Nick Carter Weekly (no. 105) (1898 12 31)

Page 1

ICK CARTER WEEKLY DS) deeued weekty. subscription price, $2.50 per year, Entered as second clas matter at the N. Y. Post Ufice by StREKT & Smith. Price Five Cents. Ai! at — saad a: : ie y —s ‘ . oy, aay a i gee BEIGE OS TA eel had nee ‘ eee 2 THE BRAISED ONE OF THE ENIVES AND WITH A QUICK ‘‘HERE SHE GOES!'’ FLUNG IT WITH A PRACTICED HAND. dae Siete a

Page 2

™, Pg Soe. eh ere

Page 3

MS & Smirn, Publishers. es See eee CHAPTER I. =gR- —— AT WORK. ‘Sate stall, _ well-dressed, handsome-featured flashing black eyes and an easy” mnnpener> stopped before the door of a . - flat on. West One Hundred and Seventy- sixth , New York, and saying softly to him-— 2 “Now for a trial of the canary bird trick,” knocked nervously, and showed an agitated ~ face When the maid servant appeared. _ “Pardon me,” he said, in his sweetest, most yaging tonés, “but is your mother in?” this maid servant was old—that is, icc ad asked, ‘ ‘Is your mother in?” and joked at her at the same time with a glance which respect was blended with admira- — CHANGE CROOK; hac = Catch That Seacid a Inspector. ~ “= —_——— NICK CARTER WEEKLY. eres to Act of Congress in the year aad by mee ar Smith, in the Office of the Librarian of Oongress, ashingion, D. 3 Entered as second class Matter at the New York, N. ¥., Post Office. : Subseription price, $2.50 per year. NEW YORK. December.31, 1898. 5 Conte 81 Fulton 8t., N. Y. simperingly answered: “TI have no mother; I am—— “No mother! How I pity you, for I, too, am an orphan.” . . She might have had her suspicions excited if he had pursued this line of acting much iurther—for his voice was beginning to grow tremulous and a sympathetic moisture was gathering in his eyes—had he not checked - his emotion to remark abruptly: “But business is business. We.may be un- fortunate, but the world is cruel, and its stern responsibilities should not be shirked.” “Yes, sir,” she murmured, with a reveren- tial expression of face. He awed as well as attracted her. “You were about to inform me,” he went on, with a look of courteous inquiry, that——” “That I am not related to the mistress of the house,” she interrupted. She was about to confess herself the serv- ant, be a feeling of pride that had = in-

Page 4

2 a voked by the young man’s language and looks made her hold her tongue in that re- spect, “T will summon her,” she said, instead, _He bowed, and presently the lady of the house stepped into the hall. She was young, but matronly looking, and her kind countenance expressed more than ordinary curiosity when she observed that the stranger was handsome and perturbed. « “In what way can I serve you?” she asked. “Pardon me for my intrtision, madam,” the stranger began, politely, “but I am in search of a pet canary.” “Oh!” The lady looked: disappointed. She had anticipated an interesting revela- tion. 2 “The bird belongs to my wife, who fairly ‘dotes on it. To lose it would almost break her heart, I think.” , “What a pity!” “Indeed it is, madam,” the young man earnestly proceeded, “and if I do not recover Regina, I shall expect to find the services of a physician necessary when I return home.” —- “Tn what way can I help you?” the lady of the house interrogated. . “You can help me very materially,” he said, quickly, “for some boys I met on the street below here told me that Regina had flown into one of your windows. The little darling knows my voice,” he went on, as he coolly walked past her and into the par- lor, “and if you will kindly permit me I will - make a search for her.” os She was por to sashes an objection to. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. the house were in disorder, when he returned and said, with most engaging geckhey, and earnestness: “What makes me especially, anxious to re- cover Regina is the fact that my poor y is a bedridden invalid, and the bird has be her main solace for years. In this next ro I think the boys said,” he conchided, . The lady’s sympathies were now 4 ally aroused, and without the least Suspicion ‘tat a her confidence was being abused ‘she led a - way toward her private apartments, ‘and é search began. After every cranny and corner of ‘me bed- ~ ~ room had been peered into without success vi the stranger suggested that the lady herself es continue the search in the adjoining boudoir. The suggestion was followed; biit still no bird was found. Other apartments of the ee were vis- ited with no better success. The stranger seemed to be terribly disap- *pointed. ? His handsome face was grave and Pe ie. when he took his leave after profuse apolo- gies for the trouble and inconvenience he ehad 3 caused. : = Five minutes after his departure the lady. s of the house made an alarming discovery. a She had occasion to look for her well-filled > = pocketbook, which she had left on the bu- = reau in her bedroom. - nig It was gone. " ; - She was sure it was there when diz left the room at the request of the weheme to go vane ‘ a the bedroom. ~ = _ The man who wanted to find a lost. canaty = wes: the thief beyond the shadow of a dont ; ~¥

Page 5

— sence from the bedroom. to filch the pocket- a All ics isecsions had béen lies, and he i resorted toa plausible trick to gain an Dutt she fous a policeman, te. the appearance of the apes bird fa- y hours later the slick stranger op- peter quarter, in Harlem. steps toa flat on West One jThirieth Street his Knock et ere. ie went on, “and I should like to look | / ne face, “but the sign is sai and if ‘below you can see it.” ee _NIOK CARTER WEEKLY. + e when he noted the fact that she had rieglected to lock her door behind her. When she disappeared from view he aed inside the flat, snatched a case containing val- uable jewelry, and then fled, passing the owner of the property on the stairs as she was slowly climbing the four flights. She had not found the sign “To Let” and she would have spoken to the stranger and told him he had made a mistake if he had given her time to do so. His hurried’ departure without a word of explanation aroused her suspicions, and she hastened to her room to ascertain that she had been robbed. The police were notified, but os su = was not caught. And while the worthy conservators of the public mortals were: striving to capture the clever robber, that enterprising young man was engaged upon a third venture a few blocks from the scene of the second. From the directory in the hallway he learned that Miss Sarah Jones was the ten- ant of the top floor. Hurrying up the stairs he stopped at the second floor, and attracting the attention of _ the tenant by his loud cries, excitedly said: “Run up stairs, quick! Miss Jones has broken her arm, and needs help. Quick, for — she’s suffering terribly.” The kind-hearted tenant hastened to = rs tn, Aco. Gs sha td bes aa “alee money and values were gone ue was: — fe the

Page 6

. “glanced = Shah se delta sroroving- t : NICK CARTER. WEFELY. man was operating on a roof two doors be- low. He was a young man of handsome face, piercing black eyes, and an expression of shrewd intelligence. After the policeman had departed with the promise that the thief should not escape him, if he remained in Harlem, the lineman opened the scuttle of a house adjoining the one upon which he had ostensibly been work- ing, and disappeared from sight. In a very short time he returned to the roof, his pockets filled with valuables. Descending to the street by the way he had come he hastened away, and was seen in that neighborhood no more. His pilfering for the day amounted to over a thousand dollars in money and about three thousand dollars in watches and jewelry. The next day, by means of other devices and subterfuges, he increased his ill-gotten wealth until it approximated ten thousand dollars in value. And though many detectives and‘ police- men were put upon his trail, not one of them succeeded in running him down. S To use Superintendent Byrnes’ own words, “He was the cutest and most daring criminal that had ever worked his points in New York.” | Pee Dalton was a cities patrolman, ais beat was in Harlem, and to him had “one of the tales of robbery been told. Tom was a stalwart, manly, and intelligent fellow, and his highest ambition was to be- ae come a permanent member of the metropol- nt anes’ force. _ He knew that Chief Inspector Steers had ly more than once, and he was burning with a desire to distinguish himself, in order that his Promotion from sub to Boe might be hastened. On the forenoon succeedifig: the series ¢ } operations performed by the smart young aes man with the handsome face and the brillia black eyes, Tom Dalton was patrolling 1 beat and thinking of the bright future | would be unfolded to his view if he could but a place his hand on the shouldef of — = — His musings were cut short by the light is pressure of a hand upon his own shoulder, — i He turned quickly to behold a youngish - man, with a black, silky beard and sparkling black eyes, who was dressed in a neatly fit- ting gray tweed suit, and whovhad a pros- perous business air about him. ; “Excuse me,” was his courteous, deferen- tial salutation, “but am I addressing Mr, Thomas Dalton, of East One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Street?” “You are,” answered the sub-pyet Olean ¥ with a touch of dignity. “+ a oe “Who keeps company with Miss Marbig, a Holley of Manhattanville?” ; 4 “Er—I don’t see——” began Dalton, with a frown. t “You will, presently,” quickly interrupted _ the young man, wlio smiled urbanely and dis- _ closed two rows of milk-white teeth in the operation, “for I am her messenger.” “She sent you to me?” queried the office as he gazed at the stranger with proteaseinaay _scrutiny. “Yes.” aa “What’s the matter? Is she in trouble?” Honest Tom Dalton’s ruddy face began to pate as the thought of possible dange1 to

Page 7

bale “the ‘pions seeant: maul of Manhattanville occurred to him _ “She is in the best of health and in no ~ trouble whatever,” the black-bearded young an hastened to explain. “She has got im- nt Silay you, and as I was passing— r ome aa is it?” patton was growing impatient, 00 in Satan eaeentlag” svil she does,” exclaimed the am- cer in great excitement. ws . oe ‘ ea eee "on ‘and Twenty-fiith ft : ae oy t's not on your beat.” That’s so,” ruefully. 1 there this. afternoon?” z's the matter.” 3} ‘tell the captain all about it, ae get - “T’ll go with you, but you may take all the glory and all the reward. I’m well fixed, and don’t care.” The young man twirled the heavy gold chain attached to his watch as he spoke, anc gazed contentedly into space. At another time Tom Dalton might have thought that it was rathe: singular that the canvasser of an art house, a man who must be working for a moderate salary, should scoff at the chance of making two thousand dollars, for a reward of that arhount had been offered for the apprehension of the-bold and cunning criminal. But just now the worthy officer’s mind had. room only for thoughts of his sweetheart and the promotion that would come with the arrest. -“You may come along if you want,” he— said, with a patronizing manner. The young man smiled. “I would like. nothing better,” he said, “than to witness the capture of this remark- able robber, for if he is not placed behind bolts and bars right off he may steal all the portable property in this part of New York. I never heard of sucha cool cuss in my life, — did you?” . “No. He takes the iaieavble for andaony and shrewdaess. combined.” “But you will catch him, though. “ “T will if I remce put my lamps on him... “By the way,” he added, as a sudden thought struck him, “how did Marcia+Miss Holley—find out that this dangerous rascal - was located on West One Hundred and Twenty-fifth street?” _ “She yim go oto at w wich he an had robbed.” | NICK CARTER WEEKLY. : ee

