Deadwood Dick Library (v. 2) (1899 07 26)
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Copyright 1 by Beadle & Adams. Entered at Post Office, Es .- 3. IVERS & CO., Publishers, No. 90. Issued Vi fide James Sullivan, Proprietoy,) July 26, 1899. 79 Pearl street, New York. WATCH-EYE, the Shadow; °"*?“Gucarcrs BY EDWARD 1%. WHEELER. “ AND WHO ARE XOU?’? THE POLICEMAN DEMANDED. FOR ANSWER JACK SPHIN¥ EXPOSED A HAND: SOME BADGE, IN THE LIGHT OF HIS LANTERN,
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443 EDWARD L. WHEELER'S DEADWOOD DICK, JR., NOVELS IN THE HALF-DIME LIBRARY. Deadwood Dick, Crescent Sign. dr.; Price 5 Cents per Copy. or, The Crimson 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr's, Defiance. 453 459 465 471 476 481 491 496 500 508 BLD 522 529 534 539 544 549 554 561 567 572 578 584 590 595 600 606 612 618 624 630 636 690 695 700 7104 710 ers, M. J. IVERS & CO., 3 Weadwood Dick, Jr.’ Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Deadwood Dick, Jr,’ Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Deadwood Dick, Jr. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Deadwood Dick, Jr. Deadwood Dick, Jr. Deadwood Dick, s, Full Hand. s, Big Round: Up. s, Racket at Claim 10. s, Corral. s, Dog Detective. in Deadwood. '8, Compact. s, Inheritance. s, Diggings. s, Deliverance. ’s, Protege. s, Three. ’s, Danger Ducks. ’s, Death Hunt, Jr., in Texas. Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidoeq. Deadwood Dick, Jr , on His Mettle. Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Diek, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Deadwood Dick, Jr., Jr., in Cincinnati. Deadwood Dick, in Gotham. in Boston. in Philadelphia. in Chicago. A float. in Denver, s, Decree. in Beelzebub’s Basin. at Coney Island. s, Leadville Lay. in Detroit. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land. Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. 2 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Buffalo. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Chase Across the Continent. Deadwood. Dick, Jr., Among the Smug- glers. Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Jr Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, dT., Jr.’ Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Jr., Jr." Jr., ., In Durango. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ s, Insurance Case. Back in the Mines. s, Discovery. Jr.’s, Dazzle. Dollars. at_ Danger Divide 8, Drop. at Jack-Pot. at San Francisco. 716 Deadwood Dick, 722 Deadwood Dick, 728 Deadwood Dick, 734 Deadwood Dick, 740. Deadwood Dick, 747 Deadwood Dick, 752 Deadwood Dick, 758 Deadwood Dick, 764. Deadwood Dick, "70 Deadwood Dick, 776 Deadwood Dick, 782 Deadwood Dick, 787 Deadwood Dick, 792 Deadwood Dick, "9% Deadwood Dick, - 802 Deadwood Dick, 807, Deadwood Dick, 812 Deadwood Dick, 816 Deadwood Dick, 822 Deadwood Dick, 828 Deadwood Dick, 834 Deadwood Dick, 840 845 Deadwood Dick, 852 Deadwood Dick, 858 Deadwood Dick, 863 Deadwood Dick, 870 Deadwood Dick, 876 Deadwood Dick, 882 Deadwood Dick, 891 Deadwood Dick, 898 Deadwood Dick, 904 Deadwood Dick, 910 Deadwood Dick, 916 Deadwood Dick, 928 Deadwood Dick, 934 Deadwood Dick, 940 Deadwood Dick, 946 Deadwood Dick, 951 Deadwood Dick, 957 Deadwood Dick, 965 Deadwood Dick, 971 Deadwood Dick, 977 Deadwood Dick, 980 Deadwood Dick, 992 Deadwood Dick, 998 Deadwood Dick, 1005 Deadwood Dick, 1011 Deadwood Dick, 1018 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Big Four. For sale by all newsdealers or sent, postpaid, on receipt of price, 5c. per copy, by the pu lis 379 Prarn Streer, New York Crry. Af Chex fp ve AB ae Apot Js, Doublet. dr Jr. Ory’ Jt. ‘pas Jr.’ ox. Jr. Jr. Jr.’ 5 Jr.78 dr, one. Jr.’ A fied ors Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Clutch. ans Jr., or,” Api sitar 8, Decoy Duck. ae in Siiver Pocket. ur, Ab ea iT Jr. JT; ., at Dollarville. bee Aber OY. 8; Jr.'s Jr Jr Jr. Jr. ots Als STi Plug Jr. : Jr.’ Abe A pie! s, Still Hunt. s, Dominoes, s, Disguise. s, Double Deal. s, Death-Watch. s, Death-Blow. 's, Defeat. s, Resurrection. s, Dark Days. , Defied. 4 4g, Double Device. s, Desperate Vent s, Diamond Dice s, Royal Flush, ’s, Head-Off. s, Rival. s, Boom. s, Scoop. s, Proxy, s, High Horse. at Devil’s Gule s, Death-Hole s, Bombshell. in Mexico. s, Dead-Sure Gai s, Double Drive. *s, Trade-Mark. ~ , at Tip-Top, s, Double-Deckex at Flush Flats s, Shake-Up. ’s, Ten-Strike. 5, Gold Dust. *s, Oath. a s, Death-Doom. — s, Best Card. a Gold Dust. s, Big Play. -Branded. s, Dutch Pard.
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Cahcvetec SS ge, SS 2) x hen oe Dee ase . 4 a yy SPAM Ca a Tae ee eee Sees i Vopyright 1879-1885, by Beadle & Adams. Enterea at Post Office, New York, N. Y., as second class matter. Mar. 15, 1852, Mod) IVERS & GO., Publishers, Beas re No. 90, ee ie ca (James Sullivan, Proprietor,) ee 5 Cents. Vol. tl, July 26, 1899. 379 Pearl Street. New York, $2.50 a Year | - WATOH-RYE, the Shadow; °*™xstam amcnts 7 a. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, Ree = = ShY vemeniek = c ae a oi . € = Ss AND WHO ARE you?” THE POLICEMAN DEMANDED. FOR ANSWER JA A HARD> eg f Ee aM BAD re ee a aes ba Ea . c 7 Fear ee ss
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Watch-Eye, the Shadow; Arabs and Angels of a Great City. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, ‘AUTHOR oF ‘“‘DEADWOOD DICK” NOVELS, ‘¢ ROSEBUD ROB” NOVELS, ‘‘ DEATH= VACHE, DETECTIVE,” ETC, CHAPTER I. EIGHTEEN YEARS PREVIOUS, Upon one of the main streets of the city of Baltimore, stood a one-story frame building, painted reddish-brown, and not bearing a very cheerful appearance. It was evidently a place of business, for a creaking sign swayed to and fro above the door, bearing the intelligence that this was the residence, or at least, the office, of “Silas Pry, Broker.” A step within the office revealed a small con- tracted room, meagerly furnished with wood- en-bottomed chairs and a desk and table, The ‘windows were dusty and ornamented with an average crop of cobwebs, and the floor did not look as if it had been scrubbed for a century. % Altogether, it was a disreputable looking den to ornament beautiful Baltimore. One day in May, 186—, a man sat in this office, turning over the pages of a large ledger, a thoughtful expression upon his knitted brows. He was not an old man—indeed, but thirty years had over his head; yet there were wrinkles about his face and a crafty glitter to his steely eyes. His attire was very common—few would have thought him above the humbler paths in life. Yet, there were those who regarded Silas Pry as one of the pillars of Baltimore finances. Z A man, he was, with plenty of money, esteemed by all as honest and fair in all his dealings; a man who had a finger in the city government, and whom everybody called sharp and shrewd. : Silas Pry had como to Baltimore when no one knew it, evidently, and had estab- lished himself, without attracting notice; no ono knew what were his an ents, He ; pupht be the veriest scoundrel in the world—no- y took pains to inquire into his case, In his little dingy office he sat, day in and day out, and “shaved” money an lent money upon security, dealing equally hard and grasping with the widow or the mil- lionaire. It mattered not to him whom he smote, or whose mouths he wrested the bread from, by his exorbitant interest and merciless “shave,” As he sat poring over his accounts, to-day, he wore an anxious expression of countenance, and occasionally ran liis fingers through his wiry hair, or over his smoothly-shaven face. ; _ “No use,” he muttered, closing the book, at last, and lighting his common clay pipe. “I shall let no more: money without a bigger pre- mium, and better security, tT cannot live on if, | sits + aL oe age tris xy Watch-Eye, the Shadow. “There is Franzbingen, of Charleston, hither« to esteemed a millionaire—he has fled the coun- try, with two thousand dollars of my money in his possession, and what have I to show for it? Nothing—only a bit of worthless paper called. a note. , come to find out, his brother owns all of the real estate and personal property, and —Silas Pry, you're beat! The money-lender bit his lips savagely, as he concluded his meditative soliloquy. But he was speedily Rronead By a knocking at his door, in a peremptory manner. Laying down his pen, he went to answer the summons. A young man, of about his own age, step within the office as he opened the door—a stal- wart, handsome fellow, of dashing appearance, with a fair face, light curling hair and blonde mustache—a man whose every Move was grace and ease, attired in the hight of fashion, and wearing the refinement of a higher station in life than that allotted to Silas Pry. Into the office strode this individual, and drop- ped into a chair, as if exhausted from long exer- tion; while Silas Pry turned upon him, after closing the door, with a frown. “Well, Gerald Tracy, what do you want?” Tt was ina pareeng tary manner that this de- — le, as mand was mai he money~-lender confronted. his dashing visitor, with an ugly glitter in his crafty eyes. asif the harshness of Gerald Tracy started Pry’s voice grated upon his senses unpleasantly. “You need not speak so pointedly,” he replied, - evenly. ‘My coming to you, Silas Pry, is no’ so often that you need regard me as trouble- me. “Yet Ido,” the money-lender replied, snap- Bishi. ‘““You and I were never first-class iends, I flatter myself. You were the son of old Richard Tracy, as rich a man as ever Mary- Jand reared. Iwas the son of a cart-driver. You were received into society and. idolized, be- cause of rats wealth, while I was kicked out and ignored, use I was poor. That was the’sole fference between us.” - ~ “Well, alive all that, what offense have f _ committed that hae should incur your enmity, “Ho! ho! you don’t know that you have done _ aught to incur my enmity, eh? ow forgetful you are, to besure. You hf id not wed the wo- man, then, whom I held dearest of all things on _ earth?” . heavy blonde mustache. Tracy smiled good-naturedly, as he stroked hie _ “Well, yes, I did win Marion Lee for my wife, © : but it was not my money thatdid it,” he replied, — shrugging his shoulders. hs ‘Perhaps it was your beauty,” Pry said, with an undisguised sneer. . “ Perhaps,” Tracy replied. loved each other truly—always s what brings me to you?” “T am, undeniably,” Silas Pry replied, drum- Tam in trouble, ola mae ee the table. “Then you shall know. féellow—in such trouble es I never dreamed of getting in. Imprisonmeiis and soc isgra stare me in the money.” — : social disgrace ce, and I have cometo you for * Anyhow, we — e shall, for that — matter. But, now, I suppose you are wondering —
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Watch-Eye, the Shadow. “You come to me for money, Gerald Tracy— you en “ Ay,evenso! Iam B sage and even more —a thief! Listen, and you shall know all, and even though we were never friends, if you are half the man I believe you to be, you will assist me out of my serape. You have money—though the Lord only knows how you came by it, and you must help me! Do you hear +~you must oP me, I tell you.” - Silas Pry bowed, calmly. “Goon,” hesaid. ‘I will listen to what you have to say, and help you.” “You will?’ Tracy exclaimed, joyfully. ‘Then God bless you, for you are more human thanI gave you credit for being. Here is my story—a story which ought to cause a blush of shame to rise to the cheek of any man. As you may have heard, we have been living fast over in Washington. Style was requisite to keep us . in social standing, and style we have adhered to firmly. It was not so much my wife’s faultas I taught her to be proud, for I come of blood that brooks no equality, tt may surprise you to know that the three thousand a year revenue I received from the old plantation, made but a small figure in keeping up the expenses, and the three thousand additional which I received for my clerkship in the bank went like chaff before the wind. I saw it go—saw that something must be done, Hither must have more money, to pa: off the many debts contracted, or nvy wife and must bid farewell to Washington and Washing- ton society. This I could not bear to think o: and so I surreptitiously borrowed fifty thousand © do lars from the —— Bank,in the dead of one night. You have no doubt heard of the bank robbery, as I find that reports are circulating rapidly, although efforts are being made among the directors to hush the matter up.” “And you—?” interrogated Pry. “‘ Have been accused of the appropriation. I. have one chance to save public disgrace and im- prisonment.” ‘“* And what is that chance?’ ‘ “The directors offer to let me go, scot free, and hush the affair up, providing I return every penny I have stolen from them, and leave the country for five years.” ** And you accept?” “Tf T can get the money, yes.” ‘And you intend to leave the country, after having paid them off?” “ Certainly. * By so doing I can in five years return, my crime unknown, and none to taunt ae of it, an honest man among my fel- ows. ' * And what would you do with your wife dur- ing all these years?” “eave her in Washington. She will never know what has become of me until I return, rich Snes: T hope, to settle all my indebted- ness, and begin life anew. My Marion is not afraid to work, and can_support herself by her ~ needle, as she did before I wedded her, Though her pride must have a fall, it is better so.” ‘You have Riverdale, yet,” Silas Pry sug- gested, scratching his head. ‘How much do you value that at?” : “T have refused seventy-five thousand dollars for it, because I promised my father upon his. ee s" vy deathbed never to part with the plantation. It is one of the best in the State.” ‘Well, I have heard you through. What more do you want?” Silas ts demanded. ‘‘ You seem to under a cloud, despite the fact that you have always carried your head so high.” “Do you mean to taunt me?” Gerald Tracy demanded, his eyes flashing. : ‘Certainly not,” Pry replied, rubbing his hands in a patronizing manner. ‘‘ Isympathize with you, and am your earnest friend.” “Then, will you let me have the money I want?” ‘ _‘* On conditions, certainly.” On conditions? What do you mean by that? I was not aware that.a true friend as you claim to be would ask conditions!” ‘*Ha! ha! the time is passed when friends trust friends on simple word, Gerald Tracy. Security now takes the place of men’s words, as the safest panacea for debt. If you want to give me a mates upon Riverdale for seventy- ve thousand dollars, I will get you fifty thou- sand dollars in money!” ‘Are you mad, man?” ne Never was more sane, } assure you, my dear acy. ; “But your proposal is preposterous. Do you supp P wroulet sacrifice Riverdale in that man- ner “As you please. I am not in the least par- ticular about letting you have the money. If you accept my offer, -you shall have your plantation back when I get my seventy-five thousand.” ‘‘And you would take twenty-five thousand dollars out of me for the use of fifty. Why, it’s outrageous!” You may look at it so, but I cannot make a « living at a less shave.” A desperate look came into the eyes of Gerald Tracy, as he glanced at his watch, and then through the dow across the street, where a well-dressed man stood leaning against a tree. “A detective, eh?” Silas Pry said, following his gaze, with a crafty smirk. Gerald Tracy nodded, as he sat staring in a reverie upon the dirty floor, sean Silas Pry drummed idly upon his desk, and zed at his enemy—for he regarded Gerald ‘racy as his enemy, and he was the bitterest foe the troubled Washingtonian had. ; ss God, why was I ever so long in the dark as to this?” Tracy murmured, as if he had for- gotten the presence of Pry. ‘‘ Why could I not awaken in time.to steer out from these accurs- ed breakers, of which I have now run afoul? Poor Marion! it will be a bitter blow to her when she learns all. But there is no other al- ternative. God knows I wish there was. must accept the terms of this inhuman land- — : shark, and break my promise to my dying fath- er. For the time is growing short. Inside of an hour, I must place the money in the detect- ive’s hands, or go to jail and suffer disgrace and imprisonment. No! no! not that, by Heaven! Pll commit murder before I go to jail, Let me see. A train leaves for the and Denver this evening, and there I shall : I have already written to Marion, 30 everytliitig a is complete except—” ere est fo Pike’s Peak *
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- ~ casion by the bank, ermmee ee a 4 “Signing the mortgage!” Silas Pry finished, eagerly, laying aside his pen, for he had been writing rapidly during the latter partof Tracy’s any The Washingtonian looked up with a start, and Ged keenly at the money-lender. “ Why is it that you aresoeager?” hedemand- ed, suspiciously. ‘‘ Perhaps you expect to have Riverdale for your own? But you will be mis- taken. Inside of twenty years—ay, nineteen years from this, tho 10th day of May, I will re- urn prepared to pay off your claims, principal and interest. Do you understand me?” ‘“* Perfectly,” Silas Pry said, ‘‘ Shall I fill out a mortgage for your property to be foreclosed in nineteen years from to-day, if not taken up?” “Tsuppose so. I see no other alternative,” Tracy said, ‘‘Go ahead, [ will call in the de- toctive for a witness to the compact.” Silas Pry set to work at writing, briskly. At vA Berkon, the detective crossed the street and en- rea, He was a low-browed, tierce-looking fellow, powerful of build, and the possessor of an evil pair of eyes, around which lingered traces of dissipation. Gerald Tracy paced up and down the room, his head bowed, and an expression of despond- eney upon his face. Silas Pry at last finished writing, and after reading over the mortgage, handed it to Tracy. “Sion that, please,” he said, briskly, “and Riverdale shail raise you the money.” Gerald Tracy took the document and read it several times over. It was a formal mortgage upon the plantation known as Riverdale, given Silas Pry by Gerald Tracy in consideration of seventy-five thousand dollars U. 8. money, said mortgage not to bo foreclosed until nineteeu years from date—interest during the interval to accrus and be added to the principal at time of liquidation or foreclosure. ‘ All satisfactory?” Silas Pry demanded. Yes, I suppose so,” the other replied, as he seated himself and signed the document in a bold, graceful style of chirography. ‘Now give me the money.” Without demur, Silas Pry unlocked a safe which stood beneath his desk, and took outa big roll of bills, of large denominations. “Out of these he counted fif ty thousand dollars, the whole making a large stack of paper. Gerald Tracy took the money and counted it over, to assure himself that it was cérrect; then he turned to tho detective. ee ‘‘T have hore the price of my liberty. Give me a receipt for it, and itis yours to return to the bank.” Upon a receipt meperad expressly for the oc- ihe detective, William Me- Quaver, by name, appended his, signature, whereupon the re and the money exchang- ed hands, and Gerald Tracy arose to his feet with a sigh of relief. . “At last!” ho said, “I am.a free man, and repared to begin life anew! Look out for mo, sg Pry nineteen years from to-day, the tenth a ; of : , revs bowing haughtily, he turned and quitted ' the room and strode down the street with a firm, plastic step, while Silas Pry smiled craftily, © > dle i 4 antes e Mad Watch-ftye, the Shadow, : ti in Miss Beatrice was resplendent in a rieh eae er v2 ee CHAPTER IT. EIGHTEEN YEARS LATER. Era@aTreEn years from the month of May m which Gerald Tracy borrowed fifty thousand dollars from Silas Pry, in Baltimore, previous to his departure from the land of his birth, to seek a fortune in golden lands. Eighteen years is a oe | lapse of time, and many changes may be noted in the growth and settlement of our fair, beautiful continent, of — which every true-born American is justly proud. We change the scene of our romance to the Centennial city of Philadelphia, where we pro- pose to chronicle the secret and open events of pveryaay life in the great metropolis—the Qua- er City. Upon one of the principal thoroughfares stood the imposing residence of Judge Felix Ver- millye. It was built entirely of stone, of elabo- rate finish, aad stood upon a terraced lawn which was a perfect paradise of flowers, well- kept shrubs, and spraying fountains, within a labyrinth of circling and serpentine walks. It was one of the finest residences wpon —— ~ street, and therein dwelt Judge Vermillye and his accomplished daughter, the stately Beatrice, an acknowledged queen of society. Of the antecedents of the Vermillyes very lit- tle was really known, though it was currently reported that they were enormously wealthy, and were of Virginian birth. They were at once , admitted into the best society, and idolized be- cause they were leaders in. fashion, and had a limitless bank account. The judge was interested in a steamship line, owned a large woolen manufactory, and shortly after taking up his residence, was elected to the vice-presidency of one of the first banks of the city. 4 Kit this combined to make him popular, and his philanthropy upon several occasions gained him further notoriety through the press. In society, Miss Beatrice shone resplendently as a star, for hers were ever the most expensive and stylish toilettes, and she was universally es- teemed a beautiful woman—a tall, stately bru- nette of willowy form, with cold, purely chisel- ed features; dark hair, and eyes to match—eyes that had the power of flashing with intense scorn, or of lighting handsomely with enthusiasm. Thus the Vermillyes lived in their magnificent home, drove their costly turnouts, gave their fashionable receptions, and carried on a style of existence that was the marvel and topte of dis- cussion at many a tea-table. : One dark rainy evening in May, the grand mansion on Vermillye Terrace was brilliantly illuminated for a fete, inhonor of Miss Beatrice, upon her nineteenth birthday. rds of invitation had been freely circulated among “‘the best families,” resulting in gather- ing a large assemblage of guests in the Ver- amillye parlors. / , The music of a fine orchestra throbbed weirdly upon the night; the perfume of rare flowers from the well-stocked conservatory was delicately gratifying to the senses; while the hum of busy voices, the revelry of the dancers, the clin’ ; of glasses, and soundsof laughter all betok eneral enjoyment of the hour.
