Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 786) (1892 08 16)
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y = 5 4 . ae PU a “#5 a | arc \\ : el WN WY ANY \ Ny AS ! WAY NY W oo ANY x QW QAKN TTT AQHA NYY — Aen \ W WA A UMMM, IMMA AMI : Sasso ee Ag A Om h ‘y 7 KW |! i i i al STN <.Serynneminandmettcina oal York, 3 eave me to Copyrighted 1892, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, August 16, 1892, £2.00 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. 54 Hl ———S—S=—== No. 786. a Year. 5 Cents. Vol, XXXI, | | Wall Mm | P yp” | mr, y, OR, The Detective Combine's Bie Pull The Story of the ** Genteel Crook.” BY J. C. COWDRICK, AUTHOR OF “‘ BROADWAY BILLY ” NOVELS, ETC, CHAPTER I. THE BEAGLES SCENT A MYSTERY. ‘“QREAT jumpin’ Jew’s-barps! Silent Seth, if I know a kitten from a kangaroo, and I think I do, there’s a diffikilty a-brewin’ here. What do you think about it? Nothin’ to say, eh? I'll bet. you are doin’ a powerful lot o’ bard thinkin’, though, an’ I wish you would do some of vour thinkin’ out ‘loud once in a while, then . etry \ ee Akt ee ey a feller would know what sort o’ grist your THE TEAM, think-works was grindin’.”
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2 So rattled Happy Harry, one of Broadway Billy’s young ferrets, is partner, Silent Seth, made no response, but looked fixedly upon the occasion of Harry’s excited remarks, The two were coming up the street together on their way to Broadway Billy’s office, when a slight commotion just ahead of them attracted their attention and they witnessed a rather un- usual proceeding. A young and pretty woman coming down the street toward them had suddenly stopped on meeting a mau and woman who were going in the opposite direction. She put some small ob- ject into the man’s hand, and he continued on his way at once, leaving the two women together. No sooner that done than the woman who bad been with the man threw a long cloak about the young woman’s shoulders, and gave her a hat, er than the one she had on, with which the young woman immediately replaced the smaller at, handing that to the other woman in ex- change, That done, they went on their way. It _— all taken place within a few brief sec- onds, ‘*We must follow them,” Silent Seth briefly decided. ‘“*T should say we must,” agreed Harry. ‘* Which one do you want to shadow?” ‘* Hither one; it makes no difference,” was the reply. ‘*Tll toss you a cent to see who tackles the man. He’s got the prize, whatever it may be, and we mustn’t lose sight o’ kim,” ** Be quick.” Happy Harry took a penny from his pocket and gave it a toss into the air, at the same time calling out: ** Heads for me and the man!” Both sprung to look as soon as the penny struck, and they found Harry had lost. lt was the business of Silent Seth to follow the man. ** All right,” assented Harry. ‘It was a fair chance and I’m not kicking. I hope ye have good-luck, Seth, and don’t get inter no-con- sarned diffikilties, as the boss used to call ’em.” As all the parties were still going in the same direction, the boys continued on together. They bad not gone far when a carriage drew in to the curb, coming toward them; the two women got in, and the carriage started on agaiu, Inmediately, The man ahead who had been with the elder of the two woman, and to whom the younger woman had given something, looked back about this time, and seeing the women get into the vehicle, turned immediately and began to re- trace his steps. It was a peculiar proceeding. “ Jumpin’ Jew’s-harps!” Happy Harry ex- claimed again. ‘‘ This is gettin’ to be amusin’. What do ye make of it, my deaf an’ dumb chum? No use my wastin’ breath on you though, so I'll leave ye to your fate while I foller the carriage. lll bey to be as slick as varnish about it, too, or that man will get onto me, Ta-ta!” So they-parted, Seth loitering along to allow the man to overtake and pass him, while Harny hastened off in the direction the carriage had taken, determined to keep it in sight at all hazards, The carriage moved at a slow pace, so it was not difficult for him to keep up with it, and it did nou give him a very long chase, It drew up, presently, before one of the large stores on Broadway, and the two women alight- ed and went in. It was one of the stores patron- ized by New York's elite. The carriage had the appearance of being a private one, and the man perched onthe box was in a livery of green and buttons-—principal- ly buttons, with a hat that bad the usual band and buckle of the Jebu in bondage, On the side panel of the carriage was a coat of arms, ‘‘ I'd like ter know what all this means, any- how?” mused Harry, as he sauntered into the store behind the women, some moments later, He had been taking a survey of the carriage mav and team, in order to fix them in hig min for future identity, if occasion required it. He was careful upon all such points. & f ‘‘ Seems ter me there must be a son o’ Ham in the fence somewheres, sure,” he further mused, ** What's all this peculiar business about, any- how, if there ain’t? You have got ter buckle down toit, Harry, and see what's in it, if you want to keep your grip onto the confidence o’ William o’ Broadway.’ r Having entered the store, he looked around, and soon had his suspects \in sight once more. Following the way they led, he presently saw them stop at a counter where several truly ele- gant young men were ready to serve silk and satin dress patterns, Broadway Billy’s Team. Harry went on to the same section of the huge mart and vs 4 ae near the opposite counter, where he stood with his hands crossed behind him and waited, his face toward the two women he had followed. He was quite near enough to overhear what was said, The younger of the two asked to see some patterns in palest pink satin, and the Lord Chesterfield behind the counter pulled down his vest and proceeded to attend to business with that elegance and grace which only the truly gilt-edze salesmen possess, Several pieces were shown before a selection was made; but, finally, the lady was satisfied with one, and paid for it. ** To whom shall we send it?” the salesman in- quired, **Send it to Mrs, Cleon Cuthbert, at No. — —— avenue,” was the airish reply, and the two women started to turn away, As they did so the younger drew her wateh, a dainty, jeweled affair, and gave a glance at it, when she uttered a low exclamation ina dis- appointed, regretful tone. ‘*My watch has stopped!” she said. ‘‘ How careless of me not to wind it last night! I don’t kuow that I ever missed doing so before, mam- ma, Can you tell me what time it is, sir?” turning to the salesman, Beau Brummel drew forth a gold watch and gave the desired information, and then, as he saw the lady about trying to wind and set her watch, with ber gloyes on, he humbly begged to be allowed to perform the service for her, The offer was readily accepted, and the ser- vice quickly and deftly performed, when, with a gracious ‘‘ Thank you,” the lady took her watch and moved off with her mother te an- other counter, Very trifling details, all these, yet they might have bearing upon what was to follow. It was just about this time that a hand was laid on Happy Harry’s shoulder, Looking up, be beheld a tall gentleman stand- ing over him, who politely but firmly put the interrogation: ‘* What do you want, young gentleman?” Happy Harry understood at once that this was a floor-walker, whose suspicion he had aroused. Harry was well dressed, clean, neat and tidy in appearance, and there was nothing about him to indicate that he was anything but honest; but he had been giving earnest attention to the two ladies, The hand upon his shoulder was simply laid there, but Harry felt that upon his answer de- nded whether the fingers were to tighten upon is flesh or not, **T don’t want anything, sir,” he answered; ‘¢T'm only waiting.” ‘For whom or what are you waiting, then?” **T don’t know what right. you have to ask such questions?” rejoined Harry, etd & wy don’t know who you are, sir. I’m sure I haven’t done anything out of the way, have I?” You bave been watching tose ladies rather too attentively, that is alll have seen amiss in your conduct. Do you know them?” ‘*No, sir; never saw them before in my life, Was only looking at ’em while I waited. As my presence don’t seem to. be wanted in here, though, [Pll amble out and do the rest of my waiting outside.” The hand had now been removed. “Ob, no; if you are in company with some one there is no harm in your waiting right where you are. Do not imagine we are so strict as that; we merely have to be cautious, you know, since every person is a stranger and we know not who are or what he or sbe may be.” Well, Pll go out anyhow,” declared Harry. **T’'m tired of standing around in here,” ‘So saying, he moved leisurely off in the direc- tion of the door, and in a few moments was on the walk outside, ‘That settled that, anyhow,” he said to him- self, when out. ‘‘I had to be on my good be- havior or they would have detained me so that I'd ’a? missed the scent when they did let me go. It pays to be truly good. Well, I’ve learned more facts than I s’posed I would,” He repeated to himself the name and address he had heard, in. order that they might not slip from his mind, and while he waited he amused himself by trying to guess the meaning of the coat of arms on the side of the carriage. It looked, to him, like a lion and a monkey doing a circus performance. After@while the two women appeared, got into the carriage, and were driven off, Harry again joining in the procession, The horses were slow, proceeding at little bet- ter than a walk, and as before the young shad- ower had no trouble to keep up, Presently the driver turned up oneof the ave- nues, and a car coming along at the right time, Harry got aboard of that. And, once upon the avenue, the driver of the carriage whipped up a little and’ earriage and car kept about an even pace for a long distance. When the carriage turned, as it finally did, Harry dropped from the car, and from that point he had not far to go, The carriage drew up and stopped at the num- ber the woman had given, and so ended the trail, But, the adjutant of Broadway Billy was not yet done. He meant to know something more about the women if he could, and about the whole affair, if possible, At the house adjoining a servant was out in the front cleaning the windows of the basement rooms, and stepping in, Harry addressed her in a polite and civil manner, asking: “Ts this where Mrs. Cuthbert lives?” ‘“No, sor,” was the answer. ‘It’s dhe next house dbere.” f ‘“*Thank you, You see, I have come around to make some inquiries on the quiet, and maybe you can tell me just what I want to kuow—” ** Oi can tell ye nothing,” was the snapped in- terruption. ‘‘Sure, an’ ye want to kuow anyt’ing about dhe Cuthberts ye: must go to dbhem fur your infurmation, so ye must. Tl tell ye nothing,” ‘Then I’m much obliged to you for nothing,” retorted Harry; aud, tipping his bat, he hasten- ed away. CHAPTER II, SILENT SETH’S STILL HUNT, Waar of Silent Seth? He followed the man with that care and cau- tion for which he was becoming noted. He stood still watching Harry and the re- treating carriage until the man came along and passed him; then he went upon the trail, having allowed the man to get a little distance ahead. The man looked to be about forty-five years of age. He was well-dressed, wore a silk hat and gloves, and carried a cane. He appeared to be merely out for a stroll. The small package which the young woman had given him had disappeared from his hand, He had evidently put it in his pocket, Jt was no trouble for Seth to follow, for the man having no suspicion that he was shadowed, . continued his leisurely gait, swinging bis cane: and taking in the sights as he went along, till finally be came to a large jewelry store, which he 7 entered, Seth hardly knew whether to follow him in or not, but decided to remain outside, There was nothing to binder him from taking the beggar’s privilege of looking at the things in the windows, and he amused himself in that way. Looking in, though, he found that he could see quite plainly what was going on within, since an awning without and electric lights within made it possible for bim to see quite a distance back into the store. He saw bis man at the counter on the opposite side, One of the salesmen approached him, and the customer was displaying something which he held out on a piece of paper. The package was not the same which Seth had seen the young woman put into the man’s hand only a short time before. That bad been of a dark color, like a small box. Seth watched, while pretending to be merely looking at the display in the window, and he re- a ia that he could not hear what was being salir * The man, on entering, bad inquired for the head of the establishment, and the superintend- ent came forward to learn what he wanted. “‘T have two diamonds which I desire to sell,” . the stranger announced. ‘We do not care to buy such things of stran- gers, sir,” was the response, ‘ Especially so if the diamonds are valuable ones.” “Which is about what I imagined you would say, sir. However, while I am a stranger to you I can, nevertheless, petiely . as to who and what Iam. My name is boy. I am at present stopping at the —— Hotel.” ‘*Whom can you mention in reference,” Mr. Underboy?” ; ‘For one, Mr. James Q. Shield, who is stop- ping at the same hotel and whose acquaintance made there,” **T know Mr, Shield. You will allow me to telephone to him, of course,” 4: ** Shall be pleased if you will do so, arton Under- ° ae SSS we
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Broadway Billy’s Team. 3 ** Well, let me see the diamonds,” Then it was that the stranger drew the piece of paper from his pocket and held it out for the other's investigation. The diamond expert took the diamonds up singly and examined each in turn and with criti- caleye. Presently he inquired: oo price do you expect to get for these, sir ‘Your price, if it is fair,” was the response. **T bought the gemsin London six years ago, and gave just a thousand pounds for them,” ‘** You have no objection to my inquiring your reason for selling?” * Assuredly not. I bought them for my wife, She 1s now dead. Having no use for them, while Ihave need of the money, I have come to the conclusion to part with them for whatever fair price they will bring.” ‘* Why did you select our bouse?” ‘Tt is first class, oue-reason; it is nearest the hotel, the other.” ‘* Well, Isee no reason why we cannot come to an agreement, then, sir. Will you come into the office, please?” The superintendent led the way to the rear of the store, where he opened the door of a richly furnished office and ushered the stranger in. One of the proprietors was there, and the superintendent made known the object of the man’s visit in few words, ‘* Lot me see the stunes,” the proprietor asked, poe. were exhibited, and after, looking at them he said further: ** Have Smithson step this way.” This personage was called, and entered—a little old man, very thin and wrinkled. ‘“‘ Estimate these diamonds, Smithson,” directed the proprietor. The little old man took the stones and turned to a table near by, where he gave them a most thorough and critical examination, Having done, be penciled tne result upon a card and handed it, together with the diamonds, to his employer. ‘*Wewil) give you four thousand dollars for the pair, sir,” that gentleman immediately an- nounced. “T accept it, sir,and thank you for being so liberal with me,” With a wave of the hand the proprietor dis- missed all that, and reaching for a check-book, drew up.a check for the amount, “You can get the money readily enough, as soon as ideutified,” he remarked, as he delivered the check, “Ob! yes; there will be no trouble about that, Ican get some one at the hotel to render me that service. If not, I am acquainted at an- other bank and can soon make it all right, Thank you,sir.” With that’ he bowed himself out, the superin- tendent going with him. **Tf it would be more convenient for you, Mr, Underboy,” the latter remarked as they walked toward the door, “‘ one of our young men could go with you to the bank, since there is no doubt ut the transaction is all right.” “Tt would be convenient, sir, in point of sav- ing me time; but, no matter, I will not trouble ou, 2. “No great trouble, sir, Here, Jefferson, go with this gentleman to the bank and identify him as Mr. Warton Underboy.” One of the employees of the house responded promptly, and the two left the store in com- pany, Silent Seth again taking up the trail and following. Arriving at the bank, Seth followed them in Sepa closely, and observed all that took ace, 4 He saw his suspect indorse the check and pre- sent it at a window, where a large sum of money was counted out and paid over to him— the man from the store at the same time giving the signal that it was all right. The business done, Underboy thanked the clerk, and they parted, Underboy going off in one direction and the clerk in the other, Silent Seth stuck to the trail determinedly, He had learned but little so far, beyond the fact of the check and the money the man had re- ceived. Like Harry on bis ‘‘ lay,” he wanted to learn more before he gave it up and appeared at the office, The little he knew so far wasnot of great account, he believed, : The man walked more te than he had heretofore, and appeared to have some set- tied destination in view, or an appointment with somebody. Seth kept at a fair distance behind him, ready to conform to apy ciycumstances that anight come about, Presently he saw something which gave him a thrill of renewed interest. Some asb-cans were standing on the curb here and there, and as the suspect passed one of them, Seth saw him pass his hand over it, and drop something into it. As be did so the man turned his head to note whether any one was looking at him, and seeing him in the act of turning, Seth’s head was down immediately and he appeared to be counting the cracks in the sidewalk, When Seth looked up, the next moment, the man was going straight on, head erect and eyes evidently to the front. Silent Seth was determined to know what the man bad thrown away. * When he came abreast of the ash-can several posts partly screened him from sight of the man ahead, and Seth stopped and looked into the dirt receptacle. And the first object to meet his gaze was a small box, crushed and broken, evidently a jeweler’s box, Taking it out, Seth passed right along, ex- amining it as he went, It proved to be, or to have been, a neat box, leather covered, and lined witb satin. On the bottom of it was the stamp of a well- known jewelry bouse, and boles in the satin showed that it had contained a pair of ear-rings. Thrusting the box into his pocket, Seth pressed on after his game, and at last located him at the — Hotel. Here the man seemed to be at home, and Seth, going to one of the porters, put the question: *€Do you know who that gentleman is, the one | you bowed to?” ‘Guess I does, boy,” was the response from | the colored gentleman. “‘ Dat am Mistah Warton Underboy. I knows ebery guest heah. Mighty fine gentleman, be is,” There Seth dropped the matter. CHAPTER III. HAPPY HARRY’S HUSTLE FOR POINTS. Wuen Happy Harry hastened off, after the rebuff from the Irish girl, he was still in time to keep the carriage in sight, He knew the trail had ended, so far as the women were concerned, and that it was of little use for him to waste time around there, He might be able to pick up some information, but that could be done at any time. : Nor had he any especial object in following the carriage, though he reasoned that it migbt be well enough to know where it put up so that he could find the driver of it at any time he might be wanted, So, Harry hustled away from the house and followed the carriage, ‘¢- Yes, sir,” be mused, as he bastened along, “there's a son co’ Ham bidin’ in the fence some- wheres, Wish I had been born the seventh son of a seventh sister, or somethin of that sort, then mebby I'd have seventh sigbt enough to see into things further than I can now, If it was the philosopher Pll bet he would have the bottom facts on top in no time. Wonder how he is makin’ out? He’s a wonder, is that same Silent Seth, and I wish I had some of his hard sense,” He bad gained upon the carriage, and finally had the satisfaction of running it down, as it drew up before a biy livery stable, and the doors being open, if went in, team, carriage, and all, * That settles it,” decided Harry, “It ain’t a private rig at all, but a hiredone. That’s astale game here in Gotham, It’s the easiest thing in the world to be somebody and have a coach with a vest-of—I mean a coat-of-arms, if you have got the ragged green to ante fc rit all. Rezkon that‘must- cost a couple o’ hundred a month, at least; enough to keep a poor man’s family right in the swim, with sometbin’in the larder for breakfast. Guess Ill stop here and angle fer p'ivts.” " There were a good many loiterers about the doors, and Harry made himself one of them. ‘* What’s the 'citement?” be curiously inquired. ‘* Do ye see the ’citement?” one fellow counter- queried, **T don’t see if, and that’s the reason I asked. ag So maybe you had a speeded thoroughbred on exhibition, or somethin’ of that sort.” ‘* Want to buy one of that sort?” ‘Buy one! Jumpin’ Jew’s-harps! If thorough- breds were sellin’ ata dollar a head I couldn’t buy the toenail of one.” his raised a Jaugh, and Harry had made him- self ‘‘solid” with the men and boys who stood around as if waiting for something to turn up, -** You ain’t one of the Four Hundred, then, eh?” observed one man. ‘*Nixey!” answered Harry. ‘I’m one of the sixty-four millions. I’m only a waif of the common herd, so to say; no gold spoon was around when I appeared upon the stage.” ‘What do you do for a livin’?” ** Eat, mostly.” There was another laugh at that. ‘** He’s too many for you, Dan,” another of the group remarked. ‘*] guess he is,” Dan admitted. “That rig that just came in was no slouch,” Harry remarked, ‘‘I was wonderin’ what that curious jigger on the side panel means, Any- body know?” ‘* Why, that’s a coat-of-arms,” informed Dan, This man seemed to belong at the stables in s0me capacity or other. ‘*] knowed it was a coat, vest, or pants, or somethin’ Jike that,” Harry declared; ‘‘ but, what does it mean?” **Guess You'll have to ask the wise men, young man, I give it up. Don’t believe it means much of anything; it’s only a fad the dudes have got onto,” ** Ain’t ketchin’, is it?” ** No, I guess not.” ‘OR T thought it was I’d keep clear of it, you bet! I don’t own a carriage, nor even a banana- cart, and I'd bate like sin to have sucha thing as that stamped on me anywheres, It looks as if the lion was tryin’ to double the monkey up and sit down on him, don’t it?” His manner of expressing himself amused the loungers greatly. os Whose turn-out is it. anyway?” Harry asked next, “Why, it’s ours, of course,” announced Dan, ** You don’t mean to say you are a dude, with the fad for lion-and-monkey pictures pasted around, do you?” ** No, not much. I mean the stable owns the rig. It’s ahired-out one, ycu see,” **So Is’), Osed, and that was what I was gettin’ at. Who is the dude that is so far gone that he has got lions and monkeys on the brain, or on the place where the brain ougbt to bei” ‘Seems to me you want to know a good deal?” “A feller wouldn’t know anything in this world, if he didn’t try to find out things.” oa Well, the turnout is hired by a man named Cuthbert, who lives up on —— avenue. Do you feel any better now?” ** Nota bit. I have heard it said that a little learpin’ is a poor thing, so now [ am worse off than I was in the first place, Curiosity isa ter- rible complaint.” ‘*Tt seems to be in your case,” “Why, [could ask you forty questions right in one breath, and never lay a hair, either,” **T beheve you,” ** But, I won’t, for if I aid you’d be likely to kick me all the way from here to next Sunday, I'd want to know who Cuthbert is; what he does for a living; how many in family; who their cook is; how much rent they pay—’ ‘* old on, don’t go any further, I couldn't answer your questions if I wanted to, and I as- sure you I don’t.” The team bad now been taken out from the pole, and a couple of stablemen had attacked the carriage with pail and sponge and broom and duster. The one with the dust-brush had got inside, and when he began to ply them Harry saw some scraps of paper come flying out, fragments no bigger than a nickel, ‘* Well,” Harry remarked, ‘guess l’)l take a last equint at that vest-of— mean coat-of- arms, and then be off, unless you want to hire a handy feller of my size and shape.” He had stepped within the stable. door while speaking. ‘Hire you? What could you do around a stable?” asked Dan, with a wink at the others, “T could draw lady customers by posin’ on my good looks, for one thing; but I'd get in my finest work at cleanin’ up and keepin’ things in order, I’m a reg’lar scavenger at pickin up. Just see here,” and Harry stooped and quickly picked up every scrap of the paper which had been swept from the carriage, “DPidn’t I do that slick?’ he demanded, **But, I don’t suppose you care to pay bigh wages for a specialist, so ’}] take my parting squint at the lion and monkey, to see which has got the best of the scrimmage by this time, and then [ll jog along.” He looked once again at the coat-of-arms, and then turned away with a wave of the hand and was off. The men and boys at the stable looked after him, as he walked briskly off down the street, and as they watched him they saw him care- pects fling the scraps of paper to the wind, escraps? Hardly!
