Nick Carter Weekly (no. 279) (1902 05 03)

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Post Office by STREET & SMITH, 27. Price. Five Cents. HEIRESS|

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Issued Weekly. By Subscription $2.50 No. 279. THE RECOVERY OF -CHAPTERI. > A DOUBTFUL CLIENT. arter, can I trust you?” the great Pe eests: s own house that eo looked eens) at the aah: ‘use i in talking to me,” Nick went on, 7 eA detective can do noth- WEBEKILN7 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter at the N. Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, ed William St., N.Y. Fuared aparding ? to Act of Congress tn the year 1902, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. ( NEW YORK, May 3, 1g02. By the author of “NICHOLAS CARTER.” _ thing else. that a Mr. George Snell wanted to see him on “most Price Five Cents. Nick Carter and the Kidnapped {leiress; r. | | OR, A GREAT RANSOM. ° Muskegon News Deoot 21 So. Ferra: Cc. W. PARKER tation that yau are a perfectly trustworthy man. There is nobody in the States more so.” _ While the man was speaking Nick was studying him. In fact, the detective had been doing that from the moment the man entered. He was apparently about fifty years old; a well- dressed, prosperous-looking man, who might be a merchant, or a lawyer, or a banker. Nick did no guessing. The man might be any- Heh given his name as George Snell, 4 but he had not sent in his card, and he had not said where he okceals Word had simply been taken to Nick by a servant important” business.” ae P _ “He isn’t : an American,” ,” was Nick’s o: conclu- cogs nage from me said a; far. ¥ in

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2 can would not have spoken simply of ‘the States,’ as he did.” There had been a pause after the caller's last re- marks. “Well,” he exclaimed then, “I'm not coming more than two-thirds of the way across the continent for nothing. I set out to consult you, and I will do so.” “That's better,” said the detective; and, willing to help him tell his story, he asked: “What kind of a case is it, Mr. Snell?” “I suppose you'd call it kidnaping; but there’s rob- bery combined with it, and—and also-——also black- mail.” Mr. Snell hesitated and Stammered a little 2 at the end of this speech. . Nick merely nodded. : 7 “To begin with,” continued Mr. Snell, “I come . from Wenonah. You may not be aware that the Government of England has made a large section ‘of Western British America into a province and called it Wenonah.” “Yes,” said Nick, “I am aware of that.” . “You are a well-informed man. Few Americans would know the fact, fr the province is so young that it isn’t down on the’ maps yet. You know, also, I suppose, that the capital of the province is a » tow fae Manchester” < 7. 52 ‘he : * oe at is where the crime was committed, It hap- shy *e da month ago. The governor of the province, is Bradley i ‘js his name, gave a party at his house. All _ the prominent families of the town and country around attended. There was dancing till a late hour. “Then, when the guests were going away, it was discovered that the governor’ s daughter, Estelle, was missing. She has not been seen since.” -. “How old is the child?” asked Nick. * Then he seemed to understand and added: deinen. e ou eg ects Bie : /eghe's the governor's only dau t to at? © ea with er ap pty te paint = Br dayet ? echoed Mr. Snell, i in apparent. astonish- | 7 te is ‘natural that you should. bad that us me the CT i si2 é.. ee NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “Yes, but nothing has. come of it. There is doubt npw whether she is really in the hands of kid- napers.” “Ah! what then?” “I haven't told you the whole story, Mr. Carter.” “Go on, then.” “The day after she disappeared it was fauund that a considerable amount of jewelry had gone also.” “Did she wear itatthe ball?” | “Some of it, most of it, in fact. But that was not all. There were also missing certain state papers and some private documents belonging to the gov- ernor. These are extremely, important. They must be recovered at any cost.” “Are they more important than the recovery of Miss Bradley, Mr. Snell?” “No, I wouldn’t say that, but they complicate the case nay An “offer has been made to restore them.” 3 “And the girl?” “No. That is, there was one offer to restore the ‘girl and another to deal for the return of the papers and jewelry. There seems to be a double gang of villains at work.’’ “Possibly. What about the Dineen you men- tioned ?” a “That,” answered Mr. Rel hesitating, “ ‘has to do with the stolen papers.” “Something shady in the governor's past?’ Mr. Snell looked at the floor. _“T wouldn't like to say,” he replied. “Some peo- ple might think sp.” ; aEN “Evidently the robbers do think so, eh?” — BS “Yes, for they put a big price on the papers.” “I suppose the 1 matter has been investigated by the police of Manchester.” . © No,” “Then how did you communicate with ‘the rob- bers?” wen, o didn’t say that I had communicated with the robbers!” exclaimed Mr. Snell, hastily. ets. pi “No, but I supposed it was you. for a moment. Tell me more about the nts i gerd ance of Miss Bradley.” “There isn’t much that I can tell. ‘missed till three Rati she en a cary nas at the hours or more later.” Tih) tee Baie Never mind that She must have left the house soon after midnight, but she wasn’ t ged to. he pga pee bits pts Z ard 58

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You’ tea keen one,” he said. “No, she wasn't F : oeaaet and that is another complication.” “How?” _ “Well, it is known that she was in love with a "young fellow who wasn’t liked by her father. Nat- _ well he wasn’t at the ball. It is thought possible that she eloped with him, and that the offer of the _ robbers to restore’ her was a bluff.” “Was her lover. a rich man?” “Decidedly not.” “Then you think ad vey have taken the jewelry to sell for her own use.’ mea y tits possible, yes, I’ve thought. of it.” __. *And that the robbery of the papers sip hap- eel. - pened to come at the same time.” pe eae Meh be" Pe ye “Has Miss Bradley's lover eee seen since she “What does he say?” : _ ” “Nothing: 2? - “Indeed! I should suppose he would say a good <= deal.” rat oe He: goes about his business as ashen, but he is un- a der constant watch. It’s plain enough that there is "Do ots come att as the representa- 01 yr Bradley? oo ; 1 an answer ‘th that?” tg asked. I must eee I am deal- i) NICK CARTER WEEKLY. | 3 “But,” interrupted Dick, coldly, “nobody has dragged you that I am aware of. I certainly didn’t.” “You are trying to do so now, Mr. Carter.” Nick arose. “There is no need that we should talk longer, said. Snell also ond up, and he looked very much troubled. “I see that I have offended you,” he said. “I didn’t mean to. You see, Mr. Carter, a great scai- dal might come of this. It is very in nportant that there should be none. The governor's position might be lost “At this moment,” said Nick, “I care nothing for the governor’s position. Ygu have given me sonte facts in a case that might be interesting, but I don’t propose to tackle it unless I know what I am about.” “We want you to look for the girl and the stolen papers.” - “Who are we?” r Snell hung his head. “Excuse me a moment,” said Nick, then; “I think I heard the telephone ring. When I return I hope you will have made up your mind to trust me. If you haven’t we can’t do business.” He bowed and left the room, but he did not go to the telephone. Instead he went to a room where Patsy was read- ing and gave him a few rapid instructions. ” he Then he wrote a telegram and sent it to the near- est office by a servant. Patsy got his hat and went downstairs. “Now, Mr. Snell,” said Nick, when he returned, “are you ready to tell me what I want to know?” “T can only say that I want you to act in behalf of the governor.” “Does he know that you came to New York to ask this?” Snell did not answer. “We are wasting each other's time,” said Nick. Snell made a last appeal. . “I may be doing wrong,” he said, “but 1 beg you to look into pie matter. You can’t help seeing how, — important it is.” “Well,” replied Nick, “usually ‘T have nothing to ae do with a case where any inet: are concealed from ae r gta eee ea “Pardon = you refuse to answer one of the Bist = c. i y ie % ’ * a

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eae NICK CARTER WEEKLY. questions a detective would ask. I was going to say, Mr. Snell, give me a few hours to think it over and come again. Will you call to-morrow morn- ing?” “T will.” “Very well, till then.” 5 The detective went with his visitor -~ the door. Mr. Snell said “good-evening,” politely, and started down the street. - A short distance behind him went Patsy. CHAPTER IL. PLENTY OF TROUBLE FOR MR. SNELL, Nick had not taken time to tell Patsy very much want Sn ie cie's: something up,” he said to his assistant. . “I have no idea what it is, but want you t6 shadow this man and see what becomes of him.” “Think he’s a crook?” asked the young man. “Not yet. He may be. If so, it won't be the first time that a crook has trjed to throw me off the track by calling on me. I simply feel that there’s so thing queer in this, and I'd rather like to frid out about it. So I shall ask this man to call again un- less he makes up his mind to tell me all the facts.” Snell, as we have seen, refused to tell all the facts, and so Patsy slipped out after him. He had not gone far from the house when the young detective became convinced ead yep arin man. i also was following Snell. ‘ES Senet 2 made his work very difficalt, for he had to _ look 'sharp* against betraying oe not only to | Snell, but the other man. * Snell went into a drug store and sessohe a cigar. _ * The man who seemed to be sis him bauer on the: opposite corner. ; Patsy turned down a street, and dveephe: ‘ie a SEs doorway, wits he made a ewiit Borate in Mie ap- x 2 peed was wat Snell's bel sea when he m man from eb: have di titan,” Pia Patsy, “or ithe second. Lam." > kept up his chase, never | hen ing nothing more of the other. agen Aageantonde my nae es iron fence, wigan cite nage would head. | esi wrk Bo, na eh et LE ich Pos ts He would stop at a corner and wait a full minute before he madé up his mind which way to go. Often he changed his direction. In this way he got into a neighborhood which was very quiet in the evening. Part way down a block he stopped suddenly, stood still for a moment and then went close to a build- ing. He was then in such deep shadow that Patsy could not see him. “Somebody spoke to him,” Ive. ; He went cautiously closer, and before he could see anybody he heard the sounds of voices in conversa- tion. What they said it was impossible to make out. The detective dared not get close enough for that for fear of attracting the attention of the men. There seemed to be two of them. Presently he heard one voice say: “T won't do it.” One of the men started away. “Tt will be the worse for you, then,” other. The first man hastened his steps. As he came from the shadow, Patsy saw that it was Snell. The other man was darting after him on tiptoe. He had one arm drawn back. “Great Scott!” thought Patsy, der!” ’ He gave up trying to conceal his actions then. Running forward as fast as possible, he shouted: “Look out!” Snell turned quickly. The other man was close to him, and let his hand fall. 2 With a great leap Patsy wae up to him just in time to catch his arm. - But it was too late to stop the blow entirely. A slung-shot in the man’s hand slipped from it and struck Siella glancing blow on the head. Ms } “Ah! he cried, andstaggered. Sed Patsy dashed to assist him, and caught hold. of him in time to prevent him from falling against an have broken his | mets PM Ae rit! she “murderer was dashing down the a CHR. ERO RR reasoned the detect- growled the “he means mur- The wou

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é j taser Sa ee NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 5 e® _- Patsy could not be in two places at once. Ur: He wanted to: chasg the unknown criminal, but | Pé his first business was with Snell. _~ + ‘This was not only because Nick had sent him out Fs to shadow Snell, but because the ‘man seemed to be badly injured. * He was groaning. and trembling so that he would have fallen if the detective had not held him up. “Better sit down a minute,” Patsy suggested, “and let me see if there’s anything serious the matter.” : Snell sank to a doorstep, and Patsy made a quick - eo of his head. “That was a nasty blow,” he said, “but I think your skull is sound. Aren't you feeling better?” “Yes,” Snell replied, “I am. I was more fright- ened than hurt, perhaps. TI am greatly obliged to : youn "Don’t mention it: Let mé help you to your house. Do you'live near?” Snell laughed a little. ; Fi “Near!” he repeated, “I should say not.” “Will you have a cab called to take you home?” he: asked Patsy. es _ Again Snell laughed. a, _ “It. would be too long a journey,” he said. “I was in New York, and I am staying at she Avenue, That isn’t very far away, I believe.” » and you can £0 ear at the next block, if v7 Lee ey your friend jell tackle you again,” said the detective, then; “but I haven’t any- ; ( oe if you Hike Pll walk with you to the a" ut beets Souk Snell responded; “guppose eee that I am very nervous.” eben Seay Jat: T eae remarked nol’ exclaimed Snel asl of Sane int ab Gieh erica quiet. speaker fellow had thumped me like that I should want him put where he ‘couldn’t try. it again,” “I don’t think he will try it again; at least, not in New York. -I’d rather not talk about it.” “Just as you say, sir. Want to stop in at a drug store and get your head bathed with arnica?” “That would be a good idea.” They entered the next drug store they came to, where it proved that Snell had suffered nothing more than a painful bruise. After that they went on to the Fifth Hoiel. “Tam very much obliged to you,” ing in the doorway. “Don’t mention it,” Patsy responded. “Will you come in and have something?” He looked as if he hoped Patsy would say no, but the detective was glad of any excuse to stick to him “Ves,” said Patsy, “don’t care if I do.” Snell nodded silently, and led the way into the hotel. As they were passing the desk the clerk spoke to him. “Mr, Snell,” he said, “there’s a telegram here for you.” Avenue said Snell, halt- the desk. He took the envelope handed to him, and opened it with trembling fingers. When he had read the message he crumpled the paper in his hand and frowned. After a moment of thought, he turned to Patsy, said, “Excuse me’’-again, and went with him to the barroom. Patsy asked for a glass of beer, but Snell poured himself a stiff drink of whisky. : “Onee more,” he said, raising his glass, “I thank you for coming to my rescue. Honestly I believe I should be a dead man spilnaae: teats hadn't. Here’s your health.”~ “How,” responded Patsy, end tine drank. . “Now,” continued Snell, “I don’t like to leave a man who has saved my life in this abrupt way, but I've got to. This telegram calls me out of town, and I must lose no time in getting ready. Won't you Jeave me your name and address?” “Why,” answered Patsy, “I'll give you my name ifs a a eve ee “Excuse me,” said Snell to Patsy, going quickly to”

