Fame And Fortune Weekly (no. 455) (1914 06 19)

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N2 455 _JUNE I9tIOI4 Sens. FAME; FORTUNE WEEXLY. | sTORIES OF "Boys WwHO MAKE MONEY. 50 —— With the entrance of the Hindoo temple before them the two boys rushed eagerly forward. Jack. in the lead, stepped upon the huge slab of stone which lay in his path. It revolved under his weight and he disappeared from view.

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STORIES OF BOYS Issued Weei By Subscription $2.50 per year. oration of Congress, Washington, D. C., ntered at the New York, N. Y., - , "WNo. 455. “250,000 Entered according to Act of Congress, tn the Frank Tousey, Publisher, 168 West 23d Street, New York. NEW YORK, JUNE 19, 1914. “ame and Fortune Weekly WHO MAKE MONEY ear 1914, in the offica of the Post Office as Second-Class Matter. Price 5 Cents. in Gold Seer) Ae HUNTING A HINDOO TREASURE By A SELF-MADE MAN » CHAPTER I. IN AN INDIAN JUNGLE. “Where in thunder is Rum Jum and Nagar?” said Sam Far- jeon, fanning his heated face with his white helmet hat. “ haven’t seen them since we sat down here to rest ourselves. “Blessed if I know. they are, I suppose,” replied* his companion, Jack Hadley, a — manly-looking young American. Sam got up and yelled for their Hindoo attendants, but received no reply. : The jungle, brilliant with color, and alive with small birds of variegated plumage and. humming insects, lay all around the two boys. : It was a great trackless expanse of high vegetation and trees, although the party of four had been following a sort of path since they entered it, but this path was rather obscure except to the practiced eyes and experience of the natives. _ Rum Jum had been hired by Jack as guide, and Nagar to help him carry the food hamper and other articles. The party of four had left Bombay the second morning be- fore, the first stage of their journey taking them through a » big mountain range to the more level country beyond, ‘ _ « “The second stage was begun that morning at sunrise, when they entered the jungle. which lay between them and the vil- * os »Tage of Kurpool, where they ‘planned to pass the night. . “War It was rather a hare-brained expedition the boys had set out - wpon—nemely, to visit a certain temple, said to be abandoned, » where a quarter of a million in golden guineas, an obsolete ‘ Pasiich coinage, lay hidden in a secret spot. Jack had heard the story of the treasure from an old native » resident of Bombay, who had furnished him with a clew to the spot where it was alieged to be buried, on a written agreement © from the boy that he was to receive one-fifth of the treasure, * or of whatever part of it the boys succeeded in recovering, if ; ey were fortunate. ” journey owing to their knowledge of the Hindoo language, which they had learned in Bombay. , Jack’s uncle was the Americen consul at Bombay, and the "two boys acted as his clerks, with sundry native helpers. = _ They secured a two weeks’ vacation to carry out their plans, ' which they were careful not to confide to Mr. Hadley, the con- sul. since that gentleman being more experienced in the coun- try would haye deemed their scheme Quixotic, not to say very _- -€angerous, and have put his veto on it. f Even when Jack intimated that they were merely - the interior to view the country, his uncle wanted them to _ _ gostpone the trip till he could go. with them; but finding they > oom ’ ‘ Lagging behind like the lazy rascals | | * The young Americans were fairly well equipped for such a did not want to postpone it, he told them not to wander out of the regular roads, and furnished them with a list of places where they could put up at. They were supposed to do all their traveling on horseback. They started out that way, Rum Jum and Nagar accompa- ; nying them on foot, carrying the supplies, but they found that | to follow the route they were intent upon they had to leave their animals at the village beyond the range whére they passed their first night, for Rum Jum told them that the mee was not passable for horses—a statement which was not rue, They might have questioned Rum Jum's veracity if he had not. been recommended to them by the old fellow who had fired their imaginations with the story of the treasure, and furnished them with the clew to its location. | His name was Dharwar, and he was regarded as a-very re- spectable old chap in the native quarter of Bombay, but he wasn’t all that he assumed to be, as the boys ‘might have | learned had they instituted inquiries about him. Unfortunately they accepted him at his own valuation, and |as a result they had reason to regret it, though in the end | they came out all right, but that was more through good luck and their own grit and courage than anything else. where their tribulations began, we will proceed with our story. Sam's shouts brought forth no response. Rum Jum and Nagar failed to appear or even to announce {their whereabouts. “{ don’t like the look of this,’ said Sam, mopping his face with his handkerchief, and facing Jack with a disturbed look. | “Where do you suppose those rascals have gone?” “How can I tell?” repiied Jack. “I'm not a mind reader.” “They must bave kept on while we were resting. They can | stand the pace so much better than we that they might not ‘have cared to wait for us.” | “Why didn’t they, then?” “Rum Jum told me he was thirsty, and that he and Nagar were going to look for a stream which was close by.” till they came back.” “That's right. Perhaps they did. There is so much con- founded vegetation in this jungle, and the grass is so tall, that » a fellow can’t see much further than his nose.” ’ “But we're in a clearing, under the shade of several trees, load out of sight.” “They have their own way of doing things. We've goi to’ me . Having brought our hero and his companion to a point © “But I ordered them to stop, and Rum Jum said they would.” — “They might have left the “hamper and other things here _ going into | Thcre was no reason why those chaps suould have left their a 7" wens = LI

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12 $250,000 IN GOLD. _ allow the natives a certain amount of leeway, We're not in the ' States, you know.” “Any one can see that with his eyes shut. find a jungle like this anywhere in America.” “There are chaparrals out West where a fellow can be as easily lost as in this jungle. A friend of mine lost his bear- ings in a yery small one once and was hours getting out of it, although he was at no time further than a quarter of a mile from the outer edge. It was full ef prickly cactus that com- pelled him to continuaily alter his course to pass them. In- deed, he might have kept traveling longer only he caught sight of the smoke of a distant house and aimed for it as best he could.” “I’m rested enough to go on. I wish those chaps would turn up,” said Sam. Rum Jum and Nagar, however, did not turn up, though they were gone long enough to find the stream, slake their thirst and return. “Suppose they've deserted us?” said Sam, anxiously. “Why should they? We have promised to pay them hand- somely for their services when we get back to the city,” an- swered Jack. “I don’t put much stock in either of them. Rum Jum looks like a great rascal—a sneaky one, while Nagar’s face would ornament any rogues’ gallery in the world.” his is a nice time to form that conclusion. These com- mon Hindoos are not beauties, You've been long enough in the country to know that. _We took them both on Dharwar’s recommendation. I took it for granted that he knew we could rely on them. I haven’t any particular fault to find with either of them so far.” “They have no business to leave us in the Jurch this way.” “Look around and see where they've put the hamper.” Sam hunted, but couldn’t find any trace of it. : Jack got up and helped him, but without result. “I'll bet they’ve gone on and left us to follow as best we can,” said Sam. (“Then I’ll have something to say to them when we reach the village.” “How are we going to reach it without a guide?” “Rum Jum said it was straight ahead, about ten miles,” “T hope he wasn’t lying. Let’s go on.” They shouldered their rifles, which were of Remington make, magazine pattern, nea proceeded, keeping the declining sun at their back. “If there’s a wens this way we haven’t seen it,” said Sam. “It may be running parallel with our route.” “It might be doing a lot of things,” growled Sam. want tc know my opinion. we’re up against it hard.” “Don’t get discouraged at the outset of our enterprise. Think of the gold—the $250,000 we expect to fetch away.” “We've got to find it first.” “T’ve got the directions in a general way.” “T’ve been wondering why Dharwar didn’t go after it him- self if it’s so easy to get hold of.” “He’s an old man. Fifty thousand without leaving town is better for him than taking chances to get the whole treasure.” “That looks reasonabie, but most men would take considera- ‘ble risk at any age to corral a quarter of a million, even if they believed they couldn’t spend a quarter of it. There is a heap of satisfaction in the knowledge that you are worth money, a lot of it. You can put on a lot of style.” “Dharwar would look fine trying to put on style, wouldn’t he?” grinned Jack. “He’d want to get his wrinkles ironed out first thing.” The boys walked on for half an hour without hearing from Rum Jum and Nagar. _- Apparently those worthies had temporarily, at least, aban- - doned their employers. _ * “We'll give them thunder,” said Sam. _ fll certainly read Rum Jum the riot act. He is respon- for Nagar. He introduced the fellow to us and put his 0 on him.” > “If ‘any one is to blame for shaking us this way it’s Rum Jum. He ought to be kicked.” _ “It wouldn’t be safe to kick him till we get back to Bombay. _ He's got us at a disadvantage out here in the wilderness.” “If he doesn’t do better we’ll report him to Dharwar,” os They plodded along in the shade of overhanging tree limbs + another half an hour, and the heat compelled them to another rest. “We've had luck in not meeting with a tiger or a big snake _ lace wo etre the Jana oid Sam. “I have Re, Sey to ger You wouldn’t “Tf you ay, "ec VS a ARE TS SI. MMS ES A pe Rl run foul of such things outside of a menagerie where they are behind the bars.” “We have probably passed close to both. They usually sleep during the heat of the day, and even if partially aroused will not attack one unless they are real hungry. At night all the beasts and big reptiles are wide awake and lively. Then they ioress for a meal. It wouldn’t be safe to pass here in the dark.” Cay : “T hope we eseape from this jungle before sundown, then. We ought to if Rum Jum told the truth about the distance to the village. If he didn’t, then we’ll be in a fine fix.” “Well, we have our rifles, and if darkness should find us still in ‘the jungle, we'll build a circle of fire. around us apd keep watch.” “That’s all very nice, but I’d rather not be here after darke Bosides, we'd have to go hungry, and that wouldn’t suit *: either.” “You're always thinking about your stomach.” “It’s an important part of my anatomy. I'll bet you ik forget yours. I notice you're never behind at the meal table." “Tt isn’t good manners to keep others waiting for you.” “Suppose we're stuck in this jungle to-night, we'll have tor sleep on an empty stomach.” “Not while there are birds and monkeys around.” “Monkeys!” : “Sure. A nice tender monkey steak would go fine,” grinned ack. “I'd rather starve than eat monkey meat,” said Sam, in a tone of disgust. ae Roast monkey is a great delicacy among the na- tives.” “Well, I’m not a native, thank goodness!” Jack laughed and said they'd better get a move on. They were hardly on their feet before they heard confused sounds a short distance on their left, then a shrill, female scream. “Hello, what’s that?” eried Jack. Then came a rush of footsteps, and EPA Hindoos, with frightened faces, came pushing through the grass and dashed past them. Two more screams followed, and then silence. CHAPTER i, THE PRINCESS KOKET. “Follow me, Sam, I’m going to see what’s up,” starting in the direction whence the screams came. A woman was in trouble, and Jack was chivalrous enough to rush to her aid, even if he ran into danger by doing so. Sam followed because he didn’t want to be left behind. Forcing their way through the maze of vegetation, they suddenly came to the edge of a small clearing. Here they saw a palanquin standing on the ground, with a dark skinned beauty half Jeaning out of it. Her eyes were closed and she appeared to be unconscious. Her arms were bare to the shoulders. ‘ Around her upper arm was a band of gold, and around her wrist four circlets of gold and jewels. Her loose attire was handsome and expensive. Clearly she was no common person, the daughter, maybe, of» a rajah, or,some Hindoo potentate or official, The palanquin was no ordinary one, either. i It was large and rocmy, with soft, flowing draperies, dea pending from an ornamental top. At least four stout natives were required to carry it, and the |. boys did not doubt that the three scared Hindoos they had, seen running away were bearers of this vehicle. The fourth was in the jaws of a huge tiger which stood facing the palanquin as if figuring on whether he should start off with his prize, or try and add the senseless girl to his feast. ‘ Any one familiar with the animal would have known that . the tiger was perfectly satisfied with one victim. It was not likely that he would attack the girl, particularly * as she lay still like a dead one. The tiger heard the approach of the boys, and turned his glaring eyes upon them when they appeared and stopped. He switched his tail back and forth as if he half expected they had come to d¢prive him of his anticipated meal. Jack felt that he and his companion stood in no particular peril so long as they did not interfere. At the same time he felt that it was his duty to save the native if he could. The rian was probably only atniied: He sank on his knee tote’ at the igor’ even, cried Jack, -*% .e +

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“Sam, however, was rattled at the sight and fired offhand. $250,000 IN GOLD. bee | The girl expressed her sympathy for him, and that raised The ball slightly wounded the animal, and shaking his head | his spirits, with a-growl, he turned to depart. “You spoiled my aim, you chump!” cried Jack. Then aiming at the animal's ear, he fired. With a smothered roar the tiger sprang in the air and fell dead with the ball in his brain. It was a fortunate shot. The unconscious man fell under its huge paws, which dug at the grass for a moment or two through mere muscular ac- tion. Satisfied that all danger was over, Jack ran forward to the palanquin. ae raised the dusky ‘beauty up and laid her back on her cou At her feet was a wicker basket. Jack opened it and found a lunch and a flagon of sweet wine. He poured a little of the wine into the girl’s mouth. This revived her and she looked at the boy. R “Ah, sahib, who are you? What has happened?” “Your bearers were attacked by a tiger, and one of them—” .The girl uttered an ejaculation of terror. -“I remember. Poor Foxi Fum! The tiger has killed him and carried him off.” “¥ hope Foxi is not dead. I killed the tiger,” “You, sahib! You killed the tiger!” “At the first shot.” “Where is it?” “Look yonder.” The girl locked and shuddered. . “Where are my other bearers?” she asked. “Run away.” “The cowards! Yet how can I blame them. The beast is a monster. Sahib, you have saved my life, and I am deeply grateful-to you.” ‘She gave Jack a look that set his blood tingling. She was the loveliest girl he had ever seen, and to have met her in that jungle under such thrilling circumstances seemed like a dream. “Don’t mention it,” said Jack, gallantly. -- have been able to render you a gervice.” — “Ah, you Englishmen are such——” : “Tam not an Inglishman: I’m an American.” ‘ “Ts it not almost the same? You both talk the same lan- e.” “There is a difference,” said Jack, who did not care to be regarded as an English subject. “Generous stranger, [ shall never forget the obligation. Nor will my father, the Rajah of Allabad.” “Your father is a Rajah, then?” “Yes. I am the Princess Koket.” “Allow me to say you are a most charming princess. My name is Jack Hadley, and my uncle is consul at Bombay, a government official.” “I knew you were not a common person,” said Koket with an arch smile. “T am happy to - “No, I'm a very uncommon person, so is my friend here. He He asked where the other bearers were, and being told they had decamped, he called them hard names, and declared he would do a number of things to them when they came back. The boys learned that there were four bearers besides Foxi, who was the boss of the outfit. It was his duty to run either ahead or alongside of the palan- quin, and keep the bearers moving. He was a sort of under steward to the Rajah, and the prin- cess was in his caré on this occasion. Had she suffered any injury from the tiger, Foxi would have had his head cut off, or otherwise been put out of the way, un- less her injuries were very slight and she interceded for him. Had she been killed Foxi’s finish would have been accom- ¢ panied by the most up-to-date torture the Rajah could have devised, though the chances are in that case Foxi would have © been foxy enough to skip the country. The rest of the bunch would have been similarly treated un- less they, too, made themselves scarce, The Rajah, as the boys later found out, was a very auto- cratic individual, who lorded it over a district by the grace of the British authorities, receiving a salary for his services, though he was very wealthy in his own right, He entertained a great contempt for the English, though he prudently pretended great loyalty towards them officially, and frequently entertained the big bugs at his splendid house. _ He often did things that the English authorities would have strenuously objected to had they learned about them, but no one had thé nerve to give the Rajah away. It would have gone hard with them if they had, for his Highness had a long reach. Abcut once a month, at the change of the moon, he was af- flicted with what some people call the mulligrubs or blues. On these occasions the princess always started visiting around to get away from him, for his grouch extended even to her, that is why she was now on her way to Bombay to pass a week with the Governor-general’s family, with whom she was a great favorite. ‘ When the princess told Foxi Fum that he owed his life to Jack. the under steward bowed his head almost to the earth, put Jack’s hand to his lips, and declared his gratitude was as wide as the sky above. —— so as the sun, moon and stars exist, I am your slave,” e Sa That was .very pretty from a poetical point of view, but otherwise his allegiance to the Rajah would prevent a practi- cal demonstration. He was Jack's slave merely in a Pickwickian sense. At this point several dusky, turbaned heads poked them- selves through the shrubbery. These belonged to the four bearers who had returned to re- connoiter the situation. If the princess was gone, they knew what they: were = against, Ssm called Foxi Fum’s attention to ten” He. called them forward and went for their scalps in a way is quill-driver extraordinary at the consulate, a very respon- | that must have made their heads swim. sible position, I assure you. Come here, Sam, I want to intro- | _ duce you to the Princess’Koket. I see you have rescued Foxi Fum from the tiger’s claws. Is he alive?” “Sure he’s alive. He'll be kicking in a few minutes. He’s At any rate they flopped down on their hands and knees, and with their foreheads on the ground, groveled before him. - They begged him not to, inform the Rajah of th delin- | queney on their return to Allabad, and after some h he'll get over that. ‘These natives are hard to kill if they | wages as a bribe. lave half a chance.” : Sam ceme up and was presented to the Rajah’ s daughter, This they agreed to, and so peace was restored. Then the princess rated them soundly, but promised to say “Happy to make your acquaintance, princess,”/ said Sam,! nothing about their delinquency to her father. with his best bow, for he, too, was much srapxeneet by her beanty. ‘The girl. who appeared to be about fifteen, smiled charm-; 7 ingly at him. ‘ ~ . Jack went over to the senseless Foxi Fum and peured some : é& the wine down his throat. ~ He‘opened his eyes and groaned. '*Ask the princess if she has a piece of cloth to bind up this} — ehap’s wounds with,” called Jack: ie _Koket pointed to the basket and told Sam to take the large Rena ys ‘on which the food lay. He fetched it to Jack and, wetting it with wine, they bound. = up the 1 man's wounds. — eh ee at Nap rite made Foxi feel able = get on his plied Foxi. won trot. The sun was now low in the heavens, a fact which Foxit called attention to. It would not be safe for them to continue on their way ee through the jungle. as darkness was- bound to overtake’ them, and then they stood in great -peril. “What are,you going to do, then, Foxi Fum?” said Jack, — “We will return to the cave of the jungle Fakir and ask for shelter for the night. He will not refuse the princess,” re- “And how about the rest of us?” “The Fakir might take you and Sahib Sam in, but the rest with fires for our Bae ; of us will have to camp ocutsid “Heave ahead, then,” said J: foxi gave the order, the bearers picked: up the 2 and with the boys beside it the whole party red itation — got a nasty wound on the shoulder, from the tiger's teeth, but | he agreed to say nothing if they each came up with a year’s — > *

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CHAPTER ITI. THE MAN OF MYSTERY. The party duly reached the Fakir’s habitation, which was nothing more or less than a cave in a huge rocky mound, sur- rounded on the sides and back by tall grass, while the dark | opening faced upon a clearing. To the two young Americans it looked to be a remarkable exhibition of nature’s handiwork. The mound was all of forty feet high, perhaps sixty feet wide, and seemingly of the same depth. , The extent of the cave itself could not be guessed at, since it was pitch dark inside, but the entrance was about four feet in width by seven high. As they entered the clearing the Fakir came to one doorway and stood there. He was an average sized man, naked but fora white cloth Kee encircled his waist, and hung in loose folds nearly to his * knees. On his head he wore a kind of turban, and in his hand he carried a staff. His face looked rather pleasant, but was half hidden beneath a beard, parted in the center of his chin and carefully trimmed. Fully attired in European garments, he would have looked like a very respectable elderly gentleman. Before Foxi Fum could say a word the Fakir said, in mellow accents: “The Princess Koket is welcome to my humble habitation. In expectation of her return I have prepared a couch for her, and refreshments, The young Americans are also” welcomed, and shall share with the princess my hospitality.” “How in thunder does he Know we're Americans?” said Sam to Jack. : He spoke so low that the Fakir couldn’t possibly have heard : him, and yet that personage replied: “Sahib, I know everything. I am an adept and can read thoughts as well as faces. The past, the present and the future roll before my eyes at my command. I know the errand that brought you young sahibs from Bombay, where you are at- tached to the American consulate as clerks. -It is a foolish one—more foolish than you think. A trick of Dharwar’s to— but you shall learn anon. Now I must minister to the wants | of the princess.” “Holy mackerel!” gasped Sam, “will you listen to that. Why, this old chap must be a regular magician or fortune- teller I wonder how he got his information.” Jack paid little attention to Sam. He was deeply interested in the lovely Koket, and he stepped forward to assist her alight from the palanquin. She placed her dainty hand in his and favored him with one of her goo-goo glances that completely enthralled him. If ever a boy was in love at first sight, Jack was since he . had met the charming, brown-skinned maiden. He didn’t know that Koket was nick-named in Allabad ane man-catcher. It wouldn’t have made any difference with him if he had. _ «He was willing to be bound hand and foot to that divinity. He would have given up his share of the Hindoo treasure, if _ already in sight, to be permitted to bask in her many charms. ‘Den’t think that he was foolish. Remember he was at a very susceptible age, and that the girl was simply the par excellence of female beauty. | _ Foxi Fum subsequently told Sam in confidence that the Court Journal, the editor of which received his pay. from the h’s treasury, often printed half a page about Kokei’s. per- ‘sonal charms, and then didn’t half do justice to her loveliness. _ As Jack led Koket toward the Fakir, that personage et ; , whont and waved his staff. _ Immediately, as if he had touched an electric push valent, the cave was illuminated by a soft, pink glow which came from nowhere in particular, as far as could be made out. The Fakir walked in with a majestic stride, and pointing to ‘a soft couch, bade the princess be seated, Nearby was the opening to an inner cave, and on the threshold was a brazier, which appeared to exude or throw out ie current, and as he reached Jack's side the Fakir laid his ff on the ground and said that on no account must his three they valued their liyes, step beyond it. ib this order was given ‘th did not understand at I nas sak emioes copter iat id 1 Lys Oe daar Pe on GA oe te F, $250,000 IN’ GOLD. avoided the staff, as well as the open spaces in either direc- tion it pointed. They went as far as the entrance, but did not leave the cave. From the folds of his tunic the Fakir produced an“ instru- ment in use among snake-charmers throughout India and be- gan io play on it. Instantly the snakes stopped hissing. They raised their necks high in the air and began urd tn themselves .to the cadence of the peculiar tune. They gradually approached the Fakir and bobbed solemnly in front of him. Gradually they seemed to grow dopy and sank slowly to the ground, In a few minutes each became seemingly lifeless. Then the music stopped. “My children,” said the Fakir, in a soft, fatherly way, need refreshment, Eat.” He pointed to a flat slab of stone about the height of a table, | which the boys could have sworn had nothing on it when they came in, and there stood a flagon of wine, a small wicker basket full of rice eakes, another with fruit, while an earthen dish, divided in three parts, held a shivering kind of jelly very similar to gelatine. There was a silver knife and spoon for each person, and the young people, full of wonder as to how the repast had been provided, proceeded to eat without question, and found every- thing excellent in quality and taste. After finishing the meal, the three who had eaten standing sat down on the couch. “Oh, heavens!” cried Sam, pointing with staring eyes at the stone. His companions followed the direction of his finger, and to their amazement the stone was perfectly clear of the dishes and remains of the feast. “Be not alarmed, my children,” said the Fakir; “what you have seen and partaken of came at my will. This is a simple matter for the adept. He can materialize all things at will, and also disperse. The meal you have eaten, and the recepta- cles, came from the Rajah’s kitchen at Allabad, and are back again.” “How far is Allabad from here?” asked Sam. “Forty miles,” said Koket. “And that stuff came forty miles in a “moment?” “even so,” nodded the girl. “This holy Fakir can do any- thing.” “Then maybe he could bring me that package ot cigarettes I forgot to fetch along from my room in Bombay?” “He could, but I would not ask him.” “Holy smoke! Look at him now. He’s as rigid as a statue,” said Sam. Wor severaj minutes the Fakir stood as though transformed into stone, Then he heaved a sigh and seemed to awake from a kind of trance. ‘ He turned to Sam and held out his hand. To the boy’s amazement he saw the identical package of eigarcties he had left behind. He recognized the package by a mark he had made on the wrapper, and also by the fact that two of the cigarettes were missing. ' Sam took the package cpaleer tr: actually doubting the evi- dence of his senses, as probably any one in ‘his place would have. This exhibition savored strongly of magic, The boys had often heard of the astonishing feats of the adepts of india—men who, after a life-time of self-denial and study along certain lines are supposed to have acquired won- derful occult powers.. Thousands of level-headed tourists have witnessed many of their unexplainable feats, and are ready to vouch for the truth of what they have seen; and yet it is an open question whether their seemingly impossible feats were actually accomplisned or whether the spectators were temporarily under hypnotic influence and saw merely what the adepts willed them to see. Sam did not attempt to smoke one of those cigarettes then, either in deference to the princess or because he was afraid of the articles. He put the package in his pocket and did not think of it again till he returned to his room in Bombay, and there he saw the cigarettes where he had left them. So perhaps the young people did not actually eat a meal as they supposed they did, but were under a Sate spell. “you

