Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 782) (1892 07 19)

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<—=—jQld Avalanche Again t6 the Fore, Eh A ~ AVS AKAN \) WM ANS oN ~ SAAN Way . ~~ . TAT Ss , MMM, NAN Xs. UNI ae : io SII SIMT eS: SEN 50 Meo lm TL rrr ier | a __ Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y., Post Office. Copyrighted 1892, by READLE AND ADAMS. $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price, = No. 782. a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. : 5 Cansi: Vol. XXXII, ‘ \ \ | AN AY 4 ya j ypc pe or Y / ii OR, The Tandem Teams Full Score. The Romance of a Rough Time. BY ED. L. WHEELER, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ DEADWOOD DICK” NOVELS, ETC, CHAPTER I. THE SHOT THAT MISSED—HAND TO HAND, Ir was a night too terrible for aay living crea- tiire to be abroa’l, yet on the trail leading from Ruggles to the camp of Royal Flush, two persons were making weary progress in tbe direction of the latter place, in the face of the driving stcrm and through the darkness that hung over every- ’ : a — thing like some impenetrable pall. OLD AVALANCHE WAS NERVED FOR THE TASK OF SAVING HIS BELOVED DEADWOOD DICK, These persons were a man and a woman, the

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2 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dark Days. man walking ahead and leading the horses, the / woman mounted and endeavoring to protect herself from the swisling rain under a water- proof cloak, It was slow progress, too, and would have been altogether impossible had it not been that every now and then lightning illumined the darkness for a brief second, thus affording the man a glimpse of the trail and enabling him to proceed a few yards, when he would have to stop and wait for another flash to outline the way before venturing further, Thunder was rollibg and crashing almost in- cessantly, and at the side of the rugged gulch trail arushing torrent was leaping and boiling along in its mad flight to the lower levels, here and there lapping over the trail as if hungry to gather up everything as it went along. It was a night well calculated to strike terror to the stoutest heart, and considering the situa- tion and surroundings it was evident the travel- ers were persons of more than usual nerve to forge ahead with such calmness.as both exhibit- ed, Little conversation had passed between them, but the man spoke now and again to the horses in a soothing and encouraging way, trying to lend them confidence, The woman, outwardly, was as undisturbed as though no danger existed, and when she spoke her tone exhibited nothing of nervousness or fear. She spoke now, ** Dick, my Prince! worse every minute,” “Well, it is not growing any better, that is certain, brave little pard!” ‘For your sake I am sorry you are hampered with me ata time like this, You could do so much better alone.” ‘‘And for your sake,” the man responded, having to shout, as had the woman, in order to be heard, “‘ [am sorry we ventured to push for- ward on such a night. We were unwise not to remain at Ruggles,” ‘*T am the one to blame, Dick, I proposed it, knowing how anxious you were to get through to Royal Flush; I would not have you stop on my account, But, Iam not afraid, Have you any idea how far the trail runs through this gulch? I hope it’is not much further,” ‘No, [have not; was never over it before. It must be several miles yet to thecamp. But, keep up your courage. Bonny Kate, and we shall weather the storm.’ ‘*T am not afraid, with you; but, would it not be better to stop at some favorable spot and wait for the fury of the storm to abate?” ‘Impossible, Kate,” “Why?” “Our danger lies right here,” ** And it is the river that threatens us?” ‘*Yes: we must get out of this canyon as soon as possible,” “Tam glad you have told me, You need not hesitate to me anything; I am no faint heart,” oH ** Well do I know that. Yes, it’s the river; I believe it is growing higher every moment. It | may soon cover the trail.” No more was said, except that the man spoke_ a few words to the horses while he awaited an- other flash of lightning, and that soon coming, they once more moved forward, And these two, the reader understands, were Deadwood Dick, Junior, with his matchless wife, noble Kodak Kate. The fury of the tempest increased steadily, crashing with more force and fury, the thunder rolling and the lightning flashing yet more frequently and more blindingly. The downpour grew heavier, while the rush and hiss of the now boiling river increased al- most to a deafening roar, as if answering to tne moaning of the wind, | } Deadwood Dick had had experiences such as this before, but never, he believed, had he wit- nessed a storm quite so terrible, ; Presently there came a flash of lightning more blinding and more peering than any that had receded, and with it, at the instant, a crash of hunder that seemed to rend the very foundations of the earth, It was, as it were, several flashes blended in | one long, blinding glare, and for many seconds the whole scene was as light as at noontide, And while this lasted, and while the thunder still boomed, there came @ quick, sharp report, close at band yet but faintly heard, and Dead- wood Dick felt a bullet graze his face as it sped pee hi head, proof that he had been its intended mark, $ The next instant darkness had closed in again, and everything was shut out from sight. I believe the storm grows shrivele In the same moment, too, Dick felt a tug at the rein he had in hand; then came a jerk that tore it from his grasp and almost flung bim into the seething river, while, accompanying, was a scream of pain or terror from Kodak Kate. Then, yet following so soon as to be included in the same moment of time, almost, was the scraping of hoofs on the rocky trail, a neigh of fright, and the next instant a heavy plunge into the boiling torrent and all was over—at any rate all was silence save the thunder and the roar of the elements, Dick groped wildly to find the horse that held his wife, but in vain, and all in vain did he call her name! A. moment later there was light again, when, with a thrill of horror, Dick saw that he was alone! disappeared from sight! “My God!” the horrified Prince of Detectives cried. ‘‘That I should lose her here in this raging flood! Kate! Kate! Kate! What as- sassin was it fired that shot at me? Oh, Dll know! Vill hunt him to his death !” ** And my purpose,” cried a hoarse voice almcst in his very ear, isto have your life here and now! Defend yourself if you can, you scourge of the earth! My shot missed you, but my knife can- not fail to find your heart, Your life—” He was cut short, for, guided by his voice, Dick Bristol sprung upon him, all the passion of his stern nature fully aroused, ite together they fell, each seeking the other’s ife, The fury of the elements was now at its hight, that seemed tame as compared with the rage of these two men, Flash after flash of vivid lightning came in quick succession, dispelling the darkness for a moment at a time, and revealing the men strug- gling in the death embrace on the very verge of the roaring waters, while the light glinted on the keen blades they wielded. © No further word was spoken by either; breath was far too precious, now; both fought with the fury of tigers. It was a fight to the death—it could ba nothing less; and it looked as though it must result in death for both. It did not seem possible that either could escape to tell of the struggle, Another flash, long, lasting, and almost para- lyzing to sight, discovered the two foes almost fairly into the reaching water. The closing in of the darkness, then, with a crash as of the meeting of heavens and earth, lasting for some moments, Then light again, and—the combat- ants had vanished! CHAPTER II, PROVIDENCE PROVIDES A PRESERVER. ‘‘ GREAT hambone that discombobberated ther intarnal workin’s of old Joner an’ throwed him inter a fit o indispersishun of ther spine of his back fer a week, ef et ain’t my pard that was, Dead wood Dicky, Junior, ther chip off ther old block! Great hambone, yes! Anddead— But, not ef tier Original Great Injun Anoibilator kin fetch him around; great anticuated ham- bone, no!” i Sh eae It was morning—the morning after the storm, and the sun was shining never more brightly. mireeate: along the range trail that led from the foot-hill the camp of Royal Flush, was a little, old, man, one who had evidently seen a long span of years, 8 was about as homely an individual as the imagination can picture, and there was a pecu- liarity about him which, once seen and noted, was never to be forgotten, and that was, that he had no ears! At some time in the past those eee members had been cut off close to his ead, __ This peculiarity sufficed to reveal the old man’s identity, and now that he speaks, as quoted, in- troduction becomes superfluous, It was he, Old Avalanche, the “Original Great Injun Anni- hilator,” as he styled himself, the last remaining “‘ corner” of the once terrific ‘* Triangle,” As he spoke he bent over the body of a man that lay in bis way, and upon which he had come abruptly on turning a bend in the trail. The face, deathly white, was upturned to the clear, blue sky, and it looked as though Death had indeed set its grim seal there, A hasty examination, however, brought an ejaculation to the lips of the old scout, and he began tearing open the man’s clothes in order to learn the nature and extent of his injuries. _ ‘* Lor’, Jerusha!” the old tramp soon cried. ‘“*Hev they been runnin’ ye thro’ a patent sas- sage masheen, Dicky, boy? Et looks like et; great hambone, yes! Whar hev ye been and what ye been doin’? Et looks like ye have been Both horses and the woman rider had: ‘best I kin, 8 up into-the pass in the direction of” jugglin’ with a currogated can o’ dynamite demolishun, or a reg’lar compound jabber of extinckification. Dicky, boy, you hev been in a scrimmage!” But, though he talked, be was not idle. He was 6xamining the different wounds, of which there seemed to be at least a score, big and little, eager to Jearn whether there was one that must prove fatal, ‘*Great hambone that lubrickated ther gul- lick of old Joner!” he cried, as his examination progressed, ‘t You used ter have as many lives as ary cat, Dicky, boy, but ef ye come off with one whole one this time ye will be lucky. Mebby we kin take two of ’em and patch ’em up to make one, and mebby tbat’ll work, ef et ain’t a misfit; and I’m ’fraid ’twould be. Signs 0’ demolishun! What hev they been tryin’ ter co to ye, anyhow? Lor’, Jerusha! I haven’t felt so bad sence Prudence Cordelia and Jeremiah took et into their heads ter lay off ther mortal coat-o’ arms—bambone, no!” He bad by» this time learned about the extent of Dick’s injuries—for it was Deadwood’ Dick, as need hardly be affirmed, “ Ayer’s a clus feeler fer yer beart, Dicky, boy,” the old fellow mused, as he stopped one of the wounds with a bit of soft cloth, “and hyer’s areacher that went on a splorin’ experdishun fer yer liver; an’ darn ine et et don’t look as if they set out ter make a clean job of dissectin’ yer intarnel ’rangements. Great hambone that greased ther griddle fer old Joner and made soup fer Jupiter, ef this ain’t jest wuss’n awful! Dieky, I'll do ther best I kin fer ye, but I don’t garruntee that ye will come around—weepin’ ilgrims, no! I hev seen some neat carvin’ done fn my time, but you ar’ done up jest_abont the carvedest I ever did see. Hows’ever, Ill do ther Poor Dicky! The last time I seen him he was a-kickin’ wi’ botb, feet and was as chipper as a gopher.” @ proceeded with the work he had under- taken, and in a-little while had the wounds dressed as well as possible under the circum- stances. All this time Dick had shown no signs of re- turning life, and the old ranger knew only by the faint movement of the beart that life had not gone out entirely. He lived, but that only. His work done, the old man stocd and survey- ed his patient with a critical eye, ‘¢ 1d like ter know ther hull of this byer busi- ness,” be mused, ©‘ Ef Dicky is cut up so tarnal bad, what must totber feller be? But, mebby thar_was more’n one at him. Et looks more like thar had been balf a dozen or more, darn me ef et don’t, By ther great bambone that saved Joner in ther time o’ famine, Dicky, ef ye do pull out 0’ this byer an’ git well, and thar’s a Score ter wipe out, you kin jest count me in et. I’m ther same rip-roarin’ old whirlwind o’ demo- lishun that I allus was, only a trifle older, and ther last remainin’ cardinal pint of ther oncet famous triangle. Ef thar’s a lot o’ condemned sinners ter be wiped off’n ther face of ther yarth, hyer’s what’s with ye, from fetlock to horns, el’ar up, you bet. And ef ye don’t make a go of et, but pass in yer chips, then I'l] devote ther re- mainder of my days ter tryin’ ter git at ther ‘bottom of all this and bring the wicked cuss to jedgement fer what he’s done to ye,” While muttering thus, the old fellowfwas look- ing about for signs, hey were scarce, however, Dick’s clothes were water-soaked, and the trail showed that the river bad washed over it during the night, from which Old Avalanche drew the deduction that the body had been cast up by the swift sweep of the torrent. If that was the case, then the tronble bad oc- curred further up the trail, and he soon gaw the uselessness of looking for a clew, or signs, after such a flood bad been over the ground. Trail is wiped out, slick and clean,” he told himself, ‘‘ No ’artbly use o’ my foolin’ away more time here; great hambone, no! Now what’s ter be did? Time used ter be when I could shoulder a feller o’ Dicky’s size and carry bim all day. Wonder ef them days isdone? Ef I only had Prudence Cordelia here now— But, I ba’n’t, and no uge mournin’ over that, Pru- dence was a jewel in ther rough, but she had ter pay the debt o’ natur’ when sbe had gone past ripe mule age, ther same a8 1 shall have ter set- tle up my own score afore many years more come and go over my dome o’ interlgck. But, this ain’t helpin’ Dicky; hambone, no! Vl jest bend my spinal columbiad and see how much hoss-power is left in the old bulk, anyhow. EfI rupture a vessel et can’t do no harm, fer thar is nothin’ left of me now but skip, gristle an’ bone, Hyer goes, one fer me and two fer Dicky.” he kept up his muttering, while preparing ‘

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Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dark Da ys. 3 ! to Uff and carry the insensible man. And now, | Dicky, jest as chipper as ever I was, and a dozen raving laid hold firmly, he lifted him to his shoulder and started forward on his way up toe ‘trail, In spite of his age and his shriveled body, ‘Old Avalancbe was nerved for the task of saving his beloved Deadwood Dick, Nor did he seem to tire greatly as he pro- ceeded. Only twice, in a distance of more than a mile, did be pause to rest, and even then it seemed to a only because an inviting bowlder tempted him. He did not lay his burden down, but simply sat for a few moments on the Bowlder, and then was off again, arriving finally at a simple cabin perched high up ona ledge that overlooked a thriving camp below, He had turned off from the main trail, and from all appearances this was an out-of-the-way place little frequented, Pushing open the door, he entered and laid his burden upon a rude bunk that was built against the wall at one side of the cabin, ani as he did So he straightened up with a sigh of relief. “Great hambone that swum in ther soup-pot of old Joner!” he cried, ‘I would never ’a’ be- lieved et; Lor’ Jerusha, no! I had begun ter ‘think that I was nothin’ but a discripted and discombobberated chunk o’ old age, jest walkin’ around ter save funeral expense; but now I’ll ve hanged ef I don’t feel that me youth is renewed dike ther eagle, or words ter that effeck! I wouldn't ’a’ believed I could carry a load like that twenty steps. Ha!ha! ha! Old Avalanche, Great Original Injun Annihilator, tber last re- maivin’ monny mint of ther great Triangle, thar’s some vital sparks in your old hulk yet!” It was two days later when Deadwood Dick opened his eyes for the first time after his ter- rible fight, Old Avalanche was out at the time, having gone down to the camp for some supplies, but it was about time for bim to return, In going out he bad secured the door, and so, on opening his eyes, Dick was in semi-darkness, ‘the only light he had coming through an apology for a window that was partly boarded up. He made an effort to rise, but found that he wes too weak. This discovery startled him, and he tried hard to gg where he could be or what had hap- ned, Gradually past events shaped themselves in his mind; then his recent doings; then all came ‘back to him like a flash, ‘* Kate!” was the first word he uttered, It was in a forced whisper, for he was too weak to speak aloud, He remembered now the storm, the shot, the sudden fall of the horse into the torrent, bis Ahand-to-hand encounter with his foe, and then— ‘a blank, “* She is dead,” he mused, “‘dead,dead! Why was my spirit not permitted to make the voyage ‘with hers? And where am I? How came I here? To judge by my weakness, I have had a close call—Ugh !” A shiver ran over him as he thought of that ‘terrible fight, and of the more terrible knife ‘that he bad felt so many times slashing his y. * Perhaps [am going to live—to get well,” bis thoughts ran, ‘If I do, there will be no hid- ing-place on earth for Ked Roy where he can escap*> My vengeance, Ue it was who struck me down; that I know; he alone would have been abroad on that terrible night,” He heard a step without, and his eyes sought ‘the door, The door opened, and into the room stepped the old ranger, bis eyes at once seeking the bed. ‘“Great bambone!” he cried, with delight, dropping bis bundles and i ing forward to the bunk, ‘‘Great etarna ahd everlastin’ old hambone! Dicky, ye don’t know how tickled Iam ter see ye open them ’ar peepers o’ yourn! Bless yer leetle heart, boyee, this byer is ther happiest day in me whole career; great pre- nambulatin’ hambone, yes!” The old man knelt beside the bunk, fondling Dick’s hair with his hand, and actually kissed him, while tears of joy appeared in his old eyes, be! Do ye know me, Dicky, boy?’ he asked, “*Do ye reckernize ther great old ten-pin? ther rip-roarin’ avalanche o’ demolishun? This is me, ther Great Original Injun Annihilator; Old _Avalanche, ther sun-baked and wind-dried old relick of bygone generashuns! Do ye know me? ‘* Old Avalanche !” Dick faintly exclaimed, ‘‘Ther same, ther same!” the overjoyed old fellow cried, tating Dick’s weak hand in his own wand pressing it fondly. ‘This hyer is me, years younger than I was a couple o’ days ago, too, Ye can’t begin ter guess how mighty happy I feel, ter see you on ther mend, I tell ye, Dicky, ye have been mighty near to ther dark river this time, and no doubtin’ that. I have been doctor and nuss and everything else to ye sence I found ye. I’ve jest turned myself inter a bull hosspit- be hamibone, yes{” ‘Where did you find me?” Old Avalanche had to bend low to catch the weakly spoken words, ‘*Rind ye? Why, Dicky, boy, I found ye in ther canyon about a mile from here, and you was jest ther wu’st carved-up corpse that I ever sot eyes on. I toted ye bome byer, andI have been two whole ays pluggin’ up ther noomer- ous holes in your systum; fact, Ly ’tarvel, Great bambone that old Joner had in his vest pocket when ther whale gobbled him | ye looked asif ye had been run through a patent double- barreled redoocin’ engine .o’ demolishun, Tm jest dyin’ ter hear ali about et, and ter know who et was done ye up so; but I won’t ask ye now, fer ye mustn’t talk. Ye hain’t got but a spark and a quarter o’ lifein yer bull body, and you want ter be mighty keerful of it, ’m tellin’ ye, or it will go out altogether—Lor’ Jerusha, yes! During the next three days the old ranger kept himself out of Dick’s sight as much as possible, in order to keep bim from talking. On the fourth day, seeing that Dick was so much stronger, he gave way and allowed him to talk.. The truth was, be was as eager as Dick, an was filled with curiosity. He had already told Dick all there was to tell about the manner in which he had found him and about his bringing him to bis cabin and caring for him, and now he was as eager to ask questions as Dick was to question him, Dick had been appealing to him, on every occasion, but to the present the old man had re- fused to listen to anything. ‘*T guess et won’t hurt ye to talk a little now, Dicky, boy,” he said, ‘so I will listen ter what et is ye ’pear so anxious to tell me. Spin et right out, now, but take et slow and easy.” “It is my wife [ want’ to ask about,” said Dick, ‘*My talking could not do me half the harm this terrible suspense is doing. It is kill- ing me. Did you find her body in the canyon? Did you find the carcasses of the horses? Tell me the truth, Avalanche,” ‘*Great hambone that discombobberated ther gullick 0’ old Joner! Jest es if I ever dealt in any other sort 0’ article, No, Dicky, boy, I didn’t see no sign of ary hoss or gal, Ef they went down, it’s likely they went down ter stay, fer that fresbet wasn’t no plaything; bambone, no! But, who was et done ye up so?” ‘*Then she is dead, dead,, I have nothing to live for, nothing save vengeance, and that I must have, You ask who it was who dealt me this blow. Have you ever heard of Red Roy, the Oregon Outlaw?” “Great currogated signs o’ demolishun! Do ye mean to tell me he’s ther cur what done et?” “‘[ see you have heard of him, Yes, he it was, and this is the second time he has come near fixing me out. But, be has failed, and there shall come a day of reckoning for him as soon as I am able to take the trail!” CHAPTER III. RED ROY AT ROYAL FLUSH. ROYAL FLUSH was a new camp and a thriv- ing place, t was both old and new, to speak of it in that paradoxical way. It had an old mine that bad been abandoned years before, and the cabins and shanties of that period were about all gone, In point of fact, the only one,that remained was the one occupied by Old Avalanche and Deadwood Dick. With the abandonment of the mine had come the desertion of the camp, and it soon became the abiding-place of owls and coyotes, And this state of affairs lasted for a considerable number of years, Then came new discoveries, brought about by a party of skilled prospectors who followed the old trail into the camp, and made an examina- tion of the old mine, and the old camp burst into ife anew, and was now flourishing like the green bay tree beside running waters. The old mine was discovered to be immensel rich, after all, Had the deserters worked it but another day they would have found it so; but, tired with the fruitless work of months, see- ing the ore vein growing thinner each day, they ued thrown dowa their tools and gone away in -_ rrr nnn 8 despair, leaving the fruit of their toil for stran- gers to harvest, And not only had the old. mine proved a bonanza, but others nearly as good had been speedily located, and at once the camp took on a boom that had not yet begun to decline, Build- ings sprung up in a night, as it were, and the valley was now teeming with a population of several thousands, There were, at the time of our story, hotels, saloons, stores, gambling dens, and one play- house, Added to these were any number of shanties—of every sort and description, with tents in great variety dotting the bottom here and there, and creeping well up on the hill- sides, The mayor of this camp of Royal Flush was one Simon MacCraw, He was av Lrishman, though he laid claim to being Scotch, That, however, was a small mat- ter to everybody but himself, There was a cer- tain “‘Sawney” drawl in bis speech, but not a pronounced brogue. This Simon MacCraw had been among the re- discoverers of the valley and the mine, and he bad been the one to give the place the name it bore. When they “‘ struck it rich” in the old shaft, he was the one tu declare it a “ royal flush,” and at once that name had struck them all favorably as the name for the camp, MacCraw was a shrewd fellow, and while others had spent their time in staking claims bere and there around the valley where there were ‘‘pay” signs, he quietly staked town lots in the best part of the bottom, and with the in- crease of population came his natural increase of wealth, till now be was regarded as something of a czar on a small scale, He held the office of mayor, as said, and was about everything else of importance about tLe camp besides, ‘ MacCraw, getting bold of more money, natur- ally, than any one else among the discoverers found it to his profit to advance loans,upon go id security, and the outgrowth of that wasa regular, or irregular, banking business, Yes, Royal Flush bad, among its other great acquisitions, a bank, and of that bank Simon MacCraw was everything, from president to messenger. lt was his, from doorstep to safe, with all the contents thereof, and he was grow- ing rich out of that alone, to say nothing about his other interests, He was seated in his office ove day, his office at the bank, where public as well as private business was transacted, when a stranger en- tered, MacCraw was alone at the time, It was that hour of the day when tho camp was dullest, and when MacCraw was inclined to drop off into a nap. \ hen thé stranger entered, he was nearly asleep, his feet on the desk and bis hands clasped comfortably across his front, and he roused up at once, attentive to business, There was more than that, however, to make him wake. There was something peculiar about the appearance of this man, and the first peculiarity the mayor noticed was that he was masked, And immediately following that was made the discovery that he was armed. “Don’t excite yourself, sir,” the man said, quietly, ‘Just bold up your bands comforta- bly while I talk to you.” he glint of a revolver brought about quick compliance with that reasonable request, while MacCraw demanded: f “Who are you, and what d’ye want hyer?” “Ever hear of Red Roy, the Oregon Outlaw?” the masked stranger asked, in his quiet way, ‘ oe, of Royal Flush paled, proving that e bad, It was the first appearance of the outlaw there, but he had been heard of, for his unearthing at Basalt Butte bad been heralded far and near. Before the sae Ped had time to respond ver- bally he continued: ‘1 supposed you had, and thought I would mention who I am before \ou made the mistake of auppoding you could bluff me, or anything of tbat sort. If you make a ay outery, or a single move to get a weapon in band, you are as goo-l as dead and buried. I am Red Roy.” The mayor’s eyes were now bulging out like twin door knobs, and his mouth was agape, While not exactly a coward, the reputation of this outlaw, and the manner in which he had made himself known, had, so to say, ‘* taken the starch out of him.” “What do you want?” he managed to ask, The question was needless, for he apprehended only too well what the object of the visit was, ‘Why, I have learned that you do consider- able banking business here,” was the cool re-