Page 8

~ € S “How did she know he had got in his work?” “The tenant made the discovery of her loss a moment after the robber left the house. She ran after him, and the took to his heels.” “Well?” “Miss Holley was coming from the park, and heard the tenant’s excited cries, and saw the fleeing man, and instantly she made up her mind that she would follow the fellow.” “Bless her heart; she’s the girl for me. Go on!” “As he turned a corner she hailed a cab, and told the driver to follow the fugitive, but without informing cabby of the character of the young man. “After seeing the robber enter a flat on West One Hundred and Twenty-fifth street and ascertaining that he lived there with his wife, and that his name was Perkins, she was driven home. “Her one desire after she had located the _ robber,” the stranger went on, “was to send word to you in order that you mee make the arrest. : ‘“Being unable to leave her work she »~ was obliged to send her message, and I was chosen to deliver it.” The alleged messenger paused for a mo- ment, and perhaps an expression that sud- . denly crept into his auditor’s face may have induced him to carry his explanations a little further. “You are perhaps ‘epmiatian he. glibly ; resumed, “why Miss Holley condescended to - favor me with her confidence, why she told- me the man she pursued was a noted criminal ‘for whose arrest Steers would give his NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “I hadn’t thought of the matter before,” rejoined Dalton, quickly, “but now that you mention it I-——” — “Of course you do. The ‘most natural thing in the world,” was the smooth, insin~ “Any one with a grain of common sense would have his suspicions uating interruption. aroused if a proper explanation were not forthcoming. Now listen to me; Miss , Holley: opened her heart because I am engaged tow marry her sister, Carrie.” . “Who lives in Brooklyn?” “The same.” “T didn’t know that Carrie had a beau,” was the sub-patrolman’s surprised comment. “She hasn’t had one for long.” “When did Marcia learn that«this sort of thing was going on?” “Since yesterday.” “T saw her last night, and she said noth- ing of it.” “Did she mention Carrie’s name?” asked the stranger, rather anxiously. . - “No.” “Then the matter must have Jigga her — mind. By the way, Carrie had her picture taken the other day. “No.” “Here it is. Have you seen it?” Isn’t she sweet?” 2: 3 The young man with the black beard pro- duced a cabinet photo of a very pretty young woman with a pronounced bang and an arch ~ expression. Tom Dalton’s doubts, if he had any, van- z ished at the sight of the counterfeit present- ment of his sweetheart’s sister. : “She is a beauty and no mistake” = “She's a corker. Beats ‘em all.” . “Marcia excepted.” te ;

Page 9

_ “Well, Marcia is another Carrie, so we ; But here, Dalton, this a aron't do. I've overstaid my time. I will 2 meet you ais one o'clock at we northwest cor- won’t count her. _ ock the two men met at the — Aes, on Se apoihied : 4 "After a short conversation they proceeded } tion of West One Hundred and filth street. ppin ne in front of a ee devoted . “Sure it is not vacant like the first?” = ee least oon Males.) is sure.” r NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 7 stairs they met no one and saw nothing to” indicate that any of the flats were occupied. - Arrived at the fourth story the guide pointed to a door and whispered: “He’s in there, I’ bet a hat.” “What makes you think so?” “T heard a man’s voice just as I reached the top of the stairs.” “What's best to be done?” “Knock at the door, and if your man opens it nab him. If some one else responds to your summons ask to see Mr. Perkins. And if no one comes to the door open it and walk in; see?” The sub-patrolman was not thick-witted, but he had never engaged upon a case on his own hook. — He didn’t know the ropes, so to speak. As the young man’s advice was good, how- ever, he took it. He softly went up to the door and knocked. No answer. He knocked again and again without re- sult. “Better open the door and waltz in,” sug- gested his mentor, and Dalton obeyed. But he had no sooner turned the knob and made a motion to push the door open, than an unwelcome surprise greeted him. Something heavy descended on his head, and the door flew open, and he plunged for- ward to strike the floor of the apartment and * remain there. 4 _ IE was somé time before he opene his eyes in consciousness. “There was dull pain atthe back of his head, and he felt sore all over. _ He had been sandbagged. he bene = on an J gees me: 2

Page 10

8 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. looked about him he saw that the apartment - was bare of furniture. ; ‘A sharp fear smote him as he recalled the incidents connected with his arrival there. He felt in his pockets for his purse. Gone. ; Then he looked for his watch. Gone also. Tom Dalton arose to his feet and staggered to the door. As he went down the stairs the air be- came blue by reason of the profanity which flowed in a steady stream from his lips. Reaching the police station, he informed the captain that his career as an officer must cease. S Surprised at the honest fellow’s. determina- tion the captain asked: “What has happened?” “Something personal; I can’t tell you.” ~ “What will you do?” “I have the promise of a job in Morris- iana. “To do what?” _ “Say nothing and saw wood.” CHAPTER II. BEGINNING OF AN INTERESTING GAME. There was a deep frown on the strong, intelligent face of Chief Inspector Steers as he sat alone in his private office a few days after the events narrated in the opening chap- ter of this story. ; ~The Harlem robberies had increased at an ming rate. The bold robber having worked one quar- Over sixty victims had saat reported with- in a week, The amount carried off in money and valu- = ables now exceeded twenty thousand dollars. “The fellow must be the human embodi- ment of the Old Boy himself,’ muttered : ss seroma ‘or he could never have peice = If Nick Carter was disengaged I night ioe = this vexed matter settled in short order. He~ a was in ee the other day, and my tele- ie gram E “B-r-r-r-rig!” from the telephone inter- > rupted his cogitations, A message from Superiaecn eas! Byrnes. * “Do you want to see Carter?” “Do I? I should say so.” “He’s here.” “Where? In New York?” 4 “Yes. Strauss has just reported him to be in Harlem. “What can he be doing there?” “Don’t know, but can guess. Shall I send for him?” “At once.” “All right.” An hour later the great detective presented ‘ a smiling face before the chief inspector of . the metropolitan police. “Got in town this morning,” Nick said, after the usual cordial greeting had been ex- changed, “and having read in the morning " papers of the Harlem robberies, I thought I would go out to test a certain theory that had. suddenly taken root in my mind.” : The inspector was all interest at once. FN i Choon me ae eae His eyes twinkled in aatigeeHe as Nick- went on. fa “Tt appeared to me,” began the. latter. “ Seas id ie pelies © IA

Page 11

NICK CARTER WEEELY. 3 . “that the very Gite tiling individual who eer ~“arzect. _Two years _ SS epson Bir ponioecan x _ and last week my assistant informed me that Wallace was up to some shady work, for he had been losing thousands of dollars at the — races, and had no visible means of support. “And this morning,” concluded Nick, “I found on my arrival in Harlem that the youngster that was—the young man that is; he’s twenty-three now, and so changed you'd - never recognize him as the Brooklyn kid grown up—had been seen coming out of sev- eral flats at the times of the several robber- ies therein.” “So Jim Wallace is the thief?” commented the inspector. “Beyond the shadow-of a doubt.” “It is strange that none of my detectives could spot him.” “Not very strange when you consider that he-has kept out of New York until. very lately, that he has changed considerably since his discharge from prison, and that he is an adept in the matter of disguises.” “Carter,” said the inspector, earnestly, “if you will land this rascal you will do me a personal favor as well as earn a rich re- ward. , “You see,” he quickly added, as Nick was about to speak, “the operations of this fel- low reflect on my management of the office. People come in every day and say, ‘What's the matter with the detective force of New. York? Is it possible that this rogue who is cutting such a wide swath in Harlem is more _ than a match for Superintendent Byrnes’ suc- eee oe: cessor and the skilled and intelligent force under his control?” th land him, inspector,” replied the 4

Page 12

ie a - Nick remained in the office but a short “time longer. _He had made an appointment with his as- sistants for that afternoon, and when he went to the place agreed upon he found Chick, Patsy and Miss Ida Jones awaiting him, After greeting them pleasantly Nick, in his quick, abrupt manner, got down to busi- ‘ ness. After a brief statement of Jim Wallace’s misdeeds, etc., given for the benefit of Miss ' Jones, for Chick and Patsy were already wel! posted in regard to the doings of the bold and daring criminal, the great detective said to Chick: . “Any races at Coney Island to-day?” _ TL e8$ Futurity stakes, with Corrigan’s colt as the sensational entry, at Brighton Beach.” “Good. Wallace will be there. Patsy, it will be your business to shadow him after Chick puts you onto him.” ee Patsy’s eyes glistened with pleasure. + “Te sha’n’t fool me the way Danvers did.” e “Now, Chick,” said his superior, “your _ work will be to shadow Patsy.” “What!” ; “Shadow Patsy.” 3 “With what object?” queried Chick, in _= _ great wonderment. Ee “~ “With the object of tracking Wallace to _ his rendezvous or home.” “But Patsy will do that, won't he?” “He will do his best, and he will do all z that I expect and require of him,” returned my judgment, to get the upper hand of our _ eg eee tedere ae = ” Sure. Nick, ‘quietly. “But he won’t be able, in® ‘NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Patsy’s bright face ecaeaied both i oa pointment and curiosity. As for Chick, who knew his superior bet- ter, he waited with an impassive countenance for Nick to make the proper explanations of his curious statement and proposition. : “Jim Wallace is a cunning scoundrel, SAL Chick,” said the great- detective, “and ordi- < nary methods to capture him will likely fail. - 4g “Tf he’s caught it will be by playing tales i. against trick, and outholding him.” = “Tf I put a shadower on to him when leaves the races he'll drop to the business _ spre. “Therefore, if I let Petts go alone on his _ track he’ll lose the scent. No reflection on your ability is meant, Patsy,” addéd Nick, as he turned to his second assistant, “for this : rascal whom we want to down has been pur- suing the avocation of an actor for many Be- sides he——” f ia P “No need to make any furthér éxplana-— ; said Patsy, “for I quite 4 years, while you have only just beguas tions, Mr. Carter,” understand you.” “Not quite, perhaps,” rejoined Nick, with a curious smile. “What do you mean?” “This: That I want you to assist Wallace in getting onto you, and therefore to allow him to throw dust in your eyes, so to speak. 3 “To get away from me?” “That's it.” ae 2 “That's a queer go, isn’t it?” looking ae Nick, a little doubtfully. = “Tt isn’t in the. usual line of eeacary e tective business, but it Fes do, fo ak on Be am : er ee. Brass? Ve : i

Page 13

~~ - 2 “tse Picet - NICK CARTER WEEKLY. n “T see your drift,’ ” remarked Chick. “T thought you would.” mt on want me to take’ up the direct shad- = — r commented Chick, with enthusi- as “He'll never spot me, for the idea of : vo shadows won't enter his head.” ae *hat’s the way I figure it,” said Nick. “All right, and after I’ve run him to me here.” d. Come, Patsy, let’s be off.” 2n thé two assistants had gone Nick — ttrned to. se yones who had been a quiet ne to find Wallace’ s wife and her confidence, I presume?” she said, lifted her dark, serious eyes to the detective’ s face. “You have divined my wish exactly.” “And if I find the husband at home?” eport to me here at once, in the usual cipher, should [ not be here in per- ,I wsaiase ioe es. ye pitted against wit, auniig against cun- ning.” “About Mrs. Daly, alias Wallace, what I have learned about her is this, Ida: “She had never seen much money when she married Wallace, and the easy life that came to her afterward suited her notions to a dot, for she loves fine clothes and all the ways of luxury. “When Jim took her to New York he told her that he intended to make a living by betting on the races. “Some days he would come home with a pocketful of money, and throwing a hand- ful of gold and silver and notes into her lap would tell her to go spend it. “Other days he would borrow what money she had and go out to Coney Island and lose it. “He was never known to win at the races, and all the money he has ever obtained has been by the exercise of his rare criminal gifts. “Where she lives and where Jim holds out I can’t tell you. If I could I would not need your assistance. “But when you find it, as you will, I miss my guess if you don’t strike a sort of palace fit for a king, filled with costly furniture, bric-a-brac, art treasures, and all the delin- quencies of the season, as Wallace himself would say.” “I shall look for him on "the east oe. Miss Jones said. > “May Task why?” . ete = he has been operating on the Yow are probably right and how sha ay t NS Yale nae eee