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» — Harry had deposited them safely in a pocket, and had torn up another piece and cast the bits away for effect, naturally supposing some of the idlers would be looking. “That was a queer feller,” one of the group olserved. “He was that,” agreed Dan, ‘and I was be- ginning to think maybe he had some object in gathering up them scraps; but I see he’s throw- ed them away again.” ‘* Wonder if his mother’s got any more like him?” ‘“*T don’t believe she has, for the lightnin’ don’t often strike twice in one place, and this fellow is lightnin’ with his tongue, if nothing more,” So the comments ran for a few minutes, till Harry was out of sight, when he was speedily forgotten. ‘* Well, wonder what I’ve picked up now?” the lad questioned himself, as he proceeded in the direction of the office. ‘‘Good thing for me, luck came my way at the right time, or I'd never got an idea bow to get thesescraps, Don’t believe I was ever cut out for a detective; in that line I’m likely to prove more of a defective, I guess,” With his half-muttered thoughts running faster than bis feet, he bastened along, and in due time was in the neighborbood of the office, Presently, on turning a corner, he came up with Silent Seth, ** Hello!” he cried. ‘* You here, too, Philoso- pher? Where are you headin’ for now?” ** Office,” “* Jumpin Jew’s-harps! You said’a whole word that time, didn’t you! Vl give ye a mark for that, What did you find out?” **Not much. No use wasting words telling you now, You'll bear it all when I tell the boss about it.” ‘“*Whew!” Harry whistled, ‘* You haven't said so much in One breath in a week, Seth. You are bound to live to be older than old ’Touselumm of old,” Seth did not take the trouble to ask why, so Harry continued: “You are so mighty sparin’ of your breath that you are likely to store away enough o’ that useful element to carry you through for a thou- gand years,” CHAPTER IV. BROADWAY BILLY'S CLIENT. BROADWAY BILLY was seated alone in his =F hg when there camea timid knock at the oor. Both the boys were out at the time, not on a case of great importance, having been sent to gather information regarding a certain suspect- #d character, Billy guessed at once that the applicant wasa woman, and one who was unused to visiting offices of the kind. He rose and stepped over to the door and opened it to ascertain how nearly he bad guessed aright, The person was a woman, sure enough, and looked timid and uncertain as her knock had in- dicated. ‘‘Is Mr. Weston in, sir?’ she asked, in a voice that showed suppressed excitement. ““T am he, madam,” Billy respectfully an- swered. ‘* Will you come in?” He stepped aside to allow the caller to enter, and she passed into the office, Billy closing the door and giving his visitor a chair. ‘* [—T have called on a—a matter of business, isir,” the woman explained, in a somewbat ibervous tone and manner, *‘I—I want to engage the services of a detective to—to—” _ ‘*1 see, I see,” Billy interrupted to help her. “Just compose yourself a little, madam, and I will listen to your story. It is quitehard work climbing stairs; I find it so myself. You will get your breath in a moment or two. Don’t hurry yourself for Tam not busy, as you can see—” words that did much to reassure her, and after a brief silence, she tried again. “The trouble is, sir,” she resumed, “I want to engage some one to follow my husband and find out what he is doing.” ‘*What do you suspect he is doing?” Billy asked. ‘“* Well, sir, I—I more than half believe be bas faller in love with another woman, and that she is taking his love away from me, and—and—” “Then it is evidence for a divorce you want eh? I must tell you, madam, as I have told several other applicants, that I do not do busi- ness of that sort. I consider it a mean, con- temptible—” ** No, no, sir; you mistake my motive, I do not want a divorce, sir; I love my husband well and truly, and I went to save him and win his love back again to myself if I can. Iam sure he Broadway Billy’s Team. eS, aa ie} is not to blame, for he has always been so good and true to me until—until—now.” ** And what bas happened now?” ** He leaves me alone all the time, and I have only my baby boy to love, and—and— Oh! boo-hoo-oo—” Billy saw that this little child-wife—for the woman could not be more than twenty—was thoroughly in earnest, and that ber grief was genuine, He had made it a rule never to take hold of any case that savored of divorce proceedings, for he considered that beneath the notice of a true detective. Those who did that sort of work he looked upon as disreputable = haga, But here was something newin that line, Most women who had come to his office with such re- quests were bold about it, with nothing of ner- vousness about them as they stated their busi- ness; but this little woman was overcome with the telling of her griefs—so innocent and child- like was she, Broadway Billy waited for her to recover her- self a little before he spoke, “Then it is not with the idea of getting a di- vorce that you want your husband watched, eh? ‘“*Oh! no, no! Lassure you it is not, sir. I love him too well for that, It is because I love him so well thatIam grieved about his con- duct,” * Then what is it you do want?” The woman bad already told him that, but Billy was willing to bave her repeat. ‘*T want him brougbt back to me again. I am willing to forgive everything, if I can only keep his love. Cuan’t you help me, sir?” ‘* What is your busband’s name, madam?” “TY am not going to tell you that unless you say you will belp me,” “Ha! Why not?” ** Because I do not want toexpose him, Say you will help me, and I will tell you all I can.” ** Well, although I have made it a rule not to meddle with matters of this kind, madam, yet I do feel inclined to do what I can in your case, I will help you.” “Tbank you, sir. Ihave read a good deal about you in the papers, and I was sure you would not refuse me.” ** Well, let me hear tha facts.” The child-wife had now recovered, under Billy’s friendly and sympathizing words and manner, and set about telling her story, ** My husband’s name is Prince Terger,” she began. ‘ Heis a jewelry salesman in the heuse of Aurum and Argent, on Broadway. He makes good wages, and we have been very happy until now.” ** And now—?” ‘¢ As [have told you, he leaves me aloneall the time; be will not tell me what keeps him away so much; he looks bad and troubled; and, I have worried myself almost sick about him.”' ‘* What excuse does he make to you?” ‘‘He says he will tell me everything after awhile; that he cannot help keeping a secret from me for the present,” ‘*What, then, makes you think there is an- other woman in the casz?” **T followed him once, and I saw him meot a woman and go off with her upon his arm,” ‘* Why did you not face him there and then?” ‘*T wasso overcome tbat I could not move, but fainted, and when I came to, they were one, ‘And you told him about it when you saw him next, of course.” : “No, no; I could not do that, It was the anniversary of our wedding, and as he brought me & nice present, all I could do was to sit and ry. ‘* What did he say or do?” ‘*He was grieved, and walked the floor. He was notin the house long, but said he had an important engagement, and went off, saying I should know all that seemed mysterious—should not be kept much longer in suspense; and, some- how, I believed he was not so bad, in spite of what I had seen,” ‘*T believe you are more than half right,” Billy declared. ‘‘Somehow f feel that. this busband of yours is true to you, but has trouble of some sort on his mind that he does not want you to know about. Ill take a look into the case and find out about it, I donot promise to reveal anything to you of what I may learn, however.” “Then what was the use of my coming to ou?” ve Tl tell you what I will do! IfI find he is in trouble Pll try to get him out of it, or help him if his secret business is honest, If it is the worst, then I will puta word of warning in his ear und drop the case, As I told you, I will not s meddle with divorce matters. I deal in nothing but criminal! cases,” ‘* Well, I'll have to be satisfied, I suppose, I hope J hoy can bring him back to me.” **You do not know who that woman was, of course?” ** No; she was a stranger to me,” ** Well, no rhatter, Now, where do you live? I may have occasion to send my office-boy to see you, you know.” The young woman gave her address, ‘Very well; I will look into the matter, not for the sake of taking up such a case, but be- cause I believe, somehow, your husband is inno- cent, You bad better go home with that belief in your own mind, if you can,” “Ob! you don’t know. how much better your words make me feel toward him! I will believe in him, in spite of everything. All I ask is that you wlll bring him back to me again if you can, for we have been so happy till now. How much am I to pay you, sir?” ‘*Nothing at all,” answered Billy. ‘‘As I told you, 1 do not take cases of this kind, and only take yours because I believe you wron ata husband, You need not call again; if ve anything to tell you I will senda boy, If you do not hear from me you will know I have given up the matter, You will probably hear from me, though, within ten days,” ** Thank you, sir, I will patiently wait.” With that the woman took her leave, and Billy turned the matter over in his mind, ** Somehow | feel there is a case going to grow out of this,” he mused, ‘In the first’ place I believe Prince Terger is in trouble but is more sinned against than sinning, as the saying is. His actions don’t tally with those of the usual sport of the town, I mean to look into the mat- ter and find out. That be is mixed up in trouble of some sort, is certain. I’}1 see.” He paced the floor for a little while, but pres- ently stopped and looked at the time. ‘“*Tney should have been back long ago,” he said to himself, ‘* Something has detained them. Well, as it isn’t far, I'll stepdown to Aurum and Argent’s and take a look at Mr. Terger. By the time I get back they’l] no doubt be here,” Putting on bis hat be went out, closing the door and locking it with the spring latch. A short walk brought the detective to the big re, Entering, he was just in time to witness an ex- citing scene, An arrest had just been made, and a young man, bare-headed and excited, was in the grasp of a big policeman, **T assure you that I am innocent,” the young man was pleading. “If you only knew the weeks of anxiety I have had, you would believe me. Spare me this disgrace, wife!” **Impossible, Prince Terger,” was the stern response made by an elderly man, evidently one of the propretors of the store. ‘‘ Our detectives have brought the matter home to you, and there is no doubt of your guilt, that Ican see, I am sorry, after all these years of trust in you,” The young man tried to speak, to defend him- self further, but be choked, and then he burst out crying, covering his face with his hands. At the same time the elderly man turned his head to hide bis own emotion, CHAPTER V. BILLY’S OPINION EXPRESSED, BroaDway BILLy’s first impression was strengthened by what be beard and saw here, Upon Mrs, Terger’s stating her errand at the cflice, and telling her story, Billy had, for sey- eral reasons, come to the conclusion that this Prince Terger was innocent of wrong-doing. And now, arriving at such a critical time, he was enabled to judge of him with much more certainty in his estimate. With his quick intui- tion he believed him innocent of the crime witb which he was charged, and for which he had just been arrested, though he did not yet know what the crime was, There was a minute of silence, sy hen the prisoner was able to speak, he d: said: “Mr, Argent, can you really believe me guilty of this crime?” The elderly man had recovered himself, and turned and faced the prisoner. ** How can we believe otherwise, in the face of the evidence? Can you disprove that?” have been for weeks trying to pet at the truth of the matter and bring the guilty person to answer for the theft.” ‘That is not a very likely story,” observed one of the detectives, ** And why isn’t it?” demanded the prisoner, or the sake of my - y, : J \ ( l ct
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Ms, your actions during the time we have watched you.” ** Besides,” put in Mr. Argent, “* why did you not make it known to us before we found it out ourselves? That would have spoken much in your favor, young man,” “*T will tell you, sir, frankly. I hoped to clear it up before it could be known, for my record here has been spotless and | was ashamed of this loss and hoped to make up for my fault by recovering the diamonds before they were missed.” “That won’t do,” objected the detective. ** You have been spending money far in excess of your income, and have been keeping ques- tionable company. The factis, you have rushed into the pace that kills, and to keep it up you had to steal diamonds and convert them into cash.” “You are a liar!’ cried the prisoner, hotly. **We have shown Mr, Argent proof for it, anyhow.” **You could not have any such proof, when nothing of the kind has been done.” **Our proof is the circumstantial evidence we have brought to bear. The diamonds missing, and you flush with money.” **T bave been spending my own savings.” “That is not hkely. What of the company you have been keeping?” ‘“*It bas been with a purpose, I have been trying to play the detective and so get evidence for an arrest.” “Ha, ha, ba! Why, Mr, Argent, he has been going it at a gay pace, and without any such thought or idea. And if innocent, what did he imagine he would gain by such a course?” The prisoner was pale and excited, but tried to defend himself against his accusers, Everybody in the store was looking on, and the proprietor realized that cne thing or other must be done at once:—either be shonid take the man’s word and free bim, or accept tae evidence the detectives bad brought to bear and tel! them to take him away, He did the latter. ** Well,” he said, ‘Iam sorry for you, Terger, whether you are guilty or innocent. If you are innocent, you will have every opportunity to prove it. As it looks now, ali the proof is against you, and I must have you held. Take him away.” With that he turned and made haste to get into bis private office, Again the prisoner broke down, “Tf I could only see my wife first,” he roaned, ‘‘If I could only be the first to tell er the whole story, I believe she would think me invocent in spite of all appearances, as I swearlam, Can’t you take me home first, and then to the—tbe prison from there?” “That is out of our line,” was the response, * We don’t mean to give you any chance to get away from us,” ‘4 swear I will not try to get away.” ** We'll not give you the chance,” Broadway Bully stepped forward, * Are you the Prince Terger who lives at—?” mentioning street and number. The prisoner looked at bim quickly and in- quiringly. ‘Ves, J am,” he answered. ‘* Well, I happen to be very slightly acquaint- ed with your wife, Mr, Terger, ani I will take it upon myself to send her any message you may desire to forward, You have only to tell me what,” “Who, sir, are you?” Sf name is Weston,” + Will you do what you say?” “T will, sir, ou my word,” ‘Well, tell my wife this: I am innocent, Whatever you hear, do not believe it. I am in- nocent, and I wili explain everything to your satisfaction. You, at least, will believe me.” ‘* Your wife shall have*your message before she can hear of your arrest,” Billy promised, “Thank you. You area stranger to me, but I feel that | can trust you and that you are my friend.” “ Yes, you may trust me, sir; and, if you are innocent of this crime, as you claim to be, I may be able to help you.” js “God grant that you may, sir.” **T will call and see you later on, and hear your story.” ‘“* See here, who are you, anyhow?” one of the detectives demanded. “ My name is William Weston, but Iam some- what better known as Broadway Billy.” | This caused a little ripple of excitement, and the two detectives exchanged glances. ~ “* Well,” said one, ‘I hope the prisoner can be Broadway Billy’s Team. 5 much chance for him, I tell you.” The big policeman now led the prisoner out and away. One of the detectives turned to Billy. ** You can’t believe he’s innocent, do you?” he asked, *T can believe that just as readily as that he is guilty,” Billy answered. «Then you don’t know about the case, eh?” ‘*No more thar I bave just now heard.” ** When you hear all about it you may change your mind a good deal.” ** Perhaps.” ** Do you want to hear it?” ‘* Yes; anything in that line is of interest.” * Well, seeing that we are both in the same profession I’}l tell you about it.” He took bold of Billy’s arm in a familiar way ae led him out, leaving the other detective be- ind. ‘* You see,” the store detective said, as they assed toward the street, ‘it isa plain case, iamonds have been stolen, and Terger is the man who lifted them,” ‘** What’s the proof?” ‘Why, you heard me mentioh it.” ‘That isn’t proof positive, though.” ‘* Many a man bas been hanged upon proof no better.” ‘*The more shame for our country, then, I must say. I hold this man Terger to be inno- cent.” ‘* Yet you haven’t beard about the case,” *“ No matter; every man is innocent until you prove him. guilty.” ‘** And that’s what wo claim we have done in this case. It shows for itself,” ‘* Well, tell me more and let me judge.” “You see, a pair of very valuable diamonds have been stolen, and a pair of paste ones left in their place, There is no way of telling just when this was dove, but it was probably about four weeks ago, for since that time Terger has been going it ata lively gait.” “Well?” ‘*These diamonds were in his department. They were taken from the box by one of the clerks, that seems positive, and they were wnder Terger’s charge. He is the only one upon whom suspicion has fallen, and the only one whose ac- tions speak of guilt. All the others have stood watching, Terger has been in fast company and spending money in a lavish way.” ** How much has he spent?” ‘‘As bigh as twenty dollars of a night, and once éven as much as thirty dollars,” ‘* And how much salary bas he been getting?” ‘Twenty-four hundred a year.” ‘That does not make him a millionaire, by any means, yet a prudent man would save some- thing out of it. He claims that it was ‘his sav- ings be was spending,” ‘“ Well, that’s all right; but he can’t account for. the manner in which the diamonds were taken when they were certainly in his keeping and be was responsible for them. Mr. Argent discovered the paste ones by accident, or it might bave been & secret yet.” ** Terger bas said why he kept it a secret.” ** But it looks thin, don’t you think so?” ‘‘No, I don’t; for this seems to be the first thing that has ever come up against him, and naturally he has felt sore about it and would want to keep it secret if there was a possible hope for his recovering the diamonds and restor- ing them.” ‘“* But, be wasn’t making any effort, He was going to the dogs as fast ashe could. You see, he was one of these modest young men who wouldn’t say beans for a bagful, and they are just the ones who will stand watching.” ‘* And in some cases will bear the watching well, too.” ‘** But it didn’t prove so in this case.” ** From your point of view.” ‘“Then you don’t agree with me.” —- ** No; he don’t have the air of a guil man.” ‘Ob! that be banged! You don’t go Hh thing of that sort, do you? lf you do you will get mistaken a good many times,” ‘* Perhaps I shall, but I always give heed to my impressions in these matters, and I have been fairly successful, as maybe you will admit.” i This the other had to admit, aud after some further talk Billy broke away, with his belief in the innocence of Prince Terger not in the least shaken, If anything, it had been strengthened. CHAPTER VI. THE FRAGMENTS OF PAPER, WHEN Broadway Billy returned to hia office he found his two beagles there awaiting him. < ! Poecause your actions give the lie to it: that | cleared, but the way it looks now there is not ** Hello, boys,” he greeted, ‘‘ you are back at last, are you?” ‘* You bet!” responded Happy Harry. Silent Seth made po response, ‘‘Well, where have you been? Billy in- quired. ; ** Been?” echoed Harry. ‘' We've been scout- in’ around after new game, that’s where; and we've started it, too!” ‘*Is that. so? But, tell me about the errand pee were sent upon. I will hear your report first. ** Well, we followed His Nibs and found out that it was just as you thought, He’s the man, ure, ‘** And he lives at that address?” {On gins **That is good. We will soon wind that case up, then. Now, what’s new on the programme?” ** Well, we've scented one of the worst old diffikilties you ever hit upon in your career, aud I’m bettin’ rats to mice on it.” ‘*That so? Well, let me hear particulars,” ** Let the Philosopher tell you about it, boss; he can do it in quarter the words I can,” ‘* Very well, Seth, you try it.” So, Silent Seth told briefly but fully just what had taken place, giving his own adventures in particular, Billy and Parry listened atten- gyi ‘* You’re a corker, Seth, that’s what you are!” cried Harry. Broadway Billy remained silent and in a thoughtful mood, ‘*What do you think about it, boss?’ Harry rged. ‘* Why, l am just trying to find out what I do think of it,” answered Billy. ‘‘ There is some- thing important back of all this. But, Harry, tell me your part in full, and let me have the whole matter.” Harry gave his part of the tale. ** Let me see those scraps of paper you picked up at the stables,” Billy requested. “That's so,” Harry exclaimed, “‘ Was just going to get ’em out and see what I could make of ’em when we heard you comin’.” With that he went down into his pocket and brought the scraps to light, being particular to get them all, and put them on the desk in front of bis employer, ‘* Now,” said Billy, ‘“* while I am at this, Harry, 1 have an errand for you todo. It will not take you long, and by the time you get back we shall probably be able to let you read this puzzle,” Harry did not look pleased, but stood ready to obey orders, ‘All right,” be said, ** just say what the busi- ness is and I'll be about it inthe twinkle of a star or two,” “*T want you to go to No, —-—— street and ask for Mrs, Terger, She is a young woman with sad, blue eyes, You can’t mistake her, Tell her I sent you and give her this message,” Billy wrote a brief note, and Happy Harry set out with it, As soon as he was gone Billy went to work to match the tiny scraps of paper, to learn whether there was anything of importance chere or not, Gradually the paper grew into the form if had been originally, and when finally, after a considerable task, it was done, Billy was en- abled to read the following message: “GRACIE:— “Yes, I will meet you at 5th ave. and 20th to- night at the same hour as before. Will then talk further about the matter, I am sure you will not disappoint me, and you need have no tear of my disappointing you. * Faithfully yours, ** PRINCE,” ‘* Ha! what have we here?” cried Billy. Silent Seth had been ‘looking on while Billy was arranging the paper, and now he read it, too, but said nothing. Billy was interested in the signature, The name Prince was by no means a common one, and might this not be the man of that name whom he had seen arrested so recently? Wetting a sheet of paper, Billy pressed it down upon the fragments as they lay in order, and lifting it with ca'e, every piece came up with it and he was enabled to turn it over with- out displacing one. Next he took another sheet and gummed it well with mucilage, This he pressed down upon the back of the scraps, as they lay face downward upon the other paper, and ina few moments he lifted this one away from the other and the scraps came with !t, all neatly pasted— an operation which Silent Seth watched closely. “When you have a case of that kind you will know how to manage it, Seth,” Billy remarked, ** Now, you see, Ican preserve this thing, and’
