Nick Carter Weekly (no. 87) (1898 08 27)
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issued weekiy. Subdscripron price, $2.0 per year, Mhtered as second cians: mater at the N. Y, Fost ufice bysStTREET & SMITH. No. 87. NEW YORK, August 27.1898 __ Pisa: 5 Conte duane ee IC we ares CO ears ote Yee” J ~—7 A a. O33 FSCO Ss SS
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Eniered according to Act of Congress in the 2g 1898 Soy oa 3 Smith, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington Issued weekly. No 87. sraeer & surrn, Publishers. Entered as second class Matter at the New York, N. ¥., Post Office. Subscription price, $2.50 per year. os NEW YORK. August 27, 1898, 5 Cents $1 Fulton 8t., N. Y. Nick Carter’s Ten. Thousand Dollar Bill; THE HOLD-UP OF THE BANK PRESIDENT. By the Author of ‘“NICK CARTER.” CHAPTER I. THE GAMBLER CONSPIRATOR. Six men were seated around a table in one of the best known and most famous— or infamous—gambling-houses in the city of Denver. They were engaged in an earnest con- versation, and before them upon the table were several piles of greenbacks. But for the absence of cards or other signs of gambling one might have thought that they were indulging in a game of chance of some kind, or were engaged in dividing the profits df some great coup. Not so, however. They were organizing a monster con- spiracy by which their fellow-man was to be defrauded of huge sums of money. They were gamblers, and with one exe ception men who were well known in Denver. Nearest the window, and by common consent occupying the ‘‘chair,’’? was Dan Derrington. Tall, dark, handsome, educated, ac- complished, talented, he was a host in himself, and a man who, although a gambler and the proprietor of a gaming resort, held the*respect and confidence of many a substantial business man in the city. His house was as respectable as such a place can be, and was frequented by the ‘“best’? men in the town, who felt confi- dent that they could find a ‘‘square ”’ game under his roof. He was cool, daring, and, when he played himself, a plunger. There was something about Derring- ton which inspired fear as well as confi- REMEMBER THE MAINE AND PAGE 32. ¥ t * x
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z NICK CABTER WEEKLY. dence among his friends. One felt that his soft voice could, if he chose to exert it, ring out deafeningly; that his velvety hands, whit: and beautiful, might close with a grip of steel if occasion required; that his languid air was the litheness of the panther, and that~ his eyes could blaze with deadly fire if W® were once aroused. é Nobody understood Derrington. Every- body. feared him, . Nobody disliked him, and there were prominent business men in town who did not hesitate to speak of him as their friend. Yet there was a: ‘‘something,’’ inde- finable though it were, which suggested the sleeping tiger, the buried powder- keg, the coiled serpent lying in the sun at midday by,the roadside. ; He was tall, over six feet in height, broad and sinewy, and his handsome face was mounted with a. glossy, black mus- tache through which, when he smiled, his white teeth gleamed suddenly. Next to him was Brayton Danvers, his partner; as polished, as handsome, as big, and as desperate as Derrington. His eyes were blue instead of black, and his mustache, large, fierce, and beautifully trained, was almost golden, That these two men were the dominant spirits of that strange meeting was evi- dent. They deepened wherever they. went, » The EE na which they owned and conducted was the best and most re- liable in the city. Next came Ginke ‘Gaul, cade Morton _ Connors, and then Chauncey Herrick. x oe: trio were partners in another mac * _ DIAMOND DICK, es STANDS BY Hie: aenos cern of the same kind. Indeed it was in one of the rooms of their establishment that the meeting was held, and the time, to be exact, was the night of March 27, 1880. Gattl was a square-featured, sharp- eyed, keen-looking tian, ‘not ‘tall, but broad and muscular. ‘‘Gambler’’ was written all over his almost expressionless face,, wherein one could see a trace of the devil that slept within him. Conners and Herrick were nondescript. They were gamblers—one could dis- cover that ata glance. There was none of the refinementsand, polish about them which marked the appearance of Derring- ton and Danvers, or the rugged yet shrewd personality of Gaul. The sixth and last was named Sam Seliney, and upon him the eyes of every person present were turned. He was slight of build, youthful in ap- pearance, Testless, and nervous in his motions, but withal there was a pro- nounced air of determination about him. There were five piles of greenbacks upon the table—one before each man, with the exception of Seliney. ‘*Well,”’? said Danvers, after a moment of silence, during which they were all watching Seliney, ‘‘where’s your ante, Sam ””? “1m afraid I'll have to sis} out,”’ was the reply. “*Stay out ??” “Ves, ? : y a ‘Impossible!’ ‘It’s easier than coming in.’” ‘Why 2??? -“‘Because I haven’t got the mak a?
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 3 “Get it then.” “Look here, Danvers, you’ve each put up twenty-five thousand dollars, and you expect the same from me.”’ ‘*We do.”’ “*I’ve got four; that’s my pile. of you will lend me twenty-one thousand, or if you’ll make up the stake between you, Pil——’? ‘*Can’t be done, Sam.’’ “Why >»? ‘You know as well as I. ; tome and wanted money for any other ‘ purpose I’d stake you in a minute; so would Dan, or Burke, or Mort, or Chan; you know that.’ Yes...” =: ‘This is business. We want a hundred and fifty thousand for our capital, and we each agreed to put in twenty-five. It’s all . up but yours. Shove in your chips, Sauk! ; “*T tell you I haven’t got the ore. I got left—went broke; see ?’’ . Dead silence. ‘Look here, fellows, Vu tell you what I'll do,’ suddenly exclaimed Seliney. “What?” asked Danvers. >. - 2 “Dl withdraw.”’ : = Every man there made a negative sign, and Seliney uttered an oath. “What can I.do?’’ he exclaimed, im- patiently. ‘J haven’t the boodie, and If one If you came - you won’t lend it to me; I offer to with-. draw, and you shake your hea . “It?s too late for that, Seliney,’’ said : Depingion, ny =f “Why?” PSs eseee There's ns ean in which you ES canageient of this thing.” WEN WANT — ‘READER TQ. MAE PATRIOTICL Smee SEE PAGE ie | ‘*What is that ?”” “The grave.”’ The other four nodded. **And,’’ continued Derrington, show- ing his white teeth, ‘‘you’ve got to pay up or get out.”’ “Ah? **Do you understand ?”’ Veg ‘*Tt’s your money or your life.”’ “*T see.” . ‘*The thing has gone too far to let any outsider share our secrets, and the mo- ment you withdrew you would become an outsider. See?’ “ Yes. ” -‘*This money is an earnest of good faith: We don’t invest it, as you. know. It is placed in my hands as a chain to bind us together; a cash deposit; a bond for good behavior. You say you hayen’t the money ?”’ “No. 2 3 a “Can you get it?” “No. ” ‘*Will you end your own life in some way, then, and save us the trouble and annoyance ?’’ **Do you mean that?’ ‘*Certainly.’? : ‘*)’m twenty-one thousand short.’’ ““So it seems. ’? 4 ‘How long will you give me to make my ante good?’’.. “How long do you want?”’ ‘*Forty-eight hours.”’ ‘‘T am willing.’’ ‘And I! chorused the others, , “T’ll meet you here forty-eight hours
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4 NIOK CARTER WEEKLY. from now,’’ exclaimed Seliney, ‘‘and I'll have the money, or——”’ *“Or what ?’’ ‘*Or Ill be dead.”’ Ah hed **T mean it.’’ “Good, Sam!’ cried Danvers. lieve you do.” **T will pay the amount over on the hour, or I will have ceased to live. IfI am not here you may know that I am dead.”’ - é Derrigton smiled approval. ‘‘Where will you get it?’’ he asked. *‘Does that make any difference?’’ de- manded Seliney. “ce No. »” “Suppose I steal it?” Derrington shrugged his shoulders. **You would probably be caught and taken to prison,’’ he drawled. ~ ‘*T be- “*T will never be caught. I know where Ican demand the money. If I don’t get it I cease to live, that’s all.’’ ‘Very good.’’ ‘*T only ask one favor.”’ **What is it?’ “Tf I do get it, stand by me.’’’ “Sure. Only——” “Only what ?’’ ‘*We won’t risk prison walls and such things. Get your money as you please; we don’t care how. Hold up a train, rob a bank, find a gold mine, but don’t do anything which will tend to mix us up in the thing.’’ ‘I won’t.”” / ‘Forty-eight hours from now, then?’’ “Ves,” Si E ‘Take back your money, gentlemen. We will make our contributions when we are all prepared, not before.’’ ‘*Agreed.’’ ‘It is now eleven-fifty, P.M. forty-eight hours we will meet here again. Thé meeting is adjourned.’’ It was not until long afterward that Nick Carter knew the particulars of that strange meeting, but he learned it ulti- mately, and as showing the motive for the great ‘‘hold-up,’’ the author uses it to open the story. There was not a man present, how- ever, who dreamed of the desperate re- solve which Seliney had taken, nor with what daring and success he would carry his plans to fulfillment. ee CHAPTER II. A DARING HOLD-UP. In just On the day following the events last recorded, a young, well-dressed man called at the office of David H. Moffat in the Railroad Building. He was told that the gentleman was not in, and leaving word that he would call again on the following day he left his card, and went away. The card was inscribed with the name “°C. J. Wells,’? and was duly handed to the president of the First, National Bank when he came in, On the following morning, that is, March 29, 1889, the man called again, and found Mr. Moffat ready to receive him. ‘‘What can I do for you, sir?’’ asked the genial gentleman. . The man who called himself Wells stepped forward, and in a low tone said: ‘DIAMOND DICK, JR, IS A REAL HERO, |
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- \pared at the present moment, looking at his watch, ‘‘I have not time.’’ NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Ser *‘My business is private, sir, and I would like to see you alone for a moment only.” = . “Very good,’’ was the reply. right in here,”’ President Moffat led the way to his private office, and motioned his caller to a chair. ‘*Now I am at your service,’’ he said. _ *“The fact is, Mr. Moffat,’’ began the stranger, “‘my errand is a very unusual **Step one.’?’ ‘*Indeed.”’ - “Ves. By accident I have learned of a gigantic scheme by which your bank is to be defrauded of a large sum of money.”’ ~ eeany **T have thought the matter all over, ‘and I wish to put you in full possession of the facts.” “That is very kind of you, Mr. Wells.” : “Tt is my. duty, sir.’’ **Will you tell me the story at once, please !”’ Pardon me, but I am not fully pre- and,’’ But ” ‘*Pardon me again, sir. I know many of the details of this affair, but not the most important ones. ‘To learn them, in / order to be prepared to fully inform you, Z _Imust be in a certain place in twenty minutes. Can I not see you at the bank ite in the day?”’ is z _ “Why, yes, 0 of course. 7 “That will ao capitally. I>-will be at your office at the bank eens? at one = Ri ghock: ” Due eel.” eae : 3 *“Very good.”’ “If you will give me~a private inter- view then I will be fully prepared"to re- veal one of the boldest and shrewdest schemes of robbery ever planned. I must hasten now. I will be at the bank promptly at one.’’ “<I will expect you.” , Mr. Wells departed, ‘and Mr. Moffat, engrossed in other matters, almost forgot the incident until noon. At one o’clock, however, he was at his desk at the bank, and two minutes after- ward the man Wells entered. “‘Ah!’ said the president, ‘fare you ready with your story now?’’ **Yes; fully.” “Good! Take a chair!” - ‘*Thank you. Have you a blank check handy, Mr. Moffat?’’ ‘fA blank check ?”’ **Ves,” ‘“‘What do you want of that?” “T wish to show you exactly how this thing is to be done.”’ ~' “Ah! Very good. Here is one.”’ As Mr. Moffat exhibited the check the stranger’s eyes glistened suddenly. ‘““We will now settle this matter be- tween you and me,’’ he exclaimed. Rising to his feet he thrust one hand in his pocket as if in search of paper or something of the kind. Instead however, he drew forth a re- volver of the Colt pattern, and coolly aimed it at the bank president’s head. | “Oblige me by filling out that check for precisely twenty-one thousand dol- lars,’’ he said, cdldly. ; ete WAR BUTTONS FREE TO ALL READERS, Pek = he ie 4
