Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 803) (1892 12 13)
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By ag >< % = [lee TaLaliataltalla) \\ 2 \a) | ~ ) Le \ \ \ { \ WAY WY EW WN YY NNT ANY ANN W UM MMO" AM: MDM S. SRBR= Go as —_— I {Ns Sn ‘ Le el} ra JOS Tas | (hal ti {heal fill! reer Siti UA NRA Vi 20 Wee a N. SS % Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y¥., Post Office, Copyrighted 1892, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, December 13, 1892. ; $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price, N o. 803. a Year. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK, 5 Cents, Vol. XXX, RTT PRPPPPPRSRADUCOTTTTUTOTTOT TOTO QOUUUCUTUUA AAU (L444 41/11 TTT i il it : 2 a mM ~~ nn poy ny 1 + x i 7 SG ii 4 ) | WY AY \\ \\\\Y \ X \ WS = SS S \ N } Wii AX SS _ Five Links in the Clue, BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM, ag AUTHOR OF “THE BUCCANEER MIDSHIPMAN,” ‘““DASHiNG CHARLIE” NOVELS, ‘DICK DOOM” YOVELS, ETC., ETO. 3 CHAPTER I. A MYSTERIOUS MURDER. “ “Tris is a most appalling atate of affairs, Seen Castleton, that cot one of your men are able to ferret out these mysterious killings, or run to earth the assassins,” 4 “It is strange indeed, chief, yet, alas, too true; but they have done their duty as I know, ———_—_————___» ‘and not even a clue can be toate to the mur- THE DOOR WAS BROKEN OPEN, AND THERE, DEAD, IN THE LARGE ROOM WHERE HB ‘ derers,” LIVED WaS FOUND THE HERMIT OF THE POTOMAC,
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2 ‘You are aware that another murder was committed last night, Captain Castleton?” ‘* Anotber murder last night, sir?’ and Cap- tain Castleton, of the United States Secret Service Bureau at Washington, started and gazed his chief in the face with the look of a man who found it hard to believe what he heard, ** Yes, sir, the old miser, known as the Hermit of the Potomac, was killed in his home last night.” — ** And robbed of course, sir?” ‘*On the contrary he was not robbed, nor was his home, as far as can be seen, for bis pocket- book was upon the table with his wallet, and nothing seemed disturbed about the premises,” ‘*Then what was the motive of the murder, if not to rob the man, for he is said to have laid away a large fortune?” “The safe was not broken open, and how the murderer entered is a mystery, for he left no trace of his going and coming.” ** Perhaps he shot his victim through a win- dow?” ‘©The blinds are solid, for the house i: an old- fashioned one and stands in the midst of a two acre lot, overgrown with shrubbery, as you may know; but then the miser was killed with a knife, not by 4 gun-shot,” ‘*You surprise me, chief; but I will go at once to the place and take with me picked men - of my force, “What I discover I will report to you to- night,” and Captain Castleton left his chief, and with half a dozen of his best Secret Service men went to the bome of the old miser who was known as the Hermit of the Potomac, The house was an old one, built of brick and dating back nearly a century. . It was located upon a bill overlooking the Potomac River, and its grounds had once sloped down to the river, For two-score years the house had not been inhabited, and there were many who said that it was haunted, for its former owner bad been murdered there, and strange stories were told of the goings on in the old mansion a half a cen- tury before, Then an old man had rented the place for a mere song, and there he dwelt ali alone, He was wont to pay cash for the little that he bongbt; be did bis own cooking and washing; and wuen or where he made his money no one knew. He had money, that was certain, and so he was called a miser, then a hermit—the Miser Hermit. And this was thé man whom Captain Castle- ton, of the Secret, Service, found lying dead in the old house, A boy who took milk to him daily had re- ceived no answer to his knocks, and so had re- ported to a policeman. The door was broken open, and there, dead, in the large room where he lived, was found the old Hermit of the Potomac, A small man, with white hair and beard, ap- parently across the threshold of three-score ot Who had been the deadly foe to take his ife And why had that life been taken? Not to get his gold, for all that gold, bis watch, pocket- book and possessions were not disturbed, Had the assassin been frightened away after dealing the fatal blow, before he could secure the results of his crime? It would seem so, for, as stated, nothing had been disturbed; nothing was missed, as far as careful inspection could determine, Not a scrap of paper told who the old Hermit was, and when an expert had opened the safe, nothing was found there save gold, silver and bank-bills, amounting to many thousands of dol- lars, but no documents to betray the identity of the owner, The house was as it had been left long years before, save that the furniture showed the ravages of time, The curtains and carpets were moth-eaten; mold was upon the old paintings, and general decay rested upon all, A stove, a cot, table, books and cupboard, with an iron safe set in the wall, were in the living-room of the Hermit, and there were some well-worn clothes and odds and ends of no value, In the pocketbook of the miser were several hundred dollars; bis watch was of considerable value and a diamond solitaire glittered upon the little finger of his left band. Why were not these things taken? Why had the Hermit of the Potornac been murdered? + oy The Secret Service men looked at each. other _ with the question in theireyes, but not one could give an answer, They were wholly baffled, { Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep. CHAPTER If, AT FAULT. * WELL, Captain Castleton, what is the result of your investigations?” asked the Secret Service chief as the captain of the District Detectives ap- peared before him that evening, Captain Castleton’s hair was well sprinkled with silver, showing him to be nota novice but a vetoran. He had won areputation as detec- tive and crook-hunter second to few in the ser- vice, and, as an officer, bad been brought race to face with crime iu all its phases, for thirty years or more. é At the question of his chief he dropped weari- ly into a coair, passed bis hand across his brow and said in a dejected tone: “T acknowledge myself beaten, chief.” “That is a strange thing for you to do, Castle- ton.” ‘Strange, but true.” ** You went to the Hermit’s home?” **T did, sir, to find that a policeman had broken the doorin. It had been locked on the inside, and not the sligiitest sign was there of how the murderer ertered or left the building.” ‘* The doors were all locked, you say?” ‘* Yes, sir, on the inside.” “The windows?” ‘* Had the bolts fastened in all of them, sir,” **The cellar door?” ** Was fastened from within,” “Then. the murderer must have entered the mansion along with the Hermit.” ‘Then how did he get out, chief?” “That remains to be discovered.” ‘““T examined the chimneys and went over every room in the residence, and there are twenty-seven, for it has a cellar, two stories and attic and two wings, with halls and corri- dors, and three stairways,” ** Could it have been a suicidal act?” ‘*No, for the blow of the knife was in the heart, and the knife was then stuck up in the table, the blade being buried half an inch in the wood.” _ ‘* Remarkable, certainly. And the body?” “The man was seated at the table, his watch in one band, bis wallet of money in the other, and in the latter were the two keys opening the iron safe set in the wall,” ** Did you take an inventory?” ‘** Of the things in that room, yes, sir.” ** And of the money?” “ST aid.” ‘* Was there much?” * Nine hundred dollars in the leather case, and just thirty-one thousand one hundred dol- lars in the safe,” “So much? You surprise me.” ‘Yes, sir, in gold, silver and bank bills, ‘Then there were his watch, chain and a diamond riog of considerable value,” ‘* How many men did you have with ‘* Six, and the very best in the force, ‘* What was the expression upon the face of the dead!” One of horror,” a) Ah {” * All of my men noted that fact, sir.” **And not one could advance a theory as to the murder?” “Save tbat the assassin had been frightened away before he could rob his victim—the motive of course for the murder, chief, being robbery.” ‘* No one advanced the suicide theory?” ** Tt did not seem possible, ” * Why impossible?” ‘*A man could hardly drive a knife into his heart, draw it forth, stick it into the table and then sit calmly down in an easy-chair, take his watch in one hand, his pocketbook in another and wait to breathe bis last,” ‘**]t might be possible, perhaps, but not proba- ble, Captain Castleton, but we must get the views of the doctors on that,” ‘*The autopsy is being held now, sir, and they wee orders to send their report at once to you, chief, ' ‘Then we will soon know; but, considering the closed house, all locked from. within, I lean toward the theory of suicide,” ** Would not the man have left some line of his intention, sir?” **1t might be that he was’seized with a sudden impulse to take his life. Was there no will found?” ** Not a scrap of paper, sir.” ** Ahi here is the report of the doctors, now,” and the chief took from the hand of a messenger a sealed packet: — He glanced quickly over it and said: “They all agree that the Hermit might have ' taken his own life, though consider it a most ” yout 9 : phenomenal case if he did so, as the knife was driven well into the heart, and by a straight le blow. £ ‘* His vitality must have been wonderful for E him to have stuck the knife up in the table, after giving himself his death wound, and then to seat himself in his easy-chair and grasp his watch and pocketbook; yet it is possible, they say.” ‘Then it will have to be reported as a suicide, . sir, from causes unknown, and of an unknown € man?’ ** Yes, so report it, captain, yet I wish you to devote one month to solving the mystery of that murder or suicide and also to finding out just who the Hermit of the Potomac was,” ‘* His name was Prevost Basstord, sir.” ‘That tells nothing, for ic may, or may not have been his true name, ‘*Unweave the web of mystery, Castleton, in the month that I give you.” **T will try, sir; but if I fail? . You can do no more than try; but if you fail then I shall seek t' e services of one whom I believe never yet to Lave failed in unraveling a mystery.” “ May I ask who that is, chief?” : i “Yes, Irefer to the young man_ Dick Doom, 6 known as the Ferret of the Golden Fetters,” “T have heard of him as a wonder-worker,” was the captain’s reply, ‘‘ and will be glad to have bim put on the case,” CHAPTER III, A TANGLED SKEIN, k: ri I. THE death of the Hermit of the Potomac created a stir in the City of Washington, for there was a mystery unsolved regarding it, as to whether it was a murder or a suicide, In spite of the report of the coroner that it was a suicide, there were many who leant to the belief that the old man had been murdered, I Still, if murdered, why bad he not been robhed, unless the murderer had been frightened away before be had time to consummate his crime by robbery. } ‘ Then too, how had be made his ingress and : egress to the house, as every door was locked, every window bolted on the inside? ste ‘ Were the police right in the theory of suicide, or were they wrong? was the question which many asked each other. i Who was the man that had thus perished at night in his secluded home, either by his own band, or by the band of another? : That question also remained unanswered, _ | People drove and walked by the old mansion F by hundreds, striving to solve the mystery by looking at the weird place, ' Boat-loads of people on the river rested upon their oars and gazed up at the.gloomy old mansion, Persons belated at night on the road that led by it hastened on their way with dim forebod- ings of evil as they passed it, But gradually the town talk of the tragedy subsided, and only the dwellers near, those who daily saw the structure, kept up their interest in it. The month rolled by, which the Secret Service chief had given to Captain Castleton to ferret out the mystery, and no report had been made to him of a satisfactory solution other than the suicide theory. j Seated in bis office one morning the chief glanced at tie calendar before him and his eyes fel) upon a date encircled by a red pencil-mark, “¢ Castleton’s time is up to-day. - «1 must send for him,” said the chief, As he spoke the captain of the District Detec- tives entered the private cflice. _ ‘‘ Ah, captain, 1 was just thinking of you,” ‘‘ And I am here, chief, to make my report,” “Sit down and tell me what you have dis- covered regarding the murder of the Hermit of the Potomac!” asa? be ‘“‘ Nothing, sir, more than that I am convinced’ now, as you are, that it was a suicide,” * Bat I am not so convinced, Castleton.” ‘*-You are not, sir?” “No,” ‘* But I thought you were,” ‘No, I said that it was possible.” ** And you dc not believe that it was a case of suicide, sir?” **T do not.” é‘ ‘Well, sir, Iam sure that it was, for I put 7 men separately upon the work, not one know om, ing what the other was about, and every one came in with the same report.” ; ** What was that?” | ‘** That there was no reason to believe that it 5 y ‘ by was other than a suicide.” Pa ) ¢
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** How long did **Ten days, sir.’ _. ‘Offer any reward for proof that it was not suicide?” _ ** Yes, a reward of five hundred dollars,” ** How many men did you put on the work?” * Thirty-three, sir, of my force, and the police of the district were also working upon it.” ** And all reports agree?” ** Yes, sir, all.” ** Well, did you find out who this Prevost Bass- ford, the old Hermit, was?” ‘*Tt was impossible, sir.” ** You found out nothing about bim?” ‘No more than that he came here with a grip- sack three years ago, found the old rookery was for rent, paid a year’s rent in advance and moved in.” 6 Well?” ‘*He gave his name as Prevost Bassford to the agent, paid each year inadvance, paid all his bills promptly, talked to no one any more than was necessary in business, and was aman of education, ** Where he came from no one knows, or any- thing whatever about his antecedents,” ** Well, Castleton, 1 am sorry you did not dis- cover some clue, for I bad rather honor should fall upon our local Secret Service here than upon strangers,” ‘‘Has aught been discovered, chief?” quickly asked Captain Castleton, ** Nothing.” ‘You anticipate that there will be?” ‘* Well, | have become interested in the very remarkable secret work of the man of whom I spoke, P' | ** Dick Doom?” Golden Fetters,” you give each man?” = z! ‘* Yes, he who is known as the Ferret of the ‘* Yes; sir.” “*] know that he hunted down a most remark- able mystery in Memphis, another in New Or- leans, a third on the Mississippi River, a fourth in New York, a fifth in Boston, and lately he has returped from the West, baving run to earth an assassin who had made soldiers his victims and killed a number of them on their outposts in a most mysterious way. “ This young detective, for I believe he is little j more than a boy, bappened in on me one day just as I had orders to send a man West to bunt down this assassin of the soldiers, ‘“* He went, and he was successful, and now I shall hire him tocome here and take up this mystery of the death of the old Hermit of the Potomac.” ** If he succeeds he is indeed a marvel, chief,” said the detective captain, CHAPTER IV. A RED LIST. _ THe chief turned to his desk and wrote several telegrams, addressing them to the chief of police of Boston, New York and New Orleans, Each one read as follows: bg! 4 yee know address of Detective Dick Doom send him at once to me for important work,” Ina short while responses came from New York and Boston to wire the chief of police of New Orleans for Dick Doom’s address. From the New Orleans chief came the re- sponse: * Dick Doom now in Washington, Willard’s Hotel.” Captain Castleton went atonce to Willard’s yee uo such person as Dick Doom was registered there, So the chief of police of New Orleans was gain wired, and the answer came: “ Dick Doom now on the wing. earliest moment possible.” With this reply the chief of the United States - Secret Service Bureau had to be satisfied and abide bis time, a What do ou expect him to do, chief, when he comes? asked Captain Castleton. :: Solve this mystery for me,” . Is there any reward in it for him to get?” None Visible; but there have been five murders in Washington, or rather in the city and its vicinity of late, which remain un- fathomed.” ** You refer to the os cee pected ne!” said the chief emphati “Old Uncle Abe the begry rillen | not far from Arlington?” “ Two y _ .“Pierre D’Arville, the French plantation down the river?” ores Will report to you murder of Lawyer Austin sy by a his cabin ee « — Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep. ** Three!” ** And Major Marcus Mayo, the old army officer who was murdered in his little home just beyond the District line?” “* Four!” ‘Then there was the old Hermit of the Poto- mac?” ** Five!” hasis. ‘“Well, there is a red list, I admit, chief, which can stand against us as mysteries un- solved.” , ‘They certainly do, and this last has set me thinking.” ‘*Of course there have been other murders, but they have been accounted for, the per- petrators are either in prison, hanged or to be hanged. ‘* And the murderers were in each case run to earth by the police or detectives, yet here we bave five murders in as many years almost, that furnish no clue to the murderers, ‘* Tt is a red list, Captain Castleton, and should be wiped off the books by the fate of the ones who did the deeds being written opposite to the names of their victims,” **T only wish that it could be done, chief.” “So do I, and that is why I wish to put the Ferret of the Golden Fetters on the scent.” “Tf he fails, then the crimes must be set down as a dead letter.” **T confess to the greatest interest in seeing this remarkable young Secret Service man.” ** Well, be is in appearance little like one you would suspect of being such a renowned detec- tive. “He is of slender form, about the medium height, graceful in bis movements, has a face that one would say was effeminate, without re- gurding it very closely, and he is really too handsome for a man, with eyes, teeth and a complexion that a woman would be proud to possess, ’ ‘* His manners are refined, his voice strangely low, and he has the look of one who has a his- teRYs one who bas known much of sorrow in his ife, ‘*He dresses elegantly, perbaps a little too much like a dandy, but the man is there, and his record shows that he will dare any danger, has faced death many times, and can kill when need be, while he is an athlete and a dead-shot as well. ‘*T only hope that he may come soon, and to prepare for bim, I will study up the five mur- ders unaccounted for in the lest seven years iu this vicinity, for I shall set him to work to un- ravel them all,” said the chief with decided em- CHAPTER V, NUMBER ONE, LAWYER Austin BRENT was an attorney bending with the weight of years, His practice was not large, yet his income enabled bim to live in a grand house, and he spent money lavishly, Lawyer Brent was a bachelor, and it was said by those who knew something of his past life that he had “loved and lost,” and hence had never married, He was wont to visit the courts when there were criminal trials going on, to go to bis office daily, driving there in his carriage even ona Sunday, and yet would never remain long ata time, He had no partner, kept no clerk, attending to all of his legal) duties himself, Some said that he was the attorney for rich estates in his keeping, but of his practice be never spoke to any one, and he had no in- timates, One day, and if was on a Sunday, Lawyer Brent, as was his wont, was in his oflice, There were three roonis, on the second floor of a building which bad once been a private resi- dence, but the crowding of business in that quarter had driven the residents to a more de- sirabl locality, The rooms were elegantly furnished, there was a massive chimney in the rear room, and sah the fire-place had been built or set an iron safe. The rear windows looked out upon a garden, and there were inner blinds which could be fastened with an iron bar. Lawyer Brent was a man verging toward seventy years, yet stepped with agile tread, and had a quick, nervous manner about him more like one under thirty. He had closed his office door, bad seated him- self in an easy-chair and instead of going to work, as one might expect from his visit on Sunday to his office, he sat lost. in deep medita- tion, \ lero ey LD ° 3 Suddenly their came a tap at the outer door which caused him to start visibly. : He arose and opened the door, and to bis sur- prise bebeld a woman, clothed in deep mourn- ing. ‘* Lawyer Brent, I believe?” she said in a voice that seemed hoarse with emotion, ** Yes, madam,” ‘‘Tain here to see you, upon a most impor- tant matter,” i ‘This is the Sabbath day, madam, and if you will call to-morrow, I will—” ‘* No, no, not to-morrow, for the morrow never comes to many of us, ‘* Why put off for another day what can be done to-day?” “As your case seems urgent, madam, walk in and I will bear what you have to say.” He led the way to the rear room, resume his easy-chair, and she sat near him, her eyes fur- tively glancing about her, “There is no danger of our being disturbed, sir?” ‘* None, madam.” “Then permit me to begin my business with you by asking if you knew Arnold Mainhall?” An involuntary cry broke from the lips of the lawyer, and his face grew deadly pale, He essayed to speak, but speech did not come to him until aftera migbty effort at self-control, when he asked: ‘What was Arnold Mainball to you, madam?” ‘*T asked you a question, sir, and it seemed to unnerve you. : ‘Did you not know him?” ‘* Yes, forty odd years ago. ‘*‘ He has been dead so long, he was my dear friend of the far past, that is what startled me when | beard his name.” ‘* Ah, yes, I can understand that, ** He was your friend then?” sé Yes,” * And you were his?” Again the lawyer started, but replied: ‘*Can there befriendship unless two people are fond of each other?” ‘* Suppose one is false?” ‘* May I ask, madam, what business you have with me?” coldly replied the lawyer. : ’ oe » i= Vere you not the attorny of Arnolgaiae “Twas.” uy he [ would like to ask how his estate was set- tled, ‘* Have you any interest in knowing?” “T bave,” ‘*W hat interest?’ and the lawyer in vain tried to penetrate the heavy black crepe vail his visitor wore, **T am his heir.” ** Ah! to what?” ‘*To what fortune he left.” ** He left nothing,” **He came here forty-five years ago and bought a home, paying cash for it, ‘* He lived luxuriously, and yet you say that he died leaving no property?” ‘* He bad the money to purchase his home and fit it out elegantly, with enough for a year’s in- ome. ‘* Then bis extravagant living caused him to- borrow money upon his home and all, and he died poor.” “ How did he die?” ‘* He was killed in a duel,” ‘* Who was his slayer?” f A man by the name of Ford Vaughan, I be- ieve.” ‘* Who was Vaughan’s second?” ‘*] have forgotten,” ‘Who was my kinsmau’s second?” “That I bave also forgotten,” “Was there a woman in the case?” **T believe so.” **'You were the attorney?” ce Yes,” ‘““You have all the papers belonging to my kinsman?” ‘* Well, yes.” “T wish them,” ‘And I refuse to give them to you.” Quick as a flash the woman sprung upon the lawyer and a knife was driven deep into his breast, ; } Several hours after the body of Austin Brent was found in his office, still seated in his easy- chair. But there was no clue to the murderer, CHAPTER VI. NUMBER TWO ON THE RED LIST, IN a cabin perched upon a bigh hill, overlook- ing the surrounding country Sha up and don 4
