Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 883) (1894 06 26)
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See] Seed | ° ae Ldlllllleltalaltalal |) £ > ~~ Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y , Post Office. Copyrighted 18M, by BraDLE AND ADAMS, = $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price, No. 883. a Year. No. %& WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 cents. Vol. TOV. DOWNING OR, THE KING OF DIAMONDS, BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM. CHAPTER I. TT VAILED ASGEL “ You are known as New York Nat, I be- lieve?” The one thus addressed started at the words, turned quickly and faced the speaker. He had been standing npon a wooded point of land within the upper limits of the creat E attra — New York, gazing out upon the beau- THAT SAME NIGHT A RAID WAS MADE FY THE POLICE AND DETECTIVES tiful Hudson River. GUIDED BY SHERMAN CANFIELD, NEW YORK NAT'S ALLY.
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- "The youth ' Ge" One of the €e _ New York Nat’s Crook Chase. ‘It was a scene of beauty before him, and oughly disguised, but if you are not Olive, | lice force, and wholly unknown to all, yet I behind him was a pretty cot ‘tering homes here and there, forthe march of enterprise had not reached yet that por- tion of the city. The one who had been addressed as ‘‘ New York Nat,” wasa youth of tall, graceful and athletic form, with a face that was hand- some, fearless and strangely stamped with indomitable will and determination for one so young, as he was younger than he ap- posted, beiug several years yet from being of aze. He was neatly dressed, but ina neglige manner, Wore a slouch hat, and had the ap- pearance of being a youth in the ordinary walks of life. . When he faced the one who addressed him he saw ea Vailed woman in black, so deeply vailed in fact that he could not have told whether she was young or old, white or black. A cloak of lightest texture concealed her form, so he could not tell anything about her, more than that her voice was low and musical, “ Yes, 1 am New York Nat, Olive,” he answered with a smile. “But Iam not Olive.” ** You canpot fool me, sis.” ‘‘lam not Olive,” was the repeated re- _ Sponse. . ae eet jaca h are yeu doing in that Loca ise, sis’ t e have you on bow that Iam not fa it with your” “ Again T tell you that I am not Olive.” ith started, gazed fixedly into the vailed face and said in a low tone: “ Come, sis, don't fool ore, for you are Olive, as I can plainly teil.” “ How?” ais ant your height, general appearance and voice. rh Py Tam not trying to fool you, and again I say thatt fo eet bho one at. call Olive.” ** Well, if you are not Olive you are—” y +. ** Who? . ap aide mS ! ys in , a wolf in sheep's clothing,” and the youth smiled. “Tam not a boy; Lam not in dis- guise; noram Ia wolf in sheep's and more, I am not your sister Olive.” “You know Olive?” * As I know that you are New York Nat, I know Olive.” ; ** Who and what is she?” “Your sister, thangh known by no one to | then the + : gle for secrecy, We are at your mercy.” . be such; and, she is more.” bs _ | “You serve many so well, and yet none |. “‘ Yet = iful, and wish you to “Whatmore?” 4 of them know you. serve me, as I said, and in doing ops will “ Your ally in all you do.” “To-day the chief of the Secret Service eerereer es your band as w “ What does that mean?” ; would give ten thous dollars cash to} ‘‘ Yes, but I am not to know who you ‘She is known as the Masked Queen of | know’ rein cecie [dar hard : Se the Boy Police ” , 8o faithfully serves him, and yet,| ‘* You are not. **Ha! you are : in spite of all, or one | with oung allies, keeps so completely “Then I shall be working like arat ina of the League.” out of sight that he can glean noclue to you; | hole, wholly in the dark?” / “Lam neither.” he can onl atkpowlelig’s the services you} *‘ Yes, a8 far as I am concerned, but you “You must be, for no one else would know / render him in an underband way.” __ will work though into light in the if what you do about Olive.” _.. |. “* Why doyouwnot earn the reward by tell- | you do not fear to take the case. : “ Lknow also about you.” ing who I am, as you appear toknow?” “Oh, no, I shall not back down,” was “ What do you know?” - “I can make money more ‘and | the prompt reply. | r <2 w your comrades call you | honorably than in betraying you, you who . New York that you are a myste it is my wish should serve me.” 4 young fel hising or some reason from| ,‘* Ah! and in what way can I serve you?” CHAPTER UL the officers of the law, yet recently aiding | ‘* You can serve me in several ways in de- A Fate ALLY them in fer out crime, thongh not dar- | tective work,” ; ; ing to make ; tself known; you are chief of the band o tr “Do I not & New York before His face wore an anxious look, and he set his lips firmly together a gazed upon the vail as though deter to pierce its mystery. se He had ca each tone of the voice, and felt convin it it was either not Olive’s, orif so, it was most splendidly disguised. At last he said: _“™ Yes, you know me, and there is no one save Olive and one other, outside of my band _ who knows the secret you do. s# e, with scat- | then ou are—” * What?’ : ‘*A vyailed angel, for no one else could know my secret,” CHAPTER I, WORKING IN THE DARK. A .icut laugh came from beneath the vail at New York Nat’s asseveration, and then | followed: ‘*T have been called an angel before, and | by — lips that have since called me a | evil.” There was a bitterness in the words and tone that New York Nat could not but notice, and he pepped: “IT said that if you were not my sister Olive, you must be an angel to know my secret. ‘Olive is an earthly angel, if there are such beings, and she could never do any- thing that would ever make me call hera devil: but I realize now that you are not | Olive.” “T told you so.” “‘ Nor one of my boys in disguise.” ** You are sure of this?” “Yes. Iam now.” ** Why now?” a woman, have unraveled your secret and know you justas you are, New York Nat, the chief of the band of youths who are pleased to call themselves the Boy Police League, who meet in an old mansion, known as Miser Max’s Haunted House, who are banded together by the strongest ties, work ing by day in various callings, such as mes- senger-boys, hotel-boys, newsboys, boot- blacks, and in other ways being able to serve as spies and detectives, and having as your Mascot, or Queen, as you call her, your sister Olive, who dwells in yonder cottage, | is the treasurer of your League and secretary as well, and goes masked to all meetin while not a soul else knows her as she is, save yourself, ** Am 1 not right, New York Nat?” : “Anything else?” evasively and suspi- ciously. ** Yes, something else.” “ What is it?” . “* You have an ally.” “Ah! Anally? And pray, whoishe?” ‘* A gentleman who came here from Ari- zona, whom you saved from death the night of his arrival, for he was to be put out of the way by those who plotted to remove him as a rightful heir to an estate. ‘* He is a young man, and was a rancher * Well, not one of them could play your | in Arizona and well to do. , clever as some of them are.” “ ** We then understand each other, Nat?” ‘ while I know nothing about you.” “Then for once the youn Boy Police, the King of the Unknown Fer- rets, is at fault, eh? . “‘T am frequently at fault, miss.” ** Why not callme madam?” “You seem young to me, than a girk*~ o-_ ** Well, who remain a mystery. oe ie do not ‘ntend I shall know’you, en?” an Ae ; Master | he an “Oh, no; you seem to understand me, | with the ‘Tam and what I am must | “It was through your saving his life that ot his soene Bad he keeps your secret, is your tween to communicate Kecesteevice chief for you. “He lives in grand style in a fashionable chief, of the | street, and alone, save his servants. “You and your sister had a strange life, for you were parted as little children, you to become a wanderer, she a flower-girl, and later you met and you saved ber from those hardly more | who had killed her old guardian, Miser Max, in the very mansion you now occupy. _ “To redeem your young comrades from an evil life, Emig and your sister organized them into the Boy-Police League, and you have done such splendid service that I now **T do not.” wo ing gate fama apo g, “Why d if that is SC e and most m and dangerous wish ohh ipneietie wed argc ap case, which I feel you will undertake and “To have you serve me.” to a successful unraveling. if RR nd = I serve you when I do not| ‘‘ Now say whether I know you or not? know you “ Why not go to the Chief of the Secret **T must confess that you do. “ You know it all, ena after allour strug: “Prom what I have heard of you, New Service and get his aid, and his legitimately Ma 1 pe ae are not of the backing-down } detectives?” “ Because I prefer to come to you, York Nat.” e bai oe I Seng know.” 1 “* Tn the first , you can serve me bet- ter than the regular P a and then I will not have to unvail to you, or to confess cer- * And now tell me how it is that you know me.” **T will only say that clever a3 you are, keeping hidden from the Secret Service Yeas “If you are Olive, you sre most thor- } chief and his ferrets, not known to the po- : ah. <= vd . .O¢ 7 ~< % ay if 2 , . 3 si 4 * oy a ee ' ay" a a as, ' a i tos ie ee =F, Phignh ume ind the vailed woman, gazing New | through her thick face-covering directly into the frank, fearless countenance of the young chief of the Boy Ferrets. F **May I ask how you heard of me?” “« By accident,” ; *“*From whom?” ‘* From no ope.” “Yet you heard of me?” **T cannot say even that.” ** What then, miss?” **T learned of ye “From whom Ba ~ betes \
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: “* Well, a puzzle I am, and must so remain to you. *T shall keep your secret safely locked up in my heart, and I shall keep my own iden- tity inviolate. “*I need your aid, and you can help me, you, your Queen and your Boy Police. **T will show you the game and you must hunt them down.” **T will be glad to.” **You will find it as difficult as ferrets hunting for rats in their underground dens, but you are as capable as the ferrets to drive them out.” We can at least have a try at it. **But who are they, miss?” “There are men, yes, and women too. “There are men living with a rope about their necks, others with a lifelong sentence of imprisonment staring them inthe face, others deserving of shorter terms of jail ex- istence.”’ ** A hard lot.” **Ob yes, a hard lot indeed, and a desper- ately dangerous lot to hunt down, for they will be ready with knife and revolver to pro- tect themselves, principally the knife of an assassin. ** They will be ever on thealert, and nerve, coolness, skill and cleverness alone can sub- due them, and in you I feel I have the em- bodiment of all, young as you are.” “You are very complimentary, miss.” *“*No more than you deserve.” **Thank you, miss.” “But why call me miss?” “Ts it madam?’ **I will not say.” “Then what am I to call you?” **Call me Dolores the Nun—or Sister Do- fores.”” ** You are a Catholic then?’ **No matter what Lam at heart, to you I am Sister Dolores, as you ask me what you shall call me.” “I am content, miss—orrat her Sister Do- lores; but you are as sgreat a mystery as the ro Police,” said New York Nat with a e. “With this difference, that some day the Boy Police and their young chief will be un- masked, and Sister Dolores will not, for my vail will but grow thicker as time passes.” New York Nat smiled, but answered: ‘Tell me now, Sister Dolores, what it is that you wish me to do, or may I first bring my sister Olive to meet you, and hear what you have to say?” * You will trust me then?” ** Under all circumstances.” ** Remember, she is a woman, and it is said & Woman can not keep a secret.” “You are a woman and you keep yours.” “Well, fetch your sister, but I must be known to no one else of your band.” ** You are not known to us.” “1 mean that you must not speak of me to your band, simply that you have game to bunt, and set them to work.” **T will. ** Excuse me now and I will fetch Olive.” He raised his slouch hat politely, for there ‘was that in the bearing of the unknown ‘Woman that commanded respect, and hasten- ing to the cottage not far distant he. entered it The woman watched his departure calmly, and then mused aloud: “Yes, he is just the one to hunt down this band of criminals, these merciless De- stroyers of Desdman’s Den, as they call themselves, and then my duty will have been done—he is coming, and his sister with him.” Back to the spot came New York Nat and with him was a young and beautiful irl. She did not appear at'a glance to be over sixteen, but a closer look revealed a face full of conscious power, reserve force and a reso- ‘Jute and daring nature. She was very beautiful in face and form, and there was a strong resemblance between the brother and sister. With a neglige sun hat upon her head, and a well fitting dress, she certainly was a most attractive young woman. ‘* This is my sister, Olive Chandler, Sister Dolores, and who is to be my fair ally in the work you wish me to do for you,” said New York Nat as the two approached. Sister Dolores held out her hand, which she had ungloved quickly, and pressing that of Olive, said: ‘* And a fair ally she is, as well as an able one, New York Nat. ‘*Tam glad to have you also enlisted in my cause, my child, and much good will come of it, though the base jon of re- venge may be at the bottom of my motive. “‘] know your brother's secret, and yours, and he thought that I was his sister Olive in disguise; but he knows better now, and I wish your pledge, with his, to aid me to the end.” ** You shall have it,” was the prompt re- sponse of Olive. CHAPTER IY. A WOMAN'S MYSTERY. ‘* WILL you come into the cottage, madam, for there is my home?” said Olive. **T am Sister Dolores to you, my child, or to your brother; but no, thank you, I prefer to remain out here in the open air and enjoy this grand view of the river. ‘* We can sit there on that fallen tree, and here, too, there are no eavesdroppers to hear what I have to say, and walls, you know, have ears.” * Very true, Sister Dolores. ** Be seated, please.” The vailed woman in deep black sat down with Olive upon one side of her, while New York Nat seated himself upon a rock in - mi of her, though he could not see her ace. After a pause, as though collecting her thoughts, Sister Dolores said: **My story is a mysterious one, and I can offer but few explanations. ** Look upon it as upon a woman, a mys- tery beyond finding out. ** With no preliminaries regarding myself, let me tell you that I know of a band of criminals in this city who are guilty of the basest of crimes. ‘**They are sordid, avaricious, money-lov- ing, and work for both gold and revenge. **They are leagued together under a leader whom they know only as the Master of Life, for he is granted the power to kill at will. ** They are found m various walks of life, from the highest to the lowest, and in dif- ferent parts of the city. ‘Gain of course is their primary object, but they are vampires as well as money- getters, and believe it their duty to punish certain men for certain deeds. ‘* They prey upon man and woman alike, consider that the world owes them a living, and they must have it, and will, no matter who dies, who suffers, or who is robbed. “They have one haunt where they meet once each weck, at night, and then their rules are gone over, their booty divided, and plans laid for future deeds of crime. ** This meeting-place is known as Dead- man’s Den, and they call themselves ‘ De- stroyers,’ ‘ Vampires ’ and ‘ Ghouls,’ aad any name suits them. “Tt is with their chief, the ‘Master of Life’ that I have to deal, for I shail strike them through him and he is my game, and it will be for you to. one day bring him into my presence, New, York Nat, and let him feel who it is that has struck the blow that has hurled him from his self-appointed Patadise into the Hades of remorse that justice will visit upon him. “*Then, when be feels this, I will be con- tent and fade from the scene forever, leaving New York Nat’s Crook Chase. Cee ES 3 you the master to bring to punishment the leader and his horde. “Do you know now what you are to do, from what | have told you?” and the woman had spoken almost savagely as she neared the conclusion of her story. “As I understand it, Sister Dolores, you are acting with revenge toward some one, who is the head of a band of criminals in this city?” “Yes, New York Nat.” ° ‘‘ You aim to gain two points, revenge for some wrong done you, and to wipe outa_ band of cut-throatst” = ** That is just it, [ wish to cancel a wrong, and to do a good deed in saving others fro death, ruin, sorrow and suffering.” . ‘“And you desire me to be the instrument in your hands to accomplish your ends?” ““Exactly.” 8 ** Discovering, in some*way I cannot un- derstand, just who and what | am, you come to me instead of going’ to the legitimate officers of the law?” **T do.” ‘* You know the haunts of these crooks?” *T can put you.on the track of them.” ** And the cnief?” . > “He will be the last. one to discover, the blow that falls upon him being the master stroke.” 3 “< Yes.” ‘You are first to get at the haunts of these crooks, learn their ways, discover their varied crimes, then their place of meeting, which is underground, and when ready to Strike then the chief must face me and. he will know that all is lost and who has been his destroyer. ** You will profit largely, for there is a treasury of rich booty kept, and to the victors belong the spoils, you kraow.” ** And you?” **My payment will be in my revenge,” ‘* Ab! is that sufficient?” AN “* More than sufficient.” ©. “Is this a large band?” “It is a very large band.” **How many, | I ask?” “So large that they were first known as the League of One Hundred.” ** That many are there?” ‘Yes. One hundred and one.” ** Do they always keep that number?” ** Yes, for if one is killed, there are others on probation to be admitted to the band. **To down these Destroyers will be the grandest workgof your life, New York Nat, as well as the most daring and dangerous, so you have a chance to withdraw your pledge now you know what you have to do.” ““T but renew my pledge,” was New York Nat’s firm response. CHAPTER V.. ~ THE YOUNG SHADOWER. At the words of New York Nat, the wo- man held out her hand gnd_ said: ** And I accept your double pledge.” “Now give me your orders, Sister Dolores.” “They are not orders, New York Nat, but instructions.” **T am ready for your instructions, then, Sister Dolores.” “Now, 1 can only say to you to come to the cathedral on Fifth avenue three days from this at giné.o’Clock in the morning. “*] will be there, and if you do not know me, I will reeognize you and hand you a package. ** Bring it with you to your home and read over the contents with your sister. ‘It will tell you what to do, but I must have time to think and plan, now that I have secured your aid. :Y *“Good-by, and we ‘will meet again at times when you least expect, for I will be as mysterious as youare, New York Nat.” She said the last words lightly, and hold- ing out ber hands, one to Olive, the other to