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t te __ He tho $250,000 IN GOLD. a) “If the prineess wishes to retire she will enjoy undisturbed repose until morning,” said the adept. Koket bowed to him, and then wishing the boys good-night, stepped into the recess and the curtain fell behind her. Jack and Sam followed her exit with their eyes, and then turned to address the Fakir. He was gone. “Where did he go, and how could he get out of sight without our knowing it?” said Sam, wonderingly. “Apparently he can do things that would make our best stage magicians look like thirty cents,” replied Jack. “What's that paper in your hand?” Jack became aware for the first time that he held a paper in his fingers. y He looked at it and found sonle sentences in the Hindoo language. The communication read as follows: “It is fated that you shall follow your quest for the Hindoo treasure, but I warn you that, your path is full of danger, and not even I can foresee the ultimate result of your mad en- terprise, Beware of Rum Jum and his companion Nagar. They are not to be trusted. Dharwar has sold you as annual vietims to the goddess Kalee, the divinity of the almost ex- tinct Thugs. .Rum Jum and Nagar have engaged to deliver you'beth to the priests of the temple. In an effort to save you I separated you this afternoon from these men, who dre thugs at heart, as is also Dharwar, the secret agent of the remnant ef the order, The treasure is where Dharwar told you it was, but it is the bait of the trap intended for your destruction, as it has proved the destruction of others. Why I have been led to take an interest in and warn you, who are strangers to me and of another religion, I may not say. It is the will of my Master, and I can but obey. .Therefore I say beware of what lies before you. I have no power to prevent you going ahead, or I would. Nor can you recede, now that you have started, since the power that draws you on is inexorable. It is Kismet, your Fate.” “What does \the paper say?” asked Sam curiously. Tt is a warning from the Fakir, Read it for yourself.” Sam reached out his hand for the paper. He grasped nothing, i The paper had vanished as though it nev-r existed. oe Am yey CHAPTER IV. ; "IN DREAMLAND. “Where did it go?” asked Sam. “You must have dropped it.” recognize you as my soul-mate. You are from the West, and an unbeliever in the great mystery of life. You are ignorant of the principles of Buddhism, the only true and mystic faith, and ignorance is the' root of all eyil. Four sublime truths point out the path that leads to Nirvana. These four truths are: Life is sorrow—the cause cf suffering is desire—con- quest of self means freedom from desire—an eight-fold path leads to the cessation of sorrow.” The girl paused and regarded him with a yearning fondness, like that a young mother bestows on her first-born. “Go on,” breathed the boy. “Nirvana corresponds to a certain extent with your Heaven. Buddhism teaches that it is the loss of all personal consclous- ness by absorption into the divine. Esoteric Buddhism, in which I believe, says it is the state of consciousness of the liberated soul. There the sou! joins its mate and they become as one, absorbed in each cther. Every soul has its mate, Sometimes they come together on earth and perfect bliss be- tween them results, even theugh they be unconscious of the divine affinity which exists between them. The earth is thou- sands of years old, and you and I have passed through many reincarnations—perhaps several hundred. _We remember noth- ing of our former lives, nor when we return again will we remember what we have experienced in this one. At the mo- ment of death—as our soul flutters toward Nirvana—the past is unrolled before us ike a panorama, and each of our lives from the first passes in review. After that comes a blank— the twin souls join and pass 1,000 years together, in non individual consciousness—then the time being come, we are born again on earth to serve a further penance.” “And you believe Iam your soul-mate?” said the boy eagerly. “I feel you are. We are one, divided by reincarnation. We belong to each other. It is my soul, purified to a certain ex- tent by the study and practice of my faith, that sees in your soul, unresponsive because it is ignorant of its destiny, its affinity. Your soul, alas! is dead to the truth, but, Sahib, it shall be my duty to awaken it into life. And. then——” “But, Koket, I am a Christian, I cannot adopt the Buddhist jfaith. It would be repugnant to my feelings.” “There is but one God, sahib, be satisfied.” “That is my belief. And I also believe that we are born but once, and that death closes our earthly destiny.” ; “Foolish boy!” she replied, with exquisite tenderness. “What is one life? A hundred years passes as swiftly as the brief passage of a cloud across the face of the sun. What ex- perience could the soul gain in se short a time? and it is said of him, he is not dead but sleepeth—to awaken in a new reincarnation. What you do in one existence is re- They both looked on the couch and on the ground for the | flected on the other. Ah, sahib, could I but convince you of paper, but they could not find it. “This must be some more of the Fakir’s magic,” in an awed tone. “Do you remember what was written on the paper?” i : “Distinctly,” replied Jack. . “Tell me, then.” : Jack repeated the words he had read exactly as he had seen them, for they seemed to ring in his ears as though repeated by the soft voice of the Fakir. es “So, Rum Jum and Nagar are traitors, and Dharwar Is be- hind them, the scoundrel! To get the treasure we must walk into the trap waiting for us, eh? Not if I know it,” said Sam, resclutely. “We will retrace our steps to-morrow, and the treasure can go to thunder for all I care,” “But the Fakir said it is tated that we shall continue our quest—that we cannot turn back now that we are started, f sitee the power that draws us on is inexorable. It is our fate,” said Jack. - E “Pate be hanged!” growled Sam. “Do you suppose I'm go- ing to walk into the spider’s web now that my eyes are open? Not, that you could notice it.” ‘ “J am sleepy,” said Jack, with a yawn. ther about our plans in the morning.” ' - Byen as Sam looked at him the boy sank back on the couch @ fell into a deep sleep. : And his sleep was visited by a vivid dream. ought he was in the midst of an extensive garden, and reclined Koket, more bewitching than ever. “We will talk fur- by “his. Her. aN there as fascinated and incapable of motion as though vapeccot ‘by the baleful glare of a serpent. a 4] ave you ” eried Jack, “I would go through fire| your faith. I am just a plain American boy, and I t “You love me, sahib?” came softly from her lovely lips. _ JOST “ ie ae Pate tat tes brought us together, sahi, for TAS, Tek Sane etree etyae -|appeared from behind the curtain. e seed eyes seemed to look into his very soul, and he| the great truth, how happy would I be! Are we to part just said Sam, |as we have met, and sce no more of each other until we come together in Nirvana? Few sovls are privileged in this.life to recognize their affinity. I catmot bear to lose you, my soul- mate—and yet life is sorrow.” The pearly tears gathered in the girl's eyes. Her bosom heaved with emotion. — She arose and extended her arms to the boy, while her eyes reflected a devouring love, mirrored in their liquid depths. Who could resist such a temptation? > Jack threw out his own arms to enfold her and—awoke to find the morning sunshine streaming in at the mouth of the cave, and a scene of activity going on outside. ' ' its There was no sign of the Fakir, nor of his staff. . On the flat stone lay a tempting meal of rice cakes, honey and fruit. . } As Jack sprang up, Koket, looking as blooming as a rose, ; y F “Good-morning. sahib,” she said, with a modest blush. | “Koket, my darling, we never shall part!” he cried, extend- ing his arm toward the girl, impetuously. : The princess drew back, ard put out one of her exquisitely movided arms to stay him. ’ : “Tlie sahib forgets himself,” she said, softly. . Y Jack stopped as if he had received a blow in ‘the face. . “Koket, this from you? my——” At that moment Jack looked supremely miserable. “I told you what, sahib?” she said, dropping her. eyes, in ‘that enticing way that beauty knows. best how to adopt. © “It doesn't matter, Koket,” said Jack, in a broken voice. “I ask your pardon for my presumption. I am not of your class— while you—you are a pr » the a dream, as fleeting as life, according . (SLAs A man dies - And yet you told me you were

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i . | taloe up,” ike ees $250,000 IN GOLD. it, and perhaps it was a glimpse of your Nirvana, where one Meets one’s kindred soul; but—I am back on earth again—to work out my destiny alone. each other, here, at least, we are as far apart as the poles. Yet I shall never forget you, Koket—nor the dream which for| you and me. Whatever we may really be to} love with the Rajah’s daughter. “Nothing has come over me. Let’s go on.” “J know what’s the matter,” grinned Sam. “You’ve fallen in But it won’t do you any good. Rajah’s daughters don’t marry common Americans like Her father wouldn’t stand for it a moment. one brief instant illuminated two souls with but a single| He’s a fierce gent according to Foxi Fum, who ought to know thought, two hearts that beat as one.” him pretty well. The people of Allabad call him the Bengal Jack turned with a dry sob and started for the entrance cf| Tiger. And what do you suppose the people call Miss Koket?” the cave, where he saw Sam talking to Foxi Fum. “Sahib!” It was only a word from the lips of the princess, and yet it thrilled him like nothing ever thrilled him before. He turned, but did not look at-her. “T hope you do not think me ungrateful for the service you have rendered me. I beg you will accept this, and my assur- ila I shall remember you with gratitude as long as I ve She held out her hand. In her fingers glittered a ring that shone like living fire. “Koket, I need nothing to remember you,” he said. “Yet you will take this, will you not?” she replied, drawing — to him, her eyes shining like twin stars of great magni- tude. She caught his hand, kissed it and put the ring on one of his fingers. “For my sake!” she breathed. “For your sake I’d dare anything—even life itself. you, Koket, and love unreturned, like life, is sorrow.” She trembled visibly a moment. Her bosom rose and fell as though stirred by some deep emotion. : Her glorious eyes swept his handsome face swiftly an earnestly. Then—she laughed softly and turned away. In good truth she had been well named, the man-eatcher, and Koket should have been spelled coquette. “The coming of Sam into the cave put an end to this pretty | Show himself this morning and wish us good-by?” scene. T' love ow as they shouldered their rifles and started off. “How should I know?” said Jack, impatiently. : Stes call her the man-catcher. She is the biggest flirt in ndia.” Jack made no reply, but he believed what Sam said. Koket had certainly played him for all she was worth. It almost made him mad to think about it. And yet be could only entertain tender thoughts of the be- witching beauty, j “Confound that dream!”,he muttered. “What made me have it? In it she called herself my soul-mate, and she said she wouldn’t give me up. At the sweetest point of the dream, just as I ‘was going to take her into my arms and cover her mouth with kisses, I woke up. That’s always the way with dreams. They quit at the wrong moment. If you dream of finding a treasure, you wake up just as you are reaching out to pocket it, and you feel awfully disappointed.” “Say, what are you talking to yourself about?” said Sam. hy don’t you address your observations to me?” “T was thinking.” “About the princess, I suppose? I’m glad she’s gone on her way. If we had to travel with her she’d sure turn my head q| before we got to the end of our journey. Pretty girls are a great nuisance. They make monkeys of fellows. That is what Miss Koket has done with you.” . “Kindly cut the young Jady out, will you?” “Sure, Anything to oblige. I wonder why the Fakir don't “Maybe he was up all night saying prayers. Those religious “¥ello, old chap, I see you're awake at last. What in thun.| f@natics have their own ways of doing things.” der is the matter with you? You look as solemn as a mute at a funeral in the old days. Did your supper disagree with you, or what?” “Nothing,” replied Jack, impatiently. “It couldn’t be less. Good-morning, princess. enjoyed your night’s rest. You're looking as charming as ever, upon my word you are.” “What a flatterer you are, sahib!” said the girl, giving him the googoo eye, “Don’t mention it. It’s a failing that runs in the family. My father never met 2 pretty girl that he didn’t want to kiss, and as they say that’s myself.” “What an amusing boy you are!” she replied, laughingly. “That’s another failing of mine, Miss Koket. I tried to run away with all the circuses that came our way under the im- Perhaps the reader will wonder why, after the warning letter Jack had received from the Fakir, he and Sam were , continuing forward, particularly when Sam had said that the treasure could go to thunder before he would risk his life to I hope you| Set it. Simply because they had both forgotten about the warning. Why should they forget such an important thing? Because it was their Fate. As a matter of fact, Jack had received no warning letter. He had received the warning by telepathy or thought-trans- ference, and the Fakir had hypnotized the boys to attain his catching, I am afflicted the same way | object. Sam thought he saw a letter in Jack’s fingers, and called his attention to it. Jack then saw it apparently and.read it. The Fakir willed matters that way, and what Jack thought pression that I was born for a clown. Hello, I see the Fakir} he read was what the adept impressed upon his mind from a has provided us with breakfast. What a capital fellow he is! I was just wondering if Jack and I would have to proceed on an empty stomach. Come on, let’s eat.” They stood around the stone, but Jack had no appetite. “What in creation is the matter with you, old man? Why don’t you pitch in?” - “I’m not hungry,” replied Jack, shortly. “Well, you will be by and by, so you had better put a few of those rice cakes in your pocket. I’m going to do so on gen- eral principles.” Koket’s appetite did not seem to be at all affected. ‘She ate and drank and seemed to be in excellent humor. _ They escorted her outside to the palanquin. - “Good-by, sahibs,” she said. “And you, Sahib Jack, remem- ber the ring. You may find it useful—to remember me by.” Then the bearers picked up the vehicle, and at the word of eanpeew from Foxi Fum, started off with it. —— CHAPTER Vv. OUT OF THE JUNGLE. _ Jack stood and watched the palanquin disappear into the tall : elve Sian had made a different boy of him. had lost his heart to the Princess Koket, and she carried _her on her i eg to Bombay. said Sam. “What's come over you, anyway? a shin th mule vkEe morning.” short distance away. How the Fakir, himself became aware of the “things he pointed out is something that we do not pretend to explain. Any expert mind reader can do pretty much the same thing, but how he does it ts another question. A stage magician will make you stare with wonder when he borrows your hat, fries an omelet in it over a spirit lamp, and then returns you your hat‘as good as ever. That’s only a trick, but he knows how to work it, and unless you have previously been made wise to the modus operandi, he gets your goat. The Fakir was a past master in mysteries that probably haye an explanation if they could be found out. 0 one nowadays pretends there is any mystery about the wireless telegraph, and yet that, with wireless telephony, now coming to the front, is one of the most astonishing revelations of science, Just think of sounds representing the Morse alphabet being sent through the air, and being caught and reproduced on an instrument hundreds ni miles away, made to receive and util- ize them. : Tf ‘sounds can be ‘peut thus, why not thoughts? o then can contest the special powers of a Hindoo Fakir who is master of his line of business? So our heroes went on their way, drawn to what might be their doom by a power whose will governed the universe. And while they walked on, Rum Juma and Nagar were look- ing for as a

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Ud _ ‘ sear $250,000 IN GOLD. In fact, those rascals had been looking for them almost from the time they separated. They had had no intention of abandoning the boys. Far from it. They had a definite purpose in view respecting them. Scale ed they marveled how the boys had got away from em. At any rate, they determined to recover them if they could. Their one fear was that Jack and Sam had been killed in the jungle by a tiger or a boa constrictor. They hoped not, and when morning. came they were on the job again after a few hours’ rest. The two boys walked on, hoping soon to get out of the jun- gle, which began to present a changed appearance. There were more trees, the grass was not so high, and the shrubbery of a different hue. They heard a rumbling of what seemed like thunder in the distance, and the sky looked a bit hazy. “T believe there’s a storm coming up,” recovered his spirits to some extent. “A storm and no shelter in sight,” said Sam. soaked.” “A wetting won’t hurt us. When the sun comes out again our clothes will soon dry.” The storm came up fast, with thunder and lightning. said Jack, who had “We'll be These kind of storms are very. violent in India while they |’ -. . The boys knew that, and the prospect did not look encour- A stream ran through the grass of the jungle that took its rise in the mountain range many miles away. ee it was not very deep, and swept murmuringly ong. But a rain storm always added such a volume of water to it that it overflowed its shallow banks and swept all before it. Animals and reptiles were frequently caught. unawares, and forced to take an unsolicited ride, which sometimes wound up their earthly career. The boys had reached the bank of the stream when the storm came upon them with a roar, The turbulent water was rising fast. The sky above was dark and gray, and the sooty clouds were slashed right and left by lurid red streaks of electricity. The thunder was deafening in its intensity. Suddenly a rush of water came out of the grass and swept Jack and Sam) off their feet. _ Already soaked, they now looked like half-drowned rats. They were hurled against a breken tree with a force that shook the breath almost out of them, but they managed to held on to their guns. They grabbed the tree as it went over, and the next thing they knew they were sailing down the stream clinging to it. The torrent increased, sweeping trees and bushes away as if they were straws. The boys did not lose their presence of mind. They got firm grips on the tree, which they straddled, and they were carried along at racehorse speed. An eddy carried their craft under a big tree and swung it around and around. Looking up they saw that the tree was a veritable me- » Ragerie, On its branches were congregated birds and beasts, includ- ing a tizer, crouching low in the crotch, and two large snakes. _The snakes were wound around the branches, and one had a coil around the tiger. All were terrified by the storm, and though a parrot perched within a foot of one snake’s head, the reptile made no move to gobble it. Monkeys were around in abundance, old ones and young ones, chattering occasionally, expressive of their fears, no doubt. A rush of water dislodged the tree from the eddy, and the tops continued on again under a sky that resembled a blazing erno. oe ie. They were finally swept out of the jungle at-a point where “the stream broadened out into a small river, clear of obstruc- _ tions, and their pace became less headlong, For an hour they sailed along the stream through an open ra _ country, sparsely populated, as the boys could see by the huts gt. uncertain intervals. The storm flew chead faster than they, and gradually. the cleared and the sun came out. ‘The oy Bc aa its weer in the center of the river, eS A Sh eh zo Se eee? Se 7 — the paddling the boys could do wouldn’t send it shore- ward. Thus another hour passed, and save for the steam that arose from the ground, one would not have thought a fierce storm had just passed that way. The boys’ clothes were already dry from their waist upward, but the rest of them was in the water. “We're having a free ride at all events,” said Sam. “But it may be taking us out of our way,” said Jack. “Oh, well, we have lots of time. Say, supposing we cop that treasure, how are we going to carry it away? Twenty thousand in gold is quite a hefty lead to wiggle under. Just think of $250:000.” “We'll buy a horse end cart from some native, and load it up.” : “But the temple is in a deserted spot. Hadn’t we better pro- vide ourselves with the rig at some village in advance?” “My idea was to find the treasure first, then look for a cart.” “Just as you say. You are running this expedition.” A boat pulled by two natives hove in sight around a bend. The boys shouted to the Hindoos to come to their relief. The natives obligingly did so. and they towed the tree to the shore, where Jack and Sam stepped out-of the water. “Whereabouts is, the village of Badapoor?” asked Jack. “That way, five miles from here,” said one of the Hindoos. <The village of Hydabad is twelve miles from Badapoor?” said Jack. “Right, Sahib. “That way.” said the boy, with a sweep of his arm. The Hindoo nodded, and said it was about seven miles up the river and half a mile from the stream. “This is the district ruled over by the Rajah of Allabad.” The man said it was. “How far away is the town of Allabad?” “Twenty-five miles.” “In what direction?” The Hindoo pointed. “That’s where the Rajah lives.” “Usually, but twelve times a year, at the change of the moon, he goes to his castle on an island in this river, beyond Hydabad, with his daughter and many of his servants. He is there now, but his daughter, with his permission, has gone to Bombay to visit the Feringhee Governor-geneéral.” Feringhee was the name applied to the English. “He makes the change when the mulligrubs come on,” grinned Sam. “I don’t understand the young Sahib,” said the Hindoo, for Sam had used the word mulligrubs for want of a Hindoo equivalent. Jack explained what his companion meant. The Hindoo frowned and said the young Sahib must be more circumspect in his reference to the Rajah, lest he get in trouble. , The potentate, he said, was a very great person indeed, and ruled the district with a grip of iron. He administered |justice to suit his own fancy, and the lives and prosperity of his people were dependent on his whim. Respect for the power of the English, however, prevented him from going too far, as a rule, but not always, when he thought it safe to indulge his tigerish instincts. He regarded it as a compliment to be called the Bengal Tiger, but resented ordinary criticism. As the route laid out for the boys by Dharwar would take them through the village of Hydabad, the young Americans started, in that direction. CHAPTER VI. A CLOSE CALL. : The boys struck a road which carried th three miles on their way toward the village, when it turned off to the left. Had they followed the road a couple of miles further they would have struck the main road to Hydabad. Instead of doing so they struck off through the woods, not far from: the river. They soon found themselves in another jungle very like the one the storm had extricated them from, but it was by ‘no means extensive, Still it was the roving ground of wild animals that came there to prey upon the deer and antelopes, as well as smaller game. On account of the many trees the boys found traveling more pleasant in this jungle; nevertheless, the heat was ote aig ba pressive. pais to a - glade, through which ran a small, : ae AY a 5 =,

