Fame And Fortune Weekly (no. 1186) (1928 06 22)
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The boys sprang forward and gripped the man by the arm. “Pull!” cried Will to his com. panion. ‘Let go, will you!” cried the fellow, struggling to free himself. “Not wmiuch,” replied the boys, in a bresth, pulling all the harder
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ae Westbury Publishing Co., q Dee. No. 1186 FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY Issued Weekly—Subscription price, $4.00 per year Canadian, 50 5 p . the, 140 Gedar Street, New York hie x; %, 1911, at the Post-Office at New York, N NEW YORK, JUNE 22, 1928 Foreign, .00. Copyright, 1! A . Hntered ey Second wo Naren ba ¥., under the Act of March 3, 1879 Price 8 Cents. ! The Stolen Bonds OR, HOW WALL STREET WILL MADE HIS MARK. By A SELF-MADE MAN. CHAPTER I.—The Missing Bonds and Clerk. “If anybody had told me that Bob Burton, our _ ‘junior clerk, was dishonest, I’d have felt like * punching him in the jaw and calling him a liar,” said Dick Rogers, a Wall Street messenger; hut——” “Now you have your doubts, eh?” replied Will _ Withers, known among his brother messengers as ‘Wall Street Will. - Both boys worked for Broker Jolin Burkett, whose office was in the Eclipse Building, No. — _ Wall Street. a “How can I help it when the evidence points to the fact that he has skipped with that package of D. & G. bonds?” replied Dick. “TI don’t believe he’s skipped with the bonds,” said Will, doggedly. “Nothing would make me believe it. steps in shoe leather to-day.” . “I don’t blame you standing up for him, Will. - You and he are next door to chums, and you’re _ sweet on his sister Nellie. It is right and proper you should defend him, but——” _ “Everybody in the office, excepting me, seems to pebsve decided that he’s ‘guilty. Perhaps it’s nat- ural they should when the boss sides against him. You think like the others. I know you do, though ‘you don’t like to come out flat-footed before me. (Well, you and the rest of the bunch, the boss in- _ eluded, are all wrong.” J wish I could think so, for I always liked Bob, but——” “That ‘but’? sticks in your craw, doesn’t a paid Will, half resentfully. “T can’t help it if it does. Mr. Burkett handed Shim the package of bonds to deliver to William Hodge, at a house on Long. Island. That was two days ago, and he immediately left the office on his errand. He didn’t deliver the bonds to - Mr. Hodge, but a person answering his descrip- _ tion was seen boarding the West Shore Chicago express an hour after he left the office, and re '=“Well, go on.” < “That’s all; but it’s enough to throw the strong- kind of suspicion on Bob.” » “Tt doesn’t seem to have occurred to you that something may have happened to him—something erious.” 5 : “What could have happened to him in broad ght that would not be known by this time? e met with an cident—knocked down by an ap * - _ - é -that word to him in my presence. Bob Burton is the squarest chap who - auto, or something of that kind—the fact would have been reported in the papers, and the boss would have found him in the hospital or the morgue.” “I’m sure something did happen to him.” “What do you think did happen to him?” “T don’t know.” ; “There you are. You’re just sticking up for him because you don’t want to admit that he’s really a thief.” ‘ “He isn’t a thief, and I don’t want you to apply If everybody in Wall Street was as honest as he there wouldn’t be so many lambs on the road to the poorhouse.” — “All right; don’t get mad. We’ll let it go at — that,” said Dick. This conversation happened in a quick-lunch house after business hours. The subject of it, Bob Burton, the youngest of Broker Burkett’s clerks, had disappeared in a most mysterious manner two days before, and with him vanished — fifty $1,000 D. & G. Railroad first mortgage five per cent. bonds, that sold in the market at a pre- © mium, which the broker had intrusted to him to deliver to a customer of the house at his home in Redwood, Long Island. tf Bob had, prior to his promotion to the counting- room, been one of the messengers of the office, and his reputation was good. During a four — years’ connection with the office he had often earried thousands’ of dollars worth of securities, as well as cash, around the district for his em- ployer, and nothing had ever happened.. Now it was believed that the young fellow had yielded to a sudden temptation to make a considerable sum of money at the cost of his reputation, and — the risk ofycapture and punishment for the bonds were coupon ones, and readily negotiable. : Why were his associates, as well as the broker, every one, in fact, except Will, who remained ; loyal-to him, so ready to accept his disappearance as evidence of guilt, when persons often vanish, _ in a great city owing to circumstances over which they have no control? tis Because Sam Burkett, the cashier, who was the broker’s nephew, had reported in the counting- room that the detective, ‘hired by his uncle to look Bob up, had found positive evidence that a * person, who looked exactly like Burton, had urchased’ a ticket for Chicago, and _ left eehawken on the noon express for the W soon after the young clerk left the office with the a : SC oerE Pe ees ee fe eed * ns
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poet of bonds. Also because Sam Burkett said ~ = hat Bob had been seen by two or three people who knew him, walking rapidly toward Broadway, above Nassau street, when he ought to have turned up the latter street, which was the more ‘expeditious route for him to have taken him direct to the Long Island depot. Also because Sam Burkett said that Bob had lately remarked to him that if he had a few “thousand dollars at that particular time he knew how he could make his fortune. Those were the three counts against the missing clerk. When brought forward by the cashier, who hinted that _ there was other evidence against Bob which he _was not permitted to disclose, all hands, with the exeeption of Will, were satisfied that matters _}ooked very black against Burton. In defending his friend, Will disposed of the first count as not - conclusive. In his opinion it was a case of mis- _ taken identity. The second count he dismissed as amounting to nothing, for it was probable that Bob preferred to ride up Broadway to.City Hall Park, and then cross over to the Brooklyn Bridge, et of walking up Nassau street to Park Beer LOWS +The latter route is more direct, I admit, but 7 I doubt if you can make the Bridge quicker that : way than by taking a Broadway car,” he said. us “In any case it’s easier to go by a car than to walk the distance, and if there is any difference in time it isn’t worth considering.” : As for the third count, he didn’t consider it cut any ice at all. In the first place they only had the cashier’s word for it that Bob had made such a remark. In the second place, any one who kept in touch with Wall Street affairs might make ‘such a remark a dozen times a year. He had done it himself more than once. Will, however, -_-was only a messenger, and his argument didn’t go - as far as the word of the cashier, especially as that individual was the boss’ nephew. The result was the missing Bob remained under the cloud of suspicion, which nothing but his reappearance with the bonds and a satisfac- tory explanation would dissipate. Of course, Will was much concerned over the disappearance of his friend Bob, and wondered what was the ~ cause of it. Bob lived with his sister Nellie in a ' four-room flat on the upper East Side. Nellie was cashier in a big butcher shop, where she put ‘in the day between. eight and six. whey were - orphans and devoted to each other. Will, who - jived with his married aunt six or eight blocks - from the Burton flat, called on them on the ~ average of twice a week. Though Bob was his - particular friend, Nellie was really the attraction - that drew him there, She was a pretty girl, and a good one, and the young messenger was much _ interested in her. - On the evening of the day that Bob left the office with, the package of bonds to take to Mr. S Hodge, and failed to return in due time with the receipt. for the same, Will went over to his flat, thinking his friend might have been taken ill and -. gone home. Nellie was home waiting for her rother, and wondering what kept him away. She was greatly alarmed when Will told her that Bob had not returned from his mission, and she became more worried as time passed and he did not come home. ‘ Qn the afternoon of the following day the Peis Sere ~s + — ae ee 2 = THE STOLEN BONDS his investment. v re ae the office next morning was to pick up a cashier circulated his supicions. That evening Will called at the Burton flat again and found ~ Nellie nearly wild with anxiety. She was sure.% that something dreadful had happened to her brother, and Will did his best to comfort and reassure her. Of course, he did not hint about what was said at the office. He told her that the hospitals of Brooklyn and Manhattan had been ~ communicated with, and her brother was not in any of them. He said that Mr. Burkett had em- ployed two detectives to look for him, thinking ~ he had gone astray somehow—that’s the way he_ put it. He assured her that Bob would turn up all right, and begged her to be as patient as she could, tellmg her that worrying wouldn’t bring him back any sooner. After his unsatisfactory talk with Dick Rogers, his fellow messenger, he — went home, and after supper started to see Nellie — Burton again. He felt decidedly uncomfortable, for he could not disguise the fact that his friend — was more than suspected of having stolen the — bonds and skipped, and he was afraid that one ‘g 7 reat | mane bs AOR OW Roe ae pel fr UE “Et POR Cond 7 | pes of the detectives would call on Nellie and tell her — in what light her brother was regarded at the office. He knew that would almost break her a heart. He reached the flat house and climbed the d stairs to the Burton apartment. He knocked on the door, but Nellie did not come to let him in ag” usual. He looked through the keyhole after try- ine the knob, and all was dark inside. : “ “She isn’t home,” he thought. “I. wonder where she went?” a He walked downstairs, waited around the en. 2 trance for nearly an hour, and then took a stroll down Third avenue. He returned in an hour, but the Burton flat was still locked up. Will was surprised at Nellie’s absence, and could not im- . agine where she could have gone. He waited for © perhaps twenty minutes, and as it was then going on eleven; he gave it up and went home. Tie CHAPTER II.—Will Makes a Deal in the Market. Will Withers was something of a small specu-— lator on the quiet. After accumulating fifty dol- lars, he had risked it as a marginal deposit on a certain railroad stock. His first deal was succes ful and he doubled his money. A month later he put up the $100 on ten shares of another stock and collared a profit of $60. After that he specu: lated whenever he thought he saw a good chance to win. His luck varied, but now, at the end of a year, he was worth $600. He had lately bee watching L. & M. with a sharp eye. It had going up, a little at a time. After leaving Dick the previous afternoon he went around to a littl banking and brokerage office on Nassau stree where he had been trading, and left an order for fifty shares of the stock at the market price of 82 This was the biggest deal he had essayed yet, | for it took $500 of his little capital to swing it. It was quite a risk for him to take, for he had no tip to-encourage him, but depended wholly ~ upon his private judgment. Everything pointed to a general rise in the market, and naturally he expected L. & M. would participate in that 1 to an extent that would give him a good profit The first thing he did wher hike Bas i att +e 7
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THE STOLEN BONDS ~ 3 Wall Street daily and look over it for the latest financial news. Dick came in soon after and + wished him good-morning. ; - “Seems to me you’re reading. Wall Street intel- ‘ligence, Will,” he said, as he opened up his morn- 3s ing, Paper. “What do you find so interesting in i f “TJ like to keep in touch with affairs in the Street,” replied Will. : “What do you care about what’s going on in the Street?” a “Tf I didn’t care I wouldn’t bother looking things up.” “studying to be a broker?” grinned Dick. + “J might do worse.” i You’ve got lots of time to think of that later on.” “Read your paper and don’t bother me.” “All right,” replied Dick, and there was silence _ for a minute or two. “Oh, I say, listen to this,” said Dick prensently. “Stolen Bonds. A Trusted pogierk Disappears with $50,000 Worth of Securi- '¥*ties. John Burkett, Broker of No. — Wall Street ~the Victim. On Monday morning, Robert Burton, “a junior clerk in the employ of John Burkett, a stockholder, was intrusted with a That will do. I don’t want to hear about it,” interrupted Willy shortly. “I think it’s a blamed shame to publish the story when it hasn’t been proved that Bob stole those bonds.” ; : “Oh, if you don’t want to hear about it I won't read it; but I thought you’d like to learn about further developments in the case.” “What further developments are there?” asked ‘Will with some interest. ; : “The Cleveland police, acting on instructions from Headquarters, in this city, hoarded a Lake Shore train and arrested a young man answering to the description of Bob. He proved that he was not Burton at all, but Frank Deering, traveling for a Fulton street paint company. He was allowed to proceed on his way.” _ “What did I tell you?” exclaimed Will tri- Pumphantly. “T said it was a case of mistaken identity.” “You were right there, but that doesn’t prove that Bob didn’t take the bonds.” “He ought to be considered innocent till he’s proven guilty.” this.” oe “You may take my word for it that he would have turned up if he could.” — : eee “Which means that you still think something happened to him on his way to Hodge’s?” mis ” I don’t see what could have happened to him _ that the newspapers and detectives have failed s0 far to bring to light.” ~ “Some crook might have learned that he was carrying a package of bonds, waylaid him on his 2 way between the station and Mr. Hodge’s house, me him up and hid his body,” said Will. ; _,. “What, in open daylight! I don’t believe it fe have been done without attracting atten- “Maybe not in this city or in Brooklyn, but out the-country it’s different.” —~ “Hodge lives in the village of Redwood. ay - “Tf he was innocent he’d have turned up before “They might and they might not. Village. houses are not built close together like city ones, and the streets are generally shaded by trees,” “Well, if he was struck down and robbed, his ' body would have been'found. You can’t tell me that his assailant would take the risk of dragging him off somewhere when all he had to do was to skip out with the bonds. The discovery of Bob’s dead or unconscious body would have taken the mystery out of this case.” “The fact that no trace has been found of Bob is enough to convince me that his body was put out of the way.” Dick was skeptical about Bob having been at- tacked at all, and as the clerks and Sam Burkett, the cashier, had arrived by this time, the argu- ment between the two boys came to an end. Will was called up by the cashier, who handed him several certificates of Reading stock and told him to take them across the street to Morgan & Co.’s and have them transferred. Will hurried. off with the certificates, two of which called for 100 shares each, while the others were for lesser amounts of the stock. He went to the transfer clerk’s window and handed the certificates to that individual. The clerk looked them over and handed them back to him. Will then wrote on the proper line the name of the man who had bought the shares through Mr. Burkett: In this case he wrote the names of three different per- sons, as the stock had not all been ordered by the same man. As soon as he handed the certificates. back to the clerk he received receipts for them, and these he carried back to the office. Next day, after half-past one, either he or Dick would return with the receipts properly filled in, and then new certificates, properly filled in and signed, would be handed back. While Will was attending to this matter, Dick had been des- patched to a broker with stock that had been sold by Mr. Burkett at the Exchange the afternoon previous. When Dick reached the broker’s office ~~ he presented the certificates and received a check in payment for them. Before he returned he took the check to the bank on which it was drawn and had it certified, ‘ z Will got back to the office first, but was sent out again almost immediately. This time he car- ried a. note to the office of a trader in the Mills Building. The broker was engaged with an im-— portant visitor, and the young messenger had to wait. There were two brokers in the ‘room wait- ing to see the trader also. 3 7 They were talking together, and the subject of their conversation was the stolen bonds as printed in that morning’s paper. In their opinion another trusted employee had gone astray. From that subject they branched off on the market. Both agreed that a sharp rise was in sight, and they seemed particularly interested in L. & M. One By said that he had received a tip to get in on that stock, and he had@one so to the extent of his
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ee oe THE STOLEN BONDS . - Will. to deliver his. note, and he took advantage “> of it. He received a reply to take back, and hurried away. “t guess I made no mistake in risking my money on L. & M.,” he thought. “A ten-point ‘wise will double my money, and if it goes higher “my deal-will pan out still better, if nothing hap- pens to dump me.” Mr. Burkett was down when Will got back, and the broker sent him with a note to a commis- sion merchant on Barclay street. “Tell Mr. Burkett all right,” said the merchant after reading the note. “By the way, I saw by the paper this morning that one of the clerks of your office has SIepeed out with a lot of bonds.” “Tt hasn’t been proved that he skipped-out with the package of bonds. It is true that Bob Burton fhas disappeared with the bonds in his possession, but he hasn’t stolen the securities just the same, for he’s as honest as the day is long. It is my opinion he was waylaid and done up,” replied Will. “Tf his reputation for honesty is so high, why is he credited with the theft?” : “T can’t tell you, sir. Seems to me judgment has been passed too hastily upon him. At any rate, one of the points against him has fallen through.” “What was that?” “That he was seen boarding a West Shore Chicago express an hour after he left the office. The person who was believed to be him was ar- rested when the train reached Cleveland, but proved to be a traveling salesman.” “Yes, I saw that fact mentioned in the paper. “So you think the missing clerk is the victim of x foul play?” | “J am certain of it.” “What makes you feel so sure?” _ -. “Merely my conviction of his honesty.” ; “Hum! If the bonds are sold, can they be _ traced?” : “J pelieve their numbers and description have been sent to every Exchange in the country. The paper will be posted so that all the brokers can px make a note of missing securities for their guid- ance.” “In that case the thief-is not likely to realize on his stealings.” we “Bob Burton knows that as well as anybody in “Wall Street. That’s another reason why he .% wouldn’t steal the bonds.” = - “Tt would seem hardly worth his while unless he knew where he could dispose of them without risk at the start.” “That could have been done, of course, but the fact would probably have come to light by this time. So far as I know no trace of the bonds - has been found.” ~ “You mean they have not been offered for sale, I suppose?” “Apparently they have not.” %, The merchant had nothing more to say on the subject, and so Will took his leave. rinted roker $1,000 for information leading from their flat. She put her goods in storage and’ - except that it doesn’t strike me as natural,” s CHAPTER III.—Will Investigates. Sometimes Will took the day’s deposits to thi bank and sometimes Dick performed the errand. On this particular day Will was given the job b the cashier. He returned a few minutes afte three and turned in the book. He thought that Sam Burkett favored him with a somewhat mali cious smile. ; “Say, Will,” said Dick, who was doing nothing in particular. “There’s another development in the bond robbery.” ee “What is it?” asked Will, curiously. : e on cashier thinks that it clinches the guilt te) se 5 “He does, eh? Seems to me he’s doing all he can to make out that Bob is a thief.” 2 “A detective was here while you were out, and_ brought some information to the boss. The old man called his nephew inside. The sleuth didn’t stay long, and he and the cashier came out t gether. After the officer went away, Sa: Burkett told Jones, the second bookkeeper, that — Bob’s sister had disappeared, bag and baggage, took a train for the West.” Will gasped at this piece of intelligence. didn’t know what to make out of it. “The cashier says it’s clear she’s gone to j her brother.” - Will had nothing to say. Knowing how devoted brother and sister were to each other, he was. sure Nellie wouldn’t leave New York with her brother’s fate in the balance. If she had rea’ gone as reported, she must have acted on a com- mission from her brother. If she had receiv: news fyom her brother, why had she not notifie the office of the fact? : “What do you think about it?” asked Di looking hard at Will. : ; Y “T’ve got no opinion to express on the subj He Will, slowly. “Don’t you believe it?” 4 “Y’ll have to think it over.” J “Tt must be true, for the news was evidently brought by the detective.” w : “Maybe it is.” “Hits you rather hard, doesn’t it?” “How?” ; - 5 “Tooks as if she’s gone to join her brother. Tf — he’s out West there can’t be much doubt about his having skipped with the bonds.” Will made no reply. His confidence in B had got a rude jolt, but for all that he was just as ready to defend him as ever. Sam Burkett knew that Will was Bob’s only real supporte the office, and probably that was the reason © had given the boy that peculiar smile. Dick w called up by the cashier and sent out. Will s down to think. His thoughts were far f pleasant. aE, rt and _ “Withers aot th
