Fame And Fortune Weekly (no. 384) (1913 02 07)
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Y i ih sok Wi “Ha! where did you get that check?” cried Nostrand, seizing hold of the boy. “Give it to me, is mine.” “No, it is not yours, and you sha’n’t have it,” replied Joe. The struggle that ensued attracted a policeman. It
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cand Fortune Weekly STORIES OF BOYS WHO MAKE MONEY Issued Weekly—By Subscription $2.50 per year, Entered according to Act of Congress. in the year 1913, in ra office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C., by Frank Tousey, Publisher, 168 West 23d Street, New York. Intered at ihe New York, N. Y., Post Office as Second-Class Matter. ° ‘ No. 384. NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 7, 1913. Price 5 Cénts. GHECK 765 - By A SELF-MADE MAN CHAPTER I. When he returned, his daughter met him and they went in side together. INTRODUCES JOE STURGESS. In a few minutes the cashier sent Joe out on an er rand. He’ carried a note to a broker in Hxchange. place. i As he went in at the main entrance a tracer named No- eoaee came out in a hurry, and they came together with a. ump. “Why don’t you look where you’re going?” cried Nostrand, giving him a shove to one side. vat didn't see you,” retorted Joe. “It’s your business to keep your eyes open.” ; “You ought to have us¢d your-eyes, too,” answered the boy, walking toward the elevator that was about to start up. “That's Drew's boy. I'll report him,” growled Nostrand, a¢ he went on down the street. ; Joe delivered his note and started back. As ill-luck would have it, as he swung around into Brosd “Yes, though I haven’t noticed it in particular. In one street he Leung: Aipach galls: Hrolet iNosiegad:apa}n, Manele ‘senso all days are alike to us messengers. Weihave to hustle |/2& % that man's 5 by. round delivering messages whether it’s fine or stormy. I beg your pardon!” said Joe, stooping to pick up the hat. ‘Business goes on in Wall Strect even if a blizzard is tearing| Nostrand, as mad as a hornet, raised his foot and kicked things up generally. You'll excuse me if I.say you are looking | @t the boy, who was in a tempting position at the moment. fine.” Joe, however, saw the foot coming and grabbed it with one “Do you think so?” she said, with a coquettish smile. band, at the same time rising up. “With the evidence before me I can’t help thinking so.” Nostrand lost his balance and went down on his back with “I am afraid you are a flatterer, Joe Sturgess.” some force, “ “Yl admit that I can jolly some people, but as for you, Naturally, the incident attracted some notice, and the laugh Miss Drew, it is quite impossible to flatter you. You're the | Was on the broker. ies ; s eal thing—twenty-four carat fine.” Joe had not meant to upset him, and offered his hand to. ~ “Really—you are extremely complimentary.” assist him to rise. “To change the subject, I understand that you, with your The trader refused it, got up unassisted, seized his hat and fi ther, of course, have moved from your town house to your then handed the boy a heavy slap on the face which made his. fh: a on the Hudson.” cheek tingle. ~ a That's true. We went last week: and there is no one in} The crack made Joe mad, for he had been given no chance te our Madison avenue house now but one pide who looks | to avoid it. tter the place.” The appearance of a policeman coming that way put an uppose the change is very. agreeable to you?” end to what might have been a scene, and Joe Kept. on his ; ite so. I do love the country. We have a nice place, way. te bout a mile beyond the village. Iam going to ask my father| “He’s a loafer to hit me that way,” said the why as he © invite you up there to spend your vacation week when jit] hurried along. “I didn’t see him that time, either. He Ri ent. came around the corner before I knew there was any one in F kind of you, Miss Drew. I'm pretty solid with your| my path. It's funny I should bump into him twice within oe m-afraid he’ll draw a line at inviting me to his half an hour. If he hadn’t kicked at me he wouldn’t have’ landed on his back. After that slap I’d have no sympathy for “Oh, but rate ask him. He never refuses me anything.” him if he had ‘cracked his head.” : “ fan are. cores iy When Joe reached the office he was sent out again almost immediately. This time his errand took him to New street. He returned by way of Exchange place and Broad street, “Is my father in?” said a sweet voice in the ear of Joe _, Sturgess one morning as he sat in his chair absorbed in the ‘perusal of the latest financial intelligence in the columns of the Daily Argus. Joe, who was office boy and messenger to Nathaniel Drew, a stock broker of some prominence in’ Wall Street, sprang ‘his feet and faced Miss Grace Drew, his employer's only eee Gaughter and heiress, a yery pretty miss of fifteen, who had entered the reception- room unperceived by him, yak beg your pardon, Miss Drew, I didn’t notice you come in. res, your father is in, but he is engaged with a bank ESC VOR and cannot be disturbed. Will you take a seat?” ; “It's a lovely day, isn’t it?” said the young lady as she took the chair next to Joe’s.
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Patt he 34 k / ‘CHE ECK MBE WNT TST Peace +r Rea ee. IDOE LIE PT: SPEIRS SP OLA ETR WY LDL In front of the Stock Bxchange he saw Mr, ‘Drew and his daughter talking with Nostrand. » - An-Ttalian image vendor was coming along, with 4a board full of plaster-of-Paris figures on his head. A passing A. D. T, messenger shied the core of an apple in his éye. ‘The vendor turned, with an angry exclamation, and the end of his board swept Nostrand’s derby from his head. The broker ‘gaye him an angry shove and then, stooped ee hat rolled toward Joe, and ‘he instinctively stooped for it, too. Their heads came together with a crack that made them both see stars, Nostrand saw several planets in addition, for the larger part of the Italian’s stock.in trade descended on his head and - shoulders and he stumbled to the sidewalk, presenting a #ididulous figure in the midst of the wreck he had brought ~ about. Be. Tho Italian, with a roar of rage over his demoralized, prop- % _ erty, drew a knife and made a lunge at the broker, Nostrand would have caught several inches of it but for ' Joe, who seized the man’s wrist and held it. . A crowd gathered and much excitement ensued. The ftalian was disarmed and held a prisoner by two other brokers. Py: ‘Joe assisted Nostrand to rise. ‘h, When the broker saw to whom he was indebted he showed his gratitude by shoving the boy roughly away. Mr, Drew and Grace, who stood but a few feet away and saw what Joe had dove, were much surprised at Nostraud’s action, and the girl's face flushed indignantly. “Tha unk you, sir, said Joe, sarcastically. .. Then he lifted his hat to Grace and pushed his way out of the crowd. “They | say things run in throes,” he muttered, “Evidently there is scime truth in the saying, for this is the third time I've Tun Up against Nostrand in a short time. man, I don’t think. I saved him trom getting a nasty poke I got was a rough shove. He ought to be made to piy for those imagas, though by drawing his Knife the Italian is not entitled to much sympathy. He'll’ be arrested and punished . for that, I guess, and I'm liable to be brought into the case as a witness. This seems to be one of my strenuous days.” Joe duly reported to the cashicr and was sent out with an- other message. , Nothing bappened on that. trip. ee On bis “way back he met a particular friend of his namied ~ Dick Singleton. t i “Hello, Joe! Dick. “You're got your wish. You're just the ‘chap I wanted to see,” said What can I do for you? If you - ure,” grinned Joe. “Nothing of the sort. When did I ever ask you for a loan?” -“Your momory is short. A week ago you borrowed——” “A nickel. I recall the fact, and also that Tf haven’t paid you. Here it is, Now listen, I’ve a tip for you,” “A tip, eh? Elucidate.” “Tt's worth ten per cent. of the profits.” “You shall have it if there’s anything in it.” “A. & C. is about to take on a boom.? “Who gave you that valuable inside news?” “Nebocy gave it to me. picked tt wp.” “Lucky boy: How?” “In an office I visited an hour ago.” “Let's have the facts.” ‘Dick gave them. : “It looks pretty good," said Joe. ' - “It's a regular eighteen-carat cinch. If I bad the money “Ya go in for the limit. You have money, so get in yourself, you cash in on the profit kindly remember yours truly to ‘the extent of the promised ten per cent.” ge Sek eoBiaGr: it)” said Joe, and the boys ace tdiy CHAPTER Ik. JOE UNDERTAKHS A MISSION FOR A STRANGER. : Joe, after some consideration, decided to get ‘in on A. & C., So. at the first chance he visited the little bank on Nassau 8 "eet and put up “nearly all, his funds as narginal security on 50 ae at 80, : He’s a gentle-| from the italian’s knife, and helped hin up, All the thanks | want, to touch me for a fiver I'll accommodate you with pleas-, They wouldn't be such a fool. I Dick's information indicated that a syndicate was behind the stock, and that if the combine suceeeded in carrying: out its plans the price was likely to go to par. That afterncon Joe was sent to deliver a package contain- ing a dezen $100 bonds belonging to a certain industrial com pany to a firm.of Jersey City brokers. It was a disagreeable day, raining at intervals, and whe S the boy left the. office’the atmosphere was thick with mist ~ thet seemed to be the precursor of a stili thicker fog. © With his overceat buttoned. up about his throat, his ‘soft. hat pulled down close above his eyes, and an umbrella in his hand, Joe started for the ferry. He passed a hurrying throng of persons out on business _ a and finally reached Cortlandt street, down which he walked | ‘ rapidly to West street, crossed that wide thoroughfare, en- tered the ferry-house and boarded the boat which was just about to start across. the river. He went out in front at first, for he didn’t relish the stuffy air of the men’s cabin, but after the boat started the rain: came on again and made the exposed part of the boat undesir:» able, so he retreated to a’ spot just outside the cabin door. ay Here he found a sallow-featured man, with a black mus- ~~ tache, hugging the corner. : “Nasty day,” said the man, looking sharply at Joe.. “Very,” answered the boy. “Going acress the river on business, I suppose?” + pee “I wouldn't go across to-day for any other reason.” * “Are you acquainted in Jersey City?” ; ; “Only around the business section where the mining trees érs are.’ \ fs “Do you work in Wall Street?” “Yes.” “For a broker?” ; j “Ves.” “Have an easy snap, I suppose?” #: “Nething easy about it except the hours,” “How many hours do you work?” “About. seven.” “Get. good pay?” _ ee “Very fair.” is Khon “What. do-you do?” Joe gave him a general idea of his duties. “Are you off for the day after this errand you're on?” “ Yes. ” Sey “Got to go back to the office and report?” Dae “No. ” : 2 ¥ i» “Want to earn.ten dollars?” . Joe looked at the man in surprise. “What doing?” he asked. a “T want to send an important package to a house on the Hackensack River, near the railroad bridge. I'll give you ten dollars if you deliver it.” “You can hire a regular messenger boy oe take: it for les than that.” sgt? know it, but the boy might bea careless’ one ‘and lose the package.” “The company will be responsible for the package, si “You're a Wall Street boy, and I can see you're. amant, Vda rather trust you than an ordinary messenger.” “J don’t know that I care to go out to that place on sich. a day. sf “Not for ten dollars?” “It's worth every cent of it. street?” *The house has no number. size close to the river on this side of the bridge, ig not cut through.” “Then it will be tough walking?” “It’s only about a quarter of a mile from the nearest trol ley line. All you'll have to do will be to follow the river to the house. You will be able to ride all the way to the river, 50, unless it Should rain hard, the walk will amount nothing to you. All you have’to do will be to hand the pac age to the person who answers the door- dell. # : Joe considered the offer. It seemed an odd one to come from an entire stranger. et "You say the package is an important one?” : “ Yes. ” “How is. it you are willing to trust it to me? know me.” ft “You/must give me your name and the name of your. in’ Wall Street, I will accompany you where you are to make sure you're all right. That will be Sponee, for. “How about the ten ‘dollars?”° What is the number and It is the only building of an They street
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wt i pay, you. in ad dvance, and TH give you a RUE EY: tor! ko expenses. Hd What’s your name, and where is your place of tdsthéss? 7 ey am not in business. I am from Chicago and am stopping t the St. ‘Denis Hotel on Broadway. My name is John owney.” ‘ “Then you are a stranger in this locality?” Yes. I’ve only been Rast two days.” T suppose you want me to bring you a receipt for the ackage?” “Perhaps you had better,” said the men, after a pause. “Put ‘in an flocs and mail it to me at the hotel.” Joe hadn't actually agreed to carry the package to the house, Ba Yhe man appeared to take that for granted, for the } boy's words indicated that he would Zo on the errand. 1a “By this time the boat glided into her slip and the passen- ers had disembarked. The rain bad stopped so that umbrellas were not needed. “You'll take the” package?” said the man, as they’ stepped cut’ of the ferry building. eS | > ~.“¥es, I guess so. I might as well ‘make the money, as I 193 have nothing else on hand,” replied Joe. ; ',“Then Pll go along with you,” said Downey. re They went to the neighborhood where the Jersey City : Okers had their offices, and Joe delivered his package, tak-j ‘ing a receipt for it. ’ Phe boy expected the man would ask a question or two “About hin of the clerk who tock the package, but he didn’t. - He appeared to be satisfied that Joo was all right. “When they came out into the corridor the man pulled a airly weighty package from under his overcoat and handed dt to Joe. ee “Be careful not to drop it,” he said. ~*No danger of that,” returned Joe. ."“Here’s $10 and a quarter, If the man gives you a receipt. \xoail it; otherwise it won't matter. I'll know by to-morrow 2 alent if he got it all right, and as I havea line cn you I feel » gate enough.” f ‘to a line of cars that would take him close to>his destination - oe ‘man’s directions’ were right. "As he rode along the gloom. of the afternoon deepened, ana} “mist grew thicker, but-the rain did‘ not coma on’ again. Joe had been out to the Hackensack River befere and had) general idea of Jersey City im that direction. “At the time of which we write tHe houses were not! very | _-umerous in the section between the trolley line Joe took and the. railroad bridge to the south. a “streets were cut through to within s couple of blocks of the? river, but ‘in other places the streets ceased further in: - “Walking was not very good at any time, but Joe expected , ~As he was-.provided with arctics, he guessed he could man- age to get along all right. | “As the car approached the river he asked the conductor if! e knew anything about the house he was bound for, but the | 3 man didn't. { Pe: “It’s on the river between here and the railroad bridge. What's the best way to go in that direction?” asked Joe. “I don’t knew of: any best way. You'll have to cross the} - ground as best you can. You'll find it sloppy, I guess, You _ know the house, I suppose?” ell miss it.” ” How far over is it?” “About a quarter of a mile, I understand.” $ “You want to get off near the bridge?” ; i, Yes, ” ‘In less than ten minutes Joe stepped, off the car, the con-' etor, with a grin, wishing him gocd luck. « f ‘he mist, having an unobstructed sway out there, appented t ) be. thicker than the boy had noticed while riding through | the streets. e had found out from the conductor that it was tyrenty ' nutes of five, but the gloom ofthe at ternoon made it look! later. ; : its lights. — : ae it recede across the bridge, then he turned ; ta ’t too much to pay a fellow for coming out 4n afternoon. Still, as it is equal to a week's Mouenes ‘wouldn't at it vhs PY, art I rather ‘” “CHECK — 765. The separated at the street door and Joc made his way} In places where building Gperations were going on the} to find it pretty rocky en that occasion. ( | ‘“Itts the only one of/any size near the river, so I can’t very | like to undertake the ii teal ant pee the ek Abiintee i made it something of an inducement,” thought Joe, .as ms trudged across the uncertain ground. ‘When he had gone what he judged to be a quarter of a mile he began looking for the house, but saw, nothing of the Kind, for the nist and the gloom blotted things out all around him, — Keeping as near the line of the river, which he could not see, ag he thought it prudent to go he kept on. He expected there would be one’or more lights in the house | that would serve to guide him there, but not a glimmer could © he make out in all the neighborhood around. '“T guess I'll earn the ten dollars all right,” he sald. fter tramping what he believed was another quarter of a mile he saw something dark looming up ¢ ahead. “I believe that’s the house now,” he said. “I ‘hope s0,. for I’m getting sick of this job. It’s a wonder they wouldn’t. ‘ show a light. Perhaps the rooms that are lighted are on the other side. I can’t think why anybody would care to live away out here unless they owned the house and couldn’t get their price for it. It must be an old building, but it’s’ like living on a country farm to be so far away from the stores, : Well,. there is no accounting for some pecple’s tastes.” Joe walked. straight toward the Gark patch which showed itself in patches through the mist, and it gradually assumed 2 the outlines of a good-sized three-story mansion, with: a eupola on top. It was surrounded by a rusty ironifence whfch the boy al. most ran into befere he discovered it. A gate was affixed to two stone pillars, and was intended to. open from the center. One side stood slightly ajar, and pushing it open Joe en : tered the bartren-locking grounds. ~ A carriageway formed of. sniall pebbles led up to a wigs. porch and the fr ont door. Weeds and rank grass. sprouted out of this, showing that. the place was grossly neglected by the occupants. Joe stepped on the porch and looked for the bell-handle. , He found it, gave it a pull and it came away in his hand. “Well,” muttered the boy, “this place seems to be falling _ to pieces.” He noticed that something had dropped when the bell gave away; so he struck a match to see what it was. _It proved to be a card bearing the words, “Belt out. of order, “A “T ‘should say it was out of order,” thought the Wall RSet Z P youth. Underneath the foregoing words something else was writ. t ten, Looking closer he saw it said, “Come arcund to the ‘back door,” He laid the handle of the door-bell dewn and started for the : rear of the house. As be. passed the last of four wide windows a light ‘sud- x Bs denly flashed up inside the room. It came so wnexpectedly that Joe stopped and looked in. through the window. attired in a smart business suit. in his other band he had a candlestick, and by the. time Joe had taken in his personality he lit the candle. Then he turned and held the light above a motionless ob _dect stretched out as stiff as a log of wood on a table. et Joe’s gaze rested on the object, and he uttered a gasp. The figure was that of a man, and his set, white face showed he was a corpse, a Bs Sis CHAPTER Il. THE CONVERSATION JOE EOPARD. “My. gracious! by the sight. At that point a second man entered the room. He was not a pleasant-locking individual. He had a tullet-shaped head which was covered with a shock of coarse, red hair, Wis sandy features were strongly pock- marked and his nose ;showee the effect of a heavy blow which had knocked it out uld ‘see objects of any size only a short way abead, of shape. ough the trolley car, when close at hand, looked plain} He were.a sack- coat, trousers to Match, both of a browais! stuff, and a checked shirt: He had no collar or tie and was unshaven. ; “Do, you think he'll do, after sundry alterations, I : asked the newcomer of the other, in a hoarse voice. = The words came so clear to Joe’s ear that he rpris “until he observed: that the i ans ace -Was So The light came from a match held in the fingers of a man z ‘ a
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“tHe is the. right, height and. build. he’ll answer,” replied the other. “His teeth are all right. If they weren’t, what good world he be? His identification depends mostly on his teeth after : they’ve been fixed to suit.” H “Of course,” said the man in the business. suit. “He'll do. After the fire has done its work there will be just enough left of him for the insurance people to pass wpon.” | “If they accept the identification——” | “You, Jim and I will divide a fat boodle between us.” “I wish that package would come that Jim was to send, test. we could get to work on the stiff and fix him up for the es ” “He said he’d send it by an A. D. T. messenger. On such’ an afternoon as this the boy will probably have some trouble | in finding the house.” ; “Tf he did the right thing he’d fetch it out himself. I) don’t believe in trustin’ anythin’ to outside parties.” “Whatever Jim does will be all right,” said the other. “I hope so,” grumbled the other, “but this here job stands for a long term if we're caught at it.” “You're forever seeing things on the worst side, Fletcher. ; If the job is put through right there’s small,chance of matters going wrong. By the way, how did you manage to get such a good subject for our operations?” “T’ve been visitin’ the morgue right along disguised as an Tf his teeth are good Nunmiber 765, which shows that the signer of the check was a depositor of the bank for some time.” “t don’t see that the check cuts much ice. no good.” “Not if it was for a million, for it has passed throws the bank and is stamped paid. You'd better burn it up, for it might prove an awkward clew if picked up by somebody and ~ If the man has friends out in Gold-— forwarded to the bank. field, as is most probable, the bank would probably call the ‘attention of one of them to the receipt of the cancelled check from the Fast, a rather singular matter, and the friend, suspecting something might be wrong with the man from ‘Goldfield, might start an “investigation which would possibly ‘lead to the morgue. ; brother might then be regarded as suspicious by the police, | particularly if brother. 2 ep get rid of it,” said the other, “don’t you worry. | not goin’ to keep anythin’ belongin’ to the corpse that isn’t of value.” “Well, I’ve seen all I want of this stiff. juntil the package gets here,” said the man in the business suit. it developed that the dead man had no Mfc It woRsbAeG us” : The claiming of the body by an alleged __ We'll leave him m | The two men then left the room, taking the candle with — them. { Be “TI wonder what's the game?” Joe asked himself. “There is old white-haired man who was lookin’ for his brother who!some scheme in the wind, and it seems to be directed against had disappeared mysteriousiy and was believed to have com- mitted suicide. When I went there this noon and seen this, chap, who had ‘just been fetched in, I identified him as my brother and claimed him.” “Have any trouble getting him?” “Not the slightest. The keeper was glad to get him off his! hands.” “Who is he? Do you know?” “No. He had nothin’ in his pockets when found, fortu- nately. That made. it easy for me.” “Nothing, eh?” -“Nothin’. except a cancelled check.” _. “A cancelled check?” “Yes. a name I couldn’t make out, for it looked as if.a hen had made it with its feet diggin’ gravel.” “Where is the check?” The other man went to the mantelpiece, took sométhing’ off it and handed it to the party in the business suit. He looked at it curiously, turned it over and consulted the _ endorsement, holding it to the light. Joe, who was immensely interested, not to say surprised, ‘by all he heard, easily saw that it was a bank check, and that it bore the perforation of the bank which had cashed it. “Tt’s made out on the Goldfield National Bank,” said the well-dressed man. “This stranger must be from the West. Being drawn to self, I opine that the name attached to it is his, which indicates that he had an account at the bank. | How came-he to reach the morgue? He looks as if he had met -a’sudden death, but not from violence.” “Dropped dead on the street and the police sent him to the _. morgue.’ | “Heart failure, I suppose? A mighty healthy-looking stiff to, have had anything the matter with his heart.” “The surgeon who examined him at the police station said he had been a hard drinker, and a fellow of that stamp is always liable to give out suddenly.” “The morgue-keeper told you that?” “It was written down on a card, and it helped me out.” » “How?” - _. “When I first went there lookin’ for a subject, I told the | keeper that my brother was a drinker and I feared he had done away with himself while under the influence.” “How came you to say that?” ~ ; “Because I figured that drink brought more stiffs to the morgue than anythin’ else.” “You've got a clever head, Fletcher.” “What's a fellow’s nut good for if he doesn’t use it?” “You say you found, the check in his pocket?” “It wasn’t exactly in his pocket. It was sewed in’ the linin’ -of his: pants,” . “How came you to discover that?” ' “I felt somethin’ through the stats investigated ‘and found ‘the check. if “Then the morgue- eeeber didn’t know it was there?” py xg reckon not, for they take ore re gut. of a corpse’s “So I thought; that’s why. I asked. The cheek, ii BRE, is For ten dollars, made out to bearer and signed by ' | insurance people. It strikes me that these men have insured somebody’s life for a good amount and are going to collect the money, if they can, by reporting him to be dead. corpse they have in that room is to be palmed off as the in- sured man. He is as close a copy as they could get hold of, The ‘but apparently not close enough to make their scheme cer-. oe tain, so they are going to make some alteration in the dead man to help matters out. to make the change with, and that material appears to be contained in the package I have under my arm. Clearly, the man who paid me ten dollars to fetch it out here is the Jim. they referred to, and he is in with them.” Joe wondered what he ought to do, in the light of the reves lations that had so unexpectedly come to him. become acquainted with it? That would probably insure the arrest of the three insur- ance conspirators—the two here and Jim at the St. Denis Hotel in New York. He would be able to identify ail three, for he had got a 3 ‘good look at their faces. Then it struck him that possibly the man Jim did not live at the St. Denis Hotel, but had merely given that house as _his address. Joo recalled that he did not seem particularly anxious to get a receipt back for the package, and had told him. to mail it to the hotel instead of calling there with it. “Tl bet he doesn’t put up there,” was the boy’s conclusion. ‘him. Still they ought to catch these two. ;exposure of the scheme will spoil it.” In any case the heart of Jersey City, where Police Headquarters was; another ‘half hour would elapse before the police were reacy to start ‘out here, and an hour more in coming to the house. It was after five now, he judged, which would bring the time close to eight o'clock. Y EAS They are waiting for the materials | a Ought he to go back to town and turn the package over Ke f to the police, with his statement of the case as far as he had Eee ae SS ety ~ -s “Tf Iam right the police will have some trouble in getting Ae Joe knew it would take at least an hour to return to the The men would probably grow impatient over the delay, and it was not improbable that one of them would start in to _ ‘hunt up Jim to find out why the package had not come to ~ | time. Then Joe considered whether the two men in the house, if tarrested, would be held on his testimony, the only corrobora- ‘tion of which was the contents of the package, which might -|really of itself prove nothing. be Wouldn't it be better for him to deliver the package, then Bees, hang around the outside of the house, which he might easily dow what the men did to the corpse? levidence against themselves. After figuring the matter out he decided that would be the es better way. As he started for the back door to announce his presence he thought of the cancelled check numbered 765. It was in the pock-marked man’s possession, He intended to destroy it. do, undetected, in the thick mist, and watch through the win- — | He would thus give them the opportunity to manufacture ree:
