ll __ _‘< \ lMHHM _ ‘fifimmmMMmmmmMEmflmmmmwfil. ' o Entered at the Post Omce at New York. N. Y.. at Second Class Mall Rates. Copyright. 1887. by Emma AND Anus. March 8. 18.37. $2.50 a. Year. Vol. XX. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. PUBLISHED \VEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS Price, 5 Cents. V ,A The flctupus Legging of New York ‘\ \_ , . 1 l » L‘ \ Q “to!” Ixcunmn man nor. “ you ARE TO wax um surname on NEW You was m we: mom or an.” I l BY T. C. HARBAUGH, AUTHOR or "er1: mx,” “TEXAS mmr.‘ “mm. nun,” “ CITY swarms,” mm, 110., no. CHAPTER I. . THE MANACLE‘D wms'r. IN one of the nooks of Union Square not pene- , trated by the electric light, a man occupied a settee alone. He had come directly to it from the busy streets beyond, as if he knew just where to find it, and when he had seated himself he lighted o ci and began to smoke. I: was one of the rarest nights of m summer, and the park was filled with ondloungers of both sexes. Intheshequ 2 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. " the trees the settees were occupied by young people with a single exception, and this was the one where the silent smoker sat alone—shunned, as it seemed, by everybody. If an person had noticed him particularly ' it would ave been seen that he did not dis lay his. right hand, and that the sleeve on that s do was pulled well down. And if the inspecter could have raised the sleeve, he would have seen a band of steel about the wrist. It was a broken manacle! , Whether the man had but recently escaped from justice or not, he did not look much like a hunted person nor did he try to avoid the looks peo is cast at him as the strolled by. e might have been ty, thou h the pair of dark eyes that shone in his hea possessed the gleams of youth. His face was covered with a short beard, and his clothes were good, though thgy had seen a good deal of service. ith his left arm thrown carelessly over the back of the park settee, and the right one hang- ing at his Side with the band out of sight, the man enjoyed his cigar and watched. His eyes were constantly on the alert. He d d not seem to notice the ple who came along, but for all his apparent Indifference toward them, he saw every one with a hawk’s Vision. Once when a liceman came eby he started all htly, and his right arm seem to hu his si e closer without effort, but it was only or a moment, for the night-watch was soon out of si ht. 5‘ Why don’t he come?” muttered the man at last. “ He said he would be here by nine o’clock, and it has just struck. I ut depend- ence in him, and he knows it. 6 must not fail me.” At that moment a boy came along—a boy about sewnteen, with a good physique and a handsome face. His eyes were b ack like the man’s and his Step was quick and airy. “ Ah! on time!’ ejaculated the occupant of the settee as he caught sight of the boy, and the next moment the 1a was at his side. “ What kept you?" asked the man. “ It is just nine.” ' “ It struck three minutes ago, and three min- utes are three years to me, you know.” The boy smi ed in the speaker’s face. “ Well, never mind that,” laughed the smoker. “ You are here, and that is good. What have you to report?” “ Not. much.” “ Have you seen Olive!” “Not since yesterday." “ And the Octopus—what of it!” “ Oh!” cried the boy, clinching his hands, “ it is still at work.” “ It will always be at work ” exclaimed the man, bitterl . “It will suck the blood of new victims wh e the old ones remain powerless. Here! touch in _ wrist, boy,” and the man lifted his right , “Ah! that is the muscle of crime; that steel band is the one the law put on at the heck of the Octopus, the most villainous league that ever cursed any city. I steal from my hiding-place to meet you here. I dare. not stand in he 'lamplight three minutes. I dare not back to in own—you. know why. And all t 6 while the chfipus goes on. The police a e powerless; the ulberry street detectives look for me, the League’s victim, while they continueto let the I draw in its victims. Is this never to end? m I. to die in the dark, . driven to death with this muscle at my wrist?" “ No!” exclaimed the boy. “ You are to walk (til: stree” ts of New York fearless in the light of y. “ Ah, Ben, that ise'good prophecy, but I fear it can never be fulfill .” a The boy flushed to the temples. “ I thought you were gomg to trust me,” he half-rebuked. , " So I am! so I am!” was the answer; “ but I get impatient. I want to be a man once more. want to see the Octopus broken up. When will on report again?” “ o-morrow night.” _ f.‘ Here, of course,'if the weather is good; if it is not, at my den. Remember.” “ I will not forget.” ' “Be swift, be careful! More than life is at stake. You have all the qualities of a good de- tective, boy. And then you have a personal in— gest in this deep, dark, puzzle of the mighty VI never forget that,” averred the boy. ‘.‘ My hints devoted to this case. I have sworn it against the Octopus, whose. hand I felt years, 0% for I believe that it was the Octopus League branded me on the shoulder.” ' A strange smile came to the man’s counte- nance. " Ah! who knows!" he exclaimed. All at once he sprun to his feet and appeared about to break away 11 e a startled stag. - “To-morrow night! remember!” he said in a low tone; then he touched the boy’s hand and walked away. Ben not onl watched the man, but followed him beyond t e limits of the Square. . He saw that he avoided the light as much as possible and that when he struck Fourth avenue he kept in the shadow of the build- ings till he turned into the Bowery. All the time the boy was at his heels, and al- though the man walked rapidly through the Bowery with its motley crowds, the oung sleuth kept him in sight until he turned into a by—street which was alm0st dark. Even here the boy ferret did not leave the man, but continued to track him until he darted down into a basement door and suddenly disap- red. The man with the manacle was at home again! Then Ben turned back with a satisfied smile on his lips. “I don’t wonder that he gets im tient!" mused the lad. “I wonder that he an mits as he does: but there are the courts—and the merciless judges! He has been through the mill and has a horror of it. He knows that the Octopus of New York has fastened its infamous suckers on his life, and he fears its wer. And I am expected to break it u 1—; ,a ho who was branded in the cradle, b be chief 0 some league! I don’t know what can do till I try!” and the boy laughed as he darted across the street. “ Hello! my youn Bedouin!” exclaimed a voice as Ben struck t e sidewalk again. “ Fish me a match from your pocket. I want a light!” The boy looked up and found himself face to face with a man of thirty, tall, well dressed and handsome, though rather dandyish in appear- ance. He was holdin an unlighted cigar between his fingers while 0 waited for the match he had demanded. . “I know you, Mr. Joe Jolly!” mentally ex- claimed Ben as he furnished the match. “ So a %rt of the Octopus is out airing itself, eh? hat fetches you down the Bowery at this hour? I’d like to know. New kids on, too! Oh, in fine rascal! I’d .like to walk you into Capta n Williams’s presence and astomsh him with a recital of your deeds! The time Will come, though, or I’m not Branded Ben!” In the mean time the man. Joe Jolly, had lighted his cigar, and handed Ben a quarter for the favor. he had exten . I. The young night ferret did not hesitate to ac- cept the piece, and the next moment the dandy was walking away. . “ I wonder who. hard work earned this quar- ter?” queried Ben, as he slipped the coin into his ket. “ You’re very liberal with your wealth. oe Jolly! oufve seen the time when a uarter looked as big as the clock in City Hall uare; but now in patent-leathers and kids l-— Oho! what a time on are having!” It seemed t at Ben could not resist the tempta- tion to follow the man he had run across so un- ex 1%, and before Mr. Joe Jolly had passed on of sig t, the ferret was-at his heels. v If the man had any particular destination in view, he did not show any haste, for he stu'ollod leiéurely along, much to Branded Ben’s dia- gust. . . -V All at once the boy lost sight of Joe J 011 fora minute, and when he saw him again, 10! e had a companion, and not a4 chance \yacquaintance either. , . of ming‘ ‘ led pleasure and sur- An ejaculatigmboyy 1 r1" esca t p 36 Fed e 8 meet Major Bullion read to encounter an . “ I in: their“ ere : ut - _ . kind, of surprises,” lap bed the Ni ht Ferre . “What! are you \ for a talk? It‘s all the Octopus family. ri htin!”" .' ~ ,‘ , . 6 two men, watched by the boy, turned to- ward theppen door of onerof the concert saloons that infest the Bowery, and went in. The next instant the young shadower had fol- lowed them. ‘ . g F, . A'thickcloud, of cigar smoke hun above the seam, and! tables of the place. an almost ob. soured the stage at one end of the room. Joe Jolly'and his friend. who was a fine-look- ing middle-aged man with a full face and a heavy mustache, dropped upon a couple of chairs“ at one of the tables, while the boy slid int) adept near by, half—hidden by the table. gang into Baby ’8 V “Well, Joseph, no claw yeti” began the big man. . “No; but he is in the city.” I “ I’d like to have proof,’ was the reply. “ If he is here he is in hiding; he dare not show his head above the surface.