Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 866) (1894 02 27)
The text was read from the page scans by machine (OCR), so it has mistakes and its columns may run together. See the pages · About this title · At the Internet Archive
Page 1
z =) mer F & 7 NY WA > _ - g NY i ‘ \ 4 : , Sy WY « , 8 peta. =F f \ \\ \ Be Ny mie : WN SY AN . " i} 7 NN N ; NY AS \ y , . ; : \ q € ‘ \V NY r NX RS S YS N \ SY / y » . y N \ ; \ . NY s NY NY : . a j BY AN NY | & Ww NY NX iS AY \\ \ \ re ANY - y / i @ WN ANY WON XN pas | = \\ SY Wi MOK ie ue jurul! : MY Ww \ \ WHOA, AINE, RRNA, - — - — ‘*. OURS. Go fin “I tl (a! (et! ost Entered as second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y¥ , Post Office, Copyrighted 1804, by BEADLE AND ADAMS. February 27, 1394. $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price, No. 866. a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 cents. Vol. UXT. SPOTTER BOB'S BOWERY RACKET, BY WILLIAM G. PATTEN. STU TTR STATIS Ve | i | ) BW inl HHT} f #, Se mi | | = iI Y \ \t ‘ \ 1¥ WE { \ ene 3) SS ) Ht Cae Wt aoe | a nM} ‘STF YOU TOUCH HER YOU WILL HAVE TO KILL MBE FIRST,” BURST FROM THE OLD MAN’S LIPS,
Page 2
“Spotter Bab’ Bowery Racket : OR, Euchering the Man from Mexico, BY WILLIAM G. PATTEN, ee AUTHOR OF ‘‘ SPOTTER BOB IN NEW YORK,” ‘‘ NOBBY NAT,’ ETC,, ETC. CHAPTER I. BOB SCENTS CROOKEDNESS. ** On, the Bowery, the Bowery— I']] never go there any more.” A bright, clean, fairly well-dressed boy of sixteen or seventeen lightly sung the words of the well-worn topical song, as he stroHed idly up the Bowery from Chatham Square, laughing good-naturedly whenever he was jostled by any of the hurrying throng on the crowded walk. He seemed absolutely at peace with himself and al) the world, and it was evidently, a dif- ficult matter to ruffle his temper on this bright spring morning. : : He had reached Hester street when a quick- Jy-moving man ran into him fairly and squrrely. ‘* Pardon, mister,” cheerfully nodded the Jad. ‘‘Room is limited on this highway "bout this time a day.” The man uttered a snarl and spoke some words in a foreign langunge, He wasslight- ly below medium height, with the dark face of a Spaniard or Italian, while his mustache and imperial, coal black in color, were waxed to needle- points. ‘Get out de vay, leetle whelp!” he cried, ‘glaring at the boy. But, the lad was not at all alarmed, _ ** Don't get gay and call names, colonel!” was his retort. ‘‘It doesn’t sound pretty, and I don’t like it.” ee ‘You don’t like eet, ha?’ glowered the dark-faced man, who seenied in a mood to be angered at the slightest thing. ‘‘Den see how you like dat!” As he uttered the words, he struck sudden- ly at the boy's face with his open hand, Smack! The blow sent the lad reeling, but did not knock him over, for he was very light and quick on his feet. Gathering him- self like a cat, he darted forward, as the foreigner was about to walk onward. *‘Look here, you shadow: mug of dark- ness!’ he cried, all the merriment having vanished from his face in an instant. ‘‘ What do you mean by strikin’ a feller in that way? It was a dirty trick!” ‘* Dirtee trick?” echoed the man, surprised and still more angered, ‘* You say dat to me! An’ I am Senor Felipe Murella, of Mexico! I haf you-arrest!’ * Arrest an be—jigged ! If 1 was a man, Td knock about eight or a dozen corners off you! Asi'm a kid, I s'’pose you think you can swipe me with impunity—and that nasty paw of yours. But, boys,get square some- times, and the time may come when I’}l even up this deal with you. Mark that down in your memorandy, Mister Mexicaner!” ‘*Carajo! You talk to me like dat! I gif you anoder!” ise} ‘No you don't!” As the furious man struck at the lad, the latter slipped under his arm. \ Then « surprising thing happened, The boy gave a sweeping kick at the foreigner’s feet, and, a moment later, he of the waxed mustache and new clothes—for the man was well dressed—lay sprawling in the street! ‘*Score one for Bob Braddock!” laughed the nimble youngster, as he skipped hghtly away, and mingled with the shifting crowd, . Sparling, almost trothing at the mouth, _ the overthrown man arose to his feet, lookin all around for the one who tripped him, ar | nn _ - - : . - aa IEEE Spotter Bob’s Bowery Racket. time, with a movement that seemed involun- | tary, but was significant of his true char- acter. The furious words that. fell from his lips were spoken in Spanish, and his name in- dicated he was a Spaniard. That he was a man who habitually carried concealed weapons could be told by that one move of the hand toward the hip- pocket. ‘‘Leetle dog-a!” he grated. avay! Kef I evar see heem again, I geef him somet’ing vo’se than slap! I geef heem—”’ He did not say what, but, drawing a snowy handkerchief from his pocket, brush- ed some of the dust from his clothes, at the same time hurrying from the spot, conscious that his overthrow had attracted the notice of many pedestrians, some of whom were smiling in a manner that made him grind Bis teeth. The boy had not gone very far. Froma doorway, he was watching every move of Senor Felipe Murella, of Mexico, and, when the Spaniard continued onward down. the Bowery, the little street scout did not hesi- tate to follow him. ‘That duffer’s crooked,” muttered the boy, to himself, “I know it by his looks He’s got.an eye for nasty business, an’ I don’t s’pose he’d ‘hesitate a jiff about cuttin’ a feller’s jubilee vein, if he took a notion, ‘‘’m goin’ to shadow Mr. Seenyaw Fee- leep Mur-r-rella a bit, or I ain’t Business Bob, the hustler from Philadelfy, Weimay be slow over in our town, but we don’t let mokes of that sort tread on our Coat-tails an’ goaway to brag about it—not to any large extent!” The indolent, careless air had vanished from the boy, and he was now alert and ready for anything that might turn up. That he was unusually bright and active was apparent, and that he knew his business when he undertook to shadow a man was equally plain, for he did so with the skill of a*veteran police ferret. Twice the Spaniard paused and_ turned back quickly, as if his anger tempted him to return and seek forthe lad, but, both times, Business Bob anticipated his movements and sought the shelter of open doorways, so he was not seen by Murella. At length, the Man from Mexico halted at the corner of Canal street and seemed to be waiting for ry or somebody. He took a little square of light paper and some tobacco from a pocket, and, in a few seconds, deftly rolled a cigarette. This he lighted, smoking as he waited, - The young Spotter, took a fancy to get as near the dark-faced foreigner as possible, and so, falling in behind a portly German, he kept his body concealed until close toa saloon doorway at the very, corner, Into the doorway darted the boy, from which cover he peered forth. To his sur- prise, the Spaniard turned and came slowly and deliberately toward the door! ‘Great ginger!” gasped the lad. ‘‘ He saw me!” 3 But, this did not prove to be true, for the Man from Mexico paused about five feet away, continuing to smoke, while he mut- tered something to himself now and then, speaking in a tone which convinced the young Sedairer that the Mexican was far from pleased about something that seemed to worry him. At length, a strange character crossed the Bowery and approached the waiting man. It was a person even smaller in stature than the Spaniard, who was but littie below medium height, This individual was dress- ed iu a manner calculated to attract atten- tion in any Eastern place, for his garments wete of white buckskin, fringed and beaded, somewhat soiled in places, and decorated with silver buttons. He wore a wide-brim- med hat, and his hair hung down to his feeling toward his hip-pocket at the same ' shoulders. His face was clean shaven save “He geet | | “ Vell, ve not talk of dat here!” he ex-— oe a reddish mustache, which was heavy and | drooping—altogether too heavy for the man who carried it about. His eyes were smali ' and restless, and the general cast of his fea- | tures was not pleasant. He had the air and swagger of a desperado. | Felipe Murella muttered a Spanish im- | precation when his eyes fell on the man who was so leisurely advancing toward him, As the Westerner came up, the Spaniard | snapped: ‘Why don’t you keep your appointments? I have been waiting you von half hour! You are—” ‘Hold hard, pard! Stop right thar!” ! cut in the man in buckskin, with an authori- | tative motion of his hand. ‘‘ Don’t git on yer high hoss an’ try ter ride rough with ; ‘Sonora Dan, I made the riffle jest as soon - as I could git ther run of ther: twisted trails : of this yartown. ’Tain’t like an open perary, r | not. by a he-old heap!” Murella said something in Spanish, s ‘‘ Now, don’t go to shvotin’ Mexican gab at me, Senor Felipe,” advised the Westerner. | ‘I kin undérstand it when it’s dealt out in i small chunks an’ mighty slow, but I’m blowed ef 1 take a fancy to it any too much! You kin warble middlin’ good United States, ' an’ that’ll do fer my style.” ** Vell, I s’pose you come to talk beesnez?” “Dead right, old side-pard!” “V’at you vant?” ** Rocks.” ‘*You vant money?” ‘‘ Bet yer boots!” ‘‘] owe you nevar one cent more!” pro- tested the Spaniard. ‘‘I pay you well in full for all-you do. Why you come to me - | again?” ‘This is for the final settlement, Senor Felipe?” “De final settlement, ha? What you mean by dat? Not de man ees deat?” ‘*Plumb center shot, fu’st pop!” ‘« Deat? You don’t mean dat? Las’ time you write, you say he have no sign to die— he live forevar.”’ ‘ ‘‘ Weil, he jest changed his mind an’cash- edin his chips. I didn’t have time totellye = ther hull yarn last night, an’ that’s why I, made this appointment fer ter-day.” The Spaniard laughed, with satisfaction. ‘‘Deat! Tam glad! I haf heem no longar to board. He ees out of vay, and I deed not | keel heem.” ** You might jest as well in the fu’st place, an’ hed it done. You didn’t kill him with gun or steel, but you done what wuz wuss— you tortured him to death by years of im- risonment in that horrible underground den. Didn't kill him, Murelia? Oh, yes yerdid— an’ I helped yer! I've come fer my pay!” ‘*Humpin’ jiggers!” gasped the listening boy Spotter, ‘‘ What big piece of deviltry have I struck this trip?” CHAPTER II. SONORA DAN GETS THE DROP. + ae Tue Spaniard looked startled. ve claimed, glancing quickly about. ‘‘Some- body might hear v’at be said.” ‘“All right, old hoss,” cheerfully assented the Westerner, in a breez ae way. ‘‘Jestcome — down to my room. e kin chin thar all — we dern please.” “* Vell, Ill come.” “Think I'll come, too,” muttered Spotter Bob, and he saw the, men move away to- © gether. ‘This little matter is worth look-— ing into, Perhaps I'll have a chance for big fun and block some crooked game? Ifl — can do that count me in, hide, hoofs and | horns! vig “Reckon that guy with the Buffalo Bill | hair is jest in town from the West. By the © looks of him, I’d say his perfession was the _ road-agent business. He thinks he’s some | nuts, but he may strike asnag that’llgive ¥ him a shock one of these days.” Lae
Page 3
Spaniard. He foilowed the dark-faced man and the Westerner, who had caidled himself ‘Sonora Dan, along Canal street until they turned into a narrow alley. Slipping forward, the young Spotter pecred around the corner and saw the man disappear into a filthy doorway down the alley. ‘* Hit or miss, make or break, here goes!” and the now wide-awake Bob darted lightly down the alley. When he reached the doorway, he could hear the steps of the men on the stairs, but it was so dark inside that wretched hovel he could not see them. Waiting until they were ascending the second flight, he started to creep upward after them. The boy, if utterly fearless in his nature, had the caution and craft of a fox, and, now that he felt how much depended on his ef- forts in that first opening of the case, he brought all his skill as a shadower into play: Making scarcely a particle of noise, he was,able to tell exactly when the men he was after entered a room The moment the door had closed behind them, Spotter Bob glided up those stairs like a shadow. It seemed a particularly lonely and deserted old hole where he found himself, and he wondered if people actually lived in such dark and wretched quarters. The question was answered by a view he Obtained of a room, the door of which stood wide open. The room was small and stifled, but there were six persons within, and with a single exception all were fast asleep! That excep- tion was in a maudlin state of drunkenness, sitting on a broken chair, from which he seemed in danger of falling to the floor at any moment. He was trying to smoke, but whenever he attempted to put the stem of the pipe in his mouth the bow] would get there first, which frustrated his efforts, The others were lying on the floor or on wretched beds. The odor that came from the room was sickening. ‘‘ Nighthawkers, as I live!” thought Bob, with ashudder. ‘‘I’ve heard of them and their homes, but this is the first time I ever saw one of the dens.” He knew he was in the midst of desperate men, criminals all, and the chances were he would not be used harmlessly if discovered, as, without doubt, they would take him for a spy. Still, that did not deter him for going ahead, and he was soon at the head of the second flight, There he paused to listen. Three doors were in sight, and he won. dered which room the men he was shadowing had entered. He was not long in doubt. From behind one of the doors came the murmur of voices, and, a moment later. he was listening there, He soon heard enough to convince him that the Spaniard and the Westerner were really within, but, much to his dismay, he could not understand what they were say- ing ¥ Ginger!’ he thought. “ What ’m I goin’ ter do? I wanter git onto this racket, but Til never do it this way. An’ the duffers may take a fancy to come out quick and find me here.” He looked around, and a sudden thought struck him, as he observed the room occupied by the two men he had followed was between the other rooms, ~‘ Wonderif I couldn’t get into one of them!” he muttered. The daring lad lost no time in making the attempt Without hesitation, he walked to the door of the room to the right and softly opened it. If he did not like the appear- ance of things within, he intended to make Spotter Bob’s Bowery — | Once more the boy started after the | an excuse that he had got into the wrong place, and withdraw. To his surprise and delight, the room was empty. ““T’ll see if I can hear anything in this place,” thought the adventurous spy, as he slipped in, leaving the door open a bit, so as to hear any one who might come up the stairs A few pieces of broken furniture were in the place, with a miserable cot in one dark corner. The partition was not thick, and there Spotter Bob listened. He could hear some things, but was still unsatisfied. Looking around, a knot-hole in the boards above his head caught his eye. “That's my pudding!” A moment later, he had a chair beneath the knot-hole. Carefully stepping up on the chair, which was rather shaky, he applied his eye to the hole. He was fully satisfied with the result. Within the next room were the two men he had shadowed, Eye gave place to ear, and he listened. ‘“This hyar ain’t no great shakes of a place,” Senora Dan was saying, apologeti- cally; ‘‘but we kin talk without any fear of bein’ heard, fer ther other two rooms is empty.” ‘*Faugh!” ejaculated the Spaniard, is disgust! Ido not like dis place!” ‘**How’d you like to spend the rest of yer life hyar, pard?” ‘“*T had ruzare die ‘“Wa-al, this ain't a circumstance ter ther hole in ther ground whar ye had Bart Spauld- ing chucked, and thar he lived fer nine years!, I tell you he changed in that, time, Senor Felipe! Ther man that died thar didn’t look much like ther man you put in tnar.”’ ‘“You are sure he ees deat—you know eet?” ‘‘T helped plant the poor cuss.” ‘‘ What haf become of de Injun—de one ve haf to guard dis man?” ‘He is hyer.” The Spaniard leaped.to his feet. ‘*Car-r-ramba! Here?” “Not in this room, but right here in New York.” ‘* How come he here?” ‘*T brought him.” Felipe Murella was furious, ‘““Why you do dat—why you bring dat red dev-val here?” “Oh, I thought he might come in handy,” replied Sonora Dan, complacently. “ V'at for you need heem?” ‘*Wa-al, I’lowed you might have fergot some things, an’ mebbe the sight of the In. jun’d freshen up your memory,” Then Murella raved about the room like a tiger for some moments, storming in a man- ner that told the seething fury in his hot heart. ‘*IT see v’at you mean, Senor Dan! You mean to threaten me—you theenk to scare me! Por Dios!’ You haf take de wrong man! You vake up Felipe Murella and make heem your enemee you vis, you nevar done eet! I have been your friend—I have pay you good money, very much! Now, v’at you vant?” «* More.” ** Monee?? “ Just that, o’d hoss! Money is the staff of life in these hyar degenerate days. I helped you into a fortune, an’ now, by ther Great Rockies! you've got to divvy with me!” ‘*You helpa me into fortune! Nevare! You helpa me get reed of von enemee. I pay you for dat—I pay youvell! I make no monee at—” ‘*Oh, what’s ther use ter lie, Murella.— Hey! drop that, or I'll run a tunnel in yer system! I go loaded, ef I don’t carry my guns in sight!” ‘« Ke ?? Again applying his eye to the knot-hole, the boy spy saw a striking tableau. Crouching as if about to spring at the throat of the other nian was the dark-faced Spaniard, and in his fingers was gripped the haft of along, slender knife, while Sonora Dan was lying back in a chair, his feet on another chair, a revolver in his right hand! The muzzle of the weapon was turned on the Man from Mexico! CHAPTER UL. A SNARED SPY. “* JIMMINY jux!” The boy Spotter faintly gasped the exclam- ation, and then held his breath and watched to see what would follow, For some moments neither of the two men stirred, their eves fighting a fierce battle, then the hand of the Spaniard, holding the knife, slowly and steadily glided beneath his coat. When it came out again, the slender blade was not to be seen. ‘Thar, that’s better,” nodded the Wester- ner, as he relaxed the pressure of his finger on the trigger of his. revolver, allowing the hammer, which had been slightly raised, to drop gently back to place. ‘‘1 don’t want ter shoot yer, pard; but I hain’t hankerin’ to be chopped up fer chowder.” ‘Den why you give me de lie, senor?” smoothly asked Felipe, yet with a deadly sound in his voice. ‘*Wa-al, it popped out. you was lyin’, pard.” ‘You have no right to say dat!” “Why not? Didn't you get ridof Bartley Spaulding to, obtain his share of the Little Nell Mine?” ‘* No, sare! An’ you know Dat was not de reason!” ‘Derned ef you don’t surprise me! W’ot did yer do it fer, then?” 40 ‘*T hate-a him!” «Ts that all?” ‘Ket is. I donot geet hisshare., He have a daughtar—de von for veech he name de mine.” ‘Little Nell?” ** Dat ees eet.” ‘“ Where is she now?” ‘T do not know.” ‘“What? You can’t mean that, Murella?” “T do mean eet. She have disappear com- plete.” ‘‘Then the mine is certainly all yours, old hoss.” ‘§ No. ‘Why not?” ‘*She have a gran’fazare.” ‘* What of that?” ‘*He know where she be!” “Well?” ‘‘He claim de shares—he geet dem, I sell all my interest some mont’ ago.” ‘““What? Just after the mine is in run- ning order once more? The cave-in blocked it for years, and the lost lead could not be found, but nowit is opened up again an’ ther old thing’s payin’. Hev you bin an’ sold out?” ; set Rave.) . ‘* What for, pard?” ‘‘ Vell, 1 nevare know but sometime dat Bartlee Spauldeeng get avay and look for me. Eef I have interest in de mine, he find me—he trace me. Eef I have none, he do not trace me.” ‘* But, he’s dead now, I tell ye. ‘“‘I deed not know dat when I seel de shares ”’ | ‘Well, how about Spaulding’s girl—how / ” does she get her share of the proceeds?” Murella shrugged his shoulders. ‘‘Dat Ido not know, LEet ees not'ing to me.” ‘Where is her grandfather?” ‘*T do not know dat now, sare,” Sonora Dan was silent for some moments, during which he gazed at his’ companion searchingly. ‘‘Look hyar, old man,” he finally cried, wil