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6 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. that we shall meet again if you don’t live in New York. My name is James Callahan,” and he gave an address that the detectives sometimes used. It was a place where any letters that came to Strange names were promptly taken to Nick’s house. Snell made a note of the address. “My name is Snell,” he said, “and I hope we shall meet again, Mr. Callahan. I must say good- by now.” They shook hands and Snell went to the eleva- tor. “I wish he had dropped that telegram,” thought the detective. He looked at, the clock. It was an hour-and a half to midnight. If Snell meant to leave town at ence he could hardly hope to do &0 until midnight, for that was the hour at which through trains started from most stations. There was time to make a report to Nick and get back again if that should be necessary. Accordingly Patsy hurried to Nick’s house, and told his chief what had happened. Nick looked very thoughtful. “Thad about decided that the mati is crazy,” he said. “I sent a telegram to the chief of police at e Manchester, asking if he knew of any robbery of jewelg state papers, or anything else of great im- portance within a month. I also asked if there had been a mysterious disappearance within the same time, and if he knew who George Snell was. Here’s his answer, received five minutes ago.” He handed a telegram to Patsy. It read: Nothing doing in crime here. No man of that name lives here. (Signed. “Dinsmore,” said Nick, “is the chief at Manches- ter now. He used to be on the New York force, and I know him well. Now, if there hasbeen a s+- rious crime at Manchester, two thousand miles away, _ isn’t it strange that I should hear of it in New York before it is known there?” “Tt beats'me,” said Patsy. — ee ae _ “And it looks as if Snell was the chief, crook in “the matter” ddded Nick.” “Buty ifthe is, I can’t see what he’s driving at. ‘After getting this telegram I — Never heard of George Snell. | Drysmore. om _ thought he was crazy, that he imagined a crime had "mote to do with the matter. a = gga, = hd iy igs te SIAR “taxa “Now I am interested. What you have told me shows that there’s something up, something very mysterious. “I think we'd better keep our eyes on it, Patsy.” “Well?” y “Go back to the hotel and get on Snell’s track. Follow him across the continent if necessary, and keep me posted.” “All right, boss,” “Better take a cab. Leave your grip in it until you know what station Snell is going to. Then stick to him like a burr. There may be more attempts against his life.” Patsy was gone in a minute. When his cab halted at the Fifth Avenue he did not leave it, for he saw Snell coming out. The man got into a Hotel carriage, and told the driver to take him to the Pennsylvania Railroad station. This was done, and, of course, Patsy followed. Snell bought a ticket for Chicago, and Patsy, who stood close behind him at the window, did the same. They were almost side by side as they went to the ferryboat, Patsy, of course, so disguised that Snell did not recognize him. Snell went to the forward end of the bo&t and stood near the rail. The detective sat down in the men’s cabin. Hardly had he taken his seat when a man came, aboard whom he had seen before. It was the one whom he had suspected as shadow- ing Snell from, Nick Carter's house. iad - CHAPTER IIL AD GAME OF WATCHING. Patsy, thought that this was the same man who had come so near killing Snell. He had not been sure of that at the time, for he had not been able to see the would-be niurderer’s face.?) >" ne . _ Now it took only a sharp glance to satisfy him, for the man’s motions were a little peculiar. He had a way of bending his head to one side which Patsy had noticed in the man who had shad- ; owed Snell. As he remembered it the ‘same: sideways hang of _ the head had been the case with the would-be mur- _ as

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Beet NICK CARTER WEEKLY. } ? derer in that instant when he saw him darting after his victim. Ste thought Patsy. “he’s at his game again. Been watching Snell, probably, ever since the attack. There'll be trouble if he finds his man on board.” _ Nothing could have been plainer than that the _ man was looking for somebody. He went part way through the cabin, giving stealthy, side glances at the men on the seats. When he came to the stairway that led to the up- per deck he went up. _ “He won't find Snell up there, I think,” said Patsy to himself, as he got up and went forward. _ The detective went as far as the door that opened -_ upon the forward-deck.. ._, hay Looking through it, he saw. Snell leaning against ~~. the rail! Nobody else was out there: = At that moment the baat had hardly got meron : thesged of the ifetry. slip: a . Patsy sat down where he could look the length of Yr = ‘the men’s cabin and also glance through the glass in the door at the forward deck. In less than a minute he saw the stranger coming : idee the stairs from the upper cabin. = te ate the passengers. Bute had d’ Snell. Fedoghibe ne 8 ee: he stood there, hesitating, ung on the opposite wall. : ae — and went out. ‘the: ‘gldss,,he saw the stranger ‘oe sidewall of the boat, eon 2 Wee sont He was still walking ee and peering sharply — “What a chance,” thought Patsy, “to snerx up ard pitch his man overboard!” The stranger stood motionless a momeut. Then he edged forward. At that Patsy quietly opened the door and scepped out. The man did not hear him. His attention was too much taken with what ha was going to do. Snell was motionless. The boat was about in midstream. Patsy's muscles quivered as the stranger glided swiftly up and placed his hand on Snell’s shoulder. Snell whirled around, with a gasp of surprise and alarm. He put up his bande to push the man away, and tried to back from the rail. ‘The stranger kept his hand firmly on Snell's shoulder. For a second or two the men jostled each other, but it could not be said that they were struggling. The stranger seemed merely trying to hold Snell still. Patsy heard him say: “Keep quiet! I am not going to hurt you!” Evidently Snell was somewhat relieved at this, but he was still-frightened. | “I’ve a good mind to have you arrested,” he said. The other laughed. “You'll think better of that as soon as you see a policeman, ” he retorted. “You've tried to kill me once “to-night,” Snell. _ “Well, let that pass. I didn’t succeed, and now that you're starting West I shan’t try again.” | “What do you want of me now?” p _.“T want fo talk with you.” “On the same subject?” “The same.” Snell gave a hasty glance at the river. “Think of jumping in?” sneered the stranger. “No,” replied Snell, with a shudder. ; Then he looked back tomard the cabin, and saw said desis | Seeing that he was perceived, the detective walked easily eorn se age! een’ at the lights of Jer- > one Snell, ina low tone. Qe

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ps 5 *" 8 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Snell started uncomfortably. | “T presume,” the other went on, with a harsh chuckle, “that you engaged a stateroom on the sleeper, and thought that you would lock yourself in and so be safe for the night... Fortunately, there’s room for two in a stateroom.” At this, Snell said nothing, but went back to the cabin. The other followed, and both went inside. “Well!” thought Patsy, “this is a puzzler, and no mistake. Are they both crooks? and have they had a falling out? ' “One is certainly a would-be murderer, and Snell is plainly in great fear of him. “T should think he would be. “I wonder if they will actually occupy the same room on the train?” They did. Snell, as the stranger had said, had aes a stateroom, and both went into it immediately on going aboard fhe train. Patsy secured a berth in the : same car, and, as he turned in he wondered whether one man or two would come out of that stateroom in the morning. It seemed to him most likely that the stranger would make an attempt to murder Snell during the night. ; “Tf it were my business to take care of Snell,” thought the detective, “I’ d invent some. way to do it; but it isn’t, and I'll just wait and see what sec pens.” With that thought he went to sleep. “In the morning he touched the button beside his berth before getting up. When the porter came he asked: ’ “Ts there a dining car on the train, Charley?” “Yessah,” replied the porter, oe in twenty minutes, sa * “ALL right; then I'll get up.” “Sumfin else yo’ want, sah?” “Yes. . Put your head in here, Charley, ” . The porter put his head in between the curtains. _ “Have the gentlemen in the stateroom furned out Ms ?” asked Patsy. “ sah; ain't seed nun’ OF em eS. _ “Were . sa enn didn't b hear nuffin,” + Sie wt “Breakiast will be “Not exactly, but I’m curious about them, that’s all. You needn’t say I asked any questions.” “No, sah—thank yo’ berry much, sah. say a word.” The porter had received handsome pay for his si- lence, and Patsy knew he could be trusted. He dressed and went forward to the dining-car. As he passed Snell’s stateroom, he listened for tlie sound of voices, but none came. The detective wondered if there was one man in that room who couldn’t speak. ° Having plenty of time to kill, he spent an hour at the breakfast table. Before he was ready to go, in came Snell and the stranger. They sat at the same table and appeared to be in good spirits, at least the stranger was. Snell looked rather haggard, but he talked with his companion, and without any apparent fear of him. “Strange!” thought Patsy; “but I’m glad my man is still alive. I want to find out what it all means.” He went to the smoker, and after he had been there a half-hour or so, Snell and the stranger came in also. They did not talk much as they smoked their Won't cigars, but no one would have guessed that one had tried to kill the other less than twelve hours before. So it was all the way to Chicago. The two men were together all the time, and there was hardly a minute that the detective did not have - them in view. It was early morning when the train arrived in Chicago. Snell and his companion got into a cab, and Patsy heard thenmtell the driver to go to the Northwestern station. Patsy arrived at the station at the same moment they did. They breakfasted in the station restaurant, and after a time they went to the ticket window. Snell bought a ticket for Helena, Montana. ‘The stranger did not buy any. This also seemed somewhat strange, and the de- tective was a little disappointed. aN He had hoped to keep ther 1 together. we But, he bought a ticket for Helena, . a in aus : Rs was again on the s same train w The pai stores at ee, aes nel eae

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4 left, and Pouy saw him on the platform as it rolled oak - Nothing of importance happened on the rest of the _ way to Helena. : Once the detective tried to scrape acquaintance = with Snell, but the latter answered hini in a surly _ way, and. made it plain that he did not care to talk to anybody. So Patsy” gave it up for fear of making him sus- "Semin he had telegraphed Nick as to where he was going. | When ‘they arrived in Helena, Snell did not go to a first-rate hotel, as he had done in New York, but walked about the streets, as if looking for some piace _. that he had been sent to. as Seb? ; Tt yn pes clear that he was a stranger in the city. | At ren he cided into a schtalb building, on which vy there was a rough sign, with these words: = oy, a BRONCO BILL'S. HOUSE. a ae. ae ap was hardly larger than an ordinary, sa- ; n were ay = ‘was at one end of the bar, talking in a low ce déne who seemed | to be the proprietor. e detective took his place at the other end of vedrewe: later, Sneli and the proprietor. went out ‘twrned, ‘Snell was saying: ‘It may be. only two or three days, you know, and ¢ ‘iad ¥ an eg Wa 8 the room for a ills trom his pocket, iad gave oo oN invited Snell’ to have a drink, avitation, Bill ees isn’t used door at the reek aod he hear d ee steps going . “T shall have to fit an- NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 9 “T couldn't put up any sort.of a yar that would satisiy them. So iii get a room somewhere cise, and then drop in here when I feel like it, “That will be safe enough, for it looks sure that Snell is bound to stay for a while.” As the detective left the saloon, he saw a sign in the window of a house opposite: ROOMS TO LET. “That will do,” he decided, “but not just yet.” He was fearful that Snell might be watching him, for he could not tell how suspicious that strange man might be. So he walked around town a little w hile, made a complete change in his disguise, and finally returned to the lodging-house opposite Brouco Bill's. There he hired a room that had a window opening on the street, at which he sat for some time, with lis face hidden behind the curtain. He saw enough td know that Snell was stili_at tne “hotel,” and he was satisfied. Late in the afternoon, Sneil went out. _ The detective foilowed, of course. At first Snell did not seem to have any errand. He seemed to be walking for exercise. But at last he stopped and looked in at a store win- dow. Rifles, revolvers and all sorts of things that hunters need were displayed there. Snell went in, and Patsy. Jooking in at the windew, saw him buy a revolver. , With this in his poeket, the strange man returned to Bronco Bill's and disappeared within. That evening the detective loafed away most of upa fight of stair ite the time in Bronco Bill's barroom, but he did not see Popeey were gone ae a minute, and when they re--- Sneii. , ; There was the ordinary crowd of idle working- men, and a few roughs who evidently came in from ranches-at a distance, but there was no disorder, none of the men seemed to be crooks, and nothing happened to throw bes light: on Snell’s business in Helena.” “It was much the same the next dos and evening. | Snell took a long walk, but spoke to no one on the + 3 way, and when he returned he Apparent shut him-) hese self in the room he had hired. Erg Roe: came into the barroom late distin: he even- g. but sales a es a beset ang ae upstairs iF

