Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 943) (1895 08 20)
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meat = Or. \\\ \ \ AN b \ \\\ N i \ Pee dso ? EIT Ss! Lie A ERS Se ea PE — see . Ly mee em tL Hl Ul Ut il KV Hl tl UDC Fi i i TBs AN ighted 1895, by BEADLE AND August 20, 1895.) Price | ; Vol. XXXVIT, wl 5 cents. ; at {Nat al i oS . _ Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y¥ , Post Office NEW YORK, cent eee Men: or, pol Sharpe, [etective. $2.50 a Year. oe Wit a es ‘Sink Aeed, Vili . “‘well- fi. tants WN | He . } Z \ i f / ‘finel’ Ae \} W / ii AW THEN OLD HAYSEED WADDLED ON, FOLLOWED BY A oe a gh
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Sol Sharpe, Detective. Qld Hayseed Among Bunco Men: SOL SHARPE, DETECTIVE, A Metropolitan Romance, BY EDWARD LYTTON WHEELER. CHAPTER i. THE MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE. SoLomON SHARPE, American-born, twenty- three years of age, of good form and great physical strength, and a naturally good-looking, smooti-shaven face, lit up by a brilliant pair of dark-brown eyes—Solomon Sharpe, a metropoli- tan detective of more than ordinary ability, rat | in his McDougal street office,in an evidently unpleasant frame of mind, for his brows were contracted as he sat gazing out of the window, and ran his fingers through his curly brown hair in a nervous sort of way, that bespoke mental disquiet. His ‘' office” was the third story front room of one of the Macdougal street tenements, and the furniture consisted only of a bed, a couple of chairs, a washstand and stove;—this much, and nothing more, except for the shabby, time- worn ingrain carpet upon the floor, The day wasa cool one in November, and a five was much needed in the detective’s room, but there was not a spark of fire in the rusty stove, and, evidently, there had not been for many a day. Solomon sat by the window, his elbow upon the sill and chin resting in the palm of his hand, looking thoroughly discouraged and disgusted with the world at large. Out-of-doors a raw, piercing wind was blow- ing through the narrow street; and, to make matters mure disagreeable, a steady, drenching ruin was falling—one of those all-day, gloomy rains, peculiarly New York rains that are so sure to give a person of the most cheerful nature a touch of the *‘ blues.” The character of the weather, together with young Sharpe’s other troubles, served to affect him with a fit of the bluest kind of blues, which «rove him nearly to desperation, Upon the other chair, which stood just in front of the very plainly dlad detective, were tro silver dollars and an open letter penned in a graceful hand, which in a measure accounted for Mr, Sharpe’s apparent downheartedness. This letter ran as follows: **Naw York, November 20th. “Mr. SOLOMON SHARPE :— ‘** Sir:—By receipt of this you will understand that your services or p.esence, at our place of business, will not be further required, and we send you, by bearer, the balance of salary due you, ** When you applied for situation of entry clerk, in response to our advertisement, our junior member wasratherimpressed with your honest appearance, and gave you the job, Wehave since learned that, previous to applying to us for employment, you had achieved some notoriety as a privatedetective. AS we thoroughly distrust s7-called private detectives, our reasons for discharging y ouare obvious, coupled with which is the fact that you have presumed to ad- dress the daughter of the senior member of the firm. familiarly, and asked her to accompany you to the theater. “This is too much. To succeed, you should stick closer to your station in life. ‘AARON AGATHA & Co,”’ It was the tone of this letter, and the fact that the two dollars on the chair before him was the total of his worldly cash. capital which had caused Sol Sharpe to feel decidedly glum; for, ofdinarily, he was of a bright and cheerful dis- position and as genial a companion as one could wish to have, Now, however, the world looked cold and heartless to him, for, although born and bred one of the poor young men of the metropolis, he had, naturally, had his numerous ups and downs before to-day. it was true he had put in a couple of years at private detective work, but, although he had evinced marked tact for the business and won several cases remarkable for the shrewdness that secured success, he had found it >t and tuck to eke out more than a meager liveli- hood, New York, it may be safely said, has more police and private detectives tian it has bane ment for, and so Sol Sharpe had discovered, He had also found that the police detectives, backed by political influence, usually got the credit of the *‘ pie,” while the privates had to be content ae e pie alone and, often, ‘‘ cheap grub pie” a a So, a couple of weeks before our story, seeing | an advertisement in the World for an enciry clerk, he bad answered and, considerably to his | surprise, had obtained the situation. The firm of Agatha & Co,, commission mer- chants, did a large business,.and young Sharpe had been kept busy during hours of business, and endeavored to ‘give entire satisfaction, | although thé wages were very meager indeed. He had supposed he was doing right, until on this cold, bleak morning a messenger hadbrought | him the letter and two dollars. Then his surprise knew no bounds, Agnes Agatha, the se. ior member’s daughter, he had seen but on one occasion, and then he had not bad anything like the audacity even’ to address her. And, what was more perplexing to him, was the fact that the two dollars inclosed was but one fifth of what was due him! ‘1 can’t understand it,” he mused, as he sat staring out of the window, ‘ How they came to discover that I had been in the detective line ; but, perhaps, that was easy enough. Some of their customers, no doubt, recognized me, and volunteered the information. But,who told ’em that lie about my attempting familiarity with Miss Agatha, and asking her to accompany me to the theater? That's what sticks me more than anything else, unless it’s why the balance of my salary was not sent.” He recalled, one by one, the other employees of the firm, but could not remember one whom he thought would be mean enough to backcap him or could have any reason for doing so. ‘+ Well, the letter’s right to the point,” he said, finally, ‘‘and I suppose there’s no use of de- manding any more explanation or any more salary, for that matter. The blazes only knows where the next money is to come from, after these two dollars are gone, Heigh-ho! I suppose {ll have to start out in the wet and see if I can’t find something to do.” At this juncture there was a rap on the door, which was almost immediately afterward open- ed, and a girl, some fifteen ‘or sixteen years of age, entered. She was of medium height for that age and mt af or quite strong, but was very poorl clad ina patched skirt, a Jersey, out at the el- bows, and a hood, while on her feet was a coarse pair of shoes run over at the heel, Her face, however, was clean, round and rosy, and lit up by a pair of dancing eyes that only rivaled in their dark color the bangs that protruded from under the front edge of her h Under one arm she carried a Lundle of the morning dailies, thus proclaiming that she was one of Gotham’s innumerable news-venders. ‘‘ Hillo, Sharpy!” she saluted, as she entered the detective’s room. ‘‘ What’s the oene with you? I didn’tsee ye at the store, an’ so thought mebbe you’d took sick, or bi’u bit by a mad dog, an’I concluded I’d come up and in- vestigate, Why, yer look as glum asa ten-cent beefsteak.” ‘¢ And feel a blamed sight glummer!” Sharpe declared. ‘‘ I’ve got the bounce!” ‘sh? Yedon’tsay so! What fer?” ‘“*There’s the only explanation I received, Mol- ly.” and the detective nodded toward the chair. “Guess I shall have to go back to the old biz again, if there’s any show.” Oe picked up the letter and read it ark 2 “ Well, by gum, that’s mean!” she declared, candidly, *‘I never did like old Agatha. ! had to buzz him two weeks, ’til I wore out his patience, before he paid me a paper bill he owed me. Mashin’ his gal, hey?” ‘“By no means, Never saw her but once, and then I only gave her a passing glance. ‘¢Humph! Guess old Agatha don’t like detec- tives much?” ‘No, it wouldn’t seem so. Let the old crank go to blazes. I'll ask no odds of him,” ‘Neither would I, With them wits o’ yourn you'll not starve. That the size o’ your pile?” with a glance toward the two silver dollars. ‘« Every cent of it!” Sharpe replied. “Phew! That ain’t much. If you want a lift, call on Merry Moll!” “ Why, heeled !” and Sol Sharpe smiled va ris ‘Well, I should presume I could show up a tenner!” Molly retorted, with a toss of Le pretty head, ‘* What d’ye take me fer—a or- gan-grinder’s monkey, or a Union Squar’ barn- stormin’ actress?” “* Well, you’ve got plenty of cheek for either,” Sol replied, as she flirted ac new ten-dollar-. oar pigs his eyes, ‘‘ Where did you make the e you talk as though you were well- | Cee cheetnnoaa’staat Heeahaplinhaehapipaietenb icipuasneaieapeeteeiaheascok scene aan "1 tell you,” and Molly looked pleased confidence was solicited. ‘‘DPve bin bers fora good six years, an’ I have got 5 ©’ little ropes, w’ot the others don’t ell, when a steamer comes over from selig onto work Englafid, she ’most allus fetches over some bigh- cockolorum Englisher, w’ot comes over here to air his bigness, an’ let on he’s purty near as big an un as ther Prince o’ Whales. Well, { makes et a point to time them stedmers, an’ i spruce up a little *bove ordinary, takes my papers, an’ goes down to where the passengers get off, an’ makes myself beard, «Some o’ the boys are onto my racket, but I don’t care for them, as long as none of the girls come nosin’ around. I never teches the Ameri- cans, wot aire returnin’ home, but I jest picks out the fureigners, puts on my purtiest smile, buttonholes ’em, an’ asks ’em to please buy a paper. ** | get all sorts o’ price, English money, an’ then ] goes down to Baxter street, an’ works et off for grub. Them English dudes w’ot come over, with a gal hangin’ onto their arm, they never asks for any change—that would be too common, you know, ‘“Well, yesterday one o’ the Cunard lines landed its passengers, an’’mong the passengers was a gallus-looking Englisher, in a gay uni- form, gid eye-glasses, an’ side-whiskers. I see he had never bin over before, an’ I waltzed up to him, an’ told him old Vic was dangerously sick, Ye orter see’d that feller git excited. He pulled out his ten, ’Merican money, tuk the pa- per I give him, jumped inter a cab, an’ the way he went!” ‘“ Why, Molly, you told a deliberate false- hood!” ‘‘Nixee! Patsy MacAnnany told me that some Jrish paper had given the queen a dose that made her awful sick. Dunno but what it was a stretcher, but I got the ten, an’ he didn’t ax for no change. I’ve got my eye on a seal- skin sacque, down in Prince street, an’ ef I can raise the boodle by Christmas, I’m goin’ to have it. “‘ You'd cut a great swell in a sealskin, Molly |” the detective observed, dryly. ‘Guess I would! Fine feathers does a heap toward makiv’finebirds. Oh! say, by the way— I found the funniest thing up at Third avenue and Forty-eighth street, this morning, and I want to show it to you, an’ see what you make out of it.” ‘ The voluble newsgirl then deposited her pa- pers, and proceeded to go through the pockets of her dress. ‘“‘ Hope I ain’t lost it,” she said, ‘‘ for you may make a job out of it. Ab! here it is!” She produced a slip of paper that evidently had originally been the fly-leaf of a book, and handed it to Sol Sbarpe, who took it rather carelessly, presuming that it was of but little consequence, As he glanced over what was penciled upon the paper, his interest quickened perceptibly. This was what the startled detective read: “For God's sake, whoever finds this come to my rescue, I beg and pray you. I have been the inmate of Doctor Lascar’s private mad-house for more than four years-— detained here against my will, whenT am no more insane than you who find this. Thisis the first time I've hada chance to communicate with the outside world. I cannot tell what section of the city Tam confined in, forI wes brought here by a@ stranger, It may not be far from where this note isfound. Ican heara clock strike from my room and chureb-belis toll, but can only see the sky. Oni be merciful and come to my rescue, “Roura Ra—’’ The latter part of the name was missing. A horse had evidently stepped upon a corner of the paper and detached it, for the back of the scrap bore muddy marks. The strange message had no date, It might have been blowing about the city for weeks. But, no matter about this: here evidently was a clew to a foul plot. f At least Sol Sharpe appeared to think so, for, after reading it over several times, he carefully folded it, and stored it away in his pocket, He then Ler gags to Merry Moll, as she was usually named, «6 ah say you found this at Third avenue and Forty-eigh h street?” he queried. Lad es. ‘“ When?” “« At daylight, when I was coming duwr after my papers. / pence lying?” ‘Where was the ‘In the middle of Third avenue, on the U beh amp street crossin’,” +‘ How came you to pick it up?” “Give that up. I see it layin’ ther’
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Sp , picked it up out o’ curiosity, Is'pose. A‘ rl ‘picked it up I read it, an’ et was so queer tuat I thot ''d fetch it to you, I wet aown to the store, but found you wasn’: there, en’so I run up here, to see what was ailir’ you.” ‘* Let mesee—you live on Hust Forty-cighth street, don’t you?” ‘*No, The old man’s moved up to Fiftieth, an’ tuk cheaper rooms. He hadn’t enough to spend for rum, when he had to pay the other rent.” ‘‘ Drinks as bad as ever, eh?’ - “Worse. He ain’t workin’ now, and spends his time down in the slums. Dunno how he does it, but he rakes up enough money so as to come home paralyzed drunk,” ‘¢ Does he demand your money?” ‘¢Not any more, He tried to make me fork over, the other night, but I’ve been takin’ les- sons of Mary Ann Kerrigan, an’ am gettin’ scienced, and I give the old man a couple 0’ belts with a stove-raiser that satisfied him he’d better let me alone.” Sol laughed. He had known Molly Marble since she had first appeared upon the streets of New York as a newsgirl—a little toddler, then not over five years old, scarcely big enough to carry her pa- rs, ne had watched her grow up toward ma- turity with a keen interest; knew she often had a bard row to hoe; but, as she was a good- hearted, straightforward girl, he had often lent her a helping hand. And now she was getting old enough, and big enough, to look out for herself, and although self-educated, literally in the gutters of the great city, was both purer and betier than many people living in grand houses. ‘*Do you know of any churches, up that way, ‘that have a striking steeple clock?” Sol asked. ‘¢- Yes, there’s several scattered around, but none just at Forty-eighth street. You'd better go sg and size things for yourself.” ‘©! will, perhaps,” Sol replied, thoughtfully. “I’ve got to go over to Broadway, anyhow, and I may as well walk up-town, and thus pass away this gloomy day.” Molly approved, and took her departure. Sol Sharpe soon after followed her example. “There may be nothing in this case for me,” he mused, as he set out toward Broadway, ‘and again, ‘there may be much, Anyhow, time is idle on my hands, with no prospect of striking a job such a day as this, and lll give the matter my attention. These cases of people being shut up in so-called ‘private asylums’ are getting entirely too frequent, and need ven- tilation, and it would be quite a feather in my cap if I could expose a few of these vile and cruel prison-pens.” CHAPTER II. THE BUNCO-STEERERS. THUS communing, Sol soon reached Broad- “way and turned up that crowded thoroughfare ‘toward Union Square, Although his mind was busied in thinking over the strange message which had fallen into his hands he was on the alert for theclever pick- pockets who ever travel Broadway and other -crowded thoroughfares engaged in their nefari- ous work. Although he knew and was but lately known ‘toalarge number of these light-fingered nui- sances, he felt now that he was likely to escape general recognition, as, when he had gone to work for Agatha and Company, he had shaved off his graceful mustache, which had quite altered his appearance. Thus sauntering and bar img he spied a well-known character standing in a doorway across the street engaged in scanning the crowd that surged past. ; “That's Bunco Jim, sure’s I live!” Sol mused and he mies. out to the edge of the curb and paused. ‘ Yes; it is Jim Mullen, the most suc- cessful bunco-steerer in New York. Let me see; six mouths ago he was sent up--six months to-day, and he must have just got out, unless ee shortened his sentence for good behavior, which is likely, as he wears a new suit of clothes and appears as fresh as .a daisy. ** And here he is, out for new game, or my ty,me is not Sol Sharpe. I wonder where his pal 4 ¢—tfor these bunco-men never travel vag 3H I ink Pll tarry abit, and see what Mullen “patches.” Mullen did not look like a'typical-crook. In- rt most persons would havetaken him for a ‘well-to-do business man, He was six foot tall, broad-shculdered, and :finely-proportioned. ._He was dressed in a,good _— Wis Sol i Sharpe. Detective. 3 street-suit, that gave him a genteel appear- ance. While appearing to be waiting for a chance to cross Srcadwey Sol Sharpe kept his eye on the steerer, and also endeavored to determine if he had a pal in the neighborhood, The detective noticed a richly-attired young sprung off, and became lost in the intervening crowd that intercepted Sol’s observation. “ Correct! Josiah Ramsey will now encounter some one that knows him!” the detective reflect- ed, ‘‘and Ill be shot if I don’t see this matter through, if it costs mealung. If the old gent from Cattaraugus county don’t get fleeced, it lady coming down Broadway on the east side, | will be because I won’t permit it.” where, at the time, there chanced to be the least crowd of pedestrians, He immediately recognized Agnes Agatha, a tall, stately girl, fairly good-looking, yet with a babyish sort of face and blonde hair. When she reached the doorway where Bunco Jim was standing he appeared to speak to her. Much to the astonishment of Sol, she paused; then they shook hands with apparent cordiality, and entered into conversation, she standing in the doorway beside him, ‘‘ Well, I hope I may fall into a sewer, if that don’t take my time!” was the detective’s mental ejaculation. ‘‘Who would ever expect to see old Aaron Agatha’s aristocratic daughter shak- ing hands and conversing with Bunco Jim, tbe escaped jailbird? For that is Bunco Jim, There’s not the shadow of a doubt: of it, in my mind, not one. He don’t know me, but I know him, Great Scott! how I’d like to have old Agatha come along now and witness his pet talking with a man onl tecently off the Island! T'll bet he’d faint, or ies kick the bucket with apoplectic rage.” Sol’s astonishment was really genuine; he did not know what to make of the scene across the way. Miss Agatha extended the chat for fully five minutes, and then hurried on down the street, Bunco Jim bowed and lifted his hat as polite- ly as a Chester as she departed. ‘* Well! well! well!” was all Sol could say to himself. But t as was his surprise, he did not relax his vigilance in the least, fle felt sure the bunco man was laying for a victim, and meant to see who the victim was, if he secured any at all. For fear he might attract too much attention, Sol concluded to walk up Broadway to the cor- ner—which he did, and there crossed over to the side on which Mullen was positioned. Just as hedid so two men met near the corner —one a well-dressed, dandified-appearing fel- low, who was bound up-town—thbe other a fat, short old man, with big stomach, florid face and silvery lccks—a man fresh from the rural dis- tricts, evidently, judging by the coarse material of his garments, particularly his heavy gray overcoat, by his broad-rimmed felt hat and the heavy boots he wore, The two men nearly collided, and the younger man said, ‘‘ Excuse me;’ then giving the older party a second glance, his face became covered with smiles as he thrust forth his hand, ‘¢ Why, really!” be exclaimed, ‘can it be pos- sible? Mr. Pratt, from Canajoharie, as I live!” The farmer raised his spectacles half an inch higher on the bridge of his nose, and stared at the young man in open-mouthed astonishment, ‘* Waal, 1 guess you’ve made a leetle mistake for once, young man!” he replied. ‘* What! are you really not Reuben Pratt?” ejaculated the bunco man, ‘‘It don’t seem pos- sible to me I can have made a mistake.” ‘But you have, though, My name is Josiah Ramsey, an’ I’m from Little Valley, up in Cat- taraugus county. An’I have got ther best farm an’ stock fer miles ‘round me,” ‘* Indeed! indeed! Well, really, I hope you'll excuse me. I certainly took you for a friend of mine from Canajoharie,” ‘“*No excuses, young man. Every one is apt ter make mistakes, I’m just goin’ on a bunt arter a little rum an’ molasses. Ef you'll join me ye'r’ welcome,” “Thank you, sir; your kind offer is higbly Lag ate but, you see, I belong to the Young en’s Christian Association, and don’t indulge, Much obliged, just the same. Good-day, sir!” Then Old Hayseed waddled on, followed by a bevy of boys. The younger genteel crook, who had mistaken him for the man from Canajoharie, went in the opposite direction, a few paces, and then sud- denly boarded a down-town Broadway car, Sol Sharpe had been a witness to this meeting, and had heard what had passed between the two men. ‘*Justasle ted!” hesaid to himself. ‘Tl bet my life that bunco chap gets off the car, and gives the top-lofty tip to Bunco Jim.” He stepped to the edge of the curb, and, sure enough, when the car came opposite to where Bunco Jim was standing, the young crook By a little skillful maneuvering, the detective managed to work his way ahead th.ough tke crowd, until he had very nearly overtaken the farmer—drew as near, indeed, as he cared to et. When Ramsey reached the point where Bunco Jim was in waiting, that personage stepped quickly from the doorway, and clapped the old farmer on the shoulder familiarly. ‘‘Why, friend Ramsey, how do you do!” he accosted, pulling his intended victim to one side, out of the way of the crowd. ‘‘ Really, I am surprised to see you so far away from Little Valley !” “Eh? You are, eh?’ and Ramsey readjusted his spectacles, and gave his accoster an interro- gative stare, ‘‘ Who ther mischief are you?” ‘“Me? Why can it possible you have forgot- ten me? I was up your.way last fall, buying up cattle, If you remember, I gave a call on you. I’m Jim White, the drover.” ‘‘Oh! youare, eh? Seems to me i do remem- ber suthin’ about it, tho’ I can’t recall faces as well asiuster could, So you’re White? Ob! say, you ain’t the chap as tried to b’y that sorrel colt o’ mine, what was sired by Flyer, an’ dam- med by Lady Jane?” ‘*The very same chap, sir, l assure you. We couldn’t make a bargain, however, for your fig- ures were too high!’ ‘* Well! well! Glad to see you. Met another feller back here, as tho’t he know’d me, but I wasn’t from the place he tho’t | was. ‘Pears to me you hey changed, since you were up at Little Valley, have you not?” ‘* Perhaps l have. These side-whiskers make my most intimate friends scarcely recognize me, Then, too, riches often make a change in one’s appearance. You know, I’ve fallen heir to a fortune, since I saw you last, friend Ramsey—a cool half a million, all in spot cash!” ‘¢ Waal, now, ye don’t tell me! That’s a heap of money, I swow!” ‘* Yes, quite a lot. But, I’m not one of these fellows that hoards up money. AllI get goes about as easy as it comes, and sometimes a little easier. By the way, I haven’t had a morning unch, so I propose we drop down to Blood’s— lood is a friend of mine, you see—and take something. Fred’s place ain’t the highest-toned saloon in town, as fer looks, but it is patronized by a large number of wealthy business-men, be- cause the liquor he sets out is A 1, you see!” ‘* Jes’? so! jes’ so! I see. It ain’t allers the best-lukin’ place where ye git the best caJiker,” the man from Cattaraugus averred. ‘‘ Don’t mind if Ido takeadrap this mornin’, for it aire a powerful nasty mornin’!” ** Right you be, me right along, and as we drink we'll have a chat,” : And, locking arms with his intended dupe, Bunco Jim led him down Broadway. Close behind them, one among a dozen others, followed Sol Sharpe, his sense of hearing,on the alert to catch any further conversation /be- tween the twain in advance of him, He well knew where ‘‘ Blood’s” was on East Houston street—one of the most dangerous places in the metropolis for an honest man to enter—a resort for criminals of every class, as well asa ‘* fence” for stolen goods, It therefore was probably one of the safest re- sorts of its kind in the city for crooks, for it was alleged that Blood, who had a power of money hada clean sweep of politics in his district, and hence no trouble was taken by the authorities to inquire into the character of his place or the gang who frequented it. The precinct had an unenviable reputation, but Blood’s place was not thereby watched or tted. PSol Sharpe was known at Blood’s. He had frequently made it a point to drop in there for a glass of beer, and had mingled familiarly among the habitues, until they had ceased to look upon him with suspicion. Indeed, as he generally ‘‘set em up for the crowd,” he had come to be ed asa good pal to stick by, both by the proprietor and his trons. PeSol’s object in thus making himself at home at Blood’s den was, of course, wholly profession- al—to ingratiate himself in the confidence of the proprietor, so that he would be welcome there when he might most need to be, He now followed behind Bunco Jim and
