Pluck And Luck (no. 295) (1904 01 27)
The text was read from the page scans by machine (OCR), so it has mistakes and its columns may run together. See the pages · About this title · At the Internet Archive
Page 1
Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York Post Office, November 7%, 1898, by Frank Tousey. NEW YORK, JANUARY 27, 1904. Price 5 Cents. | | a | Nid i: 4 Joe turned suddenly, peering off into the darkness. As he did so, at one end of the room a sight burst upon him, which seemed to freeze the very marrow of his bones.
Page 2
a) > These. Books. Tell. A COMPLETE SET I$’ A REGULAR ‘ENOWOLOPEDIA! J 16 : You Everything! | book conaihts of sixty: faa pages, printed ‘on good paper. in’ clear type and n eatly ‘bound in an attractive, ittudtrated cover is, Each ‘ost of the books are also p fusély illustrated, and all of the subjects treated upon a explained in such.a simple manner’that any ebild can thoroughly sracate nd them. sack over the list as classified and see {if you want to know sdente ¢ about, the subjects! wnentio THESE BOOKS ARE FOR SALE BY ALL NEWSDEALER 4 i S$ OR WIDL RE SENT BY MAIL TO ANY ADDRESS WROM THIS OFFICE ON RECEIPT: OF PRICE, TEN CENTS “PACH, OR ANY THREE BOOKS FOR TWENTY-FIVE a - parr STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY. Address FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, N.Y MESMERISM. Wo. 81: HOW TO MESMERIZE: SCotielt ity the “most ap? bd ed methods of mesmerism; also how to cure all kinds of By Prof. Leo etc. by animal magnetism, or, magnetic healing. ‘Rego Koch, A. C. S., author of “How to Hypnotize,” PALMISTRY. Mo. 8. HOW TO DO PALMISTRY.—Containing the most ap- ed me of reading the lines on the hand, together with @ full explanation of their meaning. Also explaining phrenology, amd the a for telling character by the bumps op the head. By eo Hugo Koch, A.C. 8. Fully illustrated. HYPNOTISM. No. 83. HOW TO HYPNOTIZE.—Containing valuable and in- mtructive information regarding the science of hypnotism. Also axplaining the most approved methods which are employed by the lwamding hypnotists of the world. By Leo Hugo Koch, A.C.S. SPORTING. Wo. 21, HOW TO HUNT AND FISH.—The most complete and fishing guide ever published. It contains. fuli in- ms about guns, hunting dogs, traps, trapping. and fishing, r with descriptions of game and fish. 26. HOW TO. ROW, SAIL AND BUILD A BOAT.—Fully t@fwatrated. Eyery boy should know how to row and sail a boat. Well instructions are given in this little book, together with in- g@tractions on swimming and riding, companion sports to boating. ‘No. 47. HOW TO BREAK, RIDE AND DRIVE A HORSE.— &, complete a on the horse. Describing the most useful horses tex business, the best horses for the road ; also valuable recipes for ‘qeeases liar to the horse. sm HOW TO BUILD AND. SAIL CANOES.—A handy Po oS aa boys, conte iets full directions. for constructing canoes the miost i PF manner of sailing them. Fully iilostrated. > C. Stansfield FORTUNE TELLING. | No. 1. NAPOLEON'S ORACULUM AND DREAM BOOR.— a dest true mean- the great oracle of h ‘iy ; bn hed a t any mie of of dreams her with charms, ceremonies, ‘and curio : ‘No. 23. the little 4 “gy the: man cine of dreams, together with lucky unlucky days, an apoleon’s . Oraculum,” the book of fate. ‘Wo. 28. HOW | TELL FORTUNES. Everyone is desirous of pak his future life-will bring forth, whether happiness or alth or parents You can tell by a glance at this little Ateg we and be suangees. Tell your own fortune. Tell uD your frien 76. Hi iow WTO PLL FORTUNES BY THE HAND.— rn ortunes by the aid of lines of the hand, fof palit Also the secret of telling future events marks, pee seeks Illustrated. fo A. Anderson. LETIC. SE iran: public. Also tricks with cards, incantations, ete. No. 68, HOW. TO DO CHEMICAL TRICKS.—Containing ovet one hundred highly amusing and instructive tricks with chemice. x a a: Fie Handsomely illustrated. 69. HOW-TO DO SLEIGHT OF HAND.—Containing ov? fitty vot the latest and best tricks used by Vv oner ae Also contain’ ; ite Se secret of second sight. Bully illustrated. A. Anderson! o. 70. HOW TO MAKE MAGIC TOYS. ntdaining ‘a directions for making Magic Toys and devices of many kinds. A. Anderson. Fully illustrated. No. 73, HOW DO TRICKS WITH NUMBERS.—Showi» “, many curious tricks with me. ih and the magic of numbers. By + — ace. a cM Ae 3 COME A CONJUROR. — Containing: Now. 7. tricks with Or ee hd wep es pen a, Hats, ete. BPmbracing © thir oe “six inustrations DOPE 78. HOW HE ee ART.—Containing'a cow: shee aaacataicas ae ae mysteries o1 Magic and Sleight of Hard. together with miany wonderful exp-r.ments. By A, Anderson: Illustrated. s i MECHANIC °*t. ee No. 29, HOW TO SECOME AN .. VENTOR— Every: sae should: know. how inycations originated. This book all, giving examples io Reig hydraulics, meget ae pneumatics, mechanics, The most instructive = No. 56.. HOW TO BECOME AN ENGIN! instructions how to proceed in order to become 1. locomotive = gineer; also directions for build'ng a model locomotive; togeth= with a oe description of everytt*ny an e1 gineer, should know No. 57. HOW TO MAKE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.—? co directions how to make a Banjo, Violin, Zither, Alolian Harp, Xyle- phone and other musical instruments; tcgether witha brief dé scription of nearly every musical. instrument used in ancient o* modern times, Profusely illustrated. By Algernon 8. Fitzgers. 2. for Rip 3 ears bandmaster of the Bogal Bengal Marines. No. 5! OW. TO MAKE A*MAGIC LANTERN.—Containine a Fiber of the lantern, together with its history and inventios. Also full directions for its =” and for painting slides. Handsome! he Ps By John Alle No. HOW TO DO MECHANICAL TRICKS .—Containins hie RS. instructions for performing over sixty Mechanical sie By. A, Anderson, Fully illustrated. - - LETTER WRITING. No. 11. HOW TO WRITE LOVE-LETTERS.—A most cote: plete little book, coneaining full directions for writing love-letters: ae Bike to vse th ving SORES etre for ae and ola 2. HOW. WRITE LETTE ‘0 LAD — Giving Mest: ‘Instractions for writing aor to to ladies on all subject letters of Soe gees notes and 24. HOW TO WR eee Ss 3 CO GENTLEMEN on. ae subjecis - ay dud ae and every youny © almost ny — Cote i oroth you to. lady in. the puts a No. 74. Hi a dk 7) “id ave t ete is le
Page 3
PLUCK AND LUCK. Complete Stories of Adventure. Tssued Novembor 3 IB” nored $2.50 a Bs year. No. 295. Entere@ as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. to Act of Congress in the year 1904, in the office of i the Ldbrarian ft Congress, Was ington, D. 0., by Frank NEW YORK, JANUARY 27, 1904. Y., Post Office, Tousey, 24 Union Square, Price 5 Cents. = - be x ee By JAS. C. hat CHAPTER I. » _ JOE BARKLEY’S ORDERS—A TRIFLING MISTAKE. . ers a "December 10, 1864. It is almost forty years ago since the ¥ events which we are about to disclose to the world _ now for the first time took place. ; Shortly after three o’clock in the afternoon of the day above mentioned a young man plainly but comfortably dressed ; ascended the steps of one of those old mansions on Broadway, , te the Bowling Green, in the city of New York. ; He paid ‘no attention to the soldier who stood at the entrance, but pushing by him into the hall, ascended the _stairs—they were of solid mahogany—and knocked twice in _ @ peculiar manner upon one of the chamber doors. _. ‘Then, as now, these mansions opposite the Bowling Green _ had ceased to be the residences of the old New Yorkers who pea ae but had been given over to other — more "Ca ey’ the young man gato the upper chamber of “mansion in question, and seek to learn the the: eee, to which the old house had been ap- a, Wea ‘response ‘to the peculiar double knock thé! an inch or two—being secured in that posi- pry ‘the inside—and a man in the blue uniform nding int fe panties ¢ The Gray House on the Rock: OR, The Ghosts of Ballentyne Hall. MERRITT. one would think they might retain a doorkeeper long enough to have him become acquainted with the regular detectives of the Secret Service force.” A detective—this young man a detective? To look at his rosy, beardless face, his wavy brown hair, and keen gray eye, it would ‘never be suspected for an instant that he was anything but a boy just from school. - That was Joe Barkley’s peculiarity, and it stood him in good stead. He looked the youth of seventeen, but his actual age was twenty-two. In those days, when pluck and brains were in active de- mand, age went for nothing. Young as he was, Joe Barkley had for more than two years been a Secret Service detective—one of the most successful, one may add, in the employ of Uncle Sam at that time. Thus, the mere mention of his name had the desired effect upon Lieutenant Marsden, manager of the Secret Service Bureau at New York. In less than two minutes the doorkeeper was back again, lise ‘bolt was withdrawn, the chain lowered, and Joe Barkley ushered into the presence of Lieutenant Marsden himself. “Good-afternoon, Barkley. Prompt, as usual, I see. Kee- ‘gan, be good enough to close the door.” So the private door of Lieutenant Marsden’s own particular den, partitioned off from the main room, was immediately | closed, and Joe Barkley and the Secret Service official found themselves alone.” “Smoke, Barkley?” asked the lieutenant, ising over a box r here, ‘my friend. ‘My call upon Lieu- of cigars. . Ppppeatinenty ‘Say to him that Joe and a heavy bolt was heard to “Thanks,” taking one and lighting it. “You vane to see me, Mr. Marsden, at three o’clock.” “Correct,” replied the lieutenant, lighting a cigar for him- self. “I have received a communication from President Lin- eo ‘Barkley, rr intimately concerns yourself.” ;
Page 4
2 THe GRAY >HOUSBR @N THE» ROCK: e ee a “Did you ever know me to hesitate on account of frospec-| Meanwhile the man had puslied ahead to the operator’s win- tive danger, Mr. Marsden?” dow afid handed in a dispatch. “Never, Barkley, never; but the President don't know Joe followed, and handing in his own with the necessary you as well as I a0. Now, listeti: You are to start té-night Money, took His departure at once. for Harper’s Ferry, Virginia, There you are to take the Now, of course, Joe Barkley did not see the dispatch handed railroad, which bas again commenced ftuining through | through the operator's window by the stranger. portion of the Shenandoah Valley, as far a8 a little station! Had he done so he would have been not a little startled to in the very heart of the Blue Ridge, calied Dugdale, if I am| M4 that save for the names it was almost the counterpart of not mistaken”—here the lieutenant ¢ofistilted Sonie papers his own. ‘which he took from a drawer, adding—“yes, Dugdale, that| !t Wa8 as follows: is the name. At this point you will find a conveyance await- ‘ing which will take you to a farmhouse some twenty miles “To John Kinnicutt, Dugdale, Virginia.—Colonel Walsing- distant, and within the enemy’s lines, and you must so time ham will arrive at Dugdale on the evening train. Have your movements as to 4rrive at thé station at night. _ conveyance in readiness on the arrival of the train. “At the fafmhouse you will meet a certain pefsén who has ; “s. % Z." just come from Richmond with full particulars of the state of the besieged city; these you will receive, and returning It was a singular cbificidence—so singular that Billy Ed- to Washington, place them in the hands of President Lincoln | W@?4s. the young telegraph operator, noticed it, seeing at once _ «with all possible speed.” = tle necessity of care to avoid a mistake. Now, care was something that Billy Edwards seldom ex- ercised. iso a id He was, in fact, carelessness itsélf. a Just the kind of a job I like, Mr. Marsden,” was all he At the time when the two messages were handed through ae : his window Billy Edwards was engaged in an animated politi- “Good. I told the President you were the man: Hxerecise| 4) qiscussion with a friend, admitted—contrary to all rules every caution. If you succeed in securing this Ma ee —hehin His official rail. 4 ; gin ee apes a eapernaboie pr ears = * : ~ As a result of this distraction of his attention the careless ea ered fully. You will - GS thet. Matta: the Ne operator used the name Carsten in the Kinnicutt dispatch, + deninam: thet ‘ is given va? the dime UF (Ke party and informed Sidney Peterson, Esq., that Colonel Walsingham Whom You ate t6 see. Dngiale station is just outside the Con-| WONG arrive Bt Dugdale by fhe evening ‘rain. _ federate lines, the farmhouse twenty miles inside. Yot will nieces oF taniod a ie gant the asta - wie! < ; and The close of the year 1864 was a stirring time. ak cae andi lyamersleman ppt tent Carsten’s carriage. “ A ‘ jertakings hung. At you will go disgui " i The trifling ‘mistake of this careless operator was destined All right. Give me the theseagt I'll send it off at 6nc®.”|+, give rise to momentous happenings in the fortunes of sev- Pushing a télegraph blank toward the young detéctive,| 21 persons intimately connected with this tale. “Lientenant Marsden read from a paper as follows, while Joe | Barkley jotted down the words: Joe Barkley flipped the ashes from his cigar and laughed lightly. ‘ . FS “To Sidney Peterson, Esq, Dugdale, Va.: CHAPTER 11. KS “Mr. Carsten will arrive at Dugdale on the evening train, Lie _ Have conveyance in readiness on its arrival. X. Y. Zz." A NIGHT RIDE IN THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS—KATHERINE LIV- se Fes INGSTON IN A DESPERATE FIX. ag *You have. nothing to do but to enter the. carriage,” added i i ‘The driver will convey you to the farm- “Dugdale! Dugdale!” Hou so th that. ht phinis stibeat and announcing the name of the place as above. poh i: ie It was nine o'clock, and thé short December day had long |proaching stor. et _ “Here it is, Now, then, Bartle, od heck oe and good-| ay the announcement of the station three persons alighted iy ‘ _| from the train. * ro minutes later Joe Barkley found. bimoeit hurtying up| One was a young man dressed like an army officer off duty, ay to the nearest telegraph office to sry his aerate with thick black hair, heavy mustache, and wearing a eae Sea the two steps the office—a| cloak; the others a tall gentleman of about the middle age, omely-d about the fos and @ young lady of great beauty, in years not over seven — "the dott nob | teen. ; Fi dnc Bromma boaae a eo sat hon long the platform surveying ths wild: a 6 aii a some curiosity. epart.| ductor throwing open the door of the single passenger car, eta ae itew ? ed es . en you e be met by a person ee! will, instruct} “Phe day express from Harper’s Ferry drew up at a little as, to the rest. ‘| station in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the con- © ago closed in dark and lowering, every indication of an ap.
