Deadwood Dick Library (v. 4) (1900 02 14)

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PRT Gur SRF 8) Copyright 1882-1848, by Beadle & Adams. Entered at Post Office. New York, N. Y., as second class mater. Mar, 15, 1899, : M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers 3 ‘ No. 49, Issued W pet, (James Sullivan, Pro;-rietor,) ’ eee 5 Cents. Vol. lV Feb. 14, 1900. 379 Pearl Street, New York. $2.50 a Year. . \ \\ a\ A a a! WN

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EDWARD L. WHEELER'S DEADWOOD DICK, JR, NOVELS | | IN THE HALF-DIME LIBRARY. Price 5 Cents per Copy. 443 Deadwood Dick, Crescent Sign. Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, 445 453 459 465 471 476 481 A491 496 500 508 515 522 529 5384 539 544 Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, 554 Deadwood Dick, 561 Deadwood Dick, 567 Deadwood Dick. 572 Deadwood Dick, 578 Deadwood Dick, 584 Deadwood Dick, 590 Deadwood Dick, 595. Deadwood Dick, 600 Deadwood Dick, 606 Deadwood Dick, 612 Deadwood Dick, 618 Deadwood Dick, 624. Deadwood Dick, 630 Deadwood Dick, 636 Deadwood Dick, 642 Deadwood Dick, 648 Deadwood Dick, Continent. 654. 660 Deadwood Dick, 666 Deadwood Dick, 672 Deadwood Dick, 678 Deadwood Dick, 684. Deadwood Dick, 690 Deadwood Dick, 695 Deadwood Dick, 700 Deadwood Dick, 704 Deadwood Dick, 710 Deadwood Dick, glers. For sale by all newsdealers or sent, postpaid, on receipt of price, 5c, per copy, by the Mate! Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Jr Jr.; or, The Crimson Jr’s, Defiance. Jr.’s, Full Hand, Jr.’s, Big Round. Up. Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10. Jr.’s, Corral. Jr.'s, Dog Detective. Jr., in Deadwood. Jr.’s, Compact. Jr.’s, Inheritance. Jr.’s, Diggings. Jr.’s, Deliverance. Jr.’s, Protege. Jr.’s, Three. Jr.’s, Danger Ducks. Jr.’s, Death Hunt. Jr., in Texas. Jr., the Wild West Vidocq. 549 Deadwood Dick, Jr , on His Mettle. Jr., in Gotham. Jr., in Boston. Jr., in Philadelphia. Jr., in Chicago. Jr., Afloat. Jr., in Denver. Jr.’s, Decree. Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin. Jr., at Coney Island. Jr.’s, Leadville Lay. Jr., in Detroit. Jr., in Cincinnati. Jr., in Nevada. Jr., in No Man’s Land. Jr., After the Queer. Jr; in Buffalo. Jr.’s, Chase Across the , Among the Smug- Jr.’s, Insurance Case. « Jr., Back in the Mines. Jr., in Durango. Jr.’s, Discovery. Jr.’s, Dazzle. Jr.’s, Dollars. Jr., at Danger Divide, Jr.’s, Drop. Jr., at Jack-Pot. Jr., at San Francisco. 716 Deadwood Dick, 722 Deadwood Dick, 728 Deadwood Dick, 734 Deadwood Dick, 740 Deadwood Dick, TAT 752 Deadwood Dick, 758 764 Deadwood Dick, 770 Deadwood Dick, 776 Deadwood Dick, 782 Deadwood Dick, 787 792 797 802 807 Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, 812 Deadwood Dick, - 816 Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, 76 Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, § Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, 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, ers, M. J. IVERS & CO., 379 Peart Street, New York Crry. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Deadwood Dick, ¢ Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, ¢ Jr.’s, Still Hunt: Jr.’s, Dominoes. Jr.’s, Disguise. Jr.’s, Double Deal. Jr.’s, Death-Watch. s, Doublet. Jr.’s, Death-Blow. r.’s, Desperate Strait. Jr.’s, Lone Hand. Jr.’s, Defeat. -o- Jr.'s, Resurrection. '.’s, Dark Days. Defied. *.’8, Double Device. .’s, Desperate Venture. | ».’s, Diamond Dice. Jr.’s, Royal Flush. rs, Head-Off. 3, Rival. '.’s, Boom. r.’s, Scoop. Jr.’s, Proxy. Jr.’s, Clutch. Jr,’s, High Horse. Jr., at Devil’s Gulch. Jr.’s, Death-Hole Hustlz. Jr.’s, Bombshell. Jr., in Mexico. , Jr.'s, Decoy Duck. | Jr. + in Siiver Pocket. Jr.'s, Dead-Sure Game. — Jr.’s, Double Drive, $ Jr.’s, Trade-Mark. " Jr., at Tip-Top. = Jr.’s, Double-Decker. Jr., at Dollarville. Jr., at Flush Flats. Jr.’s, Shake-Up. Jr.’s, Double Drop. Jr.’s, Right Bower. Jr.’s, Ten-Strike. Jr.’s, Gold Dust. Jr.'s, Oath. Jr.’s, Death-Doom. Jr.’s, Best Card. Jr., at Gold Dust. Jr.’s, Big Play. Jt., Branded. Jr.’s, Dutch Pard. Jn.’s, Big Four.

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P ow “3 ected Sides 3 Os SSS M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers, ; Issued Weekly. Sulliv > Price 5 Cents, oY No. 49, Mier a Soto” go Aigmmengultvan, Preprieten) 4. Gono a Year VC. MV \\ TEE XK AN Vil i UNE

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Sierra Sam, the Detective. % asked, kindly, ‘*‘ What are you doing out in Sierra Samm, the ‘Detective, | trem aie eontot, ertaty ‘papa sent me to find him help. Oh! sir, won't A TALH OF FAIRY FLATS. you heip poor papa?” “To be sure, my little one!” the rhasked man BY EDWARD L, WHEELER, replied, at the same time wondering if this art- AUTHOR oF ‘‘DICK DREW, THE MINER’S SON,’ | less little thing would prove to be a decoy. ‘HE MINER SPORT,” ‘‘ DEADWOOD DICK,” ““Where is your papa, child, and what is the “(THE FRONTIER DETECTIVE,” ETC, matter with him?” - “Papa is sick at McGurdy’s, and_they won't CHAPTER I. ; let him ge. He says aa! are murdering him, THE STORM RIDER'S PLEDGE, Papa is White Eagle, sir]? ‘Vm 10th of June. “White Eagle! Such a tenth aay and evening of that usually | The masked man started, for the name was balmy month, as bad not been seen in many a | not new to him, - Beason, Indeed, White Eagle, the Handsome Half- Into the rugged labyrinths of the mountains | breed, was well known through the whole Terri- and foothills, and over the level plains blew a ess and well spoken of, ~ storm of but little less fury than a tornado, lthough descended from one of the most bringing with it a shower of rain, sticks, and | powerful Sioux tribes, hé was ina better sense often stones; it howled with dismal warning | a white man, possessed of education, intellect through the spectral mountain pines, and whirl- | and honor, and was reputed to own a secret — ed through the rock-walled ravines and gulches | mine of exhaustless wealth, known alone to with spiteful shrieks, himself, ae A man riding through a deep dark gulch, Literally a roaming hermit, he never associ- mounted. upon a powerful horse, finally drew | ated much with either the red or the white race, rein, with a grim shake of the head, by both of whom he was ina measure feared The stones and sticks\were pelting his back | from the fact that he hated evyil-doers, and — with too much force to be pleasant, néver hesitated to wreak vengeance upon them, Don’t like it, do you, Jerkins?” he ssid pat- White Eagle sick and at McGurdy’s Ranch? ting his animal on the neck. ‘I don’t see how | _ The masked stranger felt sure that the fact — we are to better ourselves, though, as the gulch | did not augur well for the Handsome Half- don’t appear to offer any shelter. Guess we shall | breed; for the McGurdys bad a bad repute, - have to jog along and submit to the pelting with | and mountain rangers, as a rule, avoided their _ grinning grace.” place as they would a rattlesnake den, sf -. So he gave the horse the rein again, and the Raising the child in his arms, the stranger dashed on with the storm, which tore amd howl- | said: s ‘ ater ed around and above them like an army of wind “Well, little one, come along,,and we will — demons broken loose, go and see White Eagle. Which way shall we This storm rider was a cine of strikingly | go?” ~ s : athletic and graceful form, which was clothed The child pointed down the gulch witha sob, — for the most part in citizen’s garb, excepting the | and whistling for his horse to follow, the stran- top-boots, wolf-skin cloak and sombrero. er strode away, his steps showing no trace of His face, hidden in under a black crape mask, | fear or hesitation. F could not be seen, but bis hair was long and Tnside of ten minutes he came to arude ram- — luxuriant, and his whole appearance, aside from | bling cabin, built at one side of the gulch, from ” his face, was commanding and gracefal. a single window of which gleamed a dim light. He carried no rifle, and his only weapons ap- Without pausing for the ceremony of knock- peared to consist of a pair of serviceable revol- | ing, he opened the creaking door and entered, — vers in his belt, closing it after, and puttiug his back against it, On—on—on, fairly swept away by the fury | while his piercing gaze swept the scene within ~ of the gale, went the horse and rider, until sud- | the habitation. : denly he heard a strange cry which he knew} The room in which he found*himself was fur- jwas not made by the storm—the piercing scream | nished simply with a few stools, arudebed, a of a human being, and Jerkins at once halted, | table set with broken dishes, and a cupboard, as if comprehending his master’s wishes, while, | while a fire burned in the fire-place. almost. at the same moment the rider espied the Near the ee sat a brutal-looking indi- author of the scream, and uttered a cry of as-| vidual, with bleared eyes, a straggling, un-— tonishment as he slid from the saddle, kempt beard aud a red nose—a man whose dirty — + {twas a little girl, plainly dressed, and not | garb and general uncouth appearance was any: over ssven years of age, who stood close to | thing but prepossessing. His belt bristled with — where Jerkins had halted—a pretty little crea- | weapons. . " 3 eee ture at a glance, whose long wealth of brown| A. slouchily-dressed, vinegar-faced woman, hair ths furious gale tossed into wild confusion, | with a fiery complexion, flaming eyes and fang- and indeed she had to cling toa jutting rock on | like teeth, was engaged in arranging the table . the canyon wall to prevent being blown away | and a young woman, of perhaps twenty, who herself, i zs ~ | was better dressed, and not uncomely of face With curiosity the masked storm rider step-| and form, was lying upon the bed, engaged in mearer to her and peered into herface. —— | reading a book—but sat up immediately upo “What is it, little one—did you call?” he| the stranger's Oey at eee 3 Sy nae HS ana me MEY pe Pte

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man attendant, and she has Sierra Sam, the Detective, UE eee a en All the ceeupants of the cabin looked up with scowls as the stranger entered with the child in his arms—cld McGurdy leaping to his feet with an oath, é “What d’ye want here?’ he demanded, fiercely, ; “T found this child of White Kagle, back here apiece, I want to see White Hagle himself.” ips ae can’t see aaa “Why not, pra “Because i orders to let no one see him.” ‘ Who gave the orders?” ‘The doctor, there!” ~ The stranger turned his burning gaze upon .» the young woman, whom McGurdy had inti- mated was “ the doctor.” ; Her eyes dropped; a hard, white expression gathered about her thin little mouth. “A female physician, eh? the stranger com- mented. ‘May 1 inquire, ma’am, what au- thority you have for forbidding any one from visiting White Eagle?” “The authority of the law, in not allowing a terrible disease to ober any further than this cabin!” was the cold reply. “‘‘ If you don’t want to die of virulent smallpox, you had best leave this cabin, sir!” i “Oh! Dve not the least fear of that disease, having been among it several times heretofore,” evident sareasm in the tone. ‘I came here to see White Eagle, and am going to see him, If any attempt is made to hinder me, or do me in- jury, there’s enough men near at hand to make mince-meat of ie members of this disreputable den, even shonld L not pass in your checks. So take warning!” \ The stranger strode across the floor fearlessly, and entered an adjoining room, closing and lock- ing the door behind him, The room was small, and contained only a bed and stand, upon which was a lighted candle and a vial of medicine, Placing the child upon a chair, the storm rkler turned to the man upon the bed. Well deserving the name of the Handsome Half-breed was the man, for he was of striking appearance, both in face and form, with noth- ing but a dusky tinge of countenance to denote that Indian blood coursed through bis veins. His features were regular and of Angio- Saxon cast; his eyes were dark and burned with a bright intelligence; his hair, dark and wavy, reached to his shoulders. His eyes lit up gladly, as he saw the masked stranger standing by his bedside, and he put forth his hand in greeting. “You are a welcome vision, stranger!” he said, speaking with an effort. ‘‘ Yours is the first friendly presence I have felt, in my two weeks’ confinement, here. Did my little Robin find you?” 7 “She did, or rather, I found her, and came, at her request. Why are you here, White ‘Eagle, ir this cut-throat den?” ‘ “IT was wounded, and desperate, and to elude my enemies, took my chances of shelter, here. It has proven worse than I anticipated.” “Are you badly wounded?” **T was not, but Hearty brought the wo- poisoning me * rat eee He’s very sick, and we’ve- +] to death, ever since, But for a powerful con- stitution, I should be dead now.” pe Horn are you sure?” “Ay, 1 amsure. I just awoke from a two- days’ lethargy, and as she has, with the Me- Gurdys’ aid, just given me another dose, it. will - not be long ere I go into another, which wili no doubt use me up, Before it happens, I want you to hear my story.” : The stranger nodded and sat down close at the bedside. “That child,” White Eagle said, in a low tone, ‘‘ is mine own, and shall inherit all T have, Her mother is to-day the petted child of fashion, and one of the prominent The listener iy seme his surprise. “Ttis true, A few years ago David Carlyle and daughter visited the mines at Big Vista ona pleasure tour. The gir] met me and professed great admiration for me; she had probably heard of my immenee secret wealth, It was while at Big Vista that Carlyle fell in with some sharps, and Fa fleeced out of every cent he had, includ- ing fifty thousand dollars of Government money he had in-his keeping. He at the time held some office in the Government at Washington—I for- — get just what. Of course he was in a bad fix, and came to me and asked a loan. 1 then made known ‘to him the existing state of feelirgs be- tween myself and his daughter, Miss Clio. And J agreed that if he would give me his daughter in marriage I would loan him the desired amount, ' taking a mortgage upon his real estate in Wash- ington, An agreement was made, and Clio Car- lyle was quietly made my wife—but surely, mind you; too surely, for I soon found that she had no love for me when I refused to give up the secret of my wealth, and looked down on me with su- percilious contempt. It was too late then to re- pair matters, and I was heartily glad when one day she and her father suddenly left for Wash- ington, é : a That was seven years ago, after we had been | married less than six months. _A year ago I ac- cidentally gota report that a child bad been born to my wife after her return and residence in Washington a few months. So I immediately wrote her, inquiring into the matter, but got no answer. ‘Not satisfied, I made a trip to Washington, and paid her a visit, but she refused to acknow- leiee such a birth, Inquiries revealed nothing, and I was warned to leave the capital under penalty of arrest—what for, I don’t know. I did leave, ‘but before doing so I paid her a mid- night surprise, and choked out of her the confes- sion that a child had=been born, which was yet alive and in a foundling asvlum, while she was engaged to be married toa rich New Yorker named Baysrd Lynn. i ‘*T then left her, stole my cuia from the asy~ lum, and fled back to the West, only to be pur- sued by instruments of the Carlyles, whose mis- sion it is to doaway with the childand the proofs _ of the marriage and birth—all.of which, thank ~ God, I have. Here they are—all—everythin pertaining to me and to my. secrets in life,” an from under the quilt he brought forth a box about eight inches long, which toall appearances _ was a solid brick of iron, as the stranger could see no lid, lovk or way of opening it. saclay lies of Washington.”

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. < “The secret of getting into what box this child alone knows,” White Eagle went on. ‘$I am dying and must leave her behind to fight against those who would exterminate her. Will you take her, stranger, and her box, and help her fight her battles through? It ismy last request on earth, for I need no one to tell me that I will soon leave this earthly scene for an eternity, I.trust, of peace. Take the child as your own, assert her rights to the last, and, ‘above all, never give her box up to any one, for. therein lies all that can ever establish her iden- tity and rights.” : he masked stranger took the box, slipped it into his hayersack, and then took White Eagle’s hand within his own warmly. x “Tt shall be as you wish,” he said. ‘* To-night f will take your child and go to a place of safety. ‘To-morrow I will send some one to re+ move you toa place where you can die in peace, if die you must. As to the child, I will stand by her, through thick and thin, and establish her rights, as sure as my name is—” '* What?” White Eagle asked. The masked man whispered it in ‘the half- breed’s eur; then, turning, he brought the child to White Eagle, and allowed him to kiss her. Soon after he raised the child in his arms and left the room. None of the former occupants of the next room were there, but the outside door stood wide open. ‘ ‘A trap, in front of that door!” the masked man smiled cunningly. ‘‘ They’re in the cejlar, waiting for me.”* Instead of passing out through the door he raised a window, and stepped out into the wild night, with a defiant laugh. ~ In a moment more he was in his saddle, with his protegee nestled in his arms, and, was dash- ing down the gulch as fast as fleet-footed Jer- kins could carry him. CHAPTER ILI. . ‘ A WOULD-BE SUICIDE, AND THE FLAT MYSTERY. “Bosra bufflers, au’ raplisodical, ragin’ red-skins! thet won’t do, me durned fool ofa ducklet, so Pll jest prewent yer slippin’ off this anwinted yearthly coil, by insertin’ my vote right byar!” f And the eyes that ran along the barrel of the rifle flashed almost as brightly as did the wea- pon which-he discharged an instant later. Then, rising, the old man slung his, rifle to his back, and hobbled rapidly forward to where a voung man had fallen, in the moonlight, at the verge of arift which broke through the plain of the prairie, 2 * His arm had been pierced by the grim man’s bullet; a revolver lay near where he had fallen. “Young, ’an’some, an’ purty asa posey, or my name ain’t Old Tree-Toad!” the scout solilo- quized, surveying the young man, -‘I say, young feller, ye war jest a-goin’ to blow yer rains out wi’ thet revolver, warn’t ye?” - “Yes, I reckon so,” was the growling reply, “Cand I don’t thank you for interfering.” _ “Oh, yer don’t, eh?” in disgust. “So ye wanted ter die, sure?” _ “Of course i did. Just hand me that pistol, and let me finish my miserable career at once.” “toa eS Se aes Yo : — ¢ Sierra Sam, the Detective. “Pshaw! you’ve got ther blues wuss nor my old mule, Cryptogran), used ter have ’em, an’ thet war useless. Now, lookee hyar, young fel- der: what’s ther matter ails ye? Got ther dys- pepsy, ther melancholics, or which?” “It matters not, so long as Ido not care to live longer,” the would-be suicide replied ploomily—a really handsome young fellow o! two or three and twenty, well dressed, well formed, and possessed of really refined features, with dark eyes, a graceful mustache of the same hue, and hair to match, “fT am tired of living, disappointed in life’s fondest hope,,and I’d rather end my miserable’ existence now than prolong the torture further,” “Bad! bad!” Tree-Toad observed, with -all the solemnity. possible. ‘‘ What’s bin ther rip, © ‘pard? Has yer Sunday-best sweetheart given ye ther partin*grip, or hev ye run yer fut inter a hornets’ nest?” “The only woman I ever cared for cruelly discarded me, after drawing me on until I be- came in truth her slave!” was the sour response, ‘“‘ Jerusalem! ye don’t wanter go an’ kill yer- self, an’ make yerself a laffin’-stock, jess fer a she woman! once hed a tech o’ ther disease myself, ‘an’ got left, but ’stead 0’ growin’ soft an? ’ sentrymental, I’ jest raised ther desateful crit- ter’s skulp an’ went off rejoicin’, Thar’s more’n one fish in ther sea; thar’s my ’dopted darter, Keno Kate, fer instance—you bet yer burdocks she’s a screamer, an’ ef she see’d, you hyar a-mopin’, she’d jest bu’st her pistol-belt a-laffin’. But she’s true as steel, Kate is, you bet! an’ hes got more sense in her curly head than half yer city gals put together. Ye jest orter see Kate, What's yer name?” ; ‘*George Gerald!” the young man answered. “TE you've got a rag, I wish you’d bandage up my arm which you’ve hurt.” f “Sart’in! Jest you git up an’ trot along with me tew camp, an’ my Kate will fix ye up. Gerald followed Old Tree-Toad across the prairie for half a mile, when they came to a cabin situated in 4 deep arroyo which communi- — cated with the canyon or gulch, near the verge of which Gerald had attempted suicide. Old Tree-Toad led the way into the cabin and gave the stranger a seat. A young girl, some seventeen years of age, was seated near the fire-place engaged in sewing _ —a petite but gracefully-formed person, with a fair face, hazel eyes, a firm but pleasant mouth, and hair long and wavy. She was attired in a plain but neat dress, woes agay bow at her throat—looked decidedly — pratty, : “Thar! that’s Kate!” Old Tree-Toad an- nounced, indicating the girl. ‘‘ Kate heer’s a love-sick chap whom I cotched in the act of 5 committin’ susanside, an‘ had ter wing him ter stop him.. Bustle around, now, an’ fix up his arm, an’ see ef ye can’t get up a reaction so he 5 won’t kerlapse wi? melancholies,” “ Late laughed lightly, and. procuring some strips of cloth, soon had Gerald's wrist in asling, — and carefully dressed with a healing liniment. — Tt was not a bad wound, and he was likely to

