Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 790) (1892 09 13)
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{tt a a Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. No.790. 92:59, anit | | | Hi NWA 7 | Y f " \f un lalla! WZ y y ‘ x [| Bn J) eS TIN September 13, 189, Price, 5 Cents. TT ou mee AAT ul ei) WH mi i] i| iI uit : icv nani DT NU TT Hill B THE CASE of the DEAD ALIVE. BY J. C. COWDRICK, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ BROADWAY BILLY ” NOVELS, ETC. , CHAPTER I. A CRAZY MAN’S STRANGE STORY, Lats one afternoon Detective William Wes- ton—‘ Broadway Billy”—was seated in his office talking with his two boy assistants Happy Harry and Silent Seth, when an old man rushed into the office, He was very old, apparently between aay and ninety years of age, with long white hair ' and beard, yet with a sprightly step that gave the lie to his appearance, And a noticeable peculiarity was that he was clad in attire more suitable for a boy of ten, He wore knee pants
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2 Broadway Billy’s Brigade. buttoned to a waist, and black stockings and buttoned shces, Broadway Billy and his ‘‘ beagles” looked at the visitor in surprise, and wonderingly when, closing the door and fixing his gaze upon Harry, he demanded: ‘* Are you Broadway Billy?” **Crackers an’ cheese! no!” exclaimed the as- tonished lad, ‘“T am Broadway Billy, sir,” Billy spoke up. “Did you want to see me?” * You Broadway Billy! Why, the news- papers called Broadway Billy a ‘ Boy Detective,’ You are no boy!” ‘** Nevertheless, I am Broadway Billy. Won't you sit down, sir?” The visitor helped himself to a chair, ‘‘T see you are looking at my clothes,” he ob- served. ‘Odd, isn’t it, to see a man of my years dressed so ridiculously? But, it isn’t my fault, and as lam a crazy man I can’t help it. Yes, 'm crazy, sir.” It was a coufession which confirmed the sus- picion of all three, ** You don’t appear to be very crazy just now, sir,” Billy observed, “No; tor just now lam in my right mind, and that is what has brought me to see you,” ‘*How came you to know anything about me?” ‘By the newspapers. When I am getting all right in the head I want to see the newspapers all the time, and in them I have seen accounts of you and some of your doings, I believe you are agreat boy—map, I mean, and that you can help me wonderfully.” ‘* In what way can I help you?” ‘*T shall haveto tell you my story first, so that you can get hold of the thing right. Itis a page from the past, and itinvolves a vast for- tune out of which my rightful heirs bave been cheated. 1 want you to take the matter in hand and bring the thing out all right. Do you think you can do that?) Doyou think you can find the silver casket?” ‘* The silver casket?” **'Yes: you see, the valuable papers are hid away in the silver casket or coffin, which is buried with me in my grave. I bave not toldof this, before, for I was afraid to trust anybody, but I am going to trust you. Say, do you think you can find it?” Billy decided that the man was a harmless lunatic who had escaped from some institution or other, and by chauce, bad found his way there. But, if really a lunatic, how could he have seen the detective’s name in the papers, and have come there to consult with him? That cer- tainly did not betray mental obliquity or un- reason, Silent Seth looked on with seeming stoic in- difference, as if taking no interest whatever, while Happy Harry, his chin in his hands, was both amused and interested. “I don’t know,” Billy made sober response to the last question. ‘ Are yousureitis in your grave?” ‘*Am I sure of it? Of course I am sure of it! Didn’t I hide it with my own hands the day be- fore I was buried? It is with me in my casket.” That statement was conclusive; the man was a lunatic. Hie where are you buried?” Billy quietly ed, ‘“* Where am I buried?” echoed the old man. ‘““Where do you suppose, but in the Hearn family vaults? You can find my coffin there, with my name on it—Ruford Hearn.” ‘** How old are you?” : ‘*T was sixty-one years old when I died,” **And how long have you been dead?” asked Billy, treating the matter with all gravity. ‘‘Twenty-two years,” was the prompt an- swer. “Sixty-one and twenty-two—that makes you eighty-three years old now, does it not?” ‘*How can a man get any older after he is dead?” ‘*T mean if you had lived,” Billy corrected. “Tf you bad lived you would be eighty-three years old now,” ‘Yes, that is right; I would be eighty-three now.” “But, if you are dead and buried, how is it you are here?” he asked, ‘*Tbis isn’t me,” the answer came promptly. **It was Ruford Hearn that was buried, Ruford Hearn isin the casket, sir. Don’t you under- stand?” **T can’t say that I do,” Billy bad to confess. “ Didn’t you say your name is Ruford Hearn?” “Yes, yes; so it is, I am Ruford Hearn; I am dead and buried; that part is all straight enough, But, here I am, Ruford Hearn, and they will not let me get into my place.” Billy scratched his head, ‘‘Tam afraid I can’t do muchin your case, sir,” be said. “It seems to be rather mixed u D,?? **'You don’t understand it, sir, you don’t un- derstand it yet,” the old man complained, ‘““Can’t you see how it is? You will have to get it quick or not at all, for I feel it coming on again.” ‘You feel what coming on?” **My crazy spell. Then it will be dark—all dark, and you won’t be able to get anything out of me,” “You had better tell me at once, then, all that is necessary for me to know, and if it is anything I can take hold of I will do what I can for you. Go right ahead, sir.” ‘“* Yes, I will; but it seems so hard for you to understand. You see, my name is Ruford Hearn, and I died twenty-two years ago and was buried. You cannot help understanding that,” . ‘*T follow you so far,” assured Billy. . “T wasarich man, and 1 had two sons and three daughters, One son and one daugbter were by my first wife, but the other son and two daugbters were by my second wife. The first son was my favorite child, as his mother was my first love. Do you still understand me? “Yes, that is all plain enough; go abead with the story.” ‘* Well, sir, in order to make my will so as to give most to those who cared for me, and least to those who cared for my money, I hit upon a plan to learn which of my children did really care for me and which did not. But, before going into it I made all pr-parations and sealed up valuable papers in the silver coffin,” Billy was watching closely, and following word for word, This man’s talk appeared to be sane enough now; but he evidently was growing restless, as if apprehending something that was about to come upon him, and which he dreaded. ‘*'Yes, yes,” he said quickly; ‘‘ valuable papers—silver coffin; yes, yes, so [ did. I was taken sick then—1, Ruford Hearn, you under- stand; and I died and they buried me. But, they didn’t know about the silver casket; no, they didn’t; and that is what would tell a story for themif they could find it. Nobody knows about the silver casket sir; no one but you, and you must find it. You will find it with me in my coffin,” Here the talk was wild again, so Billy decided. It was all the idle fancy of a disordered mind, and nothing more, ‘* But, what will become of you when I take the coffin up and open it?” the young detective questioned, To the amazement of the trio the old man burst out crying, as any schoolboy of eight might bave done, at the same time digging his fists into his eyes in true childish fashion. ‘““What’s the matter?’ Billy asked, after a moment of silence. ‘* Boo-hoo-oo—” came the tearful response, “f want Bobby to ay marbles with me, and he—boo-hoo-oo—and he won't do it. Boo- hoo-00-00—~” In spite of themselves Billy and Happy Harry had to laugh, but Silent Seth merely looked on as unmoved as a statue, yet evidently thinking deeply abont the whole matter, “Won't he play with you?” asked Billy, sooth- ingly. 8 No, he won’t; an’ he bas been callin’ me names, too. Boo-hoo-oc—” ‘* Never mind,” said Billy: ‘* here is a boy who will play with you. Just try him, Seth.” The last was said to Seth, aside, ‘*Come on,” Seth invited, ‘Sand it’s my first play.” ** No, it’s my first play!” the old fellow dis- puted. “Tf I can’t go first [ won’t play at i, ** All right; you sball play first,” assured Billy. ‘¢ But, where are your marbles? Have you got any with you?” ‘or answer the old man went down into a pocket and pulled out a big handful of marbles of all sorts and sizes, and dropping to his knees on the floor he began to arrange them for a game, Silent Seth took part with him, helping him to arrange them, but irrepressible Harry stood back and was fairly holding his sides to keep from expléding with laughter, while Broadway Billy looked on with a smile, parsiy anes and partly in sympathy, although baf- There is nothing new ander the sun, ’tis said, — ot. Eo ese hee aa ee. oS _ ; but here was something new in his experience, truly. Never had he run up against anything like this, CHAPTER II, ALTOGETHER A STRANGE MATTER, Ir was an amusing yet a pitiadle sight. Happy Harry saw only the ludicrous part of it, but Broadway Billy was deeply moved by the spectacle, Silent Seth, while he was helping to arrange the marbles, managed to ‘‘hook” several of them with which to play, and, as soon as they had been placed the game commenced, The old man played first, and his first play demonstrated bis skill. Tne game was one of.the oldest, known to every schoolboy, and Silent Seth’s turn proved that he knew something about it, too, As tie agel man played be moved around with as much ease as Seth, apparently, and as the game progressed it was seen that he was getting the better of his more youthful opponent, ** Crackers an’ cheese!” cried Harry, ‘ Don’t Jet him wax ye that way, Stoick. Go in an? show him what ye kin do, You don’t want to let anybody get ahead of this office at anything, not even at marbles. Now ye’ve got him; slap in a sockdolager anJ swipe his alley.” ‘* Ha, ha, ha!” langhed the old man, in glee, ‘* He can’t do it! Hold on; no scrougin’ over the taw, now, Dou’t you punch, nuther. Ha, ha, ha! You didn’t do it, and you owe me an- otber one! Now watch me, and Ill sbow you how todoit. See? Just this way.” The old fellow flipped with care, and away went h’s last marole, ‘“*] haven’t got. any more,” Seth had to admit, ‘* Why, this is one of my own,” the old fellow cried, after looking closely at the taw he had just won, ‘* You have been stealin’ on me!” With boyish anger he scowled at Seth, and immediately began to examine and count his stock of marbles, to make sure that no more had been taken from kim, and no sooner had he done than he sprung up showing fight. ‘‘ You have been stealin’!” he cried. ‘I won six off o’ you, and I ain’t gotno more’nI had when I commenced. Come, now, you give me them marbles or I’ll give ye a good lickin’, an’ I can do it, too. Give’em here, I say, or lll down e an’ take ’em.” ‘*Christopher Columbia!” cried Harry, danc- ing about in high glee. ‘‘ You will get it now, Seth, if you ever did! He’ll varnish you off in hoss, and see which one Will come out best man. This is as good asa coon weddin’ and a cake- walk, Wake up, Philosopher, or you will get a bang on the nose ’fore ye know it.” The old fellow was moving up to Seth with his fists doubled and ready for action, but Seth was backing off to keep out of reach. ‘* Will ye give me my marbles?” toe o.a man Sinianael sharply. ** 1 haven’t got any,” Seth declared, “Yes you have, too, andI want’em. How did you play if you didn’t have any marbles?” “* Why, I was playing with some of yours, It's all right; you have got just as many as you had, and we played only in fun, you know,” The old man began to cry. ‘No, it wasn’t in fun, either,” he blurted out. ‘*7—boo-hoo—I was playin’ for keeps, and I— boo-hov-oo—I want the six marbles too. It ain't fair, the way you played.” ‘“‘Never mind the six marbles,” Billy urged: “the boy did not understand just how you want- ed to play. I will get you a nice lot of marbles,” cf Will you, though? Really?” The childish old man stopped crying at once, and his face beamed, ‘*Yes I will, truly,” Billy assured. ‘I will buy you a nice lotof themsomeday. But, what is your name and where do you live?” » “My name is Thomas Tobias Brown, sir, and I live at Doctor Dray’s. They lect us play marbles all. we want to, there, They call me Tommy, sir.” ‘*And where is Doctor Dray’s?’ Billy in- quired, “Don’t you know Doctor Dray?” in boyish amaze, : ‘* No; never heard of bim,” ‘That is funny; I thought everybody knowed Doctor Dray.” . ; ‘* Where do you say he lives Tommy” Billy was bumoring the old man’s strange hallucination. ‘** And don’t you know where he lives, either? Why, all of us boys know where Doctor Dray ves, ‘‘ Well, where does he live?” fine style, you see if he don’t, Let’s make aring, °
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“Inthe great, big house around the corner and next door to the play-ground,” ** Christopher Columbia!” cried Happy Harry, “thavsa straight clew, isn’t it, though! He’s as crazy as a bed-bug.” “Who is crazy?’ demanded the aged boy,” turning upon him, as ie man in the moon, you know,” re- | sponded Harry, promptly. **T thought you meant me, and I was going to say I’m not as crazy asI look. Some boys are fo ‘lish, and that’s a good deal worse than crazy.” Happy Harry drew a long face and put his hand over his mouth, acknowledging that the old fellow had hit him once and that he had bet- ter remain quiet if he did not want to get worsted, Silent Seth glanced at him with the suggestion of a smile playing around his mouth, Billy was interested, puzzled, amuse 1. What to think of such a case as this, if it could be called a case at all, he did not know, The old man had certainly said some strange things. remember anything about the story he had told. Be the way, Tommy, how about Mr. Hearn?” he asked, ‘* Eh?” the old fellow queried. ** How about Mr, Hearn? Mr. Kuford Hearn you know.” “Oh, yes!’ He is dead, sir; he died a long time ago, Doctor Dray used to know him. He could tell you about him.” “Then you didn’t know him yourself, eh?” ‘*Oh, no; he died long before I was born.” * And how old are you, Tommy?” ** Kleven, sir.” Billy saw that it was of nouse, Theold man’s mind was now a complete or total blank con- cerning what he had been talking about so short a time before. He was about to question the old luny fur- ther, to try to draw him out, or to bring his mind back again to what be had been talking about at first, but just then the door opened and another personage stepped into the office, This time it wasa young man, one not over thirty, so Billy decided. He entered with an eager, expectant air, and the moment his eyes fell upon the old man in the boyish attire, his face lighted up, and a smile tole the story. He had come in search of the old lunatic, ‘* Why, Tommy, what are you doing here?” the demanded, in a reproving way. ‘tT have been playing marbles,” the old man respectfully answered, ‘‘Is it time to go in now?” “Yes, it is time to go home now,” was the rather coaxing response, As he spoke, the Pea man winked at Broadway Billy, touching his forehead with his finger to indicate what was the matter with the oJd man, ** How did you find him here?” Billy asked. This was the question which had come to his mind the moment he discovered whom the "hoi man was looking for, Had the man n following? If so, why hai he remained 80 long in the background? Billy was sus- picious, The young man’s explanation, how- aah appeared to be both reasonable and pro- ie. “Why, by a lucky find,” was his response, **'You see, sir, the old fellow has spells, when he is crazy in another direction,” speaking low, ‘‘and when the change comes on he is eager for newspapers, When we mised bim we happened to find his coat in the play- ground where he had been playing marbles, and in a pocket of it was a clipping from a paper with your address on it,” “And tbat led you to believe he had come here, eb?” ‘Well, it gave us an idea. We hunted all around the neighborhood until we had to give it up; then Doctor Dray told me to come here, as possibly he had wandered down this way. He was led to this conclusion by the fact that he had meantime found more clippings in Tommy’s room concerning some of the work you have been doing. I take it that youare Mr, Weston, the detective? Anyhow, that’s the whole of it, I hope he basn’t been troublesome,” ** Not a bit,” assured Billy. ** You could see at once that he is off,” “Ob! to be sure, Anybody could see that, I tae enh ell, Pll take him home, now, I su he has been telling some queer tales,” : ‘* He has told only. the truth, I take it, from what you yourself have said. He said he was in school or something of the sort kept by Doctor Dray. He thought it strange that I should not know the doctor.” ’ He wondered whether he would now | } rn Broadway Billy’s Brigade. ‘* Yes, that is the way he talks. But, that was all straight; the wonder is that’ he did not annoy you with some wonderful yarns his crazy mind has hatched out. He has queer fancies, sometimes, when he is passing from one crazy spell to the other. Itis a peculiar case.” ‘* Then he never comes into his right mind?’ ‘No, never, He is hopelessly mad, He is old, and there can be but one release for him now,” ‘*T see it is too bad. Isuppose you are con- nected with Doctor Dray’s establishment-- But, you have said as much. Where is this asylum? It is one I have never heard of, I believe.” “Tt is at No. — West — street. Yes, I am a student under Doctor Dray, finishing a special course, and a sort of he)per around the institution, besides. Well, I will be going with my charge while he is in the humor, Come on, Tommy, ani we'll go bome now,” He held out his hand ina fatherly way, and the old man ray and placed his hand in it will- ingly and was léd away like a little child, The young man nodded and smiled a yood-by as he passed out and as scon as the door bad closed after the pair Broadway Billy and his aids stood for a few moments looking at each other-in expressive silence. “Something strange about this,” finally declared Billy. ‘* The more I think about it the more I think there is more in it than a mere case of lunacy. That fellow seemed mighty eager to learn what the old man bad been letting out. We have gotsomething on hand, boys, or I miss my guess, and I’m going tolook into the affair further and see what will come of it. It may be time wasted; but, the detective fever is coming on and there is only one way to check it. What do you say?” CHAPTER III, GROWING STRANGER STILL. ‘CHRISTOPHER COLUMBIA!” cried Harry. “What do we say? Wl speak for myself, and Seth is old enough to do the same; if he won't that isn’t my fault, Ill bet crackers an’ cheese toa Harlem goat there is a son o’ Ham in the fence somewhere or otber. We have got a rattle- pated old none-such to deal with, though, and it’s beans to buttons whether we'll be able to make head or tail of it or not,” ‘*That sums it up, I guess,” acquiesced Billy. ‘* What do you think about it, Silent Seth?” ‘*T think there is something in that story about a silver casket or coffin, but I don’t believe the old man will ever tell any more about it than he has told already,” ** And I about agree with you, too,” said Billy, ‘There has been something in the past to make such an impression upon his mind, but what it was is probably more than he will ever be able to explain in full,” ** And now you tell us how it strikes you,” re- quested Harry. ‘*T bave done so already,” Billy returned, **'You two took it up where i left off and have about finished all there is tosay aboutit, Re- garding that silver casket or coffin as he says it is, and the secret it contains, however, I will say that, if thereis anytbing init I believe others roust know about it.” “And that was the reason the fellow was so eager to learn what the old man had been talking about, hey?’ guessed Harry. “So it strikes me, There may be nothing in it at all, but, as we have the time to spare we will look into it, or attempt to doso. We have the clew to go to work on, if it proves to be of any use,” “A clew? questioned Harry. ‘You mean the name he claims is his, and the story he told about his family affairs,” “Yes. Dll inquire into the Hearn family, to find out whether there ever was a Ruford Hearn or not, If I find there was, VH look up his history and see what became of him, and so get astart. See?” “You bet! I feel my blood begin to ferment, and I’m ripe for anything that promises fun. And here’s Seth, my deaf-an’-dumb pard, just see bis eyes snap, will you! I bet he is making up his mind what he will do if he gets a chance to wrastle with a lunatic asylum.” Billy smiled, and it being about time to close up, he and the boys left the office and went home, On the way Broadway Billy had on his think- ing cap, and considered the case in all its possible aspects. hat his speculations were we may infer from the sequence, fore going to the office he Next morning he came to ‘* Hearn,” and then looked for the name ‘*‘ Ruford,” There it was, as he soon found, and took note of the address, ‘¢ Well, there is one bit of proof that the old man knew what he was talking about, any- how,” he mused, ‘* There was a Ruford Hearn in this city twenty-two years ago, but there is no such name to be found to-day, What he- came of him? That will be the first step to take in the case,” When Billy reached the office Harry and Seth had it opened and ready for business, as usual, Billy was a little late, and he had barely entered when a man stepped into the office, the young man who, on the previous day, had come to take the aged lunatic away. ** Good-morning!” he greeted, with his easy nod aud smile, ‘*I suppose you did not expect to ses me »gzain so soon, but hereI am, I came to look tor one of Tommy’s marbles, which he thinks he lost here, Hu, ha, ha! Rather a young chap to be playing at marbles, isn’t he?” ‘* Rather young, that is true,” Billy assented, laughingly. ‘I do not think he lost the marble bere, however, You did not find one when you cleaned out, did you, boys?” Both answered in the negative. ‘* No; be did not lose it here,” Billy assured. “Tf he had, it would have been aiscovasens Too bad, for I a gr the little chap cried about it, did he not? Ha, ha, ba!” ‘* Yes; and is crying yet. Like somebody or other mentioned in the Bible, be refuses to be comforted, I don’t know what we'll do to pacify him, for he knows every one of his marbles as well as a mother knows her cbildren, and it would be impossible to impose upon bim,” ‘* His is a strange case, isn’t it,” ‘Tris that, And, as I told you yesterday, a hopeless on, Well, I won’t botker you, since the marble has not been found. Doctor Dray want- ed me to thunk vou, by the way, for taking care of his old patient till I arrived,” “Ob! that was nothing; don’t mention it, And, by the way, I promised him some new marbles. If you can wait a few moments'Ill send one of the boys out to get bim some. It may pacify him and so save you trouble, It. might take bis mind away from the lost marble, you know.” ‘*Really,” responded the young man, “I think that would do it, but I did not want to mention it to you. He has been complainin that you promised him some marbles but had, not sentthem, I intended buying him some my- self and telling him they were from you, © bave to do all sorts of things to keep their dis- ordered wits under proper control, you know,” ‘*Yes, Isee, I'll send them as | promised, so you will not have to fib aboutit, Here, Harry, you step out and buy a dozen of the prettiest, you can find.” And giving Harry some money, the boy went off at once upon the errand, ‘“* How many such patients does Doctor Dray have?” Billy inquired, ‘* We have over twenty of them, sir, just now.” ‘“‘T imagine they are not all so peaceable as the old man who was here,” ‘‘No, indeed! Some of them have to be dealt with pretty severely once in awhile, to bring them to their senses,” ‘*And they have all sorts of queer ideas in their addled brains, I suppose? 1 heard of a crazy man once who imagined he was a fly, and who worried himself to death because he had lost the use of his wings.” ‘Yes, yes; they have all manner of notions, There is Tommy—Brown, I mean, who was here:—he bas a belief that be is dead, and that in life he was somebody else. It’s a wonder be did not tell you all about that, But, I suppose marbles had taken possession his mind,” ‘* He had marbles on the brain, badly. Who does he think be used to be? But, of pate be pay little attention to his prattle, and it does not matter,” ; ‘¢ No, I don’t know much about it. He thinks he was a rich man, and I guess he has had some money trouble of some sort some time in the past, Knowing who he is, however, we know he was never very rich.” ‘*You say his name is Brown?” ‘* Yes; Thomas Tobias Brown, Name enough, you. will agree,” “Quite. I was not sure; I know you men- tioned Brown, but was not certain it was not your own name,” “Oh, no; my name is Gaddas—Alaric Gaddas, yj