Page 5
THE GRAY ene wen “at ROCK. 3 ee stood - nitenea to a2 horizontal bar nailed upon two woodén| The Words, spoken in low, impassioned tones, Sone both | posts. . doubt and fear. AS thé Béiitleman atid lady stépped from the train 4 man| “Where am [I taking you? Why, to Ballentyhe Hall. of _ came hurriedly across the little foot-bridge thrown over the | course. Where else should I take you? Be quick—every mo- ‘tétrent; and passing in front of thé locomotive, was about to | ment is préciouseven now your father may be dying for all : board the train. we know.” In 80 déing it became necessary for him to pass beforé the | “I—I am afraid.” middle-aged gentleman and his charge. “Afraid of what?” No sooner had his eyes rested upon them than he uncere-|. “I hardly know—I— Who was that man you talked with moniously seized the former by the hand and drew him one |at the station?” side. The man’s eyes glittered siataeats, Meanwhile the ‘young girl remained waiting. “So you were listening!” he said, in low, meaning tones. Even in the dim light afforded by the station lantern the |“Miss Livingston, you are laboring under some grave mis- army officer, who stool watching her attentively, could dis-| understanding. Get into the carriage. I will explain as we ; __ tinguish a look of deep anxiety upon her face. ride along.” Re She seemed oppressed to a miarked degree with the utter) Grasping her arm, he forced rather than assisted His fair dreariness of the surrounding scene. ~ charge into the vehicle; the dumb negro leaped upon the for- Indeed, stich Was the case, but it failed to accotint in ftill for | wara seat, and seizirig the reins, started the horse down a ss She was listening. — Not until its foot was redched did conversation again be- * Above the puff, puff of the locomotive a few words of the | come possible. _ Conversation between Her coifipafiion and his unexpected ‘Then, turning toward the gir) by his side, Colonel Wal- ; acquaintance had reached her ears. |singham broke silence thus: _ ° “Wal8ingham! You here! We expected another. So you} “Miss Livingston, will you be good enough to explain the “4 have brotight the girl?” meaning of your singular words?” __‘These were the words. “I hardly know what to say, sir. I did not purposely listen _._ There were also others overbeard by the listener a mothent to your conversation—I—that is—I heard a name mentioned Tater on, P SEM RAs, na ty that” 2 “ening will be in raptures. He ae. nN “That. madé you suspect me?” She heard no more, “Yes.” hs core 2 her hati to her forehead, the girl reeled sid-| “what was the amie?” ee “would have fallen had not the army ee Sprang “It was the name of one whom I despise above all other appa and caught Ker in his arms. | persons, Colonel Walsingham. But why ask me? You heard Price “My dear young lady, are you iv? Can I——" it plainer than I did myselt.”, ~4a “Stand aside, sir, and attend to your own business! c ex. | “Do you refer. to Heming?” _ elaimed a rough voice behind him. “Miss Livingston, I aid | “I do. Were it not that my father lies ill, dying perhaps, ; ly. go at once.” ; ‘and has summoned me to his bedside, no power on earth could deigning to glance at the discomfited officer, ‘prevail upon me to encounter the risk of meeting Mr. Heming man dtew the girl’s arm within his own and | at Rallentyne Hall.” n her, hait tainting, deross: the’ foot-bridge to the other | “Miss Livingston,” said Colonel Walsingham, after a few 5 of the sesbenens Rid moments of silence, “I again tell you that you are laboring carvage!” he shouted. “Is it wri “/under a grave mistake. It is impossible that the Mr. Heming ‘ to whom my friend at the station referred and the man you hate can be one and the same. Calm your fears, my dear young lady. Do not forget that I am your father’s friend— that he has commissioned me to escort you to his bedside. Do not forget, moreover, that I am a Virginian and a gentle- man. Rather than. bétray the confidence reposed in mé by a lady—particularly one so young and beatitiful as youfself— I would rathér die. ” “Spare your compliments, Colonel Walsingham. So that you escort meé in saféty to the bedside of my dying father, I have no more t6 ask.” For a brief space silence was now maintained. Meanwhile "the horses sped over the rocky, uneven road— uoW craWling Weatily up @ steep ascent, now rattling down a |sharp decline, ever urged t= ep a Ment Be seria Bon! | knew how to handle the reins, if not his tongue. ~~ mish “The road for the first half hour followed ‘closely the’ bed looking pAaeror a8 oa On either side of them rose a dense — |forest of pine and spruce, the dark growth tendering their cote ak aaa Dey agate eth og Mh, | th canes . if and dun Bite ‘negroes: 1am nip ot per — he poe on pw weit This Mr. Carkineve carritige,” ‘ig onate sate empsemees ;
Page 6
$5 aa a Nor was his companion much better eave with the locality. Though born at Ballentyne Hall, the ancient manorial resi- dence of the Ballentyne-Livingston family—among the proud- est of Virginia’s F. F. V.’s—she had been reared since the age of ten at a convent in the immediate neighborhood of the i city of New York. 7 Consequently, when informed. that her stepfather—for he x bore no nearer relation—General Ballentyne-Livingston, lay at the point of death, and desired her to place herself in charge of Colonel Walsingham, who would escort her to his bedside, it was to Katherine Livingston almost as to one who journeys to a land wholly strange. Bearing the same name as her stepfather, she stood in a double relation to General Livingston, viz., the only daughter af of a distant cousin and of his own deceased wife. = Thus Ballentyne Hall, whither Miss Livingston was now * bound, was her own property—inherited through her father— bo the man to whose bedside she now hurried being only a 3 tenant by tke right of guardianship over her person and large . estates. ..? As the density of the forest increased about them the un- easiness of Colonel Walsingham seemed to grow in like pro- portion. “Are you certain that we are on the right road, Miss Liv- ingston?” he inquired. “I had not believed that the distance : was half so great!” " . “I begin to doubt it myself,” was the reply. to me that we have been going wrong since we took that last sharp turn to the left.” the station. We have certainly come five. If one could only get anything out of that black scoundrel, now. Here, you! Are we on the right road to Ballentyne Hall?” The question, put to the dumb driver in sheer desperation, _ of course, elicited no reply. Meanwhile, the clouds which had long been gathering about oo. them burst at last, and the rain began to fall with a force __ which threatened to wet them to the skin. _ “Oh, I can stand this no longer!” cried Colonel Walsingham, starting to climb over the back of the seat to the dumb driv- er’s side. “This forest seems endless, and— Great heavens! - what is that in the valley below us? There is treachery - _ here! Something is wrong!” _ “fhe instant he had made the movement to interfere with ‘the driver the negro had plied the whip vigorously, urg- _ ing the horses on-into a run. At the same moment they reached the top of a long ascent, - and, the forest suddenly breaking, a bright light could be seen 6 onl tec ag gale goring anh aN ea el 1 baa omg her gay sglnigedag t proved to be a large fire burning 1 ix Sua by the side of ar stream, - is the Federal outpost!” he exclaimed, in great alarm. are on the wrong road. starts sistas Tages THE GRAY HOUSE ON THE ROCK. “As i can } ____ recollect the country around Ballentyne Hall, it has seemed | both toppled headlong from the vehicle; disappearing over the edge of the cliff. The terror-strickén girl saw it all, being, of course, unable to extend a helping hand, Freed from all restraint, the horses now tore down the mountain road with breakneck speed, the wagon swaying from side to side, each moment threatening to slip from the track and to drag its terrified occupant to a dreadful death. CHAPTER III. THE GHOSTS OF THE ANCIENT HALL. “I expected a conveyance to meet me here to take me for- ward on my journey.” Thus spoke the army officer at the Dugdale station, as the evening train from Harper’s Ferry rolled away. “Whar ye gwine, kunel?” demanded the station agent, in response to this remark. “It don’t matter. My name is Carsten. a carriage here to meet me——” “Kerridges is skurce in these parts, kunel. York?” “Why do you ask?” “Cause a party telegraphed here yesterday, an’ your name was mentioned in the dispatch.” “Possibly. I cannot answer your questions. You have seen no one inquiring for me, I suppose?” “Didn’t say no sich a thing,” replied the station agent, bit- ing off a huge mouthful from a coil of plug tobacco. “Thar There was to be Be you from “And I was informed that it was not over three miles from) wyz a dummy nigger here a minute before the train come in axin’ for ye. He’s over acrost the stream beyond a-waitin’ for ye with his team.” ° Joe Barkley—for it was the young Secret Service detective, of course—waited for no further words. Crossing the track and the foot-bridge which spanned the mountain torrent, he reached the hitching posts just in time to see the two-seated wagon containing Colonel Walsingham and Miss Livingston go bowling down the road. “Now I wish I had not been so quick to draw back from that girl,” muttered the young man, as he stood gazing after them. “Heavens! but wasn’t she a beauty! There was some- thing wrong with that escort of hers—I have been watching them all the way from Washington. Besides, unless I greatly mistake, he is ¢he fellow who pushed by me at the telegraph office— Hello, Sambo! What ails you?” It was the second of the deaf mutes. He had thrust himself in front of the disguised detective, and was extending a piece of paper which he held in his hand. | “This is Mr. Carsten’s carriage,” was the way the paper read. “It is the dumb negro,” muttered Joe Barkley. “Well, so much the better—I shan’t be bothered to answer his ques- tions.” ; Climbing into the vehicle while the boy unhitched the horses, they were soon under way. It was all the result of the trifling mistake of the telegraph operator. Long before Colonel Walsingham had begun to suspect the
Page 7
THE GRAY HOUSE ON THE ROCK. 5 Joe Barkley stared at the gray house on the rock with un- feigned surprise. Was that the farmhouse where the secret conference was to be held? : The country for miles around them was one unbroken for- besides, instead of having covered a distance of twenty miles from Dugdale, they certainly had not come over three. It was useless to attempt to interrogate the dumb driver. 3 In response to all the signs made by Joe Barkley, the negro would only smile and point upward to the gray house on the rock. “Perhaps, after all, we are not going to stop there,” thought the detective, as the road, turning, entered the woods again, and the house above them disappeared from view. There was nothing for it but to trust himself to the guidance of his singular companion and patiently await re- sults. Meanwhile the road continued to wind back and forth up the mountain side. At each turn Joe Barkley expected to see the gray house on the rock burst into view again, only to be disappointed by a continuance of the everlasting pine trees which lined the road on either side. | It came at last, however, and came when least expected. As nearly as Joe could calculate—it was too dark to consult his watch—it must have been somewhere in the neighborhood of eleven o’clock when the vehicle passed through a gateway . of which he had caught a glimpse nearly an hour before. ‘The dumb driver inaped from his seat and pointed toward a. house. “That’s the oiab: is it?” muttered Joe, as he proceeded S : to descend from the wagon. “Well, it’s about as lonely and 8 desolate a looking shop as ever I struck, but I suppose it's all right if you say so, Sambo. What am I to do, go right * in?” <! The dumb negro, seemingly interpreting the question, nod- door. $ the horses Mchaaaine’ about, drove off in the direction they had come. | a curious sensation of uneasiness Joe Barkley stop- and stared after the retreating wagon. _ There wes notte for it now but to enter the mansion forthwith. _ Before ‘iétox so, however, he passed entirely around it, ' s more and more mystified at finding that it stood it was ‘surrounded by the thick pine growth, and was ingly without outbuildings of any sort. . Se ene Det ot roves wees wie, it nd ‘there on “dae ge eg Ranson on est, presenting no appearance of agriculture whatsoever; | and drew up before the rear entrance to the old mansion |' Soo beint somebody up, for upon my word I don’t like this thing at ail.” He lit another match as he spoke, and aasdee toward one of the many doors communicating with the passage, turned the knob. The door opened freely,-and Joe Barkley found himself in la high-studded hall presenting an appearance more peculiar than anything it had yet been his fortune to see. On one side was a high oaken mantel, above which were stags’ horns and suits of ancient armor. Two figures in arm- or, holding spears, appeared just beyond, while above them, between the pilasters supporting the ceiling, were full length pictures of men and women wearing the dress of the olden time. Just at the moment the match went out, and Joe Barkley found himself in total darkness. He was standing beside a chain in the center of the room, close to a great book with metal clasps, which he had observed lying on the floor as this occurred, and was just about to feel for another match, when strains of music from behind burst upon his ear. Joe turned suddenly, peering off into the darkness. As he did so, at one end of the room, beneath a carved oaken cornice placed against the wall midway between ceiling and floor, a sight burst upon him which seemed to freeze the very marrow of his bones. It was as though a curtain at the theater had been gradu- ally lifted, disclosing a scene on the stage. First innumerable moving feet, covered with slippers, bus- kins and great flapping boots; then bodies of gentlemen and ladies clothed in the costumes of two hundred years ago. Lastly the heads were disclosed, and the entire company were seen to be tripping the measure of a minuet—backward | and forward, bowing and curtséying—their feet keeping time }to the weird music which floated through the ancient hall, beside which there was not another sound. CHAPTER IV. JOE BARKLEY SEES THE GHOSTS AGAIN. Fancy Joe Barkley’s position! Alone at midnight in this ancient mansion, staring at the ghastly forms which just before him could be distinctly seen moving back and forth, to and fro, following out the complex figures of the dance. It was precisely as though some one had entered a theater in total darkness without understanding the nature of. the place, and the curtain had been suddenly raised, disclosing the stage with all its brightness, its gaudily-dressed figures moving about in pantomime, while strains of music from a hidden orchestra float with weird sweetness through rhe sur- rounding air. Such was the strange situation suddenly forced upon Joe For a iinet of time—it seemed moments, it was probably ‘ seconds—he stood rooted to the floor. - To say that he exptpienced no sensations of fear would be to state the case falsely. At first glance it flashed through his mind that he had ee ee ee eens .
Page 8
6 THE GRAY HOUSE ON THE ROOK. tion abeut the heart which accompanies a state of seddeti| And as he edhtinued his survey of the room it cértainly fear. seemed so. There the dancers were, the ladies in Jow-necked, short-| Every picture, every piece of furniture, the suits of ancient waisted dresses, such as our great grandmothers wore; with ;armor were all there, substantial enough, but of the merry high-heeled satin shoes, broad skirts, and powdered hair built |dancers there was absolutely no trace to be found. up high from the forehead upon great torioise shell eombs.| Joe Barkley crossed the length of the room to the opposite The gentlemen in pumps and knee-breeches, silk stockings, | end. ruffled shirts and gay colored coats, Here were two great folding doors of solid mahogany. It was precisely as if a comic opera troupe, with al] its They were locked, and resisted every effort on his part to | gay! accompaniment, had been suddenly dropped before Joe | move them. Barkley in that secluded mansion deep in the wilds of the} Whatever of mystery lay behind these doors was not dis- Blue Ridge. : closed. - Pear! Disappointed in this direction, Joe went out into the hall It was no part of Joe Barkley’s nature. again, looking about him curiously. It could not long endure in the heart of a young man so|- Now he observed one circumstance to which he had previ- brave. ously given no thought. _ With eyes: fixed upon the dancers, he started: to advance The hall, as well as aaa room beyond, was exceedingly toward them, when—— Seneend cold, Presto! Change! It seemed evident that for a long time no fires could have { The music ceased; the lights were extinguished; the room |P€e? lighted in the mansion. in which he stood was as black as the blackest night. A musty odor was also apparent, like thé odor of a tomb. A cold perspiration broke over the young detective. Observing a bellcord against the wall, Joe pulled it sev- | Mechanically he grasped the back of the armchair by the |®! times in quick succession. He could hear the loud jangling of a bell in some distant sires Stood, as though expecti some shock t siphons allen ‘ard oe ¥i part of the house, but though he waited long and patiently, os NN othing follow ed no one appeared in response to his ring. Whee : There were two flights of stairs leading from the hall, , + agraraliahandogr teams MiacPicic. nach ele Arce mere eilioen: One descended. into what must be the kitchen and servants’ = grave. The lights, the niusic, the moving dancers had all vanished, as utterly as though they had never had an existence save in his own excited brain. “Great heavens! Into what manner of house have | fallen?” _ thotght the young Secret Bervice detective. “What is going apartments below; the other seemed to be the main stairway of the mansion, leading to the chambers above. There were also several doors communicating with other Determined not to abandon his ground thus easily, Joe Barkley tried the various doors in quick sneeession. * a € fo happen next?” The first was the door leading into the room which he knew - a ‘He waited, breathiless—expecting, fearing. . jmust communicate with the apartment behind the locked ie ‘Nothing came. (folding doors. “Come! ere ma ie thought eae va Oe en $his'- olen tis Jala thetenen: _ came more by tever may hidden in 8 F + <5 Tm going to bave ft out. It begins to look se wreck anche in this particular direction no mat? vs | to me very much as if I had walked into a trap. If so, they |” 4 i oéner door led into a kind of business office, furnished “Shall find me game.” with a curious old desk, tables, and chairs. * He knew well the desperate straits into which the Southern} ‘Tpis room was as cold as the rest of the house, and the Speyer had drifted; understood thoroughly that. provid-| qetective did not fail to observe that here also the dust lay g his mission proved successful, that it would precipitate thick upon the floor. lo ihm nd at end. The same was true with a larger room, a library, with j others knew this as well as he did, and had de-|which another of the doors communicated. to scare him off, and prevent him| It was elegantly furnished in the same ancient style. Books for which he had been sent. by ‘the hundred reposed on shelyes ranged around the wall, he moment the room had been lighted Joe Barkley | hut it was évident from the dust and the moldy smell, which ved on the mantel-piece . ome m candlestick, |was here more noticeable even than elsewhere, that no one dies th ees had penetrated the apartment for many a day. t match, he now moved toward, apd. fu Two other locked doors were tried. all the light he needed. The only door which now remained untried was one at the terror vanished with the ght. extreme end of the hall, which unquestionably communicated ete ee ees with the piazza observed by Joe at the front of the house. ‘This was also locked, but it made no difference, as the piazza s |could be easily gained by going around the dther way. ‘ _ What was to be done next? ) aturally the dstnive St. reontnnes to shee seston
Page 9
THE GRAY HOUSE ON THE ROCK. Here he discovered that the threatened storm had brokeén, and the rain was pouring in torrents—a circumstance whict he had not previously observed. Drawing his military cloak around him, the detective now Stepped out into the rain and looked about him. There was the same thick growth of pines and spruce, now darker than ever; and again he did not fail to notice the lack of out-buildings and the entire absence of cultivated ground about the mansion. It seemed to stand on the top of the rock in the midst of the, primeval. forest, desolate and alone. Joe Barkley walked slowly around the house, looking up at the.windows on the sides. There was nothing of a suspicious nature to be seen there —that was evident. Every window was dark. Save for the beating of the rain - a against the gray stone walls and the sighing of the witd among the pines, all was as silent as the grave. By this time Joe had reached the front of the mansion, and stood on the very verge of the cliff looking up at the darkened front. __ Bvidently it never could have been the intention of the | yeins. : builder that this should be used as the main entrance. a oS There was scarcely space between the piazza and the eet ‘descent. of fully five hundred feet ir an ordinary d carriage to drive. the piazza itself presentd a most tals appearance. _It was constructed in Mab pillars, extenaing from the ground to thé projecting ‘Tt was ‘much in the same style as one sees mi pictures of the ~ home of George. Washifigton—Mount Vernon--giving. to the | appearance of greater height than it really deserved, | a little difficult to obtain a good view of the win- | | eats WOH HEA he® Soul With Uismay. SNS fees , dows, as they were all inside the line of pillars, and greatly : in the shadow. They were all.dark, however, and Joe Barkior was about _as to almost fling him over the edge of the cliff. 8 he sper winds ed be iar a ee oo of light, with raised hands and directly at himself. ey toward hima ue thong win- ica fad | at bredkneck speed, there is not one woman in a thousand who would not have lost her head, thrown herself from the wagon to certain death, or held on to the seat or sides itt an agony of dull despair. Of a different sort was Katherine Livitigston. Her method of handling the situation was exadtly the re- verse. The first sensations of horror at the awful fate of Colonel Walsingham and the dumb driver over, the colirageous girl nerved herself to the situation. Let us record right hére that the nerves of Katherine Liv- ingston were nerves of stéel. Born, though hot reated, among these Virginian ifiduntains, the girl possessed ll the courage and coolnéss of her race. At a glance she saw that nothing short of instantly gaining the control of the frightened horses cotld save her, and this was exactly what she procéeded to do. At the risk of hér life she climbed the front seat of the wagon and leaned forward 6ver the dashboard. Then with sdothing words she strove to cali thé startled lanimals, while with her right hand she drew in the Aatielin® The attempt was suecessftil. Once the wWéll-tfainéd beasts felt the pressure of the bit their excitement diminished. Without attempting to chéck flieni entirely—a thing im- possible on that abrupt déscetit—Kathérine soon succeeded the Grecian style of architecture, with |ig bringing them entirely under her control. Theh cathe the inomentous question. Was SHE t6 Advalice or retreat? Clearly there was but one answer, since (¢ ttirn #oilia be impossible. It WAS the rémeihbraiice of Colonel Walsingham 4nd his Jiist then the storm vroke upon the mountains, the fain descended in torrents. At that very imniéht iti which Jee Barkley beheld that t to turn away when ‘a gust of wind struck him with snch force | startling vision at the windows of the gray house on the rovk, thé hdrses, réstrainel rather than guided by Katherine Livingston, reached 4 levél plateau and turned abruptly into a by-path to the right, drew the wagon with great rapidity : | the very flood gates; of heaven had burst/qown another descent, atid rattléd across 4 little wooden upon the mountain tops. | % en it was Joe Barkley beheld that which seemed tO] Here they turned again and followed the stream on the ~agmhaea turn every drop of warm blood in his |other side for a distance of several miles. bridge Which spanhed the’ mountain stream. Katherine made no effort to interfere with them. It Was as well this way as any other. remained as dark as ever, at each Surely they must come out upon some farmhouse on this set in @/low land before long. _ long, paqcend At all events they were going away from the military en- ctampment seen from the heights, which was the place of all Were men and women, dressed as he had seen them|others she naturally desired to avoid. bat, aside in the quaint costumes of, a hundred years! But the succeeding moments brought continued disappoint- ment. ° ‘No farmhouse appeared,. the further they penetrated the lonelier the road seemed to become. Wet to the skin and now thoroughly alarnted, Katherine was about to give up in despair when all at once the everlast- line of trees seemed to part, and she beheld a small church of red sandstone standing in the forest alone. , Now an exclamation of joy escaped the lips of the frightened tl girl. Sinn SAS ean rst aeloa sl Bogie predyr ; “It is the old red church!” She murmured. “In spite of the years which have elapsed since I last beheld it, I remem-