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SF} farmer Ramsey, until he saw them turn off Broadway into Houston street, eastward bound, But he knew better than to dog them through this thoroughfare; what he wanted was to get to Blood’s ahead of them, if possible. They were walking along quite leisurely; so Sol hurried on down Broadway ata rapid gait, turned. east into the next cross street, and sped along to the Bowery. Reaching that, he returned to the eastern lower corner of Bowery and Houston and looked | west. He had made good time. The steerer and the farmer were coming toward the Bowery, but were still some distance away, Without waiting to see more, Sol Sharpe set out for the saloon, and arrived in good time, It was a rather large apartment containing a bar and several chairs and tables, but the ceiling was low and smoke-begrimed, and tne place gen- erally foul-smelling. But two persons were in the bar-room when Sol entered, Botn recognized him, and nodded os opengl ue was Fred Blood in person, who was cleaning up behind+the bar—a brawny, florid- faced individual with a monstrous blonde mus- tache and rather genial appearance. The other was a dapper little man with ferret eyes, who presided at a corner table on which was a long pasteboard box, filled with straw- colored envelopes—perhaps two hundred, all Then to Blood: ‘*T’'m clean dead-bu’sted, old boy, and dry asa landed salt-water shark. Goin’ to ‘say?” **Well, I guess!” the proprietor serenely smiled, as he set forth the ‘‘rat” bottle, ‘‘ You’re square, Reddy, and as neither of us have nipped this matin, we'll doit now. Come, Jerry! And the three had agocial drink, Sol touching but lightly— a custom otf his, ‘Bad biz, eh?” suggested Blood, after the **p’izen”’ had been put down. ‘Never knowed it worse,” Sol replied. ‘These hypocritical church folks must have been stirrin’ up Inspector Byrnes, for the cops aire gittin'as flyasafox. How’s things wi’ you an’ the boys?” ‘*¢ Nothin’ much a-doin’!” was the reply. ‘‘ The business 0’ this country is goin’ to the dogs, as fast as etcan. If there ain’t a change o’ admin- istration soon, we shall all go bankrupt!” Sol fully agreed with him, his mind reverting to the lonely two dollars in his pocket. ‘* Yes, yer’ right,” he said, ‘‘and if I don’t strike a lay before night I don’t know what I’m goin’ to do.” “Don’t let that fret you,” replied Blood. ‘Yer’ free when ye’r’ flush, an’ et’s a cold country as hasn’t a haven for the shipwrecked.” Sol picked up a paper, sat down at one of the cables and began to scan the local columns, while Jerry returned to the superintendency of his box of envelopes. Sharpe had been seated but a few minutes when tbe door of the ‘‘Nest Egg” opened, and two persons entered—Bunco Jim and Josiah Ramsey, the farmer from Cattaraugus county, The bird was at last in the cage! CHAPTER III. THE SKIN GAME, Sou SHARPE was very much interested in the newspaper, apparently, when the two men walk- ed into the saloon, and although they entered with considerable noise, the young detective scarcely raised his eyes to look at them, It struck him, however, tkat Josiah Ramsey, at least, had been indulging in one or more drinks, since leaving Broadway. ‘‘ Here we are!” Jim said, as they entered. “This is Fred Blood’s place, and there is Fred himself behind the bar, I tell you, Mr. Ramsey, a white man keeps this place, and none but white men come here, or else | wouldn’t have brought you here, Come up, and I’ll give ye an inter- dooce to Fred!” As they reached the bar, Jim continued: ‘Fred, this is Mr. Josiah Ramsey, one of the sterling and most influential citizens of Little Valley, New York—hbad the honor of making his acquaintance last fall, when I was out through that section buying up horses. My, but you ought to see the fine stock-farm he’s got—the perfection of neatness and thrift, and one of the best in the State, not excepting your Sol Sharpe, Detective. own. Ramsey, old boy, this is Fred Blood, the white man from White Plains, where he’s got a farm o’ a thousand acres!” ‘* Ramsey, I’m rejoiced ta know you,” said the proprietor, ‘ An’since ye’r’ from the country I’m tickled to know you,” declared Ramsey, whereupon the men shook hands heartily. ‘* By the way, Fred,” continued Jim, ‘‘ if you- ve got a little of that old good stuff, we would- n’t mind killin’ the chill o’ theday. Ramsey here, is a connoisseur of prime whisky, and I brought him where he could find it. Won't your friends also join us?” And the bunco-steerer leveled a sharp glance at Sol Sharpe. ‘* Why, £ guess so. Come up, boys. They’re both first-water gentlemen, with whom it is an honor to be acquainted ;”—this to Ramsey. Both Sharpe and Jerry responded to the invi- tation, whereupon Blood went on: ‘Gentlemen, I'll make you acquainted with Mr. Reddy Maginness of the Board of Aldermen of this city”—indicating Sharpe—‘‘and Mr. Oscar Lake, of the New Orleans Lottery. Messrs. Maginness and Lake, Messrs. Ramsey and White.’ The introduction was acknowledged ; then, the bottle was set forth, and all hands indulged. Mr. Ramsey thought he would indulge in a little rum and molasses, his favorite drink, and after it was prepared for him, he downed it with apparent relish. : ‘Now, we'll sit down and have a chat,” Jim said. ‘‘I suppose you’ve no pressing engage- ments to prevent you from passing away a few minutes—and there isn’t a more quiet and order- ly place in the city to spend a social hour in than here,” ‘*No! I haven’t nothin’ to hinder,” Ramsey assented, as they took a seat at one of the tables. ‘Pye got my bizness all cleaned up, and were thinkin’ of lookin’ around the city some.” ‘* To see the sights, 1 suppose.’ ‘‘ Darned if you hain’t hit it,” Ramsey replied. “Pve hearn tell a sight about what’s goin’ on heer in New-York, an’ I’ve made up my mind to take a look around,” ‘Good idea, and I’m the very chap to take you around where there’s music in the air.” ‘*That’s what I want, and I reckon you an’ I had better tie up together for the day.” ‘“‘Tt’s a bargain. 1 know every crook and cranny in the metropolis, and I can show you some sights that will open your eyes. By the way) how is everything in old Cat county, any- ow? ‘‘ Waal, "bout the same as usual. Pork is sellin’ better’n last fall, an’ so is wheat, while cattle are prime. But purtaters—why, drat me ef ye kin give ’em away at fifteen cents a bushel!” ‘Don’t say. How’s your stock doing?” ‘* Fyne, what I've got left. Made a big thin- nin’ out, because fodder wasshort. Run four carload down to Jersey City, an’ got fair prices, Farmin’ is gettin’ to be ruther sow bizness u our way, tho’—a darned pile o’ work, an’ small profits.” : ‘““You ought to speculate in stocks!” “You bet!” chimed in Fred, from behind the bar. ‘‘ Fortunes are made in a day. My friend par here, can tell youthat. He works in Wall street some.” “Indeed!” said Bunco Jim, giving Sol another inquiring glance. ‘‘ What did C. B. & Q. close at, yesterday, Mr. Maginness?” ‘One-seyenteen-and -a-half!” promptly re- sponded the detective, who had only a few min- utes before read the stock report. Whether Mullen knew or not is hard to say, but the report seemed to Spree his curiosity, for he once more turned his attention to the farmer. ‘‘T don’t dabble much in stocks myself,” he said. ‘‘I made my fortune in a safer way !” ‘+ How’s that?’ Ramsey asked. “ Well, I'll tell you. You remember [ told you I had come into half a million.” ‘* Yes, I reckelect.” } “Well, (ll tell you how I did it. You've no doubt heard of the New Orleans Nonpariel Lottery ?” ‘* Dunno’s I have.” “Well, there’s a lottery down there by that name what hasa drawing twice a day, and the holder of a lucky ticket gets from one thousand to twenty thousand dollars, Easiest way in the world to get rich. If you will step this way, I’) explain the whole thing to you.” Ramsey, poor greenhorn, was much interest- ed, and accompanied Bunco Jim to Jerry’s table, as did Sol Sharpe and Fred. “You see this box!” began Jim, in explana- tidh. ‘* Well, there’stwo hundreu numbers im in the envelopes you see—one number in each envelope. In buying one of these envelopes you pay from tendollarsapiece upward, If you buy one envelope for $10, you run one chance out of one hundred of drawing one thousand dollars. If you pay twenty, you stand two chances; thirty, you stand three chances, and so on, un- til you reach fifty. If you pay fifty you have five chances, aud are as likely to draw the twenty thousand dollar prize as any other. There are but ten offices in the United States, each office holding two hundred tickets, or two thousand altogether, so that the total amount of prizes drawn, per day, depends alto- gether how much is paid for a single ticket. One day the company may be way ahead; the next, if may run behind, But, at all events, it always payt to invest heavy, because if you do makea haul, you getsometbing worth having. I drew a thousand dollars yesterday, and have got fifty dollars staked on to-day’s game. Of course, I hope to win. ‘Still, you might step in and get the lucky number, and thereby block me out, It’s all a fair and squaro game, as I well know by expe- rience, and &@ Man cannot invest money in @ safer business venture. Eh, Fred—ain’t I right?” ** Right you are, though some men have luck, and again, some haven’t, I might stake all ’m worth, and never get a smell of a show!” mod- estly responded Fred. “Waal, if luck hes got anything ter do with et, I orter do purty fair,” spoke up Ramsey, who had been an attentive listener. ‘I allers did have a considerable luck, one way and an- other, an’ I dunno as et has deserted the old man yet, tho’ when et comes tew raisin’ tur- keys, t never hed a cent’s worth o’ luck.” “Well, you ought to try the lottery,” de- clared Ramsey. ‘‘The chances are that you would strike a boodle, and you could then afford to carry home a sealskin sack to your wife. My! but how it would please the good old soul, I do think, Ramsey, that your woman is one of the best cooksin the State, Imnever enjoyed a meal so much in my life, as that one I ate upin the bonny farm-house, near Little Maver 1? “ Waal, I guess so,” Ramsey acknowledged, evidently highly pleased at the Lars Perey reference to his partner in life. ‘* We do live, once in a while, ef I do sayit. By the way, L hev got a notion to try my hand at this lottery thing. When I was younger [ uster ter go to them ’ar church fairs, where you pay somuch & whack, an’ fish inter a well, with er pole an’ line; an’ | most allers ketched suthin’, even ef it weren’t more than a stick o’ candy.” ‘‘T haven’t a doubt but what you can mako @ haul here!” Bunco Jim assured, ‘‘and if I were you, I’d go et huli hog or none.” Just at this minute something on the under ‘‘ double deck” of the table, Jerry’s side, began to click, like a telegraph instrument, Jerry instantly produced a blank paper pad, and a pencil, and began to write, as the clicking continued. ‘An answer to the morning drawing,” he said, glancing up at Bunco Jim, ‘Ha! there are three numbers yet unsold, or else Fat would stand a fine show for winning, . White, Whoever takes the three numbers stands a hot show for the twenty thousand, next ballot. L reckon I’ve got a hundred and fifty what says I want them myself.” ; ‘ Hold up there!” cried Bunco Jim, evidently in anger. ‘I’ve got something to say about that, [ reckon, if I know myself. This game is played on the square, and as long as you get your pay for tendin’ to the business, you’ve no right to invest!” hen several remarks passed between the twain, that were notably impolite and inele-_ ant. ead} ee If there’s any one in this placo that takes the numbers, my friend Ramsey has first show!” — Bunco Jim declared, belligerently, ‘and I can | lick the man as says no, you bet,” } ‘* See here, we hain’t goin’ to have no fight. about it—not in my place!” cried Fred. ‘I’m here, and I run this piace, and if any one wants them numbers worse than I do, they’ve £ pis pe premium for ’em, ’cause the highs remainin ninety, sixteen and one, numbers are sold!” And here Jerry picked all but three enveld out of the box, and stacked them to one side “There you are now: only three left to the tale, gents!” xe ‘* See here!” said Ramsey, ‘* whatare youta
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ee rn, ely ee en on a meme == ing all of them envelopes from the box foi “= ‘thought they all had to be sold, first, foré\n 3 drawing comes off,” ‘* They have all been sold!” explained Jerry. “Wor instance, in New Orleans and St. Louis, where they sell ten numbers to my one, when they run out of their own numbers, they imme- diately notify me that they can dispose of a cer- tain number of miue,and call upon me for as many as they think they can dispose of. Hence { tind by their telegram that they have sold all but three of my numbers, except what I had already disposed of; I know that three only re- main to be sold, before the last drawing of the forenoon series would be, and placed in position of agent, asI am, I’ve anideathat— Well, go ahead, It’s not my business to advise you!” “Dl give fifty each forthe tickets!” announced in at the same time pulling out a wad of bills. ‘* Your fifty isn’t kite-bigh, in a gale of wind. I'll go as high as two hundred each, on the strength of the prospect, and higher, if neces- sary. I mean to collar that boodle!” cried White. This caused the farmer to pucker his lips into a whistle. ‘* Waal, I'll be durned!” he ejaculated. ‘I reckon as how ef youcan do that well, old Josiah Ramsey from Cattaraugus county ain’t goin’to take no back seat. Ef them ‘artickets be worth two hundred apiece to you, they be worth a Jeetie more to me, an’ ll make it five hundred each fer ’em, by jingo!” ‘*¢T’ll go two hundred better than that!” cried fred. ‘* While I’ll go two hundred better than you!” announced Bunco Jim. ‘* Make it a thousand, and no more!” declared Ramsey, growing excited. “lve offered my best!” said Fred ‘And the same here!” from Bunco Jim. “‘ Ramsey gets the numbers for three thousand dollars.” ‘“‘That’s correct! assented Jerry. ‘‘ Fork over your cash, Ramsey, and then Pl! telegraph to New Orleans, and see who gets the cash!” Ramsey, who held a roll of bills in his hand, gazed at it meditatively a moment, as if in oubt whether he better make the venture, or not, Sol Sharpe had been an interested looker-on, but it was not his purpose to interfere, at pres- ent, , For him to have done so, would not only have eb sicily his personal safety, but he had another idea. f He remembered the name on the singular pa- er Molly had | deen him, to be ‘* Ruth Ra—,” he latter partof the name being missing. Might mot ‘Ruth Ra—” be Ruth Ramsey? Of course it was merely an idea, but the idea * struck him with such furce, that he could not dispel it from his mind, hen, too, before causing Bunco Jim’s arrest, the bad a great curiosity to know what the er acquaintance with Miss Agatha sig- aniified. Owing to his being discharged from the em- ploy of Agatha and Co., he somehow felt as if he would like to spring a rise upon the senior member of the firm that would in a meas- ure humble him. Therefore, he offered no interference in the way of balking plans of the Ss of three who had it in hand to swindle Josiah Ramsey out of his three thousand dollars, ‘Come! come!” cried Bunco Jim to Ramsey. ““You made the offer, an’ it’s no time now to back out, If you don’t want the numbers at your own bid, I'll mighty quick take’em at mine. *¢ Well, Pll run the risk, ef I bu’st a button!” finally decided the farmer, counting over his money, ‘‘an’ ef I win, I'll treat; if I lose, the aun game isa swindle, an’ by the holy jumpin’ erusalem, Ill make ther hull blamed kerboodle of ye bump for et, or my name ain’t Josiah msey |” , ** You'll do nothin’ 0’ the sort!” cried Bunco Jim, with sudden fierceness. ‘‘1 tell you, ye hadn’t better insinuate that me an’ the boys are _ | swindlers, or you'r’ liable to get cracked one, '. on ther cocoanut! We're gentlemen, I'll have set know!” Yas, mebbe ye aire!” allowed Ramsey, : ‘Vaal, here’s the thea thousand dollars, Now, then, go ahead with yer tickin’ masheen, : re feller, an’ see ef | draw the prize!” so saying, he deposited the money in the ‘hands of Mr, Oscar Lake. Of course that cheat received it with rare gvaciousness, and tucked it away in his vest- _ pocket; then, reaching under the table, made a re — on RL 2 ioe : - Sol Sharpe, Detective, 5 pretense of sending a telegram on the instru- ment, which was really a honey eng instrument, with a wire from it running down into the cel- lar, where, without doubt, there was another similar machine, with another man stationed at t. ‘‘How long’s a feller got to wait before he gits an answer?’ Ramsey demanded, listening to the ticking of the instrument, and at the same time eying Mr. Oscar Lake suspiciously. ‘¢ That depends altogether on circumstances,” was the reply. ‘‘ We can usually get an answer back inhalf an bour.” j ‘* Yes, that’s about the average timo it takes!” agreed Bunco Jim, ‘So come and sit down, Friend Ramsey, and we'll have something more to drink.” Ramsey did not object to this, and took more rum and molasses for his. {n fact, one drink after another was ordered and paid for, and the old man became rather hilarious, f By and by the machine ticked again, and Jerry said: ‘Old gent, you’r’in luck, You have drawn the capital prize! Twenty thousand dollars!” ‘Then, by thunderation, let me have it!” Ramsey cried, springing to his feet, and danc- ing around as lively asa schoolboy. *‘‘ Fork et over quicker’n greased lightnin’, till I go buy Mehetible a sealskin sacque!” ‘‘ We never carry so large a sum, but I'll give you a check on our bank, sir!” responded erry. “it out! How do I know where yer con- sarned bank is, an’ they wouldn’t pay it _to me, a stranger, anyhow!” Ramsey cried. ‘‘ I want the ape cash, or else my spondulicks back!” ‘¢ But do listen to reason!” persisted Jerry. ‘* It is preposterous to a Ae we could keep so much ready money on hand. Tell -you what T'ildo. Vii draw _you upa check, order a cab, and you and Mr. White can drive to the bank, where White can identify you so that you can draw the money. Will that not be all right?” ‘‘ Waal, I s’pose so!” Ramsey grunted. ‘‘ etch around your cab at once, fer I’m anx- ious to get the dudads, and start back for Cat- taraugus county.” “Very well!” and Jerry then turned to Sol Sharpe. ‘Mr. Maginness, will you do me the favor to go order a cab for the gentlemen? Here isa ten-dollar note, so be sure and get'a good tura-out |” For Sol to have hesitated would have excited suspicion, and so he perforce had to acquiesce, aking the proffered ten, he left the saloon. He well enough understood what the game of the bunco-men was. Bunco Jim would drive the farmer to some isolated part of the island, assist him to get out of the hack, and springing back in himself, would be hurriedly driven off, leaving Ramsey standing where he had alighted, Being unacquainted with the metropolis, the poor dupe, evenif he found his way back down- town, would not be able to find the place where he had been swindled out of his three thousand dollars, and even if he did, the chances were ten to one ho wouldn’t be able to find the two sharps who had been instrumental in coing it. Just what to do under the circumstances, since matters had progressed as far as they had Sharpe did not know, but he finally concluded that he could do no better than to let Bunco Jim carry out his plan, as he did not want to excite the boss bunco-steerer’s suspicion that he was a detective, as, if he didn’t, he could easier lay hands on him in the future. As for Ramsey’s three thousand dollars—well, that was about as good as gone up the spout. It would learn the cld fellow a lesson, pro- viding Sol could not recover it, or a portion of it, which there was a bare possibility that he could. So the detective proceeded to the nearest hack stand and selec the most reasonable-priced equipage he could get, thereby putting a couple of dollars in his own pocket. He also took the number of the hack, and sized up the driver, so he would know him again. e was a seedy-looking chap, who looked as if he couldn’t have the nerve to refuse to ve swey a secret, providing the bribe was all right, _ Directing the fellow where to go, Sol lingered in the vicinity of the back-stand, as it was his para to bays ed eee dt on aie ees an earo possible, where armer mse had been left. ; ere That Bunco Jim would attempt to assault the old fellow Sol had small fears, as all the villain cared for was to get his victim out of the way e long enough to give him an opportunity to secrete himself or else leave the city. The detective satay that, after Ramsey found out he had been duped, he would apply to some police station for redress for his wro and in such a case Sol knew he should be able to get on track of him again. So he waited patiently for the return of the hack, and learned meanwhile, from another hackman, that the name of the chap he had em- ployed was Pat Moore, At last, after a delay of over two hours, Sol had the satisfaction of seeing bis man return and back into his place on the stand. But the vehicle contained no passengers. Sol at once approached the hackman and clapped him familiarly on the shoulder. ‘‘ Helio! Got back, have you?” he saluted, ** Yes, Pve got back!” was the gruff response; “ and divil another job av the loikes of that will I take again for that money.” “Why, where did you have to go?” ‘* Nearly out 0’ the city, to be sure.” ‘* But where?” ‘* Phat you want to know for?’ Pat demanded, suspiciously. ‘* Nothing; only if you had to go further than | I think is right, perhaps I may give you a dollar extra,” é _ Pat's eyes sparkled at this unwonted liberal- ity. of Well, l- took ’em all the way up to a Hundred and Sixtieth, sur,” he replied. ‘* Did you leave them there?” “Only tha ould gent, sir. He was paralyzed drunk, sur, an’ the other gint helped him into Tim Finnegan’s salocn, an’ thin he got into the hack and I driv him back.” ‘¢ Where did you leave him?” ‘‘Corner of Broadway and Houston, sur, an’ he was gintleman enough to give mea tip ofa V, sur.’ ‘*Then you’ve been sufficiently paid for your services!” Sol said, turning abruptly and walk- ing away. He chanced to know where Tim Finnegan’s place was, and knew he could ride to within a short distance of it,on the Third Avenue Ele- vated. So, without further ceremony he set out for Tim Finnegan’s, to look up the man from Cat- taraugus county. CHAPTER IV. TWO IRRITATING VISITORS. ; AARON AGATHA, of the mercantile firm of Agatha & Co., of New York City, was on the shady side of fifty, short, thick-set, and with florid face, and by his robust oe evi- dently lived on the fat of the land. His eyes were of acold gray color, while an expression about the mouth suggested a grasp- ing‘nature. Vhbich was true. To his avarice the fortune he was said to was almost wholly due, He was subject to that unpleasant ailment, the gout, and on the morning which opens our story, had been seized with an attack. As he sat in an easy-chair in the parlor of his handsomely-furnished Lexington avenue resi- dence, engaged in nursing his swollen feet, his temper was ap iL promy Hs the best, and he snarl- ed and grumbled to himself almost incessantly, and bis surliness was not abated wien, on look- ing up, he saw a seedy-lookin individual stend- ing near him—judging by his appearance, cross between the country tramp and the city bummer, ‘‘*Mornin’,” he saluted, as Agatha looked up. ** Got er tech of gout, ag’in, I reckon.” Curse you, what’s that your business, How did you get in here?” “By the front door,” was the unruffied an- swer. ‘Found it open an’ walked in. Ain't ye glad to see me?” “No, I’m not glad to see you, and Icommand you to leave the house at once.” The bummer grinned, and winked one eye. “ How much you give me ter go?” he asked. *‘ Not one red cent!” thundered Agatha, “If you don’t go at once, [’ll send for a policeman and have you locked up!” The bummer chuckled defiantly. “Pshaw! you wouldn’t dare to be doin’ that, brother Aaron!” he declared, ‘* You are too shrewd @ man to risk exposure at this late ’ ‘Bah! who fears you? You've sucked all of the money out of me you ever will. No one would believe a despicablo wre hke you, | even under oath, and you know i ; “Don’t be too sure about that. Jim Agatha weren’t allus the sortof amanheis now. Ye know I bold that important paper, an’ what E
