Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 798) (1892 11 08)
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us <7 ete wa % 7 be AS 2. = SN WY SN SAO \ MAAN WEAN WY NOON Re RUAN ‘YQ RAWRNVABW, WRAY AIT Ma MMM, NANA TH PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. 4 THE ARMY CAPTAIN'S CRUE The Romance of the Woman Shad« wer of the Fort, a BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM, AUTHOR OF “‘THE RUCCANEER MIDSHIPMAN,” ‘“DASHING CHARLIE” NOVELS, ‘* DICK DOOM” NOVELS, ETC., ETC. PROLOGUE, Tue chief of the United States Secret Service Bureau, sat in his pleasant quarters in Wasbing- ——— ton reading a letter which had just come to him == = from the far frontier and bore the stamp of ap ‘PRIVATE DUNUAN 1S DEAD! RE, TOO, HAS BEEN ASSASSINATED BY THAIS army post, MYSTERIOUS AVENGER!” The letter was as follows;
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; 2 *T am instructed by the general commanding this military district to appeal to you for y. ur most capable Secret Service man to be at once sent to this post to unravel a mystery wh ch has thwarted every effort to solve it. **To those of us who have inv¢stigated, as far as ' possible, the mysterious workings of all that has oceurred, it app ars :o be the work of an avenger, an army Nemesis, as soldier after s ldier has fallen and not the slightest clew can be ob’ained of the ‘reason of these midnight murders, cr of the one who commits them. * Failing, with all my efforts t» clear up the mys- tery, Lappeaied to the gene. al and he reques.ed that I write you, asking for your wid. “Tweuld suggest toat you send aman, or men, who understands life on the border, and will come unknown to all save mysell, for therein will be the advantage he will hold over all here at the fort, who must be wa.ched by this Nemesis and thus thwarted. “An early response will oblige, “Ycurs, ete., *“CHas, EMMETT, “ Otonel Cum'da’g ** Fort Farau ay.” The Secret Service chief read this communi- cation twice over and then muttered: “I know just the man if I can reach him in time, “He has been the most successful ferret I ever knew of, and bas unraveled mystery after mystery, in New Orleans, Mempbis, New York and elsewhere, and follows a track as untiringly and mercilessly as a bloodhound, ‘*T have heard that he bas the fency to carry with him a pair of sulid gold manacles, and tbat he is known among detectives as Dick Doom, the Ferret of the Golden Fetters, “*T, will see if I can find him by wire,” As the chief spoke a man entered with a card, One glance at it and the chief cried: ‘Glorious! the very man I was thinking of, ** Show him in, Gordon,” A moment after the visitor entered. He was a mere youth, with a darkly bronzed, beardless face which was womanly in its beauty, and full of expression, He was neatly dressed and his manners were dignified and courtly. ‘*T have not had the pleasure of meeting you before, chief, but have letters to you from the Caief of Police of New Orleans, Boston New York and Chicago,and [am anxious to get certain yauthority for working different States which you alone can give me, sir.” ‘*Mr, Doom, I am glad to meet you, for I have heard much of your wonderfully clever work, and shall be giad to help you all in my wer. ‘‘T was just going to wire to finc you fora specia! work on band. ** Read this letter, please, and say if you wiil undertake the work,” and the chief placed in the hands of the young ferret the letter from Colonel Emmett, ‘I should like to undertake the solution of this mystery, sir, and will, especially as Iam on a duty that calls me West. = “The truth is, sir, that the most not criminal of modern days, who was run down by me and confined in a mad-house, be having been pronounced a madman, is reported as having taken his own life by getting the iron chains loose from. the floor, wrenching a bar from his window and throwing himself into the river, ** Of course, ironed heavily as he was he would at once sink; bu& I am determined to know whether he did diein the river that night, or feigning madness made his escape.” ** You refer to Valentine Gibson, Mr. Doom?” “I do, sir.” “*T have reports of the affair, but incline to believe that he is dead.” t “[ have known him so long and well, have seen bim escape from all bars and chains, that I believe he is alive, sir, and if so, be will seek the Western country, I feel sure,” ** Bot it was a year or more ago that he disap- peared from the asylum where he was confined,” “ Yes, sir, just twenty-two months ago, and I have been trying to find some clew ever since,” 2 “I fear you are doomed to disappointment, sir, “ it may be, chief, but I never desert a trail untii | come to the end of it,” “T have heard that of you, Mr. Doom. ““ But now as to my case with you?” “T am ready to start at once, sir,” “Good! I will wire the colonel to the nearest ig where @ courier can be found te go to the ort, that a man starts at once on the work, die you need help?” ** No, sir, I werk alone,” - ‘“*And can I ba of any assistance to you in Dick Doom in the Wild West. The ery of the corporal brought his men quick- getting you away, money and in anything else?” | ly to his side, and then all beheld the dead form “Thank you, sir, no, for I am well supplied with funds of my own, as [am not a poor man, and that fact helps me much, I find, in my work, ‘*T will ask you for certain papers of author- ity, which I may find myself in nee! of, and you seo my badges give me power,” and opening bis coat Dick Doom revealed his breast covered with badges of gold, some of them set in precious stones, ‘You certainly possess ample authority, Mr, Doom, and yet I will give you papers that may aid you and back up your badges, if need be, ** Now, sir, we will talk over this strange mys- tery at Fort Faraway, and see what conclusions we can reacb,” For over an hour the chief and Dick Doom talked together, and that night the Ferret of the Golden Fetters left Washington City for the far West to unravel the mystery of the avenging Nemesis against the army. CHAPTER LIL. THE SILENT SLAYER, A SENTINEL was paci:g to and fro on his post at a frontier fort, and counting the min- utes before the relief came on bis rounds to place another soldier in bis place and give him his liberty from duty for awhile, The moonlight shcne full upon bis face, reveal- ing the stern expression of the soldier softened by thougbts of home, as he gazed upon the scene before bim in all its beauty. His position was at the point of a ridge, overlooking the prairie for miles, and behind bim was woodland, with the fort, surrounded by a stockade wall, a short distance in the rear, It was nearly time for the relief guard to come upon its rounds, when the eye of the sentinel fell upon a horseman coming slowly across the prairie, \ He was yet some distance away, but form of Lorse and rider were plainly visible in the moonlight, **One of the scouts coming in,” muttered the soldier as he saw that the horseman ap- pore like one of the Buckskin Rangers of the ort, : Nearer drew the horseman until, when with- in a few rods of the sentinel the letter chal- lenged sharply: ‘* Halt! who comes there?” ‘* Friend with the countersign,” came the re- sponse in a low tone, ‘* Dismount, friend! ‘* Advance and give the countersign,” com- manded the sentinel. As he gave the order he brought his mus!zet toa ‘‘ ready.” The horseman dismounted in silence, left his horse standing and advanced slowly up the path toward the sentinel, He halted a few paces away and suddenly his right arm was raised, there was a quick jerk of the wrist, a whizzing sound and a death-cry from the soldier as a long-bladed bowie-knife buried itself almost to the bilt in his heart, The musket dropped from the band of the sen- tinel, falling upou the hard earth with a ring- ing sound, and the map fell heavily and at full length, ~ Then the Silent Slayer stepped quickly for- ward, gazed an instant upon the upturned face of the man be had slain and stooping over placed his fingers upon the pulse, . He made no remark, but turning strode back to his horse and rode away in silence. ‘*He had not gotten far before the heavy tread of the ‘‘ relief guard” was heard approach- ing. It came along the ridge, a corporal and eight men, and yet there came no challenge from the sentinel, His tall form was not visible, and halting his squad the corporal advanced alone, Had the sentinel deserted his post of duty, he wondered? But he had reached the spot where he could see beyond a low clump of bushes, There, lying upon his back, his open eyes gazing straight at the moon, was the soldier. The corporal sprung quickly to his side, bent over and beheld the knife left sticking in the heart of the soldier by the Silent Slayer. “My God! ! ‘He is dead!” cried the corporal greatly shocked, Yes, f ‘The sentinel was off duty forever,” and off on the prairie, still visible in the moonlight was poms tps horseman riding away after his red work, . - | of their comrade, ‘* He has been murdered on his post, men,” said the corporal, ‘Yes, corporal, and yonder goes a man who perhaps did the deed,” said a soldier. ‘“*T will give the alarm at once,” responded the corporal, and a volley of musketry was fired, while loud rung the cry: ‘Turn out the guard for Post Number One!” Jt was but a short while before the captain who was Cflicer of the day, and a number of soldiers came at a double-quick toward Post Number Oue. The corporal explafned the situation and pointed toward the dead body. ‘Lhe captain made a search of the body, and upon him was found a roll of money, his watch and chain and a ring, ‘© This shows that robbery was not the cause of the murder, ‘ ‘No, this 1s the work of an avenger,” the cap- tain said, Then be asked: ‘* You saw a horseman riding away, corporal?” ‘* Yes, sir, and be is still visible, for he has not quickener bis pace, as though defying pur- suit,’”’ ‘* He shall be at once pursued,” was the stern rejoinder, and ten minutes after several scouts and a dozen soldiers were upon the trail of the Silent Slayer. CHAPTER II. THE DOOMED SPY. A YEAR before the death of the sentinel upon his post, there was trouble along the Overland Trails, for the stage-coacbes were held up with a regularity when carrying treasure, or passen- gers who had money and valuables, that showed there was a spy close at headquarters, who was reporting to the band of outiaws just when to halt a coach, and when not to do so, Every effort was made to discover who this spy was, yet no clew could be obtained, and notwithstanding rewards were offered for the discovery no one could be accused of the crimo with any chance of proof of guilt. But at last a letter was received by a captain * the fort, Abner Ainsley, which read as fol- OWS: “ Thespy who is in the pay of the outlaws js the young man who is known at the fort as the Boy Scont. : ‘* Watch him closely and see if he does not carry news at certain times to the roac-agents.”’ There was uno signature to this communica- tion, and it was tacked, so Captain Ainsley said, to the door of his quarters, He took it, however, to the commandant of the fort aud submitted it, “TI bave little faith in any charge made by one who hides his name, Captain Ainsley, yet still it can dono barm to watch the youth and see if you can find out any clew that is suspi- cious,” said Colonel Emmett. ‘© T will, sir.” ; ‘* At the same time say nothing to any one about your having received this note,” .*T will keep it secret, sir,” was the answer, and Captain Ainsley at once put one of the best scouts in the fort upon the watch to see what discovery could be made of the truth of the charge against the accused. The Boy Scout was a young man of seventeen, perhaps, with a slender form, long red-gold hair, black eyes and a face as handsome as one would care to see, He bad come to the fort one day with a letter to Colonel Emmett, and asked to be appointed a scout, claining to bave had experience «3 such in New Mexico and Texas, The colonel bad spoken to the chief of scouts about him, but that officer did notseem inclined to accept him as a member of the company of Buckskin Rangers, on accouat of his youth and inexperience, and so he became acourier, carry- ing the mail between the fort and a station some seventy miles away, Twice he bad brought in valuable informa- tion of the movements of the Indians, and as his duties as mail courier took but two days of the week, the balance of his time he was wont to _ spend in scouting, and thus became known as the at Scout. ; ce he had been known top rescue the coach from robbery by road-agants, boldly dasbing in upon them, and again he had givena warning that saved some Government treasure from being taken by the outlaws, As he was fearless, a rapid rider and ever ready to do his duty, while he had rendered valuable services, Colonel Emmett was slow in
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as the charge against him in the unsigned tter. The Boy Scout was known only as Kit Kent, for so he called himself, though the soldiers had nicknamed him ‘ the Rattler,” on account of bis rapid riding, and he had become most popular with all at the fort. He bad his little cabin aloof from all others, was never known to gamble or drink, and held aloof as much es possible, seeming most fond of books, of which he had bought up quite a number from the soldiers. When Captain Ainsley left the colonel’s quar- ters, with orders to put a scout upon the young courier, he sent for chief of scouts Buck Tay- Jor, and ordered him to put two of his best men to shadow Kit Kent. “*T can only say, Taylor, that’ he is suspected of being a spy, so I wish to know all that he does, so that the charge against him may be proven if he is guilty, or shown to have been a false accusation. ‘Now, what men will you put to watch him?” ‘* Spanish Joe and Pony Pete, sir.” ‘* They are both good men for the work, Tay- lor, so set them at it at once.” **T will, sir.” _ Ten days passed away and there had been an- other robbery of the stage-coach, and a large sum had been taken, On Time Charlie, the driver, being powerless to prevent, The day following the holding up of the coach, Buck Taylor went to Captain Ainsley with a report. ; Both Spanish Joe and Pony Pete had shad- owed the Boy Scout, and each had made a dis- covery. Spanish Joe reported that the Boy Scout, when on his last ride, had stopped at a certain rock and hidden away a note, and that soon after a masked man had visited the spot and had taken it away, very cleverly eluding the watching scout, as though he suspected that he might be observed, Pony Pete had reported thst a masked man, answering the description of the one who got the Boy Scout’s note, bad held up On Time Charlie’s coach, sbot the guard dead, ani robbed it of the treasure-box, This ‘ proof” of the Boy Seout’s guilt of being the spy was taken to the colonel, and the young courier was at once arrested, and that his doom was sealed all felt certain, for orders had come to hang the guilty party or parties, the moment their identity was known, and without trial. CHAPTER III, THE SENTENCE. CAPTAIN AINSLEY was the one who arrested the Boy Scout as a spy, “" He went to the cabin of the youth, and found Kit Kent there swinging in his hammock, which be used in place of a cot, He was reading and sprung to his feet at the sight of the officer, saluting politely, ‘Kent, [ am here to perform wbat to me is a most unpleasant duty indeed,” said the cuptain. ** Yes, sir,” was the calm reply. *‘Tam here to arrest you, and my men are without to take you to the guard-house as a prisoner.” ‘* Arrest me, Captain Ainsley?’ and the face of the youth flushed and then became very pale. **So I said, Kent,” ‘¢ What is the charge against me, sir?” “That you are a spy.” Dick D CT eet _ . - —— ‘ ya house and two hours later was taken before Colonel Emmett, He was accused of being the spy of the road- agents and denied the accusation, but was asked why he had left a letter at a certain point on bis trail, and which letter was taken away by a masked horseman, who afterward had been the one to attack the coach, kill the general and take ths treasure? He started at the question, yet could offer no excuse, only saying that he had done no wrong, whatever he might appear to be guilty of. Obeying orders from his superior, and which admitted of no discretion, Colone! Emmett said: ‘* Kit Kent, I have’ only to say that you offer no excuse for your act, of which you are proven guilty and I ant commanded, so constant and successful have been the crimes committed by the cutlaws against the Government and the pub- lic on this frontier, to carry out at once my orders, which are to hang, without delay of trial, all persons who are known to be guilty of outlawry,. ‘*In your case your own words condemn you, for you admit placing the note there which the masked outlaw took, and used agaivst the Gov- ernment, for the guard was killed and the coach robbed of the treasure, ‘You refuse to give any explanation of the affair, and hence it issmy painful duty to carry out my orders and sentence you to death, ‘* What have you now to say against your ex- ecution as a spy?” ‘*T only ask, sir, a respite of one week, and that it may be made known along the frontier that I am sentenced to death, as an outlaw spy, upon a certain day. ‘*Tf, by that time, my innocence is not proven, I ask no more,” and tbe youth was calm and un- moved by the sentence. ‘*T will grant you the respite, yes, I will give you two weeks, for Heaven knows how glad I will be to have you prove your innocence, Kit Kent. ‘“*Two weeks from to-day, if no proof is brought to me, that you are not guilty, then you must die, for my orders are to have executed immediately, all who are guilty,” **T thank you, sir, and if I give no proof of my innocence, I accept the sentence without a murmur; but I ask that my sentence as an out- law spy be made known along the border.” “Tt shall be done, for I shall have it read at parade to-day,an! posted in the camps and at the stage stations,” “Again I thank you, Colonel Emmett,” and the youth, still presenting the calm face and nerve he had shown throughout, turned to the guard and was led away. ** What do you think of bim, Ainsley?’ asked the colonel, when he was gone, “IT am sorry to say, sir, that I believe bim guilty,” “*T do not.” ‘*May I ask why, sir?” *' He bas some motive for this delay.” “Perhaps a belief that he can escape.” ‘No, a belief that becan prove bis innocence of the charge, for itis hard for me to feel that the boy is guilty.” “‘ He is no boy, colonel, young as he looks, for he confessed to being twenty-one years of age.” ‘* True, and looks seventeen. “Well, I only hope I will not have to hang as and the face of the colonel worea troubled ook. b oom in the Wild West. . ** Who am I, sir?” “You are Kit Kenton, not Kent, the twin brother of Miss Catherine Kenton.” ‘¢Tben you never met me, sir?” “No, but I have met your sister,” ‘¢ And how did you know me, sir?” ‘*T was puzzled by your resemblance to some one I had once known well, from the moment I saw you here, 4 **T could not place you, ‘* But [ was the one to look over your effects in your cabin, and I came across some clever pencil sketches there, ; **One was of your home, which I at once knew, and another of your sister, which I also recognized, ; ‘* This brought to my pe aga the fact that your sister had a twin brother who had run away - from home some years ago, and it was said had gone to the frontier, * Thus I placed you.” ‘“*T see, sir, and, if I am not mistaken, my parser wished my sister Kate to become your wife!’ ‘* They did.” ** But she refused?” | ‘* There was a rival in the way, but he is now removed from my path.” \ * Indeed, sir?” ‘*-Yes, for he was an adventurer, I believe, and unworthy of her. ‘* He met ber under romantic circumstances, and so gained her regard, and it was said that he was recognized by a detective as a former convict, s® bad to fly for his life.” ‘* Well, Captain Ainsley?” “* With the man who was my rival ovt of my way, and a claim upon your sister, I feel sure that I could win ber?’ ‘She would be well worth winning, sir, for she is the heiress to a million, and more, with me out of the way,” ‘* Not to speak of her sweet self,” * True, sir; but what was the claim which you said you would have upon her, may I ask?” ‘* You are under sentence of death? ‘6 Yes, sir.” ** You have so far given uo proof that you are innocent,” ** No, sir.” ** Do you expect to?” ‘*T hope to, sir,” ““Upon what grounds?” *‘T had bopal ere this, sir, to have given my proof of innocence,” “But kave not?” ‘* No, sir. ‘But may I ask if the fact that I am sen- tenced to death is known?” “Tt has been read at parade, and posted at the camps and stations, ** But what good will this do you?” ‘* That I cannot tell to you, sir.” ‘* See here, Kent, I feel the deepest interest in you, for, as I believe you are aware, I loved your sister, still love her most devotedly, ‘* Her romantic attachment for the man who proved unworthy of her, | will gladly overlook and seek to win her love for my own.” ‘eV es; sir,” ‘* Now I do not believe there is any power that can save you from death, and only in one way can you be saved.” * Yes, sir,” _*T will tell you that you can only save your life by making your escape from here,” ‘“‘T will find that hard to do, sir, and to da so would be proof of my guilt,” re SPY: CHAPTER IV. ** It would look so, but, free, you can perbaps ae? ee a een. “alana prove your innocence, ee Oa PEE ORREAIE AED AN Ee ‘Tt is not for me to prove it, sir, but another my race?” “*You are not accused of being a renegade, but a spy, informing the outlaw band of rouad- agents of the movements of treasure that are made to and from this fort,” “Captain Ainsley, this is false, a shameful plot against me, for | am as innocent as you are of this charge,” was the indignant reply, ‘In my own mind, Kent, I believe you to be innocent, ‘*But there were accusations made against you, and being shadowed, proof was given that you were a spy, or at least sufficient proof to cause the colonel to order your arrest, and hence Iam but doing my duty in obeying orders,” The youth bowed his head and said: . “Tam your prisoner, sir, and though innocent I fear I can give no proof of being so,” ; “* Well, you must try and do so, ‘* Are you ready?” *“GUARD, you can walk aside, for I will be responsible for the prisoner’s safety, and I have business with him.” So said Captain Ainsley several days after the sentence of the spy, as he walked to the guard- house where the youth was a prisoner, He entered the cabin, to find the prisoner swinging in his hammock, for he had asked to have this luxury allowed bim, The youth, arose as the captain entered, and it was seen that ono foot bad a manacle upor it, and he was chained to the floor of the cabin, ‘* Kent, [ have come to bave a talk with you.” ‘* Yes, sir, sit down, please.” The captain sat dowr upon the bench, while tbe youth made a swing of the hammock, and awaited the pleasure of his visitor. ‘* Kent, do you know me?” ** IT do, sir,’ 4 i then must know that I have recognized ou . upon whom I depend,” ‘*Do not place your dependence upon any one, Kent, for you will fail, **T wish to save you, and will, but I can only do so by aiding you to escape,” : ‘* from your love of my sister, sir?”. ‘6 Yes, we will call it so,” ‘* With no terms?” ‘‘ Well, yes, there are certain conditions, Kent.” ‘ ** Will you name them, sir?” “Tknow your sister is devoted to you, her twin brother, that she idolizes you in tact.” ‘© As I do her, sir.” ‘Then my terms are that, in consideration for my aiding you to escape you go to where your sister is, tell her that I saved your life, at the risk of losing my rank, and being disgraced, and urge her to become my wife,” _ ‘ ‘** I cannot do this, Captain Ainsley.” * Cannot?” sternly asked the captain, en ee ee ee EE eee ‘“T am, sir,” The youth started, and paled, but asked} ‘‘No, sir.” we ° ’ , F ] . And so Kit Kent was led away to the guard- | quietly: “ Why not?” > » a | oe - .‘ ‘ Son + olka : . Pay y a on \ vital % , ‘ee \ ee pala es Byler ae IK : Ee ee a el a TSA Ce 8 ye enh a) ee Ope Bil e ah. iti oa a Ce a CR A ick a," bogey $5 aie a shes PTA Cp. Wd oe Vane ag, OST ED RRY” Sie aie ‘ ‘oy : HY Mk aan ala a SS wi Sarees a Bisa ie oe Oe ae La a * soe ean SESE as ¢ —~ i + ? en Fa ca om ae _—.) 2% ; Se ees = - ae $ Me he a eee i, —_—_ - = . ' 7 3 _
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‘* In the first place, sir, I know that she does not love you.” * From ber own lips, for I have seen her since she refused your love, and I know that she loves another.” ‘* Remember, you will have to die then!” said the officer almost savagely. **T accept the alternative, sir, if I must.” “Then die you will,” and with this tbe officer arose quickly and left the prisoner to his own bitter thoughts, CHAPTER V. THE LAST REQUEST. THE two weeks rolled by and yet no proof had come that Kit Kent the Boy Scout was guiltless of the charge against him, So the orders were given by the colonel to pre- pare for his execution, Upon the evening before the day of execution a note was handed to the colonel from the doom- ed youth, Opening it he read, in a hand that showed that he had been educated, as follows: “Cot. CoarRLes EMMetr:— ‘““My Dear Srr:—If, by noon to-morrow, I have given no peoct of my innocence, I shall ask no fur- pected rods te at your hands, and will beready to face my fate. ** But yet I have a last request to make of you. € mh 9 I should say requests, and something tells me that you will grant them, ‘First. [must beg of you that you will allow me to be shot and not hanged. ‘*‘T will face death bravely when confronting the soldier executioners, but to go to the gallows would break me down, “IT beg of you then to detail an execution squad, of sixteen men, all with loaded guns, and not every other man asis the custom, “T would also request that Captain Abner Ains- ley be the officer who commands the execution platoon. * And still more, sir, that thers may be no mistake I would beg to stand upright in my coffin, sto d upon end, facing my executioners, and not to be touched after death, the lid to be placed at once upon the coffin and my burial immediately fcllow. ** Have Lasked too much, sir, of you? “T trust not, and that an early response will be given me of what Iam to expect in answer to my note to you. “With my pardon to you, for the part which your duty compels you to take, against me, and only kind wishes for your future, believe me, ‘* With respect, “Krr KENT, *“* The Boy Scout.” Colonel Emmett twice read this note over and there were tears in the eyes of the brave man as he did so, : ** Poor boy, I would give much to save him, but alas! I fear that he is guilty, ‘“*T was in hopes that this was a confession, an answer to my note to him offering him his life if he would give evidence against the outlaw nd. * But, other than that he sent me word that he ge no evidence to give, he bas made po reply. "he Now comes this letter, and I hardly know what to do, ‘*But yet I cannot refuse his last request, I can but grant it. ** He wishes to be shot instead of hanged. ‘* Tt shall be so, “ He asks for an execution platoon ef sixteen men, ‘It shall be as he requests, ‘Then he desires to have Ainsley command the execution and give the order to rf is “this ghastly idea, of standi ‘This ghastly idea of standing upright in his coffin Fao not admire, Ras “ But then the whole affair is a gbastly one and can be no worse, and as the request ofa dying boy, why I should not grant it I cannot Bee, ‘* Yes, it shall be as he desires. “He does not wish any one to touch him after death. ‘ Well, I shall see that this wish is carried ou q shall be granted.” With this the colonel folded up the letter of the doomed boy, and placed it carefully away. Then he called his orderly and said: “Go to the prison of the youth, Kit Kent, and state that I have received his letter, and that his each request shal! be granted.” “ Yes, sir; but, oh, colonel, your pardon, sir; but cannot that poor boy be saved, for he does ®eem so innocent, and he is but a child in looks,” ol Re Rr rR ar Be ee eer a 4 Ditk Doom in the Wild West. too. “* Now to send him word that his last requests’ gene i The old orderly looked appealingly at his colonel, and there were tears in his eyes. He had presumed to speak as he did, from his feeling for the condemned youth, But the colonel did not reply in anger, but said: ‘*No, Tracey, I fear that there is no hope for him; but he shall be shot, not banged.” “Bless God for that, sir, or rather your own kind heart, for you do it, sir.” ‘*Now go, Tracey, and tell the youth what I bave said, and return by Captain Ainsley’s quarters, telling bim that I desire to see him at once,” The old orderly saluted and disappeared, and when, half an hour after, he returned, bis eyes were red and his lips quivering as he said: *€T told him, sir.” ‘* What did he say?” ‘* He said, sir: ***God bless that good man,’” ‘* How did he receive the news?” ** Without a flinch of fear, sir; but, here comes Captain Ainsley, sir,” and Orderly Tracey de- parted, after announcing the captain, who was startled by the colonel’s words: “Captain Ainsley, I have commuted the death sentence of the boy Kent from hanging to shooting, and you are’to command the execu- tion, and here are my written instructions, to see that they ere carried out fully.” CHAPTER VI. THE EXECUTION, COLONEL EMMETT was most anxious to find some excuse for saving the youth he had been compelled to sentence to death, It was true that he had been Jed to feel that he. was guilty, in the face of seeming positive proof; but he was such a bright, handsome fel- low, young and brave, and he wished he could save him, as he believed his sins to be those of the head, not the heart, But the time had come to act, and the hour of execution was at hand. Captain Ainsley had received his orders, and it looked as thcugh that officer did not wish to earry them out, would, in fact, much rather not have been the one selected for the work. The order had been given for the troops to assemble to witness the execution, and at the appointed hour they were in line, Then came the execution platoon, of sixteen men, with Captaln Ainsley at their head. They marched away to the guard-room, and the youth was ready so receive them, He was very pale, but full of nerve, and said simply: ‘“*Tam ready, Captain Ainsley, and you see, rather than make a pledge my sister would not keep, I am content to go to my death, which, thanks to the noble nature of Colonel Emmett, is not to die upon the gallows, “T am ready, sir, and I suppose you know the terms allowed me by the colonel?” “Yes, I have his written instructions, Kent, and they shall be carried out. ‘* T need not say to you how painful this dut is to me, and when I see your sister, which will do, I shall teil her that you died bravely.” “You would tell her that I was shot as the spy re outlaws, their ally in robbing the Govern- ment ‘* Is this generous, Captain Ainsley?” ‘“‘ She must know of it in time,” and the cap- tain looked confused, ‘* How so, when I die as Kit Kent, the Boy Scout, and you alone know my real name?” and there was a sneer in the boy’s words, **T had not thought of that. “T will keep your secret, Kent,” “Then let us go at once, for this suspense is most trying,” and the lips of the boy quivered. The officer now ted him from his prison pen, and when he would have put irons upon him the youth said: **No, no, not those. x I will appeal to Colonel Emmett before I die ” rons.” ‘My duty is plain and you must put on these manacles, **No, send an orderly to Colonel Emmett and ask him if I must.” The lad was determined and the captain sent a sergeant to the colonel, ““ What answer?” eagerly asked the boy as the sergeant returned, ‘* The colonel's compliments, sir, and says the prisoner is not to be bound or ironed.” A smile of triumph covered the face of the youthful prisoner, and then the march was taken up for the parade ground, Down the line went the boy, the eyes of all falling upon him, mostly in pity; then the drums rolled, the pipes piped forth their s@ half-sbriek, half-wail, and the march was begum to the scene of execution, half a mile away from the fort. The youth refused to ride upon bis coffin im the wagon, and walked with a firm step amid. his guards, The spot was reached; three sides of a hollow square were formed, one end being open, and: the doomed boy walked up to his grave and. coolly looked down in it. Every eye was upon him in admiration of his: courage. Captain Ainsley was as white as the young prisoner, and moved about in the execution of his duties like one who had a sorrow in his heart: aud felt the keenest mental anguish, The platoon of sixteen men was drawn up just. thirty paces from the foot of the grave. At the grave's head the ccffin was to be placed, and the fire was to be across the pit. Then the coffin was stood on end at the head of the grave: the condemned boy took his stand in it, and boldly faced the execution platoon of sixteen soldiers, who were ordered at the ** Ready!” ‘**Good-by, Kent, and Heaven have mercy upon you,” and Captain Ainsley stepped up to the upright coffin and extended his hand. But all saw that the youth did hot take it, and yet did not bear the words: ‘*T will not take your band, Captain Ainsley: and, mark my words, some day you will rue the part you play no.v as the executioner of one who is innocent of the crime of which Iam accused, ‘Yes, as also will those who I learn were volunteers to be in the platoon of execution, when those detailed begged off from the work. ‘“‘ But, I am ready; so go and do your duty.” ‘* But, Kent, I—” ** Do not keep me waiting, for all hope is gone now, “* Do your duty, sir!” The words rung out like a command from an officer; the captain turned away, stepped to his position, and a moment after the fatal order was pre which sent nearly a score of bullets into the breast of the brave Boy Scout, Kit Kent. CHAPTER VII. THE DRIVER OF THE OVERLAND. | THE last requests of the Boy Scout were faith- fully carried out, for Colonel Emmett himself saw that they were attended to. The force of the rain of bullets had upset the coffin, and asit féll its length the boy lay in it, his spirit having taken flight at once: The colonel came forward with the surgeom and the latter laid bis fingers upon the pulse and pronounced him dead, Then the colonel gently folded the bands upon the blood-stained breast, the lid of the coffin was screwed down close and the box was lowered in- to the open grave, The dirt was thrown in, and at its head was placed a board on which a soldier, who was a skillful wood-carver, had cut: ‘KIT KENT, THE BOY SCOUT, EXECUTED APRIL 18ST, 18—, He pleaded ‘ Not Guilty,’ Military Law said that he was ‘ Guilty,’ Who sball know?” The colonel read the carved lines over slowly, with every eye upon him, and many sup that he would refuse to let the board be placed in position, ut he said moshing: and when the grave was made turned away with a.sigh, Captain Ainsley was as white-faced as a corpse and went at once to bis quarters, lt was evident that he was deeply moved. The volunteer execution platoon dispersed, and it seemed as though they regretted their red work, or most of them at least, and an old ser- nt said aloud: / ‘*They’ll remember that handsome, brave, boyish face for many a long day, and at night will see it in their dreams, ‘*T would not be one of them for a life’s pay.” The band struck up a lively air as the troops marcbed back to quarters, and yet the shadows in the hearts of the men deepened as the night te me and a gloom settled upon the fort and all in it. , It was strange how many, in spite of the seeming proofs of his guilt, began to feel that the youth was innocent, He had died with no confession, had refused — to see the chaplain of the fort, who sought to
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thave him confess all, for he said that he had mothing to confess, The day after the’/last robbery of his coach and killing of the guard accompanying bim, On Time Charlie, the driver, had laid off at the station end of the line, He gave no other excuse than that he wished est, and was going on a hunt in the mountains, having hired another driver to take his place. He returned to his post of duty on time, and bringing with him his horse laden with game. Then, for the first time, he learned of the sus- picion falling upon the Boy Scout of being the ally of the road-agents, his arrest and execution. m Time Charlie heard the news from the station-master at the end of his run, and he uttered a cry whieb fairly startled the one who “told him of the boy’s death, * Good God! : ** Do you mean it, Hank Leathers? ‘* Have they murdered that boy?” cried the driver savagely. f ‘* Yes, Charlie, but don’é take it so to heart, though I know you liked him much.” ** Liked bim? ‘* By heaven, but I loved that boy, and now “%bey have murdered him, ‘*T tall you, Hank, it was a crime!” and in his excitement the driver forgot his usual way of speaking in the dialect of the border, es You see they had all proof of his guilt, Char- ie, ‘* What proof had they?” ‘* Well, he was seen to leave a letter at a cer- “tain place, where there were traces of a rendez- yous, and a masked horseman got it from there, “The next day thatsame masked horseman who got the letter, was the one who held up your coach, killed the guard and got the Goy- ernment money. ; “As you laid off, on the run out again you did not hear of this.’ ** No, and I only wish I had, ‘But there are many masked horsemen on ‘the trails, and that one who got the letter might > not have been the man who held up my coach, ‘*T tell you, Hank Leathers, a great crime has been committed, and some day it will all <come out. “Why, I would not have had that boy put to death for a fortune.” “He was a chipper young fellow, Charlie, sand there was the making of a fine man in im, ‘*They do say that the colonel was greatly «cut up about it and did all he could tosave him, while the soldiers would not go on the detail of execution, and they had to call for volun- teers,” « ‘** And they got them?” **Oh, yes, sixteen of them, who, I guess, are mow ashamed of their work.” ‘* Who commanded the execution, Hank?” ‘‘ Captain Ainsley.” The driver was still deeply moved by what he had beard, He passed to and fro, his face dark witi anger, his broad bosom heaving and his eyes flashing fire, / He wasa man of fine physique, six feet in height, with great broad shoulders and a face that was tanned to the hue of leather. His hair was gray, as was his long beard, yet it seemed prematurely so, for his move- ments were quick and he did not appear to be much over thirty-five years of age. : He was dressed ina bluse velvet coat, white corduroy pants, a silk shirt and black scarf, wore a black sombrero with broad brim, and stop-boots. e carried a revolver upon each hip and wore a blue sash over his belt, giving him al- together a most striking appearance and dis- tingue air pag o/4 CHAPTER VIII, A FAIR PASSENGER, ON True CHARLIE had a long drive of it, for his run was seventy-five miles, with but four re- days of horses, e was wont to leave the fort at sunrise, going east, and reach his station after nightfall, On the return, going west, he would leave at night, upon the arrival of the incoming coaches from the east, north and south, for it wasa junction, and he was due at the fort at noon the following day. 44 The night-ride was a dangerous one, from the nature of the country, and by daylight there was the danger of being held up by road-agents, who ‘had every chance to rob a coach and escape, from the nature of the country being in their e's me / favor. _ After having heard of the execution of the Dick Doom in the Wild West. youth Kit Kent, On Time Charlie seemed deeply moved, He did not go in to supper at Hank Leathers’s hotel, and seemed to brood greatly over what had been told him, He was & man who was generally popular, for he was genial to all, and one known to be devoid of all fear, an important thing in the make-up of a borderman, He bad come to the Overland Trail some time before, sent there as a man who would take all risks in going through with bis coach, and would fight when there was a shadow of « chance to win victory, and surrender with grace when the odds were too great against im, Several times he had brought in on the top of his coach the outlaw who bad held him up, to dis- cover tco late that he bad gotten hold of the wrong driver, Once he had come in with two outlaws, as a specimen of bis skill, and again, when ambushed by Indians, had beaten them off, gotten a couple of scalps, and after losing four of his six horses, had run the gantlet of the red-skins’ fire, and brought the coach in safely with but two horses, and a couple of passengers, the wife and daugh- ter of an army officer at the fort, With such a record, earned in so short a time, On Time Charlie bad become very popular and everyone admired him for his pluck and skill as a driver, It was known that On Time Charlie was a gambler, and that he riske bis month’s wages always in a desire to win more, or lose what he had, He was wont to spend his nights at the fort end of bis run, in ‘Tbe Lottery,” a gambling den not far from the post, and where all the wild spirits of the border were wont to con- gregate. In this place he had twice taken life, but with the fact to bis credit that he had not sought the quarrel in either case, and each time bad freed the frontier of a desperado whom the soldiers were glad to get rid of, When the eastern coach came in that night, it was over two hours late, and to the amazement of all was driven by a woman. By her side upon the box lay the dead body of the criver, Dick Spaulding, a man who made it his boast to run the gantlet of the road-ageuts who attempted to hold him up. As a consequence of this reckless resolve he carried a dozen.ugly