Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 841) (1893 09 05)
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aoe cua till \ -DAR-Co Hien x a y CY iio Oe ical ere! {a tH! i! tet i a re = Ail ma Entered as Second Class Matter at th the New York, N. Y , Post Office. Copy righted 1898, by BEADLE AND ADAMS. Se eptembe er 5, » 1898. No.841. ,* 841. $2. By PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BE ADLE AND ‘D ADAMS, Price, 2 e ar al ar —— nwt | A & = = ian ut =SN aba Vines ee = lh ih IK Xi \ er) AN = VFA ( IN m é . 9 Wiel \i ‘ 4 NN ine \ ! WN - = \" I! IM ] iI i} Hii} i I IN ina yy! a ms h ont th we “1. lie - =) nn " re { ™ q \ oe " i | i \ a Au ll = a i! } | Hil : / | I ati (| rl | MH Mt | | La HH] / yl HI ! } yy) il i 4 Y Hil fe 1} ||| ||| HI Hi | | | | | | NGA AAT VOATGEG ) i] ii f i W Wine 7 if x MESSENGER MAX, DETECTIVE. A STORY OF BROOKLYN. BY MARMADUKE DEY. CHAPTER I, CAUGHT IN A TRA FULTON STREET, near the City Hall, in the |: City of Brooklyn, between eleven and twelve |: o’clock on a dark, drizzly night. Ete there! Boy! Isay, Boy!” = “ Yes, sir,” respectfully replied the youth, who |== had nimbly’ run across the street in carer ag the call. He stood peering up at theman from =, WELL, I’M BLESSED IF HE AIN'T THE MOST CAREFUL CROOK I EVER HEARD OF!’ MUSED _ under the visor of his messenger cap, and added: ms | -* What can I do for you?” MAX, ‘A BIG FELLOW WOULD HAVE HAD NO SHOW FOLLOWING HIM TO NIGHT!
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“wy ‘sa e ed —_ ““T want you to run ashort errand for me,” said the man, who was very tall and broad- snouldered, ‘*T am just returning from one, and must re- port at the office first,” replied the boy. ‘*T will give you a dollar if you will go now,” urged the man, ‘*Can’t do it,” replied the boy laconically, “* But it is a question of life and deathe A friend of mine has been very badly hurt and I waut you to go for his uncle, down here a very short way.” : " How long will it take me to do it?” asked the ad. ‘* Oh, less than half an hour,” **Tnen ll earn the dolar. What isit 1am to do?” ‘** You are to go to No — Remsen street, and ask for Mr. Mordaunt, and when you see that Saga Reps you are to tell him that his nephew aul has met with a serious accident, and that you are sent to bring him to the injured man.” ‘¢ Where is that, sir?” ** Here—at the head of these stairs, Mr, Mor- daunt will undoubtedly accompany you, and you are to bring him right here, go up these stairs and knock gently at the first door you come to on the right. Now go, Here are fifty cents. When you return I will give you the other fifty,” and the man, who was almost a giant in build, turned and disappeared up the stairs, while the boy started to do his errand on a brisk dog-trot. ‘ His name was Maxwell Merry, and he had been for along time in the employ of the Dis- trict Telegraph Company as a messenger-boy, He was just past his sixteenth birtbday, and was a perfect specimen 6f a well-developed, Piel hse ah a « Kgae ae boy. His hair was dark and curly, his eyes brown, bright and truthful. > His companions, who, hke himself, toiled through the streets at all hours, respected him, and looked upon him asa sort of natural Jeader, for his language and manners were those of a boy whose home influences were of the best; who was a young gentleman because it was pleasanter to be that than anything else. To them he was known as Max. _ ‘‘T don’t know as I am doing quite right,” Max muttered to himself, as he trotted along. “* [ ought to have gune back to.the office and re- ported, maybe, but then ”—easing his conscience. —‘‘a half-hour won’t make any difference there, and it isn’t often I get a chance to make a dol- lar so easy. .. **Tbhe house must be alon rey looking closely at the er. , in a moment more he saw one plainly, for a light was burning behind it, y ‘¢ This is the house!” exclaimed Max, halting. ‘* A light in the second story, too. I’m in luck; went ve to ring half the night, to wake some- ody. ‘ He ran up the steps and pulled the bell. There was an interval of a few moments, and then the door opened as far as the safety-chain on the inside would allow it, and an old gentle- man apere out of the aperture thus created. “*Who is it?’ he asked, in the quick, sharp tone of one who is very busy and dislikes being interrupted, boy.” tava Mela “wy ‘ nger-boy,” was the prompt reply. was sett by a man on Fulton street and told to inquire for Mr. Mordaunt,” “ Well, that’s my name.” “YT was told to tell you, Mr, Mordaunt, that your nephew Paul has met with a serious acci- dent, and [ am to guide you to him.” r. Mordaunt took the chain from the door and opened it. ; ‘* Come inside, out of the wet,” he said, ‘‘ and tell me all about it.” ‘*Thave told you all I know,” replied Max, ‘was on a chairin ing, knowin e present, a Now he spoke. yes “What are you going to do with me?” he asked, ‘*¥ will lose my place if lam away from the office much longer.’ : The man who _ hitherto kept silent now spoke to his associate. His voice was pecu- Max knew that if he ever heard it ciate i again he would recognize 1v. a What et we do with the youngster?” Was what he said, ‘There is no more rope, and be. sides, it would not be good policy to leave the two here together.” ; : The big man, who was busy forcing a gag into Mr, Mordaunt’s mouth, turned his head, looked intently at Max a moment, and replied; ‘“We'll have to take him along; he can be dropped easily when the time comes,” Sa time he had finished putting the ig in the old gentleman’s mouth, and he wal ihe od Ween Max was poser FI ay Ne ‘What is your name, youn C) . “That’s my business,” replied Max, ‘* May~ be youl know some day, to your sorrow.’ “Tt makes no difference, any way,” muttered say,” and he exhibited a gleaming threat. The two men then lifted Mr. Mordaunt from the floor and placed him upon a cot-bed that stood in one corner of the room, the big fellow remarking rather sardonically as they did so, that he had no wish to make him unnecessarily uncomfortable. ‘Now, youngster, we'll travel,” said the big man, taking Max by the arm and opening the door. “Gooa-by, Mordaunt, 80) talitie Hetleumage r the ' . 7 * nen a { - Ted >
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a - both got false beards on. ‘time we got out. straight at the Messenger Max. Se work, but I guess you'll have enough to keep you from starving, for all that, Good-night!” and he chuckled er pr as he closed the door, wees it and dropped the key purposely on the oor. Down the stairs the three went, the big man never once loosing his vise-like grip on Max’s arm, Down the stairs and along the street, with never a person in sight to whom Max could shout for help, for he had resolved to visk the knife and call for assistance should the opportunity offer. But it did not. : ’ They traversed the whole distance between the starting-point and the residence of Mr. Mordaunt without seeing a sign of a human be- ing. ccrived at the house, Max’s captor, after a hurried glance up and down the street, ran with him up the steps, inserted the key in the door, and, followed_by his partner in crime, and still dragging Max with him, entered the house. He closed the door quickly behind him, and, without a moment’s hesitation—seeming, in- deed, to,be perfectly familiar with the interior of the house, he went up the stairs and into the old gentleman’s room, ‘You sit there,” he said, grimly, to Max, in- dicating a couch in the corner of the room fur- thest from the door, ‘‘and don’t you dare to move unless I tell you to, sf ** Now, Tom,” to his companion, ‘‘there is the cabinet,” pointing to an article of furniture |. near him, ‘‘and inside it is the cash. Hello! what's this?” going hastily to the table. ‘* By Jove!” he continued, after a moment, “I guess the old fellow was counting the stuff when we sent for him, Here is a lot of loose change and a pile of bonds and securities lying on the table. F ‘I might as rol cee eri of that Loose silver in my pocke A oughtfully ; ‘it’s hand for car-fare.” — . ee / ‘*Come!” said the one he had called Tom ‘who seemed a trifle nervous, ‘‘ Less prattle and to business. I want to get out of this as soon as possible,” *“*He’s no regular ‘crook’,” thought Max, eying the man Tom sharply, ‘‘and they have can see that, al- though they are ver, cleverly made, That big one is a dare-devil—afraid of ae He looks and speaks as though he is a bad egg, and I'll bet he has seen the inside of a prison; but all the same he’s no burglar or ordinary thief, Anyhow, if I ever see either one of them again, D’ll know him.” ’ While Max had been thus musing to himself, the men had not been idle. oe Seopa had been opened and a large tin x taken out. The box was not locked, and the raising of the lid disclosed the fact that it was nearly filled with gold and bank-notes. The giant rubbed his hands. ‘* How much did you say. there should be?” he asked of his companion, “ Forty-five thousand dollars,” was the reply, eee is going to be no counting done ere. ‘Mr. Tom is the fellow that’s posted,” thought ax. ; *¢No,” assented the big one. “I guess it? ‘ Where fs the sachel?” aie ** Here,” Together they stuffed the notes and gold into the open bag, until not a thing was left in the tin box. ; The big man took a twenty-dollar gold-piece in his hand and tossed it to Max. eee sid bo a laugh. ** That will ou for your lost time. Pete piece fell on the couch by Max’s side, He seized the gold and sprung to his feet, an angry flush burning on hisface. | “Take it back, you thief!” he cried, in a clear ng voice, burling it with all his force, ant’s head. The giant dodged, but not quite quickly enough, for the gold-piece struck his ear, clip- ping off a piece of the lobe about the size of a white bean. “*'You young fiend!” cried the man, speingin upon Max and seizing him roughly, “ I'll brea your neck for that.” k He probably would have carried out his se had not the man Tom grasped him by e arm. : \ **Come,” he said. ‘*No foolishness now! . scoop your beastly temper for once, when so much depends on i. ‘We must leave this house Little Sarna deal then sie ig’sup. Come!” tely, or some one wil] get on to our giant hesita ‘You're right, Tom,”.9 muttered, and giv- iug Max a cruel cuff on the ear that made him dizzy, he picked up the sachel, and, followed by Tom, who had taken the brave messenger-boy by the arm, they descended the stairs to the front hall. ‘* We ought to leave this young ’un here,” said the big man, pausing. ‘* There is no time,” replied the fellow Tom. ‘* What shall we do with bim?”’ ‘*Oh, we can drop him somewhere as we go along.” ‘* Well, you take the bag, and let me, have hold of him; he would get away from you,” and the giant once more took hold of Max, ‘* Now, my boy,” he said, meaningly, ‘‘if you know what’s best for you, you’ll keep as silent as the grave.” The door was opened, and in a moment more, they were in the street. Max looked eagerly about him. Now wasthe time tocall for help, if ever, while they had the booty in their possession. ‘Tf I could only see a policeman,” he thought. But none were in sight, They were approaching the City Hall, Suddenly around the corner appeared a form. Max’s heart gave a quick bound. It was a policeman. At the same time the giant’s grip on the boy’s arm tightened until it stopped the circulation, fee ke bent over and ground out between his teeth; ‘*Mind—if you make a sound, I will kill you!” The policeman came nearer. Max had resolved to make a desperate effort to free himself from the iron grip on his arm, as soon as they were near the officer, and tu cry for help. Patiently he awaited his opportunity. The big man glanced hastily around. There was no one but the policeman in sight, They drew nearer together—they were side by side. ‘* Help! help!” cried Max, lustily, trying to wrench himself free. Then he fell to the pavement, stunned and bleeding from a furious blow from the hand of the giant, who at the same instant, and with the a tone a cat, hit the officer a terrible blow with his huge *st, and without a sound the rep- resentative of the iaw went to earth also. There was a hasty scuffling of ‘feet on the pavement, and the two desperadoes disappeared around the corner. They had been successful; their plans had worked, and they had escaped with their booty, but soon there would be trackers after them who would be tireless in the chuse—who would never giveup beaten. — And Max had said to himself that he would know them both again, CHAPTER III, STRICKEN DOWN, THE officer was the first to recover his wits and stagger to his feet. His mind was not very clear as to what had happened. e had met two men and a boy on the street, some one had cried ‘* Help,” and then he thought a mule had kicked him, or something resembling a catapult had struck him, and he had fallen senseless to the pavement, Fs looked hastily around him for an explan- ation, : At that moment Max slowly raised himself to his feet, Tn an instant the officer pounced upon him and “You young villain!” he cried. “T've got you, anyhow. Come along!” “What shall T come along for? What do you want with me?’ asked Max,in a bewildered tone, for he was still considerably dazed from the effect of the blow he had received. ** You'll find out later,”replied the policeman, grimly, jerking the boy along roughly. **T have done nothing,” said Max. “Ain't, eh? We'll see about that.” **'No; but those men who had me with them have just robbed a house in Remsen street.” -* Oh!” derisively. ' ‘*'Yes—Mr. Mordaunt’s.” . ‘* How do you happen to know so much about it?” asked the officer, witha grin of disbelief. ** Because they took me there with them,” ** Oh! a did, eh?” ’ ‘6 Yes, e big one first sent me there with a note for Mr. Mordaunt,andI guided him to Num- ber — Fulton street, where the man said his nephew was lying, seriouslyhurt. When we got there they took us both prisoners, bound and seized him by the collar, gagged Mr. Mordaunt, and taking me with them cy his house of forty-five thousand dol- ars. “That's a pretty good story, young fellow, Keep right on and you'll make a good one; but you can’t pull the wool over my eyes. Not much, my covey. I’m too fly for you,” **Don’t you believe me?” asked Max, indig- nantly. ‘*1’m not quite such an oyster as all that.” ‘* Tt’s the truth.” ** Possibly.” ** You can goto Number — Fulton street,up the stairs, first door to the right, and you will find Mr. Mordaunt bound and gagged in the room, as I told you.” “That may be, too, but I doubt it very much,” said the officer. ‘* You tell yout story to the sergeant at the desk, and it will be looked re but you'll be in safe-keeping in the mean me. ‘* What!” cried Max, ‘‘do you mean to say ae you'think Thad anything to do with the ng? ‘*1¢ looks as though you hada great deal to do with it.” “I did—that is true—but they forced me to; “Sure!” ‘One of them gave me some of the money, avd I threw it at him.” The policeman looked at Max an instant in blank astonishment. ‘* That’s the first nonsense you’ve talked,” he said sharply. ‘‘I don’t believe you now, any- way, and you’d better shut up till you get to the station-house.” They ba on in silence, Presently the station-house was reached. The officer told his story about being knocked down in the street without warning, to the ser- eant, and added something ot the story Max ad told him of a robbery at Mr. Mordaunt’s house. Max was then asked the usual questions, and epee to make whatever statement he chose, He told the sergeant all that had transpired, from the time he was called across the street by the burglar. * Your great mistake was in not reporting at our Office first,” said the sergeant, not un- we: “Yes, sir,” replied Max; ‘‘ I know that now.” ‘*You look honest,” continued the officer in charge, ‘‘ but some of these circumstances are very much against you, my boy.” ‘*Must I be locked up?” Yes, for to-night at least.” ‘‘Can I send a letter to my mother, sir? she will be frightened if I do not get home at six in the morning.” ‘‘ Have you money to pay a messenger?” “ es sir.” “T willcall one. Write your note but make it short,” said the obliging sergeant, who liked Max’s bright, frank eyes, and who really be- lieved his story. So Max wrote: “Dean MoTHER:— ‘*Do not be frightened about me if’ I am twenty- four hours late in getting home. “In great haste, ‘*MAXWELL,”’ The sergeant took it. 3) **T will see that it is sent,” he said, and Max handed him the money to pay for it. Then he was searched. How thankful he was that he did not have that twenty-dollar gold-piece burning in his ket. Pt our story will be investigated,” said the sergeant as Max was being led away, He was conducted down a long corridor, a door was unlocked, and in a moment more he found himself for the first time in a cell. There was a gas-jet burning outside, and a feeble i flickered into the narrow place, Max shuddered with a kind of unknown hor- ror as he looked about him and realized where he was. The chill of the place seemed to strike him with unnatural force, and he felt cold. The narrow cot on which he was expected to sleep filled him with dread. ' Sleep! A troop of all the disreputable characterswho had occupied that cot in the past seemed in a on to pass in review before him, tty thieves, tramps, drunks—he ; his stand in sort of Burglars, thought of them all, and he too the middle of the cell, resolved not to touch — anythin in it if he could avoid it. , ht —_ glad mother does not know where [. 3 —- % & ~ Uti n us Pets Dace
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“& Messenger Max. am,” he thought, brushing a tear from his cheek | to my house, and get there as soon as you can, that had oozed from his eye in spite of himself. **She would be horrified!” And then he thought of his position with the telegraph company. He knew the company was very severe, and he knew almost to a certainty that he would lose his place, **’'m out of a job, sure,” he mused, his thoughts going at once to the little salary which he always gave to his mother, ‘‘and it won’t be very easy to get another, either. Jobs are scarce nowadays, Maybe Mr. Mordaunt will help me,” remembering that gentleman’s offer to meet just such an emergency as this one. ‘*Suppose these police officers should make him believe that I am concerned in this rob- bery?” bismind wenton. ‘ Suppose I should be convicted and sent to prison !” and he staggered to the cot and sat down upon it in the horror of the thought. But he recovered himself almost instantly. ** Tam innocent !” he exclaimed, aloud, ‘* and they cannot convict me of a crime with which I had nothing to do. No; I do not think I need fear that.” He thought of the two men who had been the cause of all his trouble, ‘*T will get even with them, some day,” he muttered, with a flash of the eyes and a clinch- ing of the hands. ‘I wish I could be a detect- ive; I would follow those villains to the ends of theearth! I would track them down and bri them to justice, if it took me a lifetime, and think I could doit. Iknow I could!” The City Hall clock struck two, ‘Only two hours since that big man stopped me,” thought Max. ‘It seems like two weeks, two years, two lifetimes—but it has taught me a life-long lesson.” And thus he sat and mused and thought, while the hours ticked themselves away. It was a strange experience for a boy of six- teen years, but Goave young, Max carried an old head on his ‘broad, well-set shoulders, and he had pluck and determination sufficient to carry him through worse trials than these; and, in- deed, he would need all bis nerve, all his pluck, and all his tenacity in the experiences that were to follow closely upon this robbery. Morning broke bright and clear after the storm, and a little streak of sunlight stole in through the apology for a window in the cell where Max was confined. : ‘I guess things will come out all right,” thought Max, as he looked at it. When it was time for him to go before the magistrate he felt very hopeful, * ** Did some one go and release Mr. Mordaunt last night?” he asked, of the officer who conduct- ed him up-stairs, but that worthy knew nothing about it. Seon he found himself in the crowded, bad- smelling court-room, He looked on curiously as the usual round of ‘* regulars” were disposed of, Presently his own name was called, and he was led forward to the bench. “A messenger-boy,” remarked the judge looking sharply at Max. ‘‘ What is he charged with? What? Burglary? Where is the officer who made the arrest?” The officer stepped forward and told his story, making it as strong as he could against x. The judge listened with close attention. ‘* What have you to say to all that?” asked fe {ndee, of Max, when the officer had fin- hed. For the second time Max told his side of the story. , Just as he finished, the door opened hastily, and Mr. Mordaunt, closely followed by a prominent lawyer of Brooklyn, entered, He made some remark in an undertone to the lawyer, who stepped hastily forward, _ ‘*T appear for this young man, your Honor,” he said, ‘‘at the request of Mr. Mordaunt, who is the owner of the house that was entered, and who would like to be heard before any for- mal charge is entered against this boy,” ** Very well,” said the judge. ‘‘ Let Mr. Mor- t be sworn.” roceed- In less than half an hour, the entire ings against Max were scratched out of ex- istence, and the judge declared that there was: - no evidence except that he was thoroughly honest, and would bbery you when you go, ™ Come as I want to havea talk with you. Go now!” Max thanked him with tears in his eyes, and started off on a run to do his bidding, It did not take him iong to reach the office, and when there he went immediately to the manager and again related his story, adding that he could prove his statement by Mr. Mor- daunt and others, The manager liked Max, he having always been faithful in the discharge of his duty be- fore.that, and after delivering rather a severe lecture to him upon the absolute necessity of implicitly obeying the company’s regulations in the future, told him that bis offense would be overlooked that time, but that should any- thing of the kind occur again, he would lose his place at once, Highly elate at his good fortune, the boy raed omeward briskly, 1t being his time off uty. : But he was anxious to give the good news to Mr. Mordaunt as well, and so, after relating