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re ore ae em — can do with it; then, there’s another secret I'll bet you wouldn’t have exposed for all you’re worth.” ‘* Bah!” and the merchant snapped his fingers contemptuously. ** Do you want me to tell you. what ther secret is?” Jim Agatha demanded, sneeringly. “ec Yes ” The bummer stepped to. his wealthier brother’s side, and whispered something in his ear, at which Aaron Agatha uttered an 0: th. ** You lie, you hound, you lie!” he cried sav- gely. ** Not a bit of it,” Jim replied, ‘‘and if I don’t get mouey I'll give the hull thing away.” *t Curse you, I’vea mind to kill you!” ** You can’t do it. In the first place, you can’t get up, an’ in the second place, if ou could get up you couldn’t hurt one side o’ me. So pony up yer money, afore 1 go to the gal who— a ** Curses seize you!” hissed the elder Agatha. ** How much do you want to keep that infernal trap of yours shut? **Ob! Pm no hog ef 1 am good-lookin’!” Jim assured, graciously. ‘‘A five-hundred-dollar note would cover my bazoo like a charm,” Without further ceremony, Aaron Agatha drew a weill-stuffed wallet from his pocket, and cast it at his bummer brother’s feet. ‘There, take that, and get out of my house, and never dare to show your face here again. If do, Pll put a bullet through your vile eart !” ‘*Pshaw! My good weskit is tough enough to flatten a dozen bullets!” Jim said, with one of his peculiarly tantalizing grins, ‘‘ However, this wil stand me for a week or so. How much is there of it?” “* Over five hundred.” ‘*Oh! then I can make it stand me in for a month, Much obleeged fer the ’commodation, brother. When you turn up yer toes an’ croak, an’ make me your heir, I’ll see that you’re buried in a silver plated coffin. Ta! ta! Give my re- gards to Aggie. Ta! ta!” And turning, Jim Agatha left the room, chuckling softly to himself; while Aaron Agatha sat nursing his gout, and cursed him- self for being weak enough to accede to his dis- solute brother’s demands, Had he been able to get up and touch the call- bell, he would have summoned a servant to se cure the front door, which his daughter had in- advertently left unlocked when she left the house to go down-town; but the slightest move- ment caused him a twinge of pain, and the ser- vants were in another part of the house, where they could not hear his voice. Jim Agatha had not been gone an hour, when the merchant became aware that some one else was in his presence, and looking over the top of the paper he had been reading, he beheld no less a personage than Merry Molly Marble. For a moment his astonishment knew no bounds, What was the meaning of all this, anyhow? What sort of a pass were things coming to, that bummers and common street-waifs had the audacity to invade his pees with impunity, and he the wealthy and aristocratic Aaron Agatha? ‘or a moment he glared at Merry Moll in si- lence, but she answered with a nod and a good- natured grin, ‘‘ How aire ye, boss?” she saluted, ‘‘ What’s the matter with yer? Got ther rumaticks?’ *¢ What business is that to you, girl? What brings you here? How dare you enter my house? I'll have you arrested!” ‘*Bet you won't! There ain’t a cop in the neighborhood, Iwasdown to your store awhile ago, but they sed you wasn’t there, so I come up here. Goin’ ter let me serve ye with pa- rs **No, confound you! Clear out—get out of the house, I tell you. D’ye hear?” ‘“Thear, I ain’t deaf yet. There isn’t any silver threads ‘mong my gold, an’ folks don’t *most always sometimes get deaf until they either git gray-haired or bald. But that ain’t what I come fer. I’ve gota bone to pick with aes ’Gatha, an’I don’t mind tellin’ you to your that I think you’re the meanest old skin- fiint there is ’twixt here and Weehawken!” ‘** Girl, Pll stand no such talk from a chit of a child like you!” shouted Agatha, fuming with e. =f Talk’s cheap!” retorted Molly. ‘* You can’t hel * potaahayse You can’t get out o’ that chair, andif you could, you couldn’t catch me. No! ’Gatha, you’re mean as can be, for dischargin’ Sol 8) fer he never spoke a word to your stuck-up-deughter, in his life, But, the meanest Sol Sharpe, Detective. = part of the hull bizness was for you to hold back | ‘ Tour friend, Jim White, has vamoosed!” part o’ his wages—you a rich old snoozer, that | Sol Sharpe answered. can count your money He millions. You orter be ashamed 0’ yerself. If I wasasmeanas that, I'd godrown myself in the sewer. I’ve hearn tell o? the meanest man not havin’ been found, but I'll bet what papers l’vegot left here, p gainst a. bald-headed cat, that you’re the man!’ Aaron Agatha had by this time grown fairly furious. He made an attempt to get out of his chair so as to seize and chastise his tantalizer, but a sharp twinge of pain caused him to sink back with a roan, ‘* Well, go on with your blackguardism!” he hissed, ‘* but‘mind you, when I get about again, rh a you arrested, and make you smart for t ‘If you do, you'll have to be smarter nor you be now,” laughed Molly. ‘‘ I jest called to give youa viece o’ my mind—that’s all. Buy a paper fore 1 go? Won’t, eh? Oh! well, keep your money; / don’t wantit. Tra-la-la! Hope you'll get the gout in your tongue. By-by, peers And Molly left the room, with a merry laugh, CHAPTER V. A DOUBLE TRAIL, Son SHARPE lost no time in making his way to the Elevated Railway Station, at 14th street and Third avenue, where he boarded an up- town train, and from the terminus of the road had several blocks to walk before he reached Tim Finnegan’s saloon. Before entering, Sol took an outward survey of the place, and found it was a rather respect- able-looking resort, the building being compara- tively new. The neighborhood was sparsely settled, But two other persons were present when the detective entered—one being #innegan himself, who was washing up glasses behind the bar, and the other was Josiah Ramsey, who sat by a table, with his arms spread out upon it, and his head bowed forward between them. ‘Top av the mornin* to you!” saluted Finne- gan. ‘*Phat canI be doin’ for yez this fine mornin’,” ‘Oh! give me a small ale,” replied Sol. “ <j the way, wh..t are you doing with old Hay ; away out here?” ‘Phy, do you know him, thin?’ queried Fin- negan, in surprise. “Yes, I know of him, and where lives. But, how comes he ’way out here, dead drunk?’ ‘*He didn’t get a divilav a drap here,” the Irishman hastened to say, ‘Ill tell you all about it, tho’, A couple av hours ago, or so, a hack drove up to my place, and a high-toned lookin’ bucko assisted the old chap to alight, an’ fetchin’ him into my saloon, he ape 8 him down, just as you see him now, the old fellow was blind full, and the younger chap he turned to me, and he sez, sezhe: ‘The old gent is my father, but has got too full for business. I have to drive on a little further; but will be back in an hour, If you'll kindly let him rest there till my return, Pll pay you five dollars for the ac- commodation.’ ‘Well, L don’t get hold of a five every day, and sol concluded to take the offer, but the young bucko hasn’t returned yet,” ; ‘*Nor is he likely to!” Sol declared. ‘‘ This old manis a countryman, while the other was one of the cleverest bunco-steerers in the coun- try. Hetook the farmer in, did him i to the tune of three thousand dollars, then brought him out here under pretense of taking him to the bank, and left him in your charge in order to give himself a chance to escape.” ‘*The divil yousay!” exclaimed Tim. ‘* An’ who are you, to be sure?” *“T am Sol Sharpe, the detective.” ‘* Troth, an’is that so? I’m glad to meet yez, Misther Sharpe, but it’s hoping I am you won't be thinkin’ I had anything to % in the matter, for I did not,” ; ‘*T understand that,” Sol replied. ‘“‘ The farmer is not drunk, but is drugged. We must wy to arouse him from this stupor.” hey set to work in dead earnest, and put old Ramsey through a course that might well have awakened a dead man. After nearly haltan hour they succeeded in so arousing him that he was in full possession of his senses, ; Then gradually dawned upon his mind a dim recollection of his investment at ‘ Fred’s” saloon, and of his carriage ride, but he did not, of course, recognize the place where he now found himself, ‘Ha! where am I?’ he demanded, gazing around him ina bewildered way. ‘t Where am I, and where’s my friend, Jim White?” ® “He brought you out’ here to sleep off the drug that was put in the rum and molasses you drank, while Jimmy has fled back to secrete himself among the haunts of New York’s rogues and jail-birds.” ; Ss And my money—my three thousand dol- ars?’ ‘*Is ere now divided between Jim and his confederate at the table. Ramsey, you’re an unmitigated ass!” ‘« | see it now—I see it now!” the farmer fair- ly groaned, as he removed his hat, and rubbed his bald pate. ‘‘ Yes, I’m a consarned, blamed idiot, if ever there was one in existence. That lottery business was all a gosh-hanged fraud, then, was it?’ ‘*xactly !—a regular oc got up to swindle all such oid hayseed gillies as you!” ‘‘Waal, I'll be darned! But, look a-heer, young man; you were thar—l remember that, for I treated ye.” ‘* Yes, I was there,” Sol admitted. ‘An’, durn yer picter, ye stood in wi’ the gang an’ see em rob me,’ ‘*] had nothing to do inthe matter. I was et a looker-on in the capacity of a detec- ve. ‘Ye war, hey? Then, why in darn-nation didn’t ye tell me I was bein’ skinned, an’ save me from losin’ my money?” ** Because it would have been worth my life to have interfered, and there is no telling but what. you would have lost yours. It is a desperate gang that frequents that den, and more than one dark crime has been committed there. I have visited the place several times, in hopes of getting a clew by which I could pull the gang. d at last, it seems, I have got it!” ‘* Yas, you’ve got it, at my expense!” growled Ramsey. ‘‘ Bven so!” returned Sol, ‘* You ought to be glad that lam cognizant of the crime; for 1 a doubtless be able to assist you in the mat- ee ‘* Dye think ye kin get the money back?” ‘Some of it perhaps—maybe all of it, I can- not tell for certain, until I work up the case, don’t you see?” ‘Then put ’er thar!” the old man said, thrust- ing forth his horny hand, ‘‘ You can bet I’m powerful glad to meet one man in this pesky town who is half-way decent.” Sol shook hands with him, and received a grip that fairly made him wince. ‘* Have you any money left, Mr. Ramsey?” he asked, ‘Waal, I guess I might rake up a couple o’ thousand out 0’ the pocket o’ my shirt, where I allus kerries it,” was the reply. ; ‘* That is fortunate, as we shall need money to prosecute this case, and as my own cash is at low-water mark you'll have to help foot the cost.” ‘Don’t let thatfret.you. If you want money, that is all right, as long as we get square with them ’tarnal blacklegs.” ‘““ Well, you can rest assured that I'll fix them, within a fortnight, even if I don’t succeed in getting your money back, They’reas fly as they make ’em, and I shall have to figure cautiously, but Ill score a victory before many days, You remember the chap who accompanied you out here?” ‘*Waal, I guess I orter!” Josiah declared, hie ; oe on’t be apt to forget him very soon, I dare sa Not mouchly |” . “Well, that fellow was Jim Mullen, alias Bunco Jim, one of the shrewdest bunco-steerers in the country, Hehas only been released from prison a few days, and has started in at his old tricks again. Once I sock him into jail again, you can bet he will stay there for one good long term,’ ‘* Bully fer you, young man, buliy fer youl I'm glad to see you’ve gotspunk. You remind me of a yearling bull I’ve got, upin Cattaraugus county—spunkiest critter ye ever see in yer born days, Butsay: ye hain’t told me yer real name, kev ye?” } ‘““My name, sir, is Solomon Sharpe--Sol ‘for short. And now, let’s get back to your room) at the hotel, where I have some important qv ies- aoeee ask you. At what hotel are you ste, in rn At the Saint Nicholas,” la They then left the saloon, walked to the near est Elevated Station, boarded a train, and wert whirled away down-town. While en route, Ramsey handed Sol two hun- dred dollars for incidental expenses, with the®ll assurance that he should have more a8 soon as Ke | :
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| la te needed; and Sol really felt quite rich in pos- session of so much money. At last they reached the hotel, and were closeted’in the room that had been assigned to Ramsey. After he had spent several minutes in deep thought, Sol Sharpe asked: “Mr. Ramsey, what brought you to New} York?” **Why, I cum down wi’ a lot o’ stock I had to sell, an’ I sold ’em, too, But the three thou- san’ I got fer ’em is gone, an’l wish I’d left ’em to home.” ‘*Exactly. But hadn't you some other object than bringing your stock, that caused you to come here?’ The farmer bridged his spectacles higher on + nose, and gazed at the detective, curious- | y. ‘‘ Why d’ye ask that?” he demanded. ‘* Answer me the few questions I ask you, and then [ will explain my inquisitiveness, to your full satisfaction.” ‘Waal, yes, I don’t mind tellin’ ye thet I did have another object in comin’ here.” ‘‘Since you have been married, how many children have blessed your union?” ‘Only one!” and rather a pained expression flitted over the old man’s ruddy face. ** Boy or a girl?” ‘*Tt was a girl.” ‘* Must have been born a number of years ago?” ‘* Yes, yes, a good many years ago. If she had a child living now, it would be pnrty well | on toward its majority.” ‘Is your daughter living?” ““T dunno. 1 come Hg, York partly to find out,” ‘* How long since you saw her?” “Near eighteen years ago. She then eloped with a fellow—a traveling agent—and got married, Then she came home, and he went about his business. A little over a year after- ward, after her babe had bin born, she got a letter from him, ordering her to come on, as he had provided a home for her, She was eager to go, but we forbid her to, Itdidn’t do no good, though, for, taking her child and a sum of money that had been left her, she skinned out, an’ that’s the last we’ve ever seen or heard of her.” ‘* Was her child a boy or girl?” © A girl.” ** Your daughter’s name?” **Tt was Roth!” Sol Sharpe could scarcely refrain from giving utterance to a cry of astonishment, Could it be—was it possible that he had found aclew. to tae mysterious message he had received from Merry Molly?’ “What was the name of the man with whom your daughter eloped?” he next inquired, ** His name was Aaron Agatha!” Had he been shot at that moment, Sol Sharpe could not have been more astonished. Aaron Agatha the husband of Ruth Ramsey, and Ruth Ramsey shut up in a mad-house! Could such a thing be? Was Aaron Agatha such a human demon as all that would prove him to be? These thoughts flashed across his mind like lightning, while, to hide his astonishment, he pretended to be attacked by a violent fit of coughing. _ } It was a dismal failure, however, as he was made aware, when, on recovering, Josiah Ram- sey said: *‘Mr, Sharpe, what do you, know about my daughter Ruth?” But Sol was partly prepared for the question, and made answer without hesitation: a ‘Well, Mr. Ramsey, perhaps I know more of her than yourself, and, agaiu, perhaps [ do not. Do you not consider it strange you have not heard from ber in all these = If she were a good daughter to you, I should have ay, she would have written.” That's what has puzzled me and my old woman a good deal!” the farmer said. “She was such a warm-hearted and affectionate girl, before she eloped, that it has nigh broken our weap to think she could fergit—I swow ef it “I don’t wonder at that, at all. Do you think if you were tosee a specimen of her handwriting ~) ,. that you would recognize it after all these pat Of course you know a person’s writing varies | V@Tious ‘respects, as the years jog | % an Beh wouldn't vary a bit, and I could tell her writin”202 ® thousand other sorts!” “Then see this looks anything like her chi- rography !” 1 Sol Sharpe. Detective. And taking the mud-stained slip from his pocket, Sol handed it to the farmer, The moment he laid eyes upon it, a glad light beamed from his eyes, and he sprung to his feet excitedly. ‘*Tt’s Ruth’s writin’!”” he cried—" by the great Christopher Columbus, it’s Ruth’s writin’, sure’s preachin’, Whar d’ye get this, young man?” ** Read it through, and then [’ll tell you,” Sol replied, quietly. Ramsey obeyed, and then sunk back upon his chair with a groan. ‘*My God! what does this mean?” he gasped, looking wonderfully pale for a man of his florid complexion, ‘* ft means,” replied Sol, ‘that if the writer of those lines is your daughter, she is, and has been for sixteen years, locked up in a private insane asylum in this city!” ““ Where did ye git this ’ere paper?” ‘¢T¢ was found in the street by a young news- girl—a friend of mine—and brought to me. She found it at Third avenue and 48th street, but there is no telling how far it had been blown before she found it, you see.” ‘‘ Young man, we must find that mad-house ef it costs fifty thousand. The one that writ them ’ar lines are my daughter. Thar’s no guess-work about et—I know et! Oh, God! to think that through her own waywardness she should ever have come to this!” ‘““Mr, Ramsey, as you say, the matter must be investigated. Iwas about to tackle it, asa disinterested party, when { saw Bunco Jim pull- ing you into the den of ‘Jack’ Hudson. Now, I am willing to undertake to work up this case, if you will promise me to do one thing.” ‘* What is it?” ‘* Remain right here in this hotel, and not step even a foot outside of it, while 1 am working up the case, unless I direct you to do so!” ‘* And what is this for?” ‘* Promise me first, then Ill tell you.” ‘‘Of course I promse—sart’in sure. [Il do anything as long as you find and free my poor long-lost daughter,” ‘* Rest assured [ shall try to find her. One reason [ want you keep in the hotel is this: Aaron Agatha is a wealthy merchant of this city, and 1s said to be a widower. He has a grown-up daughter of nineteen or twenty, but she does not resemble either him or you. Now if this woman in Lascar’s asylum is indeed your daughter, there can be but little doubt but what Agatha put here there,” ‘¢ Why not arrest the scoundrel at once!” ‘Softly, softly! We must creep before we walk. We must have positive evidence before arresting any one. But, as I wus going to say: if Agatha is guilty, and he should happen to meet you on the street, his natural conclusion would be that you were in search of your daughter, and would be likely to prosecute such inquiries as would make it unpleasant for him, Therefore, he being a man of little principle, as I have occasion to know, he would not hesitate to employ means to put you where you could do him no harm.” Farmer Ramsey agreed that there was good sense in Sol’s argument, and promised again that he would not leave the hotel, unless the de- tective so ordained, So, after promising to do all in his power for the farmer, Sol Sharpe took his leave, and went to his own dingy room, to deliberate over what had occurred that day, and what he had found out, and to form plans for the future. Before him lay a job of no small magnitude, and one that promised to tax all his ingenuity to develop. __ But he had indomitable pluck and will-power, and was firmly resolved to win a victory, if it cost him a year’s unceasing labor. CHAPTER VI. THE DREAM, THE first thing on the programme, as he look- ed at it, was to locate the private asylum where Ruth was confined, : This seemed like a difficult job in a great cit like New York, with its countless private dwell- ings, flats and public institutivus, for, beyond that scrap of paper, what actual clew had the young detective to go by? To be sure. the paper had been found at Third avenue and 48th street, but, really, that amount- ed to nothing. It might have been blown three or four miles, for that matter, before being discovered by Merry Molly. Sharpe finally left his room, walked over to Third avenue, took a street-car, and got off at 48th street. The balance of the day was spent in canvass- STIs ng Sn ia 7 ing the neighborhood for churches with a steeple- clock, He found one, at length, but it was some little distance from the location where Ruth Ram- sey’s message had been found. he neighborhood was made up mostly of pri- vate dwellings, which were evidently occupied by people of wealth. It was by this time dusk, and so Sol desisted from further search, and returned to his room in Macdougal street. Before going to his room, however, he pro- cured a Directory from a neighboring drug- store, and spent the evening in looking it over, particularly scanning the *‘ L’s,” but did not run across the name of Doctor Lascar. “About as I expected!” he muttered, as he carried the huge volume back to the drug-store, ‘* Whoever Ruth Ramsey’s keeper may be it is plain that he has given her a fictitious name, so that, should she escape, her charge against Doc- tor Lascar could not well be substantiated, as no such doctor as Lascar could be found. Much fatigued, he now retired for the night, and was socn fast asleep. In his slumber he had a vivid dream. It was something unousual for him to dream, but he dreampt now in dead earnest, He saw the house of Doctor Lascar! It was a large four-story brick structure, set a little apart from the other buildings on the right and left. But half a block from it stood a ar ing. in whose steeple was an illuminated clock. In his dream, Sol thought he paused in front of the house before mentioned, and scrutinized its front critically, so that he would know it again. There were white marble steps in front of the door, and inside blinds to all the windows; other- wise the exterior had no peculiarities, Then the door was suddenly opened by invis- ible hands and Sol entered. Intuitively he as- cended the stairs that led from the hall, and continued his ascent until he reached the fourth story. Here he paused and listened. All was as silent as the tomb, He next advanced through a dark hallway, unti! a strange sight met his gaze. Through a transparent door, he could see into the prison of the long-lost Ruth. Lying prostrate, face downward, upon the floor, was tle victim, whose garments were simply a mass of rags. She was moaning piteously ; then, all of a sud- den, she gave vent to a piercing shriek of the most startling character. It was this fancied shriek that awakened Sol Sharpe from his dream, and brought him up to a sitting position in bed. His face was beaded with perspiration, and he had to look sharply around his dingy apart- ment several times before he could convince himself that what he had dreamed was not reality. There was no more sleep for him that night, and so he arose and dressed, and seated himself at the window. The city was silent, and there was not a estrian on the dimly-lighted street below, y which he knew that it must be past the mid- night hour, His dream had affected the young detective more strangely than any other experience of his life. Things had been so vividly plain and natural before his mind’s eye that he could not dismiss the subject from his thoughts, ““T don’t take much stock in dreams,” he soliloquized, ‘‘ but ll be hanged if I don’t be- lieve there is something in this one. That church was the very one I saw to-day, I know, and the house, evidently, is but a few feet from it, on the same street. I wish it were daylight, and you can bet I’d lose no time in investigat- ing the matter! I just as much believe that by my dream I have hit upon the house where —_ Ramsey is confined, as I believe that I am ving. So. with no little impatience, he awaited the coming of dawn, and in his eagerness it seemed. to him that he had never known the hours to drag sige slowly. At the streaks of daybreak he made his toilet, pinned a detective’s badge underneath the lapel of his vest, and sallied forth. is first move was to get some breakfast, af- ter which he burried across town to Third ave- nue, and boarded an up-town car. Half an hour later, he stood in front of the church with the clock-tower. “The identical church of my dream,” he mused, as he seanned tho exterior of the edifice, “ Now, then, to locate the house!” Paes it deta > as: Se Sin
