Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 899) (1894 10 16)
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geen | Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y , Post Office. Ce opy righted 1894, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, October 16, 1894, ~ rte ninco rl $2.50 PUBL ISHE D WEEKL Y RY. BE ADLE AND ADAMS. sitiad yh hae ac 899. a Year. ‘No, 98 WILLIAM 3TREET, NEW YORK, 5 cents. re i, LNT. i mT SS ‘ lh n : | ay ) < Hi ) | my rc¢ eh ; A r\ Zi | il } il ms i [pee | Mi Aija ‘ | NS ee) ¢ | i” : ’ * iY gh ‘| || Wer a a 2 a af! | Sel lana i —<$<—<—$——— il il ii r. ee | | Age Hl \ tN ZN \\ \ at ih Mt | i : ! 1} nfo a AWN ; SS aN, Wii M Wy \ : | eo We | al Mi _ I My fis YU A With RNY I Wi, Wg ify tify, 4 LA BERT SPRUNG THROUGH THE CURTAIN INTO THE ROOM, ‘IT I8 TRUE!” HE CRIED, IN A CLEAR VOICH, ne SS \ sy AG PF : Secmbenetiens eS SL « a =~ _ f/f) Lae errr wees J j
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——_—_—_ ————. Basement Bert, ‘The Boy Cobbler Detective; OR, / On the War-path for Crooked Sealps. BY JO PIERCE, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ CITIZEN RUBE,” ‘‘ GOOD-FOR- NOTHING JERRY,” ‘‘ CALEB CINDERS,” ETC, CHAPTER I. -CAUGHT IN THE CAB, /f ‘*HuL.o! there’s a racket, Ches!” T'wo boys were walking up Broadway, when, near Astor place, they were roused to fresh in- terest by an unusual scene. At the junction of the streets, and in the middle of that last named, 9,man was disputing the passage of a vehicle, and enforcing his oral demands with an umbrella upraised over the heads of the horses, The vehicle was such as could often be seen in the streets of New York, and decidedly stylish; - while the lowered top revealed a well-dressed couple inside. But the man with the umbrella was no familiar figure of metropolitan life; one . glance was enough to show that he came from rural regions, He was talking loudly and flourishing his arms, evidently with the intention of keeping the vehicle where it was, but the driver, bestir- ring bimself from manifest surprise, suddenly showed that flery temper for which New York Jehus are noted. Bringing the whip down on the frightened horses, he sent them ahead with a rush, and the shoulder of one struck the man with the um- brella and sent him rolling in the mud. By the time he had recovered his feet the boys had reached the spot, but the bewildered farmer looked in vain for the vehicle, He was severely shaken up, and could not see very dis- tinctly, anyhow. *¢ Where’s my umbrella?” he suddenly asked. One of the boys put it in his hand. . * Now, where’s that team?” ‘‘Guess you've lost it, uncle; I saw it gettin’ ’ away like a cyclone, an’ it’s out o’ sight now.” ime ' ynoment Ido see her, _ for P’ve been lookin’a whole week ‘Say, that’s miser’ble luck! Dye see a sheriff —I mean a policeman, anywhere?” ** He'll come erlong jest after you are done wantin’ him, colonel.’ “Td give him five dollahs to arrest that wo- man!” ‘* W hich woman?” ‘* The one in the wagon—my wife!” | ‘* Oh! so she’s out ridin’ with a better-lookin’ man, eh?” ‘ Hang the othah man! I don’t care for him; what I want, sah, is what she stole from me. I've come all the way from South Cah’lina to ketch her, and now she gives me the slip the By thunder! that’s bad, for her al- ready. But this village isso miser’ble big that T only git lost in it.” — ‘‘Never mind, She'll git lost, too.” ‘She? I don’t reckon so, She’s no South Cah’lina woman, but a New Yorkab; an’ I'll / bet suthin’ she knows every street an’ beer- saloon heah, Anyhow, she can drink any man | ? , Basement Bert. ** All right, colonel.” Both boys went along, and they were soon on Lafayette Place, The Southerner paused oppo- site the Astor Library. ‘* What’s youah name?” he inquired, ‘* Bert Lincoln, t’otherwise known, as Base- ment Bert.” ** What's that?” The information was repeated. ‘*You haye a name like a Western cowboy. Woe are you called Basement Bert?” ‘*T work fer a cobbler, ez his ’prentice, an’ bis shop is in the basement, Thisis my frien’ an’ runnin’-mate, Ches Day.” : ‘‘T!m Andrew Moss, from. Horry county, South Cah’lina—but that don’t count. Do you know of any matrimonial bureau anywhere around heah?” Basement Bert grinned humorously. ‘* Be you lookin’ fer a wife?” he asked. “* Bel?” Mr, Moss cried. ‘‘I reckon not! I ain’t in the primer class, now. No, I ain’t look- in’ for a wife, an’ ef I was, I shouldn’t look in New York; I’ve had all experience with New York wives I want!” ‘* Did you get her at a matrimonial bureau?” Andrew drew a sigh which seemed to come from.a long distance. ‘“‘T did!” he confessed, sadly. ‘‘I did, an’ that’s what makes all my trouble now. You seen me upset in the road a minute ago, That was my wife in the carriage, an’ a costly luxury she proved. I came all the way up heah from South Cab’lina to get a wife, an’ found her at Wise, Temple & Nugent’s Select Matrimonial Bureau. They showed me her picture, an’ she was as pooty as you please, Iseen her, an’ what do you s’pose? She wanted to know just how much money I had, an’ demanded five hundred dollahs down. I seen she was aftah the mighty dollah, but thought such a good business woman would be an advantage to me, an’ would make things hum.” ‘* Did she?” ‘“Young man, she did! There was the great- est hummin’ around there that you evah seen, an’ mostly caused by my dollahs which she was makin’ spin. She spent money =" an’ left, an’ galivanted around like mad. Finally I went to her, an’ saysI: ‘This climate ain’t good for you; ef you want, you may go home—an’ stay!’ Nota gor says she, brazenas you please. The long an’ short of it is, 1 gave her one thousand dollahs in cash to go away forevah, an’ save me from bankruptcy.” , ‘Great Scott! she was a costly wife!” __ ‘She about ruined me, young man, I'd let her gone with a happy mind, though, ef she hadn’t turned thief. hen she went away she stole the deed to my farm, which never had been recorded, an’ that was too much for me, I left Horry county an’ come heah, an’ I don’t intend to leave until I get them papabs back. I’ve hunted for days, an’ only got my first sight of her to-day, an’ now she’s got away.” ‘You're i in hard luck, daddy.” ‘* Hard? hy, that woman’s cost me a clear three thousand dollahs!” ‘¢ Why don’t yer hev her arrested, ef you want yer papers back?” “Tve got a detective, but he ain’t done any- thing as far’s I kin see, but draw his pay.” ** He may be a skin,” “New York’s full on ’em,” returned Mr, Moss, witha doleful sigh. ‘‘ Them matrimonial bureau. men are too mean to eat Christian in my county to the blush, an’ South Cah’lina | food.” ain’t very slow, sah!” The speaker had not attempted to pursue the carriage, but had run his bands over the dirt accumulated when he fell, and settled that part to his own satisfaction; though, as he had smeared the mud over, rather than removed it, he really had not improved matters, and his hands were unpleasantly soiled. He was not a handsome man, anyway, and the pointed beard which ornamented his chin, and his big felt hat, were anything but charac- teristic of New York, Several persons had been collected by his ad- venture, few of whom gave him any more com- fort than what lay in smiles of amusement and words of humorous advice. He was advised to aaipe the carriage on foot, and run it down, ut a look eastward toward the tangle of streets around Cooper Institute was not calculated to raise his confidence. Hoe resented this sarcastic advice, too, know- ing just what it was worth, while the grave re-. marks of the boy alread such a contrast that he enly added: “* Young man, I'd like to speak in private ' pe oa S’pose we jest step around the cornah ie. ‘¢ Have ee seen them?” ‘Havel? Ef I had, there would ’a’ been a rst-class funeral around these parts, young ; I'd licked them, or got licked! They cheat- ed me outrageous on my bargain. My wife was warranted kind, gentle, not to balk or kick— I mean, she’s warranted ter hev a good disposi- tion an’ be a model housekeeper, An’ how she did carry on down in Horry county! Why, she scandalized the place. Ef I could find them mat- rimonial fiends I’d thrash them like sin, but they’ve moved their shop, an’ I can’t find a clew ter them,” This narrative was very amusing to both Bert Lincoln and Ches Day. They were New York boys born and bred, and were aware that such things as. ‘‘ matrimonial bureaus ” existed in the metropolis, but, like most other New Yorkers, had but a limited knowledge of such institutions. One thing, always well-known and now em- phasized, was that the “‘ bureaus” ea good Panne furnished | deal of money out of unsophisticated people liv- ing at a distance; and it wasnot hard to surmise that Andrew’s wife had been a d ing woman who had married him merely to get all themoney she could, rn | hp 0 Rae ae Pig toe aaa ‘a good start ‘* You’llrun onter them yit,” Bert remarked, encouragingly. ‘ ‘*T run on to my wife, but I didn’t get her. Fact is, I don’t know enough about this village . —city, I mean—an’ its ways, to do the work propahly.” **'You’ll learn,” ‘Tell ye what, young man, I’d like to hiah you. ‘*Hire me? What fer?” ‘*To go around with me, help me hunt, tell ° os eg to do an’ not to do; to act as my uide. ‘¢ What's it worth ter you?” ‘¢T never cheat no man who works for me; Tl give ye a dollah a day.” “Phat ain’t bad, an’ Ill think of it.” ‘*S’pose you know New York?’ “Know. New York? Do you know your farm?” Mr. Moss looked more attentively at Base- ment Bert, The latter was not over fifteen ory old, but, like most New York boys, he ad age not to be counted by years. People learn fast in the island city, and no one faster than the young. Bert Lincoln was wise beyond his years—wise in a double sense, e knew all about the tricks and traps of Gotham, and had common sense enough not to be a trapper of men, or entrapped by them. In other words, he was too honest to infringe on the laws, and too shrewd to be victimized by ““sharpers,” “crooks,” ‘‘dead beats” and ‘¢ skins,” He had a bright, intelligent face, but no one would have mistaken him for a resident of Murray Hill. He was very plainly dressed, but his garments were whole and clean. ee Day, his companion, was much like im. The man from South Carolina was so much impressed that he was determined to engage Bert, at any cost, but the latter was not sure he wanted the chance; if he took it, he might FS learn there was no fun in piloting around a countryman who was on the war-path. He finally agreed to take the rest of the afternoon to think it over, and to meet Andrew near Cooper Institute at a stated hour in the evening to give an answer. s hen all this was arranged, Mr. Moss left them and walked on down Lafayette place. - “Say, w’ot d’ye think o’ this, Ches?” asked Bert, “* Why, I couldn’t hardly keep from snickerin’ right in his face!” “¢ He’s in a heap o’ trouble.” ‘© Yes; but what do you think of a man who would get a wife at sech a place?” ‘*T think this one got cheated. Some out-an’- out sharper picked him up fer a blockhead, an’ she sized him up right. . Hullo! what does An- _drew see, there?’ The man from Horry county had reached a point where a cab was standing by the curb- stone. Suddenly he eevaped:. hesitated, turned and approached the vehicle as if some one with- in it had addressed him. The boys watched with curiosity. All at once Andrew disappeared inside the cab as if he had been fired out of a cannon, and then-the team dashed away down the street at full speed, CHAPTER II, THE MYSTERY OF THE ROOM, ““Say! what’s the meanin’ o’ that?” Bert gazed after the retreating cab in sur- prise, for the whole scene was unusual and un- expected, ‘* Should say Andrew had gone fer a ride,” re- 7 plied Ches, gravel ; a Mighty funn rae ter go.” ‘* He went in like as ef he’d got a start froma ring-loard,” **Ches, I b’lieve the old gent has been kid- napped. Hustle after them! He’s my charge now, ‘ : Both boys ran down Lafayette place at full speed. Not much time had been lost in their rapid exchange of words, but the cab had gained A efore they recovered, from t surprise, : Before they had ee many yards it had whisked on of sigh , evidently having eastward throug te continued the search, but failed to find it; it hi gained some favorable point and lost itself among other vehicles, 2 “'That’s wot I call odd!” Ches declared. ‘Guess Andrew won't meet me ter-night,” ‘* What d’ye think?” Sere OL ‘‘ Kidnapped!” Bert confidently decided, == : \ : . . ed | Great Jones sect, They
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** Who should want him?” im.’ reau,” Le stances,” ers ‘** Reckon we had better tell a cop.” *¢ Hullo! what’s this?” it up quickly. Lib ‘* Andrew Moss, No, ——, Greenwich avenue,” he read. “* But how’d this get here?’ ** He dropped it, likely.” got any there,” any new points could be gained. section. accordingly. ‘ had indicated, he was the apprentice of a cob- bler. The latter had a shop in a basement where old shoes were rejuvenated, and his sign wouid be called for and delivered when desired. ‘When trade was.slack, this was a part of Bert’s business, but when business grew brisker, Ches 4 Day was often employed to carry the shoes to and from theshop. Bert could drive the awl and the pegs equal to many persons much older than he, Fj and was a promising apprentice, § | Arriving at the designated number on Green- wich avenue, Bert rung the bell and a servant appeared, \ ‘*Ts Mr, Andrew Moss in?” he asked. ** No, he ain’t,” was the quick reply. . ‘‘ How many more times do you want ter know?” il “Can’t say, dead sure, but, as this is my : first inquiry, I can’t skeercely see why you as | the question.” ** Don’t you come from them other men?” ** What men?” ‘*Them who was askin’ fer Andrew before,” **So he’s been asked after previous?” “Two men came in a cab an’ was mighty anxious ter see him. Can’t imagine what there is about that old fogy that anybody wants ter see him |” ‘* Was the men in the cab frien’s o’ his’n?” ** Don’t know nothin’ erbout it.” ‘*Do yer know ef Andrew has any enemies, who would be likely ter do him harm?” ** I don’t know nothin’ about him, except that he’s up here frum the South ter look fer a wife who has done himup. He’s told us that a dozen times.” Bert explained what he and Ches had seen, but the servant was not affected thereby, ** Tt ain’t my funeral!” she declared, ** But s’pose he’s kidnapped?” d ‘Then mebbe it'll learn him ter stay at oon an’ not be tryin’ ter run New York him- self. ‘* He’s your boarder, I take it, an’ you oughter show more hooman feelin’ fer him. We've got some reg’lar sharks in New York, an’ some on ’em may hev gobbled the old gent.” **My old woman is out, an’I don’t care ter act as boss, but.ef you're friends o’ his, I’ll say that the men who called in a cab left a note up in his room. It’s sealed, but I’ll take the risk of breakin’ it open, ef you'say so.” “Do it!” Bert advised. “It may be a de- coy, an’ give us jest the clew we want. Lead on! , The three went to a chamber which was small and meanly furnished, showing Andrew’s eco- nomical turn of mind, and the servant at once opened the letter. It proved to be very brief, end read as follows: **Don’tknow, Don’t see why his wife should, fer she went ter the extreme o’ hav:u’ him run over fer the sake o’ gettin’ red o' him, but it’s jest possible that she sees he’s dangerous, pranc- in’ around an’ hankerin’ ter get back the stolen papers; an’ has took this chance ter gobbe ‘**The old gent has fell among thieves; that’s clear to my opine. Guess next time he gits married he won’t go to a matrimonial bu- ‘Dunno but we ought ter notify the perleece. We don’t know why he went in that cab, nor who he went with, but the signs is ag’in’ the idee that he took a ride under proper circum- : Bert had noticed what seemed to be ar empty envelope on the sidewalk at his feet, and had | kicked it in mechanical fasbion. The result surprised him; the envelope turned over, and _an address looked him in the face. He picked ‘‘ B’jinks! that’s our Horry county hayseed!” “*It skipped out the cab, by accident or de- sign. Mebbe Andrew throwed it. Anyhow, we've got his address, it seems, an’ I guess we'd better slide over an’ notify his friends, ef he’s A letter was inside, and they read it to see if It was from Horry county, and referred to the most com- monplace of affairs relating toa farm in that After a little consultation, they decided to earry the letter to Greenwich avenue, and went The boys were fast friends. As Bert's words at the door informed the public that shoes key, an’ what I want ter get thaé key?” Basement Bert. ‘© A. Moss, Esq. :— “Dear Srr:—If you want to find what you are looking after, be at the corner of University place and Ninth street, to-night, at eight o’clock, Pike to help a man when I can, but mu task you not to divulge my name in this case. By working on the qui: t we are likely to win, but anything rash will fix things so I shall be powerless to help you. ‘‘ABRAM ALDEN,” Bert nodded emphatically, ** Just as I thought,” he declared; ‘this 1s a decoy. Of course there is no Abram Alden, an’ the note was fixed, up by Andrew’s enemies, How they got him afore he had a chance ter read the decoy [ can’t say fer sure, but it looks ter me as ef they happened on him, an’ gobbled him, He seemed took all by surprise when he was cae inter the cab. "T'was a bold act, any- ow The servant looked down the stairs. “*Somebody’s openin’ the front door,” she ob- served, ‘It may be our Hawbuck friend.” A key had clicked in the street door, and it now opened. The servant looked in wonder when she saw who entered, It was a young woman, ‘‘ Hullo! what does that mean? She don’t be- long here,” The stranger was coming swiftly and silently up the stairs, “Wait an’ watch!” Bert advised. may be fun here!’’ «As he spoke he pulled the servant back, and, with her and Ches Day, he took refuge in the pepe which led to the next room, From there they could see all that occurred, and would themselves be invisible unless the prowler saw fit to invade their retreat, She entered Andrew’s room as unhesitatingly as if she had been there frequently before. ** Quite a good-looker!” Ches whispered, ‘In her ‘case the ‘good’ is only skin deep. She’s a corker!” There seemed to be good grounds for Bert's declaration. The woman was still young, being less than thirty; and had a form and face that rendered her attractive. Many persons would have called her handsome, but the critical eye would have dwelt more upon the fact that she had a bold and independent air which did not speak well for her. Bert had not had a good view of the woman in the carriage on Astor place, but he was of the opinion this one was not the same, and Ches confirmed the opinion by whispering: ** Another woman in the game,oldman! This one ain’ti so pooty as Andrew’s charmer,” ** Ain’t she got the cheek!” muttered the ser- vant, filled with anger at the stranger’s cool assurance, The latter remained unconscious of this scru- tiny, but went on with her work in the same rapid fashion noticed before, all of which evinced desire to get out of the house as soon as possible. She first advanced to the table, saw the note recently opened by the servant, gave it a close survey, and then put it in her pocket. This done, she produced a package from under the shawl she wore, looked critically around the room; then advanced and thrust the little pack- age into a valise which stood at one side, un- locked, and with its contents a good deal stirred ** There up. ‘* That’s old Moss’s!” whispered the servant. “Some new game against him,” Bert in- ferred. Although the valise had been open, the young woman closed and locked it carefully, but left the key in the Jock, All this was very mysteri- ous, ~~ none of the watchers was able to under- stand it, house, was the amiable reply. gb | ‘Yes, you did! You opened the door with a ow is where did you « Thad no key.” ce That’s a whopper, an’ these boys kin prove it, “Right, Sariah Jane,” Bert asserted. ‘' We seen the whole thing done, an’ it behooves yu ter make a clean breast o’ the whole gallus *nsi- ness. Speak up!” CHAPTER [i BERT COMES IN AT THE CRISIS, THE strange woman ignored Bert, and an- swered Kate in a haughty style, “You forget yourself, girl! Remember you are addressing a superior!” ‘*[T’m not so sure of that.” ‘** Do J look like a servant?” ‘You're built about right fer a shoplifter!” Kate retorted. ‘“‘T shall report your impertinence to your mistress, unless you allow me to pass at once, I came in by mistake, for which I am sorry, but Pll smash you in the face if you say I ain’t a lady. I move in the best of society, and can re- fer you to—” She named two well-known ladies of New York. Kate was not in the least deceived. She knew this woman was of low rank in life, and her brazen claims caused no effect. Something else did, however. Bert had gained a new idea, and getting out of the range of the stranger’s eyes, he framed the following words with his ips: | ‘* Let her go, an’ I’ll dog her!” Kate was as skillful as most of her sex in un- derstanding this method of signaling, and she caught at the plan at once. er mistress was away, and she did not like the idea of taking too much responsibility upon her own shoulders, The unknown had stolen nothing—Kate forgot the note at that moment, and did not regard it as valuable, anyhow —so why not get rid of her? For Bert Lincoln’s sake, the girl used strategy. 2 Pit tell you what,” she answered; ‘‘ you wait an’ see my mistress,” ‘* Why should I?” “I don’t want the responsibility,” “Then stand out of the way and let me pass, Come, girl, itis absurd for you to think ill of me. I made the most natural mistake in the world, and am very sorry forit, Here is a dol- lar; take it, and let me go,” Kate pretended to hesitate. ‘“ Tf you’s'll give me brothers ten cents apiece, Pll do it,” she finall y returned. The stranger looked relieved, and closed the ic om ‘You are a sensible girl,” she then comment- ed, and made for the door with quick, eager ste . “How will you foller en’ not he seen?” the servant asked, of Bert. “Trust me fer that!” As soon as the door closed, Bert was beside it; as soon as the unknown was fairly clear of the premises, he opened the door a little. A trades- man’s wagon in front of the house gave him an idea. ‘Let me go alone, Ches,” he directed, ‘ an’ I'll do some shadow work. Don’t show yerself an’ betray me.” The stranger was going southward. A few | steps took Bert to the cover of the wagon, ust then the owner came out, and the boy cobbler had another idea, “Mister,” he seid, quickly, “Ill give ye ten cents ef you'll let me hey a ride.” The driver proved to be strangely good- natured, ‘* Pile on!” he directed, ‘‘and never mind the dime,” Here was good fortune which Bert had not expected, and it continued when his new friend iment up the reins and went jogging lazily own Greenwich avenue, The woman was walking briskly, and they kept at just about the proper distance from her, Several times she looked around to see if she was pursued, but looked only at the street; Bert remained undis- covered, In this way they went to Highth street, but the plan worked no longer. The woman turned to the left, while the team kept on down Sixth avenue. Tho amateur detective sprung down and resumed the pursuit on foot, The eastern end of Clinton place is not the most aristocratic or beautiful part of New York, The houses look as if they had gone to seed, and only needed a eg wind to come down in a heap. Extremes in certain lines meet there, however, and a high-class political club offsets the saloons that skulk in the base- 5 Ments. a -o
