Nick Carter Weekly (no. 80) (1898 07 09)

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dssued weekly. Subscription price, $2.00 per year. nterea us second class mater at the N. Y. vost ujice bys STREET & SmiITR, No. 80. NEW YORK, July 9, 1898, Price 5 Cents. ON THE BACK OF A TURTLE OR.BOB FERRET ANDTHE BIC MITT MEN. THE AMAZING SIGHT OF A STRUGGLING HUMAN FORM, RAKED UP, CARRIED UP BY THE LOADER SLANT BOARD bcd ke — GREETED SERRCOKERS STARTLINGLY.

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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. aecording to Act of Congress in the year 1898 by Street & Smith, in the O. i i Entered Tr] of gress i y Warkinatons 0 mith, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Entered as second class Matter at the New York, N. ¥., Post Office. Issued weekly. No 80. srreer & 87H, Publishers. Subseription price, NEW YORK. $2.50 per year. July 9, 1898. 5 Cents 81 Fulton 8t., N. Y. On the Back ofa Turtle Bob Ferret and the “Big Mitt” Man. —————— By the Author of ‘‘NICK CARTER.” d CHAPTER I. abilities had constantly developed, how- MURDER MOST FOU ee : a de After just completing a run for a bag amen of diamonds which some knaves had Biff! attempted to steal from an orphan heir- Bang! ess, still another case had come to the __A lively scene was in progress in the gymnasium of the Riverdale Academy. ‘The place was a superb drill room for juvenile acrobatic dexterity and juvenile muscles. It was made al] the more superb just ‘now because all-around school champion -“Jackson,’’ was showing what he could do with punching bag, horizontal bars and spring hammer. As ‘‘Jackson ”’ was really Jack Burton, crack athlete of Nick Carter’s famous de- tective school, his feats were more splen- did than wonderful to his two sole inter- ested watchers. org ‘These were his fellow professionals and school comrades; Bob Ferret and Buff Hutchinson. The three inseparable novices of the great New York detective had entered the college in order to run down a crime centring there. : “They had succeeded, but had_ lingered on the student rolls attracted by the life of jollity and variety. New calls upon ‘ their professional - front. It was on account of this ‘‘new case’ that the three student detectives were now in the academy gymnasium. Jack Burton was ‘‘practising’’ with a purpose! That purpose made the scene impres- sive. HEach member of the trio knew that an element of the tragic promised to lead muscular agility up to a most portentious climax within the scope of the next hour. “If Jack makes the run——”’ began Bob. _ ‘Which he will if anybody can,’’ put in Buff. ; ‘‘Taking more than seventeen min- utes——”’ ‘“The murderer goes free.’’ “*If under——”’ “It hangs the man!”’ “Keep tally, now!’? ordered Jack, giving a pair of Indian clubs a final pin- wheel swing and shifting his feet fora new exercise. ‘What you want?’’ queried Bob, = --*

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* & <a “T want to go through the six total strength tests.’’ “Come on—first test: back.” The college gymnasium was supplied with every possible scientific.aceessory. Jack made a hard, steady lift with stiffened legs upon the spring” dyna- moieter. “Don’t quite pull it to pieces!’’ rallied Buff. Strength of legs!’ called out Bob. Jack repeated the preceding lift, only this time with bent knees. ‘‘Porearms!”’ strength of “Miek Carter’s athletic marvel held ‘the? dynamometer squarely with the dial turned inward, squeezing the spring as hard as possible, ‘*Strength and capacity of lypgs ly pro- ceeded Bob. The way Jack made the steam-gauge pattern tester wriggle showed that he was simply untirable. **Strength of upper arm and chest!’’ “He beats the world on that!’’ ees Buff. There was something extraordinary i in the way Jack took a position of rest on the parallel bars. ‘Supporting his weight with straight arms and letting the body down until the chin touched a ‘tape suspended three inches above the level of the top of the bars, he raised the body until the arms - were fully extended. Jack ‘‘chinned’’ himself, with legs spread at full length as well, four times - beyond the skill limit. “Right hundred points!’ Bob aver- aged, as Jack came to his feet not a par- ticle ruffled, “That’s a hundred above the univer- sity football requirement, Ay = cae Buff admiringly. » ‘‘And two hyndred beyond the ae crew average,” nodded Bob. ‘Jack, you’re in trim!’’ ‘Then come on!” ‘Without resting ?”’ fe + mae Gian sta no rest, only playful exercise ea os haa from Nick Carter 1ge% z= NICK CARTER WEEKLY. The telegram alluded to had arrived early that morning. It condensed in a niatshell startling information, explicit direction. Three days previous all Riverdale—the academy included-—had been shocked with the intelligence of a terrible murder, An inoffensive old man named Albert Gordon had been found in a field near ‘his lonely house shot through the heart. The report of a firearm and his death- cry had been heard at exactly three o’clock in the afternoon by a farmer driving by. -It was not, however, until after the . discovery of ‘the body, many homrs later, that the farmer recalled this fact as vital- ly important. Naturally this crime attracted the pro- fessional zeal of the three young detec- tives temporarily at Riverdale academy. ‘Posing as merely interested, excited schoolboys, they had spent:half the night endeavoring to find a clue to the assassin. Not the remotest trace of his identity had been left behind by the murderer. Nick Carter’s three young novices were programing another day of investigation, when a~pointer came unexpectedly that morning. It was from Nick Carter himself. It was in cypher, and this was what it said: “In your vicinity, murder of Albert Gordon. ‘*Have inside information that is posi- tive that Gray Mapleson, king of the big mitt men, was at the tavern at Deepledge, — exactly three miles from the scene of crime, at 3:17 day of murder. ‘‘Am certain that he had a motive for killing Gordon—the possession by the latter of some incriminating secret. “‘Mapleson has run to hiding, but if we can prove one point, he must be hunted up and hanged. veTphat point: is as follows: “Mapleson is a crack runner of ac- knowledged swiftness. “Have.a proficient sprinter cover the course he must have taken in getting from the scene of the murder to Deep- ledge Tavern. “Tf you can find a person who can make this we ingide of seventeen min- 2 ee; “q- fen % Ne “ ty sft a ag \< 4; jo ee & rs <

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K utes, you land Gray Mapleson on the _ gallows.”’ _ ‘Famous Nick Carter!’? Bob Ferret had greeted this stirring telegram by ~ commenting—‘‘he knows everything!’ And thereupon the veteran thief- eatcher’s favorite had ‘‘found a person”’ - to test the seventeen minutes’ run—— * Jack Burton. Giant-muscled Jack now led his com- _ panions from the academy. : “Don’t let any of the students guess what we’re up to,’’ he cautioned. They took a course that would throw any curious trailer off the track. “What do you think, Jack??? pro- pounded Buff. F ‘About the run ?”’ & aN Senn ‘I’ve made five miles in’ the given time.”? ‘“But on a straight course ?”’ “And a good road—exactly.”’ ‘While this “ “Ts decidedly rugged, I confess. ’” "Ves, it’s through blackberry bushes, across fields, with fences to vault, wooded _. Janes to traverse, and all: kinds of other - natural obstacles.” ¥ . “Still, Mr. Carter seems to think he has spotted the murderer——’” began Jack. ; ; _ He is clear on that point,’’ nodded Buff. _ “That is why I think I will perform ~__ the feat.”’ You can, if Gray Mapleson did.”’ “And then——’’ began Bob. “To find the. assassin, for he is in hiding now—to learn his motive, and thereby must hanga mystery. Fellows! this is like they old-time, out-and-out _ lurid New York. city tragedies!’ declared Jack with energy. a2 cls; ‘The ‘big mitt? men thrown in asa side dish!) murmured Buff. “I like to run across those slick confidence fellows. _ They’ve taken some big tricks through this district lately.”’ — : We have. a further personal interest im running this affair down,’ suggested =. rew grim and serious as he ‘mean ?” insinuated Bob. — se 5 oe ; on NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 3 “The murdered man’s nephew is a fellow-student at the academy.’? ‘Ves, and his uncle’s sudden taking off has left his business in such vague shape that young Gordon will have to give up the idea of securing an educa- tion, unless we evolve some trace of the fortune Albert Gordon was supposed to have possessed.’’ ‘“There is the house,’’ announced Buff. “‘And now to get down to business!’ spoke Jack. The scene of the recent murder was deserted, except for themselves. The straightest course direct for Deep- ledge Tavern, three miles away, was no- where near road or even path. ‘‘Compare your watches,”’ Jack. The timepieces carried by Bob and Buff were found to correspond exactly. ‘“Now, then, who will take the starter’s end here?’’ questioned the pros- pective sprinter. , “Let Buff,’ directed Bob. ‘‘I’ll put ahead and post myself as agreed.”’ “You can get in position near the. tavern——’’ , rim ‘In forty minutes, at the farthest.’’ “Then at exactly two o’clock by Bufi’s watch, I start,’ said Jack. ‘*1°]] time you from that,’ assente Bob. : ‘‘And if the minute hand don’t hit the seventeen notch,’? voiced Buff, ‘‘it’s the gallows for Mr. Gray Mapleson !”” ‘€S-st!’? warned Bob sharply. He fancied he heard some one moving in the long grass beyond them. Then, no further indications of eaves- dropper or intruder materializing, he started from the spot. Bob had a torturous, difficult task in reaching the road not two hundred feet © ordered ‘from Deepledge Tavern. a todk: . grove sheltered from direct sight of the tavern, and Jack’s arrival would therefore not be conspicuously noticed. ‘Jack will hardly make it,’’ solilo- -quized Bob. ‘‘A fast walk and an occa-_ sional spurt took me over half-an-hour."’ — Bob sat his watch. “Now!”’ he uttered. _ It was just two o’clock, “Jack was starting—timed by down on a rock and took out® Buf’s mee

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Xe 4 NICK CARTER WEFKLY. corresponding ticker—from the other end of the course. 2:0 Bob watched the second hand, in fancy depicting his comrade’s dash through the briars and stubble. 2:10. “‘He’s climbing the fence a mile back,’’ pictured Bob—‘‘whoop!’’ Nick Carter’s youngest and brightest pupil had seen quick Jack do some pretty smart things. For all that, his eyes bolted now. ‘SJack !’” he hurrahed, with the im- mense enthusiasm of a genuine good fellow. Three hundred yards away, spinning from one thicket to another, was Nick Carter’s marvelous young athlete. ““Why! he’s made it in fourteen—say fifteen minutes!’ cried the surprised Bob Ferret. : ~ Jack dove out of view with an un- daunted wave of the hand, but due ten seconds later at. the end of the brief wooded reach. » \'*He’s made it, pe 7 Miatigs Gray Mapleson, that’s sure!’? soliloquized Bob. ‘*What’s that?” ‘It was-a shout. In Jack Burton’s tones! ‘ It was followed by a shot. ’ In Jack Burton’s immediate vicinity! —_— CHAPTER II. “RAKED IN!’ _ Bob Ferret gave a vivid start. - It was the motive power for a spring. : ‘‘Bedlam let loose!’’ he muttered— “‘that means something !””_ Bob made a bee-line for the wooded stretch that interposed a curtain between himself and Jack. _ ‘The shout had been startling. _ Under the present circumstances, ut- tered by Jack Burton, it certainly signi- _ fied something out of the ordinary _ The shot immediately following had _. been alarming. “It’s stopped Jack! fled outta ~ tragedy on a_ tragedy Be ttered the Agung detective. ‘‘Now, then—Jack!”’ __ Bob came at that moment within open rece a scene ke flooded his mind He fixed one point instantly. **We were seen, overheard, concerning the test run!’ he soliloquized, with em- phasis. Bob settled on a second decision with vigor and excitement. ‘Some one interested has tried to keep Jack from finishing the run!’’ The ‘‘some one’? was a man fifty feet across an open space. He was in the act of ‘“‘breaking” a re- volver to set a new cartridge. There was a second report. Jack had wheeled, his face aglare with indignation—more, anger. He fired with random haste but sure intent, for his bullet grazed the hand of the fellow beyond. Bob saw a red furrow trace every knuckle tip. Then a metallic spatter quivered to the chorus of a sharp, pinging tap. The revolver, struck squarely, went whirling to the ground. As if set in motion by the disarming catastrophe, its recent owner whirled, too, and darted into the shrubbery. Bob ran right up on his companion. §*Jack—who?”’ “Jack’s eyes were blazing. ‘An assassin !’’ he flared, wrathfully. ‘**He fired at you ?”’ ‘Direct!’ ‘*He was in ambush ?”’ ‘‘And the assassin !”? ‘ ‘*How’s that!’ ‘ ‘“Who could it be but the man most interested in preventing the seventeen minutes’ running test?’’ **You don’t mean Gray Mapleson ?’’ **1 do mean Gray Mapleson!”’ ‘*He’s given himself away, then.’’ “Dead. Get him!’ Bob Ferret started up magically. Action had come to the front. It was of the kind, always stimulating to the members of Nick Carter’s detective . school. A definite point was hovering, beckon- ing, the capture of a criminal. So clear was his identity, so crystal- like and apparent his motives, that Bob felt that he was running across the finish rather than the start of a new great ¢ case. es s S “It’s a a proposition avy Sane }