‘ The girl knows noth- {g‘gngbqut him, but you have that matter in your 8 Joe Jolly smiled, and threatened to break into a laugh. “Shedon’t tell me every thing, you know!” he protested. “ No, but you ought to know something. When did you see her?” “ Night before last.” (6 Well?” I ‘ ' “She told me that she, had seen enough of Jose h Jolly.” “ 0! You went a little too fast!" exclaimed Major Bullion with a frown. “ But now about the other scheme. The plans are completed, and the Octopus—” . At this moment Ben heard a step behind him and the next minute a heavy hand dropped upon his shoulder. ‘ “See here! You’re eavesdroppin i We don’t allow it! Get out!” and the hand 0 the speaker lifted him out of the chair. " . The next moment the boy was on the Side- walk, ejected by Baby Bell, the proprietor of the place. __ CHAPTER II. E A n D r o n E A 'r . , “THAT'S a sudden discharge!” exclaimed Branded Ben when he got his breath on the sidewalk in front of the concert hall. His ejectment had been performed without ceremon , and he seemed to feel the impress of Bab Be l’s flu ers in his flesh. “ aby ” Bel was a sarcastic misnomer, for its possessor was a veritable giant, with hands like a ugilist’s, and with a strcn h like a lion’s. 8 attended in person to al disturb- ances in his place, and his frequent interference had had a quieting effect. Nobody wanted Baby Bell to ay hands on them, for very often those hands were clinched and “ 1] 1y.” Branded Ben, the b0 ferret, ha been carried from the place almost fore he knew what was up, and the giant proprietor had left him on the sidewalk wit out a word. In the house the ho heard the orchestra in one of its wildest flig ts, and now and then an outburst of laughter from one of the patrons; but he knew better than to tempt the anger. of Baby Bell b going back. He wonder if Major Bullion and Joe Jolly had resumed their conversation which had 'ust reached a very important point for him w en the ejectment took lace.. Fortunatel for en’s feelings nobody of any consequence ad witnessed his misfortune. Two or three street loafers were hanging around in front of the “ ball” when the toy came out in the gri of Baby Bell; and they laughed at the si ht ;' ut Ben did not care for them. 9 wanted to see what became of the two con- federates inside, hut, above all. he wanted to hear something about that new scheme which Major Bullion intended to unfold. Unfor- tunately there was no way for him toattain his-desires. ' “We'll et even for your freshnem Baby Bell!" deci ed Ben, as he walked down the street ; a few paces and then halted. “The Qctopus is having a night session in your establishment, and you have seen fit to roiect it, One of these days, my Bowery gian . I’ll recall this lit- tle incident, and to your (1 leasure.” ,' For more than an hour eboy detective oc- cupied a rather secluded '5 011 the Fldwalk and watched the entrance Baby Bell’s place. He saw everybody who conic in and went out‘ an that time; but neither Major Bulllbn nor oe Joll ared. ‘ ’ as if” 19 that the two men had m. inanedsolong! - .. ‘ , “Hello! what are you Piping DOW? sudden— ly cried a voice at the boy’s elbow, and he turned. to see the “Gd-bummed countenance d km; 9 es of a boy of his own size. , anBefipagavegutgarance to an, exclamation of pleasure. .: . , . ' ~ I on ever been fired out of Bab Mlgfivgazsked, clutching the youth’s arm. y “Nevfir.” H We ‘. came 'qu‘t e a ramrod. fired from a cannon, and all because I was listening to a little eon,- versation between two men.” , u Ho! nothing more!” laughed Ben‘s company loI'l‘he young detective shook his head. ‘9‘ Ighave, and jUSt awhile ago too. I V -_ -:Ds ... e _ .( '.l"='_.’:.r‘ Psi: Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. V I A 3 - “ Dick,” he went on, “ I want some informa- tion from toe seat of war. I want to know whether the ele ant Joe Jolly, or another man called Major ullion, though that is not his name, is in there. You know Joseph?” “ You bet I do!” was the answer. “ But not the major?” “ Not the major, or not by that handle.” “ Well. he is a big man with a pom us mus- tache which does him honor,” smiled n. “ If Joe Jolly is in there, the major isn’t far away. Go in and see.” The young detective‘s spy moved away with eagerness, and Branded Ben began to wait for his reappearance. " Not in there,” suddenly re rted the spy at the end of fivo minutes. ‘Ba y Bell even isn't on hand. The Night Ferret started. “ The didn’t come out by the front door!” he decla . “Not if they thou ht you were on the watch. They are not in Be. y Bell’s place, and I heard the man in charge tell one of the proprietor’s special friends that he wou.d not be back again to-nilggit” “ e Octopus is spreading its feelers!” the young detective decided at oncc and having banked his frien for his help, he turned his back to Baby Bel ’s establishment and walked awa . “ I’ll make another effort to find them!” he resolved. “Something cunning is in the wind. I haven’t been on the trail of the Octopus Lea 8 all these weeks for nothin . I know a ew things pretty well. I have discovered one of the monster’s feeding-grounds.” The next moment Ben was walking rapidly down the Bowery. He kept on till he reached Brooms street, where he turned west and pro- ceeded to Baxter. “ I’m tting quite near!” he smiled to him- self. “ 1 my fine lot! if you thought that Branded Ben could not find one of your haunts, you have deceived yourselves.” Five minutes later the boy ferret darted into a dark alley and glided along a wall almost as noiseless as a cat. ’ a He could barel see his hand before his face, but after awhile e reached the li ht of a gas- jct that burned in a globe above a ( oor. Almost directly opposite the light was a door sunk in the wal o a brick house that did not seem to be inhabited. Ben knocked three times on this door near the bottom of it, and shortly afterward it was open- ed, and he bounded in. The door had apparently ned without hu- man help, for nobod greemhe caller. He was in a short lway at the end of which a lamp occupied a bracket, and proceeding to it the detective found another door, which he 0 . I)‘tzrlt is me, Mordecai,” he announced, ap reach- ing a man who sat at a little bench with is eyes shadyed, and under them the peculiar features of ew. The man was very old, but his eyes, deeply sunken and dark, were very bright. The work- bench before him was covered with small steel tools of every description and others, nippers and the like, ’were arranged along the wall back of the bench. Ben knew that the strange force which had fined the front door was operated by a little 1 bar under the old Jew’s feet. “ Vell, vat is it, mine fr’entr' asked Mordecai —“ Prince” Mordecai he was called by certain le—as he turned the battery of his peculiar eyes upon the boy who stood beside him. “ I want to know if certain people are at home," answered Ben. The old man started and then laid down the elegant diamond cluster pin he was working on when the boy detective came in. “ Vat you wants to know for, ell?” he exclaim- ed. ;‘ you keeps on you’ll spoil all mine peez- ness. “But I’ll make on richer than they 79,. can i” was the answgr. “ Hold on, Mordecaii 1 don’t want to force you to do anything. You guess I ' a“), keep your seat if you want to. .' can go another Wtiy." - _ ” . u o, mine boy; vas only jokmgl cried the ‘ We v 91d Jew, slipping from the 0 air. in see 01 dey peeze at home shoost now.” Ben could not-suppress a smile as he saw the old man shufle across the room. Prince Mordecai was one of the strange char- acters 0" New York. Long before the opening 0‘ 0111‘ story he had gained a reputation for lap - dary work. Which had made him famous in a certain wa . y .. Whenever an adroit thief secured a fine pin or . the ceiling“ d bracelet, which was certain to be recognized on si ht, he carried it to Prince Mordecai, who 8.] red it in a manner that render it saleable. This was the old J ew’s trade. He had carried it on in another quarter of New York until the police were about to fasten on him, then he had suddenly disap ared, and was lost as if the waters of the gay had received him in their depths. t is not our duty just ‘now to inform the reader how Ben formed an acquaintance with the Jew, onor why his knock was the Open sesame to the secret and mysterious quarters of the old lapidary. ’ Branded Ben watched him ea rly whenever he went to the place. The rk little eyes snapped treacherously, and the boy detective sometimes felt uneasy in Prince Mordecai’s workshop, but he had a hold on the old fellow which he thought would prevent him from serv- in him any shabby tricks. i n the resent occasion Mordecai seemed dis- posed to p ay fair, for he 0 ned a narrow door at one end of the room an signaled Ben with a look to follow him. They entered a room which was quite dark, but the Jew found a stairway, up which be con- ducted Ben to a lon hall, also without light. At the end of this all there was another stair, and in a small room at the head of it a heavy ladder leading to a trap-door in the ceiling. “ Now, mine fr‘ent, yo shoost wait for Mor- decai,” remarked the J w, and Ben saw him mount the ladder with the agility of a young man. He disappeared in the hall above, but at the end of a few minutes he came back with spider- webs clinging in long filmy threads to his clothes. “ Day peze at home,” announced the Jew with a twin le in his eyes. “ How man i" asked Branded Ben. Prince Mo ecai held up three fingers slightly se ated. e boy detective leaned against the wall and drew his shoes. “ You can 0 back to the bench,” he remarked to the Jew. ‘ I am able to attend to this little business.” ' “ You moost not alarm them!” warned Prince Mordecai, g ing Ben’s arm. “ I value my ife too highly for that!” was the quick response, and slipping from the old man’s grasp Branded Ben sprung nimny up the ladder and disappeared. Old Mordecai looked at the opening for a mo- ment, and then, with a sinister smile and a shake of the head, turned back to his workshop, two stories below. , The boy Night Ferret found himself in aloft among spider webs and other of the usual fea- tures of a place of the kind. A wide board stretched before him in the darkness, and he crept along it without noise. The distance seemed