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? * Draper, away— 4 In one of these houses the unknown woman was ‘‘ rounded up.” She entered, and Bert was left to gaze at the bare walls. He noted the number of the house, but did not know what use he would make of the knowledge. Unless he went to the police, to whom was he to tell the incident? While he still hesitated, a man came out and paused on the stoop. Glancing around, he seemed uncertain until be caught sight of the boy. Seeing him, he beckoned the lad to ap- proach. For a momeut the latter hesitated, but, deter- mining to see what was wanted,-he went for- ward, oe you wish to do an errand?” the man ‘Yes, sir.” “ Come in here, then,” ‘Bert had not expected this, and he nad occasion to hesitate again, but remembering the woman had before seen him only in a dimly-lighted hall, he decided to take the risk. It might bring him to grief, but he was in for the adventure, and bound to see it out. He walked in coolly, ‘* We have a letter we want carried,” the man explained, ‘‘Comeup-stairsand you shall have it, with a suitable reward for your labor,” Still Bert kept on, but not without doubts. ‘*Mebbe the young female see me follerin’ her, an’ that I’m in the lion’s maw,” he thought, “but I’m like Jonah—liable ter come up, ag’in’!* He was ushered into a pleasant room and told to wait, and, directly after the departure of his guide, voices rose in the next room toa high itch, 3 Bert wished to see and hear these speakers, and there was no good reason why he should not, The rooms were connected by sliding doors, These were ajar nearly an inch, Shows dra ery pendent from a on the other side robes the aperture invisible there, He introduced a finger and moved the curtain a little, whereupon he had view of the other room and the four persons who proved to be its occupants, Of these two were men and two were women, his recently-made acquaintances forming one pair. The second pair—Bert hesitated. He had not clearly seen the man and the woman in the carriage at Astor place, but he believed they were now before him, “Tsay, burn the letter!” the second man pees te. ‘* Weare playing too bold a game te . ‘* Are you afraid?” asked the first man, “Gently, Draper! I’ve twisted the noses of other men, ere now, for saying less than that. Ask any sport in the city who knows Jack Wil- son if he’s a coward, and see what theysay. But I hope [ have common sense. We ran the mat- rimonial bureau as Wise, Temple & Nugent un- til reckless work compelled us to quit. Nowl’m in the biz again as Norman Holmes—with ‘ Rev,’ prefixed to tickle the private ear of customers — and shall do well, if we don’t slop over,” ** You've always credited me with forming brilliant plots,” grumbled Draper. ‘*¢ Brilliant but reckless. So with Pearl,” and he indicated the second of the women—she who, Bert thought, had been in the carriage at Astor . ‘She went South with that old haw- uck, fleeced him nicely, had the boodle in her Samat and him in a frame of mind so he would ave blessed the day that took her forever out of his sight; but, before leaving Horry county, she had to steal his private papers, and now he’s - eo Yor, howling for revenge like a mad at . ‘*That was foolish,” Pearl admitted, ‘* Then, to-day, you had to kidnap old Moss, in the mistaken belief that such was the way to down him. You never erred more; the proper way was for us to lie low and let him rage. The matrimonial bureau of Wise, Temple & - Nugent bad disappeared forever, and there was but little danger of Moss finding the office of Norman Holmes, and recognizing me as ‘ Wise.’ Even the police are ignorant of my new place, so far.” ‘* Then how is Moss to find it?” ‘He was floundering around helplessly, and ‘would soon have blown outof New York, Now, we either must hold him—and he will be an ele- hant on our hands—or, letting him: loose, see im go to the police andandaskfor help, Sadie has gone over to Greenwich avenue and let folks there look at her, all fora purpose I should _ have sat sight down on, had I known of it,” ear! and Sadie were silent, but Nor- man Holmes went on complainingly: “Worst of all, Pearl sees fit to decoy this girl What's her name?” Basement Bert. ‘* Adrea Warland.” ‘Yes, A girl of wealth, who is of no more use to us than Jumbo’s skeleton,” “I’m going to teach her to lift silks and lure idiots, and, as she is ’way up in high society, she will be worth her weightin gold. I’ve got her, and I’m going to keep her!” Pearl made the answer defiantly, evidently tired of being criticised, and the wrangle went on warmly, Basement Bert was not at loss to understand the condition of affairs. The four persons be- fore him were veritable human vampires; they lived by their wits, and preyed upon their fellow- beings. The woman called Pearl was the same who had married honest Andrew Moss, and fleeced him, ‘* Fere’s a nice nest fer the perleece ter raid,” thought the Boy Cobbier, ‘‘ an’ Ill see that they hev knowledge on't ez soon ezI git out. Oh! you sharks, you think you kin rattle along ez. you please, don’t yer?” The hall door suddenly opened and arfine-look- seltntscs het, Thay series gollttiy uh ghs cf ; s gui ight o: him, but, as he stood in silence, leoking around tg con aad Holmes rallied and rough- y exclaimed: ** You've madea mistake,man! You're in the wrong room, ‘*No, sir!” was the quick answer. ‘‘Iam in the right room, and I came here by bribing the servant, I am Meredith Warland, and I’m here to ask yonder woman ae ee to Pearl— ‘* where my sister Adrea is?” ‘* What do we know of your sister?’ Holmes angrily replied. v3 hy ene her away.” t alse Pushing the doors further apart, Bert sprung through the curtains into the room, ‘It is true!’ he cried, in a clear voice. “These are the villains! { heerd them confess the crime, an’ I’m here ter back up my words!” CHAPTER IV. A MAN WITH A MISSION, BASEMENT Bert had acted wholly upon im- ulse, The moment he saw Meredith Warland efelt positive that a young fellow of sterling character was before him, Bert at once became deeply interested, and without waiting to see whether Warland would carry his point, he had sprung out as described and flung the straightforward assertion at them like a bomb. All eyes were turned upon the new intruder: Warland’s in surprise, and the sharper’s in a and dismay. Draper’s face flushed omin- ously. “Get back into your kennel!” he ordered, threateningly. ‘“Why so?” Bert retorted. ‘‘The dogs are here!” “*T tell you, get back—” ‘Draper rose and advanced with clinched hands, but Warland interfered. ‘* Wait!” he commanded. “This boy has made an assertion which interests me, and I am going to hear its meaning. Speak out, lad; what do you know of my sister?” ** He knows nothing,” **Bet yer life, [ know something—too much fer your good, my cove!” . "The boy never saw any of us until ten min- utes ago.” ‘* T’ve used my ears sence then.” ‘This is a boy who works for me andis angry because I detected him stealing money from me and chastised him—” . ‘¢Oh, come, now! that won’t do!” interrupted Bert, with perfect coolness, ‘‘ First thing you know you'll hey a suit fer slander on yer hands, an’ ez { never see you until a feweminutes ago. you'd find it hard ter prove yer p’ints, Mister,” to Meredith Warland, ‘‘don’t yer swalier none o’ his yarns, I say I heerd—” ‘¢ Put that boy out!” cried Pearl, ‘tor I'll do I won’t sit and listen to the young them to grief, but, for the sake of his own pros- perity, it was clear that he must prevent Bert rom speaking. He took a step toward the cob- bler, but Warland interfered. ‘** Let the boy alone!” he commanded, “ Your anxiety lest he should speak only betrays guilty fears, andIlam going to hear what he has to tell. Speak out, my lad!” “* Fe said--” ““Get out of hero!” shouted Holmes, ‘‘If you are going to forma partnership and run your -and if they leave, follow. lies together, you must do it somewhere else than here, Get out, both of you!” ‘* First tell me where my sister is,” persisted Warland, Holmes motioned to Draper, who took place beside him, ‘ Now, will you go?” ‘© That’s right!” exclaimed Pearl; ‘‘ don’t you be bluffed, Norm, and if they give you any back. talk, just light on their jaws!” “Twill save you from the necessity of obey- ing this refined lady,” Meredith remarked, ironically. ‘‘The odds are rather against me here, and, in any case, I have no desire to blossom out as a shoulder-hitter, I will retire, as you request, but ’—he had reached the door, and spoke the next words from there—‘‘ you shall hear from me. again!” The sharpers were silent and inactive, but far from calm and indifferent. The final assertion was understood, They knew that another man: was on the war-path after them, But Warland was allowed to depart, and. Basement Bert went with him. On the sidewalk Warland paused, * Tid they tell the truth about you? Are you a Fe ihnapesa employee?” ** Never seen them until just afore you come in, mister. One on’em ’costed me on the street, an’ axed me did I want a job; but when they got me inside they began ter pa in ’mongst their- selves, an’ the war was still on w’en you showed: ‘* You will do—at least, I hope so, for I am about to place great confidence in you. Those knaves, or, rather, Pearl Montressor, so-called, has lured my sister away. Adrea is a noble girl in many ways, but is adventuresome, and as aways rebelled against dull life at home. She met this Montressor female, was attracted to, and went away with her. Adrea is ver young, and harm may come to her unless she is rescued.” ‘* 1 see, mister.” ‘* Her salvation pene on recovering her,. Do you know if she is in that house?” ‘* No; I don’t know.” ‘*T will try to have them arrested at once, If my understanding of law is correct, it would be useless to apply to the policeman on this beat; LE must have a warrant. It is not far to Police Headquarters, and I think my best way is to go there immediately, and put the casein the hands of a responsible person, The question is, wilh you remain here on watch?” “7 will, that! Jest count’ me in in this scrimmage.” ‘* Keep your attention always on the house, Here are two dollars ; you may need to take a cab in the pursuit. If you hive them, go at once to Police Headquar- ters and make your report. You shall be paid. Be faithful, and you shall not lose by it. I am Meredith hurried away, and Bert settled down to his task. ‘*T feel myself in my true biz now,” he solilo- quized, as he watched, ‘‘ Never did think I was. cut out fer a cobbler, though my boss says I kin drive a peg like a pile-driver, But the detective line jest fits my curves an’ angles, Wonder wot they’re doin’ in thar?” He had ample time to wonder, for Holmes and his allies did not appear. Bert had taken posi- tion where he would not be discovered easily from the house, for it was not his intention to let them know they were watched, but his es- pionage never relaxed. it was zeal unrewarded, for when Meredith reappeared with a detective, not a person had emerged from the house. ‘* That’s odd!” declared the detective. ** And lucky,” Warland added. ‘“‘T’m not so sure of that, Would they sit down in idleness and await the arrest sure to come? I fear they have playedsome trump card and levanted. We must investigate.” The officer on the beat at this juncture ap- proached, and the detective added him to the arty. They went to the house and rung the ell, A servant appeared. ‘*1s Norman Holmes in?’ ““T think so,” ‘‘We wish to see him, Never mind about taking our names; we know his room, and will go right up.” The servant did not oppose this-plan, and her matter-of-fact manner indicated that there were some honest persons in the house, The detective led the way up-stairs and knocked at the door of the frontroom, There was no answer, and he turned the knob and threw the door open. The room was untenanted! orked,
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Basement Bert. Bert glanced toward the rear room, where he ‘had been left when he first entered the house. ‘The sliding doors were widely ajar, and no one insight. The searchers regarded each other in perplexity. ‘** We've been outwitted, as I feared,” declared the detective. ‘How could we be? They are still in the house—” ‘* Unless this boy—” The officer hesitated to finish the sentence, and Bert observed, with dignity: ‘““Ef you think I’ve neglected my duty, or played yer false, you are ’way off yer pedestal, mister, ‘* Let me call the servant.” This was dune. She came with an inquiring, fearless air of innocence which again impressed all. ‘* We fail to find Holmes and the other occu- pants of these rooms,” remarked the officer. ‘* That is odd, for they were here a short time ago, and I have not seen them go out.” ‘*Do they own the house?” ** Oh, no; they merely hire these two rooms,” ‘““Are you sure they are not now in the *house??” “If they are, they are ina place where they have no right to go.” ‘“*T &m an officer, and will now search the place.” The servant looked startled, but did not ob- ‘ject, Her mistress was out, so she accompanied them wherever they went, and «answered all questions freely. The Holmes party, she said, had taken the rooms only a week before, but had exhibited a penchant for the company of strong drink which was not in their favor. The most rigid search now failed to reveal them in the house, but their way of flight was finally ascertained, By means of good luck and agility at climbing “they bad reached a saloon not far away, entered at the rear, passed out at the front, and es- caped. All this the saloon-keeper admitted, but he -stoutly declared he was not aware that they were seeking to escape the police. ‘* Anyhow,” the detective remarked, to young Warland, ‘‘ we are just now foiled. But we are -on the war-path, and it’s dollars to doughnuts the crooks will see us again,” ‘* They'll see me again; bef yer dollars on that!” added Bert. CHAPTER V, TROUBLE FOR THE SOUTHERN DELEGATION, WHEN the party came to separate, Basement ‘Bert found he was left out'of thedeal. Warland -gavo him a five-dollar bill without seeming to think himself over-generous, and observed: ‘* This is for your trouble, my Jad, and if you ever get mixed up in a contest again, I hope you'll be found on the side of right and jus- tice.” ‘But ain’t you goin’ ter hunt fer yer sister ‘some more?” ‘* Most certainly Iam; I’ll run these hawks ‘down, if it requires a year to do it.” ‘I'd like ter help,” ‘*The work is one in which you could do no good,” was the friendly reply. ‘‘ However, I am much obliged for your interest. Good-day, and good luck.” Then Warland walked away with the officer, and Bert was left alone, ‘* That settles that!” he commented. ‘Guess I wa’n’t cut out fer a detective, nohow; Mere- dith thinks so, leastways., S’pose I’ve got ter take ‘No,’but it don’t set wal. ‘My soul has ‘been h’isted above common things, an’ is bub- -blin’ around like a balloon in mid-air. Guess Ches Day is occupyin’ my place in the cobbler- shop, an’ peggin’ away like mad; bat my mind goes fer higher game. Reckon I'll meander round an’ work off my fever, ’fore it gnaws my blood all up.” Acting upon this plan, he started off on a roving ie which finally brought him to Union Square. He was crossing the Park when he ‘had a most surprising encounter, Suddenly he pie himself face to face with Mr. Andrew ‘Moss Bert stopped in something akin to amazement, ‘but Moss swooped down upon him. ‘‘Say, young man,” the farmer cried, ‘‘kin you tell me where I be?” ‘This is Union Square,” **?Way up ’most to Central Pawk, ain’t I?” **Oh! no; you’re two miles from it.” “‘Wal, I don’t know where I be, but I know how I got heah.” M How was it? I thought you’d b’en kidnap- ‘**'Young man, set down on this bench, an’ I'll tell ye all about it. I ain’t had no sech time sence I left Horry county, an’ I wish I’s back in Cah’lina, sah; I do, by Gineral Jackson! I nevah knew how bad a place New York was till now, When I git back I’ll write a book on it; I will, suah as you live, an’ I won’t spare no- body, Them newspapahs heah are all liars, for they say this 1s a safe place for anybody to go round, Guess them writer-fellahs stay right in tbeir offices all the time, and nevah go out to see the sights!” Bert thought Andrew would never talk him- self out of breath so he could hear what was of more importance, but due patience enabled him to get the story. As told by Moss, it was a very long and rambling narrative, but the main facts may be given briefly. He had been attracted to the cab on Lafay- ette place by hearing his name pronounced, and a stylish young man in the carriage looked so bland, smiling and polite, that Andrew ad- vanced to hear what he had to say. Immediate- ly he was seized and pulled into the cab, the river of which then whipped up his horses and dashed away. ' The Southerner struggled in vain, and his captor made no explanation. They drove * for miles,” as Moss expressed it, and then stopped in front of a house. .He was taken in and put in a locked room, where he remained a long time. Finally he was taken out, put in the cab again, driven,many blocks to a quiet street, and ordered to step out and leave at once, He did so, and after some wandering, brought up at Union Square. He had not the remotest idea where he had gone on either journey, or where the house was located in which he had been imprisoned; while the whole affair puzzled him greatly. Why had he been kidnapped and then re- leased? Bert believed he could answer this question, Norman Holmes had overruled Draper’s judg- ment; the one bad seized him, and the other or- dered his release, Andrew’s description of his captor about fitted Draper. ‘*It was rough on me,” Andrew concluded, ‘an’ I’d have yelled right out, only he had a pistol, an’ said he’d shoot me ef I tried to give an alarm.” ‘' Don’t you suppose you could lead the way ter where they shut ye up?” Bert asked. ‘* Bless me, no; I ain’t any idee, an’ this great Babel of a city is wuss than a wilderness.” ** Wbat’ll you do now?” | Moss sighed deeply. ‘*T don’t know; I'm all beat out an’ discour- aged, I tell ye,a man brought up in a nice, respectable place like Horry county ain’t fit to be in this wicked city,” ‘* You want yer stolen papers back?” “YT do, an’, by Gineral Jackson! I'll have them!” “Then go ter tho perleece,” ** Why, ve heerd they was the worst thieves in New York!” Bert devoted considerable time to putting Andrew on the right track, and finally made that gentleman promise to see some one at Po- lice Headquarters in the morning. If the boy could have given Meredith Warland’s address Andrew would have called on him, but this Bert did not know. The hour was getting late, so the cobbler bade his new acquaintance good-night and started homeward, Andrew lingered, waiting to col- lect energy enough to set outon his own road home, hile thus occupied he observed two men approach in whom he at once felt an inter- est. ’ One was of tall, athletic figure, and must have weighed nearly two hundred pounds. He hada big, gray beard that gave him a patriarchal look. His companion was much smaller, and would baby in not over one hundred and thirty pounds, -He was about thirty years old, dark- complexioned, and smooth-sbuven with the ex- ception of a mustache, Both hands were par- tially bound up with rags, once white, but now of doubtful hue and respectability What interested Mr. Moss most was the fact that in the drab clothing of the strangers he re- cognized garments certainly not made in New York, while their big felt hats were very South- ern in appearance. Scrutiny became mutual, and the strangers advanced, _ “T beg hoe pardon, sah,” said he of the big beard, politely, ‘but I don’t suppose you h from the South?” ‘* But I do, sah,” ‘* Mississippi?” ‘No, sah; Horry county, South Carolina.” 5 ‘*P'm from Yalobus . county, Mississippi.” ‘* Bless me! I’m glad to meet a countryman, My name is Andrew Moss,” ‘Mine is Reese Hackland, and my friend is Sigers Long.” here was a general hand-shaking, and the opinion prevailed that the meeting was a happ” one. Each was of the opinion that his State was the grandest in the Union, and bis county the finest in the State, but neither felt inclined to 1 Sage over opinions, Mr. Sigers Long proved to be a hoarse-voiced man who hardly ever had anything to say, but Mr, Hackland—Long called him ‘*'The Judge,” at all times—was talkative, bland, intelligent and fairly well educated. He soon grew com- municative, ‘** You notice be has his hands bandaged?” It was a peculiarity of ‘‘the Judge” that he always referred to Mr, Long as ‘‘he” and “ him,” ‘* Yes, sah,” Andrew answered. ‘* Bitten by a mad dog down at his home in Yalobusha county, and we came, up here so he could be treated by the Pasteur method. He wanted me to come along with him, and asl kinder wanted to see what New York was like, I did it. Mr. Long’s lacerated hands were duly dis- cussed, principally by Moss and Hackland, but the silent man had been doing some thinking, and he finally broke forth in a hoarse voice: ** Ask the Judge how he’s put in time heah.” ** Why, I’ve been all ovah—” ** Don’t dodge, Judge. Fact is, Mr, Moss, he’s going to take back a smart Yankee girl as a wife!’ Hackland smiled complacently, but did not receive the congratulations he expected from Andrew, ‘*She is a brilliant woman,” he explained. ‘¢ True, she’s only about half as old as I am, but she’s just what [need on my farm. She’s got spirit enough to make the niggahs stand around and work, instead of idling. Great stroke of business it was; and I got her in a way new to me, though I am told that a half of the New Yorkers use the system. You see, [ got her from a matrimonial bureau.” Andrew looked blankly at his new acquaint- ance, **-You did?” ‘* Yes; and.if you are a widower in need of a wife, I advise you to go there, You see, men and women become customers, leave their pic- tures, have spo op and strike up matches, Got to be a regular t ing here—so the manager of the bureau tells me, Better run over, Mr. Moss, They will show you a lot of pictures of different girls, and you can take your pick—” ‘* Stop!” cried Moss, wildly. “ Eh?” “ Do you know who I am?” 4c Bb ? ‘* Behold in me an unhappy wretch who has been there before! Take my pick? I’ve taken it once, an’ my longin’s are satisfied, Why, I'd rather go into Central Africa as a missionary than poke my nose through a bureau doah, Marry a New York girl? You will be so kind as to excuse me; I don’t want another pick.” Andrew’s manner was sotragic that the Judge ig Ye him in wonder. : dave you really experimented there?” he asked. ‘*Eixperimented? Is that what you call it? Sah, V’ve been through the mill, and been ground to a pulp.” Hacklend {began to look worried and uneasy, ** Don’t your wife meet your expectations?” ‘She more than meets them. Expectations don’t cover one-half the ground, but she fills every inch, My friend, if you value the peace an’ happiness you find in Yalobusha county, keep away from New York matrimonial bu- reaus!” The Judge moved uneasily, while his friend regarded him with great gravity. ‘Did you take her South?’ Hackland, in- quired, } . ‘Like an idiot, I did, It cost me a good many dollahs to make her agree to marry me. Then we went to Horry county, Then the ruin begun. That woman scattered my money like grain in open market; dollahs fell like rain. Financial ruin stared me in the face, an’ when she had got rid of two thousand ina few weeks, ‘I finally bought her off, I gave her another ( thousand in cash, an’ she left me an’ came North , but she stole valuable papahs to wind up on, an’ Tam now in New York to try an’ Se them back, Don’t talk to me about shakeiinont al bureaus; four thousand dollars at one slap istoo much for my appetite, Have you really been