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10 “Who's the stranger, Bill?’ asked one of the loafers. “How should I_ know?’ was the surly seapense. “A gent comes to my house an’ ‘takes a room an’ pays for it ike a gent. Why should I ask him if his father went to church reg’lar, or if he intends to start a faro bank?” “Do you think he does mean to start a faro bank, Bill?” “Aw, come oft!” returned Bill, scornfully “Can't you take a hint? I don’t know the gent’s business, and, if I did, I shouldn’t shoot ts my mouth abo::t 1 Next day, Snell took several walks, but they were short ones, He always returned quickly to Bill’s, and once Patsy heard him ask the landlord if any- body had inquired for him. ~ Nobody had, but it was clear that Snell’s business, whatever it was, was coming to a head. In the evening quite a number of men galloped through the streets on horseback. They shouted and sang songs and made a good deal of a racket at every place they visi 2d. By the time they arrived at Bronco Bill’s they were well loaded and noisier than ever. “Paint the place red,” yelled half-a-dozen of them, as they came stamping in. Patsy was standing at the farther end of the bar talking with Bill, with whom he had picked up ac- quaintance. Sneli was seated at a table in the corner ane oo the door. me my the stairway door. me closed the door b - “Everybody have a drink!” faite the leader of the party, looking around the room. Alt except Snell got up and went to the bar. “Come on, stranger,” yelled the leader, _ Snell, seeing that he was spoken to, got up slowly and started toward the bar. . _ His face was pale, and :t was evident “s rey that ied wished he were not there. _ When he was half-way to the bar iy waiee suc _ ive’s foot that it jarred it. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. * But he was not so:quick as Patsy, who darted for- ward and knocked his arm up. The revolver went off, but the bullet, instead of crashing through the dc - and thus endangering Snell’s life, flew into the ceiling. “Now then, gents,” began Bronco Bill, who didn’t want a disturbance in his place. The leader was too mad to be stopped by talk. Turning fiercely upon Patsy, he demanded: “What the blazes do you mean, tenderfoot ?” “T was afraid you might hurt somebody,” re- sponded the detective, quietly; “then you'd be sorry.” “Sorry! me sorry!” roared the ruffian; “reckon you don’t know who you're talking to. I’m Bloody Sam, of the Dead Hills, I am, and no man tells me what I shall or shan’t do. I'll make you dance for your impudence, you measely tenderfoot !” CHAPTER Iv. PATSY’S DANCING LESSON. Bloody Sam, as he called himself, backed into the middle of the room as he spoke. The other men in the crowd yelled with joy, and got together at the other end of the bar from Patsy, most of thein. A few stood almost behind their leader. They were grinning at the fun they thought gi were going to have with the tenderfoot. Patsy thrust his hands in the side pockets of his coat, and watched, as if with curiosity: He knew exactly what would happen, for he had met wild men from theyWestern hills before. - So, when Bloody Sam blazed at his feet, vie did not stir. The first bullet tore a hole in the floor, fold in front of his right toe. “Dance, you onery cuss! dance!” yelled nee Sam;<!4 “I don’t know how,” replied Patsy. a “Jump, ‘then, you idiot! jump into the.air, durn ye! I'll teach ye!” ey: As he spoke, Bloody Sam fired again, hia te _ This time the bullet struck so close ies ot detect - But no harm was done, and Pats ae hie that, the Sout et wa

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After that, | Bloody Sain might be angered into fir- "ing to kill. “For God's sake, stranger,” “don’t be a fool. _ won't last long, and nobody will be hurt. Tet him have his fun.” | ee Patsy himself saw by the savage glare in Bloody - Sam’s eyes that it would be jump or get hit at the next shot. . Quick as a flash, therefore, without moving from his place, and before Bloody Sam could cock his re- called Bronco Bill, Jump and : ‘4 volver. again, . Patsy drew one of his own barkers and- Be Nobody i in the room knew what he was about till es ' Miepheard the bang! and saw the puff of smoke that Bes rolled away from in front of the detective. e “I don’t dance for anybody. in Helena, see?” said ae Patsy; quietly. = “Wow! ouch! damn!” howled Bloody Sam, as his revolver flew from his hand. Patsy's bullet had struck it on the butt. ; It not only caused Bloody Sam to drop the we ae but it numbed his fingers. | | And the bullet did another thing. — la ne g from the place where it struck Sam's re- cass flew across the room and hit another man the cartridge belt, doing n no harm, but ie fearfully. at matter, all. the men were startled. 2 sive eae ao bar and ceouened igi r r his other ‘feyelyes.) 7 Oy! could bend his aes fingers. just becaat i 2a his belt but! he sae cock it. ; By his right b aan wend rit hold it. elie 3 e Shall NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Dance for the gentleman. It. mies Sain) canta sith age and pain, reached knowing that he was eet. was paying 11 Patsy’s shot did for him just what had been done for Bloody Sam. It knocked the gun out of his hand and caused him to leap back, cursing with rage. - “If you gents enjoy dancing,” said Patsy, coolly, “just recollect that I’m floor manager here. I'll tell you when it’s your turn—yours, for instance.” With this he let drive at the feet of a man near the edge of the crowd. The bullets splintered the ie at the man’s toe. He jumped for fair, and the detective laughed. “It's more fun than I thought,” he cried; “we'll, try it again.” He made as if he would empty all his cartridges at the men’s feet, but he had done enough. All except Bloody Sam were making a wild scram- ble to get behind the bar, out of doors, underneath -tables—any old place, so as to be out of range. Sam had cooled down very suddenly. “Hold on, stranger,” he called; “we uns know when we're licked. You've done us brown, an’ ef thar’s anything in the house yeu want, call fer it.” Patsy understood the man. His tone and manner showed that he meant what » he said. He was rubbing his sore tnd and kicking his re- volvers so that they would lie where he could pick them up. Of all the men there Sam was the only one who hadn’t shown fear. The detective immediately pocketed his’ weapon. “All right, pard,” he said, gener bemeendh “there _ is one thing in the house I want.” “Name Tee e “I want every man jack of you to wet up. The drinks are on me, gents. Step lively.” _ For an instant Aobody stirred. = They looked at him as if = oe not believe their ears. Rho who bas! crouched behing the bar grad- 7 bes

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12 Sam winced, ior the detective’s grip hurt his sore fingers. “Excuse me,” said Patsy, letting go; “I ae! think.” Then both laughed, and at that sound ihe other men came crowding up. “Whar'd you learn to shoot?” asked one. “Say, are you a | walking Gatling gun?” inquired another. Patsy smiled at them. “T never learned to shoot,” he said. “T was born with a gun in my hand, and I used to practice at the flies on the wall before I could walk.” Everybody laughed at this. Bronco Bill drew a long breath. The shooting scrap had turned out pleasantly, with nobody the worse for it, and everybody thirsty. Glasses rattled on the bar, and bottles passed. “Here’s how, pard,” said Sam. He drained his glass at one gulp, and set it down. “But say,” he added, “you’d oughter hev let us make the other cuss dance. Friend of yourn?”’ “No. I saw that. he was scared half to death, and { was afraid he might have a fit.” . “Rot! he'd ’a’ got over it. ~pard, and rout him out?” “We'll let you do the shootin’,” said another, cagerly. “Now, gents,” began Bronco Bill, fearful that the rough crowd would break loose again. He didn’t know Patsy... . “Rout him out?” echoed the ‘detective; “why! he’s a mile from here by this time.” “Go on!” “That’s what he’s doing. Bet your life on it,” “We might break down the door and see,” " some- body suggested. eral of them ‘began to move toward the door. “Wait a minute,” called Patsy. ° . He was. smiling, and they stopped to hear what i incase oe . “I'd rather you wouldn't bother the fellow,” he anxious to have some fun with him and want me to : — sie the chaning a | vesttap What do you a oc ket. | teil ty tts, ‘ard? Jine us now, won't ye, ‘By went on; “T tell you that straight, but if you're dead tone! NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “No—a dime.” “Just as good. Throw it up to the ceiling, and ifit comes down what you call yourself, I’ll’j ‘git ‘you. Bloody Sam tossed up the coin. “Tails!” he called. It struck the ceiling with a ting, and began to fall. The detective’s revolver flashed, to the great sur- prise of all, for they were watching the coin. Crack! bang! went the trusty barker twice in rapid order. There was another ting at the further side of the room. Sam. went over there, and, after hunting a bit, picked up the dime. He came back to the bar with it, his face fairly blue with wonder. “Durned ef the stranger hain’t won,” dime hain’t got either a head or a tail. He laid the coinson the bar, and everybody he said; “the ' crowded around to look at it. Patsy’s first bullet had struck it on one side and his second on the other, for the coin was spinning in the air and luck was with him to the extent that both bullets did not hit the same side. “Wal! ef that ain’t the durnedest shootin’ ever I seen!” said one of the All agreed with him.” “It means,” said Sam, gravely, “that we let the white-livered cuss upstairs alone. But you must come with us to the next joint, pardner.”_ “All right,” replied Patsy, “lead on.” “An’ you'll hev to make some galoot dance soon as we find one of the right: kind,” ; “Go ahead. I’m agreed.” The whole mob charged for the door. On the sidewalk they paused to decide which re to go. J The street was not well lighted, and, while ihe: were talking, Patsy quickly slipped a beard to 4 ae face. “Weill 0 to Danny Dineen’ s next,” said Bloody Sam. — ae on, pard—— je He looked around. “Where’ s the sharpsheoter?” he asked. Patsy pointed down the street. “He just scooted that dks HA & he said, ct rng Wied btn tiytaeahe woe A: BS bie ee “Dumed ef I we t believe he's en © to ite: nae “

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- cried Bloody Sam; “come on, boys, let’s catch up oth am ik Off they. went, yelling ike mad, some jumping to tg their horses, others on foot. When they had all disappeared around a corner, ep Pas took off his beard and went back into Bronco Bill's. sa Ball and his bartender were alone in the place. ‘4 “Good Lord! ed exclaimed Bill, “where'd you come "= from?” “T thought I'd say pear nighe laughing. dae “Didn't Sing go with that crowd?” - * *You see.” “Wal, I don’t see how you done it, but you done me and my house a good turn, pardner. Gee! I thought they’d shoot the whole outfit to pieces. Nive something?” responded Patsy, o a + “No, thank you. When they: find that I've given _ them the shake, they may core back here, and if __ they find me, it won't be so easy to get rid of shen Ss Tell ‘em you don’t know where I went.” x “All right, no more I do. Call again?” “To-morrow.” Bo ‘The detective then went out and crossed the street ee to his lodging. _ uti He sat at his window for more than an hour. oe oe ARG singing and shouting in Bronco Bill’s, but he “i no more shooting, and he saw no more of Snell 5 : i af ‘ A - cHAPreR » Aa san TN THE MILs. : ae “in @ fret, disguise, Patsy went over nco Bill's and nee eating brealdast ts ae 7 ve felt 1 relieved. ce { ‘ feared that the inn’ might, have been so, tened by the drunken horsemen as to light out. atsy had Tow peas stung, the man for sev- ve Rk: i) ty ca make him out,” he: said. to pimsal “but : believe he’s ar ind detective was inclined to rot but that he was new to it. back to his Tage eae at once, and ‘api eet ee Venp ony es | NICK CARTER WEEKLY. _ He saw the horsemen return after a time, heard r crook.” . to think that Snell had 13 Snell came to the door of Bronco Bill’s and stood there a moment, looking up and down the street. “He wants to walk for exercise,” thought the wait- ing detective, “but he doesn’t dare to get far away, for he’s expecting somebody. I won't bother to fol- low him.” So Snell that morning took his walks alone. They were not long ones. He was always back at Bronco Bill’s within ten minutes from the time he started. At length he went in and stayed there. Patsy went across and looked in long enough to see that Snell had found an old book somewhere, and was reading it in the barroom, It was almost nooa when the man Snell had been expecting came. The detective knew it before Snell did. Watching from his window, he saw a man come rapidly up from the direction of the railroad. He walked as if he knew where he was going, and he turned ‘in at Bronco Bill's. It was the stranger who had come so near to mur- dering Sneli a short time before in New York city. “Now we're getting down to business!” sah Patsy, with great satisfaction. It had been a long wait, and he was a little tired of it. ; Every day he had sent a telegram to Nick, saying, simply, “No change,” or, “Nothing doing.” Meantime, he had received no word from his chiej. So he knew that there was nothing for him to do but stay there and watch. Of course, he crossed over to the saloon soon after ’ the stranger went in. ~ He was disguised so that neither knew him, and Bronco Bill did not suspect that the man who asked for a cigar was the one who had done the wonderful shooting the night before, Snell and the stranger were eating dinner at a ta- ble in the corner. | ‘They did no talking. Patsy returned to his w atching~ place. Alter dinner, the stranger went away alone. The detective would have liked to follow, but atenures was his business to spot Snell. sien a So he sia'ved where he was. . Some three hours passed, and ays the stranger cies dnid Saag 28 ste 7 ; f,