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_ his hands in bis pockets and his bat set - bis head, 4 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dark Days. sponse, ‘‘and [ thought I would drop around and go int» partnership with you, as it were,” * Partnership!” “Exactly. Dll chip in my experience against your capital, you see, and I think it will work first rate.” _ MacCraw did not exactly see the point of the ke. ‘*T don’t jast get onto what you mean,” he de- clared. ‘lt you are tryin’ to be funny, you take a poor time to show yer smartness,” “Thank you, sir. Ihave no intention of being funny. I mean business, as pure and simple as can be. When I say I will chip in my experience against your capital, I mean it.” ** Bat, 1 don’t want a partner.” ‘That is generally the objection I hear every time. However, this is a peculiar world, and we cannot have everything to our liking. Now, regarding my experience in financial attain have had considerable, and it has been directed against capital on every oc- casion,” ** You mean to rob me!” ‘* Not so, sir; partners would not put it that way. lLIonly want you to declare a dividend in my favor. I will take for my sbare whatever cash you happe2n to have on hand at the present moment, and you may have everything else,” ‘* You rascal, you! I’d like to have the drop on ye for jest one mioment, and I’d fix ye!” ‘Oh! I bave no doubt about that, I have beep told the same a good many times, my dear sir. As it is, though, I bave the drop on you, and I'll have to request you to come out with your long green. Don’t let’s have any unpleas- antness, now, but be cheerful about it, since you cannot help yourself.” There were a good many cool characters in this camp of Royal Flush, and the mayor and banker had seen a good many cool deeds per- formed by them; but for downrighticy uerve the present case capped the stack. ’ Here it was broad daylight; any number of men were within easy call; the door and windows were wide Open; customers were liable to drop in at any moment; and yet this dare-devi] pro- mitts robbing the safe and getting away with ts contente, It would be impossible! So the mayor quickly decided in his. mind. Before the robber could get half a dozen paces away from the buildingjhe would be able to raise the alarm, and bullets would speedily bring him to time. ‘“*T guess you have it about right,” he re- sea. as cheerfully as possible, acting upon that thought. ‘*The money is there in the safe, an’ itis unlocked. Help yourself to it,” At that moment came a step on the narrow piazza in front of the building. Toe mayor looked hopeful in an instant, while the outlaw took a couple of steps backward in haste, still keeping the mayor covered, A man entered the room in a leisurely manner, k upon **Hulloo! what's wrong with ye, MacCraw?” he greeted, seeing by the mayor’s face that some- thing was out of order. “Right bere is what's wrong, sir,” spoke up the robber, from the left rear. ' The man turned, gave a great start, and his face paled, ‘*T’'m being robbed, that’s what’s the matter, Hank,” the mayor exploded. ‘I wish youcould ’a) known it fore ye came in,” “This is one of the times when knowledge comes too late,” coolly remarked the outlaw, . stepping to the front again, with now a weapon in each hand covering both of them, ‘ Be very quiet and orderly, now, gentlemen, and noth- ing will drop. lf you don't— We » my Dame is Red Roy. ** Red Roy!” So the man called Hank gasped, his face grow- ing as ashy as the mayor’s. This man was one Hank Waldon, and he was MacCraw’s right-hand man, being bis constable, police force, and what not, “That is wbat Iam called,” the outlaw as- sured, with a bow of mock politeness, ‘* You have heard of me, so for your own good do not cross me and go bring trouble upon yourself.” “Darn et! but I wish I had knowed et afore I kem in; thar would be one outlaw ther less in ther woolly West.” *‘T don’t doubt your word, sir. But, now to business, The mayor tells me his ready money is iu that safe there, I want you to get it out and do it up in a compact parcel for me,” “No, I’m blowed if I will!” ** You'll certainly be blowed if you don’t,” de- clared the outlaw, grimly. ; ““Ye darsn’t shoot; yer shot would bring a crowd hyer in a minute, You have got your- self inter trouble—” “Oh! no,” with a light laugh, ‘‘don’t fool yourself that way. If it comes to that, the crowd will find two dead men here awaiting them, that is sure. Red Roy never misses his mark,” So quietly was this said, that the two men marveled at his daring. ‘* Be quick, now, about obeying my order,” Red Roy directed. His weapon came up a little more threaten- ingly, and, Hank stepped toward the safe, look- ing helplessly at the mayor as he did so. **- You had better do it,” the mayor told him. He still had his first plan in mind, and know- ing that Waldon was a good sbot, he had no idea the robber could get away with the plunder. Red Roy was taking it as easy as though no danger threatened bim, and as though he had hours instead of minutes in which to transact his business at the bank. The mayor’s man stepped to the safe, threw open the door, and began taking out the money, “That little grip will be just the thing,” the outlaw directed, pointing to a small leather bag that huog on the wall near by. It was one the mayor used when he had occa- sion to take out a quantity of money for any i! er . ank took it down, and began cramming the money into it. The outlaw was where he could see into the safe, so there was no chance to trick him any. There was, in all, several thousand dollars, and it made quite a haul, or it would so make, if the outlaw succeeded in getting away with it, When it had all been crammed into the bag, Hank closed the bag and put it on the corner of the mayor’s desk nearest the outlaw, stepping back with a sullen look upon his face. ** Now, one favor more | must ask of you, gen- tlemen,” said the outlaw. He had put away one weapon now, and as he ke he stepped forward and laid hold upon the grip. * And what’s that?’ Hank growled. ‘*T must request you to put your weapons in the safe and lock the door upon them.” The mayor gave veut to another explosion of rage. ‘* Have a care, mayor, have a care,” Red Roy cautioned. ‘‘ You know the kind of man you are dealing with in me, If you speak as loud as that again it will be the signal for your death. Do as | order, both of you.” This was permission for them to take their weapons in hand, but the outlaw held the best cards in the game, as they knew. Their weapons appeared in sight, and Hank cast one look at the outlaw, as if calculating his chances for a snap shot at him, but the keen eyes that red at him from behind the red mask led him to forego the desire, Their weapons were put in the safe, and the door swung to and locked, and it was done, “T am greatly obliged to you, gentlemen,” the outlaw then said, ‘You have saved me lots of trouble, and have saved your own lives, We have much to congratulate ourselves upon, allaround, Now, adieu.” He was narep a 6 to the door while speaking, and with that final word he was gone. Immediately the beat of a horse’s hoofs was heard, and when the mayor and his man sprung out they saw the outlaw dashing up the valley. The mayor raised a great cry at once, his man helping him in the effort, and attention was called to the peri ert | horseman; but before auy shots could be fired the outlaw was out of range. Such had been the advent of Red Roy into this rich young camp of Royal Flush, The camp ran wild with excitement, the mayor offered a big reward, and steps were taken to get word to the famous detective, Dead- wood Dick, Junior. But, to this time, the time of our story, the detective had not put in his appearance, nor had the outlaw been seen again, Some weeks had passed, and the matter bad growncld in the minds of the camp’s citizens, CHAPTER IV. 1 THE MAD WOMAN AND OLD AVALANCHE, To return to the conversation between Dead- wood Dick and Old Avalanche, When told by Dick that it had been Red Ro who had ‘‘ carved him up” in so terrible a man- ner, the old ranger showed great excitement. ‘* But, I see you have heard of the rascal,” Ae observed, ‘‘ What do you know about im; ‘Great currogated hambone that proved a godsend ter old Joner in ther time o’ devastatin” famine!” the old man exclaimed, ‘‘* Yes, I bave heerd tell of him, some, Dicky, boy. He was hyer at this camp o’ Royal Flush not many moons ago, and cleaned things out as slick as wax.” ‘* Yes, I know he was,” ‘* Ye knowed et?” es CRY ‘*Seems ter me you must ’a’ follered him up, then. I heerd tell of ther bad hook-up ye had with him at Basalt Butie, and [ might ’a’ know- ed ye wouldn’t never give up till ye had downed him; but, he kem mighty clus to gettin’ ther best of ye this time, darn meef bedidn’t. Ye was cut up jest bee-yoo-tee-ful—great hambone, yes! Looked asif ye had been monkeyin’ with a compound chopper o’ devastatin’ destruction.” ‘* Yes, curse him! he had me foul. He had on his coat of chain mail, while I bad mine off. I tried to fix him, but it was no use.” ‘¢ Tell me all about et, Dicky, boy.” Dick told the story of bis campaign against the ontlaw, bringing it down to the time of his recent fight. ‘Great currogated signs o’ corrodin’ de- molishun!” Old Avalanche cried, ‘‘ Ye have good cause ter probe fer his vile heart, Dicky, and right hyer’s what’s witb ye in ther thing, from spur to topknot! I’m ther sameold ram- pagin’ whirlwind o’ devastatin’ destruction that I allus was, and ef we don’t make et hot fer him, when you git well, then we'll go hang our harps on ther willers, that’s all—great hambone, yes! Count me in et, Dicky, from the ground up.” Ri Thank you, Avalanche,” said Dick, ‘‘ and I accept your offer. You have helped me before, and no doubt you are good for another round or two. By the way, have you told any one Il am here?” “Great fursaken old hambone with which Joner knocked ther stuffin’ out of ther juggernut o’ heatbhendum! do ye take me fer a loon alto- gether, Dicky? Do ye s’pose fer a single minnit o’ pernambulatin’ time that I’d goand do that, and mebby bring down a swarm of p’izen vul- tures ter gobble ye up? Great degenerated old hambone, no!” ‘“‘T am glad of that. You must keep it a secret till { get upon my pins, and then we'll proceed to make it warm for them, But, to judge by my weakness, it is likely to be a long day before I am myself again,” ‘Ob, I don’t know, Dicky; you are good meat, ge ounce of ye, and a month will do wonders er ye. ‘““A month! Good heavens, Avalanche, how can I remain idle a month? It will kill me, not knowing tbe fate of my wife. These are dark days for me, old pard.” wy “TI allow they be, Dicky, but et won’t kill ye half as quick to remain quiet here as it will ter try to put on steam afore yer biiler gets strong enough ter stand ther pressure. Thar’s no help fer et, so ye will have ter grin and bear et.” “T know, I know; but it is terrible. Not knowing whether my wife be living or dead, and to know that my wrongs are unavenged, It is bard, Avalanche, bard indeed, but as pou say, there is no help for it, and I must wait, ‘‘That’s hoss sense, Dicky, boy, every time. Et won’t do ter worry about et, but ye kin amuse Yerself plannin’ what a sweet dose o’ re- venge ye are goin’ ter have when ye do git at et.” ‘And you haven’t heard anything in the camp concerning the finding of the body of a woman— ‘* Lor’ Jerusha, Dicky, ef ye have asked me that oncet ye have asked me forty times! But, then, I don’t complain, fer I know jest how ye feel, I remember how I felt when Prudence Cordelia gev ther last twitch of her off hind foot, that terrible engine 0’ devastatin’ death ter Injuns, No, I haven't heerd anything, and et’s plain that nothin’ of ther sort hev been diskiv- ered, or it would be talked about down thar in ther camp.” ag. : “It is hard, Avalanche, hard, to be laid out helpless like this when you have work to do,” “T know et, Dicky; no one knows et better ‘n Ido, 1 bave been thar myself, andI kin fully ‘presheate ther sittooashun—great bambone, yes! But, by ther ragin’ signs o’ Demmycratic demolishun what accompanied Moses when he went cavoortin’ around through ther rushes, thar will be somethin’ harder when we put on our war-paint an’ grip our hawkatoms to do battle with that concentrated chunk 0’ essence 0” all that’s vile on airth: Lor’ Jerusha, yes!” “ But, you say Red Roy has been here, which 1 knew; and I want to find out all I can about him,”

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Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dark Days. ** And’T’ll tell ye, too. How did you know et, though?” “Why, I received a letter from the Mayor of | Royal Flush, putting me on track of the rascal | again, and I was coming here to tackle him for another round when he laid me out.” ‘That was ther way of et, eh? Well, ther ma’r had good reason ter send fer somebody, I'm tellin’ ye.” Thereupon the old ranger told Dick all about the raid Red Roy had made on MacCraw and his bank. ‘* And wasn’t ther ma’r wild!” he wound up the yarn, ‘Great picturated and attenevated old bambone, I should say he was, some! He ! slapped up a big reward, offerin’ a thousand more or less fer ther cuss, and then he went around ther camp swearin’ and pullin’ out bis hair wuss ’n old Nebbycudneezer when ther p’izen critters from up-range tapped ther river and got ther bulge on him, But, that didn’t do mo good, and he had ter take up with et {ther best be could.” “And the fellow hasn’t been heard of since?’ ‘* Not ter my knowin’.” ** And how long ago was that?” ** Two or three weeks, more or less,” “Tt is possible, then, that he has gone some where else to carry on his evil game. But, he was certainly here when I came,” “*£t looks a leetle that way, that’s so; ham- bone, yes!” ‘* Well, Avalanche, there is no use speculating. ‘You keep your eyes and ears open—” ** Ma ears, Dicky?” ‘* Well, I nean keep your sight and hearing on the alert, and whatever you learn at the camp let me know,” bu do thar, o’ course; hambone, yes! And ef I gita sight on him wi’ my faithful old Evans hyer, thar will be one outlaw ther less in ther jand o’—” ‘* No, Avalanche, no,” ‘Why for not so?” ‘* Bacause he must die by my hand, and mine alone!” ‘Oh! wull, I didn’t think o’ that, But, from all counts he won’t put bimself in smy way, 1 guess. He’s too wary.” ‘*Yes, he is a bad one. But, we will down him, Avalanche, or get downed ourselves, By the way, what of Pistol Pocket? When have you been there? 1 must try, somehow, to divert my thoughts,” ‘Pistol Pocket? Lor’ Jerusha! et is a city | out an’ out, Dicky, boy! Great hambone that SS Snes ny ss=semes==esn-anssunsssssieeuesesnasssnsimsal ca dislocated ther larnyx of old Joner, and ripped oP bis dierframm! ye wouldn’t know ther place! ow many moons is et sence you wur thar, any- how? Hev ye been thar sence I seen ye last time?” ‘*No; I have not been there since I with you and Jobnny Swile, at Bismarck ‘*Then ye won’t know ther city when ye see et, that’s all, Ther last time I was thar they was askin’ about you, and that lord duke o’ yourn—” ‘* You mean Sir Clyde Carleton?” ‘* That’s bis handle, I reckon: ther feller what does business in your name; he told me sort o’ private that you ar’ wu’th millions! Said real state had riz to five hundred dollars a foot on ther main street.” ‘Yes, [ know. His letters bave been urging me to come ‘and relieve him of his embarrass- | parted ment of riches for some time. I’m going, too, if Liive through this campaign, But, what of Johnny Smile?” “On! Lor’ Jerusha! he is thar as big as life. He’s got a soft snap in your mine office ‘long with Sir Clyde, and he’s as happy as a clam, Great bambone that perplexed old Joner when he went inter winter quarters! ef you won't open yer eyes when ye see ther place! Why, et’s a reg’lar hummer of a town, with ther main street paved, and lit up wi’ them new-fangled lickery lights, or whatever ye call ’em, and—” Further talk was interrupted in a sudden and uvlooked-for manner, A woman’s scream was heard, and it did not seem to be a great distance from the cabin, **Great hambone what tickled ther gullick of = nee !” ejaculated the old scout. “ What's tha “It's a woman’s voice,” cried Dick, in as Strong a whisper as he could utter. ‘Go and find out what is wrong, Heavens! that I should be as helpless as this!” The cry was heard again. “Great untediluvian hambone what crossed Jordan at ther time when ther red-skins from up range swooped down and made et hot—” Old Avalanche was moving and talking at the same time, and that was all Dick heard of his peculiar speech, Dick heard the cry again; then an exclama- tion from the old man, and after that two voices in rapid exchange of words, one being the ran- ger’s and the other that of a woman, When the old man stepped out of the cabin a strange sight met his gaze, There, on the very verge of the cliff that over- looked the camp, stood a woman in a truly pitia- ble condition, Her hair was flying in a stiff breeze, and her clothing was so badly torn that it bardly served to cover her form decently, She was wringing ber hands and moaning wildly, ‘**Great bambone what distorted ther stum- jack of old Joner! ef sheain’t as crazy as a bed- bug then I’m a bowlin’ liar; and she'll topple off'n thar afore she knows et if she don’t look out— Hi! there, gal; what’s ther cavoortin’ diffikilty wi’ ye?” The woman turned at once, and the old ran- ger saw thatshe bad been beautiful— was beauti- ful even now in spite of all. **Save him, oh! save him!” she appealed pite- ously. ‘*Save who, gal?” The old fellow was advancing rapidly to the ledge as he spoke," ‘Save him, him/ He has gone down, down, down—” ‘*Great articulated hambone! You will be goin’ down, too, ef ye don’t keep back from thar!” Old Avalanche had interrupted ber by catch- ing hold of ber bare arm and pulling her back from the dangerous verge. And having done that, he stepped to the edge with care and looked down, He was searching for the body of some one who, as he supposed from the woman’s manner, had fallen over and down to the flats far below, CHAPTER V. DEADWOOD DICK'S CLEVER SCHEME, THE old ranger looked in vain, His sight was good, even better at long range than at short, and it took him but a moment to discover that nobody bad fallen from the cliff, at any rate not very recently, as he bad taken tu be the case, “Thar ain’t nobody thar, gal!” he declared, straightening up and facing the wild-eyed wo- man, ‘*In the water,” she moaned, ‘In the roar- ing, hissing water! Save him, ob! save him !” ‘“Great and only perticklarized old bambone what Joner used fer a toothpick!” the old man cried, a sudden thought strikiug him, ‘* What a mean and miserable old coyote I am, anyhow! W by didn’t I guess et afore? This must be ther gal Dicky is pivin’ away about, like asif he bad lingeri’ consumption of ther diarframm,” ‘““Won’t you save him! Can't you save him!” So the woman was piteously exclaiming, wringing her hands and looking at the old ran- ger with eyes insanely bright. **Clean gone,” Avalanche said to himself. ‘*‘1f she wasn’t, she'd have more regard fer her pearance; that’s woman natur’.” ‘* See hyer, gal,” he said kindly, “‘ jest tell me all about et, can’t ye, an’ mebby I kin help ye some,” Now that he was able to look at her more closely he could see tbat she was bruised and scratched ina bundred places, There were stains of blood upon the remnant of her clothing, She did not respond, but only moaned, ‘* Et’s her; great hambone, yes!” the old scout exclaimed. ‘Thar ain’t no doubt about et in my mind, And she looks as ef she had been through the same suortin’ and ragin’ cyclone eperdemmick that ripped Dicky up so. ‘tarnel bad, She’s been in that flood, that’s whar she’s been, and ther wonder is that et didn’t do her up wuss’n she is, Great bambone that slewed ther Fillersteens! what am I goin’ ter do with her?” He scratched bis bead for an idea. ‘** Gal,” he demanded, ‘** who are ye, anyhow?” **Can’t you find him?” she cried. ‘ Won't the water give him up?” ‘*Mad, as mad as kin be,” muttered the old scout, puzzled, ‘Save him, oh! save him!” she pleaded, **See hyer,” and Avalanche stepped nearer, “who is et ye want saved? Is et Deadwood Dick?” The woman gave a start at mention of that name, a cry escaped her, and she clapped her hands to ber head as if to hold her ideas fixed, For a single moment the light of reason had gleamed in her eyes, but it went out again in spite of her efforts. 5 ‘*Great ramificated old hambone!” cried the old scout, ‘* but that ’ar was a cluss guess,” ‘*Save him! save him!” piteously. : ‘* Yas, Dil see to that part of et, my gal; bambons, yes! You jest come along wi’ me and Il] show ye whar he is, Don’t be skart at me fer Pm a heap better’n I look, as Dicky will tell Te, ’ He laid hold upon her wrist, gently, and drew her toward the cabin, She went with him in a listless way, as though she had no thought or idea above the one burden of her lament, ‘* Won't you save him?” she kept repeating in exclamation, ‘‘ Can’t you save him? Oh! the rain, the water, the awful lightning! Save him, save him !” ** You stand right thar about two brief seconds and a quarter,” Old Avalanche directed, when they reached the door, ‘‘and then Ill fetch ye in, ‘* Et won’t do,” he whispered, “ ter spring et onto him too suddent,” He left her there and stepped inside, Deadwood Dick had risen vo bis elbow, in spite of wounds and weakness, impatient to learn who the woman was, He had a hope, a wild, longing bope, that it might be bis wife, alive. And the moment the old scout appeared he demanded to know what he bad learned, ‘*Great ancient and honeycombed old ham- bone!” the old man cried, at sight of him, “‘ what ar’ ye doin’ in that persishun? Do ye want ter rupturate some o’ them ’ar wounds an’—” ‘*Tell me who it is,” Dick demanded, with all the strength he could force, He fell back upon his rude pillow as he put the question, almost exhausted with the effort he bad made. ‘ ‘Yas, that is what I’m byer fer, but by ther ragin’ and roarin’ signs o’ demolishun ef you don’t keep quiet thar will be trouble, and you'll be in et, ow, do ye think ye kin stand a shock, Dicky?” ‘*T can stand anything better than suspense,” answered Dick, ‘‘ Whois the woman out there?” *T have a smart-sized idee, Dicky, that et’s ar ; ‘* Kate?” ‘*'Ther same,” ‘‘ Bring her in, bring her in at once!” ‘* Hambone, yes; but let me say a word first ter sort o’ put ye in sbape ter see her, She looks as if she bad been cavoortin’ around with a con- densed can 0’ cantankerous dynamite, and she’s out of ber mind—” Dick raised himself again to his elbow, with, an effort. ** Alva,” he said, using his old-time affection- ate term for the old fellow, “ bring herin at once, and not another word out of you.” “Yes, yes, Dicky, Pll do it,” as he bastened to obey; *‘ but fer ther love o’ hambones in general and that one that discombobberated old Joner in p’tic’lar, don’t move so much!” 6 was out in a moment, and in a moment was back again, leading the woman by the wrist, The light of the Joorway partly blinded Dick, and be could only make out the form of the woman so wretchedly clad, and an exclamation escaped him, ‘*My God, Kate, is it vou?” he asked, ‘Save bim, oh! save him!” was the woman’s response, . “ Bring ber where tho light will fall upon her face, quick!” Dick ordered. Ho was greatly excited now, and the old scout was only too eager to obey, to bave it over as soon as possible, Leading the woman to the opposite corner, he faced Ler around to the light, which there fell full upon her face and revealed her miserable plight only too plainly. One glance was enough for Dick, and he fell back upon bis bunk with a heavy sigh of Uis- appointment, * Ain’t et her?” Avalanche asked. ‘* No, it isn’t Kate!” answered Dick * But I take et you know her, Dick she?” “Yes, I know her, Take her out and come back, and I will tell you who she is.” Dick was panting feebly for breath, and ip order to save him further effort or excitement then, Old Avalanche hastened out. “Save bim, ob! save him!” = the woman kept repeating, in low, pleading voice, . ‘© Yes, we'll see about savin’ him,” said the old scout, as soon as they were some steps awa from the cabin, ‘' But, who ar’ you, woman? “Ob! the storm, the lightning! I fied! I shall die, ch! J shall die /” faintly. y; who is am terri« «.