Page 14

from. 12 - “As an agent for a Chinese lottery.” She spoke calmly and in a matter-of-fact ~ voice. Nick looked at her a moment gravely. Then a smile crept into his face. “You purpose pursuing my methods,” he said, “by working a little out of the ordi- eX ES: “Good. The agent of a Chinest lottery— such an agent as you ought to make—will be able to gain more information, make better headway than a mere canvasser of books, or other traps, would.” “T shall act upon the presumption that she has become affected with the gaming fever.” oT see.” : “As her husband is a gambler, as she loves money as well as she loves him, and as she readily and cheerfully spends the money he gives her, it follows that she must sympathize in his pursuits, be they off color or not.” “Miss Jones,” said Nick, gracefully, “I am sure that your part of the programme will be admirably carried out. _ “And now I will leave you with the con- _ viction that the combined efforts of your- self, Chick, and Patsy will place Mr. James Wallace in a hole at he cannot escape The great detective parted with his lady “assistant, and then started for the Manhat- tan Beach ferry. “My part in the little play,” he said to "himself, “will be to shadow not Wallace or _ Patsy, but Chick.” _. When the races were over at Papktoa _ Beach that afternoon a green-looking coun- tryman, “of the. spring crop, Queens = County,” as a Brooklynite remarked when - he had swept his person with a sarcastic eye, . one aye been. seen gating: with peide-apen 1 fs Lege bands NICK CARTER WEEKLY. —a Bowery juggler, who had a little stand not far from ‘the track. Another spectator standing by the coun- tryman’s side was a typical metropolitan tough, whose sneering smile at the iuggler’s performances so aggravated that personage - that at iast he wrathfully exclaimed: “See here, young feller, maybe you kin . beat me at this game, eh?” - “Dat’s w’at, sister.” “W’at ! You really t’ink so?” “Don’t tink so. Know so.” - The tough had the stump of a cigar his mouth, which he now placed at an of forty-five degrees. — : “Oh, go off ’n’ take a bat’.” “W’at yer say?” fiercely. “Take a bat’, dat is, cully, — a tum’le; see?” “T see dat yer tryin’ ter bare me. But yer can’t, Reuben, not ter-day. I'm loaded fer fakirs, an’ w’en I gits a dead sight on ~~ I’m goin’ ter let ’er flicker.” ~~" ~~" “W’at are you givin’ me? Cranberries?” “Naw. i'll be soup wen I takes. dem: knives and has a try wid ’em,” ees “Take ’em den.” The juggler handed the knives to the — tough, who after casting a furtive glance — 3 behind him, jumped over the rope that sepa- rated the outfit from the crowd and prepared to exhibit his powers as a knife thrower. The countryman followed the tough’s backward glance, and saw a tall, well- dressed, handsome young man with a black mustache, brilliant black eyes, and a~ pale face, who seemed to be very much interested in the tough’s performance. Not far from this individual was a wiieardl visaged hootblack, whose walk showed a es cided limp. The tough raised one of the knives, and — with a quick, “Here she we eee it wine

Page 15

NICK CARTER WEEKLY, It struck the iilackboard target, and rang > the bell. Five times this success was repeated. _ Then the tough, who was now the hero of _. the crowd, began a series of juggling opera- tions that made the countryman cry out in delight: “Jehoshophat an’ Jiminy Christmas, but ain’t he a Jim Dandy!” ung: man wae. the black eyes also f the outfit, whose nose had been put t of joint, as it were, when the tough be- n his performance. “Well, I’ll bet a fiver it I can knock ther spots off’n w’at he’s ” Po nod, make,” returned the young. man, “but this wuld : suit mie. - Pll go.you.a twenty he can : a n all-around knife thrower and “Postponed until to-morrow,” black-eyed bettor. “That’s agreeable?” sa cully,” said the tough, nonchal- ss ye'd belie ‘pi it back,” Pees older; “and sales m here to-morrer #: pewbaeshex? announced > _Tich stock broker in New York.” “Tf she is waitin’ ‘fer Se fcig: give it to Z 13 After the money had been returned the black-eyed young man called the tough aside. “Td like to have a few words with you in private,” he said, earnestly. “Anythin’ in it?” “Yes.” “9 “Then I’m yer gooseberry.” They walked up the road a way, and leaned against a fence. “Have a cigar,” said the young man. “Don’t care if I do.” Ss The tough took the proffered weed, and be- gan to puff it vigorously. As the twain began talking the pale-faced bootblack strolled past. It was not so dark, but he could see their forms plainly. After going on a short distance the boot-_ black crouched behind a mound of sand and waited. ~ His action had not been raaenes by the two men at the fence. But a certain individual had taken note of the bootblack’s movements. ; That individual was the countryman. And now began a most peculiar and inter- esting game in which one man was pitted against three. For the young man of the black eyes was Jim Wallace, the daring flat robber. . His companion, the tough, was Chick, while the bootblack was Patsy. And who was the countryman? Nick Carter. lage CHAPTER III. - A MYSTIFIED DETECTIVE, “I’ve got a girl over in Brooklyn,” said Wallace to Chick, “that I’ve been visiting on — the quiet for some time. See?” “T ain’t blind.” . Seat oven ke miviel .

Page 16

14 : her, young feller, wid my. bes’. spe See?” “T’ll do it.” “T’anks.”” “Don’t mention it: Now, this broker,” went on Wallace, in his former serious tone, “is as jealous as he can be.” “And he suspects that she has been receiv- ing outside attentions. “In fact, suspecting me, he has hired a cer- tain party to pipe off my movements.” “An’ yer want me ter smash der bloke, is dat it?” “No, I want you to smash the fellow he has hired to watch me.” Chick jerked his head forward, crooked his elbow in a pugilistic manner, and spat vicious- ly at the fence. “Gimme dat twenny yer put up a wi'le ago, an’ I'll make him a candydate for der horse- pistol.” “TI knew by thecutof your jib that you were the man I was looking for,” said Wallace, ap- provingly. “Now, yer’ve foun’ me, wair’s der bloke . m ter smash?” “About here somewhere.” “Pipin’ yer?” sos. “Describe him.” = “He’s made up as a bootb’ = “Wot! dat snoozer wid er ghos’ mug onter him?” “The same.” “He ain’t no spy.” “What makes you think so?” “He ain’t got sense "nuff ter las’ him over night.” “Don’t you fool yourself. By the way, by what name shall I address you?” “Tommy der Pug.” “Well, then, Tommy der Pug, you want to : understand that this bootblack is epitanes it a ferret.” : "Who tale yer?” NICK CARTER WEEKLY. *T know him by reputation?” “All right. Sharp goes. ter do him up?” “Not kill him, smash him, nea his j jaw, lay him up so he can’t interfere with other’s peo- ple’s business for a week at least?’ gids wair am I “T'll fix him, bet yer pants!” “Good! Now, here is the prograinme.”” Wallace bent forward, and whispered these words into the pseudo-tough’s ear: “When I start for the railway station this bootblack will be found somewhere in m rear. Keep your eye on him, and after. we get to Brooklyn and have left the train down on him.” se “Down by der ferry, eh?” “Yes, that’s a good place.” “Will you’se be around ter se der fun?” “No, I won't have time. ness over the river. See?” “How about der blunt 7” a = “T'll pay you twenty down, and thirty when the job is done.” me “W’en der job’s done you’ se 'l be in New: ; York. Dat won’t wash, Reuben.” — “Tt will have to. You can call on the at _ this address.” Wallace gave Chick the card ofa saloon. 2 Nick Carter’s assistant a it, secntihe a < moment, and then said: ss = “Tl trus’ yer dis time. Gimme der — twenny.” = ieee The money was placed i in his hands. - Soon after they separated. As Jim Wallace wended his way to the rail- way station, he chuckled softly to himself. His thought were pleasant ones. : “Steers has got onto me,” so they ran,“and a : A c = ~~ - has put a detective on my track. <— a “The inspector inowet that gues OE & man won’t convict him, and what he wants, + now that lhe has got his eye on me, is totrack: Ee ae

Page 17

a re ix as well as to have my next operation in _ the flat line witnessed by a party whose evi- dence in court will be worth something,” and 2 “he was right. The rascal had not toved with ~ justice for years without becoming thorough- — : ze ly familiar with the machinery of police of- -_ ficers and courts, and of understanding what was legal evidence and what was not. — aac eHe-had caught Patsy looking at him queer- ly al times at the races, and being on his ‘and also blessed with a quick intui- n, e had at once put down the young de- ve as an emissary of Chief poe ™ ; “Had he ‘known that Nick Carter was in ew York. he would, perhaps, have asso- te Ene tae bootblack with some cunning Bu “Watlac sapiicied Nick to be in the Sat fact, all-his Harlem operations had been = ee during Nick’s absence. young criminal, as he was Site a the railway toward Brooklyn, ak ge up in Harlem to-morrow, and then a in: ni operations to Brooklyn or Jersey ; ‘He saw the countryman board the train, it paid no attention to him. je the ferry, Wallace looked around for the $ surprise, site saw him struggling in ) of the false toggh i in the full glare electric light. ~ ck turned a meaning glance in his ex eld Patsy with one hand Saulcie use "open his coat and exbibited an of- r hits breath. “Te don’t sider: af ae e dey tai dose fas are?” NICK CARIER WEEELY. ; 15 He saw the tough drag the lame bootblack away, and then his brow cleared. . As the boat pushed off, he went whistling softly and in a very easy frame of mind. “That tough is a daisy,” his thoughts now ran, “and the copper racket was’ the slickest and softest one to play. “Of course, he’ll start for the police station with his prisoner, and on the way he will find it necessary—in some dark and obscure cor- ner, of course—to beat his prisoner to a jelly for resisting arrest. “T must cultivate the acquaintance of this new employee of mine. It’s not every day a fellow meets with such a handy, intelligent worker.” On the boat was the countryman. The great detective had taken a hand in the game at the start, for the reason that he feared that his carefully arranged programme might either miscarry or require attention on some material point. He conjectured that Chick had not allowed Wallace to leave his sight without an appoint- | ment with the slick rascal; but there existed a doubt in Nick’s mind as to whether Wal- lace would keep the appointment or not. “Tf he has been taken by Chick’s ways, and has not the least suspicion of his identity, then he will meet my assistant as agreed upon. Rut in the meantime I must not lose sight of him, so that if Chick——” Nick ceased to commune with himself, for a raw-looking Teuton suddenly accosted him. “Oxcoose me,” he said, timidly ; “but I vas not lif py Ni Yorrik alretty.” rs ‘Dew tell!” ¢ “So! I vas some strangers mit dose zitty.” “Well, what can I dew for ye, eh?” “Maype dot you can dell where dot est ein Hoonderd und Swansy-feerst streed vas?” “Tn Harlem, coer tew my recollection, mister.”