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“Take this note to the address on Cortlandt Sam Burkett. Will hurried away, for it was close on to his _ «Quitting time. The address @n Cortlandt street Moved to be a trunk store. The young messenger resented the note and received a handsome suit- ease, lettered “S. B.” He carried it back to the oa office. Dick had left for the day, and had either gone home or to a lunch-house. “Anything more, Mr. Burkett?” asked - Will. ~ “Yes, Sit down.” Will looked at the clock. The time was a _ quarter to four. He picked up the market report, _ which had been left a few minutes before. Sin- -giling out L. & M., he saw that 118,650 shares had changed hands that day. That was quite a bunch of stock for one day’s operations. The price had gone up a point since morning. He had made $50 that day, on paper. Fifteen minutes passed away and then the ashier called on Will again. “Know where I live?” he asked the boy. “No, sir.” “Well, there’s my address on that slip of paper. Take that suit-case up there and leave it with e porter. Here’s half a dollar. Pay your car- e out of it and keep the change.” - Will took the suit-case and left. Twenty min- utes of five he ascended a short flight of marble steps to the iron-latticed gate in front of the door fa swell bachelor apartment house on Park ave- e. He rang the bell, and after an interval a an, in a subdued kind of uniform, appeared. ‘Does Mr. Samuel Burkett live here?” asked ‘Yes,’ ‘He told me to leave this suit-case with the iter.” ‘’'m the porter.” Hand it over.’ As the word “Porter” was traced in a kind of olden script on both corners of the man’s collar, 11 had no doubt of his identity, and delivered the suit-case to him. Will then walked back to Third avenue and boarded an elevated train for “One Hundred and Twenty-fifth street. » Alighting at that station, he went directly to the Burton A. glance at the letter-box showed him that ~Bob’s name was missing. The detective’s report seemed to be true after all. Will went down in he basement to receive the janitor’s confirma- ion, and any particulars about the sudden move her rooms, ave the Burtons moved?” he asked. ewes?” here to?” Their furniture was taken to a storage house.” ‘Did the young lady give up the key herself?” o. She sent the key by the storage-house Then you didn’t see her before she left?” “No. I saw her leave the house last evening seven o’clock in an automobile.” an automobile?” : ae at es.” **Did you speak to her then?” : “No. ‘She seemed to be in a hurry. rother is in trouble, isn’t he?” “What makes you think he is?” Her ‘THE STOLEN BONDS treet and bring me what you'll get there,” said the Burtons. The janitress came to the door “There was a story in the paper this morning about——”’ : “Yes, I know. I work in the same office on Wall Street. It hasn’t been proven that he stole the bonds intrusted to him for delivery. He is merely suspected because he has failed to turn up, and the bonds were not delivered.” ; ; “The paper says he’s charged with stealing them.” “You mustn’t believe all you see When was the furniture removed? “About noon to-day.” “Did the mover present an order signed by Miss Burton?” “He did.” “Are you sure it was her signature?” _“T suppose it was when she sent it.” “Have you got the order?” “Yes. I always save such things.” ; “That’s right, because if the order happened to be a forgery there would be: trouble.” “T wouldn’t have let the things go without the key was presented, too.” “Did you take notice of the name of the storage company?” “Yes, it was the Eagle.” Will knew that the Eagle Company was a lower west side concern. As there were a score of storage-houses nearer than that one, Will won- — dered why that had been chosen. : ‘Well, you hang on to that order, madam. It is possible you may have to produce it, - By the jn the papers. way, was there a detective here investigating?” “There was a man here yesterday who said he was a detective. He was here again to-day after ee things were moved. He asked me some quese ions. “About Bob Burton?” “Yes, and about Miss Burton, too.” “What did he want to know about her?” “He wanted to know if she had received a let- ter in the last day or two. I couldn’t tell him. He wanted to know something about her move- ments, and I told him where she worked. I also told him what I told you about her going off in a cab last evening, and about the furniture having been moved to the Eagle Storage-house. Then he went away.” Will essed the man was the detective who had called at the office that afternoon and re-\ ~ He bade the woman _ ported the latter facts. good-afternoon and went home. f Next morning Will started downtown uncom-_ monly early. His purpose was to visit the Eagle ~ Storage-house. He reached the place at a quarter past eight. He found some difficulty in connee- tion with. the information he was after, but he — finally learned that the order to move the Bur- — ton’s furniture came from,Bob himself, not in — ” O 4 person, but by letter, enclosing the key of the flat and a $10 bill. handwriting and asked to see the letter. His re- — quest was refused. Then he asked to be per mitted to look at the signature on the letter. “Why do you want to see it?” re “T would like to see if it’s genuine.” “What business is that of yours?” “T want to know order.” . “T- can’t oblige you, as our customer’s business is confidential.’ He was familiar with Bob’s if he really sent you that
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“Was there, a detective looking into the matter yesterday afternoon?” » “What right or authority have you for making these inquiries?” , “TI have no authority. I am acting solely in Bob Burton’s interest.” “Well, we have his furniture in storage here. That’s all I can tell you.” The clerk turned away, and Will, finding that he could learn nothing more, left. CHAPTER IV.—Will Visits Redwood. Next morning Will noticed that when Jones, the second bookkeeper, came in that he opened the office safe, passed out the books and papers, and then took possession of the cashier’s desk. He called Dick’s attention to the fact. “I guess Sam Burkett must have gone West to follow up Bob,” said that lad. “Probably a de- tective went with him. It’s likely they have a line on Bob’s route and will bring him back with ' them. He was a fool to send for his sister.” _ Will picked up a Wall Street paper and began to'read. He noticed a paragraph about L. & M., and found that it predicted a substantialrise in the price of that stock. By the time he had finished he was called on to go out. Nothing of importance to Will happened that day except the rise of another point in L. & M., which put him $100 ahead on his deal so far. He took a Madi- ‘son avenue car uptown that afternoon, got off ata certain street, walked over to Park avenue, nd rang the bell at the apartment house where Barn Burkett lived. ‘Has Mr. Burkett gone out West?” he asked the porter. “He has left the city to be gone several days,” was the reply. “AY right,” replied Will, who then walked off, _ pretty well satisfied that the cashier had started on the presumed trail of Bob Burton. _ Nevertheless Will didn’t believe that his friend Bob was out West at all. To believe that was ‘equivalent to admitting that Bob had fled with the bonds. Still he couldn’t help feeling puzzled over the disappearance of Nellie. If she had real- ly gone to join her brother, why had the furniture been stored in place of being sold? It looked nee to Will. ¢ Next day was Saturday, and the office closed up at one. The young messenger shoved his pay envelope in-his pocket, went to a restaurant, and had a good lunch. Then he walked up to the Brooklyn Bridge, jumped on a car and rode to the Long Island Railroad depot, where he bought a tieket for Redwood. An hour later he got out at York on week days. the village station. He found the agent and asked him if many passengers came there from New “Not over half a dozen commuters at this sea. THE STOLEN BONDS — sah “Do you recollect if it stopped last Monday? “Last Monday? Yes, I remember it stopped to set down a smooth-faced young man of about twenty-one or two.” P Will’s heart gave @ jump. ot “He wore a check suit, didn’t he, with a see hat, and a red-and-black necktie?” , : “T guess he did. At any rate, I remember he AS Ste derby, and had a reddish tie,” replied the agent. “That was Bob,” breathed Will to himself. — “Did you notice the direction he took when he left __ the station?” he said aloud. BS “There was an automobile waiting for him.” } “An automobile!” exclaimed Will. “Yes. The man who came here in it went w to him, and after a few words they vot into it ‘an went off.” “In what direction?” Re “That road there, which leads right into the village.” 5; : net “T suppose you know Mr. Hodge, who lives ~ rs ie here?” “Oh, yes. He lives on Lincoln avenue.” “In the village?” SY en,72 t “And that road is the one you take to reach hig * house from here?” = “Yes.” : ow i - “What time does the first afternoon train for — Brooklyn on week days pass here?” ; .. “Two-ten. It doesn’t stop unless I flag it.” a “Did the young man we were speaking about come, back and ask you to stop that train for — ee Bree aa “Did he take the next train?” 3 “Not to my knowledge. I haven’t seen him since he left in the auto.” ise “Do you know if that was Mr. Hodge’s auto — that he got into?” é “Mr. Hodge doesn’t own an auto, though he’s — rich; he’s rich enough to own several if he wanted to.” i “You don’t know who the auto did belong to, I suppose?” : “Haven’t the least idea. It was a red machine, and didn’t look like any of those I’ve seen in this neighborhood.” - “And the man who came in it was a stranger to you?” “He was. I never saw him before.” Will paused and then asked the agent when the next train for Brooklyn stopped at the station. — “Four-forty. If you want to take that train,” — let me know when you get here, and I'll flag it for you,” the man said. } WAG “All right,” replied Will. “The young ma who got off the train on Monday is a friend mine, and I’m looking for him. I’d give some-— thing to know where that auto took him. Be came here to see Mr. Hodge, but Mr. Hodge sen word that he did not call at his house. T question is, where did he go?” : “It would be hard to say if you have no idea.” “Most all the people hereabouts have lived h some time, I suppose?” 2 “Yes. Along about next month we'll begin. have new faces—people who come here for + summer and stay till the first of October or so.” Judging that he had learned all that the agent - oe iq ewe as ie Rely Re \aceecp ae ES
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could tell him about Bob, for he was satisfied that the young man was his friend, Will thanked him ey and walked off up the road toward the village. “So, there was an automobile waiting for Bob when he got there,” thought Will, as he walked along. “That shows he was expected. Now, ~ nobody here but Mr. Hodge could have been look- ing for Bob, and as Mr. Hodge doesn’t own an _ puto, and has declared that he didn’t see him, ' why, of course, the party who took Bob from the station had no connection with him. Under these circumstances I must conclude that somebody, who found out that Bob was going to bring a package of bonds to Mr. Hodge on the 12:15 train, is at the bottom of this mysterious business. He ‘must have come on from Brooklyn in the auto in time to meet the train. Then doubtless by repre- senting that he was sent by Mr. Hodge to meet him, and bring him to his house, Bob was in- duced to get into the auto. The man then carried him to some lonesome spot or house in the neigh- borhood, did him up and robbed hiin of the bonds. That seems to be a reasonable deduction from the ; facts I have picked up from the agent. But the # mystery is only partially explained. There are o: ation points that I can’t fit together. One is, if -_ @ job was put on Bob to rob him of the bonds, how did the rascal learn in the first place that he was oing to bring a package of bonds to Mr. Hodge? _ ‘This information must have been known outside - of our office some hours ahead in order to give the conspirator time to lay his plans. Nobody outside of Mr. Burkett and his nephew should have known anything about the matter, and they ‘would hardly advertise the fact. That’s mystery ~ mumber one. Mystery number two is the sudden - departure from New York of Nellie. She must have received a note that she supposed came' from ‘her brother. Mystery number three is the giving up of their flat and storage of their furniture. If the rascal merely intended to get the bonds away - from Bob, and succeeded in doing so, as his fail- “ure to reach Mr. Hodge’s house would indicate, - why should Nellie figure in the subsequent pro- _ eeedings? If Bob was put out of business, rob- | bed and left in some lonely part of the neighbor- hood, the fact would have come to light, I should think, and we would have heard of it at the office. Instead of that the detectives on the case haye “been accumulating evidence tending to show that he never came to Redwood at all, but deliberately - fied with the bonds out West. Talk about puz- gling mysteries, I think this one takes the cake.” Will was fully satisfied that the detectives were on the wrong scent. The statement of the sta- ‘tion agent seemed to prove that Bob had come to _ the village on the train he was expected to take, and that, so far as the agent knew, he had not left the place again by train. Well, admitting the truth of that, where was he now, and was he alive or dead? If alive, was Nellie with him? - Will walked about the village at random, un- able to think of any way of getting a clue to the whereabouts of his friend. He dropped into a number of business places and inquired if a red -automobile had been noticed on the street shortly ‘after noon on the preceding Monday. None of the persons he asked had any recollection of such a@ machine, Finally it drew near the time fof the train to reach the station. Will returned oe s THE STOLEN BONDS 7 there, asked the agent to flag it for him, got aboard and returned to Brooklyn, whence he made his way home. : CHAPTER V.—The Man in the Transom. Will decided to tell no one at the office about what he had learned from the station agent at — Redwood. It was so indefinite, anyway, that prob- ably no attention would be paid to it. Mr. Burk- ett would likely declare it a case of mistaken identity, like that of the traveling salesman on the Lake Shore train who had been taken for Bob, Will was not anxious to be twitted by his fellow clerks about the interest he was taking in the missing Bob, whose guilt seemed to be an established fact. Dick would be sure to guy him not a little, and they might get into a scrap over the matter. Broker Burkett had paid cash for the $50,000 D. & G. bonds, worth in the market about $61,500, and the withdrawal of that amount _ of money from his bank account, which he ex- pected to immediately replace with Mr. Hodge's check as soon ag that gentleman received the se- curities, rather cramped the broker’s working capital, for he had considerable money invested — in a private deal that was hanging fire. Under these circumstances he was decidedly anxious to have his guilty clerk captured and the bonds ve- covered. Satisfied from the reports he had re- ceived that Bob Burton had gone West, he sent. ip his nephew, Sam, and a detective to follow up the t presumed trail of the young absconder. a During the week following Will’s visit to Red. wood no developments transpired in the case, at x) least no news came to the ears of the employees. Everything they had heard before came to them — through Sam Burkett, and all his statements were confirmed by the newspaper story published on the Wednesday morning following Bob’s disap- pearance. Now that Sam was away, the source of news had dried up» Will had done a lot ce] ‘ thinking, and some planning, but no one knew that but himself. * : : The market had gradually stiffened, and L. & M. had advanced to 86 by Wednesday, which - put the young messenger $200 ahead of the game on paper. Baek On Thursday it took a sudden jump to 90, and became the leading feature on the floor of the board-room. The general improvement in the market had brought a crowd of lambs to the. - Street and unloosened their purse strings, conse- quently business was looking up in the brokerage offices. Mr. Burkett had his share of the rush, ~ and Will and Dick were kept pretty busy, as were ae also the clerks. Instead of getting off as wns? og¢ at_half-past three, Will was kept on till five. helping out in the counting-room. Dick wasn ¢ ¢ © required to stay, and gave Will the laugh. Wik didn’t mind that, for he was now in a position > to learn a lot of new wrinkles about the business, In fact, it wasn’t at all certain but he would _ be promoted to Bob’s desk, at increased wage of course. He wasn’t sure but he was being tested to see = if he could make good. As summer was close at __ hand the change probably would not be made until - early fall, since business was sure to show do
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-- ghortly. L. & M. closed at 905 that day, and : opened next morning, which was Friday, at 91. When Will visited the Exchange at noon it was up to 95. Inside of another hour it had boomed “ to par. Will now thought he ought to sell out, _ for he saw $900 in sight. He found no chance g to reach thé little bank, so busy was he kept on the move by his boss. He went to the Exchange at two and saw that L. & M. was going at 103, with the floor in an uproar over it. ' “My gracious!” he exclaimed. “If I only could sell now I’ll clean up $1,000 profit. I’ve pi a ~ got to sneak the time somehow to do it, for this boom is liable to burst at any moment. It would be a shame to Jose so much money.” - He was so excited over the prospect of making - that thousand that when he left the Exchange he ventured to run up to the little bank and lose the time necessary to close out his deal. When he got back to the office nothing was said to him about being out too long, as Jones was too busy to take notice, and he was easy, anyway. He found a chance to look at the office ticker, and _moted the fact that his stock was then going at - 104 and a fraction. “Tf the bank sells it at the present price I'll s aay $1,100 clear of all expenses,” he told him- me sdf, At any rate he counted on making over $1,000, and he was as happy as a clam at high tide. When he went to the bank with the day’s deposits shortly before three, he took the et eines | to visit a lunch-house and get a sandwich, a piece of pie and a cup of coffee, for he was slated to re- main till five, and perhaps later. : _. In fact, that evening the entire office force, Dick excepted, had to work till ten o’clock. About ten o’clock next morning Will took a telegram in to his boss. He waited till Mr. Burkett had read ‘it, thinking there might be a reply. There ‘wasn’t, so he returned and told the messenger e could go. Will had an idea that telegram - came from Sam Burkett, and he wished he knew _ what it said. As he had seen the broker crumble it up in his hand and toss it into the waste basket, he determined to try’ and get it after Mr. - Burkett left. He did not have long to wait. The broker called him in to assist him on with his coat, and then walked out of the room, leaving Will in possession. The young messenger went to the wicker “pasket, rescued the crumpled telegram and put it in his pocket. He returned outside in time to get his pay envelope, which was a signal to him to t. “Coming to lunch?’ asked Dick. “Yes, I'll eat with you if you’re good,” replied if _ “Ain't I always good?” asked Dick with a grin. ee They went to a lunch-house on Cedar street a and lined up at the counter on tall stools. nes, _“T haven’t heard Sy ree more about Bob,” gaid Dick, after he had given his order. Neither have I,” replied Will. “The Great ogul who gave out the news is away.” eaning Sam Burkett.” i “Qf course. He’ was, our source of. intelli- mee.” ~ «Naturally, for he stands next to the boss, and esides is that gemtleman’s nephew. One of these THE STOLEN BONDS — he’ll be junior partner, and eventually, prob- ; ably, the whole shooting match. It’s better to be born lucky than good looking.” “Yes, there was a scarcity in the supply of beauty when he was turned out.” “And an over-supply of red hair. His mother was a strawberry blonde. Well, I’d like to know how things are coming on with Bob. He hasn’t been caught yet, that’s certain, or the news would be in the papers.” “They'll never catch him out West, and I’ve money to bet on it.” “You’re reckless with your funds. you so sure?” “Because he isn’t out West.” “How do you know he isn’t? letter from his sister?” “No. I don’t know where he is any more than you do, but I am certain he is not guilty of steal- ing the bonds, there was no need for him to go West.” \ he didn’t steal the bonds why is he staying Why are Did you get a “cle away?” “Because he can’t help himself.” . “That’s what you said before. If he couldn’t help himself he couldn’t send for his sister. And if he could send for his sister he could have sent us an explanation. It seems to me you’re away off in your figuring.” x “It’s a question in my mind whether he ever sent for his sister.” “It is? Why the detective reported that she had left the city and gone West, apparently to join Bob, for there could be no other reason for er hasty departure.” “T’ve always said that the detectives are on the wrong scent. We know they made one mistake.” “They ought to know their business.’ “They probably do, but they’re not infallible.” “They must have a pretty good clue or Sam Burkett wouldn’t have gone West looking for Bob and the bonds.” “There is no use of our arguing the matter as the case stands, so let’s talk about something / else. / “All right. Where are you going on Decoration Day?” “T couldn’t tell you. I have something else to think about at present.” “Seeing that it’s a week from Monday, it’s about time you began to consider the matter. I’d like to go with you to some place where we i Ci : # or ‘AR te ) 3 _ “a ie * 53 Ps i! could have a good time.” ee “T may have some business on my hands.” “Business—on a holiday!” “Business before pleasure always,” Will. “Oh, you go bag. What are you giving me?” snorted Dick. “Are you through eating?” “Yes,” “Let’s go, then. office for something I left there. said Will. They walked through the ground floor of the Come along,” Eclipse Building and caught the only elevator — that was running. That dumped them out on the — floor, and they walked around to the corridor where their office was. As they drew up before the door of the reception-room Will saw the shadow of a man projected against the frost glass of the boss’s private room dog é smiled I’ve got to run over to the —
