Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 908) (1894 12 18)
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| rr) eEeeEereeyé ts Z Zz ‘Ez . \\ ” RX GZ litttl gG~ wee —— rer Ii Oia +P Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, . Y , Post Office. Copyrighted 1894, by BEADLE 4 AND ADAMS, = ember 18, 18, $2.50 PUBLISHE D WEEKLY BY BE ‘ADLE AND ADAMS. ‘Price, T No, 908 a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK, 5 cents. Ta Au, a ee nee ree a ( shhay oe in) ] er i ) ila | -" ! | = * Hii cl i = i vil Ww ine i, dC \ ; h i re : mn x | \ im, ’ WA & S > | . 4 WOO \\ S \ Mi N a }\Oe ee S SESS SS Ss LOA SY SH NTE S \ » \ ih s IK ~ S ~ . SY : ; . Hifi} \ i ' i SV . ‘S SS ; | | | ~ Y Yi o> "4 ly tae == — 4 BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM, AUTHOR OF ‘NEW YORK NAT” SERIES, ETC. CHAPTER I. A WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING. ‘‘Wuat! Vance Vertner, can 1 believe my eyes?” **One word, one sign to betray me, and ou are a dead man!” came the threat in a ow tone, and the man addressed as Vance A DOOR COMMUNICATED WITH NO, 135, THROUGH WHICH NEW YORK NAT IKEARD THE HUM OF VOICES,
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i Ae a f Ui 2 New York Nat's at's Double. = * Vertner held hard against the throat of the one who had accosted him:a small derringer, which he seemed to have had strangely ready for work. The two men had met in the streets of New York, where one had appeared to rec- nee the other and addressed him as he i Betray you, old pard, when1Iam a hunt- ed man myself? But, I see that you do not recognize your old pal, Star Dunning—” ‘*My God! I thought you dead.” ‘‘And perhaps hoped that I was; but I am no more dead than you are hanged, and let me tell you, old friend, that you really deserve the ‘name a paper bestowed upon you as the King of the Gallows, for you have escaped the: rope-end dance no less than three times to my certain knowledge.’ ‘* Perhaps oftener, if the truth was known; but, ’sh! for see that woman, whom Ihave not before noticed,” ‘*Old, half-blind and deaf, for I saw her whip out a speaking-trumpet upon a police- man awhile since when she asked him about a cross-town car, and, of course, he raised his voice and shouted in the trumpet in & way that made the back number wince. **But, Lam delighted to mect you, Vance, for you look like a millionaire and can stake ‘*AsT have done before. Yes, am ready to do again, thoygh you must earn your pay.” “Tl do it, so long as itis not the knife and _ pistol act Iam engaged for, as I am tired of death-bed scenes.” ‘“The work will be whatever you are told to do, and your pay certain and liberal. ” “ All ri ght; we'll close; but I am surprised to see you rare come here,” ‘Risk nothing, gain nothing; and see, I have just found you, Star Dunning, by ‘com- ing, though I would not have known you, and am sur ye that you recognized me in this dress of a clergyman.” ‘“Satan_in you shone out through your clothes, Vance, for the lamb’s skin did not hide the wolf, at least from me.” “I must be more careful or some rene- ac detective may spot me, and I have no esire to see the inside of a cell again or sleep under the shadow of the gallows—ah! the old lady is going to address us,” and the speaker turned as an old woman with gray. hair and a pronounced country garb stepped up, and, gazing benignly through her gold spectacles, said; ‘Excuse me, gentlemen, but I make bold to ask you to talk me which car I’m to take to the Christopher Street Ferry where my darter Anne is,a-waitin’ me, | ‘*Our folks say as how I shouldn’t speak to no naughty New York man, unless it was a perleeceman but, law sakes, T asked one of them and he well nigh bu’sted the Sigel : my car a-hollerin’ in my trumpet. But, looks like a ge entleman, and I makes tol ask you, for ’'m:from Jarsey, you see.” ‘Yes, madam, I see—ah! you are a trifle deaf,” and Vanee Vertner spoke in the muz- zie of the ear trumpet she held up to him, and continued; | “You do weil, my sister, not to speak to the men of this evil city, for most of them go about in sheep’s clothing to hide their wolfish nature, and Lam myself afraid of the . New York police,” . ‘*T want to know,” said the surprised wo- man, while, seizing her trumpet, Star Dun- ning shouted in it: “That's so, lady; I’m afraid of them my- self, and Lam so glad you spoke to us, for my ‘christian brother here will direct you, for what he don’t know of New York isn’t worth knowing. Here comes a Christopher street car now,” and the old lady was put upon the car, and somewhat surprised that the conductor would not wait for her to write down her adgrcen “i the “alee aha ft Saree $$$ ' The car had not gone half a block before she sprung to her feet, saying that she had lost her pocketbook and wished to go back and find it. ‘*Tt was your nice gentlemen that took it,’ grumbled the conductor as he let her af, oy. he was surprised at the lively pace she took. Going to a cab at the curb, she sprung in and said: ‘Keep those two men in sight without appearing to do so and I'll treble your fare ——I mean the clergyman and the oneina light slouch hat.” “The cabman promised to do so and mount- ed his box. CHAPTER Il, A FERRET’S TRICK. Wirt the promise of so liberal a reward, the cabman, a very cunning fellow in his way, at once set to work to kee “p the two men in sight, and whose conversation in the street had been so compromising to both of them. Seen together as they turned into Union Square from University place, they would have been regarded as a clergyman and a country friend, so thoroughly do the crooks of New York make up to appear the very opposite from what they are. Sauntering leisurely up Broadway, the supposed cler gyman bestowing more askant glances upon the pretty girls on that thor- oughfare than a man of his cloth is expected to, they continued their way up to Madison Square where Vance Vertner led the way into a fashionable hotel. Approaching the office he asked for his key, and said to the polite cierk: ‘My friend, Mr. Starbuck, is going to re- main in town one night, so kindly assign him to a room next to mine, if you please, and as my guest.” ‘Certainly, Doctor Elliott,” responded the clerk, and giving to his friend, who regis- tered as “ Daniel Starbuck, of New Jersey, the key of an adjoining room, the gentleman- ly assistant in the office wrote upon a slip of paper, which he put in the cashier’s drawer: “Charge Rev, Dr. Van Elliott, Room 185 with bill of gent in Room 137,” As the clerk turned from this duty, he flashed the diamond ‘‘ headlight” in his scarf into the face of a handsome youth who just then approached the office, The said youth had just alighted from a -cab at the door of the hotel, and turning to the cabman had handed him three crisp one- dollar bills with the remark: ‘‘ Here is the treble fare the old lady prom- ised you.” “My God!” was the ejaculation of the man, and he turned slightly pale and stam- mered: ‘* But, where is the old gal?” **Oh! she got out when I took her place. ‘‘Tt’s all right, cabby, and mum’s the word. Tata!” And the youth, with a grip-sack in his hand, strolled into the hotel, seemingly amused at the bewildered manner in which the cabman looked at him, before tighten ing his reins and driving away. “Pardon me, sir, but was not that the Reverend Mr, Dash of Boston, who just walked over to the elevator?” asked the youth, politely. ” No, it was the Kavarna Doctor Van El- Hott, of Ohio.” ‘Oh, you mistake the one I mean. I re- ferred to the gentleman with the Reverend Doctor Elliott.” et clerk glanced at the book, and re- ie pe He is a friend of the Reverend Doctor Elliott, and registered as Mr. Daniel Starbuck, of New Jersey; but, will ‘you register, sir?” ‘Yes, for the night,” and the youth took the pen handed to him and wrote: ** NATHANIEL NORTON, * New Haven.” ‘A Yale student, I’ll bet drinks on it, and | it’s lucky there are not two, for the Reverend Elliott wonld he entertained to- night with their orgies, as I have put him in “the next room,” said the clerk to the cashier, and step- ping back, with a key in his hand, he called out: he ront, show the gentleman to-one-thirty- three.” The youth followed the boy up to the room, dismissed him with a quarter, and smiled in a pleased sort of way, ashe saw that there was a door communicating with 135, and through which he l:eard the hum of voices talking i in alow tone. Seating himself by the table lie took up his grip with the remark: ‘*T must put this in shape and lock it, for Idid not have time in the cab.” Pouring the contents out upon the table, the grip was scen to be made of thin jeather, drawn tigatly over a steel frame which could be so closed and refolded that the whole con- trivance could be carried in one’s pocket. The contents consisted of a black dress of ancient pattern, a shawl, bonnet, black vail, pair of thick ladics’ shoes, a quilty skirt, wig of gray hair, pair of spectacles, reticule of ancient date, gloves sand a belt, In addition to these, there were a bottle of bay rum, a box of face powder and a towel. All were folded neatly and replaced in the valise, Then the youth arose and tried to get a look through some ' crack in the door, into the adjoining room, but this he was unable to do, and so muttered ; ff They are safe, so I will go up to the old mansion, for to- night the boys will assemble, They must be put om the track of the man who was called Vance Vertner, but known as the King of the Gallows among his con- federates. I must look up his record, and that of Star Dunning, too, for I am sure these are their right. names, and that they have been pards in crime before, for it i evident they are now plotting deviltry. “But, whatever they are up to, they'll find New York Nat on their trail.” ee this the youth left the room and the hote CHAPTER I. NEW YORK NAT’S ALLIES, -WueEN tke youth, who had so cleverly played the ferret, and, though speaking of himself as New York Nat, registering upon the hotel books as Nathaniel Norton, left the hotel, he took a Broadway car up one of the fashionable up-town streets, and | ascending © the brown stone steps of an elegant mansion entered with a pass-key which he selected from a bunch he had in his bee's and every one of which had a peculiar tag at- tached to it. Walking to the rear of the handsomely- furnished mansion, he entered the door of a large, rear extension, wherein a gentleman sat reading the afternoon papers, He was a young man with a handsome ~ face, blond mustache, and blue eyes, that. were ver expressi ve. Attired in gown and slippers, he,was tak. — ing it easy in a comfortable chair. “Ah, Nat, it is you, isit? Sit down and tell me what that clever brain of Pai is plotting now,” the young man urge ‘T have news for you, Mr. Canfield,* and, as usual, 1 come to you for your help, ” a Always command me, Nat. You know Tam yours on call,” * Sherman Canfield, of Nebraska, for a long Ria . pore and later, | be siahaetg secretary yee ody, Buffalo B Se) - <= - ret, = i
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| q <= os tl el itl A Oe a . 4 — 7; — ba “T feel that I can rely on you, sir, for ever since you came to New York as the ally of my old friend, Mr. Vanderlip, you have fully taken his place. 1 do not know what I would have done but for your aid, and to | have this elegant bachclor home as my quarters, * You have most effectually been the shield that has protected me from the police and city detectives, and allowed me and my Boy Ferrets to be unknown Secret Service agents, and to do our work ina secret man: ner as suited us, until in our own good time we choose to'throw off the mask of secrecy aand allcw the chief of the bureau to know us as we are, and just what we have done, which, but for you, we could not have accom plished, by half.” ‘‘Well, Nat, after this most flattering speech do you want me to return the com. pliment, and tell you that I consider you the shrewdest and cleverest detective in New York? . “You are really but a boy, in years, and yet, with the aid of your beautiful sister and Boy Police you have accomplished wonders. “You have eluded the police and detec- tives at every point, and as Unknown Fer- rets, communicating through me with the chief of the Secret Service, you have secret- ly achieved wonders in ferreting out vil- lainy and in running down crooks. Why, you even went out to the Wild West ona trail of criminals and there unearthed most mysterious wrongs and crimes. “Your own sister, Olive, your most able ally, is not even known to your own band of Boy Police, as she successfully conceals her identity from them. It is best that she does so, not to be known in the future, and is only now known as the Mascot of the Ferrets of the Haunted House, “ As for you I—” “TI beg you to take a breathing spell, Mr. Canfield, for you have more than returned the compliment, whch was due to you after all that you had done for me.” ** Well, Nat, I am glad we are even, as far as compliments go; so now fire away at the target and let me know what I can do for you at this juncture.” ‘* Well, sir, as I was playing in disguise this afternoon, to catch some counterfeiters, I happened to overhear a conversation Dbe- tween two men who accidentally met near me on the street. “‘They are both crooks, fugitives from, justice, escaped from prison, and one of them has dodged hanging so often that he is known as the King of the Gallows.” ‘“Indeed? You are in luck, iu striking such a lead.” ‘‘] have the men spotted, Mr. Canfield. I shadowed them to their hotel, and have secured the next room to them. ‘‘Here are their names, their real ones, } am sure, Iam anxious to know just what you can find out about their records.” **T will go at once to the chief, Nat, and ascertain, for I have time before dinner.” “Thank you, sit. I will drop in to see aes in the morning and get the report. here is a meeting of the Ferret clan to- night, and lam now going up to dine with my sister and escort her to the meeting,” - She is not afraid to go to that old rook- ery alone, Nat?” “Oh, no; Olive is afraid of nothing,” “ Nor are you, for though I am not super- Stitious, I would not sleep alone in that old ‘Mansion as you do.” ‘Tt is’ safest, sir, for a haunted house, as they call it, and with a graveyard back of it,” _ NO one ever comes there, knowing its histor of murders committed beneath its roof. — __. But, I must be off, sir,” and New York Nat left the mansion, took an Elevated car for up-town, and entered a pretty cottage _ upon the banks of the Hudson, a beautiful young girl meeting him at the door. Just after nightfall he came out of the cot- Sapam PPE Ne aii a cen = ok recs AN " v4 New York Nat’s Double. tage, accompanied by the same young girl closely vailed. and, rapidly walking a few blocks, they came to the overgrown grounds / of xn large and long-deserted old residence, rapidly crumbling to decay. That part of the city was very thinly peo. pled, and no one was abroad to see them seule the wall and enter the grounds, and soon after to pass into the mansion through the cellar door Nat found a lantern lighted in the cellar, and then, as they entered, a nice dog came forward to greet them, ‘‘The Boy Police have arrived, Olive,” said New York Nat, and the two ascended to the top floor, where, in a large room, on benches facing a table, behind which were two chairs, sat Some two-score boys, ranging from twelve to twenty years of age, and dressed in any conceivable fashion, from bootblack to dude f All arose as their young chief and the Mas cot Queen appeared and going to the chairs | | behind the table, they seated themselves, The council of Unknown Ferrets was then called to order, it being seen, as Olive threw her wraps and vail off, that she wore a close-fitting wire mask. CHAPTER 1V. THE ‘‘ KING OF THE GALLOWS.” Havine introduced New York Nat and his secret allies, his Unknown Ferrets, to the reader, there is no need now to speak of the council held every night in the young chief’s quarters at the Haunted House; but we proceed at once to state that the next day the appointment was kept with Nat’s go between, Sherman Canfield. ‘Well, Nat, I have good news for you, and it is well that you have your men spot- ted, for there is money in them,’ announced Mr. Canfield, taking his note-book from his pocket and opening it. ‘¢ Yes, sir; one of them has money, for he stole my fake pocketbook yesterday, which I held so as to tempt him,” and Nat laughed merrily. : ‘*He swiped it as he helped me upon the car,but it had only counterfeit money in it, being a fake, as I said, to tempt pocketbook snatchers! ‘But, you found the record of the slip per pair, then?” ‘Yes, and an unsavory one it is, while there are rewards amounting to two thousand dollars on the head of this so-called King of the? Gallows, and a thousand on the other fellow known as Star Durning.” “Good! we must add that to our Boy Police bank account! Why, the Ferrets are getting rich, Mr. Canfield—rich as stock brokers on a rise!” ** As they deserve to, considering the big risks they take, and the work they do ‘ But, listen to this, for 1 jotted it down as the Secret Service chief read it to me,” and Sherman Canfield continued, reading from his note-book: ‘¢*« Vance Vertner, native of S——, New York State, thirty-five years of age, six feet tall, weighs one hundred and eighty pounds, hair dark brown and wears Burnside whis- kers, eyes dark, and features handsome, | with perfect teeth, voice clear and speaks rapidly. ‘*** Was born rich, but squandered his own fortune, and ruined his father, who was a banker. : “* Loved a young lady of S—— who mar- ried his rival, Bernard Gaston, who went to the bad, entering a bank at night where he was a clerk, to rob it and hide certain specu: prised him. ‘**Sentenced to die on the gallows, Ber- nard Gaston escaped through the aid of his wife, and has not since been heard of. ~ lations, and killing the watchman who sur- -. Nat knew that Foxey was not one to joke -Foxey?” *** Vance Vertner was found to be the pal of Bernard Gaston in the bank robbery and murder, after the flight of the latter, and was also sentenced to death on the gallows; but he, too, escaped. ““* Came to New York and boldly went into business; enticed a rich customer into his office and robbed and killed him, and es caped; but was run down, caught, and after short trial was sentenced to the gallows. ‘**Was recognized after trial as Vance Vertner, already sentenced, but again most mysteriously escaped, and for several years was not spotted or located. «Next heard of in Chicago, where he practiced as a physician, and played the game of enticing rich people to his office and robbing them, several times committing murder to do so, “* Was detected, tried, and again sentenced to be hanged; but once more escaped in the same mysterious manner as before, and then _ became known as the King of the Gallows. ‘“** He was discovered in Chicago to he Vance Vertner, under an alias, and every- where the papers referred to him as the King of the Gallows, having three times escaped it when three times sentenced. «His whereabouts now unknown, and there now are rewards out for his capture amounting-to ten thousand dollars. «Tg well educated, speaks several lan- guages, studied law, got a diploma as a physician, and is a skilled mechanic, while he is an adept at disguises,’” ‘Well, that indeed is a record, Mr. Can- field. He has well won the name of the King of the Gallows,” said Nat. ‘**] should say so; but now to his pal’s re- cord. Star Dunning.” *erv ee; wiy.?”."* ‘‘He was a boy companion of Vertner’s, has blond hair, blue eyes, is about five feet ten in height, and weighs one hundred and seventy.” ‘“That describes him, sir.” “ «Te was arrested,’” and Canfieldwas read- ing from his note-book, “ ‘for complicity in the bank robbery and murder, with Gaston and Vertner, and was sentenced to prison for ten years; but he escaped. ‘** Under an assumed name he was Vcrt- ner’s, pal here in New York, but managed to eludé the police and got safely away. He was implicated, a year after, in holding up a train and robbing the Express box; was cap- tured and sent to prison for six years, and served his term. Whereabouts now un- known, but the reward for him on former escape holds good.” ‘Well, we know where he is, and the Reverend. Doctor Van Elliott and Mr. Daniel Starbuck must be run in and the rewards won,” announced New York Nat, with busi- ness: like decision. " Yes, of course; and can I help you?” ‘1 do not know yet, sir, for I have got to reconnoiter and find out the best way to capture them secretly.” __ h Nat left the house and went direct to the hotel, There he met Foxey, one of his boys, who came up to him with a peculiar look on his shrewd face, for he said in a low tone: * Lordy, chief, 18 this you or your ghost?” ‘It's myself, in good flesh and blood, Foxey!” «Then you've got a Double, New York | Nat, for I saw you, as I thought, get into a — ) carriage not two minutes ago and drive off,” declared Foxey, CHAPTER V. NEW YORK NAT’S DOUBLE. with him, or to say what was not so, and he said: “So you saw my Double, or my ghost,