Page 10
he VA , z ee NE ee ee ee noon in the bygone time. iri i THE GRAY HOUSE ON THE ROCK. There was a covered shed behind the church intended for With a sudden spring forward he darted between the a shelter for horses, and behind this Katherine immediately | Grecian columns, gaining the piazza at a bound. drove. It was a relief to get ‘sae of the rain, if nothing more, and He might as well have spared himsef the exertion. There was nothing more to be discovered on the piazza than she alighted from the wagon and fastened the horses with a ,there had been on the edge of the cliff. feeling of thankfulness in her heart. Now in passing around to this shed Katherine Livingston’s conscience. attention had been entirely directed toward the team. Had it been otherwise, and had she chanced to direct her gaze more closely toward the church, she might have per- ceived the door facing the road noiselessly open to a width sufficient to admit the body of a man. This, however, she did not see; nor did she see a head shrouded in some sort of a black robe which at the same moment appeared in the breach, Long before Katherine had reached the door of the church, toward which she immediately bent her steps, it had been closed as softly as it was previously opened, and the head being withdrawn, was seen no more. ‘There was no light visible in the windows of the church; all was as dark and gloomy within as without. , Still this did not deter the brave girl from entering. She remembered the old red church as the house in which her parents had worshiped, and to which she herself had been taken on the Sabbath many times in her girlhood days. _ Remembering this, and knowing the entire isolation of its situation, Katherine felt that she ran no risk in entering. The little graveyard, with its crumbling headstones which surrounded it, had no terrors for a heart so courageous, and she passed among the stones fearlessly, and with firm hand Passing through the vestibule, she entered the darkened in- terior, and groped her way to the very pew in which she had - often sat by her mother’s side upon a drowsy summer's after- \ church windows were high, and on one side turned to- valley. fs eyes became accustomed to the dimness she to see much of the interior. pulpit, the high-backed pews, the little corner—all just the same. A iggcmruanh th Gk iii ignated o wait. if gee Hi en i e storm without the church had spent its force hours be | the clouds disappearing, the moon burst with all her over the wooded tops of the Blue Ridge. Met the horses remained beneath the shed, and no one ap- to claim them. He Ag "he chrch ur bal nt ond the windows had remained oe Pek nad: anyone chanced to enter, they rtd and ab ileat as the grave Se ee ee The front of the gray house was now black enough in all Through the windows not a ray of light pene- trated, not a vestage of the ghostly figures was to be seen. “Good-evenin’, kun’l.” Suddenly and without the sound of warning footsteps these words were spoken from outside the pillars behind Joe Bark- ley’s back. To the already excited nerves of the young officer they produced a shock even greater than the recent mysterious appearance at the window had been. : He turned abruptly. There, leaning calmly against one of the pillars, and in- specting him curiously, stood a tall, gaunt individual—as true a specimen of the Virginia “corncracker” as Joe had ever seen. 3 , He was a man fully six feet high, with sallow, sunken cheeks, owe nose, low forehead, and small, pig-like eyes. Such hair as he still possessed had turned a greenish gray: fiery red chin whiskers trimmed a la Billy Goat gave to his face the appeardnce of being half a yard long dt the very Teast. A suit of gray cloth—Virginia homespun—covered his bony frame, while a dirty collarless shirt and a white felt hat lent their aid to make the man’s costume as unpromising as his face. ’ In spite of the rain, he was smoking a corneob pipe, shel- tering the bow] now and then with his brown, hairy hand to prevent its being emptied by the wind. ‘ “@ood-evenin’, kun’l.” Joe Barkley surveyed his visitor narrowly. At all events he was human—there was no doubt of that. Could this be the farmer to whom he had been consigned? Or, possibly, the spy himself? — “Good-evening, sir. Good-evening,” he replied briskly, with the true instinct of a detective on the alert at once. “I’m thankful to meet someone at last. Beside the dummy who drove me I’ve seen no one since my arrival at this gloomy place.” The “corncracker” stepped inside the line of Grecian col- umns with a surly grunt. “Hain’t seed no one? Kun'l, look out for yer soul. Didn't yer see them figgers up thar at them winders? If ye didn’t, § did. It’s my opinion ye did, too.” “Well, I admit it. Who are they?” The face of the corncracker assumed an air of solemn mys- Taking his pipe from his mouth he leaned forward and whispered just one word close Joe Barkley’s ear. “Ghosts!” “What!” “I said ghosts. Be ye deef? ‘Thess wus'the ghosts’ of Dak “I'm givin’ it to yer straight eout, kun’); but, law bless ye, I -|don’t mind ’em. [’ve lived among ‘em, man and boy, nigh _|onto fifty years.” And the corncracker, Sesalen: hinkesif ogaiuel the Gescian as in a be
Page 11
a THE GRAY HOUSE ON THE ROCK. 9 spy, a word, a look might in those troublous days have betrayed him to certain death. If this was not the place where he was to meet the Union Joe thought so too, but deemed it wiser to say nothing. Having no disposition to attempt the journey back to Dug- dale at midnight and in the storm, he saw no alternative but He felt, therefore, that it behooved him to be careful—to|to accept Mr. Kinnicutt’s offer of a bed. feel his way. The trouble was to know where to begin. The corncracker helped him. The corncracker seemed to have fallen into a sullen silence. Rejecting every offer on the part of Joe toward friendli- a After a moment of embarrassing silence he turned sud-j/ness, he led the way back to the mansion, up the stairs, and _denly upon Joe, his great mind having evolved the following: | ushered the detective into a large chamber by the light of the “My name’s Kinnicutt. What’s yourn?” “Carsten,” replied Joe, promptly. Then he waited, watching anxiously for the effect. _ Certainly it was not to be read in the corncracker’s face. _ That was absolutely expressionless. ' After a few minutes he began again. - “What brung ye here, kun’l?” “A dumb negro and a horse and wagon.” “Yes, yes. But why'd ye come?” Joe was more puzzled than ever. _ him to mention the name of the man at Dugdale to whom his dispatch had been addressed. “Sidmey Peterson.” ‘ The corncracker took out his pipe and stared. “Peterson!” he ejaculated. “Be ye a blue or a gray?” “Neither—both. I am a private citizen just now.” “Then what brung ye to acre di Hall? Did ye come from York?” \ Pres.” foe no lady with you?” Laer i oe va am what in time did ye come here for, anyhow? The halls deserted—has been ever sence General Livingston went _ Off to the war. Hain’t a soul about the place but Pete, the - dummy, an’ me.” __ “I begin to think there has been some mistake made, Mr. - Kinnicutt. Certainly I never intended to come here. How it 73 occurred I can’t tell, but I’m more than anxious to get away. If you'll lend me your horses and the darky I'll go back to Dugdale again.” _ Fully convinced of the truth of these words, Joe waited anx- “fously for the man’s reply. | It came at last, after much meditation. “Ye can’t go back tonight. I won't let the hosses go over fF cago and I’m blame sure ye can’t walk.” me Day = ie gee = pags tie che lems o Fil nev to, though T'a ruther not. My shanty down ee rie woods, back of the lane, hain’t got no bed into it = = eens S'pose I'll hev to make ye a < in the hall if ye ain’t afeard of ghosts.” Well, I here They never did me, Ye've been inside ‘I saw people dancing.” i heard music a-playin’? It’s their old trick. They're along around Christmas time. Say, ye didn’t lady and gent at the Dugdale Station, I s’pose?” | S60 now. _Them’s the candles Joe had left in the hall. It was comfortably furnished, and overlooked the piazza. Joe saw at once that at the window, now before him one of the ghostly figures must have stood. Still there seemed no help for it, and upon the withdrawal of the custodian of the old mansion he extinguished the candles and flung himself upon the high four-post bed without removing any portion of his clothes. Now, just when Joe Barkley fell asleep he was never able Suddenly it occurred to to accurately determine. It must have been along toward morning, for during what appeared to be an interminable time he lay tossing and turning, unable to close his eyes. Once asleep he began to dream. First of his mission, then of New York, and then of the young lady to whom he had spoken at the station. It seemed to him that he was precisely where he was—in the gray house on the rock and in bed. That at one end of the room was a dark, oaken panel, which -|suddenly opened like a door, from out of which the young lady glided, and approaching the bed, looked down upon his face with a strange expression, and placed a sealed letter upon the pillow beside his head. Then with the same gliding motion ahe retreated toward the panel, and—— Wonder of wonders! He was broad awake now, and sitting upright in bed. There, gliding from the bed, was the young lady he had spoken to at the station. She was dressed in a white robe, with a light shawl thrown over her shoulders. Without pausing to look behind her at the detective’s sud- den exclamation of astonishment, she moved noiselessly to- ward one end of the room, and appeared to vanish through the solid wall. CHAPTER VII. THE MYSTERIOUS LETTER—THE FATE OF SYDNEY PETERSON. Joe Barkley was out of bed and on his feet in an instant. Had it been all a dream? No; it could not have been. A moment before the form of the beautiful girl whom he had met at the station had bent over him—the room had been light—he was awake and saw it—now, all was as black as the blackness of the darkest night. As we have previously mentioned, the young Secret Service detective had removed none of his clothing upon retiring—his situation had been too singular and the times too troublous | He had anticipated disturbance of his rest, and had been in a measure prepared for it; but he had not anticipated 80. : gaze. e gods! but she was beautiful!” muttered the young man, - the other. “It is the girl I saw at the station— ‘ela yt—— ne perenne tis Te aeiger Ree obec
Page 12
10 THE, -GRAY And yet she had passed through the side of the room like % a spirit, vanishing through the solid oak paneling of, the ‘ce wall, Fearful of encountering some unseen enemy in the dark- — ness, Joe Barkley proceeded with the greatest caution. SE ‘Matches he had none, having used up his last in the hall below. Bitterly he regretted his folly in extinguishing the candle upon retiring, but it was too late to help it now. Crossing the room he gained the oaken panel through which j the young girl had vanished. "Though he ran his hand up and down the wood many times, ' he was unable to discover any opening, or any indication that at this particular point the paneling was not as solid and immovable as in any other part of the room. The door proved to be loeked on the inside precisely as he had left it on retiring. As for the windows, the faint light which did no more than to indicate their positions was still sufficient to make it plain that these likewise were undis- “It must have been all a dream!” thought the young man, “That the first part was I am certain; now against my strong- est impressions I obliged to admit the same for the last.” He was about to move toward the bed again when a tre- -- mendous racket broke upon his ear. ‘Tt was as though a man had fatten ” down the entire flight of stairs. ‘The sound of his body going bump! bump! bump! from ‘stair to stair could be heard with startling distinctness. ’ Then followed quick footsteps, mufiled imprecations, and all we still. Sa For ten minuts at least Joe Barkley stood as though rooted "a: to the floor. ’ What was goitig to happen next? ‘ Were the ghosts of Ballentyne Hall at their nightly work again? ee _ Suddenly a strange light seemed to illuminate the room, oie ‘coming from the windows. _ It was a white, silvery light, of such a ghostly character as 9 send Joe’s heart thumping to his throat. _ Grasping his revolver still more firmly, he now sprang to- ward the window, prepared for anything. when all at once : oa that it was the moon. } here, my friend, you are getting childish,” he breathed, exasperated at his own timidity.. ~You are only half awake, and are dreaming still. Better go back to bed, and——” Barkley paused suddenly, — was at the window now ‘and looking out. ; ’ iyenscoas sf the yan ED ee Si on the moun- tops beyond. Sah tn se arouse IPSEC of 9 ohn ; gray army in the > deeply, i oe cy agape all three spurting % bats 0 thi ‘i HOUSE ON “at all. events.” thought ! and : i ack. done. It has | that nothing should turn him from his legitimate work. rt ecstabnpnelt inte. a2 expartarbable 3 este : THE RQCK. With the night all ghostly terrors yanished, and Joe re solved upon leaving the house without delay. If the “corncracker” could not furnish him transportation he must go on foot. His business was by far too pressing to make it safe to run any further risk. He must hurry back to Dugdale, see and talk with the man Peterson, to whom his dispatch had been addressed. ; His mind filled with anxious forebodings, Joe Barkley turn- ed from the window and moved toward the door. In so doing it was necessary for him.to pass the bed on which he had slept. There, to his astonishment, a sealed letter lay upon the pil- low, in precisely the position in which he had seen it placed by the young lady of his dream. Was he awake, or still dreaming? Certainly the letter was a reality. now. It bore no address. Moving back to the window, Joe broke the seal. It contained a sheet of white paper, on which a few hasty lines were written. Also an inclosure, likewise sealed. There was barely light enough to enable Joe to make out the words. ; He managed to read them through, only to become more deeply involved in mystery than before. The words written on the paper were these: He had it in his hands “At the risk of life itself this is placed in your hands. If you desire to save the city of New York from destruction, has- ten back without an instant’s delay, and lay the inclosed be | fore the police.” This was all. The writing was delicate _ and. well rounded—evidently a woman's. ’ The inclosed envelope bore neither name nor address. Breathlessly Joe Barkley broke the seal of the inclosure. He, was well aware that the Confederates had made one attempt to burn New York city. Was another plot as dastardly about to be disclased? But the sealed letter disclosed nothing. It contained several rows of figures, running not in col- umns, but from left to right across the sheet. _ They were these: “1-7, 6, 18, 1-5, 1-6, 10, 18, 1-12, 444, 13, 1-7, 1, 5, 10, 1-1, 5, 7. 6, 1-7, 1, 18, 1-1, 1-10, 5, 1-7, 1-5, 9, 9, 1-1, 6, 13, 1-1, 10, 3.9, 1-5, 11, 6, 5, 9, 8, 1-7, G, 9, 1-10, 1-2, 1-5, 10, 5, 1-6, 1-5; 5; 11; 6; 1, 1-2, 1-1, 10. d What was it? Evidently a rebus—a cipher—a secret which hours of pa- tient toil might fail to solve. It was of no use to attempt to understand it, to turn it this way and twist it that. Clearly it had been placed upon bis pillow for a distinct and definite purpose, and that purpose, more than likely, was to upon them sen th draw him off from his own mission, and send him flying back Spar horses, into the |to New York on a wild-goose chase, Joe Barkley thrust the two sheets of paper into his pocket a SETS the. doer, s00r9, detortniand shen: aye ee Meni oy ohne Ay eet My yian faa een
Page 13
THE GRAY HOUSE ON THE ROCK. 5 . “Shoula ‘he seek to penetrate into the secrets of the rey: She sat there in the glmost total darkness, listening to the _ house on the rock? | patter of the rain upon the shingle roof, without so much as a Wise Joe Barkley did neither one nor the other; but sim-| thought of fear. _ ply bidding Mr. Kinnicutt good-morning, asked if he could be} Suddenly Katherine became conscious of a slight sound. _ accommodated with a horse. | It seemed as if something must have struck gently upon the ; “The dummy’s going to the station presently; you can go| back of one of the pews just ahead of where she sat. i with him if you want to,” was the slow. reply. As a natural consequence she turned her gaze in that di- “Of course I want to, neighbor,” replied the detective. “I’m /rection, encountering a sight which would have caused an- . 1 in a big hurry to get back to my business. When does the| other to have screamed in deadly terror, to have fainted, or E dummy start?” rushed precipitately from the church. - “Thar he comes now,” answered the corncracker, as the} It was a pair of burning eyes peering at her out of the ~ wagon in which Joe had ridden the night before suddenly | darkness oyer the back of the third pew, in front of the one _ emerged from among the pines. “But I say, kun'l, won't you|in which she sat. stop an’ take breakfast long o’ me?” For one instant only the eyes were visible, then with a “No, thanks, T am in great haste. I suppose the team is|sudden downward movement they disappeared. all ready?” Katherine Livingston sat motionless. As “All ready. The dummy, he’s had his breakfast. Say, did| Her terror was extreme, it cannot be denied: yet, as upon aoe see anything of the ghosts last night?” ; another memorable occasion the courageous girl proved her- _ “Nothing of the sort.” > self equal to the trying situation. = ‘The corncracker eyed him sharply, at the same time giving And as she sat her own gaze wandered to the right—to utterance to an incredulous grunt. © the left. “They’re generally ‘at their wust ‘long toward mornin’.|' There seemed to be other eyes staring at her out of the ’ “They kick up high jinks in the old hall. sometimes, I tell blackness in whichever direction she turned her own. youl”. It was more than even she could endure. With a feeling of deadly faintness, Katherine Livingston arose, stepped out into the aisle, and tottered toward the door. She felt it coming—felt it even before she heard the sound “Well, they didn’t last night, anyhow.. I ag like a log,” said Joe Barkley, leaping into the wagon. “Sorry to have put you neigh all a mistake. Much | Se ae bed. ‘ow euah's to cone os of stealthy footsteps behind her. - : at rs She had not traversed half the distance between the pew Paes og} a4 ; and the church door before a hand grasped her shoulder ek ve GoS dread cast? A's, Vieginian, 1 ate. Guess 1 waiere| 7O™ behind. erent ‘made too poor by them blamed Yankees to. show a| Before Katherine had time to utter a sound, she was pulled old Virginy hospitality. Oh, no! Not much!” rudely around, and found herself facing a figure shrouded (ane the porch smoking his corncob, with a*fate | Manner as to prevent anything but the eyes from being seen. as unexpressive as the face of a sphinx. Nor was this all. The ride to Dugdale was accomplished in safety and silence. At the same instant four similar figures arose from the Of course the wagon hajted at the stream. pews and moved tsps the terror-stricken girl aloug the “Lenping out, the detective hurried across the tle fot-| ss and ran up the station steps. ; Then the first figure spoke: ve ently a train was expected, for the agent was there “Why are you here?” _ ‘bustling about; also a passenger or two, and several loung-) Katherine Livingston tried to answer, but her lips seemed ee iene with open mouths. — powerless for speech: | » Station ei algo the telegraph eaetias the! “Throw a light on her face,” said a deep voice from out of ® ‘drew him aside. rOter the darkness. “If she is a spy, that settles it. Let her be og to ‘and a man by ies name of Sidney ever so many times a woman she must not leave this capa “Can you leary erncte. Fe he lives?” | live.” ae At the same instant the rays of a dark-lantern were thrown ! Great MO oe ed upon her, and the same voice 'gave utterance to a startled nigbt,| the Livingstons of Ballentyne Hall!” *: tree.| The words recalled Katherine’s fleeting courage. Biapgtoxcgeel she said, Sintly. “I am a Livingston of Bal- {pcine 8. _ “Not Katherine Livingston who is expected tonight from |New York?” asked the voice. is yaectlaa ine geerteatrd hastes tech too ee outer say| “Great Heaven! What is this? The girl has the face of as Barkley last saw the corncracker he was still from head to foot in a long, black robe, arranged in such a - ho oe -
Page 14