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stranger, sternly. 6 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ‘‘Why! What do you mean!’ ex- claimed the astonished official. ‘*Exactly what I say. If you make a move or speak a word louder tlian an ordinary tone I will kill you on the spot. Iam in desperate circumstances, and I want twenty-one thousand dollars. You must give it to me..”’ “*But ” “Don’t talk; act, if you value your life. Look here!’ ‘ As he spoke he drew a bottle tightly corked from another pocket, and held it before Mr. Moffat’s eyes. “Do you see this?’’ he demanded. Fev en-*? ‘his bottle contains nitro-glycerine.” ‘*Good heavens, man——”’ “Wait. I want twenty-one thousand dollars. I must have it. If I do not get it I shall kill myself anyhow. I care nothing for my life without it. Yesterday I had determined upon suicide. To-day I take this chance of saving my life. If you wink, make a single sign, touch a button, or attempt to do anything to give the alarm, I will shoot you dead where you sit) Then I will use this bottle, and not ‘only blow up the building, but every- body in it. On you, sir, depend the live, of a dozen, ay, a score or more people. Will you sacrifice your own and theirs for twenty-one thousand dollars?” Mr. Moffat was speechless. “Bill out the check,’’ continted the ‘‘T have calculated every point, It is a question of your _ money or your life, Write!” Mr, Moffat wrote, The man before him was not a crank, He was sure of that, He read determination and settled pur- pose in the stranger’s coolness and daring. He saw that it was his money or his life, and very sensibly he decided to give the money. “FT could demand fifty thousand, and get it as easily. as the twenty-one,’’ con. tinued Wells. ‘‘I don’t do it. I demand only what I want, only what I. must Come! There are many lives at stake. Write.’’ The bank president filled ont the check, and signed it. ‘“There,’’ he said, putting it out toward the robber. But Wells did not touch it. ‘*Get it cashed for me,’’ he said, lacon- ically. “Ah!” ‘*Take it into the bank, hand it to the paying-teller, and request him to bring the money to you here.’’ Mr. Moffat rose hastily. He thought he saw a chance to give the alarm, but the robber was prepared for that also. “Listen? he said, sternly. ‘‘I still have the revolver and the explosive ready, and at the least sign of betrayal I will use both. If I am caught, you will have. f - be dead. I shall walk into the bank with . I shall keep you | covered. I am a dead shot. Do you,” you, part of the way. understand ?”” 'tVes, ” “Tf you give the slightest sign or say a word more than is necessary to get that = RUFFIANS HATE DIAMOND DICK, JR. _ 7 zd +. Si : eet cer fr = > > ba fo pantia . M * — vr? '
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+ NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 7 check cashed, I will kill you instantly, and then blow up the bank. Now go.”’ Mr. Moffat went. Wells followed him through the door of communication between the private office and the bank, and stood just beyond the threshold with one hand under his Coat. That hand grasped the ,revolver, and the bank president knew that his heart- was covered, and that the robber would keep his word. He handed the check to the paying- teller, and said: “4 “Cash that, and bring the .money to my office.’ Then he turned, and ‘still followed by the bold robber’s eyes, passed again into his private office, and closed the door. The two men seated themselves, and in silence awaited the arrival of the money. “Rememebr my warning, when the cash is brought in,’’ remarked Wells, presently. **T will remember.”’ _ Minutes dragged by, and the money "aia not come. “What makes that fellow so slow?” _ demanded the robber impatiently. - “He will come presently,’’ returned . “teller appeared. © : | - the banker. Then the door opened, “anid the paying- “How do you “want that sum, Mr. ~ Moffat ?’” he asked. “Mr. Wells will tell_ you,” was the “cool reply. eae a FAs thousand in gold, the rest in bil," said Wells, quickly. é set Eg LD GET A om. beg © soon came back, bringing the money with him. He laid it upon the desk, and, turning, left the office. The eyes of the robber gleamed as he stood the bottle of explosive upon a chair, and still keeping his revolwer in readi- ness, placed the money in his pockets with his disengaged hand. ‘*Now, sir,’’ he-said, ‘‘I am going.’’ “T can’t say that I have enjoyed your call,’’? was the grim reply. “ Necessity knows no law, Mr. Moffat. I meant every word I said to you, and every threat I made. I mean what Iam about to’say to you now, too.”’ ‘*T don’t doubt it. What is it?” “T will not be taken. If you make any effort to have me captured while I am leaving the bank, I will blow up the building. Do you understand that ?’’: “Tt is plain enough.”’ “Remenfber! I will not be taken. Death is far preferable. I mean it. Good- day, sir.’ He turned and coolly left the ‘a, and walked rapidly out of the bank. In a moment he was gone. Then, as soon as he dared, the bank president leaped to his feet and gave the alarm. A moment later the utmost conisishost reigned in the First National Bank of Denver. —— — CHAPTER III. TWO FAMILIAR FACES. It i is eles have to describe the scenes which followed the sdaring ee of ~The Bat yey Siege ‘but he_ Eragidant. Mofies £ =
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.* % 4 rs 8 NIOK CARTER WEEKLY. : The confusion for the next few hours after the departure of the man who had called himself J. C. Wels, beggars de- scription. Bank clerks and depositors rushed from the building in the effort to catch a glimpse of the daring fellow; but nobody saw him. He had disappeared as utterly as though he had ceased to exist. It was true that there was an arrest, but it was a mistaken one, and the man was liberated as soon as Mr. Moffat saw him. The police of Denver were all excite- ment. ~ A large reward was offered for the arrest and conviction of the robber; but days and weeks went by, and nothing came of it—until Nick Carter appeared upon the scene. That occurred one morning soon after the bank opened for the transaction of business. . A simple-looking, unassuming man suddenly appeared at the cashier’s win- dow. ‘I'd like to see Mr. Moffat,’’ he said. ‘*What for ?’’ asked the cashier, shortly, ‘“‘Ror instance, maybe; for business, more likely,’’ was the cool reply. ‘*What is your business, sir?”’ _ “It?s mine—and his, thank peodneny— and none of yours. ’’ “State your business, or you cannot see him.”’ % Can't I?” “'No,”? “Has your veracity ever been in ques- tion,’ Mr. Cashier?’ ‘Sir! What do you mean?” “Do you often tell such barefaced, un- adulterated, blooming, downright—er— romances as that one?’’ The cashier was good-natured, and the expression on the detective’s face was so utterly devoid of any wish to offend, that the man behind the grating laughed as he said: ‘*Will you tell me your name?’ ‘‘Not now, thank you.” ‘*Your business, then ?’’ ‘It’s private. ”’ ‘No one is admitted to Mr. Moffat’s office without first stating the business in hand.’’ ‘“‘Humph! “c Yes. ” ‘Mister, have you got a double-barreled shot-gun, a six-shooter, and a couple of bowies? If you have, will you take ’em _in your hands and conduct me into the Is that so?’’ - presence of the Czar of the First National Bank of Denver? He doesn’t exercise much, I’m told, and therefore he’s tender and plump. I’m hungry, and I might eat him.”’ “Come, come! State your business.”’ ~ “Well, just step into his office quietly, so as not to startle him, you know, and say that I’m harmless. Then appoint a committee to search me for dynamite, guns, and such things. When you’re thoroughly satisfied, tell Mr. Moffat that the fellow he sent for = New York is here.”’ The expression of the cashier’s face changed. He leaned forward, and whispered: “Are you Nick Carter?’ Nick nodded. RALLY ROUND THE FLAG—WEAR A FLAG PIN.
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY, 9 ‘Walk right in, then.” *°Thanks.’’ They both laughed, and in a moment “more the detective and the bank presi- dent were’closeted together. Nor were they long in getting down to business. In detail, Mr. Moffat rehearsed every- thing that had happened when he had been robbed by the man who called him- self C. J. Wells, and the great detective listened in silence. ~ When the story was finished, Nick said, slowly: “There seems to be no clue whatever to go on.”’ “None at all,’’ returned Mr. Moffat ““There are, however, several suggest- __ive features in the case.’’ Ves . and—-—"? ‘Well?’ . **T took good care to study his face. My description of Wells is, I think, ex- act.’” : “Tt amounts to not‘ling, Mr. Moffat.’’ ‘Indeed! Why’”’ “Because a man who would dare such a thing as that robbery would also calcu- late every point connected with it.’’ SS Stijj——"” _ “Excuse me. He would take good care to alter his appearance enough so that ; your description would be = wide of _ the mark.” “Do you think so.” “Tam am sure of it.” _ “Then there is absolutely no clue.” _ “Wait; we will see about that.”’ - - Smit a there i is not. ” i *“You say he asked for just twenty-one thousand dollars. ’’ aS Yes?’ ‘‘Why didn’t he demand twenty-five thousand or twenty thousand dollars even ? Whi just twenty-one thousand dollars ?’’ **Who can say??? **T think I can; but wait. Bankers are fairly good judges of character. Go back to the first mioment that you saw him in the Railroad Buliding.’’ -**Well’, ‘‘What was your impression of him then ?”’ “‘T remember it distinctly.’’ ‘‘Good! Let me hear it.’’ “T thought him a fellow who, perhaps, had friends in Crookdom, but who had not sunk low enough to steal as yet.’’ ‘*Go on; please.’’ ‘I figured that he had overheard some scheme for defrauding the bank, and that he considered it his duty to warn me.’’ ‘‘What more? Analyze your opinion of that day.’’ “TI believed that he would demand a reward for what he proposed to do——”’ **In money ?”’ **No.”? “*In what then ?’’ “In immunity for his friends.’’ “*Exactly.’’ ‘hh ?”? ‘In other words, he did not impress you as being a crook himself?” “No,” 2 “Very good. Now, we come back to the peculiarity of his demand—the fact that he wanted just twenty-one thousand dollars.’? - Se ADMIRAL SAMPSON " rey FREE—SEE PAGE 32.