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~~ AON SANT yg Pa MST 4 3 Pca Ry a * _ he had learned nothing definite but ext He was not certain whether it was to the eastward or westward of the church; so he walked a block and a half to the eastward, first, and carefully scrutinized every building, but none answered to the description of the one in his dream, So he retraced his footsteps, repassed the church, and walked slowly to the westward, on the opposite side of the street from the church. He had gone but little over half a block, when he suddenly paused, with a low cry of exultation. Eureka! he bad found it! Across the street was a very duplicate of the house of his dream—an imposing brick dwell- | ing, with two broad alleyways on either side of | it, separating it from the adjoining structures, There were white marble steps in front, and inside blinds, which were tightly closed. There was not, however, about the. front of the building, anything to indicate that a physi- cian resided inside—no sign, door-plate or any- thing of the sort. ‘* Yes, that’s the place,” Sol muttered, ‘‘ but it don’t look as if a doctor lived there. How- ever, if itis a private or secret insane asylum, a sign may not be necessary. Ill bet my head that’s the place I’m looking for, though, and that Ramsey’s daughter is shut up in there. But, the question is—how am I going to prove it? He took a turn up and down the street, but could hit upon no feasible plan. ‘* Well, there’s no use of my lingering around here any longer, at present, I guess,” ho mut- tered, ‘for 1 don’t see any immediate way of discovering any more than I have already dis- covered. I must conceive some way of gettin into that house, and finding out that which { want to find out.” So he started for down-town. In repassing the suspected house, he perceived that the blinds of one of the second story win- dows had been opened, and a mao stood looking down upon the street. He was only partly dressed and had evidently just arisen from bed. Sol Sharpe gave him one keen, memorizing glance—then passed on. His was a face that would have been decided- ly bawkish but for the full beard he wore, ‘*Tf that’s the doctor, I’ll know bim the next time I see him!” the young detective muttered. He went directly down-towp and to Farmer Ramsey’sroom. The old gent from Cattaraugus county was om partaking of his breakfast and gave Sola earty welcome, {nm answer to his inquiries Sol told him ee : ted to in a day or so; and this seemed to cheer Mr, Ramsey. Just prior to Sol’s departure they stood by the window chatting and looking down on _ the street to see Merry Moll on the opposite side of tue street with a bundle of papers in under her arms, and heard her clear voice crying them off, at which sight and cry Josiah Ramsey suddenly . clutched Sharpe by the shoulder. “Quick! quick! stop that girl!” he cried, ex- citedly. ‘* Hurry up, or she will be gone!” “Do you want a paper?” queried Sol, not knowing what to make of the matter. ‘*No! no! Go stop that girl and bring her here to my room. uick, [ say—there’s nota minute to be lost!” Wondering if the farmer was going crazy the detective hurriedly left the room. CHAPTER VII. MOLLIE IN DEMAND. Sot SHARPE had no difficulty in overtaking Merry Molly, who, was doing quite a trade in selling off her papers, as late as it was in the morning. ss Hello, Sharpey!” she saluted, as soon as she saw the detective. ‘‘ Want a paper?” ‘*T want you, instead of a paper,” Sol replied, with a smile, ‘‘So come right along without go Get out! D’ye suppose I’m going to miss selling all these papers, an’ get stuck? Not Much! What d’ye want of me?” ‘« 7 don’t want anything, but there’s a man up here at the hotel that does, As soon as he saw you he became greatly excited, and sent me to fetch you to his room,” : ‘© Who is he?” * An old gent from the country.” ‘6 Rich?” Yes.” . * Think he wants to make me his heiress?” ** Perhaps,” —— Sol Sharpe, Detective. * Well, you just tell him I'll be up to see him after I run off these papers.” - o Never mind the papers, butcome along with me, : “What, an’ lose sixty cents? Well, I guess not!” “Pshaw! Ill pay you for what papers you have!” ‘ i ‘© You will?” ‘* Yes,” ‘Then fork over, Biznessis bizness.” Accordingly Sol paid ber sixty cents, and she | gave him the bundle of morning papers, com- prising several different dailies. Turning to a hungry-looking little street arab who stood near by, Sol gave him the papers, | saying: *s Here, bub, you can have these te sell, and | what you get is yours.” ‘* Thankee, sir,” and the look of gratitude that beamed from the boy’s eyes as be took the | papers more than repaid Sol for the trifling charity. He and Molly then set out for the St. Nicholas. ‘*T wouldn’t mind strikin’ sech a snap as that | every day,” Molly declared. ‘It would be abig | savin’ on my lungs. Wonder’what the oldchap wants of me?” “IT don’t know, but I’d advise you to bridle that tongue of yours when you get in his pres- ence, and act as Jady-like as you kuow how, for it may be to your advantage.” “Oh, Dll be as primp as a prune,” Molly de- clared. When they entered the hotel, Sol paused a moment at the office counter to explain why he was conducting the newsgirl. up-stairs; then he and Molly ascended to Josiah Ramsey’s room. The farmer was seated by the window, wait- ing for them, evidently with the greatest ex- pectation. “This is Mr. Ramsey, Molly,” Sol said, placing her a chair near the old gentleman, and bidding her be seated, The farmer adjusted his spectacles, and took a good look at Molly, and then turned to Sol. “Yes, yes!” he said; ‘I knew I wasn’t mis- taken, It’s the living image o’ her as she was bs Vig year ago. Two peas.couldn’t be more alike.” ? : ‘‘You mean to say that Molly here looks as your daughter Ruth did, then?” “« Jes’so, This girl aire the very counterpart o’ my Ruth, of eighteen years ago. My child, what is your name?” ** Moll!” ‘* Molly, you mean?” “‘ Well, most of ’em as knows me finds it han- diest to call me just plain Moll or Molly.” ** What is your other name besides Molly?” ** Marble.’ ** Molly Marble, eh?” a tage sir.” on o ye sell rs for a livin $ Yes. sir.” on ¥ ‘* How long hey ye been doin’ et?” ‘* Ever since I can remember.” ‘* Have you no mother living?” + No, sir.” ‘*Do you remember your mother” ‘*Nixy! Reckon she died before 1 was born— that is, before I was much big.” Both Sol and the farmer were forced to laugh at the odd reply. “You have a father living, have you?” ques- tioned Mr. Ramsey. ‘* Well, yes; a sort of one.” ‘* What do you mean by that?” “Oh! ’cause he ain’t no good, He’sa bum, } and the bummiest sort of a bum, at that. He's about the nearest thing to nothing that walks on two legs.” mh He contributes nothin’ to your support, en? ‘* Nix, If I depended on him fer s’port I'd be ready to go on a dime museum stage as a skilly- ton in a short time.” ‘* What's his first name?” “cc Jim,” ‘* Jim Marble, eh?” ‘* Reckon 0.” : “ Have yeever had any idea, my child, that you might not be bis daughter?” : ‘“Yes, I’ve told him lots o’ times I didn’t be. lieve he was my dad.” ‘‘ What did he say to that?” ‘*Oh, he’d swear at me and call me a fool an’ other pet names.” ‘Does he work?” ‘*Nary a work! He says he’s too much of a gentleman to soil his hands with work.” And Molly laughed merrily. | you stay in the hall where OU,rpelong.” i 4 ~_ _ a ‘* How, then, does he get bis rum?” ‘“‘Giveitup. He gets it, just the same, He hangs out around the tough resorts of the town all day, and ’most always comes home paralyzed drunk at night.” Mr. Ramsey remained silent for some min- utes, but his gaze never left the face of the newsgirl, Finally he said: “You may go now. But come again in a couple of days, as 1 may have some good news for you. Sharpe, you may show her down, an’ then return, fer I wanter talk a bit more with ou. So ‘Sharpe showed Molly how to get out of the hotel, and then returned to Mr. Ramsey’s room. ‘‘ Sharpe,” said the farmer, when the detect- ive entered, ‘‘have you ever seen that girl be- fore?” ‘¢T’ve known her from the time, when a wee toddling child, she made her debut on the street asa newsgirl, sir. I have watched her as she grew up, year by year, with a sort of brotherly interest, and have often been able to render her a little pecuniary assistance. She has had a tough time of it, living with that beast who claims to be her father, and has been knocked about generally; but now she has grown i to be able to support herself and fight her own bat- tles, and, better than all, where many girls of her age are easily lured to take the first step on the downward path, Molly knows enough to take care of herself.” ‘*God bless you for what you have done for her!” the farmer said, fervently, “for, by the great jumpin’ Jerusalem, I believe she’s the babe, but now grown up, that Ruth took with her when she fled from home. Her face, her eyes, her hair, her very Voice, all belong to my poor misguided child.” ‘Well, it may be possible that she is your grandchild, sir, and if so, we must look into the matter!” ‘Yes! yes! the matter must be investigated. You must bunt up this fellow, Jim Marble, an’ force the truth out o’ him. If ye can’t force him, buy him, an’ ef ye can’t buy him fer what money you've got, come to me and I'll give you more,” “Very well, I will give the matter considera- tion, And now, as I have other matters to occu- py my attention, I will take my leave and call again as soon asI have time. Keep yourself quiet, and don’t leave the hotel unless you re- ceive orders from me!” And with this injunction the detective took his departure. CHAPTER VII. ANGELO PIZOT. WueEn Merry Molly had departed, after her visit to Aaron Agatha, the merchant relapsed into meditation. His square jaws were hard-set, and gave him an unusually grim appearance; his eyes gleamed dangerously. : **No! no! ent going right!” he mut- tered, finally, ‘‘ Things ain’t going right, and I’m in danger. Jim’s appetite for whisky is making him both unreliable and treacherous. Then, too, he seems to be getting more and more cunning, and appears to have formed the idea that be can work me for whatever he wants, But he will will find out his mistake. I’m not the man to risk exposure for the matter of one man’s— welfare!” Upon the table were writing materials, and drawing the table in front of him the merchant dasiied off a note, inclosed it in an envelope and directed it, Then, at the expense of much pain, he hob- bled to the side of the room and touched a but- ton in the wall, \ By the time he got back to his chair he was nearly exhausted focia the pain which his gouty limbs gave him. The summons was answered almost immedi- ately by a spruce-looking young darky in liv- ery. *«'Thomas, where have you been, sir, that you were not in the hallway, in attendance upon the door?” the master angrily demanded. ‘ Two person, have already been here, intruding upon my privacy because the door wasn’t locked, you black rascal!” | i ‘+ De door was locked when I left it, sak 2» young missus must hab left it unlock yp-hen she went out, sah, 1 was down in de. Mtchen, gittin’ suffin’ to eat, sah.” » ‘* Jest like you, confound it~dways eating. Go ring for a messenger-boy, u0G, then see that
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_ Glad to get off with so light a ‘ blessing,” ie ‘Thomas hurriedly made his presence scarce, _-- _In the course of twenty minutes a messenger- ' boy was ushered into the parlor. | ake this letter to the address at once!” Agatha said, handing the envelope, and also a - dolar—for the merchant was liberal rt 3 where it was for his individual interests to be so—‘' and see that you don’t let the grass grow in under your feet.” The boy nodded and left the room. Aaron Agatha then leaned back in his chair and tried to sleep; but, evidently, his conscience was il]. at ease, for sleep he could not, and he finally picked up a newspaper and tried to de- vote his time to reading. Thus he managed to pass away a couple of _ hours, by the expiration of which time a new visitor was ushered into the parlor—evidently a man of Italian blood, judging by his swarthy skin, his peculiar cast of features, and his glitter- ay agro eyes. is hair was long, a heavy black mustache ' adorned his lip, and his face habitually wore a Sinister expression. His attire was decidedly slouchy, Taken as a whole, he was a dangerous-looking _ fellow, for he had a form like a Hercules. “Ah! Pizot, is that you?” Agatha said, cordially. ‘*‘Come in, and sit down, It’s some time since I last saw you. How’s business?” ‘t Business is very bad!” was the response, in good English, as the Italian took a seat. ‘‘ How is business with you, Mr. Agatha?” ‘*Oh! about as usual, making allowances, of course, for the dull times,” _ Yousent for me, I take it you want some work done. I always do good work for you, eh? _—and if you can give me a lift, it will come in very handy.” ‘* Yes, Pizot, whenever I have employed you, you have always served me well. I havea job for you now, providing your scruples are not in | the way.” . Pizot smiled significantly, and showed his | two rows of pearly teeth. ec ae never made a man rich yet,” he ' said, ‘* Quite right, and sensible!” Agatha , **T know I’d never have succeeded as well as I have, if I had been over-scrupulous, But that’s neither here nor there. You ought to be pretty well acquainted with the tough characters on the East side by this time; you've been in New York long enough?” ‘*T know ’em all!” Pizot nodded. ‘‘I can find any of ’em, when they’re wanted.” * You ought to turn detective, then,” The [talian shrugged his shoulders, “No good!” hesaid. ‘‘ Tne police do not like An alo Pinot. ‘*Do you know a character that goes by the dame of Jim Marble?” \ Pizot’s brow darkened into a scowl. ** Yes, I know him,” he said, grimly. ‘“ Heis the worst bum on the East side.” '** You evidently bear him no good-will?” **Not very much, He cheated me out of what money I had at cards one night, and I promised him to get even with him some time.” ‘* Well, your chance has come at last. I want that man Marble put out of the way. I don’t care a fig how it is done as long as my name is . never mentioned in connection with the affair. Understand?” _ “Perfectly. Ican fix it so that no-trace of ‘the job will ever be secured. You see, Marble most always goes home drunk, when he can get hold of money enough to get drunk on, On his way home, he picks his way along the water- front, and stops into such gin-mills as he can ‘Squeeze a free drink out of. Then, besides, it’s safer along there than to go staggering up any " the main streets, where a cop is liable to —— { : ’ t ee Sol Sharpe Detective. ‘Oh, we will make that all right after the job is done, Pizot.” ** No, we won’t!” Pizot declared, with empha- sis, ‘* Cash first, and then the job.” P ‘* Well, how much do you want?” ‘Five hundred dollars.” The scheming merchant whistled. “You must think I’m a National Bank!” he grumbled. ‘“‘If you’re not, you’ve got money enough to start one,” Pizot smiled. ‘‘ The job’s cheap at my offer, and not a cent less will doit.” . ‘Oh, well, I suppose I'll have to yield the point, But i shall expect you to do the job, without fail,” ‘** Tf I fail I'll give you back the money,” Pizot declared. ** Very well. You'll have to wheel my chair over to my safe yonder, az, owing to my gout, I can only walk with great pain.” Accordingly, Pizot took hold of the chair, which was mounted on castors, and wheeled the merchant to a small iron safe which stood in one corner. Agatha opened the safe, and taking out the required amount of money gave it to the Italian. He then closed the safe and was wheeled back to his former position, ‘*You can depend on it, Jim Marble is a dead man,” Pizot said, as he stored the money away in one of his pockets, ‘‘and I’m much obliged to you for giving me the job. I'll go now and locate my man and keep an eye on him till the right moment arrives, then—” And, with a significant shrug of his shoulders, the swarthy villain left the room, and Aaron Agatha settled himself back in his chair ina comfortable position. ** Ah! I think I can feel easier now,” be mut- tered, wiping tbe perspiration from his brow, ‘*Of course it’s a good deal of money to pay out —a good deal of hard-earned money; but then, what’s that as compared with being safe? And I should never be safe while Jim Agatha lived! Sooner or later be would Lave betrayed me, and the devil would have been to pey. ‘* But now I may consider myself safe. Pizot is as true as steel, and will not fail to do his duty. He knows I pay well, and bas good sense enough not to trifle with any job he undertakes for me. ‘*Yes; with Jim Agatha out of the way, I have nothing te fear. The girl knows nothing, unless Jim bas told her, and I don’t believe he has. I think everything is lovely, and tbe goose hangs high!” That night, the same as the day had been, was wet and chill” and a piercing wind blew through the city between the two rivers with a venge- ance that would cbill a pedestrian to the bone. In one of the lowest, foulest-smelling grog- geries near the East aed a party of hard-look- ing citizens were seated at a round table playing cards and drinking bad liquor, Behind a battered bar presided a burly, blear- eyed Hibernian, who looked capable of handling a dozen men at a time, Near the table, and overlooking the game, was Jim Agatha, who, to judge from his appear- ance, was perfectly sober. Near a stove stood a full-bearded sailor, in his seaman’s outfit, who, to judge by an occasional tg he made, had not yet got over his sea- legs, ‘“*Come! come! Marble,” spoke up one of the men at the table, ‘‘ why don’t you either treat or sit down and play a hand?” ‘“Yes, Don’t stand there gaupin’ on, ef ye can’t do ar gygraine. a “Tf Pm intru ng I will retire!” Agatha rig 2 coolly, and he turned away from the table. ‘ Listen to the airs of the dilapidated bum,” cried another of the players, ‘‘ One would think as ’ow be was the Lord Mayor o’ London, or some other b!oomin’ big gun.” - ‘Look here!” said the bartender, comin from behind the bar. ‘Youve bin bangin round here ali the avenin’ an’ niver bought a drink. So yez had better take a skip.” “Very well; I'll go!” Marble replied, loftily, and he walked out of the place with the haughty carriage of a king. This was somethin that caused the habitues of the place to stare, Sor it was the first time the — had left the place in years, without stag- gering. ; But, Aaron Agatha’s brother was not drunk to-night. In his pa intact, with the exception of about a dollar, was the money he had received that day. | a coward for that. DST ee, 9 And lucky that he wasn’t drunk, for, stealing along behind him, as stealthily as a cat, was the Italian villain who had been hired to take his on a Pizot—in his clever disguise of a or, ‘*Yes, I’m done with rum!” Agatha solilo- quized, as be picked his way through the dark- ness, ‘I’ve made a wreck of myself, and now it’s time for me to stop and brace up, and bea man, ‘* With this money I can buy me some little business stand of some sort, and make an honor- able living. And that is what I will do. But, while I’m looking up a place,I dare not keep this money about me. No, I'll give it to Molly. She will keep it safe. And what a surprise it — be to her, to see me come home sober!” al He hears stealthy footsteps behind him, But, is apparently not surprised, for a cocked revolver is in his hand as he suddenly wheels around, And just in time. He stands face to face with Angelo Pizot, who holds a gleaming dagger upraised in his hand. In an instant Agatha had him covered with the revolver. ‘*Down on your knees, Aftgelo Pizot!” he cried, sternly. ‘* Down, I say, or I'll blow your brains out!’ Pizot was terror-stricken at the une ted | turn affairs had taken, and obeyed the order. ‘« Now, then, we are all alone here, and [ can kill you, and escape, without discovery!” con- | tinued Agatha, fiercely, ‘‘so your only hope of saving your miserable life is by making a clear breast of it, I know you did not attempt to as- sassinate me on your own hook. You're too big Some money objectis at the back of it. Now tell me who bired you to kill me, or by the eternal, I'll spatter your brains all over the sidewalk. I mean business!” ‘Tt was Aaron Agatha!” whined Pizot. ‘*T thought so!” Jim Agatha said, ‘Now, ou cur, arise, and get out of this lively, before put a bullet through you.” Pizot obeyed, in an extraordinarily lively manner, and Jim Agatha continued on his way homeward. ** Aaron Agatha, look out for me!” be would mutter every few steps—‘‘ Aaron Agatha, look out for me!” CHAPTER IX. SOL STRIKES A JOB. WHEN Sol Sharpe left the hotel, in truth he had no elear idea of what he was going to do next, So many important events had occurred within forty-eight hours that he had scarcely time to think, So he wandered aimlessly down Broadway. and thence from one street to another, un at length he was surprised to find himself close in the neighborhood of Agatha & Co.’s store. What strange instinct is it that will ofttimes cause an ex-employee to wander back past his former place of employment, without really having any fixed idea of doing so, when he started forth? Finding himself so near the door, Sol re- solved to saunter t, and see if he could’ bag glimpse of the person who had succeed- im. Just as he arrived in front of the building, a ae whirled up to the curb and came to a alt. A man leaned forward and beckoned to Sol, who at once approached. Ge “Young man,” said the party in the carriage, * will ae do me the favor to step into the store and tell Mr. Agatha that the doctor wants to see him a moment?” ‘ “Sorry I can’t oblige you, sir, but I do not care to enter that store. J will, however, watch your horses for you, if you wish to step into the store,” was Sol’s answer. ‘Thank you! thank you! That will do quite as well. My horse is a little skittish, and I do not like todeave him alone,” ; All right, sir,” replied Sol, ‘I will see to him.” The doctor stepped from his carriage and en- tered Agatha & Co.’s place of business, while Sol Sharpe sent a sharp glance after him, ‘‘That’s Doctor Lascar!” he mused, ‘or else I’m ’way off my base. That’s the individual who was looking out of the window, up-town, this very morning.” ‘ The doctor quickly returned from his call, and climbed back into his carriage. ‘““Mr. Agatha is not in his store,” he said, pleasantly. ‘‘ Much obliged to you, sir.” Then he drew the reins and drove off. >_>