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} i 4 **T certainly did.” ** Describe him?” ‘‘ Well, Icame here to keep the appoint- ment with you, and suddenly I saw a youn man*I thought was you, but, as he passe me without seeing me, or signaling me, | thought something was up that you did not wish me to speak to you. “‘So I fell back, and 1 saw your Double go up to the hotel office, and soon after he Geir out with a grip in his hand. Though stood right by him, he saw me but did not speak, or make a sign, as [ said, and I kept still. Isaw him get into a cab, heard him tell the driver where to drive, but did not catch what he said, and saw the cab roll ptity § ‘‘T watched it, thinking it aerate you had given no sign, and turning around I saw * Did he look like me?” ‘* He was your image in size, face and way of walking.” ‘* How dressed?” ** Just as you are,” ‘That is strange.” “Tt really scared me when 1 turned and saw you, chief.” ‘You did not catch the address he gave the driver?” “6 No.” Z ss Was it a hotel cab, or one he had picked up? “Tt was a hotel cab.” “You would know it again?” “‘T would know the driver.” ‘'Then keep on the watch here for his re- turn and find out where he took my Double.” ‘*But I forgot to tell you that the letters on his grip were N. Y, N.” ‘‘Ah! that is strange indeed What kind of a grip was it?” ‘*A small one, of yellow leather, I thought.” “Ane i, ¥.) Non 16?" “Yes; on the side.” ‘‘Tt may be a coincidence, an accident, or it may be that I am being shadowed, Foxey?” ‘If so, you want to change your looks,” ‘¢ Yes, and will, though I hate disguises; but, I must not be shadowed. 1 want Flip —where is he?” ‘Sitting over yonder in the Park, wait- ‘ing to see if you want him.” ‘Go over and tell him to come and shadow me, watching if any one else ap- pears to do so, and to follow me up-stairs,” ‘* How is Flip dressed ?” ‘* Like a dandy dude?” “Then he is all right. He can go up in the same clevator with me, but not ap- pear to know me, and come afterwards to room one thirty-three.” ‘*T understand.” ** And you wait here for the coming back ofthat driver?” ‘*T will,” and Foxey, a bright youth of eighteen, well dressed and with the careless swagger of a young man of leisure, saun- tered across the street and joned a young swell there who was smoking 4 cigarette, and watching the passers-by with an assumed vacant look upon his face, He was togged like ao dude, carried a large headed cane, wore a collar large enough for a cuff, and wore eye-glasses. ‘Say, Flip, you are wanted to shadow the captain and see if he is watched. ‘*There he stands over there by the hotel. You are to follow him up-stairs, but not to. know him, and go to room one-thirty- three.” ‘* What's up, Foxey?” ** The cap’n’s got a Double.” 4*No!” “Fact, for I saw him. Now I must get ‘back, I’m on the watch,” and Foxey walk- ed away and took a stand where he could watch the return of the cab, while Flip Pitas. ey © See xs JE hee New York Nat’s Double. walked over to the hotel and followed New York Nat into it. The Jatter walked about for a few minutes and secing Flip shadowing him, went into the reading-room, wrote a letter, and ap- proaching the office bought a stamp Then he asked the clerk for his bill. It was the same clerk that had been there the day before when he registered, and he looked at Nat in a queer sort of way, and said: “Why, you just settled your bill, Mr. Norton.” ‘«T paid my bill?” asked Nat, in surprise, “You did, sir, not fifteen minutes ago.” “To whom?” ‘¢ The cashier.” “You are mistaken, sir.” The clerk winked, as though he knew the Yale student, as he supposed him to be, had been imbibing, and said: ‘*You have forgotten, Mr, Norton, You cameto me, called for your bill, turned to the cashier, settled it, and asked for a cab and one was ordered. ‘You had your grip in hand and left the hotel.” ‘* No, sir, you have gotten me mixed with some one else,” ‘Did not Mr. Norton pay his bill, Spotts?” and the clerk called out impatiently to the cashier, who answered: ** Yes, room one-thirty-nine, arrived last night—supper, lodging, and breakfast three dollars.” ‘* My dear sir, my room isone hundred and thirty-three. Larrived yesterday afternoon, and my valise is there, for the key I have here, as you sce, having gone out last night, and did not return till just now. ‘‘You gentlemen simply have gotten me mixed up with some other guest.” “Then you have got a Double!” said the clerk, impetuously. —_— CHAPTER VU. NEW YORK NAT’S SHADOWERS, ‘* Anp your Double has got your name, too, for it is Norton,” the cashier of the hotel ee ashe glanced over the books, and add- ed: ‘Yes, you came in yesterday afternoon; and, see here, Spotts—look at these two names registered.” Both clerks were now deeply interested in Nat and his Double, and glancing at the book they read the two names, To a wonderful extent they were similar, and both were written in back hand, ¥ read; ‘* NATHANIEL NORTON, , ‘* New Haven. Conn.” and ‘«N, Norton, ‘t Conn.” ‘‘Tt’s beyond me.” said the cashier. ‘‘Me too,” said the gentleman with the head-light diamond. “It is simply a very strange coincidence,” temarked Nat coolly. ‘‘But they say it is bad luck to have a Double,” the cashier ventured, ‘Yes, my old grandmother used to say it was a pretty sure sign of death,” the clerk rejoined, ‘* Well, gentlemen, having a double being like another person with all the people in this world, does not surprise me, though I would Jike to meet him and see just how handsome I am,” and Nat turned away and walked toward the elevator, while clerk Spotts said: ‘* A cool young cove, that,” ‘‘ Very; but he is a handsome fellow with an uncommon face, and yet the one who set- tled this pill was the image of him. Yes, and dressed as he does, “T’ll dream of this to-night and have the nightmare sure."’ “Yes, you generally do after midnight. suppers of lobster salad and a bottle of Bass,” was the reply of the clerk, and he turned to serve new arrivals, while Nat en- tered the elevator, Flip, his shadower, doing the same, though apparently with no thought for any one in the world save him- self, to judge by the vacant stare upon his face. Reaching his room, New York Nat enter- ed and found all just as he had left it the day before, There was his valise on a chair, and the room had evidently not even been disturbed by the chambermaid, when she found that the bed had not been slept in, Nat had been but a few minutes in the room when the door opened softly and Flip entered. ‘‘ No one saw me come in, chief,” he whis- pered. ‘All right. ‘Did you sce any one watching me wher I was down stairs?” ‘I did not.” ‘* You did not see my Double?” ‘‘T guess I did, if it was the one who drove away: in the cab, but I thought it was. you, though I saw you from some distance off.” ‘*Saw him, you mean?” ‘“ Yes, cap’n; but he’s your Double and no mistake.” ‘All right. I must run him down and find out if it is an accident or design. ‘“To do so I must stay at this hotel, and you also must stop here, so go off and get Keno, and the two of you put up here,” ‘* We'll do it.” ‘‘But you must not be known to each other. ‘‘Get grips and then register here, and let me know your separate rooms, for I will keep this one. “You are to shadow me, remember, and keep an eye out for my Double, and track him once you find him.” ‘*But how’ll we know whether itis you or your Double?” “The resemblance will have to be strik- ing for you not to know that; but I’ll make « 3 sure of it and wear a carnation in my button- hole every day, remember, a white carnation and no other flower.”’ **T'll not forget.” ‘Now go. and come back as soon as you get a grip and have posted Keno,”’ ‘‘T won't be long, cap’n,” assured Flip, and Nat having glanced out of his door into the hali and seen that no one was there, his fellow Ferret left the room. Soon after Nat heard the door of the next room open and some one entered. Whoever it was paced to and fro, as though in deep thought, and Nat sat down by the door and listened attentively. At last the occupant of the adjoining room seemed to be so deep in thought that his. meditations found vent in words, as he sud- denly came out with: ‘: By Heaven, I must trust him, for he will be true to his own interests.” Again there was a silence of some min- utes and the words were uttered aloud: ‘Delays are dangerous, and I must act at. the earliest moment possible, for there is too much at stake if I am successful, and to be recognized means another fight against the gallows,” New York Nat smiled grimly as he heard the words, there came a knock at the door of the next room, and some one entered. But what was said Nat could not hear as the conversation was in a whisper. Soon after the men left the room, and going down to the office, Nat saw Foxey, who gave him a sign to follow him. He did so, going out into the Park near the hotel,
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|, tT : . te i Li m ae : i iis a i j 7 i ql wy) S| had a Double, an — «ut,” said an the track, too, and if he outwits us all, CHAPTER VII. THAT MYSTERIOUS DOUBLE. “* WerLL, Foxey, you have news for me?” said Nat as he joined the Ferret in the Park. “T have, Nat, and I guess the fellow is onto you.” “*My Double?” “‘That same.” “© You saw the driver?” * T did.” ““ What did he say?” “Well, I braced him when 1 saw him m@ome back on the stand, and asked him who the cove was he drove away. ‘*He at once asked me if I knew him, and LT said that I did, and we was on the same game. ‘‘T could see that the man had something to tell,.so I slipped a two dollar bill into his | hand and said: ‘«« «Now you can tell me what word he left with you?’” ‘© Well?” ‘‘He seemed to at once think I was the fellow’s pal, for he said: «Well, maybe you'll understand better than I do, byt he stopped at a down-town bar-room and gave me a two dollar-bill telling me to go in and buy him some cigars. ““<T went, leaving him in the cab, and when I came back he was not there, but this was pinned upon the seat, and the cabman showed me a slip of paper upon which was written: «*«Keep the cigars and change for your fare. ‘**T am a detective, so if you are asked at the hotel where you drove me, say to the Christopher Street Ferry.’” “Then he did not leave town, Foxey?” “*T guess not,” “*He is a detective, he says, and left the cab in that mysterious way. ‘* Well, as you say, he must be shadowing me, and [ll have to change my rig. “Now, Foxey, you make friends with that cabman and tell him to keep an eye out for my Double, and you be on duty outside of the hotel.” “Tf you have to find me, my room is one- thirty-three. Flip and Keno will also be stopping there to shadow me and see if lam noticed.” **E understand, cap’n.” “‘T will'go up to the rookery and change my clothes and make-up, or rather bring another rig down to the hotel with me, to change there, if I have to.” _ “Better change, cap’n, for you are cer- tainly being shadowed, and by one who is your very Double, as you now appear.” “Yes, and I'll ‘ene the Queeh of my hav- ing a Double, and also our friend and ally who serves us so well, ‘Now, as it is getting late, I will go to the Rookery,” and New York Nat walked away, more impressed with the fact that he surely had a Double, and one who said he was a detective, than he cared to admit. ‘* After so cleverly concealing the identity of the Boy Ferrets for so long, and mystify- ing the chief of the Secret Service as to who his Unknown Detectives are, can it be possi- ble that the secret is known, and we are really to be unmasked?” said Nat, to him- Self, as he walked along up-town. Going first to the home of Sherman Can- field he acquainted him with the fact that he the mysterious behavior of his impersonator with the cabman, “Well, Nat, we must run him down, and that you can do. I will drop in at the hotel this evening, and ask for this m sterious Double of yours, Mr..N. Norton, of Connecti- id Sherman Canfield. “‘T wish you would, sir, and I’! put Olive . bial cin techn iMaind why the Boy Ferrets, their chief and Mascot ‘‘T’ll go to the florist’s and get the pink, Queen are simply no good,” answered Nat, | Foxey, and come to my room after awhile,” and he soon after left the house and took the Elevated cars for the cottage where his | sister Olive lived. The Mascot Queen always had a warm welcome for her brother, and atter the two had had dinner, for Nat often took his meals at the cottage, he told her of his mysterious Double, . Olive was decidedly worried at what she had heard, and at once said: ‘*7'll shadow him, too, Nat, and go to the hotel to-morrow, so you'll find me there as Mrs, Olivia Chandler, of Quebee, and Vl make up as a dear old lady, and maid, for when not Mrs. Chandler, I’ll be Olive, the maid, and see what I can discover, but I advise you not to disguise yourself, but re- main as you are, for if your Double is shad- owing you he must have you to shadow, | and the boys and myself will shadow him.” ‘*You are right, Olive, as you always are, and I’ll remain as I am, especially as I jam there to shadow two men who are as | great scamps as ever went unhung.” Aftera long talk with Olive, Nat took his leave, went to the old mansion he made his retreat, and packing a large valise with dis- guises, to have ready in case he should need them, started to the hotel. Tt was late when he arrived, and he went straight to his room, and sauntered down to breakfast about nine o’clock, to have Flip pass by him with a peculiar look on his ace. ‘It’s all right, Flip. I’m Nat.” / ** Good! I didn’t see your pink, as pro- mised; but your Double was here last night, and dogged me, unless it was you.” ‘¢ No, I was not here.” ‘Then it was your Double.” ‘*T’)l look at the register—come to my room in an hour,” and Nat passed on into the | breakfast-room,” CHAPTER VIII. A FERRET’S HONOR. No matter what was upon his mind to wor- ry him, Nat never neglected taking care of himself, and he went in to breakfast with the pupesie of one in perfect health. le saw the head waiter glance at him ina peculiar way, as he showed him to his seat, and the one who took his order said: “You want another breakfast, sir, just like the one I brought you before?” ‘¢ When?” ‘* Half an hour ago,” ‘You mean to say that you brought me breakfast half an hour ago?” ‘¢ Yes, sir.” ‘«T guess not,” ‘*Maybe it was your twin brother, sir,” said the waiter, ‘« Perhaps so, ‘* How did he look?” “ Just like you, sir,” * Clothes and all?” ‘“Yes, sir, and you—I mean he gave me fifty cents fee,” * Ah!” said Nat when given this hint. ‘‘ Well, my twin brother does not do my eating, so you will bring me a good break- fast, if you want the fee duplicated.” The waiter hurried off, and Nat felt that his Double was indeed like him, and that he must be quickly found outas to who he was and what it all meant. Finishing a hearty breakfast, he went down to the office, where Foxey came near him but did not speak. . ‘« Ah! I must secure the pink for my but- tonhole, Foxey,’’ said Nat. ‘*Then it’s you?” sit Tod ; “I thought it must be, for your Double ent out awhile ago, with Keno shadowing im,” and Nat passed on, He soon entered with a pink in his button- hole, and as he went near the office the clerk called out: ‘* A letter for you, Mr, Norton.” Nat took the letter, glanced at it, and saw that it was mailed from an out of town point. He knew that it was not intended for him, for there was no one to write to him there except Olive, and her letter would have been mailed in the city, The letter was for his Double he knew, and the temptation was strong within him to open it. But, New York Nat was the soul of honor, He had never done a mean act knowingly, and he would not gain information regarding his Double by breaking the law. Many bold ‘acts be had been found to do in the work he followed, but he had tried al- ways to be on the right side. So, as these thoughts rushed rapidl through his mind, he handed the letter bac to the clerk and said with a smile: “Tam expecting no mail, sir, and this letter is doubtless intended for my Double and namesake, who must have returned to the hotel.” ‘Ah, yes; he returned last night and I mistook him for you, and then told him that he had a Double, and who was also his name- sake, ‘‘ He seemed surprised, and wanted me to point you out to him.” ‘*Tndeed!” “Yes; But Iam getting on to the racket, Mr. Norton,” ‘* How is that, sir?” ‘“ Well, I'm aclose reader of human na- ture, you know, and can see that you and the other Mr. Norton are twin brothers and are Yale students, down in New York for a lurk—see cA “You are having your fun in mystifying everybody, and yet I see through it all.’ “So you do; but, don’t give it away, for you are alone in the secret,” whispered Nat, and with a wink he turned away and saun- tered up to the ladies’ parlor. He glanced inand was turning away when an elderly lady called out to him; “Did you kindly ascertain for me, sir, about my trunk?” Nat saw a lady dressed in black, slightly stooped in the shoulders, and wearing a lace cap, gold spectacles, and with gray hair. Bie looked like a lady of sixty in good circumstances, ‘‘] beg pardon, madam, but you did not ask me to see about your trunk.” Yes, sir, anhourago, when I met you in the hall.” ** No, it was not I.” ‘“‘Then it must have been your twin brother, or ghost, sir, formy eyes are pretty good, yet.” ‘‘Doubtless my twin brother, madam, but I will gladly see about your trunk for you.” ‘No, itis no doubt in my room now, Nat.” ‘* Olive!” ‘“‘Sure, but I saw ycur Double and so spoke to him about my trunk. ‘ He is the exact image of you, Nat, even at close scrutiny.” ‘And [had a chance to ferret out who he was by opening a letter I knew was for him.’ ‘But of course you could not, Nat, a8, though a detective, you have honor, and if a spy on other people, you need not be dis- honorable ” ‘* No, Olive: when I have to set dishonor- ably to be a detective, I will give up Secret Service work,” and Nat turned as he saw that there was some cause of excitement In - the hotel.
