Nick Carter Weekly (no. 286) (1902 06 21)
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issued Weekly. By Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter at New Vork Post Office by SYREET & SMITH, 2398 Wrtram St... NOY No. 286. Se ees thay Price, Five Cents. VLU ye THE MILITIA FIRED ON THE MOB, AND THE WOMAN TOTTERED AND FELL JUST AS CHICK OVERTOOK HER.
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Issued Weekly. NCIC CAR WEEKLY By Subscription $250 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter at the LN. Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 278 William St., N.Y. Entered accarding to Act of Congress in the year 1902, tn the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washingion, D.C. ~ Now 286 — NEW YORK, June 21, 1902. Price Five Cents. » NICK CARTER'S PULLMAN PLOT: OR, Following a @hance Clew. By the author of “NICHOLAS CARTER.” CHAPTER I. BLACK BART GETS A MESSAGE. Chance will never throw good fortune in a man’s way unless he is always on the alert to take advan- tage Of it. | Nothing ever happens within sight of Nick Car- ter which le does not see. Thus, by constantly hav- ing his eyes open and his wits about him, the great ’ American detective has struck the trail of some of the most important cases of the many scores which he has worked out during the last few years. Tt was in this manner that Nick struck the trail of - apiece of rascality which he numbers among the " most important pieces of work which he has done in “years. The time was about the beginning of a great rail-— - road strike at Chicago. He and his assistant, Chick, well disguised, were walking down Broadway about three o’clock one afternoon, when Nick nudged the younger man, and, in a subdued voice, said: “See that man in the brown derby and plaid trou- sers, half a block a head of us, Chick?” “I’m onto him, Nick. What about him?” “T saw his face a few moments ago and wouldn’t have recognized it, for he has grown a beard, or wears a false one. But his habit of turning in the toes of his right foot when he walks, and of sticking out the little finger ” his right hand as he swe nS arm gives him away.” “Thunder, Nick! you don’t mean to say it’s Black f Bart?’ te _ “Well, notice the peculiarities I mentioned. g “You're er It’s Black Bart as I RYE:
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—— Y 2 claimed Chick,, after, watching the man before, hihi fora while. ¥ “He hasit't been out of Sing Sing very ( 7 long. 39 Bart, and this js. not aang Sing,’ *-was Nick's logical conclusion. “*Ffe doesn’t seem anxious to keep out of sight,” mused Chick. “That's because he knows there’s nothing against him at present fot whiclr the police can lay hands on him,, But Vl bet my watch: against a jackknife that the fellow is even now working his wits to get into another tich job. It is as impossible for: Black Bart to keep. straight as it is for water to rtin up hill.” “There he goes into the telegraph office,’ : rupted Chick, as the man under discussion turned ! down Fifth avenue and crossed over to the Western Union office on Faventy-third street, : “That means something, my boy. I told you Black Bart wouldn’ t be promenading Broadway for his health. I’m going to follow up this lead a little. You wait outside and follow him when he leaves the office, if I signal to you to do it. I’m going over to > See what business he has in the office of the Western Union.” -Leavi ing Chick at the hotel: corner of the avenue Gi and Twenty-third street, Nick. crossed to the West- ern Union office and entered. é fige as one of the boldest and smartest of his class, Peake in the act oF signing a v receipt f for a message for pected to be sent’ ‘ieee for’ him. As Nick entered Bart shot a swift glance at him. ies But whatever suspicions he may have had on the spur. of the moment were allayed when he saw. the ae countrified- -looking man go to one, of the desks and om himself writing a message. “I had no idea his time was up,.but-that is Black. inter- Black Bart, a “crook” known to the New York po-- tectiv es” Nick seemed to. have oun with bis | pen,.- ‘dasa NICK CARTER WEEK LY. As a.matter of fact,. he. was signaling to Chick, and this is what he said to his assistant across the str éet: a _ “He has received a telegram. Follow him, Get. aged the telegram if you can and join me at the he hone as. ve soon as possible.” e* pt ey Bart took his telegram, and, watching Wek iaddey” the shadow. of his heavy black eyelashes, he abced slowly to the tS and turned down toward Sixth — ag avente. geoaued . He had gone but a few yards when he syaldenly ter i traced his steps and strode rapidly back. Bis When he came within sight of the telegraph ae interior the country-looking individual was standit ing - at thé receiving window withvhis back to the street, ; rey hae’ a i A clerk had just received his message, and was reading it over aloud to insure no mistake. a This is what Bart heard the clerk read: pee secs er ce ty ‘Lo Mary Jane Brown, Beliex ie, ‘New York Will not beso home till to-morrow evening. : ay” ay oun Brown. Nick paid for the message, and, alate he was do- | pee ing’ so, Bart once more walked down the” street ep g } Ce toward Sixth avenue. me Again he stopped. This time the cr ook’ ‘stephed behind a street showcase ant eee up toward Fifth avenue. wae Keds ret on He saw the alleged John Brown ‘come ea of ihe telegraph office, shuffle across toward the Fifth Ave- ie nue Hotel, and disappear BP Proeinay wihate S turn. ing his head. ‘Be 2 ess ans eae “One can’t be too par seas at this cupieiet time,’ suabants Bart;.as ‘he finally started down the avenue. “Them dog-dasted detectives hound @ man lik. tar. nation.” ; He little dreamed that one af the “dog-dasted de- was -even. then shadowing him from th other side of the street. ‘At Sixth avenue. he. scended to the uptown s tion of the elevated 10 id. wy
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 3 inside pocket, pulled off the envelope, and read the contents. Then he tore the telegram into small bits and dropped them into one of those tin dust cans which * are seen on all the elevated railroad stations. The train had scarcely left the station when Chick came out on the platform and walked back to the dust can. It was nearly filled with odds and ends of station refuse. ’ On the top lay Bart’s message in fragments, but well bunched together. Chick soon had all of the pieces of the telegram in his pocket in time to take the next train, which he left at Thirty-third street. Fifteen minutes later he and Nick were together in the study of Nick’s house, and the torn message was correctly fitted together on the detective’s desk. This is what the two men read: It is all for the right. You should have never been seen, or let the old man boss you around, and therefore when he and Tom agrees I’m to take a trip North to the shore of the limited little lake to-day. a on the upper board walk with Louise Berry. ‘Both men finished it about the same time, and they looked at each other simultaneously. A common simile illuminated their faces. ; “Funny how those crooks cling to commonplace threadbare cipher it?” remarked Chick..- “Yes, and this third-word cipher is the most an- messages, isn’t /cient of all,” agreed Nick. “Let us see just how it reads: Take North Loutsz. ’ All right. Have seen the boss and he agrees. Shore Limited to-day. Don will be on board. “It came from Chicago. There’s a big game on hand, Chick, and Bart has been summoned.” _ “That's evident, And he’s to start for Chicago to- day.” “Humph! well, U'll be a fellow-passenger with Black Bart on the North Shore Limited. Let’s see, that leaves at four- ee TM just have time to Ky a ~ Nee . If possible, Don and Lizzie will make it be a tryst make it. Don.” “Who is this Don, Nick?” “T haven't the least idea.” “And Louise, who sent the message?” “Don’t you know ?” “Lady Louise?” “None other; the most daring and most successful shoplifter in America.” “So she’s been in Chicago ever since she disap- peared from New York?” “Looks like it. If we can land her with Black Bart, Giffins will have to pay that reward they offered when she walked away with all those diamonds.” “She’s Black Bart’s wife, is she not, Nick?” “In common law, I guess she is. But I must get into another disguise and make for the depot, if I Bart will have other company besides don’t want to get left.” “And 1?” “You and Patsy must follow me by the het train out on the other road. Bring trunk ‘H’ with you. That contains enough disguises for us all. Meet me at the Palmer House.” Half an hour later Nick was on his way to the depot. He had just time to buy a ticket and secure a berth on the North Shore Limited. When the train pulled out, Nick and Bart were fellow-passengers. Nera The detective had some curiosity to find out who “Don” “T ought to have easy sailing on the way to Chi- was, and what he was like. cago,” mused Nick, as he settled himself in his seat. “Since Bart doesn’t suspect my presence on the train, my disguise should be sufficient to conceal my identity, though I have used it before. I’ll keep my man and his ‘Don’ under my eye as we go along.” Had the detective known that his identity was not so much a mystery to Black Bart as he supposed, there would have been much less trouble for him i in store a little tater on.
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CHAPTER II. THE WRECK OF THE NORTH SHORE LIMITED. If Don was aboard the train Nick was not able to identify him during the first afternoon. and evening of the journey. Black Bart not only held himself aloof from all his fellow-passengers, but it was evident to Nick that the noted crook was making no effort to find Don. Of course, the detective had no knowledge whether or not Bart and Don had ever met before. However, they were members of the same gang, and, even though neither had ever seen the other, they had secret signs whereby they could easily make ‘themselves known to each other, Bart retired early, and Nick satisfied himself that the ex-convict was in for as comfortable a night of it as possible before he also turned in and. went to sleep. . Early next morning what Nick pares waited for. occurred. He had followed Bart ihto the Snane apartment after breakfast. eral other passengers present, all enjoying the solace Besides. themselves there were sev- of a cigar. Presently another passenger entered. He was a young man with an old. face, His fea- tures were thin, complexion sallow, eyes steel gray and small, hands large and bony, and he walked with _ a small stoop to his shoulders. Glancing carelessly around, this young man sin- gled out Black Bart, and, addressing him, said: | “Would you oblige me with a light?” The latter quickly handed his cigar to’ the stran- ger, who used it to light his own. It was a somewhat remarkable fact, inasmuch as a box of matches hung within reach of the young _ man’s hand. , When Black Bart's cigar was ‘gieina their meds came. in contact. a ‘ AL these things met the quick eye of Nick ade, aia Bart es Don’ Dave, got together at last,” NICK CARTER WEEKLY. said Nick to himself, as he watched the byplay of the cigars. The stranger sat down, and for some time devoted — himself to his cigar. At last he addressed some random remark to Black Bart, who replied casualty. This led to.an ordinary conversation, in which the» — two mei seemed to be forming one of those chatice acquaintances common to palace-car travelers. Black Bart was the first to leave the smoking ; room. ; Later in the forenoon the two men got together i in the seat where Nick sat. gaged in a low-toned conversation, which none but themselves could hear on account of the peculiar site: uation of their position relative to the other passen- gers. Nick would have given a great deal to have been in a position to hear what the two scoundrels were ee ing to each other, but he dared not even disclose the fact that he was watching them, let alone try to get at ‘near enough to understand their words. AN eas The train, late in the afternoon, approached Chie? ‘cago, and on all sides could be seen evidences of the a anxiously out of the car windows, noting every sign mighty strike, in which capital and labor had just be- ri gun to contend. The passengers for the most part were ee of the great strike. Still, the-train thundered | on at the tate of forty ; miles an hour, seemingly regardless of the danger ere mien it ir passed back to the smoking-room, Nick followed him. The two were alone i in the compartment. | No one else was in sight. . Nick saw Bart eye him eT as he entered. Lane a forward section of the car with their faces toward : . They soon became. en-
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 5 “I don’t know about that, sir, whet you include meé,” smiled the villain, “but you speak truly, so far as you yourself are concerned, Nick Carter. You are at your jourtiey’s end in this world at least.” These startling words had scarcely time to im- press themselves on the detective’s mind, when he happened to glance in a mirror a little to the left of where Bart stood, coolly toying a cigarette. What he saw explained Bart’s bravado and seem- ing unconcerh. Don had followed Nick into the smoking-room. He was even then standitig at Nick’s back with a cocked ‘pistol not two inches from the base of the detective’s brain, aimed under the right ear. Not a soul but the three men was within sight, and the noise of the thundering train was gua cin to drown the report of a pistol shot. Don evidently waited for a word from Black Bart, who could not resist the temptation to add a few sentiments before the “execution” took place. “T was sure you'd be aboard, but it took us some time to find you out. Now you're going to commit suicide. you are gone. “As we two will be the only eye witnesses and shall turn up missing when the coroner wants us, there will be nothing to explain who you are and why you did it. Are you ready, Don?” “AN teady, cap.” “Then let her go, and There was an entirely unexpected upset t ee their plans. bee cures ‘ ” An awful crash followed. | Nick’s almost last impression before a blank came over his mind was that Don had pulled the trigger; but like a. flash there followed a conviction of what- had happened. : ah - The train was off the track. The special sleepet j in which they were traveling had left the track and was going thundering. down the cans ee — of in feet That's what we'll tell the passengers when 7 : hy: features impossible. The next thing Nick knew he was lying on the ground and some one was wiping blood from his head. A man’s voice said: “He’s all right. A mere scalp wound and-a bad ‘stun—that’s all. No bones broken, I guess, and — he’ll come ‘around all right. ne we'd hetter attend to those who need more care.” “You are right,” was the reply, spoken at a short ‘distance away. “Here is a poor fellow who is be- yond help, I guess. See! his head i is under the car and is mashed to a jelly.” : . “Heavens!” cried the first speaker. “What a sight! The poor fellow didn’t know what hurt him, and his closest friend could arin him = by his | clothes.” ) “Yes, he’s beyond help. Let’s go forward. | There. are some penned in in the front part of the coach.” w As soon as they left, Nick raised his head and looked around. The body of the mutilated man under fhe car was within reach of his hand. mse ' In a moment he recognized it as the form of Don. Another hasty glance assured him that Black Bart was nowhere near. . ai With a haste peculiar to himself, Nick Carter _ went through’ Don’s pockets like lightning and transferred the contents to his own clothes. There wasn’t much to take, and he had io time to \ . t ; 4 sé see of what it consisted. ; ; sg Rising to his feet, he found he was quite himself and able to lend a hand. He hurried forward where the wreck was more complete and assisted in X=. ied tricating the ‘unfortunate victims. ; | A large nuniber were injured, some seriously. — pe - Only three had been killed. The engineer jumped, ” _ but the fireman was crushed under the: ‘upturned en- gine. Lay Another victim was a man whose head was Be a erally ground into bits, which rendered identification ek dae oF was 2 dogs