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Broadway Billy’s Brigade. There was further talk, which was inter- 3 by the return of Harry with the mar- es, ‘Hal these are nice ones!” said Billy. ‘They will make the heart of the old fellow glad, I think, At any rate I hopeso, Take them to him with my best, regards. He seemed to take a fancy to me,” “‘T will do so. Yes, he thinks quite well of you, and has mentioned your name a good many times this morning. For the most part though, in connection with the promise you made. Well, Tl be off. We'll try towatch him better so that he will not trouble you again.” With that the man took his leave, carrying the marbles with him, while Silent Seth gazed thoughtfully at the closed door, ‘Now, it’s one thing or the other,” mused Billy. ‘‘ Either he came on purpose to try again to find out what the old mun had been telling here, or bis story was true. I’m inclined to think it’s the latter.” **Crackers an’ cheese!” ejaculated Harry. “That son o’ Ham in the fence is stirrin’, for I begin tosmell him, Don’t it hit you that he has come here mighty early in the mornin’, boss? They know what you are, when you get hold of a mystery, and I bet they don’t rest easy.” “It’s the fact that he was here early, for one thing, that leads me to believe his scory to be true,” responded Billy. ‘* You have to weigh everything, you know, in getting at the bottom ofa matter. Then, if you took notice, it was I who turned the conversation upon tbe old fel- lows peculiar madness, Gaddas made no more than a passing remark,” ‘* Well, you had orter know best; but I smell nigger all the ‘same, and the fever is oa the rise,” ** And what think you, Silent Seth?” {t was Seth’s plan never to speak ualess he had something to say, and he seldom expressed an opinion unless asked for it, ‘I think I'd like to know the secret of that silver casket,” was the reply. ‘“‘ {feel sure there issucha thing, or something tostart theidea, and the more I think about it the more J want to know more about it.” “Christopher Columbia!” exclaimed Happy Harry, springing forward and laying a hand under Seth’s chin as he stop speaking. ** Don’t you know any better than that, Seth? You mustn’t undertake to say so much all at once; no telling what awful consequences ye ma bg upon yourself,” “That is my case, exactly,” declared Billy, rejoining to Seth’s response, ‘I have foun out that there was a Rufus Hearn in this city twenty-two years ago, and I know where he lived. I am going, now, to see if any of the family are living there stil) and to learn what I can about them. ‘You boys hold the officedown until I return.” Billy was about to take his leave when the door opened and a woman came in, a woman past the middle age of life. ‘*Are you Mr. Weston, sir?” she asked, at once, ‘“*T am,” answered Hilly. ‘‘And you are the detective, Broadway Billy?” ‘Yes, madam,” ‘Then it’s you I want to see. My house has been robbed, ina mysterious manner, and I want ou to find the thief and recover the stolen hings,” ‘* Pray sit down and tell me all about it, and I will see what can be done, Give me your name and place of residence first.” ‘¢ Well, my name is Jane Hearn, and I reside at No. — street. The house was entered yesterday while I was taking my afternoon nap, and some valuable papers were stolen, How the thief got in and out again, puzzles me; but I think it must have been a boy, for I found this marble on the floor, CHAPTER IV. COMPLICATIONS ARISING, HERge was a surprise, As the woman spoke she held a marble up to view, and the trio instantly recognized it as be- ing similar to several which the old man had played with there in the office on the previous ay. it was oly by bringing his will power to serve him promptly that Broadway Billy avoided ex- claiming ‘‘ Sweet pertaters!” while Happy Harry had to clap bis hand over his mouth to hold back the “‘Christopher Columbia!” that rose to his oom, but Silent Seth—he remained as stoical and geaeh od or ndian, one brief second many thoughts passed through Billy’s mind. The street and number the woman had given were the same that, as he had learned by the old Directory, had been the address of Ruford Hearn! Then, this marble— Had the crazy man paid a visit to that house be- fore coming to the office, and there lost it? That he had lost one somewhere had been declared by Gaddas. And if so, then what? Washenot really Ru- ford Hearn, as he had declared his name to be during bis interval of semi-sanity? Andif Ruford Hearn, why was he called Thomas Tobias Brown, at the asylum? Here wasa mystery, aly The clew of the lost marble forged a strong link in the chain of circumstances which went to prove that there was truth at least in the story the old fellow had told, If the old man was Ruford Hearn, then Ruford Hearn certainly was not dead. Perhaps he had been wholly sane fora brief while, and had visited bis old home? All this passed through Billy’s mind in a mo- ment, as said, but his face gave no indication of his thoughts, ‘* Let me see the marble,” he requested, The woman gave it to him. There was no mistaking it; it was exactly like some the crazy man had shown among his col- lection, ‘You are sure this was not in your house be- fore the robbery, madam?” Billy inquired, ‘* Of course I am sure,” emphatically, I swept the bouse with my own hands this morning, and had it been there I would have found it.” Jane Hearn was clearly a positive woman. She had a grim face, and her thin lips closed in that straight line which always implies, firm- n ess, “Tf that is the case,” remarked Billy,"* it is pretty certain the intruder lost it there, { agree with you, too, that it is a sign the person was a boy. But, you say he took important papers?” ** Yes, sir; important papers.’ ‘*That gives it a different aspect, fora boy would have been more apt to take money or trifles; don’t you think so? ‘*- Yes, that’s so,” thoughtfully. hee sort of papers were taken?” Billy next asked, ‘All the valuable ones I had, sir; deeds, bonds, and so forth. They could not possibl be of any use to any one else, yet very valuable to me. That being the case, does it not still look reasonable that the rascal was a boy?” ‘* Well, yes; unless you have some relation who is your enemy, and who could in some way make use of the papers against you.” **T have not; and, y could not be used against me.” ‘*Then, perhaps, some enemy who, by de- stroying them, would work out a spite or wrong against you that ee “*f do not think [ have an enemy, sir; and I certainly have none who could know anything about the papers, I tell you I am greatly mys- tified over it, What puzzles me most, how did the rascal get in?’ ‘*To offer any explanation of that, madam, it will be necessary for me to examine the premises, But have you no suspicion against any one? Perbaps it has been a servant, one now in your employ, or one who has been dismissed? ink well, and perhaps you will—” ‘* No, no, it’s nothing of that kind, I have no servants, and have never had any, The truth is, I live all alone,” ** Then it is strange.” “Of course it is strange, sir, or I would not have come to you. I am good at thinking, if I do say it myself, but I could not fathom this matter.” “You mentioned bonds among the papers missing: Was there among them one which some person might particularly desire to see de- stroyed?” ‘*T believe not, They were old papers, all of them, and have been in force for’ years, and always honored. I can see no object why any one should want tu take them,” ‘‘You say your name is Jane Hearn? Are you a widow?” ‘‘No, I am a maiden lady.” i Bf long have you lived all alone, if I may as se Se many years, sir. But, why do you ask such questions? How can this have anything to do with the case?” “In this way: Living alone, perhaps you walk in your sleep, and it may be you have taken these papers yourself and put them in some other place. I do not say it is so; I merely suggest it.” ; The woman smiled disdainfully, ‘lam nota soeneniks ae” shedeclared. “I should have found it out Jong ago. Why would I not have disturbed something before? Besides, do you forget the marbleI found?” , **No, Ido not forget it,” Billy made answer. ‘Mind you, I only make suggestions. Do you want me to take the matter in hand, madam, to learn what I can about it? If so, I will go with you to your home and look around the premises, after which I may be able to suggest something.” ‘¢That was what brought me here, sir. I have read a great deal about you of late, and I thought if any one could solve the mystery you could,” “Thank you. I will go with you at once and we'll see what is to be discovered there.” With some words of instruction aside to Harry and Seth, Billy set out with the woman for her residence, No sooner had they left the office than Harry tossed his hat to the ceiling, executed an excited but silent dance in the middle of the floor, and then, to give further vent to his feelings, stood upon his head, Silent Seth looked on in stoical fashion, but did not take any part in the demonstration, al- though he understood full well the occasion of Harry’s antics, ‘* Why don’t ye say somethin’, Philosopher?” poss demanded, when he had righted bimself, nally. ‘* Because I have nothing to say.” “Nothing to say? Christopher Columbia! Would you say anything if the bouse wasafire?” Seth merely shrugged his shoulders. ** You beat all the Dutch in Hoboken, : that’s what you do,” Harry declared, ‘* You baven’t any more sensibility than a clam. Don’t you see what's in the wind? The boss has got hold of the big end of one of the consarnedest diffi- kilties you ever heard of,.and if there isn’t a sifting of secrets before Jong you may take my head for a stone-thumper.” Seth nodded, ‘*That yarn your marble’chum told was all true, and more too; crackers an’ cheese, yes! He’s Ruford Hearn, and you can bet on it; the only thing is, be isn’t as dead as he thinks he is, You wait till the boss comes back and see if he don’t bave a tale to unfold that will make your two eyes bulge out. I told you I smeltnigger ip the fence, and sol did. But, we haven’t begun to get at the bottom of this matter yet. I'll bet there’s more than one interested in that silver casket, if there is such a thing,” and Harry rattled on until the door opened to admit another caller, This time the visitor was a man past middle age—a brisk, business-like person, whe, sharply glancing around the room, inquired for the pro- prietor. “*He bas gone out, sir,” answered Harry. ‘“*He may be back in an hour or so, Will you leave your card, sir?” ‘* Are you two the lads who are working with him in the detective line, and with such good re- sults, as I have seen by the papers? If so, Pk leave word with you for him, ‘We're his team of ponies, sir.” **'You look like it,” smilingly. ‘‘ Well, my name is Tilford Millard.. I am a lawyer. My office ‘is at No. — —— street. Don’t forget the name and address, for your employer may want to come and see me,” “Weve got it chalked down on the slate o” memory, sir,” Harry assured, The lawyer smiled. ‘Very well; here are some papers which I will leave with you to be given to your master as soon as he comesin, Tell him I found them in my office in a rather remarkable way, and seeing his name and address penciled on the back of the package, have brought them to him, It is a mystery bow they came in my office, but as his name and office address are on them take it he has some knowledge of it, so 1 will leave them here. Tell him they have bearing on the Hearn affair—” “‘Christopber Columbia!” ejaculated Harry, at mention of that name. *« What’s the matter?” asked Mr, Millard, The mention of the name had not caused so much as the lifting of a brow on the part of the imperturbable Seth, ‘* Why, it seems the Hearn affair has taken ion of this office just now, sir,” Harry admitted before he gave thought to the disclos- ure he was making. ‘That is the business Mr. Weston is on now, sir, and when you mentioned the name it naturally struck me.’ ‘*T see; and that being the case, of course he will know all about these papers. It is a case that created a great sensation some twenty odd years ago, and that it should be coming up again is @ surprise, I happened to figure in it at that r4 en pe ee ae
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| | | : | ) { | time; io RET 0 oo, Yat Seay | tu av that ia het they were Galil sores [where tan as I occupy the office Mr, Hearn used to have. But, this can be of no interest to you. Just tell your master I brought the papers in person, and that I am rather curious to know bow they came in my office, if nothing more,” With that the lawyer delivered the papers to Harry and was gone, when Harry immediately proceeded to stand on his head as before, flourish- ing his legs wildly. CHAPTER V., THE PECULIAR PAPER, In the mean time Broadway Billy had ac- companied Spinster Hearn to her home, a quaint, old-fashioned house on a quiet street that had somehow been left behind in the march of progress business had been making since it was built. Little had been said on the way, and nothing concerning the matter in which they were in- terested. Assoon asshe had opened the door and admitted the detective, however, the wo- man turned to him and invited him to proceed in his own way to make an investigation. **T noticed that you opened the door witha latch-key,” remarked Billy. ‘Is that the only fastening it has?” * Ob! no; I bolt it with these two bolts at night, besides locking the big lock. No burglar could possibly get in this way.” ** But, how was it yesterday afternoon when you were taking your nap? It was then, ycu say, that tho robbery was committed, Was it bolted then?” ‘* No; but the latch was on, and I know there is only ‘one key that fits it and Lhave that, You may think it possible that some one did enter this way, but [ know better, sir.” ‘Why are you so positive?” ** Because the lock is as old as th® bouse itself, near! , and I have the only key.” ell, taking that view it, let us see what other means was possible for the offender to gain admission into the house, How about the windows, madam?” ‘“*They were all secured as you see them now, ” ** And the rear door?” “* Was bolted.” ‘““Then what other chance was there for any ona to get in, besides the chance that some one had a key to the front door?” “Tt was to learn just that, sir, that I called upon you. The front door is not to be con- sidered, for there is but one key to it, and here it is. It wasin my pocket at the time.” “Very well, taking your view of it we will drop the front door entirely for the present, Have you disturbed any other door or window since the robbery took place? If,not, I will go and examine them one by one, and it is possible I may discover some signs,” ‘*Nof a window has been disturbed, but I have looked at every one, from the top of the housa to the bottom, and every one is fast, The doors have been used since, of course,” “When did you discover the robbery, madam?” ** Last night.” ** How came you to make the discovery?” ‘7 went to my desk for the purpose of making out a bill for rent for one of my ten- ants, and found the drawer unlocked and the papers gone. That set me to searching around, and I found the marble,” ‘*T see, And where was the marble found?” “ Here in the hall, between the front door and the door of the library, ” “That is enough, I will not take the trouble to look at any other doors or windows, but will take your word for the condition they were in,” Billy had made up his mind, knowing what he did, that the robber had been none otber than the’ crazy man, and believed that he had gained admission to the house by means of a latch-key. ‘* Let me see the desk,” he next asked, He was conducted into the room called the library, where a large, old-fashioned desk occu- pied a place at one side, “ You kept this locked?” Billy asked, “Yes; but the key was usually in the lock, for, being alone, I never thought it necessary to take it out. My father usually did the same,” “*T take it he is dead.” ** Yes; he died twenty-two years ago,” Billy drop it at that, for the present. He Bnew now that Jane was the daughter of Ru- or “*[ suppose you have searched the house well oe these missing papers, have you not?” he next ey “, Tborou y, sir.” Ron thee ‘is only one thing to think about eo . eOatway Palys Brigade Billy’ s Brigade. it, and that is that they were taken by some person who had an object in taking them, or else by a common thiet, who grabbed them in haste and made off, thinking he had made a valuable haul,” ‘** But, bow did he get in and how did he get out 8 ain?” here were you when taking that nap, madam?” “*T was lying on the lounge, in the room right next to this,” ‘** And you are positive the robbery was done while you were there, are you?” “Tt could not have been done at any other time, for | was at the desk in the morniug, and the papers were bere then.” That settled it in Billy’s mind. “Tf you will give me a description of each paper that is missing,” he said, °‘ it will help me to recognize them if they come to my notice anywhere, This has the appearance of a hope- less case to you, no doubt, but I think I cee light abead, and will undertake to do what I can.” “ What do you think of the explanation of it, sir?” ‘“*T prefer not to say, yet. I believe I bave a claw, however, and will set to work at once,” Y Well, I suppose I shall bave to trust it to you. If you discover anything, of course you will come here and let me know?” ‘* You shall be informed, certainly.” The woman gave a description of the papers, Billy making a note of each, and then he took his leave. It had been his intention to question the wo- man about her fatber and the family in general, but on second thought he bad decided not to do so, since it would arouse suspicion, He could, he believed, easily find some one who had known Mr. Hearn, and who could give him the story of the old man’s life in full, "The affair bad taken on such a peculiar phase that he wanted to be sure of bis ground before mak- ing anything known to this woman. One thing he considered strange. If she knew aught of the aged crazy man and his paasion for marbles, why had sbe not suspected him? He was led to tbe conclusion that she could know nothing about him and his claim to bcing Ruford Hearn. There was a mystery here,and it seemed to be growing deeper at every step. What was to come of it all? Billy had spent a considerable time at the house, and now set out upon the return to his office, Meanwhile something of importance had been taking place there, After the departure of Mr. Millard, the law- yer, and while hilarious Harry was giving ex- pression to his excitement by standing on bia head, Silent Seth took the papers to look at them, which had the effect to bring Harry to business, and together they proceeded to scruti- nize the ‘documents, i Christopker Columbia!” cried Harry, at once, “It is jest as I thought, an’ that’s what made me antic up so, I thought right off these were the papers the woman had missed, Seth, and now I know it! See, there’s her name!” Silent Seth nodded to that, “And, you can bet your boots it was the old man who left tbem at the lawyer’s office. Didn't Mr, Millard say be bad the same office Ruford Hearn used to occupy? I tell you, Seth, we are onto it as big as a house, now, as sure as crack- ers an’ cheese is a dish for a king. ve ** He didn’t say Ruford Hearn,” Seth remind- e “y know; but here is Ruford Hearn, on these papers, and he’s the man he meant, sure enough.” They took the papers up one by one and ex- amined them, taking note that they were in the nature of deeds, bonds, mortgages, etc, and that nearly every one bore the name of Hearn, The last paper of all, however, was a puzzle to them, It was not folded like the rest, and did not gn pear to have been one of the same packet. It was yellow with age, dircy and worn with long use, and was torn in half, down the center, one half being missing, It bad always been folded in one way, through the center and once over from that, and the cen- ter fold had worn the paper away so that it had evidently dropped apart at last, or had been so very easy to tear that some slight strain bad separated the halves, On one corner of the half that remained was the rude picture of a coffin, dver which was a drawing of a common try-square with the inches indicated upon it, evidently for the purpose of indicating the size of the coffin, If this were 80, the coffin was only a miniature affair, being not oe 5 more than sixteen inches in length and otherwise properly proportioned, The body of the paper contained Srownayrs evidently the plan of some building. or part of a building, with indicating figures here and there uponit, At the bottom was writing in what appeared to be some system or other of short- hand. In the center of the paper, as it had been as a whole, were illustrations of a square, com- pass, trowel, etc., grouped, and partly below these was an index pointing toward the top of the half of the paper that was w dep “ Christopher Golumbia!” explod Harry, when the two lads had studied it for some mome nts insilence, ‘*‘ What do ye make of it, Seth?” ““T think it’s the key to tho hiding-place of the silver casket,” was the secretive boy’s reply. * “Tt’s beans to buttons you are right,” Harry asserted, They fell to studying it again. Time passed rapidly, for the more they pored over the peculiar ppper the more puzzling it be- came, and they were still at it when the door opened and another caller dropped in, at was an old, wrinkled man, smai! in stature, with the face of a hawk for l:oenness and cun- ning. His eyes snapped and flashed as he glanced around the room, He was clad in seedy black, and wore a silk bat that bad long pans been out of style. He appeared very a Pelt thrust the torn paper into a pocket, while happy Harry stepped forward to learn, the man’s business. The man, however, did not speak, but looked eagerly about the floor, ag if searching for some- thing. Then he stepped toward the desk, where the papers lay, and as he looked at them'an ex- clamation escaped bim “Ha!” in an exultant way; and before either of the boys could guess his purpose he had gathered the papers upand had thrust them into his pocket, ae CHAPTER VI, GROWING IN INTI:~ 28ST. “ CHRISTOPHER COLUMBIA!” cried Harry, as soon as his surprise enabled .1im to speak, ‘What are vou up to, anyhow, mister? If you don’t want to get into a consarned diffikilty, you shell out those papers, and do it quick, too) The jeebeeb hath spoken. Selah’ Harry was almost as big as the little old man and bristled up to him in a way that meant business, like a young bantam loo! king for fight. ‘* Keep cool, sonny, keep cool!” tho old fellow enjoined, as he coolly buttoned his coat over the papers be bad pocketed, ‘ These documents are mine, and { came here on purpose to 6} them, It is all right. It is all right, sonny, it is all rigbt. Don’t let us have any ‘rouble about it now, Just tell your employer the owner called for them—” ‘‘No, Pll be hanged if it’s all right!” cried Harry, ‘*You are not going out of this office with those papers before the boss comes, and don’t you forget it. I don’t know you, and I don’t believe you knew the papers were bere un- til you saw them, Hold on, now, for it ain’t any use; you can’t take ’em off, and that settles it, Se th, you just fasten that door, and we'll see if we can’t hold the fort till the boss comes,” Seth had already taken his station at the door, and his hand was in a place where a weapon might be. “There is no need for this harshness, young gentlemen, ” spoke the old man, in the mildest of tones, ‘' The papers are mine, and I shall cér- tainly take them with me. It will be all right; all you have to do is to tell your employer came for them in person, and it will be all right. SWho told you they were here?” Harry de-! manded, “Why, your employer, of course; I have seen him and it is all right— “Teper right off there, now,” Harry inter- rupted, ‘You are telling a lie, straight from the shoulder, The boss don’t know himself, yet, that the papers are here, You just drop em,” ‘¢ Ha!” the man exclaimed, as if to himeelf, "so much the better, then. Why, boy, how dare you use such language to a man of my years?” he demanded sharply and in a louder tone, “Stand out of my way, forI must be ' going. Just say to your employer that I came—” “Thave got somethin’ to say to you first,” cried Harry. ‘ Either you give up those papers, or you stay right bere. We mean business, an you can bet on it.” ‘‘1’ll do neither the one nor the other, young upstart!” cried the old man, his eyes flashing. “Out of my way!”