the circumstances to his mother, and getting her perreieetone he hurried to the Remsen street ouse, Upon ascending the steps, Max was surprised to find the front door partly open, but he paused and rung the bell, No answer, and presently he rung again, and again no answer. Three, four, five times he rung, but no one re- plied.to the summons, and Max began to fear that something was wrong inside. ; He did not know what to do. Would it be proper for bim to push the door open, as he plainly saw he could do, and enter? or should he run to the station-house and get an officer to re- turn with him? The last thought seemed the best, but then, if nothing had happened, such a course might greatly annoy Mr. Mordaunt, and so, after con- siderable hesitation, Max pushed the door open and passed through into the broad hallway. He glanced into the parlor, but saw that no one was there, and then ascended the stairs, having determined to go to the room where the money had been stolen. As he went up, he fancied that he could hear a moaning sound from the room he was a proaching, as though some one was there and in erent Lyrae his steps, he sprung into the | ic a rement, and then started back with acry of Upon n the floor, between the table and the window, lay Mr. Mordaunt, and by his side a revolver. The gentleman was moaning a little, and Max sprung to his side, and raised his head from the floor. ‘* Mr, Mordaunt!” he cried, ‘‘ Mr. Mordaunt!” but that person could not answer. He sighed deeply, and then the moaning ceased. His head sunk back limp upon Max Merry’s arm, and so. far as y could perceive, he no longer breathed, Just then a heavy voice broke the silence, and Max, turning, with a cry of fright, for he had thought they were alone, beheld the tall, uni- formed figure of a policeman standing in the doorway. —___—— CHAPTER IV. A STRANGE SUMMONS, Tue instant that Max saw that it was a policeman who had spoken to him from the doorway as he knelt by the body of Mr. Mor- daunt, fis fears fled, for he saw in him the ‘means of immediate assistance, ‘“T am so you have come!” exclaimed the boy, to whom s0 much had happened in so short a time;‘‘some one has shot Mr. Mor- daunt. I willrun foranambulance.” — By the time Max had ceased speaking, the officer was at his side, and as the young mes- senger sprung to his feet to carry out his sug- gestion, he placed a heavy hand upon him. ‘Not yet,” he said;‘‘ wait—I will go with Is the man dead?” ~ *Oh, [hope not!’ cried Max, _ The officer looked at him curiously, and then | bent over the silent form of the old gentleman, “He breathes a little,” he said, rising. | oungster—we'll eh sd A Pa Sue _ “herais no need of our both going,” said Max. ‘Go for assistance ; there riot «: dozen doctors on this block,” ‘** You must come along, an ‘officer,and he seized Max bythearm. = _ But the boy was not to be led thus peng sb borat ioe catlinedl neath tek wrenching himself free with a sudden jerk, he | rung through the door, and, throwing him- - dents p> self astride of the banister, landed upon the lower floor in an instant, and by the time the officer bad reached the top of the stairs, Max was upon the pavement outside, He dashed across the street and up the steps of a house opposite which bore a physician’s. sign, and pulled the bell sharply three or four times. It so happened that the bell was quickly an-. swered, the door opening immediately, and Max was admitted before the officer had emerged from the house opyosite. : ae the doctor in?’ exclaimed Max, breath- essly. ‘Yes, I am the doctor,” replied a pleasant- faced gentleman; ‘*‘ what can I do for you?” ‘* Mr. Mordaunt, across the street, has beem shot,” cried Max, “Shot! Mordaunt! Impossible!” “Tt’s true, though! Please come quick; he was breathing when I came away, and maybe you can save him.” The doctor did not sodcine a second bidding. Mr. Mordaunt was well known to him, and with a hasty word of apology to the gentleman who was just leaving, he seized his instrument-case and hurried across the street, closely followed by Max, who in a few words explained to the doctor how it was that he had found Mr. Mor- daunt, and also told him of the officer’s sudden. appearance. he latter individual was nowhereto be seen ae Max concluded that he was still in chase of | A moment more brought them to the room where the stricken gentleman still lay upon the floor as Max had seen him last. The doctor bent over him and found, as Max had correctly surmised, that he had been shot, Restoratives were quickly applied, and at . last, just as an ambulance came rattling up, and the officer who had surprised Max arrived, Mr, Mordaunt feebly opened his eyes and looked about him, He seemed instantly to remember what had taken place, for he turned his eyes toward the boy and murmured: “ They have finished the job, Maxwell. Doc- tor is there any hope for me?” ) ‘*T am afraid not, old friend.” ° Mr, Mordaunt smiled a little sadly, as he said in Se : wt Bitek me than some one else who has loved ones to mourn for him.” “Do you know who shot you?” asked the po- liceman, stepping up officiously. ‘* No—I wish I did,” replied the stricken man, painfully; ‘1 wish I did.” : as you see the person who did itf”’ SOBs. **Can A describe him?” ‘No; I bad been out; was just returning— came to my roo ned the door, saw & man at my cabinet there, spoke to him and heturned and shot me; tried to run by me; I grabbed at him, caught the pistol, jerked it outof bis hand; he ran on; last [ remember.” ** What kind of a looking man was he?” ** Don’t remember well—tall—wore a beard,”” _ ** You are sure it was not this boy?” ‘That boy! What, Maxwell? Yes, yes; I am sure it was not he. Now leave me, please. The doctor will care for me. How long can I live, doctor?” ‘* A few hours only, old friend; you are bleed- ing internally.” * Maxwell,” continued Mr. Mordaunt, and though his voice wis husky and weak, and he sometimes breathed with difficulty, there was still something of the old ring init, as he spoke; “trun for Judge Curtis and bring him here; if you can’t find him, bring thefirst lawyer you can get—go!” , Like a shot Max dashed from the/house and down the street toward the City Hall, and in a very short space of time the judge was ushered into the presence of the dying man. “Can t doanything more for you, Mr. Mor- daunt?”’ asked our hero, “No, Maxwell, no—no—nothing more— Good-by, my boy—remember all I told you— be a man—a good man—watch the nest-egg. Good-by.” Mord Ah RAG og] Be eeaeeng DUET aunt distinctly said that he saw @ man at u the —
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# 5 _ daunt? 4 v1 ae « a ee aes CHAPTER V. ing his name, he was immediately shown into _. And you are the young man that came for me yesterday a ; tn? ae GS , RY Pe eds a ia ctl : ei ari, eth RKwowe ,. Vlessenger Max. this cabinet. That would seem to indicate that ‘the person who did the shooting did not know “that the robbery had been committed the night before, ‘*T wonder if I shall ever see either of those two fellows,” he mused on, ‘‘I would know the ' -yoice of the one called Tom anywhere, and I ‘am very certain I would recognize the other also, I will, for sure, if I can catch sight of his car. By the way, | forgot to are that part of his description to the police. They don’t know that I clipped off a piece of his ear with that twenty-dollar gold-piece. Whew! who'd have thought that I would be using double-eagles for stones to fling, or meet with the experiences I have gone through with in the last few hours. Well, 1 go back home and go to bed. One thing is certain, I haven’t lost my place yet, auyway, and that’slucky.” ax quickened his pace into a_ dog’s-trot, and was soon ensconced in his bed, forgetful of all thrilling events, in a deep and restful slumber, At four o’clock his mother called him, for he had to present himself at the office at six that night, and after partaking of the simple yet hearty meal which she had provided, he once more went on his way toward the place of his employment. : e had reported at the desk and taken hisseat ~when there came a loud call. ‘* Number Nineteen!” ‘“* Hello!” thought Max, ‘‘ they mean to have ame make up for lost time, I guess, for that’s my “number,” ‘ e And he presented himself quickly at the win- dow. ‘* Here, sir,” he said, cheerily. ‘‘ Wanted in the manager’s room,” was the Yatonic order he received, and Max started away, inwardly fearing that he was yet to re- ceive his discharge; fearing that he had con- gratulated himself too seon, ** Nineteen?” said the manager, as if he had forgotten all about the event of the morning, “**yvour name is—” ** Maxwell Merry, sir.” “Allright, Here isa letter I just received; read it,” Fa wondering a little, took the letter and : ‘Law OFFICES OF “B. FP. & F. A. CURTIS, 6942 GARFIELD BUILDING, “ BRooKiyN, October —, 18—. “Dear Str:—You have in your employ a young man named Maxwell Merry. Will you send him to amy office at nine o’clock to-morrow morning on ‘business of vast importance? Very a uss, e t i Curtis, G. ” ‘* Do you understand?” asked the manager. _“ Yes, sir; but—” “Never mind the ‘but.’ Report at Judge Doh Lime prin at nine ete esd without ‘fail, and to insure your g prompt, you may have to-night off.” ‘ apaaee ““Thank you, sir,” said Max. ‘‘ You arevery kind to'me.” Bie ies ‘* All right, Nineteen.” And the manager turned once more to his writing, while Max hurried away to talk over ‘the strange summons with his mother, What could it mean? Judge Curtis was the lawyer he had summoned at the request of Mr, Mordaunt, and what could be wanted of him ‘now? More of the story of the robbery? No, “Testimony as to precisely what he saw when he ‘entered the room where Mr. Mordaunt had been ‘shot? Yes;that must be it. Anyway,he would be on time, Perhaps Mr. Mordaunt was dead, and they wanted him to appear before the cor- oner, Perhaps— Well, the morning would un- fold the secret. ‘ ; oS ae elie 4 HARD TASK. Td Ott THe City Hall clock was just striking nine ‘the following morning, when Max presented himself at Judge Curtis’s office, and upon giv- the lawyer’s private room, “*Good-morning, young ma ” said the judge, | pleassntly, andiet the bare time eying the mes- -boy sharply. ‘‘ You are on time, I see.” | ipa Be bc eee srry, is it not?” oe re Ae ‘at the wish of Mr. Mordaunt?” w sit, Please tell me how is Mr, Mor- “ ie 7 Ye Sex ty is ry he ipod Ph pus se ra pet at Se Our Poe er Ne F ie Se ee ee ee es ERS ** He is dead.” “ Dead !’*and great tears of real sorrow stood in the boy’s eyes. **Yes, he died about four o’clock yesterday | afternoon, but he left a message for you.” | ‘* For me?” ; **Yes, Before I give it to you, however, I want to ask you some questions.” ‘* Yes, sir.” “* How old are you?” ‘* Nearly seventeen, sir.” ** Do you live at home?” ‘Yes, sir—with my mother; my father is dead.” ** You are a messenger-boy now, I see,” ** Yes, sir.” ‘*- You were with Mr. Mordaunt when he was peg and gagged, night before last, were you no ‘* Yes, sir.” ‘** And the men who assaulted him took you to his house with them, eh?” ‘* Yes, sir.” ‘* Did you see them take the money?” “cc I aid” **Did you get a good look at either of them?” ** Yes, sir—at both.” ‘* Would you know them again?” ‘*T think so, sir.” ‘*-You are not certain, eh?” i I am quite certain, sir, though I might not. ‘* Was there any particular mark about either of them by which you would be more apt to re- cognize him?” **One was a very large man with a very gruff voice, and there is a little piece gone from the bottom of his left ear.” “Clipped off?” Yes, sir, I should.” i The tone in which Max said the few words in reply to the lawyer’s last question, though quiet and unostentatious, was yet so firm and self- reliant that Judge Curtis smiled approvingly. ‘Another question,” continued the man of law. ‘Suppose that you were commissioned to search for those fellows, and paid well for your time, do you think that you could accomplish such a difficult task?’ ‘“T do not know, sir, I should not like to take the responsibility of trying.” **'You would not?” ” ** Because I think Iam too yourg; that older and more experienced persons would do better in the search than I, Such a task belongs to regulariy-trained detectives.” ‘Yes, yes. I know that; but suppose again that you, for many reasons, were preferred to a trained detective, what then?” ‘**T should decline to serve,” was Max’s reply, spoken in a firm tone, ‘Ab! Well, now I will give you Mr, Mor- daunt’s message. As you may have concluded, he sent for me to draw his will, and although his strength was ee ee rapidly, we had plenty of time to finish it. In that will he has bequeath- ed an amount of money to me as trustee, and it is to be used in prosecuting the search for the men who robbed him of the forty-five thousand dollars. He evidently thought, as I think, that it was one of the men that robbed him, who af- terward shot him,” ‘ ‘¢T do not think so,” said Max. ** Well, we will pass that now, and I will pro- ceed with what Iam telling you. The amount left with me as trustee was incumbered with a “Yes, sir; as slick as though it had been done / provisowhich reads as follows: ‘Providedthat by a razor instead of a gold-piece.’ * A gold-piece!” ‘Yes, sir. He offered mea gold-piece out of the money he stole, and I threw it at him, and it cut off a piece of bis ear.” “‘Good! I begin to think that you will do pat “ ir?” ‘* How about the other one?” continued the lawyer. ‘“He was ordinary size eculiar voice. Different f eard before.” © Perhaps he was disguising it for your bene- t ‘*T don’t think he could disguise it, sir; he could not hide the twang in it.” ** Ah, well—anything more?” ‘*They both wore false beards,” ** How do you know that?” ‘*T saw them, sir.” . ‘* Have you any suspicion now as to who they were!” **No, sir, none. Iam pretty well satisfied as to one point, though.” ** What is that?” ei They are not professional burglars or thieves.” a ‘** Why do you think that?” **] can’t explain exactly, sir, only that I came to that conclusion, The small one was fright- ened and nervous all the time, and in a great hurry to get away, while the big one went to — but had a_very rom any that I ever the other extreme and was reckless; apparently not afraid of anything.” ** Did you notice anything more?” “Yes, sir.” “What?” ‘That they seemed to be thoroughly posted.” ** How so?” ‘““They knew whére everything was, and just how to pet at it when they got toit. Another thin ony” ‘ “The small man knew how much money was in the cabinet, for I heard him tell the big one. : 5 ad much did he say?” + -five thousand dollars,” } ‘Ahem! he was pretty near correct in that, surely, as that is the amount less a few hun- dreds, that was taken. How did they take the | money away?” ~ "Tn a sachel.” ** Did you notice that?” : “x es, Sir; it was an ordinary black leather . “ Anything peculiar about it?” “No, sir; nothing.” **Now, young man, if, in your travels about the city, you should meet one or both of those men, would you have courage enough to follow them, find out where they went, and then ask an. officer to arrest them?” i ; \ ee ; 4 ! will accept ey) | ct rhs pits: boat Rie oO aa wt HT he said Maxwell Merry—’” Max Jeaped from his chair, too much aston- ' ished to speak, but the pees waved him back againand wentoncalmly: — ‘+ __¢ Will consent to conduct the said search and prosecution herein before mentioned, as he shat he instructed by my friend, Judge B, F. Curtis; but if the said Maxwell M cline to carry out my wishes, toen, and in that case, I bequeath the amount hereby set apart, absolutely, to him, the said Maxwell Merry. What do you think of that, eh?” asked the law- yer. * Rather a peculiar clause, isn’t it, young man?’ ** Why!” exclaimed Max, breathlessly, ‘it is poring a premium upon my declining to do as e wished, AsI understand you, in one case I am to have only what you choose to give me, and in the other I am absolute owner of the money ; is that correct, sir?” “Yes, But I have not yet given you the message, When the will was finished and exe- euted, Mr. Mordaunt said to me: ** Tell the young man, Maxwell, that it is my last wish that he will bring those fellows to justice, for one of them has ended my life be- fore I was ready to go. I heve no relative in the world except a nephew, who has always been a curse to me, and who, I strongly sus- pect, was in complicity with these scoundrels; and tell him further that I have worded that clause of my will thus, because I rely upon his generosity rather than his desire for gain, He will be paid better for the work he will do for me than he could possibly be as a messenger- — boy, and I think when he understands that it is my wish that he does this, he will con- sent.’ ‘¢ Now, young man,” went on the judge, ‘I et } When’ the will was drawn, 1 did all in my power to dis- erry shall de- will add a few words of my own, . -suade Mr, Mordaunt from the idea he had, of turning you into a detective, I argued with him that it would be much better to engage an experienced man for this business, but to no _ purpose, He was determined, and I wasobliged — to write the willas he wished. “Tt is my duty to tell you that unless you _ would injure your own prospects by so doing, it — is your duty to conform to his wish, The money left for the purpose is a considerable amount, _and if. you decline to accept the'task, it goes to ou absolutely. {It was Mr. Mordaunt’s way of haming on 4 do as he desired, for he said that ou a Peg when you knew all,consent. That | gall; I make no further comment, You must — now decide for yourself.” - 8 a is “Sir.” said Max, slowly, “ Mr. Mordaunt was right in saying that 1 would carry out hia: wishes. I’do not {now what more to say. I — did not expect anything of the kind; I had no_ idea that he thought of me other than asa mere messenger-boy who had done my duty, I the task, sir,and do my best, but — iA , WSJ ow Sg r a's ba ae 4 ‘ Bee LRAT ef Ma hon Ne RR ARES ES, Todds MAH epee |
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= « eS es OS _ “~~ out gen we agree S ry o* M Fd i ) Messenger Max. the r where ‘¢ You are to begin here,” said the judge. ‘‘I am to furnish you with the means you may re- quire from time to time, and you are to keep me nsibility is terrible, and I do not know begin,’ informed of what you are doing. When the task is completed, and you have carried out the wishes of Mr, Mordaunt, I have a letter for you, written at his dictation, which you are to read, but until then it must remain in my safe. ‘*Go home now, and think over your plans, and come to me again to-morrow atnine o'clock, repared to commence operations. You havea rd task before you, one in which success is very doubtful,” CHAPTER VI. TAKEN PRISONER, PROMPTLY at nine o’clock on the mornin following, Maxwell Merry presented himself a the office of Judge Ourtis, ready to begin his duties as detective, He had talked the matter over thosoneey with his mother, and although she feared the dangers into which her bn’ must g° in the new business he was to undertake, she, ike him, saw the necessity of it. ‘¢ You are forced to be a detective in spite of yourself, my son,” she said, ‘‘and you must be a good one, Mr. Mordaunt has left behind him a duty for you to fulfill, and you must doit well. Never forget your Mother, and her teachings, Let me know where you are as often as youcan, and, on the other hand, if it should happen that you cannot keep me fully informed, I will en- deavor to look always upon the bright side.” She was a grand, good mother, stout of heart for everything concerning her loved son, who was all the world to her, and who was growing up so manly, so hopeful, so honest, upright and par pe The temptations into which he wouid of necessity be thrown, she did not fear, for she knew that they would flit by as they came, leaving him unharmed, ‘‘Good-morning, Maxwell,” said the judge, oo aay boy entered his office; ‘‘ prompt again, see, “Yes, sir, and ready to begin my work. I have been to the office and resigned my tion there, and wish to commence my duties here without delay.” **Good, my boy—good! I begin to think that perhaps Mr. Mordaunt did not make a mistake after all, I will give you the few instructions I have for you, and after that you must direct your own energies.” ‘Yes, sir.” ‘In the first place,” continued the good old judge, ‘“‘ you are to consider me as your prin- cipal; come to me when you want money, and report progress to me as often as you have any- thing to report, or as often as convenient, ‘‘T will not disguise from you the fact that the regular police are working upon the case, as it is their duty to do, and I will tell you their theory of it, as it may assist you in starting out, ‘Thank you, sir.” “Tt is the theory of the police,” said Judge Curtis, slowly, ‘‘ that the burglars and the mur- derer are the same, They believe that whenthe robbery was committed, something of import- ance was left behind, or, something tending to betray their identity was dropped; that one of ' them returned for it, whatever it was, and that Mr. Mordaunt surprised him, and then followed the shooting. ‘¢That is all I know of their modus operandi ; what do you think of it?” ‘“‘ Very little,” replied Max, promptly, ‘‘al- though when I think of my inexperience and their constant association with crime, I am al- most afraid to say so, However, I do not be- lieve that the robbers know yet that Mr. Mor- _ daunt has been killed, unless they saw it in the papers, You must remember that I was with them when the robbery was committed, and that I saw and studied every move that was made by them, and I am convinced, not only that they took everything they wanted, but that they left nothing behind of their own, or would be calculated to betray their iden- Vv . / “ What, then, is your theory of the murder? ‘*T have none yet, but may Iask youa few questions?” : ‘“* Certainly.” ‘““Who is the executor of Mr, Mordaunt’s will?” s? ‘* T am sole executor.” ‘¢ Have you looked over his effects, yet?” ‘Very little—some.”’ : ‘* His letters?” , ++ A fow of his business letters, yes.” , ar ¢ a ‘« Any of his private correspondences” ‘*No. I had not intended to; I thought I would burn them.” ‘Tf you will forgive me for the wit Re aap sir, I think that would be very foolish.” ‘* Why so, Maxwell?” ‘¢ Because, sir, it is possible, nay, almost prob- able, that you would find something there which would give us a clew to work upon. There are three causes which might have led to the killing.” ‘What are they?” ‘‘'The first, and most improbable one, isthat it was done by an ordinary sneak-thief, who en- tered the house in Mr. Mordaunt’s absence, and, being surprised by him, fired the fatal shot.” iti Well 9? ‘The second, and more probable one, is that gome person other than either of the robbers of the previous night knew that Mr. Mordaunt had a large amount of money in the house, and watching until an ea offered, had en- tered, been surprised, and fired the shot.” ** And the third?” ‘‘The third is very much the same as the sec- ond, with the difference that I have rather come to the conclusion that it was done by some one known pamouely Mr. Mordaunt, and if that is so, there may have been some writing in his possession which would help us, There are two reasons for my thinking as Ido. One is that Mr. Mordaunt has directed me to hunt for the burglars, without mentioning the murderer, and the other is, that I cannot help thinking that he did not describe the man who shot him as well as he might have done, had he cared to be more explicit. * There is something in what you say, surely.” ‘* You are aware,” continued Max, ‘* that ene was used as a decoy the night I was sent to lead him into the trap? *Do you know that nephew?” ce No. 7 ‘* Have you ever seen him?” ‘* No—never.” “Did Mr. Mordaunt remember him in his will?” ; “ Yes.” **'To what extent?” , “Ten thousand dollars,” hesitatingly replied the judge, ‘* but it was trusteed so that he can only have it in installments.” ‘““Ah! How much property did Mr. Mor- daunt leave?” “A very large amount.” ; ‘¢ Much more than he gave his nephew?” ‘Twenty times as much,” Z ‘Had he other relatives?” ** No—none.” ‘‘Then it follows naturally that he and his nephew were not on good terms, does it not?” ‘ Yes, I think it does.” ‘‘You do not know the nephew, and have never seen him, you say. Do you know any- thing concerning him or his whereabouts?” * Very little. I know that heris wild and dis- solute, gambles, and is generally anything but a promising young man. His uncle bas many times got him out of scrapes, paid his debts for him, etc.,and never got much thanks for it, either.” ‘* How old is he?” ee ‘¢ Between twenty-oneand twenty-five ; I don’t know exactly ” ~ ‘Ts his name Mordaunt?” ‘¢ No—his name is Graff. He was the son of Mr. Mordaunt’s deceased sister,” ; ‘‘Ts his father living?” “Yes, but worse than dead, for he is in an Insane Asylum, ae ao mad.” ‘¢ What is the son’s first name?” ‘¢ Kilian, like his father's,” ‘‘Kilian Graff,” mused Max; “a peculiar name, and one easy to remember, Now, sir,” he continued, ‘* will you do me a favor?” “ Ie T can.” : ‘Go this evening to the house of Mr. Mor- daunt and look over his private papers as thor- oughly as youcan, Lay aside for me oe ou find which you think may possibly be of inter- est in this matter. In the mean time I will look around mea little for a theory to work upon, and to-morrow morning I will come here again. If, during the day, you can use your influence with the District Telegraph Company for them to allow me without question to wear their uni- form when I see fit, I should be very glad. There may be times when it will come in very handy, and I shall wear it only at such times.” As Max was leavin the office, the judge handed him a roll of bills. ‘‘Here is one hundred dollars,” he said.’ “Spend whatever is necessary, without stint, Paeey. Ss dL OT MRA MT be, RM Le BCR ye Le -_ pie Sadia 8 Pressey separ kA) Cea TE Siu A eT Ct SE at but none foolishly. When that is gone, or near- ly so, ask for more, and at the same time hand me a statement of your expenditures. Your salary will be paid to your mother each month, for you are to pay your own expenses entire, with the money I give you.” In a moment more, Max was in the street, Where to go first? what first to do? how to be- gin? It is easy enough to become a detective in theory, but when forced into actual practice the thing is not so simple—at least so thought Max, as he stood hesitatingly upon the corner of Montague street, not knowing which way to turn first, But as the most-looked-for events never hap- pen, so are the least-expected ones likely to oc- cur, and it transpired that, as he stood there meditating, a voice behind him startled him, so that he turned like lightning, not to see who had spoken, but who had been addressed. ** Hello, Graff,” the voice said; ‘‘I hear you: have come into a fortune,” and as Max turned he saw two young men shaking hands about ten: feet distant from where he was standing. ‘* He might better have kept it,” replied the one called Graff, ungraciously,‘‘ for all the good. it willdome. Which way are you going?’ ‘¢ Over the bridge.” “Dll go with you.” They started away down Fulton street, and behind them went Max, satisfied that he was following Kilian Graff, the nephew, whom he could not help suspecting of complicity in one or both of the crimes against Mr. Mordaunt. ‘¢T'm in luck, anyhow,” thought Max, as he entered a bridge car behind them, ‘‘for I will keep along with this fellow until 1 find out his haunts or where he lives, and then when I want him again, I’ll know where to look for him,” \ . Once in a billiard-room, he got close enough to hear part of what they were saying, and they had evidently just resumed the subject referred to on their opt gr ; ‘*How much did he leave you, old chap?” asked the stranger of Graff. ‘* Righty-three dollars and thirty-three cents per month for tenyears. Munificent, wasn’t it, eh?” with a sneer, ‘‘ Better than nothing, though.” ‘“‘Bah! I’d as soon have nothing.” *e What became of the balance of his shek- els?” “Judge Curtis got a little; my cld man’s bills are paid as long ashe lives, with areversion to the Asylum when he dies, and the balance goes to a detective.” “To what?” ‘‘ A detective, named Merry; somebody who- is to spend the remainder of his life in hunting down— That’smy game. Pay up and let’s get out.” ‘ Out they went, and Max behind them, but al- though he passed through the door not more. than a minute behind them, they had disappear- ed entirely from view. , J While he stood there, glancing hurriedly up. and down the narrow street, a colored boy came: rapidly up to him, \ “Ts your name Merry?” he asked breath- lessly. “Yes, why?” : “« Jedge Curtis wants ye right away.’ ‘Where is he?” ; Up-stairs on de block below. He saw ye go in hyer, an’axed me ter come fo’ ye, see?’ 7 veo ter speak ter ye quick on important. Z, see ‘All right,” said Max, quickly, “‘ Show me the way and I will go to him, Ican look for the nephew another time,” he thought, a8 he hurrjed along after the darky. On the block below they entered @ narrow doorway and began mounting a flight of very steep stairs, : At the top was a door with a wicket, at which: his conductor rapped sharply. ; The wicket moved—an eye appeared and dis- appeared—the door opened, and they entered, _ But where? Max looked around him in sur- prise at the costly elegance of the apartment, and was just about to speak when a door at the further end of theroom opened, and through itit came the figure of Kilian Graff. : Max uttered a cry of surprise, and sprung toward the door* by which he had entered, — only to find a brawny negro opposing his pas- Sage. N Rasy, my boy, easy,” exclaimed Graff cool- ly; “you have been following me all the morn- ing, so I thought ’dlet you find me, When we part company, you willknow me better, I think, Just march into that room I came out of, in double-quick time,” and he pointed a revolver’ at the boy’s head by way ofargument. — ——— eee - x errs
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_ you will open the door and allow me _ tically? ‘‘ I have witnesses and aeons discuss that point. Messenger Max. hen you get ready to on this door and the mes- CHAPTER VII. know, isthis: Who set you to follow me, and A LEAP FOR LIBERTY, what it was done for, Max saw plainly, when the revolver in the | tell me, you can ra hands of Kilian Graff was pointed at him, that there was nothing for him to do but obey the command and pass into the adjoining room, and therefore without hesitation he did so. He was followed immediately by Mr. Mor- daunt’s wayward nephew, who closed and locked the door behind him, putting the key in his pocket. In the room was the person who had been with Graff all the morning. ‘Now, young fellow,” said Graff, when the door was locked, ‘‘ ’ve got you where I want you, and if you don't answer a few questions [ shall ask you, truthfully, you will be sorry.” Max made no reply, and after waiting a mo- ment for one, the young gambler continued: ‘* What have you been following me all the morning for, eh!” oe Who said I’ was following you?’ replied ax ‘*T said so; I have one you. Why have you done it?” . * ‘“, ‘ > Yee, went ou Graff, “‘he is in his grave, Ap gen a beneficiary under his will?” oe Ww ” % a &. . “« Did he leave you anything in his willy” ** No,” f ‘* You lie, youngster.” oa “T do not; I tell the truth.” ‘‘ Ts your first name Maxwell? ‘* None of your business.” “fi h, it isn’t, eh? Who told you to follow me ~ “Nobody.” ‘* You did it of your own free will, ea? *€ Yes,” : ‘* What for?” : ‘For instance.” : “Will you or will you not tell me what for?” Twill tell you nothing except this: If you es me here any longer against my will, ll make you suffer for it when I do get out, oa if go w— “That will do, sonny,” broke in Graff sarcas- ‘ou have not, so hat I want to. sage will be brought to me. Until then, you will remain in this room, no matter whether it is a day, or a week or a year,” and motioning to his friend to follow, he unlocked the door and Max was presently alone. He had no doubt that he wasina gambling- house, for this one had looked, as he passed through the outer room, very much as he had heard them described, and even the room he | was in, though small, bore every semen of being used for that purpose, T ere was the ! round table covered with green cloth, and | many piles of differently-colored ivory pieces, Throwing himself upon a sofa, which was evidently little used, he gave himself up to re- flection. ‘¢‘1’m in a pretty mess,” he thought, ‘and no mistake, At the very start in my unchosen profession, I’m captured like a squirreland shut | up until I tell something which can’t be told without lying. I told him the truth and he | won't believe me, and I have either got to make up a story to please this Kilian Graff, or stay on here indefinitely. One thing is clear, I’ve got to get out somehow. ‘*There is a window,” he murmured, as his vision flew from one part of the little apartment | to another, ‘‘but it looks as though it hadn't been opened since the house was built, and that must be a century. Probably the blinds are | nailed fast, besides, for this room is only one story high, and they don’t want people lookin in here after the gas islighted. Anyhow, I’ just see if I can get a look out,” Suiting the action to the word, Max arose from the sofa and went toward the window, but try as he might, his strength could make no movement in the massive casing, which clung as tightly to the molding as though glued there, Suddenly, as he was straining every nerve, he felt something give a little, and pausing to see what it was, discovered that one of the large panes of glass of which the window was com- posed had a little extra frame upon it, and was swung on hinges, so that it could be opened to admit the air without raising the casing. ‘*That hole is plenty big enough for me to get through,” he thought, ‘‘if I could only get the blind open, but that is probably impossible,” He examined the fastenings, and saw that they were merely the ordinary catches of an out- side blind, but that over each of them had been driven an iron staple which held the whole blind tightly, immovably in its place. One of the articles in Max’s pocket was a ack-knife, given him the Christmas before b is mother, and it was one of the kind whic contains all sorts of implements; two blades, scissors, a cork-screw, a gimlet, a small saw, a jab—used for breaking wire or cleaning a Lorse’s hoof—a brad-awl, etc., etc., and as quick as thought he brought it out. Opening the gimlet, he selected the staple cov- ering the catch to the blind which closed out- side of the other one, and began boring into the pos close to the iron as he could force the little 00 . t was rather tedious work, for the wood had become thoroughly seasoned and hard, and the iron kept wearing off the edges of his gimlet, but though blisters formed upon his hands he kept diligently to work, knowing that if he could once get the blind open it would be an easy matter to attract the attention of some one passing in the street, and by sending for the police, thus effect his escape, One hole was finished, and then he began on the other, working steadily and hard. ‘*Now,” he said to himself when the other was completed, ‘Pll just crowd the jab under that staple, and maybe I can move it.” | Closing up the gimlet, he opened the jab and with considerable effort managed to get it under the staple, Then applying all his strength, he bore down upon the knife-handle. For an instant there was no perceptible ef- fect, but then something began to give, Slowly, at first, then faster and faster, and in a moment more the staple (which had been put there to keep the blind shut and not to: prevent prison- oe ag escaping) came out of the wood witha un . Stepping back hastily, after raising the catch, Max put his footagainst theshuttersand pushed with all bis might. : ‘The blind, though weather-beaten into its place, could not resist the pressure, and it flew open quickly, ye. _With a glad cry Max put his knife back into his pocket, and looked out. ——E—EeEeEeEeEeEeyx———————— EEE eee 7 — ea. tele en? ee ee eee ‘Tm in luck!” ke exclaimed, for there, just under the window, was the balcony of an old fire-escape. It was the work of but a moment to crowd himself through the aperture made by the open window-pane, and he was soon standing upon the balcony referred to. Reaching back into the room behind him, he closed the little ge 3 through which he ‘had come, and then the blind, being additionally . gratified to hear the catch snap back into place as he did so. : ‘¢ Tt will take them a little while to find how I got out,” he thought. ‘' The next thing is to get down from here,” Underneath him was an awning, and beneath that, the sidewalk. The distance was not too great for him to drop with safety, but there was the danger connected with it that one of the employees of the place he had just left might be near, and thus he pa run the danger of being speedily recap- tured, Just then, an ash-cart, ‘nearly full of ashes from the barrels along the street, stopped exact- ly beneath him. ‘¢There’s my chance,” thought Max. ‘'Make or break!” Without a moment’s hesitation he climbed upon the railing of the balcony, and measuring his distance carefully, leaped out into the air, True to his calculations, he landed upon the load of ashes, much to the astonishment of the man who was busily emptying tbe barrels which his two assistants had just handed up to him. None of them knew from whence he hadcome, and a cloud of ashes so filled the eyes of passers- by that they did not notice him, Without pausing to make useless explanations he sprung to the ground and dashed around the nearest corner like a flash; running almost in- to the arms of a policeman. Y “Pm a messenger-boy,’he explained to the surprised officer, beginning to dust the ashes from his clothes, ‘‘ and those fellows chucked me into the cart.” . The officer laughed and told him to go and clean his clothes somewhere before he reported for duty again, and walked on, Near by was a boot-black, and Max got him to use his brushes, so that in a few moments the most of the ashes were removed, : When the job was done, he started away with a light heart, soon emerging into Park Row, up which he burried toward the bridge, but he had scarcely taken a hundred steps when he came Hiei vunexpectedly face to face with Kilian raff, CHAPTER VIII. THE FIRST DEAL. , Max saw instantly that Graff had recognized him, and, heing. very quick in getting at con- clusions, he resolved to put a bold face on the matter, so he looked.up and nodded pleasantly, as he said: ‘*Good-day, Mr. Graff,” and passed rapidly on, Kilian Graff was nonplused by the occur- rence, Here was a boy whom two hours be- fore he had left securely locked in one of the rivate rooms of a still more private gambling- ouse, and now he was on the street walking along as unconcernedly as though the thin were an every-day event,and not worthy o comment, How had he escaped? Had the place been raided? Had the boy managed to attract at- tention through the shutters and thus called down a posse of police upon them in their hitherto secure and undisturbed retreat? Such thoughts whirled through the brain of Kilian Graff with the speed of lightning, so that ere Max had got ten feet past him he — turned, and with a bound or two had seized the boy by his arm, “What's the matter now, sir?” asked Max, with an innocent look of surprise on his face, ‘*How did you get out?” exclaimed Graff, anxiously, holding the young messenger tightly as he spoke, ‘*Out of what? the menagerie? Do you take me for a chimpanzee, Mr. Graff?” He ad of your sass! Tell me how you got out.” 5 ' ‘*Out of where or what?” , ‘*Out of my—that is—tho room where I placed you.” ‘Was that your room?” ‘** Yes—no, of course not—confound you!” and he gave Max an be Fe a ‘Quit that!”said Merry, shortly, ‘You had me a little while ago where you could do that sort of thing, but you had best be more civil in
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the street, Mr. Graff. Let go of my arm, and Pll tell you how I got out.” : cae , tell me, then,” and Graff let go his old, ***T suppose you are not the only one who has be | a key to that door, are you?” asked Max. “ No, I’m not.” ‘And it is quite natural that the others, knowing that you had a‘curiosity locked up there, should want to see it, eh?” “What of that?” ‘This, When you put me in there I had con- siderable in my pocket, a part of which opened the door for me, pad like any other tragedian, I exited, see?” and’ Max turned and darted away on a run, leaving Kilian Graff under the im- ression that one of the men there had been Bribed to release the captive. But he was not to be foiled so easily, he told himself. He was becoming more and more con- vinced that the boy knew many thiugs which he as the nephew of Mr. Mordaunt, deceased, would like to learn, and keeping Max well in sight, he hurried along after him, hey were going toward the Bridgeat a rapid * pace, Graff not knowing precisely what he would do, but determined to get the boy where he could force him to talk, if possible, ‘Hello, Kil; whereaway so fast?’ suddenly exclaimed a rough voice, just as he was going in at the Bridge entrance, ‘‘ Just the man I want!” cried Graff, seizing the person who had addressed him and dragging him along. ‘‘Come with me,” he added, ‘an Pll explain as we go,” and they hurried through the gate toward the stairs, up which Max had already disappeared, r The new-comer was of that nondescript class which infests the streets of large cities, who are always well-dressed; who usually have money _ about them to spend, but who seem to have no occupation whatever; who look like gentlemen, and when occasion requires can play the part very well, but who are really entered upon the municipal book as ‘‘ shady,” which, being trans- lated, means that they are of the criminal class, but have as yet managed to avoid detection in . their transactions, This particular one was faultlessly attired, and upon his shirt-front sparkled a diamond of the first water. He was a large man, though not remarkably so, with dark, piercing eyes, restless and wary, while a heavy black mustache concealed the lines of a hard, cruel mouth, His name was—or was supposed to be—Charles Prince, though among his familiars he was known as Prince Charley. ‘‘ Where are you taking me to?” he growled, as Graff hurried him along toward the cars. ts am going the other way, man, not to Church- wn, ‘*Come ahead,” replied Graff, ‘ Pll explain assoon as I get you on the cars; it’s important.” They were just in time to step aboard the last car asthe bell rung for it to start, and Graff, noticing quickly that Max was not in thatcar, drew his companion into a seat by the rear door to explain, but as he was taking his seat, he genoed from the window, just in time to ax, who was standing upon the platform past ie gg the cars were by that time running rap- fe 1 rh ‘The pomenereey ey was ery his fingers” through the window to him, and he sprung to_ his feet with anoath, _ ‘ ‘Took! he cried, seizing Prince by the arm, *‘look quick! {want you to know that boy the next time you see him.” i an a) Prince looked, and saw Max quite snc as | he stood, laughing heartily at the retreating tr ' vie" **T believe you are out of your head,” was his comment to Kilian Graff as he turned back into thecar. ‘‘ What is the matter with the boy?” _. “He knows too much for me to let him run _ -wild,” said Graff savagely, ‘‘and I want you to find it out for me, will you?” __._ * Basiersaid than done, Kil,” returned Prince. | *¢ Who is he?” ‘ ka Mi 4 _. “His name is Merry, and he is or was a mes- _- genger-boy in Brooklyn.” > Well, where does he live?” eer aN) “‘T don’tknow, You must find that out.” _.. ** What do you want me to do when I do find out? Come, explain yourself, because Iam not going to ask any more questions,” ‘| want you to either coax him, drive him or | -—- drag him to some place where I can lock him j - upand keep him on bread and water ae) answers certain questions. The old man’s dead, | _ you know, Prince, and he left the bulk of his property to a certain Maxwell Merry under very Neate conditions, That Maxwell ae 5 ds either this boy’s father or the boy himself, ‘ Messenger Max. and I ng to think the latter. At any rate, I want to find out, andif itis the boy, we'll just make him fork overa partof his pile. Ill let him know that when one deals against me, I’m only the more likely to win on the next.” ** How in blazes did you manage to dash into ove train and leave