Page 4
yer pardon fer ther word.” ea a scuffle in the ajoining room. falling into the free-and-easy swagger of the Lads “‘T reckon you're stuffin’ me with gu 13? ** V’at ees goof?” ‘‘ Waal, it’s a perlite way of tellin’ crit- ters they’re lyin’. I saw yon didn’t like the straight out word for it, an’ so I called it guff.” ‘*You have vera sharp tongue, Senor Dan.” The Spaniard was biting his lip, and he looked as if he longed to cut the heart out of the swaggering rascal who faced him and talked to him in such a fearless manner, The Westerner simply laughed. ‘*?’m a hard man ter bluff,” was his asser- tion, ‘‘ But, even ef all you’ve told me is true, you’ve oo ter pony up.” **Ponee? V’at is dat?” ‘‘Come down with the rino—the rocks— the scudi. I helped you do a dirty job, an’ _ I mean to be paid in full for it. It hain’t my way ter shut a pore devil up in ther ground an’ let him rot ter death alive thar, an,’ ef you’d done what I wanted in ther fu’st place, you'd let me got up a row with jpaulding so Ie’u’d bore him. That'd bin more deacent-like an’ manly. It’d even b’in better ter knifed himin ther back, though that thar’s ther game of Greasers—beggin’ ‘*Oh, speak right out, Senor Dan!” grated a Say v’at you like; don’t minde me, sare!” ‘‘T reckon I’ve come mighty nigh doin’ that thar. I have a way of talking right out " public, —But, let’s get to business, Fe- ‘*T have no more beesnez vid you, sare. You have your trouble vor not’ing ven you come here to bleed me.” “You won’t pony up?” ‘*No, sare!” ‘* Bet a good hoss you do. Come!” “You try to scare-a me, ha?” : ‘* You seem to have forgotten that I have brought Injun Jack along.” **'V'at of dat?” “This: We have come here for money, and we'll put you where you'll never do up any more men ther way ye done Bartley Spaulding, if you don’t fork over!” ‘Again you threatun! Iam not ’fraid of you bote, You try to keel me, ha?” ® “Waal, I won’t speak fer ther Injun; but I'd try another lay,’ i ** What?” “Td ruin an disgrace you—I’d get the grip of the law on you—I’d see you in prison!” . ‘‘Preeson! You threatun me dat? Eef you try eet, you go dere, too! I have you on dat! Eef I hire you to do dis job, den you be as much in de scrape as me, You nevare tink of dat, I reckon?” “*T have thought of it every way.” “Den you should know v’at I say ees right. You are in de same box vid me.” ‘** Waal, ef ye take me on that tack, I'll let _ ther Injun git at ye.” ‘Ha! I meet him vid de same vepon v’at he use—I no care for heem!” The Westerner was certainly failing to get any advantage of Murella, but he tried to conceal his chagrin. All of a sudden, he started up, crying: - ‘Tf no other way, dern me! I'll find - §paulding’s gal an’ make a clean breast of it _ toher! Either you'll do the right thing by mean’ ther Injun, ur we’ll down ye some wa ee a? What reply the Spaniard would have made - to this was never known, for, at that mo- ment, there was a startled cry, followed by . tter Bob had been intensely interested in the talk of the two villains—so interested _ that he heard no sound save their voices. _ Something caused him to look around, al- or) feat a tease ca its Wt. a8 B « — though it ods rtainly not the sound of a 0 or movement, = Pee il 23 eS EEE te ee eS . ee SS ene a ° ¢ ~ =— a ae co The door was wide open, and, standing in the doorway, looking at him with a pair of beady eyes, was a man with a dusky face of coppery hue. This man’s clothes were greasy buckskin, and a battered high hat sat on his head, while his long straight hair fell over his shoulders. astonishment and alarm. Then the strange man came at the boy with two swinging strides, Bob attempted to spring from the chair, but it went down with a crash, throwing him in a heap on the floor. Before he could rise, he was in the clutch of the intruder. ** Let go!” cried the Spotter. ‘*Not much leggo!” was the grunted re- tort. ‘Spy! Injun Jack ketch um!” The hands of the copper-faced man were like iron, and the squirming boy found it impossible to break away. He was dragged from the room and around into the other, where were the Spaniard and Sonora Dan. ‘* Hey!” cried the latter, as his eyes fell on the trapped lad. ‘‘What’s this ye’ve got, Injun?’ “Spy!” was the reply. ‘‘ Ketch him watch—listen, What do?” Felipe Murella gave a cry of savage satis- faction. ‘**Eet ees de leetle dev-val!” he snarled. ‘* Now, I settle vid heem!” CHAPTER IV. USED FOR A TARGET. Senor Fevip—E MuRELLA was so exasper- ated by what had preceded the appearance of the unlucky boy in the clutch of the half- blood that the sight of Spotter Bob appar- ently robbed him entirely of reason. ** Leetle whelp!” he hissed. ‘‘ You tree me up—you make de people laugh at me! feex you for dat!” And he made a leap at the lad, *‘ Hold hard an’ steady, critter!” Up from his chair shot Sonora Dan, as if he was worked by springs. With one swoop au hand, he caught the Spaniard by the collar, Despite his size, the small man from the West was very strong, and, with a single surge, he sent Murella reeling backward, neurly overthrowing the frothing scoundrel. ‘Knock a kid!” exclaimed Dan, in disgust. ‘* Would you do that, pard?” ‘Dat v’at I vill!” and the Mexican again drew out the blade, as he sprung forward, having regained his equilibrium, ‘*Out de vay!” 4 He struck savagely at Dan, but the man of the fiery mustache grasped his wrist and held him fast. “‘No you don’t—not while I’m round!” For a few seconds, there was a fierce struggle, but Murella was no match for the Westerner in a scuffle, and he was again sent backward, while Dan followed him up and pinned him to the wall. ** Steady, now! We ain’tin Mexico now!” commanded the nervy desperado. ‘Do you want to commit murder? Ef ye do, you'll be dern sure ter bring up in thet thar chair whar they give ye a dost of ’lectricity thet’d let any dentist pull yer teeth ’thout yer ever knowin’ w’en he done it.” **Oh, you shall pay for dis! No man put hees hand on Felipe Murella like dis and never pay for eet!” \ ‘“‘Tommy rot! Inever saw ther Greaser yit I was skeered of! W’at’s ther kid done ter Mahe ‘He trip-a me—he make me de laugh on of de street! He t’}row me on my ack!” Sonora Dan lodked at Spotter Bob with renewed interest and something like admira- lickin’, an’ let it go at that?” pOOee, eras of ene nates AX to Lee avy x 4 : ; Spotter Bob’s Bowery Racket. ‘*Perhap’ I be a leetle too qveek. I vill / not keel heem but I have my revenge, sure!” 10n, ’ / bey ; as or Well, why don’t yer give him a good! ‘* Now ye’re comin’ ter yer senses,” nodded Sonora Dan, as he released Murella. ‘ Ef I wuz in your place, pard, I’d leave that thar tond sticker to home. Ef ye don’t, f'ust thing ye know, you'll git into trouble, Naturally, Bob Braddock uttered a cry of | an’ ther perlice’ll run ye in.” | All through this struggle Bob had been | ready to squirm and try to break away, if he saw the Spaniard get too near him, The Indian had maintained his grip on the | lad’s coat, saying nothing, but watching | every movement and hearing every word. | His face was expressionless, but he was fully alert. ‘Ginger! thisis a bad i was the boy’s mental observation. ‘These mugs’d doa boy up soon, if they took a notion— ’specially that sbadow-faced bloke. Bob, yer’ve tackled a hard job!” The half-blood filled him with great con- cern, for, although the man seemed very quiet. something told the lad that he was the most deadly of the trio. ‘Now, Pard Jack,” said Sonora Dan. ‘Tell us how it is ye drags this yar kid in hyar.” **Catch ’um,” ““ Where?” “Next room.” “ W'at wuz he doin’ thar?” "OPIGY 8D9i". ‘Ts that 80? Waal, we'll hev ter find out how much he knows. Ef it is too much—” The Westerner did not say what would re- sult on those conditions, but his face seemed to indicate it would go hard with the youth- ful Spotter, ‘*Maybe you t’ink we have bettaire put. heem out de vay aftar all,’ said the Span- iard, with a sneer. ‘*Well, not in your way,” promptly re- turned Sonora Dan. ‘‘It puts some critter on the scent, an’ then thar’s blazes ter pay. Thar are lots of other ways of gittin’ rid of critters in a town like New York,” Bob shuddered. ° ‘*He’s bad as ther rest, but a little more cautious,” thought the lad. ‘‘Look hyar kid,” snapped Dan, eying the boy viciously, ‘‘ w’ot fer wuz you in thet. thar room?” ‘I’m stoppin’ tbere now, old socks!’ cheerfully replied the plucky Spotter. ‘* Stoppin’ there?” “* Sure. That’s my hotel. Ketch on?” “You're lyin .” } ‘That ain't complimentary, your high- ness.” ‘‘ But it is true.” “How d’yer know?” ‘““W’en I took this hyer dug-out yester- day, them yar rooms was empty,” *“Well, I engaged the parlor adjoinin” later on, old boy. Take a tumble.” ‘‘Ugh!” grunted the half-blood. ‘‘ Boy up " chair—peek through hole in wall. ** Jest anybody in here explained Bob, “I was goin’ to sing.” - “« Sing?” “Yep. I’m a warbler down at Trinity | Church—in the choir. See!” ‘‘Leetle liar!” exclaimed Murella, “Say, you fellers ain’t perlite a bit, Tyjat I’m givin’ ye object to bein’ called names. a straight lay, sports, Didn’t know but. somebody was in here.” ? ** What of that?” ‘*Oh, I’m careful, turb yer. See? Last place where I was, I got inter trouble singin’. People on all — sides kicked like steers ev'ry time I opened — my trap. One man came in an’ swiped me-— with a boot-jack. Later on, the landlord ~ dropped round an’ told me I'd have to get. | i Said all the other lodgers. — was goin’ to leave if I didn’t. I had to, — out instanter. slide.” } i ant, $ 4 elem 1 WB n 1 ee . ‘ 3 4 “4 ~ re . 4 : 4 * Pn ae. s , Siw ot up there to see if there was Didn’t want to dis-— ‘The bey rattled off. this yarn with the ut—
Page 5
most nonchalance and appearance of can- dor; but it was wasted on the trio ofscoun- drels. ‘‘ Do ye tell ther truth?” growled Dan. ! ‘* Trath:” cried Bob, protestingly. ‘‘ W’ot dyer take me fer?” ‘** Leetle sneak,” nodded the Spaniard. At this, the lad flushed, somewhat hotly. « Say!” and he pointed straight at the Man from Mexico, *‘ I don’t like that any to speak of! You want to let up, or I’ll make yousad some day !” ‘* Bah!” ‘* I’m business, an’ I keep my word.” ** You tlireatun me, boy?” The Spaniard was growing furious again. ‘« Steady!” ordered Dan. ‘‘ Let me handle this yar kid.” Then he turned to the balf-blood, saying: ** Putt ther youngster up ag’in the partition thar an’ hold him, IJ want ter persuade him some.” Injun Jack promptly obeyed the command of the Westerner, standing Bob with his back against the partition. Sonora Dan sat down on a chair again, at the same time taking out his revolver. There was a devilish light in his unsteady cyes, and he lifted the weapon, pointing it straight at Bob's head. ‘“‘ Ef you don’t spit out the truth, kid, an’ spit her out dern lively, blow me ef I don't | sock yer with a pill out of this yar gun!” Spotter Bob actually laughe of the man, ‘‘Now ye're kiddin’, old sport!" he said, ‘You ain't ther kind of a man as shoots ” ** Not much.” ““ Why not?” “Well, fer one thing, you've got too much sense.” ‘He theenk you don’t dare shoot,” sneered Murella, ‘‘In dat he theenk raight.” ** Waal, now, don’t yer be too sure of that. Boy. how much of our talk did you hear?” ‘Tf 1 don t tell—what?” ‘‘Blow me cold! Pll use yer for a target!” “And bring the perlice down on yer.” “Not much. Looker thet wall thar; see that knot hole whar ther Injun said ye wuz lookin’ through? Waal, thar wuz a knot in it when I tuck this yar room yesterday.” “* What of that? I didn't knock it out.” ‘¢ Waal, J did, an’ I done it with this yar. gun. Sot right hyar in this chair an’ shot it out. I didn't waste any bullets on ther job. It didn’t bring no perlice, but three or four ‘of ther lodgers from down below came sneak. in’ up.ter see what I wuzat 1 jest turned ther gun on them an’ told ‘em ter mosey, as I wuz havin’ a little pistol practice, an’ | wouldn't be disturbed. Told ‘em it wuz my reg ler daily custom, an’ they needn't bother ter come round ef they heaid me shootin’ any time. « “So ver see, boy, thar ain’t a chance in a hundred thet we'd be bothered ef I did use yer fer a target.” * Bur you won't!” ** Won't 1?” ** Not this trip.” **T ll do it ef you don’t tell ther truth an’ tell it dern sudden!” ** Rats! The word had barely left Spotter Bobs lips when the revolver in the hand of the desperado cracked! —- CHAPTER V. THE FLOWER GIRL, Tuer bullet passed so close to the boy’s head that it grazed his ear. To the astonishment of the trio of scoun. drels, Bob Braddock uttered no cry, and did ‘not seem at all frightened. “That was a dead bum shot,” he ob- '. gerved. Spotter Bob’s Bowery Racket. in the said But the outward appearanee of the lad was no indicwtion of his real feelings, for he was actually frightened very much, even though he felt certain Sonora Dan meant to scare him into a confession He. had seen cowboys shoot at Buffalo Bills Wild West show, and knew they could plant their bul- lets exactly where they liked; still it was not a pleasant thing to stand up and allow a man to see how near he could come to the living target without hitting it But the three men gazed at the boy in wonder, uttering various exclamations. “ Caramba!” gasped Murella. ‘*Much pluck!” grunted the half-blood. ‘Waal, [ sw’ar!’’ ejaculated Sonora Dan, ‘Don't swear old socks,” advised Bob. **Tf you do, you won't catch any fish.” “Ha! ha!” evilly laughed the Man from Mexico, nodding his head at Sonora Dan. “You theenk you can scare dis boy, ha? He don’t be scare so easee, Better shoot heem sure, and have de job done vid.” ‘“Then, hyar goes!” Five times the revolver spoke, the shots | being fired in rapid succession that there scarcely seemed a break between them, The smoke filled the room, hiding the boy and the Indian for a moment, From the midst of it came a cry, and, as it lifted, the half- blood was seen eentae to his feet from the floor, to which he had been thrown. Spotter Bob was gone ! The door had not been securely closed, and the boy had darted from the room, under cover of the smoke. He had not been touched by any of the bullets, for it was not Sonora Dan’s purpose to shoot him, but, seeing his opportunity, he had escaped, having broken away by slip- ping out of his coat, leaving the garment in in the grasp of the half-blood, who was deftly overthrown, ‘* After him!’ roared Sonora Dan. let him get away!” It was not necessary to give Injun Jack such instructions, for he was already in pur- suit of the fleeing boy. Like a young panther, Spotter Bob went leaping down the shaky stairs and shot out into the alley. He felt sure he would be pursued, and did not stop when he reached the outer air, but scooted out of the alley like a streak, ° ‘‘This is the greatest racket I ever run up against! was his mental observation, as he reached the Bowery and dodged into a mass of moving people. Looking back, he caught a glimpse of the pursuing half.blood, but he saw the Indian had lost sight of him, and took care not to let the fellow see him again. ‘‘[ want ter git back an’ see the smoky- faced Mexican when he leaves that hole,” muttered Bob, as he hastened around a cor: ner, ‘‘Don’t want to lose track of him, now. He’s the chief rascal of the lot, though the shooter with the ong hair is try- in’ to get him foul.” He made his way around a block and was soon on Canal street again. Selecting a doorwuy on the side of the street opposite the mouth of the alley, the lad waited and watched. In the course of thirty minutes, he saw Injun Jack come back, and fancied the half-blood looked very ashamed and disgusted with himself. “Tf I was out on the perary, I s'pose he'd ’a’ follered \me ’thout a struggle, but he can’t trail me in a big city like this. I’m right ter home here, an’ he ain’t.” Bob saw the half-breed disappear fn the alley, and then he patiently waited another thirty minutes. At the end of that time, Feiipe Murella came out ot the alley and hurried away, ** You're the feller I’m lookin’ for!” mut- tered the youthfut Spotter, with satistac- tion. After the Spaniard he started, ** Don’t 5 Murella had no idea he was followed, and so he did n>ot make any attempt to bother the tracker. To the Bowery he went, turn- si, ee town. ob easily kept track of the man, and in a short time, Park Row was reached. Of a sudden, Murella stopped short and looked eagerly into the face of a rather pretty girl who was selling flowers to passing pe destrians. The girl was sixteen or seventeen years of age, being very sweet and pretty, despite the poverty of her dress. Her eyes were dark as midnight and her hair black, making her seem all the more striking on account of the purity of her health tinted cheeks. The flowers she was selling were not sweeter, and she really seemed like a delicate rosebud, strangely out of place on the thronged thor- oughfare as a vender of anything, The Spaniard gazed earnestly, rather ex- citedly, at the girl, while Spotter Bob watch- him closely. Had the boy been nearer, he might have heard Murella say: ‘*T believe dat ees de child—I t’ink eet ees de lost heiress! Eef it be—’’ Uttering not another word, he approached the girl, catchiog her by the arm, as he ask. ed: ‘Vat ees your name?” She started from him, in alarm. ‘‘Don't hurt me! I have done nothing!” ‘I veel not hurt-a you, Tell me your name, leetle girl.” ‘Tt is Nell.” Murella looked delighted. ‘**Nell—v'at else?” Still she drew back and hesitated, ‘Bes eet Spaldeeng?” questioned the Spaniard, *S Vies) Sli: ‘‘Ha! I think dat! You are de vera girl I look for! 1 vant you!” Those words alarmed the flower girl more than ever. She tried to escape from his grasp, crying” ‘*Let me go! Whatcan you want of me?” “T have someting to tell you—I have much to tell you, Come vid me,” ‘* Where?” ‘Oh, what is the matter vid you?. Do I look like de ruffian? Somet’ing have hap. pened,’’ Spotter Bob had been watching every move, and his anger rose rapidly. He saw the girl try to escape from the Spaniard’s grasp, while Murella held her fast. ‘*Tf-he tries to hurt her, I'l) erack his nut!” grated the lad. After some minutes, the boy saw the girl was listening intently while the Spaniard talked. ‘‘He’s givin’ her a fairy tale, an’ 1 lt bet a house on it!” said the boy, to himself, Soon he noticed the girl was growing ex- cited and alarmed, although she no longer tried to run from the Spaniard, Then Mu- rella hurried toward the spot where some cabs were standing, leaving the girl where he had found her.” She nc longer tried to sell her flowers, as Bob could see, and, scenting something wrong, the boy darted up to her side, ‘‘Say, miss!” he exclaimed, touching his hat, ‘‘be you waitin’ for that dusky-skinned son of rascality as just left you?” She started nervously, looking at him without replying, and he saw there were tears in her eyes. Bob went on: “Cause if you be, I want to give ye a warning: he’s a bad man to have anything to do with.” ‘‘Are you sure?” she asked, in a musical voice. ™He told me—” ‘* What?” “That my grandfather has been injured severely and is in the hospital. He is going to take me there ina cab,” * Bob whistled. “80 that’s his little game! Well, 1 tell ish 7 7 aes