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x 6 q { Basement Bert. thinkin’ seriously of takin’ a wife from such a place?” ‘* Yes,” admitted the Judge, faintly. Don’t do it!” Hackland was silent. ‘* Pause,” added Andrew, solemnly, ‘‘ before it’s too late!” ‘* T ain't sure but it’s too late now.” ‘** You don’t say so!” **'The fact is,” explained the Judge, nervous- **T’ve paid a deposit down for the woman,” fr, Moss rolied his eyes upward. ‘Unhappy man! you are undone!” he de- clared. The dignified gentleman from Yalobusha county Me ey away the perspiration which had strangely beaded his forehead. ; ee she is all right,” he suggested, ee . ts Don't you b’lieve it, sah! T’ve been to New York twice, an’ what I don’t know about the lace ain’t worth knowin’, Same as to the girls eah, too, The bureau man says all. the girls come thera to get husbands, Now, what can you expect of people who marry that way? It ain’t right; it’s iniquitous; but all the girls heah do it, an’ they’re all swindlers. Back out o’ your bargain, Judge!” ** He can’t,” hoarsely remarked the taciturn man who was dog-bitten. “Tm afraid that’s so,” Hackland agreed. ‘I gave her money to bind the bargain, and the en- gagement was made in the presence of witnesses. She said she could trust me, for the laws of New York were framed so that a man could be arrest- ed anywhere, brought back heah, made to marry the woman he had jilted, or go to prison for twenty yeahs,” ‘Nothin’ is too bad for this place; I presume that’s the law.” **) wish I were back in Yalobusha county,” the Judge admitted, nervously. “You had better be in your coffin than mar- ried to a matrimonial bureau woman.” This statement was most lugubriously made, hly and though it sprung from pure sympathy, had! the effect of scaring out of the Judge what little courage he possessed. It left him about par- alyzed with fright. CHAPTER VI, OLD FOES MEET, WHEN Basement Bert reached the cobbler shop he found only Ches Day present. The cob- bler who employed them had seized upon a lull in business to go off and enjoy himself, ‘You're jest in time, Bert,” Ches declared. ** Fer what?” “Tve got leave ter shut up the shop at dark, an’ I’ve got a job fer both on us. You know what the Richelieu Rifle Club is, don’t yer?” **T’ve heerd of it,” “They give an entertainment this evenin’, Their grand annual shooting-match comes off a little later, an’ chis entertainment is ter get folks interested in them an’ make the shoot a success, **T ain’t a beer-carrier,” ‘*Nor me, an’ that ain’t w’ot we're ter do. Gineral errand-boys, was w’ot the feller who hired us called it, ‘We're ter be on hand, all dressed up in uniforms which the Rifle Club fur- nish, an’ ef anybody wants us ter run an er- rand, why, there we be,ready ter doit. Mebbe nobody will want us, an’ we sh’a’n’t need ter do a thing, but we git our pay jest thesame. Jim- iny! but you ought ter see the uniforms, with the bright buttons!” ‘1 ain’t much mashed on jim-cracks an’ fur- belows,” Bert sturdily replied, “ but gold, silver an’ paper-money I never was teached ter de- spise, an’ ef you’ve duly ’vestigated this scheme, Ches, why, I’m with you.” ; ' Thus it was that, at the proper hour, the two boys presented themselves at the rooms of the Richelieu Rifle Club, and were duly appareled in the uniforms which der and admiration of Bert’s friend. They bad been selected because they were considered about the right size to fit the uniforms, and vice versa ; and even practical Bert could not despise their ap gee when 60 neatly clothed. he quarters of the Rifle Club consisted of one large and two small rooms, and a hall which they used or rented to others, as occasion de- manded and permitted. On this evening there were to be stage-exercises by selected talent, __ but of brief order, as the main point was to _ have opportunity favorably to impress the in- . Vited guests, had so excited the won- | The latter began to arrive, and, after being 2 ia by a. committee, were given seats in the all, Bert stood near the reception committee, by order, ready to make himself useful, and heard a bewildering announcement of military titles as generals, colonels, majors and minor lights arrived, In none of these was he greatly interested for some time, but he finally caught sight of one man whose appearance attracted and held his attention. He was a man of fifty years, with bushy side-whiskers and-a figure of military mold; but it was not this that interested Bert— it was a familiarity about the gentleman which he could not account for or understand, The gentleman advanced toward the com- mittee uuder the escort of a ponderous German rifleman, ‘* Captain Mark Warland!” was the announce- ment, Warland! Basement Bert knew in a moment why the captain’s face was so familiar; he bore as strong a resemblance to Meredith Warland as was possible when their respective ages were considered, ‘* Father an’ son, [ll bet good money!” thought the cobbler. ‘‘In some way I must find out where the fam’ly lives; | may want ter see Meredith some time.” The captain said a few formal things in a very dignified way, and then was escorted to a seat. Just then Bert was sent on his first er- rand. When he returned, there was a lull in the arrivals, indicating that nearly all had reached the place. Warland was still in his seat, Bert's gaze wandered over the crowd for a while, and then again became fixed. Above a tall hat rose a huge white feather, and under the hat wasa woman. Bert whistled softly. ‘* Pearl Montressor!” he muttered. The discovery was striking. Pearl was ac- cused of decoying Meredith’s sister away, to make a sharper of her, and if Bert’s theory as to Captain Warland was correct, the woman ani Adrea’s father were within ten yards of each other, “Wal, now, this is peculiar,” the cobbler commented, ‘‘an’ it wouldn’t s’prise me ef there was a small cyclone here, yet. Who’s with Pearl?” He looked, but failed to recognize any of them. Two couples were together; flashy, over- dressed people, who were no great ornament to the company. Having already seen something of Pearl’s audacity, Bert suspected she had in- sisted upon taking risks which her partners in crime would not venture upon. Matters remained unchanged until the brief stage performance was over, Then the guests bestirred themselves, and, though some went home, the majority went to the Rifle Club’s apartments, Bert kept watch of Captain War- land, and finally made a bold push and ap- proached him.’ ‘* Beg pardon, sir,” he began, ‘but may I speak ter you?” ‘* Certainly, my boy,” was the affable reply, ** Do you know one Meredith Warland?” ‘*T ought to; he is my son.” ‘* He lives—” Bert paused, and the old gentleman cious- ly observed that Meredith lived with ‘him, and gave the street and number. The boy flashed another look at Pearl Montressor, She was ing vivaciously with her friends, and he felt sure that, if she and the captain knew each pera by sight, neither had yet discovered the other, ‘IT b’lieve,” continued Bert, lowering his voice, ‘that you hey a daughter named Adrea—” , ** What?” Captain Warland flung out the word like a shot, aud his expression of calm dignity gave place to an angry glare. It seemed as if he were trying to transfix the boy with that glare, and the former began to realize that he had made some mistake. “*T kin np fs ter find ber—” ‘** Who asked you to help?” ‘* Nobody, sir; but I thought—” ‘You had no business to think, Don’t you do it again; it will bring you into trouble. And don’t you again refer to the young woman you have mentioned. She’s no daughter of mine,” ‘* Beg yer on, then, I meant no harm, but as she is Meredith’s sister, I s’posed she’s our daughter and you would want ter find er. : ‘*T don’t know how you have zained know- ledge of me and my affairs, but this I will say: Adrea Warland has chosen her own path and will have to walk it; I have cast her off forever. ~ If you have more to say, go to those who want: to hear it.” Before Bert could say more the captain left him, his emphatic manner showing that he meant all he had said. “Wal, now, I guess I ain’t in it!” the cobbler’ soliloquized, ‘‘That bold warrior will bite my ears off ef I say any more on that subjick, an’ my lips is sealed, as’twere. I was goin’ ter tell him that Pearl, dear girl, was here, but I never punch a cross bear with a stick twice. Our war- rior kin sailon— Hullo!” mm! The boy had mechanically watched Warland as he moved away, and thus became witness to 1 a striking scene. cy The workings of chance sometimes seem like | the malevolent design of some secret power, It was so when Warland and Pearl, moving around among the other guests who went to make up | the crowd, neared each other and finally came, t face to face. Discovery was simultaneous, and each eh i} as short as if from the effects of a blow. Face to face they looked one another in the eyes, while Basement Bert read much in their expressions. Surprise was on both hands, but the captain be- trayed anzer and disgust. For several seconds the scrutiny was kept up; then Warland turned and walked away without a word or sign of recognition. Bert expected to see the woman’s face lighttup with vindictive triumph, but, instead, she looked. after the captain very soberly. ‘* She’s afraid of him!” the cobbler decided. For awhile Pearl hesitated; then she suddenly turned and sought her companions of the eve- ning, They spoke together earnestly, and Pearl, at least, was excited. She made frequent gestures toward Warland, who had walked into the deserted hall, and, standing at the rear, was looking down over the: rows of seats. Pearl was good-looking, and could act the lady when she tried, but she belonged to the 3 » Ra ” class of women who are at very emphatic in their ways when not under re- straint, and Bert read her well now as she made: her sweeping, belligerent gestures. . ; Finally, she and both the men moved toward Ma the hall, where Warland still stood with his face: es turned away, in deep thought, a _ “Mischief afoot!” Bert exclaimed. ‘‘ What’re Chae they goin’ ter do ter the cap’n? Guess Dll take 1 a hand in the game!” on CHAPTER VII» rae THE SLUNG-SHOT. os Bs CONVINCED that the woman and her allies in-- "ies tended harm to Captain Warland, Basement. 2 ais. Bert moved quickly toward the hall, but ia a. ae, way as quiet as that of the plotters, a oy He had not misjudged Pearl. There was good’ ¥ reason why she should hold Mark Warland in ae doubt, and, meeting him there, she conceived 2 the idea that he was present as her enemy. She- } would have left the club-rooms without delay, We . but believed that she was watched, and that her \ aS departure would bs opposed. 1, Jee n all of these conclusions she was wholly Raye ia wrong, but guilt had conjured up phantom. ho te Most fears. ey ert, Fearing arrest she had determined to make a # bold stroke for liberty, and thought the first. ate: thing to be done was to dispose of Warland. ae With the leader of the opposition out of the- Rye ae > escape might be possible, re “a he schemers were ahead of Basement Bert, and he saw them bearing down upon Warland: lj cautiously. They might have made more noise, for he was in deep thought. One of Pearl’s: allies produced a small slung-shot from his. ket and cut down the intervening distance. aeons him and his coveted victim, Up went his hand, and he swung the missile- to deal the blow, f y) It was the chance for which Basement Bert had waited, and he gave anagile leapforward. A sharp push spoiled the ruffian’s aim, but was: too late to check the blow, Down came the: slung-shot, but, failing to find its victim,slipped') from its wielder’s hand and struck the floor with ~ -force which sent a hollow reverberation through : the almost empty hall. Captain Warland gave a great start, turned quickly and saw the group before him. Bert quietly picked up the slung-shot. “You kin thank me,” he remarked, “that, your head is all in one piece,” The soldier looked at the missile, and further’ words were unnecessary to explain the situation.. “So you would add murder to your other: crimes!” he exclaimed, addressing Pearl., She. was silent, and he added:
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Basement SOE CEC Oe rae ‘It does not surprise me in the least.” ‘* We did not try to kil) you.” ** This slung-shot would deal no love-tap.” ‘We knew you would not let us get out of here, and had to strike in self-defense. Evena dumb brute will do that.” * You cannot claim to be dumb, though I ad- mit that you are a brute; but let that pass. Prevent you from leaving here? Great heavens! | I care not how soon you go; the sooner, the bet- ter.” ‘** Do you deny that I am trapped, here?” ** Woman, I told you long ago that I never wanted to see your face again. Such was my position then; it has not changed, Keep your distance and you are all right—I even forgive this attempt on my life—but if you come near | me, you need not expect me to act a passive | art.” Pearl looked puzzled and uncertain. ‘*T repeat that we did not want to harm you, | but merely torender you insensible for a few moments so we could slip quietly away. We thought you had laid a snare to arrest me, Since you have not, let us be friends, But,” she continued, her ‘usual audacity breaking forth, ‘ you do not ask after Adrea.” Warland’s face grew hard. ‘*T care not for Adrea.” ‘* She is your daughter.” ‘She is not! I disown her!” ‘* Hear the dear man talk!” cried Pearl, mock- ingly. ‘‘There wasa time when Adrea and 1 filled all his thoughts, but there has been a change. Strange, isit not? Once he asked me to be his wife.” ‘* Sneer on, female fiend!” Warland retorted. “ Kvery word you say is lost, for I know who and what you are, know not. They smile wisely at your words, Well, what of it? Ide y nothing, I met you under such circumstances that I supposed you to bea respectable woman, I know, now, that mon are a thief, swindler, and ally of men of ike pattern, When 1 learned the tr uth, I threw you over. You had gained hold upon the mind of my daughter, and, despite all I our present companions [| | could say, she preferred to stick by you and: your seepeate fortunes, rather than by her family. I used superhuman efforts, almost, to save her. I failed! She went with you. You complain that I do not ask after her. I care not, it.” The speaker’s manner showed theutmost con- tempt for Pearl, but when he tried to assume indifference in regard to his daughter, it was not wholly a success, ‘* Your son is not so rigid, ” Pearl returned, after studying the captain’s face a while. ** My son is his own master.” ‘‘ He is searching fur Adrea.” “What is that to me?” ‘*Tt may be much, Captain Warland, you have wealth and influence. If you will use them in my favor, and have all complaints against me withdrawn, I will use my influence to have Adrea return to you.” ‘Once and for all, madam, I tell you I am not interested in her fortunes.’ I moved earth, if not heaven, to keep her among respectable people, but when she left me and went with an adventuress, I was done with her, For her and the adventuress I have no good-will to waste!” With a haughty air Warland walked away, and Pear! flusbed deeply with anger. ‘*The old fool!” she sibilated; ‘‘if positions were reversed, I’d make him sweat well for this!” “Did San really know him once?” “Did I? I played the respectable dodge, and actually got engaged to marry him—an old trick of mine—but he gave me the grand shake.” , Al Why didn’t you sue him for breach of con- ract? “Dear boy, old Mark bad learned too much about me; he would have jugged me had 1 cut up rusty, But where is the boy who foiled our last game?’ They looked around for Basement Bert, buthe had been wise enough to retreat to the cover of the curtains, near the dvor, where he could listen -but not be seen. that Pearl had not recognized him, and wished to give her no chance to study his face. “Never mind the boy; he’s a servant here, and not of account, Let’sgetaway. Warland has professed indifference, but how do we know he is sincere? He may set the police onus, You and Alf would run your heads into a lion’s mouth without thought.” . Wrong) The instinct of self-preservation Adrea has chosen her way; let her follow / | He felt almost certain | alone led to the ateaisiead assault on old Mark, You know it, for I told yousothen. What was I to think, except that he would prevent oar leaving here? I did not suppose he really had thrown his daughter down. But you are righ about leaving; the sooner we are on the Elevat- ed, and bound home, the better. Vl go and get ready at once,” She hastened away, while her companions talked in a subdued, irritable manner, Pearl’s usual recklessness had led her to attend the evening gathering, though Holmes and Draper would not come; and the men whom she had pressed into service as her escorts were wits they had run the risk. Yobody ever followed Minnie’s company without getting into trouble,” declared one. “So Pearl has got another name?” age fo te Bert. ‘* What of it? Prob’ly she’s had a dozen But I’m goin’ ter take the fair lady’s trail, an’ as I don't want ter desert out-an’-out, PU try a bit o’ strategy ” He found one of the managers, and remarked: **Can [ see a lady home what is goin’ now, or will l be needed here?” ** We didn’t hire you to see any one home, but, of course, it makes no great difference, Go along, but make sure that you’re well paid by her,” Chuckling over the success of his plan, Bert secured his jacket, put it on over his uniform, and left the place, Pant after, Pearl came out, alone, and walked away. “Bold asa Bengaw! tiger,” the cobbler mut- tered. ‘‘Guess she don’t need any protector, but my contrack was ter ‘see her home.’ Tlido it! Pearl took an Elevated Railroad train, and the trailer rode in the car behind hers, The journey was but short, and when she Jeft the station she had only a block to go. The hour was not yet late, and when she finally turned and ascended the stc 0p of a house, he saw that a light was burning within. From the first he had acted with all possible gaution, and he now held back and acted inno- cent. He was asaoxious toavoid being seen as he was to know her headquarters, Just asthe key clicked in the lock under her touch, some one passed Bert quickly, ran lightly up the steps and pressed after Pearl with a resolute air. ‘* Great snakes!” Bert muttered. He had recognized Meredith Warland, and knew that another crisis was at hand, Pear] crossed the threshold and turned unsus- piciously to lock the door after her, Then she, too,saw Meredith, and was not slow to recognize bim, She was quick-witted, and made an effort promptly to close the door in his face, but he in- troducei his foot, preventing this, and then crowded in after her, Determined not to be left out of any interest- ing scene, Basement Bert ran up the steps and took place behind Warland, ** You ruffian!” cried Pearl, with the headlong temper peculiar to women who have no restrain- ing element of honor in their make-up, ‘* what do you mean?” ““T mean that I’ve hived you,” Meredith swift- ly replied, of Get out of here, or Pu have you arrested !” ** Do it, if you dare,” “Dil call help, and have you done up.’ ‘¢ Call whomsoever you please.” ‘Oh! I wish I were a man, and I’d break, your jaw for you!” It was not an elegant speech, and it had no element of originality; both Meredith and Bert had heard other high- tempered women talk that way before, ‘* Never mind about my jaw,” returned War- land, coolly. ‘‘ You know why [am here. You and I are no friends, and we need not waste soft words on each other, I am here now by merest chance; [ saw you on the Elevated and followed you, feeling confident that, at last, I was in a fair way to track you to your lair. I have | done it, and now I want you to produce Adrea!” | CHAPTER VIll, ANDREW'S TERRIBLE CALAMITY, THE two genial gentlemen from the South, Mr. Andrew Moss and Judge Hackland, found each other such agreeable company that the latter decided to accept the former’s invitation ito visit him at his quarters on Greenwich avenue, Sigers Long preferred to return home, The Judge was getting a good deal of pleasure out of his visit to New York; Mr. Long was getting none, Jf the mad-dog had not bitten Long, neither he nor his friend ever would have seer the great city; but, while the bite of the dog led 7 the Judge on to pleasure, it gave Sigers a good deal of trouble. He was being treated for his injuries, but the remedy, or his fears; or something else, mada him ill nearly all the time, and occasivnally he saw dogs and monkeys which existed only in his imagination, Not being in a mood to visit any one, he went to his boarding-house, while Hackland and Moss went to Greenwich avenue. ‘* Here’s my room,” Andrew announced, ** an’ I must say it’s a right smart place. Hot an? cold watah, gas, an’ a fiah when needed. Three clean towels on the bracket, too, That would BAS onsidered prodigal in Horry county, South Cah’lina, ‘*} reckon I should like to live in New York,” observed Hackland, ‘*T reckon you wouldn't, when you learned it well. I was heah ten days last yeab, an’ I Varned about as much about the village as the natives know. I'll show you some things—” Andrew had gone to his valise and opened it, ‘* Hallo! what’s this?’ he demanded, ‘A package in heah which I didn’t put beah, an’ all tied up as nice as you please, onder what tis?” ‘*T reckon some young lady has sent you a present.” ‘* Judge, you area sensible manin the main, but [ hate to your thoughts run so much on the females, "The ladies in Mississippi may be worthy of it, but I tell you the New Fork girls are vipahs, ‘Do you understand? Vipabs, sah; vipahs!” Mr. Moss had taken the neatly-tied package to the table, and stood with his pocket-knife suspended above the stringing as he made this assertion, Ashe was not contradicted he cut the strings, and unrolled several thicknesses of paper, ‘* By Gineral Jackson! they wrapped this up right smart!” he declared, ‘‘Brown papah enough heah to last a store a week. Hullo /” “e Hull 0! fy) Hackland echoed the exclamation, springing up as he did so, and both stood staring blankly, and in amazement, at what was revealed inside the wrappers. On the table lay a package of oblong slips of paper, neatly held together with bands, and the glory of green and gold, and of well-known figures and signs, dazzled the eyes of both be- holders, ‘ Money !” gasped Moss, ‘© Money /” echoed the Judge, ‘* A ten-dollah bill on each side an’--- there must be a hundred of them,’ ‘* A thousand dollahs!” exclaimed the Judge. ‘*Suably, you don’t mean to tell me it isn’t yoahs?” “ Do you s’pose I’d leave all that cash where any o’ these New Yorkers abe et at it? Judge, you don’t know them. Why, they’d steal the boots off yoah feet if they zoh a chance)” ‘* Have they stolen from you?” ‘* Wal, only that wife o’ mine, but---” ‘Then don’t condemn pegple who, instead of stealing from you, have given you that big pile of greenbacks, Open it, man; open it! There may be a note there,” Andrew obeyed the direction, and handled over the bright, crisp bank-notes so strangely put. in his keeping. There were One hundred and forty-seven in all, and the total amount, ranging trom one to twenty- -dollar bills, ecount- ed up one thousand and ninety-one dollars, Not a word of writing was to be found, ‘* Be [dreamin’?” finally asked Moss, abruptly, ‘** No dream about this,” ‘* But I nevah seen the money befoah, sah.” ‘*Can it be a present?” Andrew shook his head, ‘* Are there othah boarders heah?” ‘* Only me, an’ I only hiah the room,” ‘Then there can be no mistake,” ‘* But there is,” * Call yoah landlady.” Andrew hesitated. He was as honest as men average, perhaps, and would not knowingly Why, wrong any one, but this money had been placed ~ in his possession without any effort on his part, aie he was human enough to wish to hold on ta if possible. If he called the landlady and made the facts known she would be a barrier to his uninterrupted enjoyment of the money, and enjoy it he intended to do, unless some one proved a better right to it. He was of the opin- ion that €@ man who would not accept such a flood of good fortune would be a stupid man. He meditated, and then put the money out of sight and rung the bell, Kate Cooney apprared, Now, Kate hud been troubled over the visit of