Page 18

when I leaped on board. to spare.” zs 1 16 at NICK CAR’ 'ER WEEKLY.’ Nick started, and gave the Dutchman the benefit of a searching scrutiny. What did he mean by-reference to Harlem flats ? _- “Yes,” he said, slowly and guardedly, “I hearn tell that there’s jest slathers of. houses over theer with those Frenchy flats inter ’em.” “Und vere dey yas flats dey might be sharps, eh?” . The Dutchman smiled, as he asked this pe- culiar question. “Look here!” said Nick, half siti “what air yew drivin’ at? If it’s some of your goldarned funny business, I don’t want any of it in mine.” The Dutchman allowed a low, aggravating chuckle to escape him. “Tf I can fool you, Nick,” he said, in the voice of Chick, “then I won’t have much dif- ficulty in getting away with Jim Wallace.” The great detective silently shook hands with his assistant. “Tf you come on as fast as this, my boy,” he whispered, “I'll have to look to my lau- rels.” They withdrew to a quiet spot out of sight of their quarry, and sat down. “T had a fine chance to do alittle lightning change business,” said Chick, 1n explanation, “and I did it.” “When I had yanked Patsy out of sight behind a pile of boxes, I transformed myself into a Dutchman in three shakes of a lamb’s “The boat was getting ready to shove off I .hadn’t a second “Where's Patsy?” asked Nick. “In Brooklyn. “He'll come over on the next . ; sical Pek When the passengers landed in New York, a ‘Nick parted with Chick, leaving to Young Hercules the task of shadowing Wallace, hile Sieniet: peetesmt. to ve rendesyous Pairs 5 ed 45 Py - to see if any message had been left there i, Miss Ida Jones. The great detective hardly expected to hear from her so soon, and he was deeply gratified when these words, translated from the cipher,*» met his eyes: ; “TI believe I have made a most important discovery. Come at once to No, — Bowery. bd Fe J. ” The place designated was an underground saloon frequented by thieves and toughs, and ~~ presided over by a one-eyed Irishman he 5 name of Red Mike Sheedy. ey Nick wondered in his mind What lew] h t brought his lady assistant to “stich a diste table and dangerous quarter, ‘but creme: ing the brave and daring work she had d 7 in the green-goods case, he concluded se = had made a bold stroke in male attire, in or- Sad der that she might not lose a single trick in the game she was playing. Arrived at the saloon: about nine, Nick, in the character of a swell crook, entered the dingy, ill-smelling and ill-lighted place,and — distinguishing the proprietor’s face through — a rift in the cloud of tobacco-smoke that én veloped him, gave a smart rap on the greasy counter, and called for beer. While Red Mike waited on him, Nick his eyes about the room. = Two tables were occupied by card tive and in a corner sat a young man with a red-_ B. and-white complexion and a small, black mus-< S tache. When Nick had finished his glass, te” young man secretly beckoned to him. = In the belief that he was about to meet : Ee Miss: Jones in disguise, the detective wait over to where the young man sat. - ~ As he came nearer he saw to his cae that the person who had beckoned to the, though a woman in rea was fr ns : 3 . _ Ida Jones. geet aaa ihe bie one are oking fo is

Page 19

‘e = f , 3 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. mae | ‘ the disguised one, in a sweet contralto, He had only this woman’s word for it— indicating a rear room. a woman masquerading in male attire, who w do,you know that I am looking for a might be, for all he knew to the contrary, an ?” inquired Nick, in his assumed charac- emissary and tool of Jim Wallace. be + aa ~ster as the crook. a He would soon know whether he was be- _ “She told me you were coming,” was the ing deceived or not. composed reply. “You say Miss Jones told pipe to look out ~“She?. Who?” » for me?” : _ “Miss Ida Jones.” _ e Sake = os “Told you I was coming?” interrogated “Why could she not look out for me her- + in affected wonder. “Haven't you self?” ade a mistake?” “Because she has business in there,” point- f a trick was being attempted, he did not ing toward the door of a room in the rear. pose beirlg taken off his guard. “She is in there now, is she?” — suse “Yes,” Phis is a°queer go,” he muttered, as if to “Will you go in and inform her that I wish se “A Miss Ida Jones tells you I am _ to see her?” ng to this shebang ?” “No, I cannot.” at’s what I said, Mr. Carter,”’ said the “Wihy?” woman, coolly. _.. “Because to do so would be to spoil her oe . : plans.” “Then ie ied her-o over slowly. ’ “Do you know what they are?’ » The calm, steady eyes and the motionless *Y es.’ Y aie him no clew. “Tell me, if you please.” ~ “How did iss Jones know that I was “To trace the plunder stolen from the -here in this get up?” he asked. Harlem flats and fix the crime on James Wal- =a “She did not specify the disguise you would _ lace.” assume. She simply told me to be on the “She told you this?’”-Nick said, scornfully. out for Nick Carter, who might be iden- “Excuse me, my dear, but that doesn’t go sd by a piece of court-plaster over his left down.” ye.” “You would have confided in me had you The detective flushed to the temples with been in her place,” returned the disguised x2 on oe : woman, earnestly. oe d received a slight’ cut over the eye “I would, would 1? Humph!”” > : ai days before while making an arrest in “Of course you would.” Chicago, and since his arrival in New York “Will you be kind enough to explain? — he had seats 8 ne ae Why would I?” vou! “Because you could not refuse to capitis * Se 34 Jooes dhcthd have ackises tltia in one who is as anxious as you are to see yt surprise him ; but he was annoyed to think James Wallace the inmate of the hotel at at she_ should have confided. the secret of Sing Sing.” 3 oe another perty. to be used asa “You ere refering to your I presume?” r oe te Ae: pray who may you be?”

Page 20

“a 18 = ot ing to corner.” “The wife of James Wallace?” “Yes,” ” Nick Carter whistled. Unbelief looked out of his eyes. “Perhaps you doubt my word,” she said, reproachfally. “Madam,” said the great detective, coldly, “in my profession I am compelled to doubt until presented with the facts. Permit me to remind you that James Wallace and his wife are a most affectionate couple; that she knows of his evil courses and approves of them because they bring in money; and money to her means hwxury—the gratifica- tion of every selfish whim and pleasure.” “She did love him once.” “And does not now?” sneered Nick. “She loves him no more,” responded the woman, sadly. “What has he done to forfeit her love?” “He has terribly wronged her.” “In what way?” “By making her believe him to be hee husband when, in fact, he has a wife living— a woman he married a week after he got out of prison and nearly two years before he saw oe This is a very pretty story,” said Nick, with an amused smile; “so pretty that if you were to send it to one of the Sunday papers it might be worked up into something very j taking in print.” The woman’s black eyes flashed in anger. Ee “You will regret those contemptuous i. words” she said, “when you find out how a you have misjudged me. are Ida espa will 3 sae you to your senses.” had forgotten her. = “She told me about Jim’s duplicity.” _ “She did, eh?” “Yes. I never dreamed until this after- “Ah, yes, Miss Jones! For = moment I ; NICK CARTER WEEKLY. s “TI am the wite of the man you are seek- noon that he had a wife living when he mar- ried me.” “Miss Jones met you—where?” “At my house. On East Fifty-seventh street.” : “In what guise did she accost your. As” a woman or as a man?” “As a woman.’ “She had some excuse. for calling upon you; what was it?” “She wanted to:sell me a ticket for a | » i nese lottery.” = “Did she know who you ar “Not at first.” pA eT “How did she make the discovery that were the wife of Jim Wallace?” 3 7 “T invited her into the parlor, and when she entered she noticed a piece of statuary— a Clytie—that I had been foolish enough to — put on the mantel. It had been stolen by Jim from a Harlem flat the day before.” “And she identified it?” ae “At oncé.’ - “a Bao “Well, what occurred when she denounced you?” ~ « “She did not denounce me.” en. : “No? What words did she use then?” “She said very quietly, and like the lady she is, ‘Mrs. Wallace; said she, ‘I am very — sorry for you.’ “*What for? said I, with a toss of my head, for I was defiant, and I had my hus- band’s interests at heart at that moment 1 — can tell you. . “For the gross deception. to which you =~ have been the victim,’ was her reply. = ee “And then she told me all about Jim’s ~~ other wife—his true wife. “I wouldn’t believe her at first, but. when : A she brought her proofs, a copy of oa = > riage certificate, taken from the register, S . 4, * fe gia then went out and brought in the woman = os eas had been — down “the

Page 21

= ae SE ete = “2 =? rg - —, ee x bs ae : oF ee = 2 be E ” street—I aed not but believe that I had : ben most shamefully imposed upon. = _ . “All my love-for Jim Wallace then turned ~ to hate, and when Ida Jones proposed that I _ assist her in bringing him to justice for the Harlem robberies, I eagerly and fiercely con- sented. “The first proposition made by your as- sistant, Mr. Carter,” the disguised woman yent on, “was that I should turn up the en plunder—that is, as much of it as Jim ad secreted about the house. his I agreed to do, and when I had done » Miss Jones had ‘it all loaded into a police wi , which she had telephoned for, and it sehen to, police headquarters.” this point in the woman’s recital, k became firmly convinced that an at- Dt Ww eing made to hoodwink him. - had been listening to the artful tale “ge pactueeshii ait. some pitfall, of course. He determined to a a stop to her little gamesstonce. " _ ~*T beg your pardon,” he said, abruptly, she paused for a moment; “but I must peak to Miss Jones for a moment.” ‘The answer surprised him greatly. “Very well,” said the disguised woman, in there, and is probably awaiting Nick had ade up his mind as a natural to his theory of his compenion’s in the ‘building, Nick took ‘two NICK CARTER WEEKLY, sale et ied to de cen | lacked -in but one important essential, — Fie “ys = 19 A small apartment with a circular table in the center and a lamp upon it. : Sitting by the table was a woman in the guise of a Bowery boy. It was Miss Ida Jones. : Nick was about to speak, when she put her finger to her lips and motioned him back. — The great detective nodded his head, and silently closed the door. ’ Then he turned to the woman he had left in the corner. She was regarding him with a curious smile. “Well?” was her sarcastic’ query. do you think, now?” Nick answered, evasively. “I think it will rain before morning.” “What CHAPTER IV. FALLS INTO A TRAP. NICK Nick Carter was puzzled when he turned from the room.which held Miss Ida Jones, his lady assistant, and confronted the dis- guised woman who represented herself to be the wife of James Wallace. The story she had told, backed by the presence of Miss Jones in the saloon, would have been proof positive to the ordinary de- tective that she had told the truth. But Nick Carter was not an ordinary de- tective. As a deep student of human nature, and one whose strange and varied expérience had brought him in contact with all sorts and conditions of men, and with crime and wickedness in all its phases, he was not pre- pared to swallow at a gulp the very plausi- - ble yarn the disguised woman had reeled off. © It was a pretty yarn, a very oreby.ass. indeed, i It had been toatl put together, but it