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6 can compare it with the writing of suspected persons to find out who wrote it, This simple note may play a big part in thiscase. And I believe there is a case here, and not a small one, either. We may bave work to do, my lad, that will task all our detective skill.” ‘* Yes, sir; I begin to think so,” ‘* And now, while Harry is absent, I am go- ing to make one effort to compare it with the writing of a certain man. You keep the office until I come back.” Billy went out and hurried to the office of Aurum and Argent, He asked to see Mr, Argent. ‘* Will you show me a specimen of the writing of Prince Terger, the man who was arrested here a short while ago?” be requested. ‘*Who are you?” Mr, Argent demanded. ‘*My name is Weston, sir. I am a detective. I am on the police detective force as well as being a private detective.” ** And why do you make this request?” ‘Because I want to compare it with a bit of writing that has come into my bands.” Well, I would oblige you, but there is noth- ing of bis writing here, save some brief entries on the books here and there. I do not think that would auswer your purpose.” “Tt might not; but, Mr. Terger has served with you a number of years, has he not?” ‘* Yes, so he has,” “And you would recognize his writing any- where?” “*T might be-able to recognize it, sir; I will not say positively as to that. Let me see it.” Billy allowed bim to take the paper and ex- anine it, ‘““This has the appearance of having been re- duced to pretty fine pieces and restored again,” the man observed, “You are right, sir, That is the case,” ‘* Woll, I feel pretty sure it is Terger’s writ- ing; it looks very much like it.” “Thank you,” and Billy folded the paper and returned it to his pocket, ° ‘*May Lask you what you are looking up?” asked Mr. Argent, ‘‘ Has that young man been up to some other evil deeds?” “Not that I am aware of, sir,” was Billy’s response, ‘*Il am taking interest in this matter in the hope that I may be able to clear him of the charge that bas been made aguiust him,” ‘‘Indeed? Then you-think he is not guilty?’ ““T bave some reason to think he may be in- nocent,” *“*You don’t say! Well, young man, if you could prove him innocent I should like it—amaz- ingly.” ‘“‘'This is the first time he has ever been sus- pected, eh?” ‘The very first.” “« Are you willing to tell me all you can about the matter?” ‘¢ Most willing, sir, if it will help you.” The gentleman went ahead, then, telling Billy all the private detective had previously told him, as quoted. ‘* And you say these diamonds, the paste dia- monds, were exact imitations of the genuipve?” ‘Oh, no; but they were near enough in size He appearance to deceive any one at a cursory ance, i And they were in the same box in which the genuine had been kept, and were similarly mounted in all respecte?” “The mounting was like the stones; a good enough imitation to deceive at first glance, All the more suspicion against Terger.” ** And why?” ** Because, the person who made the exchange isa jeweler. Terger knows thetrade, Then, he is the only person who had the handling of the goods in that particular section.” ‘¢ Ground for suspicion, I admit, but not proof positive, Now, sir, there is no other person whom you might suspect, i there?” “No one, Wehave considered every employee above suspicion; otherwise they would not have remained here,” sgt! see, Now, what explanation does Terger ve? ** He has given none, be ‘* And perbaps is unable to give any.” % Ww hich makes it look still the darker for him.” “T admit it; but, you know the excuse he made at the time of his arrest?” ‘¢ Yes, but I fear it was a poorone, He should have told me of the loss at once, sir; at once,” , ““T agree with you there; but, he may have / had hopes of recovering the gems, when he would have told you all about.it,” ** Possibly, possibly; but it looks bad for bim, He has been spending money with a lavish hand, / Broadway Billy's Team. and has been in bad company, according to what our detectives report. Still, sir, if you see any chance to prove him innocent, do so, and you shall be well rewarded. I had rather see him innocent than guilty, far rather, Yes, help him all you can, Mr. Weston.” CHAPTER VII. THE CASE GROWS BROADER. BROADWAY BILLY and the diamond merchant conversed for some time longer, when Billy took his leave and returned to the office, Harry came in a little later on, and was more | than eager to see what his chief had been able to make out of the scraps of paper he had gathered up at the livery stable, ‘*What did it prove to be?” Harry asked. *“Was it a love billy-doo? Or was it a tailor’s bill? Or mebty it was only a gentle hint from somebody’s wash-woman, I seem ter ferget, though, that it’s s’posed a woman had it an’ tore itup. It’s all the same in Dutch.” ‘Here it is, Harry,” said Billy. ‘“‘ Read it aod then pass your opinion on it for the benefit of the Co,” Harry took the note and read it, ‘* Jumpin’ Jew’s-harps!” be exclaimed. ** What is it?” Billy inquired, Silent Seth merely looked on and listened. ‘“ Why, if that woman’s name is Gracie, then it proves that she has more bows to her fiddle than one.” ** You mean strings to her bow.” ‘* Somethin’ like that, She’s in the habit of meetin’ ber Princie by moonlight alone, and if we was in the divorce trade here we might work up a case for His Nibs, Cuthbert.” ‘* We are not in that line, bowever, Harry.” ‘You bet. When this combination takes a case it’s got to be one that means something. Hey, Philosopher?’ Silent Seth merely smiled his approval, ‘* Well, boys,” said Billy, ‘‘ this case is yours, so to say, and you must be at work on it, Harry, you go to the Cuthbert residence and watch for developments there, while Seth goes to the Hotel and looks after Mr, Underboy. By the way, Harry, you have not reported what Mrs, Terger had to say.” * That’s so, Well, she was cut up when she found her hubby might not be home for several days, but when I ’sured her it was all right, and that you had sent the note in your own hand- write, then she wiped away her tears, and said she’d try to grin an’ bear it, or words to that effect.” ** About the only thing she can do, I hope sbe won't find out about Terger’s arrest till he gets bailed out, anyhow.” ‘* Terger in the jug?’ ‘* Yes, I must tell you about that side of the matter, 90 you will be the better prepared to judge of the value of anything that may come your way.” And so Billy did, giving his hel derstanding of the case all around, “Wha: did I tell ye, Seth?’ cried Harry. **Didn’t I say there was a consarned diffikilty a-brewin’? Didn’t I say there was a son o’ Ham in the fence? I was sure of it when we sighted the game,” Seth nodded, After some further talk and arranging of plans, the two boys set out. They bad not n gone long when the door opened, and in came Billy’s friend and patron, the inspector, Another man was with him, whom, as soon as he had greeted Billy bimeelf, the inspector in- troduced as Mr, Jasper, of the firm of Jasper & oyee. . Billy immediately recognized the name of one 7 the leading diamond houses of the metropo- is, ‘* Verily,” he thought, ‘‘ diamonds seem to be trumps this deal.” “Mr. Jasper bas brought.a case to me,” said the inspector, ‘‘and as most of my men are en- gaged I thought of you and want you to take hold of it for me and do the best you can with it. Are you busy?” io Not too busy to try it, I guess,” answered illy. ‘“* Very well. Mr. Jasper, this is the young man [ named, and you may trust him fully. Shall 1 state the case to him, or will you do so?” ** You state it,” said Mr. Jasper. “Allright, Well, Billy, it may be a difficult case, and possibly an impossible one, owing to the lack of any clew. Still, you may be able to bunt up a clew by a little sharp looking around, You will see how it stands as soon as you have heard about it, however. No need for me to give you hints at all.” rs a full un- “‘The more the better, from you,” deck Billy. “Mr, Jasper has been robbed of two valua- “% ble diamonds to-day, in a very artfn} and clever manner, This morning a woman entered his store and purchased a diamond ring. After making the purchase and paying for it—one bundred and ten dollars was the price—she asked to see some earrings. They were shown to her, and she examined several pairs, taking note of the prices, saying she might be able to purchase at no distant day. ‘* Finally thanking the clerk, she took her leave, and was seen no more. Her name bad not been learned, nor is the clerk abJe to describe ber very clearly. She wasa young woman, and according to the clerk’s estimate, pretty. She was dark, wore a small hat, and had on no wrap of any kind. That is about the extent of the description he can give, and there are thousands of women in. New York whom it will fit. You gee you are without a clew unless you can find the particular young woman who visited, the store this morving.” **T see, sir,” ‘* A rather difficult undertaking.” ** Tt looks so,” ‘** But you will try it?” “*Oh, yes; Pll. tackle it. on my side, you know.” Broadway Rilly may be excused for not show- ing hishand. He believed he bad the case more than half-worked out already, but to tell Mr. Jasper so would be to weaken the impression bis success would produce, He thought all this over while the story was being told. The inspector resumed: ‘¢ It was some time later when the clerk who had waited upon the young woman had occa- sion to display the same diamonds again, and in opening one of the cases be noted that the diamonds looked ratber duller than they bad looked before, and this led to a closer inspec- tion. He found they were only paste! It is believed that the young woman carefully, quick- ly and cleverly made an exchange while looking at the gems, and that she carried the genuine ones off with her.” ‘¢ How much were these diamonds worth, Mr, Jasper?” asked Billy. ‘*They were on sale at five thousand dollars,” was the answer. ‘* What value did you set upon them?” “Well, say four thousand.’ “Can you furnish me with an exact descrip- tion of them?” ‘* Fortunately I can, sir, Here it is, just as I copied it from a card in the store before I went tw see the inspector,” ‘* Will you allow me to take it?” ** Vo be sure,” ‘*T shall need it, you know, to prove the dia- monds,” The inspector was paying attention, noting Broadway Billy’s questions and no doubt weigh- Luck is quite often ing them, sien ay you will,” responded the dealer, answering Billy’s remark, ‘‘ Take it and keep it with you, and I hope you will have success.” 4 Is this the first cage of the kind you bave had, sir? ‘* Yes, this is the first.” . “You have not brought the paste diamonds with you, bave you?” “No, I did intend to, but at the moment of my coming out it slipped my mind, You can see them by stepping into the store, however.” ‘*[ may do that. Your loss is similar to one which Aurum and Argent have just discovered,” ‘* Ha! they have been visited too, bave they?” ‘“‘Then you have not heard?” “a No,” ‘*They met with their loss quite some time ago,. but did not know it till very poise They suspect one of their clerks, and have had him arrested on suspicion and upon evidence their detectives have gleaned.” ‘* Mr, Jasper thinks his clerks are above sus- picion,” bere put in the inspector. ** Yes, entirely so,” the merchant supported, ‘* And [am of the opinien that it isso in the other case,” Billy declared, ‘* Thiscaseof yours, Mr. Jasper, will have Weight toward clearing the suspected young man,” ‘* There were paste diamonds there, too?” “cc Yes.” “Then it has no doubt been the same person who swindled me, Something must be done to bring the thing to a stop.” ’ “ Something -will be done, with Broadway Billy on the case,” remarked the inspector, con- fidently. They took their leave, and Broadway Billy
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= se | —— \ ee rs 7 - ee ee ae oe ep mn - ; - i the office and went out, to make bis way famediately to the diamond store of Archer and ce. This was the place where Silent Seth had seen Warton Underboy transact some business, and from where he had afterward followed him to the bank, “Going in, Billy bappened to address the super- intendent of the salesroom at once, ; “*T want to see the head of the establishment,” Billy said. j “You may state your business to me, sir; I am superintendent.” : ‘Very well, You bought two diamonds this morning from a stranger.” ‘¢ We do buy diamonds occasionally, sir, that way. What about this case?” “T bave reason to believe these diamonds were stolen, and have come in to tell you.” Now the man sbowed interest, “Who are you?” he asked. **What do you know about the matter? How do you know they were stolen? You will have to explain fully.” ‘*T am willing to do that. In the first place I ama detective. Next, 1am tracing a pair of lost diamonds—rather, stolen, I bave reason to believe that I have traced them here,” **Can you describe them?” **T cau, and very minutely. Look at this.” The man took the card, and after looking at it, said: ‘* Just come into the office with me, and we will see Mr. Archer aboutit. Iam afraid you have not made any mistake, Come right this way, if you please,” CHAPTER VIII. CONSIDERED PRETTY QUICK WORK. BrRoADWAY BILLY followed the superintend- ent into the office, where he was introduced to Mr, Archer, one of the proprietors, the same one who had bought the diamonds from Warton Underboy, “A detective, do you say?” that gentleman partly exclaimed, wheu Billy’s profession was made known, ** Yes, sir,” Billy made answer, ‘I have called to inquire about a pair of diamonds you bought this morning.” ‘* And what about them?” “They were stolen,” “ What?’ ** Stolen, I said.” ‘Impossible! Why, the gentleman bovght them in London six years ago!” ‘* Tt would have been as easy for him to have said they were bought in Paris twelve years ago, Did he stiow you any bill of sale for them?” * Well, no; but he offered good references,” ‘* Easy enuugh todo that, too, Did you in- vestigate before buying?” ‘* Why, no; we did not; everything seemed to be so straight that there was no suspicion aroused,” ‘* That was bad. . Now, can these diamonds be recognized as the stolen ones for which I am in search, if I give you the exact description? I have never seen the diamonds myself,” ‘Yes, if your description is very accurate, they may be,” ‘** Well, here it is,” a Billy passed the written description to him, and Mr. Archer compared it with the card his man Smithson had made out, And as he compared them his face became serious and then clouded. ““T see there is reason to believe they are the same diamonds,” remarked Billy. “You see too much,” the old gentleman snapped, “And that, together with the clew that led me bere,” Billy added, “ gives me proof enough that they are the same,” ““ Well, supposing they are, I have paid four thousand dollars for them, and I must have my money back somehow, or I must hold fast to the geme. ‘*You cannot hold the stolen goods; that is out of the question,” Billy reminded, ** And why not, young man?” ‘* Because they still belong to the man from whom they were stolen,” “ Well, I must bave my money back, then,” ‘Perhaps you can find the rascal who sold them to you, and so get it out of him,” “‘T must try it, I suppose,” “Tl tell you what my idea is,” offered Billy. * What is it?” **You hold the diamonds for the present, I am on the fellow’s track, and if I get hold of him, I may be able to get hold of your money, or most of it, at the sametime, If I can do that, you will not be out anything.” Broadway Billy’s Team. “ Will you try it?” “Of course.” ‘* May I ask whom thesediamonds were stolen from?” ‘* From Jasper and Joyce, sir.” “You don’t tell me so! When were they stolen?” * Not twenty minutes before you bought them, sir. ‘** Impossible!” “* Quite the fact, however.” ** And that sleek rascal was the thief?” “No; the thief was a woman, who immedi- ately put the diamonds in his hands, He took them from their box, tore them from their set- ting, and came right here with them to get rid of them as soon as possible,” ‘“‘The scoundrel! Ill send the police after him at once!” *“No, do not do that; I will attend to him. Tell me the name and address he gave you.” “He said his name was Warton Underboy, and that he was stopping at the —— Hotel. Gave good references there, and—” He stopped short and was thoughtful. ** What have you thought of?” asked Billy. “‘T was thinking that you must be mistaken, young man.” ‘* After the proof I have shown you? There is little chance for a mistake, Mr, Archer.” ** But, he took my check willingly, saying be could get some one at the hotel to identify him, and— Ha! maybe he has not cashed the check yet!” “Too late to stop that,” said the superin- tendent, ** How do you know?” “Because [ sent a man to the bank with him: from bere.” ‘The dickins! What did you do that for?” “To save him time and trouble. I thought fos honest, the same as you did, and so obliged m, ** Well, I can’t blame you, of course, There is only one hope, then, and that is in trusting the whole matter to you, young man.” “*T will undertake to recover the money for you if it is possible,” Billy assured. “*Go ahead, then, and do it.” “* It is on the condition, however, that gs do not part with the diamonds, for I shall hold you responsible for them,” “You talk pretty emphatic for so young a map, my son,” .. ‘* Your son, as you call me, means business,” Billy assured, witb a smile, ‘Well, I will hold the diamonds, and shall be all the more willing to give them up if you can bring my four thousand dollars with you, sir.” . “ T shall endeavor to do so,” Having gained the object of his visit, Billy took a pie going from there straight to the —— Hotel. His object was to find and arrest the man Warton Underboy, Arriving there, be looked about for Silent Seth, but the boy was not to be seen, tina went to the office and interviewed the clerk, ‘‘ Have you a guest here named Underboy™ he asked. ‘*We had such a man here,” was the answer, “but he left about noon.” ou tell me where be was going?” ** No, sir,” ‘© Where was he from?” ‘“* Gave his residence as New York, sir.” * How long was he here?” ** Came only yesterday afternoon,” ' Nbr ara work, then. His Jittle scheme was all aid, ‘* What was all laid? What do you mean?” “That fellow was a swindler, and I am Jook- ing for him with a pair of bracelets his size.” “The deuce you say! He didr’t !ook it,” ‘* Looks don’t always count, you know, You have a boarder here named Shield, I believe.” “Yes; but you don’t want to class bim as a rascal,” “Tm not going to, Was this fellow Underboy acquainted with him?’ “T guess not, Didn’t see them speak. Mr, Shield has been here for years. This hotel is bis home,” ‘*So I thought. The rascal has been using bis name, and I had my doubts about his knowing him. The proof is strong enovgh now.” ‘* Hasn’t forged his name, bas be?” **No, not that; merely referred to him for eet and so consummated another bit of ras- cality.” . Billy waited around a little while in the hope of seeing Silent Seth, but on reflection he saw that was useless, so set out in another direction, ee From the hotel he dropped around to head- quarters, where he was welcomed, as ever. ‘*What’s the word?” asked the inspector, **T have found Mr, Jasper’s diamonds,” “ What?” Billy smiled, ** You don’t mean to say you have found those st diamonds already, Billy Weston?” ‘* Yes, sir; Ido. I have putmy hand on them the first crack. They are in the possession of Archer and Race, who bought them this morn- ing not twenty minutes after they had been stolen,” “It don’t seem possible that hte could get sight of them so soon. I want to know how you did it.” ‘* Dumb luck, as usual,” ‘* 1 don’t believe it,” “ Ww by ” '* Everything is not luck in this business, ‘Well, 1 can’t claim any of the credit for my- self, anvhow. Those two boys of mine picked up the clew.” ‘ ‘*Then you knew something about it when I was at your office.’ Billy bad to admit that the guess was correct. “You are Na ok he said, ‘‘and I would have told you then bad it not been for letting Mr, Jasper into the secret too soon. I'll tell you all about it now,” So, Billy went ahead and laid the matter be- fore bis friend, “You have struck it rich, Billy,” was the re- mark when he had done, ‘ This is going to pan out bigger than perhaps you think it will, You want to take care they do not get on your track like the Russians did.” **Can’t help it if they do, sir, I must find Underboy, now, and when I have made sure of him I'll go for the rest of them.” ‘* How ars you going to prove it against the woman?” ‘*My boy can swear to what he saw,” ** She'll deny it, and a dozen will prove an alibi for ber. She can prove she was in that store where she bought the dress at almost the same hour. That clerk who wound her watch cannot forget the incident so quickly,” “*T don’t know but what youare right, Well, Pll have to get her to rights somehow. I guess I'l] come at it in some way or other,” ‘“* You bad better drop around and tell Jasper where his diamonds are, It will be quite a card for you,” This suited Billy’s own ideas, go from head- uarters he went to the store of Jasper and oyce, where be amazed Mr, Jasper more than a little by telling him so soon where his stolen diamonds were, He was looked upon as a little more than human, ] CHAPTER IX, WHAT HARKY LEARNED. WHEN Silent Seth left the «flice, to carry out the instructions be had received, he lost no time in arriving at the hotel. He was none too early, As be entered he saw his man, Warton Underboy, at the office paying his score, his grip on tbe floor at his feet, Had Seth arrived a few minutes later he would have missed him, But, he wasin time, and that was the important point. Little cared he for what might have been, Seth caught sight of the porter who had an-’ swered his questions on the previous visit he had made, This was not to his liking, for the colored gentleman caught sight of him at the same time, and came forward to speak. ‘*Tf you want to see Mistah Underboy, chile, you had bettah see him now, for he is gwine way. You asked’bout him befo’, as Iremember fo’ shua,” * “ T don’t want to speak to him, though,” Silent Seth declared in low tone. He could have said more, but he let bis actiong finish for him, looking around as if in search of some particular personage, Not finding him, evidently, he sauntered out but he lingered not far from the entrance and waited for his man to make bis appearance, and he bad not long to tarry, Underboy soon came out, his grip in band, and went off up the street at a rapid pace. Seth allowed him to get a proper distance, in advance, when he put himself in motion an followed like the Silent Shadower he was, Tbe man’s final destination was the bouse to which Harry had previously followed the women in the carriage, There be rung the bell, and he was recognized ag soon as the door was opened and admitted | without question, Seth noted this, and passed on leisurely, won- / —
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as by i Ay . Ba dering what he should do now to best advant- age, When he had gone a little distance he stopped and leaned against a lamp-post to reflect, at the same time keeping his ey2s upon the house, Whether the man would stay there, or whether he would soon reappear, the boy could not guess. The probabilities were about as much in favor of one course as the other. After reflection Seth decided to watch, To go and report would ke to give Broadway Billy only the whereabouts of the man, and while he was gone the man might change his quarters, An hour passed, and the man did not reap- pear, The Silent Shadower had by this time decided that be meant to remain there. After a time the boy noticed another man as- cend the steps and ring the bell, one whom he had not seen before. This man had passed the place where Seth was in considerable haste, and when Scth saw him spring up the steps and ring tbe bell he was all curiosity. He had been wondering if there was not some means by which he might find an excuse for en- tering the house, but thus far had hit upon no plan. It was a dangerous business to undertake, He wondered, too, where his chum, Harry, could be, ' Billy had sent him to shadow this house, but Seth had been unable to see anything of him, It was plain that he was not there. And the fact that he was not there led Seth to apprehend that something had happened to him, hat it could be, however, the Silent Shadower could not imagine. He was ata loss to account for his absence, ‘ While be was yet considering what to do, Harry came along. He stopped where Seth stood, and said: ** What you doin’ here, Seth?” ‘© Watching,” was the brief answer. ** And what are ye watchin’? ** House.” Seth pointed at the house upon which suspi- - cion rested, _ “Tell ye what it is, Seth,” Harry complained, **0’m goin’ to learn the deaf and dumb language and use that to talk with you. I’d get more out of ye that iif than I can in plain English, Why don’t ye rattle off the whole story at once and let me know what’s what?” “Didn’t know youcared anything about it, Harry.” “*Not care anything aboutzit? Jumpin’ Jew’s- harps! do ye s’pose I’m one of them ’ar stoicks, like yoursell?, Not much, I’m a reg’lar double- headed interrogation p’int, I am, and you'd ought to know it by this tine,” eth nodded his head approvingly to that. “Then if ye know it why don’t ye satisfy the cravin’s of my curiosity without makin’ it neces- yout for me to usea triple-expansion force-pump, as it were? Why don’t ye unload at once? What are ye watchin’ the house for? What brings ye here? The boss sent me here; not you.” ‘** You have been a good while getting here,” * Jumpin’ Jew’s-harps! Whata long sentence for you to get off all at once, Seth, ait a min- ute now before you speak again, Yes, I’m late ettin’ here; reason why, l’ve been spottin’ that ellow you just now saw enter the house, He’s a bad one, he is, and he’s onto our haze like a ton o’ bricks, Broadway Billy is in danger, sure, and so are we,” Silent Seth was full of interest now. His questioning eyes were fixed upon Harry, ba he did not speak, ‘* Blame stoicks in general an’ you in p’tic’- lar!” cried Harry. ‘‘I do believe if I was to tell zou Billy had been shot at and killed you would take it just as quiet like, You beat the bottle-bellied Dutch, you do, Seth,” Still the *‘ Philosopher ” held his peace, Harry fretted around uneasily, but still did not allow his attention to be taken froth the house; neither did Seth, “Why don’t you say somethin’? Harry de- manded, ‘* Why don’t you answer the questions I asked ye?” **T was waiting for a chance,” answered Seth, **T went to the hotel, as the boss ordered. Was a n time to see the man leaving. I fol- owed, He came bere and went into that house, I’m watching.” ** See tne waste o’ breath you could ’a’ saved me if you had only let that out right at once, You are going to worry me into a prematoor grave if you keep on, my silent partner, A fied? mummy from the land o’ Nod could k almost as much as you do, whether it had anything to say or not,” a wer Sa! Fi a ; i ee a lh ed St i oe c Se Pe Eee aE: ea Se S et, MA ele ‘ ? ee " Broadway Billy’s Team. Seth, with nothing to say, said it. ‘** And now I s’pose you are in a fever to learn all I know, ain’t ye?” Harry demanded. Seth gave a shrug of the shoulders that might: have been taken for utter indifference, or an in- vitation for Harry to suit his own pleasure, ‘And if you ain’t,” Harry quickly added, ‘* [I’m jest a-dyin’ to tell ye, and so here goes for it. Open your ears now, my deaf an’ dumb Philosopher, and hear what 1 have to unfold.” Seth was giving attention. ** Well, you know you left the office ahead of me,” Harry went on. ‘‘Not a great deal ahead, but you were the first out. Jest so. Well, when I went out I was in time to meet a man face to face who was star-gazin’ at the signs down by thedoor, I paid no ’tention to him, but went on. I hadn’t gone far, though, when the thought hit me on the think-box that mebby that man wasn’t there for any good, and I turned right about and went back, but on the opposite side of the street.” Harry paused to note the effect of bis story on Seth, but Seth was as stoical as ever, ‘*] knew it wouldn’t take long to wait ten min- utes or so, you see,” Harry went on, ‘‘ and if there was anything crooked about the man it ought to crop out in that time, so | took the liberty to wait, And, lucky I did, for it has put us onto their game in fine style. That son o’ Ham that’s hidin’ in the fence is bigger’n I thought he was at first, Setb; a good deal bigger. hen I had got back, the man had satisfied himself about the signs, and was waitin’ and watchin’ ougside the lower doors as if he wanted to shadow some- ody. ‘Well, pretty soon out comes our boss, and the fellow picked up his heels and ambled off after him in good shape, Then you bet the fever climbed up a degree or twoin my veins, and I fell right in with the procession and followed the man that was following Billy. We did it right up in style, too, Jack was Just as good as his boss, and Ii was t’other feljer’s Jack, ‘sure ‘ough. But crackers and cheese! I’m clear abead of my story, Seth, and this part is ’por- tant—too much so to be slighted like that, Be- fore Billy came out, who should come out but the inspector and another man. Is’pose they had gone in soon after I’d come out. See?” Seth ‘* saw,” and nodded, ‘¢ Well, when the inspector appeared, my man sort o’ drawed himself into bimself so’s not to be seen, and was mighty engaged in lookin’ at things in the window, so the inspector and the man with him went off and didn’t notice him. Now when I seen the inspector you bet I was in- terested for sure. I knowed then there was music in the air somewhere, and so when Billy came out and the other feller followed bim, T was on his haze like ashyster onto a fat fee, And I stayed on, too, till I holed him here in this house, Selah!” Never-a word of comment from Seth, He simply listened, watching the house with un- ceasing vigilance, ‘““Why don’t ye say somethin’?” Harry de- manded, ‘Why don’t ye slap me on the back and say ‘Bully boy! or somethin’ like that? But, you are a stoick, and stoicks don’t do anything. Well,\the man followed Bily and I followed the man, and Billy led us to the store of Archer avd e, That was where you tracked Underboy to, you savvy. The boss was in there quite a little time, and the man who had followed him waited outside. So did {, When Billy caine out he Wipes off lively and went straight to the —— Hotel, the man after him, and me after the man. I could see by this time that our man was in earnest, ‘“*You see, the boss bad never a suspicion that any one was aftet bim, and the man had never a suspicion that any one was after him; while as fer me, I bad ter do some mighty artful dodgin’, you bet, to keep out o’ sight of both of ’em, ’specially Broadway Billy. Well, the man follered to the botel, and when the boss left there and went to headquarters the man was after him still, hot as a cop after hot peanuts, and from there the chase led to the store of Jasper and Joyce, and from there back to our office, and there the man gave it up. But I didn’t, I stuck to him like a copper to the peanuts aforesaid, and here I have holed hin. Now, Silent Seth, what do ye think of it all? The jeebeeb hath spoken, Selab!” ‘* Danger.” \ Seth said much in one wer. “You sre right; there’s danger,” agreed Happy Harry, ‘ and the boss is in it right ap to his chin, [ tell you what, silent partner, it is for you and me to bustle and do something or there is going to be a circus on our front stoop.” : ‘ 1 Fahy ypptbolurai sd? Nyt fis bie Fits Spay ey > ee! ath os ht 9a Bie a hed A hae Soa Sead, ope yy ie ahs PES bol erty. een)” . - Rp TR CHAPTER X. SILENT SETH’S STROKE, Harry had talked rapidly, and this time to a purpose, f ; e had done a good stroke of work, and while he was well aware of it, was in no wise boastful of what be had done. : Silent Seth had listened attentively, and his brief summing up had bit the nail right on the head, There was danger in the air, and more than a plenty of it, it appearances were to be trusted. ‘¢ What are we to do?” the silent partner now asked. ‘‘Blest if I know what we are going to do,” was Harry’s response, ‘“‘We are not getting there with any degree of soonness standing here.” Seth lifted his shoulders deprecatingly. He was aware of it. What more could they do than they were doing? ‘“*What a blessin’ it must be to bave brains,” Harry sighed, ‘They say bair and brains go together, and I am not by any means bald, yet I'll be chopped for sassage if I know where my brains are. Guess my tinpanium must be so thick that nothin’ can get through it.” Seth was still aggravatingly silent. ‘Tf you would only say somethin’ it might put my ideas in workin’ order,” Harry com- plained. ‘‘If I was you I would hire out toa side show for a silent freak, a boy that never told a lie—because he finds it hard enough to tell the truth and tells mighty little of that, Don't get mad, Seth; lain’t, But, bend your mind to this big riddle and give me the answer.” The silent partner deigned to speak. ‘*We had better let Broadway Billy know _ what you have fouad out, as soon as possible,” he suggested. “Just the cheese, my Silent Shadower! It. must be did. Let’s draw lots to see who'll carry the news to Mary and who will remain here to watch the sharks,” * All right,” Harry tossed a penny, calling out heads, and heads it came down, ‘* Heads it is!” he cried; ‘*so V'll go tell the boss what’s what while you keep eis straight ‘bere and don’t get into no trouble, 1 be back again as soon as possible, We are onto them heavy, now, and we must bear down witb all our strength, Selah!” . And, Happy Harry went off on his errand, whistling as he left the scene, Meantime, nothing further had been seen of either man at the bouse, though while talking the boys had kept close watch in that direction, S lent Seth bad one great desire, and that was to get into the house and see what was to be learned there. He was willing to incur the danger for the sake of the prospect of learning something. But, how? While he was puzzling his brain with the question the way suddenly opened, . | At any rate came a chance which he was quick to improve, and as it proved, it was just such a chance as he had dreamed about, While he watched he saw a furniture van draw up and stop before the door of the house he was watching, and a young man sprung down and ran up the steps and pulled the bell, Silent Seth moved nearer at cnce, The man exchanged some words with the per- sou who opened the door, and immediately sprung back to the van and began to unload something, Silent Seth sauntered along and found the young man tugging away ata mattress which, while not beavy, was so unbandy that he found it A jaca to get a good hold upon it,, “© Want a lift?” asked Seth, The young man dropped the mattress and looked up, “Will you help me lug this thing into the house and up-stairs, boy?” he inquired, ‘“*T will if there’s a nickel in it,” Seth an- swered, : “Grip on, then, and I'll give you that.” A woman was standing at the door, the same, elderly woman he had seen that morning, and Seth did not want it to appear that he bad an object in entering the house, and bence his ruse, e lent bis assistance promptly, and together he and the young man carried \the mattress into the house, and up to the room for which it was intended. There was little chance for Seth to bear ee thing, and he saw only the woman who. had ad- mitted them, A Fie He could, though, get an idea of the interior, and he improved the opportanity) to do that. { / \ jay | teh Tes pale. wh se eu? Ne med salen 'ak wu, me “k*>