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6 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dark Days. _ ‘* Great osserfied hambone that made soup fer Jupiter! yer hev got ’em bad, an’ no mistake. Thar ain’t no lightnin’ now, gal, nor no storm, nuther. What ails ye, anyhow?” ** Save him, oh! save him!” ‘** Yes, yes, we'll take keer o’ him; but, say, don’t you remember Deadwood Dick, ther great ragin’—” - Again did the woman start, and again fora single second did the light of reason seem to glow in her wild eyes, but it was gone as quickly, ** Save him, save bim!” she moaned, “All right; all right; we'll see that he gits properly saved, when we find out who he is and whar he is situoated. You jest stay hyer, gal, till I come out, and we'll go and hunt him up,” The old scout pressed her down upon a rude bench that stood near by, and leaving her sitting there went into the cabin, ‘*Great etarnel rarified and speculated old bambone!” he exclaimed, ‘' Dicky, that poor soul ar’ a fit subjeck fer bedlam, ef I ever seen one that was. hat is goin’ ter be done with her?” ‘“‘ Sit down here, Alva,” said Dick, and he in- dicated a rude chair, the only one the cabin con- tained, Old Avalanche drew it up to the side of the bunk and sat down, “Hyer I am,” he said, “and I’m jest dyin’ ter know what's at ther bottom o’ all this, ou know ther woman, and et’s plain that she knows you, too,” ‘* Knows me?” “ Yes.” ‘** How do you know she does?” ‘*Decompositionated hambone! how do we know anything? When I mentioned your name she guv a start, and [ could see et in her eyes that she wasn’t no stranger to ye.” ** That is bad; but, then, you say she is mad,” “No name fer et, Dicky. Snhe’s as crazy as two bedbugs and a half, by ther ragin’ rapv- tanklers,” “IT would not want her to know me, or that I am here, Avalanche, But, there is little danger that she can understand anything, I guess.” ‘Mighty little, Dicky. But, who is she?” ** Avalanche, that woman is the wife of Red Roy the outlaw!” “Great currogated an’ bioxidized sign 0’ dis- ruptin’ an’ turrible demolishun!” ‘* That is who she is; the Queen of Hearts I was telling you about. It is plain that she was out in that storm, and that she has not seen shelter since, The wonder is that she ever lived through it.” “*Great cavoortin’ an’ globulated relick that went with Joner when they sent him up fer breach 0’ contrack! Dicky, ye hev amazed me in manner untellable, What is ter be done with ther p’izen critter? We don’t wart her round hyer, I’m darned ef we do,” “You are right in saying that; and it would be inbuman to cast her off.. She must be balf famished, and you must give her something to eat, From what you say, her mind is probably shattered, and perhaps permanently; but her coming this way is a good thing for us, for I be- / lieve she can be made useful to us. * bed § 4 wees you know what you ar’ talkin’ about, sage but darn meef I know what ye ar’ gettin’ at. Et hits me she’s a mighty good crit- ter to get rid of as soon as possible—great ham- bone, yes!” __ ‘“*{ agree with “you there, but you do not un- derstand,” ‘‘ That seems ter be about it.” .“* When the woman has rested, after you have iven her something to eat, you must take her own to the camp—’ ** Lor’ Jerusha!” ““Hear me out. You must take her down to the camp and there tell how she wandered to our cabin, and not knowing what to do with er you brougat her down for somebody to take care of.” “* And who do ye think will keer to take charge of a crazy woman?” ‘* ‘You don’t see the point yet, old pard.” ty ar you are right,” | “Well, suppose Red Roy is there, in some guise or other—” “‘ Great curronatered an’ demolisbified old hambore! Dicky, I am a jackass, pure an’ simple, an’ that’s all I am, too, Now I see what ye ar’ comin’ at. You think ef ther cuss is thar he will reckernize ther gal, as of course he will, and you want me ter have my old blinkers open ter git onto him.” a ae 1s a old pard,” gos 0’ demolishun! that will be easy as kin be, But, what ef he ain’t thar, and what ef nobody will take ther critter off’n my hands?” ‘* Ob! you will get clear of her easily enough. There wiJl be somebody who will take her off your hands. There must be some women in the camp, and most of women have a large percent- age of charity in their make-up.” So it was decided it should be done, and Ava- lanche set about providing the woman with something to eat preparatory to setting out. CHAPTER VI. THE STRANGER TAKEN IN, Royal FLUSH was jogging along in the even tenor of its way, and everything was serene. This could not always be said of the camp, but it was now the quiet part of the day, about the same hour as tnat on which the outlaw had made the raid upon the private bank of Mayor MacCraw, The excitement in your Western camp usually begins with the go{n¢g down of the sun, and sometimes it is kept up tiil the sun rises again, though, as a general rule, it ‘‘tapers off” at midnight, and the small bours find it in a deep and heavy sleep. Then, in the day, it is during the small hours again that things in general ere sleepy and dull, Mayor MacCraw was in his office, talking with his man Hank Waldon, The mayor had never got over his loss at the hands of Red Roy, and in his breast he harbored a cherished thought that some day he would have sweet revenge. In his head he kept tally of the amount, and frequently found hiniself computing the interest he was losing every day, averaging it by the amount he eng charged upon bis large loans, The larger the loan the less the interest, and vice versa, Tne big hotel across the way, thea Pacific Palace—and MacCraw owned the major part of that, too—was dull and quiet in the glare of the afternoon sun, and the crowd sitting in the shade on the piazza may be described in the same words. The principal saloon, too, nearly opposite the hotel, was lazy and drowsy in like manner, The only sounds of active life were the engines puffing away at the mines, This saloon, since it has been mentioned, was known as the Rosebud, and was the popular re- sort of the camp, not even second to the hotel. At the hotel, billiards and poo! flourlshed, but at the saloon there was a veritable gamblers’ para- dise, and it was presided over by a woman, Here, too, the worthy mayor had a strong financial hold, and the Rosebud was his favorite resort when business hours were done, and very often ac other times, too, It was whispered around that the attraction that drew him there was the pretty proprietress, Fairy Frank—Frank being her pame, Be that as if may, we will not pause now to inquire into the facts. Things were about as described, on this day and at this hour of which we write, whena peculiar-looking couple were descried coming down into the camp from up the gulch, Some fellow on the hotel piazza saw them first, and he quickly drew attention to them. “Gee-whiz!” hecried. ‘* What lLev we byer?” Others looked at once, “Ther wanderin’ Jew and his wife,” one man ventured to speculate, “Why, that’s the queer old codger who bangs out up there in the cabin on the cliff,” declared one Elegant Jo, a well-dressed sport. ‘** Darn ef youain’t right, Elegant Jo,” agreed the discoverer. ‘‘ But, who an’ what has he got with him? Has ther pearance of a woman, but ef et is, she has been seein’ hard times, I should say. **A woman it is, you can tell by hér hair.” “ And that’s about ther only way ye kin tell, fer she is about as near ondressed as decency will allow, hang me ef she ain’t.” As the reader rightly guesses, it was Old Ava- lanche with the crazy woman of the cliff, he was, 28 we bave already mentioned, bare- ly decently clad. Her skirt was missing from the knees down, one foot and leg was bare, and on the other was only a shoe, while one sleeve was missing entirely and the other hung in tat- rs, ‘* Whar kin he hev found her?” questioned the discoverer, ‘We'll find out when he gits hyer,” another made response, As for the sport, Elegant Jo, he felt enough interest to get up from his comfortable position to get a better look, . This man was a good-looking young fellow of twenty-eight or so, with cool, keen, steely blue eyes, and was dressed in the best and looked as neat as a pin from crown to heel, Hence his nickname, , He was comparatively a stranger in the camp, having been there only a few weeks, but already he had worked himself into the regard of most of the citizens, He was a jolly fellow, a good companion, and his money was as free as water to his friends, of whom he had plenty, He was a gambler; made no bones about hav- ing it known, and was a singularly fortunate ne. Old Avalanche came on with his profegee, comments innumerable being made as he ap- proached, but which need not be quoted, ‘Hello, what have you there?’ greeted the proprietor of the hotel, one Davis Stumplift. ““Great ramificated an’ paralyzin’ old ham- bone!” the old scout cried in response. “ You tell me an’ lll tell you, pardner. Hyer ye see her, jest as she was diekivered,” Elegant Joe was looking on, biting his mus- tache in an apparently abstracted manner, ‘* Where did you find her, old man?” he asked. ‘* Why, she kem wanderin’ up ther trail to my cabin,” was explained, ‘‘and not havin’ any use fer ary woman in my ’stablishinent, I thort I'd bring her right on down hyer, and turn her loose, I hev had all tber marry I ever banker arter— But, then, ye kin see that she is crazy.” ‘“Save him, oh! save him!” the poor creature piteously appealed. f L **Gee-whiz!” cried the original discoverer of the pair, ‘‘l should say she is crazy!” ‘¢ Does any one know who she is?” inquired the sport, He looked around over the crowd as he put the question, but no one seemed to identify her, ‘ The crowd bad pressed to the front, now, and men were coming from every direction, eager to learn what was going ov, The quickest thing im the world to draw is an idle crowd, The woman was uttering her piteous moanings continuously, ‘* Don’t know her, eh?’ said the sport. ‘‘ Them she’s your property, I guess, old man, by right of discovery.” ‘*Great rustycatin’ an transmogrificatin’ old hambone, no!” the old scout cried, ‘I don’t. want ber, cityzeas, don’t want her a’ tall! lLhave bad all ther dealin’s wi’ shemale critters that I ever want ter have, I wouldn’t marry one of" ’em ef she was lined wi’ gold, an’ set wi’ prashus: stones—great devastatin’ an’ hustlin’ signs o” rantankerous demolishun, no /” Most of the crowd laughed at his earnestness, ‘¢ Then what ar’ ye goin’ ter do wi’ her?’ asked. one man, “Turn her loose ter browse on cold charity,, ef nobody claims her,” was the brief response. ‘* Better hold fast to her,” one fellow suggested. ‘She may come all right in ther bead after awhile, and you'll havea prize, She’s a darp oe oe anidicalonie gs Mandl tik O12’ stout ot any, not an eclar e old scout, shaking hie head, Pie et hadn’t been fer wim~ min kind I’a be a far younger an’ better-lookin” man than what ye see me now, Thar was that first rantankler I hooked up with—Whew! My head is full o’ dents whar she laid me out wi’ a. poker more times ’n 1 kin tell, and at last she wound up by chawin’ off my ’years, when—” ‘* Forty-one!” some one in the crowd called out. And that raised a laugh at once, meaningless: as it seemed from a mirth-provoking standpoint. It had reference, however, to the number of times the old scout had related different ex~ planations bearing upon the loss of his auricular members. ‘* But, cityzens an’ feller galoots,” the old mam branched off promptly, ‘*I appeal ter you ter know what’s ter be done wi’ this byer beauty in distress. She may bea lady born an’ bred, fer all I know, an’ et’s a pity ter have her goin” around in this hyer fashion, J couldn’t do noth- in’ fer her up thar on ther ledge; hambone, nor so I brung her right down byer, What ar’ ye goin’ ter do about et? Great rip-ragin’ ap” tempesterous blizzards! ye won't see ber want. fer shelter an’ grub, will ye? Ef ye do, by ther cireumnambulatin’ an’ disintergenerated ham- bone what stayed ther stuumick of old Joner ye. ar’ a wues lot o’ p’izen pirates ’n what 1 took ye: to be! Whar is ther ma’r o’ this byer camp: anvhow ?” 4 ; The mayor was coming, together with bis: constabulary and police force in the person of Henk Waldon. They had been made aware by the loud laughter that something out /of the usual was: going on, ‘* There is more truth than poetry in this old) man’s words,” spoke up Elegant Jo. ‘ This: woman ought to be cared for, citizens,” / ‘* An’ who has said she sha’n’t be?” demanded