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* i l r ‘ iB ai 3 ~ — < ies —_ a Lion ate, oat | Whe: PON IT: y f poner — = LwieeR E eae ‘ Vier, fol, bee New York Nat’s Double. CHAPTER IX. A MYSTERIOUS MURDER, THERE was some cause of excitement in the hotel, that was certain, for the chamber- maids had a scared look, and the servants were running about in great haste. ‘* There has something gone wrong, Olive, and I will see what it is. ** Remain in the parlor, and I will be back soon,” said Nat. ** 1 will; but what of the two men youare shadowing ?” ‘** The boys are here for instant use, as soon as they are needed, but this Double of mine has almost driven the real cause of our com- ing here out of my mind “‘T did not see my men last night, but heard them in the room next to me, andI have failed to find them this morning.” ‘‘T hope they have not gone, Nat.” **T trust not; but I'll go and find out what the rumpus is now, for something scares the servants,” Leaving Olive, in the disguise of an old lady, in the parlor, Nat hastened down be- low and at once saw that something had gone wrong. The clerk looked composed, but his face was pale, and the proprietor was in his office talking with a gentleman whom Nat recog- nized as the Secret Service chief, There was a third person present, and as he turned his head Nat was surprised and somewhat startled to see that it was his She friend and ally Mr. Sherman Can- eld. “‘Something has surely gone wrong,” rads oa Nat and walking up to the desk he said: “IT have been expecting my step-mother to come to New York, and would like to ask if you could give ‘her the adjoining room to mine, one-thirty-five, sir?” The clerk glanced over the list of rooms and said: ** Yes, Mr. Norton, for one-thirty-five is vacant now, was vacated last night by Rev. Doctor Van Elliott,” ‘The doctor has gone then?” ‘¢ Yes, sir.” ; wif am sorry I did not see him before he eft.’ ‘‘He was called away suddenly, by a pei Nal giving information of illness in his amily.” = had has his friend, Mr, Starbuck left also?” “ Yes, they left together, and I was think- ing if you would not like to have your Double in one-thirty-five?’ said the clerk with a smile. ‘*T should like to see him, for I have not been able to do so; but you can keep the room adjoining me for my step-mother, Mrs. Olivia Chandler, as she will certainly arrive this morning.” “Mrs. Olivia Chandler,” said the clerk, glancing over the books: ‘An elderly lady and maid—she is here now, sir, in Room One Hundred.” ‘*Indeed! [ am glad to know this, and will go up at once,” and Nat hastened away and going up to the parlor met Olive again and the two went to her room. ‘‘There’s trouble of some kind on hand, Olive, for the Secret Service chief is down in the private office of the proprietor, and Mr. Canfield is with him, ‘*T chinned the clerk for more time while I watched them and tried to catch what was said, but could not. _ “IT played step-son to you, and will have your room changed next to mine, for, worst of all, those two devils have gone, and, somehow 1 believe they are connected with the rumpus in the hotel, whatever it is, “* Now I'll go down and see to it,” and Nat hastened away and again approached the clerk and said: »“ My mother will change her room next to 1 Pe 5 - amine, si nn ‘‘ Had you not better change next to her room, sir, as she is an old lady, and one- thirty-five has not been put in order yet,” and the clerk had an eye to business, as the rooms on the floor where Olive was were two dollars a day more. ‘*1’ll look at the room next to mine, and he went up in the elevator with Flip, who got out at his floor and whispered: ‘« There’s trouble in the hotel, though they are trying to keep it quiet, Foxey is nosing around, and Keno has not returned.” ‘‘All right; keep your eye on me and see what room I change to,” and Nat went into the room vacated by the man who had eluded him. The bed had been moved, but not slept in, and the door was open between that and the adjoining room. There was nothing but a slip of paper left behind, and on that was some writing and Nat put it in his pocket, Suddenty his eyes fell upon a sparkling object on the floor, and this he took up, looked at it for a moment, and thrust it into his pocket also. As he passed out of the room he met Flip in the corridor, ‘I’m onto the trouble—there has been a mysterious murder committed in the hotel, Nat,” whispered Ferret Flip to New York Nat. CHAPTER X. THE CRIME, ‘* A MURDER committed?” quickly uttered Nat, when he had heard Flip’s whispered words, ‘* Yes, and on this floor. “*T’ll try and find out more.” The two parted and Nat mused to himself half aloud: ‘* And I know who the murderers are! ‘*But, what has Mr. Canfield to do with it?” Not able to answer this question he went to the office and said to the clerk: *“T guess I'll change my room, rather than have my step-mother go two flights fur- ther up.” : ‘Allright, Mr. Norton; but those rooms are higher priced, you know.” ‘* Yes, I supposed so, as the lower the floor the higher the price. But, that is all right, for the old lady’s rich,” and Nat and the clerk inughed. While the change was being made Nat took notice that the Secret Service chief, the landlord and Mr, Canfield had left the office, He went up to his floor again and got his things ready to be moved, and in the corri- dor met the three men who had just left a room further along. He kept on down in the elevator with them to the parlor floor, neither he or Sher- man Canfield showing the slightest sign of and part on the pavement with his ally, who glanced around, saw Nat, and then started up-town. / Nat hastily returned to the hotel, went to his room and found that it adjoined the par- lor which Olive had next to her room, and his things had been placed there: **Olive, there hus been a murder in the house, and Flip knows that I have changed my room, so will be here, for I will go on after Mr, Canfield, who signaled me to do so, ‘You can close the door and not be seen by the boys,” and. Nat hastened away. Springing into-n cab he drove rapidly up- town to the house of Walter Vanderlip, where Sherman Canfield resided, and enter- ing with his pass-key was soon in the pres- ence of his ally. : ’ “‘T was waiting for you, Nat.” “T saw you with the chief, sir, and the recognition, and he saw the chief pass out. landlord, and was a little startled, as th had been a murder in the hotel.” ‘*Yes, but you know about it then?” ‘‘Flip is on watch there and found it out,” “They are trying to keep it as a dead se- cret, but of course it will out. “*T was in the chief’s quarters when a tele- phone came from the hotel asking him to come up immediately, anc he asked me to accompany him, for he calls me his ‘Connect- ing Link Man’ now, as 1 am the go-between for your Unknown Ferrets. **T naturally thought of your two men you were shadowing, and gladly accom- panied him, and so am of course posted,” ‘‘ Well, sir, see how near right I can guess.” ** Fire away, Nat.” ‘Some rich man in the hotel was mur- dered and robbed last night, but there is no clue to those who did the deed.” ‘Yes; there is not the slightest clue, and. the chief has gone to put a dozen of his best men on the case at once.” “They will do no good.” ** What do you know, Nat?” ‘Tam sure that the Reverend Elliott and his pal are the murderers, Mr, Canfield,” replied New York Nat, firmly. ‘*You have some clue?” ‘Only that those two men went to the hotel for & purpose and accomplished it.” ** And escaped?” ‘* So far, yes, sir, but I cannot believe they are not to be run to earth.” ‘¢You are the one to do it, Nat, you and. your Ferrets.” ** Will you tell me what particulars you. can, sir?” ‘* Well, it seems that Mr, Jules Schloss- berg, a diamond merchant here, dissolved partnership with the firm of which he was. a member, intending to go to Denver and begin business there, for himself. ‘*He was a bachelor and lived at the hotel, and the settlement of the dissolution of partnership was only made yesterday, when he got his share of the jewels on hand, and drew out of the bank the money he had. deposited there. ‘‘Tt was late when he came up-town, so he locked his money and treasure in his. trunk, not intending to leave his rooms, and had his dinner sent up to him, ‘He intended, his late partner said, to go to the Express office this morning, and send his valuables through to Denver. ‘* All that is known now is that his partner called for him this morning, and going up to his room he was discovered lying dead upon his bed, and his room had been rifled of all that was valuable, ‘‘He had been dead many hours, the doc- tor said, and the cause of death was a knife: thrust in his heart. ‘* But no sound of a scuffle was heard, and nothing more is known,” ‘‘No one called for him during the even- ing?’ fe No one, the clerk on duty said,” re- sponded Sherman Canfield. | CHAPTER XI. THE TELL-TALE DIAMOND. Nat smiled in a way which convinced Sherman Canfield that the young chief of the Unknown Ferrets knew more about the | sane murder than any one else had thus far dis- covered, and he said: . ‘‘T am sure, clue.” +4 ‘A diamond merchant you said the — gentleman was, sir?” tie ‘a ¥ Veg.” ‘ , ‘‘His name was Jules Schlossberg?” ‘t¥iea."’ f ' ‘Was ‘Js that his card?” and Nat threw a card upon the table, PP: ne AWeE Nat, that you have some er
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Se ee ae ¥ ate those gems were of course put at cost Value. ‘Much we are. sure of, y that of his firm is here.” “On this paper you will see, Mr. Canfield, some figuring and a few words.” _ Nat handed over a slip of paper, and Sher- man Canfield read aloud: “ Jewels valued at $35,000.00 Cash from Bank oy) Mee eae mauey, 00"? Looking at Nat, Sherman Canfield re. marked: ** That is the value of the gems his partner says that he carried from the store, and from there he went to the bank to draw his share | of profits, which was thirty thousand dollars.” ‘Yes, sir; but did the chief ask the part- ner if he could recall just who was in the store yesterday?” He did ask him, and he spoke of several, but of one man who, he said, was purchas- ing a diamond from the clerk while the two, himself and Mr. Schlossberg, were figuring up their accounts ” * “Tn a private office?” ‘ “No, in the rear of the store.” «The purchaser could hear them?” “He thought so, and was a little sus- picious of him, as he was so long in mak- ing a purchase, but did so at Jast and went out just ahead of Mr. Schlossberg,” ‘* Did he deseribe him, sir?” ‘* Yes, and the chief wrote the description down.” Sherman Canfield then described the man, as ae partner remembered him, and Nat said: “Mr. Canfield I know the man!” “© Who was he?” ‘The man registered on the hotel books as Daniel Starbuck, sir.” * You are sure?” **From the description, yes, sir.” “* And he is gone?” ‘But not forgotten,” sponded Nat. ‘‘And you regard bim as the murderer of Mr. Schlossberg?” ** No, sir.” “What then?” **The accomplice.” ** This is your surmise?” ** No, sir, it is a fact.” “Then you have proof?” “ Just that,” and Nat placed a diamond upon the table before Canfield. ‘* Ali! this is a diamond, and a fine stone, worth all of three hundred dollars.” “* Yes, sir.” : ** Where did you get it?” “TI picked it up from the floor in Star- buck’s room at the hotel, and this card and slip of paper were there also, sir.” “Then you have proof that Starbuck is the murderer?” “The accomplice, for his room commu nicated with that of his pal, who was re- gistered as the Reverend Doctor Van EIli- ott, and the latter is the murderer, for he is the one Itold you was the King of the Gal- significantly re- ws,’ 7 ‘** Aha! and they are gone?” ‘’And, as 1 said, not forgotten, sir, for I shall be on their trail sooner than they sus- ect. “Tn fact, Mr. Canficld, that man Vance Vertner, alias Van Elliott, is a bold, bad criminal, and has ploited and planned well. “He came to New York to rob some rich man. In some way he got hold of Sebloss- berg and dogged him to bis death, getting at one swipe sixty:five thousand dollars, for “He may have secured more, but that _‘* He isa big noney-robber, and a killer to gain his ends, and he plans too well to be caught, he thinks. : ; ** Now, he was met by Dunning, and re- cognized, asItold you. He took him in as ¢ a = = —_ oad New York Nat’s Double. alone. ‘Coming to the hotel as a pretended clergy- we ory F ear ’ iP bie ox Bide ie oud Y * wah hey a pas et oe PO Se HARRY 2 Tt certainly is, for his own name and | an accomplice, for no thief likes to work | here, ony they acted far more rapidly than I t supposed they would, “They were too quick for me to save man, no one would suspect him, and he and | their victim, for I hardly expected such Dunning have shadowed their man well and | a crime at their hands, though I was looking dogged him to his death. ‘** Now, the tell tale diamond, the card and slip of paper found in their room, connects them with the murder, and cautious as they were, and as clever, they yet left tell-tale evidence of guilt behind them in dropping that diamond, and not destroying the card and paper.” “Yes, Nat, had they been found and re- ported, they would bave been a clue.” | for a robbery. ‘* Now the detectives have no clue, and J have, so we must run the men down, ‘There are rewards out for them now, for former crimes, and one of them is the King of the Gallows.” “There will be other rewards for them now,” said Keno, : ‘** Yes, and the grist all comes to our mill. ‘* Now vou go and look Foxey and Flip ‘Sure, sir, if the chambermaid did not | up and tell them to come here, and you also first destroy the card and paper, and after- | come back, but mind, no one must see you ward find the diamond, and say nothing | come in.” about if. ‘* Fortunately, I was the finder, and with tell tule evidence of just who the guilty ones are, I shall take their trail. for of course the Reverend Van Elliott and Mr. Starbuck can be tracked, where Vertner and Dunning could not. ‘* T will at once go to work, and report to you to-night,” and Nat hastily started upon his return to the hotel. CHAPTER XII. A FAIR FERRET ON THE SCENT. WuHEn New York Nat returned to the hotel he saw that the murder had still been kept a secret from the public. The Secret Service chief had requested that nothing should be told of it until he had been able to get his men to work, for publi- city frequently destroyed all hope of cateh- ing the criminal. ; | **T understand, «Just leave the door unlocked; but there is some one in the next oom.” ‘* Yes, I know who it is,’’ answered Nat, and as Keno left the room he went \o the door and tapped gently. ; ‘*Come iv,” said a voice, and entering Nat slightly started as he saw, not Olive, in the disguise of an old Iady, but a young girl dressed as a lady’s maid, with cap and apron. ** Ah! Olive, you startled me at first.” ““T'’m Mrs. Olive Chandler's maid just now, Nat, for by mingling with the servants I.knew I could find out more about this mys- terions murder.” ‘*And what did you discover?” “That the gentleman’s name was Jules Schlossberg, and he was a diamond mer- chant. ‘Tt is supposed he had a great deal of money in his room, and he has lived at the hotel for over a year and everybody Going to his room, Nat found there his | liked him. faithful pard Keno, who had been with him on many a perilous trail, “T have been waiting for you, Nat, as both Flip and Foxey gave me the tip as to where I would find you,” i “Yes, Keno, and I am glad to find you, ‘: He was killed in bed, by a knife thrust | in his heart, and the murderer eviderfly had a key that fitted his door’ and ris trunks, for the keys of the latter were in his pocket, ’ “His diamond ring, shirt studs, watch for there is something more important up! and chain nnd sieeve buttons were not just now than shadowing my Double. touched, though they were:worth all of ‘* Any of the boys can do that, but I need | two thousand dollars, only what money he you for bigger game.” “I'm with you, cap’n; but you certainly have got a Double.” , “You saw him, then?” you out without taking a good look.” ‘*Have you found out anything about him?” ‘*No more than that he left the hotel this morning, and | followed him,” ** Flip told me you were chasing him.” ‘* 1 saw him take a cab and I did ditto. “He stopped at the St. James Hotel, dis- missed his cab, as I thought, passed out through the door on the side street, then met his cab again and was eff. ‘‘T had let my cab go, so I was caught, for before I could get another he was gone.” ‘*T guess he’s clever, Keno.” “You bet he is, if he looks like you. * All I could do was to return to the hotel here and wait for you. ‘* Now what is to be done?” “There was a murder committed here last night.” ‘*So Foxey told me.” ‘““A Mr. Schlossberg was killed in his room, robbed of thirty-five thousand dollars’ worth of diamonds, and thirty thousand in cash, perhaps more, and no clue is known to the murderers.” “That is bad; but we have had just as bad cases before.” — ‘Yes, far worse. I know who the mur. derers are.” * You do?” “Yes,” ** Just like you.” ang td ‘“They were two men I was shadowing | had and loose gems, ‘* The door was locked, and the murder was evidently committed. before midnight, but | by whom no one can guess, and the hotel ‘You bet I saw him, and if I saw both of ; servants are told not to breathe a word about you together, I would not be able to pick | it under penalty of dismissal, and they are all —E—E—E——eEeE—EeEEEEEEEEE ee terribly scared, “But, Nat, they are all being watched and there are’ a dozen detectives now in the - hotel, so be very careful what you do, ‘*T have seen the boys, Foxey, Keno and Flip, but they did not know me, of ccurse, They are all right, and no one would suspect them as Ferrets,” “Well, Olive, you have done well, and given me information I wanted, so now I'll tell you what I know,” said Nat, CHAPTER XIII, NAT’S CHINEE FERRETS, Wuen New York Nat had told O.ive what be knew about the murder, he went. on to say: ‘* Now, Olive, | want you to remain bere _ for a few days as Mrs, Olivia Clandler and. her maid, aud find out all you can ubout this murder, fos : “You have other disguises with you, so keep an eye on my Double as well.” * All right, Nat.” ; **T will leave Flip in the hotel, also, and tell him he can communicate with you twice aday, but always wear your old lady dis- guise, or a vail, for although I would trust any of our hand of Bey Pelice with ry atTe, 3) I still stick to my determination that none — of them shall know you as you are, none see your face undisguised to recognize it at come / 7 Cara ale <hee P ad, OP