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Gs NICK CARTER WEEKLY. passenger from New York, who for some time be- fore the accident had been seen in conversation with a dark-bearded, heavy-set man—also a New York passenger. Strange to say, the latter individual completely disappeared after the accident. Not a trace of him could be found, and he alone might be able to furnish some identity to the man with the crushed head. There was nothing found in the dead man’s ‘ethed to tell who he was or where he had lived. So the body was taken to Chicago and placed in the morgue for identification. _The only two men who saw him alive that day, and could have given some information about his name, did not go near the body, however, and two = ah days later the remains of Don were laid away in potter’s field in a nameléss grave. It was late that evening before Nick got into Chi- cago proper. A The evening editions of the afternoon papers i already contained an accotint of the accident to the North Shore Limited. At first it was believed to be the work of strikers, i but that theory was quickly exploded when later a broken rail showed the cause of the accident. A number of the strikers who happened to be in the vicinity of the wreck had worked nobly aiding in the rescue of the imprisoned passengers. had got in their work. _A number, of valises. were missing when a little . order came out of the confusion, and several gentle- men realized. that their diamond studs and watches were gone. A black-bearded, rather forbidding-looking pas- senger in the last sleeper turned up missing, and the i theory was that he was one of the crooks who had got away with the stolen property. As Nick read the last bit of “news” he smiled. 4 “They've got that saa of it down right at least,” seed ‘3 esse f But, as is usual in such cases, a thief or thieves - “Black Bart was after my valise, and I guess he got it. Wonder what he'll say when he opens it and finds it stuffed with old paper and rags. Nick Carter carrying a tell-tale carpet bag, eh? Well, I guess not!’ When he presented himself at the desk of the — Palmer House he was not exactly such a neatly- dressed, cleanly person as the clerks of that hotel are in the habit of receiving as guests; for Nick had not come out,of the wreck as a hat comes out of a band- box. “T’d like a good, comfortable outside room with a private bath,” he said to the stately clerk. “Oh, would you now?” was the sneering reply. “You look as if you needed a bath, to say nothing — of a suite of rooms. How would the bridal cham- ber suit you?” “First-class, only I haven’t brought my bride with me this trip.” } “Tm sorry for her now, really. How shia! can es . you leave her, even for an hour, I can’t imagine.” “Well, do I get the room?” asked Nick, meekly, as the lordly clerk twisted his eighteen-carat dia- | mond shirt stud and looked absent-mindedly down the rotunda. ene The question caused his eyes to once more fall “upon the disheveled detective, and a scowl actually disarranged the clerk’s handsome features. he growled. “This is a hotel, not a station-house or a ten-cent Just walk out on State street, and “Say, look a-here, young fellow,” lodging room. a, policeman will direct you to the nearest place where you can get free accommodation at the city’s expense.” oe Nick looked as if he was considerably cast down — at this treatment. ; Meanwhile a.number of guests had palbacas around and laughed at the smart clerk’s retorts; One or two of them also began to guy Nick, 24 i he paid no attention to them. Finally, turning once more to the clerk, he said: noes, : go Vd like to Jaye something with.
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. e to be put in your safe till to-morrow. I don’t like to risk it among the other lodgers at the station- house.” “Good clerk, with a laugh. hear the man!” exclaimed the “What is it you have that is heavens! so valuable? a briar pipe or a patent growler?” For answer, Nick thrust a hand into an inside pocket of his vest and pulled out his handsome time- Another dip produced a diamond stud worth several thousand watch which cost five hundred dollars. — dollars, which fairly dazzled the astounded clerk’s eyes. A third reach into those mysterious depths brought forth a roll of five-hundred-dollar bills, ae large as a man’s leg,” to use a street phrase. All these Nick laid on the desk before the dazed ‘official and the now staring men at his back, “Tt would hardly be safe to sleep in a station-house with those things in my possession, and if you will 39 kindly put them in—— y?? “Great Cesar!’ gasped the clerk, “who are you?” 9 | “What you are not—a gentleman “Sir!” flashed the official. “A gentleman,” finished Nick, “who has just been But I see Mr. Potter over He knows me, and if you can't accommo- in a railroad accident. there. date me, he will be only too glad— “S-h-h!” whispered the clerk, turning pale as he, following Nick’s eyes, saw the proprietor crossing the rotunda. “Do not mention this to Mr. Potter, T beg, and you'll not regret it while I control the Best the hotel affords.” . “All right,” said Nick, gatheri ing up his valuables. ef hen see how soon you, can accommodate me W rith what I want.” Rees “Please Laie fawned the clerk. | - “Dnever register,” curtly replied Nick. ; “Name, then, please?” “Call me what you like—John Jacob Astor, Corne- is Vanderbilt, Rag: Spr eckels, or John a ‘Rocke- feller. “A few dry laughs at cali back caused the clerk i) ) color Bae cole A i lost my naine in the wreck.” for dinner in the best suite of rooins Ww hich the “Meet me at the ‘bar in ten minutes, gentlemen,” the latter said, addressing. the crowd. “They re on me this time.” } ph And. while ser clei was “setting em up” to his _ friends, and speculating with them who the strange x guest was, Nick was taking a bath and getting 1 fead, Chicago hotel contained. : ~ As he dr essed, he ‘said to himself: ; “This fellow Bart seems to be lost in the wilder- ness of this great city tempor arily, and it’s going to. be hard work to find him again. Tf Chick and Patsy were only here it would help me wonder- Hello!” He was interrupted by the door of his room sud- denly opening without the ceremony of a preliminary knock. é “Speak of the devil'and iis appears,” lauglied Nick. The man who ‘thts intruded without fir st saeing leave was Chick himself. Wy CHAPTER Il. NiCK HUNTING FOR A TRATL IN ‘CHICAGO. _ Qn the morning, following Nick’s arrival in Chi- cago he called at the office. of Chief Shea, of the detective bureau, and requested an interview with that official. me He was ushered into the dates age office, and Be there confronted by a large, pompous-looking ine dividual who wore his hair pompadour, had a’ fierce- looking waxed mustache, and wore ‘the air of | one in nen ortty wip realized - canes that iattenae ; “T want to see Chief Shea,” he said,” not t Wishing io waste time with a subaltern. fhe “Oh, do you? Well, Chief Shea is Hot idee, and w ont be ce hat te hati is hee business ee bins?
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8 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. myself,” was Nick’s cool reply, ready to fjre back, but on second thought, ke said: “P’m a New York detective and “Vou look like one,” was the insolent interruption. “T want one of yout best men, who knows your crooks and their haunts, to help me find a criminal whom I followed here from New York and have temporarily lost.” “Ts that all? Now look here, young fellow; you'd better go back to New York and cut your eye-teeth. You evidently think you've struck a peanut town, but I want you to understand that we are a city of 1,600,000 people. Just stop and think of that if you are capable of doing it.” ) “Well, sir, I don’t care if you are a city of sixty- 5 ‘five million people. I’ve come here after my man and one or two of yours, and I’m going to get them with or without your help.” ” “Well, I admire your nerve,” gasped the pompous official. “Our men have their hands pretty full just now on account of the confounded strike. But they ‘know Chicago from Englewood to Prairie avenue, and if you'll call around this evening Ill see if I can spare a man to put you on your game.” “Thanks, awfully,” tled at the subaltern’s patronizing mdnner. * He turned toward the door, when. the latter interrupted can him by saving: “Hold on! a young man, and where you are staying.” Be kind enough to leave your name, “Why, certainly,” replied Nick, with his hand on ‘the knob of the door. “My name is Tom Collins, and I’m stopping with Phil Armour. 10: ing.” Before the stupefied’ flunky could recover iy om his Good-morn- z ‘surprise Nick was outside with the door slammed “in the face of the man of importance. Only for a second did the chief pro tem. sit and look at the spot where the New "York detective had stood a few moments ‘before. Then muttering an replied Nick, mockingly, Bet “ oath, he rushed into the outer Hise and tsenge a hasty order to one of his detectives sitting there waiting for something to turn up. . “Did you see that man who just went out?” he panted. “I did,” “After him, then, and find out where he stops; find out all about him and report to me at once. Blast his insolence! I'll spoil his game if it takes every man on the foree.” The detective shot out on the street as if pro- pelled by a spring. But short as had been the time since Nick’s departure, not a trace of him could be found in another direction. answered the detective. As the Chicago Vidocq was pushing his way down the street at a rapid pace, hoping to overtake his man, he was accosted by an old man with a long, white beard, who asked him the time of day: | With an oath, the detective shoved the old man aside and rushed on, his eyes searching eagerly through the crowd ahead. 8 The chuckle, and mumbled to himself: white-bearded man watched him sath a “Chief Shea would never have given an order like that, but I expected it from a fresh beginner. I'll go back and have a talk with Chick about this case. But Ah! I Vi see what Chick thinks of it.” “Tf we can manage it alone, all the better. where to pick up our lost chord is a puzzle. have an idea. And while the Chicago sleuth was report ting fail- Nick was’ recounting ; the result of his visit to Chief Shea’s office. “Now,” this case entirely than to accept a particle of aid ure to his enraged superior, said he, in conclusion, “I’d rather fail in from the local bureau.” “But you'll not fail, Nick,” supplemented Chick, yt earnestly. state that possibility.” Baber 8 Sn “Well, I rather think we'll pull through all right, i ; Chicago is a pretty large place, and we’re not quite me as much at home here as we are in New York, but we have been over it a few times, and it’s got to bes: “T know you too well to let you even —
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. a good deal bigger to hide Black Bart and Lady Louise from us, eh, my boy?” “That’s the way I’m thinking,” nodded Chick. “But how will we start in on the work now?” “TIL tell you. took from Don’s pockets was a visiting card with two Among the insignificant things I names and two addresses on it.” x | Spain What were they? Let’s look at the card again.’ Nick produced a man’s visiting card, on which was printed in script the simple name: FERNANDO YAGAMEZ. In pencil under the name was the address: Room 72, Imperial Hotel. On the reverse side, also written in pencil, were ‘the words: Barcray ALLEN. No. —— Wall Street. The led was badly worn and sail soiled by con- stant handling, and the Wall street number was wholly effaced, whether accidentally or purposely Nick couldn't decide. | . “l’'m going to have these addresses examined into at the other end,’ said Nick, as he sat down and wrote a long message to Superintendent Byrnes. “Send that off as soon as you can,” he said, hand- ing the message to Chick when he finished it, at the same time handing the latter his Western Union frank or deadhead credentials. “We ought to get an answer this ater ae ‘and-then we may have, a clew.’ ss ‘ 4 Chick took the message to the office and dis- patched it, About five o’clock the answer came back as fol- lows: No man answering to the name ever occupied room 72 at the Imperial Hotel nor any other room in the hotel. Barclay Allen is a young stock broker. Parents live on Mich- igan avenue, Chicago.. Left here three days ago for that city. Is still there. Man answering the description you give called at Allen's office morning of the day you left. Seemed much put out to learn young Allen had gone to Chicago. BYRNES. “Well, here’s something. We've derisek a lead, : 9. think, but have probably been barking up the wrong tree in the Imperial Hotel business,’ commented Nick, after he had read Superintendent Byrnes’ tele- gram. ‘Wait a moment.” He rang the bell, and presently a boy answered. “Is there a hotel in Chicago called the tees boy?” asked Nick. “T should say so. West side. Quite a swell affair, too, but: not very big. Mostly patronized by clubmen and brokers.” It’s a new one over on the Nick gave the intelligent lad a quarter and dis- missed him. Turning to Chick, he said: “Let it be your immediate duty to go to the Im- perial Hotel and learn all 704 can about Fernando — Yagamtez.” : 4 “All right. And your” | “in going to make a call on the Allens of Michi- gan avenue,” was Nick’s. response. An hour later Nick Carter, in full dress, drove up to a palatial residence on Chicago’s fashionable ave- nue and ascended the steps with the freedom of a frequent guest. His ring was answered by a liveried servant, “Is Mr, Barclay Allen at home?” he inquired. “Be pleased to step in, sir, and T’ll see,” was the response. fae ; Nick was ushered into a handsome reception- room, ene “What name, sir?” asked the servant, when no card was forthcoming. “Tell Mr. Allen one of his New York be 4 wishes to see him on a matter of importance.” The servant departed.’ Very shortly a aadsoie af pale-faced, athletic-looking young man, about thirty e: years old, entered the room ane looked eagerly at Nick: , ; “T’ beg pardon,” he said. The servant said a New “There must be some mistake. York friend — wished to——” Po Ouida “There is no mistake. I sent the. message, Mr. Allen.* We es marge Yo ee “But you are ny