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eS ie ee He started, but Harry sprung back a step and leveled a weapon at him, Broadway to use a weapon unless nothing else would do, aud Happy Harry considered this just that kind of a case. The man recoiled from before the weapon, his face growing white, but his keen, snake-like eyes flashed with rage, and without speaking he fixed his gaze steadily upon the boy who confronted him, Seth Marten, too, had drawn a weapon, and with his back against the door to prevent the man’s escape, he watched the conflict between the two with keen interest. There was some- thing in the eyes of the man that made Seth feel numb, impassive. And if that was so with Seth, how fared it with Harry, upon whom the old intruder’s gaze was fixed steadily? The man’s manner was like that of a snake when trying to charm its prey, and ina few seconds Harry’s eyes appeared to grow glazed, and his arm with the weapon began to fall. Seth waited to see no more; but, fearful lest | even then upon his track he would not have felt so | illy had instructed his team never | sure of his game, { Broadway Billy’s Brigade. Could he have known the Silent Shadower was Seth had been gone from the office something like twenty minutes or half an hour when Broadway Billy returned, and on entering found Happy Harry in the same position in which the | doctor had left him, ‘* Sweet pertaters!” Billy ejaculated. ‘‘ What’s been going on here, Harry?” Happy Harry veitber moved nor spoke, nor showed by any sign whatever that he beard, There he sat, bolt upright and staring straight ; ahead, his arm witb the revolver in his grasp hanging idly by his side. His face was almost hig, ap and Billy was alarmed, he yvung detective noted everything at once; the absence of Setb, and the fact that Harry had drawn his revolver for some purpose or other, He knew that something very out of the ordinary had been taking place in his absence, Stepping forward, he gave Harry a hasty in- spection. He had half-feared he might be dead, or bad- he might be brought under some baleful spell or | ly hurt, but finding he was neither, gave hima influence, he opened the door and glided out into | hearty as to arouse him, the hall. This was not cowardice, but prudence. Allowing bimself to be thrown into the con- dition in which he had seen his partner falling, of what use would he be to protect his employer’s interests? No sooner out than he darted down the stairs, having put away his weapon, and, as he ran, he adjusted a mustache to bis lip and made such changes in his appearance as were possible, Reaching the street, he crossed to the opposite side and waited, He could bave wounded the man, but Broad- hes Billy bad given the strictest orders against at. Never, he had instructed him and Harry, must they actually shoot unless to save their own rang Seth’s life had certainly been in no danger ere, ‘ Meantime it was faring ill with Harry. Lower dropped bis arm, until it hung nerveless at his side, and he wasas utterly helpless as he well could be, 5 “Now, sir, sit down!” the little old man ordered. Harry obeyed promptly. ** And now see that you do not get up from there for an hour, sir. Hal! where is the other rascal?’ He looked around for Seth, whose silent exit ‘*Come! Harry! Rouse up, here!” he cried. “ What’s the matter with you?” Harry came out of his stupor with a start, and leaping to his feet, looked eagerly around, as if in search of some one, holding his weapon ready for action if needed, ‘¢ Who are you looking for?’ Billy demanded, ‘* What has been going on here? Where is Seth?” ** Where is that old codger?” asked Harry. ‘What old codger?” “Why that wrinkled old man that took the apers away.” ‘* What papers, Harry? What are you talk- ing about? Are you in your right mind?” ‘Christopher Columbia!” cried Harry. ‘I don’t know whether I am or not, and that’s the truth. I’ve been knocked out, bad,” ‘© Well, tell me about it,” ‘“‘ Didn’t you see Seth?’ ee No,” ‘‘Then 1 hope he’s after that imp of Satan. Crackers an’ cheese! he looked at me till I was clean gone, and that’s the last I remember about it. Never saw such a pair of eyes in my life,” ‘*-You have been mesmerized!” Billy decided, at once, ; “ve had something done to me, and that’s a fact, I feel creepy yet. But, let me tell you all he bad nut noticed, and was surprised not to find about it.” him there, But, he did not look for him, ‘*Gone to bring a policeman, perhaps,” he said to bimself. ‘* Well, he will have to be lively to find me here when he comes back, I can tell bim that. They do not know Doctor Dray, uess, Ha, ha, ha!” « took another hasty look around the office, articularly about the desk, but finding noth- ng more he wanted, hastened to get away. Opening the door, he looked out, and seeing tbe way clear, hurried out and down to the street, He made no stop there, but cast one swift look around to find Seth, ‘He will not find me when he gets bis policeman,” he said to bimself. Ha! they can- not cope with Doctor Dray, They never could. I bave the papers, and they do not know who lam. How lucky that I happened to think i might be there!” e chuckled to himself, rubbing his hands ina delighted way, “The silver casket will be found now,” he commuped, ‘fT have the clew at last, Tommy bas had it in hiding all these years, and his reason has just returned sufficiently for him to usearth it, 1 found him poring over the half of the peeuliar chart, and the thought came to ‘me immediately that he bad lost the other half at ths office of that young detective. Ah! I am wide awake for them—too wide awake, as they will find,” Again ‘he chuckled, almost laughed outright, rubbing his hands the more, fairly hugging him- self, as it were, ‘* And, lucky for me I happened there when I did, too,” he further cogitated. ‘From what the boy said, the detective had not seen the papers yet. That is strange, too; I can’t understand that, for Gaddas said be was there iu person when Tommy was there, But, if he bas not seen them, so much the better, and especially if he has not seen the other half of the chart, That would no doubt have filled him ‘witb desire to unravel the mystery. But, I have ‘the best of them all around, for they will never know who their visitor was, Ha, ha, ha!” ‘*That is what I have been trying to lead you to do, You can wait a few moments, how- ever, until you get your grip again. This beats anything we have ever run up against I take it. **T should say it does!” admitted the boy. He waited a few moments to pull himself to- getber, so to say, when he launched forth to ex- plain what had taken place, He told about the coming of Mr, Tilford Mil- lard, the lawyer, with the batch of papers, and what that gentleman bad said, Then he stated what the papers were, so far as he and Seth had ascertained. Particular stress was laid upon the mysterious diagram, chart, or map, which had been found in part, in which Billy was keenly interested, After that Harry related all about the coming of the little old man, and bis claiming the papers as his and carrying them off. Billy paid close attention to evervtbing, and saw that Harry had been overconie by the power of mesmerism, for but for that he would have carried his point and held the mysterious old man pees till his, Billy’s, arrival. The absence of Silent Seth, however, went far to re- assure him that the trail was not a lost one, for he believed the Silent Shadower had followed the old man away. CHAPTER VII, BILLY HEARS THE HEARN STORY, ‘You couldn’t help it, Harry,” Billy said, when the boy had told bim everything, ‘* The old man kad one gun too many for you, so don’t take it to heart so, You wili get a chance to square the account with him later on, I ‘*T hope I will, anyhow,” responded Harry. ** But, what do you make out of it, hoss?: What rigbt had the old codger to the papers? And how did he know they were here, anyhow? [ knew he lied when he said you told him they were here, for you didn’t know it yourself,” rry. As to who he is, ** Of course he lied, I don’t know; but I suspect it was some one from that insane asylum—maybe Doctor Dray himself,” . ‘¢ Crackers an’ cheese! What makes you thin that?” ‘* No one else is interested, so far as I know, and they are the only ones who are aware the old luny was here, still, I may be mis- taken. You would know the man again, if you saw him, of course,” ‘You bet!” “That is good. Oh! we shall have them yet if the wheels stay on, unless they prove too many for us.” “Td like to know about that little silver coffin, wouldn’t you? What do you think of the paper I told you about with all the pic- tures and funny jiggerson it? What d’ye s’pose it is?” ‘*1 suspect it is a map to indicate the hiding- place of the casket.” ‘* Christopher Columbia! That was just what Seth and said, Id like to know whether Seti held fast to it or not,” ‘“*Ha! is there a chance that he did, and that tbe old man did not carry it off?” asked Billy, quickly. ‘‘Yes;: for Seth folded it up when the door opened, but I didn’t see where he putit, I hope he stuck it in his pocket.” “So do I, for I want to see it. Still, the chances are that he laid it down upon the other papers, for he could never suspect they would be: carried off.” ; Thus they talked till, pa Billy declared his intention of going to see Lawyer Millard. Leaving Harry at the office, with instructions to detain Seth if he came back, he set out. Arriving at the lawyer’s office, he was for- tunate in finding him in, and disengaged. : They were strangers to each other, but Billy quickly made himself known, and stated the business which had brought him there, ‘Then you did not know anything about the papers?” the lawyer asked, in much surprise. ‘¢T supposed you must, from the fact that your name was on the packet, though it puzzled me to know bow they had come here,” “ Under what circumstances were they found?” asked Billy. * The most peculiar, sir. I had business out for a little while yesterday afternoon, and when I came back I found the documents lying here on my desk,” 4 ‘*The door was open during your absence, then?” **Not so, for had it been there would then have bien nothing so peculiar about it. The door was locked.” ‘* Well, it is strange, very. Who has a key besides yourself?” ‘‘No one, sir; I carry the only one.” Billy was thougbtful. , The matter was no great puzzle to him, know- ing what he did, but he did not want to reveal his hand too readily. “It isa strenge matter,” heremarked, ‘‘M office-boy told methat you let fall the remar that this office used te be occupied by a Mr. Hearn, May I inquire what Mr, Hearn that was?” ‘Tt was Mr. Ruford Hearn, sir. Your office- boy, too, by the way, said something to lead me to believe that you were interested in some mat- ters pertaining to the Hearns or their estate, and that naturally confirmed my thought that you must know something about the papers.” ** What did the boy tell you?” Billy wanted to know his ground before push- ing ahead, ‘Why, to the effect that the Hearn case, whatever it was, had taken possession of you, and he said you were out upon it then,” “* Exactly; and now I will tell you something about it.’ Are you acquainted with a Miss Jane Hearn, an rel maiden lady whe lives at o, — —— street?” ‘‘ Why, sir, she is Ruford Heern’s daughter, and that is where he used toreside. [know of her, but nothing more, Have naver seen her since the case was in the courts, years ago.” ‘¢ You were then ber counsel?” “ Not so; Iwas working for the interests of her half-brother and sister, Ruford Hearn,’ Junior, and Anne—now a Mrs, Atwall.” ‘*Do you mind telling me all about that mat: ter?” Billy asked, “Certainly not, sir. Itis an old story, and has nearly passed out of mind, but I'll rake it together and give it to you, for I begin to see that you have an interest in it somewhere.” ‘*T believe I have.” ‘Well, here it is, asI recall it: Mr. Ruford Hearn was a man of considerable means, a very
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’ Broadway Biliy’s Brigade, eccentric fellow, and perhaps, as some thought, partly crazy at times, Be that as it may, itis certain that he was queer, tosay theleast. He was an architect and builder, and this room was his office for many years, “‘Ruford Hearn was twice married. By his first wife he had a son a.ida daughter, the two Ihave just mentioned. By the second be had three other children; Hugh, Jane and Susan, The latter became a Mrs, Muster, At the time of his death all these were away from home, except Jane, and I suppose it was just as well, for he died of a contagious fever, ** When his will was brought to light it was found that the children by the second wife had received all of his property, while those by the first had been cut off with a trivial sum, just enough to debar them from breaking the will, Nevertheless, as it was so well known that Mr, Hearn had been of partly unsound mind for years, the case was carried to the courts, where, in the interest of the brother and sister by the first wife, I did succeed in winning a percentage from each of the other beirs, but only a trivial sum compared to what they should have re- ceived justly. ‘‘There you have it sir; not much of a story after all,” “Do you know the addresses of these several heirs?” Billy inquired. ** Not now, sir; I did have them, buat of course s0 many years have passed that they may be dead.” ‘* Will you give me their old addresses?” **] will if I can find them, which is doubtful. T will see.” Above the lawyer’s desk wasa great set of letter-boxes with different dates upon each, Running his fingers along these till be came to the one whose date indicated twenty-one years past, he opened it, taking out the papers it con- tained. “Ha! here they are,” he said. “I have proved the value of this system in a thousand instances, and here itis proven again, I re- member the year, you see, and here are the papers.” e read off the names and addresses, Billy taking notes of them as he did so, ‘*Ha!” the lawyer presently exclaimed, ‘ this paper reminds me of something else regarding the matter. Strange thatit should have slipped my mind atall. About the time the will matter was settled by the courts there arose a new sen- sation regarding the affair,” ** What was that?” ‘* Why, a personage appeared on the scene who declared that he was Ruford Hearn, not dead at all!” “That was rather rernarkable, was it not? Upon what grounds did he set up his claim? This case grows interesting as you proceed,” ‘* Well, Pll tell you about that, too. The will was not settled in a day, you understand, but it dragged on for a matter of four years af- ter the death of Ruford Hearn. When this man appeared, nearly five years had elapsed. . ‘* The man was an older man than Mr, Hearn, for one thing, and much thinner in person, There was a slight resemblance, but that was all. He came with no proofs, but simply de- clared himself to be Ruford Hearn. He talked wildly about a silver coffin, and a secret, and it 8000 became apparent that he was deranged, ‘None of the children could say it was Mr, Hearn, and the three of the second wife were positive it was not; asin fact it could not be, since Hearn had been dead and buried for so long, a fact well enough known to al), Finally, diligent search having been made, it was dis- covered that he was a harmless lunatic named Brown—I believe it was Brown, who had been for a matter of ten years or more an inmate of a private asylum in this city,” ‘“* That exploded the bubble, then.” “* Certainly.” ‘“* But, what theory was advanced to explain what had put so strange an idea into the crazy man’s head?” “Why, it was said that he was passionately fond of newspapers, and it was not the first time he bad believed himself to be some one else, a person whose name be had often seen in print, generally,” ‘* That seemed reasonable, of course,” ‘‘ Qifite reasonable, During one political cam- paign, for instance, he came to believe that he was a candidate for the Presidency, so it was shown, and he carried on quite a lively campaign in the institution among his fellow lunatics.” “* Enough, certainly, And of course his claim was all in the wind, after that, eh?” “There had been no bottom to it before, for his wild talk about a silver coffin had stamped van ; an %/ ai slg it eee nd ws y oe err Dey ; A ay, PAN as : . y Sangeet a i \" Nea Ah ih Pi aN mah iW yh nd Ce}: * a Ss SS a NS GRR RES MEETS is Peewee him a lunatic at the outset. Oh, no; there was nothing to it, for all knew Hearn was dead.” ‘Tf he bad been Hearn, of course the children would have known him at sight, in spite of the time,” “Exactly; especially his daughter Jane, who had been his housekeeper for years. And so with Hugh and Susan, who had seen him often. The other two, however, had seen less of him and so could not take oath,” ‘¢ They had a doubt, then?” ‘*At first they expressed doubts, speedily convinced,” ‘What was your own opinion?” ** You have had it,” The lawyer’s opinion, then, had been the same as that of the others, He had taken no stock in the story the crazy man had told, ‘*T suppose your sympathies in the matter of the will were witb the son and daughter of the first marriage, were they not?” Billy questioned, endeavoring to make doubly sure of bis ground, ** Decidedly, sir,” declared Mr, Millard, em- phatically. ‘* Even at this late day, Mr. Wes- ton, were I to discover anything that would balance that account more in favor of my clients I would go for the others at once, To tell you the truth, I did not like them, not one of them.” ‘ but were CHAPTER VIII. SUSPICIONS CONFIRMED, BROADWAY BIL.Ly had gaived bis point, He now knew that he might trust Lawyer Mil- lard fully, and resolved tnat he would do so, A'ready he knew more about the case than the lawyer himself, and while there was plenty of roo.a for him to be mistaken, yet he fully believed that Ruford Hearu was still living, and that crazy Tommy Browu was the man, “But,” the lawyer immediately added, re- mindingly, ‘‘ you have not told me what you set out to tell; that is, what your interest in the Hearn matter is,” ‘True enough, bo I haven’t,” acknowledged Billy. ‘‘ Tl tell you now, This morning a wo- man came to my office to engage me to recover some papers which had been stolen from her house.” ‘6 Papers?” ‘Yes, sir; and that woman was Jane Hearn,” ‘*The deuce yousay! Young man, were these the papers—tbese I found here?” ‘ Undoubtedly they were, sir, but I have not seen them yet, so cannot be sure on that point, I have every reason to believe they were the same,” “You have not seen the papers? This seems to grow stranger each moment. I do not un- derstand it, now, at all. You have not seen the papers, yet my leaving them at your office has brought you bere,” “You understand it all right,” reassured Billy. ‘‘The fact is, you see, my boy told me all about the papers, or as much as he knew about them, but they had been taken from my office by force before I arrived there, which ac- counts for the fact that I have not seen them,” * This begins to savor of mystery, Mr. Wes- D. “*T should say it does, How, think you, were these papers stolen from the Hearn residence, and how brought here and putin your office, when in both instances the doors were locked?” ‘Tam puzzled, Were I a believer in spooks I might suspect there has been something superbu- man about it. AsIam not, however, I must sory giveitup. This sort of thing is more in your line, What do you make of it?” “* What would you say were I to tell you I be- lieve Ruford Hearn is alive?” The lawyer sprung to bis feet in excitement, supporting himself by one hand on his desk, and stared at Billy for a moment blankly. **'You cannot believe anything so absurd as that!” be cried, ** Sit down and let’s consider it from that point of view,” said Billy. ‘* We will see how it looks, as ait he lawyer resumed his seat and awaited for Billy to speak, “Did you look at the papers before you brought them to my office?” Billy made inquiry. “TI did, sir, I naturally would, finding them here on my own private desk in the manner in which 1 did,” “Certainly, Did you notice the one—rather part of one—which was a sort of map, chart, or drawing?” ‘** Yes, yes,” ' ‘You noted the coffin upon it?” “Yes, yes, yes, What in heaven’s name is back of this?” ~“Let’s look at it carefully, and perhaps we shall be able to find out. Now, first to consider, these papers relate to Hearn affairs, They were taken from the residence of Ruford Hearn in a mysterious manner, Second, they were brought to this office, which i ngs belonged to Ru- ford Hearn, and were put in here on your desk in as mysterious a manner as they were taken from the house, Do you see anything remark- able in this?” ‘*' Yes, yes. Go on, go on.” “You bave toll me that the crazy man, Brown, who claimed to be Ruford Hearn, talked about a silver coffin and a secret, Here, on one of these documents, you found the drawing of a coffin, You bave said Mr, Hearn was an archi- tect, and he would be just the person to make such a drawing. I did not see the paper, you understand, but I judge by what my boy has said that it was well executed, Here, then, we have some strovg points in favor of the theory I advance, I believe Ruford Hearn is alive, and that it was he who took the papers from the house and left them here.” “But, it’s impossible!” cried the lawyer. *Hven if living be would be a very old man now, and incapable of doing it, But, he has been dead for years, there is no doubting that, The doctor, the undertaker, and his own daugh- ter, all gave ample proof on that point,” ‘* And how about the crazy man, Brown?” ‘* | suppose he must be dead, too.” ‘“Well, I happen to know that he is not dead, Mr, Millard,” “You do? What do you know about him? Is there avy end to your knowledge in this mat- ter? ‘* Yes, and the end is reached only too soon, I wish I knew a good deal more about it, I took the matter up out of mere curiosity at first, and now my curiosity bas got the better of me, must push on whether I would or not,” ‘* But, how do you know Brown is living?” ‘¢ He was at my office yesterday.” ‘ At your office!” in astonishment, was he doing there?” ‘*He came to see me on business; and that business was—to establish his identity as Ruford Hearn.” ‘* Wonder of wonders! What is coming of this, youuog man? Do you really and seriously believe that this man is Ruford Hearn—that he can be Ruford Hearn?” ** 1 do, most assuredly, Mr, Willard.” ‘* Then you must bave some further proof,” ‘*W bat leads you to that conclusion?” ‘‘T know detectives are slow to come to posi- tive conclusions, sir.” ** Weil, yes, 1 have further proof, I will lay it before you, since we seem to have been thrown together in this matter, This man Brown is eighty-three years old, and the inmate of an asylum kept by one Dr. Dray—’ ‘Dray! That was the name of the doctor who figured in the affair at first. I remember it,” ‘*So much the stronger the case, then. The old man came to my office clad in a suit of boy- ish clothes, and had his pockets bulging with marbles, He was crazy, no question about that, et there was method in his madness withal. or a brief time I know he was quite rational, He declared his true name was Ruford Hearn, and he wanted to engage me to restore to his wronged heirs a fortune out of which they had been cheated,” ‘ This is simply amazing, Mr. Weston,” ‘He wanted me to find a silver coffin, which, he said, contains valuable papers. He gave me an idea where it is, declaring be had neyer told anybody before, but said he felt he could trust me. But, his mind wandered, and while he de- clared himself to be Ruford Hearn, he at the same time averred that he was dead and buried. It was impossible for him to tell a connected story, but he did tell enough to satisfy me that he is indeed the supposed dead man, 6 said he died twenty-two years ago; that he had been a rich man, and had a family of two sons and three daughters, one son and one daughter by his first wife and the others by his second. You see, sir, it tallies exactly.” “Tt certainly does.” “That is not all, AsI said, he had a pocket- ful of marbles, and pene when his mind wandered more, he became the same as a little boy and wanted to play at marbles, and in order to bane? him I allowed one of my office-boys to play with him, They played for a little while. the game finally ending in a squabble, and abou that time a young man from the asylum came to take him away— “And you made known to him what the old man had said—” ‘* Well, hardly, sir. ‘What I have cut my eye-teeth,