12 THE GRAY HOUSE ON THE ROCK. “I came here to escape the rain.” * “Where is your escort, Mr. Carsten?” “T don’t know who you mean. My escort was Colonel Wal- singham. He is dead. An accident happened; he felt over the cliff.” “Colonel Walsingham dead!” breathed several voices. Then there was whispering—words which Katherine could not hear. Suddenly the rays of the dark-lantern were thrown on her face again. Nor would appearances in this instance have led one who had known Joe Barkley very far astray. It was Joe himself. He had abandoned his mission and hastened north, taking passage, in fact, on that very morning train. Nor had he made any mistake in this. With the assassination of Sidney Peterson all hope of gain- ng communication with the Union spy had vanished. Evidently their plan was discovered. Though within the Union lines, the country around Dugdale There still stood the shrouded forms, their eyes fixed di-|was a hot-bed of Secessionists. rectly upon her, and a moment of awful silence followed, dur- ing which each pair of eyes seemed to study her face. “I believe she speaks the truth, hang me if I don’t,” came in the same yoice, as the light of the lantern was suddenly re- moved. The manner in which they had served the unfortunate Pet- erson was significant. Were he to tarry about the neighborhood, asking questions and trying to find the farmhouse to which he should have gone, there was no telling what moment Peterson’s fate might Then, while one of the figures still held Katherine by the |). pis own. arm, the others withdrew, and for the space of several mo- ments conversed in undertones./ Presently one pair of eyes was seen advancing, and the voice made itself heard again. “What are you going to do if we let you go?” Besides this, the mysterious letter influenced the detective’s movements. Balked in one undertaking, he might yet succeed in an- other. “I am going to drive to Ballentyne Hall, where my step- The letter in the woman’s writing which had come so father, General Livingston, lies dying.” “Do you know the road?” “No; but I can find it. Gentlemen, I implore you to release me—to let me go.” “Miss Livingston, we would like to but we cannot. These} are bad days for the Old Dominion; we have to be careful. You are a Virginian, but you have lived long among the Yan- kees. Speak! Are your sympathies with them or with us?” “My sympathies must ever be with my native state. I am a Virginian to the last.” “Jt is well. You shall be escorted to. Ballentyne Hall in safety; but you cannot drive there nor walk by the road. In _ this storm you would lose your way and perish. Follow me.” _. Thus speaking, one of the shrouded figures advanced, while ‘he who still grasped Katherine’s arm signified by a whis- pered word that it would be necessary for her to do the J was no help for it. must whether she would or no. shrouded figure moved before her up the aisle, the respectfully but firmly behind. pulpit, the figure in advance bent downward hand rapidly along its base. ; pulpit moved around as though upon a pivot. _At the same instant a dark-lantern flashed again, revealing an opening beneath at pulpit with a ee. of stairs leading CHAPTER IX. eee THE GREEN SHUTTER. Pio bas cg Se glots yes ate ngage i at which was about to'convey them to the foot of Cort- tre might have been observed walking quietly = oe " strangely into his possession, was, if its words told the truth, a communication of grave importance. To-day the idea of a plot to burn the great metropolis of America may strike the reader absurd. Let us remind him that in 1864 times were different. Already the thing had been tried, a similar plot discovered —and the citizens of New York were living in deadly terror lest it should be tried again, and the second time succeed. Hence Joe Barkley’s sudden resolution. He resolved to lose no time in laying both letters before Lieutenant Marsden, his chief. Now, after the train on which the young detective was a passenger left Washington, Joe became suddenly aware of a very singular thing. He had entered the smoking car, and was about to seat him- self and light a cigar, when to his utter astonishment, he saw ahead of him the dumb negro, Pete, who had driven him to and from Ballentyne Hall. : Joe could scarce believe his eyes. It was certainly the boy, although he was fressed quite differently, evidently having gotten himself up for the jour- ney with some attempt at style. He had left Pete with his team on the other side of the little foot bridge not ten minutes before the train rolled into the Dugdale station, dressed in tattered trousers, blue woollen shirt, old gray coat, and a battered straw hat. He now beheld him dressed in clothes as black as his face, white shirt with collar and tie; and wearing what in those days was known as a Kossuth cap, the top of which was brought down to the peak, and fastened to it with a hook and eye. Both clothes and cap were evidently new. Here was a mystery, and an important one. The dummy had come from the gray house on the oii where the important letter which Joe carried secreted about train due at the Dugdale station at the time Joe Bark- him had been obtained, consequently he must not be lost ee ne noe remes eee sight of until forced to tell everything he knew concerning City at half-past eleven o’clock on Wednesday night. that strange old mansion and the people to whom it belonged. Joe Barkley walked toward the seat occupied by the negro, and placed himself beside him. Ford sg lmaey Replies nema Drea arta, young man, dressed in semi-military style, |to find it out. Fr asectys ence gles) ‘The negro did not appear to notice him, although he moved
Page 15
THE GRAY : HOUSE ON THE ROCK. ee 13 The negro, who was looking out of the window, made no answer. He did not seem to have heard the remark at all. “Going to New York, Pete?” exclaimed Joe, still louder, at the same time giving the fellow a poke with his elbow. The darky turned and looked at.him with a curious ex- pression on his face. * Then, without showing in any way that he recognized his former passenger in the wagon, he placed his forefinger first to his mouth, then to his.ears, and shook his head. It was Pete, the dummy, sure enough! ‘Every effort of Joe Barkley’s to communicate with the mute failed. He could not talk, neither could he read or write. Joe knew nothing of the deaf and dumb alphabet, and it was exceedingly doubtful if the negro knew much more than himself. After a number of ineffectual attempts to make the fellow recognize him, Joe at last withdrew. During the remainder of the journey he kept a sharp eye upon Master Pete, although taking care to keep out of sight himself. He soon discovered that the dumb negro was under the espe cial care of the conductor. This explained his mysterious appearance in a measure. Evidently he had been secretly taken on board at Dusg- dale, supplied with clothes by the southern conductor, who had upon their arrival at Washington consigned the lad to the -eare of his friend, the conductor of the northern train. Thus it happened that when Joe Barkley walked on board the ferryboat at Jersey City, he was actively engaged in de- _tective duty. He was shadowing the dumb negro Pete. _ To his surprise the darky showed no signs of bewilderment. | On the contrary, he steered directly for the gentlemen’s | _ cabin, quite as naturally as any old New Yorker would have done. Joe Barkley entered neither. _ Instead, he walked into the horseway, and there remained a ew moments concealed from view. 5 _ When he again emerged he was an entirely different-looking _ His cloak’ had been transformed into a coat—it was built especial reference to this very maneuver—instead of a ch -clean-shaved stripling of two-and-twenty, he now wore gray- ‘ish chin-whiskers and a mustache, looking the middle-aged nan of forty-five, ) In this disguise the secret service Gvtective followed the ‘un- uspecting Pete ashore. Nor 1 he fail to observe the anxious looks the fellow shot around him, ee evidently in search of himself. t last tin tach , Mad leaving the boat pushed through a Tine of , and crossing West street, without ae ah hesitation or seeming at a loss to know what ‘himself amid a scene so different from his moun- of Upon reaching Broadway he turned to the left, and con- tinued up that thoroughfare as far as Fulton street. Passing beneath the iron bridge over Broadway at this corner—a structure long since removed—the negro walked rapidly along the opposite side of the way until Barnum’s Museum—then standing at the corner of Ann street, on the site of the present Herald Building—was reached. Here he stopped, and for fully ten minutes stood gazing idly up and down. Meanwhile Joe Barkley was leaning against one of the supports of the iron bridge, Watehing every movement he made. Suddenly the negro was gone. With a bound Joe crossed Broadway, and whipping round into Ann street, saw him running at the top of his speed down the right hand side of that narrow alley. He had already crossed Nassdu street, and had the detective been an instant later he must have missed him altogether. As it was he saw the dummy slide into an alleyway, which he knew led in behind a certain notorious saloon. When Joe Barkley reached the gate it was locked. This, however, did not deter him. The saloon was closed also, and its front dark. There was no one on the street to see him, as he deftly- picked the lock of the alley gate with a skeleton-key, and entering closed it softly behind him. The alley terminated in a small backyard from which opened a door leading into a room behind the saloon. Beside the door there was a window concealed by a green shutter. _ In the top of the green shutter an air-hole had been cut, as was the custom then, in the form of a half moon. Through this opening a light could be seen burning. There could be no doubt as to where the negro had gone. Scarcely daring to breathe, Joe Barkley cast his eyes about the yard. It was filled with ‘boxes, barrels, and empty beer kegs and rubbish of various sorts. Noiselessly the detective crept away, and capturing a beer keg, placed it alongside of the window, climbed upon it, press- ed his eye to the opening in the green shutter, and peered into, the room beyond. CHAPTER X. SAVED BY AN ASH-BOx. At the first glance behind the green shutter Joe Barkley. saw enough to satisfy him that in following the dumb. negro Pete into the alley he had made no mistake. Through the crescent-shaped opening in the shutter he could see the interior of the room behind the saloon plainly enough, for no curtain intervened. There was a red-hot stove with a round table drawn up to- ward it, at which sat four men deep in a game of cards, There was money on the table and a good deal of it: new .| crisp greenbacks of a larger pattern than ‘the present paper I} money, bearing a peculiar signature which looked as though of the way, and suffered | n the rear of the dumb negro, but it had been written with a stick, it was so black and Prominent, and Joe could see that the stakes ran high in the thousands, and the hot, anxious faces of the men Datrared Ma Ti We aes cetera : sieded otha
Page 16
THE GRAY white apron showed plainly enough that he was the bartender - who Had remained out of bed to supply the gamblers’ wants. Pete the dummy stood near the stove too. He was staring at one of the men—a young southerner— | with an intentness that showed the watcher at a glance that | “4 this person was the man he had come to see. ye. Joe Barkley surveyed the scene curiously. The men all looked like Virginians, as they probably were. Then he perceived that the young man in question was none} other than the person to whom Colonel Walsingham—of course Joe did not know that unfortunate individual by name—had stopped to speak with at the Dugdale station, and whose words had caused Katherine Livingston to take alarm, ‘The man was well dressed and looked the gentleman, but a cold, evil look in his eye gave his face a disagreeable ex- pression. He could be hard and cruel if he were so disposed, It was easy to see that all were too interested in their game —it was poker—to bestow any attention to Pete, the dummy, at all. } iy Now, Joe Barkley in the course of his brief but successful career had watebed many games of poker. ‘ Never had he watched one under such peculiar circum- stances as now, standing upon a beer keg peering through that crescent-shaped hole. Presently it ended. The younger Virginian scooping in the pot, _ Then the red-faced German was awakened, the bottles placed _ on the table and much loud talking began. “Look hyar, gents,” exclaimed the elder Virginian, present- ly, after all had drank—he was a tall man with a long, gray beard, having rather a pleasant face and a merry twinkle in the corner of his eye—“Look hyar, gents, we've forgotten all about Pete. It's about time to see what the fellow has mn brought,” ‘he elder man thus spoke in loud, penetrating tones—tones _ which the detective had no difficulty in hearing. , a The reply, spoken in a more. moderate voice, was lost. then Ge youns mean ome ad eaten Pacha eae Immediately the negro euiophebic ott -etenebah: gua sven Biawwtat: ay, "his shirt, at last produced a sealed letter, which he placed in young man’s hands. others watched this maneuver eagerly. a) “Gpeo receiving this letter the young man withdrew to the Soe eompanions stood watching him as he broke the and finally, by running ‘his hand around to his back beneath . a ‘The - neal. Joe Barkley pressed his eye closer to the opening. a Par sesat ariguny ticaie ic iliac BS Vl ‘Katherine attempted no reply. Worn Sos’ could ‘not The stairs were too narrow to permit her conduetar to still eer tg che gaa sa that?” eine Ssh aN ot patra tie Seretone the | , however. | seem forward. “It ahgad of h&r down the steps. ai nea ve Someone} The descent was a short one. HOUSE ON THE ROCK. This movement had sent the keg flying from under him, and he had come down with a tremendous crash. That ended the observations of Joe Barkley behind the green shutter. He realized instantly that he now had all he could do to save his neck. As he scrambled to his feet he could hear the unlocking of” the door, and, what alarmed him still more, the sound of foot- steps hurrying into the saloon. “They are going to head me off in front,” thought Joe. “If they do they all must be spry about it. I'll bet a hundred dol- lars that in my pocket is the very paper that nigger was to have brought.” ey He thought as he ran through the alley. By the time he had gained the street he conld hear quick footsteps following him—hear bolts in the act of being drawn behind the front door of the saloon. Could he escape by running? Tt was more than doubtful. The street was utterly deserted, and to call for help was clearly useless. Before he would be able to gain the corner of Nassau street it was ten chances to one that he would receive a bullet in his back. It. was an occasion which demanded rapid thought, and still more rapid action. Before the door of the building next adjoining the saloon, | close to the sidewalk, stood a large wooden ashbox with a cover. It was quite large enough to admit a man of Joe Barkley’s build, providing it proved to be empty. Joe sprang toward the ashbox and raised the cover. It was about one-third full. Without an instant’s hesitation he crawled into it and dropped the cover, scarce two seconds elapsing before the men, emerging from the saloon and alley, dashed past. their boot-heels ringing on the icy stones. _ CHAPTER XI. id A STRANGE WELCOME, “You must descend those stairs, Miss Livingston,” “Gentlemen, 1 am in your hands, I am but a woman. I can offer no resistance. I implore you to respect my sex, to re member that I am a Livingston and a Virginian, that I am summoned to my father’s dying bed.” ‘ “You need feel no fear, Miss Livingston,” said the shrouded figure who now led the way down the steps beneath the pul- pit of the old red church. “As for your father. you need have _|retain his hold on her arm, and as he dropped behind there ed to remain no alternative but to follow the person i eta abs. py oy Sy peepee go
Page 17
7 THE GRAY HOUSE ON THR ROCK. 15 she so desired, for the man behind now resumed his hold-on “T was sick, but I am now better. Welcome home, daughter! t You'll find things changed, yet, nevertheless, welcome home!” His breath smelt strongly of liquor, and there was some- thing about his manner which caused Katherine to shudder and draw back. Yet it was certainly General Livingston, her uédratner: Though many years had elapsed since she had seen him, his vance stepped to the young girl's side.” features were too chaps impressed on her memory to admit “My friend here wishes to go back, Miss Livingston,” he|of a mistake. said. “Oan I rely upon your honor to make me no trouble The man seemed to.divine her thoughts and to resent them. - her arm, and hurried her along’ over the uneven surface of the | - eave. For fully half an hour their journey continued.- ~ Then, passing through a narrow opening, they found them- selves in the midst of a thick forest of pines. Here the lantern was again secreted, and the man in ad-! we continue on our journey to Ballentyne Hall alone?” “What ails you?” he asked, roughly, “and how is it that _ *f am forced to accompany you, sir, and IT shall cause n0O| you come here after chis fashion instead of by the conveyance _ unnecessary trouble. The appeal to my honor comes with } } sent to meet you at the train?” poor grace from one who is ashamed to show his face. Katherine told her story, “Thank you. Perhaps the reproof is not undeserved, never-} While she spake the masked man gushes by them and dis- oe theless I shall not reveal myself—at least, not yet.” appeared. “9 (gee are taking me to Ballentyne Hall? General Livingston listened attentively, giving vent to a T assure you I am. surprised ejaculation now and then. “Very well, then, I will follow you quietly. T have n0} «Great heavens!” he exclaimed, when that part of the girl’s 3 “More to say.” story, relating to the tragedy on the mountain road was told. Evidently it was enough, for the second shrouded figure Now| «yo. don’t mean to say that Walsingham came with you, returned to the cave, leaving Katherine and her mysterious! so, ai), and that he is dead?” - eonduetor to pursue their way alone. “It is just as I tell you, sir. After the accident happened | ‘It lay through the pine forest, and proved to be a meee: | scentnind’ control -of the. horse’ jand- avove::to the old: red - cent. church. There I was surrounded by masked men, one of _ Long before it.was over the storm had passed, and the moon | whom escorted me here by way of a secret passage beneath was shining brightly when they emerged at length within 4} the pulpit leading into a cave.” “Yes—yes. Those are the ‘regulators.’ They have work to- _ stone’s throw of the gray house on the rock. — The masked man seemed to understand the lay of the land | night, and met in the church. There will be one traitorous Virginian and a Union spy less before morning dawns. Poor Walsingham! Do you suppose he is dead?” as perfectly. - te _ Avoiding hiss door by which Joe Barkley had entered, he “I fear so. But why do we stand here? This is a strange welcome to my own house, father—-a strange welcome indeed.” ae ey round the house to the left and tapped lightly upon yw a smaller rode which opened from the side of the mansion “Does it seem so? Well, I admit it; but these are strange days. There must have been a mistake made in some way. upon’ a little porch. _ “Are you satisfied now, Miss Livingston?” he asked. “You 5) aageanize your old home—Ballentyne Hall?” Didn't you see Pete at the station?” o do; and as my memory goes back to fommer days I} “No; I was frightened and saw nothing.” “Frightened at what?” “To tell the truth, sir, I began to fear that I was to become ten to think I recognize your voice.” the victim of treachery. Colonel Walsingham met a person ai “Indeed! And who do you think I am?” “I believe you to be Colonel Carver, my mother’s cousin, on the station platform, and spoke with him. I heard Arthur Heming’s name mentioned, and——” used to live at the Grange at the foot of the Foci as “Heming! You did?” ‘he man laughed softly. You have got a good memory, girl. It is many years since “Tam sure of it, Father, you must know that I can never marry Arthur Heming.” | saw Colonel Carver—you were then but a little child, | those were the happy, peaceful times. Now all is changed, are sad days for Old Virginia—sad days; sad days.” “Come, Kate!” exclaimed General Livingston, grasping her reflections were interrupted by the opening of the door,/arm roughly. “Come with me,” He led her through the dark hall to a door which he opened. age ee Bae, Pete, who had answered their sum- j It disclosed a room of moderate size, brilliantly lighted. There was a table in the center of the room, upon which stood decanters and glasses. The atmosphere was so blue that Katherine could scarcely distinguish the ‘forms of a number of men, all of whom ap- oe as peared to be more or less intoxicated, sitting around the table. ““Qan’t! What's the reason you cap’t? 1 say, Heming, ve 4 :
Page 18
‘16 presented himself at Lieutenant Marsden’s door and knocked. The ruse of the detective had proved successful on the pre- vious night, and the ash-box a friend in need. No sooner had the footsteps of his pursuers passed beyond hearing than Joe crept out, hurried down Ann street to Wil- liam, and thence by Beekman street made the best of his way to his room uptown. : He was in no shape to follow up the discovery he had made, and, of course, had no evidence against the card-players upon ic which he could have held them, even if able to effect their ar- rest. What he did do was to quietly turn into bed and gain needed ef sleep, and now upon the following morning hasten to the office - of his superior, and lay before him the details of his move- . ments since the day he left New York. Lieutenant Marsden heard him patiently until the end. “I’m very sorry I failed, Mr. Marsden.” “Barkley, so am I, but you need not be discouraged; the _ best of us fail at times. It was a lucky thing you did not ¥! go to that farmhouse.” Wes “Why so?” ee “Because, according to a dispatch which I have just re- : ceived, a band of masked raiders appeared suddenly before the } house that night, took the spy and hanged him, together with the farmer, burning the house to the ground.” “Is it possible? Precisely as they served Sidney Peterson.” : “You see what you escaped. In some manner the secret . must have reached the ears of the Confederates. After all, I shouldn’t’ wonder if that night’s adventure of yours proved most important. Of course, you have the letters about you. Let me see them, if you please.” _ Joe produced the letters. We wees t4, lat. ange - Biot 246 an, ae ‘ 7 i oa .<« A. ‘ *, Pas ! filet ones ane eer SO gree eae yepeeny Heptwecting | 2 read as follows: Be: . Baa Sie sie oe Bie Seth te-Ayvincata- Atte Sarat It =n you desire to save the city of New York from destruction, S hasten back without delay and lay the whole matter before the 3 police.” ‘was evidently written by a lover of the Union cause. Now _ for your rebus. Well, this is a puzzler. Let me see—let me i aan * ‘The second letter was the one containing the rows of figures cae Dad S9 geen Wee Suseltey: "Lieutenant Marsden studied the rows of figures long and “earnestly. _—s *Have-you given it any thought, Barkley?” he asked at a aaa der rumen a a iar brane = “And can make nothing out of it?” 2 rc i. When Iwas a boy at school I used to think nysel! ‘some’ on puzzles and rebuses, too.” ac see cal “What?” “Thi aces Detail erie dethcgeltr salls nals ody ir bedside in so singular and so roisantic a manner never postage That she thought it contained’ an im- of the pe to some person in New York deep in this “That is plain, ominously plain,” said the lieutenant, “and, length. “Have I? I should say I had. I was up at daylight and’ sheet of paper, quick! THE GRAY HOUSE ON THE ROCK. Ata little past nine o'clock Joe Barkley, the young detective, lta get you out of the neighborhood by some Southern sym- pathizer who guessed. your errand,” mused the lieutenant. “It would have been just as easy to have fixed me in some way while I slept, or to have hanged me as they did Peterson and the spy.” “But surely you do. not believe in any supernatural agency in this matter, Barkley? You can’t be so soft as that.” “I know what I saw, Mr. Marsden.” “Now, come; the beautiful girl in your room is all very well. This cipher is positive proof that there is something in that; but the ghostly forms at the windows, the dancers in the hall—’twon’t do, Barkley. You thought you saw them, but it was an optical delusion—it won't go down with me.” “Here, let me see that thing again,” answered Joe, not a little nettled at having so strong a suspicion thrown on his common sense as the lieutenant’s words seemed to imply. “It is no use to discuss the ghost question any longer. If there’s anything in that piece of paper, I’m bound to have it out.” For a long time Joe Barkley studied the paper in silence. “These figures stand for letters,” he said at length. “Undoubtedly,” replied the lieutenant. “They are not the letters of the alphabet in regular suc- cession, taken either backward or forward.. I’ve tried both ways, and can make no sense.” “Probably they are the letters of some sentence?” “That can’t be; if it were they would be numbered in regu- lar order, which is just what they ain't. In these hyphenated figures lie the secret. What can they mean?” The next ten minutes was spent in twisting the figures about in ‘accordance with various theories. Suddenly Joe exclaimed again. “Well, what now?” asked Lieutenant Marsden. “Why, I’ve made a discovery. The figure 9 is the only one which occurs twice in succession. It must, therefore, be one of the doubling vowels—either e or 0.” “You forget these three 4s,” said the lieutenant. “No, I don’t. I’ve put them down for a street number long ago. Don’t you see they are the only figures which have no commas following them—I know I’m right.” “Well, well?” “Now, assuming that the figure 9 represents a doubling vowel, the question arises whether that vowel is e or o. I say it must be e on account of the frequency of its occurrence, and— By George, here’s something else.” “Well, what now?” “18 must be another vowel—it occurs four times and is never hyphenated. I’m getting there, Mr. Marsden, I'm cer- tainly getting there. I’m going to call 13 the vowel a.” “How will that help you? I must confess I am as much in the dark as ever.” “Why, 13 is the half of 26, the number of letters in the alphabet. Suppose now, this system begins to number in the middle, we'll say at M. That would make a the 13th letter, and e the 9th. Assuming that the hyphenated figures pre ceded by 1 represent the letters following M, then z would be 1-13, according to the plan, and— Here, give me a clean | I've got it as sure as you live.” : Lieutenant Marsden handed him the paper, upon which Joe Barkley jotted down the letters of the alphabet, with the numbers according to his system beneath, M being underlined by the figure 1, N by 1-1, the other following in regular order down to 13 and 1-13. “Now, call them off while I write,” ait en _ Lieutenant Marsden took up Eas Pee: NE NMEA A Joe on his paper wrote the letter T. , “6,” said the lieutenant.