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10 “I am a friend to all whom I can‘serve. Let me make myself and my business known. I am Nick Carter, and “What—the famous detective?” cried Allen, inter- rupting, “Nick Carter, the detective. of a noted criminal whom I followed to this city, but have lost. written your New York address.: know that my man’s at your office shortly after you left for Chicago. T‘am on the track ‘My only clew is a card.on which was -Dhave reasons to pal carried this card and called _“T farther. know that he must lave gone to: New York purposely to see you, and finding you had come to Chicago, he followed you here.” “Good heavens! What was his name?” “The only name I knew him to have was Don, “Where is he now ?” “In the morgue. . He was killed on the way ‘here in the, railroad accident.” : “Then what can I do about it?” % og thought it was barely possible you might aid me in identifying him, and thereby lead me onto’ the track of his pal, whom I have lost.”. “T know nothing of him.” p “Nor have an idea A why he went to New York i; to gee your’, oe Allen hesitated some moments before. he replied. ) Then he'said: . “Pardon me if I consult my father before IT answer i Sh question,” * Nick bowed, and young Allen went out. * When he: returted, a stately-looking, elderly gentleman, with white hair and a refined face, accompanied him. He was. gone ten minutes. Bey APL introduced the older man to Nick as his father” “Lester Allen. ‘ : s, “Some good fortune, I believe, has directed you to us, Mr. Carter,” said Barclay Allen, after the in- ae We, are cones into a family, matter week. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. would bring about exactly what we wish to avoid— publicity and consequent scandal, “Now that you are here, you thay help us. Oe know Nick Carter and the reputation he has won by fidelity and honesty. Will you help us, as. we trust you above all others of your profession ?” How?” “You asked me a while ago whether I had any “Help you? idea what could have been the mission to New York of the man who was killed in the accident. I fear IT know, or could guess.” Well???" “My sister has been. mysteriously missing for a’ We are about convinced that she is detained — against her will, or has met with foul play. “T believe the man you speak of went to New York to see me about her for some purpose which we cannot now discover,’ “Do I understand that when she first disappeared - you did not believe harm had come to her?”., “Yes. In fact, we believed it was an elopement.” “Why ?” “Because father received a letter from her to that effect.” Se a “The letter was forged?” Lies es “No! An expert forger. could not follow her sts style of penmanship 30 perfectly.” ; “Then why have you changed your ‘minds. 2 Se I'll swear it is genuine. “Because the man she professed to haye eloped with has prover an alibi, and we know Alice i is inca- pable of lying.” “Does she mention this man’s name in her letter? ” te “No. But we know she loves him madly and We do not now believe” she would marry even him clandestinely.” A “Who is he?” e . Bike i “His name is Vernon—Guy Vernon, a druggist ng of State street. He is also captain ofa local militia . company and is now on duty with his company act Se would elope with no other. ing against, the strike.” Mf ‘Had she no other lover? yr
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “She had no other lover, but several suitors.” “Any whom your father here favored?” — “None in particular. There was one, however, who was very persistent and annoying.” “Who was he?” “A Spaniard who lives at the Imperial Hotel. His name is Fernando Yagamez. I don’t like him and half suspect he is at the bottom of the whole affair.” Nick made no verbal answer, but felt a thrill of pleasure as he said to himself: “And T’ll swear to it. At last I’m on the track of Black Bart and Lady Louise. They are both as good as landed in the Tombs already.” ; Psd CHAPTER IV. THE MYSTERIOUS SPANIARD. \ Without betraying his new-found interest in the disappearance of the daughter and sister, Nick Carter proceeded to get further information in the case before him, feeling confident that it would in some way become part and parcel of the hunt for Black Bart and the latter’s mission in Chicago. © “This Spaniard, whom you say was annoying,” inquired Nick, “do I understand he was favored in his suit by you ?” addressing the elder Allen. . “T had some business relations with him, and he has in that “By no means,” came the quick reply. ‘ way been several times in this house. Once I in- vited him to, stay to dinner, when he met Alice. After that he called several times to see her in spite of the fact that she refused to receive him after his first call.” ; ‘Why did she refuse to receive him after his first call?” “Because she'discovered that he was bird much smitten and was calling in the guise of a lover.” “And after that?” “He frequently annoyed her with letters through y the mail and by messenger.” “Did she answer any of them?” “One, and one only. That was to inform him that she did not and could not love him, and to re- quest him to cease annoying her.” “And he wrote again after that?’ “He replied to her letter, reiterating his undying love, and closed by declaring that sooner or later he was positive she would be his wife. The last words of this letter were very peculiar. They did not occur to me or her to have any special signifi- cance at the time, but since Alice disappeared they have outlined themselves upon my. mind.” “What were they?” “The letter closed thus: ‘However you may struggle against fate at this time, I know that you were made for me, and in due season I shall possess you. J have never in my life failed to obtain the desires of my soul, and shall not in-this instance. . Kismet: It is fate.’”’ “You spoke of Yagamez doing business for you. What is your business, may I ask?” “T am in the silks, satins, and velvet importing business. But the business which he conducted for me was a small deal in stocks through him as a broker.” : “Did he go to you or you to him?” “He approached me about it.” “How did it turn out?” “Not profitable.” “Humph! Have you seen him since your daugh- _ ter disappeared?” Pues - “No. I intended to hunt him up to-morrow.” ~ “Then do not do it. Let him alone for the pres- 11. ent. If you have no objection, I should like to see ~ the letter your daughter left behind when she dis- appeared—or the letter purporting to be hers.” “She didn’t leave it behind. It was mailed.” “Where?” “In the general post office. At least, it bears the general office postmark. I'll get it for you.” | The elder Allen left the reception-room for a few minutes. When he returned he had a sheet of note- paper in his hand. This he handed to Nick. It was, as the younger Allen had declared, written in a very peculiar hand—one very hard to imitate. oie
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$42 i The note was brief and pointed, as follows: I’m going away to Till then, good-by. ALICE. Dearest Papa:—-Don’t worry about me. get married, but will return in a few weeks. “You are sure it is not an elopement with the fa- vored lover—this Captain Vernon?” “As sure as I live. She promised me that she would never marry him without my consent, dearly as she loved him. ean know the character of his child, I felt assured that she would rather die than break her word, and Knowing her as only a father therefore permitted her to see Captain Vernon in this house once a week.” : “You have little to do with the police, I suppose, Mr. Allen?” “T never had occasion to call upon them till _a few weeks ago, when my house was burglarized and - thieves ?” robbed of valuable jewelry and silver plate.” “Did the police recover the goods. or find the “No. Nothing has been discovered of either so far. A man’s troubles all come together, I suppose. In addition to the robbery of my residence and my daughter’s strange disappearance, I have three car- ~ Joads of the most valuable silks and satihs on the way from New York. And here is this railroad tie-up. The Lord only knows where those silks are, ot what will become of them.” — “What are they worth?” “There are at least fifty thousand dollars’ worth jn each car.” | Nick soon after’ took his leave of the Allens, .as- suring the father and son that they should have news of-the missing daughter and sister ina few days. . Tt was late when he reached his room at the _ Palmer House, where he expected to find Chick wait- ing for him, and he was not disappointed. One look into his, assistant’s face was enough to tell him that Chick had not spent his evening | unsuc- cessfully. -“T found my man,” said’ the later, not waiting to be catechised. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “He pretends to be a stockbroker,” somewhat to Chick’s surprise. “Pretends to be? How did you find that out?’ “First tell me how you got your information.” “TI was in dead luck, Nick, in more ways than one. put in Nick, -Searcely had I entered the Imperial’ s office when I heard one lounger say to another: “*There goes Yagamez. That Spaniard is a sort’ of mystery to me.’ “Why? asked his companion. “Because he losés more money than he makes on the stock exchange, yet always seems to have plenty to draw from.’ “Maybe he gambles in the ordinary way,’ sug- gested the other. ““T hardly think so,’ was the response, ‘for you know I do considerable of that myself, never run across him at any of the games. and I've, Yaga- mez is a queer duck. He has few social acquaint- ances and doesn’t care to make any. But I’ve no- ticed he has callers every now and then w ho. are not well known in the business world.’ ““Sort of mysterious people, eh?’ “Well, at least, persons who are not well known, and some who are socially and bib diag below him" ie i “Did you ever ask Darcey, the clerk, about him?’ “Precious little information you'll get from Dar- os Yagamez lives well, pays bills promptly, and _ Pu cey. is therefore all O. K. with the hotel people, ‘watrant no man has ever lived in the Imperial three — years about whose affairs so little has become known as that Spaniard,’ . 2 . “At this point the two men who were discussing the Spaniard moved away, and I did not follow be- cause I had spotted my man, and didn’t want to lose sight of him. It was well I didn’t, either,” chuckled Chick, suggestively. “While I kept my eye on him, Ve a bell-boy came up-to him and said something. — Yagamez at once went to the elevator and ascended, “Then I sought out the bell-boy who lied given him the message and inquired: , es
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is used by market men and gardeners. NICK CARTER WEEKLY, “Wasn't that Senor Yagamez who just went into the elevator?” “He said it was. “Has he gone to his room?’ “‘No, sir,’ replied the boy; ‘he’s gone to the par- lor to see a lady,’ “With this pointer I managed soon after to get a peep into the parlor. “Yagamez and the woman were seated in one cor- ner conversing in low tones. “Their position had evidently been chosen because it was entirely safe from possible eavesdroppers. “The woman was deeply veiled. “T determined to leave Yagamez and follow the woman. “Therefore, when she left the hotel, Patsy iat I ” followed her ; “Oh, you took Patsy with you,’ ’ interrupted Nick. “Ves, We followed her, but, of course; not to- " gether. “We chased her out to a house on West Jackson street, which she entered with the aid of a latchkey. “Tt was somewhat troublesome for her to find the keyhole, and she raised her veil so she could see better. Then I caught a glimpse of her face, and, Nick, you can’t guess who she was.” “Can't 1? Why, I shouldn’t be surprised if she were our Lady Louise, the queen of the shoplifters,” “Well, by thunder! how. did you guess it?” “Through the information I got on Michigan avenue this evening concerning the Spaniard. Is she still in that house on West Jackson street?” No, later. Then I came back here.” “And left Patsy to follow the trail?” “Ves, if he can.” “What do you mean by that?” “Well, when she left the West Jackson. street house she went away in a covered wagon—such as An old man “with Greeley whiskers drove the wagon up to the ie: front door from the stable, in the rear, evidently, 13 and almost immediately Lady Louise came out and got in with him. “And, Nick, if we hadn’t seen ee go in and been on the lookout for strange things, neither I nor Patsy would ever have recognized her.” “Disguised, eh?” “You bet. The demurest-looking farm girl any one ever clapped eyes on. Would easily have passed for a farmer’s daughter.’ She must have made & lightning change in het clothes.” “When the wagon drove away Patsy followed it?” asked Nick, “No, he didn’t. Patsy went with it.” “Inside?” ; “Yep. The boy sade a bold ‘aceale and crawled in behind as the old man whipped up his horses. 1 saw him disappear through the curtains or canvas, and then the wagon turned a corner and was out of sight,” “Patsy was rather reckless, wasn’t he?” “Tt was his only chance to And out where the ig went and not be discovered himself.” “Well,” said Nick, “all we can do now is to wait When the wagon drove away till Patsy comes back. ‘Then, from the information — which he will give us, we ought to be able to bag the - whole gang and turn up their game. At the same time I shall not be surprised if Lester eer s Hit Si ter be restored to her family.” But Patsy did not return all that night, nor yet the 7 next day. When another evening came and Nick’s youngest assistant had not put in an appearance, the great detective gave words to his fears. I saw her leave the house half an hour: ° “Chick,” said he,“ Black Bart and Lady Jueilen have captured Patsy. We've got to move, and quickly, too.” ‘ 4 te —_——- CHAPTER V. PATSY IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. rect. jaws. Nick Carter's conclusions phOuE Patsy were cor- Az The detective fabs seeped right. into the. toe