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8 bee, $250,000 IN GOLD. streamlet, Jack and Sam seated themselves at the foot of a banyan tree to rest and try to coo! off. They had not been there long before they became are that they were objects of interest to a big bunch of monkeys, | old and young. . These animals gathered in the tree above, and the other trees near by, and watched every movement made by the boys. At first they were silent, but they couldn’t keep that way long. Their chatter grew in volume, and with it their- curiosity. “Those chaps are passing their opinion of us around among, themselves,” grinned Sam. “One would think they never had seen a couple ot white-skinned people before. They're begin- ning to get familiar,” he added as the monkeys came closer to them, one particularly ugly fellow lowering himself by his tail and swinging back and front before the boys, making faces or grimaces at them. His performances evidently aroused the admiration of the} _ others, for the chatter became deafening. Several of the monkeys cverhead in the banyan tree plucked the fruit and ate it in a lazy way as if they were not very hungry. Some of the half eaten fruit dropped around the boys, two hitting Sam on the head when he removed his helmet to mop away the perspiration. Sam picked up the fruit and threw it at the swinging mon- key, hitting him on the chest. He swung himself back on the branch as quick as a’wink, chattering furiously. He seized a handful of the fruit and flung it at the boys. ‘Almost instantly every monkey in the vicinity was seized with the same impulse, and a cloud of the fruit landed on Jack and Sam. « Sam caught several in the face, others on the hat, and a score on his chest. Throwing up their hands to ward off the shower. did no good, - for the tribe kept up the fun. It was no fun for the boys. Sam, losing his patience, raised his rifle and blazed away at the monkey who had started the fusillade. He fell from the limb like a stone, and weer made a mere | after hitting the ground. : Se silence and a cessation of the bombardment fol- , owed. j " But only for a few moments. t The consternation of the Simians gave way to rage, and the shower of fruit was resumed with greater speed. The banyan figs came like an avalanche at the boys, so that ot were obliged to beat a precipitate retreat into the open le. The monkeys continued to pelt at them, hut. stopped when - they saw that their ammunition failed to reach. ; a: A crowd of them gathered about the corpse of the ugly _ chap and held a sort of inquest over him. ; Suddenly out of the grass flashed a tiger, which landed or - the bunch. A pandemonium of screeches came from the whole tribe, ‘and the trees in the vicinity were immediately deserted. The tiger trotted off with two of the monkeys, the little animais screaming like mad. ‘Jack and Sam returned to the shade of the tree again, the : latter kicking aside the monkey he had shot. Hardly had they seated themselves again when they ce shouts from a distance, and then sounds of people approachin, ia the jungle. “{ wonder who's coming now?” said Sam.’ to be quite a bunch.” _ As he spoke a hunted deer sprang into the glade. followed _ by a cheetah—an animal of the leopard species, found in Asia and northern Africa, and trained to hunt like a doe. but is muzzled to prevent it mangling its prey. In color it is yellowish- “brown, spotted with black, with long legs and tail. Before the deer could get out of sight the cheetah bounded = Upon it, and brought it to the ground. Sam, however, took the cheetah for a wild animal which had been routed out of its lair by the comers, and leveling his ; ie he put a ball into its head. ts claws relaxed on the deer just as a mounted Hindoo dashed into the glade, and the wounded as Te springing up, good its escape. “There appears eo, "Phe cheetah lay in its tracks as dead as a doornail. we’ ee. uttered an i Aa ARIS rey? looked ‘toward tne He saw Sam’s smoking gun, and knew he had killed the cheetah. Sam, without reatizing his offence, was in for it: A dark-featured, splendidly attired man of large size, fol- lowed the Hindoo and drew rein. - The rest of the party, some on horseback and some on foot, appeared and paused on the edge of the glade at a respectful distance from the big man. “What does this mean?” roared the important looking per- sonage, staring at the cheetah’s corpse. The Hindoo who first appeared said something and pointed at the boys. The big man’s face became livid with rage. “Secure those Feringhees!” he cried to the men behind. Three of the unmounted natives ran over, grabbed both Jack and Sam, and brought them forward, in spite of their protests. -“How dare you shoot my cheetah?” cried the big man, glowering darkly upon the boys. “Sorry I made the mistake,” said Sam; “but I took it for a ; wild leopard.” “You shall pay dary for your insolence,” cried the man. “Know you who I am?” “No. I haven’t the honor of your acquaintance,” said Sam. “Tam Ram Rusti, the Rajah of this district. You are both my prisoners. and shall be taken to my castle in the river, where I shall decide upon the punishment that fits your crime.” si “Hold on, Rajah,” interposed Jack. “We are Americans, and under the protection of the Stars and Stripes. My uncle is consul at Bombay. You have no right to detain us at your eastle, and if you punish us you will be called to account for it by the Governor-general.” The Rajah’s face became convulsed, “Vile unbeliever, how dare you presume to address me so famiHarly? Down on the ground, both of you, and salaam to me!” “Never! We will lift qur hats to you as a mark of respect, but that is the bxtent of our homage to any man, even if he wears a crown,” said Jack, boldly. Furious with rage, the Rajah drew his glistening curved sword from its sheath, and would assuredly have lopped off tke heads of both boys then and there, but for the sudden and unexpected appearance of the Fakir of the jungle. “Hold!” he cried. -The Rajah held the weapon in the air and looked around. When he perceived the Fakir his manner changed, and his arm dropped to his side. If there was anybedy he respected, as well as feared, it was a religious adept. He respected them for their religious supremacy, and feared their occult powers. “Release those boys!” commanded the Fakir. The three Hindoos drew back in fear, leaving, Jack and Sam by themselves. “Noble Rajah,” said the Fakir, in a respectful tone, “these boys deserve your gratitude instead of your censure.” ‘ eee £0? That one shot my favorite cheetah. He deserves eath.” you not your daughter of more importance than the chee- tah?” “Assuredly. Why do you mention her?” “Beeause she owes her life to these two American lads.” _ “Impossible!” replied the Rajah, incredulously.. “Is not my word to be believed, mighty Rajah?” “It is,” said the potentate, with a bow. “Listen, then.” The Fakir told how Jack saved Koket os the peril that menaced. her, and rescued Foxi Fum from death at the tiger's claws. The Rajah was convinced, and somewhat against his will ‘ex- tended his jeweled hand.to Jack. “The service you rendered my only daughter entitles you to my gretitude, young Feringhee, and the crime of your com- panion in killing the cheetah shall pass unnoticed, though it is my favorite animal. You shall accompany me to my island castle and ‘there partake of my hospitality for a few days.” He spoke to his chief attendant, the Hindoo who had first come on the scene, and that individual ordered two of the party to dismount and tender their horses to the boys. Jack turned to thank the Fakir for his timely interference in their behalf, but he no longer stood by his side. He had vanished as quickly as he appeared, not a soul in the © party having seen him come cr go. No one veenten to regard this fact as unusual, unless it was ————— se

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$250,000 IN GOLD. ee) na boys, and they did not believe that he had disappeared into in air. He was a mnysierious personage; it is true, but still it was likely that he had glided off into the jungle while attention Was momentarily diverted from him. The Rajah was too haughty a personage to ride beside his Suess, They fell in behind him, while the chief attendant rode in advance. The balance of the party followed in straggling order. The death of the cheetah had compelled the potentate to give up the hunt, for that animal had routed out and followed the game. : i a Rajah rode along in silence, and the blues came back to m, His subjects believed that these periodical fits were due to his having offended some important divinity of their faith, but they were probably due to an inactive liver. — Livers do not thrive very well in India, for in addition to the heat, nearly everybody eats curry in their food as a sea- Soning, and that’s as heating as red peppers. Englishmen who have lived a long time in India invariably return to their native land with a demoralized liver. A bad liver generally makes a man a grouch, and the Rajah had the best developed grounch in the country. “We had a narrow escape,” said Sam to his companion. “The Rajah intended to decapitate us on the spot.” “I'll allow it was a close call. We owe our lives to the jungle Fakir.” f “He certainly turned up at the right moment. It was lucky you saved Koket’s life. Instead of being punished we are going to be entertained.” “I hope we'll come out all right. I don’t fancy the Rajah much.” cons “No, you fancy his daughter.” “Never mind that. She’s a man-catcher and has no use for cur sex the moment she has caught us. It make :me\mad to think what power she has acquired over me, _If she ordered me to jump off the edge of a precipice, I bélieve I'd do it. _ When a girl has beauty like hers, she’s dangerous—to a man’s peace of mind.” MPT “You probably won’t see her again. Anyway, she couldn’t _. Marry you if you won her, unless you were willing to pass your life in India. She’s a high-caste Brahmin and may not ' cross the ocean to America without losing her standing, Of - course, if she was willing to sacrifice her religion for your Sake, and her father was willing to let her, which is hardly believable, you could take her, but India would then become “a dead issue to her. Were you to die soon after you reached America with her, see the fix she would be in. If she dared return to India she would be regarded as unclean, and couvid associate only with the lowest grade of Hindoos,” : “I know all that, but she could regain her caste by going through certain penances of'a tough kind. In the end, if she could stand the trial, she would be received by her kindred,” “The chances are that owing to her rank she would have to ‘Lecome a vestal virgin in a temple, and live retired from the _ world, like certain nuns.” _ “Well, I guess she won't have to go through any such expe- Tience, She'll never leave India, and he will have to be a pretty clever man who wins her heart.” ‘“Thet’s a fine ring she gave you, but what an cdd setting— a jeweled bug, with 2 pair of rubies for eyes.” ‘ ' “She gave it to me as evidence of her gratitude for saving her life and—to remember her by.” { The scenery, of a much, imptoved character, now attracted their attention, and they soon struck the road which led to Hydabad. 5 Caan y ~ ’ With the village showing in the distance they turned off toward the river, and finally reached the barge which carried | !augh?” them tc the island, the horses swimming behind. a4 CHAPTER VII. gruaea) os GUESTS or THE RAJAN, ; ae their arrival at the castle, which was not really a castle, _ but 2 large and solid looking structure occupying one end ly furnished r the river. the an, the boys were, at the Rajah’s command, escorted |' splendid “All right. We have no orders at present. Do we dine alone or with the Rajah?” The. Hindoo opined they would be served in their room: This proved to be the case, An hour later an appetizing meal, with plenty of curry in the chief dishes, was set before them, and they were waited on. by their private servant or attendant. After the meal they asked the servant if they could walk about the island, That individual said he believed they were at liberty to make themselves at home, but before acting on it he suggested that they await the coming of the steward, whose name was Run-phaster. “ The boys agreed to this, and in a short time a very solemn and dignified Hindoo appeared and said he was glad to make the acquaintance of the young Feringhees. Jack told him that the pleasure was mutual. “Is it true that you saved the life of the princess?” said Run-phaster. “Yes, from a tiger in the jungle.” “Brave boys. And you also rescued my nephew, Foxi Frum?” “Yes,”* nodded Jack. - “I shall remember you in my prayers to Bhahma,” said the solemn steward. “I suppose, as head steward, you have a nice sinecure under the Rajeh?” “Alas, no! Do I !ook happy?” He certainly looked very much the reverse. “Not particularly,” replied Jack. “How can I be happy when the responsibilities of my posi- tion, as chief adviser to the Rajah, sit like a mountain upon my shculders?” “But you doubtless receive the comfort of a big salary.” “What is salary to a man when he stands in cdnstant fear of losing his head?” “How?” cried Jack, in surprise, “A sudden melancholy seizes upon the Rajah at the full of each mcon. He calls himself miserable and says it’s the busi- ness of his chief steward—that’s me—to make him happy. I do my best, but am not always successful. He has had sev- eral chief stewards within the last few years, and all of them have disappeared in a mysterious manner. I live in constant fear that it will be my turn next.” ; “I don’t think I'd care to have your job,” said Sam, “I'd just as soon work in a powder house.” oe tell you a good way io make the Rajah happy,” said ach, ’ “Ah, if you only would,” said Run-phaster. , “ill him full of good American whisky. Most men are happy when they have a jag on.” “Your idea is rot bad. I'll try it at the next full moon; that is, if I survive this one.” “How long does his grouch lest?” “Seven days to the minute. This is the second. This morn- ing I succeeded in persuading him that he would be happy if he went on an all-day hunt. As he likes to follow the chase, the suggestion took with him. He departed with his retinue, and I did not expect to see him back till sunset. Unfortunately: your companion here Killed the cheetah, and thaf put an end to the hunt. He has returned in worse humor than ever. I dread to approach him.” “Where is he now?” “in his private apartments. At any moment he may sum- mon me to his’ presence and order me to make him happy.” *Co you expect to make a man happy with that face of yours?” said Sam. “Why don’t you look pleasant?” “Can a man in my position look happy?” “The happier you look the mere chance you have of pulling ; ‘$ through. Couldn’t you erack a joke or two and make him “T don't, know any jokes,” sald the chief steward, lugubri- ir: r kacw 2 whole lot in my own language, but I don’t think IT could translate them into Hindcostanese-so they would sound ene consulted the stars with reference to the Rajah’s . “What did the stars say?” ‘ ppy man, and complete.”

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a Ie Soh $250,000 IN GOLD. Se ee ’ “The stars say that the happy man must be found in the Rajah’s dominions.” “Wouldn’t a happy boy do? I mean one whose shirt might fit the Rajah with a little opening up.” “Such a shirt might answer in a pinch.” “All right. Send to Bombay at once ‘and have the Princess Koket brought back.” “To what purpose?” é “My friend Jack is dead gone on her. All that is necessary to make a happy boy is for her to marry him. Then he’ll let you have his shirt, which you will at once put on the Rajah. If the cure doesn’t work you can blame the stars,” chuckled At that moment an attendant appeared and said that his Higliness desired the presence of his chief steward. Run-phaster made a motion of despair, as if he saw his finish in sight, and followed the messenger out of the room. - “Now let’s go down and get a squint at the island,” said am. They went, but found little to interest or amuse them. Jack declared that if he had to remain a week at the castle the Rajah would have nothing on him in the way ofta grouch. On their way back to the house they saw a boat with two Hindoos making for the landing on the island. aa they drew near, one of the Rajah’s guards warned them off. “Gee!” cried Sam, “see who's coming.” Jack easily recognized Rum Jum and Nagar. ‘That part of the Fakir’s warning referring to them, as well as to Dharwar, immediately occurred to the boys. \ “We don’t want to have anything more to do with those chaps,” he said. “T should say not,” said Sam. Rum Jum rowed as close to the landing as he dared, and then held a parley with the guard. He wanted to know if two Feringhees had come to the island in' the Rajah’s company a few hours before. The guard declined to make any statement on the subject. Rum Jum, who had secured information along the route of the hunting party, persisted in asking questions of the guard, but as it was against the Rajah’s orders to give out any in- formation about anything, except on the responsibility of the chief steward, the guard threatened to shoot Rum Jum if he didn’t sheer off. The rascally guide, finding that he could make no headway with the guard, and having no desire to be shot at, turned the boat shoreward. He was satisfied that the two boys were on the island, so he and Nagar stood watch by turn so as to join them when they left the island. Jack and Sam, from the shelter of the trees, watched the movements of the guide and his companion, and judged that the fellows were going to stay around the landing until they left the island. “We will have to play a march on them somehow,” said Jack. “We can find our way to the Temple of the Thousand Eyes somehow without any aid from them. The chief service we expected of Rum Jum was to pilot us through the big jungle. He and Nagar left us in the midst of it, either acci- dentally or by design, and if we hadn’t come across the prin- _ cess’ party, and thereby enjoyed the hospitality of the Fakir, it might have gone hard with us. Since the Fakir told us that the rascals are not to be trusted, we must try and give them the shake. It may take us twice as long to make our way to the temple where the treasure is without them, but it will probably be the safer way.” “T agree with you,” nodded Sam. phaster about quitting the island on the quiet when our visit is up. We'll have to do it after dark, and by way of the oppo- “We'll consult with Run- site shore.” -The boys remained three days. Each morning they were invited to a private audience with the Rajah. His face looked sour and the boys endeavored to cheer him up with- stories about the States. They succeeded in interesting him for the time being, ant he treated them with unusual favor. On the third day he invited them to visit his place in Alle bad and pass a week there. He said his daughter would then be on hand to entertain Jack him and said they would be glad to avail thanked themselves of the invitation The Rajah was curious to learn. what business they bad in =) laimaer ite Jack said they were simply enjoying a short vacation and putting in the time seeing the sights. In course of the conversation he told the Rajah that they expected to visit the Temple of the Thousand Eyes. “We heard in Bombay that it was a wonderful old ruin, and well worthy of a visit,” said Jack. The Rajah’s brow darkened and the fierceness returned to his eyes, “TI would advise you not to go there,” done so and never have come back.” “What prevented them?” “Who shall say?” replied the potentate. “It may be that Kalee still haunts the ruins of her chief temple, and devours those rash enough ‘to invade her resting place.” “Kalee was the goddess of the Thugs or stranglers, once a power in India; but the sect has been entirely exterminated by the British,” said Jack, “A tree may seem to be dead above the ground, and yet its roots still have life. So it is with the Thugs. There are yet many devotees of the faith who practice their art at intervals when circumstances favor them. They do it at the risk of their lives. These are the faithful who are devoted to Kalee, and she still thrives on their fanaticism, though most of her temples have been leveled to the ground, and her chief abode, the Temple of the Thousand Eyes, is a deserted ruin. [t is situated just over the border of my dominions in the district of the Nawab of Maler Kootla. The Nawab and i are not on good terms. Many years ago we had trouble over a large sum of gold—£50,000 in guineas—sent to the Nawab by Muhammad Shahab, as indemnity growing out of a petty war. The gold, while in transit from Bombay, where it had come by skip, passed through my district. It disappeared with its bearers in some unaccountable way, and was never afterward heard of. The Nawab accused me of ambushing the bearers and stealing the gold. A man of honor would not do such a thing, and I in- dignantly denied the accusation. We almost went to war over it, Indeed, but for the good offices of the then English Gover- nor-general, there probably would have been war. The diffi- eulty was settled, but the Nawab. never has been friendly since.” The boys looked at each other when the Rajah spoke about the £50,000, which corresponded with the $250,00U in gold they were after. The fact that the Nawab of Maler Kootla might have a clei. on it did not worry them. The indemnities demanded by the winners of petty Indian wars were more or less acquired on the hold-up plan, your money or your life. A great number of years had elapsed since the treasure in question disappeared, and it had been forgotten by the Nawab. If it really was hidden in the ruinous Temple of the Thou- sand Eyes, doubtless the Thugs were at the bottom of the theit. No tiger—accounted the most cunning of all beasts in the quest of prey—could approach its victim more stealthily than the Thug. He banked on craft and treachery, but being a rank peg he rarely worked alone, At the time of our story these scoundrels had been vprothy nearly all rooted out by the British, but nevertheless they still existed, though the traveler on the highways and byways was practically safe from them. Their headquarters was at the ruins of the Temple of the Thousand Eyes, which once upon a time had shone with mag- nificence. It was built for and dedicated to the goddess Kalee, and here her statue still stood—a thing of terror to the natives and of curiosity to the tourist. After supper that day Jack and Sam, provided with two he said. “Many have ‘small hampers of food, left the island under the shades of night and landed on the shore opposite the regular landing, ‘where Rum Jum and Nagar were waiting for them. ~ CHAPTER VIII. THE FOUR RASCALS. The boys were now on the wrong side of the river to reach the temple, which was quite a distance off, but they did not doubt they would find plenty of chances to recross. The head steward had told them that they would reach a vil- lage by following a road half a mile from the river. ‘ On the outskirts of the village was a Hindoo inn. where they could put up for the night, but Run-phaster warned them to be on their guard, as the proprietor was known to be a great rascal, who was believed to be in league with a pirahe ayes i bunch of low-caste natives. Die? oak za ea

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13 ‘a $250,000 IN GOLD. ‘The steward hardly thought the inn-keeper would dare at- any game with them, because next door to it. Still he was not to be trusted. : ‘ The boys started straight for the road, reached it across a aga of cultivated fields, and turned in the direction of the lage. : It was a longer walk than they had counted on, but the place _ hove in sight at last under a brilliant star-lit sky, with the full Moon just rising in all her glory, and casting their moving _ Shadows ahead of them on the road. It was after ten o’clock, and the only light in sight came from the window of the inn. The door was open, as well as the windows, to admit the night air, and the boys walked in, with their rifles under their arms. At a table on one side of the room sat four as rascally look- ing Hindoos as Jack and Sam had ever seen, and in the course _ Of their Bombay experience they had run against some pretty tough specimens. They lcoked curiously at the boys and at the rifles. They judged that the lads had come to that part of the coun- try to shoot in the jungle, sizing them up as English tourists. The boys, however, had no game with them and were on the Opposite side of the river-from the nearest jungle, and a con- _ Siderable distance from the big one near the base of the moun- tain range. Altogether they could not make out why the boys had come to that village. The more burly-looking of the quartet jumped up and ad- dressed them in very fair English, not supposing they under- Stood the native language. “You are Feringhee travelers?” he said, inquiringly. “We are Americans from Bombay,” replied Jack, in English. “You have been hunting?” the man continued. “Yes,” replied Jack.’ “What have you killed?” 3 “A monkey, several birds and a tiger,” replied Jack, making no mention of the cheetah, Which he knew would haye excited the curiosity of the man. “Are you the inn-keeper?” “Such is the fact, young sahib. You wish to stay here for _ the night?” E “Yes. We want a room if you have one unoccupied.” “You shall have it. And supper, I suppose?” “No, we have eaten all we want for the present, You can Serve us with breakfast in the morning.” ‘The eyes of the three men at the table were riveted on the ring Jack had received from the princess, and the inn-keeper himself cast frequent glances at it. ; They saw that it was a very valuable one, worth two or they were Feringhees, or. ened them, and being plucky young fellows, they deter -d to give the four rascals the surprise of their lives. The landlord produced a flagon of wine for them to take a nightcap, but for fear it might be doctored, they politely de- clined on the ground that they did not drink anything but water. They were then escorted to « room above, which had two couches in it, and provided with a lamp to undress by, though the brightness of the night rendered that quite unnecessary. After wishing them good-night, the landlord returned to the room below, where the four began making their plans for the extinguishment of the two visitors. “Run-phaster made no mistake when he told us the proprie- tor of this inn was a big rascal,” said Sam in a low tone. “They're going to do us up if they can. That ring you got from Koket is what excited their greed. I saw them looking at it and sizing up its value in their minds. It is probably worth more money than they ever had in all their lives, and they can't resist the temptation of getting it from you, They ~ think we are carrying a bunch of £5 notes besides.” “I’m going down to listen to their plans,” said Jack. “You lie on your couch with both rifles and watch the door while I am away.”. : He removed his shoes and slipped downstairs. Fifteen minutes passed away, and then Jack returned. “What a blessing it is that we have the language down pat,” he said, after examining the door for a fastening and finding there was none. “I heard every word that passed between them.” “And they haven’t the least idea that we understand any other tongue than English,” said Sam. “Well, what are they going to do?) When may we expect a visit from them?” “They are in no hurry to proceed, as they have all night before them. The three rascals who were at the table have gone outside to select a suitable spot to dig a deep hole to place our bodies in after they have put a knife in our breasts, They expect to be away the best part of an hour, which, they figure, will give us lots of time to get into a sound sleep, When they return the job will be pulled off.” “I hope not. The hole will come in handy for themselves if they get a ball from our Remingtons in their bodies. Aren’t they afraid of the guns?” “No. They expect we will stand them against the wall, pos- sibly out of our reach.” “They are bad guessers.” “They don’t count on our having the slightest chance to de- fend ourseives. The landlord and one of them will tackle me, and the other two will attend to you. While one holds us ! down the other will drive a knife into our breasts before we are expected to realize what is happening. They regard the three thousand rupees—a silver coin the equivalent cf thirty-| Time as a regular cinch.” two cents in American money. Their mouths watered at the sight of it. A Feringhee who could afford to wear such a ring must be| Sam. Wealthy, they argued. Doubtless he carried several Bank of England notes about| fire. his person, and his companion might be supposed to be pretty | Well provided with money, too. These boys were going to put up at the inn for the night. They must be tired after a long day’s jaunt even on horse- back, consequently they would sleep well. _The thought occurred to each of the rascals that here was a Cae to fatten their slim resources that might not happen again. : It would not do to rob them and let them go on their way to complain to the head man of the village in the morning, Who would start-an investigation which would not be healthy for the prorrietor of the inn, or themselves if they were caught. ~ ‘ The visitors must be put out of the way for good. Being late in the evening, no one had seen them enter the “inn, therefore, no suspicion would rest on the inn-keeper and themselves, - ‘ ; If they were later inquired for, as would probably be the Case, why the four men could swear they had not seen them. - When in answer to the landlord’s inquiry about their _ horses, they said they had left them at the village at the foot of the range. The bunch, though manifestly astonished that the boys should have left their animals sd far behind, were @reatiy pleased, for the horses would have been evidence ‘against them. and given them trouble to get rid of. _ The foregoing was duly canvassed in their own lingo, even _ While the boys were in the room, for they had no suspicion _ that Jack and Sam understood the language of the country. In this way the boys were made wise to the peril that threat-' believed they would come out all right. “They'll never be able to reach us in this room, with the moon shining, making things almost as bright as day,” said “We'll lie down with our rifles beside us, ready cocked for business. The moment they approach our beds we'll open It is my opinion they are going to get badly shocked.” “They'll deserve all they get. They think no more of carv- ing us up than if we were a pair of wild animals. I dare say they've each killed more than one man in their time. I don’t fancy the idea of starting a private graveyard, even with such chaps as these. They are lLuman beings like ourselves. But it seems to be a question of our lives or theirs.” “It sure is. And they will be the aggressors.” The boys talked in whispers, for they did not know but the landlord might be listening at the door. , “You'd better go and lie down on your bunk,” said Sam. “The landlord is sure to take a peep at us in advance to see if we're asleep. It might spoil everything if he found us talking together.” Jack thought Sam’s suggestion a prudent one, adopted it. Hardly had he stretched himself out, with his cocked rifle beside him, than the door opened softly and a dark-skinned face looked in. It was the landlord. He stood and listened intently. The boys watched him covertly. They breathed in a way that they hoped would convince h they were asleep. : He stood in the door fully five minutes, like a graven image, then he disappeared, shutting-the door after him. Ten minutes passed. j i That short interval seemed-like half an hour to the boys, who felt somewhat nervous at the prospect ahead, though they so he f%