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10 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 6 Ves, 2) “Did he say Something about suicide?” se Yes. 7? ““What?”’ ‘He said, in effect, forfeited unless he procured that amount that his life was of money.”’ “Which means——”’ “Vou tell; I can’t.’’ “Tt means that he had agreed to pay - somebody that amount that day, and that he had staked his life upon it,”’ “Hm! “Let us follow that theory_out for a moment, and see what we get.’”: Perhaps so.”’ **Very well.”’ “There are a great many gamblers in Denver, are there not?’ 6 “Ves. ” “They include all classes, from the gentleman who plays for excitement, the sport who plays for gain, to the crook who plays because lhe has stolen money in his possession, and wants to spend it.’’ ‘*Ves.”’ “If the gambling-houses had been visited that day, Mr. Moffat, and if it had been learned that somebody had lost just twenty-one thousand dollars on the pre. vious night, it might have been a clue.” “By Jove! That’s so.’’ “J don’t say it would have been.” ‘tNo. +B “But let us suppose, for example, that Wells was a gambler.” = ven.” i “He had lost the sum he demanded, or more, at play.” or Ves, ” a = “He had said, ‘I will pay that money at such a time, or I will be dead.’ ” StVes, ”) “In that case, he told the truth when he said that he cared nothing for his life, for’such mea consider their obligations of greater importance than anything else, particularly when they have given nothing but their bare word.”” “Rather remarkable, isn’t it ?’’ “Not at all. If he breaks it, his friends leave A gambler’s credit is his , word. him. He may dishonor a note, cheat at cards, pick a drunken man’s piocket, and they wink at it. Let him promise to pay and fail, and they leave him as rats leave a sinking ship. henor with them, but a means of liveli- hood. ’’ (CAh !? ‘If this man, Wells, promised to pay a certain amount at a certain time or for- feit his life; he meant it, and if you had failed him in any way that day, he would have carried out his threat. I believe that to be a good theory.”’ ‘*It sounds reasonable.” ‘As we have no other, we will work on that a little.”’ : ‘Very good,” “Can any of the money that was paid to him be be identified ?”’ “*Just one bill.” ‘*Ah! What was it?’ ‘CA ten-thousand-dollar-bill,”’ “Has any effort been made to trace oy “Certainly.” ‘With any aphoahte = ao.’ ” It-is not a question of
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. yea. “Give me a description of the bill be- fore I leave. It may come handy.”’ “T will do so.”’ ‘*Who knows that you sent for me?”’ “My cashier.”’ “Anybody else ?”’ ‘No. ” “Tet no one but your cashier learn of the fact. Caution him not to mention my name im any way, and do not, on any ac- count, let it be thought that you’are mak- ing any effort beyond that already attempted to catch the robber.’’ ‘ *T will do as’ you say.”’ “‘Good! That is all, I believe.’’ - ‘‘Rather a slim case, isn’t it, Carter ?’’ “Ves; but I have had ‘tougher ones in my time.” r ‘*When will I see you apain ” “Probably when you least expect it. I ‘won’t come here again, I think, and you may hear or see nothing of me for weeks. Whether you do or not, remember that I am still at work, I may have to spend _- some money in this case, Mr. Moffat.’’ “Spend whatever you feel obliged to. Your recommendation to me is all suffi- “ cient. I have only one direction to give you—catch that robber.”’ SPH try.” : Nick left the bank, and strolled slewly nee ‘the street toward the Windsor Ho- “tee — “T reckon Pl j ep the town,’? he said to the clerk, as. *he paid for his dinner ‘three hours later. _ two, ain't there?” ie : et zi a Pl ws Yes, “ee as i — 4 ‘ y wd? ~ “Reckon Pi take it. ine town this, | 1 1 de of me men barat, eo knew he was ‘Train for Pueblo at — so earnestly about?”” — 4i- to much, if you ain’t got no friend in it; hey ?”’ ‘“Phat’s so.” ‘On t’other hand, any place is nice, if Tom, Dick, aud Harry live there; hey?” A WOULD-BE ASSASSIN, When Nick saw and recognized Der- tington and Danvers in front of him, he slackened his pace. ‘ite The encounter was suggestive, for he’ had determined to leave Denver, and to return again as a gambler from the East, -who had come out to be fleeced, or to pluck a fortune from the Western men. He knew both men by sight, and with Derrington he had some acquaintance as the result of a former visit. However, he knew that neither of the men would recognize him in ost disguise he then wore. | ‘There are the very men whom I want most to cultivate,’’ was the thought that went through Nick’s mind as he spied them, ‘I wonder what they are talking He quickened his step until he was close behind them, but although neither
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12 ; NICK CARTER WEEKLY. there, for they ceased speaking, and the detective heard nothing. But the very fact that they did not want a third person to hear what they were saying was in itself interesting. True, they might have been discussing any one of hundreds of different things connected with their business,- which they preferred to keep to themselves. It was the coincidence of seeing them at the very moment when his mind was upon them that interested Nick. more than anything else, The reader must not suppose that Nick” was gifted with second sight. He could not, by any possibility, know that Derrington and Danvers were in any way connected with the man whom he knew as C. J. Wells. The meeting iw Larimer street of four years ago was as yet a locked secret to him, . It was therefore, only on general prin- ciples that he became interested in the two men in front of him, : They were gamblers—the best known gamblers in Denver, He had decided to -work a little upon the theory that’ Wells was a gambler. Vf the detective was tight, the man Wells would be known to. Derrington and Danvers—not, perhaps, by the name of Wells—but they would know some- thing of the incidents of the time, and an anecdote from the lips of one of them might furnish Nick with the clue he _ wanted. He told Moffat not to let it be known that Nick Carter was in Denver, and yet he instantly resolved to reveal that fact himself. So much time had elapsed since the commission of the crime that-he was working upon, that unless it were known that he had really been in consultation with Mr. Moffat, he would not be con- nected with the case of the great bank ‘*hold-up.’? Turning abruptly aside, he passed through the depot, and walked hastily toward an empty passenger-car, which stood unused upon the side track of the D. & R. G. Railroad. He passed around the car, mounted the platform from the far side, and entered. He was alone.” : In a moment he tore away the disguise he wore, and in five more he was arrayed in the one in which he knew that Der- rington would recognize him. From the satchel he took a few things that he wished to preserve, and stowed them away in his pockets; then, aban- doning it, he leaped from the car, darted around the corner of the depot, and the next moment, with his hands thrust into his trousers pockets and idly whistling a familiar tune he strolled down the depot platform and came face to face with the two gamblers. “Hello, Derrington ? he exclaimed. ‘“How are you Danvers?” and he paused in front of them, They had been talking earnestly to- gether, pacing up and down the while, and Nick fancied that he saw them both start as he spoke to them. Derrington’s keen eyes were upon him, however, in an instant, and as though he ee cn se BADGE FREE—SEE LAST iscsi * - 4 a On
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VE a NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ’ 13 had parted from the detective not five minutes before, he said: ‘“How’re you,-Carter? Fine day, isn’t it?” | “Great! What’s new? Anything?’’ “No. Times are dull; dish water isn’t in it.”’ ‘*Really? is Morford gone broke?”’ “°Who??’’ ‘Morford.’ “Don’t know him.” *‘What! Don’t know Mark Morford ” “Haven’t the honor.” ‘“That’s odd.”’ ‘Why ?”” a3 ating “Oh, nothing! The last time I saw him he said he was coming out here to do you up, that’s all. I supposed he was here.”’ ‘Who is he?” “An Englishman; a plunger from way back.”’ 4 “$ **Indeed !”’ ’ “Ves. ‘They? re all, afraid of him in New York. Daly won't play against him any more, and——’’ ‘He must be a terror.’’ m ‘tBah! He’s lucky, that’s all.” ‘Coming here, eh?”’ “So he said. Probably he’s changed his mind. The last time I saw him play, he won ibe ge thousand on one turn. “ ‘““Twenty-one thousand!’’ exclaimed _ Danvers. ' He and Derrington exchanged a quick glance, and then both men laughed. “T could stand that several times run- -ning,”? ‘said Derrington, coolly. ‘‘I say, 2 rerkiss. bvO. * oa res after now?’ ‘“Nobody.”’ ““EKh? Nobody!’ “Just finished; on my way home; waited to see Denver, and have a try with yeu myself.”’ “*Really ?”” '6Vas,?? “Didn’t know you ever played.”’ **Never during business hours.”’ “Oh }»? Everybody laughed, and Nick was turning when Danvers stopped him. ‘Do you mean what you said?’ he asked. ‘*Sure.’’ ‘““Then dine with us to-night won’t you? AES “Where?” ” ‘*At the tooms, or sae"" “Good! I'll be there.”’ Nick started away. He had taken kut a few steps, however, when his glance fell upon a man who was stealthily ap- proaching the spot where the two gam- blers had resumed their interrupted con- versation. To the ordinary observer, there was nothing about the man to attract atten-— tion, but to Nick Carter there was much. His eyes gleamed strangely, and they - were fixed intently upon the two men whom Nick had just left. His right hand was thrust into the breast of his coat as though it grasped the hilt of a weapon. >’ - He walked slowly, and the detective noticed \that with every step he placed the ball of his foot upon the platform be- fore the heel was permitted to touch, thus accomplishing the same effect as BP. Saat Die Ie. IS A DANDY.
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14 toeing, but witliout the appearance of it. ‘*That fellow means mischief of some kind,’’ muttered Nick, ‘‘and either Dan or Bray is the object of it.’’ He passed along until he got behind the man who had attracted’ his attention. Then, adopting the same tactics, al- though more expertly, he glided forward until he was within four feet of the man and directly behind him. He was now sure that the fellow con- templated mischief. ‘T'wo or three times he heard him ‘thutter a curse or two, and each time a spasmodic motion of the right arm almost brought the concealed hand into view. * ‘“*He’s got a bowie there, eat was Nick’s thought, ‘‘and, if I were not here, one of those fellows would get it. I won- der which one?’’ f Nearer and nearer they approached. ‘*By Jove! It’s Derrington!’’ thought Nick. ‘‘Well, TP’ll save him, anyhow. Maybe I'll make peeeehing in the way of information.’ The would-be assassin was so intent upon his prospective victim that he neither heard nor saw the detective who was behind him. . It is doubtful if it occurred to him to suspect that he was watched. “Murder was ia his heart. His victim was near at hand and he gave no thought to consequences. Step by step they approached. Derrington and Danvers, absorbed in their conversation, never ouce looked be- hind them. i Suddenly, with a leap like a aathien, the unknown man sprang forward, At the same instant he drew a bowie from its place of concealment in his coat, and raised it in the air. “I've got you at last, Dan om aps ton,’’ he cried. ~The knife descended. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. It would, in an instant more, have been buried between pessiiaoe s shoul- ders. But the wrist that held it was seized in an iron grasp. It was bent backward until it cracked with a loud noise. The murderous knife fell ete to the depot platform, and the man who had attempted to use it uttered a wild cry of pain and rage, and turned upon his unknown foe. But Nick was prepared for him. He seized the fellow in his arms, and with a quick swing, threw him bodily over his head, so that he landed in a heap upon the platform, breatirless, seuseless, still. Dezrington wheeled just in time to see the last act of what came very near being the tragedy of his own life. **Vou, Carter!’’ he cried, placing his right hand where he carried a revolver. ‘“‘No, that fellow!’’ replied Nick, coolly. , ‘What happened ?? ‘*He tried to knife you,that’s all. I saw him, and Stepped in.”? ~ “T]l thank you for it some time, Carter,’’ said the gambler. Then he stepped toward the would-be murderer. i **Is he dead, Carter?’ he asked. ‘*No; he only fainted. I broke his wrist,’’ SSA ha ‘It had to be apne: him ?”’ ot Vieg?) ‘“Who is he?”’ ‘‘A poor devil who went broke at my place last night. He’s crazy, T reckon.” ‘fActed like it. Tell me the story.’” “T will to-night. Wait till I fix this Do you know with the cop. I essclbers want ees fellow _ prosecuted.’” DIAMOND ities =< 18 eta EVERY WEEK.
