Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 903) (1894 11 13)
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ae | A i | mT Entered as Second Class Matter rn D ADAMS. Price, No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK, 5 cents. A Ei HA Go! ET's FER LIFE OR DEATH!” AND THE DODGER STRUCK OUT BOLDLY, ON THE LEAD, tahini INE) Tinka taf octet. ayes Oey ~
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2 —— i Billy Blue Blazes, THE DODGER OF THE DOCKS ; OR, THE DOUBLE DETECTIVE, BY BEN D, HALLIDAY, SUTHOR OF ‘‘ BASEMENT BERT,” ‘‘ GOOD-FOR- NOTHING JERRY,” ‘‘ CITIZEN RUBE,” ETO., ETC, \ CHAPTER I. THE FIERY ORDEAL, Tux North River was shrouded in darkness, and the piers were silent after the rush of the day. The long line of lights, which looked pale and feeble, marked the water front, and seemed to twinkle and wink in a friendly way to the big ferry-boats that were ranging between the New York and Jersey shores in their peculiarly m way. On West street a young man stoodand ooxed ge car toward the west, where the grand old river lay with its agreeable) and impressive picture, * Allquiet to-night!” he murmured. ‘‘ Reckon there is no fun ahead,” This person who sighed for “ fuh” was not the most handsome-looking citizen of New York. He seemed to have a very short, urshapely fig- ure, though much of this appearance might have been due to the clothes he wore. They had no particular style, and made him have no shape except breadth, with fough outlines where there should have been none. On his head was a hee battered soft hat, and around this, and through holes in the top there- of, his black hair stuck out in wild disorder. His face was dark from sunburn, or some other cause, yet was so profusely freckled a: seem to have a novel species of tattooing upon it, He did not look vicicus, but, when one noticed the merry twinkle in his eyes, appeared like one who had said good-by to system, and gloried in Leing the gamin galore, His age apparently was not much less than eighteen years. @ was about to move on when his manner suddenly grew more alert, ‘*Smoke!” he exclaimed, ‘‘ and where there’s smoke Jike that there’s dead sure fire,” He looked around critically, but all the build- ings within sight seemed to be in their normal condition. No gleam of light or rising wreath of smoke told that flrewasat work. ‘*May be only a natural blaze,” he added, ‘but I aim’t so sure of that. I’ll watch. No- body wants to be burned out, to-night, and I'll reconnoiter a bit, Maybe Billy Blue Blazes can ore as well as Dodger of the Docks, I’ll see In order to have a better view of the structures that lined the east side of the street he set out to cross the thoroughfare, but, as he did so, his hae a were abruptly and startlingly con- rmed, From one of the docks a sheet of flame leaped up like a maddened creature seeking its prey, and the bright light vividly revealed the form of a vessel. Then came aroar which indicated that the fire already was well under way, although it had just burst forth, _‘* Hil here’s the dickens to pay!” cried the Dock Dodger. ‘‘Not a stir on the craft! Is ibid aaa away, or are they still asleep, be- ow?! ‘ He ran out on the pier, and caw at a glance ‘how basin the fire-fiend had ¢linched his hold. Starting below, the flames had been con- fined in the hold until their own fury had burst a way through the deck or hatches, and liber- uted the hot pillar that was now playing on the darkness in yellow and red. _ ‘*A big three-master, and gone to glory!” was Billy’s expressive comment. ‘‘ Where are the snoozers who run ber?” . While he was considering this point a faint ery arose from the water, and he bent forward eagerly, The light now leaped so high that the water Meet ta ree hi oe eget and it was 2908 to get explanation of thecry. — Billy Blue Blazes cane struggle for life going on. He saw three persons, one of whom was a ‘megro, and upon whom devolved great respon- sibility, A woman anda child were in his care, _ and he was struggling desperately to save them, Billy Blue Blazes. but against great odds, Neither was as quiet as the emergency demanded, and the strong tide added to his great task. His big, white eyes rolled Beco with an almost perio gaze, but his at sight of Billy. ** Help!” he called. drownded!” : The appeal was unnecessary. Already the Dodger of the Docks was casting off his coat, He heard some one on West street sounding the alarm-cry of ‘‘ Fire!” ina loud voice, but that was not help at that critical moment, “T feel a good bit stronger. Four, eieven, ey, Sic aad ine ** Bully fer you, Dark!” ‘“My name is G, Washington Calhoun, com- ace lighted up | monly called Wash.” ‘* All right, Wash; I ted you was a per- suspec “‘ Help us, or we'll all be | son of quality. Now, le’s git up onthe pier. I see a ladder above, an’ I’ll simply tumble up, let ’er down, hustle you all ter higher regions, an’ then we'll kinder spread ourselves an’ warble ‘Marchin’ Through Georgia.’ See?” George Washington was not sure he did see, fully, but the leading idea commended itself to Free from his coat and shoes, he dropped off | his judgment, and, when he approved of it, it of the pier and was soon beside the imperiled | was carried out, All ascended trio, “Take de boy!” requested the negro, pant- ingly. Billy swung his arms around the child, who was about eight years old. ‘‘Brace up, old chap!” the rescuer directed, addressing the colored man, ‘‘ Jest keep afloat awhile longer, and folks will be on the pier safety to the pier. By that time several engines were playing on fire, do schooner is a gone goose!” Billy de- clared, ‘¢ Yes, sah, suah!” . ake nobody wa’'n’t burned up?” ‘¢ Nobody wa’n’t; we-uns was the only pus- who'll pull us out like so many shad, Ketch | sons aboard.” “*Can’t do it!” protested the negro, ‘ y strength am all gone, an’ Ill be gone myself, suah, ef we doan’ land pretty soon, Pick de | m best chaince, an’ let it be done quick, boss,” ‘Can you swim ter the other pier?” ‘*T guesses I can,” “Do it, then. Tbar’s better chance fer land- ‘¢ Wal, this ain’t a very healthy place fer folks that is drenched an’ drippin’, fer the breeze from Communipaw is cuttin’ the clover down all over hide; so le’s git a move onan’ go ter yer friends, I reckon the cap’n o’ the schooner will take keer o’ you, an’ I’ll hunt him up fer ou. The rescued woman had been sitting with the in’ there, an’ it’s gettin’ hotter than a perlitikel boy in her arms, caressing his damp curls, but debate bere. Strike out, Sambo, an’ we'll soon | she suddenly aroused to life. be beside Jonah, on dry land. Get a wiggle on, quick!” The plan was well conceived, but Billy had failed to take one thing into consideration, they turned the point of the caugbt by a current so swift that the ancbeays, § wearied negro was unable to resist its force, It As | know of us. pier they were | pity on us, and don’t betray us to him. Don’t, ‘* No, no!” she exclaimed. ** Nod” any, echoed, ** Don’t doit, don’t! Don’t let him see us, or Let him think we are dead. Have don't !” This appeal was made with vehemence, and grasped him; it bore him down-stream like a | wildly, and she clasped her hands nervously. feather. Billy was not in trim to check this movement. His own burden was solid, but not so heavy but Billy was astonished, but equal to the emer- ON, . i ‘** Nothin’ sha’n’t be done to worry you, mum, the rescuer could have managed it all right if | But, be you sure you're on the right track? Ef the small boy had kept quiet, This he did not do, but, in his alarm, kicked oni pirasaee in a most discouraging way. Mnally, Billy saw there was bound to be a tragedy unless he averted it ay Swing- ing one of his arms around the small boy, he pinioned the latter’s arms firmly, and then made a spurt and got directly in the negro’s path, ou b’long on tha schooner you must hev some riend there.” ‘*T have none, none!” ‘* But the captain—” ‘“My bitterest foe! Let him think me dead!” ‘* Mebbe he was burnt up?” ‘*He? Rest assured he was not, but that is the fate he worked out for us. He set fire to y the force of his own weight and exertions | the schooner in order to burn me and my child he checked the man’s progress and hurriedly directed: _ , ‘*Now tor the pier! Make a bold push for it. Mister Dark! Kf youget a wiggle on you'll git there; ef you don’t, Davy Jones will close his locker on ye. Now, go! Et’s fer life or death!” and the Dodger struck out boldly, on the lead, _ The warning was not in vain; the colored man put forth all kis strength, and Billy was of such great help to him that they gradually neared | su e pier, There, chance favored them. A small boat, alive!” . Again she cl the boy in her arms, while Billy at her in amazement, Such an atroci iy as this was enough to chill any honest rsoy’s blood, Then a doubt came to him. as there va, tit for the belief, or was she in a oe condition on account of her late pe He prob’ly has misused you in the past,” he . ‘ n evidently belonging to a vessel lying at the pier, | himnow?” — wasin the right place, and after a little all were win agro, spy ay al and. gue The ne a an had neath ated of eafrocstion batons ce _ Fiv’s all true, sah,” declared Wash Calhoun, ‘* When I woke up de wessel was all on fiah, an’ . He} desmoke an’ flames playin’ tag ‘round de hold gout | ob de wessel. I roused up rs. Rawlins an’ of the vessel, and was not fit for the gallant fight | Leslie quick, an’ told dem it was all right; we he had made, later. Therescued woman clasped could jest walk out dat easy. But de walkin’ the boy in her arms and began to murmur.words | didn’t prove so scrumptious ez I’s eiegeama sah 1 oun to which Billy gave no attention, ‘He stood up and gazed upon the burning schooner, } It was now a vast sheet of flame which roared | an’ when we-uns got to de companionway we we’sshutin. Yes, sah; de wessel had been sot afire, an’ den closed up like a coffin, air-tight; n ere we was wid de w escape cut off, ay of and mounted high in the air, reddeniyg the | Golly, but didn’t I work! They had took awa ‘piers, buildings and water around it. were clattering up, and the police were gather- ing in on the run, : As for the vessel, beside which they now were, no one was to be seen on board, and the Dodger Engines | all things I's likely ter use dat th ‘knowed of, but J knew of an ax they didn’t find; an’ de way I went fer dat door an’ slide was a caution ter South Cah’liny flies in molasses time! I bu’sted down de whole business, put I’s done tellin’ you correctly judged that whoever had been there a | dat only fer dat ax, overlooked by dem rascals, few minutes before had gone to the other pier we'd all been burnt up alive, on purpose!” ‘to help at the fire. ‘* Right smart blaze!” Billy commented, speak- ing in a liar voice he had not used when alone on West street, but had assumed prompt- ly when with others, , ‘* Four, eléven, negro. “Hey? Wi'ot’s that?” . ., “Bs tryin’ ter bring back my strength.” Wwe An ‘They’re a mascot to acolored gent, but a hoodoo ter white folks.” Hl ‘All right; glad you spoke of it. I’ll never | around nervously, use ‘four, eleven, forty-four’ ter git my muscle ws at g time! D’ye get a Samson wiggle on, mister? forty-four!” murmured the |, will the policy numbers do ; Harlem fleas! ‘You don’t say so!” ‘Tt is true,” Mrs, Rawlins corroborated. ‘“* But the captain—” Ms <n is the guilty one!—my wicked bro- er ** The cap’n yer brother, an’ tried ter burn ye upin the schooner! Mightyation!” : od ie part a as Billy was in city life, he stood appalled at the idea of such an atrocious crime. | _ CHAPTER II. THE CAPTAIN OF THE SCHOONER, Tux rescued woman shivered and looked *< Don’t speak so loud,” she requested. ‘*Some- body might overhear you.” _ “Wal, b’gosh! ef things are as you say, £ { oO. M ‘‘Then ain’t you an artom hasty ter accuse ~
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«a! ‘ ) a ‘eT ee by 7 en should s’pose you’d want ’em ter hear!” declared Billy Blue Blouds “Why, I'd hev the cap’n yanked inter perleece hock, first cif. Ain’t you goin’ ter accuse him?” “ No.” ‘* Harlem fleas! you don’t say so!” “*T want a promise from you,” continued Mrs, Rawlins, quickly. ‘‘I judge by the fierceness of the fire that the fine vessel will be burned to the water’s edge. It will be hard to tell whether any one lost life there, Captain Beebe will sup- pose us burned to death, which is just what I wish him to think. Promise me to keep the fact of my escape a secret. It is really very impor- tant.” She spoke earnestly, excitedly. ** Why?” asked Billy, as if in perplexity what to say or do, **T want him to think his terrible plot has succeeded, [I shall not be safe unless he believes medead, No one but us knows of our egcape, Let it be so; let me go toa refuge, and be the same as dead to Simon Beebe,” ‘Them is my sentiments,” Wash Calhoun de- clared. ‘‘I’d ruther be dead by make-believe than dead in earnest. See, you-’uns? Good scheme, We'll jest vanishment from de cap’n’s optikel vision an’ hide in a secretion place. Dis n geah ain’t no jabberin’ ijjit, you bet!” lly was silent. There were certain weighty reasons why he was reluctant to let matters rest after such a crime had been committed, and his companions were asking more of him than they knew. But when Mrs, Rawlins continued the argument, he gave way. ae * All right, mum; et shall be jest as you say. Thisis your funeral—I mean, it’s your jubilee, an’ w’at you say goes. But you'll ketch pneu- monia an’ catarrh ef you stay here in the Jersey breezes. Whar be you goin?” ** Wheré, indeed?” she sighed, “S’pose [ might git you a place down on West T'wenty-seventh street, ef you don’t mind colored gents a-playin’ policy;” observed Wash, doubtfully. ‘* Ain’t you any pussonal friends, mum?” Billy asked, ‘* No; none that I dare appeal to now.” ‘¢ Wal, I’ll find kiver fer you, fer a few hours, anyhow. You want ter slide out o’ them wet clothes quicker’n a rat kin squeal. Come with The invitation was very agreeable, and the trio followed where Billyled, Their course took them somewhat nearer to the fire. But the guide kept well away from the crowd, and, after going a few blocks, brought up at a hum- ble building, the basement of which was used as - coal-shop, At the entrance was this unique gn: “OLD KING COAL, “A Merry Oxp Sout, “ SELLS Furi, Facots anp Frrewoop ‘* For Cash. ** COAL!” The coal emporium was now closed, but Billy pulled the bell of the front door, and a woman made her appearance, This was Mrs. John Jones, wife of the eccentric merchant who term- ed himself Old King Coal, ; Mrs, Jones was & woman of few words, but when she was informed that the callers wished ‘to see her husband, Billy, being an old acquaint- ance, was directed to lead the way up. All this was a form. Billy had a key to the house, and always came and went when he pleased, but, néw, it did not please him to take in out- siders too freely. ¥ John Jones, otherwise Old King Coal, was in his room, a little, weather-beaten old man, whose most noticeable \ ane oes was a pair of eye- brows of tremendous size. ** Old Coal,” remarked Billy, ‘‘I have brought you company.” ** Mermaids, right out o’ the sea?” demanded Mr, Jones looking at the dripping quartette, ‘* Folks jest barely saved from drownin’?’ he By Andrew Jackson! you don’t say so!” ‘* Yes; and the question is, Can you give them shelter fer awhile?” ** Kin I? W’ot dol live fer! W’ot do I sell coals fer? Wot isthis housen madefer? Folks, I'm glad ter see yer! Toddle terseats. Fall in- ter chairs! Tumble onter the floor! Hang yer- selves up on nails! Do anything ter becomfort- able. Them is the sentiments of Old King Coal, an’ he’s a jolly old soul. But, bless my best dia- monds! you'll git the roomatiz an’ chicken-pox in them wetclothes. Wife, wife, hustle an’ git dry garments. Bring male garments fer the ' males, an’ female garments fer the females; an’ \ Billy Blue Blazes, don’t git the two mixed up, or we'll never be able ter tell one from the other. Hump yer- selves, folks, an’ git inter dry raiment!” Old —— Coal had a high-pitched, cracked voice, and likewise a kind heart. He took an interest in these persons without even knowing their cause or their names, even as his benevolent heart and jolly disposition led him to take an interest in all needy persons, Billy’s thoughts were more practical, and while Mrs, Jones made preparations to get’ the new- comers-more comfortably clad, he came down to business and obtained Old King Coal’s per- mission to let them all remain over night. Then he left the house, **Great boy, that!” the old fellow commented. ‘Billy Blue Blazes is his name—a name out o’ the common, but jest as good as mine. The Dodger of the Docks, they call him, fer he makes ita p'int ter be around the docks an’ see w’ot is goin’ on—what for, this here rescue shows.” In the mean while Billy was making his way back to the scene of the fire. When he arrived he found that the schooner had been liberally drenched from both street and river, and the fire was under control, but the headway it had gained in the hold, before it burst forth and before help came had settled the fate of the fine craft. It now wasa mere wreck, and never would float on the water again in trade, He mixed with the crowd and listened to hear what was said. No one was present who knew much about the doomed vessel, and there was no one to answer the question, Had any lives been lost? Billy was curious to see the captain of the craft, and he waited a long while, but Beebe did not come, nor did any one who had especial interest in the matter, Giving it up at last, the Dodger went back to Old King Coal’s house, Using his key, he admitted himself, and went to a room which he regularly hired, and proceeded to make a change in his appearance, It was a great and radical change! When he had put his old, coarse clothes aside he washed his face, using not only water, but some liquid from a bottle, and the sunburn and freckles disappeared as if by magic. Then he combed his long hair, and the locks which had before stood out so wildly and erratically were Pat Ha place as neatly as those of a Broadway clerk, Next, he donned a suit of clothes which were neat, somewhat expensive, and fashionable, and the work was done. Truly, it was a great change, In place of the Billy Blue Blazes of the docks was a neat, well-dressed, stylish-looking youth of eighteen who did not in the least resemble Billy. In every way he was like the Broadway clerk before referred to. : Even in weight there a to be a vast change. In the clothes of Billy Blue Blazes he was broad and er hag om , Simply because those clothes wereill-fitting and too large for him. Now he was slender in build, and seemed never to have known poverty or hard work, He had another talk with King Coal, and then left the house. He took the Elevated Road, went up-town as far as West Thirteenth street, and there passed the night. In the morning he breakfasted with stylish- looking people af a late hour, and then went down-town and sought a business office, It was that leased by one Azro Harker, who was a detective connected with. the Pinkerton Agency. illy entered. Mr. Harker nodded t6 him, and he answered in the same way. Mr. Harker had a visitor, and this man paused and looked at the new-comer, : ‘* An assistant of mine, named Will Archer,” Harker explained. ‘‘ Go on, captain!” ‘*The long and short of it is,” explained the captain, ‘‘ 1 want the guilty person hunted down and punished, if the fire really was set, Seems to me it must have been accidental, but the fire- men have other ideas. It don’t do to dally in such cases, and I am ready to pay you well for looking into it, It is an awful calamity, at the least. You don’t know how I am stabbed tothe heart, sir! My sister and her child were my only relatives, and now they are gone, And by such an awful fate! Pardon me if I seem weak, sir, but 1 am pierced to the heart!” Tears had mn rolling down the speaker's face, and he now broke out in sobs and wept like a child, ‘*T know, I know, Captain Beebe!” murmured Harker, in patie pity. Billy had sat down at a desk and was busy with some letters which his employer had opened and left for future use, jbut he had not failed to ee 3 hear all that was said. He now ceased work and gazed at Captain Beebe. If the latter’s name had not been a sufficient guide, bis words would have settled the one im- phen fact—this man was the captain of the ost schooner, and brother of Mrs, Rawlins! But, when the Sp: sae wept, a unique feature was introduced to the case, The weeping was unique, also, It was the first time Billy had seen anything of the kind, but he might have looked long without finding any one who could eclipse Captain Beebe in that line. The sailor had tremendous chest-capacity, and his sobs were like turbulent thunder on a small scale, as it were. There seemed to be danger that he would draw his big boots up through his lungs when that natural bellows got a little more under way. He was a man of fifty years, with two hun- dred pounds of flesh, bone and muscle. He was atypical sailor in certain ways, though Billy rarely had seen one so rough of exterior. Shaggy asasheep was this rover of the deep, and brnsh and comb evidently knew him but seldom. Yet his appearance was not brutal, and as Billy saw him weep so profusely and heard those deep sobs, he could but ask himself if Mrs, Raw- lins really was right in her estimate, Had this free weeper tried to kill his own sister a means of a plot as foul as any in all New ork’s list of hideous crimes? And had he done wisely in promising not to tell of her rescue? While he was thus meditating Captain Beebe began to recover his composure, CHAPTER II, MYSTERY ON THE PIER, BRUSHING away his tears and blowing his nose like a trumpet, the captain sadly re- marked: ‘* 1 gm a heart-broken man, and shall sail the seanomore. I think I shall go into hermitage and never mix with men again, But before I do it, sir, I want to know how the Smilin Sarah got on fire, If the blaze was set, sir will devote my whole life to hunting down the guilty wretches!” ‘*'Your case shall receive my immediate at- tention, Captain Beebe,” said Azro, ‘There are few detectives that I stand aside for, if I do say it, and | shall get at the bottom of the mys- tery, I Sty ag ** Do it, sir, and T will gladly pay you the sum you mention. ‘Oh, my poor sister!’ Simon groaned aloud, and a few more tears coursed down his cheeks, but he did not remain. Urging the detective to use all possible dili- gence he departed, and they heard him groan again in the hall. ‘* A grievous case, Will,” remarked Mr. Hark- er, ‘** He was captain of the schooner Smiling Sarah, which was burned in a North River dock last night, and his sister and her child and a colored os — strict on it. bh rc are vague suspicions of incéndiarism—poss un- founded-abd Iam to investigate for him,” ‘““He appears, to be a very demonstrative man,” young Archer suggested. No doubt he loved his sister deeply.” ** Very likely, sir.” ‘*T may want you on the case. By the way, what do you do with yourself when not working for me?” ‘*Oh! I drift around generally, sir. As I may become a genuine detective, some time, it be- hooves me to know every nook and corner of New York that I can,” ‘**That’s right, Will, letters,” Azro Harker regarded himself as an expert detective, but for penmanship, spelling and composition he had no time, he claimed. It ave him ‘‘ tone” to keep a secretary, For the ast year he had employed Will Archer to come to the office every forenoon and assist him in that line, and as the young man was intelligent and quick-witted, he occasionally gave hit lit- tle commissions outside, to assist him in detect- ive work. The employer thought he knew the em- ployee well, but right there he made a great mistake. By going to the hired room in Old King Coal’s humble house Will trequentiy transformed him- self, and became a so different that Harker often met him without recognition. Transformetl, he was Billy Blue Blazes, the Dodger of the Docks, a creation unique enough even for Old King Coal’s society. | Will had answered truthfully when Azro ask- Now, let us get at the