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14 He went into the saloon, and akmost immediately came out again with Snell. They walked away rapidly. was aiter them. ' ng that there might be some such excursion as this, the detective had bought a horse. The animal was stabled a few doors from his a ing-house, where he could be got quickly, and he was kept saddled all the time. But there was no use for him on this trip. The men walked through the city, and they acted as if they were in a hurry, but they walked, and Patsy thought it better to follow them in the same way. As long as they were in busy streets he had no dif- ficulty in keeping close to them. When they came to a long street, where the houses were scattered, he fell a little further behind. And at last they were in the open country, with no house at ail in sight ahead. Then the detective had to be very cautious. He decided to get into a-field alongside the road, where he could dodge behind bushes. . It was well he took this precaution when he did. He had hardly left the road when both men wheeled about suddenly. They stood for a full minute, losking back toward the city. There could be no doubt that some sudden fear of pursuit had made them turn. Patsy stooped behind a low bush and waited. *At last they went on, but Snell turned frequently, and Patsy was kept on the dodge all the time. - This continued for two miies or more. ‘By then the road had brought them to hilly land, and tht detective was thinking that his pursuit would be easier, when the two turned aside and began to climb a steep hill. Tt was covered with trees, and there was no path. - Dead wood was on the ground everywhere. A man’s footsteps could be heard a long way, no matter how carefully he proceeded. Therefore, it was not possible any longer to keep the men in sight. Patsy took the chance of cutting across” ahend of . _ where the men seemed to be aiming for. a dn this way he thought he might come to the top + oi hei the hill yo they did. . he succeeded. , He could. not. ‘tell, ‘for, NICK CARTER WEEKLY. He waited a bit, and listened for sound of their voices, or footsteps, but heard nothing. The hill dipped steeply on the other side, and there were many hills beyond. ; It was a very wild place, only partly.wooded, and there seemed to be deep gullies in every direction. “They didn’t come out here for their health,” thought Patsy. “It was to meet somebody. “Probably that somebody is waiting in one of these gullies. “Which one? “It’s almost as good a place for hiding as a big city is.” After some little thought he went part way down the hill, then along the side until he came near the edge of a ravine. While he was cautiously approaching the edge, he heard a laugh somewhere below him. In the ravine, undoubtedly, Then that was where the men had gone. Patsy saw a rock a short distance away, from be- hind which he thought he might be able to look down into the ravine without being seen. A few cautious steps and he was beside it. Leaning far over it, he found that he had chosen the spot luckily; for-a little way below him he saw a group of men, most of them roughly dressed. Among them were, Snell and his strange compan- ion. They were talking earnestly. At that moment, Snell’s companion was speaking, and the others were listening. His words came faintly to Patsy’s ears. “J tell you,” he said, “we're ready to pay the price, © but you've got to deliver the goods. There’s noth- ing unfair in that. We've come out here to tell you so, but you can’t niger the goods here, can you?” “That'll be all right," said one of the rough men. “Oh! will it? HowWkdo we know?” demanded Snell's companion. “We don’t propose to put our feet into a trap.” At this some of the men laughed hoarsely. “Supposin’,” siggested one of them, “we don’t let you get out of this gulch alive?’ Snell could be seen to start heater exely, bt His companion was unmoved. ‘An that case,” he retorted, “you'd leave a couple of worthless stiffs here for the sacl to a That's ” te ‘ é — got ote io, they were not Er Mabel Bega? hag, 2547258) esd, hah griar abu: eRe” Paes 1 2h ce EI os bi : d Sth aes ree ac SRR Bl ite ee. ae te BM Sas tae ee Mee et, teed ON Ne rts Suey) Sean i re. Be ere tapi a Sager FS oo take, Nits ah) tee eed, ae ae oh es ee ition

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"De" you mean that you liavn’t brought the stuff with you?” — ““That’s it, exactly.” ia “Then what the dev ; “Why!” interrupted Snell's companion, “we're here to let you know that we're acting on the square. Prove that you re on the square, too, and we can do business.” The mentooked at each other. “Don't like it,” grumbled one. “Well,” said another, the youngest in the party, “T think they've got the best of the argument. Here they are, just as they agreed to be. They haven't gone to any detectives, and it’s our business now to ‘hand over the goods——” Patsy was greatly interested, wondering’ whether this young man would persuade the gang to his way of thinking, when, without the lest warning, strong _ hands were laid upon him. . He turned like a flash at the first touch. _ His hand raised the revolver that he had been -. clutching from the moment when he lay down belsind the rock. But there was no use in firing it. _.. The bullet wouldn't have hit anybody. His assailants had every advantage of him. He had been caught by both feet and yanked back- ward. — pe had grabbed him by the arms. __- Still another drappes a noose over his head and - - pulled it tight. A little more strain on ‘that rope, iid the detect- ive would have been choked to death. ‘him’ with his hands’ securely bound behind his back. The detective was helpless. iaoetk this jualieea dled; pad duid'a word: om 9 sound of the capture had ecciie the: ears of 3 " paroy i FORCED 70 ster, 5c cl dot tania haa en prt it et Nts NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 4 th much less time than it takes to'tell it, they had » 415 him to the exact spot where there was an easy way down to the gulch. It was the way these men always took to getmierc. But, unluckily for the detective, they ha Sf sentinels at that spot. His captors had been within reach of him from tlie moment when he arrived. Why they had not attacked him at once could only be guessed. Probably they were so surprised that they didn’t know what to do at first. And maybe they theught he might be a pros- pector, or anybody but a detective, who would go away as soon as he had taken a look. “Wal, by gosh!” muttered one who. seemed to be the leader of the sentinels, “I reckon this'll make some difference with what they’re jawin’ about down thar.” Patsy tried a bluff. “I'd like to know what you mean,” he began, in- dignantly.. “I haven't done anything to you g “And we won't do a thing to you,” interrupted the leader, harshly——“oh, no! we won't tech ye! Pick him up, boys.” Two of the men took ee on their shoulders, and they went stumbling down the side of the gulch. Snell and the others looked up in the greatest sur- prise when they heard the sentinels coming. All the men got to their feet, for some had been sitting, and guns were shown freely. “What the devil ye got thar?” chief of the gang. “A spy,” replied the leader of the sentinels. “Find him up thar?” “Yes—behind that rock. He crep’ up jest as ef he knowed thar was suthin’ to see below.” “Dod rot him!” “Prob'ly,” went on the sentinel, “he was put onto the thing by them galoots,” and he pointed to Snell and his companion. “That's it!” roared more than one, angrily. “So this is what ye call bein’ on the square, is it?” exclaimed the chief, turning to Snell's’ companion, . fiercely. “Ye make a deal to meet us here alone to _ talk business, and give the tip to a pryin’ detective, do ye? An’ do ye think e'll git outen it with hull skins? ‘Wal, I don’t t r The ruffians were ieee sey and sie their leaders? 6 ‘ demanded the

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16 It needed only his say so to make every one'of them empty their revolvers into Snell and his com- panion. ne]l was horribly frightened. “T don’t know anything. about this,” mered; “I give you my word of honor “Rats !’ he stam- 9 “interrupted the leader, scornfully, “what’s your word of honor worth?” w? “Plug “em full of holes!’ cried another. “The men raised their weapons, and it did look as if there would be a double murder on the spot. “He’s right!” said Patsy, quietly. “The leader turned swiftly toward him. “What's that ye say? he demanded; “who's right?” “The man who just spoke.” “Him?” pointing to Snell. “Yes. I don’t know who he is.” “And | s‘pose ye don’t know him, nuther,” point- ing to Snell’s companion. “I certainly don’t.” It was plain enough that nobody beliey ed the de- tective, but he breathed easier. His interruption had gained time. The men were not so likely now to shoot in a hurry and ask questions afterward. : Patsy had been set on the ground with his back | ‘to a rock. _ bars, you fool! a : hae Snell's companion was looking - him sharply. Ge was to him the leader spoke next. “I s'pose, Jim Leonard,” he said, “thet you've got a word of honor to stack up thet ye never seen this man afore, eh?” “He’s a stranger to me,” replied Leonard. “I jiever saw hinr before, and we took all the pains we could to keep from being followed. Snell’s been in town three days without seeing anybody who was on his track. Why should anybody be on his track, anyway ?” St ak “Why!” roared the leader, “to get us behind the Ain’t that reason enough?” He turned again to the detective. “Paps youl tell us how ye come here?” he said. “Certainly,” ’ replied Patsy. “I saw these two men ess of some kind and nen they'd struck a good thing "t a straight thing to do, but I ‘in town. It was plain enough that they had. good - . I took ’em for pros-— NICK CARTER WEEKLY. This was a story that it was very easy for the rough Westerners to believe. Evidently they were struck by it, for they looked at each other doubtfully. All except the leader. He turned his eyes from Snell to his companion, and then to Patsy, and remarked, calmly: “You lie—eyery one of ye.” Then he addressed his men. fir, “We won't go off at half-cock,” said he; “these geezers hev done us dirt, but mebbe we'd better talk it over afore we do anything,” He spoke then to the sentinels. “Stay here and use yer guns, ef any of ‘em tries to scoot. We'll go further down the gulch and chin about it.” The sentinels nodded and the leader and the rest of his men went down the ravine until they were out of sight. Now and then their voices could be heard as they argued, but what they said could not be told. Once they sent a couple of men up to take Snell’s companion, Jim Leonard, down to talk with him. | They sent him back after a half-hour, and contin- ued their discussion until the sun was setting. Then they all came slowly back to the. rs where | Patsy lay. The young man who had been: speaking when Patsy was captured, was talking with the leader, “I’m sure it’s the best way,” he was saying. “Wal, Harry,” returned the leader, “you've got a sound nut on yer shoulders, an’ you can talk bet- ter’n most of us, but I dunno. Howsoraever, we'll As you say, the main thing is to get the “We certainly can’t get the ransom, if we don’t give ‘ema chance to pay it,” said Harry. The leader! nodded. * “After dark,” he said, shortly. ‘ It grew dark early in that deep ravine, but it was not till fully two-hours had passed that the gang began to move, In the meantime, they smoked and talked in low voices, or lay on the ground and snonken At last the leader stood up ane ae “Bring ‘em along.” Patsy had tried at first to are if he siete his hands. In the warkripan a x grate sche was of aes use. oh + eink Ogos | fo lred pT jae . A $. fe Penge a a

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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “These fellows had known how to tie a knot, and they kept the noose around his neck, with a warning that they wouldn’t mind leaving him there for crows to pick. That was only too plain. They cared little for the ‘detective. It was Snell and Leonard that they were interested in. The gang returned to Helena in pairs mostly. Two went beside Patsy, and one each with Snell and Leonard. - The rest trailed along—some in advance, some be- hind. When they came to the edge of the town they scattered over different streets. No one meeting any of them would have suspécted that a score-of men were coming into the city to- gether. Patsy's guides teok the noose from around his neck then, and cautioned him that if he tried to break _ away they would shoot. - The caution wasn’t necessary, for the detective had no idea of doing anything except stick to the “gb until he had found out all about the business that had had brought them together. nti ‘They came at length to a house in a quiet street. ¥ if Patsy's guides took him in there, opening the front 2 er with a key, and led him to the kitchen. 7 _ The house was dark when they arrived, but it had S gas, and this was lit. cs Curtains were pulled down at the windows, and they waited in silence. fy Others came in from time to time. _. The last to arrive were Snell. and Leonard, and the ey who had been walking with them. Tt was understood that they had been to Bronco ie, ates Snell had hidden the “stuff.” - When all were there, the leader said: “Now, ef ye're ready fer pean at last, let’ $ git it without any palaver.” ‘We're ready,” renponded Leonard. cae a? coe - d glanced at Snell, who slowly drew a wal- or his peek and ‘took bi so ita mnaiter of bills. GR." +, a the men in Bivgnas falta: heapaliy: As ve oe the leader, “but Rg alge ets and MO li« 17 “Wal, but what are ye doin’ now? You brought that stuff to hand over, didn’t ye?” “Certainly; when you deliver the goods.” It was Snell who responded, and his voice was calm now. He seemed to feel that his victory was won. Leonard, on the other hand, looked worried. “Guess that’s right enough, then,” remarked the leader. ‘We've got the goods, an’ we'll show thet we can meet ye. Harry He interrupted himself suddenly, at Patsy. “*Twon't do,” he added, in a decided tone; “not jest yet. We don’t want no witnesses to this per- ceedin’. I don’t perfess to say,thet this geezer’s a detective, but dead men ‘tell no tales. I wisht we'd bored holes in him out thar in the hills.” “Better not do any sheotin’ here,” suggested one of the men. “Right; but thar’s a good way, jest as A tee an’ peaceable as a graveyard. Take him into the base- ment.” “Good God!” exclaimed Harry, that ?” “Wouldn't 1? In course I would,” replied the leader, harshly. “You go an’ git the goods, Harry, an’ mind yer own business. Two or three of ye gag that geezer and tie his feet. Then take him to the basement. Hear?” They heard. Patsy saw young Harry's face oe as he went slowly from the room. Others proceeded promptly to obey the leader, “IT wonder if my time has really come at last?” thought the detective. He could make no resistance, and tried none. ~ It was useless, too, to bluft the men or try to plead with them. They stuffed his own handkerchief in his mouth and tied a cord tightly around his ankles. Then they lifted him, while the rest of the gang and Snell and Leonard looked silently on, and took him from the room by a door that opened upon a ~ stairway. Down the stairs and along a short passage they, carried the helpless detective, and at last laid — upon a cemented floor. : Not a ray of light was — * with a glance “you wouldn’t do SA ee er. im mee Be pas = fee eee Ue Yee a et oe