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A . I wor _ : oa New York Nat’s Crook Chase. Nat, she turned and walked away with slow and stately tread. ‘** What do you make of her, Nat?’ asked Olive, quickly. **I will tell you more when I have found oct, sis.” ** You intend to shadow her?” “= om means, for I must know who it is or.” “Especially when that one knows our ~ gecret, and may be a spy.” ‘* She may be, yet she is not, I think. “Now for a aghtateg, change,” and throwing open his coat, Nat drew out a wig of rather long hair, which, banding to Olive with a smali comb, she began to smooth for him. Taking from his pocket a pair of gold- rimmed spectacles with plain glasses in them, he put them on, and turned his black cravat, and the other side was red. He took off his standing collar and re- laced it with a broad turn-down one, and rom the top of his slouch hat came a silk cap, which, after putting on the wig, he placed on his head. His next act was to take off his coat and vest and turn them, and they were so made asto be perfect on the other side, only of light cloth. lling up the bottoms of his pants, tak- ing from his coat pocket a pair of gloves and a couple of smal! books, he cried: ** How am I now, sis?” “‘ The perfect country student, Nat; but she has gone over the bill and out of sight.” **T will catch her, never fear,” and New York Nat, who, with his ring, spectacles, cap and turned clothing, low collar and dif- ferent cravat would never be sus as the youth the vailed woman had been talk- ing to, hastened along with a slight limp in one foot. He had even changed the expression of | his face entirely, and a detective who had been dogging him, as he was before, meet- ing him thus metamorphosed, would have passed him by without the shadow of a sus- picion that he was the game he had been tracking. Over the hill went New York Nat, and ob- serving the course taken by the woman, he felt sure that she would continue along the street she was on to the . so he dodged around the corner of an old shanty, and forgetting bis limp, ran rapidly around the block and coming again to street he had left, met the vailed woman just at the corner, where she stood waiting fora car. He glanced up to see if a car was in sight, and then opening one of bis books began to read or study, apparently. - In reality, his eyes were upon the woman, who he hoped would remove her vail. But this she did not do, and though she saw New York Nat beyond a doubt, for he. was within twenty feet of ber, she certainly could not have believed him to be the one she had lately entered intoa strange and mys- terious compact with. The car soon came along and it was emp- ty. Both the woman and Nat got in, and the latter continued to study until his head fell — an easy position and he appeared to ; Bat the nearly closed lids he watched the woman, hoping she might re- move her : But this she did not do, and at Fiftieth street she left the car, New York Nat seeing to spring up, aor surprised and , 88 though on gown Rae Rm He walked on ahead of her and soon saw __ @-~ her turn into a Catholic Institution not very where she bad left the car. He a low whistle and “Well, she bas certainly gone where the : “Can she really be a nun? **]t would not scem so, and have her seek- ing revenge also. “Well, I have shadowed her here, and | zona ally, Mr. Walter Vanderlip, and tell him of the mysterious woman.” CHAPTER VI. A LUCKY RECOGNITION, New York Nat went on his way leisurely | last one to enter had down the avenue, toward the elegant home of his ally from Arizona, Walter Vanderlip, | He had turned as the others entered the house and walking rapidly back ran up the steps and also disappeared. ‘It is as I believed, Killer Bill’s pal Red now to go and see my good friend, our Ari- | Fred. “They have some deep plet, and I'm right in it too, but I'll be with Mr. Van- derlip’s friend.” With this New York Nat recrossed the street, ascended the steps and found that the losed the outer door between them. j The catch lock had sprung, but that seem- whom the vailed woman had spoken of, it | ed no obstruction to New York Nat, as he will be remembered. took from dis pocket a bunch of skeleton As he reached the corner of a street two | keys and inserting one opened the door, men turned into it just ahead of him. “Well, if that greatly mistaken. “Yes, in spiteof his being shaved and well A not playing some deep game of deviltry, I am surprised. “He certainly is, for Killer Bill is not dressed and shaved up without some motive of evil. ** And he is with a gentleman too. “That looks bad, for if he is a gentleman he keeps bad company. “Tl just see what this means,’ and New York Nat quickened his pace and got within earshot of the two men ahead of him. “*I like that gent’s looks “ He's young, handsome and if he is of the stripe of Killer Bill he belies his looks. ** Ah! what do I hear?’ What New York Nat overheard was the remark of the strange gentleman: “I cannot for the life of me think what friend it is that has sent for me, or knew of | my being in New York, as I only arrived two days ago and am a stranger here.” “I don’t know, sir, any more than the gent told me to go to the hoiel and find you and bring you to him at once. “They told me at the hotel you had gone to Mr. Vanderlip’s to stay, so I went there.” “* And you say he is ill?” “ Yes, sir, very ill, and he’s in hard luck, for he’s been sold out, I learn, and his house is rented over his head, and he'd been all alone, only I went to nurse him when I was sent for.” ** And you do not know his name?” ** No sir, for I’ve forgot it, for I did hear , it; but there’s the house, sir, where you see the notice on it ‘ For Sale.’ ” It was the name of Walter Vanderlip that had caught the keen ear of the yobng detective, and what he overheard told him that the stranger was-a friend of his Arizona ally, whom he so greatly admired and held | a real affection for. That Mr. Vanderlip’s friend, a confessed stranger in the city, was in the company of aman whom New York Nat felt sure he recognized as one of the worst crooks in the city, needed investigation, and the brave young ferret captain was determined not to drop the trail until he knew more. As they neared the residence, a handsome, four story brown-stone mansion, it bore the — of being unoccupied, and a sign i Let,’ was upon the door. Just as they neared the steps a man almost met them there, but on, though not until New York Nat bad caught a sign pass between him and Killer Bill. This sign caused Nat to glance quick! at the other, and he gave a low chuck as he was sure that he recognized him also. But wd nemo the two, and Killer Bill and Mr. Vi ‘'s friend ascended the steps and the de took a key from his pocket and opened the outer door and then the in- ner one. New York Nat saw them disappear in the vestibule as he passed on, and crossing the praca pe ped, Se egpgr man who bad | passed them, ee od . : e closed it behind him and the other s not Killer Bill, I am | opened also to his skeleton latch-key. Closing it softly he saw that the house was furnished, but evidently was not be recognize him, and if he is | lieved to be occupied. The card on the door bad given an address only to be written to, referring to no real estate agent in the city. Nat heard the last man rapidly ascending the steps, two floors above him, and replac- ing his keys he drew from his hip pocket a revolver, and with it ready for use began also to go up the stairway. He had just reached the second floor, when he heard a voice above him cry out: ‘‘Curses! I have dropped my knife. ‘*Come, hurry up, Fred, and use yours, or he’)l better me.” This was enough for New York Nat to hear, especially as the answer came from the one called to: **I’m with you, Bill” Up the stairs went New York Nat three steps at a time, and as Red Fred reached the room op the top floor where a struggle was going on, the daring boy was but a few paces behind him. CHAPTER VII, NEW YORK NAT’S DEADLY HAND. Tue scene that New York Nat came upon was a startling one. : Upon the top floor, at the head of the stairs, a door opened from a hallway into a large room, the windows of which seemed tightly closed, for the gas was lighted there. The room was furnished, and in the cen- ter, through the open door, Nat beheld two men struggling fiercely together. One was the handsome young st r be had seen with the man who, he now DO doubt, was Killer Bill, the crook. By the gas-light Nat saw that the stranger was bleeding from a wound in the head, and yet that he was fiercely struggling with his foe, who was using his brute strength to sub- due him, but in vain, as the other was an athlete and his equal in strength in spite of being wounded. Hastening to his pal’s aid Red Fred had not heard the noiseless tread of New York Nat bebind him, and with a drawn knife in his hand he was leaping about the struggling men in the endeavor to get a thrust at the stranger, who was guarding his body by that of his foe. But suddenly there was a shot, a fall, and New York Nat dashed upon the scene as Red Fred fell in his tracks, his hand clutch- ing the knife and burying the point an inch © in the floor. ‘Hands up, quick, Killer Bill, or m ferrets will down you!” cried New Yi Nat, and with a savage oath and livid face the man obeyed. “ Kindly ‘slip these bracelets on that fel- low, sir, while I keep him covered,” ¢on- tinued New York Nat, tossing s pair of — bea pecir to the stranger, who m obeyed, hands bebind a. Pu r A sG aiid ** Now, Killer Bill, you are almost as safe 2 = with a look that was full of ferocity. aed => e Cae | \ ie call ‘ - ' ——? » cochanieempenatiatieenmiadi a Le . ‘ —— hi i he U
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MUNSTER 7 cae uccx. 1. ep nod cama aha ae alan? Walle eet a Ee to,” was the laconic response. “Who is you anyhow?” **One of the Secret Service chief's rat- hunters, and I’ve been shadowing you, and have ot you safe.” hat has I done?” ** Well, you brought that gentleman here to rob him, perhaps to kill him.” “He did, young sir, he came to where I am stopping with a friend and told me that a friend of mine was here, ill and in trouble, that he was from Nebraska and sent for me. “*He could not recall the name, he said, but suspecting no harm | came with him, and when | reached this room he bade me enter. “1 did so, ahead of him, when he struck me a severe ‘plow, you see the wound, with ~ some heavy instrument and I fell to my w “But I've been used to hard knocks, for iam a plainsman, and I turned upon him, kicking his knife out of his hand, and grap- plin with him. en he called for aid, and his comrade appeared, and, but for you, would have knifed me, so I owe you my life and you have made Sherman’ Canfield your friend while life lasts.” The stranger had spoken calmly, like one whom tragic scenes did not unnerve, and he held out his hand and grasped that of New York Nat, who replied? modestly : “T acted in the naar of my duty, sir, and that man there on the floor, and this one are a pair of very vicious crooks. ** But you are wounded, sir, and need aid, so if you will guard that man I will quickly send assistance.” “Tl keep my eye on him, never fear, and when help has come it will be time enough to look to my wound, which is not a serious one by any means.’ ““I thought you said cops was with yer,” growled Killer Bill. **That was a blind to scare you. **T'll soon be back, sir, and if that fellow gives you any trouble, just quiet him with a club. the billy he used on ou, and which he should not object to as it’s a namesake of his, eb, Bill?” * Cuss you, who is yer, I ag’in asks?” “One who knows you, Killer Bill, and will finger the reward on your head. **But I must be off,” and New York Nat hastened from the room, descended the stairs, and was soon upon the street, where none of the passers-by suspected the tragedy en- acted in the handsome mansion that appear- ed to hold no occupant. Going toa telegraph office, New York Nat hastily wrote a dispatch as follows, keeping his face from the gaze of those present: “Secret Service Carer:— * Send at once to No. 44 West — th ices and you will find a prisoner there in the Reomins of one who will explain what hap- _— . A surgeon is also needed, Don't lay. UnkNowy,” ** Send with a rush,” said New York Nat, thrusting a dollar bill into the operator's hand with the dispatch, and, before the man had half read it, he had disappeared from the office, and when looked for was not to be found. But the dispatch was rushed through “CHAPTER VIIL THE TWO PARDS. Searep in a handsome residence, upon one of the West Forties of New York City, the night before the Boy Captain of the Fer- rets was introduced to the reader, were two gentlemen, conversing earnestly together. ~ lt wasthe elegant bachelor house of Wal- ter Vanderlip, a young man who had gone West under the shadow of a crime, which long after it was found he was not guilty of. But he had made his fortune after starting as a cowboy and ending asa rancher, and be- coming his father’s heir, in conjunction with a son by a second marriage, he had arrived in New York City one night to fall the victim of a plot of his half-brother to put him out of the way and from which he had been saved by New York Nat. As Nat found it very hard to hold his se- cret of the Unknown Ferret, yet have to communicate with the Secret Service chief, he had made a clean breast of it to Walter Vanderlip, who had at once become his de- voted ally, entering into his schemes with vigor an deepest interest, and serving faith: fully asthe ‘‘middle man” in all transac- tions between the Boy Police and the legiti- mate officers of the lav.” It was Walter Vanderlip, then, who sat in his home that night, conversing with his guest, Sherman Canfield.* Walter Vanderlip and»Sherman Canfield were not unlike in appearance, being sessed of handsome faces, athletic forms, and easy, courteous address. They had met upon the plains of the far West, had been in many a ly danger to- gether, had fought red-skins side by side and — friendship for each other was true and trie Coming to New York to remain for some time on business, Sherman Canfield had call- ed upen his friend and at once bad been taken to his home as his guest. There was also a business matter of great importance which had caused Sherman Can- field to call — n Walter Vanderlip, as before leaving the West he had discovered certain trickery going on regarding a mine in Colo- rado in which the former rancher held a large interest, and he had said: “My ‘advice, Walter, is that you jump on the train and go at once to the mining coun- try and nip this rascality in the bud. ‘* Your unlooked-for presence upon the scene would thwart the whole plot, and by peer interest you will prevent a num- ber of deserving people from being robbed.” “You are right, Sherman, and I will go; but there is one thing that troubles me about going. Vhat is that?” ** Well, it’s a long story, and to tell.it you I must swear you to strict sevrecy and leave you as my representative, for ] feel sure that ee will serve me ina good cause, as you ave done many times before.” **Gladly! just tell me what I am to do.” ‘In the first place I am to swear you to secrecy.” **Go ahead.” “It is not my secret, but that of a youth to whom I owe it that I am not now a dead man, and that 1am in possession of my for- tune to-day. “He is a young fellow with nerve enough fora dozen Indian-fighters, clever as he can be, handsome, self-educated, has been a wan- derer, and is under a cloud, as I once was. “‘He came to New York and found his sister, from whom he had been separated when both were very young. and with good intentions they turned detectives. ‘“‘'The boy lives in an old mansion said to ‘New York Nat’s Croox Chase. on I cael st nissan sn sie > < sve Sea Te Se ps “But they do their work secret] mystery to the chief of the Secret as A wholly unknown in fact, for he does ok know who they are, nor can he find out, hard as he has tried. “They have earned large rewards, which he has banked for them, and some day they will come out into the light and be known as they deserve to be. * The chief is a particular friend of mine, and all the Boy Police communications are made through me, and you must take my place, for I will introduce you to him, and leave a letter for New York Nat telling him I am called away, that you are my repre- ee and to trust you as he would my- se ” “T accept the duty, Walter, and will rep- resent t bn as you deserve,” said Sherman Canfiel Thus the two pards talked together until late at night and early the next morning Walter Vanderlip started for the Wild West, his friend promising to keep house for him until his return. : The following day it was that Sherman Canfield had the call from Killer Bill. and was led into the trap from which New York Nat rescued him. CHAPTER IX. NAT’S NEW ALLY, Wuen New York Nat left the telegraph office, after sending his dispatch to the chief of the Secret Service, he entered a hotel and seeking a toilet-room quickly changed from his disguise back to what he had been when so unexpectedly recognized by Sister Dolo- res. His rig was taken off and put away under his vest, the latter and his coat were turned; the standing collar replaced the turn-down one and the spectacles were removed. Then he sauntered out of the toilet room wholly unnoticed, or if so, not ‘Suspected of being the one who had entered it a short while before. There was then on his part a desire to see if aid had gone to the young man who had been left guarding the prisoner in the man- sion where the tragedy bad occurred, and he walked quick! ng until be turned into the street on which ¢ the house was situated. He bad just done so when a carriage dashed quickly by him, following an ambu- lance, which rung its ‘bell continuously for other vehicles to ave it the right of wa In the ambulance the quick eye of ae York Nat caught sight of the surgeon, the driver and a couple of policemen, while the carriage following contained four persons, “Promptly answered, but nowt too soon, I guess, for that young man,” muttered Nat as he saw the ambulance and carriage stop before the door of the house. Of course a crowd began to gather, and crowds seem always at hand when anything goes wrong, and New York Nat stopped with the others to take his view of what occurred. Ee had left the doors closed, but not latched, and there sprung from the carriage the chief of the Secret Service, one of his cap- be haunted, and certainly as dreaded as the | tains, and two detectives in civilian attire, abode of evil spirits. “Tt adjoins an old deserted graveyard, and there, in a vault, he had his home for awhile. ‘‘ His sister lives in a cottage near, and the boy is captain, the sister Queen, ‘of 3 band of youngsters known as the Boy Police ue. he two have redeemed these boys from an s life, and now have them on duty as ferrets, and most valuable service have they rendered the chief of the Secret Bureau. *Sherman Canfield of Nebraska, and a youag man — life inthe Wild West has been ene of ro- Mr, Canfield is at present private secretary to to Colonel W. F. Cody—Buffalo Bill —Tue Avraor. | They entered the house, when the surgeon and a policeman from the ambulance fol- lowed, the other two officers beirg left on guard ‘outside, Nat had not long to wait before the two detectives came out with Killer Bill and put him in the ambulance. Soon after, the body of the dead man, Red Fred, wrapped in a blanket, was brought out and also placed in the ambulance, which at once drove away, though without the sur- geon. Half an hour after the chief appeared, accompanied by the surgeon and the young stranger, and the three entering the it ro away, two policemen phe in 8