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Watch-Eye, SN are, ing costume, with her hands, hair and throat pe pemeled, and her arm given over to a gay Eng- lish marquis, De Haven was his name—the Marquis of De Haven, from London; quite the ‘‘ catch” of the season the judge had assured his dutiful daugh- ter, previous to the introduction at the fete. The marquis was a pale, effeminate person- age, with milky complexion and eyes to match light hair and sickly side-whiskers of the veri sandy hue. His dress was natty and his linen immaculate, while he sported a “loud” supply of genuine diamonds, and other jewelry. \ pecoap ys dancer, he and Beatrice were the observed of all observers, as they whirled through the mazes of the dance. Judge Vermillye stood gazingon in due pa- rental pride, in company with several business gentlemen. of his acquaintance./ ‘Beatrice looks her best, to-night, Sheffield, ae. said, stroking,his long beard, compla- cently. “Indeed she does, and she and your English- man dance superbly. From London, you say?” “De Haven? Oh! yes. I have telegraphed and found out that he isa big gun over on the other side.” 2 “Indeed! Then I suppose we need not be surprised to hear of an engagement soon, eh?” The judge smiled. “Tt depends how well Beatrice likes his lord- ship. If everything goes on smoothly, I'd as soon have the marquis for a son-in-law as any man I know of, as he seems to be a decidedly jolly dog, and a thoroughly good fellow.” And so, the evening wore on, within the man- sion one round of gayety, while outside the spring rain poured down, and the thunder boom- ed along the heavens as answering the sharp flashes of lightning. The judge was a liberal provider, and his uests lacked not wine and champagne to wash own the sultriness of the evening and the fa- tigue of the ball-room. ' Outside the illuminated mansion and grounds of Judge Vermillye, humble passers-by would Geetonally pause for a moment, to gaze upon the scene of revelry, or to listen to the exquisite music that floated out through the open case- ments. a But such as deigned to ogee were sure soon to h away to esca) he drenching shower that fell evenly from the clouds—all, save one. Aman came Zi; zageing along the street and paused under the lamp-light in front of the gate which led into the lawn of the Vermillye place— aman such as one will seldom meet in the city _ of Philadelphia—a pai, hungry-looking indi- vidual, with bleared eyes, an uncommonly red nose, and hair that, to all appearances, had not made the acquaintance of a comb or brush for many a long day. The beard upon his face wes of a two weeks’ prt ee him a rough and uncouth appearance. is garments were torn and ragged, except where they were patched with contrasting material; his boots were broken out at the sides and toes, and his hat had evidently some time been used as a target for rifle practice, as it wasfull of bullet-holes. This comprised his possessions, save it be a small bundle swung to a stick over his shoulder. “asine "Soe goth atest Shh AD a tb Pas ea Sy ee OPIS Rep 1 ENS Ia the Shadow. 5 A full-fledged tramp looked this fellow, and that he had taken “spirit” consolation lately, was evidenced by the unsteadiness of his gait. He paused, and steadying himself against the lamp-post, gtized up toward the gaslit parlors, wherein forms of men and women were whirling in the giddy dance, to the music of unseen’ mu- siciaps. For several minutes the tramp gazed in silence toward the mansion, while the rain poured down upon him pitilessly; then he gave vent to a nt, the nature of which it would have ifficult to analyze. “Theyre havin’ a big (hic) time up in thar, durned if they ain’t,” he soliloquized, serate! his chin. ‘‘ Wonder who keeps that high-ton roost, anyhow? Phew! do my nostrils deceive me, or do I smell champy? Must be a fu’st-class kind of han ’otel, I reckon. Wonder ef they receive guests at all hours? Reckon I ain’t in fu’st-class rig, but mebbe I'll p-p-pass (hic). T wonder ef there’s enmg dorgs about?” And, with the instinct belonging to his race, the man peered about the grounds in search of the tramp’s worst enemy, a watchful dog. A sleepy lcceiig coach-dog vad upon the ee race steps, with one eye open. An ordinary 0 server would have cmon lates among the most harmless of dogs, but not so with the tramp. Muddled-as was his brain, he was well aware that the sleepy-looking canine was secretly smacking his lips for a piece of tramp. “No, no, Lhain’t got any (hic) meat for ye dorgy,” this lone adventurer muttered. ‘‘ Ken spare a pound, nohow. Kinder (hic) intelligent- _ lookin’ purp, that. Wonder if he be susceptible , ter f-f-flattery?” And, searching around among the rags of his coat, thé tramp brought forth a fresh piece of beefsteak, and tossed it up on the terrace, in front of the dog, At first the sagacious animal disdained to no- tice the offering; but after a few moments, dur- ing which time the tramp waited patiently, the scent of the meat caused the dog to rise and ap- pfoach it and smell it over and over. As a final result, he swallowed it with relish, While the eee ee his position by the lamp-post, chuc audibly. “‘No, (hic) beast or man who is not (hic) sus- ceptible to no Oe he said. ‘he dog went back and laid down upon the° steps, after finishing his meal, and waiting a few minutes more, the tramp rig-zageed, forward, cpanel oe gate, cao secede taf : e@ ae As e passed the dog, he gaveita kick, but the poor brute stirred not. He was dead! ft Staggering on, the tramp ascended to the ve- randa, and entered the grand vestibule, which was deserted, and made his way along the hall toward the refreshment room, in the rear, paus- ing occasionally to inspect such articles of fur- niture or pices as aroused his curiosity. Judge Vermillye was in the dinner salon, with a group of his most intimate friends, at the time, engaged in sampling some rare old vint- age, and the judge r proposing a toast had ~ raised the glass of liquor to his lips, when a trembling hand suddenly reached over his shoul- _ der and snatched it from his grasp. : pe _ With an ejaculation of surprise he whe ,
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head, and — © Well, I don’t want 6 Watch-Eye, the Shadow. behold a sight that caused the blood to boil in his veins. The tramp was quaffing the wine with the Breiteet of gusto, his face suffused with gracious smiles. The judge’s companions burst into a shout of os al while the judge himself smothered an oath, = ‘By my soul!” he gasped, his face apoplectic in color, “‘ this surpasses any case of actual im- pudence that ever came to my notice. Who is the fellow?” ‘OR-r-r-rastus Racket, at yer (hic) service!” vouchsafed the tramp, seeming to think that he was called upon to introduce himself. ‘‘ Wer good wine—w—w—werry good. Don’t (hic) mind if I do take another nip, seein’ it’s you. Y—y—yes, take mine straight! And he passed back the glass, smacking his lips ay. Judge Vermillye snatched the glass from his hand, and pointed toward the door. “Gol he said, authoritatively, ‘‘or Tll have my servants kick you out, you ragged loafer,” Rastus Racket looked in the direction indi- cated by the judge’s finger, then back at the judge, the blankest of leers coming upon_his Then he shook his head dubiously, and his * ears wiggled to and fro with as much ease asthe ears. of a mule. “Have to (hic) speak louder!” he muttered; “much deaf, an’ (hic) can’t understand,” “Leave the house I say!” the judge thun- dered at the top of his voice, ‘or I shall have my servants put you out!” An HS Gaeery of intelligence immediately lit up the face of the tramp, as if he fully under- ” Yes, w-werry good wine!” he assented, with a@ quizzical leer. ‘‘ Your treat? Yés. Razzer drink (hic), wi’ you as any better man.” This caused another roar of laughter from the judge’s guests, but it thoroughly exasperated the judge, and seizing the tramp by the arm and coat-collar, and dragging him out into the hall. he forcibly pitched him headforemost out o: doors, Closing the door, he returned to his guests and hastily drank off .the' toast, after which he ex- cused himself for a few moments, and sought the solitude of his library. Here he turned on ‘the gas, and paced to and fro, his face flushed, his whole being agitated with nervous excite- ment, ‘That face!” he gasped—“ there is none other in the world exactly the same. By heaven! I am not mistaken in the man, shrewd as was his disguise. This matter must be settled. With that man at large I am not safe. Ruin, expo- ‘sure, disgrace, stare me in the face. Ha! a_ ready thought, I ‘have Chica, my Mexican steward. He is safe and trusty!” ‘ Touching a bell the judge summoned a ser- vant whom he in turn dispatched for the Mexi- - ean, who soon appeared. He wasa, dusky-skinned fellow of some twenty- eight or thirty years, with an evil eye in his a general exhibition of restlessness. saw the Soke gh Judge Vermillye said. ever to be seen alive d me?” - You again, in this Do you und ee city. shi The swarthy face smiled, and nodded; then withdrew. While Judge Vermillye descended to the parlors, feeling somewhat easier, despite the fact that he pronounced a fellow-mor- tal’s doom. For Chica was a faithful bloodhound—a hu- man tool to perform whatsoever the judge willed. “* Curse the fellow, how his coming unnerved me!” the judge declared, to his friends, later, as . he cracked a fresh bottle. ‘“‘T have a particular horror of tramps, and then this fellow was so much boider than they usually are. To your health, gentlemen, and also—to the tramp’s!” ss CHAPTER III. THE TRAMP FINDS FRIENDS. “HpiLo! bless my eyes if I haven’t a case of mystery to tackle the very first night of my career as a detective. Jack Sphinx, old boy, you’re in luck.” The speaker was a man enveloped in a lon: oil-cloth coat, with a broad-brim hat slouched’ over his eyes. He had stopped in traversing one of the many narrow, dark-thoroughfares of the city, to bend over an apparently inanimate form which lay outstretched upon the sidewalk. The pet was well advanced toward another day, and as dark as Stygia. The rain still pour- ed down ceaselessly, and not a person was to be seen or heard abroad. The lamps that were peste at the street corners gave forth but a eeble, flickering light—often seemed to die out altogether, as a fierce blast of wind would sweep along through the street. s Jack Sphinx glanced sharply at his surround- - ings before making an examination of the case which lay at his feet. He was in a locality that ~had the repute of being none too safe after dark, and caution was one of the ingredients of his composition. A close scrutiny failed to reveal any person in the neighborhood, and he turned toward his case. : Producing a dark-lantern he shot the slide, and directed the little bolt of light upon the pros- trate man. ; : It was the same tramp who earlier in the eve- ning had invaded the mansion of Judge Vermill- ye on —— street. > Had Chica followed him, and executed his master’s bidding? 4 Evidently so, for ’Rastus Racket lay ‘quite still, as if dead, and there was an ugly bruise upon his left eye, and a red discoloration about his throat. “There has been foul play here,” Jack Sphinx announced. pers. ‘A man found dead upon a disrepu street, at midnight, by Sphinx, the great de- e “A sensation for the priate Be 2 tective! Ha! ha!” and the man laughed at the idea, Closing the slide of his lantern, he knelt beside the tramp, and tearing open his abe ragged shirt, he placed his ear to his heart, ‘moment | later he raised his head and glanced around him. “The chap still lives, whoever he may be,” he muttered. ‘IT should say by the scent of his breath that he had been and fallen Sos oy
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Watch-Eye, the Shadow. J after which if was opened by a young woman— a maiden, rather, of eighteen summers. Fair. of face and graceful in form, she was a most pleasant object for gaze to rest upon, with her brown, “Sparkling eyes, sunny ir, and bright expression of countenance. ’ e uttered a glad cry as she saw Jack, but her ery seemed to die out into a little wail of horror as she caught a glimpse of the policeman and the insensible ’Rastus Racket. t Jack, however, took pains to reassure’ her, inj a kindly tone. “Don’t be frightened, Nellie. I’ve brought: my first case, as I promised I would. An old} ged you see, who has been foully dealt with. Is old O glesby in?” “No, I should not have ee the door, had he been here,” Nellie replied. ‘‘ Bring the poor man inside, Jack, and if I hear Jared coming, I will hide him.” _ With the policeman’s aid, Jack lifted Rastus Racket inside the room, and laid him on the lounge. .The officer then bowed and took his departure, : § soon as he was gone, Nellie sprung eagerly to Jack’s embrace. “Oh! Iam so glad you came, Jack, for I have been so lonesome, and fearful that some harm ‘would come to you in your new vocation !”. she said, throwing her arms about his neck, and pulling him down £0 that she might kiss him. \For Jack Sphinx was a fellow that any wo- man might adore. Tall and stalwart, with a well-developed form in which was a super- abundance of strength and muscle; a keen eye, regular classic features that many would have pronounced handsome, brown curling hair, ana a high , intellectual forehead, he was the picture of a handsome man. A light brown mustache shaded his mouth, about which ever lurked a good-natured ex- “pression. ‘You are glad, my Attic Angel?” he said, re- turning her caress, ‘‘ Well, I am glad. But, laying aside lovers’ matters, here’s my first pro- fessional case waiting our attention. How long before you es til Ogglesby?” é “Oh, Jack, I do not know. He is very cruel to me. He got very drunk te ey and went | out declaring his intention of making a night. of it. “Humph! ‘Let me catch him drunk upon the street, and see how quick Pll jerk him into the station.” . ‘ : “Don’t do it, Jack, I beg of you. He is a vin- dictive old wretch, and he would do you harm, + should you interfere with him, I grow to fear him more and more every day I live. He even threatened to pound me last night, and would, no doubt, had not Mr. Crockett, next door, in- — terposed and argued with him. Oh! Jack, it is awful to be bound out to such an old wretch. I sometimes get to feeling desperate. i used to mind it so much until I—I Jack, and learned that there were so people in the world!” “My r little Angel!” the young said, softly, smoothing back the from her forehead. ‘* Yours is indeed. ; lot. But take cheer. Three more year.) wil place you out of Jared Ogglosby’s hands, and * way, only for these bruises and discolorations. I wonder how heavy he.is, anyhow?” 3 An attempt to lift the inanimate form proved that he was quite too heavy for one man to carry, although he appeared thin and gaunt from exposure and hunger. This fact became immediately apparent to Sack Sphinx, and taking from under his coat a small whistle, he blew it rapidly and shrilly, in little jerks. In the course of a few moments loud footsteps were heard approaching, and a policeman came dashing up. “Wat's gone wrong?” he demanded, out of breath from his run. : “You see, don’t you?” Jack Sphinx said, point- ~ irig to the body of the tramp. ‘'There’s been foul play here, and I want you to help me ¢: the fellow to Ogglesby row.” is ‘Sho’! Is the chap dead?” ‘ No—merely stunned, I take.it.” ‘*Been drunk at that, too,” the cop said, smelling the tramp’s breath. ‘* Come, let’s jerk him down to the station.” - “T say no!” Sphinx replied, coolly. ‘I will take him to my hospital, if you please. The fel- low has been assaulted, and I will take care of him for the present.” “ And who are you!” the policeman demand- ed, surlily. For answer Jack ae exposed a handsome badge, in the light of his lantern, with a cool ironical laugh. : sete ? “My name is Jack Sphinx, detective, at-your service,” he answered. : Ess The policeman muttered an unintelligible ejaculation of some sort, and seized the tramp by the legs. “Come along,” he called. ‘'I reckon you be a new one, or I should ’a’ know’d ye.” ; Without more ado they raised the inanimate form of ’Rastus Racket between them and bore him away out of that street, into another which was, if anything, darker, but cleaner and less offensive. After a journey of several blocks, they halted in front of a tenement block, four stories in hight, which must have been built years before, for it was now in a ruined condition, the win- dows being minus many panes of glass, and the bricks decaying and falling out in places. The first floor was occupied by German and Trish families of the lower grades, while the upper stories were chiefly tenanted by a more respectable class, the upper rooms being in bet- ter condition than those upon the ground. A broad staircase led from the street and, up this Sphinx and the policeman carried *Rastus | Racket. : ; ‘You seem to be familiar with this den,” the . policeman remarked, as they proceeded. _— ~ ‘“‘To some extent, yes,” Jack replied. ‘‘ I have a little private hospital of my own up in Room 18 run by my Angel of the Attic as I call her, ‘When you see her, you will not think I have overrated her, I am sure.” : Pausing a moment on the first landing for breath, they then ascended to the second, then trudged along a jong hallway, finally stopping before a door on the left-hand side. : Upon this Jack Sphinx gave a peculiar rap,
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~ 8. then whom will you seek to protect you for the remainder of your life?” “'You, of cour e, Jack—who else do I know who has been as'kind to me as you? No one— no one whom I care half so much for. You oe have me even sooner than you imagine, ack. } ‘How do you mean?” ‘Jared Ogglesby is failin, age and rum are shattering cannot long hold out.” “Well, pretty, the sooner you are free to come to me as my little wife the better it will suit me. Pve got a little nest all prepared for your arri- val. But here we are again, neglecting our subject. I will see how Thaaly he is bruised, patch him up a little, and leave him in your care. When Ogglesby comes you cen hide him /in the secret partitioned hallway which I dis- covered. I don’t believe he'll be molested there, until I can come and see him again.” They now set about making an examination of the tramp’s injuries. Search disclosed only the ugly bruise over his left eye, and the discolored ring about his neck. Otherwise he appeared to have received no dis- abling hurts. ‘* He has been choked, evidently, or else a cord with a weight to one end, such as is used by the Oriental stranglers, has been slung about his neck, the ee striking him upon the eye,” Jack said, reflectively. ‘‘ The latter is probably “the correct theory. He seems to breathe regu- larly, and will be all right as soon as restored to consciousness. Is there any liquor in the house?” : Nellie hurried to a cupboard, and brought forth a bottle which was the property of Jared Ogglesby. This Jack took and poured a few drops between the lips of the tramp. @ effect was electrical. A shudder seemed to traverse the man’s frame, and he gave a gasp, after which he slowly opened his eyes. ack raised him to a sitting position, and then stepped back a pace. : “Humph!” ’Rastus Racket grunted, staring about in some curiosity. “What's the matter? Where am I? Who are every day. Old is system, and he - you?” and his bleared eyes turned inquisitively then, Rather a game-lookin’ optic, eh?” _ upon Jack and Nellie. “One question at a time, if you please, m friend, and we will endeavor to answer you,” Jack ‘answered, with a smile. ‘‘My name is Jack Sphinx,.at your service, This young lady is Miss Nellie Morton, my betrothed.” The tramp stared at Nellie, queerly. “ Beautiful!” he muttered, half aloud. “You've made a good choice, young man. She will make you a good wife. But, how came There?” “Well, you were carried here by a policeman and myself. I found you lying insensible in a dark street, and taking pity on you, had you conveyed here to my private hospital.” — “Ugh! I remember,” the tramp said, rubbing his injured eye. ‘‘I was drunk, as usual, and somebody lassoed my neck, like they do on the plains, and thumped me over the eye with a stone. I didn’t seem to remember any more just Pras os im fee ass we tl } fo wae-5 Fee Watch-Eye, the Shadow. ' ——e ‘‘ Yes; you will have to be careful or you will lose it. So.you were drunk, then, when at- tacked?” : “Til allow Iwas. Yousee the fact is I hadn’t seen many sober days since I’ve been East.” “ And why? Do you not know that whisky is a man’s worst enemy?” ; “Yas, I reckon yow’re right, young man; buf? You see, when I cum back East, after an absence of nearly seventeen years, and found the hopes of a' lifetime all blasted and withered, I war as disconsolate a mortal as evyer trod terra firma, an’ tuk ter drink. That war nigh a year ago, an’ since then whisky’s got so flrm a hold upon me thet thar’s no sech a thing in ther Bible as lettin’ it alone. .Besides, ye see, thar’s nothin’ for meter live for—no wife, no chick nor child, no friends—an’ I calculate the sooner I find my way to a hole in the ground, the better for my- self and the world at large.” ““You_have a wrong idea altogether, my friend,” Jack said, earnestly. ‘‘ There are hun- dreds ready to grasp you warmly by the hand, were you to redeem yourself.” “Ye don’t mean tosay thet ye believe it, young feller?” “Certainly Ido. I speak only what I believe. A drunkard has no true friends, but a temperate manhasmany. The world is not yet so gone to the bad that there are not honest, faithful souls in it.” ‘*Mebbe yow’re right thar, but I’ve been cl’ar over the world, and asa general thing the people war all greedy, selfish an’ worldly. No use o? me tryin’ ter stop ticklin’my weazand wi’ tar- ant’ler, no use. Nothin’ shorto’ extreme povert an’ a prison cell’d do the job. Sumtimes I thin I'd go to jail a year ef I could regain my wits an’ be as I was a few years ago.” “Oh! sir, I am so glad to hear you say so!” Nellie cried, clasping her hands eagerly. ‘‘ Jack, — if we could only induce him to go to the Reform Home! Iam sure they would kill his appetite for strong drink, and oh! how happy it would make me!” \ ‘* Thankee, little gal. You're the first woman who hes said as pleasant a thing to me since— well, since long, long ago.” And the tramp brushed moisture from his un- injured eye. : : ‘There is a Home of Reform, here in the city,” Jack explained, “in charge ‘of a kind- hearted physician and his family, where intem- perate men and women are taken under treat- ment, and I am happy to say that many won- derful cures have been effected. But the charges . are necessarily high—and—and I fear they would be above your reach. But perhaps the united contents of our pocket-books might pro- cure you an entrance, that is, if you would go,” “Oh! do go—please do!” Nellie said, eagerly, ‘and when you come out, we will be your — friends, and so will others, and pete Jack ~ could get you a good paying job, for Jack’s paces to be an influential citizen, you know, and— Pretty Nellie pauved in her childish enthusi- asm, while "Rastus Racket chuckled outright: ‘You're a good little girl, miss, an’ it does me Rood to hear you talk. My life o’ late years has — mn barren 0’ sech streaks o’ sunshine as your * PAT ak BG ae
