Fame And Fortune Weekly (no. 551) (1916 04 21)

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AMILLION IN GOLD; x RE DRE SANTA (RUZ.4 Axum And OTHER STORIES **Will the young senor take his last look at the sparklers?” grinned the Mexican, malevolently, holding the jewel box tantalizingly toward Tom. Bound firmly to the post, the fast rising tide laving his shoulders, the boy met Mercades's despairing gaze.

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Issued Weekly—By adase auc 25 ~ $2.50 per year. ame and Fortune Weekly Entered at the New York, N.-¥., Post Office as Second-Class Matter*® y Frank Tousey, Publisher, 168 West 23d Street, New York. No. 551. CHAPTER I. THE CURTAIN RISES ON SCENE I. ” , Jennie! You're lookin’ like a daisy this mornin’, : uses Gilpin, with a grin. “Goin’ to give me a kiss, you?” : ennie Dean, the prettiest girl, by long odds, in Cobalt vil- e, edged away from the speaker—a coarse, freckled-faced who had burst suddenly from the bushes by the roadside nfronted her. ‘ ; flashed a-look of mingled displeasure and apprehension newcomer, and it was easy to see that she rather ob- d to his companionship. at’s the matter with you?” Ain’t I as good as Tom Dan- continued Moses, advancing on her as she retreated, ile a disagreeable look came over his sallow face. wish you wouldn't bother me, Moses Gilpin!” said the “Don’t you like me?” he asked, in a menacing kind of way. I don't!) So there!” - was plain English, and straight from the shoulder. hy don’t you?” snarled the boy. ecause I don’t!” pose you think there ain’t no one like that beggar, Tom myers,” sneered Moses. " He’s a gentleman, and you're not,” she retorted frankly. h, he is?” with a malicious chuckle. “He's a gentleman, fellow whose brother is an escaped jailbird!” , pron ashamed to say such a thing!” cried the girl tly. , I ain't, ‘cause it’s the truth. He was arrested for and put in the lock-up. If he hadn’t broke out and he’ d have been sent to the State prison, where he ‘don’t believe he was guilty,” replied Jennie. [t don’t make no diff NEW YORK, APRIL 21, 1916, Price 5 Cents. A MILLION IN GOLD > ares THE TREASURE OF SANTA CRUZ By A SELF-MADE MAN “Yah! He wouldn’t dare. My old man would fix him if he laid a hand on me. I'd just as lief as not tell Tom Danvers to. his face that his brother is a thief, for that’s what he is.” “You're a liar, Moses Gilpin!” cried a voice close at hand, and Tom Danvers, a stalwart, good-looking boy of seventeen, with brown, curly hair and a frank, honest expression of countenance, sprang from the same line of bushes and con- fronted Gilpin with clenched fist and a menacing look. “My brother is not a thief, and I’ve half a mind to cram the words down. your throat!” Moses jumped back a couple of feet and looked scared. “You'd better not touch me if you know when you're well ms he snarled, darting a venomous glance at the last ar- rival. “Then don’t you dare call my brother a thief, for I won't !stand for it!” quently escaped f the eres isco antag TOI the, “If he isn’t a thief, what is he?” snorted young Gilpin. “Wasn't he snatched baldheaded diggin’ the stolen stuff up- at the foot of a tree in the parson’s orchard? If that ain’t proof, I’d like to know what is,” concluded! Moses, triumph- antly, as if he felt that his argument was indisputable. “Tm not going to argue the matter with you, Moses. whole thing was a mistake, and time will show it.” “Yes, it will,” replied Moses, sarcastically. “Who do you suppose believes that cock-and-bull story of his that he saw a tough-looking tramp bury the stuff, and he started to dig it up in order to return it to the Squire?” ; . “It’s the truth, whether anybody believes it or not,” replied Tom stoutly. ; : “T believe it, Tom,” spoke up Jennie, earnestly, “and so does Agnes and mother.” F “Thank you for saying that, Jennie,” said Tom Danvers; flashing a grateful glance at the girl. “I didn’t expect any-— thing else of you, and of Agnes and your mother. Jack will — prove his innocence some day, and he will never forget those — who stuck by him in his trouble. ‘ A sneer curled the mouth of Moses as he listened to Tom's | words, but he did not dare to express his feelings openly. i He hated the fugitive Jack Danvers because the young man had given him a whipping for cruelly maltreating a poor dog and he hated Tom Danvers because Tom was the most popul. boy in Cobalt and attracted all the girls, especially Jennie Dean, for whom Moses had a sneaking liking himself. Since Jack Danvers had been arrested on the charge of breaking into Squire Penrose’s house one night when | : family was away at a wedding in a neighboring town, and ani cian and disa; support of his ere . The ati

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‘and disappeared. 2 A MILLION IN GOLD. shoals, for Tom, who, up to that time, had. been attending schoo] in the next town, riding to and from the academy each day, found it almost impossible to get anything to do when he found himself obliged to put his shoulder to the wheel. On top of that, the bank in the next town, where Mrs. Dan- vers had a’ deposit of several hundred dollars, failed about that time, and Tom and his mother were reduced to great straits to make ends meet. The Deans, mother and two daughters, were warm friends of the Danvers. Agnes Dean carried on a millinery and dressmaking busi- ness in the village, and was the main support of the family. She and Jack Danvers, at the time of his arrest, were en- gaged to be married. Although the bright young fellow, who was an expert car- penter, had fled the village under a cloud, Agnes did not break ‘the engagement. She firmly believed in his innocence, and determined to re- main true to him. Jennie Dean assisted her mother to keep house and her sis- ter in her business, She was a bright, vivacious girl, and a ‘great favorite with the boys. Tom thought the world of her, and she had a very high opinion of him. Moses Gilpin was her particular aversion. She didn’t like him even a little bit, though he was always trying to make himself solid with her. He was the only son of John Gilpin, the village auctioneer, church deacon, and general man of importance. Mr. Gilpin was reputed to be well off, though he and his family didn’t put-on any style, being close-fisted to a degree, making a dollar go as far as it was possible to stretch it. Mr. Gilpin owned the cottage where the Danvers lived, and he was always most punctual in calling for his rent. + Mrs. Danvers paid eight dollars a month, and even that sum she was unable to raise when the landlord put in an appear- ance on the last day of the preceding month, for she did not} pay in advance. As the Danvers had lived many years in the cottage, Mr. Gilpin felt obliged to give the widow time, though he did so much against the grain; and he told her he would call again on the fifteenth, when he intimated that he expected her to have the rent. She didn’t have it when the middle of the month came around, and then Mr. Gilpin suggested that if she couldn’t pay regularly he’d prefer she'd leave. She appealed to his sympathy, but as that was an unknown quantity, matters now around the last of the month looked very black for-the Danvers. Although they were now poor, and the taint of a crime rested on the head of the elder son, they were proud, and suf- fered in silence rather than make an effort to <ietytyl money and chance a refusal. -*You are returning to the village, aren’t you, “Jennie?” said Tom, after thanking her for standing up for his brother. “Yes.” “Then I'll go along with you, if you don’t mind.” “TI shall be glad if-you will,” she answered. So they walked on, ieaving Moses Gilpin standing by him- self in the middle of the road. “Yah!” muttered Moses. “I wish you were out of the vil- - lage, Tom Danvers, like your thief of a brother. Maybe you aii have to go soon, for my old man says your mother is behind in her rent, and don’t seem to have nothin’ but her furniture left. I hope he’ll turn you out in the street. Then you'd take your stuck-up face somewhere else. After you’re gone, per- haps Jennie would listen to me, then. She wouldn't have you at her elbow to fall back on. Ugh! How I hate you!” Thus speaking, Moses left the road, re-entered the bushes CHAPTER II. TOM RESENTS AN INSULT. When ae Danvers reached home, an hour later, he found “You've been erying, mother,” he said. -“What’s the mat- ei ‘Mr. Gilpin bas been here again for his rent, Tom.” “What if he has? We're not going to cheat him out of it. pay him as soon as we get the money.” | en alone knows where or when we'll get-it, my son,” . Danvers, tearfully. Brith agua ea pence ee: his mother in great distress. “He won’t, eh?” “No. He says we must move right away.” “Did he say that?” 6) ee: “Yes. Where can we go? We have no money with which to rent another cottage, even if I knew of one in the vill suitable to our, circumstances that was to rent. Besides, Gilpin says he’ll have to levy on our furniture to pay himself for the two months’ rent we owe. He’s been looking rene the house, and declares that all we have wouldn’t fetch twen five dollars at auction.” “The old villain!” cried Tom. “What right has he to b doze you? He hasn’t any right to touch a piece of our fu . ture—it’s against the law. _If we had a cow or horse, he might attach it, but he can’t levy on our furniture. He has made a big bluff because he wanted to frighten you. Maybe — he thought you had a little money in a stocking somewhere, and he could make-you show it up. After all the years we've 7 paid him rent he ought to be ashamed of himself to push you because we happen to have been hit _ by a streak of hard luck. — : “I'm afraid he’s a hard man, Tom.” 17 “I’m sure he is—and his son Moses is just like him. a run-in with Moses on the country road a while ago.” “What do you mean?” asked his mother, apprehensively. “I was making a short cut through Farmer Wood's field, — after trying without success to get a job on his place, and when — I came to the fence alongside the road he was talking to Jen- nie Dean. I heard him call Brother Jack a thief, 89 T just jumped out on him and cailed him down for it.” “Poor Jack!” said Mrs. Danvers, the tears welling up in her eyes. “If I only knew where he is now!” “He’s safe, at any rate. That's one satisfaction,” ime Tom. “As he couldn’t get a square deal in the village he — where he could.” seus “Why doesn’t he write to us and tell us where he is?” 3 ag “Perhaps he’s. afraid, mother.” ; “He might write, anyway, and let us know that he is well.” “T have no doubt he will, mother, after a while.” “But we may have to leave the village, an@ then hed fabecte track of us.” “I may have to leave the village, mother, but you won't. have to. If worst comes, you can go and live with the Deans. They'll stand by you, don’t you fret.” “s “They are very good and kind to us in our troubles, ‘Tom, 7 4 J and I shall never forget them; but they’re not any too well — off, and I wouldn’t think of imposing myself on their gen- erosity.” “Ho! I guess you could help them enough to pay for your board if we have to break up.” f “But I don’t want to break up, Tom, and lose you. You are the only boy I have left to cheer me, now that Jack is a wanderer,” said Mrs. Danvers, beginning to cry again. “T don’t want to leave you, mother, but I can’t find an to do in the village: It’s up to me to get out and hustle some- _ where else. I’m going to Brentville in the morning to see itl am can get a place in a store there.” “Well, Tom, perhaps that is the right ‘thing for you to do. As’ soon as you get work I'll move to a small house Satie “All right, mother, and then the postmaster would where to send any letters that might come for us. By the that reminds me that I got a letter at the post-office for y “A letter!” exclaimed the ‘little widow joyfully. Brom Jack?” op “No, mother, not from Jack, or I shouldn’t have tore I had it about me.” a Mrs. Danvers’ face fell. a 7. She was greatly disappointed. “Who is it from?” “I don’t know. The handwriting is strange to me. You have to open it to find out,” and Tom produced the letter handed it to his mother. = She looked at the address and shook her head. “T-can't imagine who it can be from.” “That’s easy to discover. All you have to do is to open’ envelopg, and then you'll know.” ; So Mts. Danvers opened the letter, out of which an enclo- — sure fell to the floor, which Tom picked up and held in his hand without looking at it, and glanced at the signature. “Harley. Roberts,” she said in a mystified way. “I never heard of the man before.” ; “The letter,is surely for you, isn’t it, mother?” said | Tom. ' “Yes. ‘There seems to be no doubt of that.” : *“Read it, then, and see what he says.” ; ; ee Mrs. Danvers did so. | ret Fah This is how it ran: _ 4 mp te i= tg

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- feturn as soon as I could. He had faith in me, and trusted _ Mme without even a note of hand. Not until now have I been in _ @ position to pay that money. My cireumstances having _ Changed for the better, I take great pleasure in sending you the sum in question, trusting that you have not at any time been in need of the money, which was a blessing to me at the time I received it from your husband. I deeply regret that so good a man is no4onger in the land of the living, and I - you to understand how grateful I have been to him for the accommodation, which I now turn over to you, who are “Most entitled to it. Respectfully yours, “HARLEY ROBERTS.” “Dear me! I knew nothing about this!” said Mrs. Danvers. “But I don’t see any money in the letter.” “Perhaps this is it, mother,” said Tom, holding up the en- | closure. “Yes, its a money order—two of them—for $50 “How fortunate!” exclaimed the little woman. “It couldn’t have come at a more fortunate moment.” At that juncture there came a knock, a sort of authoritative one, on the door. _ Tom went to the door and opened it. On the step outside stood John Gilpin. He walked in without waiting for an invitation. “Hem!” he said, clearing his throat, and not deigning to Paatiae Tom. “I have rented this house to Mr. Dusenberry, = Mrs. Danvers. He is willing to take the furniture off your ha at a fair valuation, leaving the appraisal to me as a licensed auctioneer. I should be glad if you can make it con- ‘enient to move to-morrow or the next day, as Mr. Dusenberry Wishes immediate possession.” “Well, I must say you have an awful nerve, Mr. Gilpin,” Said Tom, wrathfully. “Who told you that we were going to give up this cottage?” ; _*Put! tut! young man! Remember whom you are address- ing,” replied the auctioneer, pompously. -_ “Oh, I’m addressing you, all right. What business have you to rent this place over our heads to Mr. Dusenberry, or any one else?” “How dare you use such language to me, you young whip- persnapper?” sputtered Mr. Gilpin. _ “Tom! Tom!” interjected Mrs. Danvers, in a tone of remon- ce, . Mrs. Danvers, I did not expect to be insulted when I en- tered your house: After all I’ve done for you, this is a poor ‘Teturn for my generosity.” “What have you done for my mother?” demanded Tom, grily. “Given her a month’s time in which to pay a paltry sht dollars rent. Haven’t we paid you regularly for the last years? ._Do you suppose for a moment that we intended cheat you out of your due? You can go right back to Mr. " Dusenberry and tell him that we propose to stay here as long as we choose and can pay our rent.” “You young scamp!” exclaimed Mr. Gilpin, turning furi- sly on the boy. “You're as bad as that thief of a brother of The auctioneer went down on the floor from a blow straight Tom’s shoulder, while the angry lad stood over him with ing chest and flashing eye. “0b, Tom! Tom! what have you done?” cried his distressed ‘ at yp naegh I done, mother? Resented an insult from the ‘ CHAPTER III. THE ENCOUNTER BEHIND THE HEDGE. a] . Gilpin lay for several moments quite dazed. ne blow had been a hard one;and it took all of the conceit of him for the time being. en he scrambled to his feet livid with rage.” ’ *You young viper!” he roared. “I'll have the law on you You'll spend the night in the lock-up as sure as my ‘is John Gilpin! As for you, Mrs. Danvers, I order you move oyt of this house at once, bag and baggage. Don’t any further consideration from me. Blame your son, He, like his brother, will bring your gray hair with to the grave. He’s an ingrate—an ingrate, —— and pay dearly for Striking me!” ith those words, jerked out of his mouth, he and left the cottage, slamming the door after S IN A MILLION GOLD. 3 “Mrs. FrepertcK DANveRS—Drar MapaM: Six years ago I “Oh, Tom! See what you have done!” grieved Mrs. Dan- borrowed $100 from your late husband, which I promised to | vers. : “I’m sorry, mother, but I couldn’t help it, if I was to be hanged for it. Jack is my brother. He is not a thief. "No man shall say he is in my hearing without catching it hot from me. “Oh, my boy, you will be arrested and locked up. You have broken the law! What shall we do?” “T'll never give that rascal the satisfaction of havi#g me ar- rested.” “How can you save yourself?” “By leaving the village at once. I intended to do so anyway in the morning. A few hours’ earlier can make little difference with me.” “But the constable will follow you to Brentwood and arrest ° you there.” “Tf he can find me, but I'll take care that he won’t. You have the two'money orders, mother. They represent one hun- dred dollars, and that will keep you for a while; at any-rate, until you hear from me.~ I'll drop in at the Deans ard tell them what has happened, and ask them to look out for you. I know;they will be glad to do so.” “My dear son, must I lose you, too? Must you, also, become a a ose from the village, to return only on the pain of ar- rest?” “Well, mother, I suppose I could remain, and get off with a fine; but our funds are too limited for that sacrifice. I can return any time that I can afford to pay the fine. At least, I’ve had the satisfaction of resenting an insult to my brother from a man for whom I have no respect.” Tom went to his room, filled his suit case with such ap- parel as he needed, and then, kissing his mother good-by, left the house. He went directly to the home of the Deans, told them about the trouble he had got into through his loyalty to his brother, and said that to avoid arrest he was going to leave Cobalt right away. They were sorry to learn that matters were so serious, and Jennie was particularly depressed by the news. Mrs. Dean promised to bring his mother to their home and see that she wanted for nothing so long as circumstances ren- ;dered it necessary for her to depend upon their hospitality. up | he was the cause of the officer’s presence on the road Cee a en eel eee Tom told Mrs. Dean that his mother had just received $100 from an unexpected source, and this, tozether with the money he expected to remit to her from time to time, would enable her to pay her way, and be independent of the world. Jennie accompanied him to the door. “Good-by, Jennie,” he said, taking her hand in his, “I'll write to you, and I hope you'll answer my Jetters, if only to let me know that you haven’t forgotten me.” “Tll never forget you, Tom,” she replied, with quivering lips. “I’m so sorry that you have to go.” “I’m sorry myself that I have to leave mother and you. Otherwise, I’d just as soon go as not, for I’m anxious to make a. start in the world, and I-don’t think I ever could do that in this, village.” “How long do you expect to stay away!” she asked him. “T haven’t the least idea, Jennie. It may be a good while. It will all depend on my luck.” t He took a ring off his finger and handed it to her. ; “There’s a keepsake for you. I hope I shall find it on your hand when I come back.” “Thank you, Tom. Whenever I look at it I'll think of you.” “If Moses Gilpin takes advantage of my absence to annoy you, I'll do him up in first-class shape when I come back. You can tell him so from me.” Then they clasped each other’s hand and parted, Tom mak- ‘ing a bee-line for the county road leading to Brentwood. Befere he reached it he encountered Moses Gilpin on his way home. . That youth favored him with a deep scowl. “lm sorry I met him,” muttered Tom. “When he learns that the constable wants me he'll put him on my track. Weill, it can’t be helped now.” s Night came down upon him by the time he was half-way to the neighboring town. Soon afterward he heard the sound of wheels on the road behind, and fearing that it might be the constable in pursuit, he took to the fields, pausing in the shadow of the hedge to allow the vehicle to pass by. He knew Constable Black well, and, recognizing him as the man who was driving the light wagon, he easily pecans! that — As a matter of fact, he was right.

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4 A MILLION aoe ey IN. GOLD. — Mr, Gilpin had sworn out a complaint against Tom before the justice of the peace, and a warrant had been given the constable to serve. He had first gone to the eottage, thinking he would find him there, but was disappointed. Mrs. Danvers would give him no information regarding her son’s whereabouts, and the constable went away, with the in- tention of returning after supper. While ,eating the meal Moses came to his house and told him that Tom had left town, taking the road to Brentwood. _ Accordingly, the officer hitched up his team and started in pursuit. Tom was about to resume his walk along the highway as soon as the wagon disappeared in the distance, when he was . grabbed by an arm and pulled back. “Hello, sonny! Who were yer hidin’ from—the man in the waggin?” said a voice at his elbow. Tom turned and confronted a hard- rlooking man in a disrepu- table outfit. Hé had closely cropped hair, an waihaved chin, and a leering countenance. On the whole, he was not a desirable acquaintance. “Runnin” away from home, I s’pose,” grinned the man, when the boy did not answer. “What's that to you?” answered Tom, aggressively. “Nothin’, except I'd like to see what yer got in yer bag.” “That's your game, is it?” replied the boy. “Well, I don’t propose to be robbed without making a fight for it!” dropping his suitcase and doubling up his fists, ready for action. The fellow laughed derisively. “Yer a spunky chap, derned if yer ain't; fer there are two of us. Show yerself, Jim!” Jim came forth from the bushes. He was a fair-sized youth, miserably clad, but his face, ‘though tanned and sunken, was not a bad one. He had a hopeless look on his features, as if the fact that he was alive was a matter of continual protest. Tom looked at him, and mentally figured that one blow would put the forlorn-looking youth out of business. “Yer see,” said the man, “yer don’t stand no show agin us. We don’t want to clean yer out. Jest open yer bag, an’ if we see anythin’ that we specially fancy we'll borry it off yer, to be returned with thanks when we git wealthy.” “Sorry to disoblige you,” replied Tom, sarcastically, “but I’m not making any loans at present. I want all I’ve got, as I’m strapped for money, and can’t afford to lay in a new stock at present.” “Are yer really strapped? asked the man, in a tone of dis- appointment. “Yer don’t lock like a boy as was hard up.” “Looks are not always to be depended on. Good-night!” “Hold on! It’s so long since we wuz in perlite society that we don’t like to part with a well-dressed young gent like you. Jim, where's yer manners? Why don’t yer take him by the arm and tell him how glad yer are to make his acquaintance?” ' Jim, however, made no effort to avail himself of this kind invitation. Whereupon the man uttered an imprecation and made a pass at his companion’s head. Jim dodged in a weary kind of way, as if he was accustomed to that sort of thing. “Are you goin’ to let this chap get away from us?” growled the unshaven individual, reaching out one arm to detain Tom as he moved off. Jim's only reply was to put his hands in his pockets and lean up against the fence. - He made no attempt to head Tom off as he sprang over the rails and took to the road once more. Tom, as he walked off, heard the man berating his compan- ion in round terms for refusing to assist in the hold-up; then he dismissed the strangely assorted = from his mind and . headed once more for Brentwood. but it won’t go, CHAPTER IV. TOM IS HIRED BY DR. QUACKENBUSH. | Tom reached the outskirts of Brentwood an hour later. He kept his weather eye lifted lest he run’ foul of Te coi is | Black as he entered the town. ~ Rapping up in the center of one of the lots was a large cov- ue ners Cah aang? back ‘Tom saw a light burn- wae from the main street and eye across some vacant) and label the mixture; heip get the meals, and attend to su Through the top a small stovepipe projected, and from this smoke was issuing. A pair of horses denuded of their harness was tied to one of the forward wheels, and the animals were eating their supper out of bags tied around their heads. When Tom came abreast of the outfit he stopped to read a big painted sign attached to the side of the wagon, announcing some of the virtues of the “Great Kickapoo Throat and Lung Medicine, Warranted to Cure Coughs, Colds and similar af- flictions inside of three days,” and consumption after the in- ternal application of the contents of six dollar bottles for $5. While he was standing there a tall, smoothly shayen man, dressed in black, came out of the vehicle. He had sharp, piercing black eyes, that missed nothing in their eagle-like sweep, and naturally he spied the boy with the suitcase. With an eye to’ extracting half a dollar, or even a modest quarter, from the pockets of the lad, he approached Tom and said: “Better buy a bottle of the Great Kickapoo Remedy, young “You may not want it man,” he said, in a seductive way. now, but it will be handy to have on hand when you catch a — cold, which you’re liable to do at any moment. It will cure a cold in the head inside of three hours, an ordinary cough in ” twelve hours, catarrh in “T don’t think I need any, sir. way.” “Haven't the price?” exclaimed the man. you have a small trial bottle for a.quarter.” “I’m short of quarters.” “Two dimes and a nickel, or five nickels, will answer just as well.” “Can't afford it, sir. I’m practically strapped.” ; You don’t look it,” replied the man, surveying “Live around That's the next village down “Why, I can let “Strapped! him with some curiosity and perhaps interest. here?” “I’ve been living in Cobalt. the road.” “Don’t you live there now?” “No. I've come to Brentwood to hunt up a job.” “Hunt up a job, eh? What do you expect to turn your hand to?” - “T hope to get a position in a store.” “Ever worked in a store?” “No.” “On a farm, perhaps?” “No, sir. Haven't worked at anything yet.” “Going to school, eh?” “Yes, sir.” “You aren't running away from home, are you?” “Oh, no. I’ve come on to Brentwood.” “How would you like to see the world, young man?” “I'd like it first rate if I could afford the luxury.” “Well, you can afford it, I guess, if you will travel with me.” “Travel with you?” exclaimed Tom, in some astonishment. — The man nodded briskly. “I want an assistant, and I want him right away. B line The I haven’t the price, any- — The Brentwood Savings Bank failed three months _ ago, and mother lost all her money; that’s why I've got to get * out and hustle. As there isn’t anything for me to do in Cobalt, a young man I had took sick with congestion of the lungs——” « Congestion of the lungs! I thought your medicine——” “My medicine would have cured him, but he wouldn't fake”. it. So I had to send him to a hospital, and my business sunf- _ fers in consequence. I can't attend to everything and Bs my famous remedy, too, without serious inconvenience, isiy hire your services to me, and agree to stick for six months least, I'll pay you $6 per weck i.nd find you. That is, are be and eat in the wagon along” with me, ‘Can ‘you cook at all?” “A little,” replied. Tom, wondering Wiener it wouldn't oe oe; la good idea to take up with this offer, for he didn’t pete! | get more than three or four dollars:a week at first in a store, | while the idea of going from town to town, and State to hers. rather appealed to him. “Well, what do you say?” asked the man in black. “What will I have to do?” “You'll have to do all, my errands; look after the -ho: feed, water, and occasionally clean them; help make, - other duties as will fall in your way.” “Will I get the six dollars every week?” asked Tom, “You will. You can send ‘five of it to your mother rey You'll want the other dollar to spend.” \ % “Which way are you paeeating = rhe niah yt c