Page 22

20 . NICK CARTER WEEKLY. z standing of the character and ability of Nick’s lady assistant. The great detective could believe that Miss Jones might have confided in Jim Wallace’s wife under the circumstances as narrated by her, or the person who was personating her; “he could believe that she had asked Mrs. ‘Wallace to turn up the stolen property. But he could not believe that his assistant would take it upon herself to send the plant to police headquarters. Such a jouaicad was contrary to gond sense, It might spoil pacrsibitee. for Jim Wallace might get word of the removal of the plun- der in time to keep out of harm’s way. No good detective or officer of the law would think of taking such an action while _a fine chance existed for the immediate cap- ture of the robber. It was only in a case of public raid, or when the unlawful operators were unknown, crimes; or that arrest had immediately fol- lowed or preceded the movement, that stolen property had been taken from its place of - concealment to police headquarters. . Miss Ida Jones understood her business thoroughly—on that point Nick was~ con- __-vinced—and besides she had not departed a on her mission without having received defi- nite instructions as to the course she should pursue, es It was no part of her akity to take upon -- herself any of the functions that naturally devolved upon her superior. The woman who was, or pretended to bE Jim Walllace’s wife, was therefore, according’ - to the great detective’s shrewd deductions, a = ee in this one point at least. e ag she Pa falsely in one ment or, scenting danger, had fled the scene of their - ‘ fast 2 Jim a #: : Bee Beach, in her narrative the better to deceive him? After regarding her unabashed counte- nance for a moment, Nick said: “What business is occupying Miss Jones in the next room?” “She is waiting for the appearance of - Jim Wallace.” “What!” : “Tt surprises you, does it?” “Tt does, madam.” “And yet I speak the truth.” “Jim Wallace is too sharp and ¢fafty to his neck in a noose of this kind. eg 3 “The sharpest rogue has his, weale spot. “And has my assistant found that “weak — spot?” “She has.” = _“‘And what is it?” oe “Woman.” as ; = s “T thought you would may so, and, what's more, it’s the ser tf ig Soe De “Of course it is.” fae ead 3 But she looked at the great detective with eyes of suspicion when he so readily coin- cided with her. “Yes,” said Nick, with decision; “he’s —— weak on the woman question. But my-as- x sistant—how did she make use of her knowl “a edge of his weak point?” ae a “At her request I indited a note to him, ~ and had it sent off by a boy whom I knew could be trusted.” “You know where Jim hangs out when : he’s not at home, then?” 5 ss Rite ‘ ; = “Go on.” -— Sea £8 “The = alluded to-a chance meeting. ese the races.” 3 : “Jim is too 16 fey to be caught by ac a bait as that.” Hig PE we *» “Oh, no, for {ie meeting actually took Son place! One of the most beautiful women __ == in New York—she moves in a select but

Page 23

=~ other day, and made eyes at ‘him till he ac- q tually blushed. Both were on the mash, and 7 she outmashed him.” ' - “He told you this, did he?” +. “Yes, and laughed at the episode, for he never expected to see her again?” _ Well?” ~ “Now, this note of mine—inspired by Miss ___ Jones—referred to this meeting—of eyes— =: 1 asked d for a different kind of a meeting. <e’s saloon this very evening.” _ queer smile curled about the corners of *k’s mouth. s not this a rather inappropriate quarter s got the: slumming .craze like many ers ea her kind. Lefer to this pet aver- Vhat! Do you intend to personate the - erful adversary, a club, wielded by the dis- . ~ sty belle on this occasion?” ~ low stupid you are!” | for many a day. i e parts of her: BrTatNe bewildered h him s certain that Miss ae ase ee ee eg a was = for Reds oF 1 lady of the best aan: to select as a A ay NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 8 “She wants me,” said the disguised woman, quickly. “Perhaps not. It may be that-I am the person she desires.” The woman shrugged her shoulders. Nick reached the door just as another rap came. He entered to find the room empty. _ He determined to sit down and wait for her return. The room had two doors, one opening into the barroom, the other into another apart- ment or a corridor, the detective knew not which. Five minutes passed. Then the door by which he had entered opened quickly. . Nick turned to see the face and person of the woman in disguise, who had represented herself to be Jim Wallace’s wife. At the same moment the other door opened and a man leaped into the room... He threw himself upon Nick before the latter had time to defend himself. A short, sharp and decisive struggle fol- lowed. But the detective was outnumbered. For while he was wrestling with his pow- guised woman, descended again and again on Nick’s devoted head, until he fell limp and insensible to the floor. "CHAPTER V. - MISS JONES’ MISADVENTURE, _ The great detective had fallen into a trap . = most cleverly prepared by the rte: of Jim Wallace. “ And Miss Ida Jones was ea a Sctins _ She had set out on her mission i in the con- -fident belief that success would crown her efforts; for before Nick Carter had entered upon ths cag. Ae Bed, learned that Wallace - ae

Page 24

a, When the detail was given her, she re- solved to keep the knowledge she had gained to herself until after she had put it to good advantage. As the fact that Jim Wallace had com- mitted bigamy would not be of importance in any other branch of the case than. the one upon which she had entered, she did not think any harm could result from temporarily with- holding it. She regretted her mistake when too late to rectify it. Miss Jones’ washerwoman, a young, faded- out woman, had informed her that Jim Wal- lace had a wife living when he married the Connecticut girl. The washerwoman was Mrs. No. I. Unfortunately the latter had a failing that had more than once brought her to grief. She loved to tipple. Whisky had once sent her to Blackwell’s Tsland. When Miss Jones left Nick she went straightway to Mrs. Wallace’s poor habitation near the Grand Central Depot for the purpose of ascertaining if the womanhad heard of her husband lately. She found Mrs. Wallace in a ieaby mood. In her little cheerless room: she sat sing- Wallace ing to herself, with a bottle of whisky on the table beside her. Miss Jones frowned, when she noticed the woman’s condition, but she had no time for remonstrances. - Her business was urgent, and she could lecture the robber’s deserted wife at some - other time. “Have you heard from your husband, late- ly?” Nick’s lady assistant asked, after a few commonplaces had passed. “Heard from him, is it? No. I haven't 22 heard from the wretch; iA cat Si -- 22 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Whéte ?” Here was news which might prove of a most important character. “Coming out of a house on East Fifty- seventh street.” ““Did'you speak to him?” “Not I. He’s weléome to his other wom-- an. I’m glad to be rid of him, the deceiver.” “The other woman?” “Yes. A young woman bid him stots at the door.” > ibe “Then he must live at the house you. s him come out of ?” : “Of course he does, and. someday Tl there and tear that hussy’ $ eyes out.” “T thought you said just now that your _ husband was welcome to her.” With a maudlin grin, the woman replied: “You didn’t understand mé He’s_wel- come to héf, but she’s not welcome to him.” SME “You make a cutious distinction.” —— “That’s all right.” : Mrs. Wallace looked fondly at the half- empty bottle. Nick Carter’s lady assistant with a little © gesture of disgust took her leave. . o She had not been gone a inate before a a young man entered. : He was well dressed, smooth-faced sol + a sharp-eyed, with a hawk nose and thin, qe2 lips. _ At one time he acted as her husband’s agent, and had paid her certain sums of money on condition that she should not seek him out or bother him. - _ Mrs. Wallace was in the act of anal thie = bottle of whisky, when she heard the oe open. : “You're a hog, Lena!” the man said, roughly. a “What is that you say, Matt Cooley she % ax feréaly rejoined. : ie ieee “You're ahog!” oe : “You're a liar!” aA “Seen him!

Page 25

5 “No one but a hs ‘would drink the last drop of Tiquor i in a bottle when she saw an woke _ oid friend coming in.” a | didn’t 8 see you, and you’re riot not an’ oP frieh’, Matt Cooley !” . “If T bring the stuff, I’m a friend, ain’t 1?” ~ “Ye-es.” rd sont buys whisky, you know.” t you are, Matty.” . oe her moral principles were float- in the fumes that came forth with br bai = she exhaled. ‘ hat was Tda Jones” doing in here?” he ced ‘in an insinuating tone, after he had laid dollar note in her lap. Who’s Ida Jones?” as Th h woman who just left here.” you come to know her she was doing her first work for ter on ‘the Henderson case.” 's friend ?” “1 was am honest ‘man then.” le woman- grunted. ae ~ “Mayt “Got any more gol’ pieces?” ou asked oe quesh’n jus’ now,” she want to > know a ik Miss Ida ies “Correct”. sn cae simme "nother tenner ’n rl tell you.” Sead put another banknote ts into, 0 her Wallace chuckled ed softy to scat as ed it away in her bosom. + . eos tic complete possession of “Ffonest because it was policy to be so,” are seaches Vabre,* muttered Matt, as he ab, NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 23° “T told her I saw Jim this morn’. “See?” ‘Her tongue was becoming thicker, and she rubbed her chin nervously as she spoke. “Where did you tell her you saw him?” “On Eas’ Fif-seven’ street.” “What!” “On Eas’ Fif-seven’ street, ’n that’s truth, ' Matt Cooley.” “Then she’s gone there, now?” “Of course she has. Tha’s her reg’lar business.” ; Matt Cooley left the place unceremonious- ly. There was an anxious look on his evil face as he took his way to the east side. He was Jim Wallace’s partner, and had lo- cated most of the flats which Jim had after- ward plundered. Cooley lived on East Fifty-seventh street, and Mrs. Wallace had seen her husband come out of his (Cooley’s) house, If Ida Jones went there she must make a discovery that would render his further stay in New York a most dangerous proceeding. For a portion of the property stolen from the Harlem flats was in his house. It consisted of ‘articles of adornment which Mrs. Cooley had fancied. This latter personage was a young woman of bright intelligence turned in an evil direc- tion. She was an able ally of her husband in all his criminal undertakings. Before Matt Cooley met Wallace she had been his sole partner in all his schemes of rob- “bery, and so cunningly had she played her -Part that she had never once come tunder po- lice suspicion or suveillance. Nick Carter had heard that Matt Cooley had a wife, but he had never met her. “If I can only reach home before that fe-_ got into a ‘and T willbe able to