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Joe felt that it would probably be the means of establish- £ the identity of the corpse, and therefore it was important hould. be recovered by the police. It might be the means of saving the dead man from being i lanted in' the Potter’ 8. Field, an end that the boy regarded as very sadv ‘ + Reaching the rear door, Joe pounded on it. ~ In a few moments he heard steps inside, and a voice asked through the keyhole who was there. '»“T’ve got a package for the occupant of this house,” replied - the Jad. » He heard a chain taken Aa a bolt shot back, a key turned ‘and then the door opened, revealing an indistinct figure in the darkness which, however, from his voice, Joe knew was the pock-marked man, whose name was Fletcher. A match was flashed in the boy’s face. “Where’s the package?” asked Fletcher, gruffly. >.‘ Here,” ‘said Joe. “Give it to me.” “T want a receipt for it. It’s important.” ; “You're an A. D. T. boy, I suppose? Where’s your slip? I'll sign that.” “No, I’m not a district messenger, and haven’t a slip. I “was specially hired by a man who said his name was Downey, and gave his address as the St. Denis Hotel, New York, to bring this package out here. He told me to send the receipt to the hotel,” said Joe, trying to make out what effect this ‘information would have on Fletcher. As the match had gone out he could not see the grin that _ came upon the pock-marked man’s face. “Said his name was Downey, eh?” he said, with a chuckle, hich the bogss sharp ears caught. “All right.. He wanted receipt, I SHEDORES to make sure that you delivered the racka'ge to me.” -“T suppose so. He doesn’t know me.” The bian hesitated a moment or two. - “Got a piece of paper: about you?” he asked, “my name on it. signature.” ‘ _ “No, I haven't any paper,” replied Joe. _ The man fumbled in: his pockets, finally pulled something out, put it against thé wall a the dark and wrote his name on it. » “Here, that'll do,” he said, hastily shoving the paper at the hind - Joe took it and handed over the package. ys “You were paid for bringing it, wasn’t you?” said Fletcher. “¥ess that’s all right,” replied Joe. ee “Well, here’s half a dollar for you in addition. It’s a nasty se night and it’s worth something extra tr amping away out here. satay ‘You'd better hurry back to the trolley before the fog gets thicker or you might lose your way. Good- -night.” \ The door was shut, locked, bolted and chained in Joe’s face. “Tll write That will be enough, for he knows my ‘ CHAPTER, IV. JOE ENTERS. THE HOUSE UNEXPECTEDLY. Joe shoved the paper carelessly in his pocket. He had fulfilled his errand and earned the $10, now he was - at liberty to carry out his own plans, which he intended to do. He walked around to the window which commanded the ‘interior of the room where the corpse lay, took up his posi- ion and awaited developments, The moments passed and nothing happened. nothing arourd him, for darkness had falien upon the land- ‘scape. ay He grew impatient as time passed. “I wonder how long’ before they'll get busy?" he thought. {Standing out here is no cinch. The fog wets one almost as much as a drizzling rain. It may start in raining again eng _ moment, and then my position won’t be very nice, though I Suppose I could protect myself with my umbrelia.” He decided to walk around the house to see if the men were the other side, ‘© kept close to the house to ‘feel his way. Be: did not see the old-fashioned inclined cellar flap which sto 1d in his way and he stumbled over the edge of it and 1 upon it with all his w eight. ~~: : The flaps had’ been in position ever since the house was ilt, @ great many years sinee, and the wood, though it joked fairly. solid enough on the outside, was little better th punk, pe ORROR YOR The nist had now thickened to a real fog and he could see ans Bot ; stand the Binge of Joe’s 150 pounds, and! re ee oe a they collapsed with a dull crash, and ie? was precipitated into the cellar. By He hit the wood flooring with his head and arms, while his legs struck the wooden steps: f He might easily have broken an arm, or even his neck, for the drop was all of six or seven feet and he landed AES ‘ wardly. , Fortunately his luck was in ithe ascendant at the moans and he escaped scot free of any injury except a pair of barked shins, but for some minutes he lay dazed and motionless. in a heap, just as he had tumbled. The noise did not attract the attention of the two men, woh had entered the room where the corpse lay and prepared to oe get busy. o The first thing they did was to pin a double sheet of news: — . paper over the lower sash of each of the two windows. . ie They did not expect that any one would be around the House to take note of what was going on inside the room, for it — wasn't a night to attract even a straggler to that neighbor- hood, but they wished to be on the safe side. Had Joe remained at the window this precaution on their — part would have prevented him from satisfying his curiosity, and he would have had to return to Jersey City disappointed, Joe finally picked himself up and felt of his arms and legs, wondering if he really was all there. “My!” he ejaculated, “that was a tumble and a half. It fairly knocked me silly. That is what a person gets for - monkeying around an unfamiliar building. in the fog and — darkness. I wonder if the men heard the noise of my fall? I should think they would. I had better get réady to sneak the moment I hear them coming to find out’ the cause of the : disturbance.” - S He listened, but heard no sounds indicating the oes) of the men. Then he limped up to the top of the cellar entrance ia stood there looking toward the back door. — He heard nothing there, either. “Maybe they didn’t hear the sound,” he thought. - Fe He waited a while, and as nothing happened he came to ~ the conclusion that tke occupants were ignorant of the acci- re dent. f ib ““Here’s a chance for me to get into the house, unobserved,” he said to hiwself.. “It’s taking considerable of a risk, for it I shouldirbe caught they’d surely handle me without gloves. Still, in the interest of justice, I think I ought to venture. I might be able to seaure evidence against them not otherwise obtainable.” Joe was a plucky boy and not easily intimidated. He decided to go in and see what he could discover. : . The steps were covered with bits of the brokén flaps, so he felt his way down to the floor with care. ue ‘Striking a match, of which he sean sin carried a supply, he > looked around the cellar. It was lumbered up with all sorts of useless. truck—broken boxes, boards, bits of wood and any amount of dirt and dust. Festoons of cobwebs hung from the beams, and they were black and heavy with dirt. : The place had evidently not been in use for a long time. He looked around for a door and found one half-way down the cellar which admitted him to a partitioned off section where a stairway led to the first floor. There was a door at the head of the stairs. As Joe ascended the stairs he wondered if it was secur on the other side. : If it was he could not hope to he bor further part on the house. On trying the handle, he found the Agar was not seals or boited, and he stepped into thé kitchen. | A lamp, turned low, was burning on the top of the stove,” which was rusty and showed little signs of use. : There was no furniture at all in the room,’ nor was ‘thers dish or a single cooking utensil in sight. : The stove, which appeared to be a part of-the honae wi the only article, save a couple of empty boxes, in the pla “The house is clearly an unoccupied and unfurnished on which these men have temporarily taken possession’ of, ‘doub less without the knowledge of the owner,” said Joe. He perceived a paper bag on the stove, which he Tooked into and saw that it contained a sandwich. The door of the kitchen stood ajar and, opening ita ttle more, the boy looked out into a narrow entry. Striking a match, he saw two doors. , at iee He listened at both, but heard no sound, nor did the. 1 glimmer of light filter through the keyholes, ¢ ¢ He opened the nearest one and gazed into a black youll, ©
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knothor Match disclosed it to be a bare room 1 winch prob- ably had been used as a dining-room. % a ‘The other door opened on the hall leading to the front oor. Stepping into it he saw light shining under the door near- est him, and he heard the veice of Fletcher speaking. tie also heard a light, pounding sound. * “They are working on the corpse. L wonder what they are - doing to it?” he thought. ‘ =a “to the door and put his eye to»the keyhole. » His range of vision was not extensive, but it took in the head of the corpse. , / The well-dressed man was operating on one of its teeth. On the dead man’s breast lay a hand-drill. . The man hed made a big hole in the tooth and was pound- ing gold filling into it with the confidence of an expert dentist. Tle was not a dentist, however. “There, that one is done,” said the well-dressed man. “It may not be an artistic job, but it will answer for identifying the molar when what is left of the cremated corpse is brought ie af to light. Let me see, the other tooth that the insured has filled is this one, isn’t it?” “That's the one, It, has a gold cap on it,” said Fletcher. “Yes, I know. Here is the golden plug that will give a good imitation of the cap after 1 have filed away the tooth and drilled it,” said the other. The speaker picked up a swall file and began work. “T must say ‘this isn't a pleasant job,” he said, “but as there is the promise of big money in it I have’ undertaken it.” j . “When you finish with that tooth you're done,” said Fletcher. : : br. “Yes, and I won't be a bit sorry, I can tell you. It takes some nerve to do this business, believe me.” “Oh, well, a fellow runs up against unpleasant things some- times AY): “Did you ever hear of a man doing such: a job as this “before?” '“No, ‘I can’t say that T have. enough to blind the insurance people.” _ “As soon as we set fire to this cld:shack-rookery and dust ‘out, our part of the scheme will be finished. Thé neater part of identifying the corpse and claiming the ilisurance money will then»be up to Jim. I opine he is the boy to work it out ail right, for he’s pretty slick. When we get the cash we'll open a gaudy office somewhere in Wall Street and start a : get-rich-quick scheme. The world is full of suckers, and there igs no reason why we shouldn’t have a shy at them as well as others who have feathered their nests at the expense of. the gullible public,” said the well- dressed man. “That's right,” nodded Fletcher. “The only trouble is that the secret service’ people of the ‘post- -office may take notice and descend upon us.” ; “They never act except a complaint is made. to the depart: ment. Before anybody has grounds for a complaint we ought ie, to gather in enough wealth to enable us to fold our wings and pass away to Canada or Wurove.” Here the speaker took up the hand-drill and began making -, a hole in the roots of the tooth. ““Tt’s a good thing for this chap he is dead and can’t feel this business,” he said. “I know what it is to have a tooth - filied by the most scientific method, and it's nothing to go ates ecstasies over.” “I believe not,” said Fletcher. “You'll be goon done now and then all that remains will be for us to prepare the fun- - eral pyre and touch it off. It’s a beautiful night for a small conflagration. This house is as dry as tinder and will make a good blaze. By the time the fire department gets here there'll be nothing to save,” “So much the better. We want to make a sure job of this 80 thet suspicion will not attach to it. The easier we Dae it jor Jim the best all around.” He put down the drill, inserted the gold plug and baa driving it home with a piece of steel and small mallet. “There, that will do, I think. How do the two teeth lock?” -“Pirstrate. That's Dixon’s bina te -I could swear to it,” said Fletcher. é “if you can swear to it ten it’s all right. Now I’ll wash y hands and then we'll fetch in the excelsior and other combustibles, with plenty of light wood to give the fire a ‘good start. We must insure the destr uction of the fleshy ‘ Fz, te ‘ Ms Gather up the tools and restore | them Pipote of*the corpse. That messenger boy Hae set): to the box they came, in. paw CHECK His rubber shoes made no noise on the boards as he glided): That very fact ought to be! delivered the package to him at the back door. part of the corpse’s face so as to destroy all the original} ess what he was bringing here. Probably he thought the za held important papers. He'll read the account of this” house burning’ down in the morning papers, I daresay, the story will probably interest ‘him. As the burned ‘corps is not likely to be found until the ruins are gone’ over it’ wi probably be a day or two before the presumed tragedy comes to light... The boy, particularly if he’s a New Yorker, as” Si strikes me he is, may not read about it, which will be: all. 5 the better.” : The well-cressed man started for the door, and Joe thought, it time to beat a retreat. What with his haste and the darkness’ wrong Girection, and instead of reaching entry he came up against the front door, and the key gon@. At that moment the well-dressed man came out of the room with the candle in his hand, tollowed by Fletcher with th 8 tools. Joe could not help making some noise, for in his constern tion at finding himself at the wrong end of the hall he was not as careful as he might have been. 3 The sounds attracted the attention of the men in his diree- i tion, and when they saw an indistinct figure at the hall door they experienced something of a shock, “Look!” eried the well-dressed man, holding the light ab his head, “there’s somebody in the house.” ‘ Fletcher uttered an imprecation, dropped the bie. pane made a rush at Joe. ; The boy saw him coming and dashed upstairs. Unfortunately for him his arctics caught on the first. i and he went down, sprawling. $ Before he could rise the man leaped on him and he was a prisoner. “Fetch the light, Decker!” shouted Fletcher. The. .well-dressed man came forward. > Fletcher yanked Joe backward on his knees and. ‘pall his head around. “It’s a boy,” said Decker. As he spoke Fletcher pevaeiieea Joe as the party who had : he started i the the door into the which was locked He uttered an ejaculation of surprise. How had this boy, whom he supposed to be well on. 1 his. ane back the way he came, got into the Ronse, and why. was he a there?” % “So it’s you, is it? What in thunder. esi you in her : and how did you get in?” he said. ae Joe realized that he was up against it, but he “put on. bold front. “I fell in here,” he replied. “fell in here! What do you mean by that?” Joe, wishing to make it appear that his presence in t ia house was an accidental one, explained that while walking ms toward the corner of the house he tripped over the cellar flaps, which he did not notice in the mist; that the boards had given away and he fell into the cellar. \ 4 “That’s the way you got in, was it?” “ Yes. ” “Why didn’t you walk out again? Why did you come 1 through the house?” 3 ‘ “I suppose I was confused by the tumble,” said Je eset evasively, ee “ ou came bi >! } “That won't do, young man,” said Mletcher. up here to find out something.” “What should I want to find out?” “It’s an hour since you left that package. hanging around the place for some reason. your object. was.” " it ye told you all there is to tell.” 0, you haven't. You've been playing the APY. on us.” \ “You’re* crazy,” said Joe. ; “T want to know what you've seen.” “What could a fellow see in the dark?” - we were in that room. Own up.” “Tll own up nothing,” replied Joe. Py: With an imprecation, Fletcher puzled Joe with him doy the hall, opened the door of a closet space under the | stairs, ni gave him a shove, then closed the door and ‘locked it Thus the Wall Street Bey: oe himself a Prisoner: in ah CHAPTER V. HOW JOE ESCAPED HIS FATE. : “Joe heard the men’s Fetreating footsteps and th ensued. eee
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CHECK. 765. Oe ge “Tm in a nice pickle.” he muttered. “I wonder what they. yaa do. with me? Their, purpose is to get fire to the house wun up the greater part ef that corpse and male it ap-: car he Jost his life in the flames. I’m afraid that pock- ewe chap suspects that I know too much about. their eme.. Suppose they should leave mein the house to: burn pD with it, that would be pretty fierce.” che fear the boy entertained at that moment was the sub- ; itchen. , “It-will never do for us to let that boy get away,” said Fletcher. “He has learnéd enough about our plans to blow he gaff, and we must either do him up or be done up our- selves. After all the trouble we’ve been put to so far to ~ Work the scheme, it won't do to allow that lad to put the ki- besh on it. He must go up with the house.” “But that will be murder,” objected Decker. “Suppose it is? Self-protecticn is the first law of nature. As the case stands, it’s he or us. No half-way measures will rare ” Bo hBat I didn’t bargain for anything of that kind,” said Decker. "Very *well. You needn’t have any hand in it. “Do your share towards getting things ready for the toreh and. then Pll. stay behind and apply the match.” » 9» “But I'll be implicated in the matter.” ise “Not at all. You've got nothing to say about it, one way - or the other. You came here chiefly to operate on the stiff's anouth: You've done that, and outside of giving me a lift with the preparations for the fire you are out of it. ‘I’ll give you time enough to reach the trolley before I see her off. CNG at's my plan and I’m goin’ to carry it out, so there isn’t any use of you putting up any’ objection.” _ Pecker saw that his companion was in earnest, so he gave ‘ap and for the next haif hour they busied themselves with aa ‘the inflammable material they had at hand. me i en everything was ready Fletcher told Decker to make a start. He did so, and the pock-marked man sat down to smoke is pipe in the kitchen. Ne By the time he had finished, Deckér was on a car speeding toward the’ ferry, by which he intended to cross over to New York and meet the pov rascal somewhere up in a Tender- loin resort. Fletcher left the Eltonok and wntiede ‘the hall of the house. ing to the door of the closet under the stairs he pounded -on the door. : “Are you goin’ to own up, young fellow?” he -asked. “Own up to what?” replied Joe. “That you have discovered what is ‘going on here?” “What are you talking about?” “Tryin’ to fool me, aren't you? Well, I’m too old a chicken to be caught by a shrimp like you. I know you’re on to our ip ‘game, and as either you or the game must. go out of business, itll have to be you. This building will be in flames in a few minutes, and you will have to take your chances where you ; “are. ra “ “Are you going to leave me here, like a rat in a trap, to ‘be burned alive?” asked Joe. “That's exactly what I'm going to do,” said Basser, in tone that showed he meant it, ; “If I dia you'll be responsible for my death,” said as, through the keyhole. “ym not worryin’ about that. Your life is nothing to me, H ? “You will have to answer for the crime,” said Joe, des- > Perately. “There won't be enough left of you an hour Hein now to Cause ine any worry. Good-night, and pleasant dreams to bie you." in EY “Thus speaking, the scoundrel walked away and entered the 4 room where the corpse was laid’ out on a thick bed of shav- in gS and excelsior soaked in gasoline. Lying across his body in every direction were light pieces of wood. - In: fact, so well surrounded was the dean man with food t lames that little of his body could be seen. 10 i hie down the paper ron the; windows and out. © ‘The fog was. thicker than ever. tb nba up a sash to find out if there was any wind at all, ut found there was not. ’ v ‘feature of the night, that he did not like. éeze to make the fire burn the quicker 5) aa of argument at the same time between the men in the; ae be eee ee en Bae SES Oe ee ee eke ees But he was powerless. tochange the conditions of nature. He had to let matters go as they were.’ ° Pa Leaving the window as it was, he started.in to apply a light tie the inflammable pile in several places. e. The flames sprang up quickly, and in a few moments the corpse’ was tha center of a sea of fire. Fletcher, satisfied that his work was well ynder way,, Pat | ried from the room, leaving the door -into the hall wide open. As this -deor faced the closet in which the boy. was im- :prisoned, perhaps he took an unboly satisfaction in letting i his victim experience a, foretaste of what was coming to him, The fire naturally was reflected into the hall and shone under the door of the cleset, while the erackling of the burn- ing wood was plainly apparent te Jce’s ears, ge? Hletcher could net resist the inclination to put: it’ over ‘ the boy once more. foe He stopped and gave the eteset: door a thump. Rae “Do you see the light, young feNow?* he said. “The room across the hall is on fire. It is burning at arate that. will soon bring it out here and then you will get a nice warming. «| |to this fogsy night. Now you see what you are getting for kutting in on, what did not concern you. Instead of one body, two will be found in the ruins to-morrow or next day, but I doubt if there will be enough loft of you to show who you are,’ That's all I've got to say to you)” Fletcher hurried away, satisfied that the sceret of the in- surance Swindle was safe, and was presently speeding across lots, but not in the direction of the troiley tracks. To board a car in that lonesome spot, with the flames of a burning house bebind him lighting up the foggy air, might . cause some suspicion to attach to himself, and Haat ung the circumstances, was not! desirable. Left alone in the purning house, Joe for the net time lost his nerve. ‘i . The pluckiest man or boy in’ the world will ena at a fate that faced him. : He threw himself against the door with feverish energy, and all the force he was capable of. It shivered and ereaked, but it held firm in spite of all his efforts. Then he kicked fanaaaly at it, but without the Teast. re- sult. sf And during all this the fire grew bright, and the crackle ote the flames waxed into a roar. . The room was. wrapped in fire from floor to ceiling, ani Lt 35 leaped up against cach of the four walls, and even shot ~ through the open door, as if it knew a victim was penned up — fi in the closet and it longed to get at him. eS “Must I perish thus?” fiuttered the Wall Street boy. {no, I can’t bear the idea of such an awful death. }escape! I must—I must!” ) : In his desperation he pounded futilely on the door, like a erazy boy. ; All seemed vain, and he resigned himself to despair, fully assured he never would see the light of day again, or the ifaces of his widowed mother and “sister, who, unconscious | of his peril, were wondering what detained him downtown that foggy evening. 1 Some precious moments elapsed, during which the fire made rapid progress,’ while Joe leaned helplessly against the peg a in a state of apathy. bay Suddenly he roused himself, and feeling for a match atrack a “No, I must it. * Looking around the closet he saw it contained divers pieces — of broken furniture which had been thrown there when the | last occupant moved out, over a year since. The boy grabbed a heavy piece and attacked » a door | around the lock with it. He struck with all his strength, but was unable tigt do mean damage to thg lock, because it was within a'thick part of the door. ; Then he did what he should: have done first—he struck at. tho panels, and as they were much weaker than the frame of the door he presently splintered one of them. Then he got a full view of the blazing room, and realized that he had but very little time to accomplish his Seer it. it could be done at all. A terrific blow smashed the second panel. ; The centerpiece of the door, however, remained as. al obstacle to be overcome. He attacked it with the heavy piece of mahogany, hitting it” sideways. 5 Bit by bit he necked it away until he had greatly weak: : ened its Bironeva. The
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CHECK is Then he used his’ bit of wood as a TewEE and, exerting all his muscular power, he pulled against it. “With a crash it gave way and he tamibied backward on the floor. In a moment he was on his feet and, piece worked it loose from the top. That left all the space he required to get out. ' 'As' he started to spring out, with the heat of the flames in his’ face, he found out that he had put himself to’ a lot of useless trouble. The key. was in the door, and he might easily have turned ; it and watked out after smashing the first panel. He turned it now and threw the broken door open. Rushing out, he made for the entry door, passed through into the kitchen and found the door there unlocked, just as Fletcher left it. As he passed out into the dense fog he saw the glow on the burning side of the house lighting up the mist in that direc-, tion, like a kind of halo. He started post-haste for the trolley tracks, and was half- way there, the fog all lit up behind him, when he recollected that he had left his umbrella behind in the kitchen of the . building, where he stood it when he began his investigation of the rooms after coming up out of the cellar, What was an umbrella to him at that moment? ‘ It was of mighty little importance. He had saved his life when he was almost at the last pinch, and his joy was so great over that fact that it dwaried every ,other consideration. Besides, it wasn’t raining, anyhow. On he hurried across the soggy ground, and finally reached the tracks, ‘There was not a car in sight in either direction. “I might as well walk ahead till a car overtakes me,” he ~ thought. “That's some fire now, the whole house has caught. If I hedn’t got out of the closet when I did I would be dead and gone ly this tinte,” he’ said, with a shudder. The fog was so thick that the flames could not be seen ; grabbing the center- bright spot on the landseape, and. which told one that a build- ing of scme size was burning out near the river. » Joe judged that it was around nine o'clock, and he won- dered if the nearest fire-engines had gone to the scene of the confiagration, rage : Joe did not walk on the car-track, for there was danger of the car coming up on him unawares in the fog and running him down, so he kept along the side of it. i As the cars were all running slowly, it was some little time before one bound for the ferry overtook him, when he boar ded it. es nice night to be out in,” he remarked to the codductor: “¥es, and a niece night for a, fire, too,” replied” the man. “There's a big) house burning along the river.” Po dasa At,” “said Joe. “An out- of- the-way spot for the en- » gines to go.” “Rather,” nedded the conductor. “What brings you out in this direction this evening? Visiting friends?” “No. I came out on business.” Joe waiked inside and took a seat. There were cnly a few people in the car, and they were : all bundled up. Jn the course of an honr the car reached the ferry and ‘Jée went’ aboard the waiting boat. there as pea soup, and the pilot, who could not see his way, sad to feel it with caution. : os was mighty glad to..step ashore in New York once ts re seg 24 Ot the way back he had been figuring on what he should do about exposing the insurance swindlers: * Fe: concluded > that the best thing he could do would be} © tell Mr. Drew in the morning and act.on his ip be The game was clear enough to him. An accomplice of the three rascals had insured his life for “a heavy sum in an insurance OTA As or he Eris have wu taken’ out several policies. _ Hackensack River, and made the policy or woe payable Ete an alleged brother or other relative. Then he decamped, : by his pals. — A dead body - obtained, and his two front teeth had been filled with gold = 40 agree with those in the mouth of the insured, and ee ’ LHS through {t—only the deep reddish glow that made a great | | things generally unpleasant. /3t was a'slow trip across the river, for the fog was as thick | He had given his residence as the old nies cut on the; not be at the office that day. jan errand at halt- ~past ten he asked the cashier if the: boss. leaving the game to be played sista ages arrived yet. _ably he had been provided with other natural:marks of iden: 2 j tification. ss The idea was then to set the house on fire and burn “up | the corpse so that little weuld be left. of it save the bones. Fate They counted on the skull, at any rate, being recavered ‘ from the ruins, when the two filled teeth would serve tor {identify the burned body as the insured. et That fact having been established, the conspirators wont then collect the insurance and divide it equally all around. Probably they would then go to some other part of the country and play the game over again, with some variation, ¥ and thus make a good haul at the expense of the insurance’ | companies. ; “The world is full gf such schomers, but I think I. will he ; lable to block their game in this case and land them in prison. = The pock-marked chap deserves a lifer for his diabolical at- tempt to reast me alive,” thought Joe. “The only trouble is I never will be able to prove the crime against him.” a It was eleven o'clock when he got home, and he found his mother and sisters greatly worried over his unexplained ab- “ch i gence. i, He told them he was sent to Jersey City on business by se | Mr. Drew, and volunteered no further explanation, so they — felt satisfied it wags all right. yy He ate his supper, which had been kept warm against his ‘ return, and ‘shortly afterward went to bed. , CHAPTER VI. La. CHECK 765. ve He started for Wall Street at the usual time next mor thie 8 He looked bis paper all over to see if the fire was printed Bi in it, but it was not. * eg “I daresay there is a paragraph in the Jersey City papers — about it. I should like to see what was printed,” he said to | himself. There was small chance of his getting a Jersey City paper until after business hours, so he thought no more about it. — The fog still hung around the lower part of the city, though it had thinned out somewhat, and the air was damp and ee = aes = Joe had quite forgotten’ all about the cancelled check No. 765, which Pletcher found on the corpse, and which had at \ first interested him as offering a means of identifying the dead man, When he entered the office, the first to get there, he picked. up that morning’s Daily Wall Street Argus and sat down to” look over the previous: day's market report and ciher news — of interest to him, He suddenly recalled the check. wie “The pock-marked man doubtless dropped it in the fire, as re i he said he intended to get rid of it, and that’s the end of it, — The .corpse will never be identified now, except as the in- sured, and I*will see that that identification ‘is exposed. If I knew whaw@Goldfield bank the check was on I might write out. there. And yet what good would that do without I was — able to furnish the name of the person who drew the check? No good at all. I’m afraid the man from the West will have — to rest in a nameless grave—what is left of him. Poor fellow, — it is too bad. If he left no relatives to mourn his death it — will probably make little difference otherwise—but there is ~~ no use talking about\it. It will be all the same a hundred Pei years hence what becomes of the bones of any of us who are alive to-day.” h Joe opened the Argus and turned to the market report. While he went over it the clerks came in and entered the — counting-house, then came the stenographer, a pretty girl named Miss Foley, who smiled at Joe, as was her morning custom, and lastly the cashier. The latter gentleman opened up the big safe, and work | began for the day in the oflice. R: Mr. Drew usually reached the office about ten, but since he, went to his villa on the Hudson, he had been arriving around half-past ten. 4 He came to the city 6n a New York Central train which reached the Grand Central depot about ten o'clock. ‘3 At quarter of ten this morning the cashier received a tele: phone message from him to the effect that he spies would ; Joe knew notling about this, and when he came. in ‘vom “No. He is not tikely to be here to-day.” nearest resembling the insured had been! “Ts that so? Pm sorry, for | wanted to see him abner a important matter.’ “It will have to go over till tomorrow, I'm afraid, By th