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3 _ * “Straight out West and: Southwest. You'll get a look in at all the prominent camps on our route. This is. the chance of "your life to see the country.” , “Tl try it for a week, and if I’m satisfied to continue I'll agree to stay with you for six months, or longer, if you want Me to. ' “That’s business. _ effect.” “I'll do it after a week’s trial.” - “Very well. My name is Dr. Quackenbush. What's yours?” — , “Tom Danvers.” _. “Danvers! That sounds familiar. About six weeks ago I _. met a young man named Danvers. He was about twenty-two, ____ and said his name was Jack, I think.” — “Where did you meet him?” asked Tom eagerly. “That mY must have been my brother!” “Your brother, eh? I ran across him in Peoria. He told me that he had just come from Buffalo, and was bound for the gold-fields.” “He must have gone to Buffalo, then, after he left our vil- e. “Didn't you know that he had gone there?” Se “No. Mother and J didn’t know where he went. We haven't heard from him since he left Cobalt.” _ “Then he left home sudden-like, eh?” _ “T remarked that he was a fine-looking young chap. So he’s your brother?” . ; “Tt am sure it must have been my brother you met. - Did he Say what gold-fields he was going to?” _. *“T asked him the question, but he wouldn’t tell me; that is, he said that he hadn’t made up his mind where he would fetch up at.” “What is the most likely one he would aim -for, do you think?” “Goldfield, I should imagine.” “Are you going there, too?” “TI expect to.” “Then I might meet my brother?” said Tom eagerly. “You'll stand a good show of doing so if he is there.” _ ff Tom had any objections to accepting the job, the chance - it offered of throwing him in his brother’s way would have settled the matter anyway. : _ Then the disquieting thought occurred to him—was the out- _ fit going to Cobalt? If it was, he would surely be caught by Constable Black. He could avoid that probably by refusing to accompany the wacon to the village, meeting the doctor at some place beyond. To find out if he was going to be put up against this diffi- culty, he asked his employer if he expected to’ pass through an a>. __ Cobalt. ‘ = “We'll start for there in = as as I am through with lace,” lied Dr. Quackenbush. gen you pak to do business there?” -. Certainly.” “Then I can’t go with you.” - “Why not?” asked the doctor, sharply. “Don't want your friends to know that you're connected with the medicine busi- ‘ness, is that it?” , “Tt isn’t that exactly,” replied Tom, hesitatingly. _ “What's the reason, then?” ‘Tom concluded that the best way was to tell Dr. Quacken- ‘bush the truth, and he did so, explaining that one of the most important men in the village had insulted his absent brother, “abe he had knocked him down for it; consequently, the con- stable was.on the lookout to arrest him. “That's it, eh?” said the doctor, after Tom had finished his ry. “Well, then, I'll skip Cobalt, as far as doing business concerned, and go straight on to Athens. [I'll drive the agon from here to a point beyond the village, and you can out of sight, You'll find lots to do to keep you busy. : “filled * ’ “That will suit me, sir. I don’t care, as long as I’m not otte I don’t intend to go to the lock-up gon. The bunk on the left-hand re from Cobalt?” ” ‘ Then I guess you must be hungry, Jump inside and cook -ss of bacon and eggs, if you know how to do it.” I can do that,” replied Tom promptly.. AS "ll find several slices cf bacon on a plate, and the eggs “¥ + a 1 ae i * | ek TB ‘— eo 4 A MILLION’ IN GOLD. ee eee 5 are in a box on a sheif in a closet at the foot of my bunk, There is bread and butter on the table, and there’s coffee enough for you in the pot on the stove. You’ll have to stir the fire up a bit and put more coal on. When you're through you can wash up the dishes and put them away in the closet.” “All right, sir,” replied Tom, springing up the short ladder I shall want you to sign a-paper to that |‘mto the wagon, for he had ‘suddenly become aware of the fact that his stomach was making strenuous demands that only a Square meal would satisfy. : CHAPTER V. TOM DOES UP CONSTABLE BLACK. _ After placing his suit-case beside his bunk, which consisted of a narrow mattress covered with bedclothes, on top of a kind of locker, he looked around the interior of the-wagon. A narrow, oblong table, with flaps that could be raised to extend its size, stood in the middle of the wagon. A ‘cup and saucer and several plates, on which were the re- mains of a meal, were spread out on it. , There was a small cooking stove clamped at the vehicle. A red glow shone through the grate. There were a dozen boxes piled in the forward part of the wagon, which Tom‘ subsequently ascertained contained empty bottles of different sizes. * _A tier of shelves running along each side, above the. bunks, were filled with shallow boxes, some of which contained the Kickapoo Remedy, ready for sale, There were two closets, one at the foot of each bunk. One contained a modest display of cups, saucers, dishes, etc., with knives and forks and spoons, while beneath was.a space used as a receptacle for food. $ The other, Tom afterward found out,. contained a supply of the ingredients used in the concoction of the remedy, and the various graduated glasses and other paraphernalia employed in manufacturing the mixture. Tom lost no time getting his supper, and though he was only an indifferent cook, he thoroughly relished the bacon and eggs, and left not a morsel on his plate. He ate up all the bread and butter in sight and finished the coffee. . : Behind the stove he found a dishpan, and from a fair-sized keg, with a faucet in it, he drew enough water to serve his purpose, after heating it on the stove. Dr, Quackenbush was absent an hour, and when he returned Tom had everything tidied up, much to the man’s satisfaction. “You'll find a pair of horse blankets on the seat in front,” pa! eae to Tom. “Get them, and cover the animals for the night.” The boy carried this order out and then returned to the wagon. He found the doctor seated on his bunk and reading the Brentwood “Evening News He put the paper down and proceeded to give the boy tailed insight into what would be expected of him. Tom found that time was not likely to hang ieavy vA his hands, for there was lots to be done on every day tnt Sunday. “What do you do with the horses when the weather is bad?” he asked. “i've got a canvas attachment secured under ti. wagon which I put up in front. That shields them from the iain and wind. In cold weather I can always find a place t) stable them in overnight.” - At nine o'clock Tom turned into his bunk, and the last thing he remembered was that Dr. Quackenbush was still smoking and reading on his side of the wagon. Tom was an early riser, and was up the next morning six. The doctor was still sleeping placidly in his bunk. The boy’s first duty was to attend to the horses; that done, he cleaned out.the stove and started a fire. By this time the doctor was up and dressed, and he started to prepare breakfast. ’ The meal done, and the dishes washed up, the horses were hitched to the wagon-pole, and, with Dr. Quackenbush on the driver’s seat, the medicine outfit started en route for Cobalt. As soon as the team got under way Tom got a case of empty bottles and proceeded to wash and rinse them, preparatory to filling them with the unrivaled remedy and corking them Way the time the wagon reached the outskirts of Cobalt he the rear end of , Smoking a cigar, a de- before ’ had six dozen bottles ready for the finishing touches, are 3 consisted in placing a small piece of chamois skin over, ~

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j him 6 A MILLION IN GOLD. meee — cork and tying it artistically in place with a piece of thin, red ribbon. They had passed quite through the village and entered on the road beyond before Tom had finished this. part of his job. Then he took a pot of paste from a shelf and affixed the} | front seat and sprang down into the road. label, printed in three colors, to each bottle. - The final part.ef his work was to wrap a printed document around each botile and encase the whole in a strip of blue tissue paper. When the six dozen were ready for market: Dr. Quackenbush called him to drive the team. “We're two miles west of the village now,” he said, “so I guess it’s safe enough for you to show yourself.” Accordingly, Tom took charge of the reins while the doctor attended to matters which required his attention inside. As the team approached a cross-road a light wagon, driven by a bewliskered man, with a boy by his side, shot suddenly into view, and came toward the medicine outfit. Tom immediately recognized John Gilpin and Moses as the occupants of the vehicle. “Christopher Columbus!” ejaculated Tom. won't recognize me!” He pulled his hat down over his forehead, and turned his face away after turning the horses out so as to give the Gil- pins recom enough to pass by with safety. In spite of his endeavor to escape recognition, Moses knew right away, and called his father’s attention to “Tt hope they The village auctioneer merely caught a fleeting glimpse of his face as they flew by, but he identified him just the same, and took note of the conveyance he was driving. Instead of going home after reaching the village, Mr. Gilpin hunted -up Constable Black and told him under what circum- stances he had met Tom Danyers.on the road to Athens. The constable at once hastened to his house, hitched up his rig, and started in pursuit of the boy, for whom he had a war- rant. In the meantime, Tom, unconscious that he had been rec- ognized by his enemies, drove on in good spirits, and about noon came in sight of Athens. Dr. Quackenbush directed him to pull up alongside the road, water the horses, and supply them with their accustomed bag of cats. While Tom attended to the animals the doctor prepared a substantial lunch, which was soon on the table. After they had discussed it, Tom asked the doctor what was in the different phials he saw arranged on one of the shelves. _ His employer gave him the Latin names of the contents of all but one bottle. “And what’s in the last bottle? You didn’t tell me that,” said the boy. “That,” said Dr. Quackenbush, with a grim smile, “contains the juice of a large. plant. It is a kind of fetid sap that is imported from Persia and the East Indies, and isymuch used in medicine. If I were to sprinkle a few drops around in here, you couldn’t get out. into the open air quickly enough.” “Ti must be powerful stuff,” laughed Tom. “I hope the cork won’t come out accidentally.” “It won't if it’s left alone.” Just then there was the sound of wheels and ee rapid trot of a horse along the road, coming from the direction of Co- balt. Neither Tom nor the doctor paid any attention to it. Presently the vehicle came to a sudden stop. A moment later the canvas at the back of the wagon was pulled aside, and the unweleome features of Constable Black appeared at the opening. Tom Danvers started up in surprise and consternation. “Well, Tom,” said the constable, with a wicked smile, for ' the boy was not a favorite of his, “I’ve come for you. You’ve 4 "got to go back with me to Cobalt.” “I'd rather not,” objected Tom. “I’m afraid your wishes will not be dcpmnston in the matter. IT hold a warrant for your arrest signed by the justice. So just_ step | lively, unless you want me to come in there and drag you out.” “What's the charge against this boy?” asked Dr. Quacken- : bush, knitting his. brows. “Assault with intent to do bodily harm,” replied Constable Black. “Come, Tom, I’m waiting for you.”, “What am I going to do?” the boy asked the Sickeds “Can't esa pe aeNle S seenyerores tamceeet. wad. Seley, co the you, here’s a weapon that will put him to rout,” and the wily” practitioner reached for and handed Tom the phial of asa- feetida. “Draw the cork and-let him have a dose if you cannot | otherwise avoid him.” Tom, holding fast to the bottle, made a sudden dive for the Constable Black, however, was as quick as he was, and rushed ‘around the wagon to cut off his retreat. Tom dashed for the fence, climbed it, and was about to drop on the other side, when the agile officer ran up and caught him by the ankle. “I’ve got you, Tom, so you might as well give up!” ex- claimed the constable, triumphantly. “You're a pretty foxy’ boy, but you can’t fool your uncle this trip.” He reached up to haul the boy down, when Tom, quick as a wink, drew the cork from the small phial and dashed some of the fluid in the officer’s face. Constable Black released his grip and fell to the ground as if he had been shot. He lay there, gasping for breath, a truly pitiable obieei while Tom clapped the cork into the mouth of the bottle, and holding his nose on account of the horrible stench that filled the air around the officer, jumped to the ground and made for the wagon as quickly as he could. Springing to the horses’ heads, he yanked their empty din- ner bags away, threw them into the doctor’s lap, who was laughing heartily at the success of the boy’s ruse, and, climb- ing up beside him, seized the reins and started the team for- ward at its best pace. As for Constable Black, he staggered to his feet, a mighty sick man, and the last Tom and the doctor saw of him he was leaning against the fence gasping. CHAPTER VI. A NIGHT ALARM. “That’s the time Constable Black got it in the neck.” chuckled Tom, as he flicked the off horse lightly with the whiplash. “He'll think he must have caught hold of a skunk instead of © the boy he was after,” smiled Dr. Quackenbush. “That's right. Will that scent stick to his clothes?” “Wil it? I should say it will. When he goes back to Co- balt everybody. will think that he fell into a cesspool.” Tom roared with delight. “He'll have to hang that suit on the clothesline and let it air for a month.” “He’ll find it advisable to buy a new suit, I’m thinking.” “Then he ought to make Deacon Gilpin pay for it.” “It puzzles me how he came to spot you in this wagon,” said the doctor. “You didn’t show yourself at all when pass- ing through the village.” “I know how he got onto me,” replied Tom. “When I started in to drive, after we left Cobalt well in the rear, Mr. Gilpin and his son came out of a cross-road and passed us in a light wagon. I pulled my hat down and turned my head - away, but they evidently recognized me, and then carried the : news to the constable.” “That accounts for his pursuit of the wagon,” nodded Dr. Quackenbush. “I doubt if he’ll give you any more trouble.” “He might telegraph to the police at Athens to.arrest me. Do you think I had better keep away from the wagon while — you’re in town?” asked the boy, anxiously. “Perhaps you had better do so, to be on the safe side,” re- plied the doctor. “T can get out and walk after we get into ‘the main street. T’ll keep the wagon in sight, and hang around at a safe acl a tance until you’re ready to go on again.” Accordingly, just before the outfit reached the prominent eorner at which the doctor intended to stop, Tom alighted _ and crossed to the other side of the way. It was well that he did so, for the wagon had hardly been on the corner ten minutes before a policeman appeared, and ES jumping into the vehicle, asked the owner of the Kickapoo — Remedy where Tom Danvers was. The doctcr replied that the boy had left him scon after thaye had entered the town, and he aime not say .with certainty where he had gone. The officer was permitted to search the wagon, and, being satisfied that the boy was not in the vehicle, departed to make*7 his report at headquarters. %y Tom watched the policeman from the other side of the way, 3 and chuckled to think how easily he had foiied the eff of Constable Black to get him into his pasrges : i a = Fas 3

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- . He sat on a box and watched the doctor draw a crowd by ' means of his clear tenor voice, which he accompanied with a _-_ silver-toned banjo. _ Then he amused the crowd with funny talk, and finally got down to business. Holding up a bottle of his Infallible Remedy, he told the Spectators that what it wouldn’t do for every throat and lung trouble under the sun wasn’t worth mentioning. _ He told them in a general way what it was made of—com- _bining the extracts of certain well-known herbs with the syrup of such a thing, to which was added a new distilled juice of remarkable quality of which he was the sole dis- coverer. “This remedy,” he said, “is truly a blessing to all afflicted with coughs, colds, sore throats, and even the much dreaded and almost universally fatal consumption. I cannot guarantee -acure under six bottles, which I sell in a neat case for the small sum of five dollars. In any event, I warrant this remedy _ to be worth its weight in diamonds. It is simply invaluable and positively infallible.” ; ' Quite a number of sales followed the doctor’s impressive _ .and apparently convincing harangue, and for a time he did a rushing business in the remedy. _- Then he moved on to the next corner and repeated the per- formance, Tom following on the other side of the way, and ‘was much entertained with the novelty of his employer's manner of doing business. The entire afternoon passed in this way, Tom approaching the wagon several times to show Dr. Quackenbush that he was the vicinity. — 2 “Jump in,” said the doctor, at last, about six o’clock. “I’m - going to drive over to yonder réstaurant, where we'll take our dinner.” The wagon came fo a stop before the restaurant in question, Tom was told to look after the horses and outfit while ae = - eee Pe eo Bix y: i - head of the concern dined. Three-quarters of an hour later Tom went. inside himself, had a good dinner, at the ddctor’s expense. Then he slowly drove the wagon up and down several streets while his employer enjoyed his second cigar inside. As it grew dark they took up their stand near the opera- _ Then the doctor got out his banjo and started to attract at- tention to his famous Kickapoo preparation. ‘Tt is needless to say that he easily succeeded in gathering ‘a big crowd, and until nine o’clock did a large and profitable _-—s- *Now we'll close up shop.” said Dr. Quackenbush, when the _ crowd had thinned down to a mere handful of curiously dis- - posed onlookers. “Douse the lights and drive on straight When we get out of town we'll have a light repast and ‘The wagon the road toward Elyria, and at length the proprietor ordered a halt. “The vehicie was drawn up under a wide-spreading oak tree, well out of the way of any passing conveyance; Tom released the horses from the pole and removed their harness. Then he watered them and gave them their evening supply of oats. By that time a ready for Tom, Tt was along toward two o'clock in the morning that he was y awakened by a noise in the wagon. was no light in the caravan, but Tom easily saw that s was an intruder on the premises, who seemed to have tumbled over the table. : “Who's there?” he asked in a loud voice. “There was no reply, but he made out the indistinct form of a man crouching down at the end of the table. Tom sprang out of his bunk and struck-a match. ‘The flare of the light awoke Dr. Quackenbusn and startled .e incerloper. - "The fellow made a dive for the rear opening and would have ped only for a box that lay in his way, over which he tumbled, and went down sprawling, his head hitting the grate of the stove. ; Before he could scramble to his feet Tom had him a pris- 's the trouble, Tom?” asked the doctor, getting up a light. ae cup of coffee and some bread and butter were and after he had disposed of it he went to A MILLION -IN : -} tho some chap that has no business to be in ‘the Kickapoo Remedy. / : \ GOLD. 7 I suppose he’s a thief,” replied the lad, holding on to - the struggling and sWearing rascal. The doctor lighted the reflector lamp, and in the glare thus cast on the scene Tom recognized the intruder as the tough individual who had tried to hold him up behind the hedge on the road to Brentwood the evening before. “So it’s you, is it?” cried Tom. “What are you doing in- side this wagon?” “Nothin’. Only came in to have a snooze,” said the fellow, sulkily. “Oh, come, now, that won’t go down. You came in to see what you could pick up,” answered Tom. “You tried to rob me last night on the road to Brentwood, so it’s plain you aren't above taking what comes in your way.” F The doctor now took a hand in the proceedings, : “Look here, my fine fellow, you may thank your stars that it wasn’t me that you woke up, or you probably would have caught an ounce of lead in ,our insides. I guess I'll have to tie you up and hand you over to the police of Elyria, where We are bound.” Tom let him get up, but interposed himself between him and the rear entrance, so he couldn’t make a dash for liberty. The fellow protested that he meant no harm. He had no place to sleep, and merely took advantage of the covered wagon by the roadside to secure a night's lodging. Neither Dr. Quackenbush nor Tom believed him. “His companion is probably outside—a boy named Jim. It’s my opinion that he meant to rob you if he could. If he isn’t a regular crook he’s next-door to it,”.said Tom. 4 The doctor was of the same opinion, but decided that it -would be too much trotble to hold the rascal, turn him over to the police, and then appear against him in the police court next morning, so he ordered him to skip, and threatened if he -didn’t make tracks down the road to put a bullet in him. The rascal was only too glad to get off with a whole skin, and left the wagon in short order. After the light was turned out Tom watched from a slit in the canvas, and saw, as he expected, the boy Jim join his |} companion from the bushes, and both start off in the direction of Elyria as fast as they could. walk. He reported the fact to Dr. Quackenbush, and then they turned in again and slept until morning without being dis- turbed. “ here. CHAPTER VII. JIM. The methods pursued by Dr. Quackenbush in Athens were repeated in Elyria, with eminently satisfactory results, and he left the town that night considerably richer in pocket. At the end of Tom’s first week of service he received six dollars from the doctor, according to arrangement, and was so well pleased with his job that he signed a contract to remain with his employer for six months. Tom sent a letter to his mother from a big town en route, enclosing a postal order for $5, and informing her of the na- ture of his employment, how he had heard of his brother, and had got a line on his presumed whereabouts, where he hoped to meet him within a couple of months. He also wrote a letter to Jennie Dean, in which he said a good many things that gave her great pleasure to read. He directed both his mother and Jennie where to forward a letter within a certain time, and warned them not to breathe a word as to his route, lest Mr. Gilpin might, out 6f pure revenge, go to the expense of having him arrested and brought back to the village. Tom helped the doctor manufacture the Kickapoo Remedy when their supply was short. . The materials for this preparation were easily obtained at any wholesale druggist, so there was no occasion to carry a supply in the wagon. The various sized bottles in which the stuff was sold wer ordered at intervals from Chicago by express, and were foun: awaiting them at the express office in the towns indicated in the doctor’s orders to the manufacturers. Although Tom was kept pretty busy in one way or the other, he was, on the whole, well satisfied with his job,° and time passed rapidly and’pleasantly with him. _ Thus over two months passed away, and the wagon began tc penetrate the wilds of the great West. Dr. Quackenbush was aiming for the Nevada gold-fields, where he expected to locate in Goldfield. 4 He a touch of the gold fever in his system, and he t he saw an easier way to make money than peddling ial Att her Rt ce : st pom ee tae cers ae ee har