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He concluded that one of the janitor’s assistants was in there cleaning up. 4 “Open the door, Dick,” he said. ~ locked.” : “The dickens it isn’t,” replied Dick, trying the knob and finding the door fast. ‘It’s locked, all > ” “Tt’s not ‘Thats funny. The janitor is in there.” “Is he? Then he’s locked himself in.” “He probably forgot to put back the catch. Open it with your key.” ! : Dick proceeded to do so, and made quite a noise. Immediately Will heard an object like a chair - pushed against the door of the private room, and ooking, he saw the shadow of a man mount on it, then raise his foot upon the back of it. Glancing up he saw the wide transom, which was closed, swing into a horizontal position, and then saw and heard the person inside climb higher. The head, shoulders and arms of a thin, smoothly* shaven man came out through the narrow space under the transom frame. He wasn’t the janitor, that was certain. He was a perfect stranger, and o Will didn’t fancy his looks any more than he did “his actions, which were decidedly suspicious. The moment the man looked down and saw Will, for _ Dick had opened the door and entered, he started to get back. This was not so easily peor iHes: for the - imside end of the transom had tilted and caught him in the back, and in his efforts to retreat his coat crumpled up into a bunch that caused him to stick in the aperture, where he struggled like a cockchafer impaled on a pin. eee 3 “Here, Dick, come here—quick!” cried Will. ; His insistent tones brought his fellow mes- - senger back in a hurry. t i “Look at that fellow. He’s got no business in our office when it’s closed up. He must be a thief. _ Grab him before he can get free.” The boys sprang formard and gripped the man by the arm. ; “Pull!” cried Will to his companion. re “Let go, will you?” cried the fellow, struggling ~ to free himself. ; ea “Not much,” replied the boys, pulling all the ~ harder. At that moment an A. D. T. messenger came springing up the stairs, and a tenant of one of the adjoining offices appeared in the corridor. They stopped and looked in astonishment at the _ strange sight. The man in the transom was struggling and swearing at a great rate, while the two messengers were pulling away with all i It was certainly a curious tug-of eee ee CHAPTER VI.—Will Makes an Astonishing Discovery. _ “What's the trouble here?” asked the gentle- man, coming closer, : “We caught this chap trying to crawl out of our ffice through the transom,” replied Will. “That oked suspicious enough for us to grab him. here he comes now out of that entrance on - THE STOLEN BONDS be “Tt’s all a mistake,” said the man, glaring down . at Will. ee “Yes, it was a mistake for you to try and get ; _ out that way when the door is more convenient and proper,” replied the boy. anyway?” “Let go of my arm and I'll tell you.”. “Couldn’t think of it.. I’ve got you and I’m going to 7 a: The man gave a sudden tug and got his arm loose. Then he gave Will a shove and tumbled to the floor inside with a crash. Will made a dive > for the open door, rushed in and made for the door of the private room. He found it locked on the inside. He rushed back to the corridor, but only in time to see the man open the front door, dart out, upset the district telegraph messenger and spring down the stairs, two steps at a time. ‘ “Who are you, Will put after him like a shot. He was just, as spry as the boy, however, and kept ahead of him. When he reached the head of the last flight, — instead of following it he darted off down the ; corridor like.a hare. Will followed in hot pur- suit. The fellow turned into the cross corridor that led to the back of the building, and continued on like a winged Mercury. ue Will now began to overhaul him, and was feel-- ing confident that he would have the man in an- other moment or two, when the fugitive slipped on something and went down like a sack of potatoes. It happened so quick that, Will couldn’t stop, and he pitched right over his body, and went roll-— ing toward the nearest wall, against which he fetched up with a whack that made him see stars. The fugitive picked himself up, and with a sar- __ castic laugh rushed around into the rear corridor —_ that led to the back stairs. Down these he flew, and was out of the building before Will was able to take up the chase again. Will didn’t give up, — but hurried down to Pine street. Hesawtheman nedring the corner of William street. He darted after him as fast as he could go. Before he had ~ covered fifty feet the fellow vanished around the corner. When Will reached the corner himself _ the fugitive was not in sight. He kept on ata reduced pace part of the way down the block and then came to a stop. “He’s gone into one of these entrances, prob- ably to hide until he thinks the coast is clear. I’ll mount, guard here and watch. Maybe I’ll catch him napping,” said the boy to himself. : Will waited and watched for some time, but the _ man did not appear. 3 soe “Tf he’s in one of these buildings he seems to be in no hurry to leave,” muttered Will, impatient “Dick must be wondering where I have gone. He was doubtless surprised when he got back to find that the situation was greatly changed from what he left it. That messenger will tell hi what happened. I was a great chump to let that rascal play a march on me. When I heard him fall I thought I would have him dead to rights. I didn’t imagine for a that he had locked himself into the private room. Hello! By George, other side. I’ll have him as sure as beans.” — Will drew back out of sight as he saw fellow look toward Pine street. When he lo out the fugitive was walking rapidly toward the corner. Will cut across and started to overhav
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10 him. There was a saloon on the corner and the man went in. “Going to have a drink,” chuckled Will. : When he reached the corner he looked into the saloon and saw the man standing at the bar, and the bar-keeper was drawing a glass of lager. “J won’t tackle him in there. Ill wait till he comes out and then lay hold of him. If he gets away from me again he’ll be clever,” thought Will.” . The young messenger stepped into the doorw7y adjoining the saloon and waited: When the man didn’t come out in a reasonable time he looked into the saloon again. To his surprise and dis- ‘gust the man was not there. He rushed in and asked the bar-keeper where the fellow had gone. “The man who just had the beer?” asked the par-keeper. Wag :?? “Oh, he went out by the side door.” “The dickens!” exclaimed Will, making a dash for that exit. “He looked down the street, and he thought he recognized the man at a distanee crossing the street diagonal'y toward the corner of Pearl. He chased after him at a quick walk. The man in question turned up Pearl. and Will lost sight. of him for the time being. There were quite a num- per of people on Pearl street, and the stores and ‘warehouses were all open and doing busine s. Will closed in on the suspected party and recog- nized him as the man he was after. The young messenger now began to rea‘ize that to stop him so far away from the Eclipse Bui'ding and charge : him with his conduct at the office was liable to make a disturbance in the street. The man would doubtless denv that he was the person who had ~ _-peen in the office, and Will had no means of prov- f ing that he was without Dick’s corroborative packing. ~ “Tt’s a question whether a policeman would do ’ anything on my word alone,” though Will. “Even if a cop believed my. story, and made him go back to the building, the chances are that Dick has gone off, and I couldn’t do anything. I guess Tll confine my efforts to followine him. Maybe I can shadow him to some place where he can be found at another time if Mr. Burkett, when he has heard my story, decides to fake some action in the matter.” ‘ahead. When Pearl street diverted to the left he kept on, following the line of the elevated road straight to Chatham square. Here he mounted the steps of the elevated station, and Will fol- lowed. Both took their seats in the same car and rode uptown. At Thirtv-fifth street the chap left the train, and so did Will. ~ Jowed him on the other side of the way. When he turned up Broadway, the young messenger - fell in behind him again. At Forty-second street the fellow turned west and went as far as a cer. tain gilded saloon, which he entered. Will looked Inside and saw him take a drink at the bar, after $o Will kept the man in sight a little way The man walked to Broadway, and Will fol-: -THE STOLEN BONDS to-night. .to take a drink to keep up appearances, so he — called for a soda, drank it, and took possession of the table behind the man he was watching- 2 He picked up a paper, too, and pretended to read. Suddenly he thought about the telegram he had picked out of the waste basket in his boss’ i office. Now was as good as any time to look at it. ~ He pulled the paper out of his pocket, smoothed 3 it out, and looked at the writing on it. Thisis what he read: ¢ “JOHN BuRKETT, No. — Wat STREET, NEw —~ YorK: Traced Burton and sister to boarding- | house here. Found they had left suddenly. Be- lieve Chicago their destination. ~—Leave for there Hope to nab him. “SAM.” Will gasped, for here seemed plain evidence that Bob and his sister were West after all. pe “Gee! Jt doesn’t seem possible,’ he thought. “Twas going to Redwood this afternoon to make _ further inquiries about that red auto, but it’s too late to do that now. Bob certainly went to that village to deliver the bonds. He didn’t deliver ~ ~ them, but disappeared as if wiped off the earth. Now it would appear that he’s actually out West — with Nellie. I can’t believe it. Im fact, I won’t: believe it unless he’s caught there and brought — back a prisoner. In that case I’ll ‘have to believe that I’ve been awfully fooled in Bob.” 4 As Will put the t-legram back in his pocket a well-dressed, hearded man came into the saloon, — 7 at oye Wok ax looked around and walked over to the table where — . the chap Will had followed in the place was seated. fay “Well, Jenkins, I see you’ve got back. What have you done?” he asked. eS His voice sounded so familiar to Will that the hoy, whose back was partially turned toward him, __ turned and cast a cautious look at him. He didn’ recognize the man as one he had ever seen before, though Dick was sure he knew somebody this ° stranger reminded him of. ai “Hello, Sam. I didn’t see you come in. Sit ~ down, and after you’ve blown me off I’ll let you ~~ know the particulars,” replied Jenkins. . ESS On hearing the first two words of that speech, Will remembered, quick as a flash, who it was the newcomer put him in mind of. It was of the boss’ nephew—Sam Burkett. (tae It was a singular coincidence that the strang- er’s name was Sam, too. : “What will you have?” asked the newcomer, beckoning to the waiter. Jenkins said he’d take whisky. The waiter got — an order for two whiskies, and went to the bar to get them. ~ “Well, did you get into the office without trou- ble?” asked the new arrival. ene “Why wouldn’t I when you gave me the key?” “How in creation did that man get a key to our office?” breathed Will, listening with both Z ears. i “And the safe in the private room, you had no
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ey evidence in his pocket that the broker’s nephew was out West, in Cincinnati, and about to leave for Chicago, this man’s voice and his statement about the combination of the safe would have caused him to suspect very strongly that he was Sam Burkett himself in disguise. _ >No, I had no trouble with it, but I, didn’t get into it just the same.” ¢ “Why not?” asked the other sharply. “JT was interrupted.” “Interrupted! By the janitor?” “No, by two boys who seemed to belong there.” They must have been our messengers,” said ‘the other. | At the words “our messengers”? Will pricked up his ears and the suspicion that there was some- thing more than met the eye in the speaker was more strongly impressed on him than ever. : . “{ don’t know who they were, but they made it pretty hot for me.” How?” | Jenkins explained all that had happened, and _ @Etold how he had given Will the slip. : “Then your visit was a failure?” said the beard- ed man in a displeased tone. “I’m sorry to say it was.” “Hang it all, I counted on you getting posses- sion of that package of Government bonds my uncle put in there the day I left the office on my bluff to go West.” Will almost gave a jump at those words. This bearded man with the familiar voice was Sam ‘Burkett after all. pe ae CHAPTER VII.—Will Plays Detective. To say that Will was astonished at the revela- tion would be putting it mildly. He was fairly ‘amazed to find Mr, Burkett’s nephew and cashier in New York when the man was supposed to be out in Cincinnati at that very moment. The fact at Sam Burkett had sent a man to the office, provided with the combination of his uncle’s pri- te safe, to take from that safe a package of Government bonds belonging to the broker, ap- peared to be plain evidence that the cashier was engaged in crooked work. If he was capable of engaging in one piece of crooked business, why mot in another? : -“T’ll bet a hat he’s at the bottom of the stolen bonds affair, aBe to cover up his own tracks from the detectives has been the cause of throwing all the blame on Bob. This | x 8 accomplice, and he must have others in wi him, too, one of whom he sent out West to per- gsonate himself, and keep the suspicion against (Bob on edge. Well, talk about rascals! He’s a _ clever one, but if I don’t bring about his finish it will be a funny thing. I hope he won’t get on tome here. I mustn’t let him see my face.” Such was the tenor of Will’s thoughts after the guised Burkett made his last remark, and so ck did the boy’s brain work that he did not lose reply that Jenkins made, which was to the ect. that he had done the best he could, but cumstances had been against him. i de f what brought an Jenkins is clea day?” said the those boys back to the. a | THE STOLEN BONDS me “T couldn’t tell you,” replied Jenkins. “Well, it was infernal hard luck. I hate to lose that bunch of bonds. They are coupons ones, and I could easily sell them.” “When are you going to get rid of the others?” “The others must mean the stolen D. & G. ones,” thought Will. 2 : “Not for a while yet,” replied the cashier. “It isn’t safe to try to work them off while the hue and cry is on. I’ve got a plan I’ll put into effect shortly through the office. The numbers of the bonds that I sent to the Western exchanges do not correspond with the stolen ones. That will pre- vent suspicion when the time comes.” ; “That’s one of the advantages .of being cashier, eh?” grinned Jenkins. “Of course, and of enjoying the full confidence of the boss.” “Tt seems like a shame to rob one’s uncle,” chuckled Jenkins. é “Charity begins at home. I need the money.” “You're going back to the island, I suppose?” “Not till to-morrow morning. I’m sick of the place. It’s as quiet and lonesome as the country. I like life, and plenty of it.” } “So you intend to spend the night on the Great White Way?” “Why not? I only see it once a week now, and I have to travel under difficulties. for I can’t mingle with my regular cronies, as I ux supposed to be out West.” i ; '“Where shall I meet you to-night?” / “At the Empire Parlors, about nine.” - ; “All right. I'll be there. Come up to the bar — and I’ll blow you.” " The two men left the table and walke@ up to the bar, where they had a drink, and then ‘walked out. “Gee! I’ve made a great discovery,” thought Will, as he got up and sauntered toward the en- trance. “There isn’t any doubt now tha® Bob is innocent of the crime laid at his door. The whole thing is a conspiracy on the part of Sam Burkett. He is a nice rooster to rob his untle of $50,000 worth of bonds, and then try to pith a lot of Government bonds on top of that. I tup- pose if I called on Mr. Burkett now, and told him what I have found out, he’d think it too incredible to believe. The telegram he got, which probably isn’t the first he has received from the cashfer’s - accomplice, would convince him that I was talktng rag-time when I asserted that his nephew Was right here in this town instead of in Cincinnati. Besides, he wouldn’t believe that Sam BurketRis such a big rascal as my story would make out to be. Well, I could go to the police and tal my facts, and they’d arrest the cashier at the Empire Parlors to-night when he gets there at © nine. That would create something of a sensa- tion for Mr. Burkett and Wall Street as well. — Sam Burkett, however, might deny everything. He might assert that he left Cincinnati suddenly, after filing that dispatch, on a new clue that led him back to the city. Of course, the stolen bonds wouldn’t be found on him, nor would he admit that he knew anything about the whereabouts of Bob. Bob and his sister are on that island he spoke about, as sure as fate, I wish I knew wh he island was. There are scores of islands In a short. ce of this city. It w
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12 » spot the right one. Well, I’m going home, and PSs » figure out just what course I’d better pursue.” By the time he had finished his dinner that. eve- ning he had decided to go down to the Empire Parlors and keep a watch on the disguised cashier. His mind was made up to discover where that island was if it was possible for him to do it, As Sam Burkett knew him so well he made a few alterations in his dress, and put on a false mustaché he had in one of his drawers. This made him look older, and he believed it would deceive the cashier if the man caught sight of him He left the house about a quarter past eight and took a Sixth avenue elevated train for the Forty-second street station. At nine o’clock he was seated in one of the chairs in the Empire Parlors, watching the players apparently, but really keeping his attention on the door, for he ‘had already ascertained that Sam Burkett had not yet reached the place. It wasn’t long before he saw a man enter whom he recognized as Jenkins. Fully twenty minutes passed before the disguised cashier made his appearance. Jenkins was on the lookout for him, and the two men came together. They walked over to one of the boxes provided with curtains, where some of the customers retire when they wanted to drink and talk in private. The cashier let the curtains down after they en- tered, and presently a waiter went over and took their order. When he walked off to the bar, Will sauntered over and entered the next: box on the right. He did not drop either of the curtains, but leaned against the wall with his ears on the alert. It happened that two of the partition boards had sprung, leaving a slight aperture through which tne conversation between the two men easily reached the boy’s ear. _ They had turned on the electric light and taken a pack of cards from a drawer of the round table. While they played a game of pinochle they talked. For a while their conversation had ‘no special interest for the listener. At lenght Jenkins said: “How are you making out with your prisoners, Sam?” “All right,” replied the cashier. “Are they giving you much trouble?” “None at all. They can’t get out of the cave to save their lives, for there is only one way of etting in and out of it, and that is through a . ts door at the top under the floor of the hut. = They couldn’t. reach it without a ladder, and there is none in the place.” . ee you visit them, don’t you?” “How do you feed them?” “T let their food down to them in a basket by ~ means of a rope.” ; “Does the clerk know you are responsible for the imprisonment of himself and his sister?” “He does not. He thinks they have fallen into _ the hands of a gang of crooks who are keeping eo prisoners until they get rid of the stolen onds.” “Then if they made their escape by accident the clerk would have no suspicion that you are mixed up in the business?” ot the slightest. > No fear, however, of them THE STOLEN BONDS but, nothing they..said gave Will the clue. to the. - situation of the island. “The only way I can locate it is by followi Burkett back,” thought the boy. “But he a going there till to-morrow morning, so how shal I manage the matter?” Will decided that he must not lose sight of the cashier until he had traced him to the place where. he intended to pass the night. Then he must re- sume the watch in the morning, and when Burkett - made his reappearance, shadow him wherever he went. That was easier figured on than carried out. Many thing might happen to queer his plan. However, he saw no better course to pursue. When the men left the Empire Parlors, Will. followed them. They led him a march for several ie see hours, during which they visited many saloons. ~ Finally about two in the morning they parted — in front of Times Square Hotel, Burkett walked. to the desk, got his room key, and took the eleva- tor upstairs. Will walked up to the desk. “Who is that gentleman who just got his key?” — he asked the clerk, “Samuel Walker,” replied the clerk, after con- sulting a ticket. “When did he arrive?” “There’s the book. You can ook up for your-— self.” Walker’s name was down among that day’s ar- rivals, and from its position Will judged that he came during the forenoon. “That’s all I can do now,” thought the boy. “py be on hand in the morning to finish my business — with Mr. Sam Burkett.” Will left the hetel and went straight home. He judged that after the cashier’s all-night splurge he would not make a very early start for the island, so he did not get down to the hotel till nearly ten o’clock, The regular day clerk was at the desk. “Is Mr. Walker in his room?” Will asked him. “Walker? No. The gentleman has left.” ae “Left!” cried the discomfited young messenger. — “Yes. Something over an hour age.’ Will knew it was no use asking where “Walker” had gone, for, of course, the clerk didn’t know, — He just walked outside, feeling that he was all at sea so far as the cashier was concerned. “It would be as easy to find a needle in a ha: stack as to overtake him now. He’s gone bac to the island and I’m dished. Well, never mind, he’ll return to the city soon again, for he says he can’t keep away from life—the life of upper Broadway. IJ’ll call at the hotel toward the end of the week and see if he has registered. In the meantime poor Bob and his sister have to fa another week of their imprisonment. That can be helped. How glad they would be if they knew I was working to effect their release and pring — their jailor to justice he so richly deserves.” CHAPTER VIII—The Naphtha Launch. On Monday Will met Dick in the corridor the office building. “Hello, old rae said Dick. from you ree I was lookin “That cee we