him on the platform?” asked rince, ‘*T did not; there was no one on the platform when we boarded the cars. He must have seen me and jumped off after the train started.” Such was indeed, the fact. Max had gone to the front platform of the forward car and had |. seen Graff hurry on board the rear one just as they began to move, though in fact, he had not noticed Prince at all. Making up his mint! instantly he had pulled the gate open, and crying out to the brakeman that he had forgotten something, he had leaped to the gangway of the Bridge before the man had time to inte~fere. Then he stood still, wait- ing to see if Graff would notice him, and when he did, Max could not resist the temptation of blowing a kiss from his fingers toward the moy- ing train. ** Where shallI go now?” he asked bimself. ‘« That fellow proposes to make it rather warm for. me, I imagine, and I’ve got to change my clothes, that’s certain.” He turned and left the Bridge, meking his way through the narrow streets leadir g toward Roosevelt Street Ferry. Meanwhile Graff and his friend Prince Char- ley had’ reached the Brooklyn side of the river, debarked from the Bridge-train, and were soon standing over a neighboring bar laying their plans for the capture of Max, Graff had said enough to excite the cupidity of Prince, for that individual was ‘' always on the lookout for ‘shekels,’” as he elegantly ex- pressed it, Graff had proposed waiting and watching a few trains come over,in the hope that Max would be among the passengers, but Prince had scoffed at the idea, - “That boy issmart,” he said. ‘‘Do you sup- he would walk rigbt over here into your claws after taking all the trouble he has to get out of them? Besides, we don’t want him now. I think I know a trick worth two of that, but I want to find out where he lives.” ‘Very well,” said Graff. ‘‘ We will go to the main office of the District Telegraph Company and ask the manager. He will pfobably know, or will find out for usif we tell him a straight yarn, ‘Right! Come on, and before morning, I'll have the youngster in my little cular den where I lay by and muse when the community | ets too warm for me, He can’t get out of bere, you can be certain, unless you or I let him out. It is a favorite little nest of mine where nobody but myself ever goes, and where I have got things fixed very comfortable and’ nice. Just now, there isa little company there —friends of mine who wanted to keep out of sight ‘for a day or two—but they had to get in the same way you will, Kil—bl dfolded, for [ wouldn’t let my own brother know to find me there. Once we get his nibs in that spot, we'll have him where he can’t wriggle till he pays for the pleasure of it. Right!” CHAPTER LX. THE GAMIN—A HEAVY STAKE. As Judge Curtis was leaving his residence on ontague street shortly after eight o’clock the moruing following, he was actosted by the fa- | miliar cry of: Ryne S Esey Shine ’em up ’s bright ’s a dollar fur a nickel. ly He shook his head and walked rapidly on, for his boots did not need shining—they never did, | apparently, being nearly always capable of re- flesting the brightest kind of S dollar, and par- ticularly so on that morning. ya a But the knight of the box wasnot to be bluffed ff, and either could not or would not notice | Dow t o¢ the Astor House rotunda, I will how brightly the judge’s boots already shone, and he followed on persistently for nearly a block, constantly repeating his monotonous “Shide, boss! Only anickel—shine” t last the judge became out of patience and pausedabruptly, = ‘*Boy,” he said, sharply, ‘‘I do not want a shine, as you can see, but if you will stop your | clatter I will give you a nickel.’ earn it; better Jet me’shine ’em up; that shine’s No pea udelearned,heain’t.” = |. vet “Well, it is good enough for me,” said the judge, with a frown,and tossing the bootblack laugh aA 7 1 . a A ckel.” . “Thanky, boss,” said the boy, ‘‘ but I'd ruther | ! De covey w'ot done it ain’t got his| | a nickel he turned and was about to continue his way toward his office when another voice ac- costed him, ** Judge,” it said. The | Ip aay turned sharply and looked all around, but no one was near except the boot- black, who was very busily engag the motto on his five-cent piece. “Strange,” muttered the judge, ‘I thought some one called me, and I thought the voice was ign of young Merry, but 1 must have imagined t. He turned again to pursue his way, but again was brought to a sudden halt by the same voice uttering the same word. _ The bootblack was still studying the nickel as intently as though he had forgotten everything but that he possessed it. ‘*Boy,” said the judge, in his most authorita- tive tone, ‘‘ come here,” The bootblack raised his head and went toward the uses slowly. **Did you speak to me just now?” questioned the man of law. ‘*-Ye-up,” replied the boy. ‘I axed yeif yer wanted er shine, an’ ye said naw, ye didn’t. Had ye forgot it already?” “Did you call me judge, when I turned away?” ‘“T did, judge, surely. Don’t you know me?” ‘© W ell—wel!—well!!!" exclaimed Judge Cur- tis. ‘' Maxwell, you surprise me! Know Baty ou in studying Not at all! You are completely disguise doubt if your own mother would know you. Even now that I know it is you, I findit hard to trace any resemblance to Maxwell Merry,” And well he might, for a tight-fitting wig of bright red had been placed over the dark curly hair which grew on Max’s head, and his face and hands were so disfigured by streaks of blacking that even the shape of his features seemed changed. A ragged pair.of pants much too large for their wearer were: held in their place by means of one suspender strap which ‘went over a very dirty shirt. His feet were in- cased in shoes which might have fitted the judge’s feet with ease. He looked a veritable eer evidently much to the judge’s astonish- ment. ; , ‘“*Walk on your boots,” said Max, hastily; ‘¢ spoil your shine somewhere, for I want you to take me into your office without my being recog- i »n The judge took in the situation instantly, and with each boot spoiled the gloss on the other, and then telling Max to follow, led the way toward his office, When they reached the office, a gentleman was walle to see the judge, and rose as he entered. Fe Wed ‘¢] will see you in a moment,” said he; just as soon as this boy shines my boots for e. ; “But I merely want to ask one question.” “Well, what is it?” , “Can . ea me where I can find a young man by the name of Maxwell Merry? I have been to his house three times—twice last evening and again this morning—but he had not been there since yesterday morning.” Both Max and the judge started when the question was asked, but if the stranger noticed it he made no sign. ; 7 I know such a boy,” said Judge Curtis, slowly, ‘‘ but as to where he can be found— um! perhaps he has gone fishing, if he isn’t at the siemeeeen Sie Shere he works,” ‘* He does not work there now,” continued the ara ok ANS aA ‘** Ah! in that case I should presume his home to be the most likely place to look for him.” ‘Perhaps so—tbanks,” and the stranger was abouttodepart. | , “Stay,” said the judge, carelessly, ‘If you are anxious to see him and will leave your name and address, I will see that he is possessed of it at the earliest opportunity.” “Thanks,” returred the stranger. *“‘1f you will ask him to meet me this evening at seven in k him by sight Metal cent wo now him ght, so he will only have to go there and Saath until I speak to ni, My name is Earl. es abl arid he vanished through the door. «Come in boy,” said the judge, and in a mo- d Max were alone in the private
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Messenger Max. TW, sisi inact oe —— ee Then Max, in asfew wordsas possible, related | man who called himself Earl leaning against $f Sarge as a steel-trap!” be muttered, as he.re- _ to Judge Curtis all that had happened the ved the door-frame, smoking, but he made no sign, | crossed the pavement to Max’s side, previous, omitting nothing, and concluding with | as be was not supposed to know the one who ** Well,” he said, ‘tare you coming?” i the remark: wished to see him. ““T guess not, now,” returned Max. ‘ You ~ ‘‘T have no doubt but that this is some friend Prince saw Max at the same time, and went | take too much for granted.” of Graff’s, and that he is seeking to get me into | hastily toward him. ‘* How so?” ; his clutches again. Judge, I think I will go to ‘* Are you Maxwell Merry?” he asked. ‘* You don’t stop to ask a fellow if his engage- 2 -the Astor House to-night, and meet him.” ‘‘-Yes,” replied Max. ‘‘I was told that you | ments will permit him to accompany you, and ‘¢ Not alone!” wished to see me, sol am here. What is it you | you see, unfortunately, mine don’t.” J ‘Yes, alone. I might as well remain away | want of me?” “Then we'll bave to drop the whole thing, Yd as to have company. While I somehow do not ‘Let us step to one side where we can talk | that’s all,” said Prince, savagely. © think that the nephew committed either the | better,” said Prince. ‘‘’m sorry, but I guess that’s true,” returned robbery or the shooting of Mr, Mordaunt, I do “Oh, no, that is unnecessary; we can talk | Max, unmoved, i believe that he either knows who did, or that by | well enough here.” ‘Why don’t you go with me and let your en- following him I will be brought into contact ‘‘Very well, You are in search of the men | gagement wait?” * with the criminals. He may know them with- | who robbed Mr. Mordaunt, some few nights ** Can’t.” +, out knowing their movements. At any rate, I | ago—’ / “Well, what will you do? Will you come have got the bee in my hat, and I’m going to let ‘“Am I? asked Max, innocently, but Prince | back here a little later and go with me?” it buzz for awhile, I shall not go in my proper | did not notice the interjection, and continued: “Don’t know; that depends. I might get person, but in this rig, and when that fellow “And you have been pursuing a man | back here in an hour, or even less,” at gets tired of waiting, I'll follow and see where | named Graff, who is the nephew of the dead ‘** Well, do that, and I’ll have my friend here, he goes'to. Ten to one, he'll take me direct to | man.” so that you won’t have to go to him,” 4 Kilian Graff,” * Thank$, awfully! But I knew all that be- ‘* All pight,” said Max; ‘' it’s a go.” fore. You seem to be pretty well posted, mis- Without another word he turned and re- } ‘¢ Tt is just seven o'clock,” mvrmured Max, as | ter.” entered the Astor House rotunda, and dartin ¥ in the guise of the red-headed bootblack, heen-| ‘Yes; I received my information partly | up the stairs as quickly as he could, in a momen tered the Astor House that evening. from Graff, and manufactured the rest out of | more he issued from the building at the Vesey There are always a multitude of men hanging | some from another quarter,” went on Prince, | street entrance, and hurrying down that thor- — e about the place—sporting characters, and gentle- | coolly. ‘‘ Now, what I want to know, is, are | oughfare a little way, crossed it and sauntered men using it as a place of meeting—and as Max | you very anxious to find the men you are af- back slowly on the other side, entered, he had no difficulty in finding the man | ter?” Reaching the corner, he paused for a moment he was looking for, who was none other than| ‘‘Say,” said Max, ial *““T don’t know | in ‘the shadow of a friendly peanut stand, where Prince Charley. . ; . what you ara driving at. If you have got any- | he could see the spot where he had stood with ‘“* Shine?” said he, going up to him, thing to tell me that 1 can understand, please | Prince but a moment before. * “Yes; fire away,” and then, as Max was be- say so,” '“T didn’t make any mistake,” he muttered, 4 ginning operations: ‘‘Do you know any of the ‘See if you can comprehend this, then: If | as he saw the black-mustached man issue from *District Telegraph boys, sonny?” there is any possibility of your making it worth | the rotunda entrance. ‘‘ He’s been trying to “Ye-up.y my while, I can show you how you can put | find ort where I went to.” “Tn Brodklyn?” your paws onto the men youare after, inside | Prince glanced around him quickly and nerv- * ‘¢-Ye-up; belong dere.” of an hour.” ously, and then sauntered up to the cab he had “Do you know Maxwell Merry?” Max might naturally be expected to have previously called, and stood there several mo- ‘*'Ye-up.” felt greatly elated upon receiving such infor- | ments as if reflecting. i **Yowre just the lad I’m looking for. If you | mation, but if he was, he did not show it in the “ That's very a a8 done,” muttered the boy, will find him and bring him to me to-night [Ul | least. at. “but I'll bet sixpence that his ‘friend’ is no give you ten dollars.” “Oh, I see,” he said; ‘it is a stake youare af- | other than Kilian Graff, and that he is inside “Wot d’ye want ’im fur?” ter. You belong to that class which barters in | that coupé this minute.” 4 **That is my business.” the blood and liberty of their friends.” Ina moment more he saw Prince say some- ‘*Sure, boss; but I can’t drag ’im by de hair, Prince ground his teeth together in ill-sup- | thing to the driver, and then he entered the kin I?” ressed anger at that cool daring of the lad, and | cab, and it drove up Broadway. “* No—you will give him a message for me.” | inwardly resolved that when the time came he “They'll be back here in an hour,” thought * ‘Wot one?” ‘ would have a personal score to settle with him | Max, ‘‘and in the mean time I might as well ‘‘ This; tell him that Mr, Earl possesses some | as well as with bis friend Graff, change my clothes,” information which it will be greatly to his ad- Enough of this,” he said, gruffly. ‘*I am Waiting a moment longer until the cab was ‘vantage for him to know. Iam going away to- | told that you have some money which you are | well on its way u the street, the gallant young morrow, and he will have to seeme between now | willing to spend in apprehending these men, | fellow started off on arun, and ere long was and to-morrow morning, if at all. Here is a | Now I can tell you where you can put your paws | Jeaning over the counter in the office of the dollar, and I'll give you the other nine when | onto them with very little trouble, prc vided you ; United States Hotel. ou have done the job, or P'll give it to young | see that I am well paid for it.” “Pi take that sachel I left here a little while erry for you.” His manner was so earnest, and his talk was | ago, if you please,” he said to the clerk, who re-_ “ Where shall I take him?” that of such a thorough-going scoundrel, that | ceived his check and handed him a little bag, ‘In front of this hotel. I will be on the steps | Max was more than half-deceived, and beganto | Taking it, with a word or two of thanks, he outside,” think!that the stranger knew what be was talking | went out and down toward the river, making “All right, boss, I'll hev him there, sure| about. At any rate, he concluded to look a lit- | his way slowly out on one of the piers, to whe pop,” and without another word Max turned'| tle deeper into the matter before dropping it | bale upon bale of cotton was piled in great con-— and started away, Prince saying hastily that he | entirely. : fusion. ! . : would wait, _ ‘* How much do you want?” he asked. It did not take him long to select a sheltered — ‘Max had determined upon arash act; he had} Not much; say a thousand cases.” spot, where he began divesting himself of bis~ made up his mind that he would appear in his} ‘When do you want it?” | garments, _ i ‘own person and hear what Mr. Harl wished to} ‘I'll take five hundred to-night, and five hun- | In fifteen minutes he was again the bootblack, — communicate, the pabUsipy of the place of | dred more when the job’s done.” with his face and hands dirtier than ever, meeting, together with the early hour when it ‘**No, you don’t,” said Max, sharply. ‘‘ You Then hurrying back to South street be quick- would take place arguing that he would be in | can’t make five Seige aa of me so easily.” ly found an always-open baggage-express office. little or no danger if it should be a plot to re- ‘“ Well, a hundred now, then.” ** A young feller wanted me to leave this ere capture him. \ “No, sir! Nothing now; but deliver those | grip fur you ter send ter Churchtown,” he said | ut he did not know the cunning and tenacity | men over to the police, and I will see that you | to the man in the little coop. 3 Wii of the man, Prince, or he would have hesitated, | get the thousand dollars, and if they are con- ‘‘ All right,” said the man; “ pay in advance,” The trap was well-laid, and Max was prepar- | victed you will get more.” “Cert. Gi’ me der change outen that, ’cos? de ing to walk into it, sharp and bright as he was Prince Charley appeared to be thinking deep- | man said it was for me,” and he passed over a but it would spring upon him, dear ly for several moments. dollar, receiving bis fifty cents in change, and ‘with a snap so sudden and sharp that he woul Suddenly he looked up and said: insisting upon a receipt ‘to prove that he was ‘have no chance to fight or cry out. i Say, pouns fellow, your * prop.’ suits me all | O. K.,” he said, ‘in case somebody else gobbled ip ed | right, but you see I ain't the only one concerned | de grip.” : “Te Sgt J CHAPTER X. in it; there is another one with whom I have got |‘ There!” thought Max, as be. started slowly ‘ Se ‘ PT ’ to divide, and he’s really the boss of this job. | up Fulton street, “don’t believe that fellow THE INTERVIEW—RUSHING INTO DANGER, As far as Tam concérned your suggestion is per- | will know me now from Adam, He may recog~— MaxweLL MERRY certainly possessed re- pec satisfactory, but he might kick—what | nize me as the one who shined him up and then — . markable courage for a lad of Nis age. He then i i \ did an errand for him, but I don’t care if be | - never paused to count the dangers of au under- ‘Let bim kick, if itll make him feel better. | does,” : é Bp ‘taking where he considered that the thing to be It’s that or nothing. I won’t consent to any The street was nearly ceserted, as compared done was bis duty, and as he made bis way back other arrangement,” : with its condition wuen be bad left it an hour toward the Astor House, after baying changed | ‘That’s just it, see? Now I'll tell you what | before, but a cab was standing before the rotun=— bis clothes so that he was once more Max, the we'll do; we'll jump into that cab yonder, and | da entrance of the Astor | ec blits and on ‘the | messenger boy, bis whole mind was upon what | go and see this friend of mine and talc the mat- | steps, a few feet away, stood Prince, he migbt discover in the interview which he | ter over with him, He will consent to your “Shine!” he shouted, hur! ying toward the ‘as to have with the stranger. ne plan when he sees that you aro determined, and | motionless figure, ‘“*Shine’em up, boss! Only _, He had no doubt that a plot bad been laid to | we can fix the whole thing up for lotting the cops | a— Hullo! 4 ou’s de man W ot got me ter do a recapture him, by Kilian Graff, but he felt that | in on them, see?” and withont waiting for a re- | job fur ye, an’ cin’t paid me yet. Say, didn't, inasmuch as he was on the lookout for it, he | ply from Max, he signaled to the cab and walked | young Merry como Reref?,* 03 Bis! a | ae uld keep h f out of danger. _ across the pavement to where it drew up along-| “Yes, he came.” Vos ae a Their rit ae to te: ‘on the steps of the | side of the Rath. : . “Well, ye didn’t give him de balance due me, i Astor House, and he smiled at the idea of being But Max remained perfectly quiet where he } as yo said he would, on I see’d him a few babe Sua f Jaro, an’ id so. had been standing, and Prince, who had opened CEE en bak Bid for it?” | & Course I did.” We ed himself at the door, and he at once saw the ' the lad had not followed him, " a) eae ; 4 } _ abdue ‘om there, ~ ci ; __It was nearly half-past nine when he present- | the door of the cab, looked around and saw that ree itt ‘ + << rd i ‘ ; t ; : { ee ele Bo. ; “) wt eae s' Veh 7 ; dbl aE ty Wie Wher x f een ;