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Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dark Da one man. “This hyer camp never went back | pations very quietly, preparing something for on wimmin yet, Elegant Jo, an’ I guess we won’t begin now,” “Glad to hearit, I for one am willing to go down in my pocket to bear the expense,” ‘*'Yas, and so am I, too.” ** And hyer, too!” ‘* Me, too!” A dozen offers were quickly made, ‘* What's the matter here,” asked the mayor, now onthespot. ‘* Whois this wretched-lookin’ woman?” ‘*Shall I run her in, boss?” asked the con- stabulary and police force, Waldon was eager to ‘run in” something or somebody, for, wonderful to say, his jail just then happened to be empty, a state of affairs which he considered greatly to his discredit, ‘“*No; wait till we find out about her,” was the answer. ‘‘ Who is she, old man?” to the scout. “Your conundrum is a trifle too hefty,” Old Avalanche made reply. ‘I don’t know, All I do know is that she drifted up to my roost thar on ther cliff an’ seemed sort.o’ crazy, jest as ye see her now, an’ 1 hev brought her down hyer to be tooken keer of, By ther rampagin’ hambone—” ‘*Never mind the bambone just now,” the mayor interrupted, ‘Does anybody know who this woman is?” **T had asked that question just before you appeared,” spoke up Elegant Jo. ‘* No one re- cognizes her,” ‘**Then she is a stranger.” ‘* Seems to be.” ** What is yourname, woman?” addressing the unfortunate herself, “Save him, ob! save him, save him!” she wailed, ‘* Crazy as can be,” themayoragreed. ‘* That woman has been through some terrible experi- ence, boys, as her appearance proves, She must be taken care of—” "Shall I run her in—” So the handy-man interrupted, stepping for- ward, ** Blast ye, no!” roared the mayor, ‘‘ This is a case that ’peals to our sympathies, She must be taken care of properly, and given a chance to recover, What have you to say about et, old man?” This to Avalanche, ‘*“Currogated hambone o’ demolishun with which Joner slewed the Fillysteens!” the old scout cried. ‘‘ Et makes me blud, b’ile ter hear that ’ar feller talk about runnin’ ther poor critter inter ther kerboose, Ma’r, my private "vice ter you is, ter be keerful how ye ’low that chap ter inanage yer jail. But, to ther question at int: I hey nothin’ ter offer, cept ther woman erself, J don’t want her, but I think ther same as you do that she orter be keered for in ther right way; hambone, yes!” ie I had just proposed,” said the gambler sport, taking up a collection to bear the expense, and my idea was to get her located with some good family here at the camp where one of her own sex can look after her and take care of her. I'm willing to chip in'a hundred towards it.” He backed up his words promptly with a sight of the money, . “That Js hoss sense, every time,” the mayor agreed. “* That is what we'll do, if some one can - be found to take her,” ‘*Some one must take her,” cried the sport, aie & bobbie effert’s is jest ther place fer her.” Osha so pra: her thar.” =) Ss seemed to be agreed upon promptly. and the crowd set off immediately in the deedtchs of sty aoe a beer ai the mayor and the ce force ahead, Old Avalanche and hi newt, and the others with them, iy a ay Mrs. Jeffert, a kindly-faced woman of middle age, met the crowd at the door, and when the situation bad been explained to ber she took the r waif in, agreeing to keep her and care for er for a certain stipulated sum per week in the way of board, And so, for the time being, the matter was settled; and Old Avalanche pres- ently made his way out of the camp in the direction he had come. | CHAPTER VII, RED ROY'S SECOND RAID, Wuen Old Avalanche returned to the cabin a the cliff, he found Deadwood Dick in a deep _ sleep, His coming in did not awaken him, and he moved about carefully in order not to disturb mand cheat bim of any part of the‘ sweet Festorer” that was better than medicine, The old scout went about his household occu- Dick to eat when he should wake up, and mak- ing ready to dress his wounds, which he had done once or twice daily. But for him, Dick would probably have been numbered with the majority. F When Dick opened his eyes it was nearly night, and the old scout bimself was asleep on the one chair of the cabin, his back braced in the corner of the room, and he was suoring beautifully. ** Avalanche?” Dick spoke, The old fellow awoke instantly, and was upon his feet, ‘* Great delusionated hambone!” he exclaimed. z= Is et pesky Injuns around? I thort I heerd em, ‘*T am the only Injun you have got to trouble you just now,” said Dick. ‘Iam choking for a drink of water, old pard,” ‘* Sanctivated signs o’ demoralizin’ demolishun! I guess I was dreamin’ when I woke up, Dicky, fer I thort I smelt Injun jest as plain as I ever didin my life. A drink? Ye shell swim in et, ef ve want to!” A cooling draught of sparkling water was given, after which Dick made inquiry about the trip down to camp with the crazy woman. “I left ber thar,” declared the old scout; ‘*hambone, yes!” a did any one recognize her?’ urged ick, “ That’s a open question, Dicky. Darn me ef I know whether anybody did or not. But, you let me give ye some grub and do up yer hurts, and then we'll talk about et,” Dick did not feel like urging the matter, and as haste was nothing to bim then, he patiently waited, Finally everything had been done, and in the gathering darkness the old scout sat down beside the bunk and prepared to unbosom. ‘As I told ye,’ said he, ‘ it’s a open question whether anybody knowed ther gal or not. And etv’s a question that I ain’t able ter settle in me own mind. Great discombobberated hambone, 1)?” ‘“* Well, what is it that raises the doubt in your mind?” “Ther hull proceedin’ from beginnin’ ter end, Et’s a case 0’ for an’ ’zinst, and not a great sight o’ evvydence either way.” ““Give me the details of it,” “IT reckon Pll have ter, Dick, and let you bend your brains to et.” So the old scout gave a detailed report of all that had taken place during his visit to the camp, omitting nothing that had come under his observation, “And this Elegant Jo, what manner of man is he?” asked Dick, ** He’s a good-looker, Dicky, and as spick and span as a new gut button, He has a pair of mighty searchin’ eyes, a purty mustache, an’a ae jaw, wi’ a sort o’ lady’s dimple in ther in ** Avalanche, you area close observer, and ten to one that is the man, What do you know about him?) “* He ain't been many moons at ther camp, but he’s got a stack o’ friends thar, an’ they do tell that he’s a ragin’ juggernut ‘o’ demolishun ina scrimmage,” “And yet you couldn’t detect that he recog- nized the woman, eh?” ‘*Nary a detect.” ** And she did not recogaize him?” “ee Nary.” “ Well, he is a shrewd fellow, and might fool ‘el but it seems strange she would not know im at sight,” ‘*Great exterpatin’ bambone what guzzled Joner’s diarframm! ain’t et jest as I told ye? Ther more ye think on et ther less ye will know, Et’s a sticker; signs o’ scrimmagazation, yes!” ‘Well, it is our business to pay some atten- tion to this Elegant Jo, as soon as [ am able to attend to business at all, You must keep posted, Alva, on everything that takes place at the camp, and I'll do all I can to hasten my re- covery ; and that means strict obedience to you. ‘ _ A month dragged by, a month of dark days indeed for Deadwood Dick, ; No one had been to the cabin, and his presence there was unknown and unsuspected, Old Ava- lanche had guarded well bis secret. He was now able to be up and around, and strong enough to take considerable of exercise, His wounds were all healed, and his strength was returning rapidly. Richard would soon be himself again, Meanwhile the camp in the gulch had drifted 7 along in its prosperous way, andit was growin: in population and importance daily. Nothing further had been heard from Rt Roy, and it was believed thatthe mayor's offer of reward, with the eternal vigilance of the con- stabulary and police force, had frightened him off for good. Hank Waldon went about with no less than four revolvers exposed to sight in his belt, and had more than once expressed the wish that he might be permitted to get a bead on the out- law. But, thus far, his desire had not been gratified, and appearances went to indicate that it never would be, . The crazy woman, * Crazy Sal,” as she had come to be called, was still at the home of Bob Jeffert, where Bob’s wife took the best of care of her. She was occasionally seen down by the creek at the lower side of the guich, where she would remain for an hour at a time gazing into the water and pleadingly demanding its surren- der of her dead, No one had yet recognized her, and so long a time had passed that her presence was forgotten, save when she was seen, One morning a stranger appeared in the camp. He wasaman of medium height, with dark, magnetic eyes, and with hair rather long and a full, dark-brown beard, He was very pale, and it could be seen ata glance that he was not very robust, unless ap- pearances were deceptive. Where he came froin no one knew, and the first that was seen of him wa3 when he entered the big hotel, Clad in rough yet serviceable clothes, he did not appear a man of wealth by any means, Inquiring for the proprietor of the house, Davis Stumplift made himself known as such, ‘and the stranger asked concerning board and mc ipa These things were right in Stumplift’s line, and he could accommodate him, So, the register was shoved out and the stran- ger booked himself, The name he registered was—‘' John Banty, of Virginia City.” {n some passing conversation with the land- lord, after registering, he let out that he was .& consumptive seeking health in a change of air, He bad been tramping by easy stages, and believed that he was improving. This was accepted, and it explained how he had come into the camp at other than stage hours, To the reader it need not be said that this man was Deadwoad Dick. His clothes, bought there at Royal Flush by Old Avalanche, a piece at a time, were a perfect disguise, taken together with his pnleness and his full beard. It was on the morning following the day of his arrival that the camp was thrown into a state of great excitement, It came about in this wise: Mayor MacCraw, opening his office for the business of the day, made the discovery that his safe had been robbed during the night, thongh he found it locked and in pertect order, And there, where his hoarded dollars had reposed, was a card bearing this inscription :— **The compliments of “RED ROY.” The mayor howled a great howl, and called for his constabulary and police force forthwith, Waldon was not far off, and came running to the spot with all haste, . ‘* What’s ther matter, boss?” he inquired, ‘Matter enough!” stormed the mayor, ‘ Look at that safe, will you; skinned as clean as a picked bone!” ; * Thunder!” ejaculated the handy-man, ‘* Who done et?” ‘“ Who done et! Who d’ye s’pose, but that in- fernal thief of the world, Red Roy1” Waldon looked to tke revolvers in his belt at once, while he observed: “TP go right up and turn that drunk-and- disorderly case out of the jail, and make et ready for more important game,” ‘You ar’ a darn fool)” roared the mayor. “ How d’ye think you are goin’ ter get hold of the outlaw, when we don’t know where he is, and wouldn’t know him if we saw him?” ‘* Well, ye needn't jump on me, anyhow,” com- lained the police force, ete, ‘* I am goin’ terdo her best I kin, and that’s all anybody kin do, You jest let me cita squint at that cuss over ther top o’ one o’ these hyer guns, and see if somethin’ won’t drop in Royal Flush.” The mayor raved around the office like a wild man for a few minutes, and after that he went

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ok ad out and made public what had happened; and so, as said, the camp was thrown into a state of great excitement, ‘* What ar’ ye goin’ ter do about et, mayor?” one man asked. At that the mayor fairly exploded, It put forth in words the though: that bad been gnawing at his mind ever since the first robbery, ** What am I going to do about it!” he bellow- ed. ‘Dll show ye what I’m going todo about it. You just wait and see, and then you'll know,” The trouble was, the mayor didn’t know what to do about it, In fact, it looked as though he could not do anything. “*TP'll tell you what would be a good plan, and it might prove of some use,” spoke up Elegant 0. ** What is it?” the mayor demanded. ‘* Why, appoint a guard to stand watch over every trail that leads to and from the camp, and make every man give an account of himself be- fore_he enters here,” ‘*That’s just what I'll do!” cried MacCraw. ‘ll press the whole camp into service, if it’s necessary. I’m going to wind this thing up, or ~ $e the reason why. We have had enough of it. ** You have, at any rate, eh?” **T should say so!” “There will be this advantage about it,” the sport further explained. ‘‘It will prevent any outsider from coming in without your knowl- edge, or the knowledge of your men, anybow, and will in that way hinder another tapping of your safe,” ‘Pll do it; by the sinews of war, I will!” ‘And then pay attention to every stranger who appears here,” was the further suggestion, “Pil doit; Vil have a watchman at the office after this,too, By the way, does anybody know of any stranger who arrived here yesterday? Any fellow who can’t give a straight account of himself?” : a took place in the street in front of the otel, On the piazza of the hotel sat Deadwood Dick, a quiet observer of al) that was being said, ‘‘ Richard,” said be to himself, upon hearing this question put, ‘there isa chance for you to get into a scrape, and a good big one, too,” Barely had his mind given birth to the thought, when attention was drawn to him by some fel- low in the crowd, ‘*Thar’s that consumptive galoot at the hotel,” the man shouted ; ‘‘ he’s new around hyer.” The mayor looked, and strode to the piazza at once, “You are a stranger here, I believe,” he snarled, ‘*'Yes, I came here yesterday,” answered Dick, ‘* Well, are you aware what’s happened?” ‘*T have beard all that bas been said,” was the quiet rejoinder, “That being the case, are you prepared to prove who you are, and tbat you are not the robber?” Dick laughed in a quiet way. ‘** Well, mayor,” he said, ‘‘ Il am not going to try very hard to prove it. You see me for just what | am, a half-invalid, and if you have got proof that ’'m anything else, bring it forth. I don’t think you can make a case against me, however,” “Shall I run bim in?’ asked the constabulary and police force. . CHAPTER VII. ANOTHER OLD PARD COMES TO LIGHT. ‘GREAT hambone what rupturated ther larnyx an’ ripped up ther diarframm o’ old Joner!” another voice suddenly cried out, a voice that bad come to be well known there at the camp, and the old man of the cliff was seen pushing bis way to the front, ‘Great curro- gated an’ pestiferous signs o’ meanderin’ demo- lishun!” ‘Well, what’s the matter with you, old man?” demanded the mayor, ‘Why, great hambone o’ harmonious hunka- dori! I took you men o’ this hyer camp o’ Royal Flush ter be men o’ hard hoss sense, ter say nothin’ of bein’ fair and squar’ in every- thing, Yet, byer I find ye p’intin’ s’pishun at a feller what looks as ef he hadu’t more’n a month o' life left in him at most, It makes me blud bill, et does; old ancient an’ fossilized bambone, es “Do you know what has happened here, Old Withered?” cried the mayor. “Do ye know that my bank bas been robbed again?” “So I bev heerd ye proclaimin’ from ther housetops, as et wur; but that ain’t ter say this man done et, is et? Might as well ’cuse me of et, or any other man in the camp.” ‘* But, this fellow is a stranger.” ‘“*Never mind me, old man,” spoke up Dick, in his light and easy way. ‘ Let them make what they can out of it. I know they can’t prove anything against me, so do not interfere with their little fun,” ‘*Tbat’s all right, and mebby I wouldn’t, ef you was a well man; but that face o’ yourn *pears ter me ter have ther stamp o’ death on et even now, an’! couldn’t keep still ef I wanted to; hambone, no!” ‘Shall I run him in?’ Waldon repeated his question. “Run who in?’ cried Old Avalanche, turning upon him suddenly and fiercely. ‘ Run me in? Great cantankerous old bambone with which Joner macadamized ther trail from Babylon to ther sea! you jest try et on, and ef thar won’t be one of ther wu’st old screamin’ an’ screechin’ blizzards hyer ye ever heard of! I don’t keer ef ye hev got four an’ forty weepins, ye—” Waldon had drawn back, as if in doubt whether to take water or shoot the old man on the spot, ‘* Never mind,” broke in the mayor. ‘‘ There ain’t any proof, as the fellow declares, and I couldn’t do anything with him without that, We'll let et rest; but, you are a stranger, a tt man, so be careful how you conduct yourself. am going now to organize a regular police force for this camp.” “Don’t waste any time over me,” said Dick, stillas quietly and as calmly as ever. ‘‘ When you want me you will probably find me right here, during my stay in your camp. I’m not much given to active life at present,” “Then ye don’t want him run in?” said Wal- don yet again. ° ‘No; confound it, what’s the use? He is no doubt innocent, and we would not be able to prove it if be wasn’t.” ‘‘That’s about the right view of it,” agreed the sport. ‘lf you arrest one you would have to arrest every man in camp and serve all alike, and that would be something of a job,” ‘Yes; you’re right. Come on to my office, and we'll talk this thing over.” So, the mayor strutted back to his den, Ele- gaut Jo with him, and the constabulary and police force bringing up the rear as a sort of armed escort, | “Ye don’t want ter let these fire-eaters skar ye, Mister Man,” said Old Avalanche to Dick, ‘I don’t opine they really mean ye harm, but fer a weakly cuss like you it’s bad fer ther diarframm, so ter say.” Dick smiled. “*T am not afraid of their harming me,” he de- clared, ‘A man can’tdie but once anyhow, and if they should take a notion wo string me up it would only be putting me out of my misery, per- aps, ven as he spoke, he made a secret sign to the old scout, a sign that made the old fellow to know that their suspicion had been correct. 1t was late in the day when the afternoon stage came rolling into the camp, and as it pulled up in front of the hotel the Jehu sung out: ‘‘Hyar we be, at last, what’s left ot us! We hev bad jest a hurricane of a time this byer trip, an’ ther mail an’ Express ar’ gone slick and clean |” Here was excitement anew. ‘What's up?” demanded the mayor. “Trumps was up, mayor,” the driver answered, ‘and them same trumps was a pair of poppers in ther fists o’ Red Roy ther outlaw!” ** Red Roy again!” **Red Roy!” from every man in the crowd, almost, “Ther same, by ther gods o’ war! He was in red from bat to boots, jest as he was said ter be over at ther Butte, and he held us up jest beau- tifullee.” The passengers were alighting, and amon thein was a young man, or youth, of good buil and with a pleasing face and a pair of keen eyes. He looked around him asif in search of some one, Deadwood Dick, seated on the piazza of the hotel, saw him, and gave a start of recognition. Following the youth came a woman, richly dressed, and wearing a vail of some thin, but shimmering stuff, that defied penetration. Dick looked to note whether she and the youth were companions further than by chance, and immediately decided that they were not. The woman, after one hasty look around, went im- mediately into the hotel. 8 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dark Days. The youth continued to scan the crowd, and a look of disappointment appeared on his face, Dick smiled as he noted it. The crowd was paying little or no at- tention to the passengers, the excitement of the moment being too great for them to think of anything but the daring robbery that had taken place, There were other passengers, but with them we have nothing to do. ‘*Where did this told-up take place?” in- quired the mayor, ‘How far back on the trail was it?” ‘Et was back thar at Ghost-walk Gulch, not more’n half an hour ago. We kem on a-b’ilin’ as soon as he let us start, you kin bet.” ‘And didn’t you try ter ride him down?” asked one man. ‘* Nary,” was the grim response, “I am a man o’ fambly, an’ I didn’t banker after a ticket o’ departure jest yet. I held up ter oncet an’ saved trouble. e said I was a sensible critter, an’ I guess I was.” ** And you allowed him to take the mail with- out a word of protest!” ‘*T was as meek as a lamb, mayor.” ** A coward, rather,” ‘* Have it jest as ye want to, but ef you had been in my boots T reckon you would have been jest as brave as I was,” ‘‘Great currogated an’ dispensashunated old hambone what we read about in ther ’steenth chapter o’ Eccleesyasticuss!” cried Old Ava- lanche. ‘* Whar is ther feller now what throwed surspisbun upon that sick man?” ‘* He'll have ter take water,” chipped in some one. ; ‘*Great ragin’ torrents o’ devastatin’ demo- lishun! I should say he would! Et ain’t no funeral o’ mine, but i kin trootbfully asseverate o’ my own personal an’ identical knowledge that ther sick cuss ain’t been off’n that peeazzer fer ther last hour or more. Hence, ther fact is plain that he can’t be Red Roy; hambone, no! Now I am as much interested in this hyer out- law-bunt as ther next one, fer J looked fer a let- ter by this hyer mail, an’ef any one will, start ther game, I'll be in on ther run, you kin bet; but I don’t want ter run on no false scents,” ‘* That’s what’s ther matter.” Several agreed promptly to tbat. ‘‘ An’ that’s all I hey got ter say,” the old scout wound up. “Which is quite enougb,” remarked the mayor, ‘t Waldon, I want you to select forty good men, and have ’em report at my cffice at oncet,” - The constabulary and police force swelled up with importance. “711 do it,” he declared, ‘an’ I'll have ’em thar in twenty minutes, [’]) pick ther best men of ther camp, and ther man what refuses gits run in, that’s all. I act ’cordin’ to ther power vested in me, an’ by ther mayor’s orders, as ye hev all beard et spoken,” This was, of course, only a tithe of what was said and done, The excitement was running high, and almost every man in the crowd was talking; each one had some suggestion to offer, 4 Having told his story; the stage-driver led bis jaded animals and the time-worn ‘‘bearse” around to the rear of the hotel, and the crowd broke up into knots to discuss the latest event. At the same time the police force, etc., was hustling around making his selections for tbe public service, and as fast as he picked them out they repaired to the mayor’s office to be sworn in, and duly vested with authority for the duty they were about to assume. Meanwhile the youth who had come by the stage had gone up to the piazza of ‘the botel, where he stood leaning against one of the posts, and watching the crowd in arather disheartened manner. Dick still had his eyes upon bim in an amused way. : “T guess I'll speak to him before he begins to make inquiries,” be said to himself, ‘* He looks. as forlorn as a funeral.” , He made a shuffling sound with his feet to draw the youg fellow’s attention his way, and when he looked, motioned him to approach. ‘Were you motioning to me?” the lad asked, We have called him ‘‘youth” and ‘' lad,” ‘though he was probably twenty years of age, at least. His face, however, was still quite youth- “‘T was,” answered Dick. “Sit down here a minute, I want to talk with you.” ' The young man eyed Dick sharply, as if he thought he ought to know him, but apparently gave it up, and pulling up a chair took a seat, “* Well, what is it?” he asked.

