Beadle's Pocket Library (no. 188) (1887 08 17)
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RRA, rie it at att a nn on ai Copyrighted, 1887, by Beanie ann Apama, Entered at the Poss Office at New York, N. ¥., as Second Class Mail Matter. August 17, 1887, Vol XV $2.50 Published Weekly by Beadle and Adams, Price, No 188 ' ' ' . a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM St., NEw YORK, Five Cents, = “VEL, PY SHIMMINY DUNDER]” WAS HIS EXCLAMATION, AS HE GAZED DOLEFULLY AROUND BIM, ** on I DON’D YAS IN A FIX, DEN I DON’D VANT A OBNT,
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The Ventriloquist Detective. The Ventriloquist: Detective. A ROMANCE OF ROGUES. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, AUTHOR @F ‘‘DEADWOOD DICK” NOVELS, ‘‘ROSEBUD ROB” NOVELS, ‘‘ FRITZ, THE BOUND-BOY DETECTIVE,” ETC, CHAPTER I. MADGE, One bright hot August morning a cheap ex- eursion was advertised to leave South street wharf, Philadelphia, for Atlantic City—that lively little town by the sea, which is so fast growing in size and popularity as to rival the more noted of the coast Atlantic summer re- sorts. A cheap excursion which is within the means of the working class is ever a success, and this one was no exception; it gave the masses a chance to escape from the overheated city for a small sum and they grasped at it rg a right and early the ferry-boat was crowded and still there was no cessation of the stream of humanity that surged toward the river front. There were representatives of every trade in the city, nearly, and likewise a mixture of several nationalities; there were young folks, and old folks, and little children; then there were roughs, bruisers and bummers, an indis- pensable adjunct to summer excursions; and all in all a heterogeneous collection of human- ity. Just as the hot August sun peeped up over Jersey’s sandy horizon, the b@ll of the boat rung, and the huge ferry-boat began to move out across the Delaware, toward Kaighn’s Point, where connection was to be made with the railway. It was a noisy crowd aboard the boat, there being a good many roughbs among the pleasure- seekers, who were more or less under the effect of Dock street ‘‘soothing-syrup,” and who were disposed to have something to say to every one. Among the passengers was a young lady of eighteen or nirfeteen years of age, who sat in the stern of the boat, seeming to have no friends or acquaintances. She was by no means unprepossessing in face, and was trimly built, and dressed rather stylish- ly, compared to the others aboard the boat of her sex. It was not long before several of the roughs noted the fact that she was unaccompanied, and determined to know the reason why. ‘ Therefore, one lubberly; raw-boned young bruiser, with a freckled face, bloodshot eyes, and a large red nose, approached Ler and tipped his hat with tipsy gallantry. : “Scuse me, young lady, but (hic) may I ask ef yn got (hic) company ?” @ asked. * “ Plenty of it, sir,” the young lady replied, her eyes flashing. “I do not know you; you'll con- fer a favor by not addressing me.” “Tl do as I please, my gal; don’t ye sass yer , cuzzin. Don’t ye know me? I'ma ‘full moon’ solid Mulligan Muldoon, [I am,” Greatly annoyed, the young woman turned her head away without answering. This, however, did not abash the “ full moon,” for he advanced closer, and laid one burly hand upon the railing beside her. . ‘* Now, (hic) see here, my beloved Miss Mori- arty,” he began, but before he could proceed further, a fo pishl attired young Jew, with red hair and a hooked nose, stepped forward and sas the Fourth Ward man on the shoulder, “Yohst you bounce oud, mine friend,” he said. ‘Der young lady don’d vas want:som off your attention.” “Hallo! who in blazes are you?’ Muldoon demanded gruffly, not offering to move. “I are Muldoon, ther solid man, I am, an’ I allow I kin lick any man on (bic) ther boat,” ‘*That don’d make any difference. Dot ‘young lady don’d vant you near her, und uff you don’d vas gone away, right off quick, Pll throw you oud—-dot’s der style off an excursionist I am!” cried the Jew. *“Oho! you wull, wull yer? You'll throw mo out, bey#—me, Full-moon Muldoon, ther solid man? I'll hev a kiss from the girl, an’ then Dll heave yer Israelite carcass overboard fer the fishes.” And, making a drunken lunge forward, he threw his arms about the young lady’s neck, amid indignant cries of a crowd of bystanders, and attempted to kiss her. But he failed in his parpoes, for she pluckily threw him off, and the next instant the Jewish-looking young man came to her rescue, Seizing the rough by the coat and trowsers he jerked him away; then, with the strength of a Hreroulet: raised him from the floor and hurled him forward down the cabin stairway to the lower deck. A cheer of fies at once went on the larger share of the spectators, and the Dutchman became the hero of the hour, Some of Muldoon’s companions rushed to his rescue, and found him doubled up like a jack- knife, and groaning over severe bumps. His rough usage, Boe Steer had evidently cowed him, for ae. made no attempt to show fight or create further disturbance. The young lady thanked the Jew, but that was all, until the boat grated up alongside Kaighn’s Point wharf, when she caught his eye and mo- tioned for him to approach. “Tf you will be so kind as to assist me in finding a seat in the train,” she said, modestly, “‘T would esteem it a great favor,” “Vel, you-bet I vil! Id is a purdy rough crowd for a young lady withoud some com- pany. My name is Fritz Snyder; _vot ish yours?” : “You may call me Madge,” was the quiet reply. Then Fritz took her little traveling-bag, and they left the boat with the crowd, and board- oe the excursion train, which was close at and, Being among the first to reach it, they had no difficulty in finding a seat, and made haste to occupy it, as the cars were fast filling.
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The Venitriloquist Detective. : 3 “T reckon ash how you vas goin’ to der sea- shore?” Fritz asked, having some curiosity to know. “*T presume so, if the cars take me there,” the youug lady replied, with a faint smile. ‘‘Is it a nico place?” “Vel, 1 don’d know. I vas neffer there; but (hear id vas a nice place, You see, I vas goin’ there on pizness—I—I—don’d know off I stay long or not.” Little more was said during the overland trip to the ocean. Tho young woman did not appear inclined to talk, and Fritz finally excused himself and moved to another seat, “Der ish soieenee vot don’d vas right apoud dot vimmens,” he soliloquized. ‘‘ She ish not goin’ to der sea-shore for vone object alone, Til bet a half-dollar.” Just ahead of him, in the next seat, sat two old ladies, who were discussing that topic upper- most in their minds—spiritualism. One was a believer; the other an unbeliever. “Pooh! You can’t stuff sech nonsense into my head, Marier,” the unbeliever declared, Watag a pinch of snuff. ‘ Speerits don’t trou- ble me.” “ But that is because you have no faith, Me- hitable. Now, my Sammy’s speerit converses with me every day and night, and keeps me posted about the realms of eternal bliss; and when I ax him to appear, he comes before me as natural as life.” ‘*Has he got that wart behind his left ear et?” apparently asked a man in front of the adies, though Ventriloquial Fritz was of course the author of the question. “ Sir-r-h!” the spiritualist cried, indignantly “Tllhave you know my Samuel had no wart upon his person!” “ But, he had bunions, though!” a portly old gent across the aisle seemed to declare. “Tt’s a lie—a shameful lie! I'd like to know how you dare cast your insinuations about one you never knew, sir?” and Mrs, Marier arose in her seat, excitedly. ‘‘My husband was a good moral gentleman.” “For the land’s sake, Marier, do set down,” the other woman cried, feeling embarrassed. “No I won’t set down!” Marier declared. “That old bald-headed, pussy fabricator said my Sammy had bunions!” ul ‘ood woman, I never said anything of the kind,” the portly party declared, getting red in the face. “The old woman’s erazy!” another man seemed to cry. _ “Crazy, am I?” Mrs. Marier cried, snatching up a freshly-baked pumpkin pie from the seat beside her, and holding it ready to hurl at the offenders. “I'll show you if ’mcrazy, Jest ye open yer mouths, ary one of ye, an’ I'll show ye how crazy lam! Oh! I'll learn ye to insult a respectable woman, who minds her own busi- ness! : And the woman came off victor, for Fritz ventriloquized no further, and the passengers had nothing. to say, having no desire to get plastered up with freshly prepared pumpkin pie. - In the course of three hours the train arrived | at Atlantic City, and before the ocean’s blue expanse, as it billowed away to meet the hori- zon. The grand stretch of level beach was thronged with people, despite the pouring heat of the midday sun, and many queerly-costumed pleas- ure-seekers were buffeting about in the water for recreation and bealth. Fritz was among the first to leave the ears and he stationed himself where he could watch the movements of the girl, Madge. Some subtle instinct prompted him to do this, with the impression that she was—what? That was an enigma. He could not, for the life of him, have told why, but he was im- pressed with an idea that there was some strange romance connected with her visit to the sea-shore—that she did not come alone for pieasure, but for an object that might be worth investigating. She left the cars, and at once took a carriage for the principal hotel. Not to be balked, Fritz jumped into another carriage, and directed the driver to take him to the same hotel. His conveyance arrived first, and he was standing on the veranda, when the carriage drove up with Madge, and she got out. She scarcely noticed him as she came up the steps and passed-into the hotel; but, after she had registered, she came out, and touched him on the arm. “You are watching me—what for?” she asked, when he turned around facing her, “ Am I an object of suspicion to you, sir?” Fritz flushed wacomfortably, and bardly knew how to answer. “Vel, I—I—” “There! don’t make any apologies or ex- cuses; I know you are, and shall look out for you. Please understand I am no criminal!” Then she turned around again, and swept haughtily into. the hotel, while Fritz walked away toward the beach in meditation. “She vas sharper ash lightning,” he mused, “und dot makes me tink some more dot for some reason or odder she vil bear watching.” Ho took a bath in the ocean, and then went. back to the hotel. He was not quite satisfied to drop the matter where it was. Samethin urged him to pry further into the affairs o: this young lady, whose case had struck him as being singular. On examining the register, he found that she was registered as Miss Madge Thurston, and assigned Room 43. d As nothing more offered, he sat down on the veranda, and watched tho stream of people that surged in and out of the hotel, and to and from the beach—men, women and children by the hundred, and yet there were scarcely two faces alike. During the afternoon an elegant close car- ble drawn by a superbly-harnessed pair of high-stepping bays, which were in turn driven by a liveried negro, came dashing down the avenue, and drew up before the Brighton. A man of some thirty-five years of age leay from the carriage, and entered the hotel—a man with a sinister yet handsome faee, orna- mented with a sweeping mustache, and a pair of
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sharp black eyes. Hoe was attired in spotless white duck, with patent-leather boots, and a white “ plug” hat, and was evidently a person of some importance. He soon came out of the hotel, accompanied by the young woman Fritz bad defended, and entering the carriage, they were whirled away down the avenue out of sight. “Dot settles dot! My game’s gone, und I don’d got some professional detective gase, there,” Fritz growled, as he watched the reced- ing carriage. ‘‘ I'll bet a half dollar I neffer see dem, again.” . But he was mistaken. That evening when the moon was sending a flood of brilliant light down upon the long ~~ level beach, he was one of a thousand who took a stroll along the water’s edge, over the * damp sands of the sea. He was thus engaged, and watching the great Inminous moon which seemed to havo risen out of the distant watery waste, when a man touched him upon the shoulder, “ Bixcuse me,” he said, respectfully, ‘* but are oe Fritz, the young man who took a young oe part on a ferry-boat near Philadelphia to- y “Well I dink I am, uff I recomember right.” “Well, sir, you are wanted. to bear witness to a marriage ceremony, to-night, up the ccast, and Iwas sent for you. Step this way, to the carriage, sir.” Scarcely knowing what was best to do, Fritz followed, got into an open carriage, aud was driven rapidly north along the beach, through the romantic moonshine. But, how romantic was his little adventure destined to turn out?) That was what he asked himself, as he gazed doubtfully out upon the greenish blue of mother ocean. CHAPTER II. THE STRANGE MARRIAGE, In the course of a little over an hour, the car- riage stopped at the inlet, where Fritz was told to get out and take a small boat and row across the water to the other shore, where he would find another carriage to complete his journey in. He accordingly did as directed, and had soon crossed the inlet, found the second carriage, and was once more rolling northward, along the sandy beach It seemed hours to him ere his conductor drew rein in front of a jutting bluff which in- terrupted their further progress along the beach, from the fact that it reached to the water's edge; for another hour he followed the driver, a grim, uncommunicative fisherman, on foot up a jagged path, which finally led into a lonely ocean cave which the high tides of many centuries had washed out to about the size of an ordinary room. A torch thrust ina crevice in the rocky wall, lit up the scene in rather a ghostly way. About in the center of the cave stood three parties—Madge, a clerical looking party, and another well-dressed man, with black hair and ee 4 ; The Ventriloquist Detective. 7 He stepped forward to Fritz and the fisher- man entered the cave, and said: “Ah! I am glad you have come. Was fearing that you would not accommodate us, sir. “Vel, [didn’t vas know vedder to come or not,” Fritz answered, “‘ but ash I am here, vot you want off me?” ‘*T will tell you. The young lady yonder = and myself are about to be married, and, to make things legal, we prefer to have a couple of witnesses to the ceremony. You will only be required to attach your signature to the marriage certificate, and will then be taken back to Atlantic City.” ‘“Vel, off dot ish all, go ahead mit der piz- ness,” Fritz said perchmg himself on a rock, “T don’d know off id is a legal dransaction or not, but I'll do vot ish right by der lady.” “Then let’s have the ceremony,” the pros- pective bridegroom said. ‘‘Are you ready, Madge?” “Quite ready,” the young lady replied, smilingly. Then they clasped hands, and the aged cleri- cal looking gentleman read a marriage service, asked the usual questions, and pronounced them man and wife. The parties to the consummation were an- nounced as Miss Madge Thurston and Major Paul Atkins. At the conclusion of the ceremony the clergy- man filled out a certificate, signed it himself, and then requested Fritz to come forward and do likewise, and also the old fisherman. His request being obeyed, Major Atkins said: ‘¢-Your favor is duly appreciated, Mr, Snyder, and, if an opportunity offers, I shall be happy to be of service to you. You may now return to town in the manner you came.” Accordingly Fritz did so, not a little puzzled at his adventure and the strange wedding in the coast cave. Day was just bee mate to lighten the eastern horizon when he arrived back at Atlantic City, and he went to his room for a nap. But he found that sleep would not come to his relief, and so he was among the early fash- ionable bathers at the beach. After a good refreshing bath he went back to the Brighton and took a seat on the veranda. He had not been seated Jong, when a rapid] driven carriage whirled up before the hotel, and an elderly, portly man leaped out and hur- ried into the hotel, his face flushed with excite- ment. He was well dressed, wore a little bunch of gray side-whiskers on either cheek, and was evidently all of sixty years of age. Fritz surveyed him closely with the short glimpse he got of him, and then scratched bis head as if in quest of an idea. “Pll bet a half-dollar I see into der whole pizness now,” he muttered, with a chuckle, ‘Td yas plainer ash mud tome, Dot couple vot got inarried vas elopers mit each odder, und dis pe der old man on der war-path after ’em, madder ash a hornet. Der next ting is, who vas der bully veller, vot ish honest und haff der rocks to support dot virtue?” After a few minutes the old gentleman came
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The Ventriloquist Detective. & out of the hotel, and stood looking out upon the ocean, with rather a savage expression of coun- tenance—and his was a face that could be very stern, when occasion required it. “T don’d know vedder I better poke mine nose inder his pizness, or not,” Fritz nuttered, taking a second survey of him, ‘‘He looks like ash if he might swaller a veller off he got mad, und I don’d vas care apoud imitadin’ Jonah.” As if interpreting his thoughts, the old gent turned rather gruffly, and took a searching glance of the young man. “Well,” he said, ‘I suppose I look as if I wanted to cut some one’s throat, don’t I?” Fritz laughed, lightly. “Vel, L vas tinking somedings like dot,” he admitted, “T thought so. I ain’t a fool; I know when Tam mad; I look mad. Do you know of any party around here who's particularly anxious to end his career, and ain’t got the grit to do the job? I would like to operate on such a chap.” “You feels like ash off you could pulverize some one, eh?” “Humph! Ill contract’ to lay cut the first man that durst look eress-eyed at me. D’m mad, I am—mad as thunder, and [ come from Leadville, too, where they raise thunder occa- sionally. Bah! I wish some cne would step up and kick me!” “Well, I'm your men, if you really want a bona fide job done!” Fritz caused a pompous- looking man to say, who stood near—ventrilo- quially, of course. ‘I’m the champion patent kicker from Kalamazoo!” The old gent from Leadville turned and gazed at the pompous-looking man, a moment, his dan- der rising several degrees, “Oh! so you're anxious to kick me, are you, : my Christian friend? You want to kick me, do ye?” he ejaculated. ‘Who has said anything about kicking you, sir?’ the pompous party demanded, in haughty surprise. You’d evidently better go to bed and sleep off your ‘cups,’ my friend.” of laven’t drank a drop, sir, in ten years, And for you to deny expressing a desire to boot me, sir—why, man, I heard you.” “You are a_liar, sir; I said nothing of the kind. Besides, I’m not in the habit of picking uarrels with strangers.” And with a shrug, the pompous man turned on his heel, and walk- ed off, indignantly. Leadville’s angered delegate gazed after him, a moment, with unutterable contempt— then turned to Fritz: ‘Poor fool. He’s no sand, or he’d not cut and run, after calling aman aliar. Up in Leadville things are supremely different, but here, alas! is a lack of back-bone. I say, young fellow, have youever cherished dreams of becoming rich?—a man of millions, as it were?” “ Vel, 1 don’d know but I haff some off dose anxiety to get rich, vonce in a vile,” Fritz ad- mitted. “Well, sir, I can tell you just how you can do it the easiest, if you will stroll upon the beach with me.” Accordingly Fritz arose, and sauntered down to the beach with this eccentric Leadvillian, whoever he might prove to be. “Now, I suppose you'd likc to now what I’m mad at,” the old gent began, pushing his gold- headed cane into the sand as they strolled along. “ Well, before I tell you, I want to know who you are, and what your business is?” “My name vas Fritz fnyder, und_I vas vot you might call a detective—or, dot is, I vas try- ing my luck at der pizness.” “Indeed? Then perhaps it is well I have met you, for I have a case, and if you can win that case, you can also win five thousand dollars, How does that strike you?” a “Tt hits me right vere I liff, ven I ish at home,” Fritz grinned. ‘‘ Yoost you give me der pints, und I’m your bologna, you can bet a half- dollar on dot five-t?ousand dollar job. Vot’sder lay—suicides, murder, sdole somedings, or run avay mit anodder vife’s veller?” “Neither. A girl has run away from her home, and is wanted—five thousand dollars’ worth. She is my daughter, and is a somnam- bulist, and consequently of unsound mind at times. She frequently goes into a trance, and remains thus for weeks at a time, eating and drinking naturally enough, but knowing nothing what she has been doing, when she awakens—, though to outward appearance she is awake, when in this trance, but not in her right mind. {have consulted eminent physicians, but they pronounce her case incurable, and say she will some day die in one of these trances.” j Here the man from Leadville grew pathetic in his story, and wiped a tear from his eye; but finally went on: ‘Well, as you may imagine, I have had a deal of trouble with her, for in her state of trance she has often robbed me of sums of - | money. And wandered off, too, sometimes; but this last blow has been the most severe, It came to my knowledge that_she had become the prey of an unprincipaled Eastern rascal, He had met her during her so1mmambulistic wander- ings, and prejudiced her against me, and caused her to rob not only me, but others, and sur- render the stolen booty to him. On learning this, myself and neighbors formed into a Vigi- lance Committee to run the rascal down, but he took to his heels, and fled Eastward. A few days later, my poor child turned up missing, and with her the sum cf twenty thousand dol- lars, which had been paid me from the sale of a mine, and which I had lodged in my safe for pte Rea until I could deposit it, the next ay “Twenty t?ousand—so much ash dot?” “VYes—a big sum, and likewise nearly all the money I then possessed. I immediately took up the trail, but egad! ‘twas no use. The girl is sharper than lightning, and eluded me at every turn. I found that her destination was eastward—doubtless to join her evil genius —and so I telegraphed to Chicago and St. Louis for the detectives to look out, and inter- cept her, if possible. But all to no avail. She was seen in those places, but owing to some irregularity beyond my comprehension, was not captured. When I arrived in Chicago, I found that she had two days before left the city, eastward bound. I trailed her to Phila-