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¢ al i ** And he said he did not have it?’ ** Dat’s w’ot he said, boss,” . “Well, he lied, for | gave it to him for you.” ** He said ye didn’t,” ‘*T did; he has probably swiped it, sonny.” ‘* By thunder!” exclaimed the bootblack, ‘‘if I thought that, I'd git even wid ’im, ef it took me a lifetime.’ “Tt’s true, so you can begin getting even right away. Where was he when you saw him?” ** Down at the ferry, waitin’ fur a boat. He said you was no good, an’ that he’d stood you up on de Astor House steps, an’ he was goin’ home an’ goin’ ter bed. I saw him git onter de boat,” ‘* How long ago was that?” ** Jest now; I kim right up here fur dem nine cases, He said I'd find ye here,” ““Confound him!” muttered Prince, between his teeth. ; Suddenly a bright thought struck him, ; ‘* Here, sonny,” he said, 8 shall-be paid for your trouble, anyway. Here are five dol- . Now answer a few questions,” ‘' Fire away, boss,” ri What is your name?” ** Pete what?” ** Don’t know.” ‘** How long have you been a bootblack?” * Don’t know; might’a’ been born wid a brush in me hand.” **'You say that you want to get even with Merry; do you mean it?” * ‘You bet I do!” ** Well, so do [.” © You! w’ot fur?” ‘*' That 1s my business,” ‘Sure! Shine’s done, boss, ** Hold on! wait a moment! do another job for me.” ESS v want you to bring young Merry where can er my hands on him, Can you do it?” n Will you?” 2 ST will,” “ When?” “* Any time after to-night.” ‘* To-morrow night?” “ Ye-up,” Good! To-morrow night at ten o’clock have him at the corner of Beekman and Pear! streets, and I'll give you two more Vs,” ‘ It’s a bargain, boss,” , Prince turned and sprung into the cab, which Peay started away, but all unknown to the iver or the schemers inside it carried an extra passenger. Clinging fast to the running gear, with his igs wound tightly around the -springs, rode ax in his disguise of Pete, the bootblack, and Good-night.” I want you to ” he had resolved to follow the person who was so i hog he _ hear the passongers descending from the vehicle, Hi (0 he bs Li “Pro i ‘ AS: 4 a ity leis ree in his capture until he ran him to earth, He could not help thinking that the man we knew as Prince was in some way connected with the robbery and murder of Mr. Mor- daunt, while, if there was any truth in his asser- tion that he could deliver up the culprits, Max sed to find it out. nknowingly, however, he was rushing head- long into great danger, j CHAPTER XI. / A DARING AND DANGEROUS DEED, “Tm going to see where that fellow hangs out, if it takes mea week,” said Max, to him- self, as he clung to the running-gear of the cab as it bowled rapidly up Broadway. ‘The time was close upon midnight, and the busy thoroughfare, usually so thronged with ople and vehicles of all descriptions, was almost deserted, Now and then an officer could be seen holding up the lamp-post of some convenient corner, and occasionally a belated clerk or one of the regular night-owl class would saunter up or down the street, bnt that was all. Presently the cab made a sharp turn, and then another and. still another, but Max was so situated that he could not determine what streets | ey were passing through, ‘Suddenly they came toa stop and Max could but still he clung fast, knowing that to be dis- covered would spoil all his plans, _ There was a moment's parley over the driver’s pay, and then the two plotters—for it was Kilian Graff who was with Prince Charlie—start eisurely down the street toward the river, while @ cab rolled rapidly away. ‘ = te Messenger Max. ‘‘That’s rather curious,” commented the boy, detective, ‘‘leaving them right in the middle of a dark street. He held on for a few moments, until he felt sure that he could drop from his perch unob- served, and then, at the risk of receiving severe bruises and broken,bones, let go his hold, and landed in a heap upon the rough pavement. Quickly springing to his feet, unhurt except for a severe shaking-up, he looked hastily in the direction taken by Graff and his friend. There was no one in sight, With an exclamation of dismay, he was about to start onward at a run, when he saw the two men issue from the shadow of a dark doorway, and once more turn their footsteps toward the river. ““T wonder if they got onto me,” thought the boy, but he never once thought of hesitating or turning back. The fact was, although of course Max had no way of knowing it, that Prince had blindfolded his friend while in the carriage, and had halted in the doorway for two reasons, One was to as- sure himself that Graff could not see through the bandage over his eyes, and the other was to satisfy himself that they were not being fol- lowed, or even tooselosely observed by any one, and having found everything satisfactory, they had started on again; for although Prince was keen-eyed, be had never thought of looking un- der the rapidly-moving cab for an animated bundle of rags, Max noticed, as he flitted from shadow to shadow, now behind a box, now under a desert- ed dray, and again in a dark doorway on the op- pone side of the street, that Prince appeared to e leading Graff, whose hat was pulled down over his eyes, and who looked and acted as though he were intoxicated. . In fact, that was the conclusion at which the young detective arrived, as he flittered along after them as noiselessly as the shadow he was endeavoring to emulate. Presently West street was reached, and then they approached the Christopher Street Ferry, which runs to Hoboken, ‘“*Here’s a fix,” thought Max, “If they should choose to stop on this end of the boat, that fellow who calls himself Earl will be sure to spt me if go on,” evertheless, he followed them through the ferry-house, ascertaining that the boat would startin just seven minutes, as he did so, and then he hurried out upon the bridge just in time to see that the two men were passing through the center of the boat toward the forward end, thus avoiding the lighted cabins, ‘* They’ll stand therein the dark until the boat lands on the other side, and then wait until the passengers get off before Jeaving themselves,” thought the boy, “so I'll just work the other racket.” Accordingly, he passed boldly through the lighted cabin, never pausing until he was lean- ing against the iron gates at the forward end of the boat, and there he remaipved until it entered the slip, bounding ashore as soon as the gates were thrown open. Hurrying forward, he paused at a convenient point, in a deep sbadow, where he could see Graff and Prince as they came off. e had not long to wait, for passengers on the ferry-boats were few at that hour, and the two men wandered along behind those few. ‘*Where jin the world are they going, and what are they up to, anyway?” wondered Max, as he once more took up the trail, following them out of the ferry-house and along the rather sparsely-lighted streets of Hoboken, Instead of making his way toward the principal part of the city, Prince led his friend through numerous side streets, making many turns and twists which seemed to Max totally unnecessary. s 2 “Tve got it!” suddenly exclaimed the young detective, under his breath. ‘That black- mustached fellow is taking Graff somewhere, and has got him blindfolded while he plays drunk to hide the fact, and these turns and twists are to mislead him entirely, Go it, old fellow! you won’t lose me—not if I know it!” Suddenly, and just as Max had arrived at the above conclusion, they issued from a narrow street upon a long wharf, on the river, and there the two paused. While Max was wondering what the next move would be, Prince suddenly loosed his hold upon his companion’s arm, and started at a rapid pace back through)the narrow street, di- rectly toward the spot where the boy was stand- ing. For an instant he did not know what to do, Could it be that the man suspected that he eee aS —_—_— 00D was being followed, and was coming back to settle summarily with the foolhardy shadow? No—that could not be the case, for if it were, Prince would have made bis retrograde move- ment in a very different manner. In any case, Max had but a moment in which to think, and he knew he must get out of the way somehow, e dared not run back over the ground he had come, for Prince would surely either see or hear him, and even if he did not, the boy might: lose sight of them entirely. Almost at bis elbow was a hogshead, perk filled with scraps of iron and old junk, and without an instant’s hesitation, Max gave one spring and landed fairly inside, with scarcely any noise, here was just room enough for him to curl up inside, below the open top of the hogshead, and a moment’s time in which to pull a coil of old and rotten rope over his head and sboulders, when he heard Prince's footsteps as he made his way cautiously but rapidly along. Every few paces he would pause, as if listen- ing, and once be crossed the street to the other side, but came back again almost immediately. Suddenly he paused right beside the hogshead: in which Max lay concealed, and the boy’s heart almost stood still. He knew that if the desperate man should find him there and recognize him, his life would not be worth a moment’s purchase in that silent, de- serted street on the Hoboken water-front, He felt that the man took hold of the huge af- fair and tried to moveit, and heard him mutter: “Old junk and scrap-iron!” Then he could hear him breathe, as hé leaned over a little as if peering in to see that nobody was concealed there, " But the rope covered Max better than he thought it did, or else the place was so dark that Prince could not have seen him anway, for the momentary inspection seemed to satisfy him and he moved onward up the street. As his footsteps died away, Max raised his head ie enough so that ke could peer over the top of the huge barrel, and he saw the shadowy outline of Prince’s figure some distance back im the street. Then he watched him cross the street and make his way as cautiously and systematically back toward the river on the other side, “* Well, I’m blessed if he ain’t the most care- ful crook I ever heard of!” mused the boy. ‘‘A big fellow would have had no show following him to-night, that’s certain,” He sprung lightly from the hogshead as Prince rejoined his friend and hurried on after them as. they turned down the wharf toward the lower end, keeping well in the shadow of the buildings as he did so. A couple of hundred feet more were traversed,. when they came toa halt again, and Max saw them speaking earnestly tcgether for a mo- ment, Then Graff was led backward to a pile of lanking and was seated upon them, while ince went forward to the edge of the wharf, and bending far over appeared as though haul- ing upon a rope. or was Max mistaken in the conjecture, for presently a boat appeared from underneath and was firmly tied alongside. ‘I'm left, sure!” muttered the boy, in deep chagrin. ‘ They’re going to take to the water, and I can’t follow them. frullo! what’s upnow?”” The last exclamation was caused by his seeing Prince, after making the boat fast, hurry rapid- ly away toward the end of the pier. Then it was that the gallant young detective — formed a sudden and desperate resolution. ‘*Now or never!” he exclaimed, under his breath, as he made a rapid dart forward. ‘*That fellow’s back is turned and Graff is blind- folded, so maybe I can make it work,” He had seen that the boat was a large one, having evidently once been a sail-boat, baving each end decked over so asto provide lockers (or cupboards) underneath, dee ‘If the things are unlocked, and are big enough, and ain’t full already,” he thought, rapidly, ‘I can get in. Anyway, I'l) try it on, and if it don’t fit, Pl Pe drop overbcard and swim under the pier ti brad, away.” It was a daring and hazardous thing for him to do; but he did not stop to count the cost. He reached the boat unobserved and dropped into it, at once trying the locker nearest him, It was fastened, and with an exclamation of impatience he hurried to the other one, 4 hat was open, and, as luck would have it, ne feet first, he began crowding himself into the small space.
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succeeded in getting his body entirely in, and pulled the little door shut just as Prince a peared upon the edge of the wharf with a pair of oars over his shoulder, Then Max realized the danger he was in. CHAPTER XII. FACE TO FACE WITH DEATH, Tue single hair which suspended the sword over the head of Damocles was not more frail and uncertain than the little canvas door which stood between our hero, Max, and death, He realized it fully while Prince was helping Kilian Graff into the boat. He knew that a man who would take so many precautions to keep a secret inviolate from a friend and every- day companion, would not hesitate to kill a stranger who might have discovered, or be about to discover, the one thing that he wished to keep so entirely to himself, In a few moments both men were in the boat, Prince agree the oars, while Graff was seated, still blindfolded, upon the stern seat, over the locker that Max had first tried. He was ee now that the other place had been locked, else he would have been directly under Mr. Mordaunt’s nephew. ‘*T say, Prince,” said Graff, after a moment or two of dead silence, ‘‘ how much longer is this thing going to last, eh? You tied that cursed bandage so tight that my eyes are ’way in the back of my head now.” ‘* We are almost therenow,” returned Prince. ‘* So!” thought Max, ‘‘ he isn’t an earl, he’s a prince.” ‘¢ Where is this den of yours, anyway? Inthe middle of the Atlantic Ocean?” ** Not quite; we’re almost there now.” Another silencefora moment or two, and then Graff spoke again. “Do you think the boy, Pete, will keep his “ge and bring young Merry to-morrow ght?” he asked, ‘Yes, I think so. He’s prety mad about those nine dollars which he thought I was fool enough to give to Merry, and those youngsters It was a tight squeeze, and his posites was necessarily terribly cramped, but he finally don’t have much conscience when they get mad. He'll bring him if a 7 CO What is your p or co n “Why, wien Be gets near enough, I'm just oing to haul off and give him one straight , Hae the shoulder, and then we can pick him up and put him in the cab at our leisure. See?” ‘¢ What do you think of him, Prince?” ‘*T think he’s a young devil, and just about as smart as they’re made.” ¥ ‘‘ Thanks,” thought Max, in the locker. ‘Tell me just how you're going to make a pile out of him, will you?” continued Prince, ‘Why, don’t you see? The old man took a fancy to him some time ago—found out that he was smart, I suppose, and after he was shot that _ day, he lived long Lapp make a will in property to Judge _ “Well, the boy is to bunt down the fellows who robbed the old man of the forty-five, and bring them tolimbo, See?” : ‘*Yes, see, Now,how are we going to make the boy fork over? That’s what puzzles me.” ‘* Why, easy enough, Don’t you see that the money is all his, and only in the hands of Curtis which he gave nearly all Curtis in trust for this boy. as trustee? Young Merry has only to write a letter to the judge, which wecan get young Pete to deliver, i? he proves trustworthy, in which he will say that he has been made prisoner by the yery people he is hunting after, and they de- Mand a ransom,” m vi uppose Curtis won’t pay it? : “A i) be obliged to, if the boy demands it. He may kick, but that won’t make any differ- ence, for we can wait till he gets tired of that and comes down to business.” ‘*Suppose the boy won't write the letter— tthen?” 44 Ado make pene ew : 2 Hell lereig or be food for fishes.” Another expressive silence, finally broken by “ Graff,” he said, ““who got the forty-five of t man? he oe ae oow: wish I did.” “‘ Who killed him, eh?” : *‘ Don’t know that, either,” sullenly, _ Did you?” *‘-You know I didn’t! what’s the use of ir such questions?” ee ‘* Because I think you know who did,” a “*'Yes, you,” Messenger Max. ** Well, I don’t. I wouldn’t deny it to you if|can now. Sit still while I make the boat. I did.” **T think you would, Kil.” ‘* Well, drop it! You have a right to your ideas as well as anybody else, I suppose, and whether they’re right or wrong is your affair— not mine, ho are these fellows now in your nest?” ‘* Two friends of mine,” ‘* Laying by for a squall?” ‘“*Exactly—a pretty big one, too; liable to wreck ’em if they should be caught out in it,” ‘¢- You must think a lot of them to take them to your nest.” **T don’t, but 'm very fond of their boodle, and theyv’e got lots of it.” ** So they’re paying you for the privilege?” ** Well, rather! [haven’t turned philanthropist just yet. [I’ve always been able to take care of myself, and several times I have protected others as well, but they always have to pay for it—and they know it.’ “*That’s all very well, Prince, but some fine day you’ll be cornered, and then the boys’ll turn on you, and if you’re not flush it’ll go hard with u ‘That's all right, Kill. Dll take my chances, — the same. There isn’t a detective in New ork who hasn't tried to shadow me sooner or later, and none of them ever made it out yet.” ** Why not?” ** Well, because I always got onto them, and either threw them off the scent, or walked right up to the party, whoever he was, and told him that if he wanted to follow me, he had better go home and change his clothes, because I knew him in the rig he had on, see? I never was puz- zled but once.” ** How was that?” ‘“* A young fellow from Boston got after me. I was suspected of complicity in a bank affair, though the fact is I had nothing whatever to do with it, except that one of the fellows who had was rusticating in my nest, ‘“ Well, that young fellow got after me, and I tried three or four times to throw him off the scent, but he always bobbed up serenaly, so one night I walked up to him and told him it was no use dogging me any further, ‘*He laughed and said that he had about come to that conclusion himself and invited me in to Nash and Crook’s for a hooker, “ We} d there,and he was playing bill- iards when I left him, so I skipped across the city at a lively rate, taking every precaution that Iknew how, I got over the ferryall right. and worked my way through the streets where brought you to-night without seeing a soul, and after looking behind me and taking every care to see that I was not followed or watched, ulled this boat out from under the pier—I kept t in a different pa then—and may I be pul- verized if that fellow wasn’t sitting on one of the seats, smoking a cigar as comfortable as could be. ** How he got there before I did, or knew how to get there, I don’t know, He had the drop on me, of course, and I could not wriggle, only I re- fused to go any further, ; «Well, he made a proposition to me that I had to accept. Hesaid he knew that I was not concerned in the robbery, but that he was satis- fied I had got some of the swag and perhaps one of the fellows he was after in my care, ‘* Well, the whole long and short of it is, that Thad to give up the swag and the poor fellow to poo ang to live in peace, myself,” Oo you mean t Sisvoe o say that you gave your “Well, not exactly. I had agreed to have him at a certain spot at a certain time, and I t there with him a few minntes before. Then kept my eyes peeled, and when I saw the fel- mn, Sei to capture their goose I just said 6 When you expect it least you are in the most danger, Don’t ask any questions, but just knock me down and run for it,’”” ** Did he?” _ ** Well, didn’t he? He knocked me senseless | little way. atoneclip, Hit me hard enough so that my story went all right, and besides I had a good ah of the swag for them, as I had agreed. hey captured him afterward, but that wasn't my fault. ‘*Here we are. Slide down into the bottom of the boat, and duck your head if you don’t want to see star's blindfolded.” ’ Max could hear the oars brought into the boat, and in a moment more, a grating sound told him that they were sliding under a wharf. ‘** Now pull Pau bandage, Kil,” he heard Prince say, ‘‘ You’re welcome to see all you | surprising; but the very suddenness of it a 41 4 fast.” ‘ Max calculated that the boat had been crowd- ed fully fifty feet under the wharf before he felt. that she was made fast, and Prince said to his. companion: ** Come on, old man,” Then he heard a noise like the striking of a match, and presently felt that the two men had left the boat, Pushing the door of the locker open ever so little, he sikeiesige his head, and could just see, by the glimmer of light evidently made by a .dark-lantern, that the two men were making their way on foot under the wharf. ‘*Be careful where you step or you'll get a. ducking,” he heard Prince say, and then he. crawled slowly from his hiding-place, and start- ed after them, first pausing. to remove the big shoes from his feet. He presently found himself on a narrow plank, and it was so dark that he was oniiged to resort to his hands and knees as a mode of trav- el, for fear of making a ponge: SH The others, Betng hi an upright position, of course got along faster, and were soon out of. sight and hearing entirely. } ax made his way steadily forward, however, wondering if he would lose the trail after all, ape never once dreaming of giving up the ase. He had gone forward two or three hundred feet, when suddenly he felt the plank beneath a Bg conge with something beside his own weight, Then there came a flash of light, as if from a. bull’s-eye lantern, just ahead, but it was evi-. dently not aimed at him, for he remained undis- covered, — But while he was congratulating himself for the narrow escape, he again felt the plank trem- ble, and he knew that whoever was on the nar-: row Lf ihe was pico. directly toward him, and that if he moved he would surely be: discovered, What to do, he did not know. There they were, face to face, and only a few - feet distant from each other, but the darkness was so intense that neither of them could see a. thing. Max felt that his presence was not suspected, but he also realized that in another moment he. would be discovered, while at any instant his unwelcome companion might draw the slide of his lantern, and thus reveal him, an easy mark. fora bullet. — ‘ ey Nearer and nearer came the man with the dark-lantern, until the young detective could. hear him breathe, In another moment they would be together inevitably, it seemed, and the boy’s h beat fast, as he grasped the only weapon he had—a. little revolver—and waited for that moment to come, ‘ CHAPTER XIII.. IN THE NEST—A SURPRISE, a WE left brave Max ie oe very unenvi+ able pesition—upon his hands and knees on a narrow plank underneath a wharf—he knew not where; and within a few feet of him, and every instant comin Measenelshongh it was so dar that they could not see each other—was & man who he knew would kill him the moment he | should discover his presence. ; What to do to eunmpe the consequences of that visit the boy did not know, Suddenly, when they were but a few feet apart, the man stopped, and for a moment Max — almost ceased to breathe, fearing that he had in some unknown manner betrayed himself, T guess I’ve gone too far,” he heard a voice mutter, which he instantly recognized asbelong- — ing to Prince, and then he arose to an upright position and moved the slide of bis lantern, Luckily, however, he had turned around be- fore doing so, which made the light shine away’ from Max, : : Then Prince, walking cautiously, went back a. ‘‘No,” he muttered, “‘I was right, or nearly so; it is the plank lam on, Yes, there is the | e 7 , * He took a few more steps and then stooped’ over, using his hight as if in search of some~ g: ‘That he found it soon became evident to Max, for in an instant more the plank gave way be- neath him, and they both fell with a loud splash: | into the water below. RTS. The fall was six or eight feet to the water, and as the plank gave way at both ends at the | same time, it was naturally both sudden and