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Watch-Eye, ths Shadow. bright presence unfolds, An’ I’ve made up m mind that I'll try hia proposition, though it?ll robably be a toug! Wk through. As to money, ittle gal, why, I’ve lots of it, an’ when ’Rastus Racket makes his will, you an’ your prospéctive . husband, thar, shall have a large slice out of ~where you are going to take me. my golden pie. Ah! I had forgotten—my bun- sr Pr as nevae of it?” ; i asst ni © tramp’s face grew pale as he around and did not behold it. ‘“My bundle!” he repeated, excitedly, ‘If that is lost I am ruined!” “Calm yourself, my friend!” Jack said. ‘I left the bundle behind, for I did not consider it of any value. I gave it.a kick up an alley, and no doubt it is there still. I will go at once and get it!” And seizi and in the his hat, he hurried from the room, irection where he had found the tramp lying. Nellie and ’Rastus Racket waited impatiently, and in the course of half an hour heard some- hody coming up the stairs, three steps at a time, as if in a great hurry. “Tt is Jack! it is Jack!” Nellie cried, joyous- ly springing forward and opening the door, to admit him. —“ And he has got your bundle, too, Mr. Racket.” “Yes, I found it just where I had kicked it,” Jack explained, as he delivered the budget, which was wrapped in an old silk handkerchief. The tramp received it with muttered thanks and proceeded to open ib. Nellie and Jack stood by, watching, more out of curiosity than intention. { A-couple of sealed envelopes rolled out as the bundle came untied, and then a handful of large olden coins, ‘several gold rings, and one set with iamonds of great size and brilliancy. “Oh! how pretty!” Nellie could not help say- ing, enthusiastically, while Jack gazed silently on, not a little surprised. “Oh! I got ’em all honestly!” ’Rastus Racket assured. I grubbed for gold sixteen years, steady, and I salted down a few sech things. Here, lectle gal, Pll give ye the diamond fet to keep til I come out o' ther Home as ye call it. An’ Jack, heer, kin keep the rest for me. Now, then, I’m all ready to go and try to make a man of myself.” : ‘But you should not trust us!” Jack expostu- lated. “Ere you come. out, something might ag that I would lose it.” ell, then you may deposit in the Bank of North America in the name of Burastus Racket, and send the receipt to me at the place Come! now, let’s go at once, while the fit is on me, or I shall back out.” Jack Sphinx knew that it would be policy, to obey, and so, after pocketing the tramp’s money, they both bade adieu to Nellie, and descended to the street. i <It was not yet daylight, but Jack was aware that the Home was ever open, and so he led the ba through the fam eee es : veral times they were stop’ y. ice- of pet J; aa Honk Times. 2 It is but justice in behalf of the le of Jack Sphinx emerged from | Philadelphia, to say that only a cer few of — 9 Sy rage Pas pene ae Home, but ’Rastus Racket was not wi The tramp was now where he could not getin- toxicating ot bees And he had a year to stay before he could again be set at liberty. ut - CHAPTER IV. 2 ONE YEAR LATER—MIKE KEENE’S CLUB—THE STRANGER WITH A GLASS EYE. One year later, in the month of May, on Chestnut street, Philadelphia, stood a large, im- structure of brick, the ground floor pan g ing occupied as a store, and the basement | by a fruit-stand. The second floor was taken ets for offices by prominent business men, while the whole of the third story was occu- pied by what was familiarly known to those who were aware of its. existence as ‘ Mike Keene’s Club.” Gaming establishments are plentiful in the Quaker City, but there are perhaps none run upon as large a scale or conducted on as “‘high-toned ” principles as this Mike Keene’s — Club. Unlike other places of the kind, there are not a mixture of games to attract the visitor, but the gambling is confined to one species of game, and that only a “ wheel of fortune.” _ To be sure, there are dice-cups to shake for cigars, but this fact is scarcely noticed for the buzz about the great wheel of destiny. The wheel in question was a beauty, being large, with a gold-plated hub and axle, upon which it revolved, the spokes being handsomely inlaid with pear] and ivory, and the numbers upon the rim being of solid gold and crested with, a diamond to each number. Those said, who knew, that the wheel, with its magnificent mountings, had cost Mike five or six thousand dollars, There were one hundred num- bers upon the wheel, and ten cards were usually sold; each card bearing ten numbers. If by chance the snap-finger pares at any number upon your card, you were the winner of ninety dollars, while ten dollars went into the coffers of the banker, who was the inevitable Mike Keene himself, the ten cards haying all been disposed of at ten dollars a card. Half-cards were some- times sold to accommodate those who were ‘“broke,” or such as were too modest to venture a larger sum. In case some number on the half- card won, forty-five dollars went to the holder of the card, and forty-five to the man who held the other half, and ten into the banker’s pocket. In case the second half of the card was not sold, the banker retained it, and won or lost as the case might be. In every case each turn of the wheel would net the banker ten dollars, and when sometimes of a day or evening the wheel would go around many hundred times his profits ; were enormous. ting from GA aN he rejoiced in his calling, claiming, a a] eset
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10 all the great population knew or ever heard par- ticularly of Mike Keene and his club. And, as for the city authorities, if they were aware of the existence of such a personage or such a chub- room, they were quiet and close-mouthed about it. At least the police never ‘‘ pulled” Mike Keene's place, and the club and its votaries con- tinued prosper and grow more notorious among business men. The room in question was furnished with a taste and magnificence rarely ever seén in a ambling hall. The floor was carpeted with rich russels, and furnished with luxurious uphol- stered furniture, while the ceiling was a marvel of the fresco art, and the walls were hun with pictures and paintings, such as one wi not often meet with outside of an art gallery. On one side of the room, near the middle, was the standard with the axle upon which revolved the wheel of fortune, 4 One man stood upon a bench to whirl it, at the clang of the bahker’s call-bell, while four men, ey dressed, stood within the low railing inclosure that encircled the wheel, to sell tickets to the spectators. A little office in one corner of the inclosure contained the ample proportions of Mike Keene, who was his own banker and treasurer. He was a thick-set individual, with iron-gray hair and mustache, and wore a pair of gold-rim glasses, when engaged at his work.- The evening* of the 8th of May saw quite a crowd in Mike Keene's establishment, composed of merchants, speculators, gamblers by profes- sion, bankers, and occasionally a theatrical manager or actor. Men were there, whose families waited their coming home; men were there who had no homes or families; men were there who professed religion, and in one or two instances were deacons of prominent churches. This may seem incredible, but was nevertheless a fact. Many names of patrons we might men- tion that would be a thunderbolt in social and religious circles. Among the votaries about the wheel, was Judge Vermillye, - : He was faultlessly attired, in the hight of fashion, and was as much engaged as though he “were not esteemed a ‘model society man,” an - upright and good parent, and an honorable citi- » Zen, The scene was one that was peculiarly excit- ing. ae overhead the gas shed down a soft radi- ance; the voices of the criers who sold the tick- ets, the hum of the wheel, the cries of disap- pointment or joy, as the caso might be, all mingled through the room creating an excite- ment easy to acquire, but hard to dispel. Man dropped in, just to look on, but before they left were by the luck of others tempted to try their ~ own fortune. Judge Vermillye had been the lucky man of the evening, having won, continuously. It was usually the custom of Mike Keone to limit a player to a dozen winnings of an even- ing, but Judge Vermillye was a friend of the establishment, and could not be offended of course. At last there entered the club-room.a man who had never been seen there before; conse- ‘Watch-Eye, the Shadow. wigs ge sa! quently all eyes were directed upon him tay & moment. : He was a good-sized personage, attire? in blue broadcloth, with a white shirt and vest that were immaculate, and a silk hat upon his head, which was closely barbered of hair. Patent-leathers were upon his feet, and dia- monds on his fingers, and shirt front; also a massive gold chain was strung across his vest. and a delicate rosebud on his coatJapel, adde to the ivory-headed. cane he carried, gave to him the appearance of a dy. His face was one that once seen, could not soon be forgotten. It was a pale, intellectual face belonging toa man of some forty-eight or fifty years. The features were all perfect and attractive, but in places wore an expression of past suffering. The eyes were dark and skarp, and the mouth firm, being shaded by a heavy aron-grey mustache; the hair upon bis head was peppered with silver, which was probably the cause of his having had if sheared in the so- styled ‘‘fighting cut.” n looking at him a moment, a person would not perceive any difference in his eyes, but a second glance revealed that tho left eye was artificial, or in other words a *‘ watch-eye.” In some acci- dent this aa stranger evidently had lost his own eye, and had been obliged to fill the socket with an artificial one. ; None were there in the club-room, who knew this flashy stranger, for they made no advances to him, nor did he seem to be anxious to culti- = acquaintance. we re @ was accompani a young negro a tendant, who was attired in liver , and carried a small leather valise, ‘The two stood near the counter, and watched the game, the master puff- ing leisurely at a cigar, the while, and noting the changes of luck, indifferently. He seemed. to be proof against the excitement of the game. 3 ‘*Qne more card! one more card!” cried the clerks. ‘‘ Who will have it—who will have the lucky numbers—90 to 100, and sure to win.” The stranger nodded in answer to a glance from his brown attendant, and taking a roll of bills from his pocket purchased the card. , Then right merrily clanged the starter’s bell and he gave the wheel a swift whirl. ‘Around and around it spun, the snap-finger clatteri swiftly until the wheel began to slow down, finally stopped. ; The finger pointed to 95! Not a smile appeared upon either the face of Watch-Eye, or his attendant in consequence of their success, but the latter coolly raked in the ninety dollars and pocketed it, allowing the sik to take up his card and sell it to some one else, And that some one chanced to be Judge Ver- millye, who eagerly received and paid for the cone , confident that the next “pot” belonged to him. : Eye caused the mulatto to purchase one num- bering in the fifties; The remainder sold swiftly, — and at last the bell clanged; andthe starter gave the wheel a whirl. “ Fifty-five wins!” cried the starter, as the |\whical stopped, and the words were scarcely out as Tho cards sold rapidly, and anodfrom Watch-
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Watch-Eye, the Shadow. il of his mouth ere ninety dollars were placed in the mulatto’s hands and the cards were selling again, Still not a trace of excitement or enthusiasm appeared upon the faces of the stranger and his attendant. They might have been supposed stone images, so expressionless were they over their luck. Judge Vermillye was secretly ¢ ined; but he did not allow the fact to come to the notice of the others, For there were others who had. lost many times, when he had won. The next round Watch-Eye did not take a hand, nor tke next, nor the next, and the win- |’ ning was among men who had lost all the even- ing. ; But the fourth round thereafter, a nod of his head caused his servant to purchase a card, it being numbered in the seventies. Clang went the bell, and round spun the wheel, stopping at seventy-one. Watch-ye had won again! That seemed but the starting-point, for he won the next seven times in succession, to the aston- ishment of all, the mulatto in each instance pur- chasing cards at his master’s nod, and pocket- ing the winnings, mSIDE oceasionally to strike amatch, and hold it to the fore of a fresh im- ported cigar in his master’s mouth. : Altogether there was something entirely novel in the way the strange pair behaved, neither of them speaking a word. ; Mike Keene, a veteran in gambling, eyed Watch-Eye sharply, seeming in some way sus- , Picious of him. ee _Judge Vermillye, unable to win since the stranger’sadvent, grew rather “ tonguey,” ven- turing hard hints freely, and by numerous in- nuendoes tried to arouse Watch-lye’s temper. But this was futile, for Watch-Eye—as the crowd seemed unanimous in nicknaming the fel- low—was evidently not easy to provoke, nor did he seem to care to speak, Determined at last to bring matters to a crisis, Judge Vermillye ae Sede him, and gave him a slap upon the shoulder in a way he would not have thought of doing had he not been imbibing fr oe rom a ‘ quiet bottle,” usu- ally kept in Mike Keene’s private closet. atch-Eye wheeled around instantly, a look of cool poe upon his face. “Well?” he ead deca haughtily. “Well!” Judge Vermillye retorted with a sneer. ‘‘ You seem to be somewhat on your muscle at gaming. Youesteem yourself a sharp ‘un, I calculate?” ‘““T didn’t remark anything ofthe kind, did I?” the other demanded. “Well, n—no, but one would judge by the style you put on that you imagine yourself a person of some importance.” “Suppose that I do; what business is that of yours?” the glass-eyed stranger again de- tmanded. ; ; “Well, ll show you, if you give me any of your insolence!” the judge cried, hotly. ‘‘ Maybe you don’t know who I am.” e A strange expression shot over the face of Watch-Hye, as he gazed sternly’at the insolent bank i oe yes, I believe [do know you!” he replied, ee on the morrow. eee al h ET pee + depth of meaning in his tone. “If Silas Bry ware hanged by the neck until dead, for all his crimes, you would not be insulting your su- oe at this minute. Remember! You may ow me as Watch-Hye, the Shadow!” And so saying, the stranger turned and saun- tered from the room, accompanied by his ser- vant, leaving the bystanders in a maze of vague wonderment, and Judge Vermillye suddenly grown white with—shall we call it terror?™ Evident. it was that the two had some time met, in a dark eventful past. : =: CHAPTER V. VERMILLYE’S VILLAINY. NELLIE Morton was a bound girl. She had no parents, to her knowledge, and none to care for her except the man who held himself as her master, and Jack Sphinx, who had been her friend for several years, Jared Ogglesby, her guardian, as it were, was a cruel, grasping, avaricious old wretch, who hoarded his pennies with the closeness of a . miser, except when he wanted to satisfy his own unnatural craving for liquor, when he was free —. with his cash to a certain extent. . He was eeent for the row of tenement build- — ings for a block upon the street on which he — lived, and was said to have money buried in — some of the cellars beneath the rookeries,,or hid- den in the decaying walls. = ; Concerning. the truth of this report, no one knew for certain, but certain it was that he had pnocee to keep his system soaked in bad liquor all of the time, rendering him ugly, and a dan- — erous person to be abroad. For he was malic- ious in his hates and dislikes, and as deep a schemer as ever hatched a vicious plot. m Everybody who had eyes, was well satisfied that Nellie was in no way related to him, buthe had documents, all legally drawn up, witnessed: ~ and signed, binding Nellie Morton in his service. from infancy until twenty-one years of age. So that the law supported him in claiming the girl, one might say, as his slave. : Nellie worked in’ a Fite factory pane the daytime, and often during the night, but her earnings always were eagerly demanded by Ja- Ogglesby, and stored away with his other — oards. Then he abused and ill-treated her, and alto- — gether her life was one of constant dread, devoid every ray of sunshine, except when a secret in- terview with Jack served to cheer her out of the gloomy life she was living. nee Many little presents of money and other trink- ets found their way to her, through the kindness ~ of Jack, but as she had little use for them she | pet them away out of the sight of Jared Oggles- _ oe For when she was in need of*money for clothing she always kept it out of her earnings — even at the risk of his wrath, although her dress was hever more than the plainest. eae On the night subsequent to the events related — in the previous chapter, Nellie sat alone in the main room of the suite occupied by herself and — Jared Ogglesby, engaged at sewing upon a plain — calico dress which she wished to wear tothe fac: hour was late, but this was not uncom -
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Cle 12 Watch-Eye, tre Shadow. mon, for she often was obliged to sit up half of the night to wait for Jared Ogglesby’s return, as she was afraid to retire before he came, not knowing in what condition he might return. “YT wish Jack were here!” she murmured, wearily laying aside her work, and going to the window which looked out into the narrow street. ‘¢ When he is near, I am not afraid. And, then, he has not been to visit me in over a week.” As she finished speaking a rap upon the door caused her to start and tremble with fear and apprehension, hat could it be? ‘ Surely not Jack, or Jared OF a for while the former hada peculiar knock, the latter never paused to knock, or if the door was closed, he oy manifested his presence by giving it a ick. Who then {could it be, unless some stranger who was at the wrong door? ““Who is there?” she asked, approaching the ~ door, without opening it. a ‘plied, coldly. ‘Open, please; I am a friend. I have come to await the return of Jared eee Scarcely knowing what to do, under the cir- cumstances, Nellie opened the door, and a man enveloped in a heavy oil-cloth coat and cap, en- tered the room. The moment he threw off his wrappings she saw who it was. It was Judge Felix Vermillye! He smiled complacently, as he saw her look of rise, and accepted an unoffered chair, ‘Ha! ha! you really seem surprised, my dear Miss Morton,” he said, in his most affable tone. ‘No doubt you were not expecting me, but you seo I had a little business with old Jared, and thought I might as well drop in and wait his re- turn. Feeling well this eve, I trust.” “Yes, Mr. Vermillye!” Nellie replied, closing the door, and dropping upon a chair near by. Her tones were cold and unfriendly, and Ver- millye, as sharp as pointed steel, could but be aware of the fact, “Tam glad to hear it. I thought you were gppokine pale as I passed through the factory to- “Pale from overwork, perhaps,” Nellie re- “One cannot always drudge and assume a cheerful presence.” “Very true. It often causes my heart to ache, Miss Morton, for the slender girls who have to toilso faithfully in our great factories, You, my dear, more than the rest, have I _.Tnt ss noticed, together with the fact that you are too woll-bred and lady-like to be a factory girl. Miss Morton, how would you like to live in the country—that is, as far out as Ardmore, on the Pennsylvania Railroad?” . “Sir? I donot understand you!” “ Then let mo rag Sea A few miles back from Ardmore station I have a dairy farm, superin- - tended by an aged couple, who are not blessed tht ‘with chick nor child, and who want some city Cea lady to come and stop with them. You, think, would suit them, and the work for you to do would be but trifling. I will keep _ you liberally supplied with money, and—and—” Here the judge suddenly paused, Nellie had arisen to her feet, hor face pale, and her eyes flashing brightly, ‘*Stop! stop, Judge Vermillye!” she cried, her voice trembling, despite her efforts to be calm. “You have gone far enough. Once before you insulted me, sir, because you thought that, be- ing in your empiey. at the factory I would not dare resent it. You found out your mistake, and now, sir, I command you to leave the room, bere I call for help and have you thrown out! “You—you have me thrown out? Ha! ha ha! good joke, Pll swear!” and the judge laughed, mockingly, ‘‘ Why, Miss Morton, do you know that I own this place and everything in it? I should smile to see anybody put me out of my own house. Come! come! now, there is no use of you and I being at swords’ points, at all. I admire you, and I am willing to do what is fair. You give me your heart and hand, and Til make you Honorable Mrs. Jud Felix Vermillye. Now, what better offer do you want, than that?” Nellie shrunk back with a shudder. . . “Gol” she said, still pointing toward the doors, ‘‘ go, I command you!” “And I positively refuse. If I cannot pre- vail upon you to aenevt a good offer, I will bar- ae se old Jared Ogglesby. He'll sell you, ’ e' : “Sell me!” Nellie gasped, in horror. .‘‘ He cannot! He dare not!” i “He can, and dare. You were a nameless brat when he took you from an old sea-captain; you were legally bound over to him, and he has the power to bind you over to me!” He in Heaven help me, then!” Nellie moaned, staggering back. ‘‘ Beastly as Jared Ogglesby is, he is not so great a villain as you. Felix Vermillye.” ¢ sae “Thanks for your compliment, my pert miss, By the way, how fares your gay lover, Sphinx? A year ago I had tho pleasure of discharging Ste from my factory, for undue familiarity with— ‘“‘ Liar! base liar!” Nellie cried, her temper now thoroughly aroused. ‘‘ You caused Jack’s discharge because you knew he was my friend. But it was a lucky day he left your employ, for he is now on the detective force, where he can, confront villainy with a strong hand.” “Oho! he is, eh? Well, I wish him success. But, now, as Jared does not return, I must bid you adieu. I will call and renew our pleasant visit at another time. A kiss, now, my dear, and then I will be gone.” He arose quickly from the chair, and sprung to- ward her, catching her by the rightarm. Witha low scream of affright she struggled to get away, and in so Hee 3 her sleeve tore open, bar- ing er round, shapely arm to the shoulder. he accident revealed upon the arm,. just above the elbow, a livid scar upon the white flesh, in the shape of a star. It was evidently a birth-mark. ie Judge Vermillye saw it, and suddenly released her arm and stepped back with a gasp, his breath coming and going heavily, his eyes fast- ened upon the scar in a sort of horrible fasci- nation, x “Curse you!*he gasped, perspiration start- ing out upon his forehead— ‘curse you! f thought you were dead}” ;
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Watch-Eye, the Shadow. 18 Nellie shrunk back, not knowing what to make of his strange words. She was aware tuat her birth and infancy were shrouded in mystery, but she knew no more. Why did the birth-mark visibly affect Judge Vermillye? What did he know of her past—of her child- hood—of the mystery obscuring her babyhood? _ She could not conceive, and trembled as she saw the strange, horrible’ passion that was Srey over the banker. ‘Furies seize you!” he said, in a hoarse voice, a stumbling-block in my path. No! no! tolerate no interference or usurpation after all these years—no! a thousand times no! Itis a fortunate chance that threw this scar before my eyes. You are alone with me. No one knows me in this locality. Swear that you will marry me, and keep your mouth forever Closed, and that scar-forever hidden—swear it, or by the God who hears me speak, I will murder you on the spot! Swear! swear by all you hold sacred in this life and the next. It is your only salvation!” He sprung toward her as he spoke, a long dagger in his hand, poised to strike. She tried to elude him, but her limbs refused to move, and with a low cry‘she staggered agaiust the wall and leaned there, with face as pale as death, and eyes wild and distended. “Swear!” he cried hoarsely, seizing her arm with a vise-like gripe, and raising the knife higher, ‘‘Swear to marry me, or I will phinge this dagger into your heart!” “No, no!—never!” she gasped, shuddering, expecting to feel the cold steel piercing her breast—** never !” ’ But the knife struck not the promised blow. It was suddenly torn from the infuriated would- be murderer’s grasp, and he was hurled to the floor with a crash that caused the floor and windows of the old tenement to clatter noisily. Not stunned by the fall, Vermillye staggered to his feet, but the strong arms of -Jack Sphinx again hurled him to the floor, and this time he lay where he fell, in an insensible con- “T supposed you dead, but here you are. ,’ dition, “Oh, Jack, you have killed him!” Nelliecried, in alarm. “No, but: it’s a pity I didn’t!” the detective growled. “Pve a notion to finish the job, as it is. ‘‘Oh, no! no! don’t harm him more than you have already, Please don’t, Jack!” “Then I won’t, Nellie dear. But Ill assist his nibs over to the Central station, or my name ain’t Sphinx. Why, the accursed villain would have murdered you in a sécond more, if I had - not arrived just in time!” _‘*Yes, but he could have killed me before I would have promised to become his wife.” ‘Good for you, my peerless! “But Pve got him now just in the shape I’ve been wanting him for some time. We'll see if some of his murderous nature cannot be pruned down by the Jaw.” ; “T wouldn’t bring him into the police cqurts, Jack, for it will only increase his enmity toward you,” Nellie said, anxiously. “Tet it increase, peerless, "Twixt you and z mie, my head has been full of queer thoughts of t” Pu. late, and ae suspicions about this man. He is wealthy, and he is popular, but you take Jack Sphinx’s word for it, he is a rascal, And your Jack’s the lad as is going to keep a crow’s eye on his future movements. Why was he about to murder you, dear?” Nellie related to her detective lover what is already known to the reader, and Jack Sphinx listened with ‘knitted brows. - - ““There’s a mystery here,” he said, as she concluded, ‘‘and into its depths ’'m going to penetrate, dear. It looks to me as if you were in the way—as if there' were ae: in the case, or—crime! So, my peerless little waif, you may turn out an heiress to a fortune, or at least, a title. Stranger things have happened. As for old Ogglesby, he’s dead drunk in a low groggery on Callowhill street, and won't be ome till morning, So you can retire without fear of disturbance. I must now hunt-up police aid, and trot his honor off to the station.” First handeuffing the prostrate judge, Jack went in search of a policeman. On his return with one, he found that the prisoner had recovered consciousness, and was corns Nellie as freely as his breath would permit. Without parley, he was seized and hurried off, Jack only pausing long enough to kiss Nellie, and tell her to be of good cheer. Although Judge Vermillye cursed and rayed, he was obliged to march along, for Jack Sphinx never‘took hold of ‘a man but what he had to go. Luckily for the judge’s pride it was late a night and the streets were nearly deserted, an he saw no one that he knew or that knew him, save it were the officers pacing their beats or an oceasional belated laborer who had stayed up too late with his toddy. Into the Central station Judge Vermillye was conducted, and Jack stated the charges against him, after which he was remanded to a cell in the jail until the morrow, when his hearing was marked to come on, tenth in order of arrest. At his request, however, the news was'sent to his daughter, that she might be present with funds for bail. When the judge’s case came on in the morning the court-room was crowded, and many of his friends and acquaintances were present, which was gall and wormwood to the haughty, proud judge. ‘S$ Tho prosecution was conducted, by Jacl Sphinx, detective, in a clearand concise manner. e stated how he had chanced to call upon Miss Morton in the nick of time to prevent her murdered by the prisoner; how he had secured Bs arrest, and with the aid of an officer, “‘ caged im. Nellie, Morton was then called on to testify, and related her story in a plain, truthful manner — that-could but cause a good impression upon her ~— She gave her testimony inaccordance — audience. with the facts stated by Jack. ; Judge Vermillye offered no objection, and the judge adjourned the case, releasing the prone on bail, which was not hard to obtain, millye was a@ néver lack friends, or Ver- > popular man, and popular men — se the judge went back to his home ina Cars ere being