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ae 10 Sol Sharpe, Detective. ‘*Humph! maybe you won’t be so ‘much obliged,’ when I release the poor woman you’ve got locked upi” Sol muttered, as he passed on down the street, He sauntered up Broadway once more until he reached Union Square. There he bought a morning paper, and turning into West Four- teenth street, entered a beer-garden, where he could read the news, It was always his rule to look over the adver- tisements carefully, and among the first to now meet his eyes was the following: ‘‘Wantep - A bright. active young man, of respect- able appearance, to drive for a doctor. Apply to- day at No. 306 W—— street.” ‘**Hello! by the smoke, if that ain’t the very | house where Lascar hangs out!’ Sol declared to | himself, ‘‘ Wants a driver does he? Wonder how J would fill his mad-house lordship’s want? lf I could get into his domicile for a period, I might make discoveries, It’s worth ‘trying, anyhow. Reckon he’ll recognize me as the chap who held his horse, but what of that? Maybe he’d hire me all the quicker because I was so accommodating.” Just before noon the detective mounted the marble steps of the doctor’s mansion and rung the bell. The summons was answered by a burly negro, who evidently was porter of the establishment, for his attire was in no degree elegant. “Is the doctor in, sir?’ Sol ventured to in- quire, “What d’ye want?” was the gruff interrup- tive, as the negro looked Sol over from head to foot. ‘*T came in answer to an advertisement for a driver,” Sol replied, nothing daunted. ‘* Wait and I'll see!” said Mr. Blackness, and he closed the door in the detective’s face. ‘*That’s cheek!” Sol mused, ‘‘ Hope I may have a chance to crack that coon over the head, and Ill do it without the least compunc- tion. The door was speedily re-opened, and the negro said: **Come in, sah. De doctah will see you. Walk right into the parlor, sah!” Sol followed, and found himself in the pres- ence of the very man he had served at Agatha & Co.’s store, The doctor, sitting in an easy-chair, gave Sol a keen scrutiny as be entered. ‘Take a seat, sir,” he said, motioning to a chair. ‘‘You came to answer my advertise- ment?” ** Yes, sir.” ** What is your name?” ** William Burns, sir,” ‘* Do you understand how to drive?” phd Mt ike ‘* By the way, it seems to me I have seen you somewhere?” “Tf lam not mistaken, I held your horse at Agatha & Co.’s store this morning.” ‘* Ah! exactly. I see now! Where were you ast employed, William?” ** At Agatha & Co,’s!” **TIndeed! How is it you are not employed there now?” ** Porter business too heavy for a man of my build.” **Ah! I see! Well, perhaps you are right. You do not look any too robust. Well, now, Til tell you: EF want a good, honest, temperate fellow, to drive me around while I am making my professional calls, That is all which will be required of him, as my stableman attends to the horses. Much of my practice is after nightfall, and therefore my driver must be ready at all hours of the night.” ‘* Exactly, sir; I understand.” **Of course you will eat and sleep in the house. I havea wire running from my office to yourroom. By pulling it, lsound a gong at the head of your bed, that would awaken the dead, I have also a similar contrivance com- municating with the stable. Are you familiar with the streets of the city?” ‘* Perfectly, sir. I can take you dfrect to any street and number, by the most direct route, on the darkest night.” ‘* Then you are the man I want. Your wages will be forty dollars a month and board. Are you ready to commence duty at once?” “ I am,” “ Very well, I'll give youa note to Howeil, the stableman, and you can go out and see him, He is a nice sort of fellow, fond of spinning yarns and so forth, and you'll find him agree- able “yom apa sL “Very well, sir. By the way, sir, I always = to know the name of the man I am working or, ‘Why, certainly. I had forgotten about that, My name is Von Sutt—Doctor Oscar Von Sutt. Here is a note to Howell. I will have Myers show you to the area.” He touched a bell upon the table, and the burly negro almost instantly appeared. ‘*Myers, show Mr. Burns to the area!” the doctor ordered. Sol accordingly followed the negro through the long hall to a rear exit, where he was pointed out the stable, a brick structure, that many @ person would have felt proud of as a dwelling, Sol made his way to the stable, and found a genial-looking man of thirty, seated upon a stool, puffing leisurely away at a clay pipe. ‘*Is this Mr. Howell?” Sol asked. ‘“‘This is Pete Howell!” was the reply. ‘¢ There’s no mister hitched onto my gig.” ‘* Well, here is a note—I suppose of introduc- tion—from Doctor Von Sutt,” Howell took the note, glanced it over, and then put forth his hand. ‘*Shake!” he said. ‘‘I’m glad to know. ye, for it’s blamed lonesome here, with no one to talk to. So you’ve hired out to drive, eh?” “ec Yes.” ‘*Get a stool there an’ sit down, and make yourself to home. Hope you'll stick it out longer than t’other feller did.” ‘*T infer that the other fellow didn’t stay long?” ‘‘ Well, I guess not. Two days war enough for him, and he packed up his kit and left.” ‘* Why, what was the difficulty?” ‘*Oh! you’ll find out soon enough!” Howell re- plied, with a suggestive shrug of the shoulders, ‘*¢ Did the doctor tell you that you were to sleep in the room over the stable with me?” ‘*No,. He said I was to sleep in the house, and that there wasa gong in my room by which he could awaken me.” ‘* That settles it!” ‘* What settles jt?” ae Why, two days will do you up and you'll re- sign, ‘* What makes you think so?’ ‘I know so, After you sleep two nights in that room you'll have the horrors so bad that you'll wish you was at the equator.” “cc Bosh ,? ‘<No bosh about it. Betwixt you and me— but you won’t give away what I tell in confi- dence?” : ** Certainly not.” ‘* Well, then, betwixt you an’ me, on the quiet, that house is haunted!” Sol laughed heartily. ‘* Well, well!” he said, ‘*I didn’t think you was so weak-minded as to take any stock in such nonsense as that! Why, there’s no sucha thing as ghosts.” ‘Maybe there ain’t such a thing as ghosts that stalk about in white drapery, but there’s such a thing asa place being haunted. Now, Ill tell you. ve been here two months, and in that time the doctor has hired thirteen different drivers, and the longest any oneof them has stayed was a week. They were brave enough to start in with, but after two or three nights in the room you're going to have, they wilted and quit!” ‘© What is it that frightened them?” ‘Why, in the dead hours of night when all was quiet, they would hear the most frightful groans and blood-curdling shrieks that you can imagine!” ‘* Did you ever hear them?” f ‘*No, They are always confined to the house, If only one man had heard them it would be different, but thirteen different ones bave heard them, that I know of, and Heaven only knows how many more before I came, If I bad the means to carry me home to my family, you wouldn't catch me staying around these prem- ises ten minutes.” ‘* You are some distance from home, then?” ‘*Yes. My wife and children.are in San Francisco. I came East expecting to get some money from my uncle’s will, but t-e lawyers cheated me out of it and I was left strapped in this re city with no means of getting home, So I had to take up wita this job at fifteen dol- lars a month, in order to save up enough money to get meback home. But it’s slow work and home looks a good ways off yet!” Sol Sharpe was silent for a few minutes, but his mind was never busier. Finally he said: ‘* Tf your case is so distressing as this, Howell, perhaps I can help you. How would you like to make two bundred dollars?” “That depends on the nature of the work to ee be done, Iam an honorable man, even though now down at the heel!” ** ve not a doubt of it. Ican see itin your face, But the job I have in view is attended by nothing but strict honor as well as by mercy,” ‘* Phen I’m your man.” ‘But you area total stranger to me; can I trust you with a most important secret?” ‘“* With the greatest confidence. Here is my hand, and 1 swear to betray nothing that is told me, if it is of an honorable nature,’ ‘* Very well. 1 will believe and trust you, Look! do you see this?” And pulling back the lapel of his vest Sol ex- posed his detective’s badge. Howell stared and uttered a whistle of sur- prise. ‘*- You're a detective, eh?” ‘* Exactly | and, accordingly, you must know T am here for a purpose. The two hundred dol- lars I offered you is to get you to assist me in a very delicate piece of work. Whether we win or fail, the money shall be yours to-morrow. So that, being the r of that amount, 1 don’t suppose you willcare whether you work for Von Sutt or not.” ‘* Certainly not, When I get that amount, you will see me make a bee-line for ’Frisco.” ‘*Very well. Dll guarantee it, if you give me your assistance.” ‘¢ Then it is a bargain.” “Correct. Now, 1 will proceed to astonish you, All these groans and shrieks that have astonished previous employees of Doctor Von Sutt, alias Doctor Lascar, were not unearthly, ‘“‘ Just asl tell you. For sixteen long years there has been shut up in some room of that house, probably on_the fourth floor, a woman— the wife of one of New York’s most prominent business men!” ** Good God!” ‘¢ This woman has been hald a prisoner there, being told she was insane, when she is as saneas either you or I, Of course, Von Sutt bas been well paid for keeping her. It was only recently that she could get communication with the out- er world by thrusting a note through her win- dow. I came into possession of that note, and, as a result, have traced out one of the most diabolical pieces of villainy that ever shocked a community. And I am here to rescue that foully-wronged woman, Are you with me?” “* To the heart’s core!” Howell replied, “Very well, I think we can effect the rescue to-night. How many sleep in the house over night?” “* Only the doctor and his driver, when he has one, You couldn’t hire the other servants to stay-in the house over night,” ‘©Good! Somuchthe better, Now Iilgoand see if I can’t get leave to go down-town, so as to perfect my plans, and if 1 don’t make a big baul of suckers to-night, you can call my name Pot- tawattomie.” And with this decision Sol strode toward the house, a sparkle of triumph in his eyes. That he calculated upon playing a big hand and winning was evident. CHAPTER X. A DISCOVERY. , NOTWITHSTANDING the fact that it was in one sense a boldly audacious act, So! Sharpe entered the house by the rear door, passed through the long hall, and knocked at the parlor door. ‘*Come in!” the doctor’s voice called out, and Sol did so. ; The doctor looked both annoyed and surprised, but made no comment, : ‘*You will excuse me, sir, but I wish to in- quire if it will make any particular difference to you if I do not go on duty until this evening?” Sol anked, with abject demeanor, as if the phy- sician were some great man and he only a grovel- ing menial, ’ ; ** Well, I don’t know as it does. Iam not usually very busy in the afternoon, Why do you wish to wait until evening?” “Well, you see, sir,” Sol went on, with a ' glance down at bis rather shabby attire, “‘ you see, my clothing is not exactly as neat as it might fe: and | would like to get a better outfit all through.” ‘* A very commendable desire,my man, Yes ‘ou can bave the afternoon off, only be sure and. around by dusk.” “¢T will, sir. sir.” mie ve ** Don’t mention it. There is one little matter I want to call your attention to, while I think of it, lest afterward you become alarmed as other of my employés have been. 1am very much obliged to you, | . | } } . hs SS
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. . Sol Sharpe, Detective. ‘“Tn an upper room of my house I have, in a cage, a young lioness, that was made a present to me. She is securely caged, and cannot pos- sibly break out or do any damage. ‘ Sometimes, however, she will wail and shriek and moan, and in the dead of night particular- ly, when the cries sound rather dubious to one not knowing whence they originate. So now that you are forewarned, you need not let such manifestions bother you in the least.” “Very well, sir. I am glad you told me,” re- lied Sol, and bowing, he left the room and the ouse. “The doctor is a good liar, as well as a black- hearted villain,” he muttered, ‘* but [ll nip him to-night, or I ain’t Sol Sharpe.” He made his way to the nearest street-cars, and was soon on his way down-town, When he reached the vicinity of Union Square, he set about hunting up Merry Molly. Of course it was something like looking for a needle in a haystack, but, as luck would have it, he ran across her before he had searched half an hour. ‘You're just the girl I want to see!” Sol ex- claimed, shaking her by the hand. ‘““AmI? Say, lookee heer, Sharpy, ye ain’t gettin’ mashed on me, aire you?” *“* Why do you ask that?” } ‘* Well, because you see Jemmy MacAnnany, of the Fourth Ward, he’s kinder stuck on me, an’ his dad’s got a contract for street-cleanin’, an’ Jemmy is a nice feller when he is quiet, but when he gits mad he’s a slugger from Slugville, an — ‘* That’s enough—that settles it. Ill give the right of ey to MacAnnany, and thereby save Agile bill, and perhaps a funeral!” laughed ‘¢ Oh, that’s all right, Sol—I was only joking,” Molly said, looking up at him with beaming eyes. ‘* You know I like So better than any one in all the world. hy shouldn’t | when i al always been such a good friend to me? And here the newsgirl’s voice trembled, and tears filled her eyes. “Put, tut, Molly!” Sol said, patting her on the shoulder. ‘‘ Dry those tears with the sun- shine of one of your pretty smiles, I’ve come to talk business,” ** Business?” ae Yes.” ‘Then fire away, Mr. MacAnnany!” And once more her face becams radiant, “T want to know where I can find Jim Marble!” ‘* At home, And oh, Sol! I’ve got such news to tell you. What do you think? The old man came home early last night, and he wasn’t a bit drunk, and he brought five hundred dollars with him, and he swore he’d never drink again, and he is goin’ to buy out some little bizness, where he can make a livin’ honestly, and he give me the money to put away for him till he can find a place, and he’s goln’ to stay home to- day to get his nerves steadied up, and—well, I’m so glad!” — ‘** | should think you would be! Now give me your address, as I want to see Marble.” Molly did so, and Sol took it down in his mem- orandum. “ Now, you go and hang out around the St. Nicholas, as 1 may want you, after a bit!” Sol directed, then walked rapidly away. His destination was the home of the Marbles, but a sudden thought entering his head, he first made his way to “‘ Jack’s” place, where Farmer Ramsey had been fleeced out of his three thou- sand dollars. Entering the saloon, he found Jack and Jerry, the envelope manipulators, the only ones pres- en . He ordered up the drinks, and after they had been ken of, Sol tapped Jerry on the shoulder, as he said: “Step outside a moment. I’ve got something important to tell you!” 3 D ting what was coming, Jerry obeyed, ‘* We'll saunter along down toward the cor- ner, asI explain,” said Sol. ‘‘ You remember the old hayseed you plucked?” **T should say so. What of bin?” “ He’s going to make it hot for you!” *«The deuce you say |” ** Fact. Ive been sent after you!” *¢ You” **T! See this!” and Sol showed bis badge. Jerry turned deathly white, and gave a fur- tive glance around him, ‘*Oh! you needn’t try to escape!” Sol warned, “for you can’t do it. Yousee the policeman on the corner? He's — to give me instant ce, Now, then, with prison bars staring — be you in the face, we'll talk business, You give me back that money, and I’ll let you off. If you refuse, ’li run you in, and it will go hard with you p ‘“* As true as there is a God in Heaven, I’ve not got one penny of that money!” Jerry de- clared, with emphasis. *‘Bah! You can’t work that racket on me, not for a cent!” ‘*T’m not trying to work a racket, -I’ll tell you just how it was, and may I be struck dumb if I ain’t tellin’ you the truth. After Jim had run the old‘man off up-town, he come back to Jack’s and swore black and blue that if I didn’t give him all the money, he’d run me in on an old charge that’s ag’in’me, and that he’d have Jack’s place pulled, in the bargain. We tried to argue with him, but it wasn’t no use, an’ finally, to save his place, Jack ordered me to give up the boodle, and I did so!” “*T don’t believe a word of it. Ill give you two minutes to hand over the cash, or in you gor ** { tell you I haven’t got it!” “Then come along!” ** Hold on! hold on! Wait a minute. If you'll let up on me, Ill put you onto a burglary that’s goin’ to come off to-night, so that you can ~ Jim, and likely you’ll find the money on im, ‘* Bah! that’s taffy!” * Honest Injun it ain’t. Ill tell ye, anyhow, and then if you don’t let up on me, you're pretty mean. Jim treated me so dirty, I’d just as leave give him away asnot. And you bet it ain’t safe for him to come around Jack’s place any more,” “* Well, fire ahead.” ‘‘ Allright. You see, Jim, somehow or other, bas got in thick with Agatha’s girl—you’ve heard of Aaron Agatha, haven’t you?—and she’s dead stuck on him. So he has worked her into a scheme to burglarize her father’s store, whose safe, it seems, carries over a large sum of money each night. The girl has duplicate keys to the store, and also knows how to open the safe. So you see they’ll have an easy job of tae ‘« How did you find this out?” ‘¢ Jim, not thinkin’ I had any hard feelin’s to- ward him, told me himself, and wanted me to do guard duty outside.” ‘“ Will you go with me before the chief of police and tell there what you have told me?” Jerry hesitated. “ T’m afraid they'll take me in, too.” ‘ Pshaw, no. ou are not implicated.” ‘Then go abead, and Ill do it!” Within half an hour they were closeted with the chief of police, who listened attentively. ‘‘Let me see, Sharpe,” he said, addressing Sol, with more respect than he had ever done before; “‘ you are not on the regular force, are ou?” ‘* No, sir!” ‘© Well, whenever you want to go on, call on me. If you wish, you can take charge of this case to-night.” “Much obliged to you, sir, but I have an- other matter to work up.” ‘‘Very well. Ul see that the precious pair are nabbed while in the act. Young man, we shall have to detain you until after the arrest is made, when you shall have your liberty.” Jerry looked rather crestfallen when an offi- cer took him in charge, but Sol gave him an en- couraging word and he brightened up. Then Sol took his departure. CHAPTER XI. JIM AGATHA’S CONFESSION, A¥rtER leaving Police Headquarters, Sol Sharpe made his way direct to the humble spersnent of two rooms occupied by the Mar- In response to his knock he received an in- vitation to ‘‘ Come in,” and entered a scantily furnished room, where everything, however, was clean and neat; and he could see numerous little ornaments and fixings that he knew Molly had created for the sake of giving a little home- like cheeriness to the place. ; Jim Agatha was sitting near a little cook- stove, reading a morning paper , He was clean shaven, and bis hair was cut and combed, and he looked at least a little better than in the 7 ‘* Take a seat,” he said, motioning to a chair, ‘* Kind o’ raw outside,” ‘* Otherwise Agatha?” ‘* Yes, it is,” Sol replied, drawing a chair near the stove. ‘‘ You are Mr, Marble, I 7 **T am.” The ex-bummer started. ‘* How do you know?” he demanded, ‘““T merely guessed at it because you look” very much like Aaron Agatha. Now, however, by your question, I know you arean Agatha,” ‘Well, what ofitiflam? I don’t know as it is any of your business!” “Tut! tut! now. Don't get angry. I didn’t come here to quarrel, but to havea chat with you,’ _ ‘Who aire ye, anyhow?” ‘*Oh, [ presume you’ve heard of me—heard Molly speak of me, I am Sol Sharpe.” Jim Agatha gazed thoughtfully at the floor, a, strange expression coming over his face, ‘¢ Yes, I have heard of you,” he said, after a. moment. ‘* You often befriended the poor girl when I neglected her. Oh, what an accursed wretch I have been!” “ Oh, well, don’t borrow trouble of the past. when you have good resolutions for the future, Molly is half tickled to death over the pros- pect of your reformation.” ‘*She is, eh? She’s been tellin’ you?” ‘“Oh, yes. We are confidential friends, you know, Molly andI, And it is of her I bave come tospeak, Mr. Agatha, Molly is not your daughter!” ** Not my daughter, sir?” And Jim Agatha half-arose from his chair, a. fierce gleam in his eye. ‘ No, not your daughter,” Sol declared, coolly. ‘Sit down, and don’t get excited. It’s not worth while. True, you have reared Molly from infancy, or, rather, she has reared herself—for I can remember of her being on the street selling papers when she was yet but a little toddle—but she is not your child.” ‘“¢- You appear to know a good deal more about it than Ido, Whose child is she, pray?” ‘Aaron Agatha, the villain, is her father; her mother’s maiden name was Ruth Ramsey.” Jim Agatha leaned forward and gazed at the floor thoughtfully. ‘* Murder will out. It’s a very true saying,” he said, slowly. “Then you acknowledge that [am right?” Sol demanded. ‘* Yes, you're right, but you have cheafed me out of my vengeance!” ** How do you mean?” ‘* Why, last night Aaron Agatha sent a cussed Italian to kill me, because, I suppose, he was atraid I’d give him away. J meant to give him away after that, but since you’re onto the racket, maybe it’s just as well.” ‘* Just as well, for if you have a grudge against Aaron Agatha, it will be in some meas- ure satisfied when I tell you that to-day is his last day out of prison!”’ **Good! good!” Jim Agatba cried. ‘‘ Serves the rascal right! While [ may have been ina measure a drunken rascal,and not altogether responsible for what I have done, he has been & sober, scheming villain.” **T believe you. Are you his brother?” “ Only by birth!” This was said with bitterest irony. ‘‘How did you come into possession of Molly?” ‘Well, PU tell you. Do you know ’bout his. marriage with Ruth Ramsey?” a“ Yes,” *“ And that he sent for her to come to New was living then, and we expected he’d bring her to our house, but he didn’t. He only brought the babe, and asked my wife to take care of it, He said his wife had been badly injured by fall- ing from the train, and he had had to have her taken to the hospital for treatment, ‘That was the last we saw of him for several weeks, and when he did finally show up, he wore a mourning band around his hat, and said that his wife had diedat the hospital and he. had taken her remains home for burial. ‘‘f rather doubted the story, but never ex- pressed my doubts to my wife who died not long” afterward. Aaron then offered me fifty dollars. a month to bring the child up as my own, and forever keep from everybody the fact that the. child was his. I consented, and it is that fifty a month that has since been the curse of my life. Aaron afterward married a rich widow with one child; the widow soon died, and the child is the one he now calls his daughter.” “Do you know that his real wife still lives?” **T have never doubted it!” ‘Do you know that, for sixteen years, she has: been shut up in a mad-house, or tor’s house and proncunced mad er in a doc~