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ae 9 _ A MILLION IN GOLD. ag _ After spending a couple of days in Denver, the doctor loaded | and, with. your permission, I'll. give him some supper. when , up with supplies, and the caravan left that city and, headed it’s cooked.” ~~ toward Utah. “He’s welcome to all he can eat,” said his employer, criti- — Two days later, at the close of a cloudless July day, the cally examining Jim with his eyes, and mentally deciding that ; wagon toiled upward through the mountains toward a large| he was in pretty bad shape. mining camp, where the doctor expected to remain until next Tom, who had got to be a tolerably good cook by this time, : morning. _ under the doctor’s instructions, went ahead with the mea! as = The sun had just disappeared behind the near mountain | daylight gradually died out of the landscape, while Dr. Quack- __ peaks,-and a.i the guiches were filled with yellow light. enbush amused himself talking to the stranger, whose laconic as well as odd replies somewhat amused him. Although Jim was desperately hungry, and his eyes wan- dered wistfully toward the wagon whence proceeded the aroma of hot coffee and fried ham and eggs, he bore the torture with Spartan-like fortitude. “Where are you bound for?” asked tne doctor. “No place in pertickler,” replied Jim solemnly. g “Did you know there’s a big mining camp up the shige tains?” “Nope.” ° ; “What did you expect was going to become of you way out in these wilds?” * “Didn't expect nothin’.” “Didn’t you and Mullins have any provisions?” asked the doctor, in amusement, - “Yep. We had some, but he ate most of it up himself.” : “And you stood for that?” A 5 “Couldn’t help myself.” = Then the doctor asked why Mullins had’ chased him off, ‘and what the man was doing up the ravine. The lad’s answers convinced the proprietor of the Kickapoo Remedy that Mullins and his new companion had discovered gold and were working their find. He couldn’t understand, however, why they had not availed S themselves of Jim’s services, which ought to have been valua-— ble to them. It was little short of murder to drive that boy off into the — solitude, with almost certain ‘Starvation staring him inl Shes face. + There must be something at the bottom of it. Fe The shallows of the narrow mountain streams were golden, and the fringes of the pines were dull and dark no longer. z Coming to a level stretch of road, the horses were halted for e _ @ rest, and Tom, taking a tin bucket, started for a stream 4 close by for water. As he approached the water course he was surprised to see a dejected-looking boy sitting on a stone, gazing into the rap- idly flowing stream. “Hello!” said Tom, as the boy made no more movement than if he had been carved out of one of the big rocks so plentiful in that vicinity. The lad looked up in a slow and listless kind of way. *. Then it was that Tom, in utter surprise, recognized him as the boy Jim, who had been the companion of the hard-looking rascal who had so unceremoniously entered the wagon. that _. night on the road to Blyria. 7 Evidently the boy knew ‘him, too, for a faint grin rested - for a moment on his woe-begone and hailf-starved features, “You're Jim, aren’t you?” said Tom, pausing, and swinging the pail to and fro. The boy nodded. \ _ “What's your other name?” “Dunno. ‘Ain't got none, I guess.” ~*Oh, come off! You must have another name.” “Nope.” ; ' Tom regarded the young derelict in wonder, and the other Sa returned his stare without any special emotion. ane __ “Where’s your companion?” asked Danvers, at teint . oF Jim jerked his thumb up the ravine. > “Up the gulch?” The boy nodded. “How far up?” CHAPTER VIII. “Bout three miles.” . an tala ¢ Three miles! And what are yow doing here?” SOME TALL SHARPSHOOTING. . ros _ “Nothin’, He shook me.” ‘| Tom now called the doctor and Jim to supper, and for the — “What are you going to do?” first time the stranger lost his listlessness and moved gees “Dunno. ‘Spect I'll starve. Pretty near done up now.” briskly. ry: A feeling of sympathy for this lad came over Tom. There was room enough at the table to accommodate the “So that rascal is done with you for good? three by crowding the plates, and Jim was furnished with a rer “That's, what he said. Told me to git or he'd throw me empty box to sit on. a; down the mount’ins.” A liberal supply of ham and eggs was placed before him, and 2 aie ae shouldn’ t expect much else from him. He’s a hard nut.” |the food disappeared into his mouth with amazing rapid ty. = “Yep p.” It was like shoveling coal into a furnace the way Jim | What's his name?” . ferred the provender from the plate to. nature’s feeding -_aper- : ture. of atreahe t he got another name, either?” ~ His eyes stuck out like those of a lobster during the opera-" "¥en, Calls himself Mullins.” tion, which evidently afforded him great delight and sa “What did Mullins shake you for?” _ faction. “Didn't want me around, I guess.” It was clear he hadn't enjoyed such a meal for heaven know “What's. he ping, up the gulch?” / . how long. eS d The coffee followed the food like a gush of water into a c gold?” asked Tom, in surprise. in the rocks, and when there was nothing left Jim utte unno,” kind of sigh of content, although he wasn’t half satisfied y _ “Is he all alone?” . The doctor thought it best not to let him eat any more ope. Got a young chap with him.. “Say the present, but permitted him a second cup of coftee, ~~ “ Another vanished in a twinkling. . After the dishes were washed up, in which operation Say look rig. Jim. Don’ ‘t you want a square meal?” “ty | om allowed to assist as the wiper, the team started 08 L toward “The Lucky Chance” mining camp. E , Jim went along as a matter of course, and he offered : Dae get one?” he askeh eagerly. “. objection to the free’ ride, nor the destination they were b bour ll see that you get enough to eat.” for. ; said ‘Tek & getting up from the stone. _ There was no moon up, but the night’ was bright with’ st “tiled his bucket and started for the wagon, which was and the road was straight and plain before them. ; around a turn. Tom and Jim sat on the driver’s seat, the former lo : yee him with a meek oe shuffling gait, his hands | after the horses, while Dr. Soerpenvash lay on his. ‘bunk, in- in vA " side, taking the world easy. _ ey ‘you there?” asked the doctor, as they came up.| “How would you like to go ‘on with us to Goldfield, sim, = Bogie ke 328 boy, and Dr. Quackenbush |the doctor's willing to take you?” asked Tom, hg { hment. — ie could naaretgad, ee taken quite

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il A MILLION IN GOLD. 9 - €ame you to do it? According to your account, he treated _ you worse than a savage.” “J dunno why I didn’t. Afraid, I guesS. I was alwus goin’ _ to cut loose, but somehow I never did. He wanted me to help him steal, but I wouldn't. Me around.” “Why did he come way out here?” ~ “Said he was goin’ to the mines.” “What mines? Any one in particular?” ; 7 “Dunno. He never told’me nothin’ except what he couldn’t help.” “Tt’s a wonder you two weren’t arrested as vagrants East, I guess that’s why he knocked : _ if for nothing worse, and sent to jail.” z “We wuz twice; but Dan had a lot of files sewn up in his ~ clothes, and he broke out both times, and I went with him.” 2 “Now that you’ve shaken him for good you ought to get on. - You'll find plenty of work to do in Goldfield.” “I'd like to work where you do,” said Jim. you.” : 4 “T don’t know whether the doctor will have anything for you to do out there,” replied Tom; “but if he has, I'll try to get him to take you on.” _ “YT kin work,” asserted Jim. “I'll work for my grub and lodgin’. I ain't got no use for money. Wouldn’t know what to do with it if I had. I’d jest as soon you took the money _ if you let me stay with you.” “T kinder like “money now, you will one of these days, so all you'll have to ‘do is to save it.” ha “There’s a hull lot of lights yonder,” said Jim suddenly, vi pointing off to the right, where*the road swung around in a "semicircle. ee _ “That must be ‘The Lucky Chance’ camp,” answered Tom, chirping to the horses, they having been taking things easy ever since leaving their last stopping place. -__-He ealled in to the doctor. _ +The proprietor of the Kickapoo Remedy outfit came up be- _hind the seat and looked ahead into the night. 2 - *“That’s the camp, without a doubt,” he said. “Pick out the best vacant spot you see near the center of the place, and we'll - come to anchor for the night.” _ Their advent created something of a sensation, and a crowd _ of miners and other habitues crowded around the wagon when - ‘Tom drew up, not far from the store, which was also a hotel in its way, though its way was rather tough. “Hello!” exclaimed a burly six-footer, pushing his way to the front. “Tenderfoots, I reckon. What in thunder have yer _ got in that waggin? The Kickapoo Remedy for coughs, colds, and—haw! haw! haw!” The crowd joined in the laugh, and looked at the two boys _ On the seat with much interest. -“Hey! Whar did you come from?” inquired the six-footer. “Denver,” replied Tom. “Who sent you out this and—haw! haw! haw!” “No one sent us. We're going on to Goldfield.” “You're goin’ to Goldfield, are you? Waal, you won't find no coughs nor colds out‘there, neither. Is thar anything the matter with your upper story, stranger?” _*I hope not,” answered Tom, pleasantly. “Are you ther boss of the outfit?” “No; I’m just the driver. The proprietor is inside.” “Tell him to show himself, then. We'd all like to see the ler who’s peddlin’ medicine for coughs, colds, and—haw! aeitags _ haw! haw c : ou g immediately came to the front. “Are you the man who's come West to cure coughs, colds and haw——” . - here way lookin’ for coughs, colds, 34 ‘Yes,” replied the doctor, interrupting him..“and I think ; ia bottle badly.” “Oh, you do, stranger? I look as though I was on my last rs, don’t I?” sarcastically. “Waal, I'll tell you what I'll do h you. If you kin get the drop on me quicker’n I can have covered, '11——"__ ' mah - Buy a bottle,” said the doctor, yanking a pair of revolvers i his pockets like greased lightning and aiming them at the footer just as his hand went to his hips. “Come on, now, e up your dollar, or maybe I'll have the coroner sit on to find out what you died of.” 2 crowd gave a gasp of surprise, and the six-footer turned ete all over in a-moment, for Dr. Quackenbush returned. to his pockets with one movement, while Tom gazed - + *You’re foolish to talk like that, Jim. If you've no use for. apprehensively at the big miner, wondering what he would do now. “Say, stranger, you ain’t no tenderfoot, and I'll come up with the dollar, for you've earned it fairly. You’re the first man I know that has ever got the drop on me, by the horned toad you are! Here’s the dollar, and shake.” The doctor leaned down, took the money, and shook hands. “Now come. over to the saloon and liquor up,” said the six- footer, in a friendiy way. : The crowd cheered the doctor as he alighted, and the whole mob escorted him across the way to the principal saloon in the camp. Tom, assisted by Jim, took out the horses, tied them to the front wheel, and put their blankets on. There was nothing else to do, so Tom asked Jim to watch the wagon while he went across to see how the doctor was get- ting on with the crowd: As a matter of fact, he was getting on swimmingly. When Tom appeared, he had just ordered. drinks for the house, and that made him solid with the mob at once, for they were already predisposed in his favor, “Fell you what I'll do, stranger,” said the six-footer. “After that lightnin’ exhibition you give us outside, you ought to be somethin’ on the shoot. I’ve got six shots in this gun er mine jest achin’ to match six of yours. /if you kin shoot as good as me in six trials, I give you the price of a hundred bottles of that stuff er yourn. If you can’t, you’ll hand me out a hundred plunks. Are you game to call me?” “I am,” replied the doctor quietly, to Tom’s amazement. ““Nough said. Bill, stick a six-spot agin that wall yonder,” said the big man. : The six of spades was fastened up at ten paces. The six-footer then drew his gun, and one by one he plunked the six spots in the center. ; This remarkable performance occasioned no surprise among those present, who regarded the doctor with great interest as he drew his revolver, “Git another six-spot, Bill, and put. her beside the other,” said the crack shooter, with a grim smile. “Never mind,” put in the doctor. “Just move that card over a couple of inches.” “Why, what are you goin’ to do?” asked the six-footer, in a mystified way. “T’ll show you. Do as I request you, Mister Bill.” : Bill moved the card over just far enough to leave the si bullet holes exposed. Hardly had he stepped back when Dr. Quackenbush fired as rapidly as he could pull the self-cocking trigger. When the smoke had cleared away the card looked just the same as before. “Why, you hain’t hit the card at all, stranger!” cried the big man, bursting into a boisterous and sarcastic laugh. ‘ “IT didn't intend to,” replied the doctor, coolly. “Then what on earth was you firin’ at?” “Those holes you made.” The six-footer gasped, while the crowd stared. “Well, you hain't within a mile of ’em,” said the big man. “Hand over the money.” “Hold on a moment!” said the doctor. didn’t hit them?” s “Tl bet you another hundred.” “I'll take you up. There’s my two hundred,” he said, flash- ing out his wad and stripping off the right number of bills. “Now, cover that. If I didn’t hit those holes the money is yours.” The big man came up with his two hundred. “I call you,” he said briskly. “Now, stranger, show up.” “Knock that card down, somebody!” said Dr. Quackenbush. eg was the nearest, and he snatched the card from the wall. A buzz of astonishment rose from the crowd, for there on the wall was the duplicate of the big man’s six bullet holes, where a moment before had been smooth, untouched wood. There was no doubt in the minds of all present that the stranger had punctured every hole made by the crack shot of the camp in the six of spades. ——— + CHAPTER IX. — JACK MAKES A DISCOVERY. . “What'll you bet I The six-foot pistol crack fairly gaped at Dr. Quackenbush. * _ He-could searcely believe the evidence of his eyes. The six evenly placed holes in the wall, beside his own per- had to admit wr. forations, were indisputable, however, and he

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- : . a 3 ag he ele a here. do it,” replied Parsons frankly. %) that for once in his life he had more than met his match at revolver practise. A man capable of such extraordinary marksmanship, off- hand at that, was a person to be respected, and every one of the spéctators took their hats off; metaphorically speaking, to the newcomer at the camp. _“Pard,” said the big man, in a tone of admiration, “you're the first man to down me at this game. I’ve never seen your equal. Shake once more, and take the money. You’ve won it hands down. _Who are you, anyway? What’s your handle?” “You mean my nameé, I suppose,” replied the doctor, pleas- antly, accepting the horny hand of the six-footer and then coolly transferring the $400 from the bar to his pocket. “My name is Dr. Josiah Quackenbush, discoverer, manufacturer, and vendor of the world-famous Kickapoo Remedy for coughs, colds, sore throat, weak lungs, etc. What’s your name?” “j’m Gid Parsons, superintendent of the Lucky Chance Mine. You're on your way to Goldfield, eh?” “That’s my destination.” “Expect to do business out there?” grinned the six-footer. “I am interested in gold mining, and expect tc zet in on the ground floor in some paying proposition.” - “YT should advise you to try one of the newer districts beyond Goldfield, pard. Say Manhattan, cr Paradise. The latter place, I hear, is a comer. I’d go there myself if I wasn’t a fixture Let's liquor. Step up, boys, and have somethin’.” ’ This invitation caused a rush for the bar, and the men in the saloon lined up two and three deep. Tom had been an interested observer of the rather exciting proceedings. Dr. Quackenbush had been presented to him in a new light. He marveled greatly at the doctor’s extraordinary accuracy as a pistol shot. He was certainly a wonder, and could not have introduced _ himself in a better way to the notice of the denizens of the * Lucky Chance camp. It was at this stage of the proceedings that a man rushed , into the saloon in a state of considerable excitement. “Say, boys!” he exclaimed, “I want you to help me out!” “What's the matter?” asked Gid Parsons, wheeling around ‘ from the bar. “What’s troubling you, Ike Baxter?” “You all know I’ve taken up a claim down in Placer Gulch?” * “Yes, we know it, and we've all thought you was a fool to “Have you come to tell us that you've made a strike, eh?” _ “T ain’t sayin’ nothin’ about a strike, but it’s a good claim, 7 Sain right. I want your help because my property has been jumped é OE Ranped! ” eried a dozen voices in a breath. _ “Yes, jumped!” “Who are the critters that have jumped it? I thought the example we made of the last chap who did such a thing was warnin’ enough,” said Parsons. “I dunno their names. There’s two of them. One is a -smooth-faced, tough-lookin’ critter. He ordered me off with my, own gun. The other is a young feller, ’bout twenty, I should say, who didn’t take no hand in the proceedin’s, and I'll ve him the credit of bein’ willin’ to argue the matter; but e other chap shut him up. It’s up to you, boys, to clear "em out in short order, for I can’t do it alone.” “We'll do it, all right. How came those fellows to get the upper hand of you in the first place?” “I was obliged to go down to Red Dog for some tools yes- F ‘terday, and I stayed all night and part of the mornin’ with : -gome friends of mine I found there. When I got back to-night there was them two fellows in the little cabin I put up on 5? ee. claim. I wanted an explanation, and the tough-lookin’ said he'd give it to me with my gun, which he snatched and pointed at me. He then ordered me off, declarin’ the aim was his and that he meant to hold it. Only two days I struck a promisin’ vein on that claim, and I don’t reckon goin’ to let the first onery cuss that comes along do me of it, after I've put in three months of steady work on it.” No one’s goin’ to do you out of it, pard,” said the super- dent, reassuringly. “This claim jumpin’ don’t go around no more’n elsewhere. We'll let those squatters know we do business in a shorter way than goin’ to law and n’ money to get fair p © had listened to the “discussion with considerable in- noted that there was a menacing significance in rendent’s words that augured ill for the two men Vke hase property. what the « ape weaeae doing to mped A MILLION Ce ee ————e———————————————eEeEEE——————————————E——EE——————EE— was not so eaky and the =, was Na F and somew’ IN GOLD. _He wondered if they really had thoughts of lynching them. | He easily guessed that the tough-looking chap must be the rascal who had brought Jim out to that locality and then driven him off into the wilds. “Step up and have somethin’, Ike,” said Parsons. “We'll go down to the gulch by and by ‘and clean those misfits out in short order.” Tom went back ‘to the wagon, and found Jim squatting on the seat. “Say, Jim,” said Tom, be up against it hard.” “How?” asked Jim, without any particular interest. “He and his new companion have jumped another man’s claim down in the gulch, and there'll be something doing in a way he won’t like before long.” Jim grinned, as if the fact that Mullins was likely to see trouble didn’t worry him greatly. “Where did you meet with that young man that’s with Mul- lins now?” asked Tom. “He came up the gulch after Dan and me struck a cabin with a lot of stuff in it, as though somebody lived there, where Dan said he was ‘goin’ to stay a while. He got talkin’ to Dan, and showed him a bunch of money that he said he earned at a place called Red Dog. Dan told him he’d sell him a half in- — terest in the cabin and ground for the money, and took the feller out to show him the place, Then they started in to dig a hole in the ground, and afore long Dan came up to the cabin and told me to git, as he didn’t want me around any more.” — “Did the other fellow know that Dan drove you off?” “Dunno. He didn’t seem like a bad chap. He had a small mustache, and Dan called him Jack, which I guess must have been his name.” : : Tom caught his breath, for somehow the name and the © slight description reminded him of his fugitive brother. “How tall was he?” asked Jim earnestly, “A little taller’n you.” “You didn’ t hear his other name, did you?” “Nope.” “Did he have a scar over his right eyebrow?” asked Tom : suddenly. “Yep. A sort of half moon. How’d you know that?” “Gracious!” gasped Tom. “I do believe that’s my brother.” “Your brother?” said Jim, wonderingly. " “Yes. Did you notice if he had a gold ring on his little nger?” . - “Yep. A kind of snake with red eyes.” os “It is my brother!” cried Tom. “And he’s with that rascal 5 Mullins. I must see him at once and warn htm against that — scoundrel, who means no doubt to rob him of his money. No ~ time is to be lost, for the miners here mean to visit the gulch ~ pretty soon, and it may go hard with my brother being in that fellow’s company. Will you come with me, Jim? I’m — going down to the gulch as fast as I can get there. I w: want © you to show me where the cabin is.” + *Y’ll go,” agreed Jim, apparently anxious to serve his new friend. oy Tom, with a resolute expression in his eyes, told Jim to wat a moment, and then crossed over to_the saloon. a “T want to borrow one of your revolvers,” he said, address = ing the doctor. Dr. Quackenbush handed him one without a word, and Tom | returned to the wagon. “Come on, Jim,” he said. “We've got to hustle.” With that they started off down the road. They were hardly out of sight afong the moonlit wan Gid Parsons, the doctor, Ike Baxter and nearly a dozen mine came out of ‘the saloon and started down the ware road t 0 Placer Gulch. A very significant feature of the procession was that on the men carried a coil of thin rope over his shoulder. “your friend Dan Mullins will soon a ; CHAPTER X. i WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CABIN IN PLACER GULCH. The boys had more than a two-mile walk before them d the road, and as much more up the gulch. Tom set a rapid pace, however, as he believed time 5 precious, and, besides, he was in a fever of eager anticipation to meet the young man he implicitly believed was his t pro Jack. nm less than twenty minutes the boys reached the gulc! turned into it. * Then they proceeded with more deliberation, is va

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J “Not far,” replied Jim, who was “in the lead. _ + Fifteen minutes later they saw a dim light ahead. It shone ugh the cabin window. By Tom, dubious as to the reception they were likely to re- mre from Mullins, crept softly up to the window and looked The sight that met his eyes caused him to hold his breath. On a pile of blankets in a corner of the. cabin lay a figure he recognized at once as his brother. Bending over him was the man Mullins, with a knife in his > teeth and his hand in his companion’s pocket. ___As Tom looked, Mullins drew out a buckskin pouch, and then, rising, stood near-the candle and unwinding the string _ that secured its mouth, poured the contents, a number of gold coins, into the palm of. his hand. - With a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes he was returning he money to the pouch when the sleeping man rose on his elbow, detected what he was doing, felt for his property in his _ pocket, and then sprang to his feet. _ “So you would rob me, Mullins, would you?” he cried, reach- ing for the pouch. _ The rascal drew back, with a snarl of surprise and anger. ar “Give me back my money. Then I'll leave this place, for I wish to have no dealings with a thief. I am satisfied now _ that you do not own this claim.,” “Hang you! I'll give you this knife in your gullet!” cried ullins, snatching the blade from his teeth and springing on Tem sprang for the door, pushed it open and rushed inside. Mullins had his companion at a clear disadvantage, and, Peat’ his chance, raised the knife to plunge it into his vic- ‘Tom, seeing his brother's path drew his revolver and fired the rascal’s shoulder. With a howl of agony, Mullins’ arm dropped helpless at his de, and the knife clattered on the floor. Jack Danvers immediately pushed him back, and rese quick- ly to his feet. _ *Jack—my brother!” cried Tom, running to him. “Tom! Is it possible it is you?” exclaimed the astonished man, grasping his brother’s hand. B? “It's me acon right, brother Jack,” replied Tom. “I Bee Pve " gazing at the writhing Mullins. “I thought was a dead one when that fellow raised his knife above my ad.” 3 claim. *: _ “He owns LImeMiERs This claim Ct a to a man named Ike came here and claimed it some “hours since, but I aan his right, for he was tougher-looking my doubts as to this Mullins.” He'll be back again with half the miners from the Lucky ace camp to support him, so you'd better come away with e Jack, before they reach here, or you'll find yourself in aren ‘what trouble can I get into? I haven’t made any m on this shack or the ground. Mullins is the man who pears to face the musi¢, if anybody.” ; you were in his company when he held Ike Baxter and you'll be regarded as his accomplice. As there's no of you taking any chances, I want you to come away at right. I was ing, anyway, as I wouldn’t stay any with Mullins i a share in a gold mine. I hate to im in the condition he is, though, for you seem to have | badly. did n't. atte ee more than he deser——” ‘Sentence was ae hort by the banging open of the door _the entrance of Gid. Parsons, Ike ‘Baxter, Dr. Quacken- h and as many of the miners as could crowd inside the ’ . he traders were rather surprised at the scene that ote mm,” sald the doctor, starting ‘forward, in astonishment, see ” Bg tee ‘ou me c recollect “replied th the doctor. Tom. | “Don’t you re- A MILLION formes © ace wore -o e cose SA GEE RE © RESEEL ERD Rd amaeees thief, Jack,” said Tom, “but I’m sorry to say the fact that, digging up the § 11 IN GOLD. . “Hello!” said Parsons, “what's the matter with that chap on the floor? Seems like he’s hurt.” “That’s the fellow who crdered me off my property and said the claim was his,” interjected Baxter. “So-ho! And the other chap? Is he t’other one?” “Yes; but he didn’t make any move agin me.” “I'll go bail for this young man,” said the doctor, placing his hand.on Jack Danver’s shoulder. “I'll warrant he meant. no harm in this matter.” “All right, Doc, what you say goes with us every time. Now, you chap, whatever your name is, what’s the matter with you?” “I’m shot,” groaned Mullins. “Shot, eh? Who shot you?” “That cub over there.” ' “Yes, I shot him,” spoke up Tom, and he explained why _ he had to do it. ; “You seem to be a pretty cussed sort, Mullins,” said the superintendent. “You deliberately jumped another man’s claim without as much as sayin’ by your leave, then you turn ~ around and rob your companion, and when he catches you doin’ it you try to knife him. Seems to me there’s only one way of dealin’ with a scoundrel of your stamp, and that is to give you a lift in the world. What have you got to say for yourself?” Mullins had nothing to say—he simply scowled and groaned with the pain of his wound. “Well, boys, you’re the jury in this here case. or not guilty?” “Guilty,” was the unanimous verdict. “Correct. Now, what’s to be done with him?” “Hang him!” suggested several. Others, however, objected, as they didn’t fancy the idea of executing a wounded man. Dr. Quackenbush made an examination of the wound and declared that he was not seriously injured. “The ball is imbedded in the tissues under the shoulder- blade,” he said. “It will have to be extracted before he can use his arm again. Better carry him up to the camp and I'll operate on him. Then you can decide what you'll do with him, but in any case I object to his being strung up. He de- serves it, perhaps, but I’m opposed to lynch law.” The majority agreed with the doctor, but the men were averse to carrying the rascal a matter of five miles. “I don’t want him ‘round here,” said Baxter, bluntly. “If you leave him I’m liable:to pitch him out into a gully, where he may lie till he rots, for all I care.” Much against their will the men consented to burden them- selves with Mullins as far as the road, where they proposed to leave him for the doctor to drive down in the wagon to at- — tend to him. ai Is he guilty a ey “Then you can take him on to Red Dog in the mornin’,” ; said Gid Parsons, “with a note from me to the deputy sheriff of the county. He'll clap him in jail, and I guess Mullins won’t bother this part of the country no more.” ei The delegation from Lucky Chance camp then took up its 2 return line of march, accompanied by Tom, his brother, Jim (who had remained in the background), and Dr. Quackenbush. . Mullins was deposited on a soft spot ‘beside the road, with | Jim and Jack Danvers to watch him, while the rest went on 3 to the camp. ae Tom hitched the horses to the wagon, and drove the doctor down to the entrance of the gulch. ae Dr. Quackenbush had Mullins lifted into the vehicle, his 5 eat stripped off and the upper part of his body extended on the table. ‘ While he ea for the ball the rascal raised a terrible howl, for the operation hurt him like sixty. No attention was paid to his strenuous kicking, however, the bullet was located and extracted, after which the applied a bandage and he was laid on Tom’s bed. Ga: When the wagon returned to Lucky Chance the rascal was accommodated with a bunk for the night in the back of . saloon, his hands and feet being bound to prevent him ve pee French leave if he felt in condition to attempt it. Soe Aang had a long talk with his brother before turning in that yi night. He told him how he had come out West with the ieee after being obliged to leave Cobalt suddenly to avoid for knocking down Mr. Gilpin because the auctioneer Jack a thief. “We, that is the Deans, mother and I, es, zor no owing, " et: were caught.