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14 riage, with his aristocratic daughter, while Jack Sphinx conducted Nellie back to her home, “Tm thwarted, this time,” he said, gloomily, **for that case will never be called on again, or if it is, the judge will allow Vermillye to wriggle out of it, somehow. Money, you know, darling, goes a great way, and he has more than enoug to buy off ourcourts. Butnever mind. Ill nab him, yet!” Judge Vermillye rode home. As he was leaving the carriage before his own residence, a passer-by brushed rudely against him, and a low voice said: “Beware! the law will not always be as leni- ent with you as now!” A curse escaped the banker’s lips, for he re- cognized the same cool, inscrutable individual he had met in Mike Keene’s Club—Watch-Eye, the Shadow! CHAPTER VI. A BANK ROBBERY—GERALD TRACY’S’ RETURN, You may not know, dear reader, but detec- tives will tell you of a place where they do con- gregate, to read, learn, and inquire. In Phila- elphia, it is upon Walnut street, front room, first flight. A large apartment, carpeted, and furnished with easy-chairs, couches, tables and a stove, while the walls are literally covered with photo- graphs and newspaper portraits of notorious murderers, house-breakers or cracksmen, petty thieves, shop-lifters, and incendiaries. Of course, being a ‘‘men’s” room, where the tidying hand of a woman seldom reaches, the place is not remarkable for its cleanliness or order, and when occupied, as at present, by a half dozen men, is generally enveloped in a fog of tobacco and cigar smoke. “ Hore, in the ‘Quarters,’ we have an oppor- tunity of gazing upon the features of several well-known Quaker City sleuths, all of whom have won for themselves a name, and in many cases, a nick-name, among their fellows. } . Half a dozen are distributed about the room; Jet us notice them, The elderly, well-dressed gentleman there b: the fire, is ‘‘ Colonel” Brownell. He has a fine head, a kindly face, and an in- tellectual forehead; yet this quiet, unassuming man ranks high in the profession, and those long whiskers he wears so naturally can be re- moved without the application of the razor, for they are false, That man playing with the long ears of a hound, by the window, is ‘‘Joe Ferret,” alias Ransom McDonald. He is not generally known. as a detective, which adds to hisvalue as a “ferret.” Harry Scott, yonder, is a railroad detective, in which line of the profession he is successful. Thén there is Pat Haines, Sam Sharp, ‘‘ Mary” Wallace, and Hi Osgood, all of them to be de- pended upon, when put upon a trail, while “Dr.” Danton, in the corner, yonder—the man with the gold-timmed glasses, is a street-car “spotter.” . Jack Sphinx, new member, comple- tes the collection present, most of whom are smoking and reading. ; _ Pipes are laid aside, heels lowered from pro- | - Watch-Eye, the Shadow. miscuous elevations, and newspapers droyped, as the door is opened to admit—a woman. Yes, a genuine live woman, enveloped in a a cloak and vail-trimmed hat. Let me introduce you, dear’ reader, to Kate Carson—otherwise the ‘‘ Clipper.” She, too, is a detective, and as successful as any of her male brethren. A modest, quiet little woman she is, of some twenty-four or five years, with a fair, pleasant sae and eyes as black and bright as lumps of coal. Every man arose and bowed respectfully on her entrance, and Jack Sphinx handed her a chair near the door. “Thank you,” she said, in a pleasant voice, in which there was a trifle of hesitation, “‘ but I didn’t come to stay. I came to inquire after the alae known as Jack Sphinx.” “That's I, ma’am, at your service,” Jack hastened to assure her. ‘‘ Wish to private, I suppose.” “Not necessarily. All these gentlemen are de- tectives, are they not?” “They are, and Ill antee they never meddle with each other’s affairs, other than in a helping way. State your case, and I will give you all attention.” ‘Well, within the last six months, the —~ Bank, on —— street, has been robbed of sixty thousand dollars of the money intrusted in its care. Not only has the bank’s own pile been tam- peree with, but the private safes and vaults of epositors and renters have been relieved of neHas this thing be t as this thing been going on any grea length of time, Miss Carson?” é ‘Six months or so, says the President, Mr, Fowler. The robbery is done systematically, either by some one in the employ of the bank, or. some parties who have gained secret access to see mein “True enough. Have you taken the case, then?” a : i Yes, peerias I can secure your help in working it up. The chief of police recommend- ed you, saying you might be able to help me.” That's good of the chief. Of course lam willing to tender 728 my assistance, although I am comparatively young in the business. I should like to see the President of the bank.” “Then we will call upon him. He wants the case investigated at once, before the report of the loss leaks out among; the depositors.” * Accordingly they both set out from the “‘ Quar- ters” for the —— Bank, which was some blocks — away. : Once upon the Sti'ect, Kate Carson spoke not concerning the case, nor did Jack, for they had learned among the foremost things in their ex- ae thatya floating word upon the be eed is liable to reach some person who remembers it, thinks over it, and finally arrives at a conclu- sion. Conclusions are what detectives spurn as — things unsafe to trust. A short ride in the cars, and a short brisk pe walk, brought them to the bank in question, and the ‘‘ CHpper,” as Kate Carson was familiarly known, demanded to be shown to the President’s private room, ‘ afer iter. Thither they were conducted, the apartment Aim hha
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{ Watch-Eye, the Shadow. being in the rear of the banking room, and fur- nishéd with elegant taste. Taking seats the two detectives waited, and in the course of several minutes, President Fowler was shown in. He mwas a portly, intelligent-looking man, with an honest face and kindly bearing; his face was covered with a sweeping beard, and his eyes were Clear and searching in their glance. He bowed pleasantly as he entered to Kate, } who in turn introduced Jack. The banker gazed at the young detective with a keen glance. {" «This is the man you have chosen as your as- sistant, Miss Carson?” he interrogated, turning to Clipper Kate. “Tt is, sir. Mr. Sphinx was recommended to me by the chief of police,” “Perhaps he will do as well as any other. Have you any questions to ask, Mr. Sphinx? All detectives generally have.” . “Ves, a few,” Jack replied, tersely, not at all disconcerted by the banker’s tones. ‘Let me have a sheet of paper to jot down an occasional item on. That’s it, thanks. Now, you I suppose are the president of this bank?” ; “*T am, sir.” ‘“ Who is vice-president?” “Honorable Felix Vermillye.” Jack gave vent to a little whistle of surprise, and made a memorandum upon his paper. President Fowler looked annoyed. “Your whistle would go* to show that you think Judge Vermillye is a man to be classed among the suspicious, eh?” he demanded, sharply. **In my business, sir, no man, be he saint or sinner, is beneath my notice, T allow!” Jack re- yplied, evasively. ‘‘ Who are the directors, please?” President Fowler named them, and Jack jotted down their names and residences, “Are they in the secret of this robbery?” he next asked. ‘They are, most assuredly.” ‘¢ And the vice-president?” ‘“He is. Why mY “Nothing. nly thought V’d ask. Who are the tellers?’ “Jackson Way is the receiving-teller, and Philip Rossmere, the paying-clerk.” “None others have the handling of money— none of the book-keepers?” . 4 ‘“Not to our knowledge. J dg Vermillye has the whole supervision of the books under his eye. “You look them over, too, I dare say?” “ Certainly, sir.” Y “Aver find anythin; wrong?” ‘*No, sir. Books all O. K.” ‘Do you ever entertain visitors in the bank, | or ee others than employees behind the rates? “Miss Vermillye occasionally favors us with a call; also my wife and daughter.” “Call in this Way and Rossmere, please. I can tell you if they are men.” President Fowler touched a eall-bell, and the two tellers were ushered in at his request. “Messrs. Way and Rossmere,” he said, ‘* allow me to make you acquainted with Miss Carson, detective—ditto, Mr. Jack Sphinx.” 15 The two men acknowledged the introduction with bows, and were seated. : Jack Sphinx gazed at them ina peculiar, seru~- tinizing way, then turned to the president. “You may dismiss the gentlemen,” he said, calmly. ‘‘T have done with them.” Which Mr. Fowler did, with a bow, and they quitted the room. : ‘‘ Well?’ he demanded, after they had gone, “what is yout decision?” ‘Tt is reserved, at present. I should like you to show me through the bank, and the safes and vaults to see if they’ve been en ie with yet. The rest, Miss Carson and I will work out our- selves.” ; Their request was granted, and they were shown through the entire building from base- ment to garret by Ua eae a in person. Jack and Clipper Kate each used their eyes sharply, and at last every portion and apart- ment had been shown them, and they pa: out onto the street, through the bank. hot Vermillye was engaged in writing on one of the desks, and pretended not to notice them, but Jack Sphinx knew that he was aware of their presence. Out in the street, once more, Jack turned to pair os Kate, inquiringly: “You may call upon me, at your leisure, and — we will compare notes and opinions. Two heact are better than one, they say, and perhaps we may strike a lead. I live at —, Spring Garden street, up-stairs.” “Very well. Look for me at almost any during the evening.” They parted then, Kate going into market street, and Jack into Chestnut, where he saun- tered idly along, his thoughts busied with other matters than the gay whirl of life around him, : ‘Let me see,” he mused. “To-day is the re- - lease-day of Eurastus Racket from the Ine- briates’ Home. I wonder what effect the year has had upon him, poor fellow I promised Nel. — lie Pd look after him occasionally, and here I’ve not been near the place, since the morning I procured his admission, I believe Pll go and find him now.” To think was action with Jack Sphinx, and he accordingly set out for the Inebriates’ Home, On his arrival, he was shown into the super- intendent’s reception room, and directly waited — upon by the doctor in person—a gray-bearded. kindly-faced elderly gentleman, neatly richly dressed. - “Dr. Mason, I believe?” Jack said. “The same, sir. Your name is—?” ‘‘ Jack Sphinx, detective, at your service. little over a year ago I brought a here for treatment, and it occurre hour A to me to- day, that I'd better call around and inquire af- ter his welfare and condition.” : “A year eee me see,” the doctor said, musingly. ‘‘Why, that must have been the man, Racket?” > : “The same—Eurastus Racket.” aos ha! he was a strange fellow, ’pon my soul. we soon had the eye out and a new one in its” ee and in six months the taste or smell of — quor was nauseating and disgusting to him, — a but no}. oor fellow — = At first he was quite sick, what with a running eye and craving for strong drink. But —
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16 He improved rapidly, and our drunken vaga- bond turned out to be a gentleman of culture and intelligence, who evidently had seen better days in a past which he was careful not to speak. The last two months of his stay, he de- livered some excellent lectures on Temperance to the inmates of our ea bare and made a deep impression upon them. tried to prevail upon -him to remain longer, but he would not, claim- ing that he had a great wrong which must be righted. I expect he has been greatly sinned azainst, in the past, and is now about to fight to the bitter end, for his rights.” ue Een he is not here!” Jack asked, disap- pointed. ‘“No; he took leave of us several days ago. Tie often spoke of you and a young lady called ellie, and wished he could see you.” So Jack was obliged to take his departure, without finding out any more concerning the tramp. Judge Vermillye dined at three, as-a usual thinz, but to-day a pressure of business detained him later, so that it was nearly dark ere he left . the carriage in front of hisown mansion andran ~ anoad” . _ the city,” J up the steps. Miss Beatrice and Marquis De Haven were amusing themselves at the piano, in the grand parlor, ‘but, instead of stopping, the banker ran u»-siairs to his suite of rooms, making his toilet in his peeaptly appointed boudoir, and then en- tering his grand library. He started back with an oath as he did so, for & man was seated in one of the judge’s own jux- uviously-upholstered arm-chairs, with his feet perched up against the book-case, engaged in smking a cigar. He condeszended to lower his feet upon the judgo’s entrance, and arise from the chair, with a bow, after which he resumed his seat. Vermillye uttered another oath. Tho man was Watch-Hye, the Shadow. =“ You here!” the banker /cried, a spice of threat in his tones. ‘‘ What fetched you here, sir, in my private office, at that?” “My limbs assisted me here, if I remember corractly,” Watch-Bye replied, coolly. ‘Be seated, Judge Vermillyc, instead of working pearealt into needless passion. I want to have a ittle private talk with you, you see.” Ths banker dropped into a chair, his face rown a shade white, and a strange glitter in is eves. , “Well?” he said, interregatively, ‘‘I am lis- teming to what you may haye to say. Go - ‘Yes, Allow me to offer you a cigar first, as it improves a man’s-memory, and I desire that yours shall be very good, upon this occasion,you see. What! don’t smoke?” “Not with you, sir. Goon with what you have to ayy : ‘Very well. To open matters in a business- like way, just cast your mind and memory back for a period of nineteen years, to a certain 10th ay 4 May. Where were you upon this day and be . “Tn Philadelphia, sir, doubtless, as I have never been beyond a radius of a few miles from < ‘baa far Vermillye replied, calmly. ~ Watch-Eye, the Shadow. | ¢ ~ “You are sure you were in Philadelphia nine- teen years ago to-day?’ Watch-Hye demanded, watching his honor keenly. C “Quite sure!” tho banker replied. “You have no recollection, then, whatever, of a little transaction which occurred in Balti- more, on said day, in the office of one Silas Pry, money-lender—a case wherein said Pry, in con- sideration of a a a given upon a Southern plantation know as Riverdale, by the heir and owner, Gerald Tracy, paid into said Tracy’s hands the sum of fifty thousand dollars?” “You speak in riddles, sir,” Judge Vermillye replied, haughtily. ‘‘I know nothing concern- ing the transaction of which you speak, neither was I ever in the city of Baltimore!” “You lie, sit!” Watch-Eye hissed, turning fiercely upon the banker. ' ‘What! what!” and the judge, springing to his feet, reached for the bell-handle. ‘‘ Yougive me the lie, sir? You villain, I'll have you kicked from ae house!” But Watch-Eye sprung and: hurled him back, ‘You lie, Silas Pry!” he repeated. ‘‘ You lie and I know it—know you, for I am Gerald Tracy !” ' 7 CHAPTER VII. VERMILLYE HOLDS THE STRONGEST HAND. “GpRALD TRACY!” the banker repeated, his face assuming a grayish pallor—‘ you, Gerald Tracy?” { ‘*The same, alive and weil, thank God,” the Shadow-Detective said, triumphantly. ‘Sit down, Silas Pry, alias Judge Vermillye, and hear me out. I know you, even under your high-sounding exchange of cognomen, You also’ know me, but not so much of me as you will di- rectly. Sit down, while I rehearse “he a little story. Itis very beautiful and pathetic in its everyday occurrences—-almost like you will read of in Sunday-school books!” : The sarcasm in the man’s tones so affected Vermillye, that he dropped into a chair, his teeth closing with a click, and his hand inyolun tarily nearing a hip pocket. 7 ““Oh!,you needn’t mind the weapon,” the Shadow said, coolly; “it is not necessary, for ere you could draw it, I can puta half a dozen bullets through you. I long azo learned the art of quick trigger for such occasions as this. “But to return to my little romance in real life, Nineteen years BES ae uh are to you for a loan of money. had been living high, and not only used up my own ready cash, but. ina blind moment appropriated fifty thousan dollars of the bank’s cash, where I was employ- ed. Discovery followed, and I was offered a. chance to redeem myself and save disgrace and Leable Si by returning the money I had appropriated. “Tn this desperate strait I came to you, whom I Imew to be a money-lender, and tried to bor- row tho sum, You were willing to lend me the fifty thousand, providing I would give you a mortgage on my southern estate, Riverdale, for the amount of seventy-five thousand dollars, I was forced to accept your hoggish terms; I gave the mortgage, received the money, ea it over to a detective in your presence, and my de- parture, ‘ jb
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Watch-Eye, “Thad been ordered by my employers to leave the country for five years, and I resolved to seek the far-western gold fields, to dig out of the earth riches enough to redeem Riverdale. “And according to my resolution, I im- eaten took my departure from Baltimore, for the West. In bidding adieu to the Hast, I left behind me a little babe, and a wife, in Washington, dependent upon my wife’s needle- labor for support. had written to them, ex- Yplaining all, and sprClne a return. On reaching the West, I wrote them several letters, but got no answer. Again and again I wrote, but still no answer i from my loved ones, “At last I despa’red of hearing from them— God forgive me, but I believed that my wife had turned from me, because of the social down- fall a caused her, and had returned to her ople. Peo Silas Pry, I slaved on in the nm‘ os. More than-a score of times did I face death, and narrowly escay it. I learned at last that my enemies were but tools in your hands, that you were plotting away my life, that I might never return to pay off the mortgage, For ten years I battled with and baffled your bull-dogs; then they disappeared, and I was troubléd no more. “Over a year ago, I returned to Baltimére and Washington, in search of you and my family. In Baltimore I learned that you had years before left that place, and returned to Philadelphia, which, if I remember right, is the city of your birth. On inquiring after River- dale, { learned that it had trebled in value in the last eighteen years, and was-worth at least a couple of hundred thousand dollars, being in close roximity to the city. “‘T then set out for Washington, and there re- cxived the worst blow of all. My wife had mar- ried one Judge Vermillye only a few years after my departure and had since her marriage sud- denly died. Of my child I could find no trace —no word—nothing! She was dead or lost—re- search disclosed no facts concerning her after my, departure for the West. ‘These discoveries disheartened me, for what had I to live for?—and I took excessively to strong drink; I became a drunkard, a sot, a tramp, on the face of’ God’s footstool. No one lmew me, no one cared for me—and I was happy only in my cups. “A year ago, Silas Pry, I entered this man- sion, when it was a scene of festivity upon the occasion of a party. You had me unceremoni- ously thrown out, and even sent a tool of yours after me, to end my miserable career. Some- how he failed to complete his task, and I was .. picked up and cared for, You see my left _. eye is a game eye. I owe the loss of the optic to you, but I love you so much that I can well afford to forgive you—oh! yes. As I was say- ing, IT-was picked up and cared for—was even induced to enter an inebriate asylum, to get cured of my ae for strong drink. I went and was cured. You see me here before you, to-day, Silas sore ready to redeem that mort- gage on Riverda eo you see me here before you, a free man, able and willing to fight you to the bitter end!” ‘There was a dead silence in the room as Ger- the Shadow. 17 ald Tracy finished speaking, and both men sat claring at each other in a way that was evidence that they had no love for each other—that they were destined to be deadly foes, foes from now on _to the end, Judge Vermillye, spoke at last, a cold, devilish smile upon his face. “T have heard | Fee through, Gerald Tracy, i and, now, tell me, if you please, how are you go- ing to prove oi identity with Silas Pry, of nine- ears a teen & 7 “Easily. But that has nothing to do with my present business here. Be you Silas Pry, Judge Vermillye, or the devil, you have a mort- gage against iverdale, and I have come to pay it off. ' ’ “Have you ever thought how much you owe me, then?” the banker demanded. “Yes, I have been figuring it over and over for nineteen years—I ought to know, certainly. ‘One hundred and sixty thousand five hundred dollars, is every cent I owe you.” “And are you ready to settle this claim, now?” “T am. My nineteen years of banishment haye not been spent idly, and T can no doubt pay off several such mortgages.” udge Vermillye arose and paced to and fro, his eyes fixed upon the carpet, a terrible glitter in them. ae was struggling with an evil and a good spirit. Should he yield up Riverdale, with all its wealth and beauties,| or should he turn and er ae down this claimant as he had the power to oO . No! he would not yield, after all these years of triumph—he would not yield and allow Gerald Tracy the satisfaction of a single triumph. He would fight with the aid of the Evil One—fight ~ as man never fought before—and win! He felt sure that he would win. “Gerald Tracy!” he said, pausing before th returned wanderer—‘‘Gerald Tracy, you are Eat ace without your host, in coming back here to claim that which was once yours. You are confident that by shrewd pee you have turned the tables upon me, but let me dis- pel this idea. The mortgage shall be foreclosed and Riverdale is mine.' defy you to get it away from me, Try it if you think you can, d I will have you arrested and cast in prison petcre the sun sets to-zmorrow. Ha! ha! you'll Henahid Silas Pry still holds the winning nd! Tracy’s turn it was now to be surprised. “ You have me arrested!” he gasped. ‘ You have mearrested? Explain yourself—what have I ever done to you?” “ Nothing erabeo ig ee me, my dear Tracy, but you see, there is a little charge against Bits up in Washington, which remains unsettled from nineteen years ago—a mere, trifling mat- ter, but sufficiently criminal to cause your ar- rest and imprisonment for a number of years to come, Cause?—oh! a small theft from the bank, I believe, of some fifty thousand dollars!” And the villain laughed, satirically. As for Gerald Tracy, he staggered to his feet, the whole damnable plot bursting upon bis with the closing words of his enemy. ae!