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Mas time sutery gid, between the two prospecto! Sierra Sam, the Detective. ra came more than ordinarily interested in the un- couth trapper and his pretty ward. What was the astonishment of the latter, then, when upon arising the next morning they made the discovery that some time during the night Mr. George Gerald had very quietly taken his departure without leaving a clew behind to tell whither he had gone! ‘* Ef he's bound to shute hisself over one wo- man, why let him shute—that’s all,” Old Tree- Toad concluded, very sententiously. Every dog has his day—so does crete gold- mining excitement have its day, and the day had fairly dawned over Fairy Flats. One morning two ragged prospectors, nearly dead with exposure, fatigue and hunger, had struggled out from the labyrinths of the moun- tains upon the table-land or flats, through which coursed the sluggish, peeper-inhabited waters of McGee’s Creek; and, to drive off a flock of. buzzards that had followed them with hungry perseverance for a week, one of the men picked up a stone to hurl. at them. But his companion checked him, saying ex- citedly as he grasped the upraised hand: ‘Stop, Bill—that’s a nugget by all that’s wonderful!” And so it was—a nugget as large as a goose’s egg. : Fivastipation followed, and the discovery made eee the flats were one literal bed of placer- zold. . ‘Wild were the discoverers. It was too rich a secret to keep, and after digging out a fortune in a few days, they struck for the nearest bounds of civilization to have a ‘‘ good old-fashioned miner’s drunk.” k What was the result? hey had their drunk, spent their ‘* bottom bit,” and in the bargain gave away the secret of their ‘‘ find.” Tit less than forty-eight hours afterward, the news of the new gold-field had reached a dozen towns, and a general stampede was made, Fairy Flats was reached—the discovered gold drove the people mad, as it were, and a slab-and- cabin city went up in no time, ° Claims were staked out, and fights had over the,matter, in which the best man invariably raked in his choice at his adversary’s expense; all the usual complement of saloons, gambling- dens, dance-houses and saloons quickly sprung into existence, and Fairy Flats was a new Dead- wood in less than three months. But Fairy Flats possessed an advantage that not every golden camp could boast—a mystery! And it was a mystery, too, which every one canvassed, but no one could explain. And this it was: : The two prospectors had left the flats about the first of May; about the first of June, the initial train of settlers had reached the spot, to begin the building up of the new city. At the time the two discoverers had quitted the flats, there was no building of any sort there—noteven a shanty or log lodge. On the arrival of the first wagon- train, a stone occupied the center of the flats— an artificial structure, evidently. It had been placed there, coussquently, in the eparture of the and the arrival of the train. « Tt was, Speatenad one solid rock, about twenty feet long, fifteen feet wide, and ten feet nee and rested upon the ground, et owhere that human eye could discover, was there a crack or crevice to indicate that it was hollow, or that it had a secret entrance to the interior. It was as solid a rock as could be found in the mountains, and weighed many tons; but how came it there? This wasa shige to every one, as was the eee gs query: hat was it placed there ‘or? ; Upon one side of the strange rock were chiseled by adeft hand the following inserip- tions, which were the only things throwing _ at urea the mystery. he first inscription read: “praTal “ Within this castle dark and drear There dwells a thing all men must fear, Its tread on earth leaves bloody print, Its heart is harder than the flint. Beware! who mocks this sacred rock, Yor he shall feel the avenger’s shock, The secret’s known to but one man; Go worship ye Sierra Sam,” Tn another place was inscribed: ** Woe be to him whose dastard wanton hand, Shall seek this rocky tomb to hurt; The Bloody Boots beside his corse shall stand, Nor earthly power his doom avert. Hark! list in the drear dead hours 0’ night; _ Ye disbelievers then shall quake wi’ fright.” - This was all, and superstitious, wayward crowd, and despite a curious desire to examine the Death-rock, it was left unmolested, and so the mystery remain- ed a mystery. a Bold men there were among the new-comers to Fairy Flats—men who'had faced death ina dozen ways, and literally laughed it out of “countenance; until one night came a stranger on the evening stage, and heard the strange story. ; A’ gambler he was, with a pocketful of bad notoriety—a man who had blown down from Slab City, to ‘‘do for” the citizens of the new mountain Mecca, et too much for that - Idaho was the somewhat characteristic name of the gent who wore revolvers in the long 1 of his top-boots; whose by no means homely * face was as dusky as a Spaniard’s, and whose head was: a mass of black curls, with a mus- tache, also curly, surmounting his thin upper lip. , He dressed in elaborate garments, ha cepa : ea and sported a feather in his slouch sil felt hat, Idaho at once became the observed of many observers. Dashing and ‘cheeky” was he; but while willing to play any man for stakes, he was of a rather taciturn and distant nature, and not easy to get acquainted with. He at_once rented a vacant card-table in the Miner’s Rest, the principal gaming “ Capea a of ee Flats, and caught on to a card-loving crowd. ; After fleecing a-half-dozen miners out of their last dollar, he prepat ing, but just then there entered the room a little girl of not more than twelve year's, who strode pared to adjourn for the even- _ = Ridger sp Syke ect a ae

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6 t) Sierra Sam, the Detective. up to the gambler’s table with an importance beyond her years. She was rather shabbily dressed, had a pe cent, independent face, which might have een pretty but for the dirt, black eyes, dark hair, worn short and frowsy, and a miner’s slouch sombrero, several sizes too large for her, -on her head. She sauntered up to the table, whistling mer- rily, her hands in her pockets, and her eyes sur- veying Idaho intently. Both the gambler and the. crowd gazed at her in surprise; she was evidently a new character in the town, . ‘Hello, Johnny!” she saluted, with a grin. ‘Bank bu’sted?” “Oh! hardly,” Idaho replied, laconically. ‘* Where did you sprout from, child?” ‘* Child? the girl echoed; then she broke out into a eel of laughter. ‘‘ Well, now, that’s good! Mebbe you're right, too. I ain’t big peeing fer age, but. my head-gear’s famuss, "ve want to losoa V?? ~ ‘Go away! Vl not play with you!” Idaho growled. ‘if [catch you around here again Pil pull your ears,” ‘Bet yel” the forward miss cried, getting wrathy, “I’m Little Luck, the Fairy of tho Flats, Tam, and you’ve got’ to play with me, same’s ye do wi’ other chaps.” it was a strange situation. Idaho scowled—the crowd grinned, ——- CHAPTER IIL. LITTLE LUCK AND NO LUOK, W28ie the situation looked most ridiculously like a farce, the girl appeared as gritty and earnest as though she were ten years older than, she was. “Why, curse me for a cur if you haven't Baal Christian bringing up!” Idaho cried, an- grily. “Never mind about that,” replied the girl. “*T waltzed inter hyer to play a game when ye begun playin’ yer chin-music ag’im’ me, As a result, you’ye jest got ter play a game wi’ me, or else ll know the reason why. Stand by me, | ‘gents?” = * Agrunt of approval went up from the crowd —several of whom had been bitten in playing with the gambler, Idaho gave a sweeping glance about him, into tho strange unsympathizing faces, and saw that he was undeniably in for it. “ Well, play it is then,” said the gambler. “Tay down any amount you like, and I'll guar-. antee to cover it.” It was evident he contem- plated a punishment of the audacious player. But, judge his surprise, when he saw the «child take a large roll of bills from her pocket, in addition to a, handful of gold pieces, an count out two thousand dollars! — - Thar, Johnny, cover thet, or weaken,” Lit- a ack eried. ‘‘Mebbe ye hayen’t so biga pile ; _ *T can jusf accommodate you and that’s all,” Idaho_replied, counting out his money, ‘If I eee I won’t have enough to buy a lodging rae The cards were shuffled, cut, and dealt. The’ game was to be poker, The crowd gathered closer around the table with breathless interest, several new-comers being added to the number. \ A stranger pushed through the crowd, close to the table, and stood watching the game, rather ape man dressed in citizen’s clothing, slouch hat and top-boots—of hand- some figure, evidently of great muscular power, His eyes were sharp and piercing in their glance; his mouth wore rather a pleasantly firm expression and was shaded by a graceful mus- tache, the ends of which were cut straight across his cheek; his hair was worn long, down over his shoulders, after the fashion of the western scout, Altogether hé was an attractive and dashing appearing personage. : 2 Haho looked up as the stranger pushed for- ward, and surveyed him-an instant, searchingly ; then turned his attention once more upon the _ game, an evil resolve gleaming from his eyes. One—two—tbree—four—down went the cards; out went the gambler’s hand to rake in the stake. but the stranger was too quick for him, and seized his hand in a vise-like gripe. “Stop!” he said, quietly, yet sternly. ‘I saw the cheat—so did the child. You were fovlish to think you could play that game here |” fdaho uttered a baffled curse, but could not jerk his hand away, and Little Luck raked in the stakes, and took advantage of the confusion to slip out of the room, ‘The deuce take you! What do you mean?” Idaho raved. ‘‘ Release my hand.” “Certainly! Look out, though, that don’t use it to a disadvantage to yourself. heeled. The threat was significant. Idaho knew it, and needed no better assurance that he had encountered a man of more than or- dinary character. “Ym not rash!” he said, with a very malig- nant sort of asmile, ‘Pll arrange a settlement of this affair later,” ‘* No time like the present, if you feel the least revevgeful, Always strike when the iron is hot,” was the composed answer, ‘I caught you in the peg re act of cheating a baby—I stop- ped you. hat’s to follow?” ae pology, or death!” Idaho replied. ‘I shall send you the terms later.- In the mean time, who-am I to suppose you are?” “Tam generally known as Sierra Sam!” was the reply. ‘‘I may have half-a-dozen other names, but what they are, does not concern you, or any one else.” Then, without deigning the gambler another lance, the mountain ferret turned away to the ar, and lit a cigar. It was an unlucky hour that he uttered his aioe within the hearing of a resident of Fairy ats, ou ’m particular time, He purchased a cigar of the pretty bar-maid, conversed with her a few moments, and then quitted the saloon, But he did not go alone, ; Once outside the Miner’s Rest, a dark shadow “~ But he didu’t happen to know this at that s ‘

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Sierra Sam, the Detective. i after him, keeping followed swiftly and silent] i him like some fiend him just in sight—follow of the night. Among the other professions represented in the rising metropolis, Fairy Flats, was that of a jawyer. :. Although active law was literally a dead- Jetter in the town, there were occasionally little jobs of claim-deeds and other documents to draw up, and Moses Isaacs being first in the field, was consequently the first to hang out his shingle. He was fifty years old, and unmarried; had a fiery hook-nose} bristling mustache. and a bald t upon his roof; and was not notorious for strict honesty. ; After leaving the Miner’s Rest theman, Sierra Sam, betook himself to the Jew’s shantv office, and found that individual at home. When he entered Isaacs’s office, the Californian wore a mask over the upper part of his face, and as a natural consequence the Jew leaped to his feet from a table where he was seated en- gaged in punishing a bottle of Burgundy, and reached for a rusty old shot-gun which occupied one corner of the room. ~ “Oh, you needn’t bother about the pop, Jews- harp,” Sam warned, coolly closing the office door behind him. ‘ I came on business.” ‘‘Vot der tuyfel pizness you vant?” Isaacs de- manded, still retaining his grasp upon the shot- gun. “Vy Riko come like von tief off der night?” ‘Oh, well, as tothe mask,” Sam said, seat- ing himself. composedly, and elevating his feet upon a table—‘‘as to the mask, I just put that on so as if anybody dropped in during my inter- view I wouldn’t be recognized. seated ” Tsaacs dropped into his chair, *“‘T came in to see if you have had any for- eign visitors this evening—that is to say, clients from out of town?” asked Sam, Isaacs elevated his eyebrows. : ““You are a detective, vas?” he interrogated. **Vot ish your name?’ ‘*Sierra Sam, if that suits you,” the Califor- nian returned. ‘*You may possibly have heard of me, Judging by the start the Jew made, he had. ‘¢Vot you vant?” he demanded, evading Sam’s interrogative. “T came to find out something, and I’ve found it out.” ‘You haff? Der tuyfel you say!” “Yes; you needn’t tell mo ri bad a visitor to-night; I know it already.” “Isaacs rubbed the end of his red nose thought- fully, and looked hard at Sierra Sam through his glasses, g Vell?” : “You were visited by Mr. David Carlyle to- night, who, according to my calculations, must have arrived in Fairy Flats some time yester- day.” 2 To this Isaacs made no denial or assent; he simply eyed his visitor expectantly. : “Carlyle, I pone was accompanied by his daughter,” Sam went on, in his imperturb- able way. ‘‘Of course they enlisted you_as ' their lawyer in an. important case, you being the only lawyer intown,” Still no answer from the Jew. : : ‘ “You are a shrewd fellow,” Sam asserted, looking him over from head to foot; ‘ you have brains enough to establish a theological college, and gall enough to stock a regiment of light- ning-rod agents or inipecunious actors, But Dita a there are still two things you lack,’ ““Vot ish dot?” Isaacs grunted, hardly know- ing whether to feel flattered or not. ‘Firstly, method,” Sam assumed; ‘* secondly, a partner, You want a partner with whom to share the secrets of your business, and with whom to plan,” : “Vel, maybe you know more apoud my piz- ness den vot I do!” Isaacs retorted, quite taken aback by the Californian’s assurance, “Exactly! Lknow just what you want. Tl give you a thousand dollars for half-interest in your business, you to work with me (silently, of course) in everything!” ; ‘“‘Nixy! I don’d vas vant no partners—no Pousand dollars—noddinks to do mit you, Mis- der Sierra Sam, I vas an honest man—I keebs my own secrets; I find oud yours. Dot settles dot! Der-door vas ready, yonder—you vas know how to turn der knob!” ; Sierra Sam gave vent to a whistle, ““ Well, if you cannot make terms, Pll bid you agin he said, and forthwith took his leparture. f “To be shut up in this jack-knife shape is bad,” he confessed to himself, when once out- side, ‘‘The Jew is firmly bought up with money.” : os He wandered through the lively mining- — camp, busied with his own thoughts, but also: noticing the stirring scene about him; for night at Fairy Flats was a literal holiday. : Saloons and other business places kept open all night, and the streets were filled with people —or rather the street, for there was but one, Where the ever-moving populace ever got in their sleep was a mystery, In front of the Miner’s Rest a crowd was gathered around a man, who, mounted upon an . empty flour barrel, was addressing them words which appeared greatly to interest them; so Sam paused a few yards off, to listen. © "Yas, OS tar ain’t no two ways o’ the matter; ther chap’s got to be arrested. He’sa_ desprit cuss, Pve hearn tell, an’ ther fact that ~ his name‘is engraven on ther Death-rock, shows that he’s no natteral sort o’ human, sich as we want in our city. Fu’st ye kno’, thar'll be sev-— eral corpses a-layin’ eround here, an’ he'll be ther cause on it.” “But how’s ther galoot ter be tuk?’ one of — the auditors demanded. ‘“ Ef he’s sucha gallus — chap, he may show fight.” Rasy enough, Goff, heer, tells me he’s tuk pomeeey o’ Manning’s vacant shanty, *thout leave or license, an’-we’]] jest drap around there, when the moon gits low, and surround the — shanty. Then he'll have to surrender!” e Sierra Sam gave a start, as he heard thecabin ~ mentioned, for he knew it was the one he was — temporarily oceupyin See OL IS ent Cae ee ga

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8 : Sierra Sam, the Detective. ie that his white hands rested conveniently handy toa pair of handsome revolvers in his belt. “Sir Speaker,” he said, addressing the fellow upon the barrel, ‘“‘am I to infer from the words I have just overheard, that you contemplate ar- resting me, Sierra Sam?’ ‘Waal, I' reckon that’s about the size of it, stranger!” the orator replied. ‘“ Perhaps, then, you can accommodate me with an explanation of the why and wherefore of such a proceeding?” Sam demanded, sternly. “T don’t generally submit to arrest without some knowledge of why I am arrested.” “ But there’s exceptions in all cases!” a mock ing voice cried behind them, and a man’s arms were wrapped around him; then the crowd sprung forward to secure the advantage thus gained over the mountain sleuth. CHAPTER IV. SIERRA SAM SHES STARS, Bor they found that they had tackled a big- ger job than they had at first imagined, for ~ with an almost superhuman effort Sierra Sam broke lose from the man who had seized him from behind, and, wheeling, dealt the fellow a stunning blow between the eyes that dropped him summarily. The man was Idaho, the gambler. j Turning once more, Sierra Sam attempted to draw his revolvers, but the crowd now dropped upon him from either side, and nothing was left for him but surrender. So he;submitted to have his hands bound be- hind his.back, and wds marched off to the town lock-up, or strong cabin, which had been built witha view of holding captured criminals, ‘After being locked up Sierra Sam threw him- self upon a bed of grass which was in one cor- ner, and lay for some time in deep thought. “Tt’s an unlucky thing that I ever set myself down in this burg,” he muttered. ‘‘ By some fatality they know me, and have some grudge against me, I wonder what it is—why I am ar- rested?” : It was a puzzle to him, and destined to re- main so that night, } The next forencon, after a loaf of bread and some water had heen brought him by thé guard, and he bad breakfasted upon it, a visitor was admitted. ; : Sierra Sam surveyed ‘his caller narrowly, but ‘failed to recognize him, He was a man of some three-and-fifty years, rather portly of build and ’ well dressed—with dark, keen eyes, a full, florid face and bushy gray hair an ) whiskers, He in turn surveyed Sam, with a keen inquir- ing gaze, *Good-morning,” he accosted. .‘‘Sorry to seo ee in this shape, friend. How long have you n locked up?” “Since last night, as you must beaware,” Sam _ answered. ‘‘ Who are you?” % _ “T am David Carlyle, of Washington,” an- swered the man. *. “Carlyle,” Sam said, looking at the log floor of the jail, reflectively. ‘‘ Carlyle? Seems to me Pve heard the name, somewhere’s before.” Very likely you have,” the: Washington man said, with a laugh, ‘In fi I believe we are quite well known to each other indirectly, and it is with that supposition that I - have made you a call.” ~ ‘Ahem! well?” interrogatively. Sam evi- dently did not seem inclined to urge on the con- versation, “*- Yes, we ought to know each other, since you have taken up sides against me and my daugh- ter. Presumedly you knew we were coming here to Fairy Flats?” ‘ ‘*T may have surmised such a thing.” **T also expected to find you here,” Carlyle went on, ‘‘ but supposed I should find you aggres, sive, rather than submissive.” **T don’t know that you find me submissive, as you choose to termit,” Sam retorted. ‘‘I don’t know that I’ve acceded to your proposicions, providing you have made any.” ** Well, no; I simply spoke, with an eye to the future. You’re ina bad fix here, with a fair pee of getting your neck ina noose. Iam he only person who is sufficiently interested in your welfare to interfere in your behalf, with the power to*save you.” **Tndeed! What interest can you have in me, whose business is to thwart you if I can?” ‘Oh! well; perhaps you might call it a selfish interest. You know as well as I that the sealing of your tongue means much to me and mine.” “Perhaps, yes. But my tongue cannot be sealed except at my own will.” ‘* But, this may not belong. If your certain -sentence is not influenced in your favor, your tongue will very soon cease to wag,” “Well, in that case, I'll let it wag what is necessary, before I shuffle off, much to your dis- advantage, You're playing a villainous game— a bold and rascally game. Have you the least idea that you are going to win?” , ‘Certainly I shall win} Otherwise I am a ruined man. My daughter has an opportunity to marry one of New York’s moneyed aristo- erats. For four years she has been forcedto ~ put off his earnest proposals, knowing well that she dare not marry, Years ago, she made a had move by allying herself in marriage toa rich half-breed—of course you know about this. By the union, 1 was for a time helped, out of a mon- etary embarrassment, and as my child could never like the savage, it was but a natural con- Pa al that she should abandon him. This 7 fatal marriage has hindered her from a dozen good matches—is it any wonder we seek for relief?” ; ‘Considering that you contrived to inveigle a noble fellow into a scheme, with a view of ‘. getting possession of his wealth, [ do not deem if any wonder that you should be guilty of any heinous crime!” Sierra Sam answered sternly. “ David Carlyle, I have no words to express m detestation for a man of your vile character. It is such detestable creatures as you, that I make © a specialty of hunting down to the fate they de- serve. For your daughter, I have even less re- ect; for a woman who would turn her own child into a foundlings’ asylum, in order to sereen its claim to her mothership, and ‘who would afterward seek its destruction, in order that she might marry again—sucha woman [I | could see subjected to the barbarous cruelties of the Indian Seat stake, without raising a fin- iit 3 ga ae