Page 26

. -. “When she does, a4 : NICK CARTER WEEKLY. fix things so as ‘to queer her game in great shape.” His hand trembled as he opened the door of his dwelling, and his face was pale with apprehension. But his heart gave a bound of relief, and he breathed freely when his wife met him with a smile, and in reply to his hurried ques- tion, said that no one had called during his _absence. When he told her what he had learned at Mrs. Wallace’s, she pursed her pretty lips and bent her dark eyes to the floor. “T have it, Matt,” she said, presently. “A plan to beat Nick Carter’s game?” “Yes,” “And save Jim Wallace as well?” “Yes,” “What is it?” “T’ll put that Clytie that Jim picked up in Harlem yesterday on the parlor mantel.” “That’s a risky move.” “Wait and let me finish. Then I'll make Miss Ida Jones believe that Iam young Mrs. Wallace—Jim’s wife No. 2. See?” “T see you’ve got some bold scheme in your head”—looking at her admiring eyes. “So I have.” “Well, what next, Molly?” “Miss Jones will do the sympathy act, I’m sure, and ten to one she'll tell me about Jim’s first marriage.” “A hundred to one she will. boss card to play.” It'll be the I'll pretend at first to be all broke up; and, after I’ve worked the briny in good style, I'll flash out as a wronged “= woman, who burns to be revenged on the vile . =o: Haw will you work the sap rt” 4 there, [expect you and. Jim to whi in and brute who has so cruelly deceived me.” “Tl bet you'll fool her a big bunch, Molly.” _ “After that I'll play into her hands up to the limit of making an appointment to deliver Jim Wallace into her hands—that is, Nick Carter’s.” _ “What place will you designate?” “Red Mike’s.” r Se oo et eee "her services in the campaign against her hi “T understand. You press the button, and we'll do the rest.” It is unnnecessary to follow the conversa- tion of this wicked couple further. Suffice it to say that when Nick Carter’s lady assistant rang the bell at the front door, the details of the conspiracy ae been fully ar- ranged. Ida Jones was a shrewd, hake woman, but on this occasion she was completely taken in by the matchless acting of Matt Cooley’s wife. © In the firm belief that she had found Jim ——— Wallace’s wife No. 2—the girl.he had mar- ried in Connecticut—and that she had enlis band—now shown up to hér’in the light o base deceiver—Ida Jones left the house don a male disguise, and hasten to Red Mike’s — saloon where she expected to meet Soe Wal- — lace. Before 4eaving for the saloon, ae indited note, in cipher, to Nick Carter. - When she reached Red Mike's, Mrs. Coo- <— ley, also in male disguise, was found awaiting her. : “Go into the back room,” said thé ricky Molly, “and wait till Jim comes. He will enter by the back way.” i Informed that the part she had to play Was _ that of the society belle who had fallen in love” with Jim Wallace at the races, Ida Jories went™ into the back room, and closed the door. ~~ A few moments after she had seated her-_ self by the table, Mrs. Cooley entered. “ “Did you see Nick Carter before you came here?” she asked, with assumed anxiety. “No, but I left a message for him.” “Did you give him any instructions as to ~~ what he should do when he reached the ee loon ?” “No.” “Why not?” ; “Because he knows how to adapt himself __ to circumstances. Besides, I may see him.” “Not when he enters.” case “You may inform him that I'am in the room, if you like.” “Give me his description, “and I will do so.” ey can’t. » : “He willcome i in ie kG then?” “Of course.” = s

Page 27

“T will try to penetrate it.” “I wish you luck in the venture.” As Mrs. Cooley turned to-go, she gave this instruction : “No one must enter this room before Jim Wallace arrives, for if he should come sud- _ _ denly to the other door and find somebody with you ne would milapect a trap and*take himself o ~~ “T will atow no one to enter.” _ “With a smile of satisfaction, the disguised eerneetics went out of the room. SI t Nick-Carter soon afterward, and tially cmnystified. him by her ingenious story. fda Jones felt that all was well when he st opened the door of the back room, and oked in upon her, but ‘acting upon the in- fructions of the woman she believed to be s, Wallace No, 2, she waved him back and 5 Si ae get 2-Chance.to epeak to her. 107 after his return to the bar-room, £ door opened quickly. es looked up expectantly. ‘But © was not Jim Wallace who entered. “was a man the lady detective had never es m. =F ” he said, deferentially, “for € spite sey . Foes in the corridor. 3 n in,” “Afraid?” her fraid of what?” ot for himself,” said the stranger, quick- t for your sake. The police are going He is afraid to lips curled scornfully, “| see,” said Nick’s lady assistant, quickly, ~ “and--—” a i ‘wishes to Save your reputation.” am obliged for his consideration.” : me is not a bad fellow when you get to him.” “Miss Jones found erst ina coats could not notify Nick of the slight seers the signal that should bring him a raid on this place to-night, - in her programme, and it was too NICK CARTER WEEKLY. "s : 3b She must go out into the corridor and meet Wallace, or else give up all hope of seeing him that night. As for the statement that a police raid was coniemplated, it might or might not be true, The fact was patent, however, that Jim Wallace was not disposed to trust himself in the back room. Just a faint siispicion of treachery crept into her mind, as she rose to follow the stran- get—who was none other than Matt Cooley— into the corridor, and for a moment she hesi- tated. But the thought of the chance that might be forever lost in case her suspicions proved to be groundle&s, made a go forward reso- lutely. She stepped out of the room into almost black darkness. The next instant she knew what a terrible mistake she had made. a A rude hand was pressed tightly over her mouth, and she was thrown roughly to the damp flags of a long, narrow cellar, and not -a corridor. « “Keep quiet and stop your kicking,” hissed a hoarse voice into her ear, “or I'll choke the life out of you.” The speaker: was Jim Wallace. CHAPTER VI. CAUGHT A TARTAR. When Nick Carter’s senses returned, he found himself lying on his back in some dark, damp hole. His head pained him, and he involuntarily uttered a groan, as he attempted to move it. The groan was productive of one result, which might be a beneficial one. It assured him of companionship. He was not alone in his dark, samy prison. “Who’. s there?” came a faint voice, close at hand. Nick answered quickly : “A fellow victim, I presume.” The detective’s voice sounded harsh and unnatural. He hardly recognized it himself. “Who are you?” again queried the voice, this time louder and signa

Page 28

Soe I” pe ee ae . “Nick Carter,” was the surprised response. “And what brings you here, Miss Jones?” The lady assistant heaved a profound sigh. “My want of caution.” “We are none of us perfect.” “No need to tell me that.” “Are you bound like me?” “Yes. I can’t move,.I am not only bound, but secured to a.staple in the floor.” “My fix. How long have you been in here?” “I don’t know. I fainted when I got here, and I think it was your voice which Beene me to consciousness.’ “The time must be short, then. Have sh any idea where we are?” “Yes.” “Where ?” “In a cellar back of Red Mike’s saloon.” Miss Jones then told Nick what had hap- ' pened since he had parted with her in the afternoon at the rendezvous. “Tricked and trapped by as cunning a trio of scoundrels as ever I had professional busi- . ness with,” was his bitter comment. “Jim Wallace is one,” Miss Jones said. “Who are the others.” “The woman who represented herself to be his second wife, and one Matt Cooley.” ““Who is the woman?” “Matt Cooley’s wife.” “How did you make this discovery ?” “By putting two and two together; I was surprised by Matt in the room where I ex- pected to find you. Then the thought in- stantly flashed into my mind that the woman in the bar-room was his wife, whom I had heard much about, but had never seen.” << “She is the smartest woman in the criminal line that I ever met,” rejoined Miss Jones. “She’d make her fortune on the-stage.” od The lady detective bit her lip in angry yex- which Mrs. Cooley had imposed upon her. ation at the thought of the clever manner in Nick meantime tugged fiercely at his bonds, and succeeded in slightly loosening one of the cords about his wrists. An expert in the untying business, it did not take him long to release himself. % _ Once free he proceeding to relieve his as- 2 _ sistant of her bonds. _ the Pome I'll miss my eet NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ae “Half the battle is won,” he said, in a com- forting tone, as they stood with.clasped hands on the damp floor.. “IT hope so.” Then they began an investigation of the. cellar. It appeared to have but one outlet, and that was barred by a heavy iron door. In the corner of the cellar Nick found a stick of wood. It had, probably, been used on his head by Mrs. Cooley and thrown into the corner after the detective had been overcome. “en he Nick’s revolvers had been taken from him, —__ but with his stick he felt able to make an ef fective resistance when iianagmniap- shone re- appear. After half an hour’s walle up and dow the cellar, during which time every scales foot of floor and wall had been a as Mts Jones said, despondingly : “No chance of escape for us, I fear.” “Don't worry, Ida, we'll be out of here fore morning.” nea B= Ss a ee be As he spoke, he began to tap against ane farther wall—the one opposite the iron door by which they must have entered. = To his surprise the wall gave forth a bor = low sound. He tapped another place, a few feet away. Dull—solid. . a” On the other side, a few feet troni the fi attempt, he next tried the stick. Dull again. ; Further tapping revealed the fact that hol- 3 low sounds could be obtained in a space three = feet square beginning at the floor. = The wall in other places was of brick. Here it was plain plaster over laths or thin strips of boards. His stick was not heavy enough to be of use in attacking the wall at the weak point, so he began kicking at the plaster with his feet. In a few minutes he had made a hole pe? enough to admit his body. oe The cool air tesied in through the aper ture. “T understand,” < said, as he paused in hig? — work a moment, “and if we are not soonon

Page 29

2 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. BPS. a7 -. Miss Jones experienced a thrill of intense ~ relief. — Presently Nick had Siecges the aperture - _ so that she could crawl through with ease. > age The detective went first to assure himself ~~ that all was safe beyond, and then assisted her “to follow. : They were still far below the surface of the * ground, but above them was no other cover- ing than the star-studded heavens. ~ In the half light a could distinguish -~ their surroundings. _. The place they were now in was or had a cellar, jike the one they had just red from;.but it had caved in, and the part of it shee filled with bricks and ~ “Where are we?” asked Miss Jones, won- No far from Greene street, in the ruins of : ene was destroyed by fire several * ienaist part fronting on the street was it, but the rear which at one time was de- = rote to tenements was allowed to remain as the fire left it. *Saleytie oft days, if I reason correctly, and knowledge of this quarter I think I do, the cellar we just crawled out of com- eee with the one we are in now, and have been used far nefarious purposes “the of criminals who wack 4 to infest “this etberhood. he opening between the two cellars was Da bly closed after the fire, but I don’t think Mike or the villains who entrapped us the least idea that the hole was not h brick to match the walls about it.” ‘detective and his assistant now an attempt to get out of the cellar. Looking upward Nick judged the distance ‘the bottom to the lowest section to the wall above to be about twenty feet. ‘climbed the highest pile of debris, to his disappointment that it was not than six feet from the floor. ~ examined the walls for crevices by abe vwltiche he might work his way ap : ble could be “We are not out of the woods yet,” he ré- marked rather gloomily when he gave up his search. Miss Jones was stooping down ae SS at something when Nick spoke. “I’ve made a discovery of ‘some kind,” said. . Nick went to her assistance, and found that she was trying to lift a trap-door by means of the rusty iron ring held by a staple. Their combined efforts resulted in success. The door was raised, and a dark, foul- smelling hole was revealed. It was too dark to see how deep it was, and Nick had no matches, for the thieves who had entrapped him had emptied his pockets of everything he possessed. But a broken brick thrown downwards proved that the depth was not more than seven or eight feet. “I’m going down there,” said Nick, reso- lutely, “for the hole may be the means of our deliverance.” _ “And it may lead into the den of the ene- my,” returned Miss Jones. “No matter,” said Nick, grimly, “for I feel able at this moment with this stick to fight a dozen men.” He said no more, but swung himself down the trap. As his feet touched bottom he exclaimed: *“T’m in a sort of sub-cellar, and it’s got an outlet beyond, for I can see a thin streak of light ahead of me.” He was about to ask his lady assistant to’ remain above until he called her, when she de- scended close by his side. “You may need help,” she said, quietly, but resolutely, “and I am here to give it.” The courageous woman had armed herself with a brick, and she walked by Nick’s side as he hastened forward in the direction of the light. — _ As the detective “had imagined, it came from the cracks of a door. The door was of wood, and to Nick’s sur- she ” prise and satisfaction it was not locked. ‘He had turned the knob and_ partially “opened it, when a light, which had come from _ oe esac bas out, = a- paeiatictr was >