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#250, 000 IN GOLD. enemies. hh the truth, neither liked the idea of kee their All came flocking toward hain making friendly gestures. Jack addressed them in their own tongue, much to their sur- : Then the door opened again, and to’ the surprise of the Pee prise, and told them they were traveling around to see the a@ young Hindoo girl appeared. She shut the door and glided over to Jack’s couch. “Wake, sahib, wake!” she whispered, shaking his arm. “Who are you and what do you want?” asked Jack, sitting up. ; . The girl had spoken in English, and Jack replied in kind, “Get up. Your life and your companion’s are in peril. The country. They were invited to the house and treated to fresh honey and fruits. The two women seemed pleased to have the honor of enter- taining two Feringhee boys, whom they judged to be persons of some importance from the ring Jack wore. The husband and another Hindoo were out in the fields at Men you saw below intend to murder and then rob you.| work, and the boys did not meet them. Three of them are away at the foot of the garden digging a hole to put you oth in. They will soon’return. Get up, wake your friend and follow me. I will lead you out of the house by the back way. Then you must go on to the village and try and find shelter there. To remain here is death to you.” Jack jumped up, and so did Sam. It wasn’t necessary for them to ask the girl any questions, - for she only told them what they already knew. Taking their baskets of food in one hand and their rifles in the other, they followed her out of the room and down the corridor, the three proceeding as softly as shadows. CHAPTER IX. A DISAGRERABLE ENCOUNTER. At the end of the corridor was a door. The girl opened it, passed through and held it for the boys to follow. Facing them was a staircase. “Foliow.” whispered the girl, The stairs creaked under their weight, but they soon reached the foot. Here they found themselves in the kitchen. The girl opened a door into the yard. “Go,” she said. “Take that direction across the ‘felds, and if the men in the garden do not see you, you will be safe.” “You are a good girl to warn us,” said Jack, *but we already knew what was ahead of us. in pointing a way for us to escape you have doubtless saved the lives of the inn-keeper and his three accomplices.” ' The girl received his statement in some surprise. “How did you learn their intentions? The landlord alone : speaks English. They conversed altogether in Hindoostanese.” “Actions sometimes speak as loud as words,” replied Jack, who did not think it necessary to inform the girl that he and his companion understood the language of the country. “T understand, sahib. You suspected the men, and were only pretending sieep when I came to help you, You would have shot them with your guns. But go, go, before they return from the foot of the garden,” she said, earnestly. “What is your name, little one? You have done us a good . turn, and I would remember you.” “Litchee.” “Is the inn-keeper any relation of yours?” “He is my uncle.” - “You ought to cut loose from him, for he is a scoundrel of the first water.” “I have no place to go, and he treats me well.” “J dare say you do all the work about the inn, and get little or no pay for it.” “Yes, sahib. Now do go.” ‘“Good-by, then, Here is an English crown piece for your- 4 _ gelf. It is equal to about four rupees, ‘And here is a kiss.” bi The boys then crossed the yard, their figures standing boldly a out in the moonlight, _ They were not seen, however, and presently gained the shel- ter of some trees. ie a few minutes they were in the village, but not a soul _peemed to be stirring at that hour. “What shall we do, Sam—wake somebody up and ask for _,. shelter?” said Jack. - Vs “No. Let’s go right on down the road till we put a couple ‘am of miles at least between us and the village, then we will look | | for some place to anchor for the night, = replied Sam. So they went on. Half an hour later they struck a Hindoo farm and took Dh in a small outhouse filled with hay, on top of which ney made their bed. - i) slept an well bs ng the morning ay tthour: being dis- S Ponting the outhiotala? they went over to a rude well and sat fork to oe e of some of the food they. had brought from tere tt Here they were observed by the women and children of the After passing a pleasant hour with the family, Jack and Sam took to the road again, after learning that another small village lay about six miles ahead. They walked slowly on account of the heat of the sun. “It is too bad we haven't our horses,” said Sam, “Yes. We might just as well: have brought them along. We were fools to let Rum Jum persuade us to abandon them on account of the jungle.” “I suppose the two rascals are still waiting for us to come from the island? May they hang around the landing for a week. That will Bive us time to put some distance between us and themselves.” They reached the next village in the course of a couple of hours and inquired their way. to an inn, ‘ The landlord extended a hearty welcome to them, and they sat down at a table beside an open window to rest.and drink a small flagon of sweet wine, which tasted good to their parched tongues. They decided to take their noonday meal here before they went on. While they sat there a pretty Nautch girl, carrying in her hand a small basket of eggs, came along and stopped outside. Seeing two Feringhee boys, she bobbed to them. A big boy, who appeared to be her companion, produced a kind of musical pipe from his girdle and began to play on it. . The girl placed the basket on the ground and began a native dance, which she performed in a very graceful way. - At the end of it she bobbed again and picked up‘the basket. The boy started another tune, and she commenced whirling around like a sort of teetotum. On her head was placed a wheel, trom the, spokes of which hung silken cords with noosed ends. While whirling rapidly in circles, she Sank, an egg from the basket and plaeed it in the noose, until the whole of the eggs were thus disposed of. The feat was very clever in itself, but was not to be com-- pared to that which’ followed, for she tcok the eggs from their rest one by one, increasing her momentum as she did so, until all the eggs were replaced in the basket, quite uninjured. A false movement, a-single act of awkwardness, would have caused the eggs to clash together and break. The boys applauded her, and each threw her a rupes, Then her companion gave a wonderful exhibition of juggling, A crowd had collected to witness all these feats, and at their conclusion some of those present threw the’ performers a silver piece called an anna, worth about two cents. Jack and Sam contributed each a six-pence to the young juggler, and he and the girl went on their way greatly en- riched by the generosity of the foreigners. After the midday meal the boys resumed their journey to- ward the Temple of the Thousand Eyes. They had received directions how to reach it, but had been strongly advised not to go there. The inn-keeper was particularly earnest in his warning. While admitting that it was supposed to be a deserted old ruin, he said that the impression generally prevailed that the goddess Kalee was always there, and devoured any visiter who was rash enough to enter the building. The boys laughed at the idea of a stone or wooden idol de- youring anything. The inn-keeper said that it wasn’t the figure of Kalee that id anything, but the spirit of the goddess which dweit within the image, Jack tried to convince him that there was no such thing— that all the graven images that existed, or ever had existed, in India, amounted to nothing more than senseless representa- tions of somebody's fancy. — The Hindoo, however, was too deeply soaked in the religious fanaticism of his race to accept any statement from the boy. “I have warned you, young Feringhee,” he-said. solemnly. “If you despise my words poe are likely to zeEreh it when too late.” - Those were his final ‘inde on the subject, and they. had very little effect on the boys, who were not to be ‘aicgiap aside from — ' ey AP Ee Tete. ee Sods SER al alt oe ‘ | eS

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250,000 IN GOLD. 13 Jack believed him. : “What you say, Rum Jum, may be all right, but 3 ¢ 38 So on they went, passing through a number of villages dur-| to a lot of inconvenience. You have come when we B'S re le ing the next few days, and having no cause to find fault with | use for you, for Wwe have received all the directions we 3 aS the treatment they received trom the natives or the proprie-| take us to the temple,” he said. ne ters of the inns at which they stopped. “Ah, sahib, you need us more now than you did any'8? ® At length they reached the border of the Rajah’s district and | except in the big jungle. It is true it is cnly half a 4, entered the dominions of the Nawab. journey to the temple, but without one of us you never.ccoly? They had crossed the river at a ferry and were now drawing | find it in the jungle which conceals it, We will take you df Si quest of a quarter of a million in gold by the bugaboo of ee. near their journey'’s end. “We should reach the village of Nincumpoor Wefore dark,” ’ said Sam. said Jack, “and by making an early start in the morning we/| fruitless effort to find the temple. ought to arrive’at the Temple of the Thousand Eyes by noon.” | we are here. “I shall be glad to get there and have the job over with,” | end.” rectly to it in the morning. Had we not fortunately found you before you started on alone you might have perished in a Be glad, then, sahib, that We promise you that all your troubles are at an It was clear that Rum Jum and Nagar did not intend to be “You talk as if you thought all we had to do after we ar-| shaken by the boys at this stage of the situation, so Jack and rived at the temple was to go right to the exact spot where the| Sam had to pretend that they were pleased with their. com- gold is and take possession of it. a job finding it.” “But buried. P “Dbarwar’s diagram may amount to nothing. It seems to run in my mind that the Fakir warned us against him when he told us to beware of Rum Jum and Nagar.” Sam admitted that he had the same impression. but he could zS not remember what the Fakir said on the subject. zs ' The Fakir had given them a very definite warning, as the reader knows, but as the boys had forgotten it it was clear that 2 power stronger than the Fakir’s was drawing the boys toward the temple. . _. They reached the village of Nincumpcor about sunset and found their way to the best inn in the piace. They engaged a room with supper, and breakfast in the “morning. and arranged with the proprietor to refill . their empty basket with food, for they could not expect to find anything to eat anywhere in the vicinity of the temple, which Was sitnvated in the midst.of a small jungle. not oftem traversed by stransers, or the natives, for that matter, since the fatal powcr of Kalee was believed to hover over the whole place. In duc time their evening meal was served to them in a corner of the public room, beside an cpen window, and they were fecling in excellent spirits. when suddeniy the window wag darkened by two Hindoo faces, and a voice said: “Ab, sahibs, we have overtaken you at last, and just in time to render you the chief service you engaged us for. Brahma _ be praised for this lucky meeting.” é -. Tt was Rum Jum who spoke, and his rascally countenance seemed to shine with the greatest pleasure. : Beside him stood Nagar, with a sardonic grin on his dis- reputable countenance. The boys save a start as they recognized the men whom they theught they had shaken for good. The meeting apparently boded them no good. —— CHAPTER X: ~ ' THE TEMPLE OF THE THOUSAND EYES. Jack deemed it advisable to hide their real sentiments to- _. ward the rascals. = Thoy were too far in the interior to come to an open rup- ture with Rum Jum and his companion. **You are nice chaps.” he said to the men. “You went cff and left us by ourselves in the jungle, taking the food with you, and if it had not been for good luck we might have been in the stomach of some wild beast before morning.” '- “It wasn’t our fault, sahib. It has been 2. puzzle to us how we lost you. We spent most of the night and part of next morning looking for you in the jungle. Then the storm came on and we had to take shelter from it. Believing you had - renched Budapoor by yourselves, we went on there, but got no trace of you until we met a native who fold us he saw two boys sailing along the river on a dead tree. Satisfied you were the boys, we followed the stream, but failed to catch up with ~ you. On our way to Hydabad, where: we thought you might have gone, we learned that you had joined a hunting party of - the Rajah of the district. Knowing that he was sojourning at ae eat ee we went on to the landing and tried ta com- unicate with you, but the Rajah’s guard would not answer a ons. We went back to the landing expecting to see . + a3 + = et ) Tare Bi % 4 for We, followed but though we constantly heard of you being ahead, could catch up’ with you until now. I swear by am telling you the truth.” : i”? i : ; ty Dharwar gave you a diagram of the cellar where it lies | tp ” (hardly worth tai yeaa e Sees oil over a slow fire. or treat them to some other excruciating torture. The Rajah is a tough nut to run against even when the blues are not on him.” “He surcly would handle them without gloves if he caught them.” ; “He'd catch them, don’t you worry. His daughter is his — pes pessession, and he'd send men all over India loo! ‘or her.” Pe * “If what I saw in my dream has actually happened, you can take it from me that the natives were acting for : as ‘powerful as the Rajah himself.” ; “Think so?” a eles, “Yes. Natives never would dare commit such ah outrage their own responsibility, The girl is a beauty, and I wouldn't be surprised if she has many suitors. Some neighboring ‘Rajah who bas failed to win her, or her father’s consent, might have adopted this kidnaping scheme to get her into his powsr. and force her to marry him whether she wanted to or not.” “Maybe the Nawab of this district, who is unfriendly witb bo ? : } / puis ie,

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-— td 14 $250,000 IN GOLD. the Beng- =, Tiger, has captured the princess to get back at her bem ies there'll be war as sure as you live.” ged tish would probably interfere and patch matters up. Pee Sif? the real bosses of the country.” ppearance of Rum Jum put an end to the conversation. ie morning meal is awaiting the sahibs,” he said, obse- usly. ‘fhe boys went downstairs and found breakfast ready. They ate it. Rum Jum told them he had taken the liberty to order horses for them to take them to the temple. That suited the boys first rate, as the price asked was rea- sonable. Nagar took charge of the baskets of food, and Rum Jum of- fered to carry the rifles, but Jack and Sam refused to part with them. Mounting the animals, they started, with Rum Jum trotting -in advance and Nagar fetching up in the rear. The country through which they passed for the greater part of the forenoon was fertile and cultivated. They passed many houses and two small villages, then Rum Jum turned off from the beaten track, and from that time they i = a country growing less interesting and more sparsely > eet they came to the edge of the jungle surrounding the ple. A tributary of the river which has figured in this story ran through the jungle, cutting it into two parts. Jum followed it a part of the way, and then plunged to the tall grass to the left, and for half an hour they were forced to proceed slowly. “How much further have we to go, Rum Jum?” asked Jack, prim to suspect that the rascal was not guiding them 4 “We are almost there, sahib,” he replied, with a grin of satisfaction, And so it proved. Five minutes later they came out into what had once been ‘a broad opening, but was now overgrown by tangled vegeta- tion, and right before them they saw the sun shining on the temple. It did not look near as ruinous, on the outside front at least, as they expected. It was solidly built, with ornamental columns at the ends and on either side of the entrance, which possessed no door. There were two windows without sashes on either side of the door. The roof was supported at each corner by a stone elephant, and was raised several feet above the coping, probably for pur- poses of ventilation. “The sahibs will dismount and tie their horses, Jum, complacently. The boys did so. ~ With the entrance of the Hindco temple before them, the two boys rushed eagerly forward. _ Jack, in the lead, stepped upon the huge slab of stone which lay in his path. It revolved under his weight and he disappeared from view. 4 said Rum CHAPTER XI. IN THE HANDS OF THEIR ENEMIES. sacle landed all in a heap on a mass of dried vegetation. - It was fortunate that he hit something soft, for the floor and = of the vault were made of stone. oo e: not know that the dry vegetation had been placed sie kop to save him from breaking his neck. jially him, but any victim whom the concealed temple desired to get into their power. take place, it was necessary that he should not any material way. ng the boy into the depths, the stone revolved I ormer apparently solid position. mn sd to stop himself just in the nick of time to going py with his friend. : ne fell back into place he gazed in stupefied con- t it. sardines!” he ejaculated. “I wonder how far down t, and whether he’s been hurt or not?” execaived an answer to both questions, but not in the way cane to address Rum Jum, who was close behind ttt he received a push that sent him staggering upon the sla It revolved once more, and Sam landed beside Jack. When the stone revolved back again, darkness reigned in the vault, “Is that you, Sam?” asked Jack. “Yes, it’s me, all right. This is a nice fix we’re in. This is the work,of Rum Jum, the traitor.” “How do you know that?” said Jack. “He wasn’t near me when the stone gave way under my weight.” “Gh, he knew all about the trap. You went down without any help from him, but with me it was different. He pushed me onto-the slab, and here I am up against it like yourself.” “Do you think we have been dumped down here to perish?” “Ym afraid we have.” “What is‘the object of it. Is that rascal after my ring?” “Probably. It represents a fortune to him, I wish you had kept it/in your pocket instead of on your finger. It is too valuable to flash around in public. Even in a big city you would run a ehance of being knocked out for it.” “Maybe we can escape from this place. Wait till I strike a match and look around,” said Jack. He struck a match, and when the flame illumined the vault they found that it was not large. Their hopes sank when they failed to find any indication of an exit. The walls were of solid stone, and the floor as well, under- neath the vegetation. “If this refuse hadn’t been here we might have broken our necks, or at least an arm or a lez, or perhaps both. This is a fierce.place to be imprisoned in. A few days here will put us on the starvation list.” “When we are too weak to use. our guns, which have fol- lowed us in, Rum Jum will find an easy way to come down, go through us, and then leave us to our fate.” “What an infernal scoundrel he is!” cried Jack. “And what a villain Dharwar is, too!” said Sam. warning words of the Fakir rise plainly before me now. don’t see how we could have forgotien them.” “T remember them myself now. -He said the gold we were after was in this temple just as Dharwar told us, but jit was the bait used by the votaries of Kalee, the few surviving | Thugs, to get us into their power.” “The landiord of the inn where we saw the Nautch dancer told us we would regret coming here, and he wasn’t far wrong. I certainly regret continuing our hunt for the treasure, and I guess you do, too.” “I don’t think this would have happened if Rum Jum and Nagar had not rejoined us. It was our misfortune that they did so.” “This treasure hunt was a piece of foolishness from the start. , ris is prcbably our finish. We'll never see Bombay again.” They continued to talk over their unenviable situation for some time, then they became conscious of a feeling of oprres- sion, as though the air was becoming foul from their breathing up the oxygen. ; With some alarm Jack called his companion’s attention to it. They were seized with dizziness and nausea, and in a min- ute or two were gasping for breath. Inside of five minutes both dropped unconscious on the vege- tation. Their condition was not due to lack of oxygen, but to a poi- sonous vapor which had been blown into the vault through a hole they had not noticed while inspecting their prison cell. The two priests had dene that in order to secure them with- out trouble, When they calculated that time enough had elapsed to ac- complish their purpose, they signaled to Rum Jum, and that worthy caused the stone to partially revolve on its nicely ad- justed axis, he and Nagar catching and detaining it before it went completely over. That let the noxious gas escape, and enabled them to take a look at their victims. The boys lay wholly at their mercy now. A door artfully concealed in the inner wall of the vault now opened and the two priests appeared. They finally handed the two rifies up to. Rum Jum, and then each raising one of the boys in his arms, bore him off through the door, which closed behind them. Rum Jum and Nagar then let the stone fall back into its place. : They walked around to a door in the back of the temple and made their way into the edifice, The greater part of the ISS comprised one big ros “The I

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$250,000 IN GOLD. ——= which had at one time presented an appéarance of consid- erable magnificence. It had no ceiling, being open under the protecting roof, raised, as we have already mentioned, by the stone elephant at each corner. The walls and columns were covered with painted eyes, through which the goddess Kalee was supposed to look in or- der to see all that was going on in the temple. “There were so many of these eyes that the temple got its name from them. A quarter of the interior was ‘shut off by a faded red curtain, once of imposing magnificence, which shut off the idol room from the big room where, in the good old days when the Thugee flourished, Kalee’s humble votaries assembled to do her homage, and witness the sacrifice of human beings on the altar before the goddess. The flooring was of solid stone, which had echoed the tread of many tourists who had managed to pass the entrance with- out disappearing into the vault as Jack had done. That is easily explained. ' The big slab, which was nicely balanced on its axis, was held in place by two heavy bolts. Until these bolts were withdrawn from their sockets it could not revolve. The priests were always on the watch for a victim. Tourists accompanied by responsible guides were not mo- lested as one conyoyed by Rum Jum was considered fair game; as he was a Thug at heart, and worked in collusion with Dharwar, also a Thug by instinct: Both of them, with Nagar, stood in with the priests of the temple, and could be depended on to do all in their power for the good of the cause, The priests were shrewd but ignorant Hindoos, who really believed in the spiritual existence of Kalee, and had devoted their lives to her service, confident that it would bring them eternal happiness after death. Jack and Sam were carried to a sort of pen in the far end of ‘the cellar under the temple atid locked in. There were a number of these pens. Half a century before they. tims for the annual sacrifice hat great festival approached. Now they rarely held a single priscner each, even on the sac- rificial day itself. Until Jack and Sam were enticed to the temple not a victim had been secured for that year’s secret festival, and the pens were vacant. That is why the priests had sent out a C. Q. D. message to Dharwar to chase something along their way. or there was no saying what Kalee would do to her faithful adherents. Just why Dharwar had.the nerve to pick out the American consul’s nephew and his friend Sam is not quite clear, but it might have been to wipe out au old grouch the Hindoo had -against the consul. The only feasible way he saw for getting the boys to go so far into the interior was to fire their imaginations with the story of the treasure. This he did, but as Jack wouldn't bite the old rascal gave him proof that the $250,000 in gold was actually hidden in the ‘temple. » The old villain felt he could safely do that, for once the boys reached the temple, the priests, assisted by Rum Jum and Na- gar. would see that they did not get away. While the boys lay unconscious in their noisome cell from the effects of.the poisonous gas they had inhaled in the vault, there were fresh arrivals at the temple. Jack's dream was not a shadow of a future event, but a past one. Sect. . | Everything he saw in his sleep had actually taken place some days befcre. ‘The outrage had been planned by the Nawab, whose youns- est son had fallen in love with Koket, and was pining away because there wasn’t the slightest chance of his gétting her for his wife by fair means. _ The -Rajah, her father, would have es soon seen her in her ’ — as connected by) marriage with his old enemy, the’ Na- - nd the Nawab knew that. 8 His Ln b ‘Willing to’ however, was the light of his eyes, and he was take any risk for his sake.. Learning that the princess had gone to Bombay on a week’s , and would duly return through the jungle, he called one his deyoted henchmen into consultation, and the abduction of a we was nie upon. 4 Se Areld 5 eanpre usually crowded with vic- | became unconscious we must have been brought here. 15 A A mT It was a dangerous job, but the personal servants of the Nawab were at all times ready to lay down their lives, if nec- essary, for their master or his only son. By rapid action they hoped to carry the scheme through all right, and they had succeeded. Being now within the boundaries of the Nawab’s territory, they felt quite safe with their two prisoners, and as their pro- visions had given out, they ventured to seek the temporary seclusion of the Temple of the Thousand Eyes, where they had reason to know they would get what they wanted. So the boat was tied up at the edge of the stream, within a short distance of the temple, and the palanquin being restored to its original shape, the princess was obliged to enter it, and . the party, with Foxi Fum bound so he couldn’t escape, pro- ceeded straight to the temple of the dreaded Kalee. CHAPTER XII. 3 THE PRIEST OF THE TEMPLE. Jack was the first to come to his senses. At first he was somewhat dazed by his situation, but gradu- ally recollection asserted itself and he remembered what had happened to him and Sam. As the vault was as dark as the cell he was now in, he naturally supposed that he and his friend were still there. “Sam, where are you?” he said, but got no response. Then he realized that he was lying on the hard-stone floor instead of the soft, dry vegetation. He got up and, feeling around, soon discovered Sam lying against the wall. “Sam, what's the matter with you?” he said. Sam heard him not, and so remained quiet and motionless. . Jack became alarmed about him until by feeling his face he saw he was warm. Then he felt of his heart aa found that beating in a normal Way. “Tt’s funny we should have been half suffocated by the air in this place, and now it seems different,” he said. He lighted a match. “Hello, we're not in the same place. There is no dry vegeta- tion here on the floor, nothing but the bare slabs. After we I sup- pose we’re somewhere in the cellar of the temple, for it’s as dark as pitch.. There’s a door. I’m afraid it’s locked or bolted on the outside.” _ Jack tried it and found ‘t was well secured. “We are prisoners, that’s certain,” he thought, what kind of rascality Rum Jum is up to.” Suddenly he thought of his valuable ring. : ths villain has taken that—no, he hasn't,” he added, as he elt it, The ruby eyes of the bug were glowing like small, live coals / e in the dark. “I thought diamonds were the only stones that glistened in the dark, When Kcket placed this ring on my finger I did not dream that Sam and I would run into such a scrape as this. And yet we received warning enough about this temple. But they did not refer to Rum Jum, but to the diabolical influence — of Kalee. These Hindoos are an awfully ignorant and super- stitious people in spite of the advancement of knowledge — through the missionaries and the English government. The idea of them supposing that their heathen deities have power for either good or ill. Just think how, in the old days, they used to throw themselves in front of the great wooden wheels of the Juggernaut, as it was drawn through their village, and allow themselves to be crushed into a pulp, under the impres- . sion that death that way would ensure their going straight to Nirvana, or whatever other name they called their heaven. It is a mighty good thing for them that the British came here and put a stop to most of their preposterous practices.” £ Just then Sam moved, opened his eyes and sat ‘up. “Hello, Sam; come around, have you?” said Jack. ‘ “Yes. Whatever it was put me out, the bad air or ocaeeitae. élse, seems to have gone. I can breathe all right now. I sup pose you were down and out yourself for a while?” “{t was. We've been moved from the Place we fell into to a kind of ceil in the cellar of the temple.” : “Is that so? How do you know?” “By lighting a match. There’s a door in this place, but its : locked.” - ae “We are still prisoners?” ; pete Eig “Nothing surer from the looks of things.” I eae “Have we been put here to die by degrees?” : te “Possibly, but I can’t say for : ~ “Of course, Rum Jum and Nagar are responsible for all this, — We've been cleaned out, I suppose?” i “I wonder ; i eS ~ —s v'5 - ee 8 5 SMe Le Aan BL ee Berek ign