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a Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep. the Potomac for miles, stood a comfortable cabin of four rooms, It was built of stout logs, was environed by a piazza, had a massive oak door and blinds to match, and a strong high fence surrounding it, inclosing a few acres of ground, There wasa well-to-do look about the place, a horse and cow were visible, with pigs and chickens, and a vegetable garden. This was the home of an old negro whom his neighbors knew as Uncle Abe, but who, from his living alone and life of perfect seclusion was called the Black Hermit. Uncle Abe received no visitors and made no visits, and once each week only, on Saturday night, did he leave his home, driving down to the market in Alexandria and purchasing his supplies, No one had ever seen him go by daylight away from his cabin, though he almost constantly sat upon the piazza smoking and looking across} the Potomac toward Georgetown, He owned his horse, and had for many years, having been set free years before the war, it was said, He paid his taxes, owed no man anything, and with his form bending with years and snow-white hair and beard, was regarded as a barmless old man, most eccentric in his every-day life. The Black Hermit had two dogs that were a terror to the neighborhood, and few cared to go near his home, 80 savage were they, And yet one Saturday night when Uncle Abé returned home from market bearing his week’s eget in his little spring wagon, and he ived well, be discovered to his horror a stranger seated in the moonlight on his piazza and the two ferocious brutes crouching calmly at his feet, Uncle Abe had a stockade fence around his home, seven feet high, and a heavy gate which he always kept locked, so the surprise to bim was great indeed when he beheld a stranger in his hy: especially as the dogs he expected would have torn him limb from limb. “Oh Lordy! it do be a sperrit!” groaned Uncle Aba as he saw that the stranger was clad in white and the dogs did not disturb him, He had driven into his barn-yard, put up his horse, taken his heavy basket on his arm and was going toward the door of his cabin when he came upon the stranger, The basket dropped to the ground and Uncle Abe stood staring and trembling, At last he &t up the courage to say: **Sic’im, Grip! Take ’im, Tiger! But Grip and Tiger merely wagged their tails, away, as fast as his old legs would carry him, when the and Uucle Abe was about to das stranger spoke, ** Come here, old man, for I have come to see ou,” ae: Lordy, massa, then you hain’t a sperrit?” pe ** Come and and what I am,” “1 thought you mou’t be a sperrit, as ther dogs didn’t chaw yer,” “No, dogs are not unfriendly to me, for they know me,” ‘* Knows yer, massa?” iT Yes,” “Why, them dogs hain’t got no acquaint- ances savin’ it’s me, ** You see that I am their friend.” Lh That's what makes me s’picious of yer, ** No, for I have fed them for weeks, at night, over the fence, until they came to know me well,” “What you do that for, massa” was old Abe’s suspicious query. a Because 1 wished to come in here to see ou, ‘* What fer, boss?” ‘“*I wish to ask you a few questions.” ** Yas, boss, but I don’t know nothin’,” **That remains to be seen, for I am sure that you know that which I wish to find ont,” ‘“* What’s that, massa?” and old Abe still kept some feet distant from his visitor, “I wish to ask if you were not the slave, the negro body-servant, of Mr. Arnold Mainhall?” A groan broke from the lips of the old negro, and bis knees failing him, be sunk down upon the ground, ** What is the matter, old man?” “Lordy have marcy, boss, but is yer a ghost or is yer not?” cried the old negro, ‘Tam buman, and you will find it out if you do not answer my question,” “It were so long ago, massa, I has forgot. | “Yer see I is nigh onter eighty year o’ ag now, and my mem’ry’s failing me, sah, so it is,” rhaps a bit crazy, at least see for yourself, old man, who ** You were the body-servant of Arnold Main- hall, and you were with him when he died, when be lost his hfe ina duel, and I have come to you to tell me the whole story of that affair, so sit there and obey, answering every question, telling all you know, leaving nothing unsaid, or I swear to you, old man, this is your last night on earth, alive,” And so it was, for the howling of the ferocious dogs the next day attracted the attention of the neighbors, and when the cause was investigated Old Abe, the Black Hermit, was found dead in his ¢abin, while, strange to say, he had been murdered, But the murderer left no clue to his identity. CHAPTER VII. THE THIRD MYSTERY. PrerRRE D’ARVILLE was a man witha history, yet whose story no one knew. Rumor had it that he was a French nobleman, and had been a distinguished officer in the French Army, which he left for reasons best kpown to himself, He had found a refuge in America and was at once received in society every where, and he made Washington City his home, This was in the 5.3 ago, and few recalled the handsome young Frenchman of twenty- six, in the gray-baired old planter of seventy, micet home was upon the Potomac below the ca ita - e bad a large plantation there, one he had paid cash for, it wag paid, and the mansion upon if wa8 a fine one of the did-fashioned style. But not an acre of the broad fields did he till, only a patch of ground for gardening near the house, and he kept but two servants, an old negro man and his wife. et his house was furnished with every lux- ury, his library was filled with books, the walls were hung with rare paintings and the silver “i upon his table was massive and pure metal, A riding horse and sailboat, with his gun and dogs were his only pleasures, and being a bache- lor he did not mingle in society, living the life of a recluse, seldom going te Washington, and then only for the purchase of the necessaries and luxuries of life, Such was the life led by Pierre D’Arville, and no change had been known in it for over forty years, Seated u dinner, smoking a cigar and dreamily capital cit ing of a small sailboat upon the river, it passed up and down the river in front of his house for several times, standing close in- shore yet making no landing, There was but one man in the boat and he see-ned either not to understand sailing a craft, or to have lost his head from some cause, 80 strange were the maneuvers of the boat, Night came on and sbut out of sight the little but soon after Pierre D’Arville was startled by seeing a form advancing up the boat, weed-grown gravel walk to the piazza. He had hag ft mes so he was all alone, he visitor advanced witha quick step, as- cended to the piazza and said: “Pardon me, but this is, I believe, known as the Chateau D’Arville?” ‘* It is, monsieur, and I am the master, ‘** What business have you with me, for are not welcome in the Chateau D’Arville,” was the cold response of the old Frenchman, **So I have heard, sir, yet that did not deter me from seeking you here when I had business with you,” ‘“‘T bave no business with any man, for my life is one of rest, not work.” ‘But I have business with you, Pierre D’Ar- ville, and hence I have sought you.” ‘“‘Ha! you intrude upon me, and are insolent as well,” “Keep your temper, old man, for you will need to be cool, as I have come to have a talk with you about Arnold Mainhall,” A start, half rising from bis chair, a muttered imprecation followed those words of the visitor, and then the reply came: ‘You speak of one who has lain in his grave over forty long years,” ‘** ‘Yes, and you were present when he died.” ‘* It was in a duel that he lost his life,” “Tam aware of that fact, and that you were his second in that duel.” ** Well, monsieur, matters that happened over n his piazza one afternoon after regarding the scenery stretched out before him, with the in the distance, Pierre D’Arville was watching with some interest the maneuver- 5 an early dinner that his servants might drive up to the town in the one vehicle he ests man whom he had never met two-score years ago do not interest me now, so I beg you not to discuss the matter,” ** But the death of Arnold Mainhall deeply interests me, Monsieur D’Arville, and I came here to look you inthe face and tell you that you stand upon the brink of the grave.’ “Ha! what mean you, monsieur?” and the old man’s manner was nervous now, “T mean that you have but a few minutes to live, for I am the avenger of Arnold Main- hall,” i avenger?” gasped Pierre D’Arville ex- citedly. ‘“Yes, a Nemesis, and a merciless one, one from whom you need expect no mercy.” ‘* But, monsieur, the Monsieur Arnold Main- hall fell in a duel, and—” ‘And you were present at that duel, Pierre D’Arville, and so you fall under my avenging: arm. “See! you are to die, 80 quickly ask mercy from Heaven, for fom me you will get not one atom of mercy,” and the Nemesis step quickly toward the cld planter, a dull thud, a cry, a groan followed, and Pierre D’Arville was a man, And there, seated in his chair, his two servants found him ypon their return, and at once the alarm was spread, « Bat nota trace of the strange Nemesis could be found, and so it was put down as another murder mystery. Te CHAPTER VIII. Wnty THE FOURTH ON THE LIST, ay Mason Marcus Mayo had won fame as a soldier in the war with the Florida Indians, and returning to Washington as hero, became a lion in society and was much sought after for his good looks and the prospects of being the heir to a large fortune, + But that was away back a scoreof years bé- fore the war, and one who knew the handsome major in those days would find it hard to re- cognize him in the Mejor Marcus Mayo of seventy, who dwelt ina stone mansion out be-- yond Bladensburg yet within view of the capital, ae ‘he major, it was said, had been disappointed in love, had loved one who refused him, and when there were scores of beautiful womet who would have been glad to have become his wife. he retired from the army and the world settled, down in the home near Bladensburg which, be La parchanees and seemed therecontens to endi ays. For awhile his comrades had sought. bint there, but their visits were not encouraged, and: gradually be was left alone and looked upon as: an imbittered man of the world. His house was known as ‘Stone Flat,” and: was a comfortable structure, while, possessed of means, he enjoyed life as best he could in soli- tade, bis only servant having once been his orderly, who had grown gray with his master, and served as cook, valet and companion, The orderly had but one fault, and that was: that he went to bed drunk every night of his: life, and in this the major was often wont to: keep him company, when he did retire by night, which was seldom, for he usually spent his. hours of darkness in his library reading, going: he a“ bedroom only when the dawn began to: reak, As the orderly was up betimes and, after “‘ brandy and soda,” was himself again, he wl ready for his master what was known as bis supper, though eaten in the gray of dawn. hen the major awoke at four in the after- noon, the orderly had a good dinner ready, after which his master went out for a brisk march, as he Called his walk of several miles, Returning at nightfall, he found a midnight eel A ya ites ni him, and the orderly taking his supper and drinking hims intoa state of eblivians ae So passed the time away with these two strange D9 sw Seated in his library one night, book in hand, as he had been for many years each evening, his midnight lunch and liquors upon the side- board near him, the major was given quite a severe shock by hearing a voice behind himsay: | Major Marcus Mayo, I presume?’ The major had prided himself upon his nerves but ~ lost penis oH them with this shock, an uttering a cry o rror, an to tremble li a frightened child, » beg He had half turned and saw before him a before, The stranger was dressed in deep black, wore. his hat in a jaunty fashion, and stood regarding _—— ca. |
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4 eed Dick Doom’s Clean Ea RE ETE i cheTensin eli Ew suse vhidauc. NEMEC A sy a + wl major with a very strange BekadePa Ne esti | seals act Gs ae eavecbuck sass ae res ieee nL CP piercing 00 “Tam Major Marcus Mayo, sir, and this is amy home, “‘ How djare you enter here, and how did you do so?” angrily said the major. “Tl entered your house, sir, with a key which opened your door, and PP caalio because this is the home of Major Marcus Mayo, the man I wish tu see just Dow above all other men,” * If you are.a robber you will get nothing.” **T will get what 1 came here for, Major Mar- cus Mayo.” $ What did you come for?” s To ask you a few questions, and upon them ‘to act.” “Well, fam not one to be catechized, so be- gone, or I will call my orderly to throw you out.” The major was becoming very angry, as he recovered from the shock of the stranger’s pres- ence, But the visitor laughed and said; “Your orderly is drunk, as you well know, and nothing could arouse him until he sleeps off the effects of theliqu:r he has drank, for bis conscience will not allow him to go to bad sober at night, so be drowns it by intoxication, and you dare not, on the same account, sleep by night, so sit up through the hours of darkness, and get your rest in the broad glare of day when thereare no haunting specters of night to distur b you,” ** Begone, sir!” roared the major. “Answer me one question, Major Marcus Mayo.” ** Well, ask it qaickly and go!” “You ' were the second of Ford Vaughan in the duel in which he killed Arnold Mainhall.” The question came quickly, unexpectedly, and dragging up from the buried past a scene be remembered but too well, tho major sprung ‘to his feet with a startled cry ani shouted, as he waved his band toward the stranger: “* Away! away from me!” “*T will go when I get that which I came here for, your life, Marcus Mayo,” and with a leap like a tiger the Nemesis was upon the old soldiér. A short eonaate followed and when the orderly called bis master to dinner he found him seated in his library dead, A midnight assassin had killed him, it was said, but who? : CHAPTER IX, THE RECORD, Ir was over a year after the midnight murder of Major Marcus Mayo, before what was termed ‘‘ the suicide” of Prevost Bassford oc- curred and as it made up the Red List, of five mysterious murders, if murder the last one was. which had been committed in Washington and its vicinity, within little more than that many years, the chief of the Secret Service Bureau ‘was most anxious to find some clue to the assassins, As his own force, under Captain’ Castleton, had failed, the police of the district had gained no clue and he was himself unable to unravel the mystery, he had sought the services of Dick Doom the Detective of the Golden Fetters, and most anxiously awaited his coming, Seated in his private office the second day after having sent the telegrams searching for Dick Doom, the Secret Poe chief was told ‘that a lady desired to see him “T am busy now, Burke,” “She said it is most important, sir, and she is in deep mourning and has white hair,” an- swered Burke, ‘Show her in then,” A moment after the visitor entered, She was clad in mourning, wore a heavy vail, which she threw back from her face as she bowed tothe chief, displaying a sad face, white hair combed down over her temples and gold spectacles, ‘“Let me introduce myself, sir, " Mrs. Lane, ah iy are Chief McOmber,” she said, softly. : Tam Chief McOmber, ‘Mrs, Lane. ‘Be seated, piease, and let me know how I ean serve you?” said’ the courteous chief of the Secret Service Bureau, “T fear, sir, I shall have to take you a long way back, but I am willing to pay liberally for all expenses there may be in searchiag the rec- rds,” “We will be glad to madam, in the line of dut ‘You are very kind, sir, “But let me ask you if you have ever come ‘across any record of a duel fought over Acety do anything we can, » Without charge.” years ago, by one Ford Vaughan, with one Ar- nold Mainhall? “It was when you, sir, must have been an infant, so you see I go back a good many years,” ‘* A duel between Ford Vaugban and Arnold Mainhall, fought forty odd years ago, madam?” ‘* Yes, sir.” “T will give you the data in a few minutes, madam,” The chief touched a bell, and Burke, the man in waiting, auswered the call, “Send Mr. Carlisle to me, and tell him to bring the books of criminal entries from forty to ove five years ago.” Mr, Carlisle soon appeared, with three large books in his arms, ‘Mr, Carlisle, look up the duel, fought in the District, between Arnold Mainhall and Ford Vaughan, some forty years ago, please,” The bookkeeper soon found the entr y, and, at the chief's request, read aloud as follows: “Upon the night of December 25th, 1840, a duel was fought at Beacon Hill Manor, District of Colum- bia, between the master of the horse, Ar:old Main- hall, and a Virginian \y the name of Ford Vaughan, in which the former was run through the heart by a rapie r, ey Tbe real cause of duel not known, but suppose l oo be a quarrel about a lady, Miss Celia Westmore- and. ‘The seconds were Marcus Mayo, of the army, for Vaughi in, and a French exile, M, Pierre D'Ar- ville, for Mainhall, the witnesses being Austin Brent, Esq., a lawyer, and the negro body-servant of Mr. Maimhall. “ The affair was hushed up, and Mainhall’s prop- erty being heavily mor tgaged, it went to the one who held trusts thereon.” ‘Ig that all the record shows regarding the duel, Mr, Carlisle?” asked the chief, ‘** No, sir, there is a note which says: ‘* Arnold Mainhall was buried in R—— Cemetery, and some one, unknown, erecied a handsome mon- ument, upon which is the tins, besides his name: “* 4 life for a life is justice,” “Thank you, sir,” and Mrs. Lane’s bow indi- cated that Mr, Carlisle could retire, As he did so Mrs, Lane suddenly asked oe ie copy of tke record on the books of the uel, The chief ordered a copy made and given her, and then she dsked: “Ts it known to you, sir, who got possession of the Mainhal! property ?” “It is