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i - 4 a. ¢ > ¥ :* a 4 > ig = ’ 4 7 i. ‘ ls e « mY i t 2 , wR 4 He bale) SO tie 6 house with one of the detectives, to remain on duty. New York Nat at once took his departure, though a pumber of the crowd remained, held by morbid curiosity, though they had learned nothing of what had occurred in the mansion. “aeaa- ; , ; . . > wet ees. a ‘ oe af i Pe ah» f - és ae pau aA Bee NS sang nay He found the young man reading in the | “ 5 .? - a > th + fhe a eb Po ey es ‘~-4 ~ apliciel sank: mat “Scie IT . J i alepemntaerek! % ate on oy He ~ ’ ba \ a : —_— * *4 % + * . PF Pe
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bi he has since been leading an honest, hard- | out for the capture of Killer Bill and they Boy Police called for the third night from +5 working life.” will be held subject to his order.” | that. ; “Ss “Indeed!” **T will, sir.” | In his walk the young ferret chief met . “So he says.” ‘* And thank him for me for his good work, | several bootblacks and newsboys, with whom ‘* Well, here is his record, and that of Red | and say that be is right, for that house was ‘he bad a few words, apparently kuowing “ Fred, since they escaped from prison, for | the headquarters of a band of crooks anda! them well, and then passed along the they have been shadowed, and were very | large lot of plunder is there, the proceeds of | wharves for quite a distance, coming upon a soon to have been pulled as crooks guilty of | the sale of which will also go to the Unknown | darkly bronzed-faced youth whom be ad- : many crimes.” and his men,” and the chief took his depar- | dressed as Blow, and with whom he held a . “Ah! this is a record indeed,” and the | ture. | short conversation. $} chief glancing over the paper handed to him, | Taking a car he got off near the Police b> — fy ip CHAPTER XI. Bega rine. = boldly — it asked : *** Killer Bill, sentenced for life for mur- r A raatie: cz | the attendant on duty if he could speak with J der, escaped from prison May 30th two years ROE CES & Se ee | @ young man there known as Keno. bs ago, and began his old life of crime again. Tue second meeting. | The youth was called, and as there were ; “** Was, with Red Fred, who escaped with | New York Nat felt proud of his day’s | others near, New York Nat said: : him, guilty of the robbery of Mr. Edwards’s | work, and justly so, for he had much to tell | ‘‘ Keno, a speciatl meeing of the members . house in Jamaica, Long Island, and of Ben- | his sister upon his return that evening. ) of the Social Club is called for the third night jamin West’s mansion near Long Branch. | He condemned himself for having given | from this, so don’t fail.” Sister Dolores the opportunity to trick him, | ‘‘ Allright, I'll be there and I'm obliged did she wish to do so, by going into the in- | for the notice, stitution, believing she was being shadowed, | ‘*Shall I tell the members I see?’ . **I wish you would,’ and Nat left the *** Robbed Jacob Sweitzer’s store in Har- . lem, and garroted a lady on Riverside Drive; also robbed a child in the Park of her ring and necklace, striking the nurse a blowthat | and then leaving it by a different gate, or etunned her. | after a long while when she felt her shadow- | quarters where he knew he was so much ‘* «Red Fred was Killer Bill’s pal in all of | er was convinced that she was what she had | wanted, yet wholly unknown, and under the his evil work, and they were allied to a gang | implied, if not asserted, a nun. roof of which, acting as an assistant clerk, of crooks the headquarters of whom must ‘Next time I will show more sense, for I he had one of the htest members of his i Te SP have been in the vacant house where they | am determined to know who this woman is Boy Police League. led Mr. Canfield, and which is rented, fur- Having gone the rounds of those whom he nished, from the owner who is in Europe.’ ‘* Now to post the boys of a special meet- | posted, when they were wanted for a special “ Well, Mr. Canfield, thisis a record, in- 7 the third night from this.” meeting, Nat cant the Sixth Avenue Elevat- deed, but, may I ask you where you got e wended his way then to one of the | ed cars for up-town, and left them at thesta~ _ it?” | tion nearest to the old mansion where he had — “From the one who was my rescuer, i sir.” ** Ah! and I have been unable to find out who he was?” ** Simpl your Unknown Ferret, sir.” ** Indeed?” “ce anti ; . ** Vanderlip’s protege ?” “ The same, ofr.” ; * You saw him, then?” * Yes, sir, but did not know him when he came to my aid. ** He left me with the prisoher, mind you, then called afterward, when, having stood on the pavement. he saw you arrive with your men. ‘* He then got Vanderlip’s letter left with me for him, and told me that he had shadow- ed Killer Bill to the house with me, recog- nized Red Fred, and with skeleton keys he let himself into the mansion, ; ** He had then watched what took place, | swer, and keep the change,” said New York and when here wrote out that record for you, | Nat. : ; asking me to hand it to you.” The boy left the office, glanced at the } a rug, but greeted him with demonstrations ““ Well, I'd take his testimony as I would | envelope and saw that it was addressed | of affection, and received the food the young y¥ own. . simply: detective had brought for him ** But, he killed Red Fred, and is unknown ‘* Teaser.” Lighting a lamp. for be dared not open — to me, so I can only make myself responsible He opened it and read: the board shutters, New York Nat made an- for the act, telling the coroner that he came al : .', } other toilet for the evening, and soon after 4 Teaser, 9 special meeting for the third | jof the old mansion just as it was getting to his death at the hands of one of my de- , | night from this. dark and went tothe cottage where Olive tectives who must, for reasons, have his iden- 4 : tity covered for the present. Inform your men. dwelt, and meeting her at the door said: * As Killer Bill is an escaped convict, he an “Come, sit, I am going to take you to the — will be sent back to prison, and so ro trial! Teaser loafed about for awhile and then | theater to-night.” a follows, which is fortunate, as I could not } returned to duty, while New York Nat mean- : \ Paks pnd my cn te is rset So Wizard of ere had gone es . —- Pees ge CHAPTER XIll. « em to me, Mr. Canfield, t ever,” asked to see one of the deliver ys there, q Lesh Te EIThe : wie ja wizard,sir, and a mystery. whom he spoke of as “Parson.” ) Seana ee Pee ~ pel os ‘Tam surprised myself at him.” ) The youth soon appeared, and about the! New York Nat had dressed himself with _ : ** Of course there is no need trying to dis- | same thing was said to him, after which the | care for an evening out, and looked very cover him {through you,” slyly said the | young ferret chief went to a boot-blacking | handsome as le entered the theater with his chief. stand presided over by a short, stout youth | sister. ~ “ae “No more than through our mutual | who bad a partner who was long and sli | He was always proud to take his sister ; oe friend, Vanderlip, chief,” was the smiling ‘* Boots blacked, sir?” | ont with him, and could not but see how ~~ 7 reply. ' “Yes, Chub, and report to your men that | much admiration her beauty attracted. = “Very yell, he must remain incog. until | a special is called for the third night from | His seats were in the orchestra, almost — | # « he sees fit to remove the mask: hat TP roeia this.” — within touching distance of one of the boxes, _ ; kee give my year's pay to know who he is and ‘* All right, sir, it’s a patent-leather shine | and soon after oT were seated a gentleman | , you gits here,” and Chub watched his patron ) ang iedy entered the box nearest to them. | who so thoroughly knows me,” he muttered, . o~ most prominent hotels in the city, and while standing gezing over the papers on the | his own quarters. , ,& bell-boy in uniform came up That part of the city was not thickly set- to him quietly. tled, and stealing along by the old haunted + « Well, Flip, I was waiting for you.” ) mansion, he watebed his chance, when he “T had acall just as you came in, Nat, | saw no one in sight, and leaping tbe wall made his way through the overgrown foliage ‘“A meeting the third night from this, so | of the grounds to the rear of the house. post your men.” A key he took from his pocket opened a “©. K., Cap,” and Flip the bell-boy ran cellar door, and he disappeared within. off to answer a sharp call from the clerk of | All was darkness there, but he knew just ** Front!” : | where to finda lantern, and lighting it he A few minutes after New York Nat left | passed along to the steps leading to the floor the hotel and entering a district messenger | above, ascended them, and leaving the lan- office, wrote something on a paper, put it in | tern continued on up to the second story. an envelope, and said: The house, osd ‘tightly, was dark and “{ have a special messenger here who | gloomy, the furniture was old, worn, faded . generally carries my letters.” } and going to destruction and upon all rested ‘“* Yes, Number 12,” and the clerk called | ruin and desolation. that number and a bright-faced youth came ) The third floor-was reached, andthenopen- —__ forward. | ing a door he found himself ina room which = ‘* Carry this letter to the address—no an- | Mer furnished with a bed, table and some — coaairs. : . A huge and ros Mer ag dog lay upon EM PQio>O- —y * news-stan " but am on deck now.” Wan wee : : : > wes ot oe ‘ ~ - 2 ae eg i» m ade > what he is.” ae = “*T can tell you what he is, chief?” =——_| as he walked away, and muttered to him- e gentleman was tall, courtly, with a» || bronzed, handsome mustache that curled at ~ 4 dks “ Well?” ‘| self: : ay “One of the cleverest detectives that I} “Another haul on hand and that means | the ends, and he was dressed in full evening = ever heard of.” ~ | more money, for the Cap is on his rounds.” ; suit. “oS . nas “He is all that and more—as I said,a} New York Nat's next visit was toa news-/ The lady was in tu® dress, and he Wizard Ferret. stand down-town, presided harp- | at once riveted the eyes of New Y ler featured youth whom eee Th i D 4b! i a - rhe ‘S. oies . 7 § 749 Su Peep ae or WT eee 1 ae bod 5 Po ee we 4 es : o.8) a UB ea rf 1.2. 2a 2 y - 4 Cite +.) , are a ead hee a
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while her eyes were dark, large, intensely og may 3 and very beautiful. very feature of ber face was perfect, and she was most exquisitely attired. She wore large solitaires in her ears, a star of diamonds in her hair and a crescent in her bosom. As though the heat of the theater oppress- ed her she used a jeweled fan with one hand that was ungloved. She seemed all unconscious of the great ad- miration she commanded, and her face wore 8 dreamy expression, a certain sadness dwelling in the eyes as though life to her ‘was not altogether a dream of bliss. Until the curtain rose she conversed with the handsome man by her side, all unmind- ful of the glasses leveled upon her and her companion. The moment the curtain rose she became gll attention to the play, dropping her hand — the cushioned rail of tke box before r New York Nat’s Crook she could better hide herself from the lady | | in the box, and she kept her back almost to- | And upon that hand the eyes of New York f Nat became riveted. His gaze had suddenly fallen upon a ring ghe wore. It was a unique ring, and one that must have cost a small fortune in its way, for it ‘was a coiled snake, in the center being & huge emerald, and the eyes of rubies, while the body of the snake was of closely-set #mal! diamonds. Strangest of all the ring was worn u - the marriage finger, and there was no r that band ie New York Nat gazed at the ring with - Fapt attention until it was ray # ayer ee edin his memory, and then eyes were turned upon the otber hand from which she also had removed the glove, He saw that upon the left arm was a bracelet of diamonds, and upon the right one of solid gold. Upon the right hand were several rings, each one a solitaire, and a l a sapphire a ruby and an emerald, and thin bands of gold holding the splendid jewels. Having lected the play,in his admira- tion of the utiful woman and her rings, at eg Nat said in a low tone: “e ” i “Yes, Nat.” ; “ Look at that lady. “Is she not beautiful?” + “Sheis. - ~* .« “But look at the hand resting on the vel- ¥ ‘vet rail of the box.” ; “It is a beautiful hand.” ¥ ** Ever seen it before?” . “« How can I tell?” : “* Look at the ring.” “Ah! how strange.” _ * Get a glance at the rings on the other i ‘hand when you can do so.” : " In a few minutes Olive whispered: 3 **T bave seen them.” 4 Re “Well? ¥ “Well, it may be a coincidence, but it J -. Jpeems I have seen them before.” i :, “Where?” r . We must not talk now. ‘ ** Twill tell you later.” ; **] will slip out during the next act, and _ tyou keep your face turned so that she will , 'pot see you. ' . |} “Twill meet you as you come out of the 7 >» theater.” “ All right, Nat,” was the low response, . and then they devoted their attention to a | the play, both keeping their heads turned : _ go that the lady in the box could not see q . theirfacess. . >. > ~. In fact the lovely woman seemed not to | gbserve any one in the theater, not once H = a” _giancing over the audience, or at the brother 4 ‘gnd sister seated almost under the box rail os and within resch of her fi ee Eh optus ea eck, Maw York Not quistly ~ ee ‘- : iw ‘2 q 7 4 out, Olive took his j a LL a ward her. Nat meanwhile had hastened away from | the theater to the District Messenger office where Teaser was employed and soon found that youth. Teaser and one other boy were alone in the office, save the night clerk, and calling him | to one side, Nat asked: ** When do you get off?” * At nine.” ** Tt is within a few minutes of that time, so join me on the Square below,” and leav- ing the office, Nai was soon joined by the essenger Ferret and he said to him: **Come with me to the theater and I will point out to you a lady I wish you to shadow. ‘¢ Under no circumstance lose sight of her until you know where she lives, and see if the gentleman with her lives there too.” “ All right, Cap’n Nat, I'll do it. ** But who is she?” **T donot know, but I wish to find out.” “Her face I never saw, but she wears 4 ring that has betrayed her, orf am greatly deceived, é * You might see if there is any one in the theater who can tell you who she is, and I'll find out also. ** She isin the pox on the right, lower box, mg there is only one gentleman in it with er. ** Have you money to buy your ticket?” ** Lord, I don’t have to, for I’m in my uni- form, and I come the dodge that I’m on the hunt for some one—see?” CHAPTER XIV. ON THE WATCH. Berore parting with Teaser, New York Nat told him to have his report written out for him and he would call the next day at the office and get it from him, of course pre- tending to send him off on a message. Then he entered the theater and took a seat in the rear, where he could see the lady and gentleman in the box but remain unseen him- self by them. Teaser meanwhile had, as he said, ‘‘ braced the ticket sharp,” and gotten in without paying, telling him he was going into find a gentleman for whom he had an important message. A moment after Nat saw him enter and take a stand, from whence he appeared to be esc diligently searching for some one in the use, But his eyes were on the two persons in the box, and soon he asked an usher: “Say, brother, can you tell me who the gent and lady is in the box yonder?” “I has heard but has forgot.” “Do you know any one who nas heard and remémbers?” “ Ask Jim Sykes.” “ Where is he?” “* Youder—he’s my side-pard,” Teaser sought the *‘side-pard” of the for- getful usher, and said in « confidential way: “I'm on the hunt for a gent I don't know, and your side-pard told me you might help me—have a smoker?” when asked who the gentleman in the box was said he gidn’t know his name, but he came often to the theater, and now and then with the lady who was then with him. He, however, always had a lady with him and never failed to take a box, and was said to be rich. Teaser went about finding out who the lady and gentleman were in a quiet way, but with little success. When the curtain fell at the end of the y, he saw the two in the box rise and ve the theater. ‘ He had alread ated ¥ gone out and engageda oat Jim Sykes took the cigar offered, and | Chase. cab, having it remain across the street from the theater, and while waiting for the couple to pass out, he suddenly beheld his young Ferret Captain with a beautiful girl upon his arm. ‘‘Well, the Cap is a Jim Dandy, and knows a pretty girl when he sees her. ** Wonder who she is? ‘*«May be she’s our Queen, for as she al- ways comes masked to the meetings there is not one of us, save the captain, knows her, or has ever seen her face. ‘If she is our Queen, then the Boy Police have got a mascot worth having, and no mistake— Ah! here comes my * He was all attention at once and began to watch the couple, saw them get into a car- riage and drive away, and running to his cab he sprung upon the box and at once be- gan to follow the vehicle. In the mean time New York Nat and Olive had left the theater, and taking the Elevated Road were whirled rapidly to the upper part of the city. heaning the cars at the station nearest the cottage, they began slowly to walk home to- gether, and Nat said: ** Well, sis, what did you discover?” ‘That it was a lucky thought your going to the theater to-night, and that a fortunate circumstance p us near that box.” ' ** Yes, and you knew the lady?” ** Oh, no, only the ring.” ‘* Where have you seen it before?” a saw it, or its counterpart, this morn- ing. ** Where?” ‘On the finger of Sister Dolores.” “Yes, and you notice the rings on the other hand?” ““ Yes, Nat, they were wire-like bands of ld with different stones in them, all on the third finger, and they were a sapphire, emerald and ruby.” ‘‘Then such rings cannot have been acci- dentally matched on the hands of the lady in the box last night.” **Tt would a most remarkable coinci- dence if such was the case.” “Tt could not be the case, and was not.” ‘That means that = think the lady in the box and Sister ores one and the same *« Just that, sis.” ‘*T half believe you are right, and that she is not a nun after all.” “That is my opinion, and tracking her, or rather finding ber out by accident, shows how readily one can solve a mystery, and after all, how very easy it might have been by some chance that she found out our secret,” < ‘Very true; but what will you do now, Nat?” ‘*T have set Teaser upon her track.” ** He is a good one for the work.” ** Yes, sly as a fox, cunning as an Indian me ia while he has a mind that plans ckly. aC He will find out where she lives and the gentleman also, and I will do the rest.” ** And ca your engagement with her at the cathedral?” . ‘Certainly, but not let her suspect that I know her.” _“ Suppose she recognized us at the thea- “She did not appear todo so; but if she did we must take our chances, sis.” CHAPTER XV. TEASER'S REPORT. Tue next morning New York Nat slept late, for it was after two before he retired. He wen: over to Mrs, Herbert's cot where Olive boarded, and he often got meals, and had breakfast, after which be — il ts bod ecoreneh eappoding the commis what b scovered regarding jn the box at the theater.