scars which had very near- ly proven to be fatal wounds, When the coach drew upat the door of the staticn hotel there was a general exclamation of surprise, It was two hours late, it was a dark night, but four horses drew it instead of six, and there on the box, with the reinsin ber hands, sata ; woman, She wore gauntlet gloves, was dressed in a dark blue suit, slouch hat of gray and a sable feather, and her face was concealed by a vail. “ This is Station Q, I presume,” she said in an inquiring way asshe glanced over the group, “Tt is, lady, andI am Hank Leathers, station- master and boss of the hotel. “Is it true that I man?” You do, sir. “He was killed by road-agents some dozen miles back on the trail,” **You are the only passenger, and you seem to have had a very exciting time of it, miss,” ‘* It has. been a tragic one at least, sir.” ‘* Were you robbed of much, may I ask?” ‘**T was not robbed at all, sir.” * Tndeed? ‘Then the road-agents, after killing poor Dick, spared you?” , “Not intentionally,” was the quiet reply, and a lady dismounted from her seat and contin- oed; b “I desire to get supper, sir, and to go on by the first stage, ‘* When does it leave?” “Supper is ready now, miss, and the coach leaves soon after, “This is On Tirnae Charlie, miss, who takes the coach on to the fort, for there I suppose you are going?” “cc Yes,” And _ with the reply the lady turned to On Time Charlie, who had dropped his hat and stood regarding her with respectful attention, ‘*T beg pardon, but what name did you say, sir?’ she asked sweetly. Here was a young lady, presumably, for ber vail covered her face, who bad brought in the dead body of the driver of her coach, and drove in with the horses running, while she calmly see Dick Spaulding a dead asked about supper and when introduced to the man who was to carry her on the rest of the way, quietly asked his name. She was a study to Hank Leathers, a surprise and at once riveted the attention of On Time Charlie, ** His name, miss, is On Time Charlie, for he is one of that kind who gets there every time, no matter what happens, and he’s the dandy driver of the Overland, **Ov Time Charlie, miss, is his name, only L don’t know yours, to introduce you to him.” ‘* My name is Emma Bell,” ‘* Mrs, or miss, for you look like a young girl?” “Tam Miss Emma Bell, and [ have come to the fort upon a special mission, sir.” Then she turned to On Time Charlie and ex- tending her hand said in an impressive way: | ‘‘T am glad to meet you, sir, and [ honor and appreciate you noble men who daily risk your lives for others. ‘A short three hours ago that brave man Spaulding was alive, and see, now he is a corpse, ‘+ Well, Mr. On Time Charlie, I am as hungry as a wolf, and so will go and get supper, ut afterward we will become better friends,” and the fair passenger walked into the tavern while On Time Charlie stood gazing after ber with a strange expression upon his face, CHAPTER IX, THE FAIR DRIVER'S STORY, It was the duty of Hank Leathers to escort his passenger in to supper and see that she was well supplied. There was no doubt but that she fared better by far than the average visitor at Hank’s Hotel, as it was familiarly called, for he did allin his power to please her, ; Then he went out to see On Time Charlie who had had bis supper. He found the driver standing where they had left him, and wrapped in deep meditation. ‘* Well, Charlie, what do you think of her?” he asked. ** Dunno,” The reply was short and in the dialect of the rder. ‘Well, I don’t know either, Charlie,” ‘Who is she?” **T do not know.” ** Didn’t diskiver?” “ce No.” ‘* Her name’s Bell,” af Yes.” **She’s a beauty, for 1 got a glimpse under her vail, when she went in with you.’ ‘* She’s a beauty indeed.” ** 'W hat’s she going to ther fort fer?” **T do not know.’ ae Hank,” ‘*€ Yos, Charlie.” ** Somewbere I have seen that girl before,” “Think so?” “T knows it.” ‘* When?’ ‘‘ Dunno,” ** Where?” ‘¢Dunno,.” ‘© Who is she?” ** Dunno,” ‘‘ But you have seen her before?” “ec Sure,” “She didn’t seem to know you.” ‘* Maybe not,” “Well, she’s eating a aanny supper, and all we know about her is that she brought in the coach with poor Dick dead and two horses miss- ing. ‘‘She drove in, too, as though she knew how to handle the ribbons.” , ‘*That’s a sure thing that she does,” ** Didn’t explain to you?” ** Not a word,” ** Well, ’ll chin her on ther trail if she rides up with me.” ** She says she wants to ride on the box.” *‘She shall, and Vil be glad of ber comp’ny.” “Then you'll find out something about her,” ‘¢T may, and 1 may not,” ‘¢ Tell me when you come back,” *¢ 71) do it.” ** But bere she comes,” And out came the passenger of whom they were speaking. She joined the two men and said: * By the veg f Mr. Leathers, for such 1 believe is your name, I have told you nothing ot Drivex: Dick Spaulding’s death?” ‘* No, miss,” ** Are you not curious to know?” ** We hain’t women, you know, miss.” “Ah, yes, it is my sex who are accused of having all the curiosity.” ve" 2 fae Pane Pies tg) + - L ee Po Pie | a AR PRY ! ir ye my ria» | 1 ype te UKs, eis, ij oe aes ; a SGT capone i hana lg
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mi) ind ' ‘So they say, miss; but On Time Charlie and I are curious to know about poor Dick, I ad- mit.” “ Well, all I can say is that Iam going to the fort upon a special mission, and my father being an army officer, 1 was brought up upon the frontier. **] learned to ride and shoot long before I was in my teens, and so came ready for rough work when I started for Fort Faraway, ‘“*T rode upon the box with your friend, and when he was suddenly ordered to halt by the road-agents, I saw that he intended to make a dash of it, and I gloried in his pluck. ‘*He called to his leaders, and they sprung forward, and then came several shots, ‘¢ The result was that the leaders dropped, and flight was impossible. “Then these men appeared in the trail, all of them masked, ‘¢The one who appzared to be the leader said: **See here, Dick, it’s your game to run us every time, and this is your last run, *6¢ Take that!’ ‘‘ With that he shot the poor driver dead, and then he turned to me and said: ‘*¢T happen to know that vou have consider- able money along with you.’” ‘© Was this true, miss?” asked On Time Char- lie, calmly. “It was, for I have quite a large sum in money with me.” ‘* And the road-agents got it?” quickly asked Hank Leathers, ‘¢ They did not,” was the cool reply. ‘What! s* You saved it?” SS Ddid.? * How could you?” ‘*T told them that it was in my sachel in the coach, and 1 tossed a key down to one, and the leader stepped to the coach door, “ Tben [ acted!” *¢ What did you do, miss?” **T shot the leader dead, and also the one near him, while the man at the heads of the horses fled in terror.” **You shot them?” and both men gazed in wonder, awe and admiration at the woman who so calmly made this assertion, se We bts By ‘Pwo of them?” “ Yes.” * Killed them?” “ce Yes,” ‘* And the third?” ‘* Got away.” o Did you fire at him?” ‘No * Had Idone so he would not have gotten away.” ‘ ** Did he fire at you?” ‘No, he seemed too much frightened at see- ing ® woman handle a revolver,” * T don’t wonder, miss,” said On Time Charlie, * And then?” asked Hank Leathers, ‘* Well, as there were only three, two were dead and the other had run away, I got down from the box, cut the leaders loose and came on, ‘Not knowing the trail 1 bad to drive very slowly, and sol gotin behind time and delayed your starting, sir. ‘* But the two dead men are back on the trail awaiting burial, and I am ready to go on now, On Time Charlie,” and the lady passenger moved toward the coach. CHAPTER X, THE HEIRESS, On Trmz CHARLIE was beyund all doubt greatly taken with the fair passenger who was - be bis companion on the way down to the ort, He looked at her with a kind of amazed admi- ration in his glance, and as she signified a readi- ness to go on her way, he said, glancing at a handsome watch that he carried: ‘*T am ready, miss, and we start just three hours bebind time,” : x You appear to have no dread of the way, sir? ** Why should I when you do not fear, miss?” “But it is you, not whose life is in danger.” ‘“*T have lived so long with death my boon companion, miss, that the thought of dying holds no terror for me.” ‘* Only a brave man can say that, sir.” ‘Thank you, | “ But let me aid you.” “No, [am not yet decrepit,” and she swung herself gracefully up to the box, taking the seat from which the body of the dead driver had been taken a short while before. , that will be the one | } : Then On Time Charlie mounted to the box and the stable boys jumped back from the heads of the restive horses, whose patience had been sorely tried. ‘* Good-by, and a safe run to you, miss,” called out Hank, and the horses dashed away. That On Time Charlie was a splendid band with the reins Miss Bell at once saw, for only a man of skill and nerve could have taken that flying team through the intricacies and dangers of the trail leading out of the station. The horses were fretted with delay, and fairly flew, and it was with real admiration at his skill that Miss Bell sat gazing at the driver han- dle his team in the darkness of the night. The horses did not seem inclined to slacken up until well on their way, and then On Time Charlie drew them down toa slower pace with tbe remark: ‘¢ You see we had just three hours to make up, miss, and I allus goes in on time if I kills ther critturs, ‘*We is ten miles from Station 2, and has al- ready cut off twenty minutes,” ‘*And you expect to make up the other two hours and forty minutes between here and the fort? *¢ Oh, yes, miss,” ‘*Then you must have been long on this road to know it so well,” ‘*No, I hasn’t been here very long, miss, but 1 knows it all ther same, every wheel-cut and hoof-track of it.” “ Then you are not a regular borderman?” ‘‘ Well, miss, when it comes to that, I is, for I has passed considerable o’ my days upon ther frontier,” ‘* And you love the wild life?” ‘6 Yas, miss,” ‘*T did not catch your name, sir, when Mr. Leathers introduced us.” “On Time Charlie, miss.” “Ob, yes, I beard that, but not your real name.” ‘*My dear lady, I only goes by ther name of On Time Charlie, for out here on ther plains ef I had a dozen Coristian names ther boys would call me what they pleased.” The woman urged no further, for she saw that, for some reason best known to himself, the driver did not intend to make his name known, other than the one he went by among his com- rades, eos They rode on in silence for some titne then, the passenger seeming to admire greatly the skill of the driver, for she saw that the trail was a rough and dangerous one, At length she said: ‘** Are you often stopped by road-agents, sir?” ‘* Well, miss, they has been bad at times, and has made good bauls from the Government, the travelers and the comp’ny.” ‘* And do they always kill to gain their ends?” “hey kills when they has to, miss—that is, when they can’t get gold without the use of lead and stee},” ‘Well, I hope that I will not be robbed, for I have considerable money with me, and which I would not give up without a struggle.” ‘1 can understand that, miss, after what you did on Dick Spaulding’s coach; but it is danger- ous to carry mach money with you.” ‘* Well, it is just tbis way, you see: ‘*T am an orphan and an beiress, “*T had a brotber who left home long ago, and he was cut off from his fortune, and all left to me, ** But I loved my brother, and I knew that he was not to blame in the affair that drove bim from home, ‘*So, as lam now mistress of my fortune and myself, 1 came here to look up my brother, and I feel certain I will find him, so I can share with him my inheritance,” “It is certainly very noble in you, miss; but you didn’t bring all your fortune with you, for it don’t do ter take all yer eggs ter market in one basket?” Asilvery laugh answered this, while the young girl said: ** All of my fortune? ‘Why, my good friend, I inherited a million dollars, and 1 only have about five thousand with me, to use in finding my brother.” —_—_— CHAPTER XI, A QUICK SHOT, THERE was no doubt but that On Time Charlie was greatly impressed with the importance of his fair passenger, when he learned that she was worth a cool million dollars, He had never carried such a treasure over the Dick Dooin- in’ thew tla "West. a en ee EE Eels == gSIEE ESS ° Overland before, and he must be most careful with her, Then, too, she had five thousand dollars in cash with ber, and it would never do to leta lady passenger in his keeping be robbed of her money. As they went along they talked together of various subjects until at Jast Miss Bell asked: ‘* Have you ever heard of my brother on the plains? ** His name is Burton Bell,” ‘** Burton Bell, miss?” * Yes,” ‘Tf has heard of a Burt, and a Bell out here, and there is a soldicr named Burton I know, ‘*What kind of a looking man was your brother, miss?” . ‘‘When he left bome, now seven years ago, he was sixteen, and a fairly grown youth, with hair and eyes about like mine, ‘*He is five years older than I am, but we are said to bear a very close resemblance to each other.” The driver felt that he would have to take another time to discover just how Miss Belk looked, forin spite of its being dark she wore her vail, The more he heard his passenger talk the more On Time Charlie became iut-rested in her and admired her, There was a certain richness in her low voice, added to a cadence that was very winning and her form wes certainly elegant, her face, of which he had only obtained a glimpse, was most attractive, * Sbe’ll raise a row out at the fort, that is certain, for all of the officers will fall in love with her, especially as she has a million to back her up. : ae go in myself to win, for I has the first call,’ ‘*T suppose it is all dull at the border fort, when there is no war going on?” asked Miss ell, ‘* Well, we have war about all the time, miss, as the red-skins often make a dash in upon us. ‘Then too the road-agents make it exciting on the trails, while there has been the devil ter pay, begging your pardon miss, 0’ late with ther mysterious killin’ thet has been going ” D. ‘* What is that, may I ask?” ‘“* Yer meaus ther killin’, miss?” and On Time Charlie peered attentively into the dar ness ahead of him. ‘ ** Yes, sir.” ‘ Well, miss, it seems that thar is.a avenger out fer scalps,” ** Who is he?? ‘* Nobody knows,” ‘Toes be kill any ore?” *¢ Well, 1 should remark, miss, for he’s a terror on ther kill. ‘ First, there was a soldier kilt on his post one night, and not the slightest clew could be had as to who did it,” ** That is strange.” ‘* T's strangest, miss, thet he allus kills with a. bowie-knife.” “ Stabs his victims?” ‘‘He must throw the knife at them, miss, for it looks as if he did, and all believes that he does,” ‘* Can no one discover who he is?” ‘* Not a soul, miss,” ‘¢ Does he leave no clew, no trail?” ‘* Well, no, miss, and yet he does, for he leaves bis knife in the heart of his victim, and itisa clean-bladed bowie witb a born handle, and in the latter is cut a number which is painted red.” ‘* How many has he killed, may 1 ask?” * So far, miss, just seven.” ** All soldiers?” ‘Yes, miss, and all waen on sentinel duty.” “J should think they would be upon their guard.” ‘They are, miss, but somehow he gets in his red work ajl the same, and thesoldiers are now getting very nervous over it.” *T should think so; but where are your scouts?” “They have hunted for bim until they are almost blind, looking for trails. ‘‘ Bach time he comes on horseback, but after his work is done he turns his borse loose, and on foot leaves no trail,” ** And his horses?” ‘‘ Have been picked up by the scouts, without saddle or bridle, and were found to have beep stole from sOme camp, corral or settler’s home not far away.” ‘¢'This is remarkable, * But see!”
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CHP 2 ASI Mit was just day-dawn, and suddenly a form stepped out before the heads of the leaders, and a stern voice called out; ‘¢ Halt! ** Hands up all!” : But, ere the command had left the lips of the road-agent there was a quick movement of the girl’s wrist, a flash, sharp report, and she had sent a bullet into the outlaw’s brain, while sho called out to On Time Charlie; “Now drive for your life!” CHAPTER XII. A WOMAN OF NERVE, In spite of his nerve the driver waz taken aback vy the quick shot and deadly aim of the woman, followed by her command to drive on, He hesitated, when she said in a voice that now rung out sternly: “Drive on, I say! capture us?” ‘he whip camesuddenly down upon the horses and they sprung forward, dashing rapidly by the prostrate form of the road-agent, But no other shots came, no sound was heard to indicate that there were others than tie one who had halted them, With this belief, On Time Charlie drew rein and said. **You hold ther critturs, miss, and I'll go back and bring thet dead pilgrim, ter shew what yer did. **T won’t be long, miss, for he’s just around the bend.” With this, On Time Charlie dismounted from his box and went at a quick pace back along the trail, In less than ten minutes he was seen coming back, bearing upon his broad shoulders the dead form of the robber, ‘* Whar did yer aim fer, miss?” he called out, ‘You'll find my bullet struck him between the eyes,” was the cool reply. “ Sart’in, miss, for thar is whar ther lead went Do you wish others to in. '* 7)]] put him on top, unless yer don’t like ter see him, and if so, he rides inside as a passen- er. acs It makes no difference to me, sir,” ‘Then on top he goes, miss.” With this, Oa Time Charlie mounted upon one of the rear wheels and tossed the dead body upon top of the coach, Colonel Emmett was a most courtly gentle- map, as well as a good soldier, so, seeing a lady arose to meet her. ‘* Colonel, this is Miss Bell, and a woman with ther narve:o’ ther devil. **Miss Bell, this is Colonel Emmett, the com- mandant of the post, and a gent clean through.” **T am glad to weleomo you, Miss Bell, to the fort, so pray tell me how I can serve you?” said Colonel Emmett, after On Time Charlie had concluded his double introduction. **T am here, sir, upon a special mission, and as I may be detained for some time, I would like to just ask you if you will be good enough to assign me to quarters, . “de Here is a letter to you, sir, from General LY aera ? “She desarves ther best, colonel, as yer'll know when I tells yer thet Dick Spaulding’s coach were held up, Dick were kilt, with two of his horses, and then this lady o’ narve chipped in, slayed a couple o’ ther outlaws, and drav ther coach inter Station 2, by night, while, when with me, a solitary road-agent held us up, and before I c’u’d say a word she shot him, and I brought in ther cadaver as proof, * Oh, yes, she’s got grit.” “TT should indeed say, Miss Bell, that you are a woman of nerve, and a heroine as well,” said the colonel, amazed at the report On Time Charlie had to make of his passenger, CHAPTER XIII. THE COLONEL’S GUEST, FEELING that he had cone his duty. On Time Charlie took his departure, leaving Emma Bell at headquarters, The colonel led ber into bis office and pre- sented to her several officers who were there, while he sent an orderly to request his wife to come to beadquarters, Mrs. Emmett, a sweet-faced, pleasant little lady soon appeared, and being introduced to the stranger, at once sail: “T shall be mest happy, Miss Bell, to have you as our guest while you remain, for General S——, the colonel says, tells us to take the very best care of you,” ‘But you were on the coach when it was had a severe shock,” ‘*On, no, for I am not easily frightened,” was the quiet reply, and then, at the request of Col- The man was roughly dre ‘sed, wore a mask | onel Emmett, Miss Bell told of her double ad- and was well armed. : Having resumed bis seat, as it was now dawn, venture in coming to the fort. All looked at her in amazement, and Mrs, On Time Charlie pushed rapidly on to the next | Emmett in almost awe, relay station. At the mountain corral other. horses were quickly hitched up and the drive became a rapid one, In two hours more the next relay was reached, and Ov Time Charlie said: “Just forty minutes to make up, miss,” Away went the fresh team, and they were ‘kept at their work with no stops, ‘‘Tnere is the fort, miss, and I have just three minutes to make up,” and the driver looked at his watch, “Ou Time Charlie, I can now well under- stand bow you got your name, ) “You started behind time, lost more time on the road, and are now arriving just when due. ‘“‘T makes ita rule allus to be on time, miss, though the team has had a hard run of it.” A moment after he drew rein before tho stage station at the fort and was greeted witha cheer, ** Any news, Charlie?” asked one. * Only this!” and he handed’ down the out- law’s body, while he also aided-the lady to alight. : A murmur went up from the crowd at sight of the dead form of the road-agent, aud On Time Charlie was at once besieged by all with questions: * W ho is he, Charlie?” ‘© Where did you kill him?” **Did you get any more of them?”’