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mie 7 o> ven 765. way, there was a man in here asking! for you while you were | to risk it to that point. A fifteen-point advance is.a vail ) out.” * | good thing to cash on. A threé to five point advance, is usur yA man!’ What sort of person was he?” ally the best one can count on these days, and he’s, lucky _ The cashier gave him a rcugh description, but it was enough | who can gather that in once in a while.” for Joe to identify the visitor as the man who hired him to “That's right,” nodded Dick. “I see the sun is trying to ~ take the package to the house on the. Hackensack River. come out. I guess we shall have a decent day after all.” oA “What did he say?” : “I hope so. Good-by!* and Joe started off. “aa “He asked if you were employed here, and when I said: you He was kept pretty busy right. up to the moment he started — “was he looked around the place and then asked me where |for the bank to deposit’the checks and cash which had been — "you were: When I told him you were out on an errand he|received that day, and consequently he had had no time to , _leoked surprised.” | think further about the, life insurance swindlers. s _ Joe grinned, for he guessed the caller had expected to be} At the bank he took his-place at the end of the line gravi- rs 's told that he had not turned up yet. tating toward the receiving-teller’s window. meee ot ETS See me your name again, deseribed you and asked me| While making his way toward the window he began to COn=; % if I was sure-you worked in the office. When I assured him sider his movements after he got off work. as you aid, and that if he would sit down and wait he would He decided to cross the river and go out to the scene of ‘the me - see you Shortly, he muttered something I didn’t hear and | fire. ‘ left the office in a hurry. Do you know who he is?” He thought it would be a good idea to take Dick with him, — '“I think I do,” said Joe, who then walked over to his seat.|if his friend would go, as he did not think it would be safe — The boy had an idea why the man called. ; for him to run against the conspirators if they should hap- _ it was to make sure that Fletcher’s report that he (Joe) |pen to be there and no one else. ya _ had perished in the flames of the old house was true. Still he thought it was unlikely that Fietcher would go J . “And now that he’s learned that I’m alive and kicking» there, unless the fascination that is said to lure a criminal > whet will the bunch do?” thought the Wall Street lad.| to the scene of his crime attracted him to the spot. 2 “Wietcher is sure I’m on to their secret, but he has no actual; Nor was it likely that Decker would find any intercs st yb proof of that fact—merely a strong suspicion beeause he, and |revisiting the place. 4 the man he called Decker, caught me in the hall close to the The man Jim, however, might be there prepared to identity room where they had been conducting their operations. The;the remains if they were found by searchers. ty “man named Jim, who hired me to take the package, seems to But if he asked Dick to go he would have to give some — be the leader in the scheme. The other two have done their | reason for visiting such an out-of-the-way spot, and the fact” part in the conspiracy, and now the final and delicate part! that he merely wanted to view the ruins of an old’ frame of swearing fd the identity of the corpse in the ruins as the| Structure that had burned down during the night was: hardly. insured, and making the demand for the insurance money,|a good one. is up to him, Will he act in the face of Fletcher’s suspicions On the whole, he guessed he would have to make the oie now that he knows I’m alive, or will he wait to see what alone. move I make? Much will depend on that. It seems to me When he returned to the office he sat down in his seat to ft “that it would defeat the ends of justice if I moved first. At | await further orders. : the present moment. there isn’t the least bit of evidence Then it was he recalled the paper bearing Fletcher's sig-. 4 _ against them—only my uncorroborated story of what: 1 saw nature which ‘that individual had given him when he handed ‘and heard. Detectives might make a case of it, it is true.! Over the package. « They could find out that a man answer ing to Fletcher’s de. | “That ought to be a piece of evidence against him, * he ; arc wis secured a corpse from the Jersey City morgue, and : “What did I do with it?” ‘ 3s they might be able to trace it to the old house that is now He felt in the side-pockets of his overcoat and drew out a ruin, but what else could they learn? And how could it| the paper. _ ‘be proved that the corpse was intended to be used to swindle Ke the. insurance company holding a risk on the life of some ‘person whose identity I cannot show? I’m sorry Mr. Drew won't be here to-day, for I’m more anxious than ever. to con- sult with him. I dare not act without expert advice. At the same time I ought to try and keep track of the movements ' of the other side. I must learn, somehow, if the ruins have |’ been searched for a body, and the only, way I can do that will be to go to Jersey City this afternoon and make in- - quiries.. If I make them of the fire department it is liable to connect me with the fire, and that won’t do at all. The only other way is to visit the ruins, and there I am liable to "meet one or more of the conspirators. Hang it, it’s too bad the boss didn’t come to the office!” At that point in his reflections the cashier called to Joe to go ovt with a message to the Exchange—to the young man - who represented Mr. Drew in the board room. When he got to the Hxchange he noticed on the blackboard that A. & C. had gone up half a point. He met Dick Singleton going in when he came out, - Well, how abovt that tip?” asked Dick. “Going to act on woe.” _“T've already done so.” “Good! You didn't bes any time. You're bound to make a fine thing out of it, and I see a nice little wad coming my When he looked at it he gave a gasp of surprise. : i It was a cancelled check—the very chéck, in fact, that ; Fletcher had found in the trousers of the cérpse, for’ i eres the.number 765. <7 CHAPTER VII. | JOE TAKES UP THE CASE WITH HIS BOSS. “Holy mackerel!” ejaculated Joe. “How came‘that rascal — to hand this to me? He was going to destroy it, for Decker had advised him that it might, if found, prove an awkward 4 clew to the corpse. It’s on the Goldfield National Bank and — is signed by—hang me if I can make out the signature, . It’s a corker!” iS Joe turned it over and saw that it was indorsed by the man who drew it, for it was made payable to “Self.” a Across the paper Fletcher had scrawled his name, “T. Fletcher.” “It is clear that in the darkness the rascal did not noe - what he was handing me, but thought it was a piece of. blank paper,” thought Joe. “My, how people will sometimes give themselves away without meaning to do so! I have read that some of the sharpest criminals make slips, simple ones, tha lead to their detection. This may prove a useful piece of: ‘evi dence. I must look out for it. It’s too valuable.for me 1 hae . way.” carry around. I'll put it in an envelope and ask the cash- “Never count your chickens before they’re hatched. Some-}ier to place’it in the safe.” ‘thing might happen to spoil the deal.” He got an envelope, wrote his name on the outside, and “What could happen? It’s a sure cinch that A. & C. will| sealed the check up in it. } boom from fifteen to twenty points.” Then he handed it to the cashier, “There's nothing sure in Wall Street. You've been working Half an hour later he was off for the day. : oe in the Street long enough to know that.” i ' He started at once for Jersey City. ; ih - “Well, it’s as Sire as anything can be.” It was a different afternoon from the previous one, bein 3 - “I take it for granted that it is, and I expect to win out, | clear and sunshiny. : o _ but I don’t intend to count my winnings beforehand. I leave} He boarded a car and went out to the river. TIE that till I have cashed in.” | He could see nothing of the house, for it had burned com- Baie’ “I guess you’re pretty level-headed.” | pletely to the ground. , ia 2 “I’ve been fooled on a sure thing more ‘than once. it I'd; He saw a bunch of people some distance away, and he make a success of all my deals I’d be worth a whole lot judged that was where the ruins were. ore than the few hundreds I have now, most of which I He walked over there and soon made ous a few blac ped up on A& Cc. It may go to par, but I'm not going sticks standing here and there.
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Hechabe a dozen persons were walking around looking hes dazed ‘by the shock, instead of guile out hr he debris, and several boys were digging in the ashes. é le kept a sharp lockout for the man Jim, whom he ‘was. sure he would casily recognize, but-he saw no one that looked dike him. “fire, but no one. “hed heard Os aun & casualty. He hung around and questioned ‘urany of those present, but’ Tearned nothing. ‘The rains showed no siens of having been dug into, which proved that the chief schemeér ‘had: dene nothing as yet. to bring what remained of the body to light. After remaining. half am hour he boarded: a car and re- turned to. New York. ‘It was nearly seyen’ when he reached home. “Late again; Joe," said his eldest. sister. - *¥es.. I went over.to Jersey to see the ruins of a house “whi ch burned down last night.” *What house was /it? i Ohe Mit. was Just’ an old-fashioned mansion out near Oe ackensock Rive : “Nhat made you, 80 curious to pee what was left. of it?” “T Thay reason,’ wasn't; ring what that. réagon ” wag.) was) detaining him’ to execute’ some eneel errand. Fifteen minutes passed and then the outer. door ‘opened 3 a sharp-looking mani a2 smart business suit, came i Joe went over to him. re “TL have called 'to:see Mr. Drew,” said the caller. heh you from the Wail aie: Agency? ed ; “Ves. ” ‘my “Take a scat for a acfotent.? ‘ Joe went into. the private room and teld the broker th he detective was outside. ‘ “Show him in and come in yourself,” said Mr. Drew. | Joo ushered the sleuth inside. ; ; “Sit-:down, Mr. ” said the broker. “Dolan,” said the detective. Mr. Drew then outlined the matter in hand. : “My boy will go over the whole story for your ‘Monga When you are in possession of the facts I want your opinion on the case,” said the broker. Joe stepepd forward and told his story exactly as —“— knows it. The sleuth did not interrupt him. “Now, Mr. Dolan, what do you think this case?” said Mr. Drew. : “Are you interested in ‘this case?” as sine: the detect prevent a fraud from being fonsabiciated: y! “You have ‘sent for me merely to ask my ce ' “That's it, Gago ibe ers are vorney ¢ this matter mu Edanecolaneted CoRtrnBhinc to AP aah against thow As the men know this boy has escaped the deat ‘him they ie on their guard agai
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CHECK 705. . she 1 suppose you will walk up to Broadway, nicaae up that street to-Cortlandt, and down Cortlandt to the PePEY i: will hold buck to seé what he does. Up to this moment he hag taken no action of any kind.” idn’t he report the attempt made to burn him alive in. |. Wes, sir” S the building?” “Keep on this side of Broadway till you come opposite a e did not. In my opinion he ought to have done so, at | Cortlandt, then cross.’ ce,” said the broker: “AI right, sir.” “Your route on the other side has- not been akked for, 80 4. pore need not have brought up the rest of the matter.” I am sure you will be under the eye of the detective, who. ; What effect do you suppose his failure to do so will have | will have the cab following, probably. That is all.’ Report) e minds of the men?” | to me when you ¢ome.from the bank, and if there ds any is impossible to say. They may consider that he was | | change in the arrangements I will let you know then.” . td to get out of his perilous fix that he hag let the mat-| “Yes, sir,” said Joe, who then Jeft the room. “He, certainly should have done so,” said, the sleuth, “He; g0. At three o'clock A, & C. closed at $3 3-8. : “He thinks they are watching his movements.” Sak Ten minutes after three Joe got back from the bank*and “It is quite likely they are.” reported to Mr. Drew. - “Well, what ougbt to he done to set the Jaw in motion The broker had a letter ready for him to take to Zolliver & against them without drawing their attentien to the fact?” ;Co.,.a firm of Jersey City traders, with whom Mr. Drew oc- “If you wish the agency to take the case in hand. we will | casionally did business. y; find means to bring that about. The fact that a body was| “You will start at once, Joe,” he said, “Just wait till I ken from the morgue is a very important clew to work on.|call up the agency.” The boy’s story shows where it was taken to, and the pre- At that moment his ’phone rang, sumed reason why it was taken to the burned house. As “Well?” said Mr, Drew. furtl’er steps can be taken in the scheme until the.remains “When does your boy start for Jersey City?” are exhumed from the ruins and identified, a watch will have “He is leaving the office now,” returned the broker. a to. be kept on the place until the body is brought to light. “Where is he going on the other side?” - The man who identifies the remains will then be spotted. Mr, Drew mentioned the place. f - He will be closely shadowed, and in this way his accomplices “When he leaves he will find a cab standing outatdie the ~ are likely to be rounded up. By following this lead quietly ; door with an officer in it. Let Mim get in and he will be | the police ought then to have no trouble in learning what| taken to Police Headquarters.” insurance company is invoived, and then a little sharp work; ‘The speaker rang off and when Mr. Drew told Joe what should result in the capture of the bunch and the complete! the man at the agency said, the boy left the office and started. sxxposure of the conspiracy.” for the ferry. tg daresay the insurance company will be sled to recom: | _ Mr. Drew put on his hat and went to a restaurant for a — er, so 1 will turn the case over to you to act’ on as the agi “y thinks proper,” said Mr. Drew. Not seeing Joe, he went to the cashier’s window. “Very well. Give mea memorandum to that effect. As it ids Mr. Drew in?” he inquired. bet ta probable the Jersey City authorities will want to hear your] “Just went, out, sir. spe will return inside of half ‘an . story from his own lips he must hold himself in readt-, hour, es : ness to accompany me across the river when I call for him.” “Where is your young Pacaankane ‘Il go with you,” said Joe,.“but you mustn't overlook the | | “Gone on an errand for Mr. Drew.” that my going may be spotted by the rascals.” “When will he be back?” 3 “I could send him on some errand to a Jersey City broker} “{ couldn’t say whether he'll be back or not, for it’s near as a blind,” said Mr. Drew. “You could then have a cab'iime for him to quit for the day.” ue for him which could drive to Police Headquarters by, ‘he detective looked disappointed. A iG -labout route, That would throw them off the track.” | “I want to seo him on important business,” he said. : e detective grinned. . “You had better wait a while and see if he comes back. ie t was the plan he had intended to suggest. “Do you know where Mr. Drew went?” 3 We will do that,” he said, getting up. “I will now 80] “I think he went to the Empire Cafe, on Broad street.” ar back to the office and report to the chief.” “I know the place. Tell the boy that Mr. Dolan called” s he started for the door, a man who had been crouching and will be back. He must wait.” the corridor outside the private room door hurried off a “Pl tell him,” said the cashier, and the sleuth started tor ‘ward the elevator. ie Empire Cafe. "Ten minutes later Detective Dolan. entered the office. ff Joe had seen him he would have said he looked some- He found Mr. Drew stand) i ng at the lunch-counter with a ng like the smartly dressed man he had seen operating | sandwich in one hand and a glass of ale in the other, talking — the teeth of the corpse in the old house. ‘be a friend who was also eating and drinking. : - “T beg your pardon, Mr. Drew, but I want to see you aside : CHAPTER VIII. }for a moment,” said the detective. x XRAPPED. The broker was surprised to see the detective, whom he ef eationitud diy was a tusy ‘one tor Joe: Lee for he supposed the officer was following Joe to Jersey City. gn er, to keep track of A. ock, ane ; 5 Se sea oe. OBEY. P C, Bho | “I was over to your office,” said the sleuth, “and your. s tip was beginning to pan out. cashier told me I would probably find you here. I came to peed halepast twelve Mr. Drew’ got a ‘phone message | tell you that the chief of the Jersey City police wants to se from the Wall Street agency. | your messenger this afternoon between four and five.” ie a te 0G a oa lads eee in be ee oe t half-pas ree o’'¢ ‘ , re fifteen minutes ago. : Notify this office when ee Soe of a Hey gee og soe “Your boy did! ejaculated the detective in surprise, “What te he va take to the ferry. We will attend to the rest do, you mean by an arrangement with the agency? I have XN pee eae he would do ‘0, ; the come from there after geting back from Jersey City. Joe came in the cashier said the boss wanted to sec| The agency has made no arrangement with you, other than so he went into the. private room. 3 nea.” was between us in aE private room pia age oe oe, Ln that amonnts to sothine: The seer is chery rece City that atterstoar. ‘at nae bat teamay o'clock. , ‘ a CUBE, you understand?” f | directed to notify the agency when he started, and the Birt es, sir.” ‘he would take to the ferry. At a quarter-nast three the agency 2 cab will meet you. there, ‘thor ‘ge was not so in- called me up and asked when the boy would start. I replied The agency W ishes to know the route you will take, right away, 1. was asked where he was going on the ahs dge you will be followed and watched by. side and I gaye the information—Zolliver & Co., mining ative Dolan, ho, of akan ree ek plans: all Jai ern 4 “pla told that a cab would be rabbits for h out,
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me 12 CHECK 765. side that office into which he must step, when he would be taken to Police Headquarters.” 3 “There is. something wrong,” said the detective. “You couldn’t have got a message at noon from the agency telling you that the boy was wanted in Jersey City this afternoon, for the chief of police was not at Headquarters before half- past one to-day, at which time I had my interview with him in connection with the case, and was then directed to fetch him over to! tell his story. f was at the agency talking with my chief at the time you say you .were called up the second time, and I know we had no communication with your office at all. We never use the telephone when we can avoid it. It is evident that the conspirators inthis matter have taken this means to capture the boy in order to find out, if they can force the admission from him, just what he knows. I must make an effort to head them off, though they have half _ an hour’s start of me. What is Zolliver & Co.'s address?” Mr, Drew, somewhat startled at the turn events had taken, gave it, and Dolan got out of the cafe in a hurry. He jumped into a waiting cab and directed the driver to take him to the Cortlandt street ferry in record time. In the meantime, Joe went on, unconscious that he was walking into a trap. 4 ' He caught a boat that was on the point of starting across the river, and in due time reached Zolliver & Co.’s office, where he delivered his note. He was detained there fifteen minutes for the answer, and when he left he found a cab standing outside. He went to the door of it and, looking in, saw a bearded man. “Are you waiting for somebody?” he asked. “Ig your name Joe Sturgess?” asked the man. “Yes.” “Jump in, then. I have orders to take you to the house of the chief of police. Your employer received a message to that effect by telephone.” “T thought it was Police Headquarters,” said Joe, seat beside the man as the cab started off. “That arrangement was changed at the last moment,” re- plied the man. ' “All right,” said Joe, “it’s all the same to me.” 2 The boy found it was quite a ride he was taking. ! “How much further have we to go?” he asked. “Not far,” said the man. “Another block.” In a few minutes the cab stopped before a private house. “Here we are,” said the man, opening the door and step- taking a ping out. _ Joe followed, and as he did so he took notice, in a casual way, of the number on the cab’s lamp. It was 137 As they mounted the step to the front door the vehicle drove off. i The bearded man pulled the bell. 3 The door opened presently and Joe was led into a bare hall- way such as one might expect to find in a vacant house. ‘The singularity of this fact could not but make an im! pression on the boy, but before he had time to give it much consideration he received a blow from behind that stretched him senseless on the boards, -. When he recovered his senses an hour later he found him- ‘self bound to a post in some gloomy place that had all the ‘appearance, of a: cellar. _ A‘rag was bound around his mouth as a gag. Then. he realized that he was the victim of some sharp _ piece of work, and he easily guessed who were at the bot- tom of the outrage. “T’ve been trapped,” he thought, “but hang me if I can see how it could have been worked. It shows what a clever bunch those insurance rascals are. I wonder what they ex- _ pect to gain by this thing? They must have been watching Ss -yand across the river and laid their plans to nab me. Well, I suppose they will turn up Fs py me all the time, followed me to the ferry, suspected my er- | f Bi appear to be up against it.. goon and have it out with me,” His supposition proved right, for a man presently appeared. In spite of the obscurity of the place Joe recognized him 7 > right away as Fletcher. i he neweomer lit a piece of candle and held it up before the boy’s face. “You know me, I suppose?” he said, after removing the cloth from Joe’s mouth. ; “TY do,” answered the boy. “How did you escape from the house?” “That needn’t worry you,” said Joe. “It doesn’t worry me. I’m ecuriotis to know, for I didn’ think you could make your escape from that closet:” ‘ “Tm not saying how I got away.” You did es- “All right. It’s a matter of no importance. eape or you wouldn’t be here now. I have a few questions to ask you.” “Tl answer them if they’re the right kind of questions.” “Why did you enter the house after you delivered that ~ package to me?” es “I told you at the house when you auestioned me—becanuse I couldn’t help myself.” : “You said you tripped over the cellar flaps in the’ fog and | they gaye way, dropping you into the cellar.’ “That's the truth.” “Very good. When you found you were not hurt, why didn’t you leave the house the way you got in ard go about your business?” arbi “I was kind of dazed,” said Joe, recalling Mr. Drew's way ~~ of putting it, “and instead of walking out I stumbled up- ~ stairs. id Wi “Exactly. You found your way to a certain door and lis- ss tened to what you heard inside.” “What's the use of questioning me if you are sv dplying your own answers?” , “Because I have made a good guess, haven’t 1?” “Io think you are making a bad guess.” “Then you. deny that you tried to spy on what was trans: piring in that room?” “What reason could I have had to spy on you when I was trying to get out of the house?” “A boy is always curious to see what he can see.” é “After the tumble I had I wasn’t in any condition to ‘be curious about anything. I don't know how I escaped break- ing my neck.” “Then you don’t know anything about what we were doing. i in that room?” “If it was anything crocked I’d have told the police ee before this.” “T notice you haven’t told the police that I locked you ins that closet and left you to burn up.” Bes. “Vd have done it if I could have proved it against you. I s don’t even know who you are. Still the police might have. ~ caught you, but what good would it have done me to have Pa pushed the charge? You would swear you didn’t -do it, and your word would be as good as mine in court.” Fletcher grinned. “That's right,” against me.” “Why was I brought to this house?” “T wanted to have a talk with you.” “You've had it, so I hope you'll let me go,” “Tf I was sure you've told the truth I would,” “T’ve told the truth.” “There was a detective in your office yesterday has de talking to you and your boss.” “How came you to know that?” “Never mind. I know it. What was he there for?” ; “You'll have to ask my employer. He sent for him.” Bei “As you were present, I’m asking you.” ; “T never give my employer’s business away.” “Unless you answer my question you will remain ee cellar until I return, to-morrow morning.” “T can’t disclose my employer's business.” | “T am not interested in your employer’s business. I wan to know why that detective was consulting with you and. your boss?” “T can’t tell you.” “Then here you stay till you do tell me.” With that, Fletcher put out the light and left the cellar. ¥ Une he said. “You couldn’t prove a’ “thing CHAPTER IX, HOW JO“ ESCAPED. The cellar was now quite dark, for the day was waning fast, and the small, barred windows in the top of the rear wall, on a level with the paving of the yard, admitted Beare any light. Fletcher, on taking his departure, over Joe’s mouth again. ks It was a matter of little importance, for the loudeeel shout 2 that the boy could utter would not have reached any one’s ears. '. The house was a yacant one; and the two buildings ign : either side of it were likewise ue sepes | did not put ‘the zag
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him if he happened to yell, but nobody came into the yard, “Hold on! Are you going to go back on me that wage” : “unless it was.a bunch of boys skylarking around all the yards, cried Joe, apprehensively, in the block. “T've made a knife. If I cut, yer loose yer’ll take it away — _.$o Joe’s chances of remaining a prisoner until released | from me.’ t My ; by Fletcher or another member of his crowd was pretty good. | “No, I won't. You can keep the knife if you want it. I. The unexpected is what often plays a very important part!can get another one.” ; in the affairs of life, and it was the unexpected that led to “Yer say dat jest to fool me.” the Wall Street boy's release. “Not at all. I mean it.” Two youths, of lax morals, anxious to raise the wind, got} The boy hesitated, then he came back and hacked at the into the house by way of the broken area iron gate, and an, line which held Joe's hands. imitation jimmy they used to foree the basement door. . As soon as: Joe’s hands were free the boy started off with ', Joe heard their footsteps on the bare boards above, and! his bundle, leaying the candle burning on the floor. the light tread indicated the presence of boys. : Joe felt in his vest-pocket and found his small roll of bills. He wondered if they had been sent there to watch over | “Hold on, kid! I’ve got a dollar. You can have it with him. the knife if you finish the job,” he said. They made their way to the kitchen and proceeded to de- “Nixy. You just want to get hold of me.” tach the brass cocks and sundry other bits of metal from the “Wand me back the knife and I’ll give you the dollar. plumbing. Come and look at it.” : This work took them some time, for they did the business; The temptation brought the tovgh youth back to see if Joe | ‘mostly in the dark to avoid discovery. ‘really had a dollar. When they had cleaned the kitchen out they went upstairs | He saw that he held a bill in his fingers. to the bathroom and demoralized that room. | “AL right, cully. Give me de dollar and I'll give yer back _ With’i bag half full of plunder they came downstairs again; de knife,” he said. and ere ‘going away when one of them suggested that they | “All right. ‘I'll trust you. There’s the dollar,” and. he might find something more of value to them in the cellar, 80, tossed it at the boy. down in the cellar they went. The lad picked it up and looked at it close to the cane | A bit of candle lighted their way, and Joe heard their foot- He saw it was a dollar all right. - steps and saw the glimmer of light approaching him. “Here’s yer knife.” Joe. saw them poking around, observed the bag over the “But the rest of the cords and you can keep it, too.” - shoulders of one, and guessed what they were up to. “Why don’t you cut dem yerself?” Finally they came near him. “T can do it with the knife, but as you want it, and I dow by He had refrained from calling to them, because he was' care for it, for I’ll be glad to get out of here, I'll give you the afraid they’d take to their heels the moment they heard his ‘| chance to earn it.” --yoice, which*was the most likely thing they would do. The youth. concluded to risk it. The chap with the candle suddenly made out Joe standing He cut the rest of the cords, “against the post. “Dere yer are,” he said. With a yell of alarm he dropped the candle and ran, call-| “Thanks. You're a_pbrick, Sia ing to his companion to follow. Ok wii de knife and de dollar? ~ “Wot's de matter wit’ yer?” asked the other, not under- . standing the cause of his pala alarm, : “Yer all right. Glad I helped yer,” said the boy, satisfied The other made no answer, but kept on upstairs, reached | all was right. ' fhe door and running out through the area, skedaddled down! Joe was careful not to ask his rescuer what he was doing a tea wither tote tak balla aabet S F : t the cellar together. “Dat Mulligan makes me tired,” said the other, coming for- inh Py _ 4eard-and picking up the bit of candle. “He’s dat nervous! em scared de duff out of me friend Mulligan,” grinned ~*" Yes.” ; “Is dat a fact? How in t'under did yer come to be put in “Which pocket?” : dat cellar?” a “The right one.’ . “T was put there by a gang of rascals who want to keep me ee The boy shoved his hand into Joe’s pocket ena pulled out ‘out of their way.’ 2 the knife. : “Wot for?” ‘Dat's: a fine one, ‘Guess I'll keep it. So long!”. ; “Reason that I can’t tell you.”