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back ee as he forged to the lead in what had turned into a.race. er vif it’s Gray Mapleson——’”’ _ ‘Himself or some of his pals—that I'll swear to!’ ©. _ **What is he a doing iene thee ¥ _ “What was he doing here on the day of the muruder?”’ . “That’s so!”? x **After something.’’ .~ Which he didn’t get?”’ . i -. *Which he has now probably come back to get,’’ declared Jack. _ “He heard us talking——”’ “Must have.” “Planted himself to knock out your - tecord.”’ ‘‘He hasn’t done it!’’ *‘Not at all.’’ * ‘<J’ye demonstrated that I can make - that run easily in ten minutes?”’ “Sure thing!”’ a =< Hes good : as hung—Nick Carter must 7 have hinging points that settle him.’’ **°When he’s caught!” ‘*Which is easy!”? , **I don’t know that.” “Say ee = : “He's burrowed !’* race thus together. © Not often had they faced the surprise, . however, that greeted them where the ‘spread again. Here was a swell, then a sweep, : Ri field. ‘and a A man was approaching with horses aud hayrack wagon. Attached to it was an automatic hay © scaler. = “Wait here!”? Hirected Jack. & He jumped across the wisps of hay, rounding like curled waves, and hailed the driver of the vehicle. -“Seen a man——”? he propounded, and described. The fellow had not, and stupidly nod- ded ao, keeping right ‘on with his lazy 4 To te “queer!””, commented Jack, bound- » back to Buff’s side. - Si toovelose. on | his heels for Bob and Jack had run many a nimble ; couldn’t have crossed the field SO (~ = NICK CARTER WEEKLY. = 5 “*Circle it—let’s see.’ , The stretch was a feted one, mostly saplings. It afforded no big hollow trunks in which a person could hide—the brush was low and sparse. ‘“Not there,’? reported Bob, as they came together at the juncture of their run- ning ring. ‘*He took the field, then.” Jack surveyed it, more critically this time. _ “Suppose our man’s burrowed under some of that,’’ suggested Bob. “Suppose ‘he isn’t!” ‘It’s possible.’ ‘*Not thick or high enough.’’ ‘*¥ don’t know that.”’ Jack began to grow troubled. **T don’t like it!’ he said. ‘Why! we’ve scored an immense-point in carrying out Nicke’Carter’s instruc- tions, anyway,’’ cheered Bob. “‘Doubly so, for the shooting enforces all suspicions.’’ ‘‘Well, then ?’’ “Only, Mr. Carter says the Pig, mitt man has taken to hiding.”” _ ‘¢What of it?” ‘*That means that he can’t put that dextrous hand of his on him right away ; that our accidental finding of him here is a big hit of Iuck.”’ ‘Yes, words count full weight with our patron.”” *‘So, When Mr. Carter says that our test settles all points, we've a fresh hunt to make for this sli ppery Gray Mapleson. I wish we’d nabbed him.”’ ‘‘We must nab him!’ . ‘“The nearest covert is that stock-farm yonder, and he couldn't have got there without wings.’ By this time the hay wagon was turned quite a distance across the field toward the place indicated. Jack, sweeping his eyes over rack and loader, they suddenly became a on both. . ‘*Hello!’? he muttered, : ‘‘Hello!”? he shouted. = & Bob started and stared. A terrific yell rang out. It proceeded from the oe ot the rattling sot vehicles.

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sharply. 6 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Frightening the horses, these spurred up, rattling more than ever. ‘“That’s queer——’’ ‘began Bob. “*It’s crooked—I see!’’ cried Jack. So dol!” « ‘Our man!’’ A prompt supposition struck those harmonious minds simultaneously. On a keen run the two young detec- tives pnt across the field. That shrill cry, repeated in short, sharp, terrrorful accents, guided thei, enlightened them, The hay-loader was loading up and over into the rack something else besides ~ cured grass! The amazing sight of a struggling, dis- torted human form, raked up, carried up the loader slant-board, greeted the lookers startlingly. | ‘‘He was hiding in the loose hay on the ground——"ebegan Bob. “The rake tines have caught him!” put in Jack. “Look!” The black, struggling object was flat- tened, wrenched, dragged, driven upward more furiously than ever, as the team was urged faster by the framtic cries. Up to the top of the slanting platform the scurrying form was run, head first. Then, like a bag of grain shot over into a hopper, it went hurtling into the hay load. ‘*He must be half-killed!’’ commented Bob. s **Stop that wagon!’ yelled Jack. Wagon and horses were in the race now, however. The fugitive had sunk from view after his sensational dive, as if into a snow- bank. - The horses were going pretty fast— they went faster, as something suspicious, £6 Sacks way of thinking, occurred. The hay loader suddenly broke loose, or was cut loose, Lead-lightened, the horses covered ground at an augmented pace. “He did that!’ proclaimed Jack, “The man we’re after?" - ““Didn’t he ?”” ‘ a. ee _ . “ RT oe a SE ae Renta ce eS ae At the back of the receding rack a plunging figure was now, revealed. It was the fugitive, and he drapped to a hanging position, looking back, and poised as if ready for a jump. | He was beribboned, his hat was gone, his hair looked like a scrubbing brush. That tussle with the loader must have been a fearful one, but he seemed by no means beaten yet. Suddenly he jumped to the ground. This he did because the driver had got coutrol of his startled horses, which be-- gan to slow up, i With the start he had, the fugitive was® now moderately certain of reaching the fence beyond first. ‘Wing him!’ ordered Jack briefly, as the fellow’s speedy sprint showed that his limbs at least were not disabled. “Too cute for us!’ answered Bob. The runner was. He kept the side or the rear of the hay load between himself and his pursuers. Then, as the latter gained the wagon, the fence was a barrier, for he had put past it through an open board gate. 4 A minute later Bob and Jack dove to- gether through the same aperture. ‘‘Where?’’ propounded the former. The likeliest place suggested itself to both at once. The front of an enormous stock shed, streaked and dripping apparently with calsomine or paint just applied, showed roominess. and crannies within and be- yond. : Jack slipped and Bob nearly tumbled as they crossed the wet, whitened space in front. “ ES Bob’s eyes, however, snapped as he noticed’ preceding footmarks. ‘‘He came this way!’’ he declared. ‘‘That door?’ “*Tt slides.’ The twain made for the door in ques- tion. ts ‘Pump!’ gasped a voice beyond it. “Fello!’’? muttered Jack. ~ ‘““That’s his voice ?”’ ‘Tf I know anything about voices!” Flop went a wicket window shield. “Pump—I’ll pay you well!” was re- _ peated in urgent tones. tg The fugitive was breathlessly direct-;_ » ey Vor

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g, bribing, some one with him beyond e barrier. _**Get back!” shouted Bob, suddenly. - **Put ahead !’? grimly directed Jack. But both halted. ~ A novelty-in criminal warfare greeted hem. ° _ Gray Mapleson—if the fugitive was indeed,’as they supposed, the king of the big mitt men—hai opened fire on them With a decidedly unique weapon. * Flip! ; = Splash. . Splatter! ; ab -In dismay the two young detectives tecoiled. bis CHAPTER III. THE GOLD ‘‘BRICK.!’ “Jack Burton was dashed back as by a flaming sword, _ A power more potent than the strongest arm he had yet met proved an irresistible mendees ne a .{Take care!” he warned, sharply. Bob Ferret whirled like a teetotum. He heard, saw, knew what was coming. _ , The immense stock sheds were being perisamtected. ene: ae ‘The process was being done in a whole- sale way. - Siti (oe teen A mixture of chemicals and kalsomine in some great vat was being played with a hose instead of applied with a brush. — _ This system Bob had seen in vogue in “many great rough city buildings—he _ knew his danger, and backed to it. _ **Keep your eyes shaded, whatever you do!” he ordered. ‘ 3 They could hear the hand-pump work — _ that forced the mixture through the hose. c “The fugitive had evidently bribed its manipulator to assist in covering his Ste Nee ROL «Sete hag res ___ A splatter sent Jack’s hand _up to his Sash, more careful and spry, began edg- g sideways like a nimble dancer. “Out of range!’’ he reckoned, and got around to the side of the shed. _ Its boards here were long, warped, held only on two widely separated beams. Bob selected the one he fancied must oe directly in range with the man aiming NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 7 He took a glance at Jack beyond him. Turning like a blinded Samson, Jack was trying to get his eyes clear. Bob gave himself a springing leap. Then he came against the broad cracked board like a boy jumping.on a kindling stick to break it. It gave like a willow splint—he bolted forward amid-a crack like a pistol shot and a shower of broken splinters. His quick eyes took in everything of a shed interior as ‘he slid across a wet, slip- pery floor. The hose was spurting, but, its nozzle fixed between two nails in the wicket, no one was directing it now. “You rascal!’ shouted Bob to a man pumping away in one corner of the side of a eistern vat full.of the mixture. /.' Told to.” “By a‘stranger!’? ‘*Paid to.” **By a crook!?? **J’m no moralist!’? ‘“Where is he ?”’ “How inuch will you. give?» grinned the fellow. . **Ouick!”’ Bob flung him a silver dollar. ‘That Inuch worth ?—he gave me an X!?? jeered the man. “Tl give you a licking if you delay me!’ declared Bob, sharply. s He made a menacing dart at the hire- ing. ist _ The latter evaded a cuff by pointing to © one of several doors at the end of the shed. | : Bob put forit. His first glance, once outside, was instantly enchained by a sight of the very man he was after. . A ricketty pair of steps led up to the top of a second stock structure. The fugitive was ascending these, and his leaps became springs as he saw Bob. The roof was flat that he reached fifteen seconds ahead of Bob. He sped down it, and Bob after him. Then as he neared its end, a hopeless drop, a hopeless run, even if he landed safely, confronted. er Bob caught full sight of his face as he — turned, ie Sith lt waters “Good as a photegraph,”’ he congratu- lated. ‘‘Never forget you. Hey—your grit, anyway!” .

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8 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. The man was, but desperation sheer and frenzied made him so. He had turned his glance to the yard below and he followed the glance with a bold jump. Two hostlers were holding a great, vicious-looking stallion. They held each a strap twenty feet long secured to bitrings, and even at this safe distance kept their glance on the glaring- eyed, champing animal as if it was a on a direct course, it would fly like the wind. He gave a spring—timing, calculating, hazarding. He was whipped about with a frightful jerk as he flung out both hands-to stay a drop under the battering hoofs of the horse. : One hand grazed and clutched the arm of the frenzied rider. The other struck a clamp like a vise tiger. about one ear of the frantic steed. Coming toward them was a_ third Lashed about, whipped up and down hostler. Bob grasped and flapped. Bob had to look quick to take in every- thing, and fancied at first that this man was drgying another by the hair of the head over the ground / Instead, however, he saw that the figure was a dummy. ‘ A frightful double yell rang out as the fugitive came poising down for the saddle of the stallion. 7 He landed in it with a scream of mortal agony.: ‘“The spiked saddle!’ roared one of the hostlers, and let go his strap. Bob Ferret felt his flesh creep, his nerves jar. ‘Come down!’ he panted, pulling de- terminedly at the rider. The fugitive’s face was the playground of terrible suffering. Still, the gritty persistency of a reckless desperado flaslied in his ferocious eyes. He glared at Bob, he tried to shake him loose. The horse spun around with a whirl like a top. “Drop yourself!’ hissed the man. Into his breast went one quick hand. Out it came, poising something that to Bob looked like a square of metal. ‘*Take it!’’ shouted the man. Quick-thinking, he traced” out the So fiercely did he strike that the situation. weapon slipped his grasp, although it ~ The saddle was spiked to fasten in the landed with terrific force. ; dummy. pres Bob went flat—the missile with him. He felt as if a ton weight had cracked his skull. Then, in a dizzying whirl, horse and rider seemed to flash clear to the horizon, beyond it. He struggled up through all the mani- fold half-blinded, half-dazed stages of a person resisting a tirrible shock. ‘‘He’s gone!’ words struck his ear. “‘Jack—pursue!’’ _ ‘The horse is a flash.”’ — Some other——”’ ‘‘None near in reach. He’s got away.”’ “But in terrible shape! What did he strike ine with ?”” Bob Ferret got up at the reply. It was sufficiently unexpected to prove stim ulating—— ‘*A gold brick.”’ ~ No mortal man until now had probably 7 ever dared to mount the horse. This one had done so by accident, en- ‘countering an agony that must have been frightful. . 2 ; ~~ The man lugging the dummy stared, dropped his load, and ran. _. The other hostlers, abandoning the holding straps, darted for shed cover. ‘The stallion arose on its hind feet with a neigh that had something unnaturally ferocious and rageful in it. The fugitive—stuck. The natural color of his face was near- ly as white as the splotches that traced it, but he clung. _ He uttered just-once that awful cry of - pain. Then his teeth shut in mute agony, and he grasped the bridle with both hands. — - Bob saw that in’ h the horse would make a bolt. = No obstacle could sto it—once headed 5 F2 = 54 han : a ital ae at 'p * > . rae ae ‘ 7S ge ag >