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i 14. It was a venturesome thing for him to leap into the farm wagon from the rear as it drove away from the house on West Jackson street. He realized that he ran a big risk of being dis- covered, but it was the only way in which he could accomplish what he had set out to do—discover the destination of the disguised Lady Louise and her in- nocent-looking old farmer escort. But discovery and a “bounce” from the wagon was all that entered his head as being probable. Danger—personal violence—never suggested itself until he was overwhelmed with the surprise of it: ¢ The rear of the wagon was dark as the inside of a jug after the curtains through which he forced his way dropped after him. He could see the outlines of the form of the old farmer and his companion against the light of the open front. The rear part of the wagon bed was covered with hay, or straw, underneath which were articles of firmer texture. Anxious to overhear any conversation which might be going on between the farmer and the girl, Patsy cautiously crawled forward until he was crouched immediately behind the seat on which they sat. Suddenly and without warning, a man, whose pres- ence he did not even suspect, sprang upon him. As Patsy’s body went down under the weight of ~ his foe, both hands were pinned beneath his breast. A heavy-hand grasped the back of his neck and pressed his face into the straw, half suffocating him. Still he would have turned upon his back in spite of the great strength of the man astride of him had not the latter called for help. The old farmer handed the lines to the girl and - went to the other man’s assistance. _ gagged and helpless. In a few minutes they had Patsy safely bound, a “Who is he?” asked the farmer. ; “Some detective, I'll stake my lite,” said the othte: , NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “While he and his. pal were trailing Louise from the Imperial to West Jackson street, I trailed them.” “What! I was followed?” cried Lady Louise. : “You were for a fact, and by two.” “Then Yagamez is suspected.” ” “T guess that’s about the size of it,’ muttered the maninthe dark. “The trail’s getting too hot to suit me, and the quicker we get things wound up the bet- tet,” ; All this time the wagon was bowling through the streets leading southwestward, but Patsy had no idea of the course which was being pursued. “What will we do with this fellow?” asked farmer. } “Wait till we ‘get there with him,” muttered ie other man. “Ww hy, are you going to take him all the way with us?” asked Louise. “Well, you don’t think we will drop him seat the way?” “But that might give away the whole business.” ¢. } “T don’t see how. You are not silly enough £05 suppose this fellow will ever see any of his epi again ?”’ “Well, I should hope not,” reply. ; me was the téldeblooded ~ Then the three lapsed into silence, and Patsy was i left lying helpless in the bottom of the Wagon to ruminate over his desperate fix. How long the wagon rattled over the paved streets he could only guess, but the time seemed many hours There were to the chafing, helpless young man. times when the wheels struck asphalt, and toward Cy the end.of the journey Patsy was sure they were passing over ordinary macadamized roads and even kee what are known as dirt roads. ‘ While they carried him thus far away froi the center af Chicago, he had time to do\a act deal ae thinking. He knew who the woman was. him, and, of course, he knew all about the celebrated shoplifter’s many daring operations before she was Chick had roi ba
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. | compelled to fly from New York, but this was the first time he had ever seen her. Aes The man who had overpowered him, he suspected, was none other than Black Bart, though there was no way to confirm the impression, as the trio were very, careful to mention no names after Louise had, evidently by.a slip, pronounced Yagamiez’s name. Who the farmer was Patsy, of course, didn’t know, but he believ ed it was a pines crook in dis- guise: a) ii aie If the lad expected to see the place where he wwas being taken he was doomed to surprise. Just as a few gleains of light ‘began to come into the wagon, indicating the approach of daylight, he Was carefully blindfolded, 7" °*4 * ‘Then he knew they were nearing their destination, and would not take chances of their prisoner getting a view of his surroundings when they should take him from the wagon. At last the team made a turn to the right. ‘The farmer got down and opened a gate. The girl drove through and stopped the team until the farmer closed the gate and restimed his seat in the wagon. | Then the journey was continued over a rather un- even road for five minutes, atthe end of which time another gate was passed, and then the team stopped. _ The night ride was over. ‘Patsy ‘had run the rascals to their hiding-place, but not just “exactly in the manner he originally planned. Where it: was, or Ww we kind er a place it. was, he -had.ne means of knowing, for,he was carried like a ‘ let me tell you. that,’ ott bag of wheat fromthe wagon into a house. . “Now that we've got him here, what will,we do with him?” asked the farmer. : ‘ ' “Well, we’re not going to set him up as our guest and then send him back to his friends, the police, I reckon,’ " growled the: other man. ‘Nor Avill there be any murdering done this time, “inter posed the woman. : its who’ s ‘talking about murder 2” was the’ re- “Ry man cant’ ‘die without being murdered, can ae he? For instance, if he gets shut up a week or two in-a hole without food or water he will not have much life left in his pet and no one to sey for it but himself. # oh “hie “Vout don’ t mean to ‘shut him up in the “Certainly. | Why not?” ' uy “Have you forgottéi who is there already?” “I don’t mean her part of it. . We'll chuck hinvinto the other room with the-yaluables. He's as helpless as any of the ‘other. things ithat-are there, and he couldn’ t get out! if -heahad the use of hig hands and es feet, w liieh, of course; we don’ t: intend to give. him.” Aiter a little further parleying Patsy was pickéd up by the-two men and. carried down what Soneed to him to. be: three flights. of stairs. : At last they flung him on a pile of something soft and left him. | ‘He heard their retreating: ‘steps, foeca a heavy Then all was silent door close, and some bolts shot. as the grave. They had not even Lrenided the bandage from his eyes, yet the’ knew he might as well have’ it on: for all the good his eyes could do him: tires ‘There was no doubt in his mind that he was in some sort of undergrouid apartment. — . The place was not damp, ‘but the atmosphere was cldse and almost stifling. gril ‘Patsy was fot one to give up and submit to such imprisonment without a struggle. He knew that his 15 4 bonds must be unusually strong and secure, else his _ captors wouldn't have left him so well satisfied with their work, And even.if he could a. Goons ae the thongs, would it help, him any? Nev ertheless, he did not lie there a a minute in help: fy less dejection. ‘ The only way he could move was es roll around pl like a barrel, and this he proceeded to do, box. ' tg In the collision he injured his’ forehead. °° 2k It struck something: sHatp, and the result was a. Be vers i ; rather: pain ful wound, f But several revolutions brought him up against a
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46> Painful as his injury was, Patsy welcomed it joy- fully. If there was something within reach sharp enough to cut the skin on his forehead, why would it not cut a rope with the proper application? Carefully he moved his head till his cheek touched the sharp projection. It was a nail protruding from a box. The discovery gave Patsy a thrill of joy. The means to free himself from his bonds were close at hand. ‘By wriggling around for five minutes he succeeded in getting the cord which held his hands together. behind his back against the sharp edge of the nail. Ten minutes later he had cut through the thong and his hands were free. mers To free his feet also, and remove the bandage from his eyes.and the gag from his mouth, was very little trouble. 7 Sonie little time followed before he succeeded in getting the blood to circulate freely in his benumbed limbs. ; Then he fished a match from an inside pocket and lighted it. ‘ He had not nial He to look around, but while the match burned he saw enough to give him a cor- - rect idea ‘of his surroundings. . The place he was in had neither window nor visible door, That it was an underground apartnient there could | be no doubt. His captors must have left by a way he could not trace during the time the match burned. As far as he could see a stone floor and four solid walls of stones hemmed him in. But he saw enough of the room’s contents to real- _ ize that it was the storage apartment or hiding-place of a vast amount of valuable plunder. _ He was in the hands of a poweiiul gang of robbers, and this was their secret storeroom. _ Would he éver be able to get Gut of a alive? , she Liana view by aid of the match. We acseas: NICK CARTER WEEKLY. CHAPTER VI. WHAT HAPPENED TO PATSY UNDER GROUND. Patsy would have given its weight in gold for his trusted bull’s-eye lantern. He had three or four matches left after lighting the first one and taking the hasty survey of his prison. But if he had had a box at his touch he would not have dared to light many on account of the almost airless condition of the roora. The best he could do was to wait.’ Maybe some one would come down to look after his welfare or security, and then he would fight for i his liberty, if not for his life. If he only knew where the door was he could put himself in a position to be ready for an unexpected assault upon his jailer. But without a suitable light he was powerless to locate the means of entrance, whatever it was. He could therefore do nothing but wait, and wait he did. Hours passed, How many he had no means ee knowing. It seemed an eternity to him. i A day must have passed, he at last told himself. Finally, the young man was sure he had been in the underground prison not only a day but a night. He ‘ began to suffer from bes cee Deena eae thirst. Did they indeed intend to leave him there to perish ar for want of food and drink? Just when the brave fellow began to tickuanla a noise-—the first he had heard since his jailers deserted him, except. what he had made himself—struck his” ears, * were) “It was a metallic grating sound, but no music by | Sousa’s band ever seeméd sweeter to Patsy. | He knew what it meant. Some one was coming: into his dismal prison. And that meant liberty, if his powers and cunning did not fail. ; “The sound came from the right, where he was sure a solid wall had confronted his eyes when he got that
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He had just time to crouch behind a big box, whose outlines he could feel but not see, when a glimmer of light appeared from the place where he had-heard the sound. For some seconds afterward a dead silence pre- vailed. He dared not look out from beyond his box for fear his visitor would be. put on guard and spoil everything. Finally, the person, whoever it was, advanced cau- tiously, throwing a light in front. The light came ‘hear, and the intruder’s footsteps told Patsy that the visitor was within a few feet of his hiding-place. If he struck for liberty he-must ae it now or fail, Summoning all his strength for the final strug: le, he sprang to his feet and made a rush at the person. Just as a stifled shriek rang out and his hands were reaching for.the intruder’s throat, the truth flashed upon him hike a lightning bolt. . Fis visitor was a woman. Before he could touch her she let go of the candle which she carried and dropped in a heap tipon the floor. ‘The candle fell wick aowmbunt d, and was extin- guished. * Instantly all was impenetrable duckies again. Now it was that Patsy blessed his stars that he had not uselessly burned his few matches making a vain investigation of his prison. He groped upon the floor till he recovered the can- die, and then he soon had a light. The woman lay prostrate at his feet. He realized that she had been terribly frightened and was ina dead faint. sii By the feeble light he saw she was young, very beautiful, and possessed all the features of a: refined person. “Five to one she’s a prisoner like myself,’ . thought Patsy. . “I remember now those words of Lady ~ Louise to- Black Bart. when he announced his’ inten- tion to pen me in down here. She said: ‘Haye you ST a a | + NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 17Z forgotten who is there already?’ and he replied: ‘I don’t mean her part of it. other part with the valuables.” | é “Well, this is the ‘her’ without doubt, poor un- fortunate! I wonder who she is, and why they made Then, again, I wonder how on earth or under the earth she managed to get in here. her a prisoner. “If she'd be so obliging as to come around, Fd She’s left the door open for me, but if I leave her here and ne by myself, may I never: Took soon find out. in Nick’s face again.” Thus muttering, the detective set to work to re- store the young lady to consciousness. He could do little else but chafe her hands and fan her with his hat. It was slow work, but he had his reward at last. It was all he could do to prevent her from relaps- ing into another faint as soon as she recovered enough to realize her surroundings. But Patsy's tact was almost equal to that of his. great tutor, and in a few words he explained that Bt like she, was a prisoner. It was not long until the two understood each other's situation pretty well, and Patsy found out, as Nick would have known at once, that the girl was Alice, the missing-daughter of Lester Allen, the silk But as Patsy had not heard the story Nick told to Chick while he was riding, a helpless prisoner, importer. to this out-of-the-way place, the account which Miss Allen gave him of her abduction and imprisonment was in the nature of news to him. é “I’ve been a prisoner in a room somewhat like this out there somewhere,” she said, pointing to the door in the wall. “How 1a I've been one I don’t rate but it. must be a week since I was brought here and shut up in the dungeon. . “My meals have been served by a big negress, who. has been my jailer. “When she brought me my supper ‘to- ~night, ‘she We'll chuck him in the. was aperng under the influence of liquor, and when i