. ** Did they rob your coach?” *‘ Where were you bold up?” “See here, pards, } hain’t no catechism, and yer must go slow, : **T didn’t kill bira, and instid o’ holdin’ us up he went down. “Now, as yer sees, I has a lady passenger - ie arter, and don’t yer fergit it, she’sa andy. 7 Come miss, and Ill escort yer ter head- quarters, and ther colonel will git yer pleasant rooms.” With this he led the way to the colonel’s quar- There was a lovely young girl, for she had removed her vail now, with a face that was re- fined and sad looking, a voice that was almost plaintive iu tone, who had defended herself and avenged poor Dick Spaulding’s death most promptly, Hers had been no random fire under excite- ment, for On Time Charlie had said that the shots were dead center ones, right between the eyes each time, Then, too, she had fired another fatal shot when held upon On Time Charlie’s coach, and ridden on to the fort with the corpse which her hand had made, ; ; A strange woman certainly, young, lovely in face and form, gentle in manner yet @ heroine and dangerous to arouse, as she bad proven most thoroughly. Having told her story in a way that was most modest, and showed regret at having to take human life, she continued: et ‘«T may as well now tell you, Colonel Emmett, why I came to tie fort to ask your aid. ‘*T am in search of a brother who ran away from home some years ago when but a youth, ‘“‘He was wronged, yet it did not appear so until long after, and he was disinherited by my parents of the fortune that sbould have been his, ** Ail was left to me, and I am determined to find him and share with him the inheritance, which isa very large one. f ‘““T have had detectives upon the case and he has been tracked to this part of the frontier, and I have reason to believe is either a soldier, scout or miner on the border, ‘“* Such is my story, Colone! Emmett, and lam well prepared to spend all money necessary to find him, and to offer a very Jib:ral reward for any one bringing me news of him,” “ My God! what if he be the Boy Scout, Kit Kent!” flashed through the mind of the colonel, causing him to turn very pale. But he said aloud: ‘¢T am more than glad to entertain you, Miss Bell, and Mrs, Emmett is also, ‘* Your story interests me greatly, and I shall | do all) in my power to find your brother, for | held up, | heard from the orderly, so must have Dick Doom in the Wild West. — es. your sake as well as his, while you deserve all the aid we can give you for baving rid the Parad of three at least of its worst despera- oes, ‘Now you need rest, sogo with Mrs, Em- mett to our home, and I will have your baggage sent there at once, ‘““At dinner { will see you again, and after- ward we can talk over this whole affair and just what is best to be done in the matter.” When Emma Bell bad gone with Mrs. Km- mett, there was a general outburst of praise of her pluck, nerve and beauty, ; ‘*T shall have to guard her very closely from you young and oli fortune-hunters, now she has unfortunately made known that she is rich,” said the colonel with a smile, and his reply brought from Captain Abner Ainsley, who was present, the remark: * Well, I contess, colonel, if I could marry o fortune, securing with it such a woman as Miss Bell, I should be most ready to resign from the army and settle down to enjoy life.” **T do not doubt that in the least, Ainsley, and tbere are more of your way of thinking. ‘* But there will be a spirited rivalry against you, and I say may the best man win,” was the half serious response of a handsome young lieu- tenant aide-decamp of the colonel, and by name Grover Garfield, From that day the prophecy of a spirited rivalry became fulfilled, for ‘‘the colonel’s guest” was the toast among all the officers at theefort, for she at once found herself a most popular heroine. ' ‘CHAPTER XIV, THE FATAL POST, Iv was the very night following the arrival - of Miss Bell at the fort that, at midnight, an alarm rung out and soldiers sprung to arms ag the long roll resounded through the barracks, What could it mean? Were the Indians coming to attack in force? So ’most all believed. But very soon the officer of the day appeared at headquarters, ‘““What is it, Tomlinson?” asked the colonel, who had been aroused and hastened to his quar- ters, ‘** Another soldier slain, sir.” “Ab! ina quarrel?” : ‘*No, sir, a sentinel on his post.” “What! another victim of that mysterious assassin?” ‘Yes, ies,” ‘* Killed outright?” s* "Yos, sir.” “The ninth?” ‘* Yes, sir, be is number nine,” ** This is remarkable. ** Who is he?” ‘* Private Dockery, sir, of the Seventh Infantry, B Company.” ** Ainsley’s company ?” Yes, sir.” ‘“‘This is the fifth man from his company that has been killed in the same unfathomable way.” ‘Yes, sir, and by a bowie-knife, which I drew from bis breast, “‘1¢ is here, sir,” and Captain Tomlinson un- wrapped from a newspaper a long-bladed bowie- knife, The handle was weighted, and of horn, and in the latter was carved, and then dyed red, the letters: **NUMRER NINE,” ** Have you any theory of this strange killing, Tomlinson?” ** None, sir,” ** What post was the poor fellow on?” ** Number One, sir, and I fear I shall have to leave several men there.” ‘No, no, do not do that, as it might be de moralizing to the men, ‘* State your regret ot having to place a man there alone, and then call for one of the guard to volunteer to remain.” ‘*] will, sir, audI leave the knife in your keeping.” : ‘Yes, for I have the others, and do you know I \believe they were all made for the purpose | they have been used for, the handles being weighted, so as to throw them, for all were thrown.” ‘Beyond a doubt, sir.” ‘©T have asked for a man, or men, to be sent’ me from the Government Secret Service Bureau at Wasbington, to try and unravel this mystery, but, excepting a reply that a man should be at pote, dispatched to the fort I have bad no re- ply. ‘** But be bas not come, sir?” y oy Phy tah ey ; baer oa Dy ve c 7 eae ene” |
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a aed E- ” * No, and I am getting most anxious about his doing so, for this avenging Nemesis must u10t be allowed longer to keep up his red work,” * No, sir. ** But I will return to the post, sir, which I left to acquaint you with what had happened,” With tbis, Captain Tomlinson returned to Post Number One. The relief guard was there, and a company of soldiers as well, while a dozen scouts stood aboit, wondering what to do, Upon the ground, covered by a blanket, lay the dead form of the sentinel, still clasping his musket. When the officer of the day returned, the scouts at once reported that the assassin had eee up to the edge of the ridge, and from, here thrown the fatal knife, and they would at once go off on the search for him, hoping to find some trace when daylight came, The scouts were at once dispatched to see what they could discover, the company was marched back to its barracks, and Captain Tom- linson, after a few words to the relief guard, asked for a volunteer to take the post. One man promptly stepped forward, the one whose duty it would bave been to relieve his dead comrade, while he said: ‘*T am not shirking my duty, sir, because my comrades have been killed in a mysierious way. lam ready to take my chances on the post, sir.” A murmur of applause greeted this and Qap- tain Tomlinson said: “ You are a brave fellow, Duncan, and I will report your desire not to shirk duty in.the face of an assassin’s knife. ‘*Take your post and keep a. bright watch, though I do not anticipate more deadly work to-night,” The soldier took his post, the body of the dead man was borne away and the post, the furthest one from the fort, and which had proven so fatal to others, was held by Duncan, while the fort quieted down once more in deep repose, Thus the hours passed away and ouce more the rejief guard was upon its rounds, It moved along the ridge toward the position where Duncan stooi, and approaching. thero came no command * halt!” from the sentinel. In alarm the corporal halted hiy men, ad- vanced a step or so and called out sharply: ** Sentinel of Post Number One!” No reply followed. The corporal advanced still further, when his fect touched a form in the darkness, and with a cry he started back, calling out: ‘* Private Duncan is dead! ‘* He, too, has been assassinated by this mys- terious avenger!” CHAPTER XV, THE MYSTERY: DEKPENS, AGAIN the long rojl resounded through the fort, startling all from their sluambers, and the troops went on a double-quick to their posts of duty, for they knew not what moment a rush of red-skins might be made. Then came the order to return to their quar- by as the trouble was again at Post Number ne, A second time that night, at that fatal post, had a sentinel been slain on duty. . Once more Colonel Emmett arose and went to his official headquarters, where he was met by his aide, Lieutenaat Grover Garfield, ** What is it now, Garfisld?” ** Post Number One, sir.” ** What! a second time to-night” “Yes, sir; but here comes Captain Tomlin- Bon. : His coming was eagerly awaited, and his face was pale as he threw himself down in a chair, ** Private Duncaa, sir, of A Company, Seventh Infantry, has been killed at Post Number One, colonel, the second murder to-night.” * This is appalling, captain, “Was he killed ag before?” ‘* Yes, sir; here is the knife, sir. The colonel-tock the knife, and then saw the nuiuber and the long blade, with the handle weighted at the hilt, : “Yes, a fac-simile of the other knives, ex- cept that this bears the number Ten.” ** Yes, colonel, ten victims have fallen by the hand of this mysterious and merciless avenger,” _ “ And we can find no trace of the assassin?” ** None, sir. “I sent ‘out nine scouts from the post, and they were to move about near until dawn, yet, in spite of their presence near, the murder was committed.” Were the scouts near, though?” “They were so near, sir, that every one of r shi yb ‘ * eo — > — = ’ ) . ‘Dick Doom in the Wild West. them reached the post before I did, and were as- tounded when they heard the alarm of the long roll, ‘* What did they say?” ‘*They said that some of them were within a couple of hundred yards of the post, concealed in the tiniber.” ** And they saw no one?” ‘* Neither saw or heard any one, sir, until the alarm catue,” ‘* Was the soldier a volunteer?” ‘* No, sir, the man who was to go on duty, for he would vot shirk the danger he said.” ‘* A brave fellow; but 1 wishI had allowed you to put others there#” ‘*T§ would, as you said, sir, have demoralized the men, beiug a confession of fear.” “T can, however, have the post watched by scouts in hiding, thesoldiers not knowing of their presence near,” ‘* Yes, sir, that will be a good plan,” ‘*T will also send a courier to-morrow with a message to be wired to Washington, burrying on my man from there, for I have great faith in detectives,” ‘¢ Ag I have, sir,” ‘*And we will have a council of officers to- morrow and discuss the whole situation about this most unfortunate, nay appalling state of affairs,” It was after an early breakfast that the coun- cil of officers was called by the colonel at his quarters, All felt the gravit that this avenging down at once, The views of each and every cfficer were asked and given, the colonel hoping tuat some one of them might suggest a clew, or evolve a plan of action to capture the criminal, The council lasted for several hours, and it was decided that the guards sbould all be doubled, only one sentinel however remaining visible, the second one in hiding, while the out- post Namber One, now known as “ The Fatal Post,” should, in addition to the two sentries, have several scouts in hiding and on the watch, The scouts bad come in one by one and each had the same report to make, that this time the assassin bad not been mounted, but on foot, for no trace whatever ofatrail could be found, leading to or from Post Number One, That the soldiers were becoming alarmed, the different captains reported, and the doub- ling of the sentinels would have a_ beneficial effect upon them all felt alssured. Having decided upon their plans the officers took their leave, when the colonel arose and began to pace toandl fro. . Extending his walk into,the back parlor he started as be beheld seated at the window, his wife’s easel before her, and complacently sketching the scene before her, none other than Miss Bell. . ‘‘ Ah, Miss Bell, you here?’ he cried in sur- of the situation, and emesis must be hunted prise, ‘ ‘* Why, did you not know it, colonel? “fT hope I have not Offended, or overheard anything not intended for other ears than your officers’? ; ** No, no, so do not worry, for really, no state secrets were discussed, and I guessI will Have, after all,to ask your advice in this mysterious business of an avenger being upon the track of my men,” said the colonel, taking a seat by her side. CHAPTER XVI. A FAIR ALLY, ‘‘ ANYTHING I can say or do to help you, Colonel Emmett, command me,” was the an- swer of Emma Bell, ** Then, as you seem only to have made a few strokes with your pencil, I will interrupt you and tell you the whole story, for twice were we called to arma last night by the sounding of the long roll.” ‘ Yes, I was awakened each time, sir, ‘But I must tell you, as you say you are going to ask my advice, that instead of sketching the past two hours, I have been tak- ing notes.” ‘¢ Taking notes?” See!” She held out a number of scraps of paper as she spoke, upon each of which was written in sbort-hand a name, and beneath some comments, “Why, these are the opinions expressed by my officers, for Iam, a stenographer,” said the colonel, in surprise. © Yes, sir.” ** And you took them down?” “*T did, sir,” ‘May T ask for what purpose, Miss Bell?” ‘ **T had half a notion, sir, that you would se& me as an ally, and I wished to be posted, ‘* Now see if I can help you.” ‘*Pray do if you can,” said the bewildered officer, ‘‘ Here, sir, Lieutenant-Colonel Varney says that he believes that the murderer is a soldier, who is a monomaniac on the subject of revenge, and is kiiling the fellow-soldiers whom he holds the slightest grudge against,” ‘‘ Nota bad idea, now that I think of it, and I recall that Varney did say so, while others laughed at it.” ‘Yes, sir, and Major Shipman said that he be- lieved, in spite of the knives found in the hearts of the victims, that Indians were the assassins,” ** Yes, and but for the knives and numbers I would feel the same way.” ‘*Buck Taylor, your chief of scouts, sir, on the other hand, asserted that no red-skins were, or had been, near tbe fort, and that the Sioux would have scalped their victims.” “Yes, and I must say, now that these opin- ions are reviewed, and are read, they are valua- ble, in that they give me a train of thought I had not dwelt upon before, “T am glad, Miss Bell, that you were so thoughtful as to put them down.” ‘*T am happy in not having displeased you, sir, inso doing. ‘* But here come the opinions of your cap- tains.” Arey ee,” ‘Captain Tuell said that outlaws were the murderers of the sentinels,” i Yes.” i ‘* Captain Jeromeremarked as his opinion that there was au avenger in the camps who was taking the lives of the sentries,” ‘*T do not believe that,” ‘Captain Clark thought that it might be a woman, tho one you call the Border Borgia.” ‘* Hal! that is an idea that escaped me, and the woman is dangerous—baving several times taken life, ‘* T regard ber, too, as a bad woman.” ‘* Captain Tomlinson, colonel, remarked that bis belief was in a soldier Nemesis, one who was avenging some wrong done him, and it would be well to look for just such a man among the commands,” ‘* Yes, and I asked him to take the duty upon himself.” “¢ Yes, sir. ‘* But now come other opinions more or less important, or suggestive, which I will read you, so please make a note of any that strikes you bar noulaty» sir, as being of value.” “es wi Rd Then Miss Bell read down the list, and several times the colonel halted as be deemed some good point was contained in the opinion of an officer. At last Miss Bell said: ** Now, bere is one opinion, colonel, which 1 have kept until the last, though perhaps you may not see anything in it at a glance,” ‘*- Yes, whose is it?” * Captain Ainsley’s, sir,” “Ah! but how did you get all the names so. well?” ** As you asked each one for an expression of opinion, sir, I heard the name and wrote it down, following with what he said,” “True, but what was Ainsley’s opinion, for I forget now, and he is generally very clear- headed, while let me again thank you, Miss Bell, for keeping those notes,” ‘*T am glad to bave served you, sir. ‘¢ But the opinion expressed by Captain Ains- ley, you may now recall, was not coincided in by any one else present, as he said that he be- lieved that the assassin was avenging the execu- tion of one of whom he spoke as the Boy Scout, Kit Kent.” *¢ Yes, I recall his words now, and cannot see why an avenger of the death of that poor boy should attack my soldiers,” ‘“‘ May I ask, sir, if the boy was executed?” “Yes,” ** Shot?” ** Hoe was,” “By whom?” “A platoon of soldiers under comm and of Captain Ainsley, and by my orders.” “Colonel Emmett, have you taken the steps to ascertain if the sentinels slain were the ones who formed that execution squad?” was the startling question of Miss Bell. CHAPTER XVII. A WOMAN’S WORK, Tuer words of Miss Bell were a surprise to the colonel. : They set him to thinking. « i / , Av
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After some little time, spent in ~acing to and fro, he said: ‘* Miss Bell, the execution of that boy 1 regret more than any scene of my life, ‘*But the road-agents were murdering right and left, robbing the coaches of treasure belong- ing to the Government, ando money of the pas- sengers, and so systematic was their work that we became convinced that they had a spy in the camp, in fact that there was some one in the fort, clese to headquarters, who was posting them when to strike the coaches, Spies were set to catch them, and an anony- mous letter, recieved by Captain Ainsley, point- ed suspicion upon a youth who seemed scarcely eighteen years of age. ‘**He was known as the Boy Scout, and an- swered to the name of Kit Kent, and a brave, bandsome little fellow be was. ‘* He was watched, owing to the reception of this anonymous letter, and the result was that he was seen to leave a note ata certain point, and soon after it was taken from there by ajhorse- mun who was masked. ‘The next day this masked horseman held up On Time Chariie’s coach, killed the guard and robbed the Government, ‘*The boy was arrested, but would give no ex- planation of his conduct. ‘* He asked a week to prove bis innocence, and a gave him two, ; ‘He did not prove bis innocence, and hence obeying my orders from the general, I sentenced bim to be hanged, ‘* He begged to be shot, and I yielded, ‘* Here is the letter be wrote me, ** Read it.” The colonel went to his private desk and got ‘tho letter written him by Kit Kent, Handing it to the maiden she read it through Me carefully, here and there making a note Then she said: ** And what else, colonel?” ‘The boy’s last requests I respected, he was shot, and they were carried out faithfully.” “How many were in the platoon of execu- tion, sir?” ‘* Sixteen,” ‘They were detailed for the work?” ‘* No, the men detailed begged off, so volun- teers were called for.” “ee Ah!” ‘* And these were the men who volunteered.” ‘* Sixteen?” “ Yes.” ** Was that not rather a large platoon for an of execution?” ‘ ‘* Yes, but it was the Boy Scout's request.” ‘* T gee, ’ ‘*Now let_me ask if any attempt has been made upon Captain Ainsley’s life?” ** None.” ** Why did the boy wish him to be bis execu- tiover, sir?” ‘*T have since heard it said that a soldier over- heard something that passed between the youth and Captain Ainsley, and that they were known to each other before the boy came to the fort.” ‘** That may be, sir; but I do not yet see the boy’s motive in wishing to have an old friend become his executioner,” “From what [ heard they were not old friends, but rather foes.” “Then I can better understand the boy’s re- ‘quest, sir, ‘**Now will you get the list of men who were in that platoon of executioners, and the names of the men thus far killed and see if they are one and the same?” The colonel arose qnickly, went to the door, gave his orderly an order and returned. **T boliove you are getting upon the right traci, Mies Bell, and I am more than ever eon- vinced jhat if takes a woman to unravel a skein of thread and a mystery,” ~“Tbank you, Colonel Hamett, but I believe women are 80 constituted that they look further into anything of & suspicious nature than men The orderly returned with two slips of paper, given bim by the adjatant. One was a list of the sixteen men who com- posed the execution platoon which bad shot to death Kit Kent, The other list was the names of the ten men who had been so mysteriously assassinated on duty, seven of them baving beon killed at Post Number One, The colonel read the platoor names aloud, and handing the other list to Miss Bell said: **Please mark the names on your list, if any are there, as I call them.” Fs Hey - = ox 4 “ h This Miss Bell did, and when the colonel had | bea. hee ™* a AOD - fi . og URSA TRE . Pema LD Whe eet: 8h Shh tC 2). Od 44 fit ‘ pete eee “3 MIC vA ‘ Pi Bek. at i Sa ai fn tie tai p fc ct Sayer i A Aa A A ~y Fi : NRPS as - q is 5) 64 ee the ae - —_ " = —— p =. Wis : aiid called the roll of sixteen names she said quietly, but with a certain look of triumph upon her face: ‘* There are ten of those names, sir, that com- prise the death list. ‘¢ Yes, it is to avenge the Boy Scout that these murders are committed,” : ** And this a woman has discovered for us,” warmly said the colonel. CHAPTER XVIII. THE CAPTAIN’S MISSION, ‘Watt, Miss Bell, your value as a detective, I recogniz? with pleasure, and lam more than happy tobave youas my ally in’ solving these mysterious assussinations, s ‘* Now let us see what more you can discover,” said the colonel, ** Will you first send for Captain Ainsley, sir, not allow bim to know that I am an eavesdrop- per, and tell him what discovery you have made?" ** Certainly. ‘‘ There is an alcove where you can see and not be seen, while you can hear all, ‘T will send for him at once,” The orderly was dispatcbed for Captain Abner Ainsley and soon returned witb that officer. ‘* Ainsley, I sent for you to talk over this affair of these murdered sentinels,” ‘ “Talking it over, colonel, does not seem to bring us any nearer a solution of the case,” ‘‘T am not so sure of that, for your idea about the death of the Boy Scout is about right, I find! The officer started, but quickly asked: ‘* How do you mean, Colonel Emmett?’ ‘* Here is a list I had prepared of the men who have been slain,” ‘¢ Yes, sir.” ** And here is a list of the men on your execu- tion platoon.” ‘* Yes, sir,” ** Ten names, those of the assassinated soldiers, are on that list,” ‘* My God! can this be 80, colonel?” ** Tt is, ; ** Flere is the list, so look for yourself.” The officer’s hand had a slight tremor in it as he looked over the list, and then he said: ‘It is true, sir, for those sixteen men and my- self are all doomed,” ‘* Why yourself, Ainsley, do you think?” “It was the boy’s request that I became his executioner, you said,” “ It was,” “Tbe men of the platoon were all volunteers?” “ Yes,” : ** Well, colonel, I desire to say to you that I know all about that boy.” “You do?” ‘Yes, sir; he belonged to a good family, and ran away from home after leading a very wild life for a youth of his years, ‘*He had a sister, his twin, whom I met and loved, ees ‘* She refused the offer of my love, as she had become infatuated with a man who had ren- dered her father and herself some valuable ser- vice, ** She discovered that her hero was an ex-con- vict, ] have heard, and I sought again to see her and press my suit, “To my surprise I found in Kit Kent her twin brother, **] sought all in my power to save the boy, but in vain. ‘*He believed that I could do so, but was re- vengeful against him because his sister had re- fused my love, ; ‘* But this was not the case, I assure you. “Still, believing that I was his foe he became revengeful, and so wished me to be the officer in command of his execution. / **Now, I believe, he secks revenge upon me from his grave, and some one is carrying out his revengeful wishes, doubtless the road-agents with whom be had lesagued hims lf.” ‘It is hard to beliove, Ainsley. ** Bat where is his sister now?” ‘** At her home, on her ranch, and I would like to ask leave to go there, sir.” i ‘“*Tf you wish, of course, yes.” . ‘*T would know if she was aware of her brother’s fate, and see if she was the instigator of this revengeful work against his execu- tioners,” : ‘‘ If so, you run great risks in going, Captain Ainsley.” “T will take the chances, sir; but I shall be glad to learn all, if only for my own satisfac- tion, “Then, go. “ When will you start?” , . . 7 — Se =s — — ————_—— TT 00 OE ————— ae | rah. Sei he } ; Jb dane ie Tipe | phi re) a a BAK TTS, See ‘ Stat ; % J Nokia - yee ’ at 4 7 ¢ We ant RR ‘ a ¥ a . . —_ — ~ = es ; — —— - 9 - oe anon ? Salat sik aa win apr heap De eae Sea RSS a ie een ] . - Dick Doom in the Wild West. os 2 ; ES i 9 ‘* To-morrow, sir.” ** You wisb an escort?” “No, sir, I will go in Oo Time Charlie’s coach, sir.” ‘** What is your real motive for wishing to go to this lady’s home, may I ask, captain?” After a moment of thought, Captain Ainsley responded; A “To see, sir, if I can find any clew to these revengeful murders, if they originate with his people.” ‘* It can hardly be possible in one whom you say you desire to make your wife.” ‘“Women are strange creatures, sir, and where their affections are concerned one never knows what they will do.” “Tt may be so with some, captain; but all women are no more alike thau are all men,” ' “* Wall, colonel, I have a longing to see, now I know that there isno doubt but that the boy’s death is being avenged, if the avenger was started upon his red trail from the home of his sister.” A ‘* Very well, try and find out, ~ ‘** When will you start?” ‘* With the next coach, sir,” ‘* And when retarn?” ‘* Within a couple of weeks, sir.” The colonel bowed and the captain departed, when Miss Bell came out of her place of con- cealment and said: ‘*Colonel Emmett, will you place a detec- tive upon the track of Captain Ainsley to oblige me?” a ae CHAPTER XIX, ‘ A SUSPICION, CoLONeL EMMETT was greatly surprised at the remark of Miss Bell. \ ‘*Surely, Miss Bell, you have no reason for. suspecting Captain Ainsley in this matter?” he said with surprise, ne will tell you, sir, just what i wish to find out. ** Well?” ' ‘** He told you that he knew this boy?” “ce Yes,” “That he loved his sister.” 4s True,” = on did rot tell you the boy’s real name?” ** Nor say where the sister lived, or who she was?” / ‘** He did not.” “The boy felt unkindly toward the captain for some motive,” ‘Tt would seem so,” ‘“* Asking that he should be his executioner?” “ce ” ‘* Now, ten of the sixteen men who were in the execution platoon have been killed,” 4“ Y Ky ‘This would indicate that those now alive are doomed?” ‘* Yes, it would appear so,” * And of course the captain?” A “Tf he ae he may be killed, may be led into a trap, 80 1 would like to ask you if you have a reliable man whom you can send with him to shadow him, not, of course, allowing the cap- tain to know that he was being shadowed,” ** But why not let bim know that le has help near him should be have need of it?” “It might be a clog upon his movements, Colonel Emmett, and besides, if he does need on Sy will have it near without knowing it,” , rue “ But you have some other motive in this, Miss Bell?” ‘**T have, sir.” ‘ Will you tell me?” ‘** Cortainly, for we must work together in this Secret Service trail,” ‘J am already discovering how very valuable your services are,” “Thank you, sir.” | ‘* But this other motive?” ‘It is that your shadower may find out for you just who this youth was, this lady is, and why the boy Jeft bis home,” ; “*T see.” “ This will give you the advantage of knowing all about them, and getting both Captain Aius- ley’s statements and your shadower’s.” ** Good!” “With the double report in your possession, you will be master of the situation,” we “Yes, but how can this man go and not be recognized by the captain?” ““ Who did you bave in mind, sir, to send?” ‘A soldier who was over on the Rocky Moun- tain detective force under Daye Cook.” *A good man doubtless, sir.” ¥ oy ' iy y
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ate ¥e Dick Doom in the Wild West. ‘* Yes, { think so.” ‘“*'Then give him a leave and let him start on the coach with Captain Ainsley, presumably on his way home, “Tf he has been a detective he knows how to disguise himself and can do so, and thus shadow the captain to where he goes, ‘* By changing his disguises he can keep near him, and thus learn all there is to know, and more, be on hand to protect him should the occasion arise,” ““You were born for a detective yourself, Miss Bell,” said the colonel with admiration, and the maiden replied simply: ‘ Sometimes I have thought that I was, Sir.* “You know that in looking up my lost | brother I am following up a Secret Service | when the pay was ten times that of a soldier?” trail?” ** Yes, and I believe that you will meet with success, though there is little aid that I can render you in your search, I fear,” **T do not know about that, sir.” \ “* There is a belief in my mind, Miss Bell, that you hold some suspicion against Captain Ainsley, but of what I am unable to say,” “It is well to suspect one, sir, to watch one well; but the captain I suspect in that there ap- pears to be, through him, some motive for this deadly revenge,” “Tt would seem so,” ** Now, what brought the boy to the fort?” “T do not know.” ** Might he not have come here on a revengeful errand?” sé Ab!” ‘*Did you find out who sent that anonymous letter, which was the cause for suspecting the Boy Scout?” **T did not,” * Where is it, sir?” ‘*T have it among the papers on the case.”’ ** Would it not be well to examine it, sir?” ** For what motive?” ** To trace the writer.” **Tt would do no good now.” “It might, sir.” “*In what respect?” __ “Tf the writer was discovered then it brings into the case another person who might be con- nected with these midnight murders,” **T had not looked at it that way. ‘*] will get the letter and to-nigbt we will go over it most carefully, if you care to,” **T should be most pleased to do £o,colonel, for ‘Tam becoming most deeply interested in this case of the Boy Scout, I assure you,” was the an- swer of Miss Bell, CHAPTER XX, THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN DETECTIVE, THE fair detective who was so ably aiding Colonel Emmett in the mystery of the midnight murders of the sentinels, asked, after a silence of some minutes, in which sbe had appeared to be lost in deep meditation: “Have you any objection, colonel, to my see- ing the man you intend to send to shadow the captain?” ** Not in the least,” “‘T should like to very much.” **T will send for him at once.” “Then let me take my hiding-place again in the curtained alcove, for I do not wish to be seen by biia,” » ** May I ask why?” and the colonel smiled. ** Yes, because I wish to read his face.” **Would be not look the same if you were here?” “No, sir, for a man never wears the same ex- pression upon his face before a woman that he does when he believes he bas only to face men,” * 1 almost believe you are right.” *Tknow lam.” “I am learning much from you, Miss Bell.” ** You are an apt pupil, sir.” ** And you a finished teacher.” “Thank you, sir; but now tell me who this man is?” “‘T only know that he was a Rocky Mountain detective and enlisted in the army several years azo. ‘* What is his name, sir?” ** Kendrick, Carter Kendrick, and he is now a sergeant of ordnance,” The colonel sent the orderly for ordnance ser- geant Carter Kendrick, and in a short while tue soldier entered, © was a man of medium height, wiry and athletic in build, and bad a full beard and hair worn somewhat long in imitation of the scout, He was neat in dress, upright and soldierly, and his face was full of courage and determina- tion, at the same time being intelligent, “Sergeant Kendrick, I have sent for you for @ special service.” “ Yes, sir,” and the sergeant saluted and looked straight toward the alcove where Miss Bell was concealed, though he neither saw her nor suspected her being there. ‘* You were a member of Dave Cook’s Rocky Mountain Detective League?” ees, Sine” ** For how long?” ‘* Six years.” “* Before that what was your occupation?” “T was a lawyer, sir, but study broke me down and I came to the plains, as the doctors said a life in the city would kill me, sir.” ‘‘Why did you leave the Detective League “*T have a small income, sir, and I had an ambition to rise in the army to a commission, sir. “Well, you have begun well to become an ordnance sergeant in three years,” ‘* Thank you, sir,” “‘ Now I wish you to go upon a special duty, and [ will make a good report in your bebalf, if you accomplish what I desire,” ‘*T will do my best, sir.” ‘* Captain Ainsley starts with On Time Char- lie’s coach to go on a special mission, “It has been discovered that the men who were killed by this unknown avenger are those of the execution platoon that shot the Boy Scout,” ‘*T had taken note of tkat, sir.” ** You had?’ - ‘Yes, sir, but I supposed you knew of it, so made no report of it to you, sir.” ‘*T wish that you had done so, ‘But though I send you with Captain Ains- ley he is not to know it,” “‘T understand, sir,” “You are to state that you are on leave, and, as soon as you can do so pretend to leave him, and disguising yourself keep near him.” “ Shadow him, sir, in fact?” Yes,” “*T will, sir, and be near to protect him if need be,” “Yes, go well prepared for that and I will supply you amply with funds, ‘**But you are to keep a journal of where you go, all he does, the names of those he meets, and when be returns to come back with him, if you can do so without being suspected by bim,” **T can, sir, for I am good at disguises,” ‘Now you understand your duties?” “ Perfectly, sir.” ‘Take this order to the paymaster who will give you tke money, and then get ready to start when the captain dves.” ll be ready, sir.” “There is no need to tell you, Kendrick, that you are not to speak of this?” ** No, indeed, sir.” Soon after the sergeant departed, to prepare for his journey, and Miss Bell came out of her alcove, ’ ‘* Well, my lady detective, what do you think of Sergeant Kendrick?” asked the colonel. ‘** A man who will do just what he says he will, and whom you can wholly rely upon, sir. “He has talent as a detective, intelligence, pluck and determination, and can readily dis- guise his face and form I am sure,” ‘Tam glad that you are pleased with him,” said the colonel, and then Miss Bell went out to join Mrs. Emmett in a ride, CHAPTER XXI. / THE ANONYMOUS LETTER, Miss BELL had brought with her to the fort her riding-habit, It was a black one, trimmed with silver lace and buttons, and fitted ier perfectly, Sbe wore a slouch hat and gilt cord, a heavy plume fell back upon her lett shoulder, and the moment she mounted all saw that she was at home in the saddle, i She had learned to ride in the South, she said, so bad not the abominable English way of rising in her stirrup. Mrs. Emmett wasa good rider also, and as escort the ladies had the major of infantry and the colonel’s aide-de-camp. pee colonel saw them ride off and said to him- self: ‘** A splendid horsewomap, and a wonder to me generally, : _“Tamstrangely influenced by her, and I would give much to find that brother of hers, though it would rob her of half ber fortune, and he may be a worthless fellow by this time, *“‘ Well, sbe bas given me food for thought, that is‘certain,” As Miss Bell expressed a desire to visit a outpost, the major went that way from the ort, The ground where the sentinel stood at a pre- sent, as they rode up, was yet stained with blood. Miss Bell took in the scene very quietly, glanced about ber like one making meutal notes, and then rode on, They took quite a long ride, and upon their re- turn heard the muffled drums which teld them thut the two sentinels were being taken to their last resting-place. They rode slowly up to the scene and beheld the chaplain read the burial] service, saw the vol- ley fired over tho graves, and then joined the colonel and started back with him to the fort. ‘* Where is the grave of the Boy Scout, Colonel Emmett?” asked Miss Bel’. ‘‘ Have you a desire to see it, Miss Bell?” **T confess to a sad curiosity ia that quarter, sir,” ‘*T will take you there. ‘* Come, wife, we will go around by the Boy Scout’s grave, as Miss Bell wishes to see it,” Mrs. Emmett willingly consented, and as they drew near, Mixs Bell suddenly slipped from her saddle, tossed ber bridle-rein to the lieutenant and glided toward the grave, Tbe colonel remained in his saddle, and checked the lieutenant as be sought to follow her, They saw her go to the grave, then, ‘dfter gazing at it an instant walk slowly around it, Then she stooped aud closely examined the carved head-board,. Returning to her horse, unvailed, she placed her gloved band upon the pommel and leaped into her saddle as an athlete only could do, ‘’ Why, Miss Bell, you are as skillful as a circus-rider!” laughed the colonel, ‘* Perhaps I once belonged to a circus, sir,” was the smiling reply. ‘“*But J thank you all for your kindness in gratifying my whim to visit tho Boy Scout’s zrave, ’ After dinner that night thero was company at the colonel’s, many calling upon their com- mandant’s guest, end it was late before they retired, Miss Bell had shown herself an accomplished musician, playing delightfully upon the piano, and in a deep contralto voice singing several ballads, _, She had taken up a silve® cornot belonging to the colonel, and to tbe surprise of all ran through all the calls, and played “‘ Tops” with pathos that was touching. .** What. a strange woman you are Miss Bell,” said the colonel, as be and his wife sat with her after the departure uf their guests. “Yes, and you will thi- ime still stranger when you know me better, sir. ‘* But about that anonymous letter?” **Oh, yes, but you are not too tired to look it over to-night?” , ‘* No, indeed, sir.” The colonel stepped to his desk and got the let- ter. It was written in a cramped hand, and badly spelled, but upon a sheet of fine note-paper, ‘¢ Here is an incongruity at once, sir.” ‘“¢ What is tha‘? ‘‘The man who was so ignorant as to write such a letter would not have written it upon fine note-paper.” Ah!” . ‘¢ He would have written it upon rough paper of some kind, such as he would have had about him.’ ‘* Tt would seem go,” ** And an ignorant man would have misspelled certain words her: spelled correctly, and vice versa, Colonel Emmett.’ ® What a critic you are; Miss Bell,” ** But she is right, Charles,” said Mrs. Em- mett. ‘*T can believe that, my dear.” * Colonel Emunett, this letter was written by an educated person, and the writing and spell- ing were purposely disguised,” * You think so?” ‘*T know so, sir,” was the determined reply of Miss Bell, . CHAPTER XXII, MORE LIGHT, CoLoneL and Mrs £mmett watched the young girl in silence as sbe went over the anonymous letter, She seemed to follow each curve of the writ- - ing, beld the letter up to the light and saw & water-print upon it, 5 4 : ye re : i { ms ‘. r, ee ee 5 a » @ a +