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Fad 4 tah 0 e 4 as & Billy Blue Blazes. ed how he occupied his spare time, but had told only a very small part of the facts, and Azro was none the wiser. The detective’s mail never was heavy, but it often required considerable care. On this morn- ing it wus soon disposed of, and the two left the office. Will was still perplexed in regard to Captain Beebe, Either that man had been greatly wronged by his sister’s verdict, or else he was not only a scoundrel, but a most artful hypocrite. Those sobs of miniature thunder haunted the oung double-character detective, and, as arker had no use for him then, be returned to Old King Coal’s and metamorphosed himself once more, ; As Billy Blue Blazes he entered Mrs, Rawlins’s presence. She and her boy ‘vere not much the worse for their bath in the North River, and both were very grateful to him, He was earnestly thanked for all he had done, ‘* Wal, w’ot’s yer yrogramme, now?” he asked, in the dialect of the Dodger of the Docks, ‘‘ Go- in’ home?” ‘* We have no home,” the widow sighed. “Do you still reckon Cap Beebe is so bad?’ “*T know it! oh, I know it!” she wailed. ** An’ he yer brother?” ** Yes, my brother.” ** Why should he want ter cremate yer?” ** Please excuse me if I do not explain.” ‘““Why, cert, ef ye say so, though I'd like amazin’ ter know why all this has been dono, I’ve jest seen Cap Beebe.” Mrs. Rawlins clasped her hands in alarm, **Ig he looking for me?” **He thinks you’re dead,” ** Thank Heaven!” ** An’ he cried like a baby, an’ sobbed so he pulled the tacks all out o’ the office carpet.” “The hy pocrite—the artful villain!’ **Don’t you think he felt so bad as he pre- tended?” ‘I know he did not, His sobs and tears might deceive a stranger, but they are nothing new to me. It always bee1) his way to make a pre- tense of having a tender heart, and he invari- ably sheds tears freely when he has a point to gain. He is a heartless, soulless man!” ‘* Harlem fleas! you don’t say so!” ‘*Give no heed to his tears; he is most dan- p mab when he weeps, He istreacherous and itful. He is an accomplished. dissembler and, I repeat—a very dangerous man.” This reiteration was made with a manner of such sincerity that Billy could no longer doubt that Simon be was just what was charged Sgeives him. Me let that point rest, but ex- oar that the mariner had bired a detective learn who had burned the schooner, ‘“* Tf so, he set the fire himself,” the widow de- clared, ‘ This Jast move 1s a mere ruse of his, He would not dare to make it if he had taken any one into his confidenve. Not only did he ote to burn us alive, but it was his own hand that started the blaze,” ‘** Had he cause ter hate ye?” ““No, no; I never did him harm, It is only his own evil heart and Wis eg purposes.” ‘* But there was a motive?” ‘*T prefer not to speak of that,” . The widow was a mild woman, and she reé- tained her patience fully under this questioning, but Billy felt that it would be folly to urge her further then, She either would not, or dared not, explain more, ‘So the Dodger abandoned the attempt and left the house, but that did not mean that he had abandoned the case;—quite the contrary! He went down to the dock again, to see the schooner. There was but little left to suggest what a craft she had been. The fire was all out; the firemen had gone, and the next step was action to clear the ruin away. No bodies had yet been found inside. Earlier in the day there had been a crowd at the pier to see tho sight, but the number of curiosity-seekers had fallen off as the tea foc of the day arrived, and a line of policemen kept k the few who came, Billy was not subject to the same restrictions, All policemen aloag West street knew the sup- vagabond of the docks, and liked him for is good humor; and now, when Billy saw Cap- tain Beebe on the pier and expressed a wish to join him, one of the officers playfully poked him in the ribs with his club and exclaimed: *Get along, you hoodlum! #You’ll never be shut out of any place but an honest men’s con- vention!” “Sure, and yow'll not be there to shut me out!” retorted Billy, with a grimace, as he / $ eas RM ae TEL Ie ial 4 ai past the blue-coat and advanced toward eede, The patrolman looked after him thoughtfully. ‘‘if that boy had a level head, instead of a rattle-pate, he would make a glorious deteetive, I never saw such an imp for poking his nose into everybody’s business.” Billy approached Captain Simon, who was at intervals groaning dismally. ‘* Hullo, mister!” quoth the Double Detective. ‘You seem ter be in mortal pain. Got an acke in yer stomach?” Simon regarded him tearfully. ‘* The ache is in my heart,” ‘* Better hev it pulled!” ** Boy, make not light of distress,” ‘*Nary time! W7’ot’s up, though?” ‘*My poor sister and her child were burned here last night.” And he pointed to the ruin, ‘* Harlem fleas! you don’t say so! Who is heir to their bonds an’ cash?” The captain had been looking at the blackened heap, but he turned suddenly at the question and looked hara at Billy. The happy-go-lucky face reassured him, if he had any suspicions, and he replied: ““Speak not of such matters at the hour of death,” ‘* Kinder hurts yer feelin’s,eh? Allright; I’m mum. But here comes a two-legged man, Is he one 0’ yer crew? Has kind of a sailor-like cut 0’ **T don’t know him,” Over the Pipe with a long, free step, came a roughly-clad, bewhiskered, bronzed-taced man, who seemed to be about forty years old. As soon as Billy saw him fairly and read his ex- pression, it became evident to him that the new- comer was not there on any trivial errard, ‘*He’s on the war-path, sure pop!” Billy at once decided, a prophecy that proved correct, for the stranger walked up to Captain Beebe, seized him by the arm, and turned him violently about until bis face was toward the wreck. Then the new-comer’s free hand was extended, the index-finger pointing at the schooner, ‘** Look at your work!” he exclaimed, in an in- tense voice. Simon was startled ; he struggled, but in vain, ‘* Let go my arm, sir!” be blustered, ‘* Never at the ruin; the sepulcher of a good woman and her cbild!” ‘* What is that to you?” ‘* What is it to any honest man?” **Ts that what you claim to be?” sneered the mariner, no longer thinking of weeping. ‘‘ And whoare you, anyhow?’ f ‘*T am Dave Doyle, of Nova Scotia.” ‘*Then. you’d better go back there, at once, You will get your head broken if you molest men in New York. Let go my arm, or I’)] throw you into the dock!” ‘* No you won’t, Simon Beebe, for you are not man enough to do it. I have measured you, and you may as well know the truth. I am the better man, every way. Offer an act of vio- lence, and I will chastise you as I would a mad dog!” fi was Lave oN ag of Nova Scotia, that was furnishing the violence now, and he was doing it so earnestly that Billy gazed at him with wide- open eyes and mouth, A very turbulent fellow, this bewhiskered per- son from the Province seemed to be, and he shook the bulky mariner in a way which made the latter’s face grow red, ‘You are crazy as a March hare!” Beebe ejaculated. , ‘Better that than to have such a monument to my deeds lying by a pier of New York. Look again, Simon Beebe; see the black waste before you, and remember what it was before you did your foul work last night.” “What do you mean, sir?’ Beebe retorted, angrily, but with fear manifest through the de- flant surface. ““ Why did you send all your crew away last night? Why were the doomed persons the only living creatures on board the schooner when the fire started? Why—” ‘* My crew asked for leave of absence, as they often did, and, as usual, I granted it. What of as io do you mean to insinuate, scoun- e Before Dave Doyle could answer, the sound of horses’ hoof-strokes on the pier caused all to look that way, and down toward them came a stylish turnout, with a uniformed driver on the box and two ladies inside, The driver halted by the group already there. ** Perdition!” Billy heard Beebe mutter, under ‘his breath, nd your arm! Look there! Look |. ment, iy \ The elderly lady was busy with Helen Kast- | os One of the ladies drew Billy’s attention. She was young and beautiful, and in her face there was a threatening, accusing something, vague, but distinctly felt, which warned him of more trouble to follow. The mariner showed a disposition to shrink from the steadfast gaze she fixed upon him, but there was no escape. rf Captain Beebe,” she cried, ‘‘ where is your sister? There was a visible struggle on his part, for his face betrayed his mind, but the control of years stood by him even then, when he could get his hand on the wheel, figuratively speak- ing. fis face grew sad, and he returned: | ‘Haven't you heard the terrible news, Miss: Eastman?” ‘* Is it true?” ** Only too true!” mr ‘* And Mrs. Rawlins perished in that place?” ‘She did. Oh, my poor sister!” Big tears rolled down Simon’s face, and Billy expected him to break out in his thunder-sobs, but the young lady nipped the demonstration ip the bud. ‘*T don’t believe it!” she cried. ‘¢ Tt is only too true,” ‘* Simon Beebe, don’t think you can deceive — me! Iam not so ignorant of your ways that f cannot grasp the meaning of allthis, [ say itis a trick on your part. You think you can de- ceive every one and 1 wm your ends, but the gare eit not work. I brand yourstatement as. alse! Vehemently making this accusation, she turned to Doyle. ; ‘*Sir, are you one of Beebe’s sailors?” she added. Dave’s bronzed face grew redder, and he turned partly away. ‘¢ No, ma’am; I’m from Nova Scotia,” he re- plied awkwardly, A quick change appeared in the lady’s face; shé looked at Doyle in startled wonder ; she par- tially started up from the seat, and then sunk back, gasped, and fainted dead away. CHAPTER IV, THE DOWNFALL OF A CITIZEN, Bitty BLUE BLAZES saw all, heard all that occurred, but the events crowded after each other so rapidly that he had no time to analyze them, even if analysis would have availed any- thing. The greatest surprise of all was when Miss Eastman fainted. lt was so sudden, so unex- pected, so unexplainable, that Billy was sim ly dumfounded. She was a strong, health girl | and anything of the kind was not to be loo for. Why had she fainted? He could not surmise. But Dave Doyle, of Nova Scotia, took a quick step toward the carriage, as if to assist her— then pre short, hands fell idle to his. side; he looked, but was a passive spectator, The second lady in the carriage regarded Miss Eastman in dismay for a few seconds, but soon rallied. She had not the strong nerves of her younger companion, and usually carried a restorative for smelling purposes, and acted the — invalid, In this case she rose superior to her — weakness; it was Helen who was afflicted—she |) must be the staff of (ie Jeo Whe She whisked out the hartshorn bottle and ap- lied it to the young lady’s nostrils, 3 ” Captain Simon yroeied shrugged his shoul- ders, : wa ‘« What will she do next?” he muttered, Me ‘¢ Punish you!” retorted the elderly lady. ( ‘*She had better look to herself. I always — knew she had the devil’s own temper; now, it — seems it is getting the better of her, Spite val ugliness, temper and malevolence have brought: Ma on a stroke of apoplexy!” me ** Wretch!” . “f *¢ An old maid’s opinion!” “ ‘‘Better that than an old bachelor’s evil | thoughts. Anold maid may be goodfor some-~ thing—a bachelor is sure to be goodfor nothing = that is good!” ; ie my ‘“‘Brayvo fer Bi mum!” exclaimed Billy Blue Blazes. ‘* You got in a sockdolager right ) between bis eyes, then, an’ I'll bet he won't come up fer the next round, Time,Simon!” ie ye pt Brenad page A bap em sven : e, of Nova Scotia, quietly gettin < fehes the vicinity. The irrepressible Shodgertl was tempted to follow in order to know moreot = him, but decided to remain there for the mo- | | wise Ag ae XY q Js ne Benes lin wey te) Sa bana
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ail rata? Be res 8 a SA pe MUN a A a a eh | te eemmeaemamemmannieel Sa ne ee 1s WR ound yA rh im 4 ey , . y OT I I ES MC NR I RTT RT RP NT SEMI NITE ae -~ ‘man, while the captain looked onsullenly andill -at ease, Billy sidled up to him. ' “Say, Simon, they’re kinder jumpin’ on yer neck, ain’t they?” he murmured, ‘*T am a wronged man.” _ . T suspected it, b’mighty.” , ee ‘No one can rightly accuse me of doing ht saeco ae “ Give us yer claw, Simon! ‘Youropinion an’ Bil 46 ‘mine run in the same channel, like car-hosses on u eater: But there’s an awful spite back o’ them, hy isit? What's their grudge?” SS ae ** Providence only knows.” ‘“T hate to see a man ‘throwed down,’ MT b’mighty! Et ain’t accordin’ ter our American cafe ‘principles ter allow a combine ter hop on a good é. old gent, Kin I help you? Ef so, warble the "] ‘ways an’ means, an’ yer Uncle William will be Bi hy sup an’ doin’ fer you. aa}, Simon regarded the speaker more attentively. 7 ‘Voluble as Billy was he had the physique of a 1 man, or looked to have, in his dock-character H 4 suit, and he now assumed a peculiar squint of Wy eye which gave him a lawlessappearance. Per- Way haps that squint affected the mariner, for he an- His -swered: e' “If I should want you, where are you to be found?” t ‘* By day, strollin’ along the river, lookin’ fer ‘bread, meat, »yhash, money or fun; by night, xoostin’ in some box on the piers, or in some lodgin* roost, My habitation is as varied as the smells of Hunter’s Point, an’ as numerous as the fleas in Harlem, But my post-office box is al- ways Old King Coal’s basement bazar of busi- ness, and a note left there will always raise me in a few hours.” . ‘Old King Coal? I know the place, and will ier. i may have’work for you to do, yet. . _ Farther conversation was prevented by the re- covery of Helen Eastman. She came out of her swoon ina calm and systematic fashion, which delighted Billy, who had seen women of poorer nerves; but as soon as she was fully herself she ‘flashed a quick glance around, - Then disappointment fell over her face, as if she failed to see some one who was wanted. Dave Doyle, of Nova Scotia, had vanished. _** Let us drive away,” urged the second lady. ** Wait, Miss Peters!” Helen t:rned to Te deen Beebe again, ° _ * Yourtadvice, which has succeededso well with others, does not deceive me,” she added. ‘No sone hed in the schooner!” _ **Yonly wish it was true,” the mariner re- plied. ia You have spirited Mrs, Rawlins away.” ‘* And the darky, too?” _ oo “$I know Y iis about him; I speak only of - Mrs, Rawlins. You doubted her loyalty to your cause, and took measures to remove a witness ou could not control. I warn you that she must ‘be produced. Refuse to do this, and Ishall pro- ceed against you legally.” Young woman,” Simon answered, ‘‘I great- ly fear that when the ruins of the schooner are overhauled, which will be done this afternoon, ed - the police theory will be confirmed, If no bodies ' «re found there, I shall be glad to believe with - you, but I swear I pare not abducted my sis- « ter.” rr ; **Oh, I know your word, of old!” “ Always unjust!” “Do not act the hypocrite, sir!” hed. He could act possible, while she eyed inally she aroused and regard- ooh e Dodger said nothing until Lg J tps oi EE Pr aes ait ' & oe = a ve ee ‘ ' grudge. ‘Scotia, was a | up. P’m Ducky Meegan, an’ I hy ett sh Nea PEATE he " sabi ow oe Sr erate we mate) owen a of Billy Blue Blazes. you, an’ wanted ter sail in without rhyme or reason, an’ chew yer ear off.” ‘‘That’s it; and they have no reason for their It is just rig gest I would not care so much were it not for my sad bereavement, neat think that I should be so abused at this me!’’ And the mariner heaved a mighty sigh. ie ~ I kin help you, say the word,” Billy urged, R I believe you can, A shrewd lad like you can do wonders. Just now I know of nothing— Wait! Didn’t you think that Dave Doyle’s manner peculiar?” ‘* Had a jag on, didn’t he?” ‘Do you think that was it? **T reckon so,” : ‘*'That may be it,” remarked Simon, with an air of relief. ‘‘ He troubled me, at first, but the sudden way in which he left here indicates an erratic notion in his head, I guess I need not think of him, As for you, go often to the base- ment you mentioned. ; I may have need of you at any time,” “Correct fer Hannah! You'll find me ready ter trot my stumps fer you. So-long!” Billy would not bave been so renay to leave Beebe if he had not had another idea in his mind, Every one in this case had adopted the eg of keeping silent, but that did not affect Billy. The schooner had been burned by anincendiary, and human life jeopardized, This was some- thing the authorities did not want hushed up, if certain persons did, ’ It oceurred to him, that Dave Doyle, of Nova rson whose acquaintance he might make with profit, ad not Mr, Doyle accused Simon bluntly? ae not Helen Eastman fainted at sight of oyle hat did it all mean? Revolving these matters in mind, the Double Detective hurried from the pier, but it proved no easy task to find Dave Doyle, of Nova Scotia. The latter had indeed vanished, and, after a genera! cruise around the vicinity, he was about to give it up and go home when he became wit- ness to a street altercation. Hearing loud voices he hurried in that direc- tion, and found a crowd collecting around two quarreling men, One was ashort, broad, typical tough who looked as if he were a bright light in some city gang; the other was a colored man and—Billy was alarmed when he recogniz Wash Calhoun! This sable survivor of the schooner fire was supposed to be under cover where his safety would not be discovered, but, rime it he was in the midst of a broil with the ug . 4 ® Both were angry, and, also, anxious to im- press the crowd favorably. | ** Now, see here!” cried the tough. ‘I don't want yous ter give me any more ave yer guff, or Pll give you a t'ump in de jaw! See?” ‘*No, sah! I doan’ see; an’ you-un can’t make me see!” stoutly declared Wash, **T can’t, hey?” ** No; you can’t, hey!” . s **Wot'll you do, nigger?” ** I'll climb all over you, sah!” ‘‘Ob! yous make me weary. You're a big * stuff?!” , ‘* lm a ‘stuff,’ be I?” shouted Wash, , ‘You be, dat! You’s a black chump!” ‘*An’ yowre a gorilla! Lord! ef I had dat head ob yours I’d s'pect ter scare myself inter fits, ebery time I Tooked in de glass; an’ it’s wuss wid you, fer you're a sneak an’ a coward, ‘* Hi! w’ot’s dat?” yelled the tough. ‘You're a coward, sab!” ‘Nigger, dat settles you; I’ve got ter do ye don’t take no guff. Put up yer dukes, fer I’m goin’ ter t’ump ye in de jaw. See?” Mr. Meegan shot out his big, grimy fist, but it did not land just where he expected it. Wash’s hand interfered to protect his jaw, and the blow wasted its force on the air, This abortive attempt irr he went in to whip Wash without delay. His surprise” increased as his work progressed, Wash had put up bis handsin a scientific way, and he soon demonstrated his ability to use them. He warded off most of Duck’s blows. and dodged the others, and all the while danced around his opponent in a ridiculous style. -Grimacing grotesquely, he deluged Ducky with invitations to dosomething, and then per- baplaaag prevented him from accepting the invi- on. é Meegan soon found the crowd taunting him th his failure, and summoned ell his energy for a great effort, ; wR) \ x An ‘ = , . PP AON ; ihe “iy ‘ Ts, Jipda { wie Shee De Re Wis: Ham eo a af tated the tough, and. Se : - a a. : Sebi oad. agent neo 5 Rushing forward, he struck out bravely. Somehow, he failed to connect, and swung around sideways. Before he could recover, Wash introduced his right fist to Duck’s neck, and his left to his face, when the tough struck against an awning-post, bounced away, fellover a grocer’s barrel, and brought up ina dirty gut- ter in a stunned condition, He heard a murmur around him, but did not know whether it was the voices of fellow New- Yorkers or the waters of the Niagara, until, af- ter a few moments, some one picked him up. Then he looked feebly at the grinning crowd. “Gents,” he explained, gloomily, ‘‘my foot. slipped on an orange-peel, ? Hold de nig- ger, an’ I'll get up socn an’ smash him, ” A jeering laugh indicated that the bystanders did not see. CHAPTER V, 2 BILLY JOINS THE ENEMY, But, Wash Calhoun was no longer present to await the return of Mr. Ducky Moeegan’s strength and prowess. Hardly had he knocked the tough out so decisively when a hand was laid on his own arm, ‘*G, Washin’ton, you want ter hustle off!” — quoth a quiet voice, Wash wheeled belligerently, anxious to tackle and annihilate this new adversary, but wilted when he recognized Billy Blue Blazes. ‘*Get a wiggle on, quick!” the Dodger suggest- ed. bor tes sah; I’s jest a-gwine,” Wash agreed, mee . i] Billy retained his hold, and marched the col- ored gentleman off at once, Not a word was ee until they were out of sight of the crowd, hen Bill used, * “* Mr, Calhoun,” he frigidly remarked, “ef my recollection don’t misserve me, you was ter keep indoors an’ not letit be knowed you bad escaped burnin’ up. Them was Mrs. Rawlins’s orders,” | ; . ‘© Yes, sah,” Wash agreed, humbly, ‘Then why in the name ©’ the great jumpin’ kangaroos of Kalamazoo be you here?” “Deed, sab, it was all a mistake, I’s at de louse, sah, an’ I—an’ I—[ got short o’—that is, I set out ter go from de hal) inter de parlor sah, an’ I opened de wrong doah, an’ atore I see'd my mistake, it blowed to an’ | was shet out in de street, sah, Dat am a fack, on de honor of a Cab’liny gentleman,” ‘Wash, ef ever there’s a liars’ convention at Madison Square Garden, I'll enter you. You'd git the 'eatbbr medal, sure-pop. But, this ain’t a joke You are dead, Wash; burned up in the schooner! You ain’t buried yit, an’ they may not take the trouble, Certain they won’t ef a keep on prancin’ erbout the streets. houldn’t be a tall s’prised ef Simon Beebe | heerd you're alive inside the hour, You ought ter be licked, G. W., when Mrs. Rawlins im- plone you not to show yourself on the street. ‘ wish Ducky Meegan had done you up, b’mighty!” “Peed, sah, [ only went out ter git a bit 0 terbarker.” , ‘Done all yer mischief fer that, did yer? Wash, I’m ashamed o’ you!” Wash himself was ashamed, and he made a good many apologies and promises, Billy es- corted him back to Old King Coal’s and saw him safe inside the house. Then he called upon Mrs, Rawlins. “ Anxious to know who Miss Eastman and — Dave Doyle, of Nova Scotia, were, he told of ‘ the scene on the pier, but gaing Jittle light. “Dave Doyle I never heard of, and I you are in error in thinking him of any impor- tance. Helen Eastman is a lady who, perhaps, — ought to be my eneny but I have sufficien sense of fairness so tha 1, certainly, bear her no ill-will. You can judge how Simon feels,” . “Simon is hot under the collar.” Va ‘*T am not surprised.” ‘“ Who, an’ what, is Helen?” ‘1 prefer not to say.” | r ** Be you goin’ ter settle back on’ let the world roll on without yer? the roastin’ you almost raise nary a warble?” Ah} you don’t know how I am situated! You don’t know how I fear Simon Beebe!” got in the schooner, an’ “ Hev him arrested, an’he won't git chance - J \ i “L ter harm ye.” Jib ‘*] dare not!” Mase ire 4 ry _ “But Helen seemed interested fer you, Jest let me go an' tell ber that you're all right,an’E reckon sbe will know w’ot bie do.” > ght, or Se Laat, nah **No, no; you must not tell any one that | am alive.” : ik al tit the > aes os Sati ad ' ‘ 7 3 nit, ‘ a ‘ ; re “ Se Rie hi aw ¢ 4 . "ht ae . a " NE re iy tv "Sig R be think $i Be you goin’ ter forgive eve 4 Pre a) etd keep your promise, and Nght tas, lat. sa ia