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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 9 CHAPTER IV. THE VANISHING ADDRESS. '. “A gold brick? repeated Bob. — *One of the tools of the fellow’s trade, es. $3.—, “Carried around with him like a busi- ness card on such an occasion as this?” hinted Bob, incredulously. = “It looks:so.”’ ~ ‘Oh, no, Jack! Let me see 173 ‘There it is. What is it?”’ Jack handed it over, turning to one of the hostlers he had evidently spoken to before. ‘‘Hustle if you want to get in the trap with me!” the man said hurriedly. _ “And see what-we can do about fetch- ing that stallion thief to terms ?’’ ‘*What else?”’ “Bob, get back to Buff,’’? continued Jack to his associate. **No room for me?’’ ““Scarcely.”’ ‘¢Shall we follow ?”’ ‘No, wait my report at the academy.’’ “All tight.’ _Jack moved away rae hostler, and Bo forthwith started back for the course = ee had been run with such exciting eld on!’? hailed sits: ___- Jack made a sudden return dive for his 2a _ companion. *€ “JT forgot to tell you,’’ he said, hur- eons nat” {On the course to the: tavern——”” he oes 2° a Passed two fellows.” at of it?” “Got out of their range, started after. Just tho e, although they ht Ghat,?* 1. _ Mapleson?” oir a sucty probably.” “Buff and I will find out.” - And we'll send ‘a collective note’ to Nick Carter on results, when we meet at the academy.” — »” : SV 5 had something to tell Jack in re- he did not deem the moment an » OV me ‘Possibly two» friends of this Gray steries are eee si re- Bob spoke as he got outside the stock place. He tapped the ‘“‘gold brick’’ in his hand as he did so. There was a significant expression- to that tap, as if Bob considered that much of this alleged mysteriousness appended to its singular and startling appearance on the scene, Bob knew what a ‘‘gold brick’’ was, from having seen the same before a good many times. The police headquarters at New York city had such specimens numerously. Nick Carter’s own home cabinet of curiosities contained quite a variety of these mementoes of gulled farmers. “The ‘‘gold brick’? Bob well knew was one of the solid foundation stone im- plements of the proficient ‘‘big mitt’’ man. Posing asa plunder-hampered burglar, a returned miner, a mint defaulter, his favorite trick was to rope in a victim on this wornout scheme whenever other sources of trickery failed. Bob weighted this especial brick with a very leery eye. He shook it, he rubbed some of the dirt and kalsomine off from it, and studied its surface keenly. Then, quite thoughtful and preoccu- pied, he slipped it into a pocket and hur- tied across the field where its rece owner had been so sensationally ‘‘raked in,’? “Something to look up!’ he told him- self. Bob reached the thicket where Jack had terminated his great test run of the early afternoon. He had scarcely left it half-a-hundred : yards.on his way to Jack’s starting poiut _ —the scene of the merder—-when’ he saw © Buff approaching. “Got tired waiting,” explained his comrade, “What of Jack" ‘*He made it.2’ “Inside of seventeen minutes oe re oc a i aaa =s en it =z > “Sot Tob. ' “What's that for, now » “Don’t mention. names, Buff. I'm Bae soir nem that pees nevk. re

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_— 10 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. the starting place gave our game the hint.”’ ‘*Qur game?”’ “Gray Mapleson.”’ ‘‘He isn’t around!’ exclaimed Buff, with a start. ‘‘We have every reason to think he was—Jack is after him now.’’ ‘Vou don’t say so!”’ Bob recited a brief explanation. When he alluded casually to the brick, he produced it. “That thing fascinates me, Buff,’’? he confessed. ~ Buff turned it curiously over and over in his hand. “It’s light, even for brass,’’ he re- marked. t-That’s beet aide it’s hollow.”’ ‘Certain of that?” **Listen |’? Bob shook it. “Sure enough—it rattles.”’ ‘‘Which means it’s got i in- side.” ““That’s good calculating !’’ **And that it opens.”? * “And © what?s inside will give us a ig “Of the motive: Maybe. Some one yonder!” fic Bob pocketed his queer find hastily and bent his ear with a eseneniniy flash of the eye. A whistle too peculiay: to be casual had struck his hearing. Sot _tteatd sat as I came over,” said tell you.’’ “Why ?? “*It may be one of the two fellows Jack ran across loafing in the woods. He dropped a hint that they might be pals of. this fellow, Mapleson.’’ **You want to know if it’s so.” Bob Ferret became the engrossed pro- fessional immediately. The grinding whistle and Buff’s ex- plicit statements concerning: the same combined to give Bob an instant idea of | the direction to strike for. ‘Wait !? Bob spoke imperatively ten minutes later. The whistle had sounded again, and » he fancied they must be getting near the signaler, He was sure of it as rounding a rise_he distinctly heard a shout. “Let ne doa little reconnoitzing,’’ he directed. Bob made his way cautiously up to a spot where he imagined he had seen a flitting form. ei aad Crawling through some Btshes and peering close to a deep, wide gully, he drew still and stiff as a statue. A man stood uot ten feet away, and he was craning his neck to look over ee chasm and beyond. ‘He was not whistling now—he was ~ shouting: **Halloa—where are you ?’’ “Go slow!’? droned a hail, and a sec-_ ond fellow came into view across the gully. “Well!” he said disgustediy, observing the space that parted them. “Pve been signaling you hour!’ testily declared the other. “Tye been trying to find out where I’m at double that time!’? © Bob studied the speakers. “If the cut of their jib don’t eae the con man and _three-card — Vl give it up!’’ he soliloquized.~ half-an- “(See here——’ began the man near to Bob, somewhat obstreperously. ‘Don’t bawl so! ‘«Come over, then.”’ ‘Got any spare wings!”?- “Then we'll ete nee till the ‘sides. Po ee a I’ve something to

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‘“Till we find Mapleson, then.’’ ‘You won’t find him.’’ “Rh 2? ~ **Trouble.’? **What’s that?” ‘What I said. You know how he came running from Gordon’s, a spell back ?”’ ‘With the fairy story about Nick Car- ter being onto the tase?”’ ccohat’s it.’’ ‘*And some swell sprinter going to see ' if he could reach Deepledge in seventeen “minutes ?”’ “Tt was no dream—the boy we spotted and let slip us was doing just that!’ Se “Whew 9 \ - *Mapleson must have tried to head him off, farther on.’’ “Did he ?”’ “And got into all kinds of trouble. I saw a farmer taking hay, who says a fel- low answering to his description got a ~ fearful mauling in his loading machine, and was chased by two young fellows bound to get him.”’ “Did they get him ?”’ ‘‘Guess not, reckon not, but it shows _ the chase is on.’’ OWell?? 5 4 ‘We don’t want to get spotted, so— make—city.” — eee ‘ ~ Together?” , *¢Alone—waste—time,’? _ sae "The wind bore away the far voice, and Bob did not dare to creep any nearer or _ change his position. ~ *€ Alone!’ he heard the man not six feet from him exclaim. ; : | ust cnt—that’s all, and hustle. Every -. manforhimself.? . — . oe = > oa s _~ «Did Mapleson get the brick?” 7 ae? eran Bob, and pressed the object in question with all kinds of fer- vent conjectures as to its importance. : . “Hedid. . Come quic now!??) ca “Hold on! holdon!? ah Some inaudible words. crossed, the ~ _ chasm. blend aaitons eee _-—-s- “Where? where?’’ spoke the fellow nearest. ~ ie The tormenting breeze was at fault i. of ‘Repeat the number!’ ‘Forty-two.’ Bob heard that. Pa, OE eae ae NICK OARTER WEEKLY, ll **And the street —wait! ble memory—forty-two, forty-two——”’ The man began poking in his pock- ets. He found a pencil, but it had no point. He threw it aside, fumbled, and brought out a square of chalk—the me- mento of some billiard cue practice. ‘‘Hlere’s a stone,’’ he spoke, stooping. ‘“‘Number forty-two? All right. Got it, and the street? Got it. I'll report there soon asI reach the city, There it is! Now to copy on a card. Havel gota card ?”? Bob craned his neck as the fellow across the gully disappeared. The man _ remaining, scrawling the street and number his fellow had shouted over to him, had straightened up. Fumbling for a card and another pen- cil to transfer the address, he obstrueted Bob’s range of view of the chalk chroni- cle. . “Capital! Things are thickening!” muttered the interested young detective. ‘“The brick is the essence of the whole affair, as I guessed. And I’ve got it! But that address? I’ve got to have that, too, at all hazards!’ = The man he was watching found 4 card. But he could not find a second pen- cil after hastily He started to look for the one he had cast away. o As he stooped to regain it, he drew aside from the object on which he had scrawled the address. The letters it bore were too far away for Bob to read. The object that bore them, however, was not so far away but what Bob could make it out plainly. For the life of him, as he did so, Nick Carter’s young detective could not express a tinging yell. Level-headed as he was, Bob Ferret was urged to make-a bad break despite his sound sense and self-control. ¥ For an amazing thing was happening. The address on the “‘stone’’ was mak- ing off as fast as it could go! I’ve a terri-? @>

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=a Py) 12 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. CHAPTER V. HIDE AND SEEK. The address on the ‘‘stone’’? was mak- ing off, moving away, and Bob irrepressi- bly started forward to deter it. The address was important to the fel- low who had written it. It was absolutely vital to, lick Carter’s young detective ! Bob felt that he was not rratatalcen in estimatingsit to be a direction to some se- cret haunt of the big mitt men. That meant the possible hiding place of the murderer of Albert Gordon. ‘*Hi!’’ shouted the man Bob had been watching. He gave a statt that bolted him squarely into the plunging Bob. ‘Let go! let go!’’ vociferated Bob. ‘“‘Who you?” “Tt’s getting away!’’ “Eh! What's getting away?’ The man was struggling suspiciously— ~ Bob’s ardent fervor was centred alone on the strangely moving address. ‘*What you wrote.” ‘*What’s that to you—prodigious!”? “Stop it!” ‘“The stone I wrote on!’ marveled the gaping fellow. “*Tt’s no stone.’ “It’s running.’”’ **It’s—a turtle!’’ A turtle it was—big, dun-colored, flat- shelled, asleep in the sun, the man’s glance. had singled it out casually. His careless hand had made a tempo- rary memorandum pad of what looked no different than the rocky chunks about it. ‘Forty-two!’ he yelled. ‘‘But the street? Say! I’m absent-minded——”” Pll help you.” ‘*Get away !” ‘“It’s creeping into that crevice!’ ‘*You’ll tip it over the edge!” Bob made a desperate scramble, but the __ man got in his way. Bob changed his tactics—he would abandon any effort for the possession of the turtle. “Just a glimpse of the address !?? counted Bob. ‘But he cotinted without his host. 4 The turtle was now traveling trans- versely, almost turned around from square oe See _ man. Even if the writing had been perfectly plain he could not have made it out, and that it wads not. “*Korty-two what?’ “'There—got TEU He gave the ‘turtle a kick with his foot. It turned on its back. He reached to flop it between his feet and hold it. *Ouch!”’ **Look here e “Take it off!’ “Drop it, and it will let go.” ‘*Murder—wow!”’ The man was dancing a wild jig now. The turtle had snapped its jaws over one thumb. Swinging it, bawling, the pain-mad- dened victim made it cut the. air like a club. So vigorous were his frenzied maneu- vres that he did more. than he counted on. It let go or was swung loose. ‘*You’ve done it??? cried Bob sharply. ‘“Which the : ‘““Where is it?” ‘*How do I know!”’ Bob himself really wondered where. The fling had been so sudden, that except that the turtle went up he had no knowledge of its fate. ‘“Interfering !’” scolded the man, nurs- ing his thumb and scowling. Bob scanned the spot sharply. Then he began climbing up the round- ing rocks that backed the-gully edge. He poked among crevices, and he peered into clefts. ‘Mighty interested, you!’” flared up the man watching him. He was getting suspicious, now he had time to think. ‘‘T live around here,’’ explained Bob. “That don’t make you perfect!’’ ‘‘Who said it did?” ‘What's the turtle to you?’’ ‘What's a turtle to any boy?’’ Bob kept investigating as he talked. He was dreadfully anxious to lave an unhampered Opportunity of scaling for the turtle. He must get the address its “hard shell bore—it might be the pivot of the sale case. floundered the

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g es 3 a NICK CARTER: WEEKLY. 13 Ri: ‘*Here’s a. hole,’’ he muttered. ‘Do He began arranging his disordered : turtles favor holes in rocks, I wouder? attire. = Oh, the deuce!” : Buff looked quite alarmed as Bob’s cs Bob spoke half the sentence in the hand came to a stop at his~ breast as if - “outer ait. electrified. = The balance was in a muffled, squeezed His face turned white and worried. ___ utterance, inaudible beyond some wedge- “Got a heart spasm—it’s from toppling a like orifice into which he had plunged. head first » began Buff, x Up to the waist he was caught, good and tight. ~ He squirmed and shouted for help. Then he beat a tattoo on the rock with his shoe toes. This must have attracted the attention of the man below, for almost immediately Bob felt him pull at his limbs. He was that clumsy, however, that - Bob came up an inch or two only to drop back tighter than ever. Suddenly «all efforts to rescue him ceased. Suddenly, too, some intuitive sense ‘told Bob that he had been abandoned to his fate. He shouted for Buff now—-the affair had gone so far that his appearance on the scene would not particularly compli- cate affairs, Buff, however, ‘\~ hear him, ‘Bob . himself to kicking. 2 “7°11 have to drop hevated ye’ he de- cided—‘‘against what? My head i is get- ting dizzy, and——”’ Bob felt a renewal of the tuggings at his feet. Dexterity and sense were employed in a far different touch, however. “*It’s Buff!’’ he inwardly rejoiced. ene * sake, what ?’’ giclee his ear: é was pulled out into daylight. Be creat twas you,’’ panted Bob. ealized, and confined ‘ou here???’ Cee! s ag oT eaanbled x “The man_ who went away didn’t put « _. ‘in here?’ ___ No—has he’ gone away?” _ “On a tight run.” co ben ?”” . ie ve gaincites ago.” ier eer !?? ‘He looked excited.” Bob could not exactly figure out this “iting sbandonnest the turtle by the no possibility could ““No!”? gulped Bob. ‘*What, then ?’’ ‘That man!”? “Well ?”? ““He’s got the gold brick !”” **Bob, it isn’t so!”’ “Took !?? The pocket sides were torn and loose. ‘*Sure you didn’t drop it?’’ ‘‘Never—that’s why he left so quick, that’s why he looked excited |” “Hold on—where you going ?”’ ‘*After him!’’ vociferated Bob. “It’s no use, but I’m with you.”’ ‘Buff! this is a fearful miss !’’ lamented Bob. ‘“He knew what it was?’’ “Of course he knew it. The brick half- slipped out of my pocket—he recognized it at once. We’ve missed. I’ve bungled the whole affair!’ Three fellows met on the road leading _ back to Riverdale Academy just two hours later: It was purely accidental, the coming together, and not at all consolatory. Jack looked as if he didn’t care about talking, as he faced the others. ‘You needn’t ask about Mapleson,”” he told Bob. ‘*He got away ?”’ “Could he help it? A fellow with the nerve and endurance of a Comanche, mounted on a hurricane of speed!’ ‘Well, we know one thing,’’ spoke Buff, ‘‘the run from the spot of the mur- - der té the place where Gray Mapleson 4 Was seen seventeen minutes later can be ; covered in fifteen!” > “We'll wire Nick Carter that; ” nodded Jack—still a little dispiritedly.. “It’s all he wanted to know, isn’t it 7" queried Buff. “Yes, but to have our. nan right in our clutches would have si: ified every- thing.’’ “And the gold brick !” sighed Boh— hes ee eee > oa