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“That's right,” nodded Will. . “Did you catch him?” “No, I didn’t catch him,” replied Will, who did not intend to tell Dick about all that he had found out.on Saturday afternoon and evening. ' “So he got away. Hoo bad. He must have ‘been a crook, He didn’t steal anything, for the janitor and I examined the office thoroughly. We “came upon him just in time to queer his little - game, whatever it was.” “There’s no doubt of that,’’ replied Will. ~ “You'll tell the boss about it when he comes down?” “Ves.” They entered their office, and when the broker made his appearance about half-past nine Will told him about Saturday afternoon’s incident, con- - eluding his story at the point where Jenkins had - first eluded him. Mr. Burkett. communicated with the police, and furnished them with the man’s _ deseription, as given by Will. center of interest at the Exchange continued to be L. & M. It went up to 107, and the lambs ' ‘went crazy over it. A tremendous amount of the stock exchanged hands, and from that fact Will judged that the insiders were unloading on the ® general public, and that a slump was likely to - set in soon. _ ““T think I couldn’t do better than become a bear from the looks of thinks,” he said to himself more than once that day. When he went to the ‘bank with the day’s deposits he rushed into the little bank and asked for his statement. It was - thanded to him, with a check for a little over $1,600. That showed he had cleared $1,100 on the deal. L. & M. was then ruling at 107%. That was three points higher than he sold at. _ He immediately ordered 150 shares of the stock gold at the market price. He put up $1,500 to cover the transaction. “One man’s meat is another man’s poison,” he gaid to himself as he left the bank and started for a lunch-house to get a hasty meal—a sand- _ Wich and a cup of coffee. “TI can’t win unless the lambs lose. I’m betting $1,500 that they hit the ~ toboggan in a day or two. I feel sorry to wish _ them bad luck, but as Sam Burkett remarked mon Saturday, charity begins at home. I need the ~.. money.” -- Will worked till half-past five that afternoon. He was doing so well in the counting-room after this messenger duties were over that Jones hinted to him that he was pretty sure to land in Bob’s job. Will smiled to himself. = 7 guess it won’t be long before Bob is at. his _ desk again,” he said to himself. “I'd like to be mee all right, but I’m not looking for Bob’s jo ” ‘About noon next day the slump that Will had counted on happened, and a small panic took lace at the Exchange. Inside of an hour L. & M. ropped ten points. The bull interest, however, ame to the rescue, and it recovered five. The alls were not equal to the strain, and it closed t par, which was a drop of seven points and a fraction for the day. That gave Will a prospec- ytive profit of $1,000, and naturally he felt good éver his luck. Every day after that marked a lower drop for the stock, and by Friday after- oon it was down to 87- e\ “ORHER STOLEN BONDS = 2 All that day the, At that figure Will closed out his deal by buy- ing in 150 shares to cover the stock he had sold at 107%. The result was that the slump made the young messenger $3,000 richer. 5 That evening he called at the Times Square Hotel and looked over the register. Samuel Walker’s name did not appear on it. : “Well, maybe Burkett will be here to-morrow,” he mused. “Saturday nights are probably the nights he likes to enjoy in town.” ae Twice during the week telegrams had come to the broker from the West. Will was not in the office either time when the messenger delivered them. The messages were brief and both came from Chicago. They were very unsatisfactory to § Mr. Burkett, for the sender, whom he supposed to be his nephew, was always on the point of nab- 3 bing Bob Burton, the absconder, but always failed at the crucial moment: The broker wondered why he nad not received a letter from Sam, explain- ing matters in detail. One telegram ended with the words will explain all.” Mr. Burkett hoped it would, but unfortunately the letter didn’t arrive. Another thing that. bothered the broker was the fact that his pre-— “my letter sumed nephew never mentioned at what hotel he ~ _ was stopping, so Mr. Burkett was unable to com- — municate with him, as he was anxiow8 to do. Thus matters stood on the Friday evening that Will called at the Times Square caravansary | and failed to see the name “Walker” on the reg- ister. The next morning Will came downtown full of hope that when he visited the hotel that after- moon he would find Sam Burkett in town again. Nothing more having been published in the papers about the stolen D. & G. bonds, the bro- kers who had been interested in the outcome of the affair had forgotten all about it. The city detectives had been called off the case, as it was ~— understood that the guilty clerk had fled to the . West and the broker was employing the police of — that section of the country to capture him. third telegram for the broker came that morning, and Will signed for it. When Mr. Burkett opened it he found that his nephew, as he sup- posed, had just started for San Francisco after ob, Burton and his sister. ; ponds were so far reported as having been sold by the absconder, it is possible that the broker — wondered where his missing clerk got the funds ~ to travel on so extensively with his sister. He was not pleased to have his nephew go so far away as the Pacific coast, but then it was better he should do so if there was a chance of him re- covering the $50,000 worth of bonds, the loss of — which had made such a big hole in his bank account. : : oe The Stock Exchange had quieted down after the slump, and business was slack, as it generally is — a after the market gets a set-back. As none of the stolen The disgruntled lambs, at least that part of them who had been up against the slump, had — retired into their shells, so to speak, and the — Street wore a deserted look as compared with the _ past ten days. We don’t mean to say that it actually looked deserted, for it did not. There is always lots of life in Wall Street, no matter how the market is going. But when stocks are booming there is always a more animated appearance about the financial ‘district. Will and Disk thought the
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eee 2 i ; : & board-room looked rather dead that morning, be- cause the excitement of the last few days was missing. The former had made $4,000 out of the poom and the succeeding slump, but the satisfac- tion he felt at such uncommon good fortune was somewhat overshadowed by the serious task he had on hand, namely, the rescue of his f.icnd Bob Burton, and Nellie Burton, from their island imprisonment, and the exposure of Sam Burkett, as the chief factor of the stolen bonds, “Well, how about Monday, Will?” asked Dick, as closing time approached. ‘Have you made up your mind. about what you are going to do?” - “T’ve got some important business on hand, so I can’t go anywhere with you,” replied Will. “Tt must be important if you are going to de- vote a holiday to it.” _ “Jt is—the most important business I’ve ever undertaken in my life.” “All right. Vl count you out. I’m glad busi- ness doesn’t bother me on a day when everybody ds enjoying himself. You have my sympathy.” “Thanks. I hope the result will prove that I don’t need it.” At that moment Dick was called on to go out, so their conversation ended. : It. was nearly fwo o’clock when Will walked into the Times Square. Hotel again and looked over. the list of arrivals so far that day. To his great disappointment the name of “Walker” was missing’. _ “He hasn’t arrived yet, or else he’s gone to an- other hotel,” though Will. On reflection the young messenger didn’t think that Sam Burkett would patronize a different hotel, so he could only conclude that he hadn’t come to the city, or if he had, was in no hurry to come to the hotel. Will hardly knew how to put in the afternoon. He didn’t care to go home, and there wasn’t any fun to him in hanging around Times Square. He walked over to the Empire Billiard Parlors and took a look around, but he found nothing to interest himself. Finally he decided to take a run over to the East River, and boarded a cross- town car that traversed Forty-second street. Moored at the end of the dock was a large naphtha launch. It was fitted with a glass-en- closed cabin aft, capable of holding six or eight persons comfortably. It was steered by a wheel with brass-tipped.spokes. In the center of the eraft was the engine which drove the boat. It was protected bv a sloping deck which arched over it, leaving an opening well or cockpit, fur- nished with a circular seat for the man who man- ipulated the apparatus. Forward in the bow was a small hatch opening. The slide which covered it was now pushed for- ward, probably for the purpose of ventilating the Anterior. Will regarded the little vessel with some admiration, for it sat in the water with the buoy- ancy of a duck, and seemed an ideal craft in which to tour inland waterways. who it belonged to, and whether it was waiting ‘to take a party off somewhere on a short cruise pver Decoration Day. While he was gazing down at it a man, attired in a check blouse, crawled out from under the deck where the engine was. He “ had a wrench in his hand, and Will judged he was the individual-who attended. to the motive _ power. His hands were smeared with oil and i Se mee THE STOLEN BONDS . box of stuff followed He wondered. 7 ob) ae ape tey, dirt, and there was a smudge of oil on his face, which he partially removed with his. sleeve. ~ i He glanced up at the young messenger and then walked around to the cabin and looked into “ it. After that he leaped on the dock and looked m4 up toward the street. ese, “Say, young fellow,” he said, turning to Will. “Are you, goin’ to stay around her for a few minutes?” Cee “Tt guess so. Why?” replied the boy. . “T want to go un to the head of the wharf on — a little business. I wish you’d keep an eye on this boat and not let anybody go aboard of her,” he said. ‘ “All right, I don’t mind obliging you.” “Tf a wagon comes down with some stuff, tell the man to put it down in that hole for- ward, will you?” : to Hek “J will.” aq The man walked off up the wharf. Five mins utes later a light wagon rolled down the dock. The driver alighted and looked down at the launch. “You’ve brought something for this craft, haven’t you?” asked Will. “Yes. Are you in charge of her?” “Yes. Take the things and put them down inte that hole forward.” : “What's the matter with you doing it? You get aboard and I’ll hand them to you. They’re light.” \ sae - As Will thought he’d like to get a closer view of the boat, he consented. He stepped on hoard, and then the young driver passed. him down @ quantity of groceries in a box. He carried the box and left it alongside of the hole. Another “This is the last,” said the driver, handing him down a case of bottled liquer. ie started to stow away the three boxes. was lots of room in the bow compartment, and he had no trouble in disposing of the boxes. Ags he rose up to get out of the place he saw two men approaching the end of the pier. Some- what to his trepidation he recognized them as the disguised Sam Burkett and the man Jen. kins. On the spur of the moment he bobbed down out of sight. Presently the little craft moved under the weight of a person stepping jnto her. A second person followed. Then he heard the cashier’s voice addressing his compan- jon. ; “What do you think of the craft I’ve hired, Jenkins?” he said. “She looks pretty good.” ty “She'll take us to the island in short order, for she goes liké’a streak.” ie, “Gee!” breathed Will. ‘Here’s my chance to find out where Bob and sister are hee that is, if I’m not discovered aboard and off. I guess I’d better work that slide over the hole, and then maybe the chap in the blouse won’@ look down here.” é He began pulling it over by degrees, until h had the hole covered all but an inch, which re left to admit the air. The cashier and Jenking were seated aft talking. In a short time the — man in the jumper returned. :
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ae . “THE STOLEN BONDS “Got the stores aboard, Patterson?” asked Bur- = ett. - “Yes, they’re all right,’’ replied the man, who ee ‘had met the wagon returning, and been told by ~ the driver that he had delivered the stuff to a boy who was in charge, whom he had left stowing the boxes in a hole forward. Not seeing Wili, Patterson concluded he had gone off as soon as Burkett and Jenkins arrived. “Unmoor, and we'll make a start,” said the cashier, : i * Patterson lost no time in doing so, and in about five minutes took his place at the engine - and started the boat ahead. - CHAPTER IX.—In The Hands Of The Enemy And Out. “We're off,” muttered Will, as he felt the boat ‘shoot ahead and heard the rush of the bow as it cut its way through the water. _ It was a fine afternoon, with scarcely any oe wind, and the East River was almost as calm ~ through the slight opening the boy left in the scuttle cover, and afforded him enough light to see his surroundings. The launch shot up the river at great speed, taking the western channel between Blackwell’s Island and the city. Passing Fast River Park it entered Hell Gate like a shooting meteor, rounding the southern and easterly ends of Ward’s Island. Avoiding the small islands ahead it was ere long opposite Col- lege Point, with a wide and clear sweep of the » river before it clear to the entrance of Long - Ygland Sound. During all this time Will sat --with his back arainst the bulkhead that divided the space filled by the machinery from the hole in the bows. : After the first exciting sensations had passed off, Will began to wonder how his adventure was - Yikely te end. He had undertaken the trip on the spear of tte moment, as soon as he discovered ' that the launch was bound for the island, whose gre location he was so anxious to learn. He had ~*~ not considered the difficulties, as well as risk, ~ he would be up against as soon as the little ‘craft reached her destination. As soon as Sam Burkett awa Jenkins became aware of his un- - desirabiwe presence on board, and recognized him, they would surely handle him without gloves, because he would naturally be regarded as a menace to their stolen bond scheme. What could he do against the vair of them, not to mention the man Patterson, who might be counted on to back them up? he island would not count for much if he was -eaptured and made a prisoner himself. He would be as badly off as Bob and his sister were. Well, he couldn’t help that now. He had crossed e Rubicon and had to take his chances. It ‘was about five o’clock when the man shut off power, and the launch, under its accumulated peed, darted in toward a small island not far » from the imaginary line that divides New York : ate from Connecticut. A wide channel sepa- ed the island from the main land. It was vered with brush and trees that were putting put ag a mill pond, A slant of sunlight penetrated © ~The knowledge he obtained of the situatiog of * forth their foliage. Near the head of the cove 15 - into which the boat was shooting’ was a de- serted looking hut of a story and a half. Its boards were disclosed and weather-beaten, as if it had stood there a long time. When Will _ felt the propeller stop he guessed that the launch was near its destination. That meant the crisis for himself was at hand. He decided that as soon as the boat stopped he would spring out cv the hole and get ashore before he could be held up by the’ people on board. He did not doubt but this could be easily accomplished, as the men would be taken by surprise. Of course he ex- pected to be immediately pursued, and on the size and formation of the island would depend — how long he could elude capture. He shoved ° the hatch cover back a few inches, and listening to the conversation of the men, he found that : they were now close to the island. ; The plan he intended to adopt was, however, interfered with. Patterson stepped forward and, standing on the partly open hatch, picked up : the forward mooring rope and a long boat-hook. ay The launch, at gradually reduced speed, slipped af into the cove, and the man stood ready to stick the hook into the sand to prevent the boat from jabbing its nose up on the beach. This he pres- ently accomplished, and the boat stopped. Pat- terson then sprang ashore and attached the end ef the line to a convenient tree. He walked a few feet away and caught the stern line that Burkett flung to him. Will now believed the time for action had arrived. He stuck up his head and looked around. Patterson was secur- ing the stern line to another tree, after hauling the boat in close, while Burkett was stepping ashore, with Jenkins close behind him. ; z “Tf I could only get ashore without being seen, there are lots of trees that would conceal me in no time,” thought Will. “Maybe if I wait Burkett and his pal will go up to the hut, then T’ll only have Patt:»rson to buck against.” i Will concluded to chance that, and bobbed down again. : “Get the stores out and fetch them up to the » hut,” said Burkett. “Come along, Jenkins.” = The two started off, leaving the man standing” — on the beach. He seemed in no hurry to unloa the stores, for he took out his pipe, filled and lighted it, and began to smoke. Burkett and 7a Jenkins did rot enter the hut, though the latter ; paused to glance inside, but continued on around it, disappearing among the trees. Hearing noth- ing for a few minutes, Will ventured to pop his head up again. Patterson uttered an ejaculation - of surprise, for he was staring straight at the launch. Will saw he had been observed, so he — rose right up and put his feet on the deck. - “What in thunder are you doing down there?” — cried the man. “How came you to be aboard?” — “You carried me away from the city.” ed “Why, you are the chap I set to watch the launch while I went up the dock.” i “I’m the party,” admitted Will. “I suppose you hid down there to get a sail. You’ve got a great nerve. I don’t know what the boss’ll say, when he hears about it.” : “You don’t have to tell him. You’re going back, aren’t you, after you land the three boxes?” “I’m goin’ back when I get orders to do so.” “Want me to help you get the boxes ashore?” “You can hand them out of the hole” —