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” NICK CAR'1ER WEEKLY. ““That’s good of you.’ ‘‘Bah! I'll be back in a minute. Stroll along with Bray. Ill overtake you.”’ “Good }? “And F'll tell you the story, too.’’ ‘*Yes, and others,’? thought Nick, as he locked arms with Danvers, and turned away. ‘CHAPTER V. DERRINGTON’S SHREWD PLAY. Nick felt that he had indeed won the confidence of the gambler, Dan Derring- ton, by the fortunate. occurrence on the platform of the Union Depot, and as he walked away from the spot with Danvers. he knew, if there was anything in his theory, that he was already upon the track of the man who had _ so. boldly robbed President Moffat in his own bank. . But he speedily saw that the gamblers were not without their own suspicions regarding his presence there, and that they meant to find out his business: if possible. He simile at the ee of anybody trying to pump him, and he resolved to let them use their utmost endeavors in that direc- ~ tion. “Been here gt oS asked Danvers, - after a moment. e “No; just came,” “Finished up your case, you say.’ 4 **Ves, ” ‘*What was it?”’ _““Porgery }~? ‘Ah! One of the Denver banks?” “‘No, a New York bank.”” “Indeed. Did you catch the forger _ here?” = _ “Not quite,”’ laughed the detective, “I traced him here, but got a wire this morning that my assistant, had already nabbed the man.’’ Saw cig 7 \ &: we” sy Bact <2 c ea de) me eat Yaa nF ie a Pur: al eal “eo _ GIVE YOUR GIRL RN. AMERICAN FLAG HAT PIN—SEE P PAGE 32. 16 A moment of silence followed, during which they were joined by Derrington. He commenced the same game that Danvers had attempted, but in-a very different way. Derrington was much more foxy than his partner, and followed different rules for reaching a given result. “*Well,’’ he said, ‘‘I’ve fixed things. ”’ **Ves?’’ replied Nick; *‘how?”’ ‘‘T told the cops who you were, and all that.”’ ‘Indeed! By night everybody will know that Nick Carter is in the’ city.’’ “Sure! you haven’t any objections, have you? *I understood——”? ‘*Oh, not the least.”’ ““Y understood that you had finished the business that brought you lere.’’ ‘Quite right.” “Semething interesting, was it??? ‘Quite so.’? Nick saw an intelligent glance pass between Danvers and Derrington, and the latter at once changed the subject. ‘*By the way,’’ he said, ‘‘what do you know about this fellow Morford?’ “T told you, Dan.’’ ‘All you know??? “6Yes,"? “*Good! I, hope he’ come. We'll teach him how to play when he does, and introduce him to the Denver tiger. of Nick laughed. Presently Derrington continued: ‘‘Your remark about him brings to mind a strange thing that happeneed here some time ago.”’ “Ves; what?” ‘The amount he won at one turn the cards brought it to my mind.”’ AW? z ‘The twenty-one thousand dollars, you know.” ’ . of “Sorry I iin t know, but I don’t quite catch on.” a 28
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16 ‘Don’t you remember the Moffat rob- bery ?”’ “The Moffat robbery ? 2? ‘Ves, ” “Oh! Yes, I remember it now. A fel- low went to the First National Bank and held the president up for twenty-one thousand dollars, didn’t he?” «That's it.?? ‘Did they ‘ever catch him ?’’ ‘ “No, ” *‘Nor get any trace of him?’’ “*No. a “I would have enjoyed that case, _Dan. iy Why?” ‘Well, I like blind cases.” “Why, don’t you apply for it now?” “Now? The thing is getting gray, isn’t it ?”’ “What of that? It’s all the more blind.”’ ‘True,’ ‘*Why don’t you go and see Moffat and ' get the case?” = ’ ‘*Hadn’t thought of it.” “You say you’re not busy new?’ °*No. ” ‘*There’s a good reward offered.’’ “Is there? The trail is too old, Dan. I like fresh ones.’’ ‘*T’d like to see you on that case.’’ ‘Why ?”” ‘Oh, because I think you'd get left for once.’’ ‘Again, why ?”’ “Some of the smartest detectives i in the world have worked on it, and given it up.’’ **So?”’ ** Ves, ” _ “Humph!”” “alk of angels,’’ suddenly cried Dan- _ vers, ‘‘there comes Moffat down the street now. oa) Derrington came toa sudden halt. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “Dll make a-bet with you, Carter,’ he said. © ‘“What kind of a bet?” “Pll introduce you to Moffat. If he will put the case in your hands, and you will- take it, I'll bet you any amount you’ll stake that you can’t catch Wells.”’ “fWells! Was that the fellow’s name?” S¢Ves)? ‘Well, give me the introduction.” **Will you bet?” **7°1l tell you later,’ **Cautious, eh?’ **Certainly.”’ “Tf I wait, I must make conditions.” ‘‘What are they ?”’ “If you conclude to bet, you must agree never to see Moffat after this inter- view, unless I am with you, or Dauvers, or both of us.’’ “Why ?* » ‘Well, you must get all your clues at once, at this conversation; see?”’ ‘*That doesn’t give me a show, Dan.” “I'll inake the bet two to one, for any amount you please.’ i “Done!” “You'll do it?’ *¢ Ves, ” “Good! I’ll stop Moffat, and we'll ae the talk.’’ ‘‘How much time will you give me?’’ *‘A month.” “Pll win your money, Dan.”’ ‘Bet you a thousand you don’t!’ ex- claimed Danvers. Nick turned and faced him; then, coolly sticking out his -_ heed; he said: “Tl take that, too.’ In the meantime Mr. Moffat had ap- proached quite near, and by a gesture Derrington stopped him. . “How are you, Moffat?’’ he said. want to introduce a friend to you. F “Happy to meet him.”? sy / HURRAH FOR DIAMOND DICK, JR! =
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a Pi e ae Sark D NICK GARTER WEEKLY. ‘s 17 “Mr. Moffat, shake hands with Mr. Nick Carter, the greatest detective on earth.’’ Nick’s only fear regarding the en- counter was how Mr. Moffat would take the- abrupt announcement of his inden- tity. He knew that the bank president would not recognize him in the disguise he then wore, and he also knew that the lynx- eyed gamblers would watch the bank president’s features narrowly for a sign which would betray a knowledge of Car- ter’s presence in Denver. But Mr. Moffat was as ‘‘fly’’ as any of them. .He knew that the ways of detectives were inscrutable ever, and he had pre- pared himself to be surprised at nothing that Nick Carter did. His-face did not change a shade when Nick’s name was pronounced. He shook hands cordially, said some commonplace and polite thing about being honored, etc., and coolly asked Nick what brought him to Denver. ‘‘Never mind that,’’ interrupted Dan- vers, who seemed delighted at something. "Carter and Dan have made a bet, and the conditions depend upon you.”’ “Upon me y ddd S¢Ves,?? “How so??? ‘Carter bets that he can capture Wells, who held you up once, inside of a month. Dan bets he can’t, see?’’ Yes. Ishould be glad to have Mr. . Carter try it. The reward is still waiting. for somebody.” _ There are conditions in the bet,”? said Derrington. *Ves?? . “He is to get all his information re- _ garding the affair from you at this con- ’ ~ versation, and he is not to consult with OUR PATRIOTIC PREMIUMS ARE ELEGANT—SEE PAGE 32. you again unless Danvers or I, or both of us, are present.’’ ‘Why is that ?’’ “Oh, for no reason except muse I make the condition.”’ ‘*Rather an interesting bet,’’ murmured the bank president. ‘‘Do you think you can win it??? **T can try.”’ ‘Vou are to be stakeholder, Mr. Mof- fat, if you will.’’ “*Certainly.”’ ‘*We will send the money to you to- night, then,’’ “Very good.”’ ‘‘Now, Carter,’’ continued the gain- bler, ‘‘fire your questions at him.’’ **T shall only ask threé or four.’’ ‘‘Bully for you!’’ ‘Mr. Moffat,’’ said Nick, coolly, ‘‘did you read the published accounts of the robbery, in the Denver papers, at the time it occurred ?’’ Ves,” ‘*Were those accounts correct ?”’ 6€Ves,?? ‘Is there any point that you can give me notin addition to what I can find there, which will be of assistance ?”’ ‘*None.’’ “Thanks. That will do. I will not see you again until I have the robber in my power. Mr.Derrington and Mr. Danvers will be with me, I think, to see the last act in the play.” “Very good.”’ **You may let anybody and everybody know that I am on the case, if you choose. I propose to win, hands down, or lose.’’ “Good! I like your pluck, Mr. Carter, and I think you will win. I hope you will. Good-day.’’ The bank president passed on his way, and Nick and the two gamblers contin- ued theirs.