endless, but at length Ben halted over a spot which could not have been in the J ew’s house. ' Beneath him was a streak of light, and the New York ferret stooped and put his e es to it. “ Aha! I’ve run them down for a l” he ex- claimed. “ The Octopus may be shrewd, but some of its haunts are known.” _ Ben was lookin down into a room well- aglfited and supplied with several chairs and a e. The place had three tenants at the time and the boy ferret’s eyes snapped as he named them to himself. ' Major Bullion, Joe Jolly and Baby Bell! CHAPTER III. ’ ran woaxmos or A Poor. . Busnnn Bax had found the trio again. As he lay at full length on the board in the darkness of the old garret he had the crack in irectly under his eye, and it was large enough to let him see the whole room be- low. After looking awhile he discovered a small box at the side of Major Bullion’s chair, and in one corner of the room stood a tinner’s portable furnace, in which were a lot of live mil 5. “What are these fellows [up to new?" ejacu‘ lated the boy ferret. “ That box and the little furnace mean something. They intend to inau- Eurate or complete a villainous scheme of some ind. I will see what it is.” _ The next moment Major Bullion leanedback in his chair and picked up the box. “I guess We’re ready for the work.” be ex- claimed with a look at Joe Jolly. “ You mu fetch htm in.” u , The young dandy instantly sprung up and left the room while Major Bullion leaned toward Bab Bell with his cunning eyes atwinkle. " ' is the best play the Octopus has ever made!” he laughed. “ That is, the, stakes are the biggest, though it takes some good playing. We’ve fallen afoul of the right victim. See what nice work I had done!” and he opened the box on the table and took out a singular-looking bit of iron which he fastened on to the end of a little steel rod. His next move was across the room to the fire in one corner, and Branded Ben saw him thrust the rod and its fixture among the coals. “ I guess I’ll have to do the work,” he went on, coming back to Baby Bell at the table. “ Joe’s hands are too tender for this kind of a job. He would flinch just when we want a steady nerve.” Five minutes later Joe Jolly reappeared ac- companied by a youth who was astrangertothe watching Ben. He was good—looking and well-built, and his eyes were bright and expressive. Major Bullion greeted the boy with an excla- mation of pleasure, and shook him cordially by the hand as he came forward. “ You know what you are here for?” asked the major. The youth nodded. “We can make you eve ing.” “ ow rich?” asked the boy, eagerly. The three men smiled at the question. rich if you submitto “ Richer than you ever expected to t,” was the anSWer. “ e want you to beN olan no lon er. You lose that name. to;night. ‘ Can’t I ever claim it again? “Perhaps not.” The boy seemed to hesitate, and Ben thought he saw him shrink from the table. . “ Oh, yes, some timwr-other, you can go back to your name,” continued the major, with a glance at Joe Jolly and the Baby. “ But as long as ou’re in our employ you can’t be Ned Nolan. e will give you full instruc- tions when we see fit. Are you ready?” “ Yes,” responded the boy with more promptio tude than the young detectiVe expected. I “ Then take off your coat.” A sudden pallor seemed to sweep over the youth’s countenance, for his eyes had caught sight of the little furnace where the object at the end of the steel rod was red-hot. But shutting his teeth'hard as if he had resolv- ed to go through with the ordeal, whatever it was, he took off his coat and waited for further orders. “ We have got to mark you in such a manner that it will make you a certain person in the eyes of the law,” Major Bullion declared. “ In other, words, we have tobrand you with a hot iron. The boy started with a ligllit cry which the words seemed to wring from 'm despite his re- solves. “ The in will be momentary,” suggested Baby Be acrom the table. “ You see, we can’t succeed without branding you. Everything de- pends on the brand.” “ Go ahead !” The he spoke the two words through his teeth]; an Joe J olly brought the furnace for- war . “ You are not going to disfigure me, I h f” Ned Nolan asked with a smile. ope “ We wouldn’t do that for the world!” laughed Ma or Bullion. “ We are only going to put a lit e brand between your shoulders. Ah! here we are. Do on want to be blindfolded!” The boy’s gore seemed to straighten an inch. “ No!” he exclaimed, and then he laughed, though his teeth seemed to chatter. During the next minute J09 J01 's nimble fingers were occupied in removing ymith’s shirt so as to display the fair white skin between his shoulders. It was a sac to mar it at all, and the boy in the loft, who knew that he was branded for life felt like disturbing the trio with a loud shout. , ' “ Steady. now P” cried Major Bullion, as he took the branding-iron from the fire and motionv ed to his conmamons to seize the boy and hold him fast, “ We’ll be through in asecond. Iam going at it now.” V The next moment the big villain stepped to- ward the boy whose flesh was at his mercy, and all at oncet e red-hot iron was thrust forward! The next second Ned Nolan started forward with a wild cry, which was cut short by Baby Bell’s hand at his mouth. and the disgusting odor of burned flesh came up to the unseen witnem of the terrible scene! _ ~ ‘ TherewaSnotavestigecfcolormthefaee of v} the branded boy; and he hung like a dead per- Son in the hands of the two men. “ It is a splendid job!” ejaculated Major Bull- ion as he snatched a moistened rag from the box and ap lied it to the wound. “This little play is wort a cool himdred thousand. Ah! the boy has fainted. Take him back, Joseph. He’ll be all right in a few days.” Joe Jolly had to carry the youth from the room, while Major Bullion cooled the branding- iron and made everything snug again. There was a. triumphant Icok in theman’s eyes and he grinned whenever he encountered Baby Bell’s gaze. " Now, if Joe gets on well with the course he will despite the rebuff he tal ed about tonight, the Octo us will score two victories in- stead of onel” smi ed the major. “By to-mor- row night we will have some kind of a report from our sleuth-hound concerning the missing felon. We must find that man, Baby.” The proprietor of the Bowery Concert hall nodded assent. “ He is somewhere in the city, for I am certain he came back here, after his escape. Olive does not know anything about him, so Joe says: but he must be found! ’ By this time the little box and the furnace had been stored awa in a secret cupboard in the wall, and Major ullion was coming back to the table when Joe Jolly reappeared. The dandy had something important to com- municate; his looks shower this. “The Lynx is back!" he said with a grin on his face. - “ Before his time, too!” added Major Bullion. “Show him in, Joseph!” Joe Jolly ste ped to the door and admitted it man, Who took off his hat as he entered the presence of the two rascals at the tablc. “ You were not required to report till to-iiior- row night,” exclaimed Major Bullion. A smile instantly covered the visitor’s face. “ I can keep my report then,” he grinned. “ If you don’t want it now—” “Oh, we’ll take it any time!” was the inter- riintion. Ben could not take his eyes from this man called the Lynx. He did not appear to weigh one hundred pounds; his face was a dirtv parchment color devou‘l of any adornment. is body was slim and without an ounce of surplus flesh upon it. On the to of his head was a bald spot which glistened 1i e a polished dollar. His eyes, too, had a vivid glitter, and were black and restless. His ears Were too large for his head, and, alto- fiether, he was a person calculated to make a be older smile. But Ben could see that he was a shrewd per- son. and his manners told the boy ferret that he had entire cont 0! of himself. , When Major Bullion intermpted the Lynx to say that lmwould take his report at any time, the L nx vanced a step as he said: “I ave found him I". “Daphne Corson?” cried Major Bullion. “Yes, Cephas Corson!” “ Thank the fates! ICI'OSS him?” “ ln Union Square.” “ When i” “ To-night l” " “Go on, Mr. L . Tellus all about it. Ah! we are out of t e woods byrzzur work! You have found Cephas Carson! t means liberty and millions to us!” The Lynx did not stir. He waited quietly till the ma r concluded his .‘atulations. “ I foun im on abenc in the park.” he said. “ At rst he was alone, but by-and-by he had a companion.” ‘ “ Who was he?” “A by who is sometimes called Branded Ben on ulherry street.” “ Apolice spy!” exclaimed Major Bullion. “An inde ent ferret. Just the kind 1 want towor l” and the Lynx smiled. “ Well, we’ll leave the boy to you,” replied irl, as of Where did. you run [Major Bullion. “Did you follow the man has" .. :: adyou know wherehelivesl” “Therecan be no coca Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. “But he didn’t catch me!” was the quick re-‘ sponse. “When can we get him?” asked Major Bul- ion seriously. “ At any time! He meets the boy shadow in the ark tomorrow night.” “ 0, he doesn’t!” mentally e'aculated Ben. “To-morrow night, then! his time the law will leave no door ajar for him! By Jove, Mr. Lynx, you deserve to be crowned king of spotters 1” Ten minutes later the room was dark and Ben went back to the ladder. He had seen and heard enough for one night, and what a revelation it had been! “Is the Octo us to prove more than my match?” he cried: “Ah! we shall seel” CHAPTER IV. JOE JOLLY SCORES A POINT. ABOUT an hour after the occurrence of these events a young girl who occupied a second floor room on one of the quietest streets that lead off from the Bowery, was summoned to her door by a knock. Tripping lightly across the room with a. smile on her face as if she expected to reet some one who would be Welcome, she open the door to see a man who was already bowing with his hat in his hand. At once a look of aversion came to the girl’s eyes. “ I beg your pardon. Olive,” began the man who was our acquaintance, Joe Jolly of the Octopus League. “'I can not remain awa de- spite your rather cold Words; but this time am here pn a matter of business which may concern you.’ . The fair ci‘cnturc started slightly and seemed to wonder what kind of business could bring Joe J olly to her humble lodgings at that hour. “ Walk in.” she replied. “But I must say now, Mr. Jolly, that our last conversation can- not be, resumed.” A sinister smile played at the corners of the young man’s mouth and under the glossy hairs of his dark mustache; and the next moment he had accepted the girl's invitation and was in the room. In a.little while Joe Jolly had taken a chair and crossed his legs. , Olive was not far away, nc'ar a neat sewing table, and her manner told him that she was waiting for him to begin the business of which he had s ken. “By ovel she gets prettier each time I see her!” mentally ejaculated the dudish rascal. “When she is twenty, she’ll be the handsomest woman in New York! She doesn’t know what she‘s worth either, and we’ll take care that she shall not till the Octopus is ready to rake in the stakes.” . Then Joe Jolly cleared his throat and threw a bland smile toward the girl. “I happened to stumble u ii an advertise- ment which may refer to you, he began, diving a hand into an inner pocket and fishing up a small memorandum-book. “ Indeed. I may say that, after a casual investigation, I believe it does concern you.” V The fellow was hunting for something in the book while he Spoke, and Olive’s eyes were bestowing on him a good deal of attention. At last he found a slip of paper which had once been a part of a newspaper column, and when he had glanced ovor it as if to assure himself that it was all right, he leaned forward and handed it to the girl. The following moment Olive read as follows: “ Olive (3-——- of 211 B street. Danger threatens your best friend.and good luck- awaits you it matters are handled by an experienced person. Do not trust on thin to a boy. but answer this in rson. or put in t e hands of a man who is will- ng to serve you." ‘ The advertisement ended without any address, though the girl could seethat it had not been published in that shape. She looked up at Joe Jolly and found him look- afway as if he thought she had not read the 0 paper. " There is no address.” she remarked in amon- ner that brought the young man back to the sub- “ Ah. no—none now.” he exolnimed. “ In cut- ting it from the pager I accidentally ruined the address. but that d not prevent me from doing you a little favor.” “Then you know who sent the ‘personal’ to e— . " The Herald 1” ejaculated Joe. “ Yes I made it a point tonne what was in this matter. “ And you found the party!" i Olive unconscious! y exhibited an eagerness that: made Joe Jolly’s eyes sparkle. “ I thought I could put up a brave job!” he: exclaimed. “ I’m no c ump if I do wear kids- and smoke five-cent cigars. I’ve got the fly in the net almost before it has been spread.” “ I found the party,” he replied to Olive’s eager question, and his eyes fell upon the paper still ‘ held by the girl. “ I must say, Olive, that there is a nod deal in it.” “ t really means me, then?" “ it was meant for no one else. I did not have to read it twice before a thought flsuhed aa-oss my mind. I determined to get at it'as far as I could, but, really, nothing can be done without you being on the ground. “ I cannot guess what this strange advertim— ment can mean,” answered Olive. ‘ I have few friends in New York. and I cannot conceive what danger can threaten any one of them..‘ As for the good luck that awaits me, I am perfectly contented With my present condition.” Joe Jolly threw a half-contemptuous glance around the room; he saw the plain furniture the second-hand carpet and the sewing—mac ine whit-h was seldom idle during the day and far into the night. He could not think how Olive could be satisfied with a lot like hers. u “ That is all very well,” he said, “but my motto is ‘ when you can better yourself do it.’ 1' don’t think a person ought to neglect his friends. That ‘personal’ says one of ours is in danger. Don’t you want to ward it o ‘?” “ Yes!” exclaimed Olive. “ But what did you discover?” . ’ Now was the spider’s time. “ I found out just enough to render the whole case very aggravating,” he ansvvered. “The advertiser is very cautious. Shc—l’ “A woman, then?” interrupted Olive. “ Yes, and an afflicted one, too! She is compelled to keep her chair by a (lisea c which is slowly taking her to the grave. Were it not for this, instead of inserting this ‘ personal,’ she would have come to you. I told her ere I left, and you will pardon my assurance, Olive, that I was your friend, and tha‘ I would, to the, best of my ‘ability, represent you in this matter. The lady does not try to be mysteri— ous; she told me in a few words that she will unlvosom herself to you.” “ lVould she not trust a friend whom I might designate to represent inc?” aslicd the girl. “To an extent which might be embarrass— ing,” was the (nick answer. “If you do not wish to do any! ing. at P”, I am sorry.” ’ Joe. Jolly ceased. as if he land nothing more to add, and reaching toward the table, picked up. his hat. “.Wliero is this lady?” inquired Olive. “Not far nil": tcn iiiiiiutcs’ walk, prrhaps; but no time at all fora cab.” The girl hesitated. She did not know any-- thing Very lad about Joe Jollg; but the had nevur admired the fellow since 9 had tried to force some little attentions upon her. She had seen him sometimes on the street, always well dressed, and always at leisure. She had often wondered how he managed to live without work, and once when she asked Branded Ben about him she received a reply that threw but little light on the subject. A few evenings before the esent interview she had told the Bowery dan E that his com- pany too often was not agreea le, but she had not mad the plainest of language.- The girl’s little home was her world. The most she knew about the outside had come to her through the boy ferret. who told her a good. .deal about the diflerent classes of the great City. Her, own observations had been limited; and most of these had been con- fined to the various parks which she had visited on holidays. , 4 ‘ “ I would like to help on in any manner I can,” Joe Jolly suddenly resumed, bfflkiltlg in upon Olive’s hesitation. “ I am confident era is a good deal in the ‘ sonal‘. The lady wishes to befriend you. e can be reached in a little while if you will. take the trouble: I do grit insist, for you are your own mistrem, we. The girl seemed to decide at the close of Joe J 0!! ’3 last sentence. “ don’t like the streets of New York at night,” he exclaimed. - . “A cab will insure a. safe trip.” was the re- spouse. “I thought ypu might Want to seethe lady who take. such an interest in your welfare, thereforeI bmfita cab with me. Ian m thirty minutes 1 see you back here wiser in game meets than you are now.” i, “I on!" flied Olive, "like .1me .l. i, . l 1 1 i l l a ANN .m...m. .44) , lei 'Jol andBabvBoIL-. 'lgwasavifloim;m U Brded'Ben, the Night Ferret. :her as she opened the door of the little wardrobe and took down a hat. “It is like finding a bank!” ejaculated the sleek knave, as his eyes sparkled with the victory of villainy. “The Octopus League can con- atulate itself on having three of the levelest ieads in Gotham. The girl is mine; and the fortune, too 1” Olive was not long preparing to follow the man, and when she turned to him she was ready to depart. “ I must be back here in thirty minutes!” she exclaimed. “We need not make it that,” he replied. “ With good horses to jolt us over the streets. we shall accomplish our errand in a short time.” The deluded girl locked the door behind her and put the he in her pocket, then she went down to the si ewalk with the rogue, and he handed her into a cab which stood in the gutter. A moment afterward away went the vehicle and Olive felt a thrill when she found herself being carried rapidly away. ' If a thought of personal danger entered her brain, she did not attempt to ret ace her steps. Ah! if she had, she would have discovered that it was too late. On, on went the cab out of one street and into . another; new the gasli ht fell upon it, and now .it was in the shadow 0 tall buildings. The girl began to grow im atient. memes this tie short ride 06 Jolly had prom- ] . More than ten minutes had elapsed already. All at once she leaned toward the window of the vehicle and looked out. At that moment the cab turned a corner and Olive saw the ruins of a once handsome build- .in . g I am more than a. mile from home!” she mentally exclaimed. “ That building was on fire when I last went to the park 1" All at once she turned away and looked at Joe Joll on the opposite seat. “ e are never going to get there!” she ex- claimed. The sEort of the Octopus League broke into a laugh t at thrilled the girl. Like a flash the truth came all at once. “ I am duped,” she cried. “ There is no lad waiting for me! I demand to be taken back. ' will appeal to the driver!” She darted t0ward the door of the cab, but a £33 quicker than hers caught her and drew her The next moment a damp handkerchief was ressed against her face, and in a little while live fell back upon the seat, colorless and ap- parently dead! ‘ It was another victory for the Octopus CHAPTER V. rams AND LYNX. “ I HAVE got to be cautious now, for I have the Lynx to contend with 1. He doesn’t look very strong.', not much stouter than a match, but he is as uick as acat,and as cunning as a fox. 1 saw enoug of him last night at the meeting of the Octopus League. He has found the man with the manacle, has even tracked him home, and the League wants to lay its hands on him again!” Branded Ben talked thus to himself when the day that followed his night of adventure was closing over the great city The youug Nig tFerre had humblequarters not far from Prince Mordecai’s retreat; and he had kept pretty close to them during much of the " , Ks yet he did not know much about the spot for in the League’s employ; he remembered hav. ing seen him several times at the ferry-houses, but had never suspected that he belonged to Major Bullion and his compamons. ‘ Branded Ben knew that the des1gn of the Ge. topus League was this: A fortune valued at one hundrhd thousand dollars, if not more, was CO!!!an to an heir who could not be found. Somehow-mother the «Octopus had learned the conditions of the will that controlled this fortune, and it was get: about to substitute a boy for the true Ben had witnessed a part of the ' scheme inithe burning of the victim; and he knowfiiat when the wound healed the League would [sire-sat the boy as the heir, and. in all g?