Page 6
ee you he don’t know a hoot about your grand- father, and, if he gets ye inter a cab, he’ll never take ye to any hospital, you bet your good money!” RTI CHAPTER VI. BOB A FUGITIVE, Tax girl was frightened. ‘Oh, what do you mean?” she asked, tremblingly. ** Just what I said, miss,’”’ was the prompt reply. ‘‘When did he say he saw your grandfather?” ** He said he just came from the hospital where grandfather was taken.” ‘Well, he’s a beautiful yarn-spinner! I have been on his trail for the last two hours, and I know he has not seen your grand- father in that time. Don’t you trust bim.” ‘* What I shall I do?” ‘*Skip—slide-—vanish! I'll remain here and see his nibs when he returns with the cab, an’ I'll Jest tell him you’ve gone home to see if his little yarn is really true.” ‘*T will take your advice,” said the girl; “for something tells me you are honest.” ‘‘ Well, I try ter be, an’ if there’s anything T hate it’s crookedness. Crookedness don’t pay, never did, never will—Say, give me your address, I have something to tell you soon as I can find time to drop roend.” The girl gave ® number on the Bowery, adding: *Oome right up-stairs to the top floor and rap onthe door tothe right. I live there with my grandfather. It’s not a very nice place, but we can’t afford—” ‘‘Don’t say another word! Any kind of a place where you live must be nice! I’m no millionaire. Now, light out before the muggy-faced muck-a-muck appears with the cab. Good-by.” ** Good-by, and thank you!” Bob gazed after her admiringly, as she hastened away, muttering: ‘‘Sweetness! Why, that’s the condensed essence of glory! She’s jest my style to a T, but she’s got education, if she is poor, and I ain’t no great shakes at school-book knowl- edge. Never had much show to git it. Reckon she wouldn’t take to me over much, But, she’s a reg’lar heart-crusher!”’ He had scribbled the address she gave him on a scrap of paper, and now he looked at it, adding: ‘*Spaulding’s the name, an’ that's the girl, T’ll bet! She's the heiress, though sbe don’t look like one. Robert Braddock, there’s crookedness here—heaps of it! This Spanish gent has been robbin’ that girl of what’s rightfully hern’—an’ that, after killin’ her father. Oh, Mr. Seenyaw Feelipe Mur-r-r- rella, I'll git onter your collar, or I’m a ehuck!” His meditations were broken by the ap- pearance of a cab that drew up at the curb, while the Spaniard quickly got out, looking eagerly around, ** Hello, Seenyaw/” saucily called the boy, keeping a short, distance away. ‘‘ Lookin’ fer somebody?” The Man from Mexico uttered a vicious execration as his eyes rested on the lad. “You?” he snarled, ‘‘How come you here?” **Oh, it’s a way I have,” was the cool re- tort. ‘‘ You’re apt to see me anywhere, Lookin’ fer somebody ?” ‘*T look fer de poleeseman! I geef you in charge to heem!” : “T didn’t know but you was lookin’ fer a girl,” laughed the Spotter. ‘‘One was here a short time ago, but she took a no- tion you had been playin’ roots on her, so she skipped. She’s gone bome to see if af grandfather is damaged as bad as you said.” Murella made a dart for Bob, but the boy bounded lightly away, laughing tauntingly. Luck was against Bob just then, for he ran plump and fair into the hands of a ’ Spotter Bob’s Bowery Racket. policeman, who grasped him and held him, BANDE: ‘* Hello, you castless young rascal! What are you up to?’ ‘* Nothing, sir,” ; Pk a are you running from that man Or?” ‘* Just for fun. Let me go!” ‘* Don’t you_do dat, offisar!’’ cried Mu- rella, coming up. ‘‘ Hang to de young rascale!” ‘“Do you make a charge against him?” ** Dat ees what I do.” ** What has he done?” ‘He be a young tief.” ‘“‘Tt’'s a lie!” hotly cried Bob, losing his nerve for a moment at the charge. The Spaniard coolly added: ‘*He steal my vatch, offisar, and den he run. I see heem give de vatch to anodar boy, but dis is de one v’at steal eet.” ‘*Oh, what a mean lie! I never stole any- thing in my life!” **] will take him to the station,” said the policeman, ‘‘Come along, sir, and make your charge against him. These young pick- pockets and snatchers are getting bolder and bolder in this locality. I think it'll be a good plan to make an example of this one.” But, Spotter Bob had no idea of being dragged to a police station and convicted of a crime he never committed. Witha sudden, eel-like twist, he broke from the officer’s erasp, and then fled like a deer darting in and out amid the pedestrians, ‘* Stop thief!’ The terrible cry was raised behind him, and, glancing over his shoulder, he saw Mu- rella and the policeman coming at a run, waving their arms and shouting, while a number of men and boys joined in the chase. «‘ They'll have some fun before they ketch mé!’ panted Bob, settling down to do his level best. From Park Row he darted onto Nassau street, but a second look back showéd him the crowd of pursuers was increasing, while the policeman was signaling for another to head the fugitive off. In a twinkling the lad wheeled and darted through the big doors of one of the great office builings he had been about to pass, The elevator was down, and the boy who ran it stepped out a moment for some- thing. In darted Bob, slammed the grated door, gave a pull at the rope, and up shot the car, ‘‘ This is quicker than climbin’ stairs,” he half-laughed, although there was a grim and determined look on his clean-cut face. Right up to the top he went before he stopped the elevator. He heard excited shouts in the building far below, but he sim- ply said: ‘Git a rustle on if you expect to keep up with the procession. When Robert moves, he gets along quick.” Out of the elevator he stepped, thrust his hands into his pockets and sauntered quietly along the corridor, whistling ‘‘ The Bowery.” No one would have thought to look at him that he was a fugitive from the police, who were hot on his track at that very minute. An office door opened and a boy about Bob’s age came out, leaving the door ajar. He had a cuspidore in his hand, and, with that, he slowly dragged himself along to the wash-room, which he entered, closing the door behind him. Bob could look into the office by the open door, and he saw there was no one inside, while a light sweeping-coat lay on a chair, against which leaned a broom, All this seemed to indicate the office boy was left to clean up, while the proprietor was out to lunch, The boy who went into the wash- room was in his shirt sleeves. ‘Just got the job done an’ took off the Ae? : ‘ibe “ ce BT OS Sig Tue wd sD a ee coat,” muttered Bob, hearing sounds that in. dicated his pursuers were coming up the stairs. ‘‘ This is my job.” He saw a key in the lock of the wash-room door, and, darting forward, turned it, taking it out and flinging it down in a corner. Then he hurried into the office which the boy with the cuspidore had just left, quickly slipping on the sweeping coat. ‘If that boy takes as long to elean the spittoon as he did to get from this office to. the wash room, that's all I ask,” thought the Spotter. As soon as the coat was on, he tossed his: hat under a pile of papers,on a stand, ran his fingers through his hair to make it stand on end and twisted his face into an expression that made him look like anybedy but him- self, He did not close the office door, for he be- lieved in boldness. Picking up the broom, he busied himself at sweeping out the office, which had just been swept clean by’ the boy in the wash room. The position of the elevator car told the pursuers which floor the boy had stopped at, and they soon came pufling up the stairs, the poiiceman at the head. Broom in hand, Bob Braddock stopped at the door and stared at them, as if surprised, ‘Hey, boy!” called the policeman. ‘ Did you see him?” ‘‘ Him?” echoed Bob, stupidly. ‘*-Yes—the boy!” ‘“ What boy?” “A young thief. He came up here. You must have seen him. Where did he go?” The policeman came over and looked into the office past the boy with the broom, as if he expected to see the fugitive crouching in a corner, Then he looked at Bob, saying: ‘‘Thisis John Wetmore’s office I see by the name on the door. Who are you, young- ster?” ‘‘T’m Mr. Wetmore’s office boy.” “‘T think there is some mistake here,” said a quiet voice behind the Spotter. “I am Mr. Wetmore, but you certainly are not my o‘lice boy!” ” CHAPTER VII. THE MAN WHO DIED. **GRBEAT guns!” Spotter Bob uttered the exclamation. Turning, he saw the door of an inner office had opened to admit a stern, business: like man, and that man was the author of the words recorded at the close of the last chap- ter. ‘«T’m in for it!” gasped the lad. ‘‘What’s that? What's that?’ demanded the policeman. ‘‘ You say this boy—” ‘Ts not my office boy, unless some magic has changed him entirely in appearance,” said Mr. Wetmore. At this moment there was a great commo- tion in. the wash-room, from which came loud, appealing cries and heavy pounding on the the door, ‘ “Lemme out! ed me in!” “That sounds like my boy’s voice!” de- clared Mr. Wetmore, excitedly. Then Bob knew his game was up, for Help! Somebody’s lock- he caught sight of Felipe Murella, who had just reached the head of the stairs and was coming forward, The tricky youngster cid not wait for the Spaniard to point him out. “‘T want you!” cried the officer, as he made a grab for the boy Spotter. ‘You'll get—this/” and with the word, Bob Braddock swung the broom about bis head and struck the policeman fairly in the face with the bushy end. The man was staggered and blinded for the instant, but he made a blind grab with both hands. Bob avoided the officer’s grasp, darting out of the office into the corridor, the broom held. at a position of ‘‘ charge.”
Page 7
Murella, of Mexico, somewhere in the region below the belt. The blow doubled the Spaniard up like a jack-knife, bringing a howl of rage and pain from his lips. The broom was knocked from the boy’s hunds, but he did not need it any more, and he ran straight onward. The elevator car was just where he left it, the door standing wide open, and he darted into it instantly, an idea of escape flashing through his head. Slam! the door closed in the very face of the policeman, who had recovered himself in | time to almost grasp the slippery lad. Swish! down went the car! “Talk about rackets!” panted Spotter Bob. . ‘‘ This beats anything they can turn out in Philadelfy! New York is a very quick Village!” On his way down he passed the elevator boy and several others who were running up the stairs, ‘*Hoppin’ jee! what a picnic!” laughed the lively lad. _ The moment the lower floor was reached, he flung open the door, shot out, and darted through the doorway like astreak, Around the nearest corner he went, turning toward William street, and the way he doubled and twisted. during the next few minutes was calculated to bafile pursuers. It did. Bob soon found he was not fol- lowed, and slackened his pace, walking along leisurely, having time to think the whole affair over and laugh at what had happened. ‘“That’s what I call a great rustle,” he muttered, cheerfully. ‘‘So fur, I have beat ther Spanish gent at every turn. Oh, I move a little when I git started! Ill make Seenvjaw Feeleep dead sore on hisself before I’m done wid him, “Ter think ther bldke should accuse me of, swipin’ his ticker! That raised my ruf- fles! Vll have to look out fer thet perlice man after this. ‘But, ther lost heiress, Little Nell, is found, sure. I know jest where she is. Wonder if Mur-rr-rella found out ‘fore he went fer the cab? If he did— ‘* Well, it’s goin’ to be a hot fight anyhow, an’ I’m right in it my whole bigness. I’ve got onter some points that are mighty inter- estin’, by jee! I know the Seenyaw hed Bartley Spaulding shut up in some kind ‘of a hole in the ground so he could git square with him, or git holt of the Little Nell Mine. I reckon it was thatthe Spanish rip done the trick fer, It strikes me he was givin’ Sonora Dan lots of guff about sellin’ the stock an’ not knowing anything abaout Little Nell’s share. That girl ain’t gittin’ her just dues, an’ I know it! Vm goin’ ter see sne gits ’em, by jimminy!” Bob reached the New Bowery and passed under the big Brooklyn Bridge. As he was hurrying along, he espied sev- eral boys of the tough class who were pes- tering an old man. The latter was appa- rently very weak, for he was tottering in his efforts to get away from the tormenting young ruflians, terror in his eyes. He was oy. dressed, his hair and beard being ngy gray, while. the strange and awful pallor of his skin gave him a ghastly look, *“ Git onter der old freak!” ‘Twig der corpse!” ** Say, mister, when’d yer escape from der coffin ?” Various cries of this sort came from the lips of the young rascals, as they pushed the wretched old man, pulled his coat, and even hit him with sticks and stones. Bob’s blood boiled in a moment. ** Looker them young skunks!” he grated, clinching his fists.. ‘‘ They’ll make elegant Oo Tage when they git ter be men!” e darted forward :ike a young cyclone, and his hard fists knocked over two of the tough youngsters before they realized they were attacked. é : “You cowardly sneaks!” was his cry, as | **So you’re dead? ; What are you, a spook?” he strucka third one a staggering blow in the mouth, ‘‘ Pickin’ on an old felier like this! Darned if I don’t believe I kin lick the whole crowd of such cowards!” For a moment, it really seemed as if he would prove the victor in short order, for he took them so by surprise he had upset | nearly every one before they realized what was coming. Then the leader utter a howl. *‘Slug him! Biff him in der eye! him der razzle-dazzle!” ‘*1’m the hardest boy you ever tried ter razzle!” cried Bob, as he kicked the fellow’s feet from under him and sent him sprawl- ing. A moment later, the boys were scram- bling to their feet and making for their dar- ing assailant, The old man had tottered on a few steps, stopping to look back, shaking in every limb, as if stricken with palsy. ~His terror was apparently so ‘great he could not utter a sound, although he tried to do so. Spotter Bob put his back against a wall, and, with his clinched fists at ‘‘ guard,” sent out his blast of defiance. ‘“Come on, you measly whelps! good fer the whole gang of ye!” And for about three minutes it seemed as if he really was able to hold his own with the crowd. It was a lively fight while it lasted, but one of the young thugs finally struck Bob with a stick, staggering the boy champion of the old man, * Jump him!” ** Now’s der time!” ** Do him up!” But, just when they would have overpower- ed the lad from the Quaker City, one of the mob cried; ‘Cheese it! Cops!” Two policemen were coming at a run, the sight of brass buttons caused the mob to scatter like a flock of frightened chickens, They darted into alleyways, doorways, any where to escape, and the stunned lad was left leaning against the wall. Bob would have fled from the police, fear- ing arrest onthe charge made by Murella, but, before he could do so the officers were there, ‘* Hello!” growled one. row?” ** Jest a little scrimmage, boss,” was the Spotter’s cheery reply, as he rubbed his head waere he had been hit. ‘‘ Guess they'd done me up if you hadn't come.” ‘* How’d it start?” “Them mokes was givin’ the old man there a hustlin’ an’ I dipped in.” ‘« Against the gang?” ‘*Sure, Mike.” ‘Well, either you've got a head of sand, or you're a bigger fool than you look.” ‘Thanks awfully! Come round ter my office an’ git yer cash.” The second policeman had pursued some of the young thugs, and the one who question- ed Bob paid little attention to the boy, after finding he was not injured, although he ad- vised him not to hang around that locality long. : The old man of the ghastly face came feebly up to the boy. “ Thank you! thank you!” he said weakly, ‘*Youare brave, I don’t think you would fear rats—oh, the horrid rats! And the dark—it is so dreadful!” He was still shaking, as if with fear. “Hello!” thought Bob, noticing how strange were the man’s words ‘‘ What’s ther matter with this old coon? Out of his head, I'll bet a dollar!” Aloud he observed: ‘* All right, mister; glad to do you a turn, They was raisin’ merry razzle with ye, sure,” ‘*And I am $0 tired—so hungry! The world has changed since I died.” Bob whistled. Give ’m ‘* What's all this y Racket. Well, you look it, se Yen... ‘* You don’t say! How long since?” The old yagrant raised a shaking hand tq | his head. ‘*T don’t know—I can’t tell! A man can- not keep trace of time when he is dead.” ‘* Reckon not,” ‘Say,’ observed the krow this old duffer?” “Sure,” was the instant reply, forthe boy suspected the officer thought of ‘‘ running in” the strange man. ‘‘ He’sall right—has these spells sometimes, that’s all.” ‘* He'll be hurtin’ somebody some time.” *What—dim? Does he look liable to hurtanybody? Notmuch! He’s barmless.” ‘All right, if you say so. You'd better take care of him and get him off the street.” ‘*All right, yourhonor, Tl doit.”” Then he turned to the old man, saying: ‘*Come, uncle; trot along with me.” ‘* Where?” ‘* Anywhere away from here. If yer stay round here, them toughs’ll tackle yer ag’in,” The totteriug old wreck allowed the boy to lead him onward up the New Bowery to- ward Chatham Square. ‘Where are you taking me?’ questioned the man, ** Home.” * Home! “Well, live?” **T don’t live. ‘ Oh, yes! Ida clean forgot that. But, you must stay somewhere. Where is it?” ‘“Anywhere Lcan. Iwill stay anywhere to get away from the rats and the darkness. [amafraid of the rats, and the darkness is so terrible! Itislike that grave where I was buried so long—oh, so long!” ‘* What’s your name?” “The dead have no names.” ‘* Well, what did it used ter be w’en ye was alive?” “1 do not remember—I can’t remember things back there Sometimes it almost seems I can remember, and then, just when 1 am about to grasp something tangible, it all fades from me.” **You must have beenan awful drinker! W'at yer playin’ me fer now—whisky or beer?” ‘“No, no, no! policeman, ‘‘ you falteringly I have no bome,” that’s tough! Where do you I’m dead.” I do notdrink! But I am hungry. I wouder how it is a ghost can be hungry? But, lam hungry and faint—oh, so dreadfully weak!’’ The boy could see the old fellow was real- ly staggering with apparent weakness, for it did not seem the man had been drink- ing. ‘ ‘* Well,” said Bob who was generous, *‘ I'll blow ye toasandwich, That’s.all the ex- tent of my pile’ll let me do now, though I'd like ter give yer a square feed, I ain't goin’ to ict ye have no ten cents to spend, on drink, so Ill buy the sandwich myself, Here's a place.” At a lunch counter, open to the street, the boy purchased a sandwich and gave it to the old man, adding; ‘** Got ter leave yer now, mister, fer busi- ness is mighty pressin’. Good by!” ‘* Good-by! God bless you!” There were tears in the cyes of the dosained, for with- out doubt the man’s mind was affected. Bob hurried up the Bowery, whistling cheerfully, feeling ina very good humor, for allof the events which had taken place, The old man sat down on some steps to eat his sandwich. and hehad just torn one greedy mouthful from it when a big dog darted up and snatched it from his hand, Away ran the dog. The man scrambled to his feet and cried despairingly: ‘*Stop! stop! Oh, God! gone!” He pursued the dog a short distance, bus Itis gone! It ig