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. City, and swore to break me. 18 “You're a cute one, Carter,’ said Der- rington, with a laugh. “Why?” “Nobody but you would have thought of the newspapers. You get the whole story there.”? “YT thought I would. Reporters are sometimes good detectives.”’ Ah 1’? ““T shall read the articles, and then I will look up the men who wrote them. Catch on?” “Ves, ” “T shall win your money, Dan, and yours, Bray.”’ *“Maybe.”’ ‘*You will see.”’ ‘*We will see.’’ y ‘‘Now tell me the story about the fel- ‘low in the depot.’’ “Bah! Why? I had forgotten it.’’ “T hadn’t. Let’s hear it.” ‘‘Wait. Here is our stopping-place. -Come inside, and I'll tell you.” —— -——. CHAPTER VI... A NEW SCHEME IN GREEN-GOODS. ‘I can tell the story in a few words,’’ said the gambler, when all three were seated in a comfortable room that ad- joined the faro-bank of the two sports. ‘“The fewer the better, so that I get it all,’’? said Nick, sententiously. “Why are you so anxious to hear it?” Nick smiled, “Only because it interests me,’’ he said. ‘I can give no good reason.’’ “Then——” : “ ‘‘A fellow tried to murder you. I spoiled his hand for him. Naturally I feel an interest in the thing.”’ “Oh, well. He came here from Kansas. He won at first, and went away. Last night he re- turned and played again. When he got NICK CARTER WEEKLY. up he was thirty thousand dollars poorer, and I was twenty thousand dollars ahead of the whole deal. _ He lost his grip and tried to shoot, but my fellows put him out. Isuppose he’s been on a still hunt for me to-day. Off his nut, I guess.”’ “Ah! What’s his name??’ “Rogers. Richard Rogers, he said.’’ “Tell go hard with him, won’t it?”’ “No. ? “Why ?” ‘‘T shan’t appear against him. Let the poor devil go.’ ‘““Humph! Isay, Dan.” ““What?”? “If I win that bet, I must open the ball.’’ ““What! At once?’’ “*Certainly.”’ ; ‘“What’s your first move?’’ “*The papers.”’ ae Eh 7”? / “Send your coon out for the papers, and—er—let him take a telegram for me, too, will you?”’ ‘**Sure!”? ‘‘T want to wire to my assistant.’’ “He don’t go in the heat. No help, Carter.’’ ; **You shall read the telegram.”’ “‘Very good. Write it.’’ Nick rapidly wrote the following mes- sage, which was soon speeding over the wires to Chick. Let the reader see if he can read it as Chick did: ‘‘Have come here to rest me. Any- thing immediate you care for. Is Patsy’s important matter adjusted? Answer.’’ The message was blind unless one be- gan at the second word, and read only every other word, to the end. He would then read: “Come to me. Immediate. important. Adjusted.” The message meant to the assistant SEE OUR NEW COUPON OFFER—LAST PAGE. om = sé tak” Dhawan ae “4 77- as ens Care is
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that he was to go to hisehief at once, that he must take great care to keep the fact a secret, and that the case of the bank hold-up was so adjusted in the de- tective’s mind that he felt confident of Speedy success, In due time Nick received the follow: ing reply: ‘Patsy still wie Will follow instruc- tions.” That was all, Nick left the message. where Derring- _ ton and his partner could see it, and Waited. He did nothing of importance for three days, beyond studying the papers care- fully. Two or three tithes he Ghannted him- self mysteriously, and one of these occa- _ sions he managed to see*the man whose _ wrist he had broken. a “Rogers,” he said, salthough I beeke your wrist, I saved your life.” “How? an eng “Why, if you had knifed Derrington, - you wonld have been hanged.”’ “1d rather hang than to have failed.’’ “Bah! Why do you hate him so?” F “Because he robbed me.” _~ **Robbed you! Nonsense ! = bled and lost... » “Thats all you: ‘know epee it.”” i “Ts it? Why?” as | tell. you he robbed me.’”? — Youn said that before; but how?” Pm not the ay: bin either.” You gam- sis felp’ you. che ‘Who are you a” pul? 1- ee _ greenbacks, either. _ cards and chips at the faro-table.”’ NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 19 ‘‘Tust that.”’ ‘“Tell ne about it.” S*¥ ican te?” “Why? Phe) ‘*Because I haven’t caught on yet my- "self, a “‘What makes you think there is a con- spiracy ?”? ’ **T know there is.”’ ““How ?”? **Because I am 4 victim of it.”’ “Bah ? ‘*Sneer if you want to. I mean what I ‘say.”? “You lost your money, and then . crawl,” ‘Not4nuch I don’t.’? **Explain, then.’’ “Did you ever hear of the green-goods game ?”’ ‘Once. What has that to do with it?’’ “‘A great deal.”” “‘How so? You didn’t play with saw- dust and green paper, did you ?”’ “No. Look here, Mr. —— What’s your name ??’* ‘*Simmons.’?* ‘*Well, look here, Simmons, those gamblers are playing nothing more nor less than a green-goods racket.” **Pshaw!”’ “*T tell you it’s true. There are two or three points of difference, but the prin- ciple is the same.’’ ‘“Humph !”” “Instead of tackling a greenliorn, they select the shrewdest man they can boats nM ‘*T don’t catch on.’” “Vou para sigher, if they tried it on you.’’ . eo ‘*Perhaps not.. 1 can tell better when I ) hear it?” des ; A: “They ‘don't ae: the game with They play it with . ETO FH: RESOUE!
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20 : NICK CARTER WEEKLY, “Ah! ° ay still you call it green- goods, eh??? ia Yes. ” ‘Why ?»» ‘“Because they rob the men who try to rob them.”’ ‘*You puzzle me.’’ ‘“Look here. Take the bona fide gteen- goods game for exainple.”’ » “Well?” “A fellow, to bite at that and be beaten, has got to be half-thief himself, hasn’t. he?’ ‘*That’s about the size of it.’’ ‘*He’s always a fellow who’s willing to cheat the Government, anyhow, isn’t he?’ ; Me Ves. ” “Well, it’s just so in this game they are playing.”’ S “TI wish you’d explain.’ “Tf I do, Pll have to confess that I consented to be a scoundrel and got roped in.’’ ‘‘Never mind. Tell me.”’ “*T°]1 do it.”’ **Good y”? ~“Do you know Sam Seliney “No? * ‘He's one of ‘Derrington’s dealers, ’’ “Ah! Well?” ‘“He came to me a while ago with a ‘proposition, about making a wad of money. eat ; “Ves, ” - ‘‘He knew I was assistant cashier in the —— Bank, in Kansas City, and he went way there to look me up. = “IT see, Go on.”’ ‘*His scheme was to break Derrington -and Danvers” bank.” “Ah p? 2 “*T was to taise a few thousand dollars, and take a trip to Denver.” “Ves. 2 a ? ‘Being introduced in the faro bank, I » was to play a little until I got used to the house, and in the meantime give the im- pression that I was a heavy drinker.”’ **T see.?? “(Finally Seliney was to give me a signal previously agreed upon.”’ SCAh }? ‘Then I was to play heavy.’? “Well, but——”’ ‘Wait. For that deal he rang in @ pack of cards that he had fixed; see?’ “*Not quite.”’ : ‘*Well, the cards were straight enough, but were arranged in a regular order which I had previously learned, “CAh }? , “I simply had been obliged to learn fifty-two names before appearing in Denver. ‘The list he furnished. By that means I knew every card before it was turned, and could bet witha certainty of winning,” ‘““Humph.”’ ‘‘For example, suppose the box showed a queen on tup.”’ “Well!’? “The order, beginning at queen, was: Queen, four, ace, deuce, nine, jack, six, trey, queen, queen, and so on.’’ ‘“The order was arbitrary ?”’ ‘Entirely so. A consecutive arrange- ment would have been discovered.”’ ‘‘Likely to; that’s so.”’ ‘Well, all Ihad to do was wait for the signal and then to play heavy.’’. **And you agreed?” “Certainly. Where is the gambler who will not bet on a sure thing!’’ ‘*T never saw one.’? “Nor I, Icame to Denver. with five thousand dollars in my pocket. The money belonged to the bank I work for, not to me.’’ “Ah Pp? “*T saw Seliney. play heavy that time. — He cautioned me to “Win a few thou- DIAMOND DICK, JR. HAS HOSTS OF FRIENDS. se fare ay se ene er 2 ee i ae wee ad oe eee eee ne. See? 4 ae ee
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; i ! sand and quit,’’ he said. ‘You will get a reputation. Later, come back and plunge.’ “I saw the point. I went to the faro- table. Seliney gave the signal, and I played. I won ten thousand dollars.’’. ‘*And quit?” **Ves.”? i ro **What then ?”’ “*T went back to Kansas City, and re- turned the five thousand I had borrowed _ without leave.”’ { ‘‘And then——”’ e 4 ‘*T saw Seliney again.”’ ut Ah!” 1 _ ‘*He was réady for another go?’’ ‘ *T ‘see. ”» ' = **We made a date.”’ “To break the bank, eh us “Ves, ” ‘*And got broke yourself?” “I stole thirty thousand dollars from my bank, and came here. I went to Der- tington’s. played and won until I was way ahead. The queen had won three times, when Derrington stepped up behind me, ‘‘He saw my pile of chips, and seemed to discover from that fact that Iwasa winner. He glanced at the case’and then at the book that my left-hand neighbor was keeping. “ ©You’re in luck,» Mr. Rogers,’ he said. ; ‘* ¢Ves,’ I replied. ‘© “Will you bet that the king vine out?” he asked. St Yes,’ - ‘ “The king was, according to the ar- rangement I had made with Seliney, _ bound to win out. The scheme had never ~~ failed yet, and I simply saw an oppor- tunity to make my fortune at one stroke. “How much?’ he asked. -_ ** ‘Any amount you please,’ said I. © ‘Bah? he cried, and laughingly added: ‘Name the amount yourself, but A te a oS ze es idee ~ a > Seliney gave me the signal. I. ~~ . NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 21 “don’t do less than double your winfiings, or I won’t bet.’ ‘*He turned away, and I, Havite cast a rapid glance over my pile, named the sum I would bet. “‘He took me up. The bet was made and the king lost. “Mr. Simmons, I walked out of there without a cent, and I owe Dan Derring- ton ten thousand dollars besides. In a day or two my bank will discover that lama defaulter, and—— Do you wonder that I wanted to kill him?”’ “‘T should have thought that the man Seliney would have been your victim.”’ “Bah! Seliney is only a tool. It is Derrington who put up this job. I saw it in a flash, and I saw it all, It is the green- goods game, without the greenbacks and the pretended counterfeit money; the green-goods game with shrewd gamblers, instead of countrymen for victims, and they bite all the more readily because they think they are too shrewd to be fooled.’ “Tf it is akin to the green-goods game, there must be other victims.’’ ‘“T here are !’” ‘“Do you know any of them?”’ “No. ” “Do you think you could find some?” _ “T can try.’’ “Try, then.’ “Why ?”” “If you find them, we will expose this plot. **Do you mean it?’’ Ves, ” ‘But I am under arrest——”’ “You will be discharged in the morn- ing.’? “Ah! But my bank——” ‘“Take the first train home. Tell them everything. Assure them that you will recover the money. They will be bd with you.” Be PATRIOTIO—WEAR A BUTTON.