“ m sSWindle some person out of his right- a l‘ ... . Egflmnottheonl crimethatcouldbe duponMajor Bullion {as nap.me o Like the great sea-monster whose name the ‘League had taken for its own, it reached every- where for victims. More than one sleek night-robbeéy, more than twent infamous schemes of di erent kinds, kefit t e trio in money. aby Bell’s Bowery den was a cloak to cover his real profession, and a dozen plots had been hatched there between the three members of the League. , Some years prior to the opening of our story a man was arrested in the vault of a certain bank, which had just been robbed. The doors of the vault had been blown o n. and the man, when found, was half insensib e. He protested his innocence, said that he saw the doors of the bank ajar, it was late at night, and that on approaching them, he was struck by a man and carried into the bank, where he found two men at work on the safe. It was a plausible story, and the courts might have taken it for truth if the man could have produced evidence of a good name. This, alas! he could not do. He had just come to New York; he knew no~ body in the city; he. refused to give any account of his past life, and to put an end to it all, two men came forward who swore that the man had served a term for burglary in a western peniten- tiary. ‘ » The two witnesses were Major Bullion and Baby Bell. The prisoner denounced .their testimony as in- famous; he swore that one of the witnesses was his lfletime enemy; the scene in the court-room was thrilli in the extreme. Major Bul ion’s evidence and that of his asso- ciate decided the issue. The prisoner was sentenced to ten years in the penitentia . He again declared his innocence, and was ta en away. Some years after the trial the Octopus League heard that the man had escaped. Natural] the gen feared vengeance, for the prisoner‘s wor in the Court-room was a threat of the kind. It would not do to let him run at large, espe- cially since during his imprisonment the Octopus had made a very important discovery about im. It was for the furpose of unearthin Cephas Corson that the advniv; was called to ework. Major Bullion h the strange-looking shadower imhis power: and he knew that if the Lynx could not find the escaped felon it would be use- less to look for him. If Branded Ben had known that the L nx was in the emplo of the Octopus, he would ve de- voted much ime to the parchment-faced fellow; but he had never caught him with either of the three villains, hence his ignorance of the link that connected them. " The boy ferret had heard enough during his sojourn in the dark left over the gue's quar- ters to know that Major Bullion intended to en- trap Cephas Corson who was the man with the manacle whom we first introduced to the reader in Union Square Park. The victory was to be won on the ni ht after the Lynx’s report, and as its shadows n to steal over the city, Branded Ben slipped from his Edging? ready to opp“.e his cunning to the ague 3. On his way to the basement occu ied by the manacled man, Branded Ben conciu ed to drop in upon Olive, whom he had not seen for several da 3. . When he arrived at her door he found it look- ed and several raps failed to get any response. ‘What can'have happened here? mused the Night Ferret. “Olive is never away at this time.” He turned the knob and tried the door, but Without effect. , “I think the youn ledd went awa ,” sud- denly spo e a voice bin him, and he boy turned and confronted another sewing-girl who lived in the same building. “ Went away i” cried Ben, leaving the door in an instant. "‘ When did she go?” “ Last night.” . . “ Alone?” ' . i “ I don’t know. She had a gentleman in her room awhile. He’s called several times 0’ late, I think.” . “ Was it Joe Jolly ?” exclaimed the boy detec- tive a sudden thought flashing across his mind. “ don’t know. sir.” “ How do you kuow he had alled before?” “ I thou ht I recognized his. oice.” . “ You d d not see the man." . “ Not last night. but 1 have seen him!” - “ Well, what is he like!” “He is a sort of dandy, whom I would never blunts,” was the reply. “ He wearskids at all as if his hands were too nice to meet the ir “That is Joe Jolly for a thousand! If Olive. went off with that rascal, she is in dan 1” He did not speak the sentence alou , but the girl might have read it by his countenance. “ Can’t I et into Olive’s room 1” he asked. The girl g need up at the transom. “ You might get in that way,” she replied. “I will try!” exclaimed the youn detective, and the next minute he was ha -way mto Olive’s room. The sewing-girl went back to her own quar- ters, leaving Branded Ben to his own employ- ment. “ If Olive went off with that kidded scoun- di‘el under the influence of some adroit story, she may have left some clew behind,” be men- tally exclaimed, and in a little while he was searching every nook of the girl’s humble room. “ This is a myster !” he cried when he found himself at the end 0 the hunt. “Vl'hat would make Olive run away with Joe Jolly? I never told her much about the fellow: but she did not fancy him I can’t remain here. I must warn Cephas rson of the descent about to be made upon him by the Octopus. He must not fall into its clutches again! The League knows that he is its sworn enem ,and that he will not rest until the crime 0 the bank robbery and the per‘ury have been avenged.” Branded n was about to turn to the door when he heard a slight noise like the click of a ke in the lock. he nex: instant he drew back half-hidden by Olive’s ‘)ed, and waited. Somebody was at the door. Was it Joe J olly, or Olive herself coming back? The boy ferret did not have to wait long for the door slowly opened, and a figure with eat- like tread slipped into the room. Ben saw it from the first and his eyes sud- denly got a new sparkle when they noticed the Visitor creep toward the wardrobe. “ You go to work without any preliminaries,” inferred Branded Ben. “ There is but one key to Olive‘s door and you have it in your posses- sion. Of course it came from Olive.” The ni ht—caller was at the wardrobe, and the keen-ey boy saw him plunge into its dark re- cesses. , All at once Branded Ben flitted across the room, but his soft footstep was heard, and the person in the w turned with a ht ex- clamation of surprise. He held a small x in his hand. “You don’t want to show your teeth, Mr. Lynx!” called out Ben, the ferret, as berecog- nized the intruder who seemed to stand aghast at the sudden discovo . “ Why did you come, and not Joo J01] ?' The person before 11 stepped forward de- spite the menacing eyes, but he did not relino quish his hold on the little box. “ Who are you?" ' “ A person whom you don’t want to see just now,” was the re ly. “ I know that youarethe paid spy of the topus, the hired man of Joe ell , the kidded sport!” “ hen you know entirely too muc my street hound!” was the quick res use, a the next Second the L nx lea at randed Ben withall the agility o the a a1 Whose name he tore. The boy ferret was con ht at the threat by the long sallow fingers of t e spy, and as he was forced across the carpet the box which the Lynx held by a handle on the lid descended with crash. in force upon his head. . t was an unexpected attack, and one full of fu'iiy and ven nee. he High]; erret fell back over the bed. and the hand 1: had gripped his throat relaxed. ’ “Merciful heavens! how long have I been here?” cried Branded Ben, when he came back to consciousness and started from the bed. “The Lynx is a thunderbolt if he is lean and hungry- looking. Let me see! _It is eight o’clock. and thehOctopus was to seize Cephas Carson to- m t.