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* 18 Watch-Eye, the Shadow. : s “What! what is this you would say?” ‘he gasped, his face deadly white, his one eye seem- ing to blaze, his whole brain seeming on fire— “was not-the money I gave the detective paid the bank, in Washington?” “Tt was not!” Judge Vermillye said, with triumphant emphasis—‘ it_ never saw the inside of that Washington bank, I dare say—certain- ly not to pay off your indebtedness, It of course was all owing to my shrewdness. Tf you had been a mouse in my office nineteen years ago to-day, after you had taken your departure you might have overheard or witnessed a bar- gain between myself and the detective, Me- Quaver, wherein we were. to equally share the fifty thousand dollars, and he was to make pre- tense of continuing the search for you in behalf of the bank, but was in reality to find and put you forever out of the way, whereupon I was to pay him an additio ten thousand dol- lars!” “My God! man, I never deemed you such a villain!” the Shadow gasped, in righteous hor- ror. “No one else did,” the banker replied coolly. ** A smooth face, a smoother tongue, and scru- pulous honesty in all my dealings, has won me ; the reputation of being a square man.” Gerald Tracy groaned aloud, as he sat with bowed head, his eye riveted upon the carpet. He was no fool not to see that he was complete- ly in the power of one of the most devilish of alischemars. He knew that Silas Pry had mat- ters all in his own hands, if 1t were as he said. “Well?” he demanded, interrogatively, ‘‘ what do you intend to do?’ % “Tintend to use my power over you to the fullest extent, oe you make any stir. You are a thief to-day as you were nineteen years azo. In the hands of the chief of police at, Washington lies a warrant for your arrest on the charge of bank rokbery. Dare but to es me again and you shall suffer the full penalty for your crime.” “And you—you mean to hold Riverdale?” “Yes, Ishall foreclose the mortgage at once and sell the pee to get back my money and the interest thereon. If it goes for two hundred thousand dollars, let it go. If for less, I shall buy it in, and pay whatever it sells for, above my claim,” have a few points against you. ‘But you cannot keep over the amount due rou on the mortgage?” A “No, probably not, for the bank stands ready to claim any amount it may bring upon my claims.” “Then, I have no claim whatever?” “None, whatever, Your only plan of safety is to lay low, as every thief does. If you come _ forward to oppose the foreclosure of the mort- gage, your fate is sealed. Off to prison you go, as fast as justice can carry you.” ‘But you are counting it all against me. T have your own confession of all your villainy, which would “lower your high head, somewhat, when taken ; ee | ae fig for the latter case, while into court. Besides, there’s a charge against _ you, in court, now for attempted murder,” Felix Vermillye smiled, villainously, and his fingers. f the former i you have no proof. Weare alone, No one has overheard us. My word in law would stand better than yours, for you area thief!” The next minute the banker regretted his hasty speech, for Gerald Tracy leaped sudden- ly from his chair upon him, and grasped him by the throat. “Curse you!” he gritted, his face livid with passion, “‘you haye said that-thing once too many times. Do your worst! I you— digaely. defy you. ware! With ’s aid I will fight you, Silas Pry, and if I am beaten. T'll break every bone in your body ifI hang for it the next minute. Beware, I say! A desper- ate man has no mercy upon a foe, and I s have none upon you—to baffle and di ou to that extent that you will gladly ek death in peer to a miserable existence. I go now, ut you have not seen the last of me. A very © fiend in my pursuit of revenge, I will hunt you down to a pauper’s grave!” During his wild, excited speech the returned wanderer had tightened his grip about Vermill- ye’s throat until his eyes protruded from their sockets, and his tongue hung from his mouth. And as he finished, heraised the portly banker from the floor, bodily, by the powerful stren; of his arms, and hurled him half-way across the room. He struck the floor with a crash, andlay there, quivering, his senses having deserted him. ‘* Lie there, you accursed villain, and-taste the beginning bitterness of my battle with you!” - Tracy gritted, as he seized his hat, and stole from the house. : It was some time before the stricken banker could be called back to consciousness by the ser- vants who had seen him through the open door, lying prose on the floor,,soon after the Shadow’s epar re. ‘When he finally did recover his senses, hé per emptorily dismissed them all, and remained in his library for some time before going out for his usual evening in town. ‘ He was very sore from this fall, but was mor sore in temper than in y. “Curses take the fellow,” he growled, as ha- paced to and fro through his elegant library, ‘‘ha was as savage as a tiger. He said he was des- ee and [ am of the opinion that he was. e@ bade me beware. Yes, Gerald Tracy, I will beware. Tl cage you where you can do na harm, and that erelong. You are too danger- ous a stumbling-block to lie in my ee Tl see that you are removed. And then, Pll foreclosa the mortgage_on the southern plantation and pocket the cash. “ A snug little investment, that was, after all, Twenty-five thousand for the use of fifty a mat ter of nineteen years, and then the interest amounts to a hundred and esa? and five huny — dredmore. Ha! ha! ha! I could not have done — better, had I leased the money by Peon For Riverdale is surely mine, now, and that is worth two hundred thousand, at least, though at auc- tion sale I will chance its running above a hun- dred and fifty thousand. So much for your. scheming, Silas Pry. But, another bit of devil — try remains for you, and that is to get possession of Gerald Tracy’s wealth. Get it Imust, or ha — will beat me atmy own e. And, b) :
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oe ehtne Watch-Eye, the Shadow. 19 reac him. There isa man here, who they say can beat the best, and if he is not. of too conscientious scruples he is my huckleber- ry. Ivwillgo and sound his depths.” CHAPTER VIL. A SURPRISE—TWO ROGUES MEET—CAGED. THAT evening Jack Sphinx called upon Miss Kate Carson, at her residence in Spring Garden street. It was a cosey little two-story k cottage, in the heart of the city, surrounded by many others greater in size and more imposing. A little yard in front wasinclosed by an iron fence, and under cultivation as a flower garden. Upon ringing at the door, Jack was shown in through a hall to a little recéption parlor, by a neat, retty servant girl, where he was informed Miss ate would presently join him. The parlor was furnished after a neat but inex- ensive fashion, with a bright crimson carpet, up- olstered furniture, an upright piano, and a few modest pictures and paintings upon thé walls. Then, there were numerous little nicknacks which served to adorn, all of which betrayed the skill of a woman’s and. : Jack Sphinx had not been seated long,when a door opened, and ‘“‘ Clipper Kate” entered. She was at- tiredin a loose toilet wrapper, ee set off with ribbon bows; spotless linen cuffs and collar, and a handsome gold chain about herneck reaching to her watch-pocket. Her hair was arranged becomingly, and altogether she appeared to great advantage, despite the fact that no one could have ealled her handsome. She bowed with a smile, as she saw Jack, and seat- ing herselt’, af once opened up on the subject of the interview. “Well, Mr. Sphinx, who do you think is the bank robber?”” ee 4 : “T haven't made any direct decision, yet, Miss Carson. I have been waiting to catch your ideas, before allowing my crude experience ‘to form into thought.” yy * Well, I can soon tell you my judgment in the matter. . There are two buildings built against the bank—one upon the east and one upon the west side. The first named is occupied as a clothing store, and the latter as a pawnbroker’s establish- ment. The latter is kept by one of that much-abus- ed race Known as Jews. Now, in my estimation, this robbery is done either by parties who have ac- _ cess to the interior of the bank through one of these side buildings, or by some one in the employ of the bank, who has charge of or access to the vaults of the company in that direction.” “* Well, which do you think most probable?” “The latter.” ‘* And who the person or persons?”’ “J don’t know. That is foryou and Ito determine between ourselves. You questioned President Fow- Jer concerning this man Vermillye, rather sharply, I took note.” on =< “Yes, I did. My opinion of the man is not favor- able, to say the most albeit he may be innocent of complicity in the robbery.” ite may And may not, Did you discover any- parucular, while being shown through the bank?’ . ‘*No, nothing. My eyes failed to seeanything out of order,” } ‘*My eyes, then( are a trifle sharper than yours. See here, what I picked up, will you,” and she held up a watch-key with a low laugh. __ Jack Sphinx took it, and glanced it over sharply. It was a patented key, Dearing the patent mark, and the name of Jay Walrerbrooke, Jeweler. * Where did you find this, Miss Carson?” * pan nee basement bottom, when we were visit- apo ayes it belong thes tana now no more than you, ic ae k te y P up, ag it might be useful.’ ~ “Andsoit may. But, now, we must dig inat the root of this matter, I have my suspicions firmly fixed upon Judge Vermillye, as being the depredator, but of course have no definite proof—no clew on which to cause his arrest.’ What course do you ad- vise?”’ “T have been thinking of one, which may pan out as important results as any other, and that is for us to conceal our$elves in the bank at night, and learn : what we can, ““ Will the President allow this?” e “Tf Task him, yes. If you will kindly wait here a few moments, I will go to his residence, half a block above, and ascertain,” x Jack assented, and during her absence whiled way the time in loo! over some bro) away the ti looking @ be oks which lay upon the center-table. She was not thought, when he heard her re-enter the house, and she came tripping into the parlor, : ‘“‘T have triumphed, my dear Sphinx,” she said, holding up a bunch of keys. “I have got a set o! duplicates to every lock in the bank building. Now we will go and make a night of watching of it, you properly armed? You know itis ever well to be us for the genuine bank robbers?” & “T guess not, when we show our badges. Do you know the policeman on that beat may, be the very chap who knows all about this robbery?” “Such a thing might be, and in that case, he, even, must not know of our presence in the bank,” ne long, he — “Right. We must wateh our chance, and get in — on the sly, or else we’ll see no robbers to-night. Ten to one we'shall not, anyhow.” Kate Carson wrapped herself in a heavy water- proof and hat; then they took their departure toe ward the bank, ‘ = On arrival there they had no 'trouble in gain’ an easy entrance without being disturbed or noticed, Passing through the banking-room, Kate unlocked — a door and they stepped into—the presence of half a dozen of armed, masked ered the two detectives with that were cocked with an ominous click! click! Judge Vermillye left his own mansion, after re- ceiving the harsh treatment at the hands of Watch- Eye, and burried into town. Nor did he pause until he reached Nash’s restaurant, where he washed down with a bottle of champagne. 5 Then came a choice cigar, when the banker arose to leave the place. As he did so, he saw a portly, pursy individual, who, from his dress and manners, might have been mistaken for a statesman, or the piient of a corporation, just entering the door. coming seemed to affeet the banker strangely, — for he sunk back upon his chair, and gazed at the new-comer, speechless with surprise. A smooth, fat face had this fellow, and he was dressed in the hight of fashion—black eyes from his head, however, and Judge Vermillye re- membered the face, As the stranger was him upon the arm, an upon an adjoining chair. “Sit down here,” he said, in answer to the fel- then made room for him low’s look of surprise; “sit down here, I know you, — I want to speak with you.” es me? Well, man!’ the other repliel, looking the judge over, — with a criticising glance. ‘“‘I am but recently in these parts,” 5 “Some foreign dignitary I dare say, then!’’ Ver- a peror, millye replied, sarcasm in his tones. “An em) emb or, or mayhap & nokleman,” pegsing, the judge touched ; guess aot mistaken your _ men, who instantly “‘coy- 5 gleaming revolvers — artook of — a goodly-sized meal of choice viands, the whole : Jeamed
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20 Watch-Eye, the Shadow. - 2 The man uttered a growl, and then turned square- ly upon the judge. * “Who are you?’ he demanded, surlily. The judge smiled, craftily. “Is it possible that you have forgotten your old friends so soon?” he said. ‘‘I should have known you had [seen you etree upon a king’s throne, M name is Vermiliye, sir, alias Silas Pry. Yours is Bill MeQuaver, alias what?” The fat gentleman started angrily. “You lie! Tam not McQuaver!” he replied. ““You are,”’ the judge declared. ‘*Come! come! no more denial now, but goon and tell me where you haWe been, since eighteen years ago.” “Well, since you won’t take no for an answer, let’s step into the theater below here, and secure a box where we can talk unmolested and unheard. Whar do you say?” ‘Load ahead. Just as you say!” Inside of ten minutes they occupied & proscenium box at the Chestnut Street Theater, “ As [was saying,” the judge remarked, by way of opening the conversation, ‘‘I should like to know where you have been during the last nineteen years, Here you come back dressing and looking like the president of some great corporation, and puttin, as much style as though you were worth half a million instead of being Bill McQuaver, a runaway detective.” “My name is Right Honorable David Thurston} at yonr service!” the ex-detective replied, grimly. ‘‘T ave been around.the world since I saw you last, and, as you suggested, am worth half a million of dollars.’ “Flow did you summon u come back ivto the States, w: upon your head?’ ~ -*A reward upon my head?” “Certainly — for epic et money paid you by Gerald Tracy an parts unknown,”’ : “The deuce, you say!’ “Yes. The charge stands against you, and I saw a policeman eying you, a bit ago, or I shouldn’t have cadled you here.”’ ~‘But you took the larger share of the ek Be- sides, you owe me ten thousand dollars, for that job against Tracy.” “Who is alive and well, to-day !’’ © “Not by a long sight. I shot him four times through ‘lie heart, and saw his body covered over with six feet of ground.” “ Are you lying to me?” “Upon honor, it is as I’ve told you.” “Then he has the nine lives of a cat, for certain it is that he has returned, and threatens to make trou- ble in camp, You must silence him, forever !” “7 must?” “You must. If you refuse, T’ll hand you over to ‘ se law as the thief who ran off with the bank money." The ex-detective uttered an inaudible curse, and glanced nervously around. He evidently had a dread of arrest. “Curse you. What do you want me to do with him?’’ he demanded, *‘ and what will ye do after Ido get rid of him?” ‘““You can take your own remedy,” the judge said, eoolly. “Iam not particular as to the method, so long as it is effective. After the job’s done, my lips shallibe sealed as to your past, {aid you sr ‘ll have the money.” “You promise this?”* ae ay swear to it, if necessary.’* ‘Where is this Gerald Tracy?” “You must find him. Some call him watch-Bye, because one of his eyes is a glass eye,” 4 *{ will find him. And I'll use a remedy that wou’t fa‘l, this tira>.’’ : Shortly oe this the a - arated, MeQuaver ong toward the upper part of the city, and Judge Feruillye in the direction of the wharves, F sufficient courage to en such a reward is set appropriating the Iéaving for \ “Gerald Tracy's doom is sealed,” he muttered, a horrible glitter in his eyes, as he moved along. “I shall be rid of him; McQuaver fairly upo» his track he is a dead man—sure. ‘Then, only a few remnants of a dark past lie in my way, and they can easily be removed. MeQuaver himself, for one; Jared Oggles- by for another, The girl, Nellio Morton, and th» fel- low Sphinx may give me trouble, unless I can quiet pide somehow. I think I can fix all these things to suit me,” It was an unexpected situation that Kate and Jack found themselves placed in, for they had not caleu- lated upon being surprised in highway robbery fashion within the very walls of the bank, where they had come to lie in wait for stealthy criminals. ~ Instead, they were now confronted by a Spree masked fellows, ail enveloped in hood-d oil-cloth coats, and armed with the revolvers which they leveled so suddenly upon the detectives, that neither had an opportunity to draw a weapon, ere they were “covered.” “You may as well surrender, and take matters rationally,’ one man said, stepping forward, appa- rently to distinguish himself as leader. “You've fallen into the trap you had prepared for us, and we shall see that you don’t trouble us.” “What do you mean?” Jack demanded. ‘It is you who had better surrender, as you can never es- cape from this place alive, It is surrounded.” * A clever lie, but it avails you little,’ the leader replied, with a sarcastic chuckle. “‘ Were there ten thousand men on the outside they could not prevent our leaving this bank. Come, hand over your wea- pons. It’s your only choice.” Jack turned to Miss Carson, inquiringly, and she nodded her head. “Tt is no use to resist. Solet them doas they will, and we will work afterward.” “You will, will bel the leader said, craftily. “Oh! yes,.no doubt. Seize them, boys; and bind one ; ands beind their backs, and blindfold them.” This was done, and as resistance seemed useless, under the circumstances, the detectives submit- ted, without knowing what fate was in store for them, When they were secured according to the captain’s orders, they were forced to walk forward Shrough a mur of rooms, and flaally down-stairs into the ank. Here they paused, “ You are in the basement of the bank, where all the money is stored, You seldom visit the place, while we visit it often. I shall now extract a thou- sand dollars from the fund, Then you shall be taken away and confined, and the bank will lay this rob- bery,and possibly those heretofore, to you, and your names will be heralded abroad; you will be outcasts and outlaws upon the public. When you are thoroughly branded, and your names are in the mouths of everybody, we willturn you out upon the streets to be gobbled up by the law.” “Curse you. do your worst, Judge Vermillye!”’ Jack Sphinx replied. ‘Though you wore a mask when [ looked at you, T now recognize you by your voice, Hall fancy you start and tremble, because you dread the op-n revelation to the world.” 3 “You err, young man,” the leader replied, in a disguised voice. ‘Iam not the man you believe me to be. So, in accusing Judze Vermillye, you will be doing an innocent man a great injustice—that is if youever escape. My name is Captaiy Jim Stavers, and my gang here are all professionals.” “Oh! that will do very well to feed the sparrows on, but sparrowbawks do not Gigest that order of grub!” Jack replied, sarcastically. Toen there wasa silence for a few moments, dur- ing v-hich time the prisoners heard two of the gang move away along theaisle in which they seemed [0 be standing. : Sor : “ Clipper” Kate Carson said nothing, : ~
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Watch-Eye, the Shadow. 21 All that passed seemed to be received by her, but she gave expression to no sentiment whatever,either of despondency or regret that they had come and gotten entangled in such a difficulty. Jack Spas was a little dubious of the ultimate results of their adventure, for he believed Judge Neha to be a person who would hesitate at no crime which would cover previous guilt, oradd to his welfare and safety. = But he resolved to take matters as they came, without grumbling, and await the issues before drawing conclusions. Something might turn up. The parties who had left the ranks soon returned and then the whole gang moved off, taking Jack and his female pard with them. For a mil», if seemed, they moved wong a hard bottom; then three of the gang went off with Jack and Kate Carson, while the rest stopped. On through another series of passages; then there was a clanging as of iron gates, and the two detectives found themselves locked in a sort of dungeon, but separated by an iron grating. They were ca; 1 CHAPTER Ix. A HEINOUS SCHEME—MCQUAVER’S RESOLVE. On the following day there was a great excitement at the —— Bank, upon the discovery that it had again been robbed. Suspicions naturally turned upon Jack Sphinx and Kate Carson as the perpetrators of the theft, since they had been given duplicate keys to the bank, on the previous night, and were now nowhere to be seen. » Nor were they to be found, as a fruitless search roved. They had suddenly disappeared, a8 had a fhousand dollars of the bank’s money. Several of the directors, together with President Fowler and Vice-President Vermillye, had assembled in the president’s private office to discuss the mat- ter. “T think the case is clearly explained now,” Ver- millye said. ‘These two detectives whom we em- ployed, are the very ones who are robbing us, or, at east, are in league with a gang of professional thieves whom they are aiding and abetting.”’ » “So it would seem,”? President Fowler confessed, thoughtfully, “‘and yet these robberies took place long before I sought detective aid.” “That may all be, but you stumbled on the very parties who were bleeding us, and employed them.” ‘“ What proof have you of this?” ““Why, the precious pair have escaped, and a thousand dollars are missing—isn’t that sufficient proof of their guilt?” . “By no means. I do not believe in convicting people on circumstantial evidence, These detec- _tives may be laying low in order to work up their case,” _“ Perhaps. But I shouldn’t be afraid, to wager that they'd never turn up again.’’ ““Ahl Well, maybe they have been put out of thé way by some one interested in the wholesale rob- bery business?” President Fowler suggested. Judge Vermillye flushed, and sprung from his seat. angrily. “Did I understand that to be an insinuation?” he demanded, hotly. * Just as you choose to accept it, my dear Vermill- ye,” the president replied, coolly. “A man with a clear conscience, I have heard said, will not notice an insinuation.” The judge flushed again at the cut, but subdued his wrath. 7 “Perhaps you are right, and I should not have thought of such a thing. But Iam naturally quick- tempered, to that extent that I am often ashamed of myself. I hope and trust these detectives may turn out all right, but I bave my doubts, 1 know of a _ deteciive who can be relied upon, but I don't know 88 he could be engaged at present," _ return “T got a ree President, Powis aepbed: “T shall ive the matter my personal supervision, and see what kind of a detective I rill make, What, go- ing? “Yes. My daughter was indisposed when I left, this morning, and I must drop in upon her while the Phyecisn is there.” ; his was an outright lie, but the judge regarded it as an exceedingly good way to obtain leave of ab- sence, but, instead of goin his home, te banker made his way to East Callowhill street, and in one of the numerous grog-shops there to be found, hunt- . ed up Jared Ogglesby, the man to whem Nellie Mor- ton was bound. He at last founti him in a saloon, notoriously bad in the character of its patrons, and a dirty, filthy den at the best. Jared Oglesby was the ideal of a thoroughbred - miser. He was lank and lean, with pinched feae res, partly covered with a grizzly stu! poison with which fede saturate yourself,” the judge replied, know directly. Barkeeper, have you @ private room handy?’ ** Yis, yer honor!” replied the Irishman, who dealt out the beverage for the establishment. ‘Here be the kay, sur, an’ yez ll find the room noomber twenthy-siven, on the right av the hall. Five dol- lars, av yez might please.”’ “Go to the dogs!” Vermillye replied, taking the key, and throwing down a dollar. “There's enough for your old coop.. Come along, Jared.” Vermillye then led the way through a dark, dismal- looking hall, until room 27 was found. He unlocked the door, and pushed Ogglesby inside, entering him- self and closing and fastening the door bebind him, * He then took a seat in front of the miser, who had gee into a chair. “have wanted to see you,”’ the banker said, in a low tone; “for I have made an important discov- ery. * What?” Oglesby demanded, “You know all about the Gerald Tracy affair, for, believing you could be trusted, I have from time to time made'you my confidant. Well, I have at last found the girl whom I have all along believed to be living—Tracy’s daughter.” ‘Found her? 0 is she?” “ Guess!’’ “Tam no hand at guessing.” Z , ‘* Well, you've heard of the row I had at the tene- ments and how 1 was arrested for attempted mur- ler?” “Yes. Why did eat try your hand on the gal?” “Because tie girl whom you have bound to you under the name of Nellie Morton is in reality Gerald Tracy’s own and lawful child and beir.” “he deuce you say!”” y “Ttis true, :n a tussle with the girl I discovered a birth-mark upon her arm, which I remembered having seen upon the arm of the infant that I and Whack Butler stole from Mrs. Tracy’s house, before my marriage to her.” , ** You are sure of this?” 5 “Positive. And then, come to think, the girl re- peer Tracy, I marvel that I never noticed it be- ore.” “What became of Whack Butler?” Pye Satan only knows. He went to sea, and never the girl from a manin West Virginia, Don't remember the name now, It as oyer fifteen yours Ag,"