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18 ‘she weet out I imagined she did: not turn the key in the lock as she closed the door.: “After q had eaten my meal I tried the door, with scarcely a hope that the negress had made such a blunder. But it yielded to my touch. Then I got my candle and left. ‘my prison-room, “The door swung open into a large corridor. “The fitst thing I discovered after passing through was that shé had left the i peewee Mek in the lock— forgot it; [Suppose. ang removed it, groped my way by aid of my dim “Hight across the corridor, pie ran‘up against a similar coor. soe before’ me. I did, and opened the door to your room. “Of course, I hoped to find a-means Zi escape by that way. I-never dreamed I w as opening another prison door.” : “Well,” .said » Patsy; tp: *: it may be that the drunken ‘we'll now see whichis the way out: neégr ess left other doors’ eonreen in her maudlin re- treat. Come, we'll see.’ > He led-the way into the « cor ridor, she’ coe fol- lowi ing. BY aid of the candle, Patsy iotiewed the corridor pm % about twenty feet until it: pened at the foot ofa ‘short . flight of stone steps. At the top of the steps was a atrap- -door. - Patsy carefully ascended and tried rhe door. It,was securely locked. 0.05 » With, a feeling of dptgnetavaent but by no means , of hopelessness, he descended and reported his dis- é _ covery to ae Allen. -. 0 meet the tmecgteney.! hat eid NICKCARTER WEEKLY. 7. Pes Something sient me to fit the Key 3 into the - ‘his arm behind her neck and gave her such a forward Without saying’ a word, Patsy threw one arm dl around Miss Allen’s waist. and a et aes het, # back along the cortidor.. The door to the room. she had occupied was still open, and Patsy carried her through, closing: the door: after him. oe “At the same time he salfngine ie tha candle, Jeav- ing them i in total darkness. . Then he gently pushed Alice behind | him and took a pOsAge near the door, i =. asi. she should lock us anf _ whispered ., Heay ens, Alice. Bee . Ge “She can't. ve sobehetey: si do ae ce o ing in. Sh-h!? eel a neta ay Some one was fumbling at the door outside. Then the door swung open; and a black face, with a’eandle oe held ovethead, pees Biss ‘ coy) came 3 oy ’ . SB * \ 7a) ae Sete). tiles ‘ ix yen CHAPTER Vib, at (Ha Hrd) jerk that, in her half-helpless state of intoxication, she gee headlong across the dungeontlilke “ne et rand ply dre ew i through: oe doorway into th corridor again. oes py the newress, instead of Mi “Allen, Was 3 ee
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entered the opposite chamber, and held it aloft, while ' ” * ago. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. this time,” said Patsy to his companion, in a low tone, “for she surely left the way open when she missed her prison key and hastened back after it.” “But there are others up there, maybe.” _ “If they are they must surely all be more intoxi- cated than the negress, else they would have seen her condition and not have trusted her with the keys of these dungeons. My belief is that she was left alone in the house and took advantage of her freedom from being watched to indulge her appetite for liquor, CPatveval we'll soon see. Please hold the candle till I gather up my late bonds. I may need them to do a little tying up myself before I get through with this gang.” _ Miss Allen by this time had begun to disclose un- usual nerve for a young lady, which Patsy quickly observed, and his admiration for her grew to prodig- ious proportions. Without a tremor she took the candle, as they Patsy went in search of the cord which he had taken from his hands. i; As he was groping around in search of theni, Miss Allen suddenly uttered a cry of surprise. Patsy looked up. He saw Miss Allen’s eyes riv- eted upon a pile of silver plate lying promiscuously in one corner—a mere parcel of the great stores of valuable articles of every description which were scat- tered around as they had been hastily dumped in this underground hiding-place. “What is it?’ he asked. Before replying, Alice took a few steps until she stood over the pile of silver service. fi thought I was not mistaken,” she said. ‘This silver was stolen from our house only a few weeks Isn't it strange that I should find it here?” “Not strange at all,” replied Patsy, “for unless Nick Carter is on the wrong lay, we are in the hiding- place, or under the hiding-place, of the most power- ful, desperate gang of thieves and burglars in Amer- ica. But we must lose no time in getting out of this. Come!” 19 ' They left the treasure-chamber, and Patsy care- filly locked the close-fitting door behind him. He was not surprised in finding the trap-door at the head of the stone steps not only unlocked but wide open. He first carefully and noiselessly ascended alone. After peering around above, he motioned to Miss Al- len to come up also. ‘They found themselves in a. cellar such as is under most country houses. There were numerous bins for vegetables and fruit built around the sides, and the trap through which they emerged was part of the floor of one of these bins. A quantity of straw lay on one side, which was evidently scattered over the well-fitted trap when it was closed, and was brushed aside whenever it was in use. From this cellar they had no trouble in ascending to the living part of the house, but Patsy used great caution as he proceeded. A very little investigation convinced him that his. hastily-formed theory expressed in the subcellar to Miss Allen had been correct. serted. The house was de- Undoubtedly the negress had been left in charge, and had been unfaithful'to her trust. The coast was apparently clear, and the quicker he could get Miss Allen to a place of safety the better he would feel satisfied. Then he would turn his atten- tion to this house of mystery and its rascally inmates. By peering out of the open door, he saw that it was an ordinary farmhouse standing in the center of its own grounds, some distance from the highway, “as near as he could determine in the darkness of the night, Nor was there another house anywhere near by. He was about to step outside to make a better survey of the premises when a savage growl greeted him. A large bulldog rose almost at his feet and was. showing his ugly teeth. Patsy realized his danger and looked about for some weapon, but too late. The brute gave a spring at his throat. i
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20 Its hot breath touched his face just as the report of a revolver came over his shoulder, and the dog fell dead at his feet. He quickly turned and Gaia Miss Allen as she tottered and almost fell. A pistol dropped from her hand at the same time. The strain of the terrible danger from which she had rescued her deliverer had almost overcome her again. But by a brave exertion she rallied and hevad Patsy of his support of her. “How fortunate that I found that pistol on the dining-room table after you passed through,” she said, in a voice that trembled in spite of her great effort at. self-control,. “I suppose the negress had it there ready for any emergency, and I was bringing - it to you when that dog made his attack.” - “Vou are quite a shot, Miss Allen,” Patsy. complimented “T have taken lessons in the use of pistols,’ she said, modestly. ; “Well, you saved me from an ugly fight with that brute. No tell- ' ing what the sound of that pistol shot may pull down jon us. But we must be on the alert now. ‘T guess we'd better get away from this place as speedily as possible.” 39 “I will follow your directions, sir,” was the reply. “Then also follow me as well as my directions, Better let me take your hand, for we must use no light, and the night i is very dark,” He started out of the house and carefully made his way across a yard toward a building which was. evi- dently a barn. “We'll see if there's a horse in this building to aid My i us in getting to a place of safety,” he whispered. Almost immediately following these words, he _ stopped suddenly and drew Miss Allen down behind eT pump which stood just in their way. “Don’t move or utter a word,” he whispered in her ear. She complied, and at he same time looked in the direction he was peering. toward the man on the fence, aeiclaianing as he went: s. . while ago, and just run over to see if anything Rg: 3 “rity, She saw what he saw NICK CARTER WEEKLY. the outlines of a man’s form leaning against a high — board fence about four rods in front of them, The man was either listening, with all the powers of his sense of hearing, or trying to penetrate the shadows of the background against the house in which Patsy and Miss Allen were concealed from his view. Patsy grasped his pistol and awaited deniocmentt CHAPTER VIII THE MOB ON THE ILLINOIS CENTRAL. The man at the fence’ stood perfectly still and quiet for several minutes. He was-seemingly straining his senses Of hearing and seeing. When neither gave hin satisfaction, he climbed to the top of the fence and called: he “Hello! hello! I say, Diggs!” Then he listened again. Receiving no reply, he was evidently sureee He muttered something and began to descend from sgh the fence on the side of the house. Before-he reached the ground, however, he stopped, having ap- parently concluded that it would be best'¥or him to go slow. i Again he called: cut a ee “Hi there! Diggs! Anybody at home?” 7 Patsy whispered in Alice’s ear to remain. still. % Then he left the shadow of the pump and walked over 7 ' “What do you want?’ : “Why, I thought I heard a slip over this: way: a pened.. That ain’t you, is it, Diggs: 2, " You did hee fr “No. Diggs is not at home. shot. Diggs’ nee athapirnd me and I had to shoot him.” athe “Killed that there bulldog?” ‘ass “Veg? } 5 elie Ae The man now descended ede the fence me alac- “Then I Sea care hae Keeping. upon. this ’ere fence,” he ae “That Hog. was a Wgiae and
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NICK CARTER WELKLY. it was wuth a man’s. life to invade these here prem- ises when he was loose, which was mostly at night.” By this time he was close to Patsy and was peer- ing into the latter’s face. ses Pears to me I never seed you before,” he said, trying to get a distinct view of the features of the man before him. “No; I’m new to this neighborhood. Just came out from the city to see Diggs. But he’s not at home, nor anybody else, I guess.” “Shoo! somewhere around, I guess. You must be mistaken. Black Nance is Never knew that crit- ter to be absent an hour for two years.” “Well, she’s not around now,” said Patsy. “That beats me. T’other members of the family often go away together, but Nance is always on hand. Sure Nance is not at home?” “Quite sure. I’ve been all through the house.” “Doors not locked?” No.” “That's queer.” “What is Diggs’ business ?” “Gardener and huckster.”’ “How long has he lived here?” “Bout twenty years, I reckon. He was livin’ in this here house when | moved in the neighborhood, an’ that was in seventy-seven.” “Pretty nice sort of man, isn’t he?” “Never heard nothin’ agin’ him, except that he’s so durned unsociable. Never has no company, and doesn’t seem to keer a cent for anything but to huck- ster, raise truck, go to market, and make money.” “Much of a family?” “Not now. No wile. Miss Diggs, the mother of fy Don, rin away with the hired hand three years ago. “Leastwise, they both turned up missin’ one morning, and the old woman left a letter sayin’ she had gone Then old Josh became with a handsomer man.- glummer than ever and more unsociable. “After that him and Don, and Black Nance, lived “ae until Don went up the country a year or 80, ago and brought home a wife. 21 “The young woman's right good-lookin’, but she’s too alfired ’fraid of work to suit people in this here neighborhood. None of the wimin visit her.” “Where's Don?” “Hain’t been around fur several days. Nobody asks about the Diggses affairs, and I reckon no one knows where he is.’ athe “Don’t they have any ‘jaitere? ‘ “Sometimes. I’ve seen men here occasionally, I understand they're commission dealers from the city who come out here to make contracts with Diggs for garden truck and the like, Sometimes they stay all night. One was here to-day,” “How soon can I get to Chicago ?” “Well, you're in Chicago now, even if this is the You mean.about State and Madison streets, I ek or somewhere e THETRE ROUT: “That's it,” "Yes. in an hour or so, for Pullman's jest over yonder. country, Ord’narily you cig git there But Pullman’s the last place on earth you'd go to now to This ‘ere strike has cut off all soobur- Humph! ketch a train. ban trains. » “LT reckon the strikers are havin’ considerable of a See the light! . time up that way. Must be burning things.” ; . Patsy did see the light away off to the northeast, and somehow the absence of the Diggses and that light connected themselves in his mind. “Then how will I get back to the city?” The countryman did not think about asking ‘him how he had got out of the city so far, but answered: “Best plan would be to hire a hogs and ride back. . It's about nine o'clock now. You'd get there by one or two o’elock, I reckon.” . “Where can I get a couple of horses?” ” “A couple? You can’t ride two. “No, but I’ve got a friend with me.” “Where?” “Not far off,” ‘ “Well, I've got a couple, ‘but as you're a ae and these are hard times to trust people-——” "4