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Billy Blue Blazes. kin say he knows me. I’m choice as ter the com é “ *€ An’ you won’t let me on ter the facts?” ** T cannot,” ; any I keep. See?” Billy was very much disgusted, but accepted ao, Mr. Meegan,” the inevitable as gracefully as possible. He “Call me ‘Ducky,’” requested the tough, soon left the widow, transformed himself into | patronizingly. ‘I ain’t no silk-stockin’ dude, Will Archer and went back to Azro Harker’s | an’ like ter be friendly wid all. On election day A. office, I’m Mr. Meegan, ’cause I’ve got a pull, See? i He was in hopes that developments would fol- | My inflooence is worth a good many votes, But low, there, but hours wore on, and he saw nei- | this ain’t biz, We're ter find de darky.” ther Harker nor Beebe. This inaction became ‘* Be ye sure you'd know him ag’in?” so unsatisfactory that, with the probability of *T be!” matters of interest, elsewhere, he determined to Once more the tough felt of his neck and eye make still another change. He went to Old | ina gingerly way, und then, seeing that Billy’s King Coal’s, became Billy Blue Blazes once | gaze was upon the blackened optic, he added: more, and started for the burned schooner, ‘“*T got up in de dark, las’ night, ter take a ; He had not reached it when he suddenly hap- | pull at de growler, an’ run smack ag’inst de gas- ry pened upon Captain Beebe. The mariner was | jet. Struck merightin de eye. See?” | ein profound admiration, ten the street and number, not alone, and billy saw with some surprise that ‘* You’ve got eyes enough left ter find the | Helen Eastman, his companion was Ducky Meegan. The tough | darky.” Unless he could learn where she lived the , already had a black eye as a memento of his en- ‘* Now you're talkin’,an’ when I do find him | note might result in her being decoyed away counter with Wash Calhoun. Pll hit him a t’ump in de jaw!” ' | and put in Beebe’s power. Bist ‘* Hallo!” Beebe exclaimed. ‘‘I was looking It was evident that Mr. Méegan’s mind was ‘t Mrs, Rawlins has got ter talk biz, an’ do it " for you,” as sane as his eye, and he went about the} mighty lively!” the Dbages decided, as he rt **Good! Here I be!” search with zeal, The day was fastdrawing to an | hastened toward Old King Coal’s residence. isp **' You spoke of helping me. Would youreally | end, and though he would rather have met The widow was there, and a few like to enter my service, if well paid for it?’ Wash by night than day—and with a clubin his | words were enough to rouse her from ** Cert!” own possession—he was afraid the colored man | mood, She stated that, at last accounts, Miss ‘* You are well acquainted around here, aren’t | would get away entirely. Eastman had been living on West Fourteenth ee you?” So he tramped the streets diligently until | street, near Seventh avenue. Billy then rushed “ae ‘* Nobody’s more so,” ‘ nightfall. - into bis own room and made the quickest “Do you know, or, rather, have you to-day Billy was not so energetic. He did‘not want seen a big negro, very black, with blue flannel | to wear his shoes out on a bogus search, so he i: : shirt and gorgeous blue necktie?” took life easy, rested more than he walked, but | Will Archer, hurried to the Elevated Road and a Billy readily recognized Wash, but shook his | managed to meet Duck, now and then, and give | went up-town. . 7 head. color to his supposed fidelity. In due time he was at the Fourteenth street. 4 ‘* He hain’t been in my eye, boss.” » . Finally, the tough announced that they would | house, and a pull at the bell brought a servant oes ‘* This man has seen him.” give up the search for the time. to the door, Beebe motioned to Ducky Meegan, who me- ‘* We have an engagement ter meet de boss at at chanically raised his nand to his discolored eye, | my room, now, an’ we'll go there at once, ! ‘“*D’ye want ter find him?” the Double Detec- | See?” ¢ tive asked, innocently. They went accordingly. . Duck’s room was not ‘*-Yes, I have reason to believe he is the cook | a palatial affair, being a small and dingy hole of my vessel.” in a small and dingy house, but Captain Beebe ‘*What! he ain’t come back ter life, has he?’ | joined them there, He heard their report ‘ “There is a mystery about this matter,” the | gloomily, but without evidence of surprise. mariner confessed, his gloomy face growing | Then be abruptly inquired of Billy: more downcast. ‘‘The workmen have been ‘*Can you write?” overhauling the schooner, and no hodies have “Dm a jim-dandy at it.” rt thus far been found. There is a bare chance| ‘‘ Couldn’t imitate acertain hand, could you?” that this will be done later, but the chances are But I could; anything from Julius Czesar’s is all against it. I now believe that no life was | down ter Sariah Bernhardt’s,” lost in the fire.” ‘*Tf you can do that I have a job for you that ‘ That’s right good news fer you. will pay well. Here are pens, ink, and so forth, | ol oy en," which I have brought. Show me what you can ‘Wag The captain was about as enthusiastic as if he | do,” s had just bgen sentenced to Sing Sing for ten F years. He looked down at the sidewalk, his CHAPTER VI, ays "| face being unusually long and ts and, very ; DANGER! ao likely, meditated on the joyful nature of the Bry, in his true characer as Will Archer, ea, news for a few seconds, but kept his joy wholly | really was a skillful penman, and had not exag- | concealed, gerated in.the least when he gave Beebe this es- ae Then he raised his gaze. ’ timate of his work, When thé captain’ had ¥ ** Yes, | believe every body may have escaped. | spread out writing materials all was ready for i Certainly, Wash Calhoun did,” him to prove the fact, ; cky oh te again caressed his discolored | But he hesitated to do it. Mina f eye, while Billy felt like bunting Wash up and | Would it not seem suspicious for a street-Arab serving him ashe bad served Duck. The stu- | to be proficient in that line? — y = of the colored man in venturing out of | His hesitation was but brief. If Beebe had f he house had done great damage, as Beebe’s | saith to try it; he would not grow suspicious next words proved: when it was done, perhaps, and there was only | “IT nave Mr, Meegan in my employ, and | one vey of learning what plan the schemer had eas) * though he never knew Wash, he remembered | in mind, : a) |. seeing him,” So Billy proceeded to do his best, and the re- ‘“‘Yes, I did,” Ducky agreed, frankly. ‘‘I | sult made Ducky Meegan stare in wonder. Be! looked at him in partic’lar, See?” ‘ | Beebe looked pleased. =~ ; F) _ ** Now, what | want is for you and Meegan to | ‘‘ Now, see what you can do at imitating this sh to find Wash. Once found, Meegan will ques- | spider-work.” ne tion him according to directions I have given. He spread out what had been one page of a - I have added you to sd young man, | letter, It was in a woman's hand, and was of for it is said few persons know so much of West | the de'icate, small-lined character which was street, its piers, and this part of the city, as | once characteristic of all women. He pror a | you do, I'll pay you well for your trouble,” ceeded to imitate it, and did so well that the a |. ‘I'm with yer, admiral,” Billy agreed, captain applauded with great satisfaction, Pe mptly. ow,” he directed, ‘* write wha ou, promptly * Now,” he directed rite what I tell : The mariner did not linger. He was ill at My ease, starting nervously at trifles, and the an Dodger easily understood that the latest dis- Bm. coveries had upset him, This was but natural. a If the trio were alive, and he could not prevent “cc No?” en where she is?” ere was Helen? likely, the letter was then on a decoy. ; W hat was to be done? Simon don’t know me!” never forgetting to imitate the ty See ‘** Drive on!” Billy nonchalantly directed. ‘“Writeas follows: — “*Dear Miss Heten:—I take my penin band to inform you that the newspaper reports of my death are not true. I was not on the schooner, and, of course, was notin dang+ratanytime. As the facts awakened from sleep to find the schooner | may not be made known at once—though well un- on fire and every avenue of escape closed to derstood by them—I make haste to Jet. you know I hostile action on their part by some bold stroke, them by some designing hand, am allright. Now, Miss Helen, the time has,come ee might yet tellin a court of law that they a 8 brought a discovery, : : hen I want to speak plainly to you. My past re- Beebe left his allies and walked awa petten will be explained . ‘ * morefullythanever. If you ‘* Well, we’s ter be pals,” remarked Ducky. will come here, at once, { shall be. glad to help you all Ican. Of course you prensa: ares} “So it seems,” » i *** Your friend, “* Mary “I wouldn’t go in wid you, only I think zoure a gooione, LIonly train wid de finest, ‘*Slartain, boss,” n . Rawurns.’’” Biiy began to suspect what was coming be- fore the I ask if you live near here?” last words were dictated, and his task a : yr f be sry Simon surveyed it with satisfaction. * That?ll do,” he commented. ‘It’s a giddy gusher!” added Mr. Duck Mee- hat will be all for to-night, Billy,” con- tinued Simon. ‘You can go home and keep your mouth shut, and you shall be well paid for all your trouble. Waita bit! We have forgot- They must go in.” They were duly added, and then Beebe gave his younger ally five dollars and dismissed him, Billy went away calmly, but in a state of mind far from being of like nature. a dilemma, In order to get Beebe’s secret he had ‘put a dangerous weapon in the captain’s. hands, and now he was not so sure he could avert the danger he might have brought upon change of character ever seen in his record. A few minutes later he emérged from the house as ‘* Ts Miss Kastman in?” he inquired, quickly. *¢ She don’t live here no more!” ‘No, sir; she went away three weeks ago.” ** Where does she live now ?” ‘* We don’t know. She didn't leave no ad- dress, an’ we ain’t heerd from her since,” ‘* Isn’t there any one in the house who can tell ‘*T tell you she shook us all!” the servant ex- plained, impatiently. ‘‘ Nobody here knows,” There was no reason to doubt her sincerity, and Will turned and‘went down the stoop in a bewildered way. When writin Simon Beebe he had realized what ‘a power of evil it might become, if used as Beebe intended, but bad comforted himself with the thought that. he could frustrate the scheme a bad it did not look that way. The plotters knew and he did not, and, very its way to serve as ‘*There’s only one way. I can’t stop her from stai ting, but can prevent her from entering the trap which bas been set for her. If Simon gets: her to go there, she will be imprisoned, or in some way misused. Right there Will Archer shall come into the game, and undo the harm done by Billy Blue Blazes. Two to one that It was a safe bet, for any one would be ex- cusable for failing to recognize Billy in the slen- der, aristocratic youth now at the front, The place to which Simon intended to decoy Helen was on Barrow street, end toward that place the Double Detective made his way in haste. When he arrived, there was nothing visible to: tell of dark plots and contemplated crimes; the street was as quiet as usual, house, which was one of ordinary appearance, and showed no marked indication of life, } He began to pace back and forth, keenly on the alert for discoveries, but saw neither the owe carriage, Captain Beebe nor Ducky eegan. Time passed, and he grow nervous with wait- ing. While thus occupied, some one came along the street who had a manner that at once a Will’s attention. He saw at a glance that the man was no ordinary dweller on the street, but had some secret business in view, He found the 6 man was the peculiar person who had an- nounced bimself as Dave Doyle, of Nova Scotia, — What had trought him to Barrow stree aa Doyle gave him a critical Glance, hesitated, — passed by, and then turned suddenly. | 7 ‘* Excuse me, sir,” he said, politely, “‘ but may — “Not on this strect,” Will responded, “but: BSW . “f reckon you’s heerd. of Ducky Meegan be- | became very disagreeable, but it was too late,to | not so very far away.” | fore, "Everybody in de neighborhood of West | recede from his position, «Do you know a an named Azro H oer: street has heerd o’ me, but et ain’t every bloke! He closed the letter in due form. apie t Dita Re STMT MT ERE GORARE aT ont cc iT ri a OY Pak ae eas ba core ie abla iaia eT My. Will looked sharply at Dave Doyle,of Nova = | _
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ly in the cause, and the cab rolled along as 3 nervous tha’ i remark: Scotia. Did he know how near he was getting to the mark, or was it by chance he made this inquiry of Azro’s apprentice? ** T believe he lives on Morton street,” *** He is a Pinkerton man, isn’t he?” ac Yes,” ** W hat is his reputation?” * All right, I guess,” Doyle frowned and looked thoughtfully at vacancy. Some idea was working in his mind, and Will would have given a good deal to know whatit was, He essayed to learn, and bluntly asked; ** Why do you inquire?” ‘*rankly,” replied Dave Doyie, impulsively, it seemed, ‘‘ he is keeping the company of men whose reputation certainly is not good, and I suspect that he has a most iniquitous scheme in mind!” ‘* Who are the other men?” ‘* A Captain Beebe, and a tough who is with him.” ‘«Surely, you don’t think a detective would do unlawful work, do you?” “This much is certain,” replied Dave Doyle, with energy. ‘‘ Beebe and this Harker have put their heads together, and they have serious work on hand for to-night. They are going to decoy a certain woman somewhere. Who,and where, Iknow not. The original plan brought in Bar- row street,and that’s why lam here, but it’s only a hopeless movement; the plan has been changed!” ‘* What is it now?” Will cried sharply, realiz- ing that the situation was growing more serious, and that, if Dave Doyle was sincere, he was ' wholly off the track. ‘‘1 don’t know. Beebe got some boy to forge a letter which was to be the decoy, but, right after, he met Harker, and they put their heads together and changed the plan. Harker wrote a second letter, changing the place of meeting. Itis m some business building. Beebe’s object was to get a key the unknown lady carried, and then break into the business place aforesaid. ft was the key to valuables Beebe wanted. But it seems the detective has access to that build- ing, so the lady is to be decoyed there, instead of to this street, ‘*Do you know who she is?” Will asked, eager- 1 . Yi No, but I have a fear that ’tis a lady I know,” ** Helen Eastman ?” ‘*Ha!l what do you know of her?” Dave Doyle, of Nova Scotia, had been in a nervous, uncertain and despondent mood, but he ah and asked the question sharply, eagerly. & She is the marked victim of the decoy,” Will answered, ‘Great heavens! what is to be done? Some- thing must be done, but what?” a! Fou are interested in Helen, I take it?” ‘‘Interested? I am; the word is feeble to cover the case, Butthis talkisidle, What can we do—what, to bafile these villains? I know not what infamous act they may have in mind. It may murder ” Dave Doyle was greatly excited, but the Double Detective had begun to get a grasp on his case, and he was as cool asa veteran in the business, ‘*] know something about Azro Harker’s affairs, and feel sure [ can name the building. He does have keys to a certain business place, and, I feel sure, to one, only. I can lead the way there, and, unless we are too late, we can baffle the game now on foot, But, stranger, it seems impossible that Harker can be in in any evil work.” i ‘‘ What I have told you I learned by listening to him and Beebe as they talked. Their own mouths condemned them!” =» ‘*Enough! I see a cabat yondercorner. We will engage it, and go to Nassau street at once. — Come!" They hastened to the cab. It was disengaged, and they were soon whirling southward, “Drive fast!” was Will's direction. “It’s a’ matter of life and death!” And then they awaited the result, CHAPTER VII. | THE TRAP, AND WHAT IT CAUGHT, LIBERAL pay bad enlisted the driver aay ot as he dared send it, with the danger of arrest _ for fast driving in ing in mind, __ ill Dance had settled down to the compo- ‘Dut Dave Doyle, ot Nove Gootia, was 20 plainly " ave. 6, of Nova a, was 80 y Will finally broke'forth with the — Billy Blue Blazes, ‘* Mr. Doyle, it is the rule in New York for every man to mind his own business and ask no personal questions, but 1 want to make an ex- ception in this case. May I ask who you are?” ‘*T am Dave Doyle, of Nova Scotia,” ‘*That won't go. ou are a New Yorker; no Blue Nose about you, I'd like to know more about you, and assure you it is perfectly safe for you to speak out. I will not betray your confidence, and I would like to know who you are.’ Dave Doyle hesitated, and then returned: ‘*] am a dead man!” ‘* The dickens you are!’ Will exclaimed. ‘€ Yes; I’m dead and buried.” * Spiritualism is confirmed, and emphatical- y. “T am not a spirit; simply a dead man,” ‘* You're a pretty lively corpse.” ‘* In these days of sharp business competition, even a corpse has got to be lively or get left. Why If jest at this moment I know not, but my nerves are all unstrung. I think of Helen, and ask myself, Where is she? To what danger is she exposed? If our clew is right, shall we be in time to save her?” The Double Detective did not fail to see that Dave Doyle had evaded the question as to his identity, but the matter remaine! asit was, If he did not see fit to confess, he could use his own will—for the present, atleast. But Will’s early opinion that he was a man of mystery bad re- ceived fresh confirmation, As the detective had claimed, Dave Doyle was more of a New Yorkerthan a Nova Scotian in his manner, and the former suspected that ‘his coarse garments and whiskers were as much of a disguise as his claim of provincial nationality. They neared Nassau street, however, and every thought became fixed on the work in hand, The cab was halted on Broadway, but left subject to their future call, and then they crossed to Nassau. Will was well acquaintcd with the place they were nearing. Among others there were bro- kers who did business there, and ag they owned the building, and had often employed Azro Harker professionally, he had a key to their office door, as well xs to the street door. They considered this a precaution against burglars and fire, as he often was in his down- town office at night, but if Dave Doyle’s claim was correct, there was need of protection against the protector, perhaps, . On gaining sight of the building, they found everything quiet, and the outer door proved to be locked, ~ “‘ Weare too early, or too late,” Dave Doyle observed. ‘*Too early, if we are at the right building. They have not had time to do their work. Let us secrete ourselves in a doorway and await developments,” This was done. Even Will found waiting te- dious, however, and Dave Doyle showed in every way how great the strain was upon him, ““What if we are at the wrong place?” he murmured, The Double Detective could not answer. There was a ring of feet on the sidewalk as a man came along at a quick pace, ‘** Harker!” the Nova Scotian exclaimed. He was right; it was Will’s employer; and the hopes of the watchers rose higher. Azro unlocked the door of the spotted building and entered, Dave ig be was in favor of following at once, but the Dodger counseled delay, arguing that the others had not yet come, A few minutes’ passed, and then Harker| emerged. He locked the door, but put the key under the end of the step, and then walked away. ‘* Good !” commented bis apprentice. ‘‘ Assoon as he is out of sight we will get a wiggle on and explore the place, The others are coming, and know where to find the key. It would not doto leave the door unlocked, for the patrolman on this beat would discover it when he came along and tried the door, They are playing a careful game. Now, wiggle!” : They hurriedly crossed the street, “* Here’s the key!” Will held it up in triumph, and then inserted it in the door and turned the bolt back, They entered, Will ran Lene and found the office of the brokers lighted, but no one present, The counter-plotters were now on thescene of action, but a difficulty confronted them. } f they left the door open, the patrolman would be likely to learn of its condition and spoil everything; if they locked them@lves in, e@ key would be on the wrong side of the door, ‘and those who came atter could pot enter, . _What was to be done? , wy ye Sa | i. 7, * D> 05 SURO Nr Ul calitaand a eee et cee eS ete er a ee tence nt ~ Fea. aS oe et pete ae 9 ne tie a ‘ neg NR It was dezided that Dave Doyle should lock Will in, put the key where it belonged, and then wait until Will could let him in, There were serious objections to this plan, but they could think of none better. Ina short time the Double Detective was alone in the building, behind the locked door. He did not stay in the lower hall, however, but Pin up-stairs, found a hiding-place and settled own, He had time to think, and was to be excused for growing doubtful and nervous. What if Dave Doyle should play him false and leave him locked up there? hat if no one else should come? If found there in the morning nothing could save him from being arrested as a burglar, He shook his head doubtfully, ‘* Clearly, Billy Blue Blazes is a better man than Will Archer!” he muttered. ‘* Billy never got in a fix like this. Will Archer is less up in the ways of the world,I fear. Billy is noted for sharpness. It remains to be seen whether Willisa ‘chump,’ or not, I've trusted Dave Doyle fully, though he and I, playing as part- ners, hide our hands one from the other. Reck- less work! What will come of it?” Developments began to occur. He heard the outer door unlocked, and two men entered, The gas was always left burning slightly in the low- er hall at night, and Harker had turned it up still more. ill easily recognized Simon Blake and Ducky Meegan. They talked in low tones for a few moments, and then the tough ascended the stairs, ‘* Hi, Ducky!” be commented, looking around, ‘* wot wouldn't you’s give ter be loose here, all by yerself? I’m tinkin’ dere is more of de reel stuff ter be got by swipin’ wot I kin lay me hands on, but I s'pose I’Jl hev, ter stick ter de old codger. But 1’! bleed him! Scef” The ruling passions and habits of life are strong at all times, and Duck, even when sup- osedly alone, uttered the password of the tough orotherhood, “See?” as unctuously as if impress- ing an audience, Then he hastened to the front window and began to look out attentively, ‘“*What next?’ the Double Detective mut- tered. Hark! Did he hear wheels on the street? He listened ; the sound ceased. Ducky rushed to the head of the stairs, ‘*They hey come!” he whispered, loudly, ‘* Get a move on!” Beebe carefully unlocked the door, and, leay- ing it ajar, fled up-stairs. He hastened to the lighted office and pushed the door ajar, Enough light came out to dispel the gloom. ‘ Now to do or die!” he exclaimed. ‘* Lseon de gal in de cab,” added Ducky, ‘Well, get out of sight. Your face would scare her out of her wits. Now, be wise!” ‘Oh, you’s kin trust me, old man, I’m no ‘stuff!’ See?” Mr, Meegan made a gesture like a Bowery tragedian and retired into darkness and obscur- ity, profoundly satisfied with himself. Beebe - fell back into the office, and ensconced himself back of the door. J ~ Will Archer waited with painful eagerness. Although, as he understood the matter, Helen Eastman was said to be at the door, he was not peeeret to believe she would venture into the uilding. True, it was lighted and looked harmless enough, but if she was as weil informed as a New-York girl ought to be, she must be aware that, though business was’still going on in certain lines up-town, it was quite a different thing on Nassau, street. Wouli not the silence of the street warn her that business in legitimate lines was suspended! But all these speculations ended when the street door opened, ; Two forms clad in feminine apparel ap- ‘* Helen i’? Will muttered, She came up the stairs in a calm and unhesi- tating way. companion walked in a stiff and join manner, and looked like a super- annuated family-servant—lean, bony and mo- rose, Helen indicated the office, ‘« Tnis is the place,” she observed. «Um !” grunted the companion, ungraciously, They passed the open door, which then swu: to in some way not visible, whereupon Duck sepa down the stairs. It was the wor of only a he returned and made anotber Bowery gesture, ‘“°Tis done!” he declared, tragically. “Bucky you are @ tramp. Yer ought ter be a perfe: es nal detective, an’ at de bead of de force, See Ni ey ment to turn the key, after which — t+ andi > 1 <i - t ? \ F