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12. A MILLION property, the bulk of public opinion is against you. I hope the truth will yet come out so that you can. return.” tft “J hope so, but how I'm going to prove my innocence is more than I can see,” replied Jack, with a melancholy shake of ‘his head. , wh Fame it was more than Tom could see, either, as the case stood, I CHAPTER XL, A GHASTLY DISCOVERY. Next morning Gid Parsons and those of the miners around de Dr. Quackenbush and his Kickapoo outfit a hearty send- off. ; The wagon was uncommonly well loaded, for Dan Mullins “was in one of the bunks, and Jack Danvers and Jim had been assured of a free ride and feed to Goldfield, The mining town of Red Dog was in the valley between two = De ibagae ranges, and eight miles from the Lucky Chance mine. The wagon drew up in front of the hotel at ten o'clock. Dr. Quackenbush got out and went into the building to make inguiries for the deputy sheriff. ‘He was directed to his office a little distance up the street. The deputy sheriff was entertaining a squad of idlers in the room when the doctcr arrived and asked for him. “Tm the man you want,” said a fall, angular individual, in 4 rough suit, who was straddling a chair, with his arms crossed over the back of it, squirting.a stream of tobacco-juice with great accuracy into a spittoon’ two feet away. “What can I do for you, stranger?” Dr. Quackenbush handed him the note he had brought from — Parsons, and the deputy sheriff read it with some delibera- on, “Glad to make your acquaintance, doctor,” he said, affabiy. rising from his chair. “My name is Henry Case. Boys, this is Dr. Quackenbush, from the Hast, but no tenderfoot, by the great horsefly, for he’s done what no one else has done to my knowledge, and that is beat Gid Parsons at a shootin’ Match. Gid put a bullet into every mark on a six-spot, which he’s done before more’n once, and this gentleman perforated every one of the holes immediately afterward. That’s tall shootin’, by gum! Where's the priséner mentioned by Gid?” “In the wagon, outside.” ‘ : “He seems to be an onery cuss, from what Gid says. We'll have him in here. I'll lock him up in the strong-room and - we'll liquor.” Mullins was brought into the deputy’s office. Mr. Case Icoked him over and then marched him into a large, cell-like room at the back of the office. Having sécured the door with a stout padlock, the deputy invited the doctor and all hands to the nearest saloon, where they spent half an hour together. Jack and Tom Danvers were requested to make depositions before a notary; the doctor also swore that Mullins had at- tempted to rob the wagon a couple of months previous in the East, and signed a statement to that effect. | “There’s enough against that rascal to send him to jail for several moons,” said Case, “if nothin’ worse happens to him before he gets there. In my opinion a noose around the neck - . would be the most effective way to cure such rascals as he of their cussedness, and I guess this chap will,come to it sooner . or later.” Dr, Quackenbush returned with the deputy sheriff to his office and sat for an hour talking to that official on mining matters. Case was very. enthusiastic over a new silver mine, which promised great results, that had lately been discovered in the western part of Mexico, and the doctor caught the infection. The deputy produced documents he had received from a friend of his on the spot, that spoke encouragingly about the new mine, and he advised Dr. Quackenbush to give up his IN GOLD. wanted to go where Tom did, and the doctor said he might stick to the caravan. : Accordingly, after laying in some additional supplies, the horses’ heads were turned southward and the party left Red Dog enroute for Mexico. ¢ It was a considerable journey from central Colorado down through the wilds of New Mexico to the Mexican border, for "*"there were mountains to climb in part and to get around where the trail was practicable, and for many days they did not meet with a soul along the route. The wagon entered Mexico within sight of the Sierra Madre | mountain range. The weather was so warm now that as day advanced the sun waxed hotter and hotter, and all hands down to the per- spiring horses found traveling a bare. Naturally they proceeded but slowly, and most of the jour- neying was done during the hours of darkness, : During the heat of the day the horses were unhitched and stabled under their canvas awning, while the doctor and the boys slept the hours away. Dr. Quackenbush could speak Spanish like a native, and this stood him in good stead down in this region where the language was all the go. After stopping for the greater part of two days and a night at a big hacienda in the foothills of the Sierra Madre, the Don who lived there furnished the doctor with a peon guide to point out a trail through the range into Sonora County. Leaving the mountains behind they continued on to the south and west toward the Gulf of California. At last they reached their destination, a little Mexican town — near the coast. Not far away was the mountain range, running parallel with the gulf, in whose fastnesses was the New Hldorado Silver. | Mine the doctor was interested in. : | On the morning after their arrival at San Ignacio, soon after Jack Danvers and the doctor started off to visit the mine, Tom, attracted by the blue water of the gulf, only a short distance away, decided to go to the shore to see if he could find a se- cluded spot to take a swim. Jim, as a matter of course, went with him. At this point the shore was lonesome and unfrequented, and there was no lack of places where they could sport at their ~ leisure in the water. Directly opposite, probably a mile away, was a small island called Santa Cruz. : After remaining in the water as long as they cared, the boys dressed and walked along the shore. “Hello!” exclaimed Tom, as they rounded a jutting point — of land. “What’s that? Blessed if it isn’t a vessel strande On the shore. Let’s take a look at it.” : As they approached they saw that it was a small schooner, in a fair state of preservation, sunk in the sands as low as the “bends.” th Apparently she had gone: ashore at this point in a storm, an now lay at high-water mark. E The stumps of two masts, that had gone by the board, pro- jected above her deck. Her broken bowsprit pointed to the southwest. A stove-pipe, thrust through the planking, close to the fore- castle, spoke of a cook-room below. In the center of the after part of the derelict was a raised section of deck, ornamented with an oblong skylight, suggest- ing a cabin below. There was an open companionway leading down into. it. Drawn up close to the water’s edge, her painter secured to ~ a stake driven into the sand, was.a small and rather dilapi- dated sailboat. Bee All these facts the two boys noted as they drew near the wreck. ? “Come, Jim, we might as well go aboard this stranded craft ¥ a Fe + af = and see how she looks below.” her deck was only a yard above the sand it was an easy © matter to spring up on the planks, and Tom did so, followed by his companion. ba They walked up and down the deck first and then Tom _ paused and looked down into the gloomy companionway. tA “I'll bet she’s been cleaned out by the natives long ago,” + he remarked. “However, here goes,” Taba! 2 He put one foot on the discolored: brass-bound step and then came to a-sudden halt, for at that moment a strange, weird- — like sound came up from below. : AA At first Tom couldn’t understand the nature of the vibra- os , trip to Goldfield and start immediately for that part of Mexico ___ where the silver mine was situated, assuring him that this __-—s Was the time for him to get in on the ground floor with ready -___eash before the developments had proceeded so far that the ' mine would be taken out of the market. ; c The doctor decided to follow the man’s advice and head southward instead of westward, right away. After he had concluded the interview he announced his in- tention to the three boys, asking them if they were willing to Be “Neither Tom nor his brother had any objection to offer, and for Jim, who was hardly considered in the proposition, he

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noise, but at last he made it out as a man singing; but _ Such a song and such a voice—never in his life before had he heard anything approaching it. . “The erew sat around the deadman’s chest, — Yo ho, and a bottle of rum! To fill their skins they were tryin’ their best, Yo ho, and a bottle of rum!” The villainous couplet ended in a‘long-drawn-out cackle of _Insane-like laughter that seemed to die away in the singer’s : \3 "Gee! ”" exclaimed Tom. “Whoever is down there must be a corker; but he talks English at any rate.” “Help, for the love of heaven, help!” companionway, in a feeble voice. - “What the dickens can be the matter with that chap?” said aa “He’s calling for help now, and from the sound one would think he was at his last gasp.” ; ‘The boy hesitated about penetrating the cabin. _ There was no telling what he might be up against down there. __ “Water—water! from the depths. There was no mistaking that agonized appeal. _ “There must be something wrong with that fellow. Maybe _ he fell down the steps and injured himself so he can’t move. g from the tone of his voice he seems to be in a des- ely bad way. Follow me, Jim, and we'll see what's the tot 5 was wafted up the For the love of heaven—water!” came up > x3 moment both stood in the small, low cabin. ~ C ad sudden transition from the glare ‘ot the sunshine to the pom of the cabin naturally blinded them to objects belew. first the place seemed as dark as a dungeon, but gradu- ‘ally their eyes grew accustomed to the/surroundings. “While they stood in the middle of the cabin they heard kind delirious raving coming, from the landward side of the “The erew sat around the dead man’s chest, Yo ho—ha, ha, ha, ha!” | it was a fierce kind of laugh that made Tom shiver as he ‘to it - Water—water! For heaven’s sake—water! . I’m—ha, ha, ha, ha!” ee Scott!” cried Tom. “man?” : ; ck a match and approached a bunk where he made object stretched at full length. iH olding the match up, he looked at the man. 2 gracious! What’s the meaning of this? and and foot.” he match dropped from his fingers and expired. m a second lucifer, ded, weather-beaten, sailor-like man lay in the bunk, there by thin ropes across his neck, his chest, his his thighs and his ankles, so that movement was almost ible. cheeks were sunken, his staring eyes glassy, and his rawn back-in a hyena-like snarl, were flecked with foam >] 0 od. , he was a ghastly-looking object. | se I’m burnin’ “What can be the matter with He's bound CHAPTER XII. A. MILLION IN GOLD. fi seemed to be conscious of their presence, out, in a hoarse wikper: —Water—water!” some crooked work here,” said Tom. “The 1 man is want of water and probably food. Some infernal has, no doubt, robbed him and secured him here | crime gpight go undetected. I wonder where I 2 out a RE on the table and lighted it, then, wn eben aay he cut the man’s’ bonds, fellow essayed to rise, but the effort was quite be- i ee with a despairing groan. in the cabin?” asked Tom. ai mere arm and eee: at a itt that direction, A MILLION locker under me. IN GOL He stepped into the hold, traversed an empty space and then — came to the galley, which was fitted up with a stove and sevy- eral lockers, There was a keg just outside the door of the bulkhead which | separated the galley from the hold proper. Tom kicked it and the sound it returned showed that it was partly “ull of something which, on investigation, proved to be ~ water. The boy seized a pannikin that lay on a locker, filled it with water, and returned to the side of the forlorn wretch as soon as he could. He put it to the man’s lips. The sailor seized it with his hands and almost bit through 0 such was his eagerness to get a taste of the precious uid. His throat, however, was half paralyzed, and he showed symptoms of strangulation after the first swallow. Tom pulled the pannikin back, though it teck an effort to do so, until the man recovered his breath, and then allowed him to drink again, but more slowly. He clung to the tin until every drop had gone “down his throat, and then with a sigh he let his head fall back on the pillow and his eyes closed. "Tf he had some liquor now it would brace him up until he was in condition to eat something,” thought Tom. # He returned to the pantry again and looked it over, but nothing in the shape of liquor was there. There was a supply of eatables, however, some of which were no longer fit for use, as \if they had lain there several days, untouched. : ; Returning to the cabin, Tom examined the locker under the sailor's bunk and there discovered a black bottle nearly full of whisky, and a glass. Pouring some of this out, he held it to the man’s lips. The smell of the liquor aroused the mariner, and he opened his eyes. Then he opened his mouth and Tom let the stuff trickle : down his throat. ‘ It acted like magic on him. He revived and his voice grew stronger. “Thanks, my lad. for. Who are you and how came you here?” “T’m an American; just arrived in Mexico yesterday. I and : my companion here came down to the coast from San Ignacio to take a swim. We saw this stranded vessel and came aboard to look her over. Then we heard your cries for water and en-. tered the cabin to see what was the matter. Now tell me, if. you can, who you are and how came you to be bound hand and foot here and left to perish, apparentiy.” “My name is Bob Short. I’ve been livin’ on the old hooker _ for some time. A Mexican rascal, named Mendez Pinto, dis- covered the object of my presence in this locality and had _ been tryin’ for some time to get possession of the secret that — I possess. I wouldn’t tell him, in spite of the promises he — - I feel better; but I’m afraid I’m done Pacts : * > made, for I distrusted him, feelin’ certain he would do me up the moment he found out what he was after. A few days — ago he visited me again and succeeded in druggin’ me. When I came to I was flighty and fastened to the bunk, as you saw. Next day he came again and said that unless I told him secret of the treasure buried on the island of Santa Cron, T should lie here till I rotted. I refused to say a word, and left me. But each day he has called again. It is only an hour since that he was here last. I begged him for water in my de- lirium. He laughed at and taunted me. He said I should not have a drop until I had told him what he wanted to know. If I told him he would only leave me to my fate, so I said a nothing and he left in a violent rage. He will return again a before long, I am sure, for he fears I will die with the secret untold. Give me some whisky. I feel I am growing weak ae once more.” ey kay up. “Well, if he comes while we're here we'll kick him dat Bait Tom, resolutely. ‘ “Perhaps; but you don’t know what a treacherous dog he is. He has a knife and a revolver in his clothes. You wens. ve be no match for him. eh 3 cae tely See on see ree standin’ him off should he surp < You will fin Take them, Pe you, You "wo uld do ie if you shot the rascal ie rs, and, putting: _ Tom found the re ht Sens nag ye hie a the

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- 1 feel it here. 14 “No; I'll never be strong enough again to use it. to your companion. He may need it to defend himself.” ; A MILLION IN GOLD. Ls -— Give it| cleared off, and then I realized that I was stranded on a for- eign coast. I buried the cap’n in the sand near the point, but Tom, to humor him, handed it to Jim, who was seated on a/ before I did so I took possession of all his effects, includin’ the box near by. “Oh, you'll come around all right, Mr. Short,” said Tom, encouragingly. “We'll see that you get on your. pins again, and then we'll see if we can’t make it hot for the Mexicans.” “No. I’m booked for Davy Jones. I shan’t live many hours. My insides are all gone. That rascal has fin- ished me; but it won't do him any good. No,.no; he'll never . can find it. ‘Bob,’ he said. “‘count me in.’ ‘All right,’ he said, and he up and told me that _ of money, cap’n,’ I said. learn my secret—thé secret of a million in gold.” “A million in gold!” exclaimed Tom, wonderingly. do you mean?” j “Give me another drink and you shall know. You've been good to me and shall profit by the knowledge that the greaser couldn't wring from me. It is a fortune, my lad, a great for- tune. Think of it—a million dollars in Spanish gold.” “My gracious!” cried. Tom, as he poured another dram down the sailor’s throat. : “Tt’s buried on the island of Santa Cruz. You know the island. It’s across ffom this shore, a mile out in the Gulf.” “You mean that small island yonder?” asked Tom, waving his arm waterward. ; “Aye, aye, that’s it. Now listen and I'll tell you how you But first send your companion to watch at the head of the companion-stairs. It would not do for that villain to come upon us unobserved. He’s like a cat. If he heard voices down here he would creep in somehow and hide, and listen to all I told you. Then he’d know what I have tried to keep from htm. He’d follow you to the place, and kill you for possession of the treasure. After you've learned the secret you must be cautious and aot let him find out that you know it, or he'd contrive some way to force you into yielding up the knowledge. Beware of him as you would of a venomous reptile that crossed your path.” “Where does he live? Do you know?” “On the island; so, remember, be cautious how you go “What ‘there.” “Jim,” said Tom, “go to the head of the companion-stairs and keep watch. Let me know at once if you see any one approaching this vessel.” . ; 5 Jim immediately obeyed, and Tom cautioned him to kee under cover as much as possible, so that Mendez Pinto might not. become aware that there were visitors on the stranded schooner. “] will go back to the beginnin’,” said Bob Short, in a weak voice, “and tell you how I came to learn about this treasure. Iam a sailor, as you have no doubt guessed, and have followed the sea since I was a boy. Last winter I was stranded in San Francisco. While huntin’ for.a berth in some coaster I ran foul of an old skipper I sailed with once, and he seemed mighty glad to see me. ‘Bob,’ he said, ‘I want you to take a short trip with me.’ ‘I'll do it, said I, right off the reel, for I was anxicus to get a ship. ‘This is somethin’ out of the usual, ‘I don’t care what it is, ecap’n,’ I answered, the destination of his schooner was the Gulf of California, and the object of the voyage was to discover a million in Spanish gold hidden more than a hundred years ago by a Spanish pirate named Vasquez. ‘Are you sure the money is there, cap’n?’ I asked him. ‘Sure as I'm a-sittin’ here lookin’ at you,’ said he, in a positive way that showed he was dead in earnest. With that he pulled out a time-stained chart and showed it to me. ‘That gives the full partic’lars,’ he said. ‘Any one could find it-with that chart.’ “A million is a lot ‘A powerful lot,’ he-answered,. sol- treasure chart. Then I made up my mind to try and get that million in gold myself, though how I was to carry it away after I found it puzzled me greatly. I couldn’t go to the island to look for it without a boat, so I hunted around and bought an old sailin’ boat from a Mexican fisherman, with some of the cap’n’s money. Then I went to the island, and after a little while I located the treasure. I was gettin’ ready to carry it off when that Mexican scoundrel, Mendez Pinto, got wind of my game. He knew the treasure was hid somewhere on the island, and had been huntin’ after it for years, as he after- ward told me when he tried to get me to go in with him and divide up. That’s why he’s livin’ there—him and a gal named Mereedes, whom he calls his niece. I'd have been glad to divvy with him only there was that in his eye which told me he was not to be trusted. I sized him up as a chap who would kill you as.quick as winkin’, if there was any object in it, and I guessed half a million, the share I was supposed to get, would have been object enough. At any rate we couldn’t come to terms, and since then I’ve found it impossible to go near the ~ place without him knowin’ of it. At length he got impatient _ and started in to threaten me. I laughed at him, for I thought I had him on the hip. But I didn’t know the cuss I was dealin’ with, and this is the end of it.” The sailor did not tell all the foregoing as we have-written it. It took time, and many drinks from the bottle to keep him going. _There were many interruptions while he lay back and looked like a dead man. But he finally got it all out. “Here’s the chart,” he said, fmally, hauling it out from under a slit in the mattress and placing it in Tom’s hand. “I’ve made some marks on it myself, as you will see. The place is at the north end of the island, in a little cove. You won't have to make none of them measurements. I’ve done that myself and spotted the place. In fact, I’ve seen the chest that holds the money. It’s in a cave, the entrance of which is just below the low-water mark, and can’t be seen at any time. But you'll see three trees on a bluff overlookin’ the water. The chart will guide you to them, and then you won't need it any_ more, for all you'll have to do, if you can swim, is to dive at the rock directly under them trees and you'll find yourself in a marine cavern, Strike a light and the money-chest youll see right before you, with its million in Spanish gold.” “There’s a man comin’ this way,” said Jim, appearing at — that moment. “That's Pinto,” said the sailor. “Hide, both of you, for your lives.” ; i CHAPTER XIII. MENDEZ PINTO. “Douse the light befote you go,” said the sailor, “and try — and keep within hail, for I don’t khow what the chap will do — to me when he finds I'm loose, and I'd rather not be murdered in cold blood, for I'll die soon enough as it is.” Tom blew out the light, and he and Jim took up their sta- — tions, revolvers in hand, on the other side of the door lead into the hold. : They had hardly secreted themselves when they heard a light step on the planks overhead. na Presently the companionway Was darkened by a man, and Mendez Pinto stepped down into the cabin. ~ He stopped and listened intently. Beb Short remained as quiet as the grave. _ ‘ “Perdition!” exclaimed the Mexican, in Spanish, “can the — dog. be dead? If so, I have cheated myself out of the prize — I seek. ‘I will see. This time he shall tell me what I wish to know, or——” ; % His voice ended in a hiss. He approached the bunk and felt of the sailor. emnly. ‘I suppose if you find the gold the rest of us will get a rake-off over and above their wages as an inducement to do their best?’ I said. ‘Sure,’ said he. ‘There'll only be four of us all toid, includin’ the cook. You and the other foremast hand are to get $10,000 each, and the darky $5,000. Are you satis- So fied?’ he asked. “That suits me,’ said J. ‘I shan’t know what As7im “f a “to do with so much money when I get it. ‘Put it in a bank| “Warm—ah! He still breathes. Caramba! What is this? _--——s and live off it for the rest of your life,’ said he, and I thought| The ropes cut. What does this mean? 4 ~ ak : hat good advice, and meant to profit by it. Well, we left} He struck a match, looked for the lantern and ited it, : o on Christmas mornin’ and sailed straight for this place.| “Ha! The glass is warm. Some «.e is here, and he extin- | But we hadn't more than struck ‘the Gulf before a storm caught us, sudden-like, and before we knew where we were the schooner was ashore. When I ¢amie on deck from the cabin where the cap’n sent me for somethin’, I forget what now, I found him dead, crushed by the fall of the mainmast, nd the other man and darky nowhere in sight. As they never turned up from that time to this, of course it’s naiural to sup- ese that they went overboard and Were lost. Next day it +s 4, ‘ guished the light when he heard me on deck, . He drew his revolver and flashed the light around the “Not here, ha! Then he’s hiding in the hold. Car ’ I will have him out in a moment. What is angther life, more or less, to me with such a stake in sight? Nothing. You want — the sheep, or the bullock, or the fowl, for your pleasure, and you kill, Suppose you want the life of a man who stands in your way? You kill him, ico.” ‘ i Pai. ee thet