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‘ et id J * ping fo SSI oe 1 Coe’ . a party SD Pe —_ ys m acai 12 Sol Sharpe, Detective. eee oe asl aa lane: TNMG TEL Sucake te —— SE Meant mene, om «me a at rs ene ” ———————eeeeeeeeeeeeeoeeeeeeeeeeeoeleDnwewewoeoeqeq*»=<$q®$—@$™$qon—«soumn®#. oo ha“RaDao.—0—"————=—_— | **T recently suspected it through the frequent visits to my brother of a certain doctor, who, ‘years ago was indicted for keeping shut up, a person who was not insane,” ‘* His name?” ‘*Doctor Von Sutt!” ** Exactly! And that is where Ruth Ramsey isnow. Bat, by the gods, I am going to release her to-night, and capture Aaron Agatha and Von Sutt, or never attempt a detective job again. Read that!” He handed him the papers which Moliy.had found at 48th street and Third avenue. Jim Agatha read it over a couple of times, ‘then his lips met together. ‘The brute!” he hissed. ‘‘I’d like to have a hand on the rope that would lynch him!” ‘* Here, too,” echoed Sol, ‘‘Now, Mr, oT I’ve not much longer to talk, and lll tell you what I want youtodo. Old Farmer Ramsey is in the city, and when he goes back home I want him to take his daughter and rand-daughter with him. He has already seen olly, and recognized her remarkable resem- blance to Ruth, and insists that she is his grand- child, I want you go to him, tell bim just what you have told me, and reunite the two. Then, when I give him back his daughter, the old man’s cup of happiness will be full to overflow- ** What! I lose Molly, when I am just reform- ing and capable of appreciating her good quali- ties? Why, it will kill me!” ‘*Gently, now; gently! I haven't a doubt but whatI can arrange it. You see, the old gent will be rather grateful to me for bringing about ‘this reunion, and I presume [I can get him to take you along back to the farm, and give you employment. Then you would be near Molly, How would that suit you?” ‘‘Capital! Nothing could suit me better.” “Then, come, Let's be moving, for time is getting short with me.” They left the tenement, and made the best time possible to reach the hotel, for night was not far off, and Sol was getting anxious, Under no circumstances must his plans fall through, now that everything was working. W herethey reached the hotel, Molly was wait- ing near by, and the trio went direct to Josiah Ramsey’s room, The old gent viewed their arrival with visible emotion, ‘‘Mr. Ramsey,” said Sol, ‘this is Mr, Agatha, brother of Aaron Agatha, He is the ‘man who brought Molly, here, up, from an early age. Mr. Agatha, you may speak for yourself.” ‘Are you Mr. Ramsey, sir, the father of Ruth Ramsey, who married my brother?” Agatha asked, ** Waal, I allow I am, that!” ** Molly, come here,” said Agatha, Molly drew near, and taking her by the hand, Agatha led her forward. * Molly,” he said, in a choked voice, ‘‘I am not your father. Your own father is a scoun- drel, who, for sixteen long years, has kept your mother under lock and key. This old gentleman _ dis your grandfather.” be scene that followed Feggars description. The reunion was a most joyous one. There were laughing and crying at the same time, and all hands took part in the rejoicing. - “My boy,” said the old farmer, ‘“‘this more than repays me for the three thousand dollars I Jost. But for tbat, and you, I should never bave found my precious grand-child. May God bless ‘you, as 1 do; and I will see that ye don’t go un- rewarded. , ‘ And*as for you, sir,” turning to Jim Agatha, “you have proven yourself a noble man, While et air plain evident that it has cost you a struggle to give up this child, you have come forward and proved yourself a man by doing so, and | thank you. If old Josiah Ramsey can do anything for you, jest name I, ' ** Allow me to name it!” said Sol Sharpe, step- ard, ‘‘As you say, Mr. seme it a; cost Mr. Agatha a stroggle to give up Mol- dy, and it will cause him much sorrow to see her goaway. Therefore, I thought that perbaps you might be able to take him back to the farm, and five him some e's ey whereby he could earn a ivelihood, and still be where he could see olly. sf Wh , to be sure I can—of course I can, and that is just what I will do, sure’s my name aire Josiah Ramsey!” the farmer cried, heartily. ‘It will be with heartfelt gratitude that I shall accept such a favor,” James Agatha said, ai, VW gran’pap, I tell you that Solomon ’ Sharpe isa reg’lar hoss at makin’ folks happy, ain’t he?” cried Molly enthusiastically. **-You bet he is, wi’ two yearlin’ colts thrown in, in the bargain!” agreed the old man. ‘And Mr. Ramsey and Molly, Il hope to add still another drop to your cup of happiness to- night, by restoring to you, respectively, a long- lost daughter and mother. I have not time to | spare to explain further now, but here are my | directions: + All three of you are to remain here and hold yourselves in readiness for action. To-night, petween ten and eleven, a hack, will call for you, and bring you to where I want you. 1 will then prove to you that Sol Sharpe has won a victory worth winning.” “Very well,” assented James Agatha; ‘‘ we will be in readiness, And, in the mean time, Molly and I will go out and get spruced up a little—some more presentable clothing, at least.” ‘* Yas, an’ ef I know beans when the bar’l’s full, 1°] go right along with you and fut all the bills,” Josiah Ramsey announced. “Very well. Suit yourselves about that,” Sol said, ‘‘only be sure to be ready by at least ten o'clock, And, Mr, Ramsey, I fear I may need a couple of hundred dollars to insure success to my plans,” ‘Certainly! certainly you shall have it!” and taking out his wallet, the farmer counted out the desired amount. ‘Thar it is, my boy, and if you want more all you have to do is to squeal.” ‘ ‘*That will be quite sufficient,” Sol replied. ‘*T must be going now; so good-by.” And shaking hands, he left them, and once more was upon the street. Darkness would soon envelop the earth, He must needs hurry himself! CHAPTER XII, A SURPRISED DOCTOR. His first move was to visit a Bowery pawn- shop, and purchase two pairs of revolvers, with necessary cartridges. He next visited a harness shop, and procured a dozen stout little straps, and with buckles at one end. Then he took the cars, and started for the residence of Dr. Von Sutt. On arrival there he went direct to the stable, and gave Howell a pair of the revolvers, retain- ing a pair for bimself, and they loaded them then and there, ‘¢T mean business!” the young aetective said, grimly. ‘‘l’m going to capture Von Sutt to- night, and release Ruth Kamsey, or there will be some red-hot fun, you can bet!” ‘* Well, I’m with you, you can bet!” Howell declared, earnestly. ‘‘It seems like old times to me to gripe one 0’ these,” with a glance at one of the revolvers. ‘‘ But, see here. We must understand each other, so as not to make a botch out of the job!” ‘Right you be, There must be no half-way work about this matter. What time do we have supper?” ** Pretty soon now. ‘* We dine in the kitchen, I suppose?” “ Yes.” ‘How long after supper do the servants leave?” ‘** As soon as things are cleared away, and put to Ls for the night.” “The nigger, too?” Yen *s gone already. All he does is tend the furnace, and answer the bell through ” the day.” : * About how late does Von Sutt sit up nights?” ‘ Always till ten o’clock, and often till eleven.” ‘*What sort of a man is he—courageous or otherwise?” “I’ve heard said he hadn’t the pluck of a mouse. I know one day a fellow calied, and disputed a bill, and the doctor wouldn’t yield the point. Then the chap called Von Sutt all sorts of insulting names, and threatened to mop up the floor with him. Von Sutt got scared, and sent for me to put the fellow out,” “ Ha, ha! Did you do it?” “* Well, I should smile if I didn’t. I bounced him in great shape.” ** Well, Vil tell you my ger We will wait until about eight o’clock. suppose he will be a ane parlor, reading his paper, about that me “No. Eight o'clock generally finds him in the back parlor, which is used as a laboratory.” **Do you have to enter the front parlor to reach the back one?” . ‘ ‘*Yes, There are folding-doors between the wo, ee ee ‘* Well, as I said before, we will wait till about eight, and steal into the house, with our boots off, and take him by surprise, threatenin to shoot if he makes the least noise, Then w will bind and gag him, and while you stand guard over him, | will go up and release Ruth, and conduct ber tosome other room. We will then take Von Sutt up to her former prison, and lock him up!” ‘* Capital! capital!” ‘*Then, having disposed of his case, we will come down-stairs, and I will write a note to Aaron Agatha, Do you know who he is?” ae kPa ‘* And where he lives?” ‘*Ves. Dve been there with messages.” ‘Good. Well, after I write the message, you are to mount a horse and take if to Agatha, and then return.in hot haste. When Agatha arrives, we'll serve him the same as we did Von Sutt. Then my victory will be complete.” Just then the supper-bell rung and there was no further time for conversation. So Howell and Sol went into the kitchen and tackled the repast, which was by no means the = in the world. Cooks génerally have a nack of providing for themselves about as well as they do for their employers. And who is to blame them? After supper Sol and Howell readjourned to the stable, to await the coming of the hour for action. A close watch was kept to see when the servants were all out of the house, and the last one was finally seen to take her departure. ‘* Now, then, there is nothing in our way to prevent victory!” Sol said, jubilantly. ‘ All we have to do is to wait the coming ef eight o'clock |” And they did wait with all patience, but it seemed as if the longed-for moment came with leaden feet, Sol gazed at his watch’ every few minutes, but the hands would not hasten for all that. At last, however, he put away the timepiece and arose, ‘* It’s time for business,” he announced; ‘‘ so steady your nerves and don’t falter.” ‘*Don’t you worry about that!” Howell re- plied, ‘‘I never weakened so far as nerve was concerned yet, Hadn't we better take our boots off here at the stable?” “tr don’t know but you’re right. We willdo 80. They accordingly removed their boots in the stable, and then, in their stocking feet, started for the house, They reached the rear entrance unnoticed, and — softly opened the door. All was quiet within. Then they stole into the hall, the whole length of which was carpeted, so the two men passed along the hall noiselessly. When they reached the parlor door they — paused and listened. Not a sound came from within, ‘*He’sin the laboratory!’ whispered Howell. Each then drew and cocked a revolver, and softly turning the knob, Sol Sharpe noiselessly opened the door, and they entered the parlor. Doctor Von Sutt was not there, Stealthily they advanced and peered into the laboratory, P ‘ The doctor was there, busily engaged in put- ting up some powders, wholly unaware that he had cailers, until Sol Sharpe’s stern voice cried out: “Von Sutt, throw up your bands, and make no outcry or we will shoot you down like a dog! Te villain saw the two men, and likewise the two gleaming sage leveled at his heart, He turned deathly pale, ‘*What is the meaning of this nonsense?” he gasped, ‘You'll likely find out there’s not much nonsense about it,” Sol replied. ‘‘f am Solo- mon Sharpe, detective, and I have come bere to rescue the bitterly-wronged wife of that vil- lain, Aaron Agatha. While we are rescui her we shall have to make you a prisoner, you offer resistance or make the least outery we will shoot you down witbout hesitation, Do you understand? Your little game is up, and your only chance is to submit to the inevitable and run your chances of getting clear. Howell, keep a bead on him while I bind him, and if he utters an outcry, shoot him down regardless of. the after consequences.” “Pl fix bim!” Howell replied, grim ly. ' A torrent of oaths burst from Von Sutt’s lips | as Sol advanced with a couple of straps he had purchased. ‘You hell-hound!” he hissed; ‘‘ ll pay you for this!” , And he aimed a blow at Sol’s face, which, if
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it had hit him, would have knocked him sense- less. But the alert detective ducked neatly, and then, with his handy right, struck the doctor a blow between the eyes that felled him like an ox and wholly deprived him of his senses, ‘** Bully boy!” cried Howell, coming forward. ‘That was a victory easy won. Better strap him, before he comes to,” ‘* Pi fix him!” Sol replied. Ny **T nearly broke 6 | my fist on his vile head.” % et Ton Sutt was soon securely bound hand and a | foot, and gagged so that he could make no fa noise, Ht He was then left in the laboratory and the i doors were cl : %} ‘“ Now we'll away td the rescue of the prison- er,” Sol said. ‘‘ Things are working in first- ag class shape, and I am more than pleased. If we have as good success with old Agatha, I shall have my reward.” The first thing was to find a lamp, and after some search they found one and lit it, Then they went up-stairs, but not until they had secured a bunch of keys from Von Sutt’s pocket. They first ee the second floor. There was a handsomely-furnished front par- lor on this floor, and the gas was lit, for Sol in- tended to turn it over to the use of the poor pris- ' oner until the proper moment for her to come down-stairs. _ Then they ascended to the fourth floor in the rear, where Sol sup d Ruth was confined, and he was not mistaken. ee When they reached the door of the rear room 7 ney heard low, piteous moans on the inside. he door was secured on the outside by sever- 2a al iron bars, for the door opened outward, and two padlocks, While Sol was trying to find a key to fit the locks, Howell removed the bars, and in a few minutes the door was unlocked and opened, and the two men stepped into the cell—for such it practically was. Upon a cot-bed lay a woman, but she immedi- ately arose when the detectives entered and gazed at them in a dazed sort of way. She had once been a beautiful person, and still pomrened many claims to good looks, although er face was very pale and her cheeks emaciated, but her eyes were bright and intelligent of ex- pression. She looked far from being an insane woman. Her hair was as white as driven snow, and her form very slender, Men Raps She was attired in a plain black dress, with a ape ribbon at her throat, and had a far more neat I jah appearance than the men had had reason to ex- 3 pect. — kee ‘** Who are you?” she demanded, gazing at her ; visitors with a sort of wistful eagerness, ‘*We are friends, madam, who have come to ue a your rescue!” Sol replied, a tae ‘“‘To' my rescue! To my rescue! Oh! my A hee God, it can’t be true!” Ait BY “Yet it is true. Afterall your years of in- lye carceration de are once more a free woman, oh: . and there is happiness yet in store for you. But 4. come! we will go to the parlor where I will tell ou more.” Re, She followed them with careful footsteps, as i if she were fearful lest she should fall, and awaken to find that this unexpected freedom was but a mockery and a dream When they reached the second floor parlor, Sol gave her an easy-chair, and finding a bottle of wine and glasses on a side , he gave her a good draught of the liquor, to give her strength. Sind aor aes ia ‘You are very kind, sir,” she sa teful- ly, “* but of course I do nct know to whom Tam indebted for my release.” To your own daughter, madam,” hh do not triflewith me! You do tell me that my daughter still tind, sh7eak teh Soe! = ih. a pees sey eae bm | he not mean to - lives?” oat F-5 “Yes, Mrs, Agatha, She lives, and is one of OS Ae the best, most loyal-hearted girls in New York, eee) ee even though she was brought up in the streets, ni . She’s a little rough, but she’s a diamond that et will easily polish,’ Be ‘Oh! where is she? where is she? I must see a her a once!” ea Ree ‘ : ‘Be patient, dear lady, Within a couple o ee hours she will be here.” J : a ““God be praised! But, go on, and tell me pe _ about ber. ou say she caused my rescue?” : ie **In one sense, yes, It was she who found the 7m pare you sent adrift from the window. She _ =e d some curiosity to know what it meant, and re.“ s ‘ brought it tome. I am a detective; my nameis lies Solomon 8 . I became interested, and o> Partly by luck, and partly by craft, I et Sol Sharpe, Detective. worked out the fact that you were imprisoned here, that you were placed here by your hus- band, that your husband was Aaron Agatha, that Molly, the newsgirl, was your rai orl and so forth, and so forth. In fact, I have fetched things around to such a climax that, ere the night is passed, you will be reunited, not only to your own daughter, but to your jolly old father, Josiah Ramsey, who even now is wait- ing impatiently for the conveyance to bring him ere! With a glad cry Ruth sprung from her chair, es her arms about the young detective’s neck. fy the love of the Almighty ever be with you!” she said, fervently. ‘‘ Truly, youare one of Nature’s noblemen,” ** Not quite so strong as that, I guess. I am sure it has afforded me great pleasure, however, to bring about this denouement.” ‘“*Do you know my child?” ‘*T have known her ever since, when a mere toddler, she first appeared upon the streeta sell- ing papers. I always kept an eye on-her, and gave her such assistance as I could, and have done so, year by year, until now she is grown .up to young womanhood, and has for several years been her own support.” _ *But one more question! Where is the doc- tor—that demon doctor?” ‘* Down-stairs, in his laboratory, bound band and foot, and gagged. “Within the next hour, I expect to have your husband, Aaron Agatha, in the same fix. Now I bave some other mat- ters to attend to, soI shall have to ask you to excuse me, You remain here, and nerve your- self to meet those who are dear to you. Be brave and cool, and don’t get excited, so that when your father does come, you will be in con- dition to enjoy the reunion all the more. Help yourself tothe wine. lt willdo yougood. As soon as they come, I will bring them up.” “Ob! I will be brave,” . Agatha said, with a tearful smile that belied her words, Then Sol and Howell bowed their way out of the room, and went down-stairs. CHAPTER XIII. CONCLUSION, ‘* WE must now send for Agatha!” Sol Sharpe decided, when they reached the lor below. ‘* He must get here, by ali means, before Josiah Ramsey and party arrive. Get your horse ready, and I'll have the note done by that time.’ ‘The horse is all ready, except slipping on a bridle. fam accustomed to riding bareback. However, I guess I will go and get our boots,” By the time he returned with the boots, Sol bad the note prepared, He had written it on one of the doctor’s letter-heads, and findin some of the doctor’s writing on the desk;h succeeded in imitating his chirography quite cleverly. This is what he wrote: “Mr AGATHA:— ; ‘*Dear Siz:—Come immediately, gout or no gout. The devil’s to pay. Von Surr.” ‘* There, you take that to Agatha,” Sol said,. handing the note to Howell, “‘ and as soon as you have delivered it, hasten back.” Howell took the note and‘left the house, After he was gone, Sol entered the laboratory, and took a look at the prisoner. He was still unconscious, and his respirations were scarcely perceptible. ** Jingo! 1 hope the fellow ain’t going to kick the bucket!” the detective muttered. ‘‘If he sbould, it would be a bad racket on me, If he don’t recover consciousness ere long, I'll try to give him an impetus to do so.” Howell returned sooner than the detective ex- pected. ‘* Well, what answer?” “He said all right. He will come right away.” “Did you see him yourself?” Tos.” “‘ Did he recognize you as belonging here?” ? a I doubt if he would havecome but for ‘Did Re ask you any questions?” - **No,” Then Howell added: ** You better let me manage this matter,” of oer do you coger ® : ‘i y, when hecomes if you were ‘0 to the door he might smell a rat, and back out.” Hy or enough. Yougotothedoor, What nex “You will be concealed in the laboratory. I will have a chair placed for him, with the back 13, toward the laboratory door. After he is seated ee will steal ~~ bebind bim and envelop his ead in a heavy blanket. I will then secure his hands and feet, and then we will gag him.” “ Allright. So it shall be!” “Then after he is secured, I'll go out and tell the coachman to go home and return after his Excellency in the morning.” “Capital. Your’re a trump, Howell.” ‘*Nothing of the sort, I merely make the proposition because I don’t believe Agatha is a man who will scare very easy. Weshall have to use more strategy with him than with the other chap.” “* Maybe you're right. As long as we get him dead to*rights, it don’t matter so much how it is done.” ‘¢ Of course not.” Half an hour passed then the door-bell rung. Sol Sharpe, oneyeet with a heavy horse- blanket, ‘which had been made soaking wet so as to deaden sound, hastily secreted himself in the laboratorv while Howell went to answer the Aaron Agatha was at tne aoor, sure envayu, and hobbled into the hall upon crutches. ‘* What the devil’s the matter, anyhow?’ was the first question he asked. ‘‘T don’t know, I’m sure,” Howell replied. ‘Please come this way and take a seat in the parlor and 1'll call the doctor, Allow me to ve youa little. This gout must be a painful ing. “Guess you'd think so if you had it!” was the gruff ane Howell conducted him to the chair that had been placed for him, and when he was seated, took his hat and crutches. : Then, at a signal, Sol Sharpe stole up behind. the merchant and clapped the wet blanket over his head and face and drew it tight. Instinct- ively the victim threw up his hands to tear it away. It was Howell’s chance. He quickly slipped one of the straps around his two wrists drew them together and buckled. it, thus making his hands secure. His feet were next strapped. Then the blanket was removed, and before he could get breath to speak a gag was stuffed into. his mouth. The victory was complete! Sol Sharpe came around from behind the chair and viewed the prisoner with a smile of triumph that must have been torture to the detestable scoundrel, ‘“*How you vas, Mr. Agatha?’ Sol saluted. Wat you tink aboud ders, anyhow?” And then he laughed heartily. “Oh, I tell you we private detectives are the stuff, Aaron!” he continued. ‘‘ We’re up toall sorts of pranks. How do you think you would like a term in State Prison, at hard labor, eh? Deserve it richly, don’t you, you old wife- killer?” : Agatha turne| apoplectic with rage, but of course was powerless to speak. Sol turned to Howell, . “‘Go dismiss the cab,” he said, “‘and then hunt up some clothesline.” Howell left the house, and approaching the cab, said: ‘*Mr. Agatha says for you to drive back home, and return for him at nine to-morrow. He has business with the doctor that will detain him all night.” The driver nodded, whipped up his horses ~ and drove away, evidently glad of the op- porecnity, for a chill November rain was fall~ Ticonil then re-entered the house, a grin of satisfaction upon his face. ' After some rummaging he found a coil of clothesline, and took it to the parlor, “ What are you going to do with it?” he asked of Sol—‘ lynch tbe cuss?” 3 “No, we will bind them both to chairs!” Sol replied, ‘‘ and place them side by side, and see ppt et ti 1y bound ta the atha was first securely boun the arm- chat in which he was eich, then Von Sutt was d from the laborato: similar chair, and likewise securely bound. By this time the doctor regained conscious- ness. 2 : The detective and his assistant then stood off tisfaction. ‘** Nice-lookin’ pair of birds, ain’t they!” Sok bet! Their pictures will be given a een place in the Rogues’ Gallery!” replied , placed m a