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22 ie “She is undoubtedly the original. And, to make matters still more interesting, her father is in this very city, and knows me.”’ * Well, how does all this concern me, I should like to inquire?’”’ Ogglesby demanded, sharply, for, al- ee he was soaked with liquor, he was keenly alert, . “Te concerns you greatly,’ Vermillye replied, sig- neeney “There is work for you to do—dark work.” “Then I decline before you mention if; you know 1am not partial to labor.’ “But you are a great miser, and J’ll allow that you like to turn an honest or a dishonest penny, as well as the next one.” ‘* Well, state your business, I'll argue with you ‘efter I’ve heard what you want done. You know that I despise money, and only a very liberal sum can affect me.” “You are an old hypocrite!” Vermillye retorted, as ifin disgust. ‘‘ But to business. How much rent has the old tenement brought in during the past Watch-Eye, ‘ear? Ogeglesby shrugged his shoulders,” “But a mighty little. Only a matter of a hundred dollars, what with dishonest tenants and big taxes.” ““What became cf my money? You as agent had @ right to keep but ten dollars ona hundred.” “*All down, here,” the miser replied, with a cun- ning grin. ‘‘ All went for rum,” and he laid his hand upon his stomach. *““You are a fine rascal to act as one’s agent, ain’t you? But, passing that aside, the old building is not paying me, and I’m resolved to get my money out of it. Do you understand how I mean?” * By fire!” “*Hixactly! by fire,” the banker replied, lowering his tone and glancing around, lest he should be over- heard. ‘And I want you to do the job. The build- ing is insured for two thousand dollars, and that is more than I should ever realize out of it if it were to stand. Therefore, I want you to fireit. When it stands in ruins, and I get the insurance ia a it, you eall upon me and I will place five hundred dollars in qoor nands, And, hark you, Jared Ogglesby,” and the banker lowered his voice to a whisper, ‘if such a thing should happen that you bound girl, who is Gerald Tracy’s daughter, should by accident—un- derstand me, now—should by pure accident burn with the building, you would be richer by five hun- dred dollars more, making in all a thousand dol- “T think I understand you,” the miser replied, a horrible smile coming upon his face. ‘‘In saying to you that you may depend upon me, I believe I have said enough.” “ Quite,”” Judge Vermillye replied, rising triumph- antly, to depart. ‘ { will depend upon you.” . _ Aman was loitering about the docks at the foot of Walnut street that same night, not apparently hay- dog any object in so doing, more than to catch the refreshing breeze that blew off from the restless Delaware, for the night was sultry for May, and the sky was hooded in inky clouds, foreshadowing a storm, Business had pretty much suspended, with the exception of a few oyster-venders who were closing out their stock in trade to an occasional late pur- chaser, or an occasidnal policeman who paced to and fro along Front street, which overlooks the river. The man referred to was ordinarily dressed; a personage with long brown beard, which almost ee his face, and the bearing of a gentleman of eisure. He carried a stout walking-stick, and a pair of eyeglasses were perched upon his nose, screening” his eyes. Hyer and anon he would stop to listen, as if ex- » pecting some sound or signal. . Fin he left the dock at the foot of Walnut the Shadow. : ok street, and walked briskly along, until he arrived at the Market street ferry-house. The boat from Camden had just arrived, and the passengers were disembarking in swarms. Standing near the entrance to the ferry-house, the stranger watched the passengers as they came out, with a keen scrutiny that evidenced the fact that he -was interested, At last he seemed to fasten upon a man as bein the one he wanted—a tall, powerfully-built individ- ual, with an immense allowance of paunch, and the eee, of a pair of brown whiskers that rivaled he stranger’s own. The man with the big stomach was in Yeality the ex-detective, McQuaver, in disguise. 7 McQuaver started away up Market, at as rapid a stride as this gorporonity would allow, and the stran nnenee his footsteps with the pertinacity ofa sleuth. If the ex-detective stopped into a store or a saloon, the stranger either stopped also or lagoons near, until his game came out and went on again, In this way he continued to shadow the man with the great girth. If McQuaver was aware that he was followed, he did not betray his knowledge of the fact, but kept on up Market street, going Bbw his the stranger followed, not many paces na, At last they came to the square of unfinished Public Buildings at Broad and Market streets, and by some error in usual customs, found the gate to the public transept left open. Seeing this, McQuaver quickened his pace. and entered the gloomy portals of the massive pile of masonry. This Non him temporarily from the sight of the strange pursuer, who still held his own, and shortly afterward left the street and entered the gloomy transept himself. i ae striding forward for a little ways, he paused isten, ‘ Footsteps were distinguishable at the further end of the transept, and appeared to be | ng. Believing them to be the footsteps of McQuaver, the stranger hastened cautiously forward, until a figure sprung out upon him, from one of the dark alcoves, and a triumphant voice cried in a low, evil tone: “Ha! ha! my gay copper, you’re after me, eh? We'll see whether you pa yer waite satisfied or not. Take that, cuss ye!” : And in the air above the stranger’s head a long- | bladed knife flashed Pa trea n GR But the murderous blow did no particular harm, for the stranger struck aside MeQuaver’s hand, an the knife but grazed his shoulder. The next instant the tables were fairly turned, for the stranger had rere ace by the throat. ; ‘ “No! no! Jack McQuaver, Iam not satisfied,’ he gritted savagely, while his gripe fastened tighter _ around the ex-detective’s throat. ‘“‘ Instead o my falling into your hands, you have fallen into mine!” A powerful man was the stranger, and withala coolman. For, keeping one hand about the ex-de- tective’s windpipe, he actually raised him, big as he was, from the ground, and carried him up one of the gloomy aisles of the massive structure, until they — were out of the way of chance passers-by. Herehe laid him upon the ground, and placed one knee te 33 at, breast, while a revolver silenced his would-be — cries. . “Silence, now!” the stranger ordered, pressing the muzzleof his weapon to the ex-detective’s cheek. “Tf you but give a squawk, I'll blow your brains out. Don’t imagine I’m fooling, for I was never more in earnest,” Ee “Let me up!” MeQuaver growled. ‘‘ You've got . hold of the wrong man,” pebt 258 “No, I've got the-right man, You are Bill Me- Quayer, and [know it. Lheard you admit thesame to Vermillye—aligs Silas Pry!” es i
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Watch-Eye, the Shadow. “Well, what if Iam McQuaver? What business or right have you to assault me in this manner?” “Phe right of an injured victim of your thievish treachery—the right of aman who is seeking ven- geanee through the aid of the law. Do y.u know me, sir?’ “Nol” McQuade grunted, sullenly. ‘‘ Let me up, or I'll whistle for the police!” **Dare to try such a,move, and I’ll give you a dose of leacen electricity, such as you never experienced. So you don’t know mé, eh?—don’t know the man you were seeking out, to murder. I am Gerald Tracy, or Watch-Eye, the Shadow!” McQuaver started, his florid face paling, a trifle, “ You 2?” he gasped—‘‘ you?” “Woes, I! You may well tremble, you accursed rascal, for into prison you go, in less than an hour. nnless you make a confession of your crimes, an * place it in my hands.”’ “ * Implicating myself?” ' “ Yes, and also Silas Pry. Also, qe must pay me fifty thousand dollars, Refuse, and into jail you go, for a straight ten years of your life.” McQuaver remained silent a few moments, asif turning over the situation in bis mind. **You promise to let me go, if, out of the money I faave honestly made, I go and pay the bank, and ‘lear you?” he demanded. ** You shall go free.” ‘ “Then, Vl do the fair thing by you. I've allus ‘peen haunted by that cussed bit o’ villainy, and I’ve made up my mind to clear my skirts of villainy, and aven though.it beggars me, ll square up, and turn over a new leaf. I scarcely b: lieve I was ever cut out fora villain anyhow. When shall we start for Baltimore and Washington?” “At once!” Watch-Eye said. CHAPTER X. BREAKING LOOSE— OLD PHILLIS. Wer must now return to Jack Sphinx and Kate’ Carson, whom we left incarcerated, underground, in a dungeon, though they were ignorant as to the ‘style of prison they were in, or its locale. After footing them within the dungeons, the bank robbers took their departure and the two detectives were alone, separated by an iron-barred partition. The robbers had neglected to release them of their bonds, and so they were left blindfolded and with their hands tied behind their backs. : ate Carson was the first to speak. * Are you there, Jack?” she called. “Yes, I’m on hand,” Sphinx replied, grimly. “‘ How do you like your new quarters, over there?” “I don’t know, for I haven’t been able to inspect ai yet. My eyes are covered with a strong cloth.’ “Ditto mine. And my arms are bound, too. But. if I can find a sharp stone, Ican cut the ropes, an then release you. Then we can better inspect our new quarters, I guess.” The search for the sharp stone was fruitless, for the walls were all laid of smooth granite. The next best thing was the iron bars, and Sphinx set to work, determined to free himself, somehow. But the sawing of his bonds across the edges of the iron was slow and monotonous work, and weary- ing, to that extent that he finally gave it up as a bad ob, ~ He next tried to remove the bandage from before ‘nis eyes, in which he was successful, and was soon able to survey his surroundings. He found that they were in an old disused cellar, half-filled with old barrels and boxes, behind which the double dungeon had been built at some remote {cate for what use was a mystery. A kerosene amp swung in a bracket, just outside the dungeon door, and furnished the only light upon the sub- ect. __ It enabled Jack to see that there were no ways in ~ which he could cut and free himself of his bonds. _ Kate, he could see, was working to li te her hands, but with poor success. The act of wearing out a strong ‘pe by drawing it across a stone or iron bar, is not the most rapid work. After reflection, an idea struck him which he re- solyed to put into execution. é He had a se gut in his jacket-pocket, and if he could but get at this, he could perhaps manage to cut his bonds. But with his arms tied behind his back, how was he to f.ee himself—how was he to get at the knife? : There was but one way, and he resolved to bis it. That was by lying down upon the floor, and ai tempting to stand upon his head, and in this manner spilling out bis knife. To try the plan was cory, and he pe the idea into execution, ing upon is back, he turned a balf- somerset, ba! ing himself for a second or two upon his head, with bis heels in the air. Clink! the knife dropped from his pocket upon the hard bottom of the dungeon, and he had won! Dropping back upon his back, he wriggled along, until his pinioned ands came into contact with the knife. e then arose to bis feet, and it was not lon ere he had the blade opened, and the cords seyered, after which his arms were free! : “Loose, at last!’ he cried, with a chuckle. ‘‘ And, now, Miss Carson, if you will-come to the grating, I will endeavor to reach through and free you.” Kate obey ene and the detective managed to re- lease her hand from her eyes herself. * Well, we’re partly free at last,” Jack said, “‘ but: there’s no telling when we ehall get out of this place. Tron bars are not so easily cut as a rope.”” “True, but Ido not intend to stay here, if I can helpit. Do you vhink we could make anybody hear by yelling?” : 2 “Téis doubtful. This old basement seems to be wear large, and a fellow might halloo till doomsday, without attracting attention, except from the rats. I can’t imagine where we are.” “Nor 1, but we are not far from the wharves, and possibly under some vacant storehouse. These prea have probably been used some time ‘to cage wild animals for the menagerics.” ; ‘Yes. but not belonging to that race of creatures, I don’t like the situation. We shall haye to put our heads together, and form some plan by which we can secure our liberty.” When Watch-Eye spoke as last recorded, he re- leased his hold upon McQuaver, and allowed him to arise, He still retained for he knew not but what the ex-detective might be playing the villain, despite his seeming earnestness. . “You can put up your weapon,” McQuaver said. “T’ve nothing against you, and if you treat me half human, you can depend upon me.’ “If you choose to carry out your poopoateae that’s all I care about you,” Gerald Tracy said. “Faithfulness never goes ‘unrewarded, and if through your means I become re-established in the world, you shall not lose by it. First come with me to my quarters, and we will arrange a confession.” MeQuaver did not hesitate to obey, and accompa- nied the Shadow-detective to his lodgings which were in North 18th street. A large, pleasantly lighted room, tastily furnished, was what the Shadow called: his quarters, and into. which he conducted McQuaver and banded him a seat at a desk, supplied with writing materials, while he himself took a chair close at hand. : ; “There are pens, ink and fas *hesaid. “You may make out a confession. Tlike it, allright; i€ not, I will destroy it and give you the trouble of writing the whole thing over.” Without demur the ex-detective set about bis task. He was a good penman, and wrote rapidly, so that ‘it was not many minutes ere he handed Gerald Tra- cy the document, of which the subjoined is a correct copy: s, after which she tore the covering is revolver in readiness, _
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24 ee “ Philadelphia, May 12, 18—. “To President of —— Bank, Washington, D. C.:—~- * Dear Srr:—You will probably be astonished on the reception of this, to learn that the warrant you hold for the arrest of Gerald Tracy, nineteen years ago an employee in your bank, prevents an honest man from coming forward to claim the rights of a citizen under his true name. For, understand you, Gerald Tracy is not indebted to you one farthing, he having on the tenth day of May, nineteen years ago, paid into my hands, according to your direction, the sum of fifty thousand dollars, which he had pre- viously taken from the bank. * This clears Gerald Tracy, and I reeommend that you receive him back as an honest, law-abiding citi- zen, which I believe him to be. He has been absent fromthe East nineteen years, cB agents ha the time that his debtto you was eanceled; but on returning and finding that it was not, has sought me out, and Ihave decided to make a clean breast of it. The money was paid by Tracy into my hands; thena devil came to me in the shape of one Silas Pry, and proposed that I keep a portion of it, and surrender the rest to him. I didso, and I fled to other parts of the world. But T have become tired of a roving life, and the thought that 1 ama thief; and hence I have resolved to clear pay. and pay you one hun‘red and sixty thousand and five hundred dollara, which isthe full amount, principal and interest of the debt T owe you; upon condition that ae will sign a clear- ance paper, and return it to me by Mr. Gerald Tracy, promising never to take action agaiust me or him. “Wm. McQuaver,”’ _ This was what the document said, and what Gerald Tr icy read, over and over several times. “Ts it all right.oris there something more you/ would have?’ McQuaver asked, anxiously. "It is enoug’),”” Watch-Eye replied, ‘‘and I thank ou forit. L believe you mean to do better, and*as ong as Lsee that such is your intention you can eount on me asa friend. There have been black spots in both of our lives, but Ihave confidence we ean yet do enough good in the future, to atone for the wrong of the past. You intend that I shall pre- sent this to the President of the bank?” “Yes. I will accompany you to Washington, and if they accept my terms, I will pay them the debt.” You shall not do that, alone,” Watch-Eye replied. ‘‘You pay what you took, with interest, and I willgive you the rest. I shall get it out of Silas Pry, yet, orl am mistaken. And now, havin; arranged this, you can meet meat the depot, Broa: and Washington avenue, to morrow morning, and we will catch the first train to the Capital.” ‘Aftera few more words, McQuaver took his de- parture. 3 Bright and early the following morning, Watch- Eye was at the Baltimore po al and found the ex- detective there in advance of him. - Going aboard the first train, they were whirled away oyer the steel track, toward their destination. s There are a few things I would ask you about,” Gerald Tracy said, as the train glided along, ‘tand that is concerning the death of my wife, who, I un- derstand, married Silas Pry, after I left torthe West. Have you information to give?” * Very little bearing directly on the case, I am sor- ry to say,” McQuaver i sor “T was hired by Silas Pry, as you may know, to follow you and put you out of the way, in order that he, , might in the course of time, foreclose the mortgage upon River- dale. Once or twice I received letters from Pry; in one of them he stated that he had married Mrs. Tracy; in another that his wife had suddenly died. That’s all I ever heard about it,” Gerald Tracy groaned in spirit. “J wish I could find out how she died!” he said. his brows knitted in perplexity of thought. “t should be better satisfied.” “Why do you not, hunt up old Phillis, the nurse wee aor Pay ee Watch-Eye, the Shadow. woman. It occurs t) me that she was in attendance upon your wife during her last sickness."’ “Hal if I could but find her. But is shv alive, after allthese years? Inquiry in Washington might or might not find her.’’ aes Bi - ay, at ee cr ver me Prieg ough not much acquaint in Washington, I know where the old wench used to live, and it will do no harm for us to visit the locality.” “God bless youl You are indeed a friend in an hour of need,”’ Watch-Eye ie age warmly grasping the ex-detective’s hand. “We will go and perha) find the negress. If 1 could but find my child, the happiness of my future would drive away the dark clouds of my irae Arrived in Washington, the two men s¢ct faith. fully to work, to. discover the abode of the negro, is. A visit to the spot where McQuaver had once known hér to live, resulted in finding no trace of her. She had long since moved to other quarters, In their disguises both McQuaver and Gerald Tracy ener through the streets of Washington, without etection, for after nineteen years no knew them, nor did they see many that they knew. Turning away from several places where the ne- gress had once lived, they sought out the city direc- ory, and together scanned its pages, eagerly. ere were Phillises of every name, seemingly, but only two whose occupation corresponded with the previous business of the Phillis they wanted. One of these was Phillis Bohee, dry nurse, and the other, Phillis Washtoe, Wet nurse. They lived in the same section of the city, and our two friends decided to pay them each a visit,.before trying the other Phillises. ‘A visit to Phillis Washtoe, who came first on the route, resulted in finding a negress with half a dozen little negroes tied to her skirts. Inquiring if she had ever nursed one Mrs. Judge Vermillye, or Mrs. Silas Pry, McQuaver and Watch-Kye were informed in the negative. So bidding Mrs. Washtoe good-day, t' ey set out in search of Mrs. Bohee, whom Mrs. Washtoe believed to be the right party. A “Thave almost despaired of finding any clew,” Watch-Eye said, as they walked along. “Ten to one the next one will not be the one we seek.” ‘*T have faith that she will be the one,” MceQuaver replied. And so they went on until they came to the re- sidence of Phillis Bohee. It was a dirty-looking neue in which she lived, but there were no children about. McQuaver’s rap was answered by a trim mulatto girl of seventeen, who politely invited him to enter. Inside everything was neat and clean, but showed that poverty was not a stranger there. An old negress sat croning before the stove, clad inrags. She wasas black as a coal, and well pre- served, but was evidently in her second childhood, The girl handed the visitors chairs, and then elabee in respectful silence for them to state their errands. ‘Which one of you is Phillis Bohee?” McQuaver asked, glancing first at the old woman, and then at the girl “Tm Phillis Bohee—who wants me?” the old_wo- man said, looking upfrom the fire, abruptly. “‘ Who wants me?” “T want you to answer me a few questions, my good woman,” the ex-detective replied. ‘One of them is: were you ever employed as nurse to Mrs. Judge Vermillye, of this city? ‘“‘Vermillye—Vermillye?”’ The negress muttered, thoughtfully. ‘‘Let me see; was it many years ago?” "* “Yes—a matter of sixteen, or so. Vermillye’s wife died very suddenly, you mow. Her previous name was Mrs. Tracy.” ; ‘*Oh! yes—yes, I remember now. Yes, I nussed Mrs. Tracy seberil times.”*_ / - » - ‘