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Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dark Days. 9 ‘‘ Were you robbed, along with the rest?” ‘©T was; cleaned out as clean as a clock. strapped.” “I thought so, by the way you looked when you came up on the piazza.” * And I’m in a bad fix. Here I ar\, without a dollar, and without a friend, strapped com- pletely.” ** You looked around as though you expected to find some one you knew,” “ Yes: but I guess it’s going to be a dark look. He isn’t here, or at any rate he isn’t in sight.” ‘* What's his name?” ‘* Well, I guess [ won’t let out bis name to a stranger; he may have reason for keeping it still, and I won’t spoil that for him. Vil bustle to strike a jobof work, and keep my eye peeled.” ** Billy Bucket, is it possible that you don’t know me? Mum now; not too loud.” The fellow’s eyes flew open wide, and he looked again at Dick, “Ts it possible?’ he said. ‘‘ Why, I looked close at ye, but gave it upasa bad job, Give me yer hand! But, Dick, are you dyin’? or what isthe matter? You look tike a chronic consumptive.” They shook hands, and Dick responded: “No, I'm not dying just yet, Billy. I have been pretty close to it, from wounds I got ina fight, but ’m on the mend now, What brings you here? I thougbt you were in New York.” “So I was, but left. I got tired of it, and have had enough of it till I get homesick, if I ever do, I baven’t a relation on earth, so far as 1 know, and in summing up my list 0’ friends, I found I could count ’em all on one thumb, and that one was you; so I set out to find ye, and here I am.” ** And you want to join me again?” “Yes, if you want me, or will take me, rather; that is, if you haven’t some other pard.” Dick’s pale face grew sad at once, “I had a pard,” he said, sorrowfully, ‘the dearest yeaa of my whole life, Billy, but she is alead, am more than glad to welcome you back to your old place. But, how about the drink ?” “That is a thing of the past, Dick. I have not touched a drop since I saw you last, and, God helping me, I will never touch another drop as long as I live.” This was earnestly said. ‘*T anrglad of that, my boy. I made the same ‘vow myself a considerable time ago, when I found I was getting to like it too well. A man cannot be a man with whisky inside, Billy, and a boy who drinks will never be a man at all; that is, a manly man,” “*T believe it. But, that pard of yourn: who was et?” ‘‘ It was my wife, Billy; the best, the bravest, and the truest wife a man ever had, Poor Kate!” “There, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelin’s, Dick. But, what do you want me to call you? I take it that you are not known here, from your tellin’ me tospeak low and not give you away.” * You hit it right, Billy. I am known here as John Banty, and I’m supposed to be from Virginia City. You will have to clalm to be from the same place, since men have seen us talking together, I'll tell you what the lay is, if you want to take part in it,” I'm CHAPTER IX, ENTIRELY UNEXPECTED, Many readers will remember Billy Bucket. Deadwood Dick first made his acquaintance when the lad was a street Arab in New York, Dick there picked him up, gave bim some minor parts to play in some of bis cases, and for a time they had got along famously together, Finally the boy accompanied Dick West, where he worked with him, but tiring of it, deserted and returned to New York, where, some months later, Dick found bim once more, but this time in a fair way of becoming a drunkard, ° Dick befriended him, straightened him up, and made him promise to leave the drink alone, They had some further adventures together, after that, and finally parted in New York. Dick had not heard of him since, and was glad to know that the pledge bad been kept, They had a long talk together. Dick told Billy all about his recent campaign, and in turn learned all about Billy’s movements since they bad last met. “* And you say the road-agent cleaned you out?” Dick asked, “Every cent I had, and I bad about four 7_—_—— OO rrr ee cwz“’ VO le hundred dollars with me, enough to see me a long ways.” ‘It’s too bad; but, we'll get it back again. The campaign is going to be wound up this round, ere, take this, and make yourself comfortable at the botel here with it,” He gave the lad some money as he spoke, and together they entered the bar-room, where Billy registered, e set down his true name, but gave his ad- dress as Virginia City, the same as Dick’s. They sat down in the bar-room to continue their talk, and while there the cry of fire / was heard without, The shout was quickly taken up, everybody rushed for the street, and when Dick and Billy got out they saw everybody looking up toward the cliff where the cabin of Old Avalanche stood. The old scout’s cabin was wrapped in flames! A word of explanation just here: This bad been done purposely by the old man, in order that he migbt have a good excuse for remaining in the camp to be near his protege. ‘Thar goes yer cabin, old liar,” some fellow ealled out, Avalanche was just coming out from one of the saloons, and turning bis gaze where every- body else was looking, he cried: ““Grent percusshunated an’ refringerifated{old hambone! What am I going ter du now? Ragin’ an’ roarin’ signs o’ devourin’ demolishun! my house an’ home is gone up ia smoke!” ‘* Better run and try to put it -out,” suggested one. ‘Et ain’t no use,” was the return, ‘ Et would be down afore I could git balf-way there, Well, let ’er go; et was only a squatter title I held, anyhow.” ‘* Have any valuables there, old man?” ‘Great reconsistercated hambove, no! Ther most vallyable things I got ar’ the duds I wear, p’tic’larly this hyer old bat;” taking the old rag from his bead and rubbing it fondly with his sleeve, ‘This byar bat war old afore a good many of ye wur born, an’ I wouldn’t part with et nohow, Notiss ther bullet holes in et? Wall, I got one of’em thar the day Wild Bill got picked offin Deadwood, No; let ther old cabin goef et wants to; I zuess | kin find wherewith ter lay my bead somewhar hyer in camp.” The old bat was nothing better than a rag, the remains of what had once been a hat. _Dead wood Dick bad taken advantage of the’ex- citement to give the old man a sign regarding Billy Bucket, and after awbile Billy met the old man and made his acquaintance, In the mean time the mayor had been hard at work organizing his police force, or Vigilance Committee, and it was now about completed, Hank Waldon was at the head, so puffed up with importance that there was danger that bis vest buttons would not stand the strain, There were forty men in all, and each one was armed with a rifle or gun. The chief drew hiscommand up in front of the mayor’s office, and MacCraw addressed them, He reminded them that eternal vigilance was the price of liberty; that only cowards refused to stake their lives, their liberty and their sacred honor; and a good deal more in that Fourth-of- July strain; and wound up by telling them they were to take Red Roy at any hazard, either dead or alive, All of these men were in the mayor’s employ, and a good many of them in his debt. The chief of police—let us give him his title!—had chosen wisely and well, They were divided into four squads, with a cap- tain for each, and their duties defined. Three squads were to guard the three passes that Jed to and from the camp, while the other was to do patrol duty in the camp proper. This, it was believed, was a step in the right direction, and that it would balk any further visitations on the part of Red Roy. With the coming of night the camp awoke to its usual state of activity, Deadwood Dick had asked Billy Bucket con- cerning the woman who bad been bis fellow passenger in the stage, but Billy knew nothing about her, further than that she was French, Dick had delayed going in to supper with the hope of meeting her at table, but in that be was mistaken, She bad come in earlier than any one else, and had already gone out, Not that he cared much who she was, but the fact that she had come vailed naturally aroused bis curiosity, and it was aroused the more when he was told that she bad eat ber supper with the vail stillon. There must be a reason for it, he told himself, He spoke to Stumplift about her, ‘* A darn fine gal,” was that worthy’s declara- tion, ‘‘ but a mighty mysterious one. Wears that ar vailall ther time, She is bu’sted—got cleaned out entirely by Ked Roy, and I have had to grub-stake ber till she can write fer a boodle,” ‘* What's her name?” asked Dick, * Thar et is; read et fer yerself,” He shoved out the register. Dick looked, and learned her name, ‘* Madalene Rousseau, France,” There was, perbaps, good reason why the landlord bad told him to read for himself; he possibly could not undertake to pronounce the name, ‘* That’s sure-enough Frencb,” remarked Dick, reading the name aloud, ‘*I wonder what can have brought a Frenchwoman here?” “ Ye ask me too much,” ‘* She talks English, of course.” It was— “Ob! yes; but with a little touch o’ somethin’, * furren in it,” “ Naturally. A Frenchwoman in a Western camp is a curiosity. No doubt the sports of the place will be eager to make her acquaintance.” ‘© One of them bas been asking about her al- ready.” “ee So ” se Yes,” “ Who is it?” ‘ Blegant Jo,” ‘‘ Well, be is a likely fellow, and looks like a lady’s man, By the way, whereis he? I have not,seen him around since early this afternoon,” ‘*Oh! he will turn up when the Rosebud opens, never fear,” ‘He is an habitue, eh? ‘* A what?” ‘¢T mean, he’s a frequenter there,” ‘* He is there every night, and pretty often takes a hand inthe game. Buys the bank once in awhile, an’ jest makes things bum,” ‘Guess Pll bave to drop in to-night, and see the place. It has a woman proprietor, T hear.” ‘Yes; Fairy Frank, You don’t want ter get soft on her, though, fer Mayor MacCraw has his eyes bent that way, and it’s between him an’ Elegant Jc, [takeet.” , ‘“ So, that’s the way the wind blows, is it? Well, they have no need to fear a rival in me; I’m casting about for a coffin, and a convenient place to be buried, rather than for a flirtation.” This was said in a grim, jesting wy When the Rosebud was ablaze with light, later on, and the music struck up, Deadwood Dick and Billy Bucket went over and entered, It was the usual scene in your camp where a live boom is ifi progress, There was first, and to the multitude most im- portant of all, the bar; and beyond was a clear- ed space for dancing, A rather tinny piano and a horn made the music of the occasion, and several couples were going through the whirls and twirls of a lively waltz to the tune of some popular air, Beyond the dancing floor was a partition with a green door, the dcor in itself being sign enough for what lay beyond. Dick and Billy edged slowly around the reom, taking in everything that was to be seen, and presently found themselves at the green door, and pushing it open, entered the apartment de- voted to gaming, The game had not yet opened, but a great number of men were present, and a number of women, too, ' Ainong others were Mayor MacCraw and Ele- gantJo, ties 2% The latter was looking bis best, in bis silk bat, spotless shirt and flashing diamonds, — Fairy Frank bad not yet appeared, it lacking a little of her regular time for opening her game, but she was expected ina few minutes, Presently a step was heard at a rear door, and some one exclaimed: ‘That's ber!” The door did not seem to open readily, but presently it turned, and into the room came— not Fairy Frank, but ‘‘ Crazy Sal!” A laugh greeted her appearance, She was very plainly clad in cheap clothes that had been made by Mrs. Jeffert, and looked strangely out of place here, Deadwood Dick gave Billy a nudge, and they drew back a little out of her direct line of vision. Dick feared recognition, for hg was not in con- dition to defend himself, Elegant Jo, too, drew back a little, and placed himself in a friendly shadow behind some cahery Dick noted this, as did also Old Ava- lanche, The faro table bad been made ready for , the game by an oe of the saloon, and walking straight to the place usually occupied ‘ eo

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10 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dark Days. by Fairy Frank, the crazy woman took her seat and anneunced: ‘* This game is now open, gentlemen.” Make your play, CHAPTER X. ELEGANT JO’S CONQUEST, Some of the crowd laughed, others did not. To some it was a ea | ludicrous sight; to others it was arevelation, It proved something of this unknown woman’s past life. ‘*Make your play, gentlemen,” she repeated, preparing to deal the cards from the box, Some drew away from the board, but others crowded nearer, eager to see what the outcome of 30 strange a situation would be, ‘* What is ther limit of this hyer bank?’ one fellow asked. “You make your own limit,” was the an- swer, Again there was laughter, ‘*Sbali we give her a try?” asked one fellow. “Why, yes, let’s see what she kin do, any- how, yar’s a cart-wheel on ther ace, fer a starter.” ; As he spoke, the fellow put down a silver dol- ar. There was no other bet, and the crazy woman dealt the cards, The dollar went to her, ‘* Hal ha!” one fellow laughed. ‘‘Thar goes yer dollar, Ike. Bully fer ther gal. She’s got somethin’ ter start on, anyhow.” ‘* Make your play, gentlemen,” Tbe woman had the manner of a veteran of the green table. ** That woman has been thar before,” declared the mayor of the camp, addressing his remark to Elegant Jo, ‘*T believe you are right,” was the sport’s re- sponse. He spoke in a slightly changed tone, as Dead- wood Dick was quick to note, nay ie Several others now made bets, and the cards being dealt the dealer took the greater amount of them all. While this was going on, Fairy Frank came in, | She stopped short with a start of surprise on seeing her place usurped by such a person as Crazy Sal. ‘““What is the meaning of this?’ she asked, with a smile, ‘Tr meane that you are barred out, Fairy Frank,” responded the mayor, stepping for- ward, ‘*So it seems, has been in the past, anyhow. at this business, “That is plain enough.” ** And it ought to give the means of learning who she really is,” ‘Perhaps we shall be able to find out,” said Elegant Jo, ‘*The poor creature may be re- turning to ber reason again.” ‘I believe itisa sign that sheis, If no one has any objection, I will let her manage the game till sbe tires of it. 1 will back her. Make. your play, gentlemen.” “Make your play, gentlemen,” said the crazy woman. Fairy Frank took her place beside Crazy Sal, to act as recouper, and the game went on. The play commenced in earnest, now, and it soon became ra itty that luck was strongly with the bank. Crazy Sal seemed to be a profit- able dealer. “You had better engage her permanently, Fairy Frank,” suggested the mayor, who was hovering near the gambler queen. Elegant Jo was less attentive than usual, “Perhaps if I did, and the luck continued to run my way too strongly, I should lose custom,” was the smiling response. Deadwood Dick, Old Avalanche and Billy Bucket stood looking on. They were sure of their game, now, but the time was not ripe for them to show their hand. Before they could do: so, if was necessary to have witnesses ready to prove the charge they made, and these witnesses had been sent for. The game was running along as usual, when suddenly Crazy Sal dropped her cards and pressed her hands to her head, The wild look had returned to her eyes, and getting up she moved away from the table with stagzering steps, crying: Save Pha oh! save him! Harry! Save him!” ** Got ’em again,” cried one fellow, ** Bad,” said another. ‘' This settles et fer this time.” It was at that moment that Bob Jeffert en- tered, in quest of the missing woman, Not that be expected to find her there, but he was This proves what Crazy Sal She is no novice Ob! Harry, } qa inquiring everywhere, And on finding her, he conducted her away at once.” ‘What a pity it is,” observed Fairy Frank “that she should be mad, She must have had some great trouble in the past.” ‘*Tt looks that way,” agreed Elegant Jo, taking a place at the table, ‘‘ And now Fairy Frank, that you are going to take the game in hand yourself, I will play. I had no heart to play against Crazy Sal.” ‘* Hope to beat Fairy Frank, do ye?” remarked Mayor MacCraw. ‘Well, Pll play to your opposite, anyhow, and so give the lady the chance to come out even, if luck don’t go against her entirely.” ' ‘*That is very chivalric of you, mayor.” ‘*T mean et, too,” The game had barely begun again when an- other woman entered the room. This time it was the stranger who had arrived by the stage, the Frenchwoman, Madalene Rousseau. She was handsomely attired in a rich gown, a light coat over her shoulders, and the one arm that was in sight was bare save for its long French kid glove. Her appearance made quite a stir in the room, and the more so since she still had on her mask- like vail so that her features were not to be seen. She moved with the air of a queen. When sbe spoke, it was with a charming French accent. ‘*Gentlemen,” she said, ‘‘may I a favor re- quire of you? Would some one do me so ,much happiness, de bonne grace?” Elegant Jo was upon his feet instantly, hat in hand, with the politest of bows, ‘You have only to speak your lightest wish, fair madame,” he said, “Thank you, saire; oh! thank you. You know I bafe been robbed; everything I had was taken. I thought I would try my chances at the game, if some gentleman would do me’so great a favor to advance a small loan—” “Say no more,” interrupted the gallant sport. ‘‘ Here, take my seat and play with my chips, They are yours, madame,” ‘Oh! thanks!” with great delight, ‘‘ But, monsieur, je suis mademoiselle,” «Pardon my mistake, miss,” ‘*It is already done,” was the rejoinder, in sweetest French, From the fact that Elegant Jo appeared to understand, it was taken for granted. that he was acquainted with that language. The woman sat down at the table, took note of the amount of the loan she had received, and began her play. Everybody was interested, of course. Deadwood Dick watched her play, and did not approve of it, ic his mind, but fortune seemed to favor her, forshe won. She played again, with like result, And yet again, the same, ‘“* You are doing well,” complimented Elegant 0. **T am in luck,” was the response. ‘' You can see that Iam not playing with science,” She spoke with that sweet, slight accent which it is not necessary further to reproduce. In fact, it could hardly be done, with justice, “Science has to take a back seat for luck, once in awhile,” Elegant Jo rejoined, Fairy Frank was slightly pale, but dealt tre cards coolly and calmly, calling the play at each turn with even, steady tone, Something was wrong, though, as close ob- servers could see, The looks she cast upon this new-comer were not by any means looks of love, and the remarks the mayor dropped now and again were but coldly received by the pretty banker. The pila of chips in front of the Frenchwoman increased steadily, with only now and thena slight loss, ‘* How much haveI won, saire?’ she presently asked, turning to Elegant Jo. ‘Your pile sums up close to a thousand dol- lars, I guess,” was the answer the sport made.. ‘* And how much of that is due yon?” The sport named the amount of the loan, but added: ‘* Towever, do not mention that; it is all yours, Please accept it as a gift from me,” ‘*Ob! no; I cannot do that, saire, I will now stop, since I have won enough for my present needs. Pray take back what is due you,” She rose as she spoke, and ber manner was so firm that it was not to be mistaken, The sport presented the chips for cashing, and deducting the amount of the loan from the sum peel gave the rest into the masked lady’s and, ‘It isa favor I shall never forget, saire,” she said, in sweet tones. ‘' Would you tell me your name?” “My name is Jo St. John,” was the polite response. ‘**T like the name. Good-night.” ; Pardon’ me,” said the sport quickly, ‘* but will-you not allow me to see you safely to the hotel?” ‘* Would monsieur be so kind? Is it not im- posing too muca—” ‘Tt will be a pleasure to do so,” was the fer- vent interruption. With a polite bow the elegant sport offered his arm, it was taken, and together the couple lefe the place, Mayor MacCraw looked after them with beaming eye. This was something that for the moment gave bim delight. He need not fear Elegant Jo as a rival for the favor of Fairy Frank after this, I shall not forget it, saire. ** Jo has struck a mash, sure,” he cried. ‘‘ That little Frenchy has carried him right off his feet, darn me ef she hasn’t. But, nobody cares, I guess; what do you say, Fairy Frank?” He turned to her, to find her face quite pale indeed, ‘** This game is closed for to-night,” she said, im her cool, even manner, ‘© Closed!” gasped the mayor. ‘Why, what. is the matter, Fairy Frank?” **T do not feel well, that is all, sir. If you de- sire to play longer, or if any one does, I will sell tone bank.” ‘* Play longer!” cried the mayor, ‘‘ Play when the light has gone out? Well, I guess not! If you are done, so am /, May I have the same honor the little Frenchy gave to Jo? May I see ye to the botel?” ‘*I prefer to go alone, sir. Manson,” to one of the employees, ‘‘ sell the bank to the highest. bidder, or close the game at once.” And with that she was gone, leaving the mayor staring after her blankly.” —y CHAPTER XL YET ANOTHER ROBBERY APPEARS, GREAT pestiferous old hambone what dis- Sé¢verated ther caput mortem of old Golliar after David had binged him one in ther gullick!” ejaculated Old Avalanche the irrepressible, ‘*Great meanderin’ signs 0’ eradicatin’ demoli- shun! I wish I was only young and purty like I uster be, and 11] bet I’d come in fer a share o* all this hyer beauty what’s languishin’in dis- tress!” Here was a laugh from the crowd, » **How long is et sence you was that way, young and beautiful?” one fellow inquired. “‘Immortalized hambone what relieved Joner of snakes in ther boots! Mebby ye don’t believe I used ter be purty, Time was when [ could knock corrodin’ spots o’ time off ’n anything 0” my size an’ weight what walked on two pins, fer looks. That’s what's ther matter with ther ma’r hyer; he ain’t young an’ pcoty enough, That dandy patent-leather cuse kev walked off wi? both gals, sure as ye live. He's captured one, an’ other is madder’n a singed rat.” “You mind your own business, old man,” soarled the mayor. ‘* Oh! sartain: didn’t mean ter give no fense. Facts is facts, though, and ye can’t get around ’em nohow. Ther purty card-queen is mad as kin be cause t’other gal went off with her pet pard-elect, and you bet she will give hima bit of her mind when she gits him alone. Youain’t in et, ma’r; great hambone, no!” With an angry growl the mayor left the room, The old scout had come about as close to the truth as he could get, and ajl present seemed to know it, i These departures seemed to take away the in- terest in the gaming-den for Deadwood Dick, su he and Billy went out and returned to the hotel, There the mayor had just met Elegant Jo, Mayor MacCraw looked as dark as a gather- ing storm, but the handsome sport was beaming and happy. : ‘‘Here’s my hand on it, mayor,” he cried, grasping the mayor’s hand and giving it a hearty shake whether he would or not. ‘‘ The field is yours, now.” ‘“What are ye taiking about?” growled the mayor. ‘* Why, about Fairy Frank, of course. I have been sort of chipping in against you there, but oe amdone. You can have it all to your- self, ‘“Yes, dang ycu, after you have done the worst you can!” ‘The worstI can! Doyoucall that the worst?