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18 Themen stumbled in the darkness as if they were not familiar with the place. “Say yer pra’rs, tenderfoot,” remarked one of them, with a harsh chuckle, as he started away. “He’s got nerve,” said another, noticing that no sound came from their victim’s throat. “More likely he’s scared silly,’ returned the first. One of them was feeling along the wall. “Hurry up,” said the other.. _ “It’s all right, I’ve found it,” was np: reply from a corner. “Full on,’ “Sor’tis.” “Come on, then.” They went out. Patsy heard the door close behind them. ‘Then their steps stumbling along the passage and upstairs. At last he heard the opening and shutting of a door at the top. The sound of the leader’s rough voice came to him, evidently asking a question. “Ts the trick done?” or something of that done He could imagine the men’s short answer. Then probably the gang got down to asioioceged - again with Snell and Leonard. ‘ It would do no good to try to tell sive rey s thoughts and feelings were. He had been unlucky enough before to get’ cap- tured by men who meant to kill him. On other occasions he had worked himself free, or Nick or Chick had comé just in time to rescue him. _ Nick was thousands of miles away.” Chick ‘wasn't on this strange casé at all.” The cords upon his hands and legs were ? firm, And yet the young man felt no despair. ~ “Somehow!” he thought, and he went to Ailes pel sews as well as whe ce: ‘agatnst the herd, cellar edit toute ne he might. wear the cords through in ts In time—good Heaven! would tere be time? _ What was that he smelled? enemy -more send than ma bullets of x as i er al fern ra “te nye 4 a seo nw wa ending wie he " said the first. Nick a bit of a surprise, © seit mee fe rere | Pees A : NICK CARTER WEEKLY. He had fourid it and turned the cock “fullon!” __ The close cellar was filling rapidly with the poisen- ous stuff. Patsy’s throat tickled. He coitghed and partly. dislodged his gag. but 1 it was only to take more gas into his lungs. With all his might he wriggled so that the cord might be cut or worn enough to break. He could ware no effect on it, so far as he could tell. Every strain simply made the cord cut deeper into his flesh, and he was as helpless as before. The poisoned atmosphere choked him, He felt his head whirling. ' The whole house seemed to be going around and around. In the confusion of his mind he Rcanied to hear voices in a loud discussion. They ceased-—there was no sound—except a fear- ful roaring as if he lay at the bottom of Niagara Falls. And then, a dreadful feeling that he might as well give it all up. A man had to die some time. - One time was probably as good as another. He had done what Nick told him to as well as he knew how. » He hoped that Nick and Chick wnt somehow get at this gang. Patsy was very tired and sleepy. The whirling’ and the: noises ceased. His brain was at rest. ' CHAPTER. VII. THE MYSTERY OF GEORGE SNELL. Rake Nick Carter had said good-by to his bright young assistant at about half-past ten of an evening. He gave little further thought’ to the case ee night, for he knew that it was in good hands. | “I shall probably hear from the boy in the morn- ing,” he thought, as he went to bed. Nae No message carite from Patsy in the morning, be- eause the young man had been too much occupied in’ watehing Snell ‘and Leonard in’ ia qerery: sail station to send one. But a message came om Dinsmore, that. Leah RES 5 1c? , ta te

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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 19 _ Important robbery just reported. Don't know if it is the one ~ you referred to last night, but it is very important and mysteri- ous. Wish you would come on. Nick took the next train for the West. ___ Dinsmore’s telegram was sent from Manchester, _ the capital of Wenonah, and there, of course, the de- ~ tective went. _ The journey was without incident, and was made as rapidly as possible, considering that there are no through trains between New York, and the dis- tant Canadian town. _ Dinsmore met him at the station. “Pe got a telegram for you,” he said, as soon as ieee had shaken hands. “It was forwarded from ee a York, after you left.” _ Nick opened and read it. It’was the one Patsy - “had sent from Chicago to say that he was going with e ‘Snell to Helena. ts “All right,” said Nick. “Now, what’s the case? Ee “It was reported by the lieutenant governor,” re- we ce Dinsmore, “Governor Bradley being away. Tis absence makes the thing very peculiar, and I = bat understand it at all. How you should know in New York that a robbery had taken place in Man- : chester before anybody here suspected such a thing quite a mystery.” -. 3 believe,” responded Nick, “that I begin to see wthat happened. But goon. Some state papers ve disappeared, eh? e- ye “That's it, and that’s what makes me suppose it the same affair that you seemed to have in mind when you telegraphed from New York. ss else?” . “Do bes mean anything else stolen? Not that I re sig but the papers are very important. I t you ought to come on, as you” seemed to of the matter. 3 id I don’t, but I’m interested. You say bduction, or kidnaping Fulugs | tell me all oe know about the loss of the er) “iile. The. PN tevnade, governor a ate on the “night you telegraphed me. k it eae et two hours: after I had $ looks very much like it. eye I know of no such case.” Pe be ce ordinary, thieves, but for which the government would pay a handsome reward, have disappeared.’ “T asked him when they were taken. “‘T’ve no idea,’ he answered. ‘I only discovered the loss this afternoon.’ “Then I asked him why he had not called on me sooner. “Because,” he replied, ‘we’ve been hunting high and low for the papers. We supposed they must be somewhere in the government building. But we've looked everywhere. They're gone, and that’s all there is to it.’ “I thought of your telegram, Nick, but said noth- ing. After I had asked the usual questions about where the papers were kept, and so forth, I inquired if he had any suspicions. “The question seemed to make him uneasy, “‘T cannot suspect anybody,’ he replied. “T remembered you, Nick, and I said: “That means that you suspect everybody.’ ” “What did he say to that?” asked Nick. “Huh! he smiled in a queer way, and simply said: ‘Well? Of course, I pressed him to be frank with me, but didn’t succeed at first. “Finally, though, he let the cat out of the bag in a kind of roundabout way. “T saw that he actually suspected Governor Brad- ley himself.” a wesult !” exclaimed Nick, “that’s rather interest- ing.” “Yes—and mysterious. I'll tell you a fact or two without stopping to say how I squeezed them from the lieutenant governor. “Some six or seven weeks ago a man unknown hére called on Governor Bradley. We know that his name was Leonard and that he and the governor had been in some sort of business deal together years before. “That much is known, because a part of their con- versation was accidentally overheard, | “Nobody thought anything of it at the time, of course, for it all seemed natural and straight enough. “The jieutenant governor heard Leonard ae about some papers of some kind. _“*They're safe, Governor Bradley told him. “That's all well enough for you to say,’ responded, ‘but P'd rates sap them. avi. Then es I'd know.’” E RSENS Dinsmore paused. pte otes coue aba al

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20 “Does anybody know what the governor said to that?” asked Nick. ‘He was heard to say something to the effect that that would give Leonard the whip hand. “The men were evidently on bad terms, and that is all that is known of that matter. “Now, some time later—it is rather more than three weeks ago, Governor Bradley left town. He hasn’t been back since.” “Is there anything strange in that?” “Not exactly. He went away openly enough. Told everybody that he was tired and needed rest That was natural. He also told the lieutenant gov- ernor secretly that he was going to travel without anybody kgnow where he was. don't wato be bothered with letters,’ he said.” heh > “That was ‘natural enough, too, wasn’t it?” “T suppose so; but just now the lieutenant gov- ernor is putting two and two together, and I can see that he is suspicious. He hasn’t said so in so many vitae FOU: understand, but that’ s what he feels, just esr a Es told me all, Dinsmore.” “Not quite. Governor Bradley told a lieutenant governor that he would manage to be within reach at all times, but that his movements and address must be kept private. “*T will take the name of rae Sneli,’ said he, ‘and keep you informed where you may telegraph to - me, if anything of real importance comes up.’ “So for some days, the lieutenant governor re- ceived a telegram every day, saying, ‘Snell, Audi- gree § Chicago,’ or ‘Snell, Planter’s, St. Louis,’ and P ethen there was a a break of ‘the days, after which came word that ‘Snell’ was at the Fifth Avenue Ho- » tel, New York. — “Meantime, nothing had papened’ that the liew ae - tenant governor couldn't attendtoalone, —.. ie - hee ore the Breer ey that Land Were ‘mies- Pie ark ing. . ae ie" e% As soon as it was ‘contain that the oaier had e red, the lieutenant governor, telegraphed the act to “Snell,” and told him m the same Prone? e matter would be placed in my hands. - lieutenant governor had thought ‘nabs: he ave called me up before wiring to Bradley, a. as vps He NICK CARTER WEEKLY. since that time not a word has been heard from ‘Snell.’ And there you are.” “T see,” said Nick; “it’s very interesting. When does the next train go to Helena, Montana?” “To Helena! There’s no direct train to that point, in any case; but what the mischief do you want to go there for?” “Because that’s where Governor Bradley is, or where he went. I think, Dinsmore, that I shall have to hunt for your governor, as well as for the thieves who stole the papers. I hope I may find the gov- efnor alive.” “Good gracious! what “Look up the trains, please. first that goes.” With a wondering face, Dinsmore studied a rail- way guide for a few minutes. Part of their conversation had taken place on the street. Now they were in his office. Presently, he looked at his watch. “There’s a train in half-an-hour,” he said, “that will get you pretty well started, and you can probably make connections that will take you through so as to reach Helena in about thirty hours. Will that do?” “How can I tell. I must take that train, and I think, Dinsmore, it would be as ‘well if you should come along, too.” “I'l do it, gladly.” “Anything to do to get ready ay “No.” ‘Tet’s start for the station, “then.” They went out, and on the way Nick asked: “Dinsmore, do you know anybody in Manchester whose name is Cecil West?” “Slightly,” replied Dinsmore. “Friend of yours?” “No, I never saw him. What sort of a mam is he?” . . ee “Tip top, from all I heat.’ Not rich, you know, - but honest and industrious. First-rate fellow, every — way. By the way, he’s in love with the governor's: daughter, Estelle.’ > : So?” ' me “Yes, and the old man won't have him. “He's sent the girl away, so as to keep them from meeting. x4 “The governor sent his daughter away, did he?” “That's what I hea: after a big party at the governor's met xs and it is ib sanarehone: ” I want to catch the PEN z ' She dropped opt of sight © pa se some ae ee

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e off to visit a distant aunt, or sométhing, in the hope that she would forget young West.” “T wonder if West hears from shee? >” mused Nick. “Tf he does, he doesn’t say so.” “Of course not.” _ Nothing more was said on this subject, and Dins- more did not suspect what was in the detective’s mind. Nick asked one other ae about the case: “T understand that nothing has been reported, _ except a theft of government papers. Is that right?” “Yes, and I have wondered a little, for in your tel- -egram to me you mentioned jewelry.” “Idid. I heard some was taken.” ” “Nick,” said Dinsmore, whe: gave you the tip _ about all this?” — The detective ouibas Bi old friend in the eyes for y a moment, and answered quietly : : fe - “Governor Bradley.” aa eee deuce we sein jess didn’t you jump on Nee aca know till Terrived in Manchester ie y " that it was the governor who called on me. He said Ber his name was Snell. I doubted it, but I had no sus- _ picion as to whom he really was. I could see that ; he was holding some facts back, and that made me ‘turn him down. That was ; where tines made a ape bi « The detective aint Dinsmore ae good connec- " and arrived in Helena at six o'clock in the oor of the following day. Benassi aieeia ed NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 21 The grip was sent for later, the man said, and was taken to a street that he named. Nick went to that street. — He walked the length of it twice. There was no good hotel on it, but several board- ing-houses, and any number of saloons. Among others was Bronco Bill's. Nick looked at it each time he passed. It was not the first one he entered, but, after drop- ping in at two or three other places, he entered Bronco Bill's place just as the proprietor was telling a customer about a shooting scrap that had taken place there recently. “They wanted to make the tenderfoot dance,” said Bill, grinning, “but durn me ef he didn’t make them dance and holler afore he got through with them. Such shootin’ I never did see! I thought ’twould be the last of Bronco Bill's house, but the young stranger just brought them crazy galloots to their senses in no tim@ Say! he hit a dime——” And Bill went on to tell the whole story. » “Patsy!” said Nick to himself, as he slowly put down a glass of beer at the other end of the bar. | “I wonder how long it will take Dinsmore to follow his trail to this joint ?” Nick sat down to wait, and had supper meantime, Shortly after nine o'clock, Dinsmore came in, looking sour and hopeless. “Ah! there you are,” said he. for you.” “Why didn’t you come here, then?” askéd Nick, “Because I didn’t expect to find you here. I seemed to trace a man who looked like the governor to this hole several times. Plenty said they’d seen such a man hanging around, but the governor “T've beén looking - Wouldn't put up in such a place, not he!” “It’s where he put up, just-the same,” said Nick. “Who told you?” a guessed it. My assistant has been here; dha he wouldn't hang around in sueh a place, either, unless. there was business in it. ‘The business that brought Patsy here was——” Nick did not finish.. prgieg he caught up.a newspaper. and held i i 6 ‘= Tahi face!” ia A Rog eae aes in from the street whispered, “and don't shone your