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CHECK 765. “T s’pose yer goin’ to put the police on to them?” “The police are on to them already.” “Gosh! I never heard anyt’in’ like dis, ’cept in de papers. _ Say, boss, don’t put me in de papers. Don’t tell de cops dat 2 you seed me and Mulligan in dat house.” ; “What are you afraid of?” “Not’in’, but me and de cops don’t hitch.” “You hayen’t told me your name,’ “But dey'd get on to me trough Mulligan,” “Tell me your name and I promise 'to kcep it quiet.” “Honest Injun?” “Yes. ” “Me name is Dinny Haley.” “Thanks. I won't give you away. get on.” “Good-by, boss. T’anks for de two bucks and de knife. "member youse in me dreams.” And so they parted. Well, good-by, I must rn CHAPTER X. JOH BUYS A BUNCH OF MINING CERTIFICATES, Joe reached a car bound for the ferry and boarded it, but he did net intend to go there direct. His purpose was to stop at Police Headquarters. 4 Fletcher was bound to be back looking for him, and he had ‘ taken the precaution to secure the number of the house and the namo of the street so as to put.the police.on to the place. _ He thought they ought easily catch the rascal when he re- turned. fone inguired his way to the BLAOD: -house, and finally got ere, “T want to see the chief, or his deputy, or somebody in au- thority here,” he said. “Your name and business, young art asked the officer who met him. "My name is Joe Sturgess. I five in New York and work for Nathaniel Drew, a Wall Street stock broker,” replied Joa. “I think you are very much wanted here. Detective Dolan, of the Wall Street agency, was going to fetch you here this afternoon. He turned up and said you had been enticed over here by the raseals whom you accuse of a grave erime, and earried off somewhere by them. Half a dozen men are now ‘out looking for you.’ “I was enticed over by them and trapped, put I have just made my escape from the cellar of a house where they. tied me up. One of the men will be back to-night. or in the morn- ' ing to give me further attention. That is your chance to “ eatch him, With one of the men locked up you ought to be. able to get the others,” said Joe. _. He was taken into the office of the deputy chief, to. whom he told his story of the events of the foggy night, and his - added adventure that afternoon. After being detained and questioned for over an hour he Was permitted to go. It was half-past nine that evening when he finally reached home. Next morning he had quite an interesting story to relate to Mr. Drew. * Detective Dolan was sent for and heard his story, too. Subsequently word was received from Jersey City that Wictche: had been caught. _ Joe was directed to come over and identify him, which he did. The rascal was brought before a Hee and remanded under heavy bail. Strennous efforts were put forth’ to etek the others in- ’ yolved in the conspiracy, but without success. No effort was made to search the ruins for the remains of e corpse, but the place was put under watch. ‘The leading insurance companies of New York were quietly | advised to keep an eye on any claim made for insurance on the body of a man who was reported as having. been burned to death—a man whose identity was to be largely established by means of the filling in two front teeth. In the meantime A. & C. stock took a boom on and went clear up and beyond par, Joe sold out at 98 and cleared a profit of $900, ten per cent. of which he faithfully turned over to Dick Singleton. _ * Hardly had the boom ceased to interest Wall Street when 3 ec started up in L. & M., and Joe got in on 140 shares L 92 During the run of this one nothing was heard from the insurance swindlers, and Joe added $2,100 to his private pile. Vvehicle, ‘nosed ib the ruias of ths burned housé and seemed likely to As if luck was determined to smile on him in ‘chunks he found a roll of bills in the street which counted up $2,500. This roll lay close to the gutter, and from the looks of the yellow boy on the outside it had been stepped upon by horse and Man and smashed down ‘by the wheels of more: thon one- Ali this time it was in plain sight almost of annimpare pedestrians and scurrying messenger beys, and within sade of many bootblacks and newsboys. How Jong it had been kicking arowhd the spot it was im: i possible to say, but evidently several hours. “i It was Joe’s luck to bé the person to pick it up, and as the chance of finding its rightful owner was pretty slim, he added ~ it to his pile, which now footed up to the cheerful little sum fe of $6,000, toa Mr. Drew paid the detective agency for Dolan’s services and charged it up to profit and loss, his only recompense being the. thought that he had probably stopped ‘the insur- = ance swindle even if three of the principals had escaped de- tection. ; Fletcher was finally tried for being concerned in the abduc: tion of Joe from in front of Zolliver & Co.’s office. ra To this was tacked the charge of attempting to par Joe out of the way in the’ old house on the night of the fire. o: ‘Not a word about the insurance matter was meaniolts ij The police still hoped to trick the conspirators into believ- ing they were sate from exposure. During all this time check 765 lay in its envelope in Broker Drew's big safe. Joe had taken it out once and written to the Goldfield Nad tional Bank concerning it, but fer some reason he got a reply. , Whether his letter miscarried, which did not strike him as & likely, or the bank did not regard it as a matter of sufficient. importance to take up, which was more probablo, the boy. couldn't say. In any ease the unfortunate man who had brought fhe eancelled check Wast, sewn up in his trouser’s lining, as if it~ was of some sn a ucctaai which could not very well be, as the money had been paid out on it, bad not vet found his way to © the Potter’s Field, for what little remained of him still re- ic <3 ee Z stay there for a while longer, as the owner of the property, — Being involved in litigation with another claimant, was un- " able to collect the ‘smell insurance policy, which was, ine a stead, paid into court. i About this time Joe took the envelope containing the ‘Chek: be out of the safe and teok it home with him to show his: mother : and sisters, who lad expressed some curiosity to see it, though as it had been taken from the body of a dead man it might ‘have been regarded as a grewsome exhibit. The girls looked at it with interest, but did not care to’ | handle it, and when Joe took it to his room he put. it, en: 2 velope and all, in his trunk, Some days atterward, while looking over a Western mintnes paper, he noticed an advertisement of @ Man named James ~ Hawley who wanted a partner to belp him take over a min- ing property, called the Golden Argosy. ‘ Joe remembered having seen something about a Golden Argosy Mine in a scrap-book which lay on the top of Mr Drew's sate, in which it was his duty to paste such clipping of a mining nature from time to time as the broker — him for Bae he DUTPORE. be found at al moméat’s notice. : 7 Joe got the book, consulted the index and turns to the eg page in which the Golden Argosy mine was pasted. | EF Tne clipping began by stating that the Golden Argosy ot which great things had ‘been expected, had petered pletely and was now relegated to the category of dead. Me di the only real mourners being the people who had NS cae half a million shares of the stock at prices from 5 conte to” 25 cents. Then followed the history of the mine. - ! A golden ledge of seemingly fabulous value had been. is wit covered by a prospector named William Smith. He had had no difficulty in enlisting capital to develop the property, and the Golden’ Argosy Mining Co. was dicey rated under the laws of Nevada, : ‘ Everything went on swimmingly for a little while, wh the golden ledge suddenly disappeared. Further eueenere to find it developed ore of” a auch lower grade. Things looking unsatisfactory, the company ‘ogan putting its stock on the market to raise money. ne
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ee Ak, ee, ae ee eee a CHECK 105, j “Altogether, 500,000 epee were “issued, over 100,000 ot | when the police have caught the. swindlers or given up the ! which were sold in the Hast, and then the public ceased to - case.” bite. |}. That morning he accidentally discoyercd that a syndicate It was about time they did, for the mine had been going’ had been fornmied to corner and boom L..& D. shares. é ‘from bad to worse, and its prospects amounted to nothing. . {| This was too gocd a thing to let get by him, so he went to Six months later the clipping appeared announcing that the the little bank and bought, on margin, 500 shar es of L. & D, - promoters had given up the work and wanted to sceil at any, at 115. 5 OG: price. : | After supper he put the check under the magnifying glass. "The clipping was’Paghteen months old, and Joe had no! . The writing was such a scraw! that but for the fact that - means of learning what had taken place since with respect he expected it stood for William Smith he never could have to it. | told that it was. The advertisement in the Western paper showed that James! He finally came to the conclusion that it was Smith, though Hawley had become interested in the property and wanted he could not have been willing to Swear to it. _ some financial aid to acquire possession of it; presumedly for; He held the check close up to the flame of the gas-jet, and the purpose of trying his luck in the dead mine. while he was looking at it a curious change come over the te. That day, while hunting for something in the boss’ closet, | paper. 5 Joe came upon a dust-covered package marked Golden Argosy; An oblong diegram came out on the back of the check. stock. About it “appeared the words, “Golden Argosy.” i He asked Mr. Drew about it. : Near one end showed a small square with the word, |. “A customer left those certificates with me for sale a year) “Shaft.” or more ago, but I couldn’ t find a buyer, for the mine was a From that ran a line with numerous toandicnal ‘dead proposition. I asked the owner to take them away, but! ‘The line was marked “Main tunnel,” the branches, “Off- he ney. XY; did and they've been there since.” . shoot A, B, ©," éte. Joe »," shim about the advertisement, and remarked that |“ an inch from “Off-shoot D” was a small cross maried “the the. ma? ‘hight amount to something yet. lost ledge—twelve feet.” : “Not “Site chance in a thousand,” replied the broker. “Dead A cross With the four cardinal points of the compass showed mines seldom come to life again. ithe bearings of the small cross from the end of “Off-shoot D.” Preuss How many shares in that package?” Joe gazed spellbound at the strange discovery he had made, - : “Ten thousand. and as he gazed the diagram gradually faded out until the — "Yl give you $10 for the st®ck,” back of the check resumed its ordinary appexrance. “No, Joe, it would be $10 throwa away on your part.” “Jumping grasshoppers!” he exclaimed. “What have. I ““Ican afford to throw the money away on a long chance.” | struck?” “Jf you are really anxious to get them you can have them for the money, but they are really not worth that sum.” : So Soe paid the’ money and took the package, which he “earricd homewith him that afternoon. It» wasn't because he really had any idea that the Golden Argosy mine ‘would ever amount to anything that he bought | S ihe stock, but because $10 didn’t cut much of a figure with | “him, and the impulse to acquire the certificates was irre- | sistible. _. He opened the package when he got home: and found that | , the certificates were made out in the name of Henry Baker: _ He took out one of them and tacked*it up on his wall. ‘Ve rowrapped the others up and put the bundle in his closet Once more he held the check up to the heat of the gas: er the diagram came out as plainly as before. “There's something in this discovery of mine,” he said, “That diagram wasn't sketched out in invisible ink for noth- jing. It refers to the Golden Argosy mine, and tips’ off the spot where the continuation of the rich ledge that disappeared begins again. Aecording: to the statement written down it is iwelve feet in a northeasterly direction fren: the end of branch tunnel D. Smith, who was a prospector, doubtless made this discovery as he made the original one, and made it lately, that is, within a short time of his coming Hast. No wonder he was careful with this seemingly worthless can- celled check, and sewed it up in his pants so he wouldn't. loge : it. I wonder what brought him East? To raise money to CHAPTER XT. develop the new lead? If that is so, how about this James d THE STRANGEST TIP IN WALL STREET. 2 Scant apse Ai a en Lae eid ny buy vie ‘ e control o e ning property An ow comes § It wasn’t often that Joe looked over the personal adver: | that Broker Nostrand is desirous to find out what has become — tisements in the morning daily that was recognized as having 2 of William Smith and where he is? Smith must have called more advertisements of that kind than all the other dailies ae 5 Hig (HanGhanainia tet and maybe tried t put together, but something induced him to do so next morn- ist a t sry iaie wins eh 4 3 ” oe ing, and one of them attracted his attention. gi Sie ie ‘ it ran as follows: ~ Pa act se poles ane sa eee ts come in possession is at mi ead to his for P “one hundred dollars will bé patd to the person furnishing | “tis the straneest tip chat over happened it Wall Street, ‘information that will lead ‘to the discovery of the whereabouts | though I did get hold of it over in New Jersey, for it's @ of William Smith, of Goldfield, Nevada, who arrived in this| rectly connected with Wall Street,” he said. ety on May 27, registered at, the Astor House, and two days] te determined to take the check down to the office next falter disappeared unaccountably. (Then fololwed a personal] gay and show it to Mr. Drew. \““Neer iption of Smith.) Address or call on Howard Nostrand, This he did, but when the broker failed to appear at the antock broker, No. — Broad street.” office at his customary time, Joe asked the cashier if he was - The points that attracted Joe in the advertisement were: | coming to the city that day. First, the name, which answered to that of the prospector No, he won’t be here to-day, nor, in fact, for several day who made the original discovery of gold ore in the Golden He went to Chicago by the eight o'clock express.” ; i Argosy property; second, the fact that Smith came from Is that so?” said Joe, “All right. Goldfield, and that he disappeared on the day that Joe had| That afternoon about two he met Dick at the entrance ‘to his encounter with the insurance schemers, who had obtained | the building. the corpse of a stranger, evidently trom Goldfield by reason While he was talking to him, Broker Nostrand came along oft the check on the Goldfield National Bank found by Fletcher |and stopped to talk with an acquaintance, , on his person, who had dropped dead that day in Jersey City; “Say, Dick,” said Joe, suddenly, “I’ . bet you never sa’ third, the description of Smith, which seemed to correspond }a Goldfield bank check.” ae SAR 2 general way with the corpse Joe saw stretched oyt on| “No. Have you seen one?” the table in the room of the old house by the river; and, “Yes, I've got a cancelled. one in my poakat. “ lastly, the fact that Broker Nostrand was interested in se- “Let's see it,” said Dick. uring information about the missing than. 6 Joe took the envelope out of his ‘pocket and showed Dick “7 puess I could make that $100,” thought Too, “Dut as it!the check. mi, ht interfere with the efforts of ‘the police to catch the in-|. “It was drawn on the Goldfield. National Bank for. the : surance swindler I won't try for it. I don’t care enough /significant sum of $10.” 5 about. Mr. Nostrand to oblige him, anyway. I’m willing to “How did you get hold of it?” bet the the corpse in the case is William Smith. I'll examine} “Oh, by accident.” the signature on the check to-night with the aid of a mag- “What are you keeping it for? It's no good. It’s Smut -glasa, and see if it bears any resemblance, to. William | paid.” % ; ? ith, It it. does, iy, seis v ch claim - ‘the reward ater on. “aa 1 Keeping it as a curiosity.” ras
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5. “The sizuature uninteNisible one “Can you make “Not if my life either.) “What will you be 42% “I won't bet, for you may know the man who wrote it, but T'}i gamble on it if I had the check and showed it to you. off- hand, as you are showing it to me, you couldn’t decipher it,” sald Dick, “ ‘ i “I won't deny that. I've examined the name. under a mi- croscope, but I couldn’t swear to what it stands for even at that. { only had an idea that I know what the name is.” “Well, what do you think the name is?” “William Smith,” answered Joe. As he spoke, Nostrand, who had been listening to their con- versacion, uttered an ejaculation. “Well, I must,get on. So long!” Tee Joe started for the elevator the broker stepped toward - him: ."Ha! Where cid you get that- check?” cried Nostrand, seizing hold of the boy. “Give it tome. It is mine! “No, it is not yours,.and you shan’t have it,” replied Joe. The struggle that, ensued attracted a policeman. What's the trouble?” asiced ‘the officer; ‘DPhis boy has a check that belongs to me,” said Nostrand, “and IT want it.” / “This check does not belong to hir His name is Howard Nostrand. You can see for yourseli, officer, that no as name is on ihe check, and, furthermore, that it is not a Nev York cheek. It was drawn on the Goldfield National Bank of Goidfisld, Nevada, to the order of Self, and the money was collected by the man himself, for it is stamped paid, and is no longer of ‘any value to anybody,” said Joe. The policeman saw all that Joe pointed out. “Tiow came you to get that check?” he asked Joe, “T:see no reason to make any explanation on the subject, It belongs to me and I propose to hold on to it,” “Why do you claim that. check?” the policeman asked : Nostrand. on it, is a eyriosity. in my. life. it-out?” ‘depended on, it. { never saw such an Just like-two wavy lines.” Til bet you can’t read zit, j 7 ously. disappeared.” he oltlicer pricked up his ears at that? - “Do yeu suspect that he has met with foul play?” 3 “I think it more than likely. This check, though useless, I admit, was in his possession when he called at my Office the cay after his arrival: in the city.. He registered at the never returned. That was all of a DOSE ago, and his valis is still at/the hotel:” “The policeman thought the matter was assuming me gerfous an aspect for. him to attempt to settle, so he suggested that, both parties go with him to the precinct station-house ape have it adjusted, if possible, by the captain. ; At that Nostrand: changed front. “2 prefer'to settle this matter with the boy myself. . Os -gometimes, If he will accompany me to my office I think the matter can be adjusted, “he said, looking at Joe. Ordinarily the boy would have refused to go with Nostrand, ‘for he didn't like the man, but rather than have the case brought up before the captain of the precinct, with the pros- “pect of going to court, he was shee a to GEREP to the brok- ers. suggestion, wate « * “T will go with you,” he said. } 2 "Very well. That takes the, matter out of your hands, - officer, Sorry that you lost your time over it,” said Nostrand, slipping the policeman a $5 bill. _ The officer tock the money and walked eway, and Joe went with Nostrand to his.office, the pair not exchanging a aed till they got there. ees ; Pita: »., CHAPTER XII. JOE BUYS CONTROL OF THE GOLDEN ARGOSY. A Sit: down said Nostrand when they entered his: private - room. Joe took a seat and the broker threw his hat on his desk and ‘pushed up the cover, seating himself in his pivot-chair, “Now then, young man, how came you to get possession of that check?” he asked, “Why are you so anxious to. know, Mr. Nostrand?” said oe, coolly. . "Because that check belongs to a ‘man named William “Smith, a prospector from. Goldfield, who. called on me a CHECK SMe NE oa and Dick rushed aways renee where William Smith is?” “Because: it belongs to a client. of mine who has seeaheas 2 : | that you would be compelled to tell the truth, and any ob’ Astor House, and the following day he left the hotel brent He's : fiessenger for @ broker in this building I do business with. é month ago, the dayvafster ee arrived inthis. city.“ to. do business with him, for.he made an appointment ‘ with me for) the: following day, which he failed to keep. As “the ¢ business he had to transact was very importants T sent to 2 Astor House, where he had put up, and learned. that he ‘ha gone ont. To cut the matter short, Smith never returned the hotel from-that day to this, which is a very sineat circumstance, and leads me to be} jeye that's Yething kane pened to him: Being a stranger, he — “ht have Been enticed: into some crooked saloon, drugged, rebbed and done away with. Now, the fact ‘that you have that check in your pos- session shows that you must know something about the mys- tery of Smith’s disappearance, otherwise I cannot see how you would have it. I want you. to tell me all about it.” Tf will make it worth your while. I have advertised in the papers for information that will lead to the present where- abouts of Smith, if he is alive. I offered to’pay $100 for, that information. If you can throw any light on the subject of will hand you that sum.” te 4d guess I can earn the money,” said Joo. , i “Good!” said Nostrand, in a tone of satisi canton: “Do you “J have an idea, if this check belonged to him. A “It did belong to him.’ “Is that his name signed to it?” : iso ! ’“Phat’s a matter of no importance. The éhick h ingybeen paid is as valueless as any, picce of paper of its size ; ; “It would appear so, What do you want it for, then?” “T don’t want it except as a clew to Smith.” “All right. I am going to keep it.for the same reason.” 3 “But you said you had ¢ an idea where the man is.” es | “J have.” ; ; “He is alive, then?” “J regret to'say he is net.” “He is dead?” cried Nostrand, in a tours of intense eae pointment. (“Very much so.”, . “How do you know?” ‘ “T must decline to state hew IT happen to know ‘that fact 4. but it isso.” é Pgh. “Why are you making a secret of it? Don’t you know tha = if I should. bring this matter to the. attention of tthe police, s jection on your part to do so would cause suspicion » rest i on you?” sie “That doesn’t: worry me in the-least.” wey . Nostrand regarded him curiously. ; “Why not?” “Because I could easily satisfy the ‘quthonities about ‘this : Stith.” “Why do you decline to satisfy me, then? to make the $100?” ‘ 4 “tam not particular about it, though ante is not “to ibe We sneezed at.” - ' “Look here, young man, ‘I don’t like as attitude in th matter.” Bye ~“T am. sorry, but I will say this sone you can’ ‘showy any vital reasons why the present whereabouts of the remains of William Smith, if the remains are really his, which tw inclined to believe they are, from the fact of you recognizis this check, should be made known to you, call on the « ’ of the Jersey City police and state your case to him, ‘ might be willing to enlighten you.’ “Phen Smith met with. foul Play ‘in Jersey City?” sai Nostrand. j “He did meet with foul play, put ‘not in the Ne we ‘sup: : pose.’ “You are: still talking ‘in riddles. so much mystery of this matter?” . “Because the Jersey City police fiave an important case tn hand in which the remains of Smith play a part, and- might defeat the ends of justice if I said anything about it to you. If .you are not satisfied with this. explanation call on Mr. Drew and speak ‘to him about the matter. : He. is } Chicago now, but will return in a few days.” : “What does Mr. Drew know about this parets asik Nostrand, clearly much surprised. hi “He knows all that I know about it, for. ‘If Smith or his remains, as you assert he ig) volved in some erimipal case, how came you in it?” “That isa. ante I don’t care to talk abo say that I came into it by) accident, Reig must pole my conan on the outside. When Don’t oe Bh P Why are you. making $
Page 18