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16 “T haven’t. I’ve still got my ring and my money.” “T see I've got my money, teo. Doesn’t it. strike you as funny that we haven’t been robbed? What other object could those rascals have in view? Robbery is the purpose of nearly _ all crime. The rascals have nothing against us to account for their actions on the ground of revenge alone. It is. also absurd to think that they would postpone robbing us until after we were dead. Being senseless, we were wholly in their power, and the natural thing for them to do would be to take all we had and clear out. How about our rifles?” “They are not in this place.” : “But they didn’t take my cartridge belt.” “Nor mine, either.” “I suppose they were satisfied with what were in the maga- zines. Have you locked this place over thoroughly to see if there was a loophole through which we might get away?” “No. -I only tried the door.” “Then let us—— Hello, somebody is coming. footsteps approaching.” The footsteps came directly toward the cell. Through the crevices of the door they saw a light shining. Then a small section of the upper part of the door was opened, a lamp was held so as to illuminate the interior of the cell, and the boys saw a strange Hindoo face observing them. The newcomer, who had doubtless been told by Rum Jum op the boys understood Hindoostanese, spoke to them in that ongue. He shoved a basket containing food, one of their own, by the way, through the opening, together with a flagon of sweet wine, and told them it was their dinner. “Who are you?” demanded Jack. “Ackbar, the chief priest of this temple,” was the reply. “I thought this temple was deserted and not used for re- ligious purposes any more.” “As long as Kalee sits on her throne above, the temple can- not be deserted.” “How many more are there of you chaps?” “One other, Obrie, my assistant.” “T suppose you are standing in with Rum Jum and Nagar?” “Nay, their caste is lower than ours. They are our servants while they remain here.” “Why have they been made prisoners? Do you know that we are free-born Americans, attached to the American con- sulate at Bombay. The consul is my uncle. If we are harmed there will be an investigation through the British authorities, and you and those connected with you in this outrage will be severely punished.” “No one outside those who believe in Kalee will ever learn what has become of you and your companion. You have been brought here to be offered as a sacrifice at the coming annual festival in honor of Kalee. She is hungry for the blood of her victims, They are so few these days that she suffers much for the lack of nourishment. Once it was different,” and the priest’s eyes shone with religious enthusiasm. “Once the vic- tims were so-numerous that she could bathe in their blood, and gorge herself to repletion. Then our order was prosper- ous, and we had everything we wanted. But the advent of the cursed Feringhees changed all that. We are no longer pow- 5; erful. We are no longer feared. The traveler on the high- ** ways and byways passes along undisturbed at all hours of the day and night. Our people have been imprisoned and executed be until to-day we are but a handful, and our temples, save this one, are in ruins or obliterated altogether. Alas, that such _ should be our fate! Kalee should have protected us, but she slept in fancied security while we dwindled, Doubtless she * yealizes her mistake too late, since she must suffer in the lack of sacrificial victims at her annual festival, We do the best we can to help her, but it is little at the best.” The priest spoke as one who thoroughly believed in what he said, and had no doubt thet murder was the highest virtue under the sun. “Why should we be offered up in sacrifice?” said Jack. “We are not of your race. We are from the West, and unbelievers We are not suitable victims.” “You will have to do, since we have but one other. : is as red as ours, and as nourishing to Kalee. She knows - you are here; and why you are here, and has made no. sign _ that you are not acceptable to her.” “Do you expect to get a sign from a graven image? I Pie! you priésts had more intelligence than the masses. ; At oar rate y ‘pride yourselyes on your caste and your su- ‘stain nts.” is not for me to explain ‘how we get a sign from Kalee— We are her servants and we take our orders from Being unbelievers, you do “not ‘chs the honor I can hear Your $250.000 IN GOLD. Kalee is doing you in accepting your blood. You will go straight to Nirvana and be happy for a thousand years, Then you will return once more to earth, but it will be as a Hindoo of importance. Thus you will receive your reward.. Take the basket and eat. You will be well treated until you are led a to the altar. Happy are those who are sacrificed to ee,” He shut the small opening and went away, leaving the two prisoners to think over what he had said. CHAPTER XIII. THE ESOAPE. “So we have been brought here to be murdered before an image as senseless as the material it is composed of. It is tough luck,” said Sam. “T should say so, but I’m not going to tamely submit to it. When they come for us we must put up a desperate fight.” “There are at least four of them and they will take us out singly.” “They can’t take us singly as long as we are free. The mo- ment the door is opened we'll both make a dash. They woun’t want to use weapons on us for fear-of spoiling us for the sac- rifice, which will be an advantage to us.” “J suppose the other victim the priest referred to is some poor devil of a Hindoo?” “T guess’ so.” “Got any more matches?” “Yes, I have a few left.” “Light one and let us look this cell all, over. We might find a weak place that we could work upon.” “Let’s eat. first.” The food was divided and they gct away with all of it. Bad as the prospect was before them, they were not yet so cast down that their appetite was aifected. While there was life they reasoned there was hope. Having finished their eatables, they began an investigation of their cell. With the exception of the space occupied by the door it was built entirely of stone. a cells were a part of the foundation on which the temple rested, There were enough of them to fill up the = on two sides of the building. The chart of the cellar given to Jack by ‘Dharwar did not show the cells. It was merely a parallelogram, marked “front,” “back,” “north,” “south.” Midway at the north end was a cross, indicating that here the treasure was buried. As a matter of fact, Dharwar did not know where the gold was buried. ; He simply put the cross at random. He figured that it- would make no difference, anyway, since the boys would have no opportunity to look for it. The boys went carefully over the walls, examining the mor- tar and digging at it with their knives. It was crumbly stuff, and could easily be dug out as far as their knives could reach, a matter of three inches. The stones were fully a foot thick, so it was not possible for their knives to help them out of their difficulty. On the whole, the prospect of escape was not encouraging. “Tf we only had a long knife, or a piece of steel with a bevel edge, we might be able to accomplish something,” said Jack. “As it is we are stumped.” “I’m afraid our name is mud,” said Sam, gloomily, leaning heavily against one of the side walls. He felt one or more of the stones give under his weight. In some surprise he ran his hand down that part of the wall, and found that two stones had receded over an inch. “Strike another match, Jack,” he said, excitedly. stones here are loose.” Jack struck a match, and both looked at the wall. They could see where the stones had moved out of place. Sam placed his hand against one of them and shoved. The stone moved off and fell into the next cell. The second stone was shoved out of placesthe same way. “Gee! this is fine,” said Sam, “If we can get two more of them out we can crawl out of this cell.” ¢ These . On investigation they discovered that the two stones under . the hole were also a and they. Jost no time in pushing them through. That left an opening large enough for them to crawl through in turn, How those four stones happened to be loose they had not, the Re idea.

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3 8 es + ; - > 4 ) rc. $250,000 IN GOLD. a 4 17 —— The fact was they had been in that condition for twenty years, and the priests. knew nothing about it. 4 A Hindoo prisoner had been confined in that celi for two menths before the festival at which it was intended he was to be a victim camé off. _ He had a long, thin knife concealed about his person, and _ with it he employed all the time when he was not sleeping in digging out the mortar around one of the blocks, Then he pushed the loosened block into the cell beyond. The second block he loosened in a quarter less time. The third about the same, and the fourth in half the time. The opening was then large enough for him to crawl through. As no one was confined in the next cell, the door stood open. Before leaving the cellar he replaced the stones so nicely that when his escape was discovered the priests could not ac- count for it by natural means, and believed that, for some rea- Son, Kalee had helped him to freedom. The boys on reaching the adjoining cell found the door wide open, and they walked out into the main /cellar. On examining the outside of. the door of the cell they had escaped from they found it was secured by a heavy bolt. They decided to make a tour of the cells and liberate the Other unfortunate. He might be some help in their fight to escape from the building. The doors of all the cells but one on the opposite side were open, showing they were unoccupied . That one being bolted like their own, they drew the bolt and opened the door, Jack flashing a match to light up the Place. A figure sprang up from a corner and faced them. By the help of the tiny flame they recognized Foxi Fum. “Holy smoke! how came you to be here, Foxi?” asked Sam. The Hindoo understeward was just as amazed to see the boys as they were to see him. He quickly explained ail about’ the capture of himself and the princess, whom he said was somewhere in the upper part of the temple at that moment, as her captors were not going to resume the journey until late in the afternoon. As for, himself, he was to be sacrificed to Kalee in a few 8. “My dream has come true after all,” said Jack, who told Foxi what he had seen in his vision. Tn a few words he explained to Foxi how he and Sam had been victimized by their guide and his companion, and the fate they were booked for. “Now, Foxi, we have not only to get away ourselves, but we Must save Koket.” The Hindoo nodded. - He never could return to Allabad without the princess and hope to live, “How many are there in the party who brought you and Ko- ket here?” ; Foxi said six. : “That makes at least ten we have got to outwit somehow,” said Jack. _ mented the idol had worn Was seamed and cracked from age. “Pretty big odds,” said Sam. “Over three to one. If we. could lay our hands on our rifles I think there would be little question about our doing them up if we caught them oif their guard.” “Well, let’s look for the way out of this cellar,” said Sam. Foxi said he could show them the stairs that led up into the idol room. / “Go ahead,” said Jack. The Hindoo led them right to a flight of stone steps. “You chaps wait below till I reconnoiter things above,” said Jack. , : He started up and came out in the idol room, which was ten- anted only by a horrible locking gigantic image of Kalee in the center, with an altar of stone between the figure and the faded curtain which cut off the room from the rest of the temple. i ie Sao: ' All the! gilt gingerbread work which had originally orna- ‘off more or less, and the wood itself Not a sound betrayed the presence of the priests, nor Rum Jum. his companion, and the kidnapers, Jack Way at the back of the idol, parted it a little and looked in. _. It was the living room of the priests. over to a red curtain which concealed a door- The boy could see nor hear no one, so he thrust his head In a far corner he saw his rifle and Sam’s. : If he could get possession of them he félt that he and his . companions would be masters of the situation. He hastily returned to the cellar where his friends were waiting for him. “Come on,” he said, “but be careful to make no noise. I have located our guns, and with them in our hands we'll have the bulge on the enemy.” They followed him upstairs and to the curtained doorway. ‘He pushed the curtain aside and pointed at the rifles, “Wait here, Foxi,” he said. “Follow me, Sam.” They glided across the room and grabbed the guns. Cocking them, they now felt equal to facing anything. Suddenly there was a commotion at the doorway, and Foxt uttered a cry. He was in the hands of the two priests, who had caught him locking through the curtain. They were astonished to find he had escaped from his ‘cell, and proceeded to drag him back to it without dreaming that their two Feringhee prisoners were also free and in their living room. 2 : Jack and Sam rushed to the rescue. : “Fire at the legs of the fellow on the left,” said Jack, “and look out that you don’t hit Foxi.” Both rifies spoke almost simultaneously, and the two priests fell writhing on the floor near the cellar stairs. The reports reverberated throughout the temple. Just as Foxi rejoined them, mighty thankful for his escape, tootsteps were heard coming toward the idol room, and pres- ently Rum Jum and Nagar appeared. They saw the boys and, flashing out long knives, rushed at them, thinking the lads could not shoot again till they had re- loaded their weapons. : There was no time to figure on where to hit the two rascals, for they clearly meant business. ; Besides, the boys felt that’ while those chaps were at large they would be in constant danger of their lives. They raised their rifles and fired at the treacherous guide and his comrade. Both threw up their hands and dropped dead in their tracks, lg with a ball in his body. CHAPTER XIV. $250,000 in corp. Following the second reports of the rifles, there came a rush of steps down a flight of stairs. “Here come the bunch of kidnapers,” said Jack. better hide, for there are six of them, according to Foxi Fum.” They glided behind the base of the idol, ready to act the moment the Hindoo supporters of the Nawab appeared.. As Jack laid his hand on the base of the statue, a secret door slid back and he fell backward into a dark compartment. Sam, on the spur of the moment, stepped after him and pulled Foxi Fum with him. ‘ The door glided noiselessly back' and they were trapped in the- base. es could hear footsteps and the sound of excited voices outside. Jack lighted a match, and the light revealed a flight of wooden steps going down and another flight going up into the . idol. He started upward, followed by the others, . Coming to a platform, he struck another match and saw that he was in a smal! reom in the body. of the idol. : On a framework of smal! beams and cross-pieces the statue had ben molded out of a thick covering of stuff like papier- mache. 5 The only thing in the compartment was a couch, and sit- i ting ‘on this, staring at him with frightened eyes, was Koket, the princess. / “Koket!” cried Jack. “Sahib Jack!” she ejaculated, and with a little cry of joy she sprang toward him, threw her arms about his neck, and said: “Save me! I love you!” 3h ; The expiring match dropped from his fingers, he threw his disengaged arm around her and kissed her in the dark. With a happy little sigh she nestled in his arms. : Was this more of her coquetry, or was she in earnest now? Jack ey not know, nor care, as he felt her warm breath on his chi “We had . er between the curtain and took in all of the room. _ There was a curtained doorway on either side which led into the sleeping rooms of the priests. Jack listened intently, but not a sound reached him, — “Hello, where are you, Jack?” came the voice of Sam, trying to peer into the Egyptian darkness of the compartment. That recalled Jack to himself. , faa Stealing another kiss from the warm lips so close to his, - >+ é \ A rie » Ae; 7 . pert a : é tx 2 F, 4 '. ie ‘ yet des ’ ie TT A RAN aie Say Pee eh. ee age cxeig? | aN, Bini ad see Sai EEE Mats See tt ,

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18 . Jack released the girl, fumbled in his pocket for another match and struck it. The light revealed to Koket the figures of Sam and Foxi at the edge of the platform, and she felt quite safe. A ladder ran up into the idoi’s head. = Snipa up the ladder, Sam, and see if there is an outlet,” said ac Sam did so, but was back in a minute with word that there Was no escape in that direction. ' “We will have to return to the base and go down the other stairs,” said Jack. “Geta wiggle on, you chaps. Come, Koket. We'll see that you get back to your father.” “And then, Sahib Jack, I will see you no more?” she mur- mured. “That depends on yourself. You know I love you and would marry you if I could get your father’s permission on top of your own. I doubt if he will let me have you.” “He cannot refuse, for you wear the ring of the sacred scarab. That possesses a power greater than his. It will pro- tect you against all danger. Had I not given it to you I would =) have been abducted. But now I am with you, I fear noth- ng.” Jack was rather skeptical about the virtues of the sacred bug, for he judged it was simply one of the Hindoo supersti- tions that amounted to nothing. Sam and Foxi waited for them in the base compartment, and they continued on to the cellar together. They landed in a large room separated from the rest of the cellar by a semi-circular stone wall. eae was filled with a variety of articles used in the worship of ee. : 2 In one corner stood a number of small boxes surrounded by brass bands. Jack and Sam paid little attention to anything ‘excepi a brass lamp, which the former lighted. Their whole object was to find a door to escape by. In this they were disappointed. There was no door or any other means of exit except a way of the stairs they had come down. “Say, Jack, look at those small clamped boxes in re cor- ner,” said Sam. “Do you think that could be the treasure we're after?” Jack walked over and examined the top one. He saw it had been broken open, and he lifted the cover. The lamip light flashed upon a glittering mass of old English guineas, “Hurrah! we've struck it!” he cried, excitedly. the treasure.” ky and dandy!” ejaculated Sam, delighted beyond meas- ure at the discovery. “It’s going to be some job to get it to Bombay, and we have Koket on our hands to look after besides.” “What's the matter with Foxi Fum going to the village and buying a cart?” F “That’s what we'll have to do, I guess; but we can’t do - anything till we get rid of the six kidnapers. They are doubt- less hunting for us now, I hate to have to kill any of them, but they won’t leave without Koket, so we'll have to put them out of business in some way.” “Say,” said Sam, struck with an idea, which seemed great to him, “those chaps have a boat. If we could capture the bunch, why, the boat would be at our service. We could load “This is the treasure aboard of her and carry it by water down to the | - island palace of the Rajah. We could then send Foxi Fum on to. Allabad to notify the oid Tiger that his daughter was so- at the island with us. He might not know yet that she was abducted by the Nawab crowd. If he has learned, he’s |. a mi a4 wild man by this time, and bas expeditions out look- r her. ‘The idea of transporting the treasure as‘far as possible by water appealed to Jack, and he said it was just the thing. “Then we'd better get after the six kidnapers,” said Sam. ; “Too bad that Foxi hasn’t a weapon of some kind.” _ “What's the matter with that ircn rod yonder?” said Jack, pointing. Sam got it and handed it to Foxi. He grinned and said it was a fine weapon. “Better fetch that rope along,” said Sam. “We'll need it.” “Take it,” said Jack, starting for the stairs with Koket. _ They left the lamp burning and marched up the stairs to the base of the idol. Inside of five minvies Jack located the spring, pushed it, and the door opened. : ‘Sam picked a metal cup from a shelf | and put it in the open- ing, bata 23 saeweried the door from closing tightly. - $250,000 IN GOLD. —__——— er Rum Jum and Nagar lay where they had fallen with their knives beside them. Jack secured the weapons. The two priests had been carried somewhere, probably into their rooms. Keeping together, the party looked around for the kidnap- ers. They were seen outside in consultation. Finelly they divided into two parties and went off to beat up the jungle in the direction of the village. “Where is the boat tied, Foxi?” asked Jack. from here?” The under-steward pointed and said that it was about an eighth of a mile. “While those fellows are away let’s get busy with the treas- ure,” said Jack. Jack and Sam went down and carried one cf the boxes, holding about $25,000, fo the foot of the stairs, where the rope was attached to it, and with Foxi Fum’s aid it was hauled up. The other nine boxes were treated in the same way. ; Then they were hauled to the back exit and dragged into the jungle out of sight. One by one the boxes were carried 100 yards toward the boat. Koket kept with the party all the time. -The boxes were put in the cabin and Jack mounted guard with his rifle while Sam and Foxi returned for the last time te the temple to get the palanquin. It was taken apart and tied on top of the cabin. They were about to shove off into the stream when it oc curred to Jack that they had no provisions, so it was decided to make another visit to the teraple to forage for some. “How far Sam and Foxi went and returned with enough fruit, rice’ cakes and wine te last them for a couple of days. Then they began their voyage up the river. It took them two hours to get out of the jungle, by which time it was growing dark, and they had their supper. Jack, Sam and Foxi took turns during the night, and when the sun rose Foxi announced that they were several miles inside the Rajah’s district. On the third day they reached the island, which was in charge of a caretaker and his family, for the Rajah had re- turned to Allabad ten days before, 3 It was decided to land the treasure on the island and go with Koket to her father’s palace. The Rajah, when his daughter failed to return in time, sent a messenger to Bombay. This messenger discovered the corpses of the bearers, and recognizing them, he returned post-haste and reported to the Rajah. Then there was something doing. Men were sent out in different directions along the river, and they found out enough to threw suspicion on the Nawab. ~The Rajah in a furious rage was on the point ef dispatching a demand to the Nawab for the return of his daughter and an apolosy for the outrage when Jack and his party brought the princess to the palace. The Bengal Tiger was overjoyed, and when he heard her story he grew furicus again at the Nawab. Nothing was too good for Jack and Sam. They were loaded with presents and honors. When the Rajah learned that the boys had found and brought away the Nawab’s treasure, he was delighted. Bombay. Then it was that Jack asked the potentate for his daughter's | hand. The Rajah nm first demurred, but when Koket insisted, he agreed on condition that Jack remain in the country and be- come a believer in Brahma, The boy agreed to the first, wih @ reserv: ation: but deciined tho latter. Finally the Rajah gave in, wad some months later Jack and Koket were united with great ceremony, and a week's public festival. The $250,000 was divided between Jack and Sam, and they He provided a wagon to tuke the boys and thé treasure to ~ went into business together in Bombay, and there they are- to-day, both rich and prosperous, all of which came to them through hunting for a Hindoo treasure. Next week’s issue will contain “A CORNER IN MONEY; OR, BEATING THE WALL STREET LOAN SHARKS.” SEND POSTAL -FOR au FREE CATALOGUE,

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4 deep depression in the bed of the Pacific Ocean has been discovered by the United States Pacific Cable Com- bany’s survey steamer, between Guam and Midway. The lead sank to a depth of over five miles, which will make it necessary for the cable to make a circuit around the —-*great depression. In the German city of ‘Cologne there is a company which insures against non-employment. The premiums are about five cents a week. If no employment can be - procured for a member during the dull season, the sum of fifty cents per day is paid to him if married, and about half that sum if single. Walter G. Storman, of Alton, Me., recently killed a big black bear which had long eluded shooters in the vicinity of Hudson, Glenburn, and Alton. Six years ago the ani- “mal escaped from a trap by gnawing his paw off. Since that time he had made frequent raids. Many scars from ‘bullet wounds were found on him. He weighed 225 ‘pounds. The other day W. A. Duffy, of Humbold, Tenn., drove to his farm near town, and having some business to at- tend to on the place, took the horse loose from the shafts and hitched him to the wheel.of the buggy. Mr. Duffy ‘left his coat in the buggy, and en his return he found the animal had just finished eating the last of a package of Rotes aggregating $1,076. A chemical manufacturing company of Pittsburgh has just announced its manufacture and sale of the first pure ‘Yadium salt produced in America. Of this amount 133 ' milligrammes of radium element in the form of anhy- ‘vay radium chloride has been sold. Since the price is eadily holding to $120,000 a gramme, this is a very re- “spectable start for the new American industry. The salt Was extracted from the Colorado carnotite deposits, which ere considered by the United States Bureau of Mines to be the largest deposits of ,radium-bearing ores in the World. _. There has been Installed in the Chicage postoffice an automatic stamping machine, whose markings will take he place of adhesive stamps. The machine is known as “the Pitney Postage Meter and Sealing Machine. This ster will seal, stamp and count two hundred and fifty xces of mail per minute and is designed to be leased p large firms despatching quantities of first, third and h class mail matter. Time and labor will be saved i @ handling of the mail by imprinting on each en- Yelo “ an impression to take the place of a stamp. We séen one of these imprints and it contains in four in a shield-like frame the following : “Ic PAID- -Chicago, Ill.-Permit No. 10041.” fourt 7 FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. CURRENT NEWS poe Ss is ar ie mr Pe ae Be ee pigs Oe 4) er ap A Se 19 Charles Morales, 16 years old, of 259 East Fifty-sixth street; New York, who recently arrived in this country from Italy and repeatedly failed in his efforts to obtain work because of his lack of knowledge of English, found an envelope on Fifth avenue. He opened it and found it eontained $250 in bills. The boy spelled out “Fifth National Bank,” which was printed on a slip pasted around the bills. He stopped a woman and learned from her the way to the bank at Twenty-third street and Lex- ington avenue. At the bank he laid the bills on a counter and tried to explain how he had found them. An in- terpreter was called, and Morales told not only how he had picked up’ the bills but how much he needed work and how hard he had tried-to get it. All this was re- ported to the cashier, who had received word a few min- utes before that Miss E. E. Boyland, who is with Richard H. Forschner & Co., scale manufacturers at 39 Wast Twentieth street, had lost $250 on the sidewalk as she was leaving the bank. When the scale’ manufacturers were informed how the money had been found, they di- rected that several bills be taken from the roll for. the boy. The bank official replied that Morales was looking for work and the bank would give it to him if he eould speak English. Word was then given to send the boy to the scale factory where a place would be found for him. Archeologists have for years been searching for the remains of Nero’s “House of Gold” which tradition states was situated somewhere between. the Palantine and Esquiline hills in Rome, but it has remained for a French savant to make the discovery. In a lecture before the Institut de France M. Préchat declared that it had been built in the northeast part of what is now the Coliseum, which was completed by Titus in A. D. 80, twelve years after the death of Nero. He said that the remains’ of the foundations discovered there were unmistakable and had not been identified before simply because most people thought that the Coliseum itself had been begun in Nero’s day. “This mighty palace,” said the lecturer, covered with plates of gold enriched with ivory and adorned with a multitude of beautiful statues, covered an area equiva- lent to the Champs Elysées and the Place de la -Con- corde. The Emperor conceived the idea after reading Ovid's description of the Palace of the Sun in the ‘Meta- morphosis,’ and it was in the guise of the Sun god that Nero had a statue of himself made nearly 90 feet high. This colossus stood in a great four-horsed chariot, and was erected in front of the “House of Gold.’ Within the palace walls was a lake, which ancient authors compare to a sea, and on its waters were given the sumptuous nautical festivities of which one reads. Like a fairy palace the ‘House of Gold’ was, and as such it vanished. The huge exactions which Nero made on the people in order to erect it did not conduce to its popularity, and it reed its master by se 3: a few months.” es ‘ ¥ oasis.