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14 ‘tah! that was the fool career !’’ ‘*Have to mend it some way!’’ cheered Buff. ‘‘By beginning all over again,’ in- sisted Bob—‘ ‘that’s the only way. That isn’t. the worst.’’ Jack and Buff looked curiously for the further record of complication. *‘T had an address—an important ad- dress,’’ pronounced Bob. “Did it get away from you??? ques- tioned Jack. “Literally !? ‘*How? >?) ‘It was on a turtle’s back.’’ ‘*What you giving me?’’ » “Straight goods. It was oma turtle’s back——”’ . ‘Say!’ broke ‘‘say that again!” ‘“T’ve said it twice already.”’ **Ves, but you mean—that is—not up where I found you sticking in the hole?” floundered Buff. ‘Just where you found me adieu in _ the hole.’’ - *A—a—turtle?”’ **What’s the matter with you!’? ‘“‘Chalked on back—street, number ??’ ‘‘Hey! You saw it?’ challenged Bob, in a quick glow of hope. : “Ran right across my track as the man i ran away, and I came up to you.”’ **Did you notice it?’ ‘‘Nick Carter has taught us to notice ~ everything curious. A chalk-plastered turtle was.”’ ; **T should think!’ murmured Jack, “Oh, if you can remember!’ fluttered nliss of iny in Buff, excitedly— “Certainly, lve got it—made a note of that address, Eooueht it might fit in somewhere.’’ | 5 ‘(Does it! p) “Want it bad?” | *Tt’s the one saving clause in view!’ i Bob’s eyes danced and Jack Burton looked grimly satisfied as Buff Hutchin- son took out a letter. On ‘its back was a scrawl—figures, words. © It was the runaway address. “There you are!’’ he said. Buff!’ cried Bob ot ae Goths ike the day!" p? energetically, ae - NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ‘“What is it, anyway??? inquired Jack. ‘“The address to the secret haunt of Gray Mapleson, king of the big mitt men of New York city!’’ replied Bob Ferret. _ CHAPTER VI. THE ARMLESS FOE. New York city, midnight—and Nick Carter’s three expert novices at work, might and main. The metropolis was going to sleep as Bob, Jack and Buff parted at a corner on upper Broadway. “Fully posted, fellows?’’ queried the former. Jack nodded, and Buff answered with a quick snap of his bright eyes. “*And fully equipped,’’ proceeded Bob. ‘‘With a proper leave of absence from Riverdale Academy,”’ spoke Buff. ‘‘And explicit instructions from Nick Carter,’’ added Jack. The mysterious Gordon murder case was now in coherent control with the young detectives. They had hastened to New York city personally, soon as they were satisfied that it would be waste ofstime to hunt for Mapleson, his accomplices, or the lost gold brick in the vicinity of Riverdale. Jack felt pretty glum over the fact that the big mitt man had escaped them. Bob was rather sore over the lost brick." Nick had treated both breaks as trifles, however.” ; ‘‘You have demonstrated what I want to know,’’ he insisted. ‘*’fhe course from the scene of the Gordon murder to Deep- ledge Tavern can be covered in seventeen minutes. ?? ‘And that hangs Gray Mapleson,’’. surmised Buff. “When we find him,”’ Giictllated Jack. “That is the balance of your work— simple, plain and practical,’’ said the ex- pert veteran. ‘‘I have the thorough evi- dence that Mapleson was at Deepledge Tavern at 3:17 on the day of the murder —of visits to and quarrels with the vic- tim.’ ands the motive, Mr. Carter = in- quired Bob, “Try and Pick that up incidentally, Bob. ” - ‘ ~~ I hadn’t lost the geld brick |” ST Shee

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NICK CARLER WEEKLY. ot) “Try and pick that up, too.’’ **I’]] do it or retire from the business !’’ cried Bob, nettled and mettled at the same time. With plain plans and instructions, the trio started out that same evening. There was no positive assurance that Gray Mapleson would go to the address one of his accomplices had written on the turtle’s back.. : ~~ It seemed a_ straight tip, a clear pointer, but skilled Nick Carter gave some good advice. “Don’t put too many eggs in one ~ basket,’’ he directed. The scheme of search and surveillance was therefore divided up, . Buff was sent to find out all he could about an alleged lawyer, who Nick stated was liand in glove with the confidence agent, the respectable poser of the crowd. His name was Aaron Trull, and his haunts and associates were to be watched closely by the ex-king of Pas New York newsboys. Jack was to devoté see next twenty- four. hours toward learning what he could of sundry recent visits, of the mamrpexed : man to New York at eras aare Bob was to watch, penetrate, if he ' deemed best, the place designated in the _address Buff had copied from the back of the turtle. “When the trio parted at midnight on ‘Broadway, it was with the agreement to _ report at Nick Carter’s home at noon the Re ies day. Bob felt that he had thes best lead of ‘forty-two slam he was one of the associates of Gray ; = ad sooner or later. That place, a four-story tenement building over near the river, the young detective watched an hour before he found himself in the midst of aetion hot and heavy. It was a vast surprise and gratification, as he stood opposite the place watching its upper row of windows, to see a man i the corner like aflash. - “It's the same fellow,’’ voiced Bob. ae was the man he had met at the pully Riverdale—the one who had the os ee ¢ 4 Even if Bob’s.keen eyes had not pene- trated the frail disguise of a turned up coat collar, an additional mark of identi- fication would have convinced him as to the full identity. **He’s got the brick !”’ Bob’s fiugers tingled, and Bob’s hopes gave a great spurt as he noted the size and compactness of a parcel in the grasp of the visitor to number forty-two, Then, before he could cross the street, the man had shot through the dark door- way. Bob stood in the deep shadow of. the oue opposite divided between many im- pulses and suggestions. He had not even analyzed them com- pletely, when down the stairs again came the man who had gone up. “ae ll follow him,’’ remarked Bob— - no! 9 The man was important, his doings were part and parcel of the case in hand, but—— ““He’s taken the gold brick up there,’’ formulated Bob. ‘‘He’s left it there—for Mapleéson. It was mine once—it's going to Aad gy > again !’’ felt that so much hinged on the brick that he could divert neither mind nor intentions from its full consideration. « The only lighted rooms in the house were those on the top floor. * Bob had noticed a slight flap of one of its cuftains as a deor was apparently opened right after the recent visitor’s arrival. Bob was in the building, up the hall, at the door of the lighted room shortly. He lay flat on the bare hall boards—he could see some one moving about, noth- ing more. Bob tried the keyhole and got a vague view of the interior, Its windows, four in number, were barred—a sinister den lay beyond ,that threshold. And then Bob drew back with quite a flutter of surprise. The man pacing the floor of the room was armless, _ Close to the shoulder both arms were missing. The discovery urged Bob up to a course | ,of action quite at variance with his a : plans of procedure. < * , ee ot bataee OTe

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16 The man was alone—he felt sure of that. He was the sole helpless guardian of what Bob so desired—was so determined to secure—the gold brick. ‘It’s my chance,’’ he soliloquized— ‘*my chance, if ever!’’ Bob softly touched the knob. **Unlocked!’’ he whispered to himself. One minute Bob reflected, one minute prepared. Then he opened the door, crossed the threshold, shut it quickly behind him, and put his back to it. **Who are you ?’’ The challenge came with the sharp, metallic vim of a quick-witted fellow. Bob at a glance discerned that what the armless man lacked in form lre*made up for in vigilance and activity. An ominous strength lurked in the suspiciously crouched shoulders. The eyes betrayed unmistakable treach- ery and cruelty. “T want you!’’ “Know what for?’’ **T don’t, but I shall!’ came the.hard, determined response. ‘*A man just came here——’’ ‘\ ‘*What of it?’’ **He brought a gold brick—we’ll call spoke Bob boldly. * it that.” U -~- om — “4 **You seem posted !”’ “T am—I want it!” The tenant of the room showed no sur- prise—he asked no questions. His shrewdness read the oracle, and he confessed it. “I guess who you are,’ he said. “Guess it!’ TY can tell it in two words.”” Tell it!” ‘*Nick Carter.’ “Sure!” “*VYou see, I’m posted.” **Tt looks so.’’ “But you won’t get that brick!” S*Nio?”? at You won't find the man who owns it }» cc No 7” “And you won't get away oer ~ never quite struck stich a : of defiance and assurance snitigled ith what seemed to be utter op: Sages ‘om here | NICK CARTER WEEKLY. He took a quick glance about the room. It certainly held no other occupant. Could the man be counting on the arrival of outside help? Then he must act all the more quickly. Bob advanced straight upon the fellow, and the latter retreated. “*T shall find the brick, for I came after it,’? spoke Bob, ‘‘I shall take it and you to the police station.’’ ‘*Which will you do first!’ sneered the cripple. He had kept retreating. It was with a purpose, it seemed. Getting Bob away from the door, he suddenly dodged. Past him he went—Bob almost feared he was meditating a bolt into the hall, armless as he was, in some deft way. Instead, he shot his head down at the key. Bob heard it turn, Bob heard it click in the man’s teeth. Bob, looking, saw that it was gone. Wliat the fellow had done with it— _ swallowed it, cast it into some drapery or his own clothes in one of those quick, nervous movements of his head—Bob could not for the life of him tell. ‘*That,’? pronounced the cripple, with a glare that made Bob serious, ‘‘settles you!’ ‘*Does, eh?’’ : ‘““Wait and see! Now then, you come here to bulldoze me!’’ P “*T come for that brick, and I’m going to get it.’’ **You imagine because I have no arms you can do what you please!’ “J pity your helplessness, do my duty.”’ e Pity! ihe ? Nn scorn of the hare was indescriba- ble The fellow kept walking about—ner- vously, rapidly. : ‘*T suppose you are armed ?’’ he went on—‘‘all right! even then I call it a fair duel.” “(Duel ?”’ repeated Bob in some wonder. “It’s going to be that!”’ “Indeed ?”” - a ‘Did you ever hear of me before?” ~~ “Never.” : | Rvery man has his specialty. ’’ Wht 0, you getting at?” but I ay

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3 “7m a fighter.” : ~ **Without arms!’’ Never mind. I’m going to kill you!” Helpless?” aa : ‘Helpless !’? shrilly howled the cripple, as if the word stung him. ‘He sprang at a corner of the room like a flash as he spoke. “‘Helpless?’’ he screamed, deliriously. “See me!’’ Fa —— CHAPTER, VII. A HOT TIME. 4 “Nick Carter’s young detective knew that something peculiar and unusual was about to befall. “Crime has many monstrosities, and here, Bob: felt sure, was a new one fe- vealed. The cripple showed real assurance back of his bold defiance—power supporting his apparent conceit. 1 ge ey apartment like a grotesque figure in a comedy. Just as his teéth had caught and turned the key he now utilized his lips, hey swept the iron slab of a mantel, and there were sundry ominous clicks. _ Wonder what he’s going to do?’’ ‘mused Bob. . - The young detective lost partial sight of business amid uncontrollable curiosity. Flip—flop—flap. ‘he cripple had filled his mouth with missles just as if he was loading upa beanblower. A glittering particle skipped the tip of ob’s nose. It eut quite painfully. | :; Bob dodged a second, as he saw that it _- was a small, jagged square of glass. “Hold on there!” he ordered, picking up and holding up a splint-bottomed - ghairasashield. | ‘Ah, yes!” “That your specialty ?”’ _ £*One of them.”’ a Lknock you 2 ainly the fellow was elusive—Bob ly seen such agility. e made a feint or two at knocking n the cripple with the chair, at grab- > down if you keep that *) ae NICK CARTER WEEKLY. He dove, slid and bounced about the - stiff, elastic top, and and metallic. 17 Bob, however, did not pursue him close—he feared being led into some “kind of a trap. ‘“Where is the brick—that’s what I came for,’’ soliloquized Bob. There was a dresser with one top drawer. : To this Bob glided. It was locked, but he had it open with the assistance of his tool knife in a jiffy. ‘*Ho! ho!?’ jeered the cripple, and flip- flap! came a painful skip of two other glass particles across Bob’s cheek. The stinging contact néttled Bob. He drew his revolver. ‘‘We’ll stop this right here!’’ he said sternly. The armless man glared at pistol and adversary. His keen eyes glowed calculatingly with a reckless mixture of cunningness and bravado. ‘*Whoop! shouted. He ran to a far corner of the room. This he did backward, and as he went he kicked off one shoe, and then the other. Bob ducked to miss a good, hard, double crack. ae This remarkable cripple fired his foot- ait as deftly as might an expert a base- all. ‘*What is he up to, anyway ?’’ niuttered Bob, getting a trifle uneasy. The young detective was becoming worried, for time was passing. Pressing, as well, for friends of his unique opponent might arrive at any mo- ment. : More than that, the gold brick was still a concealed element, and Bob could not imagine in what particular place in the roomy apartment it might be hidden. With more curiosity than interest, Bob Now for the duel!’’ he ~ saw the ‘cripple kick one foot and then the other foot into a new pair of shoes in his far corner. He stamped to shove his feet past a they sounded heavy -Lead-weighted shoes were no novelty to Bob—he had once had a terrific en- counter with a circus fellow wearing the same. és That there were a different kind of