CHECK. G5. pana ies have been caught the story will be printed in the papers, and. then you will find out. ail about it.” “You might have said this in the first place and then Td: have understood why. you were so close. is: really dead?” : os a man, not yet identified, is dead, but. as this check was! ils 5 Smith's. bossession, when you saw him, that the unidentified ma an is Smith,” said Joe, “Was he murdered and robbed?” , fe was not.” How came he to meet death, then?” age dropped dead of heart disease in Jersey City.” ee: eae how came his body to be mixed up ina criminal case : “that I may not say. It is a police secret,” sa ‘you are acquainted with?” : “Yes. _ .“Have you any objection to permitting me to examine that cheek?” “As it is connected with the poliee case it must not pass out of iny hands,” “Why should you hold it? ch yee ey must decline to answer that question.” “Will youlet me look at it in your hands?” “i will if you promise not to touch it.” a ety promise,” % Joe took out Check 765 and held it close to the broker's eyes. “Durn itvover,” he said, after a momentary inspection. Joe id. SOR. Why do not the police retain 4 Bi a By ‘ in lead pencil. . Nostrand regarded’ it with critical attention, and then looked) closely at the paper from one end to the other, . UW he had expected to find someth 1ing to interest him he was diss anpointed, ““L seo the indorsement and that lead pencil signature,” he said, “Is that the wad the back of the check looked when you got it?” : Tigot it.” Se eos f se you ei how it came’ to be on the check?" | ¢ eae k tody. ” “Then you are halding that check as a piece of evidence ; against him?” “Yos, and for another reason, which I won't explain.” - Nostrand picked up a magnifying glass from his desk and % Pant carefully over the buck of tye check, the secret of Check 765 could not be brought to light that way. He alone knew how to Set at it. ¥ “That's all,” said Nostrand, sittine back in his chair. “What did you expect to find on that check that you ex- amined it so closely?” ‘asked Joe, innocently, “Nothing—that is, not exactly. I had an idea that Smith had written something on it; and I was curious to find out what it was,” “If that indorsement is a fair apectinen of his writing you wouldn't have been uble to have read anything he mete tians written,” said Joe. '~ “TIT suppose not—I suppose not,” said Nostrand, “Well, I won't detain you any lotiger,” f y I'm glad to hear it. I'll have some trouble uaring ‘my- self swith the cashier for staying out. so long.” Ruane. Ay Nostrand dashed a fow words off on a pad, signed it and handed it to Joe. : Give al to the eacilers ” he said. y e looked at the writing when he got outside and f. that Nostrand had written the following: f eae ey took your messenger to my office and detataes him there > half an hour, — _ Howarp Nosrranp.” uring the next few days Joe, at every chance, dropped me, mining broker's office and inquired if the trader ad any “Golden Argosy stock lying around, — n this way he picked up 30,000 shares for less than halt yeent a share—the lot costing him about $100, which, con- side: ing eat ane ain was: vegarded as nee Was a be t So William Smith | The only thing visible on the back besides the indorse-| Weeks.” be said. “Ment close to the top was the signature of the rascal Fletcher much money as you do I shall require a proportionate inter- “Do you know the. ‘meaning of that name ! tJetcher on it?” | that effect. Jce offered no, objection to his doing so, for he knew that |find that will count for something,” prise, pe eRe 4 - es Se —— wanted something market price for the stock, but, then, the brokers tor the certificates, even if they knew they had no value. By that time L. & D. had advanced to 122. On the day Mr. Drew returned trom Chicago it went to- 130. Tn the meantime, Joe wrote to James Wawley, saying he had person and you recegnize it as having been in William seen his advertisement in a Western paper, and asked what the presumption’ is | inducements were’ offered for the investment. of a small amount of capital, He did not state that he was a Wall Strest messenger hoy, and so Hawley, when he got his letter, supposed the writer was a man, and he wrote back that he had oniy a little money himself, but being a prospector, he wanted to buy out the - controlling interest of some mining -proverty that could be U got cheap, and had selected the Goldén Argosy because tha controlling owners had no further use for it and were willing to sell their stock for a song—$2,500 would take the whole thing, which comprised 260,000 shares of stock, the title deeds, machinery on the ground and all the visible property ot the company. “T can put. up $500," he wrete. “If you can raise $2,000, and are willing te go in with mo I think we cin niake'a living out of the property. There are 240,000 shares scattered about the country, half of which are in this vicinity. Most of them could be bought in later for next to nothing, and than we'd practically,own the mine outright, Let me hear what you will do. Yours respectfully, ma “James Hawiey.” Joe wrote back, inclosing a draft for $100, and told Hawley to get a thirty-day option on the property at $2,500. “You may expect to see me with the money in about three Of course, if I’m to put up four times as est in the property. If this meets with your concurrence you can have a contract drawn to that effect and we will sign it.” The day after he sent the letter off L, & D. reached 135 and Joe sold. out. : His, profit on this deal was $10,000. tlawley wrote back that he agreed to anything his eorre- spoudent advanced, and said the contract. would be drawn giving Joe a four-fifths interest in the controlling interest “There has bei en no change or alteration mace in it since} ofthe Golden Argosy property. That was. satisfactory to Jos, and he notified Hawley to Within the time stated his vacation came around and he asked Mr. Drew for two weeks, as he had to go West: on I saw it written there by a man who is now in cus- | business. . ; ‘ He got it and started for Goldfield. Hawley met him at the station and was greatly sured to find that his prospective partner was 4 boy. “That needn’t worry you, Mr. Hawley, as long as I have the | money to put up: Besides, [1 a Wall Street boy, with three years’ experience in New York's financial district. You will — said Joe. \ So the business was put through, and the firm of Sturgess 1& Hawley took over the control of the Golden Argosy prop- erty for the sum of $2,500. CHAPTER XIII. © CONCLUSION, When the business was concluded, Joe invited Hawley to dine with him at his hotel. After the meal they went to Joe’s room: to talk rape ; over, 5 Hawley outlined his plans and Joe listened to them. 4 “Your plans are all right, Mr. Hawley, but if you followed them rm afraid our enterprise would hardly pan out,” said ~ Joe. “How so?” replied the pnceectass looking at him in suy- “Because you are going at the. thing blind.” ; “JT am going at it in the only way that my experience as / a prospector suggests. The only way to find gold ore Bto | ‘hunt for it,” he said. ’ “T know that, but if I could show you a better way wouldn't E you be willing to adopt it?” / “Of course, but I don’t see how——” “Quite natural. You don’t see how a boy hi iow not ing about mining, and has never before been within haili distance of mining property, can show you, an experien? prospector, how to make a oe ia 7k admit I do not.” nv
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4 » CHECK 16s Be “Well, Mr. Hawley, if I hadn’t seen your advertisement I - should have bought the Golden Argosy myself.” es “You astonish me.” “I have no doubt of it, but I intend to astonish’ you still more before I am done. Before I corresponded with you at a all I had evidence that the Golden Argosy property was 2 Ane winner.” “What evidence?” “A tip that came into my hands in the strangest way in the world. Now that you are my partner, t will tell you the story, but, of course, you will keep it strictly to yourself.” Joe then told him all about his experience with the insur- ance swindlers, who were still at large, and about Check 765, without stating anything about the tip. “You had a great experience, Sturgess, but you have not mentioned the tip.” “Here it is,” said Joe, showing the check. “Why, that. is one of Bill Smith’s cancelled checks. - @ame you to get it?” “William Smith was the corpse I told you about.” “You don’t say! Poor Bill! I knew him well. He origin- -@lly discovered the gold in the Golden Argosy, but the ledge petered out and the whole thing went up the spout. T be- Neve that ledge is still to be found somewhere on the prop- a erty, ® I have told you, and that, was my object. in getting ; @ partner to help me nake further developments.” “I know,” said Joe. “Well, you don’t have to go hunting for that ledge. I can put my finger right on it,” Joe got a: and wrapped the check around the electric light bulb, for Goldfield lights its streets and principal buildings with clectricity, the same as any other modern city. There is not a great deal of heat thrown of by a small bulb, but there was enough, by giving it time, to bring the diagram of the mine out on the back of the check, Then,-Joe showed it to his mining partner, and before it faded away the prospector had all the details in his mind. “If that tip proves toe be the real thing there will be a for- tune instead of a living in the mine for both of us, but chistly for you. You must buy up all the outstanding stock you can find; and then when the discovery becomes known there will be only a few outsiders to participate in the cutting of the melon,” said Hawley. . “TH attend to that right away. I have plenty of money to do it with, and enough to put into the working of the mine ‘without putting up any stock for sale.” They talked till Joe said it was time for him te turn in, and then they parted for the night. “The next day, after another interview, Hawley went to the property to begin private work to open up the lost ledge, while Joe went around to a broker and gave him an order to buy up every share of the Golden Argosy he could find at the lowest price. In a few days the broker turned over to him about 100,000 shares. How - outstanding. The books showed that fully 60,000 more were held in the Hast, and the balance in different parts of the West. - At the end of the week Hawley found the ledge at the point . indicated, and he and Joe held a jollification over the fruition of their hopes. ~ Nothing further was to be done until all the stock had been bought that could be obtained, Joe sent in his resignation to Mr. Drew and told him he would explain the reason when he got back to New York. _ Wifteen thousand’ more shares were picked up in’ Denver, Kansas City and other places, then Joe started Fast. - folks. He had written them all about his success with the Golden _ Argosy mine, i He called on his late bus and told him everything. ’ Needless to say that Mr, Drew was amazed to find that his messenger had blessomed out into a real mine owner, and of '.a@ property that premised great results. oe at once opened an office in the same building, and put the name of his mine on the door, He went around among the mining brokers and secured 85,000 shares more at a mere bagatelle. ‘That left only 50, 000 shares out, and Joe made no further effort to hunt those shares 55 eae . Of ‘the 450,000 shares purchased, which included the 260,000 mtrolling interest first hought, Joe kept 300, £90, and gave ley 150, 000, at gave him a Setar interest in the whole mine; brother-in-law and the man Decker. had hired as the. man who had done the dentistry work on the corpse, and the brother-in-law of Barron as the man who had ab- ducted him from Zolliver & Co.’s office in the cab. a reels 1S De aR Sa se Sees Raa we apes Sees eventually put on trial, convicted and sent to prison for long terms. ing order the discovery of the lost ledge was made publ. and created something of a sensation in Goldfsid. was little stock in sight, though 25 cents a share Bi od offered Low Ati." | Jersey City and was daily dealt in at Goldfield quotations. ‘That made 140,000 shares he had bought in of the 240,000 the ore assayed high from the start. on the work. As Joe took possession of the remains of Smith, and had bs: sent ou 4 Mage Spite and buried there. : pector’ eee. : cents a share, and three months afterward it went to $1." When he arrived hone hé* was joyfully received by his|milion for his interest in the mine. dend and kept it up every three months thereafter, home, and he took advantage of the fact to pay atten ° to Grace Drew, to whom he in time becam¢ engaged, with parents’ consent. stock going up to $4, and by the time Joe married Miss Dre he was regarded as a very rich young Man, aud this weal all came to him through the strangest tip in Wall Street. TUNH; AND aia SMART BOY WHO FOUND 17.” - Dai Hawley a three-tenths interest, or half as much as Joe, ane left ‘one-fifth divided among a large number of small, Seat- ; tered stockholders. 2 The compeny was reorganized, with Joe as president, Ha ley as vice-president and general manager, and a Goldfield man as seeretary-treasurer, Dick Singleton was presented with ten shares of stock and : elected a director. Mr. Drew also accepted ten shares and cons a diréctor. 7 pee resigned as messenger and went to work. as Joe's gen-. ‘al assistant in the Wall Street office, and: was in full charge ~ of same when Joe was out of the city. ay While these things were under way, and before the an- nouncement was made public that, the Yost ledge in the Golden Argosy had been found, the police rounded up the insurance swindlers. The man Jim, whose other name was Barron, waited two Et months before making a move to collect the four insurance policies for $10,000 each he held on the life of the insured, who proved to be his brother-in-law. Then, believing that everything was safe, he had the re- mains of the comnte dug out of the ruins and carried to his house. He notified the. four insurance companies to identify {he 5 skaleton of his alleged brother-in-law. They each sent a representative, who viewed all that w left of William Smith, took Barron’s sworn statement and made their reports, The manager of the claim department of each company had not forgotten the notice he had received from the Jersey City police, The \pclice were notified and put onto Barron. f That individual’s house was shadowed, and one night. the — police called and arrested not only Barron but his disguised a: % os As Fletcher was still in prison, the autheniee now. bad th whole bunch in their hands. Joe was sent for and he recognized Barron as the man ree him to take the package to the old house; Decker z Indictments’#ere found against the four and ihey were # As. soon as the new Golden Argosy company was in work- The mine was relisted on the Goldfield Mxchange, but th re Some 25,000 shares turned up, between Wall ‘Birest and Work in the mine was begun.on a small scale at first, and Joe advanced the money as a loan to He company to carry Immediately after the arrest of | ‘the {nahhanes swindlers, Six months later Golden Argosy stock was selling for That made Joe's holdings worth $300,000. Before the year was out the company paid its Png: Joe was now received as a welcome visitor at Mr. Drew" The Golden Argosy continued a great ate sucesss, | Next week's issue will contain “A SHORT CUT TO FOR POSTAL FOR OUR FREE w
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FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. ‘Harry Pullman, twenty-three years oe of Brooklyn, N. Y., is in a serious condition at a local hospital from the logs of his left-arm, which was severed by the: wi heels of a trolley car at Buffalo, N.Y. danuary 25 °F purposely put my left arm under the wheels of a street car in order to have it cut off,” said Pullman in a sworn statement to- _ day. “I was commanded by Heaven to do this, and I did it Bt of my own free will, I am not a drinking man. I knew and realized what I was doing. oss An icy wedding trip, with the bridestoom and bride ~ beating their way, was revealed to-day when word. was re- ceived at Wilmington, Del., January 2, that Henry Hoff- man, twenty-two years old, of Shamokin, Penn., and his bride; who was Miss Daisy Ray, nineteen years old, of Sunbury, Penn., rode from Philadelphia to Reading, fifty- eight miles, in the icebox of a refrigerator car. When the pair went to the Rev, G. L. Wolfe recently they told him they had been in Wilmington since Deane 26.and had Jost or money. — Offley Wee Blackie, ec Pomeranian, arrived at San Francisco,” January 2, in a private car and immedi- ately disappeared, to be relayed along through three pairs hands to a mysterious woman, who. paid $5,000 for him. The dog weighs three pounds and four ounces, but the woman who wanted him would have paid more than the $96 an ounce that he cost had it been necessary to get Offley Wee’s ticket from New York to Chicago cost Rather, his tickets cost that amount, because his istodian had to buy seventeen of them at 35 ¢ apiece so at the ea might have a special Pullman car to himself. Postmaster W. H. Davis, of Pittsburgh, freee urchasing heavy» wagons in which to handle the many _ sample bricks and steel products dumped into the post- office to-day for transmission by the parcel post. More nan a score of bricks and terra cotta manufacturers in city annually send sey eral carloads of bricks and hol- tile to architects and prospective builders throughout ountry. The postmaster had several inquiries ‘from ecept them if they did not weigh over cleven pounds nd were so Wr apped as not to damage other mail. 4 a reward for jee fidelity during the year 1912, em- oyes of the United States Steel Corporation will receive mus amounting to $1,500,000. This is the annual dis- ution by the trust to all employes holding: its shares the profit-sharing plan inaugurated in 1903. The eorporation last year, and will be participated in by $30,000,000 par, manufacturers last week as to whether the bricks | rould be accepted by him. He replied that he would have | us is about the same as that paid out of the pr ofits of: ‘CURRENT NEWS Closely following the announcement that employes will be allowed this year to subscribe for common stock it is stated that it is not probable that a limit will: be placed upon the total number of shares’ to be offered. Because of this it would not be surprising if more shares were taken by employes in 1913 thar in 1912. In 19l1a total of 37,000 men subscribed for 30,600 shares of pre- ferred and 30,2 750 shares of common. The terms of the Russo- Mongolian treaty of November 3 _ were published in Peking, December 19. The Chinese regard them as far more comprehensive than the Man- churian agreements which finally led to the Russo-Jap- anese war. The features to which the Chinese particularly object as infringing China’s sovereignty are the right they give Russia to send consuls and consular guards to Mon- golian points and to establish postoffices. ‘The treaty’ also adpords to Russian subjects freedom to trade, establish manufactories, buy land, to arrange concessions for min- ing, fishing and forestry, and for the navigation of the rivers flowing into Russian territory. Russia is obstructing the negotiations in connection with the loan to China of $125,000,009 by the six-power group of bankers, according to the Pel king correspondent of “The Daily Mail.” Russia takes the ground that this group cannot lend money “ig aid” Chinese military preparations in Mongolia. Nineteen hundred and twelve was a year notable for the Jarge number of small failures reported. Thus, the agere- vate number for the full calendar. year, as reported ’ to Bradstreet’s, was 13.832, an increase of 9.3 per cent. over 1911, which year in turn showed an increase of 9.2 per cent.'over 1910, and there was shown a decrease from 1908, the year of after-panic strain, of only 1.5 per cent. the exception of the last mien oned year, in fact, 1912, was the most prolific year in business castaltics that there had been since 1896, and was surpassed only three times in ‘the last thirty years. As regards liabilities, however, — the ‘showing was) relatively better. Thus, although the number of failures in 1912 exceeded the number in 1911 and 1910 by 1,186 and 2,259, respectively, the liabilities, which aggregated $197,995,457, exceeded those of the above years by only about $10,000 ,000, or 5 per cent., in each Pansie The percentage of assets to liabilities was rela- tively low, namely, 49.9 per cent.; as against 54.2 per cent. in 1911 and 49.8 per cent in 1910. Despite the large in- , crease in number of casualties, so great was the increase in those in business that the percentage of all those in busi- ~ ness failing was only 82-100 of 1 per cent., as against 7% — 100 of 1 per cent. in the preceding year, There: were fewer failures in. the. Northwest than in 1911, a slight increase | only in the West, but considerable increases in the other sections of the eountry. The middle group and the South ore than 65,000 employes who own preferred and com-; furnished the larger portion of the increased liabilities, ee tock. . re was estimated early this year that employes while the West, Par West and Northwest showed smaller oe about 800, 000 biel: of common | es pee or! failure damage, Sn as W ith Pat
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THE BOY DIVERS THE MYSTERY OF THE SUNKEN SHIP FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. 7 } 5 ae By GASTON GARNE (A SERIAL STORY) CHAPTER II. (Continued) It was death to struggle further into the breakers, and it was only after a strife with the waves and storm that taxed their eourage and endurance to the utmost that the crew made the beach again. “The life-line! The life-line! It’s the only hope of the doomed vessel now!”? shouted old Dan, as the boy divers reached the beach with their brave comrades. The great cannon, carrying the ball to which the life- line was made fast, was already in place. The gunner sighted over the lights of the vessel which was now be- lieved to be pounding on the outer reef. It meant that the eannon-ball carrying the life-line should be discharged over the vessel. 'Then.the line would drop across her decks and being made fast by the crew, a communication would be established with the shore. Upon the line was a hawser rigged to run over the line to and from the vessel, and secured to it the seamen might be drawn through the sea to the beach. 4 oh But, although he regarded his senses, his mind was not ~ clear. In a state of delirium he Jay muttering and tossing — before the warm fire in the old diver’s cabin for hours. The ~ good doctor from the. village was called and he ministered ~ to the sufferer as best he could. Meantime, the divers — learned that he whom they had rescued was the only per- — son saved from the wreck. Mg Toward morning, while the boys and old Dan watched | beside him, the sailor’s mutterings beeame somewhat intel- ligible, end several times they heard him mention the name Captain Wayne Lynn. iaiensely excited, Dick exclaimed: “He repeats the name of Vadna’s father, the captain of the lost treasure ship. What can it mean?” Almost in the next breath the shipwrecked sailor cried out in delirium : “We are lost! The Conqueror is doomed -with all. ae gold!” The boy divers and their old instructor stared at each The eannon was discharged, and as its dull hoom thun-| %ther, trembling with excitement. dered above the roar of the storm the ball carrying the life- sline went hurtling over the waves, But a chorus of wild, despairing screams just then as- eended from the waves, telling that the imperiled seamen were engulfed. It was believed then that the vessel had gone to pieces on the reef, for the lights vanished. Ire long the waves began to cast wp the debris of the wreek along the coast, and this was the proof that the worst had befallen the ill-fated vessel. _ Along the coast the life-savers’patroled the sea, with their storm-lanterns in hand, seeking for the waifs of the wreck who might be cast up by the waves. — The old diver with Dick and or pned, in the search for the victims. Ere long they stumbled upon ihe body of a man. He had been cast up on,the beach beyond the reach of the cruel sea, and, at first, it was supposed that he was dead. _ But upon resorting to the eustomary measures of restoring the drowned, the divers detected certain signs of life, which e oy pias ae {het to increased efforts. ‘ - They bore the half drowned man to old Dan’s cabin, ada there they finally sueceeded in TESROEEG the man from the meg: to consciousness. He was evidently about fifty years of age, clad in a coarse seaman’ s garb, and everything about him seemed to pro- claim is he was a common sailor, “Heaven has sent us a clew to the lost treasure np : eried Dick. “Tt must be so. Evidently this man was one of the crev of that vessel,” assented old Dan, solemnly: “Then he must know where the sea engulfed Vadna’s — inheritance. He must—he shall live to reveal this ‘great. a secret !” exclaimed Dick. CHAPTER III. THE SEA WOLVES. ones abrohd aiptn the coast, near Seminole Plat thot night of storm and peril. A band of a dozen rough-looking men—evidently wat side characters—were wandering along the coast, watchin the lights of the doomed vessel on the rocks before she went to pieces. : - The leader of the party was a tall man, attired like ees but he was evidently one of a different class. ‘He kept his storm hat drawn down over his eyes, and the col- lar of his waterproof muffled his' face ‘to the extent his features could not be seen. i