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t 12 ‘ably saved the boy from discovery, for the cry which he would have given was stifled and choked into nothing by the water and the noise made by the falling timber. Max was thrown off into the water, but he clung with one hand to the plank as he allowed himself to sink out of sight beneath the surface, for after the first brief instant his presence of mind returned to him and he knew that the slightest sound other than natural noises would betray him, The light flashed along the plank for one brief moment and then vanished,and Max could hear Prince as he strode away, ** Well, ’'ve got a ducking, anyway,” he mut- ‘tered, ‘The next thing is to get out of here and see where that fellow goes, Judging from what [ have heard to-night, the police would rather like to know where he hangs out, even if this expedition doesn’t put me on the track of the men I am after.” He made his way through the water by keep- ing his hand on the plank, toward the side ‘where Prince had disappeared, and soon found that he could clamber up with little difficulty to one so agile as himself, : Dripping with the cold water into which he had so unexpectedly been plunged, he soon raised himself upon the solid plank and began | to creep cautiously forward again, ‘*T wonder how far this thing goes, anyway,” he muttered; ‘‘ there must be an end to it before 3 ven as he spoke he found it, and very unex- pectedly, too, for he butted his head sharply against something solid. So solid, that for a moment he was dazed. The plank ended there, for be could feel where a cleat had been nailed on the side of a smooth surface for the purpose of supporting it. **Tf I only had that dark-lantern for a mo- ment,” he thought, Raising himself slowly upon his feet, he began to feel about him for something to direct his succeeding movements, He soon found that by standing on tiptoe, he could just reach what seemed to be the top of the smooth wall, ‘‘They must have something to help them climb up here,” he mused. ‘ Ab! here it is!” His hand had come in contact with another cleat, which was evidently placed there to step upon in mounting to the top. ‘*?’'m bound to try it, anyway,” said Max be- ‘tween his teeth as he thought of the possibility of losing his hold and receiving another i peesmy in the water. ‘I can’t get much wetter than am now, that’s certain.” Giving a little spring upward, he grasped the top of what seemed to be a wall, or bulkhead, and then sprung one foot up, until it rested up- on the cleat. Then, slowly raising himself, be worked his hands still further ovey, until he discovered that they were resting upon a sort of wooden rail, which was evidently laid along the top of ‘the wall With one or two exertions he swung his leg over, and then cautiously drew up his body. ‘¢ This feels more like the deck of a boat than anything else,” he thought when he had reached the top, and found himself upon what seemed to be smooth flooring. ‘'Ob, fora light to burn just one moment!” In his pocket he had a metallic match-safe, and the thought struck him that perhaps the water had not penetrated into it sufficiently ‘to ii the matches, and he quickly drew it out. He knew that it was a reckless thing to do, to _ strike a match there, the flame of which might betray his presence to the men he had been fol- lowing, but in a measure, he felt that it was fully as reckless to wander about the uncertain platform in the intense darkness, when the slightest false step might precipitate him head- long into some unseen abyss from which he might not be able to extricate himself. autiously selecting one of the matches, he struck it, and much to his gratification, it burn- ed brightly. By the momentary light it gave, he saw that he was on the deck of asunkencanal-boat, which had probably been filled with rocks at the time the pier was built, and used as a part of the | -erib-foundation. The darkness seemed greater than ever when the match went out, but its light had enabled ‘ him to see enough to satisfy him as to the sur- roundings, and he seated himself upon the deck of the old boat to think. ‘*Let me see,”he mused; ‘this boat is not sunk deep enough to flood the floor of the cabin, and this man who calls himself Earl has pro- Max, having come to this conclusion, began creeping stealthily along the deck toward the stern of the sunken boat, feeling carefully in front of him at every move, 1n order that he might not strike unexpectedly against some ob- struction, the noise of which would betray him; and in the course of time he reached a point where he could feel raised woodwork before him, and he knew at once that it was the roof of the cabin. “T'll make a circuit of it,” thought the brave boy, and bs began cautiously to crawl around the raised portion. He turned the first corner, and then came to a sudden pause, for before him, on the deck, he found a little glimmer of light. It was not larger than the blade of a knife, but it proved conclusively that his conjecture had been correct, and that the men he was pur- suing were in the cabin of the old boat, Nay, more; it proved that something was open, as he had suspected, and so after the first pause of in- decision, he ees along toward the little shaft of escaping light. The operation required three or four minutes, and then he found that an inside blind, made perfectly tight, had been raised about an inch, and while he could not see gs bene through the epgure, he could bear the murmur of voices talking together in the cabin below, Stretching himself flab upon the deck, he ap- plied his ear to the little opening, and instantly discovered that he could hear perfectly well. Prince was speaking when he began to listen, ‘* Well, Kil, what do you think of it, now you are here?” “I think it is very snug and safe,” returned Graff, ‘‘only you are too infernally cautious pel Nein olding a fellow when you bring him ere, ** Not at all, my boy—that is what makes it sof Whe hat ke of?” ‘¢ Where is your company that you spoke 0 ‘* Tn the other end of the boat. Twill let them know they are wanted, and introduce you.” “How? By going out into that beastly dark place again, and risking your neck?” ‘**Oh, no! By simply pulling that wire up there. See? This place has two exits; one at each end of the boat, while the two ends are connected inside by a plank-walk under the deck. See? The boat was once filled with stones—all of it except thiscabin—and I have bear ae & cleaned out the stones from the for- ward cabin—where the mules were kept when the craft was in use—and fixed up a partition which makes it warm and comfortable. Along one side of the boat I have cleared away stones enough to make a passage from one cabin to the other, so that in case any one should succeed in following me here I could vacate this end, crawl through a port-bole in the other end onto a plank which leads off in another direction, at the end of which I would drop into the water, swim a little way, and crawl out at a point where they would not think of stationing a guard, and so escape. ‘¢That wire communicates with a little bell in the other cabin, muffled so that it cannot be heard on the deck, Whenever I have company here ‘wey have to do their snoozing in the other cabin, If I want them here J pull the wire three times, then pause and pull it twice more. If there is danger here and 1 am going to them I pull it three times only and then start. ‘* Before I call them here I want to say this much, They have been engaged ina littleaffair over in Brooklyn, regarding which I find they have lied to me. Whatever you may hear in theconversation which takes placethat surprises you, evince no surprise whatever, and we will patie over together later. Now I'll pull the bell. There followed a few moments of silence, and then Max heard Prince speak again. ** Ah, boys!’ he said, ‘tT have come to see how you were getting along, and { have brought a friend to whom I want to present you. This is Mr. Kilian Graff, of Brooklyn, nephew to a mun who was recently murdered, a certain Mr, Mordaunt, of Remsen street.” ‘Murdered?’ exclaimed a,voice, which made Max start as though he had suddenly received an electric shock, for he recognized it instantly. ‘Ves, Tom, murdered,” "went on Prince, calmly; ‘‘ shot; and the night before he was robbed of forty-five thousand dollars in cash. Think of it—forty-five—and not ten, as we heard, eh?” CHAPTER XIV. A DESPERATE MAN—‘' WE’LL SEE, WE'LL SEE!” ‘* THERE must be some mistake,” broke in a gruff voice, which Max also could bave made oath he recognized; ‘‘the newspapers and the ee always get such things too big. . Now, I appen to know the fellows who did that job, and I know that ten thousand was all that they got, so our friend here must be misinformed.” ‘* Flow is that, Kil?” asked Prince; ‘‘ are you sure about the amount?” ** Dead sure.” ‘On the contrary, you are dead wrong,” broke in the gruff voice again, and this time it was gruffer than before and trembled a little as if with anger. ‘* Did you see the money?” asked Graff, sar- castically. ‘¢ Yes, youngster, I saw it.” ‘‘ Did you count it?” ‘‘ Yes, Johnny Fresh, I counted it,” ‘‘ Ah! then perhaps you were one of the fel- lows who took it?” “Yes, I was, if you're anxious to know. I took it myself while my friend here looked on, and if you have made Prince Charlie believe that there was more than ten in the boodle, you’ve either helped to spread a false report or you have lied.” . With a loud oath Graff sprung to his feet, but the gruff voice again broke in, this time more quietly than before, 2 ‘ Sit still, sonny!” it said; ‘‘ ve got the drop on you, and I’d just as soon see you buried from this canal-boat as in a burying-ground. I don’t know who youare, nor what you have got to do with the Prince here, but if you go to tell- ing any more lies about me you'll get into trou- ble, owre young enough so that you haven’t learned all the ropes yet, Now, Prince,” and he evidently turned to that individual, ‘‘ whom do you believe, this youngster or me?” Why,” returned Prince, ‘‘ I think there is a mistake somewhere. Ill admit that I thought you had deceived me, but if you stick to it, why, of course, it’s allright. Naturally, I was inter- ested, because by agreement a quarter of it came to me,” ‘Yes; when we get ready to move out, not be- fore, Tom and I weren’t such fools as to bring the boodle here; not quite. You're a pretty de- cent sort of fellow, when you can make a dollar by decency, so let’s drop it. When we leave you’ll get your quarter of tenthousand, no more, no less, bat if you bring any more fresh young roosters like this fellow, who probably killed his uncle too late to get the boodle—” ‘“‘That’s a lie!” cried Graff, but the big man continued witbout noticing the interruption: ‘¢ By thunder, we'll bolt! Is that so, Tom?” se Certainly,” broke in that strangely peculiar voice, *‘ We have very serious reasons for not caring to meet anybody, and you, Prince, have broken your contract in bringing this youn man here and allowing him to seeus, We’ overlook it this time, but don’t bring us any more strangers.” ‘¢ No!” broke in the gruff voice, ‘‘don’t you dare to doit, for as sure as you do, I’ll kill you both; you and the one you bring.” ‘* What!” eried Prince, leaping to his feet. Then came a loud report in Max’s ear, as he pressed it to the little opening. The report of a revolver, followed by a groan, and the sound of a body falling upon the floor. *‘ Don’t you move, sonny, or I’ll send you after him,” exclaimed the gruff voice, in a rage, after the instant of silence following the report. “We're playing a desperate game, and the Prince, here, was getting dangerous, Tom cover the youngster while I see to his majesty, the prince. Better still, relieve him of his weapons first, if he’s got any. “here!” after a moment’s silence, ‘You needn’t look so scart, You've got to stay here till we let you go, but you won’t be hurt unless you bring it on yourself. What shall we do with this, Tom?” ‘¢ Chuck him overboard from the plank walk at the forward end,” suggested Tom, in rather a weak voice. ‘ f’m sorry you did it, though,” ‘‘Had to, Tom. Don’t you see that he be- lieved the yarn this fool told him# and that after I threatened him, he would have gone and given us away? we can’t afford to run any risks, now, my boy.” ‘ 3 E ‘Prince is dead,” said Max to bimself, with a shudder, ‘‘ and killed by the very man who took Mr. Mordaunt’s money. I wonder what they will do with Graff.” f A moment more answered that question for him, for he heard the voice of Tom say; ‘Graff, you have to go with us to the other end of the boat. There are some handcuffs < Mor
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is * % - se - = there tha” wecan put on you, and we'll risk your trying to travel very far under this pier with them on your wrists. You, Drake, bring the prince, and presently, when we've fixed these two, we will come back here, and talk things over.” There was a moment or two of preparation, and then Max could hear them leave the cabin, after which a dead silence reigned, What was the next move for him to make? He could not gain anything by listening fur- ther, and it seemed as though is was by far the best thing for him to do, to leave the place at once, notify the police, and have the nest raid- ed before morning. On the other hand, he felt a great desire to hear what the two men in whom he was so deeply interested might hayeto gay, when they talked ‘* things over,” as the big ove had suggested. Something of importance might come to light, which he could learn in no other way,and he felt it to be highly impor- tant that he should listen to the coming conver- sation, But how? By remaining where he was, with his ear close to the little aperture caused by the partly raised blind? Suppose they should shut t, as a means of greater caution! Then he would have ‘‘ his trouble for his pains,” and hear nothing, He took hold of the blind and moved it a lit- tle, discovering that be could easily raise it to the full hight of the little window, _ Thrusting his head through\the opening, he gazed about the little apartment. There was nothing to attract the eye, except that it looked cozy and comfortable to the boy, shivering with the cold in his wet garments, There were two bunks in the place, with a locker under a lower one, sufficiently large to have concealed a full-grown man, ; As he looked at at, he took a sudden resolu- tion—hazardous and dengerous, certainly, but the warm interior was the tempter, for his teeth were beginning to chatter so with the cold that he was afraid the noise might betray him; he resolved to drop inside through the open window, and to conceal himself in the locker where he could be much more comfortable, and at the the same time would not miss a word _ that might be said in the talk between the two That certain and sure death, like that which had befallen the luckless Prince, would be his fate were he discovered, he knew, but he hardly | gave it a thought as he let himself carefully down through the window, and stood for one brief instant in the ceuter of the little cabin, Then he made for the locker quickly. There was some bedding, a bundle or two of clothes old shoes, pieces of rope, and what-not of all descriptions in the place, but he brushed them aside, and crawled in behind, making a pillow out of one of the bundles, and hastily pulling the bedding and debris generally, over him, for the double p of keeping him warm, and of concealing him from observation should either of the two men, by chance, look in there. He succeeded in making himself we com- fortable, and long before the two burglars re- turned to the cabin he was warm and fast be- coming drowsy. Suddenly, and just as he was beginning to think that they had gone to bed at the other end of the boat, he heard the peculiar voice of Tom say: + How did these wet marks come here? They were not here when we went out.” Max’s heart almost stood still for an instant, and that simple question pal orbit his drowsi- ness effectually, for he knew that his dripping ar had left their mark upon the floor, Did they leave a trail leading to the locker where he was concealed? he asked himself, and for the first time since he had begun his career as a detective, he felt a shudder of apprehen- sion creep over bim. a ‘* Nonsense, Tom,” was the gruff rejoinder, “they must have been there.” ‘*But I say they weren’t, and look, they lead to that locker.” _ Ban! who could get in here? Trust tho Prince for not allowing bin to be shadow- , but to satisfy you, Tom, Ill examine the locker. Primce probably got wet, and poked his duds in there, but we'll see—we’ll see,” Mrsiubr b ae ae OAPI ER KV. THE UNKNOWN SCHEME—A CRITICAL SITU- ATION. Brave Max felt, when he heard the heavy steps of the tig, man approaching the place where he was den, that his time had come, He did not doubt but that he would be discoy-. ry Messenger Max. ered and dragged forth to meet with abuse and curses, and finally death and a grave in the riy- er, like the fate of Prince Charlie, ‘Poor mother!” he muttered, his thoughts flying to her instantly; ‘‘ she will never know what became of me, [ was a fool to come in here when I had heard enough.” Meanwhile the big one had reached the locker and pulled the door open, and was beginning to rummage among theeffects which Max had piled over him, ‘*T told you so,” he heard him say, suddenly, ‘here is where the wet came from,” ™ And he flung something out on the cabin- oor. It was a rubber coat—although Max did not know it—which the boy had crawled over in concealing himself, and he had left enough of the traces of his sudden bath onit to make it ap- pear as though it had been thrown in there wet and had partly dried. ‘*Prince or the youngster probably had that on to-night,” continued the giant, ‘‘ and threw itin there to get it out of the way. The idea of its being possible f.r any one to follow him here is nonsense.” ‘“ Allright,” assented Tom; ‘shut that blind down while [ kick this locker door shut, and then we’ilsmoke a couple ot his majesty’s cigars and have a pow-wow,” ‘Go it, Tommy.” ** Well, in the first place, this is our ranch now, and I think we’d better keep it, don’t out ‘*By all means! Tl by that no one but the Prince knows how to find it, and he won't come back.” ‘* How about the youngster?” ‘* Blindfolded, same as we were, sure,” ‘* What shall we do with him? let him go?” ‘**T dou’t know about that, It might not be licy, if you mean to carry out your plan of go- ng into society. He might recognize you.” * Well, what shail we do with him then?” / ‘“* Send him after the Prince.” thin No, I don’t like that; killing is not in my C) ** Well, it’s in mine! I’m not afraid of ghosts, Prince isn’t the first one I’ve done for, as you ee t I p99 ‘Yes, I know, but— “Bah'! no buts now, Tommy. We can’t risk anything at this stage of the game. The forty- five is only a mite beside the thing we're after, and nothing must stand in your way. Leave the youngster tome, I'll fix him so he won't know us, and I won’t kill him either, if you like that better.” ** What will you do?” , “Leave that to me, I say. If you don’t partie it won’t worry you. 1 don’t do things by ves. “Very well; suit yourself. But to return to the real discussion, How long ought we to re- main cooped up here!” ‘* That depends on when you want to blossom out in your new character. ** As soon as advisable.” ** Any time is safe enough now—for you, No- body will connect you, in any way with the rob- bery in Brooklyn, particularly in your new character. As for me—well, I think it will be best for me to lay by a little ag ooh I don’t believe that the police have quite forgotten me yet, and I’m so cursed big that I can’t disguise very well.” ‘* Will you make this your headquarters?” } ee vk Byer safest place 1 know.” ’ ery well, then; suppose | dress w t out to-night?” = aseitey ‘*What’s your rush?” “‘['m tired of staying here, and besides, I’m gecting uneasy.” —* ‘What about?” ** About everything,’ ; Well, fix up, and go when you have a mind to. There’s one drawback,” “What's that?” : We don’t know where in blazes we are.” i Somewhere on the J. ersey shore,” How do you know that? By the length of the ferry we crossed.” hat hotel will you go to?” ac “cc “The one we talked of before; there is no need of mentioning names.” ‘* Well, fix up, and let me look at you.” The silence which followed the last remark led Max to think that one or both of the men had left tne cabin; but that only one had gone, and that one the man Tom, became evident in a moment more, by the big man breaking out into a soliloquy regarding his absent partner in | - : | 7 “Tom is sharp and keen,” he muttered, in “t Tes | ranged himself comfortably, and p ‘I guess. Whew! blest 13 his heavy voice, ‘‘ but he’s taking chances that — I wouldn’t, aj] the same, even though he says that I am foolish to recklessness. Well, nothing. risked, nothing gained, and as he risks every- | thing, and I nothing, and yet gives me half if he succeeds, I can’t complain. He bas used me right, that is certain.” ‘I’ve a great deal of respect for Tom’s lon head and clear sightedness, but to think that he could sit quietly in bis room and work out. a scheme as deep as tiiis one is beyond me, ** Poor Mordaunt; I’m sorry some one did him. up, for we treated him badly enough in taking biscash, It was necessary, though, and a part of Tom’s scheme; in fact, his plans didn’t. amount to a row of pins without it, “fT wonder who ‘ did for’ the old fellow, Like as not the police will be just stupid enough to lay the whole thing to the burglary, though I should think any one could see that the burglars. wouldn’t be fools enough to go back the next day and kill tue man they bad robbed, after they had got all they wanted, Allee samee, John, Pll lie pretty low for a while longer. With the Prince out of the way, I’ve nobody to fear, but I never felt easy while he knew so much, ‘‘The only one who would stand ‘any chance of Seer | either of us is that messenger-boy. Asplucky little rooster he was, too. Ili risk his knowing our faces, though he might possibly — get onto the voices, But!then, he’s too young and obscure to amount to anything. The police will make a half-dozen arrests, and send for hi to do the identifying, and by-and-by, he'll imi- agine he has struck the rigbt one, and up will go aninnocent man, just as I was sent up the ‘rst time,and did three years and-a-half for being honest, ‘Talk about prisons preventing crime ;, the make more crime than they prevent, for learned all the roguery I know in those years in limbo; and when 1 came out, I left my con-— science and my love for my fellow-man behind me, because a fellow nitent as well have the | game as the name, \ **Tom is different; he’s cold-blooded. He never didanything out of the beaten path be- fore, but he takes to it as a duck takes to water, and sometbing tells me, that he will escape the consequences and that I will have to take them, “Bah! if I keeps on, I’ll get to croaking, pres- ently, and that isn’tin my line oy, more than killing is in Tom’s. That's a)l talk! I believe that he would pee me out of the way without t, if he got a good chance, for he’s inclined to a afraid of rly rr aeae “Graff has got to go under; he knows too much; but I'll keep bim here until I make a break, and then see what is best tobe done.” Silence Barn ae e Paige — houses 4 speaking, having re silent thou f and presently Max heard a snore, which fod, that he had dropped asleep, ‘If Icouldonly geta look at his face,” thought; the boy. “Ill try anyway.” With t care he removing the things: he had piled on top of him, one by one, and then, turning around, he pushed the locker door cau- tiously open a little way. Several times the snorin ment, and then went on again, proving that the: slumberer was sleeping but lightly. At length Max succeeded in getting the door in such a position that bP could thrust out his head and gaze at the sleeping man, He was half-reclining in a chair, with his head thrown back; and a massive head it was, £2 covered with a thick growth of dark hair, fast turning gray, The face was strong and fear- less and almost swarthy of complexion. The whole surmounted by broad, powerful shoulders — and a massive frame, betokening great endurs ance and strength. i ia Max gazed long and earnestly at him, ¥ ‘‘T will know you the next time I see you,” muttered the boy. ‘I wish Icould say as much H for your friend Tom, for from what I already know of him, Iimagine him to be the greater villain of the two; but he is too onutlocsat won't be able to get a look at him thistime,” The boy drew in his head, and once more ar- resently the voice of the big manexclaimed: = —— ** Hello, Tom; bac sain ceased for a mo- 3 P¥ve been asleep, would know myself if I should meet you on the stree an that rig. Why, youre a regular downright well, 4) “Drop it!” said the other, laconically, “and help me to find my way out of this Bee tly place. The boat is probably safe enovgh, and after ees pt ashore, you can return here Daylight will be on usin about two hour