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22 “Why can’t you get a wagon and drive us in? pay you well.” “Be jing! ’m your man. Ti get my team out right away. I’d like to see what them fellers up there are doin’ to the keers,|anyhow, and I'll kill two birds with the same stone. Jest wait here and I’ll be back in a jiffy with the team.” *Where do you live?” “Half a mile up the road there—fust house on the right.” “Then go ahead. wee follow you and be there when you get hitched up.” The talkative neighbor hurried away and Patsy re- turned to Miss Allen. ’ Half an hour later the- three were Avie toward Chicago in the substantial covered wagon of Diggs’ neighbor, drawn by a good team of-horses. The farmer had been surprised when he discovered . that Patsy’s companion was a young lady, but, be- . yond giving vent to a low whistle, he made no com- ment nor asked any questions. They had been driving an hour when the farmer and Patsy, looking ahead, perceived a covered wagon drawn at a very slow pace over the road, as if it were ‘heavily laden. 5 Suddenly the farmer cried out: ' ey gum! you’re in luck. There’ S Diggs’ wagon now.’ Instantly Patsy was’on his guard. Miss Allen was sitting.on a back seat in the shadow of the wagon’s top, and was invisible to any one out- side of the wagon. Patsy, who sat with the driver, left his’ seat. and joined Miss Allen in the obscurity of the curtains. As soon as he was in concealment, he said to the driver: “Now, on your life, do pes betray our presence to the people in that wagon.” Tl _ “Why, I thought you went out there to see them,” gasped the driver. \ “Idid. But I’m an 1 officer of the law, and they are ciininate? “What! Diggs a criminal? Pp cy ; “You'll do just as I tell you,” said Patsy, sternly, . “or I’ll put a bullet through you with the pistol I aM hold i in my hand. I’ve no time to Perley, for there Bry 18 the Diggs wagon.. Don’t fail me.’ - ““Oh, T’lt not fail you,” muttered the scared farmer. ‘As, the farmer whipped up his horses and passed at Pe hx fe NICK CARTER WEEKLY. fe Cs / oe St his place of concealment: Diggs’ jogging team, Patsy saw that the old rascal was alone on the front seat! He had no means of knowing whether there was any one inside or not. But they passed on, and the Diggs team was soon left far behind. ; 5 ee They were now near the tracks of the Illinois Cen- tral Road, along which long lines of freight cars were scattered for miles, many of them filled with valuable goods worth thousands, if not millions, of dollars. » Two miles up the track there was trouble. Cars had been fired, and.a:mob, which, as is now known, was led, not by railroad men or strikers, but by crim- inals and mischief makers of the worst kind, was en- gaged in setting fire to freight cars and their Eh. aa contents. : ot The shouts of the mob came distinctly to the ears of Patsy and his companions, As they drew nearer to the scene of riot, the confusion was added to bye the noise of the discharge of musketry. The militia had evidently arrived on the spot and fired on the mob. “ “Whip up your horses, old man, “Get’s get there as soon as we can.” The farmer complied. rs Five minutes later they came in sight ofthe flying mob, which was retreating in confusion up the — tracks, while the militia and firemen were busy try- — ing to extinguish the fire among the burning cars. e Suddenly a man sprang up from the roadside, pre- sented two pistols at the head of the astonished ~ farmer, and exclaimed: = i “Stop, and on your life do not beac? | Patsy recognized the voice first. In an instant he cried from within the darkness of 39 shouted Patsy. “ we “Nick! For Heaven’s sake, put them down You've made a mistake.” : Tt was, indeed, Nick Carter. also recognized his young assistant’ 8 voice. “Down went his pistols. ’ “Great guns! Patsy, is it you? Where are yan a “Here, Nick!” said Patsy, climbing out in front, ‘who did you think you were holding up?” “Why, Black Bart and his peach in crime, th farmer known as Joshua Diggs fe “Well, you're too previous. Thiet is Diggs’ nea est neighbor, and an honest man. We passed yo quarty some minutes ago. Where’s Chick?” The great elastase : Rae ko poe
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NICK CA RTER WEEKLY. 2 “Back there in charge of a wounded person: who has given. the night’s snap away.” “Who.is the wounded person, Nick?” z “You'll be surprised when you know who it is,’ said Nick, jumping into the wagon. Then to the driver he said: “Whip ‘em up, and we'll take Chick and his.charge aboard.” CHAPTER IX; _ NICK'S NARROW ESCAPE. When Nick Carter, after waiting: nearly twenty- four hours for Patsy to return, said to his principal assistant—as recorded at the-close of Chapter IV.: “Chick, Black Bart and Lady Louise have captured Patsy; we've got to move, and move quickly, too,” _ he had decided how the move should be made. “We must try to strike the trail from that West Jackson street house. I’m going down there to make some investigations. / “You may meanwhile go to the Imperial and take a peep at the Spaniard. Join me in an hour outside the Jackson street place. Then we'll decide what the “next move will be.” nee. The two men touched up their disguises slightly and:started out on their respective missions. Nick didn’t go direct to the house on Jackson street. He first hunted up the policeman of the beat for the purpose of making some inquiry. | He made up. to look like a respectable niechanic of some kind out for an ev ening’s stroll. 18s Luckily for him, he ran across the patrolman al- nost opposite the house he was about to investigate. beg your pardon,” he’said, accosting the officer, , but « can you tell me anything about the character of the house across the street with ey English base- ment! a e The officer gave Nick a sweeping glance, and then | answered, Yankee fashion: Se 2 “Looking for board?” fp Instantly Nick took the cue and answered affirma- “Well, then, I guess you'll make no mistake 6 au take up quarters in Mrs. ‘Hurst's house. She has * a men ior a aoe 23, a gardener—and he supplies is with fresh bias bles right from his place.” Nick congratulated himself inwardly. was on the trail hotfooted. At ne iy The policeman thought he was Navitaling, pee ably, for he asked, while Nick looked ke ale Des across at the house: * “Do you work at night?” ; Ree c: Nick’s quick wit again helped him on. | “Yes,” he said, “and that’s: just. why: i was won- dering whether the place would suit me.’ ¥ “Then you don’t need to hesitate, for all be sealids ers are night men and sleep in daytime. The house is quiet as a seveyard in the forenoon and deserted at night.” ; “What do her heaton’ 6 ad “Most of ’em work at the stockyards, “I Hekeve: Go over and see Mrs. Hurst. the place—if you cah get in. full, however.” “Thank you,” for me.’ said Nick. “rl see what she can do oe P’m sure you'll like She’s nearly always He rang the bell, and was sdainiad by a haibiat? comely-looking young woman. In response to a re- quest to see Mrs. Hurst, he was shown upstairs to a room in the rear of the house, on the second floor. “Mrs. Hurst isn’t very well to-night, sir, and will see you in her room,” said the maid. Nick was rather suspicious at first, but when’ he was ushered into; Mrs. Hurst's presence, his doubts were somewhat removed. i ety ae really appeared ill and was reclining in a large asy-chair, clad in dressing-gown and slippers. - oh was an elderly, motherly-looking woman; tho: _ greeted him kindly as she peti at him ia a pale of blue spectacles. “Want to get board, do you?” she asked, in a tone of voice which to any one but a shrewd detective would have made the person addr essed almost love her immediately. nat “lve been recommended to your house by. ane policeman of the beat,’ replied Nick. “Oh, yes! by Mulcahey. I hardly know about, taking you. crowded now. you can give me? I'm pretty well It’s very kind of him, bik Have you recommendations which I've got to be very. careful who’ _ I take in—there are 'so many dishonest pepble, who pose as respectable persons these: days?) sie yer he a ell, I assure you, ‘Mrs,: Hurst, that you are in be
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the presence of an honest man this time,” said Nick, with more imeaning to his words than he believed she realized. “Well, sit down,” she smiled, encouragingly, mo- tioning to a chair which stood with its back to the door; “sit down, and I'll see what can be done.” _ Nick didn’t fail to observe that the chair stood so ‘that if he sat in it his back would be toward any one who might enter the room. So, in taking his seat, he turned the chair half around and faced midway be- tween the place where Mrs. Hurst sat and the en- trance to the room. Then he gave her a quick glance to see what effect the movement had on her. Apparently it had none. Mrs. Hurst, it seemed to him, beamed more pleasantly on him than ever. She looked the personification of pleasantness. Shrewd as the great detective was, he had met a woman who'came nearer to ovtwitting him than had ever occurred to him in his professional life. ’ He said afterward that not one criminal ina thou- sand would have planned a trap with such fine de- tails as to anticipate that the detective to be trapped © would do just what Nick did—turn the chair in order to give him a view of the entrance to the room. Nick always felt angry W ith himself for not notic- ing the closet door which was just behind his chair after he had turned it. He had scarcely sunk into his seat when it seemed to him that the house suddenly fell upon him. A man had stepped out of the closet and brought down on Nick’s uncovered head a sandbag with such terrible effect that one could almost hear the victim’s skull crack. There was no mistaking the effect upon the de- tective. ‘No human being could simulate that state of collapse which followed the blow. j His body huddled up in the chair in a helpless heap, his hands fell upon each side, and his face took on the hue of death. The man who dealt the blow placed his hand on Nick’s head where the blow had fallen. The result - seemed'to be Satisfactory. “That settles him,” he said, to Mrs. Hurst. “His skull is crushed in, and I guess Nick Carter has at last met his fate, and far from home at that.” The effect upon the pretended invalid was Sun H ing. She was on her feet at gnee. ig WE must lose no time in getting rid of all evi- bee Kal nate right.” 8S _ Spaniard was tracking Nick. NiCK CARTER WEEKLY. f dences of this work and leave nothing to tell this de~ © tective’s friends what became of him. Quick, lift him on the bed.” The man complied. Nick’s helpless form was carried over to. es, heavily-draped bed and laid on it. “Now the naphtha. Use plenty of it. struction must be complete.” : She produced several large bottles ofa white Auid —one of the most volatile liquids known to chemists —naphtha, and the two proceeded to scatter it over every part of the room, i Nick’s the bed. “Wasn't it fortunate that Bart captured this ‘gt : low’s cub and learned that I was being watched?” said Yagamez, as he worked. “I wasjustintimeto see the fellow leave his hotel and came here. The © time he took parleying with the policeman across the, way fortunately gave us time to set the trap.” 3 Ri clothes were drenched with it, as was also “But has he no aids in his work here?” anxiously asked Mrs, Hurst. “Why, certainly, the cub who is safe Sy, sound in your brother's cellar at the farm. Oh, we're safe enough. These New York detectives fever give anything away to the Chicago force, and the secret of their mission West will die with them. I’m sorry, — though, to destroy this house. We may have trou- ble in getting another home for the boys as conyen- ient.”’ ; ~ - ae . “Well, come on,” urged Mrs. Hurst. “There’s enough naphtha in here to make sure of total de- struction before the firemen can get any advantage. Ul see that the girl I send up here to light the gas: — does the work so that we can get out. of hs way ane j Several minutes later Mrs. Hurst carefully closed both windows and followed her male companion ee a tily from the room. i The door had scarcely closed behind them “hem the window sash, which she had closed, was lifted, and a man sprang into the room. It was faithful Chick. He had fortunately almost run over Yagamer as te he left the Palmer House. It took him a very little time to pee! that. the So Chick followed Yagamez. ; = ene ee uae anos the may. Cunt Selig. out how it happened
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. that the Spaniard was able to identify Nick in his dis- guise. The reason was evident. Nick wore the same disguise in which he traveled to Chicago. Black Bart gave Yagamez a description of it, and put the Spaniard on his guard. But how had Black Bart discovered Nick’s identity on the train? Nick had already explained that to Chick. The latter had been too precipitate in following Black Bart upon the Elevated station at Twenty-third street in New York. Bart, after entering the coach next to the last, walked through to the rear coach, and looking back, saw Chick fishing his torn-up message from the dust- can on the station platform. - He knew it was detective work, and that his mes- sage would probably be detective property before he could get away for Chicago. Yet he carried out the trip as planned, but he was - on the lookout for the detective all the way. Being one of the shrewdest criminals in America, he finally singled Nick out as the sliadow, and we know what occurred. , Chick rushed to the bed where Nick's naphtha- saturated form lay. His first act was to tear a wig from the detect- ive’s head. ; It was a wig which made Nick’s head appear longer than it really was. And it was this peculiar wig which saved his life. i The cork top was cr ushed in by the blow. i Chick put his hand upon Nick’s head on the place | beneath where the sandbag had fallen, “Thank God!” he exclaimed. “Nick is only stunned. But unless | ESP him | out of this in a jiffy, we'll both be dead men.’ BS He picked his insensible chief up like a sack of meal and carried him through the window upon the roof of a porch, which extended along the rear of the house, carefully closing the sash behind hinn. ; In less than two minutes he had his charge safe upon the. ground of the back yard, and then hastened with the unconscious form to an alley in ae rear of the stable. * Scarcely had he reached the Lae when there was an explosion. Instantly the Jackson street house & was a mass of flames. Tts inmates rushed from the a} 25 basement upon the street just in time to get out with their lives. The firemen could do nothing to save the bane. Next morning’s papers stated that a servant girl had been cleantae the carpet with naphtha in Mrs. Hurst's room, second floor, back, when the explosion occurred, probably through some carelessness on her part. , This servant was shidntiia, and she had no doubt been burned up with the building. Mrs. Hurst, the paper stated, left, late as it was, for her brother’s farm, near Pullman, and the amount of insurance could not be ascertained. . CHAPTER X. | WERE THERE ANY MISSING IM CHICAGO? —ss Mrs. Hurst did start to Pullman after the fire? She took a cab, and Yagamez was with her. Another cab, with its lights reversed and shaded, followed. In it were Nick Carter and Chick. Nick had wholly recovered from the effect of Yag- His saturated clothes had — amez’s stunning blow. been hastily removed, and new ones, obtained from the nearest clothing store, were substituted. Thus equipped the two detectives started on the trail of Mrs. Hurst and the Spaniard, They had no trouble in keeping the latter’s cab in sight by aid of its lights, and of remaining undiscovered themselves by shading their own lights. Both cabs reached the vicinity of the Illinois Cen- tral tracks just about the time the rioters were ut the height of their work. Something in the mob’s work seemed to fascinate 4 Mrs, Hurst and Yagamez, and they drove close up to the scene of the operations. ‘Meanwhile, Nick and Chick left their conveyance, and Nick crept up to the rear of the other cab. While the two criminals were watching the excit- ing scenes along the track from the west window of their cab, a slight noise from the other side diverted | their attention. Both looked around at once. There, peering through the window, was the face of © the man they believed chisel had murdered and burned to ashes. The Spaniard threw open the opposite door, and - dashing out, ran like a greyhound toward the mob. Mrs, Hurst uttered a shriek and followed him... _ At that moment the militia fired on the rioters. _ y : | i