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16 - Will jumped back into the compartment and lifted the boxes out one by one. Then the man stepped forward and took them from him, lay- ing them down on the beach. : “Now get down and fetch me up the screw- . driver you’ll find there,” Patterson. . As his object was to conciliate the man, Will did as he was requestetd. No sooner had his head disappeared, and he began to look around for the implement, then Patterson jumped aboard, pulled the cover tight over his head and fas- tened it with a loud chuckle. Will did not need to be told that he had been made a prisoner, for the fact was patent to him. It made him mad, however, to think how neatly he had been trap- ped... The screw-driver was evidently a shrewd device on the man’s part to get him below again. “Gee! This is tough luck. Here I’m caged like a rat in a trap, to be taken out and exhibited before Burkett and his pal, I suppose, later on, then I’ll probably see my finish in some way. I wish I had followed my first plan and made . a break for the trees, as I might easily have -. done. -I could have given them a run at any rate, and if I was eventually captured I wouldn’t feel so cheap as I do now,” muttered Will to - himself. ‘ He was now shut up in the dark, and lack of - -wentilation soon made the place feel stuffy and hot. Twenty minutes passed before anything happened, then Patterson jumped on_ board, shoved the cover back, letting in a grateful rush of fresh air, as well as light, and told Will to come out. The young messenger obeyed, Pat- * terson assisting him up by grabbing him by the collar of his jacket, and then transferring his grip to his arm. Before him on the bench stood the disguised cashier and his associate in ras- ’ ality. Both recognized Will at once, the former jin no little consternation. Jenkins uttered a smothered imprecation, for he saw in the lad the boy who had helped to spoil the job he had teen sent to the office to pull off. © ; “This is the chap who hid below to steal a gail,” said Patterson. “What are you goin’ to,do with him? Shall I take him over to the shore ~ and turn him adrift to find his way back to the city as best he can?” : Burkett was so surprised to find that one of the office messengers, and particularly the one who was a warm friend of Bob Burton’s, had accom- ganied them in a sly way on their trip to the island, that he didn’t know just what to do. “Hold on to him, Patterson,’ he said. “Don’t let him get away from you. I'll decide in a mo- ment what disposition to make of him. Come this way, Jenkins; I want to talk with you.” The two rascals retired out of earshot to con- sult, as Will guessed, upon his fate. It was robable that the cashier suspected that Will ad a purpose in stowing himself aboard the Jaunch, for he was not a boy who would be _ likely to take such means as he did for the mere pleasure of a sail. It struck him that . "Will might have penetrated his identity, and was following him’ to see why he was disguised. ‘Doubtless the boy thought it extremely odd that the should be in this vicinity when he was sup- posed to be out West looking for the clerk Weta tired with the theft of the D. & G. bonds. f course, Burkett didn’t know for certain that THE STOLEN BONDS eae * Jenkins out of the water. 7 : Will had reeognized him, but he feared he had. At any rate, he couldn’t afford to take any chances. The result of the conference between him and Jenkins was that it was decided to hold Will a prisoner on the island with the other two. It was one more mouth to feed, but that didn’t greatly matter. Will would be missed, and the police would no doubt be asked to look for him, but there wasn’t any chance in a thousand that he would be traced to the island. To Jenkins was — delegated the job of dealing with him. So Bur- kett walked off toward the hut, and Jenkins re- turned to the beach. “Well, young man,” he said, addressing Will, — “I guess you know me.” “T have seen you before under rather strenu- ous circumstances,” replied the young messenger, coolly. Jenkins grinned in an unpleasant way. “J suppose you piped me off on the pier and followed me with the idea of seeing if you could do what you failed to do last Saturday?” Will guessed the remark was merely a feeler, and made no reply. “You were just a little too smart, so I’ll have to teach you how to mind your own business after this,” continuéd Jenkins. He jumped aboard the launch and went into the cabin. of thin line in his hand. “Hold his arm behind his back while I tie them,” he said to Patterson, The man pulled the boy around and reached for his other arm. Quick as a wrenched himself free and punched Patterson in the stomach so hard that the man doubled up. with a howl. The young messenger. then whacked Jenkins a backhanded blow in the face. The rascal staggered back, lost his balance and fell backward into the water. ofa moment Will sprang ashore and darted for the shelter of the trees. CHAPTER X.—Hide and Seek. Burkett saw the whole occurrence and he f rushed forward to head Will off. The boy He returned presently with a piece flash Will . Without the loss dodged him easily and disappeared into the wood. The cashier made no attempt to follow him alone, but shouted to Patterson, who was pullin, The discomfited croo! was soaking wet and as mad as a hornet. Bur- kett waited impatiently for them to come up to where he stood. '“You’re pretty fellows,” he said, sarcastically, “to let that boy get away from you.- I thought — you had hold of him, Patterson?” “J did have hold of him, but he took mee Ce surprise and wriggled out of my grasp. he fetch¢d me a soak in the stomach that took all the breath and strength out of me for a ia moment.” : “And he knocked me into the water,” said Jenkins, with an imprecation. 2; “Well, he’s gone into the wood. We’ve got to-catch him,” said the cashier. “Why didn’t you pull your gun on him?” rowled Jenkins. “That would have stopped
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“T didn’t want to shoot him.” “You needn’t have fired. You might have % threatened to do so.” / ; ; “You go into the hut and take off your clothes. © You'll find an old suit up in the loft where the beds are. . Patterson and I will chase this | chap.” Burkett and Patterson entered the wood and began to beat around the thick brush for Will. _. It was no easy job to find a fugitive in the place. At any rate, they saw no signs of the ; oy, though they went throug’ to the other side, which was not far, and looked im all directions. The boy was there just the same, hiding under cover, and he didn’t have to move to avoid them, for they did not come within several yards of his place of concealment. Disap- pointed in not finding any trace of him, they came back by two different routes. Will had no trouble in keeping out cf their way, and they failed again. Burkett decided to wait till Jenkins pointed them. He figured that the three ought to be able to catch the fugitive. Will crawled to the edge of the wood to see what they were doing. He saw them standing near ~ the door of the hut talking. ° “J wonder what they intend to do next?” he thought. “I'll bet Burkett is mad. I hope to give them plenty of work catching me. It’s my ¥#11 soon be dark, and then they won’t be: able i catch sight of me at ail. While they’re hold- ing off I think Ill take a look around this wood and see if I can find a safe spot to roost to-night.” fie He started away with this idea in view, mak- ing as little noise as possible. He roamed around for a matter of fifteen minutes, and then he heard sounds which indicated that his enemies were after him again. At that moment he step- gully that ran dewn to the shore. The upper end was clogged up with brush. He concluded to squeeze himself into it and let his pursuers do all the hustling. He followed this plan and was soon out of sight. = After a time Jenkins, who had joined the other two, came to the gully. He looked at the dense brush and concluded that it offered a fine place of concealment. ae ped into a little One of his feet came within an inch of the boy’s leg. On the spur of the moment Will reached down and gave his ankle a sharp pinch. Jen- ins let out a roar and kicked out, narrowly nissine Will’s body. “Oh, I’m bitten by a snake,” eried thhe rascal, beating a retreat as quick as e could. - Will chuckled at the success of his device. He heard the voices of Burkett and Patterson “but grin and bear it. opinion they won’t sueceed this afternoon, for ~ calling to Jenkins, as they hurried up, thinking THE STOLEN BONDS 17 he had caught the fugitive. When the three came together, Jenkins swore he had been bitten by a snake, or some venomous insect, and he went down to the shore to examine his ankle and | bathe it, the others following him. It was gete! ting dark fast now, so they gave up the pursuit, “He'll be starved out and then we’ll have no trouble catching him,” said the cashier. So the party returned to the hut, got th boxes of stores and liquor from the beach, an proceeded to get supper for themselves. Besides what they brought from 'New York there was the remains of a leg of mutton, which Patter- son had got from the nearby village on the. Connecticut shore, and the greater part of & large cooked ham. There was a small stove in, the hut, and they had no difficulty in tie : some eggs and making a large pot of coffee. | was dark when they sat down to their meal, with a candle stuck in the neck of a bottle for illumination. They ate and talked, unconscious that they were being observed through the win- dow by the boy who had eluded them. Will was, pretty hungry himself by that time, for he had). eaten only a light lunch before he went uptown. | ¥ Seeing the three men making merry over @ very comfortable meal made him all the more hungry. But there was nothing for him to do At last the men finished their meal, then Burkett went to a corner of the room, opened a trap in the floor, and taking hold of a line that was attached to the under part of the trap, pulled up a basket. He took several empty plates out of it and replaced them with — other plates filled with food. To these he added two cups of hot coffee. Then he lowered the basket down and called out to some one below. After leaning over the open trap a few minutes he shut it down and returned to the table, which had been cleared off by Patterson. The cashier panes a box of cigars, out of which he and enkins helped themselves. i Then they walked outside and went down to the launch, which they boarded, -and took their seats in the glass framed cabin. Will had ob-- served all that happened inside the hut, and he knew that Bob and his sister were confined in- the cellar or cave beneath the house. How he, was going to rescue them was a problem. An- other problem was the question of grub for. himself. He couldn’t subsist on air. He could manage to pull through till next morning, but as he Wasn’t accustomed to going without hig dinner in the evening, he felt a decided craving for a square meal right then. If Patterson 3 . took himself off, too, Will intended to steal into, |- the hut and mage a raid on the larder. At) © that moment the man was washing up the dishes ~~ and taking the job easy. s Will watched him through the window, won-, dering when he would get through. fer ai comes to an end some time, and so after awhile! ae Patterson finished up. He filled and lighted} his pipe and walked outside for a smoke. The — candle was left burning on the table. Patters — son walked slowly down to the shore. “Now is my time,” thought Will; “I may not ¥ get such a chance again?” ; ser, He crawled up to the half open door and sneaked into the hut. The food had been put away in a closet in a corner 0
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i E:} the room. Will made straight for that, onened the door and looked to see what he could get away with. The remains of the mutton, part of a loaf of bread and a package of crackers attracted his attention. He grabbed them pretty quick There were several quart ' pottles of root beer on the floor, probably in- _ tended for the prisoners. Will took one of them. With his arms full the boy started for the door. He was about to make his exit when he heard the voices of the cashier and Jenkins close at hand outside. As things stood it was impos- sible for him to make his escape without being ‘geen, and with his arms full of food he would be at a great disadvantage. “I’m nabbed this time sure,” he breathed. CHAPTER XL—Caught Unawares. - At. that critical moment, just as the two men were about to enter, the candle gave an ex- _ piring flash and suddenly went out. Nothing could have been more fortunate for Will. Bur- kett and Jenkins walked inside in the dark, and “as soon as they were a few feet from the door Will whipped out, dodged around the hut and made for the furthest point in the wood. Here he sat down and made a hearty meal, washing the food down with some root beer. “J tell you that tasted as good as a banquet. I feel like a fighting cock now. I’ve got enough left over, besides the crackers, for another meal, I must wrap it uy in my handkerchief and put - it where I can find it. I guess under the bushes jn the gulley is as good a place as I know of.” - Having disposed of the food, Will started back for the hut to see what was going on there. ‘Looking through the window he found that a “fresh candle ornamented the neck of the bottle, and that the two men were playing cards. Pat- terson was still outside somewhere. Fearing that that individual might come upon him unawares, Will abandoned the window and went looking for him. He saw the glow of a pipe aboard the launch, and then he knew where the man was. He returned to the window and tried to hear what the cashier and his pal were talking about. Finally Burkett got up, went to the door and looked out. 3 “He's aboard the prs he said. ‘While he’s out of the way I’ll show you the bonds.” He went to a corner of the room, removed @ ~ board and pulled out a package. -“There’s the stolen bonds,” he said. “They’re worth, as I’ve told you, something over $51,- 000. The Government bonds you failed to get, on account of those boys, have a value of over $10,000. it’s a pity you missed the trick, for ten thousand is not to be sneezed at.” ~ “T-wouldn’t mind having half of it now,” re- ied Jenkins. “I don’t think I’d be out here on a Sound. Life has rather a sugary attrac-" ‘tion for me as well as for yourself. When are ‘you going to turn up at the office again?” ~ “Not for awhile yet. I found a letter from my associate out west awaiting» me at the hotel. He said that, following my instructions, he was about to telegraph my uncle that the trail Zw of the bond thief was leading him to San ‘rancisco. However, he is not really going That’s only a bluff to give me a little ah there. THE STOLEN BONDS more time away from the office. When I’m ready I'll telegraph him to come back. Then I'll report my non-success to my uncle, get rid J of the bonds, clean up as much as I can of my >» uncle’s cash, and after squaring up with you and the other two, take a steamer for Europe and lose myself in the giddy whirl of the Con- | tinent.” ; es Will looked at the bunch of securities the cashier exhibited to Jenkins. These were the stolen bonds. If he could only recover them for his employer, as well as rescue Bob and his sister, it would make him pretty solid with Mr. Burkett, and give him something of a reputation : in the Street. He watched the cashier wrap ‘ them up again and put them away under the loose board in the corner ofthe hut. : “J know now where they are hidden, and it — won’t take me but a few moments to get hold of them when the chance comes my way,” thought Will. “ee Burkett got out a bottle of liquor and a. couple of glasses, and the two men helped them- selves to a fresh cigar. Patterson came in and was invited to have a drink and take a hand «, in the card game. Will saw that he wouldn’t 2&4 gain anything by remaining at the window, so he retired to the wood again. He sat down within sight of the shore and began forming — plans for the immediate future. He was satis- — fied that the men would make a determined hunt for him in the morning, and ds the island was so small, he feared they would be successful. “J must do something to-night if I can,” he figured. “I’m afraid they’ll keep a watch be-- cause I’m on the island. Sam Burkett has too~ much at stake to take any chances. If one of — them remains awake I won’t be able to do any- thing.” Pot, When Will judged that an hour had gone by, he went back to the hut to see how things were going on there. The three men were still at the table playing, drinking and smoking, so he re- — turned to the wood to pass away another hour. The silence of the place, and the monotonous lap of the water on the beach, made him drowsy, — and it required an effort to keep his eyes open. © He got up and walked entirely around the is- — land by way of the beach. e saw the dark. - smudge of the Connecticut shore not such a tf great distance away, where many lights shone feebly through the gloom of the not over clear night. As the night advanced the air grew chillier, and Will had to keep on the move in order to feel comfortable. e visited the hut again, but there was no change. a. “TJ wonder when they intend to turn in?” he thought. ee : As far as matters looked there seemed to bi no immediate prospect of them doing so. Bur- kett and Jenkins were accustomed to keeping late hours. They never went to bed in the city until after midnight, and often three o’clock in the morning found them playing cards together ~ in a back room of some resort that at that hoe was closed to the general public. Will, on the_ contrary, was in bed at eleven, except on some special occasion, consequently he found it dit") cult to keep awake. He had no idea of the hour, ¢ ; but as the lights gradually went out on the shore of Connecticut, he figured that it was get- z ; oe tae a:
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/ | ting late. Occasionally he saw moving lights on the Sound, and knew they were attached to ves- sels going east or west. He visited the launch once. tr “Tf I knew how to run a boat of this kind it * would be easy for me to run over to the shore, get assistance and capture these three rascals. Then it would be easy for me to recover the stolen bonds and set Bob and his sister free,” he said, He wondered that Burkett wasn’t afraid he would run off with the boat; but the fact was Patterson had fixed the motive power so that it 5 couldn’t be started even if Will knew how to : manage the boat. It was after midnight when : Will paid another visit to the back window of the hut. When he looked in he found that the card game had broken up and Burkett, with Jenkins, were going up to the loft to turn in. -_ Patterson closed and secured the door. Then he drew a mattress in front of it, which he un- rolled and spread out. He straightened out a couple of blankets on it, and after removing his outer garments, put out the light and turned in. ; “T ouess they’re not going to keep any watch,” thought the boy. “It isn’t necessary for them e to do so, for the only entrance to the house is through the door, and that is now effectually blocked up. I might as well go to roost some- where, for I can’t do anything to-night.” __ So Will retired to the wood much disappointed and somewhat fearful that the morning would see his finish. He burrowed his way into the ~ prush at the head of the gully, which afforded the best place for concealment on the island, and inside of ten minutes was sound asleep. . He may have been dreaming of the reputation he expected to make by recovering the stolen ; bonds, and the satisfaction of demonstrating that he alone of all the office force was right in as- serting that Bob Burton was innocent of the theft that was charged to him, when a crashin sound in the brush awakened him. He opene his eyes to the flashing light of a lantern that made him blink. Then a hand gripped him by the arm and he was unceremoniously yanked to his feet by Patterson, while right before him in ee i ee eS % the brush stood Sam Burkett and his associate, he ‘Jenkins, looking at him with great satisfaction. 2 a4 : CHAPTER XIL—Hoist by His Own Petard. ; “So we've nabbed you at last,” chuckled the _ disguised cashier. | ; re Will said, nothing. He was not thoroughly awake, but was conscious that he was in the hands of his. enemies. Still it might be an un- pleasant turn of his dream. 5 “Fetch him along, Patterson,” said Burkett, and see that he does not give you the slip again.” . “Tf he does you a throw me into the Sound,” lied the man, grimly. Sg Pl was eaneed from the friendly shelter of the brush into the gully, and thence along the shore to the hut. By that time he was fully awake. How it came about that his ene- mies had started out to hunt for him in the darkness, after he had seen them retire, as he Arai Ni RE ns AS aR SED THE STOLEN BONDS 19 thought, for the night, was a mystery to him; and it was also an astonishing thing to him that they had found his retreat, unless it was, through the merest accident. The fact of the! matter was that Burkett and Jenkins, while un-: dressing, got to talking about the bes$ plan to! adopt in the morning for the capture of the! fugitive. Jenkins remarked that the brush at the| head of the gully was a likely spot for the boy to crawl into. “I thought it was a snake or some insect that bit me until I looked at my ankle and saw that there was no trage of a bite,” he said. “Itl must have been a sharp twig that struck me. If I had pushed well around in the place I’ bet I’d have routed him out, and then we’d have caught him. However, we can go there in the - morning and beat the whole place over.” “Your suggestion is a good one, but I’ve got. a better idea. Dress yourself. and we'll put it into practice.” “What’s your idea?” “We'll go to that brush now.” “What, in the dark?” “The lantern will give us light enough. It has just occurred to me that the boy wil ae in there to sleep to-night. It’s nearly one o’clock — now, so we can calculate he is as sound as a bell by this time, and won’t hear us movi around. If he is there we’ll nab him, and tha’ will have us all the trouble of hunting through a wood for him in the morning,” said Bur- ett. - Jenkins agreed with him. They went down- stairs, aroused Patterson, and soon afterwards — the three rascals left the hut en route for the brush at thhe head of the gulley.. The result | of their enterprise proved that the cashitr had guessed correctly, and, as we have seen, Will was captured without any trouble at all. He was marched into the hut and securely tied to one of the chairs. Bie “Now, young man, you will stay there till — morning, and then we'll decide what we will do with you,” said Burkett. ee “Pretty rough way to treat a fellow for take — ing a ride aboard your launch without permis- sion,” said Will, as a feeler. Pass “Oh, we don’t care anything about that, though __ we didn’t want you aboard. The fact is, Iam doing this to oblige my friend Jenkins. You handled him without gloves, you and your com+ panion, a week ago, in the Eclipse Building, and he feels that he won’t be saitisfied unless he gets square with you.” ares “Perhaps he’ll explain why he was in Broker: Burkett’s office after it was shut up for the — afternoon, and what he was doing there. If I think this explanation satisfactory, I'll apoligize for my conduct,” replied Will. Z ie “You’ve got a pretty good nerve, young fela, low,” said Jenkins, “but it won’t help you any I owe you something for knocking me into the _ water this afternoon. What did you do that — for? : . “Because you intended tying my arms.” | ‘“You might have put up with that, then, for you’re tied pretty tight now. You would have had supper with the rest of us, but now you'll have to go hungry till morning.” ? a "é 6S Bi ea
