Scudd’s lips, ‘*Now, sir,” said the professor, ‘I want you to think of the thirteenth day of the present month. I want you to tell me what occurred on the afternoon of that day.” ‘*T was in my private room.” ** Any one with you?” ‘* My nephew lay on a couch,” ** Awake or sleeping?” ‘* He seemed to be sleeping.” “After'a time opened a time my door was Pg “By whom?” Clear-Grit Cal. “My wife.” ‘*The door was not locked?” “Tt was not,” ‘* Did your wife enter the room?” “She did. There was another person who en- tered. ** Another? Who?” ‘* Her brotber.” The detective caught his breath, The revela- tion was coming! ‘* What did they do?” ‘* My wife closed the door and locked it,” ** And then?” ** They spoke together in low tones, 1 did rot hear what they said.” ‘* What followed?” “*My wife’s brother came over and looked into my face. Then he asked her to prove some- thing. She told me to stand on my head in the middle of the floor!” ‘You did so?” “*T did.” ‘*Then what?” ‘‘He said he was satisfied, but that the only way to keep the secret was to kill either me or my nepbew. He was excited and so was she, She pleaded with him, I think he had been drinking. He broke from her and suddenly took a revolver from bis pocket. Then he went close to where Charley lay sleeping, and—” — Captain Scott paused and caught bis breath with a hoarse gasp. It was still as death in that cell, Every man seemed listening with hushed heart and stilled breath to the wonderful revelation of the byp- notized man, ** What did he do?” “ He placed the muzzle of the weapon against Charley’s head and fired!” A deep breath that was almost a groan came from four pairs of lips. “ What followed?” asked the professor, quick- ly regaining his composure. ‘*He dropped the revolver and stepped back, Then they listened to see if the shot bad been heard. It had not, for sounds within that room are seldom heard outside,” ‘* How did all this affect you?” “Tt did not seem to affect me at all, I thought I was dreaming.” ‘* What did this man and woman then do?” ‘‘ They talked together in whispers. I did not hear all they said, but I did hear my wife say it must be made to seem that I killed Charley. Then she unlocked my desk and took out my re- volver. They talked some more, and seemed to arrive at a decision.” ‘* And then—what?” “They left the revolver with which Charley was shot where it had fallen on the floor. But they took my revolver when they went out of the I believe room. ‘What did you do after they were gone?” ‘* Nothing.” ‘* Are you sure?” ‘*T locked the door; that is all.” ‘* You locked the door behind them?” ** Yes, sir.” ‘Then you did what?” ‘* Nothing but sit in my chair.” ‘* How long did you sit there?” ** Till I heard some one knocking.” ‘* What happened then?” ‘*T do not know.” ‘* You cannot remember?” “ce No.”’ ‘ The professor turned to his companions, ‘Tt was at that moment that be came out of his trance,” he explained. ‘‘ He has told us all.” A short time later Captain Scudd was ip. his natural state of mind, - “* Well,” he said, ‘‘ how did your great scheme work?” ‘* Completely, captain!” cried Cal, triumphant- ly, ‘‘I now know who fired that shot, and I will have you out of here mighty soon.” CHAPTER XVIII. THE WHOLE TRUTH. “THE deuce is to pay! One of Tired Moore’s pals has shot Silky Hall, and the sport has got it for coe. He is in Jerry Riley’s dive on the Bowery. me lively, if you want to squeeze him before he croaks. ® SHARK.” Such was the startling message thrust into Cal Carter’s band as be was leaving the jail. He lost no time in getting toJerry Riley’s, but he arrived too late. Silky Hall was dead! Cal’s dismay was great. **Too bad!” he exclaimed. pend on that woman fiend, must learn the truth,” ** Now I must de- From her lips I a pe St Petree. ™! mm Wey ' | bs “Tf you learn anything from her, you will ™ have to move lively,” declared Shark, ‘I be- lieve Hall succeeded in sending her word he was cooked.” ‘Then you are right. She must be nipped before she tries to skip.” Cal was not a man to waste time. With Shark and two policemen he appeared at the door of Captain Scudd’s house ashort time later. They were admitted and informed tbat Mrs. Scudd' was in her room, Cal asked if any one had called to ses her and was told there had, _ Making sure she could not get out without be- ing. seen, Cal sent up his card. The servant soon returned, stating no reply could be obtained, Then Cal and a policeman went up to the door. The policeman held a warrant for Mrs. Scudd’s arrest, They rapped on the door and called to the woman, but there came no reply. Ollie Field appeared and stated that Mrs, Scudd had re- turned after seeing the man who called, and was in a condition of excitement that was fright- ful to witness. She drove Ollie from the room, locking herself in, Seeing there was no other way of obtaining immediate entrance, the policeman burst open the door, : The woman plotter was within the room, but she lay dead on her dainty bed, an empty vial grasped in the fingers that were not yet cold, She was also beyond the reach of the law. In life she had beer beautiful—death had not robbed her of her beauty. On a little table stood arn open bottle of ink, into which a pen was thrust, On a sheet of paper close by was the written confession of the dead woman. It was all Cal Carter desired! It told the story of the murder as it was told by the en- tranced captain, and it also told one thing sus- pected by no one. Silky Hall was not her brother! He was her rightful husband ! At first Charley Thornton had believed Hall the woman’s brother, but on the day of the mur- der, in some manner, he had learned the truth. Then he swore he would expose the whole business, and that threat brought about his death. Hall found the young man could not be silenced, and so he saw ruin staring him in the face, He had induced a friend to get some drugged liquor into Charley. eantime, Hall had made all haste to com- municate with his wife, who was plucking the man who believed himself ber husband, The gambler had hastened to the woman and told her of their peril, She was appalled, but she saw a way,to avertjit for a time. She 'had practiced hypnotism on Captain Scudd till she was able to bring him under ber influence even though she was not with him, Then the wretched man and woman saw a carriage draw up at the steps and Charley Thornton leave it for the house, Not an instant was to be lost, The sorceress set about bringing Captain Scudd under her influence. She succeeded, an then, unseen by any one, Hall and his wife ce- scended to the captain’s room, Then took place exactly what Captain Scudd revealed in his cell, The woman had tried to have Charley Thorn- ton’s life spared, for she was really fascinated by the rather gay youth, but her husband knew mercy meant exposure and exposure meant dis- aster, so he was relentless. Thus was the mayenery Charley Thornton’s death cleared up to the satisfaction of the most skeptical. pea Only a word more, The reader must imagine the effect of this rev- elation on Captain Scudd. It did not cause the death of the old salt, as Dr, Andros feared it would; but it crushed bim so he was never after like his former self, He never completed the wonderful invention, on which he had labored so long, for hé bad no further ambition, _ The captain needed the companionship of some one, and Ollie filled her brother’s place in such a way that he would not let her leave him when she became Mrs, Val Sedman. So Val made his home rpc) and when the — captain died, Ollie inherited all his property, Of course Clear-Grit Cal was liberally reward- ed, and the story of bis discernment and the ex- periment by which the truth was discovered be- fore the death of the adventuress was told by all the papers. It was simply one of his many shrewd bits of detective work, ‘i THE END, OR a coed Pie i nF Ae 7 aires sinter otenarceeams fy Rev al Sere ery POS _o oe i > .. + Ar eee hes = ("¥ ae % ¥ ee = Divs EE OEE ER ET OT ES ent pre!
Page 15
BY OLL COOMES., & 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. ‘58 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. %4 Hawk-eye Marry the Young Trapper Ranger. S88 Rolle, the Boy Hanger. 134 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 ‘exas, the Young Mustanger 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 182 Little Hurricanes the Boy Captain. 202 Prospect Pete; or, The Young Outlaw Hunters. 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 Detective; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Disguised Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger. 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger. 272 Minkakin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Fexfire, the Boy Spy. 800 The Sky Demon; or, Kainbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Hercules; vr, Dick, the Boy Ranger. AIT Webtfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone, 444 Little Buckskin, tne Young Prairie Centaur. 457 Wingedfoot Fred; or, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarac Vom, the Big Trapper 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 Areadia, BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Major Sam. 8, Hall.) 284 Old Nocky a ** Boyeos; or, Benito, the Horse-Breaker 246 Glant George; or, The Ang’! of the Range. 275 Arizona Jack ; or, Giant George’s Pard. 297 The Tarantula of Taos; or, Giant George’s Revenge, B07? The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt, 818 Ker-whoop, Ker-whoo; or, The Tarantula of Taos. B27 Creeping 882 Frio Fred: or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. $44 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. 849 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front, 857 The Ranch Raiders; or, The Siege of Fort Pargatory. 861 Snap-Shot, the Boy Kanger. 5 Ohiota, the Creek}; or, The Three Thunderbolts. BSt Randera Bill; or. Frio Frank to the Front. 892 Romeo and the Reda; or, The Beleaguered Ranch. 404 Little Larlat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. aa ie pe Palsy ioe renvers fae ai. “a 427 The ree Tratlers; or, ocky on the Rampage. 442 Bluff Bills or, The Lynx of the Leona. a 455 Little Lone Star: or, The Belle of the Cibolo, 684 Cache Carl, the Chico Giant BY PHILIP 8. WARNE, SSR A VX oy i Boy ¢ or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. 88% Little Oh-my or, Caught in His Own Trap, — Hy or, A Race for a Ranch, sld Wensel. 598 Keen Clem, the 599 Jim Dandy the No-Name Sport. 618 Billy a or, The Skeleton’s Legacy. 685 Oklahoma Hi, the Blae-Coat Scout. 648 Uappy Harry’s Big Find. 664 Cheeky Charley the Special. BY EDWARD WILLETT. 167 Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy, 199 Featherweight the Boy Champion of the Muskingum. 223 Ozark Alf; or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws. 282 The Typo Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp. 295 Fearless Phil; or, The King of Quartzville. 11 The Reving pe ao or, The Pride of Chuckaluck Camp. 22 Nemo, the Detective; or, Kit Kenyon's Vendetta. 