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FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. a “The shoal beacon was not set in-time, else the yessel would have been dashed in upon the reefithere, some miles to the-south, beyond the woods that shut out. the .true light on Seminole Point. The plunder of the wreck is by the. life-savers,” said the muffled leader of he sea wolves. “ello! Yonder is a brake light, in the cabin of old ' Dan, the diver!” exclaimed one of the band. ~ “Yes,” assented the chief, “anf we must keep well ~ clear of the cabin. The old diver is a keen one, and I more than half believe he already suspects me.” “Dan, the diver, is dangerous to us. He is likely to cause us trouble yet. I, for one, would like to send him to the bottom of the sea,” remarked another. . “Hush! Yonder is a moving light. Some one comes! > Quick, lads! This way !?"' The leader of the party*led his men behind a mass of jutting rocks, and concealed there they watched the ‘mov; ing lights. i They drew nearer and presently old Dan, with Dick “and Mark, the boy divers, came in sight, bearing the sea- ~ nian they had picked up on the beach between them. ~The concealed men watched the party until they en- tered old Dan’s cabin. - ‘Then they conversed and the chief finally said: _ “The divers tiave found one of the men from the wreck. Now do you all remain here while I advance to the cabin. erhaps I may there learn some particulars regarding he Ace vessel, spy.” “All right, Captain Onslow,” aineatad one of the band, and then the leader erept stealthily away, ‘He was really Captain Onslow, the owner of the old oast mansion, and the foe of the boys divers and beautiful Vadna Lynn. The suspicions entertained by old Dan, regarding the man who held the mortgage on the old homestead, which eltered Vadna, her uncle and the boy divers was correct. ~ Certainly Onslow was in league with the secret band of veekers who had long cursed that portion of the coast} ‘ith their evil presence. Posing as an honest man in the light of day, by night Onslow was the wrecker chief, and this double life he had ong led, conducting ° himself with so much cunning and ecrecy that the proof of his two-fold character had not et been discovered. “In the light of this racine it seemed that Onslow ght have aA in his power to bring dire penis, mpen the ve boys whom he hated. Aided by his villainous band, he might resort. to abceel lence against them and Vadna. Onslow cautiously approached the old diver’s cabin and ained a window. There he crouched down in the ao shadows and lis- ed. He was able to hear all that was said by the in- tes of the cabin, | 1e spy heard the delirious ravings of the man from wreck: . He caught. the name of Pp does Wayne ee ee sailor meirnes il rae pest a8 ies Jost to us, and we must take care that we are not Uacoreret, At all events, I mean to act the part of | secret captive. nition. hereafter Basie onuear: new ay ie interest. He iad heard the story of the Tost treasure ship that car- tied Vadna’s inheritance. The legend was common prop- erty among the people of the coast yillage. Onslow reniained at his post under the window vie the night wore on. His small, beady black eyes glanced avari- ciously, and his evil, plotting mind was occupied with: startling ideas. , Jt was surely an adverse fate that led Onslow to play ~ the spy’at the cabin of the old diver-that night, for he was still listening at the window when, as recorded, the ship- wrecked sailor cried out, in his delirium: “We are lost The Conqueror is doomed with all her gold!” After that utterance the sailor made no further con- nected revelation, nor did his delirium subside. > It was. decided at length by old Dan and the boys’ that the ‘condition of the man, whom they now fully believed held the secret of the lost treasure-ship, demanded that the doctor should be called to his side again w apy further delay. “He must be saved. Oh, think what vital interest may depend ‘upon his restoration! Vadna’s inheritance is at stake. This man can tell us where the treasure-ship ye ‘| down!” cried Dick. “And once we know that, we will nck the bottom of the sea until we’ find the sunken ship and her cargo of gold!” exclaimed old Dan, who fully shared the excitement and ‘solicitude of his young comrade. “Mark and I will go to the village for the doctor,” ee volunteered. “Yes, and we'll not return without him,” assented Mark. “And meanwhilé I’ll watch beside the unfortunate sailor here, Hasten, boys! Ruf as fast as you can! The man’s life means the salvation of your uncle—the defeat of Onslow!” said old Dan, urgently. The boys hastened from the cabin. But they saw nothing of Onslow at the window. The villain saw the two lads disappear t in the eam and then he crept away. . Swiftly he made his way back to his men, others “T see the game clear before me. The shipwrecked sailor must never reveal his secrets of the lost treasure ship to Dan Tyson or the boy divers. No, no! Before the lads can return to the cabin I must spirit the man — from the wreck away. Tl do it! He shall become my To me alone shall he reveal where the treasure ship sunk beneath the waves. tune, and it shall all be mine!” . Having rejoined his men, Onslow quickly’ acquainted Ee, them with his design to abduct the sailor and the plan <2 to accomplish the desired end was at once arranged. ~The sea-wolves were all residents of the neighborhood, i zs | who, like their leader, posed as honest men. But anoath of secrecy bound them all and there had never been a traitor in the band.» , The wreckers were known to old Dai and the boy divers te in the characters — eaocmnt Oy day. Sa tone Sees Pk tie be Continua) £ This means a for-
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FAME ees AND FORTUNE WEEKLY, FACTS WORTH READING = |) — ss “JACK HORNER” A REALITY. Few people know that the nursery legend of “Tittle Jack Horner” conceals a real tragedy. At the Reforma- tion the chief of an abbey in the west of England resolved to surrender, and in token thereof to send the deeds of the religious house to Henry VIII., at Whitehall. For secur- - ity’s sake the abbot placed the documents in ’ pie-dish and covered them with crust. The dish, without a word about the contents, he gave to a lout, Jack Horner, with instructions to carry it by road to the King in London, About half-way, Jack Horner became ravenous and came to the conclusion that it was foolish of him to starve _. while he was the custodian of a pie. So he broke the crust and put in his thumb and pulled out—a roll of parch- ments! The disgusted Jack Horner chucked the lot into an adjacent brook. The non-arrival of the deeds caused bluff King Hal to suspect the abbot of contumacy, so his Majesty commanded that. the poor cleric should be hanged. TO EXPLORE THE UPPER AMAZON. _» Algot Lange, on the eve of his departure into the unex- plored Upper Amazon, gave a small dinner the other night to some of his most. intimate friends, among whom was - Commodore BE. C. Benedict and Caspar Whitney, in the _ Hofbrau Restaurant, at Fighty-third street and Broadway. - Mr. Lange will sail for the northern end of the. Amazon, and will dwell among the strange tribes that. inhabit the various tributaries for three years or more. -_. “JT want to say goodby to you, gentlemen,” said Mr. ~~ Lange. “J am sailing for Brazil in the morning—that is, - if 1 cam get up the gangplank. I hope to return in about _. three ‘years. Just two years ago, on Christmas evening, - . I sat with my wife with but 13 cents and two ham sand- a wiches in my pockets. I went to the American Geo- graphical Society a short while later and then things changed. To-morrow I shall head an expedition of my own.” | Mr. Lange does not look like the explorer who, with- out any experience, traveled ‘and lived among the head- hunting tribes of the upper tributaries of the. almost un- known Amazon. He is slight, young, quite pale and does not look the part of ihe intrepid explorer that he is known = to Bey $2, 000, 000 PARKS FOR PARIS. The: City Council of Paris, on January 3, by a vote of 67 to 8, voted to acquire from ‘the Government the fortifica- tioris and adjacent military zone. It is purposed to Ld een forin the tract into parks and recreation grounds. The acquisition of the land, which lias been the subject ‘ Pt negotiations between the State and City Councils for} ore than thirty years, will constitute the greatest scheme of inprovement of the ee since Baron Hguenienn' 8 cele . |haunts near the hatchery, apparent] y none the worse fo 3 -| her temporary imprisonment in the State reservoir, — brated plan of 1853, which included. beautification of the — Bois de Boulogne and the Park of Vincennes and extend- 4 ing the sewer and water supply systems. ‘The price to be paid by the city for the property will — be $20,000,000. It be turned over in annual installments of $1,000,000 for the first eight years, and afterward at : the rate of $400,000 annually. The cost of razing the for- — tifications and laying out new roads and gardens is esti- — mated at $24,000,000, and about $2,500,000 will be spent — in the erection of a railing around the city. The councils will sell for building purposes a part of | the land acquired. An exact estimate of the sum to ie : realized in this respeet is impossible. However, it is be- lieved that the execution of the project will cost the city, al] considered, about $20,000,000. wake f DEER CAUGHT IN FISH POND. A fish hatchery reservoir is intended for the raising o! fish, but it seems it may prove to be a deer trap. ‘Tha’ was the startling discovery made by Craig, an employe.a Mf the Linlithgo Hatchery in Columbia County, N. Y., ‘the other evening when he went up to the large reservoir ‘for the daily inspection. a Craig saw standing in two feet of water 4 a large doe, which “weigh ed at least 140 pounds. The deer seemed completely exhausted and looked up at the man, maki a mute but eloquent appeal for assistance. When. Craig showed no signs of coming to the rescue the doe waded : out toward the centre of the reservoir, in which the wa : had been lowered to two feet, and, turning. toward ¢ ten-foot wall, rushed at the precipitous barrier, She ma a gallant effort, leaping fully ten feet, But the attem was useless, because on top of the ten-foot wall was a fo % foot wire fence. Foreman Rhines and the State Fish Cultuvisty Dr, as Tarleton H. Dean, who happened to be inspecting. the hatchery, were summoned to see the novel sight of a trapped in a fish pond. They at once considered to release the imprisoned doe. Dr. Dean suggested seine, but none of suitable size for the purpose was at hand. Foreman Rhines finally made.a lasso, and, after severa attempts, managed to fasten the noose around the de A dozen men helped haul the struggling animal out of he. pond. When released the doe bounded away appar unhurt. Next day she was seen in one of her accustom It was ascertained that the doe had been pursuer dogs and in her fright had leaped over the fence inclos ing the reservoir, going down over the wall into the water Fortunately she was there safe from attack by the which could not reach her. One of the guilty dogs ras later apprehended and shot. ; Deer are becoming plentiful in sist sections f Colu bia County. One of the Li Linlithgo hatchery = one morning a ie
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FAME - CHAPTER VI. (Continued.) In ten minutes a messenger came in and said that the soldiers had assembled and we tliree went out to inspect ior end, burning several houses and peeing the in- “habitants to flight. Then we marched against them, when a few shots from Ned, Bess and myself so. terrified them that they fled, 1d our meh »ursued them till they sought shelter in the dden passes of the mountains and it was impossible to follow them further. Then we all returned to the chief town and there were eat rejoicings and jubilation fsr days, during which time we talked over our plains for the fature, . Ned’was of the opinion that we should search for the Jost mines at once, but Bess and I urged that we must first get these people in perfect subjection and secure peace hroughout the group, and Ned finally came to our way er aes ess eel test te stint én agility, her ; e-skin and the strange things alte carried about her ‘ainade Bess a wonderful person at the start, and she taken care to foster the natives’ belief in her magical as from the time she je landed on the ssland. ere and ineiiine ipiereatase between ¢ sat the Saas ki peoneh we all “had no end ofa wendy moat to go about @ ie we set off together, Ned in his sailor clothes, in short | skirt ae i serviceable boots and I. in my about clothes, we two boys with rifles sling over our re? $ one thing about it,” said N ‘fi at ved which fell. somewhere among the’ AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. BESS AND MYSELF WHE SEARCH FOR THE’ KING'S LOST GOLD MINE By ED KING te ite: het we liked to! ‘put ceremony pec and pithy wander off just like two boys and a girl and enjoy our |. some miles. fran: the ee ee pwalked. ties joying new tas ses at avriny ete, till a (A SERIAL STORY) | got to get more powder and lead somewhere, or we'll tow to give up shooting.” eWe e could use gold bullets,” I suggested. “Yes, or pebbles, but we must have gunpowder. nih or an hour the hillmen arcs the town at the|Where on carth has that bird got to?” t We were scrambling over the rocks, which were thick here, when suddenly Wed cried : “There it is, but there’s a gully or something’ down’ there.” i He was standing on the edge of a deep depression, at the bottom of which lay the dead bird, He jumped down from rock to rock a distance of quite thirty feet, and then shouted: ~“Oh, I say, Art, Bess, come down if you can. There’s a cave here, a regular limestone cave. It goes in quite a distance. You can-get down by those trees, Bess.” ‘ We got down safely enough, and found the mouth of stone formation. We went in for ahout fifty feet and saw many beautiful ' what seemed a considerable caye of an unmistakable lime- Mh hatatte formations, what we saw whetting our appetite — to see more of the beauties of the strange place. “Come on,” said Ned, enthusiastically; “the place is safe enough if we had lights, We can mark our way on ithe walls. We can’t get 16st: This is an elegant cave, and I want to see more’ of. it.? | : ; “Yes, but we have’no torches.” “Wait a minute, shore. We'll soon have all the torches we want.” There’s lots of fat, piny wood along He dashed off, leaving his rifle belind, and returned in about five minutes, the ax ‘in one hand and a Peer! of pine torches in the other. : “Now,” he said, lightine one of the torches and throw. ing'a middy glare through the cavern, “come along and ex plite the mysteries of Crusoe’s Cave.” We went on together, each with a flaming torch, taking eare to!leave smoke marks on the white walls at peer | intervals to guide us on our way back. For a time there was only one passage, but, at last. we came. to an open chamber with three ane) dead alders and ee bee the ax in Ae belt, Boss Ww ith her Ais diss : were} Soe of ‘still Ww He ial reflected the Tight of our ved, as he brought | torches like mirrors. |. We crossed the chamber, took the central 1 passage ‘and ‘ De
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eA FAME AND FORTUNE W PURLY. after a long walk, the passage hecente tog: low toy go on without stooping, and then suddenly ended. “Tet’s go back,” said Ned, and we retraced our steps, finding our way easily by the smoke on the walls. _ We were walking ahead, chatting gayly, and having no thought of danger, when Bess suddenly cried out: “Ned, Arthur, stop! We have lost our way!” CHAPTER VII. LOST IN THE CAVE. “Lest our way?” I echoed, coming to a sudden pause. “Tnrpossible. We came straight and we are going back the same way.” “Certainly we are,” added Ned, but I could detect a certain quaver in his voice which was not reassuring. “There were no side passages as we went along.” “There must have been,” said Bess. ‘Where are the smoke spots left by our torches? Do you see any?” “Wait here a moment,” said I, advancing a few yards and examining both sides of the passage for the ie marks. “Well, it’s all right, isn’t a Arthur?” I heard Ned presently shout. No, it sate not all right and I knew it was not when Ned ealled me “Arthur,” for he invariably called me “Art” unless something was wrong. _ There was not a sign of » smoke mark on the walls and now I noticed that the formation was different from what we had seen. “No, it isn’t,” I shouted back. Stay where you are.” J hurried back and, then Ned went in the other direc- tion until we quite lost sight of him. Presently we heard him shouting and we saw the light of his torch. “Come on!” he cried. “T guess it’s all right.” I knew it wasn’t by the way he spoke, but I said noth- ing as I helped Bess along the rough way, lighting a fresh torch for her, as the one she carried was nearly burned out. “Tt’s no use disguising things,” said Ned, as we reached him. “TI haven’t been able to find our old ‘path, and just ahead of ug is a place where four or five roads branch out ,and I, don’t know which one to take.” peed “Would your conipass help us any?” asked Bess. still have it?” “Yes,’”’ said Ned, taking a little brass compass from his. pocket, “but as I didn’t notice the direction,when we came in, I doubt if it will do us any good now,” “The set is to the north of the beach,” said Bess, “and if we took a southerly direction coming in, we must go to the north going out.” “Yes, if. we cee ” said Ned. “But you must remember | : that we were a long way from town and the shore curves. We may have been going west when we entered.” “You might try going north,” said Bess. “Well, “Come on, “We've gone wrong, “You we will,” said Ned. There’ll be ~ paths enough to choose from.” We went on to where the passages branched and fol- | We can get sulphur from, the volcano, I don’t tothe and lowed the northerly..one, but after going a hundred feet the path; grew so‘steep ¢ that I urged my companions to be. cautious. “Wenever took this pee » T said. look sharp, Bess. We ‘don’ end.” “T am afraid I do,” said Ned, waving his hand. there!” His toreh had burned low and he cast it from him, not a few feet, or even yards, for it suddenly went plunging down, down, down, right over a tremendous precipice. Then it, went out and at the same moment I heard as strange rumble behind us. : “What is that—an earthquake?” “’m sure I don’t know, but let’s go back. tainly is the wrong path, even if we could go on.’ +a We went back, Ned lighting a fresh eel but soon after we reached the level again he uttered a —. exclamation. ; “What is the matter?” . “A part of the rock has fallen and cut off our retreat! “Then that is the sound we heard?” i : ; “Be eareful, Ned; t know where this thing will, “Look Seige cer- “Yes; it is very wet in here and the rock has Gnally given way. There’s no use. A mouse couldn’t get through — here.” E e “But we can’t go back,” L said, putting my hand on . the 4 rock, which seemed strangely cold, ot “We can’t go forward, Art, that’s sure enough. ‘We must go back. Perhaps we ital find a path leading g along- side the chasm. We can’t stay here. We’ve got to oe forward.” “Hello!” I answered. “Well, what is it??? “There is saltpetre in this rock. I tasted it.? Ned answered in a tone in which disgust was the greate part: “Well, I don’t see how that is going to help us. thought you had found the way out.” «But saltpetre is one of the ingredients of gun powder it will be easy to make charcoal and there we are. Ty studied all about it.” “That’s the beauty of having a college education, Bess,” said Ned. “Art thinks of making gunpowder when we ° don’t know whether. or not we shall ever get out of this wretched hole that Iso foolishly led you into.” “You are no more foolish than I was,” I answered, “Come, it may be as you say, that there is a path along the precipice. Let us go slowly and cautiously and watch. our a) sg he ing ‘the sate Ee down, aoe we went till at last I found m} there was just iG 4 re as spe had imagined, lea alongside a deep, cup-shaped chasm, aN? There was room enough and to spare on this pat we pushed on and on, I on the lookout for some path | ing from it, ; «(To be Continued) j
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® Texas dogs. The Galveston News is sponsor for it: “So ealistic was the moving picture of a dog that a similar animal in the audience jumped on the stage and ran. varking, around the screen after the dog in the picture. Before he could be restrained he demolished the screen.” ~ Human ashes were mailed by parcel a at the St. Louis post-office January 9 to Edwardsville, Ul, where they will be buried in the grave that was dug a Frederick Nau- mann. Naumann died at Edwardsville, and preparations or the funeral had been made and the grave dug when was learned that Naumann’s will directed that the body e cremated. The body then was brought to the St. Louis srematory. “Yo find a record-breaking pearl, sell it for $500 and hen learn of its sale in New York for $9,000 is enough to se a man lose heart,” says John Risley, a farmer boy, in Arkansas last summer. Risley sold his prize to a a pearl- buyer from Cotter, who later disposed of it for $1,000. It vas last sold in New York City, where a wealthy young man is said to have paid $9,000 for it. The Risley earl is one and seven-eighths inches in circumference, nd is perfect in shape and lustre, Three million dollars were appropriated December 24 y the directors of the port of Boston for the construction South Boston of one of the largest drydocks in North erica. The drydock will accommodate a ship 1,000 fect length and 120 feet in breadth.” The directors’ action ‘ollow ed the reading of a letter from P. A. S. Franklin, ‘ice-president of the White Star Line, Mr. Franklin ex- essed the willingness of certain steamship companies to FROM ALL POINTS Tfere is a Hee of how realistie moving pictures affect | ite i in paying $50,900 a year for twenty years to provide ra drydock at this port capable. of receiving a steamship the largest size. mvicts in the Joliet (i. ) Penitentiary are receiving bh pleasure from a series of moving picture entertain ts being given’ in the institution by Warden E, Murphy. When the first of the entertainments was given ecently the, prisoners, old and young, laughed and ap- ded like so many children. Hunidueds of the men ad never before seen a motion picture, having been in the yrison for fifteen or twenty years or more. For the first e many of them saw acroplanes, racing automobiles in 1d modern battleships in ‘motion, and other marks of n the will of G. Oscar Pfeiffer, of Scarsdale, filed the er day with Surrogate William A. Sawyer, of Westches- ounty, XN. X,. and which disposed of an estate oe ia Ww ho leads a Ahan or unrighteous life, engages ers or unrighteous business, or who lives in “riot- Br a, ‘Vey was holder of the title. 25 out idleness” shall be cut off from any share in-the estate. "The will further provides that any son. who shall be ad- judged a drunkard in the legal sense of the word shall not share in the property. In such case any share of such a son shall go to the family of such son. All of the estate _ goes to the wife, Lois Hl. Pfeiffer, and the children, with |the exception of $5,000 each to the testator’s nieces, Paul- ine A. Oehler and Emma T. Pfeiffer. Mrs. Pfeiffer and James G. Cannon, of Scarsdale, president of the Fourth National Bank, of this city, are the executors. Mr. Pfeif- - fer had lived a retired life for several years. During the | Civil War he was-an architect at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and later he had ship-designing offices here.’ A large Bet of his property consists of ranches in Wyoming. Tron Man Joe McGinnity was back in Newark spend- ing the holidays and arranging to move from that city to acorn Wash., where his baseunlt interests now are. Me- Gtmhnity, with ‘thie brother-in-law, Frank Redpath, pur- chased the Tacoma club after he sold his ees in the Newark Indians, McGinnity is highly pleased with the outlook in Ta- coma, and he says he is going to start the season right by. haying the Governor of the State of W hh ea pitch’ out the first ball. MeGinnity tells with much relish of the fight ; be had before the meeting of the Northwestern heabue: to get the schedule changed to eiye Tacoma more home games. He was obliged to talk on the floor for an hour before he gained his point, Last year the Tacoma club had only fifty-eight games at home, and was to have received the same % otment this year. McGinnity wanted it doubled” and got it. He also got Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. He opens on April 15 and closes September 28. After the league granted McGinnity’s request as to schedule he entertained the delegates at a banquet. Sam Langford knocked out Sam McVey at Sydney, Australia, December 26, in the thirteenth round of one of the fiercest heavyweight battles seen in Australia in years. The negroes had many an old grudge to settle, and from the tap of the gong they fairly jumped at each other, to the wild shouts of the big er Bea In the first ie Lang- 1 | ford landed lefts and rights with such power that MeVey was driven to the ropes by the heavy punishment. In the — second and third rounds there was little to, choose, but Langford floored his opponent in the fourth with a‘crash- ing uppercut to the chin, and from that point McVey was on the defensive. The end came in the thirteenth round, when Langford, after showering his rival with blow after blow, landed a terrific right, which sent MeVey crashing to the mat for the full count. By winning Langford earned the heavyweight championship of Australia, as Me- The men had met in five other bouts, of which Langford won three, lost one and boxed a draw in the other. Langford is thirty-two years old and has been fighting off and on since 1902, Bovis with marked success, : Hepes se Dagan?