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“Sierra Sam, the Detective. ° 8. Carlyle listened, his face assuming a grayish pallor, and his eyes averted, for he was aware that, severe though the censure, it was none the less just. ‘* Well, we all have our own opinions; it is scarcely worth while to discuss them. You know whether White Eagle or the child yet live; tell me that and [’ll ask you no more!” “Twill tell you nothing that can in any way further your murderous schemes. Of course Sie: know the child still lives—where, is a secret, t, et also a secret whather White Eagle lives or not, : ‘So I am to understand that you do not care to secure your freedom.” é : ‘“Not through you—no!” Sam responded, de- cisively. “Then I shall have to use my influence -against, instead of for, you.” ““Doso, But ‘ook you that I do not get free. it might prove disastrous to you.” “Ob! Pl look to that—I'll look well to that, sir! Good-day, sir!” If Mr. Carlyle was satisfied with the result of his interview, his face did not show it. That afternoon Sierra Sam was taken into Fairy Flats’s ‘‘ court of justice,” to be tried. A large crowd was assembled within the place, and Sam was conducted to a reserved space fronting a dry-goods box, upon which oses Isaacs sat, his legs ganete off, and a huge meerschaum pipe between his Ere, t was the queerest court-room scene the Cali- fornian had ever encountered, but after a deal of waiting they got down to business, Isaacs as- suming a standing position upon the box. “Ladies und shendlemens,” he muttered rather than spoke ont (and it was a noticeable fact that there were no ladies present), ‘‘ der bresent occasion vas von uff dem occasions ven id pecoomes us as some heoples to rise mit der law\on our side und brodest against der vicked- ness of mankind. Vonce more ve haff sot our eyes on von suspicious character, und prought him mit der court-house in to stand oop und be investigated. Vil somepody stood up und eg- splain vot der brisoner am arrested for?” , The miner who had addressed the crowd the night before immediately arose. “Tf you please, Mr. Judge of the Jury,” he began, “‘I have to offer that the prisoner at the bar is a suspicious character. Every one knows of the Death-rock mystery—ther place, cause, or wherefore of which remains unexplained, and On the side of which is engraved in verse the threat of some unknown thing or creature. In that verse we are advised that Sierra Sam is the only one who can explain the mystery. The pe at ther bar comes waltzin’ inter town, ig as life, an’ I allow he’s elected ter pony up ther secret of the Death-rock or dance on a rope. Guess all ther boys aire wi’ me in them senti- ments,” A coarse murmur of assent from the majority of the audience signified that they were. ‘Vel, Misder Sierra Sam,svot you haff to say apoud der matter?’ Isaacs demanded. ‘ Vat eggsplanation haff you got to offer concerning der pistes of der mysterious rock?” “None at all,” Sam replied. ‘I know noth= ing whatever of any such rock as you describe, so which you claim my name is inscribed, ill you permit me to see this rock?” A consultation was held, and it was finally decided to humor the prisoner’s request. He was accordingly escorted to the stran; rock under strong guard, and allowed to look it over and to read the inscriptions, : If any man was ever surprised, it was the Californian, and his whole demeanor showed it, “*Gentlemen,” he said, after he had finished his inspection, ‘‘T'll allow you’re not much to — blame, for I'll be shot if I can explain or under- stand this matter any better than you can, You say this apparently solid rock was planted here within one month’s time, How it came or how my name came upon its side, I swear to you I know nothing about. It’s all a blank mystery to me, even as to you, and I’d give my right ear to be able to give you the solution. You may do as you please with me, but I am powerless to aid in unraveling the mystery,” But though earnest was the declaration, it did not satisfy the miners, and Sierra was taken back to the court-room, 5, : Here he made the same statement, “Dat don’d wash,” Isaacs demurred. “I dinks you vas von pig rascal, und you haff come here to Fairy Flats to make troubles,” “Can I say a word here?” David Carlyle de- manded, pushing forward, re . = Yesh; you say anyt’ings you please,” Isaacs - d assented, : . ‘ ae ‘Then allow me to remark that I’ve seen this man, Sierra Sam, before. He is wanted in the East for innumerable murders, and all you've ot to do is to send him back there and he will e hung in short order.” ““Dot vas not necessary,” Isaacs cried. ‘1 sentence Sierra Sam to pe hung mit bis neck till he vas dead, to-morrow morning at sunrise.” 1 **David Carlyle,” your infamous lie works well,” Sam cried out, sternly. Then he was led from the room down the — street to the jail. ; in the dead of the night that followed, when the street was pretty nearly deserted, most of the populace being within doors,a man, bare- hea and’ breathless, rushed into the Miner’s Rest, exclaiming: ; ‘For God’s sake, gentlemen, come outside!” A wondering crowd obeyed, and.he paar ges a sight that caused them to shrink back. Upon the white sandy ground in front of the saloon, lying upon his back, pale, and apparent- ly dead, was Sierra Sam, who had been left in — jail under strong guard. ‘ e This wasnotall. Upon the whitesand,whichthe brilliant moonlight made as light as day, were ee : E- Ley ae dozen distinct foot-prini all told, the full shape of a boot being impr there in a blood red color, a A dozen only; there they began; there they — ended—leaving no trail to show how the dread owner had come, or departed! CHAPTER V. J SAM TURNS A SOMERSET AND STRIKES A NEW ~ wees MYSTERY, me Pia =f Here was another wystery for Fairy Flats, — as sure as fate! What did it meant . : cS

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10 Sierra Sam, the Detective. ‘How had: Sam been'rescued from the jail, so | strongly under guard? How had the bloody-booted visitor made his departure, without leaving a trail of his start- jing footprints behind him? These were the leading questions propounded, as soou as the eitouidad crowd were able to comprehend what had transpired. Some of the bolder spirits inaugurated an in- vestigation, however; which resulted in two discoveries, Sierra Sam was not dead, as he appeared, ~ but pi oeged with chloroform, the smell of which still clung about him. On his breast was pinned a paper, upon which was written the following, ina. bold dashing style of chirogra-: phy: ‘Beware! Observe the fate of those who would eeiard this man; the same or worse for all who enceforth sball seek the life of Sierra Sam. His life is charmed; I swear it shall not be harmed, S ** BLoopy Boors.” If this was surprising to the citizens of Fairy Flats, and calculated to shake their nerves, the _ discovery that awaited them at the jail, was even more so, 5 ‘Of the seven guards, who had been left to watch over the jail, but one was tobe found and he was seated in the open doorway, boun hand and foot and gagged! All efforts to discover the whereabouts of his companions proved futile, and on being released, the man could not or would not explain one word of what had happened, but seemed over- whelmed with the greatest affright and terror, He was taken back to the tavern, as was Sierra Sam, and efforts were at once made to restore the latter to consciousness, but it was fully half an hour ere he became sufficiently conscious to understand where hs was, Then he looked about and into the grim faces of the miners gathered about him, in great sur- rise, _ “Well, what’s the matter now, gentlemen?” he asked, ‘‘Am I so good-looking that you can’t withstand the curiosity to stare at me?’ “Guess you're about ther snuggest enigma ‘thet evyer struck Fairy Flats,” a miner said— Tom Jarvis, by name. “Jest explain what's qaboeted, will ye, afore we cut yer head off, kerslap! Thar ain’t goin’ ter be no foolin’ about _ this matter no longer.” ~ “Well, if you'll tell me what?s happened, ‘maybe I shall be better able to accommodate you,” Sam replied. _ An explanation was given him of all that was known relative to the matter, and he lis- ~ tened, his face expressing the great astonish- - nent ho felt. , _ _“Gentlemen,” he said, when he had heard all, ‘of course you all look upon me with suspi- _ cion, and I even ee myself with incredulity, _ for on my honor, I swear I do not know what itall means. I’m as innocent of any knowledge of all this seeming mystery as you are, and why _my name should be coupled with it, surpasses é my understanding is » “Can't belp what you say,” the miner replied. _ “Something ’s got ter be did, an’ that ter one’t. You're an agent of the devil, an’ yecan’t locate no claim here in Fairy Flats, ef I know myself.” Sam was left in the saloon, under guard of a, dozen men while tae remainder of the crowd passed out of doors. Sam could hear them, and other exciting sounds on the outside, and knew they were holding a sort of pow-wow, over the question of what was to be done with him. His hands and feet were bound, and twelve determined meu stood facing him, with drawn revolvers, E Surely, there was no show for him to age at present, anyhow; and he felt sure that the faster the minutes flew by, the nearer-ap- proached his doom, Just behind him, as he sat with his back to- ward the wall, was an open window; but pro- » bably, the guards did not give the window a second thought, well knowing they could “ sali- vate” the prisoner before he could stand a show of escape, in any direction. The guards were chatting among them- selves, and Sierra was straining his sense of hearing to catch the sounds from the outside, when suddenly to his ears came a cautious: “ Sh ?" He remained perfectly motionless, his heart beating wildly, for he believed that aid was near at hand. Presently he. heard the whisper again. “Sh! Can yeu not mak3s some excuse to stand up?” Without replying, Sam instantly arose to his feet—at the risk, too, of being shot down, for ~ guards instantly leveled their weapons upon ‘im. ‘Never mind the pops, gents,” he said, with aliugh. “‘I want to:smoke, and reckon you won’t kick if you do, too, just to pass away time. If one of you will reach down in m breeches pocket, you'll find a half-eagle, wit! which to treat the crowd, myself included.” The ‘‘inivte” hit the miners in a tender spot; the money was secured, and one of the number made for the bar to make the purchase, He soon returned, and gave Sam a lighted cigar, while he distributed the rest among his boppeniess. . : ‘“Yes, there’s nothing like a cigar, when 4 fellow’s got a cool dozen revolvers staring him in the face, backed up by the prospect of in- heriting one of Judge Lynch’s patent neck- ties!” Sam remarked; backing up a few inches and seating himself upon the window-sill with the utmost apparent thoughtlessness, ‘I’ve heard it said that tobacco was the best cure in the world for a man with the blues, and I be- lieve it. These cigars ain’t the best article, are they—not genuine Havanas? No, you needn’t - mind returning me the change, pard; it will jes about set em up fer the gang in the way of iquid refreshments, so trot it out, I may not get another bite o’ bug-juice here below, pro- vidin’ the folks elect to hang me.” 2 if the guards had been on the eve of ordering the Californian out of the window, Sam’s action disarmed them of all suspicion of an intent on his part to escape, and he was allowed to retain his position. pp ees arks, the man who had got the cigars, skur- ried off after the nek and soon returned with a salyer containing een glasses of “* bug-juice.” — ia, eee =.

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Sierra Sam, ihe Detective. “li “Reckon ye'll have to hold mine up to the fore of my organ of absorption,” Sam said, ‘being asI haven’t got the use of my flukes. Then, before we drirk, Pll propose a toast.” A glass was taken by Marks and the eleven ‘other men, and raised; Marks also holding one up to Sierra Sam’s lips. “Well, gents,” the Californian called out, “here’s to a bit of a golden rule: the man who laughs first is the last man’s fool. All together; drink hearty!” Into twelve pairs of lips went’ the fiery liquid! Out of the window, like a flash, keeled the man of the sierras! A howl went up from the outwitted guards. They dashed the glasses to thé floor; they leaped to the open window. j Sierra Sam was gone! »In five minutes the infant metropolis was fairly aroused, and a lively search was instituted for the Californian; but as Fairy Flats was en- circled_on every side by mountains and timber,’ asa matter of course, Sierra Sam was not dis- covered, In the mean time, where was the mountain detective? Of course his tumble from the window had been premeditated. He struck the ground upon his feet, by turn- ing a,complete somerset, and found himself close beside a female figure, which was crouch ing close in to the side of the building, in the shadow. : “Sh!” she warned, as she quickly flashed a knife through the bonds confining his feet and arms, thrust a revolver into his hand, and ulled him around the near corner of the build- ng. : All this was done in a second of time. “It’s nip and tuck whether we escape, now, or not!” the woman gasped. “Come! follow my every move!” he Jed off, running across the Flats like a deer, and dodging here and there so as to keep a line or range of shanties between them and the Miner’s Rest. In five minutes they reached a shanty near the outskirts of the mining-camp, the door of which the woman unlocked, and they entered, It was a fair-sized, cleanly-looking apartment that Sam found himself in; the furniture was rude, and limited in quantity, but arranged to sbow off to the best advantage. A candle upon the table furnished a dim light. £ the woman sunk breathlessly into a chair, the . moment the door was closed and barred, and motioned Sierra Sam to do the same, “*T guess we’ve eluded them after all, though I did not hardly expect that we should!” she “gasped, without raising her vail. ‘‘ You worked your escape from the Rest admirably.” “ But I shouldn’t have thought of it had I not known by your warning that help was waiting on the outside,” Sam declared. ‘I can hardly find words to express.my gratitude to you for assisting in my escape. ‘‘No gratitudé is required. I knew you were mca ae or I should never have interésted my- self. You are not out of danger yet, nor will or a ny you be until you are miles from this place, with your face turned eastward. Rewards will be of- fered for your apprehension, and if you remain in the vicinity you will run great risks of being retaken.” Sam langhed. ‘Well, every man is liable to get taken in by an enemy,” he said, ‘‘ but I flatter myself that I am generally pretty wide-awake, And al- though I shall hereafter move about less pro- miscuously, very likely I shall still hover about Fairy Flats, until my mission is performed.” ‘May I inquire what that is?” the woman demanded, leaning her head forward. “I might be able to assist you!” Sierra started. That voice, it seemed to him he had heard somewhere before—just where, he did not then recall. “Possibly,” he replied. ‘* Presumably you know me, and that 1 make a business of hunting down rogues and rascals of all kinds.” “You are not exactly unknown to me, sir,” -the woman said, ‘‘ but I have reasons for not wishing to désclose my identity to you. I am aware what brings you to Fairy Flats—and I ani-also aware what chances’ you stand of win- ning. You will be beaten at every turn, and be killed before you are two months older!” “Tam not so sure of that,” Sam assured dryly, ‘‘and since you know so much, you will excuse me if I demand to know who you are?! He arose to his feet, a resolute expression upon his face, She arose also, and shoved a cocked revolver toward him from under her shawl, 5 At this juncture in the tableau’a rear door opened, and a childish figure bounded into the room, ¢ “Oh, aunty! don’t harm that gentleman! That is the man night!” The child was none other than waif—" Little Luck!” CHAPTER VI, TWO WOMEN’S WOOING, the strange Sierra Sam looked at the child keenly, and — then toward the vailed woman. “T reckon you are about right, sis,” he said, “This woman had better think twice before shooting at me!” attempt to discover my identity,” the woman replied, calmly. ‘IT Sierra Sam.” “That remains to be told,” Sam returned, * “T think I know you now. let us not quarrel. You here, for her age.” “Too smart to be took in-by oily-tongued sharpers!” the woman retorted, rather spite- fully. ‘‘You had better have nothing to do with her,” aes * Oh, I shall not utilize her for the purpose of filling another’s shoes,” the Californian replied, “She is not the ebild I seek.” “You are not sure of that!” “Yes, I am positive; that resemblance to and none of the characteristics — of White Eagle’s child, By the way, let us eee oes am not afraid of you, — rt_miss bas no who protected me the other ~ But as I must beg © the hospitality -of your shanty an hour or so, - have a smart child is Od ay + I am not afraid to shoot if you make any 2

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- 12 Sierra Sam, the Detective. , et derstand each other. It may as well be now as another time. You are the one the McGurdys employed to doctor White Eagle, when, through his child’s solicitation, I paid the ranch a visit three years ago.” ** Ab! that was you, then?” “It was, I was at the time searching for Belle Swain, a noted fence and go-between_for Raoul’s eta, ee pa up near Yuma, You may as well take off your vail, since I recognize ou. The woman obeyed. t She looked no older than three years before at McGurdy’s shanty, except that there was a more hunted expression to her eyes, her mouth was firmer set, and she was possibly a trifle stouter of figure. ‘* Well, I suppose I am to look upon you as a foe?” she said, inquiringly. “Very naturally,” Sam replied, ‘“‘although I must not forget that I owe my rescue cat y to you. I found you poisoning White Hagle—I cduldn’t have much love or respect for a mur- deress, or the tool of other murderers.” **- You wrong me.” “T do not. I examined the-stuff you were giving the Handsome Half-breed—found it was aconite and destroyed it. And he—” “ Died, for all, of natural causes.” ** How do you know that he died?” ‘Tt matters not. Iam not going to be made a claim for others to work and get rich from.” ’ Sam resumed his seat and was silent for sev- eral minttes. The woman doctor did likewise. ‘You were set on, in your attempt on White Eagle’s life, by the Carlyles?’? he remarked ly, more positively than interrogatively. “T decline to answer. White Eagle still lives, in the opinion of some—others believe that. ‘he is dead. The secret lies in your possession.” ‘You are ie I have no knowledge as to whether the chief lives or not. That his child - lives, however, I am almost certain, and [am the one that wants her,” ~ “Probably. There are several in the field _ with a similar desire. But the child is not alone all that is sought for, There is a little iron box containing the secret of White Eagle’s buried fortune. here is it? It disappeared from the shanty of the McGurdys about the same time that you did.” “Pll give five thousand for the possession of it,” Sam, asserted. ‘‘I lost it with the child. Both were stolen from me one night in camp on mid-prairie when I was asleep.” * And zon never got on track of the thieves?” “Oh! that is a matter of my own, I expect to find the child and the box soon, and baffle you and the Carlyles.” $* How do you know but what I am working in behalf of White Eagile’s interests?” * Bah! you are working for pecuniary gain— that’s patent! You propose to put forward Little Luck, as she calls herself, but your scheme will never work.” = “* Why not?” ‘ _. Because there is but one living person who can ever inherit White Eagle’s wealth while _ Sierra Sam lives, Tl fight a hundred schemin devils, before Pll see the rights of little Idy _ Tmbrie usurped, I guess the pursuit is about | Lynn by name, who, aS aR Fe ge I aN pn Fa te nnn Se over, and I'll take advantage of the Jull to make* my escape intéthe mountains.” _‘*Hold on! Do not hurry! I have a proposi~ tion to make to you.” * Be brief, then!» It must indeed be a strong argument that can induce me to be influenced by the voice of a murderess.” “Stop! I will not stand that! I am no mur- deressf! White Ragle left the McGurdy shanty alive, That is alll know about it. My propo- sition is this: Marry me, Sierra Sam, to Clio Carlyle’s betrothed, and establish Little Luck as White Eagle’s child and heir, and I will, in- side of ten days, place in your hands the secret of the hiding-place of the iron box containing the key to White Hagle’s buried treasure.” Sierra Sam looked astonished. “J should certainly do nothing of the kind,” he replied., ‘‘If you have a match to make, make it yourself. Little Luck is not Whi Eagle’s child, and she shall not inherit any wealth he may have left bebind.” He turned as he spoke, and strode to the door; when he finished, he opened the door and left the shanty. ‘ The “ Doctor” followed him to the door. “Tam merciful, or I should yet give you up to those who seek you!” she cried out after him. “T may, however, conclude to change my plans, and marry you instead of Clio Carlyle’s choice. So, aw revoir.” c ; Sierra Sam did not reply, but hurried rapidly away out of the town, The woman was an enigma to him; he knew he was destined to have trouble with her yet. The “Doctor” had not spoken falsely when she said that rewards would be offered for the capture of Sierra Sam. A grand pow-wow was held by the citizens, and sums voted, and, asa result, a reward of five hundred dollars was offered. Several placards were fixed up and posted about the town, viz: « $500 REWARD! “The above reward will be paid to the person or pens who captures the escaped outlaw answering the name of Sierra Sam, and delivers him up to the custody of the citizens of Fairy Flats, alive. ; “By order of Tae Commrrren.” A Vigilance Committee was at once organ- oe and Idaho, the gambler, was made the chief. He was a bold; reckless fellow of the devil- may-care type, and professed great prowess as a man-hunter “sharp,” and very naturally, after his confirmation as chief of the Vigilantes, he set himself up as Fairy Flats’ principal per-’ sonage. Idaho was a great villain, no doubt, but he was none the less a polished gentleman when he ose so to be, and formed female acquaintances with the ease and certainty of a natural born “‘masher.” + It was not to be wondered at, therefore, that he had not been in the little mining metropolis — a week before he had formed a very agreeable pequatneace with Miss Clio Carlyle. his fact came to the notice of a very stately — : mea tonias Mr. Bayard — by the way, constituted CREM its Neogene hia and austere-lookin;