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(Rote Meee iG r re SS ._ a RE a + i a <3 - ia Meas or Tv a a = = em Prete SS ~,. Ta nage Sy Se Sree ete Ra Cre LAS, ele yr i aA, ; , a i oe OP BP ald “ Ay wee Ab . ' x $3 } Billy Blue Blazes. He walked into the office after Helen and her escort, whereupon Will Archer ran lightly down the stairs. It was no longer a task to turn the key one way than the other, and he opened the aoor at once, Dave Doyle, of Nova Scotia, was there, look- ing pale and anxious, P What is being done?” he demanded, fever- shly. ** We'll see, later,” The Dodger relocked the door. * Are you armed?” he added, Dave Doyle displayed a revolver, ‘*Ts there need of it?’ he inquired, in a deep Pier am “T don’t know yet; J hope not. But there may be Spb ting.. Ve must protect Helen.” ** Boy,” the Nova Scotian returned, ‘‘ there are six bits of lead in that thirty-two-caliber toy. If any man dares try to harm her, he gets sent to the last account, Six cartridges—two for the bullet-head tough ; four for Simon ee But I think he would not need them ! There was a desperate calmness in the speak- er’s manner, coupled with an undercurrent of suppressed passion, which awed Will. Silently he led the way up-stairs again. , CHAPTER VIII. WORDS. PUNCTUATED WITH REVOLVERS. PREVIOUS investigation bad showfi Will and Dave Doyle that they could hear and see all that occurred in the office without exposing them- selves to Beebe’s view. Thus, they would be able to get the run of affairs, and ready to pro- tect Helen, if necessary, and yet keep the enemy in ignorance of their presence, Between the office and the hall was a very large window, as long as a door, and reaching to within three feet of the floor, The lower ane was of stained glass; the upper, of plain glass. f While waiting Will had raised the lower sash slightly, and as the security of the stained glass was increased by a shade which could be moved freely, they had a chance to reconnoiter fully, yet safely. Roth hastened to gain position, They saw Helen and her companion facing ' Captain Beebe, while Ducky Meegan was at the reir. Knowing what ideas his face must in- evitably bring up, Simon had ordered him to keep back. By that time Miss Eastman knew she was sieaaress and her manner was indignant and de- an * “ Your lie has succeeded well, sir,” she was saying. ‘* What next?” ‘*T want to talk business,” ‘*T have no business with you /” 4, ‘* Pardon me!” ‘*T say that you and I have nothing in com- mon, spise you,” FO, ‘* Wouldn’t it be well for you to be more *eivil?” ti Wh 9” ‘* Prudence would suggest it.” — ‘‘T understand the threat, but it will avail” you nothing. 1am not afraid of you!” Her manner confirmed the assertion, and Si- mon looked dazed. He had thought that by ‘bringing her iato such a situation all her cour- age would give way, but the very opposite state of alfairs existed. She was as calm asif in her own bome, with friends around her, ‘ ‘Let that pass,” he finally answered, “TI want to talk business with you.” ‘\ Perhaps aa hope to abduct and shut me up, as you have done Mrs, Rawlins?” Py") 4 He made a gesture and passed the insinuation ys - Miss Eastman, yonder safe is your prop- erty.’ **T am aware of it.” : ‘* You have the key now in your possession—” ‘* How do you know?” ‘* Because you alwayscarry it. ThatI have _ Jearned on authority too good to be disputed, I repeat, you bave the key to this safe, and the combination to work it. Judge Zelland invent- ed the safe. First, to open it, one turns an er- ratically shaped key in the lock, Then comes the combination, as in mort safes, You have _ the key; you know thecombination, Will you _ tavor me by giving me both?” | - Modestly us the request was worded, Simon’s dogged manner showed that he did not expect her to agree, and was ready to follow up the _ Yequest with an iron hand, He had not risked ‘so much to turn back now, aneey enough, Helen remained ea ae Ef \ Re ou are my enemy, and I hate and de® SS ee amazed at her indifference to danger. Beebe had been evil enough to try and burn his own sister/in the schooner; would he be more merci- ful to an enemy? Firmly Helen responded: ‘*T will not give them to you!” ** Think again,” ** Judge Zelland’s money has been your doom, Simon Beebe. That your heart was always bad I cannot doubt, but his money stirred the evilin your nature into activity. I advise you in all sincerity to drop your schemes.” ‘*So you can get the money?” the captain snee ed. ‘* Did not Judge Zelland give it to me?” ‘* That remains to be seen.” ‘© Then produce Mrs. Rawlins, and let her tell her story.” ** T am talking to you, not her.” ‘* Miserable old man! Wifeless, childless, with enough of your own to take you comfortably through life, you will yet sell your honor to grasp more; to grasp what you know is not yours. You know that Euric Zolland never in- tended you to bave his money.” **He made a will in my favor,” cried Simon. ** Yes, but how?” ‘‘How? Honestly! There was no secrecy, no skulking, no underhand work,” . ‘** Was there not? How about the drug given at night, to make the old man ill and cause him to think he was dying? How about the bogus doctor who added to his fears? How about the exchange of a forged will for the genuine? How about the gathering of witnesses to see him sign the paper infamously substituted? How about your honor, in this case?” ‘* Nothing of the kind ever occurred,” snarled the captain. ‘Of course you deny it.” ‘*The fraud came later, madam, when you duped the old man into signing a will—” “So you admit that the one in my favor was signed subsequent to that in your favor?” quickly interrupted Miss Eas'man. Beebe bit his lip fiercely, and looked askance at Helen’s companion, Had she heard the un- arded admission? There could be but little oubt of it, Although she stood there like a statue, grim, silent, bony and homely, it was to be presumed she had the usual capacity for hear- ing. f We wander,” he finally said, sullenly. ‘* Will you produce the key?” nt oO ’ “Then I shall take it by force!” **T warn you not to try it.” i” ‘*T warn you not to resist. See! I am here with a stout, resolute man—” ‘* An ignorant wretch, more brute than hu- man!” retorted Eas . Ducky Meegan erected his head, stared in wonder a ack of judgment and audacity, der at her lack of judgment and audacity pot relapsed into his old state, after a Bowery gesture, ‘You are wholly in my power,” Beebe per- sisted, Ct seaghia Ro hareaban eat ” am going ave that safe open—” 6 Why? : fe ‘The unjust, or forged will of Edric Zelland shall never see the light of another day. It was an infamous piece of work into which you se- duced him with those low and crafty arts known only to women; a work which Zelland, in his right mind, would have repudiated. But hehad grown imbecile—” ~ ** Remember that the will in your favor bears a date subsequent to that in my favor!” Simon uttered a forcible exclamation. Again he had made an error—but what did it matter’ He had gone to an extreme already, Having made himself liable to the law by decoying Helen there, and making such demands upon her, he might as well show his hand as to mask it, perhaps. ; ** Bnough of foolish talk!” he cried, savagely. F ‘ie aon give up the key?” ! ‘ o!’ ‘ ( Se ee SSS. ‘* Meegan?” j _ Ducky came forward and made a tragedian- like bow. Aer ** At yer sarvice, boss! State the case, an’ yer will shall be done ef New York runs red in gore. When I undertake to doa thing I never get left. See? Ask any one along de North River, an’ dey’ll tell yez dat me word goes every ‘time, Et takes a hoss ter down me, See?” “Hold that woman while I search her!” “6g e,@boss !”” , Ducky turned his mismated eyes upon Helen, | grimaced, and facetiously added: __ / ( nt ; aii calm. | ‘Come ter me arms, me sweet, pretty dear! Ber 2.55, wi Areher was alarmed for her, and, too, was Repose yer ‘pink cheek on de lapel vo’ me coat, an’ hear de heart of a man beat on de drum o’ yerear. See? Now, darlin'—” He had advanced, and was ready to wrap his arms around her, whereupon Dave es of . Nova Scotia, left his post and stood by the door, eager to rush in and punish the ruffian. The Double Detective watched with breathless interest. He saw what was no morea surprise to him than to Meegan and Beebe, Just as Ducky was about seize Helen the latter’s companion, suddenly aroused from stony calmness, thrust forward a hairy hand, and pre- sented to Duck’s notice a revolver which, bearing full upon him, had a bore which seemed to be as big as the Fourth avenue tunnel; and then the supposed-to-be female companion growled in a deep base voice: **Git, you gorilla!” Mr. Meegan was not a coward, but there was a vast difference between looking into the eyes of a beautiful girl and the bore of a revolver, and he fell back in confusion, ‘* Ef you teches her,” added the bony person, in the same deep base, ‘‘I’li pull all yer teeth with a bullet!” The Double Detective drewa breath of deep relief, The voice, the manner of the person, and the big, hairy hand were more masculine than feminine, and it occurred to him that Helen had not come so unprotected as he had thought. The female ally was very manlike, despite the skirts on the angular figure. Evidently, this did not occur to Simon Beebe, for he glared angrily at Ducky. ‘* Why don’t you do your duty?” ‘* Sure, I don’t think it’s me duty ter start a Potter’s Field job, Dat gunlooks bad. See?” ** Are you afraid of a woman?” ; ‘“‘Divil a woman do I see!” declared the tough. ae Eh?’ ‘Ef that homely, lantern-jawed, lop-sided telegraph-pole ain’t aman, I’ma liar! Yes, be gum! an’I reckon he comes from Chicago, fer his feet is the size of a beer-keg. But it’s de gun dat I don't want terrun up ag’inst. See?” ‘“‘“You may as well know the truth,” added Helen. ‘‘My companion is a man, and one amply able to protect me, being an old family servitor. An invitation to meet my lawyer here at nine o’clock in the evening would alwayshave shown me the need of a protector. Coming at this time, and as it did, I quickly suspected that you were back of it, and that it was alla plot. came, but I brougnt a protector, Captain, I am not trapped, after all.” ‘*By the furies!” Beebe shouted, ‘‘ you are ‘not out of my bold yet. We have the odds in our favor, and I insist upon what I have said before. That safe must be opened!” *¢ And I decline to do so,” ‘Then we'll proceed on the old lines!” The captain drew a revolver with a vicious jerk. ae ' CHAPTER IX, . A STRUGGLE FOR THE MASTERY, Brrore Beebe could raise the weapon to th proper level for firing the voice of Helen's cham- _ pion broke in, in his usual deep base: “Stop! Dve gotthedrop. Attempt cy . the hammer o’ that revolver and Pll shoot yo Keep your band down!” ‘* Better do it, boss,” advised Ducky Meegan, “This ain’t no time ter die, fer it costs too blamed much, an’a man, ain’t good fer nothin’, afterwards. See?” “T am going to have that safe open!” dog-' gedly persisted Simon, é : In'the mean while there had been a whispered conversation outside, brief but to the point. — The Double Detective knew that Dave Doyle, of Nova Scotia, carried a revolver, and he crossed quickly to his ally and observed: es 8 “The time has come to interrupt this talk, They are all hung up, in there, and if they ote ; te gress further it will be to fight. You had ter go in and back up Helen's champion, possible, I wish to keep out of sight, so I will) u not be reecgnized by Beebe, Much depends on it. ' ‘ ' ““T'take your word,” Dave Doyle answered, quickly. geucy.” He opened the door and walked in just in time to make a comment as a follower to Si- -mon’s words. “Try it, and others ‘will take hand. in the shooting!” -tian, Nee sa Oi ark ama ‘ ‘ ‘**Show yourself only in case-of emer- — ; | Bvery se was turned upon the Nova Sco- ‘Helen drew a breath which was almost a gasp, and then stood looking at him, forgetful - * ’ : { 4 F : PRY are t et ’ ‘ < ; ' , / n Wer panel aL { - ait * he ih \ My ot ¥? ‘ ) ‘ 0 b . ; or f } ee r* ’ 4 i fs, ee a Aw, + ? \ ahs ‘ vi ia 2 as
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| | y | : Billy Blue Blazes. of allelse. Simon changed color and grew wild- eyed. fs See here!” protested Ducky Meegan. ‘* W’ot’s dis bloke doin’ in here?” ‘** He’s a robber,” muttered Beebe, weakly. ‘€ Call de perleece, den,” ‘‘ Yes; call the police!” Dave Doyle retorted. “Bring in all the witnesses you choose, Of course you want publicity ; of course you do.” ‘¢ Look-a-here, you’s don’t want ter speak in dat-way,” Ducky cautioned, ‘‘or I’ll give you’s a t’ump In de jaw!” **Do you want another black eye?” **T did, that by runnin’ inter a team on Broad- ‘way,” explained Meegan, candidly. ‘‘ See?” ‘* Miss,” continued Dave Doyle, addressing Helen, ‘‘your word is law here,’ Give your or- ders, please. Despite the threats of these ruf- fians, you are free to go home whenever you choose,” i) ‘*T cannot go and leave these men here.’ ‘¢ They shall leave, at once,” “Shall we?’ Simon cried. ‘* We won't go!’ “¢Then I shall call the police,” “*Do it! lam here by right; you are the in- terloper, the house-breaker. Perhaps you want to see the police?” *T do. I want them to know how you de- coyed this lady by means of a lie, and then threatened her, and tried to compel her to open the safe. Yes;1 am eagernto put the matter to the test, and will call the police at once, if you say so,” ‘* Boss,” interrupted Ducky Meegan, “ we’s may as well give up degame. I'ma law-abid- in’ gent, myself, an’ though I hev a pull dat will keep me out of all trouble, I won’t lift a finger in a cause where I’m likely ter be blamed. See?” **- You coward! will you desert me?” “Now, don’t goon dat way, boss, We don’t want no trouble, We mustn't hev none.” Meegan managed to getin a secret wink on Beebe, and as the latter really regarded the cause as lost—he feared there were other men at hand—he changed his tactics, ‘*Nobody can say I ever did a dishonest thing,” he remarked, frankly, ‘‘ but we all get accused when we don’t deserve it. So, too, I have been wronged without cause, But I yield all: 1 submit 10 injustice!” Every one who heard him knew he was act- ing the hypocrite; but Helen and ker friends supposed it was simply because Le had lost. e moved toward the door with Ducky Mee- gan at his heels. Ducky looked only at the floor, and seemed to be a crushed and saddened man. But he was wily and deceitful, as they soon found to their sorrow. When abreast of Dave Doyle he suddenly straightened, and his huge fist shot out toward ‘the latter’s head. It was partially, if not wholly, a surprise, but remarkable agility en- abled the Nova Scotian to save bis head. Mee- gan, however, had put such force into the blow that he was not able to check his own impetus; he collided with Dave Doyle, and both tumbled on the floor, Captain Beebe raised his revolver, eager to fight the opposition, but Helen’s servant knocked him down without ceremony. Meegan and the Nova Scotian rose in concert, both on the war-path, but the latter proved the quicker on the recovery, He smote Ducky on the nose, and the letter fell over on top of Bee- be. Then they groaned in concert for awhile, for the fight was all gone out of them. Ducky looked humbly at bis assailant, ‘May we be allowed ter live?’ he asked, mournfully. “Not here! Get out of this building!” ‘‘General, I'll show ye that I ought ter bein the six days’ race at Madison Square Garden. My legs are pinin’ for a prom on de ave. See” He raised himself in a gingerly way, fearing another blow, but, as it did not come, sidled out of the door, wiping away a little blood that had flowed from a bruise on his nose. Simon Beebe was full of rage, but knew he was a loser, He had made a greatshow of using his revolver, but, in point of fact, dared not do it. His will was good, but hedid not want to Jand in the hands of the police. fle wentafter Meegan, and the delegation saw them out of the building, Then the Double De- tective hastened to join the group. ; “‘ My advice is that all of you get out of this place on the jump!” he declared, ‘‘ Not one of us could prove in court that we had any right, or excuse for being here. Suppose those reptiles tell a policeman we are burglarizing the build- ing? We would bein hock. I say, move on!” The advice is wise,” Dave Doyle agreed, quickly. ‘‘ Let us go.” ep SS > He set the example by going down the stairs in a way which might have led to the belief that sudden and cowardly fear had seized upon him, but such was not Will Archer’s belief, He had noticed that the man of mystery and Helen were looking at each other in a strange fashion, but that the Nova Scotian had cut it short by turning partly away. Now, the abrupt retreat down the stairs was only in keeping with what had gone before, and the detective was led to wonder more than ever what mystery encom- passed the two, Will turned off the gas in the office, and low- ered that in the hall to about the same degree it had been burning at first. Then all left the building, and he locked the outer door. ‘*T wish to thank you and—and—” Miss Eastman hesitated and looked for Dave Doyle, of Nova Scotia. He was nearly a block away, standing with his back toward them, * 11 call David, miss,” volunteered Will, ‘* No, no!” Helen exclaimed, quickly, ‘It is nothing—nothing!” She moved toward the carriage, hesitated at the door, scole a glance at the eccentric Nova Scotian, and then entered the vehicle, Her ser- vant followed. Then she suddenly turned and put out her hand to Will. **To you, and to all who have helped me, I abe my heartfelt and earnest thanks, I ho rovidence always will raise you friends equally brave in the hour of your need.” ‘*Thank you, miss; I feel fully repaid, and 1 think Daye Doyle will, when I tell him what you’ve said,” For a moment the two looked into each other’s eyes; then Helen suddenly turned to the driver, ‘* Home!” she directed. The carriage rolled away. Will walked down to ‘his associate. If the latter had been a mystery when they first met, and sight of Dave Doyle had caused Helen to swoon, he was more of a mystery now, Eccen- tric men were common in New York, but this man was more than that. There was a mystery in his life which Will did not understand, but desired to, He did not turn until the Double peeve walked up and slapped him on the ack, ‘Brace up!” the latter directed. ‘‘ Helen is gone, and will not bite you.” ‘‘The adventure is over for to-night, I reckon,” ‘* Yes,” ** Then I'll go home,” * Where is that?” : ** You will pardon me if I do not tell you.” ‘David, you are foolish to hem yourself in with a wall of reserve. Why not be frank and let your light shine? Take me for an ally, and let us exchange secrets. We both have them, You are plastered over with them, an inch deep. I am interested in the case in which we have be- come partners, and shall feel indebted to you if you will explain what mystery binds your life and Helen Eastman’s.” ‘* Bless me! there is none,” :: % David, you must think me green to believe “Why do you think it?” “You and Helen betray yourselves. You fled from her just now as if she was liable to eat you up, and—have you forgotten that she swooned at sight of you on the pier?” **What do you know of my being on the pier? You were not there.” ‘*T heard of it, all the same.” ** Never mind; you are wholly in error. No mystery is attached to me—” ‘Oh, you were only out for fun when you accused Simon Beebe, on the pier, of intention- ped burning his sister alive in the schooner, e Dave Doyle regarded the speaker in silence. It was useless to persist that he was not a cen- ter of mystery, and he did nothing of the kind. On the contrary, he really was becoming in- terested in the youth. ‘** Better confess,” Will added, smiling. “My friend, [ can’t help you along with your scheme. Like other witnesses on the stand, I shall have to plead bad memory, but I think you and I can be friends, I think—” Dave Doyle stopped short. Will had sudden- ly seized him by the arm, and he now dragged him into a deep doorway. ** Agro Harker is coming!” Will whispered. “Lie low! It would knock my plans ealey west if he discovered me, I’m working a still- eon and all depends on keeping him ignorant of it! Hharker was advancing along the street slow- ly and cautiously, and, to Will’s alarm, he be- gan to peer into every recess and doorway. “Great Scott!” the young detective added; ‘we're gone up!” CHAPTER X, THE FRESH ALARM, THE Double Detective was really startled. He had learned enough of his employer that night to lose all faith in him. Captain Beebe had engaged Harker, and it was natural that the latter should help his client all he could, but he must haye known that an estimable young woman was to be put in jeopardy when he gave Simon the key of the building. Further than that, it was a gross breach of trust to let any one into that place, Azro had lost all standing in his apprentice’s opinion, and the latter already had a vision of himself pitted against the older man; But all would be lost if Harker found him near the building. The latter came on, showing great caution, but proceeding in such a way that there was no reason to believe he had seen Will and Dave Doyle. But if he searched every doorway, dis- covery was certain. “* Keep back!” Doyle directed. ‘Tl face him, and tell a good story. Have no fear” But Azro found it no easy matte” to cover as much ground as he had undeteken without losing valuable time. He suddenlv gave it up gpd started along at a rapid, but stealthy pace, assing near the hiding pair he went ou, “I'd like to see him wiggle when he fails to find the key,” the Dodger whispered, ‘* but we should be fools to wait, Let’s slide off like greased lightning!” The retreat was hurriedly made, and not checked until they were several blocks distant. There they parted. , Another effort to put Dave Doyle into a confidential mood proved fruitless, but he gave way on one point and let Will know his address, ore than that he ex- pressed himself well pleased with their associa- tion, and said he'for one would be glad to keep up the acquaintance, The Double Detective went back to West Thirteenth street and, after puzzling for awhile over his case, fell asleep and put in the rest of the night in good style. On the following morning be was at the office at the usual time, but Azro Harker had done better than usual, and was ahead of him, The senior detective was just removing the morning mail from a basket into which the postman dropped whatever was for them, through u slit in the door, and as he did so, a key dropped out, It had acard attached, and had come through the mail, Azro looked startled, and burriedly detached the key and putitim hispocket, Then hestudied the address for awhile, but, getting no satisfac- tion out of it, threw it in the waste-backet, The key was the one which had played such an important part in the events of the previous night, but its recovery did not seem to givehim pleasure. On the contrary, besat for a long while in a brown study, and his face bore a gloomy expression, Will Archer pretended to be unconscious of all this, but he was-duly observant. More than this, he knew it was Dave Doyle, of Nova Scotia, who had mailed the key back toitsowner. Such had been the plan decided upon. That morning Azro gave the mail only casual attention, He was too worried and nervous to get down to business, and he soon informed his cal that the day was his own, and left the of- ce, His associate did not fail to act almost as promptly. He went to Old King Coal’s and roceeded to transform himself into Billy Blue 3lazes, Then he sought Mrs, Rawlins’s pres- ence. - ** Top o’ the mornin’ to ye, mum,” be said, at once assuming the dialect and happy-go-lucky air of the Dodger of the Docks. ‘‘ Hope | see ye in yer usual muscular health,” J am well, thank you,” she returned, ‘ Wot paren sighin’ fer, ef I may ask?” ‘\'My mind is ill at ease.” . ‘* That mind o’ yourn will get ye into a p’ison fix, yet; it will, sure’s you live. Ef I had it I'd apply a porous plaster to it, ev’ry night,” * Don’t make light of my troubles,” ‘* Harlem fleas! I wouldn’t do it, nohow. I pint built right fer a cold-blooded seoffer; m are too crooked, an’ my nese too straigh Ef you was as considerate fer others as I be, half o’ the sin an’ sorrer o’ New York would be yanked right up by the roots, an’ left ter wilt in the sun like the pestiferous weedg they be.”