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18 footgear, an ominous kind, a_blood- chilling kind, Bob knew a second later. . “Action!” cried the cripple, making a swift forward rush. Click—snap—once. Click—snap—twice. ~ As he ran, the cripple Sane hard one heel and then the other on the floor. Something slid along the sole of each shoe. From either toe there protruded like the spike of a sword-fish a keen metallic point. It resembled a bayonet—it was about six inches long, and three-sided, ran to a formidably heavy base. ‘*Well!’’ muttered Bob in wonderment. ‘* Have at you!”’ ‘*Keep back !”’ Whether a drapery cord, a_ pole stretched across an archway, various pic- ture hooks and nails, were.as purposely set and as uow regularly impressed into service, Bob could not tell. Only this he knew, that the fellow, only foot-armed, but even so doubly sword-armed, began a series of evolutions —by catching with his teeth here, there, everywhere, for swinging support—posi- tively marvelous and paar Leaping, spinning, flying, it seemed, he Saned ha at ta Seed bey A duel it was, and Bob repented his scorn-repulsed pity at the fellow’s ‘‘help- lessness, ’’ a So swift and distracting were the move- ments of the armless fellow that Bob had not even time to poise his pistol and fire. “Let up!” he shouted, dodging a kick of one bayoneted foot, that, striking ac- curately, would have impaled him. “Again!” “7?]] shoot !”” ‘Why don’t you? » Bob did. : = uarely but not intentionally the bullet aces the kicker’s breast, _ _ He only guffawed.. ‘Breastplate!’ he chuckled—‘‘got you —got you! got you!” The speaker certainly understood the art of hustling. Bob was actually rattled at the hot, a furious onslaught he now made. | ‘steel-shod_ feet flew ANE. Indian NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Bob pressed to the door, tried to pull it open. Whish! He felt one of those bayonets slide ‘his loins by a half-inch graze. Plunk! An awful force sent the other squarely aimed for Bob’s limbs. Had he not moved with lightning-like agility he would have been fixed to that, door frame, pinned close. Just in time he dove, and the move- ment brought a catastrophe to the kicker. The foot bayonet, missing Bob, went clear through the door. It penetrated a thick side piece, buried to the toe, and stuck. The spearer tried to draw it out—im- possible, it was affixed. He tried as well to maintain a standing position—this, too, he found to be im- : possible. He wavered and sank flat, rigidly driven by the setting of the imprisoned foot. Bob sprang at aan him. ‘The duel’s over!’ he pronounced. ‘Hah!’ hissed the baffled cripple furi- ously. ‘‘My turn now..”’ “Tf I hadn’t missed !”” “But’you did. The brick!’’ Pind it !”? ‘*You guessed a bit back.’ “Ug h!? epi guess, now!’ The cripple slate he rolled half over like a writhing eel. | Bob ran his hand across the fellow’s chest. ~ ‘‘Your breastplate is what I guessed!” he gloated. Bob felt the brick in the cripple’s : breast. He was dragging it out, superior tug set his captive free. The transfixed bayonet broke at the toe point of contact. im ee The two. feet, one anwed: one cle now shot into action. Bob jumped on them, ae with his weight, leaned forward to re- move the brick. — He found himself sliding the next in ie stant, the cripple with him. I sso cig es wae eae — i. <x when a =~ te + ote

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“Goose cvoked!’’ clacked the cripple, - jubilantly. =~ **"Phe door !’’ : It was being pushed open. Bob tore the brick, anway, a handful. of shirt front with it, from its possessor. He sprang to his feet. “The fellow has come back who was here,’’ he reckoned. Bob reckoned as well a dash-ere he was seen, prevented, by the intruder. — s, = s “7 F The door was half open. . Bob reached forward to pull it clear so. ; He aimed for the rush contemplated— he had the brick now. Half started, he was prevented. The nervy, dextrous, though prostrate cripple had reached out with his one _ speared foot. : r He gripped a bunch behind Bob’s be. knee. | As the door swept open the jerked suddenly. ~ Then he pulled, and Bob Ferret went flat to the floor with a slam. CHAPTER VIIL % A STROKE OF LUCK. X Bob righted his revolver with one hand. a= He used the other to get purchase for an upright spring. He went flat again as he tried it. he eel-like’ cripple had squirmed around and was on top of him. -**What now!’ projected a new, excited Ec voice. “Work, now!’’ panted the cripple. y : “Hey?” : ; = — You see!” j ; BSS seat asda nie ! ae nail him!’ _.. *Nailed he is!’’ gloated the cripple. Figg oe eg _- . They were three to one, counting the cripple, and he ‘counted most, to Bob’s -— way of thinking. © Be ae scuffle that and materially aided in the bound hand ended in Bob lying prostrate, and foot. Bob recognized the two men who had entered the room. 7 ae Ee th address at the gully near Riverdale. ME ee ; ‘~ NICK CARTER WEEKLY. The armless acrobat rolled all over himy,. One was the recent gold brick visitor, the other the man who had given him bond 19 ‘Well!’ exclaimed the latter, ‘‘here’s a go!” ““No,’’ corrected the cripple malicious- ly, ‘‘here’s a—goner!”’ ‘“This boy——”’ ‘*He’s no boy.”’ **Looks it.” : “Looks are deceiving.”’ ‘*What is he, then ?”’ ‘A detective.”’ ; ‘““That don’t change his being a boy?”’ *‘Not when he’s got the fate of a man staring him in the face.’’ ‘What do you mean ?’’ ‘“‘Gag him, get him away from here, drown him, shoot him, poison him, but do it quick !” The two men*stared hard. ‘Do I speak by the book??? demanded the cripple. “Guess you do—Mapleson said you knew what.”’ “Then jig him on the scurry. one of Nick Carter’s!”’ cCAh 2 ‘A quick one, a hard one to beat. Get the gold brick. It’s in his pocket—see:”’ “He got that!’ ‘Nearly. Get rid of him and back here quick, or you’ll-find me gone.’’ ‘*’T'o Mapleson ??? ‘“‘“He needs me pretty badly, don’t he?”? Bob lay helpless—downed—but Bob kept ears and eyes open and mind active. In’some way the fellow afflicted with absent-mindedness had found out No. 42. It seemed that Mapleson had sent word to the cripple, and all hands were to go to him soon, bringing the brick. Bob saw the man who had stolen it from him at the gully take possession of it again. ‘‘Safer with me, it seems,’? he said to the cripple. “So long as it gets to Mapleson O. K.!” airily announced the latter. . He strutted around like a proud turkey jae with many an exultant look at He’s “Not so helpless, eh Oe he jeered. Bob was gagged. . Then the two men looked well to his nds. A long burlap sack was tied about him,

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20 ” ; 4 and his limps stuffed up into it to make aim ‘‘fit.’’ Nick Carter’s young detective felt pretty grewsome. Hedid not mind having been outwitted by the cripple. . ‘That was one of the occasional penal- ties of tackling nondescript adversaries likely to be encountered by anybody. Bob deplored the loss of the brick— “ next to that, the solemn assurance that he was-about to be disposed of summarily. All he could do now was to listen— movement, voice, sight he was entirely deprived of. He felt himself carried from the room, ' catching a last vindictive suggestion from the cripple to ‘‘do it quick and make no inistakes!’’ There was a halt, a drop to the floor in the hall below. Then, five minutes later, Bob was lifted into some kind of a vehicle. He lay silent and motionless on a hard, jolting wagon-bottom, thinking furiously, conjuring up all kinds of calamity i in near range. There were some solemn stops. Bob tried to trace out their cause. His two executioners, it seemed, had found that he was an elephant on their hands. They had been given a hard task to carry out—getting secretly rid of this. enemy. One was fora drop in the river—they were scared away by some policemen they. saw. Bob knew they must have crossed a ferry when they pease to talk of railroad tracks. They were in among these finally—Bob could tell it from the joltings of the “wagon wheels. The vehicle halting, one of the men went away for a minute or two. ‘*We can Jay him across the tracks on the outbound passenger,’’ he reported, coming back. ‘And have the headlight show him i in _ time to stop damage!’’ _ «That isn’t probable.” _ “Or some patrolling watchman dis- cover him ?”’ ee Sena Soenee netics show. i ¥ NIOK CARTER WEEKLY. ‘¢What’s that??? “Lift him, carry him. That’s it. Keep to the shadow. How’s that?’ ‘*Freight?”’ ‘“‘With no Sapoose, “T do so.’? ‘A chain coiled up on the bumper. I know this train.’ mag ““Go ahead.”’ “It makes a quick run over the coal trestles to lock. to another section.’’ ‘*What of it?” 5; ‘‘Over a mile, and goes fast.’ **Along the dark stretch ahead ?”” “Ves. Once it starts up and that— bundle—gets a-going hacking over ties etsettery——’’ ‘*It’ll be a bag of bones in half-a-mile! That'll do, because it’s easy.”” ‘*Rasy! Bob Ferret’s flesh began to crawl. For a minute or two, so atrociously in. human was the suggestion overheard, that he almost fancied the fellows were talking to scare and torment him. Then Bob knew differently. His merciless executioners proceeded to business, sure and swift. A chain with a hook ran from the bumper of the end of a freight car. It was probably used_to shunt cars on other tracks. Bob felt himself placed flat on a cindery rise slanting to hard, slivery railroad ties. Around his waist the chain was wound twice, and hooked. It was so heavy that what of it rested across him made breathing difficult from sheer weight. ‘Wait till they start?’ queried one of his executioners. ‘It’s going to start right away. V4 “(How do you know.”’ ‘Steam up, locomotive attached. ’’ ‘““That’s so. He’s safe.’’ ‘Done for? I guess!”’ “No one hereabouts to discover him.’’ ‘‘Back to the wagon.” ad Bob, in aqeixer, heard receding foot- steps. ‘“They’ve left!” he ruminated. « “They’ve driven off in the w See??? yp? he supplemented a minute later, asthe sound of rumbling wagon wheels echoed. “I'm ticketed for my last railroad trip, guess !"? he concluded. = 3 Oe

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‘It was a grewsome fix—a sense-distract- ing prospect. Bob was so completely helpless, the “spot probably so deserted -and unfre- quented, that there seemed not the slight- est chance of his escaping the horrible doom impending. Bob heard a hissing of steam way ahead at the front of the train. One cr two brief toots evidenced a call for clear switches. Then the cars quivered, just as would a wagon in the, shafts of which a horse _ ™ moves restlessly. | “Going to start!’’ died lugubriously way down in Bob’s throat. He could not repress the violent beat- ing of his heart, for the moment was a + mighty one. ““Started!’? came the conviction like a knell. Bob slid forward slowly. _ Here was the preface to a bloody chapter! Then Bob stopped. He heard the chain drop lax, and he felt it unbound. He was lifted free of it, and carried. - Whoever bore him staggered under his weight—puffed, swayed, panted. _ There seemed to be efforts to lift him. Two of thei failed. Then Bob traced that he was rested on the edge of some ~ planking. , _ He was shoved across it. = ‘Who, why, and what next?’ his quick thoughts flew. Had his enemies relented _. Sanguinary purpose? : No, Bob reasoned—he was certain that _ -some stranger had rescued him. : cei}? a 4 -_ Pet: — ‘NICK ‘CARTER’ WEEKLY. 21 Its door was shut, the merest pinch of a lighted candle flickered in a nest of grease. A white-faced, startled boy, about his own age sat by his sice. « He looked scared, and lis hands trem- bled*as he continued to release Bob. ““You—you’re alivé!’’ he gasped, as the gag came free. Bob gulped a satsfactory answer. ‘“‘I—J] heard those men, I—I guessed!” stumbled the boy. “To big purpose !’’ “‘T wouldn’t have believed it!’’ “It’s pretty true, you see?’’ “*They really intended to kill you— that way!’ shuddered the boy. ‘Just that way. Wicked men every- where, you know—but, you see, guardian angels, too, you glorious, nick-of-time preserver !’’ Bob in his hearty exuberance gave his rescuer a grip full of fervor. ‘Healthy guardian angel drawled the boy, soberly. ‘Hey ?”” “Ves, Fain’t!? “‘Why! what’s the matter?’’ inquired Bob, staring. His companion broke out crying with vehemence of a little schoolboy. The suddenness of the outburst amazed and perplexed Bob. ‘‘Castaway!’’ blurted the boy, addi- tionally. . ‘*On land?” “Don’t fool !’’ ‘I’m in dead earnest.”’ ‘Run away from home—outcast!”’ ‘*How’s that?” ‘Hate the farm.’’ ‘«Some people can’t bear it.”’ “Hate the city.” ‘“That’s new!’ “T do. I want to bea hunter. I was stowing in here waiting for the train to start, when I heard and saw—your fix,”’ conipleted the boy with a shudder. “Going West, eh ?’’ queried Bob. “Trying to.” “4 “That will help you.” The boy’s eyes sparkled as Bob Ferret emptied one pocket of all the change it held, >" # “That gives me heart!’ said the boy. I< cam!?