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delphia, and there lost all track of her, Think- ing quite likely she would come to this sum- mer resort, I came on, to-day, in hopes of striking the trail, but all to no avail. I have as yet heard of no clew to her whereabouts.” ‘Vel, dot ish purdy bad,” Fritz assented. * Vot ish your name?” “My name is Thornton—I am a mining speculator from Leadville, Colorado.” “Und your daughter’s name yos—” “Madge. Sho is a prety young maiden, aged eighteen, and left her home very well dressed.” * Und der feller vot vas pocketing der money —vot vos his name?” “Ttis hard to guess what his true namo was. At Leadville he was called Pirate Johnson—at Pueblo he was known as Griffith Grege.” “Grege—Gregg?” Fritz said, meditatively. “T am on the lookout for a man by that name, But my man is a smuggler.” “This villain may be connected with any nefarious piece of raseality. If I only had bim here one or the other of us would get laid out— that is as good as sworn to. God only knows what perils my poor child will pass through, before [ succeed in finding her, if I ever do.” * Vell, I reckon ve can find her, uff der ish such a t?ing in der dictionary,” Fritz asserted. He then went on to relate the particulars of his assisting the lady on the boat, and of the marriage in the eave, Which excited Mr. Thornton greatly. “By Heavens, I see throughit all! Madge Thurston is no more or less than my daughter, and she has wedded this rascal, Atkins, who is one and the same person who was the Gregg or Johnson out West. God forbid that my child is married to such a wretch. Describe him.” Frita obeyed, giving the description according as he remembered the bri legroom--also of the man who took Madge Thurs‘on from the hotel, “The latter was undoubtedly Gregr,” the speculator declared, ‘‘ and the other also, was, it is likely, disguised for the occasion, with a false beard. Now, Fritz, I want you to help me find my child, and break the neck of this raseal, and you shall have for reward the sum [ promised you. We'll search this world high and dry but what we'll recover my child. Come, let’s seek a conveyance to ‘take us to the cave.’ They accordingly went back to the Hotel Brighton, ate dinner, and afterward secured a carriage and set out for the sceno of the strange welding the night before. And thus Fritz entered into a five thousand dollar chase, which was destined to lead him into more adventures than he had yet experi- enced. \ CHAPTER III, THE BLU HOUSE. In due time they arrived at the cave, where the ceremony of the previous night had taken place, but a thorough search of the cavernous wash-out failed to yield any tidings of the romantic lovers. ¥ ‘*Pshaw! there’s no use of further search in x The Ventriloquist Detective. i this direction; they have long ere this set_out for some other portion of the country, and we are wasting time in tarrying here.” “Mebbe dot ish so, but I dink dey vas go on up der coast, instead off cum pack by Atlantic City. ‘* Not impossible. In that case, it will be our best lead to go back to Atlantic, take the cars to Philadelphia, and strike for some sea-coast point ahead of them.” “ot vould pe a purty good idea vor you, but I t’ink better I remain on der coast stardt- ing vrom here, und follow der trail in der rear. Pll bet a half-dollar I find ’em firsd, afore you do.” “Very well. It shall be as. you deem best,” Mr, Thornton said, “‘T will leave you here and join you, or rather be there to meet you, when you reach Lon Branch, If nothing results in our favor by that time, Pll decide what is the next best course to pareve: Here is a hundred dollars toward de- iraying your expenses. If you need more, tele- zraph to Jim Thornton at the Chalfonte, Long Branch, and Pll remit.” And placing the sum of money in Fritz’s pos- session, he soon after took his departure, After he had gone, Fritz sat down on a rock in the mouth of the cave, which overlooked the ocean, and gazed thoughtfully out upon the sunlit waters, “Vel, here I vas—but der next question ish, vere yas I?” he soliloquized. ‘‘ That under- taken a job mitout any bases yor a start-off. I kinder vish Rebecca vas here, too—but ash vishin’ don’d vas do some good, pisness is der next cons.deration.” Night was not far distant, but he resolved to continue on up the coast in hopes, of finding a fisherman’s house, where he could obtain food and lodging. He accordingly left the cave and continued his journey. He soon came to a level stretch of beach again, and followed its northward course for a number of miles—until sunset, when he found himself as far from any human habitation as he had in the start. Ho accordingly sought a grassy spot, back from tho beach, and lay down to rest. : Arising early the next morning, he struck out once more on his journey, feeling decidedly anx- ious to find some kind of a human habitation, as he was vary hungry. He soon spied a farm-house, inland from the beach, and made for it in double-quick time. A gruff-looking man sat upon the front veran- da, as he entered the well-kept yard, and eyed him with an expression of suspicion. “Well, what d’ye want, young man?” he de- ’ manded, sourly. “ Grub—somedings to eat,” Fritz replied, spir- itedly. ‘‘I vas hungry like ash a sucker after a hard winter.” “Get out! I don’t want no tramps about here. Clear, I say, or Dll set the dog on you,” the far- mer growled, stamping on the veranda with his cane, ** But I don’d vas no tramp, nor I don’d vas skeardt at der dogs!” Fritz replied. ‘I vants some preakfast, und ish able to pay vor id like a shendleman,” \
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The Ventrilopuist Detective, vd “Go to a tavern, then. I don't keep no put- “Vel, one ting—ish der a town someyere’s tin’-up place,” near, on der coast?” “But I don’d find some tavern, und I ain’d “Yes, several,” going no furder ondil I get somedings to eat. ‘* Vot one is der nearest?" So trot oud der best vot you haff, und I pay for “Forsyth Landing.” em.” “ Vot is der population?” ““Didn’t I tell you you couldn’t get something * Four people.” toeat, here?” the man cried, getting exasperated. “Shimminy dunder! So mooch as _ dot? Then he began whistling for the dog. “I'll Any old mades among der lot?” show ye who runs this place.” ‘“Nary a maid.” Os right! Fetch oud der canine,” Fritz “Vel, dot’s all. Much obliged.” grinned, perching himself on the fence, and After she had departed, Fritz finished his taking a pistol from his pocket. ‘‘I yoost ash | meal, and then resumed his tramp along the leave haff dog steak as peef stew. Anydings to | lonely beach. fill up ven a veller vas hungry.” Half an hour brought him to the Jandin; ‘““What! how dare you, sir! Ill have you | but he did not pause. Two rough-looking aud arrested for carrying concealed weapons, you | sea-dogs were lounging outside a sort of a hut, scamp!” but their appearance did not inspire Fritz “Den I haff you arrested vor causing can- | with any desire to cultivate their acquaint- nibalism, py not giffin’ a veller somedings toeat. | ance, Come, now, misder; yoost set oud der vittles About sunset he arrived at a far prettier spot und der von’t peno droubles; otherwise, der may | than he had yet encountered. be an exposure of rig ag 28 A great bluff of land rolled up to an abrupt The farmer started at Fritz’s unmeaning de- | and precipitous ending at the ocean’s edge. claration and giving him a swift, startled glance, In high tide, it would be impossible to walk arose and entered the house. along the beach at the base of the bluff owing Fritz noticed what effect his thoughtless shot | to the depth of the water, while at low tide the had had, and gave vent to a low, peculiar whis- | beach was quite bare. tle, denotive of surprise. The evening tide was rolling in close to the “ Hello! vot ish dose I’ve done!” he mused, base of the cliff, when Fritz reached it, and so “T give der old chap a sour grape dot time, all | he paused and took a reconnoissance. of which proves dot he is "fraid off der exposure Far up on the top of the bluff he saw a large off somedings, und don’d vas got a clear con-| rambling old house, in a grove of trees, but science. Vel, dot ish pee goot, too. Von | whether it was deserted or not, he could not ting leads to annoder—mebbe I vill discover | tell. somedings else. Anyhow, I’m going to sta It looked so grim in the weird sunset light, right here undil I gets somedings to eat, und and so isolated in its lone watch by the sea reckon der old man vill feteh or send id.” that one might easily have fancied it an abode Nor was he wrong in his reckoning, for shortly | of spooks, and their like. “T spect dot I'll haff to climb up und go around that bluff,” Fritz muttered, not at all liking the idea. ‘‘ Uff a veller vas to try und wade along der front, he’d like ash not get drowned, und dot vould pe a duyfel off a fix. I wonder ef der folks who lif up yonder ar’ sam- ples off dot Sample I met dis morning? like ash uff it might be a ghost factory.” He was considering what was best to do, when he felt a tap upon his shoulder, and wheeled about with a nervous start. Before him stood a ragged, frowsy-haired, afterward a plump and pretty maid brought him out a tray of victuals that looked most tempting. There was bread and butter, cold meat, cake, pie, apples, and a bowl of rich milk, No won- der Fritz’s eyes sparkled with satisfaction, as he sat down upon the earriage-block and received the offering. “T thank you more ash a t’ousand times,” he said. ‘Der old man didn’t vas goin’ to give me somedings, but I told bim I would expose him, und dot fixed him. Vot’s der old crab’s name, young lady?” bare-footed girl, some sixteen or seventeen years The girl stared. of age—a girl with a well-rounded figure, of but “Mr. Sample, do you mean?” she asked, in sod stature, and a face at once peculiar and surpri attractive, from the sparkle of its eyes, the broad grin of its mouth, and the amount of dirt gatherel about it. She bad evidently but recently emerged from the water, for her long black hair, as well as her wet garments, were dripping with drops, which the dying sunlight transformed into dia- monds. ‘+ Ha! ha! ha!” she laughed, putting her preti arms akimbo and staring hard at Fritz, ‘* Don’t T look silly, though?” “Vel, I don’d know apoud dot. I dink der abblication uff some water mit your face vould rise. “Yes, I reckon dot’s der one—der old vinegar- barrel vot yoost sot on der veranda. So his name vas Sample, eh? If he vas a sample off der neighbors around here, I dinks I stop no more. He vas got a segret, don’d he?” “How at: I know, sir?” “Oh! vel, I didn’t know but you might haff heard somedings.” “Tf I bad, F don't believe I should confess it to you,” the maid retorted. ‘ When you get through eating leave the server on the block.” ee But, hold on—you ain’d going?” “Yes, make you look petter ash vot you are now,” “ But hed aw’ile! Isay no. I vant to ask you Frity hetghey ie ruse ards some questions,” Water a! ha came ou C) ‘: What?” water. But, oh! D’m 30 silly—that’s what
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everybody says, and I guess it must be so; any- how, they ¢ "me Silly Sue, Was you ever silly, boss? “Yel, I don’d vas know so mooch apoud dot, vedder [vas or not,” Fritz replied, with a doubt- ful grin. ‘Do I look silly?” ‘Oh, lordy! you are the silliest-looking goose I eversaw. I never saw a Yankee but what he was silly.” ‘But I don’d vas be a Yankee!” **Get out! Don’t dispute me! I know just who and what you are. You are Neptune, come up from the bottom of the sea.” “You lie like dunder!” Fritz retorted, back- ing up, and beginning to get considerably alarmed, for he began to suspect that she was uT vasn’t no Neptune at all—no von cr: but Fritz Snyder. Id’s a vonder you don’d call me Joner, vot swallered der valebone.” “Nop! you’re Neptune. Do yousee the house up yonder?” Vol, yes; vot off it?” ‘‘Oh! that’s a high old roost. Ghosts and skeletons perch up there after dark and grin and rattle their bones at you. They don’t do it to me, because I feed ’em snuff. Ha! ha! can you snuff the silly part of that outrageous gag? Say, boss, where you going, ef it ain’t askin’ too much?” “Vel, I don’d know dot myself.” “ Don’t know where you're going ‘No; I vas huntin’ vor somebody.” “Oho! soam I! I vas huntin’ for some one, yen I discovered something, and they called me silly because I refused to tell what. Well, good-day; swim over to England when you want to see me again.” Then with a peal of elfish laughter, she ran and sprung into the water and swam around the base of the cliff out of sight, “Til pet a half-dollar dot gal vos drunk or crazy, yon or der odder, und der pest t'ing vor me to do is toshlip avay vileI can!” Fritz ejacu- > ted. To think was to act with him, and he ac- cordingly set out clambering up the steep side of the Blut. In due time he reached the top and found a level spot of a couple of acres extent, in the center of which the house was situated, sur- rounded by sentinel rows of sighing hemlocks. A general aspect of desolation was perceptible on every hand, showing the premises to be un- tenanted. Tho garden was grown up with rank weeds and the house weather-worn and old, some of the blinds hanging by one hinge, It was a large structure of many queer gables, mene Afi Prpectsans, and fronted up- on a road which had been used to communicate with some thoroughfare further inland. “Dot looks like ash uff it vas going to rain,” Fritz muttered, gazing at an ominous bank of clouds that was gathering in the west. ‘I dink maybe I abbey sday in der old house till morn- ing, uff 1 und der ghosts can agree. I don’d vas much affraid of ghosts, anyhow.” And he evidently was not, for he boldly en- tered the house by the creaking front door and closed the door behind him, _ When the clouds had overspread the sky in The’ Ventriloquist Detectivé, FR: an inky mass, and darkness had shut in around the gloomy edifice, two black-whiskered men came along and stopped at the mansion, CHAPTER IV. ” THE GHASTLY RELIC, Meantime Fritz had been in the old rookery some time prior to the arrival of the bearded men. No sooner had he entered the large hall, and closed the door behind him, than he felt a sort of dread of something, he knew not what, There was a damp, musty, deathly smell about the place that he did not quite like. “T don’d know vedder I vas afraid of ghosts or not,” he Se eae pausing and gazing around him, ‘It looks ash uff dis might be a blace vere dey manufacture ghost shows; but somebody has liffed here vonce upon a time,” The carpet yet remained upon tho floor of the’ long hall, and also upon the staircase which led to the upper floor. There was also a large pic- ture hung upon the wall. Passing along the hall, Fritz tried each of the doors which opened off from it, but in each in- stance he found them locked, and was unable to effect an entrance, “Vel, dot looks like ash uff nopody vas to home,” he muttered. “VIL try der up-stairs part, und if I don'd haff no better success, I vil stay out mit der hall.” e accordingly ascended the hall staircase, and proceeded to take a tour of the upper part of the rambling old structure, Here the doors were all locked, with one ex- ception, and this had evidently been left as locked, the bolt being turned, but the door not having been tightly closed, the bolt failed to enter the socket. Opening this door, Fritz entered, and found himself in a large furnished apartment, there being a carpet, old and moth catem, upon the floor; several pieces of stuffed furniture, which had also been victims of moth and worm, and a large round oaken table in the center of the room, And over this, suspended by a cord which was fastened to the ceiling, was an object which caused Fritz to utter a grunt of startled alarm, It was a man’s head, held in suspension by a cord fastened to the long hair, Fritz gave a startled cry, and his hair fairly raised on end, as he beheld the strange specta- cle, but the longer he stared at it, the less his alarm, and he finally advanced into the room, “By shimminy—I vas skeardt like ash der duyfel at firsd, put now I don’d vas a bit afraid. Somepody hang dot up there yoost for ascare-crow. Uff der ghosts vas to see it, I'll bet a half-dollar dey vould run.” - Just then there was a flash of lightning and a heavy roll of thunder, which caused Fritz to start, and give a nervous glance at the swing- ing head. “T don’d quite vas like id here,” he muttered uneasily, ‘‘Id makes a veller tink he’s goin’ der get smashed up effery minute, I yonder
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The Ventriloquist Detective: 9 vot dey keep up there?” and his eyes rested upon an aperture in the ceiling, such as is often provided in houses as a means of reaching the roof. A stout rope hung down through this opening to tho floor of the room, and had evidently been used to climb up into the attic, Fritz was just contemplating it, when a sound of footsteps in the hall outside aroused him to uicker thoughts. “Tl bet & half-dollar it’s a ghost comin’.” he gasped, the tendency of his hair being again de- cidedly upward. ‘‘ But, it wasacold day ven dey scalb me mit der tommyhawk, ash long ash I can climb.” Accordingly up the rope he went, hand over hand, with the agility of a monkey, and soon apa the attic immediately above the cham- r. It was a dark, ill-smelling place, and so far as Fritz could see used for no particular purpose whaiever, Ensconeing himself directly beside the aper- ture through which he had come up, Fritz pre- pared to await developments. He was not a little anxious to know who the new-comer was—whether a human or spiritual being, for if the latter, he had a curiosity to in- spect it. In a few moments the door opened and a straeping Irishman stalked into the chamber, a lank, lean specimen of humanity, with a Kil- kenny face, red hair, a fringe of reddish beard under his lower jaw, extending to his ears, and attired in brogans, short pantaloons and a blue soldier coat, with a sag 8 clay pipe in his mouth, and battered plug hat on his head. Of the “r’ale old” race of Irishmen, he was cer- tainly a good specimen. “ Arrah! sure it’s divil one room but they have locked, an’a sorry place it is, too, for a dacent Irish gintlemon—an tha son of a duke at that! Bad ’cess to sich a counthry, onnyhow, It’s wurruk like the divil for a bit of grub, and when a mon gits out ov wurruk sure stomick has to pay for it. If yez ax amon will he be afther givin’ yez a nep off bread, he tell yez, Arrah! off wid ye, ye murdtherin’ tromp, or I’ sick tha purrup on yez! vedad.” “Tl yoost pet a balf-dollar der Irishman vas pin stoppin’ mit Samples!” Fritz muttered, with a grin, taking a peep at the son of Erin. “He vas hungry like as vot I vas. Vonder off he has Biesowared der skelegon, yet avile.” The Hibernian had not, evidently, for he was perched composedly beneath the suspected head. “Sorry a place this is for the son of a duke,” he went on muttering. ‘Sure, it looks as if tha ould divil himself had been here. Guess this property would be sellin’ moighty cheap, tha while. Ugh!” as a heavy clap of thunder caused the house to shake from stem to stern, “a sorry wild night it’s a-goin to be, an’ it’s meself that’s wishin’ I was back forninst tha furdther side av the big puddle.” “Ha! ha!” laughed Fritz, throwing his voice to the further side of the room, “Vis. ha! ha! bad ’cess to the loikes av yez, whoever you may be!” the Irishman cried, fiercely, gazing in vain around the apartment, in search of the author of the laugh, ez wants, 11 “Hol ho! itchy, dirdty Irish!” Fritz caused a different voice to say, in a still opposite part of the room, ‘*No, I'm divila wan av the likes!” the son of Erin cried, getting angry. ‘Bad luck to yez! ef I gits me ’ands on yez, it’s a divil’s own trouncin’ you'll get, ontirely, Tl have yez know my name is Patrick Grogan, an it’s the dacent, gintlemonly son av a duke and a dutchess I am, bedad.” “A son off a gun, more likely. Look out, you bloody Irish, or I vil spit on you!” Fritz caused the suspended head to say, in a hoarse gurgling volee, ‘* Aha! it’s spittin’on me yez’ll be, eh?” the Hibernian cried, leaping from his seat, his walking-stick in hand—a formidable piece of real thorn. “Oh! you black-livered omad- haun, if I catch yez, won't I t’ache yez to be dacent.and civil to a gintlemon!” Then, chancing to ie upward he saw for the first the swinging head, and in utter horror dropped upon his knees and raised bis hands upward in supplicaticn. “Oh! holy Virgin Mary protect me!” he howled, his terrified gaze glued upon the un- sightly object. ‘Oh! murdtherin’ Maria! och! bad luck, fot have I done, Mr. Divil—sbure it’s nary a thing wrong I’ve did, nor sth’alin’ Pye never been guilty of!” “You vas von son of a sea-cook,” came from the head. ““Yis! och! sure I’se any thing Mr. Divil—only don’t be afther loikes ay me!” “Then, arise, dirty Irish, and climb into the attic, before the spirits come to wrap their icy clutches around you.” “Sure, Pll be afther goin’!” Pat cried, and he did go—not up the rope, but out of the room as fast as he could go. Nor did he pause until outside of the house, as Fritz could tell, by the sound of his rapidly retreating footsteps. oot fun!” Fritz mut- “Vel, dot vas pu } tered withagrin. ‘I dink I vill vait dil some vone else comes.” He had not long to wait, before footsteps sounded once more, coming up the stairs, just as the storm broke loose outside, and torrents of rain poured down upon the roof, while the thunder rumbled, ominously. Presently two men entered, one carrying a lantern, for it was now quite dark. Both were roughly dressed and brutal looking fellows, wearing heavy black beards. “Humph!” was Fritz’s mental comment, as he beheld them, ‘I'll bet a balf-dollar I smells von mice. Uff I haff not made a big mistake, I dinks I haff stumbled right inder the smugglers’ den, vot Iam looking for.” | It was only a sudden suspicion, to be sure; nevertheless it struck him very forcibly. One of the men set the lantern u the table, and then perched himself beside it, while the other sat down upon a chair, and gazed speculatively at the ghastly object which hung suspended from the ceiling. ‘“T wonder how long afore the rest o’ ther boys will be here?” he growled. . “Dunno,” the other fellow replied, “ Hope untin’ the.