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- “Pm not worrying about that. I don’t feel ae ” . hungr ; The two men turned around and walked up to the loft once more, while Patterson proceed- ¥ ed to make his bed again. When he was ready to turn in he looked at the boy’s bonds, and, satisfied he could not free himself, he blew out - the lantern and went to bed. In about five minutes his breathing showed that he was asleep. here was no danger of Will going to-slee - ‘wight awav. He had been pretty well aroused, and the position in which he was now placed “was not one conducive to repose. He remained ‘passive for some time, thinking over the sudden ‘change in his condition. | “J suppose they’ll put me down with Bob and this sister to-morrow,” he thought. “Then Ill _ have to stay there as long as they are forced ad That would mean the defeat of his plans to "recover the bonds and save his friends. He had - ‘expected to make his mark in Wall Street by _ his smartness in showing up Sam Burkett’s con- - \gpiracy. The detectives had failed to get to the = Mpottom of it, and consequently he figured that it would be a big feather in his own cap if he ‘gueceeded. Now all his anticipations were likely - |to end in smoke. It made him mad to think /that the rascallv cashier had euchered him. He determined to try and make his escape if it took e rest of the night. He began the effort at ence. He soon found that he had been tied to stay so. However, he was not discouraged. Where there is a will there ought to be a way, he rgued. OS. he. kept on at his seemingly hope- Jess job. He kicked, as well as he could, and s&quirmed. The only thing he accomplished was -'to move himself and the chair a foot or two from its original position. Finally an idea oc- : jcurred: to him. He started to shuffle the chair _. ever toward one of the walls’* Suddenly one of the legs pave way and he and the chair sank to the floor with a bump. The noise did not arouse Patterson, and Will found, to his satis- faction, that the line confining his lower limbs was now loose. The yielding of the chair le around which it was tied had done this. Wil turned over and was able to stand up with _ the chair attached to his back. He went over ' to the wall, and, backing up against it, pressed - the hind legs hard against it. In this way he ' Toosened the line enough to enable him to draw one of his hands out of limbo. His other hand se /followed. In a little while he worked one arm loose. As soon as he accomplished that he knew he would 4 esently be free. He shoved his freed hand into a Bra vocket, got out his jack-knife, opened it with jthe help of his teeth, and five minutes later was a as free as he ever was. “Now what shall I do first,” thought Will. “I an't get out because Patterson is lying asleep i of the door. If I only could get Bob up \here to help me, I think the two of us could put crowd out of business. I wonder where the > TH STOLEN BONDS and lower the basket is not strong enough to — sustain the weight of my body or Bob’s.” It was necessary to strike a match to look - around, and Will was afraid the light would awaken Patterson. He had to risk it, and when he flashed one he saw that the man’s face was turned toward the door. Moving cautiously around he saw no signs.of the ladder: It was either up in the loft, or had been carried outside. Hanging under the stairs, Will saw a coil of light rope outside that he thought would answer — the purpose. He took it down and tested it as well as he could. It appeared to be strong enough for the object in view. He carried it to the corner where the trap was, after lighting the — lantern. Shooting back the bolt, he opened the trap and looked down. All was dark and silent — below. He pulled on the line and up came the — basket with the dirty dishes on it, and a few scraps of the supper which had been sent down to Bob and his sister. He cut the basket loose | and shoved it aside. Then he tied one end of — the light rope securely to the ring on the bottom of the trap and ropped the coil to the floor below. To the cord he fastened the lighted lantern. — As he was about to lower that, too, he stopped — asa thought occurred to him. Something might | happen to queer his plans; why not secure the ~ stolen bonds while the chance was his? If he had them on his person he would not need to lose time getting them later when, perhaps, he and Bob would have all they could a5 to make their — escape with Nellie. So he made his way to the corner where the loose board was. f Removing it with care he saw the package of bonds lying on a piece of wood. He shoved them into his pocket and replaced the board. okies “Sam Burkett will get the surprise of his life when he goes to get them, if he has the chance to do it,” chuckled Will as he returned to the trap. : With a final look over at Patterson he lowered — the lantern into the cellar till it hit the earthen floor and stood there, flashing its beam around a narrow circle. ; “Now for myself,” he said. He let himself down carefully first by holdin, in to the floor. Then he grabbed the rope and — swung off. No sooner had he done so than something happened. The trap had been standing at an acute angle, for the heavy hinges wouldn’t let it fall back on the floor. es The shock of Will’s weight coming suddenly — on it pulled it over frontward, and it fell into its — place over the hole with a loud bang that shook the hut, letting the boy down with a run. ae Vr eae ates. ort Ss" a CHAPTER XIII.—Underground. Will narrowly missed colliding with the lan tern in his descent, his feet striking the ground on either side of it. The boy realized at once how unfortunate was the fall of the trap. H had not only accidentally made himself a pris oner, but cut off all hope of escape for Bob and ~ Nellie. That the noise had aroused the sleepers’ above was soon apparent. He heard Patterson _ get up and tramp over to the table. There h stopped, and Will judged he was feeling for th id
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THE STOLEN BONDS * Jantern to light it. As the lantern was down. - with him, Patterson, of course, could not find. it, and was naturally surprised. At that moment Burkett put his head down and asked what the trouble was. : ~ “T don’t know,” replied Patterson. “I’m trying to find: the lantern. I left-it on the table, but it doesn’t appear to be there now.” “Tt’g fallen on the floor, perhaps. The boy - must have fallen over on the floor in the chair. I suppose that’s what made the noise.” ' “Maybe so,” replied Patterson. “T’ll see as soon as I strike a light.” : The man found a match and struck it, lighting the candle in the neck of the bottle which stoo on the table. When he looked around he was _stag'gered to see the broken chair near the wall, the pieces of cord beside it, but no-sign of the prisoner anywhere. “FHe’s escaped,” he cried out. i “Escaped!” roared Burkett. % | He rushed down the ladder in his undressed » state and looked around. “Where has he gone?” he cried. ‘ “T couldn’t tell you, but I know he didn’t get out through the door.” without smashing the whole sash, and it hasn’t - been touched.” : “Jt’s blamed funny where he has gone then,” said Patterson, looking under the table on the ehance of finding the boy there. , Then he looked into the closet, though he knew there was no room there for the boy to hide him- ; f. ei don’t believe it, but we can look. Where’s the lantern?” said Burkett. “T don’t know where it is. - appeared.” _ “ow in thunder did that boy manage to free himself?” said the cashier, looking at the broken chair. “If he made that noise I heard he got "away mighty quick from this room.” ~ . “ffe certainly did, for 1 jumped up at once, and I didn’t hear another sound showing he was around,” said Patterson. Will’s disappearance from the room was a reat mystery to the two men, and the fact that he lantern was gone, too, was also a strange feature of the case. At that moment Burkett spied the basket which Will had hauled up out of the cellar. He went over and looked at it. “How did that come up here?” he said. ‘Why, 4t’g been taken off the cord. I begin to smell a rat. The boy has gone down into the caves where ‘our prisoners are. That settles his hash so far as making his escape is concerned. He’ll remain there until the time comes for setting the others ” Tare he’s down there?” asked Patterson. “Yes. He discovered the trap. See, the bolt "&has been drawn, and I left it locked. Besides, nobody but he pulled up that basket. He probably thought he could find his way out of the hut that : Instead of which he has simply trapped It seems to have dis- +} me from settin g him “He couldn’t have got out through the window - he’s made a discovery by - _a problem e matter stood. Will decided not to 21 see anything else, for Will and the lantern were. not there now. 2 “He made use of that rope which was hanging under the stairs, I can now understand the cause of the noise that awakened us. You see he tied the rope to this ring. He left the trap open nat- urally when he started to go down, intending to come back if he couldn’t get out throught what he supposed was the cellar. Well, his weight pulled the trap over, and it closed with a bang, Understand?” i Patterson said he did. 4 “Fe’s down there with the others,” said the — cashier, pulling the rope up and then removing it from the ring. ‘He shall stay there as com- pany for his friends.” Z Thus speaking, Burkett closed the trap and shot the bolt. “Things couldn’t have happened better, after all,” he said. “We had to do something with him, and he has settled the question himself. We'll go back to bed now, for there’s nothing to keep ua awake any longer.” : Let us return to Will. When he heard Patters son moving around on the floor above his head, he picked up the lantern, released it from the cord, and stood listening. Then he heard the cashier’d voice, though he couldn’t distinguish what Burkett said. He judged that his mode of exit from the room would speedily be discovered, so he moved away to discover himself to his friends. eee “They'll be astonished to see me here, but I. dare say they’ll be glad of my company. VPve done my best to rescue them, and it isn’t my fault — ‘entirely that. I have failed to do it. However, I’ve got the stolen bonds, that’s a great satisfac- tion, and I must see to it that they do not again fall into Sam Burkett’s hands.” ie The cellar or cave beneath the hut communi- cated with. several smaller caves, as Will soon found out. He raised the lantern above his hea® — and looked around. Right ahead of him he saw an opening in the wall of earth. As there was no sign of his friends in that room, he judged he, should find them by passing through the opening, — He lost no time in doing this, and found hims self in a rude passage from which two’ similar — openings opened off on either side. He entered — the one on the right side and flashed the lantern around. On a cheap cot on one side lay Bob Burs ton, fast asleep. The only other thing in the casa, was a folding stool with a back to it. Bob looked pale and thin, as the result of his imprisonment ins the poorly ventilated underground place. Wilk — flashed the lantern into the other case. On a- similar cot Nellie lay asleep. ; She also showed the effects of her surroundings, — Will then examined two other caves beyond. One of them was littered with broken and empty boxes, stamped with tobacco wording in: Spanish. — The other was empty. Apparently there was no« exit from the underground region except by way of the hut. Under such circumstances Will saw that he had cooped himself up with his two friends, and must remain a prisoner with them until it suited Sam Burkett’s interest to let them go. When that would happen was something o
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ay) _~ fhere. T’ll move a few of those boxes to the main ~ gave and take a snooze.on them. There is nothing else for me to do, but for fear that Burkett should Ph out that the bonds are gone, and suspect have taken them, I’ll bury the package where | e’s not likely to find it,” said Will. He did this first, and then spent the next ten Pah he be de a rude bunk for himself, on ich he lay down, and despite the strangeness pnd unpleasantness of his surroundings, was soon psleep with an old bag, that smelt of tobacco, under his head for a pillow. ( CHAPTER XIV.—Will Explains. Will slept like a top and did not wake up till he was aroused by a hand shaking him by the grm. Then he sat up, and by the light of the tern saw Bob staring at him in the greatest pastonishment. th “Tt surely is, Bob. Shake; I’m glad to see you, ld man.’ ’ , “How is that you are here?” . “Ts considerable of a story, Bob, which had a foo,” be deferred until your sister can hear it, “You know, then, that she is also a prisoner in this place?” ; “I do. I saw her asleep on her cot in the cave Beer opposite the one you were in before I lay down mere. “Your presence here must mean that you also _ jare a prisoner, but how that happens to be is S: pmore than I can understand.” - “T’]] make it all plain to you by and by. I will ell you this much now, that I got into this hobble unting for you both.” “Hunting for us—you?” “Why not? Aren’t we the best of friends? Frou should take a greater interest in you and yyour sister than I?” ‘| “That’s right, Will. then?” come AO.” aie “That’s more than we do ourselves. We were brought here in an unconscious state— _ \drugged. Why my sister has been subjected to jthis indignity is a mystery to me. As for my- ‘self, I can understand the reason in a way, ough it does seem odd that the men who robbed - \me of the package of D. & G. bouns I was taking to Mr. Hodge, in Redwood, should find it neces- {sary to keep me a prisoner when all they had to You know where we are, “Well, Bob, I can enlighten you on that subject, and ares my explanation is going to give you the surprise of your life.” At that moment Nellie Burton appeared on the On awakening she heard her brother talk- _ ‘ing to somebody, and she came to see who their visitor was, for it was the first person who had so favored them since they had been put down there. Her astonishment was great on recogniz- ing Will. “Why. 7 THE STOLEN BONDS ; will let you both into.a few facts that will take your breath away.” ; ae “Have you come to take us away?” she asked’ . eagerly. : : | “I came to this island for that purpose, but a screw worked lose in my plan, and so I’m a pris- oner like yourselves.” “A prisoner!” cried Nellie, her face showing her disappointment and concern. = “Exactly—a prisoner,” replied Will. “Did you say we are on an island?” asked Bob. “Where is it?’ “You are on an island in the Sound, somewhere off what I believe is the shore of Connecticut.” nee did you find out we were here?” asked ob. ; } “That’s part of my story. To begin with, I have an unpleasant surprise for you.’ “Can it be any more unpleasant than the posi- tion I and my sister are in?” “No, for that will be adjusted as soon as you are free.” a “What is this surprise?” <~% “Mr. Burkett and every one in the office except- ing my self and the cashier believe you have . stolen the D. & G. bonds and have fled West with them, taking your sister with you.” “Great Scott! Do you mean that?” cried Bob, dence.” “What do you mean?” : inte “T mean that I know the identity of the man — who put the job up on you—who stole the bonds from you. The scheme was clearly planned be- fore you left the office that Monday’ morning. — You walked into a trap prepared for you.” : “T know I did, though I have been unable to understand the matter. When I reached the sta- tion at Redwood——” : “You were met by a man who came there in a red automobile,” said Will. i “How did you learn that?” Te “J visited Redwood and learned the fact from the station agent.” aes “The man told me that Mr. Hodge sent him for me, and supposing he was that gentleman’s chauf- feur, I got into the auto. He drove me to a house somewhere on the suburbs. It didn’t look like the residence of a wealthy man, and I began to sus- pect all was not right. When I objected to en- tering the place the man said it was all right. That Mr. Hodge was there visiting his couse :
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“West. The detective had reported that a young man answering your description had been seen ’ boarding a Chicago express on the West Shore road at Weehawken. This youne man was held up at Cleveland and proved to be somebody else, so that point against you fell through.” “T should think it would.” “The real thief, however, was wide awake. It 3 was not to his interest to have the detectives _ jooking around near New York for you. It was necessary to show that you really had gone West, so I have figured the matter out, your sister was enticed away, your flat given up, and your furni- ture put in storage, in order to make it appear that you had sent for her to join you. See the “point?” “My gracious!” cried Bob. : “The thief sent an accomplice out West to keep --up the illusion. and he has managed to do it up to this moment.” “Say, Will, how did you find all this out?” “To begin with, I had perfect confidence in your innocence. I stood out for you when the rest believed vou guilty. I first went to Redwood ~ to make inquiries there. I found out what I told - you. That satisfied me that the detectives were working on the wrong scent. My word, how- ever, wasn’t worth much against the strong evi- ‘dence that had been built up against you, so I determined to do a little detective work on the quict. I doubt if I would have been very suc- cessful but that luck played into my hands.” Will then told about Jenkins’ visit to the office. and how it led to®his finding out the identity of the man who stole the bonds. “Who is this man?” asked Bob. “T’m afraid you won’t believe me when I tell ‘you.” - “Why not?” asked Bob, in some surprise. “Because he’s the last person you would sus- ect of being concerned in such a dastardly out- age, not only on you, but on his own relative and friend.” “7 don’t understand you.” - “The man who put up this job on you is none “other than the boss’? nephew—Sam Burkett, and he’s in the hut above at this moment.” “Impossible! You are mad, Will, to say that.” “T expected vou to saw that. It does lock pre- osterous, but nevertheless it is the solemn truth. “You and your sister are the victims of Sam Burkett’s scheme to fleece his uncle, and I have positive knowledge of the fact.” Bob stared at Will as if he couldn’t believe his ears. + St CHAPTER XV.—Conclusion. “JT think I had better tell my story straight ‘ahead and then you'll understand things more clearly,” said Will, who started in and told Bob rerything that the reader knows. _.. When he had finished right up to the point “hat he had accidentally made a prisoner of him- self in his eagerness to save Bob and Nellie, Bob ized him by the hand. E ‘Will, you have proved yourself a true friend, d I am truly sorry that you are caught in the ” Z « THE STOLEN BONDS ried cut shmouiie pae Boe. cried Nellie, “and we’ll never be able to thank — you enough.” : “T have been caught, yes, but I have not en- tirely failed. I have found the stolen bonds in the place where they were hidden by Burkett, and they are now down here with us,” said Will. “You don’t mean it,” cried Bob, in some ex- citement. Del “T do. If we could only make our escape every- thing would be-all right with you, and Sam Burk: ett would see his finish pretty quick.” : “You have the bonds in your pocket, then?” “No, I have hidden them in the cave where the boxes are. I’ll show you where. Come with me.” Bob and Nellie went with Will, and the youn messenger pointed out the spot where he ha buried the securities. On-.their return to the main cave Nellie told Will how she had been tricked. A man ‘had called in a red automobile with word that her brother was lying critically ill at a house in Redwood. Nellie said she ac- — companied the man readily to the village and was introduced into a vacant house, where she- was grabbed and drugged with a cloth pressed over her face. The next thing she knew was finding herself down there with her brother, who was not il] at all, but a prisoner, and since that time she had shared his fate. At that juncture the trap was opened above and the disguised cashier called down to them: “So you are there, Will Withers,” he Said. “You trapped yourself nicely. You will stay there with your friends till further notice.” eo Then he lowered down breakfast for three and - closed the trap again. a “While there’s life there’s hone,” chuckled — Will, who was in good humor in spite of his” unfortunate predicament. : The three prisoners ate their breakfast and then began to consider their situation. “Ym going to die out, and if you will lend me a hand, Bob, we’ll get on so much quicker.” ee mS dlae will. we dig with—our hands?” asked | ob. “Our hands, when there are so many broken — pieces of wood lying around? I should say not. Look at that niece of box cover. That will make — a first-class shovel. Now I'll start in first and — see how it goes. When I get tired you can relieve _ He started with a small hole at first to test the ground, and finding that there was going to — be no great difficulty in boring a way to the sur- 4ace, he enlarged the opening to a width sufficient to admit the passage of a single person, “We'll come up into the wood like three moles,” said Will to Nellie. ees “But how can we leave the island?” she asked. “They’ve got a motor launch. We'll get away with that. If we can’t run it we can float around _in_the Sound until some craft picks us up.” Will and’ Bob had made prettv fair progress by the time dinner was sent down to them. An hour after the meal the boys resumed work on their inclined tunnel. seb.