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fee 8 Basement Bert. Pearl Montressor to the house, and had feared severe reproof from her mistress, Such being the case she had determined not to mention the adventuress or her work, and this resolution eolored her replies to Andrew. ‘© Have I had company?” Moss asked, ‘*Have you? Well, you’s ought ter know.” ‘*T mean, when I was away. “Oh! Guess not; ain’t seen anybody.” ‘* Nobody been in my room, eh?” ‘*Ain’t seen anybody,” was the unblushing Re That’s all.” Kate retreated, and Andrew looked solemnly at the gentleman from Yalobusha county. ** What do you think now?” ‘* Of course, somebody has been heah.”” ‘*The servant don’t know of it, 4 ““ No.” The Judge spoke wecasdevinaly and pulled at his big gray beard as if to extract ideas from his temple of understandin ng. "Ts this a regular New York style?” he added. **T reckon,” Andrew did not ‘‘reckon” anything of the kind, but was eager to hold on to that money, “There are a good many rich men in this city,” pursued Hackland, ‘and I often read in the papers about their ‘doing a good deal of good with their money. I suppose a New York miHionasire spends moah money ina day than a Yalobusha county man does in a week, Now, it wouldn’t surprise me if some rich man had given you this, just out of pure good-will.” Mr. Moss brightened up wonderfully. No other theory could have been more agreeable to “I reckon that’s it,” he agreed. ‘¢ But how did he get in heah?” “Oh! there are a hundred ways, We needn’t disenss that. The main point is that I’ve got the money, an’ I sha’n’t go back to Horry county so very poor, afterall, This will make up for whatI give my wife to gitred of her, though not for what she prodigally wasted. But some otbah millionaire may make me anothah pres- ent. Andrew’s spirits rose even higher, and he at- tempted to dance a jig, but long service on his farm had stiffened his joints until they were not fit for such work. “You feel right smart,” observed the Judge, ‘but I can’t join you. My mind ain’t that way. a What's the mattah?” ‘“You have alarmed me about the matri- monial bureaus, and | almost wish I hadn’t en- gaged a wife,” the J udge confessed, Oh! I reckon you'll come outall right. Yes, yes; I reckon you will.” Andrew spoke mechanically, for his mind was on his money, not on Hack ind’s matrimonial venture, To keep that money now became an absorbing passion, and he was afraid the Judge would go and spread the secret. This must be prevented, but how? He had but little faith in awe having sampled them to his sorrow in he past, and wished to bind Hackland to him more closely. But how could» do it? Suddenly he had the idea, “* Judge,” He remarked, abruptly, “I’m no hog, an’ I want you to shes in my good luck, Heah are two ten- -dollab notes; take them as a present from me,” ‘* Well, now, sah, that’s a right smart gift!” the Judge declared, ‘*But I have no claim on the money, sah.” ‘* Never mind, sah;takeit, That's my wish.” Hackland refused no longer. If money was so plentiful in New York that strangers were made recipients of it to such an extent, why shouldn’t he share inthe shower? He put the money in his pocket, and after a short conversa- tion, left the man from Hor; ny county, and started back to learn how Mrs, Sigers Long was progressing, Again Andrew took out the money and looked at it. He gloated over it as he never had ays over rthe dollars gained by hard work South Carolina; but his losses at the hands of his faithless wife had made wounds which only money could heal, Over a thousand dol- lars at one stroke! The healing process was begun. Anon, he had an ides, Being an observing man, he had noticed that his big, soft hat was not the style affected in New York, and he had cast many admiring glances at "the tall, black, shining head-gear which was so popular with well-dressed men, He determined to have a tall hat at once. T two of the ten-dollar bills he went out, found a hat store on Sixth avenue and entered. The many hats in the upright cases, and the long rows of boxes in the rear of the store, daz- him, but he made known his wishes to the clerk, selected the coveted article, and handed over one of the bills. It was taken to the cashier’s desk, but the clerk soon returned, ‘* Beg pardon for keeping you waiting, sir, but we are short of change, and shall have to senda boy out for small bills. Your own will remain at the desk, and we will delay you but a mo- ment,” ‘¢ That’s all right, sah,” returned Andrew. The boy went out, but returned in less than a minute. At his heels came a big, blue-coated officer. The clerk nodded to Mr. Moss, and the oliceman walked up to him. ou kin go wid me, cully!” he remarked, PRIDE fa “Bh? What's that?” ‘* You’re my prisoner!” ‘*Gineral Jackson! What for?” ‘¢ Shovin’ the queer.” ** Doin’ what?” ‘*Oh, come, now! don’ tdo the innocent dodge. Jest take your medicine an’ not kick, fer you’s ain't init; all gents who handles de ‘stuff’ is bound ter git throwed by it sooner or later. Your time’s come. March alonz, cully!” He put a big hand on Andrew’s arm and con- tracted the fingers until the bone of that good Horry county arm seemed to be in danger. *“*Let me go!” Moss cried. “I ain’t done anything. Idon’t understand a word you say. What does he mean?” This inquiry was made of the clerk, who con- descended to reply in English: ‘¢ Your bill was counterfeit.” ** Counterfeit!” gasped Andrew. ** Dead counterfeit,” The Southerner was dumfounded. His vision of wealth faded away, and he felt poorer by a thousand dollars. He tried to rally, however, and sadly observed: “Til make it all right. Here's a good bill, Give me that one back, an’—’ The policeman uttered an sghaus snort. ne Wiot yer given us?” he demanded, !‘ Guess you's think we're a lot o’ greenies here, but we ain’t built dat way. Like ter get de stuff back an’ sneak out of it, wouldn’t ye? [Jl have you’s know no man kin shove de queer on my beat an’ then crawl out, Come on, cully.” ‘* You ain’t goin’ ter arrest me?” ‘* [ve done it already, ‘But Vl give this LSA a good bill—” ‘De bloke is an old hand!” quoth the blue- coat, with a wise shake of his h ** He’s made up like an old farmer, and acts de innocent well, but it won’t go. Come ’long before I snap you out ave yer shoes!” Andrew was in a profuse perspiration, but that and all his pleas for mercy were alike un- availing. The cashier had at once discovered the bill to becounterfeit, and the employees of the store were just as sure as the policeman that they had nabbed a bi cumet handler of bogus money. The aharry. man was taken away, and at once escorted to Police Headquarters. On the way he had time to meditate, but was not sagacious enough to solve the mystery. That the money was re aa seemed certain, but how or why it had been placed in his valise he did not know. When they arrived at Mulberry street the grim front of the legal building struck further dread to his. heart, and the two big officers on duty inside the door served to complete his downfall, That he ever again would be a free man he did not dare to expect; he left hope behind when he passed the grim entrance; and he was marched along to meet the chief inspector i ina state bordering on collapse, The star of happi- ness shone not for Horry county, CHAPTER IX. A STRUGGLE OF MIND AND MUSCLE. BASEMENT BERT saw that Pearl was almost choking with anger, and, disregarding the odds against her, she made,an effort to drive Mere- dith Warland out of the house by banging the door against him. Her impotent fury made Bert smile, but no one heeded him; the principal actors in the scene were too much in earnest to take notice of him. *t She is not ghd, and I don’t know where she is. She has left me,” Pearl asserted, You speak falsely, and I know it.” ' * How?” ‘*Were she once clear of you she would go home, The power that * dus | bone. "Tlie power that kiana her 08 tween happiness and ruin is the fiendishS ancy you have gained over her. Pearl tressor—or Minnie Beaumont, or whatever yo" call yourself—you may as well bow to this fac Your day is over, and you must give Adrea up: q Will you do it at once, quietly, or do you covet * arrest for abducting her?” **T say she is not here!” Their voices unconsciously had been raised to a high pitch, and at this moment the parlor door Le ra anda young woman came out with a wondering expression on her face. ‘* What is the matter, Pearl? What—” She stopped short at sight of Meredith, and ‘her manner became confused and frightened. “It is I, Adrea,” he remarked, gravely. “Why couldn't. you stay where you belonged?’ demanded Pearl, bitterly. J—I didn’t know who was here,” faltered Adrea, ‘Well, you’ve found out.” ¢ Adrea, ” cried Warland, ‘‘I want to talk with you, I’ve been searching a long time, and now, thank fortune, I see you again. Let me talk with you, sister; let me tell you how deeply I feel your desertion, and want you back again,” ** Go in there!” Pearl was'in a sullen rage, She would have ejected Meredith at once if she had been able; as sho was not, she realized that the easiest way was to grant the interview. The open door was a source of danger, for if a patrolman came along, he might desire to know the meaning of the scene in the hall, Warland turned to Bert Lincoln, who had be- n to fear that he would be left out of the new eal, and remarked: “You will keep me company.” “* All right, pa-pome I'd sorter like a seat nigh by, I admit,” Bert qu ickly agreed, Pearl closed the door with a bang, and all went to the parlor, The woman’s face bore the same look of sullen rage, and it was plain that she ony awaited a chance to show her claws de- cisively. The parlor bad no other occupant, and the quartette sat duwn, ‘* Adrea,” began Meredith, at once, “*T am here to ask you to go home with me,” ‘*T can’t go,” was the ready reply. ‘* Have you no regard for your brother?” ** For you I have all posssible regard, for you have been a good brother to me; but you know how I feel about father. He asked’ Pearl to marry him, and then backed out of the enga aA ment, I believe a woman’s heart should not trifled with thus—” ‘You know his reasons; you know what he learned about—about Miss Montressor.” ‘*T know what he charged against her, but I will not believe it, I have known her well for months, and feel sure she is a true and noble woman,” Pearl blinked solemnly on hearing this bigh praise, and looked very demure, but could not avoid a sly glance of triumph at Warland, ** Be that as it may, is not your place with your relatives—” ‘“T will not return to Captain Warland.” ‘‘T do not ask that, Go with me, and I will make’ you a home independent of every one else, You shall have rooms, where no one will intrude upon you, and I will pay all your ex- penses, isten and heed what I say! Iam your brother, and no one has your well- ie mare sincerely at heart, Will you go wit me?’ by No, ” was the unhesitating reply. “You've got your answer; how do you like it?’ demanded Pearl, rudely. “Tam addressing my sister, madam,” “You are in my house, and you needn’t put on lugs, Give me no more airs, or Tl biff you in the face!” *¢ Adrea,” exclaimed Meredith, ‘‘do you hear this coarse, unwomanly language? an you hear it, and still believe in her?” You irritate Pearl.” ‘¢ And does not she irritate me? Is it nothing that she has lured nu ny only sister away? Adrea look back to our childhood; remember our de mother, who cared for us both so tenderly ; re- member the happ py days of old. Adrea, you ‘and [are our mother’s only children, Must we be separated forever?” he appeal was earnestly made, and it affect- ed Adrea. She was headstrong, but not evil. The fears of her friends that she already had taken lessons in evil-doing of Pearl were un- founded, and she still remained ignorant of that woman’s evil life; but Pear! saw that, with her saci confidence, and quickness of mind, she would make a rare SSH: in wrong-doing if * . é 4 » Ve el An } r]
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once brought over. The adventuress was in- stilling the poison slowly, and Adrea was, as yet, neither thief, blackmailer nor decoy. Adrea wavered ; there was a tremor of her lips, and a dimness of her eyes. “Those words sound much like Captain War- land,” put in Pearl, craftily. ‘Sister, give attention to me only, I repeat, you need not return to our father; I will make you a home where you will be your own mis- tress.” Meredith was ignoring the adventuress, but she was not to be put down. *‘ Just the offer the captain made to Adrea. Strange! The fine Italian hand of the senior Warland is visible in this.” ‘*Tt is false!” cried Meredith, angrily. ‘‘J would not be so base as to deceive my own sister, Do not think that every one is made off the game pattern as yourself,” ‘¢- You need not abuse Pearl,” remonstrated Adrea, with spirit. ‘“¢ What about her charges against me?” ‘They may be true.” : ‘Do you believe all she says, and nothing I q “*T have faith in her. As for the Warland family, I cannot say as much,” Basement Bert, listening attentively, but keeping discreet silence, shook his head, He saw that Meredith had a big undertaking on his hands, Adrea was not only under Pear!’s influ- ence, but she had a temper of her own, and was toostubborn to be reasoned with, Meredith did not give up. He redoubled his efforts, and would soon have convinced his sister had her evil. genius been out of the way, but at the proper moment the latter always managed to introduce a few sly words which undid all he had gained, At last he plainly asked Adrea if she would go with him. She looked at Pearl, received a morse in reply, and then answered in the nega- tive. ‘*Ts this your final decision, Adrea?” 46 Yes.” ‘Then, since I cannot save you with your consent, t will save you anyhow!” Speaking these words sternly, he turned upon the adventuress and added: ‘*1t¢ is for you to show the way here. Inform Adrea that shecan no longer remain under your roof, or I will call a policeman and have you arrested !” Pearl’s eye flashed, but it was Adrea who found words to answer first: ‘ ‘Dare to do this and I will never speak to you again!” “It is for your sake, my sister.” **Bosh! So might a rattlesnake say when he gave his envenomed sting, if he had your gift of speech. Meredith, will you forfeit all my re- gard for you? Do you want me to think of you as Captain Warland has compelled me to think ‘of him?” — ‘¢ Heaven knows my heart is heavy, but you must be saved. I repeat it, if you donot go with me willingly, I shall call a policeman, I will see that your evil genius does no more harm, Which shall it he? The hour has come when a decision must be made. Shall I calla policeman?” “If you do,” Pearl broke forth, fiercely, ‘it will be the worse for you!” **T shall do it.” Meredith spoke with inexorable firmness and ‘moved toward the door, but Pearl sprung in front of him, drew a revolver and leveled it upon him, Stop!” she cried, passionately. ‘“‘If you advance another step. it will be your death- warrant!” ou, CHAPTER X, THE MAN WITH THE REVOLVER, THERE was an ominous pause, Meredith Warland had made the mistake of supposing he could carry on this scene about as he pleased, but the nga revolver taught him a new lesson. The weapon did not tremble in Pearl’s grasp, and he could not doubt that she would ‘keep her threat and fire if he tried to pass, Presently he turned to Adrea. ‘Is it thus you and your friends proceed?” he asked, The girl was somewhat agitated, but her alle- giance did not waver. ‘© What can you expect?” she returned, ‘‘ You have abused and threatened Pearl—she would be more than human if she did not resent it, AHi this is due to your own work.” Warland turned his back upon his sister. “* Boy,” he said, addressing Bert Lincoln, bh f a Ss rad or = ie i pe ey { Basement Bert. 9 have scored a failure here, and will excuse you from further attendance. You can go.” Pearl laughed unmusically. ‘¢ Don’t you wish you could?” she cried. ‘“‘If I look as green as you seem to think me, I am to be pitied. You would like to send this kid out to call a policeman, wouldn’t you? Evenif that was not the plot, he could not go; I’ve seen him before, and have a grudge to settle with him, The kid stays here!’ Basement Bert heard this decision with dis- gust which he took pains not to betray, ‘*Your hospertality is very agreeable ter a oor feller like me,” he answered, *‘but I feel a it out o’ place in so much grandeur. Be’n’cus- tomed ter sleepin’ in boxes on the piers, I hev; an’ thisis gorgeous. Much obleeged, mum, an’ I accept yer invitation.” ‘Fool! don’t act the innocent. I believe you’re even more dangerous than Warland.” ** Dang’rous?” ** So I said.” ‘‘ and o’ love! you’re ’way off—” , ‘‘T believe you are a sneaking spy, Young America is precocious in the city of New York, and every bit as dangerous as a viper who has grown gray in meddling with other folks, You shut your jaw, and let me hear no more of your gab!’ Pearl’s low nature broke forth every little while, and words fell from her lips very char- acteristic of her class, but Adrea remained as blind. as ever. Meredith had been gazing fixedly at the ad- venturess, It was particularly aggravating to be checked just at the moment when success seemed at hand, and he did not intend to sub- mit, Revolver or no revolver, he was going to try and leave the house at once, to summon an officer. Just as he arrived at this decision, the door unexpectedly opened and Holmes and Draper entered. It was a mutual surprise, and the two crooks stopped short near the threshold. Pearl’s face brightened; triumph now appeared cer- tain. eredith.could not find similar satisfac- tion in the situation, ‘‘ What does this mean?” Holmes demanded, ‘+ That fellow is here; he forced his way in,” Pearl. explained, quickly. ‘* Now he threatens to take Adrea away by force—the dear child does not want to go—and to have me ar- rested.” ‘* So that's his game, Well, I think Mr, War- land will not do anything of the kind. When he set himself up as his sister’s persecutor he for- feited all claim to the regard of honest peo- le— ‘‘ Have done with hypocrisy!” Meredith hotly interrupted, ‘I will not listen to such absurd talk. Idemand free passage from this room!” He moved forward resolutely, whereupon Holmes caught the revolver from Pearl's hand with the intention of turning it upon their com- mon enemy, but this change gave the latter just the chance he wanted; he sprung forward and grappled with Norman, preventing the use of the weapon, He was strong and skillful, and for a moment there seemed to be some hope for him, but Draper leaped upon bis back and bore him to the floor, Basement Bert was eager to do something in the cause, and he made for the door, but Pearl again seized the revolver and brought it to bear upon the cobbler, ‘* Stop, or I shoot!” she cried. “You old tiger-cat!” exclaimed Bert, in a passion of anger and disappointment, ‘‘ ef you don’t hustle out o’ the way, I'll live ter see you in Sing Sing.” ** Rubbish!” **That’s all right, ol’ lady, but you won’t be so cranky when fe gitthere.” . By this time Meredith was overpowered, and Holmes called for cords with which to bind him, Despite all that could be, and was, said and done, both he and Bert were soon reduced to a state of helplessness, Some one then thought of Adrea, and she was found lying on the floor in a swoon; the scene had been too much for her endurance. ‘‘So much the better,” Draper commented. ‘s We have gone too far for half-way measures; the prisoners must be taken careof; and the girl ies only be an obstacle in our way. Before she recovers we must have our bargain signed and sealed; these cattle must be out of sight.” He kicked Bert in the ribs, asif he thought those ribs were made for that purpose, : ‘‘ Tt’s an infernal fix!” Holmes growled. ‘‘ The whole matter is reckless enough for even you and Pearl, but I don’t see how we were to do anything else, Take Adrea into the next room, er ge je. SES ee Draper and Pearl obeyed this direction, and the three conspirators then talked together for some time, hen a decision was arrived at, Pearl went out of the room, About twenty minutes passed, and then she returned and an- nounced: ** Allis ready!” ‘Now comes the pinch,” remarked Holmes, nervously. ‘It is risky business—” ‘“We've done greater deeds,” Draper. ‘True, and a good deal can be done in this blessed city of ours; but there is a limit to all things, eare going ata rapid pace, and are bound to bring up with a jerk sometime, The moment may be close at hand, but we have no time to moralize.” He turned to the prisoners and added: ‘“You are going away in a hack, but I warn you that any effort to give an alarm will be dangerous—more, it will be fatal. We are where we must make or break, Carry them out! Meredith and Bert were conveyed to the hack, the street being clear enough at tbat late hour so that no one saw their movements, Thisdone, Holmes and Draper piled in with them, and the vehicle rolled away toward the West Side, Basement Bert did not like captivity, and was inclined to risk everything and cry out for help but he felt that Warland was his leader and should be allowed the right to govern their course, as far as they had power over it, Really, silence was their only hope, for Holmes sat with drewn revolver, and he was a desperate man, A short ride took them to the North River, where there was another delay, but they were finally taken out of the hack and conveyed toa sail-boat which lay by the pier. Again the luck of the kidnappers stood by them, and no police- man or watchman was at hand to interfere with their scheme, The boat was shovel out from the pier until it wasin the grasp of the wind, when it moved away briskly. Nothing could more clearly demonstrate the power of Norman Holmes, and the fact of his wide acquaintance with crooks of all grades, than his ability always to find some man to do his evil bidding. Tbe boatman was serving him as loyally as the hackman, Basement Bert did not like the policy. of silence which Warland was pursuing. At the best the could no more than be treated toa shot, and it seemed about as bad to be borne away from oct Aan as to be severely used within the city mits, When near the middle of the river a canvas was thrown over the prisoners’ heads, evidently to prevent their taking nofice of their course; but Bert could hear the waters of the noble stream splashing against the bow, and knew their course was northward, He could not estimate the lapse of time, how- ever, and when nv finally touched on the Jer- sey shore he could not tell where they were, Across the stream many lights were glittering, but they were north of the point where he was well acquainted, and the sight was not one of familiarity. Tke prisoners were landed and conducted up the bank, At first Bert could see no sign of life, and trees and bushes seemed to have the lace to themselves; but after going afew yards they came upon a dark, rambling old building which looked gloomy and deserted, ‘ Holmes began to hammer on the door, but it was long before he succeeded in arousing any one, Finally a hoarse, complaining voice sound- ed from an upper window: ‘* What's the matter down thar? Go away, or I'll put a dose o’ buckshot inter you!” “Hold on, Buck! It is not tramps, bat friends, Don’t you, know us?” ‘‘Divil a know! Be off, before I shoot!” ‘“‘'You fool! you know us, or ought to. Come down and open the door; we are your em- interrupted ployers.” Evidently the man was convinced, for, though still grumbling audibly, he withdrew, descended and opened the door, The prisoners were taken inside; through a tumble-down passage, and up-stairs to another room, Buck was ordered to strike.a light, and, after a good deal of trouble, had a lantern going. He held it up and looked at the new-comers in a peculiar way. Ps You're still half asleep, Buck,” Holmes complained, ‘‘ Wake up, and get a move on ou. We've brought these critters for you to ke care of,” ‘*Drat ’em!” Buck muttered. ‘They are to stay here as prisoners, and you