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eet one of the Carlyle party stopping at the hotel, and’so Mr. Lynn called the attention of David Carlyle to the fact in rather a remonstrating way. ‘You see, it’s rather ceicedly unpleasant to me, who have been courting Miss Clio these several years, and following her wherever she went, awaiting for ber to name our marriage- day,” Lynn concluded. “ Pshaw! don’t become jealous sosoon, Lynn,” the ex-government official answred, patting the New-Yorker upon the shoulder, ‘* You know my girl worships the ground yo walk on, and the only cause for her putting off the ceremony _is her exceeding timidness and ill-health, But oak she has solemnly promised me that she will marry you before we leave Fairy Flats, which will be as soon as she feels a little stronger from contactwith this bracing mountain air. As to this Idaho, he is merely a speaking: ac- quaintance, and Ill see that-Clio cuts him off from her list,” This appeased Lynn for the time being, but did not end the matter, as theelder Carlyle had promised, For that night, as he was coming up the street, be saw a sight that warmed his aris- tocratic blood: to a boiling point—something un- usual to his sluggish temperament. , band was playing in front of the Cosmo- “politan, and upon the veranda, or rather, bal- cony, overlooking the street, were Clio Carlyle and Idaho, leaning against the railing and chatting, wltile they watched the crowd below, The sight of them, taking evident pleasure in each other’s society was enough to drive ’most any lover into a fit of jealousy, for Clio Carlyle was certainly a great beauty. She was possessed of a stately, willowy figure, of exquisite grace; her face and complexign were of rare beauty; her eyes were soft brown and lustrous; her mouth wore by habit a most winning expression; her luxuriant hair matched well with her complexion and eyes. Rich and artistic attire and jewelry, too, added to her personal appearance, with more than ordinary effect. Bayard Lynn uttered an exasperated ejacula- tion as he saw the dark-faced, oily-tongued . gambler bending close toward Miss Carlyle, in familiar converse. ’ “Confound the infernal rascal,” ho gritted, seizing his serviceable walking-stick in a firmer grasp. ‘‘T'll teach him not to mtrude upon my personal rights!” % He entered the hotel, rushed up the stairs, and out upon the balcony, like a madman. Idaho was saying sentimental] nothings to Miss Carlyle, when he received a stingifig rap beside the head, was suddenly lifted and pitched over the railing, while Miss Carlyle found her wrist ie suddenly in the vise-like grasp. of Bayard nn. x So you have concluded to intersperse my dé- votions to you with a gambler’s sleek-tongued flattery, eh?” he ejaculated, fiercely. She uttered a cry of pain, and tried to release herself, but bis grasp was as obdurate,as bis face was stern. “Oh! Barry! Barry!” she cried, “how can ee be so rude! You know I care for no one at Y ou} oS : { - ~ ae ~ Sierra Sam, the Detective. | “Tt shall be put off no longer. Flats, and as there was nothing hostile about \the campers, he made up his mind to try and _ Keno Kate, however, was now attired is = | “Tt looks like it, 1 must admit, to see you acting the baleony scene from Romeo and Juliet, moonlight, and even a brass band thrown in, free of charge.” ‘ She grew pale, as he released his hold, and threw herself in his arms, ! “Oh! Barry! Barry! you are wrong—ter ribly wreng! That man was but a stranger to me; in fact, I have never spoken to him Over - half a dozen times. Oh! Barry, I do not care for him—for no one in this wide world but you. EGiy ““Then, why do you keep putting off our marriage?” he demanded, 2 I know I have kept you waiting, and you have been very patient, One week from to-night, I will become your wife,’” ‘* And you will promise not to have any more interviews with this infernal rascal, Idaho!” **O/ course I will!” He kissed iér then, and they turned to enter thé hotel. : Just as they did so, a colored man came out. and met them—a grinning African who was usually employed™as porter around the hotel. ‘Well, what do you want?” Lynn demanded, surlily, hating to have his Romeo-and-Juliet scene broken in upon. ‘Tf you please, boss, byer’s de paper w’at Massa Idaho sed I was to fotch you,” the colored gent replied, thrusting a note into the New-Yorker’s hand, and skurrying away. Lynn tore open the note, savagely, anticipat- ing what the contents would be. Written in a rapid, yervous hand, the note was as follows: ie **Loarrr Lynn:—Your cowardly assault proves that ward and sneak, andif you dare, I challenge you to to come down into the street and fight. If you dare not, the gang ’l) hoot you out of town as they do every low- ou are a miserable black hearted lived, ill bred cur, of your stamp) Presuming you have some spunk and honor, if small in amount, “T am yours disgustedly, : “Tpano!” Mr. Bayard Lynn fairly hurled Clio from him, as he finished reading, and rushed down the stairs, three steps at a time! es “CHAPTER VII. A NIGHT OF NIGHTS, A LIITLE camp-fire nestling down in tho’ depths of a little canyon, with two persons seat- ed in front of it. ; The sight was tempting enough, seeing that — : the campers were engaged in doing justice to slices of freshly-roasted deer-meat. |. , ‘Sierra Sam could not stand the temptation before, — a % am

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_ the monotony. , 14 eee eeenremncienassenreeneen aL : semi-male hunting-suit of serviceable gray cloth, consisting of top-boots, pants, a hunting- smock which reached to the knee, and was - opened with a wide collar, at the throat, and a jaunty sombrero, If anything, she looked better in this sort of attire than that peculiar to her own sex, Both Old Tree-Toad and Keno Kate arose as thé. Californian came striding into their camp. Oh! don’t be alarmed,” Sam said, laughing- ly. ‘‘ I’m neither a road-agent nor a red-skin. °m hungrier, however, than forty starved wolves, an’ the smell of your princely repast tempted me to make this rather unceremonious invasion, in hopes that I could purchase a bite of deer-meat,” " “No, siree!—ye can’t purchase a mouthful, blame you!” Old Tree-Toad said, gruffly. ‘‘’ca’se how I’ve no license ter keep hotel. _Thar’s thor haunch, howsomever; ef ye wanter help yerself, I've nary an objection.” *‘ Well, Pll not tarry, then, on ceremony,” Sam responded, seizing a knife and helping him- self forthwith, ‘ Gaing over to Fairy Flats?” ‘ Well, et kinder strikes methet we aire,” the old man replied. ‘‘S’pose you’ve no *jections ter tellin’ who you aire?” ‘*Certainly not. I hail to the snow-sugyestive pame of Sierra Sam.” > “What, you Sierra Sam?” both Tree-Toad and Keno Kate exclaimed, together, exchanging glances, “ Yes, Tam Sierra Sam. Why?? ' “Oh, nothing! We've heard of some of your detective exploits—that’s all,” Kate answePed. But Sierra Sam was not quite so sure that this was all. He had noted the exchange of glances,and read in them more than ordinary meaning. “Sence I’ve met ye, I’d like ter ax ye a few questions, baer See things in Fairy Flats,” re- marked Tree-Toad. = “Cortainly. Ask away, and I’J] endeavor to accommodate you if it lies in my power.” ‘‘T thort [’d jest inquire ef ye know’d any one thar by the name o’ Carlyle?” ere : Sierra Sam’ started, but did ne particularly show the surprise ‘he may have felt. There is such a party, in Fairy Flats, I be- lieve—David Carlyle,” he said, “That's ther man!” Old Tree-Toad muttered, looking to Keno Kate. ‘‘D’ye know whether he is settled ee eee or pot?” “T should judge not. Do you know this Car- lyle?” asked Sam. ae. “Know him? Well, I should rather chuckle, He'll know, Old Tree-Toad—that’s me, too, when I seo him!’ j There was a silence then; both Tree-Toad and Keno Kate appeared to be busy with their own et and Sam did not choose to arouse em, : It was evident tothe Californian that they were after the Carlyles. After several minutes of silenee, Sam broke J presume you have heen a resident of this country for some time, Tree-Toad,” he said, lighting his ownpipe, 3 : qe mordy! yee-nigh onter: forty’ year, now, Sierra Sam, the Detective. Sam’l. I guess I know purty nigh every blade o’ grass from Winnepeg ter Waco,” “Probably. You must have had many singu- lar adventures. Do you ever think you saw mo before?” ‘*No—don’t think I did,” “Did you ever finda man asleep upon the prairie, and steal from him a little girl, and make off with her?” Both Tree-Toad and Kate uttered exclam- ations of surprise and indignation. “T hope you do not take us for child-stealers, sir,” Keno Kate observed, her eyes flashing, while Old Tree-Toad re-echod her sentiments with a grunt, “T preferred no charge; I simply. asked the question,” Sam said, undauntedly. ‘ Youknow it is a detective’s privilege to ask questions irre- spective of persons.” é , ‘fT suppose so, Well, of course it is quite un- necessary for us to answer your question, We do not make our living by stealing, sir.” “Hvasion,’ Sam commented in his thoughts, but he said nothing further, and soon after took his departure, expressing his intention of put- ting several miles more between him and Fairy Flats before morning. Instead, however, he made a detour and re- traced his way toward the mining metropolis; but, after going a couple of miles he became convinced that he was followed, as he could quite distinctly hear the sound of footsteps in his rear. : . Who was dogging him? ~ Down _ into the office of the hotel rushed Mr. Bayard Lynn, precipitately, with “blood in his pct literally, and a savage expression of coun- mance. The object of his recent attack stood leaning against the counter, looking none the worse for his fall, except that his face betokened his anger. : Lynn rushed up to him fairly foaming with rage. , : Look tere he share ee ee nen to me a Cr @& cowar ; to insindate ench a thing?” = “T believe I endeavored to. convey such a meaning in my note to you,” the gambler re- plied, coolly. “ 1, moreover, challenged you to come down and give me satisfaction.” »‘*Then you shall have it!” Lynn roared, and | making a lunge, he hit Idaho a heavy blow in _ the face. f Though sta; ed, the man of cirds was not disconcerted, recovering from the shock, he leaped toward the New-Yorker; his white fist shot out with astonishing celerity, and down went Lynn upon his back with a suddenness only a by the gambler’s blow. ‘or a moment Lynn seemed more dead than alive, but he finally struggled to his feet. ‘*Measure off a dueling groun1,” he cried. ‘ fe ae rere revenge for this or die in the at- mipt. - “That's the way to talk,” Idaho cried, shows ing his pearly-teeth in an evil smile. ‘ Let?s adk mmediately to the open air, gents,” urnoment was cle bintanler: Be >

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Sierra Sam, the Detective. It does mt take the average “crowd” in a mining setthment long to “adjourn” to any given place “hen a fracas of any sort is im- pending. 3 Out into the street surged the crowd, to be greene, by axother element already outside, und in a jiffy the middle of the street was cleared, and thirty paces measured off, ‘‘ Gents, aire thx hyer to be fer fun or fune- ral?” an old white-haired, long-bearded chap Jusked, fen foryard—a man whose tattered ‘garb and hatless head caused him to look not unlike Rip Van Winkle after his alleged sleep of twenty years, ‘*¥or funeral, of course!” roared Lyun. ‘* When I am insulted, I figbt in earnest.” ‘‘ Ditto here!” Idaho reported. ‘Bully spunk, gents! Durn my old white hairs, ef I don’t admire it. But, boyees, I’m an older pilgrim than ye, an’I wanter argy thet you’d better ask fergiveness fer all-yer sins afore et’s tew late, Fer ther man who doan’t git killed ain’t no better nor he w’at’s kilt, fer I shal] challenge him to fight'wi’ me.” ‘“Who may you be?” Idaho demanded. ‘ Bet-. ter shet up, or you'll git popped over instanter. This is our sociable, not yours.” “Ken’t help thet. I’ve gota lip, an’ a right _ ter use it. ie name’s Dyspepsia Jim, from Twin Butte, an’ I kin shute straighter, preach a better sarmon an’ drink more inches o’ bug- juice than any other two-legged biped that evyer chawed b’ar-meat. So neow, gents, ef yell git ready, Pll see thet this hyer dissolution o'’arthly ties is properly conducted.” As no one volunteered to act fur the oppo- nents, Dyspepsia Jim bad the self-imposed honor all to himself, without interference. The two men took positions facing each other, each armed with a cocked revolver. Idaho looked as calm and self-possessed as though he were going to engage in a gaine of ball; but Lynn was flushed with anger, and seemed exceedingly nervous. . The crowd that lined either side of the street, stood with bated breath; it was a scene they appreciated to the full extent of their rugged = Brat ts!” Dyspepsia Jim ordered ace up, gents!” Dyspepsia Jim ordered, “'T shall prereily ree. out, ‘ Bucher, poker, leeno. When I say keno, shoot.” Up came the duelists’ weapons to a level. “All ready!” warned the white-haired dele- gate. ‘ Eucher! poker! keno !” ng! Two jets of flame leaped forth trom the wea- pons, tke reports of ich were simultaneous, With a groan, Bayard Lynn fell to the ground, his band pressed upon his bosom, A woman’s scream rung out just then; it didn’t come from the baleony of the Cosmopoli- in. . ~~ A male-clad figure, of feminine outline, darted from one side of tbe street, and in a moment “more was kneeling beside the fallen man. “Ob, Barry! Barry!” she cried, and then burst into a passionate fit_of weeping. This person was Keno Kate! _ Dyspepsia Jim Soenrst Bett moment in great _ surprise, as if the sight gave him more than an “Oh, he ain’t dead, gal!” he said. ‘ Don’t ery fur nothin’.” 5 He turned then and faced Idaho. / “We shall have to fight this out, Idaho,” he said, his eyes roving along the side of the street, as he spoke. % ‘ He gave a violent start then, as he beheld a woman standing upon a knoll, just back of the line of spectators; in her hand was a leveled revolver, The revolver was leveled in the direction of es Kate! Hee yspepsia ‘Ss arm went w modic jerk, and the gold-pla‘ hand spoke forth spitefully. . Another scream pealed out upon the night, and the arm of the woman on the knoll to her side, shattered at the wrist. « Just then a riderless horse came dashing down the street. As it was passing, Dyspepsia Jim vaulted into the saddle, gave vent to a wild, sarcastic yell of weapon in his laughter, and dashed away, soon disappearing _ from view behind a turn in the street. , By a. sudden change of mind, he had evident- Oe ang not to engage in a’ duel with Mr, aho. CHAPTER VIII. A CAS# OF BRAIN FEVER, AND—‘‘ OH, GEORGE!” THE woman who had fallen over on the knoll, was the ‘‘ Doctor.” > Several who had chanced to see her fall, ran over to her, more out of curiosity than sym- pathy. She was vailed, as usual, and arose to a, sit- ting posture. *“Go away! go away!” she cried, imperiously, binding up her sbattered,- bleeding wrist in a pocket-handkerchief. ‘I do not want any of your assistance. I"can attend to myself.” ~ Several] turned away at this decided rebuff. Not so with the gambler, Idaho, however. “Well, scorch my eyes!” he gasped, in aston- ishment, ‘‘ Is it possible this is you, Clennie?” She started—it might have been at his sudden- ness of speech. : ‘Were you addressing me, sir?’ she snapped back, “‘for if you were, you are evidently off your reckoning.” ‘Oh! is that possible? Well, excuse me, then. T really took 13 to be a former friend of mine named Clennie!” And Mr. Idaho walked away toward the hotel, a peculiar expression upon his face. ‘*T wonder if she takes me fora ool poe tered. “Asif I didn’t know that voice Keno Kate was still kneeling beside Bayard Lynn, who had fainted, and was sobbing as if her heart would break. | : She evidently supposed the New- Yorker was dead; at least she refused to listen to one of the ea who argued that “it wasn’t no use ter awl. : David periye came out upon the balcony of the Cosmopolitan, where Clio was _ leanin against the railing, pale and wild-eyed. She nodded her head. . “ aero . a6 ~ with a spas- os et “Have you been taking in the tableau dow? yonder?” he cp avy bed Oe : :

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26 ‘Lynn is a fool!” Carlyle said. ‘I don’t see how he dared tackle the gambler. By the way, if T ever see you talking with that puppy again, Pil kill you both!” } “You and Mr. Idaho were probably acquaint- ed inthe ng ! Clio criéd, rather fiercely. ‘Yes; [ have had the honor of meeting the gent once before, Ho isno company for you; besides, you owe your time and attention to Lynn,” with a frown, ; “T am-not so sure of that. He evidently has another claimant ta his attention, judging b yonder spectacle. ‘Vho is that woman, in male attire?” ze don’t know; some wandering crank, Ab! see! t ; A man was seen rushing toward where Keno Kate was crying, beside Lynn. The man was Old Tree-Toad. He reached her side, caught her by one arm and forced her to rise to her feet. “ Kate! Kate!’ he cried, shaking her, ** What a’ye mean, ye foolish child?” , “Take me where I can lie down!” Kate gasped, clutching at the air, and then going off into a Swoon, ~ A miner immediately stepped forward, and of- fered the hospitality of his shanty, nearat hand, and Kate was raised, and carried toward it by Old Tree-Toad, : Other hands raised Bayard Lynn, and convey- ed him to the hotel. Mrs, ‘“‘ Doctor” arose from the knoll, and walked away toward her own domicile, quietly, despite the pain in her wrist. - Thus ended that night’s tragic street scene! Mr. Bayard Lynn was not badly wounded, and promised to be around in a few days, The bullet had cut a’‘channel across his breast buf had done no serious damage, ~ Miss Carlyle was an efficent nursé¥and did not neglect him for a minute, which was so agreeable to Lynn’s ideas of true devotion that he quite forgot his rival, Mr. Idaho. eno Kate fared not so well as the man she had wept over. When she awoke from the swoon, she was de- pens and rapidly developed symptoms of brain ever, Old Tree-Toad was alarmed, and foreseeing trouble, rented the miner’s shanty, and prepared to make the best of the situation. : . The miner’s wife supplied Kate with proper garments, and she was put to bed, and a doctor at once sent for. . He came, administered sedatives, and then de- pirted, promising to call again. ‘ Several days passed, but Kate grew worse in- stead of better, and was constantly deliriohs and burning up with fever. — i One night, Old Tree-Toad. heard a rap at the door, which he opened, to find Dyspepsia Jim standing without. “Evenin’ to ye!” James accosted, doffing his hat. ‘‘I heerd yer gal war bad off, an’ tho’t ’'d drap down, av’ see ef ye hey any jections o’ my e takin’ a luk at her. 3 le Ser, un’ my name’s Dyspepsia Jim. -“‘PreeToad had heard tallsed I'm suthin’ 0’ a doctor, my- |- of, in con- Sierra Sam, the Detective. ST nection with the duel; he looked th mar over’, keenly, and then admitted him. : After a few remarks, Dyspepsia Jim went and seated himself at the bedsxe and felt the girl’s pulse, . “ ‘““Bad!” he said, with a nod to Tree-Toad. “Tf permitted to rage until ths ninth day, the fever will use her up. If ye want, I kin fetch her around, natteral, inside o’ three days.” *“*T reckon ye don’t kno’ no-more than the doctor,” Tree-Toad grunted. 3 ‘Perhaps not, though I kin do what I say. Shall I consider myself engaged?” ‘“No. Let the gal alone, She'll come aroun! all right arter the fever has its run.” ‘Afraid not—afraid not!” Dyspepsia mut~ tered, rising to depart. “Do as ye like, tho’.” He took his leave with a strange head-shake. He had not been gone long when another rap canie, and this time, when Old Tree-Toad opened the door, Mr, Bayard Lynn stepped into the shanty. _ The old scout uttered a growl at sight of him. “Pshaw! Curb yourirascible temper,” Lynn said, ‘There is noneed of our being enemies.” “No need!” Tree-Toad echoed, his visage darkening with a frown. ‘‘ What brings you here, man? Would ye mock ther gal’s misery?” ‘T came to see Kate!” Lynn answered, going toward the ide. ‘‘ I remember of her com- ing to me just before I fainted—so when I got able to get about to-night, I came to see her.” He went over to the bedside and gazed down at the sick girl, his face the scene of many con- flicting emotions. “Why did you come here?” Lynn demanded, turning away finally, and dropping into a chair. ‘‘ Was it because you thought to find me here?” ; “We come yee fer a ie cea Tree-Toad responded. ‘‘T knew you was heer, but I didn’t think Kate did, or I shouldn’t ’a’ come. a sin ter hey her see you again.” “Poor child! I ani sorry myself.” “ You sorry!” the old man _ hissed, his hands shutting, and his eyes burning with a strange fire. ‘*What care you, devil that ye aire? Ye won ther gal’s innocent young heart, an’ then yedesarted her. Cuss ye, Lynn, I’ve a notion to throttle ye right here!” Tbe New-Yorker grew a shade whiter, “Pshaw! man; you might know I never meant that little courtship at your cabin, four yeafs ago. [was out ona lark then, and to in- dulge in a bit of romance like that was simply recreation.” “Fine recreation, wasn’t it, to win an honest ee love, and her promise of marriage, only to eartlessly desert her?’ Tree-Toad sneered, sav- agely. ‘* You'll find out you ain’t through with this matter yet, by a long shot.” “What do you.mean, man?” 3 “Just what I tell ye. Ye ain’ thru wi’ ther matter yet, Ye'll find thet. ther gal ain’t so easily trifled with.” {t war “Bah! she had better keep her peace, I can never be anything to her, and she need not come sniveling around after me.” “Humph! Don’t- worry! She'll never ask ye to care for her. she gets well.” ae Revenge will be her motive #