Page 19
THE GRAY HOUSE ON THE ROCK. 17 peesdes way among the crowd, looking to the right and left as though seeking a seat. The entertainment was then’ at its height, for in those. Leave the frequenters of variety entertainments never thought they had their money’s worth unless the “show kept in” until at least one o’clock. A band of negro minstrels occupied the stage, which was simply a raised platform at the end of a long and narrow Pax “1a” ; room. _.*¥, That makes a word. It’s ‘Thursday.’ Mr. Marsden, the} One of this number had been singing a popular song of the ¥3 “riddle is solved.” day, which just as the Southerner entered was being accom- =a With breathless haste Lieutenant Marsden called the re- panied by a number of young feminine beauties in gauze ee “maining figures contained in the letter, while Joe Barkley jot-| apparel, each frantically waving the flag of the Union while iG ted them down on his sheet. the audience shouted the chorus. Sy “Eureka!” cried the detective, springing to his feet. “Here| Such was the custom at 444 at that time. we have it! Listen to this: The North Carolinian pushed his way to a place as near the _ “Thursday 444 at midnight man with green handkerchief | front as possible—reserved seats there were none—and drop- the word is Richmond.” ping upon the wooden bench, proceeded to follow the general example and light a cigar. a It was secret service detective Joe Barkley. ‘ ; The trying time had almost come. CHAPTER XIII. The day was Thursday, it lacked but a few moments of : midnight. . , _ 444, Suppose he met a man with a green handkerchief, what was 444 at midnight.” he to say to him? _ Thus began the cipher dispatch joni by Detective Joe} Would it be possible for one utterly uninformed concern- ms ey from the gray house on the rock. ing the supposed plot to carry out the deception? , ee “444 what street?” would be the question instantly asked,; The slightest show of hesitation, an unfortunately chosen and. had the cipher dispatch been interpreted ten years later, | word, might at any moment arouse suspicion, and then—why, is: doubtful if a dozen persons would have been found to|then he might as well never have interpreted the cipher dis- explain exactly what it meant. ) patch at all. ‘There was no doubt in Joe Barkley’s mind, however, as to| As he sat there smoking Joe looked slowly and cautiously 2 particular street intended to be understood as following! at each face about him, occasionally turning and bestowing a e figures 444, hasty glance upon those behind. The street was Broadway. Certainly the audience was not a silent one, but it displayed : wo the year 1864 the 444 number was famous as the desig- the masculine fashions of the day in great variety. of the first, and in many respects most popular, variety} Then it was not the custom to display one’s handkerchief pment which ever existed in the city of New York. | from the side coat pocket. was Seabsite a and near. Joe was not able to discover a handkerchief of any sort, save ieee then the home of minstrelsy, the cradle of those|a red bandanna tied round the neck of a collarless youth who ; jokes now known as “chestnuts,” which have béen| sat directly in front of himself. rounds ever since. He looked also for the faces of the four Virginians seen fas the school from which graduated such noted variety|>y bim the night before behind the green shutter of the — sae Tony: Pastor, Johny Wild, Charley White, and | Ann street saloon. st as famous long since dead. = More than any other one thing he dreaded their presence. y 444 at midnight a with green handkerchief| To his intense relief, these men were nowhere to be seen. ‘TRA Nia Meanwhile, the entertainment progressed fast and furiously. ‘of the letter contained in the inclosure} Je looked at his watch in a nervous tremor. s pillow showed Joe Barkley gem enough the It now lacked one minute of twelve. indi ud pa 4 : Would the man with the green handkerchief make his pres- a ence known? i, thon, he mast bo at 444, ready id leavin The next two minutes would show. + At that instant one of the end men began: ‘you not afraid to try it?” asked Lleubeanté Marsden. To-day the sentence would be meaningless. It was a doubtful case. “Mr. Smiff,”—addressing the middle man—“why is my yal- ieee Aa tad hey00- an Betas to eNine Se. ler dog like Jeff Davis?” _ Hadn't I better detail the job to an _ “Really, Julius, I cannot inform you. Why is your yallow an officer with you in ieaeyayendssl dog like the rebel president?” , nd hacen ‘eenlted: “Rewen, linieligs.xaidaeiiniene * } Be dai edinc eegiaen x the left of the detect: blew Speen a Teahs crcing ae which
Page 20
48 him!” cried the ready-witted middle man, looking sowaid | the offender. ‘ A general laugh followed: Cries of “bounce him!" “hustle him out!” through the hall. Of course all eyes were directed toward the disturber. He was a tall, smoothly-shaved'man of some forty years, | ‘toil than to become the wife of Arthur Heming, and mat- plainly dressed after the fashion of the day. Joe Barkley looked toward him among the rest. ate., cilestindia | ; and threatened, Katherine had again and again refused to j lend a favorable ear. THE GRAY HOUSE ON THE ROCK. - ° It now lacked three months of the important date, and pnoten Heming had persistently tried to persuade her into | the union, through letters received from her stepfather, smue- gled north through the Union lines, had alternately coaxed She felt that she had rather earn her bread by hard daily ters reached the pass at length when admittance to the house He seemed alike oblivious to the sarcasm of the middle|of the relative with whom she had been living in New York man or the jeers of the crowd. He was still using his handkerchief in so public a fashion that everyone could see it. The heart of the young detective beat furiously as he now perceived that the handkerchief was a light pea-green. CHAPTER XIV. 2) ; AUNT NANCY'S REVELATION. A dead silence followed the coarse speech of General Liv- ingston as he forced rather than led his step-daughter to the center of the room. faut The men about the table set down their glasses and re- moved their cigars from their lips. It was evident that they were one and all quite as much taken aback as Katherine herself. ae a “Well, what’s the matter?” blurted out the officer, thickly. | “Are you all struck dumb at the sight of my pretty daugh- ! ter? You, in particular, Arthur Heming—why don’t you say i something? I tell you again this is Kate, your future wife.” Immediately a young, and, though handsome, somewhat dis: | ioe sipated-looking man, arose from among those about the table,|a service which I shall not forget.” Z and walked unsteadily toward the trembling girl. “Shame on you, general!” he exclaimed. “You don't know | _ what you are about. - from the room.” _- ston have consented to. accept the escort of Arthur Heming. known this man frdém her earliest infancy, and aware of his reckless, dissipated character. = un relation between the pair was most peculiar. LS a > Arthur Heming was her cousin, and, though a Virginian by birth, had, like endatt, ents ‘edisouted tn the: Wert While Katherine was heiress of Ballentyne Hall and the . tthe coy of New Yor, providing he could prea Bs Livingston to become his wife. upon his death a singular provision was found in his will. ‘It re ‘the claims of both Arthar Heming and Kath- cee han es eee nothing” to Miss Livingston, allow me to escort you | had been refused. At this time came the summons to Ballentyne Hall, and, as she had been led to believe, to her stepfather’s dying bed. As Heming had long dwelt in New York—he had joined neither army—the last person Katherine had thought to meet in this secluded Virginia mansion was her rejected suitor. Now she accepted his arm with a sense of gratitude, and attempting no reply to the command of her step-father to remain where she was, suffered him to lead her from the room. : Notwithstanding the fact that he had been drinking deeply, Heming still had perfect control of himself. Hurrying Katherine through the dark passage, he opened the door of a small bedroom adjoining the apartment just left behind them. Here, by the side of an open fire of pine-knots, an old ne- gress sat nodding, She awoke under the pressure of Arthur Heming’s hand upon her shoulder, and stared about her in a frightened way. “Hi, dar, Marse Arthur, what am de matter? D’ye want more drink? "Pears to me ye’ve had nuff already— Lordy, Lordy! who am dis? It’s never Missy Kate.” “But it is, Aunt Nancy,” murmured Katherine, sinking into a chair. “Mr. Heming, I thank you. You have rendered me Arthur Heming, though forced to steady himself against the bedpost, was nevertheless ready with his reply. “Don’t mention it, cousin. I—I want you to understand } that this is none of my doings. Your father has been drink- Now under no other circumstances would Katherine Living-| mé—he is not himself.” pean apts bowed her head and burst into a flood of tears. **Hi, dar! ward her. ; Kate? Fo’ de Lor’, if you hev you'll regret it. flat. ” “No, no, Aunt Nancy,” breathed Katherine. Mr. Heming.” “Was it de ole marse? Nebber you mind hin, Missy Kate, he’s rousin’ drunk, Dar's great goin’s on at de Hall dese times. ‘Marse Arthur,” cried the negress, running to- “You been ‘sultin ’my nuss child, my pretty Missy I tell you dat “It was not ‘Wonder dem proud old Ballentynes can lie still in dere grabes.” - “T—TI think I'd better leave you, cousin,” stammered Hem- ing, retreating toward the door. “Leck yourself in—don't an- swer, no matter who knocks. They are all drunk, but I promise you that this night I for one shall drink no more. Do ‘not fear further insult from your father—I shall defend you — with my life if necessary. Nance, I'll wring your black neck if you open this door to anyone—do you hear?” sia He was gone in the instant. Te Reakascen Tid “adit tind Gel th’ te peiligd tetas Aust ‘Macy tied steton' teers. “tthe: deor’ene’ turned - Qo key. rs “Missy Kate, Missy Kate, what is it? Tell ole moss al ont : bptaary 5 Pell her: onneechank wae grr es
Page 21
re a pretty nuss chile wouldn’t go agin de culled folks. Kate, dese am ebil times. Do you know what’s goin’ on in i mouf, for de very walls may hear us. | THE GRAY HOUSE ON THE ROCK. 19 Then drawing nearer and dropping her voice to a low whis- | ber, she asked: “Missy Kate, | wants to ax ye one question’ an’ you to swar’ ‘fo’ de Lord dat you tell yer ole aunty de trufe. Be ye fo’ de Norf or de Souf?” Aunt Nancy. though I fear it is scarcely safe to breathe: it even here in my own house.” “You swar it, Missy Kate?” “Nancy, can you not believe me?” *“Culled folks don’t belebe not’ing white folks tells “em dese times. Don’t tink I stay here caze I want-ter, Missy Kate. I'd been off after de ’mancipation only my rheumatiz is too bad an’ I’m too ole. Swar dat de adversary he git you if you ain’t tellin’ ole nuss de trufe.” “I swear it if it will please you, Aunt Nancy. Since my rela- tives are one and all Confederates, it does not become me to talk much about these matters, but I swear to you now that my heart is ever with_the North.” ; The old eS clasped her hands with an expression. of | “I knowed my Missy “I knowed it! I knowed it!” she whispered.. yonder room?” ‘ “Pm ‘sure I ‘don’t, Aunt Nancy.” “Den I'll tole ye, chile. Bring yer ear close to ole missus’ ‘ brung ole marse to de hall, and Marse Arthur Heming, an’ _ Marse Gen’] Carver, an’ all de res’ on ’em, is to concoct a deb- | | “And I Richmond forty-eight hours betore you. _ -bil’s scheme to burn down de great city ob New York.” z i i CHAPTER XV. ’ HE FACE AT THE WLYDOW. ‘Now is your time, Joe Barkley! Show yourself a man,” whispered the young detective to himself, and he arose, shot a meaning glance toward the owner of the green handkerchief, 1 elbowing his way through the somewhat turbulent audi- \ce which filled the hall at “444,” pagsed out into the street. _ He knew as well as he could know anything that he would be followed. ee ‘The eye of the individual of the green hankerchief had been Janene arose—his meaning glance had been returned. ini the front of the theater, Joe Barkley stepped to the and in the shadow of the billboard waited. w that he was actually in for it he was not so nervous; it, as the minutes passed, he found himself growing quite H S kept lis ‘eyes fixed upon the lobby of the theater, as a ee eee ; person. | wes tall, about forty, and had a wait for an Pea {rom _by seeing the He accordingly stepped out,upon the sidewalk and sauntered slowly past the “green handkerchief,” as he did so throwing I wants ,toward him the meaning glance again. He had not gone ten steps from the entrance to “444” before | the stranger was at his side. “My sympathies have ever been on the side of the Union, | “Good-evening, friend.” The voice was coarse and somewhat disagreeable, although the tone, employed -was intended to be the bandest of the bland. “Evenin’, stranger,” replied Joe, with as marked a Southern emphasis as he could assume. “What's the good word?” demanded the “green handker- chief,” carelessly—they had not paused in their walk. “Richmond,” replied Joe, promptly. “Will never be Uncle Sam’s,” was the instant answer, and before Joe fairly realized what he was about the man had seized his hand and grasped it with the warmth of an oli friend. “Happy—most happy to meet you, sir, }from General Livingston, I suppose?” “Yes, from General Livingston.” “How is the general?” “He was well when I left Ballentyne Hall.” a desperate venture. The shot told. From that instant his tompanion seemed to throw off all "he said. “You come replied Joe, on | reserve. Missy Kate, rigged “So you have just come from the Hall?” “Oh, yes. I left Dugdale yesterday morning.” President | Davis is delighted with our plan. Did you bring the money?” “No.” *“Confound it all! What do you people mean? This scheme can’t be carried out without money. The president has none to give, and Livingston promised when I left him in Rich- ; mond———” Here the speaker seemed seized with some sudden suspicion, for he stopped short in his speech and began looking at Joe in a curious way. Something must be done and quickly—that was evident. “The money will be on hand to-morrow,” said Joe, desper- ately. “I was afraid to bring it myself—one never can tell! what may happen. We thought it safer to let Pete, the dum- my, do the carrying, and——” “All right—all right!” exclaimed the other. with a sigh of relief. “Do you know I almost began to suspect you, till you mentioned Pete, the dummy? By the way, we've not been introdueed yet. I’m Major Pontifex, of New Orleans.” “And my name is Captain Tomlinson. I’m from Rsigigh; ea was the detective’s quick response. “Glad to meet you, captain. I rather expected to seé Jen- nings. That’s why I was a trifle suspicious, don't you see? By the way, these are dry times, and we've got to talk mat- ters over. “Tain’t safe to breathe a word in the street here— one can’t tell how close the civil service detectives are to a fellow. I know a little snuggery over on the Bowery. Sup- | pose we postpone further discussion till we’ve adjourned there iand had some refreshments?” Joe was agreeable to anything. If his words were to be believed, a little good whisky was n face. There was nothing about him | precisely the thing he was pining for just then. During the walk to the Bowery the conversation was upon topics, the detective skillfully steering around all dan- tery cee ee ee eae
Page 22
THE GRAY HOUSE ON THE ROCK. He passed directly through the saloon and into a rear room with the air of one familiar with the premises, and touching a bell, ordered refreshments and cigars. Not until they had drunk to the success of the mysterious } scheme did the conversation begin. The matter was broached by Joe Barkley. Now was his one great opportunity to display himself. That he was resolved not to neglect it need not be said. Carefully assuring himself that the door had closed behind * the waiter, he came back to the table, and leaning his elbows upon it, said in a meaning whisper: _ “Now, then, major, to business. How long is this city going to stand?” xf » The shot told again. 7 “Not an hour longer than I can help, captain. See here. J I’ve got the authority signed by President Davis himself. It gives us absolute permission to lay New York in ashes. Each member of our little company is to receive a thousand acres of land and ten thousand dollars in cash at the successful termination of the war. This time we shall not fail.” “Thereupon Major Pontifex drew from his inside pocket an official-looking parchment, bearing the great seal of the Con- Ke federacy, and spread it out on the table before Joe Barkley’s We astonished eyes. oe The document was’a written one, and laid upon the “loyal citizens,” Edward Pontifex, Ballentyne Livingston, Arthur Heming, and a number of other persons absolute commands a details of the plan could be arranged. Joe Barkley read the important document through from | beginning to end. ‘As he sat he faced the window opening upon Hester street, while Major Pontifex, on the opposite side of the table, had his back turned toward it, as a matter of course. ; The window was shielded on the outside by an ordinary ea blind, with movable slats. ‘Just as Joe Barkley was about to lay down the document he chanced to raise his eyes. ‘To his intense disturbance he beheld as plainly as he had _—_eve“seen anything Pete, the dummy, with his tace pressed ___elose to the turned slats, peering in through the blinds. ‘Here was a sudden turning of tables. “It was certainly the dumb negro. ‘He was giving Joe Barkley a taste of his own game. Mire to burn the city of New York at the earliest moment the | at once.” Nancy! You camot mean it. You lot of ’fernally masheens in de cellar what dey gwine to yuse to blow up de city of New York with. Don’t I know? Hi, dar! Talk to me! Hain’t my son, poor dumb Pete, been used as a tool for dem wretches? Guess yes. Dey’s sent him to York repeatedly, I say. Nev’ you mind, he fool de debbil yit, if he am dumb. But ’scuse me, Missy Kate, I e’en-a-most forgot Mass’ Gen’l Livingston’s- yo’ father.” “I disown him, Aunt Nancy,” breathed Katherine Living- ston. “The accident of his marrying my mother don’t give him sufficient claim on me to make it my duty to forgive the insult he has offered this night. Aunt Nancy, I am heart and soul for the Union cause. Tell me about this plot to burn New York. Can nothing be done to frustrate it?” “Dunno, chile, dunno. Spec’s as how matters an’ tings can’t be much wuss flustrated dan dey am just dis present time.” > “Has General Livingston been sick?” “Rum sick, Missy. Nothing else.” “How long since he came to the Hall?” “Tree weeks; mebbe four. I forgit.” “But of course his prgsence here is not generally rt Ballentyne Hall is within the Union lines.” “Yo’ right, chile. It’s a dead secret. Dey’ve kept in de wes’ wing wid de rest ob de house shut up, and dey’ve been comin’ an’ goin’ an’ goin’ an’ comin’, totin’ ‘fernally ma- sheens up de mountain what’s sent all de way from Rich- mond. Mass Jeff Davis he make ‘em himself, I specs. All dey want now’s de money to get "em to New York, an’ carry out dere wicked game.” Katherine Livingston could not repress a shudder. “Do. yo’ know how dey specs to get dat money, chile?” “No.” “Dey’s ‘ticed yo’ here fo’ to marry yo’ to Mass Arthur Heming, so’s you two can ‘herit dat dar fortune under your uncle’s will.” s “Aunt Nancy!” . “It’s de trufe, Miss Kate. Fo’ de Lor’ it’s de trufe. I hain’t been a-listenin’ at keyholes, a-spyin’ an’ a-snoopin’, a-prewaricatin’ an’ a-lyin’ fo nuffin dese las’ two weeks, an’ perlinin my mortal sou] in doin’ it. I’ve hearn all about it. Dey take Aunt Nancy for a fool, an’ dat’s whar dey’s mis- tooken. Dey want money an’ dey’s got to have it. Dere’s a Jew man in York what's promised to ‘vance it to Marse Arthur Heming when he sees de marriage ‘stiffikit certify- ing dat you two’g man and wife.” Katherine Livingston sprang to her feet pale and trembling. “I must leave this place,” she breathed. “I must leave it “Hi, dar! How’s you goin’ ter do it, honey? dar eye on you, be sure ob dat. ‘Sides, Mass Kinnicutt, de | old oberseer’s allus on de watch fo’ who comes an’ who goes. | He'll loose de bloodhounds on you if you ‘tempts to 'scape.” “But, Aunt Nancy, some one must warn New York against ade Flom sine peter gpbatiieg sbagieo Yr 4
Page 23
THE GRAY HOUSE ON THE ROCK. 21 ea Thé face of the old colored woman assumed a look of keen Here dite paused, and running her hand along the — . intelligence. of the panel, touched some hidden spring. _. She arose, crept toward the door, and listened for a mo-; Instantly the panel flew back, revealing a narrow passage. a ment, returning to Miss Livingston’s side. “Thank God! My memory still serves me in spite of the ! ' ' _ “Missy Kate,” she whispered, “I'se been a-prayin’ on my | lapse of years!” breathed the girl. % bended knees to the good Lord to send help to dose poor * people in York. I’se prayed till my knees is sore. To-night * he’s done it, Missy Kate. De good Lor’s done heard me. _ Some hocus pocus mistake about yer comin’ up from de sta- "tion brung a Union officer instead; I don’ ’fess to understand rY a It’s de Lor’s doin’s. But he come, anyhow, dis officer. _ Why dey not kill him I can’t tell. He was cotched in de storm, an’ now he’s ’sleep in bed up in de blue room, whar _ your poor mammy died.” “Well, well, Nancy, and what good will that do us?” “Look heah, chile! Don’ yo’ go fo’ to question the doin’s of de Lor’!” And the negress took from her pocket a sealed letter. _ “Dat’s what Mass General Livingston give to my boy Pete to take to York to-morrow mornin’ fust thing. I coaxed it frum Pete an’ guv him a sheet of blank paper stuck in a * -_"velope instid. I was goin’ to give dis to de officer, but he’s Mone | gone and locked his door on de inside.” _ For several moments Katherine Livingston stood in =e | thous She entered the passage. The panel closed behind her. Two minutes later and Katherine Livingston stood in that room again, trembling like a leaf. The deed was done. The sealed letter had been placed upon Joe Barkley’s pil- low, as we have already seen. : Carefully extinguishing the taper, Katherine started on her return. She had descended the stairs and advanced several feet across the room below, when the sudden opening of the door brought her to a halt. Before her stood General Livingston, her step-father, sway- ing from side to side at the imminent risk of dropping a candle which he held with unsteady hand. “Kate! Girl! In Satan’s name what brings you here?” he asked, thickly. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere. They’ve gone to fetch the parson. Get your wedding togs ready, if you can find any. By sunrise you must be Hem- ing’s bride.” — “Aunt Nancy,” she said, at length, “you are right. This "ae be given to the Union officer with a note of warning. I can enter that room if you cannot. The red room, which used to be my chamber—can we reach it without at- : my step-father’s attention?” “Can't do it while dey’s in de next room, Missy Kate. De! It was certainly Pete the dummy. ¢ room is in de wes’ wing right ober der heads. De eg The face of the young negro had by this time become too “up from dat ar room. You know dat well ’nuff.” | firmly impressed upon Joe Barkley’s memory to admit of “Then we must wait until they are through with their Or-| nistake. » Aunt Nancy. God grant, meanwhile, they may leave; 17, Vas peering between the slats of the window blinds ne. into the back room behind the Hester street saloon, his eyes e hours passed. Ke: | fixed on the detective’s face. Vaiting, listening, the two women, one old, black and! «what's the matter?” demanded Major Pontifex, who had ed, the other young and surpassing beautiful, sat con-| }eon watching Joe narrowly. ; - in whispers before the dying fire. ; “Matter—nothing. Why do you ask? I have finished was almost morning before unsteady steps in the pas-| ,,,qing this commission. It certainly gives us all the au- as, tald thie» that the time had come. thority we want for our work. Come, let’s take another [Bene ores ent ts or aig i arink.” . . } His manner was perfectly calm and collected, despite of the dor, Ast ans ‘ the belief that was momentarily growing on him that at ‘egress complied. | [any instant the door might open and the Virginians who had as iss Tate civipeean: sisdirinbacon ed koe! conse ieortaca dike them: tho mioon on Ace mes anit ‘the door of the et street enter the room. 3 Then as he ventured to raise his eyes to the window again CHAPTER XVII. oe | what could it mean? . + tae | Hd hs movements ten fwd?