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~ he mattress having been laid down, the two urned to go, The woman had followed them up, ** Did you bring the other things?” she asked, ‘* What other things?” ‘Why the chairs and the stand,” ‘*No; nothing elze was put on the wagon, ma’m.” The woman flew into a passion at once at that, and scolded roundly, Silent Seth made his way out and down to- ward the street door, and looking back on reach- ing the next landing below he saw he was out of sight, e looked about quickly. At the rear of the ball was a curtain drawn across a doorway. Springing to that he got behind it, and there he remained as silent as a mouse, The woman kept up her scolding for some mir- utes, giving the van-driver little or no chance to explain or defend himself, and then Seth heard them coming down. : He was in a dangerous place, and knew it, If discovered, he would be taken for a thief, and would be dealt with pretty severely before he could get clear. He considered the game worth the risk, how- ever, and was willing to take the chances, Meek and silent as he was, there was no braver boy in all New York, of his age. The young man and the woman came down, passed along the hall, on down the next flight, and so on to the front door, the woman’s tongue going all the time at a lively rate, and it was — that he had been forgotten for the time eing. He heard the door close, oH Now for it,” he thought. ‘If it was Harry, he’d be better able to tackle it than I, for he has got more nerve; but I'll do the best I can.” The woman’s steps died away along the hall, another door closed, and Silent Seth had the hall to himself, He listened. He could hear talking, but it was not on the floor where he was, Stepping out with caution, he went to the stairs and leaned over to listen there, Yes, the voices were below him, and if be would overhear anything of what was being said he must venture down, It was risky. Discovery was likely to take place at any moment, Seth had no idea of backing out, however, and was not to be fright- ened.off, He uesceniled to the lower hall, As silently as a shadow he had moved, and at the foot of the stairs he paused to listen, The vvicesicame from toward the rear part of the hall. The ball was not very light, and at the rear, as above, Seth noticed that a curtain was sus- pended before the door. Moving to that curtain he drew it aside and got behind it to be out of sight for the moment while be decided upon further action. He listened, hoping the voices were in that room, but they were not. There was another door only a little distance away, and he soon decided that tue persons who were talking were in there. The voices were those of men, By listening carefully the boy soon made out other voices in another room, and this one was still further along the hall, There were three doors in a row, about ten feet apart, and then this curtained door where the eavesdropper was iu hiding. This room did ! not seem to be occupied, With extreme caution Seth tried the door, It opened to bis touch, and he took a peep into the apartment. Toe floor was bare, and there was not a single’ article of furniture to be seen, Here was safety for the present, for it was not likely, he rea- soned, that any one would want to go into that room, 80, closing the door again, he felt secure in his place bebind the portiere, CHAPTER XI, : HARRY ON THE JUMP,’ Upon leaving the office of Jasper and Joyce, Broadway Billy returned to his office, and from there went home to supper. \ Not finding anything from Harry or Seth at the office, he expected to meet them at the house if they had discovered anything of importance and could leave the game to come and report to im, Billy had come to prize his two helpers more and more each day, ¢ They were ‘‘ game chickens,” as he declared, and he was ready to pit them against any other pair the city could show, , Broadway Billy’s Team. His friend Channing, of the police, was ready to back all he claimed for the lads, while the in- spector himself had great confidence in Broad- way Billy and bis ‘‘ team of ponies.” lt was while Billy was at supper that Harry came bounding in. Billy saw at a glance that something unusual was in the wind, and was eager to learn what it was, 7 ‘* What’s up, Harry?” he asked. ** Jumpin’ Jew’s-harps! Boss, we have stirred up another nest o’ hornets, as sure as you live.” ** Another nest of hornets? What do you mean by that? What have you found out now? Come, let me have it all in few words,” **Couldn’t begin to tell it in a few words no- how. Reckon you didn’t know you was shad- owed when you left the office and went to the hotel, and from thereto Headquarters, and from there to the store of Jasper and Joyce, and from there back to the office, did you?” ‘*No; but I know now that you were on my track. What was that for?” *“*Cause there was a bad man with a wicked eye following you, and J wanted to see what he was up to,” * Ha! that so?” “You bet!” ** And you followed him, of course,” “ Bet your ducats I did, boss; and I holed him, too. ‘* Where?” ‘*Same house where I left the two women, Ob! they are a p’izen lot, that I[ tell you,” ‘* Yes, [am aware of that, but we shall trip them up before they know it.” ‘* Tf they don’t trip us, you mean,” ‘* We must take care they don’t do that,” ‘* But they are onto us now, heavy !/” ‘*So it seems; but, forewarned is forearmed, and you have put me upto their trick. Have you seen Seth? ‘You bet. He shadowed bis man to that same house too, and there he is like Patience on & monnyment, tryin’ to bore holes through the front with them eyes o’ his to see what’s goin’ on behind the scenes,” “Then thisis just the time to bag them!” cried Billy. ** Goin’ to scoop ’em?” “Yes. We have got evidence enough to warrant the arrest, and I think we can hold ’em, Eat your supper and we’ll be off.” ‘*Don’t believe I can’ eat a bit, boss. The fever is at such a height that it has taken away all my appetite. Vl take a bite, though, to please mom, and then we will go and yank the fur off the goat in grand style,” Billy’s mother, however, saw to it that the boy ate while Koger Watts looked on approvingly, talking with Billy about the case on band and offering his assistance in case his help was needed; and while they were still there Fatty- Skinny dropped in. He was the Skinny cf old, but so fat that he was no longer recognizable. He had some pa- pers requiring Billy’s signature. ‘*Hello! Fatty, my tender birdling, how are you?” Billy greeted, ‘* You louk as bearty as a porpoise. I s’pose you weigh yourself by the ton now, don’t you?” ‘* You can’t count my bones any more, that is sure,” was the response, ‘* You used to want to polish them up with oil and pumice so that I would reflect credit upon my worthy partner, yourself.” ‘‘But that day is past. If I were to talk to you like that now, you would put your foot on me, and then where would I be?” “Great ginger!” as Fatty-Skinny looked at Happy Harry, “but that boy is yourself over again, Billy.” ‘* He certainly is,” declared Billy’s mother. “The only difference is that be bas got more good sense and brains. than I- had at his age,” Billy added, ; ‘**He would be an object of pity if he had any less,” retorted Fatty-Skinny, with a grin. “What you didn’t know, Billy, would fill a whole library, and more.” “Sweet pertaters! I guess you are right, Skinny.” The two old chums talked thus for a time, when Billy told Skinny about the case he had on band, and finaily they left the house together, Harry .with them, when the ex-lean lieutenant left them and went home, ‘¢ Now for it,” cried the really happy ‘‘ Pony” —happy at thought of the round-up 80 near at hand. ‘* Yes, now for it,” agreed Billy. ‘* It upsets my plans a ittle, but we may as well make a clean job of it at one stroke.” ..' What was ye going to do?” asked Harry. 9 *¢ You remember the note you found?” ** Sure.” ‘* Well, I intended to keep the 4 and meet the woman in place of ker Prince,” ‘That would have been a good joke.” ** Yes, if she didn’t bappen to know he is locked up, a8 perhups she does by this time, Still, I would have taken the chance of that, Just as well, though, if we can bag them all at once,” é * You bet.” ‘* Well, you go to the place and relieve Seth so he can get his supper, if he will go, and I'll go and get the warrants and the police, Keep shady, and I'll be on hand ina little while, If they move, follow them, of course,” ‘* Sure.” They parted, then, each going a different way. Fay Harry moved along at the double- quick, and ere long was back again in the neigh- borhood of the shadowed house, As he turned a corner be met a sudden sur- prise, and it required all his nerve and presence of mind to keep frofn stopping short and letting out his pet exclamation, ‘ He came face to face with Warton Underboy and another man, followed by Mrs, Cutbert and her mother, with yet another man bringing up the rear, Jumpin’ Jew’s-harps!” Harry said to him- self, when he had passed them, ‘It is a reg’lar oxhodus out o’ Jeejup, hang me for a sick kitten if it ain’t! And where is Silent Setb?” Harry looked eagerly, expecting to see the silent partner come into sight, but he looked in vain. Seth was nowhere to be seen. ‘*Crackers an’ cheese!” the boy exclaimed, this time out aloud. ‘' There isa son o’ Ham in the fence, for sure, this time! Wonder if the have laid Seth out with a cracked head# Wis I could go and see, but I can’t, for somebody has got to follow the game.” . He bad stopped, and was debating what to do, and it did not take him long to make up his mind. It was plain that he must take up the trail. Whatever had happened to Seth he must leave for Billy to find out upon bis arrival at the bouse, There was nothing else he could do, much as he hated to think of Seth’s probable need of immediate help, ‘* Business is business,” he said to himself, as he wheeled into line and followed the suspected characters. ‘‘ They have shooken Seth off the trail, somehow, but the other dog is here to take it up. We'll have you yet, my daisies, or I miss my guess by a yard and a quarter, When this combination gets started after crooked cases there has got to be a earthquake to stop it.” Harry had gone on a considerable distance after passing the men and women, and when he began to follow he was sufficiently far in the rear to escape observation, or at any rate to avoid being suspected. Each of the party was carrying something, and all were dressed as if for travel. The women had on linen dusters, and taking them all together, they bad the appearance of having just arrived in the city, after a long journey by rail. Happy Harry followed them to a hotel at some: distance from their last abode, where he bad the satisfaction of seeing them register, and, a little later on, be had an opportunity for look- ing at the Register, and learning their new names, P He felt that it was safe to leave them here for the present, since they were likely to remain all night at least, so he made baste to get back to the other house to learn something of the fate of Silent Seth, It did not take bim long to cover the ground, Arriving at the place, he sprung boldly up the steps and gave k tug at the bell-knob, here was no response, and be had hardly ex- cted any. He believed the prey had taken right and had deserted the lair for good, He tried the door, but it was fast, and imme- diately leaving the stoop he dodged around and down to the basement door and tried that, The result was the same there, As he came out from there he saw the Irish girl next door. She saw bim at the same time, and grinned, while she inquired: ‘Ts it still lookin’ fur infurmashan ye are about dhe Cuthberts?” ‘* That same it is,” answered Harry, imitating. ‘+ Phwere are dhey, onyhow?” * **Sure, dhey have gone off, dhe last wan av dbem, and wid bag and baggage along wid dhem, too,” “Then I guess it’s no use my stayin’ around
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Broadway Billy’s Team. bs ** Well, what of that?” . ** Just this much of it: Silent Seth is missing, and Nora here thinks he went into the house. If he did, be didn’t come out again, and I’m afraid they have done away with him, That is “the long and the short of it allinalump. Will you help me bu’st in and search the den?” **Can’t do it without a warrant, boy, I'd get into trouble if I did.” ‘*But, my poor deaf an’ dumb pard may be dyin’ this minnit,” **'l'oo bad fur him, but Oi can’t break in.” ‘*Then what good are ye? What's the use of havin’ policemen, if citizens can’t make use of them when they want to? I tell ye Silent Seth may be about croakin’ bis last croak, and here we stand not doin’ a thing to save him,” ** Are ye sure he is in there?” ‘Assure asI canbe. If he wasn’t he would have follered the buzzards when they took flight, which he didn’t,” “Well, you had better hustle and find your boss, if your are what you claim to he, and let him come here with a warrant, then we’ll make short work of it.” ‘* He’s comin’ here as soon as he can get here, with warrants for the arrest of the birds that’s gone, but Seth may be dead by thattime, I tell you somethin’ has got to be did.” “Well, I havent the ’t’ority to break in, and I can’t doit. You will have to be gettin’ av a warrant, me lad.” ** Anyhow, you can come to the rear and see if we can hear Seth, can’t ye?” ‘* And how would ye get to the rear?” ** Nora bere will let us through this house, and we'll scale the fenee. Mind you, there is a sus- picion of foul play, and it will be a feather in your hat if your are the first to get onto it.” *T sup Ican do that and not overreach me ’tority. Will ye let us go t’rough, Nora?” ‘Sure, Dennis, it is yerself dhat is a police- man, isn’t it? And av ye will go t’rough ye ak gman same, none ye?” *y SUPpose 80, ut it was out ov politeness I asked ye,” Le ““Dben it is out ov politeness dhat Oi say come sag Min ye and Oi’ll show ye t’rough.” Happy Harry vad carried one point, and the three entered the basement of the adjoining house and passed through to the yard in the rear, Here a high board fence separated the two ards, : **Give me your foot, Denny,” Harry invited, and I'll boost ye over. Then Nora can bcost me, seein’ that I’m the lightest,” “Over I go, then,” the officer cried, the vision of a sergeant’s badge possibly filling bis mind’s eye. He gave his foot, and Harry sent him to the gs © fence with little effort, - ben he had dropped over, the girl helped arry. About the time Harry went over, a female voice from one of the windows demanded sharply to know what was going on, and while the Irish girl offered her explanations, Harry and the officer began their search, The rear of the house was provided with a stoop, with an exit door under it, aud two very chat windows admitted light into the rear cellar, These windows were fitted with iron bars, but at one of them a pane of glass was wanting. ‘* That’s the cellar, I'll bet,” said Harry. **T tink it is,” agreed the officer. ‘“* And if he is alive he is in there, maybe.” Tt is very like he is,” “Tl see.’ Harry sprung to the window, stooped down by it, and putting his face close to the bars, called out: ** Heilo, Seth?” . A groon was the response, “ Here he is, sure enough!” Harry cried, ‘Is it you, Seth?’ wo groans were the response to the question, and Harry was almost beside himself, **That’s bim, Denny; that’s.him, sure!” he cried. ‘Now you have the right to break in for you know something is wrong inside, You'll be a sergeant the first you know, see if you don’t.” “Yes, I have the ’t’ority now, lad, and we'll see what’s been goin’ on here or know dhe reason rae We'll try the dure.” i he officer led the way and tried the door un- der the stoop, ; It was fast, but evidently with only a single bolt, and a heavy blow with his broad shoulder sent the door open. ~ In they went, then, and in a few moments more had found the way that led into the rear cellar,;where they found Silent Seth bound and gagged on the floor as he had been left. Harry sprung at once to the release of his partner, ** Are you hurt much?” he asked. ‘* No,” was the brief response. ** Lucky they left you alive. They slipped up on you that time in bad shape,” ‘Yes; and what’s worse, they have got away,” Seth remarked in a tone of keen regret. “Not by a good deal they didn’t!” asserted Harry. ‘1 got onto their haze and I have holed them in their new quarters, you bet!” Seth brightened up at once. The prisoner had by this time been freed, and was led out into the light. Ho was as good as ever, except for some scratches and bruises, and was eager to take up the work anew. ‘* What did ye learn?” Harry asked. “T learned that they are after the boss, and that’s enough,” was the response, ** But they won’t get him, for I have put him up to what is going on, He is coming here as soon as he can to pull them in.” ‘*Too bad they got away, and it was all my fault, too. I ought to have known better than to venture in ‘here, I wanted to learn all I could, though, and I took the chances.” ‘*My! what a speech for you!” cried Harry, holding up bis hands in amazement, Seth acted as if he was somewhat surprised at it himself, and lapsed into silence as though he meant to make up for it at once. Harry was about to ply him with questions, but just then came a ring at the bell. ‘* ll bet that’s the boss now,” Harry exclaimed, ** Come on, Seth, and we'll give him a surprise,” The ring had been sharp, and while the two boys and the officer were hastening up to respond to it there came another that was sharper stil), When the three reached the upper hall, Harry sprung forward and opened the door. There was Broadway Billy, and three police- men with him. ‘* Sweet pertaters!” Billy cried, letting out his old-time exclamation in his surprise; ‘* what’s the meaning of this?” ‘* It means the game has got out and hunted a new hole,” explained Harry. “Ts that so? Had they gone when you got here?” ‘*T was just in time to see’em, and you bet I put myselt in motion to track them to their new den, ‘*Good for you! Where have you been, Seth?” ‘* A prisoner in the cellar.” ** Ha! then they nabbed you, did they? +n you didn’t get used worse than that. But, tell me everything, both of you.” Thereupon the boys told each his story, Harry. first and Seth next, and thus Billy was put in possession of the newest developments in the case. It looked as if there was going to be a severe battle before the end came, unless they could be taken by surprise at the hotel where they had taken temporary refuge. CHAPTER XIV. LIVELY ALL AROUND, WHeEn Broadway Billy bad heard all the two boys had to tell him be quickly decided upon his course of action, He would go and see the prisoner, Prince Terger, get all the information out of him he could, and then be on band to keep the appoint- ment with Mrs, Cuthbert in his stead, By so doing, he might be able to bring to light further rascaily work; but at any rate he would add weight to the evidence he had against the guilty ones, This seemed to him as about the proper step now to take; so, leaving one officer to stand guard over the house, he dismissed the others and he and his two ‘ ponies” went off to- gether. ‘* Well, what’s the lay, now, boss?” asked Harry. Billy answered: “You and Seth must go and keep watch at that hotel, that’s the first step.” ‘*They’ll recognize him, though,” Harry re- minded. ‘* Lend bim a mustache, then,” **T thought of that soon’s I’d let out the words,” ‘* And there you must be prepared for any- thing that turns up, If they make another move, don’t fail to follow and: keep on their track,” and Billy then fully explained his‘ plan, They parted, the boys eager to execute orders and thus accredit themselves/in their master’s service and counting also upon the fun to come when the game was bagged. Meanwhile something else had been taking place. After settling at the hotel under other names, the rascally crew held a consultation as to what should be done, 1t was then that Mrs, Cuthbert made known her scheme in full with regard to meeting Prince Terger—for he was the person from whom she had received the note, That was agreed to, but it was known that: now the matter would have to be handled with extreme caution, since suspicions had been aroused and the police were upon their track, One of the men prop going back to the house just deserted, to see whether or not a raid was made upon it. If not, then it might be safe to assume that the detectives had not found them. out yet, in spite of the capture of the boy. This was bailed as a good idea, and one of the men set out. It was the one who had shadowed Billy and whom Harry had shadowed in turn, He was a hard-visaged customer, one who look- ed evil enough to commit any crime, and he was. known as ‘‘ Judge” Gravey, He was called “The Judge.” When he reached the place he was just. in time to see tae raid by the officers, under the charge of Broadway Billy, in person, so the scamp took good care not to let himself be seen while danger abounded. He watched with all the caution of a veteran detective, and when finully Billy and the boys parted he followed the young Hawkshaw chief, Neither Billy nor the boys had seen him. The boys proceeded to the hotel, where, by a little careful work, they found their prey was. still there—all except this man, and there they took up their vigil, Billy Weston went on to the prison where Prince Terger was, or had been, imprisoned, ** Can Isee Prince Terger, the young mau who was locked up this afternoon?” ‘Don’t think you can, unless you can find him,” was the answer. ‘‘ He was let out on bail an hour ago,” ** My brains wil) never save my feet,” declared Billy. “I migbt have known it if I had given any thought to it. I presume I can find him, but now I won’t have time.” He consulted his watch as he took his leave. It would be impossible for him to keep the ap- pointment if he went now to the young man’s residence, 80 he decided to be on hand for the appointment, to learn what he could from the woman, in case he could make sureof her and ‘get her to talk with him on some pretext or other, . Krom the prison he went to his office, where he assumed a disguise which he thought might. serve his purpose. Having seen Prince Terger, and heard him. speak, he believed be could pass for bim in the night long enough to learh something, When he left the office he noticed a man loi- tering near the door, but gave him no more than a passing glance and went on his way toward the appointed place, This man was the one who had been dee! iy him, and only a little time after Billy h passed out of sight be gave a start, looked in the direction he had gone, and struck himself say- agely upon the breast, ‘* Fool!” be cried, ‘Fool that I am! Per- haps that was the detective in disguise? What else would bring him here, at this hour, if not. to procure a disguise? By heavens! I’jl find out, He sprung up the stairs, found the door of Billy’s office, and knocked. There was no response, of course, and after knocking again the man dashed down the stairs. two steps at a time and was off, He did not stop until he bad reached the hotel, where he was by Harry and Seth, who were lying low in wait for something to turn ap, Dashing up to one of the rooms, the man en- tered excitedly. The other two, Underboy and Cuthbert, were there, as was the elder woman, who was known as Mrs. Mordannt, . ‘‘Hello! What’s the matter, Judge?” they asked. ‘* Matter enough,” was the almost fierce re- sponse, ‘I have’just made a fool of myself.” ‘* How was that? That is something unusual for you to do, for you are generally wide enough awake,” “Tl tell you how it was, I went to the house, you know, and there I was just in time to sec this ipfernal Broadway Billy and the police make their raid.”