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if you will excuse me for saying so myself. But, as I was going to say, you see I had a good chance to see the marbles, and while I thought nothing of them at the time, their kind and color became fixed upon my mind, ~Well, when Jane Hearn came to me this morning with her case, she had a clew to the robber in the shape of a marble which she had picked up on the floor in the hall, and it was exactly like some of those the crazy man had had, Now, adding it up, what is the sum you get?” ze By heavens, sir, there may be something in it! ‘* Phere certainly is something in it, as we are bound to discover. I came her? for the purpose of learning all about the life of Ruford Hearn, and as you unfolded it to meI was sure there was no mistake. Be the explanation what it may, Mr. Millard, I believe it is certain that this crazy man Brown and Ruford Hearn are one and the same, and that Kuford Hearn never died as it was said of him, Tbat he died of a dangerous'fever is another point to be considered, in the light of all the other evidence we have.” “You are right, young ;man, you are right. You must look into this matter further, and if you discover that you are right in what you suspect—” ‘Then, what?” “Then we will make it hot for the knaves, that is all. Let me get hold of proof for what you suspect is so, and if I won’t put them in a sweat-box it will be funny, that is all,” ** The proof will be forthcoming; I am sure of st,” ‘But, you said the papers had been taken from the offise? Who do you suppose took them? But, of course you know that,” NO, £ dé not know, but I at first suspected it was Doctor Dray, and now I suspect him all the more. It was a little, withered old fellow, and he anesmerized my office-boy in order to carry out bis scheme, showing that he was master of magic as well as of lunatics.” “Tbe rascal! But, he having the papers, you have nothing to wor kon. What can you do?” ‘*There are plenty of directions in which to begin work, sir, Dllhave the papers back again unless be puts them out of the way by destroy- ing them. And it is not likely he will do that.” ** Possibly not.” ‘One other point, sir: I want the name of that undertaker who bad a hand in this affair at the time of Hearn’s supposed death,” ** You shall have it,” The lawyer turned again to the papers he bad taken from the letter-box, and the name was soon learned, ‘‘His name was Peter Fryers,” said the lawyer, ‘‘ and his place of business was then at No, — —— street. Whether he is living ordead now, I cannot say.” “T can find out, Meantime, do not saya word to any one concerning this affair, If it turns out as I think it will, Pl put the proofs into your hands and you can then give them the scorching they deserve.” Broadway Billy took his leave, going back again to his office, where, to his surprise, be found the woman, Jane Hearn, awaiting his comiag. The truth flashed upon bim at sight of her, and he knew her errand before she opened her mouth. CHAPTER IX, GOING FOR PROOF POSITIVE. PURPOSELY, the young detective showed some surprise at seeing the woman, and she hastened to make known ber business, “T sea you are surprised to see me again so soon, sir,” she said, ‘‘but I have come to tell you the papers have been found and that at need not give the matter any furtber at- ntion.” ‘*Ha! so they have been found, have they?” observed Billy, ‘‘I suppose it was as I hinted, that you had mislaid them yourself and for- otten where you had put them, Am [not right? ou see, it was simply impossible for any one to have gained admission into the house when it was locked as it was,” The woman’s face lighted, and in her eyes Billy could read triumph, ‘You are nearly right, sir,” she declared, “The papers were not taken, but I had not put them away not knowing where; I am not so crazy as that yet, thank goodness, You see, sir, they bad slipped out over the back part of the ee _ fallen down into the body of the desk, be peers to think of that after you had as and on looking, there I found them,” ** Quite wonderful; and you were fortunate. [ ey eta = ES ee ee ee pr Broadway Billy’ Ss Brigade. was sure they were in the house somewhere, madam, Allow me to congratulate you.” “Yes, I was lucky, and | feel ashamed for all | the trouble I have made for you,” ‘** Do not mention it, madam,” ‘* But, how much do I owe you, sir? I will pay you, of course,” ** You owe me nothing, madam. S:nce you bad no case, it having been all a mistake, I will charge you nothing,” ‘Well, am greatly obliged to you, I am sure. Of course you will give the matter no further thought, [I am sorry now that I trou- bled you atall, And Lam ever so much obliged.” She took her leave, and Billy turned to Harry to find him standing with a forefinger pressed against the side of his nose and one eye closed. ‘* Well, what do you see?” asked Billy. “She must think we don’t know green from red,” answered the boy, ‘‘to come here with such a yarn as that.” “'Tnen you don’t believe she has found the papers at all? If that is so, what brought her here?” ‘To call off the dogs, of course!” ‘“*Tsee you catch on, Harry; that certainly was her object. There is a good deal back of this, and thar was the reason I Jet her think she was closing my eyes. We are going to | this skeleton out to the light if it takes a leg.” “You bet weare! Tie jeebeeb hath spoken. Selab! That old codger that got the papers here has put her up to snuff, and she thinks she bas sprinkled some of it in our eyes, She’s left, bad. She badn’t anything to say about the marble this time, had she?” ‘You see it all, Harry; no need to makea map of it for you. What had she to say before I got here?” **She wormed for points, bad, but I didn’t know anything. She must ’a’ tho’t I hadn’t brains enough to sort rags in a junk-shop—an’ I dunno but she was right,” ‘* You played it well, Harry. I can trust you to do your part in any case that turns up, I guess,” ‘* After the way I allowed that old fellow to get away with the papers—” ‘*That was something you could not help, Harry. Now, we can do nothing more till we hear from Silent Seth— Ha! here be is!” The door opened and the Silent Shadower came in. A glance at Billy and Harry told him that | Harry bad made known all that had taken place, so Seth came right to the point, ‘¢T know where the papers are,” be said, eae followed the man until he parted with ’em, and then I came hereto report. He left them at No, — —— street.” ‘* Bet your boots he did!” cried Harry, with delight, ‘‘ We guessed it, didn’t we boss?—that is to say, you did. Seth, my deaf an’ dumb pard, we have got onto this thing as big as an ox, and we are going to make Rome howl, yes shriek!” Seth looked at Billy questioningly, ‘“*Tt is so, Seth,” Billy declared, ‘‘ We felt sure of it, but that does not detract from the good stroke of work you have done. You bring us proof for our suspicions, You have done well, and I am proud of you. But, tell us all you "know, Did you learn who the old man was?” ‘‘T suspect he’s Doctor Dray, for I followed him first to the asylum, He wentin there, and while I was waiting to consider what to do he came out again in a hurry and made off to the Hearn house, He had the papers in bis band all the way, and when he came out of the house he badn’t them, so I concluded he had left them there and [ came here.” ** Not at once, though,” “No; I followed the man back to the asylum first, and then jumped a car,” “T thought so, If you bad come direct you would bave got here ahead of the woman, Sbe bas been here to call off the dogs, as Harry 8. ‘¢ And she came with the biggest kind of a lie, too,” added Hap PPy Harry, to let Seth into the whole matter, ‘She said the papers bad been | found behind the desk. Oh! it don’t take a seer to see through the little game, you bet.” “ But, it will take some work to show the scheme up,” declared Billy, ‘‘and it may give us trouble before we are done with it. The most important thing to be considered just now, however, I take it, is dinner. What do you boys say to that suggestion?” he remainder of the day was spent by Billy and his team in looking up the members of the ica family; that is, the children of Ruford earn, | All were found, and Jiving in the city. Jane, , @S we have sen, was well off, and so were her brother and sister, Hugh Hearn and Mrs, Mus- ter. The balf-brother and-sister, on the other band, were poor, All were well on in years, the youngest being fifty, at the least, and their desceudants were numerous, Ruford Hearn, Jr., bad grand- cbildren grown, as had also hix sister, It was to these two that Billy gave particular atten- tion, to judge for himself respecting the estimate the lawyer bad made, That business done, Broadway Billy met Lawyer Millard by appointment, The whole ground was gone over at length, | and the lawyer agreed with Billy in bis view of the matter. Indeed, he could not well do other- wise, ‘And now regarding this peculiar chart,” said Billy, taking from bis pocket the balf of tbe mysterious map which he bad got from | Silent Seth, ‘I believe this has some likeness to the plan of the Hearn house,” ‘*¢ You think so?” “TI certainly do, And, 1 think, it is the plan of that library from whicb the woman said the papers had been stolen.” | ** More likely to be that than any other room in the house, I should say. But, of what use is lit to us without the other half? We can make notbing out of it,” ** Half a loaf is better than no bread,” remind- ed Billy. ‘* We'll make the most we can of it and trust to luck for the rest. We must get into that house somehow and investigate.” ‘* But, how?” “Well think about that Jater. For the pre- sent [ have something more important on hand,” ‘* What’s that?” ‘*We want positive proof whether Ruford Hearn is living or dead. Not that 1am doubt- ful about it myself, but we must have the best of proof to make out a case that will stand the test,” sé Well?” ‘To go to the cemetery and open the ccffin will give us the proof.” ‘Hal thatisso, But, are you not afraid, in case the report was true, that you may take ‘the disease?” ‘* After all these years? Hardly. Iam going myself; I do not ask you to goalong, But, upon this will binge the whole case. If there isa body in that coffin, then my case will be weakened.” “And if not—” ‘Tf not, then I'll get there with both feet.” “ And, if I cannot help you at this, what can I do, Mr. Weston? You have only to direct tackle that cemetery armed with the proper sort of warrant of search, and you can help me to 8 get just what is needed,” Yes, [ can do that, and will.” “ And that is all I wil! ask of you. DPilhavea storv to tell you to-morrow, I rather think,” “But, even if you get the warrant, how will you get into the vault at night? A warrant won’t unlock the doors for you, will it?” ‘Once I get the warrant lll go to the office of the cemetery people and command their co- operation in the matter, And Ill go to-night in order to save time on the case, you see,” Leaving the chart, or plan, with the lawyer for safe-keeping for the time being, seeing it put away in the safe, Billy and the lawyer next went to the office of a notary where the neces- sary paper was taken out, and there they part- ed, Billy promising to see Millard again at ten next muruing, Billy went straigbt to the office of the ceme- tery company. When he had made himself known, and had stated his business sufficiently, he was given the required help. A letter to the superintendent of the grounds placed the vault at his disposal, and he appre- hended no further difficulty in that direction, | | H me, » ‘*'You can belp me, Mr. Millard. I want to | | | The proof once in his possession, the rest would | be easy, | He made no stop in his preparations until he had sven the superintendent and every ar- ' rangement for the unenviable nocturnal business ' had been made complete. A man was suj'plied, | one of he oldest employees of the cemetery, and it was after dark when the vefiture was made, | Billy and bis team—Harry and Seth, and the cemetery man, made up the company. ‘* Faith, and it’s an uncanny business for the night,” the old employee complained as they made their way to the vaults. ‘‘It isa business that could not be done by day,” explained Billy, ‘*for it has to be done oh ‘ alte ash ee Sid pb ilesiesGb a 2. Satie
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a very secretly in order that it may not be known to the rascals we want to trap.” ‘* Well-a, well-a, I suppose it is all right, and itisalloneto me. Night or day, I can lay my hand on any slab in this whole place, young man, and tell you who it covers, Andas for the Hearn vault, I don’t believe it has been opened these twenty years. I mind well when fee old man Hearn was laid away— Ah! here t is, CHAPTER X, THE SILVER COFFIN DISCOVERED, RuForD HEARN, the architect, had had his own ideas regarding what was the proper thing in vaults. This place, where he was believed to be asleep with his fathers, bad been of his own designing, and was about as simple and plain as can be imagined. It was marked by a marble pyramid, several feet in hight, consisting of four layers of marble and acap stone. The earth was sloped up to the base of it, and on one side was a cut, This cut, or leveled pathway, led to an iron door, which was under the base of the pyramid, The door was secured with a very heavy lock, the key to which was in the possession of the family. There was a duplicate, however, held by the superintendent of tbe cemetery, This key the man with Billy carried in his hand, and ashe broke off suddenly in his conver- sation he banged with the key on the iron door. ‘Hold on a moment before you open it,” Billy commanded. ‘‘ You were just saying you remember when the old man Hearn was put in here,” ‘* Yes, I do that, sir.” ‘* What kind of a funeral did he have?” ‘* Faith, it was no funeral at all, sir. He was brought here and put in, and that was the all of ‘* What was the reason for that?” ** He died of some ketchin’ ailyment, sir, He was brought in a dead-wagon, with only two men aboard of it, and a kerridge behind with only a man and woman as mourners,” ** Did you help put the coffin in here?” “T did tbat. It was hefty, and as they told me it was sealed and there was no danger, [ took a hand with them and we boosted it in, and here _ it has been ever since,” ‘* All right; go ahead and open the door,” Billy was not greatly encouraged by these reports, for it appeared that Mr. Hearn had either really died of a dread disease, or the scheme had been carried out to the very last act. That, however, was nothing to discourage his ‘suspicions. The detective furnished the light, having a bull’s-eye in hand, and the old man began fumbling at the lock with the great key, while Billy and his boys looked on expectantly. At first be could make no headway at all, for the key would not go in, but at last it went in, when it was found that it would not turn. The old man, however, was prepared for that, He had brought along a little oil, and blowing some of it into the old lock, a few minutes’ work had it open, ‘There we are!” he said. ‘ And now step back out of the way and allow the air to fresh the place up a bit and we'll go in. Of all ill smells, the breath of a vault is the worst,” Billy and the boys drew back, and the old man tugging the door open upon its rusty hinges, followed their example, They waited several minutes, to allow the fresh air time to disinfect the place; then they all entered. A square chamber wus revealed, on two sides of which were sarcophagi, Billy stopped and looked at these coffins for a moment, after which be inquired which was the right one, ; ‘oe c-metery man indicated it, and while be, Happy Harry and Silent Seth stood by, the latter with something of a feeling of awe, Billy played the light of his lantern upon the top of the receptacle, “Yes, this is it,” he agreed. ‘ Here are the initials, Now, to lift the lid from this stone chest, Do you think we can do it?” “* I guess the four of us can make a good try of it, anyhow,” answered the old attendant, Billy put down his lantern and all took hold for the effort, It was a heavy lift, but the lid was raised and gradually taken off and laid at one side. Within the sarcophagus was discovered a coffin, to which time had done little damage, it Broadway Billy’s Brigade. 