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per ex: ve New Nat’s Double. ie nee a ee York future day when you are no Jonger the Mas- cot Queen of the Ferrets,” ‘They shall never know me asIam in reality, Nat.” * That is right, and though Flip will know you as the Mascot, let him only see you as an old lady.” vide Wa ot Sige ‘* Keno and. Foxey I shall need with me, for lam going to the home of Vance Vert- ner and Star Dunning and get their real record, so as to start on their trail from the beginning, and Keno will work up the case here, while Foxey goes to Chicago to find out just what Vertner did there when he was robbing people under the guise of a physician, ‘*T shall also put several of the boys, who suspect nothing of the men, to find out just where the pretended parson and his friend went upon leaving this hotel, and where they are now located.” “Then I am sure, Nat, you will find them, * But, do you know, this Double of yours worries me greatly,” remarked Olive, * It need not doso, sis, for I have no fear of him, and will soon throw him off the track, though I confess to being curious as to who he is; bet both you and Flip can place him, I guess.” ‘*T hope so, brother,” answered Olive, and soon aftcr Nat left the room, watched his chance and slipped into his room from the corridor, He found Flip and Keno there, and a few moments after Foxey entered. * Good! Weare all here, and our Mascot Queen is also in the house, for I thought it ‘best to have her aid, ‘* Her room is number one hundred, Flip, an} you are to report there to her twice a day, and do all you can to unmask my Double, while at the same time picking up bits of information upon the murder. ‘*To-morrow the papers will have the story, and you may be sure that the report- ers, brainy, shrewd fellows, will, as they always do, accomplish some good detective work that may aid us, ‘*For you, Keno, I have some work here to doin the city, while Foxey goes to Chi- cago to hunt up the record of a man there, and I go to start further back upon his career as a boy. ‘‘New, we will get down to business,” and New York Nat gave minute instructions to each one of his three young ferrets, and started them off upon their missions. Then he saw Olive once more, and with one of his grip-sacks in hand he went down to the office to settle his individual bill, tell- ing the clerk he wonld be back again in a few dhys, and to care well for ‘‘ Mrs, Chandler.” Taking a cab, he drove to a news stand down-town, and there found a bright-looking youth, his face freckled like a turkey egg. While looking over the magazines on the stand, Nat said quietly to the youth: ‘Freckles, I have work for you. Come up to the Rookery this afternoon and I'll tell you what you are todo, and Teaser, Blow and several others of the band are to help ou, ‘ “Yes, Captain Nat; I’ll be there,” re- sponded Freckles, in the same low tone in which Nat had spoken. CAN Returning to his cab, Nat drove to a Chinese laundry on Fourteenth street, near Fourth avenue, and entering found two smooth-faced Chinamen at work there, They smiled pleasantly.as he entered and greeted them, and then asked: ** Well, Loo Choo, how are you and Wing Lung, and how is business?” t ** Allee lightee well, business allee samee good. ‘‘Like New Lork wellee muchee,” Wing Lung answered, ‘‘Tam glad ofit, and I am glad I brought a back with me when I went on my Wild West trail, and in which you rendered me such valuable aid. ‘* Now I have some work for you to do.” ‘** Allee lightee; me work good for you,” wita a broad smile on his celestial visage. ‘“You must get about among the crooks, as you do washing for that class of men, and pick up all that is said of a murder ata hotel last night, and which the papers will give a full account of to-morrow. ‘* Just see if you can pick up any clue as to who did the killing, and, in fact, all that you can, and let me know when 1] come in again,” ** Allee lightee,” answered the two Chi- “namen together! They seemed much pleased to have Nat give them the work to do, for they had beecme members of bis band and good Ferrets they were too, Then Nat drove to see Sherman Canfield, and told him all that had been done up to that time, and what he had planned to do; after which he asked him if there had been any discoveries, by the police or Head. quarters detectives. ** None, Nat; they are all at sea, for they cannot fasten upon the slightest clue as to the murderers, “ They have suspected guests in the house, then the porter, the bell-boys, and even chambermaid:, and are watching all. ‘‘They have also held suspicion against the partner of Mr, Schlossberg, but as yet have not been able to find any evidence strong enough to arrest any one.” “All right: the Boy Ferrets have the clue and will run;the real murderers down, ‘* But, Mr. Canfield, my sister Olive is at the hotel. and known as Mrs, Olivia Char.d- ler, and I wish you would drop in and sce the old lady, and compare notes with her. ‘*Flip is also there, playing the part of a dude. You know him, so he might be of service if you make any discovery, for he is trying to track my Double. ‘* Now, sir, I must be off, and I tell you I am determined to find Vance Vertner, for my delay in arresting him caused Mr Schloss- berg’s death.” CHAPTER XIV. A GUILTY CONSCIENCE, Nat had been several days ‘‘ working” the town where Vance Vertner, Star Dunning and Bernard Gaston had lived in boyhood and carly manhood. He had secretly Jearned the whole story of the bank robbery and murder of the watch- man, the trial of Bernard Gaston, sentence to the gailows, and his rescue by his devoted wife, Sybil. , He had also heard of how Vance Vertner had afterward been convicted and _ sen- tenced, and ascertained the record of Star Dunning as well. ‘ What had become of Bernard Gaston and his wife no one knew, but the gallows- eluding record of Vance Vertner all knew. What his fate and that of Star Dunning had been was a mystery, though old citizens in the town were willing to take oath that he would yet be heard of again. Nat jotted down every item he had of the three men, and of the faithful wife, for the records of the five were to be his foundation for working up to their capture. | He left nothing undone, and was well pleased with his work, though it had taken him some days longer than he had antici- pated, The New York papers had been full of the story of the murder at the hotel, but Nat had noted with pleasure that ro clue had been found, and the city detectives and ee seemed to be working upon the wrong trail. There was one discovery that Nat made which he determined to act upon. This was that Vertner, Gaston and Dun- ning had a particular chum in the town wk had also been under suspicion of being an accomplice in the bank robbery and murder of the watchman. He had been arrested, and then set free, as no proof could he obtained against him; but since then he had lived under a cloud. THlis mother, 1t was said, had left him quite asum of money, and on that he lived an idle life; but Nat heard it whispered b knowing ones that he had run through with his mother’s fortune before she died, and could not have been left sufficient to live as he did, « It was also said that he was to marry a beautiful and rich girl of the town, a late resident to the place, and who, though warn- ed against him would not give him up. Having completed his Secret Service work Nat decided to pay this man a visit at his home in the suburbs of the town, and where he lived alone with only two old servants who had Jong been in the family, ‘It is a stormy night, the very one on which to carry out my plan, and we can catch the midnight train,” said Nat to him- self. So he paid his hotel bill, got his luggage and ordering a carriage drove to the home of Sidney Seldon, the man who lived under a cloud. Ile found him at home, pacing to and fro in the hallway of his really pleasant home, and he opened the door at Nat’s ring. ‘‘Mr. Seldon, I believe?” said Nat. **Yes, but 1 do not know you,” was the almost surly response. “You soon will, Mr. Seldon, when I tell you that I come from an old friend,” ‘* Who, for instance?” ‘«JT3 there any one near to hear what I may say, for it is dangerous to mention some names in this town.” Nat saw the man start at his words, then turn and glance toward a rear room, and in a low tone he said: “* Come into the library.” When he had closed the door he completed his sentence with: ‘‘But I cannot understand what names you mean,” “The names of Vance Vertner and Star Dunning,” abruptly said Nat. He had fired a center shot for a purpose, and saw it strike, for Sidney Seldon started, his face grew livid and his lips quivered and he bis them nervously before he replied; ‘‘What have I to do with those crimi- nals?’ ‘They seemed to feel that you were still their frierd,” said Nat, at a venture. ‘‘No, Ido not claim friendship with mur- derers and thieves.” ; Nat was studying his man, reading him like a book, and replied: ‘‘Thave no proof, Mr. Seldon, that you are their friend, other than that they sent me to you to request that you come to New York with me and, by doing certain work, share in what will be the result to you, to them and myself.” ‘Who are you?” ** One who is devoted to their interest, and know the whole story of the bank robbery, murder and other crimes committed and for which they are now hiding from the gallows, while you are free, and—” ‘“My God! don’t bring up that hideous _ nightmare to me, for I have tried to live it down, to forget it, and they were accursed fools to let another know the deadly secrets of the past,” cried the man excitedly. ‘His conscience has betrayed him,” mut- tered Nat, CHAPTER XY. NAT SOLVES A MYSTERY. Nar was sure of his man. His conscience had betrayed him, after all these years, Whatever proof had been lacking at the »
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nal of Vertner and Dunning, to connect Sidney Seldvn with the murder and robbery, the guilty conscience of the man had be- trayed him as one of the accomplices of that —erime, and Nat made up his mind that per- haps he had been the main mover in the affair. “Til tell you, Mr. Seldon, you must con- trol yourself better, for if I had been a de- tecltive your emotion and alarm would have caused me to feel suspicious of you.” “Tknow I was a fool; but after all these years and just when the cloud on my past was seemingly passing away, and I looked forward to some happiness in the future, your coming here and bringing it all up un- nerved me. ‘**But you say you come from Vertner and Dunning?” ** Yes, we are all anxious to have you in the game that is to be played.” **T will do nothing more in the way of criminal acts.” ‘** Have you not gone too far into the mire to retreat now, Mr. Seldon?” **No, the past is buried with me. *“‘T was guil.y, yes, as there is no use of disguising from you who have been told the whole story | see: ‘* But they did not fasten the guilt upon me at the trial, and so I was cleared, and have since tried hard to live down the cloud it put upon me. “*My compact with Vertner and Dunning I kept, as, for their swearing to my inno- cence, I was able to aid in their rescue, saving the former from the gallows, and the latter from ten years’ imprisonment. ‘* Of course, had I not been cleared I know that 1 would have been sentenced to the gal- lows also, but for thcir saving me I saved them, so why should they wish to drag me again into crime?” “Tt is from no desire to drag you into crime, but because they feel aratitade to you for saving them, that they wish to give you a share in what they will get,” “Tam uot rich, for what 1 then got is al- most gone; but I will take no more risks for riches, especially as before long I shall marry an heiress—ah! I should not have said this, as I suppose if luck goes against them, I will have to come down with the cash to help them.” “Yes, I suppose they would call on you under the circumstances of your getting rich, for they do not think you have much now; but [ will not mention to them what you have said.” **Do not do so, and I will do the right thing by you some time in your need.” 1] thank you, Mr. Seldon; but what have you hedrd of Bernard Gaston, Vance wished me to ask you?” . ‘Nothing, since his noble wife aided bim to escape from prison! ‘Vance, who was in love with Sybil Gas- ton, you know, wanted me to let him hang, when I said I would aid his escape also, be- cause, as you may know, he was the scape- goat in the whole affair, and I did wish to savehim, | “But Vance said no, and lo, he escapes through the plotting of his wife, and has never been heard from since, poor fellow.” “They have no clue to his whereabouts?” “Tt is well they have not, for Vance Vert- ner still loves Gaston's wife and wants him out of the way, and from his record since he left here he would kill him, I'am sure, for I see that he has run a wonderful career of crime under various aliases, and his escapes from hanging have gained him the name of the King of the Gallows.” * Yes, and he well deserves the name, but he on to find Gaston to let him in on this dea . ** Don’t you believe it, for he knows well that Bernard Gaston was not a criminal and never will be; that he was the victim of our _ deed, and sometimes the pressure has been New York Nat’s Double. great upon me tomake a clean breast of it.” ‘** Don’t do that; but do you not know how Gaston can be found?” ‘* No, unless his sister, a widow, living in New York may know, ‘* She was devoted to him, and it was said, aided his wife in his service, and she may know, but would not tell.” ‘* Well, I won’t find him for Vertner; but you will not return with me, you say?” ‘No, simply tell Vertner and Dunning that I am living down that deed of ours, and wish to be let alone; but of course, if they are in trouble any time, I will be will- ing to help them, ** And tell them to let poor Bernard Gas- ton alone, wherever he may be.” Nat talked half an hour longer with Siduey Seldon, and then bidding him good- by returned to his waiting. cab, and drove back to the hotel, musing: ‘* Well, that was the cleverest act of my career, for at a venture, I did that which got the whole story. ‘* Now to find out who Gaston’s sister is, and her address in New York, and then back to the city on the midnight train.” CHAPTER XVI. THE RETURN OF THE FERRET CHIEF, Nar took the midnight train, and as he was waiting for it, be saw the train roll in that came up from tbe city. To bisamazement, he beheld a person step off whose appearance fairly startled him. ‘‘ My Double, by all that’s holy, and he is on my track!” cried New York Nat excited- ly, as for once he lost his calm manner. ‘‘There Lam, form, face and dress. ‘But, thank goodness, he does not see me, for he certuinly has come here to shadow me, His coming is no accident, no coinci- dence—ha! there is Flip shadowing him, for I know the boy in spite of his disguise.” Nat’s Double had passed out to a hotel omnibus and entered it, and Nat saw the cunning Ferret Flip do the same. Nat would have liked a word with Flip, but dared not attempt it, so at once went to his train and was soon rolling rapidly back to New York. But seeing his Double, almost face to face, and feeling assured that he was on his track, : disturbed him considerably, ‘*T wonder if he will meet Sidney Seldon on the street to-morrow and be taken for me, ‘*] guess, as he will not appear to recog- nize him, should they meet, Seldon will think it best to do the same—at least I hope so.” So mused Nat, and then he turned over in his sleeping berth and was soon fast asleep. He arrived in New York in time for break- fast and went at once to the hotel. **Ah! Mr. Norton, glad to see you back again,and you will find your mother all right;” said the clerk. ‘* And how is my Double?” asked Nat as he registered again as Nathaniel Norton. ‘*Your Double has been here ever since you left, but departed last night for a run up home, he said, for a few days, ‘Do you know he asked about you last night?” “* About me?” ‘* Yes, his Double and namesake.” ‘‘ What did he say?’ “Well, he said he wanted to meet you, as the resemblance between you was so great that it was complicating matters. ‘So he was anxious to find you, and asked where you were, where you had gone | and when, and soon after he departed.” ‘* Well, Iam back for a day only, and if he returns tell him I am anxious to see him and to leave me an address where I can call on him when | come to the city again. Ba G3 ‘‘You give me the same room, I hope?” ‘* Yes, the one opening into your mother’s parlor.” ‘‘Thank you,” and Nat went up to his room, A tap at the door opening into the parlor adjoining, caused it to be opened by Olive in her disguise of an old lady. tad She welcomed Nat most affectionately, and then said: ‘*Sit down, now, and I'll tell you all that . has happened.” ‘« First let me tell you that I have seen my Double.” ‘Tie has gone away somewhere, but Flip is on his track, in a different disguise from that he wore here,” ‘Yes, [saw Flip shadowing him and re- cognized him; but Olive, that man looks just as Lappear to myself ina full length mir POr;% “Ata glance, yes, but he will not bear inspection, Nat, for I sat near him at dinner and watched him closely. ‘‘His shoulders slant and are not broad like yours, his eyes are not the same color, and his face is wicked, I think, rather than good, while his hands and feet are large, not small and shapely as yours are.” ‘You certainly are complimentary to me, Olive; but are you not certain he is shadow- ing me?” ‘* Yes, for he looked every where for you when you left, and Flip beard him question- ing the driver thxt took you to the depot, and he departed yesterday, ‘* Flip heard him tell the driver to call for him for the four o’clock train, and so he dis- guised himself to go with him, and, as my maid, I went to the depot and saw him ques- tion the ticket-seller about some one he re- sembled, and then buy a ticket for S——.” ‘* Yes, I eft him there last night, and Flip is after him, ‘*Now about the murder case?” ‘Jt is about as when you left. ‘Of course the papers were full of it, some with garbled statements, but they all attack the detectives for not finding the murderer.” ‘* And they can never find them, for they suspect the wrong parties, suspicion never once falling upon the pretended Reverend Van Elliott and bis friend Starbuck.” ‘No, they have Mr, Schlossberg’s former partner, Ormann Goldsmidt’ under watch, detectives dodging him constantly,” suid Olive. ‘“ Well, he may be an accomplice, but [ doubt it, and believe those two friends who stopped here are alone guilty. ‘“But now, Olive, I have other work for you, and Mrs. Olivia Chandler and her maid must leave the hotel to-day, as also will Na. thaniel Norton, for I have made some valu- able discoveries while away.” CHAPTER XYVIL UNDER SUSPICION. Havre told Olive just what discoveries he had made, New York Nat continued: ‘Now, as you tell me that Keno has struck the trail of the two men we want, I expect I will have to go away, especially as Foxey writes from Chicago that he also has struck a trail he wishes me to investi- ‘Yes, Nat, the coil is closing upon the necks of those nien, thanks to your skillful planning.” ‘And the aid of the Mascot Queen and my glorious Boy Ferrets, ‘* But, here is the address of Bernard Gas- ton’s sister. is Mrs. Martha Marsden. She lives in fairly good circumstances, I hear, and owns her home, but takes a few boarders to aid ina living and to educate her children, ‘She is the only one who knows where She is a widow, and her name