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SS oie sailor heard and understood the villain’s words per- ___ The boys heard him plainly enough also, but as he spoke _ in Spanish its significance was, to a great extent, lost on them. acions, however, showed that he believed there Was some one else besides the satior and himself under the deck of the derelict, and the boys began to look for trouble. Tom plucked Jim by the sleeve and started for the galley. Jim accompanied him cn tiptoe. As soon as they were behind the bulkhead Tom struek a Biateh and look around for a hiding-place for himself and his _ companion. There was a pile of dunnage forward of the galley. * “Hide under this,” said Tom, and they did. They had hardly got ‘under cover before Mendez Pinto _ appeared with the lantern in his hand. _ He flashed the light around the galley, and seeing no sign of an intruder he began examining the space behind it. _ & one. hand he carried a revolver ready for action, and ~ he looked very formidable indeed to the boys. They kept very quiet in their hiding-place, and although Pinto looked the dunage over, the light was not bright enough for him to discover their proximity. He stood a moment as if puzzled, and then returned to the ' ¢abin, muttering Spanish oaths under his breath. He went out on deck and looked around the immediate vicinity, carefully, but all to no purpose. ’ He returned to the cabin in a bad humor, and, placing the _ fantern.on the table, turned to Bob Short. By that time Tom and Jim had returned to the shadow of _the doorway looking into the cabin, and were watching for _ developments. . \ “So, Senor Short,” said the Mexican, in English, “you have had a visitor, eh? Caramba! Had I caught sight of him there would have been something to feed the fishes with. You do ot feel so badly as when last I was here. This visitor not only it you loose, but gave you something to drink.” ‘The rascal smelt of the whisky bottle, then poured out a portion in the tumbler and drank it. “Well, are you tired of this? Shall we come to terms? It is as you say whether you go to the island with me and dine on the what you call fat of the land, or—is it necessary that mf to the trouble of expressing myself clearer? You.gringoes are stupid. Of what use is it that you hold out, eh? What you gen by it? You are now the picture of a dead man, and ail 5 you thought to get the better of me. Caramba! I _ am like an old fox. It is not so easy to get the better of me. _ Suppose you refuse to tell me where the treasure is hidden, 5S ‘what then? You die and I search on as I have done these five ae ‘years past till I find it. I am not so old but I have many years ' before me to examine every rock and bush on the island. It but a question of time before I find that million, and then will be all mine. Think well, senoy, is it worth while that die to cheat me out of half of that million and yourself of the other half? I promise you a good boat, and will > where the treasure lies. Is not that fair enough? Your life and a half million, of gold money at your disposal. Are you that you throw both to the winds? Come, I am impatient for your answer.” ‘swear by all the saints——” “Tt is too late. I am as good as a dead man. An hour or You laugh at me!” cried the Mexican, furiously. ‘as yet dead. Perhaps I find a way to open your are in my power, Senor Short. I can do with you as -Perhaps you have never heard how Cortez, who con- ed this country, treated the Aztec chiefs who would not the hiding-place of the Montezuma treasure. Shall I ordeal they underwent? Their feet were tied over live coals. What think you if I try to p the torture. When I you shall taste of the torments of and I shall laugh at your screams, and ou see, senor, there are more ways than ‘ f oi m the box he had used as a seat, with a A MILLION IN GOLD. 15 sardonic smile on his lips, and moved toward the entrance of the hold. The boys retreated to their former hiding-place. Tom saw, however, that they would presently have to in- terfere between the vindictive Mexican and his intended vic- tim. He would protect the sailor from Pinto’s malignancy at all _ hazards. The Mexican lighted a fire in the stove and placed an iron pan over the blaze. ; There wasn’t the least doubt but he was thoroughly earnest with respect to his fiendish intentions. He believed by this crafty and diabolical method he could extract the secret from the dying man’s lips. The boys watched him heat and finally test the temperature of the pan with a piece of paper. ‘ At length he took it off the fire and returned to the cabin, followed, cautiously, by the boys. “Now, Senor Short, you shall have a taste of the tortures of the Inquisition if you do not at once tell me where that treasure is buried. Come, open your mouth, or, caramba! the torture will open it in a way you shall not fancy.” Bob Short was dying fast. ‘ He cast a sort of terrified look at the Mexican, who had re- moved the helpless man’s shoe and woolen stocking, and now stood with the-iron pan in his right hand, significantly in- clined downward. “For heaven's sake, let me die in peace!” gasped Short, roll- ing his eyes around the cabin as if in search of help from the boy to whom he had confided his secret. “Ha! 4 have touched you at last; eh?” grinned the Mexican. “The secret—pronto! Then I leave you to die as you choose.” “No, no—you shall never know it—never, Mendez Pinto!” _ “We shall see!” cried the Mexican, with compressed lips, turning the pan lower so as to begin the torture. “Stop!” cried Tom Danvers, stepping into the cabin. “This business has gone far enough, Mendez Pinto.” “Ave Maria!” ejaculated the Mexican, dimly making out the figure of the resolute boy by the uncertain light of the lantern, which stood on the table. “Who are you?” “It’s none of your business who I am,” replied Tom. “Put down that pan or I'll shoot you as you stand there.” “Ha! You are an Americano—a dog of a gringo! You dare talk to me, Mendez Pinto, in that’ tone! Caramba! I will have your life!” cried the Mexican, furiously. He raised the pan as if to hurl it at the boy, when Tom pulled the trigger. ; A sharp report followed. With a ery, Pinto dropped the pan, clapped his hand to his head, reeled and fell to the floor, where he lay quite still. _ in _ CHAPTER XIV. THE CURTAIN FALLS ON BOB SHORT, Tom sprang forward, with the smoking revolver in his hand, and looked down at the unconscious Mexican. The boy had intended to hit him in the arm, but not being an expert shot- the weapon had jerked up and the ball had cut a furrow in Pinto’s head. The rascal had had a narrow escape from death, and Tom was much relieved to find that he had not killed him, for it is a solemn thing to take the life of any man, even though he be a villain of the deepest dye. “Have you killed him?” fluttered Bob Short. “No; and I’m glad of it,” replied Tom, with a sigh of re- lief. “I wouldn’t want his death on my soul.” , : “It would have been better for you and your chances of re- covering the treasure had you settled him for good,” said the sailor, faintly. “He has no doubt recognized you, and will never rest until he gets back at you. He is a treacherous scoundrel, capable, as you have just seen, of any malignant action. Be on your guard against hifm, or you'll never leave this country alive.” “What ought I to do with him?” asked Tom. “Tie him hand and foot and take away his weapons. can release him after I am dead.” 2 *Do you mean to say that you really expect to die, Mr. Short?” asked Tom, shocked at the idea. “T haven’t an hour's life in me. I can feel the hand of death at my heart at this moment. I can’t escape my fate. so what's the use of kickin’?” “ll send Jim to San Ignacio for a doctor,” said Tom. “Maybe he'll be able to save you.” “It is useless. I'l be gone before he could get back. Give You

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A MILLION me a drink of whisky, for I feel deathly faint. Then attend to that rascal.” Tom gave him a drink, and it brightened him up a bit, but not near so much as it had previously done. Even the boy saw now that the signs of dissolution were near at hand, and that no earthly power could save the sailor. “And it’s all your fault,” mused Tom, bitterly, regarding _ the unconscious Mexican with small favor. “After all, I don’t know whether I’d be sorry or not if I had killed you.” ‘He motioned to Jim to bring the pieces of line which had lately secured Bob Short to the bunk, and then called on him to assist in making a prisoner of Pinto. Then they carried him into the hold and left him to recover his senses as best he might. Bob Short lingered an hour and then died like the puffing- out of a candle. Tom then took the lantern and went into the hold to take* a look at the Mexican. He was still insensible. “I wonder when he'll come to?” the boy asked himself. “The doctor ought to be back from the mine by this time. I guess I'd better bring him over here to attend to this rascal. That bullet may have given him concussion of the brain. I'll have to bring the wagon over, anyway, to carry the sailor’s body to San Ignacio for burial. ante I guess the doctor had better see this fellow.” : Tom decided to cut Pinto loose, and did so. Then he and Jim started for the town. Tom decided to say nothing about the treasure hidden on the island of Santa Cruz to the doctor. He meant, however, to take his brother into his confidence, -_ his help and Jim’s set about recovering the million go If they were successiul in getting it into their possession he would hand over a large slice of it to Jack, and hold probably Peer ,000 in trust for Jim, whom he had got to like very much es Then they would ‘charter a vessel of some kind to take them to San Francisco, whence they would proceed East by: rail. | He calculated that his brother would be able to square him- | ‘self somehow at the village by making a liberal donation to _. the place, and he hoped that in time he might be able to fully __ establish his innocence. As for himself, it would be a simple matter to submit to : ~ arrest and then pay the small fine that he would be assessed. _» Then he would build a fine house for his mother to live in, and perhaps some day in the future Jennie Dean would be- Rhine his wife and its mistress, _ These were the dreams he indulged in as he and Jim walked “silently back to San Ignacio. _ They found the doctor and Jack waiting in the wagon for a them to show up. _. “Where have you \boys been?” asked Dr. Quackenbush. “We've been holding dinner back half an hour for you. : “Oh, we've been down to the shore taking a bath, for one thing, and up against a pretty strenuous experience, for another,” replied Tom. “You don’t say,” replied the doctor. You both look hungry. vet story,” _. All hands showed that they possessed excellent appetites, _ for they cleaned up about everything in sight. “Jim ¢an wash up the dishes while you tell us about this 2 adventure that you hinted at,” sald the doctor, after they had finished the meal, . The. proprietor of the Kickapoo Remedy got out one of his Jack produced his pipe; and then Tom began his story. : related everything just as it happened to Jim and him- but he. said nothing at ail about the treasure on the ack and the doctor were greatly astonished, and the latter greed to go down to the wreck, in the wagon, and give the ‘exican the benefit of his services, Accordingly, Tom and Jim hitched the horses to the wagon d the former drove the vehicle to the shore. ‘There’s the old derelict, yonder,” he pointed to the doctor. Hard and fast ashore in the sand, isn’t it?” was the reply. es, she’s sailed her last trip on the briny,” laughed Tom, the: bg Sy close alongside of the wreck, and, Dr. Quackenbush, stepped on her deck. “Sit up to the table. After you’ ve filled up you can tell and Peaceful. , cate the ME “Awe ‘stand ‘him. off alr right, *jreatie Jac IN GOLD. ' Then, taking the lantern in his hand, Tom led the way into _ the hold to the spot where he had left Mendez Pinto. The Mexican, however, was not there. “He’s gone,” said Tom, in some surprise. “Recovered his senses of his own accord,” replied the doctor. “The wound couldn’t have been a serious one. The ball proba- bly only stunned him, though from your description I judge that he had a narrow shave of it.” ; “I guess he did,” replied Tom. “I didn’t aim at his head; but, then, I'm no great shot. The revolver kicked and the © ball was deflected upward.” ; “Well, my professional services will not be called into requi- sition, I see. So let’s attend to the dead sailor now,” said the doctor. The body of Bob Short was wrapped in a blanket and carried to the wagon. ‘ Then they drove back to San Tanacio. As the wagon receded from the wreck a head, bound up in a blood-stained rag, appeared above the companionway and glared after them. It was Mendez Pinto who had recovered his senses a little while before the vehicle drove up, and, seeing that he could not leave’ the derelict without being observed, had concealed himself behind the galley until the party left. “So, young senor, I have your face well booked in my mem- ory,” he gritted, with a look that augured ill for Tom Dan- vers. “You balked me at the moment of success. It will be my turn soon to pay you back, with interest, the debt I owe you. You shall regret the hour you interfered with Mendez Pinto. I will make you dance to the tune of the dead march.” | He shook his fist after the departing vehicle, and when it — had vanished around a bend in the road he emerged entirely _ from the companion-ladder, stepped onto the beach and walked up the shore to a point where a trim little sailboat = was moored, by her painter, to a rock. Boarding her, he cast off, raised the sail, and laid his course : for the island of Santa Cruz. . ve oe CHAPTER XV. IN THE HANDS OF MENDEZ PINTO. Seep: Supaiee that evening Tom took his brother off for a wa “This is a curious old town, isn’t it?” said Jack, after they : had proceeded a short distance. Pope, “Yes, but it’s not half so curious as the story I’m going c to tell you,” replied Tom. ; “What story is that?” asked Jack, curiously. ro “The story that the dead sailor told me.’ adit e “So he told you a story, did he? What was it-about?” — Sere “A hidden treasure.” . “A hidden treasure!” exclaimed Jack, in ted aon “Wxactly. A million dollars in Spanish gold.” “Go on, Tom. What are you giving me?” - “Nothing but the truth. Listen.” Then Tom told hts brother all that Bob Short had to him about the pirate treasure concealed in a marine « cavern : on the island of Santa Cruz, a mile out in the Gulf. “Do you believe there’s anything in it?” asked Jack, Ae sy some excitement. : “Ido, I’ve got the chart in my pocket, which I’ll show yo in the morning. I want you and Jim to help me recover gold, and I promise to give you’a good slice of it for ¥ self.” 2 apt “I'm with you, Tom. It would set us both up for life if: found that amount of money, Have you said anything to doctor about it?” “Not a thing. He's all right, the Doc, but I see no rea: letting him in on this. He’s got a good bunch .of me already, and will probably make a lot more out of this sily mine which he’s decided to buy into, while you and hay nothing. We'll take the sailor’s boat to-morrow, which down by the. wreck, sail over to the north end of the with Jim, dive for that cave. But we've got to keep eyes skinned for that Mexican, Mendez Pinte. He's that he won't stop at murder even to get a line on that ure. Yoh can take that revolver and knife I took away him Beg I op ‘ him. Jim and I have the two guns the we Ree h that armament we ought to be anes

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Bae A MILLION IN GOLD. carrying off, you can bet I’m ready to put up a mighty good _ fight to keep anybody else’s hands off it.” In the morning, Tom showed his brother the chart, and they Studied it over together. ‘*“Bob Short simplified matters for us, for he’s found the ma- _ Tine cavern, and all that remains for us to do is to locate those _ three trees. He's marked them down here,” and Tom put his finger on the chart. “When we find them we've only to dive down under the rock at that point, and according to the sailor we'll come up inside the cavern with the chest of gold right before us. You'd better keep the chart, Jack, as you've got an inside pocket to your vest and I haven’t got a vest at all.” An hour later, after the doctor had gone back to the silver _ mine, Jack, Tom ard Jim went to the shore and found the ~ _ battered sailboat in the same place it had been since Bob’ _ Short last used it. Q Jack knew something about handling a boat, so under his _ directions the sail was hoisted and they started for the north - end of the island. 7 As a matter of precaution against Mendez Pinto’s watchful ' @yes,-they did not aim directly for Santa Cruz island at first, but approached the north shore by a roundabout course. Finally they got close in and sailed along, watching the » chart closely and keeping a bright lookout for the three trees. _ “There they are!” cried Jim, whose eyes were uncommonly ~ gael cried Tom, feeling like pitching his hat into the “Will you make the first dive, Tom? You're the best swim- mer in the bunch.” ; _ “Sure I will,” and he started to undress. - “You'll need a light, Tom, if yéu come up in the cavern,” _ said Jack. “How are you going to manage about it?” ; -_ “ll wrap half a dozen matches in a ‘piece of my handker- chief and carry them in my mouth.” In a few minutes he was ready to make the dive, and pro- viding himself with the matches he sprang overboard and dis- appeared beneath the surface. He came up, as he expected, in the midst of dense darkness, “and after swimming a stroke or two felt bottom under him. ‘ Walking forward, up an inclined surface, and feeling around ' with his hands, he emerged altogether from the water and con against a hard surface, which proved to be the bare Toc Tom struck one of the matches against it, and when the light flared up he found himself in the cavern, and right be- fore him stood a good-sized, iron-bound chest. . The top was staved in and a small hatchet lay upon it. Evidently this was Bob Short’s work, for he had declared _ to Tom that he had seen the gold. With a palpitating heart the boy bent over the chest and struck a second match. _ The glare of the flame revealed, through the gaping hole _ ‘made by the hatchet, the yellowish, hue of the precious metal _ shining up from an opened bag. * “Hurrah!” cried Tom, in ecstasy. _ is all ours for the taking.” _-. After he had recovered his self-possession a bit he exam- _ ined the treasure as well as. he could with the remaining _. Matches. _ He saw what seemed to be a jewel-box in one corner of the _ chest, and by the aid of his last match he pulled it\out. “Til see if I can carry this back with me as an evidence ~ that I.saw the treasure,” he said to himself, _ Them he walked down the incline into the water, with the box in his hand. _-» As soon as fhe water was up to his chin he plunged forward _ and struck out with one arm. : He arose to the light of day, and saw the sailboat a few yards away and close.to a patch of beach. ., _ He swam toward it and soon felt the ground under his feet. ] “The gold is here, and it Ri “I've found it! I've found it!” he shouted to his. brother, - and held up the box, triumphantly. ___ Jaek jumped ashore and met Tom as he came out. of the “What have you there?” asked Jack. __ #Iv’s a handsomely inlaid box full of something—jewels, _ perhaps,” replied Tom. “1 picked it out of the chest, the cover . Jack made -no reply, for he was busily engaged examining box, which was inlaid with gold and mother-of-pearl— t very handsome and artistic piece of work. 3 ‘ e n * 7) ’ ty 4. j ns ec ” APRs TAG te ; } eae ie eer a Se i ! | stands.” _ “If I clap my eyes on a million in gold to be had for the mere| “Chuck me my clothes, Jim,” said Tom. Jim threw, them on the beach and Tom dressed Rimeelts < “We'll have to smash this to open it,” said Jack, “an ik would be a shame to-do that, for it’s -worth money as “Why should we smash it?” answered Tom. “We need oe bein a hurry to open it. I'll bet it’s full of rare jewels. We wait till we get to Frisco, and get a locksmith to open it pare erly, Well, do you want to take a dive in there yourself? “Certainly I do.” “Then peel off and work the boat around to the rock. ie some matches in your mouth, like I did. You il find them handy. I'll stay here till you get back. Then we'll figure on how to get the gold out of the cavern.” Jack decided to undress in the boat. h As soon as he had disrobed he worked the boat into the proper place, made the dive and did not come up again. “He's in there all right,” thought Tom, as the boat on back to the patch of beach, under the action of the tide. “T 8 is a fine box, bet your life. I'll make a present of it to—— He was interrupted by a warning cry from Jim. Tom started to his feet and looked toward the boat. “Run—jump into the water!” shouted Jim, frantically. | Before Tom could comprehend the situation a man sprang from the top of the low bluff behind him and seized him around the chest with both arms. F “Caramba!” exclaimed a triumphant voice in his ear. I have you, senor Americano. Now I fix you for keeps! ‘Then it was Tom realized that he was at the mercy of Men- dez Pinto. CHAPTER XVI. THE TREASURE OF SANTA CRUZ. Jim drew his revolver, but didn’t dare shoot on account of the chance of hitting Tom in place of Pinto. ‘ The result was soon placed beyond doubt by the appearance of several men on the bluff, who were evidently connected with the Mexican. , Pinto shouted to them to come to his assistance, for Tom was making matters interesting for him at that moment. They sprang down and relieved the Mexican of the boy, making him a helpless prisoner, while Pinto, with a cry of satisfaction, snatched the box from.the lad’s hand. At Pinto’s orders, they bore Tom back up the bluff, the Mexican following, and Jim soon lost sight of the party alto- gether. : When Jack returned from the marine cavern Jim told him the startling news of Tom’s capture by the Mexican. : “We must rescue him,” said Jack, resolutely. bee. “T’ll help you do it,” said Jim, with a dogged expression on his face, for he was ready to go through fire and smoke. for Tom's sake. : " ' Jack hurriedly dressed himself. 3 FR “That rascal lives at the south end of the island, so Tom told me, and I'll bet he’s taken my brother down there. We'll just sail around and make the fur fly, in spite of him and all the men he can raise.” : There wasn’t the least doubt but that Jack Danvers mean business, and Jim, inoffensive as he looked, meant business, too. 5 The sail was raised again and the boat’s head turned in direction that would fetch them around to the southern end of the island. 2 In the meantime, Tom was hurried along southward by his captors, Mendez Pinto following in the rear with the box, which he judged must be a part of the treasure, carefully tucked under his arm. q He knew now that the treasure in question must be n where very near the spot where he had captured the boy, and ‘after he had wreaked a satisfactory revenge on the young American, he intended to return and hunt for it. A half hour’s rapid tramp brought them to the other of the island. ; Here Tom saw a two-story, white adobe house standing on a gentle elevation near the ‘shore, and backed by a grove of tall, tropical trees, ; f A handsome-looking girl, end niece, Mercedes. About a hundred feet from the beach was a stout pole stick- ing up out of the water. ; The tide was low at the time, but it was coming in fast. fe . “Now, senor Americano, it is my turn,” hissed the Mexican, as the party paused within earshot of the girl in the doorway. — a with an olive complexion, was standing at the door, and this, Tom guessed, must be Pinto’s:

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18 ‘+ & MILLION IN GOLD: SS ese “Yesterday you did what your gringos -shall-eall the butt-in. So interesting was Mendez Pinto and his myrmidons that You spoiled my little game with the Senor Short, and, besides, | they did not notice the appearance of a sailboat around the you put a ball so near my scalp that a shave more and-it; corner of the point until it was practically on them; then one would have been all-up with me for keeps. Well, the tables | of the men uttered a cry of warning. are what you call turned. To-day it is I who am on top. You| “Compadre!” shouted Pinto, furiously. “Head the boat off!” are now in my power. Suppose I kill you, what then? Noth-| Mercedes now began to work at her bonds, and ds the rope ing. You will be gone. Your life is forfeited to me, and I | was insecurely tied, she got. free of it. will do with it as I please. At present it is my purpose to do} To stop the beat, however, was more than they dared at- you up. Still, it is just possible, Senor Americano, that, you | tempt, for Jack Danvers stood at the helm with his drawn re- can buy yourself off. Is it the fact that Senor Short has told | volver ready for business, and Jim, in the. bows, was equally you where the treasure of Santa Cruz is hid?: This jewel-box, | prepared for action. which you were looking at when I caught you, tells me that| See*¢ how things looked, the Mexican drew his knife again you got the secret from the sailor. Is it so?” and started to make a lunge with it at Tom’s defenseless Tom made no answer. neck. “Come, young senor, I will make a bargain with you. It is Mercedes, perceiving his intention, seiZed him by the arm, your life for the secret. Is it not worth your while to come |and in the struggle the knife fell to the bottom of the boat. to my terms? Senor Short proved himself a.fool, for he lost} As Pinto turned furiously on the girl and seized her by the both his life and the treasure as well, when he might have | throat, Jim fired at him, point-blank. saved the one and half of the other. Is it not well that you| The bullet penetrated his back and passed through his heart. take warning by him? What say you? Is it a bargain be- With a dying scream, he threw up his hands, pitched head- tween us? first into the water, and did not reappear. “No, it isn’t,” blurted out Tom. “I wouldn't tell you a word| Mercedes snatched up the knife, leaned down and severed if I died for it.” the ropes that bound Tom’s chest to the pole. “Say you so, young senor? It is a pity I have not a lead Then she sprang overboard and sank beneath the surface. bath ready that I bring you to your senses. However, I have In less than half a minute Tom was free and clinging, with - - that at hand which will, perhaps, answer as well. Mark you, | the girl, to the boat. é _ the tide is. coming in? It will soon be two feet higher, enough | Then the sailboat came up and Tom was taken on board. : to cover you to the eyes if you were bound out to yonder pole Mercedes refused any assistance, and, despite her clothes, which you see there in the water. How think you it would |Swam gracefully to the shore, landed, and ran into the house, feel to have the water rise slowly, inch by inch, till it covered “Wait a moment, Jack,” said Tom. “That box of jewels is your mouth, eh? Then above that till it touched the tip of |in that rowboat. We must get it.” Your nose? You would throw back your head to catch a whiff It lay where it had fallen from Pinto’s hands, and was re- of air to breathe, would you not? And what then? The water |covered by Tom, after which the boat sailed away from the would cut you short. You would gasp, and it would strangle | island. you, like you had a rope pressing tightly around your neck. Next morning, having provided themselves with candles, a How does the prospect please you? Will you try that, or sliall | covered basket and a long rope, they visited the site of the I have the secret of the Treasure of Santa Cruz from you? | Marine cavern, and by degrees got out all the treasure in the It is what you call up to you, Senor Americano,” said Pinto, | chest, which pretty well filled the sailboat. with a fiendish grin. They carried it to the wreck and there found boxes enough “You can kill me if you m to accommodate every bag. Short stood you off, pine Lt Monten ye Pes ae ote Bob: With some of the gold they chartered a small schooner to “Ho! You speak brave words, young senor, let us see if you | ke them and their newly found property to San Francisco. * practise as well as preach. Here, Hernandez ad = They arrived in San Francisco without mishap, and there fe oe . Ee. e this boy and bind him tigh ole. S Tom turned ‘the Spanish gold over to the sub-Treasury and a = touch Seain, and that. mh Sd noe anie to fone ae received an order on New York for a million dollars. - Understand?” The. jewels were appraised at nearly half a million inore, j ized Tom bore hi and Tom had to pay a duty on them amounting to $125,000, ene eS mca PSB TpHORy 2g m fate the which was deducted from his order on the New York sub- 4 Treasury. The boys went straight to New York, where they put up at the Astor House. The girl Mercedes, who had been listening intently to the words of Pinto,. now rushed forward and threw herself on her knees before him, _“Mercy—mercy, Mendez! Do not kill the boy!” she cried, supplicatingly, in Spanish. “Caramba!” he cried, furiously, ‘in Spanish. “You would balk me, Mercedes! You shall pay for this, It is not the first _. time you have tried to cross me. You are taken with the young man’s face, I believe. Well, you shall come with me, _ then, and see how he likes his water bath, It will please you, ' perhaps, to watch him drowu.” He caught the struggling girl around the waist and bound her arms behind her, dragged her to a boat and pushed off with her toward the pole, where Tom was now secured hand and foot, chest deep in the water. _ Pinto worked the boat within a foot or so of Danvers. “Ha, Senor Americano! Shall the bargain be made between Z a will you drown, like a rat in a trap?” he cried, mali- Tom returned him a defiant look. _ “You are stubborn still, eh? You gringos are all alike— all stupid fools. Well, you at least shall have a taste of death _ by degrees. See, the water has already risen to your armpits. Soon it will cover your shoulders. Then your neck. Ah, you ‘will feel it creeping up to your mouth. Por dios! I will wait re and see you drown. It will be to me a salve for my sore Tom collected $850,000 from the Government. ~ He gave his brother $300,000, promised Jim $50,000 when he got older, and retained $500, 000 and the jewels, worth as much more, himself. Leaving Jack in New York for the present, he and Jim set — out for Cobalt, where they duly arrived, and Tom was joyfully _ welcomed by his mother and the Deans. [ As soon as possible he presented himself before the justice, and said he was prepared to pay whatever fine that gentleman thought fit to impose on him for striking Mr. John Gilpin. ; He was let off for $10. J? Tom then learned that his brother’s character had been re- established by the capture and confession of the man who had robbed Squire Penrose. > aw He at once telegraphed Jack the facts, and his brother came > % home right away. a In a month there was a wedding at the Dean home, when Agnes Dean became the wife of the young man she had atuck a. by in his adversity. tee Tom’s air castles all came true. Ps He built a fine house on a hundred-acre farm that he pur- _ chased, enjoining a similar plot of ground secured by his a2 brother, and there his mother went to live. ee A few years later Jennie Dean also took up her permanent = »%. = 4 ‘eu home there as Mrs. Tom Danvers, and the young couple are the happiest and most prosperous pair in all the county. Jim lives with them, for nothing can persuade him to 3 anywhere else. Next week’s issue will contain “BOUND TO MAKE MONEY; OR, FROM THE WEST TO WALL STREET.” Presently a thought came in his mind. ‘He took a strong knife from his belt, and, inserting it aide oe: of the inlaid box, succeeded, by skilful maneuvering, ; ng the cover open. ‘sunlight flashed from a collection of costly diamond ents with which the box was filled. é eyes devoured the gems with an: avaricious gl once that they were im Big rece ; es Sie ce "SEND POSTAL FOR OUR FREE CATALOUE,

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tts . - - Out of the icy waters of the Missouri River, Albert * Owen, a convict of Leavenworth, Kan., rescued Sam Con- ‘nell, a “trusty.” For his bravery Owen will be given his freedom soon. After the skiff in which the two were rid- 3 Ry: - The United States could, if it were actually necessary, | put a fighting force into the field of between 12,000,000 and 14.000,000 of men, and take care of them during _ the time of the fighting. The United States and Russia are the only nations who could, in the event of war with ~ another nation or nations, live within their own resources, raising bread and meat enough to feed their armies with- ~* out calling upon the outside world. » “Most every one who has had any dealings with machin- ety knows about the liability of oily rags and waste that have been used for cleaning purposes to-ignite from spon- taneous combustion; but few are aware that sawdust, when soaked with oil drippings, will act in the same way. Sawdust is sometimes seen scattered over garage floors, but this practise should be prohibited, Sand is the safest for absorbing drippings. : The State Historical Society, Pierre, S. Dak., has come by school children in February, 1913, 173 years after- wards. The plate .was purchased by William O'Riley through a fund raised by subscriptions, aided by the State historical expense funds available for such purpose. - The largest dock cast of Suez has been opened at Singa- pore. Tt has an entire length of 89214 feet, a width of 400 feet at the entrance, and a depth, over the sill, at high water ordinary spring tides, of 34 feet, with 24 feet at extreme low water. This will, so far as can be seen, at _-present; anticipate any likely dreadnought requirements for some time to come. This huge dock can be relieved of ~ its 22,000,000 gallons of water in less than two hours by __ the pumping power. te ae er. A, Ath i 2 __ » Trwin Veigel, a clerk at Zimmerman’s grocery in Belleé ¥ille. Mo., found a‘snake thirty inches long in a bunch of bananas. A shipment of. bananas was received from New Orleans and delivered at the store a short time before the discovery was made. When Veigel went to pluck some nas from a bunch the snake poked out its head and ‘hissed at him. Veigel ran to the back yard with the bunch _ of bananas and killed the snake... Samuel Sansone, a Belle- yille fruit dealer, said snakes are frequently found in ship- ments of bananas, but this was the largest of the kind he = a He called: it a “boa constrictor.” ; gs ¥ e ' eae nN pe SS Sa Se ee FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. ‘CURRENT NEWS oe ' Director Hale; of the Mt. Wilson Observatory, re- ports in.a recent note that. at the close of the 1915 con- struction season the steel dome for the 100-inch reflector —the world’s largest telescope—was completely inclosed and in working order. The shipment of the tube, con- structed at the Fore River Ship Yards, has been delayed by the suspension of traffic via the Panama Canal. The parabolizing of the 100-inch mirror is now 85 per cent. complete. It is not now thought that the great telescope can be ready for use before the summer of 1917. Brazil has solved the dye problem, according to Frank G. Lopez, South American representative of a Detroit au- tomobile corporation. “There is no reason to worry about the dye situation,” said Mr. Lopez. “The vegetable dyes in Brazil will solve the problem. I have been in cotton factories in Brazil and have seen every possible attempt made ‘to boil out and otherwise eradicate the new vegeta- ble dye, but the color remained fast. The vegetable from which this dye is made is in unlimited supply. It would not be surprising to see it replace the German product. So far.as experts are able to determine, it does not injure fabrics.” An entire tree with bark in a splendid state of preserva- tion was uncovered sixty-seven feet helow the surface of the ground while workingmen were digging a shaft for a coal mine at Boone, Iowa. Towa arboriculturists have been unable to classify the wood as belonging to any tree now known. The tree, about six inches im diameter, lay squarely across the shaft and the workmen were forced to cut it in two places, the central portion only being re- covered. The theory is that the tree was thrown to the ground in a preglacial age awd was covered with water suddenly, the air being permanently shut out in this man- ner and deeay prevented. Concerning the reported failure of machine guns in the recent raid at Columbus, the commanding officer of the San Antonio Arsenal reported, ‘under date of March 14, . “Following report received from com- _ 1916, as follows: manding officer, machine-gun troop, 13th Cavalry, at Co- lumbus: “The reason for the jamming of the machine guns during the fight last Thursday morning was not the failure of the mechanism to function properly, but was due to the fact that the night was dark, and if was a very 19 difficult matter to load the guns. In loading the guns the. feed strip has to be inserted in a narrowslot or guide. If the strip is not inserted properly in this guide the gun will fire about five shots and will then jam. This hap- — _pened to two of my guns, as it was so dark that it was al- most impossible to get the strips in the slots. The other two guns did not jam and the execution they did showed the value of machine-gun fire. ‘The ammunition used was z not reloaded and had been manufactured ‘since 1910, The extractors are all model 1914” ”

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mee FE AME AN nD FORTU NE: eV 1 ERLY. | MAX AND HIS MILLION — Ls OR —— WORKING FOR THE WIZARD OF WALL STREET By ED KING (4. SERIAL STORY) CHAPTER XVII (continued) | windows and making sure that he was not observed, he Meanwhile the tug was making good headway, for the | proceeded to open that one on the seat. yt storm was all over, and the stars had come out in all their) And if the contents of that package bore any relation to glory. | the others Max had found another fortune. 7 Leaving Colonel Dickory to his own thoughts, Max went below, to see how things were running. Joe, meanwhile, had fallen asleep on the Jeather-cush- ioned seat up in the pilot-house. Max looked into the engine-room to find everything running smoothly. “We are getting along all right, sir,” said the engineer, respectfully. “So are we,” replied Max. “And it is up to you to keep it all right till we get to New York.” “Which I shall do, sir. I don’t want to get into no trouble, and lose my engineer’s license. Besides, I’m a third ewner in this tug.” “You'll not be troubled if you behave yourself,” said Max, and he went into the little cabin and lighted the lamp. _____ Here he stood for several minutes staring around. Max had got one of his queer fits on him. They often came to him. At such times it seemed as if he was not his own master, but that Mr, Coloney was di- Ps recting his movements. ” He felt that way now. It almost seemed as if he could hear the Wizard’s well- ; ¥ known voice speaking the words which kept running "9 through his head. _ “This is the place! This is the place! Look! Look!” » Max was looking now, but what for he didn’t know. A leather seat ran along both sides of the windows. Under this seat up in the corner were four buckets, and % as ‘Max’s eyes rested upon them the desire to know ‘what . was inside of them took possession of him. And yet it seemed so absurd. ~ “T’ve been catching some of Col. Dickory’s madness,” Max muttered. “I shall go daffy myself if I don’t look out.” ‘But, although he said it, a went over into. the corner, fi Matped: ‘down, and pulled out the buckets one by one. Three were empty, but in the fourth were several small ckages carefully tied up. ; 's heart was in his throat, so to speak. ‘He had not forgotten what he had overheard, although propose to postpone the telling of it till later. th eager hand he thrust all the packages into his one, and ei eee the There day a superb necklace of pearls and big diamonds of marvelous workmanship and immense value. Now, Max had not been a millionaire for some months - without learning something of the value of such things, “Brown’s son did have the diamonds, and he hid them ~ here “after he was captured, * he muttered hastily, tying, up the package again. Then he examined the other packages. . Talk of diamonds! Max had examined a lot, and parchased not a few since he became a millionaire, but he never had seen such a dis- play as this. Besides the diamonds fat were rubies, sapphires, em- eralds and other precious stones. k It was a fortune in itself. And yet Max had heard young Brown solemnly swear to his captors that he had left. the diamonds on board the steamer, because he feared that they would be confiseated — by the revenue officers. He had heard him make the most _ extray agant promises as. to what he would do for them after they were safely landed if they would only set him free, Max felt as if he had received a. tip. from the Wizard as he carefully stowed away the packages. Not a word did he say about his find either to Joe or Col! Dickory. RY In due time the Frances reached New York, and landed Max and his companions at an East River pier. The engineer and the deckhand each got their $50. ; Max gave Col. Dickory $100 as they walked down South . street. Go fix yourself up and meet me at my offios to-morrow at twelve o’clock and s ll see that you get back your money, he said. *: ' Col. Dickory accepted the loan and said good-by to they oy hoys. be ‘Max went to his hotel and Joe went home. Paes “Tired out for want of sleep, Max, after he had tied oy diamonds up in one paekage and given them to the hotel z clerk to put in the safe, turned in and slept until dinner- time. A In the-afternoon he called upon Susie, who was now liv. oy ing at a private hotel on West Fifth street much feapeate ed by the theatrical profession. ; ; AY This was ae to be a regular thing now. - =)

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ae j FAME AND FORT UNE WEEKLY. Bt Beals thing for Max to oceupy a box at the theater, but, Susie's $ particular request, he never went behind the _ He cut out the name of young Brown, however, and a mentioned the diamonds. _ Susie was immensely interested, and when Max told Ebi about Col. Dickory, and how she was the man who had “dropped the $200, 000, and how he was going: to get it _ back again next day, ihe arose and began to pace the floor. _ “Max, you are certainly a noble fellow,” she said, “and Tam just beginning to learn to appreciate you. When one _ gets on the stage one falls in with so many who—who— well, who are not your sort. I often wish—but there. What’s the use of talking about it? I want to tell you something. I have accepted an offer from the manager of the Cosmopolitan to star in the new piece ‘Whirligig,’ “which is to be put on next month.” “Susie! You don’t say so!” _ “Yes, it’s true. More than that; I have had a proposal _ of marriage, Max, and it comes from the man who owns The hot blood*scemed to, be all rushing to his head. ‘Now, we shall have to let out a state secret. _ Max had intended to put it off till the following Sun- day, but while. he sat there in the cabin. of the Frances _ looking at the diamond necklace he could not help thinking how it would look thrown over Susie’s neck, and—well, one thought led to another, until at last he had resolved do the deed. Max had noi made this Sunday afternoon tad without a Fie had come to propose. One can fancy his feelings then when he gasped out: Is that so, Susie? And what was your answer?” “Why. Max, what should it be? Do you know who owns the Yosmopolitan Theater ?” _ » “I don’t happen to be possessed of that information,” ‘replied Max stiffly. re “He is a widower, Max, but i is not so old.” ieh ?” ery rich. Non, with your million, aren’t knee-high e of his fortune, Max. Dear me! This room is warm, is it not? You really look quite flushed. me turn off the steam.” s Susie tormenting him for a “purpose ? x thought so. rose and took up his hat. “Not” going, Max?” asked Susie. “Yes: I have an engagement.” gout > sy want to know what I said in answer to the dee 5 4 you choose to tell igs Pk “hot particular.” “You, are very cross, though. I thought you would be nterested in my good Tuek,” “Jjid you get your” enphaiaent at the Cosmopolitan » this man?” tee I did, Max. Don’t you want to know what he is worth ?” Z “T don’t care what he is worth. “Wait, Max!” “Well, what is it now?” “Nothing. You are too gross." Call again when you aré good-natured, and I'll tell you all about my good luck. Good-by, Max.” There were tears in Susie’s eyes, hut Max was too blind to see them ashe said “Good- day,” and made a bolt for the elevator. : So it was all over? So Susie was engaged to marry a rich widower; some old bald-head of the front row; there were plenty of them in evidence every night when Susie appeared on the stage. Of course Max went down to the Cosmopolitan Theater. Being Sunday night, the place was closed, but the cigar | store next door was open. Max went in and invested a dollar. “Who owns the property next door ?” quired as he lighted a cigar. “Brown, the oil king,” was the reply. whole block Ug “That settles me,” thought poor Max. “Well, I don’t blame Susie. It is a chance of a lifetime. The man is worth between two and three hundred millions, while’ 2 9 Oh, sure! When Max sent up his card to Susie that afternoon he . felt quite the wealthy New Yorker, but, ah, how small his million seemed now as he walked on down Broadway, ” > cae 4 9 I’m going now. he casually in- “He owns the dear! What a difference money does make, to be CHAPTER XVIII. MAX TALKS BUSINESS WITH MR. BROWN. Of course, when Max came,to think matters over—and he took al! night to do it—he knew that he had acted like a fool. Still, he did not question for a moment that Susie had ac cepted Mr. Brown’s proposal. At the usual hour Max turned up the office, pavitiy? vag called at the Wizard’s Sunday night and received his tip sheet. Joe was on hand, looking none the worse for his ad- venture. “Did you attend to the matter I Spoke to you about ” Ae We asked Max, all business now. vs “Yes, sir,” replied Joe—there was no “Max” in the of- fice. “I went to the automobile place and they will send two men down to the hotel to bring back the runabout if it t a: is still there.” “All right,” said Max. shall write around to No. — Broadway, and get back as soon as: you can.’ Max sat down at his desk and, addressing Mr. Brows, wrote as follows: “Dear Sir—I have a matter of great intportance to com- municate to you. Please call at my office at 12 o'clock. “Yours truly, eS (To be ebisauels 2 “Now, take a letter which ra a

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ITEMS OF SAWED OUT OF HIS CELL. According to word received from Manchester, Ky a band of armed confederates surrounded the jail and kept the guards at bay while John D. Pace, under indictment - in the Clay Circuit Court on the charge of killing his father and stepmother, sawed his way through his cell bars and escaped. Pace was formerly a United States. soldier. A posse is pursuing him and his armed companions, who are thought to be in the wildest part of the mountains in Owsley County. AMAZING APPETITES. If a baby had the appetite of a young potato beetle it would eat from 50 to 100 pounds of food every 24 hours. Tf a horse ate as much as a caterpillar, in proportion to its size, it would consume a ton of hay every 24 hours. A caterpillar eats twice its weight of leaves every day; but a potato beetle devours every day at least five times its weight of foliage, every bit of which represents just Fe 80 much money to the farmer. . The most destructive of all insects, according to Tid- _ Bits, is the grasshopper, which, when in good health, con- sumes in a day ten times its weight of vegetation. No -_ wonder that whole districts are devastated by the millions of grasshoppers that go about in swarms. 5 A FREAK METEOR. .. A meieorite which fell in Zuiuland on Ang. 1, 1912, has been examined by Prof. Stanley and was found to consist almost entirely of nickel-iron alloy, and is there- 5 classed as a siderite ; it is coated with a skin of mag- netic oxide exhibiting flow lines and shows numerous “thumb marks.” An analytical investigation shows the presence of iron, nickel, silicon, sulphur,-carbon, phos- horus, aluminum, magnesium, platinum. and chlorine, the of the meteorite being composed of iron. The fall s'accompanied by an explosion which was heard for a t distance. and which was f@lowed by the sight of the dly-moving body, accompanied by a spiral trail of anda low, hissing crackling noise. A native w oman wly eseaped being struck by the missile. oR _ FINDS BURIED GOLD. fty dollars in gold, believed to have been buried in », Cal., more than twenty-five years ago, was discov- the the other day by Mrs. John Grey, wife of a shoe wiale seeking lily bulbs, turned up an old can, and ‘it, wrapped up in the remains of a handkerchief, an twenty-five years. a family by the ee s occupied the home. Mrs. Judkins: nown ried money, Die sg ioe a been pics FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. | thing more than reading the REPEATS, on the back weree? for the: fish to grow. Oy altel INTEREST The can contained one $20 and three $10 gold pieces. The can in which they had been placed was rusty and the — cloth which had been wound around the coins was de-— cayed and fell to pieces when handled. . ayes — LENGTH OF UNITED STATES COAST LINE, Mainly in connection with the problem of national de- * fense, inquiry is often made as to what is the length of the coast line of the United States. According to a state- — “ ment issued by the Governmental survey the answer to é this question is twofold, since it depends on the extent to. which the actual coast line is followed in making the measurement. There is a wide difference between a meas- e urement that takes into account only the general lines of ‘ the coast and one in which every little indentation is fol- — lowed. Measured along its general trend the coast line of — the United States and Alaska exceeds 11 ,500. miles, while . the detailed coast line measured as closely as possible on : large-scale maps is approximately 91,000 miles. On the same basis the general coast lines of the insular posses- ‘ sions and the Canal»Zone have a total length of about — 5,400 miles,and the’ detailed coast lines a total length somewhat in excess of 12,000 miles. GOLDFISH RAISED BY ACRES ‘ s Fish- -farming is more profitable than cattle- raising, in the opinion of Eugene Catte, of Langdon, Kan. He has’ ten acres of ponds given over to the raising of the shiny — little parlor fish. Millions of goldfish have been reared by Catte since he started in the business years ago, but the demand for goldfish continues to grow. one is a paying business when conducted. on a whol of. goldfish ponds as other farmers from their one dred-and-sixty-acre farms. In fact, the industry h grown to such proportions that Catte has turned his db grain farm over to his son in order that he himself may devote all of his time to the raising of goldfish. - Se Years ago Catte started a private fish hatchery on ‘ ; homestead he had taken up near the foot of the on) hills. He was able to convert some bogs and a s into a fish pond, says the Popular Science Monthly, w he began raising fish for the market. There soon sp) Now his business has grown to such an extent that h hatchery covers thirteen. acres and is composed of. ponds, ten of which are devoted to goldfish, Catte’s busy season begins in the autumn. Most. o time is spent in wading about in high rubber. boots, ing out. the marketable fish with his bare hands. no lazy man’s job. Goldfish farming consists in

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aes ee! be WY ere ae 4 efne -. s Ya *.. A ee * Ns , ~ ? ~ = < y rd . = 7 FAME AND FORTUNE, WEEKLY. - | 2 ‘ — OR— ' ’ ; 3 2 * By GASTON GARNE (A SERIAL STORY) . rc ah CHAPTER VII. (continued.) “Well? What you want?” was asked. . 3 This was Harry’s first visit to Chicago, although during} “I want to see Mr. Dorn.” © ; S year of apprenticeship he had visited other cities in| “That’s me. What is your business?” €: West. “I want to-ask you a few questions about nancleaenneee . F He was amazed at the great overgrown town, so- full | eugineers,” Harry replied. a business activity, and so little resembling the older} “Come in,” the man said. “I know about evety es of the East. mechanical engineer in Chicago. You have come to the ~The first thing he did was to copy off a list of the right shop for advice.” chanical engineers from the business directory. He touclied a spring somewhere, and a door in the par- 5 Phey © were all located within a stone’s throw of each| tition flying open, Harry walked into a room, the furnisl- ther in the immediate neighborhood of the City Hall, but ing of which caused him to open his-eyes. iy? hich should he choose? Hundreds of books, dozens and dozens of models, oveak As Mr. Longworth had made no suggestion as to how he| thing which indicated knowledge and skill in mechanical —— s to find his man, Harry felt that the intention was to | construction was crowded into this small space. itis ee him use his own head. “Sit down,” said the old German, for J. Dorn was-evi- Y fully realized that Mr. Longworth had no expecta-| demtly of that nation, ae me just what you wank ane ; on of getting the Dodgetown job, and this made it all I will help you if I can,’ ore necessary for him to get it if it was a possible pons dropped into a chair, very doubtful as to what ae + ’ ought to say. fe } “What I really need is a tip,” he said to himself, “and For all he could tell J. Dorn might be intimately ac- : J must hustle around till I get it—that’s all.” : quainted with Bunce & Co., and one injudicious word , e walked about for over an hour, but no tip came his| might spoil all his plans. ee . ee began to look serious. oe sf ae bo [f he was to be on hand in time to ‘be ready for business : state” i ald be necessary to start West by the afternoon train.| . CHAPTER - ’ a. once Harry, who was now walking through that rion of factories on the West Side, Jefferson, near Lake, HARRY FINDS HIS MAN. ened to catch sight of a sign displayed on the side a nee to a building where power was furnished to a} The first fhing which a young man of crude jadea m ent ay ber of small concerhs, which read as follows: would have done in a situation such as Harry Howe m found himself would have been to produce his card. This “J. DORN, Mechanical - Adviser.” _| was exactly what Harry did not do. at A i “My name is Howe,” he said. “I am from the Bast. t something so unusual that it attracted his atten-| have a big contract to figure on for my concern. — mee, and instead of pushing on to the big iron-| only their business‘ representative. The mechanical ¢ st ahead Harry determined to consult J. Dorn,|neer engaged to do the. figuring has gone back on 1 he came to this determina ed he could hardly | I want to engage enother. agen you cans the right man.” ecordin gly made his way up elie flights of dark} “What is the nature of the work ” asked Domiik seo and a: a rough, wooden door, which bore no “Masonry and steel construction. Further than orn’s printed on a big, white card.’ can’t’ say.’ 8 ALR: Se 1g sharply, and Harry, finding himself in a) , “Why not?” htop amt oar ‘paatisoned off from the rest of the room| “It is a case where there is son: te ~ com ‘ e was no one * gaa for a moment, un-| tion. I have to be on my guard.” : a _“T see. Is the job in mame soni ies rust around the corner “No. Further West.” ft ; Pe, Pose: Ast a