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s Sierra Sam, the Detective. ~ ‘ew “Oh, well, we'll look to it that she does not trouble any one!” Lynn returned, with a sarcas- tic laugh, as he turned and left the shanty. A couple of more days rolled by: Fairy Flats was still in a state of feverish ex- citement. : The escape of Sierra Sam had not improved matters, as regarded the mystery which over- Aung the little metropolis. The mystery still remained. The startling imprints of the bloody boots were daily found in one portion of the town or another—always where the ground or rock was bare, so that they would show distinctly, and generally about a dozen tracks, ending close to where they had begun, leaving no clew to the hiding-place of the owner. Other footprints, unstained, generally Jed from the spot to some adjacent place where the trail could be lost among grass or bushes, On two occasions, within as many days, the same mysterious imprints had been found upon the floor of the Miner's Rest, much to the in- |_ creased horror and uneasiness of the habitues of that resort. Suspicion was centered upon several different strange characters, but nothing could be proved ngainst them, : ) ut, at last, the Vigilantes became suspicious of & recent new-comer to the town, whose move- ments were not above suspicion, and who gave his name as George Gerald. He spent nearly all his time at the gaming- table; but when-not there he never could be found about the settlement, which fact, in a measure gave rise to the suspicion against him. One evening, as Gerald was seated at Idaho's table, playing a game of poker, the saloon door opened, and a miner rushed in, ‘More bloody footprints!” he cried, in a loud voice. “Yes, hyar they aire, leadin’ right in- ter the shebang!” All was excitement in an instant, and the oc- cupants of the saloon crowded toward the door, with drawn revolvers and fierce cries, as though they were setting forth to encounter a small army instead of a few bloody footprints. The miner had not lied; the prints were upon the door-sill, on the steps outside, and jug within the saloon upon the floor—a dozen im- prints of a bloody boot, the whole shape of the sole and heel showing! : The impression had not been there many min-. utes either—for the crimson stain was fresh upon the floor! Who had left the strange marks? That was the query plainly expressed upon the faces of those who stood staring at the tracks and at each other. ‘* Boyees,” Johnson exclaimed, “ther feller who trod in them tracks aire in this room, and now I swear et’s our duty to not let the owner leave the shebang alive. All in favor 0’ that motion make mauifest by saying I!” A tremendous shout of ‘‘I!” went up. No stronger verdict of the sentiments of the rough audience need have been given. “ {reckon our eyes hev all bin open, fellers!” pursued Johnson, ‘‘an’ we've formed opinions accordingly. S’picion is particularly against one man, an’ t aire pilgrim’s now in this room. "Tain’t no use ter argy or parley_wi’ matters.o’ this stamp; I say, let’s nab the galoot an’ string him up ter ther big oak in front o! the Miner’s Rest!” * Hurra! hurra!” shouted the crowd. They turned and glared toward the card- table, where George the game with Idaho, Then they rushed upon him with vengeful cries, seized him, and dragged him out of the saloon, ‘ Poor Gerald! It was alla rat es to him; he was too thor- oughly astounded to give utterance to protest. ut into the busy night scene of the young city was he hustled, to a position neath the spreading branches of the old oak; a halter thrown-around the stoutest branch, and then, een of it Was noosed about the victim’s neck, ‘For God’s sake, men!” Gerald managed to gasp—‘‘ what do you mean?” “You'll find out,” roared Johnson, ‘ you'll find out! We'll see ef ye kin make any blood tracks in thér air. Git ready, boyees—when say ther word, give the cuss a h’ist!” “Stop! stop! I protest against this out-— nage i? F t was @ woman's voice that spoke; the words © were uttered in a piercing shriek, and the next instant Clio Carlyle dashed in upon'the scene, hatless, and her hair streaming in a disheveled mass, ‘ “Stop! Icommand you!” she cried, flourish- ing a revolver; then she threw herself forward at Gerald’s feet, and seized hold of bim, as if to prevent the execution. ‘ “Oh! George! George!” she cried, bursting into a paroxysm of sobs!’ CHAPTER [X. THE MAN WHO LAUGHED, Iv wasa scene of an unusual character—the men of Fairy Flats knew not hardly how to un- derstand it all. But if the would-be lynchers were surprised at the sudden interference of Miss Clio Carlyle their surprise was evidently no greater than that : of George Gerald ‘ He gazed down at the woman at his feet, a strange unforgiving expression coming over his face, a revengeful glitter in his eyes, 17 rald still sat, engaged in “ Arise, lady!” bo said, rather sternly. “There is no need of this scene!” “Oh! George! Oh! George!—forgive me, and — 3 do not send me away!” clinging the closer to him. ‘Ay! I will turn you away, as you did me!” Gerald cried, bitterly—“ then our accounts will be-settled. Go! Away with you to your rich New York lover, who maybe wants you!” iss Carlyle sobbed, — He stooped, raised her to her feet, and pushed « her away from him. P Understanding bis desire, a couple of miners ier tow: the e took her by the arm and led hotel, whither she went like a creature dazed. — ; “‘Gentlemen, if you propose to hang me for’ something I fail to understand, you had better é : roceed to business before there is any further interference.” Gerald spoke with reckless coolness, now; =

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is es since the interview with Miss Carlyle, he seemed to have undergone a great change. “Ves, boyees, git ready,” Johnson command- ed, ‘When I yell three, give Mr. Bloody Boots a boost!” ‘Stop! he who pul a finger’s weight upon that rope, is a dead man!” Stern and commanding rung the order, and all eyes turned in the direction whence came the command, But they looked in vain. Nowhere was the owner of the voice to be seen. “Stop!” came the order again, a minute later. “Tt is Sierra Sam who speaks, and his aim never fails.” ‘“Ba-a-ah!” returned the man, Johnson. “You cannot frighten us out of our vengeance, Get ready, boyees—one, two, three! The rooster crows, and away she goes!” And up into mid-air swung Mr, Gerald; Bang! bang! bang! Three times a rifle spoke, spitefully, and ‘in rapid succession. One bullet struck Johnson, the leader of the lynch picnic, a second cut the rope that sus- pended George Gerald in-mid-air, and the third struck one of the men who had pulled on the rope. _ Gerald dropped lightly to his feet, and taking ' advantage.of the confusion, made a desperate run for liberty, and succeeded in escaping around the corner of an adjacent building ere he could receive any harm from the several pistol- shots fired after him. ‘Ha! ha! ha! for once score three for Sierra. Sam!” cried the voice of the unseen detective. **Yowll find before Sam’l gets through wi’ ye, _ meno’ Fairy Flats, that you took sides against the wrong man. Hurrah for Bloody Boots!” A rash was made by the infuriated miners in the direction whence came the tones, but a - scouring search failed to discover the dauntless _ detective. He had come and gone with scarcely less : ee a than the terrible owner of the bloody ots, _ Moses Isaacs was a man who always hada ‘snug sum of money about him, and yet never had any trouble thereat, for road-agents were a , super nalty as yet unknown in and about Fairy. _ Flats. The night following that of Gerald’s escape from lynch Jaw; the wily Jew was returnin, from a periodical nocturnal visit to Shangha: Camp, when a calamity befell him that he had no idea of encountering, He was riding along through a lonely moun- tain pass, when his horse was jerked suddenly back upon its haunches, and Isaacs found him- ae peaptehal upon his back on the hard gulch m, Before he could arise, a half-dozen masked men sprung upon him and bound his hands; ' then be was placed upon his feet, and marched off up a side ravine, “Shents, I dells you you haff got der _wron man!” he protested, in vigorous tones, ‘* I don'd vas der feller you vant, at all!” ; The outlaws made no reply, nor did they pay Sierra Sam, the Detective. any attention to the Jew’s gabble, but marched him along, maintaining a grim silence, In a few minutes a camp-fire was reached in the ravine, where another road-agent evidently was awaiting the arrival of the others, Isaacs was summarily bound to a tree, near at hand, after which the outlaw at the camp- ates Ae apparently was the captain, came for- w ard. ‘Well, Dutchy, how do you feel?” he asked in a seomingly feminine voice, ‘‘Shimminy, but I feel vorse.ash bad. I haff a pig pain mit mine heart; so uff you vill blease let me go back to Fairy Flats, I vill be your un- cle ash long ash vot Iliff!” Isaacs groaned. “Hal hal Pretty good of you, garlics; but you see we've got some important biz with you before we turn you loose to graze. If you whack up what information we want, so 1 “Tf you don’t, we're goin’ to skin you alive,” put in another, “T haff no information; I don’t vas knows BOTOMEs. Thaff noddings you vant,” declared saacs, ‘©Oh, yes, you have. Here's a roll of g. b.’s,” the captain said, taking a huge wad of n-" backs from, Isaac’s vest pocket. ‘‘ That will help along our benevolent association amazingly. And now, let’s get down to business, Do you know such a person as David Carlyle?” ‘Nix! Neffer heard uff dot veller.” ‘ That’s one lie. Did you ever hear of White Hagle, the half-breed ?” te Bias Hs so nee ses " wo lies, _Do you know anything in regard to a certain little iron safe box, Isaacs?” ** Noddings.” ‘““Pshaw! don’t be a fool, Isaacs, and try to play off,-for it won’t work on us. You know the secret of where that little iron box is, and you may as well tellus and done with it, and save yourself trouble.” » ‘* Fdells you I don’d vas know noddings aboud such a box,” Isaacs reiterated. “Stop lying! I am positive you know where the box is, or else have il in your possession, | and [ll kill you but what you sball tell me.” “Gott in Himmel! I dells you der druth und noddings else. I don’d know vot you mean, I don’d know anydings. apoud a box.” “We'll see,” the outlaw captain cried, ‘‘ Boys, take off his shoes and tickle his feet. If that don’t fetch him to time, we'll cut off his toes.” , Acting according to orders, the men prompt- ly proceeded to take off the Jew’s shoes and stockings, and he was.also bound higher up the tree, so that his feet did not touch the ground. Then one road-agent took charge of each foot and began to tickle the bottom of it, while the others attacked the other ticklish parts of the body in a like manner, : A broad grin began to illuminate Isaacs’s countenance, and he squirmed like an eel; but if was no use, as there was no escaping from the custody of the strong confining lariats. from a provoked grin, Isaacs burst into a ruar of irrepressible laughter that made the mountain echoes ring—a laugh incessant, which, though merry to hear, was caused by excruci- ating torture to him—torture so great that ina few moments he fainted dead away. 3

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“~ CASES “Sierra Sam, the Detective. ee “That'll do,” the captain said, ‘*Get some water and fetch him to,” The water was procured and dashed into Isaacs’s face in a liberal quantity, and bad the ffect of soon restoring him to consciousness, * Well, what's your answer now, Dutchy?” ithe captain demanded, griraly. “Noddings?” Isaacs declared, stoutly. ‘I dell you go to der duyfel!” ‘““Yowre a bad patient, and we shall have to doctor you, then.’ No, 3, take your knife and cut off the five toes of the left foot.” Isaacs grew pale and groaned. ‘ No, 8 drew a keen-edged knife and “knelt be- fore the victim. But he was never permitted to do the bloody work the outlaw chief had directed, for there came a yell—a clatter of horses’ feet; then a fusilade of pistol-sbots, which dropped four of the outlaws, including the man of the knife, and a horseman came dashing down upon the scene with a vengeful yell. Astonished and alarmed, the three remaining outlaws took to their heels and fled from the spot as swiftly as possible, succeeding in mak- ing good their escape. A moment later Sierra Sam dashed up to where Isaacs was confined, and dismounted. A glance at the outlaws showed him that they were unable to commit further earthly sin, He then turned to Isaacs, whose face lighted up: Bladly when he saw who it was. ~ “Well, Isaacs, didn’t I tell you your head was too thick to keep you out of trouble?’ Sam accosted. ‘ ‘“Yesh, dot wasso. Ineffer doubt you any -more, Sammy, if you yoost vill set me free,” ‘Why, ain’t you happy, Isaacs? I saw you laughing a, bit ago.” **Dunder and plitzen! dey vas dicklin’ mine feet mit der bottoms like I couldn’t stand it. I dink I vas die mit all dot laugh!” : “Well, I think I enjoyed it ata distance fully as much as you did. 1 never knew a shylock could laugh before.” “Vel, dot don’d matter. I vant to get free.” “Maybe youdo, What do you say to goiag in partnership with me now to ferret out this matter of the missing box and the lost heir of White Eagle?” Isaacs looked grim. “T don’d vas know apoud dot. I haff got an pide Sea already.” So Lam aware; but, let me inform you that. my position as a detective gives me authority to arrest all murderers!” J vas no murderer,” ington’s. eherty-tree.- # rm vate : sere Fenians ! covery that she was not there. Igiff up der, gase und go in snucks mit you. Yaw, dot ish yoost vot I do, By, blitzen.” ; “Allright. Its settled, then. You are not to let Carlyle know but what you are faithful to ie and Vil have bis neck in a noose before ong. = - : Sierra Sam then released the Jew, and they both mounted the detective’s horse and started off for Fairy Flats. — About the same hours of the same arene Mr. Bayard Lynn rapped at the door of Davi Carlyle’s private room at the Cosmopolitan, and then entered without awaiting an. answer to the summons, to find the Washingtonian \_ seated in a comfortable chair, smoking. ; = An! you, Lynn! What's the news? Take a “Well, I’ve just been figuring up matters to see how [I stand,” Lynn replied. ‘My papers and accounts show that I’ve lent you just five thousand dollars since leaving Washington.” **So much? Oh, well, that’s trifling. As soon as I am in poasession of my share of my English inheritance, we'll settle up. Undoubtedly I shall find a letter of credit for the amount on my re- turn to Washington.” L “Well, of course ’m in no particular hurry; but then this isn’t all, by any means.” “Tsn’t all?” : _“*No. The noteT signed with you in Wasb- ington, to help you get money to hush up that — Government swindle affair, is long overdue, a letter advises we, and having gone to protest, discovers your property to be mortgaged for its full valus to one naturalized Indian named White Eagle. Consequently, a levy has \been — made upon my Baltimore personal ay for ae amount—ten thousand dollars, e, isn’t 1 $ * “Bad!” Carlyle admitted, anxiously. “I ex- pected fo get my inheritance before this, you snow— 3 ay “That don’t help matters now. I’ve risked alll canon you, until something’s done. [’ye © — partly made up my mind tocutloosefrom you _ and fics daughter altogether. There is only — one thing that shall deter;me!” S “ That is—” “Miss Carlyle must become my wife at once —to-night. If not, to-morrow I pack off for New York!” es David Carlyle smothered a groan, and aros@ =~ to his feet with a white but resolute face, a **Clio shall marry you to-night!” he said,ina . husky voice, : . CHAPTER X. Bee CLIO CARLYLE’S STRANGE STORY, — ~ Burt the marriage was destined not to come — off that night. Upon going to Miss Carlyle’s room, the ex-government official made the dis- Her wraps were also gone, proving that she was out of doors, ‘ eae “Where in the world can she have goneat night?” he muttered, in alarm. ‘Perhaps to clandestinely meet the accursed gambler, Idaho. This must be kept from Lynn.? 5 He went back and found the New-Yorker, _ “Tt is all right,” the announced. ‘She = i

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20 Sierra Sam, the Detective. be ready within an hour, as soon as she can fix herself. So, while you prepare yourself, ll run out and see whatcan be scared up in the way of a minister.” Somewhat appeased at the prospect of the early consummation of his fondest desires, Lynn betvuok himself to his room to prepare for the nuptials. A little while earlier, the same evening, Dys- pepsia Jim, the man of the snow-white hair and beard, left the shanty of Moses Isaacs and hur- ried through the town, taking a route in the rear of'the cabins that lined the main street, Like a shadow & woman emerged from behind a cabin and followed his footsteps, keeping at a safe distance behind him, _+ A short walk brought Dyspepsia, Jim to an old shanty which had been somewhat scorched ' with fire, and only the front part of which was habitable, . He opened the door and entered—the woman, who was by this time close to his*heels, entered also, ere he could close the door. Consequet:tly, when they came face to face within the dimly-lighted room, Dyspepsia Jim ‘gave a start of astonishment. “Hello!” he ejaculated; “how'd ye come here, marm?” ““T came in directly behind you, sir,” Miss Clio Carlyle said, for it was indeed she who had dogged the old man’s footsteps. “Ye did?’ Dyspepsia grunted. ‘‘ Waal, I reckon my ears ain’t so peert as they used to be. Besides, 1 war hevyjn’a deep think as I came hyar. What might you want, marm?” ‘¢ Sit down and I will tell you,,sir,” Miss Car- lyle answered, sinking into a chair. ‘“‘I have come here to appeal to your humanity.” ‘* Well, marm, go ahead,” he said, taking a fresh cigar from his pocket and lighting it with the blaze of the candle. ‘I’m open ter heer ony propositions or appeals thet ye want ter make, 7 Please drop that rough sort of language and take off your disguise then, know you are’ Sierra Sam, and prefer to talk with you as you are—not as Pb appear.” Tho Californian uttered a laugh, as he took off the wig and false beard, and a pleasant ex- pression was upon his handsome face, “T-was not aware that my disguise had yet been penetrated,” he said. ‘ In what way shall I consider myself at your service, Mrs, White Eagle Imbrie?” - Clio Carlyle’s face flushed, but she bore no appearance of anger. “Yes, IT am Mrs, Imbrie, and I am not ashamed of it. Would to God, sir, my hus- _ band were alive to protect me from my perse- _ eutors!” Sierra Sam e7ed the woman in astonishment, _ “T do not understand you,” he said. ‘*No, I am aware that you don’t. Only the One Above understands me,,as I am. You be- lieve me to be a bad, scheming woman, sir, whose sole ambition it is to destroy the proofs of my former marriage, that I may be free to wed aya Lynn. Tell me—is this not so?” _‘“ Weil, I reckon you're pretty near right in Sam responded, knocking the.| matter,” ashes from his cigar, and wondering what she was diiving at. “So you may think, but you are wrong— grossly wrong, sir. Ido not seek my child, ex- cept as a mother. Mr. Slocum, I know you are ‘a detective, and consequently, a man of the world whose business it is to look with suspicion on every one. That is a characteristic of your profession. But, will you believe me when I tell you that [ am innocent of all wrong you be- lieve me guilty of?” “Hardly. Lamin duty bound to believe the words of a dying man, in preference to those of. a living woman,”Sam declared promptly and decidedly. - i “Oh! would to Heaven that I could convince you how wrong you ‘are, and enlist your“sym- pathy, in my behalf. At the risk of my life have I broken away from my captors, to-night, to_come to you for this purpose, Hear me swear, sir, by all I hold sacred, that I am inno- cent!” “T am afraid you have selected rather a poor court for your appeal,” was Sam’s discouragin; answer. ‘‘ Still, even rocks have been move by prayer, the Holy Writ tells us. If youare so innocent as you would have me believe, perhaps you will have no objections to answering some questions,” ‘ “Certainly not. I anticipate what you would ask—I shall be only too glad to answer!” ‘* Well, to start with, you legally wedded the half-breed, White Eagle, did you not?” “fT did, lam proud to own it!” “What was the motive, you being a cultured lady of high social standing, and he siniply a ene unpolished borderman?” ~~ 2 *T had no selfish motive; I fellin love with him, and married him for himself, and not for his money, as you imagine,” “ Are you willing to solemnly swear to the truth of this assertion?” : ‘** Yes, a hundred times, if necessary.” “Then, why did you desert him?” ‘Because I was forced to. My father was secretly much opposed to the match, and swore if I did not leave White Eagle, and go away, he would cut his throat in my presence. He was terribly in earnest, and would have done as he said. As I loved my husband too dearly to en- tertain a thought of losing him in so horrible a manner, I at last consented, and we went back to Washington, Then it was my father made a match for me to marry a very wealthy New- Yorker, Mr. Lynn by name. I refused; and indeed no immediate alliance could have been effected, owing to my previous marriage. My father, however, swore to/free me, and all my ote avaijed nothing. I wrote “Often .to hite Eagle, but I believe my letters were in- tercepted. I should have_returned to him but the closest watch was kept over me at all times, “Why, then, did you refuse to recognize him, when he came-to ashington?” ‘*T saw him but twice. His coming was an- ticipated, and instructions were given me—to disobey which meant for me to’los¢ mv life. — During my first interview with Whité Hagle, — an unseen hand—my father’s—held a revolver _ leveled at my heart, He would have murdered . is ~. fai) «