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Messenger Max. I want to be over in the big tuwn by that | his bootblack’s costume, ‘‘who be you! Ye see, time.” Mister Midget—an’ moly Hoses! ain’t youa ‘When am I going to see youagain, Tom?” | midget, though! I’m a friend o’ Prince Char- “Tn about a week; say a week from to-night, / lie’s, 1 am, an’I kim here by appointment to Yl come here.” {meet him, ILcan’t find him, an’I don’t know ‘‘ How? Ill have to meet you somewhere in | you, sol wants ter hear yer name an’see yer ‘the boat.” credentials} instanter, ’r down ye go, see?’ and ‘* We will settle that when you have found a | he winked mischievously, good place to leave me, Pick up the bull’s-eye | As for the big one—well, when the boy an- and comeon, We've got alittle exploring to | nounced biniself as a friend of Prince’s, he look- | do before we get out of this.” | ed greatly relieved, because for a moment he Max felt overjoyed. Here was an oppor- | had feared that some stranger had penetrated tunity greater tian any he had dreamed of, | into the retreat so securely hidden away under The big fellow would go to take his companion , the old wharf. ashore, and thereby be compelled to leave him | \ in sole possession of the ‘‘ Nest,” which would ! my arms, and we’ll soon set things to rights. 1, ive him ample time to examine things at his | too, am a friend to the Prince.” eisure, and finally to plana way of exitas well | ‘‘No yedon’t!” ordered Max; ‘‘ keep ’em up asa way to get inagain when he should want till ye’ve proved yer status, an’ then all’s se- | | It was fully fifteen minutes before-Max heard footsteps over his head again, but at last they sounded on the deck, and the boy knew that Tom was coming back with the giant in order to a Sapte himself that the strange boy was all right. ' ** Now T’ll have a chance to see him,” mut- tered Max, but he was disappointed, for when they stocd before him, the one called Tom was completely enveloped in the great-coat, the collar being pulled up around his ears, while his face was concealed by a huge beard which Max instantly knew to.be false, *‘Ever cautious,” tuought the young detec- ‘*See here, sonny,” he said, ‘‘ just let me drop | tive, as Tom began to ply him with questions which he answered readily enough, being pre- pared for what was coming. He succeeded in satisfying them both so well that in a few minutes the trio set out to make to, without the necessity of taking the long rene; but ef ye can’t satisfy me thet w’at ye | their way to the boat, boat-ride, He saw before him no reason why | say’s true, I'll blow yer brains out, sure’s my The fallen plank was raised without much he could not speedily bring the men to justice | name’s— Butsay! go on—I ain’t heerd yourn | trouble, a rope being found near at hand by who had robbed the late five thousand dollars. “One week from to-night,’ he thought, **they will both be here, That is my time for their capture, and it r. Mordauntof forty- | yet.” ; ‘* My name,” said the giant, frowning a little | at being obliged to keep his arms in their un- | | | means of which it could be hauled up into place, as Max had surmised. In a very. short time they were out upon the comfortable position over his head; ‘‘ well, if | river, where it did not take the brave lad more ves me plenty of op- | you are one of the Prince’s friends, sonny, you | than a moment to get his bearings, for he was ortunity os B the little surprise-party | will know me when I give it; myname is Pigmy | perfectly familiar with the myriad of lights os them, be on hand, gentlemen, never | Ben,” ear, e The two men hastily completed their prepara- tions, and left the cabin en route for the boat. Max had heard just enough to make him very anxious to know what scheme the fellow Tom | boy was an impostor he would pretend to im- Was playing, but nothing had peen said which | mediately recognize the name. would give him any clew, and he was obliged | But Max was not to be so easily caught. to trust entirely to their engagement to meet a He shook his head solemnly and replied: week hence, to capture them, ‘*No—I ain’t never heard yer name afore, He waited for some time in his place of con- | Mister Pigmy; go on!” cealment before venturing out, but finally, feel- | ‘* Goon with what?” ing assured that they had had sufficient time in | Wid th’ credentials.” which to reach the boat and embark, hecrawled | *¢ What do you wish to know?’ out into the cabin. ‘* How ye got here, and so forth,” He had forgotten entirely the impediment to their progress, which they would meet with in the shape of the displaced plank. F Without hesitation, he began cigs ry | about the cabin in search of soy cing he coul find of pipes and had just t door of a cupboard in which were several pack- ages of papers, when he heard the tread of | the Prince, we were just trying to find our to draw him into a trap, for he gave .a name for me, came in a boat with the Prince. pilot us out, but he hasn’t shown up, and we’ve e turned in haste to dive into the locker once that pistol, because that’s all I can tell you.” — more, but was too late, for at that instant the | Jheavy hurrying feet on the deck over his head, | way out without him. Now, youngster, drop | ‘‘That’s enough,” said , lowering the | meet me here at one o’c which glisten over the dark water during the. In thus answering Max, the big man intended night. t was almost morning, but darkness would which he knew that Charley Prince had never | last long enough for the boat to return to its heard applied to pin and he thought if the | hidden moorings before dawn, if they made haste. That they did, and presently, more by acci- dent than design, Max had guided them to the very pier from which they had embarked ont ier in the night, hidden in the locker of the oat. ‘* Here we are!” he said, ‘‘an’ now ye’d better “s me show ye the way to the ferry, Mister om, ** No, I don’t need you,” replied Tom, ‘‘ You **T, and a friend, who is now outside vere stay here in the boat until I’m out of sight.” ur ‘ eyes were bandaged, and we don’t know where | say, boss. Hold on till 1 ketch hold of this pile weare. The Prince was to come to-night and | an’ stiddy the boat.” All right—ef ye don’t need me; jest es you He did not catch hold of the pile, but with rown open the ! got to go—at least my friend has—and being | one quick leap he sprung from the boat to the afraid that something has happened to detain | dock. “Tm late, so I'll skip along, seein’ ye don’t need me,” he said, lightly, ‘*So-long, gents. I'll see you to-morrow nig t, Midget, if you'll lock,” and before either sliding hatch was thrown back, and the lower | hammer of his weapon and dropping it into his | of them could answer, he had darted tway and pare of a man’s figure appeared on the steps in | der to appear. ing, when Max spo arm which had already taken one life that those great _ the boy so easily, were raised over the big man’s he act of descending. The boy detective looked about him hastily for a placo of concealment, but in vain, With a feeling of desperation in his heart, he _ drew his revolver, raised the hammer and wait- | ed for the comer to i ag He had no doubt but that it was the giant, and he realized that he was in a critical situa- tion. CHAPTER XVI. | ‘*HOLD UP YER HANDS!” TuE instant that Max realized the danger he ‘was in, he prepared himself for it as coolly as a that he was,in fact, cornered, and must face the music, whatever the consequences, and accordingly, with his revolver in readiness, he waited for the man who was descending the lad- It was but an instant, for with one last spring, the giant—for it was he—landed upon the floor Throw up your hands, or you’re a dead man!” he said shortly, and in a sharp tone, Like a tiger the big ruffian wheeled, his hand at the same instant Parpey Teatro J toward the pocket where he carried his pistol—the same night, Hands up!” ordered Max sternly. ‘‘ If you eatenant to draw, I'll kill you! Hands up, I sa Btowly, reluctantly, but nevertheless surely, hands which could have crushed j “That's right, stranger,” commented Max; oe Tm glad to see that you've got sense.” ‘Who are you! emanded the big ou?” oe fellow, noticing wi surprise that it was a va ter show ye the way out, why, I; & oo a a be i Sele ar ae : Viet ke eS Y + Se SURES Pe ae pny Pa eter ce ee aR) Oe Sy ee : rib bey degra ty See Gishad? Lacan's Sulhcas et eee ket. ‘‘ Ye kin send up a message fur yer | was lost in the darkness. ade ter come down now, an’ef ye want me : CHAPTER XVII. do it, an’ ‘“THAT IS THE MAN!” ss o are you boy? I never heard the Max had formed a perfectly correct idea in Prince speak of you.” ) regard to the intention of the big man, for Pig- ‘* Mebby not—he ain’t much given ter blab- | my Ben—as he bad dubbed himself—bad intend- bin’, I answer ter ’most any name. Pete’s | ed to seize and hold the oe take him back commonest, an’ Lobster’s next, ’cos my hair’s | to the sunken boat beneath the old wharf and about the color of a b’iled lobster.” keep him there until such time as his own plans ** You say you can pilot us out?” would permit him to go at hberty again. **T kin,” _ Tbe quick and unexpected move made by the ‘* Where to?” boy detective, bad, however, frustrated this **To the ferry, ef ye want ter go there. h a curse or two at his friend’s over New York, ef thet don’t suit,” don’t ye forgit it.” practiced veteran of the regular detective force; ‘* What ferry?” to do, now that the boy had escaped * might have done. ** Hoboken,’ They were svill sitting in the boat, as it was e knew that flight was outof the question; Ye kin take ver bearin’s as we go out so’s ye kin | where he had left the boat, feeling that it was of the cabin. ; git back O, K., an’ to-morrer night I'll come | very necessary for him to hear what they might [ He had scarcely Gatvared himself, after alight- *in, ’cos I’ve got ter see the Prince,” a on parting. the re, ‘* All right, boy, T’ll chance it, Wait here for t was fortunate that he did so, for, had he till I whistle I’ve got to tell my friend about you.” question, yy Eyl **No whistlin’! ‘*Oh, the kid is Hight enong lyr sen the giant; ‘The giant nodded and then went hastily up the as ve lad, exul both fall into my bs Aeon fliesdntoa sugar-bar- him rightly, he'll grab me and bring me back | ting back, or daylight catch you, I of here with bin whath Suing a. i eure. ie Bic pd Be. feos daa ay hey whether on to pe or not,’ ia age a week ae: meet he nasyie Pllcome Ba. w,” answered | if he gets the chance, ess : morrow night, an e mean time Max, who—it will be remembered—was still in | give tiem the slip.” oy ‘spe ees recent bon think it over.” ay fried ; baw st) gata L AP A eer ree is. ane
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row awa) Messenger Max. © All right! What time?” “Tl wo,’ ** Good—Tll be here with the boat. now !” With a bound, Tom alighted on the wharf, barely giving Max time to spring behind a pile of planking near at hand, } ut Tom evidently felt secure, for he did not take the trouble to so muchas look around him, as he hastened toward the dark street at theend Light out, f the pier. ‘‘7}] just follow you long enough to see where you put up, my covey,” muttered the boy, as he stole along behind him, ‘‘and then I think I'l have my hands full it I get the little surprise party that I have planned ready in time.” We will not go into the details of this shadow- ing process, during which Max never once lost sight of the man he was following. Suffice it to say that he finally ran him to earth in one of the most fashionable New York hotels, The young detective waited outside until he | was sure that Tom had been conducted to his room, and then he ran into the hotel office ap- parently in very great haste. ~ Rushing up to the office desk and standing be- fore the registry-book, which was still open, he breathlessly asked ‘the clerk on duty if a Mr, Morrison had arrived therefrom the Grand Cen- tral Depot during the night. ‘‘ No,” said the clerk, shortly. — ‘“Then he'll come this morning,” returned Max. ‘Tell him that Mr. Wright wants to see him as early as possible at his office,” and with- out waiting for a reply, he turned and darted away again, this time making straight for Brooklyn. ‘ . He had seen all he wished to; that is, the last entry on the registry-book of the hotel, and the name he read was: ‘¢ MORTIMER DEAN STANLEY,” The night was dark and threatening, a storm having been brewing all day, and it was just be- ginning to manifest itself in little spiteful gust of rain-filled wind when ten men, headed by a youth in the b of a messenger-boy, made their way slowly toward the end of a Brooklyn wharf. There a tugboat having two rowboats in tow, was waiting for them, and they lost no time in boarding her, and were soon steaming toward the Battery. It was just one o’clock when they arrived at a, point in the North River near an old pier jut- ting far out into the water. : ‘That is the one,” said the youth, who was in the tug’s bow with two of the men, ‘ Now use our night-glasses for all they are worth, and y-and-by you will see a boat with one occupant from tae pier toward the north. When you do, give me the glass for an instant, and if the ya man is in the boat, I'll know it by his size; r that we'll have to act quickly,” Then silence reigned, and minutes ticked ae away. It lacked but twenty minutes to two when the officer with the glasses turned to Max, and said: ‘¢' There is the boat.” Seizing the glass, the youth applied it to his eye. A moment’s gaze satisfied him. “Ts all right,” he said; ‘‘that is the man, and we must lose no time,” f Tke boats which were towing astern of the tug were hastily hauled forward, and silently the ten men and the youth embarked in them. A few moments bin took them to the pier, where Max had no difficulty in finding the spot where he had made his exit the night before. As soon as the plank walk which Prince had constructed was reached, eight of the men fol- lowed our hero over its narrow surface, while the other two rowed the boats back to the tug, which still patiently waited out in the river. Guided by Max, the sturdy officers soon pa the old canal-boat and passed into the cabin. From there, two of them, accompanied by Max, went through the narrow passage to the other end of the boat, where they found Kilian Graff, tightly bound, but stillalive. — He was released and taken back to the main cabin, where he was told to craw] into the locker so lately occupied by Max, and wait until he was told to come out. Then the eight men, shutting their lantern slides, arranged themselves around the little cabin, and waited. a A : At last, and hat a the suspense was becoming almost unbearable, footsteps sounded on the deck overhead. — #3 ; In a moment more the sliding-hatch was thrown back, and they could hear some one descending the ladder. ** Allright, Tom,” said a gruff voice. ‘‘ Come on, Throw the light on the ladder so that you can see your way. Thena slender streak of bright lighé fell up- on the ladder from the pero disappearing almost instantly, and followed by the sound of another person descending. ‘* There!” said the gruff voice, ‘* now give me | the bull’s-eye, while I find a better light witbit.” There was an instant of total silence, which was suddenly broken by a sharp click, and then, as if impelled by a single spring, eight lantern-slides flew back, and eight streams of brilliant light fell full upon the two figures which had but just descended the ladder, ‘* Hands up!” came the stern order at the same instant. ‘‘ The first one who moves is a dead man!” Completely taken by surprise, the two men for a moment remained motionless, staring and speechless, Big Ben was the first to recover, and then realizing that they were caged, he made one wild dash for liberty. It was a. novel attempt, and nearly succeeded, He seized his frien Tom, and hurled him with all his strength—and it was gigantic—to- ward the officers, and at the same instant made a wild leap fcr tho Jadder, i But there was a flash and a ringing report, and he fell back on the cabin floor moaning and helpless. CHAPTER XVIII, CONCLUSION, THE lamps in the cabin were lighted. Tom was lying in one corner, tightly bound, while Kilian Graff was stretched upon one of the bunks, alsobound. | Upon a mattress in the center of the floor rested the form of Big Ben. He was breathing heavily and still conscious, although it was plainly to be seen that he was dying. .At his side were Max and two of the officers, one of whom was eager? in rapidly writing down the last words ot the dying man, ‘‘My name is Walter Percy,’ nesaid, gasping- ly, and sometimes with long pauses between his words, ‘and my companion is Thomas Beck- with. This boy, who has tracked us down, is the same one we sent as & messenger to Mr. ' Mordaunt the night we robbed him. Iam sorry that the old man was murdered, and don’t know who did it.” ‘Can you answer a few questions?” asked ax. + Yes,” : “*‘ Who 1s Mortimer Dean Stanley?” y ‘© A young Englishman, and cousin to Mor- daunt. He was very wealthy. Tom used to be a servant to Mordaunt, and, while there, stole a lot of Stanley’s letters to the old man. The Englishman came here for a visit, two years ago, avd was lost while yachting—drowned. Tom had gone out with him, as half-valet, hal?- companipp. The yacht was capsized and Tom managed toswim ashore, Stanley was drown- ed. ‘Tom resolved to play a deep game, ‘*He wrote to England, imitating Stanley's handwriting, and also to Mordaunt, saying that he had escaped, but that the servant, Tom, was lost. Then he waited, and finally took me into his confidence, Heresembled Stanleysufficient- ly to s himself off for him, dressed in his clothes, but needed money, His plan was to go to the bank where Stanley did business, make a large deposit in his name, say that he had been sick with rheumatism, to account for his slight difference in appearance or in the signature, and thus finally become possessed of all of Stan- ley’s immense fortune, I guess the plan would have worked, but for the messenger-boy.” - **You do not know who killed Mr. Mordaunt, then?” “No, Ido not,” **Could it have been Tom?” ‘**No, for he was here with me. I—can't— talk, any more—I—am—dy— ing.” Gradually his limbs stiffened, and in a mo- ment more the once powerful man was a mo- tionless corpse upon the cabin floor, Then the officers took their prisoners, and after gathering up whatever they could find of interest in the Nest, they signaled to the tug, | and were taken to Brooklyn. But a few words more, and the story is told. For a longtime the mystery surrounding Mr. Mordaunt’s death remained unrevealed, but at last it was solved. I It will be remembered that the father of em AY te y Deny Sce f Totem (ey. Heat baht os cat aie a ee a et SPST AT ears a, 5 ke a Be 7 - a eee Kilian Graff was a lunatic, confined in an asylum. t transpired that he had effected his escape, and, as those who have Jost their reasoning faculties are the most dangerous toward their best friends, he had turned his steps toward the house of bis brother-in-law, and had killed him, It was not until the maniac was found nearly frozen in the street, and taken to a stalion- house, that his escape was known, and the story of his crime brought to light. Kilian Graff, against whom no charge was made, dieanpanred very shortly after he was rescued from the sunken canal-boat, and no one knew where he had gone. As for our young friend, Maxwell Merry, he remained in Brooklyn, \ Notwithstandirg the fact tbat Mr. Mor- daunt’s will had made him independent, he per- severed in following the advice given him by the kind old man—that of keeping a nese and laying something beside it oer po? while that something was constantly employed in re- lieving want and doing good among the thou- sands of boys who have to scrape for them- selves through the temptations of a great city, and he was never so happy as when some such endeavor bore the wisbed-for fruit. THE END. NEXT HALF-DIME, No. 842, Is a new ‘Dick Doom"? Romance that everybody will be glad to read, viz:— The Actor Detective in Chicago; ‘DICK DOOM’S FLUSH HAND, BY COL, PRENTISS INGRAHAM, A very strange affair—a lovely girl, dead in a trunk; trunk sent to actor’s room as his own, then the ghastly disclosure and the oath to unravel the mystery of the tragedy, in which the actor and Dick Doom and Nick Norcross play sransiing parts. Who was the beautiful dead one; why she was ‘done away with;’’ the fate of the hapless girl’s actress sister; the astounding facts as to Nick Nor- cross himself—all this constitutes a story that once read will not soon be forgotten. - It is one of the best of the now Noted Dick Doom Novels. BEADLE’S HALF-DIME LIBRARY. MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Horse Hunters, By Capt. Mayne Reid and Pe BO at oye ys - h dventures o aron Munchausen. 12 Gulliver's Truvele., By Dean nowitt, 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp. 16 Robinson Orusoe, (27 [lustrations,) i 18 Sindbad the Sailor. Fis Seven MES ary 22 19 Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crueoe. By Juan wit, 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribees, By 8S, W. Pierce. 86 The Boy Clown; or, The Queen of the Arena, By Frank . Finn. 88 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 51 The Boy Rives; “a The Underground Camp. By Archie :, Irons, 95 Fre Rival Rovera; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi. By Lieut.-Col, Hazeltine. 98 Robin Hood, the Outlawed Ear); or, The Merry Men of Green- wood. By Prof, Gildersleeve. ’ 15 j \ 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive, By Captain Hamilton Holmes. : 112 The Mad lt or, The Cave of Death, By Burton Saxe. 124 Tippy, the Texan} or, The Young Champion, By George 128 The Youn Privateer; or, The Pirate's Stronghold, By 148 Sharp Samy or, The Adventures of a Friendless Boy, By J, * : ht the New York Boy. By @, 1. Atken. 261 Fergna F the ou de; an Davy Crockett's Crooked ‘Trall. dD, W n ne. 828 The Sky Detectives or, A Boy's Fight for Life and Honor, ~ By Maior Mickey Free. ate: 850 Red Ralph, the aver Rover} or, The Brother’s Re- y a . ] nge. By Ne en the Bootblack Detective. By A, P, Morris, ve S65 Baltimore omy or, Ben’s Double Match. By George Hy 874 Gold-Dust 4 876 California Joe's First Tratl, By Colonel Thomas i} Hoyer Monastery. Rombsahell, the Cliff Climber, By F. S, Winthrop. are Billy Hom) Ship. B Warner, . y John x ae SN 454 Comanche Dick and His Three Invinelbles, By Fy. Henry J. Thomas, 528 Wizard-Arm the Dandy Sport, in Arthur F, Holt, BBY The Cowbe Duke, BY avin Brooke Fornéat 585 A New Iasue Every Tuesday. “Dim rar for Piecge apn or oo Libra Hf padi six conte each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, = 98 William Street, New Yorks | ole by all newsdealers, five a fom A it ‘