840 Clip the Contortioniat: or, The Montana Vigilantes. BY JO PIERCE, 897 Bob o’ the Bowery} or, The Prince of Mulberry Street 415 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bob’s Boom. 452 Hotspur Bob, the Street-Boy Detective, 460 The Lawyer’s Shadow; or, Luke’s Legacy, 472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective, 604 Five Points Phi 509 Jack Jaggera, the Butcher Boy Detective, 516 Tartar Tim; or, Five Pointe Phil’s Menagerte, 626 North River Nat, the Pier Detective, 588 Wrestling Rex, the Pride ofthe Sixth Ward, 541 Jeff Flicker, the Stable Boy Detective, Hb1 Niek Nettle, the Boy Shadow. 659 Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective, 569 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detective, 577 Pavement Pete the Secret Sifter, 688 Jack-o’-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector, GOR Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer, 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid. 628 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Hummer. 689 Sunrise Saul, the Express-Train Ferret. 649 Gamin Bob,t 658 Sky-Rocket Rob, the Life-Saver. 683 Saltpeter Sol, the New York Navigator, 694 Spley Jim, the Only One of His Kind. TO6 Tom Thiatle, the Rond-House Detective, = Mosquito Jack, the Hustler Gamin, $a Pennix Duff the Brown Sport’s Kid. 44 Dick of the Docks, the Night- Watch, BY J. W. OSBON. 469 The Rival Giants of Nowhar’. rt Seetue Bere, he Mee en a Luck. Ow. 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Mine BEADLE’S«H ALF- JIME«]_ IBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. Jat, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Pards. e Bowery Badger; or, Scooping a Slippery Set, — BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl. 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. 79 Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 288 Joe Buck of Angels and His Buy Pard. 447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham. 458 New England Nicks or, The Fortunes of a Foundling, 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince. 498 Taos Ted, tne Arizona Sport. 510 Cool Colorado, the Hall-Breed Detective. 5618 Cool Colorado in New York. BY GEORGE ©. JENKS. 485 Git Thar Owney the’Unknown, 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. 518 The Demon Doctor. 581 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. 598 Flute, the Singer Detective, 608 The Pitcher Detective’s Foll; or, Dan’s Double Play. 616 The Ocean Detective or. The Last Cruise ofthe Black Bear. 681 The Pitcher Detective’s Toughest Tussle. %86 Larry the Thoroughbred; or, Beaten on Every Side. BY CHABLES MORRIS, 118 Will Somers, the Boy Detective, 122 Phil Hardy, the Boas Boy. 126 Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. 180 Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags. 142 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 147 Will Wildiire, the Thoroughbred, 152 Black Beas, Will Wildfire’s Racer. 157 Mike Merry the Harbor Police Boy. 162 Will Wildtire in the Woods, 165 Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. 7O A Trump Card; or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses, 74 Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. 79 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, 88 The Hidden Handy; or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. ST Fred HMalyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smuggters, 89 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed ; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 Tom Tanner; or, The Black Sheep of the Flock, 25 Sam 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 Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sharps: or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail. 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’s« Job; or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughored, 805 Dashaway, of Daketay or, A Western Lad in Quaker City. $824 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. $41 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 855 The Reporter-Detectives or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, B67 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. 879 Larry, the Leveler; or. The Bloods of the Boulevard. 408 Firefly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 423 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier. 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vagabond, 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive, 479 Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty, 488 Wild Dick Racket. 501 Boots, the Boy fireman: or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, b66 The Secret Service Boy Detective. 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce eof Arkansas; or, The Wolf in the Fold. 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculater, 667 Bob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. 709 The Curbstone Detective; or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat. 757 Detective Frank’s Sweep-stakes, BY FREDERICK DEWEY 818 Cimarron Jack, the King-Pin of Rifle-Shote. 478 Tangemuid, the Desert Detective. 542 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 MAJOR E, L. 8T. VRAIN, 292 Sancho Pedra, the Boy Bandit. 801 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. 888 Brimatone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette. Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “Sand.” 859 Duranre Dave, the Youny Chan ion Wrestler, 871 Kingbolt Chris, the Yung Hard-Shell Detective. 880 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide, 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mount«in Mail-Line, BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS. 6 Bill Biddon, Trapper. 1 8 Seth Jones; or, The Captives of the Frontier, 10 Nat Todd3 or, The Fate of the Sioux Captive. 21 rne Frontier Angel. 98 The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island. 182 The Hunted Hunter; or, The Strange Horseman, 54 The Half-Blood ; or, The Panther of the Plains. 271 The Nuge Nunter; or, The Steam Prairie Man, BY BRACERRIDGE HEMYNG, Se iland el mith a ah nn 5 ae ¢ Oaptain of the C Lor. Athletes. 101 Jack Harkaway in NewYork. BY MAJOR WENRY B. STODDARD, Ex-8 . 806 Neck-Tie Ned; or, The Dug-Out Pards, ‘ nas 846 Rapler Raphael; or. The Swordsmen of Zacatecas. 891 Kid-Glove Kit, the Dandy of the Rockies. 406 The Mad Man-Muntca tre The Grides Gulch e Ma an- t or. i" Ich M 505 Powell’s Pardy or, The One-Armed Giant, BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, 15 The Sea-Cat; or, The Witch of Darien. 29 The Dumb Page; or, The Doge’s Denghter, 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. 150 Lance and Lasso or, The Children of the Chaco. 154 The Sword Munters; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders, 159 The Lost Captain; or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cruise, 200 The Boy Bedouins; or, The Brot\ers of the Plumed Lance 214 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine. 249 Milo Romer the Animal King: or, Round the Werld, 265 The Tiger. Tamer; or, The League of the Jungle, $81 Black Neck, the Demon Rider. 895 California Joe’s War Trall. 899 Black Buckekins of, The Masked Mes of Des ; ae uckakiny; or, The Masked Man o th C 19 Kenneth, the Knife-King, ee & Littie Lightfoot. the Pilot of the Woods. 28 The Dandy Sport: +r, The King Pin Conspirator, 78 Ralph Renwood, the Lichtning Express Detective. 691 Headiieht Harry’s Waul. T Headlight Marry’s Stren. A 759 Headlight Harry’s Heritage. 185 Cantatn ea; DUNNING CLARK. apta uly or, y the Mou 880 The Yankee Hajahy or, The Fate of the Black Bhereef, BSS Will Waters, the Boy Ferret. Bv Dead BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR, 2 Yellowstone Jack; or, The ping = oie 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or; The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Hurricane Bill ; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. 119 Mustang Sam ; or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-tinawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch. 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Rescne. 160 The Black Glant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 184 The Bey Traltlera; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path. 208 The Boy Parda; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse Thieves’ League. 885 Old Double Fist; or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Weods: or. Daniel Boone’s Last Trail.) 449 Kit Fox. the Border Soy Detective 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Tratler. 677 Chineapin Dan's Second Trall. 688 Chineapin Dan’s Home Stretch. 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without a Head. TOS Light-Heart Lute’s Legacy. 18 Light-Heart Lute’s Last Trail. 8 Silverblade, the Shoshone. 9 Silverblade, the Half-Blood; or, The Border Beagle at Bay. 89 Silverblade, the Hostile. 48 Silverblade, the Friendly; or, The Border Beagle’s Boy Pard, BY JACK FARRAGUT, 815 Ned, the Cabin Boy. 820 The Sea Sorceress; or, The Boy Skipper. BY LIEUT. If. D. PERRY, U. 8. 'N. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bay 180 The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow Well Kept. 192 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montauk Point. BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. 78 Blue Dicks or, The Yellow Chief’s Vengeance. 87 The Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil’s Island, 187 The Helplers liand 3 or, Backwoods Retribution. 289 The Gold-seeker Guide! or, The Lost Mountain, BY WILLIA | KR. EYSTER, 19® Dandy Darke} or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Frank; or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pard+ BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR JU. 8. A, 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. 194 Buffalo Bill's Bet; or. The Gambler Guide, BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS. 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock. 568 The Dandy of Dodge. 576 The Silver Sport. 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 589 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 601 Happy Mana, the Dutch Vidocg, 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 622 Texas Tom-Cat’s fad 681 Tom Cat’« Terrible Task. 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph; or, Bleck Dan’s Great Combine, 646 Cowboy Gid, the Cattile-Range Wetective. 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank. 665 Jolly Jeremiahy the Plains Detective. 676 Signal Sams, the Lookout Scout. 689 Billy. the Gypsy Spy. 699 Straple Sim, the Broncho Buster, 712 The Meameriat Sport; or, The Mystified Detective, 788 Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector, 745 Kansas Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective. 