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was ee Sierra Sam, the Detective. me had I not coldly repulsed my poor husband, as he had directed.” _ ‘* How about the second visit?” “That was at night. He came to me, on the cly, and choked out of me the truth of the birth of our child, and its whereabouts, which I had been forbidden to betray to any one, by my father. I thank God he forced me to tell, for no doubt the child would sooner or later have died, where it ‘was, by my heartless parent’s agency.” : ‘* And so you declare that.you have no inten- tions of marrying Lynn?’ ‘No! a hundred timesno / Were I free.to do so, I would not. All I long for is to gain possession of my child, and, with it, fly to parts unknown, where I can do work of some kind to support me and it, and where I shall be a stran- ger among strangers.” ‘You speak of freedom—are,you not at lib- | to marry Lynn, should you choose to do so ¢ “Most assuredly not, sir. Lynn is ignorant of my. first marriage, and would have nothing to do with me did he know the truth. Besides, it is not certain that White Eagle is dead.” Sierra Sam did not reply. He was watching the beautiful woman, closely, endeavoring to solve the enigma that perplexed him far more than anything else had ever done in his life. She bore his scrutiny unflinchingly, so anx- iously and expectantly, with a piteous, appeal- ing expression about her eyes, that, despite all he could do, Sam could not bring himself to be- lieve she was deceiving him, If she was, she was indeed a skilled and artful actress. . “Well, I don’t hardly know what to say to your remarkable statement,” Sam finally de- clared. ‘* There is one thing certain—if you are lying to me, you are a diabolical monstrosity, not a buman being, and there is no earthly ex- cruciating torture sufficient for you.”, “Tam not lying, I am nodemoness, What T’ve told you is the terrible, solemn truth, and if it were known by my cruel father that I am here telling you this, death would meet me on my return to the hotel.” SP . ‘Weil, what canI say? Is this interview at anend? Itis very distasteful to me.” ‘Why so?” “Because, I fear to believe you, and still'am in duty bound to do so, as I shudder to think you capable of anything so diabolical as a scheme like that against one’s own flesh and blood !” \ 1 beg of you not to believe me so cruel. I beseech you to grant me your friendship and your efforts to recover my child. I haye no one else to appeal to, and so I turn to you, my enemy. Of course I must not let my father suspect that I know you, or he would kill me and arouse the town against you!” ‘**T cannot give you an answer just at present, Mrs. Imbrie. I must have time to thoroughly cogitate on the matter. If I should find your child, I will look to its safety. until I know whether or not you are false to the core,” ‘*- You do not know where the child is, then?” ** Of course not.” _ * Have you any idea who does know?” im a fn. “T have*not. Iam on the lookout, but I have no particular suspicion. By the way, you have a lover?” ‘“*No!” . She looked surprised. ‘‘ Oh! you refer to George Gerald.. He has long beer a suitor for my hand, but I could not encourage him, and finally rejected him. I thought per- haps I could save him when they were about to hang him.” i “You left that honor forme. How about a certain woman called the ‘Doctor’/” . “TI know nothing about her, except that she and father knew one another, and that she was once infatuated with Lynn.” ** Well, I will think over your story, and per- haps help you. More I cannot promise now.” .“ You are,very good, sir. I am sure I shall always feel very grateful to you for even hear- ing me through. I will go back to the hotel . now.” Good-evening.” fed ** Good-evening,” Sam said, opening the door, and she passed out into the night. He sat down to deliberate. What was the issue to be? he asked himself over and over. The days of road-agency in and about. Fairy Flats bad begun, and their inauguration was the attack upon Moses Isaacs, : Following that incident, two stage-coaches were successfully halted and plundered hy the’ masked road-bandits within as many days, and the reports of the depredations threw the town of Fairy Flats into a great state of excitement. Next, the Poetosnes was visited in the dead of night, and robbed, and the Overland Express Office met a like fate—both the latter robberies being committed the same night of Clio Carlyle’s visit to Sierra Sam. , _When discoveries were’ made of the nocturnal visit, on the following morning, tho excitement was intense, when notices were found posted up in both places, which read thus: . ‘ “Revenge! Turn your hands against Sierra Sa will you? Then Iso Out for cae poukee-bookalt = Was Sierra Sam at the bottom of the mis- chief, then? It would seem so, judging by the notice, and the populacé, grew exceedingly wroth, as a matter of course. Again was the cool Californian a source of annoyance to them, and now in a very expen- sive way, in the bargain, ; The Express i a was out at least five hundred dollars. he post-office was out a hundred. Enraged were the people, and a mass-meeting ~ was inaugurated in the street to adopt measures _ for the suppression of the nuisance, Several miners addressed the crowd in Jan- guage more forcible than elegant or moral, and after a deal of squabbling, four men were chosen to work up the capture once more of the Californian. They -were Idaho, the toughs named respectively Dolan. To them was to be left the sole work of the capture. ambler, and three So, as a purse of a thousand dollars reward — S had been offered for his capture, the quartette — resorted to Dolan’s shanty to put ther heads to- gether and plan a campaign, : =. is ks, Butcher and

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22 ee Sierra Sam, the Detective. A crowd lingered in the street all day, anxious to learn to what conclusion the Picked Four had come; but night drew on and the door of the shanty remained closed, the men not having been seen since they entered. What was the cause? From one to another the query passed, and gradually the question became general. Neither of the four had ever been known to goso long without their way So a visit was made to Dolan’s shanty, and orders given to “‘ open u No answer followed. tered down. A startling spectaclé met their eyes. Upon the floor the four men lay outstretched, ip a row, stark and stiff in death! : Around them upon the clean pine floor was 2 _ eévele of the tracks of the Bloody Boots! ” Fhon the door was bat- CHAPTER XI. A FATAL CONFLAGRATION, AGatn was Fairy Flats thrown into a state of great excitement and consternation. Four of the young city’s deputized Vigilantes lay low neath the bl e nblem was carried upon his boots, The news spread like wildfire, and as a matter of course, the populace fairly howled with righteous indignation, and curses and oaths abounded in great plenitude, The reward for the capture of Sierra Sam was doubled, and guards were sent to watch the dif- ferent approaches to the town, Little else was there to do, for the remainder of the population could but stand around and curse and discuss the unenviable situation, No one knew where to look for the Califor- nian, or for the owner of the Bloody Boots, if, indeed, it were possible that they were not one and the same; no one knew what to do, except keep a sharp lookout, in hopes of capturing their enemy during some of his visits to the town, But during the course of the evening, a rough- ly-dressed miner, with startling red hair and beard, put in an appearance, and inquired for the “ boss” of the town. The man Johnson quickly responded. ‘tT opine thet ar’ me, stranger,” he declared, with a deal of importance, ‘I am ther mayer o’ this burg, accordin’ ter all popular belief, an’ consekently-I may be calkylated ter be ther - boss.” * “Keerect! An’ I s’pect yemay be ther galoot who backs ther reward fer one Sierra Sam?” : **T have that honor,” Johnson vowed, with supreme grace. ‘fT hold the durocks conve- niently located in the pocket of my briche- loons,” . * Waal, that fits me, I1’'ll take em!” “ You will?” ow of the assassin, whose. Johnson declared, suspiciously. ‘‘What’s yer name?” “Sandy Doud. I ain’t tellin’ ye nolie, I dis- covered Sierra Sam’s hang-out, an’ ef ye aire willin’ ter cash up, I hain’t no ’jections ter tell ye where it ar’, so ye kin pounce down upon him, while he’s asleep, an’ do fer him.” Johnson held a consultation with several of the prominent citizens, and all agreed that the best thing to be done was to pay the reward and then kill the red-haired galoot, if he failed to show up Sierra Sam, ae told of the decision, he nodded his ap- ; roval. ‘‘That’s ther ticket, pards, you bet! Jest let me pit my bread-hooks onto the rhino, an’ ef I don’t show you whar Sierra Sam hangs out, kin take me an’ noose my careass up to the handiest tree, ’thout parley or preachin’. I ain’t no humbug!” ‘* Waal, here’s the money,” Johnson said, tak-- ing a large package from his pocket. ‘ Now, then, show us w’ar ter find Sierra Sam, or ye’ll find thet this will be the onhealthiest Climate you ever struck!” é re **On course I will!” Doud assented, pocketing his reward, with a grin. ‘Git yer weepons, an’ come along cautious, like a mice, lest ye wake up yer man. Ye know he’s subject to funny streaks when crowded upon!” There was no need to tell the men of Fair Flats this. They had already had some experi- ence in regard tothe Californian’s ‘streaks of humor,” and were not exactly anxious for any further exhibition of the same. eh two score of grim and desperate men followed the lead of the red-headed stranger to the vicinity of the fire-ruined shanty. ‘Thar! that’s whar ye’ll find your man,” Dowd whispered, indicating the shanty. ‘He bunks | in ther front room o’ the shebang, disguised, and callin’ himself Dyspepsia Jim.” The crowd started and showed surprise. Evi- dently no suspicion of such a fact had dawned upon them before. . / ‘‘ Et’s so,” Doud declared, “‘an’ the galoot war in thar asleep a bit ago. Reckon he’s thar yet —but ye wanter luck out how ye tackle him. I’ve hearn tell o’ his layin’ out half a hundred single-handed, an’ et warn’t his day fer fightin’ neither.” RENT you bet ther thing’s got ‘ter be got at keerful,” Johnson agreed. ‘‘He’s a hard custo- mer to handle. I reckon ther flip way ter fix him is ter fire his shebang—then git off at a dis- tance, an’ plug him when he is forced to vacate.” The plan was approved by the crowd. Coal- oil was secured from the village store, and-plenty of inflammable kindlings were silently piled w in various places against the shanty, saturat is the oil; then all were simultaneously ig- nited. The crowd spread out in a semicirole, at a distance of a dozen yards from the shanty, to watch the conflagration and be prepared for the sudden appearance of the endangered Califor- nian, : ; took readily, the flames soon becinning torun — up its sides and light up the night vividly, A

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- Sierra Sam, the Detective. helped to fan the flames, and it promised to be not long ere the whole.place should be wrapt in a fiery cloud. ‘*T reckon ye'll see ther afi’ come a-hoppin’ out now, pretty suddint,” Doud observed. ‘It must be gittin’ ruther sultry in thar.” - But Sierra Sam came not, although his ene- _ mies watched with great expectancy and eager- ness, “Possibly the smoke has suffocated -him so that be cannot get out,” Johnson suggested. 23 Phew! I reckon he'll never get out o’ thar alive! Higher and higher leaped the flames, ragin; fiercely and crackling weirdly, as if to moc. their imprisoned victim, Suddenly there came a wild yell, partly muf- fled by the roar of the fire—then an ayonized shriek, another and another, all from in the di- rection of the'doamed shanty, Then the cries ceased, and no more were heard, and the shanty burned down to the ground; the grim crowd of spectators watching in silence, without making an effort to save the victim of their revengeful act. “Thar! that ends Sierra Sam!” Johnson cried out when the house fell in with a dull crash, sending a million sparks flying heavenward, “T reckon we'll have less devilment about Fairy Flats hereafter, Where’s Doud?” When they came to look around, Mr, Doud had already taken his departure. By informing on the the tenant of the shanty, he bad won the reward offered, and taken ad- vantage. of the others’ interest in the confla- gration to quietly make himself scarce, Who was he? : 5 Behind him, as he left the fire, he had dropped ared wig and false beard—probably as a me- mento of his visit. Yet the Flat-ites failed{to appreciate his kind- ness. F The next morning the ashes of the late fire were raked over, and the bones and skull of a human being found—that was all. _ When Miss Clio Carlyle heard of Sierra Sam’s terrible fate, she made a visit to her father’s room and made known to him the whole sub- stance of her recent interview with the Cali- tee aee w tlipper th t said ‘You're a clipper e parent said, approv- ingly. ‘‘ You’ can beat me at some oles of scheming. You think -the fellow would event- ually have delivered you up the child?” 2 “T do!” and Miss Clio showed her pearly teeth in a villainous smile. ‘He was pretty nearly satisfied as to my innocence,” ‘** And now you say he is dead?” “Yes. It was discovered last night that he was Dyspepsia Jim, and ‘that he tenanted an old shanty where I found him. A. descent was made upon the: place, it was fired, and Sierra Sam burned alive. This murning, I hear, his bones have been found and buried. That summarily disposes of his case!” * And it is well; for you must marry Lynn at once. It canbe put off no ec or we shall lose our grip on him forever. I d to promise you would marry him last night, but as you did ~ mot.come in, Lbad to frame a series of excuses, Lies : t ; o< a romising you will surely wed him thismorning. get ready at onee, and we will go to the law- yer’s office—for, mind you, Lynn will put up with no more trifling, and he is too valuable a catch for us to lose.” ‘* But will it be safe? Is it yet certain that the child, White Eagle, or the tell-tale box of papers will never turn up? ‘*Bah! Who is there to interest themselves in the matter Now?” ‘“White Eagle, maybe.” * Pooh! I don’t believe he is living.” Miss Carlyle went and prepared for her mar- riage, immediately, and inside of an hour she and Bayard Lynn, accompanied by David Carlyle, presented themselves at the office of Moses Isaacs, The Jew was just sweeping out, but aoteet that operation as soon as he saw that he was to be patronized, his eyes agape) wickedly. * T have a little job for you, Isaacs,” Carlyle said, briskly, ‘‘I am going to daughter to Mr. Lynn, here, and perform the wee : “All righd. TI vill do der shob cop all righd , for fife dollar, Mr. Carlyle.” ‘ Lynn and Clio took their places, and the nu tial’ knot was soon tied, and a certificate made out and presented to the bride, after which Lynn aligned. a gold eagle into Isaac’s hand. *T guess we are ready to go, now,” the New- Yorker said, “Well, no, not just yet,” David Carlyle re- sponded, ‘While’ I'm‘ here I’m going to make my last will and testament, Mr. Isaacs, yor can draw up the formula.” ie ‘What is this for?? Lynn demanded. ‘ You” re mi expecting to leave us suddenly, I ope? On! no—not if I'ean help it; but you know life is uncertain, We have something over two thousand miles to traverse before we get back to Washington, and a part of that is through some of the roughest districts of Western America, where all sorts of crimes and criminals abound, One cannot tell what minute he ma meet his death by some accident, or at the hands of some desperado, Therefore, I’m going to be prepared for such an emergency.” “T think Sere is a most excellent idea, and I believe I will also profit by it. Were anythin to happen to me and I not have a will, it mig cost my wifey here, quite a struggle to hold her own,” Lynn said, earnestly. And so it was arranged. Isaacs drew up wills for both men in favor of Mrs. Lynn, and they were properly signed and wituessed, Then the bridal party went slowly back to the hotel, where a startling surprise awaited them. _ Upon the carpet of David Carlyle’s room, in a dozen places where the groundwork was of a light hue, were the distinct imprints of the Bloody Boots! ; An alarm was at once given, and a search made, throughout the uotel, with, of course, no satisfactory result, peers Nothing of Bloody Boots, who cr whatever he | might be, could be found. ‘ How he had obtained access to Carlyle’s room was as much a mystery as the existence of the ive away my want yor to

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24 Sierra Sam, the Detective. myth itself, for the room had been locked, when Aleft, and was still locked on the return of the bridal party! é 2 The news spread throughout the town, and once more threw the people into a state of con- sternation. And the most ‘broke up” man of the lot was Johnson. : “ Boyees,” he said, to a party of miners who gathered around him, ‘‘I reckon we orter go ‘shute ourselves!” - “Why so?” a man asked, **Beca’se we had. Ye allow thet we burn Sierra Sam up?” , ; * Waal?” ; ‘An’ I reckon ther chief cause 0’ our doin’ it war because we thought he war connected wi’ this bloody-fut bizness?” There was a murmur of assent, ‘Well, ye see, now, that we war mistaken. Sierra Sam is dead, an’ still the bloody-booted aloot cavorts around. Tei ye what it is, boys, : believe Sierra Sam war a squar’ feller, after ‘all, and innocent o’ the charges that were made ag’in’ him.” ‘** Durned ef et don’t look so,” several chorused. “Tn that case, we’re a pack o’ murderers,” ‘“‘That’s whar the boot pinches,” Johnson ad- mitted. ‘‘ Cuss me ef Lain’t ashamed o’ myself. And now, I fer one propose _that we investigate the durned rock mystery. Et won’t take long , to blow et up and find out its secret. I'll lend a hand at the drillin’ myself.” The proposal was hailed with delight by the majority of the rough audience, and it was set- tled that the rock should be destroyed. Proper tools, drills and a keg of giant powder “were procured, and a large throng made a de- scent upon thé‘rock of mystery, with its strange inscriptions. An immediate attack was-begun, with numer- ous drills, into the sides of the great stone, and the day was spent in the work. By sunset fifteen holes had been drilled a foot or more into the rock, and heavily charged with powder. ‘To each blast was attached a long fuse, and all fuses were connected by a train of powder, so that one flash would ignite them all, and cause a nearly simultaneous explosion. The crowd was then ordered back to a safe distance, and just as the good-natured face of Old Sol gave his good-night grin and sunk be- low the horizon, Johnson fired the main train, and ran for his life for a place of safety. There was a bright flash, which ignited the connecting fuses—then they burned slowly but surely toward the charged rock. CHAPTER XII. TREE-TOAD AND CARLYLE. 7 NwareEr and nearer to the charged rock crept the glowing spark at the end of each fuse, and tlre crowd watched at a safe distance with eager interest. ; Bang! . Like unto the shock of an earthquake was the report; the ground trembled for an instant as though in an ague-fit; large chunks of the rock flew high into the air, and the whole stone was '- riven into a hundred IN oa : Immediately after the explosion, the miners. by Johnson, an examination of the detached pieces, but with no result in fur- ther clearing up the mystery. : Each chunk of rock was solid as solid could be, and there was no evidencg of there having bees any sort of chamber in the interior of the rock, ; ; So that, after all, there was no approach to a solution of how the rock came there, and John- son and his gang mechanicaly retraced their footsteps into Fairy Flats, where there was at least liquid satisfaction to be had for those who had sufficient money to buy the “ p’izen;” and there were few in the young metropolis so utter- ly ‘broke up” that they had not the wherewith to purchase whisky. Upon the front door of the shanty which Old Tree-Toad and Keno Kate occupied, the next morning, was the imprint of a bloody boot—the- same terrible emblem that had from time to time been found in other parts of the town. A miner discovered it, and called old Tree- Toad from his faithful watch by the bedside of Keno Kate, and directed his attention to it, ‘Waal, durn my boots!” the old borderman ejaculated, when he saw it; ‘ ther devil’s set his foot ag’in’ my door, at last! I guess thet settles it with the gal; et’s a warniu’ thet she’s goin’ ter die, after all the fuss!” : This miner was a new-comer to the town, who owing to his great amount of black hair and beard, had been dubbed Black Jack, ‘*So yer gal ain’t no better, eh?” he queried. ** No—she has been worse, during the night, and I can see no sign of probable improvement, hereafter. I want to run up for the doctor, this morning; would ye mind just stoppin’ in a min- ute till my return?” : { ‘On course not—allus willin’ ter accommo- date!” Black Jack said, following the old man into the shanty. 4 After putting on his hat and boots, Old Tree- ps took his departure, leaving Blaék Jack on uty. Keno Kate lay, white and restful on the bed. Though her eyes were closed in apparent slum- ber, her lips frequently moved, and she uttered - some indistinct sentences, Drawing his stool to her bedside, Black Jack watched her features narrowly and listened to catch the drift of what she said. **Tdyl! Idyl!” she called, faintly; ‘* don’t run away—that’s a dear!” ~~ Black Jack bent closer toward her. ** She shall not! She shall not!” the delirious — eS murmured, “ Bury the truth with me! She uttered a gasp; there a rattling sound in her throat, and a aid, Scien tion of the SORES, that warned Black Jack that she was ying. : Old Tree-Toad and the doctor hastened into the room just then, in time to comprehend the situation and see the last spark of life flutter out. - ‘ ph ets. Keno Kate was dead, and by her bedside knelt Old Tree-Toad, with clasped hands and E es eyes upraised. m : ‘‘Hear me, oh, Lord,” he groaned, tears ran- ning down his furrowed cheeks, ‘I have

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a eee A Sierra Sam, the Detective. watched over and protected her through life and the end is not yet. I shall never rest until LIavenge her, Then my mission is complete,” Arrangements were made, and Keno Kate’s funeral occurred the next afternoon, and there was a liberal turnout by such miners as chanced to be blessed with families. Kate’s remains were incased in a plain but pretty coffin, and she was buried just beyond the village, where a grave had been dug upon a sightly knoll, beneath a shading cottonwood. After the burial, Old Tree-Toad went back to Fairy Flats, his rugged face even more grim | and stern than was its usual wont. He had been abroad but little since coming to the mining-camp, owing to his unceasing de- votion to Kate; thereford he had never met David Carlyle. _ But he met him now, just. as the Washing- tonian was coming out of the Cosmopolitan, and the two stopped and glared ateach other in mutual recognition. > “ Well! well!” Carlyle ejaculated. “ Ay, well, well,” Tree-Toad said, in a tone by no means friendly. ‘‘ Are you sure, however, ape it is well for you that we meet, David Car- yle? “Why not? It qn avail you nothing to war against me. Come to my room, where there are less ears to listen.” <s ‘Oh, so you are afraid, eh?” the old man sneered, following him. ‘It nced not bg you. You will get exposed by me whether you try to screen it or not.” Carlyle did not reply until they reached his room; then he turned fiercely upon Tree-Toad: ‘*Have you been~hunting all these years for me?” he demanded. ‘¢ All these years,” Tree-Toad responded. ‘I felt et in my hones that sooner or later we should meet. : “Humph! and now that we have met, what do you propose to do?” “What d’ye B poset D’ye think I’ve been lookin’ fer ye all these years fer nothin’?” “Perhaps not. You think to kill me, but you had better think twice before attempting such a crime. I am always armed and on my » Pooh! It would beno trick to do that, were . that my purpose, but et ain’t. Thar’s a sweeter way 0’ gettin’ revenge.” “Ob, is there? No doubt you think arrest and conviction would strike me harder. To such an idea I say—bah! You have no proof aside from your own word, and mine is a deal stronger than yours. The result of arrest and trial would be my acquittal.” “Ye lie!” Tree-Toad growled. ‘Have ye fergotten the case? Mebbe a review of it will awaken ye. Ye married my sister in New Orleans years ago, when ye war young and orter ’a’ been honest. After a while ye left her, on bizness, and forgot to return. wrote to Washin and discovered ye to be a a bigamist, you_having married a.second time. I_ warned you of impending trouble, but ye didn’t answer, One night my sister was found ' mnurdered, and the child of her union with you, -badly wounded. The child survived, ~There was a witness to the murder, but for certain di reasons the charge of the crime was never pre- ferred against you.’ ‘A good reason why. Money had I—you. had noue. The witness to the murder liked money, and refused to scorn it!” Carlyle sneer~ You ap right. But you forget that the witness still exists, in this very place— and now I have the key to unlock a gold mine that will purchase her evidence!” ** You lie!” **T donot.” “Ha! I suspect something!” “You may well. The key that unlocks the {/ gold mine also furnishes evidence that will cause’ some further family disturbance.” ““Then it is you who baye the iron bcx of White Eagle, and the child of my daughter’s union with him?” ; “T decline to answer. I'll let ye know one 0” these days, tho’. I’ve money enough at my command to convict you, however, and the sooner prepare yer neck’ fer the hangman's noose, the quieter will you pass in your checks.” Then the old borderman turned and left the room, and also left David Carlyle in a very un- enviable frame of mind. His face grew white and his eyes emitted a venomous gleam. ** Exposure and ruin stare me in the face, un- less something is done to avert the impending ite of this old rascal!” he muttered, pacing the oor with nervous strides, ‘He is as deter- mined as a wolf in his revenge, and will fight to the bitter end to secure a victory. What a sensation there would be in Washington society, were I to be arraigned for murder! But that must not be thought of. Several things must be done, and then a stealthy flight must be made to other parts. First of all, I must pay a visit “ Clennie Dupree. She must serye me, or He did not finish the sentence. ie | a revolver in his pocket, he left the hotel and made his way to the shanty occupied by the woman whom the reader has known as — the ‘‘ Doctor.” In answer to his rap she opened the door, and, without waiting.for an invitation, he en- She uttered a startled ery at sight of him, and closed the door. a “You seem astonished, Clennie,” he said, tak- ing aseat. ‘‘ Were you not aware of my pres- ence in Fairy Flats?” re “ Certainly—but I didn’t know that you knew I was here!” “* But smiled. #‘ Not having seen you since [ sent you West, [ thought I’d call around. How is it that, you did not succeed in doing for White Hagle?” *¢ Who is to say but what I did succeed? i ther you nor I!” ste said. ; “‘Bah! I don’t believe you killed him at all, But let that drop. I have another “*T do not want it.” _ “But I knowbetter. Thereisa heap of money ini - aged to scrape together enough to keep me cem- fortable as long asIlive.” . : ‘“‘Humph! you are mighty independ fee ~_ fy t.” * Pooh! \I do not need money. I have man®* ent—altor «a —s ‘ou perceive I keep myself posted,” he el- | job for you” = of =