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The Ventriloquist Detective. they'll come afore long and settle the matter, so that we'll know what we've got to do.” “ How d’ye think it’s going?” “Dunno. Reckon the majority’ll be ag’in’ the poor cuss,” “Ym thinkin’ that way, too, I kinder hope not, though, for I don’t fancy the job.” “Pshaw! you're chicken-hearted, without cause. He’s never made love to you.’ “Darn it, no; but he’s too fine a specimen of manhood to feed the sharks.” “Pooh! Many’s the one better’n he w’ot’s enriched the bottom o’ the sea. I wonder who the Irishman was, we met at the front?” “Some tramp, I allow, who’d sought a night’s shelter here, and got skeered at our friend Bill,” and he glance at the swinging heal with a laugh. ‘Hello! I say, Bill, how are you getting along in yer new place 0’ res- idence?” “First rate!’ apparently answered the grin- ning head, followed by a very ghostly sort of a gurgling laugh. “Josaphat!” cried the questioner, leaping to his feet, “Thunier and lightning! Did ye heer that; Hank?” ; ‘© Waal, I should murmur,” Hank grunted, leaving the table with a spring, and landing near the door, ‘ What the devil’s the mat- ter?” ‘‘Gussed ef the cadaver o’ Bill Budge didn’t speak,” the first man cried. “Git out! Budge has bin dead over a year: how in the thunder could he speak?” “Mebbe his spirit hes come back inter his head.” ‘*Pooh! impossible! It was our fancy, we didn’t hear nothin’,” Hank growled, edging a trifle nearer to the door. “You're a liar!” thundered a voice seeming to come directly from between the pearly teeth of the suspended head, and to mako matters worse, the head began to swing slowly to and fro. With howls and curses, the two masked men made the hastiest kind of an exit from the room and down the stairs, while Fritz in the attic was convulsed with laughter. __ “Dot was betteras half-a-dozen suppers, py shimminy!” he snorted, holding his sides. All was now qniet for some time, except for the howling of the storm without. “But, finally, footsteps were again heard, and eight men, all masked bus one, filed into the room. The eighth man was a young man, of prepos- sessing uppearance, unmasked, and had his hands bound behind his back. He was better dressed than his grim captors, and there was a fearless, cool expression upon i face, that at once won Fritz’s admira- on. ‘Ha! Hank and Jim have been here already, and gone!” a tall, broad-shouldered member of the party said. “They'll be back directly, no doubt. And now, Hal Hartly, we will proceed to review your case, and dispose of it according to the decision of the majority.” “Go ahead, captain!” the prisoner replied calmly. “I am as well prepared now, as shall be,” ; _. CHAPTER V. BILL BUDGE’S: CONVERSATION, To Fritz, the scene below of course began to grow more interesting. “Dot veller vas goin’ to pe tried for some- dings,” he muttered, ‘und vot ish more, uff der verdict don’d vas in his favor, he vas goin’ der git sp’iled.” Young Hartly, if his thoughts were in the same channel as those of the watcher, didn’t appear Very much troubled about the matter, for he perched himself upon the table, whilo the six jurors sat’ in a semicircle facing him, and the captain a little to one side. “ Well, sir, what have you to say, Hartly, in regard to this suspicion which has arisen against you+that you are a traitor to our cause?” 4 ‘Nothing, sir, except that whoever started the suspicion, is a liar and a coward!” was the retort, “Then you deny that you have ever betrayed the existence of this band, outside of its own membership?” “1 do, most émphatically. What assurance have you that any one has betrayed you?” ‘““Ts it not ample proof; when stratige men haunt this vicinity, and haunt the members to their very doors? These law-sharks, or de- tectives, only wait for some disclosure, to spring their traps of me and my faithful fol- lowers.” a “T am not to blame, Though forced into service against my will, and made to swear tho oath of allegiance, rather than lose my life, I have kept such secrets as came into my posses- sion. I believe I know who has excited the sus- picious feeling against me.” . “Well, sir, who?” “Your rascally son, for one—your jealous daughter, for another,” Hartly replied, shrug- ging his shoulders with a contemptuous laugh, ‘How dare you term my son rascally, sir, and accuse my child of jealousy?” ‘‘ Because, the boy is as unprincipled a villain as yourself, and as for your daughter, when she found that I did not court her favor, she at once turned against me. I despise both your son and eee deughtet, Captain Gregg, and thatiis all I ave to say, except that Iam not guilty of the charge preferred against me.” ‘“That remains to be told by the jury. You see the head of Bill Budge, just above you, Hartly? He was caught in an intended act of treachery, and you see his end. If Bill could = he'd tell you that the fate of thé traitor is ard, “You're a cussed liar!” Budge’s suspended remnant seemed to say, in a deep, hoarse voice. : The captain and the jury uttered each a startled oath, and gazed at the offending head in astonishment. ‘“Who called me a liar?’ Gregg demanded, fiercely. ‘‘By the gods, I thought it was Budge’s lips that uttered those words.” ‘““So it was!” the head seemed to say, then there was a gurgling sort of laugh, and the head shook perceptibly. ; ‘““Ten thousand furies!” Gregg yelled, and hastily wrenching open the door, he made a ;
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The Ventriloquist Detective. il hasty exit from the room, followed by the jurors —nor did they stop short of the bottom of the stairs. Hartly did not leave the room, but dismount- ing from his perch upon the table, walked off a few paces to where he could get a good look at Budge’s unfortunate pate. “a Something deuced funny here, I’m blowed if there ain’t!” he soliloquized, apparently quite composed, ‘It’s the first time I have ever heard dead men talk. 1 say, Budge, how's the temperature up your way?” “Two thousand degrees above blood heat,” seemed to issue from between the gleaming teeth. “‘Humph! pretty warm, that, I must admit,” Hartly said, looking still more puzzled. Fritz, while perpetrating the ventriloquism, was also listening and planting. “ Dot veller Hartly is der very chap to helb me oud mit my scheme,” he muttered, “‘ und ve must escape from here, pefore der smugglers re- turn.” Accordingly he slid down the rope into the room below. Hartly looked surprised, ““Who the deuce are you?? he demanded, mapeang back a pace, “ Fritz Snyder, detective,” Fritz replied. ‘I come here on pizzness—vot for, you can easily guess. I vant you to helb me oud mit it, und I vil see dot you haff your liberty.” ‘“‘Ha! ha! that’s your game, is it? Well, my friend, I’d like to do it, first rate, but I cannot oblige you.” ; “Vy not?” * Because, I swore allegiance to the cause — would have me betray, and it never shall said that Hal Hartly was not a man of his word,” “But I heard you say dot you vos forced inder der pizness. “So I was, against my will, but that does not lessen the obligations of my oath. While I jive, I shall adhere to my sworn promise.” “You vas foolish--you don’d vil get any credit for your resolve, Yoost ash like ash not you will pe killed, on der suspicion dot’s already against you.” “Perhaps. Ifso, 1 shall submit, knowing 1 havo been innocent of breaking my word.” “Pshaw! dis vos all nonsense! You don’d vas want to die no more ash any odder man. Let me cut der bonds vot fastens your arm, und ve villclimb up to der attic und escape vrom der roof tosome place where we vil be safe, undil ve can make arrangements to break oop dis smugglers’ league.” ‘Nothing would please me more, but owing to my oath, I must positively refuse to do anything of the kind!” Hartly persisted, firmly. “Tadmire your proposed attempt, and while I shall do nothing to interrupt it, [ cannot con- scientiously do anything to help it along. Can you enlighten me any as to the mystery of this head, which when not possessed of hfe, yet uses its voice so naturally? i. s “TI dells you noddings apoud it,” Fritz re- plied, shaking hishead. ‘ Hark!” “Yes! I hear. It is Gregg and the boys coming back, Quick! or you will be seen!” Fritz made haste to shin up the rope to the garret once more, and had barely succeeded in so duing when the smugglers, headed by Cap- tain Gregg, once more entered the room. They did not come boldly in, but thrust their heads in and took a look eround first. Seeing that no harm had come to Hartly, they then ventured in. “Hal ha! you’re brave fellows, ain’t you?” he laughed. ‘I didn’t cut tail and run, al- though I have not even the use of my hands,” ““You’re cussed brave, all at once!” Gregg growled, evidently not liking the taunt. “ Did that thing speak again?’ with a wry glance at the guileless pate of the departed Budge. “Of course, I’ve had quite a chat with Will- iam,” Hartly replied. «‘‘ He says he’s in a very warm latitude at present, and so he’s come bac spiritually for a short cooling off!” Gregg uttered an oath. **Pooh! I don’t believe such bosh.” “ But it’s a fact, nevertheless. Budge says they’ve got a little comer left up in his country for you, too, when you get ready to emigrate, which will be mighty soon, judging by the active preparations that are being made to receive you, such as gathering kindling wood, making matches and the like.” ‘Curse you, they'll git you first!” the smug- gler said, with vicious emphasis. ‘‘Go ahead, boys, an’ tell him the decisicn you’ve made.” ** Well, we’ve concluded that Hal Hartly is a traitor to our cause, and for the sake of pro- tection it will be necessary to feed him to the fishes?” one of the jurors said. ‘Eh, ain’t that the ticket, boys?” A grunt of assent from the others was the answer. ‘Then it shall be so,” Captain Gregg ordered. “T am sorry for you, Hartly, but treachery merits death, 2s yo. were informed when you joined. As an organization which must, exist in secrecy, we are forced to adopt harsh rules, ¥our companions have carefully weighed all - the evidence, and have decided that the safety of the orgrnization demands your death. As you have sown, so shall you reap.” “*Do you mean this, Captain Gregg?” “T do, sir, emphatically.” = “Then you shall live to repent ever having proncunced my doom. Henceforth 1 shall not consider my oath of allegience obligatory, as I Lave hitherto done. [ll show you what barm I can do your vile organization.’ “ But you shall have no chance. Jim Hovel ond his brother have already consented to sink you to the bottom of the Atlantic for a stated sum, and thus rid us of you effectually. They are waiting below for you,as itis a safe night for such work. If you have any prayers to make, you had better make the best use of your time.” “Tl suit myself ahout that, you villain!” “ Numbers two and three, take the prisoner down-stairs!” the captain ordered. Two of the smugglers seized hold of poor Hartly, and led him from the room. Up in the attic, Fritz was in a predicament. The majority of the smugglers yet remained in the room below, and he could not get out of the house in that way,as was his desir, lo
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Hartly. The only course left for him was to escape through a trap door onto the roof, and trust to luck in getting to the ground from there. ‘Dot veller vas von big fool for not accept- in’ my advice,” he mused; as be fumbled cautiously around in the darkness. ‘* Yoost like ash not dey vil pe gone off mit him ven I git down dere, und di he vil pe a goner, sure ash der dickens.” Itrequired several minutes to find the trap in the roof, and it was no slight job to displace it. When be had accomplished this nauch, how- ever, it was but a moment's work to clamber out upon the roof in the pouring rain and replace the door. . “Py shimminy, dot vas a hard storm,” he soliloquized. ‘‘Der ocean grunts as uff she vas got der dispeppersy. Now der next ting ish somedings else. Der roof vas slippery ash von soap ladle, und fired 1 know der vil pe a dead Dutchman spilled someveres over te ground.” That portion of the main roof of the building was quite steep, and the eaves were at least twenty-five feet from the ground. Not fancying the idea of a drop of that dis- tance, the young detective crawled to the ridge, to reconnoiter. On the other sido of tho ridge, the roof sloped down to meet a gable, from where the gable’s roof took another descent, so as to bring the eaves about seven feet nearer to tee ground, Aside from this there was no possible way of reaching terra-firma, *Wighteen feet! I don’d know vedda I can stand dot, or no. I must try it, however, or Hal Hartly vas a dead codfish, sure!” Using extreme caution, he slid from one ridge to the other, and then from that to the eaves, from where he was to drop. “Vel, here’s der blace vere I don’d vas so -much tickled, But, pizness vas pizness, und a veller dow’d vas can rise in der vorld, vidout dropping somedimes—so here goes!” he mut- red. And clinging to tho eaves for a second, he let himself drop! Down! down! he went, with great velocity, and finally struck upon something softer than mother earth, from which he tumbled end over end to the ground, The following instant a wild unearthly howl rent the night. “Och murther! murther!” shrieked a man’s voice; “I’m kilt! I'm kilt! Och! Holy Vargin Mary save me!” Tt was the Irishman’s voice; it was upon him that Fritz had first alighted, and he was prob- ably badly jarred up, for he continued to hop around and yell at the top of his voice. ‘To make matiters worse, the door of the house opened, and Gregg and his followers came pour- ing out! CHAPTER VI. ON THE SCENT. Fritz had been stunned a little, even after tumbling off froin the yelping Irishman; still The Ventriloquist Detective. are) make an attempt if possible to rescue Hal | he had sense enough to struggle to his feet on seeing the smugglers rush from the building. “Shut oop!” he eried, addressing Grogan. ‘‘The smugglers are upon us. Draw your wip- pons, if you have any, and fire!” “Dom tha wippons!” Grogan howled, refus- ing to hear to reason, ‘ Och! holy Vargin, it’s kilt sure I am, ontirely.” ‘* Hello! what is the matter here?” the cap- tain shouted, waving his lantern on high, “Who is it that’s making ail this noise?” “* Spies! detectives!” suggested one of his com- panions. ‘ Shoot ’em down!” “Hurrah! death to the spy!” cried a third and then they made a rush forward, and seized upon Pat, despite his lively use of his ‘* bit o’ buckthorn,” on the defensive. Perceiving that he was not seen, Fritz crawled softly away to a safe distance and then paused to gaze badk. The yelling had ceased in the vicinity of the house, and the lantern light had disappeared from view, leaving naught but blank darkness and the pouring rain, which came down monot- onously, but heavily. “Pll bet a half-dollar dot they’ve choked der life oud off dot duke’s son-off-a-gun,” Fritz mut- tered, creeping under the cover of a dense tree, “*T vonder off | proke any of his pones ven 1 liton him. By shimminy, he must haff a gon- stitution like a mule, or I’d'a’ smashed bim all to sausage meat.” Evidently something was to pay, for, except the sound of the storm and the dashing of the ocean against the bluff, ali was quict. The smugglers had either killed Grogan on the spot or taken him back into the house with them. And poor Hartly! What bad become of him? That was the question which troubled Fritz far more than the fate of the lean man from Kilkenny. ‘““He vas a gone-up goose now anyhow, und I don’d suppose id vil do some great deal off good to vorry apoud him, only I vish I could haff saved him,” he mused. It was a wild night at the best, and Fritz hee wished that he was back in Philadel- phla. ; Still, he would not willingly have given up what he had learned in reference to the smug- glers’ league for a good deal, and he was re- solved to hang to the matter attentively, until he should be able to trip and trap the rogues and break up their existence as an organiza- tion, Knowing of no other available shelter in the vicinity, he resolved to linger under the tree until the smugglers should leave the building when be would once more take paessession. The night was well advanced, however, when he heard them leave in a body and start off down the lonely road, On first thought he was tempted to follow them, but a cold blast of wind from off the ocean warned him that he was wet to the skin, and the best thing he could do would be to get under roof and dry off. He accordingly went back into the deserted house, and sat down in the lower hall, Though not cowardly, he had no desire to keep further
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— The Ventriloquist Detective, i3 Se company with the grinning skull of the late lamented Budge, whoever he may have been, Rolling up one end of the old carpet he con- verted it into.a sort of a pillow, and lay down out of the draft. Sleep soon came to his relief, and he slept soundly until morning, when he was awakened by the sun shining in his face, through a rear hall window. Rising, he went out of doors to reconnoiter, and consider what was best to do, next. It was a clear, glorious morning after the storm; the sun shone brightly, and a soft salt breeze blew off from the ocean, which was at once refreshing amd invigorating. But it was not this sort ef refreshment that Fritz now yearned for. He had had nothing to eat since the previous morning, and was de cidedly hungry and faint. “Dose fellers don’d vas can live a goods vays from here, vot I saw, last night,” he mused, ‘but, ten to one uf! I ask ’em for somedings to ead, dey bounce me oud,” He advanced to the northern edge of the bluff, and took a look in that direction. To his surprise he saw, not more than a half- mile away, a little village, nestling near the beach, This village, for charity’s sake, wo will call Millburg, as that name will answer quite as well as any other. There might have been a hundred buildings, all told, and it was evidently a fishing hamlet, as a number of small boats, and smacks, were drawn up along the beach, Just outside the breakers, an ocean steam- ship of small size ane trim built, was anchored. Upon her sides was painted in large letters the word, ‘* Countess.” “T don’d know petter 1 go down there, or not,” Fritz muttered, gazing down upon the village. ‘‘I don’d vas know, neider, vich job I better look to, firsd—der smuggler pizmess, or der girl pizness. For der latter I haf der bromise of five tousand dojlars—for der for- mer, I like ash not get paid off mit a broken head. Still I don’d vant to leave dis blace ondil I trip und trap der game, und turn id over to der Jaw, for dis is der whole game, sure!” After some deliberation, he decided to go dowu to the village. The people would not offer him any molestation, probably, unless be gave them cause to suspect him, and he re- solved to be constantly upen his guard. Descending from tbe bluff, he walked along the beach, and finally entered the little burg. It was rather a rough-looking place, built up of weather-worn wooden shanties, a few stores and a sort of tavern. There were, however, two imposing resi- dences, on opposite sides of the only street, which were built of stone, and set down in large shaded lawns. Passing up the street, Fritz was the target for many curious glances of rough-looking men, who sat in their doorways, but, paying no attention to them, he entered the tavern and purchased his breakfast to which he was able to do full justice. , Afterward he came out in the bar-room and sat down. <A half a dozen rough-looking fellows were lounging about, who, to judge from ‘their looks, were in the habit of ingulfing more grog than was good for them. Then the landlord, who kept a close watch over them, was the fattest specimen of man hood Fritz had seen; his girth was something enormous. He was not a_villainous-looking man, like the rest, and this fact impressed Fritz more favorably than anything else he saw about the premices, During the forenocn, a well-dressed, fine looking man, with irony-gray hair and mus- tache, galloped up to the tavern on horseback. He looked as if he had been reared in luxury, for there was that haughtiness of mien that be- tokened the arrogant aristocrat. ‘*Good-morning, John,” he said, as the tav- ern-keeper waddled to the door. ‘ Will yeu send up a basket of champagne during the day, and a barrel of good ale—the champy for her ladyship, the countess, you know, and the ale for the villagers. Going to have a sort of a jollification at the lawn to-night, you know, in honor of the arrival of the countess, and want you all to turn out.” Then he galloped on, quite as airily as he had come, “Who vas dot big-feelin’ roostér?? Fritz asked, when John re-entered the tavern. “That? Why, that’s Honorably Granby Greyville,” the fat man replied—* the rich haristocrat who owns most of the land herea- bouts. A right big-feeling man, tuo, as you say.” “Granby Greyville, eh?” Fritz commented under his breath. ‘‘ Vell, dot ish funny. i thought sure dot was Captain Gregg, der smuggler, und I den’d vas so much foolished apoud it, yet. Dll bet a half-dellar I find out somedings pefore I leave der blace.” Resolved to remain a few days in the village for the purpose of prospecting, Fritz made him- self at home about the hotel. One suspicion after another was gradually oecurring to bim, and he was not slow to give them a thorough consideration prior to putting them to test. Of all things, he was desirous of attending the ‘ jollification,” as the horseman had termed it, with a view of seeing the countess, who, he learned, had lately arrived from England, in ber own steamship, for a few weeks’ stay upon the Atlantic coast, and a visit to her prospect- ive husband, Greyville. During the afterncon a man entered the tav- ern, who evidently had ‘‘ blood in his eye.” His whole appearance seemed to indicate that he was anxious to have a fight with some one, and was not particular who it was. He was a large, raw-bone fellow, with great muscular development; his face was large, with a bristling stubble of black beard upon the lower portion; his eyes were dark and wild, his hair silvered with broad streaks of white, and worn in a shaggy, unkempt mass, : His mouth was large, and the teeth projected beyond his lips, in a horrible manner, His attire, too, was ragged and greasy, with clumsy stogy boots upon his feet, and a dilapi- dated hat upon his head,