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: oie Goa Colonel Emmett, may I ask you a few ques- tions?” ‘* Certainly.” ‘‘Who writes upon note-paper here of this kind?” **J will look over my notes and see,” said Mrs. Emmett, and at last she brought out a host of them, Searching through them she came across several of like kind of paper with that the anonymous letter was written upon, | “They are acceptances from Captain Stan- hope for dinner and card parties,” said Mrs, Enmett, | : “Captain Stanhope I met to-night?” ae Yes. ” ‘tHe said that his chum, Captain Ainsley, was going to be away for a few weeks and he would miss bim greatly.” ‘* Yes, they are devoted friends, and Ainsley spends half of bis time in Stanhope’s quarters,” Colonel Emmett said. **Does Captain Stanhope use a stylograpbic pen in bis writing, do you know?” “T do not, though Ainsley does.” ‘These notes, Mrs, Emmett, were written with a quill pen,” » Yes, | remember now that Captain Stanhope always uses a quill.” ** And Ainsley a stylographic?” “Well, I recall bearing bim say that he felt lost since his stylograpbic pen was broken,” ** Does any one else use One that you know of, colonel?” ‘*7T do not think so, for they are very rare,” ‘This anonymous note, Colonel Emmett, was written with a stylographic pen,” quietly said Miss Bell, ‘** Indeed?” ‘* But how can you tell that?” “See the shading here of Captain Stanhope’s quill pen, and in your other notes you observe the steel pen, the gold pen and the indelible pen- cil used, as you see,” “b Vé ” ** Now the stylographic pen never shades, ‘Every word, every line is alike, of the same size as you see,” ‘¢Miss Bell, you amaze me,” cried the colonel. ‘Now, as Captain Ainsley writes with a pen of that description, as it can be shown that he is the only manin the fort who does, as he isa boon companion of Captain Stanhope, and this anonymous letter is written On paper such as Stanbope used, and written with a stylographic pen, why the next thing to find out is what motive the captain had for wishing to get rid of that Boy Scout, that be would stoop to write an anonymous letter against him, adgress it to himself and tack it upon bis «wn door? ‘*T know this looks like a very sweeping charge t» make, Colonel Emmett, against one of your trusted officers, but I see things as they are, \as they appear to me, and Captain Ainsley is now away, gone to see the sister of the cead boy, to discover if the revenge against his platoon of executioners started with her. ‘“He has gone, and these facts of the anony- mous letter, the note-paper and the pen it was written with, are clever witnesses, though there is another that I wish to consult.” ** Who is that?” and the colonel’s face wore a worried expresion, ‘* Hix band-writing,” was the calm reply of Miss Bell. Mrs. Emmett at this turned over the notes in her lap, and took out several. It was evident that she was leaning toward Miss Bell’s way of thinking, for she said: ‘**You know, husband, that Ainsley was ap- ointed into the army, and is not a Weat ointer, and there was some scandal in his life I have beard, just after his entering it, though I must say he 1s a good soldier and pleasant gen- . tleman.” ‘¢ Ves, but to the writing, “Tet us see his hand-writing, wife,” the col- onel said, anxiously. Several notes Were handed over, — “They were all written with a stylographic pen, ani one is on the same paper the anony- mous communication is written on, showing that he made it at Captain Stanbope’s quarters; yes, for it says that the captain accepts with him your kind invitation to dine, Mrs, Eurmett,” “So it does.” “Now, Colonel Emmett, compare, plefse, these notes with the anonymous letter and see what you think,” ““By Heaven! it is Ainsley’s writing, disguise it as he may have tried to do,” sharply said the colonel, and an angry light came into bis eyes, ‘Yes, Charles, | can see now that it is his hand, disguised,” Mrs, Emmett sadly said. 1 | here ny ° Sr p hie Paes fata et ae be Sh yisoke® ‘ah os 1" aie) 7 Dick Doom in the Wild West. “T shall recall him at once,” said the colonel, sternly. ‘*No, colonel, for he has a man who will sbadow him wherever he may go, and then you may have still better proof agaist him,” ** Miss Bell, you are right, and it is just what must be done.’ CHAPTER XXIII. A PLOT, Tue colonel was dveply moved at what he now felt was proof that Captain Ainsley had been in some way an accomplice in’ the accusa- tion against the Boy Scout. There was one thing, however, that puzzled him, and he lay awake late thinking it over, That was that Spanish Joe, who had brought in the news of the Boy Scout having deposited a letter which a masked horseman got, and af- terward killed the guard and robbed the coach, must bave told the truth, If he did not, was he anaccomplice of Captain Ainsley to get rid of the boy? The colonel talked it over with bis wife, and after breakfast Miss Bell was called into con- sultation. She was told of the two scouts who were sent to shadow the Boy Scout, and asked what she thought of their being the accomplices of Cap- tain Ainsley in a plot against the Boy Scout? ‘*T would like to see them, sir, before I judge, * But would it not be well to first send for their chief and find out all you can about them from him? ‘* Yes, I will send for Buck Taylor at once.” So Miss Bell again sought her hiding-place in the alcove, and Buck Taylor, the chief of scouts at the fort, was announced. He was a tall man, several inches over six feet, built like a giant, and had made a very enviable record upon the frontier, In response to the colonel’s questions as to the antecedents of Spanish Joe and Pony Pete, he replied that the former was a New Mexican, a gambler, and tricky, with litde known of his past life, ** Pony Pete is as square as they make ’em, colonel, and 1 will stake big money on him every time,” be added, ** Thank you, Taylor, for I was anxious to get your candid opinion as I desire to see the two men, so please send them to me, first Pony Pete, afterward Spanish Joe,” The chief of scouts departed, and the colonel asked: ‘* Well, Miss Bell, what do you think of Buck Taylor?” ‘Just the man to tie to, colonel, when you need a friend, in danger and for advice,” * Good! . ‘*Now we will bave your opinion of Ponty Pete, for here he comes,” Pony Pete, a sunburned, hard-faced little man, came in and looked embarrassed, He told the coloned how be had seen the masked-horseman hold up the coach, shoot the guard and escape with the treasure before he oppld get to the scene, for he was upon a high ridge. Spanish Joe had told him, when be described the masked horseman, that be was the very man who had gotten the letter from the hiding- place where the Boy Scout had placed it, ** You bave no reason to doubt Spanish Joe, have you?” ** Well, colonel, I bain’t got no reason ter be- Jieve him, for he do lie powerful about leetle things, and he bev once cheated me at keerds,” ** Thank you, Pete,” and the scout was dis- missed, ** Now your opinion, Miss Bell?” called out the colonel. ** | would trust that man, implicitly, colonel.” ** Spanish Joe is coming.” Miss Bell glided into her hiding-place, and Spanish Joe entered. He was a Mexican half-breed, with a furtive glance, a hardened face and an evil eye, — His face was scarred, be limped slightly, dressed half in Mexican costume and was noted as a splendid scout, ‘* Spanish Joe, I wish to ask you to tell me over again about your shadowing young Kent the Boy Scout, when you saw him hide that letter?” The man started very slightly, and said in good English: ‘“‘T saw him hide the letter among the rocks and then go on his way. { ‘* Before I reached the spot a horseman came up at a gallop, leant over on the rocks and got the letter.” ‘* A horseman?” : eer Poe - . n “Yes, sir, he was masked and dressed im buckskin, ‘ “He rodea big bay horse and went away at a gallop.” : ‘* Why did you not kill. bim?”’ ‘*T was told only to shadow the Boy Scout, sir; but he robbed the coach the next day.” ‘* How do you know?” ‘* Pony Pete descrit:ed the man, and I knew it- was the one who got the letter, sir.” ** All right, you can go now, Spanish Joe,” The man left the room and when Miss Bell ap-- peared the colonel asked: ‘*-You saw bim, Miss Bell?” “I did, sir.” ‘Your opinion, please?” **] could not havea worse one, sir, for that man hasa black heart and would be guilty of’ apy crime,” ,‘‘ Whew!” said the colonel while Mrs, Em- mett came into the room and said: “IT agree with you, Miss Bell, for the\ mam was also most repulsive looking to me.” “Then you think be would lie against the Boy Scout if it was to his int: rest to do so?” “Tam sure of it, sir, and without knowing the Boy Scout, but merely confident in my own mind that there wasa plot against him, I be- lieve the man dia lie, and if it brought. him to his death little would one with such a face care,” and Miss Bell spoke most earnestly, for @ moment losing her calm manner of speaking. CHAPTER XXIV. , SHADOWED, : AFTER the conversation regarding Spanish Joe had been changed, Miss Bell said: ‘Colonel Emmett, I bave something to ask you, and to tell you.” “‘]T shall be glad to answer the one and hear the other, Miss Bell.” es You know that I am fond of riding?” ce wv * Well, I would like to have permission to gov and come alone, for if I wish company I will ask for an escort.” ‘* But it is dangerous work,” ‘‘ Not for me, for 1 will ride that fleet horse E rode yesterday, and I always go armed.” ‘* But you may lose your way.” ‘*No, for, as 1 told you, I am a frontier girl,. having passed much of my life in the South- west.” : ier? I cannot refuse you, only be very care~ ‘ul, ‘‘- Yes, Miss Bell, pray be most careful,” added Mrs, Emmett anxiously, ‘*T will promise to be, andI thank you for your permission to go alone, and for your con- sideration for my safety; but do not be alarmed, for am fully capable of taking care of my~ self,” ‘sT ean believe that, Miss Bell. ‘But now what was it that you had to tell me?” “T gee that the gentlemen are also curious, though ladies are the ones mostly accused of that: failing?” ‘*T admit that I am curious to know what you have to tell, Miss Bell.” **T shall not delay telling it then, sir.” **Can I also listen?” asked Mrs, Emmett, “Ob, yes, for you were also with me when E made the discovery.” 2 ‘Then you bave made a discovery?” ** Yes, and one I deem important, for it was. when I visited the grave of the Boy Scout.” ‘“* Indeed?” ** Yes, colonel,” Rees ** And you have kept it all this time?” “Oh yes, for it would keep. “It was just this, that some one has drivem tacks into the headboard,” “Tacks?” “* Yes, sir,” “Do they disfigure it?” ‘Oh, no, but they were put there fora pur- ose, ‘‘ What purpose?” “There are ten of them, sir, just ten tacks,. driven under the name of the Boy Scout,” was the very significant reply of the maiden, ‘* Ten, and there were ten sentinels killed on their posts,” said the colonel, * Yes, and the ten sentinels were the men who shot the Boy Scout, and the ten tacks are driven into the headboard, to mark that many slain im revenge, so that proves that they were killed by one who is a Nemesiv, one who is avenging that youth.” ye ; **- Yes, Miss Bell, there cannot be the slightest. doubt of that now,” said tbe colonel, im- pressively. ; This story of Miss Bell was the topic of con-. ta ae, “4 ‘an, ™ = . er ae
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j . Ae ¥ ’ “ ve ey i) Be, } " a i te gt Ve x 4 ¥. ¢ y yee 4 he ; ie “ wal } a tie a 1 Yeh Ru * aoe wee! 12 ‘versation between the three for some time, and din the afternoon, and later, Emma Bell ordered ther horse and went out for a gallop. The young officers saw ber go alone with ‘regret, and yet one who offered himself as an escort had his services most politely yet kindly declined. From that day, morning and afternoon, Miss ‘Bell was wont to take a long ride by herself, greatly to the regret of those who sought to be ‘ther escort. Where she went, what she did, she did not ‘say to any one, uuless to tha colonel and hi wife, and many wondered why she would insis wipon going alone, he had become most popular with all she had met, and though several of the ladies at the fort said that she was too manish to suit their taste, they could not but admire ber pluck, , But the gentlemen thought differently, and ‘when the fair guest of their colonel had a for- tune of a million dollars, with even balf as much af she foand her brother, which those most in- ‘terested hoped she never would, they could for- give much in her thst seemed perhaps a trifle unwomanly, even to the taking of human life, If Miss Bell knew just how she was regarded, ghe did not show that she did. She kept to herself, except for her friendship ~with Mrs, Emmett, which was sincere, She went on her loiely rides, and went armed, She rode where she pleased, was gone as long as suited her, and went and returned at her own sweet will. One morning she went upon ber usual ride, and she went along a valley between two ranges of hills and where the country was heavily tim- ‘ered. She knew the trail as it was the one that On ‘Time Charlie took with his coach upoa going to and from the fort, She knew that the coach was due at noon at ‘the fort and rode on as though to meet it, for to Ou Time Charlie she had been really more Jkind than to any of the offi:ers. The driver bad admitted that he was * gone,” sas be expressed it, upon the girl, and said that the was happy in the kindnesses which she from ‘time to time showed him, Whether he dreamed for a moment that he could win her regard, as he wished, remains to be seen, One thing Miss Bell had been a close observer -of in her rides, and that was that she was ‘almost constautly seeing Spanish Joe. Now, as she looked back from a rise she be- doeld that scout following her, and she said: i Te is’ shadowing me; thero is no doubt of ‘that. CHAPTER XXV. CAUGHT. TuE thought that Spanish Joo was following ther did not seem to disturb Miss Bell in the slightest degree. ‘ She merely rode into a thicket, hitched her ‘horse and returned to the side of the trail, hiding bebind a large bowlder, Oa he Spanish Joe, following her trail. As his borse was passing the rock there sud- wdenly was launched forth a lariat. One end was fast to a tree, the other settled over the bead of the rider, The borse gave a spring in his fright and Spanish Joe was dragged to the ground with a force that half-stunned him, To his amazement, the lassoed Mexican saw ‘that bis captor was a woman, standing over ‘im and covering him with ber revolver, while she had quickly and most dextrously disarmed shim the instant be fell, ‘““Why are you following me, Spanish Joe?” ‘ gsbe asked, /‘ Lam not following you,” he said, sullenly, ‘“‘T say youare.” — ** You have half killed me, so let me get up.” **Oh, no; I shall hold yeu as my prisoner— Hold out your hands,” As she spoke she took from her pocket a pair. “of manacleg, * Who are you?” ** Never mind whol am, kill you.” He held his hands up together, and they were -at once manacled, ; ** You can throw a lusso,” he growled, ** On, yes; I can do anything to protect myself ‘from such as you.” ‘*T have dons you no harm.” **No, but you intended to, I am of your purpose. But «mount your horse,” . Obey me, or I will ‘well aware come, now, get up and ' f é Dick Doom in the Wild West. She caught his horse, which was but a few paces distant, aud forced him to mount, Then she took her lasso and firmly bound bis feet beneath the animal, ‘* Now you go with me,” ‘* Where to?’ ** Never mind where; you go.” She mounted ber borse, took his in lead, and rode toward the mountains, At last she halted in a canyon, dismounted, ordered him to do the same, and bound him firmly to a_tree, ‘* Now I Wish you to tell me the truth.” _* About what?” * How much did Captain Ainsley give you for telling that lie upon the Boy Scout?” » ‘*T never told a lie on the boy!” *¢- You did, aud you were paid todo so,” “*T was not!” ‘*] know you got a good price, and if you do not tell me, I'll take you back to the fort and turn you over to Buck Taylor, who will gladly hang you to wipe out the disgrace of having such a Man as you are as one of his band of scouts, “ Quick! Whatdid Captain Ainsley pay you to tell that lie on the Boy Scout?” ** You won’t bang me?” ‘“‘J am no hangman.” ‘* Hive hundred dollars,” “Allright, Just keep that to yourself until I tell you to talk. ‘* Now vou are to remain here, and Buck Tay- lor will come after you.” | ** You said you would not hang me.” ‘Tam po bengman, I said; but I will simply send Buck Taylor to bring you a prisoner to the fort to-night, and you are to say nothing of the charges against you,” ** Pll not do so; but you'll save me?” = if you obey me, yes. Now I will leave ou, , Tne prisoner begged not to be left alone there, but Miss Bell coolly mounted her horse and rode away, saying that she would send after bim in good time. She went back to the stage trail, and was rid- ing slowly along it when she heard the rumble of wheels, ; Soon the coach came in sight, and, as ke over- took her, On Time Charlie drew rein, ‘* Any passengers, Charlie?’ she asked. ‘Captain Ainsley, miss, and a miner,” was the answer, ‘* Ab, Captain Ainsley! I am glad to see you back again,” said Miss Bell, as the officer, awakened from a nap looked out of the coach window, ‘* And I am happy in seeing you, Miss Bell; but you are surely vot alone so far from the fort?” ’**Oh, yes: L ramble at will; but if On Time Charlie will bitch my borse to a leader I will ride back with him on the box,” Captaiz Ainsley looked disappointed at this decision, while On Time Charlie was so pleased he sprung from the box at a leap and grasped the reia of the horse, He soon bad him hitched alongside of a*leader, and turned to aid Miss Bell to the box when he found she bad mounted, unaided, to the seat, refusing the captain’s request to enter the coach. ‘* It is so stuffy riding inside,” she said. Then she added: ‘*T prefer to ride with Charlie,” The captain slunk back in sullen mood, glanc- ing daggers at the white-haired miner upon whore face he had detected a smile at her ee he thought, of the driver, to him- self, : An hour after Miss Bell entered the quarters of her host somewhat hastily and asked Mrs, a Emmett to bring her husband at once to see her for she had news for him, \ CHAPTER XXVI. THK CAPTAIN'S STORY, CoLONEL EMMETT hastened to obey the sum- mons of Miss Bell, and she said quickly; * Sit down, colonel, for I have much to tell ‘* Has anything gone wrong with you?” ‘‘On the contrary everything has gone right, for, let. me tell you first, that Captain Ainsley has returned,” “ce Ah!” “ day. ** Alone?” : “Ob no; his shadow was with him,” * His shadow?” “Yes; a gray-haired miner whom I rerog- nizad, in spite of his smoothly shaven face and white wig as Carter Kendrick, the Detective Sergeant.” i. He came in on On Time Charlie’s coach to- “Then he returned with him?” ** Yes, sir.” ** And the captain?” ‘¢ Does not suspect him, I am aure,” ‘*T hope not; but I will soon have a call from one, ar both of them,” . ‘The sergeant will not come until night, sir. ‘¢-You have indeed given me news,” ‘*T have more, for I rode out on the stage trail this morning determined to ride back on the box with On Time Charlie.” *¢ And you did?” *¢ Yes; he hitched my horse to ono of the leaders and I rode back on the box.” ‘ en and more you surprise me, Miss ell, ‘¢ Tot me give you another surprise, sir.” “ Well?” ‘*] have been shadowed the past week.” “You” ‘ “Vea; sir, “ Shadowed?” “ True,” ** By whom?” “Spanish Joe,” **Why did you not tell me of this?” ‘ ‘‘T knew you would puta stop to itand I wished to do that myself,” ‘* Did you?” anxiously asked the colonel, | - Don’t look frightened, for I did not kill im, ‘* What then?” “‘T only laid in ambush for him, caught him with my lasso,” ** Your lasso?” ‘Yes, sir, for | can throw a lariat fairly well.” “You caught him?” ‘¢ Yes, sir, and made him prisoner, for slip- péd a pair of handcuffs upon him—” * Handcuffs?” $¢'Yieg, teins gencies.” ‘7 see,” “‘T took him toa canyon in the mountains, tied bim to tree and got a confession from him, ** A confession?” * Yessir” ‘* What was it?” ‘JT told him that I knew he intended to kidnap me, and that somebody was inv the. plot with him, ‘* Kidnap you?” “¢ Yes, sir, that .vas Spanish Joe’s plot.” ‘¢The villain!” =. ‘**Oh, be bad a master in it, you may be sure!” ‘* A master?” ** Yes, sir, but_I cannot yet tell you who it always go prepared for emer- was. ‘‘ fe made the confession to me that I expect- ed he would, and sol bound him securely and said that I would send Buck Taylor after him to-night, for, except to the chief of scouts, bis capture must be kept a secret, as do not wish to spoil what bas begun so well,” ‘*What a marvel Gi are, Miss Bell.” ** Now, colonel, will you send for Buck Taylor, send him after Spanish Joe, have him bring him in by the Fatal Post way to-night, where there must be no sentinel?” A ' “No sentinel?” ‘* No, sir, but I will explain that_later to you. Lat Buck Taylor go after Spanish Joe, for I will tell you just where he can find him, and he must reach the secret cell with him, no one priehiie that he is a prisoner, and place over him a guar he can trust among his own men,” ‘T willbe governed by you in this matter, Miss Bell, for you certainly seem to know just what you are about,” . ‘* She does, Charles, so trust her fully,” Mrs, Emmett said, Captain Ainsley was then announced, but be- fore he was invited into the private room Bell made her way to the alcove and went into hiding, mA ‘¢ Ah, Captain Ainsley, welcome back, ‘¢T am glad to see you, for I wasanxious about . ou,” me There was no need of that, sir, as the lady IT went tosee is dead, so was in DO way con- nected with these revengeful murders, and it now devolves upon us to find the assassin here in the fort.” ‘¢ Well, we can but try; but there has been no murder sinee your departure, captain,” ‘‘LT am glad to hear that, sir.” ‘“« And the sister of the Boy Scout is dead, you~ say?’ e _ * Yes, sir, and has been for some time.” ‘Well, lam sorry we were led to misjudge her, from what you said.” ‘“fam also sorry, sir’ but we must find the assassin here,” ' Miss. \ _ L |