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BEADLE'’S« H ALF- DIME«[ IBRARY. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novela. Dick, the Prince of the Road, Dick’s Deflance; or, Double Daggers. dw 3 in itewulees ors Buffal. Ben ek in a OCaatle. Dick’sa Bonanzay or, The Phantom Miner. Dick in Danger; or, Omana OIL Dick’s Engles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. Pick on Decks or, Calamity 4 ne, the Heroine Diek’s Last Aeti or, Corduroy Charije. Dick in Leadville, dpa “es lee; or, The Double Cross Sign. ck as Detective. Dick’s Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bill. Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold. Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party. Dick’s Dreamy or, The Rivals of the Road, Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. Pick’« Doom: or, Calamity Jane’s Adventure. Dick’s Dead Deal. Dick’s Death-Plant, Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Tougha, pieke piv ieee oT, 1 Spirit of Swamp Lake. ek’s Death Trall. Dick’s« Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. Dick’sa Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats Dick’s Ducata; or, Days in the Diggings. pete - arecemnal or, The Terrible Vendetta, ek’a Claim, . Dick in Dead City. Dick’s Diamonda, Dick in New Yorks or, A “Cute Case,” Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand. Dick, Jr; or, The Crimson Crescent Sign, Dick, Jr.’a, Deflance. Dick, Jr.’a Full Hand, Big Round-Up. Racket at Claim 19, Corral; or, Boreman Bill. Dick, Jr.’ Dog Detective, Dick. Jr., in Deadwood, Dick, Jr.’«, Compact. Dick, Jr.'s, Inheritance, Dick, Jr.’a, Diggtnga. Dick, Jr.’«, Deliverance. Dick, Jr.'s, Protegee. Dick, Jr.'s, Three. Dick, dr.’s, Danger Ducka, Dick, Jr.’ Death Hunt, Dick, Jr., in Texaa, Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidoeg Diek, Jr., on Mia Mettle. Dick, Jr., in Gotham, Dick, Jr., in Boaton, my ore - De adsiphia. ck, Jr., in _ Chicago, Dick. Jr., Afloat. 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver. 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Decree. 595 Deadwood Dick Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin, +44 Poaaweed Bisk> or at Cone Ig om ecadwood ek, Jr.’a, Leadville Lay. 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit. <) 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Cincinuati. 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada, 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In No Man’s Land, 686 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer, 642 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Buffalo, 648 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Chase Across the Continent 654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. 1 Deadwood 20 Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Dendwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood 100 Deadwood 104 Deadwood 109 Deadwood 129 Deadwood 188 Deadwood 9 Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood 205 Deadwood 7 Deadwood Deadwood Gold-Duat Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood 862 Deadwood 405 Deadwood 410 Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Dendwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood ASI Deadwood 491 Deadwood 496 Deadwood 500 Deadwood 508 Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood 54 Deadwood 561 Deadwood 567 Deadwood 572 Deadwood 578 Deadwood 660 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Inaurance Case. 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Minea. 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., ta Durango; or, “ Gathered In.” Jr.’a, Discovery; or, Found a Fortune. Jr.'s. Dazzle. Jr.’« Dollars, 678 Deadwood 684 Deadwood 690 Deadwood 695 Deadwood Jr., at Danger Divide. 700 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Drop. T04 tag gabe | Dick, gees at P sag taco end wood r.y In San Francisco, Deadwood Ira, Still Hunt. penerees Jr.’h, 5 pgene og eadwood agulac, peed woud Double Deal. endwo eathwatch, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Doublet. Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Deathblow. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Desperate Strait. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Lone Hand, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Deteat. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Resurrection, Dendwood Dick, Jr.’« Dark Daya, Deadwood Dick, Jr., Detled, Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Double Device, peed woed meee a om Pesperare, Y Alan. endwooc ck, drs’, amon Ce. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Royal Flush. Deadwood Dick,’ Jr.'s, Head-olf, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’», Rival. Deadwood Dick,' Jr.’«, Boom. Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Scoop, BY WM. G,. PATTEN, Violet Vane, the Velvet Sport; or, The Inbilee of Jacktown, Violet Vane’« Victory; or, The Jasper City Clean Out, Violet and Datay, the Posy Pards, Violet Vane’s Vow; or, The Crafty Detective’s Craft. 224 Violet Vane’«s Vengeance; or, The Wipe-Ont. 780 Violet Vane’s Verdiet; or, The Game at Coffin City. VAL Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidoeq; or, Sport va. Sport. ®bO Violet Vane, the Vanquished; or, The Lite Strugg'e, 768 Violet Vane’a Vision; or, The Fiery Hand of Fate. 485% The Diamond Sport; or, The Double Face of Bed Rock, 519 Captain Myatery ; or, Five in One, 681 Dates? ware the Sport from Denver. BST Old Bombshell, the Ranger Detective. 604 Tron Fern, the Man of Fire; or, Among the Vultures. 619 The Roy Tramp Detectives or, The Doudie Grip Witness 641 Diamal DPave’« Dandy Pard; or, The Clue to Capt, Claw 651 Bound Boy Frank, the Young Amateur Detective 682 Wild Vulean, the Lone-Range Rider, 714 Old Misery the Man from Missourl. 774 Clear-Grit Cal, the Never Say-Die Detective. 739 Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special, 806 Cowboy Steve the Ranch Mascot. 820 Nobby Nat, the Tenderfoot Detective. BY COL. A, F, MOLT. 817 Wideawake. the Train-boy Defective. 811 Headlight Harry’s Flyer; or, Duke Derby. 678 Rewdtent Harry’s Hazard; or, The Lightning Express wtective. 691 Weadlight Harry’s Haul; or, The Railroad Pards, 727 Headlight Harry’s Siren; or, Mad Madge. 569 Headlight Harry’« Heritage. 94 Headlight Harry’s Hunts or, The Cache of Gold. 0% Black Ruckakin; or, The Masked Men of Death Canyon, 19 Kenneth, the Knife-King; or, The Doomed Six. 485 Littie Lightfoot, the Pilot of the Woods. GRE The Dandy Sport; or, The King Pin Conspirator, Other Novela by E. L. Wheeler. 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight 84 Rosebud Rob on Mand; or, Idy!, the Girl Miner. 88 Rosebud Rob's Reappearance; or, Photograph Phil. 121 Rosebud Rob's Challenge; or, Cinnamon Chip. 77 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen; or, The Yankee’s Surround 281 Denver Doll’« Victory; or, Skull and Crossbones, 2565 Denver Doll’« Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza, 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or, The Road Queen. 868 Vreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer; or, The Life Lottery, 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize; or, The Wolves of Wake-Up. ' 885 Yreka JJm’s Joker; or, The Rivals of Red Nose. Yreka Jim’s New Role; or, Bicycle Ben, Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective; or, Dot Leetle Game, Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret; or, A Sister’s Devotion. Sierra Sams Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, Sierra Sawm’s Pard3 or, The Ange! of Big Vista, Sierra Sam’s Seven or, The Stolen Bride, Kangaroe Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner. Kangaroo Kfit’« Racket; or, The Pride of Played-Out, Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 69 The Boy Detective; or, Guid Rifle, the Sharpehooter, 96 Watch-Eye, the Detective; or, Arabs and Angels, 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 145 Captain Ferret, the New York Detective, 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Gir) Detective. 226 The Arab Detective j or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp. 291 Turk, the Boy Ferret. B25 Keliey, Mickey & Co.,, the Detectives of Philadelphia, 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Detective. 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High Mat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, 426 Sam Slabsaidea, the Beggar-Boy Detective, 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives, 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures, 82 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot, 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team. 92 Canada Chet; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’e Camp, 118 Jack Hoyle the Young Speculator. 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner; or, Madam Mystery, the Forger. 188 Boss Kob the King of Bootblacka 141 Solid 8am, the Boy Road-Agent; or, The Branded Browa, 177 Nubby Nick of Nevaday or, The Sierras Scampa. 181 Wild Frank the Buckskin Bravo; or, Lady Lily’s Love, 286 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado; or, Rowdy Kate. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator; or, The Locked Valley, 278 Jumbo Joe, the Koy Patrol: or. The Rival Heirs. 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 808 ’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. 880 Little Quick-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Daggersville, B58 First-Class Fred, the Gent from Gopher, 878 Nabob Ned; or, The Secret of Slab City. BS2 Cool Kit, the Kicg of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher; or, A Son’s Vengeance, 486 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkler; or The Tribunal of Ten, BY J. ©. COWDRICK, Broadway Billy Novela. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. 614 Broadway Billy’« Boodle; or, Clearing a Strange Case, 586 Broadway Billy’s ‘ Difikiity.” 557 Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. 579 Broadway Billy’s Surprise Party. 605 Broadway Billy; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning. 628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Acts or, The League of Seven. 669 Broadway Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack in Frisco. 675 Broadway Billy’s Beats or, Beating San Francisco's Finest. 687 Broadway Billy in Clover. 696 Broadway Billy in Texas; or, The River Rustlers, 708 Broadway Billy’s Brand. 711 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe; or, The Clever Deal. 720 Broadway Billy’« Full Hand; or, The Gamin Detective. 785 Broadway Bllly’s Business. 788 Broadway Billy’a Curtous Case, 758 Broadway Billy tn Denver. 762 Broadway Billy’s Bargain; or, The Three Detectives, 769 Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective, 775 Broadway Billy’« Shadow Chase. 788 Broadway Billy’s Beagles; or, The Trio’s Quest. 786 Broadway Billy’« Teams or, The Combine’s Big Pull. 790 Broadway Billy’s Brigade; or, The Dead Alive. 796 Broadway Billy’s Queer Bequest, 800 Broadway Billy Baffled. 805 Broadway Blilly’s Signal Scoop. 810 Broadway RBilly’s Wipe Out, 815 Broadway Billy’s Bank Racket. 821 Brondway Billy’s Bluff, 826 Broadway Billy Among Jersey Thuga. 860 Rilver-Mask, the Man of Mystery; or, The Golden Keys, 869 Shasta, the Gold Kings or, For Seven Years Dead. 420 The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a Name, 424 Cibuta Jonny or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar. 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scont, 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude 506 Redlight Ralph_ the Prince of the Road. 524 The Enginecr Detective; or, Redlight Ralph’s Resolve, 548 Mart, the Nicht Express Detective. 571 Alr-Line Luke the Young Engineer; or, The Double Case. 592 The Boy Pinkerton; or, Running the Rascals Out, 615 Fighting Marry the Chief of Chained Cyclone, 640 Bareback Reth, the Centanr of the Circle. 647 Typewrlter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward, 659 Moonlight Morgiun, the “ Pizenest ”’ Man of Ante Bas, RY LIEUT, A. K. SIMS, 589 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 822 Tom-Cat’ Trind; or, The Affair at Tombstone. 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Tusk; or, The Cowboy Detective. 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph; or, Bleck Dan’s Great Combine 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock; or, Joah’s Ten Strike. 568 The Dandy of Dodge; or, Rustling for Millions. 5h76 The Silver Sporty; or, Josh Peppermint’s Jubilee. 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 601 Happy Hana, the Dutch Videcg: or, Hot Times at Round-Up 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 646 Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank, 665 Jolly Jeremiahs the Plains Detective, 676 Sienal Sam, the Lookout Scout. 689 Billy, the Gypsy Spy: or, The Mystery of Two Lives, 699 Straple Sim, the Broncho Buster; or, For Big Stakes. T12 The Meamerlat Sport; or, The Mystified Detective. 288 Toltee Tom, the Mad Prospector, 745 Kanaaa Jim, the Cuooss-Cut Detective. 761 Marmaduke, the Mostanger Detective. 778 The Rustler of Rolling Stone. 735 Lone Hand Jee, the Committee of One. 801 Kent Kirby, the High-Kicker from Killbuck. BY BUFFALO BILL (lon. Wm, F. Cody) 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy? or, The. Pilot of the Prairie. 55 Peadly-Eye. the Unknown Scout; or, The Banded Brotherhood 68 Rorder Robin Hood; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust, ee 772 Dick Doom’s Death-Grip; or, The Detective by Destiny. 777 Dick Doom’s Destiny}; or, The River Blackleg’s Terror, 7S4 Dick Doom; or, ‘the Sharps and Sharks of New York, TSS Dick Doom in Bostony or, A Man of Many Masks. 798 Dick Doom in Chicago. 798 Dick Doom in the Wild West. 808 SOS 818 819 S29 TA9 756 760 766 Dick D *« Clean Sweep; or, Five Links in a Clue. Dick Doom’s Death Clue, Dick Doom’s Diamond Deal. Dick Doom’s Girl Mascot. Dick Doom’s Shadow Hunt. Dashing Charlie; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trali. Dashing Charlie's Destiny; or, The Renegade’s Captive. Dashing Charlie’« Pawnee Pard, Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer. Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 7 Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive. Buck Taylor's Boys; or, The Red Riders of the Rio Grande: Pawnee BIll, the Prairie Shadower. Pay Bill; or, Carl, the Mad Cowboy. Pawnee Bill's Pledge; or, The Cowboy's Doon, Pawnee Bill; or, Daring Dick, ; Redfern’s Curlous Case; a The Rival Sharpe. Redfern at Devil's Ranchi jr, The Sharp from Texas, Redtern’s High Hand; or, Bine Jacket. Redfern’s Last Trail; or, The Red Sombrero Rangers. Red Ralph’s Ruse; or, The Buccaneer Midshipman. Red Ralph’s Bold Game; or, The Wizard Sailor. Red Ralph, the Shadower; or, The Freebooter’s Legacy, 644 Butterfly Billy’s Disguise, 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Express Rider, 656 Butterfly Billy’s Man Hunt, 662 Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza. 565 Kent Kingdon; or, The Owls of the Overland. 570 Kent Kingdon’s Shadower ; or. the Card Queen 575 Kent Kingdon’s Duel; or, The Surgeon Scout, 586 Kent Kingdon’s Doom; or, The Buckskin Avenger: 545 Lafitte Run Down; or, The Buccaneers of Barrataria, 5650 Lafitte’« Legacy; or. The Avenging Son. 555 Lafitte’s Confession; or, The Creole Corsair, 520 Buckakin Bill, the Comanche Shadow. 5625 The Buckskin Brothers in Texas. 530 The Buckskin Bowers; or. The Cowboy Pirates. 5685 The Kuckskin Rovers; or, The Prairie Fugitive. 540 The Buckskin Pardes’ Quest; or, Captain Ku-Klax, 508 The Royal Middy 3 or, The Shark and the Sea Cat. 5607 The Royal Middy’s Luck; or, The Huntea Midshipmany, 611 The Royal Middy’s Foe. 450 Wizard Will; or, The Boy Ferret or New York. 454 Wizard Will’s Street Scouta, 474 Wizard WIHll’s Pard; or, Flora, the Flower Girl. 488 Wizard Will's Last Case; or, The Ferrets Afloat. 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 Duncan Dare’a Plots or, A Cabin Boy’s Luck. 487 Duncan Dare’s Prize; or, The Sea Raider 441 Duncan Dare’s Secret; or, The Ocean Firefly. 402 Iaodor, the Young Cons«pirator; or, The Fatal League; 407 Isodor'’s Double Chase; or, The Boy Insurgent. 412 Isodor’s War-Cloud Cruise; or, The Wild Yachtaman, Rison BUll, the Prince of the Reins. Bison BILI’'s Clue; or, Grit, the Bray 804 Dead Shot Dandy’s« Dilemma, B08 Dead Shot Dandy’s Double; or, Keno Kit. 814 Dead Shot Dandy’s Deflancey or, The Koy Bugler. 607 Dead Shot Dandy’s Chicf; or, The River Detective, 245 Merle Monte’s Leap for Life. 250 Merle Monte’a Mutiny : or. Brandt, the Buccaneer. 264 Merle Monte’« Treasure Ieland. 269 Merle Monte the Condemned. 276 Merle Monte’s Crulse; or, * The Gold Ship ” Chase 250 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, The Pirate's Pride, 284 Merle Monte’s Pledges or. The Sea Marauder. 197 The Kid Glove Sport; or, Little Grit, the Wild Rider, 204 The Kid Glove Sport’s Doom; or, Buffalo Bill, tt Pony Express Rider. 825 Marlo, the Cowboy Coaster, 781 Ruth Redmond, the Girl Shadower. 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag. 617 Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scout. 602 The Vagabond ofthe Mines, 697 The Texan Detective; or, The Black Bravos. 591 Delmonte, the Young Sea-Rover; or, The Avenging Sailor. 580 The Outcast Cadets or, The False Detective, 495 Arizona Joe; or, The Boy Pard of Texas Jaok. A487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster; or, Pirate in Spite. 462 The Sailor Boy Wanderer; or, The Born Guide. 446 Waphazard Harry: or, The Sea Scapegrace. 898 The Red Olasped Hands; or, The Boy Lientenant, B87 Warpath Will, the Traitor Guide. 888 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island. 877 Bonodel, the Boy Rover; or, The Flagless Schooner. 287 Hilly Blue-Eyes; of the Rio Grande. 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 220 Crimaon Kate, the Gir) Trailer; or, The Cowboy’s Triumy 116 The Hussar Captain: or, The Hermit of Hell Gate. 111 The Sen-Devil; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Smuggier; or, The Cruise of the Vix 75 The Boy Duellats or, The Cruise of the Sea-Woll. 62 The Shadow Ship; or, The Rival Lieutenants. 24 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone. 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccan-er; or, The Fugitive Yacht. 7 The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Outcast, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 880 The Grim Lodgers In Rag Alley; or, Citizen R; of Number Seven. “By Ben D. Halliday, 881 The Chicago Draummer’s Deal. By J. G, Bethure. 882 The Doctor Detective in Texas, By Lieut. A. K. SI S88 Broadway Billy’a Raid. By J. C. Cowdrick, S84 Dendwood Bick, Jr.’s, Proxy. By Ed. L. Wheele 885 Dick Doom’s Big Haul, By Col, P. Ingraham. 8836 Sharper Stoke's Double Deal. By Wm. G, Patte S87 The Big Four of the Bowery. By Jo Pierce, 888 Poker Pete’s Double Dodge; or, The Close © By Wm, R, Evyater. ‘ 889 Broadway Billy's Big Boom; or, Cornering Counter Crookes. By J. C. Cowdrick, 840 Deadwood Dick’a Clutch s or, Crushing Captain Crus By Edward L Wheeler. 841 Hasnce Charlie, the Cat’s-Paw Sport. By Mar duke Dev, 842 The Actor Detective tn Chicago; or, Dick Dox Flush Hand. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 848 Dan, the River Sport’ or, Foiling the Frisco Sharp. Harold Payne. 844 Broadway Billy’s Big Bulge. By J. C. Cowdrick, A New lesue Every Tuesday. The Half- Dime Library Is for sale by all newsdealers, cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of aix:cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New Yor port.