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On entering the room, he paused and glared around him, as if in search of someone on whom to vent his wrath, “Well, Bully Jake, what’ll ye have?” the tav- ern-keeper demanded, with a frown, for the ruffian was evidently an unwelcome intruder. ‘Waal, [ don’t keer ef 1 do take a drap o’ licker!” the man growled, glaring around. “You to blazes! I mean what dye want here?” Fat John grunted, “A fureigner—a fureigner! Yeo know I’m death on ’em, an’ thar can’t none o’ ’em can stay around hyar while [ hey things my way.” “What foreigner is there here now?’ “A Duteh cuss, blars’ his eyes! Thar he sets,” and he indicated Fritz, who was. tipped back in one corner. ‘'Oh! but Vl go through him, though! ll pulverize and sow him to the seven winds of the earth!” Then, with a tragic stride, he made for Fritz, pausing but a few paces away from him, and shaking his fist fairly in his face. You, look!” the ruffian cried. who I am?” Vel, I dinks I don’d vas haff made your ac- quaintance!” Fritz replied, retaining his seat, but on guard for an attack if one was made. “ Ho! ho! Ireckon not, an’ ye’ll wish ye never had afore I git through with yer!” Bully Jake declared. ‘Behold in me, my furin rooster, Jake Joga- gog, commonly known as Bully Jake, the Terror o’ ther Coast. [I'ma cyclone,I am, Then, I’m prime minister ter his Honor, Granby Grey- ville, an’ from him I hev orders to demolish every furin craft w’ot sots anchor in his do- mains. Tharfore, ef ye wanter escape teetotal annihilation, 'd advise ye ter git/ Ef ye ain’t seen goin’ in less’n two seconds, [ll stamp ye out 0’ existence.” ‘* Vel, when I gits ready to go, den I vil go, und not pefore!” Fritz retorted. “Uf you makes me any droubles, I plack your eye for youl” “Oh! ye wull, hey? Oh! snortin’ walrusses an’ white-haired whales!” roared the bully, and sprung savagely upon the young detective, as if bent on his certain destruction. Fritz clinched with him, It was to be a struggle of brute strength, now, “Dye know CHAPTER VII, THE STRUGGLE, Boru were strong, active men, Fritz in par- ticular being well supplied with all the neces- sary muscle and agility of the prize-fighter, al- though he by no means looked as if he was an “ugly customer” to handle. After clinching, these two men soon tripped and fell to the floor, where the struggle literally began in all its meaning. *Oh! Plt show ye how ther howlin’ porpoise fights!” Bully Jake roared, endeavoring to get a bite at Fritz’s nose, ‘‘ Pll chaw ye all up likea dish 0? hash!” 3 “Vil you, dough?” Fritz cried, finally get- ting his hands free, and clinching them around the bully’s throat tightly. “ll pet yoost a The Ventriloquist Detective, half-dollar you von’t do noddings off der kind,” and now getting the ruflian under him he gradu- ally shut off on his wind. “Hold on! hold on! no chokin’—no chokin’, I say; it’s ag’in’ ther moral rules o’ fightin’ !” ‘*T don’d vas see id dot vay,” Fritz said. ‘Rider you vas got to ax my parding for as- saulting me, or I will choke off your breaths so you vil haff none to use.” “No choke, J say! Let me up, an’ Dll fight ye aceordin’ ter book,” “Not a let oop!” was the young detective’s’ reply. ‘‘ Ven you come foolin’ around mit der Dutchman, you pet your life you got left. Apologize, I dells you, or [ turns der throttle, und shuts der sdeam off your logermotiff. I mean pizness—no ’pology, no breathe. Vas you understand?” The man began to wince as Fritz closed his terrible gripe. “Oh, let me up, an’ we'll call et squar’,” the man gurgled. “Ven you dells me, ‘I ax your humble par- ding ’"—den I let you up!” “ But I won't!” “Den I vil squeeze your vindpipe, so!” ‘‘Task your pardon. Oh! yes, I do. now, let me up!” Fritz obeyed, and let the ruffian rise. ‘““Now, mine friendt, I'll shust giff you one minnit to gid oud,” said Fritz, drawing his re- volver. “If you don’d vas gone py dot time, I vil shoot you so quicker ash I vould von leedle cat. One!—got ready, all der vile. Swi!—high time you vas skinnin’ oud. Three! ven I hol- lers dot, if you don’d vas gone I spot you!” ‘Then, tearfully and sadly, I must tear my- self away from you!” the ruffian declared, with a grimace, as he stalked toward the door. ‘ Pll allow ye hold ther grip, now, but thet ain’t sayin’ ye’ll allus hold it.’ hen, he took his leave. Fritz was not sorry. Hedid not want to hurt any one, unless forced to, and yet was bound to defend himself. Toward evening the loungers one by one quitted the tavern, until Fritz and Fat John were the only ones in the bar-room. Then it was that the latter spoke. “T say, young feller,” he said, ‘* you’re a hex~ trordinary chap, and if it wouldn’t be haskin’ too much, I’d like to inquire what brings you here?” “Vel, pizness, I dinks,” Fritz replied, ‘und judgin’ py der latest demonstrations, I vill haff lots off id.” ““You had better look out sharp for Number One, I tell you, for tho’ this ain’t counted no hard town, ser f ginerally pitch onto a stranger and try to bulldoze him into leavin’ by settin’ aay im onto him,” “I vas tumbled to dot already,” Fritz re- plied, ‘but der virst one vot attempted it, didn’t make so much success.” “No, but that ain’t saying you'll have as big luck, next time. You see, his Honor, Mr. Grey- ville, owns most o’ the property hereabouts, an’ he’s as big feeling as a duke, and won’t allow no one around ’cept what bows to his will.” ‘Vel, ve vill see apoud dot,” Fritz muttered. ‘*T dinks dey don’d vas makes mooch bulldozing Thar,
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The Ventriloquist Detective. 15 me, I vant to ask you von question—don’d _this man Greyville be Captain Gregg, der smug- ler?” i The fat host of the Lion’s Paw gave a start. The question was evidently something of a sur- prise to him. “Why, no, of course not. What ever put such an idea into your head, young man? Gregg the smuggler is said to be one of the worst characters along the Atlantic Coast, and at the ‘same time, the most successful in his line of business. ‘Greyville is a man who would scorn to stoop to such ‘work; and, moreover, be is ‘said to be immensely rich in ready cash, though his landed property is mortgaged for its full value.” Fritz accepted this explanation without re- ply, but his mind was but little changed in the matter, “T dinks Gregg and Greyville vas one und der Same parties,” he murmured, ‘‘ und shall not giff up dot opinion until I can haff furder proof von vay or der odder.” As soon as the gloaming of evening began to settle over the quiet little hamlet, he left the tavern, and sauntered down the street toward the Hon. Granby Greyville’s residence, whither most of the villagers had already wended their way, On arriving at the front of the handsome lawn with its winding walks, large shade trees, beds of flowers, and attractive residence, Fritz paused to survey the scene that was spread out before him, Here and there dotted about among the shade trees wero tables spread with a et viands, to which the villagers were freely helping them- selves, and to the flowing pitchers of ale that were passed around by several of the village maidens. A couple of Italians were making music upon violin and harp, which sounded weird and enchanting; children were playing and romping about the grounds; Chinese lanterns were strung about among the lower branches of the trees, and altogether it was a festive and at- tractive scene. From his position outside the fence Fritz could see nothing of either Grey- ville or the alleged countess, and he resolved to enter the grounds for that purpose, which he accordingly did, and sauntered about lei- surely, as if he had a perfect right there ‘by in- vitation, Although many curious glances were leveled at him, he paid no attention to them, and after walking around awhile he leaned up against a tree and looked on, studying every face within the reach of his gaze, Presently there was a shout among the as- sembled villagers, and upon this, the door of the’ mansion opened, and Mr. Greyville came forth upon the grounds, with the countess leaning upon his arm. 3 A His Honor was attired in a suit of immaculate white duck, with a massive gold chain strung across his vest and a superb diamond pin upon his shirt front. The countess was a Frenchwoman, of some three-and-thirty years, with a thin, angular face, bead-like black eyes, and hair to match, and a compressed mouth, which when she laushed ’ showed two rows of pearly teeth. She also wore an abundance of paint and powder upon her face, and what with her rich attire of silk lace and diamonds, was a striking and peculiar-look- ing personage—a woman who looked crafty, and capable of mischief. As ‘soon as she and the Honorable Greyville advanced upon the lawn, the villagers aruse from the tables, and the women courtesied low, while the men swung their hats and sent up a rousing cheer. The countess and her escort then moved about here.and there, with a pleasant word for all, and a bidding for them to continue their feast. As they passed near where Fritz stood lean- ing against the tree, Greyville gave him a sharp, stern glance, and said: : se ‘Ab! who are you, and what do you want here, sir?” “‘Nothing in particular,” Fritz replied, re- turning his stare, calmly. ‘‘I only see vot you vas haff a pic-nig, und I come in to look on. “Then begone, sir. loafers around here, passed on, Fritz did not go, however, but retained his position in defiance. i “Shorge Vashingdon made dis a free coun- dry, und I von’d go dil I gits ready,” he mut- tered, It was not long, however, before he was hasti- ly approached by a man, and that man no less a person than the same flushily-attired individual who had taken the young woman, Madge, away from the hotel at Atlantic City. ; “Hello! get out of this, you loafer!” he cried, seizing Fritz by the shoulder, roughly. ‘‘ How many times do you have to be told to go? The guv’nor said go—now, if you don’t light out, Pll make your heels break your neck!” “Vil you, dough!” Fritz gritted, wrenching loose and standing on the defensivey 3 ““Yoost you keep your hands off vrom mi Griffith Gregg, or I vil knock der whole top your nose off!’ “What, you vagabond?» You compare me with the smuggler’s son? Ill thump your skull for that piece of impudence.” And he was as good as his word, for, raising a stout cane he carried, he brought it heavily down upon the young detective’s head. For a moment Fritz was nearly stunned, but he quickly recovered, and sprung at his assailant luckily. : p Oh, you snoozer!” he cried; ‘“‘I vil plack your eye mit plue for dot!” And he did deal the Honorable’s son two severe whacks between the eyes in rapid succes- sion, which bad tbe effect to land him on his back on the ground. 4 “Thump me on der head, vil you?” Fritz cried, standing over him, ready to give him another rap, if he attempted torise. ‘Tl pet you a half dollar you vil got left, on dot.” “Let me up, you dastardly loafer,” Ebates Greyville raved, not daring to rise under the existing circumstances, ‘I'll murder you, for this—I—TPN—” ‘Got your head proke, off you come mit your at once! I allow no Go, Tsay!” and then they ‘sf 4
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16 The Ventriloquist Detective. ; as foolishness around me!” Fritz cried, ‘‘ Ill let you oop, dough, ash I must go!” He saw a half a dozen of the village roughs coming toward the spot, and knew he was ill- gravared to battle with all of them. So witha ew dextrous bounds he leaped away out of the yard, and ran swiftly down to the beach. Finding that they did not follow him, he soon after made his way up the street again, to the tavern, and went to the room which had been assigned him, “ll pet der vil pe some droubles, before I ot rough mit dis piz’ness,” he muttered, ‘‘ but vas der man who vil come oud der winner,” He was soon off in a sound sleep, from which he, hours later, awakened, with a violent start. "Phe scene was changed. He was notin the tavern, on the bed, but in- stead, was bound hand and foot, and lying in the bottom of a boat! CHAPTER VIL ADRIFT, At first Fritz had no idea of what could have happened, but it did not take him long to come to one conclusion on the matter, that he had been captured at night, thrust into the frail boat, and sent adriffon the ocean. Who had been the authors of the job? There could be no doubt in his mind about that. The Greyvilles—or the Greggs, as he believed they were—were anxious to have him leave the neighborhood, and had probably, through their agents, caused his removal in this very promis- cuous manner. By an effort he sat_up in the little boat and ed around him. He was now some distance om the beach, beyond the white-capped breakers, and, as the tide was receding, the frail craft was of course drifting further and further from land each moment, a reflection that might have caused any one a start, while to Fritz, bound and helpless, it was the next veal, ey being alarming. “Vel, py shimminy dunder!” was his ex- clamation, as he gazed dolefully around him, “Off I don’d vas in a fix, den I don’d vant a cent. They’ve come von cute game ofer me, und Pll bet a half-dollar I godown der same throat vot Jonah did—der w’ale’s. Vonder vich von off dem vellers put up der shob on met I'd like to punch his nose. Reckon id vas dot veller whose eyes I placked mit Jersey plue up at der pig-nic. I vonder vot der plazes a veller can do, soe atl here was a sorry prospect for his being able to do anything much toward helping himself from the unenviable situation in\which he had been placed, He was unable to use bis hands or feet, and was, therefore, helpless and at the mercy of the wild waters over which he was drifting. Did he have the use of hands and feet he was not yet out of danger, for the boat was without oars and the distance to the Jand was so greatas to make it a daring attempt to breast the outgoing tide in a struggle to reach the shore by swimming. ill, it seemed the only hope for him, if by any way he could free himself of the straps which bound him, and he was not the one to despair without first proving to his dissatisfac- tion that it was the only thing left for him to 0. Therefore he set to work industriously in an SeieD to loosen the bonds from his hands, Luckily they were not bound behind his back, which was ono advantage, as he could use his teeth upon them. But, being leather straps, he made slow head- way, nibbling at the strap around his hand; but little by little it yielded, so that after awhile a violent wrench broke it asunder, and his hands were free. “Py shimminy, dot ish goot, anyhow,” be muttered, making haste to unloosen his feet, ‘Now, der next t'ing is somedings else. How ish I going to got pack mit der shore?” It was an all-important question, The boat was perhaps a mile further from shore than when he first had estimated the dis- tance, “T don’d know vedder I can swum dot fur- der or not,” he muttered doubtfully. ‘ But subbosin’ der whale or der devil-fish, catch ‘old mit mine pootleg, und suck me in under der vater. Vota duyfel o’ a fix I'd be in den, Off I only had some paddles, I vould haff no droubles getting to shore vid der poat.” He was in the midst of these reflections when he heard a shout further out at sea, and for the first time beheld dimly a dusky object floating in the water not far ahead of him. ‘ “Hello! who you vas, und vot you vant?” Fritz shouted, in answer. : “JT am a poor devil more or less drowned, and can’t hang on to this barrel much longer. Be you man or devil, for Heaven’s sake hurry along with your boat.” “ Allrighd. Ivil pe dere; in der sweedness py-and-py. Keep a stiff upper lip, und Pil got you soon,” the young detective replied, heart- ily. ‘‘ Der’s nodding like hang-on at der crit- ercal minute,” Kneeling, and leaning over the front part of the boat, he used his hands as propellers, and in this way was able to improve the slow progress of his light eraft to some extent, and im a few moments was alongside the barrel, on top of znlok: 6 Sra human was balancing him- self. Ata glance Fritz pessived who it was, “ Hartly!” he exclaimed, in surprise. “Yes, what’s left of me,” the sentenced smuggler replied, clambering into the boat. “Thank Heaven you came along just as you Hot for my gripe wouldn’t hold out much onger. Vel, I should dink not. Td giffen you up ash, dead. How. ish it dot you don’d vas kilt by der smugglers?” “Tt is no fault of theirs,” Hartly replied, grimly. ‘* They chucked me under night afore last, miles out at sea, supposing my hands and feet were bound, and a heavy stone tied to my head. But while they were rowing me out, I contrived to loosen up matters, so that I was really free the minute I struck water. But I went under all the same to deceive them. When they headed for shore I arose to the sur- face, and after swimming about until nearly ex-
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= The Ventriloquist Detective. 17 hausted, I caught onto this empty cask, which has in one sense been my salvation. By the tides I have been carried quite near to the shore, but my lower limbs being numb by re- maining so long in the water, I dared not at- tempt to swim ashore, and the outgoing tide has carried me out again—not so far as it would, however, if I had not struggled shore- ward constantly, But how came you out here, in this frail shell, without even oars?” Fritz explained as far as he had known, and Hartly scowled. “There'll be a reckoning for some one,” he said, “if I ever succeed in getting ashore. But there’s not much prospect of that, unless we can get some oars, or something to pull ashore with. The tide will begin to ebb in be- fore a great while, too.” I. haff von idea,” Fritz said, ‘Uff ve ean got der parrel apart, we might do somedings vid der staves—vot you t?ink apoud dot ?” ““Good idea. We can easily get the staves.” Hartly drew the barrel up alongside the boat and soon had it knocked to pieces, and four of the staves secured. “Now then, for shore,” he cried. ‘‘Whmn we get there, I will leave you, on business, for a few hours, after which I will join you, and we will work together against the Gregg gang. We will paddle to (and on the lower side of the bluff, as it wouldn’t be particularly healthy for me to land in front of the village. You can, and in fact had better keep shady, in the vicinity of the old rookery on the bluff, and I will join you, as soon as possible,” Accordingly they paddled as rapidly toward the beach as their strength would permit, By the time it was daybreak they had landed below the bluff. Here they drew the light boat up on the beach, and Hartly said: “Tl leave yon now, but will return in the course of a few hours,” “Allrighdt. I vil remain in der neighbor- hood,” Fritz replied and then the young smug- gler elambered up the side of the bluff, and was soon gone from view, “T vonder vot dot veller ish oop to, now,” Fritz muttered, after he had gone, ‘ Der is someting he vas goin’ to do, vot he ain’t pur- ticular apoud my knowing somedings apoud. have haff a notion dot he ain’d vos so nice a veller vot I firsd tought, und I vouldn't pe much surprised if he vould five me avay off he got_a chance. But, oh! I'll keep watch of him! Pve got der smugglers und der kidnap< per spotted, und Vil bet a half-dollar id don’d vas be some centuries till I get ’em trapped. In der mean time, der is somet?ing I vant to in- vestigate.” This was something that he noticed as he and Hartly had paddled in to the shore from the ocean. In about the center of the bluff, at the water’s edge, as it faced the open Atlantic, was a dark h le of considerable size, .which tape ait it might lead to a cavern in the If Hartly knew of its existence, he had kept ita secret, but our German detective had no- van it, and resolved to see where the aperture Faas < Under any other circumstances he would not have given it a second thought, but the fact that the smugglers held out in this vicinity —of which he now had no doubt—gave that hole in the bluff more than ordinary signifi- cance, Jumping into the boat he paddied off once more into the water, and headed toward the front of the bluff. Not knowing what danger he might unexpectedly run iato, he had drawn his revolver, which, strangely enough his cap- tors had not taken from him, and placed it on the stern seat beside him. Working was but steadily along the face of the bluff, which was quite perpendicular, he scon came before the aperture, and headed his beat into it. Mr.—or, as he styled himself, Honorable— Granby Greyville sat in his private study this same morning, engaged in smoking a cigar, as he rocked in aneasy-chair and gazed out through an open glass door upon the pretty lawn, That his thoughts were of an unpleasant na- ture was evident by a frown which disfigured his florid countenance. And this frown did not lessen, but rather in- creased as there suddenly appeared in the door- way no less a wild-looking personage than Silly Sue, whom Fritz had encountered upon the beach. She made a_grimace and sort of a jerky bow as she saw his Honor, and then stood staring at him in a strange manner. ‘““Welll” he growled, angrily, “‘ what brings you here?” “What allus brings me?” she replied, with a ebuckle, “TI want to come back and play up high-cockolorum, like my big-feelin’ sister, S’pose that’s silly, too, ain’t it, daddy?” ‘“No more so than your accursed obstinacy, you fool!” was the severe reply. ‘ You wel know the only terms that can éver restore you as a member of my family.” ** But I won’t accept ’em!” “Then,clear out. You shall never be any- thing to me till you surrender the stolen money.” “Bah! it ain’t yours. You’re a bad, wicked man, and hie got it wickedly, and get all your wealth wickedly, and the more you get the wickeder you get. Get out! I'd cut my head off, silly’s I am, before I'd give you up the money.” ‘Curses on your mulishness!”” “Hal ha! know you cherish the most fatherly regard for me. If it wasn’t for the hope that I will some day restore you your lost ten thousand you’d had me drowned months ago. By the way, old man, what have you done with my feller?” “Your fellow?” ‘*-Yes—Hal Hartly?” “How should I know anything about him?” ‘Who should know better? Oh, you wicked monster!” “Take care, girl!” “No, I won’t take care!” and her eyes flashed in defiance to his anger. “I ain*ta bit afraid ; of you, because I can outrun any dog in the