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3. Se eee aS SS Se ae ae a = — freedom on any condition. ‘had it not been accompanied wit FP. 10 will sharply watch them, and allow them no They must remain bound, See?” “Yes, yes; [ll brain ’em!” ‘Nonsense! Don’t be absurd, Of course you will exercise unusual caution. We've ai- ways told you not to Jet any outsider enter; the order now becomes more imperative. You have an easy berth, Buck, but it’ll be swept away from you like summer dew if you let them es- cape.” *¢ Never you fear,” croaked Buck; ‘‘ they don’t go out unless it’s over my dead body.” ‘Good! Now come aside and receive direc- tions,” Buck obeyed, and Holmes talked to him earnestly for some time. Once only his voice rose so Basement Bert could hear it. ‘‘ Why are you so stupid?” he demanded; and Buck did seem to be in a peculiar condition. When all was settled, Holmes and Draper went out, and the prisoners were left alone with the guard, They had been dumped down in one corner, where all was dark, but Buck took the lantern, came over near them, and looked long and earnestly. ‘“‘Humph! humph!” he finally growled. ‘‘ Pretty birds; very pretty birds! Slick as grease! Pretty birds!” ‘‘ Mr, Buck, you seem to havo/a lonely resi- dence here,” remarked Warland. ‘¢* Humph! humph!” ‘* Life in New York is much gayer.” “* Pretty birds! pretty birds!” “How would you like to be a man of leisure, with plenty of money in your pocket—” Buck turned abruptly, left them, set the lan- tern in its proper place, crouched down and be- gan muttering to himself. } Is be crazy?” Meredith asked, in a low voice. ‘t Drunk!” Bert tersely decided, ‘To you think so?” “Cert. Didn’t yer notice that his eyes are fixed in his. head like glass balls?” ‘*Yes, but 1t may be an indication of more serious trouble.” ; ‘* Don’t know w’ot is worse than an ugly drunk, an’ that’s w’ot is eatin’ Buck. Even his frien’s noticed how stupid he was, as they called “Then he may go to sleep and give us a show.” ‘* Dunno; he don’t seem ter incline that way. ‘Way off his uppers, ef I ain’t mistook, Ef you only could buy him up ter let us go!” Pil try it.” Meredith was about to address the guard again when that person suddenly made a new move, Frota his pocket he took a revolver and began to polish it-on his sleeve~an operation which would not have been so vey striking glaring glances at the prisoners; glances which ex- bir. com far more than could be described, ut which gave them feelings of great uneasi- ness. The idea was dawning upon them that Buck was a dangerous man, Meredith decided to defer his appeal to the guard’s cupidity, and both he and Bert watched the polishing process with a species of fascina- on, : Finally the guard abruptly stopped, glared at them and muttered: | i egal birds! pretty birds! Just fit ter Getting upon his hands and knees he crept to- ward them, his gaze flashing from one to the other, a wild light in his eyes, And in his hand . he carried the revolver, while the keenest fears became active in their minds, CHAPTER XI. TROUBLE BY THE BUSHEL, JupDGE REESE HACKLAND rose the next day and breakfasted at his boarding house, but he ‘was not in his customary high spirits, The Judge and Mr, Sigers Long occupied a peculiar sition in the house, The landJady was of Southern birth, and she kept a standing adver- tisement in newspapers beyond the Potomac, stating that “transients” from the South would be accommodated, It was that advertisement which had led Hackland and Long to choose the place, but they had hardly been in their element. Their country garments, and especially lLong’s colored, collarless shirt, had been ont of keep- ing with the dressof others at the table, — Despite this, the Judge was not abashed, and his prediJection for conversation was not cur- tailed. He talked freely, and mostly to the young ladies at the table. The gentlemen were eS eee EE SSS Se . not SN ae or eney ae " nab f ee EE, — Basement Bert. disposed to meet him half-way, but the young ladies did all of that, and had much sport at‘his expense, without his knowing it. This morning he was not so talkative as usual, and comments to that effect failed to rouse him, The truth was, Mr, Andrew Moss had alarmed the Judge, and the latter regretted his haste in securing a wife at the matrimonial bureau, Gladly would he have backed out, but he had already paid over.a sum ‘‘to bind the bargain,” and then, at that late hour in the proceedings, the manager of the bureau, one Norman Holmes —who, by the way, claimed the prefix of ** Rev.,” but did not use it in business—had given him an insight into what he said was the law on such points, which made the Judge’s position more precarious, He believed that it meant ruin to try and evade the contract—ruin and long im- pri-onment, . He was now in a panic, and regretted ever having left Yalobusha county. Leaving the house, after breakfast, he was walkiog along in a thoughtful mood when some one called to him; he saw a cab stopping near him, and at the window was the handsome face of the woman he had promised to marry. ‘*Come here!” she directed. The Judge’s heart seemed to be traveling to- ward his knees, but he oheyed because he did not: dare to refuse. **Get in!” she added. Again be obeyed, and for the same reason. '* You did not call around last night, as you promised,” proceeded the lady. ‘*No—o!” faintly agreed the Judge. ‘Is this the way you keep your word?” **T—T couldn’t help it!” he faltered. ‘‘ My friend, he was awful bad, last night, The hydro- phobia cure is working powerfully, and I didn’t dare go to bed at all for feah he could bite me. It was an awful night. Hesaw a right smart heap of dogs and monkeys—all imaginary, you understand—an’ was broken up a good bit, I reckoned I wouldn’t bs fit to go out to-day, but heah Tam, I—I hops you are not offended at me, There was an evil gleam in the woman’s bold black eyes which showed she saw the speaker’s perturbation and exulted in ft, ** Dear love!” she returned, ‘‘ how canI blame you? What sbould [ doif that man should bite you, and rob me of my future husband? Oh! ia Sag be careful and not get bitten, won't you She beamed upon him most affectionately, while he perspired like a laborer under his own Southern sun, “This woman is awfully in earnest!” he thought, in despair, Then be had a bright idea, : ** Oh! Pve been bitten by dogs myself, a good many times.” . ‘* Are you afraid you'll have hydrophobia?” * ‘¢ Tt’s liable to break out any time.” ‘‘Ts your life insured?” ‘“T3-is— Eh? What?’ ‘* Ot course if it isn’t insured you will see to it atonce, If you should run mad I could care for you—-or hire it done—with a good deal more devotion if 1 knew you had made ample provi- sion for your widow. It would take away the pang of your death very much, you know,” Deeper grew the Judge’s horror, Andrew Moss had told him that New York girls were heart- less; was not this striking proof of the fact? He sat speechless until the gentle, cooing, but, withal, mischievous voice at his elbow added: “A woman makes a great sacrifice when she marries—” *“*T should say so, in New York!” exclaimed the Judge, indignation giving him brief spirit. ‘She may be as poor as Job’s turkey, but she demands that her busband shall rig her out in silks and diamonds; and she wants a flat and a servant; and she wont work; and she nevah will agree to marry until the man can prove he has money. What does she offah in return? Just herself, andnomoah, Yes; a woman does make a great sacrifice when shemarries. Bah!” ‘“*My love, many women are that way, but our match wasone of unselfish devotion,’ The Judge was about to retort that she had not only inquired solicitously about his bank- account, but had demanded a sum down “to bind the bargain.” Prudence, however, checked the innocent old farmer, and he said nothing of the kind, 5 The ride continued for some time, and the lady, the mischievous twinkle stiJl_in her eyes, made love to him desperately. He perspired and edged away as far as he could get, but she followed him up and, unknown to him, had unlimited amusement at his expense. a a SS a > He was in misery all through the drive, Pa eager to get away, but dared not suggest it un til she saw fit to part with him, Wien she did this it was near the northeast corner of Central Park, but. he willingly would have been left in Canada, in order to escape. He looked after the retreating vehicle with a face lengthened to a surprising degree, and wound up with a deep sigh. “Why did I evah leave Yalobusha county?” he finally groaned, in the bitterness of grief, “T was respected and happy there, and my neighbors called me-‘Judge,’ because they thought I was wise. Wise! Why, a feeble- minded person might’well envy me now. Why did I ever leave Yalobusha county? The dog that bit Sigers Long hurt me worse than Sigers and [ almost wish Sigers would bite me. If i could get him to bite that woman it would bea blessed deed !” For awhile he gave himself up to grief, but finally took his bearings, made a few inquiries, and wandered over to the One Hundred and Sixteenth street station of the Elevated Road. This line bore him in due time to Fourteenth street, and he went to Greenwich avenue to see Andrew Moss. ‘*He isn’6 in,” answered the landlady, who opened the door after he rung the bell, ‘‘T1!m sorry for that.” ‘‘T’'m afraid something has happened to him,” ‘*- You don’t say so!” ‘‘He went out last night as if to be gone only a few minutes, but has not come back.” i abe Judge looked at the speaker in blank read. ‘*T fear he has fallen afoul of sharpers and got done up,” added the lady. That was all the information Mr. Hackland could get, but it was enough to drive away all his remaining calmness, He left the house feel- ing positive that, in the chase after his wife, Andrew had come to grief, and it was a warn- ing of what was in store for others who tam- pered with matrimonal bureaus. ‘‘ Ruined!” groaned the Judge, tragically. ‘1 ama lostman, The othah woman will hunt mec down.’ Oppressed with this idea, he walked on toward his boarding-house, but paused on the way to make a purchase, In paying for it he chanced to draw out the two new ten-dollar bills he had received from Andrew Moss. He was not accustomed to carry such a large sum loose in his pockets, but had. neglected to put these notes away. a The tradesman scrutinized the crisp, new bill somewhat closely, but received it without re- monstrance or comment, and gave the change. Then Mr. Hackland walked home. : His friend of the hoarse voice, otherwise Sigers Long, was in unusually good spirits, for he had not seen any imaginary dogs or pace i for some time; and they were talking briskly when a servant appeared at the door, _ “Dhere’s a perleeceman down-stairs phat | wants ter see you’s,” she announced. “A what?” cried the J udge, with a start. ‘‘ A perleeceman, I guess,” added the servant, with a grin, and without any notion she was. getting near the truth, ‘‘he wants ter arrest. yez! CHAPTER XII, ' THE MAD GUARD. Bert it would be hard to find. If they had doubted at the first, they did so no longer; it was plain that Buck was mad from the effects volver he carried, bespoke an intention to fix ment was left them could not be used to save themselves, and, perfectly helpless, they sat and watched the creeping madman with a species of fascination. sat down, and began to polish the revolver again on his sleeve, utes, as if it were a matter of the greatest im- prisoners, and muttered: “Pretty birds! pretty birds! Just fit to Q : 3 ‘‘ My friend,” he began, ‘‘ this you have here,” A MORE startling sigbt than that presented to — the view of Meredith Warland and Basement of whisky, and his muttered words, and the re- the prisoners so they would not need any watch- _ ath ing. eg Neither spoke; they did not daretorisk their voices and run the risk of stirringthemanupto additional ferocity. What little power of move- Half-way across the floor he abruptly paused, Th tis ken’, for several min-— : portance, but Once more he paused, lookedatthe = oe : Des ‘ Meredith determined to break the painful: silence, ia} is a cozy place” a Senay eu 8
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ee eh Vike . hee >) She'* ie Basement Bert. ‘Ef that thing ein’t put out we'll git gnawed up. ‘* Hew can it be put out?” ‘¢ That’s what I want ter know.” Thus far the fire did not amount to much, Tt was still in the incipient stage, and there was more smoke and odor than flame, but it was clear that it would gain steadily and soon break out into strong blaze; and when once the blan- kets were in the grasp of the fire it would be only a few moments when the dry, loosely-placed boards would catch. With the blaze once under way the old building would burn furiously. **Can’t we wake up Buck?” Bert added. “T think it would be impossible; he isin a drunken slumber, and if as far gone as he seems ~ What's that ter you?” ** We are your guests, you know.” **¥ia! you come here an’ rob me of my sleep; ou make me watch, an’ watch, an’ watch, evils! you care nothin’ fer the poor laborin’ man. You make him work, work, work!” “Do you want an easy life? Do you want money? You shall have both by going with me to my home in New York.” ** Lies, lies! All lies!” ‘*T promise it faithfully.” Buck held up the revolver, balancing it neatly on his thumb. “The only good Injun is a dead Injun, an’ you will never be honest until you’re dead, I’m goin’ ter shoot you. See?” he had been shot to his death, but when the first panic had passed it became evident that both he and Warland had escaped injury. Buck was laughing loudly and pointing toward or near them, and a side glance showed the boy that the bullet had penetrated the wall at a point directly between them. Considering how near each other they were, and how uncertain the aim of the drunken man was, their escape bordered on the remarkable. The guard wasstirred out of hisugly indolence, and began to dance and shout, and flourish the revolver. Now and then he raised the hammer and took aim at the prisoners, who every mo- ment expected the final act; but he wound up the dance by losing his balance and falling ina ‘* Nonsense! What would you gain thereby?” | heap. to be, the voices of twenty men would fall un- ‘© \ chance to sleep.” After that he lay quiet for some time, availingly upon his ears.” ** You can sleep now.” ‘* Reg’lar nightmare!” commented Bert, wi th Bert looked at the blankets again, The fire ‘* You say so, but the boss— Ha! he would | asi was eating steadily, and threatened to make a h, do me up.” tt is particularly painful when we consider ‘*Hfe need never know it; we will not tell | that all our peril rises from such a cause, Kven him,” Norman Holmes’s hatred is not so bad as the The guard flourished the revolver wildly. whims of a drunken brute.” **You think you’re wonderful smart,” he ‘¢ Never mind, boss; our turn will come bime- cried, angrily, ‘‘ but you don’t know enou h ter Me eat hay. Take me fer a fool? You'd like ter ** How can it?” hev me sink into slumber like a log an’ give you ** Dunno yet.” a chance ter escape, but it won’t work. The ‘¢ Where will morning find us?” boss put you here, an’ here you stay, A dead “Tn the blessed city o’ New York, I hope, Injun is a good Injun; a dead prisoner is easy | though you’d better not buy any ticket fer there kept. Ha! I will kill you now!” until we’re surer o’ goin’,” Again he flopped over on his hands and knees Buck bestirred himself, hunted up a rope and and began tocrawl toward them, inch by inch, | once more confronted his charges. His face had a wild expression, but the fixed, ‘*See that beam up overhead?” he asked, ary: A appearance of his eyes did not change. ‘Lucky the room never was finished off, fer “Seat, you varmint!” Basement Bert impul- | now l’m goin’ ter hang you. Capital place fer sively exclaimed. ‘‘ Don’t be crawlin’ around | capital punishment, ain’tit? Ha! ha! Yes; Pll here like a pesky wildcat. Ef you knowed how | swing you up-by the neck from the beam, an’ homely ye was you wouldn’t put yerself on ex- | be sure o’ findin’ you in the mornin’!” hibition, but would go off som’ers an’ den up fer His idea pleased him so much that he laughed the season,” long and loud, and, more troubled than at any These candid remarks produced no effect, but, | other stage of affairs, Warland made a fresh at- when Buck had advanced just far enough, he | tempt to touch his cupidity, Buck was asked resented the revolver and aimed at Warland’s | to name his own price for unclosing ths doors reast. and letting them out, but he paid no attention ‘* You must die!” he repeated. ‘‘I will count | to the proposal. up ter three, an’ fire when I git thar, Ready!” He proceeded with his own scheme, but not as Warland’s facechanged color. He was not an | at first announced. He tied the prisoners to- adventurer hardened by years of wild life, and | gether, and then passed the looseend of the rope sudden increase at any moment. ‘*We must git out 0’ here, or we sha’n’t be in it with the birds in the spring. Squirm, pard, an’ try ter get out o’ yer bonds!” The Boy Cobbler set the example, but War- land knew it would be useless for him to struggle, The ropes could not be broken, and they were- drawn so tightly over his wrists that the flesk had puffed up on either side. Escape from thm terrible grasp was impossible. At various times Bert had entertained the idea that he could get free if allowed chance to- ‘¢ squirm,” as heexpressed it; he now did his best, Each movement produced pain, and it seemed as if his hands were being torn to pieces, but he would not give up. The air became laden with smoke,which made. breathing difficult, ; ** Darn that old Norm Holmes and his gang!” panted the boy; ‘‘he’s got us inter a little the ugliest scrape I ever heerd tell of, an’ I wouldn’t give hima chromo ef they was sellin’ at five cents a cord; but there’s somethin’ else I’m anxious ter give the measly varmint. Oh! wouldn't I jest like ter dance a jig on his nibs’s ribses!” . , ‘It took a good while to say this, and the words. were given utterance on the installment plan,. but all the while he was busy. “The blaze increases!” commented Warland, . it was a terrible thing to be slain by this whisky- | over the beam and secured it. uneasily, crazed wretch, This prevented them from lying down, but ‘*T see,” ** One! Twol—” did not bring the dreaded pressure on their “Tf we were not tied to that beam we could The young man closed his eyes. _.. necks, ha roll over and try to extinguish the blaze that Three |" Buck produced a bottle and imbibed copious- way.” Click! ly; more than that, he poured down the liquor ‘““Never say die, general! I believe— Say! is the p’izon thing a go, or ain’t it?” ‘* oes the rope give?” , ;' ‘* That, or my bones, Dunno which!” ‘* The fire— -Ha!” } The blaze sunk down like a crouching foe, and then leaped up ina bungry flame which told a startling story. “a Already, too, the boards under the blankets. — had grown black and red, an ominous mixture, and were ready to spring into a blaze on a little encouragement, ‘* Shout!” Warland ordered. ‘Small as the — hope is, we may be able to make some one. hear,” ‘*T kin do better!” gasped Bert, He gave one more twist, and one of his hands was free, Down into his pocket went that hand;. it came up holding a knife, This he opened uickly and began to slash away at the ropes, ‘The blade was keen, and both he and Meredith _ were soon free, “Scud!” Bert cried. The hammer fell, but no report followed, | as if it was only water. { Meredith opened hiseyes, Buck was looking at His companions were worried as to the conse- the revolver, and a snarl followed. quences. If the stuff fired his blood he would ‘Not loaded! Never mind; I have cartridges, | get some new scheme of recklessness which an’ I'll kill em yet. Pretty birds! pretty birds! | might not end so tamely as those in the past. Just fit ter kill!” ext he filled a pipe and, lying on his couch Buck went to a drawer near at hand and took | of old blankets, smoked in stupid silence. Now _ out half a dozen cartridges. These he arranged | and then he cast a glance toward the captives, in a row on the floor, and then resumed his old | and his eyes would light up with an ugly gleam, polishing operations, the object of which was | as if he still blamed them for tbe fact that he not clear to any one else, even if it was to him, | had been aroused from rest. The revolver was in Rood condition, aud it was Time passed. j only a freak which led to this outward burnish- “His eyes are shet,” remarked Bert, in a ing. j whisper, ‘*Oh! jiminy, don’t I wish he would ** Pard,” observed Bert, ‘‘ this is powerful try- | go ter sleep!” in’ ter the nerves.” ‘* What good would it do? We are helpless.” » You are right,” Warland agreed. ‘*Dunno erbout that! I can’t only tell as ter ‘* Don’t s’pose we kin hope fer interruption.” that till 1 hev a good, smart tussle with these “T fear not. This building stands in a wild | ropes. Might possibly worm out on ’eni, though spot, remote from other habitations, and is | they seem ter fit like the rare on the wall.” doubtless supposed to be deserted. In all pro- ‘* Buck smokes slower, Is he really going to bability our enemies have taken possession with- | sleep?” out leave or license, Perbapssearch wouldshow | ‘‘ Looks that way, Don’t speak nor sneeze!” ‘* No; we'll save the building.” j stolen goods concealed here, No; 1 do not think Two pairs of anxious eyes were bent upon the The speaker flung open the stove, and, with any one will come to our aid.” ard. His smoking grew irregular; it ceased, | the aid of a broom, tossed the blankets into the “ Be your hands tight?” he pipe dropped from hismouth, He seemed to | stove. When the door was closed on them the ‘So tight that they’re very painful,” sleep, but finally roused slowly and, after much | greatest danger was pial and a few pailfuls of ‘*Thisis a pretty colddeal.” _ labor, gained his feet and walked toward the | water on the floor drowned out the ‘trouble ‘*’m sorry that you have gotinto trouble by | water. Hestaggered remarkably ; the last drink | there. i following my fortunes—” bad been too much for him, He was now un- Their peril was over, and they opened the win- dows to let the smoke drift out. 7 ‘“ Whoop!” Bert cried, ‘‘l reckon we are in this deal, ourselves, No trip ter the Future Land fer us jest now—nor fer Buck. That measly skunk ought ter go, though. Here’s the revolver he skeered.us silly with, an’ ef we wa’n’t candidates fer the Law an’ Order Lenten =e rou Der him off in his own coin, Hey, uckse ‘ He rubbed the revolver on the guard’sarm in a ludicrous imitation of Buck’s recent burnish-— ing methods, and the victors felt so exhilarated ‘Don’t mention it, boss; we’re in the same | conscious of his charges. swim, an’ we'll reach the shore or sink with a He reached the water, but, just then, lost his commotion that'll make the bubbles sing mer- | balance and fell heavily to the floor. Then he rily. But we ain’t gone yet! Never say die! | pillowed his head on his arm, muttered a little, Our crazy frien’ may take on a new notion, an’ | and went on in sound sleep. not do us up, after all, Never say die!” A strong odor greeted Bert's nostrils, He '_ Bert tried to be cheerful under disadvantages, | looked toward the blankets; they had been set but did not lose caution. Both he and Meredith | on fire from the pipe, and were smoking and spoke in low tones, to avoid being heard by | dwindling away. Buck. That person finally ceased polishing the | ‘‘ Great Cesar!” the boy cried; ‘‘ we shall all revolver and slipped the cartridges into place | be burnt up!” with slow and thoughtful movements. His a 4 e a | én 4 $ « - “ se ¥ = i z ee - in 5 - ie - . = ‘> ~, y oe ae i =, ad i a oa - i. - : 4 ec Sa ‘- ms yer =z - 3 ; : : = = ais aie a = “= q or. 2 rz. ~~ = 7 ee < manner was so sluggish that they began to hope CHAPTER XIII. that they laughed long and loud without ~ ; he would forget his purpose and go to sleep, | SMOKE AND FLAMES, clear idea of what they were laughing at, It _ but, suddenly, he raised the weapon, pointed it | ‘‘ THAT does look bad!” was enough that their lives were saved. their way and fired without.warning. Meredith Warland made the confession with | Meredith tried to arouse the guard, but failed. = . | The report in the small, close room was alarm- | his gaze fixed upon the eating tongue of fire,and; ‘‘Try the perleeceman racket,” Bert sug~ — __ ingly loud, and Bert had a vague sensation as if | Basement Bert added: gested. ) ps Nien ‘