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22 One of them was the man whom Nick had known as George Snell. As the detective was now disguised, he did not hesitate to show his face. — It looked, however, as if his disguise would have been unnecessary, for Snell walked quickly across the room and out by a door at the back. One of the four went with him. The other two stepped up to the bar and called for drinks. Snell came back in a short time with the man who had gone out with him, “Have something?” asked a man at ine bar. “No,” replied Snell; “let’s be going.” The four then went out at once. “Great Scott!’ whispered Dinsmore, Governer Bradley’s voice!” “Of course it was,” replied Nick., “Come on.’ They kept on the track of the four men, and fol- lowed them to a house in a quiet sfreet. There was a light in the kitchen windows: “Crooked werk here,” w:.ispered Dinsmore. “Sure!” replied Nick. “We must get a line on it, if possible.” mc . They had not gone very near the house, presum- ~ ing that there might be men on guard who would : give warning to the others, It seemed best to try to get at the kitchen win- dows from behind, and, accordingly they went around to another street, through a yard and over a fence. | is took some time, but the lights were still oe there, and all was quiet within. i +h the curtains were down the tog impse inside through a small bet ea just enough to show a perncny tougha, BF looking men around a table, with Snell in the cal He was counting out a big roll of bills; “Buying back the papers,” whispered ie “and “pay Bie thy sepnese Me Wes dangnter What! you don’t mean——" ; “Bradley was laapek: That's what. Re aa eee iad mae the sense to tell ole truth!” alae ariy ’ * = whe dm: Pe ae sary Dins- to Bradgate wi a yee ae “that was managed Ties fomten, the isa ; NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “No. They'll ba through in a minute. We must make a bluff, and they'll think they're surrounded. ‘You go to the front door, and I'll tackle them here.” ——_ CHAPTER VIII. THE RANSOM. Harry had brought down what the leader of the gang called “the goods.” This was a parcel of papers done up in red tape. It was laid on the kitchen table, and Snell began to count-out the money that he had shown a few min- utes before. “IT have forty thousand dollars here,” -he remarked. “Ought to be twice that!” growled the leader. | ; “That was the price-agreed on with Leonard, wasn’t it?” , “Go ahead.” “You haven't produced the goods.” Snell, or, rather, Governor ‘Bradley, stopped counting out the money, and looked straight at the leader. “Plank down the money!” ordered the Teader, harshly. Just then there was a furious knocking at both the back and front doors. Loud voices—there seemed to be a dozen of them =! —were crying: “Surrender in the name of the law!” “We're done!”’ gasped the leader, starting up, and lifting his revolver, “and by G——! J know who done it! You, Harry, yon sneak, with your argu- ment——" “] haven't given* you away,” cried Harry, “I swear——” He He got no further, for the leader fired. EN Harry groaned and staggered to the cellar door. He grasped the handle fo keep from falling. It turned, the door opened, and he plunged head: long down the stairs. All, the other men were starting up.in great con- ~ fusion. a “Kill the governor!” they cried. itt. : “No!” shouted the leader ; “there'll be more in dim me _ than in anything else, Take him with: us.” * . Then he added, ina lower tone: “Side door, boys. Nobody seems: 12 be - a iy

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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 23 = He seized the governor as he. spoke, and pushed “Tt’s the fellow they called Harry!” said Patsy to him | from the room, himself, sitting up now and carefully lifting the body ‘ Others helped, and both the governor and Leon- away. “What the mischief does it all mean?” ard were hustled out. His memory was returning fast. All the things on the table—money and papers He recalled now how he had been carried down to “were swept off by somebody. this cellar to be suffocated with gas. A door trashed in, and next instant Nick Carter That was early last night. “An atone the room. — It was now day, as he could tell from the light at He was greeted by a pistol shot from one of the one dusty window. Besides, the cellar door was open, the one opening i Nedlieea him. $ into the passage through which he had been taken. % amie voices were heard, cling orderin:, curs- His hands had been bound so hard that he could ‘ pangs not loose them, and now they were free! mao Baiahore areee in from ine ‘sewn .. “How did that hap——” _ “Heayen!” he gasped, “the governor’s voice ! He looked at the cord that had been around his “ies calling, for help. After him, Nick and rescue wrists, a him.” <8 ; it ae J a 5 es e age Sega tor wiaeenad door. de = ON Dias ache than that smooth mark eee rere Mate tof shar tte Soc: aa ae a i The detective looked at tlie knife in Harry’s dead 4 hand es mber of men : ; . Lae vine oa pal nena “That's it!’ he said, softly. “The poor fellow Snipe haga Nick In iba tried to save me, and he came pretty near doing it.” ay basen Oa He tried to take the knife from Harry’s hand, “Nick and Diesmore dashed off ja pessull, their one Dut the stiffened fingers held it tight. ng to rescue, the: governor, who had fool- His own knife was in his pocket, and with that he dl to do his own detective work. cut the cord around his ankles. bs bey hare ex Ebeeeisd ioe & } bse is jhead still swam, and he was weak, but his as if his aan made: . Strings, ica strength came back rapidly. mea At seemed . Going. to the wall, he found the gas jet. . haere: at ere The cock had been turned square off. a ‘bib a “Harry did it,” he whispered. “Poor fellow! I ‘ Ree. May vy blank os by ane remember how he couldn’t stand the idea of my be- i ue ee atawae, x put “p ing murdered. His coming in and leaving the door Bias open ventilated the place, and so I didn’t die of suf- < Py focation. ‘Poor chap!-he meant well. I wonder how Lee 8s nee he ‘came to be shot?” : Araugh, paar Shot tre ‘was, as the detective could see from the ‘ ~ * + wound in the yofng man’s breast, | ly, “for fe. was Iving on _ Patsy stood still for a full minute. i “Hang me!” he exclaimed, “if it doesn’t seem as a oree rary ef wenden 22a? was dead!” ; yeh ke sel -Hé-felt for his revolver.) i aw Miiadon, ced ates! Gontin but he-had the pe ete * 2 ae <i bsg

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24 In the kitchen he found overturned chairs and other signs of disorder. r “There was a ruction of some kind,” he concluded. He wasn’t sure just what he ought to de, and de- cided that befere he tried to’ferm a plan he would explore the house. Nothing attracted his attention in the rooms of the ground floor, and it was the same on the next floor. They were ordinary rooms, furnished cheaply. _ The detective looked into bureau drawers, not because he was expecting to find anything, but! to see if there was any evidence that the house was reg- ularly occupied. There was none. All the drawers were empty. Opening a door, he found himself at the foot of stairs to the attic. “Might as well take it all in,” he thought, and he started up. The third step was loose, and came up when he put his foot on it. : At once he pulled the board away. : He saw something that made his eyes bulge. A box had been made beneath the step, and, lying in it, were two packets of papers done up in red rib- bon, and a great quantity of money in big bills. He took out and counted twenty one-thousand- dollar bills, and twenty eet more dollars § in bills of five and one hundred. “Whew!” he whistled, sitting down and. te at his find, ae op -A-sound startled him. | pee _ It came from above. - _A faint, weal yoice—a woman's, + apparently. It seemed to be calling for help. | ; : a - Patsy stuffed the ‘money in his pockets, ‘hid stand up the attic stairs. he US Piste Under the unfinished loft ‘on a¢ co (eats 1g fe ieee 1 i NiCK CARTER WEEKLY. ; governor of Wenonah, and I know he would reward you!” “Don’t try to talk, Miss Bradley,” Patsy. He was stooping to cut the cords that bound her to the floor. interrupted When this was done, he helped her to her feet and then downstairs. On the way, he took the papers he had seen in the box, and put them in his pockets. She told him, when he explained that he was a de- tective, how she had been deceived by a message that was supposed to be sent by her lover, Cecil West. “It was handed to me during a party at my father’s she said, ‘‘and it told me that Cecil was ly- I went at once to see him, and was seized by rough men, who house,” ing dangerously wounded not far away. brought me here and have kept me ever since.” Patsy took her to a hotel, where they had break- fast. Then, knowing nothing of Nick’s journey to the West, he arranged for taking her home. a They started on a train that left. Helena just as Nick and Dinsmore returned after a successful chase of the ruffians. Tt had taken them most of the night, but they had rescued the governor and caught three of the gang. Leonard had been shot through the heart by the leader when it came to the last fight out in’the hills. ‘miles beyond Helena. The goy ernor confessed bitterly that he and. Leon- | ard had been engaged in a business that could net a be called quite square years before. : SA ie my reputation,” said the gov ernor, cy had to” keep “certain papers, and Leonard wanted them, fearing that I would give them up some time, and $0" ruin him. We feared each othey. 2 Ae’ ae “So he hired a band oi rufiians to cage ry ee They not ‘only stole mine, but, without: ‘knowing i pics to” a “number of government documents also. Thex ghey make: a hiss ait a of He they if. ter. ; - por? af L deak i at

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_you, Mr. Carter. When Leonard found that the tuffians would not give up the papers without an im- _mense ransom, that he was unable to pay, he told | me what he had done. It was ‘for the interest of _ both of us to keep the matter dark, and he thought he could drive a bargain with the thieves. Pa got together all the cash I could and we tried “We went from city to eity, but whether Leonard % saw the leader anywhere I do not know. At last I ‘= told him I should give the matter to Nick Carter. “Leonard threatened to kill me if I did so. He nearly succeeded, as perhaps you know. At last, a he said we should find that gang in Helena, and that _ by this time they would be willing to come to my _ terms—forty thousand dellars—their first bid hav- eS ing been for a hundred thousand. - _ “We came to Helena, Leonard taking a different 4 route from Chicago, in order to give the word to ae: the gang, who, he said, were mostly at the north. ; sy came here and went, as he told me, to a low Sais where I stayed till he came, ae the rest you : S teiow” 3 Se “Not quite all,” said Nick; 2 on your track all this time?” “Not that I know of, though yesterday a stranger Rice spying on us. The gang killed him.” ~ _ “How? “When? Where?” demanded Nick, anx- “wasn’t there a man sing pola him about the way “the ‘ ae T was there,” thought Nick, with deep sor- “perhaps in time to save him! -I wish I hall let - go.” r ent to the ee and found it deserted by -.. Harry: yy ick saw, Seid oe ‘open: knife, the cut “6 ivinced him that. pet had made his ¢s- NICK CARTER WEEKLY. still missing, to say shadtibcig of the great rar that had been paid down. So Niek went with the governor to Manch@ .-r, and there found Patsy, Miss Estelle, and all “4 the governor had been leoking for. It is supposed that one of the gang hid the papers and the money in the box under the stairs during the confusion of the attempt to escape. “Tt was a clever move,” said Nick, discussing it; “for the rascal must have ktiown that some, if not all the gang, would be captured} and it would be fool- ish to have the stuff captured with them. So he took the chance of hiding it, meaning to go back some time, next day probably, and get it.” Governor Bradley offered to pay Nick and Patsy for their services. ; “I don’t think we want any pay,” replied Nick. “We've had a good time out of it, and we weren't engaged on the matter at all. But I'd like to ask two favors.” “They shall be granted,” “First, then, when you have detective work to do in the future, don’t try to do it yourself.” “That's easy,” laughed the governor ; “you may be sure I shan’t try that sort of thing again.” said the governor. “The second,” said Nick, “is that you consent to the marriage of your daughter and Cecil West. He’s a fine young man $i “Tl yield,” interrupted Governor Bradley. “T will send-for West at once.” He kept ais word, and the young people were mar- ried not long afterward. Nick and Patsy meant to return at once to New York, but they were detained ia the West for a time longer by another case, which brought them against some of the gang they had just met. THE END. Next week's issue (No. 280) will contain: “Nick Carter Strikes Oil; or, Uncovering More Than a Murderer,” Nick did strike oil. He uncovered a s seipecsAlaaeasiee One of the most important of his recent cases will be described in next week’s issue.