Page 24
THE GRAY His first idea was to spring upon Major Pontifex and place him under arrest while there was yet time. Despie the superior physical powers of the man, Joe ; r would not have hesitated to do this had it not been for the| certain consequences which must grow out of so precipitate a move, 2 . Once-arrest Major Pontifex, and although the plot to burn New York might thereby be frustrated, all hope of discovering the plotters and bringing them to justice might as well be abandoned at once. Joe Barkley was -determined to accomplish both these things. ; : * He had set out to do it, and he would. ' Therefore, instead of displaying in the slightest degree the agitation he felt, he calmly laid the document on the table, and taking up the bottle, poured out the drinks. “Come,” said Major Pontifex, smacking his lips, “that goes to the right spot. -Do you ‘know, captain, good whisky is getting scarce in the South—confoundedly scarce. It does a fellow good to get a decent nip again. Now to business. When you were at Ballentyne Hall did General Livingston show you the infernal! machines?” f “No,” ariswered’ Joe, slowly, “he did ‘not. The fact is, iB | arrived at the Hall late in the evening, and the general # and all hands had been imbibing rather too freely. I was obliged to leave by the early train. And in the morning 4 there was no time.” “That's Livingston all over,” “His everlasting guzzling will prove faltal to our plan if we | ' don’t look out. Take another nip, captain? Yes? Well, here’s a go. By George, pec og be good whisky—the best I’ve am tasted ina yeas? Gog or Ia ‘the whisky ‘had certainly begun to tell on & Fie ey It loosened his tongue, and seemed to dispel bynes mind a, any Tingering suspicion of his companion, which we now he might have entertained. doe saw thin, a! His own potations had been more moderate than those of Bae i! " ; In making out this General Livingston a drunkard he had Sy lg Ek ep aa el it serve his purpose again. Rana prea 8 rt pap expectation of seeing the Virginians enter at any moment, gpa pep mene aria, Cle i , General Livingston was too far gone ‘as he ought to have done, When I saw ome once rebmopapanl aor He in no condition. "He simply gave tev ns a yt me and told | the it was arranged that the full details of| se at a where me met to-night, prepared to aces mde HOUSE ON THE ROCK. All the old suspicious look had returned to the faee of Major Pontifex during this speech. *T call that a confoundedly bungling way to do business,” he said, slowly. “What in thunder is the use in Livingston's sending me a man like you?” Joe shrugged his shoulders. “T went to Ballentyne Hall in accordance with orders,” was all he said. After a few moments of exasperating silence Major Ponti- fex spoke again. “Let’s see the cipher sither Livingston gave you.” Joe handed out the letter. The major scanned it narrowly, then spreading it out on the table between them—the commission signed by Jefferson Davis had been restored to ite former concealment about his person some time before. “Let’s see you read that thing,” he now said, abruptly. Without the slightest hesitation Joe Barkley picked up the letter and read: “Thursday, 444, at midnight. Man with green handkerchief. The word is Richmond.” Major Pontifex heaved a sigh of relief. “Do you know,” he said, leaning across the table confiden- tially, “1 had almost begun to doubt you, captain, but I see now you are all right. It is more of Livingston’s infernal slipshod work. I told President Davis that he would make a botch of the affair when he agreed to bring the infernal machines north by the way of the woods and Ballentyne Hall, | exclaimed the Southerner. ! but I was not believed. Livingston promised to fix up 2 mar- riage between his step-daughter and Heming, which was to bring us all the money we needed. Had the girl arrived at Hall when you left?” ; “No. ” Though his lips framed an answer, in his heart Joe Bark- Jey gave one of quite another sort. He saw it all. The girl he had spoken with at the Dugdale station, the beautiful creature to whom he owed all the knowledge of the affair he possessed, was certainly the person referred to by Major Pontifex now, “It’s deuced strange,” mused the major. “She hates Hem- ing, I’m told; but there's a big estate coming to them in case they marry. Livingston sent her a decoy letter to entice her to the Hall, and said he should marry her off whether or no, and furthermore that Heming would be back here with the marriage certificate, which some money lender or other was going to advance on by Thursday night—that’s to-night— don’t you see? Thought either Heming or my friend Jen- nings would certainly meet. me, but instead it’s you.” “I was about to observe when you interrupted me,” said Joe, slowly, “that the object in sending me North was to tell you that General Livingston had not been NE. range, the marriage quite as soon as he expected. He instruc-_ ted me to say to you that this day week Heming would appear »
Page 25
THE GRAY HOUSE ON THE ROCK. 23 He would have stared the harder had he known that eyery| who had spoken with Colonel; Walsingham at the Dugdale Word of Joe Barkley’s reply had been drawn from his own | station; the latter immediately beginning a rapid conversation __ disclosures. with the negro by signs. “Why in thunder didn’ t you tell me so in the first place?” His communication seemed to satisfy them, for, looking 3 9 asked. carefully up and down the now deserted street, he of the long “Well, to tell the truth, I had my own suspicions of you,| beard, leaving his companions standing at the curb, walked _ Major. One can’t be too careful, you know. As you were deliberately up the steps of the house into which had entered - saying a while ago, the U. S. Secret Service detectives may | Joe Barkley and Major Pontifex, and rang the bell. * be at our elbow when we least expect it. Now that we un-} Meanwhile Joe and the major had ascended to a room im- : derstand one another, however, we may talk more freely, | mediately over the front parlor. 3 We have a week to wait and may as well enjoy ourselves.| It was furnished in the usual lodging house fashion, such tm @ stranger in New York myself. Perhaps you'll haye| belongings as pertained to Major Pontifex being seemingly the kindness to show me the town.” contained in a large carpet bag which stood in one corner. ov “Certainly, certainly, captain! Shall we begin to-night?” There was some trifling delay in lighting the gas, added io “Suppose we make it to-morrow night. I’m rather fatigued | to which the major insisted upon Joe’s smoking a cigar before _ after my long journey. By the way, are any of our friends/ inspecting the infernal machine. here in New York just now?” The man had, in fact, just kneeled beside the carpetbag oF “You mean our fellow plotters?” under the bed and was about to open it when there came a in “Well, yes, if you like that better.” knock upon the door. agi I don’t know. It was arranged in Richmond.that; With a smothered seppinticns Major Pontifex kicked the We were to meet to-night. General Liyingston was to give| carpetbag under the bed and sprang in the direction of the eo the word.” sound. “What's wanted?” he demanded, ‘sruffiy. “There's a gentleman downstairs, sir, who desired me to hand you this note. I'll give it to you if you'll open the door,” = the word to me.” ' looks: ‘so, By the way, lanes since you haye never (OUR Ear preran!. wachine, perhaps you would like to go nd. take a look at one I have there. It's} The major opened ‘the door and received the note. counterpart of those smuggled by Livingston As his eye hurriedly scanned its contents he glanced to- nu the lines and taken to Ballentyne Hall. | reckon ward Joe Barkley in a peculiar way. . say it’s a pretty cute affair.” , “Captain, excuse me for one moment,” he said, “there's a . ~With all the pleasure imaginable,” said Joe, fisting. “where person below who wishes to see me. What for I can’t exactly _teom ?” - F make out.” ° “ East Broadway. T don't care to go toa hotel for tear| He slipped out of the doer and descended the stairs before “one aa happen to recognize me. It’s only a step. | Joe had time to reply. who keeps the lodging house little. suspects What could this interruption mean? Springing toward the window. Joe Barkley raised the shade {gna peered out into the street. A hack stood at the corner. There was a young negro on the © | box. To Joe's astonishment, for he had almost forgotten him, | he saw at onee that it was the dummy, Pete. “By thunder, they’ve euchred me!” he breathed, at the same a ties springing for bead door and descending the stairs seen | at d time, 7 - ‘Bursting past saitbivatinad ‘servant, he was just in season ‘totes theca teal ade friend Major Pontifex disappearing | SOE as Gove, which was violeritly slammed in his face. Joe DER tee Ae door mine with lightning quick- | ness. ¢ { ss - Quick as was he actin, towers, Major Sentinat and the “peter ty gained the tidewalk, and
Page 26
24 THE GRAY HOUSE ON THE ROCK. - . | With surprising quickness he faced about and discharged | two shots from his revolver in rapid succession. Then, springing after Major Pontifex and his companion, all three leaped into the hack, which wheeled around into Rutgers street, the noise of its wHeels upon the uneven pave- ment awaking the echoes of the night. And Joe Barkley? The young Secret Service detective made no effort to stay them. He was powerless to do so. Joe Barkley lay sprawling face downward upon the pave- ment as lies one dead. CHAPTER XVIII. : SEEN FROM THE WINDOW 4 “Bress yo’ chile, yo’ looks like a lamb about to be led to de’ slaughter—’deed yo’ do. Thank de Lor’ your poor mudder is in her grabe—an’ she was old Nance’s nuss chile as well as yo’—’fore she’d eber libed to see dis day!” And Aunt Nancy the old black housekeeper at Ballentyne Hall, stood off a pace and gazed with no little satisfaction, in spite of the intensity of her feelings, at Katherine Living- ston, who appeared before her dressed in wedding garments, fresh from the final wouched at tor old woman’s hands. What now? Has Katherine Livingston, after repeated refusals, consented to become the bride of her much hated cousin, Arthur Hem- ing? é Has that gentleman, who displayed such chivalry upon a previous occasion, consented to take his fair cousin to wife against her will? t The last question may be answered in the affirmative, the first most decidedly in the negative. — Days have elapsed since the early morning hour when we left our heroine face to face with her drunken step-father in the room behind the parlor, which had been the scene of Joe Barkley’s ghostly experiences, and during the entire period Katherine Livingston has remained a prisoner in one of the upper rooms of the gray house on the rock. When General Livingston had stated that Heming and his ompanions had gone to fetch the parson, that Katherine might be forced into an immediate marriage with her cousin, . he believed that he spoke only the truth. ‘They had gone on just this errand, riding twenty miles "back into the country with the intention of engaging the _ services of a disreputable, drunken fellow who had once been : a clerygman, but long ago relieved of his charge, knowing “oe? co asec een liaeeiii er Here was an unlooked for obstacle. In order to obtain the estate of his dead uncle it would be absolutely necessary for Arthur Heming to produce a regular marriage certificate, testifying to his union with his cousin, before the surrogate of the city of New York. There was not a particle of sentiment about Arthur Heming. He had no love for Katherine Livingston, but he had a decided love for his uncle’s estate. The money promised to aid the scheme of the Confederate government to burn New York City was but a mere bagatelle as compared with the whole, and this was to be returned to him with interest in case of the success of the now lost cause. “ Thoroughly in sympathy with the South, Arthur Heming had lent himself to the scheme—it was ‘the suggestion of General Livingston—heart and soul. There had been some delay in the plans of the plotters. It was deemed necessary to gain the consent of the Con- federate government before proceeding. This they expected to receive through Major Pontifex— though none of them knew by whose hand it would come— and word having been received from Richmond the very night of Joe Barkley’s arrival at the Hall that this was granted, the dumb negro Pete was dispatched accordingly to communicate with one of their number—a man named Jen- nings—who had been obliged to start for New York on the train leaving Dugdale station shortly after the arrival of the night express from Washington, which had numbered among its passengers the young Secret Service detective, Colonel Wal- singham and his charge. The outcome of this dispatch has already onthe explained. It is with subsequent events at the gray house on the rock, as affecting Katherine Livingston, that we now have. to deal. So far as Katherine herself was concerned, these events have been very few. She has seen no one save her step-father and Aunt Nancy during the days which followed, being confined closely in her room, the door of which was for the most part guarded by the tactiturn Mr. Kinnicutt, the custodian of the Hall. To his step-daughter General Livingston had stated his plans freely. 4 The failing cause of the South needed money. riage with Arthur Heming would bring it. Aware of Katherine’s Union sentiments and the hatred of her cousin, he had resorted to artifice to entice her within — his power, and whether with her consent or without it he sternly declared that the marriage must take place at an | early day. “J Tears, prayers and appeals to the man’s better nature were . alike useless. All they needed was ® clergyman willing to perform the ceremony under the peculiar circumstances. Now such @ person lisd been found and Katherine had been Her mar- i ene 1 We te mene Siete a
Page 27
THE GRAY HOUSE ON ‘Mounted men had been coming and going. j \ THE ROCK. 25 a Virginia mule, toiling slowly up the steep ascent to the It had begun in the early morning with the arrival of three | gray house on the rock. persons, which had been followed by loud reports in the rooms below. ; For Katherine Livingston it had been a day of agony. Fs Beside the horror of the approaching ceremony her heart » burned to know the fate of the great northern city which had so long been her home. _ Had New York been laid to ashes? Had her own efforts to avert that calamity proved a success or failure? The brave girl had as little means of knowing these things as though inclosed in a tomb. _ The words spoken by Aunt Nancy had scarcely fallen from her lips when a key was heard to enter the lock, the door was flung back, and Arthur Heming accompanied by General _ Livingston entered the room. 9 “Go out, yous! Ain’t you ashamed to enter a lady’s apart- F “ment without knocking?” exclaimed the old negress. “Mass ~ Livingston, I blush fo’ you, I do.” The face of the officer colored slightly. “Nance, I’ll have you whipped for your impudence if you ain't careful. Leave the room, you old hag. Arthur and I Want to talk with you, Kate.” The old nurse departed grumblingly. neither turned her head nor answered a word, eae into a chair. “Try and coax her; do anything, ise anything, so that we avoid a scene.” , Mr. Arthur Heming’s powers of persuasion nigra un- il to the occasion. = Ridge, now radiant in the winter sunset, neither speak- & nor seeming to hear. can’t do anything with her!” exclaimed Heming, turning Be aca pares ral Livingston was about to reply when a low, in- 2 ep. papa aiamaat oe cens CHAPTER XIX. CAPTAIN COGAN’S CALLERS—SECOND VISIT OF JOE BARKLEY. “Right shoulder, shift arms!” A hundred gleaming muskets rise simultaneously to the shoulders of as many men: ; “Present arms!” The muskets drop from the shoulder, the bayonets form- ing a glittering row before the line of men. “Ground arms! Shoulder arms! Break ranks! March!” In quick succession the several orders were given, and as the men of Company Q, 239th N. Y. Volunteers disperse them- selves about the camp at the close of the afternoon drill, Captain Cogan, the officer in charge of that particular section of the Union lines which flanks Dugdale creek, lights a cigar and sallies toward the tent of his friend the first lieutenant, prepared to resume an interrupted game of cards. It was the military camp whose fires had been seen from ia ‘Meanwhile Katherine, who had taken her station at the;the heights by the unfortunate Colonel Walsingham on the window | overlooking the mountain road leading up to the j night of the struggle between that officer and the dumb negro | driver which had cost both their lives. od “Talk to her, Arthur,” whispered General Livingston, fling: | For weeks upon weeks Captain Cogan had been stationed with his company in that lonely spot, and it is needless to say that time hung heavily upon the hands of every member of Company Q, as well as upon those of the captain him- self. That is why the sudden appearance of a young mounted officer on this particular afternoon, a few moments subse- ‘| quent to the close of the drill, threw the whole camp into a state of excitement. Were they to be ordered to the front? Of course the members of Company Q; on seeing the officer come tearing down the mountainside into the camp, at once set him down as a special messenger from the regimental colonel, whose station was some ten miles away. The members of Company Q, 239th N. Y. Volunteers were all ew The young-man who had thus suddenly appeared in their midst was none other than Secret Service Detective Joe Barkley. 5 Hurrying to the tent of Captain Cogan, and thence, by ae to that of the lieutenant, entering it just as the + | officers, warned by an orderly, had concealed cards and stakes Can you ask? You are my natural protec: under a drum which had served as a table, he saluted the | officer and ‘demanded a private interview without delay.