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yea wise Pin a eeeee aoe oa, 12 ‘* What is that?” “Take the broom an’ hit him a few smart »clips on the bottom o’ his shoes. That'll start a ‘tingle through him, an’ he’ll git a move on,” ** Never mind; I don’t know as we care whe- ther he wakes up or sleeps his drunk off natural- jy. Humanity demands that we make sure he is not left here to perish, so we will dash a little more water on the boards and then leave him. I don’t think we want to pass the night here.” **Not fer Hannah!” Preparations for departure were made, and they left the building. The next thing was to et their bearings, but this was no easy matter, o village was to be seen on the Jersey shore, and the prospect of a long tramp ~ before them unless they could find a boat. They be- lieved, too, that they were above Spuyten Duy- vil, and might not be much better off if on the New York side. , They descended to the water’s edge, but failed *to find any boat, and decided that they would have to take the objectionable tramp. This they began, but had gone less than half a mile when a voice arose from the river singing “* Nancy Lee” in a strong base voice, It was a chance not to be missed; they hailed “the boatman, he rowed near the bank, a bargain ‘was made and they were soon on their way down the river with the strong arms of the stranger, -and the current, as the motive power. By the time they were landed at the foot of West Forty-second street they were weary and ‘sleepy, and the night was fast drawing to a close, but Warlapd did not intend to let any time go to waste, and Bert was botnd to follow his leader, cost what it might. As soon as possible they went to the house ~where they had been kidnapped, but found it -dark and silent, This was to beexpected at that hour, but Meredith had an bonis 4 feeling that . Holmes and his gang again had taken flight, To solve the matter he went to Police Head- quarters, laid the case before the ruling powers, -and requested help. Detectives were detailed, and the party returned to Holmes’s house, Re- peated ae of the bell failed to produce any results, and, as Warland had suspected, the place -was found deserted. The latter had grown desperate, and he for- “mally engaged the officers and asked that the -erooks be run down and Adrea rescued; but -action was deferred until another day dawned, Basement Bert went home, retired and slept soundly until late in the morning. He was wondering if he woul “take any more time away from the cobbler shop, but chance favored him, The ated of the «shop was called away to Philadelphia to attend the ninetieth birthday of a rich relative, and _ Bert and Ches had their time to themselves for -at least forty-eight hours. The young friends went for a walk, and Bert was busy telling the story of the adventure for the second time when Ches was surp’ to see his companion start abruptly away from his side. ‘Hit there; hold up!” / / drew up by the curbstone, ‘* What’s wanted?” he asked. \ ‘*T want the address o’ them sharks!” — “Eh? What sharks?” “Them you carted round last night.” ‘“ Don’t know w’ot yer mean,” **Oh, come now; don’t driv me an’ Meredith over ter the North River, an’ we was shipped up-stream in a sail-boat. fer on DPve forgot that ?” . ‘alarmed, *¢'You’re mistaken in yer man,” he returned, ‘mutton-chop whiskers is as easy ter spot_as a ree jean dog. You didn't know me, I see, ‘but I’m the ‘eee % istak: ” ay you're mistaken— “Ti Yen that patrolman over yender—” _ * Hold up!” was the hasty interruption. **Oh! has yer mem’ry got a move on?” **T was that driver, but I didn’t do nothin’ wrong.” _ “ On! didn’t yer?” “ No; an’ ef there was harm don plame, My ‘fare’ hired me, an’ ac over; that’s all I know about it.” “Do you ginerally at a man an’ aboy| ‘Great Cicero!” : _ round tied up hipan’thigh” = Bert muttered the words half-audibly, for the AAR | ri} tol’ me you was bank-burglars, who | man was no stranger, He recognized Captain _._. 4was ter be extradited ter Jersey.” Mark Warland. _« * Mister, nobody, icin doubt yer word; it’s as| * Now, then, what's he doin’ here?” ‘ pres sag lane EERE PAPER nae Sat aii ae ner oat be allowed to | Bert addressed the order: to a passing hack- | claimed to have left the gang. The cobbler de- man, and the latter was so impressed with the | tective was at a loss how to test his Jehu’s good cobbler’s business air that, scenting a job, he | faith, but decided to go on alone, leaving Ches Dak 34 ; . ecommunicated this plan to Ches, who at play innocent, You | there was chance for an adventure, but when driver changed color, and looked | ter the rescue,” he lightly observed, as Bert “Mistaken nothin’} A man who wears red | latter had no intention of taking any risks. kid you carried. Now, where’s | turned to one side and he was losing nothing. ive it to a copper. Here, Ches; call | one winde I wa’n’t ter | drove the | cr Pte i) / Basement Bert. reasonable an’ likely as ’tis fer a dog ter hev a tail. Pris’ners are always extradited, too, in jest that style—why, cert. But we'll let that pass, an’ never a word willl say ag’inst you ef you'll whisper where Holmes an’ Pear! be,” ‘*T don’t know—” **Oh, gammon! don’t weary me. Shall Ches call that grim-lookin’ gavus?’ **Climb up here!” returned the driver, an- grily, ‘‘an’ I'll take you where I took them af- ter we got back from the river, Ef there’s been wrong done, I wa’n’t ter blame, an’ [ll make a clean breast of it, I'll show ye yer new uarters, an’ then you kin do the rest; but bear thisin mind: ’m a poor man with a wife an’ nine children, an’ *twould be mean ter ‘ throw me down.’” ‘¢ There'll be nary a throw, Jehu, ef you'll do the proper caper. Big game is w’ot I’m after, ee ate small fishes kin go. Drive ahead, mis- r CHAPTER XIV. A CRISIS COMES. Bert had climbed up beside the driver, and Ches Day entered the vehicle and spread him- self out on the cushions with an air of great satisfaction. ‘* My pard is the boss, an’ we’re ‘ out o’ sight,’ ” he soliloquized. ‘*I never expected ter ride in sech style, but Bert has cheek enough ter hire the Governor’s private dog-cart, an’ { ain’t goin’ ter git left in tho shuffle. Jiminy! the ’risto- crats don’t git all the plums in life!” Basement Bert was not so well satisfied. He had not any great amount of faith in the driver, and felt that he ought to he wary to avoid new dangers, He watched closely to see that they did not dodge into any stable by the way, where { he would be helpless, The driver, however, soon gave indications of a mind ill at ease, **T wouldn’t ’a’ thought ill o’ that crowd,” he remarked, . ik td manners is gentle,” grimly agreed ert. ** One o’ the gals seemed hi ‘* Did you ketch her name? ‘oT was somethin’ like Adrian, , I thought she seemed cast down an’ out 0’ spirits, but she went along willin’ly.” ‘*How many did you take away?” “ Four ” gh-toned an’ nice.” “Ail ter one place?” * Yes.” The driver was agreeable and genial to an ex- treme, but Bert was not deceived; he knew that ‘the man was acting thus simply because he was frightened. Probably he was not the worst man in the world, but he was not so honest that he would object to earning a fee where one of the conditions was that he should remain silent. But greater than all other considerations was eer esire to keep out of the clutches of the ice, } th accordance with Bert’s instructions the driver stopped one block away from where he Dey with the vebicle, and secretly view the ouse, Perhaps he would get sight of one of the con- tors at the window, first demurred against being left behind when Bert assured him there would be none, he ac- quiesced. _ ** Bf you don’t show up in due time, I’ll come walked away, ** All right,” was the careless reply, for the He walked slowly as he approached the house, and kept his. face to the front, but his eyes were ** Guess cabby’s on the square,” he mused, ‘'There’s the red curtains, an’ the blind off at r, jest as he said. More’n chance about that, I do b’lieve. But I don’t see nobod y at the winders, nevertheless, Come, Pearl, ol’ lady; ef you’re there, jest show up, an’ oblige a_ feller that’s woundedly interested in a damosel about your statoore. ello!” He was almost infront of the stoop, and heed- less of what was on the sidewalk, when a man ossed so closely in front of him that he had to pause, and ascended the steps, ‘ ——— Or ———_ ————-———* on ees SS5959599I0IOoOW2I 08090050 00909090I0I00Giw—i 0505 swWsiSIT I I et Warland had rung the bell, and, not om glancing at Bert, was com y waiting fi} an answer, and great was the observer’s wonder } It was too great to be kept under control, ana’ he ran up the steps, Ae s§ pay mister!” he cried, ‘* take me along, will \ > yer oy The captain looked down and recognized the / boy at once, ** Most certainly,” he responded, heartily, ‘'I have been anxious te see and reward you ever since you did me such great. service at the { Richelieu reception, but you got away on that occasion so suddenly that I had no chance to do my duty. Come in, and when my business here is over—” Bert was waiting eagerly to speak on more important subjects, but the door opened before ae could do so, A servant girl stood before them, **T am the landlord,” remarked Warland. ** Don’t you know me?” ' “Sure, sor,” was the answer; ‘‘ though Oi didn’t fer a minute. Oi’m more used ter seein’ your agint. Come in, sor.” She stepped back, and the captain obeyed the last injunction. Bert was anxious to have con- versation with Warland, and ask if he knew Adrea was in the house, but no opportunity was vouchsafed him. ‘¢ Dhe misthress is up-stairs in de private par- lor,” the servant continued. ‘‘Come right up, an’ Oi’ll show you’s the way.” They went, and Bert followed at the captain’s heels, Ho knew not what would come of all this, but was bound to see it out. , The girl would have knocked at the front-room door, but her mistress: chanced to open it just hen. ‘¢ The landlord, mum,” the girl explained, and went away. ; ik They were in the presence of a small, sharp- featured woman, whose appearance was any- thing but amiable. Bert thought her disposition ~— was not likely to improve. when Warland — brusquely stated; a bik ‘¢ | have come on business, madam, Sit down — and hear me.” He waved his hand towarda '‘ chair, took a seat himself, and proceeded. “I . want this house, madam |” : - ** Want the house?” she echoed. ! J ‘* Yes; but I donot want youasa tenant, I / am very much dissatisfied with the way matters © are going here, ard I want you to pack up and move out on the first of next month,” cy The woman’s eyes glittered angrily. os ‘‘ What’s the meaning of this, sir?” - ee ‘You shall know in plain words, The char- acter of this house isnot whatitshouldbe, My . agent leased it to you under the impression that you werea woman who would keepupitsrepu- — tation, but I find you have failedtodoit. Some time ago unpleasant rumors came to me,and friends began to ask meif I hadstarted a poker- club. Men known to be great gamblers have been seen coming and going here almost nightly, and I find that neighbors regard it asa Lar hi) gambling-house—which I judge it is. I won't ~ have this; you must move out, and all ees Not a soul of them shall re- ti) i te ee 7 lodgers with you, main!” bees The captain pers with military directness and emphasis, At first the landlady’s temper — pif was all at the front, but he talked long enough — th The drapery of th 4 And there stood Pearl Montressor, glaring ap- on them, and only just curbing the fierce passion = within her. Ho Bag Naas Basement Bert beheld her without any greab amount of emotion, but to Captain Warland f i.) was a complete surprise, att He rose and, for a moment, gazed at the w pene disgusted silence, but sarcasm soon broke orth, | ; {ae “Here,” he asserted, pointing to her, “ proof of all I have alleged.” — Ate ‘Proof of what?’ cried Pearl = ‘That people are allowed in this house who ought to be in Sing Sing.” Cah M You scoundrel!” hissed the adventuress, “‘ b ware how you abuse me, There wasa time wh you made love to me desperately-—you,
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) \ Basement Bert. 13 e- old fogy with asonas old asIam! Do » want all t world to know it? What mld the fastidious Warland set say if [ sap bring a breach-of-promise suit against ‘ou The captain shrugged his shoulders coolly. “You dare not. Had you been willing to risk arrest on Saekelonge ara you would have brought suit long ago. I donot fear you. How- ever, [am not here to bandy words with you; my business is with my tenant. Madam,” tothe landlady, ‘‘ you and all your people must move #@ out, bag and baggage.” **T will not go!” cried Pearl, almost hysteric- i aH: ** We will see,” ** You broke id promise to me after induc- ing me to say I would marry you;” Warland made a de sa gpm 2 ae eakd as he remembered how Pear] had an for him; ‘‘and now you follow me and will not allow me to rest in any place in New York. Am I to be hounded by you forever?” ‘‘Tdle talk! You are free to stayin any house a one owhed by me. That you shall not () **Go slow!” advised Pearl, lowering her evil voice. “‘I hold Adrea in the hollow of my hand!” The captain's face grew sad. Time was im- preg im strongly, and he was not so ready « 2 that he caret nothing for his rebellious 5 dau iter, **The unfortunate girl knows her father’s home always is open to her,” he answered. “*She will not seek it; her sympathies are with me, for she }nows1 am a wronged wo- At this point, Bert Lincoln, who stood near the hall door, heard the rustle of female gar- ments outside, and, looking, saw Adrea passing, ap haga 3 unconscious of what was transpiring within, nnoticed by any of his companions he slip out, overtook Adrea and stopped her, “Takee a listen at the door,” he advised. **There’s that bein’ said there which may strike you forcible.” The light was dim; she did not recognize him; and she regarded him with curiosity, * What is it?” she asked. ** Come here an’ see!” Somewhat bewiidered by his mysterious man- ner and the request, Adrea allowed herself to be led to the halt-open door, One look there was enough to show her all she cared to see. She was turoing away quickly, but Bert checked her, ** Listen !” he advised, earnestly, ‘‘ Neither on ’em knows you're here, Ain’t it a good time ter find how both really stand toward you?” Adrea stayed, ** You may as well abandon your persecution of me,” Pearl was saying. ‘‘I will not bear everything, and I’ve been hounded lately until my endurance is about exhausted, Hereafter, I shall use Adrea as a shield.” s useful to me now; I will make her tuore useful, When you try to make me suffer, she shall suffer instead. Captain, I will remain in this house!” ** You will not!” Warland declared, ** None of your tools can put me out.” “Then I'll do it myself,” You? Why, you old idiot, if you dared touch me this would be your reception!” With a quick motion she drew a handsome, d. gy but keen knife, and flourished it before ace. —__—--— CHAPTER XV, FOUND IN PRISON. * JupGr” HACKLAND gazed in alarm at the Servant who announced that a policeman wished tosee him, True, there had been nothing in his recent interview in the carriage to indicate that ihe need fear such prompt. measures, but, know- ing how miserable he had been during the drive, he had a vivid presentiment that his ‘‘ bureau” lady-love had seen his dying faith in her, sus- pected that he intended to leave New York, and intended to take measures to prevent it, He turned to Sigers Long, and shook his “Farewell!” he said, tragically. ‘I feel that Tam going to my doom, andI can’t be treated for it as you’ve been for hydrophobia. No vac- cination will calm an angry woman’s rage. envy you those bites, Sigers, for they can be cured, When you get back to Yalobusha county, tell them I died with fortitude!” The Judge’s trembling voice and tearful eyes belied the last insinuation, but hoarse-voiced Mr. Long hastened to reassure him as much as ble, and both went down to learn the worst. o the Judge the handsome, trim policeman looked as big as a church and as dangerous as a dynamite bomb, ‘* Judge Hackland?” the officer inquired, ‘* Ye—es, sah,” faltered that gentleman, ““I come from a man claiming to be friend, one Andrew Moss. He is in jail!” **' You don’t say so! What for?” ‘* Shoving the queer.” vs Sere. what Rie < € utting out us long-green. ‘* What in the world is that?” ‘* Passing counterfeit money,” impatiently explained the blue-coated guardian of the peace, Hackland’s face lighted up with joy. ‘* Thank Heaven!” he cried, ‘* Why, I thought you were his friend.” ‘1 am.” ** And yet you are glad he is arrested?” **-You don’t unde d— But never mind!” The Judge was very happy to know that Moss had not been incarcerated on account of Mrs. Moss, for that would foretell his own doom, he thought; and he did not give due consideration to the other charge, ‘“* He was arrested last night,” the officer ex- plained, ‘‘The morning papershavean account of it, but not under his true name; he only gave that this morning. He wants to see you,” ‘**T'll go downat once. Poor fellow! I’m sorry for bim, and know he ain’t guilty. He’s a Southern gentleman, sah!” The policeman did not see fit to comment on this point, and, having done his errand, went away. The Judge was soon on his way to visit Moss. Singularly enough, he did not consider that there was danger for himself, 1t was clear that the money Andrew had found in the valise so strangely was the cause of all his trouble, and Hackland remembered that two of the bank-notes had been given him, but when, a lit- tle before, he one of them on the trades- man, he had done it so mechanically that the fact was not now recalled. He found Mr. Moss in the place of incarcera- tion, weary, hollow-eyed and sad-faced; but the visitor was greeted with true Southern your politeness. ‘*T am glad to see you, sah, even though I welcome you in a m an’ frownin’ Bastille, Ah! sah, little did 1 think when I was spendin’ the happy days of my life in Horry county that I ever would come ter this. I know now how a man feels doomed ter perpetual confinement. Forgive my emotion, sah, but my soul is shaken within me!” Andrew wiped the tears from his eyes and leaned his head upon the wall, ‘* Cheer up, sah; you'll soon be out,” returned the Judge, encopragae ‘* If we were in South Cah'’lina, or Mississippi, where law is justice, it would be all right < bate this is New York. That means a good deal, an’ it wouldn’t surprise me ef I never ag*in heard the birds sing, see the sun shine, or watched the cotton grow in the sunny South, Forgive this emotion, sah, for my heart is tempest-tossed, an’ it stan’s a right smart chance o’ bein broken.” ‘** How do you account for all this, sah?” ** My wife!” The Judge started and changed color. ** Your wife?” *T reckon,” ** But how?—what?—who?—” ‘** Somebody; put that money in my valise, Why? Terruinme. Who? Who should it be, but my wife? 1 don’t mean she really did it, herself, but ’twasher or her allies, They sneaked inter the house some way an’ put the stuff there, knowin’ I would try ter pass it an’ come ter grief, It worked, too; I was ruined by the counterfeit queer—they call money ‘ the queer,’ in New York, though why, I don’t know.” _ This alleged fact did not long occupy their time, for Andrew had something of more impor- tance to say. He had many friends in Horry county who could testify to his uprightness, and he wanted all such testimony, as well as money, to conduct his defense. He gave Hackland due directions in the case, ‘* There is one thing more,” he added. ‘I’ve told the whole truth heah, \but I can see they don’t believe me, Now, I want a good, impar- ee | tial detective engaged who will take the trail of* my wife an’ hunt her down, I have been searched heah, but one thing escaped notice, an’ I was not fool enough ter mention it, I have a picture of my wife hid in the linin’ o’ my hat, an’ I want you ter take it ter the detective, Heah itis, sah!” He had removed the picture while speaking, and now passed it over to the Judge, The lat- ter looked, and then almost dropped it in his sur- prise and consternation. ‘* This woman, your wife?’ he cried. ‘Yes, sah,” by Why, she’s the same one I’ve agreed to ty iid ligh i the ker’ Aw ight a red in the speaker’s eyes and he believed iis hair was standing on end. There was a period of silence during which the two victims gazed at each other blankly; then. Andrew shook his head sadly, “My friend, you are a ruined man!” “Tam! I feel it; 1 knowit! Oh! oh!” groan- ed Mr, Hackland. ‘‘ Why did 1 evah leave Ya- lobusha county ?” : “Strange! strange! So she is still workin’ the matrimonial bureau game, an’ she’s caught you! ‘“Yes; and she will be the death of me, I reckon I shall wind up right heah with you. But, see heah! If she’s your wife, how can she: prosecute me for breach of promise?” ‘* My friend, I’ve been in New York ’most a. month altogether, an’ I know all about the lace. I’ve nevah asked about divorces, but I on’t doubt that she’s got one before now, an’ is a free woman. I tell you this isan awful coun- try, ae heah.” ** What shall I do?’ “Well, jirst,I reckon you had bettah help me !” replied Andrew, frankly. ‘‘ You can put the woman off for awhile— But, say: don’t you pass them two counterfeit bills i gave you,” The Judge’s face assumed a look of stony hor- ror, ‘Why, I’ve passed one, already!” You lee hg “ “ Yes.” “Then you stand a right smart chance of big ist up right heah with me.” ‘“‘T had forgot it,” groaned Hackland; ‘TE moyen once been <3 * —_ sa ta I f ad t, supposing it was right, an 1en forgot all about it. Ob! I’d give a thousand dollars if I were back in Yalobusba county !” ** Don’t go until you help me out! There ain’t. no danger fora little while, an’ I must be helped right away, or I shall spend my whole life in this gloomy Bastile. Say you won’t desert me! Say you'll see a detective for me!” **] will, andI reckon I’d better see him for myself, too, or [ shall never get to go back home, Yes, yes; I'll attend to it, at once,” They separated and Mr, Hackland went out but he was a most miserable man, He: wanted to dodge and skulk in unfrequented places, but could follow the broad streets only. He was rogressing in this fashion when a man bore own upon him, and he saw the manager of the matrimonial bureau, Mr, Norman Holmes. _ ** Halloa, old stock!” saluted that person, air- hy; “you are just the man I wanted to see, y client tells me she thinks you are going to skip the tra-la-la, Now, that won’t do; you’ve promised to marry her, and the law holds you. ~ ? ‘* The—lady is wrong,” faltered the Judge. “That’s all right if true, but we must have proof, Come with me to her house and put up five hundred dollars as security, or I'll have you arrested at once. Whatdo you say?” CHAPTER XVI. PLAYING THE LAST CARDS, ADREA started when she saw Pearl flourish the knife before Captain Warland’s face, This was carrying matters too far, in her opinion, and ske was about to enter the room when Base- ment Bert checked her. ‘‘Don’t be in a hurry,” he advised, ‘‘ She’s only showing off, an’ 'tain’t likely she’ll try to use the sword. She’s a great bluffer, Pearl is; but you an’me know how innocent she is at heart,” The speaker looked slyly ‘at Adrea, but the sarcasm was lost. Adrea was listening only to. what was said within the room, Captain Warland had made a disdainful ges- ture when the knife was thus flourished. “Let us have no stage theatricals," he ad- vised, ‘‘ Actors, Indians and mummies can afford to act in an Senger aren style, but it don’t go in real life. Put up your knife, madam!” ‘* You have not promised yet.”