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FIFTY PRIZES ~ FIFTY PRIZES There is a good chance for every boy in our new Funny Story Contest — ~~ ALL KNOW what rattling funny stories we printed in the contest that has just closed. It was a corking contest, and we are going to follow it with another of the same kind. You have just as good a chance in this contest as any other boy in America, whether you entered the other contest or not. We want MORE FUNNY STORIES Think of the funniest story of which you have ever heard, or the best joke. Write it out and send it to us—then look out for funny stories, We are going to publish in this contest some of the best side-splitters that ever came out of the joke factory. Remember the prizes we are offering. In this contest there are FIFTY NEW PRIZES FIVE FIRST PRIZES 1 five boys who send in’ the five best stories will cach receive TEN BOOKS from this list, The list kis some of the best detective stories, tales of adventure, and most interesting boys’ ‘Stories ever written. The ten boys who send TEN SECOND PRIZES in the next best stories. will each receive any FOUR BOOKS they may select in this list. FIFTEEN THIRD PRIZES TT Mig Soka eu ee eS Lo RRR RLY LE LOI Soom a next best stories will each receive any THREE BOOKS they may select in this list. The next twenty boys pare receive any TWO BOOKS seri may select in this list. HERE ARE THE DIRECTIONS This contest will close SEPTESIBER Ist. ‘Remember, whether your story wins a prize id not, it stands 8 ee chang of Vesa cin i iituity a with your‘name. Lo become a. contest- ant for these prizes you must cut out the Prize Contest Coupon printed | herewith it it out prop- erly, and mail it to Nick Carter Weekly, care of Street & Smith, 238 Wil- liam St., ver York City, ‘together with your story, ° ‘No story will be consid. . ‘ pe that does not have tt 5. CO m Accompany- “ing it. Wateh for the an- . nowuncement of the prize . wisipers, in, thes, ree COUPON. 5 Nk CARTER WEEKLY. basen ay a 4 a ’ 7 a Urseserespecctecszes nS EIN SEN : P aa Pas jand-Namber ......... b stetehep tiny s av Vleedene geclethdens J ar . Ree WE ver cercereeunes sete easeespeteenar ees ister oer te > tieneansnintnenenenninnnnets , cil, a : ° « * , Fereeedebereererenvense eae reeee ts teeasentbecnseessesneees re nas Mere —_——_—_—_—, 1--The Boat Club................ By Oliver Optic 2—Cadet Kit Carey.,By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry B—All, Aboard, 2.042.650. .2. 6205 By Oliver Optic 4—Lieutenant Carey’s Luck, By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry | S—Now or Never.......s.6+se0+ By Oliver Optic : ' 6—Captain Carey of the Gallant Seventh, Lieut. Lionel- Lounsberry 7—Chased Through Norway.....-- By James Otis | 8—Ikit Carey's Protege, By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry $—Try Again By Oliver Optic 10—Don Kirk, the Boy Cattle By oh nes bert nm. ll—From Tent to White aie {Boyhood and Life of President McKinley.) ws A Eaward 8. Elits 12—Don Kirk's Lae edeee aces y Gilbert Patten : EP the Ladder......... By Taasednaae Murray | e Foung Colaninta. Story of Life and . Wet 10 BEI weiss 23 66550 a's 0 G. A. Henty : ay Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry 16—The White King of Africa. ; William Murray Graydon | 1%—Ensign Merrill...By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry - 18—-The Silver Ship. By Leon Lewis 1% Jask Argher.............-+.- By G. A. Henty 33—Jud and Joe, Prittters and Publishers By Gilbert Patten 34--The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Gree By Voreeee Bese, B. “A. 35—In the Reign of pets ae . By G. A, Henty ,36-In Barracks an Mg? y Hitara Murray Graydon 37~--Conmmmudore Junk...By wher Manville Fenn 38—Gay Dashleigh's Academy one By Arthur Sewall 39—With Boer and British er in the Transvaal, ilitam. Murre: y Graydon 40+-Canoe and Campiire, -By 8t. George * Rathbone 41-*CVACK (DIBA. ee seit soe By Fédward S. Ellis = -The Young Acrobat....By Horatio eo ; 42—In Southern Seas... By Frank + 44--The Golden Magnet. By George Manville Fenn 45—Jack W Dealers A Western Story ‘ By Capt. Davia pores ; 46—Pooy and By Oliver Optic 47—Eric Dane’. . 5)... ca. .0 By Matthew White Jv, 5 4t--Luke Bennett's Hide-Ou : By Capt. C. zB “Ashley, u. . Scout / 498—The Mystery of « Diamond _By Frank H. Converse | 50--Dean ‘Dunham. .).....- By Horatio Alger. Jr. 51—Tom Trac: r Lee Putnam (Horatio Alger, Ir.) $2—From Farm 523—The Adventures of a OP S PAPAS By “arthur Lee Putnam : (Horatio Alger, Jr. RLY | ' | S&—Joe Nichols; or, culties Overcom By Peas Oi 55-—A Voyage to the pte SEE went gt ; : y Frank H. Converse — Re Faring s Young MoRtemeny cokes McCorm : Si-The Gold of Fiat. Top ent or nk H. 22—The Cham eed oy to Senator, ' Horatio x er, New. York 1% AS Telegraph y verse pdoce Mystery. .By at] Geboriau | 24--The Detective’s Dile iy Ei Gaboriau ge De nha 8 Teinmpn: Erste Gaboriau 26-- Sa Ry 7) Ses See ee ¢ Geboriau ; oT The Steel Necklace. By Baxtuoe te ies | 23—-Under Hig Thumb. ...By Donald J. Sere : | erm ape Cliqne of Gold........ By Emile Rowtiae 4 The Bag ot loa" : y George Manville Feon -31—vhe' Red lige Ticke et. } By Fortune Du oa 32—-A° Myeterious Case.......... oat a 24 Serre Clew to liege Tracked hy Pate..,... 3—Found Dead... su. | Sororner People's’ M tinge Ga Besa eg Chew, By Bel "Eeicai Be Laneey “Pierson : eet Yangeancs. » 7 ; 216—The Count’s Millions, 9-502 By ie G: , ‘4—The Missing cag est De pat Myste eT? = Forty ; aban i Becetlant era wore py F. he See mes Dy | 06—The- ae ai Nae @ Lateey Ashton

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Did you ever hear of laughing gas, boys? It’s a kind of balloon juice they give to people who are blue, to make them laugh. Anybody who reads these stories doesn’t need it. He can’t stop laughing, generally. A Bunch of Jokes. Se (By Martin McNichols, Ill.) A tourist going along a country road asked a porter how long the road ran. “It does not run at all, to my knowledge,”’ said the ter. "Then I will make you run,"’ said the tourist, and he eded todoso. - - An Trish sergeant, who was leading a company of sol- diers to the war, stopped at a fallen tree to give his fol- _ lowers sonie good advice. wee ‘Fight, fight,” he said, ‘‘like the very devil till your i I will start now, as I unition gives out, then run. am a little lame,” eee keeper of a menagerie show was visited one day by a friend. ) oe ‘Did you see my antelope?’’ asked the keeper. No,’ said the visitor, “who did your aant elope ‘ foe is A Chicago Story. Ate (By Chas. Rozey, Mich.) Ae recent trial before Justice Dougherty it was ortant by counsel to determine the length of t certain ‘‘two quarters of beef, two hogs and ** remained in an express wagon in front of store before they were taken away by the The witness under examination was a Ger- knowledge of the Engl ish language was very but | testified in a very plain, straightforward ‘and put it in the aforesaid wagon. the meat from the store and put into the : took it ai ay 955. Inky a not say nearer as dot."” ghed the meat, and to having after- — ingevsued: ate oct -—: ‘‘State to the jury how long it was T schoost can’d dell dot. I dinks : vt understand me. : How long was . Keen up the good work, boys. You are starting this new contest in good shape. it from the time the meat left the stere and was put into the wagon befere it was taken away by the defendant?” Witness: ‘‘Now, I know not what you ax dot vor. Der vagon he ves back ub mit de sidevalk und dot’s schoost so leng as it ves. You dell me how long der sidevalk ves. Ben veet? Dwelf veet? Den I dells you how long it vas.’’ Counsel: ‘*I den’t want to find out hew wide the ‘sidewalks is, but F want to kuow’’ (speaking very slow- ly) ‘‘how—leng—this—meat—was—in—the—wagon-— before—it—was—taken—away?”’ f Witness: ‘‘Oh, dot! Vell, now, I not sold any meat. so. I all time weigh him; never measured meat, not yet. But I dimks ‘bout dree veet.’’ (Here the spectators and his honor and the jury smiled). ‘“I know not, shen- tlemens, how dis is. I dell you all I can, so good as I khow.*?* =: : Counsel: ‘Look here, I want to know how long it was before the meat was taken away after it was put into the wagon.”’ Witness (looking very knowingly at the counsel): ‘‘Now you try to get me im a scrape. Dot meat vos schoost' so long in der vagon as he vos in der shop. Dot’s all I told you. He don’t get no longer in den dousan’ year, not mooch.”’ Counsel: *‘That will de.” Jimmy Brown’s Sister’s Wedding. (By John Dougherty, Me.) Sue ought to have been married along while ago. That’s. what everybody says who knows her. She has been engaged to Mr. Travers for three years, and has had to refuse lots of offers to go to the circus withther young men. I have wanted her te get married, so that I could go and live with her and Mr. Travers. When I think that if it hadn’t been fer a mistake I made she would have been married yesterday, I find it dreadfully hard to be resigned. But we eught always te be resigned to everything when we can’t help it. - Before I go any further I must tell you about: my printing press. It belonged to Tom McGinnis, but he got tired of it, and sold it to me real cheap. He was going to.exchange it for a bicycle, a St. Bernard dog ~ ait :

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"28 ms x. ee and twelve good books, but he Sey let me have it for a dollar and a half. It prints beautifully, and I have printed cards for ever create, people, and made five dollars and seventy cents I thought it would be nice to be able to print canes ‘bins in case Tom and I should ever have another circus, so I sent to the city and bought some type more than an inch high and some beautiful yellow paper. Tast week it was finally agreed that Sue and Mr. Travers should be married without waiting any longer. You should have seen what a state of mind she and mother were iv. They did nothing but buy new clothes and sew, and talk about the wedding all day long. Sue was determined to be married in church, and to have six bridesmaids and six -bridegrooms, and flowers and music, aud all sorts of things. The only thing that troubled her was making up her mind whom to invite. Mother wanted her to invite Mr. arid Mrs. McFadden and the seven McFadden girls, but Sue said they had insulted her, and she couldn’t bear the idea of asking the McFadden tribe. - Everybody agreed that old Mr. Wilkinson, who once came toa party at our house with one boot atid one slipper, couldn’t be invited; but it was decided that every one else that was on good terms with our family should have an invitation. Ste counted up all the people she mieadt to invite, and there were nearly three hundred of them. You would hardly believe it, but she told me that I must carry around all the invitations and deliver them myself, Of course, I couldn’t do this without neglecting ny studies, and losing time, which is always precious, so I thought of a plan which ‘would save Sue the trouble of directing three houdra s invitations and save me from wasting time in delivering them. I got to work with my printing ress and printed a dozen splendid big bills about the wedding. When they were printed I cut a lot of small pictures of animals and ladies riding on horses ont of some old circus bills and pasted them on the wedding bills. They were cdoyed gorgeous, and. you could see them four or five rods off When they -were all done, I made some paste ina tin pail, and went out after dark and pasted them in good ae all over the village. e next aftefnoon father came into the house looking very stern and carrying one of the wedding bills in his hand. He handed it to Sue, and said: ‘‘Susan, what does this mean? These bills are pasted all over the village, and there are crowds of people read- ing them.’ ; ey eit yoo bill, and then she gave an awful shriek, Tage I hurried et to the post office et soe ‘oe a had come in. This is what was on the seating bills, and I am sure it was spelled all right: ° << Susan Brown announces that soe will marry At the ch ; t thveadiy, at hat a t year hat , sy y, a -past Sev § All the fri Friends of the Family, m= . “with the exception aed be eae PI old Mr. Wilkinson, Ne ever afigry with me. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. was printed beautifully, and every word was spelled right, with the exception of the name of the church, and I didn’t put that in because I wasn’t quite sure how to spell it. The bill saved Sue all the trouble of sending out invitations, and it said everything that anybody would want to know about the wedding. Any other girl but Sue would have been pleased, and would have thanked me for all my trouble, but she was as angry as if I had done something real bad. Mr. Travers was almost as angry as Sue, and it was the first time he was I am afraid now that he won’t let me ever come and live with him. He hasn’t said a word about my coming since the wedding bills were put up. As for the wedding, it has been put off, and Sue says she will go to New York to be married, for she would die if she were to have a wed- ding at home after that boy’s dreadful conduct. What is worse, Iam tobe sent away to boarding-school, and all because I made a mistake in printing the wedding bills without first asking Sue how she would like to have them printed. A Michigan Joke. (By Robert J. Cross, Mich.) MIKE O’BRIEN’S TWINS. Mr. and Mrs. O’Brien were trying to find names for their twin babies, who, by the way, were girls. It was decided that Mike, the father, should name them. After casting about and finding no names that exactly suited him, he decided to end the strain on his mind and mamed them Kate and Duplicate. In the course of time another pair of twits came, and they were boys. It was now the husband’s turn, and he wanted his wife to christen the boys. Imagine his feeling when the mother told him one day she had named them Pete and Repeat. But when the third pair came the father grew frightened and named them Max and Climax, Two From Ohio. . (By Wm. Green, Ohio.) DOWNING A HEAVYWEIGHT. A man left his umbrella in the stand in ‘Rotel re- © cently with a card bearing the following inscription attached to it: - * This umbrella Peg js to a man who can deal a blow of 250 pounds weight. 1 shall be back in tén minutes.”’ On returning, he found in place of his umbrella a card thus inscribed: © ‘Tis card was left here by a man who can fun twelve miles an lero T shall not be back.”’ — “WHO BEAT? Cad hits a “Where do germs come from Mr asked the hig man, who had occupied two chairs, “Germany,” chuckled the little. fellow whe ‘vas in And parasites?” from the. big fellow. “Paris, ” from the slim man from Maine. ‘'That’s about the easiest.’’ . cai oar ae “‘Microbes?”’ pontine, the big. man, 2 : Lira ; hes f “" % F ” ; ee a ms 7 ¢ 2 aah tid ‘ Lge te $ ira. le an

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“There was a short period of silence, and then the — medicine man chuckled: ‘‘Micrubes, of course. ; ave it. Ireland!’ _“*Grippe?’’ from the big man. _ ““Hades!”” wheezed the rank outsider who had his " coat collar turned up and his feet against the register. ‘*Nothing like the ague,’’ said the Indiana man. _“*When Indianapolis was first built they had to put Quinine in the mortar to prevent the buildings from _ Shaking down.”’ _ **Oh, you want to live in the Maumee Valley,” said the bald-headed man. ‘‘I can remember when the ague was so bad that all the girls shook their beaux. _ ‘*That’s right; and in the fall of the year, when the st rose from the swamps, it used to shake the nuts off fr “he had finished they all crossed the street to e PLS A Live “Ganthook.” "ss (By Leslie Hoskins, Wisconsin.) Patrick and Mr. Smith were hauling logs one day } n Pat was dispatched to the barn for the canthook. w, Pat had neyer heard of a canthook before, and ea. of what it was, but he thought he would ve no trouble in finding one. was gone about half an to see what had become of him, when he saw Pat ing "P the hill leading a yearling heifer. - Q hat the h——lare you doing with that d——n , you fool?’ shouted Smith. ‘‘Didn’t I send you afterthe canthook?” . Well,”’ said Pat, “she is the only thing I could find atcouldn’t hook.” Pd nt SIO Ee A Good Excuse. — | By E, Jurgemeyer, Ta.) | recruit in. one of Her Majesty’s riding schools kicked. Accor to custom, the sergeant him and demanded: receive orders bf - r Wonner,” said Pat, with a ¢ NICK CARTER WEEKLY. the white-aproned attendant wash away their hour, and Smith was - “I'll tell ye the way to get at it. Ikey, you get atin first. That’s right, and now, Hans, you get hold of Ikey’s feet, and now I will get hold of your feet. «» ‘‘Are you ready? Catch hold of it, Ikey, for Fcan’t hold ye any longer. Hang onto him, Haus, while I spit on me honds.”’ And of course when Pat let go of Hans---- Well, you know the rest. No Joque. (By Robin W.. Thompson, Can.) A newspaper editor finding that the letters ‘‘f’’ and “*k’’ were omitted in some typewritten copy wrote a letter of remonstrance to the author who had sent it. The offender replied as follows: “Mr. Editor: Mistaques ate liable to happen inthe best ov regulated phamilies, and to typewriters as well. It is, indeed, a very nnphortunate aphair, but the ‘eph’ and the ‘cay’ have got damaged. This morning I called at the orphice ov the gentleman phrom whom I bought this outphit, but I phailed to phind him in; in phact, the orphice boy says he will not return phor phour or phive days. I do not lique the loox ov this variety or spelling myselph, and consider this no. joque, but a very serious aphair. Phaithphully yours, . ‘ $¥; TE Long Ben. (By Geo. Rothennell, Pa.) le look edo cs --