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New York Nat’s Crook Chase. . He wrote a note in the messenger office, and asked for Teaser by his number and handed it to him. Ten minutes after the two met over in Madison Square Park, and Nat said: ** Well, Teaser, what was the result of yovr shadowing last night?” “I took a cab when they got into a car- riage, and followed them. “Their carriage stopped at No. — West Thirty-seventh street, and then drove around to the stable, for there is one in the rear alley. “[ waited until I saw the lights put out, and the gent did not show up.” ** What time was it?” ** Nine o'clock.” ** And he remained there?” ** He did, I guess. “‘The house is a plain one, but mighty comfortable, and fitted up fine, forI gota limpse into the hall through the open oors, and the parlor was lit up and curtains Taised. ‘A man servant let ’em in, and I seena irl with a lace cap on at an upper window, so with the butler and coachman and maid, they must have a cook, and are well off with servants.” “Well, Teaser, you have found out all that you can about them, and now it is for me to discover who and what they are,” and Wat took a car, and going up to Thirty- seventh street, had a look at the house. Then he strolled down the alley in the rear and halted at a stable where a coachman was washing his carriage. *“*T say, my man, is it here that a horse and buggy are advertised for sale?” asked Nat, innocently, for be saw that the stable belonged to the place which the couple lived ““Wo, sir, there's nothing for sale here, and i don't know of any stable in this alley that has anything for sale in the way of horseflesh,” the man answered, Pome. “You've got a bard job of it"cleaning your carriage, for it looks like country mud.” “es It is, sir. “The master took an early drive this morning up into Westchester, and the roads ‘were muddy.” **T should think so. “Ts not this Mr Mr, Vancourt’s house?” «No, sir, it is Mr. Ray Redmond’s place,” “Indeed! I have heard he is very rich.” “ Well, sir, he’s got plenty, I guess, for he lives fine, only he’s not often at home to en- it.” 3 That’s rather hard for a man not to be able to enjoy his home; but I saw him at the theater last night.” “Yes, sir, he went with his wife to the theater, and it’s seldom she goes out, poor lady, save alone, and she must be awful lone- some.” : “I guess so; but have a cigar—take them both, for I have more,” and Nat handed out several cigars, which the coachman took with hearty good will and profuse thanks, while he placed a bench for the youtlr and * gaid: “Sit down, sir, for some of the men may come along soon from whom you can find out ‘what you are looking for.” “Thank you,” and Nat sat down and be- n to be entertaining. -~ He had a w6nderful knife with him which he took out to use, and so that it would catch the coachman’s eye. It had a pair of scissors in it, a corkscrew, re file, hoof-cleaner and lancet, in addition to several blades, and the coachman at once of- 4% fered to buy it. “T would not sell it, but, as I’ve got an- other, I'll give it to you.” _ The coachman was delighted with his gen- erous visitor, and Nat seemed pieaatd to ee eee — | turn the corner nearest across the avenue. i ee oo — C—O C—O—OSC(— OF + the man closely about his master, and dis- ; turned to find the carriage just entering the covered that Mr. Redmond had been married | other end of the alley. some two years, that he wasa gentleman of | The coachman, who had given his name to leisure, though often away from home, but | Nat as Jerry Dunlap, wore a claret-colored lived in grand style, and was most generous | ers f and the horses were a to his wife, though he appeared to neglect ‘‘[ thought as much,” muttered Nat, and her. as Jerry Dunlap leaped from his box he Sometimes he would not come home for | greeted his visitor cordially and said: weeks at a time, though he had seen him in; ‘I've got the horse and rig you want, the city, though of course he did not let Mrs. | sir.” Redmond know that he bad done so. | ** Tam giad to hear it.” She was a lovely woman, and very kind | “A gent was going to Europe, and will and good to her help, for she kept four ser- | sell out at one third what it cost him. vants. “The horse is a sorrel, and can trot in She drove out alone, or with her maid, and | three minutes, while he single-foot racks un- did not appear to be very happy, though | der the saddle. she never reproached her husband and was “‘ The buggy is a Brewster, and all in per- always gentle and kind in her bearing to- | fect condition, blankets, robes, and all, while ward him. | the price is but three hundred and fifty— Whether her gentleness was however a | dirt cheap.” calm before the storm the coachman was not| ‘ Well, Jerry, we will have a look at the assured, as he had sometimes feared that she | outfit, as soonas you can get off; but you had an eye on her husband’s behavior away | have again been to the country?” from home and was only waiting a chance to} “ Yes. sir, the missis went to church, and entrap him, for she frequently went out on then for along drive out beyond the Park. foot alone, and in different so that; ‘‘ She's very devout, sir, and dresses like a she was completely disguised. Catholic Sister when she goes to church. As the coachman talked on, without in- “Til go with you, sir, while my horses tending to give any secrets away, New | are cooling off.’ York Nat quietly took out his pocketbook} Jerry soon after led the way toa private and said: stable and Nat saw the horse and rig. ‘‘Now do you know that I think youare| His own eye told him it was a bargain, so he took outa roll of bills and paid the money, while his quick eye detected the gentleman slip a twenty and a five into Jerry’s palm, for . the sly aipaues was drawing commission at both ends. But Nat pretended not to see it, and the ~ me up just what will suit me—here, take | two got into the ng = pms went for a short this ten-dollar bill for expenses, and I'll give drive, and Jerry got his extra ten as promis- as its mate when I find the animal rig | ed, while the young Ferret Captain gleaned want, so I will not look up that advertise- | more information from him about his master ment any further,” and as Nat walked away | and mistress. he muttered to himself: Nat was much | nosy with his purchase, ‘*T have unmasked Sister Dolores.” and drove with Jerry to add to ita saddle re and ee after which he — > ZS . “Tl drop you at your alley, ; CHAPTER XVI. will call in onl soe" pom ei THE APPOINTMENT KEPT. “So do, sir, for you've been most kind to Trve to his word, New York Nat was on me.” hand at the cathedral on the day and hourap-| Then Nat drove toa stable up near the — pointed by Sister Dolores. , Park and put his horse to board there, for he He went in and took a seat near the door ) felt that he needed just such an animal for on the right-hand aisle, as he had been told | use. todo, and soon after a Sister of Charity came | This done he went with all haste to the in and entered his pew. cottage where Olive dwelt, and calling her She knelt devoutly and seemed to be un- | out the two sat down at their favorite place . conscious of al) else save her prayers, and Nat was admiring her for her deep devotion, | young ferret by Sister Dolores. when suddenly he saw her hand held out to- | ~~ ward him, and in it was a letter. He started, for in the devout worshiper he felt sure he now recognized Sister Dolores. He glanced about him to see that no one observed the act, and beheld only a few per- sons in that part of tie church, and no one a pretty g judge of a horse, and I want you to look me up a good driving animal, and one that is a saddle horse as well. **Tt will cost you some trouble, and some thing for car fare, for I wish a bagey. and harness besides, so take your time and look —_ --— CHAPTER XVIL SISTER DOLORES'S SECRET. ~ Tue Ferret Captain kept nothing from the beautiful young Queen of the ? Police. He knew how valuable was her advice, . what a clever mind she had, and that her could see him take the letter. poe experience as a little girl dancer with Quietly he put it away, and soon after the | an Italian organ-grinder, and later asa flower Sister arose and glided from the cathedral. | girl in the streets of New York, bad given New York Nat was not long in following | her a wonderful insight into lower life in the her, and as he gained the street he beheld her | metropolis, made her consciousof her power, |}and gave hera reserve strength that was | most valuable to the Unknown Detective. drive away, as though it had been waiting | Olive possessed an utterly fearless nature. at the curb around the corner. | She had gone alone at midnight to the old She would not have had time to enter any | haunted mansion to seek Nat when she had of the houses near, and so must have gotten | learned of something of importance which he into the carriage. | should know, and tittle cared for its haunt- New York Nat noticed that the coachman | ing memories. F had a claret-colored livery on, and the horses | She felt fully able to take care of herself, were iron-gray, and were going at a rapid | and was a good pistol-shot, and had the pace. pluck to protect herself too. He at once saw that he could not follow, In fact she was an invaluable ally of New no hack being near, and takingacar, he York Nat and his young ferrets as one an went down to the alley in the rear of Ray | allof them Redmond’s house. Ds. The stable was closed, but through a grat- “Well, Nat, we have found out nap ed window that was open he saw that the | quickly who Sister Dolores is, only we do not know how it is that she managed As he reached the corner he saw a carriage gemain and talk. carriage was gone. : = . Without appearing to-do so, he questioned | He went away, but in about two hours re- hold of our secret,” said Olive, when she had EE I a Ce et Se Eee eae Cee re Pp ee ae on the river-bank to read the letter given the ‘ on a number of oc-
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10 heard Nat’s stery of bow he had gotten the information from Coachman Jerry Dunlap. ‘** Yes, and now we will discover, I sup- pose, what it is she wishes the Boy Police to aid her in,” and Nat opened the envelope handed tu him in the cathedral by Sister Dolores. He unfolded several pages of closely ain paper and began at once to read it aloud. It was as follows: *‘How I discovered that you were the leader of a band of Unknown Ferrets, mat- ters not, so that [have the knowledge, and have sought you as a means to an end, and, with your Boy League of Detectives as a means to gain an end that will result in ‘Who I am also makes no difference to you, more than to tell you that I am a wo- man who has lived on the dark side of life, becoming a sacrifice for others, and now, having my eyes opened to the enormity of a t sin that I can check, feel that it would criminal in me longer to allow its trail of iniquity to bring ruin, sorrow and death to those who are innocent of wrong. ‘ “*To check this sin, to end it before it has one still greater harm, I come to you, New ork Nat, and ask you to ferret out the whole bgleful and mysterious crime. ae oe you to do is that which I cannot do. ** Were I to go to the chief of the Secret Service he would go a different way about crushing the crimes from what you will, and I would have to be known in the case. “‘ Now to my charges against the ‘ Master of Life and his Destroyers of Deadman's Den,’ the one hundred and one criminals leagued together to rob, to destroy, to kill, * {fpnocent ms. “Crimes have been committed, as you well know, the fountain source of which could not be discovered. “Sins of the past rest to-day in dee mystery, and large rewards have filled to : trace the guilty ones, : aaeee to see what you can do, New York at. “There are in New York City one hun- dred and one men leagued together for q : “They are bound by the deadliest oaths, a and betrayal means death by torture. ‘*Each one is a spy upon the other, and few are known to each other, as at their ‘meetings they all wear long black robes and masks, “s ““They meet once each week and make their reports, and receive their orders from their master spirit, called the Master of Life as he has the power to order, without ques- tion, the instant death of any member at the meeting, and to command the executioners he selects to kill the doomed man. “They prey upon their fellow-men and | ® women, and the highest and lowest may fall “ victims to their love of gold, revenge or ; of discovery. > } “A rich man will be taken from his Be : home and gold forced from him, or his life taken. “A young girl will be kidnapped and ‘those who love her forced to pay heavy ran- som for ber release. } “The grave of some wealthy man will be c robbed of its body by those Is of the Grave, and gold alone will get it back again. “A mother’s heart will be wrung with ; AR anguish at the loss of a loved child, until pi te she pays well to bave it returned to her. .: “A merchant will be threatened with dis- grace unless he pays a silence fee. “Men in every walk of life, and women, : too, will be blackmailed by pag prey _. gecused of crimes to be made public unless ’ . they pay for silence—” me OTR ceased reading, and said: © BGR STS IS a trae, Ge T know.” aes 4 Rs 3 ha ‘ a I f he » + Moe - Soe re il - Ps 7 S, > ee, ae oe ey 4 é Bi tae Na Ti SS CHAPTER XVIII. THE REVELATION. “‘ Yes, Nat, what she says is not ovcr done, and the police, detectives and our Boy Ferrets have not been able to solve the mys- tery of: these many crimes. But go on with the revelation of Sister Dolores,” said Olive, eagerly. ntinuing, New York Nat read: *“ All these mysterious crimes, in a mea- sure, emanate from one source, the One Hun- dred and One Destroyers. ‘Their ruling spirit is a man of many masks, a man with the face of an angel and the heart of a demon. ‘‘He is one whose voice is music, whose nature appears as gentle as a woman’s, a man of brilliant mind, one who has seen the world in all its phases, who knows men and women as an open book, ** He is a consummate actor, for there is no part that he cannot play, from comedy to tragedy. x “ He can impersonate a saint as well as he can play the part of Satan. ‘‘He is known in society under the one name, and an alias follows ti through the masks he wears, for, as a married man in one house he is a bachelor in another, and it is for you to track him through his phases of life and bring him to the justice he deserves. ‘‘ The meeting of the Destroyers is held in the lowest of the city, in an under- a place which they call the Deadman’s n. “It is here they bury their dead, should one of their number have to be executed. “The meeting is held on Friday nights, between the hours of twelve and one o'clock. **Where this Deadman’s. Den is I do not know, and it will cause you to keep a very close watch on Friday nights, in different of the city, until you track the men to the rookery beneath which the under- ground assembling place is. “Once you have placed this, and you can shadow the men going and coming from there to their living haunts, and find out who they are, thus marking them for your game when you are ready to spring your trap. ‘* The leader is a man of six feet, upright in carriage, with broad shoulders, a firm, quick step with a military air. ‘*He will be disguised of course in going to the Den, but his face is dark, bis hair black, eyes large, full of fire and intensely moans when he does not assume a dreamy, expression. **He can be found on certain nights at a large and fashionable gambling saloon on Broadway, and there he is known as the pro- prietor of the establishment, while none of