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ges ae SSE ee es SESE Se i 18 The Veitriloquist Detective. town. I know what’s become of Hal, Your tools took him out and chucked him under. But, ha! ha! he’s all right!” Greyville started a little. ** What foolishness is this of yours?” “Oh, only silliness, of course,” and she laughed loudly. ‘* But Hal’s all right, and, now that his scruples have had a pickle, I allow he'll come around to my cherished plan, and we'll make it warm for you!” ‘What! you dare to threaten me !” “Didn’t [ tell you I’d go for you if you didn’t reform? Well, I must be off. _How’s my state- ly sister? How's the countess? Ha! ha! ha! shoot her. She’s an old hag, with a glass eye and false teeth. The future Mrs. G! Bah! and such a model private excursion steamer, too! Still, t serves its purpose. I’m off now—just come up to spice your breakfast. Better mend one ways. The way of the trangressor is rd. By-by! Yours, truly, Silly Sue!” And then, with a wild laugh, she vanished. CHAPTER IX. FRITZ’S DISCOVERY, Ler us return to our ventriloquist detective and his venturesome expedition. In heading the boat into the opening in the bluff, he bad no idea how his venture would ter- minate, but was urged on by a. great curiosity to explore the spot, feeling sure that it bad some connection with the smugglers’ league. The hight of the aperture was insufficient to admit the passage of the boat with him sitting up; so putting the boat under headway he lay down ard thus glided in, : Tn high tide, this opening, he concluded, was covered by water, while in extreme low water the beach must be bare in front of the bluff, as the water at this juncture now was quite shallow. He almost immediately emerged into a cave in the heart of the bluff. Tt was as Beh as a couple of good-sized rooms, and looked as if the waters of many years had eaten it out. - The work of man, however, was seen in the planks overhead, which, resting on wooden sup- ports, held the roof in place. The water reached about midway into the chamber, and from its edge the pebbly ground ascended to the further side of the cave, where a narrow aperture branched off—evidently cut as a passageway by the hand of man, Grounding his boat, Fritz stepped out and tool a survey of his surroundings. “ Dis don’d look ash if id vas a healthy blace at high-tide, but I reckon dot it vas der blace vere dey run in smuggled goods,” he mused. “Dot passage probably leads to a higher und er place.’ olding his revolver ready for use in case of emergency, he stole softly toward the subter- ranean passage, with a view to exploring it. It was a dark, uninviting tunnel, of just suf- ficient width and hight to admit of a person’s passage, and looked as if it might have no con- nection with any other chamber, as he could see no light to indicate its terminus, Nothing daiinted, however, he entered it, and walked along softly, ready for any Sur- prise. A score of steps he went, and then emérged inté what he concluded was another largé sub= terranean chamber, but where all was of Bty* gian darkness; Luckily he had a closé metal pocket box of matches with him, and lighting one after an= other he discovered a half dozen lamps in brackets around the chamber side, One o them he soon lit, when he proceeded to inspect his situation, As before stated the sides of the cavern were walled up like a cellar; and in-size it was a poe: and fifty feet square, by ten or twelve in le The ceiling overhead was planked and these supported by rude pillars resting upon the ground floor, as in the outer cave, Here and there, scattered about, were heaps of straw, pieces of wooden boxes and canvas, and occasionally a bottle, or a piece of damag' silk or lace, At the opposite side of this chamber was a round hole in the ceiling, similar to a well, down through which hung a rope ladder to the floor. This seemed to indicate that either there was another chamber, overhead, or else this was a means of access to the open air. In the’ stone wall, at either side of the room were doorways supplied with strong, grated iron doors, which were fastened with padlocks and chains. “ “Vel, I'll be jiggered off dis don’d vas Joost like a regular brison,” Fritz ejaculated; ‘“ und dis pe der blaco vere der smugglers unpack deir goods, I tought I vould discoffer some- tiings off I\come here. Vonder uff dey haff got somepody shut up mit dem cells? Dot vouldn’t pe so much off a ‘sell,’ neider, off Iam any shudge.” Taking down the lamp, he proceeded to in- spect the matter. Approaching the right hand dungeon, he peered in. Tho place evidently was ine Crossing the cavern to the door of the other, to hie surprise he saw that this dungeon was oc- cupied. pon a rude cot-bed a woman was stretched, apparently fast asleep. As her face was turned from his view, he could not tell whether she was young or old, retty or ugly, but he was strangely impressed. Fier size—form—clothing all aroused his sus- picions that it really was the ville man’s runaway daughter—Madge Thornton, or Thur- ston, as she had called herself. He was stag- gered a moment by the very thought. ‘‘ Hello Vake oop—who you vas?” he shouted, rattling the door. The woman gave a violent start, and sat up on her cot with a fas; it was, indeed, the speculator’s lost daughter. “Goot! Dot vas a nes thought that flashed throug remembered the offered reward. ‘““Who are you?—what do you want?” the bride of Major Atkins demanded eagerly, as she for me,” was the his mind, as he | | | |
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TLe Ventriloquist Detective. — arose from her bed and stepped falteringly to- ward the door, “Vel, I am Fritz! You remember der chap Fritz, don’d you?” ‘Oh, yes—yes! You aro a friend to me—oh, say that ycu are, and that you have come to rescue me and take me back to papa!” “Vel, I should snicker dot dot vas apoud der size off der circumstance,” the young de- oe grinned. ‘* You don’d vas like dis hotel, en?’ “Oh, no—no! I shall die if I remain here, Open the door—take me from this terrible lace! Oh, please do this, sir, and I will always ove you.” “Nixy! You mustn’t do dot,” Fritz replied, with a serious expression, ‘‘ But I vil git you oud all der same, if I can, vich I don’d know so much apoud, ash der door vas fastened tighter ash a brick, ““You see, your old dad he vas send me down dis vay to look vor you, und I dells him I find you, yoost like a pook. IT vas a reglar snoozer at findin’ dings vot don’d pelong to me,” “My father sent you? Oh! joyful news! Tell me—tell me, where is my father?” and she clasped her hands, her face and eyes aglow with epee. here was evidently nothing dazed or som- nambulistic about her, now. “Vell, der jast I see’d your old man, he vas ati der blace vere you got married. But he left for Long Branch to rustygate und keep a vedder ae out for you, vile I took der rear trail, und skeer’d up der game, You see der old man dells me off I vind you und der money vot you stole vrom him, he vould giff me five t?ousand dollars. How vas dot? He vas yoost der man I haff pen vantin’ to meed, vor a long vile. But, how apoud der money?” “Tt is where no earthly hands but mine can find it, except I give the directions!” the girl replied, with evident enthusiasm over the fact. ‘When I left home, to come East and marry Major Atkins, I was in a state of half insanity, or somnambulism, they called it, and took the money, and when I came to my senses found it in my possession. It seems, as I have learned since, that before his leaving for the Mast, and at the same time when I was in my dazed state, Atkins said that he had a large roll of money in my father’s safe, and that when I came, I should bring it. And to my surprise, I have also since learned that it was not the first som- nambulistic theft I have been guilty of. Upon discovering the iarge sum upon my person, I put it in a place where it would be safe, and came on to marry Major Atkins, whom I im- agined myself to be in love with. We met—it was he who took me away from the hotel—and we were married, as I supposed, at the time, but it has since been proven a base deception. Almost immediately after your departure he demanded the money of me.” “Vel, you guff it oop to him, I subbose!” “No, rd did not,” she replied, with an exhibi- tion of spirit. ; ‘*T told him I didn’t have it—which was true —but he wouldn’t believe that, saying that he had learned I had the money in my possession on leaving home, Then I got angry and told him I wouldn’t give it to him, if I did have it This in turn enraged him, and he declared the murriage to be a sham, and that if I didn’t sur- render the money he would kill me. I defied him and dared him to do it, whereupon he and the bogus minister seized upon me, and searched me, but failed to find the money, ‘The monster, Atkins, then knocked me down, and I became insensible. When I awoke, it was in this terri- ble underground place. He has been here sev- eral times and threatened me, and alternated the matter by promising to make me his wife in reality, and the mistress of a princely home if I would give up the money. But, having found out what a villain he is, I have firmly refused,” “Dot vas right! Ve will giff him der duyfel von off dese days—or, at least, I vill, for smug- gling. I don’d know vedder I can got you oud off here or not! I ought der haff some tools, as id don’d vas some leedle shob preakin’ iron mit a veller’s hands.” “Oh! do try and release me in some way—I do so want to get free.” “Und I know dot, But, you see id vas harder ash breakin’ der consditution to preak dis chain.” It was no easy job, indeed, The chain was several feet in length, and nade of short, stout welded links. The padlock, too, was a formidable affair, such as could not easily be broken, and Fritz did not have any ee with him, Le was stuck for once, in not knowing how to proceed, and was just cogitating over what was best to do, when he noticed something that caused him a start. On glancing toward the rope ladder, he per- ceived that it was moving. Some one was descending it, Did he remain here, discovery was inevitable, and discovery would probably destroy all possi- bility of rescuing Madge. These thoughts occurred to him like a flash. “Sh! some one is coming, and I must hide!” he said to Madge, in a whisper; then he hurried softly across the chamber, into the dark pas- sage, where he paused at a point where he could see without being seen. . “Pll bet dot id vas der feller whose eye 1 blackened,” he muttered. And, sure enough, he was right. - A moment later Major Atkins, alias young Greyville, alias Griffith Gregg, came down the ladder into the cavern, his eyes yet showing un- mistakable evidence of the power of Fritz’s shoulder-bits, “What the devil’s all the noise down bere?” he demanded approaching the door of Madge’s dungeon. “I thought I heard voices convers- ing.” & You probably heard me singing, Sir Mon- ster!” Madge retorted, sarcastically. ‘You know I am in good humor for vocalism,” “The devil take you! It wasn’t singing—it was talking I heard.” “Ab! perhaps you heard me saying over threats of what I'll do, when I get free!” ‘* Now what will you do?” - [ll claw your eyes out—then Ill tie you and give you a thrashing with a bull-whip.”
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The Ventriloquist Detective. “Bah! threaten what you like. Ill guaran- | backward into the water, the toe of one of his tee you'll remain here until I get your amiable dad’s swag.” “But you will never get it!” ““Won’t I? When you begin to rotin your dungeon, and your tongue hangs out of your mouth for want of food and water, I fancy you'll come to terms.” “ But, I won’t though!” “Oh! we shall see. I won’t argue with you. At the present moment I want to find out who it was 1 heard you conversing with!” And to her horror he made for the dark pas- sage. fritz, too, was considerably concerned, and began to make a rapid and stealthy retreat to the other chamber, On arriving there, another thing startled im, The tide had set in, and the hole in the face of the bluff was so nearly filled as to make escape with the boat impossible, CHAPTER X, A DIVE FOR LIFE, THERE was but one choice left for Fritz— that of standing his ground and meeting young Greyville boldly; for there was ap- parently no avenue of escape for him now. ently, with his revolver drawn, ready for use, he positioned himself at the water’s edge, facing the aperture and waited, He had not long to wait. In a few seconds Griffith Gregg—as we sha]l henceforth call him—came striding into the chamber, and uttered a” violent oath at sight of Fritz. : ‘Hello! by the Satanic I thought I was not mistaken, The Dutchman we left adrift, for sure!” Fritz did not speak, or allow himself to move a particle, but stood glaring at his enemy like one turned to stone, “Hallo! why don’t you answer?” Gregg de- manded; apparently not feeling positive that Fritz was in the flesh. “If you don’t answer, I’m hanged if I don’t drown ye.” No answer from Fritz. But from directly over the villain’s head seemed to come the words, in a hoarse voice— “Villain, behold the reflection of your crime!” “Bah!” Gregg cried with a start, glaring about him. ‘“‘ You can’t play any tricks on me, you Dutch blunderbuss! In some way you’ve escaped the trap, and now Ill pay you a grudge Tve got against you.” And with a long knife in hand which he had drawn from his bed, he dashed fiercely at Fritz, regardless of the drawn revolver. Leveling his pistol at his opponent's: breast, the young detective puled the trigger. The weapon missed fire. Gregg was almost upon him now. There was but a moment to act, and yet, in that time, Fritz hurled the weapon with great yelocity at the villain’s head, and somerseted boots catching Gregg in under the lower jaw. This, with the stinging blow of the pistol, dropped him like a log to the ground, where he lay for an instant, howling with pain and rage. Fritz, landing in the water, swam through the almost submerged entrance, and soon was out- side the cavern, at the edge of the bluff, To swim around to the southern side was the work of but a few moments, and he was once more on terra firma, at his starting point. Here he sat down upon the beach to collect his thoughts, So strange had been his experience within the last few hours that he was really more confused than he had yet been since entering upon his profession as a detective. ** Now den, let me see apoud somet ings,” he muttered. ‘In der virst blace, dis be a reg- Jar ruffian seddlement, vere id don’d vas healthy ver such ash I, und id vould puzzle me to do der shob all alone. I must haff some help, Off. der ish a delegraph office near here, den I must find id, und delegraph to Philadelf vor assistance, Der ish no doubt but I kaff discovered der smugglers, und der next t'ing is to cabture dem, nd 1 don’d dink id vas healthy for me to go down mit der cave again undil dis matter keebs shady. I vonder vob haff pecome off der gal vot called herself Silly Sue?” “Here she is—what do you want of her?” a merry voice cried, and the elfin danced, laugh- ing out, from behind a huge bowlder in Fritz’s rear, where she had been concealed, evidently playing the spy. ‘‘ What do you want of Silly Sue, [rishman?” “1 vas no Irishman!” Fritz retorted. “I am a Dutchman.” “Get out! You’re pure Irish. But, that ain’t to the point. What do you want of me?” “T vanted to inquire how far it is to the nearest telegrayh station?” “Oh! a good ways inland, The road you see in front of the old house on the bluff leads direct to it. If you want to send a message, Pil send it for you.” Yon vil?” “Yes. Dll book one o’ dad’s horses from the pasture, and ride to town, Guess I know what ye propose doing.” “Wot?” “You are a detective, and you have dis- covered that my dad and his smugglers live around here, and you want to send for help to arrest them!” ** How vos you know all dot?” ““Oh, I’m silly enough to guess it, and I hope youll do it. They’re a hard gang, and a wicked gang, and they hate me worse than poison, because I’m honest, unlike the rest of them.” “Captain Gregg und Hon. Granby Greyville are der same persons, not?” “Yes. You’re mighty cute to find that out, when some o’ the villagers don’t even suspect it. I’m his gal.” “Tch dot a fact?” “Yes, but he don’t own me, because 1 do- nounce his dishonesty, Ha! ha! an old man
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The Ventriloquist Detective. 21 was found dead on the beach once. The next day my papa had a big sum of money in his possession. I smelt foul play. I stole the money from him and burnt it up, Ha! ha! Then he pen tag me unmercifully, and turned me adrift. But, pooh! I don’t care! I get along famous, and I'll make fun for the smugglers yet. So if you want me to go to the telegraph station for you, and will give me a few sbil- lings, I’m ready.” “Tl give you five dollars!” Fritz assured, “Bully? the girl assented. ‘“‘ Now, just tell me w’at you want, and l’m yours.” “Vel, I vant you to go to der delegraph office und send a message to Tony Fox, care of Police Headquarters, Philadelphia, telling him to fetch a half dozen men der dis village at once, Can you remember dot?” “Well, you bet Lean! I don't forget things easily. Give us your money, and I’m off fora wild horseback ride.” Fritz accordingly gave her a V note, and then, after again instructing her what to do, she took her departure by clambering up the bluff. Fritz then lay down upon the sand in the warm sunlight, little dreaming that his plans had been overheard. The Irishman, Pat Grogan, had been con- cealed behind another bowlder, and had over- heard every word of Fritz’s conversation with Silly Sue. Shortly after her departure, and when sure Fritz was not watching, he stole softly from his piace of concealment and up the side of the luff. Once on top of the bluff, he quickened his pace, descended the opposite side, and hurried toward the village. At the residence of Granby Greyville he paused, and entered the spacious lawn. His Honor and the countess were seated upon the lawn in front of the house, enjoying the shade of a great tree, and Grogan tipped his hat as he approached them. “Sure, sur, it’s mesilf as has made a diseov- ery, sur,” he said, with a huge grin of satisfac- tion. “Ah! indeed! I thought you might be of some uss!” his Honor replied, complacently. ‘What is the nature of your discovery, Gro- gan?” “ Sure, sur, it’s consarnin’ the girl you set me to watehin’.” ; “As Y expected—curse her! What new devilment has she been up to?” “Shure I did kape a civil eye on her, as yez told me to, and a bit ago she met a Dutchman on the beach, an’ it?s a grand plot tha be afther organizin’, The loikes av the Dootchmon he did wanted to ba sindin’ a tilligraph mis- sage to Philadelphia for tha detectives, an’ tha gal she did till him for a V she would st’ale a horse forninst your pasture an’ be carryin’ tha missage for him hersilf, whereat he forked over the cash, and she skipt, bedad!” > hs His Honor listened, his face growing purple with passion. : ‘‘May all the furies seize that obstiaate and meddlesome little wretch!” he hissed. ‘She seems determined to ruin me. No amount of whippings have ever served to make her like other girls. Why didn’t you stop her, Pat?” ‘Shure, it was yersilf as told me to be doin’ naught else but watchin’ her.” “True, I had forgotten. She bas probably gone so far that it would be next to useless to attempt to overhaul her now. Do you think you could mount a horse and overtake her, Pat?” ‘“Bedad, no. » er Honor.” “Then ascertain from the ostler the location of the pasture, and when she returns capture her. I’! give you ten dollars for the job.” “ Bad ’cess to me if I don’t do it. An’ what shall I be doin’ to her after I cotch ’er?” “Then take her to the old mansion on the bluff and wait until I come.” “Och! howly murther, Pl not go in where tha skelegon is—nary a time.” ‘sNor need you. What time intervenes be- tween your arrival and mine you can spend outside. But look sharp she don’t escape you.” “Sure it’s mesilf as will ba doin’ that same!” Then, Grogan executed a grotesque bow and took his departure toward the stable, while Grey ville turned the countess. “The devil will be to pay, now. As I sus- pected, that Dutchman is a spy, and having suspicioned or ferreted out some knowledge concerning the league, has sent for his fellow- watch-dogs. In less than two days we shall be in the clutches of the law, unless we make a break for liberty, at once.” ‘Oh! there is no particular reason for hurry. When we find there is danger, we can easily es- cape,” the countess said, calmly. “How? If we wait until their arrival, it will be too late.” ‘By no means. My steamboat lies out but a short distance, and we can board it and sail for la belle France, in defiance.” ‘“ What! without unloading?” “Bah! what are a few thousand dollars to life? Besides, the goods will sell again for full value, at Havre.” é It’s sorry a horse I can ride, CHAPTER XL A FATHER’S BRUTALITY. Arrer the departure of Silly Sue, Fritz sunned himself until bis garments were dried; then rising, he began to cast about him for some- thing to eat. ‘*} don’d know better I go pack mit der tav- ern, or not!” he mused. ‘‘ I dinks dot'vas an onhealthy blace, und yet I vould like somedings to ead, very bad.” Climbing to the top of the bluff, he passed the old mansion, and followed the country road for scme distance, in hopes of finding an orchard or watermelon patch, And he was suc- cessful. About a mile distant he came to a good sized orchard, near no buman habitation, and hastily made a raid on it, with the result of discoveri all the luscious-eating barvest apples he coul carry. Filling his pockets he made his way back to
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22 The Ventriloquist Detective. the old rookery, and sat down upon the front step to finish his meal, “*T yonder vot’s pecome of der villain I kicked mit der under jaw?” he muttered. “1 tink I must haff dislocated ’im or I should ’a’ see’d him. JL vonder vere der mouth off der well is, anyhow, vot dey come up t?rough. Id must pe someveres vere der house stands, at prPehly hidden.” After he finished his meal on apples, he en- tered the old dwelling, with a view to giving it another exploration. Passing through the lower hall, he tried each dvor opening off from it, but found them all locked, as before. What they contained he could therefore not learn, except by bursting them open or unlock- ing them, which he bad no way of doing. finding no success down-stairs, he went wp- stairs, remembering that he bad only tried the doors of part of tie upper rooms on his previous visit, the second one being the nantly cham- ber containing the swinging head of ill-fated Bill Budge. Heshunned this apartment now, and passed on along the corridor. The first and second doors he tried were locked, like those below. Tae third door, how- ever was unfastened, and opening it he entered a large unfurnished apartment, containing but one window, which looked out upon the ocean, Noticing a card tacked upon the wall, oppo- sitethe door, Fritz advanced to read what was written upon it. But, that, he was destined never to do. Half- way across the room he got—then the floor sunk uickly beneath him, and he went down! down! own! He had stepped upon a trap, which had evidently been prepared for occasional strag- glers, and he was the unsuspecting victim, until too late to save himself. **Down! down! he went into empty space, until he struck heavily upon a hard floor, and lay for a moment in a heap, his senses partly leaving him. When he recovered consciousness, he arose to his feet. He was in utter darkness, and in a place where the air was close and stifling. hat kind of a den he had fallen into he could not ascertain by looking, at least. Later that day Mr. Granby Greyville left his handsome residence, and made his way to the bluff, accompanied by her ladyship, the countess. There was a terrible expression of stern resolve upon bis countenance, and in his grasp he carried an ugly-looking cart-whip, which looked as if it were capable of inflicting dire pain in the hands of a human brute. Arriving at the top of the bluff, they found Grogan, the Irish delegate, seated upon the doorstep of the old house, while, lying upon the ground, in front of him, was the girl, Sue, bound hand and foot, but none the less defiant for that fact as was evident by the contemptu- ous curl of her lip, and the indignant, wicked flash of her eyes. : A little shiver went over her, though, when she saw the countess, the man she knew as her father, and the whip he carried. “Shure! it’s mesilf as cotched her,” Grogan cried, as Greyville approached. ‘But it’s the divil’s own time I had at it, bedad, an’ if yez don’t b'lave it ye kin look at. me face, Begorra! she scratched an’ bit an} fit. like tha very divil’s imp she is!’ and the Hibernian rubbed his torn and bruised visage, dolefully.” **So yowre caged are you, my young tigress?” the smuggler captain demanded, gazing down at the girl, wrathfully. ‘Tl see that you never break loose, hereafter!” ** Ba-aa!l” the girl retorted, in contempt. “Tm not afraid of you, you ruflianly wretch, if you do carry a whip. You can whip me, pound me, stamp me into the earth, but you can’t intimidate me. Tl despise and defy you to the longest day I live.” “We shall see, V’ve made up my mind to cease dealing mildly with you, and instead treat you to the harshness your foolishness de- mands. It’s time you were broken in, and I'm going to compel you to submission to my will, and to obedience or I’m going to kill you.” “Kill, if you like—W’ll still defy you. You cannot makeme obey a monster like you, even though you are my father! I despise you, hate you, you inhuman wretch!” “A good flogging will bring back your affec- tion. By the way, I understand that by way of amusing yourself you have become the con- sort of a Dutch detective, and by way of furth- ering his game, bave just been to telegraph for anadditional force of the devils. Now do you know what I am going to do?” e “Any one might guess; brutal cowards al- ways carry whips!” “Yes, Pm going to whip you, within an inch of your life. hen, if you promise me to ever after obey me, and tell me where to find the money you stole from me, I will let you The next instant the wretch struck her with all his might, following the blow with an- other, White as death was Sue, but her eyes flashed bravely, ber face was defiant—but she never uttered a moan or cry of pain, * Now—now may be you'll come to time!” the smuggler roared, more like some enraged wild beast than a human being, in his de- moniac fury. ‘‘Now, will you tell and promise?” ‘“‘ Never, monster!” was the low, pitz0us gasp, then the eyes of the poor outcast closed; she had fainted, unable longer to endure the agony. CHAPTER XII. A PITIFUL END. THE situation of Fritz was to him a decided] gloomy one, as, owing to the impenetrable darkness, his eyesight was of no use whatever, He did not know either, if it was safe to stir; as thee might be another trap which he would fall into, and go headlong down into some other pit. But he resolved to test the matter, and feel out the boundaries of his new prison at once, Groping about, inch by inch, and trying the *