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_3e.. a “wall, the colt she gits frightened and begins to go snorting up and down the place. All this time the barrel was being pulled along by the best colt we ever had. Wall, down the hill a ways there wuz two saplins, just about wide enough fur the colt to go through. Wall, this is what the colt did. The colt he goes to work and goes between these there saplins. The barrel was too large to get through, and thet there colt, dew yeu know what he does? ‘‘Why, he pulls Ben slam bang clear out of thet there bunghole.”’ Badly Mistaken. (By Ernest Shorsett, Tex). A well-known citizen of New York, occupied a seat near the door of a crowded cable car when a masterful stout woman entered. Having no newspaper behind which to hide, he was fixed aud subjugated by her glittering eye. He rose and offered his place to her. Seating herself—without thank- ing him—ske exclaimed in strident tones that reached to the farthest end of the car: “Say, what de you want to stand up there for? Come here and sit on my lap.”’ ‘*Madam,”’ g the man, as his face became scarlet, ‘‘I—I fear I am not deserving of such an honor.’’ ‘«What do you mean, you dude?”’ shrieked the woman ; ‘you know verv well I was speaking te my niece there behind you.”’ Speedily Spent. Two young men of this city were talking in the post office corridor the other day and one of them said: ‘Jack, I’ve sworn off smoking—sort of a New Year resolution, you know. I suppose you have taken some sort of a pledge haven't you?’’ ‘*No,”’ replied his friend, ‘‘not one. year and it failed.’’ ** How was that?’ “Well, I have always been a sort of spendthrift, as you know, so last New Year's day I said to myself: /*§ Jack, every one else is making some sort of a reso- lution, why not make one yourself?’ So I resolved to save a little money for a rainy day. That afternoon I a ten-dollar note carefully away, and—the very next day it rained.’’ I tried it last Pat’s Ignorance. Mike and Pat who had been eating hash ous last four days decided to change their diet that very night, and without the lady’s consent. ; After rders and other occupants of the house had retired, Mike decided to slip downstairs and have ein ' = 3 NICK CARTER WEEKLY, some pie, Mike did slip. He fell the length of the stairs, and ended his trip of gravitation by landing,on the wash boiler. The next thing that troubled the night air was the bellow of the landlady. ‘* Who is that?’’ screeched she. ‘“ Mee-e-ee ew,’’? was Mike’s only reply. This satisfied the landlady, Mike had some pie and retreated back to his bed, after stubbing his toe. The agility with which Mike got in bed caused Pat’s equili- brium.te be disturbed. Of course, Mike had to explain the reason of his absence. Mike added to his explana- tion: ‘Pat, if youse rim up aginst anyt’ing, remember youse is a cat,’’ Pat proceeded on his disastrous journey. It may be added that the only thing big about him were his feet. He fell over the clothes basket at the top of the stairs, but was saved from falling by the number of cubic inches his feet took np. He succeeded in reaching the pie floor witheut causing any anxiety in the front room. He reached the cupboard, and was in such readiness to have some pie that instead of picking up the plate on which the pie was situated, he grabbed the pie’s circum- ference which was composed of crust. Of course, a fresh- baked pie could not stand this tremendous strain. The outcome of this mistake in geometrical sequence was that the plate was attracted by Pat’s feet; the outcome of which was a hideous yell. ‘*Who’s that,’’ was bellowed again. Pat was on the verge of telling her te mind her busi- ness when Mike’s warning dawned on his top piece. ‘<Oi’m a cat,’’ shouted Pat. Up in a Balloon. (By Chas. Cassel, Illinois.) Uncle Si went to Chicago to see the sights. When he. got there he went to the Masonic Temple. He wanted _ room and board. They asked him his name and he said: ‘Benjamin Morgan, from Morgansville, Blaine Coun- typ. Ys” So they gave him a room on the seventeenth story. He took the elevator and when he got nearly to the top he asked; ; ‘«When will the balloon stop?’’ Not a Doctor. © (By Melvin E. Raymond, Mich.) A traveling man once went into one of Chicago’s restaurants to getalunch. He was immediately addressed by one of the knights of the napkin who politely said: ‘‘Sir, I have pig’s feet, deviled kidneys and calves’ braius."’ a S ee aes ‘The traveling man then replied: == ‘* And what do you think I care what your ailments are? I came here to get something to eat.” —*.

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minal in the case? better detective he is. 2 Hele are three good letters Fai ‘amateur detectives ali in connection with the same case: tor of Nick Carter Weekly— “Sir: I have just finished this week's pra’ ick Carter and the Professor; or, Solving a Scientific blem.’? I found ita hard: problem to solve. I must ess that T'was up a tree when I bau about half fin- ished the story asec coida f he have: re Me the -proheewar? He was spectable mau, well-known and a friend and neigh- What possible motive could he , the ‘sg seta ra , when I read on I began to see, It ever to unearth hidden things. As soon as he got ‘in earnest I knew that some secrets were to be aia J pretty quickly. ... ‘The problems pre- ts. to work upon a case. almost iihoatie | to in hen case seemed A Be a orld. 4s . eth of the pean” ic Taye ~ Jasuis Want wort. pga in your opinion of Nick’s ai at the detective work. You ong tha Sai els wa don, weigh- - Amateur Detective Work. - Boys, in reading one . the Nick Carter stories did you ever try to think ahead and guess who “W.. 't help admiring. the business-like way Nick. has: : "Nick rh Prob ory in my — ay st i sige, 4 ee ; rd ; Bd ty '’ Each of the readers has sepdics to find out how good a detective he is. ” He has the facts of the case laid before him just as Nick Carter himself has. _ Of course, he has not got Nick’s experience or wonderful detective instinct. pat he isa good detective by trying to decide in his own mind what the solution of the mystery is before he read to the end of the story. ane eatlier in thestory he is able to make his guess and the more accurate it is, Still, he can wae whether We want to see what sort of detectives the readers of the Nick CARTER WEEKLY are. ; We want one and all of you to write to us, telling us whether you were able to solve the mystery that Carter-had to solve before reading to the end of any of the stories. _ Tell us how far you read before you arrived at your decision, and just what poinds guided you in making nme “ago letters will be ee? in this column. where Nick was lassoed by the man in the automobile and dragged along the pavement. There I paused. “I'll see if I can’t put two and two together, I said to myself, and I started in totry todoit. The people who attacked Nick Carter must have had some object, I thought. What could be their object? ~ Nick was well known as a detective. Their object must have been to prevent him from bringing some criminals to justice, They must be the criminals them- selves, or the friends or employees of the criminals. That was the way I reasoned. The fact that the assault occurred in front of the professor’s house was suspicious. z Could the professor have any object i in getting. Nick out of the way? As I found out later, my reasoning was correct. ‘Three cheers for Chick, Patsy, Nick and Ida. cheers for Street & Smith. 5 Yours with Oe ae ee ae _ Church Falls, Va, ne 2 _ Mivron Nostxs. Good. boy, Milt. You've at's w great head on your shoulders, \ with a good deal in = a a. and let « hear from ¥ bee again, 3 . peso. oa Ser . Three will do better with . Here’ s SANS ar one, ‘This time it’s hea Geange Durham, of Scranton, Pa.: Editor of Nick Carter— — Dear Sir: In reading the Nick Carter story entitled, iti and the Professor; or, Solving a Scientific oble: owas very much with the odd way in es " when he visited him: ck ngs Th evidently a crank, and a erank is alw ihe ete ett a screw loose’ fy Then ben ie nye ara er in “tat 2 se ig able 4353

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FNICK CARTER WEEKLY. (LARGE SIZE.) The Best Detective Stories in the World. + EIT sh BE gai _ 246—Nick Carter on the Racecourse; or, Crooked Work in the Paddock. 247—Nick Carter’s Black Clew; or, Heard in the Dark. 248—Nick Carter’s Strange Vacation; or, The Town That Was Hoodooed. 249—Nick Carter Investigating a Lea‘; or, One Page Missing. 250—Nick Carter’s Double Clew; or, The Fatal Resemblance. 251—Nick Carter and “The Brown Robin”; or, The Unknown Letter Writer. 252—Nick Carter. Tracking a Traitor; or, Night Work in a Country Town. 253—Nick Carter’s Tunnel Mystery ; or, Lost : $200,000 in Gold. 254—Nick Carter’s Queer Murder Case; or, Under a Terrible Suspicion. 255—Nick Carter Challenged; or, Fighting a Powerful Enemy. 256—Nick Carter and Arizona Jake; or, The Big Westerner’s Part in the Cooper Suicide. 257—Nick Carter in the Council of the Reds; or, The Plot of the Anarchists. 258—Nick Carter and the Secret of the Tin Box; or, The Man Who Stole His Name. 259—Nick Carter’s Fire Trail; or, Thwarting a Villain’s Plot. 260—Nick Carter on the Track of the Freight Thieves; or, The Boldest Gang in New York. 261—Nick Carter on the Track of a.Gentleman Burglar: or, Robbing a Thief. 262—Nick Carter Attacked; or, The Desperate Plot on the Detective’s Life. 263—Nick Carter on the Trail of the River Pirates; or, The Dangerous Work on the River Front. 264—Nick Carter and the King of the Tramp Thieves; or, Patsy’s Lone Hand Against the Hoboes. 265—Nick Carter and the Man in the Cask; or, Patsy’s Terrible Predicament. 266—Nick Carter and the Shoplifters; or, The Automobile Clew. 267—Nick Carter’s Ocean Chase; or, The Missing Crown Diamond. 268—Nick Carter and the Broken Dagger; or, The Black. Man from Borneo. 269—Nick Carter’s Advertisement; or, A New Way to Catch a Criminal. 270—Nick Carter and the Nihilists; or, The Mine Under the Grand Duke's Palace. 271—Nick Carter in the Convict Gang; or, Ida Jones to the Rescue. 272—Nick Carter and the Guilty Governor; or, The American Detective and the Russian Officer. 273—Nick Carter in Canada; or, Showing the Way to a Treacherous ‘Guide. 274—Nick Carter and the Smugglers; or, Thief-Catching on the Border. 275—Nick Carter’s Enemy; or, Bringing a Murderer to the Gallows. 276—Nick Carter’s Land Office; or, Outwitting a Clever Swindler. 277——Nick Carter and the Professor; or, Solving a Scientific Problem. 278—Nick Carter as a Mill Hand; or, The Fall River Murder Mystery Revealed. All of the above numbers always on hand. If you cannot get them from your newsdealer, five cents a copy will bring them to you by mail, postpaid. STREET & a PUBLISHERS, 238 William St:; New. York.

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HERE can be no question about the advantage of being able to box well. When called upon to defend the manly art of boxing if practiced as set forth in the pages of the book entitled “The Art of Boxing and Self i ) } ( yourself you are always ready and Defense” will bring the muscles into — LSS Eee play and transform a weak man into McGOVERN CROSS-COUNTERS WITH HIS RIGHT. a noble specimen of his race. The Artof Boxing "* Self Defense By PROF. DONOVAN « The only authentic work on Boxing now on the market. eS Oa aa aeaeaeaeaeeoaaoaoeeaeeawaeeeeeews ea THE CONTENTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS WILL bia HAND BOOK HAND BOOK rere INTEREST THE MOST INDIFFERENT PERSON. pea t a ae 7 i tone cuts, showing the different positions and blows. The originals of these illustrations. are such noted pugilists as James Jeffries, Robert Fitzsimmons, James J. Corbett, Terry McGovern, Young Corbett, and all the heavy and light-weight fighters who have ever held the championship of | | |! is profusely illustrated with 37 elegant half- SE ED their class. The book is printed on good paper, cleat, sharp type and bound in attractive illuminated- cover. PRICE 10 CENTS | ALL NEWSDEALERS —— SS — SL .E-0_“-——==—===_=—=_I—=EoZ:" SS ee RE ——- a If sent by mail, 5 cents additional for postage. | STREET & SMITH 1 pte gta! ata | ents mpyrite GETS IN A STRAIGHT LEFT ON McGOVERN’S STOMACH. —~——