Page 28
- a E: us = 7 oe ee . Pi Sern ta we Pst + ae el sd *. wes Bit, a onw. . cet ae ss r hd Ps oui e's ae . Cuinty +) 26 THE GRAY HOUSE ON THE ROCK. . East Broadway, he had met with no worse accident than be- ing struck on the forehead by a spent pistol ball. The intention of the long-bearded Virginian had been to| _ kill Joe Barkley. | Fortunately—most fortunately—the distance between them ; was a little too great. An inch less and we should have a dead detective on our hands at this important point of our narrative. As it happened, Joe was only stunned. It was the beginning of the end of the mysterious affair. _ The wheels of the hack containing Major Pontifex and his ~ rescuers had scarcely passed out of hearing before friendly lands touched the prostrate form of the young detective. iS It was owing to what followed that we now find our hero, three days later, in Captain Seean’s tent on the banks of Dugdale creek. The men of Company Q gathered about in groups, waiting. ‘Their curiosity was destined to remain unsatisfied for some hours to come. _ Within ten minutes Captain Cogan suddenly appeared and. gave orders for a squad of twenty men to make ready to accompany him back among the hills. When the squad left the camp Captain Cogan marched at their head on foot with the young officer who had so sud- dely come tipon them by his side. _ Of their deiistiin nothing was known, ‘The members of Company Q lett behind were obliged to satisfy their curiosity as best they could. “ Meaiiwhife the squad continued alone Dugdile creek, fol lowihf thé same road takeh by Katherine Livingston on the “Wight 6f her drfival at thé gFay house on the rock. Joe Barkley ana Captain Cogan convétsed in low tones as 3 they continued to advance. -a-pbi ard Bie Fol Buds Wilts ‘tall yout asked the tdp- tain, ds tHéy came in sight of @ smigll chuten of réd sdna- stone statiaing lotic in the mtast of an ancient looking biirial | ground at some distance ahead. “I have every confidéiieé in hith, captain.” /*But you don’t know (hese Virginid higeers as Wel ad’ 1 Satay mente They ate Wok to be rusted, tt, 1 astute] re oy seem nl “IML trage this one” “This is a very grave matter: Wool ot be betes tro SS peep yen gear Pe manded by Captain Cogan halted before the old red ehurch. | Almost on the instant the door was seen to open and a young negro appeared, peering out with a cautious air. His eyes lit up with pleasure at the sight of Joe Barkley. He spoke: no word, but running toward him, attempted to kiss his hand. The detective pushed him aside gently. Then he pointed toward the soldiers, made a motion indi- cating haste, and waved his hand off in the direction of the surrounding hills. The, boy seemed to cesbrtlieh him. Throwing the church door wide open, he motioned to Cap- tain Cogan to follow him inside. “Follow him,” said Joe Barkley. “He understands himself perfectly. I have been over the ground with him only this, /morning, and know of what I speak.” The order was given. Through the trapdoor beneath the pulpit of the old red church, down the steps and through the cave Captain Cogan and his men followed. : When they emerged into the open air again they were in the forest within easy reach of the gray house on the rock. “IT shall now leave you, captain.” said Joe Barkley, “and proceed alone to Ballentyne Hall. Pete, the dummy, will guide you, and you must have your men in readiness to spring from the pines which surround the house at the sound ot my whistle. They are a desperate lot, and may take it into their heads to do desperate deeds when they find them- selves foiléd. For this no time must be allowed ther. 1 have ‘sworn to rescue that girl, dnd I mean to do it. Everything depends upon yout prompt dction—you understand?” “perfectly, ty déar sir. You will find my meh reafy. Still ‘I disapprove of your methods. I consider you are taking your lifé in your hands.” To this tib reply was made. Instead Joe Barkley simply walked towatd a mule Which Was to be seen tied to a trée a short distance away, and mOtititing, Waved his hand to Captaifi Cogan and rode off up the steep ascent, ‘Such were the circumstances attending Joe Barkley’s second visit to the gray house on thé fock. ‘The stire-footed mule mastered the ascent wittiout atmeutey ‘and a few moments from the tiffie of leaving Captain Cogan — PUPAE RORY Ope“ Meteative eae “Bb 16 Che SUNS. He Ballefityfe Hall. There stood the gray house, grim and silent. AS the la8t rays of the setting sun fell upon ie-tt aeemiba — |e vere aay po cut ve cmt behind its walls. “Oat they have received warning?” thought the Senate, at 4 yon at an army Nk dene se A 2 }| all, and that I am simply being drawn into a trap?” 7 nae
Page 29
THE GRAY Then stepping to the door he knocked loudly several times - in succession, but all in and about the house refiiained as Silent as the grave. Re A ttial of the latch proved the door.to be open, and Joe _ e@fitered the well-remembered hall. Tt was cold and desdlate. There was no evidence of any “ee having crossed the cagnee since he had left the week « before. — : A trial of the various doors found them in precisely their _ former condition—some open, others locked. Tt was already very dark in the hall, and darker in the _ great parlor, the scene of his former ghostly experiences, into which Joe Barkley entered now. 7 He had scarcely advanced three feet into the room when the door behind him suddenly closed with a loud slam. It left Joe in total darkness. _ It Sent his heart to this throat from the sudden over- powering sense of Year which often assails the bravest men. What had elosed it?” * True, he had left the outer door open, but there was abso- rane wind stirring. oe Barkley was about to spring toward the door eb the of wrenching it open, when there suddenly fell upon a wild strains of music which he ebeerngaa: i The music was serial that of a violin played with a erly hand. the experiences of his or visit began to re iciahi nd. Mshlithasiiibhiaiina: tos. Wire outa soning | radian tonnetipea get then tae bodies of a and woman, finally the shoulders, last the heads: lere were only two pereons now. | fern dieesed tn: the same quaint cooturges of the teat slowly and sedately going py the figures of cre 3, standing slone in the darenes of the grat all this with startling plainness. ; tha me he found hime fase to face wit the a’ 7 ~ : HOUSE ON af |they used before,” THE ROCK. 27 thought the detective: “Courage, my friehd! .This mummery display must not tettify you. ‘There is work for you to decomplish im this strange old mMiafsion which will admit of no delay.” Thus reassuring himself, Joe Batkley crept toward - the Gothic paneling against which the forms of the dancers were thrown. As he did this he felt a breath of cold air across his face— saw, or thought he saw—two great doors close over the fig- ures of the dancers, who disappeared as suddenly a& thé nitisic ceased. This time Joe Barkley had come prepared. With surprising quickness he produced a dark lantern from under his cloak and directed its rays upon the Gothic paneling at the end of the room. Now he beheld what he had not atevigusly observed, namely, that the panels were divided in the center by'a narrow erack, extending from their carved tops above down to the: floor below. “Come, I saw these things shut. muttered the detective. ‘Reaching upward, he grasped a protruding knob of the Gothic ornamentation and pulled with al) his strength. But, as it proved, no such exertion was required, . So easily did the greac panels move outward on their well- oiled hinges that Joe Barkley nearly fell backward to the floor. ; Behind a large mirror stood revealed by the light of the Let’s see how they open,” ‘ | lantern reflecting back the objects of the room. For one instant Joe Barkley stared at his own reflectién in the mirror blankly. ; _ Then, turning with a bound, ran the length of the apart- ment. ss : At the other end was a pair of folding doors. These were found to be fastened, with no key in the lock. ¢ Joe closed the slide of his lantern and stood listening breathlessly. — For a few moments all was a8 still as death. Then came the faint murmur of voices. It- was possible to distinguish what was said, and the sounds were not repeated. Instead stealthy footsteps were heard crossing the floor ‘of the apartment behind the doors. “I begin to see imto this,” muttered the young man, as [he groped his way to the door by which he had entered. “The eS Adding 480 dancing took place in that:room, from. the ‘open 's of which its reflection was thrown on the covered mir- |ror. Had I but turned, but no matter. oT have got to open, or I'll know the reason why.” e| He had passed into the banow it was a8 deserted. a9 when he had left it. tA Rs € nlm. Joep lng he. pange to he nce matgiet otal ein rome ane i cm ates ” AA SA
Page 30
Barkley, toiling up the hill on r THE GRAY HOUSE ON THE ROCK. é He could see the interior of the apartment plainly, and the sight which he beheld thrilled every fiber in his frame. First there was the woman and the man whose ghostly forms he had seen reflected in the great mirror behind the Gothic panels in the room beyond. The woman was in the act of removing an ancient look- ing, flowered petticoat, which action revealed a pairyof fash- ionable trousers beneath. There were several other persons in the room, among them the gray-bearded Virginian who had attempted the detective’s life in New York, the younger card player of the Ann street saloon. Beside these stood Joe’s friend, Major Pontifex, and a sour, disagreeable looking person in ministerial garb. But all this was nothing. Even as Joe Barkley looked the door opened and there appeared an old man in military dress, who dragged, rather than led, the fainting form of the same beautiful girl who had appeared to our hero in his dreams .in the "chamber above, 3 “Quick! Quick, Heming! Get yourself ready,” the detec- tive heard the old man whisper, evidently directing his speech to the dancer in female garb. “The marriage must take place instantly. No doubt you have scared the life out of that med- dlesome intruder by this time. Leave me to deal with him when the thing is done.” With stealthy, cat-like motion, Joe Barkley rose to his feet. He had scarce time to turn when he beheld the redoubtable | Mr. Kinnicutt entering the door at the end of the hall. It was a critical moment, but Joe was prepared. Joe Barkley’s experiences in the gray house on the rock noth- ing further need be said. “It’s that Union officer again!” breathed General Living- ston, drawing back from the window. “Kate, on the peril of your life, don’t you dare to attract his attention. What can have brought him back here? I thought we gave him a warm enough reception before, eh, Arthur? This time he won’t get off so easy. Quick! We must start up the ghostly farce again!” He had moved a step or two toward the door, when a word from Arthur Heming served to stay him. “Uncle!” he whispered, “I don’t like this intrusion; some- thing tells me it bodes anything but good for us. I can dress myself in my grandmother's clothes, and with the help of your arrangements of curtains and mirrors do my part as well as ever; but this marriage—it must not be delayed.” “It shan’t be. Arthur, you are right. Hurry downstairs and try to scare the fellow off if possible. Tom Carver is on hand, thank goodness, and with his fiddle can do the musical. Probably young Jennings will go partners with you in the minuet.” ‘ “But suppose we fail to frighten this fellow. seem to scare very badly the other night.” “You won’t fail if you manage the affair right. Only keep him busy until I can bring this stubborn girl to her senses. Once that is done I'l] send Kinnicutt to take charge of him and keep him engaged while we slip out the west wing door and gain the entrance to the cave.” “Then what?” He didn’t “Then, suitably disguised, you and Kate must start for ® New York. If Major Pontifex is to be believed, and the Springing toward the corncracker, with one hand he thrust | Strange story he told on his arrival this morning is true, our a cocked revolver in his face while the other pressed to his| affairs there need looking after sadly.” lips a whistle on which he blew shrilly, awking the echoes | of the ancient hall. ss CHAPTER XXI. AN INTERRUPTED MARRIAGE CEREMONY.—THE END. General Livingston, as he looked from the window of his step-daughter’s apartment at Ballentyne Hall, saw in Joe no worse enemy than the young officer who had through mistake sought shelter the gray house on the rock the night of the storm. Of the doings of Katherine that night he knew nothing, wampected ‘nothing, Ballontyne Hall, situated as it was within the Union lines, in constantly subject to thes possibility. of visitors whose i= AEG DIO ea Sarat nt ma “Faith, and I would rather some one else had the job, if the Secret Service detective is after us,” muttered Heming. “By the way, has anything been seen of Pete, the dummy?” “Nothing.” “I don’t like that. take him for—mark what I say!” He was gone on the instant, leaving Katherine Livingston, pale and trembling with excitement, to face her step-father alone. Upon the scene which followed we must draw the curtain. We cannot expose the tears, the pitiful entreaties, the prayers of the unfortunate girl to the public gaze. Sufficient to relate that upon the stony heart of her step~ That boy is not such a fool as you father they had no effect; and but a short time elapsed ere Katherine, in spite of her feeble efforts at resistance, was dragged downstairs, followed by the weeping Nance, into the presence of the plotters, as Joe Barkley had seen. Now the west wing of the gray house on the rock had been practically cut off from the rest of the mansion. it So effectual had the locked doors proved on former occa- a :
Page 31
E THE GRAY HOUSE ON THE ROCK. ru - 29 ever, and he gave utterance to the impatient speech which What they learned at that time was of the highest im- Joe Barkley, with his ear at the keyhole, had overheard. “The marriage! The marriage!” he exclaimed, in the same . Busting whisper. “Parson, get your book ready. Arthur, take Your place. We need fear no intrusion here, and——” oe A whistle, loud and shrill, now broke upon their ears. _ ‘The sound was followed by a scuffling in the hall without. «Then severa] pistol shots, succeeding each other quickly, vere also heard, and before any of those in the room could ‘Speak or move, blow after blow was rained upon the door sonnecting with the hall. “Great heavens! What can it mean?” breathed General Livingston, his face fairly ashen in its grayness. “Take your cousin and retreat to the secret vaults below the cellar, Ar- chur. Gentlemen, you had best follow, while I——” Bang! Bang! Bang! f The: door flew suddenly open, torn from its hinges by the ed pressure of the bodies of several men, and into the “midst of those gathered behind it dashed Joe _Barkley an i i Captain Cogan with cocked revolvers in their hands. “Hands up, gentlemen!” exclaimed the former, as their nee was followed by a dozen armed soldiers. “Young } from this moment you are under my protection. Cap- ‘in Cogan, there are your prisoners. They are the scoundrels would have destroyed the city of New York.” ? as Joe Barkley threw his,strong arms about the faint- ; form of Katherine Livingston the plotters of the gray on the pock slowly and mutteringly raised their hands. Md * * * « * * de Lor’—bress de Lor’! It was my boy Pete what it!” exclaimed old Aunt Nance, as, half an hour later, s of General Livingston, Arthur Heming, Major Pon- fex, the men Jennings and Carver, with the remaining plot- : | disappeared, marching between a double line of soldiers OV ! pee a adorei Eee aie gee all afl the work” of Pete, the dummy, ‘instrueted in by the old woman herself. sind bid dottowr plotters dream, portance. for it told them that Major Pontifex and his com- panions in the hack had probably started for Virginia on the morning train. It was too late to try to stop them, but Joe Barkley’s plans were instantly formed. Pete could communicate no names, of course, but he de- scribed the man accurately. He also made the young detective understand the danger to which Katherine Livingston was exposed at Ballentyne Hall, offering to return in Joe’s charge and guide him to the hall in the manner in which he afterward did. Of course that which the dumb negre had done his best to communicate was better understood after all was over than at the time it was.-told. One thing Joe Barkley could never understand was why Pete had persisted in delivering the blank dispatch; why he had not put himself under his protection when he had first met him on the train. The sudden appearance of Pete at the window of the Hester street saloon was plainer, for the negro had no difficulty in communicating to Joe how, while in company with the Vir- ginians, he had seen him next morning walking down Broad- way. From that moment they had never lost sight of Joe Bark- ley, keeping the lad with them until after the shooting, when, seeing it was his last chance to carry out the orders given him by his mother, Pete had leaped from the hack and man- aged to make his escape. On searching Major Pontifex’s carpetbag in the Hast Broad- way boarding house an infernal machine of peculiar construc- tion was found. A hundred similar machines were subsequently found in the cellar beneath Ballentyne Hall, and from certain docu- ments taken from the person of General Livingston and Ma- | jor Pontifex it was discovered that the intention had been to place one of them in each of New York’s principal hotels, in each public building, on various ships in the harbor and other prominent places, so arranged that all would explode at nearly the same time. Whether the plot would have succeeded or not it is hard to say. e There was, no doubt that the Confederate authorities were at the bottom of it. They had tried it once before, and had not Joe Barkley interfered would uatepeanes have tried it again. During the search at Ballentyne Hall which followed the | ghobtly mysteries of that ancient mansion were fully ex- han Sees OME. atten, Gark ‘lanterns anita aksil- eae ater zal ike wirantetsest Jed! been! 6 handiwork of Ganeral Liv- i ee ees ce
Page 32
them to have been her master and his friends, and had her- self ransacked sundry old chests in the attic to rcaad for them female disguises. Katherine Livingston’s acquaintance with the secret entrance to the blue room had been derived from ber mother; and THE GRAY HOUSE ON THE ROCK. Secret Service in the North, and of reading a warm letter of commendation for his valuable services in the matter of the plot to burn the city, written by President Linecoln’s own hand. What Katherine Livingston did get, however, was a hus- Joe Barkley has had abundant time since the night of the | band. his memorable vision to listen to its explanation, as will be presently seen. His name was Joseph Barkley. If aly one dobts thé truth of this heroic tale let them General Livingston and his icubadtien were conveyed tO | qyestion its two prinefpal actors. Washington by Captain Cogan and confined in the Old Capi- tol prison, ‘It was supposed that matty of the Virginians in the neigh- borhood were concesned in the plot, but this was never cer- tainly known. Possibly the corncracker, Mr. Kinnicutt, could have told had he lived, but unfortunately that individual had gone too far in attempting to interfere with Joe Barkley. He had fired on the detective almost immediately after the whistle was blown. The ball went wide of its mark. Not so a shot from the revolver of Captain Cogan, who at that moment appeared on the scene. This shot, better aimed, did its fatal work, and when the plotters of Ballentyne Hall were hurried away they left the dead body of Thomas Kinnicutt behind. They cafi be found living in a mansion at Dugdale, Rock- bridge county, Virginia. Ballentytie Hall is the name by Which it is known. To Otir readies it is familiar as Thé Gray Holise on the Rock. THE END. Read “A POOR BOY’S FIGHT; or, THE HERO OF THE SCHOOL,” by Howard Austin, which will be the jaext number (296) of “Pluck and Luck.” SPECIAL NOTICE: All hack numbers of this weekly are always in, print. If you cannot obtain them from any How it mignt have fared with General Livingston and his | newsdealer, send the price in money or postage stamps by associates had the war continued it is diffieult to tell. mail to FRANK TOUSEY, PUBIASHER, 24 UNTON UP Res: fen Haney wanemnny Tike: tea oatien was dlr eady | SQUARE. NEW YORK, and you will receive the copies near, and before the time set for their trial arrived the end j had come. In the general amnesty ad eae: whl pardoned after a long imprisonment, thus escaping death, which they richly deserved. ‘Long after these events, three years and over—certain hun- ters who were climbing the wooded sides of the precipice which rises above Dugdale creek came across two skeletons, one of a man, the other of a boy. “They were never identified, but Katherine Livingston to this day believes them to have been all that remained of Colonel Walsingham and the dumb driver—Pete’s brother, as it afterward turned out—who had fallen from the wagon on the ever memorableenight of the storm. ‘The secret passage beneath the pulpit of the old’ red church in the valley remains undisturbed. © It was constructed in colonial times to afford the wor- shippers a means of retreat in case of attack by the Indians. anaes rune ateas t pemensinn Se ber Sie 0 ia aetna atc the days Beas civil war. Ae-ctrenn, Easinrinn Levinton icineenanesaingin _ estates. Salat inlet de faviehs an seainin. tiie ‘20.3 _ After her rescue by Joe Barkley, Katherine, taking Aunt fone Be reer ‘or will be Sent to Any A you order by return mail. “HAPPY DAYS.” The Best Illustrated Weekly Story Paper Published. ISSUED FRIDAYS. 16 PAGES. | | Price 5S Cents. — OUT TO-DAY! . OUT TO-DAY! | Jack Wright's ‘etn of the Air After the clit Duellers Gold. By “NWONAME.” Begins in No. 486 of “Happy Days,” Issued Jan, er een Bee
Page 33