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| a t as his | “5 her brother, Bernard Gaston, can be found, and of course she keeps it as a dark secret, for his neck has a rope about it you know, though from Seldon’s confession he was a victim, not a criminal, and Vance Vertner is the arch fiend of that whole plot. ‘*Now I want you to go there and get ! board if you can.” “Yes, but suppose she has no room?” Then get day board, for you must make her acquaintance, win her confidence and | friendship. ‘Give Mr. Canfield asa reference, if she wants any, and give her to understand that you are an artist, for you really are, and can take with you your portfolio of sketches, ‘** Lead her to think you are studying in the studios, and keep a watch upon all she does, for her brother may be in tunis city for all we know. ‘* Especially watch the letters she receives reise sends away, for you must find her bro- ther,” “*T will, Nat, and will go there as I am, asking for board for my young niece Miss Olive Chandler, whom [ cannot accommo- date as I live too far away.” “The very thing, and you can arrange for our niece, yourself, and see just how the and lays, “Vil trust in you every time, Olive, and we will prove her brother a victim of wrong, not the gallows-hunted criminal he is accused of being. *“Now go and find out what you can do there, and mect me here in a couple of hours, ‘Then T will havea carriage ready to take ou up home, and drop me near the Rookery, for I will hold a council to- -night of the band.” With this Nat left the room and pausing at the office said to the clerk that he wished he would make out his mothers and his bill up to after luncheon that day. ‘*We are sorry to lose you, Mr. Norton.” ‘Oh, I'll be back often; but my mother is very nervous over the murder in the hotel, an which I read about while [ was away,” “Yes, wasn’t it sad, for Mr. Schlossberg was a splendid man.” i “ oe they found no clue to the mur-' erer?” ‘Well, I think they have, but are keeping quiet until the police have their plans all arranged, “It was too bold a crime for the guilty ones to hide themselves.” “So I think,” and as Nat was going out the clerk called after him: ** What shall I do about he asks about you?” “Say I will soon be back,” and Nat pass- your Double if ed on, He went first to the laundry of Wing Lung and Woo Choo, and they greeted him cordially, but could give him no further in- formation than to say that it was the gen- } eral opinion of the New York crooks that Schlossberg’s partner was guilty of the mur- der, for he was’ known to have a pass-key to his friend's rooms, which were taken by the yen and had oft oe remained at the hotel all ues hey had had a difference of some kind, about Bchlossberg’ s drawing out of the firm, and yet it was said that they parted good | friends, only the breaking of the partnership left Mr. Goldsmidt in a financially crippled condition. This was the talk of the crooks, who were sure that no New York criminal had done the deed. ** Go.dsmidt, he killee partner allee samee,” said Wing Lung, while Loo Choo added: ““Crookee ’Melican man say te allee lightee,”’ Pondering in his mind the charges aigatast Ormann Goldsmidt, Nat left the laundry, | after telling thetwo Celestial Ferrets to come 4 ets fies hi cot New York Nat’s DOD LS. s ilaaaiiga tei tae » by the meeting that night, ne wended his way to see Freckles, his new agent detective. Fi From what Freckles said, it seemed cer- tain that Goldsmidt was the guilty man, in | the eyes of the police, and he was being shadowed day and night, though not so as to cause suspicion that the detectives sus- | pected, ‘“* They have got hold of the wrong man, and if I'do not find the real murderers Gold: smidt is liable to be hanged on circumstan- | tial evidence,” muttered Nat. CHAPTER XVIII. THE WHITE CARNATION, New York Nar and Olive, as ‘Mrs, Chandler,” drove away from the hotel, ina hack hired down-town by the Ferret, just as acab drove up and the mysterious Double alighted from it. “Oh, Nat, there he goes, arriving just as we are leaving.” ‘Yes, Olive, I see him, and we are just in time. “Tf he can find me to-morrow, he is wel- come to shadow ime,” answered Nat, and Marsden,” ‘Well, I found her a most estimable lady, and fortunately she had a large front room upon the second floor just vacated, ‘*T at once engaged it for my niece, and paid her a couple of w ecks in advance, for I thought it best. ‘* Her room is the rear one, and she said if my niece did not mind the door could be opened between, for she and her little daughter roomed together, her son of twelve having the hall room next to hers. “T told her my niece would prefer the door unlocked asa protection, and that she | would arrive to-morrow, so I go there with- out having to disguise myself, “Nat.” ‘*No, better wear a wig, streaked with. gray hair, and gold spectacles, and dress like ou seen in apy a prim old maid, for I do not wish as you are, Olive, while engage Secret Service work.” ‘Your word is Jaw, Sir Captain of the Unknown Ferrets, even to the Mascot Queen, and | obey, while after all it is best,” an- swered Olive. It was late when Olive wags set down a couple of blocks from where her home was, in Mrs. Herbert’s cottage on the Hudson River, and Nat carried the baggage. Then they went on to the cottage, and | Olive slipped up to her room without being seen in her disguises as an old woman, Nat going back inthe cottage to see Mrs. Her- bert, “and talked to her until his sister could make a change. Mrs, Herbert wasa good woman, and loved Nat and Olive dearly, for the former had suved her two children from drowning, and thus won her heart, » Olive paid a good sum when she went there to board, and Nat paid for his meals by the week, whether he was there or not, Mrs. Herbert could not but feel there was something mysterious in the conduct of the brother and sister, but she asked no ques- tions, and took all ‘that happened with per- fect faith in them. She owned her cottage, was a widow with two children, and did fancy year at home which gave her an income, Olive was welcomed back warmly; after her absence, but was asked no questions, and after supper, She put on her flesh-like mask and vail, dressed in black and accom- panied Nat to the Haunted House, the retreat of the Unknown Ferrets, The band had arrived, and was in the as- sembly-room in force, and all rose and greet- ed the young chief and Mascot Queen. Keno was there too, but Nat did not wish to hear his report before the band, so attend- | | added: ‘* Now, tell me about your visit to Mis, | ed to the business on hand, for it was sas night. > The different young members made their reports, which Olive noted down as reported inthe ‘‘ Book of Doom,” as the register of crimes was called, The murder at the hotel was discussed, and each member was asked to tell what be had heard about it, Loo Choo and Wing Lung also marking ‘down once more what they had already told Nat, It seemed to be the opinion of one and all, from what they had gathered about the city, that Ormann Goldsmidt was the murderer, and the police would now fasten the crime upon him, ‘IT do not believe he is guilty, boys, and if I can prove it, as I hope to do before long, I will add to our bank sccount something: over ten thousand dollars, perhaps more,’ said Nat. ‘* At present the Queen, who is our treas-~ urer, reports &@ bank account of our own of tw enty- nine thousand dollars, variously dis- tributed in the different banks under ficti- tious names, and the chief of the Secret Ser- vice holds rewards we have won amounting to seventy-one thousand dollars, while cash in the treasury for daily use, foots up fifteen hundred, and our ally, J Mr. Canfield, holds for us some thousands in rewards that pass- ed through his hands. ‘¢ Now this isa big showing for our band of Boy Police of Unknown Ferrets, and if we keep on we will have a handsome sum to divide when we decide to come out and make ourselves known, ‘This is pay-night, so the Queen will pay salaries, and the expense accounts you hand in to her of what you have spent in your work, **Now let me make known) to you that I have a Double, and he is shadowing me con- stantly. “That some of you may not see him, and mistake him for me, let me tell you that when you see me without a disguise, I wiki wear a white pink flower in my buttcnhole, ‘‘Remember, no other flower but a white pink, and in addition I will carry this light cane—all look well at it, and do not address any one you believe to be me without seein the white pink and this cane, while one an all of you keep a watch for my Double, and secin > him, track him to learn all about him. ow, boys, lam going away fora few avi but the Queen will be in command, and Freckles will act as captain for me, ‘‘Foxey is in Chicago, and Keno will doubtless go with ime. With this the band was paid off and dis- missed just as ‘Flip entered the: ‘assembly room, and joined Nat, Olive and Keno, the latter having remained behind, CHAPTER XIX. PICKING UP CLUES. Frir’s coming was most welcome, but he seemed amazed when New York Nat sai “Well, Flip, you stuck to your man well up. to S—— and back again to the hotel. Nia ‘Do you know that I went to S——?” ‘‘Yes, and arrived at midnight in the rain, as My Double tried to find me there, but’ could not; nee to New York and went again to the - hotel.” ‘You know it all, captain,” said Flip with a smile, ‘‘T saw you, and got a look at my Double, } too, for I left, as you arrived. “T knew he was in good hands, so did tot delay.” ‘Well, he was hot on your trail. He wen to the hotels until he found where you hae been, but had left. “T feared that he was onto me, a found that I had left, so re-— .
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‘ \. ¢ . : ~ several disguises with me, and came back on a hanged my rig to a country boy, as I had the same train with him. ‘*He asked for you as he got to the hotel, and seemed all broken up when told ‘you had just left with your mother.’ ** He registered, however, and so did I, and then I decided to wait and come to the council to-night.” ‘All right, Flip. I guess you had better fit yourself up with disguises galore, and still keep on his track, though I did think of taking you with me.” ‘Whatever you say, Captain Nat, is law to me.” ** Well, you had better watch my Double, now that you have begun so well. Keno will be enough to go with me, this time. “Tf you wish to report to the Queen, do so through Mr. Canfield, going there as a messenger-boy yeu know,” ** Yes, I understand,” ** Now the Queen will pay you your salary for the month, settle your expense account, and give you what money you will need to work on.” Flip drew his salary, settled up his ex- pense account, and asked for what he needed in case of sudden demand, and then left the retreat. “Now, Keno, what have you found out, for I did not care to ask you before the band?” said Nat. ‘‘T found the hackman that took the two men tothe ferry, and he says that one of them, the pretended parson, carried a sachel that he was most particular with, ' ‘*They crossed at the ferry to catch the Brie Road, and after a great deal of trouble and questioning, and giving out that I was in search of a minister who had left home in a demented frame of mind, I managed to find out from the ticket-seller that my two coves bought tickets to Chicago, and that the par- son had his valuable sachel boxed up, valued heavily, and sent through by Express to Chicago.” , **Good! we can trace them to the Express Office in Chicago at least, so get ready and we'll catch the midnight train, for we have time to do so, : ‘* Meet me at the ferry sharp on time.” “Tl be there,,Cap’n Nat, never fear,” an- swered Keno, and with a bow to Olive he took his leave. _ Then Nat selected from his stock in the retreat, several disguises, and departed with Olive, the dog guardian escorting them to the cellar door, “I hope Tony comes daily to look after Sentinel,” said Nat, referring to the dog. » “He says that he does, for I asked him to- night, and I guess he would not neglect him,” was Olive’s answer. Escorting his sister'to her home, and tell- ing her to go early the next day to Mrs, Marsden’s, snd write him to an address in ‘Chicago which he gave her, Nat bade her _ good-by and was soon on the Elevated Train rolling rapidly down to the ferry, He found Keno there awaiting him, and also carrying 4 large grip, as Nat did, and crossing over the ferry with time to spare, they found that the same train hands went out that night that had made the run through when the two men they were tracking had departed. “‘ We will try and get onthe same sleeper, 80 as to pump the porter,” said Nat, Inquiry soon made them acquainted with the car the two fugitives had traveled in, ey by rare good luck they secured a section in it “Phat is what I call good luck,” said Nat, as they entered the car and giving the porter a liberal fee which commanded his devoted _ Services from the start. hen, thirty hours after, they arrived in ~ Chicago, the conductor of the sleeper was richer by a box of cigars, and the porter by five dollars for having remembered all about ES a rg . oF New York Nat’s Double, the parson and his friend, and New York Nat had picked up from the information thus gained, several clues to guide him in his future shadowing of the fugitives CHAPTER XX. FERRETS AFTER GAME, Urcep by the fees given them by New York Nat, it is strange how much the con- ductor and colored porter of the sleeping car remembered ahout the two passengers who had gone through with them two trips before to Chicago. The conductor revealed what pleasant gentlemen they were, and said he had heard them talking about a trip to California and then around the world, after a few days’ stay in Chicago, As the conductor understood it he thought that Mr. Starbuck was a wealthy member of Mr, Van Elliott’s church, and neither being in the best of bealth, the former was treat- ing the parson to a trip of a few months. The porter had overheard them mention the Grand Pacific Hotel as their abiding place upon reaching Chicago, and had overheard the parson say in a low tone: ‘* We must not delay many days in Chica- go, as there issuch a thing as risking too much,” Upon arriving in Chicago, the porter, who had carried the luggage of the two men toa hack, found the very driver to whose tender mercies he had ieft them, avd he said that they had first ordered him to go to the Grand Pacific, but changed their intentions and he drove them to Leland’s Hotel. Going there; Nat found that they had been there for several days, and then had gone no one knew whither. ‘‘ We must send for Foxey,” said Nat, and a messenger was at once dispatched to the address which Ferret Foxey had given as his stopping-place in the city. It was not long before they arrived, and. the three friends greeted each other warmly, and Foxey said: fet ('ll out with all I know, Cap’n at. ‘‘ Vertner was here as aphysician, and he murdered and robbed a couple of his rich patients, so got found out and was sentenced to be hanged, “He was known under an alias then, and after his escape from prison, and which wasa most mysterious affair, he was found out to be Vance Vertner already twice under sen- tence to the gallows for murder. ‘* What became of him not a detective in this city knew. But it is reported here that he is dead, having been killed in a railway accident, ‘I found one of his servants, a nurse girl, and after giving her a liberal fee, she put on her thinking-cap, and remembered that Vert- ner had owned a farm in Kansas, and at the trial this had not been spoken_ of, while he was known down in that country as Lucius Van Allen, ¢ ; ‘* It seems she was an investigator herself, and letters came for Mr, Lucius Van Allen every few weeks, which she saw her employer open, and one cf the letters came open and she read it, and it was from the man in charge of the Kansas farm and was so worded that she knew the doctor, as she called Vertner, was the owner or was opening the letters of some one else. ‘The reason that she did not give this in evidence at the trial, was, she said, because she was so rattled she did not know what she testified to.” “This is a connecting link, Keno, with the remark of the sleeping-car porter, who said the parson remarked that he would visit his Kansas farm before going to California, and added that no better retreat could be found, to which Starbuck had replied: ; “Then let us stay there by all means until the storm biows over.” . eee. : e inter Kihhiedratic, ERS - ds Oa 2 bie?) hy a ee ae SOW twee aE T SD | sal ed ‘Yes, I remember the porter telling you that he heard Vertner speak to his com- panion about his Kansas farm, and there 1’)! bet they are,” responded Keno. ‘‘ Well, we must find out now just how they left this hotel, and where they went, so, Foxey, goand get your grip and returm here, for you go with us.” The three ferrets set to work to still track | their game, and they were not long {n find- ing out that the fugitives had taken tle hotel bus to the depot, and at once taking x. hack they left the Leland, still on the hun. The driver was ordered to stop at the Adams Express office on the way, and inquiry of the superintendent revealed the fact that. the Express box sent from New Jersey to. Chicago had been taken out by the sender. Arriving at the depot, after a good deal of questioning, the ticket-seller remembered the two men buying tickets to a Kansas town which he named. Nat at once purchased three tickets for that point, and the trio of ferrets were soom. | being rapidly whirled westward. CHAPTER XXI. THE FUGITIVES IN THEIR LATR. Tue little town in Kansas was reached, and Nat and his comrades drove to the hoteb and registered, Nat told the landlord that he had an uncle living some twenty miles from that point, and had come out with his two companions. to pny him a visit, adding: ‘I believe my uncle always comes this far on the railroad and drives to his home from here, but I have lost the djrections he sent. me and must go by guess-work,” ** What is your uncle’s name, young man?” the landlord asked, ‘* Lucius Van Allen, sir,” “Why I know him, and he stopped here not two weeks ago, on his way home with a. friend. “‘ He lives some forty miles from here, and hired a team of me to drive to the village half-way, where he intended to get another vehicle to carry them the balance of the way. ; ‘* He paid me six dollars for the team.” ‘Well, I'll give you the same amount to- take us to the village,” answered Nat, and it was arranged that they should start the next. morning. et looked at the name on the register and said: ‘We are all right, boys, for those are: the same hands that wrote the names of the New York Hotel. Pa We are tracking our game to their air.” The next morning the three Ferrets started on their journey in a buck-board which. also carried their baggage, which consisted mostly of disguises and weapons to be used. when needed, They reached the village for dinner, and. found it a small place of a hundred in- habitants, with a tavern, one store, a church, school-house and blucksmith shop. After their driver had had his dinner and started back, Nat made inquiries as to whether horses could be purchased there, and the three were soon fitted out with four ponies, one being used as a pack-animal, and having found out the way they were to go, ————— they rigged up as cowboys and started out the next morning to look for work, they said, as herders upon some of the ranches. to the southward. ‘*Pards, we are in for it now, and must. make a bold thing of it,” said Nat, ‘You bet we will, Cap'n Nat, for you and I have been on deadly trails before and we'll show Foxey a thing or two,’”” answered Keno, “Foxey has been on deadly trails, too, Van Elliott and Starbuck on the register of”