its patrons, who know him as a fashionable man about town, recognize him in the dis- uise he wears there, of white wig,- mus- tache white as snow, spectacles, dressin like a pronounced sport of the flashy kind, save a red fez upon his head, and wearing such a profusion of magnificent diamonds that he is known as Palos, the King of Diamonds. e ’ “He pretends to be a Greek and speaks English with an accent. “Knowing now the man you have to shadow, I leave it to you todog him to death. “You can track through his own masks, and when you know him as he is, set your trap to catch him and the band who follow his will. “T need not tell you more, save that I have confidence in your ability to track him down, and rid the world of a monster and his demon crew. “When you have your trap ready to spring, nails me, for } can be commmesl. cated with at any time through the General Delivery of the post-office here, addressed as Sister Dolores only. “ An application twice each week will a¢ me Eee ek i ies wt be ae ae f >. ae 8 - wf 7 5 % 24. ing tf * jae AW tee ee Pte ete : hat be New York Nat’s Crook Chase. ent tt tt CL LL LLL LLL LLL a Says ek, > Petes -_— made for a letter, and should I desire to com- municate with you, I will address you through your sister at her house, either by calling or in writing, and any information of importance 1 may have to tell you, it shall be promptly given you. ‘*Should you need money to prosecute your search, and shadowing, you have but to make the request and name the sum, for it shall at once be placed-at your disposal, as an engine cannot run without fuel I well know, ‘« Feeling assured of your success, believe me, ** Yours to command, ‘Sister DoLores. Neither New York Nat or Olive spoke for some moments, after the young ferret had finished the revelation of Sister Dolores. ”? They both seemed busy with their own thoughts, , At last Olive asked: a : ‘** What do you make of all this, Nat?” Me ‘‘That the writer is Mrs. Redmond, that it is her husband who is the culprit, for + she says he is married, yet lives as a bach- elor, and the coachman’s story of his master’s 3 life is a mystery in his career.” ‘“‘T believe you are right; but why should ¢ he me. playing the part of an old man, and ay ¥ er?” = * As Palos the King of Diamonds he meets rt many people who play into his power for ( other work he has on hand. 2 “T will just see this King of Diamonds and shadow him by night and day, and his record will not long remain unknown to us, }e and a re thing it will be for the Bo Police if we down the Destroyers of . man’s Den.” c “Indeed it will, and the chief of the ¢ Secret Service will mcre than ever consider 7 you the Wizard of Mystery, Nat,” was Olive's ’ rejoinder, and she felt proud of her brotber as the Mysterious Unknown Ferret who was making such a name for himself as the king of detectives, young as he was in years. , _—_ «= x CHAPTER XIX. . NAT’S FERRETS UNDER ORDERS. Tue special meeting called for that night, following the day when New York Nat received the revelation of crime from Sister Dolores of the deeds of the Destroyer, was held in the old rookery surrounded by its extensive grounds all overgrown with foliage, underbrush and weeds, and which was shunned by all as the Haunted House of Miser Max, all save the daring young ferret chief and the bold spirits he beld sway over. Nat had begun to feel a strong attachment for the old place, for he saw nothing to dread there in its memories and shadows, in spite of the tragic scene he had been an actor in there, when he had found Olive under the guardianship of the old Miser Max.* New York Nat had remained at the cottage to supper, for be intended to take Olive over to the meeting with him, and the two had been the first arrivals, : Olive also beld no dread of the old place, and they scaled the wall and glided slong through the evergreen walks until they came to the cellar-door in the rear of the old mansion. Behind the place, and looking weird snd oye in the dim light, were the tombs in. e deserted graveyard adjoining the pro- pert " f i 4 The door was opened by Nat, Olive bold- ‘ ing the supper brought for the huge and savage dog, the sole guardian of the place, and entering the cellar a lantern was lighted and left burning, the two making their to the floor above. The dog greeted them in the cellar, was given the run of the house, and he trot- — ” * See stories of New York 60, 00 and St Duce toa : tgretr * * os a a. A % on er 3 é a ees é M rivet te a ©) Aa * Seas tee Numbers hb . Se css ° 2 eas et ~ j ai é ’ . 4 oy e * » be r 2 eer ~y wz
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1 ee ; = Seg New York Nat’s Crook Chase. . : Sea ie ted along close at their heels, for he knew | reveal nothing, we will take another locality, “* Teaser.” | i} that he had not been forgotten. and shadow it, for the Den of the Destroyers ** Yes, Cap’n Nat.” : Up to the assembly room they went, a ; large interior chamber on the top floor, and where there were seats, a table, and behind it # two chairs. When Nat had lighted a lamp in the as- must be found.” ** Come with me to that big clothing store After a few more special orders the meet-|on Broadway, where they keep messenger- ing adjourned, all stealing away like ghosts, | boy uniforms, and I'll buy one, for I'll take in the darkness, and Nat escorting Olive to | that letter, and after a short while you can her home. return to your office. sembly room, standing upon the table, it “When it is time to go and keep the ap- was seen that Olive wore a black robe, and CHAPTER XX, pointment with the gentleman, come out and cap, and that her face was securely masked, ars wait for me here.” for New York Nat was determined that she 9 Seb ie gape: ‘Tl do it, but I haven't told you allyet.” ~ shoe! not be known by any member of the THoucH Olive had said she was by no| ‘ Ah! what else is there to tell?’ | ep iw hj a | League, their Queen though she was. means afraid to go homealone, Nat would| ‘‘ Smart as that gent cove looked he forgot he dropped into one of the seats at the | not hear of her oing so, and accompanied | to seal that letter to the lady.” \ table, and took out of a bag she carried, sev- | her to the cottage, as has been said. ** You do not mean it?” ' eral leather-covered books, a pen and ink, Then he returned to his gloomy abode and **I do, and more, I just read it before I { while Nat went to his room to give the dog | turned in for the night. saw you. J his supper. He awoke in time to go to the cottage for} ‘Here it is and also the card.” ; Just as he returned the movements of the | breakfast, after which he hada talk onthe} Nat glance: first at the card and read: ‘ dog showed that some one was coming, and | river-bank with Olive, and then went down- / es leaving his woh pps but wihout | town. ‘RAY REDMOND, E even & growl, the savage-looking animal| Just as he got off of the car he heard his ** Bachelor’s Building, i trotted down-stairs, name called, al turning quickly, saw a “ r ss 8 re He soon returned accompanied by two of | Teaser “No. 100 —th Avenue.” . the Boy Police, whom Nat greeted pleasantly ¥ and whom they saluted politely as they walk- . ed on into the assembly room. Contrary to the universal belief taat mes- - tool ® senger-boys move at a suail’s pace, Teaser PoP on huss, letter and saw it was ad was moving rapidly, and a glance at his face al fe A ~; Lope hedey: Se could wegen his sup- — to Nat ee had news for him. ““MRS. RUBY REDMOND,” per he heard a soun caused him to trot **Well, Teaser, 1 was just going to see 4 down to the cellar and return with another | you.” Bite e- Se Same ee pddvens wiih Be Nae betes of the band. Thus it went on until he had escorted to the assetably room all of the band, giving no growl, simply acting like the guardian he was to see that no stranger came to the meet- ‘And I to see you, Cap, for I’ve got shadowed. . tye news for you, news which I intended you}... 3 “ye Port 2 aggre a yet T should know, so I was going to look you up | thin d papel bo : beove rom Brn, and pay for my time, saying at the office the | for a detective cannot be over particular. party detained me.” You read it, for if you don’t I think ~~ 1 dame aa 2 ing. N “‘It is important, then?” hacks make a big mistake,” was Teaser’s an- Vhen Nat returned to the assembly room ‘* You bet it’s important. - ae {. he found the Boy Police all there, my fan, Just come with me around the corner, | With this New York Nat took the letter . “APE bright-looking lot of fellows, and occupying | then, and see what I have to tell ” from the unsealed envelope, and read: - the seats fronting the table at which Olive They soon reached the place specified, and | ‘‘ My Dear Rusy:— - F: sat. Teaser said: “T have a little treatin store for you, but “it be They had all greeted her with marked “You know the handsome cove who was | it must be a secret, noteven known to that = oo courtesy, upon entering, and been welcomed | at the theater?” gossip of a maid of yours, : ’ Fy by name and with a pleasant word toeach| ‘The one in the box with the lady.” “*T have to run up the Sound to-night in a : one. * ‘*That’s him.” friend’s yacht to visit a gentleman on Long K ~ 2 As Nat entered and walked to his seat by “What of him?” Island and wish you to join me, for there ; the side of Olive, the hum of voices ceased “He came to the office half an hour ago | will be no one else save the crew, and we_ a and all rose to their feet. and wrote a letter. will have supper aboard. *_ Taking up a mallet that lay upon the table he gave three raps and said: “ The meeting is called to order.” Then, in a few words he told them that he bad made a discovery of importance, in fact, was onthe track of a large band of crooks who held underground meetings, one each week, were led by a daring chief, and their deeds of guilt consisted in robbery, burglary, blackmail ing, body-snatching, and when ne- cessary of murder. . It was to down this criminal bard that the ‘“*l knew him at a glance, and he worried ‘Go at six o'clock this afternoontothe and studied over the letter for a long time, ay at the foot of Seventy ——th street : though it was only a short one. est, and a boat will be there to take you off ‘“*He then called for a messenger, and I | to the yacht. paid the boy whose time it was to gonext,| -‘‘Show Captain Jerry this letter and he ~— a and took his place.” will B pny and get away before “ You did well.” em 7 4. go. arrive,and whom we ‘*I then saw a man pass the door of the | would not find pleasant companions. oa office and start to come in, but the gent gave | ‘‘ Don’t failme, and answer bythe messen- —__ him a signal and he went away. ger. f ‘““Then the gent gives me a dollar and| ‘“‘I will join you on the yacht ata point says ina low tone that none in the office | down the river where Captain Jerry will 7 meeting had been called, and he was in pos- | could hear: land for me. ; : #e ‘session of particulars sufficient regarding “ * Take this to the address on the envelope “Again ] say don’t fail, for I need your . them to ang fing them in their work. and ask to see the lady herself. aid and advice in the business that carries ~~ e is fame in the work for us, and| **‘ Don’t give it to any servants, and when | me up the coast. Moe 7 mu oney Dewides” he added, ‘‘ and I | she reads it she will give you an answer. “We will return by rail to-night soyou = have already entered upon the work, and| “*Come to this address,’ and he handed | will need to carry nothing with you. a will give each one of you your duty to per-| me this card, ‘and you'll find me there at ** Yours, = 4 form in the shadowing as soon as circum. | two o’clock for her answer. “RR”. : Stances demand.” ie He did not speak of Sister Dolores, or how ‘ od he got his information, and after talking the pee will pay you for your second errand “What do you think, Nat, for to me ft pe . “‘ With this he gave me the letter and the | OKs like a game against the pretty lady ) “matter over quietly, he learned that a num- dollar and walked out quickly. after what you told me.” 25 fa ; 1‘: - berofthem knew of Palos, the old King “IT went a second behind him and I saw It in just tats Tene, ane Pasha = bits + =" ‘of Diamonds. him join the man outside who had. appeared | !UcK. thanks to you. for I'l be the messenger- © ____. Notone of them, however, regarded him | at the door, and I knew the fellow.” oy, So | eo Beit». eee he epi npcl gray-haired old ** Who was he?” — ; re * gambler who was a foreigner, ** He was dressed up like a gent, but Blow R ¢ - 229 i ~~ +. — 2 “ 2 “ — rag eens > See oe Made — - ef ee a Ce a neg s peices £ Re eC Ns in eae
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most kind, and having shown the messenger in, Lucy departed upon ber errand. The messen ger entered,a at in a new uviform, wearing spectacles and having a red wig. It was New York Nat, and having pur- chased a messenger’s outfit he put it on in the store; left his clothes to be called for, and _ then sought s place where he could don his _ red wig and spectacles. “Mrs. Redmond, a gentleman came to the office and gave me this letter to bring to ’ you, saying I must deliver it into your . hands and take him your reply at an address he gave me.” rs. Redmond no more than at the messenger, who however on his part was - most inte regarding her, and taking the letter she said Largan: $e ““ Why is it not = “It. is just as the gentleman left it, Mrs. « Redmond.” ; She slowly read the letter, her face chang- -.*idng into sudden interest, and when she had * gead it she bit her lip and was silent for a moment. __. ‘Then she said: = “Tell the gentleman that I will go with - _ Will you not write an answer, please m’am?” : “ Yes,” and she arose and went to her .* | desk, a pretty inlaid piece of furniture, and by ¥ ly wrote a few lines, saying with a le: a ‘I will not be so forgetful, but seal my note.” “It would have been wiser had Mr. Red- _ mond done so, madam,” came the startling * ftesponse of the messenger, Redmond looked at him with sur- , her eyes apn flashed as though in- , but she asked coldly: ~ What jo you mean?” “T read the letter, Mrs. Redmond.” ** How dare you do suchathing?” she said her face flushing with anger. discharge of my duty and ‘ your orders, Mrs. Redmond.” “Your duty, and my orders” and the beautiful face was flushed now with anger. “Yes, madam.” “What do you consider your duty, and | what were my orders, may I ask, for surely you are laboring under a very great mistake, r ” ae & “ My aay ses to shadow Mr. Ray Red- mond, as I such orders from Mrs. Red- i mond when she came to me as Sister , Dolores.” ’ rs Mrs. Redmond started and her face became deadly pale, while ina hoarse whisper she said, as she dropped into a chair, as though unnerved by a severe shock: - “You are New York Nat and you have _ tracked me!” ‘As you tracked me, Mrs. Redmond, to _ discover me as you did.” _, * Why.did you do this?” ; “To discover who it was that I was serv- ing, Mrs. Redmond.” ~y “IT thought Lhad utterly thrown you off amy track, should you follow me.” ... “ Ah! I never noticed until afterward that _ wore them then, and hoped you had not _ * @bserved them. . | ' “You have keen eyes indeed to recognize : rg 7 eins + herd ~~ : on 4 i « hy _—. Ratt ae ‘ = “4 gi ae ~ hy SF Lily wa) PP ee ee ee ——— “Then I will go to the pier named and oe the yacht and see what the result will ** Tcan but trust you, and will. “* That I may give you further proof of it, I will tell you that Iam Mr. Redmond’s wife, and yet not acknowledged by him before the world as such, for he plays the part of a bachelor in ae ** And is Palos the King of Diamonds, and goes under several other aliases ?” ‘** How do you know this?” “Tam guessing now; but I have the trap laid to find out all.” ** And you will find out what I do not know. ‘* He does not believe that I know him as “the King of Diamonds, or as the Master of Life of the Destroyers. *‘ [ have been my own detective and have found out who he is; but I could not track the Destroyers to their Den. ‘* Mr. Redmond pretends to be much away from New York; but be has been deceiving me, for he is here all the time, and more. is living in bachelor quarters, for I tracked bim there. ‘‘What grievance I have against him I will tell you at another time, as also my motives for revenge, and how just they ‘‘But what motive bas he for wishing to get ria of you?” ‘For one reason, he gets the fortune I brought him, and again, he is a money getter by whatever means he can. : * Also, there is a beauty and an befress here, a lovely girl, with a very large fortune in her own right, whom he is anxious to rry. “Though married?” “ He will get rid of me first, and 1 believe, when he weds her, will have fortune enough to give up his evil life and play gentle- ma ” D. ~~ “‘T understand his motive now in wishing you to go with Captain Jerry, for that man would do any deed for gold, avd is doubtless a member of the band of Destroyers. “Mr. Redmond is known to him, but will not let the three or four men of the yacht's crew see him. and telling you to take that letter to the skipper, shows that he wishes it out of the way. “Once Jerry has done his work, Mr. Red- mond would see that he, knowing him, did not live long, and thus no suspicion would ever fall upon him.” ‘** You argue well, New York Nat, and all is in your hands,” and the beautiful woman held out her band and grasped that of the. young ferret most warmly. “Ten minutes after, Nat took his leave ! with her answer. ; ( ve * wt? pM ? 4 . i — . Pe ee ee “ pon th et uth PO aa Oe ee Sewanee