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20 FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. LOST FOR ONE YEAR ADRIFT ON A WATER-LOGGED SHIP b | By ED. KING (A SERIAL STORY) CHAPTER VII (continued) At this juncture Hal and Lew happened to come up, and thinking they might have heard their conversation, the mate said: “We was just talking about goin’ ashore an’ seein’ what sort of a place it is. We may have to live there for a while, you know, if a gale should come up and make ther schooner go to pieces.” “A good idea,” said Lew. Let’s launch the raft, Hal.” “T am agreeable,” was the reply. Twenty minutes later the raft. was overboard. The water was comparatively smooth, which showed that there was not much depth to it, though the roar of the surf could be heard on the beach. Wigg and Geese were the first to get on the raft, some- how, and they were followed by Hal and Lew. Archie wanted to go, but his father would not let him, ‘so they pushed off. A quarter of a mile is not a great distance to push even such a clumsy thing as the raft was, and in a very short time it landed on the beach, with the spray flying _ all over those upon it. The boys were not afraid to go ashore with the two villains, as they were both armed from the weapons they had found on the schooner. As they stepped on the beach a flock of sea fowl flew from the crags they were roosting in. Their cries made the night hideous, and it was some seconds before t! 2 boys could realize what they had struck, Then it was that something entirely peppered hap- pened ! The feeling for revenge had come upon Wigg and his companion the moment they felt their feet touch land, _and with one accord they sprang upon the two ai is with “uplifted oars to fell them to the beach. “T see the moon coming up. —_———_ f CHAPTER VII. THE THUNDER SQUALL. The four who had remained on the schooner waited | a anxiously for the return of these who had gone ashore ae on the raft. ; ERLE Teck oh On Mem a Yoel Netied Tho welt hailed by Wigg, and glad that their companions were re- turning, they rushed to the schooner’s side to throw a rope ladder to them. “Throw us a line, so we kin make the raft fast,” said Geese. Luke Batters lost no time in obeying. It was so dark that he could not distinguish those on the raft, as that was the side that was in the: shadow. Two minutes later the two villains stepped on. the deck. “Where are the boys?” asked the professor. For answer Wigg drew a pistol and aimed it at Luke. Just as he pulled the trigger Archie Denton sprang forward and knocked his hand upward, and the bullet flew through the empty air. The little fellow was alive to the occasion. “Treachery!” he cried, seizing the mate by the throat with one hand and clutching the revolver with the other. “Seize them—quick !” Like magic the father sprang to the assistance of the son; while Luke Batters seized a belaying pin and struck Geese senseless at his feet. Then in much less time than it takes to record it, Wigg was overpowered and thrown to the deck. “Get some rope, professor!” shouted the doctor, who had succeeded in getting 'the revolver from the villain’s cluteh, and was panting from his exertions. Professor Parker did not delay an instant in doing so, and the two villains were soon placed so they could do no further harm. “This is Hal’s revolver!” exclaimed: Archie, as he held up a lantern and examined the weapon. “The scoundrels have murdered the boys!” “T fear that what you say is true,” observed his father in trembling tones. “Are you sure those men are safely tied ?” “Oh, yes! them.” Archie now walked to the side of the schooner and They will never get free again till we let held the lantern so he could look down on the raft. . There was no one there. — “They have either killed Hal and Lew while meat or. else run awav and left them there,” he said. “But the fact of Hal’s said the aja revolver being inj their ae =! sion makes it look as though we may p expect the worst,” ——

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suggested Dr. Denton.. ; “That's it !” exclaimed. Luke. “If he won't tell we will make him, or else tie a piece of pig iron to His neck and throw him overboard !” “Which he deserves right enough,” added pe who really was the coolest one in the party. The doctor walked up to the prostrate villain on the “Wie” said he, “you haye heard what we have been talking about. Are you' willing to tell us just ‘what you did with the two boys who went ashore with you?” “Yes,” was the quick answer, “I'll tell yer all about it. We had no sooner got ashore when the two young fellers pulled out their pistols an’ told us to drop the oars we had. I says ‘What for?’ an’ Hal Morris says, ‘Cause you are no good, anyhow, an’ we have made up our minds to leave you here, an’ go back to the schooner!’ Of course + we wouldn’t stand for that. an’ a fight follered: We got: ther best of it, an’ come back to ther hoat to get ther best '_. /@f you people, too, which you couldn’t blame us for doin’, ‘since we meant to always do the right thing by you.” “You say you got the best of the fight ashore? did you do to Hal.and Lew?” asked Archie. ) “Knocked *em down with our oars an’ took their pis- tols from *em-—-that’s all.” “Wigg, I believe you lie!” roads Fria fo ea dox’t lie, I have told you the truth.” “Perhaps you have in regard to striking them down; Ee but you couldn’t make me believe that they were ‘going to come hack to: the schooner without: you. e What it? - i >. “Weil, Pl go ashore ard aaah) it you really did xin Eee thom, oIf you ‘did you can make up your mind that both yow and Geese ‘will die! We are out of the limits of the ea daw ow, and therefore we will take it in our own seta yo? “Tll be ther 2. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth! ps “That's right!” cried ‘Luke Hatters. =. exeertioner, if no one else wants: to.” tae = The old sailor had searcely.ceased speaking when. there prmme ape muttering of distant thunder. _. €4 thunder squall is coming up!” exclaimed the doctor. + a “What shall we do?” — “Git ashore as quick as we kin,” replied Luke. “Ther _ * schooner will go to pieces on this bar if it is any kind of a blow at all, an’ I reckon it is goin” to, be a good one. Tt will be on us afore fifteen minutes, too, oe Pm} ee mach, mistaken. a b, . the rumbling of thunder was hesrd, and a Coe ing followed it this time. = lof the vessel was creaking and straining 2 as her stern rose and fell with the swell, and there was not one 01 the four who did not think it was best to abandon her then and there. Besides, Hal and Lew were ashore, dead pe It was their duty hy go and Took. for them, any- they resolved to do so. “ enh plenty big enough to carry ‘all we kin ther in. ten twat Ea i, 3, “80 ‘let's “i to work i in a The Pee) were | FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. “I can’t tell’ you any disferent, not ‘if you a me for |) Hal owas tence to the ground, Lierotid: by a glancing 21 Phase we force Wigg to tell us Just what happened” | | rapity becoming obliterated, and the ges and light- ning*became more and more ominous. Proy isions, cooking utensils, blankets, canvas, weapons and the professor’s scientific instruments were placed upon the raft. The atmosphere was. oppressive and almost warm, and the swell had gone down considerably when they were ready to get aboard themselves, after taking al! it could possibly float. “Don’t leave us!” screamed Wigg, as he saw them go over the side for the last time. The doctor ran back to them, and quickly severed the ropes that held the mate’s hands powerless. “We will leave you,” he cried; “but not in a helpless condition. Don’t you dare to fellow us! /You have brought this on yourselves, and if you perish you will be I justly punished for what you have done this night.” There was no need to tell the villain not to follow them, for it would certainly take him a good five minutes to get himself and companion freé from the ropes. In much i less than’ that-time all four of our friends were paddling the raft for the shore. - When half way there’ the thunder storm burst. ame “Whew!” exclaimed Luke, “ther wind is dead off shore! This will be ther last of ther schooner, for sure!” The rain was now coming down ‘in torrents, and it be- hooved them to be quick at making a landing. Tt was more by good Inck than anything else that the raft struck the beach in safety a few minutes later. CHAPTER VIII. A DROP FROM THE JAGGED ROCKS. The assault on them by the two villains was so-sudden that Haloand Teew were taken completely by surprise. — But an’ oar’is a rather ungainly thing to handle, es-__ pecially. when it-is to be used quickly, and they had no difficulty in dodging the tiga ae — at their heads. blow on the shoulder, and Lew caught the blade of ‘ther 163 oar wielded by Geese in his right hand. Re Though they had failed in their exact intentions, the — villains were not ready te give it up. Wigg immediately pounced upon Hal before the hoy had a chance to get — upon his feet; and dtopping his oar to the aieeres ‘Reane ; sprang upon Lew. ors ~The’ sailor was a great deal more powerfil thian ‘the Pp boy, and Lew was soon upon the sand attions at ac, side of his chum. : is y “T guess we’ve got you now,” exdinitabd Geseé, ‘ashe dealt his victim a blow on the temple which had the ef- 6 fect of rendering him temporarily unconscious. : “That’s right,” grunted Wigg. while T hold this feller; an way.” The rascally mate's accomplice had no difficulty in tying Lew securely before he returned to his senses. _ Then he also took the boy’s handkerchief and thrust it ‘in EA mouth, aa te ends at‘the back of his neck, BF be ee a: - “Now, jest tie him up, ¥ then we'll fix ee same

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he becomes of age. FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. FACTS WORTH READING SUPREME COURT SALARIES. The chief justice of the supreme court of the United States receives a salary of $15,000 a year and each: of the associate justices $14,500. When any justice -has served for ten years he may, with the exception of the chief justice, retire on full pay provided he is then sev- enty years old. If the chief justice retires under such conditions his salary for the remainder of his life is re- duced from $15,000 to $14,500, being thus placed on the same basis as that of the associated justices. LEFT ALL TO BENEFACTORS. For their “kindness and self-sacrifice,’ Mr. and Mrs. George Smith, Sunbury, Pa., inherit nearly $8,000 under the will of John Fell, 80, a beggar, at Northumberland. The will was probated before relatives of Fell arrived at Northumberland to contest the document. . Fell, who was believed to be almost penniless, went to the home of the Smiths seyeral days ago and asked for shelter. He said he was friendless, that he felt ill and believed he was going to die. Although the Smiths, had only one bed they gave it to the old man, and themselves slept on the floor. The next day Mrs. Smith said Fell gave her a check for $507 on a Northumberland bank and $55 in cash. Before he died Sunday night he made a will leaving to the Smiths his entire estate, said to consist of $7." in a Wilkesbarre*bank and stocks valued at $8,000. LEAVES BELLBOY $30,000. Because he was always pleasant and prompt in his ser- vice to her as bellboy at a Great Barrington inn, Mrs. George D. Farrar, of New York, in her will bequeathed to Timothy Connelly, son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Con- nelly, of Bridge street, Great Barrington, Mass., $36,000. The will of Mrs. Farrar, which has just been filed in New York, also leaves $250,000 to charity. Mrs. Farrar was a patron at the inn for twenty years. Connelly, who is 18 years old, was attentive and always knew and anticipated her wants. She was appreciative and in 1912 paid for a winter’s tuition in the Hallock School for Boys in Great Barrington. Last fall before she went to New York after her summer sojourn in the hills she deeded to Connelly a cosey house with a large Jot on Bridge street, which his parents now occupy. » The bequest to young Connelly is held in trust until He has applied for his old job when school closes in June. GERMANS EATING DOG MEAT. _ . The high cost of living makes itself felt more emphati- a Sh in the butcher shop than in any other establishment ‘that helps to fill the market basket. The price of meat is going up in the cities of Germany almost as rapidly as But the European housewife jn Brooklyn or Chicago. has a solution that would hardly be popular on Long Tsland. Long ago, when beef became too expensive, aie substituted horse flesh. More recently, she has begun to patronize certain little shops where the flesh of dogs is sold at bargain prices. Statisticians say that the number of canines butchered in Germany is increasing every year. The “new” meat appears to have made the most favorable impression in the kingdom of Saxony. Prus- sia comes next and Bavaria third. The French have never eaten dog meat, though the housewives of Paris are said to be partial to cat. In fact, Germany is the only European country to have imi- tated the Chinese by sending the “friend of man” to the butcher’s block. U. S. WARNS AGAINST ALLEGED HOG CHOLERA CURES. GoveRNMENT Has Not Approvep Any TREATMENT Excrert THE ProrrorivE Serum. . Wasuineton, D. C.—Evidence of what appears to be a well organized campaign to delude farmers throughout the country into buying an alleged cure for hog cholera, under the impression that this has been investigated and | approved by the United States Government, has reached the Department of Agriculture. Articles praising this medicine, Benetol by name, are being sent out widespread to newspapers. These articles are so worded that it ap- pears as if the Department of Agriculture had received reports from the State of Minnesota showing that the medicine had proved most beneficial. As a matter of fact the one report received by the Department was an unofficial and unsolicited statement sent presumably from the promoters themselves. The Department attaches no importance whatsoever to this statement. It has no rea- son to believe in the efficiency of any proprietary cure for hog cholera and does not recommend any. Under certain conditions it urges farmers to protect their stock with anti-hog-cholera serum, but that is all. In connection with this attempt it. may be said that the medicine, which*is now put forward as good for hogs, was advertised some time ago’as a means of killing tuber- culosis, typhoid, and cancer germs, according to an article published in the Journal of the American Medical As- sociation. At that time it was asserted that the army was interested. in it. As a matter of fact the army was no more interested then than the Department of Agricul- ture is now. In view of the stidenies that the attempt to ¢reate this false impression is persistent and widespread, all hog owners are warned to communicate with the United States authorities before accepting as true any statement that the Government recommends any treatment other than the serum already mentioned. i a ne a Ly any + lind Ese = ix a ete Gris ae Tee ogee Rae poet A? Fl ” Loe ie Ye goo A Dee ee aL rie Se :

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vt . storm followed. FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. 23 TEN-DAY ISLAND THE SECRET OF OLD 33 By GASTON GARNE (A SERIAL CHAPTER XXII (Continued). All this he had made known. to Mr. Everest. The old lawyer had not kept his appointment, and in- stead along came these two ruffians to do their evil work. If Mr. J. Everest had been present then, John Jacks would have had something to say that the old lawyer would not have liked to hear. These were John Jacks’ thoughts for the first half hour. During all that time he kept hearing queer noises near him in the darkness, which he ‘thought were caused by Tats. ey By and by it began to rain, he could hear the drops pattering down upon the roof, ‘which seemed to be right f above his head. ~ Soon it began to thunder and Highthing, and a terrific John. Jacks could see the lightning through the. chinks in the old shingle roof; at first it did not come strong enough to light up the place much, but as the storm moved over’ the old building there came a flash at last which iilwminated the whole place, and John Jacks made a discovery, which, if he had been less busy with his un- pleasant thoughts, he might have made before. He was lying upon the dusty floor of an old garret, and there, about ten feet away from him, lay Joe tied up ‘like himseif. Of course John Jacks went to work at once. He would not have been the enterprising boy who overcame every difficulty et Ten Day ee if he had done anything else. Rolling over and over he was soon alongside of Joe, . who crowded against him, making some queer noise’ which was all he could do toward talking just then. Iinmediately John Jacks put his mouth close down to Joe's. He was not trying to kiss fits Ol no! Nothing : of that sort! With his teeth he got hold of the old handkerchief and had it out of the ‘boy’s mouth in a jiffy. _ “Hooray! Bully for you!” shouted Joe. _ I knew vou were somewhere around, but I could not make — sure just- where.” “Oh, Johnny, John Jaeks did the mumbling act then, and Joe caught more senses than one, and John ‘J acks was Hegre) eved of his gag. “ Are Joe, where are we?” a his first Fister iats still in the old eau oar : — STORY) “Of course we are!” replied Joe. “We are upstairs. Them fellers lugged me up here and put that blamed plug in my mouth. Are they going to kill us, Johnny, do you think ?” “You ought to know more about it than me, Joe. After I got that choking I didn’t know a thing until I came to my senses up here.” “They didn’t say much about it in my hearing,” said Joe. “I heard them talking about bringing some feller named’ Mac here to decide what should be done with us— that’s all I know.” “That’s enough,” replied John Jacks. “I know what it means now. Joe, it means death to us if we don’t get out of this. What in the world is to be done?” “Get out, then,’ returned Joe. “Yes, but how? I’m tied so tight that I can’t move one jinch. An inch! If I could only move my hands that much, I should be all right. T can’t move one hundredth part of an inch, I’m afraid there’s nothing for it but to stay right where we ave until morning comes.” John Jacks was right. Already the boys’ wrists and ankles were beginning to swell, which made their bonds cling all the tighter. The storm passed away, and daylight began to creep in through the chinks in the roof, and still not a see had been heard below. Another hour passed, and still another.’ The morning was now becoming well advanced. John Jacks was re- duced almost to despair, when at last heavy footsteps were heard walking about the rooms below, rousing the boys to a pitch of excitement which it would be hard to describe, for they did not know whether to hope or not. —- ‘“Vhere’s some one down there at last, Johnny!” said Joe. “Shall we holler out and Jet them know that we are here?” “Wait,” whispered John Jacks. “It may just as weil be an enemy as a friend. Joe, we are in great danger. — The man Mac you heard those follows talking about is my - cousin. He haies me, and I believe at the same time_ fears me. One thing is dead sure, he’s wicked enough to hire those men to kill me if it is going to serve his pur- pose to put me out of the way.” “?*Pain’t him, then, and it hain’t them fellers, neither,” 4 said Joe, “because if it was they know we are here and s {would come right upstairs.” “Yes, but it | may be some one they have hired to do he Y ait Best thing we can do is ts _ eet, it seems ~ Z Lam Lee

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a4 FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. me; and. yet it maiaht after all be only some tramp who would be glad enough to set us free.” “Hark!” he’s coming upstairs!” breathed fas. coming in a hurry, tco.” ' ~ “Yes, and Vil tell you why! Don’t you hear? one else is coming.” “He's Some A horse and wagon was heard driving mpigy ang, the road. It was not the first team the boys had heard rf. any | ‘ means since morning came. But all the rest had gone right past, and this one stopped. “There’s- something going to happen now, sure!” breathed John Jacks. “Friends or enemies, they are com- ing into the house.” CHAPTER XXIII. THE TABLES TURNED. Meanwhile the heavy footfalls which had so held the attention of the boys ceased to make themselves heard the moment the wagon stopped in front of the house. “Tt’s right up to us, Joe,” whispered John. Jacks. “Something i is going to happen now.’ There was no delay this time. _ Evidently two persons had-come,in the wagon, for their footsteps could be heard on the ‘stairs. John Jacks listened breathlessly. Just what he expected happened; the door of this queer little attic which was tucked away behind the big chimney opened, and Cousin George Mackintosh, followed by the foxy-faced Bill Dye, walked in. “Hello! They are here all right,” said Bill. “I was afraid. Now, will vou believe it, Mac, that you Bax? seen with your own eyes?” Both men had been drinking, evidently. Cousin George seemed to be the worst of the two. et John! Well, John!” he chuckled. “Here you are! What's this? W)iat’s this? Sfewing again? Where did you get the good clothes?” _ “George, I haven't one word to say to you, John Jacks, “Of course this is your work. Say what ~ you have to say to me, and let me know the worst quick.” “f don’t know whether I will or not,” growled Mackin- .tosh. “I don’t know that I have anything to say, except that you know too much for your own good. You are in _ my way, cousin, and I propose to get you out of it. ‘1 _ ‘don’t know what game you are playing, but I know you are up to something, and I mean to head you off, anyhow. Bill, you have given it to me straight. Do up these two boys, and I’ll pay you the five thousand as I agreed.” _. “AIL right,” growled Dye. “T’ll put you down at the tation, Mac, and then I'll come back and attend to the job. There can be no better place than right here. No - one would ever get on to this room. The bodies might lie till the day this old roost comes down, and no one as RN the wiser. Trust me, Mae: It shall be done up to. the queen’s | é “All right,” Repped: Const: Googe; thickly, “Pm off. John, have you shes say:to aa Berit ae ihee ” retorted SS There was a lot that John Jacks would have liked to have said, and there were words on his tongue that he was just about to utter, when suddenly there came a yell out- side the door of the secret room which was enough to make one’s hair stand on end, and in dashed a huge black giant, flourishing the leg of an old bedstead about his head. Cain killed Abel wiv de leg ob de table!” he shouted, an’ I’se gwinter kill yo wiv dis!” “Whack! Down came the club upon Cousin George’s head, crush- ing in his derby hat, and sending John Jacks’ treacherous cousin down upon the floor without a groan. Bill Dye, with a fierce exclamation, started to draw his revolver; but before he could accomplish it the table leg came down upon his head, too, nearly splitting his skull and. sending him down upon the floor beside Cousin -| George. “Hooray! Down dey go! Trot out some more ob dem an’ I’ll give dem all a dose. Now, den, boss! What’s de. mattah wif ole Cesar? Who says dis yere niggah don’t dream dreams what come true?” * * % * - * * The tables were completely turned, and it was Caesar and. his bedstead leg that turned them. Not dead, but badly knocked out, George Mackintosh and Bill Dye lay upon the floor with their hands tied be- hind them, while John Jacks and Joe stood free. “How did I get hyar?” said Cesar, in response to John Jacks’ eager question. “How did I get hyar? Waal, dis. yere’s de way I got hyar. When you two didn’t. come home las’ night, boss, me an’ Miss Susie went mos” wild ob course. ‘Do something, Cesar! Do something to find em,’ Miss Susie says, fo’ ob course I’d tole her my dream. “Waal, den I starts right cat. Dat was befo’ daylight dis mornin’. » Dunno how ever Miss Susie get her break- my way, cousin, and I propose to get you out of it. I a * didn’t know where to go, so I axes a policeman where-— abouts in all dis yere big city dar was a high bridge acrost a ribber, what had big stone pillars to’ it—I means de bridge, not de ribber, of course—and he tell me it’s up to Harlem, so up to Harlem I goes, and when I gets acrost T begins walkin’ along and walkin’ along, an’ inquirin’ fo’ an ole house wiv de winders all broke an’ a hole in de root. Knowed'I should find it ’ecaze I found de bridge; an’ I did find it and hyar I is, boss, and who’ll dare to say now dat dis darky don’t dream dreams what come trne?” Bill Dye lay quite unconscious through it all,;and John Jacks thought his skull was fractured, but he still breathed. Cousin George, on the contrary, aia not appear to be very much hurt, and he lay there glaring at John Jacks, who turned to him now and said: “George, this is my turn. made me out a thief; you tried to ruin my life, and came near doing it. What shall I do to you?” He was a perfect coward, and in apswer | io this he began x beggin for life piteously, promising to pay John Jacks the $5,000 he had intended to pay Bill ‘Dye and making other cowardly talk. an ne peebioid : Caen atae dale You meart to kill me; you. , & q ’ !