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—_ ee eee ee. 8 a i oe = Sor i ae OR EE IN = = es portfolio and several small paintings. detective, a spy upon her for a special pur- New York Nat’s Double. Keno, but not in the West; but we’ll find | and when she left the table after dinner the him where he should be when we want him,” | four other boarders in the house pronounced replied Nat, ‘ her a delightful acquisition to their family ‘‘If I am not, shoot me when you catch | circle. ame,” reminded Foxey. Before a week had gone by the children ‘‘ Now, boys, those two men are in hiding | fairly loved ‘* Miss Olive,” and Mrs, Mars- on the ranch until the papers stop talking of | den felt toward her as though she were an the Schlossberg murder and robbery. older daughter, ‘‘Vertner has evidently been in hiding; All this time the Girl Detective was study- there before, and took the ranch as a safe re- | ing the household, and seeing just what she treat, there being no railroad within forty | could ferret out of family history. miles, One day while sbe was were in her * « He is getting cautious as he grows older, | room, making a painting of young 3ernard and tninks it will be safer to lay by until he | Marsden, the mother came in and fairly sees the result of the detectives” hunt for | started when she saw the hastily-painted Schlossberg’s murderer, and so he came | likeness of her son. here with Star Dunning to bide their time, ‘“Ah! Miss Olive, I always thought my aand then get out of the country to enjoy the | boy resembled his poor uncle, and your money they robbed their victim of, and dis- | painting of him shows it most thoroughly. pose of the diamonds, which they dare not ‘Why it really resembles my poor brother offer for sale in this country. as he was at twenty more than it does my ‘‘Now, I was told that the ranches are | son.” scattered far apart as we go northward, and ‘* Why do you speak of him as your poor the Van Allen ranch is twenty miles from | brother, Mrs, Marsden?” asked Olive, in a the village, and there are a number of cattle | tone full of smypathy. upon it and horses. The tears came into the woman’s eyes and ‘‘This means that he must have a man in | she replied: charge of it, and perhaps several herders, ‘* Because he has been a poor, unfortunate and they will naturally fight for their em- | man, hounded to death and accused of crimes ployer if he called upon.them for aid, and | he never was guilty of,” said Mrs. Marsden, we might have two to one against us, so we | impassionedly. must go slow,” - ‘* Pardon me, but I meant not to cause you “You bet we must, Cup’n Nat, but we | sorrow.” must get there all the.same,” said Keno, ‘* You have not, for the sorrow is in my ‘*On, yes, we'll not know fail.” heart at all titnes, ‘Tf we do, it will be the first time the Un- ‘* You are sympathetic and I will talk to known Ferrets have been downed,” said | you, for I have no one to talk to of him, and Foxey. my children do not even know the truth. ‘* Now our plan must be,” resumed New ‘“May I tell you of my brother, Miss York Nat, ‘‘te go to- the ranch, ask to re- | Olive?” ' main all nigbt, and say we are going down “Certainly, I will gladly hear all you into Texas looking for work, where We can | would say, and you have my sympathy be- ali be employed together. * | forehand.” ‘*If Lueins Van Allen, as he is called, is “« | know that, I feel it. short of herders, and will employ us, why ‘My brother was the idol of our house- we'll be right in line, and it will not be long | hold, and grew up a splendid, noble man. before we have himon the way back to New | He loved wy best friend, Myrtle Gaynor, and York, with Star Dunning as his companion | won her from a)l rivals, avd they were ‘in irons. many. ‘We can play the detectives well, and “i But there was one who never forgave ‘when we get further East can wire Mr. Can- | him for winning Myrtle, and though he pre- field to mect .us, and turn the prisoners over | tended friendship afterward, he was a snake to him, so that we will not be known jn the | in the grass. matter to uny one, and still remain to the} ‘‘ He bided his time and plotted my bro- chief of the Secret Service the Unknown | ther’s ruin, for one day Bernard, who was a Ferrets. cashier of the bank in the town where we “Now we will push on and see if luck | lived, was arrested as a murderer and a rob- comes our way, and once we get these men ! ber. in the Tombs in New York, I'll see to it ‘* Tt was proven, by circumstantial evidence that their victim, Bernard Guaston, is found | wholly, that he had entered the bank at and proven innocent of the charge against | night, to rob it, of course, for he had met him, and for which he is now hiding from | with financial losses of late, and the watch- ‘the gallows, man surprising them, for there were others “But the Mascot Queen will find him, | in the robbery, the poor fellow was killed. rest assured.” **'To declare his innocence was useless, for Such was Nat’s plot which his two brave | all pointed to his guilt, and so Bernard, the young allies entered into with a will, and | rival [ referred to, and two others were tried there was no flinching when at last the lair | and found guilty, my brother and his one of the two fugitives came in sight across the | time rivalof murder and robbery, and one prairie. other as anaccomplice, while the fourth was cleared for want of evidence, ‘‘ My brother and his rivai were sentenced to the gallows, and the third one to im- prisonment. ‘‘ Knowing his innocence, his noble wife plotted his escape, and she was successful, while surprising to relate, the other two es- caped also from prison, and since have led a life of crime, I hear,” ‘‘ And your brother?” asked Olive, in a low, kind tone. ‘* He is in hiding, under an assumed name, living an honorable life with his wife and two children, but alas! crushed under the cloud that is upon him. “ Here is a letter I have just received from him, and if you will permit me I will read it to you.” : , live showed no triumph in her face or voice as she replied: ‘*T will be glad to hear it,” and she cast a CHAPTER XXII. THE GIRL SHADOWER, Otrve, the Mascot Queen, drove to the house of Mrs. Martha Marsden, as had been arranged bétween herself and New York Nat, the morning after a room had been en- gaged for her by her alleged aunt. She carried a trunk with her, an easel, Mrs. Marsden, a fine looking, but sad- faced lady, received her new guest with kindly manner and took her to her room, Little dreaming that her guest was a fair pose, she was at once drawn toward her new boarder, and it was not long before the two ‘became most friendly. Mrs. Marsden’s children, a boy and girl, were also charmed with the artist boarder, sly glance at the envelope and the letter, as Mrs. Marsden opened it before her, While listening to the letter, too, the girl detective impressed upon her memory what was written upon the envelope: ‘‘ If not de- livered in five days, return to Miss Teresa Thurston.” The post-office address was also given, and though the envelope was addressed in a feminine band, the letter was in a man’s handwriting. i ea CHAPTER XXIII. THE QUEEN'S CLEVER WORK. HAVING gotten from Mrs, Marsden just what she went to her house to secure, the address of the fugitive brother who was in hiding from the gallows, and the name under which he was hiding, or a part of it, at least, Olive began to look about for a means of giving up her room there. She found the house and the people very pleasant, and had really become attached to Mrs. Marsden and. her children. But her home was not there: she had ac- complished her purpose, and duty called her else where, So Olive made her plans to Jeave, and there were tears in Mrs. Marsden’s eyes when she showed her a telegram that read: “You must come home to,your aunt at once, and her condition is such return pre- pared to remain. ‘¢ RUGENE GARTRELL, M.D.” Of course, this could only be understood ~ as acall from Mrs. Olivia Chandler’s phy- sician for Olive to come to her aunt at once, and so Mrs, Marsden took it. The girl detective hastily packed up, bade farewell to ker new-found friends, and de- parted saying she would send an Express for her baggage, She had gone but a few blocks from Mrs. Marsden’s, when she was fairly startled at beholding, as she believed at first, none other than New York Nat. But a closer look revealed that he wore no pink in his button-hole, and, though carry- ing a light cane, it was not the one Nat carried, : Then, too, Olive’s keen eyes soon read the difference, startling as was the resem- blance, At once she determined to shadow the youth, whom she now knew as Nat’s Dou- ble; but just then her eyes fell upon a messenger boy on the other side of the street. “It is Flip, and he is shadowing, so I will leave it to him,” she decided, and cross- ing the street she halted Flip with the words! “Tsee you are after him, Flip, so brin word to me at the same hvtel, where I will, registeras Mrs. Olivia Chandler,” She had held her face partly away, and her handkerchief up to her mouth, so with her spectacles and gray hair Flip had not been able to more than get a glance at her before she was gone. It was the first time he had ever seen the Mascot Queen without a disguise; but, then, he had not seen enough to identify a single feature. ’ Going toa hack-stand, Olive sent a driver — after her baggage, telling him to take it to the hotel where she had before stopped as - Mrs, Chandler. Then she took the Elevated train for her home, and disguising herself once more as Mrs. Olivia Chandler, she. went to the hotel and secured the same rooms she had before, her baggage having already been delivered under her assumed name, . She had not been long in theroom when a bell-boy knocked and said: “A messenger to see you, ma’m,.” It was Flip, and he entered and said. quickly: be et ' “He is stopping in the house, Queen, but may be off at any minute.” e i ae a . ae . on ¥S " Mee i 7 i R. ' Ae t
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y‘*Very well, come back here in an hour, lip, and I may have news for you.” Flip departed, and Olive rung for 4 bell- boy and ordered: **Go and find Mr, Norton. His room is one hundred and ten. Ask him to please come here,” . A fee accompanied the request, the bell- boy went on the search and in twenty min. utes returned and ushered New York Nat’s Double into the room. He seemed surprised at beholding an.el- derly lady, and said in an embarrassec way: ‘*Pardon me, but I think I have made a mistake.” ‘““No, I sent for you. Sit down,” and Olive stepped between her visitor and the door and continued: ‘May I ask if your name is Norton?” “‘ Yes, madam, it is.” ‘Vou are from Connecticut?” ‘*T am attending college there,” and the youth seemed ill at ease. “May I ask what you are doing here in New York, dogging the steps of my son, instead of being at college?” ** Your son, inadam?” and the youth grew more and more uneasy. ‘* Yes, my son, Nat Norton, who came to the city with me, and who has had you upon his track like a shadow every way he has turned—nay, you cannot leave, sir, for lam determined to know why you have been guilty of dogging my son. It is for you to say whether you will make a clean confes- sion to me, or to the chief of the Secret Ser- vice, for I have you shadowed, your strange conduct demanding it. Ican send you be- hind iron bars, and the touch on that bell will place youin the hands of waiting de. tectives.” Olive spoke in a low, impressive voice, while Nat’s Double sunk into a chair, as ‘though overcome. CHAPTER XXIV. THE DOUBLE UNMASKED, For full a moment the Double did not speak, He had dropped in a chair, as though at first overcome, but, after a minute or two, Olive saw that he was meditating. His face grew stern and his eyes brightened, as he said: “*My dear madam, as you have come into the question, it puts a different phase upon my conduct, which you. seem to regard as being so wicked,” ‘Ido not exactly understand you, sir,” responded Olive, a trifle disconcerted by the reply of the Double. ‘Permit me, madam, to explain, but in confidence, after Ihave asked you a ques- tion or two.” “Well, sir?” and, as Olive regarded her visitor more attentively, she saw that he had a strong face, but appeared several years older than she had at first believed, “You are Mrs. Olivia Chandler, I be- lieve?” * e Yes.” “And the young man registered here now and thenas Nathaniel Norton is your son?” ‘* More strictly speaking my step-son.” “ Did he ever attend Yale College?” * Never.” ‘ __ ** You can account for his movements for the past two years?” “Perfectly, for we have never been ‘separated save for very short periods of time. “But it seems that you have turned ques- _ tioner, not I,” “T said I would explain, Mrs. Chandler, if you would first answer several questions of mine—that I would explain, in confidence, remember.” . “T shall so consider it, sir, and would now _ ask you why my son has been so persistently dogged by you, to such an extent, in fact, New York Nat’s Double. that I have had to employ detectives to watch you?” ‘*Ah! I am sorry; but, the truth is, Mrs, Chandler, I guess I am on the wrong track; in fact, [ now know I am, you being Nat Norton's mother.” ‘*Then you have dogged him for a pur- pose which you will explain?” “ Willingly, “The truth is, Mrs, Chandler, I am, as I said, a Yale student, and my parents, at their death, left me a large fortune. My guardian, for I am not yet twenty-one, allows me a large income, ‘“*Two years ago, in Boston, I saw a youth whose resemblance to myself struck me as really startling. ‘** Addressing him I learned that he had no home, no kindred, was a waif and was work- ing hard to educate himself and get up in the world. ‘** At once a fancy seized me to adopt him, especially as he said his name was Nat Nor- ton, mine being Nick Norton, “‘Ttook him to my hotel, fitted him up and we passed the summer together, he going to college with me when I entered Yale. ‘*From sheer mischief, I said he was my cousin, and the striking resemblance to me carried it out. ‘To make a long story short, Mrs. Chand- ler, I was warming a viper to strike at me, for, after awhile, it became rumored about that there was a thief in the college. ‘Investigation showed that it must be a student, for money was missing from rooms, articles of value were stolen, clothes were taken, and in fact hundreds of the students suffered losses. ** At last it came out, as I sent my Double, as he was called, to Boston to draw my al- lowance, ‘*He never returned; but, instead, wrote me—and, strange to say, his writing was a back hand, as mine is—that he had conclud- ed to shift for himself; that he had improved much by his acquaintance with me and had managed to lay by several thousand dollars; and with booty enough to bring as much more, he would start business in another country, ‘Tt was a stunning blow to meas you may guess, ] wrote to my guardian and explain- ed the situation, asking for money to pay all losses of the other students, by his thefts. ° ‘‘T advertised in the college for all to state their losses of money trinkets and clothing, and that I would pay them, ‘I did do so, and hence cleared myself of his acts. ‘*But I vowed I would some day track him down, and flattering myself upon my detective talent, Iread upon the subject, studied intricate cases and made up my mind, when I left Yale, to go on the search for the one who bad so wronged me. ‘*Coming to New York on a visit. a short while since, I saw, as I believed, my Double, ‘‘And more: I thought that he saw me and was watching me, hence I tried to throw him off my track and then in disguise shadow him. ‘‘T saw that his handwriting was. similar to mine, that his dress even was alike, and I then supposed he was trying to annoy me; so I determined to turn the tables and shadow him, “‘T tracked him up to S—— in this State, by finding the cabman who had driven him to the depot, and the ticket-seller told me he had sold a ticket to S—— to my counterpart, But, he escaped me and returned here.” ‘Yes, he went to S—— onimportant busi- ness of interest to me, and he has now gone West upon matters that I am interested in,” informed Olive. ** Well, madam, you have my story, and it is simply a case of mistaken identity, which lam very sorry for, and 1 ask pardon for the annoyance I have caused you and your a SSS Sessa ssn sss ses iss ess == ss sss ee 1s son, and must look elsewhere for the one who so wronged me,” Olive held out her hand and said: ‘‘T thank you, for thisinformation. Some day I wish you to meet my son and become good friends. I am going to ask you to give me your permanent address, for I may wish to communicate with you.” The young man wrote down his address, and Olive gave him hers, in the care of Sherman Canfield, and they parted, the stu- dent saying: ‘*T will now return to college and bide my time to run down the scallawag who wrong- ed me so,” “Well!” exclaimed Olive, when the door closed upon the student; ‘I have unmask-- ed Nat’s Double. It shows how one can be mistaken, for 1 thought he had a wicked face, when I did not know him, and now I think he is a noble fellow, and, yes, just as handsome as Nat. ‘‘T must write Nat at once, and I certain- ly have news for him, but now, to leave the hotel and return to the cottage, as there: is nothing more for me to do here.” CHAPTER XXY. THE TRAP SPRUNG. As New York Nat and -his two Ferret: pards approached the ranch where their game had his Jair under the name of Vam Allen, they gazed with considerable interest. upon it. ; It was a large ranch, well inclosed with wire fencing, and a stream fringed with cot- tonwood and willows rau through it. ' There were clumps of bushes here and. there, good pasture lands, and upon a hilb that commanded a view of miles around, was the house and the out-buildings, all in good. order, The house was a structure of hewn logs, stoutly built, large, and surrounded by broad piazzas.” There were extensive out-buildings, a large vegetable garden, and fields of corn fenced in, while a large number of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs were visible, : ‘Well, he has a fine place here, that iss certain, has Mr. Vance Vertner, alias the Reverend Doctor Van Elliott, alias Mr.. Lucius Van Allen, and whose most appro- driate name is the King of the Gallows, ‘* Well, we’ll see if he can escape the gal-. lows this time,” said Nat. ‘«Tf he is there?” suggested Keno, ‘Tf he is not, we will track him to where he is,” ‘*Some one is there, for I see two men on the piazza, and they are watching us,” hey 3 remarked, “Yes, and we are watching them, for even at this distance I know my men. ‘“‘ Now, boys, remember our plan, make no- mistakes, keep cool, and the game is ours,” said Nat, In five minutes more the three Ferret pards. rode into the gate in the fence inclosing the grounds about the house, and hitching their horses to the rack they dismounted and ap- proached the two men seated upon the piazza, and who were eying them with the deepest interest. } ‘‘T knew I was not mistaken, for there is. the King of the Gallows, and the other is his. pard,” whispered Nat. ‘Pardon me, gents, but can we get to stay all night, as we'ves got a long trail be- fore us?” asked Nat politely, and with a true western accent in his manner of speaking, ‘I guess so; but, who nre you, and where are you going?” asked the man whom Nat had said was the King of the Gallows, but who now had discarded his clerical suit for @ rough garb suited to a ranch, as also had his companicn, ‘“‘ Well, we are three boys, Nat, Kit and
