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Entaed at the Post Office at New York. N. Y.. at Second Class Mall Rates.

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Copyright 1889, by Bnbu um Anus.

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April 30, 1589.

 

 

$2.50

a. Year. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK.

PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS,

Price,
5 Cents.

Vol. XXIV.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BOY STOOD ERECT. “'HILE FROM HIS LIPLS CAME A FLOOD 0F MELODY. THAT SEEMED
TO THE ASTONISHED CROWD MORE LIKE SOME WONDERFUL INSTRUMENT.

 

The Queergpmbination.

BY JO PIERCE,
AUTHOR OF “ TARTAR Tm,” “ BOB 0’ THE
BOWERY,” “ FIVE POINTS PHIL," “ JACK-
O’-LANTERN,” ETC., ETC.

CHAPTER I.
NOT so INNOCENT AS THEY LOOKED.

“ FIFTY thoumnd dollars at stake!”

“ It’s a big pile!”

“ Too big for a gang of rascals to secure."

“ Set me an' my pards loose an’ the gang-
won't get it. Fifty thousand dollars! Aha!
that will be a. good hoodle ter work for, an’ The
Three Innocents will be on their muscle. Let
’em loose—man, boy an’ bear. The good old do-

 

 
   

2

Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s kid.

 

 

tective firm will be in clover, an’ we’ll astonish
even the country folks with our show of inner-
cencel”

The speakers were two men Who were seated
in a small house on Baxter street, in the city
of New York. One of the two was a well-
dressed, keen—faced man of middle age who,
somehow, had a very oflicial look about him;
but the other was a little old man with shaggy
hair and board, both of which seemed to be call-
ig loudly, but in vain, for the services of a
barber, while his clothing was coarse and poor,
and none too cleun. He had a run-down, vaga-
bondish look, and seemed to be but a. grade
above the level of a tramp, but his face was
shrewd and intelligent.

This man rejoiced in the romantic name of
Eliab Godown. Whether or not he was a vaga-
bond will appear later.

His companion, the well-dressed man, was a
detective with whose name all New York was
familiar. Eliab had a habit of calling him “ Mr.
Gotham,” which name told no tales out of
school, and could be spoken safely at all times,
and by that name he shall be known in these
pages.

Mr. Godown, seedy and dirty though he was,
seemed to be a jolly sort of a fellow, and when
he spoke of astonishing the country folks, he
broke into a series of chuckles and appeared to
be in high spirits.

“ The principal thing, is to recover the stolen
mone , and not the stealers," added Gotham.

“ ack, your Honor—true as you live.”

“We have to deal with no ordinary men, and'
should be entirely oil! the track were it not for
the clew I have received from the old pick-
pocket. He knows that the money is to be taken
to Birdseye for'concealment.”

“ Exactly.”

“ It has been stolen from the bank, but all
the currency is spotted; the bank has the num-
bers of the notes, and the thieves dare not try to
pass it. There is also a good deal of silver coin,
but it is brand new, and to pass that would be
dangerous, with us on the watch.”

“ Wish they'd try it on me.”

“ The old pickpocket has ‘peached;’ he has
told me, I think, all that he knows. He had his
news from Tipton Tom, one of the robbers, who
sailed for England a week 0. This is the tip
I have: One of the robbers— do not know any
of them excsgt the missing Tipton Tom—knows
of a place at irdseye where the treasure may
be hidden in safety. It will be taken there,
5311: how, and when, and by whom, I have no
1 ea.

“ Nor where it will be bid.”

“ No. The robbers may live there, or they
may not; they may be very respectable, in the
eyes of the world, or the very reverse; they may
be rich or poor, old or oung—in fact, we know
nothin about them. e do not know how they
will ta e their l‘under to Birdseye, or how they
will hide it. e have no clew whatever. You
see you have quite a job ahead of on.”

E iab Godown chuckled cheerfu l .

“ The Three Innocents 'kin do ’em up.”

“ There may be danger.”

“I hope so; an’ so does Whistling Jacob an’
Lightfoot' Peter.”

“ I would give you much advice, but it seems
superfluous to coach an old-timer like you." ’

“Gotham, how many years hev I worked for
3"??? -, '

“Yes; an’ I’ve been in biz over twenty. Me

~ an’ my boy, an’ my bear. is knowed all over half

a dozen States. e was trampin’ there when
men 0’ to—day was kids. I’m a tough old
tramper, Gotham, an’ I’ve had many a boy an’
many a bear, first an’ last. The bears hev
growed old an’ died; the boys hev growed old
an’ gone inter other biz. Somehow, when they
git growed tcr be men, they think goin’ round
with old Eliab Godown an’ his bear ain’t the biz
they like. They desert mo. Two 0’ my ’pren-
tices are detectives in your employ, an’ dom’
well. Ain’t they?"