Page 8
8 his weak legs would not carry him far, and he fell in a heap on his face. After some moments, he sat up, looking despairingly around, aimlessly, his white lips gasping ‘So hungry!so hungry!” Tears ran down his ghastly pale cheeks, and in all great New York there was no more wretched of pitiful human being to be found. CHAPTER VIIL. MURELLA FINDS HIS PRIZE. LirrLe Nev hurried home as fast as she could, ina perfect flutter of excitement and apprehension, **Oh, if it should be true—if grandfather should be hurt!” she murmured, as she made her way up the Bowery. ‘‘ Perhaps that man told me the truth, after all.’’ She scarcely noticed she was crushing some of the flowers in her grasp, although they had cost her money, and every cent meant a great deal to herand her grand- father Once a dandified individual in very loud clothes stopped her and asked the price of the flowers. When she mechanica'ly told him ten cents a bunch, he selected one, thrust half a dollar into her hand, and said, with a significant leer: “The change is yours, sweetness—keep it. Iswear you are a beaut! Let’s go into this cafeand have some wine, I'll blow you offin great style.” Then something happened that astonished him a great deal, for the girl flung the silver half-dollar fairly into his face, and darted onward, without a word. ‘* Well, may I be swiped!” exclaimed the astounded young blood, as he stared after the retreating figureof the girl. ‘‘Sheacted as if I’d insulted her—and she selling flowers on the Bowery! It beats me! But she was a bird!" For some distance Little Nell ran on, pant- ing, her cheeks aflame. Young though she was, she had been reared in New York, a great deal of her life having been spent in the crowded and poor sections of the city, and achild thus brought up cannot be un aware of the vice that flaunts itself all around her, It is remarkable that a girl can grow up amid such surroundings and remain unsullied But Little Nell, although she had read the haif hinted meaning in the man’s words and looks, was pure and sweet as a wildwood daisy. Naturally, she had resented the blood’s manner, and, in her excitement, had flung the piece of silver into his face, pre- cious though it was to her, She was almost sobbing when she reached the dingy doorway beyond which worn wooden stairs, uncarpeted and unclean, led up to the rooms she called ‘‘ home.” Her lips were quivering, and there were tears in her eyes. Like a fawn, she sprung up the steps, reached the top floor and burst into a room. A gray-haired man turned to meet her, a look of astonishment on his kindly and rug- ged old face, ** Nellie!” ; ‘Oh, grandfather!” She fell, half-fainting, into his arms, sob- bing hysterically, while he was struck dumb with wonder. ‘« What is the meaning of this, little pet?” he finally asked. ‘Tell me, has anything happened? What is it, dear? What has brought my little flower home in this strange manner?” **Oh, grandfather! thank God, it was not “true!” ‘* True—whattrue? What are you speak- ! ing of, child?’ ‘** Oh, he told me you had been injured so “gmdate Ye they had taken you to the ~ hospital!” Shae mn rig? Be n- * $ ; u ; bs vay ms RF ies 50 cs AE a ET es Fi be ne ee : Then he slowly and | » painfully arose to his feet, walking onward ES | The old man was amazed. “‘Who told you that, Nellie?” ‘“‘ A stranger—a man of a dark face and a black mustache and imperial.” A strange look passed over the man’s face, and he started violently. ‘What was his name?” ‘He did not say.” “‘ Where did he find you?” ** Near City Hall Park.” * Was he an American?” “No; he was a foreigner. that by bis talk!” ‘** How did he know of me?” ‘*T do not know. He came and looked in- to my face ina very strange manner, and then he asked me if my name was Nell Spaulding When I told him it was, he said I was the very girl he was looking for—said you had been injured and taken to the hos pital. He declared you sent him to bring me.” “You did not go with him?’ ‘No. He went for a cab to take me in, and a strange boy came and told me he was deceiving me--told me not to go with the man in that cab.” ** God bless that boy!” fervently exclaimed the old man, shaking like a leaf. ‘‘ God bless him!) He saved you!” “Saved me? From what?” “From the worst enemy you have in all the world—from the man I have feared so many years,” ‘*Felipe Murella?”’ ‘Yes, for I am sure it was that wretch who tried to get you into the cab. I thought he had left New York forever, else I would not have allowed you on the street alone to sell flowers.” The girl looked frightened. ‘‘Oh, grandfather! why is that man my enemy? Whathave lever done to him that he should be my enemy?” ‘Nothing, little puss. But, he robbed you of your rights. If you had what was rightfully yours to-day, you would be living in a mansion, instead of this wretched place. Girl, you are an heiress, but this man de- frauded you of everything!” ‘* Tow?” ‘*By craft—by deceit—by murder, per- haps!’ “T donot understand, grandfather.” “You should know. I cannot tell you the whole story, for I do not. know the whole truth, I have told you your poor father owned a very valuable mine in Northern Mexico, where he died. This Murella was his partner—they owned it to- gether. As near as I can make out, Mu- rella bad a third interest, Of a sud- den, your father died, and Murella own- ed everything. He had even been ap- pointed your guardian by your father. . He came here to New York and put the stock of the Little Nell Mine on the market. Then there was a great cave-in in the mine, and the stock slumped, which caused him to withdraw it. Iknow not what he has done with it since. ‘But, that wretched villain of a Spaniard tried to take you from me. He had the papers making him your guardian, and he would have held you entirely in his power to-day had I not hidden you where he could not find you. I thought him gone from New York, forever, I hoped, and so, in these hard times, when I had lost my job, I allowed you to venture out and sell flowers on the street. It was foolish of me.” ‘Why do you say this man defrauded me by murder, perhaps?” “Well.” and a stern look settled on old Thomas Howard’s face, ‘‘I have sometimes OueaS he may have killed your father, ear.” The girl uttered a cry and placed her hands over her face, shuddering with hor- ror. ‘Forgive me, pet—forgive!” exclaimed I could tell 4 aa Ay) Spotter Bob’s Bowery Racket. a ———— eee the man, his arm about her. ‘‘ Oh, you are so like my own child—like your sainted mother! I ought not to have told you!” Little Nell lowered her hands and looked into his face, a brave expression in her eyes. Melt was right; 1am glad I know. Oh, the wretch! How I hate him!” The old man led hertoa chair. They sat down, and for a long time they talked of Little Nell’s dead father and mother. He told her everything he knew of Felipe Mu- sweet young face. Nell did not venture out of the house again until the dusk of evening was gather- ing in the streets, and the lamps had begun to gleam. Then, her grandfather being asleep, she took her remaining flowers and slipped down the stairs, ‘‘T must sell these some way,” was her thought. ‘‘We cannot afford to lose what they cost us.” So sbe stood on the Bowery, selling the little bunches for five cents, or even three cents, when she cduld not get five, until they were all gone. Then, feeling somewhat relieved and lighter hearted, she purchased a loaf of bread at a bake-shop and hurried home, Just before she reached the door that opened on the stairs leading up to her home, she saw a wretched and ghastly-faced old man, who stared at the end of the loaf of bread, which showed where the paper had broken open, as if he longed to leap for it, He was trembling violently, and there was such a greedy, appealing look in his eyes that she involuntarily halted. She heard his lips huskily mutter: ‘* Bread! tread—and I’m starving!” **Poor man!” she said, kindly. ‘‘ Are you hungry?” “Oh, so hungry!” he replied. ‘ Why should I be go hungry when I am dead?” ‘‘If you will come with me you shall haye something to eat. Will you come?” “Thank God! Ill come! A kind bo gave me a sandwich, but a dog snatched It from my very lips. And I could not catch the dog! It was terrible!” Little Nell’s tender heart was touched. ‘* Let me help you,” she said, Taking his arm, she helped him along to the door. “Tt is only a short distance up the stairs, I will aid you, sir.” ‘And I can have something to eat when I get upthere? Oh, I'll climb—Ill do any- thing for something to eat!” It was a very hard climb for the’ shaking old fellow, but he succeeded, with the girl’s help, in reaching the rooms above. Thomas Howard had just awakened and was about to hurry out, having missed his granddaughter. He uttered an exclamation of relief when he saw her ente:, but he was astonished at the sight of the pale and totter ing old man she brought in with her. ‘“‘Who is this, Nellie?” he asked. ‘‘A poorold man who is very hungry, grandfather. He saw my bread, and brought him here to have something to eat,” ; ‘ “Well,” said Howard, slowly, looking at ’ a chair, ‘‘he shall have something, for he seems to be on the point of death.” ‘‘T am dead already,” asserted the strange old beggar. ‘‘I have been dead very long. Perhaps you can tell me why a dead man should be hungry? I do not understand it.” Thomas Howard shook his head, looking Sere teh To Nell, he whispered, in an aside: not know what he says.” man watching herevery movement, when hesatai ka rellu, and she listened, a grim look on her the pale-faced man who had sunk panting on ‘“‘ His misery has turned hishead. Hedoes _ The girl hastily set the table, the strange h on was not staring fiercely at the food. It was i plain he refrained with difficulty from grasp- _ i~ : ap Bel | resi | (3 kia A mo a | ee be j 7: ' % ‘ if ¢ v sf eh
Page 9
ing a loaf of bread and cramming it into his mouth. At length, everything was ready, and Thomas Howard said: “Sit right up to the table, old man. We will eat now.” The stranger promptly accepted the invi- tation, but, just as Nell and her grandfather were on the point of sitting down, there came a sudden knock on the door. The old man had picked up a bread knife, and with it in his right hand, he turned to the door, which was abruptly and violently thrown open. The lamplight shone full on the man who stood in the doorway. 3 was the Man from Mexico, Felipe Mu- rella! Little Nell gave a cry of fear. ‘That is the man who lied to me!” came from her lips—‘‘ the man who said you were hurt, grandfather!” Thomas Howard lifted his left hand and pointed accusingly straight at the face of the Spaniard, ‘Look at him, Little Nell!” cried the old man, shia: f ‘* That is the wretch who rob- bed you of your fortune!” CHAPTER IX. “OND AB Ov.” A HARSH laugh came from the Spaniard’s lips, and he stepped boldly into the room. **You’re a crazy old fool!” he declared. **Why I rob de girl? How I rob her, ha?” *¢ Back!” shouted Thomas Howard, flour- ishing the knife. ‘‘I know you, Murella! Attempt to touch that child and I will bury this blade in your black heart!” ‘*Bah! You tink I fear you? Nevare! You be crazy, or you gif de girl a fair show.” ** What do you mean by that, dog?” ** Have de vera good care!” snarled Felipe, showing his teeth, ‘‘ You call me dog-a, mebbe you vish you had nevar do eet!” ‘You are a dog—a coward—a—” **Oh, grandfather!” gasped Little Nell, terrified. ‘‘ Please stop!” ’ The ghastly pale man seated at the table seemed to have forgotten his food, hungry though he was, for he stared wildly, fear- fully at the intrusive Spaniard, He seem- ed stricken motionless with a great terror, ‘Let de old fool talk!” grated the Man from Mexico, glaring at Howard.’ ‘‘ He ‘veel cut hees own t’roat—eef not, somebody cut eet for heem.” ‘That threat is like you, miserable cur!” shouted Howard. ‘‘ You have a fancy to cut throats! I do not doubt you cut the throat of Bartley Spaulding!” “Now, you talk fooleesh! natural death,” ** He died suddenly.” ‘* Dat ees never strange in Mexico.” **A land of murderous Indians, mongrel Spaniards and white ruffians.” ‘*Oh, you talk vera bold—you nevar fear me von beet. Vera well; sometime you change your song. I have come here to claim my right.” * What is that?” ** Dat girl.” “You have no right to her!” ‘‘Dat ees not true. Her fazare make me her guardian teel she be tventy-one. You steal her avay—you keep her heed, I make you pay for dat!” **T am her grandfather!” “*Dat make no diffrunce.” ‘“‘Ido not believe her father ever gave you charge of her.” “‘ Dat make no diffrunce.” The Spaniard was recovering his com. posure, and he was now cold and sneering. ‘If you touch her, you will have to kill me first!” burst from the excited old man’s ty as he wildly flourished the long bread- nife. Dat man die Spotter Bob’s Bowery Rac ———— **T_ keel you vera easy,” retorted the Spaniard, a devilish light in his eyes. ** You think so because Iam an old man; but I have not yet lost all my strength, and the good God will give me more to defend this innocent lamb from your defiling touch!” “You call on God! Bah!” and Felipe snapped his fingers, contemptuously, ‘‘ Dat I care for God! I vill haf dat child!” ‘What do you want of her?” ‘Vell, von t’ing, she ees pritec.” With a roar that was terrible, Thomas Howard flung himself headlong at the throat of the Spaniard, striking wildly with the knife. Only by a swift movement did Murella escape the thrust, and a perfect string of Spanish imprecations broke from his lips. With his fist, he struck the man behind the ear, staggering Howard a moment. A sudden wild howl ‘that was awful to hear sounded through the room, and the strange man who had been seated at the table came straight at Felipe, screaming: ‘** Devil! I know you for my worst enemy! You shall die, die, die /” A signal pealed from Murella’s lips, as he barely avoided the unexpected attack. As he uttered a cry, the door was suddenly thrown open once more, and two men came rushing in. They were Sonora Dan and Injun Jack. **At de fools!” cried Murella, ‘* Give dem feets!” The Westerner had a heavy revolver in his hand, and, turning it swiftly, he struck a sudden blow at the head of the strange old man of the ghastly face. He made no miscalculation. The butt of the weapon struck the man’s bare head, and, without a cry or a groan, the unfortunate was hurled forward on his face, He lay still, fairly knocked senseless, ‘ In the mean time, the half-blood had grap- pled with Joseph Howard, Injun Jack had the strength of a giant and the swiftness of a panther. Lifting Howard off his feet, the coppery villain dashed him to the floor, As Howard went down, his head strange against the table, and he was also stunned. While this was occurring, Felipe Murella had not been idle, He grasped Little Nell, hissing: “Keep steel! You veel not be hurt.” But, the girl struggled and screamed once | or twice. Sonora Dan sprung to the aid of the Spaniard, and the girl was like a babe in the | hands of the two men. They held her help- less, the band of the Westerner cover- | ing her mouth, while Felipe bound her hands and feet. This being accomplished, a rude gag was roughly thrust into her mouth, The girl had ceased her struggling, her strength seeming to be gone, ‘*See eef de vay ees clear, Senor Dan,” commanded Felipe, and the Western ruftian slipped from the room. Injun Jack stood by the door, looking around. The pallid face of the old man who had fought so fiercely for bis grand- child was plainly revealed by the lamplight, but the other man had fallen face downward beneath the table, so neither the Westerner nor the half-blood obtained a fair view of his features. In a few seconds, Sonora Dan came back, saying: ‘ All right, Murella. Thar waz some critters as wuz listenin’ ter see w’ot ther racket meant, but I told them it wuz only a crazy man, an’ they’ve gone inter their holes, Ther stairs is dark, an’ we kin slip down easy.” ‘*Dat ees good! Ha!” The Western desperado led the way, Fe- lipe following closely. The half-blood lin- gered a moment, as the man who had fallen with his head in the shadow beneath the | I haf de girl, at last! ket. table stirred somewhat, <A terrible look flashed through Injun Jack’s beady eyes, and his hand sought. the haft of a hidden knife, but the crazy wretch did not rise, and his life was spared. Down the dark stairs went the three thugs, bearing the half-fainting girl. A closed cab was drawn up at the curb. Sonora Dan darted out and opened the door, then, watching his opportunity, the Spaniard came swiftly forward with the girl in his arms. He had chosen his time well, and scarcely a glance was attracted toward him, while ng one noticed the girl’s hands and feet were bound and there was a gag in her mouth, Once inside the cab, Murella laughed with glee. Sonora Dan had followed Murella closely, and Injun Jack also entered the cab. The door was closed and the driver, who had plainly received his instructions beforehand, whipped up. Not twenty minutes later, a boy came up the Bowery and mounted the dark stairs, ‘This is the place where she said she lived,” muttered the voice of Spotter Bob, as he stopped at the door on which Little Nell had told him to knock, ‘‘She will be sur- prised to sec me so soon.” He rapped, but received no answer. After pe: the knock, the lad tried the door. t opened to his touch, The sight revealed to Bcb Braddock’s eyes filled him with amazement, On the floor an old man lay stretched, motionless, apparently dead, At the table sat another old man, and the latter was greedily, fiercely stuffing bread into his mouth, his whole manner being that of a ravenous beast. The Spotter recognized the latter. It was the man he had saved from the young thugs —the man for whom he had bought a sand- wich. ‘‘Hello!” broke from the ‘*What’s the meanin’ of this?” The man at the table made no reply, still continuing to stuff the bread into his mouth. Bob entered. “Look here, old chap!” he cried; ‘ have you been killin’ somebody fer a square feed?” Then he saw a streak of blood trickling slowly and sluggishly down the cheek of the pallid man, and he added: ‘Ten ter one, it was a free fight! Well, a man is hard up when he'll fight fora bite of grub like that. Wonder if he has killed t’other old feller?” Dropping on his knees, Bob made an ex- amination of the man on the floor, all the while watching the old fellow of the ghastly face, who was eating at the table, Thomas Howard stirred and groaned, ‘*Not dead!” cried Bob. ° ‘* He’s comin’ round!” A few seconds later, Howard opened his eyes and stared blankly around. ‘*What has happened?” was his question. ‘*My head! I was struck!” Then, with Bob’s assistance, he sat up, **T guess you're all right now, sir,” en- couragingly observed the boy. ‘ How do you feel?” “Something is wrong—something has happened! What?” The eyes of Howard fell on the man who was still greedily devouring the bread, and he instantly cried: ‘“My God: I remember! where is she?” A moment later, he was on his feet, staggering wildly about the room, ca) ling to the girl. ‘‘She is gone,” said the hollow voice of the man at the table. ‘‘ That evil wretch of the dark face took her away—he has stolen ber! Heisa monster! He killed me! Oh, the terrible darkness!—oh, the rats, the rats!” lad’s lips. Little Nell— He cowered back in his chair, shaking like