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FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. WE WANT YOU TO READ |“Moving Picture Stories” A Weekly Magazine devoted to Photoplays and Players 4 Absolutely the finest little publication on the news-stands PRICE 5 Cem eS A COPY THIRTY-TWO PAGES “FINE HALF-TONE FRONTISPIECES New portraits of actors and actresses every week : Get a copy of this weekly magazine and see what itis EVERY NUMBER CONTAINS Six Gripping Stories, based on the latest and best films, each profusely illustrated with fine half-tones of scenes in the play: Ai kta aM and Biographies of the most celebrated Photoplay actors and actresses. Special Articles relating to Moving Pictures, written by the greatest authorities in the film business. News Notes from the studios about the doings of everybody of prominence connected with the Photoplays. Scenario Hints and the names of all the companies who may buy the plays yeu write. Poems, Jingles, Jests and every bright feature calculated to interest both young and old. GET A COPY NOW from your newsdealer, or send us 5 cents in money or postage stamps, and we will mail you the latest number issued. FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher 168 West 23d Street - 25 ISSUED EVERY FRIDAY if i BEAUTIFUL COLORED COVER DESIGNS . ee ee In the matter of woman’s rights Abyssinia, Africa, is| Cocoanuts when ripe fall to the ground, and when far ahead of Europe. The-house, with all its contents, be- |} necessary are pluc! ked by men who climb up. It some- longs to the wife, and if the husband offends her she! times makes one’s blood run cold to see them run up the turns him out until he is finally repentant and makes} trees like monkeys. Two ways are practiced for mount- amends. ing the trunk. In the case of a small tree or at an odd moment the man walks up the trunk, keeping his feet flat. Because his clothes were mussed and his face dirty, Edward Pelzer was arrested in St. Louis as a “suspicious character.” At the station the police were amazed to find all his pockets stuffed. with greenbacks and goldbacks, totalling $2,949. While conducting an investigation of the-death of L. Boynton, at Clarksville, Mich., Sheriff Taylor picked up an old pair of overalls from which dropped a can con- _ taining currency to the amount of $5,150. Tt was sup- _ posed Boynton had died penniless ; - Holding that the title of Indians to the submerged of Lake Michigan had neyer been recognized, and that what rights they had were relinquished when the ~ ~ aborigines voluntarily left the land,. Federal Judge Car- penter ruled adversely to Indian claims to made land along the lake shore in Chicago, Three Indian tribes, the. Ottawas, the Chippewas,’ and the Pottawatomies. ught to recover Jand now occupied by papert companies and thy South Park board, A 4 AEST Tas Shee Pst ees aah against it and throwing his weight back from it as much as possible, retaining his position at the same time by the tension of his arms. The other and safer plan is to pass a loop of cord around the feet, which are thus kept close together, and grasp the trunk of the tree, the arms mean- time assisting the climber, who moves upward in a series of jumps. While a big audience looked on, frozen with horror, nineteen-vear-old Henry Garven, of Lynn, impersonating the son of William Tell, with a potato, instead, of an apple, on his head, was shot through the head the other afternoon on the stage of the Central Square theater at Lynn, Mass., by Mrs. Juanita Griffin, known profession-' ally as “Princess Neta.” Applause was just breaking out at the report from the .22-calibre rifle used by Mrs. Grif- F fin when the Garven boy staggered behind the scenes. He was hurried to a hospital, where physicians gave little hope for his recovery. -Mrs. Griffin was placed under arrest, and, if the boy’ dies, will be charged, the Se say, with manslaughter. \ a ee : Eye Oi: . = Zz rey yee ee “ee Jj Fuge fe Ay

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b yr _ing shipment. 26 : Fame and Fortune Weekly NEW YORK, JUNE 19, 1914. TERMS TO SUBSCRIBERS Postage HOW TO SEND MONEY—At our risk send P.O. Money Order, Check or Registered Letter; remittances in any other way are at Pend risk. We accept Postage Sta en sending silyor Stamps the same as cash. wrap the Coin in a separate piece of paper to avoid entting the en ope. Write your name and address plainly. Address leiters to Senor ar. Teper, Fresipens-. Frank Tousey, Publisher 168 West 23d St., N. Y. BRIEF BUT POINTED ITEMS From 1901 to 1913, sixty Nobel prizes have been awarded. If we class the prizes by countries, comparing the populations, we see that the most favored countries are the three Scandinavian countries, ‘Sweden, Norway and Denmark, which is significant in, view of the na- tionality qf the jury. Then come Holland ; France with 14 prizes and 39 millions of people; ‘Germany with 18 prizes and 65 millions of people. After these come Switzerland, Belgium and England. Finally the United States and Russia have each received only one prize. ° River pirates whose depredations in the Carquinez straits and the tide lands of the San Joaquin Valley, Cal., have caused farmers a loss of many thousands of dollars. With the co-operation of the Federal authori- ties Sheriff R. R. Veale of Contra Costa County has or- ganized a picked posse to wage war on the inland free- booters. The chief source of revenue of the pirates is the merchandise produce piled along river levees await- The method of the gangs is to moor a scow at night in midchannel and row to the wharves, “from which the produce is removed and brought to the bay cities and sold, When Paul V. Sauls, a youth eighteen years old, of * Tallahassee, Fla., kiJled two highwaymen as they at- 7 Sanaa to loot the Tallahassee post office several months ago, it hardly occurred to him that President Wilson, in recognition of his valor, would appoint him to a clerical position under the Civil Service without examination. But tifis is just what happened, and recently President Wilson signed an executive order authorizing the appoint- ment of young Sauls. On the night of January 7 Sauls was left in cherge of the Federal building at Tallahassee. His father, who was watchman, had been taken seriously | ° iil. At an early hour Sauls heard some one knocking. He walked to the hasement door and asked who was there. The caller replied that a small sack had been found in the street. Sauls opened the door and two masked men _ confronted him «with pistols. Without a second thought, Sauls grappled with onerof the mem. The burglar fired, Be - and in-the scufile that followed Sauls fired two shots, both a ‘taking nee Stead man bbe in a short time. Soe iter burglar, who evidently had not realized what had hap- : “What for?” FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. —— pened, then appeared. Sauls shot him twice, killing him almost instantly. The first burglar was later identified as “Tennessee Dutch,” one of the most notorious safe blow- ers in the country. Thus it was that single handed and with the cheapest kind of a gun, one which he had won at a county fair the day before} Sauls not only succeeded in preventing the blowing up of the post office safe which contained several thousand dollars, but also in ending the careers of two suecessful and dangerous criminals. The boy’s case was laid before President Wilson several days ago. JOKES’ AND JESTS. “Are all the people here invalids?” “Oh, no, sir! Some of ’em only just come, sir.” Citiman—I ‘see you raise your own vegetables. Sub- urbanite—No! I simply plant a small garden so as to keep the chickens at home. “This necktie,” said the polite salesman, “speaks for itself.” “Speaks for itself?” repeated the customer, as he took in the loudness of the design. “I say that it positively yells.” “When he saw the enemy coming he turned and ran. IT call that cowardice.” “Not at all. He remembered that the earth is round, and he intended to run around and attack the enemy in the rear.” “T can never marry you,” said the beautiful blonde. “But,” pleaded the wealthy old man, “won’t you make my life happy for the short years I will be here? I am troubled with a weak and faint heart.” “In that case, I accept you!” And yet they say faint heart never won fair lady. Mrs. Bliggerson awoke and called her maid. “Has Mr. Bliggerson come down yet?” she asked. “No, ma’am,” responded the servant. “James just informed me that Mr. Bliggerson was not in his room, but that his um-_ brella was in the bed.” “Tell James to go down in the hhali and take his master out of the umbrella rack.” “My, my, my!” said the little girl’s grandmother} “you mustn’t make so much fuss when you have your hair combed. When I was a little girl I had my hair combed three or four. times every day.” “Yes,”, said the child, pointing at the poor little gray knot on the back of the good old lady’s head, “and-see what you’ve got for it.” The children had quarreled, and Willie had struck Tommie. Instead of returning the blow, Tommie turned and ran down the hall. “Where are you going, Tommie?”. asked his mother. “Kitchen,” answered Tommie tersely. “You said if anybody was mean to me to {heap coals of. fire on his > aaa and Pm goin’ for the | coals.” : 3

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st F 4 THE WITCH IN THE WELL. :} —_— 4 By D. W. Stevens. F “Come, Nanny, do tell us the ‘Witch in the Well,’” ex- - claimed Flo, settling in a great rocker before the fire, and ’ drawing out her crochet. “Yes, you promised it, and now’s a splendid time,” said b. “Oh, you children don’t never think I’ve anything more important on hand than to fiddle out stories for you,” _ grunted old Nanny, as she sank into a corner of the huge chimney, knitting in hand, “But it isn’t much use to re- fuse, I suppose, so here goes—The Witch in the Well. “Forty years ago, children, I lived on the Blankford estate, away across the Blue Ridge. Never was out of old Virginia, honeys. “There was a great réd stone house, children, with gables and porticoes, covered with moss and vines. “Ah, those were happy days! _- “T was fifteen years old then. “The Blankford family had been scattered for a year, the master and missus aoe in Europe, and Master _ Dick and Lida at ‘school. “Tt was summer when my eine occurred, and the Blank- _ fords had all come home. “Then I was made Miss Lida’s maid. _ “Everyone called me a beauty; and I was right smart, brighter than I am now, and had long straight black hair. ; Miss Lida was fond of. me, and she would have me with _~ her always. “Now, you see, honeys, since the family returned, strange _ things had happened in an old dried-up well on the place. ~ “Phe field servants told how as they had seen thin smoke rising from it after dark, and when they puckered 5 up courage enough to peep in, they saw pale lights flicker- _ ing on the moss-covered stones below. “Old Wool swore that he heard a hissing and boiling from the place, as he passed at midnight. ~ “One night, while the servants were up watching, at twelve precisely, the old bucket began to slowly rise. / “At first they all screamed and ran away; but as noth- ing appeared to them from a distance, they made bold to ereep back and peep over the sides. “There hung the bucket, not six feet below them, and in it stood a terrible old witch, who sparkled all over with . light.» - “When she saw them, her snaky eyes snapped, and she pulled herself up like ‘lightning. “Then they all ran away screaming, and while some fell fainting on the grass, others ran to tell the family. _ “When the master and missus and Miss Lida, with a wd of servants after them, reached the well, all was ‘again; the bucket hung empty at the top, ‘the light ‘smoke were gone, and everything looked as usual. . iat night Miss Lida talked to me about it, and she as determined to unravel the nome - blowed out the light, and was lyi Pe FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. ae 22 — — = “Miss Lida,’ whispered I, ‘look at the wall, quick.’ “Without a word she toyched the floor like a feather, and was over to the panels before I could speak again. “Before she reached it the light had vanished, and I was hanging on to her, begging of her to go to bed and not meddle with witchcraft. “Instead of taking my advice, she told me to light her lamp quickly, and when I had done it, she exaiained the panels, and tried to shove them every way: “At last one slid aside, and we saw a narrow passage within. “Miss Lida looked scared for a minute, then she held the light above her head and gazed in. : ‘Nanny,’ she whispered, ‘dress yourself as quick as you can, but leave off your shoes,’ “We did so together, and when Miss Lida motioned me to follow softly, we stepped into the passage, my lady marching ahead with the lamp. “The passage was hung with cobwebs, and the floor was strewn with broken plastering. “T was shaking like as if I had the ague, and Miss Lida’s face was pale, I perceived, but she held her light with a steady hand, and walked like as if she knew what she was after. “On we went, without sound, and almost without light, the walk growing narrower, until suddenly we reached a flight of very narrow steep steps. “Down went Miss Lida, her golden hair shining faintly in the light which she held above it. A damp, earthly smell came up the stairs, which so seared me that I caught my lady’s arm, and in a whisper begged her he turn back, “She told me that I might go if I was afraid, but se would not! turn back. “That look was enough, and I followed her without a word. : “We reached the bottom, found a damp stone passage which turned to the left, followed it, descended another flight of stairs—these last being of stone—and when about half-way down, heard voices in the distance: “Miss Lida gave me a look which said, ‘Be brave, Nan- ny,’ and went on. “When we reached the bottom, we were in another stone passage, which wound round to the right. “It was faintly lit, the voices grew louder as we ap- proached, and now we cou!d hear a click, click, click, like as if machinery was working in the distance. “All of a sudden we turned a corner, and came in view of a door which was unlatched, ashe which poured a strong light. “Miss Lida set her mets on the floor, round the bend of ‘the passage and then crept up to the crack. “Just then we felt a current of air blowing on us, sd turning about, we discovered a hole in the passage-wall. _ “We crept to it and looked out, or rather looked up; for only blackness met us until we gazed above, and then {we saw a small round spot of light, through which ae moonlight shone. / “Tt is the well! Don't you see the bucket Sea hind up there? ¢:

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M ee ios Be: -confession of guilt, and chided: him in the. presence of -_ gelebrity of Islington, London. “Then she crept back to the door and listened. “Well, to be short, children, there she discovered a gang of villains who were counterfeiting money. “By their conversation she learned the whole thing: how one had dressed up like an old witch, and daubed himself with phosphorus, so as he would shine at night and scare the servants, who were becoming curious about the well. “She learned how they had occupied the house when it was empty, before the Blankfords came home, and how they were driven to look for new quarters, and had dis- covered ihe secret passage, and there taken up their abode. “Three minutes sufficed to show Miss Lida the whole thing, and motioning me to follow, she took up her lamp and hurried back. “Tn three minutes she had woke up Mr. Blankford, her manimy, and: her brother Dick, and told the whole thing in short order; and in less than fifteen minutes Master Dick was galloping into town for a see and men to capture the gang.” “And did they get them ?” inquired two of the children at once. -“Every mother’s son of them,” answered old Nanny. “The constables had been after them for months, and they never would. have caught them if it hadn’t been for Par Aten Ae the Well = —_—- = ee , SOME. REMARKABLE FEATS. ~The Emperor of Russia is said to be one of the strongest men in his empire of herculean individuals. While the heir apparent, he one day visited his father, the late emperor, to complain that his mail was tampered with. The emperor sent for the chief of police, drew from. hirh the czarowitz. The latter said not a word, but handed the erestfallen functionary a silver ruble twisted into a toll. In-his' younger days this was a favorite visiting card of the czarowitz. He could strike a poker against his arm and hend it, bit pieces out of Chinese cups— feats which were in the repertoire of Thomas Tapham, the “Tapham was a drayman, and sometimes, when. ex- Thilarated by the’ vast potions of liquor supplied him by shafts. -He had a playful habit of twisting heayy kitchen _ pokers. into ‘a-coil about the necks of trembling country- men. One night, after having astonished a tavernful with his drinking powers, he came upon a watchman oi cong slumbering in his box, and threw box and man ; over the wall of a burial ground. i . In 1871, M. Gregorie, claiming to be seventy-one_ yehrs old, selopiichadk the physicians and the public of a town 3 Bear, London by carrying 700 pounds with ease, lifting _an.ox and performing other wonderful feats. A celebrated London physician who examined | Gregorie, describes him. an ¢ exaggerated study. of Hayden. - His. shoulders were and his biceps almost neredible. G Gregorie’s r than @ souree, of ide. to ni | luxurious hair. moment was Beis ” ‘in. coe FAME AND F ORTUNE WEEKLY, pa Se dain a: Pele being. He was afraid to nurse his own child lest he should give it a fatal squeeze. Middle-aged people who remember the dawn of interest in muscular exercises recall Dr. Winship; the originator of the idea which was subsequently embodied in lifting ma- chines, eréated was equal to that of the Berliners a few years ago at Jorgnery’s feats. The most wonderful of these was known as the trapeze feat. The Frenchman hung sus- pended by his legs from a swinging bar, and by sheer muscular strength lifted a heavy horse and its rider off the stage, suspended them several minutes and then let- ting them down gradually and evenly as he raised them. Mervine Thompson’ s achievements at Rochester, N. Y., years ago, however, in the opinion of competent judges, more surprising-than this. Thompson laid his face down- ward on a firmly fixed ladder and resisted the efforts of a team of powerful horses to. pull him from that position. 3 A newspaper writer in reviewing this wonderful per- formance, remarks that the little mention with which. it escaped could happen only in a nation where strong men were common. The same feat in 18%5 gave William Joy the name of the English Samson. Wishing parties and explorers in the wilds af northern Wisconsin were, a few years ago, familiar with Peter Panquette, the Samson of the region. that were like iron. Senator Clark says: “T have had him bare his arms to me and crack Scare nuts upon the muscles. It was like cracking them on a stone. He could take a handful of hard hickory~nuts. and crush them to pieces by tightening his fist.” On one occasion, while serving as guide for a party: . The astonishment that the doctor’s performances - He was a famous woodman, possessed of mighty endurance, and muscles + of explorers, a voke of oxen drawing the boat down the — Vox gave out through fatigue. Panquette took their place, and hauled the boat: slong heeding the strain less than the beasts. - Sheppard, whose muscular development answers to the description of Panquette. like the latter, wore his hair long. With the halfbreed it was a custom derived from his copper- colored ancestors, but with the ruddy Buglishman it was - admirers, he would: take his horse's place between the {in obedience to his belief that all his strength lay in his flowing yellow Jocks, Sheppard could lift a heavy man in each ‘hand, and, hold them at arm’s length. He could toss enormous fables, barrels ‘and bags of flour, about as. though. they were filled with feathers, He could take a pewter pint pot and tear it into’ pieces with his teeth, and {he could munch Jarge oyster shells as a person would Sheppard was the wonder of the coun- — try, around, but. his prosperous popularity developed ene- munch a biscuit. mies, and one of these, it is related, induced the stro man to drink deeply, and while sunk in stupor cut off oe ‘q Sheppard awoke, felt his bare poll, and ; in tones of horror announced his strength was gone. Whether because such was the case, or because he wn that 4 | to excite superstitious: credulity, the strong man from at one his mas ras timid ae Lgambes the Gonllan a the Coventry Haluiteane:

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bus only glue and 3,005 matches, a saggarmaker at @ pottery completed a violin with a wonderful tune. _ Though not a violinist, the ingenious inventor long ago Conceived the idea of making such an instrument. It took him exactly fifty-one weeks to make it, using an ordinary penknife as his principal tool. Musicians who hare tried the instrument praise its tone highly. ¥ 4 he TET Sle tha A Thousands of dead fish line the banks of the Truckee River, Nev., below Derby dam, as a result of battering x ‘themselves to death in efforts to get over the dam. Pho- y tographs of the dead fish have been taken and forwarded to Washington, where appeals have been ‘sent by hun- dreds of sportsmen asking for a fish ladder, ever since the construction of the Derby dam. Most of the dead fish are quewe, a very large fish resembling the sucker, _ but many of them are said to be large salmon from Pyra- 5 mid _—. cJ erg new altitude record for balloons is announced in a ‘book by Dr. A. de Quervain, describing his recent cross- Ing of Greenland. Two members of his party, Drs. Jost and Stolberg, remained on the west coast, and during the winter of 1912-13 sent up pilot-balloons 120 times from the Danish séientific station at Godhaven, Disco Island. One of these was followed with theoltelitea-fiom: _ the ground to an altitude of about 39,000 meters (24.2 miles), which exceeds by about 4,000 meters the greatest height ever before attained by any form of aeronautical 3 gies ee The French naval authorities are so well pleased’ with » their four-gun turrets, that their latest class of dread- 3 Roughts i is to be fitted with four of these turrets, carrying among them a broadside of no less than sixteen 13.4-inch guns. ‘These ships will be able to concentrate eight guns ahéad and astern, so that in point of numbers their all- round fire will excel that of our own “Pennsylvania,” * which can fire six 14-inch guns ahead and astern, and awelve on the broadside. The British in the “Queen Elizabeth” have decreased the number and increased the ‘of the guns. these ships carrying each eight 15- new navy dirigible balloon L-3 arrived in Pots- ter a thirty-four-hour trip from Friedrichshafen. igible on the trip passed over Frankiort, Metz, es ea. on Jee still nae Gacy a _ FAME_AND FORTYNE WEEKLY, _ GOOD READING From railroad section boss to president of Mexico—| line sufficient for sixteen hours more of flying. An _ that has been the career of General Huerta, according to| average speed of nearly sixty miles an hour was made by Colonel Robertson, personal friend of Secretary Bryan.} the dirigible, and at one time, over a short stretch and _ Mr. Robertson says he employed the dictator as a boss ou| with the wind following, - one of his many railroad projects about twenty-five years ; miles an hour. she reached a speed of ninety While over Helgoland the L-3 was in wireless communication with dirigible LZ-24, which was over Friedrichshafen. Anna Risner, 4 years old, was eating peanuts in her home at 4 Louisiana avenue, East New York, early the other evening while her mother dressed her to go out to meet her father as he came home for supper. One of the peanuts lodged in the child’s throat and the mother after making desperate efforts to dislodge it picked Anna up and rushed to a drug store a block away. An ambulance was summoned from Bradford street hospital and two physicians in the neighborhood were called. They said the child was dead: Mr. Risner reached home just as neighbors were carrying his wife and their baby into the house. A new type of armed submarine boat which promises to displace the torpedo boat destroyer and revolutionize naval warfare has been developed in the Navy Department. Department experts propose to build a sea-going subma- rine, of about the size of the present destroyer, but con- siderably larger than existing submarines. It will have a speed of twenty knots on the surface and twelve to fourteen knots when submerged, and will have the double function of engaging in under-water attack and in taking part in action on the surface. ‘The new submarine will carry a disappearing battery of three or four guns of four or five-inch calibre, in addition to the usual torpedo tubes. The guns can be raised above the deck and lowered beneath waterproof shutters when the vessel is under water. All is not port wine that is so labelled. A Standard representative was informed that a large quantity of spurious wine is made in London and designated “port,” although neither it nor any of its ingredients has ever heen near Portugal. The technical description of port wine, as given by an expert, is as follows: “The words port or port wine when used by themselves denote a forti- fied wine of a particular type and having particular char- acteristics as to sweetness, color and bouquet, made from fresh grapes grown in Portugal and shipped from Oporto.” ‘This description does not apply to a large quantity of the so-called “port” wines sold in London. As a matter of fact the cheap “ports” are nearly all made in London, __ The manufacturers make the wine quite openly. and their © factories are subject to the inspection of excise officials, but as they make it from dried currants or raisins and _ use in the manufacture a certain amount of real errr A < they ae the Pea viale of reese eae. ja:

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¢ FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. ARTICLES OF ALL 2 KINDS SOMETHING ABOUT ENGINEERING GRADU- ATES. The statement that graduates of engineering schools do not follow the engineering profession is shown to be erroneous in the case at least of the College of Engineer- ing of the University of Illinois. lected by the college show that of the 2,165 graduates, 1,933, or 89 per cent., are engaged in one way or another in’ engineering work, and that only 173, or about 8 per cent., have gone into other fields. EFFECTS OF ABSINTHE DRINKING. ~ During the’ Algerian War of 844-47 the French soldiers were induced ‘to mix absinthe with their wine as a febri- fuge. On their return they brought with them the habit of drinking, which is now so widely disseminated in French society. ‘The symptoms in the case of the absinthe tippler commence with muscular quiverings and decrease of strength; the hair begins to fall out; the face assumes a dejected look, and the victim becomes emaciated, wrinkled and sallow. Lesion of the brain’ follows, hor- rible dreams and delusions haunt the tippler, and grad- nally paralysis takes-him to the grave. “PAUPER” CARRIED $3,380. ‘For twelve years patrons of Schirmer’s Hotel, 262 Bowery, New York, have been accustomed to regard Carl Sehmidt, who during that time occupied a small room there. as an “allowance man,” or pensioner; one wlio was provided with just sufficient funds to supply modest needs. Their astonishment was great when they discovered that instead of being a near-pauper he was wealthy. The other night he staggered into the hotel and el: lapsed near the clerk’s desk. He was sent to St. Vin- cent’s Hospiia!. When his pockets were searched $3,380 in bills were discovered along with bank books which : showed he had deposits smonnting to $50,000. “A STATUE ERECTED IN HIS OWN HON oR. Declaring that “if you want a’ thing done’ right. you must do it yourself,” Melville H. Freas, of Philadelphia, a Civil War veteran on Memorial Day unveiled a mas- sive granite monument- which he has had erected in his de “own honor. The monument, ;completed recently, is sur- mounted by a life-size statue of Freas clad in a uniform worn by the. Union troops during the war, but’ which shows the aged veteran as he’ appears to-day. The gun sented is a reproduction of the service arm he car- ried at the battle of Gettysburg. Freas, who is 73, began . preparing plans for the memorial several months ago, and personally attended to’all the details of its erection. “In the cemetery where the monument stands,” he said, “there are buried nearly 500 soldiers who fought in the. Civil war, but there was not a ‘single monument erected in _ their honor. es ago 3 ae visas my ote et Data recently col-|s |to defray the expense of building something that will — j stand for years after I am dead and forgotten.” monument with the statue, stands nearly twelve feet in height and weighs four and a half tons. It cost $5,000 according to Freas, THE LARGEST ICE CAVE IN THE WORLD. = A few years ago some members of the Austrian Speleo- logical Society discovered in the Dachstein mountains some caverns which are among the largest in Europe. One of these grottoes, the longitudinal axis of which is fully 6,500 feet long, moreover turned out to offer addi- The — ; d ; 4 : . : tional interest by its truly enormous ice masses and was — found to be the largest known ice cave in the world. Though a scorching sun may be burning, outside on the bare mountain rock, there is always an icy wind blow- ing through this, underworld, freezing everything within its reach. Only sometimes, when the outside temperature ranges between 32 and 41 deg. Cent., and a compara-— tively warm rain penetrates through the fissures of the rock, entering right into the cavern, will there be a temporary calm and distinct melting of the- ice. . The Dachstein ice cave comprises several domes filled with ice, which communicate with one another through a number of ‘frozen galleries. An ice crevice 89 feet deep and 116 feet.in width traverses the floor of the cavern ‘Gigantic ice pillars were — 165 feet from the entrance. found to tower on both edges of this chasm, in the depth — of which there unfolds a fairy-like ice scenery. the abyss the cavern widens out into a mighty dome (“Tristan Dome” as it is called), where a plain ice sheet Beyond | reaches from one wall to the other, carrying ice stalag-_ mites of the most fantastic shapes. This hall is contin- ued in a gallery threugh which flows’ an ice river. feet in width and 116 feet in height), ¢ Dome,” is next entered quite abruptly, which exhibits an immense variety of ice formations of every description. The descent to the bottom of the cave is made over an ice river, known as Montsalvasch Glacier. At the foot of the glacier a lake of ice spreads from end to end of the hall, carrying ice stalagmites of animal likeness. Over an ice wall 50 feet deep and through a portal formed by huge ice arches, access may be had to the second part of this underground world. This is distinguished from the former by a considerably: higher temperature, " pre- venting the formation of ice. Tremendous rocky deserts with an enormous chaos of boulders here take the place of greenish shining ice domes. The largest room is “King Arthur’s Dome,” a practically peters ont 660 feet long, 330 feet wide and 100 feet high. Its huge side galleries contain, in addition to stalagmites of cauliflower shape, an enormous mass of crystalline erratic blocks brought down to these depths from the Central Alps by the under ground rivers of an early geological ieee 7 Ad hall of imposing dimensions (396 feet in length; 231 called “Parsival