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Tem ~~ +c a ee JS . 2 ce SA an oe TRE Bee | Saas oe = ig ct “Ss ee 2 My = Se rene ot ee Pp. Ps e. f a se ‘ , Pr ge a ON, cm - e 4 10 Billy Blue Blazes. ~ ——— TT ‘* Have I failed to be considerate?” the widow asked, in surprise, ** Mum, you hev!” ‘¢ Toward whom?" ** Helen Eastman,” Mrs. Rawlins was silent. “You ain’t got a better friend between the Battery an’ High Bridge than Helen,” pursued Billy, warming to bis subject. ‘She ain’t afeerd ter stand up an’ speak her little verse fer you, she ain’t; an’ you ought ter reciprocate, Et’s high time, mum, fer us all ter git tergether an’ make the enemy quake in their moccasins from fright, till their knee-bones play ‘ The Rogue’s March,’ Itis, b’mighty!” ‘* You talk in riddles,” ‘* Did you ever hear o’ Mr, Edric Zelland?” The widow started, but did not show the alarm he expected. ‘* What do'you know of him?” she asked. ‘Some complercation about his two wills, wa’n’t there?” ‘* Who has been telling you this?” ‘*Mum, I’d like ter pour out the facks like a Niagara, but I’m goin’ ter be sure I’m right afore [ go ahead. You wouldn’t tell me nothin’, an’ now [’m kinder gittin’ a hold, [ air’s chump enough ter lay my soul bare until I know how you stand. Observe?’ sé Yes,” x “ Helen is your friend. Why can’t you be hers?” “Have you forgotten that Simon Beebe tried_ to burn me alive in the schooner?” ‘* No; nor that he tried ter burn you dead !” ‘* Would you have me go out and dare his hatred again?” ‘Yes; under my protection.” ‘*T feel that I owe certain things to Miss Wastman,” the widow confessed, thoughtfully, ‘* but [ am not over the horror of that night, I remember the awful situation in the schooner, the way of escape cut off,,ard fire and smoke floating around us. After ali that, it is hard to get courage enough to go out and risk it all ain, ‘ou don’t need ter,mum. You don’t see enough good clothes on Billy Blue Blazes’s figger ter makea female muskeeter a sun-shade, but et’s different with Helen. Sheain’t no ragged imp o’ the docks, an’ ef l’s you, I’d stand by her. I would, b’mighty!” ‘*Te I know my danger, I also know my duty. Billy, don’t urge this further, now; give me time to think.” ‘* Sure; that’s all right. Only I hope you’lk git a Salvator move on yer thinker, an’ make a Garrison finish, Now, mum, I'll go out an’ per- ambulate, but Pll drop in subsequent an’ swap opinions with ye.” Billy went out, He hardly knew what course to take. To dog Captain Beebe might, or might not, bring valuable discoveries, but, as he was in the enemy’s confidence as the Dodger, he dis- liked to run any risks in that disguise by follow- ing the mariner. He was mechanically walking toward the North River when he met Ducky Meegan. ‘ This ey had not improved in looks, Not being a without the section he had lost the night before, in the encounter with Dave Doyle, and the round, red spot on the side of his nose was con- spicuous. - Pai oy !” he vin pegs : ullo, Ducky-goat!” was the cool response, ** How’s yer health this a. m.?” ; Waz-al, I ain’t overly brisk,” Doe con- tessed. ‘‘ Ye see, I was movin’ the stove fer my sister, last night, an’ 1 accidentally Jet the pipe fall. Et struck on my head an’ Padi me a good bit; an’ it b my nose, See?” He pointed to tne wound, and Billy, though not a little amused at nis readiness at finding excuses for the burts he received in personal en- counters, consoled him in due form, ‘But itll grow ag’in, Ducky,” the Dodger added, ‘‘Skin ain’t nothin’ but a fashion, no- how. Wedon'’t.eat with it, see with it, nor hear with it, Reckon it’s a superfluous article, any- how. Don’t you?” * Et may be with some, but I’m short,” the tough confessed, lugubriously, Ah ‘* Well, w’ot’s the news?”, ** Nothin’ at all.” Tale **T hoped there’d be a chance fer fun,” “Ef there is, tother fellers hev got it all,” Duckv admitted, with a sigh. 7 “Where's the boss?” ry “‘T dunno, Factis, [don’t hardly know where ‘I be, Kid, things ain’t w’ot they wuz, an’ I may it need all m litikel pi de stig Pres Pt left” ; "i (0) e fer a job, fer mef” ' inflooence ter keep on le to grow cuticle to order he was still. **T don’t think so. De times is all outo’ joint, See? Now, dere ain’t an honester man in New York dap I be, an’ I ought ter be in luck, but I’s lost me graft. See? You'll excuse me, kid, but I’m goin’ off somewhere ter drown’d my sorrers in whisky. Farewell!” Mr. Meegan made the old tragic, Bowery-style gesture, and then walked away abruptly. Billy went on toward his destination, and ar- rived at the pier where the schooner had been, The remzants were there no longer; what was left after the fire had been removed to make room for another vessel It had been decided that the lack of any bodies in the schooner showed that every one had escaped, but while Beebe was puzzling over the case, others, not specially interested, had nearly dismissed it, * All had escaped—what did ¥v matter where they were’ Billy was boisterously greeted by the men on the pier, He was known all along the lower end of the river, and liked by all. **Come, Dodger,” said one us a lift on this job! ‘*Me?” Billy returned. ‘When you see me, let it be known, will yer My paws wa’n't il ter scrub floors an’ handle ropes an’ hooks, ee?’ “Oh, Pcl no good, You won't work, but spend all yer time along the docks. Is there anybody’s business you don’t ow? I s’pose you could give me points on my affairs.” ‘*[ could give yer neighbors some, an’ I’d do it ef yer wife wa’n’t a respectable woman, But I won’t give ye away, old man, fer | don’t want yer discharged.” A stream of raillery was always directed against Billy when be appeared among the men who worked along the docks, but it always was good-natured, and they admired his ready, tpn ani replies as much as they did im. ‘Would you object ter a job ef it wasn’t hard work?” added one of the men, more seriously, ‘* Give us yer tip, general.” *\ You think I’m jokin’, but [ ain’t~, A man wants ter hire divers ter search the bottom 0’ the dock,” ‘* What fer?" ‘* The bodies 0’ the folks once supposed ter be burnt in the schooner.” ; ‘* Ain’tit Cap’n Beebe?” F “ce No.” 4 Mt, ** Who, then?” ‘*We don’t know, He sent an agent, but keeps out o’ sight hisself, Now, eo you're a swimmer, an’ ef you want ter earn a little 0’ the stuff, you never’ll git a better chance. See?’ ‘‘Naw;I don’t see,” retorted Billy, with an air of disgust. “I ain’t no grave-digger, no resurrectionist, I was born «gentleman, as you ought ter see by lookin’ at me. Ef it wasn’t fer the freckles on my face, an’ a squint in my lar- HOeee, eye, [ could mix with the Four Hun- turn to an’ give ‘ ae place is with Reilly’s Four Hun- red, ‘* Sure, Harrigan made me an offer, but Tony Pastor put an injunction on it, I raise up a good bit o’ jealousy, gents, an‘ s0—” The badinage was rudely interrupted. Down on tho pier rushed a colored man with bulging eyes, open mouth and labored breathing, and he made straight for Billy. The latter discovered him, recognized Wash Calhoun, and ceased speaking. Something was wrong; he knew that at a glance, ** 'W'ot’s up?” ne demanded. Pantingly Wash made answer: ‘Mrs, Rawlins’s boy has been stole!” CHAPTER XI. A HOT TRAIL, ‘“‘ HARLEM fleas!” ‘Billy uttered the exclamation in a startled voice. If Wash Calboun’s words had not been enough to arouse him, his manner was, there was only onc interpretation to be put on the reve- lation, and that was that Wash represented a nic that had fallen upon the inmates of Old <ing Coal’s domicile. “Yes, sah; dat am a suah fack!” Wash panted, \ ‘*How? When? Who did it?” Billy de manded, - ‘*We doan’ know; but de facks am dat a man come in, gobbled Leslie, an’ tone took him away.” ‘ Anybody on the track?” **No, “Home. Wash’ton!”: Together the two hastened back to Old King | Coal’s, They went in silence, Wash was too ‘4 “4 aay . d i 4 f 1 Se ang AO 9 fA am toner er i pT i era + much out of breath to say anything, and Billy was busy with his thoughts. If Mrs. Rawlins’s boy had been stolen, it was the work of Captain Beebe or some of his agents, and showed that the opposition was awake to some of the facts of the case, They knew that Leslie lived; they probably knew Mrs, Rawlins bad escaped. When the house was reached they found Mrs. Rawlins weeping bitterly, while Old King Coal paced the floor with long and hasty steps. ‘*A vile outrage!” he declared, ‘‘ Darn my best antbracite! but ef 1 was ten year younger I’d take the trail; I would, by Gineral Jackson! My grandfather was a Revolutimary soldier, an’ {reskin all the martial blood ain’t died out ” Tel\ me all about it!” the Double Detective urged. ‘+ A man comie in an‘ took theboy; a cowardly man—” Did you know him?” ‘No,. He was a sneakin’—” ‘* How did he do it?” _ *The door must ’a’ been left unlocked, He was & mean—’ ‘* Where did he go?” ‘‘Tnter acab. He was a diabolical-—” ‘¢ Which way did he drive?” **North. He was a thievin’ skunk—” . ** John Jones, you come down ter biz now, an? / abuse him later in theday. 1 want the bottom facks, an’ want ’em as quick as yer tongue kin reel off the yarn. Get a wiggle on, mister, for there is work todo. Ketch on?” Old King Coal came down to business ana ex- plained as far as he was able. A man_had in- vaded the house, seized little Leslie Rawlins, borne him away, and, making use of a cab, which probably had been in waiting, had dis- appeared. Only Mrs. Jones had seen him distinctly enough to give any description, but she was precise and positive. More than that, by the time she had finished, Billy believed he had a clew to the whole case. In the abductor he felt sure he recognized a man who was one of Azro Harker’s most active agents, and it was clear that the detective had not been idle; he, too, had found a clew, and had worked so well that Leslie was now in the hands of Mrs, Rawlins’s enemies. Mrs. Rawlins continued her weeping, but Billy observed it without any very deep sym- pathy. ‘‘Mum, you feel all broke up, an’ it’s natural; but ef you had took my advice you wouldnt been here, I advised you ter either turn on Simon an’ skrush him under yer heel, or join hands with Helen an’ let her make things solid fer you; but you wouldn’t hear ter me, You held ter your idees, an’the loss o’ your son an’ heir is the result.” **-You don’t know how I feared to act.” ‘“-Yes, I do; you demonstrated that fack, plain. But never mind, mam; I’m goin’ ter git a wiggle on, an’ I suspect I shall, beat them pestiferous scamps out, yet. I do, b’mighty!” ‘¢ Hev you a plan?” ‘‘'Yes: an’ my plan is ter git a wiggle on, Good-day, ladies an’ gents: I’m off! Ef you bear of a dynamite explosion afore night, jest amas tip-cart ter pick up tle fragments, So- ong!” ° And the irrepressible Dodger hastened away. If he could have been in several places at once he would have mone first of all to: Harker’s office, to see if chance would not play into his hands, there, but this, together with ‘he neces- sity of transforming himself into Will Archer, would consume too much valuable time, ‘Instead, he laid out a plan which included a call on Dave Doyle, of Nova Scotia, a call on, Helen Eastman, anda reconnoissance around the place where lived Dan Monks, the helper of Azro Harker, whom Dodger suspected of being the abductor, . When he saw Dave Doyle and explained what he thought proper he was surprised to see what a commotion he caused in that person’s mind, Dave confessed that it was he who had planned to have the dock d ed for the bodies of the supposed victims of the schooner disaster; but, hearing with pleasure that they were slive, he was eager to give his aid, .‘* We will have Leslie back, or overturn all New York!” he declared. ‘* Interested in the kid, ain’t ys, mister?” .“ Well, yes: in a general way.” - “Should say so, You’rea queer one, David. | Ain’t got ready ter let me inter yer secret yet, — hev ye?” / Rey ie yout ste a man dead and buried!” : Dave Doyle gloomily replied. \ \ i
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ep eS” - Billy Blue Blazes. “Rest in peace, poor soul! So you met me nigh Dan Monks’s? “ Yes,” “Good! Now I’m off ter see Helen. Any message ter her?” “c No ” “All right; but whenI git ter be a dashin’ young man like you—” “Young?” ‘“*You look forty-five, but I mistrust you. Let it pass, though, I’m off! So-long!” : Once more Billy made quick time. Reaching Helen’s present home he again told his story rapidly. He was resolved that all of his allies _ should know the facts. Helen listened atten- tively, but in silence, until he chanced to men- tion the name of Harker’s agent. Then she quickly interrupted: ‘¢ Dan Monks? Why, I know of him!” ‘* What of him?” ‘¢- You remember the Miss Peters who came to the pier with me, the morning after the schooner was burned? He was once her servant, but was discharged for negligence, impertinence, and sus- picion of dishonesty, I heard he was helping some detective, and, of course, it is the same man. I am not sure but I can help you in this matter.” ce How?” “Dan Monks once thought wellof me. I sent him money when his child-was ill—I had more money then than now; and be was really grate- ful. He always was eager to oblige me when he saw me at Miss Peters’s. I don’t*believe he has lost that gratitude. I will go and see him!” ‘* Ef you would, miss—” **T will!” lelen threw on her outer garments, and was ready to leave the house, A cab was engaged, and they made haste to reach Dan’s, Billy was reluctant to let Dan, or any of the gang, see him arrayed with the opposition, but he was deter- ined not to let Helen face possible danger alone, It, might be the best of good luck to Simon Beebe for her to walk into the house, Perhaps ‘he would be there, and not allow her to come out, ‘* Where she goes, I go,” thought the Double Detective. ‘‘She’s a good one, and I'll stand by her.” Dan Monks’s residence was close to the North River, From its windows could be seen a line of teams dragging along an unclean street; then a row of piers; then the grand old river that New Yorkers love so well. From its broad bosom almost always came a cool breeze which was very grateful in warm weather, The cab paused at the door of the house; the driver was directed to wait for them, and Billy 799 the bell. A dull-faced colored girl opened the door, — ‘Is D. Monks in?” the Dodger asked, prompt- ly. ‘* Yeup,” she returned, mechanically. We want ter see him,” eup. “* Wal, let us in, an’ we'll do it.” Yeup.” Evidently the girl was not one in whose tem- ple of understanding Genius made a home, but she stepped aside and gave them a chance to en- ter, It was not until Helen patty statea that they wanted to see Dan in the parlor that she made any decisive move, Then she locked the door, put the key in her pocket and led the way up the stairs. It was an unusual pec for the parlor to be situated, but they followed without comment and were ushe to a rear room, “Pll go for *im,” the colored girl said, and left the callers the only occupants of the apart- ment, It was a doubleroom. There were folding- doors at the point of connection, draped with a tain. While Helen and Billy sat in what cur patience they could assume, th pushed aside and a boy’s head appeared in the opening; a head with a sqd, tear-stained, wish- ful face, and big, inqu eyes. Billy saw, and his own ¢yes grew larger, * lem fleas!” be ejaculated. uick asa flash came a change to the tear- stained face, and its owner darted past the cur- tains and to Billy’s side. " , “Oh! I’mso glad to see you!” he cried, “Won't you take me away? Oh, do, do!” “Be calm, my youthful frien’!” the Dodger ‘*1'm here fer that very purpose; me n’ this charmin’ young lady: an’ when we set- tle down ter biz, things bas got ter start. Say, Leslie, who brougbt you bere?” ‘Aman! He stole me from the house, and _ took me all the way in a cab.”. / . o> iz) Bde oe ee a fh Rh A ay Scan ea re ha pt ‘* Feller with a black mustache big enough fer the mane of a hoss?” ‘“That’s Dan Monks. But, see here, Miss Helen, d’ye s’pose we could slide out afore Dan ‘* Miss, don’t you see I have nothing to do about it? They are the bosses; I’m only a ser- vant.” ‘*T understand all that, but you now have matters in your own hands, Servant though comes? True, the slow-witted gal locked the a may be, you need not be party to wrong. door, but—” ‘“‘T think we had better stay and face Monks,” ‘*All right; Pll git inter the shadders a bit, an’ let you talk with him, Mister Rawlins, stan’ by her!” The Dodger pushed Leslie over by Helen and himself moved back a little. He was just in time, The door opened, and Dan Monks walked in, CHAPTER XII. THE INVADERS GET INTO TROUBLE. Dan MONKS entered with an uneasy expres- sion on his face. In point of fact the servant had erred grievously, from his point of view, in letting strangers into the house at this time. Leslie Rawlins was where he could communicate with them, if he chanced to enter the room, and though Monks did not know who they were, or what errand had brought them there, it was an alarming state of affairs. When he entered and saw the abducted boy already with the callers his worst fears were proved well-founded, While there was nothing in Monks’s appear- ance to tell positively whether he was saint or sinner, he had a stern and rather fierce expres- sion, and his big, black brows contracted. Addressing Leslie, he sha’ ply ordered: “* Go into the next room!” , Miss Eastman retained her hold on the boy’s hand, and quietly returned: j ** Don’t you know me, Mr. Monks?” His expression changed quickly. ‘* Wha! is it you, Miss Eastman?” ‘ Yes ” **T did not expect to see you,” **T hope [ am not unwelcome?” ‘* No; of course not. That is—” His gaze strayed toher hand, It held Leslie’s and the boy nestled up to her as a protector in whom lay his only hope outside of Billy Blue Blazes, **T trust you and your family are well, Mr, Monks?” Helen pursued in an even voice, The man started. ** Yes, yes; we are.” ‘And your child? l’ve always had a good deal of interest in her since she was sick.” Dan Monks moved uneasily. He always had believed the child would have died in its illness had it not been for Miss Eastman’s aid, and he wasinan unenviable position now, She had saved his child. Did she know he had abducted the child now with her? P ““My girl'is well,” he respondea, sooking down; then he suddenly raised his gaze to Les- lie’s face and added: ‘ Boy, go into the next room and—and play.” ‘“* Excuse me,” interrupted Helen, ‘‘ but please let Leslie stay with me. I[ am here on his ac- count,” ** You are?” ejaculated Monks, “Yes. His mother is a friend of mine, and I would like to take the child back to her.” Monks put his hand to his head in a bewilder- ed way. He wasan unscrupulous man, but all sense of honor and shame was not lost to him. All the gratitude he was capable of feeling had been given to the young lady who had helped his sick child, and, above all other persons, he wished that lady to think well of him. Nothing but that would have made him waver, for he had not felt any stings of con- science because he had stolen Leslie. y he found words to answer: ‘Tt don’t rest with me, miss,” “You are the one who took the boy away from his mother.” ‘“* How do you know that?” ‘Tam well aware of it. Mr. Monks, I did not think this of you. For the sake of your own child I should think you would be thoughtful of others’, I cannot believe, however, that you realize the extent of what you havedone. You are notan unjust or criminal man ”—the barges was not so sure of that as she pretended—‘‘ an I feel that I have only to present the matter in its true light to have you consent to let Leslie 0. Be. But it don” rest with me,” “ With whom, then?” Monks did not reply and Helen added: “T understand; with Azro Harker, your su- perior, and Captain Simon Beebe. But, surely, you would not let them lead you into dishonor- able work?” ; fe 38) pee. daa etter break with them than lose your self-re- spect. Look at this child! He has been violent- ly parted from his mother, Remember wher your child was ill, Would you harm another's child? Yes; and remember that, when your child recovered, you suid if | ever wanted any help you would do all in your power for me, The time has come. Let me take this boy away!” ; Helen had spoken well. Not only had her manner been kind and persuasive, but she had appealed to Dan’s one vulnerable point. She had not appealed in vain, for he was moved, but the victory was not yet won. ** Ask anything else!” he exclaimed. ‘* Bat I desire only one thing.” ‘*T can’t grant that! I can’t; don’t ask me. This is a matter too deep for me to meddle: with, There is law at work, and prospect of law-suits, and I can’t meddle, If you want to talk wit any one, go to my bosses.” Billy Blue Blazes calmly rose. ‘¢ Mister,” quoth the Double Detective, ‘‘ who we'll go to will be the copper on the nearest corner!” ‘ Monks regarded the speaker disdainfully. ‘* Who are you?” ‘“‘P'm a twin brother of Inspector Byrnes, or I may be him. Ono of us was stole from the. cradle whilean infant, an’’twa’n’t never known which. I may be the inspector, an’ he may be me. Anyhow, ef you don’t let this youthful kid go with us, I'll slide out an’ tell a gavus!” ‘* A good deal of attention he would pay toa rag-bag like you!” Monks sneered. ‘* His attention would be given ter you! Harlem fleas! do you think sech things are allowed in our glorious city? Not much, b’ mighty !” Billy threw out his arm in a gesture expres- sive of more than words could convey, but its force was lost when, most inopportunely, an- other person walked into the room. It was Captain Beebe! He paused and looked fixedly at Billy, and a more angry countenance the Dodger never had seen, Simon was not in weeping mood, then, but looked quite as dangerous as his own words. now demonstrated, ‘* You vile traitor!” he cried, ‘‘ what are you doing here?” “Eh? W’ot’s that?” Billy, replied, as com- posedly as was possible after such a shock, ‘“T think I see now why some of our plans have miscarried, You have been a traitor and spy from the first, You young hound! [ll wring your neck for you!” ‘*Don’t think of it!” -was the cool retort. ‘¢ You would come ter grief as sure as Daniel Webster, Git up a,more peaceful amusement. Git a bicycle, an’ j'ine the boys in ridin’ over the new pavement on Highth avenue,” ‘‘T see,” pursued the captain, with growing on, ** that you've been a snake in the grass! hy didn’t I suspect it before? But I have ou now, and I'll fix ‘you, you vile traitor. onks, seize that scoundrel, and we'll tie a stone to him and drop him in the river. Goon!” ‘*I don’t know about it,” returned Dan, look- ing at Helen, ashamed to act, yet willing to aid. Beebe, , ‘* Are you afraid of a boy? See here!” The captain drew a revolver viciously and turned it on Billy, ‘*Now, man,” he added, ‘overpower the. traitor!” CHAPTER XIII. THE DODGER HAS TO FIGHT, Bitty BLUE BLAZES stood firm and defiant. ‘T advise you not to try it, mister,” he re-- coolly, ‘Put up that shootin’-iron, Ef. turned, you don’t wanter go up-country and be electro- cuted, you won’t p’int that ae this way, As fer scarin’ me, you can’t; I ain’t built right.” ‘* Monks, will you obey me?” Beebe demanded, turning to his assistant. ‘* ’m with you,” Monks replied, ‘but I’d like to see this settled up peaceably, wontt give up the small boy, but this big one— has be been with you?” “Yes, and sold me out,” the captain Ee ed, bitterly. ‘The fellow has pretended to my faithful helper. but I now think I see where- ‘. ajl the malign influences at work against me come from, traitor.” ~F Of course we He is a sneak, a spy and a Vy = . = D a eo