Page 10
10 Spotter Eob’s Rowery Racket. a leaf in the wind, utterly overcome with terror. Spotter Bob caught Nell’s grandfather by the arm. - ‘Where is she?” he demanded, with a strange fierceness. ‘‘ What has become of her?” The old man dropped into a chair, cover- ing his face with his hands, and sobbing like a child. ‘That wretch has her!” he gasped. Bie W DO? ‘‘The man who murdered her father!” ** The Spanish rip—Felipe Murella?” ‘t-Yes,” . A groan was wrung from the lips of the boy, as he began to understand what had happened. Wildly he questioned the girl’s grandfather, and Howard brokenly told him what had occurred in that room. ‘“More work for me!” cried the boy, a stern look settling on his handsome face. **T'll round up this whelp of sin, or my name ain’t Bob Braddock!” ‘“What can we do?” questioned Thomas Howard, who seemed utterly broken down by the terrible calamity. “Dor ll git track of the villain—I’ll run him down! Do? We'll prove he murdered Bartley Spaulding! We'll see him behind the bars inside of two weeks!” ‘* But you aré only a boy.” ‘“Only a boy, but a holy terror to crooked- ness when I get started. I know a few things that'll make old Murella sweat, and sweat hard!” ‘* Kill him!” wildly cried the man of the ghostly face—‘‘ kill him, as he killed me!” ‘*T’ll save Little Nell, or bu’st a suspender tryin’!” declared Spotter Bob. CHAPTER X. CAUGHT. Bur there was no such a thing as getting | trace of the lost girl that night. Spotter Bob searched high and low for Felipe Murella, but he was forced to ‘ take a snooze,” with nothing accomplished, Another day brought him round to the | girl’s poor home on the Bowery, but she was not there, and he did not find Thomas Howard. The old man was still out in the | streets somewhere, searching for the ab- ducted heiress, and the rooms stood wide open. Bob was about to depart, when some- thing stirred in a dark corner, and he saw a ghastly face and pair of gleaming eyes | rise up before him, As he started back, a hollow voice cried: ‘““Why do you come here to disturb the dead? It was so dark last night—and twice I heard the rats gnawing and squealing! Oh, the terrible rats!” ‘¢ Hello!” exclaimed the boy. ‘Is it you, Old Ghost? Did you stop here last night?” Instead of replying, the man arose slowly to his feet, mumbling: ‘Yesterday I saw the man who killed me! I knew him, although I have not looked on his face for years. I shall find him again, and then—” He smote his shaking hands together. It was a threat, but who could fear that weak and trembling old man? In vain the Spotter tried to get the de- ranged creature to answer questions, The man’s mind seemed to dwell on the fact that he had seen somebody he fancied killed him lon g years before. Finally Bob gave it up, and left him there. The boy had decided on the course he would pursue, and he at once sought the vile alley on Canal street, where he had tracked Sonora Dan and the Spaniard the day before, *« Here I will watch,” he said. Finding a position where he could watch > + + 4 eT Lone Wik oa z s x : jae (ops Mie As Nid ; gi 3 Ora me atin ie ater s rh sae , Sars: ON wicker scar Pa NO piel EL RSs SS ' the mouth of the alley without being seen, he ensconced himself there and waited. Bob was of a lively, impatient nature, and the minutes dragged away like lead. Final- ily, when he could stand it no longer, he ; sneaked into the alley and crept up the stairs to the floor where, he had been used as | a target by the Western ruffian. | Into the room where he had been captured | by the half blood he slipped, his heart beat- ing swiftly, for he knew he would not be liable to get away so easily if captured again. All was silent in that wretched old hovel, | save for the sound of a beery voice away below singing a mixed up stanza of ‘‘ Daisy Bell.” Another chair was placed beneath the knot-hole, and the boy was soon peering through. The next room seemed to be empty. The Spotter was disappointed, for the | thought that the Westerner and Injun Jack had “skipped,” struck him ‘‘all ina heap.” ‘“‘T’]l find out!” he mentally resolved. Then he did a rather rash thing. Stepping down from the chair, he glided from the room and tried the door of the next. It opened to his touch. Looking into that room, he discovered it was really deserted. “Gone!” gasped the lad, in dismay. What was to be done? “T’llfind them yet!” cried the Spotter, resolutely. ‘‘ Little Nell must be saved!” The appearance of the room seemed to in- dicate the late occupants would not return. Bob entered and looked around every- where. The gleam of somethig down in a dark corner caught his eye, and, \picking it up, he found a curiously-shaped knife in his hand. ‘©What’s this?” muttered the lad. ‘‘I never saw a knife just like that before.” Although he did not know it, it was the | scalping-knife of the Navajo Indians, After a time, the lad decided it must be- long to the half-blood or Sonora Dan. “Tn that case,” said he, ‘‘they will return here for it. If I watch, I may get track of | them.” The thought that he might be found in that room was far from pleasant, and he lost no time in getting out, leaving the knife on the floor in the very corner where he had dis- covered it. | Down the stairs he went, making his way out of the alley, to which there was but one entrance. Ina short time, he was once more concealed where he could watch that en- trance. Two bours passed, and still no sign of those for whom he was waiting. The forenoon was adyancing swiftly, and Spotter Bob re- | alized he was hungry, for he had eaten no breakfast.’ | Before another hour passed, a man came down from the Bowery with the tread of a | cat and the springy step of afuwn. His face | was of a light coppery hue, and his eyes were dark as the starless night. ** Ah!” muttered Spotter Bob, with a thrill of satisfaction. ‘‘ The Indian has come, at | last!” | Tt was the half-blood, and he disappeared into the dirty alley. ‘(So that was is knife!” sail Bob. “ Well, Iam migbtly glad he dropped it there.” ° Inashort time, Injun Jack reappeared. He turned toward the Bowery, and there was a boy tracking him like a hound. There was no more skillful trailer in all New York than Spotter Bob, and the way he kept track of the half-blood was an artistic success, for the Indian appeared rather sus- picious, now and then looking all about him and stopping suddenly to glance back. Not once did he detect the boy. ‘Oh, I’m a little fly myself, at times!” chuckled Bob, as he concealed himself be. 5 yey hae Pe a = Sy fae py ea RIE ee —_—— ———— th a vay 4 yee ee . Re ae isin ne . dda eereet ocean. asians i STEN SO 7 —— hind a sidewalk sign and watched the half- blood looking around, ‘I'll guarantee I’m right ter home on this kind of business.” At Spring street Sonora Dan was waiting for his half-blood pard. Bob watched the two ruffians, red and white, as they talked together earnestly. They seemed to be waiting there for some one who was late in appearing. ‘‘If it should be the Seenyaz /” thought the boy, bis heart rising. The Spaniard it proved to be, and he final- ly appeared, sauntering leisurely and boldly down the Bowery, coolly smoking a cigar- ette, as if the abduction of pretty girls was a regular and legitimate business. “Oh, ’m onter you!” grated the young shadower, ‘I'll stick to you like a burdock to a mule’s tail!” For a few moments the trio spoke to- gether, and then Felipe beckoned them into a saloon. “‘T’d give something to hear what they’re sayin’,” thought the boy, as he lingered near the saloon. A newsboy came along with a bundle of papers he had failed to sell. “ Hey, there,” called the Spotter. ‘‘ W’at ‘ll yer take fer that bundle of back num bers?” ‘* W’at'll yer give?” was the counter ques- tion. ‘Ten cents.” ‘Cough it up! Dey’re yours!” The trade was soon made, and changing the expression of his face so that he looked very little like himself, Bob darted for the door of the saloon, entering boldly and with~- out the least hesitation. He did not call out papers in a loud voice and attract the attention of every one, but, pretending to be very anxious to do business, he spoke to several customers of the saloon ina low tone, saying he had failed to dis pose of his morning papers, and asking them if they would kindly purchase one. He actually sold a paper in the place, and, while he was doing it, he discovered the trio of rascals were in a little private room at the back. The door had been closed, but the sharp-eared boy heard, for a moment, Sonors Dan’s voice raised to a pitch that brought the sound to the main room without making his words distinguishable. The Spotter immediately slipped over to the little room, leaning against the thin par- tition. To divert suspicion, Bob began to count over his money, as if he was discover- ing how much he had made that morning. Within the private room, Sonora Dan and Felipe Murella were engaged in a somewhat heated discussion. Now and then, the list- ener could catch a few words, and he soon decided they were wrangling about money. ‘‘Ther Spanish varlet’s payin’ ther West- erner an’ ther Injun fer ther dirty work they helped him do,” was Bob’s decision. ‘* They have struck him heavy, an’ he’s kickin’ like a mule.” As he listened, he discovered the Spaniard finally pacified Dan by paying a portion of what he had promised, and giving bis word to complete the payment at an early date. “That's a trick of his,” thought the lad. ‘‘He’s goin’ ter bluff ’em off. He'll never pay ’em any more, an’ they oughter know it.” He hoped to hear something about the girl but in this he met with disappointment. At length, Bob decided the men were about to leave the ittle room, and he lost no time in slipping from the saloon. On the street, he took up a position where he could watch the front and side doors of the place, being determined ‘none of the party should leave without he saw them. In a doorway near by Bob saw a fierce- faced, ruffianly-looking fellow lurking. The: man’s face was a fiery-red hue, as if he had been burned and blistered by a scorching: | sun, He seemed waiting for some one, , pet Le Suter yp cl ee _= Sate if ae
Page 11
Pretty soon, Sonora Dan and Injun Jack came from the saloon and went away up the Bowery. Almost immediately, the Spaniard came quickly out to the street, and the man of the fierv face hurried to his side. Bob was so near that he heard Felipe excitedly hiss: “Dem ees de men, Mike! You put dem bote out of de vay, I pay you two hundred dollar! Dey be vera dangerous men to tackle. You try eet, ha?” ‘* Bet yer life, ef dat two hundred’s goin’ ter come in. Jest you trust Blazer Mike, der Swiper. Ill sock ’em fer Xeeps before another day!” *‘De money ees yours de moment you prove to me dat!” guardedly exclaimed Murella. ‘‘ Now go! Don’t let dem sleep you!” ‘**Count on der -Swiper, an’ hav yer cash reddy ter-morrer.” With that, the hired murderer started after the men he had agreed to assassinate, and Felipe stood watching until they were out of sight. There was a devilish smile on the face of the dastardly and treacherous Spaniard, and he muttered; ** Dey hold de secret—dey try to work eet on me! Ha! Iam bad man to fool vid! Dat hired. dog-a keel dem bote!”’ “Well, you are a whelp!” thought the listening boy. ‘‘ If ever there was a human devil, you're one!” The Spotter would have warned Sonora Dan and the half-blood of their danger, ruffians though they were, but it was im- possible to do so then without losing track of Murella, and, if he Jost the Spaniard, his hope of finding Little Nell soon would be gone Pretty soon dow mtho Rowery. Bou AVL wed, Before long, the Spaniard entered another saloon. ** Wonder thought the lad. somebody else, or is he bracin’, hard with drinks?” Felipe sauntered leisurely what he went in there for?” *Tlas he a date to meet ed for a long time, but Murglla did not come out, The boy’s impatience grew with each passing minute, and he bégan to fear the Man from Mexico had given him the slip in some way. At last he resolved to know if this was true. With the bundle of papers. still under his arm, he swiftly entered the sa- loon. Barely had he passed through the door when he felt himself clutched by sinewy hands, and a hateful voice hissed in his ears: ‘* Little sneak! I catch you dis time, and I hold you fast!» Ha!” He had run fairly into the hands of Felipe Murella! CHAPTER XI. A CROOKED POLICEMAN. ‘* Lmaao!” Bob uttered the ery, as he squirmed to break from the grasp of the Spaniard. ‘‘Nevar! You follow me, ha? I make you vish you never done dat)” The inmates of the saloon looked on with wonder, seeing the boy squirming and fight- ing to break from the grasp of the man of the dark face and evil eyes. ‘© W'at’s the matter wid ther kid?” growled the barkeeper. ‘‘He be von leetle tief!” declared Mu- rella. “Tt’s a lie!” promptly declared Bob, ' “He steal my vatch,” **T say it’s a Tier ‘* You say eet ees lie, but eet is de trute, Oh, I feex you dis time!” Bob looked around appealingly, and then his eyes fell on a siphon bottle filled with Spotter Bob’s Bowery Racket. Fiz-z-z!—swish! A stream of ggltzer struck Felipe fairly in the face and eyes, blinding him for the mo- ment and causing him to release his hold on the boy, With a triumphant cry, Bob dropped the bottle and darted from the saloon, He heard a roar of laughter behind him, and, mingling with it, a string of furious Spanish exclamations, The witnesses of the scene were laughing at Murella, and the Man from Mexico was literally beside him- self with rage. Bob knew Felipe would soon be bursting from the saloon in pursuit, and he darted away into the moving throng of people. Not till he had run more than a block did he realize he might lose sight of the Spaniard entirely, and then he wheeled squarely about and hurried back, Too late! The Spaniard had left the sa- loon, and no one knew which way he went. The witnesses of the affair were inclined to make a hero of Bob, for they were of the class that thoroughly enjoys anything of the kind, but the boy hurried away to see if he could not find Murella on the Bowery He did not. The man had disappeared completely for the time, and, with a heavy heart, the lud gave over the hope of tracking him straight to the spot where he had taken Little Nell. One of the mcrning papers had obtained some of the particulars of the girl’s ab- duction, but the story printed was curt and far from correct. heard it from the lips of Howard when the old man was in a state of excitement that rendered it impossible for him to relate any- thing correctly. All day Bob wandered about the city, hop. ing against hope that he might see the Spaniard somewhere. He did not, The day passed and another night came, while the fate of Little Nell was still un- known, The boy Spotter longed to see Howard, It stood open ona crack, and through the aperture Bob saw Nell’s grandfather walking the floor, a look of fierce despair on his rugged old face. That look was enough to tell the lad the girl was still missing, but he heard the man groan and cry out: ‘Is there a God who will permit such things? Oh, my littie darling—my lost one!” With a lump in his throat and tears in his eyes, the boy slipped down the stairs and found himself on the Bowery again. ‘«T said I'd find her, an’ I’ve gotter keep my | word!” came through his clinched teeth, ‘‘T'll find Murella, the skunk, or break ther combination |"" But, how was it to be done? He had lost track of Sonora Dan and the half-blood, as | well as the Spaniard. The next morning, the papers contained a startling sensation. Aman had been found on the Bowery with a gash in his heart and his scalp torn | from his head! The scalping had been donc in a manner that seemed to indicate it was the work of a trained hand, That man was Blazer Mike, the Swiper! Felipe Murella’s hired assassin had met his fate at the hands of the meri he was to slay. Spotter Bob knew this the moment he read | the account of the strange discovery, and a thrill of mingled horror and _ satisfaction passed over him. The paper said the scalping had been done as neatly as if it were the work of an Indian warrior on the plains, but, without doubt, some of the Swiper’s former pals, who had now turned against him, were responsible. ‘‘Tujun Jack done it, I’ll bet a house!” muttered Bob. ‘‘ An’ he done it with that | policeman, Bob imagined the reporter | He was right. Had he felt thus disposed, the boy could have given the police a valuable clue, but he chose to keep his own counsel, as it really seemed the murderous thug had received scarcely more than he merited. In looking through the paper to see if the police had discovered anything abont the missing girl, Little Neil, the boy saw a brief item that stated the girl's grandfather had accused a certain Spanish gentleman, who was more or less well known in New York because of his handling of mining stock, The name of the Spaniard was not given, but that was not necessary for Bob, as the item stated the police were on the outlook for the party. ‘‘Let me git my eyes on him again”? thought the lad. And, within an hour, be did! Once more Felipe Murella came saunter ing down the Bowery, coolly smoking hig hand-rolled cigarette, seeming to feel him- self perfectly safe there. ‘Wonder if he knows w’at’s in the pa- per?” thought Bob. The boy followed Murella, watching for q To his intense surprise, the Spaniard coolly approached an officer and began talking with him. “ Well, that 7s gall!” gasped the shadow, As soon as he could recover from his first astonishment, he darted forward and at- tracted the attention of the policeman ‘« Hi!” he called, excitedly. ‘‘ Know who this cove is w’at ye’re talkin’ to?” Murella uttered a snarl, while the officer seemed intensely astonished. ‘‘This moke is ther ‘Spanish gentleman’ w’at kerried off ther gal on the Bowery two nights ago!” the Spotter went on, not giving Felipe a chance to stop him. ‘He's ther one the police is instructed ter pinch fu’st pop. Grab him, officer, an’ you git the glory! Don’t let him git away from ye!” ‘*Leetle wretch!’ fumed the Man from | Mexico, leaping forward and grasping Bob, >, | “Thave you now!” and he crept up to the door of the man’s | [have y ‘* An’ the perlice’ll have you/” cut in the lad. ‘‘ Arrest him, Mr. Officer! [ll swear he is the critter w’at I said!” ‘*And I veel svare dis leetle rat steal my vatch, offisare,’ came from the Spaniard’s lips. ‘‘I have try to catch heem two day; now I haf heem, vant heem arrest,” “You make the. charge of theft against him?” questioned the policeman. ‘““T do, sare.” ‘Allright; Vl run him in.’ man’s hand fell on Bob's arm, For a moment the Jad was utterly as- tounded by this turn in events, and then he: madly cried: “This isan outrage! If you arrest me, you will have to take him, Mr. Cop! TI’ll go along an’ stan’ ther racket fer the fun of seein’ him pinched.” Murella’s hand came out of his pocket, with something yellow in the palm. The police- man seemed to si APY OEN and the hands of the two men met, while the Spaniard said , The police- | something in a low tone, “Come along here, you young rascal!” growled the policeman, as he gave Bob a jerk, ‘ You'll do for an example. This man has made a charge against you.” “And I have made a charge against him,” put in the boy. ‘‘I insist that you arrest him. officer! He is wanted!” ‘¢Oh, come off! ‘You're too flip!” With that the policeman dragged the boy down the street, while Murella was left to walk away unmolested, . ‘©And this is justice in New York!” thought the ‘Spotter. ‘‘In this case, we’ve got to fight the perlice, as well as ther Span- jiard!” The officer pretended he intended to take- | The Spotter remained outside and watch- a seltzer. With one quick clutch, he secured | very knife I found in the lodgin’ house of | the boy to the station, but, after a few min- Bay the bottle. And then— the night-hawkers.”’ utes, he said: ’ ae y P eye 7 ; F aig ; 7 ‘ Gas bth eee oa 4 oe ; ih i 2p ; Perales ie seas vy gent Ne a lang = 5 OF eal Naan 4 pe A ea ’ errs Fer a wee eee ‘ - — a z : E8300 ee ee Le gee i a