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ELECTRIC FUSH BUT} TON.—The base is made of ¢ maple, and the center piece of black w inut, the whole thing abouy 1% inches in diameter, with a metal hook on the back so that it may be slipped over edge of the vest pocket. Expose to view your New Electric Bell, when your friend will the button expecting to hear it ring. Z soon as hoe touches it, you will see some of _ © the liveliest dancing you ever witnessed. The _ Blectric Button is heavily charged and wiil Sive a smert shock when the button is pushed Price 10c., by mail, postpaid. WOLFF NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. ¥, —_———— THE MAGIC DAGGER. A wonderful illusion. To all appearances it is an ordinary . dagger which you can flourish around in your hand @nd suddenly state that you think you have lived: long enough and had better commit sufcide, at the same time plunging the dagger “to the hilt into your breast or side, or you preterd to stab a friend or acquaintance, course your friend or yourself are not in- ured in the least, but the deception is perfect Gnd will startle all who see it. Price, i0¢., or 3 for 25c. by mail, postpaid. ©. BEHR, 150 W. 62d St., New York Oty. MUSICAL SEAT > The best joke out. You can have more fun ‘than a_ circus, with one of these novelties... All you have to do is to piace one on a chair seat (hidden under a cush- lon, if possible). Then “ tell your friend to sit , down. An unearthly _ ®Bhbriek from the little round drum will send - your victim up in the air, the most puzzled ' gnd astonished mortal on earth. Don’t miss tting one of these genuine laugh producers, Berrectly harmless, and never misses doing its Work. Price 20 cents each, by mall. post-paid WOVE NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th 3t., N. ¥ €ARD THROUGH THE HAT TRICK With this trick you bar- ! Tow a hat, and appar- through the “crown, without injuring the ecard or hat. The oper- ation can be reversed, the performer seemingly pushing the card down through the crown into the hat again. It is « 5 trick which will puzzle and interest the closest observer and detection mats almost impossible, _ *hiid can learn how to perform it in a few ‘minutes; - Price 10 cents each, by mail, post-pald U, F. LANG, 18 you can have with this stuff. Moisten the tip of your finger, tap it om the contents of the box, and a little bit will stick. Then shake hands with your frieud, or drop n speck own his back. In a minute be will feei as if he had A the seven-years’ Itch. 4L Was wase nim seratch, rear, squirm and Wake iuces. Lut it is perfectly harmless, as it is made from the seeds of wild roses. ‘The horrible itch stops in @ fev minutes, or can be checked immediately by rubbing the spot With a wet cloth. While it is working, you Will be apt to laugh your suspender buttons ef. The best joke of ali. Price 10 cents a _ box, by mail, postpaid. - WOLE¥ NOVELTY OO., 29 W. 26th St.. N. ¥. ) —- - —_—-— yvad's Water-Wings AEE) | ‘Price 26 cents, Postpaid ter-wi take up DO more room thana ; hankerch! . They weigh 3 ounces and sup- from 69 to 25) pounds. With m. pele aarone can to swim or float. Foruse, you have only to wet blow them up, ana press wwe ‘Marks under mounthpiece, B. LANG, 1816 Cenire 5t., Biya, N. ¥. fy mm y -s ? ently shove a card up} It is so simple that a! BLACK-EYE JOKE. New and amusing joker. The victim is told ts hold the tube close to his eye so as to exclude all light from the back, and then to remove the tube until pictures appear in the center. In trying to locate the pictures he will re- ceive the finest black-eye ever saw. We furnish a small box of | | | | : tube, so the joke can be used in- definitely. Those not in the trick will be caught every time. Abso- Price by mail 15c. each; lutely harmless. 2 for 25¢. WOLEF NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St.. N. ¥. i i H { ; i blackening preparation with each > i ' ee on) 's free trial on this finest of bicycles—the *“*“Ranger."* We will ship it to ouon approval, freipkt id, without a “ A Linge ea ce nalociotel / genuine. shi THE JOKER’S CIGAR. cent ‘This o The biggest sel! of the see TODAY $2: 900 bia catalog sho son. A real cigar ma men and women, boys and girls at prices never before tobacco, but secreted in the | egualed for like acaltty. It ts a cyclopedia of bicyclea, sre center of cigar about one-half | gundrics and useful bicycle information. It’s free. fat on inch from end is a Sie erry pubes, ins Oe ear ate Sear winole, Seay sof sparklets. The momen . lamps, cyclometers, equipment an GANG? tho Bre reachee tne foumiate | Bein, 2608 tere ctterss init rs hundreds of sparks of once, at $B to $B each. - burst forth in every direction, to the astonishment of the smoker. The fre is stage fire, and will not burn the skin or clothing. After the fireworks the victim can fontinue smoking the cigar to the end. Price, 10c.; 3 for 25c; 1 dozen, 90c., mailed, post- paid, C. BEHR, 150 W. 62d St., New York City. BENGO, It t @ little metal box. It looks very iIn- mocent. But it is sup- mechanism which Shoots off a harmless cap when it is opened. You can have more fun than a circus with this v= new trick. Plave the BINGO in or _ under any article and it will go off when the ar- ticle is opened or removed. It can be used as a funny joke by being placed in a purse, cigarette box cr between the leaves of a , Magazine, also, under any movable article, | oan as a book, tray, dish, ete. The BINGO ean_also be used as a Burglar Alerm or as |} # Theft Preventer by being placed in a | Grawer, money till, under a door or window, or under any article that would be moved or disturbed shonid a theft be attempted. Price 15 cents each. by mail, postpaid. WOLFF NOVELTY CO.. 29 W. 26th St.. N. ¥. to open it, is to press down the little knob in the center of the purse, when @ small needle runs out and stabs them in the .fin- ger, but does not open it. . You still they | TRICK PUZZLE PURSE. | ! can open it before their eyes and will be unable to open it. Price, 2c. each by mail. postpaid. | H. F. LANG, 1835 Centre St., B’kliyn. N. WY. | DUPLEX BICYCLE WHIS7LE. This is a double whistle, pro- ducing loud but very rich, har- monious sounds, entirely differ- ent from ordinary whistles. It | ig just the thing for bicyclists or sportsmen, its peculiar double | and resonant tones at once at- tracting attention. It is an im- ported whistie, handsomely nickel plated, and will be found a very ufeful and handy pocket companion. Price, 10c.; 8 for 25¢.; one dozen, 75c., sent by | mail, postpaid. | WOLFF NOVELTY CO.. 29 W. 26th St.. N. Y. 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 ips covering the openings in the centre. Then by blowin gently upon it you can play any tune dest as easily as whistling. But Nttle practice is required to become a finished player. It is made entirely of metal, and wil! last a life- time. We send full instructions with each instrument. Price 8 cents, by mail, postpaid. a. A. WARFORD, 16 Hart St., Brookiyn, N. ¥. | i 1 j plied with an ingenious ; RIDER AGENTS a will be astonished and 2 bi sundri til icycle, es un * today. CYCLE CG.. Dept. W188 CHICAGS, ILL. POST CARDS FROM EVERYWHERE Mem- bership Aurora Post Card Magazine 10c Cotn. ®. L. GAMBLE, EAST LIVERPOOL, OHIO IMITATION FLIES. pmsorately true to Nature! A dandy scarf-pin and a rattling good joke. It is impossible to do these ping justice with a description. You have to see them to understand how lifelike they are. When people see them on you they want to brush them off. They wonder “why that fly sticks to you" so persistently. This is the most realistic novelty ever put on the market. It js a distinct ornament for anybody's necktie, and a decided joke on those who try to chase it. Price, 10c. by mail postpaid. @ HAY FEVER REMEDY so express to you on Pree T; it cures send , c- BEHR, 150 W.. 62d St., New York City. The first attempt usually made | | | SURPRISE KINEMATOGRAPH. greatest hit of the season! It consists of a Small metal, nickeled tube, with a ilens 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 screw in center of instru- ment to change the views, when a stream of Water squirts into his face, much to his dis-~ guest. Anyone who has not seen this kinema- tograph in Operation is sure to be caught every time. The instrument can be refilled with water in an instant, ready for the next customer. Price 25c. by mail, postpaid. WOLFF NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. ¥. POCKET WHISK-BROOM This is no toy, but a whisk-broom, *% inches high. e Phy ngs — imported Fagg 9s, neatly put together, can easily be carr in the vest pocket, ready for use at any mae ment, for hats or clothing, ete Price 10 cents each, by mail, postpaid. Cc. BEHR. 150 W. 624 St. N. Y PIGGY IN A COFFIN. This is a wicked pig that died at an early age, and here he {is in his coffin ready for burial. There will be a great many mourners at his funeral, for this coffin, pretty as it looks, is ve; it open will which everyone (in trying to open) resses inward, contains a needle which stabs the victim in his thumb or finger every time. This is the latest and a very “impressive” trick. It can be opened easily by anyone in the secret, and as a neat catch-joke to save urself from a bore is unsurpassed. Price, Joe; $3 for BSc, postpaid; one dozen by ex- press, 75c. WOLFF NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. X,

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VANISHING CIGAR. This cigar is made in exact imitation of a good one. It is held by a rub- ber cord which, with the attached safety pin, is fastened on the inside of ‘ the sleeve. When offered toa friend, as it Is about to be taken, it will instantly disappear. : Price, 10e. each by mail, postpaid. BER, 150 W. 62d St.. New York City c. THE JUMPING FROG, This little novelty creates a world of laughter. Its chief attractiveness is that it tekes a few seconds he- fore leaping high in the air, ~~ so that when set, very inno- cently along side of an unsuspecting person, he is suddenly startled by the wonderful activity of this frog. Price, 15c. each by mail postpaid. iM. F. LANG, 1815 Centre St., D’klyn, N. ¥. MANY TOOL KEY RING. The wonder of the age. The great- est small tool in the world. In this little-instrument you have in combina- tion seven useful tools embracing Key Ring, Pencil Sharpener, Nail Cutter and Cleaner, Watch Opener, Cigar Clipper, Letter Opener and Screw Driver. It is not a toy, but a useful article, made of cutlery steel, tem- pered and highly nickeled. Therefore will carry an edge the same as any jeco of cutlery. As a useful tool, nothing as ever been offered to the public to equal it, Price, 15c., mailed, postpaid. WOLFF NOVELTY CU., 29 W. 26th St.. N. ¥. THE PEG JUMPER. A very effectiva : pocket trick, easily ee any one. A miniature paddie is shown. Cen- tral boles are drilled through it. A wooden th sides of the pe le, the performer causes, by simply breathing upon it, the peg to leave the upper hole, and appear in the middle one. middle Pipe ra LAN to the om er pate Both sides o: 2 @ are repeatedly shown. 4 Price by mail, 15e- to be performed by bes is inside of the upper hole. Showing now 1 en it jumps to the lower hole, back to the C. BEHR, 150 W. 62d St., New York City. Coupon a Wate co is codec sets ‘, “\ s, “This coupon when properly filled out ‘ and forwarded with S subscription price en- BN ‘ ‘ titles the holder to Pre- miun mentioned. ‘\ > ‘. ‘S. ‘, N\ ‘. ‘ NOME ..ccccccccsvepesecsvcscces Address Ese Week aede teh ebeb sj agetones Clty... veces. State... .ceeesescceees si i Look! One of these fine watches FREE to anyone sending us fighting game _ cocks. These liliputian fighters have real feathers, yellow legs and fiery red combs, their movements when is known only to the operator, who can cause 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 THE FIGHTING ROOSTERS. fighting are perfectly nat- ural and lifelike, and the | strong box, 10c,; 3 pairs for 25c. by mail, postpaid. ? A full blooded pair of secret of their movements WOLFF NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. ¥. LIGHTNING TRICK BOX. A startling and pleasing illu- sion! “The ways of the world are y devious," says Matthew Arnold, y but the ways of the Lightning Trick Box when properly handled are admitted to be puzzling and uncertain. You take off the lid and show your friends that it is full of nice candy. Replace the Md, when you can solemnly assure at friends that you can instantly empty the ox in their presence without opening it; and taking off tho lld again, sure enough the candy has disappeared. Or you can change the candy into a piece of money by following the directions sent with each box. This is the negtest and best cheap trick ever invented. ‘rice, only 10c.; 3 for 25e., mailed, postpaid, M, V. GALLIGAN, 4109 W. 6€th &t., N. ¥. NEW TEN-CENT FOUNTAIN PEN, One of the most »eculiar and mraiitying pens on the market. It requires no ink. Al you have to do is to dip it in water, and it will write for an indefinite period. The secret can only be learned by procuring one, and you can make it ~ source of both pleasure and amusement by claiming to your friends what it can do and then demonstrating the fact. Morcover, it is a good ee fit for practical use, and will never leak ink into your pocket, as a defective fountain pen might do. Price, 10c. each by- mail. WOLTF NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. ¥. GOOD LUCK BANKS. Ornamental as well as use- ful. Made of highly nickeled’ ga It holda just,One Dol- jar. self. Remains locked until refilled. Can be used asa watchcharm. Money refund- ed if not satisfied. Price, 10c. by mails — ? EGGS OF PMARAOH’S SERPENTS, A. wonderful and startling novelty! ‘‘Pharach’s Serpents” are produced from a small egg, no larger than a pea. Place one of them on a piate, touch fire to it with a common match, and instantly a large serpent, a yard or more coils itself from the burning egg. Each serpent assumes a different position. One will appear to be gliding over the ground, w head erect, danger; another will coil itself up, as if pr paring for the fatal spring upon its victim, while another will stretch out lazily, appar- ently enjoying its usual noonday nap. Im- mediately after the egg stops burning, thé Serpent hardens, and may afterward be kept as an amusing curiosity. They are put up in wooden boxes, twelve eggs in a box. Price, Sc., 3 boxes for 20c.; L-dozen boxes for 60c., sent by mall, postpaid, WOLFE NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th 5t.. N. ¥. DEAD SHOT SQUIRT PISTOL. If you shoot a maa with this “gun” he will be too mad to accept the ancient excuse—"T didn’t know it was loaded.” It loads easily with a full 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 and run. There are “loads of fun” In this wicked little joker, which looks like a real revolver, trigger, cock, chambers, barrel and all. Price a Jor 4 for 25c.; one dozen 60c. by mail ostpaid, in. length, slowly un-* When filled it: opens it-, 8. ¥. LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’klyn, N. ¥. ith? as though spying® \ charge of, Hl. F, LANG, 1815 Centre St, B’klyn, N. ¥,_ A CRAND PREMIUM One—1 year’s subscription at. . . $2.50 Two—6 months’ subscriptions at, . ‘1.25 each Four—3 months’ subscriptions at. . @.65 each For either of the following: “Moving Picture Stories,” “Happy Days,” “Wild West Weekly,” “ame and For: tune Weekly,” “The Liberty Boys of 76,” “Secret Service,” “Work and Win,” or “Pluck and Luck.” There 1s only one condition—send us the money ($2.50) and we will send you the watch, and any one of the above publications for the period subscribed for. Look! Description of the Watch It is American-made, open face, stem wind and set. and will run from 30 to 36. honrs with one winding. The movement is the same size as an expensive railroad timepiece, absolutely accurate, and each one is guaranteed. Polished Nickel, Gun-metal with Gilt center and plain Ciutn-metal., The cases are made in Gold Plate, The design on the back case Is a fancy engraved scroll. 4 “Send in Your Subscriptions Now to FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher 16S West 23d St., N. Y. City.

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FAME AWD FORTUODME WE EH1I.YW —LATEST JSSUES— In Business for Himself; or, The Lad Who Made the Money. Charlie of the Curb; or, "Beating the Money Brokers. A Million in Rubies; or, The Richest Find in the Wor!d. Tom, the Bank Messenger; or, The Boy Who Got Rich. Contractor Bob; or, Fighting for a Big Job. A Nervy Deal; or, The Boy Who Bought a Railway. Im the Newspaper Game; or, The Rise of a Cub Reporter. Prince, the Printer; or, The Little — That Was Made to Pay. The Little Money King; or, Tempting Fate in Wall Street. Among the Missing ; or, ee Treasure of the Silver City. gg A ne or, The Boy Who Made Wall Street = Notice. The Young Wrecker ; or, e Boy Who Dealt in Derelicts. In the Game for Gold; or, Beating the Wall Street Market. Messenger Sixty-Four; or, Hustling for a Living. Old Kitson’s Kid; or, The Best Tip in Wall Street. Lineman Jack; or, The Boy Who Built a Business. Story.) 411 Full of Business; Street Story.) 413 After a Square Deal; or, 414 Silver Dollar Sam; or, of Wall Street.) 416 Ed, the Office Boy: Story.) 419 Lost in the Balkans; or, The Luck of a Youn 418 Plunging to Wim; or, The Deals of a Wall 419 The Young Shipper; or, The Boy Who Was Always on Top. 420 Beating the Bucketshops; or, Breaking Up a Crooked Game. story of Wall Street. 424 Fighting for Fame; or, The 422 inure and Bonds; or, The Firm Wall Street story. les of a 423 Stranded in the City; or, The Boy with a Head for Business. 424 Getting the Coin; or, The — Lad in Wall Street. 454 The Little Boss; or, After 425 Ym the Lumber Trade; or, A Winning Speculator. 455 $250,000 in Gold; or, Huati 426 A Boy's Big Deal; or, The Wall Street Tip That Won. 456 A Corner In Money: or. Reat Up to the Minute; or, From’ Office Boy to Broker. or, The Young Traveler for the Firm. 412 Baffling the Brokers; or, The Boy With the Iron Nerve. The Richest Claim in the West. e Coin that Brought Him Luck. 415 Bound to Make His Mark; or, Running a Moving Picture Show. or, The Lad Behind the Deals. ith a Grip on the Market. A (A Wall, Street} i536 Barry & Co. Wail Street. (A Wall A Story | 440 An Errand Bo - 7 441 In the Film (A Wall Street War Correspondent. treet Office Boy. 446 Th Bankers and Brokers; or, The Boy Money-Makers ia 437 On the Fast Mail; or, From Clerk to Postmaster. 438 His Last Chance; or, The Boy Who Made Money in Wall Street. 489 Shipped to Sea; or, The Treasures of the Coral Cave. ’s Fortune; or, The Office of Wall Street Secrets. ame; or, The Boy Who Made Moving Pictures. A Smart New York’ Boy; or, From the Tenements to Wall Street 443 Mark Milton’s Mine; 444 The Young Banker; or, The Mystery of a Money Box. 445 The Secret Chart. or, e Boy Behind the Deals; or, The Luck of a Wall Street 447 Thrown on the World; or, Startin a| 448 A Speculator at 16; or, The Lad 449 Tom, the Steeple Jack; or, Winning a Living by Nerve. a Young Author. 450 Saving a Million; or, Ben and the Wall Street Brokers. Down and Out; or, A Hard oe to Beat. 452 The Boy Banker's Double; or, A 453 The Young Beach Comber; or, A Fortune From the Sand or, a Schoolboy’s Inheritance. The Golden Treasure of the Cra Business on a Doll ho Worked His Brain Strange Wall Street Mystery. the Wall Street Len Kings a Hindoo Treasu ting the Wall Street Money Sharks. For sale by ail newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt of price, 6 cents per copy, in money or postage stamps, by FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, - . 168 West 23d St., New York. IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS of eur weeklies and cannot procure them from newsdealers, they can be obtained from this office direct. Write out and tm your Order and send it to us with the price of the weeklies you want and we will send them to you by return mail. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY. FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, - - 168 West 28d St., New York. ou rR TEN-CENT HAND HOO HE S&S No. 1 NAPOLEON’S ORACULUM — DREAM BOOK.—Containing the of kuman destiny; alse the true "of Ba Baggs tegether ware @tmest any kin charms, ceremonies, and curious games Ne. 2. HOW TO DO TRICKS.—The great boek ef magic and card tricks, containing full instruction on al) the leading card tricks of the day, also the most popular magical illu- tens as performed by our leading magicians; every boy should obtain a copy of this book. Ne. 3. HOW TO FLIRT.—The arts and wiles of flirtation are fully explained by this listhe book. Besides the various methods of handkerchief, fan, glove, parasol, window and hat flirtation, it contains a full list of the lamguage and sentiment of flowers. Ne. 4. HOW TO DANCE is the title of this little book. It contains full instructions in the art of dancing, etiquette in the ball- Treom and at parties, how to dress, and full dwections for calling off in all popular square dances. HOW No. 5. TO MAKE LOVE.—A com- plete guide to love, courtship and marriage, cage Be sensible advice, rules and etiquette to Ne. rae 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 & geod, healthy muscle; containing over sixty illustrations. Ne. 7. HOW TO KEEP BIRDS.—Hand- somely illustrated and containing full instruc- tiens 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, Every 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 seif- detense made easy. Containing over thirty illustrations of guards, blows, and the differ- ent positions of a good 'b Every should obtain one of these useful and inetrue- tive beoks, as it will teach you how to box without an instructor. No. ll. HOW TO WRITE LOVE-LETTERS. —A most complete little book, containing full directions for writing love-letters, and when te use them, giving specimen letters for young and old ‘oe. t HO iving complete instructions for No. 13. HOW TO DO IT; OR, BOOK OF ETIQUETTE.—It is a great life secret, and ene that every young man desires te know all abeut. There's happiness in it. No. 14. HOW TO MAKE CANDY.—A com- plete hand-book +a agen all kinds of candy, bags -cream. nces, etc., etc. Ne. 18. HOW TO 1 ECOME BEAUTIFUL. —One = the brightest and most valuable little books ever given to the world. Every- body wishes to know how to become beauti- 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. Ne 21. HOW TO HUNT AND FISH.—The most complete hunting and fishing guide ever published. It contains full instructions aboot ns, hunting dogs, traps, trapping and fish- ne. together with description of game and fish. No. 22. HOW TO DO SECOND SIGHT.— Heller’s second i explained by his former assistant, 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. 23. HOW TO EXPLAIN DREAMS.— This little book gives the explanation to all kinds of dreams, together with lucky and unlucky days. No. 24. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS TO EMEN.—Cotaining full directions for writing to gentlemen on all subjects. No. 25. HOW TO BECOME A GYMNAST.— Containing full instructions for all kinds of mnastic sports and athletic exercises. Em- racing thirty-five illustrations. 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 = to boating. o. 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. 28 HOW TO TELL FORTUNES.— Everyone ig desirous of knowing what his future life will bring forth, whether happiness or misery, wealth or poverty. You can tell by a glance at this little book. Ne. 29. HOW TO BECOME AN INVENTOR. —Every rors should know how inventions orig- inated. book explains them all, giving examples be ~s: electricity. hydraulics, magnet- ism, optics, pneumatics, mechanics, etc. No. 30. HOW TO COOK.—One of the most instructive books on cooking ever published. It containg recipes for cooking meats, fish, game, and oysters; also ples, puddings, ears and all kinds of pastry, and @ grand co tion of recipes. No. 831. HOW TO BECOME A SPEAKER. —Containing fourteen illustrations, giving the different positions requisite to become a good speaker, reader and elocutionist. ‘Also con- taining gems ns all the popular authors of Prose and poe — ae oO To BEHAVE.—Contatning ty an No. 32. the rules and etiquette of good socie 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, dominoes, etc. No. 36. HOW SOLVE CONUNDRUMS. —Containing all the leading conundrums the day, amusing riddles, curious catches a a Ge No. OW TO BECOME YOUR OWN DOCTOR.—A wonderful book, containing use- ful and Susie information in the treatment of bg et / diseases and ailments common to every family. Abounding in useful and effec- tive reci for general saan laints. N Em DOGS, POUL- S AND RABBITS. weasels, otter, rats, squirrels and birds. A) how to cure skins. Sg Ate a inuesrete riety of the latest jokes used famous end men. No amateur minstrels complete without this wonderful little > ys oO NEW Y¥ No. 42. BO STUMP SPEAKER.—Containing a varied sortment of stump speeches, Negro, Dutch Irish. Also end men’s jokes * No. 43. HOW TO BECOME A MAGIC —Containing the grandest assortment of ical illusions ever placed before the pub’ ao aay incantations, etc. Also tricks with 0, 44, HO Bi grand collection of Album Ve suitable tors any time and occasion; embrac- ing Lines of Lore Affection, Sentiment, Hu- mor, Respect, Condolence; also Verses Suitable for Valentines and Weddings. No. 45. THE OF NEW YORK MIN- STREL GUIDE AND JO BOOK.—Some- thing new and very instructive. Every baa 4 should obtain this book, as it contains instructions for organizing an min- stre] troupe. For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to auy address on receipt of price, 10 cts. per copy, or 8 for 25 cts.. in money or postage stamps, Dy FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, - - 168 West 23d St., New York