761 Marmaduke, the Mustanger Detective. BY CAPT. MARK WILTON, 256 Young Kentuck; or, The Red Lasso, 270 Blizzard Ben}; or, The Riot at Keno Camp. , 286 Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot. MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Horse Iunters, By Capt. Mayne Reia and Frederick Whittaker. ® Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Gulliver’s Travela. By Dean Swift, 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp. 16 Robinson Crusoe. (27 I!lustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sallor. His Seven Voyages. 22 Ean Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe, By Juan wis, 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribees. By 8, W. Pierce. 86 The Boy Clown: or, The Arena Queen. By Ff 8, Finn. BS Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 61 The Bey Riffes; or, The Underground Camp. By A. C. Irons, 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi. By Lieut.-Col, Hazeltine. 98 Robin Hood, the Uutiawed 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 Hunters or, ‘ihe Caveof Death. By Burton Saxe. anj or, The Young Champion. By George 124 Tippy, the T Glesson. 128 The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By Harry Cavendish. 148 Sharp Sam; or, The Adventures ot a Friendless Boy. By J. Alexander Patten, 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yel- lowstone. By Edward Emerson. 261 Fergus Fearnaught the New Y irk Boy. By @. L. Aiken, 266 Kilib’ar, the Guide; or, Davy Crockett’s Crooked Trail. By Ensign C. D. Warren. 298 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Clif. By Captain Comstock. é 817 Peneock Pete, the Lively Lad from Leadville. By Lieu- tenant Alfred Thorne. 828 The Sky Detective; or, A Boy's Fight for Lifeand Honor, By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Red Ralph, the River Rovers or, The Brother's Re- venge, By Ned Buntline. £265 Raltimore Ren the Bootblack Detective. By A. P. Morris, 874 Gold-Duat Tom: or, Ben’s Donhle Match. By @ H. Morse, 876 California Joc’s Firat Trail, By Colonel Thomas Hoyer Monstery. " 418 Biily Bombshcll, the Cliff Climber. By F. S. Winthrop, 475 The Black Ship. By John S Warner. . 484 mon a Dick and His Three Invinetbles. By enry J. Thomas, B82 The Cowboy Duke. By Edwin Brooke Forrest. 5G2 Ariel the Athlete. By David Druid. Sate behe lel we H. Enton. 682 The Wetective’s Double. By Gerald Carlton. 721 Maverick Mose, tne Arizona Detective; or, The Wizard of Urkos Pass. By Will Lisenhee. 746 Quiet Jack, the Secret Service Spy; or, Too Much for Red ary. By Dan Dunning, (of the Secret Service Corps). A New issue Every Tuesdey. The Half-Dime Library ‘s for sale by all newsdealers, f cents per copy, or aent by mall'cn receipt Ofnix sents each. ely BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street New York. 4
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BTLA 592, 5 615 64 BEADLE’S*H ALF- DIME*]_ JBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. > 7 tt a ne BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novels 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. . 20 Deadwood Dick’s Defiance; or, Double Daggers. 4 eenweee oa > Dregulaes, or Buffal, Ben & Deadwood Dick in « Castle. 42 Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza;.o', The .«antom Miner. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; er, Omena Oll. 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. bi pesewoes Bak on wasn or, Calamity é ‘ne, ee ern Jendwoo Dick’s Laat Act: or, Corduroy Charlie. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville, 104 Deadwood Dick’« Device; or, The Double Cross Sign, 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Gorgon’s Guleh Ghost. 119 Deadwood Dick*s Ble Strikes or,’A Game of Gold § endwood Dick's gw Strike; or, A Game of Gold. 156 Deadwood Vick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party. 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dreamy; or, The Rivals of the Road. 201 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. ave seeawnes a neem or, mpc ¢ Jane’s Adventure, 7 Deadwood Dick’s Dead Deal. 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death-Plant. 282 Geld-Duat Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, tere pend weed Lt eth pivide at Bye Spirit of Swamp Lake. eadwo ck’s Death Trail. B09 Deadwood Dick’s Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. B21 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats 847 Deadwood _Dick’s Ducats; or, Days in the Diggings. sai Peres Wiek Bentenced's or, The Terrible Vendetta. % ead woo ck’s Claim, 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Dinmonda, 421 Deadwood Dick in New York; or, A “Cute Case,” 480 Deadwood Dick’« Dust; or, The Chained Hand, 418 Deadwood Dick, Jr's, Def 8 Deadwooe ck, Jr.’s, Defiance. 458 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Full Hand. 459 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Ble Round-Up. A465 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10, A771 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill. yh paanwons pick qe.’ Dow + Nee ala 8 ecndwoo ck, dr., in Deadwood. 49L Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Compact. A96 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Inheritance, 500 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diggings. 5608 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dell verance. 515 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Protegee. 622 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Three. 