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24 preakfast was sent down to them, and as soon as it was disposed of they returned to work on ‘the tunnel with renewed vigor. «They put in the whole day on the job, and it ‘was close on to sundown when Will jabbed his promptu shovel through the surface and saw e light of afternoon shining through the wood. e did not rush back to tell the others, but kept ‘right at work until he had made a hole large enough to creep out at. He pulled himself out - jand started to look around. The hut was close iby, of course. He saw nothing of their enemies, but he knew they were still on the island, be- ‘eause the launch lay moored in the cove. | Will ventured to look in at the window, and saw the three. men at their supper. He then returned to his friends and told them that the ' tunnel was finished and the way to freedom clear. | “We must not make a move till they’ve sent -\gs down our supper,” he said. é Inside of half an hour their supper came down. | They ate it, and then Will dug up the bonds and a Wed the way to the surface. It was dark now, and the Faiedis favorable to getting possession of the launch. Will went forward to investigate. ‘He learned that Patterson was going to take Jenkins up to a nearby Connecticut town where he could get a train for New York. That gave the boy an idea. : While the attention of the men was otherwise paploved, Will led Bob and his sister to the Jaunch, and the three of them hid themselves in _ \the forward compartment of the boat, which pt ti ill had occupied during the trip from New _ ?Nork. Fifteen minutes later Jenkins and Pat- | terson stepped aboard, while the cashier un- moored the craft. The run to the town was _ made in a short time, and as soon as the power was shut off, Will and Bob came piling out of the hole and jumped on Patterson, whom they speedily put out of business. They then attacked the astonished Jenkins and -eaptured him. The launch was then close in to the wharf and was soon made fast. While Bob _ {kept guard over the prisoners’ Will hunted up ‘the police station. He told his story to the officer - 4n charge, and a couple of policemen were sent to take charge of the prisoners. A man who ei understood how to run the launch was secured and Dick and an officer returned to the island and captured the discomfited Sam Burkett. Will and his friends returned to the city that night and went straight to Broker Burkett’s house. a To say that the broker was astonished at the inside details of the stolen bonds conspiracy en- es by his trusted nephew will give but a ‘aint idea of his feelings. He wouldn’t have be- lieved the facts if they hadn’t been backed up ; by ‘such substantial evidence of the cashier’s du- icity. The result was that he let the law take its course, and so Sam Burkett and his two asso- ciates who had been captured were duly tried and sent to Sing Sing for a long term of years. As for Will, he received full credit for recov- _ ering the stolen bonds, and Mr. Burkett paid him the sum of $5,000 as a reward for his services, ywhich, with the $4,700 he had made out of the ‘market, made him worth nearly $10,000. The “newspapers printed Will’s story in full with his e and a photo-reproduction of the hut on Bs os THE STOLEN BONDS the island, and all Wall Street agreed that the boy had undoubtedly made his mark by recover- ing the stolen bonds. : Next week’s issue will contain “A FAVORITE. OF FATE; OR, AFTER THE HEAD HUNT- ~ ERS’ TREASURE.” : : : ae zr = Before motor vehicles—automobiles and tract- _ ors—found their way to the farms, largely super- seding the old wagons and buggies, the practice of “soaking down” wooden wheels was very gen-— eral. Today there are still a few thrifty farm- ers who make a regular habit of thoroughly wet- ting the wheels of such _vehicles—where the vehicles have survived. The object, of course, — was to make the wood swell, thus preventing dry- ing out and keeping the spokes from rattling and the wheels themselves from tumbling to pieces. Even in this era of hard-surfaced roads and ~ an ever-lessening number of horse-drawn outfits, one will notice, particularly throughout New Eng- land, occasional places where the highway crosses a shallow stream or brook. At one side of the lit- tle bridge or culvert under which the water runs the road will branch, making a short loop down the slight incline, through the rivulet and bac up on to the main route again. : ae When the country roads wete built these little — detours were for three purposes. They made it possible for the farmer to wet the wheels of his — wagon or buggy, to water his horse and to soak re the animal’s hoofs—humane and utilitarian ob- i incidental to travel over the hot, dusty roads. ; Years ago the farmer who thought well enou of his rolling stock to take good care of it very particular not to neglect the “soaking down” treatment. Sometimes when he was going on ¢ long trip he would take the wheels off his vehi and stand them in the long watering trough g erally to be found in the farm yard. At inter-— vals he would turn them pears so the soaking would be complete. , <= SOAKING DOWN WHEELS AN OLD FARM RITE ys ‘< Oe ey A a ee TRICKS, NOVELTIES, FORMULAS AND PRACTICAL JOKES - Learn to play card, handkerchief, fire and many other tricks. I will tell you how to play a goo practical joke on your friends. Send stamp fo particulars. DANVILLE SPECIALTY HOUS) 208 No. Main St., Danville, Va, ai LOVE LURE DARING. This mysterious perfume ~ attracts and fascinates. Its rare and exotic fragrance surro you 9 with charm and enticement that few are able to resist. Tantaliz- — ing and lingering as one’s first . Young and old gladly sur-
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"TRUTHFUL JAMES , The Boy Who Would Not Drink By GASTON GARNE {A Serial Story.) CHAPTER XXII (Continued.) - That broke the ice. George threw his arms pround Emma’s neck and drew her to him, and her face was the color of a rose, : Sally went out of the room, and, returning a few minutes later, found them locked in each other’s arms. “That's right! That’s right!” she laughed. - “Now, Emma,” she continued, “Jimmy and I want you two to be married at the same time ‘and place next Sunday afternoon that we are. “Oh, my, Sally!” exclaimed Emma. “I could ‘not think of doing such a thing. I would want at least three or four months in which to get dy, for I have no oat ene ae ‘Both you and I,” said Sally, ‘are the same 2, a ow, and our dresses fit each other mirably. I have a half dozen dresses you can ; on your bridal trip, and I am sure that orge will buy you all the clothes you want as n as we return from our honeymoon sate j Juring Sally’s talk Emma had not a wo ti) se cae to oF snes overwhelmed ness of the affair. a Ipinethe aha: shook her head and said that she mew her mother would not agree to it, ~ “Then don’t say anything to her about it,” suggested Sally. ; ally, would you do such a thing were you y place?” Emma asked. ‘Under the circumstances I would, Emma.” «Emma finally consented and the happy con- ‘Ebirators became more intimate from that mo- ‘ment than ever before. wee To avoid ead 9 any suspicion Emma slyly Blip articles a Sally's home. Sally had provided one of - trunks for Emma’s use during the trip. 3 and sisters knew that she was to es af the patacamalds at the Church and that ge was to stand up with her as Jimmy’s best n, so the family saw nothing strange in the that George called for her with a carriage formed. e church was crowded. Both brides looked iful, and of uke they were to drive from the depot. : ; aoe as the a ee had married Jimmy Sally there was a rush of the friends of ~ bride to kiss her and congratulate Jimmy. Hold on, friends; take your seats, please,” ex- imed the minister. ‘“There’s another cere- to be performed,” and. the astonished audi- ‘resumed their seats and the parson pro- ded to ask the fisual questions of both the 1 people, and they answered promptly, so of dress from’ her own. or “the afternoon that the ceremony was to be . . FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY : 25 that they were really married before Emma’s mother knew what had happened. ; Mrs, Hitchcock was surrounded by friends who prevented her by crowding her from seeing and understanding what was taking: place. “Well,” exclaimed an old lady friend of Em- ma’s mother, “if Emma hasn’t married George Williams, then I’m blind.” el gasped Emma’s mother. “What is 5 a ee ; “Why, George and Emma are married.” At that Mrs. Hitchcock promptly fainted, and that, of course, created great excitement. As soon as the ceremony was over with the happy couples marched out of the church arm in arm and entered carriages. Mrs. Hitchcock recovered from her swoon and rushed toward the carriage containing George and her daughter, screaming out: “Emma, are you married?” : “Yes, mother. Won’t you congratulate me?” and Emma leaned out of the carriage far enough to throw her arms around her mother’s neck and kiss her. CHAPTER XXIII. Farmer Brown’s Rheumatic Cure. The double wedding was as great a surprise to the family and friends as to everybody else. The happy couples drove to the depot in, time to catch the train for New York City. Z There they went to a quiet little hotel and none of the guests there suspected that they were a bridal pasty. : _To say that they were happy was unnecessary, for the word hardly expresses their case. i The boys went out on the street and bought copies of the country papers containing the story of the great surprise. George and Emma spent the most of their time among the drygoods stores and dressmaking establishments, while Sally and Jimmy accompanied them, and they never let any of the guests of the hotel find out their identity. In fact, they had all agreed to keep mum as to their locality for the first week. Then they started out to extend their trip to Philadelphia. E Neither of the girls had even seen the latter City. New York was the limit of their former excursions. In the latter city they registered as Mr. George Hitchcock and wife and Mr. James Watson and wife, and then both brides sat down. and wrote letters back home. ; Emma wrote glowing letters to her mother of the many fine and beautiful things that George had bought for hex, and, of course, went into ecstasies over her unexpected marriage and hap- piness. f Jimmy’s mother wrote him that the temper- ance people were preparing to give him a great ovation upon his return, and that he was ex- pected to make the greatest speech of his life. By and by the parties at home were notified of the coming of the newly-married couples and the great crowd met them at the depot when ed the train hauled in. s, . iS Ms
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4 There was only one man to be seen drunk as the happy couples emerged from the train, . ‘and that was Henry Halstead, the young man _ to whom Sally had been engaged before she en- ‘gaged herself to Jimmy Watson. He was stand- ing in a conspicuous place, well-dressed, but with a flushed face, giving evidence of having drunk freely that morning of intoxicating liquors. Sally happened to catch his eye, and she looked straight at him and smiled into his face. That broke him all up, and he went to the nearest saloon and drank until he became blind drunk. “Jimmy,” said Sally in a low undertone, “did you see Henry?” “Yes. Poor fellow! I'll try to make friends with him and see if I can’t persuade him to let diquor alone.” ‘Don’t you do that, Jimmy. Wait a few months, for I know that he is in a desperate mood. The boy did love me dearly.” “Well, ’m not blaming him for that, I don’t see how I could. : for half an hour or so after the arrival of - the train. a great crowd of friends gathered ~ around ‘both couples to congratulate them. “Jimmy,” said the pastor of the church to _ which Jimmy’s mother belonged, “next Sunday you are to occupy my pulpit and make a tem- -perance speech.” F “What! Haven’t you arranged for George to say something, too?” eats “Oh, yes. He is to sit in the pulpit with you ( and add his yoice to yours after you have fin- ished. We regard him as being a most conspicu- .ous convert of yours, and we hope to keep him '~*¢well in the ranks of the temperance cause.” © While Jimmy had been talking with the min- - . ister, Judge Watson burst through the crowd that surrounded him, caught him in his arms and’ hugged him most enthusiastically. “Well, well, well, judge!” exclaimed. Jimmy. Pos “There is no man in the cdunty I am more glad to see.” “All right, my boy. Z before the train did, but failed,” and with that ns he turned to Sally, took her in his arms and _ kissed her all over her face.” “Now, what’s become of Farmer Brown? I don’t see him in this crowd,” said Jimmy. “Oh; he’s home nursing his rheumatism,” re- _ plied a neighbor. “Oh, he has rheumatism, eh? taking for it?” “Good whisky,” replied a young man within . hearing. “Well, that bad. _. “I’m going to see him tomorrow. I don’t believe that he has gone back to whisky.” “Yes, he’s got his jug filled with roots and herbs, by order of the doctor.” _ __“Who’s his doctor?” Jimmy asked in all seri- _ ousness. = “Why, Doctor Bloom.” - “Well, I’m sorry to hear that.” ~ “Oh, Bloom’s all right,” exclaimed the young Seah, 5nd he’s getting the best of the rheuma- tism. I drove hard to get here é What is he That’s bad,” said Jimmy. FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY Ae te oA “Well, maybe he is,” put in another neighbor — be Naha e Pade i rather have the rheumatism, for he keeps his patient dr’ ; as a biled owl all the time.” gee Jimmy and his bride entered his mother’s car- riage and were driven to their home, while the crowd who met there to see them dispersed to their homes. When they reached the old place even the cats — and dogs and cattle seemed to be glad to see them. Sally’s mother had come over to the Wat- son home to meet her there. “Jimmy,” said an old neighbor, “of course, the — parson has notified you of the announcement for next Sunday.” “Oh, yes, and we will be George and Emma.” As soon as his friends left the house and re- _ turned to their own homes, Jimmy threw off his coat, went out to the barn and the horse lot and renewed his acquaintance with all of the — animal life there. a He spent the afternoon with the cattle and horses, while Sally entertained quite a number neh of her girl friends who had dropped in during the afternoon. ee Farmer Brown came up late in the afternoon” to see Jimmy in his little Jersey wagon, driven by one of his sons. Sa “Well, well, well,” said Jimmy. “I’m glad'to see you, Farmer Brown.” : mo 80 there, and so will — wf “Thank you. I’m glad to see you, James, but Y’ve got the worst case of rheumatism that you — ever saw any man have, and Doctor Bloom keeps — me about half drunk all the time on some kind — of medicine that he keeps fixed up for me; bu it is driving the rheumatism away, all right.” — “Well, Mr. Brown, isn’t the curse worse than the disease?” 3 “Well, some claim that it is, but Bloom says they don’t know what they are talking about when they say that. The stuff doesn’t taste like whisky at all. It is as bitter as gall, and heaven knows that no man would ever drink it merel\ for the purpose of getting drunk.” pee “Mr. Brown, it’s dangerous,” and Jimmy shook. his head. sais es Fic “You don’t know what my boy. tell you that no man would ae bottle of it to John Call, the barkeeper, a asked him what he thought of it, and he said it_ was the devil’s own juice, and that if it didn’ cure rheumatism it would certainly make a tem: perance man of the fellow who drank it. £ wouldn’t take a swallow of it,’ said he, ‘for dollars a swallow. It will make a man as d: as a loon, and as for me, I’d rather have r matism and the gout combined than to have: depend upon it for a cure.’” ; Jimmy laughed heartily over the report whic: Farmer Brown told of the barkeeper’s judgme about the remedy which he was taking rheumatism and said; : (To be continued)’ = a; ars
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eS Ee Tee a Fame and Fortune Weekly NEW YORK, JUNE 22, 1928 TERMS TO SUBSCRIBERS HOW TO SEND MONEY—At our risk send P. 0. Money Order, Check or Registered Letter; remittances in any, other wav are at your risk. We accept Postage Stamps the same as cash. When sending silver wrap the Coin in a separate piece of paper to avoid eutting - the enyelope.. Write your name and address plainly. Bingle Copied......ccusesenevcess Postage Free 8 cents 5 : ‘Address letters to WESTBURY PUBLISHING CO., Ine. 140 Cedar Street, New York City. FRED KNIGHT, Pres. and Treas. RB, W. MARR, Vico-Pres. and Seo. THE PURITAN SUNDAY ' There was a time—and not so very many years ago—when in some Puritan New England fami- lies no one was allowed to read on the Sabbath Day anything but the Bible, the Sunday School Quarterly, and Sunday School books, The Home - Missionary, and The Congregationalist, published in Boston. PERSIA’S FARMERS Persia is a country of large proprietors and landless peasants. Most of the men are employed on the land under an ancient system of payment in kind which gives them a meager existence, the lJandlord retaining, on an average, three-fifths of the crop. The peasant laborers still ‘use the primitive methods of their ancestors, plowing the = soil with a bent stick drawn by an ox or a small Persian horse. y DEATH RATE INCREASES ' Measles, whooping cough, influenza and cere- vospinal meningitis are unusually prevalent this Oe with the nae that since Jan. 1 there have been 1,705 more deaths in the city than in the corresponding period last year, Health Commis- sioner Louis I. Harris said recently. He warned parents to see that their children are not unneces- sarily exposed to measles. : Characterizing this as a “measle year, Dr. Harris said that 400 to 500 new cases of this disease a day are being reported. He expressed d pneumonia, as compared with 4,641 te Soar and 176 deaths from cerebrospinal men- ingitis, as compared with fifty-seven last year. * Nn es | oe FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY 2a ANGORA HOTELS NOW BAR DOMESTIC . ANIMAL PATRONS poe The most succinct summary of the differenc between Angora as it was before the Kemalista made it the nation’s capital and as it is toda: is attributed to the English authoress, M Grace Ellison. Asked by a foreign Ambassador — at the same hotel what changes she had found m striking she replied: “When I stayed in this hotel seven years a the room next to mine was occupied by goa sheep and donkeys. Excellency.” Tourists and Turks alike are relieved over th improved hotel situation here now that the n Angora Palace has finally opened. Built at cost of $300,000, the hotel is to be run by a Fren society which invested heavily in furnishings a equipment imported from Paris. Now it is occupied by you BERLIN RETURNING TO HORSE; 7,000 OWN’ OR HIRE MOUNTS Despite the increasing popularity of motor cara throughout Germany, Berliners again have taken to horseback riding in such numbers that this Spring the Tiergarten may well be compared to London’s Rotten Row, to the Reservoir bridle path of New York’s Central Park or to the Bois de Boulogne of Paris. According to statistics of the Neue Berliner Zeitung, 1,050 persons have their own saddle horses and more than 6,500 ride hired mounts, Though the large majority of army officers andi members of the aristocracy are not in a position to spend their leisure hours in the sandale, the riding public on the whole, since the days of the: inflation, when the “get-rich-quick” ‘had bebe’ fling, has been developing into a new smart set. ; POCKET LIGHTERS MAKE THE WHOLE WORLD KIN Pocket lighters have joined the ranks of the minor troubles that make the whole world dn. They are at all times an open sesame for conver- sation, particularly now that the Ford car has changed his spots. The chivalry of the day re quires that the possessor of one shall always help | the possessor of another when his is in distress. One of their commonest ailments, that of being out of fuel, has inspired some of the city’s drug stores to a novel aet of courtesy, even though one not without its advertising value. They have established free ‘filling’ stations” on their coun- ters, putting out a neat little urn of alcohol from which a tiny stream may be pumped out, each owner performing the service for himself at will. — An effort to get a lighter lighted is always an oceasion to arrest attention. One of the Broad- way theaters has had a scene in which the star, idling about the stage for a moment, pulled out a pocket lighter to light a cigaret: That, to the audience, was one of the breathless parts of the play. As the little cover bar was flicked up, every one would almost unconsciously fix his eye on the lighter, and as the tiny flame appeared _— there would be an. audible murmur all over the house. “It lit!”