not, madam, but an examination of the records iu ‘the recorder of deeds office will show.” “Thank you, sir; may I ask that you send and have the search made, as it will be done promptly for you, and what is more, no mention ace be made of it, which by my going would be one?” The chief wrote a few lines and a messenger was di+patched with them, Then Mrs, Lane said: “Was not Beacon Hill Mansion, the same house where dwelt the old man known as the Hermit of the Potomac?” The chief became more deeply interested at once and said that be believed that it was, ‘The Hermit bought it, paying cash, [ believe, sir? ‘*So I beard, madam.” “T should like to know from whom he bought it, to whom he paid the rte and in whose namo the deed was made out, ‘*T will come to-morrow, sir, for the informa- tion,” and Mrs, Lane left th’. room, while the chief muttered to himself: ‘* How strange that she should come to know about that duel, fought so long ago, and to ask spon the home where the old Hermit lost his ife, “ Here is more food for thought.” -_ CHAPTER X, UNMASKED, THE next morning at the same hour as her visit the day before, Mrs, Lane’s card was sent in to the chief, who at once ordered her ad- mitted to ‘his inner office, ‘* Well, Mrs, Lane, 1 have news for you,” he informed her, She showed no excitement, took a seat quiet- ly and askor: “Did you find out abouf the transfer of the property of Arnold Mainball?” ‘Yes: it was transferred to Ford Vaughan, for value received, along w ith all its belongings, furniture and land attached, ‘To Ford Vaughan?” f ; ‘Yes, madam,” “Tt was he who killed Mainhall in the duel?” ‘It was, madam,” ‘* Who were the witnesses to the transfer?” ‘The names of Pierre D’Arville and Marcus Mayo are signed as witnesses, witn that of Aus- tin Brent as attorney.” “a ‘Where are these gentlemen now, may I ask?” “* Doad,” ‘** All dead?” i _ Yes, for it was many years ago, you remem- er? “Very true; but, how is it that you know all of them to be dead » ‘Well, by a strange coincidence Lawyer Brent, Major Mayou and Monsieur D’Arville were all murdered,” ** Murdered?” ‘* Yes. Is it not a coincidence that it is so?” “T should regard it as a very remarkable one indeed, sir. As But, may I ask, where Mr, Vaughan is?” “I do not know,” ‘*'You have no way of finding out?” “1 do not see how it can be done unless we trace him back to his Virginia home, look up his kindred and thus discover whether lie is dead or alive, **T have talked with several of the oldest in- habitants about the duel, and an air of mystery seems to hang over it now as it did just after it was fought.” ‘* What did they say of Mr. Vaughan?” ‘* They recalled that be had gone away after the duel and never had been heard of since,” ** Now, Chief McOmber, what of the sale of the Beacon Hill property to the old Hermit, Prevost Bassford ?” ‘** Al! there is a strange circumstance, too, for no sale of the place appears upon the record, no transfer of the property from Vaughan to Bass- coer and yet, it was said that he paid eash for “To whom did ‘he pay the money?” ‘That cannot be ascertained,” “Then who now claims the property?” ‘*No one has put inaclaim for it, or for the money which he left, some thirty-two thousand dollars,” ‘* But if the property is still in Vaughan’s name, and the money belonged to Bassford, then the heir of the former could only claim the estate, and the heir of the latter the money.” “That is true, and well reasoned, Mrs, Lane,” ‘But, no heir 8 have yet shown themselves?” “Not yet,’ “The 7 onda was committed about two months ago?” ‘Yes, two months Pen VF but you remember it was & suicide, Mrs Lane,” ‘* Yes, I know the coroner’s jury so decided it to be, but it looks to me very ai like a murder,” ‘*May I ask your reasons, wgdada for so thinking ie ad Would you not like to know whyI am in- terested in this case, sir?” “Truly, 1 would. You came to me to request certain information which you thougbt I could ive you; I bave done my best to do so and now i would ask of you just what your own interest in the matter is?” “[ will be frank with you, Chief McOmber, and phe Aa my reasous—curiosity.” hat is a strange reason surely, yet per- haps, with a woman, an excellent one, Al have another,” sir: that of personal in- terest.” “That is better; but to what extent does your personal interest extend, may I ask, madam?” “To sift the whole stor y of this duel, the history of the records, and just why Ford Vaughan left no beirs who bave claimed thus far his property, and why Prevost Bassford has had no cineoants for the money he left—why he . owned the Beacon Hill property without the payment of a dollar for it, and who it was that murdered him, and the motive of the murderer, as it. was not robbery su a “You surprise me, Lane, by your evident deep interest in and knowledge of this case, and when [ might bave said that eyo was an unworthy motive for your going into it I now feel that there is something back of it all in which you are concerned,” *T admit that there is, sir.” ‘“* May I ask what that motive is?” ‘* To solve the whole m Pook peed y that hangs over Beacon Hill Mansion, attaches to who were friends and foes of its rela Arnold Mainball.” * And this solved, if it can eign what then?” ‘7 shall have gained my end, od
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Jick Doom’s ean oweep. consummation of your ends?” ‘*T shall have performed the duty you desired me to enter upon, sir.” “The duty I desired you to enter upon, Mrs, Lane?” asked the chief, astonished. ‘Yes; I am no old lady, as you suppose, chief; I am Dick Doom, the Ferret of the Golden Fetters,” was the startling response of the sup- posed woman in black, CHAPTER XI. WHAT DICK DOOM HAD TO SAY, Words are inadequate to express the amaze- ment of Chief McOmber, at suddenly discover- ing in ‘‘ Mrs, Lane,” none other than Dick Doom the decective, Here before him was the man he had been tele- graphing over the country for; the very one he wished to see most of all, to put upon the mur- der mysteries of the Red List, And here was the man, in the disguise of an old lady, so perfect he had not seen a flaw in the make-up, talking to him about the very affair he had/ wished to set Dick Doom upon and also Pani to know just what was wanted from 1m, In that disguise he bad gleaned from him cer- tain information, given him food for thought, and had shown how bold was bis flight in solv- ing a murder mystery. The chief had been deceived, yet he showed no regret at this, nstead a smile crossed his face, he flushed, and inan instant had held forth his hand to grasp that of the detective. “Mr, Doom, we met once before, when you were on your way to the Wild West to solve the mysterious killings at the fort, **'You accomplished all that you were expect- ed to do in that matter, and I congratulate you upon unraveling a very tough skein. ‘* Now I welcome you to Wasbington, sir, and frankly forgive the very clever deceit you prac- ticed upon me, “ You are a very remarkable man, Mr, Doom, for 1 have your record, and it seems a pleasure of yours to take in the chiefs, so J am not alone,” ‘*My dear, sir, it was with no desire to take you in that I come as I do, in feminine garb, but to gain pointers I might not have been able to da as Dick Doom, “The fact was that I was in Washington when you wired me, but under an assumed name. eo per ye I have three clerks, one East, another West, another South, whose sole duty it is to take all the papers, cull from them every sa robbery and crime, and make books of em. “These books are known by the months in the year; they are scrap-bodks in fact, with the scenes and dates of criminal deeds at the head of each page, “These books are my literature, and I keep posted with all that is going on in the United States, Canada and Mexico in the way of crimes, as also the lawless deeds of other countries. “T saw in this way the murder of Prevost Bassford, and I became interested in it from the sheer report of the coroner’s jury, that it was a ' suicide. vate Yo Pn ‘*T felt that it could not be, and so I set to work to solve the mystery. ‘*T came to Washington as a young planter, registered at Willard’s as D, Richards, and be- gan work, **One man, the chief of police of New Orleans, my devoted friend, knew where to find me, , * He sent me in cipher your telegrams to him, and I was already upon the work I felt sure you wished me to begin upon. ‘*T called to see you as Mrs, Lane, simply to catch you off your guard, to discover as a stranger what I might not be able to doas a detective, ‘*I found that you, as I did, believed that Prevost Bassford was murdered, and [ knew that I would therefore bave your full sympathy mv work, so I made myself known. *‘Now, as Dick Doom 1 am _ known to a number who visit Wasbington City, and hence work under cover, “I will tell you just where to find me, and under what name, but I tell you frankly, Chief McOmber, you will have always to receive me in one disguise or another, so you must give ma & password that will admit me to you at all times, whether in your office or home, and full authority to call upon your Government Detec- tives, and District police, demanding implicit obedience from them when I give an order. “Under these circumstances only will I un- “‘ And what do you expect to gain by such a | dertake the solving of this puzzle of the Beacon Hill mansion murder, and which 1 am sure dates back much further in its motive than the night it was committed. ‘“T hope I have made myself understood, chief, and that you will pardon my deception of you,” and Dick Doom held forth his band. Chief McOmber was a man of the world,a close student of human nature and a far-seeing personage in general, He saw before him a man who was very properly called a phenomenon in his Secret Ser- vice works, He bad the record of Dick Doom written down, and he knew that he was one to trust. He had wanted his aid, and here, without a knowledge of the fact, the young detective had appeared before him, inveigled from him just what he wanted, and was already upon the work, “Mr, Doom I will most readily pardon any deceit you practiced upon me, and I place this case in your hands with perfect confidence that you will unravel it. ‘* You shall have every assistance that I can give, and we will be friends, I am sure,” Such was the chief’s response to Dick Doom, CHAPTER XII, THE KNIFE. Tur Secret Service chief was pleased with the man, whom he had sent for in the Bassford mystery, and he was willing to say as much. After the two understood each other thor- oughly, the chief asked: ** Now, Mr. Doom—” ‘Tam simply Dick Doom, sir,” “Well, Dick Doom, now that you are no longer Mrs, Lane, let us understand each other’s theories of tbis Beacon Hill mansion affair?” “Phat means, sir, that you wish me to tell you what I think?” ‘* Yes, for you are aware that I do not con- sider it a suicide.” ‘Tt was no suicide,” Ab}, « “It waa a well-planned murder.” “For what motive?” ‘* That is to be found out,” ‘But you feel thatit was a murder?” ** Beyond all doubt,” ‘* Your motive for thinking sof” ‘‘In the ‘first place, no man could Crive a, knife to the hilt in bis heart, and it went that stick that knife in the center of thetable.’.~ ** You know that it was in the center of the’ table%” a“ I do.” “ce Ho w ” : “T have-seen the table, sir.” ‘* May I ask how, for you wero not in the city when the murder was committed, and the house has been securely locked, bolted and barred ever since, for | have the keys.” “Still I visited the bouse by night, spent the whole | day in there, and left.the following night. ; ° he chief was astonished. “ How did you get into that house, Doom?” ‘Just as the assassin of Prevost Bassford must have done,” ’ ** How was that?” Nec et ‘** T climbed up a majestic oak tree, walked out. upon a far-spreading limb that touched a rear piazza roof, climbed by a vine-clad lattice to the roof over a wing where there is a large chim- ney, upon which I observed cleats. were nailed for some purpose, ‘I discovered that the chimney was a dum- my, never having been used, and in it was a lid, which I raised, 4 “Then I saw a adder descending the chimney ; but remember, sir, I saw the tree, the limb, piazza roof, lattice and the cleats on the chim- ney, when I visited the place by day. * At night, with my dark-lanterns, and a bag of food, I visited the spot and made other dis- coveries,” $s And you entered the house by the chim- “*T did, sir, descending into a rear room that was used as a store-room, and the door of which was locked, ' “T picked the lock, sir, for I always go pre- pared, and entered an upper hall, ‘From this I made my way to the room whicb the papers described as the one where the murder was committed.” You are a bold man, Dick Doom,” ‘* What bad I to fear, sir?” “* Nothing in reality, yet few men dare face so much as you.” deep the autopsy showed, and witkdrawi t, | **] thought nothing of danger, [am not super- stitious, have my first pang of fear to feel, and stop at nothing to gain my ends by honcrable methods.” ** And then?” “T saw the imprint of the knife-point in the table, ‘It stuck nearly an inch deep, and was straight down.” ‘* W hat do you infer from that?” ‘‘That the man who put it there did so by driving itdown.” a“ Ab?’ ‘* Tt was never thrown, sir.” Well?! ‘Tt could not have been thrown by a man seated, at any rate, and the table was too large for one sitting down, as was the dead man found, to lean across and drive it there, and his strength could not have been such for him to do so standing, while there was not a drop uf blood upon the table.” ‘* You reason most clearly, Doom. * But then?” ‘‘ Where is the knife?” “T have it.” ‘““Seeif there is not some sign on the hilt that a blow has been struck there With a heavy object, for there was a hatchet on the hearth, evidently thrown there,” ; The chief opened a lockéd draw and took out a bowie-knife, and then closely examined the handle, ‘Yes, Doom, h’re is an impression, as from several blows,” “T felt such would be the case, sir,” and Dick Doom took the knife and gazed at it for some time in silence, yet with the deepest interest, At last he saic: “Do you know of any knife of this make, sir?” ‘* What is the make?” “The maker’s name is Waters of New York,” ‘Tf do not know the maker.” ; ‘*But here is something quite as important,” ‘© What is that?” ‘¢ The name of the knife,” ef Ae “Ah! It bad escaped me. ‘© What isit?” “Tt iscalled The Nemesis.” ** Tndeed! ‘That would imply an avenger.” “Tf was just what the man was who took the life of Prevost Bassford, sir,” was the quiet re- sponse of Dick Doom. » CHAPTER XIII. . " EVIDENCE, ; “You certainly get at the bottom facts, Mr. | Doom,” said Chief McOmber, a flash coming over his mind that Dick Doom was the right man upon the solving of the mystery. ‘ ‘*T should like to borrow this knife, sir?” “ Certainly.” It was pnt away in some pocket of the dress. worm by the, disguised detective, who then said: “I shall go to New York to-night, sir.” “Wor wpat purpose?” “To look up Waters, the maker of this. knife.” ‘““ Why can a letter not do as well, to have the New York chief find the man?” _**I wish to see him personally, sir.” All rigbt, I will do nothing to thwart you, ‘But now to your discoveries in the Beacon Hill mansion?” ~ “Having settled’the knife question, let us. feel assured that the man, after taking his life, could not have driven it into the table, seated himself in his easy-chair, taken his watch in one hand, his leather pocketbook in the other,” ‘14 would seem impossible.” “It was impossible, sir, for not a human being could do so, with a knife thrust in the heart,” } ee ‘Then there is no doubt of his having been — murdered?” ° ’ ‘Not the slightest, sir.” *t And the man entered as you did?” ** And made his exit as I did.” ‘“‘-You feel sure of this?” “© T do, ana I will tell you why. “Tt rained on the night of the murder?” ‘*T shall soon see,” and the chief turned to the reports, : ‘* Yes, it had rained hard all day, and into the night,” t There was mud upon the tree, upon the lat- tice, the cleats and the ladder down the chim- ney.” “ Ah Yr 7 “The man’s foot slipped, also, as I saw, an he fell some feet, tearing his coat, for I have a. a |
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iece of it, snagged upon a projecting round of he chimney-ladder.” ** Indeed |” “ Here it is, sir,” He banded over a piece of cloth about six in- ie long, inone end of which wasa button- ole, “The snag caught on the buttonhole and tore off this piece, as you see, and in the dark the man did’not notice it.” “How do you know that he did not have a light?” ‘** Because he lighted a match in the lumber room, throwing the burned end upon the floor, and it was a wax watch at that. “‘ Here it is, sir.” ** You picked up every thread, I see, Doom,” *¢ All must be picked up, sir, tomake the whole complete.” ** And then?” ‘* He went down-stairs, found the old Hermit in his room, surprised him of course, and what- ever followed, ended in the death-blow he gave his victim, “Then he left all to appear as though the man had committed suicide, perhaps not realizing how his knife-blade had gone into his beart, and leaving the blood to drip around where it was imbeded, that being the only stain upon the heavy oak table, for it was of oak and almost as hard as iron,” ‘¢ Yes, but why not rob him?” ‘That man did not go there to rob, sir.” ‘ Wor revenge?” ** Sure!” ‘¢ But, with money before him why should he not take it?” ** He was an honest man.” The chief smiled in spite of himself, and Dick Doom said: ‘* You must not make the mistake, chief, that a murderer is. also a robber, a dishonest man.” * That is true.” “Revenge is one motive to crime, gain an- other.” “Very true,” ‘*This man was one who did not need gold, but sought revenge,” “You think he was of the upper class?” , ** That piece of cloth proves it, f * Tt is of the finest broadcloth, not at all worn, and must have covered the form of only a well- dressed man, | - Then there was norobbery committed, which carries out the idea,” ‘*1 feel that you are right.” “T know that I am,” was the confident reply. **T am therefore,” contioued Dick Doom, * to look for the murderer among the bighest classes of society, for the knife he carried was an ex- pensive one also,” “It will be a great thing to prove this a murder instead of a suicide,” ‘It was a murder and can be so proven.” **Did you make any other discovery ?” “Nothing regarding the murder, sir; but I took many notes about the old place during the day that I passed there. ** But I will leave you now, for I go to New York to-night,” and Dick Doom left a most favorable impression behind him as to what he was capable of accomplishing. ‘*That man is a wouder to me, I must admit,” mused the chief, “Ts he a man, or a woman, for I have heard it doubted by the best Secret Service men in the profession. ** Fle goes at the bottom of facts in a maryel- ous way, and reasons with deepest thought, ** As map or woman his disguises are wonder- ful, and if any one can solve a mystery he is just that one to do it.” CHAPTER XIV, ; TO AVENGE A WRONG, It was with some difficulty that Dick Doom at last found Waters the maker of the bowie- knife known as “* The Nemesis.” He had been a hardware merchant, but bad retired from business and was dwelling upon the Hudson in a handsomy home. Dick Doom called upon him and at once stated his business, at the same time saying: “Tam a detective, Mr, Waters, and wish to find out from you the history of a knife you once manufactured, _ What knife was that, sir?” “You once manufactured bowie-knives?” **Oh, no, I sold them,” ** Will you tell me the kinds you sold?” The retired merchant, after some thought, ran over half a dozen names, and their manu- facturers, then added: Vick Doom’s ean oweep. ‘*We sold largely to the South and West trade,” **You do not recall any other knife you sold?” **T do not, sir.” ‘Did you not once sell a knife known as The Nemesis?” ** Ah! so I did.” ‘¢ That had escaped your memory?” “Tt had, and I'll tell you why, ‘*] only manufactured half a dozen of those knives,” **Only half a dozen?” ‘* That was all, sir.” **T should not think it would pay to put upon the market such a small lot.” **Nor would it have done so under ordinary circumstances,” ** Will you tell me tho circumstances, sir?” ** Certainly, for I do not mind now, as it was over a dozen years ago,” ‘*Ts this one of those knives, sir?” The merchant took the knife and glanced at ‘6 Yes, it surely is,” ‘*) observe that there is a number upon each knife?” ‘*Oh, yes, so there was. “That was in the contract, and this is Num- ber Five,” ‘¢ Yes, but to your story of the contract?” ‘‘ Well, about a dozen years ago a gentleman came into my store and asked me if I could manufacture for him a certain style of bowie- knife, **T told him that I could send to the manufac- turer from whom I bought, and if his order was large enough it could be done, I thought, ‘He asked how large an order must be given, and I answered that nothing less than a dozen gross would be considered. ‘* Then he wished to know the price of a dozen gross of a pattern he gave me, and promising to ‘give him an answer in a few days he departed, “JT gent the pattern on and received word that the cost would be to manufacture two thou- sand dollars, **He came in and I gave him the estimate, when he at once paid me the money, but con- tracted especially that only sia of the knives should be made, that they should be named The Nemesis, have numbers upon each blade, and an open space in each handle, to be opened by a secret spring.” ** And you made the knives for him ” **T did, sir,” * Only six of them?” ‘*That was all.” “And he paid you two thousand dollars for them?” ; ‘‘He did, and I made a large profit upon them, as when the manufacturers found that but half a dozen were needed, they charged me but five hundred for those I got.” “* And the gentleman?” “‘T never saw him again,’ “What was his name?” **] never knew it,” ‘Will you describe him to me, Mr, Waters?” asked Dick Doom, ‘*That is a trifle hard to do, I fear,” ‘You do not reeall bim?”’ ‘Oa, yes, but then he seemed like a different man each time that I saw him,” ‘* How so, sir?” ‘¢ Well, when he first called upon me he wore a full beard, and his bair was long; he looked like a bordcrman.” ** And then?” : ‘He returned next day with his chin shaven, side whiskers, his hair trimmed, and wearing a totally different style of dress,” ‘* And the next time?” ~ ‘* His face was devoid of beard, his hair was ae ErORe and he wore a suit of black broad- cloth, ‘Tn fact, I did not recognize him,” ** And then, sir?” “*T did not see him again, for he got his goods ordered and left.” ‘* Was he a large man?” “He appeared different each time I saw him, yet was the same man, ‘* His height was about five feet ten, I should say, his weight one hundred and seventy-five, and his movements were quick, and age about thirty, I suppose, or thereabout,” “Did you kuve any conversation with him— But pardon me, sir, what was the color of his bair, beard and eyes?” ‘“‘ Dark-brown beard and hair, and eyes that appeared black, but were very dark blue, with very long lashes, These things all were written down by Dick - 7 i Doom in his note-book, and then the former question was repeated: “ Did you have any conversation with bim?” ‘Well, Lasked him why he paid so lJargea sum for six knives that were not worth, if na in stock, over twenty dollars each, and his reply was: ‘“*To avenge a wrong, those knives were ordered, sir.’” Dick Doom thanked Mr, Waters for all his kindness and returning to New York took the first train back to Washington, CHAPTER XV, A FAIR VISITOR, Ir was the third day after seeing Dick Doom, as ‘* Mrs, Lane,” that Chief McOmber of the Secret Service Bureau received a card upon which was engraved: * Miss RINGWOOD, New York,” He ordered Miss Ringwood admitted and there swept into the room a woman of graceful form and dressed in elegant attire. She wore a half vail, eye-glasses, and bowed baughtily to the chief who arose and placed a chair for bis visitor, She took the seat languidly, looked at the chief in a searching kind of way and said: ** You do not know me, sir?” ** Save by your card, that I have the honor of a call from Miss Ringwood of New York.” “Yes, but that tells you vothing; I might have sent in a card upon which was written ‘Miss Smith of Washington,” The chief looked a trifle annoyed. What was his strange visitor and what did she want? He was so accustomed to meeting all sorts of people he supposed he had become used to them, cranks though many of them were, But somehow this elegantly dressed, hand- some young woman, for she was young, impress- ed bim, “Will Miss Ringwood kindly say how I can serve her?” he said quistly. “Yes, by explaining this?” With this she handed over to him a slip of pa- per upon which was written; ~ “Number Five has been sacrificed—Ford Vaughan of Beacon Hill Mansion. ‘But there is ove mre to complete the list of Six. “Theh the Nemesis will be avenged—not befure. “IL can bide my time.” This was written ina bold hand, upon a red card, and with anaci that, taking cut the color- ing, left the writing white, There was no date, only this red card with its white writing. The card was three inches in length by one in width, and upon one end was a dagger in black, upon the blade of which insmall letters, in white, were the words: ‘6 Tr NEMESIS, NUMBER Five,” ahs chief looked the card over again and again, and then glanced suddenly up into the face of Miss Ringwood, Sbe met his glance with an innocent smile; she was not caught off ber guard, ‘*May I ask where you got this card, Miss Ring wood?” asked the chief, - “ i May fask that you first answer my ques- on, ‘** What was that question?” ““To explain that card,” **I must know something of this card, before I can offer any explanation,” “What would you know of it?” “Where did you get it?” In response the young woman handed to the chief a knife, ‘* Ah! what does this mean?” he exclaimed, * This is the knife I gave to—” The chief paused, and the visitor continued: ‘“*To Dick Doom, the Ferret of the Golden Fetters, eh?” ** Yes.” ** And I return it to you, sir.” , ** And Dick Doom—for you must know some- thing about him, Miss Ringwood, what of him?” “‘T know all about him, Chief McOmber,” ‘ Where is he?” ‘© 7 am Dick Doom, chief!” was the serene an- swer of theone whom the chief of the Secret Ber vice Bureau had taken for a young and love- girl. Y Something very like an oath escaped the lips e “7m Secret Service chief, and a cloud crossed 8 face, : Then, in an instant his face brightened, and
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\ 8 Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep. he burst forth in a laugh, as, extending his hand, he said: ‘* Welcome back, Doom! but, you are in- corrigible.” ‘Pardon me, Chief McOmber, if I seem to try my disguises upon you, but remember, if they pass the scrutiny of your eyes, then I fear no one else, I am not one to be caught in a trap.” “You are right, Doom; so try your disguises upon me all you please, for I rather like to see just what you can do;but you can never fool me again,” ‘Do not be so sure about that, sir,” warned Dick Doom with a smile, ‘“A basket of wine that you cannot,” *“*7’ll take the wager, sir; but now, to that card?” s¢ Where did you get it, Mr. Doom?” “From the hilt of that bowie-knife,” “ Ah!” ‘‘T have seen Mr. Waters,” *¢-You found him then?” ‘Ves; I went for that purpose. He has re- tired from business and lives upon the Hudson River. I spent a couplo of hours with him,” ** And what did you discover?” “That the one who killed Prevost Bassford had six of those knives wanufactured to order— see, they are of the finest steel, the hilts have this secret chamber in them, opened by a spring, as [show you—there! ‘*Now this chamber just bolds one of these cards, red as you see, with the imprint of a black dagger on one end and the writing with acid, ** He wanted but these six and told Mr. Waters they were intended to avenge a wrong.” “He did? When was this?” ** Just ten years ago.” ** And whatdo you make out of this dagger with a secret chamber, and the red card.” “*T will tell you,” and the disguised detective drew his chair closer to the chief, like one who had something important to communicate, CHAPTER XVI. DICK DOOM AT WORK, As the chiet gazed upon the face of the detec- tive, he did not wonder that he was deceived in him. There: were pendants from the ears, a wig of golden hair, eyeglasses, and a complexion thor- RES. made up, with a half-vail covering the ‘ace, The bonnet was a work of art and costly; the dress had been made by a modiste who had done her work well; she sported a brooch, a chain and a watch; had gloved hands that were small; wore shapely boots, and had a form that seemed all that could be desired for beauty of outline and grace of bearing. Then, too, her teeth were ivory-white, even and small, the features regular, and the face was really very attractive, “Dick Doom, I really believe you are a wo- man,” declared the chief, with emphasis. * Think so, sir?” WT do,” * But why?” “T bave seen you at different times, oncs peat you came here on your way to the fron- tier. ** Yes, sir, I remember.” J ‘Then you were in male attire,” **T remember, sir.” ‘* Then you came, a short time since, as an old lady, dressed in deep st and looking just what you professed to be, for you deceived me completely.” : “Tt shows how readily we can be deceived, ir a True, and now you come, representing an elegant lady of fashion, and really I may say a very handsome young girl.” “Thank you, sir; but you alsosaid I made a fine old woman,” “ You did.” “You did not suspect me of being a woman when I came to you in male attire?” ** No, I admit that I did not.” “Then, why suspect me now, sir?” “ Them you are really a man?” “*T am Dick Doom, the Detective-at-Large, sir,” was the decided answer, he chief looked him squarely in the face for a@ moment, and then said: “Now tell me what your explanation is of this bowie-kvife with the secret chamber in the hilt, and from which you took this red card?’ ‘“*T have the theory, sir, that the one who paid so large a sum for three knives had six people to kill—a wrong to avenge upon as many persons.” , ** Well?” ‘* He has avenged five, that is certain, for this card says Number Five, and the same number is on the blade of the knife, burned in,” “ Yes,” ‘ ‘** Now that card has inscribed as victim Num- ber Five, the name of Ford Vaughan,” sé True.” ** At Beacon Hill Mansion, mark you.” The chief gave a low whistle of surprise. “The man killed at Beacon Hill Mansion was Prevost Bassford, and there may, or may not be a coincicence in the last of the name Bass- ford, being a part of thenams of Vaughar that is Ford Vaughan,” ‘*T a3ae bow you reason, Dick Doom,” ‘* There is a date on that card as well.” “e Yes,” ‘* Tt is the date of the night on which Provost Bassford, the Hermit of the Potomac, was killed.” ~ ‘** That is so.” ‘* Now I say that the man we were wishing to find has been found.” ‘¢ Whois that?” © Ford Vaughan.” ‘** You believe, I see, that Ford Vaughan was Prevost Bassford?” ; **T am sure of it,” ** On account of his name?” ‘No, but on account of that, as one coinci- dence; that be was killed in Beacon Hill Man- sion as another, andon the date of Prevost Bass- ford’s murder as a third, while the fact that Vaughan owned the Mainhall estate from mort- gage, or otherwise, the fact that Prevost Bass- ford did not pay cne dollar for the house, yet moved in, taking full possession and holding the place up to kisdeath undisputed, proves con- clusively to me who Bassford really was,” ‘Tam of your way of thinking, Dick Doom, now you place it as you do—hang it, I can. hardly keep from calling you Miss Ringwood, for it is hard to believe you to be a man,” ‘Tam Miss Ringwood as long asI play the part of the one whose card you received,” ‘‘ Well, I believe you are on the highway to success in fathoming this mystery, Mr. Doom,” **T know that I am,” was the confident reply. ‘* But there is one thing I wish to know.” “ Well?” ‘Send at once to the tax-collector’s office and find out who paid taxes upon the property of |» Beacon Hill Mansion all these years, Tuis the chief at once did—he and his visitor talking together meanwhile. The messenger returned with a slip of paper upon which was written: “Taxes upon the Beacon Hill Mansion estate paid by Lawyer Austin Brent in checks, for ten years’ payments. . “Last payment made seven years ago. just be- fore death of Lawyer Brent, but increase in value of real estate in district will make taxes due within few months, and for larger sum as per late as- sessment.” ‘* Who was Lawyer Brent, chief?” asked Dick Doom, ‘¢‘ A rich lawyer who was murdered in his office seven years ago.” ‘* He was murdered, you say?” ‘* Yes, in his office one Sunday morning.” ae whom?” “No ene knows, for the murderer was never discovered.” “Tell me of it,” urged Dick Doom with sudden interest, ites: CHAPTER XVII. NUMBER ONE AND FIVE, In a few words the chief made known all that he knew about the murder of Lawyer Brent, ‘Tt was just before my appointment as chief, and I will read the account in the record for you, for I am not fully posted upon the affair,” said the chief, The book was sent for and the account of the murder read. *‘ Killed in his office, on a Sunday morning, and found dead in his easy-chair with’ a knife thrust in his heart. “The safe open, yet nota thing taken, even the jewelry and pocketbook of the lawyer re- maining untouched!” said Dick Doom thought- fully, as he reviewed the account of the record. ‘Yes, such were the facts, Doom,” ‘““T say, chief, was there no trace of the mur- derer?” ° ‘* Not the slightest clue,” “And it was given up as a mystery beyond solution?” ‘* Wholly, only with the hope that some day we might bappen upon the murderer,” “ And the knife?” calmly asked Dick Doom, ‘*The record says that it is in the keeping of this Bureau, **T will look it up,” and the chief went to a case, unlocked it and looked for a certain num- bered drawer, This he unlocked with a key which he took from a large string which he had with him, and from it he took a bowie-knife which was rusted with age, ‘¢ Ah! here it is, so look at it, Doom,” The detective took it, looked at the blade, there being no scabbard, and after awhile touch- ed one of the guards in a way that showed he had a motive in doing so. After several efforts the guard turned up- ward, on a hinge on the base of the hilt, and one side of the handle, or hilt, slowly moved up- ward, Placing bis finger under the slide Dick Doom shoved it upward and within the narrow space thus exposed was shown a red card. Upon it was written the same toat was upon the one taken from the other knife, and with acid, except that it was different as to the name and humber. The pame on this card was Austin Brent, and the number given was Number One. That was also the number upon the knife, The detective handed the card and the knife to the chief in silence. Chief McOmber looked at both for a long ‘while without saying a word. Then he remarked: “This is a strange discovery, Dick Doom, for you have found Number One and Number Five of the knives made for the man who said to Mr. Waters that he wanted them to revenge a wrong.” ‘That leaves four of them to be accounted for chief!” ‘Yes, and how are we to discover those four?” “By following our clue,” ‘* What clue?” ‘The man known as Prevost Bassford, but whom we know as Ford Vaughan, was Victim Number Five.” ** Granted.” o s Here, in this cnife, we find Victim Number ne, ‘‘Granted again,” ‘‘He was Austin Brent, a lawyer.” iad Yes,” ‘‘He is the man who paid Ford Vaughan’s taxes.” ‘“Then we are to find out the others interested in Ford Vaughan, and see if we can discover in them more victims of the miners,” ** Ah, yes, I see what you are after, \ ‘¢ Well, there are four more to discover.” ‘*-Yes, and we are to search your records for other murders which in some way are connected with the Beacon Hill tragedy,” ‘* It will be a tedious job, I fear.” ‘Perhaps, and maybe not, chief, for let us see who were those.who were at the Beacon Hill. mansion the night of the duel.” ** Dick Doom, you are the man I want, for it was just these mysteries that utterly set me at sea, left me in the dark, **See here, let me tell you that there have been five murders comn:itted in Washington and its vicinity in the past five years which have completely set at defiance the police and my best detectives.” ‘Did you search for the motives in each case?” “Yes,” f ‘‘Did you connect the cases as from a com- mon motive?” ; “ Candidly, I did not.” ‘“ Well, we have discovered that Murder Number One, of the lawyer, nearly seven years ago, and Murder Number Five of two months ago, ab daca ‘The same man is guilty of both,” ‘That seems to be the case,” “Now, those six knives were made for as many victims, and had there not been five of them, we would not bave this knife with its Number Five upon it, for the Nemesis who set to work to avenge some wrong, whatever it may be, did so ina cool, calculating, and scheming way. “He was in no h , for it has taken him years to run his victims down. ¢ ** But now let us, if not too late, saye Number Six from his vengeance.” ~
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; j Ge a Z , 7 « + j 4 , ~ + a 2 2 A a A > 4 , & & 4 a a { ¥ 4 > 4 > x om Ss ¢ % | tae ae f as a th, + & ¥ » fam, i ¥ ‘ a % Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep. CHAPTER XVIII. SUNSHINE ON DARKNESS. Tue Secret Service chief did not reply for some time after Dick Doom had spoken as he did. He seemed to have a new light dawning upon him in the matter, and was silent for quite awhile, ; Tben he arose and went to a case, from which he took a certain book, ; : Placing this upon the desk before him, he said in a very deliberate manner: “Dick Doom, this last murder, of Ford Vaughan, or Prevost Bassford, as we knew him, the old Hermit of the Potomac, was the cause of my sending for you. “*I did not connect his murder, and the mur- der of others, in any way as being by the same hand. ** But they were most mysterious affairs, and as no clue could be obtained to the murderer in each case, | decided to have a talk with you, *“T have not dwelt upon, to you, the other murders which have taken place, but now we will look over the list fully.” _ ‘*T shall be glad to do so, chief,” ‘First, there was Lawyer Austin Brent, killed, as you know, in his office seven years a 0,” a And with the knife found by his side” “ Yes.” ‘Murder Number One, Victim Number One and Nemesis Knife Number One accounted for.” ‘‘The next murder,” and the chief turned to the book he had gotten, ‘‘ was thaf of an old negro man, dwelling across the river in Virginia, owning his own home and living alone,” “ His name?” ‘*He was known as Uncle Abe and also was called the Black Hermit,” ** An old man, you said?” “e Yes.” * About what age?” ‘** Pll read the record,” Then the chief read aloud as follows: “Murdered in Virginia upon night of June — th, 18—, an old negro known as Uncle Abe and Black Hermit. ““Owned his home, lived wholly alone, was very peculiar, allowed no visitors, kept two ferocious dogs, and had money. “Three thousand two hundred dollars were found in bis cabin. ‘Killed with knife—see Drawer Number 66 for weapon—and found in his chair in his home, “ No robbery committed, and the savage dogs not harmed, ** No suspicion fell upon any one, not a soul known to be acquainted with the ddgs, and man not known to have an enemy in the world, ** Police and detectives gave up the case,” ** That is all that is said, chief?” “Yes, except that his age is given and the statement of where effects are to be found,” ‘* Wat was his exact age?” ‘Tt is given here as about eighty.” ** Now let us bave a look at the knife, please, for I am sure we will find another of the half- dozen Nemesis blades,” The chief went to the drawer referred to in the record and brought out a bowie-knife, One glance at it and he cried: ‘You are right! ‘Tt isa Nemesis blade and Number Two,” Dick Doom took the knife which was rusty and tarnished with the blood of the one whose life it had taken, and opening the secret cham- ber in the hilt, drew out a red card, Upon this was written, as upon the others, with acid: “The Negro Witness Number Two has fallen, Four yet remain.” “Ah!” said the chief; ‘that speaks of Uncle Abe as the negro witness,” “ Yes.” “It would seem thenethat instead of avenging a wrong this Nemises was seeking to get rid of certain witnesses to some crime he had com- mitted,” said Chief McOmber. ‘* Tt does not strike me that way, sir.” ‘* How then?” _ “That the Nemesis is avenging a wrong, or crime done, by taking the lives of all who were Prepay or indirectly connected with the af- air, “‘The duel between Ford Vaughan and Ar- nold Mainhall,” quickly said the chief, “ That re it, for the negro was the slave of Arnold Mainball, Austin Brent was his law- he Ford Vaughan was the man who took bis in the duel, and now: we have to read the ‘Fecord of the murder of the two seconds, and ‘We have the chain complete, link by link.” ** No, there is one other, for there were six, ac- cording to the Nemesis knives,” ‘*True, but the sixth blow has not yet been dealt, as that of Ford Vaugban was the last, and the Nemesis seems in no hurry to carry out his plaus of vengeance, so we will have time to act,” ‘* And we must, for at last you are clearing away the clouds that enveloped these mysterious ' murders, Dick Doom,” said the chief, with de- cided emphasis, CHAPTER XIX. THE CONNECTING LINK, THE chief and Dick Doom then went over the story of the murder of Pierre D’Arville and Major Mareus Mayo, The former was put down as having been a recluse, living upon his