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The Ventriloquist Detective. floor in front of him before trusting the weight of his body upon it, he soon came to a plastered wall, and concluded by that, that he still re- mained in the building, having probably only fallen to the first floor “Vel, dot don’d vas so pad ash I first ex- pected,” he muttered, feeling a little more as- sured, ‘TI t/ought I vas goin’ vay down to der, blace vere dey manufacture fire-crackers. Der next question, ish der any outlet to this brison, I vonder?” Keeping his hands upon the wall, he walked several times around the dark apartment with- out pausing. “Der ish not von door or vinder, nor hole of any kind!” he finally muttered. ‘‘I would not haff such a house for a gift.” The room indeed appeared to be barren of those accessories, as far as he was able to learn by the sense of feeling, and it would seem that it was thus purposely prepared for a prison. ** Vel, I guess I might as vel prepare to imi- tate der example off Doctor Tanner, und go vidoud somedings to eat for forty years or so!” Fritz muttered, feeling of his stomach dole- fully, for the apples had far from satisfied his appetite. ‘‘ But, if possible, I must get oud off sn a al before Fox und der boys get ere. Just how he was to do it, furnished him a serious subject to ponder on. “Curse the girl! she’s fainted!” the suage ler chief cried, pausing in his horrible work, ‘ But faint or no faint, she shall get. all that her stubborn resistance demands!” and he raised the whip and struck her another stinging blow. “Stop! Strike that girl again and I'll kill ‘ou!” a voice cried, not far in their rear, and ning, they beheld a stranger rushing up, a pair of cocked revolvers in hand. “ Wuries!” Greyville gasped, a om “Mon Dieu! What's to pay? t's fly!” from the countess, ‘*No; we will stand our ground!” the smug- gler hissed. The new-comer soon stood before them, with stern, accusing gaze, and a face flushed from his run. “Devils!” he cried, ‘‘ what is the meaning of this:brutal scene? Explain instantly.” It was the Leadville speculator, Thornton, who the poo and there was grim business ex- pressed in his tone. “What right have you to intrude in what is none of your business?” Greyville demanded, eye t ** Hh? Pll show you, you brutal puppy! Don’t give me any of your lip, or I'll blow your brains out. Why, cuss my boots, you’re as bad as the Dog Injuns on the frontier!” ; *T presume I’ve a right to chastise my own child, sir, when her conduct deserves it,” “That's not your child, Garry @ iter d know you. You are the wretch I have been longing to meet these ten years!” j “You know me?” the smuggler cried, in amazement, “Ay! I know you !” the Westerner cried. “You are the worthless devil who trapped Minnie Gray into a secret marriage years ago, and after living with her a couple of years, and abusing her, left her in poverty, to live with a woman you had previously married.” ** And incurred your enmity wi: winning your sweetheart away from you!” Gregg sneered, mockingly. “Be that as it may, you are responsible for a good woman’s death, and you shall answer for it. Tell me, sir—is this poor child you have been beating, the daughter or Minnie Gray?” “Tf you like, yes.” ‘‘Then, curse you, leave this spot at once, if you don’t want me to shoot you down. TIL take care you never strike her again! Go! I say or I'll kill you without hesitation!” here was a stern glare in the speculator’s eyes that betokened danger, and, accompanied by the countess and Grogan, the smuggler chief hurried away. As soon as they had gone, Mr, Thornton laid Silly Sue tenderly down upon the soft grass, Hurrying down to the beach, he procured some water in his hat, and returning, dashed it in her face. But although he did this, and chafed her hands and wrists, she did not open her eyes, Her breath came in stifled gasps, and her heart beat slowly. ‘*By Heaven! I believe they have killed her!” Mr. Thornton muttered, feelings of terrible rage swelling within him. ‘The equal of this brutality is seldom, even among the red devils on the frontier. Ah! Garry Gregg, if this poor child dies, you shall pay bitterly for her life, or my name is not Thornton!” tre continued faithfully in his endeavors to — her back to consciousness, but all to no avail, While he was thus engaged there came sounds ot rapid footsteps, and Hal Hartly dashed up, flushed and excited. “Great Heaven! what is the matter of Susie?” he demanded, on seeing her lying on the ground, so cold and white. ‘“*T fear she is dying, young man,” Mr, Thorn- ton replied, solemnly. ‘‘I cannot restore her to consciousness, Was she anything to you, sir? ‘Indeed, yes; she was all the world to me, poor child, and _we were to be married, one of these days!” Hartly replied, kneeling beside her, with tears in his eyes. ‘ Susie! oh! Susie, my little waif, can’t you look up and speak to me?” The girl slowly opened her eyes, and gazed up at him, with a loving smile. ‘Yes, Hal, I know. Iamdying, Hal. Where is Fritz?” ‘*T don’t know, darling. I have not seen him since morning.” ‘Well, when you see him, tell him I sent the message, and got an answer that the detectives would come.” “ The detectives?” “Yes. I went for him, to telegraph for them, and he gave me five dollars, It isin my pocket, Hal—you can have it to get mea little plain stone for my graye,”
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But, Susie, you can’t be dying—tell mo what is the matter?” ‘She bas been cruelly beaten, I came here a few moments ago and drove off the devils, but I fear I came too late!” Mr. Thornton ex- plained, sadly, “Tt was papa, you know!” Sue added as Hartly uttered a cry of astonishment. ‘‘He discovered the errand I had done, and had a big Trishman capture me and bring me here. Then he and the countess came, and I was tied toa stake and whipped till I fainted. They have killed me, I guess. I hate to leave you, Hal, but Iam not afraid to die. I have always said my prayers, loved the Lord, and been honest, and I know he will receive me.” The girl’s childish faith and simplicity touched Mr. Thornton as well as young Hartly, and tears flowed freely. The little outcast soon closed her eyes again, her arms about Hartly’s neck, as she rested in his embrace, and a peaceful expression of con- tentmenti upon her face. About sunset she spoke, without opening her eyes, ‘* Hal?” sho said, softly. ** Yes, Susie,” he replied; wish?” “Not much, After Iam gone burn the old house yonder, and break up the smugglers.” * Yes, Susie,” “And youll bs a good man, Hal, all your life, so you will join me in Heaven?” ‘*T will try, dearest.” “Then kiss te good-by.” Convulsed with sobs, the grief-stricktn lover obeyed, and, just as the last rays of sunset began to fade, Susie breathed her last, expiring without the least appearance of pain, and a faint peaceful smile upon her lips. For some moments after her death neither Hartly nor Mr, Thornton spoke, but finally the latter said: “She has gone where she will know no more suffering or sorrow and it is perhaps better so, Ts your home near by?” “llivein asort of hut back in the woods, and if you will lend a hand we will take her there.” The speculator assented, and Hartly procured a wide rd, and laid the limp form upon it. Then raising the primitive litter between them, they left the bluff and took to the lonely coun- try road, which they followed until they came to a rude shanty, standing in the edge of the woods. They bore their burden into the only room and deposited it upon a couple of stools. Hartly then turned to Mr. Thornton. “You are a stranger to us, sir,” he said, ‘* but would you kindly remain here until I can go to a neighboring town to make arrangements for her burial?” “Certainly, my boy.” “Then I will go and send the undertakers at once to take charge of the remains. If I do not return with the undertakers, let them re- et ig body, and I will see you later, per- aps, @ then kissed the lips and forehead of the dead girl, and took his departure, Once outside, bis whole demeanor underwent ““what do you The Ventriloquist Detective. achange. His faco became stern and hard in its expression, and his eyes gleamed with a wild light that could hardly have been pronounced sane. ‘* First, the house!” he muttered between his clinched teeth; ‘‘then I will see to the burial. After that, revenge!”—words uttered with a power of feeling, which bespoke grim resolu- tion, : Hurrying back to the bluff he entered the building, and from the pantry brought an oil- can and poured oil about in a number of coe mg places, applying a lighted match to each, As a result, bright sheets of flame sprung up, and, in less time almost than it takes to tell it, the interior of the old rookery was on fire in several places. Then, with a wild laugh, he turned and fled from the building, and disappeared from the vicinity of the bluff. The old house was doomed. And in the doorless, windowless trap-room, where he had so unexpectedly become impris- oned, was Fritz, in the most unenviable situa- tion one could well conceive. ‘ ‘ Captain Gregg, as we shall henceforth call him, learned of Silly Sue’s death shortly after if occurred through the Irishman, who, while pre- tending to leave the spot, had scouted around and lurked in the vicinity until Hartly and Mr, Thornton had departed with the body. Gregg was both alarmed and surprised when he heard the news, and immediately sought the countess for consultation. He had no idea he had done the girl any fatal bodily injury. If she was dead, and the cause of her death came to be known, he well knew that he would be called upon to answer to the law, The countess listened to his recital of Grogan’s report, the lines in her thin face growing even harder than were their wont, “T feared zis,” she said. mooch savage!” “What do you advise?” “Zat we remain where we be for ze present. You say zis strangair be an old enemy of yours?” “Yes. Doubly so now, from the fact that he is the father of Grif’s prisoner, that’s locked up in the dungeon.” Vare be ze Dutch- “Hunrph! zis is bad! man?” “There is no telling. Perhaps Griffith will know when he comes.” But Griffith did not come, It was nearly dark in the outer world when he recovered from the terrible blow he had got from Fritz’s pistol in the cave, and stagg) to the inner cavern. ‘ The moment. he entered it a smell of burning timbers greeted his nostrils. ‘By Heaven! the house above is burning up, I believe!” he cried, rushing to the rope ladder and beginning to climb it rapidly. But be had only got afew feet up when it gave way, and he fell to the ground, considerably bruised, i The devil to pay now!” he muttered, an- gruy. “You were ver’
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The Ventriloquist Detective. 25 ‘* A fellow will smother down here.” For a moment the young villain stood irre- solute—then he approached the door of Madge Thornton’s cell. “Madge!” he called. There was no answer. “Madge!” he shouted, in a louder tone, at the same time rattling the door, savagely. “Well, what do you want?’ she demanded, rising from her cot. “*T want to know if you want to escape from this place, alive?” “Why, what is the matter?” “Matter enough! The old house above is burning down, and if you don’t want to suffo- cate you must leave this place, at once, with “Well, why don’t you open the door, then?” He was unlocking the great padlock even as he spoke. “T am perfectly willing’ to do so, and when you reveal to me the hiding-place of your fa- ther’s money, which you had, when you left Leadville, you are free to go,” he said, standing in the doorway. * Are you foolish enough to suppose, for one moment, that I will reveal that?” “Tf you don’t do it, curse you, Pl will leave you here to suffocate!” “Do so! I would cheerfully pay that penalty of my felly inever having anything to do with you, a hundred times, rather than submit to your demands.” “Then—but no! Tl release you if you'll give me half of the sum,” “Not a cent, you detestable wretch. “‘Curses on your obstinacy! You have re- fused todo what is right, and you shall take the consequences.” Stepping back he reclosed the door angrily and hastily relocked the padlock; then he left the main chamber, for the outer one, and jumped into the boat. The tide was now on the ebb and the water was now down so that he could row out of the hole into the ocean. As soon as he got out a grand sight met his gaze. The old house on top of the bluff was in a sheet of lurid flame, on top lighting up the early evening, which otherwise was quite dark. Sbowers of sparks ascended toward the heavens, and the crackling of the dancing blaze made a weird music. Pulling in to shore, Griffith Gregg leaped oon the boat, and clambered up the side of the The first man he met was Thornton of Lead- ville, who had fastened up the hut, and hur- ried to the scene of the conflagration, as soon as he had discovered the light. Tho recognition was mutual, and each uttered acry. ’ “At last!” the speculator cried, and he bounded forward, and seized his enemy by the throat. Gregg clinched with him, and the two men rolled to the ground, in a fierce struggle, the lurid light of the burning building lighting up the scene like unto the colored fire to some wild exciting drama. _ CHAPTER XIII. CONCLUSION. Tur struggle was short and decisive, Supple though the younger Gregg was, he was no match for the man from Leadville, and it was not long ere Mr. Thornton had his man pinred firmly beneath him, so that he could not move. By this time the villagers had arrived upon the scene, in numbers, and stood conten.plating it in wonder, “What is the matter here?” one of them de- manded, stepping forward. ‘‘ Who set fire to this building?” “That I am not prepared to say, as I just came,” Mr. Thornton replied, “but I know that I have captured one of the worst villains living. Is there an officer of the law among you? If so, l want him to take this devil into immediate custody, and watch well that he don’t escape.” “T am a constable, but I must first know what charge you have against this young man oF any respected family,” another villager sail “Charges enough to hang bim higher than Haman, if you like,” the speculator cried. ‘* He has my daughter, imprisoned somewhere in hopes of extorting money from me; he is wanted in Leadville, Colorado, for no less than three cold- blooded murders, and also for horse-theft, and I’ve got papers to show for it!” “Tes a lie! It is a mistake. crazy!” young Gregg shouted. you for protection, gentlemen?” “Protection you shall have, sir, by law, if you deserve it!” the constable replied, slipping a pair of handcuffs upon the young man’s wrists. “Now, sir”—to Mr. Thornton—‘‘ permit me to examine your papers.” This man is *“*T appeal to ~ The speculator drew a package of documents from an inside coat pocket, and the officer gave them a critical examination. “They are all right,” he said, returning them. “ For the present, Iwill leave the scoundrel in 1 charge—until I recover my lost daughter!” r. Thornton said. “That you will never do, curse you!” Griffith Gregg hissed, savagely. ‘‘ You've sealed her doom, in tackling me, and you may as well put a mourning band around your hat.” “What! do you dare to tell me my daughter is in peril, sir? ‘““Well, that remains to be told, It is ac cording to whether I am released or not. If not, most assuredly you will never see her or the money she stole, for if Iam to answer for all the charges you have preferred against me, I can just.as well add a few more, without any inconvenience.” ‘“We shall see about that. I think a rigid search will find her. Officer, remove him toa place of safety, until I determine upon a future course of action.” The constable accordingly took his departure, marching the younger Gregg with him. The fire had by this time gained great head- way. It leaped in great crackling volumes from the
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roof, and burst through the sides in fiery forks. The whole interior was a seething furnace of lurid flame, and timbers were already beginning to fall in. “Where is Silly Sue?’ some one cried, and the question went from mouth to mouth. ‘ She sometimes sleeps in the old house.” “Silly Sue, as you call her, is dead,” Mr. Thornton announced. “Dead!” the villagers exclaimed, gathering around him—‘ Silly Sue dead?” “Vos, dead, and lies in the shanty down the road, belonging to Hal Hartly, who has gone to some neighboring town to arrange for her burial!” the speculator said, then he related what he knew concerning the brutal whipping she had had, at the hands of Gregg senior, A. murmur of indignation ran through the crowd as he spoke, and though some of the mon did not cry out against the guilty man, the ma- jority were greatly excited. “Do you swear this is true?” one of the vil- lagers erled, angrily. * Ay—swear it a hundred times, if you like, If you have any doubts on the matter, it will take but a few moments to examine the poor child’s form, upon which welts and bloody cuts yet remain to be seen.” “Then I, for one, propose we give Greyvillo as good as he meted out!” the man cried, whose name was Tompkins. ‘TIT always bad a private idea that he was a villain, and now I need no further proof to confirm it. All in favor of hauling him out and lynching him, make mani- fest by saying I?’ There was a decisive shout among all but about ten of the men, who maintained a grim silence. “Lynching is a crime, gentlemen,” Mr, Thornton said, “‘in the East, which would ren- der you liable. It can do no harm, to give the human monster a taste of the whip, how- ever, and then turn him over to the rigor of the law.” ‘* Perhaps you are right,” Tompkins agreed, *Come along, boys! We'll teach the wretch that he must be civilized, if he would live in a civilized country!” And the sturdy villager led off, the whole crowd following in his rear with indignant faces. There was indeed a dark lookout for Captain Gregg. From his library window in the village mansion he was watching the fire, and saw the crowd march in a funeral-lke procession down from the bluff along the beach toward the village. The countess saw, too, and compressed her lips tightly. “Ze erisis is coming!” she hissed sharply—so sharply that he started violently. ‘‘ Ze crowd has heard of ze girl’s death, and are coming for you. He turned deathly pale; they would show him no merey, as he had shown none to Susie, he well knew. ‘““We must escape from here, somehow!” he cried. ‘To submit to arrest means death—for you as well as myself.” “ How so?” The Ventriloquist Detectivé. “Did you not witness the whipping without attempting to interfere?” he sneered, ‘‘ They’d string you up as quick as I—especially when investigation came to prove you to be Madame Lisset, the notorious French smuggler.” The woman’s turn it was to whiten now, and a suppressed curse escaped from between her clinched teeth, “T was one big fool for evaire anchoring here, or having. you for me agent,” she replied. “ Somesing must be done, and zat vera quick. What s’all it be?” ‘There is but one course—flight. Go to my room and get all the money and jewels there. When you come back, I will be ready.” She obeyed, and in a very short space of time returned, dressed ready for escape. Leaving the house by the rear door, they skulked hurriedly along a narrow lane, This soon brought them out into the ccuntry, and into an orchard, Without pausing, the chief of smugglers made a wide detour, which finally brought them out upon the beach, half a mile north of the village, and directly opposite the steamer Countess, which lay a good two miles out at sea, at anchor, A light row-boat was drawn up on the beach, This Gregg pushed off into the water, and sprung in, the countess following him. Then, seizing the oars, he pulled with all his skill and strength toward the steamer. ‘¢ At the same time, a boat manned by half a dozen men, pulled out from the beach in front of the village, and this, too, was headed toward the steamer. ‘*Hal they’ve suspected our dodge!” Gregg growled, on discovering the pursuit. ‘ Curse them! 1 did not think discovery of our flight would be made so quickly.” ‘ Will zey reach ve boat, first?” “By no means. Ive got the start, and the steamer is a good half a mile further from them than from us, if not more!” Let us look after Fritz. The roof of the old rookery on the bluff has just fallen in, and millions of sparks go up to- ward the cloudy sky. Is the young detective still within that old building? He had heard Hartly, when he ran through the house, setting fire to it, and had yelled at the top of his voice for assistance. But, either Hartly had not heard or did not heed his cries, for no assistance came, Out in the hall, which adjoined the doorless room, the fames soon began to crackle omin- ously, and the pungent smell of smoke crept through the wall to his nostrils. For a few moments Fritz stood transfixed with horror, as the peril of his situation began to dawn upon him. He knew by the smell that the house was on fire; he knew that if he did not make a hasty escape he would be consumed in the merciless flames. What was he to do? Really, what: was there he could do? He rushed about, scarcely aware what he was ‘I doing.