5629 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducka 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Death Hunt. 539 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Texas. 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidocg 5649 Deadwood Dick, Jr., on Mis Mettle, 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham, 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boston, 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadeiphia, 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago. 578 Deadwood Dick. Jr., Afloat. HS4 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver, 5690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decree. 595 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin, 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island, 606 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Leadville Lay. 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Detroit. 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Cincinnatl. 624 Deadwood Dick. Jr., in Nevada. 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land, 686 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. 642 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Buffalo, 648 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Chase Across the Continent Sas peotvees 4 nen oP Ameng the cmaemiers. end“ oo e ’ r. Bs naurance ‘ase. 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines, 672 Deadweod Dick, Jr., (a Durangot or, “ Gathered In.” 4 posaweoes viet pA, pecevery3 or, Found a Fortune. é endwood Dick, Jr.'s, Dazzle, 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dollars. 695 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide. 700 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Drop. TOA Dendwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot. 710 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in San Franclace, 716 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Still Hunt. 722 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes, 728 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Disguise. 784 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’4, Double Deal, 740 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Deathwatch, 747 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet. 752 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’4, Deathblow. 758 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deaperate Stralt. BY J, ©. COWDRICK, Broadway Billy Novels. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo, 514 Broadway Billy’s« Boodle. 586 Broadway Billy’s ‘ DMikilty.” 557 Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. 579 Broadway Billy’s Surprise Party. 605 Broadway BIlly; or, The Boy Detéctive’s Big Inning, 628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Act. 669 Breadway Billy Abroad, 675 Broadway Billy’s Beast; or, Beating San Francisco's Finest. 687 Broadway Billy in Clover. 696 Broadway Billy tn_ Texas. 708 Broadway Billy’« Brand. TIL Broadway Billy at Santa Fe. 720 Broadway Billy’s Full Hand, 785 Rroadway Billy’s Business. TBS Breadway Rilly’« Curious Case. 758 Broadway Billy in Denver. 762 Broadway Billy’s Bargain. Other Novels by J, C, Cowdrick, 860 &ilver-Mask; the Man of Mystery. B69 Shas«tas thee Gold King; or, For Seven Years Dead, 420 The Petective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a Name, 4 Cibuta, Johws or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar. mt, the Street Scout. 467" smn vical Dude 506 Tea eNS Ralp # Prince of the Road, 524 The Engineer Detective. I Night Express Detective. Ling Wuke the Young Engineer tht atey tne Chief of Chained Cyel ng rr # hief o *haine yelone. 0, Bare tat Beth, the Centaur of the Circle, 647 Sats iter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward, 659 Moonlight Morgan, the *‘ Pizenest ”’ Man of Ante Bas, BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm. F. Cody). 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy: or, Tlie Pilot of the Prairie. 55 Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Scout. 388 Border Robin Hood; ad ey Prairie Rover, Faney Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust, eS Reet ee Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. bd 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 Rifles the Sharpshooter; or, The Boy Detective. 80 Rosebud Robs or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner} or, Ri sebud Rob on Hand. 88 Phetograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance, 92 Canada Chet ; or, Old Anaconda In Sitting Bull’s Camp. #6 Watch-Eye; or, Arabs und Angels of a Great City. 118 Jack Hoyle the Young Sveculator. 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sp ort Detective 121 Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport. 125 Bonanza BIL, Miner. 188 Boss Bob the King of Bootblacks, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. 145 Captain Ferret, the New York Detective. 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective, 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Scamps, 181 Wild Prank, the Buckskin Bravo. 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective, 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter, 226 Snoozer, the Buy Sharp; or, The Arab Detective, 286 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator. 244 Slorra Sam, the Frontier Ferret. 