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\ —— - ee a a a a T x > Only the Judge remained unmoved; he had | horse the whip and away they went. If a .**T shall make you no promises,” ‘** Do you still say I‘must leave this house?” “ Yes,” ‘“*T won’t go!” ‘*Madam, you are a woman of the world, and have been breaking the law so long that you ought to know what its terms are ina simple ne case, You say you won't leave, yet you must go out in haste, Yes, and even a neighbor here, if he told cf the gambling done by those within these walls, could accomplish the same result. You are absurd to say you will not go.” ‘a The adventuress drew herself up haughtily. f ‘Shall I tell you why I won’t go? It’s be- cause, if you order me out, the weight of the blow will all fallon Adrea, I’ve been playing a reckless bluff game for some time, and am whero I can’t turn many ways for Sunday; I make or ' break on a very small island, and the ocean _ Toars all around, Adrea is my shield. Thus pF Ba, oe far' the girl is just where she was when she left your roof; she has broken no law of the land, and [ have guarded my language carefully, too; ‘but if you molest me, the girl sball be in prison for some heinous offense inside a week!” ‘ ** Yet you claim to be her friend.” a ‘Bah! f hate the little fool!” “Woman, you are a fiend !”\ ee, “** Call me what you-will,” ' “* Harm Adrea at your peril!” cried Warland, ‘ina ringing voice. ‘‘ She has been disobedient; sho has turned against me, and I have tried to Aes forget her; but she is dearer to me than my own life, I tell you, beware how you do injury to H st pag ? ain ert Lincoln could hear Adrea breathing ated ; Age § heavily, by his side, and he felt exult- jant. Ch ’ see exactly what Pearl Montressor was. Rat ‘* Don’t threaten me!” cried Pearl, angrily. “‘There is one way to’beat you, and if youforce iin me to it, that way shall be used. Do you sea ay ‘this knife?” an ‘¢ Would you use it?” a ‘* Without hesitation. I am for Number One, first, last and always, and I don’t care a rap for the Warlend family, father or daughter, ou can’t bluff me, old man!” ae Adrea left Bert’s side suddenly and swept into a the room, ‘*T am glad to know what you think of me!” she exclaimed, confronting Pearl. The adventuress looked startled. ; ‘* Adrea!, Why are you here?’ ee *‘ Because my name seems to be much in the conversation, and no one has more cause to be interested. 1 have heard you avow your posi- i . tion plainly, and am glad circumstances have made you so'frank. So you hate and despise me? So you have only professed friendship be- cause I was useful to you?” ‘‘ Wrong!” asserted Pearl, nervously, ‘‘ It is not 80, iy Ms ‘* Your own lips have said it in my hearing.” ‘*T was trying to save fo jae from ruin.” ** Pearl, | have suspected you, of late. [I have been headstrong and opinionated, and was reck- less enough to array myself against my father and brother for your sake, but the scene when Meredith was set upon by your gang was a re- . velation. should have left you before had * not watched me so closely, but I now have riends at hand, unless my conduct has alien- ated them. I wonder if a father can forgivea 4 ae who has sinned deeply and persistent- y ; ; She looked at Warland, who answered quick- ne y; ; Baty ‘* Adrea, thera is always a place in my heart for you!” “Fine talk!” sneered Pearl, ‘‘ When the love- feast is over, call in the dogs to eat the frag- -. ments. What is fit for one cur is good for ap- other)” The adventuress was handling the knife ner- vously ; she felt herself at the end of her rope, and was‘desperate enough to proceed to extreme measures if her fancy took a step in that direc- _ tion, But now Bert Lincoln, who had followed Adrea only just inside the door, suddenly ex- claimed: | ** Here’s more folks a-comin’!” And into the room came Norman Holmes, with ‘‘ Judge” Hackland at his side, There was general surprise, and Holmes, who i —s ant = r - Wire , . 3 eS or 7 re eo a wo ay ia ne = lg ga eae . a eae wv latest game ars the Southerner, was annoy- ed and at fault. Of all men he least expected Oe to see Captain Warland, for none of the gang | —~—~—saAmew he was owner of the house when they ; ‘secured their new quarters; while the union of the adverse elements might bring trouble to know I only have to invoke the law and you will ance was giving her an opportunity to had expected to find a clear coast to play the sath ai Pitan a lois > DN pete ED Sa ochre! is ak | atieiaieal Basement Bert. expected to see his acquamtance of the matri- monial bureau, and though he kept well away from Pearl, he looked at her without sur- prise. ? She was more troubled than he. worked the matrimonial bureau scheme brave- ly, but if all her victims got together at once, her future would grow cloudy. ** We seem to be intruding here,” remarked Holmes, after an uncomfortable pause. ‘* We will withdraw—” ‘No; we'll settle the case right heah!’ de- clared the Judge, with a sudden burst of de- fiance. ‘‘ If my head is coming off, the soonah it’s done, the bettah. I suppose thiseman 1s one of your kind?’ He pointed to Warland, who quickly an- swered: ; ‘* You never made a greater mistake; I don’t keep such company. As for you, if I read you aright, you are not a city man, and I warn you that you’re on dangerous ground.” ‘*T know it to my sorrow!” groaned Hack- d, “* What infamous scheme have you_ under way?” Warland demanded, addressing Holmes; but the latter pulled at the Judge’s sleeve. ** Let us go out and by panne BEG Fe ** We'll speak right heah, [ reckon,” persisted Hackland, with growing courage. ‘Sah, I’ve promised to marry that woman, and then back- ed out, Can they put mein prison for twenty years, for it?” : ‘* For refusing to marry her? Why, she’s an old criminal whom the la. would uphold ir no- thing. if that’s the only noid they have on you, defy them!” arland had not given tais advice without strong efforts at interruption on Holmes’s part, but it was out at last, and the Yalobusha cour- age was high, ** Anyhow, she’s got one husband,” he de- clared. ‘She works the matrimonial bureau racket, and she and he get all the money out of victims they can!” : The Judge was proving a boomerang, and that, too, when least expected, The last doubt of Warland’s daughter disappeared. She re- cognized in the simple Southerner a man upon whom city sharks would alight naturally, and his straightforward statement bore evidence of truth to a marked degree, ‘*Why do we waste time here?” Adrea de- manded, ‘‘Eyen the paving-stones of the streets will yet rise up to accuse them, Fa- ther, if you can overlook my blindness, folly, ingratitude, take me away from here!” ‘It shall be done,” With these words, Warland turned upon the landlady, and added: ‘“‘Once more I say that you and your people must leave this house, If you do not go quiet- ly you will be ejected—” The sound of a struggle back of him, and a ‘ibeliatay | ery from Bert, caused the captain to turn. As he did so, Bert fell in a heap at his feet, the door closed with a bang, the key clicked in the lock, and only Warland, Bert, the Judge and the landlady remained in the room, Holmes, Pearl and Adrea had vanished. Bert struggled up. **They’ve nabbed the gal!” he hurriedly ex- claimed. ‘‘ Holmes didit. Itried ter stop him, but he tumbled me over like a ten-pin.” The bold abduction had been accomplished so suddenly and silently, and with such unexpect- ed success, that Warland was dumfounded and motionless, Not until he saw Bert fling himself against the closed door did he recover presence of mind enough to take part in the assault on that barrier. The door was strong, however, and it was not until Hackland joined in the effort that it gave way. Then they hurried down-stairs to find the front door locked, but a key hanging on @ nail aé one side proved to bea fit, and there the delay was but brief. A little later they were on the stoop, There was no sign of the fugitives themselves, but a close carriage bowling away down the street gave Bert an idea, Holmes had come in the vehicle, and was making his escape the same way. o Pll ketch them!” the boy cobbler cried; and then he ran down the street at full speed, He was shrewd enough to understand that the cab in which Ches Day was waiting would come in handy just then, and he soon rushed up to it, breathless and excited. ‘Run them down!” he gasped, pointing to the a ca rer Meany 3 ca e. ‘he wise cabman had resolved to be ptr ly loyal to his young master, and he gave She had , .. lightning steed had been drawing them, it | would not have been any too swift to suit Bert, | just then, . | ** Whoop ’er up, Eliza Jane!” he cried. ‘“ We've got ter run ’em down, or our name is | Dennis!” | CHAPTER XVII. LEADING THE PURSUIT. Ir was an exciting chase, and Bert was in his element. Victory might be deferred, but he did not see how it could be prevented. ‘* Hi, Ches!” he cried, ‘* we’re on the road ter glory, an’ I imagine I see convict stripes sprout- In’ out on them varmints. Tell ye w’ot, ol’ chap, rascality don’t pay. Crooks run their race with some success, but they all wind up at Sing Sing an’ enjoy hard labor as a reward. Let / out another link, cabby!” “Say! they’re goin’ on the boat!” exclaimed | b es. “Eh? So they be, b’mighty! Let ’ér slide, cabby ; that mustn’t be ‘lowed. Run ’em down!’ ; They had approached Desbrosses Street Ferry and Ches-had rightly suspected the intention of the kidnappers to take the boat and cross to the Jersey side. ‘+ Ain’t it goin’ ter be hard ter get ’em back, ef they git out o’ the State?” Ches asked. ‘*T’ve heerd thero is a good ’eal o’ legal flum- doodle in some sech cases, but how it would be \ in thisecase I don’t know. We must nab ’em afore they touch Jersey soil. Shoot the luck!” There was good cause for this sudden ex- clamation, The foremost carriage had crossed West street with a dash and was already in the ( ferry-house, but a long line of heavy teams ug | swung in ahead of the cab, and the latter frail 7 vehicle could not be forced through. . ‘‘ Jump for it!” Bert cried, and himself set the example. | ‘Teamsters think they own the streets of New York, and never"give an inch when they can help it, but Bert was equal to the emergency, ) ' He caught a horse by the bit and stopped him short; then the boys dodged through the rum- bling line of teams and darted toward the ferry- house, followed by the angry exclamations of the driver of the horse thus checked. , ‘*Great Scott!” the young cobbler cried, ‘‘ the boat is jest leavin’, Dig dust fer keeps!” Down the ferry-house they went at full speed, and dashed across the plank, breathless, but = = = victorious. A moment more and the gates +e closed sharply; they had gained passage by a ‘hair’s-breadth,” as it were. The boat moved away. ; The kidnappers’ carriage was to be seen with — ; two others in the middle passage, but none of 31 its occupants showed themselves. ‘¢ Now, what?” Ches asked. ‘‘ We ain’t run’ them down on New York soil, after all.” “My frien’, the cat is in the fire, but I ho all the feathers won’t be singed off from her tail. Jersey perleecement hev hearts as big as thé head ter a dude’s cane, an’ they’ll listen to our tale 0’ woe an’— Hullo!” 4 Bert stopped. A man was leaning against the rail and looking bein gl af down the river. He recognized Meredith Warland,andranupto ~~ him at once. , “Say, mister, hey you ketched ’em?” he cried, Meredith started, and then, recognizing the speaker, shook his head gravely. ‘ ‘* My sister is still in their hands, I have to- rf) day secured the arrest of James Draper and a Sadie De Piercy, the allies of Holmes and the Montressor woman; but they cannot, or will not, give me any information in regard tomy sister.” ; ‘¢ You've no idea where she is?” ‘* None whatever.” : "a ‘*She’s near you.” : fi ‘* Near me?” ay **On this boat!” ; + esa flashed a quick look into the ladies’ cabin. “ Are you in earnest?” .“T be; but you needn’t look’at way. Adrea : ain’t there. D’ye see that carriage?” 1 ae “ Yes,” . " a “‘She’s there, held by Holmes and Pear 8 § She’s come to her senses, Adrea has; an’ she’d be 4 with Captain Warland this minute ef the crooks _ hadn’t played a bold game an’ gobbled her, Ches an’ I pursood, but was too late ter stop’em from takin’ this boat. Now, we’re on our way ter Jersey. Will we be allowed ter lay hold on ‘em, an’ take ’em back ter New York?’ ‘5 “T know but little of law, but I presumethere = “o would be a good deal of delay over extradition,
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Astor Place alarmed them, and they decided boat and take them back to the city-—” ** Don’t see any way ter do it.” eNOr. 2? Meredith had grown very much in earnest. ast record pees him worthy of confidence; e took the boy’s word for all, and was elated at the prospect of recovering Adrea, This ela- tion was only dampened by the fact that the boat was steadily approaching New Jersey soil, and that much trouble might result after they janded there. Suddenly Ches Day exclaimed: ‘* What’s the matter with our craft?” Sure enough, the boat had come as near to a stop as the current would allow, and was drift- ing down-stream. ‘* Something wrong with the steering appara- tus, I think,” a passenger suggested, There was a short delay, and then they began to move back toward the New York shore. As they were not half-way across, it became evi- dent that this step was taken as the shortest way of getting the disabled craft and her passengers to a place of caer Bert shook Meredith’s hand exuberantly. ‘ Whoop!” he cried; ‘‘ I guess we ain’t goin’ ter sample Jersey soil, this trip.” Norman Holmes left the carriage and ap- roached a deck-hand. He looked very much roubled, ‘* What does this mean?” he demanded. ‘* Broken down.” ‘* But why are we returning to New York?” ** Shortest way.” ‘¢ But I am in great haste to catch a train.” Thus far the crook had seen none of his ene- mies, but Bert moved quickly forward and ex- claimed: VF ae train fer Sing Sing don’t go until this P. M. Holmes turned, saw the speaker and Mere- dith, and even his brazen assurance was not eae against such a disagreeable poxperne. He ooked at them for a moment in silence, and then again faced the deck-hand. Ue, ‘* Where is the pilot? I'll give a hundred dol- lars to be landed in Jersey!” ‘“You’ve only to take the next boat_back,” was the nonchalant response, and the deck-hand walked away. \ ‘¢General, your jig is up!” Bert announced. ** You'll be landed on New York soil, an’ I’m bettin’ you don’t leave the State fer the next ten year. Meredith pushed past the crook and moved toward the carriage, but Holmes caught his arm, ‘* Pl compromise with you,” the rascal urged, hurriedly. . Warland shook off the arm, and, without a word, walked to the carriage, ‘The open door revealed Adrea, held by Pearl's strong arm, In the latter’s free hand was a revolver which she made haste to conceal. By means of that weapon Adrea had been frightened into silence —an old trick with the gang, thoug' too prudent, if not too good, to use it, Adrea uttered a cry of joy. ‘*Saved!” she exclaimed, ‘‘ Oh, my brother, this is the happiest moment of my life!” Holmes regarded Bert with fury which he could hardly control. *¢ We owe all this to you!” he snarled. *¢ Mister, Iam proud ter say you do—ter me an’ the broken boat. I started the riffle, an’ the boat fell inter line as my ally.” Holmes made no reply, though his face was a study. He gazed alternately at Meredith and Adrea, but did not attewpt a word of conversa- tion. He knew that threats and excuses would alike be useless, and that arrest awaited him, The boat was slowly beating back to its slip ‘and he had no power to reverse the order of events. It wasa bitter experience, however, Nearer grew the drop, and the boat finally touched, ‘Bert was the first off. He went asa messenger for Meredith Warland, and a police- man soon confronted Holmes. The latter yield- ed without a word, and the long, hard fight was over. James Draper saw fit to turn State’s evidence and secure what clemency he could; and his story concerned not only the Warlands but Mr, Andrew Moss. The result was tha* the latter was set free, ‘When the conspirators learned that Moss was again in New York, they determined to ‘‘ bleed ” him anew. The first step was to leave a decoy note, signed Abram Alden, but the encounteron If we only could manage to keep them on the He had seen no one in the carriage, but Bert’s Pearl was hy ” Basement Bert. to get rid of Andrew, rather than seek his money. Sadie de Piercey went again to the house, secured the note—on the occasion when Bert saw her there—and left the counterfeit. money, The money worked its evil and placed Moss in prison, but his prompt release left no stain on his name, “Judge” Hackland saved himsolf from trouble by reclaiming the bogus bill he had innocently passed, before its nature was dis- covered, The Southerners would have gone home at once—Andrew had recovered his valuable legal papers—but they were wanted as witnesses against Holmes and Pear]. They stayed, but, the day after the verdict, Moss, Hack and and Long started for their homes. They are still there, sadder and wiser men, but they hide what they do not want known, and tell stories of New York that amaze their friends, The ares would find it hard to prove all of them, Holmes, Draper, Pearl and Sadie are in prison, end it will be long before New York will be inflicted with their presence again. ‘‘ Buck,” the keeper of the old house in Jersey, was looked for in vain. The Warland family was reunited. Adrea bitterly repented her past cays but her father. C) and brother never reproached her. Basement Bert and*his friend, Ches, were generously rewarded by Captain Warland, and, engaged in better work than bacon bid fair to reach out to successful careers in life. THE END. Beatle’s Half-Dime Library. BYL IEUT. A. K. SIMS. 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock. 568 The Dandy of Dodge. 576 The Silver Sport. 558 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 589 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 601 Happy Hans, the Dutch Videos, : GL Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules, 622 Texas Tom-Cat’s Triad 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task. 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph; or, Black Ivan’s Great Combine. 646 Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank. 665 Jolly Jeremiahy the Plains Detective, 676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout. 689 Billy. the Gypsy Spy. 699 Siraple Sim, the Broncho Buster. 712 The Mesmeriat Sport; or, The Mystified Detective. BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Major Sam, 8, Nall.) 284 Old Rocky's ** Boyeess or, Benito, the Horse-Breaker 246 Giant Gicorges or, The Ang’! of the Range. 275 Arizona Jack ¢ or, Giant George’s Pard. 297 The Tarantula of Taos; or, Giant George’s Revenge. 807 The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt, 818 Oke ROCBy Ker-whoo3; or, The Tarantula of Taos. B27 Creeping Cat, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Pardes, 882 Frio Fred; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. 844 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway, 849 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front. 857 The Ranch Raiders; or, The Slege of Fort Pargatory. 864 Snap-Shot, the Boy Kanger,. 875 Chiota, the Creek § or, The Three Thunderbolts. 1 Bandera Bill; or, Frio Frank to the Front, $92 Romeo and the Reds; or, The Beleaguered Ranch, | 404 Little Larint; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. 414 The Dalsy trom Denver. 427 The Three Tratlers; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage, Bluff Bill; or, The Lynx of the Leona. 495 Little Lone Star: or, The Belle of the Cibolo, 684 Cache Carl, the Chico Giant BY OLL COOMES, & Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew, 18 The Dumb Spy. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. 81 Keen-Knife, the Prince of the Prairies, i Lasso Jack, the Young Mnetanger. 8 The Border Kings or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy, 74 Wawk-eye Harry the Young Trapper Ranger. 88 Rollo, the Roy Ranger. 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Roy Rifleman, 148 Sear-Face Saul. the Silent Hunter, 146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight. 158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon. ° 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger, 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 182 Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. 202 Prospect Pete ; or, The Young Outlaw Hunters. 208 The Boy Hercules: or, The Prairie Tramps. 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashing Dicks or, Trapper Tom’s Castle, * 228 Little Wtldfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger, 248 The Diswulsed Guide ; or, WildRaven, the Ranger, 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger. 272 Minkakin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. 800 The Sky Demon; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 NHereules; wr, Dick, the Boy Ranger. AI? Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone. 444 Little Buckskin, tne Young Prairie Centaur. 457 Wingedfoot Fred; or, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarne Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. 478 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemic, 82 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Tron. $2 Blundering Basll, the Hermit Boy Trapper. 652 Don Barr, the Plaine Freelance. 661 d Kit Bandy’s Deliverance. 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer. 680 Dauntless Dan, the Freelance, or Old Kit Bandy In Arcadia, BY PHILIP 8. WARNE. 67 Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. 175 Captain Arizona; or, Petent-Leather Joe's Big Gane, 198 Captain Mask; Or, Patent-Leather Joe's Defeat. 219 Deapard, the Dueli«t; cr, The Mountain Vempires. 888 A Tough Boy ; or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. 868 Little Wornade ¢ or, The Outcasts of the Glen. BTB Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard, BSS Little ob-my or, Canght in His Own Trap, 401 Little Shoo-Fly 3 or, A Race for a Ranch. 408 Little Leather-Breeches 3 or, Old Jumbo's Curse. 481 Little Ah Sing or, The Curse of Blood, 451 Colorado Kate. A Tale of the wines. A480 Three Jolly Pards, 617 Jim Gladden’s Deputy. 627 The Jolly Pardes to the Reacue, 647 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down. 556 Lariat Lil; or, The Cast fora Life. 574 Old Weasel-top, the Man with the Dogs, 598 Keen Clem, the Ranch Imp. 599 Jim Dandy the No-Name Sport, 618 Billy Blazes; or, The Skeleton’s Legacy. 685 Oklahoma Hi, the Blae-Coat Scout, 648 Happy Harry’s Big Find. 664 Cheeky Charley, the Special. 4 BY J0 PIERCE, 897 Bob o’ the Bowery ; or, The Prince of Mulberry Street, 415 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bob's Boom, 452 Mots«pur Bob, the Street-Boy Detective. ; 460 The Lawyer’s Shadow 3 or, Luke’s Legacy. 472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Derective, 504 Five Polnta Phil. 509 Jack Jaggers, the Butcher Boy Detective. 5616 Tartar Thing or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerie. 526 North River Nat, the Pier Detective. BSB Wrestling Rex, the Pride ofthe Sixth Ward, 541 Jeff Flicker. the Stable Boy Detective. Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow, 5659 Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective. 569 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detective. S77 Pavement Pete the Secret Sifter, Jack-o’-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector, Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer, 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid. 6 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Hummer. 689 Sunrise Saul, the Express-Train Ferret, 649 Gamin Bob, the Bow ery Badger; or, Scooping a Slippery Set, G58 Sky-Rocket Rob, the Life-Saver. 688 Saltpeter Sol, the New York Navigator. 694 Spicy Jim, the Only One of His Kind. 706 Tom Thistle, the Road-House Detective, BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. ? 2 Vellowatone Jack; or, The ae pers AS Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat. 65 Wurricane Bills or, Mustang Sam and His Pard, 119 Mustang Rae ane King of the Plains. 186 Night-Linwk Kit; or, The Daugliter of the Ranch, 144 Patnty Lance the Boy Sport. Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue, 160 The Black Glant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 168 Dendly Dash; or, Fighting Fite with Fire, 184 The Boy Trailers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path, 208 The Boy Pards; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks, 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League. 885 Old Double Fiat; or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Woods: or. Danie! Boone’s Laat Trail, 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Trafler. 677 Chineapin Dan's Second Trail. 688 Chincapin Dan's Home Stretch. 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without » Head. 708 Light-Heart Lute’s Legacy. MISOELLANEOUR AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-HNorse Hunters, Frederick Whittaker, ® Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift, 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp, 16 Robinson Orusoe. (27 Tlustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Voyages. 22 ha] Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crunoe. By Capt. Mayne Reto and By Juan wis. 88 The Ocean Bloodhoundys or, The Red Pirates of th Carribees, By 8. W, Pierce. | 86 The Boy Clowns; or, The Arena Queen. By F 8, Finn, BS Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 61 The Boy Rifles; or, The Underground Camp. By A. C,Trons, 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi. By Lieut.-Col, Hazeltine, 98 Robin Hood, the Outiawed Ear); or, The Merry Men of Green- wood. By Prof, Gildersleeve. 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmen. 112 The Mad Wunter; or, | he Cave of Death. By Burton Saxe, 124 ‘Tippy, the Texan; or, The Young Champion, By George Jlerson. 128 The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By Harry Cavendish. 4 148 Sharp Samy; or, The Adventures of a Friendless Boy, By J, Alexander Patten. 227 Dusky Darrell, Srappes or, The Green Ranger of the Yel- lowstone. By Edward Emerson. 261 Fergus Fearnaught the Now Y¥ irk Boy. By @, L. Atken. rooked Tall, 266 Killb’ar, the Guide; or, Davy Crockett’s By Ensign C. D, Warren. : 298 Red Claw, the One-Kyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Cliff, By Captain Comatock. 817 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Leadville, By Lieu tenant Alfred Thorne. : 828 The Sky Detectives or, A Boy's Fight for Life and Honos, , By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Red Ralph, the River Rovers or, The Brothor’s Re- venge. By Ned Buntline. 865 Baltimore Ben the Bootblack Detective, By A, P. Morris, B74 Gold-VWuat Toms or, Ben's Double Match, @ H, Morse. 876 Callfornia Joe’ Firat Trail, By Colone) Thomas Hoyer Monstery. — ; P 418 Biily Bombshell, the Clif Climber. By F. 8. Winthrop. 475 The Black Ship. By John S Warner. 484 Comanche Dick and Hix Three Invinelbles, By Henry J. Thomas. B82 The Cowboy Duke. By Edwin Brooke Forrest, 552 Artel the Athlete. By David Druid. BSS WIL Waters, the Boy Ferret, By H. Enton. 682 The Doad Metective’s Double. By Gerald Carlton A New Issue Every Tuesaday. The Half-Dime Library |» for sale by ail newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mall on receipt of six cents each. j BEADLE AND ADAMA, Publishers, 98 VW .iliam Street, New York.