‘ ith this cry that sent a thrill through him, Branded Ben sprung toward the door. He might be too late to save the man with the muscle! '. CHAPTER VI. A NEW nrsrmr. Bas did not tarry long in Olive‘s room after he regained consciousness. , - " The danger that threatened Cephas Corson, the man with the manacle. was enough to make ' him fly at once to the rescue. . In‘alittlewhilehowasin the Vicinity 0t thl}! } i Branded Ben, Ferret. felon’s hiding-place and on the lookout for the Octopus League. - During the journey Ben had put on a slight disguise which was sufficient to prevent him from being recognized by any but the keenest e es. yHe found the street as quiet as ever with its many dark nooks and cellar-ways. Here and there he met a pedestrian, but neither of them was Cephas Corson on his way to Union Square for the meeting proposed at the last intemew. Branded Ben crept $3) the street until he reached the steps that] down into the fugi- tive’s den. All was still. ' ‘ Was he too late, or had Cephas Corson gone to the park? - After a moment’s inspection of his surround- ings with a. pair of keen eyes Branded Ben ~ lided down t e steps, and rapped lightly on the elon’s door. There was no response, and then he turned the knob and walked in. “ Cephas, I am here!” ejaculated the boy, in cautious tones. There was no reply to these words, and Ben went on through the darkness until his hand found another oor which he opened. ~ There were two apartments to Cephas Cor- son’s hiding-place; the front one was his watch- house, the one in the rear his hiding-place. “ Can they have been here?” Ben asked him- self, as he stood in the darkness on the thresh- old of the second room. “ It may be that he has fled to the secret place.” Theboy shut the door behind him and struck amatch. The little flame leaped u from his , hand. and revealed the interior 0 the little apartment. “ What is this?” burst suddenly from Ben’s throat, and then he started forward with a wild ax My God! the Octopus has been here!” A moment later Branded Ben was bending over a human bod which lay at the end of the room and his litt e light was falling upon the ghastliest sight he had ever beheld! The dead man—the man was dead—lay on his back, but there were no eyes to stare at the young Night Ferret with that terrible look of the lifeless. The face was mangled beyond recognition, thoulgh there was but little blood on the floor. A at once the boy’s hand darted downward and clutched the corpse’s right arm. “ Did they leave .the manacle?” he cried. “ Ah, no! they took even that away!” Branded Ben saw that something], probably an iron band, had been drawn forcib y over the ri ht hand! match went out when he made this dis- oovery, and he was alone in the dark with the man! The boy ferret did not strike another match for he had seen enough. “ There must be swift work now!” came through his teeth as he went back into the other room. “ After all his years of waiting for ven- noe they have silenced him. t was terri- fidone, sure enougIhl The Lynx found the trail for them—the ynx who invaded Olive’s roomto-night and gave me a sample of his fury. I will begin the hunt at once.” Branded Ben left the basement and passed up to the street again. “I don‘t want to ap er in the inv - tion,” he ex imed. ‘ he police can have he 1!: tory to eir satisfaction until I chooseto cove it. As I live though, this shall be the noose that strangles the Octopus!" The young sleuth had never hen seen with Gephas Corson in his retreat and the people who occupied the house above the basement did not know him. “ I can be 'n here,” he murmured as he walked up to t 0 door and jerked the bell. , A young girl with a grimaoe that rather spoiled her looks answered the ring. ' She held the door Open for the boy toenter; hut Branded Ben leaned against the jamb and began. Where is the man who lives below you!” “ Isn’t he there?” asked the girl. Branded Ben shook his head. “ Oh, maybe he went away with the gentle- men who called awhile ago.” “ Ah! he had visitors, then?” u Ya.” “ How many?” “ Two I think; but Pinkie saw them, she was atme w when they came.” “ Gall nkie.” about and sent a shrill cry through the hall, and after a min- The girl turned ' d “ Pinkie!” ‘ ' .2 _ '5 I the Night ute a flaxen haired girl of fifteen made her ap- pearance. ‘ “ Here, Pinkie; this gentlemen wantsto know about the people who called on the man in the box awhile ago. You were at the window, you know?” . “ There were two at first, then another came, and when they went away there were four.” “ Four!" eJaculat/ed Ben almost taken from his feet by the statement. “ I counted ’em because I thought it so strange for the man in the box to go of! with anybody.” “ Did he 0 away?” “Who e se did if four went out when three went in?” cried Pinkie, with a. leer. “ You heard no noise?” “ We hear noises enou h in our own house." The boy drew toward 2 he step. “ that were the three men like?” he asked. “ Two were rather large, the other not so much so,” was the rather vague description. “ And the man who went off with them ?” “ He leoked like the man below,” was the re- " spouse. The boy ferret did not pursue his investiga- tions any further, but gave the girls some com for their trouble and walked away. “Three men entered the house, four left it. and yet one remains behind dead!” he ejacu- lated when he found himself some distance from the place. “ What does it all mean?” and then he added, with a smile: “ We will let the Mul- berry street ferrets try their hands on the case for awhile.” An hour later the police department received through a mysterious source word that a mur— dered man lay in a certain basement not far from the Bowery. , As usual, the matter was quickly attended to, and the occupants of the frame house above the cellar, the two girls included, were taken of! as witnesses. Nobody knew anything about the murdered man; he had occupied the basement for some time, seldom went out, and then only at night, had no visitors, and was not on terms with any person in the neighborhood. The girl who had seen the three men enter the basement Could give no minute description of them; she was a poor, blunder-mg witness, who was frightened by the stern coroner, the police officers and the crowd. - “ Is there anybody in the crowd who thinks he can identify the deceased?” asked the acting coroner, lancing over the little assemblage when the act witness had been examined. “ I think I can, your Honor,” said a voice. “ Step forward—this way i” cried the omeer, and a good-looking young man edged his way through the crow . “ Your name, sir?” “Joseph Jolly.” “ Where do you reside?” “ In the city.” “ Occupation?” ‘t‘ Slat-store clerk, out of employment at pres- en . A smile went around the crowd as our friend Joe Jolly announced his profession as he stood in the middle of the room with his hat held lightly in his gloved hands. -If he was a clerk he had not seen service for a long time; the Bowery had known him for several years in succession. “ Very well, Mr. Jolly. proceed and tell us what you know about the deceased,” said the master of the in est. “ His name is phas Corson,” answered Joe. “ Some years he was sentenced to ten years imprisonment or burglarizing the Manhattan Bank. Some time ago he escaped, and has eluded the officers ever since.” ‘The coroner glanced at a tall man who nodded slightly, and then signaled to Joe to proceed. Of course I know nothing about the man’s death,” continued the dandy of the Com US Lea ue. “ I merely identify him—that is al l” “ ow do you know him?’ asked the tall man just mentioned. He was one of the best detectives in New York; Ferdinand Fox the called him. . “Oh, I recognize him y a fin r of his. left hand which you will see is off at t e first jomt,” was the answer. “Then, a da or two since I saw him in Union Square Par . Some of you may recollect that I appeared as a witness in the Manhattan Bank burglary case when Cephas Corson was convicted.” The detective nodded again and drew hack. “ Wh didn t’ you report Cephas Cox-son’s Wherea uts to the authorities when you discov- ered him?” askrd the coroner. Joe Jolly twirled his hat on his kidded hand, and scorned to d . . ., ‘ “l—I may have thought the man had been punished enough,” he stammered in an admit-no 1e manner, With which opinion some of the lie» tenors seemed to agree. Mr. Joe Jolly was not kept on the witnes- stand an longer. and finding that he was not; wanted rther, he stole from the place and walked away with a very happy smile at the corners of his mouth. It was evident that he had done an act of which he was proud, and the smile broadened on his face as he urried from the spot. “You combine the impudence of Satan with the coolness of a sand-hugger, Joe Jolly!” ex.- claimed a voice in his rear, and at that moment the speaker put himself quietly on the Bowery sport s trail. “ You can swear to anything that promises to assist the Octopus League, so won- derfully elastic is our countenance! I thought one of you won] be han ing around the in- quest, and that’s why I ma 6 it a point to be on hand.” Joe Jolly never looked behind him. Why should be? He walked away unconscious that a boy who had heard his testimony was at his heels. If, he had looked back and seen him, he mi ht have recognized him as the youth whom aby Bell had ejected from his concert hall for eavesdrop- pin . The trailer of course was the Night Ferret, Branded Ben. .— CHAPTER VII. , BEN IN 'rnn TOILS. THE young ferret kept at Joe J olly’s heels in hopes that he would give him a clew to Olive’s whereabouts. Branded Ben no longer doubted that his friend, the beautiful sewing-girl, had fallen into a neat trap set for her by the Bowery sport. for the description he had received of her visitor tallied with Joe’s appearance. But Joe Jolly was not disposed to lead Ben to Olive’s hiding-place. even if he knew it. He kept on till he struck the Bowery, into which he turned, and led the young detective a quick pace to the Baby‘s place of amusement. Ben paused at the door. He had not forgotten the treatment he had re- ceived at the hands of the proprietor of the lace, and he now hesitated about following Joe 0nd the forbidden threshold. f course he longed to see whom Joe would meet at Baby Bell’s after his testimony at the inquest; and he. was equally anxious to keep the Bowery dude in sight. All at once Ben darted away and disappeared down the first street he reached. A few yards from the corner he plunged into an alley and :uocked at the door of a low-storied brick ouse. It was opened by a middle-aged woman, who uttered an exclamation at sight of_ him. “I want to trade clothes With Dick for awhile," explained the young spotter. “ What’s up new?” asked the woman, in evio dent surprise. “ Never mind! Show me to Dick’s wardrobe! I’ll leave all my wealth in my clothes, so Die won’t be the loser if I never come back.” In a moment Branded Ben was shown into a cramped room and left alone with a lamp. “ Dick‘s wardrobe consists of one suit of clothes and two pairs of boots.” laughed the boy as he divested himself of his outer rmth 811 ct into others which be found a his mice. ‘ I don’t think Baby Bell’s keen eye will detect. me when I am throu h. The Lynx is not likely to be there, and I will not meet the fellow who gave me the box at Olive’s house.” When the boy finished the changeand had darkened his eyehrrwahe 1°0de “lie unlike Branded Ben, and bidding the astonis ed woman good-night. he went back to Baby vBt‘ll’F. “ Now for the lion’s den afiiinl” he decided, as he opened the door and M ed boldly in. he orchestra was In the midst of a noisy pi , and the room was pretty Well filled. fie young shadow" Walked forward to one of the seats, and composed himself as if he had come to enjoy 0mm. All the time. however. his eyes were on the alert, and they saw and studied everybody In the lace. p He saw that the Baby was not at his usual lace; but he could not see anything of Job ollv. “The fellow has given me the 81!?!” 