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22 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “‘See here,’’? and he drew out a soiled letter. ‘‘Dad sent me with that here to the city, to work in an office.’’ ‘*Won’t have it, eh?’’ ‘tT won’t, and I don’t! I snooked around the hot, crowded building, where this old lawyer friend of dad’s offices that the letter is for. Huh! <I’d stifle there. No, it’s the plains for me! I won’t be a lawyer, and I won’t go back home. It’s the wild West, and nothing else!’’ The boy disdainfully cast the envelope aside. “Give me your name,’’ said Bob, pick- ing it up and getting ready to: pencil it. “What for?’’ ‘You saved my life.”’ **Tt came easy.”’ **Tt would have come harder for me to die!’ **Well, it’s Doc Meers. 42 “Pll put that on the ‘special roll!’ Now then, Doc, I’m ititerested in you, but. I hold that every boy of our age ought to have sense enough to do inde- pendently, when he gets in a quandary.’’ ‘Do you ?”’ "So I'll give you no advice. If I did, it would be to go squarely back home and talk things over with your father.’’ “No bd “Then write him in a manly way of your intentions, and fight -all the bears aud wolves from here to the slope till you get sick of it.” *«That’s better.” The train had stopped. ‘And if you don’t get West, and if you ever want a friend, remember a number and astreet.’? ‘All right?’ Bob mentioned twice over, so as to im- press his auditor’s memory, the location «of Nick Carter’s detective school without giving it a name. » “Ask there for Ferret,” ia added, . eT will.’ “ve got to leave you. here. Bar stow you comfortable for. the night, if you’ll come with me.” “I’m going Wests?! affirined the boy stubbornly. - “Good ack: then!” “Same to’ you! py ‘ park ae ce Preserver. a paetshake that made him wince with its rare ment hi ness. He made a fast run of progress, took the tracks to the ferry. The first hotel he came to he hurried to its telephone. Calling up Nick Carter’s,; he found that Aleck White and Larry Moore were at home. He told them where he was, directed them to hurry to him, and waited for their arrival. -Bob was not foolhardy enough to ven- ture a second lone visit to the den at No, 42. The moments were tormentingly slow to him, however, as he awaited the ~- coming of his professional assistants. The three were started from the hotel fifteen minutes later. A gteat disappointment faced Bob as he reached No. 42. The room where his sanguinary en- counter with the cripple had taken place was found cpen, denuded of the cripple’s personal belongings, deserted and dark. ‘The birds have flown!’” decided Bob. When and whither what superficial inquiry and investigation they made.in the vicinity did not evolve. ‘Case in a muddle, Bob?’’ inqtired Larry, as Bob stood undet the lamp post in the street below reflecting. “*Slightly.”’ “Better see Mr. Carter, hadn’t you ?’’ “Not till I make a strike, if it takes ten years! No, I'll hunt up, Jack and Buff. The turn my’end of the case has take makes it necessary to change our plans.”’ Bob took out his menor and congulted a cypher page. , This outlined the territory his two active conferes were covering, and would indicate how he might find them. ‘*It’s anybody’s chase now !’’ ruminated Bob—it’s just find. ery Mapicsom: and the gold brick.” Jack was {ivvestivating the past doings of the murdered Albert Gordon, so he must be found and headed on more ime portant details. ; Buff, Bob knew, was ssidetniinial Ss find the big mitt men by shadowing their confidential agent, and legal adviser, ‘Aaron Trull i is his namie,”? read Bob. . cs * Ne a i

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“Pll find Buff on his trail. say!” -Bob’s head gave a kind of a quick * whirl. ; An immense surprise faced him—a coincidence, a stray stroke of fate, des- _ tiny, miracle, Call it what Bob Ferret might—there it was. Chancing to come upon the letter cast aside by the freight car stowaway, Bob _~ *reversed it. Its address showed up as he did so. ‘*Marvels!’? breathed Bob, Oh, hello, I % aglow— . ‘there’s a corker!”? 2 ; The superscription read + 4 “Aaron Trull, lawyer!’’ \ ona St ae sa » CHAPTER IX. = ‘“TMHE OFFICE BOY WONDER.’? ay **Drat the fellow !’” - ‘*Who is he, Trull?’’ = **T call him my office boy wonder.’’ = *‘Looks green as grass—esleepy, stupid.’’ *“That’s why he’s wonderful—immense capacity for knowing absolutely nothing. Hey, you!” Uae - Lawyer Trull’s new office boy came forward from the rear to the front office. ~ He did not belie his just recorded description. ; -. *Gawk’’? was written all across his ‘tow-hair framed, freckled face. “‘“Gump”’ stared out at every fold and ‘angle of his slipshod dress. “The office boy wonder was carrying a "Js that the way to come into a gentle- man’s presence!’’ demanded the lawyer, oj - : ar, from ‘up kentry—you’ll have to der too long, though, ple. | = how me!’’ grinningly drawled the new yy NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 23 It reached outside all right, but I had to cut it in two to do ’em inside.’’ ‘““What! Here, get out! Never mind the windows. ‘Tidy up and meet callers, Oh, that satural-born idiot!’’ stormed the lawyer. ‘‘Takes.a step-ladder, don’t know it spreads open, and cuts it off - be- cause it’s ‘too.long’!’’ : “‘He’s a genius, Trull! Where did you ever get him, aud why do you keep him ??’ “Oh, old acquaintance in the country shipped him on my hands, and sometimes I can use even stupidity, you know!’ “You use most everything that comes along!’’ nodded the visitor significantly. “That fellow is a wild show all in himself, though. I set him painting a centre iron post in the hall yesterday,” “What did he do?’’ : “Began at the bottom, painted up climbing, and when I found him he was trying to go to sleep aloft, not knowing how to get down without shdingall the paint off. Never mind him—to business, You come from Mapleson ?’’ ‘*Direct.’? ‘Go ahead.” “a ‘Shut the door—that boy may be listening.’? — ‘““Him! Say! Ill bet you two dollars | he’s slipped into a chair and gone to sleep already. Drat him, if he hasn’t!’’ declared Trull, taking a look into the next room. ‘‘Now, proceed.’’ ‘And now for my teward!’’ was softly whispered from the chair that held tire _‘sleeper’’ in the next apartment. ‘‘Doc Meers’’ had been Lawyer Trull’s office boy wonder for two days. Of course ‘‘Doc Meers’’ was no other than Bob Ferret, for of course Bob Ferret could never allow to escape him. the glorious opportunity of getting right next to the agent and confidential adviser of the big mitt men, — ci With the removal from No. 42, all trace of Mapleson, his two active accom- plices and the cripple had disappeared. A twenty-four hours’ scurry in the company of Jack and Buff had not en- abled Bob to locate the fellows. _ Then, without saying anything to his associates, Bob had started out on an in- dependent course. The minute that he discerned that the

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ae, nS pOiw “Nick: sag rt it 24 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. letter abandoned by the freight car stow- ‘away was a missive of intrcduction and recommendation to Lawyer Trull, he new that accident had given him a formidable document. He steamed the letter flap, and read the contents. It was simply a communication from an old farm neighbor of the lawyer, ask- ing employment for his son, whom, judg- ing from its tenor, Trull had never seen. Bob risked it, anyway, and his get up was immense. It completely deceived the lawyer, and an added series of stupid tactics threw the shrewd, crooked attorney completely off his guard. Bob did some poking and probing into the lawyer’s papers and business that was only resented as sheer stupidity. The clear point sought, however—the finding of Gray Mapleson, the discovery of the mystery of the gold brick—had not yet shown up, even as a hint. But now—Bob Ferret, feigning sleep in his chair in the outer office, listened for all he was worth. The lawyer’s companion in the front room was named Dayton, Bob found out. He and a friend named Pearsons were members of the ‘‘con bunch,’’ and wanted to get things ‘‘squared up.” From what Bob could judge, Dayton had just come from the hiding-place of Mapleson and the others. ‘“Why didn’t you bring the gold brick along?’ demanded Trull. ‘*Suspicious.”? ~ “Who?” ‘‘Mapleson.”’ “Send it to me, and I’d fix out the whole business. ’’ “He nows that,-but he won’t trust any — “Why not?’’ ‘Well, he won't, that’s all. He says for you to come after it yourself.”” » The lawyer laughed derisively. “Think I’ve got any time to waste trapseing over the country, does he ee ‘He insists on it.” “Tet him bring it himself.”” : “Him! Do you now what’s out after “1 do. ” te -him in full scent. ‘Exactly, ae that Gordon break was a bad one.’ ‘He couldn’t get back the brick with- out shooting.’”’ **How did Gordon come to get it, any- way ??? ‘*Well, Mapleson roped him in.” StVes ?”? ‘*Got him to put three thousand dollars in a bunch of brass.’’ “Did, eh?”’ **And, bless me! in the hocus-pocus of changing the bricks, if they didn’t give the sucker the one containing——”’ **T understand,’’ nodded Trull, signifi- cantly. **It took murder to get it back. Gordon wouldn’t give it up till he was paid back the swindled money. No, Mapleson’s scared to death. The Carter pack is after He wants to leave for new fields, all hands of us with him. You won’t come for the brick ?”’ “Not I. Idon’t waut to scorch my fingers with his leery chestuuts.”’ “But “you’ll transact the rest of the affair after the brick is in your hands?’ “That’s business, so, of course.’? “I don’t see, though——”’ ‘About my getting it ?’’ ‘Veg? “My fix that.”’ “How ?”? Bob was ‘‘snoring’’ as the attorney stepped into that rear room, **Here, you!’’ he hailed. “Huh > ? Bob straightened up sleepily. “T want you.”’ ¢¢Vas’ r. ” “Come into my private office. Get your eyes open. Sit down.”’ ‘°Which—which first, sir?”’ “Oh, you’re a jewel! See here, I’m going to send you with this gentleman,’’ spoke Trull, indicating his visitor. ‘‘How de do?’’ nodded Bob. for, though ?’’ “Dm to give you a letter.’’ “¥ae't.” ‘*This gentleman and a friend will wee you to a friend of mine.’’ “Can’t I find him alone?” ‘Do you think you’re capable of: “= anything alone ” “ te a thy : ‘What

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“Ha! ha! Just what dad says. That’s a joke, hain’t et!’’ : ‘*This business isn’t, and you’re to get a package for me from the man this _ gentleman will take you to.” i **What’s in it?” ““Blow me—well, his very stupidity _ helps us. No danger of his getting onto anything and blowing the gaff,’’ mur- - mured Trull, aside to his visitor, ‘‘It’s quite a long journey,’’ he resumed aloud. ; ‘Par as Filadelphy, now?”’ *‘Never mind. You do just as this gen- _ tleman says.”’ * 7 ‘Yas’ a)”. = : ‘Be ready when he returns with his friend, to go with him.”’ __- **Are we to walk or go afoot?”’ “Retire. Now—IJll give him an order. That simplifies the matter. How _ soon can you reach Mapleson?’’ ‘It isn’t far, but we go cautiously, to _- be sure we’re not followed,’’ responded - Dayton. ri 4 ‘That’s right. ” *‘And as we’re short of funds, my part- ner and I may take an odd trick or two on the way down.’’ . “Don’t complicate things.”’ “‘Oh! we've our goose ready waiting to _ be plucked” - “Good!’’_ soliloquized Bob Ferret, listening actively in the adjoining apart- ~ ment. ‘‘I’m going to see some variety in ‘my prospective journey, it appears.” _ The lawyer and his visitor left the Office. Bob sat down to write a quick note to Nick Carter. _ _ He felt that he now had everything in _ his own hands, but he wanted to make 7 on ne ‘the half-written epistle into ocket as there was a tap at the hall BR = ys. : Come in—here’s sport!” __ Bob ssaid the last two words under his breath. . re - His quick glance had looked shrewdly under the surface of the newcomer. This latter was a dandified, mustachioed young fellow, quite exquisite in appear- ance, very foreign, in accent. _ “Hum!” muttered Bob with a chuckle, then aloud, “What can I do for you, NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 2b “IT am not sure—I am professaire!?’ spoke the visitor loftily. “All right!” “‘T wish to see ze—vat you call him? Ze banister——’”’ ““They’re outside. ”’ ‘No, no—ze barrister.” “Oh, Mr. Trull?”’ “‘Zat is so.” ‘*What about?’ “T vish his advices, his comments, his legal opinions, on a case.”’ “*Say, come off!” “Sare!” ‘*You’ve got no case !?? “*Satisfaction !”” ‘Tip the perch, Buff—this is my side of the fence!” “(Bob 7 ‘“That’s who.’’ Disgruntled Buff Hutchinson nearly fell to a chair staring at disguised Bob Ferret. ‘You knew me!’ mourned Buff. “In one of Nick Carter’s disguises I once wore myself? Well, Ishould think!” ‘*That’s sol”? “Otherwise, you’re immaculate, Buff, but—no need.”’ *“*Not if vou’re here!” __ “‘Ym watching every point.’’ ‘*T can guess that. ‘*And the focus has come.”’ ‘“The climax.’ © ‘Capital !”” “Listen.” = In a hurry—for Lawyer Trull might return at any moment—Bob recited the situation exactiy as it was. He directed Buff to get to Jack at once. ‘‘He’s waiting outside,’’ explained the pretended Frenchman. “Very well, let him follow me when I _ leave here with the two con men.’’ “*T see,”’ . “You watch the office here.”’ **The dull end, as usual !’’ “‘You don’t know that. Everything may miss that I plan, while here that mysterious gold brick must finally come. Here’s a key to the office. Watch close, new points may develop here most 1m- portant. Quick! ‘Trull is coming back.” “Ah, sare! I thank you, sare—the office I require is on the next floor, sare!’’