Page 30

a 28 heard close at hand, which was quickly fol- lowed by another and another. Regardless of his personal safety the de- tective rushed out to ascertain the cause of the shooting. Loud cries and curses greeted his ears from the long corridor in which he found himself. “D—n you, take that,” hissed a voice he recognized as Matt Cooley’s, and a heavy thud was heard the next instant, followed by a shriek of mortal agony. Some one had been murdered. Nick thought of Chick and Patsy, and with lips compressed and eyes flashing ominously he pressed forward for the scene of the trag- edy, stick in hand. A door suddenly opened in front of him as he hurried on, and a flood of light was thrown into the corridor. A strange spectacle met the great detec- tive’s eyes. In the door beyond stood Red Mike. On the floor before him two men were — struggling in a deadly embrace, while just be- yond them was another man lying dead with his head in a pool of blood. For one second Nick gazed at the scene, and then, on the impulse of the moment, he sprang forward, and brought his stick of wood down on Red Mike’s head. The saloon keeper was taken completely by surprise, for his eyes had been riveted upon the combatants, and he had not seen the de- tective. As Red Mike fell and did not move Ida Jones made use of the brick which she had brought from the cellar above. It struck one of the combatants on the floor between the eyes, and made him see more stars than ever the heavens had unfolded to his gaze. Then the man he had been struggling with arose to his feet. “The tricky cuss wears brass knuckles,” he said, “and I got a taste of them just now.” The speaker was Chick. CHAPTER VIL. THE FLAT ROBBER IN THE TOILS. _ Nick gave Chick a look of approval, and then both of them proceeded to bind the two NICK CARTER WEEKLY. When this operation was over Nick stooped to gaze into the face of the man who was lying in a pool of blood. It was that of a ruffian who had given the police much trouble. He had been a Bowery fighter, a tough of. the worst description, and during his life could have been hired for the commission of - any crime however heinous, murder not ex- cepted. “Plug Masson,” said Nick, in surprise. “And how did this happen, Chick ?” | “Matt Cooley made a mistake, that’s how.” “I see. He took Masson for-you in the darkness.” x8 a “You've struck it.” “Now tell me how you.came here. - 3% “Piping Jim Wallace brought me here.” ~~ “You shadowed him from the moment left the ferry and got on the Elevated at iat Twenty-third stréet ?” ; ee Fie “Go on.’ = “I was a passenger on aie car with my new character. of the Dutchman, and I followed him to a house in East: One Hun- ~ dred and Thirty-eighth street, where he. lives.” “Ah! that’s news, indeed, Chick. And what kind of a house is it?” “A Tegular palace. Madison avenue can't show up a finer.” x: “Just as I thought.” “He went in this swell place,” Chick cone tinued, “and staid there an hour. A oerraee - let him in. “When he came out a handsome woman kissed him good-by at the door.” “That was his Connecticut wife.” Fae “T found that out by overhearing what they 3 said. “‘*Good-by, Jim,’ were her words, ‘and don’t be out late to-night, for we’re to go to Connecticut to-morrow, you know.” a é Ful be back before midnight, Jennie, sure.’ “PIL sit up for you then,’ she said. - “Wallace left her to board an Eighth ave- nue car. ats “He got off at the Park, and went on to a shady aot: near. the Croton pc bte i E

Page 31

NICK OARTER WEEKLY. 29 _ “Here he was met by Plug Masson. _ _“T was within hearing distance, but con- -cealed from view when they began talking. “It seems that our quarry had made.an ap- ' pointment for this place with Matt Cooley. Matt had not come, but had sent Plug in- stead. ~~ “The news the Bowery bravo brewght al- -_- most paralyzed Wallace. _ “*Nick Carter is onto you,’ Plug said, ‘and ~ one of his detectives expects to meet you to- _ night at Red Mike’s.’ - ‘But I won’t be there, though.’ yes, you will,’ says Masson, and re- fed to him the scheme Matt ‘Cooley and his ever wife had riggéd up to entrap you and a Vallace breathed a sigh of relief when he grasped the situation. think I will go down to Mike’s,’ he 1 , with a fierce oath, ‘and I'll square ac- E-with the man ‘who put me in a hole six op Sided the pair,” said Chick, “and é y them enter sa tough crib c on Greene street. > and then I lost sight of them. “Tt was after dark, and I hunted about thé k premises until I began to fear that if I id there much longer I might not be in e to save you and Miss Jones from the ter- le fate that was evidently in store for both — of you. ted Mike's in the Bowery, and I was well sat- that there was a means of communica- _ this shebang and the Greene aM - to ‘Mike’s, * T said to myself, ‘and T'll clean out the whole place, but I'll find the ‘men I’m after.’” That's old reckless Chick that spoke then,” ick with a smile. tthe smile was an approving one, _ d got into the Bowery and into Mike’s just pelle attention to me, and T Sa b was. very pale and Aha. be wily ce The duse she does,’ Wallace ejaculated, = “T knew the pair would finally bring up at — | Cooley was coming out of the back — “My heart sank then, for I feared that he and Wallace might have got away with you, Nick, for good ,while as for Miss Jones——” Chick hesitated, and the lady assistant shuddered at the thought of the terrible dan- ger which she had escaped. “What did Cooley do?” asked Nick, quick- i Sao == “He called Red Mike aside, and they held “a whispered consultation of a few moments’ ation. “Then Mike handed Cooley a big key, and the latter went to the door of the back room, opened it, and passed from sight. “What could I do?” “It I followed I would have Red Mike at my heels and a score of toughs besides for aught 1 knew to the contrary. “T was willing to buck against these odds if the worst came to the worst, but in a flash a better way to work my points was suggested. “T walked carelessly to the door so as to excite suspicien, and when I got outside I yelled ‘Fire!’ with all my might. “The bar-room was cleared in an instant, Rei Mike being the first to reach the side- « walk. * “He had an idea that old rattletrap of a building that held his disreputable joint might be in danger. ' “T slid into the saloon during the excite- ment that followed, and was out of sight in the back room before he returned to his place behind the bar. “A door was open on the side. ae “Tt was a secret ‘Srratigee it, and slid back into the partition.” “That was not the door I was taken through,” said Nick. “No, because you went into the cellar.” “Nes. “T did not stop to ask why it had Nea left open—though I| think now it was Cooley’s carelessness that did it—but hurried through the opening into a corridor, which led to a stairway going downward. “A lantern’s light warned me to be careful as I went down the stairs. “At the first landing I heard voices. Sow: men mare. in- “Sains: = ,

Page 32

2 = “They had left you, Nick, and Miss Jones bound and insensible in the cellar, and they ‘were discussing the best means of getting rid of both of you forever. *“Masson was for knocking you on the lead, and dumping you into the river, while Cooley, well, never mind what Cooley pro- posed. It was something worse, though, you tay be assured.” Again Miss Jones: shuddered. Shee “I soon discovered that the two villains were in a sub-cellar,’ resumed Chick, “and that it ran along parallel with Red Mike’s bar-room, and that one means of entering it was by a stairway directly under the bar counter.” ~ Where we are, now?” said Nick. Yes, “They were moving toward the stairway where I was, in order to go back and drag their victims down to the sub-cellar, which I iniagined communicated in some portion with the sewer. “T made a step upward to get out of the way when as luck would have it one of my keys fell from a hole in my pocket, and went rattling down the stairs. “A shout from the trio of villains warned me that my presence had been discovered. “There was but one thing to do, and that was to make a bold stand. “T therefore turned, whipped out my re- volver, and blazed away as they came for me. “The first shot struck the lantern which Cooley held, and the sub-cellar was in dark- ness in an in t. “What happened afterward you can readily surmise, “Cooley mistook Masson for your humble servant, and put a knife into him. “He discovered his mistake only when I clutched him by the throat.” The great detective was disappointed at the- gece of Wallace from the scene. If the clever flat robber had gone away from the premises with the idea that all was . safe, and that Miss Jones and Nick were > _ prisoners, the way would be clear to his arrest _ under proper conditions. The question, then, was, had he left the ‘ NICK CARTER WEEKLY. The answer came in a moment im a most surprising way. A voice called down from the bar-room through the opening by which Red Mike had reached the sub-cellar. It was the voice of Jim Wallace, said: “How is it, Matt? All right?” Cooley had recovered consciousness, and. and it was about to answer in words that would havé spoiled the game for Nick Carter, had not the latter instantly raised his stick over the prostrate villain’s head, and hissed tags oF words in a menacing whisper?» x “Ansewr ‘all right,’ or [ll brain you.” Matt Cooley ——— te eyes, = cept lips shut. “Are you there, ins at again from above. “For the last time,” came the chrestenialell whisper, “or zs The stick was beginning & to descend, Cooley spoke. =. “I’m here,” he answered, “and it’s all right. ” Bere Oee fe : z Fa = “Shall I come down?” sz “No. ” “Good, for I promised Jennie to be omen before twelve. But say, didn’t I hear a pistol = shot or two a minute ago?” » is “It was shooting at a bat.” it This answer was prompted: by Nick. “Where's Mike?” “ ugbe to see the prisoners.” then we'll fix em. Good night.” “Good night.” The conversation ceased. aay Nick whispered a few words to Chick. Young Hereules nodd&, and when Jim — Wallace reached home his meeting with his _ wife at the door was witnessed by! ies =a faithful assistant. re - Before the great detective and Miss jena left Red Mike’s they learned that the sub-— terranean. rooms and passages which they_ ae had travérsed had been used in by-gone days by a powerful secret society of crimitials, > "Matt Cooley and Mike were coriveyed to the Tombs,’ ‘and Nick -having received assur- ance from. a Teepe or Steers tae the fact of