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- without ap Watch-Eye, the Shadow. ~ “Did you ever hear her speak about her former husband?” * “Oh! golly, yes. She tell mefall about him. She tell me how be run away an’ leab her, and den she hear of his deafth, an’ then somebody stole her baby ; es, an’ she mourn aun’ grieve her pretty eyes out for er poor first husband an’ child.” “Did she ever say how she came to live with Ver- millye? how shé came to marry him?’ “No! she nebber say much about him. He treat her wuss’n a slave master used to treat his niggers. He bound and abuse her drefful, and threaten to kil er. * Curse him!” Watch-Eye fairly hissed, in tefrible anger as he listened to the simple story of the wench, ‘ He shall yet suffer, even as she suffered.”” “This is Mr, Tracy, who was the first husband of Mrs. Vermillye,”” MeQuaver explained. ‘‘ We came to find you, and learn if possible of what Mrs, Ver- millye died, We have both had suspicions that foul play might have caused her death.’ ‘Yes, yes, I allus sed she did not die natural-like, but I hadn’t any proof on it. Bless you, dough, missus dropped away orful quick, she did. she com: menced ailin’ on Monday, an’ Savurday she was laid out in her coffin, Sez Ito her: ‘**Missus, be all goin’ right? Be you satisfied? Den she smile an’ she sez: | > “*Look in under my pillow, after I’m gone, and you'll find a sealed package. ‘ake it, an’ if ever my child is found give it to her.’ ” “ And this paper pare youit yet?’ Watch-Bye de- manded, excitedly. : é “Yes, ’se gotit. Dolly, gal, jes’ you goup inde arret an’ fotch down dat bandbox. De dockyment e in dat, onless de vats hab done gone an’ eat it to pieces!’ ‘ CHAPTER XI. FIRE AT OGGLESBY PLACE—JACK SPHINX’S BRAVERY. “Fire! Fure/ Fire!” ae The cry rent the night in a piercing yell from some stentorian voice. ran “Fire!” the electric signal ran like chain-lightning to the many fire stations in the Quaker city; the Dis- trict Telegraph flashed the news over their many wires; the one word ‘fire ’ made many a heart beat fast, for it meant destruction and desolation. Only along the routes taken by the fire engines and trucks was the populace aroused, except in the locality of the fire; elsewhere the people slept on unaware of the conflagration, perhaps, until they should read of it in the mcraing pepe. The scene of the disaster was in no other building than that known as Ogglesby’s tenement. The whole | apices ablaze. Irom every door and window the smoke poured in dense volumes,and occasionally a sharp vie Ps of flame would leap out into the night, as if reaching for a hold upon the op- posite buildings. fs The street in front of the old building was throng- ed with peop!e, who surged™to and fro behind the ropes that barred them out from reaching the burn- ing building or touching such household effects as were being rescued from the doomed tenement. Men. women and children, many of them in their bare feet and night-robes, as they had escaped from the firo; brawny policemen, yelling draymen, and the te ou voice of brave firemen—all united in a series of howls and cries that made the scenea pandemonium. Still the fire waged on within the building,.and the smoke and flame poured out into the night. Streams of water were turned upon and into the building rent effect; several daring ‘‘laddies ” ventured into the building, but all to no avail. The dense volumes of smoke drove them back, early suffccate*. All that could be done was to play the streams of water upon the structure until it was flocded. but it might take hours ere such flames sielded to the power of water. Among the most excited upon the spot, was old 25 Jared lesby. He rushed frantically about, urge ing on the firemen. and acting more like a crazy per- son than aught else.” ‘Put out the fire! put out the fire!’’ he shouted. “Oh! my property is all gone and I ama ruined man! Five hundred dollars reward! five hundred dollars reward for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who set fire to my tenement.’”. But, none seemed to know anything about the fire; the average spectator was pleased to see it burn, for it would give room for a better bleck. But Ogglesby apparently bemoaned his ill-luck, in the bitterest terms, and swore bitter vengeance upon ~ the incendiary who had fired his tenement. The fire waged on. Stream after stream of weter was being thrown into the buildtég by the panting engines; still the smoke poured densely out. “ Are all out of the building?” the chief of the fire- department asked, as he wiped the black and per- spiration from his face. ‘Count noses, and report at once.” This was done, according to orders; then up went 3s ety from those who been tenants .of the lock: ‘‘ Nellie Morton! Where is Nellie Morton?” ‘Nellie! my Nellie! Is she not here?” secreeched Jared Onglesby, rushing to and fro. ‘Somebody find her—look for her!. Oh! God grant she is not in the burning building. It would kill me!” A hurried search was made fcr the missing girl, and her name was shouted aloud, wilhout eliciting @ response. d In pestis through the crowd in an_apvarent onized search, a voice exclaimed in Jared Og- glesby’s ear, in a low tone: “What a cunning old hypocrite.you are. I wish you success!” The miser glanced around to catch a glimpse of Vermillye’s exultant face, but a few feet away. ‘“* Curse peonal he muttered and then wenton, At last it was decided that Nellie Morton was yet in the burning building, and word went from mouth to mouth. Horror was upon everybod: thought of pure, innocent N: the flames, But —— all the firemen noted for their bravery, none were there who dared to enter that fur: ace of fire, even to save a human life. And. then, man argued that the poor girl had been suffocated with smoke long ere this. How could it be otherwise? It was at this juncture, when all were ina state of horrified anxiety, that. Judge Vermillye st pped a where all could see him, and raising his voice, said: “Tt seems useless for man to buffet with fire. but if there is any person present who will bring Mics Morton out of the fire alive, 1 will willingly give him a thousand dollars out of my own pocket asa re- ward of merit!” f seemingly, as the le being consumed in A breathless silence ensued for a moment, except for the cracking of the flames and rush of water. Each person present was weiting for some other »erson to step forward and accept the judge’s phi- fanthto ic offer. Hark! A yell came faintly from down the street —then a man came rushing up and-foreed his wa: through the crowd to where the judge stood—and this man was none other than the young detective, Jack Sphinx! “Curse you!” he cried, seizing the banker and hurling him to the ground. “This is your hellish pore ; Nellie Morton!—where is she? Somebody ell me!” : “In the burning building,” the fire chief replied. “Tt’s useless to try to save her, for she is dead long ere this!” rs ‘No! ’tis not useless!’ Jack Sphinx cried, as hé seized a blanket and wrapped it about his head, — of Now order your men to turn a stream of wateron me!" f
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by, whose bound girl. Miss Morton is, 1 found her 26 The order was given and obeyed, andinan instant Sphinx was soaked with water. He then seized an ax from a fireman’s hand, and with a strange cry dashed up the staircase lead- ing aon the street into the upper part of the tene- ment. As he darted away Judge Vermillye staggered to his feet, excitedly. “Stop him! stop him! Arrest him, for he isJack Sphinx, accused of bank robbery. A hundred dol- lars for his arrest! Will no one stop him?” No one, evidently, for Jack Sphinx was lost to view in the burning building ere the banker had ceased speaking. No one would have followed him for love or money. It was with breathless suspense that the excited spectators watched and waited. Would the gallant hinx ever come back from the fiery furnace into which he had ventured to save a human life? And, if so, . ould he bring Nellie Morton out alive? These were the questions that ran from mouth to mouth—the all important questions for the solution of which all were waiting. Jared Ogglesby was suddenly missing. Perhaps the fact was unnoticed, but the miser had slunk away as if guilty of some awful crime. Steadily did the streams of water pour through the now paneless windows of the old tenement; éa- peny. the crowd surged forward, until the fire-patrol ad to use their clubs to Keep them back. Judge Vermillye stood watching the smoking stair- ' ease, with horrible fascination, expecting, yet hoping against hope that Jack Sphinx would not make his reappeérancs with the form of NellieTracy—the daughter of the man the banker had so bitterly wronged. ¥ ne howéver, was he to bitter disappoint- ment, For, even as the burning floors within the brick walls fell with a crash, the form of Jack Sphinx came into view at the foot of the staircase, fcllowed by a dense volume of smoke, and in his arms he car- ried the form of Nellie! Then there went up a wild, tumultuous hurrah—a mad cheer of enthusiasm, such as never escaped from so many throats, probably, before. And the crowds surged forward, still making the night ring with their plaudits, Jack Sphinx laid the inanimate form of Nellie up- ona mattress which had been hastily spread and then turned—to find himself in the hands of several stalwart policemen. "Mr. Sphinx, we arrest you iu the name of the law!” one of them said, laying a hand upon the brave detective’s shoulder. ‘You are accused of robbery, and we shall have to take you with us.”” “Yes! away with him to prison!” Judge Vermillye cried, advancing. ‘‘dfe is the very man ft Bank is looking for!"’ “*Holdt release that man!’’ cried a stern voice, and the chief of police, accompanied by President more and Kate Carson, detective, stepped for- ward. ‘“Jack Sphinx has been proven guiltless of the crime charged against him, and I declare him a free man, The officers obeyed, respectfully, and Jidge Ver- millye uttered a horrible oath, under his breath, at are ae foiled in the very hour of his supposed ‘triumph. “ Another cheer then went up for brave Jack e— Sphinx, and it was a rouser. Seeing that he was expected to say something, the hero of the hour modestly stepped forward, where all could see him, and bowing, said: ‘*My friends, you do me unnecessary homage. . I have simply done an act of duty which deserves no cheers, For yoursympathy. let me, however, tender my thanks, and add afew words. That there has been foul play here, to-night, there can be no doubt, After penetrating to the apartments of Jared Oggles- Watch-Eye, the Shadow. S enaduiananenll lying in an old closet, bound hand and foot, and gage Who is the author of this meditated crime? leave it to you and the law to discover. I can only say that suspicion points to Jared Ogglesby.”’ A murmur of indignation ran rife among the crowd, and search was hastily instituted for the miser, but he had taken his departure, ere the knowledge of his attempted crime transpired. Jack Sphinx turned to President Fowler and shook him by the hand. “You arrived Moyamensing. cence?” “Through Miss Carson here, who took myself and the chief, here, to the old storehouse cellar where you were concealed, We found that the wall of each cellar between the storehouse and the bank _ was provided with a sliding wall, and we also found some other nies which throw the suspicion else- where. You had better look after your fire-waif now, and then call on me as soon as possible.” Jack bowed, and turned his attention to Nellie, Ready hands had participated in an effort to restore her to consciousness, and had been successful, for she soon opened her eyes. Kate Carson then called a cab, and with rescued Nellie, she and Jack left the scene of the fire. The cab took them to Kate’s own residence on Spring Garden street, and they were soon installed in the female detective’s own pretty little parlor. Nellie was very weak after passing through her terrible ordeal, and it was some time ere she could relate anything eencerning the fire. But she finally felt able to talk, and in answer to just in time to save me a trip to ow have you found out my inno- questions from Jack and Kate she said: ; “As to the origin of the fire, I know only that. Jared Ozglesby came home, carrying with him a gallon can of coal oil, He was in liquor, and when I asked him what he was going to do with the oil, he replied that ‘he was going to set hell on fire.’ Be- ing used to his brutal talk, I paid no attention to him, and after I had finished my work, I went and — threw myself down upon my bed, for my head ached’ terribly. I must have Gapped asleep, for the next I was conscious of, was of being drawn rudely off the bed to the floor, and dragged along by the hair of my head. I then awakened to the realization that I was bound hand and foot, and gagged. Iwasdrag- ged to the closet, and left, and then my guardian — isappeared, and I saw no more of him. But I pres- ently smelt the fire, and the horror of burning alive was so great to me that I lost consciousness.” os nee believe that Jared Ogglesby fired the teno- men’ ; re" “Yes, I am well satisfied that he did. Moreover, I believe that he was hired to do it by a certain person who seems desirous that I should not live.” “You mean Judge Vermillye?”’ N “Yes, He attempted to take my life once, and would he not be likely to do so again?” “Very likely. For the present, Miss Nellie, T shall assume -your protection, and I guess I can induce — ed ee to allow you to remain here for the’ esent. ; “Certainly,” Clipper Kata replied, eagerly. ‘'S>e can assume control of my house while I’m out scouting, for you know, Mr. Sphinx, we’ve yet to — discover the robbers of the bank, Lam of the be- — lief that we shall not have to search far,” % The mulatto girl hastened to obey the command of Old Phillis, and in the course of five minutes re- turned with the bandbox, which was well worn, and covered with cobweb3. , Phillis received the box, and began to overhaulits contents, which consisted of some rags, ribbons, pa» pers and etcetera. She finally rescued a la! ted — envelope from the mass, and handed it to Watch- ye. 2 “*Dar be the d t, Mars'r Tracy, jes’ as dia” olan Sela evens: Mass Tey, S's a “Thank God!” Watch-Eye ejaculated, as he tore - vie ane
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ay at into the pr vate office of the presid Watch-Eye, the Shadow. open the envelope. ‘This may be the key to the mystery of my wife’s death, Here, McQuaver, you may read it aloud.” he ex-detective received the document, which was old and faded, and read, aloud: ‘* WASHINGTON, December 8th, 186—. “My Dear HusBanp on Cuinp:—Should this ever fall into your hands, you will know that Iam dying. Oh! Gerald, my husband, come to me, and bring our child. I shall have but a few days to live, at the longest, and I want to see youerel die. Oh! Lord, spare me till then! ‘ “T know not what ails me, but I have suspicions— oh! horrible suspicions, that I am Meets poisoned, Tie doctors shake their heads, and call it a strange ecase—beyond their comprehension. But, when the savage-looking Italian chemist comes, my soul is filled with horror, I can hear him and Vermillye chuckling together, as over some diabolical plot. - “Laver. “Vermillye has just been to see me, and has confessed to me that I am doomed. No oneghas been admitted to see me to-day, and I am impressed that, after to-nigbt,1 shall be out of my misery. Vermillye is my murderer, Gerald—and the child, look for it, far and wide, It was stolen from me at Vermillye’s instigation. It is marked, so that when ou find it, if, indeed, you are alive, you will know t. Ithas a crimson star upon eitner of its arms, above the elbow. One is very faint, and may disap- pear. There, some one is coming, and I must hide this. Iam dying—dying in torture. God bless you, my first husband and child. “Marion Tracy VERMILLYE.”” ‘That is all,” McQuaver said, laying down the vell-tale document. CHAPTER XIl. . CLEARED—A DAUGHTER'S ACT. “Tr is enough!” Gerald Tracy said. “It isenough to hang Silas Pry, and he shall certainly pay the penalty. Come, we haye learned enough to satisfy ‘me. My good woman, here are fifty dollars for ‘ycur faithfulness, and more reward shall follow, by ‘and by. Now, McQuaver, we shall have to go, for another matter awaits our attention,” ; Accordingly they left the miserable dwelling of she negress, and hurried back into the heart of the ivity. Ri the Ebbitt House they stopped, and took rooms Yer the day; then leaving McQuaver at the hotel, Gerald Tracy started for the bank, where, years before, he had in a dark hour yielded to the in- fluences of temptation, : Upon entering the bank he saw only strange faces, and upon inquiring of the cashier for Presi- dent ——, a look of surprise overspread the official’s sallow face, : _“*Mr, —, did you say?’ he demanded, stroking his side-whiskers. “My dear sir, you must be a stranger in these parts. President —— died ten years ago.” s “Is not the bank in the same stockholders’ hands, ag as eighteen jears ago?” Watch-Eye demand- ed, “With a few exceptions, yes.” ‘‘ Who is president, here, now?” “Mr. M—, sir.” 6 was formerly vice-president?” He was.” = “ “ “Then, he is the man I want to see. Please hand him my card.” And drawing a eard from his pocket, Gerald Tracy jaanded the cashier a card, upon which was printed: “ Warconu-Bye, SHapow-DETEcTIvE.” The clerk started as he saw the inscription, and bowed as he took himself off, wonderingly. y. -Eye had not long to wait, = he was showm en * -sessor of all my wealth. ae ns That gentleman bowed courteonsly, and motioned the Shadow to a seat. He was a portly, smooth-faced man, with kindly bearing, and Gerald Tracy remembered him, even though nineteen years had passed since they last had met, for in feature he had experienced little or no Pee change. “You do not know me,I dare say, and wonder what brings me here,’’ he said, accepting the prof- fered chair. ; ““Well, really, no; I cannot account for a visit from one of your stamp. You come on business, I suppose?” __ Yes, strictly on business, The.case which I have in hand is one somewhat peculiar in its nature. Some nineteen years ago, an employee of this bank stole a sum of money amountin; fifty thousand dollars, and absconded, did he not?” “Exactly! What do you know abcut the matter? If you have any valuable evidence, you shall be paid well for it.” “T have to offer you a confession recently written by one William McQuaver, a detective,” Watch-Eye replied, and taking from his pocket the paper, he handed it to the President, who bridging his glasses upon his nose, carefully perused the confession. hen he laid it down, there was an expression of eri ee aa his face. “This is a strange case,” he said, drumming thoughtfully upon the table. ‘“Itseems that Tracy paid his debt after all, and that, this McQuaver was the ‘nigger in the bush.’ “You see, the money appropriated by Gerald Tracy was taken from certified deposits and from private vaults. It belonged to patrons of the bank, and rather than they should be the losers, President —, my predecessor, made good the sums taken, out of his own purse, so that in reality the bank has no claim on the money. We have kept the warrant ready, in behalf of the president’s wife, in case either Tracy was captu. or should return of bis own accord.” ra Then you believe Tracy exonerated?” & Ce ys The confession proves that clear Sur ehs and I shall withdraw the warrant to-day, whic. can be done by explaining the situation.” “How about McQuaver? Cannot he have ex- Sorgen seer prosecution upon restoration of the mone : isd That is just as the Government and Mrs. ——, the former president’s wife, see fit. I will Jay the case before the proper authorities, and let you oan this afternoon or evening. Where shall I find ou?” ‘““At the Ebbitt House. You. may inquire for Gerald Tracy, and ¥ shall be pleased to wait on ou. bs “What! am I to understand that you are Gerald Tracy?” i “Tam the same.” “Then let me shake hands with you. You have ~ panses eee a life-cloud, and I believe have pro- ted by the singular experience you bave had.” “Thank you. I am a better man, I trust, than nineteen years ago, and shall try to live a life in the future that shall be without reproach,”” Gerald Tracy then left the bank and returned to ~ McQuaver, who, upon hearing the news, looked rather grim. “They can do as they eae said, “If they’d rather arrest me and put me in jail, than to promise me immunity and have a full restoration of the money, they can do-so. J will go to prison ten years, and then. when I come out, the money is mine. Here,” and the ex-detective laid a number of papers _ upon the table“ here are papers making you é ou can hunt it up, and keep it for me, providing I have to go to prison. Among them are two checks upon the —— Bank of Philadelphia for one hundred and sixty-one thousand dollars, drawn payableto you. This leaves you to settle with the , in case there is to be no prose- —
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23 eution, eA bea the situation from all stand- points, [ thought it advisable not to bring along any money.” _ That evening President M—— payed them a visit, an brought with him Mrs. ——, wife of the former President of the Bank, and also the nolle pros. for McQuaver, making him a free man upon the restora- tionof the money, principal and interest, that he mad stolen after it was paid to him by Gerald Tr-cy. ‘ Whereupon Watch-Eye gave Mrs, —— a check upon bis bank for the full amount, and matters were satisfactorily settled, so that when Gerald Tracy and McQuaver were once more alone together, they were . free men. | Remaining in Washington over night, they the néxt day started on their return to Philadelphia, for W :tch-Eye was now free, and fearless—free to brave Silas Pry with the powerful document he held aainst the banker. He would have matters righted, though years had passed and gone. ‘ After his defeat and rebuff at the fire, Judge Ver- millye returned to his mansion, and locked himself in his library, in company with the great cases of books, a bottle of wine, and a box of cigars. “T am beaten, there,” he mused, staring savagely ata vailed statue that was gazing down upon him from a pedestal. ‘Curse that detective, Sphinx! He and the returned devil, Gerald Tracy, seem leazued in an attempt to ruin me, and drive me out. But they have a tiger to fight. Tracy dare not show hims» If, fearing artest, and I care not for whatill he ean do me, s) long as he keeps out of sight. But, he roust not live to triumph. He must not. I have not lived all my life without sinning, and, by heaven, I shall not hesitate to sin again, to gain the consum- mationof my plans. Ha! ha! what do I care for the worst h) can do? Ihave not yet to beg of any per- soi, To bs sure, I own but one piece of property; and that is where the old tenement stood, for this house, my factory and steamship, are deeded to Beatrice my daughter. But, I have five hundred thousand dollars in greenbacks, in my immediate ossession. In yonder safe the money reposes, and carry the key. Thon, there is the mortgage upon Riverdale, now inthe hands of attorney for fore- closure. That will bring me in ready cash, unless I bid in the estate. Ha! ha! you are yet triumphant, Silas Py and can laugh at your enemies, Ha! @ ring at the door. Who can want me?’ The question was soon solved, for a servant brought up a slip of paper in lieu of a card, and re- adden awaited an answer. ’ Vermillye took the paper, and glanced at the writ- ing upon it. In poor chirography was penciled the name— “ JARED OGGLESBY.” “Show him up," the banker ordered. | ‘And he and the miser were soon locked in the li- brary, together. Ozglesby had been imbibing freely, and there was ©, sullen, bull-doz look upon his face. “T have come to make terms,” he said, sullenly, “and I haven’t long to wait. [want money—the more, the better it will suit me. I did that ig , and now I’m goin to clear out and live a better life.” Silas Pry laughed sarcastically. ** You lead a better life?” he said, witha grimace. “ When that hapnens, I shall be willing to pay you. But not till then.” > “What do you mean?’ Ogglesby demanded, a enish glitter coming into his eyes. ‘‘ You prom- ed to pay me for burning the tenement.”’ “Perhaps. But promises are cheap, Why, you old rasca], you’ve stolen enough out of me to make a then you don’t totedd $ re ‘Then you don't intend to, me “Not a red cent,”” ahd Watch-Eye, the Shadow. “Very well. Inside of an hour every” secret I possess of yours shall be heralded to the four winds, ” “Bah! what can you tell that will materially af- fect me?” “You shall see that. Rep posite the world was to know how Mrs. Vermillye died? S‘posing the world was to know who were the robbers : f the —— Bank? Supposing the world was to know who abducted General Tracy’s child, years ago, and, only to-night hired me to_burn that same child alive, in the old. tenement? Supposing the world at large was to know all this. and much more, Jadge Vermiilye, alias Silas Pry? Do ie not realize how insignificant a@ person you would be, and what danger your neck would be in, of getting entangled in the meshes of the sheriff’s noose?”’ ; Vermillye had grown white ut the words of the miser, but a glass of wine somewhat restored bravado. “You dare not make all these exposes,” he rae, ; “The law would not let you off no more an me.’ “1 don’t know about that. I would rtand one “You devil, I've a mind never to let you leave this room alive,” Vermillye hissed, in a passion. “Try to kill me, if you choose, and see which will get the most of the bargain!” Ogglesby replied, pulling a revolver suddenly down out of his coat- sleeve. ‘I came prepared for this interview, you no doubt perceive!” y “Curse you again. How much money do you want?” : “Ten thousand dollars, exaetly. I will not accept of nine thousand, nine hundred dollars, and ninety- nine and three-quarter cents, It must be exactly ten thousand dollars.” “*Good Heavens. man, are you mad? I have not so much money in the world!” “Bah! don’t lie to me. You have often bragged how much you had stored away in yonder safe. ome! Iwill brook nodelay. Hither ten thousand dollars it is, or you go to prison ” With asigh as if of despair, Judge Vermillye arose and advanced toward his safe, “Do you promise to tuke your everlasting depart- ure upon receipt of the money, and never trouble me again?’ he demanded, turning upon Ogglesby; half- suspiciously. ‘TI give my word of honor, as a gentleman,” the miser replied, with a smirk, ‘‘ You know I’m a thor- oughbred gentleman, and value my inte; next to my life.” ‘You are a jine gentleman,” Vermillye sne»red, savagely. ‘‘But you shall have the money, and if you ever show up within my sight again, you shall die, if I have to kill you myself.” “Very well Illtake your money for it, you can bet, instead of your word. I shall immediately hie myself to some Western city, and become the pastor of some Bethel church." j Vermillye did not reply, but kneeling in front of his sdfe, began to turn the knob communicating with the combination Jock. ‘* Devils!’ he gasped, “somebody has been tam- ‘pering with this lock. Beatrice, I'll wager, if she has had need of money. But there’s one satisfaction. . She might try a l'fetime, without getting the safe oper, Ah!” And the jdge opened the door, which swung back on its ponderous hinges. Then he uttered a snarl like some infuriated wild beast. “I’ve been robbed! I’ve been robbed!” he gasped, sinking back upon the floor, his face deathly white, Cea ae y—read this paper, and see what if says;’’ and he picked up a document which had fall- en upon the carpet. :