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26 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. With a flourish Buff sailed safely out of the office. ‘Two men accompanied the lawyer—the one he had’ left with him, Dayton, and his partner, Pearsons, Bob guessed. Trull wrote a note, and told Bob to stow it safely away. ‘*Now, then, you are to go with these two gentlemen as I Gitested: ” said: Trull. ‘€ Vas? C ) Bob left the office of tick he was the stimulating wonder’’ braced up mightily under a sleepy, freckled surface. The brick was his—its mystery, its possessor, the assassin of the relative of a schoolboy comrade; if he worked things cute. He blinkéd a quick recognition as he passed a figure studying a sign at the bottom of the stairs. It was Jack Burton,iand Bob knew that he would have company at.a distance on his present mysterious journey. Farther down the street he passed ‘the professaire’’ airily petting his black, wax-ended mustache and twirling his dainty cane. Buff cast a sidelong covetous glance after the two comrades he considered more fortunate than himself. They were going into direct action—he had nothing but dull, routine shadow- ing to do, Buff was conscientious, however, and always obeyed orders. He ranged the office. building looking for imagiyary attorneys and inquiring of teal estate agents for impossible property. About five o’clock in the afternoon he glided to the shadow of a side corridor. - Buff had observed two persons at the door of Lawyer Trull’s office. The elder was a farmer-looking man. _ He held close clutch upon the arm of a sullen-faced boy. He was hammering’ at the office door, which seemed to be locked. Suddenly it opened. Lawyer Trull put out a flushed face. ‘What's all this entgntiion 7! he de. _ manded, fiercely. ae: “Hello, Trull! don’t you know your ne farm neighbor as __ “Why surely !”” exclaimed the other, his tone—‘‘it’s Meer: ‘What!’ voiced Buff Hutchinson, and stood aghast. In a flash, remembering what his pro- fessional comrade had just told him, Buff traced a complication, a knock-out for all Bob Ferret’s shrewd plans, ‘*Come down to see me about your son, Doc, in my office ?”’ smiled Trull. ‘*Come in. “No, I didn’t.’ “Bh? Pie) . ‘Come to put him in jail! He ran away—the villain!) I caught: him. . He wouldn’t be no lawyer. I’m going to make a convict of him, the young repro- bate!” Lawyer Trull’s face looked puzzled. Buff Hutchinson began to get alarmed. ‘*See here,’?’ spoke: the lawyer, ‘‘what are you talking about, when your son has — been two days already in my employ ” ‘What!’ yelled the farmer, ‘*Hasn’t he?” *“No, he hasn’t!’’ ‘“‘He has. I got your letter of introduc. tion, of recommendation.” ‘*T wrote one, but——’’ **T hired him on your say so.’’ .*Trull, be ye crazy ?”’ “Certainly not!”’ ‘Certainly, you are!’’ “Why ri ‘Because here is my son,’’ and the man nodded to the shrinking boy he held firm- ly by the arm. "Thatl7 ‘*Is my son.”’ “Incredible !’’ ‘*Yes, sirree!”? ‘Then——”" . Lawyer Trull recoiled, struck by a sud. den supsicion regarding the office boy wonder he had just entrusted with a vital mission, as if struck by a hammer. ‘*Rooled!’’ he gasped. ‘‘Guess you be!’’ nodded the farmer. **Duped!”” ‘“Mebbe sure!”’ “Your boy——”’ ‘This is him, and this is the nighest step he ever was to your orfis! a . uff Hutchinson’ s lips drew to a dis- iad mayed pucker. “Bob “Whew! he uttered forcibly. . Ferret’s in a wild fix, now! 9 ee oa a ‘gle . 2 5 : ra at Bas ‘

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se: CHAPTER X. ex RED OR BLUE? > “Keep your mouth shut now, young- ~--ster!” a Yas’r.”” 3 ‘And watch out. Maybe you may learn some day yourself to be a real bright flim- > flammer.”? E “But whiere’s the pokers?” _ “Haha! ho, ho! oh, Pearsons! hold me! This boy will make me bust!” ‘What you grinying at? Didn’t you “say you expected a fellow here who was to play poker with you?” — “Certainly, sonny!”’ ‘’Then where’s the pokers to do it ?”’ : “You watch and you’ll find out.’’ e (Was’r.”? " Thus the office boy, wonder, true to his s reputation. Bob Ferret had played the two men who were cotivoying him from New York city the rankest he knew how, all along theline. ~ . _ ‘They had left the metropolis guardedly and deviously, but Bob doubted if Jack Burton had missed the trail. A ‘They were now, the second evening, at on. “the actions of Dayton and Pear- 2 “Just waiting for a few more suckers and night, to make a slip in the dark to the place where I’m going to get. that ~ gold brick!’ hopeful Bob made himself - believe. | The afternoon had been a varied and enlightening one. yee ok vention was in progress, and ayton and Pearsons had taken several of ose tricks’? they had spoken of to iwyer Trull. Ds Pipeeviass then cleyer, dangerous men _ in their line. o ed exponen and the short change et they a at two stores simply gagemen nt to meet a ” that evening. * oA Three-card monte never had more . NICK CARTER WEEKLY. = \ He was to be roped in playing cards with them, and:they were now preparing for his reception, which was nearly due. While Bob bungled over whiat ‘‘poker”’ was, he watched every move the fellows made. They had several packs of cards. All of them had blue or red spots for the card marks. ‘Here, try it on the boy,’? spoke Day- ton, taking up their trick pack, which they kept in a hat box containing a sponge dampened with some liquid they had poured from a bottle. “Can’t play real keerds!’? drawled Bob. *‘Don’t want you to. You know the spots?” ‘Vas’ r. ” ‘“*Very well. Now, we're playing.’’ Vas’ r, ” . **T deal you five cards.” “*Pve got ’em.’? “Look at them.’’ “I’m a-looking.”’ ‘“What are they ?’’ ‘‘King, queen, jack, ten and nine spot of hearts.’” eee pee Rh “AS Sure rn. is _ **Hain’t a heart red?” ‘*Rvery time!’’ wt Ho _ “And don’t I know a heart ?”’ ‘That is what is called a royal flush,’’ explained the gambler, =~ ? Ts it, now?’ ey ‘fA combination not beat once ina mil- lion times,”’ **My! hain’t I lucky to get it?” **So, if you got such a hand you’d be safe to bet all you had.’? **T should think so!” ‘*Sure you’ve got what you said?” ‘Didn’t 1 see?” “*Lookyagain.’’» “Hopping hornets!” ‘‘What’s the matter?’ ‘Tain’t all red 1”? ‘Ah?’ smiled Dayton significantly. ‘The king of hearts ain’t nary king of hearts at all!’ ‘* Possible ?”” Die tad _ “It’s the king of spades!” ‘Oho! So, you see, if you had bet, you’d have lost big.”’ **T do see, but I'd swear them was all hearts. onct!” The two men winked and laughed. - ~

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; 28 * They chuckled quite as much over: Bob’s feigned stupefaction as over their -cleverness in producing this marvelous transformation. **T see how it is, and it’s a brand new one to me,’’ mused Bob. ‘‘They use chemically prepared cards. _ Between the time the fellow sees his hands, lays it down, makes his bet, takes up his hand again, red changes to blue, the heart to a spade, and there you are! Well, r Il nip this scheme, for variety.’ Bob did. He managed in the course of the next ten minutes to get possession of a real royal flush from a discarded pack of cards. Ten minutes later the prospective vic- tim entered. He was the ‘‘smart Aleck’’ of the vil- lage, and he boastfully flipped his cards, shuffled, and kept watch on his rivals like a real city-bird professional. They let him win for some time. Then the big hand was dealt him. Bob was right at the fellow’s elbow. His breath nearly taken away by his extraordinary luck, the village sport lay down his hand trembling. ~ “One hundred!” he tried to say calmly. ‘I raise you two,’’ announced Dayton, feeling that the fish had ‘bit, and they -could land him for his pile. Bob decided that it would not harm his plans reducing his two escorts to a con- dition of poverty. He let them bet, and he did something else—executed a clever card transposition “under the victim’s élbow clever and quick as a stage magician. “Five hundred dollars!’’ “Show up!’ “A royal flush!’ triumphantly pro- claimed the village fellow, swapping in his winnings. is “Hold on! it isn’t——” “Isn't? look!’ fea 5 ‘“‘One’s a—perdition!” : The office boy wonder was convenient- ly fast asleep as the triumphant victim eparted with his gains. Dayton began on to swear and Pearsons to glare. a ieee: hagas Bob’s very stupidity saved their think- ne ~ sae ‘him in the matter. ‘ ae Diamond cut diamond!” growled him sure!” Dayton, y./tavbe. follow. was diss our § -the railroad, straight.” NICK CARTER WEEKLY. They were very surly-natured over their mishap. In about an hour they gruffly bade Bob follow them. ‘*For Mapleson, for the gold brick!’ secretly, gloated Bob. He was escorted about a mile from the town. Just past a crossroads tavern the men started down a path, when a sharp chal- lenge halted. ‘Who's that ?”’ **Dayton— Pearsons. ’’ : **Sonie one with you ?”’ ’ Brom Trull.”’ ‘*Dayton come forward, alone.’’ Bob kept his ears wide open, but could only catch the echo of vague, hurried, excited whisperings. | Then Dayton returned. ‘ Bob fancied his manner was a trifle constraiifed, as he said sharply: " ‘Come on, now!’ Bob was led forward till they reached an old abandoned house. He was shown promptly into a room where a mamsat, alone. It was Gray Mapleson. Bob knew the big mitt man the minute he set his eyes on him. There was something in his look Bob did not like, could not fathom. ‘“‘You’re the messenger Trull- sent?’’ spoke Mapleson. 6¢Vas’ = ” ‘*With a note?’’ ‘*Here ’tis.’? Mapleson fead it, went into another room, came back with a small, oblong _ parcel. Bob's eyes must have glowed—he had _. got what he so coveted, the gold brick. Bob’s fingers tingled as they closed over the precious packag c “Get that right back to Trull,”’ ordered Mapleson. 6 V.as’ a ” ‘Don’t stop at a.place, cross over e - §tYas)r,? ‘ f Bob got to the Deth=-Be. started dow iy it alone. 2 ‘It's the best way—the only. way to fix Lea = These woke Bob certainly heard ashe a zaett Oe ae

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What ‘Sway’? ?—but he-cared not. The only ‘‘way’’ he was thinking of now was _ the one leading to a safe distance where he could investigate his precious possession. ‘Bob got out on the road. “<“Stop!ia. _ Was some one calling him? _ Bob turned, saw a form in pursuit, ran his fastest. Who was pursuing him, for pursued he was? Twice the order was breathlessly _ shouted, but Bob did not heed or venture a parley. Some of the, rowed. about Mapleson might meditate despoiling him of the brick. = Some outsider might know of it and be laying for it. 3 Bob was distancing his pursuer, for he - ran fast, but he wanted to get out of his - tange of vision-as well. = pas he neared the cross roads tavern Bob put across its yard. "He came to where a high fence met a ~ low fence. 4 In the’ koe wee oo door. | “ee b turned its kno n o = ad and he let the door fop shut and = mcrae. it. Sa - by <¢7?m in it! _ Bob stood still, panting and staring. He was in a prison space, sure. hen he saw what it was—a sort of een for some strong animal or aniamils. oe A steer!” he -soliloquized, peering k ely as a great form arose in one corner. Could he escape?—up those smooth hard p sJank ae not in a hurry. side of . fore. jz A form was on it—that of the person who had pursued. «Throw it!” was ag down. “Bh?” fesne!”” “Buf y? : doing here?” on ok ster ‘What are you } ever mind, nA 1p? NICK CARTER WEEKLY. space ~ yi | See ran up at “the. the pen that a had not seen be- inarnied on Bufi—‘‘the — **T guess not! the gold brick.’’ ‘*It’s not the gold brick!” “What ‘*Take care!’?’ Bob gave a vivid spring. With a terrific bellow the monster in the corner started for him. He dodged and then stumbled, for some one struck him, landing from above. It was Buff. He grabbed at the gold brick, tore it from Bob’s grasp, gave it a fearful fling. “I'll explain!”’ he hurried. “You'd better!?? ‘“The steer !”” “*Tt’s coming!’ **Can’t we climb up? My mask lantern! Here it is. Nomatches! Quick, Bob! got one???’ “No, yes, one only. Dodge!’ The steer made a second rush. Bob flapped off his coat. Toreador-fashion, he tried to engage the furious animal till Buff found a match. Buff found none, and announced the fa ae Wait, though Y’ he added. ‘‘I’ve got something just as good, I forgot.’’ Buff brought a small pial from his pocket. = “Drop! run! it’s coming for you!’’ shouted Bob just then, The steer made a side derous body and a bolt. Buff could not get aside quickly. He went flat, put up one hand, and it ran right into the animal’s mouth. To his friend’s rescue Bob sprang in a flash. “‘Not hurt!’? panted Buff, as he scurried aside on hand and knee. “The steer!’’ Bob Ferret stared, marveled. 5 - The steer gave a frightful, fearful _bel- Sa It reared mightily, and fell with a force that shook the earth. 2 Then Bob Ferret saw a curicus thing. Pshaw! dropped it. twist of its a The steer ‘spitting fire! se 2 wee : 1g Ea ES + a %