Page 33

de Ay f 3 Sine? arrest should be: ieept ‘secret for twenty- four hours, went home and took a miuch- ie “heeded rest. pa: It is needless to say that Miss Jones slept _ _well,also. ~ __ » Chick was not so "RE for he re- mained all night watching Jim Wallace’s palatial house. .- At ten o'clock in the forenodn of the next day, the clever flat robber left his home and _ went to a livery stable on East One Hundred and -seventh street, where he hired a and light wagon for the ostensible ear eat Seton to the races. n front of a house on West One Hundred _ Twenty-fifth. street he stopped, and a Chick and Nick were not far away. Vallace went to the door, had a few words Aversation with the servant, and then t pete. a short time he came out hurriedly with - pockets, and, jumping into the : n, drove rapidly off.» e “was ate toa Harlem “pawnshop, showing a diamond ring r button to the pawn- nd Chick entered quickly and a ‘had been taken to police head- larters, the two detectives proceded to his se on East One Hundred and Thirty- ‘street. s pretty wife was found in the parlor in conversation with Miss Ida Jones. ris tim Shetady detective had worked her ~ M allace No. 2 was not of a vicious of mind, and she talked freely and ay re hee ‘she found such a sympathizer Miss Ida Jones proved to be. house was furnished like a palace, and NICK CARTER WEEKLY. E “3 the stolen plunder that was removed from: it approximated twenty thousand. dollars’ in value. : Nearly all the different articles were after- ward identified by Harlem flat tenants. Mts. Wallace cried bitterly when informed that her darling Jim had been arrested, and declared that he was hers, and that she was going to have him again, despite the law and that other woman. Mrs. Cooley made her escape, and still is at large. Her hain 17 and Red ez got six years each. Nick Carter took such an ae in the case that he personally accompanied Jim Wal- lace to the criminal court. “Your career of crime is over,” said Nick, as he conducted Wallace from the wagon to the court room, in Chambers’street. Jim Wallace was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to fourteen years and six months in the State prison. The judge, in passing sentence, compli- mented Nick Carter and his assistants for the valuable work they had done for the benefit _of society, in ridding it for a long time of the presence of one of the most deeply-dyed crim- inals in the United States. » As for Inspector Steers, his gratitude to Nick for his quick and effective campaign was unbounded. Patsy came over from Brooklyn too late to be of any service at the wind-up. “Never mind,” he said, mysteriously, “you haven't got Mrs. Cooley yet. Perhaps she'll faii into my hands some day. Who knows?” ‘THE END) The next number of the Nick Carter Weekly will. contain ‘‘Killed at the Baths; or Nick Carter Right On Hand,”’ by the author of ‘‘Nick Carter.

Page 34

NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Foes Nick Carter Quarterly. ‘The earlier issues of Nick Carter Weekly, are now on sale in the forin of Quarterlies, each including 13 consecutive issues of this ' favarite weekly, together with the 13 original illuminated illustra- tions. and an elegant cover in colors. The price is 50 Cents per volume, for which sum they will be sent by mail post-paid to and address in the United States. NOW READY. ~- - No. 1, including Nos. 1 to 13 of Nick Carter Weekly. “ Nos. 14 to 26 of Nick Carter Weekly. No, 3, = Nos. 27 to 39 of Nick Carter Weekly. No. 4, - Nos. 40 to 52 of Nick Carter Weekiy. No, 5, ” Nos. 53 to 65 of Nick Carter Weekly. If your Newsdealer has not got the Quarterlies, remit direct to the publishers, STREET & SMITH. 81 Fulton St., N. Y. WRESTLING. History tells us that wrestling was the first form of athletic pastime. Without doubt, it gives strength and firnmess, combineg with quickness and pliability, to the limbs, vigor to the body covlness and discrimination to the head and elasticity to the tem. per, the whole forming an energetic combination of the greatest wer to be found in man. The book is entitled Prorrssor ULDOON’s WrxsTnine. It is fully illustrated, and will be sent postpaid on receipt of ten cents, Address STREET & SMITH, 2% Rose street, New York. (Mauual Library Department). AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHY. Many people imagine that a photographer's camera is a difienlt machine to handle, and that the work isdirty and disagreeable. AU this isa mistake, Photography is a clean. light, and pleasant ae- complishment, within the reach of all... The camera will prove a triend, reporter, and helper. With a very inexpensive camem any boy or girl can now learn not only to take good_pictnres, but pictures that there is everywhere a demand for at reninerative prices. A complete guide to this fascinating art, entitled AMATEUK Manuva oF PHOTOGRAI HY will he sant on receipt of ten cents. STREET & SMITH, 25 Rose,street, New York. 7 Manual Library Department). HOW TO DO BUSINESS. This book isa guide to success in Hfe, embracing Principles of Business, Choice of Pursuit, Buying and Selling, General Mavage ment, Mechanical Trades, Manufacturing, Bookkeeping, Causes of Success and Failure, Business Maxims and Forms, etc. It also ry this contains an appendix of complete business forms anda d of commercial terms. No young man should be wi valuable book. It gives complete information about trades. rofessions and o¢cupatoin in which any young matr fs interested. ice tenCcents. Address . a STREET & SMITH, 25 Rose street, New York ‘Manual Library Department) = - OUT-DOOR SPORTS. a Complete instructions for playing many of the moat fopriar of-door games is found inthis took. The gamesare Tiustgesedl: and very easily mastered. Price ten cents. Address | STREET & SMITH, 25 Manna! Library Department). Rose street, New YOR a Princeton, Harvard, Yale or “Pennsy a Wtich is your favorite college? WHICH™football team do You Fe favor? Do you want to wear a badge with the colesseandsname of the college of your choice? } a We have selected for our new premiums four badges, each sur- * mounted by an American Eagle, and bearing the name of one of the above colleges pendant from a ribbon composed of the correct college colors—a very pretty badge, and one that will, we are sure, give Satis-— faction to our readers. ' _ READ HOW YOU CAN GET IT! . s We publish four 32-page, illuminated cover weeklies for boys, retailing for five each, as follows: a The True Blue, The Nick Carter Weekly, The Tip Top Weekly, The Diamond Dick, Jr. e E We wish the readers of one series to become acquainted with the entire line. On and after the present date the ve? - on at the foot of this column will be printed in each one of the above-mentioned publications, Three coupons, each clipped from a different publication, niailed to our office, accompanied by a two-cent stamp, will entitle you to 4 clemium, sent to your address, post-paid, free of all expense, < When sending, state whether you wish a Princeton, Harvard, Yale or University of Pennsylvania badge. You can secure ra hiner as you desire, provided you send sufficient coupons aid stamps, provided each of the set of three is from a different pu jon. Send in Your conpons. Remember this is a purely gratuitous gift on our part, intended to call your attention to others of our publica- tions besides the ones you are now purchasing. If you cannot procure what you desire from your newsdealer. send us twelve cents and one conpon, and we will send you by return mail a copy of two other publicationsand the badge. Address your coupons to " STREET & SMITH’S PREMIUM DEPT. 81 Fulton Street New York, Ep offer first hs in No. 139 Tip Top, No. 113 Diamond Dick, No. 30 True Blue, and No. 102 Nick Carter. : eo WAR-GRA coupons previously published in these weeklies will be accepted for badges provided rou se quest when sending in, and comply with the conditions as given above. NICK CARTER COUPON This compen, accompanied by two others. each from a different one of the following publi- a RE LR BE ye = a < STREET & SMITH.

Page 35

Page 36

oe oy Price, Five Cents. Illuminated coven THE BEST LIBRARY OF DETECTIVE STORIES. 1 = a ¥, ‘Back Numbers always on hand. Price, post-paid, Five cents each. OOOOH ENE EEE OF COTTE ETD 54—A Young Detective’s Air Route; or, The Great Hindoo Mystery. 55—Nick Uarter’s Missing Detective; or, A Warn- ing by Telephone. 56—Nick Carter’s Girl Detective; or, What Became of the Crown Jewels. 57—Done With a Click; or, The Mystery of the Painted Arm. 58—The Unseen Eye; or, The Girl Detective’s Crack Case. 59—A Message of Fire; or, What was Done With the Magnet. 60—The Electric Girl; or, The Figures on the Toy Balloon. 61—Nick Carter's Junior Force; or, The Man With Four Arms. lige ahs Foil Clue; or, Told by the Phono- 63—Nick Carter's Strongest Team; or, The Glass Face of a Coffin. .64—A Fight for a Boot Heel; or, The New Mem- ber of the Ready Handlers. 65—Cau by the Light Mail; or, BobF t’8% anent Wie Metening ah Orne’ at 92—An Attempt to Bunco Alliance Wit a Peruvian Mesmerist. 66—Fightiny Electric Fiends; or, Among the Wire Tappers. 67—Money To Burn; or, Handling a Million Dol- lar Case. asian Mask of Glass; or, Little Roxy in a Double rle. 69—The Man From Texas; or, Bob Ferret and Jack urton in Double Harness. 70—Shadowing A shadow; or, A Ghost in Nick Carter’s Detective School. 71—Green Gvods; or, A Catch in Bob Ferret’s Rat 72—Bob og ee Password; or, The Chase of the Bob Ferret Gold Ship. 73—Roxy’s Golden Decoy; or, The Girl Detective Plays a Lone Hand. 74—The Great Detective Trio; or, Nick Uarter’s Boys in a New School. 75—The Human Fly; or, Roxy’s Message to the Wide Awake xenool Boys. 76—Bob Ferret’s Trolley Trail; or, The School : Detectives Putchodtip Quarry Ti—Roxy’s Talking Clew; or, The “Mystery of the Magic Maze. : ie a Target; or, Jack Burton's Friend -- Mabey ed For Life; or, The Man Who Planted Money. ; Ot. tire a4 | 80—On the Back of a Turtle; or, Bob Perfet and the Big Mitt Men. 81—Tue Silver-Vlated Man; or, The Wonng Tramp Detective. 82—Roxy’ 8 Mid Air Rescue; or, A nye Mine” in a Mummy’s Head. ; 88—Trusty No. 333; or, The Face on the” Pris Cell Wall. 84— The Skeleton Hand; or, The Dumb Sowers of Nick Carter's Detective School. 85— Nick Carter In Charge; or, A Murder in Broad. Daylight. te 86—Postman No. 45; or, Nick Carter’s * ne After the Post-oftice Robbers. z 87—Nick Carter’s Ten-Thousand-Dollar Bill; or, * Yyhe Hold-Up of the Bank President. + 88—Bob Ferret’s Government Message; orsTh King Spy of the Out t. 3 89—Nick Carter’s Poker Game; or, A Play Fo ' More Than Money j a 90—Nick Carter In Devil’s H _ Four Aces in a Pack , 91—Nick Carter In Harness; ¢ Combination. 2 eee X The Stolen ‘ate tho Wick Carter Gr, Barking — ig Up the Wrong Tree 93—Caught in the act; or, Im Training for State : %r, Nick’s Seere > a ‘ed ister. * Prison 94—Accused of Shop-Lifting; Signals and agPiece of Court P. 95—Forced to S.eep; or, How Nick the Tables on the Doctor. 96— Nick Carter Near Death; or, the Bridge of Sighs. 97—At Nick Carter’s Call; or, The Whole Gang Taken at One Time. Aa 98—Five Dollars for a Nickle; or, Why Nick Made : the Purchase. . 99—Seen Through a Window; or, A Snare Th Was Set for Touvh Birds. 100—Nick Assists a Kody natcher and Saves th 4 Life of an Innocent Man. 101—Nick Carter Arrested at the Box-Office; or, An Act Not on the Programme. 102—Nick Varter Shows His Nerve and Winds Up the Case : t the Freight Honse. -103—Burned to Death; or, The Great Insurance Swindle. 104—Nick Carter’s Prophecy; or, A Case That Was Worked in the lark. 105—A Lightning Change Crook; or, A Catch That Pleased the Inspector. aero = the Baths; or, Nick Carter Right on an STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK. Earoe —- by all vind ay tlle dostcrinereegr™ ea ae Ps “So opti aati