9 ee ae a a a a a ae er Ia eo having been protected from the air, and on a plate on the coffin was the name— ‘*RUFORD HEARN.” ‘*Now for it!” said Billy, ‘* Hold the light, and [ll open the thing and we will see how Mr. Hearn is getting along.” The old man took the light, ana with a screw- driver Billy proceeded to loosen the screws in the coffin-lid preparatory to removing it and disclosing the ghastly contents to view, Not accustomed to that line of business, he was rather slow at it, but at last the final screw was lifted and the lid could be taken off, ‘“*Get your grip on your nerves, now,” Billy precautioned, * 1’ve got it,” declared Harry. tain go up.” He spoke more bravely than he felt, just then, it may besurmised, As for Seth, he said noth- ing, as usual, Billy took a firm hold upon the coffin-lid, and after an effort or two it came off, when a sight met their gaze which caused them to recoil in horror for the moment, To Broadway Billy and bis team it was a sight unexpected, There, in the coffin, was the yellowed face of an old man, looking simply hideous in the glare of the light, and even as they looked the skin began to fall and the dust to crumble away from the bones, leaving naught but a grinning skeleton for them to look upon. We have said it was a sight unexpected by Billy and the boys, because they had been led to believe they should find the coffin filled with stones or some beavy material, having the proof they bad that Ruford Hearn was still living. ‘* Ha, ha!” laughed the old man of the ceme- tery, to whom this was no new sight, evi- dently; ‘‘what makes ye start back so? Are you skart, boys?” “It was rather startling,” admitted Billy, ‘* when nothing of the sort was looked for, This puts a damper upon my theory, and a bad one, too. I expected to find this coffin full of bricks,” ‘* Bricks! What an idea!” ‘* A mighty wrong idea, it seems.” Billy replaced the lid and set down the screws, While he did so his mind was busy, and an idea came to him as be worked. ‘* Will you allow me to say something, boss?” Silent Seth asked, when Billy was nearly done, ‘** Certainly,” was the prompt leave, ‘**Christopber’ Columbia, yes!” cried Harry, “Tt isn’t often you speak of your own accord, Seth, and when you want to do 80 you ought to have the floor,” “Yet he doesn’t always get it when you are around,” Billy suggested, ** Enough said,” Harry closed up. “* A thought has come to me, that is all,” now spoke Seth. ‘* Here are three other stone boxes, and if they really wanted to make a mystery of it wouldn’t they have put the empty coffin into some other box than the one bearing the initials?” “You have hit it,” decided Billy. ‘‘ That is the very thought I have been trying all this time to get through my hair. I believe that is the secret of it.” ‘* You are mistaken, though,” spoke up the oliman. ‘ AsT said, { had a hand in bringing the coffin in here, and this is the box we put it ip. ‘Besides, there is the plate on the coffin,” argued Harry, ‘“All of which is good,” continued Billy, “but it would not be much work to come here and change coffins from one box to the otber and change the plate. We’ll see what there is in the idea, anyhow.” Having secured the lid, they lifted the stone cover back to its place and Billy examined the other sarcophbagi, ‘* It’s impossible to tell who is who,” be mused, ‘so we'll make a guess as to which one they would naturally make the exchange from, and Pll say this one, You see its position would make it bandy for the work to be done.” He indicated one witb bis foot, “That’s so,” admitted the old servitor of the cemetery, ‘Then we'll off with the lid and see whether we have struck upon the truth or not.” Again the light was put down and they bent * Let the cur- their strength to the lift, and the lid was taken | off and laid aside as the other had been, Here was another coffin, and at sight of it the young detective uttered an exclamation, for upon it was no plate, but the marks were plain to be seen where one had been, ‘* This is it, beans to buttons!” avowed Harry, **T believe it is,” agreed Billy. ‘* Anyhow, we'll soon know.” The old man holding the light as before, Billy set at work to take out the screws, and in a few minutes the upper part of the lid was removed, ‘* Ha!” cried Billy. ‘‘ We bave struck oil this time!” The coffin was filled with bricks, between and around which were wrappings and stuffings of rags and paper! “You hit it, Seth, sure,” cried Happy Harry executing a fling on the stone floor, ‘* You ha something to say that time when you spoke, sure enough.” Broadway Billy was busily examining the con- tents of the coffin, He had removed several of the bricks, enough to convince himself that the upper part of the receptacle for the dead con- tained nothing else. Next, he removed the screws from the lower half and removed that, but at the first glance nothing but bricks was to be discerned. moving some of them, however, he came to something else. This something else was an object wenpree in a cloth, and which was in the. shape of a tiny coffin! ‘The silver coffin!” cried Happy Harry at once. Silent Seth was eager, but he was as imper- turbable as ever, Nothing, it seemed, could ex- cite him. Even Billy himself marveled at his impassive- ness, for his own impatience was great to remove tbe cloth to learn what was within, Dropping to the floor, he made haste to re- move it, and there sure enough was the little silver coffin! black with age, almost, but unmis- takably the object indicated upon the paper chart, ** We have got it!” cried Billy. ‘The victory is ours, and nothing remains but to unmask the villains and right the wrong that has been done, Never a word of this night’s work, old man,” to the cemetery employee, *‘ till the case has been ended and you are given leave to speak,” Wrapping the mysterious object up ain Billy gave it to Seth to hold while he rep aced the bricks and closed the coffin up ashe had found it, CHAPTER XI. CALLING OUT THE BRIGADE, As nearly as possible everything was ar- ranged as it had been found, and the four pre- pared to take their leave from the vault, Broadway Billy took pains to conceal the fact that any one had been there, but it was impossi- ble to hide all evidence, There was, for one thing, the oil on the lock, proof that it had been opened, Still, he had little reason to believe that any one would suspect a visit to this reposing place of the dead, siuce it was clear enough that no one had ever dreamed the little silver casket was there. Besides, be had acted so promptly in the matter that it was bardly probable any one could have knowledge of his movements, He had not yet, however, correctly estimated the villains with whom he had to deal, When they were ready Billy took charge of the little silver coffin himself and they filed out from the vault, the old man stopping to lock the door, Billy holding the light so he could see. That done, the light was turned off snd they filed out from the dismal place to the main path- way. Here they met with a sudden surprise and at- tack, Without the least warning several men sud- denly set upon them, and they were severely dealt with, Broadway Billy received the first blow, one that sent him senseless to the ground, and the old employee of the cemetery was sent to follow him s ily. Harry and Seth sprung bravely into the fight, but their help was useless, It was soon over, and quiet reigned, The next Happy Harry knew it was broad day- light, and he came to, to find himself lying be- tween two graves, There was a soreness about his head; and feel- ing with his hand he found a lump on his cranium as big asan egg. He had been knock- ed senseless, and unconsciousness had followed, ‘‘ Christopher Columbia!” be exclaimed, sit- ting up and rubbing bis eyes open wide, ‘‘ Here has been a pretty go, sure as scissors, What bave they done with Billy and Seth, I wonder? And what bas become of the silver coftin?) Who was in that gang, anyhow?”
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Fe 10 Broadway Billy’s Brigade. ‘“Where ig my boy?’ asked Mrs, eagerly.* **Here’s your youngest, which is the only edition I am able to account for this morning,” answered Harry. ‘* But, where is Billy?” demanded Roger. * That’s what J want to know,” echoed Harry. ‘*T hoped I’d find him here, Haven’t you seen Seth, either?” ‘*Neither of them, What bas happened? Where did you leave them?” “We all got left together, mom. There has been one of the consarnedest diffikilties we have been in for a good while.” Harry went ahead from that, and gave the details, as far as he was able, telling them every- But for the soreness in his head he was all Watts, right, as he soon found, and having got upon his feet and recovered his hat, he looked around for indications of bis missing companions, There were evidences of the fray, and some marks of blood, but neither Broadway Billy, Silent Seth, nor the old man of the cemetery, was to be found. Nor was the silver coffin anywhere around. ‘‘ Crackers an’ cheese!” ejaculated Harry. ‘They have done us up bad this time, and no mistake about it, They took us when we wasn’t lookin’, and we got dumped, I wonder where the bossand the Philosopberare, And where’s that silver coffin? Reckon they have gobbled that sure enough, And what am I going to do?” He bad acquired Billy’s habits of seratcbing his | thing. bead when puzzled, and now scratched it with : What is to be done, Roger?” Billy’s mother vigor. asked, 6 made a careful survey of the grounds for some distance around, hoping to discover some- thing in the way of aclew, but the search was entirely fruitless, Presently, however, he discerned further traces of blood, some distance up the path, and decided to follow and learn where they might lead to, At about every fourth or fifth step was a drop, The trail was plain and he had no difficulty in following it. It brought him to the main gate- way of the cemetery, where it passed around to the rear of the building at the entrance to a basement room that was occupied by the em- | ployees of the burial-grounds, Harry found the door open, and stepped in. There sat the old man who had accompanied ‘*T think the police bad better be set to look for him,” the old ranger:advised, ** And 1 think the Brigade had better be called out,” supplemented Harry. “The Brigade?” “Cert. You, Fatty-Skinny, and me—there’s three left for duty, anyhow, and we must buckle on the armor and wade in.” ** But, what can we do?” ‘*Do? There’s plenty to be done! We have got to find Broadway Billy and Silent Seth, if we have to turn New York and ber neighboring cities inside out to do it, We have got to get oP, and hump, The jeebeeb hath spoken. ab! ‘*'To be sure we have got to find him,” agreed Roger, ‘‘ but I don’t know how to go about it. them on the previous night, and a younger man | Now, if it was bear, Injun, or renegade, I’d was bandaging a wound on his head. know just how to set to work; but as itis I am ‘‘ Hello!” greeted Harry. ‘‘ You came off | all bemuddled, What is your plan, my boy? alive, did you?” You know more about the ways of the city than ‘‘That is about all be did, too,” answered the | I do,” younger man, ‘* What do you know about this ‘Well, I think Pll go and put the police onto affair?” 5 it, the first thing. They will buckle toit to a ‘Not half as much as I’d like to, you can bet! | man, when they find Broadway Billy is in Haven't seen anything of my boss and my deaf | trouble, Then we will begin operations on our and dumb pard, have you? They seem to be | own hook, 1 have got a good grip onto the case considerably absent at this roll-call.” as it is, knowin’ about all the boss and Seth ‘‘ Where did you come from?” inquired the | found out, and I think we can make a good old man, showin’ fer our side,” ‘‘ from the place where 1 just waked up,” an- “What of the lawyer you and Billy talked swered Harry. ‘‘ They laid me out for a)l night. | about at supper last night?” asked Mrs, Watts, I followed your trail of blood here.” ‘¢ Crackers an’ cheese! that is jest the idee!” ‘And T hardly know how I gothere, Ire-/| cried Harry. ‘‘Guess Ill go see him first of member waking up some timein the night, but I | all, and pour my tale of woe into his off ear. was dazed, and I guess it was by habit that I | He'll beable to tell us scmethin’, sure. ‘Sides, came here. My son found me unconscious on | he is ove of the Brigade in this case.” the step when he came,” This move was decided upon, ** And what do you think about it all?” Harry was provided with some breakfast and “*T don’t know, I never met the likes of itin | Billy’s mother bathed the wound on his head, all my experience here, that is sure,” and whie this was being done who should come “Did you see any one of the fellows well | in but Fatty-Skinny. enough to describe him?” He entered blowing like a porpoise, for he was ‘“‘Noca one, It was dark, you know, and the | so fat it was hard work for him to climb stairs, light having just been put out made it all the | The moment be appeared he demanded to know darker for us.’ where Billy was. ‘¢ What are you going to do about it? Do you The story was rehearsed for his benefit. suppose they were common rascals who just ‘Great ginger!” the ex-lean lieutenant ex- made the attack for the fun of it? Ordo you} claimed. ‘“‘I knew something was up. think they followed my boss for the purpose of | dreamed about Billy all night, and that’s the laying him out?” reason I came here. You can count me in this ‘¢ How should I know that, lad?” thing, even if I am on the retired list.” **You don’t know; I asked you what you Tha matter was considered at length, and think.” finally the three, Roger Waits, gpg AE ‘* Well, I think they bad the plan laid for him, | and Happy Harry, set out for the office of Til- then, As to what Dll do, (ll attend to getting | ford Millard. well of this crack on my pate.” It was still early in the morning, and they **- You'll report the case, though?” reached the lawyer’s office not much bebind the ‘To the superintendent, yes, to be sure.” lawyer himself. : “And TI suppose he'll report it to the police, Mr, Millard recognized Harry at once, but ¢ looked at the others interrogatively, “Little good it will do him, I think. We Harry made them known, and stated their don’t know who they were, and I[ guess they business, didn’t carry off any monnyments with them. Mr. Millard gave the matter attention, and What are you going to do?” looked serious about it, And, at Harry’s sug- “That’s what’s puzzling me sore,” answered gestion, he assumed the role of chief of the Harry, taking off his hat and giviug his head | Brigade, and the headquarters for the present another raking, ‘I think I'll get out Broadway was to be his office, Billy’s Brigade, however, and do some tall bus- About the time their conference ended, who tling to find bim,” should enter the office but the crazy man, ‘“* Broadway Billy? Broadway Billy, thedetec- | Thomas Tobias Brown! tive? Was that young man Broadway Billy?” ‘* Well, be just was, uncle! And, if he’s alive, you can bet a spade or two be will makeit lively for these rascals when he gets after them again. nye I'm off. Don’t say too much about s. Without waiting to hear what the old fellow said in response, Harry made his way out of the rounds and took a car leading toward the erry, He made no stop for anything until lie reached home, where he found Billy’s mother and step- fatber in the greatest anxiety about Billy and SN ee eee CHAPTER XII, BILLY’S MAD MESSENGER. ‘* HELLO! Hello!” So the old man exclaimed the moment he en- tered the office and looked at the group in sur- prise. Harry quickly made known to the lawyer who the old fellow was, though that was hardly * It will be remembered that Billy’s mother had married Roger Watts, the old scout who accompanied ee the boys. They were very much troubled, Billy home from the West. now? \ : ; . j + diam Ly 3 ‘ ‘ | Poe bites | ie ene hers 7 a Pee, th ioe _ > ee Sea 4 AUPE: ee i P Ly u Pa pyre We ads, 2 Mf at Lee ee . ae vbah 3 SA tedden t is ha OT Oe les Bayt, mae SR be ape ny ae ? A . ‘ ni li net) A hs a Se an * i rel. il iy eb gh id ; ilk as ae K° 4 nr ae oe eh els he ; Fe ue Bo hein uted Po] =i 4 ie 3 = cag nD = = ee necessary, since the man’s appearance was enough after the description Broadway Billy had given of him, ‘*What’s wanted?” the old man _ asked, ‘“What are you all doing here? Don’t you know this is a private office? Who let you in here?” He looked from one to another as he put the hurried questions, It was plain to Harry that he wns not just now Tommy Brown, the marble- player. The lawyer was as quick to see that. ‘*How do you do, Mr. Hearn?” he greeted. ‘““We were waiting for you. What has detain- ed you?” “Why, they have had me dead and buried,” was the strange response. ‘‘I am getting the best of them now, though; I am getting the best of them.” ‘Why, what strange talk, Mr. Hearn, What do you mean by saying you have been dead and buried? You know that can’t be, for if you were once dead you would be always dead.” “That's what I say; ’'m getting the best of them.” ‘*The best of whom?” ‘Why, the ones who buried ms when I told them not to do it, I'll show them they can’t cheat me.” ‘* Have you found the silver casket yet?” Mr. Millara asked, “Ha! No, Ihave not found it yet, but Iam on track of it, Did you see the papers 1 left here?” ‘* What papers?” ‘¢ One was the chart of the secret niche where the casket is,” ‘‘There are no such papers here, Mr, Hear Besides, you said the silver casket was burie with you.” The old man gave a start.” ‘‘ That’s so!” he cried, ‘that’s sol What am 1 thinking about? I thought it would be safer there, so I put it in the foot of the coffin, But, who are you? It was not you I told about it.” ‘Yes, it was; don’t you remember?” ** No,” and he seemed confused. ‘* Well, where did they bury you?” ‘““Why, in the family vault, to be sure,” ‘‘ Then isn’t that the place to go to look for the coffin?” ‘““Why, sure enough! Why didn’t I think about it before? But, then, 1 forget that I have been dead,” ‘‘ And that is strange, too, If you were dead how did you ever get out of the coffin, and out of the stone box, and out of the vault, to come. here? You must be mistaken, You must be dead yet.” The old man’s face was terribly expressive of the conflict that was going on within, reason trying to rise above the clouds which rested upon it so heavily. He had come to the office in something of bis old self, but now he was get- ting befogged and uncertain. ‘Besides, you are not Ruford Hearn, any- how,” the lawyer declared. “lot Ruford Hearn!” ““ Why, no; you are Tommy Brown,” ‘‘That’s not so—not so!” the old man cried, emphatically. 6 seemed to be fighting off an impression that was growing upon him, ‘““Why, yes you are,” the lawyer persisted, ‘* Don’t you know? You live at Doctor Dray’s, and you play marbles, See, your pockets are: full of them.” The old man’s efforts were useless, His mind slipped from him and he began to cry like a schoolboy. ‘‘ Well, what’s the matter, Tommy?” the law- yer then asked, ‘* Boo-hoo-oo—” the poor old man blubbered,, ‘* Doctor Dray took it away from me and would not Jet me have it any more—Boo-00-oo—” ‘Took what away from you? There, there now, dry your eyes, Tommy, and tell us all about it.” ‘*He took that—that pa—that paper, and he won't give it back tome. It ismine and | want it, too, He’s got to give it to me.” ‘* What paper was it, Tommy?” ‘‘ The one with the fuuny fizures on it, you make him give it to me?” The lawyer gave a significant nod to the others and continued his playing with the broken old man. “ Of course we will make him give it to you, Tommy. What are you going to ao with it, though?” ‘‘T am keeping it for Mr. Hearn, He told me to keep it for him and Iam going to do it.” ‘That is a good boy. here is the Won't
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Broadway Billy’s Brigade. **T suppose he is in his office. He took the paper and went there.” ** And how did you get out, Tommy?” “TI got out of; the playground. They don’t know how I get out of there, but 7 know.” ‘““Are you not afraid they will find you and take you back and punisd you for running away, Tommy? You know you are only a boy.” The old face took on a look of alarm. “T don’t want to go back!” he declared, ** Doctor Dray said if I ran away again he would kill me,” “Then how would ‘you like to go to another home where you would be used better?” **T would like that. But, would they let me play marbles there?” **To be sure,” ‘Then I want to go,” He had dried his tears now, and his face brightened with boyish expectancy. ** Very well; you need not go back any more, Tommy, We will take you to another place where you will like it ever so much better. You may play on the floor with your marbles now,” The hint was enough. The poor old man re- tired to a corner where he began at once to ar- range bis marbles to play for his own amuse- ment, “This is a sad case,” remarked the lawyer to the others. ‘‘I suppose you see the scheme I have in view,” ‘*You mean to steal him away from Doctor Dray,” guessed Happy Harry. ‘Exactly. I would not consider the old fel- low’s life safe there, if he is really Ruford Hearn, and the proof is about complete.” **That would be Broadway Billy’s plan, you can bet!” averred Harry. ‘‘But, this is not finding him very fast. What do you say, Mr. Millard? We must get him and Seth out o’ limbo, if it takes a leg apiece!” ‘*The police must be informed, the first thing,” was the answer. ‘‘ They can ‘handle the case better than we can,” ‘But, you will have to tell them the whole story,” reminded Fatty-Skinny. * No matter about that; the superintendent is to be relied upon, and he and Billy are friends, you know. He will make every effort to find bim, ‘That's the best thing to do,” urged Roger, the Rover, ‘‘ But, where are you going to keep this harmless old fellow? If you lose him you lose your case, it seems to me,” “And you areright. Ishal!l take him to my home and detain him there, His mind can be kept occupied till he is wanted. Better still, I will strive to bring him back to his right mind as nearly as may be.” They arranged their plans, and finally the trio of the Brigade made their departure, leaving the lawyer to deal with the crazy man. hen they bad gone the lawyer opened bis sate and took out the paper Billy had left with im. Crossing to where the old man was amusing himself with the marbles, he laid it on the floor before him and awaited to see what he would 0. The old man did not notice it at first, but ye anal he did, catching it up and looking at teagerly. His marbles were Roteotion at once, and a new expression came upon his face. ‘* What have you there?” the lawyer asked. ‘It is the other balf,” was the joyous answer. ** The other half of what?” ‘The plan, Now f can find the place again without trusting to my head and m.king it ache 80. ‘* But, where is the other half of it? I should think you would need both halves, to make 1t of any service to you. Have you lost it?” The old fellow immediately searched his pocket, ‘Yes, it is gone,” he cried, ‘* Now, where have I put that? Ha! here it is I guess,” He drew a folded piece of paper from his amb as he uttered an exclamation, but the awyer saw at a glance it could not be the other half of the chart, Indeed, he knew well enough that was not in the old man’s possession, since he had given proof that it had fallen into the hands of Dr, Dray, that again being proof as to how that rascal had learned what he knew, The lawyer believed, of course, it had been the doctor, or his tools, who had attacked Billy and his companions in the cemetery, ** That isn’t it,” he remarked. ‘* No, 80 it isn’t,” was the old man’s return, “* Let me see what it is,” Mr. Millard request- ed, gently, The paper was put into his hand without question, and he opened it, He had no idea it a ———————— —— ——————————— ——————————————————— was anything of interest, but be was mistaken in that. Upon opening the paper he gave a start of surprise, for it was a written message contain- ing the signature of Broadway Billy. It was addressed to no one, but it told its own story. It read like this: — “Inthe power of that villain, Doctor Dray, and confined in his madhouse. Detain the bearer and keep him from falling again into Dray’s hands, His life is not safe here. Decoy Dray away from here and then come to my rescue. If my two boys have area you will find them useful. Trust them fully. Yours, WILLIAM WEsTON.”’ ‘* This is good news!” the lawyer said to him- self. ‘*He bas taken a long chance with this, for it might have been discovered. Still, he knew what he was about, no doubt, Perbaps he helped the old man to escape, and has been the one to put it into his head to come here,” In spite of the rascals, there was light ahead now, and it only remained to rescue Billy and make the arrests, “ But, what of Silent Seth and the silver casket? CHAPTER XIII, CONCERNING BILLY AND SILENT SETH, Tat affray in the cemetery had been, as we have shown, altogether a one-sided affair. . Coming as it had, suddenly and unlooked-for, there had been no opportunity for defense, and Billy and his team, together with the old man, were speedily overpowered. All bad been knocked senseless save one, and that was Silent Seth. He bad been sent spin- ning to the ground, and seeing the uselessness of further effort, remained quiet. There were four of the attackers, and he could do nothing against so many. ‘* There, curse them! I guess we have fixed them,” he heard one of the men mutter, ** And what's to be done with ’em?” he heard another ask. ‘We want to get out of this as s000 as we can,” ‘*We must take that detective with us,” yet another directed. ‘The others can be left right here, They’ll never be able to trace us,” ‘** All right; lay hold onto him, then,” ‘But, the thing be carried—be sure to get ote bat is more important than anything else, Pe ge Seth had not forgotten the silver recep- cle, He was looking around in the dark to dis- cover it, but it was too dark for him to discern anything. The men moving off from him a few steps, he raised himself upon his elbow to get a better chance to search, but leaning over for support upon his hand he thrust his arm intoa hole to his shoulder, His accident made only a slight noise, not enough to draw the attention of the men to him again, and after a moment’s pause he proceeded to extricate himself from tbat dilemma, In doing so, he had to reach out with his other hand, and as he did so that hand came into con- tact with the very thing he wanted! He felt something like cloth, under which was a hard object, and he knew at once it was the silver casket, With a thrill of delight be laid hold upon it; ele came the question, what was be to do with it That was immediately answered, That he must dispose of it was certain, for, unless he did so, the men would speedily find it and it would be wrested from him. »The hole be “ete Sa pope by accident was just the place or it The men had moved still further off, and tak- ing the object up carefully and wrapping it, Seth dropped it into the hole. The hole was not very deep, for the casket touched bottom immediately, and by reaching down Seth could feel it with his hand, The hole had evidently been made for the setting of a st. O'Having dropped the casket in, Seth drew some earth down upon it with bis hands, and bis task was done, It bad not taken him more tkan a minute at the most, but, he bad no time to spare, for barely had he done when the men came back to- ward him. Seth rolled over several times to remove him- self from the hole, and lay perfectly still as the men came up, feeling around in the grass for the object they were in search of, ** Curse the luck!” cried one. ‘* What has be- come of it, anyhow?” “It’s here somewhere, that’s sure,” another n 4 A nN ‘ eye ae | Pe Tey ee a ie ee UT “yb AMT AL oe > Ay i il hl ale ma bese " “ae a Sayed E bila iat Y em a gas ie iis 7 My , ne BLN ge Le ua sa. Yoel tah by je i ay OG 1S NA i: titel YN Reavy | aes By ‘ 45 4 ee 3 oe "y a — responded, ‘' It couldn’t get away unless one of these cusses did, and we got every one of them,” ‘* And they couldn’t swallow it, either,” ob- served a third, ‘‘Where’s that lantern they had? Which one of them bad it?” ‘*The boss had it,” “Get it.” The bull’s-eye was speedily forthcoming, and as Billy bad not put it out they quickly had light upon the scene, All were unconscious save Silent Seth, as said, and he feigned it so well that he deceived the rascals completely. No attention was paid to him, save once when one fellow turned him over with his foot, The men growled, and from growling began to swear roundly, That availed them nothing, however, for the silver casket was not to be found, When they bad made their search a thorough one, and all were utterly disgusted, one fellow proposed their getting away from there, and the notion finding favor, they did not stand long upon the order of their disappearance, Broadway Billy was taken up by three of them, while the fourth, who appeared to be an old man, led the way out of the place, When they had gone some distance Silent Seth scrambled up, and with due caution, fol- lowed them, To remain was useless; to take the silver casket from its hiding place was dangerous, while to follow and see where Broadway Billy was taken was highly important, First shaking Harry, to find whether he, too, was shamming, end next feeling to learn whether he was living or dead, and discovering that he lived, Seth set off in the direction the men had taken. He could not see them now, but could hear their steps, Making haste, he came up with them as close az he dared approach, and, Silent Shadower that he was, they ‘vere not lost sight of, He felt that a great weight of responsibility now rested upon him, since be was the only one of the trio capable of doing duty, and he did not want to make any bad plays in the game. That Harry would presently recover and make his way home he had no doubt, while the security of the silver coffin seemed assured, The men had passed and repassed the holes in their search, but no one of them had givena thought to the possibility of its being there, The men made their way to one of the less im- portant entrances to the place, where they en- tered a waiting carriage, having first placed Broad way Billy within. Seth immediately adopted the old plan of catching on bebind, the only plan now open to him, and when the carriage started off he ran along with it with ease. He had tried to swing himself up underneath, but there was no sup- port within reach, He could hear the men talking inside, but the rumbling of the vehicle and bis unfavorable posi- tion made it impossible for him to catch what was said, So the race was kept up for a long distance, and so it would undoubtedly have been kept up to the end, for Seth was tireless; but an ace dent happened that was as peculiar as it was un- looked- for, They came sheet to a place where the pavement had been torn up for the purpose of repairs to one of the street-car tracks, and Seth could not know anything of this, of course, un- til he stepped off into the hole. Even then it would not have balked him, but the next mo- ment one of his feet caught fast in a fork of the track and he was jerked loose from the carriage and sent to the ground with stunning force, The carriage went on, but Seth lay there bleeding and senseless, and so he continued to lie until he was at last discovered by a police- man, along in the small hours of the morning, when he was taken to a hospital. Meantime Billy bad been taken on, across the ferry, and still on until at last the carriage drew into the yard at the rear of Dr, Dray’s private asylum, By this time the young detective had recover- ed consciousness, but he was gagged and bound securely and thus rendered helpless to offer any resistance or make any outcry that might draw attention, Chis He was lifted out, taken into the building, and confined in a cell from which escape was next to impossible, bound as be was. For the remainder of the night he was left to himself, and nothing occurred until morning, It was a Jong night to Billy, for sleep was out of the question, and as the hours dragged by he fretted and fumed at the mishap that had
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12 overtaken him and at being thus confined at that critical stage of the game. He was left bound and gagged all night, too, and when he was at last released he was so stiff ho conld hardly move, Some food was brought to him, and later on he was honored by a visit from Dr, Dray. ‘Hal the old vulture exclaimed, looking in, ** what bave we here?” “You may live to find out,” cried Billy vengefully, ‘* Mad, mad,” muttered the doctor, with a sbake of the head, ‘‘ Nothing but confinement will do for you,” jan What are you holding me for?’ demanded illy. ‘* Why, do you not know that you are crazy, and that your friends have put you bere for treatment?” This was spoken with asmile that was dia- bolical. Billy gave a sneer of contempt, and did not consider it worth his while to respond. ‘Yes, as crazy aS can be,” the old knave de- ¢clared. ‘‘ There is but one way to convince us otherwise, and that will be toreveal some secrets which we suppose you have in your keeping.” Billy was silent, willing to let the man have full length, ‘*T may as well be plain with you,” the demon went on, ‘*We want to know what you did with that object you had under your arm last night when some fellows set upon you, and also what you have done with a certain paper that ‘was ip your possession.” Still Billy maintained silence, ‘** You no doubt have some desire to get cut of here. Very well, give us this information and we will consider about letting you out.” ‘**Ts that all?” Billy asked, ‘* Yes, that is all,” “Then go about your business and leave me alone. If you think to get anything out of me by force, you will be mistaken.” With that Billy turned bis back to the door and would make no response to anything, even though the doctor stood there for some time, execrating and threatening by turns. Finally he gave it up and went away, vowing that he would find some means of gaining his desired ends, lt was not long after that when another face looked througb the grating, and this time it was the face of the crazy old man, Tommy Brown! Broadway Billy advanced at once to talk with him, and a conversation ensued at greater length than can be noted here, Billy knew the old man’s weakest points, and played upon bim accordingiy, to gain bis ob- Ject, The result of his work has beenshown. In going to the office of the lawyer the old fellow was only carrying out the ideas which had been put into bis mind by Billy, in much the same way, figuratively, as the note bad been put iu pie pocket. And the venture had been success- ful. _ CHAPTER XIV, SPRINGING A SURPRISE, Fatty-Sxinny, Roger Watts, and Happy Harry, when they took their leave from the lawyer’s office, sét at once about the business they bad in hand, he first two were to pay a visit to the in- stitution kept by Dr. Dray, while Harry was to o, in something of a disguise, to watch the earn residence, to learn if possible something about the silver casket, which naturally all sup- posed bad been taken off by the men who had made the attack at the cemetery, Before setting out upon bis misson, however, Harry paid a visit to the office, to find whether Silent Seth had yet appeared or not, He had not, and Harry was exceedingly anx- ious about his silent partuer. He believed, though, that he bad met the same fate that had overtaken Billy, whatever that had been. While Harry was making up his disguise some ons tried the door, which Harry had secured within, Opening the door, the youth-detective found there Mr, Gaddas, the young man from Dr, Dray’s institution, He stepped in with a smile and looked around the room, ‘** Hasn’t Tommy been here?” he asked, ““Nixey!” answered Harry, ‘ His shadder hasn’t been on the wall this mornin’, Why, has he ron off again?” “Yes, he bas got out again, and is giving us no end of trouble to find him. If he should come here would you telephone to us? You see, re te Se ren, alias henreit a, panceiie a a . T, ree Broadway Billy’s Brigade. there is danger that he will get run over in the street.” ‘* Yes, Lig Yonge to you, cert.” ‘* Where is Mr. Weston this morning?” ** He hasn’t got around yet.” ‘*Tt’s past his office hour, though, isn’t it?” ‘Yes; but he can’t always run by the clock, you know. The best of trains fail to connect sometimes,” ‘* T suppose so.” ** Did you want to see bim?” ‘*Not particular. Merely asked for him,” The young man bowed himself out, and as soon as the door bad closed Harry laid a finger alongside his nose and closed one eye. ‘* Christopher Columbia!” he said to himself. ‘They shoot over the mark every time tbe gun goes off. Might jest as well told me he was one of the fellers last night, Only wanted to fish for p’ints, that’s all,” A vew thought bad come to Harry, and hastily changing his disguise, taking up an old man’s wig and beard and an old hat, he went out and down tothe street, being careful to look well about before he made his appearance. He caught sight of his man some distance away, and followed. The fellow evidently had no suspicion of being shadowed, for he went straight ahead without once Jooking back. His destination was the Hearn residence, where the door was opened to bim by Jane Hearn. He was admitted immediately, proof that be was no stranger there, Harry waited around for awhile, keeping well out of sight, or as much so as possible, and finally had the satisfaction of seeing the man come out again, and this time in com- pany with Dr, Dray! Harry trailed them, and was led to the asylum, where he gave up the trail and returned to shadow the house, In the mean time Fatty-Skinny and Roger Watts bad reacied the asylum and had been shown into the private office to await the doc- tor’s coming, having been told he had gone out. When the doctor and his ‘assistant entered, both cast sharp looks of inquiry at the visitors, ‘‘Are you Doctor Dray, sir?’ asked the ex- lieutenant, ‘Yes, sir,” was the smiling response, ‘‘ What can I do for you, genUemen?” ‘* We have called to inquire your terms for taking patients here, and would like to get your lowest rates for a long term, since the one we have in view is probably incurable,” ‘Ts the patient a man?” ‘¢ Yes, a man about seventy years old.” “10m. Not likely to be a very long boarder, then.” Tbe doctor made known his terms and waited to bear what the applicants bad to say, ‘*T think we could pay that; eb, uncle?” and appeal was made to the old ranger for his opinion, ‘¢ Yes, I think so,” was his response, ‘* You had better tell bim all about the old chap, though, James. He’s a little onruly at times, sir,” ‘We care nothing for that,” declared the doc- tor. ‘*We can tame the worst of them, here. We have dark rooms, padded cells, and every- thing in that line. We do not care how unruly they are,” ** Would you mind showing me through your asylum?” asked Skinny. ** Why, certainly not. Alaric, just take them through, You will find everything in order, gentlemen,” The younger man obeyed at once, opening one of the doors leading from the room and bowing them out into a ball, They were taken through the building and shown the various rooms on the floor above, some of which were well furnished and spoke well for the establishment, ‘“‘And where is that padded cell, and the dark room?” asked Roger. ‘Yes, we want to see everytbing while we are about it,” declared the fat partner. ‘' We think a good deal of uncle, crazy as he is, and would not want to put him where he would be abused or burt in any way.” ‘* No fear of that, here, sir. [f anything, we are too easy with them, If we were more severe we might have less trouble with them, you see, We put up with a good deal before we resort to harsh measures. This way to the lower fluor,” They had returned to the main fluor, and were now led below to the basement, Here were the cells, arranged much as a prison is arranged, and the place had a damp, chilly feeling, real or fancied. ‘* This is the padded cell, gentlemen,” the man announced throwing open the door of one, ‘* You see, no matter how obstreperous a subject might be, he could not harm himself in bere.” The floor and sides were thickly padded, anda bull might have raged in the cell without harm to itself or anythiug else. ‘I should say this is a good thing,” Roger ob- served. ‘““Yes, it must be,” agreed Skinny. ‘No ebance to harm themselves or any one else,” ‘* And the dark reom?” suggested Roger. ‘* Well, here is one,” throwing open another door, It was a dismal place, and the visitors qnickly signified their satisfaction. ‘*Do you have to use these places?” asked Skinny. ‘* Yes, occasionally,” was the response. ** Any one in them now?” ‘* We have one very unruly subject in that one at the far end of the passage,” was the answer, ‘* Have you seen enough, gentlemen?” ‘* Well,about enough,” answered Fatty-Skinny. ‘* T suppose it is necessary to bave such places as these, but, really, I hate to have uncle put in one; don’t you, Uncle Roger?” ‘* Yes, lad; it is rougb, that’s a fact.” ‘*T must take a look at that man you spoke about,” and the ex-lieutenant started toward the end of the passage, *¢ You bad better not,” called out the assistant. ‘He is really dangerous, and you will only ex- cite him by going there; you bad better not, sir,’ **[ won’t speak to him: 1 just want to look in, He can’t burt me through the bars, of course.” 4 ‘* May as well let bim bave his own way,” re- marked Roger. ‘*He’s bound to see it all, any- how.” Mr, Gaddas appeared greatly displeased, and went along after the self-willed visitor, Roger following after bim. Skinny was pressing forward, looking into every door he passed, until finally, coming tothe end one of all, be gazed in and there saw the ob» ject of bis search! Broadway Billy, witha gagin his mouth to prevent him from making too much noise! It was light enough for them to see well, and Skinny saw bis partner’s face light up as he re- cognized him through the bars, Mr. Gaddas bad now come up, looking consid. erably troubled and very anxious to get the visi- tors up to the other floor again; whereat Skinny drew vack from the door in pretended alarm, ‘* Well, are you satisfied?” the young man ask; ed, ‘* Goodness, yes!” answered the ex-lieutenant, “ What is the matter with bim?”’ ‘* He is mad, desperately mad! If he were to get out I would not want to answer for the con- sequences,” **So, he’s mad, is he?’ yah Roger, after he, too, had taken a peep. ‘‘ Pil bet be ain’t half as mad as we are, eb, pardner?” Tbe old ranger brought a ‘‘ popper” to light from under bis ccat tails, as be spoke, and Skin, ny did the same, both drawing a bead on the nose of Mr, Gaddas, who turned as paleas death. ‘“*Not near as mad,” averred the fat partner, ‘We're just mad evough to order you to open this door, and if you don’t do it on the jump we'll be mad enough to blow the whole thatch off from your think-box, and don’t you forget it. We mean business, so mosey, or sboot it is!” ‘* Heavens!” gasped Gaddas, ‘‘ what are you thinking about?” ‘‘We are thinkin’ whether it will be best to plug ye in the eye or in the neck,” answered the old ranger, sternly, ‘‘ ye thunderin’ villain!” ** And if you make any noise, or try to give an alarm, we'll try youin both places,” declared Skinny. ‘‘ Wecame here to get Broadway Billy and we are going to do it, too, if we have to kill six men to do it}” This was too much for Mr, Gaddas, ‘*T give in,” he said. ‘‘ You have done me brown this time. I'll Jet him out if you'll only promise to let me go—” *¢ You'll let bim out anyhow,” broke in the fat pard, ‘‘and then the chances are that you will be allowed to go up the Hudson for your health, Open that door, now, and no more delay, or you will get a dose that won’t set well on your stomach,” CHAPTER XV. PREPARING THE PROGRAMME. Mr, GADDAS was cornered, for a fact, Ho had been neatly overreacied by these unknown members of Broadway Billy’s Brigade, and he had no way of getting out of the dilemma, **Yes, yes,” he said; ‘ll do it, Pil do it, Only don’t be bard on ne, I am only employed Stace, - aa ee