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FAME AND BORTUNE WEEKLY. sah 5% Fame and Fortune ‘Weekly | NEW YORK, FE BRUAI RT 19 13, TERMS TO SUBSCRIBERS -05 Cents -65 Cents $1.25 $2.50 5 Single Copies i One Copy Three Months. One Copy Six Months. ... One Copy One Year Postage Free. HOW TO SEND MONEY—At our risk send P.O. Money Order, Check or Registered Letter; remittances in any other way are at your risk. We accept Postage Stamps the same as cash. When seading silver wrap the Coin in a separate piees of paper to avoid cutting the envel- ope. Write your name and address plainiy. Address letlers ta Smnciam Tousty, Proeident Frank Tousey, Publisher B, Hasrixes, Treasurer $ 168 West 23d St., N.Y. Cuas. & Nvtaxpen, Secretary | _ ITEMS OF CURRENT NEWS _ A sensation has been caused in academic circles, Paris, by the death from morphine poisoning of Rene Bichet, one of the most brilliant graduates from the higher normal eollege, who was recently appointed professor Gf French in the Royal College at Budapest. The police’say that a col- lege friend, who was a victim of the morphine habit, in- duced Bichet to try the effects of the drug, and gave him a hypodermic injection, which proved fatal. The student has been arrested, and the police say that a search of his rooms in the college brought to light a forged physician’s prescription, through the use of which he obtained’ the mpi J Virginia has just passed a law taking the robin from the list of game birds. If only the other Souther States —there are six of them where the robin may be shot— would do the same! They will have to, in time. Public opinion in this matter is spreading southward very fast. _ . A bird whose fledgling, ornithologists tell us, eats, in bugs and worms, the equivalent of fourteen feet of caterpillars a day,-is of sufficient economic value to insure its protec- tion. Should the bill on migratory birds, now before Con- _ gress, become law, the robin will be under the care of the ‘national government and State legislation will not be so necessary, “New they are fighting the hookworm in the South with moving pictures. Part of Mr. Rockefeller’s donation to _ carry on the campaign against this intestinal disease, which ‘shows itself in most pronounced anemia, is being used in the production and exhibition of cinetiatobragh: ‘pictures ‘illustrating the prevention and cure of this strange mal- ady. A few years ago the public would have been as- tounded if it had been suggested that the shiftlessness of the “shiftless whitetrasl” was a disease, but that is ex- actly what specialists on thé subject think to-day. Statis- tics show that more than a million cures have been effected ten citiés of the South where the campaign with thé] t Rockefeller funds has been carried on. Now, in addition| Upon her going to the door the little girl said: to ae eet and free Rates on the ces Tree, wants to know if you can come over this afternoon. -of them ! He gets up, takes “over to Brother Smith’s dey are measurin’ de Eh for Thomas A. Edison, to whom the world probably. owes more than to any other living man, intends to revolution- ize our educational system “with moving pictures. TL plans to substitute edtics ational films for text-books in the ~ eight! lower grades of the public schools and teach. the» children as we study, nature—through the eye. “To teae children you've got to awaken their minds and keep their interest to the highest pitch,” said Mr. Edison in a re cent interview. “I intend to try to do away with text books in the lower grades, substituting in their stead mov-— ing pictures. We’ve got a lot of hicroglyphics—the alpha- bet. What is there in that to interest a child? When we get moving pictures in the school the child will be so in-— terested that he will hurry to school, for fear he will miss— some of the interesting pictures which will hold his inter- est. It’s the natural way to teach—through the eye. liga the way we learn from nature.” JOKES AND JESTS. Schoolmaster (trying to catch the boys) —How many months have twenty-eight, days in them? Smart Boy-—-All hymn. Cannibal—No, sir-ee. No music ait meals. this joint. ee se ceca wpbtetal ‘ ; “Here is where we keep the cows,” said the farmer’s old est son to the city beauty on the farm, and she exclaimed “Oh, how lovely! And which are the cows thats aie th ; buttermilk? ge “Who's that, pa?” a liftle Kansas youngster in “the Senate gallery at the Capitol inquired as a magnificent= looking old man rose before the opening of a session. “Phat, ty couche ie father, “is Edward ‘ Everett, Hale, the chaplain.” “Qh,”? said the boy, “he prays for the Senate doesn’t lve?” “Well, no,” said the father, “not exactly. a good look at the Senate and then Ae pay for the country.” pus , Bibeiiy a short and eiout friewil on ae Ree “What vou been doin’ to get tired?” demanded the othe “Well,” explained the chix one, drawing a deep breath, some new carpets. Dey haven't got no yawdstiek, jest ezactly six feet tall. So to oblige Brother Smit | been a-layin’ down and vargettin’ up “alk over deir hg ise t they sold it ie a ‘eee ‘My ne near Dy. days after the sale one of the little German girls he house and asked to ‘see the young lady of are Annie to play on the organ, as Wwe. are ® £01 ig to
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/\ THE GOLDEN IDOL. By John Sherman. ‘The sun went down over the African coast of the Med- iterranean, tinting the curling surf beating in on the ocky shore with variegated hues of golden “splendor. In the offing laid the trading schooner Molly Boggs, ecalmed, her sails hanging limply on the masts, and not a ripple disturbing the sluggish water at her bow. _ Within half a mile was the coast of the island of Pha- “ros, on the northeast point of which arose the ancient lighthouse of the same name, and in back of which stretched the mole, Heptastadium, connecting it with the mainland. _ The Molly Boggs had been laden with a miscellaneous eargo, most of which was gone, its place being occupied by : the products of Morocco, Algeria, Tunis and Tripoli, taken _ in exchange, - On the deck of the schooner - was a scene of idleness. A “tee stood at the ete a sete’ of pen porcs rel: years of age, conversing. - ‘One was a Nai boy, and.the other-a oan Hah man ee with a pipe in his mouth, his ‘lane in his kets and a telescope under his arm nearly a yard long. this moment Sherry pointed out at the water. “Looker dar! Wha’ yo’ call dat, sah?” he queried. A boat containing a young woman!” exclaimed Jack, n’ b’gum, she’s agoin’ ter board us, too,” added the captain, | eek ‘She had long. hase. failing down over her shoulders, was tired in a dress of a peculiar fabric, without sleeves, ‘ed very much like a Greek or an Egy ptian girl, and e no veil over her face, as is customary in Egpyt.. Her skin was almost copper colored, and as the boat ar We ilps they saw that she had a wondrously beautiful ae made her boat fast and with surprising agility ame up on the martingale shrouds to the deck, Her big black eyes royed around until she distinguished ptain from the rest; then she approached him. Are you the captain of this vessel ?” es, ma’am,” he veplied, with a sudden bow. “What's n’, ma’am?” aie at’s ther werry port as we hails tom, ma’am.” en take me to your country.” captain was astonished at this ‘eauect ake me to. Bey York!” he BRE ciak ain’t no FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. ) 2 Pagecaget vessel, ma ‘am. .An’ wot you'd, do -arter yer gits thar, 1 don’t know.’ f “In the first place, then, let me inform you I am mar- 9 — riod is “Married? toor” -| “Yes; my father was an English merchant—my mother a Greek woman, and we lived in Alexandria since I was born, for my father had his place of business there. . Both of my parents recently died of cholera, Ieaving me alone ~~ in the worid. A short time ago an American vessel . came hete to.carry away one of two.obelisks called Cleo- Oh! B’gum! of the crew of that vessel is my husband.” “Ah! ‘An’ ther lubber sailed away an’ lef yer: here alone?” : ss “He did, but it was owing to the rascality of an Egyp-' tian who desited my hand in marriage before I gave my 2 heart to Henry Gordon.” “So Gordon was your husband’s name?” “It was. His rival was Demetrius Soter, a pow -ertul tyrant, living on the mole, in the new Brucheium near 5 | the water, Tle is a favorite of the khedive, and laid a wicked conspiracy to separate me from my husband, in hopes that [ will marry him. On the western side of the city is the. Serapeion—the last heathen temple which the Christians stormed.in the year 39 and converted into a thurch. It is now a ruin, but still preserved the pagan deity of gold, called. Pasht. The: goddess was stolen, Demetrius accused me and my husband of the theft, On the day he and I were to sail I was seized, imprisoned, and my husband fled. After my husband fled i in the monolith — vessel I was liberated, the charge against me withdrawn, and 1 returned home only to find my husband had gone away, leaving me, in the supposition that I was killed. To excape the persecutions of my enemy and again meet my husband, I wish to accompany you.” * An’ so yer shall, my gal,” said the skipper, me, ma’am, wuz that ere idol really hooked?” “Demetrius had it taken from the ruined temple by hig negroes, and one of them secretly confessed to me where — it had been hidden. I went with him and saw it. My — exemy had it under his house. in vain for the valuable relic.” “Does anybody in pertickler vwn that ere golden idol?” ii Now Tt is' simply u relic of antiquity, claimed by the - government.” “Then b’gum, ma’am, I’m dias ter try ter git it my- a self.” ae “T will go ik you, but you had best arm yourself. ae “Certainly I will, m; lass. Now jist go inter my cabin — and make yourself comfortable as ye kin till nightfall, “i “But tell ae The girl bowed, and a moment later disappeared i in the fe cabin. me As the darkness settled down, lights began to open e ees the shore, and the captain went into the cabin — where Sherry had prepared: a tasteful repast, to which ae: Zuleima—the gitl—Jack, and he himself sat down to.. y After they arose from the table Boggs got Jack and Sherry and the two sailors together, ‘armed them with ee ss small arms, the boat Was = ready, eae An’ youre English-spoken, patra’s Needles, which King Thotmes III. erected, One — The authorities searched
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accompanied by the girl, they were rowed toward the island with her boat in tow. 3 The girl directed them in toward a broad an of A ead and after a while they came in sight of a wide flight-of stairs leading up from the water’s edge, at the summit of which stood a magnificent pillared house, surrounded by gardens. Zulcima told them it was the abode of her enemy. Guided new hy the land, they had but little difficulty i keeping along, and after they passed the stairs she said: Row in close to the shore. It is walled wp—the water deep,” : Fe, _ One hundred yards further on they found a mass of rocks, in, which was an aperture, into which Zuleima guid- -ed'them. ‘They had taken the precautien to bring feuchioks and leaving the bot they followed the girl into-an arched passage. A short, walk brought them to what seemed to be a huge cavern, and the girl darved ahead. The boy went. on after the girl with Sherry, when.sud- denly his feot struck something and he fell, The torch was extinguisbed—-the place wrapped in darkness. At the same time Jack heard a loud cry from the girl’s lips, and Sherry running round in terror. oF ly!” eried the girl, frantically. “We are discovered!” Massa J ackt?2 shouted Sherry’s frightened yoice from somewhere in the Gariness, and the young elerk scram- bled to his feet and hastily lit his torch again with a match. He saw Sherry kneeling on the ground and ran up, to him. .The negro’s arm was ontstretched and a-ter- rified expressior upon his face, as Jack approached rai with his musket in lus hand. Raising the torch, Jack beheld the monstrousiy ugly idol of which they were in search. Beside it stood Zule- ima:™ loomed the Kevptian, holding her! ; pt They. could:see that Panietvins was a dialivants ugly fellow, and in back of him were a dozen blacks, fully armed, : ere: fd a are ised The captain and his:men raised their muskets and: firéa a volley. As he had expected, it frightened their oppo- nents, and they ran‘helter-skelter for a flight of stone “stairs in back. The girl, finding herself released, ran over ps Boggs’ party. “Now’s yer time!” exclaimed the captain, jubilantly. “You two run in and carry the idol here’ afore they gits over it,” | \ The two sailors addressed did: so, bee came staggering Tarek swith the precious burden, amid a shower of spears : and a chorus of wild, angry cries from the Egyptians. They dashed out of the cavern, and reaching: the boats they. got, in and rowed hastily, wes “iii the oes in the girl’s clumsy skiff. Upon reaching the schooner they aut the idol upon the deck, and carrying it down into the hold it was concealed In,an empty cask. This was hardly. accomplished, oweirats when the ] Molly Boggs was surrounded by a large flotilla éf ‘boats. . . Hastily arming all his men, they awaited an. attack from their enemies, mostly of wltom were negroes. — Zuleima was locked in the cabin, out of harm’s way, and FAME “AND. FORTUNE WE ORLY. The girl was territed, for back: in. the darknbss: youd: at in love with the dar k-skinned widow and sl ‘bureaucratic administration in Germany: in the Post hie eDepannnen. at Berlin, if a clerk wisl |} leeted to turn in his pencil end. By this time, however, |it.to the stationery. iepagineat Snrdieahatibenanchineantnsonse eck of: the dedopier ars were nealtae er a volley from the sailors, under the captain’s direction. Again and again they returned to the assault, only to — be driven back by.the fire of the determined sailors, ig With: all cail set the Molly Boggs turned her stern’ to i Pharos Island, and. under the stiffening breeze she stood away tc the westward at ten knots an hour. The following day found them far down the saaee out of sight of civilization, and the ugly little idol was broug up on deck and emashed to pieces. ; Had it been ‘solid, it would have weighed at least two tons—and those who secured it were sorry it dida’t. All that day Sherry was kept busy melting the pieces into bars in the galley, and when it was finally reduced they packed the precious metal in a box and put it under | lock and key, until they reached a port at ee could be sold to best adranteee muner ane was received for it than he pate. One-half of it was given to Zuleima,; a quarter was ala yc ed between the captain, Jack and Sherry, and the he among the crew. she was Vet a Tittle. Pionished » at ae new ye a ‘The obelisk had arriy ed at Central ee and mae in the course of erection : so much. ‘= Buta sad disappointment awaited her. He was ae at sea on-the wey Ae ict pt. who ad res ee ae the Molly Bees with a ies pete ae and ee ee : but they never went near Alexandria again, for a a salen idol. The following is an illustration of the heauties Tt appears t the Aiclets of the on that has become too sheet for. funth e1 use. In one case a clerk severed ee new Ise witho Aiaceuaded: this clerk had been transferred’ to another: off Q Shortly after the assumption of his duties at his new Ps this clerk received an official intimation that he had % on end had disappeared. In order to avoid official reprimai the resourceful clerk purchased a new pencil, cut of piece about the length of the missing end, and despa Everybody y was ingly satisfied. Aso ;
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FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. 29 that the Infante Alfonso, 11 years. old, who has made Yarious ascensions in military aeroplanes, has entered as a pupil of the Aviation School “Cuatrovientos.” The boy is a son of the King’s sister, Mercedes, Princess of Astur- jas, and Carlos de Bourbon. ¥ Caserta. The Infante Al- fonso is a bright little fellow, with more than the usual amount of .courage of ¢ hildren of his age. He is never happier than when making short aeroplane trips. Marcus Cortright, game warden ies Pike County,, Pa., went over to Sussex County, N. January 11, and es a Canadian lynx which tee seventeen pounds, A dead doe which had run against a fence and killed it- ‘self was responsible for the trapping of the lynx. The | warden discovered the carcass of the doe and around it the footprints of the cat. By baiting several traps with _yenison the cat was captured and despatched with a re- olver by the warden. ‘The lynx was about ten months Marcie BE. Sullivan, of New York City, recovered a verdict of $7,500 recently in the Supreme Court against the New York»Telephone Company and Barr Brothers, ifth avenue merchants. She sted for injuries received to her left leg when she fell through a trap-door in the Barr store. While she was sitting on a stool at the tele- hone in the Barr store a trap-door was raised. She took a‘step backward and fell into the cellar. The Court held he ‘proprietor and telephone company liable because both shared in the profits from the telephone booth. M. A. Johnson, om owns a on “i Mirage River On ng at the farm i saw a flock of “wild geese tenes ris cornfield. He crawled up near them and took a shot he flock, killing the leadet, a fine old gander. Pick-} g up his game and starting back, he espied a fine fox ming across the field toward him, In a few minutes the x ran so close that a shot from his shotgun killed the fox. “The romance of a box of locks,” friends of Miss Mary Conroy, of Stamford, Conn., called her marriage here Cloyd Brown, a builder, of Dallas, Texas. It is more an a year since Miss Conroy, in a spirit of fun, slipped ard into a box of locks packed for shipment at the e & Towne plant here. Many weeks later she received letter signed “Cloyd Brown” and telling her the writer found the card. This was the beginning of) a court- hip by mail. Photographs were exchanged and the court- p went on. A week ago Mr. Brown came‘ to Stamford the young woman, and determined to take her back Texas as his wife, He met with some opposition at rst, it is understood, but eventually had his way. GOOD READING Spanish royalty is much interested in the announcement |. wages. John Kublick, a Hungarian trapper, was rescued the other day from a haystack in the Big Piece Meadows, which are submerged by the overflow of the Passaic River, N. J. Kublick went out in a canoe to see to his traps and was upset. He got to the haystack and the canoe drifted away.. He was soon joined by two exhausted deer that had been caught in the flood. He had with.him two musk- rats that he had found in his traps, and he became so hungry that he ate them. William Closin saw Kublick’s plight and went after him with a rowboat. The deer swam away when they saw the boat coming. Armed with a slung-shot, Patrolman Spivey will be dele- gated to break up gangs of fighting cats in Portland, Ore- gon. Reports over the telephone and letters to Acting- Chief Slover have denounced the felines as sleep-robbers amd general nuisances, and because the police have no au- thority to shoot the animals the 'war-gear of childhood will be brought into play. Spivey made quite a record two years ago when on a fashionable residence beat on the East Side. There, nightly yowlings were followed by reports to the police. Spivey decided to clean up his beat with- out help and made a slung-shot, arming himself with buck- shot. ‘The beat was soon clean, for Spiver was an expert imarksman. Posmaster Doores has received a letter from Oklahoma City, signed by “William H. Gardner,” who says he was kidnapped in Bowling Green fifty-six years ago by a miner named Alexander Huskey. “Gardner” states that the name signed is one given him by law, and that he is igno- rant of who he is. He requests that the records be exam- ined to discover the name of any child who disappeared . about that time. “In other words,” he writes, “I want to know who I am.” There is no record in the county of a hoy being kidnapped at that time. Americans accustomed to the enormous output and ac- curate work of their automatic machinery are often amazed at the conservatism of foreign motor car manufacturers who prefer the employment of hand labor, but a point that is often overlooked is the influence of the wage scale on this preference. Where the American manufacturer pays $20, $25, $50, or more, in England the most skilled and industrious artisan is not able to get over $14.60, or _ $15 as his weekly wage. Consul Stead, of Nottingham, who has investigated conditions in the British motor manufacturing industry, says: “Boys of sixteen years start at $1.46 per week to learn the trade and reéeive a yearly raise of 48 cents per week until grown, when, at twenty-one years they make $6.08 per week as lower man’s The medium mechanic who understands the mathematics of his trade earns $9.73 to $12.16 per week. /
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‘t FAME: AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. UNE 2ARTHS re VALI ABE sr ATUE. While ploughing i in’a fielkt near Bassano di Sutri, forty miles from Rome, Italy, a peasant unearthed a magnificent bronze statve representing a-youthful Apolio. ‘The news reached Rome, and several dealers in antiquities hurried to the little town only to find that they had been forestalled by a govern offici al, who secured the statue for $6,000. Its value is i. ved to be $100,000. to bo? best period of Greco-Ronaattt art. $40,571,543 FOR GEMS. Next to discussing the high cost of living, the acquisi- tion of jewelry seems to have been America’s chief pas- -time in the last vear. Statistics compiled by William B. Treadwell, jewelry examiner at the Appraisers’ Stores, show that ‘the tétal value'of importations at this port alone’ amounted in 1912 to more than $40 11 b43. The. value of cut stones and pearis brought into port is set/at $31,516,389; the uncut genis, princi ipally diamonds, at $9,555, 164: ‘The total imports for the country last year Mr’ Treadwell ostimated at $42,000,000, about 96 per cent. of the gem supply being brought in ai this port. According to My. Preadwell’s floures; importations in} $2,621,866, of which $1,798,439. were cut precious s stones and pearls, and $723,427 were. uneut Deceraber reached. gems. In December, 1944, cut: gems and pearls imported were valued at) $1,456,322 iid the uneut stones were worth |, $1, 085,638. ‘The biggest month for importations last. year was: July, when $5,547, 116 worth of precious stones were passed by the appraisers. Every other month, except February, Marely and’ Décnbes the total was elk above $3,000,000. The big increase in the value of gems is attested by figures which show that w hile the sales in the year amduted to more than $3,000, 600 more than in 1911 there was 2, much | ° smaller number of carats sold. Mr. Treadwell says that in the twelve months ended sets - December there has been a noticeable increase in the de- mand for sapphires and emeralds. Rubies have not been 80 ag in preceding years. ONEW PARCEL POSTS GETS MANY FREAK ee SHIPMENTS. poe "Two days’ operation of the new parcel post system. ha loaded post’ offices with freak shipments, thousands of pack- “ages so ‘iniproperly wrapped or packed that they cannot be transported, and thotsands of others stamped with ordi- nary postage’in place of the distinctive parcel post stamps. Most of the freaks have gone through, but the im- “ properly mailed articles will have to take the slow course |* ( | be most’ sien to erga the honor at any’ the ugh the dead letter office. lege from Long Island, 300 miles away, passed through _the local post office safely. Officials said many other fragile} i ishap‘all over the Si ry ill have. ‘a phenomenal arowth ody ARTICLES OF ALL aes The statue belongs} ¢hain of distribution.” shipments, properly p acked, weré being handled without | I. would then the willing to CRAG i New. Yor! ‘They. predict the new service other city. Seci ae ‘of Agriculture Wilson. is not convineed ae range: eee <-— the new. service will eee ttect the “high living.” “s cheapening of farmers’ costs of marketing,” he sai “will naturally result in gain to the producer rather th to the consumer. If the consumer is to beneft by change in the cosis of distribution, it seems probable that he m do so by cheapening or eliminating costs at his end of the ‘The Seeretary advocates co-operative buying as one ® meansof reducing costs and also recommends. reforms the methods of Teal distribution. Denver and Chicago are the cities that are already be talked of for the 1913 convention and races of the Feder tion of American Motor Cyclists which are ‘expected _ be held in, duly. Chicago is an active candidate for event, but Denver has hea strongly canvassing’ and dontend, that the Far West should be recognized. Should the latter city get the convention it is Pp De “f able that a big motor eyele tour from Kansas City to t convention city will be planned. An casy schedule, from 75 to 100 miles.a day, could be arranged for those who care to travel over the Santa. Hé OF Golden Belt route WOMEN MAY FENCE AGAIN. Plans are being arranged for a return feneing mate ‘between’ Mrs. H. W. Dewar, of Philadelphia, and Bareness A, de Meyer, of England; for the tassios teaur championship of the world. in this country recently and it is, now thought ite tk Hh plans will be completed. In the first match between the two women. this city Mrs. Dewar carried ‘oft the honors. of which was contested at the Colony Club: ‘Meyer is the recognized woman champion of ‘Enrope lost. the world’s title in the New York match, and is ious for a return contest for an ey to eg i rie honors. ¢ Quaker City, hes offered a ‘iver trophy for the As the winner of their last contest, Mrs. Dewar privilege. of naming the place for the pee ma ‘has selected Philadelphia. Mr. Biddle will engage the batleces of ‘ie Stratford as. the place for the contest, in orde many local enthusiasts may witness it. It now: the Baroness if there is to be another match. — _ “Tf Baroness de Meyer wishes to fence grabs ft do not believe, however, that a would have any choice of cities if she really | atch _ 3 mie.”