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New York Nat’s Crook Chase. "as e 7 wa p-~ CHAPTER XXIII. SETTING THE TRAP. New Yor« Nar first went to the house of Walter Vanderlip, after leaving the evidence of Mrs. Redmond, and asked to see Mr Sherman Canfield. That gentleman was at home, and greeted the Ferret Captain most cordially. Then Nat sat down and read him the letter of Sister Dolores. Next he told him of the special meeting of the Boy Police the night before, and that they had been put to work on the hunt for the Destroyers. Giving Sherman Canfield time to think over what he had told him, he next made known his shadowing work, in tracking Mr. and Mrs. Redmond, ending by his showing the letter given him by Teaser, and how he had gone to see the lady who he was sure was to bécome a victim of her wicked and merciless husband. ‘Mr. Canfield listened with deepest atten- tion to all, comp’imented the youth upon his 7 * SS SS. * ai dk es ~—a h " 3S c dus ent gives for gent gi ch ae 2 it was noon. He went to snother District Messenger office, where he was a stranger, and wrote a sent him to the noe with the remark: “T e’u’dn’t be spared for so long from me to carry ’em, ay. Meg gits ther 10 ud oe posed ork and departed, while ed | w e _Ww Nac went to lunch and then leisurely Saunt ~ i oS eo E a “E+ _ ered to Bachelors’ Building with the note for Ray Redmond. The janitor told him that Mr. Redmond had just come in, and ushered him into a es? handsome suit of bachelor apartments. here he found Ray Redmond pacing the floor of his cozy library, his face pale and brow dark, “A messenger for you, sir,” and the jani- tor disappeared. “The boy 799 gave the letter to this morn- ing, sir, had his day off, so I took his place,” said Nat, handing over the letter. ‘It’s all the same so long as I get it,” was the sharp reply, and he broke open the en- velope and read the note, Nat closely watch- "\o face the while. he expression that swept over the face of the handsome man was one of fiendish de- light, and unmindful of Nat he ssid through his shut teeth: ‘That settles it, and I win a double game. “Here boy,” and he tossed Nat a five dol- lar bill. ‘*Lhaven’t the e, sir, bu’ ‘* Keep all overthe charge for yourself, for 1 can afford to be generous.” Nat was profuse in his thanks and depart- ed, meeting Captain Jerry at the door as he went out. ‘«T will go now again to Mrs, Redmond’s, and then to the cottage, for I have a double game to win,” he said in stern tone as he hurried away, and adding: ‘‘That man is a devil indeed.” » CHAPTER XXIV. A BOLD VENTURE. New Yor« Nat made bis call upon Mrs, Redmond. Lucy the maid had returned, and at once admitted him to the sitting-room, and the young ferret told Mrs. Redmond that all was going well, but in case her husband might watch to see her go to keep the appointment, he would return therein a carriage, and he asked for a bonnetand a wrap known to Mr. Redmond, that he might put them on. They were willingly given him, and then he departed with all back for the Elevated Road and three quarters of an hour after was at the cottage. Olive had received his note and was prepared for him, with all of his feminine garb laid out ready for him to put on He soon robed himself, and calling Olive in.she puton a wig of beautiful hair, and painted his face until he looked like a very handsome young lady. Mrs. Redmond’s wra was a good fit, and her bonnet was most be- coming to him, . When he was all ready be departed, ac- companied by Olive, whom Mrs. Redmo had requested him to bring back with him and leave with her. : They reached Mrs, Redmond’s house on time, having taken a carriage as they left the Elevated cars, and were at once ushered into the cozy sitting-room. Mrs. Redmond was utterly amazed when she beheld Nat, and said with enthusiasm: “You are simply perfectly disguised.” In a few minutes Nat departed, leaving was a loose one, 80 Olive with Mrs. Redmond, and the beautiful | or rather drop you overboard, young Ferret Queen’s composed manner and | then take yer back and leave perfect confidence in her brother caused the | where yer body will poor wife of an evil man to feel sure of the success of the Boy Police under their chief. Nat was vailed, though not too closely, so that his handsome face could be seen, and river lay a small but pretty craft that looked 9 aike a yacht. At the pier was a boat with a sailor in it, while near stood a man whom he at once re- cognized as Captain Jerry, and a most evil face he had. With a rough attempt at politeness he stepped forward and asked: ** Was you s’archin’ for any one, miss?” “Yes, for a gentleman by the name of Captain Jerry.” “Tm ther one yer want. “* What might your name be? ** Mrs. mond, and I bave a letter I will give you later, if you wish.” “*T guess it’s all safe. : ‘Just get into the boat, ma’m, and go aboard, for we has a fairly fair breeze, and - your husband will join us later.” Nat stepped gracefully into the boat, glanced at the oarsman and decided that he ° too was a villain, and five minutes after was on the schooner. > She was fairly well furnished and hada’ ~ crew of three men besides the captain. _ Nat wished to sit on deck, but the captaim told her it would be best to go below, and then through a bull’s-eye in the cabin she saw Captain Jerry earnestly together in a low tone. The anchor was then gotten up, sail set. and the yacht stood swiftly away down the: river. , Nat remained in the cabin, but he had re- moved his vail and there was a stern look of determination upon bis face. Down past the Battery went the yacht, in- stead of turning into the East River, and Nat smiled grimly as he muttered: “T have made uo mistake, but Captain Jerry Tee Swiftly gliding by Bay Ridge, then Fort: Lafayette, through the Narrows, the yacht. sped on ata ten-knot pace, and entered the- lower bay. = apn Nat looked out of the cabin and said: *‘[ thought you were going up the Sound?” “‘We are coming back that way.” ** Where are you to pick up Mr, Red- mond?” “See here, my lady, it hain’t for you to ask questions, for I is obeyin’ orders, and [ is paid big money to do it.” f “* Ah, what do you mean?” “*T means that you is in somebody’s way and has got ter git out of it.” : *« What?” * I talks English, and you understands. “Lis paid big money to have a funeral in your family.” = By God! would you kill me, a woman?” “ What's the difference, man, woman or child—a life’s a life, only some is more valu- able than others.” “Have you no conscience?” “I loves gold more than I fears con- ae ABT lad to hear that), for h! lam ou 83, Tam rich, and I will double the alee you. are paid. if you will spare my life. “ Will you do this?” “* Does yer mean it?’ ** Ido, and if you refuse, I will appeal to. your crew.” ‘Lord, they is in it with me ter kill yer, drown yer, er in a dock, be found.” “Twill pay you double what Mr. Red- mond offers to get rid of me, for my riches. are what he wants.” “ How did you know it was Mr, Red- when he reached the square next to the pier, | mond he halted the coachman, paid him liberally, and to throw him off his , ascended the steps of a residence and ringing the bell asked for a person who did not live there. Then seeing that the cab was out of sight he went on to the place of rendezvous. It was an unfrequented pier, and off in the | PaaS Witee 3? fm y : | . ~ 7 ; wees fe >i Sa 2 here. “ Well, I “I feel that it is as he sent me aboard of Ox en ! =i 7" ky . « wy! and his crew talking | s ten thousand fer this job.” . And I give.you twenty thousand to. “ hea ge." was the emphatic response of _ Captain Jerry. et! ~ pe q 7 mm cd * ig a,
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14 New York Nat's Crook Chase. CHAPTER XXYV. NAT CALLS A HALT. Nat expressed the deepest gratitude at the response of the assassin, accepting the offer made, and then Captain Jerry said: - It’s got to be this way.” “ Well?” m Se is to remain on board this craft.” a s » “Til put back to the city to-night late, and then go and tell the boss it is done and get my money. ‘Then I am coming back to have you show up the life-money you offers, and when I gets it Ill have enough to skip out and leave the boss for you to deal with.” “Then you get his money and mine?” ** Of course, I gets it from both ends,” “*T do not care, so long as you spare me,’ and just as the sun was setting Nat ae. ly stepped out on deck. “*Come, you must go below.” “T feel very faint, and must have some fresh air for a few minutes,” and Nat took out his handkerchief, shook out its folds and pressed it to his face. “Curse that tug, it seems to be watchin’ us,” growled Captain Jerry, referring to a tug which had been slowly gaining on the schooner for half an hour past, and was now but a short distance astern. “ You are right, captain dear, it is watch- ing us— ‘* Hands up, quick!” and Nat's voice was no longer soft and pmeting. s as he had dis- guised it, but stern oe and determined. Furthermore, he sud enly leveled a re- volver straight at the head of Captain Jerry, while he shouted: ws Come alongside, Mr. Canfield, and bag the came!” The astounded and frightened crook let go the wheel and stood glaring at Nat, white as a sheet, while the schooner swept up into the wind and lay to, just ag the tug ran up alongsid-, and Sherman Canfield and his con- tingen* of Boy Police sprung on board, re- volvers in hana, “ Hands up, — or there'll be deadly work done here!” shouted Sherman Canfield, and the acy of we yeh asked for 3 while Csptain bt pe oe whipped out his kni sand cri “Th cut your heart out, ne for thi. work,” for he still believed New York Nat to be a young woman. ** No,” was the disguised New York Nat’s cool response, and he threw his revolver for- ward just in time and pulled the trigger. With a wild shriek the would-be assassin staggered backward and fell into the sea, sinking at once out of sight and forever. The Boy Police were already upon the crew and had them ironed, while coming aft Skterman Canfield grasped Nat’s hand and ~ cried: ** Well done, Nat! but you have cheated ~-the gallows of one of its brightest orna- ments.” “But the crew of the tug?” whispered Nat. “All of them Boy Police, for I chartered the tug withouta crew, as Blow is a fair engincer, Slim was on a pilot-boat, and two more of the boys were fishermen. “They have no license of course, but we'll get back befor. that is discovered, so “{ will, and you lead the way. “TI will anchor off the same pier, and you can run to the wharf with the tug and then write a telegram to the chief of the Secret Service and I'll have it sent at once, while you wait in charge of the vessels and prisoners until his arrival, please, and make your report, for we Boy olice will have to make ourselves scarce.’ ** Yes, I know. “And I am to tell the chief that his Unknown Ferrets did the work?” “If you please, sir, and he is to keep the prisoners to themselves, and await fur- ther developments, which will soon happen.” * All right, Nat, and I would not have missed this for a year's pay,” said Sherman Canfield. The tug was soon pointed back to New York, the ta following ~ with the wind abeam, and by midnight the Secret Service chief was on board with half a dozen of his men, and he was hearing the story of the in- tended kidnapping and murder of a woman from Sherman Canfield, who however would give no names, but promised soon to report ully to the chief, who said: ** Well, I am content to wait, for my bw of Mystery will report all in good ’ Having told the chief to return the tug, after the time of charterwas up, Sherman Canfield went to the house of Falter Van- derlip and went to sleep deeply impressed with the cleverness of New York Nat and his Boy Police as ferrets. CHAPTER XXVI. PREPARED TO DIE. Wuewn New York Nat left the schooner with his boys, they scattered in various di- rections, while he went to the home of Mrs. Redmond, He was admitted by Lucy, who said the ladies were in the sitting-room up- In a few words he Mrs, Redmond and Olive all, and said in a disgusted tone: “Of course it could not be done without my having to kill some one; but then he sprung upon me with his knife.” “T would not think of it as other than a oe fhe Nat,” was Mrs. Redmond’ S response, and then she continued “ As we are nearing: the end now, I will wha dae something of my life. ther left a large fortune when he died, es ing it in equal parts to my mother, my ~ 0 was seven years my senior and myse! Te] was adop ted by an uncle in the South, and lived a pod deal of my life in Mexico so I knew only that my mother had died an my sister married. “ When, several years after, I met a gentle-. maa whom I fell in love with I little dreamed that it was the man who had married my sister, for he then bore not the same name. “ He left me, and we were engaged, and several months after 1 heard of my sister's death, and that I was the heir to her fortune, and my mother’s. “The property was left in safe hands for _ Tia a year following I married the man ov “He ais re me to New York, and I soon found t 1 was forced to live a lie, no one knows of the affair outside of your} bat b be told me if bis marriage was known own band.” ““ Good!” ** But what a charming woman you make, ae carry a deadly hand for crooks, * That bas to be in our rough work, Mr. Canfield; but no vessel is near, so we have ‘attracted no attention, and, as men are in irons let us return, for I wish to get out of _ petticoats.” “All ae ee cere back" his father, he would be cut off without a dollar, and that an invalid, his father would not live long. “TI believed bim, until one day I felt a doubt of him, and bey yan to shadow him, “IT soon found ont all that he was, and going to his bachelor rooms with a false key, went over hi: trunks there, and, tomy horror, discovered everything. “I found out ilat he he was my sister's hus- band, that he had ce ber and m. Ta mother, poisoning them, “ es = been made his victim, and was to be put aside as they were, that he might get my money and then marry another. **T also found out that he was even worse, gambler, and the leader of crooks of the vilest kind. ‘*In my horror I fled from his house, and’ hardly knowing where I went, sought come place to hide. “*T came upon your old Haunted House, and I went there, opening the door with the skeleton keys I had bou ht. “Your dog made friends with me, and going over the house, I came upon the room where your League meets, and there fourd the whole histery of your ‘band in the Regis- ter upon the table. 