248 Sierra Sam’ Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Sam’s Pards or, The Angel of Big Vista, 258 Sterra Sam's Sevens or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol: or, The Rival Heirs. 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen. 281 Denver Doll's Victory. 286 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. *key & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia, ulck-Shot3 or, The Dead Face of Daggersville. 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miuer. 889 Kangaroo Kit’« Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood. 858 First-Class Fred, ‘he Gent trom Gopher. 868 Vreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherery or, The Life Lottery. 872 Yreka Jim's Prize. i 878 Nabob Neds; or, The Secret of Slab City. 882 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, B85 Yreka Jim’« 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 Mat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, 6 Sam Slabaides, the Beggar-Boy Detective, 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives. 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. 486 Seulskin Sam, the Sparkier. RY T. C. HARBAUGIL 28 Nick o’ the Night; or, Th» Boy Spy of ’76. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or The Little Hunter. 47 Nightingale Nat; «7, Tne Forest Captains, 64 Dandy Jacks or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trali, 82 Kit Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack 3 or, The Boy Trapper. 06 Old Froaty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 28 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 89 Judge Lynch Jr: or, The Boy Vigihante. a2 Gok Trig er, the 7 rt; er, The Girl Avenger. 8 9 9 Tornade Toms or, Injun Jack From Red Core, 8 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 8 Arkanaaw ; or, The Quen of Fate’s Revenge. 0? Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullets or, Little Tovknot’s Crusade. 281 Plucky Phil; or. Rosa, the Re! Jezebel. 241 Bill Bravos or, The Roughs of the Rockies, 255 Captain Apoli , tne King-Pin of Bowie, 267 The Kuckskin Detective, : 279 Old Winch; or, The Buckskin Desperadoes. 294 Dynamite Dan; or, The Bowle Blade of Gochetopa. 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bully. 816 Old Eelipse, Tromp Card of Arizona, , 826 The Ten Pardss or, The Terror of Take-Notice, 886 Bie Benson; or, The Queen of the La go, 845 Pitiless Matt; or, Ked Thonderholt’s Secret. B56 Cool sam und Pardy or The Terrible Six. 8BE6 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective, 886 Captain Cutlas«; or, } he B ceaneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Rebs or. The ! 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, Felix Fox's Hunt. 477 The Exceisior Sport; or, The Washington Spotter, 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night terret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective, 621 Dodger Dick's Best Dodge. 528 Fox and Faicon, the Bowery Shadows, 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’« Double: or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodger Dick’« Desperate Case, 568 Dodger Dick, the Boy Vidocg. 5678 The Two Shadows. 582 Dodger Dick’s Drop. 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective, 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sharp on Guard. 626 The Champton Parda. 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective. 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. 671 Jersey Jed, the Boy Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower. 685 Happy Mugh; the Bow Musician Detective. 701 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp. 715 Wide Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferret. 782 Dalay Dell. the Pavement Detective; or, Trapping Bg Game. 742 Billy Winka, the Bell Boy Detective. %54 Billy Winks, the Boss Boy Shadow. BY WM. G. PATTEN. 489 The Bianmond Sport: or, The Double Face of Bed Rock, 519 Captain Mystery ¢ or, Five in One. 581 Daley are the Sport from Denver. 587 Old ‘Rombahell, the Ranger Detective, G19 The Hor Tramp Detect The D e Boy Tramp Detective; or, The Donble Grip W 629 Violet Vane, the Velvet Sport. , P Bil 41 Dismal Pave’« Dandy Pard. 651 Bound Boy Frank, the Young Amateur Detective 66% Vialet Vane’a Victory. 682 Wild Vulean, the Lone-Range Rider, 698 Violet and Daisy, the Posy Pards. 705 Violet Vane’s Vow; or, The Crafty Detective’ Craft. 14 Old Misery, the Man from Missouri, 24 Violet Vane’s Vengeance. eae visics gone’, Verdnet. . ‘tole ane, the Ventriloquist Videcq, 750 Violet Vane, the Vanquisted. oa 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 - No Double Numbers. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 7 The Flying Yankee}; or, The Occan Outeast. 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccan. er; or The Fi “tive Yacht, 24 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yelicu stone. 62 The Shadow Ship; or, The Rival Lieutensots, 75 The Boy Duelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Woh, 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggier, 11L The Sea-Deyil; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 116 The Hussar Captain: or, Phe Hermit o1 Hell/Gate, 197 Little Grit, the Wilu er; or, The Stock-Tendcr’s Daughter. 204 Buffalo Bill, the Pony Express Rider. Linon BAL, the Prince of the Reins; or, Buffalo Bill’s Pluck. 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer. 229 Crimson Kate, the Girl Trier. 