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om if + q 28. ie | ’ oe 5] BEADLE’S*H ALF-D Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdealera... IME*]_IBRARY. BY 1 Deadwood 20 Deadwoo 28 Deadwood 85 Deadwood 42 Deadwood 49 Deadweod 57 Deadwood 78 Deadwood 77 Deadwood 100 Deadweod 104 Deadwood 10 Deadwood 129 Deadwood 188 Deadwood 149 Deadwood 156 Deadwood 195 Deadwood 201 Deadwood 205 Deadwood 217 Deadwood 221 Dendwood 232 Gold-Duast 266 Deadwood 265 Deadwood B09 Deadwood 621 Dendwood 7 Deadwood 851 Deadwood 862 Deadwood 405 Dendwood 410 Deadwood 1 Deadwood 0 Deadwood 448 Deadwood 448 Deadwood 458% Dendwood 459 Deadwood 465 Deadwood 471 Deadwood 476 Deadwood 451 Deadwood 491 Deadwood 496 Dendwood 600 Deadwooa 608 Deadwood 615 Deadwood H22 adwood 29 Deadwooa #4 Deadwood 589 Deadwood 544 Deadwood 549 Deadwooa 554 Deadwood 561 Deadwooa 567 Deadwood 572 Deadwood 578 Deadwood 584 Dead wooa 90 Deadwood 95 Deadwood 600 Deadwood 606 Deadwood 612 Deadwood 618 Deadwood 624 Deadwood D 680 Deadwood 686 Deadwood 642 Deadwood 648 Deadwood 654 Deadwood 660 Deadwood 666 Dendwood 672 Deadwood 678 Deadwood D 654 Deadwood 690 Deudwood 695 Deadwood 700 Deadwood 04 Deadwood 10 Deadwood 16 Deadwood 22 Deadwood 28 Dendwood 84 Deadwood 0 Deadwood Dendwood 4 Deadwood Deadwood Déadwood Deadwood Deadwoo Peadwood T Dendwood Deadwood Deadwood 812 Deadwood $16 Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Dendwood Deadwood Deadwood Peadwood Peadwood Deadwooil Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood d Dic TAT Dendwood Dick, me Deadwood EDWARD L. WHEELER, Deadwood Dick Novels, Dick, the Prince of the Road, k’s Defiance; or, Double Daggers. Dick in Disguise; or, Buffals sen. Dick in His Castle. Dick’s Bonanza; or, The Phantom Miner. Dick in Danger; or, Omana Oll. Dick’s Eagles; or, The Parde of Flood Bar. Dick on Deck; or, Calamity 4 ine, the Heroine Dick’s Last Acts or, Corduroy Charlie. Dick in Leadville. Dick’s Device; or, The Double Cross Sign. Dick as Detective. Dick’s Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost, Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bill. Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold, Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party. Dick’s Dreamy or, The Rivals of the Road. Dick’s Wards or, The Black Hill's Jezebel. Dick's Doom: or, Calamity Jane’s Adventure, Dick’s Dead Deal. Dick’s Death-Plant. Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. Dick’s Death Trail, Dick’s Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon, Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats Dick’s Ducatas or, Days in the Diggings. Diek Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta. Dick’a Claim. Dick in Dead City. Dick’s Diamonds. Dick in New Yorks or, A “Cute Case.” Dick’s Duaty; or, The Chained Hand. Pick, Jr; or, The Crimson Crescent Sign, Dick, Jr.’a, Defiance. Dick, dra Full Hand, Dick, Jr.’a, Big Round-Up. Vick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10, Dick, Jr.’a, Corral; or; Bozeman Bill. Dick, Jr.'s, Dog Detective, Dick, Jr., In Deadwood, Dick, Jr.’a, Compact. Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritanee, Dick, dra, Diggings. Dick, Jr.’«, Deliverance, Dick, Jr.'s, Protegee. Dick. Jr.’a, Three, Dick, Jr.%a, Danger Ducks. Dick, Jr.’s,) Death Hunt. drs, n T Jr., in Denver. Jr, Decree, Dick Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin Dick, Jr., at Coney Island, Dick, drs, Leadville Lay. Dick, Jr., in Detrolt. Dick, Jr., in Cincinuati, ick in Nevada, Dick, Jr., in No Man’a Land, Diek, Jr.’a. Dollara. Dick. Jr., at Danger Divide, Dick, Jr’, Drop. Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot. Dick Ir. in San Franeiseo, Dick, Jr.’«, Still Hunt, Dick, Jr.’«, Dominoes, Dick, Jr.’ Diaguiae, Dick, Jr.’s, Double Deal, Dick, Jr.’s, Deathwatch, Jr.’% Doublet, Dick, Jr.’a, Deathblow, Dick, Jr’, Deaperate Stra Diek, Jr’a, Lone Hand, Dick, Jr.’#) Deteat, Dick, dr.’a, Resurrection, Diek, Jr.'s, Dark Days. a Dick Jr. Defied. Dick, dr.’*s, Double Device. Dick, Jr’.«, Deaperate Venture] Dick, Jr.’*, Diamond Dice, inks Ph Fmt oe | Sa ck, Jdr.’s, Honad-oif, Dick, Jr. Ry Rival, hep je ¥ re Sy epeue ek, Jr.'s, Scoop. Dick, Tr.’ ay Prox - Dick, Jr's, Clutch, Dick, Jr.’s, High Morse, Dick Jr., at Devils Gulch. Dicky Jr.’s, Neath-Hole Hustle. Dick, Jr.’s Bombshell, Pick, Jdr., In Mexico, Dick, Jr’s, Decoy Duck, Dick, Jr., in Silver Pocket, Dick, Jr.’s, Dead-Sure Game BY LIEUT. A, K. SIMS. Tom-Cat’s Tom Cat’s Tom-Oat's Captain C Itappy Ua Cowboy & Warbling ly, the Airnpl T12 The Meam 8B 45 Kanana Jf Lone Tom-Ont and Pardy; or, The Dead Sat at Silver City. Triad; or, The Affair at Tombstone. Terrible Task; or, The Cowboy Detective, Triumph; or, Black Dan's Great Combine. actus, the Chaparral Cock; or, Josh’s Ten Strike The Dandy of Dodge; or, Rustling for Millions, The Silver Sporty or, Josh Peypermint’s Jubilee. Saffron Sol, tlie Man With a Shadow nay the Dutch Vidocg; or, Hot Times at Round-Up Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 1d, the Cattle-Range Detective. z Wtlltam, the Mountain Mountebank, Jolly Jeremlalhsy the Plains Detective. Signal Sam nil é the Lockout Scout. *ypay Spy: or, The Mystery of Two Lives, e Sim, the Broncho Buster; or, For Big Stakes. erlat Sports or, The Mystified Detective, Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector. m, the Crose-Cut Detective, 1 Marmaduke, the Mustanger Detective, vi The ss ee of Rolling Stone, an Kent Kirby, the High-Kicker from Killbuck, The Doctor Detective in Texas. Two Showmen Detectives in Colorade /{ Joe, the Committee of One, ’ ‘647 Be Other Novels by E. L. Wheeter. 80 Rosebud Rob}; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Rosebud Rob on Wands; or, Idyl, the Girl Miner. 88 Rosebud Rob's apeppcarance: or, Photograph Phil. 121 Rosebud Rob’s Challenge; or, Cinnamon Chip. 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen; or, The Yankee’s Surround 281 Denver Doll’s Victory; or, Skull and Crossbones, 285 Denver Doll's Decoy 5 or. Little Bill’s Bonanza. 896 Denver Doll’s Drift; or. The Road Queen. 868 Yreku Jim, the Geld-Gatherer; or, The Life Lottery, 872 Yreka Jim's Prize; or, The Wolves of Wake-Up. 885 Yreka Jim's Joker; or, The Rivals of Red Nose. 889 Yreka Jim’s New Kole; or, Bicycle Ben. 604 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 20 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective; or, Dot Leetle Game, 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter 244 Sierra Sam, tho Frontier Ferret; or, A Sister's Devotion, 245 Sierra Sam's Seeret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 2558 Sierra Sam’s Pardy; or, The Afigel of Big Vista, 258 Sierra Sam’s Sevens or, The Stolen Bride. B84 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner, : 889 Kangaroo Kit™s Racket; or, The Pride of Played-Out, 89 Death-Fuce, Detective; or, Life in New York. 69 The Boy Detective; or, Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter, 96 Watch-Eye, the Detective; or, Arabs and Angels, 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 145 Captain Ferret, the New York Detective. 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Gir!l Det ctive. 226 The Arab Detective ; or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp, 201 Turk the Boy Ferret. $25 Kelley, Hickey & Co,, the Detectives of Philadelphia, 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Detective, 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective, 416 igh Hat Harry, the Base Bal! Detective, 426 Sam Slabaides, the Beggar-Boy Detective. 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Butfalo Demon: or, The Border Vultures, 82 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot. 45 Old Avalanche: or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Hill; or, The Red Rifle Team 92 Canada Chet ¢ or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. 118 Jack Hoyle the Young Speculator, . 125 Bonanza Will, Miner; or, Madam Mystery, the Forger. 188 Bons ob the King of Bootblacks, 141 Solid Sam, the Bov Road-Agent; or, The Branded Brows, 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Scamps. 181 Wild Frank the Buckskin Bravo; or. Lady Lily’s Love, 286 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado; or, Rowdy Kate, 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator; or, The Locked Valley. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; or. The Rival Heirs. 209 A No, 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 808 ’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or. the Iron-Nerved Sport. 880 Little Quick-Shot 3 or, The Dead Face of Daggeraville, 858 First-Class Fred, the Gent from Gopher. 878% Nabob Ned 3 or, The Secret of Slab City. B82 Cool Kit, the Kirg of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher; or, A Son's Vengeance. 486 Seulskin Sam, the Sparkler; or The Tribunal of Ten. BY J. ©. COWDRIOK, Broadway Billy Novels, Pprentice’ or, A Boy Without a Name, 424 Cibuta Johny or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bay, 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scouts 467 Diaco Dan, the Daisy Dude, 806 Redlight Ralph the Prince of the Road. 524 The Engineer Detective: or, Redlight Ralph’s Resolve 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective, 57! Alr-Line Luke the Young Engineer: or, The Donble Case 592 The Boy Pinkerton; or, Running the Rascals Out. 615 Fighting Warry the Chief of Chained Cyelone, 640 Rareback Reth, the Centanr of the Circle, serewrises Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. 659 Moonlight Morgan the “ Pizenest’? Man of Ante Bas. 894 Arizona Dick’s Wipe-Out, BY WILLIAM R, EYSTER, ee as 190 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Franky: or, Dandy Darke’* Go-Down Pardy, 818 The Hustler Rogue-Catcher. 88S Poker Pete’a Double Dodge, 851 The Tie-To Sport ; or, High Hustling at Sinners’ Flat, 888 Monte Saul, the Sport. c=: BY HAROLD PAYNY ri 848 Dan, the River Sports or, Foiling the “yisco Sharp 892 Bowery Ben in Chinatown, BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm. F. Cody) ~ 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy. t or, The Pilot of the Prairie. 55 Deadly-Eye. the Unknown Scout; or, The Banded Brotherhood Fe Border Robin Hoody or, The Prairle Rover. 58 Fancy Frank of Colorado, or, The Trapper’s Trust. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 889 New York Nat’s Deadly Deal, S88 New York Nat’s Crook-Chase. St? New York Nat’s Trump Card. 871 New York Nat and the Grave Ghouls, 865 New York Natv’« Masked Mascot, 859 New York Nat, the Gumin Detective. 858 Dick Doom’s Kidnapper Knock-Out. S47 Dick Doom’s Ten Strike. $42 Dick Doom’s Flush Hand, 7 Dick Doom’s Denth-Grip; or, The Detective by Destiny, T7T Dick Doom’s Destiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terror, 784 Dick Doom; or, the Sharps and Sharks of New York, 788 Dick Doom in Boston; or, A Man of Many Maske, 793 Dick Doom in Chicago. 798 Dick Doom in the Wild West. 808 Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep} or, Five Links in a Clue, 808 Dick Doom’s Death Clue. S18 Dick Doom’« Diamond Deal. 819 Dick Doom’s Girl Mascot, S29 Dick Doom’s Shadow Hunt. 885 Dick Doom’« Big Haul. 749 Dashing Charlie; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trail, 756 Dashing Charlic’s Destiny; or, The Renegade’s Captive. 760 Dashing Charlte’s Pawnee Pard,. 766 Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer. 497 Buck ‘Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 7T8T Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive. 748 Buck Taylor Boya; or, The Red Riders of the Rio Grande, 560 Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shadower. 718 Pawnee Bill; or, Carl, the Mad Cowboy. 719 Pawnee Bills Pledwe; or, The Cowboy's Doom, 725 Pawnee Bill; or, Daring Dick. 692 Redfern’s Curtous Cases o1, The Rival Sharps, 697 Redfern at Devil’a Ranch or, thn Sharp from Texas, TO2 Redtern’s High Hand; or, Blue Jacket. TOT Redfern’s Last. Trail; or, The Red Sombrero Rangers, 668 Red Ralph’s Ruse; or, The Buccaneer Miashipman, 674 Red Ralph’s Bold Game; or, The Wizard Sailor. 679 the Shadower; or, The Freebooter’s Legacy. Red Ralph 644 Butterfly Tilly's Disgulse. F 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Kxpreas Rider, 656 Butterfly Billy’s Man Hunt. Kutterfly Billy’s Bonanza. Kent Kingdon; or, The Ow!s of the Overland. Kent Kingdon’s Shadower} or, the Card Queen. Kent Kingdon’s Duel; or, The Surgeon Scout, Kent Kingdon’sa Doom} or, The Buckskin Avenger, Lafitte Run Downy} or, The Bownneers of Barratarla Lafitte’s Legacy; or. The Avenging Son. 555 Lalitte’« Confession or, The Creole Corsair, 520 Buckakin BAL, the Comanche Shadow, 525 The Buckskin Brothers in Texas, 580 The Buckskin Bowers; or. The Cowboy Pirates, 585 The Buckskin Rovers; or, Tae Prairie Fugitive. 640 The Buckskin Pardw#’ Quest; or, Captain Ku-Klex, 508 The Royal Middy; or, The Shark and we Sea Cat, 507 The Royal Middy’s Luck; or, The Huntea Midshipman, 531 The Royal Middy’s Foe, Wizard Will: -r, The Boy Ferret ot New York. . 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouta 474 Wizard Will's Pards or, Flora, the Flower Girl 488 Wizard Will's Last Case; or, The Ferrets Afloat. 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refagee. 488 Duncan Dare’s Plots or, A Cabin Boy’s Luck, 487 Duncan Dare’s Prize; or, The Sea Raider. 441 Duncan Dare’a Secret: or, The Ocean Firefly, the Young Conspirator; or, The Fatal Leages, 407 Isodor’s Double Biases or, The Boy Insurgent. 412 Isodor’s War-Cloud Cruise: or, The Wild Yachtaman, 216 Bison Bill, the Prince ot the Reina. 222 Bixon Bill's Clue; or. Grit, the Bravo Sport, 804 Dead Shot Dandy’s Dilemma, 808 Dead Shot Dandy’s Double; or, Keno Kit, 814 Dead Shot Dandy’s Defiance or, The Boy Bugler. 607 Dead Shot Dandy’s Chicf; or, The River Detective, 245 Merle Monte’« Leap for Life. 250 Merle qoutes Mutiny ¢ or, Brandt, the Buccaneer, 264 Merle Monte’s Treasure Teland, 261 Merle Monte the Condemned, 276 Merle Monte’s Crulae; or, “ The Gold Ship” Chase, 250 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, The Pirate’s Pride. 284 Merle Monte’s Pledge: or. The Sea Marauder. 197 The Kid Glove Sport; or, Little Grit, the Wild Rider, 204 The Kid Glove Sport’s Doom; or, Buffalo Bill, the Pony Express Rider. 885 Dend-Shot Ralph‘« Ten-Strike. 867 Dead Shot Kalph’s FoR. 878 Deck-Hawk Roy’s Mis coop. 825 Marlo, the Cowboy Coaster, 781 Ruth Redmond, the Gir) Shadower, 686 Orlan the Ocean Flag. 617 Ralob, the Dend-Shot Scout, 60 e Vagabond of the Mines. 59T The Texan Detective; or, The Black Bravos, 591 Delmonte, the Young Sea-Rover; or, The Avenging Sallon 680 The Outcast Cadets or, The False Detective, 495 Arizona Joe or, The Boy Pard of Texas Jack, 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Conster; or, Pirate in Spite. 462 The Sailor Boy Wanderer; or, The Born Guide, 446 Waphazard Harry ; or, The Sea Scapegrace. 898 The Red Clasped Wands; or, The Boy Lieutenant, BST Warpath Will. the Traitor Guide. B88 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island, 877 Bonodel, the Buy Rover; or, The Flagless Schooner. 2R7 Billy Blue-Eyes, of the Rio Grande. 287 Lone &tar, the Cowboy Captain. 229 Crimaon Kate, the Girl Trailer; or, The Cowboy’s Triumph. 116 The Hussar Captain: or, The Hermit of Hell Gate. 111 The Sea-Devil ; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. , 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Smnggier , or, The Cruise of the Vixen, 75 The Boy Dneli«t; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Woll, 62 The Shadow Ship: or, The Riva) Lieutenants. 24 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone. 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer; or, The Fugitive Yacht, @ The Flying Yankees or, The Ocean Outcast, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 896 New York Nat in Gold Nugget Camp; or, The Wild All-Around Sport. By Coi. P. Ingraham. 897 Davy Deon’s Big Bounce; or, Nickel Nell, the Boy’ Spotter’s Mascot. By T, C, Harbaugh. 898 Deadwood Dick, Jr,’s, Double Drive; or, The Riva} Mayors of Hardecrabble. By Edward L. Wheeler, 899 Basement Bert, the Boy Cobbler Detective. By Jo Pierce, 900 Jumping Jack’s Jubilee; or, The Circus Queen's Shadower. By J, C. Cowdrick. 901 Diamond Daye, the Gilt-Edge Shooters or, Daddy Grimes’ Deadly Grip. By Wm. R. Eyster. A New Issue Every Tuesday, The Half.Dime Library is for sale by all newsdealers, fivo Gents por copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, | XW _—=s« 198 William Street, New York, |