9W lated Ben in tones of disappointment. “ Can'it be that. he caught me on his track, an ” m branded boy stopped very suddenly. for at thatzmoment a door t the rear of the ,m a” 4.M_u_m.._._ ! ’1. l .. .x.».... u... “-M 77'... {an t «L t I . “Mnrufiggsf “to see Mr. L nx » here tell him I m atr-let me see—yes, at Number I alle an __ a". opened and the smiling face of the Bowery dude made its appearance. Ben’s e es were on him in an instant. Joe J o gowns followed by the more portly person of by Bell, and a thrill of revenge ran thro h the boy’s frame when he saw the ellow who collared him from the place a short time before. - The two came dowu the aisle directly toward Branded Ben, and Joe Jolly dropped into the seat directly behind him. “ B Jove! I laugh about the trick yet when- ever think about it!” cried Joe, looking up into Baby Bell’s face. “ It was very neat,” was the answer. “ Neat? I should daintin remark!” laughed J 09, taking a cigarette from a rich case. “ The major will congratulate me when we meet. It was wholly a scheme of my own. As I have said, Ferdinand Fox was the only person out- side of the coroner who put in a remark.” The next moment the Baby was called away and Joe was alone. “ By Jupiter! I was in hot water all the time at the inquest, but I won‘t confess it!” he said, in audible tones to himself, words which the sharp ears of the boy spotter managed to catch. “ There is something about the drama in the cellar which ma never be solved. and it puz- zles me a great on]. I wonder who the man was?” Joseph brought his audible meditations to a close as the orchestra finished its play, and dur- ing the next few moments he enjoyed his cigar- ette in silence. Branded Ben from one end of the seat in front stole occasional glances at him, and wondered what he could be thinking about. “ He wonders who the man was?” murmured the young Night Ferret. “What man? He swore at the in nest that the dead man was Cephas Corson, t e escaped felon, but now he talks about ,the mystery of the cellar, and won- ders who a certain man was! Aha! Joe Jolly, you are trying to uzzle me again, I see; but if good work can Circumvent you and the Octo- pus, it will be done!” . All at once Baby Bell came to the Bowery dude and tapped him on the shoulder. Joe J oll started. “ Ferd ox was 'ust in here inquiring for you ” said the roprietor of the “ The Old arry!” exclaimed Joe. What does that detective want with me?" “Something about your testimony at the in- uestmebbe.’ ' . , “ Well, I don’t want to see him.” “ I thought so.” - > “ And you told him what?” “ That on weren’t here.” “ Tha ! Where is he nowl” “ He’s gone out.” “ Then I’ll proceed to make myself scarce,” ejaculated Joe. “ I want time to consult the major, and to get my thoughts together. I want too. If the major drops in — West Canal. Ferd Fox will never think of leoking there for me!” _ . A moment later Joe J olly hastily left his seat and disappeared beyond the narrow door at one end of the e, and Baby Bell returned to his t place behind counter. “ Number — West Canal! I uess I‘m not likely to target that,” exclaimed randed Ben, as he moved l’IOWfiI'd the front door a few mo- ments after the Bowery dude’s departure. “ From some cause or other he doesn’t want to meet the detective who heard his testimony at the in nest.” v Wi nthe nexttwo minutesthebo detective was on the sidewalk in front of &by‘Bell’s fines, and a smile of satisfaction twinkied his eyes as he movod'away. “ This is one time I didn’t feel your claws at. m collar. Baby Bell,”heja001&teli~ Vendvi “lulu. Deadwood Dlek in Dead Ci!y. l’--rier. 42! Deudwood Diek In New York; nr, A “Cute Ciro." 3.30 Dead wood lliek‘n Dun! ; .r, The Chained liniiil. ~' 155 Deadwood Dlek, Jr. \lekeI-l’lnie Ned; :1, nt'llil\V'H)tl Dick Jr's Delirium. Mitiillower mun. m Shasta; or, Diemiwoml Incl; Jr’n F Hum . ll'lu‘ll Fun, the Ferret; (:r, Deadwood l).ck Jr’s Big Ron. i 4 2’," ‘ 403 459 465 «I?! 476 4‘" , 491 496 600 50! 5| :I ’2‘. Deudwood Diek’n Three. 5'!!! Uendwood Dick’s Dunner Dneka. 53 l Deadwood Dieli’n Death Hunt. 559 Deadwood Dlek Jr" in Texan. 5i i Deadwood I'ltlu', Jr., the mm we» Vidocq. i . l'llllo Fly, of l’henix; or, Dentin-nod Dirk era Rmke‘ t‘litiui it). liozemun Bill: or. Deadwood Dirk .fi'n f‘orrnl. llllulboldt Hurry, tin: llurrnaur; or, Deadwood Dick J lhvg “I404 live. “oil .“3 stery: or, Deadwood Dix k Jr. in Dmulwnml. .lr's i‘oinimri. “onto (‘rlui 0, Jr.: rur, Deadwood Dirk Jr's lnlwritnnre. Deadwood DleL‘I Del verullee. Deadwood Dlt-k‘n l’rotegee. Other Novels by l“.. L. “'heeler. 26 clove“ "00f; the lillmllu Demon. i.’ lloh \Vooii’: xir, ’l‘lm'tiirl li.~mi~Slmr, 39 Death-Fuee, l’rlut'livr; or, Lite in New York. 45 did A "douche; ur, Wild Mun, u... on] iirigund, 53 Jllll “liltinon Jr.. lite lioy l‘hvnix. | “upkhurn In“: or. The [led llille 'l‘emn. » Gold "lilo, the N‘Inir ml’iotiti-r: or. The flu ‘ Deiet'ilvo. . 0 "om-hm] Rub or, "ugly-i. Neil. ihu Knight. l(l_\’l, the Girl , lllel’; er, linsrhml Rob on "and. 8 l’hotourn ll l’hll; or, R- tel-ml lluh'u Rein ’wnrnm‘o. 92 ('unud“ “ not; or. (‘lil Anurmnln in sitting litili'ii Camp. 96 \\'“(‘-h.l{ (,3 or. A (uh: umi Aligwls oi'o Until City. 3 Jaek "oi e the Ynung Speculntur. Gilt-Edged Dlek, the .N‘pnri Delectli'o i‘lunmnon Chip the Girl Sport. : Bonanza mu, inner. Ihlllfi “oh the King ui’ Boothlm-lu. So d Hum iht‘ Boy l‘ofld‘AzL'nl. o 45 go saga fierret, the New York Detective; or, Bog. no on u . 6 New York Nell the Boy-Girl Detective. T Nobh Nick of . 'evodui or, The Siarral Sempu. H in” rank, the Burkuklu Bravo. 0 ‘rltz, the Bound-Boy Detective. Ill li‘rltz to the Front: nr, The Ventrllo ul-t Hunter. '26 Snoozer the my Sharp; or, The Anh elective. .88 Apollo Dill, the Tull Tornado. '20 fi .- uflH—t— Inu- Ill—~H clone kit, the Young Glndilinr. 8 erro Flam, the Frontier Fern-t. “err. Sal-I'- fleet-oi; or The Bloody Foot irinto. .‘Ql'l'll Sit-’n Ford; or, The Angel oi Big inn. err. Soul’- Seven: or. The Siulen Bride. lumbo J tho Buy Patrol; or, The Riv-l Hairs. Denver Do l: the Detective Queen. louver Doll a Victory. =envur ’l Decoy: or. Little Blll'o Donna. l‘urk, the Bog7 Ferret. l 'LII'UI' Doll’ l’l’lnfi 0'. Th. .99 A No. I, the Dalhinx oll-‘l'nhr :08 "AT. 1‘"?th ‘llzlsllnari‘ affillul‘lon-NOYV“ Snort. 25 Re 9 II c e ‘o..l e cw WI of Phlludel MA. 330 Linleybiielt-Biot tron The Dental Face of Dagger-grille. ' ' ho Mynurlou Minor. Road Queen. t. '4‘ “all man Mike. the Bowery lino-l. [ml First-Clau- Fred, the Gout tram Gopher. ‘88 {'1ka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer. or, The Lottery 1'. Yrelm «lit-’0 Prise. 7N Kabob Null «r. The Secret ofSlIh City. 74. (‘ml Ki the King of Kido- or. A Vlllnin‘l Vengeance. ~15 Yrek. I no. Joker; or, in" mm. mm No... “it Bieyele “on: or. The Lion of Lightning Lode. 894 Yrel- In a lit. D... 400 Wrinklel. the Night» okh Detective. Ill lligh "It "any. t no Blue Ball Doineilvo. flu: “Man the r-Boy Detective. Jim it a Ply, hzl'v-io Dot-«iron. II o I s D M d I tho “mm: the Sparkln. DY BUFFALO BILL ('0.- WI. 1'. My). King; or. The M Illhi Hand. t or. ngol’ilot o! the Phil-lo. “Bil-m ggfifi' .. .... “human-mm... lels'n Eagle-t; or, The Patti-Oi Flood liar. no. v n. Deadwood DleL‘I Doolll; or, Calamiin June's Lilli Ad- lie. of Deadwood Diuk‘l Dozen; or. The. Fitklr nil’lmniom Finis. ig~ in. Deadwood Diele'n (.ll‘llll; n, The Fairy Face of him Deadwood lllek‘u Diamonds; «tr, The Mystery of Juan ull id- ni r’o Prim-c l'lntol, the King of the West; or, Deudwond Dick Deadwood Dlek'n Dlgiiingn; or, Dr. Denlh-Grip'l Swoop. b’n of BY 00LONEL PRENTISS INGRAIIAM. 7 The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Outcast. 17 Ralph Ru ', the Buy Huecunwr; or. The Fugitive Ynchi. 24 Dlalnond ill-l.- or, The Myslrry of the Yellowstone. 62 The thdow Hllip; nr. ’l‘lu- Rival Lieulennnil. 75 The lloy Dnellnt; or. The Cruise oi‘ the Sea-Wolf. 102 Dlek Dead-E 'e, the Hay Sinuggier. Ill The lit-“4M.le ; or, The Miduhlpnmn’a Legacy. 1 18 The III-Mar Cogluln; or. The lievmii. of Hell Gate. Iii? Little Grit: or, ussie, the Stork-Temh-r‘n Daughter. 204 Gold Plume; or, The Kid-Glove Sport. 2"! “lion "I" ll)» l’rlnra oi the Reinl. 222 Grit. the llruvo Snort; M, The Woman Trailer. 229 Crim-on Rate; or, This (‘nwlmy’s Triumph. 237 Lone Star, tln- (‘uwhoy cum-in. 245 Merle the Middy ' or, The Freelance lleir. 250 The .Vhdlllilllllull slutlneer; or. linuult, the Buccaneer. 964 The Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte'l Treasure lnluna. $69 The Gold Shiv: or, Merle, the Cundemnwl. 976 giver” Monteu Crulnc; or, The Cllnle of “The Gold l l 2310 Merle Monte’tl Fate: or. Pearl, the Plum“: Bride. 9 4 The lien Min-under: or, Merle Munie’l l'h-due. 2H7 lillly Blue-Eye“ the Boy llnwr ul' lite Rio (.‘mude. 804 The Dead “hot. Dand_\ ; or. lienlln. the Buy Bugler. 