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26 Mrs. Hurst was directly in the line of the fiyitie bul- One of them struck her. She tottered and fell just as Chick overtook her. A hasty examination showed him that the: wound was fatal. ; Taking advantage of ‘the woman’s condition and terror, after serious threats of the severe sentence which would be imposed on the others, Chick forced a confession out of her, ‘She told him that‘her brother and Black Bart were about that time, under cover of the riot, robbing some richly-laden cars a mile farther down, the con- tents of which would be earried away in Diggs’ farm wagon. Then’ she fainted. ‘At that moment Nick came up from an unsuccess- ful chase after Yagamez. Terror at sight of -the dréaded detective, alive and well, had seemed to give wings to the Spaniard, ‘and he succeeded in eluding Nick, ®Chick was left i in charge of the dying woman, while “Nick: startéd down the road to intercept a covered wagon, which he believed was the Diggs conveyance, probably loaded with the stolen valuables. “His iy eae geen with nats has already ee described: ' Sih As they pore on toward the wind Ww here Chick * ‘stood over the expiring Mrs. Hurst, Patsy touched — 1 Nick on the shoulder and said: ny ‘have a young lady back here w ho escaped with * me from the Diggs farmhouse.” P3 Nick. looked around and distinguished the oe out lines of Alice. "You are Miss Alice Al len?” he said, to, her no inconsiderable astonishment. “That i is my, name,” she replied. pene ‘muttered | something ‘under _ What he said to himself was this: his’ breath. Well, Vil be jiggered. if that don't | beat fortune- baa aM ~ “T never knew the. ply $ name myseli, because I didn’t ask her what it was, and here’s Nick speaking to her as if: he had: known her since she was'a baby, and:yet.lre can’t.see her faceds. 0 (acy. hs NICK CARTER hoa teat ne enjoying their str ange meeting : ioined Nick, Chick ee ‘Phe, ake the ae men tion had broken, out. pepenations were. out Ph sada however, for. a, ry seen on account of the end from Puke bit ning cars. As he approached the shea Alice a a little screain of delight, and cried: om ; “Guy!oh, Guy!” i : Ina moment she had leaped from the wagon uae was in the arms of her lover, Captain Guy Vernon, ; While the two reunited young: people were eae Kia lieutenant hurrie up, and, saluting his superior officer, said: “The ae of the’ rioters, that handsome youn it “He's a woman, sit,’:came the parodoxical and — surprising reply. {on ; Ae was true. aes alee bagi had re ates: eer AG through the heart. ie his ase It was not only a woman, but, as Nick saw glance, Lady Louise, the queen of shoplifters.. . i aacage was her date at lastes, 1 state of affairs. a Sa me driven. by Diggs’ neighbor toward: the scene. robbery, a mile below. . ar eenatt “We're too late!” Sycltinied Chick, had gone far, pointing ahead, where. a fresh “They haye. ioeee the | Ce and. set fir ¢ to them to hide their crime.’ 5 “Then we must overtake. ‘them sae t i y ge . teplied S Nick. A pied their swag to Dies house,’
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( , | cago. _ Hurst’s boarders and pretended to belong to the NICK CARTER WEEKLY. robbers succeeded in gaining the cover P| Diggs’ house. There the three detectives took up places of watch to prevent the escape of the thieves, while Vernon, mounted on a fresh horse, rode back for a detach- ment of his company. He arrived with it about daylight. Just as the sun arose, Diggs came out and surren- dered. Black Bart and a third man followed. The latter was recognized by Vernon as one of the men who had often been seen with Yagamez. The fellow turned out to be the head of the most daring band of burglars that ever operated in Chi- It was he and his men who formed Mrs. night gang at the stockyards. Theis wives were servants in the house. They brought their pelf to Mrs. Hurst’s house, whence it was hauled by her brother to the under- ‘ground place of storage near Pullman, concealed under vegetables and garden truck, , The whole scheme of robbery was the plan of Yag- amez, who turned out to be Mrs. Hurst’s son. He oy got his mother into it, and they had afterward got Diggs and his son Don into partnership. Mrs. Diggs could not be so easily worked, and threatened So she and the hired hand were quietly put out of the way, and the story of their elopement was sent forth to account for their sudden to give away the scheme. disappearance. All this Nick got from Black Bart; who was in- duced to make a clean breast of it in return for a promise that he would get a light sentence. Lady Louise had more lovers than a Mormon elder. She had been Bart’s common-law wife. Then she met Don Diggs and went out to aid him and the old man in their work. joie and babe es were the brains of the gang. Bart got into the “deal” by getting the numbers of the cars containing Allen’s valuable silk shipments, _ whereby he was able to identify them among the side- tracked cars on the Minis Conte ras ; ; = bid ai as ee » Alice. OF Don’ s trip to New York was for the purpose of getting a ransom for Alice from her brothet, or through her brother. Had he succeeded, he and Louise would have taken the money and deserted the rest of the band. ! Yagamez was responsible for the aiateion of What his final intentions toward her were, nobody will ever know. Lady Louise was a noted mesmerist. It was she who had met Alice, and by using her peculiar gift, had easily got the young lady to the farm near Pull- man. While under the spell, Alice wrote the letter dic- tated to her by Louise, and it was sent to Lester Allen. — Most of Allen’s silks were burned up, as the rob- bers could not carry away one-fifth of the valuable consignment. Nick left the stolen treasures in the charge of Cap- tain Vernon. He turned over Diggs, the burglar chief, and the negress, Black Nance, to the Chicago authorities. Diggs was sent up for life, and the other two got long terms of imprisonment. % No trace of Yagamez-could be found, and Nick left him to the Chicago police. Black Bart agreed to return to New York without | a requisition. So, on the night of the day of the capture, Nick, Chick and Patsy left Chicago, with their noted pris: oner in charge. At Cleveland Nick stepped into the telegraph oh fice and sent this message back to Chicage: To Crrer Suea’s Representative :—Will you please count your sixteen hundred thousand people and see whether two or three are not missing? Nick Cantan, THE END. Next week’s issue (No. 287) will contain: Carter’s Wedding Gift; or, Landing an Old Offen- der.” Nick’s wedding gift wasn’t in cut glass or silver—in fact, it was quite out of the ordinary run of wedding gifts. out what it was. “Nick. Se, Read next week’s i issue and find ne
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Fistfulls of funny yatns and loads of laughter. That’s what this contest means to ‘exer body who teads the entries printed each week. It means a lot more, though, to the boys who enter the contest. possess some of the finest books ever printed for boys. Look on page 3! if you want to know how to win a splendid prize. A World of Fun. (By Wm. Stevenson, Nova Scotia.) That man Smithers is a clever fellow. He can write with either hand.’’ : ‘Is that so? How does he do it?”’ ‘On a typewriter.” “Did old Green recover from that railway ’ White: accident ?’’ Black: ‘‘No: but his wife did—to the tune of two , thousand pounds. ”’ _ . Washington: ‘‘What’s the matter with your clock? ‘It’s stopped.”’ Tailor: ‘‘I never wind it up. “What do you mean?’’ © ene tick here.” » 58 I use it as a motto,’”’ ee 3oan, the baby has swallowed one of your pearl studs. we! ‘‘Well, for goodness sake send for the doctor right. I've got to wear that stud to-night.’’ away. _ A man who stuttered badly went to consult a. special- . Ist about his affliction, ‘The expert asked: ‘*Do you stutter all the time?’ “‘N-n-no,’’ réplied the sufferer, ‘I s-s-tutter only when I t-t-alk.’’ / There are funny incidents m the life of a photographer. A man came in the other day and looked over all the -.. $ainples, asking the price of each. “Do you want a sitting?’’ I asked. _ “*¥ don’t see nothin’ like what I want,’ he replied. that I might arrange it. _ *T don’t know as Jo: can,’’ he said, “‘for I don’t see nothin’ at all like what I want.’ + J repeated what I had anon said. - sit while he told me. You see, it’s like this,” te: began, ii hada Sin’ that He asked me to ive I told him that if he would indicate what he wanted grandmother. a loved, ‘and we was * going to he married, Sis had her things made up, and we was all but poe ieee ‘stg was it. And it would do just as well, It means a chance to 2 j taken ill and died, and what I wanted was a picture of me sittin’ on her grave weepin’. eo I was touched at the homely story of -grief, and told him I could send a man with him to the grave and have. the picture taken as he desired.’ ““Tt’s some distance,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s over in Ireland. I expect it ’ud cost a lot to send over your traps for what I want.’’ I said it would. ‘(] thought,’? he answered, ‘‘that mebbe you could’ ” rig up'a grave here in your shop and I would weepon _ It’s no trouble for me — to weep anwyhere.” Me Sle (at the désk): ‘‘ Dear, please tell me how to seit | costume. Tam writing to mother about my lovely new 4 gown, He; “Well, are you ra ea ne “¢Ves,’? "3 “*C-ost-, cost—-—?? uo ‘¢ Yes. y Dee “tue, to——?”, “Well?” ‘‘Me-, me—nine Foie: as yet unpaid,’? ae You’ re a wretch!”’ A Few Jokes. © (By Herman Heid, N.Y.) — Be suing ne CHILD. there was ech discusean among the members of family as to Wiss her uname should be. ‘I saw that name in a story once always wanted to try it on a baby.” poipinacs — “Oh,’? murmured the sect nd grandmother, “tha will never do; let us call her “Fanchon.’” — “But don’t you think Hitess rett odd, too?’’ put in « “Excuse me, la
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NICK SORTER wee sat near by, but you seem to Groctauee tid wae toyiae to find a name for a human being and not for a new brand of cigars.’ AT THE TELEPHONE, *Halloa, exchange, I want a thousand. fs “T know lots of people in your fix.’ “T say I want a thousand.’’ 63 2 Spe ay et Sep *So do E: ” “‘Don’t get impudent, miss.’ ‘*Don’t let that keep you er at nights.’’ ‘*T want to know if you are going to give mea thou- sand.’’ ‘*What for?’’ **Because I want it.’’ ‘‘Well, if you get it before I do, ring me up.’”’ ‘‘Are you going to give me a thousand.” “Wouldn’t a hundred do?’’ “No, I want a thousand or nothing.” fre ‘‘Well, don’t bother me if you do, I’m no savings bank.?’ ‘Will you or will you not give me what I ask for?’’ “Tf I were a man I’d hunt you up and give you some- thing you didn’t ask for. You are either insane or try- ing to be funny.’’ “*T think the shoe is on the other foot. I shall ask you once more, will you give me number one thousand — Brown, Jones & Robitson.’ “Oh, you. want the telephone number one—three ciphers. Why didn’t you say so before ?’’ ADDRESSED IN FULL. An amusing incident occurred tecently at one of the jarge new London hotels. A scullery maid in writing to her friends in Ireland used the hotel letter paper. The surprise of the manager may be imagined on finding a letter one morning addressed: Miss M—— Care of ——Hotel,; All modern improvements; lift. Tariff on appli- is cation. Terms motlerate. London, England. ; It was evident that the maid’s Irish friend was detet- mined the letter should not smiscarry for want of full directions. Never On the Market Before. (By Heury Godette, R. I.) Beat tt Why does a father who has a suit which is too large for him always use a ‘*d?’ to make them have a is good fit?’ Because it makes pa pad. - 2, Why do baseball players who have missed the ball for the third time, which is caught by the catcher, and are called out by the umpire, remind you of men who are standing i in front of the office where they are em- _ ployed, waiting for the owners to give them more pay _ before they go back in to work ? Because they are out on a strike. Ne 3. Why isa cobbler a hero? chal ae nie Because he is always coe some ‘poor soul (ole) #3 29 4. Why j isa | dee tlie Ade © bbaies? “Breau he’s dark colored. What word is that which has five letters, which wine two are taken out there are six heft? rans & Sixty. ive 6. What kind of a tongue is the toughest? A shoe tongue. "ee 7, What word is that, which has. six nee eat which when half of them are taken out there are ten left? Tennis. 8. Why is an egg like a pair of oxen harnessed up? Because in the center there is a yoke (yolk). 9. Why is a cobbler like a beet Because he uses wax. 1o. When is an empty. hottle full? When it is full of holes, bs A Letter From Ireland. (By Tom Healey, N. Y.) pee Sligo, Ireland, January 16; 1901. Dear Nephew: I take my pin in hand to tell ye of the sorrowful death of your cousin Mike about two months ago your uucle felt sick and went to bed in the morning he did not get up so we went for the docter and the dock gave him some bitther medicine and ‘the poor boy said he would rather take bitther as swate so long as both would have the saine taste and now I close ary let- ter Saling it in black wax with white and black paper. When ye get this letther kape it for two weeks before opining so as ye will be able to be ready for the sorrow- ful news, and when Mike O’Conner arrives in America ask him for the letter telling me of the sorrowful death of your cousin and if he doesnot know what ye meats tell it is the letther with the white and black paper seaied in black wax. So I close my letter with a good-by, Your loviug uncle, Patrick Michael MeCree. Telling Tales in Mississippi. (By C. M, Rodgers, Miss.) Buck Weaver says he was out hunting in a’ wild coun- try when he found a squirrel that was so wild that after seeing him it ran up a tall tree, as high as it could get aud finding it could get no higher he stuck his tail right straight up and tried to climb it. _ Bill Martin matched this tale with a ooo aise who ee