plantation, which he had never cultivated, yet possessing wealth, as he had left considerable money in bank, He had been murdered by a knife-thrust, in the hand of some person unknown, in the absence from home of the two old negroes who served him, A slight clue had been found to the murderer from a sailboat having been seen standing off and on before his house, which was upon the Potomac, and at nightfall was observed run- bing in as thougb to make a landing, The knife with which the deed had been com- mitted had not been found, and the murder was still enveluped in mystery. The plantation was deserted still, save for the two old negroes who dwelt ina cabin not far from the mansion, That was all that was said of the D’Arville murder mystery, Referring to the record of the murder of the old Major, Marcus Mayo, the statement was that he was an ex-vflicer who had bought a home in the vicinity of Wasbington and had there made himself most comfortable, his only companion being an orderly who acted as cook, valet and generally useful man about the place. The major was a bachelor, lived luxuriously and had his pronounced peculiarities, never re- ceiving visitors in his home, and never visiting any one, He had been killed at night in his library, the doors being found locked by the orderly when he arose in the morning. The orderly’s statement was given, but re- vealed no clue whatever that would point to who the murderer might be, The orderly had been himself suspected, yet the major had not been robbed of a dollar, as far as could be learned, and after being kept in jail for some time he was released, He had at once taken bis own life, and this was looked upon by many as convincing proof that he was the murderer of bis master, for it was said that he went to bed each night of his life stupefied with liquor. . Since the murder of the major his home had been locked up, not a soul claiming to be the heir, though he had left money to a considerable amount and his property was very valuable, ‘* And the man was murdered with a knife, chief?” asked Dick Doom, ‘* Yes, as the others were,” ** And tbe knife?” ‘Tt is here, the record says,” The chi f arose and went to a numbered drawer where he found the knife, ‘Tt is a Nemesis blade,” said Dick Doom as he took bold of it, ‘* Yes, aud the the number on it is Four.” ‘Then we bave four knives and five murders,” “We must get the otber knife, chief,” ‘* We must, if we can.” “We have the proof now that the Nemesis got five of his intended six victims, and one thing is sure, that they were the ones who were present at the duel in the old Beacon Lill Mansion,” “Yes, that much is certain,” “All the victims are old men, over seventy, and the avenger, from the account of Mr. Waters who made the knives, was a man of thirty odd.” : ** That seems strange,” ‘* Yes, for one might expect the Nemesis to be old also. ‘* But the orderly committed suicide, you say?” oe ry Yes, he went home, wrote a letter stating that he bad no desire to live, with his master and friend gone, so would put poison in his whisky and never awake from his sleep,” ** And be did?” i Yes, the autopsy proved that he bad taken poison enough to kill half a dozen men,” ‘© Where was he buried?’ i ‘* By the side of the ma jor.” ** Did he leave no will? ‘* None,” ‘** No beir bas come to claim bis money?” ** Not a soul,” ‘* How much money did ha leave?” ‘** Several thousand dollars, I believe,” ‘* He was an old man?” ** Yes, about the age of the major.” ‘* Where are those five victims of the Nemesis buried, chief?” ‘All but the negro are in the R—— Ceme- tery. “Well, I am pretty well armed now for dis- coveries, so I will set to work, and, unless I need some other information, you will not see me for several days. ‘Should you wish to find me, just make a blue pencil-mark of a cross upon the rear door of the Beacon Hill Mansion,” ‘*Are you going there?” “Yes, lam making the old mansion my head- quarters, for there is much to learn there,” was Dick Doom’s reply, CHAPTER XX. THE BROKEN RAPIER, THE next day, toward sunset, upon a good horse, a young man wearing eyeglasses, and a bandsome riding suit, with slouch hat and top- boots, rode across the Aqueduct Bridge into the State of Virginia, He made his way to a distant hilltop, not more than a mile from the Potomac, and hal at the home of the old negro, Uncle Abe, The place was deserted, had been since the old negro’s death, and no one had come to claim its ownership, The negroes living in the locality, and there were many of them, avoided the spot as they would a plague, and strange stories were told of its being baunted, Ghosts were said to make their abiding-place there, and the more superstitious vowed that at night loud screams tor help and mercy were heard coming from the place, But the horseman did not appear to dread going to the spot, for pen orabi by it in day- light, he halted and watched the sunset and gazed admiringly upon the grand view spread out before him upon every side, Justas the shadows began to fall be rode on, but, after going a mile or two, when it became et he returned toward the Black Hermit’s ouse, He took a bridle-path that led him toward the rear, so tbat he would not be seen, and, having noted that the gate was fastened with a chain and padlock, he rode up to the high stockade fence, and hitching his borse, stood up in his saddle and leaped over, He made his way to the log cabin, «nd with a key unlocked the door, : Once within, he lighted a dark-lantern which he carried aud then proceeded to take a careful survey of the premises. He passed an bour or more there, and then re- turning to bis horse, rode back to the city, Leaving his horse at the stable, he made bis way along the little-frequented street which led by the old Beacon Hill Mansion, He entered the foliage-clad yard, opened the door with a skeleton key, and lighting his lamp again, made his way toa Jarge room upon the second floor, which had been used by its owner as a billiard-room and gymnasium, The billiard-table was there, but moved to one end of the room, and the cloth was all moth-eaten, ‘here were numerous belongings to a gymna- sium visible, and upon the walls were paintings of the chase, sporting scenes, and a number of weapons of various kinds, There were rifles, shot-guns, pistols and swords, boxing-gloves, foils and masks. Among the swords were a pair that were crossed together upon hooks, They were a splendid pair of rapiers, only that one blade was broken close to the hilt, and the other was staived half its length, The young man, whom the reader will know was Dick Doom, took down these rapiers, the bilt and broken blade as well as the other, and carried them into an adjoining room, This room had once been elegantly furnished, but the furniture was time-stained, and neglect and desolation rested upon all, It had been a bed-room, for a bath and toilet- room was adjoining, and there rested upon all an air of luxury, proving that the occupant loved his ease, Taking from his pocket several bottles, Dick Doom secured a plate and then began to scrape the stain off of the blade of the rapier, ~
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10 He soon had a quantity in the plate, and pour- ing upon it certain acids, after awhile said: on, it is blood, human blood, ‘“* This is the rapier that killed Arnold Main- hall, and it was in the band of Ford Vaughan. _ * Now to see why this blade was broken,” * He examined the blade most carefully and suddenly gave a low whistle as though he had made some discovery. ** Well, this blade was filed half in two and close to the hilt, and the strain upon it in com- bat caused it to snap in two—which develops an act of treachery. ** Suppose, after all, that the duel was nota square figit, but that the seconds were leagued tolet Ford Vaughan take the life of Arnold Maivhall? To my mind it begins to look as though such might bave been the case, ** Now to look further into this mystery.” ‘Lhe longer and more thoroughly he examined the broxen rapier the more certain he was that the blade had been treacherously filed half in two, But, by whom? **Tt looks to me as though, for more reasons than one, Arnold Mainhall was wanted out of the way, and ‘the putting him out of the way was surely accomplished. ** Well, I have made important discoveries to- night; I have visited the old home of the Black Hermit; but will wait until to-morrow night to accomplisn more, for this ancient homestead surely has more skeletons in its closet to find, and [ am on the search for grim secrets just now,” With this the detective left the room and the house, making his way to a smali house upon a secluded street in Georgetown,* ——-—— CHAPTER XXI. A LOVE LETTER. THE next day, mounted upon his horse, Dick oe rode out to the home of Major Marcus Ayo. It was isolated from other places, so he was not seen to enter the house, having left his borse in the rear in the woods, He saw the major’s library, sitting-room and bed-chamber, all as they had been Jeft by him, except for the wear of time, With a bunch of skeleton keys he opened doors of closets, desks and went where he pleased. The orderly’s room he visited, and that was also, as the old soldier had left it the night he took his dose of poison and lay down to die. For several hours did Dick Doom stay in the house, searching bere and there for some clue, and going over books, letters and all that might shed any light upon the life of the old major, At last he departed, and returning to George- town, went to the quarters which he had rented during his stay in the city. He took his meals where he could get them, so kept no servant, and so the neighbors knew nothing whatever about the persons wbo had rented the little furnished house in their vicinity, I say persons, for they had seen, as they be- lieved, an old lady, a maiden and a young man go in and out of the cottage, When darkness fell Dick Doom made his way again to Beacon Hill Mansion, He entered as before, with his skeleton keys, and this time.seemed to have some special objact in view, for be went at ouce tothe heavy uesk standing in the library. 2 This was locked, but yielded to the skeleton eys. ithin was a massive inkstand, a gold pen and paper. ‘here were bundles of letters there, too, all stained by age, and neatly folded and tied with ribbon, These the detective opened and carefully look- ed over. There were business letters, notes from friends and other communications, Several of these Dick Doom laid aside, Then he untied the ribbon which held one small bunale of letters together. These were all addressed ina delicate, femi- nine hand and where some had been sent by mes- sengers, others had been mailed ia Washington, for the stamp was upon them, Some of these notes were thanks for flowers sent, a gift which the writer had received and acceptance of invitations for a ride or drive, One was iv answer to.an avowal:f love, and ran as follows: *“T felt that I could no longer hide from you that I loved you, and I almost feared to be in your pres- ence dreading your discovery of my secret. —_—_— - .* Georgetown is now included in Washington City, Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep. “But now, my heart’s idol, I can write as I feel, act frankly toward you, as you have told me that which is the greatest joy of life, that you love me. **{ need not tell you Low fondly that love is re- eo as I know you have suspected it all the wale, * You say that you would have told me long ago of your love for me, but that you dreaded that I loved your rival, as you are pleased to call Mr. V——. ‘Ah no! Ido not love him, but, on the contrary, I fear and despise him. ‘The truth I cannot tell you, dare no‘, for itis not my secret; but he holds a power over me through others which I cannot shake off. ‘* Would to Heaven that I could! “He has asked me to marry him andItold him that I loved another; but his answer was tat it made no difference whom I loved—that I was to be his wife, and I shall be forced into a marriage with him soon, unless you can secret y claim me as your wife, since I dare not now oprnly wed you. ** Phere, you know now whatitis between Y—— and myself, so you can act as you deem best, and I am ready and willing to be guided by yu, my loved one.’ There was more to the letter, but it did not seem to interest the inquisitive searcher for se- crets, He had discovered that Arnold Mainhall had told a maiden of bis love, and dreaded as a rival one, V—. That the said V-— held a secret power over the maiden, who left all for Mainhall to arrange as he deemed best, These letters were signed with the name: ** Celia Westmoreland,” This letter was placed by Dick Doom in his pocket, and then he began to search for more information. It was midnight when he left the old mansion and made his way to his own quarters, The next morning, on his way to breakfast, he went by the Beacon Hill Mansion, as was his wont, and there in the door beheld the blue cross which he had told the chief of the Secret Service to bave put there if he was wanted, ‘*T will postpone my trip down the the river to-day and see what the chief wants,” he said, and after breakfast he returned again to his quarters, CHAPTER XXIy. THE CHIEF’S CLUE, THE chief had discovered a clue, and anxious to make it known to Dick Doom, he went to Beacon Mansion and made the blue cross mark upon the door, Tbe next morning as he sat in his office, won- dering why Dick Doom delayed in coming, Burke came in and said that there was an old negro who wanted to see him, and reported hav- ing important information for him, é ** Admit him,” was the prompt order, and soon after, with a limping, sbuffling gait, balf- bent with age, and with white hai: and beard, the old negro entered the room. He carried a heavy cane, was dressed in a coat of many patcbes anid wore a pair of iron- rimmed spectacles of immense size, He carried a canvas bag with bim, as a recep- tacle doubtless for any gift he might receive or anything that came his way to pick up. ‘*Mornin’ boss!” he saluted, uncovering his white head. ** Good-morning, uncle. Sit down there,” said the chief respecting the old man’s years. Lhe negro dropped into the chair with a fer- vent: ‘*Mankee, boss! You is a most perlite gen- ’man,” ; ‘* Well, uncle, what can Ido for you?” asked the chief kindly, ‘What kin you do fer me, boss?” ‘*'Yes; how can I serve you?” ‘¢ That hain’t it, sab.” “Ts not what?” ‘* Hain’t ther way ter put it.” ** Well, how would you bave it, uncle?” “ Iv’s whatkin J do fer you, boss; dat’s w’at it am,” * Ah! that is it, is it?” ‘*T¢ am, sah, ’pon honab!” “Well, what can you do for me?” *¢ Lots an’ jobs!” ‘*Out with it then, and if you have anything of value to communicate I will be glad to pay, you for it.” ‘* Pankee, boss!” and with a sudden change of voice came the words: ‘* Just pass mo that basket of mine, chief! You wagered methat you would know me in my next disguise and—” ** The devil!” : ‘** No, chief, Dick Doom, only, and at your ser- vice!” “Doom, you are a terror, your mother would a a oe not know her own son, you make any thing pos- sible, in the way of changing your identity. How on earth did you get that coloring? It is perfect. No person could ever tell it from the skin of an African,” ‘* It is a coloring [ happened on ones, sir,” ‘* And the wig and beard seem fairly to be growing to your head and face,” ae it j ' * They are stuck on, sir.” ** And your Joseph’s coat of many colors and patches—where did you get that?” ‘* Made it myself, sir, as a disguise.” You shall have the wine, and you have won it fairly; but Pll wager you a diamond studded gold detective badge you cannot deceive me . again.” ‘*Tll take the bet, sir, for one of like kind for yourself,” **Tt’s a bargain,” Y * Now, sir, you wanted me?” ‘¢ Yes, I have a slight clue, and you can work on it to see what it will pan out.” ‘* Yes, sir,” ‘There lives upon Georgetown Heights, I am told, an old woman tottering with age and who is greatly feared by all who know her, for she is called a witch, “She is known as*Old Hazel, the Witch, and she has lived where she now does for a great many years it is said. “Her cabin is on an acre lot and built against a cliff, while it commands a view of the Beacon Hill Mansion and far up and down the river, with a vast expanse of surrounding country. ‘What is strangest of all is that it is reported to me that she’ is known to pass through the grounds of Beacon Hill Mansion every day of her life, and on each Christmas Day the neighbors have noticed thatshe ties alarge piece of crepe upon the brass knocker of the old home, ‘Upon New Year’s day this crepe is removed, to he placed there the following y.ar.” “That is strange.” ‘‘T¢ struck meas being so remarkable that I at once went out to see the old dame.” ‘* And saw her?” ' ea, 3 ‘¢ How does she live?” ‘‘ All about her is as neat as wax, but she is a remarkable character, ‘¢ They say that there ara days when she will not utter a word, and I found her on one of those days, for she made no response to my ques- tions, ‘¢T will look her up,” # ‘Do so, for it is said that she has dwelt in her present home ever since the deed in Beacon Hill Mansion and she may know something about it. : ‘‘ She may, and I will see what she does know and who she is,” ‘*T wish that you would, for the old woman interests me greatly.” , . “* Now, sir, [ will tell you what I have been doing, though I did not intend to come to see you until I had made one more venture, that is, visit the home of Pierre D’Aryille.” + AI” ‘‘T have gone to the homes of the Black Her- mit, Major Mayo, and of course to Beacon Hill Mansion,” ‘¢ And you have made some discoveries, I feel certain?” * *¢T will tell you, sir, just how we are progress- ing in shadowing our Nemesis,” was the re- joinder. CHAPTER XXIII. UNWEDDED, , Dirck Doom told the Secret Service chief of his visit to the cabin of the old negro, the Black Hermit, and to the home of Major Marcus ayo, ’ ‘Now I have to go to the plantation of D’Ar- ville, and next to the home of Austin Brent, tue lawyer. e ‘But ‘let me tell you a coincidence about those houses you may not have noticed,” “© Yos,” “They are every one deserted.” ‘So trey are, even to the elegant residence of Austin Brent,” ‘¢ Another coincidence that I have marked, cbief, is that Ford Vaughan was unmarried, or at least no record of his marriage can be found,” ‘6 Well?” * Austin Brent never married.” “That is so.” “No negroes put in a claim for the Black Hermit’s property, and had he been married his wife would most surely have turned up.” “* Without doubt.” - ~~ ~~ % (