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14 “Dunno. The doctor looks as if he might make a good shoemuker.” “That’s so, and Agatha is just the cheese for the bake- -shop. His hair is so gray that if any of it should get mixed in with the bread the fact would never be noticed.” These remarks drove the men fairly furious with rage, much to the enjoyment of their cap- tors. At eleven o’clock, sharp, a to stop in front of the door. ‘That's our friends now,” Sol announced, “ You remain here on guard duty, Howell, and keep the door shut until I rap,’ and, departing, the detective closed the door after him. Sure enough, when he opened the front door, Josiah Ramsey, Molly, and Jim Agatha were ascending the steps. A great transformation had taken place in two of the party. Molly was arrayed in 4 real- ly elegant costume, and wore an unbuttoned sealskin jacket and beautiful hat, not to mention kid gloves and a pair of diamond earrings in her ears; while Jim Agatha sported a bran new Buit, overcoat, hat, shoes, and everything com- p lete. He no longer looked the bum of yore, but was the gentleman that thereafter was to be called by his name, ‘* Well, boy, how is it?” Josiah Ramsey asked, pagerly, as the party entered the hall. **Come up-stairs and you shall gee. Mr. Agatha, you may step into the front parlor here and close the door,” Agatha did as directed, while Sol Sharpe Jed the way up-stairs and into the room where Ruth was expectantly waiting. Kind reader— Probably in the annals of all reunions, none was ever more pathetic and gladsome than the “one in that house on one of the principal u town streets of the great metropolis, that bl ‘drizzling November night, Sol had e ed Mrs, Agatha would faint, ‘from the excitement of meeting her father and child, but she didn’t; she bore up bravely, and the rejoicing of the ‘ha py trio more than re- paid the detective for all that he had done. . Full an hour was thus happily spent, during ~which Sol was surrounded by those he had re- united, and lauded with praises end expressions of oratitude, until he fairly grew bewildered. And Molly kissed him—yes, actually hugged “him, and whispered something in his ear that brought roses to his cheek. When these greetings were over, Sol said: “Tf you like, 1 will now conduct you down- -stairs, where the ones who have caused all this suffering , held as prisoners.” Accordin y they descended to the first floor, vand enteral the front parlor, where Jim Agatha was patiently waiting. Then all wee ether bee advanced into the second parlor. For several minutes there was a painful silence, the wronged ones gazing at the brine wi, and the prisoners returning tbe stare defiantly Sol whispered something to Howell, who went ott, but soon returned with a policeman’s club, Sol took this, and advanced to the side of the ‘villainous merchant, ‘* Aaron Agatha,” he said, ‘‘I propose to re- move the gag from your mouth, but bear this in mind: if you use any profane language, or at- tempt to make any unnecessary noise, I will ya the responsibility upon myself of batter- es you over the head until you are insen- ‘i e.” Sol then removed the gag * Aaron Agatha,” he then continued, ‘‘ do you recognize the people you see before you?” Pace I do,” was the cool response, seems you do, eh? Do you recog- ae yonder lady as the wife whom for sixteen years you have paid Dr, Von Sutt to keep locked up in this house?” ‘* Well!” gruffly, ‘‘ what if I do?” ** Do you know what the penalty is for such a crime, Aaron Agatha?” & Not nor you, either, matte 3 The ciel in your case will be State’s Prison.” ** That’s none of your business!” ** Are you not ashamed of your wickedness?” **1 don’t know whetherI am, If I were, it wouldn’t do any good!” *T presume not, 1 merely wanted to see if mere was aspark of shamein you, Have you roe! Saga to say to them whom you have so bit- wronged, before I lock you up?” 4 Fou lock me up?” es, Llock you up, I have the power to do og Best” aa Gol exncsed bie badere a vebicle was heard The court decides such = Sol Sol Sharpe, Detective. Detective. i Mi So, this is your revenge, eh, for being dis- charged, is it?” he sneered. ‘*Itis not. Ibaven’t taken my discharge into the least consideration, But you haven't get swered m Oy Goce ‘*No! have nothing to say tothem. Put me in jailif you like!” Sol turned to Mrs, Agatha, ‘* Have any of you anything to say to the pris- oner, before I hand him over to the officers?” “Wait!” Farmer Ramsey said. He and his daughter stepped to one side, and entered into a low consultation, while Molly came forward and slipped her arm through Sol’s, and stood gazing at Agatha. ** So that’s my royal dad, is it?” she said, ad- dressing Sol. ** f suppose it is, Molly. “The mean old chscalt Talus know’d he was N. G., from the time he tried to cheat me out of what he owed me for papers. He’sa high old hen-hawk, to be my father, ain’t he? Bah!” And Molly turned away with an expression of disgust. ust then Ramsey called to Sol. There was a consultation of several minutes, when Sol once more approached Agatha, ‘* Aaron Agatha,” he said, ‘‘ rather than bring public disgrace upon her family, which must en- sue, if you were sent to prison, Mrs. Agatha has consented to make terms, if you desire to save yourself,” ‘* What are her terms?” ** Let her mg for herself,” Mrs. Agatha stepped forward, ‘*My terms, sir,” she said, coldly, ‘‘ are cash, and as foliows: You pay over to me thesum of one hundred thousand dollars, for myself, fifty thousand for our child, here, fi¢e thousand to your brother, whose life you sought, and five thousand to Detective Sharpe—then, no charge will be made against you. Refuse, and I will have you sent to State’s Prison for the longest term the law allows.” ‘*T will take advantage of that offer as soon as the bank opens to-morrow,” ‘*So be it,” spoke up Sol. ‘‘ Until then we shall have to keep you confined, And now, Mrs, Agatha, how about this doctor?” ‘Mr. Sh , L leave his case to you. If you want to send him to jail,doso, If you want to make terms with hin, doso. I have nothing to say in the matter.” He certainly richly deserves a long prison sentence,” Sol declared ; 5 “but perhaps he will be willing to make terms. He then removed the gag from Von Sutt’s mouth, ‘* Now, then, you beastly old Neer oe have you to say? Do you want to make ter for Bonn liberty?” hat will you take to let me go?” was the eager query, ‘‘and make no charge against e ‘“* Pll take five thousand dollars, and give you a week’s time to dispose of your property and leave the city. If you are not gone by the ex- artes of that time ll have youa good, sir. Assoonas I am valauaed: I will toate the money in your hands my : here is no hurry till Faas oll ” Sol re- Howell was then left to guard the prisoners, while the remainder of the party adjourned to the upper parlor. Of course there was no pigioroee of sleep for the rest of that night, and the party conversed the whole night through. When Farmer Ramsey announced his inten- tion of starting back for Cattaraugus county as soon aS Aaron Agatha made good ear ytd ment, a look of disappointment rested u Molly’s face, and after awhile she called So to a distant part of the room. ‘Oh, Sol!” she said, ‘I don’t want to go away off there, where I can’t see you who have always been so kind tome. I—I—would rather stay here and be simply Molly, the newsgirl, so that I could be near you,” And tears dimmed her pretty eyes. “Tut! tut!” Sol said, putting his arm around her and drawing her to him; ‘‘don’tery. You will feel more at home when’ you get a echoes and we will write to each other, and when time comes and ‘the robins nest again,’ Tih will come out to see you all,” ‘* But, think of it—being ’way off in the bleak country all this cold winter! Oh! it makes me shiver. I know I sha’n’t like it—l know I sha’n’t. Ishall get so homesick that [’ll run away. Sol tried to pacify her, but found it almost a Agatha turned a shade whiter, and bit his | | hopeless task, and he wondered then if some day would not find her back in New York, which was naturally her home. The morning papers the next day announced the attempted burglary of Agatha & Co’s store, per the arrest of the culprits— Bunco Jim and a female accomplice, Ann re ge This latter of course, was Agnes Agatha! They were tried and sent to prison. Aaron Agatha was as good as his word. He drew the hundred and sixty thousand dollars from the bank and paid it over, thereby secur- ing his freedom. The same with Von Sutt, who soon left the “When the Ramseys started for Western New York, James Agatha went with them, There was an affecting scene at the depdt be- tween Molly and Sol, and the poor girl clung to the detective so persistently that she had to be fairly torn away from him and put aboard the train, Josiah Ramsey never recovered his three thou- sand dollars, but he had recovered two prizes far dearer to Lim, When Howell went back to California, he car- ried with him not only his two hundred dollars, but a substantial purse, the gift of the detec- tive. The body of Angelo Pizot was found in the East River. Some one had knifed him. As for Sol Sharpe, although he had made ten thousand dollars out of the job, he was not satis- fied, He yearned not so much for money as for fame, and thus resolved to remain in the detec- tive field, and add more laurels to,those he had already earned. THE END. Beatlle's Dime Library. BY CAPTAIN MARK WILTON. 176 Lady Jaguar, the Robber Queen. 194 Don Sombrero, the California Road Gent. 202 Cactus Jack, the Giant Guide. 219 The Scorpion Brothers; or, Mad Tom’s Mission, 223 Canyon Dave, the Man of the Mountain, 227 Buckshot Ben, the Man-Hunter of Idaho. 237 Long-Haired Max; or, The Black League, 245 Barranca Bill, the Re volver Champion 258 Bullet Head, the Colorado Brayo. 263 Iron-Armed Abe, the Hunchback Destroyer. 266 Leopard Luke the King of Horse-Thieves. 271 Stonefist, of Big Nugget Bend. 276 Texa; Chick. the Southwest Detective, 285 Lightning Bolt, the Canyon Terror. 291 Horseshoe Hank, the Man of Big Luck. 305 Silver-Plated Sol, the Montana Rover. 311 Heavy Hand; or, The Marked Men. $23 Hotspur Hugh; or, The Banded Brothers. MISCELLANEOUS. 6 Wildcat Bob. By Edward L. Wheeler. 9 Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover. 10 Vidoeq, the French pgs Spy. By himself. 11 Midsh pman Easy. sd Cap tain Marryatt. 82 B’hoys of Yale: or, The Sarapenot ollegians, 60 Wide Awake, the Robber King. By F. Dumont, 68 The Fighting Trapper. By Capt. J. F. C, Adams, 76 The Queen’s Musketeers. By Geor; pe. Albany. 78 The Mysterious § Spy: By Arthur M. Grainger. 102 The Masked Band. By George L. Aiken. ; oo The Silent Rifleman. By H. W. Herbert. 25 The Blacksmith Outlaw. By H. Ainsworth. 133 Rody the Rover By William Caneton. 140 The Three Spaniards, By Geo. Walker. 144 The Hunchback of No tre Dame. By Victor Hugo, 146 The Doctor Detective. By George Lemuel. 152 Captain Ironnerve, the Counterfeiter Chief. 158 The Doomed Dozen, By Dr. Frank Powell, 166 Owlet, the Robber Prince. By 8. R. Urban. 179 Conrad, the Convict. By Prof. Gildersleeve, 190 The Three Guardsmen. S- Gmaepoeec al Dumas. 261 Black Sam, the Prairie underbolt, By Col, Jo Yards, 275 The Smuggler Cutter. J.D. ibn % y Mor- ris Redw 312 Kinkfoot ey the ridte n Scourge 850 Flash Fadcnee ‘Society Detective. By W. J. Cobb. 353 Bart Brennan; or, The King of Straight Flush, By John Cuthbert. 366 The Telegraph Detective. By George B H. Morse, 410 Sarah Brown, Detective. By K. F 518 Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred. By Tw sbon. 534 Green Mountain Joe: or, The Counterfeiter’s Cave. By Marmaduke Dey. 542 The ore aid or, The Fight for Two Lives, 566 The Dauntless Deteciive; or, The Daughter Avenger. \ By Tom W. King. A new issue every Wednesday. Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale by ab Newsdealers, teu cents per copy, or ou by mail eceipt of twelve cents each, BEADLE & AD Publishers, 98 William Street, New york. » bi —
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i } ; BY OLL COOMES. 746 Kit Bandy, Detective; or, Silver Star, the Poy 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, Baby Sam,the Boy Giant 444 Kit Bandy’s Swoop; or, Little Buckskin, tne Centaur. j 478 Kit Bandy’s Slick Scheme; or, Old Tom Rattler. 661 Kit Bandy’s Deliverance; or, Banner Ban. 680 Kit Bandy’s Pard; or, Dauntless Dan, the Freelance. 791 Kit Bandy Rattleds or, The Intant Giant, 795 Kit Bandy in Red ituin; or, The Young Whirlwind. 799 Kit Bandy’s Big Rustle; or, Saddle King Sam. $04 Kit Bandy’s Brigade; or, Dan, the Mountain Guide. 158 Jack Drew, the Nemesis; or, Eagle Kit. the Boy Demon, E82 Jack Drew’s Drop; or, Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain, 202 Jack Drew in Deadwood; or, Prospect Pete, 27 Keen Knite on Guard; or, Antelope Abe, the Boy Guida, 81 Keen-Knife, the Prince of the Prairies. & Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 18 The Dumb Spy- 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 6S The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 1 Delaware Diek, the Young Ranger Spy. ‘4 Wawk-eye Marry the Young Trapper Ranger. 88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger; or, The Heiress, 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman. 148 Scar-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashing Dick; or, Trapper Tom’s Castle, 22S Little ¥ fldfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Disgulsed Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger 260 Dare-Pevil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger. 272 Minkeskin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy; or, Old Celeb Arbuckle $00 The Sky Demon; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. BS4 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero, 409 Hercules; vr, Dick, the Boy Ranger. Al? Webfoot Moke, the Tramp Detective. 457 Wingedfoot Fred; or, Old Polar Saul, 468 Tamarac ‘Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. S2 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. 62 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trappem 62 Don Barr, the Plains Freelance. 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer. 7S Highland Harry, the Wizard Rifleman. 28 Poker Jack, the Detective Sport. BY T,. &, HARBAUGH. 28 Nick o’ the Night; or, The Boy Spy of ’76. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or The Little Hunter. 47 Nightingale Nat}; or, Toe Forest Captains, 64 Dandy Jacky; or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trals, 82 Kit Haretoot, the Wood-Hawk; »r, Old Powder-fage, 94 Midnight Jack; or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 128 Kiowa Charley the Whitc Mustanger. 189 Judge Lynch Jr.i or, The Boy Vigilante. 155 Gold Trigger, the Sport; or, The Girl Avenger. 169 Tornado Tomy; or, Pnjun Jacl. From Red Core, 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy; or, The Mad Hunter. 196 Arkansaw ; or, The Quen of Fate’s Revenge, 207 Navajo Nick. the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Topknot’s Crusade, 231 Plucky Phil; or, Rosa, the Red Jezebel. 241 Bill Bravo; or, Tne Roughs of the Rockies. 255 Captain Apeliv, tne King-Pin of Bowie. 267 The Buckskin Detective; or, The King of Road-agents, or, The Buckskin Desperadoes. : 279 Old Winch A 294 LF bg pen ban; or, The Bowle Blade of Gochetopa. * B02 The Mountain Detective: or, The Trigger Bar Bully, B16 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona. B26 The Ten Parday or, The Terror of Take-Notice, B86 Bie Benson; or, The Queen of the Larso. B45 Pitiless Matt; or, Ked Thunderholt’s Secret. B56 Cool Sam and Pard; or The Terrible Six. BE6 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. B6 Captain Cutlass; or, the Beccaneer’s Girl Foe. B96 Rough Robs or, The win Champions of Blue Blazes, All The Silken Lasso; or, The Kose of Ranch Robin. A18 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter; or, The Gold Gang of New York 425 Texas Trump. the Border Rattler, 486 Phil f lash, the New York Fox; or, The Mystery of Room %. 445 The City V amopires ; or, Red Rolfe’s Pigeon. 461 One Against Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow; or, Felix Fox's Hunt. A427 The Exceisior Sport; or, The Washington Spotter. A99 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night ferret, 512 Dodger Dick. the Whart-Spy Detective, 621 Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge; or, The Gotham Gold Gam y 528 Fox and Faicon, the bowery Shadows. ‘ e8 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret, 48 Dodger Dick’« Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, Fred, the Camera aie erret, 82 Daisy D Trappl EH y Wiske thy Bell Boy Detective, ne Big Come sill Winks, tne Poss Boy Shadow. Ragle Ned, the Boy on Guard; or, The Camp Spiders, 780 Tonkaway Tom, the Red Wizard. 27 The Bantam Sport. $8 Olip, the Battery Ferret; or, Jack Jeffers? Foul Pigg, BY BUOKSKEIN 8AM (Major Sam. 8. Hall.) Blow Bilt on Ths Lynas oie or, t Piette Teas & Seta, hi 455 @84 Cache. Carl, the Chico Giant. BEADLE’S* H ALF-DIME* | IBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdealers. BY ALBERT W. AIKER, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl, 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. ZY Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 258 Joe Kuck of Angels and His Buoy Para, 447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham. 458 New England Nick; or, The Fortunes of a Foundling, 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince. 498 Taos Ted, toe Arizona Sport. 510 Cool Colorado, Ahe Hall-Breed Detective § Cool Colorado in New York: o:, The Cowboy's Fight. By GEORGE C. JENKS. & Git Thar Owney the Unknown. Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. The Demon Doctor; or, Deadholi, the Kid Detective, Double-Curyve Dan, the Piteber Detective. Flute, the Singer Detective; or, Owney in a New Role, The Pitcher Detective’s Fotl; or, Dan’s Double Play, } The Ocean Detective? or. The Last Cruise ofthe Black Bear, The Piteher Detective’s Toughest Tussle. Larry the Thoroughbred; or, Beaten on Every Side, lron Hand, the Charmed Detective Uncle Sam’s Detective in Chicago. RY CHARLES MORRIS, Will Somers, the Boy Detective. ¢ Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. > Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective, Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags. 142 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 147 Will Wildiire, the Thoroughbred. 152 Black Beas, Wil! Wildfire’s Racer. 157 Mike Merry the Harber Police Boy. 162 Will Wildfire tn the W ooda. 165 Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. 170 A Trump Card; or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses 174 Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. 179 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, 188 The Hidden Hand; or, Wi!) Wildfire’s Revenge. 187 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, 189 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Lite. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. Tom Tanner} or, The Black Sheep ot the Flock. 225 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky. 2835 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang, 252 Dick Dashaway t or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sharps: or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail. 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’s Job; or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-lound; or, The Young Thoroughpred. 805 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 Keporter-Detective ; or, Fred Flyers Blizzard, B67 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. 879 Larry, the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard, 408 Firetly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. A28 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier. 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invinelble Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vaganond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or Entombed Alive. 479 Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty, 488 Wild Dick Racket; or, How He Fought for Honor, 601 Boota, the Boy Fireman; or, Too Sharp tor the Sharper, 566 The Secret™ervice Boy Detective. 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkansas; or, The Wolf in the Fold. 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculater. $34 prob one rps ns Daisy Detectives. 0 e Curbasatone Deteetive; or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat. 757 Detective Frank’s Serenestakes., a 869 Ned Norman, the Gamin Broker, BY J0 PLEROE, 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 Lawyers Shadow; or Luke’s Legacy. 472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective. 504 Five Points Phil, the Pavement Prince. 509 Jack Jaggers, the Butcher Boy Detective. 516 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’) Menagerie. 526 North River Nat, the Pier Detective. 538 Wrestling Rex, the Pride ofthe Sixth Ward. 641 Jeff Flicker. the Stable Boy Detective. 651 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow; or, The Old Well Mystery. 559 Uarlem Jack, the Office Soy Detective. 569 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. 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid. 628 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Hummer. ots senator Bees 5 Express-Train Ferret. 4 tamin Bob, the Bowery Badger; or, Scooping a Sil 658 Sky-Rocket Rob, the Life-Saver. Te Bevan 688 Saltpeter Sol, the New York Navigator ‘ 694 Spicy Sim, the Only One of His Kind. 706 Tom Thistle, the Road-House Detective. Z1T Mosquito Jack, the Hostler Gamin. 6 Dennis Duff the Brown Sport's Kid. Dick of the Docks, the Night-W ateb. Fltpper bh aye A St Patrol. ‘oxy Fred's ?ard} or, The Keener’s H Hastle. 7TR1 Cast-Off Cale, the Scapegoat Detective. ™ 824 Rowery Billy, the Beaco Bouncer, 887 The Big Four of the Bowery. 846 Buck, the New Vork Sharper, 850 The Grand Street Arab. 855 The West Broadway Gamin, 86° The Beat-Club Mascot; or, Dan Decker’s Double Deal. S04 The Union Square Baggage Boy. BY PHILIP 8. WARNE, 6% Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. 175 Captain Arizona; or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Big Game. 198 Captain Mask 3 or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat. 219 Despard, the Duelist; or, The Mountain Vempires. 888 A Tough Boy; or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. 868 Little Fernsdot or, The Outcaste of the Glen, 878 Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard. 888 Little Oh-my 3 or, Canght in His Own Trap. 401 Littls Shoo-Fly; or, A Race for « Ranch. 408 Little Leather-Breeches ; or, Old Jumbo’s Curse, 481 Little Ah Sing or, The Curse of Blood. Colorade Kate. A Tale of the sfines 480 Three Jolly Parda; or. The Pets of Paddy's Flat. S1T Jim Gladden’s Deputy; or, The Jolly Pard’s Campatgn. 527 The Jolly Parda to the Rescue; or, The Jack of Hearts. 547 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down. ‘ 556 Lartat Lil; or, The Cast for a Life. 574 Old Weasel-top, the Man with the Dogs. 598 Keen Clem, the Ranch Lmp. 599 Jim Dandy the No-Name Sport. 618 Billy, Blazes; or, The Skeleton’s Legacy. rtd pe merny 2 ne Peg Bg ee Seont. appy Harry’s Rig Find; or, The Beautifal 664 Oheeky Charley the Special,” oon Ine BY BUFFALO BILL (Hen. Wm. F. Cody). 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy: or, ‘Ihe Pilot of the Prairie. 55 Deadly-tye. the Unknown Scout; or, The Banded Brotherhood 68 Border Robin Hood; or, The Prairie Rover, 158 bkancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust, BY COL. A. F. HOLT. Wideawake. the Train-boy Detective. 17 il %3 BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. 2 Vellowstone Juck; or, The Trapper 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Hurricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. 119 Mustang Sam ; or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-llawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul: or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue. 160 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 184 The Boy Trailers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path. 208 The Boy Pardas; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks, 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. | 810 The Barranca Wolf: or, The Beautiful Decoy, 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League, 885 Old Double Fist 3 or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Woods: or. Daniel Boone’s Last Trail. 