THE UBERTY BOYS OF 76. A Weekly Magazine containing Stories of the American Revolution. By HARRY MOORE. These stories are baséd on actual facts and give a faithful account of the exciting advetitures of a brave band of Amevican ouths who were always readily and willing to imperil their lives for the sake of helping alo the gallant cause of Independence. number will consist of 32 large pages of reading matier, bound in a beautiful colored cover ‘ LATEST ISSUES: 121 The Liberty Boys Stranded: or, Afoot in the Enemy‘s Country 22 > “q ale « , ,, , ~ .* 82 bag he had Boys and the Georgia Giant; or, A Hard Man to | ‘ mond. ‘ iberty Boys’ Dare; or, Backing the British Down. 133 ‘The Liberty Boys’ Bayonet Charge: or, The Siege of Yorktown The ‘Aberty Boys’ Best Blows; or, Beating the British at Benning- | 154 T Bakiberty Boys and Pan! Jones: or. The Martyrs of the Prison 95 Tlie Tiberty Boys in New Jersey; or, Boxiig the Ears of the Brit-| 155 The Uiberty Boys at Bowling Greet: or, Smashing the King’s 36 The biberty Boys’ Daring: or. Not Afraid of Anything. 86 The Liberty Boys and N&than Hale; or. The Brave Patriot Spy. 97 The Liberty Boys’ Long March: or, The Move that Puazied the} 137 pe ane Boys’ “Minute Men”; or, The Battle of the Cow YR The Li rty Boys’ Bold Front; or, Hot Times on Harlem Heights. | 158 The Liberty Boys ang the Traitor; or, How They Handled Him e 99 k+ or, Helpl to Hold the Great] 139 é@ Liberty Boys at low Creek; or, Routing the coats. ~ = ? a each ede 140 The Liberty Boys and Fynete! Greene: or, Chasing Cornwallis 100 ‘The Liberty Boys’ Big Risk; or, Ready to Take Chances. 141 e@ Liberty Boys in Richmotid; or, Fighting Traitor Ar huid, 101 The Liberty Boys’ Drag-Net; or, liauling the Redcoats In. 142 The Liberty Bo hd the Te®ible Tory: or, Beath f Liberty Boye’ ighining Wotk : or. ‘Coo Fast for the British. ¥ Eee 5S e Teibible Tory; or, Beating a Bad 108 The eit : Liberty Boys’ Lucky Blunder; or, The Mistake that Helped] 443 The Liberty Boys’ Sword-Fight; or, Winning with the Enemy's ' Them. e ns. | 104 The Liberty Boys’ Shrewd Trick: or, Springing a Big Surprise. 1144 The Liberty Boys in Georgia; or, Lively Times Down South. }105 The Liberty gee ; or, Outwitting the Foemz, 145 The Liberty Boys’ Greatest Triumph; or, The Mareh to Victory } 106 ‘The Liberty 8 pl lit"; or, Knocking the oats Out.|146 The Liberty Boys and the Quaker Spy; or, Two of a Kind. 107 AS Sppexty Boys “Wild Irishman’; or, A Lively Lad from/147 The Liberty —s ip Florida; or, Fi bting Frevost's Army. n. 148 rty ys st Chance: or, Making the st of It. : The Liberty Boys’ Surprise; or, Not Just What Théy Were Look- | 49 The Aberty Boys’ Sharpshooters; or, The Battle of the Kegs. : 150 The Liberty Boys on Guard; or, Watching the Enemy. 09 ’ Treasure; or, A Lucky Find. 108 7 ‘s 151 The Liberty Boys’ Strange Guide; or, the Mysterious Maiden. Bd the tlberty Bory, dubllee; or, A, Great Day fing Grea, Cuoge [132 Bee Lperty ory "Ratti hac aqasnans, Hough, PO 1 y H07%, Goracred ; or, nich Way Shall We Turn?’ ae aia y Boys an eee peg a Page ? t : of, A} : 1118 The Liberty Boys at Valley Forge; or, Enduring Terrible Hard-| }7- e Fire Fiend; of, A New Kind of Battie The Liberty Boys in Quakertown; or, Making Thin Lively i Philadelphia. . az _e sh . W124 The Liberty Boys Missing: or, Lost in the Swamps. et 4 4 ys’ Wager, And H They Won. It. 156 The Liberty Boys and the Gypsies; or, A Wonderful ‘Surprise al zee ie Dece' : oF. a N r 157 The Liberty Boys’ Flying Arti . “Liberty or Death.” Ht The Liberty Bove pecefred pera creteke £ Dangerous iieliy. 158 The Hberts Boze Against the Had Tieinons: or, ting the Indian 18 The Liberty Boys’ Dead-Shots; or, The Deadly elve. The Liberty Boys’ League : Who Helped. |159 The Boys’ Gunners; or, The Bombardinen Monmouth. 18 The Vibert Boys’ Srerect trick : pigs t 5 yedeente we 160 The Liberty Boys and Lafayette; or, Helping t Boone French Gen- Fooled. : ~ For Sale by All Newsdealers, or will be Sent to Any Address on Receipt of Price, 5 Cents per Copy, by “FRANK TOUSEY, Publisuer, ___24 Union Square, New York of and cannot re them from newsiealers, they can be obtained from this office direct. Cut out and fill ty, in Be eae tt Pivnd send it to ue with the price of the books you want and Wwe will send them to you by r& _ turn mail. TAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY: : DER a tas ake Oa OS POSH MS CD we oF ES ESSEC HT OPC CESHFOET Her eT SHE TCH HHSOSHO HEHE SESS OL ee 2 On 6S 6.6 © 6.6.60.6-6.4 46.0 0b os 2 De | RANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York. hin p28 f= PARE Reign | Dear Str—Enclosed find......cents for which please send me: ) ....copies of WORK AND WIN, Nos............+--0-+-++ at tes Dan ean Dinas Heirs ahs o', e Bah a bcé <A. +2 ; -... “ WILD WEST WEEKLY, Nos................. Pg We Cn A i RA SNS “e° Pas. @* “ FRANK READE WEEKLY, Nos.........'.......... ep ae eal ewan gaat Sa aa Seen ees =) MTRICK AND EUOK, Nos... .....0)..0-00 05208 eo ee. Le tp Re create RR TR ee er NI NRT Wea 0 SG boa cote db nv encene os candate dees dacnsmhes se $e 7 “ MDD CYBER WOWR OR GON G6 56.02... es. sche eee ner ec yee an Sopne gees ene: a Lo cp Swe ae Selene eS eeceer essen ts ee Fbaneoneransersesens Sete ehhh iin pe Se err eeg ee oe |
Page 34
SECRET SERVICE OLD AND YOUNG KING BRADY, DETECTIVES. PRICE 5 CTS. 32 PAGES. COLORED COVERS. ISSUED WEEKLY LATEST ISSUES: 180 The Bradys and the Serpent Ring; or, The Strange Case of the Fortune-Teller. 181 The Bradys and “Silent Sam"; or, Tracking the Deaf and Dumb 182 SS JBradys and the “Bonanza” King; or, Fighting the Fakirs in sco. 188 The 3 Brad s and the Boston Banker; or, Hustling for Millions in ub. 184 The mennt aloes on Blizzard Island; or, Tracking the Gold Thieves of 185 aoe ig tame in the Black Hills; or, Their Case in North Dakota. 186) Th . ops and “Faro Frank"; or, A Hot Case in the Gold Mines. 187 The Bradys and the “Rube”; or, Tracking the Confidence Men. 188 The Bradys as Firemen; or, Tracking a Gang of Incendiaries. 189 7 Batre, in the Oil Country ; or, The Mystery of the Giant 190 whe "Bred s and the Blind Beggar; or, The Worst Crook of All. 191 he — ays and the Bankbreakers; or, Working the Thugs of 192 me Bree ave and the Seven Skulls; or, The Clew That Was Found 193 The Bradys in Mexico; or, The Search for the Aztec Treasure 194 The Bradys at Black Run; or, Trailing the Coiners of Candle 195 ~~ Bradys Among the Sully and Bears; or, Working the Wires Wall Street. 196 The Bra and the Ki r, Working for the Bank of agen’. 197 ot ys and the 3 Diamonds: or, The Mystery 0: a 198 Ps, spree and the Bed Rock Mystery; or, Working in the Black 7 Sl aie de and the Card Crooks ; or, Working on an Ocean Liner. Bradys and “John Smith”; or, The Man Without a Name. oot The Bradys and the Manhunters; or, Down in the Dismal Swamp. ey s and the High Rock Mystery; or, The Secret of the 203 ae Bradys at at the Block House; or, Rustling the Rustlers on the ie ier. 2 s in Baxter Street; or, The House Without a_Door. 5 The Bradys Midnight "call; or, The Mystery of Harlem Heights. 206 The B the Bars; or, Working on Blackwells Island. von the Brewer's Bonds; or, Working on a Wall 208 ae Bradys on the Bowery; or, The Search for a Missing Girl. 209 The B s and the Paw er; or, A Haat 2 Mysterious Case. ge Te The Bra 7 and the Gold Fakirs ; or, Working for the Mint. ‘nea i at Bonanza Bay; or, Working on a Million Dollar 212 The ‘Bradys and the Black Riders; or, The Mysterious Murder at 213 The pot and Senator Slam; or, Working With Washington 214 The Bradys and the Man ‘from Nowhere; or, Their Very Hardest 215 The Bradys and “No. 99"; or, The Search for a Mad Million- 216 sega at Baffin’s Bay ; or, The Trail Which Led to the Arc- Ly eS s and Gim a aay Working a Clew in Chinatown. “The ra ys and the * Men; or, ‘Seeking a Clew on the 219 ba A ect | ned and the Blind whan’ or, Ferretting Out the Wall ree B fand the Black Cat; or, W Among the Card 220 The hog h es ane » Working ng For Sale by All Newsdealers, or will be Sent to Any PRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 221 =. reel and the Texias Oil King; or, Seeking a Clew in the uth we: 222 The Bradys and the Night Hawk; or, New York at Midnight. 223 The Bradys in the Bad Lands; or, Hot work in South Dakota. 224 ane on ag at Breakneck Halli; or, The Mysterious House on the arlem. 225 _ a and the Fire Marshal; or, Hot Work in Horners ville. 226 es oar’ and the Three Sheriffs; or, Doing a Turn in Tes- 227 The yo and the Opium Smugglers; or, A Hot Trail on the Pacific Coast. 228 me aaaye Boomerang; or, Shaking Up the Wall Street Wire appers, 229 The Bradys rv ps? the Rockies; or, Working Away Out West. 230 The Bradys and Ju “a bee vets or, After the Arkansas Terror. 231 The Bradys and the Boys; or, Hustling in the Black Hills. 232 ng Pao and Captain angs; or, The Mystery of a Mississippi eamer, 233 The Bradys in Maiden Lane; or, Tracking the Diamond Crooks. 234 7 go ¥ and Wells-Fargo "Case; or, The Mystery of the Mon- ana Mai 235 The Bradys and Sones Bill”; or, The Crooks of Coon Alley. 236 aRe Bradys at Bushel Bend; or, Smoking Out the Chinese Smug- glers. 237 The Bradys and the Messenger Boy; or, The A. D. T. Mystery. The Great Race-Track 238 7 Nee s and the Wire Gang; or, wwindle. 239 baie it Among the Mormons; or, Secret Work in Salt Lake 240 a Schdye and “Fancy Frank’; or, The Velvet Gang of Flood 241 The Bradys at Battle Cliff; or, Chased Up the Grand Canyon. 242 The Bradys and “Mustang ‘Mike’; or, The Man With the Branded Hand. 243 The Bradys at Gold Hill; or, The Mystery of the Man from Montana. 244 7 predye and Pilgrim Pete; or, The Tough Sports of Terror uw 245 The pete and the Black Eagle Express; or, The Fate of the Frisco Flyer. 246 T’\e Bradys and Hi-Lo-Jak; or, Dark Deeds in Chinatown. 247 Tae Brad ys and the Texas Rangers; or, Rounding up the Green akirs. 248 —a ‘Bradys and “Simple Sue’; or, The Keno Queen of Sawdust 249 bay ge and the Wall Street Wizard; or, the Cash That Did Come. 250 ba Bradys ‘and Cigarette Charlie; or, the Smoothest Crook in e W 251 = ee at Bandit Gulch; or, From Wall Street to the Far est. 252 ah Nl in the Foot-Hills; or, The Blue Band of Hard Luck 253 ~ ey 8 nol Brady the Banker; or, The Secret of the Old anta Fe 254 The Bradys’ Graveyard Clue; or, Dealings With Doctor Death. 255 The Bees and “Lonely Luke”; or, The Hard Gang of Hard- errabble 256 The .-cdys and Tombstone Tom; or, A Hurry Call from Arizona. 257 = Bradys’ Backwoods Trail; or, Landing the Log Rollers ang. 258 me Bradys and “Joe Jinger”; or, The Clew in the Convict Camp. 259 _ Foc at Madman's Roost; or, A Clew from the Golden 260 The se and the Border Band; or, Six Weeks’ Work Along the Line. _ ‘Address on Receipt of Price, 5 Cents per Copy, by 24 Union Siusry, New York. IF you WANT ANY BACK of our libraries, and cannot procure ‘the following Order Blank a a apt a Pi Sete eg POSTAGE STAMPS T. they can be obtained from this office direct. Cut out bani fee of the books you want and we will send them to 70 you by re- THE SAME AS MONEY . DUR aR CE INGGA 5: dg. dane ahve uns vabeches aden me Gulp secs ssk Sa rceetvcsdewosecesesocubscccecenoesseses FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York. se et aia oe ln a ik a ee > Dear Str—Enclosed find...... cents for which please send me: ....copies of WORK AND WIN, No8........ecccesresseeserercecseesnerernnrescee te seeeeeewaneenen nee | eee edad ? “id WILD WEST WEEKLY, NOB... ccc cece cece sees er sr eccnecsteumecseeersesceenererrsesesas ” “ FRANK READE WEEKLY, caiegh AOE aa FLARE GAR OLESEN.
Page 35
SS — : THE STAGE. | No. 41. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK END MEN’S JOKE; 400K.—Containing a great variety of the latest jokes used by the ‘ famous end men. No amateur minstrels is complete without his wonderful little book. = : $ _ Ne. 42. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK STUMP SPBAKER—-| Sontaining a varied assortment of stump speeches, Negro, Dutch end Irish: end men's jokes, Just the thing for home amuse- ment and amateur s hows. No. 45. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK MINSTREL GUIDE! vax JOKE BOOK.—Something new and very instructive. Every ! Sey*should obtain this book, as it contains full instructions for or- ing an amateur minstrel troupe. pic f 0. MULDOON’S JOKES.—This is one of the most original , ‘oke books ever published, and it is brimful of wit and humor. It} ‘om#ains a large collection of songs, jokes, conundrums, etc., of | Terrence Muldoon, the great wit, humorist and practical joker of the day. Every boy who can enjoy a good substantial joke should | ain a copy immediately. a No. 79. HOW TO BECOME AN ACTOR.—Containing com- instructions how to make up for various characters on the | stage; together with the duties of the Stage Manager, Prompter, Seenic Artist and Pro ety Man. By a prominent Stage Manager. No. 80. GUS WILLIA S’ JOKE BOOK.—Containing the lat- “Sst jokes, anecdotes and funny stories of this world-renowned and “ver Jar German comedian. Sixty-four pages; handsome cover containing a half-tpne photo of the author. HOUSEKEEPING. No. 16. HOW TO KEEP A WINDOW GARDEN.— Containing ‘all instructions for constructing a window garden either in town country, and the most approved methods for raising beautiful towers at home. The most complete book of the kind ever pub- _ No. 30. HOW TO COOK.—One of the most instructive books -) i cooking ever published. It contains recipes for cooking meats, Jsh, game and oysters; also pies, puddings, cakes and all kinds of sastry, and a grand collection of recipes by one of our most popular No. 37. HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. It contains information for *verybody, boys, girls, men and women; it will teach you how to asake almost anything around the house, such as parlor ornaments, ‘rackets, cements, Aeolian harps, and bird lime for catching birds. Tr. ELECTRICAL. » No. 46. HOW TO MAKE AND USE ELECTRICITY. A de of the wonderful uses of electricity and electro magnetism ; with full : for making Hlectric Toys, Batteries, . M. M. D. Containing over fifty il- No. 64. HOW TO MAKE ELECTRICAL MACHINES.—Con- full jons for making electrical machines, induction and many novel toys to be worked by electricity. R. Bennett. Full ie A ord ¢ * es illust: ee SAL moe Omg ve an re. ‘ogether with illustrations. By A. ye arene io i se ee DS ENTERTAINMENT. a 9. HOW TO BECOME A VENTRI UIST. By Harry 2 The secret given away. Every intelligent boy reading fe instructions, by a practical professor (delighting multi- : night with his wonderful imitations), can master the i : amount of fun for himself and friends. It is the there’s millions (of = in it. eda (a just pd AN pws : G PA A es bes : : ublished, complete com um Sports, card diversions, comic recitations, ete., Meaitable or or room entertainment. It contains more for the D 1 ‘TO pry GAMES.—A complete and useful little the rales and 7 gbaiaas billiards, telle, )’ SOLVE RUMS.—Containing all mas of the day, amusing riddles, carious catches S.—A com and handy little for ng Euchre, Crib- ho, Draw Poker, other lar games of cards. .—Containi hi a ice itn over eH A. Anderson. QUETTE. BOOK OF ETIQUETTE.—It é young man desires to know pret wee the rules and eti- balls, the theatre, chu rch —— ee No. 31. HOW TO BECOME A SPEAKER.—-Containing four teen illustrations, giving the different positions requisite to become” a good speaker, reader and elocutionist. Also containing gems from all the popular authors of prose and poetry, arranged in the most simple and concise manner possible. No. 49. HOW TO DEBATE.—Giving rules for conducting dw bates, outlines for debates, questions for discussion, and the best sources for procuring information en the questions given. SOCIETY. No. 3. HOW TO FLIRT.—The arts and wiles of flirtation are fully explained by this little book. Besides the various methods of handkerchief, fan, glove, parasol, window and hat flirtation, it con tains a full list of the language and sentiment of flowers, which & interesting to everybody, both old and young. You cannot be happy | without one. No. 4. HOW TO DANCE is the title of a new and handsom+ little book just issued by Frank Tousey. It contains full instrae tions in the art of dancing, etiquette in the ballroom and at parties. ge! to dress, and ful! directions for calling off in all popular squag dances No. 5. HOW TO MAKE LOVE.—A complete guide to loys courtship and marriage, giving sensible advice, rules and etiquetk to be observed, with many curious and interesting things not ges erally known. No. 17. HOW ‘TO DRESS.—Containing full instruction in tx art of dressing and appearing well at home and abroad, giving tt: selections of colors, material, and how to have them made up. No. 18. HOW TO BECOME BEAUTIFUL.—One of t& brightest and most valuable little books ever given to the weri¢ Everybody wishes to know how to become beautiful, both male ané female. he secret is simple, and almost costless. Read this boo! and be convinced how to become beautiful. BIRDS AND ANIMALS. No. 7. HOW TO KEEP BIRDS.—Handsomely illustrated am containing full instructions for the management and training of th’ canary, mockingbird, bobolink, blackbird, pa uet, parrot, ete. No. 39. HOW TO RAISE DOGS, POULTRY, PIGEONS AN® RABBITS.—A useful and instructive book. Handsomely illus trated. By Ira Drofraw. ; No. 40. HOW TO MAKE AND SET TRAPS.—Including hint» on how to catch moles, weasels, otter, rats, squirrels and birds Also how to cure skins. Copiously illustrated. By J. Harringtow* Keene. No, 50. HOW TO STUFF BIRDS AND. ANIMALS.—A vain able Sook, giving instructions in collecting, preparing, mounting. and preserving birds, animals and insects. No. 54. HOW TO KEEP AND MANAGBD PETS.—Giving com : plete information as to the manner and method of raising, keeping, taming, b ing and managing all kinds of pets; also giving fail instructions for makin es, etc. Fully explained b: Magee nd the kia? eight pri ed gz making it the most cemplete book o ever publish : _ MISCELLANEOUS. No. 8. HOW TU BECOME A SCIENTIST.—A useful and is: structive book, giving a complete treatise on chemistry; also ew: periments in acoustics, mechanics, mathematics, chemistry, an? directions for making fireworks, colored fires and gas balloons. This book cannot be equaled. No. 14. HOW TO MAKE CANDY.—A complete handbook fv making all kinds of a ice cream, arrups. essences, etc. etc. No. 19. FRANK TOUSEY’S UNITED STATES DISTANO® TABLES, POCKET COMPANION AND GUIDE.—Giving the official distances on all the railroads of the United States amé Canada. Also table of distances by water to foreign ports, hac: fares in the principal cities, reports of the census, etc., etc., makin: it one of the most complete and handy books published. No. 38. HOW TO BECOME YOUR OWN DOCTOR.—A won derful book, containing useful and practical information in the treatment of ordinary d and ailments common to every oe Abounding io useful and effective recipes for general com plain . No. 55. HOW TO COLLECT STAMPS AND COINS.—Gow taining valuable information regarding the collecting and arranging of ag: and coins. Handsomely illustrated. No. HOW TO BE A D CTIVE.—By Old King tien the world-known detective. In which he lays «An some valuab and sensible rules for beginners, and aiso relates some adventures and experiance of well-known detectives. , No. 60, W TO BECOME A PHOTOGRAPHER.—Contain- ing useful information regarding the Camera and how to work it; also how to make phic Magic Lantern Slides and other Transparencies. ly illustrated. By Captain W. De W Abney. No. 62. HOW TO BECOME A WEST POINT MILIT CADET.—Containing full explanations how to gain ie amr course of Study, Examinations, Duties, Staff of Officers, Post Guard, Police Regulations, Department, and all should know to be a Cadet. Compile and written by La gett oe ET. ; admission to the oe and Rin int gia Sra ggree hing a bey Serre stk hatha oe thoes Ya the Tadked Becca: . Gea. Sr aa ereerens, sate a How peig! Bian . 3 FOR 2 CENTS.
Page 36
PLUCK AND BUexk. CONTAINS ALL SORTS OF STORIES. EVERY STORY COMPLETE. 32 PAGES. BEAUTIFULLY COLORED COVERS. PRICE 5 CENTS. LATEST ISSUES: : Jack Wright and His Electric Torpedo Ram: or. The Sunken , 22 Jack Wright and His Electric Deers; or, Fighting the Bandits of City of the Atlantic. By “Noname.” the Black Hills. By ‘Noname.” 263 The Rival Schools; or, Fighting for the Championship. By 223 At 12 o'clock; or, The Mystery of the Lighthouse. A Story of the Allyn Draper. Revolution. By Gen. Jas. A. Gordon. 264 Jack Reef. the Boy Captain; or, Adventures on the Ocean. By - 224 The Rival Boat Clubs: or, The Boss School at Beechwood. By ‘ Allyn Draper. 235 The Hannted House on the Hudson; or, the Smugglers of the Sonnd. By Jas. C. Merritt. 226 Jack Wright and His l’rairie Engine, or Among the Bushmen of t Australia. By “Noname.” 237 A Million at 20; or, Fighting His Way in Wall Street. By H. K. Shackleford. 228 Hook and Ladder No. 2. By Ex-Fire Chief Warden. 229 On Deck; or, The Boy Pilot of Lake Erie. By Allyn Draper. 230 Locomotive Fred: or, Life on the Railroad. By Jas. C. Merritt. 231 Jack Wright and His EB lectric Air Schooner ; or, The Mystery of a Magie Mine. By ‘“‘Noname.” Vhiladelphia Phil; or, From a Bootblack to a Merchant. By How- ard Austin. 259 Custer’s Last Shot; or, The Boy Trailer of the Little Horn. By An Old Seout. 224 The Rival Rangers; or, The Sons of Freedom. By Gen. Jas. A. Gordon. 255 Old Sixty-Nine; or, “he Prince of Engineers. By Jas, C. Merritt. | 236 Among the Fire-W orshippers; or, Two New York Boys in Mexico. By Howard Austin. 247 Jack Wright and his Electric Sea Motor; or, The Search for a Drifting Wreck. By ‘“‘Noname.” 235 Twenty Years on an Island; or, The Story of a Castaway. By Capt. Thos. H. Wilson. : 228 Colorado Carl: or, The King of the Saddle. By An Old Scout. 240 Hook and Ladder Jack, the Daring Young Fireman. By Ex-Fire arden ore ¥ . Black ; 5 241 Ice-Bound; or, Among the Floes. rh Berton Bertrew. +19) 2 cimeiere wa. cee ble oo wlale, < els.c 2 »\t\9 5 +6 Sse a . ; « ~« THE LIBERTY BOYS OF 76; Nos.......-+-..------scneer cer rcsereecssrsceceesemecome ss ie “ & Ten-Cent Hand Books, Nos.....-..c.-seceeceececorsceeereeeecmesnbrsrssceregececne reas: . Er I BE OR and dae SERA eats Scabiraebe A? creamer 6 SS Ace ill alia ho. 5 ee Ere eee