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role, unless—be trembled at the ray of hope!— Why, man, Iamgiving right up. This French | lady is my ganie, now.” Poy And I reckon she’s Fairy Fravk’s game, too, by ther way sbe went off in a huff ther minnit | you bad gone out, You hev made a mess of et | all around.” Elegant Jo drew a serious face at once. ‘“ Whew!” he whistled. ‘‘Is this so, what | you tell me?” he asked, ‘*Of course it’s so, curse you! You have | come in with that purty face of yourn and step- | ped tween me and ther woman | love, and pow she’s stuck on you. By heavens! I’ve a notion | to spoil your face for you,” The sport stepped back, and a sinister look | came into his eyes. ‘Tf you want to try it on, mayor, don’t waste | any sentiment over me, but go rightin. Since it seems [ have made a conquest of both of them, | Pll take both, if I can get them to agree to such an arrangement.” | And with that, the sport wheeled on his heel | and left the mayor staring after him as he went | to the bar and called for something be liked. The excitement of the evening being over, as they believed, Dick and Billy retired to their room. Being friends, they had arranged to occupy | the same room, “Well, what do you think of things in general | and other things in particular?’ Billy asked, | when they were alone, “T think there is going to bea ruction here be- fore long,” answered the Prince of the West. | ‘* For one thing, I am glad to see the mayor and | Elegant Jo at outs, That will come iu nicely.” ‘* How so?” ‘Well, as it was, they were friendly, but now the mayor will be against the sport, and when we brivg things up with a round turn he will be the more easily convinced of the truth.” ‘*“'That’s so. But, I don't see bow you can help | pluggin’ the fellow, Dick. 1 fairly itched to get | hold of him, afterall you bad told me about | him.” **T can wait—I must wait, at hand when I act.” I must bave proof | ““That’s so, Well, you will have help at hand, such as it is, for Old Avalanche and me’s ready - to wade right in when you give the signal,” **And you want to take care that you don’t we wade to your death, Billy. He is a desperate character.” ‘“* We'll take that out of bim, I’m thinkiv’,” Next morning there was excitement in the camp. ; Posted up in a score of places about the camp th was a notice, neatly printed on heavy card, lt was like this: “WARNING, “To Rep Roy:—You are hereby given due warn- ing that your career isabout at an end, I am upon our track, and you are mine. There is no escape or you, so prepare to meet your doom, ** Avenger of Deapwoop Dick, Jr.” When Deadwood Dick’s attention was called to it, as it was by Old Avalanche, in a quiet way, Dick marveled greatly, | No one he could think of could be playing this unless it was Kate, who, somehow, had escaped the fiood on that terrible night, But the hope died out when he remembered the horrors of that night, the wild scream be had heard from the horses and from her, and the plunge into the mad waters, No; it were useless to dream of that, “Great refrigerated old hambone!” cried Old Avalanche, as he had a chance to speak to Dick for a moment. “ Whatd’ye make out of et, Dicky!” Ohh. “T simply give it up,” answered Dick, “It is none of my doing, and I can’t guess who bas done it.” ** Et shows ye hev a friend somewhar; by ther ragin’ tempestuous cantankaranis o° devas- tatin’ demolishun, et does!” “Yes; there is anotber foe in the field against the rascal, and I sbould like to know who it is. Bat, we are not likely to find out, for being bold | enough to post notices like this, he is not going to give himself away.” _“f opine you are right, Dicky, boy, every time.” ‘*Do you s’pose he has got the rascal singled out?” questioned Billy Bucket, “ Hard to tell,”answered Dick, ‘If he has, I don’t know how he got his clew, for the fellow is playing his part mighty weil.” ‘ “Great hambone c’ perdishun what guzzled Joner in ther gullick! what’s ther matter with ther ma’r? See how he’s takin’ on, will ye? } Think Vl drop down thar an’ take in ther sar- cus,” The mayor was in front of the Rosebud Saloon, where he was’ brandishing his fists in a wild way, and, as far as could be noted, “ going for ” | his chief of police in a very roughshod manner, | Something had goue wrong somewhere, that was evident, Dick and Billy had been for a stroll up the gulch, and returning, had met the old scout, Old Avalanche hastened off ahead of them, | they following more leisurely, Mayor MacCraw had enough to make him act wildly. During the night there had been another visitation from Red Roy! This time he had raided the Rosebud Saloon, opening the safe where Fairy Frank kept her | Capital, and making a clean sweep of every- thing, No wonder the mayor * howled.” “Then how in blazes did he get in hyer?” he was demanding, as Old Avalanche came within hearing distance, ‘**T don’t know,” confessed the chief, Waldon. ‘*My men were doin’ their duty all right, as wey have told ye, an’ et’s a big mystery to us all,’ ** Yes, I should say it wasa mystery. Your men have been asleep, that’s what the mystery | ig.” ‘* No,” they protested, one and all, ‘not oneof us has slept a single wink all night. We done fair and square duty, boss.” ‘“*Then how is et that ye don’t know of any- thing that’s been going on? Hyer is another thing, too; bow did these notices get posted up all over town? Don’t any of ye know anything about that?” Not a soul of them did, “ That’s more proof of what I say,” the mayor raved. ‘Ef ye hadn’t been all asleep some one would ’a’ seen the cuss what put up these cards, even if ye didn’t see nobody enter the saloon,” “But, I tell ye they wasn’t asleep,” cried Hank, in defense of his men, ‘I was out twicet during the nigbt, and every man of ’em was at his post both times, Besides they ar’ men ye hain’t got no reason ter doubt, MacCraw. Every one of ’em is picked.” “And you say the trails were well guarded all night?’ ** All of ’em, in ther best manner.” ** And no stranger came in or went out?” ‘* Nary a one, sir,” “Then the truth is plain: the fellow has a secret way in nnd out from here, the same as oo had at the Butte. What do you say, Elegant of fs It looks that way,” answered the sport, ‘* but ere is no handy bluff with a cavern in it here, such as they say he made use of there, is there? | I don’t see how it has been done,” “Great bamione what consolidiferated on ther stummick of old Jonér and kerflummuxed bis diarframm!” cried Old Avalanche, chipping in with the rest, ‘Et hits me bard in a tender spot that et is plain enough when ye git on yer specks ter look at et clus enough.” “What do you know about et?” cried the mayor, — ‘Ravishin’ tempests what devastated ther gardens 0’ Babylon! What do I know ‘bout et? I don’t know anything about et, but | kin pot two an’ two together an’ sum ’em up straight every time. Ef ther guard was on duty, an’ they swear they war; an’ ef they done their duty right, an’ et’s ter be supposed they did; then ther cuss must be right byer in ther camp)” ‘By heavens! there may be something in that,” cried the sport, **T hadn’t looked mayor, thoughtfully, In the heat of the excitement he had forgotten for the moment that he and Elegant Jo were at ‘‘outs” with each other, . He had appealed to Jo for his opinion, and that had given the sport the privilege, so to say, to offer whatever suggestion he might think worth offering, “That's jest what I say,” cried Avalanche. **Great hambone, that’s what I’m sboutin! See ther game he played at ther Butte, ’cordin’ to all tell. Wouldn’t he be jest as smart hyer as he was thar?) Wull, I should say cats fer kittens! Not that I mean ter ’spect any one; bambone, no! but J was jest callin’ tention to things in gen’ral,” “T agree with you,” declared Elegant Jo, ‘He must be here, somewhere; but who is he?” ‘* Give et up.” ‘“You see, it is not likely that he would ap- pear in the same guise twice, and for that rea- son there is no telling how heis disguised,” the sport added, at et that way,” said the Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dark Days. Re Deadwood Dick and Billy Bucket had now come up, and bad heard the Jastfew remarks, Fairy Frank was standing at the door of the: saloon, very pale, Sbe had gone to her safe for some purpose or other, and discovering that it had been rifled, had reported to the mayor; and the mayor, in order to gain her regard, was putting on extra steam in the matter, : ‘Well, he ain’t likely ter come and tell us: who he is,” the mayor philosophized, ‘and we ain’t likely to get him till we find some clew first; and in the mean time thar is somethin” else of importance that must be seen to,” ‘* What’s thar?” asked one, ‘“ Why, Fairy frank has been robbed of all the money she had, and she can’t carry on her business. You all know how fair and square a. game she has always carried on, and it’s no- more than just that we should help ber to get another start. Now, how many will chip inf I will give two dollars for every one that is raised,” ‘Hyer’s with ye!” cried one fellow who had been lucky at the game. ‘An’ hyer, too!” another followed imme- diately, ‘* But hyer’s one what ain’t,” sung out another voice, “Fairy Frank hev scooped in too many o’my dollars a’ready. She’s no better ter go» wi’out ’n I be.” ‘** Allow me to’makea suggestion,” spoke up» the elegant sport. CHAPTER XII, REASON DAWNING, THE sport made a pause, to gain attention to» what he had to say, and by the time he spoke: everybody was ready to bear him. They want- ed to know what he had to offer that was better’ than the mayor’s plan, ‘* Mv idea is this,” he said: “it is the right. thing to help Fairy Frank, and Iam more tham willing to do so; but, I think a private loan would suit her much better than a general and. public gift. The very nature of her business. would make it so, I should think,” ae woman stepped forward to speak for her-- 8e . “Elegant Jo is right,” she said, ‘In money” matters, it is my hand against every man’s, and I should not want to take any man’s movey anid then win more from him on top of it, He would feel injured in a double sense, The feeling those» who are losers have for me has just been well. expressed, No; I prefer not to have it so I. wil] take a loan, paying interest, and so maxe it a matter of business and not of sentiment.” ‘*T thought so,” said the sport, “Well, by darn, if that is your choice I’m the man to lend to you,” cried the mayor, ‘ And the interest won’t be very high, either,” “IT shall expect to pay as muchas any one,» sir, or I will not borrow, neither from you n ® from any one else,” “Well, have your own way about it, then,, but consider my pocketbook open wide to you,. all the time,” ‘Thank you, sir.” “And I'll bring you any amount you want, to» the extent of my pile, Fairy Frank, Don’t be backward about saying bow much.” ““T will see you later regarding that, sir. But, meantime, please do all you can toward. finding out the robber and recovering my own. from him, if it is possible, I am heavily in- jured, ii that is lost.” The mayor gave his promise in emphatic terms, and the woman drew outof the crowd. and disappeared, ‘Yes, this byer thing has gone about far enough,” the mayor exploded once more, then, “Red Roy has got to be run down and cap~ tured, or we may as well sbut up shop here,” “* An’ what about this hyer feller what adver- tises ter avenge Deadwood Dick?” inquired one» man. ' “ That's soniething that has set me to thinkin’,” declared the mayor. “I sent for Deadwood Dick a good while ago, to come here and try his: hand against Red y, and I have reason to. think he started; but, he never got bere; ieast- ways I never seen him if he did. And now this thing seems to say that he has gone under, [ tell ye what it is, men of Royal Flush, there is. something going on under ther surface here, and I’m betting on it,” ‘That seems plain enoygh,” agreed Elegant: Jo. ‘But, if this avenger bas any clew to the robber, he is foolish not to take you in with him,, and so have the benefit of thehelp of your men, Don’t you think so?” ‘I sartainly do, And, I hereby proclaim to» him, if he is within hearing of my voice, that %

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12 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dark Days. will give him support and help at any time he may want it, though I would rather he’d take me into the thing with him, so that I could act koowingly about it.” ** And here, too,” chimed in the chief of police, *“*T need not say that I am ready and willing ‘to do my. part,” said thesport. ‘*I thought of making an offer personally, but did not want to ross you, mayor.” ‘* What are you talkin’ about?” ‘* Well, in that last remark I referred to the loav, which I was still thinking about.” “Ob! I see. But, it is not likely the lady would have accepted. I am in regular business, and she would naturally come to me.” The excitement did not abate readily. Tvat Red Roy could not be far away was posi- ‘tive, as tbe robbery proved, and that he was in the camp was altogether probable, But, who was he? That was a question not su easily answered. They gave it up. Still, the meant to know, if it was possible to neeaeth him, and in order to stimulate men to the hunt, the mayor doubled the reward he had previous- ly offered. The police, or Vigilantes, were dismissed with instructions to be on band again for duty at dark, and the mayor repaired to his office. There another surprise awaited him. On his he was a communication which read as fol- ows: ** Mayor MacCraw:— “When this falls isto your hands it will be too late for you to search further for me, for I shall be miles on my way to afresh stamping ground. Sorry to part with you so soon, but ! guess I have made all [can out of you, and it has the appearance of getting pretty warm for me here. * Very sincerely yours, “Rep Roy.”’ The mayor raved around again like a crazy man, Here the rascal was beyond his reach, and ‘there would now be little chance of his ever see- ing the stolen money again. When he had worn off the keen edge of his ‘Tage, be went out and made public the message he had received, and many a person in that camp drew a breath of relief to know the rascal ‘was gone, But, had be gone? We shall see, During the day Elegant Jo was seen much in ‘the company of Madalene Rousseau, the French- woman, She still wore ber impenetrable vail, which must bave been a source of great annoyance to him, for naturally he would have much curiosity to see her face. They seemed to enjoy each other’s company greatly, nevertheless, and it was plain to the east observing that the woman did not try in = measure to keep out of the sport’s way. eaadwood Dick was one of the most observing regarding this, and it puzzled him not a little, e came to the conclusion that the woman was no stranger to the sport, as she appeared to be, but that they were working together for some purpos, The day passed, and evening, with its usual rousing up of activity, came around, ‘* Are you going to the Rosebud again?” asked Billy Bucket of Dick. “Tl am going to keep my eyes on this couple,” was the answer, indicating the sport and the French woman. They were then seated on the piazza of the hotel, and Elegant Jo was paying all the atten- ‘tions a devoted lover could show, ** What do you think of ’em?” asked Billy. ‘One of two things, Billy. ‘** W bat’s them?” ‘‘ Hither they are playing a game, as I think ‘most probable, or the woman has captivated him in earnest,” “It looks so, that’s true. S’pose I try to get on to what they are talking about.” ‘No use, here and now, Billy. That fellow is too keen for you, and he would ‘tumble to you in short order,” ‘*‘ Pl chanee it, if you say so.” ** No; don’t,” It was only a minute later when the couple rose and set out in the direction of the Rose- ‘bud Saloon, ‘We'll go there, too,” said Dick. ‘“‘ They are going around by the rear way, so we'll go in the front, Come along, Billy.” They crossed the street, and just as they were about entering they saw the crazy woman, Crazy Sal, coming hurriedly up from the diree- ition of the Jeffert shanty. " ** Sue’s coming here again,” said Dick, quietly, 5 ie is going to be some fun before long, / i They entered the place, It was the same scene they had witnessed on. the previous night, and they made their way at once to the gaming-room, Here was the usual crowd, and Elegant Jo and MadaJene Rousseau bad taken seats at the faro-table, awaiting the coming of the pretty banker, Justas Dick and Billy Bucket entered at one door, Crazy Sal came in at the other. She smiled to the crowd, with a bow, and took her place at the table with a queenly air. Elegant Jo was seen to give a glance of dis- gust in her direction, and made a move as if to rise, but the Frenchwoman detained him. “It is the woman you told me about, saire?” she asked in low tone. ‘‘ What need it matter? Sit sill and we will play with her for fun until the regular banker comes.” This was said with her charming accent, which the rascal seemed powerless to resist, and ke settled down. There was a dark look upon his face, however. With less regard for recognition than he had bad on the previous evening, Deadwood Dick took a place near the table, where he could ob- serve everything, He saw ata glance that the light of reason was clearer in the crazy woman’s eyes than it bad been on the previous night. She took charge of the table with more of her old man- ner, ‘* Make your play, gentlemen,” she said. The Frenchwoman put some chips on one of the cards, one or two others followed her ex- ample, and the game was begun. With her usual luck, the Frenchwoman won, and the dealer reached for chips with which to pay her loss, They were not at band, and she looked vexed, Turning around, she called the name of one of the men who had been in ber employ when she was known as Queen of Hearts, and was pre- prietress of the Palace Saloon at Basalt Butte. There was no response, and sbe called again, Now thoroughly vexed, she excused herself to the players and rose to wait upon herself. She started in the direction which, in the old place, would have led to'the saloon proper, but which, bere, took her to one of the walls where there was no door, Reaching the wall, she groped for tre door for a moment, like a person in the dark, then pressed ber hand to her head and looked around in a dezed manner. The blank look had re- turned, and now she cried out: ** Save bim, oh! save him!” ‘* Mon Dieu! how pitiful it is!” cried the Frenchwomapn. ‘It is too bad they allow her to come here,” declared the sport. ‘I will see that they are more watchful of her.” Fairy Frank entered just then, and taking in the situation, directed one of her men about the saloon to take the woman home, This was done, and the game was opened regularly. The mayor was on hand shortly after the ar- rival of the gambler queen, as attentive as ever, and the evening went off without further excite- ment, The Frenchwoman was as lucky as ever, and rose from the tuble a considerable winner. Was she playing for business or pastime? CHAPTER XIII. DEADWOOD DICK IN DEEP DOUBT. On the following morning the dandy sport made it his business to see Mrs, Jeffert regard- ing the crazy woman, It was a shame, be told her, that the woman should be permitted to leave the house at night, to visit such a place as the saloon. To which Mrs. Jeffert pleaded that it was not wholly her fault, since she could not watch the woman every minute. ‘*T have taken some interest in this woman,” Elegant Jo declared, ‘‘and I will make it an object to you to see that sbe does not come there again. That woman hasa history, I am sure, and we should take the best of care of her and give her a chance to regain her reason.” ‘* Seems to me her reason is comin’ back,” said Mrs, Jeffert, ‘* What makes you think that?” ‘‘ Why, she don’t go on like she did, and once in awhile she wi!) talk quite right. ‘** What does she bave to say?” “Oh, not very much; but seems to think she is talking to the one she calls Harry.” ‘* Well, maybe she will come all right. Any- how, here is extra money for you, and perhaps it will pay you for the trouble of being a little more watchful of her. See that sbe does not come to the saloon again, at any rate.” ‘*T will do the best I can, sir,” That is all I ask. Not that it is anything to me, you know, but somebody must make it his business to look after the poor soul a little.” And with that Mr, St. John took his leave, ‘*Not that it’s anything to you, eh?’ mut- tered Billy Bucket as he at the same time moved away from a window where he had list- ened. ‘And as to lookin’ after the poor soul, we'll do that, you bet.” Mrs, Jeffert did not see Billy, as she was look- ing after the retreating figure of the elegant sport, and from him to the figure on the bill he bad left in ber hand. She drew back into the house, shaking her head in a knowing way aoe Sees the money and putting it in her ocket, PM He ain’t takin’ all this interest fer nothin’,” she mused. ‘‘ He might ’a’ made me think so if he badn’t paid me money, but I know he knows somethin’ about this crazy woman, I wonder what she bas been to him? I’m going to keep my ears open and find out.” Billy Bucket strolled leisurely to the hotel, where be found Dick in his favorite seat on the piazza. ‘‘ What have you been up to now?” asked Dick. “Why?” queried Billy, “T saw you shadowing the sport, at long range, and then you closed up suddenly when he disappeared down yonder,” ““Mighty little you don’t see, I guess, I thought I was doing that right up in bigh G.” ‘* You were doing it well enough, but I saw what you were at. What did you follow him for?” ! ‘“*T wanted to see what he was.up to, and I found out. He’s been down to see that woman who takes care of Crazy Sal, and he’s made it right with her to keep Sal away from the saloon.” ‘“‘Ha! itis worth something to know that. I shall have tosee the man Jeffert, and see what can be done on the otherhand. Jeffert rules the roost, and a counterbalance fee will probably work things to suit us.” “You bet it will. And then to-night you are going to open on the cuss, are you not?” ‘* Yes; if the men from Basalt Butte get here, and 1 hope they will.” **So do I; I’m just dyin’ to see the fun!” ‘* It may not be funny for some of us, Billy, if the fellow gets a ghost of acbance. I warn you in time to look out for his poppers.” ‘¢1’]] look out for them, and him, too. If we three, you, me, and Old Avalanche, can’t round him up, then it will be queer.” ‘*Oh! we shall get bim, but_ we may get some- thing else at the same time. It is that I mean,” ‘Well, we'll look out for him, and he won’t get much of a show,” As usuel, Elegant Jo, and the Frenchwoman were seen much together, and the sport seemed to be completely infatuated with his incognita, It was after dinner when they were seated on the piazza, that Deadwood Dick managed to overhear something of their talk together. He was in the hotel parlor, with the blinds closed. ‘““When may I hope to have the pleasure of beholding your face?’ the sport was heard to ask, He spoke in low tone, but they were near the window, and Dick heard plainly. . ‘‘ It may be a pleasure that will bring with it disappointment,” was the reply, with the wo- man’s charming accent. ‘¢ And how a disappointment?” ‘““Why, men admire beautiful women, and you may find that I am far from being beauti- ful.” ‘*T cannot believe that, And even if it be so, your excellence of character and charm of man- ner will make up for it all.” “You think so?” “Ido. But permit me to see and judge.” ‘No, no; not now; some other time I will re- move the vail,” , ‘‘ And when is.that time to be? I am impa- tient. [am tempted to remove it myself with a quick movement which you could not binder,” “Do not do it,” was the firm warning, “If you did that, all would be at an end between us, Perbaps I may be able to grant you your request to-night. I do not promise, however,” “Then I will wait. But there is surelv a reason for your wearing a mask, is there not?” ‘There is a reason, saire; I would not wear it were there not, But, do not ask me now what it is, I will tell you soon, ‘Very well, I will not press you.” “There is a person who may be here whom [ do not want to see me. When that person is no longer in the way, then I will appear as my natural self.” ‘* And who is the person?” se — — _—— i.