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Amateur Detective Work. Boys, in reading one of the Nick Carter stories did you ever try to think ahead and guess who was the criminal in the case? Each of the readers has a chance-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. Still, he can prove whether or not he isa good detective by trying to decide in his own mind what the solution of the mystery is before he has read to the end of the story. The earlier in the story he is able to make his.guess and the more accurate it is, the better detective he is. We want to see what sort of detectives the teaders of the Nick CARTER WEEKLY are. j We want one and all of you to write to us, telling us whether you were able to solve the mystery that Nick 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 points guided you in making your decision. Your letters will be printed in this column. It was Weare The first letter we print this week is a corker. so long that we could not print the whole of it. giving you the best part of it. In the opinion of the edi- “scription of a grave, or, rather, a ‘it is easily seen that the men are no strangers to the tor it is a model piece of detective work. Editor Nick Carter Weekly— Dear Sir: In the following analysis, aside from the hint furnished by the title and picttre, I shall endeavor to give the chain of deduction followed by me in getting at the core of the mystery. The novel, ‘‘ Nick Carter and the Professor,’’ opens in the first chapter with the de- vault robbery. In this, work from their absolute utilization of every second, and business inanner. Secondly, they are not merely getting a stiff for dissection—that is, an ordinary stiff, for no crook would risk his precious neck by murdering the watchman for the few dollars he would get from the medical students. And if it was an extraordinary one, what made it so valuable as to cause a murder, to have four men needed for lifting a single corpse, and to make such elaborate preparations for its safe trausmission: Hither some one wanted the body to dissect on account of a rare disease or wished it for some unknown pur- pose. such a person or knew that he would pay them highly for the subject. In choosing between these two alterna- tives, I was inclined to the former by the fact that a criminal, if not a condemned murderer already, or a ruffian of the Bill Sikes style, would hesitate before kill- ing a man, on the mere possibility of getting a large reward for the corpse. On the contrary, if he had been promised a certain amount of money, and it was large enough, he would when he had nearly earned his money not hesitate to strike down the man who stepped in and virtually snatched the money from his hand. The interview between Nick and Mr. Fielding furn- ishes us with a large quantity of data, which, properly used, ought to help us along a good distance. This iv- troduces us to Professor Drummond, rich, an intimate friend of the Hawleys, formerly a’ professor in a medical ¢ college, old, and, therefore, cranky. Drummond comes in as a suspect, one that will bear watching. He is old, PAC Anyhow, the ghouls either were in the employ of has known Hawley a long time, and it is probable that he has treasured up some unintentional slight and brooded over it in his hermit life, until he has developed it into an insult. Now, the question arises, if he hates Hawley, may he not have drugged the boy, and, by get- ting him alive into his power, inteuded to wreak his vengeance on the father thus. But thefact that the body was embalmed knocks this theory out. Even if the boy — had been drugged with this motive, the corps: would be of no use to the man. More data is necessary to find the utotive. Then comes the interview with Drummond. There, the queer talk, especially about the elixer of life, — not only settles the motive permanently under insanity, but show the reason for the elaborate plans, etc., and also give the finishing stroke to thé drug theory. x Yours truly, y Washington, D. C. Henry HAstincs. Editor Nick Carter Weekly— _— - Dear Sir: I have read your magazivies for about a mS year, and I think they are very good. - I have just read ‘!Nick Carter Strikes Oil,’ and I think it is a fine story. i I thought Claymore was the would. be murderer, for when the people came to the clergyman, and said he was a swindler, I knew he would think there was something wrong, and therefore expose Claymore. When I had read a ways I didn’t think Claymore was the murderer, but that he would hire some one else to. Bi do his dirty job. ‘ I think the way Nick caught the men very scientific. Best wishes to Nick, Chick, Patsy and Ida Jones. . I remain yours truly, Simcoe, Ontario. Good work, Ken. genuine detective instinct. wasn’t it? Ken D. Curistig, You showed you had some of the The case was a puzzler, FA Editor Nick Carter Wesily— ibd Dear Sir: I have been a very interested Medias af pone publication, Nick Carter ieee for Aone L
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. time, and have found the storiés hee ea a pace I enjoy thinking ahead: of story. “If ‘‘Nic because there were fourteen pages more to read, and they had to contain something. They could not tell about Hank Low, as he did not have sense enough to: lead Nick and Patsy a chase. Therefore, I surmised that Low was innocent, prrons, and may Nick CARTER WEEKLY never stop. Yours sincerely, . ny potatoes. 1G i ates BENJAMIN Guanvnane. Your. system was a very ingenious one, but. it would not work in all cases. The other pages might have related to another crime or the attempts to capture Low. However, your letter is a good one, and we,would like to hear from you again. ‘Editor Nick Carter Weekly — Dear Sir: I am. still a constant reader ef Nick CARTER WEEKLY and find I become more interested in Nick Carter every time I read of his fame. Of course, there area few other good weeklies, but none Detter and few so good.’ I. have just finished Nick Carter Strikes Oil; or, Uearthing more than a Murderer,’’ and felt very. sorry for the minister. ITam-very glad Jack Thomson got’ his deserts in.prison and think Claymore and Hamilton’ s fate was.none too hard for them considering how they tried, to sens that guilt upon poor Hank Low. ‘I send another joke to you, hoping i ie will win a prize of. some kind,’ I et Nick will have good luck forever, aL remain, P Asiagsila. N. Cy; Frep W. RockHeLp. Thanks for your sed wile, Fred. Your lettet is a very interesting and intelligent one. You are all right as an amateur detective. ate A-Little Humane. oc) (By Fred. Rockhold, N. C.):" “Ole Bill Ryan”? had never been to town before. He ‘was stalking up Main street, in that. gawky style pecu- liar to, all hayseeds. » Suddenly the street sprinkler dashied by, sprinkling as it'went. ‘*Gol derned, tdiey hev ter haul watter eroun in ther gol-derned cyarts. Wal, derned ef et ain’t leaking out,” was Bill’s comment, as the saw the water: ‘playing out ‘of the trap. So he set off on a brisk run to tell the driver. On'they raced until the driver stopped to take iti more “water at Chestnut street, nearly'a mile from where Bill rst saw it, Up came Bill panting and breathless. 4 “Mister, yer: wwagin es er-leakin’.’? ~* “Wells: I .guess I knows it,’’ said the deinen ‘a “Wal, "gol dern yer, who said yer didn’t,’’-said. Bill. . ‘worth of Tricks & Make-ups.sent postpald for 25 cents stampr or $i silver. retain tis a Beard, 1 er Side Whiskers aa any Spirit Gusto stick them on. Box ‘Burnt Cork te blackem ee fas ated Mopth, biz teeth, secret & apparatus for performing sieges ‘ ens oddone tosead 8 saw this in pei ; rter = Strikes Oil,’’ I was sure that Hank Be was not guilty ~ I wish you success in your publica-_ 50 Prizes = 50 Prizes There is a good chance for every boy in ournew . .. Funny Story Contest yO ALL KNOW what, rattling funny stories.we. printed in the recent contests. We are following them with another of the same kind, You*have just as good a chance inthis contest as any other . boy in America, whether you; entered the other contest or not, We want 3 More Funny Stories Think of the funniest story of which you hive Spee heard, or the best joke. Write it out and send it to us— » then look out for funny stories. We are publishing in this contest some of the best Side-splitters that ever came out of the joke factory. “Remember the’ prizes we aré offering. : In this contest there are Fifty New Prizes FIVE FIRST PRIZES The five boys: said send in. the five fun" niest stories will each receive THN BOOKS from: the list’ given in No. 280. The list-includes’ some of the: best de-. “tective stories, tales of adventure, ees most sseagiena 3° ; * boys’ stories éver written, © tee TEN SECOND PRIZES ide sha! : send in, the next, funniest stories will each receive any FOUR Pane they: may select in the list in No. 280) . The fifteen’ FIFTEEN THIRD ) PRIZE hale eae _ send us,the next funniest stories will each receive. any. THREE. BOOKS they may select i inthe list in No, 280. The twenty. beys who send in. next funniest stories: will receive any TWO BOOKS they may. select i in the list in, No. 980%! Ne HERE ARE THE DIRECTIONS. . This contest. awill ‘closey September ist, Remember, arheatie? your story wins a prize or not, it stands a pen chance of Being Dube j lished, together with your name.*» - To pee me a contestant for thase ptizes : Prize Contest Coupon printed herewith, fill it out Renerly. am mailit to NICK CARTER WEEKLY, care of Street & Smith, 238 V ie St., New York City, together with yout story. No story. will be considered that does not have this coupon. SECROTRERY, We dte pokey iggrtry ou must etit out the > | 2) @IOERPONE 06-9 or) “NICK 1 CARTER WEEKLY ee CONTEST M8, widte.as ot ait sted say ck ce ae
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY, | (LARGE SIZE.) The Best Detective Stories in the World. i ; 2@55—Nick Carter Challenged; or, Fighting a Powertul Baan: 256—Nick Carter and Arizona Take: or, The Big Westerner’s Part in the Cooper oe | 257-——Nick Carter in the Council of the Reds; or, The Plot of the Anarchists: a 258—Nick Carter and the Secret of the Tin Box; or, The Man Who Stole His Name. Pe 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 m4 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 ene 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. fis 268—-Nick Carter and the Broken Dagger; or, The Black Man from Borneo. -269—Nick Carter’s Advertisement; or, A ew Way to Catch a Criminal. 9” “8 270—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. are -272—Nick Carter and the Guilty Governor; or, The American Detective and the Russian Officer. i 273——Nick Carter in Canada; or, Showing the Way to a Treacherous Guide. 274—Nick Carter and the Smugglers; or, Thief-Catching on the Borde. 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. . ie _278—Nick Carter asa Mill Hand; or. The Fall River Murder Mystery Revealed. sa 279—Nick Carter and the Kidnaped Heiress; or, The Recovery of a Great Ransom. 280-—Nick Carter Strikes Oil; or, Uncovering More Than a Murderer. | a81—Nick Carter's Hunt for a Tecisues: or, A Fight for Life witha ospsidion: Foe, 282—Nick Carter and the Highbinders; or, The Great Chinese Mystery. Seta ha 283—Nick Carter Facing the Mob; or, Smashing’ the Red League. 284—Nick Carter -nd the Thirteen Club; or, Trailing a Triple Murderer. petits at 28s—Nick Carter's Chinese Puzzle; or, Patsy’s Little Game. iC) ; . 286—Nick Carter’s Pullman Plot; or, Following a Chance Clew. 287—Nick Carter's Wedding Gift; or, Landing an Old Offender. - All of the above numbers always on hand. If you cauntst get them from your Page |: five ys - cents a copy will. bring them to you by mail, postpaid. — a ; ae STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS, 238 William St., New York.
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oo aaa aaa aS McGOVERN CROSS-COUNTERS WITH HIS RIGHT. [The Artof Boxing « By PROF. DONOVAN pele) The only authentic work on Boxing now on the market. - pa THE CONTENTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS WILL cecal HAND BOOK HAND BUOK eae INTEREST THE MOST INDIFFERENT PERSON, 9 >=" . ve t| T is profusely illustrated with 37 elegant half- 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 haveever held the championship of their class. . The book is printed on good paper, clear, sharp type and bound in attractive illuminated cover. PRICE 10 CENTS ALL, NEWSDEALERS If sent e mail, 3 cents Semon for postage. dene ay' & Se PUBLISHERS NEW YORK tp ea can be no question about” the advantage of being able ing a When called upon to defend yourself you are always ready and box well. the manly art of boxing if practiced ra a as set forth in the pages of the book entitled “The Art of Boxing and Self Defense” will bring the muscles into play and transform a weak man into — a noble specimen of his race. " ; Vets! ‘Self Defensel| stery Revealed. (a Great Ransom. derer. 1a Mysterious Foe