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_ this box was in the coffin wi f will do all in my power, captain; but you ook wan and fatigued, so seek rest now and call to-morrow to see me,’ The captain departed and Miss Bell came forth from her hiding-place, ‘““What do you think of his story, Miss Bell?” “T believe, sir, that be is right in part; but, Culonel Emmett, I know that he paid five hundred dollars to Spanish Joe to bring word in to you that the Boy Scout was a traitor,” was the decided reply of Miss Bell. CHAPTER XXVII. THE SERGEANT'S STORY, Iv was just after nightfall when Sergeant Carter ‘Kendrick made his way to the quarters of Colonel Emmett, still dressed as a miner and wearing his white wig and a pair of spectacles, ** Well, Kendrick, I would never have known you, had Miss Beil not told me that a gray- haired miner returned with Captain Ainsley.” ** Yes, sir, I stuck close to bim, was like his very shadow in fact, though I had to change my disguise a dozen times.” ‘* Well, where did he go?” ‘There is that which I have to tell you, col- onel, which will surprise yon,” ** Out with it, Kenerick.” ** Well, sir, the captain loved a lady who was to be sole heir to a large fortune, in case her brother did not return home, “Her name, sir, was Miss Kate Kenton, and her brother was arunaway from home under certain false charges, as they prcved to be after- ward, and now it is suspected by one person, an old nurse, that Captain Ainsley drove the boy away.” ‘Can this be true?” ‘* He failed to marry the lady, sir, for she loved one who, afterward it was said, was an ex-convict who had escaped from prison, ** She ran off with him, however, and went in search of her brotber. ‘* At last it was said her brother was killed, . and hearing this, and knowing what the man she had married was, her heart was broken and she died, but no one seemed to know just when or where,” ‘* Poor woman,” ** Well, sir, as the captain beard she was dead ‘he came back, but I do believe that he tried to get rid of the boy that he might marry the sis- ter. . ‘* This is a severe charge to make against an officer, Kendrick.” ‘Tam acting as detective now, sir, and would make no charge I did not believe.to be true,” ““T believe that of you, Kendrick, and feel that you have done all that you deemed to be your duty. ‘You can go now,” ‘‘Pardon me, colonel, but may I have the services of Sergeant Kendrick upon a _prospect- ing tour this afternoon?” and Miss Bell came out of the alcove, ‘* Certainly, Miss Bell, if you wisb.” “Then, sergeant, get a spade and shovel and - await my coming over in the cemetery this after- noon,” said Miss Bell, and half an hour after, accompanied by the surgeon of the fort, Doctor Dane, she walked away as though for an after- noon stroll. At the cemetery they were joined by the sup- posed miner, to whom Miss Bell said: ““{ wish you to open the grave of the Boy Ranger, miner, and Doctor Dario, you are to ener Ae thorough an examination as possible, of the Ye r “This grave has been opened before,” said the sergeant. *¢ Has it?” _ “Yes, miss,” ne All right, “rin it eos he sergeant o , the coffin was taken out the'screws i a Miss Bell said: : * Doctor Dane, it is the body of a boy?” ** Great God! tt is the body of awoman! and here is a smal! tin box by the arm,” ‘* Yes, you are to hand that box to Colonel Emmett. ** Now, eatgennt, please return the coffin to the grave and fill it in. “To-night ycu are to come to headquarters and report to Colone! Emmett. ** Shall we return now, Doctor Dane?” The amazed su walked back with Miss Bell, and when in the colonel’s room made his repert, ‘Colonel, that is the bod . a woman, and er, “T can vouch for that, sir, as one afternoon I _ Opened the grave and made the same discovery, do i] M ay T ] y But—” “ Dick Doom in the Wild West. “The sergeant is to report to you to-night and verify the surgeon and myself.” ** You, Miss Beli?” ‘** Yes, sir, and that is the body of Kate Ken- ton, not of her brother, who is now riding Pony Express, sir, for I met him on my way out here, and he never knew that his sister was not dead, as he had been led to believe. ‘* She played her brother's part and was shot, carrying her secret to the grave with her.” Poor, poor cbild! ‘*And the man she married and who was so unworthy of ber?” said the colonel. ‘* He is safe, sir, when wanted, and he will be wanted very soon. ‘*But now, Colonel Emmett, have you given orders about the Fatal Post remaining vacant to-night?” ‘*T thought it best to place the men there and then secretly order their removal,” ‘* That is best, sir, and all is working just as I could wisb.” “You surely do not expect to capture the assassin, to-night, of those sentinels, Miss Bell, for I believe you are plotting to that end?” “That is just what Iam plotting for, Colonel Emmett, and all I ask is your perfect confidence and aid,” : ‘““You shall have it, even though a woman accomplishes what men have thus far failed to ‘*A woman can not accomplish it alone, colonel; but await the result of the trap I have set for to-night, ‘¢ Have you ordered Buck Taylor to come here with his prisoner as soon as he arrives?” “T have,’ ‘Then all goes well,” and Miss Bell looked triumphant at the hope of success before them, CHAPTER XXVIII, THE SILENT SENTINEL, Buck TAYLOR found the prisoner awaiting him, bound hands and feet, and entering the fort by the Futal Post, where there was no sentinel, as per request of Miss Bell, he took Spanish Joe to the colonel’s quarters, Then Captain Ainsley was sent for and upon his arrival the colonel said stvrvly: ** Abner Ainsley, I have but a very few words tos.y to you, and unless you obey me, for the sake of saving the army from disgrace, I shall let you stand your trial as the accomplice in the murder of a woman, for in the grave where you suppose the Boy Scout to rest, lies his pvor sister, Catherine Kenton, who was searching for her brother. “You betrayed that poor boy, as you be- lieved, to, his death, and all of your evil life {s known to mein your plot for gold; so sit there and instantly write out your résignation, and to-morrow take the coach away from this post, ** Refuse, and the disgrace shall fall by my putting you in irons,” ** Mercy, Colonel Emmett, for 1 will resign, and I thank you for your clemency,” said the man, his face as white as death. “Take the coach to-morrow, and give what excuse you please, I will see that your resig- nation is accepted by my superior officers,” he man skulked out of the colonel’s quarters and went to his own, crushed, trembling, and savage at heart, Into the room then came Spanish Joe, with Buck Taylor, ‘Sit there, sir, and sign that paper, then go to ha quarters, get your traps, and your chief will see you well away from the fort, ‘* For your confession against Captain Ains- ley I spare you, but again put your foot on this frontier and Y shall see that you are hanged without trial. ‘ ‘¢ Begone, sir!” Away went Spanish Joe, and as he left under ard of Buck Taylor, out of. the alcove came iss Bell. “* Now, colonel, I will keep my appointment made for to-night.” Bing NR ete he a eT tee
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Dick Doom in the Wild West. ] *You_are Dick Doom, the Detective of the 4 ‘Golden Fetters—the man I would give my life j “to slay—yes, die upon the gallows gladly, if I a scould only grasp your throat in my good right " band,” and the prisoner made a move, when he | found a revolver looking into his eyes, and heard : ‘the words: i | “Don’t try it, Valentine Gibson, for I am re, ao Doom, and you know that my aim is dead- ‘ed “ ye yy Then, turning to the commandant the detec- ely tive continued: ‘Am I forgiven, Colonel Emmett, for de- | «ceiving you as I bave?” ‘** And your lost brother?’ gasped the colonel. ** Alla fairy story, sir.” , . “ Yes, yes, Miss Bell—I mean Mr. Doom, I i‘ edo heartily forgive you, for you have accom- , plished, just what I wished done, and you have q done it well and nobly, f ‘* Yes, a thousand times I forgive you; and, only think! my wife—a woman too—!ept the wecret so all important! ‘* Now go and let mo see you as you are.” CHAPTER XXX, CONCLUSION, THERE is little more to add, other than that Dick Doom did not leave the fort until he saw ‘this man he had so well shadowed die upon the gallows, Then he returned eastward, to continue on in hhis remarkable and perilous career as the Detec- tive of the Golden Fetters, in which he added Still greater eclat to his name asa human ferret, Sergeant Kendrick went steadily upward in the army until be received a commission as a lieutenant, and was a happy man, Spanish Joe was not heard of again, while Captain Ainsley fled from the country through fear of arrest, but wherever he may roam he cau never drive from his conscience the grave on the frontier in which lies the form of the woman whom he professed to lore, and who was executed as Kit Kent, the Boy Scout, and the secret of which was revealed by the detective : work of Dick Doom in the Wild West. THE END, ~ Beadle’s Dime Library. BY ITACKSON KNOX—“ Ola Hawk,” 643 Castlemaine, the Silent Sifter, 616 Magnus, the Weird Detective, 606 The Drop Detective. 59 Wellborn, the Upper Crust Detective, 582 Joram, the Detective Expert, 574 Old Falcon’s Double. The Tuug King; or, The Falcon Detective’s Foe. Falconbridge. the Sphinx Detective. ) Old Faleon’s Foe; or, The Detecrive’s Swell Job. Short-Stop Maje, the Diamond Field Detective, Old) Falcon, the Thunderbolt Detective, Be sig bso Steve, the Retired Detective, The Detective’s Spy. Rowlock. the Harbor Detective. Dead-arm Brandt, 467 Mainwaring. the Salamander. 462 The Circus Detective, 451) Griplock, the Roeket Detective. " oa —_—— Se Sie eed Seo Si wees — 342 Blanco Bill, the Mustang Monarch. ae be 323 King Kent; or, The Bandits of the Bason, by 322 The Crimson Coyotes, or, Nita the Nemesis fest 309 Raybold, the Rattling Ranger. ay 301 Bowlder Bill; or, The Man from Taos. bas 293 Stampede Steve; or, The Deom of the Double. fo. So 287 Dandy Dave and his Horse, White Stocking. 282 The Merciless Marauders; or, Carl's Revenge, 273 Mountain Mose, the Goreé Outlaw. : 269 The Bayou Bravo; or The Terr. ble Trail. oi 264 The Crooked Three, 256 Double Dan, the Dastard, or, The Pirates. 250 The Rough Riders; or, Sharp Eye. the Scourge. 244 Merciless Mart, the Man Tiger of. Missourt.. 239 The Terrible Trio; or, The Angel of the Army. 225 Rocky Mountain Al; or, The Waif of the Range. ey 221 Desperate Duke, the Guadaloupe “ Galoot.” oa 217 The Serpent of El Paso, or, Frontier Frank. pee 212 The 3razos Tigers; or, The Minute Men: » 204 Big . oot Wallace. the King of the Lariat. / 199 Diamond Dick, the Dandy from Denver. 195 The Lone Star Gambler; or, Magnolia’s Maid. ' en oe BE ae Semersy : us see Hoeky’s idan e Black Bravo; or, The Tonkaway’s mph, we 48 Dark Dashwood, the Desperate, 1 Satie " | 90 Wild Will, the Mad Ranchero. sat 3 Kit Carson, Jr., the Crack Shot. | | | oe € AN Qn * ore Ou 3 « a € we ~ . vm — BY CAPT. FRED. WHITTAKER. 614 The Showman Detective; or, The Mad Magician. 609 The Texas Tramp; or, Solid Saul. 445 Journeyman John, the Champion, 715 702 696 689 BY WM. G. PASTEN. Double-Voice Dan on Deck. Double-Voice Dan, the Always-on-Deck Detective Double-Voice Dan, the Go-it Alone Detective, 412 Larry Locke, the Man of Iron, 89 The Sparkler Sharp. ' "he 406 Old ton Hicks, Ghodrann. 676 Hurricane Hal, the Cowboy Hctspur. z 878 John Armstrong, Mechanic. 669 Old True Blue, the Trusty, 326 The Whitest Man iv the Mines. 663 The Giant 5 dort; or, Sold to Satan. 310 The Marshal of Satanstown; or, The League. 056 Old Piug Ugly, the Rough and Ready. 803 Top-Noteh Tom, the Cowboy Outlaw. 645 Gold Glove Gid, the Man of Grit. 295 Old Cross-Eye, the Maverick-Hunter. 641 Aztec Jack, the Desert Nomad. 290 The Lost Corvette: or, Blakeley’s Last Cruise, | 681 Colonel Cool, the Santa Fe Sharp, 284 The Turee Frigates; or, Old Ironsides’ Revenge, | 60% Captain Nameless, the Mountain Mystery. 277 The Saucy Jane, Privateer. 571 Old Dismai, the Range Detective. : 972 Seth Slocum, Raiiroad Surveyor. | 845 Hustler Harry, the Cowboy Sport, Bip Old 2 dies a algh tt or, Pilots and Pirates, ' 253 A Yankee Cossack; or,The Queen of the Nihilists, 247 Alligator Ike: or, The Secret of the Everglade, BY CAPTAIN MARK WILTON. 242 'Che Fog Devil; or, The Skipper of the Flash, , 823 Hotspur Hugh; or, The Banded Brothers, 231) The Flying Dutchman of 1880. 8311 Heavy Hand; or, The Marked Men. 22H ‘he Mad Hussars; or, The O's and the Mac’s, 305 Silver-Plated Sol, the Montana Rover. 215 Parson Jim, King of the Cowboys. | 201 Horseshoe Hank, the Man of Big Luck, 211 Colonel Plunger; or, The Unknown Sport, 285 Lightning Bolt, the Canyon Terror, 206 One Eye, the Cannoneer, 276 Texa: Chick. the Southwest Detective, 193 ‘The Man in Red; or, Lhe Ghost of the Old Guard. | 271 Stonefist, of Big Nugget Bend. 187 The Death’s Head Cuirassiers, 266 Leopard Luke, the King of Horse-Thieves. 174 The Phantom Knights, 159 Red Rudiger, the Archer, 132 Nemo, King of the Tramps, 245 115 The Severed Head; or, The Castle Coucy Secret. | 237 108 The Duke of Diamonds, 227 98 The Rock Rider; or. The Spirit of the Sierra, 22 96 Double Death; or, The Spy of Wyoming. 219 69 The Irish Captain. A Tale of Fontenoy. 202 65 The Red Rajah; or, The Scourge of the Indies. 194 39 The Russian Spy; or, The Starry Cross Brothers. | 176 BY COL. THOMAS H. MONSTERY. 332 Spring-Hect Jack: or, The Masked Mystery. 262 Fighting Tom, the Terror of the Toughs. 236 Charapion Sam; or, The Monarechsof the Show. 169 Corporal Cannon, the Man of Forty Duels Mourad, the Mameluke; or, The Three Sword masters, 267 w~ — 150 ©] Rubio Bravo, King of the Swordsmen, 200 143 The Czar’s Spy i or, The Nihilist League Hi 4 26 The Demon Duelist: or, The League of Steel. Iron Wrist, the Swordmaster. 12 BY NED BUNTLINE, 8 657 Long Tom, the Privateer. 633 The Sea Spy. 621 The Red Privateer; or, The Midshipman Rover. | 95% 581 Fire Feather, the Buccaneer King, 343 517 Buffalo Bill’s First Trail, 334 361 Tombstone Dick, the Train Pilot. 313 270 Andros, the Rover; or, The Pirate’s Daughter. | 395 122 Saul Sabberday, the Idiot Spy. 288 111 The Smuggler Captain; or, The Skipper’s Crime, | 959 61 Captain Seawaif, the Privat-er. 238 23 The Red Warrior; or, The Comanche Lover. 185 18 The Sea Bandit; or, The Queen of the Isle. 167 16 The White Wizard; or, The Seminole Prophet. 100 14 Thayendanegea, the Scourge; or, The War-Eagle., 95 : 5 vo BY WILLIAM R. EYSTER, 707 The Rival Rovers. 687 Double Cinch Dan, the Sport With a Charm. Ps 677 Mr. Jackson, the Gent from Jaybird. 566 659 Gilt-Kdge Johnny; or, Roldan and His Rovers, , 650 Lucky Lester’s Lone Hand. 542 634 Old Handeart’s Big Dump, : 622 The All Around Sports, 584 603 Desert Alf, the Man With the»Cougar, ® 590 Gentle Jack, the High Roller from Humbug. 518 578 Seven Shot Steve, the Sport with a Smile: 568 The Dude Detective. 410 558 Hurrah Harry, the High Horse from Halcyon, 366 549 Belshazzar Brick, the Bailiff of Blue Blazes. 393 533 Oregon. the Sport With a Sear. a 525 Fresh Frank, the Derringer Daisy. ao 3 The Dude from Denver. Pinnacle Pete; or, The Fool from Way Back, * 3 Canyon Dave, the Man of the Mountain, 9 The Scorpion Brothers; or, Mad Tom’s 3 Lady Jaguar, the Robber Queen. The White Squaw, 34 The Hunter’s Feast. 228 The Maroon. A Tale of Voodoo and Ob . j e Piper Detective; or, The Gilt Edge Gang. 179 Conrad, the Convict. By Prof. Gildersleeve. Royal George, the Taree in One. fe Thre Stamnes Sports; or, The Combination. 160 Double Shot Dave of the Left Hand. 155 Derringer Dick, the Man with the Drop. 152 A Sport in Spectacles; or, Bad Time at Bunco, sat Magic Mike, the Man of Frills 14 Captain Cutsleeve; or, The Litt! Sport. 140 The Two Cool Sports; or, Gertic of the Gulch. a 192 The Lightning Sport. 182 Hands Up; or, The Kni¢hts of the Canyon, 110 160 Soft Hind: Sharp: or, T) Man with the Sana, | 102 145 Vis.ol Pards; or, Lhe silent Sport from Cinnaba Kh > ‘ 68 BY EDWARD WILLETT. 4% Flush Fred, the River Sharp. 368 The Canyon King; or. a Price on his Head. ] 348 Dan Dillon, King of Crosseut. 337 Old Gabe, the Mountain Tramp. 327 Terrapin Dick, the Wildwood Detective. 315 Flush Fred’s Double; or, The Squatters’ League. 308 Hemlock Hank, Tough and True, 298 Logzer Lem; ov, Life in the Pine Woods, 289 Flush Fred’s Full Hand. 274 Flush Fred, the Mississippi Sport. 248 Montana Nat, the Lion of Last Chance Camp. 222 Bill the Blizzard; or, Red Jack’s Crime. 209 Buck ee the Bonanza Prince. Mississippi Mose; or, a Strong Man’s Sacrifice. 60 82 Owlet, the Robber Prince. By S. R. Urban. iar oe The Doomed Dozen. By Dr. Fiork Powell, J Captain Ironnerve, the Courterfeiter Chief. The Doctor Detective. By George Lemuel. The Hunchback cf Notre Dame. By Victor Hugo, The Three Spaniards. By Geo. Walker. Rody the Rover. Py Witliam Caneton. The Blacksmith Outlaw. By H. Ainsworth, The Silent Rifleman. By H. W. Herbert. The Masked Bard. By George L. Aiken. The Mysterious Spy.’ By Arthur M. Grainger. The Queen’s Musketeers. By Georre Albany. The Fighting Trapper. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams, F Wice Awake, the Robber King. By F. Dumont, Bhoys of Yale: or, The Serapes of Collegians, 1 Midshipman Easy, By Captain Marryatt, : 10 Vidocq, the French Police Spy. By himself. “f 9 Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover. 6 Wildcat Bob, By Edward L. Wheeler, Tee ‘ a / A new isgue every Wednesday, ; oe Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mai] on receipt of twelve cents each, ny bat BEADLE AND ADAMS, PusulsHErs, 98 William Street, New York, —
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, 659 - BEADLE’S«H ALF-DIME* [| IBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. — BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. : Deadwood Dick Novela 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince ot the Road. {20 Deadwood Dick’s Defiance; or, Double Daggers. a8 -aealy josh ria VP Piewulses or, Buffaly Ben 'BS Deadwoot ek in s Castle. 42 peadross te eres or, The my ky Miner. 49 Deadwood ¢k in Danger; or, Omaha Oll, 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 73 preacweos Dick on Deck; or, Calamity ¢ gat Heroine, 77 Deadwood Dick’s Last Acts or, Corduroy Qbarlie. 00 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. S re eh weed piak'e “ee ice; ou Ihe Double Gross Sign. o Jendwood Dick as Detective. x a4 5 yar oer picks powblat en The Semen’ ene Ghost. Ss : rod th? » Base; or, Blonde Bill. 149 peadwoed Dicken Ble Strikes cr, A Game of Gold. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party, 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road, 201 Deadwood Dick's Wards or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. aoe pena weed a ont oh “eae Jane’s Adventure, 7 Deadwood Dick’s Dead Deal. 221i Deadwood Dick’s Death-Plant. 282 Gold-Dust Diek, A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, pt een west aps pivides Li ha Spirit of Swamp Lake. 68 Deadwoot ck’s Death Trail. B09 Deadwood Dick’s Deals or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. BS2L Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats B47 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Days in the Diggings. 851 Deadwood Dick gr gy or, the Terrible Veadetta, $62 Dendwood Dick’s Claim, 405 Dendwood Dick In Dead City, 410 Deadwood Dick’s Dinmonda, 421 Dendwood Dick in New York; or, A “Cute Case,” 480 Deadwood dt al or, The Chained Hand. 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr. 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr.?s, Defiance. 458 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Full Mand. 459 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-Up. AGS Deadwood Dick, drs, Racket at Claim 10, 471 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill A476 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s,; Dog Detective, 4AS1 Deadwood Dick. Jdr., In Deadwood, ADL Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Compact. A96 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance, 500 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’4, Diggings. 50S Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dellverance, Bids Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Protegee. H22 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Three. 529 Deadwood Dick, dr.’s, Danger Dacka S84 VDewdwood Dick, Jr.'s, Death Hunt, 539 Peadwood Dick, Jr., In Texas, H44 Deadwood Dick, Jdr., the Wild West Vidoog 540 Deadwood Dick, Jr., on iis Mettle, 554 Dendwood Dick, Jr., In Gotham, S61 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Boston, 567. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadetphia, 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago. HIS Deadwood Dick. Jr., Aflont, HS4 Dendwood 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. #18 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Cincinnatl, 624 Dendwood Dick. Jr., in Nevada. 630 Deadwood Dick, Jr., ln No Man’s Land, G86 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer, 642 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Buffalo. G48 Deadwood Dick, dr.’s, kone Roxon the Continent i . ; hk iy ag the relers. Ska Besgrced pice: dru, Neenecanecuceee™ 666 Dendwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines, 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., tn Durangos or, Gathered In.” 678 Deadwood Pick, are sae gaa or, Pound a Fortune, G84 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Puzzic. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s. Dollars. 695 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide, 700 Deadwood Dick, drs, Drop. 704 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at dack-Pot. 710 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in San Francisco, 716 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Still Mant, 722 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’4, Dominoes, T28 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Disguise. 784 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Deal. 740 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathwatch. T47 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’4, Doublet. T5z Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Denthblow. 