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The Ventriloqu 24 ist Detective. Suddenly his foot caught upon something, and he fell violently to the floor, In all his after life he could look back with gladness 3 that mishap, as it was the means of saving him from an awful death. Quickly scrambling to his feet, he searched the floor; a moment later his hand came in con- tact with an iron ring. Pulling upon it, he raised a trap in the floor, disclosing a large aperture leading down into another pit below, which he concluded was a cellar. Without pausing to consider what he was doing, he dropped down through the hole, Anything was preferable to the horrible dan- ger above. He landed upon his feet upon a hard bottom of the cellar into which he haa leaped. In a moment thereafter there was a crash, and a portion of the rear floor over the cellar fell in. ‘The light of the burning timbers now gave him a view of his situation. The cellar ran in under the whole of the house, and was nearly filled with boxes. The only stairway had been covered by the caving in of the floor, thus closing this avenue of es- cape. The caving in, in turn, had been mainly caused by the falling of a heavy girder from the second floor, Directly in front of where Fritz had landed was a large well-like hole in the ground, that looked as if it might be very deep, and his only wonder was that he had not stepped off into it, in the darkness that had prevailed immediately after he ad struck into the cellar, ‘*T yonder off dot vas a well, or ish der hole vot leads down into der cavern,” he muttered, peering over the edge. “If der latter vos der case, I’m all righd, providin’ I can git} down. But off id vos a well, den [I vos a gone sucker sure. I don’d see anydings off der rope-ladder.” Looking above his head, he, however, dis- covered where a staple had been recently drawn out of a joist, and_ this satisfied him that it had been where the ladder had been fastened to, and that the hole was the same that pene- trated into the cavern in the bluff. “Der next ting vas to get down dere,” he muttered. “If I jump, like ash not I preak mine neck, und den I pe ash pad off ash before, of not vorse.” There seemed no other way of getting down, however, and he resolved to take his chances, rather than remain in the cellar and become a target for the fallen fiery timbers. With a prayer for safety he made the uncertain leap. Down—down—down he went with a velocity that took his breath, and he knew no more, ex- : aoe being conscious of striking the earth with a eavy jar. When he recovered his senses he was in the outer cave, and Madge Thornton was kneeling over him, chafing his hands. The cavern was dense with smoke, and breath- ing was difficult. 4 Tritz comprehended the situation at once and sat up. ; “T vas come down like a t’ousand of bricks, eh?” he smiled, feeling of his limbs to learn if aay of them were seriously damaged. ‘I for- ¢ got all apoud vere I vas going all at vonce. How you got oud off der dungeon?” “Good luck would have it that Griffith, in his passion should have thrown tke bolt of the padlock when the catch was not in, so I easily reached out my hand, drew the padlock off, and got out into the chamber,” Madge replied. “What is the matter? Is the old house burn- ing?” “Ves, We must get oud off here or ve shoke to death. Off it gets too deep, I vil swim mit you t’rough dot hole.” He accordingly arose to his feet, and raising her in his arms, he waded toward the aperture, and outside of the cavern, around to the south- ern beach, the water in the deepest place but reaching to his throat. “By shimminy dunder, I feel yoost like ash if I vas tickled to death, tings haff turned oud so vell,” Fritz cried, as he placed Madge on her feet. ‘‘A vile ago I vas ash goot as guff up for a roasted Dutchman; now I vhas oud, and so vas you, und I feel better ash a spring lamb,” “ Are you sure we are out of danger?” “Vel, no, not eggsactly sure, but I d’ink ve pe all righd now. Yoost you sday here in der shadow off yer pluff, vile I skirmish aroundt und see vot’s to pay. She accordingly did as directed, while he clambered up the side of the bluff, bent on re- connoissance, The first man and only man he met was Mr. Thornton, who had hurried back frcm the vil- lage to the bluff as soon as Captain Gregg was discovered missing, to keep watch in the vicin- ity. He uttered a cry of joy as he saw Fritz. “Why bless you, boy, I never expected to see you again!” he cried, shaking the young detect- ive by the hand. “Und you come surdy near id, too, you can bet a half-dollar, Mr. Thornton, for yoost got oud off der building here in time to save mine vool. But I baff got your daughter, und der monish vas safe!” “What! you do not tell me this for a fact, Fritz?” “Vel, if I don’d misdake, it vas. Yoost vait here und I pring you der oe Ash to der money, she vas no fool, und put it away vere she can get it again.” He vanished only to reappear, a few minutes later, accompanied by Madge. Then followed a touching scene, The specu- lator received his Jost daughter with open arms: there were explanations, and kisses, and tears, and laughs, and the reunion was now complete. Leaving them to their joy, let us take a con- cluding glance at the ocean race, which was in the mean time transpiring. The pursuers saw Gregg pull out from the shore as soon as he saw them; then they tugged at their oars with a will. “Pull, boys!” Tompkins cried, from his posi- tion at the steering-oar. ‘‘See! the woman is waving her handkerchief! Thatis a signal to the crew on board to fire up, ready to be off. Pull—pull for your worth! We must intercept them, if possible, before they board.” The villagers did pull with a will, and their boat fairly leaped over the water,
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Tompkins had guessed the truth, The count- ess’s signal did result in the crew’s raising anchor, and unbanking the slumbering fires, for huge columns of smoke almost immediately began to roll from the smoke-stacks, ut, pull though they did, with almost super- human efforts, the pursuers were destined not to win. Gregg’s boat reached the steamer while the villagers were yet eight minutes distant, and he and the countess clambered aboard, Then the steamer’s whistle gave a defiant shriek, and the craft began to move away. As she did so, the pursuers saw a man suddenly leap over- board into the water. Pulling on, they came to him, just as he was sinking for the last time. It was Hal Hartly, and he was mortally wounded, He only spoke once after they pulled him aboard; it was to gasp out, faintly: “She's doomed! I’ve scuttled her!” then he erpitod he Countess steamed away to sea, and was lost from view, and Captain Gregg the smug- gler was lost from the clutches of the law. What was the fate of the Countess is not definitely known, but she never again entered the port of Havre, nor wasa soul on board of her euer afterward seen, The Philadelphia detectives who arrived the next day found no one to arrest, as those on whom suspicion could justly rest had fled during the night, Susie and Hal Hartly received a respectable burial, at the expense of Mr, Thornton; then, after paying Fritz as promised, the sum of five thousand dollars, the speculator set out for his western home, accompanied by his daughter, and by Griffith Gregg, who was to go back to the scene of his crimes, for trial. With his reward money, Fritz immediately returned to Philadelphia, and soon after pur- chased an interest in a paying established busi- ness, where he may be seen ’most any day, when not on detective duty, or if he is out, his pretty wife Rebecca will represent him, THE END, BEADLE AND ADAMS’ Dime Hand-Books. Manuals for Housewives. 1, Cook Book. 4, Family Physician. *, 2, Recipe Book, 5. Dressmaking and Mil- 8. Housekeeper’s Guide. linery. Lives of Great Americans. I.—George Washington, | VITI.—Israel Putnam. Il..-John Paul Jones. X,—Tecumseh, Ti.—Mad Anthony Wayne | XI.—Abraham Lincoln, IV.—Ethan Allen, XIL.—Pontiac. V.—Marquis de Lafayette | XIUI.—Ulysses S. Grant, The above publications are for sale by all news: dealers or will be sent, post-paid, on receipt of Brlco, ten cents each, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, WILLIAM STREET, N, Y, The Ventriloquist Detective. BEADLE AND ADAMS’ STANDARD DIME PUBLICATIONS =~ Speakers. Each volume contains 100 large pages, printed from clear, open type, comprising the best collee- tion of Dialogues, Dramas and Recitations. The Dime Speakers embrace twenty-four volumes V1Z.: 1, American Speaker. 15, Komikal Speaker. } 2. National Speaker, 16. Youth’s Speaker, i ‘ Patriotie a eeees ie ee Speaker, . Comie Speaker. 8. Hail Columbia Speak- 5. Blocutionist, er, - veehltee 6. Humorous Speaker, 19. Serio-Comic Speaker, ‘ 7. Standard Speaker. 20, Select Speaker, : 8, Stump Speaker, 21. Funny Speaker. 9, Juvenile Speaker. 22. Jolly Speaker, 10. Spread-Eagle Speaker | 23, Dialect Speaker. 11. Dime Debater. 24, Recitations and Read- 12, Exhibition Speaker, ings. 13, School Speaker, 14, Tudicrous Speaker. These books are replete with choice pieces for the School-room, the Exhibition, for Homes, etc. 75 to 100 Declamations and Recitations in each book, 25, Burlesque Speaker, | Dialogues, The Dime Dialogues, each volume 100 pages, em- brace thirty-two books, viz.: Dialogues No. One, Dialogues No. Lighteen, Dialogues No. Two. Dialogues No, Nineteen, Dialogues No. Three. |Dialogues No, Twenty. Dialogues No. Four, Dialogues No, Twenty-one. Dialogues No. Five. Dialogues No. Twenty-two, Dialogues No, Six. Dialogues No, Twenty-three, Dialogues No, Seven, Dialogues No, Twenty-four, : Dialogues No, Bight. Dialogues No, Twenty-five, Dialogues No. Nine. Dialogues No. Twenty-six. Dialogues No, Ten. Dialogues No. T'wenty-seveu, Dialogues No. Eleven, {Dialogues No, Twenty-eight, Dialogues No, Twelve. |Dialogues No, Twenty-nine. Dialogues No. Thirteen, |Dialogues No. Thirty. Dialogues No, Fourteen, |Dialogues No, Thirty-one Dialogues No. Fifteen. |Dialogues No. Thirty-two. Dialogues No. Sixteen. |Dialogues No. Thirty-three, Dialogues No.Seventeen | Dialogues No. Thirty-four, 15 to 25 Dialogues and Dramas in each book, |] Dramas and Readings. 164 12mo0 Pages. 20 Cents. For Schools, Parlors, Entertainments and the Am- ateur Stage, comprising Original Minor Dramas, Comedy, Farce, Dress Pieces, Humorous Dialogue and Burlesque, by roted writers; and Recitations and Readings, new : nd standard, of the greatest celebrity and interest. Edited by Prof, A, M. Russell, Hand-Books of Games. f- Handbook of Summer Sports, Book of Crequet. Yachting and Rowing. Chess Instructor. Riding and Driving. 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32 Octavo Pages. 1 Deerhunter, the voy Scout of tho Great North Woods. By Oll Coomes, 2 Buffalo Bill, from Boyhood to Manhood. By Col. Pren- tiss Ingraham. 8 Kit Carson, King of Guides. By Albert W. Aiken. 4 Gordon Lillie, the Boy-Interpreter of the Pawnees. By Major. H. B. Stoddard. & Bruin Adams, Old Grizzly’s Boy Pard. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 6 Deadwood Dick as aBoy. % Wild Bill, the Pistol Prince. Ingraham. 8 The Prairie Ranch, 9 Roving Joe: The History of a “ Border Boy.” HH. Post. 10 Texas Jack, the Mustang King. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 11 Charley Skylark. A Story of School-day Scrapes and College Capera. By Major H. B. Stoddard. 12 Mariposa Marsh. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 18 Roving Ben. By John J. Marshall. 14 Spring Steel, King of the Bush, By J. E. Badger, Jr. 15 Wide-Awake George, the Boy Pioneer. By Edward Willett -16 The Toy Wizard, By Barry Ringgold. 17 Peter Peppergraas, the Greenhorn from Gotham. By Nouh Nuff. 18 Adrift on the Prairie, an¢ Amateur Eunters on the Buffalo Range. By Oll Coomes, 19 The Fortune Hunter; or, Hong Joe as Miner, Cowboy, Trapper and Hunter. By A. H. Post. 20 Trapper Tom, the Wood Imp. By T. C. Harbaugh. 21 Yellow Hair, the Boy Chief of tne Pawnees, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 22 The Snow Trail. By T. C. Harbaugh, 28 Old Grizzly Adams, the Bear Tamer. By Dr. Frank Powell. 24 Woods and Waters. 25 A Rolling Stone: Land of Co By Edward L. Wheeler. By Colonel Prentiss By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. By A. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. Inciaents in the Career on Sea and + Prentisa Ingraham. By Wm. R. Eyster. 26 Red River Rovers. By C. Dunning Clark. 27 Plaza and Plain; or, Wild Adventures of “ Buckskin Sam,” (Maj. Sam. S. Hall.) By Col. P. Ingraham. 28 The Swerd Prince. ‘The Romantic Life of Col, Mon- stery. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 29 Snow-Shoe Tom. By T. C. Harbaugh. 80 Paul de Lacy, the French Beast Charmer, By C. Dunning Clark. $1 Round the Camp Fire. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 82 White Beaver, the Indian Medicine Chief. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 88 The Boy Crusader. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. 84 The Chase of the Great White Stang, and, Camp and Canoe. By C. Dunning Clark. 85 Old Tar Knuckle and His Boy Chums. By R. Starbuck. 86 The Dashing Dragoon; or, The Story of Gen. George A. Custer. By Capt. Fred, Whittaker. 87 Night-Hawk George. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 88 The Boy Exiles of Siberia. By T. C. Harbaugh. 89 The Young Bear Hunters. By Morris Redwing. 40 Smart Sim, the Lad with a Level Hoad. By Edward Willett. 41 The Settler’s Son. By Edward 8. Ellis. 42 Walt Ferguson’s Cruise. By C. Dunning Clark, 48 Rifle and Revolver. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. 44 The Lost Boy Whalers. By T. C. Harbaugh. 45 Broneo Billy, the Saddle Prince. By Col. Ingraham, 46 Dick, the Stowaway. By Charles Morris. 47 The Colorado Boys; or, Life on an Indigo Plantation. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 48 The Pampas Hunters; or, New York Boys in Buenos Ayres, By T. C. Harbaugh. 49 The Adventurous Life of Nebraska Charlie. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 50 Jack, Harry and Tom, the Three Champion Brothers, By Capt. Fred. Whittaker, 51 The Young Land-Lubber. By C. Dunning Clark. 52 The Boy Detectives. By T. C. Harbaugh. 58 Honest Harry; or, The Country Boy Adrift in the City. By Charles Morris. 54 California Joe, the Mysterious Plainsman, Prentiss Ingraham. 55 Tip Tressel, the Floater. By Edward Willett. 566 The Snow Hunters; or, Winter in the Woods. By Barry de Forrest. 57 Harry Somers, the Sailor Boy Magician. By 8. W. Pearce. 58 The Adventurous Life of Captain Jack, the Border Boy. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 59 sear Tim, the Mule Boy of the Mines. By Charles Morris. 60 The Young Trail Hunters; or, New York Boys in Grizzly Land. By T. C. Harbaugh. 61 The Tiger Munters; or, The Colorado Boys in Ele- phant Land. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 62 Doctor Carver, the “Evil Spirit” of the Plains, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 68 Black Horse Bull, the Bandit Wrecker. Starbuck. 64 Young Dick Talbot; or, A Boys Rough and Tumble Fight from New York to California. By A. W. Aiken. 65 The Boy Pilot; or, The Island Wrecker. By Gol. Prentiss Ingraham. 66 The Desert Rover; or, Stowaway Dick Among the Arabs. By Charles Morris. 67 Texas Charlie, the Boy Ranger. Ingraham, 68 Little Rifle; or, The Young Fur Hunters. By Captain “ Bruin ”? Adams, 69 The Young Nihilist; or, A Yankee Boy Among the Russians. By Charles Morris. 70 Pony the Cowboy; or, The Young Marshall’s Raid. By Major H. B, Stoddard, Ex-Seout. 71 Ruff Robsartand HisBear. By Captain “ Brain” dams, %2 The Ice Elephant, By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. %8 The Young Moose-MHunters. By William H, Manning. 74 The Boy Coral-Fishers, By Roger Starbuek. %5S Revolver Billy, the Boy Ranger of Texas, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 76 The Condor Killers. By 'i. C. Harbaugh. @@ Lud Lionheels, the Young Tigez Fighter. By Roger Starbuck. 78 Flatboat Fred. By Edward Willett 79 Boone, the Hunter. By Captain F. Whittaker, Beadle’s Boy’s Library is for sale by all Newndealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of aix cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMA, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York By Co), By Roger By Col. Prentiss