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24 “No; country.” “You are aware that it will be next to impossible to find a person who combines a knowledge we stone and iron construction 7” - “T am. I only want some one to fake off the figures from plans, These will be submisted to my proprietor. He will do the-rest.” “TI see. What you want is a competent: mechanical en- gineer who is not in the pay of any of our local ¢on- tractors, but entirely independent of them all?” “That is just it, Mr. Dorn.” “Well. [ can recommend you to the right man.” “T shall be obliged to you.” i “Tt will not be a matter of obligation. I’am not here for my health.” “Certainly not. What is your price?” “It may seem high, but I am thoroughly up in mechani- cal construction of all kinds. I am constantly being con- sulted by the leading master mechanics of this city on diffieult points.” ““You seem to be the sort of man to advise. yeu would answer my purpose yourself.” “No doubt I could fill the bill, but I am too busy to un- dertake any commission ont of town. -I can recommend a man who is a member of our Engineers’ Club, He is a graduate of one of the best technological schools in Ger- many. He has worked as a mason builder, and is also up in modern steel construction, He is surely your man.” “Tf am afraid not.” “Why do you say that?” 4 “He sounds too choice. Probably he is known to all hands in the contracting line.” _“That’s just where you are wrong. He has only been a year in Chicago. and during that time he has done noth- ing but to draw plans for me, He is hard-pressed for money and would undertake any job.” “That’s my man,” said Harry. “What’s your price for an introduction?” “Ten dollars.” “Cheap enough if he -fills the bill.” *“He will if you use him right.” “Tf he understands his business and won’t sell me out, ae that is all 1 ask, * replied Harry, handing out a ten-dollar bill, © “You can absolutely, rely upon him,” replied J. Dorn. ‘He took one of his business cards, and wrote across the Perhaps *~ pack, “Joseph Metz, 163 Randolph street, 9th floor.” “You are from New York?” he said, as he handed Harry the card. -. “Iam. How did you know?” “By your accent. ‘You'll hitch with Metz. He’s a New aie ‘Yorker who was sent abroad to study. He’s your man.” “It’s to be hoped+that he is,” thought Harry, as he left _ the office. “If I have to put in another day in Chicago T don’t know what I shall do.” He hurried back downtown, and a little later entered ; the office of Mr. Joseph Metz. aS ee smooth-faced young man of athletic build, with mere blue eyes and blonde hair, rose to greet him. _ Harry took a liking to him before he opened his mouth. was sent here by Mr. Dorn,” 2 said. Es ig FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. er a large Eastern contractor in a business way. I have to go West to-day to figure on a large’ construction con- tract. The engineer who was to accompany me to do the figuring went back on us at the last moment. I want to engage a man to take his place. Are you open to such a job?” “I am open to any job just at present,” replied young Metz, with a pleasing smile. “What sort of a contract IBLit p* “Stone foundation work and steel construction.” “Tam up in both. What might your name be?” “My name is Howe, but before we go any further I want to say that this matter is an important one. My firm is in close competition with a certain concern in this city who have a habit of getting every job they figure on. Until we are actually started I cannot even tell you where this : job is and aa “And. you are taking no chances on me selling yeu out~ to the enemy?’ laughed Metz. “You needn’t be afraid. I’m not that sort. Probably Dorn told you as much be- fore you started to look me up?” “He did.” “Very well; All I ask is the name of your firm, as a matter of good faith.” _ . “That is right. Here is the card.” “Longworth, the bridge builder! Co. are the people you fear?” ~ “That’s true.” ' “You are dead right to be cagey. Bunce is a rascal. You know he is now, under indictment for bribing the Board of Aldermen in this town, I suppose?” = “T hadn’t heard that, but I am not surprised,” “He’s no friend of mine,’ I assure you. Now, Mr. ~ Howe, you will have to trust me or not, as you please, but is if you do trust me you won’t regret it.” “Do you think you can figure a bridge job?” : “T ean take off the figures from the plans and make an” approximate estimate on cost of material. Of course, the” price of your skilled labor and the cost of material rests with yourself, m4 i “That’s all right. And your terms?” is They were named, and Harry at once acceded to them. — Without knowing where he was going, the young engi- neer agreed to meet Harry at the Canal street station in ~ time for the three o'clock train over the Northwestern, ; and did. Harry had the Pullnfan seats for Guiths all eigseia aS He was able to get a section—No, 8—and here the porter _ disposed of their dress-suitcases and other belongings.» By the time the dining-car was put on, the two eey men had. become most friendly. Joe Metz was full of anecdotes of his German expen riences, and Harry was an excellent listener. One thing he liked about Joe was the absolute “ae a ‘ : curiosity he displayed. Even when the conductor took up _ ‘|the tickets, instead of trying to catch a glimpse of them, = as another would have done, he turned his head away. When the dining-car was hitched on Harry ers a” supper, and the ‘boys passed forward. (To be continued) ae Ah, I see. Bunee & rs

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FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. 23 a E SSS SS , 2 _ Stringent regulations for motorcyclists have been put _ in force hy the police of Rio de Janeiro, capital of. Brazil. _ Candidates for motorcycle licenses must stand examina- "i tion consisting of three parts—two oral examinations on _ the mechanism of motor-propelled vehicles, traffic signals, and police regulations, and a practical demonstration of _ the operation of such vehicles under the direction of the - examination board. _ The Indian art of making arrowheads is being practised “by white men, who use them for commercial purposes and ~seJl them as old and genuine. The flint is not chipped with stone or metal, as you may have imagined, but with ‘Water. An Indian wishing to make an arrowhead held a piece of flint in fire until it was sizzling hot, then al- lowed a drop of water to drip from a stick upon the spot ~ : flint chip off at once. The only cunning necessary in the art was the shaping of the arrowhéad, and so it was not ; so difficult 'a thing as most white mem imagine. at = . - One of the old-time cures for “sweeney” shoulders on horses was brought to mind in Ravenna, Neb., by the death of Ernest Skochdopole’s faithful old driving horse. ‘Twenty-three years ago the shoulder of this horse was lanced and a new dime placed in the wound to cause the flesh to grow hack in natural form. A small lump on the _ Shoulder always remained, and recently, after the horse ~ had died, this Jump was cut open. Aside from being black in color, the coin-was not disfigured. The date— 1892—is as plain as on.a new coin. The owner regards the coin as a valuable relic, having placed it in the wound himself and thereafter having faithful service from the horse for more than a score of years. - Results of a scientific investigation of the capacity of birds -to destroy insects were announced recently at the University of Wisconsin by A. R. Cahn, assistant in the _ zoological laboratory. A Virginia wren, weighing half a poutid, showed a remarkable ability for devouring pests. ‘one day the bird ate 144 small ‘insects, 12 grasshop- , 12 meal worms, 3 water bugs, 1 water scorpion 3 long, 1 caterpillar and 15 flies. The second day it live hornets, 1 crawfish 2 inches long, 1 frog 114 long and 1 grass snake 8 inches long. The snake the bird some worry. But after the bird had tried it times to swallow the snake alive it finally killed the ile and gulped it down. In the two days the bird ate than its own weight. > 4 = fhe marshy waters of Bera and Rastro in South Amer- re filled with! thousands of électric eels, which can at re discharge from every part of their’slimy, yellow el bodies a deadening shock. ‘This species of eel is e or six feet in length. lt is powerful enough to * ie ee TIMELY TOPICS he wished to chip away. The sudden cooling made the, kill human beings,.and the largest animals when it dis- charges its nervous organs at one shock in a favorable di- rection. Tt was once found necessary to.change the line of road from Urituca across the steppe, says the Chicago Herald, owing to the number of horses which, in fording a certain rivulet, annually fell a sacrifice to these gym- noti, which had accumulated there in great numbers. All other species of fish shun the haunts of these creatures: Even the angler, when fishing from the high bank, is in” dread lest an electric shock should be conveyed to him along the moistened. line. - One of the most remarkable wells in Oklahoma is owned by J. C. MeSpadden, at Tahlequah. This well not only furnishes an abundance of pure water,,almost ice-cold in the summer time, but it affords a supply of chilled air, which is utilized for a cooling plant that keeps the Me- Spadden home cooler on the hottest day than any summer 3 resort within a thousand miles. It is a freak well all around. When the well was sunk it was for a cistern. When about fifty feet deep the bottom broke through, revealing a sort of cavern, in which there was a tremen- dous flow of ice-cold water. Apparently this is an inex- haustible supply, for the well was sunk years ago and the water has remained at the same level ever since. Taking advantage of the freak well’s supply of cold air, McSpad- den sealed the top of the well with a concrete cap and placed pipes in it. Through one of these he draws his wa- ter supply. Through the others he draws a supply of cold air that is piped through every room of his six-room house. “The barbed wire we use in this country for preventing the incursions of trespassers into private properties is bad ~ enough,” says the Army and Navy Gazette, of London, ~~ “but the Germans have, we believe, produced something. of a very much more searching character, through which, unless absolutely destroyed by bombardment, it is quite impossible for our soldiers to make their way; while it is a work of no small difficuity to drag aside even the loose strands.which the most efficacious of bombardments leave in front of the German trenches. We haye lately been shown certain gauntlets, the fruit of some invention which consists of a method of so treating cotton wool as to ren- der it wholly impervious to sharp points, and having as- sumed these gloves we grasped some German barbed wire of the most evil kind, and have permitted ourselves to be. dragged about the room without experiencing any discom- fort whatever in our hands thus protected, or indeed auy’ inconvenience at all except that resulting from a violent, unusual and unpleasing form of exercise. These 8.0.8. gauntlets—the initials standing for ‘Save our skin!——— seem just the thing for the use-of our men at the front; they cost six shillings per pair, and at a small extra charge can be had specially insulated against electrically charged wire.” ' 1% eS

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r 26 FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. ” NEW YORK, APRIL 21, 1916. TERMS TO SUBSCRIBERS MONBY-—At our risk send P. 0. Mi i Order, Cheek Frank Tousey, Publisher 168 West 23d St., N. Y. GOOD CURRENT NEWS ARTICLES - - Burt McQuilkin, an armless man, of Terre Haute, Ind., was arrested by the police here recently and sent to jail on a charge of forgery. The police allege McQuilkin wields the pen with his teeth. George Crowell, stage driver on the route from Austin to Potts, Nev., is authority for the statement that his team was stalled on the home trip at Hot Springs, east of Spen- _ eer’s, by an arny of jackrabbits. He said they resembled a ‘drove of sheep and leaped into the tall sage when finally a scared away. ae. Bes Sir Thomas Lipton, in a letter to the Essex Yacht Club, says he hopes to compete next year for the America’s Cup. Sir Thomas Lipton in 1913 built the yacht Shamrock IV., 2 which was to have raced off Sandy Hook the following ~ year with the America’s Cup defense } yacht Resolute. The Shamrock IV. arrived in New York shortly after the out- break of the war, but the races were postponed and the _ challenger was housed in a Brooklyn shipyard, where she ; ae { el “rhs debate in the Senate on Match 17 for the increase of the cadets at the United States Military Academy, yrought out the fact that in order to provide for the new cadets. practically doubling the present strength of the ‘corps, it will be necessary to put three in a room and mess them in two shifts. The increments, however, will- be out over four years at the rate of 106 a year, so eas will be time to make improyements and addi- a to the barracks if it seems desirable. “Clinton Cyester has completed his twenty-fifth year as a motorman on the Dayton city lines. This is a record Boe continuous service by an Ohio motorman. It is es- imated that if all Cyester’s trips were put in one stretch, ; d now be approaching Dayton on his fortieth trip the world. It is figured that to date Cyester has 996,540 miles. During the twenty-five years he late to work twice and was laid off once for run- ; Ste... He was reprimanded once for bump- Pee is 100 pes wat, Fame and Fortune Weekly , ear for a while and oblige his mother. if to take something valuable from ae and that Th. Ato be : “ t D Australia, with a population of 5,000, 000 to draw apes: PS as contributed to the British forces in this war 245,000 _ men, of whom 140,000 are at the front. William Hughes, Labor Premier of the Commonwealth, told a correspondent of the New York Sun, who interviewed him in Ottawa on his way to London, that “Australia has been able to do what she has because as the cornerstone of her democratic edifice she has a system of compulsory military training. It was only in this way that we were able to turn out the officers and non-commissioned officers we required to equip and command our forces. No nation can remain free unless its citizens are willing to sacrifice something E to keep it free. It is not enough to be willing to defend the country; citizens should be able to defend it. We can- — not wholly trust to volunteers, Ability to defend home and country is the primary duty of citizenship. And bia i should people be not educated in this duty?” oJ GRINS AND CHUCKLES = Ikey (who has been reading)—Fader, can anybody ge re : rich beyond der dreams of afarice? His Father—I ink not, Ikey. Afarice vos a putty good dreamer. a Customer—What made the old guy so sore? Boy—He’s z nutty, I guess. He wanted two dog biscuits, and I only asked him if he’d take ‘em: or have ’em wrapped up. return the diamond ring. Stingerly—Well, you’ve had it six months, and as diamonds have dropped 10 per cou can’t you inclose a‘check for the balance? ° Miss Chyckover—Since our engagement is off I < bs aa 2 Wife—Why did you tell the Jensons that you avers me because I was such a good cook, when you know that I x can’t even boil 4 potato? Hubby2_I had to give some ex- cuse, dear, and I didn’t know what else to say. * Gothamite—I hear you have a Vassar graduate ee i cook. Isn’t it rather expensive? Harlemite—Not very. She works for her board and clothes. Gothamite—Y Vhy, J how does she come to do that? Harlemite—She’s my wife. -. : " , “The best life-preservers are made of cork, are not?” observed the hardware drummer. “Not to any g extent,” replied the gentleman from Kentucky. “The one I ever saw was made of glass, with a cork i in one of it.” A mother sent this somewhat satirical note to the tea of her small con: “Pardon me for calling your attenti to the fact that you have pulled Johnnie’s right ear u it is getting longer than the other. Please pull = se Aa - Mand—Do you believe in signs? Dick—Sure! WI ever I see three gold balls in my path, I know I’m m to receive money from a strange man, and that he’s yo fe

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NO DUEL. By John Sherman Years ago Rochefort was the chroniqueur of the Figaro. ‘Some one introduced him to the author of “La Dame ~Camelias.” “Ah, monsieur !” cried Alexander Dumas, “I have just deen reading your chroniques. What a talent you have!” 2 After such a commendation from such a mouth, a ench writer can commit a great many follies without ng favor. There is one other peculiarity” of Rochefort’s character of which the French people give him the benefit as of an _extenuating character. In the midst of universal skepticism, he has always been | fanatical believer in the family, showing a passionate tenderness for his children, which gave him a unique place among Paris newspaper men. _ When, in 1869, he had taken refuge in Belgium, afar ~ from that boulevard which was his life, it was his love his daughter that made him an exile. The story is a forgotten one, and was very badly told the time. » oe eo Of the four persons who knew the truth, Rochefort has lever deigned to open his lips; Victor Noir-was murdered soon after by Prince Pierre Bouaparte ; Rochette, the inier, in prosecuting Rochefort in the courts of the em- e) gave a version of the facts that was favorable to him- alloy red to testify on the trial. __ But he has told the story since, and here it is as we _ hare it from his own lips: aa At that time the first nine numbers of the Lanterne had «Its Setamiahing success had brought into the field a hun- d would-be rivals that lacked nothing’save Rochefort’s overeign popularity and nerve to achieve a like fortune. One of these ephemeral publications was the Inflexible, which men of the passe police abused Rochefort as the ‘orst of malefactors. ae “One of the writers was. Marchal, called De Bussy, who ~ died drunk in an alleyway. f ‘The other writer was a Pole, a Count de Stamirowski, mnown as Stamir. s Dingy fellows, the pair of tien One morning Victor Noir and Blavet, who were then ng for the Figaro, were eating breakfast together at urant. nly, his face pallid, -his eyes ‘starting out of his} chefort burst into the room. avy > In his hand he held the last number of the Inflexible. “Read mre ee to his two friends in a sharp, cu- _ riously jer As they 3 he ad, te bed mounted to their foreheads, d disgust to their lips... The paper, was one Tong, =a diatribe against ip ort’s daughter, a child of twelve years. -- “When I or NY Aes so pret “to the face of AS FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. ee fund the fourth, M. Blavet, a Paris journalist, was not! 27 the, father stricken by so cowardly a blow, I was fright enefl. | His eyes glared like those of a maniac.’ : “<What are you going to do? we asked, Noir and I, in a breath. “What am I going to do? Rochette.’ “Kill Rochette! You are not in earnest? He is only. the ignorant publisher of these infamies. It is the an- thors who deserve an exemplary punishment—not their tool.’ “<TY cried Rochefort; “I compromise myself with these policemen, these escaped convicts! I cross my sword with their poniards! I sign: for them, even in their own blood, a certificate of respectability! Never! Iam going to kill Rochette.’ ” ‘ Say what they would, they could not budge him from this resolution. When his rage was a little calmer, they said: “You want to kill him with all the forms and cere- monies, so as not to expose yourself to the enemies who spy your every action, We will be your seconds.” Rochefort consented on condition that the duel should be an immediate one. The three men jumped into a carriage and were landed at the publisher’s, Boulevard Mont Parnasse. | Rochefort by this time had recovered his sang-froid, and almost smile as he climbed the stairs. After some minutes the printer, who had been notified by his foreman of the visit, made his appearance—a tough- looking fellow, solid as a Hercules, six feet high. Victor Noir was no baby, but he looked like one by the side of him. The Colossus came in smiling obsequiously. “Monsieur,” said. Rochefort, without any preamble, - “my name is Henri Rochefort. I need not explain my errand.” ¢ His voice was clear and firm. = ; “T confess,” stammered Rochette, “that I do not com- oh prehend eas “You are going to comprehend,” interrupted ‘Rochefort, Ri turning pale. “Do you acknowledge having printed in Parbleu, I am going to kill the journal, the Inflexible, of which you are the responsi- ‘it ble conductor, an article insulting Mile. Roheeee a “Certainly. What of it?” < aha “What of it? Mlle. Rochefort is my daughter. Do yon BS accept the responsibilities for these infamous calumnies?” 3 “T accept the responsibility for everything I print.” i “In that ease,” went on Rochefort, who was making a == terrible effort to restrain himself, “if you are a‘man of ee honor, and I hope you are, things will go on’ i Your place, your hour, your weapons.” i Rochette gave a great laugh. e, “Oh, it’s a duel you're after, is it?” ere), “Unless it is a contre danse.” Rochefort began to™look dangerous again. “But, my dear sir, you overlook a detail, which T Sui to bring to your notice. I am a Spaniard, and in my | country we do not understand the duel excepi body: 5. body, knife to-right hand, mantle ow left.” ‘ Re “That's all one to me—knife, dagger, poniard, cannon— I’m your man. Let us go down to the street and page it *| out without any more delay. és .

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28 Rochette did. not laugh any longer. He stammered some unintelligible words, “Yes or no?” shouted Rochefort. “Will you, give me satisfaction for those lies gure by you about my daugh- ter ?”? ___ A timid “No” was the response of the demoralized Her- cules. Tt had barely been uttered when a vigorous slap fell on Rochette’s mouth. “Ah! Monsieur Rochefort,” said the giant, supporting himself against the wall, “that was not right.” The three journalists laughed. Rochefort quietly drew out a card. “Tf that slap of mine hurts you, monsieur, you can come for a’ plaster whenever you please.” Eight days later Rochefort was condemned, on the un- supported testimony of Rochette, to a four months’ im- prisonment. He fled to Brussels and the house of Victor Hugo. ‘ - _ ro re 2 THE ROBBER’S DAUGHTER. Mexico is my native land, having been born in the city of Monterey, State of Nuevo Leon. I was but an infant _ when the American army invaded our country, and my father was an officer in the Mexican army. He was cap- tured at Monterey, and sent to the United States. My mother, with myself—an infant—accompanied the pris- oner. A few weeks’ sojourn among the Americans so infatuat- ed him with the people, that he resolved never to return to his native Mexico. My mother died, and he married an American lady. I grew to manhood, knowing but very little of my native land, and at the age of twenty-three resolved to travel _ over that strange and but little known country. My father _ had died the vear before, leaving me considerable property, and, having completed my education, I concluded that I could not spend a few months better than ‘in my proposed - journey. ‘Consequently, the fifteenth day of April, 1870, found me _in the city of my birth, Monterey. It was the evening after my third day in the city, that I was walking down a very dark street. “Senor Americano,” said a sweet voice at my side, and - looking around, I beheld a pair of the most lovely black eyes looking at me through the gathering gloom. “Senorita,” said I, with all the Spanish I could retain - from my father’s early teaching, “it is rather dark for you _ to,be alone; are you not afraid?” _ #4No, senor; I have no fear when I see a brave, good American on the street.. I had fear until I saw you.” “Shall I see you through this dark street to your home, senorita?” said I, with my acquired gallantry. " _, “$i, senor, do; you are, very good,” she replied. % ' After an hour's tortuous windings among streets, alleys eg and crossing plazas, when I was on the point of abandon- ing» my fair companion and returning to my hotel, she "paused abruptly before a large two-story adobe house. : _A heavy oaken door opened at the'touch of my compan- - ion, and, with a bland smile, she invited me in, declaring I soe | smoke a cigarette with her. I had also dis-! “ 4 t Riis: | FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. covered that it was no uncommon thing for Mexican ladies to smoke. ‘Being full of adventure, and also struck with the per- sonal beauty of my new acquaintance, I accepted the in- | Vitation. She soon brought in a large waiter on which was a bottle of wine and two dainty glasses. She filled the glasses and offered one to me, while she” raised the other to her lips. I had observed something slip from the palm of her hand into the glass, which in reality first aroused my suspicions that I might be in trouble. T had heard that Miguel Riaz, the noted Mexican robber, had female decoys, and this might be one of his traps. She finally retired with the wine and returned with seme grapes and cakes, but I refused to eat, and I saw her brow begin to flush with anger. “Senor!” she cried, stamping one beautiful little foot on the floor, “you are clownish—you despise my hospitality; you shall repent it.” “How, senorita?” I asked, with a smile at her rage. “With your life; my friends shall kill you for this in- sult !” i “Aha, my beauty!” said I, “your friends may get in trouble. Miguel Riaz even would have no terror te an Americanized Mexican.” . “We will see, sir; lay down your watch, diamond-pin, — and money on that stand, and run for your life!” “Who are you that make such a demand?” said I, arising — to my feet, becoming realy alarmed. “Donna Maria’ Riaz. the daughter of the robber Miguel.” “Well, senorita, I am not going to be robbed by ais woman,” I replied, firmly. “Then. sir, the men can do it, and your blood be on your own head.” She placed a silver tube to her mouth and — blew a shrill blast. : There was a rush of feet, and I snatched a six-shooter from my side pocket. The curtain at the center parted, — and two fierce-looking men, armed with knives, entered. — Two more appeared at the window, which swung open at their touch. With a yell the two with daggers sprang at me. IT : threw my pistol forward and fired. One fell dead, and the other paused and turned to fly. Leveling my pistol at him, I fired again. At the moment my finger touched the — trigger the beautiful girl sprang forward to strike the — weapon from my hand. At the same moment one of the — villains at the window fired his pistol at me, and the ball aimed at my heart struck her in the head. With a cry she 5 fell, and, turning to the open window, with two shots I — cleared it, and, leaping out in the street, ran on, until I Y had put the robber’s house two miles behind me. en ' i} I reached. my hotel that night, which, by the way, was a owned by an American, and retired, but too much iy to sleep. ~ The next morning I took the landlord into my confi- dence, and related my adventure to him. He set about finding out the real result of it, and agreed to inform cat by letter. While at Vera Cruz the letter came, inf me eae Maria Riaz had died of the accidental wound, and the shot I had given her father in the back, as he sre me, had also proved fatal.