4.) your room I found your diary, an ‘Yes, clever as we deem ourselves, see how we are mistaken, for I left those books on the table, never dreaming the house would be entered; but my d 1 forgot to hide after writing in it,” said Nat. “Well, I read the whol> story, and so it came upon me to seek you and to get re- venge through your band. ‘“The moment I had decidei upon this, I went back to my home, leaving all as I had found it, and :laying ‘the hypocrite to Ray Redmond, I beganmy plot, and you are so nobly and well carrying it out for me, for now I am determined tha. he shall haog for his crimes. “Now you have my whole rane! Lo “And you have our dee and good will, for I see that told all,” said Nat. “Yes, she knows all, and it is in your hands now to track Ray mond to doom, only let it not be until you place the scene of his Deadman's Den, that you may get his band as well.” ; **I will see that they are ron down, for already have my untiring ferrets information that I am sure will e as = le us to track the Destroyers to their Den,” answered Nat, Meare he added: - mae **T pledge my wo ou ve revenge, and the Mester of’ Life and his Destroyers shall be shadowed to doom.” CHAPTER XXVII. CONCLUSION. Tue pledge New York Nat made to the ’ ven me tS FTP —_, Mt tee “ oe to ft 1 get ‘Bs f 7, 4 s) , oe a —_ “a ao Coera®) athe! A‘. unfortunate wife of a murderer andcrookhe — faithfully kept, aided by his ally Sherman Canfield and his Boy Police. Py do ferrets on ey Friday night felt sure 0 game, and so reported to their young chief. Then New York Nat acted, and with Sherman Canfield, Teaser and Keno, went to the bachelor home of Ray Redmond. He was at home, preparing to go to the meeting of the Destroyers and looked up with surprise as the had gotten the janitor away and with a false key. “*Mr. Redmond, alias Palos King of Dia- monds and Master of Life of the Destroyers, entered pac sotared for Nat sa a re <p ak we want you,” said New York Nat, leveling a revolver upon the mah, while, the others did the same. Snow is not whiter than he tei at ‘ —— perfectly cool he re ee. ** Gentlemen, you “Tam shocked of course, 80 let me braee up hag this glass of brandy. placed his hand upon the glass oe brandy’ on the table, and only the quick j of New York Nat saw him pass a into it from a little bottle he “poemed to he out of his coat sleeve. Nat made as aS to _ Ree but the brandy was d off, and i with a wm 9c laugh the man , crt wek.don bara te bebo as so have taken a poison that ae with- — ten ’ P = _ a x Saidieatinadl, feet | oa ; Moy | Ee nae 0 een emma ote, Og ee mn eeneneinpatattiametpiagt yam, “antennas
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TL I. oy ue At ” 7] + . t New York Nat’s Crook Chase. e 15 And it did, while the next day ok ae contuined a notice of Mr. Ray mond being found dead in his room by his own , and a letter by his side stating that he was tired of life, had been living a double existence and was already a married man, and his wife’s address was given. After Sherman Canfield’s consultation with the chief of the Secret Service this story had been given out, asit was thought. best for all concerned, and so Mrs. Ruby Redmond took charge of the body and effects of the suicide, and settling up her affairs left New York, it was said for Mexico, but not until she had given to the Boy Police League a very handsome sum of money for their most valuable services. And the Destroyers? That same night of their chief’s death, a raid was made by the police and detectives, guided by Sherman Canfield, who had learn- ed the locality of Deadman’s Den from New York Nat, and the raid had resulted in the arrest of a couple of score cf the worst crooks that ever dis a city, though most of them escaped through an under- ground secret way. Still the death-blow was band, and the rewards were placed to the credit of the ‘‘ Unkiown Ferrets” by the chief of the Secret Service, who was still kept in ignorance of who the Wizard of Mystery and his allies were, and yet, through Sherman Canfield, continued to receive again and again, proof of their great skill as Ferrets ot the Metropolis. : THE END. Next Hatr-Dme Lrsrary, No. 884! The mystery of the Dead Detective’s Double and the-Ba shins Secret of ‘the Tigress” on the Trail, viz: Farrel Fox and His Girl Ferret; BoGUS BANEKER’S DIVE-SHARKS. A Story of Three New York Detectives. BY DAN DUNNING, OF THE SECRET SERVICE CORPS. The noted Central Office Special, Farrel, the Fox, ven to the. | 353 ; SNe ee ani his comrade Bull, are, in this ‘leaf from life,’ | avengers. for the Terrible Detective Trio, Pox, McVeigh and Bull, is a thing of history— **Mac ” baving been sandbagged, and dying with a half-revelation on his lips of the assassin and his confederates. Fox and Bull catch at the faintest of clues but only to drop into The Most Desperate Tangle of their lives—to fight, in the dark, with an unknown but relentless enemy and to be startled by the “ Dead-Alive MecVeigh*‘s apparent reappearance and work. What it all meant, even the sbrewdest reader can- not fathom until the wonderful transformation scene of the end makes it evident that the work is one of the Star Stories of the Year! Beatlle’s Half-Dime Library. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, Il The Two Detecttves; or, The Fortunes of s Bowery Girl, Abe Colt, ‘he ag tere inger, e (an ra) per. Ses Beek SP Angels ans Mis Boy Pard. Vork Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps ia Gotham. and Nick; or, The Fortanes of a Foundling. tek, the Circus Prince. 7 T Arizona S v2 Coharade tha Halk Broad Detective te New York; or, The Cowboy's Fight. Be 44g 3 Fy es BY T. C. HARBAUGH, 28 Nick o’ the Night; or, The Boy Spy of "76. 8ST The Hidden 3 or The Little Hunter. e Nat; or, Toe Forest Captains. ack 3 or, The Ontlaws of the Trails. Kit Harefoot, the Wood-Hawk; or, Old Powder-face. Midnight Jack ; or, The Boy Trapper. Old Froaty, the Guide; or, The White Queen. Klowa Charley the White Mostanger. Judge Lynch Jr.: or, The Bey Vigilante. Gold T r, the See rt; or, The Girl Avenger. Tornado Tom; or, Injun Jack From Red Core. Ned Temple, the Border Boy; or, The Mad Hunter. Arkansaw ; or. The Queen of Fate's Revenge. Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hanter. Captain. Bullet; or, Little Topknot’s Crasade. 1 Plucky Phil; or. Rosa, the Rei Jezebel. Bill Bravo; or, Toe Roughs of the Rockies. eee Se EReeeces 58 Dynamite Pan; or, The Bowle Blade of Gochetopa. Mountain Detective: or, The Trigger Bar Belly. 816 Old Eellpse, Tromp Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Pards; or, The Terror ot Take-Notice. 886 Bie Benson: or, The Queen of the Lavso. 845 Pitilees Matt; o7, Ked Thonderbolr’s Secret, 856 Cool sam and Par; or The Terrible Six. 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 886 Captain Cutlass; or, | he B-ccaneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Rob; or, The Twin Champions of Bloe Plazes. 411 The Stiken Lasso: cr, The Rose ct Ranch Robin. 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter; or, The Gold Gang of New York. 425 Texas Trump. the Border Rattler. 4386 Phil Flash, the New York Fox; or, The Mystery of Room 21. 445 The City Vampires; or, Ked Rolfe’s Picem. 461 One Against Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar. 470 ae Bey aang or, Peite Tas's as. e Exeeisior Sport: or, ingion Spotter. 3 9 Single Sight, the One-Eved Spert. 502 Branded m, the Night Ferret. eae Dodger ere io Wharf-Spy yA = 21 Dedger Dick's est Dodge or, The Gotham Ge ang. 528 Fox and Faicon, the Rowe thadows, , 538 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’s Doubles or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodger Dick’« Desperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick. the Boy Vidorq; or, The Gang of Three, 878 The Two Shadows; or, Dodger Dick's Stop Game. D r Dick’s Drop; or, The Man from Jersey. 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tory Sharp on Guard, 626 The Champion Pards«; or, The Laciler of Silver Bar 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Roy Detective. 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. 653 Rilly Bantam, the Boy Bengle. 671 Jersey Jed, the Nev Hostler; or, Shadowing the Shadower. 685 Happy Hugh, tre Boy Musician Detective. To raph Fred, the Camera Sharp. 715 Wide Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferret. 782 Dalsy Dell, the Pavement Detective; or, Trapping Bog Game. 742 Rilly Winks, the Bell Boy Detective, o— muy Wore the ol npg £ tagle Ned, the Boy on Guard: or, Camp Spiders. 780 Tonkaway Tom, the Red Wizard. S27 The Bantam Sport. S48 Clip, the Battery Ferret; or, Jack Jeffers’ Foul Play. BY GEORGE ©. JENKS. 455 Git Thar Owney the Unknown. 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledece. 518 The Demon Doctor; or, Deadhold, the Kid Detective. 581 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. 59S Flute, the Singer Detective; or, Owney in a New Role. 608 The Pitcher Detective’s Foll; or, Dan's Double Play. 616 The Ocean Detective or. The Last Cruise of the Black Bear. 681 The Piteher Detectives Tou t Tussle. 786 Larry the Thoroughbred; or, ten on Every Side. 779 Iron Hand, the Charmed Detective 854 Uncle Sam’s Detective in Chicago. RY CHARLES MORRIS. fll Somers, the Boy Detective. : 1 Hardy, the Boss Bey. . cayune Pete; or, Nicodemas, ¢ Detective. etective Dick ; or, The Hero i» aaa andsome Marry, ‘he Bootblack Detective, Pill Wilda the Thoroughbred. lack Bena, Wil! Wildfire’s Racer. Ike Merry the flardor Police Boy. fll Wildfire In the Wooda. ily B the Railroad Bey. ‘Trump Card; or, Will Wildfire Wins and Lose b Rockett; ot, Mysteries of New York. ob Rockett, the Bank Runner, he Hidden Hand ; or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. red Halyard, the Life Boat Bor; or, The Beb Reckett; or, Driven to the Wal! Shadowed ; or, Bob Kockett's Fight for ale. 206 Dark Paul, the Ticer King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Legs Detective. Tom Tanner: or. The & ack Sheep of the Flock. Sam Charcoal the Premiom Darky. Shadow Sam, the Mesediger Boy. The Two * Bloods”; or, Shepandosh Bill and His Gang. Dashaway: or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. Young Sharp®: or, Rollicking Mike's Hot Trail Jim, the Detective Apprentice. Jolly Jim’s Job; or, The Young Detective. Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughered. Dash away, of Daketa: or, A Western Lad in Quaker City. B34 Reiph Ready, the Hote! Dov Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Varabend Detective. 858 The Keporter-Detective;: or, Fred Flyers Blizzard, 867 Wide-Awake Joe: or, A Boy of the Times. 879 Larry, the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard. 408 Firefly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger: ot, The Entrapped Casbier. 428 Fred Fiver, the Reporter Detective. 4382 Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 orlly Brick, the Jotly Vaganond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or Entombed Ally 479 Detective I ¢3 or, The Mvstery of Frank Hearty, oa ld te eae cts or, How He Fought for Homer. oota, the ¥ reman : or, Teo Sharp for the 584 The Seeret Service Boy Detective. — 596 many the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolvwes. 627 Tem Bruco of Arksnansy or, The Wellin the Fold. 655 Plucky Paul, the Bey Speculator. 66 re = Som, the Daisy Detertives. The Curbsatone Petective: or, Harry Hale's Big Beat. TST Detective Prank’s Sw cop-stakes.” ° 868 Ned Norman, the Gamin Broker. BY EPWARD 8, ELLIS, 6 Bill Biddon, Trapper. 8 Seth Jones; or, The Captives of the Frontier, 1@ Nat Todd; or, The Fate of the Sloux Captive. 91 Tne Frontier Angel. 98 The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island. 182 The MWunted Hunter: or, The Strange Horseman. 254 The Half-Blood ; or, The Panther of the Plains. 271 The Huge Hunter; or, The Steam Prairie Man, aa = S7 z= eeers< Pett peer ht ttt bt 1 ba Lar a te eS co ~ BY JO PIERCE. ¢. the Bowery ; or, The Sete ot aaae Bat agabond Ve; or, Bob’s Boom. r the Street-Boy Datesten,” wyer’s Shadow; or Luke’s Legacy. musty SEt, the Yo Horse-King. urly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective, tve Pointa Phil, the Pavement Prince. ack J the Butcher Boy Detective. ‘artar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerie, orth River Nat, the Pier Detective. restling Hex, the Pride of the Sixth Ward. 1 ee the Stable Boy Presties. ence Nettle, the Shadow; or, 4 Well Mystery, arlem Jack, toe Gains Boy Detective. 569 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detective. BSS Sack-osLemceec, the Under Ses Prosper ac ~ ite the Under tor. G08 Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer. 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid. Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Hammer, G49 Gamiin Hobs the Porery Badgers or, Scoping « Slippery n wery ir; or, a Sky-Rocket Rob, the Life-Saver. aes Saltpeter Sol, the New York Naviestor 691 8 Jims, the Only One of His Kind. 706 Tom Thistle, the Road-House Detective TIT Mosquito Jack, the Hustler Gamin. 726 Dennis Duff the Brown S Bg Fe ; Bases sat Zug sur ee 3 3 Billy, the Bunce Bouncer, S8T The Four of the Bowery. 846 Buck, the New V ork Sharper. 850 The Grand Street Arab. 855 The West Broadway Gamin. 860 The Beat-Club Mascot; or, Dan Decker’s Double Deal, 864 The Union Square Baggage Boy. BY COL. A. F. MOLT. Hts Cer ee s arry’s ‘er; or, * 8? Headiteh Rarry’s Mececd. 8 t Narry’s 691 H t Harry's Haul; or, The Railroad Pards, 727 Headlight Harry’s Siren; or Madge. Hn arry’s Hert . 4 t Harry's Hunt; or, The Cache of Gold. 9 Black Buckskin; or, The Masked Men of Desth Canyos. 19 Kemneth, the Knife-King: or, The Doomed Six. 485 Littie tfeot, the Pilot of the Woods, S28 The y Sport; or, The King Pin Conspirator. BY BUFFALO BILL (Mon. Wm. F. Cody) 8 19 55 68 Border Robin Heed; or BY BRACEBRIDGE NEMYNG. SP Island Jim: or, The Pet of the Family. 91 The Captain of the Club; or The Rival Athletes. 101 Jack Narkaway in New York. BY OLL COOMES. Kit Bandy, Detective; or, Silver Star, the Boy Knight. Bandy tn Texas; or, The Young Mustanger. K it Bandy’s Slick Scheme; r, Old Tom Rattler. it Bandy’s Deliverance; or, Fanner Ben. it Bandy’s Pard; or, Dauntless Dan. the Freelance. T91 Kit Bandy Rattied; or, The Iniant Giant. 795 Kit Bandy in Red Ruin; er, The Youns Whirlwind. 799 Kit Bandy’s Big Ruatle; or, Saddle King Sam. 804 Kit Bandy’s Brigade; or, Dan, the Mountain Guide. 158 Jack Drew, the Nemesis. or, Earle Kit the Bey Demon. 182 Jack Drew's Drop; or, Little Horricane, the Captain. Jack Drew in Deadwood; or, Provpect Pete. Keen Kuife on Guard; or, Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. Keen-Kulfe, the Prince of tte Prairies. Fesqhent Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. Dumb Spy. Jack, the Young Mustanger. Border King; or, The Secret Foe. Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. Mawk-eye Barry se iiet hoch, ae Gik Selliary, ths Hermit Trappers » th t . Tiger om’ tes wt Pashing Dick; or, Trepper Tom's Castle. fate. eng ted the cane A Nomad. arson teetive; or, Little Ranger. The Diaguised Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger. Sosy ee ag Min n » 5 Little Fox@re, the Boy Spx; or, Old Caleb Arbuckle, Pieeeeo bows ms Ht rit tert #3 x Wingedfoot Fred; or, 014 Polar Saul. 463 Tamarac Tom, the Sig Trapper Boy. 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Tran. 562 Blu R the Hermit Boy Trapper. T51 Gold-Pust Dan, the Trail Patrol. 755 Geld Dust Dan's RY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. Dtek: or, The Yellow Chiefs Vengeance. t or, The League of Devil's Island, Rand ; or, Backwoods Retribetion. ker Guide? or, The Lest Mountain, A New Isene Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library 's for sale vy all Newsdealers, five een te per copy, of sent by mail on receipt of six cents eace. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York, ae . Ash