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Y catenin ee tee Oe rte a en 12 ‘The deuce you say!” “ Lucky for us we got out!” ** You bet!” “Yes, Well, the door opened when they rung and there was another policeman with two boys, one being the one we left therea prisoner, It shows plain enough that they were hot on our tracks. ‘*So i¢ does, Then you have had a sight of Billy Weston and both his young ferrets, have ou?” ar Yes; and I’d know them anywhere, now; or at any rate I thought { would; but I have just seen how easy it isto be mistaken, Ihave al- lowed Broadway Billy to give me a dirty sbake, and uo mistake, He passed right under my nose in disguise and I never suspected him till 1t was too late,” ‘* How was that?” “Tll tell you. When they left the house, after finding that we had got away from them, I made up my mind to follow Broad- way Billy. I knew we bad given them the shake, and that we were safe enough, so [| didn’t think it important to pay any attention to the boys,” ** Certainly not.” * And where do you think he led me?” “Give it up, of course, Where was it to, Judge?” ‘* To the vity prison!” ‘Is it possible! Then there is new danger afoot.” ’ “a How so?” . “Why, we have heard that the young man, Prince Terger, the fellow Gracie has on the String, has been arrested and locked up,and if he has been to see him be has no doubt got fur- ther grounds to work upon.” * But, he didn’t see bim. He came away as g00n as he had spoken to the jailer.” ‘Tt looks queer, But go on with your story.” ‘* Well, from there he went to his office, and while I was waiting for him to appear again a stranger came down and went off, A few min- utes Jater it struck me that maybe it was Billy in disguise, and to make sure I went up and tried the door, Sure enough, he was gone.” Just outside in the hall two youthful heads were pressed against the door, Happy Harry aud Silent Seth bad come there by playing a clever trick. Considering what plan they could work to hear what was being said, they had entered the house boldly, and bad passed up to the ball where these rooms were. Here they bad turned out the gas, and were listening, taking all the risk of discovery, know- ing they were not likely to meet any deadly peri], but trusting tatheir good luck and much pluck to escape detection at all, ‘*Then we have got to be up and doing,” declared Underboy, whose voice the listeners recognized, ‘‘Kate has gone out to keep ber appointment with Prince—bad gone before we knew of his arrest, anch if the detective can see the fellow first, they may take her in,” “ That’s so; and, by the same token, why won't this be a good chance totake him and give him a dvse of his own medicine?” * It will, by great guns!” Harry and Seth waited to hear no more, but sprung to the stairs, down which they proceeded deisurely to the street, They there posted themselves at’a little dis- tance apart and waited for what might be the outcome of what they had heard, The battle was growing warm all around, and they werein it. The lads had had a basty understanding that botb were to follow, if all the men went together, and were to keep apart, so that if one bappened to be discovered the other could still hang on the trail and track them to their destination. As to remaining to watch the woman, they did not consider that necessary They bad seen the other woman go out,. but gt to Billy’s orders had paid no attention to her. In the mean time Billy Weston had gone to the place of the appointed meeting, and was pacing up and down the avenue, While he was thus engaged he saw Prince ‘Terger coming up the avenue, and knew then that he had the prey in his own bands if he worked the case aright. The young man passed on, and Billy followed, Nota great distance had they gone when Ter- ger met a vailed woman, and the two stopped and shook bands, Billy passed right on, and slowly enough to catch some words, though not enough to put him onto the full meaning of the business that bad brought them together, Terger’s appearance upon the scene had been rr Broadway Billy’s Team. no surprise to him, for he had thought it probable, upon reflection, that be would be there, but he had hoped for a chance to talk with the woman himself, Bie ee CHAPTER XV. A BATTLE IN REALITY. WHAT Billy heard was, as said, brief, yet it was enough to reveal something to him, though not the full meaning. ‘* You bave got me into serious trouble,” he heard Terger saying. ‘* And bow su?” the woman asked, in a tone | sweet enough to do credit to an angel, almost. ‘*] have been arrested, and am only out now under heavy. bonds,” the young man made known furtber. ‘* ?m accused of stealing them.” That was all Billy heard. He knew that what followed was some pretty plain talk, for Terger had begun in the right way to make it so. Billy went on for a little distance, then turned a corner, stopping there and placing himself where he could see, even if he could not over- hear. Terger and the woman stood for some moments, | talking rapidly, and the woman then took his arm and they proceeded up the avenue at a very leisurely pace, still in conversation, Billy allowed them to pass where he stood, when he set out after them at as close a distance as he thought prudent, It was about this time that three men made their appearance on the opposite side of the way, further down, and one of these pointed out something to the other two, They were, needless to say, Underboy, Cuth- bert, and The Judge. And behind them again, one on each side of the way, came Happy Harry and Silent Seth, like the veritable young ferrets they were. hey were laboring under a disadvantage, for they had no knowledge of what disguise Broad- way Billy had assumed; but they were not long in the dark regarding thet, for when “ Judge” Gravey pointed to the opposite side from him, the boys followed the direction indicated, and saw the man and woman and another man fol- lowing. This other man they at once decided was their chief, , And they were not mistaken. The three men walked arm in arm fora dis- tance, talking earnestly, and the boy shadowers kept their distances behind them, , Presently Harry, who was behind them, heard an agreed-upon signal from Silent Setb, and glanced over to see what he wanted of bim, when Seth pointed abead and at once increased | his pace, ‘* Wonder what’s got the matter with him all of a sudden?” Harry queried to himself, ‘+ He’s going to be seen, sure, for these fellows bave their eyes on the boss, and as soon as Seth gets up with him he'll be in range o’ sight. But, he’s disguised, and mebby he’!1 pass. Harry had now two to Jook after—that is, two parties; the first the three men, and the other Silent Seth, to see what he meant to do, Seth went straight on, at a pace just a little faster than Billy’s, and when he was just abreast of him he said: ** Don’t look, hoss, but listen: Three men on other side of way are spotting you.” That was all, and without a pause or a turn of the head the Silent Shadower passed right on and turned the next corner. His first words to Billy bad put bim on his gaara, and Billy had taken the cue quickly, and ad not so much as turned bis head to look at his young ally. hen Silent Seth had turned the corner be dodged quickly out of sight, and waited for the procession to move past, when he would again fall in behind and take up his part in the game, The woman and Prince Terger were still go- ing on, arm in arm, and Broadway Billy kept his distance behind them, After awhile he took a cautious look in the direction of the three men whom Seth had men- tioned, to discover tbat they had detected him, and that be was known, ‘*They mean mischief,” he said to himself; “but, let them come; they will probably find me at bome,” Whatever their plan was, it was not carried out, for presently something happened that up- set all the plans any of them might have laid, The woman was seen suddenly to withdraw her arm from Terger’s, and she stood off a step, looking at him with defiance, evidently talking rapidly and with great vehemence, he next moment Terger sprung forward and seized her wrists, at which she gave a scream and called for the police. | | | rr a ne — Broadway Billy took it in at once, and believé he understood what itall meant. The young man had tried to make an arrest, and the woman was likely to get the better of it. By calling the. police herself, she would have their sympathies before Terger could explain, and he would probably be rougbly bandled while the woman would have an opportunity for es- cape. Billy resolved to balk that plan if possi- ble, and he sprung to Terger’s assistance. No sooner that, than the otber three men took action, running to intercept Billy and at the same time effect the escape of the woman, ‘* Jumpin’ Jew’s-harps!” cried Happy Harry. “The jeebeeb has got to get up and whistle now, for sure! There is going to be the climax of the cavort, or I’m a false prophet. There goes Seth to take a hand in it and here goes me!” Seth was already running to the assistance of his master, and Harry was not a bit behind him, A crowd was gathering, a policeman was com- ing from the opposite direction to the assistance of the screaming woman, and the three men were almost upon Broadway Billy. Seth and Harry were immediately behind the three men as they reached Billy, and as the men set upon Billy the boys set upon them with as- tonishing vigor. One man gave Billy a blow that made him reel, but immediately the boys sent that fellow to the ground and sprung at the otber two like young tigers. Billy had by that time recovered, and with a single blow he sent another of the fellows down and was ready to tackle the third. Butnow the first was up again and rushing in. The crowd was growing each second, and men stood gaping at the fight without knowing any- thing of the merits of the case, ‘*T am an officer,” cried Billy. ‘‘I call upon you to help me take these men under arrest,” ‘* He’s a liar!” cried one of themen. ‘“ He’s a thief, and we are bound to have him.” ‘Liar yourself!” cried Happy Harry, as he gave the man a punch in the neck that made him stagger, The next instant Harry bimself received a blow that sent bim headlong into the crowd, and for the moment he was out of it, By this time the policeman bad reached the screaming womav, whom Terger was still bold- ing determinedly, and both the woman and Ter- ger spoke at once, The officer gallantly beard the woman’s words first, however, and gave Tergera rap on his bands with his club that broke his hold, and the woman immediately sprung out of his reach, ‘* Arrest that rascal!” the woman ordered, fiercely. ‘‘ Arrest the woman,” cried Terger. ‘‘ She is a swindler, and I will appear against her!” ** That is false, « fficer,” the woman crjed, ex- citedly. ‘‘ Do not give him a chance to escape. 1 will go with you and make a charge,” The crowd was pressing around, and by this time the woman bad put herself out of the policeman’s immediate reach, while be bad laid a heavy band upon Terger, who was hastily tell- ing his story, The crowd was growing every second, and another policeman was hastening to the scene of the free fight, as it looked to be, Up be came, and seeing that three men'were after Broadway billy, and not knowing Billy, he sprung into the fray and laid bold upon the one man, believing be must be the one in the wrong. ss Tet go of me,” cried Billy. ‘‘I’m Billy Weston, Broadway Billy. Help me to take these men.” ‘* He’s a pickpocket, that’s wbat he is,” thun- dered one of the men, ‘*Keep your bold upon bim, officer, while I Jend a hand to take his ac- complice just ahead here a step or two,” With that the man ran toward the place where the woman and Terger bad been having their exciting time. Harry was around again, now, and he sprun at one of the other men, at the same time tha Silent Seth tackled the third. These boys were in it to win, and meant to do their best, regardless of everything. They were, however, no match for the men, and were soon knocked aside again. ; f It is impossible for words to keep pace with the rapid action of the moment. Broadway Billy was urging bis identity upon the «fficer, demanding the opportunity to show his badge, and the two men were as urgently denouncing bim. The other man, Underboy, had reached where Terger was ia the bands of the other officer, and hastily declaring that be had seen him — ing to rob the young woman, promised that he would appear aguinst him, aD - i eee en oS ee oe
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) ——_- ute this time no more than two minutes had ela he woman, now, had disappeared, and in an- other moment Underboy had become lost to sight in the crowd. appy Harry and Silent Seth were determin- ed that the other two should not escape, and once fagain they sprung upon them with the fury of tigers, ‘*Somebody help us,” urged Harry. ‘That is Broadway Billy, and we are his right and left bowers-—we’ll both be left if you don’t lend us a hand, Don’t let these rasvals get away—” A blow cut him short, and once more he was sent sprawling into the crowd, Pll hold .you,” cried the man, springing after bim, ‘Yi bave you put under arrest as well as that blustering pickpocket,” By this time Broadway Billy was getting at his badge, to satisfy the officer that he had made a mistake, and the two men were eager to get off and out of reach of the crowd, Silent Seth, too, had been sent to the pave- ment by a beavy blow, where he remained in a half-stunned condition, aud the crowd being on the surge of excitement all the time, the rascals managed to break through and become lost in a moment, Seeing that the battle was lost, Happy Harry made his way out of the crowd, and as soon as he was sufficiently far away to avoid creating suspicion and drawing attention to himself, ran as swiftly as his legs could carry him. He had an object in view. The whole evil set had escaped, while the in- nocent ones, the ones in the right, were detained until the policemen were fully satisfied of their identity and of the blunder they had made, CHAPTER XVI. WINNING ON THE LAST CHANCE, Ir is quite probable that Broadway Billy had never been in such a rage as he was immediate- ly after that lost battle. He freed bis mind fully, then and there. while the officers dispersed the crowd, and then looked around for bis young allies, Silent Seth was there, just getting over his dazed condition, but Harry was not to be seen, Billy looked around for him in vain. Prince Terger, like Billy, was in a towering passion, for he bad been able to satisfy himeelf that the woman bad jewels upon her person which would condemn her if arrested then, Billy held a brief conversation with bim, but suddenly broke off in it to give some directions to Silent Seth, ‘No telling where Harry is, Seth,” ke said, “ but you go at once to that hotel and lie in wait for the game. One of them at least will appear there soon to get their effects.” Without a word Seth was s ily off; then Billy concluded his talk with Terger, learning from him what his plans bad been and the game he had been trying to work to a successful issue, and when they parted each bad work to do to- ward bringing the matter to an end. Meantime Harry bad made all haste to reach the hotel where the one woman had been left, The right thought bad come to him at the right time, and he bad acted upon it without delay while the way for his escape was open. He had reasoned that these rogues would now probably make haste to shake the city, and their first move would be to go to the hotel before they could be followed for their traps. When he came near the hotel, he was just in time to see two of the crooks enter. Stepping into the doorway, Harry speedily made a slight disguise, and went on into the hotel office boldly. As he entered, so did Warton Underboy and the woman, Mrs. Cuthbert, the latter weltnizh out of breath from over-exertion in the haste they had made. Stepping to the desk, Underboy said: *¢ We will pay our bill at once. <A death tele- gram calls us home in haste. By the way, have you a Central time-table handy?” A time-table was handed him, and while the clerk made up the bill the man Underboy studied ye table in haste to find when they might get a rain. “ At ten-twenty,” he soon announced, ‘ That gives us just forty minutes to make the Forty- second-street Station. Hurry with the bill clerk, You, Judge, go up and hurry the old lady and get the luggage down. Elmer, you get a carriage at once. No time to lose.” . All this and more did Happy Harry bear, an he tried to lay a plan of action in baste, To go to Billy would be useless, for he would not know where to find him. To remain there Broadway and wait for him would not do, for this talk of going to the station might be only for a blind, He hardly knew what to do, but he was not slow to decide. He would follow the suspects and thus be sure of not losing them, If they really meant to takea train he would have them stopped, if possible, If not then he would go along with them, no matter how far the trail ed. With that determination he passed out of the hotel to keep his eyes open for the carriage that was to be ordered, and while he waited be caught sight of Silent Seth coming toward the hotel with more haste than caution. As the silent partner drew near, however, he reduced his speed, and stepped for a moment out of sight to don a hasty disguise. Harry hurried forward to meet bim. ‘* What brought you here?” be asked, ‘** Boss sent me,” was the answer. ** And he is coming?’ “ Yes,” ‘Good. You wait here till he comes. I'll fol- low the game. Plan is, to get to the Grand Central in time to take the ten-twenty train, Tell boss to get there or bu’st. Anyhow, Vil stick to them like a leech, That’s all. The jeebeeb hath spoken. Selah!” ** All right,” was Seth’s response, as Harry im- mediately moved away, Realizing the good stroke Harry had done, and agreeing with him on his plan, Seth took up his part at once, for the present keeping out of sight. Within ten minutes a carriage was ready be- fore the hotel, and Seth keeping close watch saw Harry sneak around and take up bis position under it where, in the dark, be was quite secure from observation. The rascally crew soon anpeared and got in, and the carriage turned and went off in haste. Silent Seth smiled to bimself as he thought how well the prey was still under watck. They bad not been gone ten minutes when Broadway Billy, now without disguise, and half a dozen policemen appeared upon the scene. Silent Seth, he too having now removed all disguise, was quick to meet Billy to let him know what had taken place, and made known the facts in few words, “You and Harry are trumps!” Billy cried. ‘*Come on, boys,” to the officers with him, ‘* We'll have the game yet. We have just about enough time to get there nicely, and they must not escape us,” They all set out in haste for the Grand Centra] Station. When they arrived at the station they were none two soon, nor were they any too late, The evil-doers were in a group near one of the doors, waiting fos ito be opened, Ata far end of the room was Happy Harry earnestly talking to a policeman. Broadway Billy smiled, as he saw the manner in which Harry was giving the officer the facts, but the officer shook bis head and was evidently refusing to have anything to do with the affair on the word of a boy whom he did not know, Harry was disguised yet, and was keeping his back toward the guilty ones so as to avoidall chances of recognition. He looked around, presently, and seeing Billy, Seth, and the officers, \came toward them at the double-quick as they were spreading out to take their game. The rascals did not seo them until they were almost upon them, when one of the party hap- pening to look around made the discovery and quickly gave the alarm. There was consternation in a moment. Broadway Billy and the officers, with Harry and Seth, were closing in upon them, but were still some paces distant. : There was one chance, a long one, but it was better than none, and Underboy was quick to grasp it. At any rate it promised personal saféty. Seeing he was discovered, Broadway Billy gave the word for his men to hasten to the cap- ture, at the same time that Underboy gave hasty directions for bis accomplices to scatter, It was all the work of a brief moment, Underboy pushed the doorkeeper aside, flung the ‘door open and dashed out into the train house, Broadway Billy was after him like a flash, having given a hasty order to the officers to see that the others did not escape, and was im- mediately speeding away up one of the platforms in pursuit. he officers, obeying promptly, closed in upon She aeherm but they met with something unlook- - or, " —————$ t rr ES 13 Elmer, as we bave seen him called, and the ** Judge,” showed fight, and being desperate, they sent the officers spinning out of their way and were off, Had the crowd not been so great they could not have escaped, but as it was they did, Several men tried to stop them, but were shoved aside, one or two being upset in the charge, At the beginning of the trouble the passengers in the room had all rushed forward to learn what was the matter, and as a result the police- men were hemmed in, even though not more than a quarter of a minute had yet elapsed. That they were enraged goes without saying. The only captures they had accomplished were the two women, together with the luggage the men had dropped at the first alarm, “Out of tho way!” one policeman cried. ** Don’t let those men escape, there!” ‘* Stop them!” cried another, **Halt! or we'll fire upon you!” called outa third, but it was all useless, for the fellows only increased their haste to get away. The tbreat to shoot was useless, as the rascals no doubt knew, for it would have been folly to have tried it there in such a crowd; in fact, it was impossible, for it would have been death to some innocent one, In the midst of all the uproar the two women were expressing their indignation in yloudest. tones, ** How dare you?” cried one, ‘* What do you mean?” demanded the other. “You shall suffer for this mistake, you blun- derers!” ‘* Release us at once, sirs! What do you ar- rest usfor? This is the hight of outrage.” ‘* Keep cool,” said one of the officers, grimly. “You'll have a chance to prove all the mistake there bas been about it” ‘* Stand out of the way, passengers!” command- ed another of the blue-coats, Even to this time not a full minute bad passed. The tbree male rascals had, however, escaped from the room, and the cfficers were badly left,, except that they had the two women safe enough, As soon as they were out of the crowd they looked around to get a sight of Broadway Billy and his boys, or any one of them, but not one of the trio was to be seen any where, Those of the policemen who were free hastened to the doors, to look for the escaped men, but. they had disappeared utterly, here was, then, a brief consultation among them as to what should be done, and the con- clusion arrived at was the natural one, Two were tu take the prisoners to the station, while the others were to tarry around in the hope of seeing something more of the rascals or of being of some use to the young detective and his team. The prisoners were, accordingly, taken out. and away, while the remaining officers gathered together to talk the situation over and offer ex~- cuses for their bad defeat. They felt it keenly, even though bardly to blame, In the mean time what of Happy Harry and Silent Seth?” They were not idle, as it ishardly necessary to assure the reader. Their absence was the proof for that, Taking example by Broadway Billy, and bein as quick as he to take in the situation, they ha dodged out before the crowd had time to hem. them in and were off in pursuit of Cuthbert and the ‘* Judge.” These two bad made for the nearest street door, making a hasty exchange of words as they ran, and no sooner out than they parted com- pany and ran in different directions, Silent Seth was the first out after them, and ere the ‘‘ Judge” as his game, started after 1m, . Harry, coming out the next moment, took in the situation, and set off hot upon the trail of the other rascal, Cuthbert. é And so they were separated, the detective trio, each with a part to play, anda most difficult one at that, but each with the determination to win if it were possible to do 80. Since we cannot follow all at once we must take them singly, We will follow Happy Harry first. Cuthbert crossed the street at a run, turned up, and speeded away eagerly to throw any chance- pursuers off the track, Happy Harry had all the tricks of the ‘‘ gamin” at his command, and did not lose sight of his man, though he had to make his shorter legs do active duty to keep him in sight. At the first street that crosses the railroad.
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14 Broadway Billy’s Team. tracks the man turned, making his way in the direction of Lexington avenue, and as Harry came to the same corner he saw him walking leisurely up the inclined footway, no doubt thinking himself now safe from molestation. Having time now to do so, Harry mado a change in his disguise as far as was possible, and regulated his pace so as to draw nearer to the man gradually. At the middle of the bridgeway stood a police- man, 4 Cuthbert passed him at a natural gait, and the officer could wees nothing wrong, of course. Cie moment Happy Harry caught sight of the officer, though, his plan of action came to him like a flash, and stopping by him he suid: ‘That man there bas just escaped from Detec- tive Billy Weston and his men in the Grand Cen- tral.” The officer had roused up for action at the first words, ‘“*Who are you?” he demanded. ‘‘l'm Happy Harry, Broadway Billy’s Know- nothing,” was the quick reply. zi Even as ho answered the question Harry: was moving on, determined that the man should not escape him. The officer came with him, saying: “1 don’t know you, lad, and if I stop that man Iymay get myself into trouble, This is no hoax, is it?” ‘*No, honest Injun et ain’t,” urged Harry. “*Tf you don’t believe me, just holler stop thier! at him and see if he don’t loosen the boards here in his scramble to get away.” “Tf you fool me Till half kill you and then drag you in.” You are welcome to do both. All I want ap to do is to take the fellowin and bring him ack to the station, Your pards there will prove what I say.” * Allright, Pll take your word. Lordy help you, though, if it gets me into trouble.” With that, the officer sprung forward to make the arrest. Cuthbert evidently heard his heavy tread, for he turned, and getting one look at him, broke and ran again, *“* What did I tell ye?” cried Harry, ‘Shoot him if he don’t come to time!” “Stop!” cried the yf oe **Stop! or the worse for you! [tell you I will stand no fool- ing! Stop!” ut the man was determined not to stop, so the officer fired once in the air to give him a scare and so bring him to his senses, Even that, though, did not have the effect. But, something else soon did, for another officer, at the corner, suddenly planted himself in front of the running man, and he was brought tu astand. He did not surrender, though, but fought like a tiger to get away again. In that he might have succeaded, too, but the other policeman and Harry were immediately tu the assistance, and the fellow was speedil subdued. He raved ana blustered a good deal, but that did not help his case any, and he was taken back to the depot, where Harry’s story ‘was substantiated. Si, Silent Seth, at the same time, was baving an se nares: that was in most respevts similar. he ‘* Judge” had turned down the, street, crossed 42nd, along which he speeded till he came to Fourth avenue, where be plunged into the tunnel as tho most promising place of refuge. He had looked back just before doing this, but had perhaps seen no ove after him, for Seth was on the opposite side of the street to him and al- most abreast with him by this time. It took the se but a moment to cross over and con- tinue the pursuit so well begun, They had not gone far when a coming car was geen, Seth stopped short to see what the man would do, for there was light enough along the side walls for him to observe well, , The man did not look back, ‘but placing him- self close along the wall he waited till the car came up when be caught hold of the handle and swung himself aboard, at once entering and taking a seat. Seth performed the same trick, except that he waited for the rear of the car, and that he took care not to let himself ba seen by the man he was after, The conductor had stepped in to get the man’s fare, evidently wondering at his getting aboard in such a place, and as there were several on the rear of the car Seth escaped hii altogether, It -was'lucky for Seth that be knew the man’s face well, for otherwise he might have been deceived. The man was sitting as comfortably as though he had come with that car all the way from its starting point, and was as unconcerned as though he intended sticking to it to the end of its route. ‘* And, asthe end of its route was there, at the Grand Central, 80 he did. When he got out he started at a leisurely pace for the stairs leading to the Elevated, but be- fore he had time to ascend Silent Seth touched him on the arm. The man gave a violent start and looked around, ** What d’ye want?” he snarled. For answer Seth sprung upon his back, twisted his legs and arms around him, and began to yell: ** Police! Police! Police!” The man cursed and fought to throw Seth off, but he could not get hold of him, and in a mo- ment a great crowd was around them. A Be ag was speedily on the spot. ‘“What’s wanted here?” he cried. ‘* What's the matter, boy?” “* Curse this young rat!” shouted the ‘* Judge,” ‘*he is trying to rob me!” ** Biggest lie on record!” crieéd Seth ‘ He has just got away from detectives and police in the station, and I’ve nailed him here.” ‘That is false!” cried the man. ‘*Take him off, and Ill prove it.” ‘* Bring him right into the waiting-room and let him prove it there,” said the Silent Shadower, He bad proved that he could talk fast enougb, when occasion required, or when he bad some- Mi to say, as he had just now. hen the policeman took hold of the man Seth slid down, and it was then that the fellow tried to break away, A tap from the officer's club soon subdued him, however, and he was burried around to the waiting-room. There Seth’s charge was proved true. and it was only a little while when Happy Harry came in with his man, as has been shown, The pair looked sheepish enough as they looked at each other, and they were soon taken off to the lock- up to which the two women had already been conducted. atc HRA But, the hardest fight of all had been between Broadway Billy and Underboy. When Billy was running after him up the stone platform in the interior of the station the man torned and saw him, Qaick’as a flash he whipped outa pistol and fired at Billy, point blank, but fortunately did not hit him, though the shot had one good effect for him, the rascal. There was a lively scamper on the part of all the men in the place to get out of the way, and Billy could look for no assistance from them. ‘ ‘dar gong was ringing for the starting of a rain, Turning, suddenly, the maf leaped aboard the steps of some standing Cars, and sprung over to the other side, Broadway Billy might have shot him easily enough, expert with the revolver as he. was, thanks to his Western experience, but he did not want to do that. He wanted to take the fellow without hartipg him. He sprung in the same direction, on the op- posite end of the same car, and was over about as soon as the man himseif. Another shot greeted him, and the bullet sped uncomfortably near. ‘* Keep away!” the man cried out in warning. ‘* Don’t try that again!” shouted Billy. The man speeded across the other tracks to where a train was just starting, and sprung aboard, } Broadway Billy was just far enough behind him to be likely to get left, but he added to his exertions and managed to catch hold upou the last rail of the last car as it passed him, A cloud of steam had settled down between ursuer and pursued, at the last moment, and illy could not be sure his man had not got off again. : That was hardly likely, however, since he had exerted himself so’to get aboard. And, for the same reason, the man could not be sure that he, Billy, had been able to catch the car. Billy tried the door at once, and what was his chagrin to find it locked, - This was bad, but it did not balk Billy very long. He was as supple and agile as a cat, and be climbed to the top of the car in haste, This was not hard to do, though it involved great risk, but Billy cared little for the risks when the importance of the capture was con- sidered, so up he climbed and made his way along the top of the car, He was cautious, and it occupied several moments for bim to make the passage,jbut it was finally made safely. : Dropping down between the cars, he entered the door of the next car and began the search for his man. And he searched keenly and well, determined not to be deceived, As he moved slowly torward, looking carefully at every man, his attention was suddenly drawn to a seemingly aged man on his right. And what drew bis attention to him was the fact that he detected a false beard, which, hav- ing ,been put on in haste, did not serve its pur- pose well enough to escape his eagle eye. Without hesitation Billy reached out his arm over the back of the seat and tore the false beard away. With an oath the wearer sprung to his feet, at the same time his hand flying to his hip for a weapon, and Billy saw he had made no mistake, This was the man he was after. Quick as Mr. Underboy was, Billy was quicker still, and had a weapon under his nose in the true Texas style before he could tell what bad hap- ened, pe This trail ends right here,” Billy cried. ‘‘ Up with your bands, old man, or I'll be under the necessity of doing you harm,” The other passengers, in greatest amaze, were scrambling over the backs of the seats in their mad haste to get out of range, wondering what it all meant, anyhow. ‘Hands up!” Billy repeated, sternly. ‘I won’t tell you again, either.” There was that in hiseye which warned the prisoner that he meant business, and he sur- readered without further parley. Broadway Billy had the handcuffs upon him in a trice, and that done he made such explana- tion to the rest of the passengers as he thought necessary under the circumstances, At the first station Billy got off, and sbortly afterward pry pk a returning train and brought his prisoner safely back to the city. His bad been, as said, the hardest capture, and bad it chanced to fall to one of the boys instead of himself the man might, and probably would, have gotaway. As it was—well, he didn’t, Arriving im the city Billy lost no time in tak- ing his prisoner to the station where the others had been lodged, where he found Harry and Seth awaiting his coming. There were congratulations all around, then, of course, and Billy could not say enough in praise of bis ‘* team.” When the prisoners were seen to be safely under bolt and bar, then Billy and the boys set forth to look up Prince Terger and so bring about the winding up of the affair. He, from something he bad learned from the woman, Mrs, Cuthbert, bad a clew to the dispo- sition that bad been made of the diamonds that bad been stolen from his care some time before. They found him, and with Billy’s help an- other arrest was made and the diamonds recov- ered. Next morning, when Billy reported to the in- spector, he was greatly Habe es The prisoners were brought to court for a hearing, when the testimony against them sent them down to await trial. They were a bad lot, as was shown, and it was not believed that they would be allowed to get off with anything short of the heaviest penalty the law could inflict upon them, Every one of them was under an assumed name, and they had been plying their game in New York for some time. Many diamond merchants who had been swindled by them appeared against them, Considerable of money was found upon them, and in one of Underboy’s pockets was the amount in full which he had received from Archer and Race. That’ money was restored to its owners, The diamonds were then returned to their proper possessors, It is not our purpose to explain in full the method they had employed in carrying on their nefarious work.. Suffice it to say that it had been clever enough, and the young woman, un- der various names, had been the one to whom had been intrusted the work of exchanging the paste diamonds for the real. Broadway Billy was present when Prince Ter- ger made a full confession of everything to bis faithful young wife, as he should have done in the first place, and it was an explanation which was entirely satisfactory. Remembering the woman who had looked at the diamonds one day after making a small purchase, be managed to trace ber and find out who.she was. © sus- her, and was weavinga chain of evidence around ber, at the same time making her think he was playing into her hands; and he bad been almost ready to have ber arrested when he was arrested himself. ‘ It had been Terger’s purpose not to mention - ‘ . Pf] oe ed ad i) si Key ‘ad ‘4 _