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x Wild Moll’s Charge ee re sat in one of those peculiar institutions, a /Western ranch, after a hard day’s ride, sipping ‘my mug of mountain-dew, and dreaming of home, quite forgetful of surroundings, when I ‘was startled by a sudden outburst of applause, and some twenty or more voices shouting: “Welcome, Moll! Welcome, old gal!” Of course I looked up in astonishment, and was at once interested in the character who had brought forth this demonstration. It was a woman of a Spanish cast of features, and evidently some forty years of age. ~ She walked direct to the bar, and, although a ‘dozen or more glasses of whisky were extend- ed toward her, she refused to drink but one; - end then, with half a dozen words, a good- natured smile, and a sharp cut with her riding- ,whip over the shoulders of one who was evi- _ ‘dently her favorite, she left the ranch again. “The person who had received this last-named mark of distinction seated himself by my side, _. rubbed his hands, but still seemed to think him- self highly favored, for he laughed loudly and asked: “Stranger, do you know that ar, gal?” _ I replied that I did not, when he continued: - “You've heer of her, of course?” J asked the name, and was informed that she > at an called Wild Moll, her name being. Mary I had heard the name, but I was ignorant of her particular virtues. Still. I did not make this confession lest it should mortify my ques- _tioner. : “So I replied that she was a remarkable per- son, and asked, at the same time, what partic- ular adventure had marked her career, and ren- déred her the general favorite she seemed to -Beakin’ up a nest of red varmints, savin’ a oungster, an’ leapin’ over the Devil’s Gate Ledge into the Sweet water,” was the reply. “I begged that the man would relate the par- ticulars, and he began, while the entire assem- plage around, although there were few of them who had not heard it a hundred times. “Well, stranger, there was a cabin up by the “Medicine Bow, where there lived just as happy a couple as the sun ever shone upon. That was my wife Nancy and myself. We were the more hap- py because we had a sun in our house in the shape of a blue-eyed little girl. i Well, Red Rodman, a renegade, conceived a * great dislike for me. He never was satisfied to ' kill the body of those he hated; he wanted to let hat live and kill the peace of mind, as that is the biggest kind of revenge.” ; The hunter dashed a teardrop away from his eyes, and then continued: “It was me that the renegade wanted to spite, id not my wife. So he came upon my home at night with a gang of his cut-throats, and the red flame was glaring in my eyes when I was startled out of a sound sleep by their yells. “Fighting was no use, because I was alone, but I did the best I could. 4 = “Tf saw my Nancy brutally butchered, and I FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY ~ ‘appears that she was around, for when I reached — ‘by this daring act that they stood for a time in paused upon an open, rocky space, looked aro 69 aE aoe re : x fe ee ee Ot wondered why I was spared, The gang didn’t see fit even to hold me a prisoner, but left me stand- ing free, and so I sat for hours by the mangled - remains of my partner. : “The sun arose blood-red. mets “At first I thought that I would give up all, “ and die. But just then I glanced up to that top ledge of rocks, known as Devil’s Gate. “What should I see there but Rodman, holding my little daughter in his arms. He swung her over the precipice, and I heard her little voice as her wails came back to me.” _ “Goodness gracious! He surely didn’t hurl your little innocent over that cliff?” _ “No; it was only a trick to drive me mad, and ~ it did almost do it. I tried to raise my knife which had not even been taken: from me, but t hadn’t the-strength to do it, and it fell from my grasp. Then I staggered forward, and, falling upon my knees, actually begged the murderer to™ spare my darling little one, and I believe that I so cried like a baby.” “Wept like a man, rather?” “As you please to term it. But my strength — and judgment returned to me when I found that my enemy only laughed at my agony, and I sprang up the rocks toward the point where Rod- man stood. He retreated back some hundred rods — on a level spot, and there he stood, still holding my child, and surrounded by a dozen-of his mon- sters. And now, sir, just here is where Mary Wild comes in.” gs “T had forgotten her in my interest in listening _ to you. Pray go on.” ; see “Mary had been to my cabin a great many times, and she was fond of Nancy and the baby. “T didn’t discover ‘her during the fight, but it the top of the rocks, there she was within a few — feet of the villainous murderer. “She was creeping along, keeping as much con- cealed as possible by the undergrowth, and the murderer was not aware of her presence until she sprang suddenly, fired at him, killing him almost — instantly. “Well, sir, the savages were so thunderstricken — perfect silence, and without moving. sa “Then they recovered and set up a ‘horrible yell- | ing, and began the chase.” : : “Mary was escaping with. your ey ee “Wxactly, stranger. She had caught my little — one in her arms, mounted a pony, and was dash- ing away.” %% “Down the rocks. But those Indian ponié know every inch of the way, and can leap from point to point like a deer or antelope. Beside, there was a kind of path leading to the Sweet- water and the valley below, which the pony knew as well as Mary did, and he made lively trac in the right direction.” 3 “That was, indeed, fortunate.” Se “It was, although it didn’t appear so at the time.” S “Explain!” f “Well, vou see. Mary, and the pony, and m; child had just arrived at a point where they were © about to make a plunge down a pretty steep place, when up iumps a lot of the reds and stops her qt. way. Back she comes for another path; but here she was headed off, and, for a short time, 7
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FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY _and didn’t.seem tobe able to decide what to do. All this time the vells of the red fiends were ring- ing out fearfully, and they were closing in upon her.” “But she was equal to the emergency?” “You are right there, stranger. She turned her pony’s head direct toward the precipice, and dashed toward it at a furious rate.’ “Gracious! Did she intend to take that terrible leap??” “That’s iust the question I asked myself, and, if I could judge from her movements, she did. So the thought came to my comfort as I watched her, that she knew the reds would kill her and the child, and that they might as well died that way as any other. However, she afterwards told me that she had no idea of going over the cliff, but that she intended to mislead her pursuers, and then make another dash for the beaten track.” “And she was successful?” “No, sir. Over that precipice she went, with child and pony. You see, when she started to- h ward the cliff, a dozen of the savages let fly their arrows. Only one of them struck Mary, wound- ing her slightly in the arm, but several buried themselves in the pony’s haunches. The pain mad- dened him, and he rushed forward as though plind, and over the chasm he went, bearing his precious burden with him. You will see that an enormous cottonwood tree is standing just at the pase of the cliff, and that its topmost branches are but little below the summit of the rocky Jedge.” f ke: “T see that is the case.” — “Well, sir, the pony lit right among those branches after he made the leap. Poor thing, he . went crashing through, and fell upon the rocks pelow, a lacerated mass of quivering flesh and broken bones. But it wasn’t so with Mary and the child.” “And so Mary escaped?” ‘ “Yes, sir. She dropped from limb to limb, and ¢limbed carefully down until she had reached the a ground, all the time taking care to-hold my little one in safetv.” : “Did the Indians trouble you no further?” ~ “Not a bit of it. They didn’t see how the gal was saved, and of course they thought.she was killed outright. It was some months after before they discovered her, and then the superstitious rascals took her for a ghost. She let ’em think so, but I tell you she is real flesh and blood, and a true woman at that. Now, sir, you have one “eason why she is such a great favorite among ” ey The next day I had the pleaosure of convers- ng with Molly. I found her to possess more than ‘usual intellect, and considerable refinement. But ‘VICTOR COMPANY OFFERS THREE PRIZES “TOTALING $40,000 FOR NEW MUSIC To encourage musical creation in the United s the Victor Talking Machine Company of- i totaling $40,000 for three winnin, prizes total ‘make no awards, but will divert the prize funds ductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and ee. ever offered for.a single composition, will be paid ~ for the best composition within the playing scope of a symphony orchestra. A first prize of $10,000 and a second prize of $5,000 are offered for the best compositions “in the so-called jazz or sym- phonic jazz idiom.” : Announcement of the prize program was made recently at a dinner given by the company in the Savoy-Plaza Hotel. More than 200 persons, in- — cluding distinguished musicians, patrons of : music, critics, writers and others interested in advancement of American composition, were pres- _ ent. E. E. Shumaker, President of the Victor Com- — pany, introduced Rudolph Ganz, concert pianist and former conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, who presided. John Erskine, author of “The Private Life of Helen of Troy,” a pianist of note and head of the Juilliard Musical Foun- dation, outlined the competition plan. The contest is open only to composers who are American citizens. Otherwise there are no re- strictions, although the company’s representatives expressed hope that out of the competition will come a symphonic work “truly American in con- — ception.” oe Symphonic compositions must be submitted by midnight May 27, 1929, and awards will be an- nounced Oct. 8, 1919. Jazz compositions must be submitted by next Oct. 29, and the two awards in this division will be announced Dec. 28. If no ~ worthy compositions are entered, the judges will to “some project devoted to development of cre- ative musical work in America.” seat The Board of Judges who will pass on sym- — phonic manuscripts comprises Mme. Olga Sam- — aroff, concert pianist and music critic; Mr. Ganz, Leopold Stokowski, conductor of the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra; Serge Koussevitsky, con- — Frederick Stoke, conductor of the Chicago Sym- phony Orchestra. ape 37 UPSALA STUDENTS SUSPENDED ~ Because they violated a rule of the college in ~ attending a dance, thirty-seven young men stu- dents gf Upsala College in East Orange, N. J., were indefinitely suspended. Three other the- ological students, who accompanied the party, were let off with severe reprimands. All were members of a student organization known as the’ Improved Order of Exalted Ululae, but familiarly — called the Owl! Club. “eggs The dance was held in the Hotel Montclair, Montclair, N. J., and was given by the mother of one of the suspended students, Mrs. Alfred H. Nelson, of No. 5 Oxford Street, Montclair. Mrs. Nelson said she thought the suspension “unfair and unnecessary.” Ursula College is a co-educa-— tional institution maintained by the New York and New England Conference of Evangelical Churches put into effect a year ago. None of the feminine students attended the dance, so far as could be learned. About one-third of the 55 college to-d even are | Eh pe ev
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! PANCREAS OF MONKEY IS GRAFTED Rese eer - ON A MAN The remarkable operation of grafting the pan- ‘greas of a chimpanzee on a human being was i armed here recently by Dr. Francois Ody of zs e Cantonal Hospital surgical service. The pa- tient, a‘man about sixty, was reported recently ini progressing favorably. The monkey was not jet owed to recover from the anaesthetic. 140 HAVE SCARLET FEVER The town of Avon, Conn., is experiencing the _ worst epidemic in its history. Scarlet fever, be- i fiers to have been spread through infected milk, raging. - Four deaths have resulted from the contagion ‘and a score of persons are in critical condition. The source of the epidemic is said to have been ed to a dairy farm where a scarlet fever car- er had been employed. Neither the township ite State plans to prosecute the owners of e farm. peep oye KEEPS BED READY FOR THE PRINCE OF WALES _ The Prince of Wales recently sent to General ourier, Governor of the great military school Saint-Cyr, the French West Point, a check for 000 francs. A personal note of ‘yood wishes to _ Hehe General accompanied the check. The Prince holds the honorary rank of “anspes- wsard,” corporal, in the French school, and his bed - |and equipment are always kept ready for him in ‘ ins he should feel inclined to sleep at Saint-Cyr some of his numerous visits to Paris. He has : er taken advantage of the free bed yet. Just to take care of my equipment and bed ‘yand a little tip for the orderlies,” the Prince irre when asked as to what disposition should b : made of the money. 1,500-YEAR-OLD TOAD HERE, SILENT AS TOMB ON HIS AGE Never in the “1500 years” of his existence has Rip No. 2 had such a difficult time, mentally and ‘physically, as when, in the last few days, he veled in a cigar box to The World and the orth American Newspaper Alliance, from East- nd, Texas. : Since that day when Rip was found “sealed in stone for thirty-one years” in Eastland, there has ‘been no peace for ancient horned toads of even - ¢he most conservative types. Soon after Rip 2 arrived in The World office lately, he was asked {by a reporter if he had not been jarred by the focus of 1 publicity on Eastland, but Rip 2 an- ‘swered nothing. The silence did not-~mean “no,” but just Southern chivalry and politeness. ; - Rip No. 2 is called by those who know him best ea Aasne Calidiarum, and no Phrynosoma Getciarum likes to travel through the mails with the lack of privacy and understanding that he erienced. On the outside of his cigar box was ed a bhi eampatage of white paper with the 2 : FAME AND. FORTUNE WEEKLY ma BRIEF BUT POINTED a y Eastland, Tex. Value $100,000. Live Horned Frog, named Rip No, 2. Age, 1,500 (estimated). Rip No. 2 exact duplicate of Old Rip, the world famous cornerstone frog. NOT DANGEROUS. Do not feed or water. He doesn’t need it.” - Since his arrival Rip No. 2 has been tempted with meal worms in vain, and he has given no information to The World. ee = “He won’t talk, won’t he?” said one of the — editors, biting his (the editor’s) finger nails an-— grily. “Why won’t he talk. He could give us the real low-down on the alleged sewer graft in an- ; cient Rome. a “If he won’t talk, send him up to Dr. Blair of the Bronx Zoo and find out if he really is 1,500. years old after all. That hasn’t ever been checked The result was that Rip No. 2 was given to the ~*~ j School Nature League Model Room of the Amer- ican Museum of Natural History. : TOPOGRAPHICAL STUDY OF THE PLOT MEANS GREATLY ADDED HOME VALUE Proper orientation, or placement of the house on the spot best fitted to receive it within the confines of the plot, is a matter for expert opin- ion, as a great many factors usually unrecognized by the layman enter into the question. ae The most accurate method of determining the — serves as a base for all calculations. provided for. ‘ Most important, however, is the fact that the topographical survey permits the homebuilder to» use a house design best fitted to the peculiarities of the particular lot in question. By so doing, he may add hundreds of dollars to the value of his house and grounds. ees While the ordinary location survey, indicating the boundaries of the plot, is good enough for the requirements of building departments and most financing organizations, the topographical survs is of the utmost importance in the matter adapting the right house to the right site. It is extremely difficult for the person with lit : tle or no surveying experience to visualize just how the design which he fayors may or may not ° fit a certain piece of ground. Plots have all individuality of the human face, excepting Even in suc
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% ; RUSSIANS USE PIG BLOOD FOR INK ss) AS SCHOOL SAVING ¥ Authorities of the Village of Kiselevo have _ prohibited the use of ink in schools, replacing it _ with pig’s blood or huckleberry juice. 4 Moved by an appeal for indispensable school supplies, the authorities provided the local school, accommodating 120 children, with several gallons _ of pig’s blood, 120 sheets of paper, thirty man- uals and four pencils. WHIP HURT ELEPHANT SO IT SCREAMED AND MASTER IS FINED $10 George Clark, an animal trainer, was fined $10 recently for thrashing an adult elephant for fif- _ teen minutes with a rhinoceros side whip. The elephant’s screams aroused the neighbor- os hood. © In giving evidence for the defense George Jen- nison, late proprietor of the Manchester Zoo, testi- - fied that an elephant will scream at the sight of a beetle, and said that he once had a keeper who could make an elephant scream by thrashing it with a pencil or a whisp of straw. Jennison said he whip wouldn’t hurt the elephant, which sereamed because it’s feelings were wounded. HARVARD SLAMS THE LID AFTER 4 A. M. ae PARTY RAID - Harvard students are forbidden to live in apart- ment houses under a ruling of the faculty of Harvard College announced recently. This action ollows a recent raid on a student’s apartment in Exceptions will be made for married students and those who have already leased apartments for next year. : 3 3 =. Among other new rules is one which provides “for the approval by the college regent of all room- ‘ing and boarding houses before students may _ live there. lee f U. S. BOARD TO START CHAIN STORE : INQUIRY The Federal Trade Commission announced re- cently that it would investigate chain stores in ecordance with the Brookhart resolution recently adopted by the Senate. “the oe will be directed into the extent of chain store consolidations to learn whether there ve been any Anti-Trust Law violations. Meth- ods of marketing and distributing goods, the in- erease in the number of chain stores and the estions of their regulations also are to be in- URG: AERIAL SIGNS, SO FLYERS WON’T 5 STAKE NEW YORK FOR PODUNK State Senator J. Griswold Webb of Putnam unty, Chairman of the joint Legislative Com- : viation, wants-Mayor Walker to paint the midst of a party at 4 o’clock in the morning. | New York City” in white letters two FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY - "81 CURRENT NEWS or three feet high on a conspicuous building so that aviators with New York as their destina- tion may be able to identify it. Senator Webb is afraid the airmen might mistake the metrop- olis for Hoboken or Hohokus. The Mayor, it is reported, was stunned by tha Senator’s suggestion and realized perhaps it wag only by chance that aviators he has welcomed arrived here. “Can it be possible,” he murmured, “that Lind- bergh may never be able to find us again unles4 we emblazon our name on the water towers?” DIFFICULT SUBJECTS FOR THE CAMERA When a man takes his seat before the camera he rarely indulges in the old jest a woman sitter rarely fails to make. This is the experience of a woman who has taken photographs for more than thirty years, and she explains it by the fact that a woman is more nervous and wishes not only to conceal her nervousness but to show the hotographer she has no illusions about. herself, I hope,” says the woman sitter, “I won’t break the camera.” It was the repetition of this. joke which caused. one photographer in New York to make “difficult subjects” her business slogan. She discovered to her surprise that so many regard themselves as ~ difficult subjects that she had to change the — slogan, being swamped with work. She never- theless specializes still in difficult subjects. A, — woman with one eye that droops, a scar on her . nose, one cheekbone more prominent than the. other, or with some other triffling disfigurement, comes to her, and with skillful adjustment of lights and shadows she produces a distinctive and _ pleasing photograph of her subject. c “Few men come to me,” she said, “and I donot, — know if this is due to a lack of vanity or an excess fi of it—whether they are not concerned because they are not handsome or are satisfied that they are, é 923 CONVENTIONS HERE IN YEAR, =~ ' RECORD NUMBER oe More than $63,000,000 flowed into the cash reg- — isters of New York hotels, restaurants, theaters — and business houses last year as a result of the 923 conventions and exhibitions held here, the Merchants’ Assoviation announced recently.” — This number far exceeds any previous record and* _ makes New York the premier convention city of the world. a Inquiries made by the Convention Bureau of the’ — Merchants’ Association disclose that the average’ — visitor to a convention remains -about four days — and spends $85. He pays $21.25 for his hotel — pill, $4.25 for taxis, $12.75 for food and another $12.75 for theaters and other amusements. His largest single item, however, is spent in the retail stores which collect about $34 from each — individual. The number of visitors in 1927 is — estimated at 750,000. > ay peice
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“1145 Adrift In the Sea; or, 2 1152 Money Maker Mack; or, Le Fame and Fortune Weekly — Latest 1136 Out for Big Money; or, Touching Up the Wail Street Traders. : 1187 The Boy Ice King; or, Coining Money From the River. 1138 Four of a Kind; or, The Combination that Made Wall Street Hum. 1189 Bob Brandon, Contractor; or The Treasure That Led To Fame. 1140 A Boy From the South; or, Cleaning Out a Wall Street Crowd. 1141 Hal, the Hustler; or, The Feat That Made Him Famous. 1142 A Mad Broker’s Scheme; or, The Corner that Couldn’t Be Worked. t 1148 Dollars From Dust; or, The Boys Who Worked a Silver Mine. 1144 Billy Black, the Broker’s Son; or, The Worst Boy in Wall Street. The Treasure of Lone Reef. 1146 The Young Wall Street Jonah; or, The Boy Who Puzzled the Brokers. 5 1147 Wireless Will; or, The Succese of a Young Telegraph Operator. ~ 4148 Wall Street Jones; or Trimming the Tricky Traders. 1149 Fred the Faker; or, The Success of a Young Street Merchant. 1150 The Lad From ’Frisco; or, Pushing the - “Big Bonanza.” 4151 The Lure of Gold; or, The Treasure of Coffin Rock. The Boy Who Smashed a Wall Street “Ring.” 1153 Missing For a Year; or, Making a Fortune in Diamonds. 1154 Phil, the Plunger, or; A Nervy Boy’s Game of Chance. 1155 Samson, the Boy Blacksmith; or, From the Anvil to Fortune. 1156 Bob’s Big Risk; or, The Chance That Came But Once. -- . 1157 Stranded in the Gold Fields; or, The Treas- ure of Van Dieman’s Land. 1158 “Old Mystery,” the Broker; or, Playing a Daring Game. 1159 Capital, One Dime; or, Boring His Way to Fortune. / a4 Issues — se 1160 Up Against a Hot Game; or, Two College Chums in Yall Street. 1161 A Big Contract; or, The Poor Boy Who Won, : 1162 Benson’s New Boy; or, Whoopin: th Wall Street Market, ; ee ; 1163 Driven to Work; or, A = t ae gnc s ortune From a 1164 The \/ay to Make Mone or, Taking Chances in Wall Street. ie : 1165 Making His Fortune; or, The Deal of Plucky Boy. 1166 The Stock Exchange Boys; or, The 7 Speculators of Wall Street. / 1167 Seven Bags of Gold; or, Ho Pluck Got Rich. ileal 1167 Dick, The Wall Street Waif; or, Fro Newsboy to Stockbroker. é 1169 Adrift on the Orinoco; or, The Trascuhee the Desert. 1170 Silent Sam of Wall Street; or, A Wonderf Run of Luck. 1171 Always on the Moye; or, The Luck of M senger 99.. : 1172 Happy-Go-Lucky Jack; or, The Boy Fooled the Wall Street Brokers. 1173 Learning a Trade; or, On the Road to For tune. 1174 Buying on Margin; or, The Boy Who Wo the Money. 1175 Joe Darcy’s Treasure Hunt; or, The Sere of the Island Cave. A176 A “Live” Boy; or, Quick to Get the Dollars 1177 “A Barrel of Coin; or, The L-:ck of a B _ Trader.” Sg 1178 “Driven to the Wall; or, The Netve of = Wall. Street Boy.” ae 1179 “Johnny the Parcel Boy; or, The Lad Wh Saved the Firm.” 1180 Going to the Limit; or, A Big Risk For B Money. 1181 Up To Him; or, Running His Father’ Business. “Back-Number . Who Was Up to the Minute. 1183 A Young Barnum; or, Striking It Rich the Show Business. 1184 The Brotherhcod of Gold; or, A Dari Wall Street Game. 1185 Ed, the Express Boy; or, His Own Rou to Fortune. 1182 Bixby”; or, The Bo For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to i address on receipt of price, 8 cents per copy, 4 enone? or postage stamps. WESTBURY PUBLISHING CO., Inc.