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‘BEADLE’S* H ALF-DIME*[_JBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdealers.. a — _ -_—— a Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 80 Resebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, STS Deck-Hawk Roy's Big Scoop. 79S Dick Doom in the Wild Weat. q Dick's Dev lee; or, The Double Cross Sign. 209 Fritz, the Bound-Hoy Detective: or, Dot Leetle Game. Deadweed Dick Nevels. 84 Rosebud Keb on Mand; or, [éy!, the Girl Miner : ; Dick: the Prince of the Read 8S Kesebud Kob’s Reapyearance; or, Photograph gym. | a. a or tas ana — owe Ghouls. 3 Dendwood Dick, the Ponce ot the Beat. 121 Rosebud Rob's Challenge; or, Cinnamon Chip. G59 New York Not, the Genie Ditectea 20 Deadwood Dick's Defiance; 2. ——— > ae 277 Penver Doll, the Detective Queen; or, The Yankee's Surround SS Dick bbe ’ Sia i spares En LO 28 Deadwood Dick In Diaguise; or, Bulls). ten 281 Denver Doll's Victory; or, Skal! and Crossbones. S47 Disk “eon » sapeer nock-Out. 85 Deadwood as. ? Castle. * Pies ui 9*&5 Denver Doll's Decoy 3 or. Little BUl’s Bonanza. 842 Dick a Fin a —_ 42 Dead wood ose 4) smanami e, The Phastom Miner $96 Denver Boll's Drift; or. The Road Queen, | 338 ae Beowln 4 —— Re Pa eae dive te ld 49 Deadwood open al —e — Pare. ut Flood Bar, : S65 Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer; or, The Lif Lottery. rr 1 lek | topes De ote a p Phe Rive zB acklox’* ‘tee 3: Bendwose Dick o Eastes i a ny yg at ne 878 Yreks Jim's Prize; or, The Wolves of Wake-Up. Sha Wink, Danaus Gr, The Bites null thee oan el TS Deadwood et ry > ~ a » TT Deadwood Die t ou a ee a | S89 Yreka Jim's New Kole; or, Bicycle ben. - 298 Dick D - tn r — o. an of Many Mapks. 160 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam. | 7 © oom tn cago. : | | ; 09 Deadwood Dick ae Detective. > a sa Wesuietlaaedl sine 808 Dick Doom'’s Clean Sweep; oc, Five Links iv « Ch is9 Dead woes Rick"« Double; or. The Gorgen’s Goleh Ghoet. Sa6 Frits to the Brant - : lag ers os meme - SOS Dick Doom’s Death ¢ cor . 7 ; 244 Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret; or, A Sister’s Devotion. ys 188 Deadweoed DPick’s Heme Hase; or, Blonde Bill. S48 Glorra Games Heoret: or, The Bloody Footorinis. S18 Dick Doom’s Diamond Deal. 149 Deadweoed Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold. $53 Sierra Sum’s Pard; ee Fhe Angei ot Big Vista, 819 Dick Doom's Girl Mascot. 156 Deadweed Dick of Dcadw 3 or, The Picked Party. - oe The & : - S29 Dick Doom’s Shadew Hunt. 3 k 255 Sterra Sam's Seven; or, The Stolen Buide. c » 195 Deadwood Wick’s Wream; or, The Rivals of the Road. BES Kangarce Kit; or, The Mteterious Miver S85 Dick Doom’s Big Heul. 261 Deadweed Dick's Ward; or, The Black Hill"s Jezebel. s29 Kk — oo Kit’s Macket: or. The Pride of Played-Out. 749 Dashing Chariie: or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s Firet 205 Deadwood Dick's Doom: or, Caismity Jaze’ Advectars. > Dukactiee Elie a Mew Yok.” 756 Dashing Charlic’s Destiny; or, The Renegades (> 89 Death-Face, Dvtec: Lily In New York. 4 217 Deadwood Wick"’s Dead Deal. 69 The Bey Detective: or, Gd Rife, the Siarpebooter. 760 Dashing Charlic’s Pawnee Pard. 221i Deadwood Dick's Death-Plant. 96 Wateh-Eye, the Detective: or, Arsbe and Angels, y 766 Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer. 382 Gold-Dust Diek. A Romance of Roughs and Toughe, 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sp rt Detective ‘ T Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. Deadwood Dick's Divide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. Wche iew Yor D 87 Buck Taylor, the ( omanche’s Captive. S Deadwood Wick’s + = ag pH aha A ee 748 Buck Taylor's Boys «7, The Red Riders of the Rie Gr O9 Deadwood Dick's Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Omen, | S54 The Arab Deicetive t or, Snoceet, the Boy Sha 560 Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shadower. 1 Deadwood Dick's Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flas | g03 Turk the Boy Ferret. ity: rhe we 718 Pawnee Bith; or, Cari, the Mad Cowboy. Deadweed Dick's Ducats; o, Devs ix the Di helley, Mickey A: Co., the Detertives of Philadelphia. gio Rawete Se 2 tele ie ee 1 Deadwood iek Sentenced; or, Tae Terrible Vendetta. Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Detective. bw awnee Bill: ee +“~ ick. Tha be oe S62 Deadweed Dick's Claim. Ww the Night-Watch Detective: . $3? Redfern’s ¢ Er — pt Fy r . ival — ; 4065 Dead« ood in Dead City. 416 Nigh Harry, the Base Ball Detective, +3 ae sa Pag I or te a Sp ior, — ed 2 =e Dead «cod Dick's Bjawendo. aes ~ 426 Sam the Leggar-Boy Detective. car edfern’s Hig 4 my | —_ Jesse 2; peadwood Fang ’ +a O SS a 484 Jim and Pal. Private Detectives. : is: Se et ee on, She aa & noes a = “_ a » 7 he & j pan: ¥ ae 2 y 7 _ - , 445 Deadwood Dick, Jr; of, man . a } Y > rd 35% Sood 5 ag — iss ook Morte ee, ee aes Myatery, the Forger. Kent Kingdon; ©, be Owls of the Overland. 3! Deadw Dick. Jr., tn Dead» ood. 188 Hoss Mob the King of Bretbiacks. : 570 Kent Kingdon's Shadower } or. the Card Queen. t Deadwood Dick, Jr.*«, ee 141 Gelid Sam, the Boy Rosd-Agest: or, The Branded-Brows, 575 Kent hingdon ‘e Weel; ot, The Surgeon Scot. seo Dende Dick, ye Digeines . at Nubby Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Seampa ry py et a hapa Foc a venger. woes » w. Py - r t = aekekin Bravo; or. Lady Lily’s Lx a Lal w : we 77 50% Deadwood pene From . verance. : The en, the Trail Torned or Rowdy Kein, a 550 ameses yop abl pe beg ey tage aS pe 4 Deadwood maa’ eng PT ey 240 Cyclone Kit, the Youne Gladiator, or, The Locked Valley. +} Re hakt, Rill, tb 5 dala aie.” ’ Deadwood - Jr.s, Three 2TB Jambo Joe, the thy Pater): or. The Rival Heirs. uckshin » ae S744 ae See ao? 5 pay 209 ‘A. Ne. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. soe Fo he ern Bn hey in Texas. o 584 Deadwood 7 in t unt. ey the Gi ee =~ Sport. e Buckskin Bowers; ot. The Cowboy Pirates. 589 Desdweod Dick, Jr., in Texan Tatie Gone = Rs hyp The head Puss cf Deaguoetiion 585 The Buckskin Rovers: or, The Prairie Fugitive. S64 Boadwond Otek, or. the TES eas aes BBS FinetcOlnas Pred, ‘he Gent trom Gopher S40 The Buckskin Pores ae. ane 5649 Deadweoea Ick, Jr., ow Hie Mett 87% Nabob Ned: ©r The Secret {Slab City. e Roya ¥t or, Shark and tne § 554 Desndweoeod Dick, Jr., in Gotham. 8x2 Cost Gt. the Kieg of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 507 The Royal Middy’s Luck ; or, Tbe Hontes Midehip So) Bosdosg Birt 9r~ fc Peas + | $83 Resta Resse in, Seren, | Be Wheaed Blt Fhe 85 te New Ta 572 k, Jr. 4 Ait gh Spciiagnme is Ss 454 Wizard Wfll’« Street Scouts. tied Dick. Jr BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS. 474 Wizard Will's Pard; or, Fiera, the Flower Girl ane oreteiea me? oF Tow-Cat and Pards or, The Dead Set at Silver City por ht ee ee ~~ Ev> Deadwood k Jr ot fat’ Trin; \. es ey tere A 488 Duncan Dare’s Plot; o A Cate Bony Lad. : , aeht FT Cowbey Detective. A > ae he & 3 oF, The Bow Ine 4 aby Semmes Seis St: eas Sts TueRRner Meet giichfesesineeswic. | $8g fecdors Welle Coreen A wet "7 7 ; le the an tth a Shadow oe Prince of th ins. 830 Deadwood Dtek, 3r.; tn No Man's Land. aes oe og Bane, the Duich Videoo: or, Het Titesst Round-Up | Seg S een Becta, Pee, deters tans €42 Deadweed Dick; Jr., in Buffale. t +48 Wildad Barnacle, vb. detect: a £04 Dead Shot ponéyye Biicmme. RE 645 Deadwood BPtek * “hase roes ow pid. the Catile-Ran ne ive. - P. « > 7 or, Kere 4 654 Deadwood Dick, an. ioumenie —— 657 Warbling W flfam, the Mountain Mountebank. ra peed Shes Dandy’s Setaases +, The Boy Bog 840 Deadu ood Diek, Jr 1) surance Cane. 685 Jolly Jeremlahy the Plains Detective, 607 Dead Shot Pandy’s Chik fy o, The River Detect €66 Deadwood Dick, Fun Back tn the Mines. = os ——— Game the vie on Tt alee citlatinin EBi 245 morte ante> ie for gy a a 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., ta range; or, “ Gathered In,” y e Gype or, The Mystery of Two he 250 Merle Monte’s Mutiny + or. Brandt, tor Daccame Dead Disco ouna ortene. | 690 & Sten, the Rronche Buster; or, For Ble Stakes. . land. $33 sae he Pee, 5 ——_, > + Tiz The Mesmeriat Sport: or, The Mystified Detective. ++ erie Monte Rtg wen Bes 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr."s Dollars. 8S Teltee Tom, the Mad Prowpector. 276 Merle Monte’« Cruise; o, “ The Gold Ship ™ Oh Peadwoed Dick r., at Danger Divide. 45 Kansas Jim, the (rove-Cot Detective. 250 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Th+ Pirate's Pride. 60 Desdwoed Dick, pF, Drop. zon Bermatate: Bs ag ecg 284 Merle Monte’« Pledge ov. The Sen Cseenter. | o4 pocgwoet Mek, Jr., at Jack-Pot. uetier o ° a = eae... 197 The Kid Glove Sport ; or. Little Grit, be Wike Dead « nelece. ~ ommitiee of One. . ‘ ’ oom; or, Buifalo £ He Deadwood Dick, et ween aot Kent Kirby Hie Kicker from Ki'ibuek, ans = Fates rnd cea » - doe | : neces age Doctor eetive in Texas. s bh’ ° Pendwoed ek. 5 a ST2 Twe Showmen Detectives in Colorado, ae? meee a pone hel Coaster, Deadweed Pick. Jr.”*. Roable Deal, BY J. C. COWPRICK. cae Ruth Redmond, the Gis] Shodower. \s = the war - 47 Deadwood Dick, Fe Doubler maaiens Soe Heres 617 Ralph, the Dead-khot Srout. & ood Diek, Jr. at Ow. B Awa Ally, the othiack Bravo. P ‘agabend of the nea, oan awees pt-ke Fn ge Strait. > ae¢ meee te | aes ye Cleat ing = Strange hae bet The Texae mesoowret = The Dlg Beeres. sd 64 ead wood Bick: r."*, Lene Ma 526 Rroadway Billy’« y- 5e1 monte. the Young § ower, OF, ve TO Deadwood k, Or. t. 657 Broadway Billy's Peath Racket. 586 The Outerat Cadet; ot, The Faier Detective fe Deadwood k, Jr.’s, Resurreetion. 579 Breadway Btily’s Surprise Party. 495 Arizona Joe; 7, The Boy Punt of Texes Jock. 82 Deadwoed Pick, Jr.'s, Dark Days. 405 Broedway Billy; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inving. 487 Nevada Ned, the Rev it Deadwood Dick, Jr., Defied. 625 Breadway Billy's Ddad Act: or, The League of Seven 468 Neptune Ned, the be 92 Peadweed Pick, Jr.s, Double Ley (= 669 Broadway Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack In Frisco. 462 The Sallor Boy Wan iss Ppiticess puck, 3r\s, Diawesd Bee SEE Brceawe? uly tn Clever, | Sh The Med Clacecd Wandet tee by Linetes weod + oF. 6st oadway ly tn over. sv « Red Cla-pe an o, > ots Penhaeed Dick! Senn Weod-ok. $33 i =) tibet See ee yeihan Pitas tov, Tha Sesbch Sor Ponts Sate 1 w ' nr’, 4 ronadway y’s Brand, . *. an ¢ on, The’ eh fer 816 Deadwood Dick. dr. Rival. T11 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe: or, The Clever Deal, BIT Renodel, the Boy Revers or, The Fingtem Scly S22 Peadweoed Dick, Jr. Boom. T2@ Rroadway Bi'ly’« Full Hand: or, The Gamia Detective, | on illy Blue-Fyes, of the Rie Grande BH Deadwood Dick, pia = tea Ly oot mae’s —— < De tet ee the : ~~ or, The Cowboy's x + or.» Proxy. TSS Rreoadway ys Cu ‘ane. Sate, the Girl Treflers 846 Deadweoed Pick, drs4 tex 758 Broadway Billy tn Denver. 196 The Hussar Captain: or, The Hermit of Heli Gs 845 Peadweoed Pick, Jr.%, ies Nerse. 423 Broadway Billy's Bargain; of, The Three Detectiv 411 The Sea-Devil 5 or, The Midehipman’s Legecy 852 Deadwood Dick Jr. at vil'e Gulch. 69 Breadway Billy, the Retriewer Detective. 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Smorger , o7, The Croise of SSS Dead weed Dick, Jr.’s, Meath-Hole HustieJ TTS Broadway Billy's Shadew Chase. 75 The Boy Duellat; or, The Crolee of the Sea Wel DPeadweed Dick, Jr."s Bombehell. rea ily" g Or, The Tric’s Quest. Shad Shi , The Rival I lectenante. sve Deadwood Dies, Ja. tn Mexice. by 3 poesawey manyte enm: s The Cembine’s Big Pall. $3 ae om Dirk: le Mystery of the Yellowste 790 Broadway Billy's Brigades a. The Dead Alive. 17 Ralph Roy, the Bey Buccaneer; or, The Fugitive T96 Broadway curs weer Bequest. T The Flying Vankee; or, The Ocean Outeast BY WM. @. PATTEN. soo way * F 805 Broadway hae gral Beoop. WwW ISSUE! SSo Ficlct Vesses Ficcerys er ric lmroe chy Claas Ost. | IB Brocdway Billy’ Bock Becket LATEST A Vielet V let a moet City C 7 way y an ¥ totes ‘ , ree tee iy D tve's Craft. pe | iadeur Hull "smog Jeracy Thugs. ore Beats malty ort bere pa | TOG Vielet Vanes Sow; Pasty Detective wey y7 Chief's Tendertoot-Tangle ’ ord I we Se Vielet Veuc’s ¥ mee, of, The Wipe at. 888 Broadway Rilly’» Kald. ® N York Nats Trump Card: or, Th ! tse Vielet Vane’ Ve 5 ox, The Game at Co@n City. S89 Breadway Billy's Big Boom. ad evetive’s Drow. Ry ¢ Prention Lngrataz T4i Violet Vane, the bart om ping 7, Soot ve P sae ey ba ed a 5 Guns. &TS The Street Arab’s Blind; or, Seooping Oe nN 2. ’ n ¥ ° erre. can viele Fee Vutens oc, The Fier; Haad of Fae. 856 Breadwer Rilly’s Timed: or, The Bootbleck Stowaway. 79 iieeiteht Bill, the Sapphire *pert; or, The Der iss The Mamead Sport to, The Double Face of Bed Rock, | 462 Broadway Billy in Londen. tive’s Lowe Hand. By King Keene 519 om mystery ; «. Five \e Ove. 868 Broadway Billy Shadews London Slums. 880 Broadway Billy and the Bomb-Thro 1 Pare we* + trom . way y* . The Detective Queen aria y © = ss Sor ( Mey? Denver. ST4 Broad Billy’s French Game re] of P , By 3. C. Cowdrick S=T wa Rombehell, the Ranger Detective. - S60 #ilver-Mask, the Man of Mystery; or, The Golded Keys S81 Turkey Billy, the Shine em -«p Detective, of, 604 Iren Fere, the Mex of Fire or, Among the Veltares. 869 Shasta, the Gold Kine: or, For Seven Years Dana, Guardian. By Charles Morris. 619 The Be Rha a Detectivet or, The Doabdle Grip Witness | Gao The meiective’s A ntice } OF, A Boy Without s Name. | $89 Deadwood Dick. Jr., in Silver Pecks €41 Piemal Dove's dy Pard; or, The Clee to Capt. Claw Cibata Jonny; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar. Gambier Queen's Hich fare. Sy Re. L. est ad Boy Frank, the Young Amateur Detective Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. S88 New York Nat's © -~Chase; ©, ont tid V uleaa, to- Loce Range Rider, T Piece Dan. the Daisy Dude Diamends’ Dupe. Ry @ol Bipenties Inersham 2 Old Misery (+ Mee free Miseert BO6 Redlight Ralph the Prince of the Read. 884 Ferrel Fox and Wie Girl Ferret: © 2 Seanens Ont, Ga ea 5a4 The Engineer Detective: or, Redlight Ralph's Resolve Banker's Dive-Sharks. By Dan Dunsing. a prt, the NI ht Express Detective. : Sos Cowbey Steve ihe Resch Mest real ert athe the Young Encinerr; or, The Desble Case A New feens y~ fs ee 820 Nebby Nat, the Teaderfost Desecti re. 598 The Bo kerten; or, Renring the Rascals Oct. The Half.Dime Library a £86 Kharper Stoke's Deuble Beal. 615 Fighting nN the Chief of Chained Cyclone. erate por copy, oF seul by mail on receipt o: siz comse one. S57 Spotter Bob tu New York. areback Berk, a 4S BEADLE ANP APAMS, Petia 866 Bpetter Bob's Bewery Racket. br e4 Morgan the” Piscecst ” Man of Ante Bas. (98 William Street, Sew