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g ; > _ *Tsaacs,” the plotter said, bilan "s la Sierra Sam, the Detective. gether too much so, considering your past rec- ord, Why are you here in Fairy Flats?” “For a kindred purpose to your own; Tam seeking for White Eagle’s child, and the iron box which contains the papers, and the secret of the buried golden treasure,” ; “Seeking in vain. Did you propose, in case of finding the child, to use it in extorting money from us?” -“Very likely I might do something of the sort,” the young woman replied, with a wicked smile. ‘Tf am not above speculation.” “Well, then, you can do no better than make terms with me. Listen, Do you remember Ab- ner Holliday, of New Orleans?” Clennie nodded, *T have seen him here, calling himself Old Tree-Toad,” she said. “Pxactly. Well, the old devil proposes, to arrest me for that scrape in New Orleans, and he Says he knows where to lay his hand ona sufficient sum of money to buy in your evidence as witness to the crime, first. It happens, how- ever, that I do not propose to have him do any- thing of the kind; so here I am to make terms with you to put a quietus to his existence.” “You cannot hire me.” ‘ But, I will.” “Your bank account is not strong enough. peas peed: you — ave me was oe ec iu forget t ii ve recently got a lange Wapish taboritance mee IN "Your word is notalways good. If you want sor meer killed, why don’t you do the job ‘* Because I prefer to have such matters clear of ‘my hands, What will hire you to put the old devil out of the way?” ‘In the way of money, nothing short of ten thousand dollars could tempt me,” “Furies! Are you mad?” * No—perfectly sane.” “But you know I would never pay such a sum ~—neither would Holliday.” - “ Well, I've another offer, Marry me, and TH see to it that the man never troubles you.” “What! I marry you ?” “Even so; that is your only choice. If you refuse, I'll engage with your enemy, and be happy to attend the matines that sees you usher- ed out of this world, at the end of a hangman’s noose! Dayid Carlyle left the shanty, awhile after- ward, his countenance glowing with exultation, * showing that he had arrived at some satisfac- tory bargain with the ‘* Doctor.” From her habitation, he paid a visit.to Isaacs, the Jew, who was as usual whiling away his ee in company with some choice old Bur- un - a twenty- dollar gol l-piece into the lawyer p, “Tt want = you to help. mo, to-night, when all’s quiet.” _ “Vat do? the Jew demanded; “You know tho girl t was buried?” *"Yes, Vot off dot?” z - “Well, I want to search her coffin. The clew : ie ee lost iron box I believe to be buried in her _ box \ . “Shimminy gracious! vas dof so?” feel a *°-Yes, Will you help me?” : “Tean’t, Ivas gotto Shanghai. Ill find a trusty Shap to helb you, though, und send him around. Vil dot do?” “Well, I SUPPOSE SO, Tll be ready, at the grave at three o’clock.” That night after the moon had gone down and darkness reigned over Fairy Flats, two men stood at the ve of Keno Kate, » One was David Carlyle; the other was a brutal-looking ruffian, armed. with a shovel. ‘*To work, now,” the Washingtonian ordered, “for I want to get through with this job before it is time for any one to abroad. Don’t be afraid; I'll pay you well.” The man took a swig from a pocket-flask as a “bracer,” and then set to work at digging up the dead. It was not long ere he had the rough box un» covered and ropes fixed around it, He then got out of the grave, and with Car- e lyle’s assistance, pulled the box up and out upon © the ground. ‘* Open it,” Carlyle said, shivering. The ruffian produced a screw-driver, and set to work, but before he could accomplish his re Carlyle uttered an awful oath, and seized is arm. ‘Wor Heaven's sake, loolexyonder!” he cried. He pointed to a higher knoll a dozen yards wegen i i knoll, wrapt in a flowing robe of Sierra Sam! —— CHAPTER XIIL THE SPECTRAL SAM’L, HAp the earth opened at their feet to swallow them, the two grave-robbers could not have been more astounded and horrified. There stood Sierra Sam, just as he had ap- ~ red on his first coming to Fairy Flats, except hat his form was now wrapt in the spectral white sheet. ; His face looked just the same, with its cool, dauntless expression, its graceful mustache and gleaming eyes, and his slouched sombrero was cocked back upon his head just as natural as ever, It chanced that McBride, the man who had been sent to assist Carlyle in bis heinous work, had been one of those concerned in the burning of the shanty—hence his double terror when he be- held the apparition of the man who was sup- posed to have perished in the flames. : ‘Och! howly Moses, it’s the speerit av the mon that burned up,” he roared, and dropping . his shovel, made tracks toward the town. _ ‘Curse me, what does it mean?” David Car- lyle muttered, white and_trembling. ‘‘ Can it be that the dead return to life?” He was half-inclined to stand his ground, as peated tp. give up his scheme of searching the coffin. : But when he heard a sepulchral sort of laugh, and saw Sierra Sam gliding down toward him, he hesitated no longer. With a howl of terror he turned and fled back toward the town, expecting every minute to ' lémmy hand seizeholdofhim, = a : saad ratte

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Sierra Sam, the Detective, 27 But after reaching the edge of the village, he heard no pursuit, and paused to look back. The apparition had followed him only to the grave, where its shadowy outlines could now be seen, “The fools have been cheated! Sierra Sam was not burned in that fire at all!” the prince plotter growled, making his way to the hctel, _ but is now skylarking aboutasa ghost! I fear that sleuth-hound mors than ail else. Something warns me that he will yet make me trouble, ere [get outiof thistown.” | In the mean time the spook reached the coffin of Keno Kate, and stood glaring after the flee- ing Washingtonian. If a ghost, he was a very substantial one, and the triumphant chuckle that escaped him, as he saw the grave-robber disappear from view, was far more natural than ghostly. “Hal ha! JTnearly paralyzed them_with this _ masquerade!” Sam said finally,laying aside the white sheet. ‘It wasa@ rather lucky thing for me that I was supposed to be in the shanty when it was burned. The man who burned must have been the Hasterner, George Gerald.” Picking up the screw-driver that McBride had left bebind, he began finishing the job of open- ing the coffin. “This is rather an uncanny job, but I’ve as much curiosity to know if an ses yes beset uy ht not to L m co Loug : deal wet a: te deliaitahe bide oa e ° ‘Evident it is, to me, that she and Old Tree- Toad were the ones who relieved me of the iron box and the child several years ago; and it is even more evident that the secret now remains with Tree-Toad concerning the whereabouts of these missing links.” / _ He soon had the rough box up and the coffin- lid off, and the corpse lay revealed in its last resting-place. ; . Poor Kate looked very peaceful—more as if she were sleeping the sleep of the living than the sleep of the dead, A careful search of tho coffin did Sierra Sam make, and he was not unsuccessful. Tn under the pillow upon ‘which the head of Keno Kate rested, was the identical iron box -that Sam had received from White Eagle that _ night in McGurdy’s ranch, up in the hills, and which had afterward been stolen from him, With a cry of exultation Sam removed the prize, and then carefully closed up both coffin and box, As it was-impossible for him to lower the ba into the grave without assistance, he con- cluded to let it remain in its present position until morning, when some one would discover it and re-inter it, ‘ 3 The next morning the discovery of the dis- turbance of Keno Kate’s grave became general- ly known, and created a deal of consternation and excitenient, inasmuch as bloody footprints were found in the vicinity of the oe An inquiry was made for Old Tree-Toad in - order that he might be informed of the fact, but no one seemed to know anything about him, So the body was buried again by Johnson and some of the miners. The day passed along toward a close without any discovery concerning the old scout, until just at the edge of ce : Black Jack sy dn Johnson and tapped him on the shoulder, " qnvibing new consarnin’ Tree-Toad?” he ‘“*Nary,” the ‘‘ mayor” replied, regarding the —_ with a huge black beard’ rather inquir- ingly. “Why—d'ye know saya: ‘‘ Waal, no,” -Jack replied; “but I've got rather an idea that the old man’s met wi’ foul play. ** Pooh! more likes he’s gone off a-huntin’.” “Don’t believe it. I’ve got a notion that I kin show you whar he is, Thar’sa female in this town who’s up to cuttin’ throats, an’ I allow it won’t do no harm to investigate ber shebang. So, ef ye’ll come along wi’ a.dozen fellers, we'll know the-worst.” “ Johnson thought the matter over and finally agreed, and, accompanied by several miners, be and Black Jack made a descent upon Clennie’s shanty. A rap upon the door failed to elicit any an-- swer—except a groan, “Dye heer that? I told ye thar was foul play. . Down with that door, boyees!” alr a a upon it, and quickly it Black Jack's suspicions w indeed confirmed. — Peon the che a pool 6 of blood, ny Ou just alive, and that was all, He was at once lifted to the cot-bed, and stim- ulants adrhinistered, after which the shanty was cleared of all, except Black Jack and Johnson, who 2 to remain with the stricken man over night, His wound was a deep cut in the region of the terna heart, which did not now bleed ex’ lly. After awhile, he was strong enough’ to speak, - and regarded Black Jack inquiringly. “VY am glad Then, turning to Johnson, he added: ‘‘Do you know this man?” 2 ‘Yes, as Black Jack,” Johnson replied. ‘‘ Hunrph! you are easier fooled than I, He is” Sierra Sam.” Jobnson uttered an ejaculation of astonish- ment, ‘: “Ts this true?’ he demanded, turning to ack. : “Yes, it is true,” was the reply. “I am Sierra Sam, the detective. ~Do you care to ex- amine my authority?” Jobnson took some papers that were extended him, and gave them a careful examination; then, returned them. **T see that you are, in truth, a detective; and — had we, as a people, known this from the you have come,” he said. faintly. _ “2 “s ¢ iS Be ‘ it would have saved you a deal of trouble. As g Z it is, I shall now take pleasure in workin’ fer yer interests.” Pie “You need not, for my mission is pretty near- ly through, here,” ; “You have found the child?” Old Tree-Toad gasped, Ss aes

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buried *, ~ 28 ‘No, Ihave found the box, however, where you buried it.” ‘It is well, Had my life been spared, I pro- posed to'keep the childand her fortune, for she is very dear to me,” the old man murmured. “ But, since I cannot live, [am glad you want to assume the charge, to keep her away from David Carlyle.” “You may be sure I should not yield the ob- ject of my lohg search to him,” Sam averred. “But, tell us, how did you receive your wound?” ‘From the woman, Clennie, She was, years ago, a witness to David Carlyle’s Sa of my sister, whom he had married and deserted. I Sinie here, hoping ter be able ter buy in her evi- dence, so thet I could successfully prosecute Carlyle; but, as ye see, I got left cl’ar out in the cold; jest whar ye see me now. “Carlyle had been hyar atiead o’ me, she said,’ an’ hired her to kill me—I remember hearin’ her say this, arter she had suddenly stabbed me, an’ I fell. After that I disrecollect what happened. { guess [’m booked to die, an’ so, Sam, ef ye’ll feel in my pocket, ye’ll find a paper thet’ll tell e whar to find the gal o’ White Eagle’s, whom cribbed from you one night on the perairies, She knows how ter open the box, an’ in it ye'll find psa where to find White Eagle’s old. The old man did not say much more after that _ except that Keno Kate was his sister’s child, N resulting from her union with David Carlyle, About nine o’clock in the evening he began to choke up rapidly, inside, and soon after breathed his last. Then Johnson called in another man, to watch until morning with the dead, after which ‘he and Sierra Sam (in his disguise of Black Jack) left the shanty. : ’ The latter went to the hotel, where he had been boarding lately, and packed up his valise, as if for an early departure. The room of Bayard Lynn adjoined that occu- pied by the Californian. The rooms of the Carlyles were further down the hall. ; . During the night, Sam heard a loud yell of pain, that apparently proceeded from Lynn’s room. ‘* Murder!” was the thought that flashed into the detective’s mind, and leaping out of bed, he hastily put on his clothes, preparatory to inves- tigating the sounds, As he stepped from his own room into the hall, Gregory, the hotel proprietor, Moses Isaacs and several others, who had heard the yell, came rushing up. / “Hello! Where was that yell?’ Gregory de- manded. ‘‘ Did you hear it?” “Yes; it was in Lynn’s room!” Sam replied. *‘Let some one keep an eye on the Carlyles’ doors, while we investigate.” f : Isaacs instantly volunteered, and Sierra Sam tried Lynn’s door. ‘It was found to be unlocked, and, opening it, - Sam, Gregory and several others entered. _ The sight that met their gaze was no less than what the Californian had anticipated. 7 ‘Upon the bed, in his night clothes, lay Bayard Lynn, unconscious from a knife-wound in his breast, which still bled freely, Sierra Sam, the Detective. ‘Murder has been done!” Sierra Sana said, “and this man is dying. Quick! bring some cotton, whisky, and salt! He must be revived, if possible, to explain who murdered bim.” The things desired were quickly brought, and removing the knife, Sam applied the salt and cotton to in some measure stanch the flow of blood, at the same time directing the others to bathe the victim’s feet and head liberally with tee and to force some of the same down if eae ~ During this work, both David Carlyle and his daughter came into the room, At Sam’s order, they were quickly seized and bound beyond sibility of escape, Mrs. Lynn bursting into a hysterical fit of tele “In the name of Heaven, what does this mean?” David Carlyle demanded, growing white with passion, “*Tt means that we are trying to arrive at an explanation of this murder!” Sam replied. ‘‘ As you are suspected of the crime, we shall try and revive Mr. Lynn, so that we may learn whether or not our ies aga are right, If right, you will very likely find out that you struck the wrong climate when you came to Fairy Flats!” “Who are you?” Carlyle demanded, a sus- picion of the truth dawning upon him, ‘* Sierra Sam, dead-certain detective!” was the reply, as Sam threw off his disguise, ‘Curses upon you!” was all the baffled villain could say, while Clio uttered sob after sob. a The job of bringing Bayard Lynn back to life so that he could speak, promised no immediate success, Although his heart still beat faintly, he was apparently about as near to death as a man could well be without being dead, and their peraisient efforts were without any desired result or a time, a David Carlyle watched with so much eager- ness as to nearly betray his real hopes, Finally Sierra Sam said: ““T know of but one other possible chance for arousing him—that is by a sudden shock. If that fails, he will die soon.” He took a six-shot revolver from his belt, and _ cocking it, fired it off in close proximity to Lynn’s right ear. The loud repurt caused him to give a violent - start, and his eyes flew open. : Sam at once raised him to a sitting posture, ss Guick !” he cried; ‘tell me who stabbed you Lynn’s eyes wandered over the faces of all, till they came to Carlyle; then he gasped, faint- ly: “T& was he—Carlyle; they are both guilty —my will is made to her—oh!” , A great flow of blood burst from his mouth, choking off further utterance. When Sam laid him back upon the pillow his spirit had taken its flight to that bourne whither many go, but return not. f CHAPTER XIV, CONCLUSION. Tse Carlyles were immediately removed to the same jail building that had once served Sierra Sam as a place of confinement, “

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Sicrva Sam, the Detective, ee _ Stronger evidence of their guilt the citizens of Fairy Flats did not ack for than the dying words of Bayard Lynn. Immediately after Lynn’s death Sierra Sam went down into the office of the Cosmopolitan and seated himself, “ He balf expected, now that his identity was established beyond a doubt, and hat an assault would be made upon him, At one time he thought the expected crisis was coming, when a dozen sturdy miners, armed to the teeth, entered the office and approached him. Johnson, at the head of the gang, was the first to speak—he said: ‘* Sierra Sam, it needs no practiced eye to ap- priso us that, though very calm in demeanor, yon are prepared for us, But that is not our ay-out to-night. In the arrest of the murder- ers to-night, we have more than assurance of your object in coming here to Fairy Flats, and as the representative citizens, chosen by the eople ab large, we come to apologize to you or our hasty action, prior to the events of this day, ard to offer you, henceforth, the welcome freedom and good-will of Fairy Flats and its peeple. But, with the same offering, we wish to make one request.” “Name it?” Sam said, lighting a cigar, “* Our request is*that you withdraw all official charges from the prisoners now in jail, for the space of an hour?” Sierra Sam’s answer came quick and decisive: ‘*Gentlemen, I am not disposed to do any- thing of the kind.” mors ‘“Then we, by pre-considered vote, must find it agreeable to take the law into our own hanés, and hold youin a state of quiet until our ends are fulfilled!” Johnson cried, springing forward followed by those who had accompanied him. To an instant he was overpowered and secure-, ly bound, A consultation was then held, by which it was decided to hold Sam a prisoner in his own room for a time, and there he was taken and guarded by a trio of well-armed miners, , He heard the crowd leave the room below, and still later a loud chorus of voices crying, “*teave ho!” $ He needed nothing more to convince him that the citizens had taken the law into their own hands and hung David Carlyle and his wretched, scheming daughter! fe The next morning a body of citizens visited Sierra Sam’s room and marched him from there to the jail, where he was locked in, Johnson soon after paid him a visit, his face bearing signs of trouble. * “Why isit lam not released?” Sam demanded, sternly. - “ff I had my way,” the mayor replied, ‘‘you’d go free, but the majority ’s ag’in me. But don’t worry. Ef ye git a chance to escape to-night don’t ye refuse it.” 11] not, you may rest assured.” Johnson then took bis leave, During the dead of that night the door of the jail was unlocked, and Moses Isaacs and the child Little Luck made their appearance. ‘Vel, here we vas, all der vile,” the Jew said. with a smile., ‘‘You haff been a purty good tellow, Sam, and 1 haff come to helb you oud. r. i x re - Mi ¢ eae any geen eee As you probably haff no furder pizness heer, T dinks youll take my advice und skip for ‘odder arts. efi You bet!” Sam responded, heartily, with a grimace, ‘* With the death of the Carlyles and Old Tree-Toad my mission hereabouts ends, You have received your pay, eh?” ‘Yaw! dot ish all right. I hope you my get paid ash well, Und you shall. ou vas a fine fellow, Sierra Sam.” ge ‘* Pooh! there are but few of your way of thinking,” Sam replied. ‘‘ Why is this child here with you?” ‘She was left by the woman Clennie, and has no home or friends, She came to me, and so i tee in until I could find a better guardian for her, ° The Jew had suddenly dropped his native dia- lect—a fact Sierra noted, as he looked at him wey ‘* How would you like to join fortunes with me, Little Luck?” he asked, turning toward the girl, ‘‘ and rove about the world, here and there and allover?” . : . ‘““T would like that,” Little Luck replied. ‘*‘ Mamma was very cruel; she run off and left me, Henceforth I cut her acquaintance!” The declaration was given with so much so- berness and earnest womanliness, that both Isaacs and Sam were forced to laugh. Perhaps in this way I can in time fix you upa Kome with some good family. And now, Isaacs. Little Luck sprung forward and did the job with ber own knife. “¢ Der vas no need to pe in von hurry,” Isaacs assured, with a chuckle. ‘‘ Der guards are all mit on for a vays.” ‘You are?” ? f “Vel, I should snicker—-dot is, if you haff n objections. I vant to see White Eagle’s shild, und also the buried treasure.” Sam again eyed the man narrowly, hardly un- derstanding bim, x - ‘*See here, Isaacs!” he said, direetly, ‘‘d’ye A bit ago I caught you talking in unbroken Eng- lish—now you're playing off Dutch again, Ten to one there’s no Dutch about you.” * Well, you are right. Ihave played my dis- guise well, but you bave suspicioned it, so there is little use for me to keep up the deception any longer. Do you know me?” ‘He threw off his cap, spectacles and false mus- nose, and stood before Sierra Sam in his true character, : And Sam did know bim! surprise knowing no bounds, y all that’ wonderful I never expected such a transforma- “Then you didn’t SP assuming disguises, eh? Jew dodge has served me very well.” ** Well, if you want to go with me, all right, ; ashleeb mit drugged visky, und won’t vake up ighd avay. Und den, too, I vas goin’ along know I don’t believe you are what you pretend. tache and rubbed some paint from bis chéeks and — “White Eagle, as I live!” he ejaculated, his ae me hd tion although DP’ve never quite believed you — dead.” : I was capable of 2 ell, I must admit m7 _ ..’ And since this is you, you must have the Be you'll cut my bonds Ill bid this place good- /