Page 12
ay “ 12 * T+’ll go hard with you, if you go before the judge.” Bob made no reply. He knew words were useless. ‘*T hate ter see a kid sent up to do time,” continued the hypocritical servant of law and order. ‘‘I’ll just let up my grip a bit, , youngster, and you makea sneak.” To the officer’s astonishment, the boy re- plied: T won't! station-house “You do?” “Sure.” “What for?” ** Wasn’t I arrested?” **Yes.” ‘« Well, didn’t that sneakin’ Spaniard say I swiped bis ticker?” ** He did.” ‘‘ Well, you ain’t got any right ter let me skip, an’ I decline to skip a little bit.” “You young fool!” “No compliments, please!” “* You don’t know what a show I’m givin’ a.” sé Don’t?’ ae No. ” ‘‘T know you didn’t give me any show at all. You did me dirty, an’ now I want to ee the judge.” ** What for?” ““T’ve got a few t’ings ter tell him.” ‘* Well, I can’t waste my time takin’ you in, Youcan go. Git!” ‘**T don’t want ter git.” *T’'ll give ye arappin’ over ther shins with me stick if ye don’t!” The officer hrandished his club ominously, and Bob sidled away, observing: “You're a beaut—yow are! I'm dead on- ter you! You accepted a bribe from the Spaniard, an’ I saw yer. I’ve got yer num. ber, an’, w’en I git time, I’m goin’ ter see you are reported, I'll break you some day, see if I don't, Mr. Crooked Perliceman!”’ With a fierce exclamation, the officer started for Bob, and the boy darted away . CHAPTER XII. IN THE CAB Two hours later, Bob spotted Sonora Dan. ‘‘Hello, beauty!” muttered the lad, in delight. *‘ I'm dead in it again!” He kept the Western ruffian in view, wondering where Injun Jack could be. It was possible the half-blood was keeping out of sight until the excitement over the dis- covery of the scalpless dead tough, Blazer Mike, subsided. This, however, did not prove to be true, for Dan soon met his coppery-hued pard. The boy managed to get near enough to hear some of the words which passed _ be- tween them. He saw the Westerner was in a fearful rage, while the look on the half- blood’s face was far from pledsant to con- template, ‘He has played us, curse him!” came harshly from the lips of Sonora Dan. * So,” nodded the half-blood, curtly. “What shall we do?” ‘* Use the knife!” ‘t Let s not be too hasty, pard. Let’s give ther varmint one more chance. Ef we do him too quick, we'll end our chance of Squeezin’ any more cash out of him.” ‘Give um timc, um set ‘nother fool after us,” ‘““You can serve ther critter as ye did tother one, only don’t lift his ha’r, Thet ‘thar wuz foolish.” “Why?” ‘*It might hev brung ther perlice hot foot arter us.” Injun Jack made a gesture of contempt. “They like Johnny soldier in fort—they ‘no count.” **Don’t you think that, pard. Ef they git arter yer, you'll find it dern hard vars them. ie: Ther next thing is ter find Murel I insist on being taken to the y? C—O ee um — —_-- Oromo eS eS sesesnseiis> Se ee ** Yes; he sneak away like thief.” ‘“‘Thet’s what he did, an’ he moved ther gal, and now we must find her. That is our next work, Injun. This whelp may try ter git her out of ther city an’ skip us thet thar way. We must not let him.” “Not much!” “Then we must divide and hunt fer ther varmint. No time is to be lost, Ef you find ther gal an’ kin git her, doit. Thet’ll give us a holt on the Greaser skunk,” and the two unsavory confederates in villainy parted. Spotter Bob was disheartened by learning that Murell» liad played his once chosen tools false and again spirited Little Nell away. The boy had hoped to follow the men straight to the spot where the girl was concealed. As it was, he resolved to shadow one of them, and something caused him to select the Indian, And fortune Jed the half-blood straight to the mau he sought, A cab was drawn up before a somber-look- ing house on Grand street, and Injun Jack saw Senor Felipe Murella talking earnestly to the driver. The half-blood halted and watched, him- self unseen by the treacherous Spaniard. Pretty soon, Murella turned from the cab and hurried into the house, at which, like a fox, Injun Jack glided forward. The youthful Bob was not far behind. The red rascal stepped into 1 doorway near the cab, and there waited, while the boy, in a doorway on the opposite side of the street, had the red-skin under surveillance. Spotter and spotted had not long to wait. Murella came out of the house, and Bob Braddock gasped with astonishment when he saw the person with the bold and villainous Spaniard, for, although that person’s face was hidden by a heavy vail, the Spotter could not doubt it was the lost heiress. ‘* Little Nell, or I’m a chump!’ broke guardedly from the lad’s lips, ‘‘ Murella means to take her from the city! He must be stopped some way! How?” That was a hard question to answer, and the boy was shaking with excitement and suspense, He did not dare call on the police, as his recent experience warned him how use- less such a course would be. From his position, he saw Injun Jack start and bend forward, glaring at the Span- jard and the vailed girl Bob wondered what the half blood would do, but he was not Jong kept in uncertainty. Murella hurried the girl to the cab, speak- ing something to her in a low tone. She appeared perfectly willing to obey him, but Bob saw he kept hold of her arm, There was nothing about the appearance of the pair to attract special notice from those who were passing. The Man from Mexico opened the door of the cab and helped the girl in. He was about to follow her when something happen- ed to prevent him, Like a leaping panther, Injun Jack came from the doorway. He held something in his hand, and, with it, he struck Murella a crushing blow hurling the man in a heap on the walk. Up over the wheels to the seat of the cab went the supple and muscular half-blood, and then the astounded driver was sent whirling head over heels into the street, striking on his head and shoulders. Spotter Bob had not been idle, astonished though he was by what happened. He darted toward the cab, having no particular object in view, but being determined to do something. ’ The half-blood had caught the reins from the driver’s hands, and he snatched up the whip, uttering a yell that nearly frightened the horses out of their harness. Swish!— crack! the whip fell on the terrified animals, and they leaped forward, Barely was the Spotter able to swing him- self into the open door of the cab as it went 5 Pa! git Sr ar aS mei ee ar far ca oe S»otter Bob’s Bowery Racket. ne thundering along the street, but he succeed- ed, thanks to the swiftness with which he had darted forward when he saw something unusual and unexpected was happening. He closed the door, hearing the wild shouts of the astounded spectators of the, remark. able scene. No one but a wild Indian would have dared attempt such a feat in the open light of day on Grand street, but the half-bleod was ready for any daring venture. As the cab bounced and rumbled over the stones, Injun Jack looked back to see if he was pur- sued. He sawa blue coated figure running wildly along the street, with twenty other men in citizens’ clothes at his heels, and an- other thrilling yell pealed from the half- blood’s lips while he stood straight up and made the whip crack and cut the horses underneath, The animals were galloping madly along the crowded thoroughfare, and the drivers of other teams took care to make way for it. Inside the cab Bob Braddock hastened to lift the vail so he could see the face of the rir. ‘* Littie Nell!” he cried. ‘‘ It 7s you!” She seemed to awaken from a trance. ‘‘What is it? Where are we going?” she cried, terrified. -s ‘‘Don’t you be scared,” urged the young Spotter, earnestly. ‘‘ Jest you trust to me. I’m goin’ to stick to you as long as Ican gasp a breath, you bet!” ‘Ob, you are the boy who warned me against Felipe Murella!” SE be,* “* Where are we?” ‘‘Inacab. Jest you set still.” With a little shuddering cry, she flung her arms about his neck, sobbing: “You won't Jet him euch me again? I am so afraid of him!” ‘He sha’n't touch ye, Little Nell!” bravely assured Bob, thrilling as he felt her convul- sive clutch, ‘‘Ob, you are brave—you are good! Last night Idreamed of you. You were the knight who came to save me! It was like a’ story, and I--I—I thought—” She hesitated in the greatest confusion. “What did ye think, Little Nell?” eagerly asked the boy, for the moment forgetting their situation. ‘‘T—I thought we were married !” ‘‘No such Tuck as that fer me!” returned the boy, although he was trembling with a new emotion that was not fear, by any means. ‘*T’m only a common boy, and you—” » ‘lama girl. Who knows—” She said no more, but already the flame in Bob Braddock’s heart was sending the hot blood to every part of his body. Never be- fore in all his life had he experienced such a strange sensation of unutterable joy. He looked on the sweet face of the innocent and beautiful young girl and swore he would willingly give up his life to save her a single moment of unhappiness. And Little Nell’s heart was fluttering like a wounded bird in her bosom. She, too, had for the moment forgotten the strangeness of their situation and the fact that they were in eril. She still clung to Bob, looking trust- ingly into his face, and her breath seemed to intoxicate him foy the moment, ‘““You ean’t mean it!’ he exclaimed, his arms closing about her waist. ‘‘ You do not care for me—Nellie?” ‘‘Why should I dream of you?” ‘‘T don't know.” «And I am sure you are brave and good.” A jolt of the cab brought their lips near together, and, governed by a sudden mad impulse, the boy kissed her fairly on the mouth, hoarse shouts of warning and a wild yell from the half-blood driver. : The following instant there was a fearful crash, and the young lovers were violently fit : Sage ae J ee pa Pag oe Odell "a . a! tl ghee ste Witenes a tes NCEE cp ate INT oo : Then they heard the clanging of a bell, — ; i | :
Page 13
nye } ". torn apart, while the bursting of a million slights was followed by blank darkness for | oe through before he could ihe out. | ‘were soon attended to, and the Spotter found Spotter Bob’s Bowery Racket. 13: Spotter Bob! CHAPTER XIII. OLD GHOST TAKES THE LEAD. ‘* Wat's the matter with me?” The question broke from the lips of the young Spotter when he recovered his senses and found himself stretched on a hospital cot. “The boy is all right now,” declared the attendant physician. ‘‘It was nothing seri- ous after all—simply a heavy concussion.” ‘‘ Never sworein my. life, an’ nobody has a right to say I was cussin’,” protested Bob as he struggled to get up. ‘* Lie down a while!” directed the nurse, pushing him gently back, ‘‘ You are in no condition to get up now.” *«Ain’t? Jimminy keezer! w’at’s ther mat ter with me?” ‘** You were injured.” ‘Was? When?—Where? What happen- ed? House fall on me—or which?” aot weéi2 thrown from a cab and stun- ned.” “Stun’d, was 1? Jest show me the kid wat shied ther stun? I'll do him up in- stanter!” ‘“'You were knocked senseless.” “ Was he a good shot? Hit me on the head—not? What’s his name? Where’s he reside? Show me to him? I’m Business Bob from Philadelfy, an’ I'll crawl up his collar!” ‘«That’s all right—” “Mebbe you think so, but Jdon’t. I’ve gota rep to sustain, I'm goin’ out to look after that kid!”, ‘* You were thrown from a runaway cab and rendered senseless when you struck the paving.” ‘Runaway cab—thrown out—knocked out! I begin to remember, thoughit’s hazy. The seenyaw—the Injun—Little Nell! We bad a racket, an’—” ‘*His mind seems to wander,” said the purse to the physician. ; “Don’t you stack any chips on that! My mind is jest gettin’ oiled up an’ in runnin’ order, 1 remember now---we was in the cab, an’ that wild Injun was drivin’. There was a clang of bells—yells—crash—and then--- What happened then?” “The cab was overturned by a fire en- gine,” explained the physician. ‘‘Sure, Mike!” excitedly exclaimed Bob, ‘‘T remember takin’ ther dump, and then 1 remember---nuthin’, Who was killed? Where is little Nell?” “The girl Yr 4a Yes,’ “She was not hurt---only dazed.’ ** But where is she?” « A’ man took her away.” “Who? What man?” ‘“*T did not see him, but I understand it was her guardian.” ‘‘Not the seenyaw---say it wasn’t the seenyaw?” ; **T do not know who it was.” ~%> Braddock was up before they could stop him. : “T’ve gotter go!” he cried, ‘“‘ Don’t stop me! I’m all right. Eead feels fu’st- straight.” This despite the fact that for the moment his head was whirling round and round and he was seized with sudden blind- ~ ness. “« Where do you live, boy?” questioned the physician. *«On the Bowery,” was the prompt reply. “Well, I guess you can go home. “*Course L kin! I feel bully. Show me the way out. I’m ina rush—lots of business on hand.” But, there were certain formalities to go These himself on the street, a bandage about his ‘Without doubt you are right. If I head, but not much the worse for the rattling | only had a little more proof, I could brin adventure through which he had just pass- ed, the man to justice obtain justice! If I was rich, I coul But lam poor! The police- Another night was approaching, as he | scarcely credit my story of Little Nell’s ab- | duction; they seem to think me out of my swiftly made his way down the Bowery. ‘*Goin’ ter find out if little Nell’s ter home. Mebbe it was her grandfather that took heraway. Hopeso, Great jee! W'at if she’s dropped inter ther dirty hands of Murella ag’in! Wow! Ican’t bear ter think of such luck! ‘*Seems like I dreamed her an’ I was stuck on each other. It couldn’t be so! What'd she care fer a feller like me! Guess I must have got that inter my head while I was laid out in ther hospital.” Straight to the house of little Nell he pro- ceeded, and by the time he arrived there, the street lamps were gleaming. Up the stairs he bounded, rapping loudly at the door. As there was no answer, he could not wait to rap again, but tried the door. It opened, and he entered. The room was deserted, and neither little Nell nor her grandfather were anywhere about the place! ‘‘That settles it!" exclaimed Bob, his heart sinking. ‘‘She's still in ther hands of her foes!” As he was on the point of leaving, the door opened and aman staggered into the room, He did not seem surprised at finding the Spotter there, but mechanically lighted a lamp, after which he dropped heavily into a chair, his head falling forward on his breast. He was Nell’s grandfather, and his entire aspect told the story of his hopeless woe. ‘* Little Nell---” began Bob. ‘«She must be dead!” groaned the old man, ‘Dead? No! She was all right this day.” x She was? How do’you know?” ‘* Found her---talked with her.” ‘““Whent Where?” ‘The old man had started to his feet and stood trembling before the boy. In as few words as possible, the Spotter told of his adventure, Although the listener was filled with dismay, he declared Bob a noble fellow. He was some what encour- aged to know his grandchild still lived and was not injured in the accident brought about by’ the reckless driving of the wild half-blood who had captured the cab. However, the thought that Little Nell might again be in the power of Felipe Mu- rella was maddening, What could be done to save her? Once more all trace of her was lost. “Why should that wretch turn his spite on my poor child?” cried the old man, wring- ing his hands. ‘‘ Was he not satisfied wit the terrible injury he has done us?” ‘‘ Nothin’ satisfies a crooked Spaniard.” ‘‘1f Twas sure he murdered her father---” “What?” ‘‘ Bartley Spauldiug should be avenged!” ‘¢ Well, you kin be sure of it!” ‘* How?” ‘* T know it.” ‘How do you know anything about it?” Then Bob told of his first meeting with the Spaniard and how he had tracked the Man from Mexico and Sonora Dan to the room in the lodging-house of the night- hawkers, where he overheard enough to know Nell’s father had been kept a captive in some kind of an underground dungeon until death came to his relief. “Oh, the dastard!” grated old Thomas Howard, his whole figure shaking with emo- tion. ‘* Why didn’t he kill poor Bartley at once?” ** Dunno.” “No one but a wretch would have shut a man up like that to die!” ~ ‘‘He must have doneit fer revenge. They say a Spaniard will doanything to git square with a man he hates.” head, Even if I could get them enlisted in my behalf, Murella might baffle me, for he has papers that seem to give him the guar- dianship of my granddaughter.” ‘‘That is why he is so bold about his crooked work,” said Bob. ‘‘He does not: fear you.” ‘* He fears no man!” ‘‘T am not sure of that. I reckon he’s kinder skecry of Sonora Dan an’ ther Injun, If not, he’d never try to skip them the way he does.” ‘‘Tt may turn to be a case of dog eat dog. If so, there is a chance Little Nell will be saved, If he harms a hair of that innocent child’s head, I'll kill him!” ‘* Killin’ is dangerous.” **Tll kill him though I give up my life in turn!” burst from the lips of the passion- shaken old man. ‘‘ The only thing that will save him is his treatment of that child!” ‘* That’s right!” broke in a hollow voice. ** Kill him! He killed me!” The old man and the as were startled to: see the person Bob had designated as Old Ghost come tottering into the room. ‘* Oh, it is good to find a light!” faltered the miserable wretch, ‘‘I am so afraid of the dark! Will you tell me why a dead man should fear the dark? Nobody seems: able to tell me that. When [ask them, they look at me in a singular manner, and hurry away.” He sat down on a chair, carrying his. trembling hands to his head, ‘‘ What brought me here?” he muttered. **T came for something. What?’ Old Howard was so occupied with his own misery that he scarcely gave the maa of the: ghastly face a look. Old Ghost seemed struggling to remember something, and, after a ise. he cried: ‘*That’s it; that’s it!—the girl!” ** What girl?” demanded Spotter Rob and Thomas Howard, in unison, ‘‘The one who brought me here to give me something to eat when I was so hungry, Oh, she has a kind heart! That wretch shalt. not harm her!” ‘* What do you know of her?” **T saw he:—I saw her with him!” The Spotter had the old man by the shoulder in a moment, as he shouted: ‘“When? Where?” “Not far away. He took her down the alley and up to that room. I watched and watched till it grew dark there, and I was frightened.” Howard was now more excited than Bob. ‘¢Qan you take us theré?” he asked wildly. ‘‘That is why I came here. Will you follow ?” “Yes! Lead the way!” “Easy!” cautioned thé boy. ‘Have you a gun, Mr. Howard?” ‘**) have a revolver.” ** Loaded ?” “ Yes, ” “Take it, and be ready to use it instanter. If we do tind the critter, he may make a fight of it.” The old man looked to his revolver, and declared it was in working’ order. A few moments later, the strange trio was moving along the Bowery. As Old Ghost had said, they did not have to go far before they came to the alley, into which he declared the Spaniard had taken Little Nell, It was a dark and wretched lace, and the man of the ghastly face esitated about going down there. His com- panions urged him on, however, and they. entered, They moved forward cautiously, for it. was impossible to tell what they would en-