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x a ‘ 22 NICK CANTER WEEKLY. “T wish I thought so.’’ ee ty. S352, “T will.” “Then go to work, and work hard. When you find out aiything worth knowing send it to Mark Morford, Wind- sor Hotel.’’ “*7"}] do it.” “Good !’’ **Do you think me a scoundrel; Mr. Simmons?’’ ‘You came pretty near being one, but. you escaped. I’ll cultivate your friend Seliney. Be wary, “and you'll be all right.” *‘Mark Morford «will hear from ‘me. Who ishe?” “A friend of mine, who’ll break the bank in earnest, Rogers.”” “ CHAPTER. VII. » : he reso MORFORD gs cians - The same night, following, the Hares: view between Nick Carter and, Richard Rogers, the detective was in the gam- bling-house of Derrington and Danvers, when the latter said suddenly : ‘*Well, Carter, what do you think of ers?” “Eh?” replied the detective; ‘oh, nothing much !”’ « ‘Did he tell you his story i of “Ves. ” CA nd—pardon me—do you balicve it? 22 “Tn part, yes.”’ ; ‘*What part?” . “The part which tells of the sours of the Kansas City bank for the purpose of gambling.” “Ah yy y ‘*You have = the vioatt Danvers a. : “Certainly. we : What do you: think of it?” _ Danvers shrugged his shoulders. asp ‘eae came hemp. ane a ‘sys- tem,’ which he believed was sure to win. He tried it and won a little money. Then he went away, but only to return later convinced that he could break the bank. It’s the old story that we hear so much in this life we lead.’ ‘*Sure;’’ ‘*We investigated his charges signs our dealer, however.”’ **You mean Seliney ?”’ ce Yes. ” ‘*What is hi€ story ?”’ “Simply that Rogers offered ‘him ten thousand dollars if he would ring in a fixed pack of cards, as he now charges was done.”’ “Ah! And Seliney >?” ‘*Refused, of course.”’, “Did he tell you of it at the time?” » ‘*Certainly.”’ “T wonder that you permitted Rogers to play here after that.’’, “Why? The game is square, as you know.”’ “Ves; but——” ‘He could not beat it except on the square; we could not win his money ex- cept on the square. If he wanted to play, all right. The only difference the story made was that we watched him a little more closely than we otherwise would.”’ dl | see. ”» ? ‘How are you getting along in the Moffat case ?’’ Nick winked Sansiiels, and said: ‘‘The conditions do not compel me m make reports,’’ “Certainly not.’ “Then don’t ask for them, meena when I get teady to talk, vee hear © from me.”’ Af “Correct. ” ‘““Where is that dealer of _yonrs—the one you call Seliney ?”” “Eh? He’s away.’? Sadewndieess
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NICK OARTER WEEKLY. 23 “Oh, yes!” “When ?”’ *“To-night.’’ SSA}! y)? “He should be here about midnight. Why?” “1’m curious to see him. be something in that story. playing you.”’ Danvers laughed. “Not much !’’ he said. **You seem very positive.”’ “Tam. Sam has worked for us a long time. We never had a better dealer, nor astraighter one. The fellow wouldn’t beat us ont of a cent, if he had a chance; and he never gets a chance, you may be sure.’” Nick looked at his watch. **Tt’s ten o’clock,”’ he said. TP}1 stroll down to the hotel for a mo- ment. I feel like playing towight, and I want some money.’’ ‘No need of going to the hotel.”’ ‘Why Pr **J’]1 lend you all you “want. se ‘Thanks, awfully; but 1 never gam- ble with another man’s money.”’ “Ah! yp? e ‘Things are rather slow here, just now,’’ continued Nick, ‘Cand will be for an hour; won’t you go with me?” os Bd) OA “Goad! Come on!’’ Nick had seen that Danvers and Der- rington were uneasy when he was out of their sight, and the knowledge strength- ened the suspicions that he entertained. The game that they had played with Shien would have disarmed a man less _ shrewd, but it> ouly lle his theory. _ Here is the way in? whieh he reasoned “Tere may He may be ’ ‘the matter,out: > -First.—When | he first ed the gam- ohlets,. they had been disagreeably sur- “63 think. =e DIAMOND: DICK, a IS OPTEN IN EDANGHE. prised. to know that he was in Denver. Why? There could be only one answer to that—Because his presence Was a menace to them. Second. --They had omiaci him to find out why he was there. Why? Be- cause they had some reason to fear that he was watching them. Third.—Derrington had purposely brought the conversation around to the subject of the Moffat hold-up. Why? Because in some manner they were interested in knowing if Nick Carter was in Denver at the instigation of the bank officials, to look up that very affair. here could be only one reason for them’ to entertain sucha “seat and that was obvious. Fourth.—The trio had met Moffat, tnd the wagér was made with the very evi- dent intention of finding out if the gam- bler’s supiscions were correct. The’con- duct of the bank president had been such , as to throw them off their guard, and they were now evidently sorry that the wager which compelled Nick Carter to remain in Denver and work upon the Moffat case, had been made. When Nick asked Danvers to accom- pany him to the hotel, he did so because he saw that the gamblers were suspicious of him the moment that he was out of their sight. The surest way, therefore, to avoid surveillance which might lead to perplex- ing discoveries was to ask Danvers to ace company him. The fact was, that Nick expected to find Chick at the hotel. 2 He had arranged a plan by which he was certain that he could outwit even such shrewd men as the two gamblers, and to have Danvers with him when he worked the scheme, was to render ate suc- cess even more certain.
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a4 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. They left the gambling-rooms togetlier, and walked over to the Windsor. There, Nick led the way at once to his room, stopping long enough at the office to glance over the register. He saw the name, Mark Morford, on the book, and he knew that everything was ready to spring the game. Having reached his rooms, he provided Danvers with refreshments and then ex- cused himself for a moment. ‘Where are you going?’’ asked Dan- vers. Nick made a satisfactory reply, and hurried from the room. He hastened along the corridor, and was soon inside the room which he knew had been taken by the man who had registered as Mark Morford. Before him, ensconced in an easy-chair, was his own counterpart. Aman sat there smoking a cigar who was so exactly like himself in every de- tail, that the closest observer would have been puzzled to know which was which the moment they were together. ‘‘Well, Chick,’’ said Nick, dropping into a chair. ‘‘I see you received the letter which I sent to Kansas City for you.”’ “ Yes. ” ‘You have got the make-up in capital shape, too.’’ You've got to play the part I’ve been playing with these fellows.”’ “I guess I can do it.?’ “You'll have to. I’m going to do the Morford act myself.’’ “All right. ” f “Danvers is here with me.”’ “Where?”’ ” 2 : ‘In my room.”’ ; “Ah ad ““You’ve got to go there and return with him to the th cy ten as Nick Carter.’ ” Pre Sete CUBA LIBRE—GET A CUBAN BUTTON. ‘“That’s easy.’’ “Did my letter post you sufficiently upon the details of the case?’’ ~ **Yes; except as to what has occurred sitice you wrote it.’’ ‘‘Nothing has accurred since that is worth mentioning.’’ **Then I’m all right.’’ ‘*You are.’ ‘What was this particular errand for ?’’ ‘To get some money to gamble with. Have you got some?”’ ‘*Plenty.”’ ‘Then skip to my room. part well, and we will win.” ‘Good! Do you think that Derrington and Danvers were concerned in the ‘hold- up’ 2? ‘‘In some way, yes.’’ ‘Not, directly, then ?’’ **T don’t think either of them did it.’’ “Aha . “But I believe they know who’ did. a **Good !”? “Tt more than half-believe that I can name the man, but I haven’t a particle of evidence.’” oS see, LL deck ‘““That’s what we’ve got to get.” “*Eixactly.”’ Play your CHAPTER VIII. THE TEN-THOUSAND-DOLLAR BILL. ““Get a move on you now, Chick, for we must do considerable in the next few days.’’ “Right.” Chick left the room, after adding one or two touches to the disguise he wore, and was soon with Danvers. It seems remarkable that Nick and Chick could change identities so readily, but it must be remembered that they knew each other’s every act. They were the same build and com-
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CO NE Ti Ae 7 Mi Ee ila. be Sark trae: ! NIOK CARTER WEEELY. 2b plexion, and wore the same size clothing throughout. When without any disguise, they did not at all resemble each other, but a few touches could render them so exactly alike that the closest observer would be deceived. = “u Accustomed as they were to working together, it was an easy matter for one to play the part of the other, and so per- fectly that discovery was not to be thought of. ‘Well,’ said Danvers, when Chick en- tered the room where. he was waiting; ‘thave you got your boodle?”’ *€VYes; I’m ready.’’ ‘*Let’s mosey -along back, then.”’ **Good )? They left the hotel together a moment later, the gambler never suspecting that the man who accompanied him was not the same as the one who had gone there with him but a short time before. Thirty minutes later they were in the gambling-rooms. Chick, who was thoroughly up on all gambling games, went at once to the faro- tables and purchased a stock of chips. But he played warily, and after losing a hundred dollars, quit, with the remark that it was not his night. Midnight came, and the negro who at- tended the door, handed a card to Der- -- Tington. ‘“Mark Morford,’’ he read from it. Then he motioned to Chick. “T say, Carter,’’ he said, ‘‘the fellow you were speaking of has come.”’ ‘*Who? Morford?’’ “ Yes. ” = **Where is he?”’ : “In the ante-room. I’m going to send ‘or him.”’ ‘Do. He’s a plunger.” _ “T want to ask you some questions - first.” * sass a fis jr 3 * its > ‘> 4 "4 . beg ‘ = ad rr _— , - “38s oe Pats . ‘Fire away, Dan.”’ . “You have a reputation of always sticking to the truth, Carter.’’ **T believe so; yes. Well?’’ ‘“Will you swear that this fellow, Mor- ford, is not one of your assistants ?”’ **T will.”? **Will your swear that you did not send for him to come here ?’’ “T will,” “The conditions of our wager give me the right to ask these questions.” “*Certainly.”’ > “*T have heard that Nick Carter has an assistant named Chick.”’ “That is true.’ **Will you swear that Mark Morford is not Chick?” **T will swear that he is not Chick, cer- tainly.’’ ““Where is Chick, now?’’ ‘‘When he telegraphed me, he was in New York.”’ “Has he left there since then?” ‘““How should I know that? He is doubtless very busy, and he may be any- where at this moment.”’ **Will you swear that he is not in Den- ver ?”? ; ‘No; why should I? Are you going to flunk, Dan? Chick would not come to Denver unless Nick Carter ordered it. I have given no such order, and Mark Mor- ford, the only man whom you seem to suspect, is not—positively is not— Chick.”’ “Good!” “Does that satisfy you?” wage Teas ‘Perhaps you would like me to-swear that Iam Nick Carter and not President Harrison, or Superintendent Byrnes.’’ “‘No,’? laughed Derrington. ‘I am satisfied so far as that is concerned,”’ “Tm glad of that.”’ “7’]] have Morford brought in, now.”’ ‘DID YOU EVER HEAR OF DIAMOND DICK, JR? < Se ‘Soe wae