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FAME “AND FORTUNE WEEKLY. 29 NEWS OF THE DAY a ¥ On February 14th the Bell Telephone Company suc-|centrated horizontal thrust of 660 pounds at the top of : : cessfully opened the Montreal-Vancouver telephone line. | cach section of fence. 4 line is 4,227 miles long as compared to the 3,400 2A dl Sie DAH as arts es of the New York-San Francisco line. The Montreal-| * ey Y) , ‘ % a sere ‘ ; Robert Si irtv-five “ves P +e Ce | : ancouver line does not run direct through Canada, but; ,... ti sa bat nil : ae Sane ers - t Ts as facing a physica ak 7: st Tali. i nstead for the greater part passes throrugh the United} gq job hold ie "ee nthe ao s Pat ie o q | ; 1 : a 2 4 é y first prescription,” decide . ‘Siam’s new railway, t Ss ag er r slq : “i pF CTe . ay, the Siamese Southern, now has} So he started walking. Not to any destination in particu- 9 miles railway lafic ich: 120: werd NS See : reg: 89 pr of , railw ay open ae traffic, of which 120 were| lay, but just jogging along as far as he felt like going opened curing the past year. The total length of the line,| every day. H wd rhea ale ind : Recently 1 Selchine Fianck a masta OS on ry day. He started to walk in August. _ Recently he ‘incl nding branches, will be 740 miles, leaving 351 miles} arrived at San Die Cal ¥ ‘ PUP jee aay to be buil hs : ut 4S tarrived at San Diego, Cal., having walked 3,384 miles m ee: still to be built, When completed the line will shorten | that + sas Sie 3 : 7 she ti : ; by 4 ie ; hat time. His prescription of fresh air, along with the the time required for mail to reach Siam from Europe by | a¢¢ e aehiatt ; ‘ ree-or fouredays 3 +f PUTA: ,» | secompanying exercise, has worked wonders, and his. ur days, and the JOUFHED rom’ tne “port of Pe-| weight has gone up fifteen pounds. It’s all solid bone and ~ ng to Bangkok, capital of Siam, which now consumes ga est : <j “to eight days on the water, will take two and a hal muscle, too, now. Sindt has become a devotee of walking Aes eR WAS ? sg 9 and a half}and has started out on a new trip to Washington, D.C. — He pays his own way and adopts none of the minor grafts. rhee . ; P usually employed by professional pedestrians. While on ; aa ilustrating ths 2 capt caring for the teeth| his long jaunt Sindt made a study of the effects of various of the soldiers stat ue . whic ry become one of the| foods and he has arrived at the conclusion that the old- nost serious medical pro : ents ; the war, it is worth| fashioned staple—beans—just about tops the list in the — ss e to khow that an Dg} olce as been started in Lon-| way of affording nutriment. He drinks a great deal of don to check the drafting o ental surgeons, it being al-| water every day. He sleeps in the open air most of the == Jeged that the scarcity of them is having a harmful effect' time : : , a aah : ope aan, sli iG is ponies PREMIUMS GIVEN AWAY | ock of the next.generation will Do you want any of the ‘following articles? rendered inefficient. Command- r officers abroad have found that. Idiers with bad. teeth are as rthless as soldiers with sore feet roken arms. A soldier with teeth cannot chew his food Devil’s Card Trick—Mysto Leaping Cards—Mysto Fade-Away Card Trick ; is subject to disease. —Mysto pisapuesring Spots—Mysts Startling Card Trick Spotter Card | | Trick—Mysterious Phantom Card Trick—Canadian Wonder Card Trick~ J Flutophone—Changing Money Trick Box—Little Rip Tenpins—Creeping yee Mouse — Snapper Cigar— The Dropped Egg— Fortune Teller Game — ce fies Hunter Game—Magic Key Puzzle—Nail Puzzle—Elk Head Puzzle—Star and } Crescent Puzzle—Heavy-Weight Pencils—Wire Puzzle. i ‘It Will Not Cost You A Cent To Get One | pdt Tee Italy has just completed a line fences to protect its railway be- een Termoli and Campobasso avalanches of snow. This way runs through a mountain- -disttict to the east of the mines wheré the snowfall in er is so heavy and the moun- ~ WE PUBLISH THE FOLLOWING WEEKLIES: “WILD WEST WEMELY S PFAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY” “SECRET SERVICE ‘ _'76,.” “HAPPY DAYS,” ‘AND “MOVING PICTURE STORIES.”. Ask five of your friends to each give you a nickel for a copy of any of the above Weeklies, When you have 25 cents, send it to us with the names and addresses of the five subscribers. Also send us your name and address, 2 mention the premium you have selected. We will then mail the Weeklies |: your friends and the premium to you. ; eee Soi RS The tricks’are the best made, very mystifying, and give no end of amus: ment. Any one of them is worth the price asked for the five subscriptio Address FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher _ 68 WE T ‘358 STREET aS aha baa gies : “ a i down and fill. the row-fence is described - News as being d_conerete posts hes apart and anks slid- <

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La LONGEST TUNNEL IN UNITED STATES. The Rogers Pass tunnel, which is five miles long, has been holed through and now supplants the Hocsac Tunnel in Massachusetts. as the longest tunnel on this Continént, exceeding the latter by about a quarter of a mile. The Rogers Pass tunnel is notable also for the manner in which it was built and the rapid rate at which the work was advanced. with the main tunnel, but about 50 feet from it, explains , Popular Mechanics. From these drifts, crosscuts were “driven to the center line of the main tunnel and from these the main headings were driven. By this means the work was greatly expedited. In July, 1915, the two apart, and from these points the main headings were driven forward, meeting December 19, the average ad- vance for each main heading having been 520 feet per month. : BUTTONS MADE OF MILK. — Although it seems a far cry from milk to buttons, glue, _ shee polish, artificial silk and medicine, these are only a few of the many products upon which, with milk as the Ay Taw material, the chemists of to-day are building up new _. industries, according to latest reports on chemical produc- (Hone y ‘Starti g with raw milk, says the San Franciseo Chroni- utter fat. The addition of weak acid to the fat-free _brings about the precipitation of the substance ein, valuable as a food, and used in the various pro- cesses ‘as the base from which the final product is ob- = What the final nature of this substance is, apart chem the different percentages of its components, the ists themselves do not know. tt is often treated with an alkali, the vest ltnant “onl ance being a plastic mass which forms the basis for many ieee: In its thick form it is mixed with marble dust and hydroxide of strontium, forming a very hard drying mix- ) », Which | finds application in the making of chessmen, T cups ‘and ‘toys. BOY MAKES OWN GLASSES. Gu fact that his parents could not afford-to buy glasses him did not prevent a six-year-old boy who was -ad- ed to wear glasses by a school inspector employed by Board of Health, Tadindypsile Ind., from supplying with a pair to relieve nearsightedness. When the was advised to wear glasses by the school inspector when his parents told bared they could not afford to 2m he made a pair. oke the bottom ont of ‘a milk bottle and obtained sae nt ‘He then obtained a quantity =f puna fram arse wie the nee: Two pioneer tunnels were driven parallel. ‘pioneer headings were stopped when less than’ a mile gs the first step in all these processes is to get rid of the FAME” AND™ beh eke WEEKLY. INTERESTING ARTICLES. ee nee Sey 4 ap and when it gets very bad she hides her head with ‘ples haye similar beliefs, the woman and child someting . a A ts was studying he found him wearing the home-made spec- _ tacles. pts te The glasses were confiscated and taken to the office of ithe City Board of Health. ‘The boy was sent to an op- ” tometrist and will be supplied with kes ee the fund | the health board has for that purpose. . Herman G.— Morgan, city sanitarian, said the boy’s name would not — be made public, because it is the policy of the board to do everything possible in order not to embarrass parents in q such cases, : 7: of LEGENDS ABOUT THE MOON. world regarding the dark pb in the moon’s disk. In — the eastern part of Alaska the spots are believed to be a tabbit or a hare; the Chinese look upon them as a hare sitting up and pounding rice in a mortar. Most of tie Siamese take the same view. Some few, however, see i the moon a man and woman working in a field. Curio ly enough, the North American Indians have almost th same superstition as the Chinese, and on old monuments — in Central America the moon appears as a jug or vessel, out of which an animal somewhat like a rabbit is jump- — NG ing. 3 The South American Indians, on the other hand, be lieve that a girl who had fallen in lové with the moon — 3 sprang upward toward it, was caught and held by i s : and that it is her figure which is seen on the moore a face. The Samoan Islanders look on the spots as represent a@ woman carrying a‘child, and many other Southern being altered.into an old woman bearing a burden on her — back. The Eskimos have, an original. superstition. They say that one day Aniga, the moon, chased his sister, th sun, in wrath. Just as he was about to catch her, hoi ever, she suddenly turned around and threw a great he ful of soot in his face, and thus escaped him, and of tl soot he bears the traces to this day. ra The: inhabitants of Northwestern India, who acco for the moon’s monthly disappearance by eines she is burnt up regularly and replaced, by a fresh x explain the dark spots by saying they are See ashes the former moon. Other nations explain her disappearance in 1 varie ways, says the Spokesman Review. The Dakota haye it that she is eaten up by mice ; the Polynesian su stition is that the souls of the dead feed'on her; 2 ing to the Hottentots, the moon suffers from heads hand and covers up her face from the gaze of the w the Eskimos maintain that after shining for three she gets tired and hungry and withdraws to tak enormous meal | after their own ee and |

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Almost anyone can learn it . ome, Small cost. Send to-day 2-cent s..up for Ay culars and proof. O. A. SMITH, Room 147, 823 Bigelow St., Peoria, Ill. GLASS PEN.—Patent glass pen, with nice @ip, writes like any ordinary pen; each put up in wooden box. Price, 10c., postpaid, WOLFF NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. ¥. THE JOKER’S CIGAR. The biggest sell of the sea- son. A real cigar made of " tobacco, but secreted in the aus center of cigar about one-half 2:0" inch from end is a fountain hae of sparklets. The moment ‘tue’ the fire reaches this fountain 7° hundreds of sparks of fire burst forth in every direction, te the astonishment of the smoker. The fre is stage fire, and wil! not burn the skin or clething. After the fireworks the victim can centinue smoking the cigar to the end. Price, l0c.; 3 tor 25e; 1 dozen, 90¢., mailed, post~ ‘K SMITH, 383 Lenox Ave., N. Y. THE FRIGHTFUL RATTLESNAKE! To all appearance it isa harmless piece of coiled | paper with a mouth- = piece attachment, but upon placing it to one’s mouth, and blowing into the tube, an imita- | tion snake over twa feet in length springs out of the roll like @ flash of Hghtning, producing a whistling, flut- tering sound that would frighten a wild In- @ ‘guarantee our rattlesnake not to bite, but would not advise you to play the — on timid women or delicate children. h snake packed in a box. Price, 100.; 8 for 25e., mailed postpaid. WOLFF NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. ¥ DANGER ELIMINATED ef SAFETY FIRST ATCH LIGHTER PRICE - - $1.00 CAN BE USED AS A CANDLE, TORCH OR LAMP. RECOMMENDED TO THE THEATRICAL PROFESSION. AS A MAKE-UP LAMP. VALUABLE IN HOME, OFFICE, OR STUDY. A light is produced by pressing a key at the right, as shown in the illustration. Release the key and the light is automatically extinguished. Absolutely Positive in Operation There is a quick, detachable ash receiver at the base— tasy to clean, and which prevents spilling. Try a Lighter for 30 Days If it is not satisfactory, return it, and we will cheer- fully refund your money. To savers of trading stamps and coupons: A Nomatch Lighter can be redeemed for the following coupons or trading stamps: SPERRY & HUTCHINSON 500 stamps UNITED CIGAR STORE 500 coupons or 100 certificates SCHULTE CIGAR STORE 500 coupons or 100 certificates Remit by express or post money order. Currency can be sent by registered mail. The Nomatch Manufacturing Co. 271 Breadway, New York City, New York WE WANT YOU TO READ |“Moving Picture Stories” “A Weekly Magazine devoted to Photoplays and Players @ PRICE 5 C ISSUED EVERY FRIDAY BEAUTIFUL COLORED COVER DESICNS New portraits of actors and actresses e EVERY NUMBER CONTAINS Absolutely the finest little publication on the news-stands ENTS A COPY w ° THIRTY-TWO PAGES FINE HALF-TONE FRONTIGPIECES Get a copy of this weekly magazine and see what Kis ee oe based on the latest and best films, each profusely illustrated with fine half-tones of scenes in the Plays. _ | Photographs and Biographies of the most celebrated Photoplay actors and actresses. | Special Articles relating to Moving Pictures, written bf 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 you write. Poems, Jingles, Jests and every bright feature calculated to interest both young and old. GET A COPY NOW ‘rom your newsdealer, or send us 5 cents in money or postage stamps, and we will mail you the latest number issued “MOVING PICTURE STORIES,” Inc. (168 West 23d Street New York

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SECRET OERVICE OLD AND YOUNG KING BRaAby,DETECTIVES. FRANK TOUSEY, PUBLISHER, 168 WEST 23D STREET, NEW YORK No. 900. NEW YORK, APRIL 21, 1916. Price 6 Cent

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—-LATEST ISSUES— 519 Heir to a Million; or, The Boy Who Was Born og 86 Fame Be Th Lo : or, Th he Burled City. 486 Fame Before the Footlights: or, The Boy Who Bossed the Theater. BT Oo Hin tet oe So Picks Bonin Wall omer ee 87 Lucky Lee, the Office Boy; or, The Nerviest Lad in New York A Lucky Chance: ‘or, Taking Fortune on the Wing. 488 Sure to Get Rich; or, A Smart Young Messenger. The Road to Success: or, The Career of a Fortunate Boy. 489 Pushing it Through; or, The Fate of a Lucky Boy. Chasing Pointers; or, The Luckiest Boy in Wall Street. a. een Speculator; or, The Young Sphinx of Wall Street. 5 Rising In the World; or, From Factory Boy to Manager 3 e Way to Success: or, The Boy Who Got There 3} From Dark to Dawn; or, A Poor Boy's Chance. 492 Struck Of1; or, The Bov Who Made a Million. Out for Himself; or, Paving His Way to Fortune. 493 A Golden Risk; or, The Zoung, Miners of Della Cruz. Diamond Cut Diamond: or, The Boy Brokers of Wall Stree 494 A Sure Winner. or. The Boy Who Went Out With a Circus A Start in Life; or, A Bright Boy's Ambition. 495 Golden Fleece; or, The Boy Brokers of Wall Street. Out for a Million; or, The Youn idas of Wall Street. 496 A Madcap Scheme: or, The Boy Treasure Hunters of Cocos Island. Every Inch a Boy; or, Doing His Level Best. 497 Adrift on the World: or, Working His Way to Fortune. On to Success; or. The Roy Who Got Ahead. 498 Playing to Win: or, The Foxlest Boy in Wall Street An Eye to Business; or, The Boy Who Was Not Asleep. 499 Tatters: or, A Boy from the Slums. Tipped by the Ticker: or, An Ambitious Boy in Wall Street. 500 A Young Monte Cristo: or, The Richest Boy in the World 5 Money to Burn; or, The Shrewdest Boy in Wall Street. ; f 501 Won by Pluck; or, The Boys Who Ran a Rallroad A Bid for a Fortune: or, A Country Boy in Wall Street. 502 Beating the Brokers: or. The Boy Who “Couldn't Be Done.” 503 A Rolling Stone; or, The Brightest Roy on Record. 504 Never od Die; or, The Young Surveyor-of Happy Valley e Bound to Rise; or, Fighting His Way to Success. Out for the Dollars; or, A Smart Boy in Wall Street. For Fame and Fortune; or, The Boy Who Won Both. : ee a t og ans The peep Roy In gy A Wall Street Winner; or, Making a Mint of Mone : - e ance 0 s e: or, oung Pilot of Crytal Lake = , x ? “y 507 Striving for Fortune; or, From Bell. Roy to “Millionaire Pre Bie ee Abbas eg Spee ene Wal t. _~ 308 Out for Business: or, The Smartest Roy In Town. 543 A Chase foe's Fortune ; on The Boy Who #ustled. — 509 A Favorite of Fortune; or, Striking It Rich in Wal! Street. 544 Juggling with the Market: or, The Boy Made it Pay. “ 510 Through Thick and Thin; or, The Adventures of a Smart Boy 345 Cast Adrift; or, The Luck of a Homele oy. ; See a ee 548 Playing the Midrket’ or. "A" Keen Hoxglm Wail, Street 513 A Mint of Money; or, The Young Wall Street Broker 347 A Pot of mah bn, or, The Legacy of cky Boy. op a 514 The Ladder of Fame: or. From ie Rov to Senator 548 From Rags to Riches; or, A Lucky 1] Street Messenger. ee: 515 On the Square: or, The Success of an Honest Boy 549 On His Merits; or, The Smartest live. on 516 After a Fortune- or, The Pinckiest Roy 'n the West 550 Trapping the Brokers; or. A Gal all Street Boy Ss 517 Winning the Dollars: or. The Young Wonder of Wal! Street 551 A Million in Gold; or, The TredSure of Santa Cruz. 4 518 Making His Mark: or. The Boy Who Became President 552 Bound to Make Money; or, From the West to Wall Street. " For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt of price. 5 cents per copy, in/money or postage stamps, by > FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, - - - : - : - - . 16 est 23d St., New York. 7 IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS ws. of our weeklies and cannot procure them from newsdealers, they can be obtained from this offiee direct. Write out and i fill in your Order and send !t 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 23d St., New York. h — 3 oun TEN -CENT HAND BOO EF ss “y No. 1. NAPOLEON'S ORACULUM AND ETIQUETTE.—it is a great life meepet, and Ne. 30. HOW TO COOK.—One ef the most td DREAM BOOK.—Conteining the great oracie | ome that every young men desires to Know all | tmetructive books on cooking ever published z of human destiny; elso the true menaming of | about There's happtness In it. It eontains receipes for cooking meats, fish, almost any kind of dreema, together with No. 14. HOW TO MAKE CANDY.—4 com- * amd oysters; also pies, peédings, cake: ' charms, ceremonies, and curious games of | plete hand-book for making all kimds of | ed al! bimés of pastry, and a grand collec- san cards. eamdy, ice-cream, syrups, sesences, ete, ete : No. 2. HOW TO DO TRICKS.—The grem No. 18. HOW TO BHCOME BEAUTIFUL. OW TO BRCOME A SPEAKER beok of magic and cerd tricks, containing full| —One of the brightest and most valuable | —C ming fourteen illustratiems, giving the instruetion on all the leading card irteas of little books ever given to the world. Every- beeorn . e good . _ * the day, also the most popular maegice!] {lhu- bedy wishes to kmew how to beaome beautl- Treader and eleeniieniat Aes con- G sic ns as performed by our asin 3 megicians; | ful, both male amd female. The secret is gems fyem o8)] the popular authors of t % eve should obtain s 5 No. 3” "now ‘To The pets and and try. No. 32. how TO RIDE A BICYCLE— wiles of flirtation are fully explatmed by this ING PARTY.—A complete compendium af ing ‘inetrvetions for beginmers, choice little beok. Besides the verteus methods of games, sports, cerd diversions, comle reeite- hine, bimts on training, etc. A com- handkerehief, fan. glove, parasel, winéow and tions, etc., suitable for parlor or drewtng- dook. Full of are ay lileetrations, hat firtation, it contealms a foll let of the | room emterteinment. It ocontaims more for LAY GAMEBS.—A com- languege and semtiment of flowers the mousey than amy book pubitehed. little book, eomteining the No. 4. HOW TO DANCE is the titie of No 21. HOW TO HUNT AND VWiISH,—tThe yeguliations of billiards, bacatelle, this ifttie book. It contsins full tmetructions | most complete hunting and Gshing guide ever uet, dominoes, etc. in the art of dancing, etiquette in the bell- | published. It comtaims full instruetions abent room and at parties, how to dress, and full guns, hunting dogs, traps, trapping ant fiah- - directions fer calling off in all populer square on together with deecription of game and dances. ah. SOLVE CONWUNDRUMS. the lending eqmundrume of amesing riddles, curious catches and No. 5. HOW TO MAKE LOVE.—a com- No. 22. HOW TO DO SECOND SIGHT.— HOW TO BECOME J; OWN Plete guide te evertehip and rearriage, | Heller's second sight explained by his former 4 wonderful book, Toe giving sensible rules and etiquette to | assistant, Frei Hunt, Jr. Expletming how the pe ee oo with od Rr song and interest- | meeret dislocuss bg carried om betweem the & a5 not genere! nown. macteian and the on the stage; aleo giv- : No. 6. HOW TO BECOME AN ATMLETE. | ing all the codes and signals. meral complaints. SToaee —Giving full imetruction for the use of dumb- Ne. 23. HOW TO PLAIN DBEAMS.— RAISE DOGS, POULTRY, bells, Indian clubs, peralie! bers, horizontal | Tis Mttle book gives the explanation to all RABBITS.—-A wsetul and ine bars and various other methods of dereioping | kinds of dreams, together with lucky and . Haendsomely illustrated. & good, healthy rmusele; containing over sixty | unlucky days. . MOW TO MAKE D SET Ulustrations. 4 No. 2%. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS TO No. 7. BOW TO KEEP BIBDS.—Haenad- | GENTLEMEN.——Comtaizing ful! directions for somely ilbustrated and writing to centiemen on all subjects tons for the management and No. 25. HOW TO BECOME A GYMNAST. canary, moekingbird, bobolink, bieek bird. paro- Containing. full imetructions for all kinds of et, parrot. etc. Symnastic sporte and athletic oxerelees. Em- HOW TO BECOME A VENTRILO-| bracing thirty-five fllwetrations. By Professor Kennedy. Every intelli- | W. Macdonald. Of imetrpetions axa Ne. 26. HOW TO BOW, me 2D BUILD master the ert, and qreste emeunt ef fe A BOAT.— Fully illesteated. instepetions and friends. t is the greatest | ape given in this little hewk, together with in- published. meraotions on swimming and ridiag, companion BOW TO enicietes art of seif- a to bomting. Contein over thirty No. 27. HOW TO RECITE AND BOOK illustrations of guerda, blows, and the difer- | BKCITATIONS.—Containing the most att ad of &@ good boxer. Every boy | selections in use, compr Dutoh dialect, a of these useful and instrue- | French dialect, Yankes and Irish Gialeet ill teach you how to box | pieces, together with many standard Ls ya No. 33%. HOW TO Teil. PORBTUN — LOVE-LETTERS. | Everyone is Gesireus of knowing what his Mttie book, conteining full | future life will brimg forth, whether happiness writing love-letters, and when | er misery, wealth or poverty. You emm tel] | meu ogy og ron 0 wee them, giving specimen letters for | by 4 siance at this little book. Buy one and tines and Weéatngs. be convinced. BOYS OF NEW YORE TO WRITE LETTERS TO Ne. 29. HOW TO BECOME 4M INVENTOR. | srE AKD JOKE BOOK. LADIES.—Giving complete for | —Every boy shoald know how inveations orig- ee ee Sonn Seplgett = co a, i electricit: eee nig Bo let t requests. exampies 7. ca, net- Noo 13. HOW TO TT; OR, BOOK OF ! ism, optics, pneumatios, mechanics, etc. sale by all newsdealers. or will be sent to any address on receipt of price, 10 cts. per copy, or 3 for 25 ets., im momey or postage sie i K TOUSEY, Publisher, : - - - - : : - - - 188 West 23d St., New York 4 h moles, i hints on how to cat ofver. rate, and nae Also