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CHAPTER XI. ROXY’S CAPTURE. ‘*What?’’ ; Bob Ferret fairly hurled the word at Buff. His companion’s hand had gone into the mad steer’s mouth, and he must be resposible for the extraordinary fireworks display now so strangely in progress. ‘The new cigar-lighter,’? explained Buff. **You méan the stuff that burns when dipped in water ?’’ ‘Yes, got a bottle froma fakir to-day.”’ “Look out—the animal is simply crazy !?? Any person who has seen the eurious chemical used for lighting cigars ona windy day, and which ignites into molten lava only when moisture is applied, may imagine the appearance and frenzy of the steer. y Its semblance was simply terrific. Its dripping jaws were spitting spurts of hissing fire. _ Every time it breathed, a flaming hail spattered far and wide, The moisture in its mouth igniting new pieces of the chemical, new spurts ee pouring forth. kept his coat fluttering. 4 here’s no way out,’’ cried Buff, vainly endea ting to find one. ‘“The animal will tire out.’? ‘But we must get out before——” The steer began to rear. It made a final plunge upward. Its agony drove it blindly headlong against one end of the enclosure. ‘Down crashed the same. “Out through it, quick ordered Buff, seizing his companion’s arm and - hurrying him. ‘*Hold on!??. J “No 7 ‘“The gold brick!’ remonstrated Bob. ‘“There is none.”? : “That parcel, then——’? “You were fooled.’” “You don’t mean it! _ **Vou were doomed, if tell you prs, There was a flare, a aah kplosion: un! ! Didn’tI a Sia moe again Late as Bob. ‘, ar a “Can " jess— "goa A ce ‘yee rae v detective service, and had accompanied NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “Full of powder—set fuse. ’? “Intended for me?” **No one else.”’ ‘How did you know?” ‘‘Come this way, and I'll tell you.” “Why this way ?”’ ; ‘Because it leads back to the den of those fellows, because Jack is there.”? -‘Surer ‘Why, Buff!’ **And Aleck.” ‘Say! How did you locate it?’? **And—Roxy!’’ “You get me!’’ confessed the aston- ished Bob. ““Then let me explain.”’ Buff did so as they hurried on. The preface to his story was the arrival of the real Doc Meers at Lawyer Trull’s office. In an instant the knavish barrister had guessed the truth. His office boy wonder was of course a spy, a detective. Nick Carter was on the casé—the fraudulent farmer boy must be one of his famous pupils. Immediately the lawyer sent for a man in with the big mitt crowd, He was dispatched with the intelli- gence of the imposition intended to warn Mapleson. By following him, Buff had got to this location that morning. Posing as a road mender, he had pretty well read the situation of affairs. He had sent word to Nick Carter by telegraph—then he had watched ont for Bob’s arrival. Aleck and Larry, having had ya hand in one portion of the case, wanted a chance to see its windup. ae had come on, stopping at River- ale. : Accidentally happening across Roxy— who was taking music lessons at the seminary there—the plucky little lady | had insisted she was getting rusty as to them at once. Jack had appeared just after Bob’s - arrival. . 3 “While «he and the three others sur- rounded the place, Buff was depetineds stop Bob as.be cathe out. | rs te doings go had saved Nick

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youngest and brightest novice from going _ upin a blaze of powder. ___ The murderous Mapleson had let Bob _ depart, believing the fuse-package to be 2 a sure way of getting rid of him. “ . ‘And where are the contents of the _ gold brick ?”’ inquired Bob, anxiously. — Taken out.’’ **By Mapleson ?”’ eet ” “He has them ?”’ . Rast and secure—he’s got rattled, and ~~ won’t wait for the lawyer to act.”” | **What are they?” Stolen bonds belonging to a Newark =e. bank.’ ** Amount?” aa : -—s **«T_ don’t know, but, something big. : _ They are not negotiable for six months yet, but unless the bank gets them back at once it will have to suspend.” ~ And Mapleson got them——” “Through a bank sneak,’ ** And secured them in the brick ?” “You have it, and Gordon got them by mistake. ”? ~ And we must get them now!” That’s what we're here for. Come on!” bt aie 2 . : os _ ‘Nothing has happened,’’ spoke Bob, faa they Gaicd gan ioe tee vit. down the path-where Buff had tried to hail him. “It’s too quiet.” Bverything has happened!’ inter- ited a startling voice. “Jack !? challenged Bob. Yes.” “*What of the others?’’ “Weve cornered the crowd.’ . ‘You don’t mean—”’ “Five . 7 re aa A nstant chase !’’ ordered excitedly, ‘‘Don’t you see that the are nothing—he, , the murderer, and bonds, everything!’ ee ; Roxy’s, aiter him.” A girl—alone!”’ - 9, with her dog.” me ie “magnificent St. Befnard,” ex- d Buff. ‘A new pet she would is : “ <2: - M NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ' ai The young detective trio turned their faces all in the same direction*at once. The sharp bay of a dog broke the still- ness. : ‘‘That’s Roxy,’ affirmed Jack. ““You mean her dog,’ corrected Buff. “It’s the same thing in this case,’ joined in Buff. ‘*You have the five fellows in the old building secured ?”’ queried Bob, as they ran on. “Aleck and Larry are guarding them, yes,’’ answered Jack. “‘There’s our signal!” Buff. “Roxy 1) Nick . Carter’s whistle liké a lark. Her clear signal call met an eager chorus-of replies. The next minute she came flitting interrupted girl detective could toward them. ‘*Bob safe ?”’ she fluttered, ‘‘Here, Roxy!’ hailed Bob, promptly. ‘‘And the crowd of schemers?’’. ‘Five under guard.” ‘‘And one makes six!’? ‘“You. got Mapleson!’’ cried Bob. SE ERIEG £0: ern 2 5 “ “Where is he ?”? _ “Sir Richard is guarding him.”’ “Guarding him?’ spoke Bob, with cousiderable anxiety manifested in his tones. “‘Well, tied to him, if that suits you better, Don’t worry, Bob!” smiled the little lady confidently, ‘‘nobody will ever get away from Sir Richard once I put _ him in his charge!’ “He has some papers, Roxy——” began Bob. ‘Had them, you mean ?”’ “Do you ever miss anything, Roxy.” ‘‘T didn’t miss those—there’s what the gold brick held, Bob.” - eS Roxy led the way back to where a large tree stood in an open space. There was a growl as the quartette “broke cover. gts ; It changed to a pronounced hail of satisfaction as Roxy spoke. ‘ Jack had his mask lantern in his coat, lighted. ae He produced it, playing its rays over the novel scene. ~ —_

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= 32 Tied to the tree by the arms was Mapleson. . Tied to Mapleson by a second cord was the most. magnificent canine specimen Bob had ever seen. “You've done well, mended Bob warinly. **You mean Sir Richard has—he made* one leap for that fellow, as I run. him down.”’ “The running down was the main part of it.’’ ‘(Well, there he is.’’ ‘*Last scene in the case, I guess!’’ re- marked Buff. ‘“Except one!’’ observed Bob Ferret, significantly. Mapleson changed his rageful glare to Roxy!’ com- a shudder. The shadow of the gallows was over him, and he felt its dtear chill already. ~ A telegram to Nick Carter set in mo- tion the local law machinery. Bob, Buff, Jack and Roxy dropped out of the case as Aleck and Larry delivered their prisoners into the keeping of the town jailer. Two pleasant duties were deputized to Bob’s part, however, before he rejoined his comrades at Riverdale Academy. One was a visit of explanation and restitution to the Newark Bank. It left behind it hope and energy where ruin had threatened. Bob, closeted with his friends, Buff and Jack, in his cozy academy room the following evening, looked and felt his satisfaction entire over the ontcome ee the gold brick case. ‘*Had hard work getting the bank a Ties cials to let me go without making news- paper heroes of all hands,’’ said Bob. ‘*Which wouldn’t do at all!’’ demurred Buff. “*Not while we’re students at Riverdale Academy,” added Jack. ‘*No, I want to remain here long enough at least to see the murdered man’s nephew get some brightness out of the” dreary situation,’’ s spoke Bob. ‘*Young Gordon?’ murmured Jack. **Exactly.”’ ‘’What about him? ‘The three thousand dollars the big mitt men got from his murdered uncle ang cee ee pgot old fellow Rad. le NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ‘‘And that was swallowed up by those confidence cormorants, I suppose ?’’ “Of course,’’ assented Bob. ‘‘I told | the bank of that.’’ "Tid you?” ‘“They were only too willing to check out liberally for Nick Carter’s detective school.”’ “*Which you wouldn’t have?” “T told them we were working for glory, not money.’’ ‘“That’s right !”? ‘‘But that if they wanted to do a real, square thing, to remember the living sufferer in the affair.’’ ‘*Will they do it?”’ ‘“They’ve done it.’’ ““How ?”? : ““A check is on its way now that will | enable young Gordon to complete his ed- | ucation at Riverdale Academy,’’ replied Bob Ferret. [THE END. ] Weekly will contain ‘‘The Silve: Plated — Man; or, The Young Tramp Detective,” — by the author of ‘Nick Carter.” The next number of the Nick Carter : j Nick Carter Quarterly. The earlier issues of Nick Carter Weekly, are now on sale in the | form of Quarterlies, each including 13 consecutive issues of this favorite weekly, together with the 13 original Mluminated fiustra, tions. and an elegant cover in colors. The price is 50 Cents per : volume, for which sum they will be sent by mail post-paid to and address in the United States. - = NOW READY. - <- No. 1, incloding Nos, 1 to 13 of Nick Carter Weekly. ~ No 3h Nos. 14 to % of Nick Carter Weekly. No.3,° “ Nos, 27 to 39 of Nick Carter Weekly. § If Newsdealer fias not got t ej ‘hn publi got the Quarterlies, remit {direct to 7 STREET & SMITH, 81 Eulton St., N.Y. si AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHY, Many people imagine that a phot br meer aS that ores is = 's camera isa difficult and di aul AMAT TRUE MarGas 'HOTOGRAI WY will he sent on a receipt of ten cents. STREET & SMITH, 25 Rose street, New York. a Library Department). uae SPORTS.

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THE BEST LIBRARY OF DETECTIVE STORIES. Back Numbers always on hand. Price, post-paid, Five cents each. HE HOO HO HE Ho 33—Trim Turns Professor and Teaches a Lesson to | 59—A Message of Fire; or, What was Done With a Queer Pupil. 34—NickUVarter’s Wheel of Fortune. 35—Trim’s Stock Exchange Case; or, The Man Who Answered the Advertisement. 36— Nick Carter in a Tight Place; or, a Haul «: orth Making 37—Nick Carter does his Best; or, a Fortune in the Ballace. 38—Trim Behind the Footlights; or, the Hold Up at the Casino. 39—In Nick Carter’s Hands; or, A Fool and His Money Soon Parted. 40—Nick Uarter’s Detective School; or, The Young Reporter’s First Case. 41—Nick Carter at Headquarters; or, Work on the Inspector’s Scrap Book. 42—Nick Carter’s Brightest Pupil; or, The Great Counterfeiting Case. ' 43-Nick Carter Arrested by Mistake; or, The Man on the Window Sill. 44—Nick Carter’s Magic Hand; or, The Crime or The Chinese Highbinders. 45 —Nick Carter’s Promise; or, Miilions at Stake. 4o—The Goid Wizard; or, Nick Carter’s Clever Protege 47—Nick Carter in the Chinese Joint; or, A Bar- gain in Crime. 48—Nick Carter’s Newsboy Friend; or, The Great Sandoval Mystery. 49 —Nick Caicer’s Hot Pursuit; or, On the Track of an Escaped Convict, 50—Nick Uarter’s Yc ungest Detective; or, Work- ing on H s Own Case. 51—Nick Carter’s Second Edition, 52—Working in the Dark; or, A Novice that Lends a Helping Hand. 53—A Hidden Clue; or, Tne Mystery of the Black | Sack. 54—A Young Detective’s Air Route; or, The Great | Hindoo Mystery. ; 55—Nick Uarter’s Missing Detective; or, A Warn- ing by Telephone. 56—Nick Carter's Girl Detective; or, What Became of the Crown Jewels. 5%7—Done With a Click; or, The Mystery of the Painted Arm the Big Mitt Men t 58- The Unseen Eye; or, The Girl Detective’s 81—Tue Silver-Plated Man; or, The Young Tran Cr ck Case. ‘ Detective. HON TE HEE HEE HET EE HEHE -—™ Pm. STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK. For Sale by all Newsdealers. the Magnet. t Ee 60—The Electric Girl; or, The Figures on the Toy Balloon. Sel ’ 61—Nick Carter’s Junior Force; or,;’The Mau Wi Four. Arms. a 62—The Tin Foil Clue; or, Told by the Phone graph. k 63—Nick Carter’s Strongest Team; or, The Glas Face of a Coffin. 64—A Fight for a Boot Heel; or, The New Men ber of the Ready Jlandlers “ 65—Caught by the Lightning Mail; or, Bob Ferre Alliance Wit a Peruvian Mesmerist. ° 66—Fightins Electric Fiends; or, Bub Fe Among the Wire Tappers. ma 67—Mofiey To Burn; or, Handling a Million Do lar Case, Indian. 68—The Mask of Glass; or, Little Roxy in a Donb Role. 69—The Man From Texas; or, Bob Ferret and Jack Burton in Double Harness. . 70—Shadowing A Shadow; or, A Ghost in Nick Carter’s Detective School. Kas 71—Green Goods; or, A Catch in Bob Ferret’s R Trap. o 72—Bob Ferret’s Password; or, The Chase of | I Gold Ship. — 73—Roxy’s Golden Decoy; or, The Girl Detectiy Plays a Lone Hand. fe 74—The Great Detective Trio; or, Nick Carte Boys in a New School. 75—The Human Fly; or, Roxy’s Message to t Wide Awake School Boys. 76—Bob Ferret’s Trolley Trail; or, The Scho@ Detectives Patched up Quarry. ~ 77—Roxy’s Talking Clew; or, The Mystery of Magic Maze. 78—The Living Target; or, Jack Burton’s Frien For Life. 79—Buff’s Slide For Life; or, The Man Who Pla: 1 Money. 80—On the Back of a Turtle; or, Bob Ferret «