30H Keno Kit; nr. llemi Shot. linIi-ly'i lh-uhle. 3” The Mynterionn Marauder; or. The Buy Bugler’s Long Fill I 4 877 lionodel, the lloy Rover: or,Th«- Flurlesn Schooner. 3553 The lndlnn l'llot; i-r, ’l‘lw Swim-h i'ur l‘imie lulund. 3N7 “'urpnth \l‘lll. the lhvy l'hinitoill. 393 fit'flwuli', llll' liny Lieuteimui. - 40’). loodor, the Young- (Ytrrt-plrnior: or. The Fntnl League. 40'? l‘he, Nov lnnurtxenl: ‘r.'l'hl- t'nlmn \‘i-nilq-tm. ~ll‘4’ The “'lld Yneth n: :r, The “Hurtiluuu’u Cruise. 4‘29 Dnneun Dnre, 0h.- linv Refugee. 438 \ (‘uhln llo “n Luck; or, 'l‘im Corsuir. 43? The lien liu der. 44! The Deenn Flrt-iiy: nr. A \litlilyu \'.-v getmre. 446 llnpllnznrd Hurry; or, 'l'liu Sci-meanin- n! rim Sea. 450 \ijnrd “1”: or, The ' Ferrel nt'New York. Jill \l'l'utrd “'lll’u Street N-ouln. 6" The Horn i-‘nlde: ur. ’l'ln- siiiiur Boy Wanderer. 6 Neptune Neil, tin- My (limo-r. 7 Flora: “r. \\ 'mml Will‘s \' .pilunnil l’uril. » K Fol-[11‘ Alloui: "T. \“lllll'tl \\'ill‘s Lotti. (HBO. H Net-lulu Ned. the, lim'niw-r linnuvr. ' «lilo Arizona Joe tln- Hwy l’uril ul ’l'vxurs Jack. 49? line!" Taylor. Kin: x»! 1h (‘iiwhmm [:03 The. lion nl .lllddy: or. The Shark and the Sea Cat. 507 The Hunted )llihlilputnn. fill The Duilu“ ed “lildy. 520 lhlelulklu lilll. iln- (‘uu‘nurhe Slindnw. 525 llroiher- ln Burk-kin. 530 The "llt‘linl‘l n "on err-I. 535 The line hl‘in lion-N. 510 ('nptuln kuvKlux. Hm lliirnuilr-r oi the Rio. 5 Lieutenant I100, lilo Sou hi Liiiillc. BY (‘ll.\ “LEN MORRIS. Wlll Someru, the BUY D re. live. l’hll llurdy, Mir 1'. 5:: ll. y. l'leu)‘ one Pete: ur. Nivndv-mul. the Dog Detective. Deteeih’e Dlek: nr. 'l‘hn- iii-rm in Rug”. "and-oine Harry, the tin »ii.liivk Detective, Wlll \VIIdfll-c, thi- 'l'hori-uuhhrwl. lluek iii-In. Will WIhliin-‘n Rum-r. lki- Merry, lllr llurlt' r l‘uliur Boy. lll “' lldill'e In the “'ood-I. lly Baggage. lilo Roilrmul llilrl‘. 'l'rnulp Card: or, Will \Vlllllll’fl Win: and Lu". hrh Iloekeitt or. .‘lyi-trrieiioi‘ New ’ork. “oh Ihwketi, the llnnl; Runner. The Hidden "and; or, Will Wilrliirn‘u Revenge. Fred llulyurd. the l.lle lit-at BM; (.7. The sumuglem ll "oh Inn-ken; or, Driven in the \Vllll» lNi shadowed ; or, lioh Rni'lu‘ll'.“ Fight for Life. “06 Dnr'k Paul. the Tiger King. 212! Dnnhlng Dave, the Dandy Deiartin. 220 Tom Tunnel-t or, The lilm-k Sin-«p oi the Florlr. Sfia’r Sum Chnreoul the. Premium linrky. 235') Hlutdow Hill", lhe Messenger Buy. 242 The Two “ liloodn "; or, Shenandoah Bill and llll (lung. 85” Dlek Dnnhnwny t or, A Dakota Buy in ('hwii 0. 262 The \ onng Mun-pin: or. Rollicking Mike’s lot Trail. 974 Jolly Jim. the Detective A]: irentiee. 91-39 Jolly Jilu’u Job; or, The liming Detective. .98 The “'oter-llouml: or, The Ynung Thoroughbred. '05 Panhawny. oi’ Dakota; or, A Wulorn Ltd in the Qunkn tity. :24 lilllpll neatly. the Hotel Boy Detective. . 4| Tony Thorne, the \‘agntmnd Donn-tin. MB The Reporter-Detective: or, Fred Flyer’l Blluud. I Wide-Awake Joe: M, A Boy ortho Times. Lorri. the Leveler; m. The Blood. o! the Boulcvlrd. 408 Fire y Juek. tho-lllvar-Rni Hamlin. m The Lon-t. Fin er; or, The Eninlpped Cuhior. 238 red Fl er. t In Reporter Domain. 3 nvlnelhle I. an. tlu Pinkerton Ferret. 450 Billy Brlek. tie Jolly Vagabond. 406 Wide-Awake Jerry. Detective; or, Entombed All". 479 Deteeiive Dodge; or, The Mystery (:1ka Hearty. 488 “1111 Dick Rocket. 50! Boots, the Boy Fire-on t or, 'l‘oo Slurp for the super. 5;— a J .— QS'VUn—Rv #:WOZOONQN=$NE I== -* ll 7 7 7 N 8 l4 ‘flHH—Hdflfl‘H‘HHfl—d BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, ’8. I Yellowstone Jaek'; or,1'lig'rnppor. 48 Block John, the Rood-Anni; or, The Outln’n Rain“. 65 Ilurrlenno Bill; or, kin-tang Sam ml Hi: Pud- 119 Mil-tug Sun 3 or, The King of the Plum. 180 Night-Hawk Kit; or, The Daughter of tho Each. 144 Dainty Lam-o the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Poul; or. Dainty Lance to the Renal. 100 The “luck Giant: or. Dnlnty Lance in Jeopndy. "8 Deadly Duh; or, Fighting Flu with Fin. _ w. 184 The Boy Tulle"; or, Dllnty Lane. on the Wat-M .08 The Boy Paris. or. minty him Unmuh. .11 Crooked Ode, the Caliban of Colutlul City. ‘ '10 The Dom-e- Wolf; or, Tho Beautilul Decoy. 819 The mat. mil." or, 1*». llom-Thln.’ tank m ("I but]. Flatt or. The at“ Guido. 3“ The King ofthe Wonder 0' Dnnlol Boou'i MM “0 Kit Fox. the Ionic: Icy Dotmlu. BY OLL CO0MES. 5 Vagabond Joe. the Young Wanderiu Jew. 18 The. Dumb Hwy. K 27 A'llielo 1: AD?, the Boy Guide. 81 keen- nii’e, the Print-e of the Prairies. 41 'L‘nn-o Juek, illr Yum”: Min-tang". 58 lhe "order King; or. The Secret Foe. 71 Deluwure Diek. the Young li-nxer Spy. 74 Dundee 19 III'rr the Young ’l‘uipper R- um. 88 Ilollofl. c lio ll’unger. 134 Sure Nhut “fl , lh« liny hillmmm. Sear-Fave Soul. the Silent Hunter. 146 fill"?! Star. the lie} Knight. 153 Eagle Klt. the “my Demon. Hill Little Texas, the Young Mustang". I75 “Ill Solitary. the llrrmit 'l‘rnyper. 182 Little llurrieune, th~ lto Captain. 202 I’rou eet. l’etie: er. 'l‘hr 'ounu ()iitlnw Hunter; 208 The oy llereulen: or, The Prairie Trump» 218 Tiger Tom. the, 'lexns 'l'evrt-r. 22 I "lulu" "h-kg or, 'l rum." Tnui’n Guile. 228 thile \ 'Ildfli-e, the YI-llltg l‘iuirie Nnnuul. 288 The l’urnon De tl‘l'ith‘i "r. The Little Ranger. 248 The Ill-unlined l-‘nlde; or. \i i“ 30W". the Ranger. 260 Dare-Devil Dun, the Yuma l'mirlv Rant!"- ET‘J .“lnknkln .Vllke, ihr- ll0\ fihiirp>hwien “90 Little Foxfire. the Buy .‘ln'. 0. The Sky Demon t or. Rulnhvlf. the Range?- 884 “‘hln-klng Joe. the lit-i RonClIern. 409 llerenlen' or. In. k, llm Hwy Hunger. 4‘7 “'ebi'mlt hone. the 'l'runip lh-tw tire. 422 llnh ' Hum. lliv My Hill”! in! ilw i'rlluwninnv. 4-14 [lit e lint-ann. live Young l’rnirie (‘entitun 45? \\ lngedi‘ooi. Fri-ii; nr. Ulil l’oim' Suul. 463 'l‘nmnrne 'l'om. lllv my [‘11. war Buy. 473 Did 'l'om Rattler, the lion] in” rlliuleniln. 482 Stonewall Holy, the liuy 'l'rojiui. BY '1‘. C. llAllBAl‘Gll. 23 N'lek o' the Night : or. 'l'h-- lloy Spy of ‘76. ii? The Hidden Lodge: or The Link Hunter. 4? Sighting-ole N at: "I, Tim Pu rust (Explain; 64 Diuth .lm-k; n-r, 'l‘h~- Hui luwa ut' the Oregon Tull. 82 Kit Ilurei'oot ll‘e Woml-llnwk. 941 \lldnlxht Jnel. ' Hr. 'l‘lw liny Trupper. HHS "ill li‘ronty, the fluid»: M, The White Queen. 123 Klowu Charley the White llxmxnum-r. 189 Judge Lyneh, .Ir.r or. Th. Hi \' \'i:i'muie. , 155 Gold Trigger. 1h" .‘pert; or. The (iii-l Avenue; 169 'l‘ornudo ’l‘om: tr. inf-iii .lul'k Fr“... um Core, 13‘.“ Ned Temple, Hm l'iurilur lio_\'. Isl?! .‘rkunnnw: t-l’. ’l lu- qu n u! l-‘ntv’s Rewnqe. 207 Nuvujo Niels. lin- Buy Gold Hunter. 2l5 (‘upiniu Bullet: r. Lilli. 'i‘i llhliivl‘fi mamas. 23l Pllll'hy l’llll: ur. lion, lht‘ lie .li-rrhel. 24! mu "rm-u; ‘I'. 'l‘ i- in...“ mi in... llivekien. 255 (‘nutuln \pull , mu Kiv 1: Pin “1’ linwir. 2“? The lilu-ImLIIt Deter-lire. 27“ “Id “'lneh: ur. ‘l e Hui inkiu Despwndnvn. 294 Dynamite llmu: wr. 'l M linuiu iii"... mi (‘urhrtnnm 302 The “ouniuln “Neath 9; hr. The Trigger liur lluily. Bl“ “Isl Folly—(I. Trump (‘u'tl wi' Arizunh. 32“ 'l‘llt’I 'l‘t'll l'nrtln: l‘. The ’I'Q‘rlllrll'1‘llkl“Nilll(‘e. 83“ lliur "em-on: ur. 'l'jw- Que-wt 1-! the l." ‘0. B45 l’livllem Mali; or, Rv tl 'l'huminriinl '5 Neon-i. 554i i‘m.’ ‘illtl ~ r" F :I" x n The Terrible Six. mm Velvet Foot. H».- lmliuu lh-tw ti‘vv. 3&6 (‘nninln i‘uiltuug nr, h.- it ri-uim-i‘atiiil Foe. 896 Rough lloh: U1'. The, 'wln (‘Ilnnilnuns oi lilo» l‘lnzel. 4!] The fillhen Lon-o: or, 'l'ln- Ruse ui‘llunc.i Robin. 4" Fellx Fox. the “my Spnltrr. ' ' 425 'l‘exn- Trump. llw Murder Rattler. 436 I'll" Flat-ll. the New York Fox. 445 The (‘lly Vol-mire” or, iii-ti Rnlfr'l Weren- 4iil One .\ uln-t Fli’iy: or. T! n Lust Mun nf Keno Bar. 476 The l oy hhnduw: (nr_ Felix Fox’n Hunt. .17? The f:‘(l(nl"[|r Kport: ur. The “'oshlngion Spotter. 499 Single .lellt. the (rm-.Rvefi Sport. 502 llrnmled lien, tlu- Night lu-rret. Di? Dodxver Dlek. llll‘ Wlmrf-S; y Detective.. 52! Dodirer Dlek’n Rent Dod're- , 523 Fox nml Fuleon. like lingflyfhfldom- 53x Dod r Dlelu the m- rrrv - 543 "Dag, {91¢ka Double; or, The Riv-l Boy Deibcllv". LATllBT AND NEW ISSUES. :‘notu the (‘hnrnrrnl ('nrlt. By Limit. A. K. Sim (‘Ininil‘l‘m‘v 0"". A “"04 Man now". n). I). s- “in”... ' lit Exprflle Dn'tt-rtiv». lly J. (3. andr‘lck. Deadwood k on "In Metile. By E. L. Wheel-tr. Lafitte‘n Leclcw 0h The Avcnzinz Son. By Col. Pris-ti. n roll-m. . ‘ . lil‘olt Nettle, the Boy Shallow. Ry Jo Pierce. irlel. the. Athlete. 3v Dnvlll Drum, Dodger Diek’n Duper-ate Cale. By T. C. 554 lendwoo Die . Jr.. in Gotham. By E. 555 The. Oreo“! Cor-air. By Col. l'rentln lugmhnm. 55“ Lariat Lil: "r. The (‘iut for a Life. lly Philip ii. Warn... ‘ . not Brontlwly llllly'njleailt Racket. By .1. c. Cowdrlnk. 558 The Sure-Shot Pal-do. Hy Arihur (‘.Griuom. . 589 lurk-m Jnelr. the 0m. Boy Detective. 3 Jo Place. 00 Pownee Bill the Prairie Shndmver. liv Co . P. lnttmhm- 0| Deadwood D eh in Bolton. B." MW!" "- h” "' Ml. Blunderint Basil the Hermit Roy 'rnip or. By (Lil .Cooum. Dodger Dick. the lloy Vlilorq. B ' ’l‘. C. nr nu: . “owder Phil. the Boy Minor. John W. Cuber. gnt‘Klngdon. t|he Cfird Kay} {'02. e ‘ cent ‘QPV eo oy e to V o ' Wk grin: Dick, In. in Philfleivllm 3V “VIM L. 09 . “a The n. .f Mtg. “y Llflli. A. K. Sim “D grooklgieg, the onJiu-Own-Hooh Detail“. me. I d . 9v Col. Pnniiu lnmlinm. 33?"... Wine". 83 Jhc.‘ ( ll n WM Dick. In. in Chipiro. ‘vl . .. ’ n er. Ii 8 The Two Shadows. By 1'. L. Hal-bang Rem, J“), "- 5,74 Dld Would-top, the Man with the Do". By P. 3. Wu“. 5" $322” 1111:“ n-flmlg‘ Detective. By Colonel .Pmu. 1 ml! II . 45-July . in who allver'flport. By unit. A. K. Slim. an 13..i421“."p'.... nu 3.9m so». By Jo Hem. 513 1:33:33“ it... In. um. By 3...... L. M. Indy Anna 3!- l A New hue Every Tue-day. on. “war out by mall on mum's! .1, mm “ch. " m ‘A ADAII. Pub lluhn it. L. 4.2!: (- 3, Jo ‘. Ito 08 lime. New I...