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ee ee ee here, you know; Doctor Dray is the one who is responsible for everything, you know.” ** No more pelaver, now!” crdered the rotund Skinny, savagely, ‘‘ but open that door at once. If you are talking to gain time you will find it won’t work, Not another second delay, or you will hear something drop. Get a move on you!” The fellow had been edging near the door; now he reached up and drew the lever that re- moved the bolts and allowed the door to swing open. Broadway Billy stepped out and greeted Skinny and Roger with a nod of approval. Roger immediately removed the gag and freed his bands, “You are trumps!” Billy cried, grasping their hands, ‘* How did you find me so soon? But, no time for questions now; let’s finish this job first.” “Tf you'll only let me off easy,” Mr. Gaddas was pleading, ‘I'll help you take the doctor, and [ll do anything you say.” ‘‘ I guess we can get along without your help,” retorted Fatty-Skinny, ‘ You pee fix him in the same way he had you fixed, Billy, and we'll make short work of the otber rascal,” ‘Pll do it with real pleasure,” protested Billy, and the gag was adjusted on Gaddas’s mouth with deft dspatch, “Now,” said the fat partner, when the fellow had been gagged and his hands tied, “‘where are your weapons, Billy?” ““Give it up,” Billy answered. ‘The old mummy took them from me when they dumped me in here last night. But, where are Harry and Seth?” “Harry is all right, but Seth hasn’t turned up yet,” ‘* We must hustle, then,” ‘Well, here, take my pistol,” urged Skinny, “and make theold rat disgorge. We know where to find him,” “All right; lead the way! Roger, you hold fast to the prisoner,” “‘He’s as fast as a b’ar in a trap,” the old ranger assured, ‘‘ He won’t git out of my grip, you bet! Pll stick him under the ribs if there’s any need of it,” hey made their way up the stairs to the main floor, Broadway Billy and the obese lieutenant ahead and the old ranger coming after them with the prisoner, Once on the main floor Skinny took the lead and proceeded to the office where the doctor had been left. Heopened the door and Broadway Billy step- in first, revolver in hand, and confronted the infamous old scoundrel. “Ha!” the old roffian exclaimed, springing to his feet, ‘*‘ what means this? 1 want to know what you are doing here, and how you got out— Ho! Ha!” The fat partner bad followed in, and after him Roger Watts and the prisoner. At sight of them the astonished doctor broke off in what he was saying and uttered’ the ejaculations, ** You will find out what I am doing here, you old knave!” cried Broadway Billy. ‘ You have put your foot into it bad, this time, by making a prisoner of me, even if that were the least of the crimes of which you are guilty. Where have yon put my weapons and the handcuffs you took from me?” The doctor was almost purple in the face, so great was his rage, and was almost choking 00, *You—you—you will find out!” he cried. ‘*How—how dare you come into my presenee, this way? By what right do you enter my establisament? How dare you hint that I made a prisoner of you? Are you mad?” ‘That’ sort of bluster won’t save you, you infamous scoundrel! and you need not try the influence of your baleful eyes upon me, either, Iam looking at the tip of your nose, and you will tempt me to try a shot at it if you do'not come to time, promptly; so obey orders!” and Billy beld his revolver unpleasantly near, at the same time telling his fat partner to search the office for his weapons and bracelets, This Skiony did, in spite of all the old repro- bate’s bluster. The articles were soon discover- ng on a shelf in a closet and were restored to their rightful owner. “That is the idea!” cried Billy. ‘ Now, just try this pair of darbies on the old dragon's oar and see if they will fit. I think they At this the doctor made the strongest kind of a epg but he was as nothing in the oro of the ponderous “Skinny.” The handcuff: were put on and ted together in a jiffy. ee That looks like it!” sald: Billy. ‘‘ Now, the Broadway Billy’s Brigade. 13 | next thing to be done is to send,for police totake | Driving as near to the Hearn vaults as possi- charge of this den until we have time to put the thing in proper shape, Skinny, you go and—” Just then the door was opened and into the room stepped Lawyer Millard with half a dozen officers at his back! ‘ ** Just in time for the ball,” greeted Billy. “So it seems,” responded Millard, ‘* Your friends had little need of us, it appears,” ‘* We bave need of you now, however. These officers can take charge of this place; and our prisoners can be held here until we are ready for them. We must pay attention to the others.” It was arranged, and leaving officers in charge, Billy and the others took their leave. Anxious about Silent Seth, Billy’s first move was to go to the office, for he knew if Seth was alive and free, he would make his way there as soon as possible, When they arrived there they were in time to find a District Messenger boy trying the door. ‘** What do you want!” asked Billy, ‘« Are you Mr. Weston?” asked the boy, ac For proof, Billy unlocked the door and ushered the way in. ‘‘Then here’s a message for you,” said the boy, ‘‘and an answer is wanted to it, quick,” Billy tore open the missive in haste, and found it to be from a hospital across the river, It informed him that a boy named Seth Mar- ten was there, and that he wanted tosee him, as speedily as possible, upon an important mat- ter. ‘*T will go to him at once,” decided Billy, and such was the answer hé sent by the messenger, ‘‘We must have a conference here first, how- ever, so that each will understand his part,” Such a conference was held, At the end of half an bour it was done, and each knew what was expected of him, and set forth to do his art, Broadway Billy was to go and see Silent Seth. He believed the boy had some knowl- edge concerning the silver casket, since search oy failed to bring it to light at the doctor’s office, Lawyer Millard was to attend to the crazy man, Tommy Brown—or Mr, Hearn, and if pos- sible keep his mind upon the idea that he was in- deed Ruford Hearn, It had been thought best to take away the marbles and to dress him in a manner becoming to a man of bis years, Fatty-Skinny and Roger Watts were to pay a visit to each family of the Hearn descendants to request their presence at the old homestead dwelling at a certain hour, and, too, they were to see to the arrest of the undertaker who had had a part in the affair of years gone by. Each, as said, had his part, and each understood it. Billy lost no time in reaching the hospital. He made himself known and was taken to see Silent Seth at once, finding him sitting bolstered up in a chair with his head bandaged, ‘*He urged so emphatically,” exclaimed one of the attendants, “that we thought it best to send for you with haste, for at the time it was feared that his skull was fractured and that he would worry himself into a fever,” ‘‘fle knew what he was about,” assured Billy. ** But, it is strange,” observed the attendant, ‘ for since telling him that you lad been sent for he has hardly spoken a word, He is a pecu- liar boy. Why, he was determined to leave here as soon as he came to, and we had to detain him by force, really by force,” ‘I am not surprised, and I am glad you have sent for me, What do you think of his con- dition?” ‘Why, it is not dangerous, In fact, we can permit him to go if be will be careful, It is not so bad a3 we thought it at first.” These remarks had been exchanged a little distance from Seth, and Billy now advanced to greet his Silent Shadower. ‘“ Well, Seth,” he said, ‘they laid you out bad, didn’t they?” “Tt wasn't that,” Seth made response; ‘‘ this was an accident.” And he told his employer ail that had pa sed, ‘*You did a good stroke,” Billy complimented, “‘and you would kave done better still, only for this, In you and HarryI have a team to be proud of, Well, they say P oa may £0, 80 T will get a cab and we will be off at once,’ Seth was feeling well enough to trave:, and really was all right save for a deep cut in his ‘scalp and a big swelling on his head; so Billy was allowéd to take him away. , They set forth at once in a carriage, and in due time were at the cemetery where they had met their mishaps, 1 aT poe pai | ; Bas bad Sie tented ah Uh gD ble, they alighted and went forward on foot, and were soon upon the scene of their surprise: and defeat, where Seth looked around to get his. bearings, Strange to say, no holes were now to be seen, nor had any new fence been put up, A moment’s investigation, however, showed where they had been and had been filled and covered over that very morning! Had the silver receptacle been discovered? That question immediately suggested itself to. Billy and bis aid, and their eyes met. An employee passing the spot just then, Billy hailed him, ‘Did you fill these holes?” he asked, “Oi did dbhat same,” was the response, with an accent that plainly was not French. ** Did you find a box in one of them?” ‘*Sure, Oi did not. An ould fince was takem down yisterday, and Oi was tould to fill the holes, so O1 did,” : That settled the matter. The silver casket: was probably just where Silent Seth had left it, and the man was engaged there and then to look for it, Seth indicating as nearly as he could where he had put it. CHAPTER XVI, THE RASCALS CONFOUNDED, Ir was late on that afternoon when Jane Hearn, answering the bell at her residence, re- ceived a surprise, The person she found there was a young man. witb a graceful mustache, who brought her, he explained, a message from Dr, Dray, to the ef- fect that she should prepare to receive some callers that evening at nine, This young man, it may as well be said, was: Happy Harry in disguise, he woman questioned him, and Harry told her it was the doctor’s intention to meet some members of the family there to settle a matter of business, When she bad gone back into the house, after the departure of the messenger, she fell to won- dering what it could mean, There was little time re her to inquire, so she accepted the case as it was and prepared for the guests. The first to arrive were Hugh Hearn and Mrs. Muster, ber brother and sister, who were as: much in the dark as Jane herself, All they knew was that their presence had been requested by Dr. Dray, and so there they were, They talked the matter over, making all man- ner of surmises, and as the hour drew near they were anxious for the doctor’s coming, Finally came a ring, and, Jane answering it, she was almost floored with amazement at what she beheld. There on the step stood Ruford Hearn, and with bim a host of other persons, With a gasp expressive of her amazement and terror, the woman fell back, and into the house the company filed; Lawyer Millard, Broadway: Billy, Fatty-Skinny, Roger Watts, Silent Seth and the prisoners—Dr, Dray, Undertaker Fryers,. , Alaric Gaddas, and others; and with them Ru- ford Hearn, Jr., and his sister, Mrs, Atwall. If this had been a surprise to Jane Hearn, it: was none the less so to Hugh and Mrs, Muster, when the company entered the room, Broadway Billy arranged the company, plac- ing the wily old doctor bebind tbe others so that he could not so easily exert his baleful mesmeric powers upon any one; after which he addressed the company. ‘*Gentlemen and ladies,” he said; ‘‘ this select party has been arranged for the purpose of right- ing, as far as possible,a wrong that has been done, About twenty-two years agoa piece of villainy was consummated which has just come to light in a strangemanner. Mr. Millard wil] give you the matter in detail.” With that Billy gave the floor to the lawyer, who was fired for the occasion, The prisoners, and also the three of the Hearns who were in league with them, looked very pale, and moved uneasily upon their chairs, ‘*-Yes, a most detestable piece of villainy it was,” cried the lawyer, as he rose to speak. “Mr, Ruford Hearn was pronounced dead, and protended to be buried, while he was in reality ccnfined in a private madc-house where constant harrowing finally did unsettle bis already weak- ened mind, But, Providence has interfered, and we are bere on this occasion to expose that vil-: lainy and to restore the much wronged old man to his rights. ““T will begin by questioning the most impor- tant witness present, and that witness is—Mr. Ruford Hearn himself.”
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\ i y 14 There were exclamations of amazement from Ruford, Jr., and his sister. A chair was placed, and Mr, Hearn was asked to step forward and occupy it, which the old - gentleman did promptly aud witha firm step and manner, ** What is your name?” the lawyer asked, ** Rudford Hearn, Senior,” was the response, ‘Can you prove your identity?” was the next “ How?” ‘* Ry producing from its hiding-place, before these witnesses, my will, the only will I ever | signed, togetber with other valuable papers,” ‘Very well, sir; you are ot liberty to pro- ceed,” The ol] man arose with calm dignity and took | from his pocket the two parts of the mysterious | chart, or plan, which had been restored to him | for the purpose, and laid them together on the | table. : Then, with a draughtsman’s rule, square, and compasses, he proceeded to measure along the floor and wall, going by inches, squares, parts of circles, etc., as indicated on the chart, until | finally, when the interest of the company had been worked to a high pitch, he finished. Pressing with his finger upon the wall at the point where his last measurement ended, a secret door there flew open, greatly to the sur- prise of all save the tew who were in the secret, The door being open, the old man reached up confidently and felt for something, but finding nothing he drew back with a frightened look upon his face, while he exclaimed: ‘The silver casket! It is gone!” ‘*As crazy as a bug,” sneered Dr. Dray, aloud, ‘*Not so crazy as you would heve him ap- ar,” retorted the lawyer. ‘‘ Sit down again, Mr. Hearn, and answer a few questions.” The old man obeyed, Peg his chair, ‘¢ Twenty-two years ago, Ruford Hearn, you executed your will, making it more in favor of the two children by your first wife than of the three, by your second. Do you remember that?” “Yes, certainly, I do remember that; and I put the will in the little silver coffin casket, and the coffin in the secret niche, making these plans at the same time so that 1 could not fail of finding it again, yet making them so puzzling that no one else would be likely to discover the place.” ‘* Exactly. Well, after you had made your will you felt that perhaps you had dealt un- justly with the children of your second union, so you undertook a scheme to learn just which ‘ones of your children really cared for you. You took into your confidence Doctor ay and Peter Fryers, two trusted friends, The plan was that you were to pretend illness, The doc- tor was to pronounce it a dangerous and very contagious malady, and you were to pretend to die, The undertaker was to take charge of the matter then, and bury the coffin without per- mitting any one to see you.” “Yes, yes; I recall all that.” ‘Well, the plan was carried out, and from the moment when your ailment was pronounced so dangerous, not one of the three children of your second marriage could be urged to go near you. The other two came promptly, to offer their help, but they were denied the privilege, You died, it was said, and you were privately buried, your daugbter Jane finally agreeing to accompany the body to the cemetery, in com- pany with her brother Hugh. Now, do you re- member what you did with the silver casket on the night before your funeral, when the coffin rested over there, filled with bricks—” “Ha! Yes, yes! Now it comes tome! All alone here, I took the silver coffin casket from its hiding-place and put it in my coffin, deter- mined that it should be safe till such time as I could make up my mind to reveal myself.” ‘ Tixactly, sir; and there it was found last nigbt. And, here it is, in the possession of this gentleman. Will you now open it for us?” Roger Watts produced the little silver recep- le. It was laid upon the table in the presence of all; then the aged man went forward, and, with trembling hands, touched a secret spring, and the lid of the little coffin-shaped casket flew Open at once, “This is it! This is it!” the old man cried joyfully, “ And, here is the will! And here are the other papers! Yes, yes! Itis just as I left it; it has never been opened!” - “ That will do,” said the lawyer. ‘‘ Sit down again, and I will conclude, exposing the dia- Broadway Billy’s Brigade. bolical game that was undertaken and success- | fully carried out,” | Fryers, played you false. | ful workings his story was proven true, Mr. Hearn sat down, and the lawyer resumed: “Your two pretended friends, Dray and They had pledged you their word that they would help you to play | the part, and in the end would acknowledge it so that there could be no question of your pur- | | pose, or your identity, if that should be doubt: d. Late on the night before your funeral Dr. Dray came here and you went away with him to his residence. You never was yourself again. Under his keeping your mind was disordered, He and the undertaker had plotted to betray you, and once you were in their power they laid their scheme before the three children of your second wife. A will was to be forged, leaving everything to these three, and they, in turn, were to pay the doctor and undertaker round sums for their part in the matter. So it was agreed, and so it was carried out. ‘*'You escaped them, and did appear to make your identity known, but your word was doubted in the face of the evidence, Then came Dr, | Dray, swearing that you had been for years in his care and that your true name was Brown, This was investigated, and by the doctor's skill- So the case ended, It wasa dastardly piece of business, but it was successful, and while you have been all these years in a mad-house, and your favorite children kept in comparative poverty, these rascals have enjoyed your wealth. So it might have gone on to the end, but for the visit you paid to the office of this young detective, during one of your spells of part sanity. He read the truth of your statement with that keen insight the true detective alone possesses, and took up the case for you at once. Favored somewhat by circumstances, he has been able to bring the villainy to light in a remarkable manner in a very short time, I now leave it for him to pre- sent the proofs,” The lawyer sat down and Broadway Billy once more took the floor, ‘*You have all heard the story,” he said. “The truth of it is written plainly upon the faces of the guilty ones, The proof of it is in the fact that Ruford Hearn is before you alive, now in his, eighty-third year. Last night I paid a visit to the Hearn vault, and from the coffin that was supposed to contain his body, but which was filled with bricks, I took this little silver casket. My visit there was suspected, or else Mr. Hearn had let out the secret to Doctor Dray, and I was set upon and taken prisoner and confined in the mad-house, where I might have remained but for the promptness of my two boy assistants in finding me out and res- cuing me. These proofs, the empty coffin, the presence of the man himself, and the papers in the silver coffin, are enough, There is nothing further needed to convict,” ‘Still [ laugh at you,” cried out Doctor Dray. ‘*This is only a scheme to blackmail us. It is well gotten up, but it will not work. I defy you!” ‘‘Let us see about that, you rascal,” spoke up the aged man, apparently now in full pos- session of his mind, ‘ Let the papers in the silver coffin be brought out and read,” Broadway Billy stepped forward and took them up. ‘*The first was the will, which divided the estate between the two children of the first murriage, leaving only small sums for the other three, Then was taken up another paper which proved to be a written agreement be- tween Mr, Hearn on one hand and Dray and Fryers on the other, in which was set forth his scheme and their agreement to serve him in it for considerations named. Further, and the worst, was another paper setting forth the truth that the three children of the supposed second marriage were not heirs at all, they really being the offspring out of wedlock, And then appeared other papers and documents to prove the truth of these statements, The evidence was ample and not to be set aside, Broadway Billy was triumphant, Happy Harry was jubilant, and Silent Seth was con- tent, The expose was perfect, the victory com- plete. The half-hour that followed can better be imagined than described. The unprincipled old doctor and his rascally accomplice, the undertaker, had been caught in their own trap, and were obliged to ac- knowledge the truth of their whole villainous scheme, The three supposed heirs were overwhelmed by the revelation which had been made, and were more than vehement in their protestations SSS and wild in their indignation. There were the provfs, however, and there was old Ruford Hearn in person to support them, The detective and the lawyer had taken out warrants, and all the prisoners were arrested and committed for trial, on several counts for heinous offenses, By the efforts of Lawyer Millard the old case, 80 Jong ago settled, was reopened, and there was a complete reversion, Not only so, but the guilty ones were, in brief time, duly sentenced for their crimes, Old Mr, Hearn, with bis wits quite restored, now tbat tbe power of the old doctor was broken, resumed his abode at his old resi- dence, where he was cared for by his daughter, Mrs, Atwall, and her children, she being a widow, The old will was permitted to stand in favor of his son and daughter, and is hidden away in the little silver ccffin-casket in the secret niche in the wall—now secret no longer yet known only to those who are interested, Huppy Harry and Silent Seth speedily re- covered from their slight wounds, and were none the worse for them. They, with the other members of the *‘ Brigade” were proud of the achievement Broadway Billy had made with their help, and Lawyer Millard whose lasting friendsbip all had won, was proud of them all. Roger Watts and Fatty-Skinny, though now on the retired list, as Skinny expressed it, de- clared themselves ready for duty at any time when it became necessary to call out the whole Brigade. They hsddonea good stroke this time, certainly. The case made quite a sensation, and Broad- way Billy and bis ** team” were extolled great- ly. Silent Seth took it all with his usual! philo- sophical imperturbability, but the irrepressible Harry showed his delight much after the man- ver of a frisky colt. Billy was quiet about it, save in the home cirele, where he declared he had been only a lame horse in the race this time, and that he would surely have been left badly bad it not been for his ‘‘ Brigade,” ‘““ We got there, you bet, and with both feet too!” was Harry’s exultant declaration. ‘' An we're going to get there every time, too, Chris- topher Columbia! we are in the race to win, and when we don’t win it won’t be our fault; crackers and cheese, no! I speak for Silent Seth, too, since ke is too bashful to speak for himself, We are open for business at the old stand, and whenever any consarned diffikilty presents itself we are going to crack the whip and go for it, That’s the kind of cherubs we are, The jeebeeb bath spoken. Selah!” THE END. Beadle's Dime Library. BY CAPT. FRED. WHITTAKER, 614 The Showman Detective; or, The Mad Magician. 609 The Texas Tramp; or, Solid Saul. 445 Journeyman John, the Champion, 412 Larry Locke, the Man of Iron, 406 Old Pop Hicks, Showman, 878 John Armstrong, Mechanic, 826 The Whitest Man in the Mines, 310 The Marshal of Satanstown; or, The League, 803 Top-Notch Tom, the Cowboy Outlaw. 295 Old Cross-Bye, the Maverick-Hunter. 200 The Lost Corvette: or, Blakeley’s Last Cruise. 284 The Three Frigates; or, Old Ironsides’ Revenge 277 The Saucy Jane, Privateer. 272 Seth Slocum, Raiiroad Surveyor. 265 Old Double-Sword; or, Pilots and Pirates. 253 A Yankee Cossack; or,The Queen of the Nihilists, 247 Alligator Ike: or, The Secret of the Everglade, 242 The Fog Devil; or, The per of the Flash, 230 The Flying Dutchman of 1880, 226 ‘The Mad Hussars; or, The O’s and the Mac’s, 215 Parson Jim, King of the Cowboys. 211 Colonel Plunger; or, The Unknown Sport. 206 One Eye, the Cannoneer, 193 The Man in Red; or, The Ghost of the Old Guard. 187 The Death’s Head Cuirassiers, 174 The Phantom Knights. 159 Red Rudiger, the Archer. 132 Nemo, King of the Tramps, 115 The Severed Head; or, The Castle Coucy Secret. 108 The Duke of Diamonas. 98 The Rock Rider; or. The Spirit of the Sierra, 96 Double Death; or, The Spy of Wyoming. 69 The Irish Captain. A Tale of Fontenoy. 65 The Red Rajah; or, The Scourge of the Indies. 39 The Russian Spy; or, The Starry Cross Brothers. A new issue every Wednesday. Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mailon receipt of twelve cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS, » Publishers, 98 William street, New York,