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. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dark D ays. 13 “‘T cannot tell you that, now. You shall | serkated old hambone o’ demolishun! et put a know soon.” ‘Very well, I will not press you to tell me, for I would not incur your displeasure.” “‘T hope you will not do so, truly, But, can we not go fora walk? Not far, you know; just for a stroll, as we did yesterday. I was delight- ed. The sport responded gallantly, and they left the piazza, ; Deadwood Dick was puzzled. He could not make out what this woman’s object was, One thing was now plain, and that was, that they were strangers to each other, and not part- ners, as he had half suspected. That view removed, it was narrowed down to— But, speculation was'so useless that he gave it up, and sauutering out, took bis accustomed seat on the piazza. He watched the sport and the woman as they went up the gulch, and the more he thought of the matter the more it baffled him, Either the woman was really taken with the sport, or she was playing him for a purpose, When the afternoon stage came in it brought a good many strangers, mostly men, among whom was one big fellow with busby hair, but with a face shaved clean, He was clad in the oddest of suits, too, He wore a white shirt without any collar, and along black coat that looked like some priest’s cast-off. His trowsers were of the roughest sort, and clung to the lower part of his legs with a fold, showing tbat they had been long worn in “sot A pair of shoes now incased the fellow’s eet, Looking about bim, as if tosee if he recognized anybody, he went into the house with the others, When he registered it was as—‘* Tug: Bartin, of Cheyenne.” He was a man of few words, and seemed to be alone. Most of the others were in pairs, so to sa . Nieadwroad Dick entered the bar-room present- ly, and after looking over the crowd singled this big fellow out and spoke to him. they drew aside at once, ‘Great storm-king!” the stranger exclaimed, in low tone, ‘‘is this you?” ‘It is what's left of ane, at any rate,” assured Dick. ‘I came pretty near getting used up, 1 tell you.” *“*T should say ye did, by the livin’ Jupiter! But, ye tell me ye bave got ther cuss dead to rights now. Who is be and where is he?” ‘Yes, we have him now. But, you must be careful about these pet phrases of yours, or you will give yourself away, Take care not to use them at ail. You would be recognized at once.” “On! I'll be keerful; no one can overhear us, and I won't use em when I’m speakin’ louder,” “ All right, take care you don’t. Now, I'll give you the points.” Thereupon Dick gave a brief Sept of the case, bringing it down to the moment, disclosing all he knew of the matter. He outlined, too, his plan of action, “ Great—flip-flaps!” Mr, Bartin exclaimed. ‘You see we have got bim tight.” “I should say ye had! Ef we don’t make him weep I miss my Op that is all.” They did not talk a great while together, not wanting to attract attention, but presently parted and were not seen to speak to each other again. Dick next sought an interview with Old Avalanche, on the quiet. This was easily arranged, and no one tould suspect, for Dick was rapidly making friends in the camp, and it was only natural that he should talk to men who spoke to him, “Great be are au’ Overpowerin’ signs o’ meanderin’ demolishun!” the old fellow ex- claimed, ‘Thar is gore on ther moon, Dick boy, sure as ye live, Great antaggernistick old hambone, yes!” “ What do you mean?” asked Dick, “Jest what I say. That ’ar lettle Frenchy woman ar’ jest a tiger! Herclaws ar’ hid under ther softest kind o’ velvet, but they ar’ long an’ erp zou kin bet on’t.” ** Well, Alva, explain what you mean,” Dick well knew the old scout had found out something, and was eager to learn what it was, “ Wall, I was up ther gulch thar, sort o’ rumi- natin’ on things in geueral and other things in p'tic’lar, when leetle Frenchy meandered up that way alone. Mebby ye seen her.” ‘?- Yes; I know she went up that way.” ‘¢ Hambone! but et makes me feel creepy yet, ther way she said et! Ye see, I was behind a bowlder, next to ther crick, an’ sbe couldn’t see me. She stopped thar, and lookin’ all around, she begun ter pray—actooly pray! Great resus- lump in my throat ter hear her!” ‘*You astonish and ivterest me, Avalanche,” said Dick, ‘* What did she pray about?” *That’s ther pint, as ther bumblebee said in ther wind, that et’s so mighty ‘portant: whether she’s thar or whether she ain’t?” “Pll tell you. I don’t know how much your wife hag received, but I will give you aneven bundred dollars if you will see to it that she has when he probed his stinger into ther Injun; | the chance—” and ther Injuo allowed he seen et, mention no names, but she got right down ter biz; hambone, yes! She prayed mostly fer She didn’t | es Bay no more, sir; I’m your cheese!” “ Allright. You see, and you must keep this perfectly quiet. It is thought this Crazy Sal is strength an’ courage ter carry out Ler plans, | Red Roy’s former companion, and it is believed whatever they was, Then when she got up | that her presence at the saloon will be the means she raised her hand to heaven and took a vow that made my old blood run cold, Et did: sigus o’ demolishun, yes!” ‘* And what was her oath?” ‘* Bt was to ther fect, sum an’ substance, that somebody bad ter pass in his chips’fore ther game would close, Ter tell ther truth, I was that shooken up that I can’t remember ther words of et, but et let me see that ther gal ain’t ther purrin’ leetle kitten she seems ter be, not by a good deal, She’s got claws under them ’ar velvet paws, as I said afore; hambone, es!” Deadwood Dick was thoughtful. Who and what could this strange woman be? What was the wrong she had to avenge? Was Red Roy her prey? He questioned Old Avalanche further, but the old scout had told all ve could tell, and could not gratify his curiosity. Another thought struck Dick, however, and he asked: ‘One thing more, Alva; did the woman still have that French accent when she prayed, and when she made her desperate vow, and you have told me about?” ‘* Great original old hambone!” the old fellow cried, “I never thort of that, Dicky, boy. ‘* She didn’t, not a tall; she talked jest as good es States as you kin talk yerself; hambone, yes Dick strode abruptly away. Was it possible? Could it be possible! Could it be that this was Kate, bis lost wife, in disguise? He decided not; and yet— No, no, itcould not be. That thought had come to him before, and he had watched the woman too closely to be deceived, Who, then, was she? CHAPTER XIV. A THRILLING REVELATION, — Op Avalanche looked after Dick fora mo- ment in amazement, and started after him. He did not know what to make of such conduct as this, on the part of his protege. What had he done to Dick? He would see about it! He soon overtook him, and laying bold upon his arm, exclaimed: ‘*Great bamboozled hambone o’ degenerate days! what’s ther matter, Dicky? I reckon ye forgot ter say good-by, didn’t ye?” ‘*Pardon me, old friend,” was Dick’s answer. ‘A sudden tkought seized me, and I was over- come. But, I have work for you to do, if I haven’t offended too greatly.” ‘“Sarcumventin’ cataracks o’ thunderin’ de-) struction! Dicky, I was only foolin’, What- ever ye have fer me ter do, jest out with et, and I’m yer orderly; bambone, es!” “Allright. Well, I want you to Jook or that man, Bob Jeffert, on the quiet, and tell him I want to see him at the hotel. Tell him to come as if just happening along, and to stop and speak to me rather by accident than by design, Be sure no one overhears you.” “ All ‘right, Dicky, you kin trust ther great original fer that.” So, Avalanche went off, and Dick took his place on the piazza, where he bad bathed in the sun for many an hour and seen his strength grow witb each hour that . Just before supper-time Bob Jeffert came along. He shamblui down the street, and was pass- ing the piazza when he looked up, as if by chance, and on seeing Dick, paused to inquire: ‘Well, sick man, how ’re ye comin’ on?” He had played his part well. “‘T am gaining slowly I think,” was the an- swer, ‘‘ Step up here for a moment; I would like to speak to you.” cen stepped up the steps and leaned against ‘*T want you to do a favor for me,” said Dick, quietly, “I will pay you well, and it is very simple and easily done.” “What is et” ‘““T want you to fix things so that Crazy Sal can get out of the house to-night and come to the saloon again, It is very important, and you will not regret it.” ‘Thunder! my wife has been paid a’read fer keepin’ her in so’s she can’t get thar, What's | | of eels him out, I take you to be a square fellow, Mr, Jeffert, and I know you lost by the robbery of MacCraw’s bank and would like to get even—” ‘Nuff said, sir. Dll do anything that prom- ises to bring Red Roy to account, and I’m mum, too. But, who are you?” ‘*May I trust you? Will you keep the secret. to yourself alone?” “7 will, P swear et.” Dick had already given him the money, on the sly. ‘“* Well, Iam Deadwood Dick, Junior, There, now, say nothing, but saw wood.” Dick waved the fellow off, with that, and Jef- fert went, looking back once or twice, as if hardly able to believe he had heard aright, and. after him ata safe distance went Billy Bucket, to see that he kept the agreement, The Rosebud Saloon was ablaze with light, and the night’s excitement and round of dissipa- tion was beginning. Dancing, drinking and card-playing were the order of things; there is little of importance be- sides, in your wild, booming camp, when the orb of day has withdrawn bis revealing counte- nance, Deadwood Dick, Old Avalanche, Billy Bucket,. the stranger from Cheyenoe—Tug Bartin, an others with whom we have to do were in the gaming-room, The mayor, too, was on hand, but Fairy Frank had not yet put in her appear- ance, either had Madalene Rousseau and Elegant Jo. The place was well filled, as if everybody seem- ed to know, intuitively, that something out of the usual order was about to take place, Somehow there seemed to be a bush about the: place, like that attending a funeral, or the wait 1n a court-room when the jury is about to appear to announce its decision upon a great case, This was felt and noticed by everybody, and some few tried to break the spell by hilarious: remarks, but it was a failure. The rear door opened, and into the place came Elegant Jo, eile the mysterious French- woman vailed as usual, Their coming seemed to bring new life into the room, and they took their places at the table cheerfully. “ Just,this time, I will try my luck, saire,” re- marked the Frenchwoman, with a light laugh ‘*and then that must be the last time. I sha lose my head if I do not stop,” “Time enough to stop whet luck turns,” re- sponded Jo, ‘* Not before.” They chatted on, the woman as merry, seem- ingly, as possible, and her sweet, French accent lent a charm to all she said, The door opened again, and in came—Crazy” With an angry imprecation Elegant Jo sprung to his feet, and would have left the table had not his companion caught his hand and de- tained him. P “How foolish of you! she chided. ‘‘ Do not ae my evening’s pleasure, the last 1 am to ave. “ Curse it!” he cried, “I am tired of playing with a mad womanfor dealer!” With her bow as before, Crazy Sal bad swept to her place, and the sport sat down, resting his. head on bis fingers carelessly. a ‘“‘ Make your play, gentlemen! The voice was like that of the Queen of Hearts of old, and Elegant Jo tried to avert his face still more from her. Fairy Frank entered at that moment. At sight of Elegant Jo and the Frenchwoman. her face clouded, ne ‘“Make your play, Spe the crazy woman repeated, and this time she scanned the faces around the table, : “Are you not going to play to-night, Hand- some Harry?” she inquired, looking straight at. Elegant Jo. “ Surely, you are not afraid of the j ” nthe sport’s face was pale, but he laughed lightl id She mistakes me for some one else,” he said aside, ‘Shall I humor her and see what it will

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14 «come to? It may be the means of finding out something more about her. IT try it anyhow.” The woman looked at him wonderingly, not able to understand this unusual action, ‘“* Why, no; [do not mistake, Harry,” she said. “*T know you well enough, Whoisthis with you? ‘W hat do you mean by saying that I mistake you for some one else? Why, everybody here knows “you are Handsome Harry Stacey, the sport.” ‘* Great convarted old bambone of ther gar- dens 0’ Babylon!” sung out Old Avalanche, just then. ‘Great ring-tailed an’ twisted tokens of epperdemmick demolisbun! Ain’t that ther mame of ther cuss they proved ter be Red Roy, -over ter Basalt Butte? Et hits me bard—” There wasa buzz in the room, and the sport was upon his feet in a second. ‘* Keep cool, gentlemen,” besaid, ‘‘ keep cool, mow! I begin to see into this thing. This wom- “an must be the one who was with Red Roy there sat the Butte, and she now mistakes me for him, It is plain, don’t you think so? We are coming ‘to light, now, I think,” ** Dissected old bambone what made Joner jump fer joy!” cried Old Avalanche, This byer begins ter get interestin’, dog my cats ef et don’t! Hyer this woman calls ther sport Handsome Harry, which is just ther same as callin’ him ‘Red Roy an’ be done wi’ et; and et bits me hard iin ther gullick that he’d orter show up ther proof who he is,” ** That’s so,” chimed in another, one who was not too friendly with the sport, The giant stranger, Tug Bartin, with another fellow almost as big as himself was behind the “sport and witbin easy reach of him, **Old man, you have got too much to say,” -cried Elegant Jo, now pale to the lips. ‘* Am I to be accused upon the mere fancy of a woman who is known to be crazy? I appeal to the loyal men of this camp. Gentlemen, allow me to es- . ecort this lady back to the botel, and I will then give you all the proof you can ask.” ‘* Please permit me to say one word,” request- eed the Frenchwoman, quietly rising from ber seat, ‘I think I can svttle this question, for I happen to know who this gentleman really is.” The sport cast.a quick look at her, but she gave him no sign, ; ‘* Ladies to ther front, allus,” said Old Ava- jJanche. ‘' Nobody kin deny ye ther right ter toot yer dainty bugle, Topine. Let’s hear from ye, leetle Frenchy.” The woman haG ®rench accent. Elegant Jo bad his bands in position ready to «drop them upon weapons, if occasion required, Deadwood Dick had noted this, and a quiet sign from him caused Tug Bartin and the man Paced him to move yet nearer, A climax was at dand, ‘*T have said tbat I know the gentleman,” the woman went on, ‘‘and I am ready to prove it, Permit me to lift my vail, that you may see my face, for to some of you I am no stranger.” With her words she put ber bands to her head, and the next moment the vail dropped. At the same time her arm shot out toward Elegant Jo’s face, and a derringer was in her grip, she having taken the weapon from jer wcoil of hair ! The sport grew perfectly aghast, and stepped ‘back, but the weapon was held straight at his head, and the woman’s voice rung out, now in the best of English, and in a tone of deepest ‘hatred. * Yes, 1 know the gentleman /” shecried, ‘I know him to be the outlaw, Red Roy, thief, sassassin, and ten times a murderer! Only a month ago ke murdered my husband, Deadwood Dick, Junior, and [ took upon myself the vow to Tun him to earth,and I have! Move one finger, “you detestable cut-threst, and you are a dead “man, as you should have been long ago!” spoken with her delicate CHAPTER XV. TRE TANDEM TEAM TRIUMPHS, How portray the excitement of the moment? It was she, Kodak Kate; the brave, noble and meerless Kate! ‘ : A cry of joy escaped from Deadwood Dick at “the revelation, and he sprung forward, _ Already the outlaw—for Elegant Jo and Red “Roy were one—bad tried to draw his weapons, ‘but, at a signal from Dick he had been seized ‘behind, and was helpless in the grasp of Tug Bartin, his helper, and others. ““Kodak Kate!” was the cry. And imme- «diately after— : ‘* Deadwood Dick!” Seeing the rascal ‘safe, Dick caught Kate to %is breast and kissed her fondly, regardless of mthe crowd, Deadwood Dick, JITZ8;;: Dark Days. ** Heavens!” be cried. Kate—alive and well?” ‘** And is it you, my husband?” cried she, have mournec you as dead. are alive!” The outlaw was raving and struggling, de- claring his innocence and pleading for a chance to prove who he was, His struggles were vain, however. ‘*Great storm-king!” cried one of the captors, ‘*don’t ye s’pose we know ye? I reckon we do, then; by ther living jingo, yes! This cuss is me outlaw, me chiidrun, and don’t ye doubt it ‘Rah fer our side!” cried Old Avalanche. ** Hip, bip, hurrah! Hambone!” Fairy Frank stood pele and trembling, looking at the prisoner with eyes wildly dilated, The crazy woman, *‘ Crazy Sal,” the Queen of Hearts of the preceding story, bad risen, excited, and now was off in one of ber spells again. “This is what I like ter see,” cried Billy Bucket, ‘‘ We have got tbe bulge on ye, my fine laddy, and you bet there won’t be any fool- ishness now, ou have been bagged at last.” Impossible to quote all that was said. In spite of his protests, the outlaw had been securely bound, and was now forced down upon a chair, “Thar he is, citizens o’ Royal Flush!” cried Tug Bartin,. ‘‘ Thar is no mistake, fer J know him! Iam Mayor Archibald Grimm, of Basalt Butte, minus my big whiskers—that’s who I am, avd I am here after this very cuss!” Men and women had packed into the room until it was jammed, and the excitement was at a white heat. Nothing like it had the camp of Royal Flush ever seen before, Deadwood Dick got upon tbe faro table, motioned the crowd to silence, and as soon as he could be heard, spoke, ‘* Citizens,” said be, ‘‘ there is no mistake, as Mayor Grimm of Basalt Butte has assured. This man is Red Roy, the Oregon Outlaw. A month or more ago, on that terrible night, I was coming to this place with my wife in response to a coir bad received from your mayor, when this villain met us in the canyon, shot at me, aud then engaged me, band to hand, We were armed with knives, but he bad ona steel shirt and [ found it impossible to harm him, while he cut me up in a horribie manner and left me for dead. But, you did not kill me, you knave! and I had registered a vow to run you down if it took a lifetime to do it! ‘* No, I was not dead, and I was found and rescued by my old friend Avalanche, who was also the friend of the original Deadwood Dick before me, He nursed me through, and I came here with the intention of unearthing this vile scoundrel aud showing him up in bis true light, Not only that, but I meant to avenge upon him the death of my wife, for I believed her to be dead. I believed she had gone down in the rag- ing canyon torrent, and that I sbculd never be- hold ber again. I thank God for his goodness in restoring her to me. It was my intention this night, having sent to Basslt Butte and brought men to stand as proof for the charge I would make, to expose the execrable villain, but learning by chance that my wife—I did not know who she was then—was after bim, for some purpose, I thought I would let her have the first chance, You have seen the result, and how my meu were ready to help her when the crisis came. Need I say more? There is your pris- oner, Mayor MacCraw; do with him as you please!” x **Permt me to speak,” said Kodak Kate quickly. “On that terrible night my borse wheeled suddenly in tbe darkness, knocking Dick’s horse into the water, and dashed away with me up the trail, I could not manage him, and the last I remember was being carried on through the storm at a rapid pace. When next I knew anytbing I was in a rancher’s cabin, being cared for by bis wife. They told me tbey bad found me beside the trail not a great distance from their cabin, I recovered, came here in disguise, and began inquiry for my busband. 1 could learn nothing, and be- lieved him dead, On the occasion of my com- ing here, however, I discovered Red Roy, and took oath that I would avenge Dick’s death, You have seen how I planned my play, and with what success. But for tbe iuterruption that came, the dog would now be dead at rour feet, slain by my hand! Thank Heaven I have found my husband alive! Dick, I did not know you; never once suspected who you were, Providence has had much to do with this affair, and we have, indeed, much to be thankful for.” “Nor did I know you,” declared Dick, wo “thougb I thought of the possibility that it “Ts it you, Kate—my | Thank God you ! | might be you. You played the role to perfec- tion. ; ‘*AsI had to do,” was the rejoinder, ‘ to de- ceive such a man as Red Roy.” ’** And thank Heaven this revelation has been made here and now,” suddenly spoke Fairy Frank. ‘‘ Elegant Jo had won my love, by his attentions, and I confess that 1 was deeply jealous of you. Murder was in my heart almost, and no knowing what desperate deed I might have done,” ‘*T saw that,” answered Kate, ‘* and was eager se have the revelation over with as soon as possi- e. ‘* And curse you for the deceiver you are!” grated the pri oner. ‘‘ You played a cute game, but you would never bave won it had it not been that everything was against me.” ‘You mistake, ill-begotten whelp that you are! AsIsaid before, bad these men not laid hold upon you, you would now be dead on this floor. I bad taken oath to kill you, believing tbat you had slain my husband, How I despise and hate you, you monster!” And yet this was scarcely a tithe of all that was said. Everybody was talking, and there was a loud demand, growing ever louder, to have the out- law lynched, our time’ had come, Red Roy,” remarked Deadwood Dick. ‘‘ There was no further es- eape for you. May you find more mercy in the next world than you are likely to find here. I leave you to your fate,” And with that, Dick and Kate left the place, eager to be alone to talk over events that had come to pass since they had seen each other, ‘*Cantankerous cantagrams o’ currogated de- molisbun!? cried Old Avalanche. “I am of ther opine that a rope an’ a limb ar’ what this critter is in need of. He’s too p’izen bad ter live any longer; hambone, yes.” ** Deadwood Dick and bis pard wound him up this time,” remarked Billy Bucket. ** And it’s short shrift we'll give bim,” declared Mayor MacCraw, grimly. ‘‘ Weldon, call up your men and we’ll make a quick exit for bim,” ‘*Great storm-king, yes!” agreed Mayor Grimm, of the Butte, ‘* Hedeserves'a neck-pull for every one of his victims, But, somebody take this byer womun off out o’ ther way; she mustn’t be hyer to see et.” This referred to the crazy Queen of Hearts, who was raving again, calling upon somebody to save him. She was taken away and cared for, and the crowd awaited the coming of the chief of police and his men, The prisoner bad now regained his nerve, and was, perbaps, the coolest-appearing man in the place. He warned the mayor that if he should be hanged he, the mayor, would never regain the money that bad been stolen from him, The mayor hesitated for a moment, but soon de- cided: Whether the stolen money was ever re- covered or not, the outlaw should swing for the deeds he bad done, The Vigilantes were soon on hand, and— But, we draw the curtain. The morning sun found the body of the hand- some but heartless Outlaw swinging to tbe limb of a convenient tree. It was taken down and buried, and the career of Red Roy, the terror of the Northwest, was at an end. The Tandem Team had a Full Score at last, but the fight had been a long campaign, Satan never owned au mp of more diabolical attributes. Dick and Kate set about looking for the money the rascal bad stolen, and succeeded in finding most of it. Mayor MacCraw was happy, as was also Fairy Frank, and in their mutual good fortune they came to an understanding re- garding something else, and a wedding was an- nounced, Old Avalanche and Billy Bucket set out for Pistol Pocket, Dick’s own camp, where they were to await the coming of their patron, Dick and Kate set out for the Southwest, where Dick intended to spend some weeks in a quiet way on the seashore, It was only a few days later when the crazy woman, Queen of Hearts, or Ariel Parmiter— her true name, died, and she was buried beside the man whom she had loved. A sad fate had been hers, but no one said she had not deserved | it. THE END.