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Trailer. 677 Chineapin Pan's Second Trall. 688 Chincapin Dan’s Nome Stretch. 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without a Head, TOS Light-Heart Lute’s Legacy. 718 Light-Heart Lute’s Last Trail. 728 Silverbladc, the Shoshone, 729 Silverblade, the Half-Blood; or, The Border Beagle at Bay, 289 Silverblade, the Hostile: or, The Border Beagle’s Trail. 748 Silverblade the Friendly; or, The Border Beagle’s Boy Pard BY J. W. OSBON. 469 The Rival Glant« of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Luck. 587 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow. 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner; or, The Man Without a Past, 609 er y Dorrit, the Veteran Detective. 620 “atthe Li héning’s League; or, The Mystery of tne Island 688 Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector, 251 Gold-Dust Dan, the Trail Patrol. 755 Gold Dust Dan’s Oath; or, Keckléss Roy, the Regulator, BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR U,. 8. A. 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. 194 Buffalo BUls Bet; or, The Gambier Guide. BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS. 6 BUl Bididon, La Der. 8 Seth Jones; or e Captives of the Frontier, 16 Nat Todd; or, The Fate of the Sloux Captive, 7 ‘rne Frontier Angel. 8 The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island. 182 The Hunted Hanter; or, The Strange Horseman, 254 The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains. 71 The Huge Hunter; or, The Steam Prairie Man, MISCELLANEOUS AUTHOKS, 4 The Wild-Horse Munters. By Capi. Mapne Reto and Frederick Whittaker. 9 Adventures of 12 Gulliver’s Trav m2 14 Aladdin; or, The Won i Lamp. 16 Robinson Orusoe. (27 Tinetrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Vopeees, 22 The Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe, By Juana Lewis, 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribees. By 8S, W. Pierce. 86 The Bey Clown; or, The Arena Queen. By £ 8. Finn. BS Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 51 The Roy Rifles; or, The Underground Camp. By A.C. Troma, 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi By Lieut.-Col,. Hazeltine. 98 Robin Hood, the Outlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Greene wood. By Prof. Gildersleeve. 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 112 The Mad Ifunter; or, |!heCave of Death. By Burton Saxe, 124 Tippy. the Texan; or, The Young Champion, By George Glevsen. 128 The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By Harry Cavendish. 148 Sharp Sam; or, The Adventures of a Friendless Boy, By J. Alexander Patten. 227 Pusky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yeb lowstone. By Edward Emerson. G. L. Aiken, Trail, 261 Fergus Fearnaug’t the New ¥ ik Boy. 266 Killb’ar, the Guide; »r, Davy Crockett’s By Ensign C. D. Warren. 298 Ned Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid ot the Clift, By Captain Comstock. 817 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Leadville. By Liew tenant Alfred Thorne. 828 The Sky Detective; or, 4 Boy’s Fight for Life and Honor, By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Red Ralph, the River Rover; or, The Brother’s Ree SOS einen the Bookblack Detpctive. By A. P. i altimore Ben the ac ective. By A. P. Morris, 874 Gold-Duat Tom: or, Ben’s Double Match. By@ H, Morse. 876 Californta Joe’s Firat Trail. 418 Billy onstery oll, the Cliff Climber. By F. 8. Winth Rombehcll, the simber. By F.8. Wint 475 The Black Ship. By John S Warner. pads 4 Cemanche Dick and His Three Invineibles. PO Henry J. Thomas. 582 The Cowboy Duke. 552 Artel the Athlete. By David id. 585 Will Waser the Bov Ferret. By H. Enton. 682 The Dead tective’s Double. By Gerald Carlton. %21 Maverick Mone, tne Arizona Detective; or, The Wizard of Urkos Pass. By Wil! Lisenbee. 809 Don Panton, the Gent from Denver. By King Keene, of the U. S. Secret Service Corps. R14 Ace High, the Frisco Detective. By C. E. Trip. 880 The Grim Lodgers in Rag Alley} or, Citizen Rube of Number Seven. By Ben D. Halliday. 881 The Chicago Drummer’« Deal. By J. G. Bethure. 841 erince Charlie, the Cat’s-Paw Sport. By Marma- nke Ver. 848 Dan, the River Sport; or, Folling the Frisco Sharp. By are avne, 861 Billy Brine, the Swamp Fox. By Chas. F. Welles, 4 New laane fvery ‘Tnesdar. ape Halt-Dime dibrary fe tor oes oy role five» eents per copy, or sent by mai! on receipt o cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 28 William Street, New York, By Colonel Thomag By Edwin Brooke Forrest. Dro
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Mee —-- —— Published Every Tuesday. Hach Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdealers.. BY EDWARD L. WILEELER, Deadwood Dick Novela 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road, 20 Deadwood Dick’s Detiance;s or, Double Daggers. 28 Deadwood Dick in Disguise; or, Buffal. Ben 85 Deadwood Dick in His Castle. 42 Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza; or, The Phantom Miner. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omana Oll. Bb? Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar, b poaewont ead ~*~ wack! or, Calamity 2 ne, the Heroine 7 Deadwoor ck’s Last Acti or, Corduroy Charlie. + pees wood pe fv Sane 9 bees , eadwood ek’s Device; or, The Double Cross Sign. ao pesduaes a ay se argh e. end woot ck’s Doubles or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost, 188 Deadwood Dick’s Mome Haxe; or, Blonde Bill, 149 Deadwood Dick's Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold, 156 Deadwood Bick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party, EAS Poadwepd toe ah caus or, The ree the Road, eadwoo ek’s Wards or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel, or. pesewers pa he tone or, Calamity Jane’s Adventure. . ead woot ck’s Dend Deal. 221 Deadwood Pick’sa Death-Plant. 282 Gold-Dust Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Toughe, } 4 nepewsed oe aa pivises or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. ead woud ek’s Death Trall. 809 Deadwood Dick’s Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. 821 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats 847 Deadwood Dick's Ducate; or, Days in the Diggings. aan pend aed Bick Samtesens | or, The Terrible Vendetta. 7 end woo ek’ Claim, 405 Deadwood Dick In Dead City, 410 Deadwood Dick's Dlemendx” 421 Deadwood Dick in New York; or, A “Cute Case.” 480 Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand. 448 Deadwood Dick, dry cr, The Crimson Crescent Sign. ry penawces nent hte perance, > cadwoor ck, drs Full Hand, 459 Deadwood Dick, dr.’s, Big Round-Up. 465 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’« Racket at Clalm 10, 471 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill. ann penerest Dicks Jr.’ Dow meecere: s endwoot ek. Jdr., in Deadwood, 491 Deadwood Dick, Tre, Compact. 496 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance, 500 Deadwood Dick, dra Diggings. 508 Deadwood Dick, Jdr.’«, De frerance. 515 Dendwood Dick, Jr.'s Protegee. 622 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’s, Three. 529 Veadwood Dick, dr.’*, Danger Ducks 584 Dendwood Diek, Jr.’s, Death Hunt. 539 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Texas. 514 Deadwood Dick, dr., the Wild West Vidooq 549 Dendwooa Dick, Jr., on tia Mettle. 554 Deadwood Dick, dr., in Gotham, 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boston. 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Vhiladetphia. 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago, 578 Deadwood Dick. Jr., Afloat. Sa Deadwood Dick. vr... in Denver. 590 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’«, Decree, 595 Dendwood Dick Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin, 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island, ae pragnons eke Seti ng vw bd Lay. end woot ek, Jr., in Detrolt. 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Cincinnati, 624 Deadwood Dick. Jr., in Nevada. 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land, ots reac ees treeg Jr., Aites ube Queer. d ead woos ek Jr.. In Buffalo. 648 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’e, Chasc Acroasthe Continent sue resewoes niexs da mene the Smugglers. end woot tek, Jr.’s, Inaurance Case, 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back In the Mines, 672 Deadwood Dick, dr., tn Durangos or, “ Gathered In.” ocr peaawoss wieky oe ame eid a Found a Fortune, endwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dazzie. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dollars. 695 Dendwood Dick. Jr., at Danger Divide, 4 ey eee He aren prep mos endwoo e r., at Jack-Pot. 7Z10 Deadwood Dick’ Jr.; in San Francisco. Z16 Deadwood Dick, Irs, Still Hunt. . endw oor ek, Jr.’«, Dominoes, T28 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Disgulse, 784 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’s, Double Deal, 740 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Deathwatch. T47 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet. 752 Deadwood Wieck, Jr.’s, Deathblow. 75S Deadwood Vick, dr.’s, Desperate Strait, aoe peat Reba Blok, erie ard ane end woo ek r.’%, Detfent. 776 Deadwood Dick. Tra, Resurrection, ZZ Deadwood Dick. Jr's Dark Daya. TST Deadwood Diek Jr., Defied. 792 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Device, 797 Deadwood Dick, Jr’.#, Desperate Venture, 802 Deadwood Bick, Jr’, Diamond Dice, poy peng woes wick? Ps tet ve me cad woot ek, Jr.’s, Head-off, 416 Deadwood Dick, dr.’s, Rival. , 822 Dendwood Dick, Jr.'s, Boom. R28 Dendwood Dick, Jr.'s, Scoop. 884 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Proxy. 840 Deadwood Dick, Jr’*, Clutch. 845 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s, Vigh Horse. 852 Deadwood Dick Jr., at Devil’s Guich, 858 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Neath-Hole Hustle.’ 868 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s Bombshell. S70 nan eed Bree EAA . moxtce. hi y ck, Jr’ Decoy Duck. Dick, Jr.,in Silver Pocket. Deadwood Dick. Jr.’ Dend Sure Game, 898 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Rouble Drive. 04 Laring Rabat 39 pieks 5 lg Prado Mark. ead woo ck, dra “Top. 916 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s Houble. Becker. 928 Dendwood Dick, Jr., at Dollarville. 984 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Flush Flats. BY WILLIAM RK. EYSTER, 190 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Frank: or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pard* 818 The Hustler Rogue-Catcher. 88S. Poker Pete’a Double Dodge, 851 The Tie-To Sport; or, High Hustling at Sinners’ Fiat, 8S8 Monte Saul, the Sport. 901 Miamond Da ve, the Gilt-Edge Shooter, 91% Orack-Shot Daisy’s Drop, 981 The Sport ‘in Velvet; cr, Big Burk’s Bluff. RY WAROLD PAYNE. 848 Dan, the River Sport; or, Foiling the Frisco Sharp. 892 Bowery Ben In Chinatown, 911 Bowery Bob, the East-side Detective, BY BUFFALO BILL (Ion. Wm. F. Cody) 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy: or, The Pilot of the Prairie. 55 Deadly-Eye. the Unknown Scout, or, The Banded Brotherhood 68 Border Robin Hood; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Truat, Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 80 Rosebud Robs or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Rosebud Kob on Hand; or, Idy!, the Girl Miner. 88 Kosebud Rob's Reappearance;s or, Photograph Pbil. 1 Rosebud Reb’s Challenge; or, Cinnamon Chip 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen; or, The Yankee’s Surround 281 Denver Doll’s Victory; or, Sku!) und Crossbones, 255 Denver Doll's Decay ; or, Little Bill’s Bonanza, 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or. The Road Queen. B6N Vreka Jim, the Gold-Gathererg or, The Life Lottery, 872 Yreka Jim's Prize; or, The Wolves of Wake-Up. 885 ¥reka JJm’s Jokers or, The Rivals of Red Nose. B89 Yreka Jdin’s New begie: or, Bicycle Ben, 894 Yreka Jin of Yuba Dam, 20% Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective, or, Dot Leetle Game, 218 Fritz to the Fronts or, The Ventriloquist Hunter 244 Slerra Sam, the Frontier Ferret; ov, A sister’s Devotion, 248 Slerra Sams Seeret; or, The Bloody Footprints. 258 Sierra Sanm’s Pardy or, The Angel ot Big Vista. 258 Sierra Sam's Sevens or, The Stolen Bride. $84 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner. 889 Kangaroo Kit’*« Racket; or, The Pride of Played-Out, 89 Death-Fuce, Detective; or, Life in New York. 69 The Boy Detective; or, Gold Rifle, the Sharpehooter, 96 Watch-Eye, the Detective; or, Arabs and Angels. 17 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective > Captain Ferret, the New York Detective. 1 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 6 The Arab Detective ¢ or, Suoozer, the Boy Sharp. 1 Turk the Boy Ferret, ; 825 Kelley, Mickey & Co.,, the Detectives of Philadelphia, 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Detective, 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective, 416 High Hat Harry, the Base Ball Detective. 426 Sam &labalides. the Beggar-Boy Detective. 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buifalo Demon: or, The Border Vultures, 82 Bob Woolf or, The Girl Dead-Shot 45 Old Avalanche: or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand. 58 Jin Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn BIL¢ or, The Red Rifle Team 92 Canada Chet 3 or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. 118 Jack Hoyle the Young Speculator. 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner; or, Madam Mystery, the Forger. 188 Bose Bob the King of Bootblacks, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent; or, The Branded Brows, 177 Nobby Nick of Nevaday or, The Sierras Scampa. 181 Wild Frank the Buckskin Bravo; or, Lady Lily’s Love. 286 Apollo Bill, the Tral! Tornado; or, Rowdy Ka 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator; or, The Locked Valley. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patro): or, The Rival Heirs. 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 808 ’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. 880 Little Quick-Shot or, Vhe Dead Face of Daggeraville, 858 First-Class Fred, the Gent from Gopher. 878 Nabob Ned} or, The Secret of Slab City. 882 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance. 438 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher; or, A Son’s Vengeance. 486 Senlakin Sam, the Sparkler; or The Tribunal of Ten. 918 Kit Keith, te Reve: ue Spotter, 922 Sol Sharpe, the New York Night-Hawk. 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 Lawyer’s Shadow; or Luke’s legaty. 472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King, 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective, 504 Five Pointa Phil, the Pavement Prince. 509 Jack Jagwers, the Butcher Boy Detective. 516 bain af Tans or. Five Points Phil’s Menagerte. North River Naty the Pier Detective. BBB Wrestling Kens the Pride of the Sixth Ward. 641 Jeff Flicker. the Stable Boy Detective. 651 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow; or, The Old Well Mystery, 559 Warlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective. 669 Brooklyn Ben, the On His-Own-Hook Detective, 577 Pavement Pete the Secret Sifter. 5688 Jack-o-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector. GOR Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer. 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid. 628 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Hummer. 689 Runrise San, the Express-Train Ferret. 649 Gamin Bob, the Bow ery Badger; or, Scooping & Slippery Set, 658 Bky-Rocket Rob, the Life-Saver, 688 Saltpeter Sol, the New York Navigator. 694 Spicy Jim, the Only One of His Kind. 706 Tom Thiatle, the Road-Honae Detectives Z17 Moaquito Jack, the Hustler Gamin, 726 Dennia Duff the Brown Sport's Kid. 744 Dick of the Docka, the Night-W atch. 765 Flipper Fly nny the Street Patro}. 771 Foxy Fred’s Odd Pard; or, The Keener’s Huge Hustle," 7R1l Cast-OfF Cale, the Scapegont Detective. 824 Bowery Billy, the Bunco Bouncer, 887 The Big Four of the Bowery. 846 Back, the New Vork Sharper. 850 The Grand Street Arab, 855 The West Broadway Camin. see FY Freat-Ciae M ascot; or, Dan Decker’s Double Deal* Zz 1e Union Square Raggage Boy. S78 Tie Street Arabs Blind, ‘ : 886 The Five Points Lodging House Janitor. 890 Ace Migh, the Tromp Card Detective, 895 Fifth Avenue Fred, the Valet Detective. 899 Basement Bert, the Bov Cobbler Detective. 908 Billy Blue- Blazes, the Dodger of the Docks. 907 Reddy Rusher, Bell- Boy 4-11-44, 915 Flip Flasher, Ferret, of East Broadway. RY LIEUT. A. K. SIM. 589 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 622 Tom-Cat’s Triad; or, The Affair at Tombstone. 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task; or, The Cowboy Detective. 688 Tom-Cat’sa Triumph} or. Black Dan's Great Combine 646 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock; or, Josh’s Ten Strike 568 The Dandy of Dodge: or, Rustling for Millions, 576 The Silver Sports or, Josh Peppermint’s Jubilee. 688 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 601 Happy Hana, the Dutch Videcq; or, Hot Times at Round-Up 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules 646 Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling William the Mountain Mountebank. 665 Jolly Jeremiah, the Plains Detective, 676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout. 689 Billy, the Gypay Spyt_or, The Mystery of Two Lives, 699 Simple Sim, the Proncho Buster: or, For Big Stakes, 712 The Meameriat Sports or, The Mystified Detective, 788 Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector, 745. Kansas Jim, the Crose-Cut Detective, 761 Marmaduke, the Mustanger Detective, 778 The Ruatler of Rolling Stone, 785 Lone Hand Joe, the Committee of One. 801. Kent Kirby, the Hich-Kicker from Killbuck. 882 The Doctor Dete etive in Texas, 872 Two Showmen Petectives In Colorad o. 987 The Texan Firebrand; or, Brazos Billy’s SnapShot. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 986 Buffalo Bill’s Boy Mascot; or, Joe Jarvis’ Hold-up. 929 Buffalo Bill's Crack-shot Pard. 982 New York Nat’s Drop: or, Ex-Ferret Sykes’ Bold Gane- 926 New York Nat and the Traitor Ferret. ¥20 New York Aut Trapped. 914 New York Nat's ‘lhree of a Kind, #08 New York Nat's Bouble. 902 New York Nat's in Colarado, 896 New York Nat in Gold Nugget Camp, S89 New York Nat’s Lendly Deal, 888 New York Nat’s Crook-Chase, S77 New York Nuat’s Trump Card, STi New York Nat and the Grave Ghouls, S65 New York Nat's Masked Mascot, 859 New York Nat, the Gumin Detective. 858 Dick Doom’« kidnapper Knock-Out, 847 Dick om’s Ten Strike. 2 Dick Deom’s Flush Hand. 2 Dick Doom’s Death-Grip; or, The Detective by Destiny, 7 Dick Doom’s Destiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terror, 4 Dick Doom; or. the Sharps and Sharks of New York, 8 Dick Doom in Boaton; or, A Man of Many Maske, 98 Dick Doom tn Chicago. 798 Dick Doom tn the Wild Weat, 808 Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep; or, Five Links in a Clue, 808 Dick Doom’s Veath Clue. 818 Dick Doom’s« Diamond Deal. 819 Dick Doom’s Girl Maacot. 829 Dick Doom’s Shadow Hunt. S85 Dick Doom’s Big Meul. Tay pasbing Charlie; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s Firet Traii.. 756 Dashing Charlic’s Destiny; or, The Renegade’s Captive, 760 Dashing Charlie’s Pawnee Pard, 766 Dashive Charlic, the Rescuer. 497 Buck Taylors King ot the Cowboys. TBF Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive, 748 Buck Taylor’s Koya; «r, The Red Riders ot the Rio Grande, 560 Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shadower, 718 Pawnee Bill; or, Carl, the Mad Cowboy. 719 Pawnee BILDVs Pledge; or, The Cowboy's Doom. 725 Pawnee BIlly or, Daring Dick. 692 Redfern’s Cur tous Case: o, The Rival Sharps. 69% Kedtern at Devil's Kanehs or, The Sharp from Texas, 702 Redfern’s High Mand; or, Biue Jacket. ZO? Redfern’s Last Tradl: or. The Red Sombrero Rangers. And Fitty Othera, BY J, ©. COWDRIOK, 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. 5614 Broadway Billy’s Boodle; or, Clearing a Strange Case, 586 Broadway Billy’s ‘Ditikilty.” 557 Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. 579 Brondway Billy’s Surprise Party, 605 Broadway Billy; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning. 628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Acts or, The League of Seven 669 Broadway Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack in Frisco. 675 Brondway Billy’s Best; or, Beating San Francisco's Finest. 687 Broadway Billy in Clover. k 696 Brondway Billy in Texans; or, The River Rustlers. 708 Broadway Billy’a Brand. d 711 Broadway Billy ot Santa Fe: or, The Clever Deal, 720 Broadway Billy’s Vull Hand: or, The Gamin Detective, 785 Broadway Billy’ Kusiness, TBS Broadway Billy’s Curious Case, 758 Broadway Hilly in Denver. 262 Broadway BUly’a Vargain; or, The Three Detective. 760 Broadway Bil the Retriever Detective. 775 Broadway BY Shadow Chase, 788 Broadway Ril Beagles; or, The Trio’s Quest, 786 Broadway. Billy’« Team; or, The Combine’s Big Poll. 790 Broadway Billy’s Brigndc; or, The Dead Alive. 796 Broadway Biliy’s Queer Bequest. 800 Broadway. Billy Bottled, lly’s Signal Scoop. een in +e zs. 805 Broadway Billy 810 Broadway Billy’ Wipe Out. 815 Broadway Bijly’s Bank Racket 821 Brondway Billy’« Bluff. 826 Broadway Billy he Jersey Thugs. S38 Broadway Billy’« Raid. 389 Broadway Billy's Big Boom, 844 Broadway Billy's Bi Bulge. 84) Broadway Billy’+ #100,000 Snap. 856 Broadway Billy’s Blind: or, The Bootblack Stowaway. 862 Broadway. Billy in London. S68 Broadway’ Billy Shadows London Slums. 874 Broadway Billy’s French Game. SSO Broadway Bully and the Bomb-Throwers. 918 The Trump Dock-Boy. 912 Train Boy Trist’s Hot Hustle, 906 Safety Sam, the Cyele Sport. 900 Jumping Jack’s Jubilee, SET Battery Bob, the Dock Detective, 860 Milver-Mask, the Man ot Mystery; or, The Golden Keys. B69 Shasta, the Gold King or, For Seven Years Dead, 420 The Detective’a Apprentice; or, A Boy Without s 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. 524 The Engineer Detective; or, Redlight Ralph’s Resolve 548 Mart, the Night Exprese Detective. 671 Air-Line Luke the Young Engineer; or, The Double Case 592 The Boy Pinkerton; or, Running the Rascals Out, 615 Fighting Narr the Chief of Chained Cyclone, 640 Bareback Beth, the Centaur of the Circle, 6: newrlter Tilly, the Merchant's Ward. 659 Moonlight Morgan the“ Pizenest ’ Man of Ante Bas, 894 Arizona Dick's Wipe-Out. 924 Big Boots Bob, the Fire-Laddle. 980 Kustler Ralph, the Boy Spotter. 985 The Ex-Newsboy Detcetive’s Chum, LATEST ISSUES. 988 The Sport of Two Cites; or, Jingo Jim’s Jamberee- By Jo Plere. 989 hit Bandy’s Star Engagements; or, Desert Dan, the Saddle Prince, By Ol] Coomes. 940 Deadwood Bick. Tr. ss Shake-up; or, Tulip Tilly’s Trump Hand. By BE. L. W heeler. 941 The Bowling Green Detective’s Drop; or, Limerick Larrv’s Big Boom. _ By J, C. Cowdrick 942 Ruffalo Bill's Tough Tussle; or, The Buckskin Bose Boy. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. NEW ISSUES. 948 Old Hayseed Among Bunco Men; or, Sol Sharpe, Detective. By Edward L, Wheeler. 944 Cowboy Charlie’s Doubles or, The Warbler from Whistleville, By J.C. Cowdrick, 945 Billy Bird’s Bonanza; or, The Rook-Ravons’ Root-Out, By Win. R,’Eyster. 946 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*s, Double Drop; or, The Drolt Showman’s Decoy. By Edward L. Wheeler. A New lesue Every Tuesday The Half-Dime Library is for sale by al! newadealers, five gents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publi Me AP Ao Boece haw Terk,