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Deadwood Dick Novela. 26 Cioven Hoof’, the Buffalo Demon. ® The Flying Yankees or, The Ocean Outoast. ; 82 Bob Woollt’; or, The Girl Dead-Shot. 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccan.er; or, The Fugitive Yacht. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince ot the Road. 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 24 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone. 20 Deadwood Dick’s Defiance; or, Double Daggers. 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand. 62 The Shadow Ships or, The Rival Lieutenants. 28 Dendwood Dick In Disguise; or, Buffal, Ben 568 Jim Bludkoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 25 ‘The Bey Pnelist ¢ or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf, 85 Deadwood Dick in His Cantle. — : 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team 102 Dick Dend-Eye, the oy Smugyier, 42 Deadwood Dick’s Bonanzay or, The «antom Miner, 69 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The Koy Detective. 111 The Sen-Pevii 3 or, The Mid hipnan’s Legacy. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omaha Oll. S80 Rosebud Robs or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 116 The Hussar Captaing or, ‘lhe Hermit o: Hell Gate. 5¢ Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand. 497 Little Gris, tue Wilo Kider; or, The Stoek-Tender’s Danghter.. 7B Dendwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity 3 ‘ne, the Heroine, 88 Phetograph Phil; or, (osebud Rob’s Reappearance. 204 Bulfalo WiLi, the Pony Express Rider ony 77 Deadwood Dick’s Last Acts or, Corduroy Charlie. 92 Canada Chet 3 or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull's Camp. 216 Bison BILL, the lrince of the Retna; or, Buffalo Bill's Pluck, 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville, + 96 Watch-Eye3; or, Arabs and Angel: of a Great City. 222 Grit, the Brave Sports or, The Woman Trailer, 104 Deadwood Dick’s Device; or, The Double Cross Sign. 118 Jack Hoyle the Young Speculator. “2 Orimson hates the Girl Tr ier, 109 Dendwood Dick as Detective. | : : 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective R37 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain: or, The Mysterious Ranchero } 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. | 121 Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport. R45 Merle, the Middy ¢ or, Ihe Heir of an Oceun Breelance, 188 Deadwood Dick’s Home Bases or, Blonde Bill. 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner. ~) ‘The Midahipman Mutineers or, Brandt, the Buceaneer. } 149 Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold, 188 Boas Bob the King of Boothlacks 264 The Floating Feather? or, Merle Monte’s Treasure. i 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party. 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Rond-Agent. 26°) The Gold st a + oF, Merle, the } 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road. 145 Captain Perret, the New York Detectivo. 276 Merle Monte’s Cruise; or, *! p’’ Chase, ; 201 Dendwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Gir! Detective, 230 Merle Monte’s Fate ot. T! : 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Adventure. | 177 Nobby Nick of Nevaday or, The Sierras Scamps. 284 Merle Monfe's D1 e; or, T! er. | 217 Deadwood Dick’s Dead Deal. 181 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bra RST Billy Bines yes, the Hoy Rover 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death-Plant. 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective. 804 The Dend & «at iets : or, Benito, the Boy Bugler. 282 Gold-Dust Dick. A Komance of Roughs and Toughs, 218 Fritz to the Fronts or, The Ventriloquist Hunter, SOS Dead shot Dandy’s Doublo. 453 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s, BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. 268 Deadwood Dick's Pivide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. ‘B68 Deadwood Dick’s Death Pratl 809 Deadwood Dick’s Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. 821 Dendwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats ‘B47 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Days in the Diggings. B51 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, lhe Terrible Vendetta, 862 Deadwood Dick’s Claim, 405 Deadwood Dick In Dead Clty. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Dinmonda. 421 Deadwood Dick in New York; or, A “Cute Case.” 430 Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand, 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr. A448 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Detlance, ull Hand. 459 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s, Ble Round-Up. A865 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10. 471 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill. A476 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dog Detective, 481 Dendwood Dick. Jr., In Deadwood. 491 Deadwood Dick, Jdr.’s, Compact. A96 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance, 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Diggings. 608 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deliverance. 615 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Protegee. 622 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Three. 629 Deadwood Dick, Jr.*s, Danger Ducks 6864 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt. 589 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Texas. 5644 Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidoog 549 Deadwood Dick, Jr., on Mis Mettle. 554 Dendwood Dick, Jr., In Gotham, 461 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Boston, 567 Dendwood Dick, Jr., in Philadetphia, 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago. STS Deadwood Dick. Jr., Aflont. 484 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver. 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decree. 595 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin, 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island, 606 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Leadville Lay. 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit. G18 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Cincinnati. 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada, 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land, 686 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer, 642 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Buffalo, ¢48 Deadwood oy apm Pease meress the Continent Bee tscktasd Duk. eos, teuaraneeten $66 Dendwood Dick; Jr., Back in the Mines. 472 Deadwood Dick, Jr., tn Durangoy or, “ Gathered In.” nih pea wood 4 ya ag halen pveaectys or, Found a Fortune, 84 Deadwoo ek, Jr.’a. Dazzle. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dollars. $95 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide. 700 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Drop. 704 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jask-F'et. 710 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in S Franclseo, 216 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Still Hunt, 722 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes. 728 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Disgulse. 784 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’4, Double Deal, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’4, Deathwatch. W47 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet. %T52W Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathblow. TZ5S& Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Desperate Strait. 764 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand. Deadwood Dick, ahd | pap “ rs, Resurrection, TS2 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dark Days. BY J. ©. COWDRIOCK, Broadway Billy Novels, A490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. 514 Byoadway Billy’s Boodle. 586 Broadway Billy’s ‘Dimktity.” BST Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. 579 Broadway Billy’s Surprise Party. 605 Broadway Rae * — yi Detective’s Big Inning, 628 Broadway y’s Dead Act, 669 Broadway Billy Abroad. 67 Broadway Be, he Ow or, Beating San Francisco's Finest. 687 Broadway y in Clover, 696 Broadway Billy in Texas. 708 Broadway Billy’s Brand. 711 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe. 720 Broadway Billy’s Full Hand, 785 Broadway Billy’s Business, 788 Broadway Billy’s Curious Case, 758 Broadway Billy in Denver, 762 Broadway Billy’s Bargain, 769 Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective, 275 Broadway Billy’s Shadow Chase, 788 Broadway Billy’s Beagles. Other Novels by J. C. Cowdrick, 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. | | 869 Shasta, tne Gold King} or, For Seven Years Dead, 420 The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a Name, 424 Oibuia Jonn; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar. 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout, 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 606 Redlight Ralph the Prince of the Road, 524 The Engineer Detective. Mart, the Night Express Detective. 571 Alr-Line Luke the Young Engineer. 592 The Boy Pinkerton. . 615 Fighting Harry the Chief of Chatned Cyclone, 40 Rareback Beth, the Centaur of the Circle. 647 Typewriter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. 659 Moonlight Morgan, the *‘ Pizenest ” Man of Ante Baz. — BEADLE'S« H ALF- DIME« LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Hach Issue Complete and Sold a t the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. , Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 226 Snoozer, the Boy Sharp; or, The Arab Detective. 286 Apollo BAll, the Trail Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young G)adiator. 244 Slerra Sam, theo Frontier Ferret, 248 Stlerra Sam’s Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Slerra Sam’s Pard; or, The Angel ot Big Vista. 258 Sierra Sam’s Sevens or, The Stolen Bride, 278 Jumbo Joey, the Boy Patrol: or. The Rival Heirs. iver Doll's Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza, 201 Turk the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll's Drift; or. The Road Queen. 209 A No, 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 808 ’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Tron-Nerved Sport. 825 Kelley, Hickey & Go., the Detectives of Philadelphia, B80 Little Quick-Shot 3 or, The Dead Face of Daggeraville, B84 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miver. 280 Kangaroo Kit’ Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery BI 8 First-Class mee he Gent trom Gopher. 868 Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gutherers or, The Life Lottery. B72 Yreka Jim’s Prize. Aus eta a 7S Nabob Neds or, The Secret of Slab City. BS2 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villatn’s Vengeance, BS5 Yreka Jim’s Joker; or, The Rivals of Red Nose, B89 Bieyele Beng or. The Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 Wigh Hat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, 426 Sam Slabsaides, the Begvar-Boy Detective, 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives, 438 Ranta Fe Sal, the Slasher. 456 Seulskin Sam, the Sparkler. BY T. ©, NMARBAUGH, 28 Nick_o’ the Night; or, The Boy Spy of 776. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or The Littl Hunter. 47 Nightingale: Nat; or, Toe Forest Captains, 64 Dandy Jack; or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trali, 82 Kit Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack 3 or, The Boy Trapper, 106 Old Froaty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 128 Klowa Charley the White Mustanger. 189 Judge Lynch Jr.: or, The Boy Vigiiante. 155 Gold Trigger, the Sp. rt; er, The Girl Avenger. 169 Tornado Tom} or, Injun Jack From Red Core. 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 198 Arkansaw : or, The Quen ot Kate's Revenge, 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Tonkvot’s Crasade, 281 Plucky Phil; or, Ross, the Ret Jezebel. 241 Bill Bravo; or, Tie Royughs of the Rockies. 255 Captain Apoll. , tne King-Pin of Bowle. 267 The Kuckskin Detective. 279 Old Winch; or, The Buckskin “esneradoes. 294 Dynamite Dany; or, The Bowle Blade of Gochetopa. 862 The Mountain Detectives o:, The Trigger Bar Bully. 816 Old Eclipac, Tromp Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Puardsy: or, The Terror of Take-Notice. 886 Bie Benson: or, Tie Queen of the Lasso, 845 Pitiless Matt; or, ted Thunderbolt’s Secret. Be Pool “amsee Onerds or The Terrible Six. 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. BA6 Captain Cutlass or, ‘he B ccxneer’s Girl Foo, 896 Rongh Roby or, The ! win Champions of Bloc Blazes, 411 The Silken Lasso: or, The Rose of Ranch Robin. 418 Felix Fox. the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump, tie Border Rattler. 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox. 445 The City Vamoplresys or, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon. 461 One Againat Fifty; or, The Lest Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow; or, Felix Fox’s Hunt. 477 The Exceisior Sport; or, The Washington Spotter, 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Branded Ren, the Night forret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective. 621 Dodger Pick’s Beat Dodge. 528 Fox and Faicon, the bowery Shadows. 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’s Double: or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodeer Dick’s Desperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick, the Boy Vidocq. 678 The Two Shadows. 582 Dodger Dick’s Drop. 694 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Shorp on Guard. 626 The Champlon Pards. 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective. 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. 658 Billy Bantam, tle Boy Beagle. 671 Fersey Jed, the Boy Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower. 685 Happy Hugh, the Boy Musician Detective. 701 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp. 715 Wide Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferret, %82 Daisy Dell, the Pavement Detective; or, Trapping Big Game, 742 Billy Winks, the Bell Boy Detective. 754 Billy Winka, the Boss Boy Shadow. 768 Eagle Ned, the Boy on Guard, 780 Tonkaway Tom, the Red Wizard. BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm. F. Cody), 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy: or, The Pilot of the Prairie, 55 Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Scout. 68 Border Robin Wood; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Faney Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust, —$—————— BY GOLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 814 The Mysterions Marauders or, ste Boy Bugler's Trafl, STT Bonodel, the Boy Kover — or, The Flogless Schooner. B88 The Indlan Pilots ory The Search for Pirate Istand. BST Warpath WILL the Traitor Guide; or The Boy Phantoms 898 Seawall, the boy Lieutenant; or, The Red Clasped Hands, 402 Isvdor, the 2oung Consaptrator; or, The Patel Lengue. 407 The Boy Insurgents; or, The Cuban Vendetta, 412 The Wild Vacht ang or, The War-Glouu’s Cruise, 429 Duncan Dare, the. tefl h 488 Captain Carl, tie Coren , A Unbdt» Boy's Luck. 487 The fea Raider; or, The Liawks of the Hook. 441 The %cean Firefly ¢ or, A Middy'’s Ver geance, 446 Waphazard Harry; or, The Senp grace of the Sea. 460 Wizard WH, the Wonder Worker, 451 Wizard WiLs Street Scouts. 462 The Born Galide; or, The Sailor coy Wanderer, 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Conster, 474 Wizard Wills Varabond Pard, 488 Wizard Wills Last Case; or, Ferrets Afloat. AST Nevada Ned, the Revolver Kanger 495 Arizouan doc, the Boy Pard or Texas Jack. AYT Buck Taylory King of the Cowboys, 508 The Royal Middy 3 or, The Shuck and the Sen Cat. 507 The Hunted Midshipman; or, The Young Sea Ranger, 611 Vhe Outlaw Middy; cr, The Young Patriot Sea Ranger, 620 Buckskin BIL, the Comanche Shadow, 525 Brothers In Bucksking or, The angled Trails In Texas, 580 The Buckskl: Bowers, BRS The Ruc skin Roveray or, - « Prairie Fugitive. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder or the Rio, 545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Vafitte. 550 Lafitte’s Legney? or. The Avenging Son. 555 The Creole Corsalr; or, The Golden Wings of the Gulf 560 Pawnee BI, the Prairie 8, adower. b6S Kent Kingdon, the Card King. 570 Camille, the Card en; or, The Skeleton Trail, 575 The Surgcon-lc Detective, 580 The Outcast y ot," ue! 586 The Buckshi: : SVL Delmontes the | a Tlover; or, BYT The Young Texan “etective + 602 The Vagabond of the MI os. 607 e Rover Detective; «70 617 Roiph, the Dead-Shos Scou., 1, ++ 644 Butterfly Billy’: Debut. r 650 Butterfly Billy, the -y Rider Detective; or, Buffalo Bill’s b. » Para, 656 Butterily Billy’s Man Hunt. 662 Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza. 668 The Buccancer Midshipman; or, The Sea Kover’s Ruse, 674 The Wizard Satlor; or, Red Ralph, the Rover, 679 The Sea Shadower}y or, The Freebooter’s Legacy 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag; or, The Tarnished Name, 692 The Rival Sharpsy or, Redfern, the Secret Service Scout, 697 The Scarlet Sombrero; or, The Sharp from Texnal 702 Blue Jacket BULL; or, The Red Hat Rangera’ Red Hot Racket T07 The Read Sombrero Rangers; or, Redfern’s Last Trail, 718 Carl, theo Mad Cowboy; or, The Lariat Queen. 719 Pawnee BMl's« Pledges or, The Cowboy Kidnapper’s Doom 725 Daring Dick, Pawnee Bill's Pard; or, Te Red Cavalry Rald, TBL Ruth Redmond, the Girl Shadower. 787 Buck Taylor, the Comancho’s Captive. 748 Buck Taylor's Boys; or, The Red Riders of the Rio Granda, 749 Dashing Charlic; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trail, 756 Dashing Charlle’s Destiny; or, The Renegade’s Captive, 760 Dashing Chartle’s Pawnee Pard. 766 Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer, 772 Dick Doom’s Death-Grip; or, The Detective by Deattny. TT Dick Doowm’s Deatiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terror, sout Privy + ‘yetive. ei i's .‘ledge. e Ave.ging Sailor, Thel k Bravos ’ Chainpions, seniderss LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. T84 Dick Doom, the Death-Grip Detective; or, The Sharps an@ Sharks of New York. By Col. Prentiss ' craham, 785 Lone Hand Joe, tho Commit .- of One; or, The Spook Steed of the Stone Corre), By Lieut, \. K, Sima, 786 Brondway Billy's Team; or, The Detective Combine’s Big Pull, By J. Cy Cowdrick. W8T Dendwo ud ick, Jr.» Defled; or, The Prince of Pistol Pocket, By Eiward L. Wheeler. 288 Dick PDcnm tn Bostons or, A Man of Many Masks. By Col. Pren: + Ingraham. 789 Sam Sheridan, iv Secret Service Special; or, The Jamboree at arly Bird Bar, By Wm, %, Patten, 290 Broadway Billy’s Brigade; or, The Case of the Dead Alive, By J, C. Cowdrick, 291 Kit Bandy Rattled; or, The Infant Giant. By Ol! Coomea, 292 Deadwood Dick, Jr’, Double Devices or, The Tus- : sel with Satan Be Edward L, Wheeler. Raady September 27, T98 Dick Doom In Chicago; or, The Ferret of the Golden Fetters. By Col, Prentisa Ingraham. Ready October 4. 794 Hendlight Harry's Trensure Hunt; or, The Quest for the Cache of Gold. By Col, A. F, Holt, Ready October 11. A New Inasue Every Tuesday. The Half- Dime Library !5 for asle by all no~-demers, five - cente per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New Yorke wy * ee 3 { waning ? * yi ‘ H pis . ar < Ay re : ¢ J y } Pathe ag 2 ee : Cy. f ¥ y ¥ ~ oe a » » J ye wv fe Bie os ‘ WPA ee Y. Re S newt. De a! ri i * Gert bat i — A Pass ba ite " ot . oS e 4 . ee 7 ‘1 . ; xcaih as ye ae Ta) wie 34 4 Py « 2 = : ~sPEy t! : a 2 3. c Ne Wel Ts bY : 4 : Jat wt xs — = = . = oat ae ~~ 4 a
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Cowdrick. By J.C. 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, 586 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. Th Qh-be Catch \ ./ 8 &e cownntce, ¢ TED © “temcsdwat omar “serme On 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. 675 Broodway Billy’s Best; or, Beating San Francisco’s Finest. 687 Broadway Billy in Clover; or, The Ruction at Lake Tulare, Wy , a ~ : + Beating San Francisco's Fineek Lad dre. COWDRICR, OTRO OF“ aeeseway SUL” SOTES orm a SOE Eas ses 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. %35 Broadway Billy’s Business; or, Waking Up Wind Canyon Camp. 738 Broadway Billy’s Curious Case; or, The Mysterious Disappearance at Manitou Springs. fx an. - setae oe Broadway Billy Novels in leadle'sflaf-[fime | ibrary amin Detoctive’s DoT Soap at Santa Fo or? co cowpRICE, _ eu 753 Broadway Billy in Denver; or, The On-the- Catch Combination. 762 Broadway Billy’s Bargain; or, The Three Detectives in Denver. 769 Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective; or, How the City Buzzards Were Brought In. 775 Broadway Billy’s Shadow Chase; or, Materi- alizing the Spocks. 783 Broadway Billy’s Beagles; or, The Detective Trio’s Uncanny Quest, 786 Broadway Billy’s Team; or, The Detective Combine’s Big Pull. 790 Broadway Billy’s Brigade; or, The Case of the Dead Alive. Latest and New Issues. 784 Dick Doom, the Death-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, 786 Broadway Billy’s Team; or, The Detective Combine’s Big Pull. By J. C. Cowdrick. %87 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Defied; or, The Prince of Pistol Pocket, Brown Fs By E. L. Wheeler, cs —t yy ; ve hi i %88 Dick Doom in Boston; or, A Man of Many Masks. By Col, P. Ingraham. 759 Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special; or, The Jamboree at Early Bird Bar. By Wm. G. Patten. 790 Broadway Billy’s Brigade; or, The Case of the Dead Alive. By J. C. Cowdrick, Tho’ New York Delegates in ; beh @ Hard-tp Camp.” “ays ©. COWDRICK. _ieunvanrese s ~ 791 Kit Bandy Rattled; or, The Infant Giant. By Oll Coomes. 792 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’8, Double Device; or, The Tussel with Satan, By Edward L. Wheeler. Ready September 27th, A New Issue Every Tuesday. BEADLE’s HatF-Dime Lisrary 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.