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Waitch-Eye, the Shadow. Tho miser seized the paper, and glanced it over, before speaking. “It is from your daughter, and here is what it says,”’ he said, ‘* PHILADELPHIA, May —, 187-. “Dear Papa:—Ere this reaches you I shall be far away from yuu, where a lifetime's search could not findme. By the time you get this paper, you will have discovered that your safe is robbed of eve’ cent of money, and you will of course lay the theft to me, which is correct in you. I am the thief—I and my beloved Marquis, @ bave been spending a week at opening the safe, and have just succeeded, The Marquis was an adept in the business, or else we should not have succeeded. Of course you cannot blame me. I have always been a kind, indulgent caughter, and I did want some money so bad, that I could not resist the temptation to lorrow yours. Of course I borrow it I would not stoop so low as to steal it! I leave you this note of explanation as se- curity. It was so good of you to place.the money at my disposal—so extremely good of you, dear pa. Of course you can easily again make the amount appro- priated, and in addition, learn a valuable lesson never to leave your ill-gotten cash where a child can reach it, As for my dear Marquis, and myself, we shallgo tosome remote corner of the earth, get married, and live in wealth and honor all the rest of our natu- ral lives, at your expense. “ Believe me still, dear pape, - lo a : Pp Your dutiful ee Maen etal Schl La “That is all,” Jared Ogglesby said, turning upon the judge, who was crouching on the camper before his empty safe, white and speechless. ‘It’s enough Ir ckon. eh?” “My God! This is the bitterest blow of all,’’ Ver- millye groaned. ‘I never believed Beatrice, with all her faults, so utterly heartless and unnatural. Iam aruined man!’ Yet, despite this fact,” Ogelesby said, a spice of triumph in hig tones, ‘‘ you must somehow contrive torsise me ten thousand dollars, or—go to prison, tvanded as a murderer |” i —_ CHAPTER XIII. - CONCLUSION, ‘War! would you press me to ray you that ex- ¢yvb'tant sum when I am already a beggar?’’ Vermill- ye gasped, almost in a frenzy of rage “Even so,” Ogglesby assented, stolidly, ‘I must have money, and you must furnish it—I care not how ne getit. You have the bank at your dis- osal!"? ars h!" the judge cautioned, giving a terrified glance around. ‘*“Notsoloud. I do not want to be overheard, The bank business is out of the ques- tion. I fear suspicions are fastened upon me now. io God’s name, man, release your hold upon me, and eave.” “ Never, while I love yop so dearly,’ Ogglesby re- viel, with a devilish chuckle. ‘You are mine, Bias Pry. Tell me a have no money? Why, the mortgage against Tracy’s estate amounts 1o one bund eat and sixty thousand dollars, or over."’ “But, [have it not by me. The mortgageis inthe hands of my attorney, who will foreclose it and sell the estate at Thomas & Son's auction-rooms, to- morrow.” “Chen, some other means must be adopted. I ' must have the money or you must go to Moyamen- sing, at once. I will, however, suggest a plan to help you out. seeing as you have always been a friend to 3°. This man, Tracy, bas plenty of money, and perhaps by breaking into his room, we might be able to discover his money, and gd ae it to- ezether. I will be on hand to share i th you, and after you have got the mortgage-money, which Twill 27 also share with you, wo will flee from this’ city, to parts unknown. How like you the idea?” “T like it not, but will’acquiesce,” Judge Ver- millye returned, sullenly. ‘‘ Where are the lodgings ot Gerald Be tae “Tn North 13th street, If we £0 to-night we will not find him at home, which will be all the better for our purpose,” “Tf not at home, where is he?’ : “In Washington, whither he went to-day, in com- pany with the man McQuaver." “Perdition! What are they doing together, and in Washington?” “That 1 cannot say, But stay; before we can play burglar, we must have cisguises.”” “Which I have on hand, in a great plenty. You know it never pays a man of my stamp to be with- out them?” “ 4 And the judge laughed evilly. At Ogeglesby’s suggestion they set_to work imme- diately in making up for their aed hd From a trunk in-an ademas room Vermillye, or Silas Pry, as we shall in future call him, brought forth numer- ous suits of clothing, wigs and false beards, and he and Ogglesby adorned themselves, according to their particular fancy. The judge cut off his long beard with a pair of shears, and donned a false beard of a reddish tinge, with hair to match, which gave him altogether a very much changed appear. ance. : Securing an assortment of keys and house-break- ers’ tools, which the judge had on hand, they sal- © lied forth into the nigbt. The Shadow’s rooms were in a tenement-block similar to that which Ogglesby had fired, but the building was a better structure, the tenants a better = of people, and the neighborhood more aristo- cratic. _On arriving at the scene of their prone opera- tions Ogglesby led the way up a broad staircase from the street into a dimly lighted hall. This the followed back untilits intersection with enother hall : which they traversed for a considerable distance, finally pausing in front of a door, over which was the number 387. “This is the place,” the miser announced, ina low tone. ‘'Give me your keys, and I will see if I can unlock the door.” ! Silas Pry surrendered the ae and kept a watch around them, lest they should surprised in their burglarious act, while his confedera‘é in crime soft- ly tried to unlock the door. After trying several keys, he at last found one that_turned in the lock! ‘Come!’ he said, in a low tone—“ the door is un-, locked, and now is our time.” Softly.opening the door, they entered the room, then reclosed the door behind them. All was dark and silent. but Opglesby secon struck a light with a match, which enabled him to find and light a lamp. “Now be lively,” he ordered, setting the light upon — the table, “Tielp me to examine every article in the room which may contain money.” They went to work as rapidly and noiselessly as practical burglars, overturning and examining each article of furniture, but all to no avail. ‘ No money was to be found, and their expedition was a fruitless one. So all that was left for them to do was to take a cautious departure. “You see—I cannot get any money!” Silas Prr said, as they hurried away from the tenement, “IT shall wait and share the results of the mort- gage foreclosure,”’ the miser replied coclly, ‘There is no use of arguing the point—you must share all of your remaining wealth with me, or go to prison, T'llleave you now, but will meet yeu aguin at Thomas | & Son’s salesrooms, to-morrow afternoon at three, the hour appointed for the sale f Riverdale.” At the auction-rooms, on the afternoon of Vag? ie | D ya es Sy!
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}& 80 next day, the estate of Riverdale was to be sold and having been but little advertised there were few in attendance, Silas Pry was present, and Jared Ogglesby was nob far away. : = When it was seen that there were no more bidders likely to come, the auctioneer arose from his seat, and said: “Gentlemen, we are about to sell a piece of Vir- ginia property, known as Riverdale, upon foreclosure of mortgage. The estate is one of the finest in the South; has been for many yearsa plantation, It was mortgaged to Silas Pry, nineteen years ago, since when the mortgage has been handed oyer to Judge Felix Vermillye, The first mortgagee, Ger- ald Tracy, having not put inan appearance, and the day of payment having passed the customary three days’ grace, Judge Vermillye has ordered me to sell the property for what it will bring, spot cash. It was origin: 4 mortgaged for eg es thousand. Now, then, here is a rare strike for capitalists— who'll give a bid to start it?—where’s the man?” “Twinty dollars!’? shouted a personage in the vi- cinity of the door, whose accent savored strongly of the ‘’ ould sod.” Whereupon there was a roar of laughter. **Put that man out,” roared the auctioneer, bring- ing down his mallet, fiercely. ‘‘ No man with twenty dollars’ worth of eash or brains will be allowed to bid on this property.” “*1’ll start it at ten thousand dollars,”’ announced a prominent Third street speculator. “Ten thousan’} ten fhousan’! ten thousan’—I have —who'll make it twenty? ten thousan’—who'll make it twenty?’ the auctioneer cried, starting off in bis bi ng song es = “Hold! I forbid the sale!" cried a deep, strong voice, and there entered the salesroom Gerald Tra- cy, accompanied by MeQuaver, and Jack Sphinx. * By what right do you interfere?’ demanded the auctioneer. “ Allow me to explain,’’ Tracy said,calmly. “ That - mortgage is not legal, although I supposed it to be when it was given, Lam Gerald Tracy, who gave it to Silas Pry, in consideration of a loan of fifty thou- sand dollars. The mortgage specifies seventy-five thousand dollars, but one-third of that was usury— which alone disbars the claim. At that time my wife was living, but I did not get her consent to the mortgage, and, therefore, in fhe State of Virginia, the mortgage was not legal, as there, as well as in Baltimore, where it was given, or in Washington, a wife must give her consent before a piece of property can be mortgaged! This man Vermillyeis the same Silas Pry to whom the mortgage was Re given, and I have a confession from my dead wife which implicates him in her murder,” _’ * And Tarrest hm in the name of the law!” Jack _ Sphinx cried, turning toward where the judge had stood upon their entrance, ‘‘on the charges of mur- der and robbery !”’ But that time Jack had literally ‘‘ counted his chickens before they were hatched,’' for taking ad- -yantage of the crowd which bad collected, the ex- posed Silas Pry had slipped from the salesroom, and was gone. hither, no one could say, for instant search resulted in discovering no trace of him. Of courses the sale was stopped, and the illegal mortgage was canceled afterward. Knowing the crimes and villainy of Silas Pry, Gerald Tracy felt that he was doing justice to himself, in not paying 3 _ any portion of the original loan. - _ MeQuaver it was who had informed him concern- ing the mortgage’s illegality. Therefore, upon their arrival from Washington, and seeing notices posted - of the sale, they had come direct to the salesroom. : poe wack Sphinx on the way, Gerald Tracy had hailed him, and explained that he was the ’Rastus Racket whom Jack and Nellie had induced to enter the Reformatory Home, over-a year before. This was a joyful diseovery to Jack, and matters were . } ;, ees 3 Watch-Bye, the Shadows arranged so that he should teke Marion Vermillve’s death confession, and arrest Silas Pry upon the strength of it. ; How the matter terminated, the reader has al- ready seen. = After the scene at the salesroom, the three men adjourned to a restaurant for dinner, which neither Tracy nor MeQuaver had yet been able to obtain, in their hurried operations. While they were eating, the following conversation took place: “T doubt if anything of Silas Pry, alias Judge Ver- tillye, is ever seen again, in this city,” Jack ob- served. ‘I hear that his daughter has absconded with all his ready money, and I guess that about closes up his career.” “Let him go,” Watch-Hye said. ‘If he will go and never return, I shall not offer to follow him, for I realize that there will yet be a day of reckoning, -when every man shall have his sins held bP before his eyes. And those who have sinned most, I believe shall suffer most. But one cloud lies between me yet, and a peaceful future—that is, the mystery of the whereabouts of my child,” -“ Your child? Did you ever lose one?” * Yes—years ago, my girl-baby was stolen away, we this selfsame Silas , and Thave never known of it, until a year ago, since when I have been unable to find a trace of it.” “Then, by Jove, I believe I know where your daughter is!" Jack cried, jumping excitedly to his feet. ‘‘Do you remember Sg sweetheart, Nellie, whom you promised you would enter the Home?” “Yes! yes!” “Well, there is some mystery concerning her life. She has, so long as she can remember, been bound to Jared Ogglesby, one of this Vermillye’s tools. Who were her parents, she never has known. But this Vermillye has been her enemy of late, to that ex- tent, that he has attempted to kill her. His hatred for her has seemed to date back to the moment he discovered a birth-mark upon her arm.” “God be praised! I believe "tis my child—m long-lost child. Tell me—this birthmark—what is its iio ant ae is a crimson star, upon the arm above the elbow!’ Y “‘Hal the same—the same! But, has she not one | upon either arm?” : “Yes, but the one upon the left arm is very faint —almost colorless.” “Then, show me to her at once, for circumstances clearly indicate that this is my child. The confession describes those identical birthmarks, and the fact that Vermillye pecveutees the marks goes to show that he knew her to be my daughter, and wished to pat her outof the way,so that I might never find er! Ofcourse the dinner was interrupted, and our friends hastily adjourned to the residence of Kate Carson, where a happy reunion took place be- tween the long separated father and daughter; for Gerald Tracy was perfectly satisfied that Nellie was his daughter, and he thanked God fervently for the happy restoration. * Jared Ogglesby and Silas Pry were heard of, later, in the Far West, but Gerald Tracy made no effort to ot pede, the man who had been the bane of his tter life. 7 With Nellie, he removed to Riverdale, in Virginia, but Jack Sphinx soon came to claim her, so that the returned father was left alone. Not long, however, for he soon brought home a bride in the person of Kate Carson, for whom he formed an attach- ment, And both he and Jack are happy in the pos- — session of true and loving wives, and are prospering, as the world wags on. wr McQuaver is occasionally with them, and is not sorry for “ turning over a new leaf,” for [he find: ia a good life, happ:ness. : THE END. >
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e2zee THE eadwood Dick e Library LATEST AND BEST. HANDSOME TRI-GOLORED COVERS, 82 Pages. Issued Every Wednesday. Price 5 Cents. Buy One and You Will Buy the Rest @xtracts from the New York Evening Sun. TWO REMARKABLE HEROES, {fn only one sense of the word can it be regarded asa Aovei statement when the faes is here recorded that litera- ture has given many heroes to the world, and perhaps move than one reader will have to think a moment over this pemark before the subtle delicacy of its genial wit strikes home, But it is mest essenWally a half dime novel statement that will be news to many when it is added that litera- ture, if traced from the dimly distant days when Adam ‘was a mere child down to the present day, wowld show but few heroes that in the eyes of boyhood would be sven judged worthy of comparison with the two greatest feroes known to American literature, or, to promptly re- yeal them, Deadwood Dick and Deadwood Dick, Jr. * * * The modern heroes of fiction for young America, who are now as countless as the sands of the sea, and of whom the Deadwood Dicks are much the most important # * * it is but natural that their * * * should bear away the palm of popularity, and suchas * * * be left tar behind In the race, It can be easily believed, therefore, that the two Dicks are so firmly engrafted on the tree of popular literature Yer boys and young men, that their position is assured * « * and that they stand to-day head and shoulders above all rivals in the eyes of the public for which they have lived, and for which one of them has died, American boyhood, and that is a tremendous factor in the land, now knows Deadwood Dick, Jr., a good beal bet ter than it knows its catechism, and millions of young minds absorb the thrilling incidents of his career in his everlasting warfare against crime and his never-ending solving of bmpenetrable mysteries. Millions of boys follow his stealthy footsteps as he tracks his vicious victims to their undoing, and then, when th~ victims are thoroughly undone, the millions wait hungrily for the next volume, which on every Wednesday appears with the certainty of the Wednesday itself, and a new set of ona thrills go thrilling away from Maine to Call ‘ornia, Tere are the volumes each so crowded with thrills ang heart-tugs that it were madness to hope te do justice to them collectively and rank injustice to discriminate be- tween them, To abandon the idea of giving a few extracts causes ik finite pain, but if once a start were made in that di tion, it would be cruel to The Mvening Sum’s readers stop, and it is therefore better not to relate one single adventure. Suffice it to say that the stories are clean an@ wel written. DEADWOOD DICK LIBRARY. i Deadwood Dica, the Prince of the Road 3 Tne Louble Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance 8 Th. Buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures 4 Buffalo Ben, Prince of the Pistol 3% Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval 8 Death-Face, the Detective Y The Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza 8 Old Avalanche, the Great Annihilator; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand 9 Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian (0 Omaha Oli, the Masked Terror; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger i aie etl Jr., the Boy Phenix; or, Through to eat 12 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar 18 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team 14 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter 18 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane 16 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo x iv Borne Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight of the Gulch 18 Id], the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand 4 Photograph Phil: or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance 90 Watch-Hye. the Shadow t1 Deadwood Dick’s Device; or, The Sign of the Double Cross % Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief % Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty % Deadwood Dick as Detective %5 Gilt-ltdge Dick 6 Bonanza Bill, the Man-Tracker; or, The Secret Twelve ¥ Chip, the Girl Sport % Jack Hoyle’s Lead; or, The Road to Fortune % Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks 56 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s Gulch ft Blonde Bill; or. Deadwood Dick’s Home Base ® Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent ) ws &% Tony Fox, the Ferret; or, Boss Beb’s Boss Job 34 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike 35 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party 86 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Det«*‘ve 87 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The “ ps of tre Sierrag 28 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravc 380 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Adventure 40 Deadwood Diek’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road 41 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hills Jezebel 42 The Arab Detective; or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp 43 The Ventriloquist Detective. A Romance of Rogues 44 ey re Josh Grim; er, The Young Gladiator’s ame 45 The Frontier Detective; or, Sierra Sam’s Scheme 46 The Jimtown Sport; or, Gypsy Jack in Colorado 47 The Miner Sport; or, Sugar-Coated Sam's Claim 48 Dick Drew, the Miner’s Son; or, Apollo Bill, the Road-Agent 49 Sierra Sam, the Detective 50 Sierra Sam's Double; or, The Three Female Detect- ives 51 ea Barns Sentence; or, Little Luck at Rough anch 52 The Girl Sport; or, Jumbo Joe’s Disguise 53 Denver Doll’s Device; or, The Detective Queen 54 Denver Doll as Detective 55 Denver Doll’s Partner; or, Big Buckskin the Sport 56 Denver Doll’s Mine; o:, Little Bill’s Big Loss 57 Deadwood Dick Trapped 58 Buck Hawk, Deteetive; or, The Messenger Boy} Fortune 59 Deadwood Dieck’s Disguise; or, Wild Walt, the Sport 60 Dumb Dick’s Pard; or, Eliza Jane, the Gold Miner 61 Deadwood Dick’s Mission 62 Spotter Fritz: or, The Store-Detective’s Decoy 63 The Detective Road-Agent; or, The Miners of Sass fras tie! 64 Colorado Charlie’s Detective Dash; or, The Cat@#e Kings ) M. J. LIVERS & CO., Publishers (James Sullivan, Proprietor), 379 Pearl Street. NEW YORK.
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bs dee ay ai bs i 35 fas i ve . #8 second class marter, Mar. 15, 1899 Ti 9 THE ARTHUR WESTBROOK CO, 743 No. 20 Cleveland, Ohio Vol. I — aaa “(AND WHO ARE YOU?’ THE POLICEMAN DEMANDED. FOR ANSWER JACK SOME BADGE, IN THE LIGHT OF HIS LAN SPHINS EXPOSED A HAND:
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THR Deadwood Dick e Library e LATEST AND BEST. ¢ HANDSOME TRI-COLORED COVERS, 82 Pages. Bay One and You Will Buy the Rest! For Sample Cover See @thei Bide. " DEADWOOD DICK LIBRARY. l Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road & The Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick's Defiance \8 The Buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures 4 Buffalo Ben, Prince of the Pistol 5 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval 6 Death-Face, the Detective ? The Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick's Bonanza & Old Avalanche, the: Great Annihilator; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand 9 Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian 10 Omaha Ol), the Masked Terror; or, Deadwood Dick n Danger ; 11 Jim ae Jr.,the Boy Phenix; or, Through to eat! 12 ay el Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood 13 Boek nob Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team 14 Gold Rifle, the "Sharpshooter 15 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane 16 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo 17 “gece Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight of the a ule 18 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand 19 Photograph Phil: or, Rosebud Rob's Reappearance 20 Watch-Eye, the Shadow 21 gg ed Dick's Device; or, The Sign of the Double ross 22 Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief 23 Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty 24 Deadwood Dick as Detective 25 Gilt-ledged Dick 26 Bonanza Bill, the Man-Tracker ; or, The Secret Twelve 27 Chip, the Girl Sport 28 Jack Hoyle’s Lead; or, The Road to Fortune 29 Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks 80 Deadwood Dick's Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s ule 81 Blonde Bill; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base 82 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent 83 Tony Fox, the Ferret; or, Boss Bob’s Boss Job 34 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strixe 85 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party 86 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective 87 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Scamps of the Sierras 88 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo 89 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Adventure Y 40 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road — 41 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hills Jezebel 42 The Arab Detective; or, ‘snoozer, the Boy Sharp 43 The Ventriloquist Detective. A Romance of Rogues — 44 gg co Josh Grim; or, The Young Gladiator's — Gam 45 The Prontlar Detective; or, Sierra Sam’s Scheme 46 The Jimtown Sport; or, Gy psy Jack in Colorado 47 The Miner Sport; or, Sugar-Coated Sam's Claim 48 Dick Drew, the Miner's Son; or, Apollo Bill, the Road-Agent 49 Sierra cute the Detective 50 Sierra Sam's Double; or, The Three Female Detect _ ives 51 spa te ae Sentence; or, Little Luck at Rough © anch YS 52 The Girl Sport; or, Jumbo Joe’s Disguise 68 Denver Doll’s Device; or, The Detective Queen % 54 Denver Doll as Detective : 55 Denver Doll’s Partner; or, Big Buckskin the Sport j 66 Denver Doll’s Mine; or, Little Bill’s Big Loss 57 Deadwood Dick Trapped 58 Buck Hawk, Detective; or, The Messenger Boy's — Fortune 69 Deadwood Dick’s Disguise; or, Wild Walt, the Sport ¥ 60 Dumb Dick’s Pard; or, Eliza Jane, the Gold Miner 61 Deadwood Dick’s Mission “ 3 62 Spotter Fritz; or, The Store-Detective’s Decoy 63 The pep Road- Agent; or, The Miners of Sassa- 4 : fra: 64 Colorado o Charlie's Detective Dash; or, The Catton ings