258 Deadwood Dick, dr.’s, Desperate Strait. 764 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Lone Hand. T7T0 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deteat. 76 Deadwood Dick, Jris, Resurrection, $82 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dark Days.| . BY J. ©. COWDRIOK,. Broadway Billy Novels. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo, 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle. 536 Broadway Billy’s *Ditkilty.” 6S7 Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. 79 Broadway Billy’s Surprise Party. 605 Broadway Billy; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning, 628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Act, 669 Broadway Billy Abroad. $75 Broadway Billy's Best; or,Beating San Francisco's Finest. G87 Broadway Billy in Clover, 696 Broadway Bully tr Texas. 708 Broadway Billy’s Brand, Z11 Broadway Bully at Santa Fe, 720 Broadway Billy’s Full Mand, 285 Broadway Billy's Business, 7BS Rroadway Billy’« Curtous Case. BS Broadway Billy in Denver. 62 Broadway Billy’s Bargain. 69 Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective, th Broadway Billy's Shadow Chase. 88 Broadway Billy’s Beagles, a Other Novels by J. C. Cowdrick. 860 8 “. k, the Man of Mystery. 869 1 i er ad Gold King 3 or, For Seven Years Dead, 420 Thc Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a Name, 424 Cibuta Jonn; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar. 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 506 ree Ralph. the Prince of the Road, 524 The Engineer Detective. | + $48 Mart, the Night Express Detective. ae 1 areline ie me the Young Engineer. rhe Boy Pinkerton. |. rth Fighting Warry the Chief of Chained Cyclone, Eg Ne ee ae pewr r the Merchant's Ward, oonlight Morgan, the“ Pizenest ” Man of Ante Bar. Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler, 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon, 82 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot, 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 53 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bills or, The Red Rifle Team, 69 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The Boy Detective, SO Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob gn Hand, 88 Phetograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob's Reappearance, 92 Canada Chet; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp, 96 Watch-Eyeo 3 or, Arabs and Angels of a Great City 8% Jack Hoyle _ the Young Speculator. ] ZT Glit-Mdged Dick, the Sport Detective 1 Clanamon Chip, the Girl Sport, > Bonanza Bill, Miner. 58 Bose Bob’ the King of Bootblacks, 1 > a Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. 5 Captain Ferret, the New York Detective, New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective, 7 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Scamps, 1 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo, Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective. 13 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter, 226 Snoozer, the Boy Sharp; or, The Arab Detective, 236 Apollo BUl, tho Trail Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator. 244 Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret. 248 Sicrra Sam’s Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Sam’s Pardy or, The Angel ot Big Vista, 258 Slerra Sam’s Sevens or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joey the Boy Patrol; or. The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen, 281 Denver Doll's Victory. ; 285 Denver 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 Iron-Nerved Sport. 825 Kelley, Hickey & Co,, the Detectives of Philadelphia. 880 Little Qu!ck-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Daggersville. 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner, 889 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood, BOSS First-Class Fred, the Gent from Gopher, 868 Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer; or, The Life Lottery, 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize, 378 Nabob Ned; or, The Secret of Slab City, 882 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, $85 Yreka Jim's Joker; or, The Rivals of Red Nose. $380 Bleyele 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 Slabaides, the Beggar-Boy Detective, 434 Jim Benak and Pal, Private Detectives, 458 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. 486 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkler. ~ I BY T. ©, NARBAUGT, Nick o? the Nights or, The Boy Spy of 776. The Hidden Lodge; or The Little Hunter. Nightingale Nat; or, Tne Forest Captains, Dandy Juck; or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trafle Kit MNarefoot the Wood-Hawk. Midnight Jack 3 or, The Boy Trapper, Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. Judge Lynch Jr.: or, The Boy Vigiante, Gold Trigger, the Sport; er, The Girl Avenger. Tornado Tomy or, Injun Jack From Red Core, Ned Temple, the Border Boy. Arkansaw ¢ or, The Queen of Fate’s Revenge, Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter, Captain Bullets or, Little Tonknot’s Crusade, Plucky Phils or. Rosa, the Rel Jezebel, Bill Bravos: or, The Roughs of the Rockies, Captain Apoli:, te King-Pin of Bowle, The Buckskin Detective. 2T9 Old Winchy or, The Buckskin Desperadoes, 294 Dynamite Dany or, The Bowle Blade of Gochetopa. 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bully, $16 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Paurday or, The Terror of Take-Notice 886 Bie Benson; or, The Queen of the Lacso, 845 Pitiless Matt ; or, Ked Thunderbolt’s Secret. 58 Oool ham and Pars or The Terrible Six. 866, Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 886 Captain Cutlass; or, he B ceuneer’s Girl Foe. 8°96 Rough Rob} or, The !'win Champions of Blue Blazes. 411 The Silken Lasso; or, The Rose of Ranch Robin, 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. 25 Texas Trump. the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Finan, the New York Fox. 445 The City Vamptres; or, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon, 461 One Against Fifty; or, The Lost Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow; or, Felix Fox’sa Hunt. - 77 The Exceisior Sport; or, The Washington Spotter, 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport, 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective, $621 Dodger Dick’s Best Do 528 Pox and Faicon, the Bowery Shadows, 58S Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’s Dewble. or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodecr Dick’s Deaperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick, the Boy Vidocq. = ~ WSTMapxw eR Tae SUSESRO EI {mea SeDawne ¥ RD RD RD RD RS ra ma a tt 2 a) 578 The Two Shadows. 582 Dodger Dick’s Drop. 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective, 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark: «. Tony Sharp on Guard, 626 The Champion Par’. 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective, 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp, 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagl 671 Jersey Jed, the Boy Hustler, or, Shadowing the Shadower, 685 Wappy 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 Biz Game. 742 Billy Winka, the Bell Boy Detective, 754 Billy Winks, the Poss Boy Shadow, 768 Eagle Ned, the Boy on Guard. 780 Tonkaway Tom, the Red Wizard, BY BUFFALO BILL (lon. Wm. RF Cody) 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Righ Hand, 19 The Phantom Spy: or, The Pilot of the Pratrie. 55 Deadly-Eye, th Unknown Scout, 68 Border Robin Wood: or, Th Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trappers Trost, BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAMNAM, @ The Flying Vankee; or, The Ocean Outcast. 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccancer; or, The Fugitive Yacht, 24 Diamond Dirk i or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone, The Shadow Ship; or, The Rival Lientenanta, The Boy Duellst; or, . The Cruise of the Sea Wolf, Dick Dend-Eye, the Boy Smugyier. The Sea-Devil; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy, The Hussar Captain ¢ or, ‘Ihe Hermit of Hell Gate, Little Grit, the Wild Rider; or, The Stock-Tender’s Daughter. -L BulYalo Bill, the Pony Express Rider. 216 Bison BULL, the Prince of the Reins; or, Buffalo BIll’s Pluck, 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport 3 or, The Woman Trailer, 22Y Crimson Kate, the Girl Troiler, ws 2537 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain; or, The Mysterious Riethero 245 Merle, the Middy 3 or, ‘The Helr of an Ocean Frevland 250 The Midshipman Mutineer}3 or, Brandt, the Buccaneer, ¥ 264 The Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure, 269 The Gold Ship ; or, Merle, the Condemned. : 276 Merle Monte’s Cruise; or, * The Gold Ship” Chase, 250 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, The Pirate's Pride. 284 Merle Monte’s Pledge; or, The Sea Marauder. 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover, 804 The Dead Siot Dandy ; or, Bemto, the Boy Bugler, 808 Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. 814 The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Trail. S77 Bonodel, the Buy Rovers ory The F lagless Schooner. 8S8 ‘Phe Indlan Pilots. or, The Search for Pirate Island. 8ST Warpath WIL, the Traitor Guide; or, The Boy Phantom. $98 Seawalfy the Boy Lieutenant; or, The Red Clasped Hands. 402 Laodor, the Young Conspltrator; or, The Fatal League, 407 The Boy Insurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta. 412 The Wild Vachtsamang or, The War-Cloua’s Cruise, 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refagee. 488 Captain Car, tie Coranir; or, A Cabin Boy’s Luck. 487 The Sea Ratder; or, The Hawke of the Hook, 441 The Ocean Firefly ¢ or, A Middy’s Vengeance, 446 Haphazard Harry ; or, The Seapegrace of the Sea, 450 Wizard WILL, the Wonder Worker, 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouts, 462 The Born Guldey: or, The Sailor Boy Wanderer, 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Conster. - 474 Wizard Will's Vagabond Pard, 488 Wizard WIIl's Last Case; or, Ferrets Afloat. 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger 495 Arizona doe, the Boy Pard of Texas Jack, 497 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 508 The Royal Middy ¢ or, The Shark and the Sea Cat, 507 The Hunted Midshipman; or, The Young Sea Ranger, 511 The Outlaw Middy; or, The Young Patriot Sea Ranger, 520 Buckskin Bill, the Comanche Shadow. 525 Brothers In Buckskin; or, The Tangled Trails In Texas, 580 The Buckskin Bowers, “ 585 The Buc skin Rovers; or, The Prairie Fugitive. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder or the Rio, 545 Licutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. 550 Lalitte’s Legacy: or. The Avenging Son. 555 The Creole Corsatr; or, The Golden Wings of the Gulf. 560 Pawnee BIL, the Prairie Shadower, 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. 570 Camille, the Card Queen; or, The Skeleton Trall. 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective. 580 The Ontcaxst Cadet; or, The False Detective. 586 The Buckskin Avengers or, Pawnee Bill’a Pledge. 591 Delmonte, the Young Sea Rover; or, The Avenging Sailor. 597 The Young Texan Detective; or, The Black Brayos, 602 The Vagabond of the Mines, P 607 The Rover Detective; or, Keno Kit’s Champions. 617 Ralph, the Dend-Shot Scout; or, The Kio Raiders, 644 Butterfly Billy’s Debut, R i 650 Buttertly Billy, the Pony Rider Detective; or, Buffalo Bill’a Boy Para, 656 Butterfly Billy’s Man Hunt, . 662 Buttertly Billy's Bonanza. 668 The Buccaneer Midshipmang or, The Sea Rover’s Ruse, 674 The Wizard Saflor; or, Red Ralph, the Rover. 679 The Sean Shadowery or, The Freebooter’s Legacy, $86 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag, or, The Tarnished Nama, 692 The Rival Sharps: or, Redfern, the Secret Service Beout, 697 The Scarlet Sombrero; or, The Sharp from Texns, 02 Blue Jacket BI; or, The Red Hat Rangers’ Red Hot Racket The Red Sombrero Rangers; or, Redfern’s Last Trail. Carl, the Mad Cowboys; or, The Lariat Queen. Pawnee Rill’s Pledges or, The Cowboy Kidnapper’s Doom. Daring Dick, Pawnee Bill’s Pard, or, The Red Cavaly Raid, Ruth Redmond, the Girl Shadower. Ruck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive. Buck Taylor's Boys; or, The Red Risers of the Rio Grande. Dashing Charlie; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoov’s First Trail. Dashing Charlie’s Destiny; or, The Renegade’s Cuptives Dashing Charlies Pawnee Pard, Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer, Dick Doom’s Death-Grip; or, The Detective by Destiny. Dick Doom’s Destiny; or, The River Blacklog’a Terror. Dick Doom, the Denth-Grip Detective, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 5 Lone Wand Joe, the Committee of One; or, The Spook Steed of the Stone Corral. By Lieut, A, K, Sima, 6 Broadway Billy's Tenms or, Thy Detective Combine’s Big Pall. By J.C, Cowdrick. 8T Dendwood Dick, Jr.» Defieds or, The Prince of Pistol Pocket, By BEiward lL. Wheeler, 788 Dick Doom in Boston; or, A Man of Many Maske, By 8 _— ene ame te “7 Sed Cisne nee Pri aoscatan Col. Pre: ties Tograbam. so Sonn Nae the Seeret Service Special; or, The Jamboree at rurly Bird Bar, By Wm, G, Patten. 790 Brondwsy Billy's Brigade or, The Case of the Dead Alive. By J. C. Cowdrlek. Ml Kit: tf Rattleds or, The Infant Giant.’ By O11 Coomea, 12 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Device; or, The Tuse ale with Satan. By Edward L. Wheeler. 798 Dick Doom In Chicago; or, The Ferret of the Golden Fetters. “By Col. Prentiss Tnuraham, é 794. Weadlight Harry's Wunts; or, The Railroad Paria? Lough Run in Satan’s Camp. By Col. A, F. Holt, a 795 Kit Bendy In Rea Ruin; or, The Young Whirlwind of the Hills. By Ol! Coomes, 796 Broadway Billy's Queer Bequest; or, Sifting the Santvcord Secret. By JC, Cowdrick. vais Deady oes. te, J®.a, Desperate Venture, By Fdward L. Wheeler. 29S Dick Doom In the Wild West. By Col. P. Ingraham, 799 Kit Bandy’s Big Ruastle. By Olt Coomes, : 800 Rroadway Billy Baffled. By J.C, Cowdrick. 801 Kent Kirby, the High-Kicker from Killbuck, By Lieut. A, K. Sims. : 802 mee wecn Dick, Jr.’4, Dinmond Dice. By Edward . neeler, Ready December 6, 808 Dek Doom In Washington, By. Col. P. Ingraham, eady December 13, A New Issue Every Tuesday: he Half- D brary {4 for ante) by all newsdealers, five aie per copy, or ime Lat OF receipt of six cents each, . BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.
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te rete 798 Dick Doom in the Wild West, 793 Dick Doom in Chicago. 788 Dick Doom in, Boston. 784 Dick Doom, the Death-Grip Detective. %77 Dick Doom’s Destiny. 772 Dick Doom’s Death-Grip, 766 Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer, 760 Dashing €harlie’s Pawnee Pard. 756 Dashing Charlie’s Destiny. 749 Dashing Charlie; or, The Kentucky Tender- foot’s First Trail. 743 Buck Taylor’s Boys, 737 Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive; or, Buckskin Sam to the Rescue, 731 Ruth Redmond, the Girl Shadower, 725 Daring Dick, Pawnee Bill’s Pard, 719 Pawnee Bill’s Pledge, 713 Carl, the Mad Cowboy; or, The Lariat Queen, 107 The Red Sombrero Rangers; or, Red- fern’s Last Trail, 702 Blue Jacket Bill; or, The Red Hat, Rang- er’s Red Hot Racket. 697 The Sharp from Texas; or, The Scarlet Sombrero, 692 The Rival Sharps; or, Redfern, the Secret Service Scout. 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag. 679 The Sea Shadower; or, The Freebooter’s pomecy. 674 The Wizard Sailor; or, Red Ralph, the Rover, 668 The Buccaneer Midshipman; or, The Sea Rover’s Ruse, 662 Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza; or, The Spector Soldier of the Overland. 656 Butterfly Billy’s Man Hunt, 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Rider Detec- tive; or, Buffalo Bill’s Boy Pard, 644 Butterfly Billy’s Debut. 617 Ralph, the Death-Shot Scout; or, The Raiders and Red Riders of the Rio. 607 The Rover Detective; or, Keno Kit’s Champions, 602 The Vagabond of the Mines, A Romance of Detective Work on the Frontier. 597 The Young Texan Detective; or, The Black Bravos, 591 Delmonte, the Young Sea Rover; or, The Avenging Sailor. 586 The Buckskin Avenger; or, Pawnee Bill’s Pledge, 580 The Outcast Cadet; or, The False Detective, bana © eee 4 A Middy's Vengeance. erie cee oe | Gl, Ingraham’ Novels in Beadle's Half-Dime Librery 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective; or, Running Down the King. 70 Camilie, the Card Queen; or, The Skeleton Trail, 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King; or, The Owls of the Overland. 560 Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shadower; or, The Gold Queen’s Secret. 555 The Creole Corsair; or, The Golden Wings of the Gulf, 550 Lafitte’s Legacy: or, The Avenging Son, 545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte, or, The Buccaneers of Barrataria, 540 Captain Ku Klux, the Marauder of the Rio; or, The Buckskin Pard’s Strange Quest. 535 The Buckskin Rovers; or, The Prairie Fugi- tive, 530 The Buckskin Bowers; or, The Cowboy Pirates of the Rio Grande, 525 Brothers in Buckskin; or, Tangled Trails in Texas, 520 Buckskin Bill, the Comanche Shadow; or, A Crimson Trail, 511 The Outlaw Middy; or, The Young Patriot Sea Ranger, 507 The Hunted Midshipman; or, The Young Sea Ranger. 508 The Royal Middy; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat, 497 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys; or, The Raiders and the Rangers, 495 Arizona, Joe, the Boy Pard of Texas Jack, 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger; or; Tbe Young King of the Gold Mines, or COL, PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 483 Wizard Will’s Last Case; or, Ferrets Afloat, 474 Wizard Will’s Vagabond Pard; or, Flora the Flower Girl, ; 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster; or, A Pirate in Spité of Himself, 462 The Born Guide; or, The Sailor Boy Wan- derer, 454 Wizard Will’s Street Scouts; or, The Boy Detectives’ League, 450 Wizard Will, the Wonder-Worker; or, The Boy Ferret of New York. 446 Haphazard Harry; or, The Scapegrace of the Sea, 441 The Ocean Firefly ; or, A Middy’s Vengeance. 437 The Sea Raider; or, The Hawks of the Hook. 433 ‘hog Car], the Corsair; or, A Cabin Boy’s uck, 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee; or, A Young Sailor’s Fight for Fortune. 412 The Wild Yachtsman; or, The Cruise of the War-Cloud, 407 The Boy Insurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta. 402 Isodor, the Young Conspirator; or, The Fata! League. 898 Seawaif, the Boy Lieutenant; or, The Red Clasped Hands, } 887 Warnath Will, the Traitor Guide; or, The Boy Phantom. 883 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for the Pirate Island, 877 Bonodel, the Boy Rover; or, The Flagless Schooner, $14 The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Long Trail. Rh Woe 808 Dead Shot Dandy’s Double; or, Keno Kit, the Boy Bugler’s Pard, 304 The Dead Shot Dandy; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler. 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover; or, Terror Tom’s Thorny Trail. 284 Merle Monte’s Pledge; or, the Sea Marauder, 280 Merie Monte’s Fate; or, the Pirate’s Pride, 276 Merle Monte’s Cruise; or, The Chase of “‘ The Gold Ship,” 269 The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned. 264 The Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure Island. 250 The Midshipman Mutineer; or, Brandt, the Buccaneer, 245 Merle, the Middy; or, The Heir of an Ocean Freelance, 237 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain; or, The Mysterious Ranchero. 229 Crimson Kate, the Girl Trailer; or, The Cowboy’s Triumpb, 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer, 216 Bison Bill, the Prince of the Reins; or, Buffalo Bill’s Pluck, 204 Buffalo Billy, the Pony Express Rider; or, Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit, 197 Little Grit, the Wild Rider; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter, 116 The Hussar Captain; or, The Hermit of Hell Gate, 111 The .Sea-Devil; or, The Midshipman’s Teneey. 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggler: or. The Cruise of the Vixen, 75 The ey Duelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea Wolf. 62 Shadow Ship; or, The Rival Lieutenants, 24 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone, 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer; or, The Fugitive Yacht. % The Flying Yankee; or, Ocean Outcast, LATEST ISSUES, 799 Kit Bandy’s Big Rustle; or, The Old Detec- tive’s Adjutant. By Oll Coomes, 800 Broadway Billy Baffled; or, The Team’s Toughest Tug. By J. C, Cowdrick. 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. THE BOY DETECTIVES’ TEAGUE r%& Ws opt od