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Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep. It ‘The major was not a married man, for no one has claimed his belongings,” ** Nor have the belongings of the orderly been claimed,” the chief said, ‘* Nor has a wife, or heir of any kind, put ina claim for the valuable property left by Pierre D’Arville.” ‘*T have heard of none,” ‘“Now, it seems to me a very remarkable coincidence that of these five men not one of them should have wedded, and not a single heir appear to claim their property.” “It is remarkable, Doom, and I had not thought of it before,” ** And their houses are all now deserted and going to decay.” ‘* That is so.” ‘“*T shall know perhaps more when I have vis- ited the lawyer’s house and the D’Arville Plan- tation, for I did glean some information last night in Beaver Hill Mansion,” ‘ Indeed?” * Yes, sir, for with my keys I went through the locked rooms, closets and desks,” ‘* And made some discovery*” ‘Well, yes, sir.” ‘* Nothing escapes you, it seems, Doom,” **T try to see all that there is to see, sir.” ‘But this ‘discovery in the Beacon Hill house?” ‘*T went into what was used by Mainhall as his gymnasium and billiard-room, ‘*The billiard-table is there, moved into one corner, however, as though to give room for the duel with swords that was fought in that room,” ‘* Was it fought there?” “Tt was fought in the mansion, it is said, and why not there?” “ True,” \ “There is a stain of blood upon the floor in the center of the room, as though it had gushed ' out in a stream from a sword-thrust, whe ft ; “ >: ‘ r & j i ae ; £ « . ) ‘ I a4 z n $ ‘ ri , ay | * 3 t + i whe a j 4 a & a A tl * > a } & 4 ona th. } j ¥ ‘wea4 , i: Ps f Fa hing \ , ibe Y fw P 5 ae AN | =} A ++) A W * pI PIT Ss ah eg POT gf neti ° ‘ei eat A } : 4 Oy aoe hat ae: Ble » i “Then there is a trail to the: lounge, where a stain of blood is visible upon the floor, and as though in a pool. ““There is the same stain upon the lounge, showing that the dying man was carried there by those with him,” : “* His friends?” ‘Tf he had any friends there, chief,” was the significant reply of Dick Doom, ‘ What do you mean?” ‘*T begin to think that the master of Beacon Hill Mansion had no friends with him the night of that duel.” m ** There was his second and—” ‘** A second may not always be a friend, sir, *“ But I am getting ahead of my story.” ** You have more to tell?” '__ Yes, for I scraped off the stain on the blade of one rapier found there in the room, and put- ting it to the test found it to be human blood, “The stain reached just eighteen inches from the sword point, and so the blade must have eeren through the body of Arnold Main- a. a ** It would seem so.” ** The other rapier is broken off at the hilt.” ‘* That was what killed Mainhall, for it issaid that he was a wonder as a swordsman,” ‘Then it was done to intentionally kill him, sir, for the blade had been filed half through close against the hilt,” ** What! can this be true?” ‘It is, sir, for I saw the filing on either side and there where the steel, left very thin, was broken,” “ This looks like black work, Dick Doom.” “Tt looks bad, sir.” ‘Well, you have indeed made a discovery.” ‘And thero is more to tell, sir.” ** More yet?” “Well, in going over the letters and papers in Mainbali’s private desk, which I unlocked, I found some interesting data. “Among them was a love letter. Ihave it here, written, as you soe by the date, three months before Mainhall’s death, and signed by Celia Westmoreland, “You see what it says, chief, and that he looked upon Ford Vaughan as his rival and that the writer greatly feared Vaughan, and urged a secret marriajse with Mainhall ag a means Of es- cape from the man she dreaded,” CHAPTER XXIV, AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT. THE chief real the time-worn letter of Celia Westmoreland carefully through twice, and then “This is a strong link indeed, Doo d added to your story of the broken heoea the bloodstains and all make other links in the chain of evidence, **T now begin to see why you said that after all Arnold Mainhall may not have had any friends with him that vigbt of the duel, ‘* Now what is to be done next?” ““Go to the lawyer’s: house to-night, and to- morrow to the plantation of Pierre b’Arville, “I shall then have gone the rounds of the houses, and afterward will visit the old witch you spoke of whileI shall keep watch for her going into the Beacon Hill grounds,” “Well, remember that there isa wager about your next disguise,” said the chief as Dick Doom arose to depart. ‘“*T shall not forget it, sir,* answered Dick Doom with a laugh. Then, assuming his shuffling gait he left the inner room of the chief and hobbled past those without on his way down-stairs, several of them joking bim, yet not one suspecting that he was cther than be professed to be, Back to his quarters in Georgetown went the Man of Many Masks, and an hour after entering his bome he emerged again dressed like a dude, with cane, eye-glasses and flashy attire. He made his way to the fashionable quarter of the city, where was the home of Austin Brent, an letting himself into the yard by a brass key that opened the gate, went around to the rear of the house, It wis a large brick residence, standiug in the midst of a square, and with a wall surrounding it, except justin front, where there was a high iron fence, There was a stablo in the rear, and yet all wore a dingy look, as the grounds were over- grown from long neglect. His keys let him into the house and then Dick Doom saw that all was just as it had been left the day of the funeral, when the servants were dismissed and the Secret Service chief had lock- ed the place up and taken the keys, The house was handsomely furnished, and there was an air of comfort upon all. Paintings adorned the walls, the carpets were heavy and soft, and all showed that the master had been a man of refinement and wealth, And yet be had never had intimates, never had allowed a visitor to cross his threshold, liv- ing wholly in himself and for himself. All over the house the detective went, his keys letting him into every locked door, closet and desk, and when papers aud letters came before his eyes he rapidly scanned them over, Suddenly, in an inner hiding-place, he came upon a paper which he read most carefully, It was as follows: “T hereby bequeath to my dear friend Ford Vaughan, al] my property, whatever it may be, with moneys in my Hdnae: and in bank, making him sole executor of my estate.” ‘*'This is dated just one month before the duel between Arnold Mainhall and Ford Vaughan,” said Dick Doona, ‘Then he added aloud: ‘Yes, and it is signed by Arnold Mainhall and witnessed by Marcus Mayo and Pierre D’Arville, while here is a statement signed by Austin Brent, attorney and notary public, that the signature was genuine and all in proper form. ‘*This isa very valuable document, and 1 am very glad Icame to the attorney’s house, ‘* Now for a strollabout the grounds of tho old Beacon Hill Mansion,” He wended his way back to Georgetown and entered the grounds of Beacon Hill through the half-tumbled down gate. He noted that there was a path there, across the grounds, around the house, atid out of a break in the brick wall that surrounded the mansion, ' ; He had just gone around to the rear of the mansion when he heard voices, and hastily he darted into the well-house. A moment after there came into view three stout negro men, and they were talking earnest- ly together, ‘“*T tells yer we won’t have no luck long as that old witch hoodoos us as she do, and I says jest kill her, I does,” said one. Yas, if witches kin die; but maybe we can’t kill her,” another remarked, “Don’t be a fool, Josh, for witches kin be kilt and easy too, ** She’ll be along soon, and I has watched her. “She allus gits a drink o’ water at the well, so we kin jist lay low and grab her, and once I gi. my fingers un ber old throat she’s got ter ie. “Yas, and then we'll have some luck; but lookin’ down ‘pon us, we won't git nothin’ but bad luck, ** Come, lit’s hide in the well-house.” And they did. Fy > ‘CHAPTER XXYV. THE GOLDEN FETTERS, Wauen Dick Doom heard the voices of the negroes, and what they said, he looked about for a hiding-place, There was a box where things had doubtless been placed to keep cool, and damp and close as it was he quickly raised the /id and got into it. He was not a moment too soon, for into the well-house went the three negroes to lie in wait for the coming of the old witch. All that they said reached the ears of Dick Doom, so that he could know just when to act cr he had made up his mind just what he would 0. He was beginning to find his quarters becoming very tiresome, when one of tbe negroes said in a low tone: ‘* Ther’ she comes!” “You got ter choke her first, Si,” “Yas, Vildo ther chokin’ and you and Josh jist tap her on ther head with them iron rods yer carries, fer it takes three ter kill a witch, yer knows.” ‘* We'll be with yer, Si.” A moment after and Dick Doom heard the three negroes move quickly from their position, ani throwing up tbe lid of the box he made a leap and was upon them, And not a moment too soon, for one had’grasp- ed their victim by the throat and a second was just dealing her a blow on the head with a small iron bar, when he fell to the ground as though shot, under a blow from Dick Doom, In a moment a second blow had felled another of the trio, while the third, who had grasped the dese throat, was in the iron grasp of Dick oom, In vain he strove in his terror and fury to free bimself, for he was powerless in the grasp of the young detective, who quickly slipped upon his wrists a pair of bandcuffs of yellow metal, Net an instant did he delay thenin placing steel manacles upon the wrists of the other two negroes, who were atill dazed by the blows they had received, A small chain was then run through the man- acles and the three negroes were securely bound together by their captor, upon whom they gazed _ with superstitious terror, ** Who are you?” It was the woman who asked the question and she stood gazing at the young dandy, as the de- tective looked, almost with awe and certainly’ with admiration, She had been hurled to the ground by her cap- tors, and her head was cut and bleeding, while her throat had been roughly bandled, Sbe was a woman with darkly bronzed face, snow-white bair, large, lustrous black eyes, and. in spite of her age, with snow-white, even teeth, certainly one who had been a beauty in her youth, : She was dressed in black, save she wore a red scarf about her waist, and upon her head a scar- let Turkish fez, with a gold tassel, Sbe wore several vecklaces, bracelets and many rings npon her long, bony fingers, and all had the appearance of being genuine gold and gems, There wes in her face a look that won Dick Doom, rather than repulsed him, and he knew that the one whose life he had saved was she of whom Chief McOmber had spoken, Hazel the Witch, In answer to her question, which was asked in -& voice plaintive in tone, he responded: ‘Ob, Tama young man traveling for pleas- ure, and strolling into the grounds of this old rookery, I overheard these three negroes plot- ting to kill some one, so I hid and waited for them to make the attack. ‘“*T only wish I had been quick enough to save you that blow.” ‘* Tt is nothing. ‘Blood does not frighten me; but you are a giant in strength, young man, and you have saved my life, ‘‘ Well, these blacks shall suffer for laying hands upon Hazel the Witch, ‘““T have a mind to strike them dead now,” ‘No, no, Go not do that; but instead, domea . favor.” ** Anything.” ‘ é “Take them to Secret Service Chief Mc- Omber, and tel] bim what they did ‘¢Tell him I will come and make my report in ood time against them, end to give you these now, long as she livesup yonder on ther bill! gold and steel .nanacles, for you keep them for
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a +4 my 12 Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep. ‘me, for I wish to come and have my fortune told ‘May J”? **Qladly; and I will keep the manacles for -vou,” and Hazel the Witch marched off with wer three terribly frightened prisoners, She walked down to the river-bank, where she had a boat, and making ber prisoners get in aft, she seized tb 3 oars and sent the craft flying down ‘the river, Landing a. the nearest point to the White House she crossed the lots to the quarters of the Secret Service Bureau and startled Chief McOm- ber by suddenly appearing before him with the trio of manacled negroes, Then she told her story, and baving given her prisoners over to the chief, she took the gold and steel fetters and started upon her return home, while Chief McOmber muttered: “Dick Doom plays trump cards only, and has won that old woman to his will, that is cer- tain. CHAPTER XXVI. A SOUVENIR OF MURDER, Tue day following bis rescue of Hazel the Witch, Dick Doom went down to the wharves in g@earch of a sailboat, He was dressed in the garb of a man-of-war’s man, and had the rolling walk of a tar exactly. He chartered a cat-rig boat, and proved him- self tO be an expert as a sailor as be was a vider, Down the Potomac, under pressure of a stiff breeze, flew his boat, and an bour’s run brought him off an old plantation home situated not far from the river’s edge, Around it were fields of many acres, but all untilled, and there was an air of desertion, neg- Ject.and decay upon all. The mansion was a large one, with vines overrunning it and not a sign of life about it, other than the birds that sung in the trees near *ihera was a small cabin an eighth of a mile away, back among some trees, and about it was a garden, with a horse and a cow in the pasture near. A few pigs and some chickens showed that the -cabiu at least was occupied, Dick Doom made a landing near the mansion and spent some time looking about it, Then ke walked over toward the cabin and ‘was welcomed by arush of half a dozen dogs, of all sizes and breeds, and without which no wee negro home is complete. But Dick Doom paid no attention whatever ‘to the orig brutes, which brought fortha cry from an old woman who came out from the cabin, of: ** Lordy, honey, dem dogs done eat you up, I reckon—no, dey ’pears ter take a shine to yer.” “T have no fear of dogs, auntie, and they mever trouble me. ** But whose place is this?” ** Dis de D’ Arville Plantation, sah.” ** Tt is for sale” “Lordy, boss, I doesn’t know, and I reckon my old man don’t nuther. ‘Come out here, old man, and talk to de gemman.” With this, out of the cabin limped an old man equally as old as his wife, He said tbat the master had been murder- ed some years before, and that they were allow- ed to live in the cabin and bada little money for their support, At the request of Dick Doom he told his story of the murder and was suddenly startled by the question: ‘* Well, old mav, whet did you do with the knife your master was killed with?” The old negro dropped into a chair as though he had been struck a blow, He tried to speak, but began to stutter, and Dick Doom said: ‘*Come, old man, tell me about that knife, and tell the truth, for you see I know all about Ft, ‘* Boss, fore Heaven I believe yer does,” at last stammered the old man, **' You have that knife?’ ‘Yas, sah, I has,” “Tell me the truth about it, and no harm will come to you.” ‘Yer see, boss, [come home with my wife ther time o’ ther murder, and thar sot Massa D'Arville in Lis easy-chair in de library, with thet knife stickin’ up in the floor near him. _“Ttuk the’ knife ter keep in reeommembrance of poor Massa D’Arville, butter give it up ef I _ were axed fer it. LAT AE ‘* But none o’ ther officers said a word about it and I kept quiet too, and I has it now. “Who it was thet kilt poor massa nobody knows, but he wasn’t robbed o’ nothin’, and ali about ther house was jist as we left it,” ‘* Well, old man, give me that knife, and here is a ten-dollar bill in exchange for it. ‘*Then I would like to see through the house, as it looks like a pleasant bouse for one to live in. ‘Tt is, boss, and I thanks yer fer ther money. “Old woman, jist git ther knife what kilt old massa, and give it to this gemman.” The old negress got the knife, fishing it out of soms secure hiding-place, and after glancing at it Dick Doom thrust it into his pocket, and told the aged couple that he would not worry them to show him through the house, but would go alone, and returu them the keys,” ‘*He’s gone so powerful long [ guesses he’s going ter buy ther place, and then we gitsa job, old woman,” said the old man, But at last Dick Doom returned, gave up the keys, aud said that he was much pleased with what be bad seen. Half an hour after he was in his boat sailing back to Washington, and with the weird son- venir, the missing Nemesis’s knife in his pocket, CHAPTER XXVII. THE DIAMOND BADGE, Ir was the day following his visit to the plan- tetion of the murdered D’Arville, that Dick Doom decided to report to the chief the finding of Knife Number Three, which the Nemesis bad used, so he went to the quarters of the Secret Service Bureau, again wearing his dieguise as ** Mrs, Lane.” But the chief was out, had gone over to Balti- more, but would be at home that evening, should anything important occur that he was needed. He was seated in dressing-gown and slippers, after his return from Baltimore, enjoying what leisure a man in his busy and important position could, when the girl came in and reportelda messenger boy bearing an important letter. ‘‘ Show him in, Bridget.” Into the room came a very fat messenger boy, walking at a snail’s pace,” His bair was fiery red, as were also his eye- brows, and his face was as freckled as a turkey egg. By tuk this letter ter Headquarters, sir, and ther Capp there he gent me up here wid it, so it’s extra pay,” said the boy. “*Do not fret about your pay, my boy, for you will get all your services are worth, never fear,” and the chief took the letter and broke the seal. ** Ah! itis from Doom, and he says he called to-day to say that he had found Nemesis’s knife Number Three, and will drop in at ten in the morning.” Then turning to the boy he said: ff There is no answer, boy, and here is your No, chief, I want my diamond badge,” came the response from the messenger-boy. Chief McOmber leaped to his feet with some- thing very like an oath breaxing from his lips; but then be broke forth in a hearty laugh and said: ** You have earned it, Dick Doom, ‘* But sit down and let me look at that make-up of yours,” “Tt is merely plenty of clothing, chief, a red wig and eyebrows, with a few blotches on my face and chewing gum inside my cheeks,” ‘¢-You are the most perfect adept at disguising yourself, Doom, I ever beard of.” “This disguise would not muster by daylight, but at night it is all right.” ‘* Well, you have won your diamond badge and I will have it made for you, with the in- scription put on it to please myself. “ But is ig true tbat you have found the miss- ing knife?” ‘* Yes, sir, Number Three.” ‘That was D’Arvill’s knife, or rather the one be was murdered with,” ‘“ Yog, sir.” ‘¢ Where did you find, it?” “T went down to D’Arville Plantation and found there the two old negroes who had been his servants, ‘*T got from them all they know, and then sprung the question upon the old man as to what be had done with the knife. ‘* He weakened at once and gave up the knife, for which I paid him ten dollars, “Then I got the keys and went all over the house, \ “Tt was a pleasant home, and one thing is certain that every one of those men murdered by the Nemesis lived lives of luxury.” “*Tt would seem so. ‘*But did you make any discovery in the house?” “*T looked over all that was three but found nothing of real importance, siz.” ‘* Well, lei me congratulate you upon the very clever manner in which you made the acquaintance of Hazel the Witch,” ‘* Yes, I was indeed most fortunate.” “Did these three negroes really intend to kill her, or rob her, for she wears considerable jewelry you know, and it is genuine.” ‘* Yes, sir, and they doubtless would have rob- bed her too; but their plot was to kill her, and each one was to do bis share, for they called her a witch, said she gave them bad luck, and un- less they killed her they would be hoodoo’d.” ‘You heard their plot?” ‘¢ All of it, sir.” “Then your testimony will send tkem to prison for a long term of years, ** But, you have no idea how you surprised the old woman,” ‘*In what way, sir?” . * By your strength in mastering those three mon.” “1 got them at a disadvantage, sir.” ‘“*Notin the least when three desperate men were against you, ‘One of them told me that he was asa child in your grasp.” ‘**Then that does away with your suspicion that I am a woman, sir?’ said Dick Doom with a smile, **T really do not know what to think of you, Doom, ; ‘* But I gave the woman your fetters,” “That was right, sir, and I shall go after ° them to-morrow. oP ie do you risk solid gold fetters, as they are ‘ ‘Tt is merely a fad of mine, sir, that is all, ** We all have our weaknesses, you know,” ‘© Yes, but I have yet to find the weak spot in ar make-up,” replied the chief, and soon after ick Doom returned to his own quarters, _ CHAPTER XXVIII. HAZEL THE WITCH, THE home of the woman known as Hazel the Witch was a secluded one, upon a bill against a bluff, and commanding an extensive view, as though tbe poor creature sought to make up in gazing at the beauties of nature, and the work of man, for the lonely life she led, ‘ Many there were who remembered the woman long years back, yet all said that her hair was white then, when they first knew her, and she bad not changed in appearance, She was considered simply some poor crea- ture, alone and friendless, a crank, yet harmless, for though called a witch, it was only by the superstitious, till she could protect herself, and bad done so oo a number of occasions, until she was feared by those with whom she came in contact, and the negroes looked upon her with awe and. hatred. Her home was a stout old stone hut, with flowers growing about it, a bit of lawn end an air of comfort, for she was not poor, All she got she paid the ready cash for, and many a poor family had her to thank for a Christmas dinner or some gift, It was to this little house on the hill that Dick Doom made his way, on the morning after his visit to the chief, in the disguise of a messenger- boy. The woman saw him coming, and at once re- cognized her brave rescuer, A strange look passed over her dark face as she said. ‘* Appearances are deceitful, for I would have said that be was a brainless dude, from his looks, ‘“* But be saved my life and he, for one, shall be welcome here in my home, such as it is. ‘*Not that I care for life, ch no! ‘“*T would bave been willing to golong years agone; but then my mission must be fulfilled, I must see him master of yonder house, or else what good bas been done by all the crimes to ac- complish it, : , ‘Yet is it crime to avenge, to punish the wicked? ‘* But yonder youth is welcome here,” She met Dick Doom at the little gate as she saw him near it, aud said in a voice that was not barsh, as was its wont: ‘* Well, my brave youn you have found out the home of Hazel the 1 ? ch, I see?” > we)