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GIANT SAW { PUZZLE. This puzzle contains twenty-one pieces of wood nicely finished; take them apart and put them together same as illustrated. yverybody would like | to try it, as it is very fascinating. Price, by mail, postpaid, 2d5c. DELUSION TRICK. A magic littie box in three parts that is very mystify- | ing to those not in the trick, | A coin placed on a piece of paper disappears by dropping a nickel ring around it from the magic box. Made of hard ‘wood two inches in diameter. Price, 12¢, M, ¥. GALLIGAN, 419 W, 56th St., N. Y. ITCH POWDER. Gee whiz! What fun you can haye with this stuff. Moisten the tip of your finger, tap it on the contents of the box, and a little bit will stick. Then shake hands with your friend, or drop a speck down his back. In a@ minute he will ' feel as if he had ths tube in exact imi- ’ tation of a tele- scope. By looking through it, reveals one highly magni- fied picture of a dancer or other’ J gubject. It . con- re ty oh siete on tite be Ze ath "4 button, whic 2 at Sip hts victim’ J, told to 1 r.& change of picture. Instead o thar’ picture appearing, the entire inside hoots out, as shown in illustration. It i irely harmless, but gives the victim a oie ike, each: 2 for 2hc. by mail, postpaid, NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N.Y. al THE FLUTOPHONE. A. new musical in- strument, producing the sweetest dulcet tones of the flute. The upper part of the instrument is placed in the mouth, the lips covering the openings in the centre, ‘ ' Then by blowing gently ee ; upon ft you can play une desired as easily as whistling. But € practice is required to become 2 finished p it is made entirely of metal, jand will fetime. We send full instructions. h instrument. Price, 15c., or 2 for maii, postpaid. e BD, 16 Hart §t., Brooklyn, N. ¥. t Z 7, ; i ! H ures consist of Policeman, | centa a package, by mall, postpai i | 1 boy can, set up a regular : lete set ot Rubber Stamps, with ink and | nk pad, only i0c., 3 sets for 25c., one dozen Accuracy Penetration The World’s Record Holders Remington-UMC .22 cal. cartridges have broken The Bemisgtov-UMC cubs make a find two records in two years. The present world’s 100-shot gallery record, 2484 ex 2500. held by Arthur Elubalek was made with these hard hitting .22’s:- They will help you, too, to break your best shooting records. Remington-UMC .22’s are made, too, with hollow point bullet. @ increases their shocking and killing power, . Remington- UMC—the perfect shooting combination & REMINGTON ARMS-UNION METALLIC CARTRIDGE CO. x 299 Broadwar New York City >i : rz & I (0 DAYS FREE TRIAL Wo ship on eappreval without o % cepnvit, frelche prepaid, DON'T fr S ENT if you ara not sostsfled ie a after using the bicycie 10 daya. MDD HOT BUY ores cantons 4 Of tres trom anyone vot any Yes untl) you roceive our latest Wart oa iMustrating every kind of bicycle, and have learned our of ora and marvelous new offers. HeE CERT io all it will cost you to ; write a postal and every- thing will be sent you free postpaid by seturn mail. You will got much valuable in« et oc seh not poe writs it how y aster - Brake rei wheels, lamps, sundries st usual toe Siead Cycle Co. Dept.\lss Chicage LOTS OF FUN FOR A DIME JAPANESE WATER FLOWERS 2 Without exception, ms | most beavtiful and in- teresting things on the market. They consist of a dozen = dried-up sprigs, _neatiy encased in hendsomelty decorat- ed nvelopes, just as they are imported from Japan. Place one sprig in a ‘bowl ot water, and it begins to exuda various bright tints. Then it slowly opena.out i ~ into various shapes of exquisite flowers. They are of all colors of the rainbow. It is very amusing to watch them take form. _ Small size, price 5, cents; targa size, 10 M, V. GALLIGAN, 419 W. 56th St., N. ¥. JAPANESE TRICK KNIFE, You can show the knife and instantly draw it across your finger. apparently cutting deep into the flesh. The red blood appears on the blade of the Yentriloquist Double Throat Fits roof of mouth; always invisible; greatest thing yet. Astonish and mystify your friends, f Neigh like a horse; whine likea puppy; sing _ / like a canary, and imitate birds and beasts of the field and forest, Loads of fun. Wonder. fulinvention, Thousands sold. Price: only 10 cents; 4 for 25 cents, or 12 for 50 cents, Doubie Throat Co.0pt. K Frenchtown,N.J. MAKE YOURSELF POPULAR” Fecome os magician and have the people in your . vicinity talk sbout you being a wonder, Start om, knife, siving a startling effect |) to the spectators. The knife me ig removed and the finger is found in good condition. mite an effective iilusion. Price 10c. each by mail. WOLFF NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. ¥. |, SEE-SAW PUZZLE, ; The most absorb- now end learn something tn magic. agia taught .\ oe Shores WEE Ree by matl Magic catalogue ten cents. Write to-day. } lf you sit up half the GILBERT NOVELTY €D., Morgan Park, Ill,. night to do. The puzzle is to get both balls, one in each pocket. Price, t0c.; 3 for 25c. by mail, postpaid. M, V. GALLIGAN, 419 W. 56th St., N. ¥. SURPRISE KINEMATOGRAPH. The greatest hit of the season! It consists of a small metal, nickeled tube, with s lens eye view, which shows a pretty bal- let girl in tights. Hand it to a friend, who will be , delighted with the first pic- ture; tell him. to turn the Almost anyone can learn it at home. Small sot eed Patty Pee am eg ‘oof. Py 00) / Div Bigelow St, Peoria, TL ee! FRE BLUE ENAMELLED FLAG PIN. Any letter hand engraved, and a ~ catalog of Badge Pins, Jewelry, Triaks, Jokes and Puzzles. Send . "TPO cents to pay for postage and handlin | ‘screw {in center of instru- , Ment to change the views, when a stream of | Water squirts into his face, much to his dis- gust. Anyone who has not seen this kinema- BRVERLY NOVELTY ©O,, | ‘ | tograph in operation is sure to be caught 2 ; | every time. ‘The instrument can’ be refilled a ee GaGa vo | Rte with water in an instant, ready for the next customer: Price 25c. by mail, postpaid. | WOLTT NOVELTY CO., 29 W, 26th 8t., N. ¥. Eas tes \ |: CACHOO OR SNEEZING POWDER. The greatest fun-maker of chem ail. A smal ameunt of this pewder, when blewn in & reem, will cause CORNET FREE aes marenen Me everyone to sneeze witheut by maj] and will give yona Beautiful Cor. anyone. knowing where it ; ; t ‘ net or any Band Instrument absolutely e cemes from. It is very light, wili fleat in the You pay weekly as lessons aro ta eir for some tims, and penetrate every neok i vee and corner of a reom, It is perfecttly harm- pe eg Se iran hace abhi ge pectic meaner RR aE eer Jeband wonderfai tuition often. e t enov e use rom o A 1 : $ Pee ‘15 timer. Price, by mail, 10c. each; 3 for B5e, 3 S INTERNATIONAL CORNET SCHOOL ‘ WOLEF NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th 8t., N. KX.) 962 Blusical Mall, Boston, Mass. 3 . 1 i Saws? 4
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GOOD LUCK BANKS. Ornamental as well as useful. Made of highly nickeled brass. tt held’ just One Dellar. When filled “it opens” itself. © Remains locked until refilled. Gan be used as a wstehcharm. Mongy refund- ed if net satisfied. ~ Price, 10c. by mall, LL. ®enarens, 347 Winthrop St., Brooklyn, N. ¥. NAIL PUZZLE. Made of 2 metal nails linked together. Keeps folks guessing; easy to take them apart when you know how, Directions with every one. Price, 6c., postpaid. 22: W. 26th St., N. ¥. WOLFF NOVELTY CO., VANISHING CIGAR. This cigar is made in exact imitation of a good one. It is held by a rub- ber cord which, with tho attached safety pin, is fastened on the inside of the sleeve. When offered to a friend, as it is about to be taken, it will instantly disappear. Price, 10c. each by mail, postpaid, C. BEHR, 150 W. 62d St., New York City. GOOD LUCK PUZZLE, It consists of three horse- shoes fastened together. » Only a very clever person can take off the closed horseshoe from the two inked horseshoes. But it can be done in a moment when the secret is known. Price, by mail, 10c, each. H. F. LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’klyn, N. Y. ROUGH RIDER DISC PISTOLS, Made of nicely col- dred wood 6% inches long. ‘The power i+ furnished by rubber bands. Ten dises of eardboard with each pistol. Price, 6e, each, WOLFF NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. ¥. IMITATION GIANT DIAMONDS. Diamond rings or studs of half-inch and. one inch in : diameter are heard of in PP stories only. We have them % ling stones which will deceive A me Biaiice oe any spectator, rica by y size, 25c. each; iarge sive, HER onthe omer B. F. LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’kiyn, N. Y. KEYS. Two keys interlock- ed in such a manner it seems impossible to separate them, . but when learned it is Price, 6c¢., postpaid. WOLET NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. ¥. THE JUMPING FROG. This little novelty creates a world of laughter. Its chief attractiveness is that x fore leaping high in the air, : s0 that when set, very inno- cently along side of an unsuspecting person, he js suddenly startled by the wonderful activity of this frog. Price, 15e. each by mail Postpaid. ALUMINUM DRINKING CUPS, These handsome ilitle cups are ‘very handy in size, do not leak, and are Satin finished. When com- pressed, can be carried in the vest pocket. They hold a good quantity yet durable. Price, 14%, each, post- bald, , x NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. ¥. SURPRISE PERFUME - p BOTTLE. Those in the joke may freely Postpaid, imitated by prodigious spark- MAGIC PUZZLE easily done. it tekes a few seconds be- ii, F. LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’klyn, N. ¥. of liquid, and are very strong, light, smell the perfume in the bottle, but the uninitiated, on removing the cork will receive the contents in his hands. This is a simple and clever joke. — Price, 10c. each by mail, post- paid; $ for 25e, H. F. LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’kiyn, N, ¥. THE MAGI CIGAR CASTE. A heautiful and per- fect cigar case, mode of imitation. alligator and ‘sefiskin leather; “Worth ‘ayauenter as a: cigar case alone. It. can be) spown full of cigars ind instantly handed “to a person,., who, upon opening it, finds on an empty case. The box has a secret spring and a double case, and can be operated only by one in the secret. Full printed instructions sent with each case. Every smoker should have one, Breer enees 2 for pega: mail, postpaid; one dozen express. BO. i c¢. BEHR, 150 W. 62d St., New Work City. NORWEGIAN MOUSE. fi A very large gray mouse, measuring 8 inches from tip of nose to end of tail. The body of mouse is _ hollow. Place your first finger in his body, and then by moving your finger up and down, the mouse appears to be running up your sleeve. Enter a room where there are ladies, with the mouse runn’ag up your sleeve, and you will see a rapid seat- tering of the fair sex. Many practical jokes can be perpe- trated with this small rodent. ‘ Price, 10c.; 3 for 2ie. mailed, postpaid. H. F. LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’klyn, N. ¥. A NEW SQUIRT BADGY. Great fun for the mil- lion! Wear it in your buttonhole and then press the bulb and. watch the other fellow run.. Price, 4c. BEHR, 150 W. 62d St. New York City. c. TH BLK HAD ‘PUZZLE. Just out, and one of the most fascinating puzzles on the market. The stunt is to separate the antlers and re- ! join them. It looks easy, but : try it and you will admit that © it is without exception the best puzzle you have ever seen. You can’t leave it alone. Made of silvered metal. Price, 12c.; 3 for 80¢., sent by mall, postpaid. H. F. LANG, i815 Centre St., B’klyn, N. ¥. j MARBLE VASE, A clever and puzzling effect, | sasy to do; the apparatus can be minutely examined. Bffect: A marble can be made to pass from the hand into the closed vase, neon @ moment beforo was shown empty. This is a beautiful enameled turned Wood vase, Price. 20c, M, V. GALLIGAN, 419 W. 56th St., N. ¥. THE MAGNETIC TOP. A handsome metal, highly magnetized toy. A horseshoe and a spiral | wire furnished with each top. When spun / next to the wires, they make the most surpris- ing movements. You can make wires of dif- ferent shapes and get the most peculiar ef- fects. Price, 5e., post- paid. L. Senarens, 34% Winthrop St., Brooktyn, N. ¥. THE CROWN STYLO. Made of aluminum, satin finish, guaran- teed not to leak. This : stylographic ink pen- ceil is made on a new plan. It cannot cor- rode auld will outlast and outclass any simi- lar pencil on the market. It. is a splendid writer, and is easily kept in order: DWach one packed with a filler, and a clip to hold it in your vest pocket. is 5 Prica, 25e. ench, postpaid. It. F. LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’kiyn, N. ¥. Me RAPID CIGARETTE MAKER. This litte article should be in the pocket of every smoker. . With it a perfect cigarette can be made in tén seconds. You will find them equal in appearance and far snu- peplee in quality to commercial ones, at less han a quarter of the cest. With our cigar- ette maker in your possession, you can smoke~ a pipe or cigarette at pleasure, as it’s just as easy to roll a cigarette as to fill a pine. Every part of the cigarette maker ‘4s handsoiwely nickel-plated. Price, I5e., or 3 for 40e. by mail, postpaid. 3 1 WOLFF NOVELTY CO., 20 W. 26th &t., N. ¥. | by giving the li . Both sides of the paddle are repeatedly shown ae (Nae tering it, still it en be done ineawo. iks the properstavist, (put less yon know how, the ator gat vist Wy the tighter they srow. Price, 6é.: 3° for ye one dozen, 5ée., by mail, BO on: at NS WOLEF NOVELTY CO., 29 W,. 26th St., XN. ¥. WINDOW SMASHERS. The ereatest sensation, just from Paris. A most wonder- ful effect of a smashing, breaking, falling - pane or” glass, It will electrify every-— body. When you come home, © slam the door shut. and at the same time throw the dises to the floor. Every pane of glass {n the house will at once seem to have been shat-_ tered. Price, by mail, postpaid, 35c., a set of six plates. 1. F. LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’klyn, N. ¥. THE FIGHTING ROOSTERS. es 4 A full blooded pair of fighting game cocks. These liliputian fighters ! have real feathers, yellow legs and fiery red combs, . their moyements . when’ © fighting are perfectly nat- 4 ural and lifelike, and the®.— secret of their movements — | is known only to the overator, who can causa them to battle with each other as often and as long as desired. Independent of their fighting proclivities they make very. pretty mantel ornaments, Price for the pair In a — strong box, 10¢.; 8 pairs for 25c. by mail, — postpaid, WOLIE NCVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. THE PEG JUMPER. 1S ae A very. effective pocket trick, easily a f i is to be performed by any one. A miniature paddle is shotwwn. Cen- tral holes are drilled tlirough it. A wooden Showing now middle one, and Price by mall, 16e, ~ C. BEIER, 150 W. 62d St., New York City. DEAD SHOT SQUIRT PISTOL. If you shoot a man- with this “gun” he wil be too mad to accept the ancient excuse—'"T didn’t know > 6©6louded.”” with @ full charge of water, and taking aim, press the rubber bulb at the butt of the Pistol, when a small stream of water is squirted into his face” The best thing to do then is to pocket your gun andy run. There are ‘loads of fun” in this wicked little joker, which looks like real revoiver, trigger, cock, Chambers, barrel and all. Prie ‘v only %e.; 4 for 25e.; one dozen 60e. by mail — postnaida. Fecha ee, I, F. LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’klyn, N. Y. — x en : THE HIDEOUS SPIDER. Fun for every= gt body with one of © these handsome brutes. His body is 3 inches long, i beaulifully enamel- — ed ‘green, with | Ee white ridges, yel- low speckles, bulging eyes, and a big red mouth. He is armed with six legs and two upright feelers, made of flexible spiral spring: A dark, invisible thread attached to his bod; lets you shake him in the air before yor friends’ eyes, when the legs wiggle in a most) — natural, lifelike manner. Guaranteed to make any lady howl and to scare the bravest hero on earth out of his boots. : ri Price by mail, 10¢. eac WOLKF NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. MINIATURE COMPASS CHARM, — A beautiful charm, to be worn on the watch chain. ~ ! consists of a true and ‘perfect compass, to which is attach=" | ed, by a pivot, a powerful magnifying glass. When not in use the magnifying glass fits closoly inside the compass and iz not seen. The compass is” protected by a glass crystal, and is hand- somely silver-nickel plated and burnished, pr senting @ very attractive appearance. f you have a reliab!o compass, a powerful ma nifying glass, anc a handsome charm, all one. It is a Parisian novelty, entirel Price, 25¢.. by mail. postpaid, H, bk. LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’
Page 34
‘future life will bring forth, whether happiness or misery, wealth or poverty. You tell by a glance at this little book, No. 1 NAPOLEON’S ORACULUM AND DREAM BOOK.—Containing the great oracle of human destiny; also the true meaning of almost any kind of dreams, together with cherie, ceremonies, and curious games of No. 2. HOW TO DO TRICKS.—The great book of magic and card tricks, containing full instruction on all the leading card tricks of the day, also the most popular magical illu- sions as performed by our leading magicians; every boy should obtain a copy of this book. No. 3. HOW YO FLIRYT.—The arts and wiles of flirtation are fully explained by this Mttle book. Besides the various methods of handkerchief, fan, glove, parasol, window and hat flirtation, it contains a full list of the language and sentiment of flowers. No. 4. HOW TO DANCE is the title of this little book. It contains full instructions in the art of dancing, etiquette in the ball- room and at parties, how to dress, and full directions for calling off im all popular square dances. No. 5. HOW TO MAKE LOVE,.—A com- Plete guide to love, courtship and marriage, iving sensible advice, rules and etiquette to @ observed. No. 6. HOW TO BECOME AN ATHLETE. —Giving full instruction for the use of dumb- bells, Indian clubs, parallel bars, horizontal bars and various other methods of developing @ good, healthy muscle; containing over sixty illustrations No. 7% HOW TO KEEP BIRDS.—Hand- somely illustrated and containing full instruc- tions for the management and training of the canary, mockingbird, bobolink, blackbird, par- oquet, parrot, etc. No. 9. HOW TO BECOME A VENTRILO- QUIST.—By Harry Kennedy, [very intelli- gent boy reading this book of instructions can master the art, and create any amount of fun for himself and friends. No. 10. HOW TO BOX.—The art of self- detense made easy. Containing over thirty illustrations of guards, blows, and the differ- ent positions of a good boxer. Every boy should obtain one of these useful and instruc- tive books, as it will teach you how to box without an instructor. No. 11. HOW TO WRITE LOVE-LETTERS. —A most complete little book, containing full directions for writing love-letters, and when to use them, giving specimen letters for young and old. No. 12. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS TO LADIES.—Giving complete instructions for writing letters to ladies on all subjects; also letters of introduction, notes and requests. No. 13. HOW TO DO IT; OR, BOOK OF ETIQUETTE.—It is a great life secret, and one thet every young man desires to know all about There’s happiness in It. No. 14. HOW TO MAKE CANBY.—A com- plete hand-book for making all kinds of candy, ice-cream, syrups, essences, etc., ete, No. 18. HOW TO BECOME BEAUTIFUL. —One of the brightest and most valuable little books ever given to the world. Every- body wishes to know how to become beautt- ful, both male and female. The secret is simple, and almost costless. _No. 20. HOW TO ENTERTAIN AN EVEN- ING PARTY.—A complete compendium of games, sports, card diversions, comic recita- tions, etc., suitable for parlor or drawing- room entertainment. No 21. HOW TO HUNT AND FISH.—The most complete hunting and fishing guide ever published. It contains full instructions about guns, hunting dogs, traps, trapping and fish- ing, together with description of game and sh. No. 22. HOW TO DO SECOND SIGHT.— Heller’s second sight explained by his former assistant, Fred Hunt, Jr. Explaining how the secret dialogues were carried on between the magician and the boy on the stage; also giv- ing all the codes and signals. No. 28. HOW TO EXPLAIN DREAMS,— This little book gives the explanation to all kinds of dreams, together with lucky and unlucky days. 0. . HOW TO WRITE LETTERS TO GENTLEMEN.—Cotaining full directions for writing to gentlemen on all subjects. No. 25. HOW TO BECOME A GYMNAST,— Containing full instructions for all kinds of gymnastic sports and athletic exercises. Em- bracing thirty-five f{llustrations. No. 26. HOW TO ROW, SAIL AND BUILD A BOAT.—Fully illustrated. Full instructions are given in this little book, together with in- structions on swimming and riding, companion sports to boating. “No. 27.. HOW TO RECITE AND BOOK OF RECITATIONS.—Containing the most popular selections in use, comprising Dutch dialect, French dialect. Yankee and Irish dialect pieces, together with many standard readings. No 2% HOW TO TELL FORTUNES.— Everyone is desirous of knowing what his For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to auy address on receipt of price, 10 cts. per FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, OUR TEN-cE a t i > ry ‘ No, 30. HOW TO COOK.—One- of the most instructive books on cooking ever published. It contains ‘ecipes for cooking meats, fish, game, and oysters; also pies, puddings, cakes motel kinds of pastry, and a grand collec- N ion of recipes. o. 31. HOW TO BECOME A SPEAKER, —Containing fourteen illustrations, giving the different positions requisite to become a good Speaker réader ‘and elocutionist. Also con- taining gems from all the popular authors of prose and poetry. No. 32. HOW TO BEHAVE.—Containing the rules and etiquette of good society and the easiest and most approved methods of appearing to good advantage at parties, balls, the theatre, church, and in the drawing-room. No. 35. HOW TO PLAY GAMES.—A com- plete and useful little book, containing the rules and regulations of billiards, bagatelle, backgammon, croquet, dominoés, etc. No. 36. HOW TO SOLVE CONUNDRUMS, —Containing all the leading conundrums of the day, amusing riddles, curious catches and witty sayings. No. 38. HOW TO BECOME YOUR OWN DOCTOR.—A wonderful book, containing use- ful and practical information in the treatment of ordinary diseases and ailments common to every family. Abounding in useful and effec~- tive recipes for general complaints, ao: 39. HOW TO RAISE DOGS, POUL- TRY, PIGEONS AND RABBITS.—A useful and instructive book. Handsomely illustarted. No. 40. HOW TO MAKE AND SET TRAPS. —Including hints on how to catch moles, weasels, otter, rats, squirrels and birds. Also how to cure skins. Copiously illustrated. No. 41. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK END MEN’S JOKE BOOK.—Containing a great va- riety of the latest jokes used by the most famous end men. No amateur minstrels is complete without this wonderful little book, No. 42. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK STUMP SPEAKER.—Containing a varied as- sortment of stump speeches, Negro, Dutch and Irish. Also end men’s jokes. No. 48. HOW TO BECOME A MAGICIAN. —Containing the grandest assortment of mag- ical illusions ever placed before the public. Also tricks with cards, incantations, ete, No. 44. HOW TO WRITE IN AN AL- BUM.—A grand collection of Album Verses suitable for any time and occasion; embrac- ing Lines of Love, Affection, Sentiment, Hu- mor, Respect, and Condolence; also Verses Suitable for Valentines and Weddings, No. 45. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK MIN- STREL GUIDE AND JOKE BOOK.—Some- thing new and very instructive. Every boy should obtain this book, as it contains full instructions for organizing an amateur min- strel troupe. ; No. 46. HOW TO MAKE AND USE ELEC- TRICITY.—A_ description of the wonderful uses of electricity and electro magnetism; to- gether with full instructions for making Blec- tric Toys, Batteries, etc. By George Trebel, A.M., M.D. Containing over fifty illustra- tions. No. 48. HOW TO BUILD AND SAIL CANOES.—A handy book for boys, containing full directions for constructing canoes and the most popular manner of sailing them. Fully illustrated. No. 49. HOW TO DEBATE,.—Giving rules for conducting debates, outlines for debates, questions for discussion, and the best sources for procuring information on the questions given. No. 50. HOW TO STUFF BIRDS AND ANIMALS.—A valuable book, giving instruc- tions in collecting, preparing, mounting and preserving birds, animals and insects. No. 51. HOW TO DO TRICKS WITH CARDS.—Containing explanations of the gen- eral principles of sleight-of-hand applicable to card tricks; of card tricks with ordinary cards, and not requiring sleight-of-hand; of tricks involving sleight-of-hand, or the use of specially prepared ecards. Illustrated. No. 52. HOW TO PLAY CARDS.—Giving the rules and full directions for playing Buchre, Cribbage, Casino, Forty-five, Rounce, Pedro Sancho, Draw Poker, Auction Pitch, All Fours, and many other popular games of cards. 5 No. 53. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS.—A wonderful little book, telling you how to write to your sweetheart, your father, mother, - sister, brother, employer; and, in fact, every- body and anybody you wish to write to. No. 54, HOW TO KEEP AND MANAGE PETS.—Giving complete information as to the manner and method of raising, keeping, tam- ing, breeding, and managing all kinds of pets; also giving ful: instructions for making cages, etc. Fully explained by twenty-eight illus- trations. No. 55, HOW TO COLLECT STAMPS AND COINS.—Containing valuable information re- garding the collecting and arranging of stamps and coins. Handsomely illustrated. No, 566. HOW TO BECOME EN- GINEER.— Containing full instructions how to | become a locomotive engineer; also directions for building a model locomotive; together with a full description of everything an en- gineer should know. “aa ees tory pee ate copy, or 8 for 25 cts., in money or posi No. 168 West 23d St., N sears, etc. No. 60. HOW TO BECOME A PHOTOGRA- PHER.—Containing useful information’ re- garding the Camera and how to work it; also how to make Photographic Magic Lantern Slides and other Transparencies. Handsomely illustrated, ete f No. 62. HOW TO BECOME A WEST POINT — MILITARY CADET.—Explains how to gain admittance," course of Study, Examinations. Duties, Staff of Officers, Post Guard, fo Regulations, Fire Mepartment, and all a boy should know to be a cadet. By Lu Senarens. No, 638. HOW TO BECOME A NAVAL CADET.—Complete instructions of how to gain admission to the Annapolis Naval A emy. Also containing the course of instruc- tion, description of grounds and buildings, historical sketch, and everything a boy sho jd. know to become an officer in the United Stace Navy. By Lu Senarens. eS é, ELECTRIC Go ath No. 64, HOW TO MAKE MACHINES.—Containing full directions 1! making electrical machines, induction coils, — dynamos, and many novel toys to be ab by electricity. By R. A. R. Bennett. | lustrated. a etc., of morist N conundrums, book. Fully fllustrated. No. 67. HOW TO DO El TRICKS.—Containing a large coll structive and highly amusing electr together with illustrations. By om No. 68 HOW TO DO CHEMICA' with key to same. tricks used by magicians. secret of second sight. No. 71. HOW TO DO M TRICKS,—-Containing complete inst performing over sixty Mechanical Tri Fully illustrated. . No. 72.° HOW TO DO SD : WITH CARDS.—Embracing all 9 ; and most deceptive card trick! trations. No. 74, I ITE RECTLY.—Containing _ full writing letters on almost any sub rules for punctuation and comp —Containing tric Cups and Balls, H six illustrations. No. 76. HOW EL THE HAND.—Containing rule fortunes by the aid of lines of the secret of palmistry. Also telling future events by aid of m 2 Illustrated. t : 4 No. 77. HOW TO DO FORTY TRI WITH CARDS.—Containing deceptive C We as performed by leading co eC magicians. : No. 78. HOW TO PDO THE BL: Containing a complete descriptio teries of Magic and Bielghtiot a with many wonderful experimen Anderson. Illustrated. , up get Prompter. No. 80. Containing the funny stories of this world-reno comedian, Sixty-four pages; ored cover containing a half- the author. No, 31. HOW TO MESME ing the most approved method also how to cure all ppiaee a animal magnetism, or magnetic Prot. Leo rune mot A.C.S.. al Hypnotize,” ete. ‘ ip retes HOW TO DO PAL taining the most approved me ing the lines on the hand, tog explanation of their meanin ing phrenology, and the key acter by the bumps on the he Hugo Koch, A.C.S. Fully illu No. 83. HOW TO HYPNOTI valuable and instructive infor ing the science of hypnetism. ing the most approved meth employed by the leading hy world. ripe Leo Hugo Koch, a S manuscript. .