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said. now, and hence——’” _Chick, 26 SSTjo,? ‘Vou have met hii ?’’ stVes,”? “Vou know him well ?’’ ‘“Very well?” “Post me about him.’’ **Post yourself, Dan. He’s a plunger, and he’ll go broke or break you in all probability.’ ‘Vou think so?”’ te Yes. ) ‘*We’ll see.”” We will.” Derrington gave ‘the order, and ina moment more the long expected Mark Morford entered the room. —‘Are you Mr. Derrington?’’ he asked, shaking hands with Dan. “Ves, ” “Doesn't it’ strike you that you’re in- fernally ceremonious; eh ?’’ “How so??? “Why, confound it, you’ve kept me waiting at least ten minutes to get. into your place, dontcher know.” “I’m very sorry, Mr. Morford. Fact a a ‘Oh, never mind; I’m here now.”’ “Do you know this gentleman, Mr. Morford?’’ and. Derrington indicated Chick, whom he supposed to be Nick Carter. Morford fixed a glass in one eye and stared at Chick. ‘“Cawn’t say I do,’’ he drawled. friend of yours, Derrington?’’ _ ee you ever heard of Nick Carter 1B ued the gambler. ore ick Carter! Well, yes. I know him very well. “But——” “This gentleman is Nick Carter.’’_ “Morford laughed. : “That'll do to tell the marines,” he “Why, I know Nick Car——”’ ‘(Pardon me Morford,’’ interrupted laughing also, ‘‘when you met me, I wore a disguise. I haven’t any on re A. “Why, blow me! _ Carter,’’ exclaimed the supposed Morford, sey aml. ” < oy recognize the voice, gS ESE ; *‘Not the face, eh?’’ : ce “No. vy I believe you are _ NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “Do you remember the twenty-one thousand dollar bet you won at Daly’s?” “Dol? Well, Ishould smile. I say, Derrington.”’ Sewell] ?? y “Tm going to win.’” ‘What niakes you think so?’ ~ “Carter always gives me luck.”’ “Good! If you don’t win too much, I shan’t kick.’’ ‘Pl either win or lose a great deal.’’ “When will you begin ?”’ “Now; if——” “Tf what?’ ‘Do you know where you can get me a ten-thousand-dollar bill?’ What do you want of that ?’’ **For a mascot.”’ ‘*A4 mascot?” ‘*Yes; you « believe’ in such things, don’t you? Mascots and Jonas?” “Sure. Are you going to make a ten- thousand-dollar bet???’ **Perhaps.”? ‘Have you got the boodle?’’ For reply Morford drew forth a pocket- book from which he took a huge stack of bills. “Tve got about thirty thou. with me,”’ he said. ‘‘Can you match it.”’ **Vou bet I-can.”’ "Good! I'll take away sixty, or leave this wad.’’ ‘*Do you mean it ?”’ ‘Ves, if you’ll get mea mascot.” i, fen-fhousand-dollar aii ‘Exactly that.’ ~ “TJ don’t think I have one,” » Pshaw! . Wait.” Morford started in the eection of the table, but paused in the centre of the room. ‘*Has any body here got a ter:thousand- dollar bill for which he will accept smaller currency’? he asked, in a loud voice. Everybody looked up, but nobody re- plied, “I want it for a mascot,’’ continued the stranger. ‘‘I’ll give a hundred dollars bonus.”’ Danvers, who was sitting near the dealer watching the play, Tr eplied, coolly : “T can accommodate you. pes The hasdses — wer +: 40 . aes hy ee
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NIOK CARTER WEEKLY. i “Of course.’’ Nick, behind. his. disguise as Morford, saw Seliney, who was dealing, shift un- easily in his chair, and he caught a quick gance of warning from Derrington to Danvers. Danvers, however, failed to see it. A moment later he went to the safe, and presently the required bill was flung upou the table before the late arrival. ‘“Thanks,’? he said again. Then he coolly drew out ten thousand and one hundred dollats, and passed them to Danvers. After that he scrutinized the bill very narrowly. “Isn't it good ?”” asked the dealer. “If not, you needn’t keep it.” Nick thought that~the bill was thrust out of sight into the drawer with more than usual haste, but he seemed to notice nothing as he continued: - “Qh, if’s all right, I dare say,’’ was the reply, and he threw it back upon the table carelessly. Before doing that, however, he had made an important discovery. He knew that his theory was correct, _ for one glance told him that he held. in hig hand the very bill which had_ been given to C. J. Wells by the teller of the First National Bank at the time of the robbery. . «Don’t you want it??? asked Seliney. “No, I want its weight in chips.”” “On!” “Twenty five-huudred-dollar chips. ’? They were handed out, and he b2gan to play. ._Niek Carter was not only an expert, but he was lucky. _. He made bets of five hundred dollars at a time, sometimes increasing them to ‘He lost and won, won and lost, and, at the end of an hour, he was just five hun- Be ted nie 2S money, when Nick. stopped him witha gesture. CHAPTER IX. HOT UPON THE TRAIL. “The big bill, please,’? he said. ‘I want to keep that here,’ replied Seliney. “Oh, you do, eh? Very good. I sup- posed that this was a house that always obliged its customers. I don’t want it!’’ ‘*Vou’re not offended, I hope?’’ ““Offended, no. I’m only disgusted.’’ “Ah 9? “Thad heard so much about Western gambling-houses that I got the idea that they were first-class.’’ ‘(Wat's the matter?’ ‘asked Derring- ton, coming up at that moment. ‘‘Nothing,’’ replied Nick, pocketing his cash and turning away. ‘‘Is there another gambling-house in town ?’’ “Ves, several. Why?’ “Nothing. I shall probably not see you again.’’ : “Why? What's the trovble?”’ ‘*Your dealer is scared because I won five hundred dollars, that’s all.”’ ‘“That’s a——"> began Seliney. But the newcomer wheeled and cast a quick glance upon him, so that he stopped suddenly. ' “That’s a what?’’ he asked, coolly. ‘*A mistake.” “Oh }? ‘You are wrong.’’ “Am 1? I bought a mascot. I paida bonus for it. I ask to have it returned in exchange for my chips, and you refuse. Either you are afraid of me, or——’? “Or what??? “Or you’re discourteous.”’ But Danvers had gone to the drawer, and taken out the coveted bill, He came around the table to where Morford was standing. : ‘Will you allow me to change this with you for smaller bills?’’ he said, with the utmost politeness. , **Certainly.”’ ‘The exchange was made, but as soon session he held it aloft, and said, in as the bill was once more in Nick’s — na » «al may
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es NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ‘Gentlemen, this bill is bound to be my mascot now.’’ They all laughed. Then, with a quick motion, the detec- tive folded the bill twice, and at the same instant drew forth a pair of pocket scissors. **Took!’’ he exclaimed. Deftly and quickly he began cutting the bill with the scissors. In an instant it was done, and he spread it open again. He had cut a perfect star from, the centre of the greenback. Opening his watch case, he placed the star in it, and then, holding up the bill again, said: “T have marked it. I shall always keep that bill. If I ever go broke, I can get it redeemed. Now, Derrington, look out, for I shall break your bank.”’ They laughed: Nick, by a clever ruse, had succeeded in marking the bill so that it would be recognized again by every one who was present in that room, and yet there was not a man there except Chick who did not believe that the supposed gambler was sincere in his reason for the strange mutilation. Nick knew the bill. It was the same one that had. been described to him by Mr. Moffat at the bank at their first interview. Nick was thoroughly satisfied that the tobber of the First National Bank was known to Derrington and Danvers. The thing was now to prove it. He soon afterward left the place, hav- ing managed to signal Chick that he wanted to confer with him before even- ing. He went to his room at the hotel, it then being after two o’clock in the morn- ing. He waited until three, and Chick did not come. Then the detective went to Chick’s ‘room, but the young assistant was not there. He waited another half-hour, and then, with a misgiving that something had happened, he went out upon the street, sauntered along until he founda dark alley-way, and there, in a trice, he trans- formed himself into a negro. A moment later, and he was shuffling along toward the gambling-house, where he had —— the bill of large denomi- nation. He had ‘iegtly reached the stairway which led up to the rooms, when he saw Sam Seliney emerge from it, and after a hasty glance around walk rapidly away. “Ah! thought Nick. ‘‘I’ll keep you in sight, my man.”’ He had not far to go. The dealer, keeping in shadow, hur- ried to Sixteenth street, and thence to Larimer. A moment later he darted into a stairway, and disappeared. “Humph!’ thought Nick. ‘‘That is Gauland Herrick’s place, guess I'll go in, too.”’ He waited a ‘moment, and then crept cautiously forward. Entering by the hallway, he itiounted the stairs, but was soon stopped by a door, half-way in the ascent, which was provided with the customary wicket which gambling-houses use for their protection. “*T can’t pick that lock and get in with- out their hearing me,’’ mused the detec- tive. ‘‘I must know what is going on, too, Ah!’ The exclamation was caused by hear- ing somebody approach the door from the other side. ; Nick stepped back into a deeper shadow, and, waited, The door opened and a negro came out. “I’m in luck,’’ thought Nick. The negro closed the door behind him, and started to descend. But he had not taken a half-dozen steps when his throat was seized in a grip of steel] and he was borne downward, silently but surely. “Tf you make a sound, you’re a dead coon |’’ whispered the detective in his ear. Then, in an instant he clapped hand- cuffs upon the terrified darky, and the next he raised him and carried him out of the hallway into the street, and into an adjoining doorway. ‘‘Who is in there?’’ he demanded of the negro. DIAMOND DICK, JR. BREAKS THE RECORD.
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mi - “Mr. Derrington, Mr. Danvers, Mr. _Herrick, Mr. Gaul, Mr. ——”’ “‘Never mind. I know the rest. Who are you ?”’ Pete.” ‘“Where were you going?”’ *“To see if everything was all right.’’ ‘All right for what?” **Well, they don’t wanter be ’sturbed.’’ “T thought not. Give me your coat.’’ **Yo’ goin’ ter rob dis——’’ Nick was too impatient to wait longer. He pulled a vial of choroférm from his pocket, poured the couteits upon his handkerchief, and thrust it against the negro’s mouth and nostrils. He struggled for a moment, but the drug did its work, and Pete was soon limp and unconscious. Then Nick worked quickly. hat, aud pocket, he easily opened the wicket door and entered. As he suspected, he found himself ina room which communicated with the _ gambling-house proper, and beyond the next door he could hear voices. He had scarcely, closed the door be- - hind him when the opposite one opened, and Danvers appeared. Bis: “That you, Pete?’? he demanded, Ves, sah,’’ replied Nick. **Rverything all right?’’ ° **Ves, sah.”’ “Good! Clear out yourself now.”’ “*Ves, sah.”’ private game is going on.”’ 3 He took the negro’s coat and \ __ then hastily making a-few changed in his own face, left Pete where he was, and re- ___ turned to the entrance fo the gambling- : rooms. ; With the keys taken from Pete’s elec ull 2 3 to go out, as Danvers passed through the _ Opposite one out of sight. ‘ __ Nick opened and closed his door nois- _ ily, but he remained on the inside. He was hot upon the trail. CHAPTER X. GETTING THINGS DOWN FINE. In an instant Nick crept forward, and Placed one ear against the threshold of the other door. = : re. Nick turned and opened the door as if NIGK CARTER WEEKLY. 29 He was immediately gratified by what he heard, and he knew that the next few moments would bring many develop- ments. **Now to business,’’ he heard Danvers say. ‘‘We are confronted by a grave con- dition of things.”’ ‘Bah!’ said Gaul. “J mean it,’? continued Danvers. ‘Something has gotten out. What, 1 don’t know, but Nick Carter is not here for nothing.”’ Derrington laughed. “He can’t hurt us much now,’’ he said. ‘No; but Morford can.”’ **Morford ?”” Ves, ” **You think——”’ **T don’t think; I know!?* **What do you know?’ Mes know that Morford isn’t Morford at all. ‘*Who is he?’? ‘“He’s a detective.”’ *“What? Nick Carter’s assistant.”’ No. Nick Carter wouldn’t lie about ite” , “Who, then ?’’ “I don’t know who. He’s a detective. He must be. Of one thing I’m certain.”’ “Of what?” ‘*He isn’t what he pretends to be.’’ *“How do you know it?” *“‘Thave telegraphed to Daly, and to others. Nobody knows Morford. He’sa detective, and——”” ‘*And what?’’ ‘And he’s on to that ten-thousand- _ dollar bill.”’ ; . *“By Jove!’ **Do you see it now.?’’ “Ves, ” A “Carter was working up our little syndicate racket. His interview with Rogers proved that, and to-night——”’ “Well?” “‘T had Rogers fixed.’’ There was terrible significance on that word ‘‘fixed,’’ but somebody said coolly: “How Pind . “*He’s 1a‘4 away temporarily. He was on his way to see Mark Morford.”’ ‘*How do you know?’ ‘He told me.’’ READ THE GREAT PREMIUM OFFER ON LAST PAGE. Tas f