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pacha at at ne ee Se s B..., _— ware oem ~ = Peeled aivtay, ee —~ » “Take et easy, general,” Billy advised. *“ Whatever I may hev done, you can’t growl, Yow picked me up on the streets and hired me, Ef [ain't served you wal, I reckon you can’t match no black record with a white.” “Do you admit you have worked against ‘me?’ ‘*T admit nothin’.” ‘It is enough that you are nere with her!” ‘ He turned to Helen, and glared upon her, He was going dast’along the road of crime. His schemes had not worked well, but he had been reluctant to give up, and repeated plots and ee failures bad put him in a wild and feverish ie! ' state, ‘1 gee you are here!” he added. ‘‘- Yes, Captain Beebe,” Helen calmly replied. Re “*T have come for Leslie.” (St Raia “You can’t have him!” Simon shouted, Bak” “T am going to take him out of this house Wal?) »with me!” ‘You are, ~y tne fiends. you don’t xnow what you are talking about, Do you know that “Monks and I are here? Do you think you can overcome us? Do you think I have schemed so much, only to be baffled now by such a weak opposition as this? Why, I would burn the house down over our heads, with all in it, before I would yield. ** But such a step 1s not necessary. Monks and [ are quite able to care for you. The only result of your visit here is that you and the young traitor there are added to the list of my ; prisoners!” ~ ; Dee Bee: iy ‘*Harlem fleas!” Billy exclaimed, ‘‘ don’t go ee ae -on in sech a voylent way. Why,general,we hev allies outside, watchin’ the house, an’ ef we don’t show up soon, they’ll march in ter know the } cause,” } ‘*T don’t believe it!” ** All right.” “Tt may be true,” Monks observed, un- easily, “The Dae inti: tet greatest liar in e boy is lying; be’s the iar New York!” fatke » pd viciously. ‘‘ Wait till the perleece git you. Why, you are only givin’ yerself a dig in the back by hold- ‘in’ off like this, It’ll be all the worse fer you, . an’ you'll hey ouly yerself ter thank, All right; a we ain’t kickin’.” arg pulled at Beebe’s sleeve and whispered to im. ‘““Mr, Monks,” spoke Helen, gravely, ‘‘the time has come for you to show your gratitude for what happened when your child was ill.” There was no reply, but the men went aside and ‘talked in low tones, for some time. It was evi- dent that there was no conflict of opinion, which showed that Dan was going to turn against Miss Eastman. Billy improved the chance to speak with her, and told her that Dave Doyle was out- side on the watch. If they did not return soon yer he certainly would take steps to help them, _.. §§imon and Monks came back, and the latter at once walked up to Billy. , You are to be tied up,” he announced, ‘and you may as well take it coolly.” \ . ‘¢ Hands off!” the Dodger retorted, yield an inch, an’ ef you—” / ~ The unspoken warning was not heeded, Dan **T won't ‘out and gave him a blow on the nose that made him reel. } / “Make fer the door!” the fearless detective exclaimed. ‘I'll take care of them!” It was a big contract, as he speedily found. Both men leaped at him, and a scene of the - greatest excitement followed. He struck out manfully and gave them several hard blows, but the odds were too much for him. They finally succeeded in throwing him down, and Monks sat on him and held his hands, a Bring ropes!” hedirected, ‘‘ We will tie the cub up. "Billy ‘accepted the situation with his usual -. nonchalance, and had nothing to regret. He ‘had. at no time expected to overcome both of ny them, but the diversion had worked as he hoped; elen and Leslie had fled from the room. The Dodger would have been content had not ‘the coolness of his captors indicated that they had no fear of the others being able to escape. The binding was soon done, as materia: was at hand, and the men pronounced him helpless, gh: ‘ ‘ei ane ae do now?” rey i pet ce ously, ‘* e police come in, it will go har witb us if he is found here,” ; “Jl fx that Follow me, and 1 stow him away where only @close search will bring him to light.” He picked Billy up bodily, carried him to the wah em) and then up another flight of stairs. The _ Dodger tried to get a view of the lower hall, to bala? in| ww erry if ve ia ie eh Ll iggy Pee VAS age a eee 5 ‘ ‘ ’ ’ } ; see if Helen was visible, but did not succeed, | hanging over the rail, neared a point which made a rush to seize his prey, but Billy struck . | The fighting pair h Bt vie eae fy ee rie ‘ - OT eet ee : “ay maid I i Bt Ak Stal RE La re wees Billy Blue Blazes. We : i Mp , ‘ ns hs tee > vel 4, j 4 Fst" Er et tn, RE er Pe et # + m Ba ea aN { ou = mM -~ SOR erty brie fom chp rmewenten ooarae 2 \ —— é sha: piacere a EN gy Sper ee TROT ‘ Oak ~ He was conveyed to an unfinished part of the attic. A rough partition had made one-half of it into a store-room, and a good deal of semi- useless matter was scattered around, several boxes being among the rest, Monks moved some of these boxes, making a recess, and into this the prisoner was put. When the boxes were replaced he was in a hes where he could see nothing and hear but ttle more. His hands and feet were bound, and acloth tied around his mouth prevented him from speaking. For some time he ‘lay perfectly s*ill, but this was only because he was not sure they had left the garret, Finally he decided they had, and his eccentric mind shaped words his tongue could not utter: ‘‘ Mister Blue Blazes, you’ve got ter the end o’ er halter. You ain’t in it, an’ you're out 0’ ight. Shut up like a turkey in a coop, an’ no chance ter gobble. All comes 0’ your meddlin’ with things that don’t concern you,too, You've got an idee you're a detective, but nobody else ever discovered it, Who ever heerd of Vidocq bein’ sealed up by dry goods cases? William B, Blazes, you're scalped, an’ the red-men are hevin’ their little dance around the pole on which bangs yer red tresses. They think you a fool; they think you done up, Query: Be you?” He turned upon his side. ‘* Ef so, you're badly took in.” He began to wrestle with his bonds. When these impediments were being adjusted he had done his best to deceive Monks. Posses- sing large wrists and small hands he had en- deavored to take up all possible room with the former, in order that the cords might not press so tightly as they were supposed to press, He believed he had succeeded, and was about to test the matter. Vigorously he tried to draw his hands out. _ For awhile it seemed a hopeless task, and he felt as if the flesh was being torn away in the attempt, but be was rewarded at last. One hand slipped out, and the job was done. It was only a short task to free the other hand and, later, to remove the bandage around his mouth; and then he untied the cords on his ankles. He was free after one of the shortest experiences in bonds on record, _ * Mister Blazes, shake hands!” he exclaimed, ‘You may be more of a detective than you were lately represented. Now, fer action!” He sprung to his feet, and crawled cautiously upon the box, When satisfied that his enemies really had left the garret, he fully left the recess, dusty, covered with cobwebs, but triumphant, He went to the head of the stairs and looked down, All was quiet there, but he was unable to tell the state of affairs. He was bold enough to venture down, but doubted the wisdom of rashness, : he would not be likely to If captured again get out of it so well. f . After a little meditation he sought for and found a skylight, and ascended to the flat roof, He had hoped to see Dave Doyle on guard, and being able to signal to bim, but the Nova Scotian had disappeared. Then he looked for a police- man, but saw none, ‘Wonder ef there is a water-pipe, or any contrivance I kin slide down? I'll see!” He peered over the roof at the front of the house, and at once became witness to an excit- ing scene, There was a fire-escape, and upon one of the balconies two men were struggling together desperately, each trying, it seemed, to throw the other off into the street. “Harlem fleas!” Billy cried, ‘*1t’s Monks and Dave Doyle!” as . ’ CHAPTER XIV, BILLY GETS A FRESH ENGAGEMENT, It was a surprising and startling discovery. Billy had not had the least idea that Dave Doyle was in the house, and did not, even then, under- stand how he had gained access there. But the facts were not to be disputed, and the ugliest of all was that if either man was thrown to the irregular, but, ei sidewalk below it ould be a serious, perhaps a fatal matter. ‘Bjinks! I’m in that rustle!” Billy ex- The fire-escape did not reach to the roof, but was near enough to furnish a plan, The Dodger | claimed, ; | dropped to the upper baleony, skillfully avoided r, at least, as well asl can. a a fall, and then hastened down the ladder. Neither man saw him, and he uttered no cry. ad reached the crisis. Small as the balcony was, and inadequately guarded with railing, no two strong men could lon struggle there, Both had partially fallen, and, \ i] threatened to send both down, ‘*T have you!” Monks cried. He gave his adversary another push, and Dave Doyle grasped at the rail wpe to miss it. He hung suspended in air, and unable to recover; he slipped; he was falling! Then a strong hand grasped his collar and pulled him back. ‘‘Gent-,” quoth the Dodger, coolly, ‘ you want ter let up on this kind of a shindy!” Dan Monks gazed at the figure above him, and was stupefied wih surprise. ‘‘ David,” the Double Detective added, ‘‘ my advice is that you get a wiggle on!” Then the speaker swung himself into the house through the open window, and the Nova Scotian was not slow to follow. Quickly Billy closed and fastened the window, : ‘¢ Daniel will hev ter break the glass ter get in,” he added. ‘ Helen!” Doyle exclaimed. ‘* Where is shef” * Don't you know?” ‘ ‘ Ain’t, she gone out?” “ N ” ‘‘ Then she must be here still. Guess they’ve got her in durance vile, My frien’, a_mouse shouldn’t try ter swaller a mountain, Le’s go fer the perleece, an’ let them take charge, Wait! here’s a subjick!” He darted into the hall and caught the colored servant, who was sing. ‘¢ Desdemona!” he cried, ‘* where’s the other prisoners? Speak up, now, like a little man!” “Deed, sah, I don’t know,” the girl an- swered. ‘‘ Where’s Simon Beebe?” ** Gone out, sah,” ‘Glad you’ve told one truth, but the other statement bas hooked teeth all up its back. Et don’t go, Lead the way ter them folks, ter wit:. The young lady an’ the boy.” ‘¢ But I doan’ know” a! Sy | that ag’in, an’ I'll call ina perleeceman, He will arrest you, an’ you'll be locked up in the Tombs—” ‘© Deed, sah, I doan’ wanter be; I ain’t dead an’ don’t want ter goternotomb, 1 told ’em romani let on, but I'll show you where they e, If the servant was confused in ber statements, it was only a companion picture to the condi- tion of her mind. She imagined that the fierce young man in the rough, dust-coverod suit had threatened to put her in a “tomb,” and this took all of the courage out of her. She was in such haste to lead the way that they almost had to run to pe up with her. She hurriedly unlocked the cellar door. ‘* Dat yab is de place !” she announced. “Go carefully,” Dave Doyle advised. ‘‘It y be another trap.” 5 ; ‘We'll see, Hullo, down there! Any need fer an arobulance ter cart yer off ter mG el He was answered at once, and Helen and Les- lie made their appearance, They were not bound; the cellar had been considered strong enough to keep them in bounds, Dan Monks did not put in an appearance, but the value of prompt action was apparent to all. They acted according to their convictions. Hurriedly unlocking the street door, they passed out. | Still Monks was invisible, but as the window was not broken, it was plain that se had taken chances and dropped to the sidewalk. A police- man was sauntering along the street, but, od- dly enough, the affair on the fire-escape had not attacted the attention of any one who had been nearer at hand. , Satisfied with the outcome of affairs, the . rescuers and Leslie hastened toward the cab, the driver of which was sleeping on the box. ‘Now, w'ot’s ter be done with this small boy?” Billy inquired, ‘‘Old King Coal’s ain’t no place fer him nor his maternal ancestor, an’ oth ought ter be got mA ter some other **1l] take Leslie with me,” Helen returned. ‘¢T want to go to my, mother!” cried the boy, in alarm. } Helen tried to quiet him, but he proved stub- ‘born, and it was agreed that they should take him back to Mrs. Rawlins. It was. Miss Hast- man and Billy who settled this point, for no word came from Dave Doyle, of Nova Scotia, and when they turned to look for him, he was gone, eee ine A) : ‘Harlem fleas! but ain’t he a queer duck?” the Dodgor muttered 7 wed ee expression. air ‘Kin you understand him, miss?” a4 HESS ety a ‘i f ; y Me , pA a f Me rae atte MMe OP Bom Le ee - ayy we ‘i ‘a : cette! , AS ac ls UC ol eehtl eae BW Mt Ene ag St NE AAD. ie . ‘ coterie, ia’ red, Helen said nothing, but her face had an odd ir lee ei? * k WON
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pe + at sine Bt: ‘ wish to stay where she was, and Old Billy Blue Blazes. ; ‘you know I’ve seen Mr. Doyle only casual- y. ** He says he is aman dead and buried!” She drew a deep sigh, but seeing Billy’s gaze fixed inquisitively on her face, abruptly turned to the cab. ‘* Let us go at once,” she requested, They were soon proceeding southward, and were not long in restoring Leslie to his mother, Great was the joy in the house thereat, and the non-combatants did a good deal of weeping. Billy remained practical, and advised a prompt shifting of base, but Mrs. Rawlins expressed a ing Coal backed her up. : ‘¢ A good idee,” hesaid. ‘* We kin put enough men in here ter make her an’ the kid safe, an’ ef they try ter get at’em ag’in, our guards kin seize the intruders, See?” ‘*T don’t reckon they'll try it,” Billy replied. ‘* Hev an idee the enemy will be glad ter go on the defensive, now, an’ do the crawfish. But it ain’t sure, an’ I'd advise a shift. Still, I ain’t boss o’ nobody but myself; do as you please. I’ve got biz!” He left them to settle their own affairs and hurried to his private room. There he proceed- ed to transform himself into Will Archer, ‘* Billy Blue Blazes has lost his grip asa double- faced youth,” he murmured, as he put Billy’s clothes away. ‘‘Simon has accused Billy of being a traitor, But Will remains in g re- ute, as far as I know, and I will see if any more h will come to my net. Harlem fleas! yes!” He left the house and walked over to Azro Harker’s office, No one was there, ~ Entering, he sat down and tried to kill time, but it was no Poa work. Where was Harker? Where, Beebe? here, Monks? Where, Ducky Meegan? He was about to give it up when footsteps sounded and Captain Simon entered. The mariner looked weary and dejected, and his eyes had an uneasy, furtive roll, as if he ex- pected to see an enemy appear and assail him, ‘* Where’s Harker?” he asked. ‘* I don’t know, sir,” Will politely replied, ‘*T want to see him at once,” ‘** Perhaps he is at his house,” ‘*No; I’ve been there,” ‘¢Ts anything wrong, sir?” ** Ts there? ell, 1 should say so; everything is wrong. My luck has all gone back on me, Iam the most unfortunate and persecuted man . [never have done harm to any one, yet evil-minded persons turn upon me like wolves, and rend my heart. An honest man *has no show in this world; honesty only makes enemies!” i ought to. olks in this world!” The re did not show any emotion. “T think I’ve heard of him. Let me see— what is his business?” ‘Sneaking, and spying into other people’s business!” ‘“ What has he done?” ‘‘He’s done that, so I want him put out of sight, I have hated folks before now, but never any oneasI dohim. He is full of mischief and ingenuity, and always turns up just when not wanted. Now, I'll give you twenty dollars to hunt that demon down, and get him into some muss with the police, so he'll be arrested |” “That's a tempting offer, and I'll look for him,” Will vely replied, ‘‘How does he look? How old is he?” ‘* Nineteen, perhaps.” ** About my size? “Bless me, no! He's twenty-five pounds heavier, but not so tall. He’s pretty much all breadth, but as nimble as an eel,” ** How does he look in the face?” ““Homely as sin! -featured and freckled, a squint in one eye, at times, Talks as fast as a race-horse. of words and cheek, Regular hoodlum!” “I'll look the scoundrel up, sir,” the Double Detective promised. ‘‘Once let me get my hands on him and I'l dohim up.” . ‘Don’t try that,” Beebe cautioned. ‘ He’s 80 much larger than you that he would be too much for you. You area gentleman, while he isa tough. But get a hold on him so the police can seize him, and the twenty dollars is yours.” ‘Pll hunt the fellow down!” was the em- phatic response, CHAPTER XV. AWAITING THE ATTACK, FOOTSTEPS sounded in the hall, and Azro Harker and Ducky Meegan entered. The lat- ter was as jaunty and confident as ever, but Azro looked quite as worried and unhappy as Capteaiw Beebe did. He sut down heavily. ‘* What news?” Simon asked, ** None!” ‘* Have you seen any of the opposition?” Azro glanced doubtfully at Will Archer, “You can trust him,” Simon remarked, with confidence. ‘‘I have hada talk with him, and he is going to help me particularly in the future, Will is all right!’ ‘*T guess that is so,” Harker agreed; ‘‘ he al- ways has been faithful tome, You understand, Will, that when detectives get after criminals, the latter are bold and defiant, and strike back at us in all possible ways, Asa result, we have to match trick with trick, and if we sometimes seem severe, itis only that our lives, our repu- canons and the majesty of the law have to be guarded, “*Dat’s jest it,” declared Ducky, with much unction, Will also stated that he realized all these things, and the conspirators began to talk free- ly, though they hung to the claim that they were on the side of justice, Harker’s troubled manner was something new to Will. The latter had before then gained vague knowledge of sundry sharp practices on the part of his employer, but there had never been anything to show that he was unscrupu- lous. He had always made the claim that these practices were necessary in ‘‘ the cause of jus- tice,” and Will had believed him, Now he knew different. Harker was dishonest and un- scrupulous, and a disgrace to his calling. But now, too, he had got into deep waters by his advocacy of Beebe’s crooked cause, and ruin menaced him, When this preliminary conversation was over, he abruptly said: ‘*T have planned another bold move.” ** Good!” Simon commented. : Si woman and her child must be got out of sight. % Well said, but how is it to be done?” ** A sail-boat must be used to take them from New York toa ee on the Jersey Coast, where they can be held prisoners. The main trouble will be to get them to the boat, but I have that arranged, or, at least, planned. They are back at old Jones’s house, Now, the building next to that is a tumble-down old concern that is not occupied just now. My plan is this: We will hire it, get possession at once, and, to-night, make a hole through the connecting wall and get at our prey.” ‘* Can it be done?” Beebe asked, eagerly. ** Why not?” ** Perhaps it can,” **Of course itcan, Will they expect such a move? Hardly! Of course we shall not tell the agent of the second house that we propose to oc- cupy at once; we simply hire the house and take the key. Crowbar's, spikes, etc., will enable us to drill the wall. Doubtless, the cellar will be our objective point.” ‘* Tt’s a bold plan,” Simon murmured. ‘* Nothing else will answer.” ** But if ree idea, as advanced to me ear] to-day, that they dare not go to the police, {s correct, willthey not be just as timid about call- ing for help in the future?” ‘The chief trouble 1s that the pier spy, that Billy Blue Blazes, will go to the police, He has 1o secret to bide—his nature is as open as his ll—and it would be just like him to go to Po- fice Headquarters and call for help,” ‘‘T never was so deceived in any man in me life,” put in Ducky Meegan, mournfully, ‘‘ Dat kid seemed to be built jes’ about right, an’ I thought he was a good one, but he’s gone dead back on us. I disown secha pal, I like white men. See?” If Ducky had been as fertile in resources as Captain Beebe, he would probably have dropped a few tears at this juncture, for his feelings were grievously lacerated. After some further talk Will and Meegan were sent to hire the building next to Old King Coal’s, Beebe giving the former money to pay for a month’s rent, It had been delicately hinted that perhaps Ducky ought not to enter the real estate office, so he remained on a corner, two blocks away, while Will went to do the business, The latter was getting a good deal of satisfac- tion out of bis part in the drama, He was fool- ing the conspirators in the best of shape, even if Billy Blue Blazes had lost their confidenée, Entering the office, he proceeded to negotiate for the house, and succeeded so well that thekey was given to him as soon as he produced the money. The house was old, and the agent was not disposed to be finical, A tenant who could pay his rent was just as satisfactory without references as if he had a yard of them. Will returned to Ducky, and found that per-» son aang against a building in a dejected at- titude. ‘*7'm back, Mr, Meegan!” Mr. Meegan turned slowly, and Will saw that one.of bis cheeks was marked with several red lines, from which a little blood had oozed out. These lines did not add to Ducky’s beauty, and he appeared to realize the fact. ‘* Hallo! have you encountered a wildcat?” the Double Detective demanded. “ T wiz walkin’ by a store omGreenwich street, where dey sold farmin’ tools,” explained the tough, in detail, “‘ an’ I run ag’inst de teeth of’ a varden-rake dat was hangin’ up dere, See?” **That’s bad,” ** Eit’s a howlin’ shame,” “What will you do—” “Do? Tse goin’ ter break his head. See?” ‘Whose head?” ‘*Eh? Oh! Wal, A see, it wasn’t a rake, Fack is, 1 met an old enemy; a darky named Wash Calhoun; an’! pitched inter him, ter do- him up. See? I’d hev done it, too, but me foot slipped on an orange-peel, an’ de black stuff jes” got me head in chancery an’ clawed me, Seef But,” Ducky candidly added, ‘* ef it hadn’t been fer dat orange-peel I’d ’a’ broke his jaw. Dat I would!” Will avoided an impulse to smile, and flattered the speaker’s vanity with a few well-chosen. words which had due effect, **Guess you's quite a feller,” Ducky observed,. ‘ef you’s do dress like a dude, an’ hev a waist like aswell, De only thing I hev ag’inst you is dat you look a bit like dat Billy Blue Blazes who went back on me,” *T dot. How?’ , ‘*Can’t jes’ say. He was as big as two o' you, an’ he had a dark, freckled face, an’ a squint in one eye, but ig ain’t got none o’ them things. Mebbe it’s all fancy, though, dat there is any likeness.” The careless way in which Ducky spoke show- ed that he had no real suspicions, and Will grew: easier, They returned to Harker’s office, and. the key was handed over. Then the conspirators perfected their plans tor the night, which, however, included nothin new. | Will was not asked to join them, nor di he request it. When they began to break the wall, he wanted to be on the other side. He was soon at liberty, and he did not fail to move promptly, He went back to Old King Coal’s, slipped quietly into his Billy Blue Blazes character, and had a long talk with the house- hold, there. It was agreed that they should remain where they were, but havea force capable of receiving the wall-breakers properly. f The Dodger decided that one of this force must be Dave Doyle, of Nova Scotia, and he went to aah aoe rson, laid the new plot before him,. and a : ‘Now, David, kin we hev you fer one 0’ our soldiers?” The Nova Scotian hesitated, ‘“*7 should like to help you, but—” “ What?” ‘*T dislike the publicity.” ‘¢ Harlem fleas! ain’t et late in life fer you ter be basbful, mister?” Doyle meditated, and finally answered: “‘ T will go on condition that when I get/there I may be allowed to sink into oblivion, and neither speak nor be spoken to,” *¢ Mister, ef it’ll oblige you the whole lot on us will wear gags, an’ never raise our bazoo, I want you at any price; luxuries come high, but. wemust hevythem, David, I livein hopes you'll ante up an’ reform from bein’ a walkin’ mystery, retty soon.” ‘“*T tell you I am a man dead and buried.” ‘You look ghostly, I allow; should i e Me was a mere spook ef you hadn’t ey an onks, an’ others, sech a right smart hustle, But let it pass; I'd rather deal with spooks than. a spook priestess. Et don’tcost so much, ez New Yorkers know, ginerally.” Dave Doyle agreed to be at Old King Coal’s