237 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain; or, The Mysterious Ranchero 245 Merle, the Middy 3 or, The Heir of an Ocean Freelance, 250 The Midshipman Mutineer; or, Bra:dt, the Buccaneer, 264 The Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure, 269 The Gold ship; or, Merle, the Condemned. ° 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 Marauder. 287 Lilly Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover. 804 The Dead Sot Dandy ; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler. BOS Dead Shot DPandy’s Pouble. 814 The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bug rail. 877 Bonodel, the Buy Rovers or, The Flagiess Schooner, 888 The Indlan Pilets +r, The Search for Pirate Island. 887 Warpath WILL, the Trxitor Guide; or, The Boy Phantom, 898 Seawall, the Boy Lientenant; or, The Red Clasped Hands. 402 Isodor, the Young Conspirator; or, The Fatal League, 407 The Boy Insurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta. 412 The Wild Yachtsamang or, The War-Cloua’s Cruise. 429 Duncan Dare, he Boy Refugee. 488 Captain Carl, tre Corsair; or, A Cabin Boy’s Luck. 487 The Seca Raider; or, The Hawks of the Hook. 441 The Ocean Firefly ¢ or, A Middy’s Vengeance. 446 Waphazard Harry; or, The Scapegrace of the Sea, ) 450 Wizard WII, the Wonder Worker, 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouts. 462 The Born Guide; or, The Sailor Boy Wanderer, 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. 474 Wizard Wills Vagabond Pard. 488 Wizard Will's Last Case; or, Ferrets Afloat. 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Kanger 495 Arizona Joe, the Boy Pard ot Texas Jack. 497 Buck 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. 511 The Outlaw Middy; or, The Young Patriot Sea Ranger, 520 Buckskin BIL, the Comanche Shadow. 525 Brothers in Buckskin; or, The Tangled Trails in Texas, 530 The Buckekl:i Bowers, 585 The Buc skin Rovers; or, The Prairie Fugitive. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder o1 the Rio. 545 Licutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte, 550 Lafitte’s Legacy: or. The Avenging Son. 555 The Creole Corsair; or, The Golden Wings of the Gulf, 560 Pawnee BIII, the Prairie Shadower, 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. 570 Camille, the Card Queen; or, The Skeleton Trail. 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective. 580 The Outcast Cadet; or, The False Detective. 686 Pawnee Bill’s Pledge; or, The Buckskin Avenger. ‘B91 Delmonte. the Young Sea Rover; or, Tne Avenging Sailor, 597 The Young Texan Detective; or, The Black Brayos, 602 The Vagabond of the Mines. 3 607 The Rover Detective; or, Keno Kit's Champions. 617 Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scouts or, The Rio Raiders, 644 The Hercules Highwayman.— » 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Kider Detective; or, Buffale Bill’s Boy Para. 656 Butterfly Billy’s Man Hunt. 662 Butterfly Billy’«s Bonanza. ei 668 The Buccaneer Midshipman; or, The Sea Kover’s Ruse, 674 The Wizard Suilor; or, Red Ralph, the Rover, 679 The Sea Shadowery or, The Freebooter’s Legacy. 686 Orlando, the Oceah 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 Racked 0? The Red Sombrero Rangers; or, Redfern’s Last Trail, 18 Carl, the Mad Cowboy; or, The Lariat Queen. 19 Pawnee Bill’« Pledge; or, The Cowboy Kidnapper’s Doom, 5 Daring Dick, Pawnee Bill's Pard; or, The Red Cavalry Raid. 1 Ruth Redmond, the Gir! Shadower. ? Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive, 8 Buck Taylor’s Boys; or, The Red Riders of the Rio Grande, 9 Dashing Charlie; “ The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trail. 6 Dashing Charlie’s Destiny; or, The Renegade’s Captive, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 760 Dashing Charlie’s Pawnee Pard; or, Red Halr, the Renegade. Bv Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 761 Marmaduke; the Mustanger Detective; or, The Great Mix- Up at Crescent Butte. By Lieut. A. K, Sims. %62 Broadway Billy’s Bargain; or, The Three Detectives in Denver. By J, C, Cowdrick. 768 Violet Vane’s Vision; or, The Fiery Hand of Fate. By Wm. G, Patten. . 764 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hands or, Kodak Kate Secret Seven. By Edward L. Wheeler, __ 5 765 Flipper Flynn, the Street Patrol; or, Knocking Out the Kid- nappers. By Jo Pierce. : 766 Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer; or, The White Sioux Queen, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham 767 Mac and Jack, the Invincibles; or, The Diabolical Three. By Dan Dunning. %68 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, Cowdrick. 770 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*» Defeat; or, The Tandam Team Thorny Trail. By dward L. Wheeler, 271 Foxy Fred’s 04d Pard; or, The Keener’s Huge Hustle. By Jo Pierce. 272 Dick Doom’s Death-Grip; or, The Detective by Destiny. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham, 278 The Rustler of Rolling Stone; or, The Opposition Boom at Lucky Ledge. By Lieut, A. K. Sima. TTA Clear-Grit Cal, the Never Say-Die Detectives or, The Strange Case of Captain Scudd, By Wm. G. Patten. 275 Broadway Billy’s Shadow Chase; or, Materializing the Spooks. By J. C, Cowdrick, Ready May 3st, 776 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Resurrectiong or, Iclele Tsane from Frozen Flats. By Edward L, Wheeler. Ready June 7th. A New Insane Every Tuesday. The Half- Dime Library !« for sale by all newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail op receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York,