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i _ for youare too young to have the manage- 14, | [oS Sime tak aecasw yr sentics Lover nies ase Fox, and we are done with schooling, so are going to Texas to be cowboys.” ‘Have you friends in Texas, any one that you are going to?” ‘* Not exactly, but we will git along.” ‘*'You need not go any further, if you ~want a job as herders, for I had a man and his family here; three of them boys, but ‘they hada fortune left them, and leave me to-morrow, so I was going to get some help, and you are just in time.” Nothing could have been more fortunate, and Nat and his pards were given a cabin for themselves, and at once went to work learning what their duties were, under the tuition of the boys then on the place. ‘*T tell you, Star, we are in luck, for those boys happened along in the very. nick of time, and though I must get an older and ex- perienced man to be the head, they will do all right,” said the King of the Gallows, when he returned from showing his herders their work, ‘‘ Then you wish to stay here fora while?” “Yes, it is best, for Iam a little anxious about that New York affair, for some reason, though I am not given to forebodings. ‘* We can push on down into Texas as cattle-herders, and thence into Mexico, where we will be able to roam about as gentlemen of leisure.” “And your ranch?” **T’llet it remain under a good manager, for it will always be a safe retreat to come to, and is making money.” ** All right; you lead and I follow,” was the reply. ~ ' ‘¢ Well, we'll go, and live as the beat, until ‘we have used up the money and calculated to get more, and then we'll plot for an- other big stake.” “*T hope it can be done without murder.” “ say that he had left the ranch in safe hands until further instructions; whereupon Nat and his two pards, accompanied by Sherman Canfield, started East, twelve hours in ad- vance of the officers and their prisoners, Nat and Mr. Canfield stopped off at S——, while the two young ferrets went on to New York, and Sidney Seldon was surprised by another call from the one who had so startled him a short while before. It did not take very long to explain just how the matter stood, and Sidney Seldon saw that he was cornered, so made a clean breast of it, and expressed his willingness to turn State’s evidence, and thus go free him- self. Leaving Sherman Canfield there to arrange all, as he did not wish to be known in the affair, Nat took the first train on for New York. CHAPTER XXVII. CONCLUSION. Ir was a startling surprise to the good people of S when the two officers re- turned with Vance Vertner and Star Dun- ning as prisoners, and told how they had been run down by New York Secret Service men, : They also were amazed to hear that Sid- ney Seldon, soon to marry a lovely girl and an heiress, had confessed his story of crime! They read his full confession of how Vance’ Vertner, seeking revenge upon Ber- nard Gaston, his successful rival. had plotted his downfall, and, with his, Seldon’s, aid, and that of Star Dunning, they had made Gaston appear as the robber of the bank and the murderer of the watchman, Bernard Gaston had sought to clear him- self, and so they had been brought into it, with the result already known. He, Seldon, had gotten the money taken from the bank, and so had been able to res- cue Vertner from the gallows, and after- ward had aided both him and Dunning, That Bernard Gaston had not died on the gallows was owing to the devotion and clever- ness of his lovely wife, for she had rescued him from the ignominious death with which | he had been threatened, What had become of Gaston, Seldon did not know. him, but it sent him in disgrace away from S—— and the girl he had hoped to win, Her father placed in the hands of Sherman Canfield a check for five thousand dollars to be given the detectives for saving his daugh- ter from such an alliance as she had escaped by their wonderful skill and courage. Going first saw Nat and told him all; then he went to see the Secret Service chief, who heard the whole story with deepest interest, and re- marked: : ; “Well, Canfield, you are just in time, for I was about to order the arrestof Goldsmidt, the partner of Schlossberg, as the latter’s = murderer, ‘It shows just how we can hang an inno-_ cent man. “So here are the gems intact, and the — money they robbed poor Schlossberg of, ‘* Well, well! Your Unknown Ferrets are wonders, and grow in importance day by © day. ! Nor course they get the rewards, and de- — tt serve them, so J will put them with the other sums I hold for them. : ‘You are not ready yet to tell me the se- ih ~ cret of who the Unknown Ferrets are?” * Not, yet, chief, nown,” replied Canfield. ‘Soon after he left the Headquarters, and sy returning to his home found New Y: ork Nat there awaiting him. ic The confession he made saved | to New York, Sherman Canfield — Yet awhile the secret must be kept; but some day their leader will — come in and make a clean'breast of it, telling ou his reasons for remaining so long un-— A jd
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" 4K 488 608 61 186 ~ * Well, Nat, the chief knows all, and 1 ‘was just in time to save poor Goldsmidt from arrest. “T met him asI came up and told him the story, too, He was positively scared at his narrow escape, and says he wishes to do something handsome for the detectives who ran the murderer down, so you seé you get it on all sides.” ** Yes, sir; and now if you will go and call on Mrs. Marsden, and tell her all, you will do a great favor, for she can write the news to her brother, who. has so long suf.- fered as a guilty man.” **T will: go at once, Nat.” ‘But it would be just as well not to let her know that Olive was a girl detective.” ‘** Yes, that need not be told.” Sherman Canfield started away upon his mission, and the reader can picture the joy of Mrs. Marsden, and that of her unhappy brother when the truth became known, and he was no longer a hunted man. There was rejoicing, too, in the band of Secret Ferrets at their success, and the mon- ey they had earned. It greatly encouraged them to go on with the good work of running down the crooks, when even the King of the Gallows had been captured by their young leader, New York Nat. THE END. Next Hatr-Dine Lrsrary, No. 909, _ Midshipman Dare, THE PIRATE-CATCHER: R, THE SEA ROVERS OF ’98. A Tale of the Grand Old Frigate United States, BY T. J. FLANAGAN, A story sostirring and redolent of the sea, and sea glory thatevery reader is enthused with patriotic ar” dor in the reading, “It introduces a number of offi- cers of our first great navy, who became noted for their brilliant career in the War of 1812-15; and in the pirate-chasing and privateer-capturing where all received their first lessons in sea-fighting, the noble old United States and other vessels, on whoss decks the action of this story transpires, the reader has a record he will not soon forget, } Dare is the typical American who rises from ‘ob- scurity, to become not only ahero, but a national favorite, And that he is here a gallant lover as well as gallant sailor, will not fail to give the romance all the interest that a heroic heart and noble nature ean command. — Ivisa mos‘. delightful contribution to American light literature. aerate Beadle’s Half-Dime Library, RY GEORGE ©. JENKs, Git Thar Owney the Unknown, Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. 8 The Demon Doctor} °; Deadholi, the Kid Detective, _ $81 Double-Ourve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. s Flute, the Singer Detective; or, Owney in a New Role, The Pitcher Detective’s Fotl; er, Dan’s Double Play, & The Ocean Detectives or, The Last Cruise ofthe Black Bear, GAL The Plicher Detective’s Toughest Tussle, ee8 parry the Thoroughbred; or, Beaten on Every Side, r+ Iron Tand, the Charmed Detective 854 Uncle Sam's Detective in Chicago. ~ BY COLONEL DELLE SARA, The Lion of the Sea; or, The Vailed Lady. Cool Deamond ; or, The Gambler’s Big Game. RY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 108 rd. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham, Nimble Wand Foundling. Nimble Rien the Cireus Princ PTE of 8 are 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid. . 65 Hurricane Bill isa 4 New York Nat’s Double. BY JO PIEROE, 897 Bob o’ the Bowery } or, The Prince of Mulberry Street, 415 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bob's Boom, 452 Hotapur Bob, the Street-Boy Detective. 460 The Vawyer’s Shadow; or Luke's Legacy. 472 Juunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective. 504 Five Pointa Phil, the Pavement Prince, 509 Jack Jageera, the Butcher Boy Detective. 516 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerte. 526 North River Nat, the Pier Detective. 688 Wreatling Rex, the Pride ofthe Sixth Ward. 541 Jeff Flicker. the Stable Boy Detective. 651 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow; or, The Old Well Mystery. 559 Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective. 669 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detective. 577 Pavement Pete the Secret Sifter, 588 Jack-o’-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector. GOR Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer. 628 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Hummer. 689 Sunrise Saul, the Express-Train Ferret. 649 Gamin Bob, the Bowery Badger; or, Scooping a Slippery Set, 658 Sky-Rocket Rob, the Lite-Saver, 688 Saltpeter Sol, the New York Navigator. 694 Spley Sim, the Only One of His Kind. 706 Tom Thiatle, the Road-House Detective. Z1Z Mosquito Jack, the Hustler Gamin. 26 Dennis Duff the Brown Sport's Kid. 44 Dick of the Docka, the Night- Watch. ‘> Flipper Flynn, the Street Patrol. 1 Foxy Fred’s Odd Pardy or, The Keener’s Huge Hustle, 1 Cast-O Cale, the Scapegoat Detective. 824 Rowery Billy, the Bunco Bouncer, S87 The Big Four of the Bowery, 846 Buck, the New York Sharper. 850 The Grand Street Arab, 855 The West Broadway Gamin. re 44 ane a ah el M aecots or, Dan Decker’s Double Deal 4 The Union Square Baggage Boy. S78 The Street Arab’s ling, . SS6 The Five Points Lodging House Janitor. 890 Ace Mighy the Trump Carl Derective. S95 Fitth Avenue Fred, the Valet Detective, S99 Basement Bert, the Boy Cobbler Detective. 908 Billy Blue- Blazes, the Dodger of the Docks. ejejeied mn BY JOSEPIL E, BADGER, JR, 2 Vellowatone Jack; or, The Trapper. 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, Tne Outlaw’s Retreat, + or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. 119 Mustan Sam 5 or, The King of the Plains, 186 ee: uwk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch. 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Resoue. 160 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 168 Deadly pak or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 184 The Boy Trallers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path, 208 The Boy Parda; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Riders or, The Horse-Thieves’ League. 885 Old Double Fist or, The Strange Guide ; 855 The King of the Wooda: or. Daniel Boone's Last Trail, 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. 625 Chincapin Dan, the Roy Traller, 677 Chineapin Dan’s Second Trall. 688 Chincapin Dan’s Home Stretch. 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without a Head. 3 7O8 Light-Heart Lute’s Legacy. . TiS Licht-Heart Lute’s Last Trail. 728 Silverblade, the Shoshone, 729 Silverblade, the Half-Blood; or, The Border Beagle at Bay. 789 Silverblade, the Hostile; or, The Border Beagle’s Trall. 748 Silverblade the Friendly; or, The Border Beagle’s Boy Pard BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 Will Somers, the Boy Detective, Led oe Mard i? the Boas Lt cayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. 180 Detective Dick; or, The Here in Rains 142 Handsome Harry, the Boothlack Detective, 147 Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred, ' 152 Black eas, Will Wildtire’s Racer, 157 Mike Merry the Harbor Police Boy. 56 Billy B 0 A Trump © 1 Bob Rock 8 The Hidden Hand 3 or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. The Smugglera, ‘ 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Netective, or, The Black Sheep of the Flock. the Premium Darky. 255 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy, Sloods ”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jhin’s Job; or, The Young Detective, 298 The Water-Hound ; or, The Young Thoroughored, $05 Dashaway, of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in Quaker City, 824 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detectives or, Fred Flyers Blizzard, B67 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times, 879 Larry, the Leveler; or, Tha Bloods of the Boulevard, 408 Firefly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier. 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 82 Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 56 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vagapond, 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or Entombed Alive. A479 Detective Dodge; or, The Mvstery of Frank Hearty. 488 Wild Dick Racket; or, How He Fought for Honor, 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman : or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, 566 The Secret Service Boy Detective. 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves, 627 Tom Bruce of Arkananasy or, The Wolfin the Fold, 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. 667 Rob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. 09 The Curbstone Detective; or. Harry Hale’a Big Beat, 57 Detective Frank's Sweep-atakes. 9 Ned Norman, the Gamin Broker. 881 Turkey Billy, the Shine-’em-up Detective. BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, The Sea-Oat; or, The Witch of Darien. The Dumb Page: or, The Doge’s Deughter, Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. ance und Lasso; or, The Children of the Chaco. The Swordlunters; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders, © Lost Captain; or, Skipper Jabex Coffin’s Gratess The Boy Bedouins; or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lance Wolfgang, the Robber of the Mine. The eomer the Animal King: or, eat the World. r Tamer ; or, The ue of the Jun, Blac Nick, the Denies Rider, iy ” Californie Joe's War Trail. 15 = = . SERS ae ee ee a a es Ee eS ee ee ee Ee ee ee eee ee eS eee : $e “ irs Bitte) * ly tae ‘ ; ore ee as a PERT gest eased ans elae Pel” Paid 9) iy A _ vie A Bikey, r ee. aan ery ) 15 —_—_—— BY OLL COOMES. i. 146 Kit Randy, Detective; or, Silver Star, the Boy Knight, 168 Kit Bandy in Texas; or, The Young Mustanger, 208 Kit Bandy’s Catch; or, The Boy Hercules. 422 Kit Bandy’s Right Bower; or, Buby Sam,tho Boy Giant 444 Kit Bandy’s Swoop; or, Little Buckskin, tne Centaur. 478 Kit Bandy’s Slick Scheme; or, Old Tom Rattler, ° 661 Kit Bandy’s Deliverance; or, Banner Ban, 680 Kit Bandy’s Parag or, Dauntless Dan, the Freelance. 791 Kit Bandy Rattleds or, The Iniant Giant, 79S Kit Bandy in Ked Rutn; or, he Young Whirlwind. 799 Kit Bandy’s Big Hustle; or, Saddle King Sam, 804 Kit Band,’s Brigude;s or, Dan, the Mountain Guide. 158 Jack Drew, the Newnes, or, Eagle Kit the Roy Demon. 182 Jack Drew's Drops or, Litue Hurricane, the Boy Captain. 202 Jack Drew in Deadwood; or, Prospect Pete. 27 Keen Knife on Guard; or, Antelope Abe, the Boy Gulde.| 81 Keen-Knilte, the Prince of the lrairiea, & Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 18 The Dumb Spy. 41 Lusso Jack, the Young Muastanger, 68 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. 74 Mawk-eye Harry the Young Trapper Ranger, 88 Kello, the Boy Ranger; or, The Heiress, 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Hoy Rilleiyan, 148 &car-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror, 224 Dashing Dick; or, ‘Vrapper Tom's Caatle. 22S Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad, ‘ 288 The Parson Detectives or, The Littl Ranger, 7 248 The Disguised Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger, , 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Younw Prairie Ranger. 272 Minkskin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. } 290 Little Foxfire, the Poy Spy; or, Old Caleb Arbuckle. , ’ 800 The Sky Demon; or, Kainbolt, the Ranger, ; 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero, : 409 lhercuales; wr, Dick, the Boy Ranger. AIT Webtoot Moxe, the Tramp Detective. 457 Wingedfoot Fred; or, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarac ‘Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Troan, 562 Blundering Basfl, the Hermit Boy Trappor. 652% Don Barr, the Plains Freelance, 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer, TTS Highland Warry, the Wizard Rifleman. $28 Poker Jack, the Detective Sport. BY BUOKSKIN SAM (Major Sam. 8, Mall.) *284 Old Rocky « “Toyoons or, Bonito, the Horse-Breaker. 246 Glant Georges or, The Ang’! of the Range. 275 Arizona Jack; or, Ginnt George's Pard, 207 The Tarantula of Taos ; or, Giant George’s Revenge. B07 The Strange Pard 3 or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. 818 Por Waser Ker-whooy; or, The Tarantula of Taos, B27 Creeping Cat, the Caddo}; or, The Red and White Pards, 882 Frio Fred; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust, B44 The Fight ng Trio; or, Rattleanake, tho Tonkaway, 849 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front. 857 The Ranch Ratderas or, The Sloge of Fort Pargatory, 864 &nap-Shot, the Boy Kanger. 875 Chiota, the Creek; or, The Three Thunderbolts. 881 Bandera Bill; or. Frio Frank to the Front. 892 Romeo and the Reda; or, The Boleaguored Ranch, 404 Little Lariat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. 414 The Dalay from Denver. ¢ 427 The Three Tratlera; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage, | 442 Bluff Baill; or, The Lynx of the Leona. 455 Little Lone Star: or, The Belle of the Cibolo, 684 Cache Carl, the Chico Giart MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Worse Munters, By Capt. Mayne Reid and Frederick Whittaker. : 4 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift. 14 Aladding or, The Wonderful Lamp, 16 Robinson Orusoe, (27 Illustrations) 18 Stndbad the Sailor. His Seven 4A hi 22 Ts Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe. By Jaan owls, 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the arribews, By 8, W. Plerce. 86 The Boy Clowns or, The Arena Queon. By Ff 8, Finn. BS Ned Wylie, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 61 The Roy Fit ess or, The Underground Camp, By A. C, Irons, 95 The Rival Roveras or, Tho Freebooters of the Mississippi By Lieut.-Col, Haseltine. 98 Robin Hood, the Outlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Green- wood, By Prof. Gilderaleeve, 105 Old Rabe, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain 112 The Mad Hunt the Cave of D ¢ Ma unter; or, 'heCave of Death, By Burton Saxe, 124 3 ppy, the Texan or, The Young Champion, By George ePeon. 148 Sharp Samy; or, The Adventures oi a Friendless Boy. By J. lowstone, By Edward erson. Ensign C, D, Warren. 817 Peacock Pete, the Lively Boy’s Fight for Life and Hono, By Maior Mickey Fr 86 the Bootblack Detective, B 5 Baltimore Ren the ; GH 876 California Joe’s First Trall, By Co 475 The Black &h * ant Hts Honry J. Tho BRS WILL Waters, the Bov Ferret. By 11. Enton, Urkon Pass, By Will Lisenbee, 814 Ace High, the Fria«co Detective, By C. EB. Tripp, 881 The Chicago Proummer’s« Peal, By J. G. Bethure, Billy Brine, the Swamp Fox. Ry Chas. F. Well Hlue-light HI, the Sapphire Sport; or, 'The Deets Detec- The Half-Dime Wibrary {0 tor sale by all N éents por copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six pls ga sf 128 The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold, By Harry Cavendigh, Alexander Patten, 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper; or, The Green Ranger of the Yol- 261 Fergus Fearnaught the New York Boy, ByG, L, Aiken, 266 Killb’ar, the Guides or, Davy Crockett’s Crooked Trail, y 298 he J Claw, the tag ae Trapper; or, The Maid ot the Clif, tal tock. eocen Waka ¥ Lad from Leadville. By Lien- tenant Alfred Thorne. 828 The Sky Detectives or, A 00. 850 Red Ralph, the qave Rover} or, The Brother’s Re+ venge, By Ned Buntline, By A. P. Morris. 874 Gold-Duat Toms or, Ben's Double Match. sil ; A Hoyer MV y. A418 Billy Rombahell, the Clit Climber, By ¥.8. Winthrop, v John 4 484 Comanche Die ‘ Three Invinciblesa, By mas. 582 The Cowboy Duke, By Edwin Brooke Forrest. BBE Arkel whe Aleta, By David Druld. : eetive’s Double. By Gerald Carlton, $31 upvarie Moshe the Arizone Detective; or, The Whaard of 809 Don Danton, the Gent from Denyer. By King Keene, of the U. S. Secret Service Corps, » & odgers In _R Alley; or, Citizen Rube ect ay eienet a moe Phy Ren 1, Tiatiday, Nt 841 Fringe Charile, the Cat’s-Paw Sport. By Marm nke Dev, : sei s7To tive’s Lone Hand, By King Keene. A New Inane Every Tuesday, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York, de tae aii