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- BEADLE’S*«H ALF-DIME#]_ IBRARY. | Published Every Tuesday. Hach Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, Deadwood Dick Novels. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road, 20 Deadwood Dick’s Definnece; or, Double Daggers. 28 Deadwood Dick in Disguise; or, Bulfal, Ben 85 Deadwood Dick tn His Castle. 42 Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza; or, The _santom Miner. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omsha Oli. 5T Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 7s peadwoee Dick on peeks or, Calamity no, ake Hordine. 77 Dendweod Dick's Last Acti or, Corduroy Charlie, 200 Deadweed Dick in Leadvilic, 104 Deadwood Dick's Device; or, The Double Cross Sign 200 Deadweoed Dick as Detective. 12) Deadwood Diek’s Double; or, The Gorzon’s Gulch Ghost. 1838 Deadwood Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bill. 149 Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold. 156 Deadweod Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party. 495 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road, 201 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jeaebel. aoe pemwee some Sey y or, : alanity Jane’s Adventure. 217 adwo ch’s Dead Deal. , 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death-Viant, 282 Gold-Dust Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Tougha, oes pendency poe piviaes ay ate Spirit of Swamp Lake. 6S weod ck’s Des Yr B09 Deadweod Dick’s Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon, B21 Dendweed Dick’s Deen or, The Fakir of Phantom Flav 847 Deadwoed Dick’s Ducate; or, Days in the Diggings. cn tay Jel eke Tiron or, Uhe Terrible Vendetta, ‘i ek’a Claim, 405 Deadwood Dick In Dead City. 4110 Deadweod Dick's Diamonias 421 Deadwood Dick in New York or, A “Cute Case.” mre Seer fash | eae ama or, The Chained Hand. ‘ “ oadwo ex, Jr. 418 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Defiance. A58 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Full Hand. 459 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Bly Kound-Up. 465 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10, v3 tna bapa picks btnd Corrals or, posunan Bill. TG Deadwoo « r.’*, Doe Detective. 481 Deadwood Dick. Jr. in Denadw ood, $5) Pesdusea Bik! ge Cetera %6 Deadwoo ok 78, noritn S00 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Diggins. 508 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Dellverance, 515 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Protegee. S22 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Three. 62) Deadwood Dick, Jr’s, Danger Ducks, 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Death Hunt. 539 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Texans. ‘i 514 Deadwood Dick, JIr., the Wild West Vidoog 519 Deadwood Dick, Jr., on His Mettle, 5db4 Deadwood Dick, Jr., tn Gotham, . B61 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boston, 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philade(phia, HITZ Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago, STS Deadwood Dick, Jr., Afloat. HS4 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Iu Denver, 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Deeree. 59S Deadwood Dick, Jr., ta Beelzebub’s Basin, 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island, GO6 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Leadville Lay. 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit. G18 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Cinecinnatl. 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada, Jeadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’sa Land, 486 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. G42 Deadwood Dick, Jr., tn Buffalo. $24 Bosteoea pice Sy bipnee ntrrgetbe Gontinent 54 Dead woor ek, Jr., ong the Smu rs. $60 Deadwood Diek, Jr.'s aaacaaie Gnent re 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines, G72 Deadwood Dick, Jr., tn Durango; or, “ Gathered In.” en Bendwaed Bick: Sry Bisgyarsy ov nnd forme ital enadwo thy o Be a €90 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dollars, 695 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide. 700 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Drop. 704. Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot. 710 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In San Francisco, 16 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Still Hunt. 722 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominocs, 28 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Disguise, 84 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’4; Double Deal, 40 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathwatch, 4? Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Doublet. 52 Deadwood Nick, Jr.’«, Deathblow, 538 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Desperate Strait. BY J, 0, COWDRIOK. Broadway Billy Novels 490 Broadway Billy, the Boothlack Bravo. 614 Broadway Billy’s Boodle. 586 Broadway Billy’s ‘Dinkilty.” 557 Hrokdway Billy’s Peath Racket. 679 Broadway Billy’s Surprise Party. 605 Broadway Bt 628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Act. 869 Broadway Billy Abroad. 675 Broadway Billy’s Bost; or,Beating San Francisco's Finest. 687 Broadway Billy tn Clover, 696 Broadway Billy in Texas, 708 Broadway Billy’s Brand, , 211 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe, Ly3 or, The Boy Detective’s Ble Inning. ! yay Billy’s Pall , sae Erendv ey iilivs Business: z urlous Case, Other Novels by J. ©. Cowdrick, 860 Stlver-Mask, the Man of Mystery, 869 Sinsta, the Gold King} or, For Seven Years Dead. : 420 The petective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a N 424 Cibuin Jonny} or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bay, ame, 439 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. ee Bg a Oi rhe Ra edlight Ralph 524 The Engineer Detective. 548 M he Night Express Detective, : 571 MeLine Tike the Young Engineer, s 592 The Boy Pinkerton- : ois Figh the Chief of Chained Cyclone, G40 Barebaey Heth, the Centar of he Chee ewrlter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward, 65 conlight Morgan, the *‘ fizenest ’ Man of Ante Baz, BY RUFFALO BILL (Mon. Wm. F. Cody), Kana The Red Right Hand. The Pha es Big 1 07, The Pilot of the Prairle, +4 Beaaly-Lye, the Unknown Scout. 68 Border Robin Hood oF, The Prairie Rover, 158,F ancy Frank of Colorado} or, The Trapper’s Trust, Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. 82 Bob Weolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot. BY Death-Vace, Detective; or, Life in New York, 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, tho Girl Brigand, 53 Jim Hlwdsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Mill; or, The Red Rifle Team, 69 Gold Rifle, tie spans anne or, The Boy Detective. 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugyet Ned, the Knight S84 [dy], the Girl Winer; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand, 88 Paetograph PRIL; or, Rosebud Rob's Reappearance, 929 Canada Chet; or, Old Anaconda In Sitting Bull’s Camp, 96 Watch-Eyoj or, Araba and Angels of a Great City, 18 Jaek Moyle the Young Spvculator. . ZT Gilt-Kdged Dick, the Sport Detective 1 Cinnawen Chip, the Girl Sport, > Bonarszea Hill, Minor. 3 Boss Bob the King of Bootblacks, Lt Solld Sami, the Boy Road-Agont, 5 Captain Forret, the New York Detective. 1 New York Noll, the Soy-Girl Detective, 77 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Scamps, 181 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo, 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective, 918 Frita to the Front; or, The Ventri) 236 Snoozer, the Boy Sharp; or, The Arab #36 Apollo Rill, the Trail Tornmio. 240 Cyclone Ki6, the Young Gladiator. 944 Slorra Sam, th. Frontier Ferret. 245 Slerra Sam's Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Sam’s Pard; or, Vhe Angel of Big Vista. 258 Sierra Sain’a Sevens or, The Stolen Bride, 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs, 377 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen. ZS1 Denver Doll's Victory. 255 Denver Doll's Decey ; or. Little Bill’s Bonansa. 291 Turk the Hoy Yerret. B96 Donver Doll's Dritt; or, The Road Queen, 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 808 ’Liza Jane, the Siri Minor; or, the lon-Nerved Sport. 825 Kelley, Mickey & Co., the Dotoctives of Philadelphia, 830 Little Quick-Shot3 or, The Dead Face of Daggeraville, B¥4 Kangaroe Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner, @89 Kangaroo Kits Rackot. 8438 Mankattan Mike, the Bowery Blood, oe Eee wre 5 se 2 ie Gopher. Preks ma, the Gold-tiastherery or, The Life " 873 Yreka Jim’s Priac, hg -eiaal 878 Nabob Neds or, The Secrot of Slab City. BS2 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, BS5 Vreka Jim’s Joker; or, Tho Rivals of Red Nose, BaY Bleyele Bom; or. Tho Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 Migh Hat Harry, the Base Ball Dotective, 426 Sam Slabaldes, the Boggar-Boy Detective, 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives, 4355 Samta Fe Sal, the Slasher. 456 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkler. KY T. O. HARBAUGH, Nick 0? the Nights or, Th» Boy Spy of ’76. he Hidden Lodge; or The Littl Hunter, ale ale Was 1 ors Tne Forest Captains, gent ot at pt et ee ce od had ulst Hunter, jetective, mererits und ack ¢ or, The Ontlaws of the Oregon Trak. Kil Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. Midnight Jack h or, The Boy Trapper. Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, Klowa Charley the White Mustanger. Judge Lynch Jr.y or, The Boy Viviinnte, Gold Trigger, the Sport; er, The Girl Avenger. 9 Tornado Tomy or, Injun Jack From Red Cora, ‘8 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. : Arkanaaw 3 or, The Quon of Fate’s Revenge, Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter, Captain Ballet 3 or, Little Topknot’s Crusade, 81 Plucky Phil; or, Rosa, the Re! Jezebel. A1 Bill Bravo; or, The Roughs of the Rockles, 55 Captain Apolls, the King-Pin of Bowle. 267 Vhe buckskin Detective. QT79 Old Winchy or, The Buckskin Desperadoes, 294 Dynamlie Dang or, The Bowle Blade of Gochetopa. 802 The Mountain Detectives or, The Trigger Bar Bully, 816 Old Belipae, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Pardsy or, The Terror of Take-Notice. 836 Rig Benson; or, The Queen of the Lasso, B45 Pitiless Matt; or, Red Thunderbolt’s Secret. BSH Oool sam and Pard; or Tho Terrible Six, 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. B56 Captain Cutlass; or, The Boceaneor’s Girl Foe. 898 Rough Rob; or, The Twin Champions of Blue Blazes, 411 The Silken Lassoy or, The Rose of Ranch Robin, 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump. the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Flash, the Now York Fox. 445 The City Vamoptres}; or, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon. a6 One Against Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, azo The Boy Shadow} or, Felix Fox's Hunt. 477 The Exceistor Sport? or, The Washington Spotter, 499 Single Sight, the Ono-Lyed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective, 621 Dodger Dick's Best Dodge. 528 Fox and Falcon, the Bowery Shadows, 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret, 548 Dodger Dick’s Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodger Dick’« Desperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick, the Boy Vidocq, 5678 The Two Shadows, BOA Eltthe Loms the Serest’s 4 © Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Ton nard. 626 The Champion Pards, | ’ sites Sek 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective. 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp, rtd puy Rentam per so Beagle, 6 ersey Jed, the Bov Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shad f 685 Happy Hagh the Boy-Muaician Detective. ore 701 Photograp Fred, the Camera Sharp. at} wise awake ee the pre, Oe Ferret, 8B alay Dell, the Pavement Detective; or, Trapping Bi is 742 Billy Winka, the Bell Boy Detective, : Line Be ot 254 Billy Winks, the Boss Boy Shadow, BY WM. G. PATTEN, 489 The Diamond Sports or, The Double Face of Bed Rock, 519 Captain Mystery $ or, Five in One, 581 Dataz trare the Sport from Denver. 587 Old Bombshell, the Ranger Detective, 804 Iron Fern, the Man of Fire. 619 The Boy Tramp Detective; or, The Double Grip Witness 629 Violet Vane, the Velvet Spor. 641 Dismal Pave’s Dandy Pard, 651 Round Boy Frank. the Young Amateur Detective 668 Vielet Vane’« Victory. 682 Wild Vulcan, the Lone-Range Rider, 698 Violet and Daisy, the Poay Pards. 205 Violet Vane’a Vow; or, The Crafty Detective’s Craft, 714 Old Misery, the Man from Missouri. 724 Violet Vane’s Vencennce. at Viole Veneta Yomi ist Vidoeq. ole ane. e Ventriloquis' . 750 Violet Vane, the Vanquished. es ah GS a eh ot kh lp Sees FHSHROSAD pewnw=~ Hel BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAMAM, The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Outcast. H-Kalph Roy, the Boy Buecanser; or, The Fugitive Yacht. 4Dinmond Dirk Had The Mystery of the Yellowstone @2°The Shadow Ship; or, The Rival Lieutenants, 75 Tho Boy Dwellat; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Woll. TOPDick Deand-Lye, the Boy Smugyior. MrT he Sea-Devil 3 or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. tO The Mussar Captain: or, The Hermit of Hell Gate, 197 Little Grit, the Wild Rider; or, The Stock-Tomder’s Daughter. Buffalo Bill, the Pony Expresa Rider. Bison BILL the Prince of the Reins; or, Buffalo Bill's Pluck, 2322 Grit, tho Brave Sport; or, The Woman Trailor, 2BY OCrimsen Kase, the Girl Trailer, ALone Star, the Cowboy Captain; or, The Mysterious Ranchero 245 rere the Middy 3; or, The Heir of an Ocean Freelance, 250 Lhe Midshipman wvinosr 5, or, Lrandt, the buccanear, 264 Tho Pleating Foather;: or, Merle Moute’s Troasure, 269 The Geld Ship} or, Merle, the Condemned. 2RT6 Merle Momte’s OCrulses or, “Ihe Gold Ship” Chase, 250 Morlo Menmte’s Fate; or, The Pirate’s Pride. B84 Merle Monte’s Pledge; or, The Sea Marauder. Bee Billy Hlue-Eyes, the Bey Rover. The Dead Snot Dandy ; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler. OS Dead Shot Dandy'’s Double. O4+4-The Mysteriens Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler's Trall, 8TT Bomodel, the Boy Rever; or, The Pivgless Schooner. Tho Indian Pilet; or, The Search for Pirate Island. Oe Warpath WII, the Traitor Guide: or, The Boy Phantom. 898 Seawalf, the oy Lieutenant; or, The Red Clasped Hands. 4.02 laoder, the Young Clouapirener t or, The Fatal Lengua. ae2 The aay. Ineurgemt; or, Thy Cuban Vondotta. 412 The Wild, Yachtaman; or, The War-Clous’s Crulas, 429 Duncan Dare, tho Boy Refuges. 488 Captain Carl, the Corsair; or, A Cabla Boy’s Luck, 487 The Soa Kaltider: or, The Hawks of the Mook. \ 441 The Ocean Firefly; or, A Middy’s Veugeance. 446 Haphasaed Berry or, The Scapegrace of the Sea, 450 Wtaerd Will, the Wonder-Worker, 454 Wisard Will's Street Seouts. 268 Tho Born tulde; or, The Sailor Boy Wanderer, 465% Neptune N the Boy Coaster, zard Wil’s Vagabend Pard,* izard Will's Last Cane; or, Ferrets Afton, Yevada Ned, the Revolver Kanwor. ‘Arizona Jeo, the Boy Pard of Toxse Jack. uck Tayler, King of the Cowboys. The Reyal Middy; or, The Shark and the Sen Cat, Teer Tho Hunted Midshipman; or, The Young Sea Ranger, The Outiaw Biddy, or, The Young Patriot Sea Ranger, wee Buckskin Bill, the Comanche Shadow, 525 Brothers in Buckskin; or, The Tangled Tratis in Texas, ie Tho Buckskin Bowers. PIRPTho Bucwskin Rovers; or, The Prairie Fugitive, 640 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder of the 545 soceeenen’ Leo, the poe 7 Lafitte, Pe 550 Lafitte’s Legacy: or. The Avenging Son. 65S The Creole Corsair; or, The Golden Wings of the Gulf. 2awnee BIN, the Prairie Shadower, 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. 570 Camille, the Card Qaeen; or, The Skeleton Trail, he Surgeon-Scout Detective. 550 The Outcast Cadet; or, ‘The False Detective. fhe Buckskin Avenger} or, Pawnee Bill’s Pledge. BOL Delmonte. tho Young Ses Rover; or, Tow Avenging Sallor. he Young Texan Detective; or, The Black Bravos, , The Vagabond ofthe Mines. The Rover Detectlye; or, Keno Kit’e Champlons. ? +e Nalph, the Dead-Shot Scout; or, The Rio Raiders, 644 Butterfly Billy’s Debut. t 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Rider Detective; or, Buffale Bill’s Bow Para, 656 Butterfly Billy’s Man Hunt, 662 Butterlly Billy’s Bonanza. ete he Buccancer Midshipmany or, The Sea Rover's Ruse, HO The Wizard Sailor; or, Rod Ralph, the Rover. VOT The Sea Shadowery; or, The Froebooter’s Legacy. . G86 Orlando, the Oconn Free Flag; or, The Tarnished Name, 692 The Rival Sharpay or, Redfern, the Secret Service Soont. The Scarlet Sombrero; or, The Sharp from Toxna, TO2® Blue Jacket BIL; or, The Red Hat Rangers’ Red Hot Racket POP The Ked Sombrero Rangersy or, Reidfern’s Last Trail. 718 Carl, the Mad Cowboy; or, Tie Lariat Queen, eV awnes Bs Pledge; or, The Cowboy Kidnapper’s Doom, 20 Daring Dick, Pawnee Bill's Pard; or, The Red Cavalry Raid, for Ruth Redmond, the Girl Shadower, Suck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive, Buck Taylor's Boyay or, The Red Risers of the Rio Grande, ¥ Dashing Charlo; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trail, tire? Dashing Charlie's Destiny; or, The Renegade’s Captive, Jashing Charlie’s Pawnee Pard, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 761 Marmaduke, the Mustanger Detective; or, The Great Mix- Up at Creacent Butte. By Lieut, A. K. Sims, 762 Broadway Billy’s Bargain. By J, C. Cowdrick, 768 Violet Vane’s Vision, By Wm, G. Patten, 764 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Lone Hand; or, Kodak Kate ras Secret corer By oe L. “hence Jor Flipper Flynn, the Street Patrol. By Jo Plerce. 766 Dachin Charile, the Rescuer. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham, 767 Mac and Jack, the Invincibles; or, The Diabolical Three, By Dan Dunning. ‘ 768 Eaglo Ned, the Boy on Guard; or, The Camp Spiders ef Ragged Robin, By T. C. Harbangh, 769 Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective; or, How the City Buazards Were Brought In. By J. C, Cowadrie 770 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s) Defeat; or, The Tandam Team s Thorny Trail. By | dward L. Wheeler. . 871 Tour fred’s Odd Pardy or, The Keonor’s Huge Hustle, , By Jo Pierce, %T%2 Dick Doom’s Death-Grip; or, The Detective by Destiny, By Col, Prentiss Ingraham, T%8 The Rustler of Rolling cya! or, The Oppositlem Boom at Lucky Ledge. By Lieut. A. K. Sima, TTA Clear-Grit Cal, the Never Say-Die Detective; or, The Strange Case of Captain Sendd, By Wm G. Patten. 7% Brondway Billy's Shadow Chasey or, Materialising the Spooks. By J. C, Cowurick, . 776 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Resurreetiony or, Iclelo Isaac from Frosen Flats. ‘by Edward L. Wheeler, 277 Dick Doom’s Destiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terver, By Col, Prentiss Ingraham, 278 Wighland Harry, the Wisard Rifleman; ov, Tough Times at Teton Pass. By Ol] Coomes, 779 Iron Hand, the Charmed Detective; or, Saving the Senator's Daughter. By George C. Jenks. * 780 Tonkaway_Tom, the Red Wizard; or, Roundabout Rath’s Piigrimage. By T. C. Harbaugh, 781 Cast-Df Cale, the Scapegoat Detectives ov, Salling Under False Colors, By Jo Pleree, 7s2 Peakweed Dick, Jr.’s, Dark Days, By Rawat le eeler.’ 788 Broadway Blily’s Beagles. By 3. C, Cowdrick, A New Isane Every Tuesday. The Half- Dime Library !s for sale by all newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York, \ ‘

Page 16

1 a athe On Deadwood Dick. the Prince of the Road. 20 Deadwood Dick’s Defiance; or, Tae Double 42 49 263 268 300 821 547 351 862 405 Daggers. Deadwood Dick in Disguise; or, Buffalo Ben, the Prince of the Pis ol, Deadwo! Dick in his Castle;or, Wild lvan, the Boy Cr ute Dugsl, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza. Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omaha Oll, the Masked Terror, Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar, Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine of Whoop-up. Deadwood Dick’s Last Act; or, Corduroy Caarlie, the Boy R over. Deadwood Dick in Leadville. Deadwood Dick’s Device; or, The Sign of the Double Cross, Deadwood Dick as Detective, Deadwood Dick’s Double. Deadwood Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bill, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold. 3} Deadwood Dick of Deadwood, Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road, Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hills J+z-bel. 5 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s List Adventure, Deadwood Dick's Dead Deal; or, Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand, Deadwood Dick’s Death Plant; or, Sugar- Coated Sam. 2 Gold-Dust Dick; or, The Taree Wild Men of Eigle Bar. Deadwood Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of © Swamp Lake, Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail: Ovean to Ovean. Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal. Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Poantom Fiats, Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days in the Diggings. Readings xd Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible J eodetta, Deadwood Dick's Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Faro Flats, Deadwood Dick in Dead City. or, From 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds; or, The Mystery of Juan Porter. 654. 660 Deadwood Dick Novels in Beadle's Hali-Dime Library. Pilate Nea, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Full Hand;:r, Sun- | flower Sam of Shasta. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-up; or Fiusb Fan, the Ferret. Dea iwood Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10. Dea iwood Dick, Jr’s, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill of Big Brace, : } Deaiwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dog Detective; or, Humboldt Harry, the ‘iurricane. Dea iwood Lick, Jr., in Deadwood; or, Moll Moll Mestery,. Dea twood Dick, Jr.’s, Compact; or, Prince Pistol, the King of tre W. st. > Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance; or, Monte Cristo, Jr. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diggings; or, Doctor Death Grip’s dSweop, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deliverance Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Protege; or, Baby Bess, the Girl Gold Miner. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Three. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducks; or, The Owls of Oregon, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt; or, Tbe Way of the Transgressor. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Texas; or, The Gnouls of Galveston, Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidoca: or, Leonora, the Locator, 9 Daadwood Dick, Jr., on His Mettle; or, Cap- tain Crimson-Cowl, the Road Raider. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham; or, Un- raveling a Twisted Skein. D2adwood Dick, Jr., in Boston; or, The Cool Case. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia; or, The Wild West Detective among the Crooks, Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago; or, The Anarcbist’s Daughter. Deadwood Dick, Jr,, Afloat; or, The Prisoner of the Weird Isles, Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver. or, Cool Kate, the Queen of Crooks, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decree; The Prince of Purgatory Puss, Deadwood Dick, Jr,, in Beelzebub’s Basin; or, The Old Man of Mount Mab. Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Leadville Lay; or, Bristol and Bucket’s Boom, or, 2 Deadwocd Dick, Jr., in Detroit; or, Turning the Tables on Satan, Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Cincinnati; or, The Clincher Campaign. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada; or, The Preacher of Pokerville. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land. } Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer; or, Sawdust Sam’- List Green Game, Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Buffalo; or, 411-44. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Chase across the Con- tinent; or, A Race for a Ruthless Rogue, Dead wood Dick, Jr.. Among the Smugglers. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Insurance Case, Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Miues. 758 764 770 776 782 783 784 421 Deadwood Dick in New York. | | £80 Deadwood Dick’s Dust; ur, The Chained Hand, d 443 Deadwood Dick, Jr,; or, The Sign of the | | Crimson Crescent, 1 | sf 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Defiance; or, Nickle- | Deadwood Dick, ** Gathered In.” Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Discovery. in Durango; or, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’~, Dazzle; or, The Nemesis of Nutmeg Bonanza. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dollars; or, The Hummingbird of Honeysuckle. Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide; or, Developing tne Dead Secret, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Drop; or, The So- journ at Satan’s Spring. Deadsood Dick, Jr., at Jack-pot; or, Mak- ing Crooked ‘Lbings Straight, Deadwood Dick, Jr., in San Francisco; or, Kodak Kate, the Sn p-Sbot, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Still Hunt; or, The Second Roun: in San Francisco. 2 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’-. Dominoes; or, The Rival Camps of the Northern Border. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Disguise; or, Ivan, the Man of fron, Dendwood Dick, Jr.’-, Double Deal; or, The All-Around Surprise, Dead wood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathwatch; or, The Moving Mystery at Mexican Mustang. Deadwoml Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet; or, The Tandem Team of Teddy’s Tailings, Deadweod Dick, Jr,’s, Deathblow; or, The Little Circus at Last Chance, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Desperate Strait, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Defeat. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Resurrection, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dark Days. Issues to Follow: Broadway Billy’s Beagles; or,. The Detective Trio’s Uncanny Quest, By J. C. Cowdrick. Ready July 26th. Dick Doom, the Death-Grip Detective; or, Toe Sharps and Sbarks of New York. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham, Ready August 2d, For sale by all newsdealers at five cents per copy, or sent by mail, post-paid, on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.