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20 “Ah > ‘*He gave the whole snap away. He has been doing a little detective work on his own hook, at tne suggestion of Carter.” ‘Has, eh?!’ oe **Yes, and he’s got Johnson, Cross, Moriarty and Samuels down fine. He knows that we played the same game on them that we played on him, and that we made about three hundred thousand on the racket.”’ Ah }? “He was going to Morford with all that information.”’ ‘*Why to Morford ?’’ **Because Carter told him to do it, you begin to see?’’ There was a moment’s silence, and then Selinéy spoke. ‘What shall we do with Carter?” he said. ‘Bury him?” ically. ‘‘Dangerous, that,’’ comimented Der- rington. ‘*It’s the only thing to be done.’’ ‘*Perhaps he’ll make terms. ’? '“Bah!’. replied Seliney; ‘‘if anybody is arrested for the First National Bank ‘hold-up,’ it won’t be me.” + “No? who will it be?” Seliney laughed. **QOne of our victims,’’ he said, coolly. Pm dull, I know,’’ inurmured Der- tington, ‘but I don’t quite understan4,”’ “T’ll tell you in a moment,’’ was the Do replied Gaul, lacon- reply. ‘‘First, I want to ask a question or two.”’ ‘*Ask them.”’ ‘How much’ profit have we realized since we formed our little Syndicate?” “About three hundred thousand dol- Jars.” “We have made the entire pile out of sixteen victims,’’ continued Seliney, coldly. ‘‘Ten of them have shot them- selves, one is in an insane asylum, and two are in prison. ‘Tiree are at large, Rogers, Johnson and Cross;and each of them is a fugitive from jus’@e. Is that all true?’ 7 oge ? #§'VWes,? J ma , y “T have worked every scheme but one 9 HAVE YOU READ PAGE 32, ace NICK CARTER WEEKLY. myself. You fellows have done nothing. Is that right?’ **Nearly.”? **Very good. You have had your share of the profits; the men themselves are my meat.”’ TAL q?? “*T have masqueraded under the name of Cross, and also as Johnson. I have laid plans, so that if anybody ‘is arrested for the bank hold-up, it will be Cross, or Johnson, or both, not I.”’ A faint’ murmur of admiration went around the group. ‘“My right name is known to only one man here, and he is Danvers. He knows what I mean when-I tell you this tale. Somebody is bound to be arrested soon, and that somebody will be one or both of the men I have named. Bah! you might as well know the truth. My right name is Cross, but I’m no relation to our victim of that name. ‘There are two Crosses, do you see, and: some one will work the scheme home to one of them, but it will not be me.’’ ‘*Won’t it?’ thought Nick; ‘‘we will see about that.”’ ‘‘Now, one more point,’’ continued Seliney. ‘‘This fellow, Nick Carter, is my prey, not yours. He is the only man I fear. Idon’t give arap for Morford. I’m going to take care of Carter myself, and I don’t want any interference.”’ **What will you do with him?’ asked Derrington. “Dll do as you suggested. I'll make him promise to dropit, or ’JI—— Never mind, that is my business.’’ Nick remained in his place of conceal- ment until nearly daylight, taking in every word that was said, hoping to hear what they had done with Chick. But he gained no further information than that already given, and at last he was obliged to leave to avoid discovery. He went at once to the hotel, and to the room that Chick occupied. He was astonished to find his young assistant there in bed and sound asleep. “Wake up, Chick!’ he said. ‘I thought you were in——”’ “SA grave, eh??? ‘*Ves, or near it.’’ -
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ol “Not much! I’m still kicking. That nial fellow, Seliney, led me intoa trap, d locked the door on me. You taught e how to pick locks once, and after he ad gone I walked out.’’ “Did, eh? Well, walk back.”’ “Why 2”? *‘He’s our man. If he finds that you ave escaped, he’ll skip; see ?"’ Nes,”? “Get back, then.” *T'm off.’? ' The following morning at eleven ‘ o’clock Mark Morford appeared at the door of Derrington and Danvers’ gam- bling house. : “Tm looking for Carter,’’ when Derrington received him. “Did you expect to find him here ?’’ ; ‘a thought you might know where he ois. : - At that instant the bell rang, and Mor- ford, with a smile, said: “I asked a friend to meet me here, Was that all right?” **Certainly.”’ - Nick had noticed that both Seliney and _ Danvers were in the adjoining room and KS knew that they could not get out Without passing through the apartment where he was talking with Derrington. -» A moment later the door opened, and _ David H. Moffat walked into the room. Derrington looked astonished. Nick only smiled, Turning to the gambler, he said: i - **Gall Seliney here, will you ?”’ he said, a **What for?’’ Because I wish to prove to you that I have won my bet.”’ < ee “*Who are you?” . ; “Tam Nick Carter,’’ and he tore aside the disguise which rendered him Mark Morford. ok : For an instant Derrington looked as if he would fight. _ Ther with a cold smile, he said: “Am | included in this arrest ?”’ Nick. ‘‘We will have to -goods: dealer, and we want Danvers, Pa AKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF DIAMOND DICK, JR. alias Johnson, alias Cowing, alias Mike Hovey, an old-time burglar.”’ **By heavens! If I had known all that ——’’ began Derrington. **Never mind, Dan. You know it now. I have a little piece of advice to give you. Quit those fellows Gaul, Herrick and Conners, for you’re on dangerous ground, I’m onto every move you’ve made. Call Seliney and Danvers hete.’’ “*T will.’ “There ate two fellows named Cross and Johnson, who are under suspicion now. We will still have a Cross and Johnson, but innocent men shall_ not suffer, Call them, and when you have done so, go and release the man whom you thought was Nick Carter.’’ - “Bray! Sam!’’ called Derrington. A mcment later they entered the room, but no sooner had they crossed the thresh- old than Nick stepped forward, and with a leveled revolver.in each hand,_ said, coldly : : - ‘‘7?]] kill the first one of you who moves without orders! Hands up! Quick !”’ They obeyed. ‘ ‘*Mr. Moffat,’’ continued the detective, **you will find some bracelets in my coat- pockets, Will you oblige me by present- ing thein to these gentlemen ?”’ “Will 1? Won’t 1?” “Thanks. Now, my two worthies, your goose is cooked. 1 have charge of three old indictments against you, Se- liney, besides the robbery of Mr. Moffat, and I’ve got four for you, Mr. Mike Hovey—excuse me, Danvers!’’ Detrington_had slipped quietly away, and in a moment more Chick walked into the room. He took charge of one of the men, and Nick of the other, and they were marched away. ; That evening, at the hotel, a sealed envelope was handed to Nick Carter. He broke it open, and found the amount of th bet he had made with Dan Derring- ton, with tlre following note: “Carter: Here’s the boodle. You won it fairly. I’m going away for my health. I tipped the wink to Gaul, Herrick and
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32 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Conners. If you call, they won’t be in. I Jars? Why the utter disregard of conse- ought to hate you, but I don’t. quences? Why take such desperate means DeD;”? to keep a pledge? Why (when the banker Nick sent the money to a charitable was at his mercy) not have asked for fifty society. He found that Derrington had thousand dollars, instead of twenty-one gone to Mr. Moffat, and requested that thousand? ee the letter be given to the detective with, | Why had the robber pledged his life to the wager. the exact amount? é 3 é 3 Z 4mpson. G—Battleshi Maine. H— ladies’ hat pin, State your choice, Be ware seg oa . ~ oe Ee . y= usetts. rr i. 4. American Flag on white enamelled button with lever- M—The Brooklyn. N—The Columbia. O—The hinge. (Two of these will make a neat pair of Texas, P—General Lee (order by letter and num- cuff buttons.) ber, as.7-B., 7-D., etc.) You can secure as many pins and badges as you desire, provided you send sufficient are any of the above each of the set of three is from a different Publication. ORDER BY. UMBER. appa of Send in your coupon. Remember this is a purely gratuitous gift on ouxpart, intended to cail your attention to others of our publicay tions besides the ones you are now purchasing. If you cannot “tc Mabe you desire from your newsdealer, send us ten cents and one coupon, and we will send you by ro mail a copy of two ra PI tionsand the er which you may select. Address your conpong to STREET & SMITH” PREMIUM DEPT., 81 Fulton Street, New York, NICK CARTER COUPON. One coupon from the Nick Carter accompanied by two others, each from a different one of the following publications: Klondike Kit, Starry Flag Weekly, True Bina, Diamond Dick, Jr. Weekly, or Tip Top Weekly, entitle the sender to “y free rons’ AB or button as described above $43 ; : STREET & SMITH. DIAMOND DICK, JR. IS A DEAD SHOT. -- s ~ eee ti 1, , 2
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S010 aged owrth Ont pa cae) Jona to 225 Pipl igcad ae att m . ee Ags yo
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Nick Carter Weekly Illuminated Cover. Thirty-two Pages. Price, 5 Cents. THE BEST LIBRARY OF DETECTIVE STORIES. Back Numbers always on hand. Price, post-paid, Five cents each. COTE HeE HEE CoE rte TE HE 40—Nick Carter’s Detective School; or, The Young Reporter's First Case. 41—Nick Carter at Fa a 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. 46—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 Carter’s Hot Pursuit; or, On the Track of an Escaped Convict. 50—Nick Carter’s Youngest Detective; or, Work- ing on His Own Case. 51—Nick Carter’s Second Edition. 52—Working in the Dark; or, A Novice that Lends a Helping Hand. 53—A _—— Clue; or, The Mystery of the Black 54—A Young Detective’s Air Route; or, The Great Hindoo Mystery. 55—Nick Carter’s Missing Detective; or, A Warn- ing by Telephone. 56—Nick Carter’s Girl Detective; or, What Became of the Crown Jewels. 57—Done With a Click; or, The Mystery of the Painted Arm. 58--The Unseen Eye; or, The Girl Detective’s Crack Case. 59—A Message of Fire; or, What was Done With the Magnet. 60—The prare Girl; or, The Figures on the Toy Ballo 61—Nick Carter’ a Junior Force; or, The Man With Four Arm 62—The BS Foil Clue; or, Told by the Phono- .68—Nick Detiets Strongest Team; or, The Glass —————————— cots ht by the Lightning Mail; or, Bob Ferret’s jiance Wit. a Peruvian Mesmerist. 66—Fightine agen Fiends; or, Bub Ferret Among the Wire Tappers. A sg Sd o Burn; or, Handling a Million Dol- ar le Maske of Glass; or, Little Roxy in a Double le. 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. 71—Green Goods; or, A Catch in Bob Ferret’s Rat 72—Bob hig Password; or, The Chase of the Gold eo 73—Roxy’s Golden Decoy; or, The Girl Detective Plays a Lone Hand. 74—The Great Detective Trio; or, Nick Carter’s 75h. i se “ry gene Message to th e Human or, xy’s Me to the Wide Awake Xenool pat 76—Bob Ferret’s Trolle Detectives Patched up Quarry. 7i—Roxy’s Talking Clew; or, The Mystery of the Magic Maze. 78—The dering Target; or, Jack Burton’s Friend Trail; or, The School For Life f 79—Baft’s Slide For Life; or, The Man Who Planted _ Money. 80—On the Back of a Turtle; or, Bob Ferret and the Big Mitt Men. 81—Tne Silver-Plated Man; or, The Young Tramp Detective. 82—Roxy’s Mid Air Rescue; or, A Diamond Mine in a Mummy’s Head. tag Be Le 333; or, The Face on the Prison 84— The Skeleton Hand; or, The Dumb Shadowers of Nick Carter's Detective School. 85—Nick Carter In Charge; or, A Murder in Broad Daylight. 86—Postman No. 45; or, Nick Carter’s Pupils After the Post-office Robbers. 87—Nick Carter’s Ten-Thousand-Dollar Bill; or, Face of a Coffin. The Hold-Up of the Bank President. 64—A Fight for a Boot Heel; or, The New Mem- | 88—Bob Ferret’s Government Message; or, The ber of the Ready I landlers. King Spy of the Outtit. Senter eee een ete ter ete ete STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK. For Sale ‘bys all Newwsdealers. ee ee ee we |