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Puilished Eve —_—— ——— er BEADLE'’S« H ALF- DIME*[._ IBRARY. iform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdealers.. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novels, 1 Deadwood 20 lbea.jwood 28 Deadwood 85 lbent.wood 42 Dead wood 49 Dead. vood 5&7 Deud.ood 78 Deadwood 77 Dead\yood 100 Dead-vood 104 Dead ood 109 Dead wood 120 Dead sood 188 Deadwood 149 Deadwood 156 Deadwood 195 Dendwood 201 Deadwood 205 Deadwood 217 Deadwood 221 Deadwood 282 Gold-Duat 268 Deadwood 268 Deadwood 809 Deadwood B21 Deadwood 847 Deadwood 851 Deadwood 862 Deadwood 405 Deadwood 410 Deadwood 421 Deadwood 480 Deadwood Dead wood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood 465 Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadweoa Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood 544 Deadwood 549 Deadwooa 554 Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood S Deadwood Dead woo Deadwood Dendwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood 8 Deadwood 654 Deadwood Deadwood Deudwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood T52 Deadwood 758 Deadwood 764 Deadwood 770 Deadwood 776 Deadwood TS2 Deadwood 7ST Deadwood Z92 Deadwood 797 Deadwood 802 Dendwood 807 Deadwood $12 Deadwood 816 Deadwood 822 Deadwood 82S Deadwood 4 Deadwood 840 Deadwood 845 Dendwood 852 Deadwood 858 Deadwood 868 Deadwood 870 Dead wood S76 Deadwood S82 Dendwood SUL Deadwood 898 Deadwood 904 Deadwood B 589 Tom-Cat a 622 Tom-Oat's 681 Tom Catia 688 Tom-Cat’s TAT Dick, the Prince of the Road. Dick’s Detlance; or, Double Daggcrs. Dick in Disguise; or, Buffal. Ben Dick in His Cantle. Dick’s Bonanza; or, The Phantom Miner. Dick in Danger; or, Omana Ol. Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. Dick on Deck; or, Calamity 4 ine, the Heroine Pick’s Last Acts or, Corduroy Charlie. Dick in Leadville, Dick's Device; or, Vhe Double Cross Sign. Dick as Detective. - Dick’s Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. Dick’s Home Baxac; or, Blonde Bill. Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game ef Gold, Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party, Dick’s Dreamy or, The Rivils of the Road, Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel, Dick’sa Doom: or, Calamity Jave’s Adventure, Dick’s Dend Deal. Dick’s Death-Plant, Dick, A Romance of Rough« and Tougha, Dick’s peceed or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake, Dick’s Death Tratl. Dick’ Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats Dick’s Duentas or, Days in the Diggings. Diek Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta. Dick’s Claim. Dick In Dead City, Dick’s Dinmonda, Dick In New York; or, A “Cute Case.” Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand. Pick, JIr.3 or, The Crimsow Crescent Sign. Dick, Jr.’s, Deflance. pene Jr/’« Full Wand. ck, Dick, J Dick, J Dick, Dick, Yiek, Dick, Jr.. Afloat. or.+ in Denver. Jrwa, Decree, dr., in Beelzebub’« Basin, dr., at pts Ialand, Jrin, Leadville Lay. Jr., in Detreit. Dick, Jr., in Cincinnati, Dick, Jr., In Nevada, Dick, Jr., ln No Man’s Land, ick, Jr., After the Queer, Mek Jr.. in Buffalo. Dick, Jr.7a, Chase Across the Continent Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. Dick, Jr.’s, Inaurance Case. Dick, Jr. Back in the Mines. Diek, dr., tn Durangots or, “ Gathered In.” Dilek, reins sineny ery} or, Found a Fortune, ek, Jdr.’«. Dazzle. Dick, Jr.’s Dollars, He Sd grep a} Danger Divide. ek, Jr.’#, Drop. Dick, Jr., nt Jack-Pot. Dick Jr., in San Francisco, Dick, Jr.’«, Still Munt. Dick, dr.’s, Dominoes, Diek, Jr.’s, Disgulac, Dick, Jr.'s, Double Deal Dick, Jr.’a, Deathwatch. Dick, Jr.’«, Doublet. Dick, Jr.’*, Deathblow. Dick, dr.’s, Desperate Stralt. Diek, Jr.’a, Lone Hand. Dick, Jr.’*, Defeat. Dick, Jr’, Reaurreetion, ee? grees Mork Daya. ek ry Detied. Dick, Jr.'s, Double Device. Dick, Jr’.#, Desperate Venture, Dick, Jr.’a, Diamond Dice, Diek, Jr.’ay Royal Flush, picks dee teat ck, dr.’my val, Dick, Jr.’«, Boom, hick, Jr.’«, Scoop. Dick, Jr.’*, Proxy. Vick, Jr.'s, Clutch, Dick, Jr.’s, sish forse. Dick Jr., at Devilla Gulch. Tick, Jr.’s, Neath-Hole Hustle. Dick, Jr.’ Bombshell. Dick, Jr., In Mexico, Dick, Jr’a, Decoy Duck. Dick, Jr., in Silver Pocket. Dick. Jr’a, Dend-Sure Game, Dicky Jrla, Double Drive, Dick, Jr/#, Trade-Mark, Y LIEUT. A. K, SIMS. nd Pardy or, The Dead Set at Silver City, Triad; or, ‘Vhe Affuir at Tonibatone, Terrible Task; or, The Cowboy Detective, Triumph; or, Black Dan's Great Combine, 546 Captain Cactun, the Chaparral Cock; or, Josh’s Ten Strike 5668 The Dandy ot Dodge; or, Rustling for Millions, 576 The Silver 8 588 Saffron Sol 601 Happ 611 Bil ha ports or, Josh Peppermint’s Jubilee, » the Man With a Shadow Wana, the Datch Videcq; or, Hot Timesat Round-Up Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 646 Gowker ds tbe Cattle-Range Getective. ng Gh? Warbl 665 Jolly Jere 676 mare came 689 Billy, the 699 Rimple Sim, the Tifam the Mountain Mountebank. minhy the Plains Detective. the —_ yoo ‘i a ¢ or, The Myste hes nae Buster; or, For Bi of Two Lives, ig Stakes, 12 The Meamerlat Sports or, The Mystified Detective, 88 Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector, 45 Kansaa Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective. 61 Marmaduke, the Mostanger Detective. 78 85 Lone Wand The meter Two Showmen Detectives in Colorado, he Rustler of Rolling Stone. Jee, the Committee of One. Yz the High-Kicker from Killbuck, Detective in Texas. ry Tuesday. Hach Issue’ Complete and Sold at the Un BAS Other Novels by E, L. Wheeler. 80 Rosebud Rob}; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Resebud Rob on Hand; or, Idyl, the Girl Miner. 88 Rosebud Rob’s Reappearanee; 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’« Victory; or, Skul! and Crossbones, 255 Denver Doll's Decoy § or. Little Bill’s Bonanza, 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or. The Road Queen. 868 Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherery or, The Life Lottery, 872 Yreka Jim's Prize; or, The Wolves of Wake-Up, . B85 Yreka Jjm’s etd 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 244 Merra Sam, tho Frontier Ferret; or, A Sister's Devotion, 248 Sierra Sams Seerct; or, The Bloody Footprints, 255 Sierra San’s Pard; or, The Angel ot Big Vista. 258 Sierra Sam’s Sevens or, The Stolen Bride. 884 Kangaroo Kit or, The Mysterious Miner. $89 Kangaroo Kitts Racket; or, The Pride of Played-Out, BY Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 69 The Boy Detectives or, Gold Rifle, the Sharpebooter, 96 Watch-Eye, the Detective; or, Ariba and Angels. 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 145 Cuptain Ferret, the New York Detective. 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective, 226 The Arab Detective ¢ or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp. 291 Turk the Boy Ferret. i B25 Kelley, Mickey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia, 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Detective. 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High Hat Warry, the Baae Bull Detective, 426 Som Slabaldes, the Beggar-Boy Detective. 484 Jim Benak and Pal, Private Detectives. 26 Cloven tioof, the buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures, 82 Bob Woolf's or, The Girl Dead-Shot, 45 Old Avalanche: or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 563 Jim Bludaoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix, 61 Buckhorn Bills or, The Red Rifle Team 92 Canada Chet; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp, 118 Jack Moyle the Young Speculator. 125 Bonanza Hill, Miner; or, Madam Mystery, the Forger. 188 Boss Bob the King of Bootblacks, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Rond-Agent; or, The Branded Brows. 177 Nobby Nick of Nevaday or, The Sierras Scamps. 181 Wild Frank the Buckskin Bravo; or. Lady Lily’s Love, 286 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado; or, Rowdy Kate. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young G)adiator, or, The Locked Valley. 278 Jumbo Joe, the boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heira, 2909 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. $08 ’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. 880 Little Quick-Shot3 or, The Dead Face of Daggersville, 858 First-Clasa Fred, the Gent from Gopher. B78 Nabob Neds or, The Secret of Slab City. B82 Cool Kit, the Kirg of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher; or, A Son’s Vengeance. 486 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkier; or The Tribunal of Ten. BY J, ©. COWDRIOK, Broadway Billy Novels. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. ona a badha d Pete a oe Clearing a Strange Case roadway y’s lity. Broadway ey, Peath Racket. Broadway Billy’s Surprise Party, Broadway Billy; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning. Brondway Billy’s Bead Acts or, The League of Seven Broadway Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack in Frisco, Cee way Benya Wonts or, Beating San Francisco's Finest. roadway y In Clover. roncwey. aay, 7. a ees or, The River Rustlers, rondway y’s Brand, 711 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe; or, The Clever Deal. 720 fanaoe bE nee Tefen Stand or, The Gamin Detective, rondway y’s Business, Broadway Billy’« Curious Case, Broadway Billy in Denver. Broadway Billy’s Bargain; or, The Three Detegtiv Brondway Billy, the Retriever Detective, 5 Brondway Billy’s Shadow Chase. Broadway Blily’s Beagles; or, The Trio’s Quest. Broadway Billy’s Teams or, The Combine’s Big Pull. ag ad ay qa ys & rlgades or, ane Dead Alive, roadway y’s Queer Bequest, Broadway Billy Baffled. 5 Brondway Billy’s Signal Scoop. Broadway Billy's Wipe Out. Brondway Billy’a Bank Racket. Broadway Billy’s Bluff, prone way ay SmORE Jersey Thugs, roadway y's» Rald. Broadway Billy's Big Boom, Broadway Billy’s Big Bulge, Broadway Billy’s #100,000 Snap. Heda way Lh Ree Cire or, The Bootblack Stowaway. rondway y In London, proadway nite. Shenaws zonden Sluma. roadway y’s French Game. Broadway Billy and the Bomb-Throwers. 900 Jumping Jack's Jubilee. S87 Battery Bob, the Dock Detective. 860 Milver-Mask, the Mau oi Mystery; or, The Golden Keys, 86) Shasta, the Gold Ki dng ¢ or, For Seven Years Dead, 420 The Detective’s Apprentioe’ or, A Boy Without a Name, 424 Cibuta Jonny or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar. 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 606 Redlight Ralph the Prince of the Road, 5624 The Engineer Detective; or, Redlight Ralph’s Resolve 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. 671 Alr-Line Luke the Young Engineer; or, The Double Case 592 The Boy Pinkerton; or, Running the Rascals Out. 615 Fighting Harry the Chief of Chained Cyclone, 640 Bareback Reth, the Centanr of the Circle, 647 Tyrewrlter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. 659 Moonlight Morgan the “ Pizencat’’ Man of Ante Bas. 894 Arizona Dick's Wipe-Out. BY WILLIAM BR. EYSTER, 190 Dandy Darke; or. The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Frank: or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pards, 818 The Wuatler Rogue-Catcher, S88 Poker Pete’a Double Dodge, ' 851 The Tie-To Sport; or, High Hustling at Sinners’ Flat, 888 Monte Saul, the Sport. 901 Diamond Dave, the Gilt-Edge Shooter, BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon, Wm. F. Cody). 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom py or, The Pilot of the Pratrie. 55 Deadly-Eye. the Unknown Sccut; or, The Banded Brotherhood 68 penser, Robin Woods or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Caforado; or, The Trapper’s Trust, BY — HWAROLD PAYNE, 848 Dan, the River Sperts or, Foiling the Frisco Sharp, 892 Bowery Ben in Chinatown, SS ee 38 COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, York Nat’a in Colorado, y York Nat In Gold Nugget Camp. York Nat’s Deadly Deal, York Nat’s Crook-Chase, York Nat’s Trump Card, York Nat and the Grave Ghouls, Yew York Nat’s Masked Maxcot, New York Nat, the Gamin Detective, Dick Doom’s Kidnapper Knock-Out, Bick Doom’s Ten Strike. Dick Doom’s Flush Hand, Dick Doom’s Death-Grip; or, The Detective by Destiny, Dick Doom’s Destiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terror, Dick Doom; or, ‘Ihe Sharps and Sharks of New York, Dick Doom in Boston; or, A Man of Many Maske, Dick Doom tn Chicago. Dick Doom in the Wild West. _ Pick Doom’s Clean Sweep}; or, Five Links in a Clue. Dick Doom’s Death Clue. Dick Doom’s Diamond Deal. Dick Doom’s Girl Mascot. Dick Doom’s Shadow Hunt. Dick Doom’s Big lMeul, Dashing Charlie; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trali, Dashing Charlic’« Destiny; or, The Renegade’s Captive,. Dashing Charliie’s Pawnee Pard. Dashing Charlle, the Rescuer. 7 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. Buck Tuylor, the Comauche’s Captive. Buck Taylor’s Bey; or, The Fed Riders of the Rio Grande,, Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shadower, Pawnee Bill; or, Carl, tie Mad Cowboy. Pawnee Bis Pledac; or, The Cowboy's Doom. Pawnee Billy or, Daring Dick. Redfern’s Curtous Case? o, The Rival Sharps. Kedtern at Devil’a Ranch; or, The Sharp from Texas, Redfern’« Wigh Mand; or, Blue Jacket, Redfern’s Last Trail; or, The Red Sombrero Rangers. Red Ralph’ Ruse; or, The Buccaneer Miashipman, ted Ralph’s Bold Game; or, The Wizard Sailor. Red Ralph, the Shadower, or, The Freebooter’s Legacy. Butterfly Billy’s Disguise. ; Butterfly Billy, the Vony Express Rider. Butterfly Biliy’« Man Hunt, Lutterlly Billy’s Bonanza, Kent Kingdon o:, ‘Ihe Owe of the Overland. Kent Kingdon’s Shadower ; or, the Card Queen, Kent Kingdon’s Duel; <r, Vhe Surgeon Scout, Kent Kingdon’s Doom; «r. The Buckskin Avenger. Lafitte Run Downs or, The luanancers of Barrataria, Latitte’s Legacy? or. The Avenging Son. Lafitte’s Contessions o1, The Creole Corsair, Buckakin BIL, the Comanche Shadow, The Buckskin Brothers in Texas, The Buckskin Bowers; or. The Cowbuy Pirates, The Ruckakin Rovers: or, The Prairie Fugitive, The Buckskin Pards’ Quests: or, Captuin Ku-Klux, The Royal Middy ¢ or, The Shark anu tne Sea Cat, The Royal Middy’s Luck 3 or, The Hunted Midshipn. an. fhe Royal Middy’sa Foc, 450 Wizard Will: or, The Boy Ferret or New York, 454 Wizard Will's Street Sconta. 474 Wizard WHD's J} ard; or, Flirs, the Flower Girl, WHl's Laat Cage; or, ‘The Ferrets Afloat. Dare, the Boy Refugee. Dare’s Plot; or, A Cabin Boy’s Luck. Dare’s Prize; or; The Sea Raider. U Dare’s Feeret: cr. The Ocean Firefly, Iaodor, the Young Consptrator 3 or, The Fatal Lergur, Isodor’s Double Chase; or, The Boy Insurgent. Isoder’a War-Cloud Cruise: or. The Wild Yachteman. Bilson Bll, the Prince ot the Rens, Bison Bill's Clues or. Grit, the Biuvo Sport, Dead Shot Vandy’s Dilemma, Dead Shot Dandy'’s Doubles cr, Keno Kit. Pend Shot Dandy’s Defiance: or, The Boy Bugler, Dead Shot Dandy’a Chict; or, The River Detective. 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’sa Cruise; or, * The Gold Ship” Chase, Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Tle Pirate’s Pride, 284 Merle Monte’s Pledge: or. The Sea Marauder, 197 The Kid Glove Sport; or, Little Grit, the Wild Rider, 204 The Kid Glove Sport’s Doom; cr, Buffalo Bill, the Pony Express Rider. 885 Dead-Shot Ralph’sa Ten-Strike, S67 Dead Shot LKalph’s Dro 878 Deck-Hawk Roy's Big S25 Marlo, the Cowboy Coaster, 7831 Ruth Redmond, the Gir) Shadower. 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag. 617 Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scout. 602 The Vagabond ofthe Mines. bY? The Texan Detective; or, The Black Bravos, BY1 Delmonte, the Young Sea-Rover; or, The Avenging Sallote 580 The Outcast Cadets or, The False Detective. 495 Arizona Joe or, The Boy Pard of Texas Jack. 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger 468 Neptune Ned, the Roy Coaster; or, Pirate in Spite. 462 The Sallor Boy Wanderer; or. The Born Guide. 446 Waphazard Harry or, The Sen Rempenveee 898 The Red Clasped Vlands; or, Ihe Boy Lieutenant, 887 Warpath WII, the Traitor Guide. 888 The Indian Pilot ¢ or, The Searc), fr Pirate Island, B77 Bonodel, the Buy Rover; or, The Flagless Schooner, 27 Billy Blue-Eye* of the Rio Grande. % Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 229 Crimson Kate, the Girl Tratler: or, The Cowboy’s Trlamph. 116 The Hussar Captain: or, The Hermit of Hell Gate. 111 The Sea-Devi) § or, The Midshipman’s Legacy, 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Smuggier , or, The Cruise of the Vixene 25 The Roy Daellst; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Woli, 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 Fugitive Yacht. 7 The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Outcast, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 905 Dandy Nugget, the Bo~ Shadow; or, Captain Maseot, the Nabob King. By T. C, Harbaugh. 906 Satety Sam, the Cyele Sport; or, High Hustling at Silver By J. C. Cowdrick. City. 907 Reddy Rusher, Bell-Boy 4-11-44; cr, Johnny’s Cool Jig. By Jo Pierce, 908 New York Nat’s Double; or, The King of Crooks, By o). P, Ingrukam. 909 Midshipman Dare, the Pirate Catcher, By T.J. Flanagan. 910 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Tip-Top; or, Gold Guns, the Bullet-proof sport. By Edward L. Wheeler. A New leane Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all newsdealens, five @enta per copy, or sent by mail on receipt o! six conte each, Wizard Duncan Duncan RR Chowder BEADLE AND ADAM, Publi 98 Witham Btroct, Noo Terk, ’ . = — ‘e. Abad, * at .