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82 Octavo Pages. Ss aves gE SL 5 A : = ae Price, ive Tenth | GT BR: 4Ryp~ Every Sater Se as 80 Kentucky Ben, the Long Rifle of the Cascades. By Roger Starbuck, 81 The Kit Carson Olub, By T, C. Harbaugh. $2 Little Buck, the Boy Guide. By Barry Ringgold. 88 Pony Bob the Rockless Rider of the Rockies. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham, 84 Captain ahy-by-Nights By Joseph KE. Badger, Jr. 8b Captain Ralph, the Young Explorer. By C. Dunning c ark. 86 Little Dan Rocks. By Morris Redwing. 8S? The Menagerie Hunters, By Maj. H. Grenville. 88 The Boy Tramps; or, Life Among the Gipsies. By J. M, Hoffman. » 89 "Longshore Lije. By C.D. Clark. 90 Roving Rifle, Custer’s Little Scout. By T. C. Harbaugh. 91 Oregon Joxhy the Wizard Ritle, By Roger Starbuck. 92 Hurricane Kit. By A. F. Holt. 98 4 uping Jake, the Colorado Circus Boy. By Bryant Saini oridge, 94 Sam Spence, the Broadhorn Boy. By Ed. Willett. 95 optanareatrns Sfberins or, A Yankee Boy to the Rescue. y_Char be 96 Fighting Fred; or, The Castaways of Grizzly Camp, By 'T. C Harbaugh, 97 Cruise of the Flyaway3 or, Yankeo Boya In Ceylon, By C. Dunning Clark. 98 The Bey Vigilantes; or, King Cole and His Band. By Maj, H. B. Stoddw d. 99 The White Tigers; or, Silver Rifle, the Girl Tracker of Lake Superior. By Capt. Charles Howard. 100 The Snow-Shoe Trail; or, The Yorest Desperadoes. By vorge Rathbone, 101 Marlano, tho Ottaws Girl; or, The Mysterious Canoe. By Edward S. Ellis. 102 The Flyaway Afloat; or, Yankee Boys "Round the World. By C. Dunning Clark. 108 Pat Mulloney’s Ady ures} or, Silver Tongue the Dacotah Queen, By C, L, Edwards, 104 The Boy Prospector; or, The Seoret of the Sierra Ravine. By Roger Starbuck. 105 Minonee, the Wood Witch; or, The Squatter’s Secret. By Wdwin Emerson. 106 The Boy Cruisers; or, Joe and Jap’s Big Find. By Mdward Willett. - 107 The Border Roversy or, Lost on the Overland ‘Trail. By J. Milton Hoffman. 108 Alaska, t Wolf-Queen; or, The Girty Brothers’ Double Crime. By Capt. Howard Lincoln.” 109 hah pee Jim, the White Man’s Friend, By Edward 5. Ellis, 110 Plucky Joe, the Boy Avenger; or, Dick Belmont’s Last Ride. By J. Milton Hoffinan, 111 The Border Gunmaker; or, The Hunted Maiden, By James L. Bowen 112 Left-Handed Pete, the Double-Knife. E dyer, Jr. 118 The Wk Rifles; or, The Fate of the Flatbont. By Capt. J. F. F.C. Adams. 114 Alone the Plains. By Edward Willett. 115 Silver rm, and His Bifle Firedeath. By Roger Starbuck. 116 Exploits of Wezekinh Smith, the Backwoodsmnan. By Emerson Rodman. Young Mustamgers; or, Dick Merry’s Rang By Joseph First Campaign. By T. 120 A Mot Trall; or, Clark Cloverly Among the Tartara, By Charles Morria 121 Wunter Pard Benj or, The Wakash’s Blind Lead. By Roger Starbuck, 122 The Exquimaux’ Queen; or, The Mystery of the Lone Hut. By G. Waldo Browne. 128 Tim, the Boy Acrobat; or, Life in the Circus Ring By Charles Morris. 133 Queen Beanie, the Border Girl. By Henry J. Thomas, 25 Tom Tabor, the Boy Fugitive; or, The Young Lynch- Gang * Wolves.” By Barry Ringgolil. 126 Mink Cont, the Death-Shot; or. The Spring of the Tigor. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 127 The Deer Hunters. By Jobn J. Marshall. 128 Wolf-Oap; or, The Night-Hawks of the Vire-Lands, By Capt. Chas, Howard. 129 Silverapurt or, The Mountain Moroine. By Edward illett. 180 K sea, Queen of the Plains, By Perey B. St. TRL Wicahs the Child Spye. By Georpe lemony ces 182 The Island Trappers or, The Young White-Buffalo Hunters. By Charles Howard. 138 The Forest, Specter; or, The Young Hunter's Foe, By Edward Willett. 184 Wild Nat, the Trooper. By Wm. R. Eyster, 185 The Silver Bugle; or, The Indian Maiden of St, oe leone ase i ? The Prairie Trapper. By ©. Dunning Clark, The Antelope at By Geo. L. iatven at Long Shot; or, The Dwarf Guide, By Capt. Comutock, Colonel. Crockett, the Bear King. By Charles BE. snsille. Old Pegs, the Mountaineer. By Lewis W. Carson. The Giant Hunter. By Harry Hazard. Black Panther, the Half-Blood. By Joseph BE. Badger, Jr. Carson, the Guide; or, Porils of the Frontier. By Lieut, J.H, Randolph. Kent, the Ranger. By Edward 5. Ellis. Bul Robbing, Hunter, By Edward Willett. walt-Breed Rival; or, The Tangled Trail. By Jos Budger, J The Masked Av Nat, the ‘rapper and Indian Fighter. Prestott. The Elk Demons or, The Giant Brothers. C. Harbaugh: The Boy Mustang-Wunterys or, Eaulalie, the Beautifnl Amazon, By Frederick Whittaker. Frank Yuiites, the Young Trapper; or, Mountain Kate’s Warning. By Joseph B, Badwor, Jr. Wild Raven, the Scout. By Ol} Coomes, 3 Lynx Cap} or, Four Trappers’ Among the Sioux. By Paul Bibbs. The Champion Texan Rider 3 or, Rod Buffalo, and the Hereules Hunter. By Harry St. George, Draky Dick’s Doon By Joa, B. Badger, Jr. Frank Bell, the Boy Spy. By Ol Coomes, Nick Doyle, the Gold Hunter. By P. H. Myera. Kidnapped Dilek; or, The Fate of the Fire Fly, By 1, Stanley Henderson, Sam’« Long Trail; or, The Twin Scouts. By W. J. Hamilton. Hank Triplet’s Vow. By Harry Hazard. The Mad Skipper. By R. Starbuck. The Trapper King. By Maj. Max Mortine. Simon Kenton, Hunter. By Emerson Rodman. The Boy Chief; or, Frank Bell’a Compact. By ou OCoomes, -_—S ager. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. By Paul J. By T. Old Jup 3 7 The Young Trailer, Ham! Specter Spy. By Maj. Lewis W. Carson, Lute, the Old Colorado Hunter. By E. W. Archer. 0 The White Wolf. By Edward Willett. 1 The Swamp Guide, By W. N. McNeil. 2 The Yankee Peddler. By C. Danning Clark. Ready July 80. 178 The feo and His Young Chum. St.John. Rendy August 6. 174 Blackamith Tom’s Mask, By Geo, D, Gilbert, Roady August 13. 175 The Buckskin Rider. Ready August 20. 176 The Squatter’s Surprise. Thomas. Ready August 27. 177 Four Fellow Scouts. Ready September 3. Beadle’s Boy’s Library is for sale hy all Newsdealora, five cents per copy, or sont by mal] on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. By Warren By Guy Greenwood, By Mra, Henry J, By J, Stanley Henderson,
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33 OOTAVO PAGES, e S ADL Bg PRICE, FIVE CENTS. ~ POCKET LTB TA | BRHHRAHDHARHAHAHADAHHRAHDHDHDHHHGHHAS Ee See EE EE EEE BE 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. By Edward L. Wheeler. Kansius Kings or, The Red Right Hand, By Buffaio Bill. 8 The Flying Yankees or, The Ocean Outcast. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 4 The Double Daggers. By Edward L. Wheeler. & The Two Detectivess or, The Fortunes of a Bowery Girl. By Albert vy. Aiken, 6 The Prairie Pilot; or, The Phantom Spy. By z 8 v Buffalo Bill. The Buffalo Demony or, The Border Vultures. By Edward L. Wheeler. Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. By Ol) Coomes. Ned yide, the Bey Scout. By “Texas Jack” (J. B. Omohundro). 10 Buffalo Ben, Prince of the Pistol. By E. L. Wheeler. 11 Ralph Roy. the Boy Buccaneer. By Cel. Ingraham, 12 Nick o’the Night; or, The Boy Spy of 76. By T. C, Harbaugh. 18 Yellowstone Jack} or, Trappers of the Enchanted Ground. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 44 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval. By E. L. Wheeler. 1& Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery ‘of the Yellow- stone. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, 16 eo Knife, Prince of the Prairies. By Oll Coomes. 17 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Whiffies’s Boy Spy. By Capt. oF C. Adams. 18 DésticFacs the Detective. By E. ue Wheeler. 19 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. Oll Coomes. 20 Roaring Ralph Rockwood, 4 6 Reckless Ranger. By Harry St. George. 2i The Boy Clown; or, The Queen of the Arena. By Frank 5. Finn, 22 The Phantom Miner}; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza. By Edward L. Wheeler. 28 The Sea-Cat; or, The Witch of Darien. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. eo 24 The Dumb Spy. By Ol! Coomes. 2b Battlisg Rube; or, The Night Mawks of Ken- tuck y Harry St. George. 26 Old Avalanche, tie Great Annihilator. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 27 Gls :s-Eve, the Great Shot of the West. By Capt. J. » ©. Adama, 28 The Boy apsains or, The Pirate’s Daughter. By Roger Starbuc 29 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. By Captain Frederick Whittaker. 80 Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian, By E. L. Wheeler. BL Nightingale wees or, The Forest Captains. By TC. Harbaugh. 82 Black John, the Road Agent. Bese Ji a Baues r, Jr. 88 Omaha Ol, the Mask«d Terror. a fhe Whesler, 84 Burt Bunker, the ee er. By G@ Bases c. Lasalle, 85 abe Boy Rifles ; or, The Underground Camp. By A. C, [rons. 86 The White B ffalo. A Tale of Strange Adven- tures In the Northwest. By George It. Lasalle. 87 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. By Edward L, Wheeler. 88 Ned pare the Boy Trapper. By Capt. J. F.C. Adama. 89 Deadl @, the Unknown Scont. By Buffalo Bill, 40 Nick Wiiities's Pet; or, In the Vulloy of Death. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 41 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. By Edward L. Wheeler. az oe Border King; or, The Secret Foe. By Oll OOINGR. 48 Old Hickory 3 or, Pandy Ellis’s Sealp. By Harry St. George. 44 The White Indian; Pa The Scouts of the Yellow. stone. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams. 45 Buckhern Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team. By Edward L. Wheeler. 46 The Shadow Ship; or, The Rival Lieutenants, By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 47 The Red eee noo or, The Twelve Avengers. By W. J. Hamilton. 48 Dandy Jack; or, The Outlaw of the Oregon Trail. By T. C. Harbaugh. 49 eeciaaan Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His“ Pard,’? By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 50 Single Wand; or, A Life fer « Life. By W. J. ilton. 51 Patent- leather ated or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. Philip 8. Warne, 52 The Border Robin Hood; or, The Prairie Rover, By Butfulo Bill. 58 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The Boy Detective ‘of the Black Hills, By Edward L. Wheeler, 64 Old Zip’s Cabin; or, A Greenhorn in the Woods. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams. 55 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. By Ol] Coomes. 56 Mad Tom Western, the Texan Ranger. By W. J. Hamilton. 57 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroame of Whoop-Up. By E. L. Wheeler. 58 Hawkeye Harry, the Nouny Trapper Ranger. By Oll Coomes. 59 The Boy Duelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea Wolf, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 60 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. By Albert W. Aiken. 61 PELE Charlie, the Boy Brave. By Edward L, heeler. 62 Will Somers, the Boy Detective. By Chas. Morris, 68 Bol Ginger, the Giant Trapner. By A. W. Aiken. 64 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugyet Nod, the Knight of the Gulch. By Edward i Wheeler. 65 Lightning Joe, the 1. error of the Prairie. By Cap- tain J. F.C, Adams. 66 Kit Harefoot, the Wood-Hawk. By T. C. Har- baugh. 67 Rollo, the Boy Ranger; or, The Heiress of the Golden Horn. By Oll Coons. 68 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand. By Edward L, Wheeler. 69 Detective Dick ; >r,The Heroin Rags. By Charles orris. 70 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman. By Ol) Coomes, 71 Sharp Sam; or, The Adventures of a Friendless Boy. By J. Ale: exander Patien. 72 The Lion of the Ren; or, The Vailed Lady of San Tropez. By Albert W. Aiken. %8 Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth; or, Rosebud Rob's Reappearauce. By E. L. Wheeler. %4 Picayune Pete j or, Nicodenus, the Dog Detective, By Cha Morr s. 7S Island Jim; or. T patas Hemyng 76 Watch-Eye, the Shadow; or, Arabs and Angels of « Great City. By Edward L. Wheeler. %Z Dick Dead Eye. the Boy Smuggler. By Col. P Ingraham. 783 Deadwood Dick’s Device; or, The Sign of the Double Cross. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 79 The Black Mustanger + or, The Wild Horse Hunters. By C; Mayne Reid. 80 Old Frosty, the de; or, Mokana, the White Queen one Blackteet. By T. C. Harbaugh, 81 The Sen Viper; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. By Col. Prentiss Ingrahiun. 82 Keth Jones; or, The Captives of the Frontler. By Edward S, Ellis. 88 Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. By Edwara L. Wheeler, 84 The Dumb Page; or. The Doge’s Daughter. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 85 The Boy Mimers; or, The Enchanted Island, By Edward S. Ellis. 86 Jack Harkaway In New York, By Brace- bridge Hemyng. 87 The Hussar Captain; or, The Hermit of Hell Gate. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 88 Deadwood Dickin Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty. By Edward L. Wheeler. 89 Bill Biddon, Trapper} or, Life in the Northwest, By Edward §. Ellis. 90 Tippy, the T exan or, The Young Champion. By George Gleason. Issued Every Wednesday. Beadle’s Pocket Library is for asle by sil Newe- dealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York, he Pet ofthe Famila Sy Brace- ck Harkawny),
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3 OCTAVO PAGES, 7 efADLE PRICE, FIVE CENTS, S POCKET LIBRARY. AHRDHRRH DSH RHADHHDHHAAHDNADDHARDARDRHRADARARAHANRANDNURHRRHDGAGH 91 Mustang Sam, the King of the Plains. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 92 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of | the Caribbees. By Samuel W. [earce. 98 Phil Mardy, the Boss Boy. By Charles Morris. 94 Deadwood Diek ns Detective. By E. L. Wheeler. 95 Buck Buckramy or, Bess. the Female Trapper. By Captain J. F. C. Adams. 96 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective, By E. 1. heeler. 97 The Black Steed of the Prairies, By James L. Bowen. 98 The Sen Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe. By Juan Lewis, 99 Bonanza Bill, the Man Tracker. By E. L. Wheeler. 100 Nat Todd; or, The ¥ate of the Sioux Captive. By Edward §. Ellis. 101 Daring Davy; the Young Bear Killer. By Harry St. George. 102 The Yellow Chief. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 108 Chip, the Girl Sport. By Edward L. Wheeler. 104 The Black Schooner. By Roger Starbuck. 105 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective. Charles Morris. 106 Night-Hawk Kit; or, the Daughter of the Ranch. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 107 Jack Moyle’s Lead; or, The Young Speculator. By Edward L. Wheeler, 108 Rocky Mountain Kit, By T.C. Harbaugh. 109 The Branded Hand; or, Tne Man of Mystery. By Frank Dumont. - 110 The Dread Rider; or, The Texan Duelist. By George W. Browne. = 111 Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. By E. L.Wheeter. 112 The Helpless Hand. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 18 Scar-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter. By Ol Coomes. 14 Piney Paul, the Mountain Boy; or, The Little ‘Arrow of the Adirondacks. By T. C. Harbaugh. 115 Deadwood Dick’s Double. By E. L. Wheeler. 416 Jabez Coffin, Skipper; or, Lost inthe Polar Regions. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 417 Fancy Frank, of Calorado. By Hon. W. F. Cody. “ Buffalo Bill.’” 118 WIll Wildfire, the Thoroughbred. By Chas, Morrie. 119 Blonde Bill; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base. By Edward L. Wheeler. 120 Gopher Gid, the Boy Trapper. By T. C, Harbaugh. 121 Marry Armstrong, the Captain of the Club. By Bracebridge Hemyng, (Jack Harkaway.) 422 The Hunted Munter. By Féward S. E 128 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. By E 124 Judge Lynch, Jr.; or, The Boy V 'T. C. Harbaugh. 125 The Land Pirates. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 126 Blue Blazes; or, The Brenk 0’ Day Boys of Rocky Bar. By Frank Dumont, 12% Rony Fox, the Ferret; or, Boss Bob’s Boss Job. By Edward L. Wheeler. 128 Black Bess, Will Wildfire’s Racer. By C. Morris. 129 Engle Kit, the toy Demon. By Ol) Coomes. By is. Wheeler. ante. By 180 Gold Trigger, the Sport. By T. C. Harbaugh. 181 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike. By Edward L. Wheeler, 182 Dainty Lance, the Boy Sport. By J.B. Badger, Jr. | 188 Wild-tire, the Boss of the Road. By Frank Dumont. | 184 Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. By C. Morris. 185 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. ward L. Wheeler. 186 Old Rube, the Hunter, By Capt. Hamilton Holmes. 187 seat 8 Rock, the Man from Texas. By G. Waldo Browne. 188 Bob Rockett, the Boy Dodger. By Chas. Merris. 189 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 140 Capte in Arizona, the King Pin of Road-Agents. By Philip S. Warne. 141 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler. 142 Little Texas,the Young Mustanger. By Oll Coomes. 148 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 144 Little Grit, the Wild Rider; or, Bessie, the Stock Tonder’s Davghter. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 145 The Tiger of Taos. By Geo. Waldo Browne. 146 The Cattle King. By Frank Dumont. ay E 147 Nobby Nick of Nevada. By Edward L. Wheeler. 148 Thunderbolt Tom. By Hw St. George. 149 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner; er, The Road to Ruin. By Charles Morris. 150 The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock’s Doom, G. Waldo Browne. 151 The Sea Trailer. By Col. Prentiss Ingrabam. 152 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine. By William R. Eyster. * 158 Ld ik Frank, the Buckskin Bravo. By Edward L, heeler. 154 The Boy Trailers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 155 Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit; or, The Kid-Glove Sport. _ By Col.’ Prentiss Ingraham. 156 Will Wildfire in the Woods C. Morris. 157 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. By Harbaugh. 158 Dendwood Dick’s Doom, L. Wheeler. By Philtp. S, 159 Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat. 160 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. By Col. P. Warre. Ingrahain. 161 Bob Rockett, the Cracksman. By C. Morris. By Oll 162 Little Murricane, the Boy Captain, “HOMES. 168 Beadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road. By Edward L- Wheeler. 164 Tornado Toms; or, Injun Jack from Red Core. By T. C, Harbangh. 165 Buffalo BUls Bet. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 166 EL Wildfire Wins and Loses, By Charles Morris. 167 Dandy Rock’s Pledge. By George W. Browne, 168 Dendwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hills Jezebel. By Edward L. Wheeler. 169 The Boy a er, Dutch Herman of the Muskingum. Wy Edward Willett. 170 Bob, Rockett’s Fight for Life. By Charles orris. 171 Frank Morton, the Boy Hercules. By Oll Coomes, 172 The Yanxee Ranger. By Edwin Emerson. 178 Dick Dingle, Scout; or, The Frontier Angel. By Edward S. Ellis. 4 Dandy Rock’s Scheme. By G. W, Browne. > The Arab Detectiy By Edward L, Wheeler. Will Wildfire’s Pluck. By Charles Morrs. The Boy Commander. ByCol.Prentiss Ingraham. 8 The Maniac Hunter, By Burton Saxe. 9 Dainty Lance; or, The Mystic Marksman. By Jos, E. Badger, Jr. 180 The Boy Gold-Munter. By T. C. Harbaugh, By Charles Morris, 181 The Scapegrace Son. 182 The Dark-Skinned Scout. By Lieut, Col Hazeltine. 188 Jabez Dart, Detective. By O11 Coomes. 184 Featherweight, the Boy Spy. By Edward Willett 185 Bison Bill, the Overland Prince. by Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 186 Dainty Lance and His Pard. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. By 18T The Trapped Tiger King. By Charles Morris, Ready August 10. 188 The Ventriloquist Detective, By Edward L, Whiecler. Resdy August 17. 189 Old Rocky’s Boys; or, Benito, the Young Mus- tang: Breaker. By Maj. Sam, S. Hall. Ready August 24. 190 Sim Simpkins, Scout. By James L. Bowen. Ready August 31, 191 Dandy Rock’s Rival. By Geo. Waldo Browne. Ready September 7. Jasued Every Wednesday. Rendle’s Pocket Library is for sale by all News dealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York,