Page 14
f counter in the place. How it happened neither of them sould tell, but, all at once, their guide vanished as completely and mysteriously as if he had been a ghost in truth! CHAPTER XIV. THROUGH THE WINDOW IN THE ROOF. In a wretched garret room, lighted during the day by a roof window, were Senor Felipe Murella, of Mexico, and Little Nell, the lost heiress. The girl was seated on a chair, while Felipe stood in the middle of the floor, his feet, planted wide apart, admiring the fresh and ‘fascinating beauty of the child he had kidnapped. There was a gloating look on his evil face,.and his fingers moved as if he longed to grasp her. ‘*So you vant to go back to your grand- fazre, ha?’ he questioned. “If you please, sir,” said Little Nell, in a rather dazed way, as if,she acarcely un- derstood what she was saying. **Dut old rascale keep you from me. I be de friend of your fazare; he make me de guardian of you. Ven your fazare lose all he haf in de mine an’ bee seek to die, he make me promeese to take his shild an’ do for her like she vas my own. I gif heem dat promeese. Your grandfazare keep you from me. I haf money; i can make you reech.” ‘‘Tdo not_ care for money! I only want my grandfather. Please let me go!” ‘*Leetle fool!” muttered the Spaniard, be- neath his breath, ‘* Why I bodare vid her? Vonce I say Ido eet to haf revenge on her fadare. Howl hate datman! He catch me try to cheat. Ve haf vords; he strike me! Ha! I make heem pay for dat! Now, I haf found dis girl, I haf de paper v’at I make heem write. By dat paper de girl ees mine teelshe be twenty-von, V'at [ vant of her? Ah! she be pritee!” ' It was evident the beauty of the child had aroused the worst passions of the man’s nature, and Little Nell was indeed in terri- ble peril. ‘* Please, sir, will you take me home?” she pleaded, once more, - “TY veel gif her some more of de drug,” muttered Felipe. ‘*Kef I don't, she get 80 she cry an’ take on.” Aloud, he replied: ‘*T veel take you to your grandfazare vera soon, You be not strong now. I gif you somet'ing to make you haf de strength.” ‘“*Oh, I do not want anything!” I only ‘want to gohome! That is all!” Murella procured a glass of water, and, ‘with his back turned to Nell, dropped a small amount of a colorless liquid into it froma tiny vial he carried. Then he ap- proached her, saying: ‘You dreenk dis first.” She drew back, with a gesture of fear. **1 don’t want it!” ‘“You teenk you don’t vant eet, butgyou do! Eef you don’t dreenk, I veel not take you to your grandfazare.” ** And you will if I do?” **. Yes, * Right away?” * Right avay off qveek.” ‘* Then I will drink it.”” She took the glass from his hand and drank from it, but stopped suddenly, a look of repulsion on her face. ‘It is a litthe bitter!” she cried. ‘‘ Why should water be bitter?” | “| put dat stuff in eet to gif you de strength,” eta’ Her eyes began to droop, and she mur- mured: ‘Ob, I am so tired—so sleepy!” “Den you lay right avay down here,” and he half-carried her to a couch, on which she sunk in a heavy slumber, so quickly had the -.- gubtle drug worked, - _. “Dat ees goot!” cried the triumphant vil- Jain. “She. veel. dleep for several hour, and ooKe Spotter Bob’s darkness of the miserable | the Spaniard thoroughly. -| teel he be dead. Bowery Racket. ven she vake, she do not remembare she vant to go home so qveek. Ha! Dat ees great stuff! ‘She be vera sveet, like deflower. 1 keep her now—I keep her for herself, safe! Ven she is oldare—ha!—she be vera handsome! Den she veel belong de whole to Felipe Mu- rella, of Mexico. ‘*T must find a vay to geet rid of dem dog-a v’at I haf to do de job for her fazare. Dey haf de poware over me—dey could crush me! I hire de vite man, but he gif de Injun half to vatch ofer de man inde cave. And dere Bartlee Spauldeeng stay teel he die. **Dat Injun, heem I do be afraid of! He keel an scalp de man v’at I offar two hun- dred dollar to geet rid of dem bote. He haf de vay like de cat. Nevare tell vere he be or ven he— Carr-r-ramba !” There was a sudden crash of glass above, and then a black figure dropped lightly down into the room from the broken window in the roof. Injun jack stood before Felipe Murella! The half*blood folded his arms across his breast and looked steadily, ominously at the mun who a moment before had been admir- ing the fresh beauty of the girl he had kid- napped. The Spaniard was so startled that he fell back, pale and shaking, glaring at the half- blood as if he saw a spirit. Not a word did Injun Jack speak, but his eyes were filled with a terrible menace. For almost a minute the tableau lasted, and then, with a furious cry, Felipe snatched out a revolver, ‘‘Dog-a!” he snarled. here! Den you shall die!” But, as he lifted the weapon, something caused him to hesitate and halt, even though “You track me the half-blood made no move to defend his own life. From the window above, a stern voice rung out: ‘‘Hold hard, thar, Murella! I have ther drop on yer, an’ I'll perforate yer hide with a lead pill ef ye don’t drop that yar gun én- stanter Felipe looked up, and, at the window, he saw the face of Sonora Dan. The light glit- tered on the barrel of a revolver held in the steady hand of the Westerner, and Dan could plant his bullets exactly where he pleased. Then the Spaniard began to feel alarmed, for he perceived he was really in a tight box. Evidently those men had come there to settle accdunts with him, and they meant business. ‘“* Drop that yar gun!” roared Sonora Dan. The revolver fell to the floor, and the half- blood coolly picked it BP Then Sonora Dan followed his red pard into the room, | ‘* Waal, Felipe, old pard, how are yer!” he saluted grinning in a way that enraged ‘*Tried ter give us ther slip, eh? aal, ye can’t dodge In- jun Jack, an’ ye may as well know thet fu’st as last. He traile ye hyer, an’ then he brung me along ter have a talk with yer, He ain’t much on the chin, but he’s mighty handy on the go!” ‘Why you come here?” demanded the Man from Mexico, in ugly mood. | ‘‘To get that settlement with you, old hoss,” ‘*T nevare pay you any more monee!” ‘*Oh, yes yer will!” ~Nevare! I pay you to keep Bartlee Spauldeeng shut up in de cave; dat vas all. ou keep heem dare and geet your monee Dat end de beesnez.” ‘‘Not by a blamed big heap, pard! Now, ‘ther man’s dead you ain’t satisfied. You hev stolen his gal, an’ I reckon I know why. Jt can’t be fer money, as you hed ther thing fixed so far as that was concerned.” “You know too much!” _ “ Thet thar’s bout right, pard; I know too ‘much for your comfort, a heap sight. But, . ee ae < bith e : -. w’at ef I told yer Bartley Spaulding was not < dead ?” Felipe sneered, ‘* You nevare make me believe dat now you haf say he be dead.” Not cne of the three saw a ghastly white face that appeared at the broken window at this moment. And the man at the window was unaware two other persons were a short distance away on the roof, closely watch- ing his every move. ** Jack,” spoke Sonora Dan, ‘‘ did Bartley Spaulding die in the cave?” ‘*No die.” Still Felipe sneered. - ** Why did you tell me dat?” he question- ed. ‘‘EKet eeg too late now. You say he be deat, and den you change your storee. Eet nevar go vid me.” Sonora Dan grinned, & “«Tt may fev ter go, pard. Jack?” The half-blood grunted. ‘What became of Bartley Spaulding?” “Dig out—glt away.” “That ees too thin!” declared Felipe. ** Where ees he now?” “* Here!” ‘ Down from the roof window shot another man, and then Old Ghost stood there before the astounded trio! No longer he was shaking—no longer he seemed weak and trembling. He stood up straight as a statue before them, a terrible look in the eyes which were: turned on Felipe Murella, ‘‘T remember now!” he eried, ‘‘J am Bartley Spaulding! I thought I was dead,, but now | know I live—live for vengeance!” ‘Great God!” gasped Sonora Dan, falling back, ‘‘It ¢s ther critter for sure!” “Vengeance!” cried the man of the ghast- ly face, shaking his clinched fists above his head. ‘‘ Vengeance is mine!” And then, as he launched himself toward the Spaniard, Sonora Dan lifted his revolver and fired! : CHAPTER XY. FELIPE’S FATE AND NELL’S FORTUNE, Forwarp on his face plunged Old Ghost, and there he lay like one dead, while three pale-faced men stared at the prostrate fig- ure, Sonora Dan was the first to speak... ‘Just creased ther critter!” he cried, ** An’ I'm derned ef it ain’t Spaulding!” Injun Jack turned the body with his foot, and, as he did so, an unexpected thing hap- pened. ‘Up leaped the man who had fallen before the Western ruffian’s stunning shot, snatch- ing rae revolver from the half-blood’s and, ‘Tt is my turn!” he shouted. The weapon spoke, and Sonora Dan, desperado and murderer, went down with- out a cry. Felipe would have been the next victim, but he suddenly extinguished the light, plunging the room in utter darkness. At the window in the roof Spotter Bob a and old Tom Howard had witnessed a por- tion of the startling events taking place be- low. They had Jost Old Ghost in the alley, but it was not long before they saw Sonora Dan and Injun Jack slip past and hurry away. Following the two ruffians they be- held a crouching figure that appeared fa- miliar, and they followed. into the room containing the trio of rascals. “They’vye doused ther glim!” whispered. Bob, in old Howard’s ear, Up a flight of z dark stairs to the roof they were led, and — there saw the man of the ghastly face drop — ‘“‘There’s been — shootin’, an’ somebody was socked fer keeps.” ee ‘* Little Nell is down there!” cried the old ‘*Tam going to her!” ain egg The boy tried to hold him back, but the grandfather SA through the windo with the sprightliness of a iad of twenty. j Seem fis} Me ‘ 4S ar eS
Page 15
Spotter Bob’s Bowery Racket. “sticks ter my pards!” and Bob also | world and look out for Number One. It is | mining interests, is with her, as is also her eaypeet into the room below. an education of a sort acquired in no other | dear old grandfather, whom she most tender- , : he boy expected a fearful struggle would | manner. ly loves. follow, but nothing of the kind happened. Bob was painfully aware of his deficiencies Bob Braddock is oftice boy for a big Wall All was silent within the room, and old |in book kuowledge and refined manners and | street broking firm, and says he means to be- " Howard soon struck a match, with which he | had resolved to remedy the matter as far as | come a money king, some day. As he is y ‘| lighted the lamp. possible by attending night school. bright and alert, there is no telling what may “di Then they looked around. ‘*There is one mystery I would like | happen! a On the floor lay Sonora Dan, stone dend! | solved,” said Nell’s grandfather, after a time. He attends night school steadily, and is ad- Felipe Murélla, Injun Jack and the man | ‘‘ lam wondering who that old man of the | vancing rapidly. That he is always warmly mY who had shot the Western ruffian were gone. | ghostly face can be, and how he was con- | welcomed to the home of Little Nell needs i | An open door told how they had slipped | nected with Murella and his tools.” no further proof than that old Tommy calls ie) from the place. In time, that question was answered, for | him ‘‘my boy!” me | On the couch lay Little Nell, the lost| Howard received a long lctter from El THE END, A heiress, sleeping as peacefully as if there had | Altar, Mexico, and that letter was written i been no sounds to arouse her. The drug ad- by Bartley, Spaulding, 7 was. alive and rere ihe | ministered by Murella had rendered her un- } well! He had, as we have seen, not died fs he Be: conscious of the thrilling scenes which |in the cavern dungeon where he was con-| Next Half-Dime Library, No. 867. on) ’ transpired in that room. fined through the treachery of Felipe’ Mu- eerste Oh: stead With a cry of joy, the grandfather caught | rella, but, as the Indian had stated, had Ingraham's Superb Sea, Shore, and Coast th her up in his arms, kissing her tenderly, and | dug out and escaped, although what he Outlaw Romance:~ ihe then glared around defiantly, as heexclaimed: | had suffered during those horrible years had changed him to an old and broken- down man and had so affected his mind that he fancied he was dead, The fortunate discovery of a gold nug- get pocket had enabled him to raise money to get to New York, to which place he was drawn by an impulse he did not un- derstand. There he wandered about the streets in a half dazed condition, falling in with the characters of this story in the manner described. The truth of it all finally dawned upon him as he overheard the words of the vil- lains in the room bclow ,while he gazed down through the broken roof-window, Then he fully realized that he was the Bartley Spaulding of whom they were speaking and at once sought vengeance on the men who had wrecked his life. In the darkness after the extinguishing of the light, he followed Murella and the half-blood from the room, but lost them in the streets, The next morning he read of Murella’s death, and, making a lucky find of a lost Howard mounted the ladder, and the boy | pocketbook, he hurried back to México to followed. ; see if he ‘could possibly prove his identity and recover his right to the Little Nell Mine, The following morning New York was |In this he had succeeded, after a severe “Safe! They shall not take you from me again, pet!” ay ‘Well, they’ll have to climb over Robert at: Braddock, Esq., if they do!” affirmed the rd is } boy Spotter, > ‘iS =e 38 nie | c= ee ve 37 => 2 v2 >? #3 . Bs ta,” ‘ ~ turned loose on New York, as robbery did | New York bank, enabling Little Nell and | 26 Dennis Dutt the Brown Sport's Kid. ate nae not seem to have been the object of the | her grandfather Howard to immediately | $43 Pilger lyse he’sieet Peuek aa” - assassin, none of Murella’s money or | leave their wretched rooms on the Bowery oat Foxy Hv edis Oad Ward or, Ths Keonor’s Hegeemananss ae _ valuables having been taken. and seek more comfortable quarters. 824 Rowery Billy, the Bunto Bouncer, \ a _ “That was the work of the Injun,”| ‘This knocks me out!” decided Bob | 34% Qne.Pig Bou ye powers: . promptly decided Spotter Bob, when he read | Braddock, sadly. ‘‘I ain't in itafter this!” | 850 ‘The Grand Street Arab, ? the account of the affair. ‘‘ Little Nell’s| ‘* What do you mean?” ev aat ere hapil tii sin" 2 a enemy will not trouble her again.” ‘Well, now you’re rich I don’t s’pose} \ BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. a Little Nell herself smiled at him from | you'll care to have me come round any more |g yenowatone Juck } or, The Trappers re the opposite side of the breakfast-table, at | where you are?” 48 Telack John, the Rosi-Agent ane Outlaws Retreat, aM which they were seated. Little Nell promptly resented this,and the apm tata Sam jr The King of the Plan. Ete “Tt has not ended so badly, after all,” boy was forced to beg her pardon. Then i3¢ Night-tfawk re Shee tae of the Ranch, : she said; ‘‘and I have found one dear friend, | she impulsively threw her arms about his | 151 Panther Paul or, Dainty, Lanes to: the Rapeue, as well as lost an enemy.” neck and kissed him, whispering in his ear: | 189 phe Pine tant oe eerie with Fires - *?Seuse my blushes!” entreated Bob, and “I have not forgotten that day in the 184 The Hoy Trailers or, Dainty Lance on the WarPath., he actually did blush, something remarka-| cab!” B11 Grooled Cale, the Callban 2; Cofutil City. ) ble for him, | And Bob was happy once more! S10 The Horrance, W Olt) or) LiorsecThisver Leagul: | \ - The old man looked uneasily from the rim 88S Old Double Fiat 4 or, The Strange Guide | a é boy to the girl, shaking his head, as he| “Jack the Scalper” was not captured by | $1) kit Ios: the Border Boy Detective. ” 7 ~ muttered to himself: the police. The half-blood disappeared froin | $23 Chincapin Pan, the tos eee fi “Too young! And the lad’s scarcely |} New York, and it is probable he returned to | 688 Ohineapin Daw’s Home Stretch, \ a nore than astreet urchin. It will never do— | the Southwest. eae Pe ener et Tuten Leacy. nig eihencca tt never do!” The police made little effort to solve the | £18 Tigkp Heart Tarver weet ret. i Pr For the moment he forgot that many of | mystery of Sonora Dan’s death. The man | $29 Silverblade, the Hall Bloods, cr, Tho Border Beagle at Bay. , _ the smartest and most prosperous business | Was @ stranger, and very. evidently was a | £48 Siiverblade’ the Friendly; rhe Bordor Beagle’s Boy'Pard men in this country were once ‘‘street | tough; so the mystery of his taking off did Now Kevks ters eden :F chins.” The life of the streets, when it does | not seem to them worth the time and trouble | _ ae Ak i oany ey ahh anes aL IEE A ae a tough or acrook of a boy, sbarp- | to solve it. ; ti RAN ys _ 6 gdibttec eopy, or seat by tell On reselpt of six sents eugn, RE a ee a lad’s wits, gives him confidence in him- Little Nell lived in a home of her own} | BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, f, shows him how to get along in the] now, and her father, having disposed of his 98 William Street, New ¥ ite er oh : 3 : ‘" ie . A 25 Vo ae 4 o wr ata iy al we fe ; , Ey ak PINS Ft Soe }. rd * eyo eaten) wh