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— the loss at all if he succeeded in getting the dia- monds back again, for he was ashamed of the manner in which be had been duped. With everything cleared away, the husband and wife were as happy as of old, and Prince ‘vowed that he would never keep another secret from his wife. He had done so in this instance for the sole purpose of saving her the worry over the loss. His employers were glad to receive him back in his old place, but with the caution never to keep such a matter secret again while be tried bis hand at amateur detective work. It would have been better; of course, had he told ‘them at once and employed professional services, Broadway Billy was given great credit for the quick manner in which he had brought the case to a close, after taking hold of it, but be would not take all the praise to himself. He showed how well his two apprentices had done their parts, and 80 they came in for their share of the lory. And proud boys they were, too, though ilent Seth did not show it in any manner what- iad He was the “stoick,” as Harry called m. “And here we are yet,” Happy Harry de- clared, when they had washed their hands of the case, ‘ripe and ready for anything that may turn up. Here’s Broadway Billy, the Detective Chief; bare’s Silent Seth, the Silent Shadower— the Philosopher an’ Stoick; an’ here’s yours truly, the Know-nothin’ of the combination. We are a triangle combination that’s set for tomers! of any sort that crops out, and when we get into motion somethin’ is goin’ to be done. And if folks don’t believe it, let them come and give usatrial, Let any consarned diffikilty pop up under our notice, and see if we don’t nip it in | the bud before it comes toa head. That’s just what we're here for, and don’t you forget it. The jeebeeb hath spoken. Selah!’ THE END, Beadle's Half-Dime Library. BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Major Sam, 8, Hall.) 284 Old Rocky's ** Boyees; or, Benito, tne Horse-Breaker, 246 Glant George; or, The Ang’! of the Range. 275 Arizona Jacky; or, Giant George’s Pard. 207 The Tarantula of Taos), or, Giant George’s Revenge, 807 The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt, 818 Ker-whoop, Ker-whoo}; or, The Tarantula of Taos, B27 Orceping Cat, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Parde, 882 Frio Fred; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. $44 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattleanake, the Tonkaway. BA9 Wild W olf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front. 57 The Ranch Ralders; or, The Siege of Fort Pargatory. 864 Snap-Shot, the Boy Kanger. ; 875 Chiotn, the Creek; or, The Three Thunderbolts. 881 Bandera Bill; or. Frio Frank to the Front. 892 Remeo and the Reds; or, The Beleaguered Ranch. 404 Little Lartat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. $i ane Paley from Denver. Seek he Re e ree Trallers; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage, 442 Bluff Bills or, The Lynx of the tan a“ 455 Little Lone Star: or, The Bello of the Cibolo. 684 Cache Carl, the Chico Giant. BY PHILIP 8. WARNE, 6T Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. 175 Captain Arizona; or, Patent-Leather Joe's Big Game, 198 Captain Mask; or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat. 219 Despard, the Dueliat; cr, The Mountain Vompires. BBS A ough Boy; or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. B68 Little Tornado; or, The Outcasta of the Glen. BIB Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard. BSS Little bs Prey or, Caught in His Own Trap, 401 Little Sheo-F ly; or, A Race for a Ranch, 408 Little Leather-Breeches ; or, Old Jumbo’s Curse, 481 Little Ah Sing or, The Curse of Blood, 451 Colorado Kate. A Tale of the sines, 480 Three Jolly Parda, 517 Jim Gladden’s Deputy. 527 The Jolly Pards to the Rescue. 547 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down. 556 Lariat Lil; or, The Cast for a Life. 574 Old Weansel-top, the Man with the Dogs, 98 Keen Clem, the Ranch Imp. 599 Jim Dandy the No-Name Sport. ' 618 Billy Blazes; or, The Skeleton’s Legacy. 685 Oklahoma Hi the Blue-Coat Scout. 648 Happy Harry’s Big Find. 664 Cheeky Charley tlie Special. BY J. W, OSBON. 469 The Rival Glants of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Luck. HBT Old Buckeye, tho Sierra Shadow. 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner, 609 Bolly Dorrit, the Veteran Detective. 620 Little Lightning’s League; or, The Mystery oftne Island 688 Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector, 751 Gold-Dust Dan, the Trail Patrol. 755 Gold Dust Dan’s Oath; or, Reckless Roy, the Regulator. BY EDWARD WILLETT., 167 Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy. 199 Featherweight the Boy Champion of the Muskingum, 228 Oxark Alf’; or, Featherweight Among the Outlawa. 282 The Typo Wetective 3 or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp, 295 Fearless Phil; or, The King of Quartzville. 811 The Roving Sport; or, The Pride of Chuckaluck Camp, 822 Nemo, the etectives or, Kit Kenyon’s Vendetta, $40 Clip the Contortionist; or, Tha Montana Vigilantes, BY CAPT. MARK WILTON. Young Kentuck;: or, The Red Lasso. 256 270 Blizzard B , The Riot at Keno Camp, Sie Joa tke at naka ee ee | 666 The Secret Sorvies ry Broadway Billy’s Team. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl, 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. 79 Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 288 Joe Buek of Angela and His Buy Pard. 447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham, 458 New England Nick; or, The Fortunes of a Foundling, 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince, 498 Taos Ted, tae Arizona oer. 510 Cool Colorado, the Half-Bread Detective, 518 Cool Colorado in New York. BY GEORGE ©. JENKS, 455 Git Thar Owney the Unknown. 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. 518 The Demon Doctor, 581 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. 59S Flute, the Singer Detective, 608 The Pitcher Detective’a Foll; or, Dan’s Double Play, 616 The Ocean Detectives or. The Last Cruise ofthe Black Bear, 681 The Pitcher Detective’s Toughest Tussle. 786 Larry the Thoroughbred; or, Beaten on Every Side, 79 Lron Hand, the Charmed Detective. BY CHARLES MORRIS, 18 WIlLl Somers, the Boy Detective. 22 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. 26 Pleayune Pete 3 or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. 80 Detective Dick; oryThe Hero in Rags. 12 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 47 Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred. 52 Black Beas, Will Wildfire’s Racer, 57 Mike Merry the Harbor Police Boy, 62 Will Wildfire In the Woods, 65 Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. 70 A Trump Card; or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses, 74 Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. 79 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, 88 The Hidden and or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 187 Fred Halyard, the Lite Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, 18 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed ; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 ‘Tom Tanner 3 or, The Black Sheep of the Flock. 225 Sam Oharcoal the Premium Darky. 2835 Shadow Sam, ithe Messenger Boy. 242 The Two * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway ¢ or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sharps; or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail, 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. | 289 Jolly Jim’s Job; or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Nound; or, The Young Thoroughored. 805 Dashaway, of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in Quaker City, $24 Ralph Ready, the Hote) Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective, 858 The Reporter-Detectives or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. B79 Larry, the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard, 408 Firefly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier, 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective, 482 Invinelble Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vaganond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive. 479 Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. 488 Wild Dick Racket. 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman: or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, toy Detective. 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkanans: or, The Wolf in the Fold, 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator, 667 Bob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. 709 The Curbstone Detectives or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat, 757 Detective Frank’s Sweep-stakes, BY MAJOR E. L. 8T. VRAIN, 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. 801 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. 888 Brimatone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette, 852 Tombatone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “Sand.” 859 Duranre Dave, the Young, Chanwion Wrestler. 871 Kingbolt Ohria, the Young Hard-Shell Detective. 880 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide. 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountain Mail-Line, BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS. 6 Bill Biddon, big 8 Seth Jonen; or, The Captives of the Frontier, 10 Nat Todd; or, The Fate of the Sioux Captive. 2c ‘xne Frontier Angel. 98 The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island, 182 The Ikunted Hunter; or, The Strange Horseman, 254 The UWalf-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains, 271 The Nuge Hunter; or, The Steam Frais stan. BY BRACEBRIDGE NHEMYNG. 89 Ialand Jim; or, The Pet of the Family. 91 The Captain of the Club; or. The Rival Athletes, 101 Jack Markaway in New York. BY MAJOR HENRY B. STODDARD, Ex-Scout, 806 Neck-Tie Ned; or, The Dog-Out Parda. 846 Rapler Raphael; or, The Swordsmen of Zacatecas. BY1 Ki “Glove Kit, the Dandy of the Rocklea. 898 Kid-Glove Kit and Pard: or, The Gold King, 406 The Mad Man-Hunter: or, The Goiden Gulch Mystery 505 Powell’s Pard; or, Tye One-Armed Giant. BY WM. G. PATTEN, 489 The Diamond Sport: or, The Double Face of Bed Rook, 519 Captain Mystery ; or, Five in One. 631 Daisy Mare the Sport from Denver, BST Old Bombshell, the Ranger Detective, 604 Iron Fern, the Man of Fire. ‘ ‘ 619 The Boy Tramp Detective; or, The Double Grip Witness 629 Violet Vane, the Velvet Sport. 641 Dismal Pave’s Dandy Pard. 651 Bound Boy Frank, the Young Amateur Detective 66% Violet Vane’s Victory. 6R2 Wild Vulcan, the Lone-Range Rider, 698 Violet and Dalay, the Posy Pards. 205 Violet Vane’s Vow; or, The Crafty Detective’a Cratt, 714 Old Misery, the Man from Missourl. ‘ 724 Violet Vane’sa Vengeance. ‘ BO Violet Vane’s Verdict. ZAl1 Vielet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidocq. 750 Violet Vane, the Vanquished. 768 Violet Vane’s« Vision. @74 Clear-Grit Cal, the NeverSay-Die Detective, BY ©. DUNNING OLARK,. 185 Captain Paul: or, The Boy Spy of the Mountains. £80 The Yankee Rajah; or, The Fate of the Block Bhereef, ge ————————————————— 15 SE NE SE ES A RNY ARE SA FRET SN SS OE eS SS “ / BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR, 2 Vellowstone Jucky; or, The Trapper. 48 Black Johny, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Hurricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. 119 Mustang Sam ; or, The King of the Plains, ’ 186 Night-Lluawk Kits or, The Daughter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Resoue. 160 The Black Glant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 168 Deadly Dash3; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 184 The Boy Trailers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path, 208 The Boy Parda; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks, 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy, 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League, 885 Old Double Fiat; or, ‘The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Woods: or. Danie! Boone’s Last Trall. 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective 625 Chincapin Dan, the Roy Tratler. 677 Chineapin Dan’s Second Trail. 688 Chincapin Dan’« Home Stretch, 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without a Head, TOR Light-Heart Lute’s Legacy. 718 Light-Neart Lute’« Last Trall. 728 Silverblade, the Shoshone, 729 Silverblade, the Half-Blood; or, The Border Beagle at Bay. 739 Silverblade, the Hestile. 748 Silverblade, the Friendly; or, The Border Beagle’s Boy Pard, BY JACK FARRAGUT, 815 Ned, the Cabin Boy. 820 The Sea Sorceress; or, Tho Boy Skipper. BY LIEUT. i, D. PERRY, U.S. N. 176 The Boy Runaway? or, The Buccaneer of the Bay, 180 The Sea Trailer: or, A Vow Well Kept. 192 Captain Kit; or, Tho Mystery of Montauk Point, RY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID, 8 Blue Dick; or, The Yellow Chiefs Vengeance. 7 The Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil’s Island. 187 The Melpless Nand; or, Backwoods Retribution. 289 The Gold-secker Guide! or, The Lost Mountain, BY WILLIAM R. EYSTER. , 190 Dandy Darke} or, Tho Tiers of High Pine. 210 Faro Frank; or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pards, BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR U,. 8. A. 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. ) 194 Baffalo Bis Bat; or, The Gambler Guide. BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS, 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock. 568 The Dandy of Dodge. 576 The Silver Sport. 688 Saffron Sel, the Man With a Shadow 5BS9 Tom-Cat and Pardy; or, The Dead Sot at Silver City. 601 Happy Hana, the Duteb Vidocg. 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules, 622 Vexas Tom-Cat’s Triad Tom Cat's Terrible Task. 688 'Tom-Cat’s Triumphy or, Bleck Dan's Great Combine. 646 Cowboy Gld, the Cattlo-Range Uetective. Warbling Wiliam, the Mountain Mountebank. 665 Jolly Jeremiahy the Plains Detective, 676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout. Billy, the Gy pay Spy. 699 Riaple Sim, the Rroncho Buater, 712 The Meameriat Sport; or, The Mystified Detective, 788 Toltee Tom, the Mad Prospector, ‘ aa Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective. Ma ndukey, the Mustanger Detective, ’ $ The Ruatler of Rolling Stone, 56 Lene Hand Joe, the Committee of One, BY DAN DUNNING, 46 Qulet Jack, the Secret Service Spy. 67 Mac and Jack, the Inyincibles; or, The Diabolical Three, Ir MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS,. 4 The Wild-Horse Munters. By Capt. Mayne Reta and Frederick Whittaker. 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Guiliver’s Travels, By Dean Swift, 14 Aladding or, The Wonderful Lamp, 16 Rebinson Orusoe. (27 Illustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Ballor. His Seven Voyages, 22 ene Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crasoe, By Juan wewis, 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribees, By 8. W. Pierce. 86 The Boy Clown; or, The Arena Queen, By F 8, Finn. BS Ned Wylde, the Boy Soout, By Texas Jack. 1 The Boy Rifles; or, The Underground Camp. By A. C. Irons, 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Missisaipps, By Lieut.-Col. Hazeltine. 98 Robin Hoed, tho Vutiawed Ear); or, The Merry Mon of Green- wood, By Prof. Gildersleeve. 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive: By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 112 The Mad Wunters: or, | beCave of Death. By Burton Saxe. 124 Tippy, the ‘Texan; or, The Young Champion, By George Gleeson. 128 The Young Privateers or, The Pirate’s Stronghold, By Harry Caventilah, 148 Sharp Samy; or, The Adventures 0; a Friendless Boy. By J. Alexander Pattén. , 227 Dusky Darrell, bl apt or, The Green Ranger of the Yel- lowstone. By Edward Emerson. , 261 Fergus Fearnaught the New York Boy. By G, L. Alken, 266 KUDWar. the Guido; or, Davy Crockett’s Crooked Tratl. By Ensign ©. D. Warren. 298 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Cliff, By Captain Comstock, 817 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Leadville. By Lieu- tenant Alfred Thorne. 828 The Sky Detectives or, A Boy’s Fight for Lifeand Honor, By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Red Ralph, the River Rover; or, The Brother’s Re- venge. By Ned Buntline. £65 Raltimore Ren the Boothlnck Detective, By A. P. Morris, 874 Gold-DPuat Tom; or, Ben’s Donble Match. By @ M Morse, 876 Calffornin Joc’s Firat Trafl. By Colonel Thomas Hoyer Monastery. 418 Billy Bombshell, the Clif Climber. By F..8, Winthrop, 475 The Black Ship. By John 8 Warner. 484 Comanche Dick and His Three Invinclibles, By Henry J. Thomas. 582 The Cowboy Duke, By Edwin Brooke Forrest, BS2 Artel the Athlete, By David Druid. 585 Will Waters, the Boy Ferret. By H, Enton, 682 The Dead Petective’« Double, By Gerald Carlton. 721 Maverick Mone, toe Arizona Detective; or, The Wizard of Urko» Pass, By Will Linenbee. A New Issue Evory Tuesday, The Half.Dime Library | for sale by all newedealers, five conto per copy, or sent by mai! on receipt of slx cents each A BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publisbers, 98 William Street, New York
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Broadway Rilly Novels in Beadle Spl [lime | ibrary, | —_ CULE ————— — PREETI ED TEN BETTE, By J . Cowdlick 490 Broadway Billy, ‘the Bootblack Bravo; or, Brought to Bay by a Bold Boy. 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle; or, Clearing up a | Strange Case, 536 Broadway Billy’s “‘ Diffikilty;” or, Old Rod- man’s Millions, 557 Broadway Billy’s Death Racket; or, The Street Arab’s Wake. 579 Broadway Billy’s Surprise Party; or, The Chimney Spy. Latest and New Issues. 780 Tonkaway Tom, the Red Shadower; or, Roundabout Ruth’s Pilgrimage, By T. C, Harbangh, | 781 Cast-Off Cale, the Scapegoat Detective; or, Sailing Under False Colors, By Jo Pierce, 782 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dark Days; or, The Tandem Team’s Full Score, By Edward L. Wheeler. 783 Broadway Billy’s Beagles; or, The Detective Trio’s Uncanny Quest. By J. C. Cowdrick, 788 Broadway Billy’s. Curious Case; or, The Mysterious Disappearance at Manitou Springs. 753 Broadway Billy in Denver; or, The On-the- Catch Combination. 762 Broadway Billy’s Bargain; or, The Tbree Detectives in Denver, th Abeta tain et ¢ra wwe, Aamasioas \ sete ‘cr aacaie 605 Broadway Billy; or, The Boy Detective’s Big lnnings. 628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Act; or, The League of the Sworn Seven. 669 Broadway Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack Bravo in San Francisco, 784 Dick Doom, the Deatb-Grip Detective; or,, The Sharps and Sharks of New York. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 785 Lone Hand Joe, the Committee of One; or, The Spook Steed of the Stone Corral. By Lieut. A. K, Sims, | ms | 786 Broadway Billy’s Team; or, The Detective | 675 Broodway Billy’s Best; or, Beating San Py ~ Francisco’s Finest, The Mysterious Disappearance [4 at Manitou Springs, * momance © ov CoLemaDe 5 GY 4. © COWDRICE, SROAr way BGE * HOTELS Bre Combine’s Big Pull. By J. C. Cowdrick, : some oo ™ cuarren 1 svewee riley roe aoe so wien tr Peas tt Soe 769 Broadway. Billy, the Retriever Detective; | or, How the City Buzzards Were Brought In. - =~! or Broadway Billy’s Shadow Chase; or, Materi- alizing the Spozks, 783 Broadway Billy’s Beagles; or, The Detective Trio’s Uncanny Guest, 786 Broadway Billy’s Team; or, The Detective | Combine’s Big Pull. The_New York Delegates ip | +> Aard- “ap | Camp. “ Bgating San Frais’ Finest wy ec cownnice, | 78% Deadwood Dick, Jr., Defied; or, Tbe Prince of Pistol Pocket, By EF. L. Wheeler. 687 Broadway Billy in Clover; or, The Ryction at Lake Tulare. 696 Broadway Billy in Texas; or, Rounding Up the Red River Rustlers, 703 Broadway Billy’s Brand: or, The New York Delegates in Hard-up Camp, 711 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe; or, The Pard Detectives’ Clever Deal. 720 Broadway Billy’s Full Hand; or, The Gamin Detective’s Double Snap at Santa Fe. 735 Broadway Billy’s Business; or, Waking Up Wind Canyon Camp. 788 Dick Doom in Boston; or,-A Man of Many Masks. By Col. P. Ingraham. Ready August 30th, A New Issue Every Tuesday, BEADLE’s HatF-Dime Liprary is 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.