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* t i ‘ y ‘ t ‘ ee 4 j ‘ ‘ r & “4 | 4 4 , * Lt / fs ‘ » ca " “a ‘ x f the s A 4 4 oe doe of: , a r . aa Fe Py em Pa ae ae exes oe: a Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep. ** Yes, madam, I came to ask how you were, and to see if you had really suffered much injury at the bands of those villains,” **'You are kind tocome and ask how an old woman is, and more, you were brave to risk your life to save mine, ““No, [ have not suffered from the attack, more than from the blows on my head, ‘*T have your manacles for you here.” “Thank you, for keeping them for me,” and Dick Doom was taking in the woman and her surroundings, though not appearing to do so, “*Tbese would indicate that you are an officer of the law,” she said, handing him the Golden Fetters which she had brought from her house, ‘* They indicate that I seek one whom I have long sought, whom I live in the hopes of finding. ‘Some day he will cross my path and then I shall be ready to place these fetters upon him,” and Dick Doom spoke with a sudden intensity of feeling that caused the woman to remark quick- y: ‘Then you too are an avenger, as I am?” ‘*'Yos, I seek to avenge a wrong done, and some day I will do so. **T live, I train my life to that end,” and again Dick Doom spoke with deep feeling, The woman's face flushed, her eyes brightened and she replied, as she extended her hand: ‘¢ Then we are kindred spirits, young man, for I too am a Nemesis. ‘See! gaza upon this face, this miniature set in gold, studded with gems, a rare piece of work and of great value, and tell me if in it ou see gaa one feature of the woman now be- _ fore you?” She handed to him ae she spoke a miniature aet in a solid gold frame, the edge fringed with pearls and diamonds, It was of a young and beautiful maiden of per- haps niueteen, with a wealth of golden hair, and large deep-blue eyes, a face to see and love. t had been hung about her neck with a Ria chain, and she had taken it off te show Dick m, 1. And this is yourself” he asked, at the same time trying tor without appearing Co) 80, wh % “vd saw engraved on the back of the miniature, *¢Tt was once the woman you see before you, but when she was a happy young girl. ‘‘Look at the wreck which heart-ach*, ang misery have made me, for to-day | am an old hag. Fo | here is another face { loved, a bra¥e, noble youti he was, who, ac- cursed by a secret of a buried treasure, of vast fortune, Was cruel! sacrificed by those he deemed - his at friends, **Siee! was he not a noble youth?” and she took frora her bosom another miniature,also held about her neck by a gold chain, and handed it to Dick Doom, : The detective gaged upon this miniature also with deep interest, but said simply: ‘Truly a noble face, one to revere and, love, as is also this one of yourself, for I see that it is your likeness.” . ** And ah! how I loved him} ‘Yes, he was my idol, and I lost bim. “But I have been avenged, yes, cruelly argiged, she said almost savagely. **No, no, not yet, not yet; but soon I will be, yes I will be when I see our master of yonder home with its bitter memories, yonder hen under whose shadow you saved my life, for it has a master and he must soon claim all, for he bas earned it by the work of his good right arm. ‘But I am a fool to talk thus! I am an old fool, sir, and I will say no more, no more,” & miniature of one _ and she relapsed into silence. CHAPTER XXIX. THE LOST HEIRESS. THE detective made Hazel the Witch a ve long visit, and she found him a most delight- ful companion, He only binted of his past life, and yet he seemed to feel that he was telling her a great deal. She too, contrary to her usual custom, be- came communicative, and when at last Dick Doom left, promising to call again, there was a very satisfied look upon his face, He went to his own quarters, and some two hours after the chief received word that an old gentleman wished to see him, and it was im- portant, Burke said, as he was a Grand Army man who had been robbed of his pension. The chief was always considerate toward the ' defenders of the Union, for, a soldier in the A nS er ad oe a Sa ee ee ee ee ee eee a se ee = was himself, he could not forget his old com- rades, So the Grand Army man was admitted. He was a spry old gentleman, ovidently one of the old school style, for he wore a blue coat, brass buttons, a white hat, snowy vest with fob chain and seal, He wore spectacles and his hair was long and white, his face clean shaven and he carried a gold-headed cane. ‘*Be seated, sir, and let me hear of your misfortune,” said the chief. “Say rather fortune, Chief McOmber, for I have struck it rich.” Ia voice caused the chief to start and he cried: ‘* Dick Doom, you would deceive Satan,” vig t i to,” was the laconic reply. Then Dick Doom said: - Chief, Iam on the right track and no mis- take. **Did you find out for me, as I wrote and asked you to do, anything about Miss Celia Westmoreland, the writer of that letter I found in Mainhall’s desk?” The chief took aslip of paper from his desk and read aloud: ‘Miss Celia Westmoreland belonged to a prom- inent old Maryland family upon the members of which hung a cloud, through the wild life of an only son. ‘*The secret acts of this son were made known and the fumily was wrecked, for the mother di-d of a broken heart, the father committed suicide and the sister of the young man, who jt seems was mapged, disappeared most mysteriously, “*She was an heiress, but never claimed her fortune, and no one knows what became of her. “This was Colia Westmoreland, the writer of the letter you have, Dick Doom,” 3aid the chief, after finishing his reading of the slip of pe Tr. Dic oom ‘* Well I can tell you about her, remarked, ** Yes, for she is none other now than Hazel “ec ” " ra Jat meen it?” . .‘ Explain, Doom, for yoti ha¥a fnade quite a “sSCOVETY ‘* But then it is just what I expected of you.” “ Well, chief, I went to see lthe Witch, and so greeted me cordially. ““{ played the avenging Nemesis myself, won her sympathy and confidemce, and she told me that she too was an avenger. “Then she showed me a miniature likeness of herself, set in gold and studded with gems. ‘* T recognized it at once as the‘counterpart of the old portrait that hangs in ‘the Beacon Hill Mansion, and I managed to oad the engraving on the back, . “Tt was; “<Prom C, W. To A. M,’ “The date was the same as that of the letter.” é' ‘“‘Now you are unraveling the mystery, Doom.” **T was also shown the miniature likeness of Arnold Mainhall, ‘It too was the counterpart of the full length portrait of him in the Beacon Hilllibrary, and upon it was engraven: “¢To wy Ipon.’” **T drew the old woman out all I could and the result was startling. ‘She little dreamt that I knew aught of the murders, or of the history of Beacon Hill, for I told her that I was from New Orleans, spending a few days in the city.” ** And she trusted you?” ‘“* Perfectly. ‘It seemed like a crime to make the old wo- man tell upon herself, but then there has been crime committed and it must be put a stop to, “She told mo of ber wrongs, never once speaking of this as her home, but leading me to believe that she lived far from here, “*She told me of ber secret marriage to her lover, and then of the foul plotting of one who had been that lover's friend. ** As she told the story, ber lover came of an old and rich family, and had inherited a grand ome, “‘ He had lived there alone with his servants, had as boon companions a French exile, formerly an officer in the army of France, ‘* He had also another friend in an American Army officer, and last the man who had brought ruin upon him, ‘“Then there was an old and faithful negro» servant, and he was wont to wait upon his: master and his friends, ‘““These friends came to the house to play” cards, and they had lost large sums to their’ host, when one night he told them of a discovery his negro servant had made in the cellar of the old mansion, é “Tt was of a secret hiding-place in the wall, and init was a very large sum of money. ‘‘It wasa fatal secret to disclose, for these» supposed friends laid a plot, and it was to gets possession of this gold and their host’s property’ as well. ; ‘‘ A young lawyer, the friend of the arch plot-- ter, was let into the secret on sbares, and one» night a quarrel occurred in the house. : ‘Tbe main plotter wished to marry an heiress» and a beauty, whom he believed to be loved by this Fa man they Biota? against, alt a quarrel followed, a duel was fought,, and their victim lost his life, ‘The sword he fought with had been filed. nearly in two, for he was a superb sworksman,., and so it was a murder, the old woman said, ‘In the plot were the two seconds, the officers: of the Freach and American Armies, and they lawyer, all led by the arch plotter, the rival, “*The negro body-servant, between fright and: bribery, was made to keep quict, and the trea-. sure found in the cellar was divided among the. plotters, the ware getting bis share, ‘“* Hardly had the duel ended, when a forny appeared in the room, ‘It was the secret wife of the dead man, and in her despair she cursed them all, praying for eternal damnation upon all of them, ‘*Theu she fainted and was carried to her i home, ‘“‘That woman was Celia Westmoreland,” said the detective, impressively. CHAPTER YX A Wirn's Revencu.. iy TW ehief had listened with absorbing inter- est to the story of Dick Doom, and said softly: _-‘’ Poot woman “i ge ¢ mark her revenge. ae gue’ ata not tell that aoe was recently the wifé the dead man, but pretended to have olte there in search of the arch plotter, to beg him to save ber family from disgrace, through. the acte of her brother, **Sbe was taken to her home by this man, the funeral of the dead man followed, and then the, lawyer came out with his papers and proved: who owned the estate, “Now I need not tell you, chief, that these- pletters were Lawyer Austin Brent, Major Mar-.- cus Mayo, Pierre D’Arville, the old negro Abe, . the Black Hermit, and the leader of them was: Ford Vaughan, alias Prevost Bassford.” “No, I guessed that.” ‘* Miss Celia Westmoreland was taken to her home, and there remained in seclusion for a year or more, ‘Vaughan divided the treasure and yet held full claim to the homes of his co-conspirators, “Then he disappeared, and wreck fell upon: the Westmoreland family through his betraying: the evil deeds of the son, ; ‘“‘ But, for all that he had the temerity, several. ears after, to seek Celia Westmoreland and ask’ _ er to be his wife, for he seemed infatuated with. her, and he never knew that she bad been secret--- ly married to poor Arnold Mainbalh. ‘She accepted him and they were married, “That was the beginning of her revenge, “The issue of this marriage Was 4 SON. . ““ When the child wasa year old the mother- fled with it from her bome. “Tn vain did Ford Vaughan seek for them for ears, mm At last he gave up the search, believing that: they had died, that the woman had taken her- own and her child’s life. ‘‘Under an assumed name he came to the home he claimed, Beacon Hill Mansion, and dwelt in the very house where be had treacher- ously murdered Matnhall.” “You have weven a complete web, Dick: mm,” “T have gotten at the bottom facts from the thorough search I have made of all those houser,, and by putting the threads together have woven a rope which will hang some one,” was the reply, “ And the womanf” “Ten years after ber flight from Vaughan, she returned to the scenes of her girlhood. ‘* Her hair had become as white as snow, and dwelling in a far Southern land had’ bronzeda her face, so that no one knewvher.” “ And her son?”
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14 ** Ah! that tells the story of a woman’s cruel revenge, for she educated that boy with one mo- tive in life, to avenge. ‘* He was told that he had five lives to take, and they must die by a knife in his band, and a sixth blade must be kept for his heart should he be detected and fail. ‘When he had avenged the wrongs of the past, then he should become rich and live a life of luxury. ** He should dwell in an old house, and other homes should be his, while he should have two fortunes to squander, if so he willed. ‘* But he was educated to kill, and well was he taught, ‘* At last his victims were pointed out to him, five men, grown old and yet living lives of luxury, though deeply feeling the crimes they had committed, *“‘ And all of them, the old negro included, living on the gold they had sinned to get posses- sion of. “In various disguises this avenger went to look over the field of his red work. **Then he began it, and you know the re- sult.” **The five murders, which have so mystified me?” ory 68.0 * And the murderer?” ‘“‘Is a handsome, dashing man of thirty, dweliing in bachelor quarters, living in luxury, and only waiting for his mother, Hazel the Witch, to place in his hand the promised for- tune, for he has done his work, and done it well.” ‘* Who is this man, Dick Doom?” “Tsaw his photograph, for the old woman showed it to me and told me it was her son, “T had seen the man before, half a dozen times, and recognized him at once. ‘*T went on the track to find him out, and saw him going up to the home of his mother. . ** Then I knew that there was no mistake. “JT ran to my quarters, changed my disguise and when he came away from the cabin, i shadowed him,” **To his home?” “ Yes,” ** Well?? ’ “IT wrote him a note, signing a girl’s name, and stating that I would call upon him to-night upon a matter of vital importance to him, ‘** He responded, making the appointment for eight o’clock,” ** And you will go?” ' ** Yes, as Miss Ringwood, and you will go with me, I know,” 4“ nly?” : : “* Yes, in disguise, but as one I have brought, I will tell him, as a witness to our meeting.” **Good! “ Bat the old woman?” . “*T pity ber, but she bas shown herself a fiend and must be placed where she can do no harm, on some charge that must be found against vor for itis best not to bring her into this af- air. “A search of his room will reveal Knife Number Six, I am sure, and criminate him in many ways. “Tf it cannot be nccompliened otberwise, then of course the witch must be brought in, with all she said to me; but you know I never appear as Dick Doom in acting as a witness and in prose- cuting my cases,” ** You know best, Doom, ‘ ** But I congratulate you upon having accom- plished the most marvelous piece of Secret Service work [ ever knew of, “You have solved this whole murder mystery, and I only wish we could make known your work to the public.” **No, no, that must not be, for I am a secret worker, only, you know, chief,” was the reply. CHAPTER XXXL THE NEMESIS, Mr. West MORELAND, a young man about town, a suspected sport and of elegant appear- ance, handsome, suave and cynical, sat in his pleasant quarters in the upper part of the me enjoying a cigar and waiting for a visitor. e lived in fine style, alone, save for his valet, taking bis meals at a fashionable hotel. Hoe ap to be a man of thirty, dressed well, drove a good pair of horses, and rode a good animal as well, was a man to command attention ga in _where, courtly, refined and elegant, and te of his cynicism, was a favorite at the ubs to which he— belonged, thougb, for some i a a a aa hts | =“ “ _ Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep. reason they could not exactly account for, his intimates stood in certain awe of him, He was known to have no marked vices, | though at times he would play cirds, and when doing so was almost invariably a winner. Now as be sat in his elegantly furnished rooms he seemed to be in a musing mood, for he was lost in thought and from time to time would | mutter to himself aloud, Suddenly he sprung to his feet and began to pace toand fro, his hands clasped behind his back. At times his handsome face grew clouded with the thoughts that flashed through his mind, and then again a smile was visible upon his mouth, but it was rather a bitter smile than a pleasant one, At last, as though unconscious that he was doing so, he began to think aloud, as he paced slowly up and down the room. And this is the way bis soliloquy ran: “* Well, the end is’ accomplished, and the re- ward is at hand, 1 suppose. “What Iam, what [ have fbeen, Heaven only knows! ‘*T believe that it was my nature to have led a different Jife, for I am not eruel-hearted or grasping, or would not have been had I not been educated up to such an existence. “How strange it is that one can be educated up to having no conscience! ‘*T would that it-had been otherwise; and yet, I bave been brought up with an object in view, and that is revenge. “Tt seems that I was born to become a Nemesis, and most completely was I educated to that purpose, ‘* Yes, 1 bave been made to do that which I feel under otber circumstances my inmost soul would bave rebelled against, “ And what is it that I have done? ‘ Avenged one long in his grave, ‘*T have made graves in the world that the soul of one who was most basely slain might rest in peace, **T have not shrunk from my cruel fate—I have done as I was told to do, reared to do, and have now completed the fatal list, and what en- joyment there is in life which gold can give I suppose 1 will now reap. ‘* Rut, will not the specters that I have made haunt me through life? ‘** Will not memories of red deeds come before me in all their bitterness, driving pleasure out of life and causing me to feel and suffer the agonies of a reproving soul? ‘Tt must be so, and I feel that it will, in spite of my weird rearing to avenge a death with the lives of others, ‘*T begin to feel, now that the end is reached, that there will be phantoms from the grave- yard for me to fight off, shadowy white forms which can be seen in the darkest night, grim specters that will haunt my dreams, “| bave not flinched {from the work I] have been told I was born to accomplish, which I was reareil to do, tes * But now that it is done, now that the avenger is satiated, [ begin to feel that this hand of mine can never have washed from it the red stain which it has been bathed in. ** And if the band bears the stain how much deeper is if in the beart, how it is branded upon the brain, ; “Bab! I am allowing myself. to become a coward at this late day. “Yes, and when I have never feared the real, never held back when tbe deed was to be done. * But here I am flinching now from the unreal, the phantoms, and dreading the future. See ee ee ee ee a ae ere ar a a a ee er ‘*'This must not be, oh, no! **T must live to enjoy what I have sinned to obtain. a “There must be no repentance from me at this late day, no dreading to meet in dream- land what I feared not to make, grim, haunting specters. ‘* Hind LT committed murder in anger, under the influence of passion, then might given myself the deed. ** But to do what I have done in the calm de- liberation of calculation, of intention, I fear I cannot drive out of heart and brain the thought that I deserve to be a haunted man through have for- e, ** Ab, me! how moody I am getting, so I will turn to pleasanter thoughts, or Pll horror even to myself.” | CHAPTER XXXIL -- _ TWO VISITORS. Wits an effort of his powerful will, West Moreland threw off the attack of the “‘ blues” | ome a es that was upon him, and dropping into an easy- chair he took up a letter from the table and glanced over it. ‘* Now who is the correspondent who seeks an interview with me here to-night at my house? ‘*] granted it of course, for I can refuse noth- ing to a woman. “Tt is about the time, too, when she said she would be here. ** Well, Iam ready to receive her, be she who or what she may. “How strange that with my real hatred of men I respect aud love woman, ‘‘Hiven the old and decrepit I love among wo- men, and the young and the beautiful lure me toward them in a way that I cannot compre- hend, especially when my life has been made what it is by the teachings of a woman. ‘* But Tam beginning to get moody again, so must not let my thoughts run riot any more, at least not to-night, ‘*T will think who this fair visitor can be, and get interested in her coming. £ ** Ah] there is the bell now.” He arose and walked to @ rear room, where his valet was. ‘*There is the bell, Jeans, so show my visitor in; then you can go for the night,” he said to his valet. The man obeyed—only there were two visit- ors instead of one—a young lady and a stout man; who had the appearance of being a farmer, ““Mr. Moreland, you do not know me other than as Miss Ringwood, but I have come to see you upon a most important mutter, and this gentleman, Mr, Mack, will witness what takes place hetween us,” said the young lady. ; Mr. Moreland bowed in silence and placed seats for his visitors, But Miss Ringwood remained standing, while her companion moved to one side of Moreland, and {seemed deeply interested in bis surround- ngs. ‘*T wished to say, Mr. Moreland,” went on the young girl in the same sweet tone and man- er: ‘* That I have been upon a voyage of discovery —have yisited, in fact, some old homes, one Beacon Hill Mansion; another the home of Uncle Abe, the Black Hermit; a third, the coun- try seat of Major Marcus Mayo; then the city mansion of tive late Austin Brent; and last, the plantation of D’Arvllle, the French exile. ‘* In each of these homes I obtained scuvenirs of your work, most cleverly done— See, these Nemesis knives, five of them, and I have come to you for the sixth,” The man had listened with wonder; had started, turned pale, then became pallid as a corpse and trembled violently, while he dropped helplessly into his chair, from which he had risen on their entrance, staring wildly at his accuser; but as he uttered no word, Dick Doom --as he is now known to be— went on to say: ‘“*T accuse you of being five times a cold- blooded murderer, West Moreland, and I have the proofs to send you to the gallows for your crimes, } “ And now I arrest you, sir, upon the charge of being a quintuple murderer, and the Secret Service chief placed a pistol to the head of the accused man, while, quick as a flash, Dick Doom slipped upon his wrists the Golden Fetters he always carried with him! : The accused man had so far not uttered a word, since his greeting of bis visitors, He stood like one who was dazed by a severe blow upon the bead. , Had his moody musings before the coming of his visitors been a foreboding of his fate? Did his brain and heart anticipate what was to be? It would seem so, for he was not a man of moods, not one to dread tbe future and repine over his acts of the past, And here, beforé him, stood a young girl, apparently, who was his accuser, and with ber was one who looked like a mere countryman. How deftly had ‘‘ Miss Ringwood” told her story, of her visiting the old homes about the Citv of Washington! He bad been awed into listening to her, and without the shadow Of a suspicion that he was suspected, it had not occurred to him that he would ever be found out, So he had dropped down into his chair like one whose strength of mind and body had left m, He could but plane at his captors until, at last, he had found his voice and asked, but in a low, barely audible tone: _ ‘© Who and what are you?” “This gentleman is Chief McOmber of the