Page 16
~~ BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novela. Dick, the Prince of the Road. Dick’s Deflance; or, Voudle Daggers. Dick in Disguise; or, Bulfal, Ben Dick ta lis Castle. Dick’s Bonanzay or, The Phantom Miner. Dick in Danger; or, Omena Oll. Dick’s Engles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. Dick on Decks or, Culamity ¢ ne, the Heroine Diek’s Last Aets or, Corduroy Charile. Dick in Leadville. a" eh lee; os The Double Cross Sign. ck as Detective. Dick'’« Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bill. Dick’s Big Strikes or, A Game of Gold, Diek of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party. Dick’a Dreamy or, The Rivals of the Road. Dick’s Ward or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. pers room or iesansaid Jane’s Adventure, ck’s Dea eal. Dick’s Death-Plant. Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Tougha, 4 a piviae Rt ag Spirit of Swamp Lake. ek’* Death Trail. Dick’s Deals or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flate Dick’s Ducata; or, Daya in the Diggings. Sek Bentouces s or, The Terrible Vendetta. ck’a Claim, Dick in Dead City. Dick’s Diamonda, 421 Deadwood Dick in New York; or, A “Cute Case,” 480 Deadwood Pick’s Duat; or, The Chained Hand. riers penaweed Pick srt i Crimson Creacent Signa, é eadw r.’a, Deflance. 458 Deadwood Jr.'s Full Nand. 459 Deadwood Jr.?n, Big Round-Up. 465 Deadwood Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10, 471 Deadwood Jr.'s, Corral; or, man G80 Restused pice: Ye unseanecst™ rr) eadw 491 Deadwood Jdr.’a, Compact. 496 Deadwaod Jr.’s, Inheritance, 500 Deadwooa dr.’a, Di ngs. 5 pe jwerense, rs, Protegee. dr.’a, Three. dr., Danger Ducka, r.’#, ath Hunt. dr., in Texas. Jdr., the Wild West Vidoeg dr., on Mia Mettle. dr., in Gotham, Jr., In Boston. Jr., in Philadelphia. dr., in Chicago. k. Jr., Afloat. Jr., in Denver, Jr.'s, Decree. Jdr., in Beelzebub’s Basin, Dick, dry at Coney Island, Jr.'s, Leadville Lay. dr., in Detroit. dr., in Cincinuatl. dr., in Nevada. Jr., in No Man’s Land, dr., After the Queer. Jr., In Buffalo. Jr.'s, Chase Acroasa the Continent Jr.» Among tho Smugglers. Jr.’a, Insurance Casc. dr., Back in the Mines. dr., (a Durango; or, “ Gathered In.” Jr.'s, Discovery; or, Found a Fortune, Jr.'s. Darzle. dr.’s. Dollars. Jdr., at Danger Divide. Jr.’s, Drop. Jr., at Jack-Pot, Pep in San Francisco, dr.’s, Still Hunt, Dominoes. ‘ulse. Deal. 1 Deadwood 20 Deadwood 28 Deadwood 85 Deadwood 42 Deadwood 49 Deadwood 57 Deadwood 7B Deadwood 77 Deadwood 100 Deadwood 104 Deadwood 108 Deadwood 129 Deadwood 188 Deadwoed 149 Deadwood 156 Deadwood 195 Deadwood 201 Deadwood 205 Deadwood 217 Deadwood 221 Deadwood 232 Gold-Dust 268 Deadwood B65 Deadwood 809 Deadwood 821 Deadwood 847 Deadwood 851 Deadwood 262 Deadwood 405 Deadwood 410 Deadwood 529 Deadwood 5834 Deadwood ID 5639 Deadwood 544 Deadwood 649 Deadwooa D 554 Deadwood 561 Deadwood 567 Deadwood 572 Deadwood 578 Deadwood 584 Deadwood 590 Deadwood Dick 595 Deadwood 618 De ood 624 Deadwood 680 Deadwood D 686 Deadwood 642 Deadwood 648 Deadwood 654 Deadwood Dick 660 Deadwood €66 Deadw 672 Deadwood 678 Deadwood 684 Deadwood 690 Deadwood D 605 Deadwood D 700 Deadwood T04 Deadwood 710 Deadwood Di Deadwood 722 Deadw Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood T Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood 764 Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Dick, J Deadwood Dick, Jr.» Defied. Nendwood Dick, Jr.’a, Double Device, peadweed pret ore Reapers te Y eaanrt, eadwoo ek, Jr.’a, Diamon ee. 1? Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Royal Flush. 812 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s, Nend-off. 816 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’a, Rival. S22 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Boom, 828 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Scoop. S84 Deadwood Dick, Jdr.’«, Proxy. $40 Deadwood Dick, Jr», Clutch. 845 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, High Morse. 852 Deadwood Dick Jr., at Devyil’s Gulch, BY WM. G@. PATTEN, Violet Vane, the Velvet Sport, or, The Jubilee ot Jacktown. Violet Vane’a Victory; or, The Jasper City Clean Out. Violet and Dalay, the Posy Pards. 5b Violet Vane’s Vows or, The Cratty Detective’s Craft. Violet Vane’s Vengeance; or, The Wipe-Out. Violet Vane’a Verdiet; or, The Game at Coffin City, Violet Vane, the Veniriloquist Vidoeq; or, Sport va. Sport. Violet Vane, the Vanquished; or, The Life Struggte. Violet Vane’s Vialony or, The Flery Hand of Fate. The Miamond Sporti or, The Double Face of Bed Rock, Captain Mystery ; or, Five in One, Paley Ware the Sport from Denver. Old Gombehell, the Ranger Detective. 4 Tron Fern, the Mun of Fire. or, Among the Valtures, The Boy Tramp Detective: or. The Double Grip Witness Diamal Dave's Dandy Pard; or, The Clue to Capt, Claw 1 Bound Boy Frank, the Young Amatenr Detective 82 Wild Vulecany the Lone-Raxge Rider, 14 Old Misery the Man from Missourt. 74 Clear-Grit Cal, the Never Say-Die Detective, 7859 Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special, 806 Cowboy Steve the Ranch Mascot. 820 Nobby Nat, the Tenderfoot Detective. 886 Sharper Stoke’s Double Deal. BY COL, A. F. HOLT. R17 Wideawakes the Train-hoy Detective, S11 Headlight Narry’« Flyer; or, Duke Derby. 678 Headlight Narry’« Nazard. 691 Headlight Harry’s Hawt; or, The Railroad Parda, @27 Weadlight Warry’s Stren; or, Mud Madge. toa Weadlight Warry’s Heritage. KBerked?d So rss 620 Sues arin SeoeSe-o-e — =S PMMIARARAAP AS rdededesered ~ 94 Wendlight Harry’s Hunt; or, The Cache of Gold, 9 Black Ruckakiny or, The Masked Men of Death Canyom, 19 Kenneth, the Knife-King; or, The Doomed Six. & Little htfoot, the Pliot of the Woods. The y Sports or, The King Pin Conspirator, Other Novela by E. L. Wheeler. Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. Rosebud Kob on Mand; or, [dy], the Girl Miner, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance; or, Photograph Phil. Rosebud Rob's Challenpe; or, Cinnamon Chip. Denver Doll, the Detective Queen; or, The Yankee’s Surround 281 Denver Doll’« Victory; or, Skul! and Crossbones, 255 Denver Doll's Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza. 896 Denver Doll's Drift; or, The Road Qneen. 865 y rekn dim, the Gold-Gatherers or, The Life Lottery, ais Yreka dim’s Prize; or, The Wolves of Wake-Up. 7 5 Yreka Jim's woken, or, The Rivals of Red Nose. Yreka Jim’s New Kole; or, Bicycle Ben, 804 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective; or, Dot Leetle Game, 218 Fritz to the Front}; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter 244 Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret; or, A Sister’s Devotion, 248 Sierra Sams Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Sawm’s Purdy or, The Angel of Big Vista. 255 Sierra Sam’s Sevens or, The Stolen Bride, 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner, $89 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket; or, The Pride of Played-Out, 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 69 The Boy Detective; or, Guid Rifle, the Sharpebooter, 96 Watch-Eyc, the Detective, or, Arcbs aud Angels, 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 145 Cuptain Ferret, the New York Detective, 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 226 The Arab Detective ; or; Snoozer, the Boy Sharp, 201 Turk the Boy Ferret. B25 Kelley, og! && Co,, the Detectives of Philadelphia, 848 \ unhattan Mike, the Bowery Detective. 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High Hat Narry, the Base Ball Detective. 426 Bam Slabaides, the pogee-Bey Detective, 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives, 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon, or, The Border Vultures, 82 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Pead-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’s Camp. 118 Jack Hoyle the Young Speculator, 125 Benanza ill, Miner; or, Madam Mystery, the Forger, 188 Boras Hob the king of Bootblacks, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent; or, The Branded Brows, 177 Nobby 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 G)adiator; or, The Locked Valley, 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heira. 20 No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 808 ’Lizea Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. 880 Little Qu! ck-Shotys or, The Dead Face of Daggersville, 858 Firat-Class Fred, the Gent from Gopher. 878 Nabob Ned¢ or, The Secret of Slab City. 882 Cool Kit, the Kirg of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 8 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher; or, A Son’s Vengeance. 6 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkier; or The Tribunal of Ten. BY LIEUT, A. K. SIMB, 589 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 622 Tom-Cat’a Triad; or, The Affair at Tombstone. 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task; or, The Cowboy Detective. 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumphj or, Black Dan’s Great Combine. 546 Captain Gactzes' e Chaparral Cock; or, Josh’s Ten Strike 568 The Dandy of Dodge; or, Rustling for Millions, 576 The Silver Sport; or, Josh Peppermint’s Jubilee. 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 601 Happy Hana, the Dutch Vidocg; or, Hot Timesat Round-Up 611 Bil a Barnacle, the Detective Hercules, 646 Srwrkex Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank, 665 Jolly Jeremiahy the Plains Detective, Sas oirnal amy the Lookout nn ne pire y ce * 3_or, The Mystery of Two Lives, a8 Simple Bima, che Bele bi Buater; or, For Big Stakes. 712 The Meamertat Sport; or, The Mystified Detective, 788 Toltee Tom, the Mad Prospector, 745 Kansas Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective. 761 Marmaduke, the Mustanger Detective. 778 The Ruatler of Rolling Btone. 7835 Lone Hand Joe, the Committee of One, 801 Kent Kirby, the Hivh-Kicker from Killbuck, 882 The Doctor Detective in Texas, BY BUFFALO BILL (Ilion. Wm. F. Cody). 8 Kanaae King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy or, The Pilot of the Prairie. 65 beadly-Eye, the Unknown Scout; or, The Banded Brotherhood 68 Border Robin Hood; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado}; or, The Trapper’s Trust. BY J. ©. COWPRIOK, Broadway Billy Novels. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo, oi preadway ide Rosset ots Clearing a Stranae Case roadway y’s ys 557 Broadway ay Peath Kacket. 579 Broadway Billy’é Surprise Party. 605 Broadway Billy; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning. 628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Act; or, The League of Seven, 669 Broadway Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack in Frisco, sie presdwey nee or, Beating San Franciaco's Finest, ' roadway y In Clover. 4 | tage yas any, ‘ Te ad or, The River Rustlers, rondway y’sa Brand, 711 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe; or, The Clever Deal. hay read way iad Repu sends or, The Gamin Detective, rondway y’s Business, 7BS Broadway Billy’a Curious Case, 758 Broadway Billy in Denyer. res pent ot lt died 4S pein a The Three Detectives, BS ronadway the triever tective. 775 Broadway Billy's hedewGhese. 788 Broadway Billy’s Beagles; or. The Trio’s Quest, 786 Broadway Billy’a Team; or, The Combine’s Big Pull. zee Proaawer Aa qrimndes or, The Dead Alive. ronadwa y’s Quecr Bequest, 800 postwar Billy Batied. rat 805 Brondway Billy’s Signal Scoop. 810 Broadway Rilly’s Wipe Out. Broadway Billy’« Bank Racket. reaaway Billy’s Bluff. ester Buen ee 889 Broadway Billy’« Big Boom, 844 Broadway Billy’ Big Bulge. $49 Broadway Billy’s 8100,9090 Snap. Rilver-Mask, the Man of Mystery, or, The Golden Keys, Shasta, the Gold King} or, For Seven Years Dead, 420 The Detective’« Apprentices, or, A Boy Without » Name. 424 Cibuia Johny; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar. 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout, 467 Diaco Dan, the Daisy Dude 506 Redtighs Ralph. the Prince of the Road, 5624 The Engineer Detective: or, Redlight Ralph’s Resolve BAS Mart, the Night Express Detective. 571 Atr-Line Luke the Young Engiveer; or, The Double Case 592 The Boy Pinkerton; or, Running the Rascale Out. 615 Fighting Harry the Chief of Chained Cyclone. 640 Bareback Beth, the Centaur of the Circle, 647 Tver ser, Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. 659 Moonlight Morgan, the “‘ Pizenest ’’ Man of Ante Bar, BEADLE’S*H ALF- DIME* [| IBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Hach Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdealers.. ‘ z 9 D 41 nod dD 245 284 602 The V 287 & Th Th ik BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, Dick Doom’s Kidnapper Knock-Out. Dick Doom’s Ten Strike. Dick Doom’s Flush Hand. 2 Dick Doom’s Death-Grip; or, The Detective by Destiny. 7 Dick Doom’s Destiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terror. 4 Dick Doom; or, the Sharps and Sharks of New York. 8 Dick Doom In Boston; or, A Man of Many Masks. 8 Dick Doom tn Chicago. Dick Doom tn the Wild Weat. Pick Doom’s Clean Sweep} or, Five Links in a Clue. Dick Doom’s Death Clue. Dick Doom’s Diamond Deal, Dick Doom’s« Girl Maacot. Dick Doom’s Shadow Hunt. Dick Doom’s Big Houl. Dashing Charlfe: or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trali. Dashing Charlic’s Deatiny; or, The Renegade’s Captive. Darhing Charliie’« Pawnee Pard, Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer. Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive. Buck Taylors Boys; or, The Red Riders of the Rio Grande. Pawnee BI, the Prairie Shadower. Pawnee Bil; or, Curl, the Mad Cowboy. Pawnee Bills Pledge; or, The Cowboy's Doom, Pawnee Bill; or, Daring Dick. Redfern’sa Curious Case; m, The Rival Sharps. Redfern at Devil’« Ranchj or, The Sharp from Texas. Redfern’s High Hand; or, Blue Jacket. Redfern’s Last Trail; or, The Red Sombrero Rangets.. Red Ralph’a Ruse; or, The Buccance: Midshipman. Red Ralph’a Bold Games or, The Wizard Sailor. Red Ralph, the Shadower; or, The Freebooter’s Legacy Butterfly Billy’s Disguise, Kutterfly Billy, the Pony Express Rider. Butterfly Billy’s Man Hunt, Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza. Kent Kingdon; or, The Owle of the Overland. Kent Kingdon’s Shadower 3} or. the Card Queen. 5& Kent Kingdon’s Duel} cr, The Surgeon Seout. 56 Kent Kingdon’s Doom 3; or, The Buckskia Avenger. 545 Lafitte Run Downs or, The Buccaneers of Barratarin. 550 Lafitte’s Legacy: or. The Avenging Son. 555 Lafitte’s Confession}; or, The Creole Corsair. 520 Buckskin BAll, the Comanche Shadow. 525 The Buckakin Brothers In Texas, 580 The Buckakin Bowers; or. The Cowbos Pirates. 585 The Buckskin Rovers; or, The Prairie Fugitive. 540 The Buckskin Pardw Quest; or, Captuin Ku-Klux, 508 The Royal Middy +; or, The Shark and tne Son Cat. 507 The Royal Middy’s Luck; or, The Huntea Midshipmax 511 The Royal Middy’« Foe. 450 Wizard Wl: or, The Boy Ferret 01 New York. Wizard Wills Street Beouta Wizard Wills Pard}j or, Fiera, the Flower Girl. Wizard Wills Laat Caxet or, The Ferrets Afloat. uncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 Duncan Dare’a Plets or, A Cabin Boy’s Luck. 487 Dunvan Dare’s Prize; or, The Sea Raider 441 Duncan Dare’a Fecret: or. The Ocean Firefly. 402 Inodor, the Young Conspirator;: or, The Fatal Leagne, 407 Inodor’s Double Chane; or, The Boy Insurgent. 21 or’a War-Cloud Cruise; or, The Wild Yachtoman. 216 Bison Bill, the Prince of the Reine. 222 Bison Bill’a Clue; or, Grit, the Brave Sport. 804 Dead Shot Dandy’s Dilemma. i ' 808 Dead Shot Dandy’a Double; or, Keno Kit. 814 Dead Shot Dandy’s Defiances or, The Boy Bugler. 607 Dead Shot Dandy’s Chicf; or, The River Detective. Merle Monte’s Leap for Life. 250 Merle Monte’s Mutiny ¢ or. Brandt, the Buc: anver. 264 Merle Monte’s Treasure Island, 269 Merle Monte the Condemned, 276 Merle Monte’s Crulaes or,“ Gold Ship” Chase. 280 Merle Monte's Fate; or, The Pirate's Pride 84 Merle Monte’a Pledge: or. The Sen Marauder. 197 The Kid Glove Sport { or. Little Grit, the Wild Rider, 204 The Kid Glove Sport’s Doom; or, Buffalo Bil), Pony Express Rider, S25 Pavie, the Cowboy Coaster, 781 Ruth Redmond, the Gir) Shadower. 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag. 61%Ralph, the Dend-Shot Scout. he Vagabond of the Mines. 57 The Texan Detective; or, The Black Bravos. B91 Delmonte, tne Young Sea-Rover; or, The Avenzing Sailor. B80 The Outcaxt Cadets or, The Falae Detective 495 Arizona Joe; or, The Boy Pard of Texas Jack. 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Conater; or, Pirate in Spite. 462 The Sailor Boy Wanderer; or, The Born Guide. 446 Waphazard Harry : or, The Sea Scapegrace 898 The Red Claaped Wanda; or, The Boy Lieutenant. B87 Warpath Will. the Traitor Guide. B88 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island B77 Bonodel, the Boy Rovers or, The Flagless Schooner. 27 Billy Rlue-Eyes, of the Rio Grande. = the Leone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 229 Orimaon Kate, the Gir) Trailer; or, The Cowboy’s Triamph.. 116 The Hussar Captain: or, The Hermit of Hell Gate. 111 The Sea-Devil; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Smuggier, or, The Cruise of the Vixen. vd e Boy Duelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolt. 62 e Bhadow Ship? or, The Rival Lieutenants, 24 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone. 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer; or. The Fugitive Yacht, 7 The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Outcast. LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 856 The Bootblack Stowaway3 or, Broadway Billy's Blind. By J. C. Cowdrick, 857 Spotter Bob In New Yorks or, The Man from Way Back. By Wm. G, Patten, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Reath-Hole Huatle ; or, The Doom of Satan’s Seven, By Ed, L, Wheelar, New York Nat, the Gamin Detective; or, The Girl Queen «of the Bov Police League, By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. The Boat-Club Mascot; or, Dan Decker’s Doub) By Jo Pierce. 861 Billy Brine, the Swamp Fox; or, Shadowing the Sivgrle Schooner. By “has. F. Welles, Rrondway Billy in London; or, Scotland Yard's New York Specixl. By 1. C. Cowdrick. Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s Bombshell; or, Captain Wue- By Fa. L. Wheeler. 858 Ten! 862 868 heard’s Girl Cat’s-paw. 864 The Union Square Baggage Boy; or, Kris Chat- terbox, the Pavement Guide. B~ Jo Pierva. 865 New York Nat’s Masked Mascot, By Col. Prnitice Inernham, 866 Rpotter Bob’s Rowery Rackets or, Euchering ‘he Man from Mexico, Ry Wm. G. Patten. 867 Dend Shot Ralph’« Drop; or, The Cowboy Smuggler By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 868 Billy. the Londo Slums Ferret: or, The Mvsterious Whitechane! Trare’v. By J. C. Cowdrick, 869 Ned Norman, the Gamin Vroker; or, The Shake-up of Grip and Gorley. By Charles Morris. A New lesue Every Tuesday The Half-Dime Library !s for sale by al! newades.ers, five @ents per copy, or sent by mai! on receipt of alx conte each, BEADLE AN® ADAMS, Publishers, » 98 William Strect, New York, Smash-nup. Rroadwa