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‘into the storm, and escape. by ' Sierra Sam, the Detective. ewer to explain some things which yet remain in the dark,” . ‘You refer to the Bloody Boots mystery, eh? ‘Well, as we walk away from here, Pll endeavor to explain to your satisfaction.” They then left the jail, and quitted Fairy Flats for good, When peene the town, on thein way into the mountains, White Eagle said: * Well, that night, after you left the McGur- dys’ Ranch, with my child in your care, I made a resolve that if 1 had to die, it should not be in tnat hole; so IT summoned all my strength, and managed to draw myself through a window out After months of suffering in a mountain pocket, I grew strong and well, Ithen came to Fairy Flats, and dis- covered the gold here; but also made the diseov- ery that a couple of miners had made their pile dere, and were just ready to levant and spread the news, So I made a bargain with them to ‘swear that when they left no rock was on the Flats—that some miraculous agency had piaced it there in their absence. Hoping to scare off -_ others, I Ghiseled the words upon the rock, add- ing your name, thinking you might come to - the place, see your name, and by it?know thet I lived. I never thought it would get you into trouble. __ ** Well, the influx came, and Fairy Flats ee. up. 1 assumed the disguise of Isaacs, and be- came 2. citizen—not because { purposed to per- manently remain so, but because by arrange- ment with my spies, 1 learned that the Carlyles were coming here. It was my intention to fight them to the bitter end, but then you came, and so I remaingd more quiet, and enjoyed my- self in noting how faithfully you were working to keep your promise to me. I soon conceived - the idea of the bloody. boots, and procuring a quantity of crimson liquid, got upa pair of boots _on @ scientific plan, hy which, at will, I could PC ateeii tes Ie leave a blood-colored footprint. : ‘By careful and painstaking dodging, I was able to get my work in to the mystification of all, ‘though occasionally it cost me trouble and run me into great danger. So that, I guess, explains all, By the way, you have the iron safe and peepee of where my daughter can be “You bet! The safe is buried not far avay, After getting it, we will go for the child.” Two days later they visited an old mountain hut, miles from Fairy Flats, and there recover- ed little Idyl Imbrie from anu old trapper and his family, with whom Old Tree-Toad had some time previously intrusted her. To them White Eagle gavea bag of gold for their care of his child, which not only hugely pleased the old pair, but whose value was also — sufficient to keep them nicely in their humble circumstances for the remainder of their lives, ° Sierra Sam, White Eagle, and the two girls set out, eastward, en route for some more civil- ized portion of the great West; but while rid- ing through the canyon, they. were suddenly charged down upon by a band of six masked road-agents. None: of the assailants’ bullets proving fatal, Sam and White Eagle returned fire, and drop- ped two of the party, ; The other four at once wheeled their horses and sped away, and succeeded in escaping. An examination of the two ‘ halted” outlaws resulted in a discovery. Upon tearing “the mask from one who was still alive, the face of the woman, Clennie Dupree, was revealed! : “Tt’s all up with me,” she yas “Tve played the last card of my pac in hoping to get possession of White Eagle’s wealth. Let me die in peace,” + “First tell me who are the parents of Little Luck? Sam solicited. “Tam tbe mother; the father was the gam- bler, Idaho, who left me to shift for myself. It was I who betrayed the cabin, and if was George Gerald who perished instead of you.” She never spoke again, expiring almost before her revelation was disjointedly made. In respect for Little Luck, she was given a decent burial, near where she had fallen. A few days after, at their friendly parting, White Eagle presented Sierra Sam and Little Luck each an order for gold to a large amount on a St. Louis banker. Accompanied .by Little Luck, Sierra Sam went to St. Louis to report himself, but soen #@= turned to the wild West. d 24K BND.

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PU UC OR Us ey eB ln Ce Ce te te 4 | oe Ding, pee AND ee Ute bE ATT EEE EAD Ete Ste f0p tbe Cte tet Set fee Ub Ter Ott C0 Set FEL ate Ut Ste tte BEE E PUN Abecaie SU) 400 TOP UUs Se TE Ste TUL TE) S00 Get SUE SEE SUE DT DEE GEE ORE CEE TEE SEE GOT GREE TEE SUD GUE OPE Bn PEED AU) ER TPR GED Bie EEE A MUCELCBUL ELEMENTS EE a oe 5 PUBLISHED BY DIALOGUES, Nos. 1to41. M. J. IVERS & 0. SPEAKERS, Nos 1 to 25. JAMES SULLIVAN, Prop'r, me om om - 379 Pearl Street, New York. THE 1RADE SUPPLIED BY The American News Company, or "AND ITS BRANCHES. ; ; CHUN NNT RE EN ELL ENE (| a

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Sees? No. 12. Sey RD RECrr sg pd Toy, _—— BY BEST: .AUTHORS. A CHOICE COLLECTION OF © Beautiful Compositions Carefully Compiled for SCHOOL, LYCEUM, PARLOR, | AND OTHER ENTERTAINMENTS, oin BY _ FRANCES P. SULLIVAN, ———-—. issued Quarterly, June, 1886. Subscription, 50 Cents per Year. M. J. IVERS & CO, PUBLISHERS, 86 NASSAU STREBT,N.y. & Entered at the Post Office, Y. N., as second class matter, = 5 SSE’

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SWART TOASTS FOR THE SMART SBT. Vest Pocket Size. 64 Pages. Sewed Book. Up-to-Date. By Mail, Postpaid, Il2c. per Copy. BEST LINE OF HAND BOOKS PUBLISHED. “YIDDISH” YARNS.—A Collection of Hebrew Jokes, Stories, etc. GENTS’ LETTER WRITER.—A Perfect Guide to all kinds of Correspondence. FAMILY PHYSICIAN.—Family Diseases and Their ‘Yreatment; Rules of Health, ete. BOOK OF DREAMS.—Their Romance and Mystery, with a Complete Interpretation Dictionary, HOUSEWIFE’S MANUAL.—How to Keep House; How to Dye, Cleanse, ete. VAUDEVILLE JOKER.—Best Jokes by Eminent Vau- deville Artists. BOOK OF ETIQUETTE.—Society, Visits, Introduc- tions, Dress, Balls, ete. FORTUNE TELLER.—Fortune Telling by Cards, Tea or Coffee Grounds, Eggs; Palmistry, ete. BOOK OF 100 GAMES.—One Hundred Games for Social Parties and Home Amusements. COOK BOOK.—Economical, Practical, Excellent. LADIES’ LETTER WRITER.—How to Write; When to Write; What to Write. RECIPE BOOK.—For the Parlor, Nursery, Sick-room, Toilet, Kitchen, Larder, ete. BOOK OF BEAUTY.—Beauty of Form, Color, Head, Hair, Complexion, Skin, etc., with chapters on Perfumes, Cosmeties, ete, BOOK OF VERSES.—Comprising Rhymes, Lines, and Mottoes for Lovers and Friends, THE LOVERS’ CASKET.—A Treatise on and Guide to Friendship, Love, Courtship, and Marriage. “GERMAN ” JOKER.—‘ Dutch” Jokes and “Gags” by best ‘‘ Dutch” Teams on the Stage. “HAYSEED” JOKER.—The Doings of ‘Our Country Cousins ” in a Humorous Way. “PRAMP” JOKER.—Good ‘*Handouts” in this Book for Professional and Amateur Entertainers, “COON * YARNS.—Best Jokes Relating to Our * Dark- er-Skinned Brothers.” “TRISH” Joker No. 1.—The Wittiness and Whimsicali- ties of ‘“‘ Pat”? at His Best. “VARIETY ® JOKER.~Good Things from all the Na- tionalities: ‘‘ Pat,” ‘Alphonse,’ * Hans,” ** Jona- than,” “ Moses,” and ‘* Ebenezer.” The above books are bound in handsomely illustrated lithographed covers, Price by mail, postpaid, 12 cents per copy. M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers, 379 Pearl Street, New York City. BEADLE’S BOYS’ el 3 PRICE 5 1 Dandy Till’s Doom. By Oll Coomes, Kit Carson. By A. W. Aiken, Lillie, the Reckless Rider. By Stoddard. Old Grizzly in the Rockies. By Ingraham. Deadwood Dick asa Boy. By E. L. Wheeler. Wild Bill. By Ingraham. 8 The Prairie Ranch. by J. KE, Badger. 9 Roving Joe. By A. H. Post. 10 Texas Jack. By Ingraham. 11 Charley Skylark, the Sport. By H. B. Stoddard. 12 Brimstone Bill's Booty. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 13 Roving Ben. By J. J. Marshall. 14 The Ticket-of-Leave's Trick. By J. E. Badger, Jr, ‘5 Wide-Awake George. By E. Willett. 16 Wide-Awake Ned. By B. Ringgold. 17 Peter, the Dandy Greenhorn. By Noah Nuff. 18 Adrift on the Prairie. By Oll Coomes. 19’ Joe, the Rover Sport. By A. H. Post. 20 Giant Pete and his Pards. By Harbaugh. 21 Yellow Hair. By Ingraham. 22 The Snow-Trail. By Harbaugh. 23 Old Grizzly Adams. By Dr. Powell. 24 Woods and Waters. By Whittaker. 25 A Rolling Stone. By W.R. Eyster. 26 Red River Rovers. By C. D. Clark. 27 Buckskin Sam’s Wild Ride. By Ingraham. 28 The Sword Prince. -By F. Whittaker. 28 Snow-Shoe Tom. By T. C, Harbaugh. 30 Pavl De Lacy. By C. D. Clark. 31 Round the Camp-Vire. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 32 Fancy Frank’s Drop. By Ingraham. 33 The Boy Crusader. By Capt. F. Whittaker. NS Op so LIBRARY. CENTS PER COPY. 34 The Chase of the Great White Stag. By C. D. Clark, 35 Old Tar Knuckle. By Ro er Starbuck. 36 The Dashing Dragoon, By F. Whittaker. 87 Night-Hawk George. By Ingraham. 88 The Boy Exiles of Siberia. By T. C. Harbaugh. 39 The Young Bear Hunters. By Morris Redwing). 40 New York Bill, the Dodger. By Edward Willett. 41 The Settler’s Son. By Edward S$. Ellis. 42 Walt Ferguson's Cruise. By C. D, Clark, 43 Rifle and Revolver. By F. Whittaker. 44 The Lost Boy Whalers. By T’. C. Harbaugt.. 45 Bronco Billy. By Ingraham. 46 Dick, the Stowaway. By Charles Morris. 47 The Colorado Boys. By J. E. Badger, Jr, 48 The Pampas Hunters. By T. C. Harbaugh, 49 Nebraska Charlie. By Ingraham, 50 Jack, Harry, and Tom. By F. Whittaker, 51 ‘om Stone, the Old Sea Dog. By C. D. Clark. 52 The Boy Detectives. By T. C. Harbaugh. 53 i A TR Country Boy, in New York. By Charles orris. 54 California Joe. By Ingraham, 55 Tip Tressel, the Flatboat Boy. By Edward Willett. 56 The Snow Hunters. By Harry De Forrest. 57 Harry Somers, the Magician. By S. W. Pearce, 58 Captain Jack in Rocky Roost. By Ingraham. 59 Tim, the Mule Boy of the Mines. By Charles Morris. 60 The Young Trail Hunters. By T. C. Harbaugh. 61 The Tiger Hunters. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 62 Doctor Carver. the Champion Shot, By Ingraham, 63 Black Horse Bill, the Bandit Wrecker, Starbuck. 64 Young Dick Talbot. By A. W. Aiken. y Roger —

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e THE Deadwood Dick e Library e @OSO30O00 tartacts from the New York Evening Sun. TWO REMARKABLE fn only one sense of the word can it be regarded as a novel statement when the fact is here recorded that litera- ture has given many heroes to the world, and perhaps more than one reader will have to think a moment over this remark before the subtle delicacy of its genial wit etrikes home. But it is most essentially 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, would show but few heroes that in the eyes of boyhood would be even judged worthy of comparison with the two greatest DBeroes known to American literature, or, to promptly re- veal 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 Bway the palm of popularity, and suchas * * * be left far behind fn the race. It can be easily believed, therefore, that the two Dicks © 80 firmly engrafted on the tree of popular literature for boys and young men, that their position is assured * * and that they stand to-day head and shoulders HANDSOME TRL-COLORED COVERS, 82 Pages. Issued Every Wednesday. . Price 5 Cents. Buy One and You Will Buy the Rest! HEROS. 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 impenetrable mysteries. Millions of boys follow his stealthy footsteps as he tracks his vicious victims to their undoing, and then, when the 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 Seep ee thrills go thrilllng away from Maine to Call- fornia. There are the volumes each so crowded with thrills and heart-tugs that if were madness to hope to do justice to them collectively and rank injustice to discriminate be- tween them, To abandon the idea of giving a few extracts causes In- finite pain, but if once a start were made in that direc- tion, it would be cruel to The Evening Sun’s readers to stop, and it is therefore better not to relate one single adventure, Suffice it to say that the stories are clean and well written, DEADWOOD DICK LIBRARY. Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road The Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance The Buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures 3 Buffalo Ben, Prince of the Pistol ‘Gs 6 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval 6 Death-Face, the Detective ¥ 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 @ Omeha Olli, the Masked Terror; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger “4 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix; or, Through to Death @® Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar 18 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team 14 Gold Rifle, the puarpshoot 6 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane 6 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo 17 pepe’ Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight of the Gule 16 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand 1® Photograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance ® Watch-Eye, the Shadow S| peaawood Dick's Device; or, The Sign of the Double ross @ Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief 8% Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty & Deadwood Dick as Detective % Gilt-l'dge Dick 3% Bonanza Bill, the Man-Tracker; or, The Secret Twelve 97 Chip, the Girl Sport 8 Jack Hoyle’s Lead; or, The Road to Fortune §9 Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks 80 manne Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s ule $i Bionde Bill; or. Deadwood Dick’s Home Base @ Solid,Sam, the Boy Road-Agent 33 Tony Fox, the Ferret: or, Boss Bob’s Boss Job 34 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike 85 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party 36 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective 87 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Scamps of the Sierras 38 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo 89 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Adventure 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 eee Josh Grim; or, 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 Sierra Sam’s Sentence; or, Little Luck at Rough Ranch 52 The Girl Sport; or, Jumbo Joe’s Disguise 53 Denver Doll’s Device; or, The Detective Queen 54 Denver Dollas Detective 55 Denver Doll’s Partner; or, Big Buckskin the Sport 56 Denver Doll’s Mine; or, Little Bill’s Big Loss 57 Deadwood Dick Trapped 58 Buck Hawk, Detective; or, The Messenger Boy’s Fortune 59 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 : 62 Spotter Fritz; or, The Store-Detective’s Decoy 63 ie Detective Road-Agent; or, The Miners of Sassa- ras City 64 Pelraee Charlie’s Detective Dash; or, The Cattle ings M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers (James Sullivan, Proprietor), 379 Pearl Street, NEW YORK.

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Copyright 1882-1888, by Beadle & Adams. Entered at Post Office, New York, N. Y., as second class matter. Mar. 15, 1899 THE ARTHUR WESTBROOK CO. No. 49 Cleveland, Ohio Vol. LV

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INio. A9 THE ARTHUR WESTBROOK CO. * Cleveland, Ohio a - — “SIR SPEAKER,’’ HH SAID, ADDRESSING THE FELLOW UPON TAE BARREL, ‘AM I TO INFER FROM THB WORDS I HAVE JUST OVERBEARD, THAT YOU CONTEMPLATE ARRESTING ME, SIERRA SAM”?

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BEADLE’S FRONTIER SERIES 1. The Shawnee’s Foe. « 50. 2. The Young Mountaineer, ' oe 3. Wild Jim. 4 4, Hawk-Eye, the Hunter. ‘ki Ba. “5. The Boy Guide. ty 54, 6. War Tiger of the Modocs vy 7. The Red Modocs. 55 * 8. Tron Hand. 56. * 9. Shadow Bill, the Scout. rs 10. Wapawkaneta, or the 57. Rangers of the Oneida. , (58. 111. Davy Crockett’s Boy! Hunter. 59. 12. The Forest Avenger. ha 60. 18, Old Jack’s Frontier 61. Cabin. 62. 14, On the Deep. (63, ‘15, Sharp Snout. 16. The Mountain Demon. 64, 17, Wild Tom of Wyoming. 65. 48. The Brave Boy Hunters 66. of Kentucky. 67. 119. The Fearless Ranger. 68, 20. The Haunted Trapper. 69. 21. Madman of the Colorado. 70. 22. The Panther Demon. 71, 23. Slashaway, the Fearless. (72. 24, Pine Tree Jack. 25. Indian Jim. 26. Navajo Nick. 27. The Tuscarora’s Vows 28. Deadwood Dick, Jr. (29. A New York Boy Among the Indians. . (80. Deadwood Dick’s Big 93° Deal. a $1. Hank, the Guide. 83. ‘82. Deadwood Dick’s Dozen, 4, 33. Squatty Dick. $5, 34, The Hunter’s Secret. 86. (85. The Woman Trapper. 87. 36. The Chief of the Miami. 98, 87. Gunpowder Jim. 89, 38. ae ‘Anthony’s Captain. 90. he Ranger Boy’s Career. 91. ite ye gel of Lp Swamp, a Hie ented ; The Irish Hunter. 97. . Dave Bunker. 98. 47. The Shawnee Witch, 99. . Big Brave. Spider-Legs. S FRONTIER Single coypies, 15e. ARTHUR WESTBROOK CO. BEADLE’ SERIES are in sale by all Newsdealers; or will be sent ae to any address: {5c. Per Copy. Harry Hardskull. Madman of the Oconto. Slim Jim. } Tiger-Eye. The Red Star of the Seminoles. | . Trapper Joe. The Indian Queen’s Revenge. Eagle-Eyed Zeke, Sear-Cheek, the Wild Half-Breed. Red Men of the Woods. Tuscaloosa Sam, The Bully of the Woods. The Trapper’s Bride. Red Rattlesnake, The Pawnee. The Scout of Tippecanoe Old Kit, The Scout. The Boy Scouts. Hiding Tom. Roviug Dick, Hunter, Hickory Jack, Mad Mike. Snake-Eye. Big-Hearted Joe. . The Blazing Arrow. . The Hunter Scouts. The Scout of Long Island, Turkey-Foot. The Death Rangers. Bullet Head. The Indian Spirit. The Twin Trappers. Lightfoot the Scout, Grim_Dick. The Wooden-Legged Spy. The Silent Trapper. . Ugly Ike. Fire Cloud. Hank Jasper. The Scout of the Sciota. Black Samson. Billy Bowlegs. The Bloody erootprint. een a Gee ; PH ig Satan ther ‘patetac ae dour of of ne st. Lawrences Bloody Bro 100, Long Bob. of Kentucky. print and for CLEVELAND, OHIO

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Deadwood Dick e Library e HANDSOME TRL-COLORED COVERS 82 Pages. | 7 Buy One and You Will Buy the Rest! For Sample Cover See @ther @ide. DEADWOOD DICK LIBRARY. 1 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 7 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 10 Omaha Oll, the Masked Terror; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger 11 Jim eae Jr., the Boy Phenix; or, Through to ea 12 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood ar ‘ 13 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifie Team 14 Gold Rifle, the seid Rats 15 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane 16 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo 17 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight of the Gulch 18 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand 19 Photograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance 20 Watch-Eye, the Shadow ; 21 arate Dick's Device; or, The Sign of the Double ross 22 Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief 28 Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty 24 Deadwood Dick as Detective 25 Gilt-Kdged Dick sy 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 ee 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 84 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike 85 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party 86 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective d 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 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 hie lic Josh Grim; or, 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 Sierra Sam’s Sentence; or, Little Luck at Rough anc 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; or, Little Bill’s Big Loss 57 Deadwood Dick Trapped 58 Buck Hawk, Detective; or, The Messenger Boy's Fortune 59 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 62 aay Fritz; or, The Store-Detective’s Deco: 63 The Detective Road-Agent; or, The Miners of Sassa- as fr rea 64 Colorado Charlie’s Detective Dash; or, The Cattle ings