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his motive had been to get their United States Secret Service, Mr. Moreland,” replied Dick Doom, * And you? ‘¢ Who are you?” “T am known as the Ferret of the Golden Fetters!” ** Your name?” ‘* That does not matter,” “ What did you say I was accused of?” ‘© Of murder.” ‘© Who was my victim, did you say?” * Your vi. tims have been five.” **Indeed? And pray who were they?” and the ecynical manner of the accused man began to re- turn to bim. Once more he began to be master of him- self. **L accuse you of murdering Major Marcus Mayo.” * One!” and the accused man spoke with the utmost coolness, **Go on.” ‘* Pierre D’Arville,” “ce Two ‘* Austin Brent.” ** Three!” “Old Abe, known as the Black Hermit.” ** Four!” And then West Moreland added with a smile: ? ‘* Now the fifth, please.” “ Ford Vaughan.” * Five!” ** Yes, and I have all the proof to hang you.” ** You have done excellent detective work, in- deed, to bave proof that will bang me,” and the ea spoke with a sneer, while there was a ight in bis eyes that looked dangerous, Seeing this, Dick Doom said quickly: “Beware, for no act of yours, now, will cause me to shoot you and-thus cheat the gal- lows of well-deserved prey, and I warn you that you will only cause yourself more trouble if you resist.” ‘ What makes you think I will resist?” ““T saw in your eyes that you intended some desperate act.” **'You read well.” ‘‘Tam glad to see that you think better of it now. Come; you must go with us.” ‘ The man submitted in calm silence, and, an hour after, was an inmate of a cell in the city prison, Meanwhile Chief McOmber, at the request of Dick Doom, who did not wish her to know him in the matter, had gone to the home of Hazel the Witch, to arrest her as an accomplice and learn a}l he ¢ »uld to condemn her son, But, standing in the shadow of some foliage, having gone there to see her son, was the wo- man herself, and, through the windows she had seen and heard all, Like a deer she fled from the scene back to her cabin, and after but a short stay there she departed, carrying with her a large bundle, _ Down to the river she rapidly walked, leaped into her boat, set the tiny sail and went flying . down the Potomac, As the lights of the city turned and looked back. Shaking her fist at the city she cried: . Farewell forever! for I go never to return. You may hang him if you will, for I have had my revenge, He is Ford Vaughan’s son, his heir—the heir of the man I loved and bave avenged; but, let him han& for I have never loved him. No! no! As Ford Vaugban’s son I have hated him; so let him bang, while I go my way alone in life!” She continued on her wav down the river in the darkness, leaving behind her the scenes of her sorrows and sufferings, and to his fate her own son, the son she had reared to avenge the death of Arn:ld Maioball at the hands of Ford Vangban and his confederates in crime, That son she bad never loved, as be was the child of the mar whom she so bitterly hated, the man whom she had devoted her life, her gold and her energies to have meet his doom by the hand of hisown son, whom the reader now knows as West Moreland, whose crimes had at last found him out, and who had been tracked are by Dick Doom the Ferret of the Golden etters. grew dim astern she CHAPTER XXXIIL CONCLUSION, Gh West MorELAND the Nemesis was never hanged, for he took poison which he always carried with him and thus ended his own life, dying in a cell of the city prison, He left a confession that he bad taken the'lives of the five men so mysteriously,murdered, and Yortunes in the — —(-—— oer re OOO ai Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep. end, as he knew they had no heirs, while also he had a wrong to avenge in killing them, More he.did not say, but that was enough to prove that Dick Doom had shadowed the right man to the bitter end. As for Hazel the Witch, the woman who bad loved and lost, and had so suffered through life, she made a will leaving to charity all her wealth, and proving conclusively that she was he rightful claimant of the Beacon Hill estate, and the property of the murdered man, who had bought their houses with the gold they had taken from Arnold Mainhall, Having done this act to atone for {the past, the woman disappeared end it was said went into a life of utter seclusion for the remainder of her weary life. “Dick Doom still lives and ‘does ‘secret work, and is known to those who come in contact with bim as the Ferret of the Golden Fetters, a man whose own life is a mystery, yet one who solves every mystery of life and crime which he undertakes, one who has shadowed: many a murderer to the gallows, sent many a criminal to dwell under the black shadows of a prison. THE END, Beatle’s Half-Dime Library. RY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS, 646 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock. 568 The Dandy of Dodge. 576 The Stlver Sport. 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 589 Tom-Cat and Pardy or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 601 Happy Uans, the Duteh i ag 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules, 622 Texas Tom-Cat’s Triad 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task. 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph; or, Black Dan’s Great Combine. 646 Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective, 657 Warbling Willlam, the Mountain Mountebank, 665 Jolly Jeremiahy the Plains Detective. 676 Slenal Samy, the Lookout Scout. 689 Billy, the Gypsy Spy. ove Rirnpile Sim, the Broncho Buster, 2 The Mesmerlat Sport; or, The Mystified D 3 7BS Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector, : Mective 745 Kansas Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective, 85 Lone Mand Jee, the Committee of One, BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 Will Somers, the Bov Detective. 122 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. 126 Picayune Petes or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective, 180 Detective Dick; or, The Hero tn Rags. 142 Wandsome Marry, the Boothlack Detective, 147 Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred. 152 Black Bess, Will Wildfire’s Racer. 157 Mike Merry the Harbor Police Boy, 162 Will Wildfire in the Wooda. 165 Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. 170 A Trump Card ¢ or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses 174 Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. 179 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, 188 The Midden It and or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge, 187 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smuggiers, 189 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed ; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Lite, 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 Tom Tanner} or, The Black Sheep of the Flock, 225 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky, 235 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two “ Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway ; or, A Dakota Boy In Chicago, 262 The Young Sharps: or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’s Job; or, The Young Detective, 298 The Water-Houndy; or, The Young Thoroughored, 805 Dashaway, of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in Quaker City, 824 Ralph Ready, the Hote) Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. | 858 The Reporter-Detectives or, Fred Flyers Blizzard, 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy ot the Times, 879 Larry, the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard, 408 Firelly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 423 The Lost Finger >» or, The Entrapped Cashier, 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective, AS2 Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vagavond. 466 WidesAwake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive, ATY Detective Dodge: or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. 488 Wild Dick Racket. be Boots, the Boy Fireman: or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, 566 The Secret -ervice Roy Detective. 596 Simmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 ‘Tom Bruce of Arkansas; or, The Wolf in the Fold. 655 Plucky Paul, the Roy Speculator. 667 Rob and Sam, tho Daisy Detectives. 709 The Curbstone Detective; or, Harry Hale's Big Beat. %5T Detective Franks Sweep-stakes, BY JOSEPH FE. BADGER, JR, 2 Vellowatone Juck; or, The Trapper. 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Hurricane BIL; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard, 119 Muatang Sam ¢ or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-Linawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul: or, Dainty Lance to the Resens. 160 The Black Glant: or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 184 The Roy Trallers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path, 208 The Boy Parda; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks, 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City, 810 The Barranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League, 885 Old Double Fist; or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Woods: or Daniel Boone’s Last Trail. 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Traller, 677 Chineapin Pan's Second Trail, 688 Chincapin Pan’s Wome Stretch. 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without » Head, O8 Light-Weart Lute’s Legacy. 18 Licht-Weart. Lute’« Last Trall. 728 Silverblade, the Shoshone. ¥ e Z29 Silverblade, the Half-Blood; or, The Border Beagle at Bay. 789 Silverblade, the Hostile, 748 Silverblade, the Friendly; or, The Border Beagle’s Boy Pard, | {1 15 BY OLL COOMERS. 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 18 The Dumb Spy. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. 81 Keen-Knife, the Prince of the Prairies. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 58 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 1 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. iL Hawk-eye Marry the Young Trapper Ranger. 8 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. 1 Sure Shot Seth, the Koy Rifleman. Sear-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter Silver Star, the Nov Knight. 58 Eagle Kit, the Boy Denon, 168 Little Vexna, the Young Mustanger 178 Old Solltary, the Hermit Trapper, $2 Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain, 202 Prospect Pet ov, The Young Outlaw Anunters, 208 The Boy Hercules: or, Vhe Prairie Tramps, 218 Teer Tom, the Texas Terror, 22.1 Dashing Dick; or, Trapper Tom’a Castle, 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad, 288 The Parson Detectives or, The Little Ranger, 243 The Diseutised Guide; or, Wili Raven, the Ranger, 260 Dare-Devil Dun, the Young Prairie Ranger, Minkakin Mike, tlhe Boy Sharpshooter, Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. The Sky Demonyj or, Kainbolt, the Ranger, Whip-hing Joe, the Boy Ranchero. Thereuless vr, Dick, the Boy Ranger. . 7 Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. 2 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone. Little Buckskin, the Youny Prairie Centaur, Wingedfoot Fred 3 or, Old Polar Saul. Tamarae ‘Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemic, Stonewall Bob, the Boy Troan, Biundering Basfl, the Hermit Boy Trapper, Don Barr, the Plains Freelance, Old Kit Bandy’s Dellverance. ~~ Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer. Dauntless Dan the Freelance, or Old Kit Bandy in Arcadia, ’ Mighland Harry, the Wizard Rifleman. oe ” BY BOOKSKIN SA™M (Major &am, 8, Mall) Old Rocky « ** Boyeess or, Benlu, the Horse-Breaker, Glant Georges or, The Ang’) of the Range: 5 Arizona Jack; or, Giant George's Pard, 297 The Tarantula of Taon; or, Giant George’s Revenge. 807 The Strange Pardy; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. B18 Ker-whoop, Ker-whooy; or, The Tarantula of Taos, B27 Creeping Cat, the Caddoy or, The Red and White Pards. 882 Frio Fred; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust, 844 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattlownake, the Tonkaway. 849 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front, 857 The Ranch Raiders; or, The Slege of Fort Pargatory. 864 Rnap-Shot, the Boy Kanger. B75 Chiota, the Creek ¢ or, The Three Thunderbolts 881 Bandera Bill; or. Frio Frank to the Front, 892 Romeo and the Rede; or, The Beleagnered Ranch. 404 Little Lartat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big page. 414 The Paley from Denver. 427 The Three Trallers; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage, 442 Bluff Bill; or, The Lynx of the Leona. 55 Little Lone Star? or, The Belle of the Cibolo, 684 Cache Carl, the Chico Giart BY CAPT. J. F. C, ADAMAB, 84 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy. 46 Glass-Eye, the Great Shot of the West. 54 Ned Hazel, the Boy Trapper. 56 Nick Whittles’s Pets or, Ir The vane of Death. 60 The White Indlan; or, The Scout of the Yeilowatone, 70 Old Zip’« Cabin: or, The Greenhorn in the Woods, 81 Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Prairie. 85 Buck Buekram ¢ or, Bess, the Female Trapper, QAT Old Grizzly and Wis Petss or, The Wild Huntress, 251 Light-hours Liget or, Osceola, the Firebrand, 257 The Loat Huntera: or, The Underground Camp, 288 The Sealp King: or, The Human Thunderpolt, MISOELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-HMorse Hunters. By Capt. Mayne Rela and Frederick Whittaker. 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Guiliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift. 14 Aladding or, The Wondertul Lamp. 16 Robinson Oruxve, (27 Llustrations.) 18 Stndbad the Sailor. His Seven Voyages. 22 The Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe, By Juan Lewis, 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribees, By S. W. Pierce. 86 The Boy Clowns? or, The Arena Queen, By # 8, Finn. 8H Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 51 The Boy Rif'ess or. The Underground Camp. By A.C. Tron. 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi. By Lieut.-Col, Hazeltine. 98 Robin Hood, the Outlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Green- wood, By Prof. Gildersleeve. 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 112 The Mad Hunter; or, | heCave of Death, By Burton Saxe. 124 Tippy. the Texan; or, The Young Champion. By George Slerson. 128 The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold, By Harry Cavendish, 148 Sharp Samy; or, The Adventures ora Friendless Boy. By J, Alexander Patten, ; ' @27 Dusky Darrell, Trapper; or, The Green Ranger of the Yel- lowatone. By Edward Emerson. 261 Fergus Fearnaught the New York Boy. By @. L. Aiken, rooked Trail. By Ensign C, D. Warren. 266 Killb’ar. the Guide; or, Davy Crockett’s 298 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Chiff, By Captain Cometock, 817 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad fom Leadville. By Lieu tenant Alired Thorne. B28 The Sky Detectives or, A Boy's Fight for Life and Hono, By Maior Mickey Free. B50 Ree Rultph, the River Rovers or, The Brother’s Re- venge, Ry Ned Buntline, 865 Raltimore Ben the Bootblack Detective, By A. P. Morris, B74 Gold-Du«t Tome or, Ben’s Double Match, Pat H. Mo 876 Cailfornia Joe’s First Trail. By Colone! Thomas Hoyer Monstery. 418 Bliily Bombshell, the Cliff Climber. By F. 8. Winthrop, 475 The Black Ship. By John S_ Warner. 4 Comanche Pick and Hia Three Invincibles, By Henry J. Thomas.. P B82 The Cowboy Duke. By Edwin Brooke Forteat. &H2 Artel the Athlete. By David Drofd. y BRS Will Waters, the Boy Ferret. By 11. Enton. K2 The Dead Petective’a Double. By Gerald Carlton, 21 Maverick Moxe, the Arizona Detective; or. The Wizard of Urko» Pass. By Will Lisenbee, A New Ieaue Every Tuesday. ; The HaJf-Dime Library ! tor sate oy all Newsdealors, tive cents per copy, or sent by mal! on receipt of elx conte onc. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, j 98 William Street, New York, a tad
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Gol. Ingrahai's Novels in Beadle's hall-Dime Library. Re SUNS LN Ty ees ReS be 803 Dick Toom’s Clean pity oA 798 Dick Doom in the Wild West, 793 Dick Doom in Chicago. 788 Dick Doom iv Boston, 784 Dick Doom, the Death-Grip Detective, 777 Dick Doom’s Destiny. 772 Dick Doom’s Death-Grip, 766 Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer, 760 Dashing Charlie’s Pawnee Pard. 756 Dashing Charlie’s Destiny. 749 Dashing Charlie; or, The Kentucky Ten- derfoot’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 Garl, the Mad Cowboy; or, The Lariat Queen, “07 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 Tbe 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 Legacy. 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 Specter 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 § out. 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 3 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, ov PREWTIN INGRARAM ean eee oe | 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective; or, Running Down the King. 570 ne the Card Queen; or, The Skeleton ‘rail. 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. 585 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, The Young King of the Gold Mines, 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 Spite of Himself, 462 The Born Guides 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 abo Carl, 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 Fatal League. 898 Seawaif, the Boy Lieutenant; or, The Red ] Clasped Hands, 887% Warpath Will, the Traitor Guide; or, The Boy Phantom. ‘ 883 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for the Pirate Island. 377 Bonodel, the Boy Rover; or, The Flagless P)) uy Schooner. 814 The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Long Trail. 308 Dead Shot Dandy’s Double; or, Keno Kit, the Boy Bugler’s Pard. 804. ube Dene Shot Dandy: or, Benito, the Boy ugler. 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 am Ocean Freelance, 237 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain; or,. The Mysterious Ranchero, 229 Crimson Kate, the Girl Trailer; or, The: Cowboy’s Triumph, 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’ Sag 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggler: or, The Cruise of the Vixen, 75 The vey. 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. 804 Kit Bandy’s Brigade; or, Dan, the Mountain: Guide. By Oli Coomes, 805 Broadway Billy’s Signal Swoop. By J. C. Cowdrick. For sale by all *thewsdealers 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, a. » im 108 BOY DETECTIVES m