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14 Billy Blue Blazes. -at an early hour, and Billy then went in search of other recruits, The result of his planning was that, at dark, six persons were gathered in the Jones house who were capable of energetic action, and ought ‘to be able to defeat theenemy.. They were Billy, Davé Doyle, Wash Calhoun, and three stout *longshoremen whom Billy knew well. That Beebe’s party could conquer this force no one believed. Mrs, Rawlins and her boy, and Old King Coal and his wife, were present as non-combatants, or were supposed to ba such; but the old man talked war in his cracked voice, and his wife built a hot fire and put as much water to boil as she could manage. She did this without ex- planation, but her lips closed tightly, and she vowed to herself that if war came she would find a way to make herself useful. A period of waiting followed. The ’longshoremen were in high spirits, and joked with the Dodger according to their cus- tom. Dave Doyle maintained his old reputation and kept well in therear, He did not show any fear of those already present, but when either Jones or his wife came into the basement he looked up in a balf-startled way. Was he afraid Mrs. Rawlins would appear? Billy decided that Dave Doyle was the most mysterious man he ever had seen. At nine o’clock the rival force began to speaci and entered the other house, Beebe, Ducky Meegan, Harker and another man were seen to - pass in, They bore packages which, it was in- onl contained the tools for breaking the wall. At eleven the first demonstration was detect- ed, As Billy sat with his head against the wall he faintly heard that which interested him, ‘¢ They’re pryin’ out the bricks!” he exclaimed. ‘¢ Harlem fleas! but won’t there be a pile o’ fun when they break through!” CHAPTER XVI. FIGHTING J £ FOE. Tae defenders waited with more or less anx- siety for the breach tobe madein the wall. Billy Blue Blazes was determined that this should be the last effort of the enemy. They were too dangerous, too desperately in earnest to be al- lowed further chance to do harm; and he hoped to capture the whole party and turn them over ‘to the police. This would bring about revelations in the Beebe-Eastman case which all the jes most concerned seemed desirous of avoiding, but, as they had not seen fit to be definite in their ex- planations, it was well to let the law settle it. He believed some sentimental considerations entered into the general reserve, : Beebe’s party worked steadily at the other side of the wall, but without making any betraying sound, Nowand then the patrolman on that beat by, but he heard nothing. It-would have been the same in Old King Coal’s house if they had obtained no warning. Nearer and nearer came the workmen; clearer and clearer became the sounds, The defenders ceased conversation, except in whispers, Billy turned the gas down, leaving only a tiny spot of fire, but Old King Coal was stationed by the ‘fixture, ready to turn it up suddenly when he received the order from Billy, whom all recog- nized as leader, The ’longshoremen, rough but true, were well armed and eager fora fight. © Billy passed the word of caution to his men, ‘Don’t sound another warble! They’ve got ‘most through, an’ a small thing will scare them off, Stan’ by yer guns, an’ remember the heroes of American hist’ry, Let the Star Spangled Banner float high, an’ all rascals be laid low. ‘Them is my sentiments, You kin think them right along, but don’t speak them till the war is over! y ‘A little mortar rattled down on their side of the wall, They relapsed into silence. The critical moment was at hand! A lull followed, the unseen workmen evident- ly wishing tosee if any alarm ensued, but they #on resumed, Their voices, became audible. alot shone through the wall, A brick dropped neavily. " After that they made but little noise. The other bricks were grasped and drawn back, so that none could drop, and the work of enlarging the breach went on gah The light thus ad- mitted grew stronger, but not sufficiently so to reveal the defenders, ; Cautious whispers were distinctly heard, I can go through now.” . ‘home a fi ‘*Make it a little larger. retreat.” ‘“‘ Can’t we come back as well as go in?” ‘¢ We may return in haste.” ‘¢But victorious, you bet! Well, here’s an- other brick. Later, I'll hand the humans back ter you.” Larger grew the aperture, and further work was abandoned. A man crawled through, Others followed. The defenders hardly ventured to breathe. ad Victory is ours!” declared a deep voice, ‘* Light!” cried Billy. Up flashed the gas. A tabl followed which was was impressive to all parties, and startling to one-half of them, There stood the house-breakers with Simon Beebe and inal cr Meegan at their head. Harker was half-way through the o* mai and the paid tools, between him and Beebe, ‘¢ Murder!” one of the intruders exclaimed, in dismay. The eager ‘longshoremen sprung upon the gang. No one was able to give a clear account of what followed. Billy struck at one of the new- comers, and all were mixed up in the general mélée, It was give and take, then, and the Dodger was.not sure in which line he excelled, cnr a only one picture was distinct in his mind, We want a way of Ae saw Mrs, Old King Coal, tall, bony and. stern, with a dipper of steaming water; he saw her throw it; he saw one of the men dodge, and ee yell and make a plunge for the hole in the wa - It was Mr. Ducky Meegan, and he had come to grief again. the belligerent hostess threw any more hot water it did not hurtany one. The ’longshore- men were remarkable men in a fight, and the advantage they had been gaining gradually, now became decisive. \ ‘W bat were left of the intruders surrendered. Examination, however, showed that Meegan and Azro Harker had escaped. The ‘longshoremen bound the prisoners, and tied knots not likely to be baffled. It was a most decisive triumph, as far as it went, but lacked something of beingcomplete. Theescape of two of the party was not to Billy’s liking, but the fact that the arch enemy of the Rawlins family was secured was very satisfactory. Beebe, however, would do no talking. After a discussion it was decided to hold the risoners unti] morning, so Billy again became ill Archer and went out to reconnoiter, He went to Azro Harker’s office, but it was silent and deserted. F Just as he was about to give it up and ge stealthily approached, evidently anxious to avoid both the patrolmen and any envoys of more direct enemies. Will recognized Pay M n and made haste to join him, état ell, old man, how goes, it?’ he asked uffly. The pt took the speaker’s arm and, in mys- terious silence, led him toa street-lamp. Turn- ing one cheek toward the light he said, ina melancholy voice: ** Look at that!” __ The Dodger looked, A blister had risen on the tough’s cheek to the size of a silver dollar. It was the work of the hot water thrown by Mrs. John Jones, Only for to skill in dodging the damage would have been much greater, but only a very small amount had touched him, What reached the mark, however, had done execution. . ** Ain’t I holy show?” Mr, Meegan asked, mournfully. Certainly, he was not handsome. The eye discolored by Wash Calhoun had not yet as- sumed a normal color; the bruise made on Ducky’s nose by Dave Doyle remained; one cheek had been artistically striped by Wash’s finger-nails; and now the other cheek looked like an adder puffed up for business, ‘‘Me uncle was blowed up in a Mississippi steamboat,” the victim added, ‘‘ an’ it killed him t dead, but t make bold ter say he wa’n’t half so much mutilated as I be. Me heart is broke! No more shall I be de pride ave de girruls along de old North River, fer dey would not be after speakin’ wid sech a wreck, See? {think I shall go an’ den up somewhere, where the eye of man sees not, till me primeval beauty returns. Boy, excuse me ef me words arefew. Me heart is broke! Farewell!” With the old, tragic gesture, Mr. Mecgan turned and walked away, and Billy let him go. He it ed it would be easier to locate Har- ker with the turbulent, headlong rough at lib- erty, also. Shortly after, the Dodger returned to Old King Coal’s. That person was waiting to see him. “ Billy, Mrs. Rawlins has been a-askin’ of my advice.’ ** Wot about?” ‘‘She’s got her courage up, now her brother is nabbed, an’ has told me w’ot the racket is, She asks me, ‘ W’ot would you do? an’! says, ‘ Billy, he’s wiser than me.,’” ‘‘Then you talked nonsense, Mr. John Jones; I’m only a boy. But I’m in an awful hanker ter hear her story. Will she tell it ter me?” ‘‘That’s jest wot she wants ter do. Go an’ put on yer Billy Blue Blazes rig, an’ see her.” “¢ John, I’m changin’ clothes more than a sas- siety belle, but here goes!” A few minutes later he entered the widow’s presence as the Dodger of the Docks, and it needed no persuasion to make her tell the stary. It was as follows: ‘*T grew up poor, and never expected to have any money. ‘True, I had one rich relative, a very old man named Edric Zelland, but the re- lationship was so distant that I never dreamed of being his heir, or one of his heirs. I sup he had nearer relatives, though he had Jived as a bachelor. ‘‘ When he died, however, I learned that I was one of the nearest of kin. ‘¢ If he had left no will I and my brother, Cap- tain Beebe, would have heired one-half of his property. The other half would have gone to our cousin of the second degree, Helen Kast- man, ** But he left a will, “Tf all reports are correct, he left two wills, ‘*One was drawn up in favor of my brother and me, and did not mention Helen. Tbe other was strongly in her favor, and gave Captain Beebe and me only one thousand dollars each. Thus, the courts were beset with wills, and knew not which to choose. True, the one in our favor was of the later date, but Helen’s lawyer claimed that it was fraudulent, and, after a littie legal skirmishing, matters were left in abeyance un- til missing witnesses could be found. ‘Helen had some money, and, becoming dis- gusted over the contest she announced, but not officially, that she was going to retire from all participation, and give up all claims. ‘Captain Beebe had been madly anxious to et the money, and he rejoiced at her decision ut, suddenly, she lost what money she had, and then he was sure she would fight in court for the Zelland money. ‘¢ Now, while I had rarely met Helen, or Mr. Zelland, he had once told me that he had made a will in her favor. He added that it was the only one he had ever made, or should make, ‘Ever after I referred to this fact, in conver- sation with my brother, he was suspicious of me, I did not join him zealously in the fight; I did think Zelland intended to give Helen the money; while the charge that the second will was forged always a partial believer in me, ‘¢ Day by day Simon grew more suspicious, f¢ Helen hhad fost her money, and, he thought, would want more, ‘*Was I going to turn aan him?—to tell in court what Zelland had said to me? “1 believe he dwelt upon these points until he became a monomaniac, I knew he’was not a good man in the past, but, surely, he was not in is right mind when he shut me up in the schooner and applied the torch. ‘‘ Rdric Zelland’s money has rvined one man; it remains to be seen what it will do for others!” ms CHAPTER XVII. . & MYSTERY NO LONGER, ONE revelation was made, and 1t was clear to the Double Detective how Simon Beebe, in his mad thirst for money, had allowed himself to go on step by step in crime, , “Bz fer Zelland’s will,” Billy remarked, ‘‘T should say you an’ Helen would do well ter burn ’em both, an’ inherit under the law.” ‘‘T would rather give up all than continue this legal battle,” Mrs, Rawlins returned, with a sigh. ‘*AndI believe Helen deserves all—that is, Zelland intended her to have all.” , be Who are the re) > ‘Servants; I don’t know theirnames. Unim- portant witnesses, I think, really. There was once a man who, if think, could have told the ex- act truth,” ‘s Where is he?” ‘¢ Dead and buried!” she answered, with a deep. h. : sie Who was he?” as —— oe ee ” witnesses you speak ; ¥ mo ee -
Page 15
was bookkeeper for a business Billy Blue Blazes. 15 ** Allen Hamlin, my nephew. He was drown- ed near Staten Island. Undoubtedly he knew all about the second will—or that in favor of Captain Beebe and myself—and could have said sitively whether the will was genuine or false, oly a noble young man, but death took him early, Mrs. Rawlins rose abruptly. ‘*T will now retire,” she added. She went, and Billy returned to the prisoners and the guards. Allof the former were taking matters calmly but Simon Beebe; he was weep- ing, and seemed very down-hearted, Due ar- rangements were e by which a guard could be kept all night, one man relieving another, while the rest could sleep, and then they pre- pared to get what rest they could. There was no further interruption to that rest, It was late when they became astir in the morning, but, at last, Billy was ready to go out and notify the police when he was surprised to see Helen SPpeay. ‘* Tg Dave Doyle here?” she asked, abruptly. ‘Yes, mum,” Billy returned, ‘*T have been to his place of residence in vain, and thought he must be here, I want to see him! **You shall, Follerme! I'll pilot you to him, an’ then take a sneak an’ leave you alone.” “*No; I want you to hear what is said,” ** Allright; I ain’t a-kickin’ on that /” He conducted ber to the parlor, and, as it happened, Dave Doyle already wasthere. The latter looked agitated on seeing her, but, showed less of his old fancy for flight than usual, She stood in silence, and they regarded each other in that way until Billy began to wonder if they had lost the power of speech. It was she who finally broke the silence. In a voice far* from calm she remarked : ‘* J—I have come to see you!” ' *¢- Yes?” he returned, moving nervously. “J want to ask if—if you do not think it is time for you to speak?” ‘¢- You know me, then?” “*Can you doubt it?” “No. The scene on the pier proved it.” He hesitated, and then rapidly added: : ** Yes; the time has come for me to speak. If ' Ihad been brave before—but let it pass. I was a coward, and that’s all there was toit. I fled from New York and went to Nova Scotia, Thera I remained until I learned that a body had ‘heen found in the bay and identified as mine, Then I decided to return, . ““F had let my beard grow. Now, I colored both that and my bair, and used means to trans- form both, which had been perfectly straight. into crinkly, wild disorder, On my face I marked lines, after ‘taking lessons of an actor, which made me look far cider than I was, Also, in place of my fashionable attire of other days, I wore rough garments, ‘*M astman, you shal! hear the story of the forged wiil. Til tell it, and then leave your sight forever. ‘You know the story of my great shame. I : y Sede One night a package of money was accidentally left out of the safe. I knew it would not be missed_for thirty-six hours if I took it, If I took it! Yes; for take it I did. I was race-mad, then. I imagined if I had money I could double it, in- crease it ten times, if I got the chance, _ *You know of my shame, I took it; I risked it; 1 lost! Maddening fact! I went to my uncle, Simon Beebe, for help. He refused to give it. You learned of the facts and offered me money—your own. “I refused it—you know why. My shame would have been greacer to accept than to be branded a thief. ‘I determined to flee. I went home and be- gan to overhaul my papers. There I found a paper which recalled an event of the past. It ‘wasthe will of Edric Zelland, but not signed, By its terms you received two-thirds of the great Zelland property, while I, my uncle and my aunt, shared equally in the remainder, ‘The unsigned paper recalled a strange event. ot remembered what I had before known, “that Captain Beebe had worked hard on Zel- land, after the latter had made one will—which gave you almost all of bis property—to induce the old gentleman to make a second, giving _ more to Beebe, ‘* Zelland consented. He signed a second will —that which Beebe has since claimed is genuine. po sia was apliste ae I had ge te ee elland was.ill at night, anda man pu ng to be a doctor was called in, who assured the vo man he would die at once, which he did not a ; ‘*A little quick investigation enabled me to learn that the so-called doctor was no doctor atall. Then I realized two things: First, Zel- land had been made to believe he was to die by means of a drug which made him ill; secondly, a bogus will had been substituted, and palmed off upon him for the real will he had drawn up, but not signed. ‘This I suspected, and his own words subse- quently confirmed all I guessed at. ‘* Again I went to him for money, but only to be refused. He saw that one offense against law would offset the other, and had nerve enough to try and bluff me, It was a bold game, for I ae have seen fit to confess my own shame and his, but I did not, ‘* He consented to give me means of getting out of the country, and did so. I went to Nova Scotia. For weeks I did not read a poi ae an Of course all my old acquaintances in New York knew I was a thief, but I would not read of it. ‘*My course in this matter was responsible for the fact that I did not hear of the drowned man until very recently, Then I chanced to see a New York paper, decided to look it over, and learned that [ was supposed to be drowned, need only say that the drowned man was some one else; I know nothing about him, ‘**T came back to this city, doing all I could to disguise myself, for I did not want to be arrest- ed, I could not add to my shame, and all here must despise me, but I wanted to see how those I had known were doing, and yet avoid arrest. ‘* That is all!” Dave Doyle ceased Speaking, and Helen, who never had ceased to regard him attentively, quietly replied: ‘*On one point you are in error. No one knows that you ended your commercial career so irregularly, here. You refused to let me fur- nish the money to make good what you had so rashly taken, but, nevertheless, I did it. Un- known to you, I settled all that, and even when I believed you drowned, I never regretted it— your reputation was saved!” Allen Hamlin—Dave Doyle no longer —looked amazed, ao did all that—for a worthless wretch like me **T did as I have said.” ‘* Helen, I did not deserve this, I—” What he said next Billy Blue Blazes did not hear, for he left the room abruptly. Later, he explained the reason to Dave: ‘ Yes, I took a quiet sneak. Didn't seem ter be needed in the dialogue nohow, an’ when a feller feels that he’s a fifth wheel ter the coach, et’s time ter git a wiggleon, Harlem fleas, yes! But [ guess the detective case has about run its race, Don’t see ez I need ter do much more, an’ 80 Pll devote my dodgin’ around the docks ter other measly scamps. Jes’'so, David!” The case had run its race. The public had not yet suspected Simon Beebe of firing his own schooner, and after a conference he agreed to confess on the Zelland will case if the schooner episode was dropped. Dave Doyle’s theory of a substituted—hence, a forged will—was correct. So, only one will was in court, and that was the one in Helen’s favor, Beebe and Harker were sent to State’s Prison. Dan Monks, penitent, or frightened, or both, was forgiven. Ducky Meegan avoided arrest by a iy going away from Gotham, and is now in Chicago. Helen secured the Zelland property, but, with her usual generosity, helped Mrs. Rawlins and Leslie liberally. Old King Coal and his wife still flourish, as does Wash Calhoun, The latter is in Helen's service as cook. : Will Archer easily secured position with an- other detective, and Billy Blue Blazes is still seen along the docks. His real character is known to but few there, but he is a favorite with all, especially the ‘longshoremen, and as ready as ever to receive and give a joke, His own happiest joke, in the opinion of the men of the docks, was this: ‘“-Yes, sirree, I’m goin’ ter attend a weddin’ in high life. Harlem fleas, yes! I'll be there, William B, Blazes, Esquire, with all his finery of raiment, his freckles an’ his squinteye, I’m a favorite with the Four Hundred, I be, It'll be an awful swell affair; Helen Eastman will be made Mrs, Allen Hamlin; and Billy Blue Blazes will be an honored guest!” ‘* You go ter a weddin’ in high life?” scoffed a’longshoreman, good-naturedly, ‘‘ Gammon!” But Billy went to the ceremony, nevertheless. THE END, 4 ‘ Next Haur-Dime Lrerary, No, 904! Deadwood Dick, Ins Trade Mark ; OR, Deuce-Trey, the Five-Spot Sport. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. A rousing story, we say, and that is just what it is. It is the Five-Spot Sport Against the Field! with the odds all against him, but he works in such yeculiar ways that the denizens of the snowed un- der “city” find him equally a woncer and a very mysterious personage, buf when he unmasks and shows his hand all hands have a stunning surprise, and particularly the ** wanted men ” who were there masquerading as good citizens. BUFFALO BILL THE AUTHOR ! Beadle’s Dime Library No. 839: The Ranch King Dead-Shot; or, Texas Jack’s Proxy. A Romance of Buckskin Sam's Robber Rangers Run-In. By Col. W. I’, Cody—‘ Buffalo Bill. A telling story of the Southwest border, when Texas Jack and Buckskin Sam (Major Sam 8. Hall) were U.S. Fort Scouts. tr" Remember that Buffalo Bill writes only for Brapvue’s Dime Liprary! Brapvie’s Dime Lrsrary is for sale by all News- dealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mail on re- ceipt of twelve cents each, . BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. In the Banner Weekly! Cou. PRenTIss INGRABAM’s Great STORY— Buffalo Bill’s Life Raffle! pen epee attractive; intensely exciting; markedly original! #7" lhe BANNER WEEKLY is the representative distinctively Amer-can popular weekly. Splendid corps of authors—fine illustrations Ask for it at your news-stand. Published every Saturday. Bra- DLE AND ApAMs, 98 William st., New York, ~ For Fall and Winter Exhibitions, Dime Dialogues No. 44. Just Oat! A Splendid Number ! Original Dialogues, Coton, Dress and Parade Pieces, Farces, Burlesques, Mora'ities, Petite Dramas ete. For all grates of School, Exhibi'ions, Enter- ee and Private Theatricals. Containing (in part): nm THE Happy TERMINATION, by H. Elliott McBride, For three males, three females and two officers. THe TELL-TALE TELEGRAM, by Mrs. B. St. John. For one male and one female. Too Many Smrrus, by 8, Jennie Smith, For eight males and three females, ; THE THIRTEEN ORIGINAL States, by Professor J. W. Harvey. A beautiful dress, scenic, and parade Drama, For fourteen young ladies hae THE Races, by BE, A, Thatcher. For three males, Visit To Tak Moon, by Stella Prince. For two little ris. THe New ScHoot ror Scanpan, by the O'Dowd Troupe. BREAKING IN THE Domrnin, by Sam C. King. For teacher and a number of hg te: Warcnrmna For Santa Ciaus, by Mrs. A. D. Lyon, For five children, Onz or THE DAUGHTERS, ETC., by C. D. Morris. For two males and one female, Tue Hiauest Duty or ALL, by Anna G, Somers, For five females, A Dovasie Surprise ror Scooper, by H. Elliott MeBride. For five as Tyee five females, . And a number of others—all bright, new, and “ tak- ing ’—just what teachers, pupils and entertainers are always looking for. - Dinlozues, Nos, 1 to 41 inclusive, 15 to 25 popu- ar dialogues and dramas in each book. Each vole ' ume 100 pages 12mo. ' tar" Tae Dime DraLoaues now Number Forry- ONE issues, They are, by far, the most popular and widely used of any on the market, Fully five mil- lion copies have been ord. red to all sections of the Union during the last twenty-five years, evidencing the intrinsic merit of their matter as well as their extraordinary cheapness—lite'ally a dollar's worth foradime! Catalogues of the contents of each is- sue supplied on request, Dime Speakers, Nos, 1 to 25 inclusive. Each speaker 100 pages 12mo, _ er This series of books has no equal for availa- bility and merit of matter. and has a wider pepu- larity among te®chers, scholars, schools and ama- teurs than any series or single volumes yet published, at any price, in this comitry. : THe Dime DraLoaues ‘AND Sprakers are for sale by all newsdealers, at ten cents per copy, or are sent post-paid to any/address, by the publishers, BEADLE AND ADAms, 98 William street, New York. { f iy ; yee te i . oe : - 4 wi ry) rs { Ve; ANG ed af Min beh apy Poe costae. i N n ¥ -
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| i] 1 Deadwood 20 Deadwood 28 Deadwood 85 Deadwood 42 Deadwood 49 Deadwood 57 Deadwood 78 Deadwood 77 Deadwood 100 Deadwood 104 Deadwood 109 Deadwood 129 Deadwood 188 Deadwood 149 Deadwood 156 Deadwood 105 Deadwood 201 Deadwood 205 Dendwood 217 Deadwood 221 Deadwood 262 Gold-Duat 268 Deadwood 268 Deadwood 809 Deadwood 621 Deadwood 847 Deadwood 851 Deadwood 262 Deadwood 405 Deadwood 410 Deadwood 421 Deadwood 480 Deadwood 448 Deadwood 445 Deadwood 458 Deadwood 459 Deadwood 465 Deadwood AZ1 Deadwood 476 Deadwood 481 Deadwood 491 Deadwood 496 Deadwood 500 Deadwooa 5608 Deadwood 615 Deadwood 522 Deadwood 5629 Deadwooa 5684 Deadwood 5689 Deadwood 544 Deadwood 549 Deadwooa 554 Deadwood 561 Deadwood 567 Deadweod 572 Deadwood 578 Deadwood BSA Deadwooa 5690 Deadwood 5695 Deadwood 600 Deadwood 606 Deadwood 612 Deadwood 618 Deadwood 624 Deadwood 680 Deadwood 686 Deadwood 642 Deadwood 648 Deadwood 654 Deadwood 660 Deadwood 666 Deadwood 672 Deadwood 678 Deadwood 684 Deadwood 690 Deadwood 695 Deadwood 700 Deadwood 704 Deadwo 710 Deadwood 716 Deadwood 22 Deadwood 28 Deadwood 7%84 Dendwood 40 Dendwood 47 Deadwood 52 Dendwoo 58 Dendwood 764 Deadwood . TT0 Deadwood 776 Dendwood 782 Deadwood TST Dendwood T92 Deadwood 797 Deadwood 802 Deadwood SOT Dendwood 812 Dendwo 816 Deadwo 822 Deadwood S28 Dendwood 884 Deadwood 840 Dendwood 845 Deadwood 852 Deadwood 858 Deadwood 868 Deadwood STO Deadwood 876 Deadwood 882 Deadwood 891 Deadwood 898 Dendwood 904 Deadwood od Dick, J Deadwood Dick Novela, Dick, the Prince of the Road. Dick’s Defiance; or, Double Daggers. me _ Sm atees oF, Buffaly Ben c n a Caatle, Dick’s Bonanza; or, The Phantom Miner. Dick in Danger; or, Omana Oll. Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. Dick on Deck; or, Calamity 2 ine, the Heroine Dick’s Last Acts or, Corduroy Charlie. Dick in Leadville. pf a kee fof, The Double Cross Sign. ck as Detective. Dick’a Double; or, The Gorgon’s Guich Ghost. Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bill. Dick’s Big Strikes or, A Game of Gold. Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party. Dick’s Dreamy; or, The Rivals of the Rond. Dick’s Wards or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. fate nome or, Laleney Jane's Adventure, ck’s Dead Deal. Dick’s Death-Plant. Dick, A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, to wivige sane Spirit of Swamp Lake. ek’s Den ‘rail, Dick’sa Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats Dick’sa Ducatas or, Daya in the Diggings. pa a or, The Terrible Vendetta. ck’s Claim, Dick in Dead City, Dick’s Dinmonda, Dick in New York; or, A “Cute Case,” Diek’s Duats or, The Chained Hand. Dick, Jr. or, The Crimson Crescent Sign, Dick, Jr.’a, Defiance, Dick, Jr.’« Full Hand, Dick, Jr.’a, Big Round-Up. Dick, Jr.’a, Racket at Claim 10, Dick, Jr,’a, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill, Dick, Jr.’ Dog Detective, Dick, Jr., in Deadwood, Dick, Jr.’a, Compact. Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance, Dick, Jr.’a pig ings. ter orm me J ni ek, Jr.'s, Protegee. Dick, Jr.’«, Three. Dick, Jr.’a, Danger Ducka Dick, Jr.’a, Death Munt. Dick, Jr., in Texas. A Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidocg Dich, Jr., on Mia Mettle. Dick, Jr., In Gotham, Dick, Jr., in Boston, Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia. Bice: $e? khomeeee™ Ke “ mt. Dick, vr., in Denver. Dick, Jr.’«, Decree, Dick Jr., in Beclzebub’s Basin, Diek, Jr., at Coney Island, Dick, Jr.a, Leadville Lay. Dick, Jr., in Detroit. Dick, Jr., in Cincinuati, Dick, Jr., in Nevada, Dick, Jr., in No Man’a Land, picks ath i fer ae Queer, e r.. In Buffalo, Dick, Jr.’a, Chase Acrosa the Continent Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. Dick, Jr.’s, Inaurance Cane, Dick, Jr., Rack in the Minea, Dick, Jr., tn MPurangoy or, “ Gathered In.” Sti z Bey preseveryy or, Found a Fortune, ek, Jr.’s. Dazzle, Diek, Jr.’s. Dollars, Dick. Jr., at Danger Divide, Diek, Jr.’a, Drop. r., at Jack-Pot. Dick Urey in San Francisco, Diek, Jr.’s, Still Hunt. Dick, Jr.’a,| Dominoes. Dick, Jr.’a, Diagulae, Dick. Jr.’ Double Deal. Dick, Jr.’a, Deathwatch, Dick, Jr.’a, Doublet. d Dick, dr.’«, Deathblow. Dich, Jr.’a, Deaperate Strait, Dick, Jr.’a, Lone Hand. Dick, Jr.’a Defeat. Dick, Jr.’a, Resurrection. Dick, Jr.’a, Dark Daya. Dick Jr.» Defled. Dick, Jr.’a, Double Device. Dick, Jr’.», Deaperate Venture. Dick, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice. Dick, Jr.’a, Royal Flush. Dick, Jr.’a, Head-off, Bick, Jr.’a, Rival. Dick, Jr.’a, Boom. Dick, Jr.'s, Scoop. Dick, Jr.’a, Proxy. Dick, Jrv’a, Clutch. Dick, Jr’, High Morse. Diek Jr., at Devil’a Gulch. Dick, Jr.’a, Neath-Hole Hustle} Dick, Jr.’s Bombshell. Dick, Jr., In M Dick, Jr’a, Decoy Duck. Dick, Jr., in Silver Pocket. Dick. Jr.’a, Dead-Sure Game, Dick, Jr’s, Double Drive. Dick, Jr.’a, Trade-Mark. BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS, 589 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City, 622 Tom-Cat'a 681 Tom Cat'« 688 Tom-Oat's 546 Captain Caetua, the Dandy of b 568 The Triad; or, The Affuir at Tombstone. Terrible Task; or, The Cow Detective, Triumph} or, Black Dan’s Great Combine. haparra) Coek; or, Joah’s Ten Strike odge; or, Rustiing for Millions, 576 The Silver Sporty or, Josh Peppermint’s Jubilee, 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow eit Wildad Wana, the Dutch Vidocg; or, Hot Times at Round-Up Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. the Cattle-Range Detective, 646 rer id 657 Warbling William the Mountain Mountebank. 665 Jolly ogremians the Plains Detective, 676 ea Samy, the 689 Billy, the 699 Bimpl 712 e Sim, the e Meamertat parts or, The Myatified Detective, ad Pros ookout Seont. ; Spy: or, The ofa of Two Lives, or Bi a he cho Buster; or, ie Stakes. 788 Toltee Tom, the x 745 Kanane Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective. The Ruatler of Rolling Stone. its Marmaduke, the Mustanger Detective. 85 Lone Hand Joe, the Committee of One, 801 Kent Kirby; the Hich-Kicker from Killbuck, 82 The 72 Two tor Detective in Texas. howmen Detectives in Colorado. iP ir 4 » Reedy, Tu PAs a Gas Other Novels by FE. L. Wheeler. 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. S4 Rosebud Rob on Nand; or, Idyl, the Girl Miner. SS Rosebud Rob’s Reappenrances 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, 255 Denver Doll’s Decoy 5 or. Little Bill’s Bonanza, 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or, The Road Queen, B68 Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gathererg or, The Life Lottery, 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize; or, The Wolves of Wake-Up. £ 885 Yreka Jim’s Soha or, The Rivals of Red Nose. 859 Yreka Jim’s New Role; or, Bicycle Ben, 804 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective; or, Dot Leetle Game, 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret; or, A Sister’s Devotion, Slerra Sama Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, Sierra Sam’s Pard; or, The Angel of Big Vista, Sierra Sam’s Sevens or, The Stolen Bride. $834 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner. 889 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket; or, The Pride of Played-Out. 8Y Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 69 The Boy Deteetive; or, Gold Rifle, the Sharpehooter. 96 Watch-Eye, the Detective; or, Arabs and Angels, 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 145 Captain Ferret, the New York Detective, 1 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 226 The Arab Detective 3 or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp. 291 Turk the Boy Ferret. B25 Kelley, regs f & Co.,, the Detectives of Philadelphia. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Detective. 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High Mat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, 426 Sam Slabaides, the Beggar-Boy Detective, 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives, £6 Cloven HMoof, the Buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures, 82 Bob Woolf’; or, The Girl Dead-Shot, 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand. 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team. 92 Canada Chet ; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. 118 Jack Hoyle the Young Speculator. 125 Bonanza Bil, Miner; or, Madam Mystery, the Forger, 188 Bossa Bob the King of Bootblacks, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent;, or, The Branded Brows, 177 Nobby Nick of Nevaday or, The Sierras Scampa. 181 Wild Frank the Buckskin Bravo; or, Lidy 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. #08 *Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. 880 Little Quick-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Daggersville, 858 Firat-Clasa Fred, the Gent from Gopher. 878 Nabob Ned} or, The Secret of Slab City. 882 Cool Kit, the King of Kidg; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher; or, A Son’s Vengeance. 86 Seulakin Sam, the Sparkler; or The Tribunal of Ten. BY J, ©. COWDRIOK, Broadway Billy Novels. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle; or, Cleaing a Strange Case, 5686 Broadway Billy’s ‘Difiikilty.” 557 Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. 579 Broadway Billy’s Surprise Party. 605 Broadway Billy; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning, 628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Act: or, The League of Seven. 669 Broadway Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack in Frisco, 675 Broadway Billy’« Best; or, Beating San Francisco's Finest, 687 Broadway Billy tn Clover. 696 Broadway Billy tn. Texas; or, The River Rustlers, 708 Broadway Billy’s Brand. T11L Broadway Billy at Santa Fe; or, The Clever Deal. 720 Broadway Billy’a Full Wand; or, The Gamin Detective, 285 Broadway Billy’s Business, 788 Broadway Billy’s Curious Case, 768 Brondway Billy in Denver. 762 Broadway Billy’s Bargain; or, The Three Detectiv 769 Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective, 775 Broadway Billy’s Shadow Chase. 788 Broadway Billy’s Beagles; or, The Trio’s Quest, 786 Broadway Billy’s Team; or, The Combine's Big Pull. 790 Broadway Billy’s Brigade; or, The Dead Alive. 796 Broadway Billy’s Queer Bequest, 800 Brondway Billy Baffled. 805 Broadway Billy’s Signal Scoop. S10 Broadway Billy’« Wipe Out. 815 Broadway Billy’s Bank Racket. S21 Broadway Billy’s Bluff. 826 Broadway Billy Among Jersey Thugs. 888 Broadway Billy’s Rald. 889 Broadway Billy’s Big Boom, 844 Broadway Billy’« rr Bulge. S49 Broadway Billy’s #100,000 Snap. 856 Broadway Billy’s Blind; or, The Bootblack Stowaway, 862 Broadway Billy tn London. 868 Broadway Billy Shadows London Slums, S74 Broadway Billy’a French Game. S80 Broadway Billy and the Bomb-Throwers, SST Battery Bob, the Dock Detective. 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery; or, The Golden Keys, 869 Shasta, the Gold King}; or, ForSeven Years Dead, 420 The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a Name, 424 Cibuta Johny or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar, 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 506 Redlight Ralph the Prince of the Road. 524 The Tnginoes Detectives or, Redlight Ralph’s Resolve 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. B71 Alr-Line Luke the Young Engineer; or, The Double Case 592 The Boy Pinkerton} or, Running the Rascals Out. 615 Fighting Warry the Chief of Chained Cyclone. 640 Bareback Beth, the Centaur of the Circle, 647 Typewriter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. - 659 Moonlight Morgan the “ Piszenest ”’ Man of Ante Bar, 894 Arizona Dick’s W ipe-Out, BY HAROLD PAYNE, 848 Dan, the River Sport; or, Foiling the Frisco Sharp. 892 Bowery Ben in Chinatown, BY BUFFALO BILL (lon. Wm. F. Cody). * 8 Kanaas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy: or, The Pilot of the Prairie. ‘65 Deadly-Eye. the Unknown Scont; or, The Banded Brotherhood 168 Border Robin Hood} or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust. BY WILLIAM R, EYSTER, 190 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Frank; or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pards, 818 The Huatler Rogue-Catcher. 888 Poker Pete’s Double Dodge, 851 The Tie-To fixers or, High Hustling at Sinners’ Flat, 888 Monte Saul, the Sport, ‘ | ale Gib a) } ; : aes ohare fig BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, New York Nat in Gold Nugget Camp. New York Nat's Deadly Deal, New York Nat’s Crook-Chase. New York Nat’s Trump Card, New York Nat and the Grave Ghouls. > New York Nat’s Masked Mascot, New York Nat, the Gamin Detective, Dick Doom’s Kidnapper Knock-Out. 7 Dick Doom’s Ten Strike. 2 Dick Doom’s Flush Hand, 2 Dick Doom’s Death-G@rip; or, The Detective by Destiny, ZT Dick Doom’s Destinys or, The River Blackleg’s Terror. 4 Dick Doom; or, ‘Ihe Sharps and Sharks of New York, 8 Dick Doom In Boston; or, A Man of Many Masks, Dick Doom tn Chicago. Dick Doom in the Wild Weat. Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep; or, Five Links in a Clue, Dick Doom’s Death Clue, Dick Doom’s Diamond Deal. Dick BDoom’a Girl Mascot. Dick Doom’s Shadow Hunt. Dick Doonm’sa Big Noul. Dashing Charlie; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trai. Dashing Charlte’s Destinys or, The Renegade’s Captive. Dashing Charlie’s Pawnee Pard, Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer. Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. Z Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive. Buck Taylor’s Boys; or, The Red Riders of the Rio Grande, Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shadower, Pawnee Bill ors Carl, the Mad Cowboy. Pawnee Bill's I ledaes or, The Cowboy's Doom, Pawnee Bill; or, Daring Dick, Redfern’s Curtous Caset , The Rival Sharps. Kedtern at Devil’s Ranehj or, The Sharp from Texas, Redtern’s High Wand; or, Blue Jacket. Redfern’s Last Trail; or, The Red Sombrero Rangeis. Red Ralph’s Ruse; or, The Buccaneer Midshipman, Red Ralph’s Bold Game} or, The Wizard Sailor, Red Ralph, the Shadower; or, The Freebooter’s Legacy, Butterfly Billy’s Disgulse. Buttertiy Billy, the Pony Express Rider, Butterfly Billy’s Man Hunt. Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza. Kent Kingdonj or, ‘Uhe Ow1s of the Overland. Kent Kingdon’s Shadower 3 or, the Card Queen, & Kent Kingdon’s Duel; or, The Surgeon Scout, Kent Kingdon’s Doom; or, The Buckskin Avenger. Lafitte Run Downy or, The Buu aneers of Barrataria, Lafitte’« Legacy; or. The Avenging Son. 555 Latitte’s Contession ; or, The Creold Corsalr. 5620 Buckskin Bill, the Comanche Shadow, 525 The Buckskin Brothers in Texas, 5680 The Buckskin Bowers; or. The Cowboy Pirates, 585 The Buckskin Rovers: or, The Prairie Fugitive. 540 The Buckskin Pardew’ Quest; or, Captain Ku-Klux, The Royal Middy ; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat. The Royal Middy’« Luck; or, The Hunted Midshipman, 611 The Royal Middy’s Foe, 450 Wizard Will: or, The Boy Ferret or New York. 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouts. AT4 Wizard Will's Pard; or, Flora, the Flower Girl. 488 Wizard Will's Last Case; or, The Ferrets Afloat. Dunean Dare, the Boy Refugee. Duncan Dare’s Plot; or, A Cabin Boy’s Luck, Duncan Dare’s Prize; or, The Sea Raider, Duncan Dare’s Secret: or, The Ocean Firefly. 402 LIaodor, the bf ay Conapirator; or, The Fatal Lengue, 407 Isodor’s Double Chase; or, The Boy Insurgent. 12 Isodor’a War-Cloud Cruiset or. The Wild Yachteman, 216 Bison BIll, the Prince of the Reins. 222 Bison Bill’s Clue; or, Grit, the Bravo Sport. 804 Dead Shot Dandy’s Dilemma, Dead Shot Pandy’s Double; or, Keno Kit. Dead Shot Dandy’s Defiances or, The Reg Bugler. Dead Shot Dandy’s Chict; or, The River Detective, 5 Merle Monte’s Leap for Life. Merle Monte’s Mutiny $ or, Brandt, the Buccaneer. Merle Monte’s Treasure Island, Merle Monte the Condemned. Merle Monte’s Cruise; or,“ The Gold Ship ’’ Chase, Merle Monte’s Fate; or, The Pirate’s Pride. 84 Merle Monte’sa Pledget or, The Sea Marauder. 197 The Kid Glove Sport; or, Little Grit, the Wild Rider, 204 The Kid GQlove Sport’s Doom; or, Buffalo Bill, tho Pony Express Rider. Dead-Shot Ralph's Ten-Strike. Dead Shot Kalph’s rep. Deck-Hawk Roy’s Big Scoop. ari, the Cowboy Coaster, Ruth Redmond, the Girl Shadower, Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag. Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scout. The Vagabond of the Mines, The Vexan Detective; or, The Black Bravos. Delmonte, the Young Sea-Rover; or, The Avenging Sailor, The Outcast Cadet; or, The False Detective, 495 Arizona doe or, The Boy Pard of Texas Jack, 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger, 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster; or, Pirate in Spite. 462 The Sallor Bey Wanderer}; or, The Born Guide, 446 Hapkazcard Herey ‘ or, The Sea Scapegrace, 898 The Red Olasped Hands; or, The Boy Lieutenant, B87 Warpath Will, the Traitor Guide. BR8 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island, 8BTT Bonodel, the Buy Revers or, The Fingless Schooner, 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, of the Rio Grande. 287 Lone Star, the Cow boy Captain. 229 Crimeon Kate, the Girl Tratler; or, The Cowboy’s Triumph. 116 The Hussar Captain: or, The Hermit of Hell Gate, 111 The &ea-Devil ; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy, 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Smaggies , or, The Cruise of the Vizem. 76 The Boy _Dwellats or, The Cruise of the Sea-Woll, 62 The Shadow Ship, or, The Rival Lieutenants, 24 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone. 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer; or, The Fogitive Yacht, 7 The Flying Yankee}; or, The Outcast, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 898 Deadwood Dick, Ir,’a, Double Drive; or, The Riva) Mayors of Hardecrabble, Edward L. Wheeler. 899 Rasement Bert, the Bov Cobbler Detective. By Jo Plerce. 900 Jumping Jack’s_ Jubilee; or, The Circus Queen’ Shadower. By J, C. Cowdrick, 901 Diamond Dave, the Gilt-Edge Shooter} or, Daddy Grimes’ Deadly Grip. By Wm, R, Eyster, 902 New York Nat’s in Colorado; or, Gentleman Jack’ 896 441 es 808 Resurrection. By Col. P, Ingraham. 908 Rilly Blue-Blazen, the Dodger ofthe Docks. By Jo Pi-ree. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Trade-Marky or, Deuce-Trey, Edward L. Whevler. the Five-Spot sport. By 905 Dandy Nucect, the Bor Shadow. By T. C, Harbaugh. 906 Safety Sam, the Cycle Sport. By J. C. Cowdrick. A New leane Every Tuerday. The Half-Dime Library 1s for sale by all newsdealers, five Genta per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six conte each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Strect, New York, shia, 5! AL i sai ee eee Bene *? otamidlie | Lpbie’