“Ver well, indeed Eliab.”

The 0 d man rubbed his hands.

“’Prentices o’ mine' ’ rentices o'mine! Got
their lu’st lessons at this -ketchin' goin' ’round
with old Godown an’ his dancin’ bear!”

“You’re a queer fellow, Eliab.”

“ Runs in the fam’ly. I couldn’t be hap y of
I wa’n’t queer. My father, Ararat Godown,
was eccentric; so was my nddad ' ah Go-
down; an’ so was Shem own, {lap th G0-
down—but you don’t keer‘fur my genealogy,

‘ iale as none 0’ my ancestors went ’round
#3.. be: an’ a dancm’ bearasa detective com-
bination. . .

x “If they were your canals. they were good

l

 

,team in hand, he brought the

men, for The Three Innocents can’t be surpassed.
Well, will you go to Birdseye on this case?”

“ Will I? I shall be tickled ter death.”

“ It is settled, then.”

 

It was a 2319er old town, though by no means
9. small one. ' ‘wo thousand persons ived with-
in its limits, and the country place of that size
never bows its head low in humble reverence to
any one, or any place. But Birdse e seemed to
have outlived its youth, and settle down into
decorous old age.

Its houses were old-fashioned in style, rusty
of appearance, and very substantial. The same
description would apply to most of its people.
Sober, dignified and honest, as a. rule, they were
without the follies of the generation in which
theylived. This, we have said, was the rule-—
Birdseye had some dishonest Citizens, some who
were fashionable, and some who were gay and
giddy, but they were in the minority.

Sensations rarely disturbed the placid life of
Birdseye people, though they were human
enough to look, listen and gossip when they had
a chance, just like ordinary folks. In fact,
when it came to gossip, Birdseye was on deck
every time, ready and eager to tell the news,
and bound to see that, like a huge snow—ball
rolling down hill, the facts lost nothing incourse
of regress.

t was noon, and the main street of the town
-—it was main by nature and Main by name—
was better filled than it would be a little later,
when the “ hour’s nooning” was past for the
workers, and the children had gone to school.

Suddenly, new and strange characters appear—
ed upon the scene. Around the corner by ’Si
French’s store came a. procession made up of a
man, a boy and a bear. Men and boys were
common enough at Birdseye, but bears were
not, and there was great excitement right away,
es ecially among the young Birdseye citizens.

he hear was brown, big and stately. He
walked a good deal as though he were a Presi-
dent-elect of the United States on his way to be
sworn into office, and well aware that the eyes
of the world were upon him. Alas for the bear,
however—despite his ponderous dignity, he was
a captive in chains. A collar was around his
neck, and to this was attached a small, steel
chain, and at the further end of the chain was
the man previously mentioned.

He was a curious little old man, homely, awk-
ward, ill—dressed and not any too clean; and he
walked with a loose motion which naturally
awakened a fear that his joints might fall apart
and leave him lyin in pieces. '

The boy was not 'ke the man. He was fifteen
years old, rather small, but compactly and
stoutly built, and though his clothes were coarse,
they were as clean as they were plain. He had
a bright, well-formed, intelligent and attractive
face, and would not have been classed as an -
thing less than a keen young fellow who oug t
to make his way in the world.

When this trio came around the corner, some
of. the older lonngers on the steps of the store re-,
alized that'va trained hear was among them, and
there were prompt callsto the man.

“ Hello! there, mister!” '

“ Where did you get it?"

“ Show up your bear!”

“ What can he do?”

“ Let us see him do it!”

Not by even a lance did the little old man

show that he hear these calls, but with a turn
as slow and ponderous as thou h be had an ox-
r around fac-
ing the loungers; and then, removing his bat-
tered old hat showed the merriest of dirty
faces‘and nodded several times in rapid succes-
sion.
_ “Gentlemen all, an’ maidens fair!” he cried,
in a shrill, cracked voicp, “ let me interduce
tor your notice the great, onrivaled, incom re-
henSIble aggregation 0’ mastodonic merit, be
Three Innocents! Hyeu- we be, in all our love-
liness an’ pristine brilliancy. This ’ere is the
world-renowned brown bear, Lightfoot Peter,
captered in the Rocky Mountains. in 1840'; Sent
by Express as a esent ter Cleopatra. Queen 0’
the Persians, an by her given ter Alexander,
the Great, King 0’ the Ostrogoths an’ Caledo-
m'ans. Lightfoot Peter, make yer best obel-
sanoel”

A .motion of alight stick which, the speaker
carried in one hand caused the .bear to sit up,
and then he bowed vely.

“ Next," continued the little old man, “ we
hev_ the great onrivalod musical Fwd!ng
Whistling Jacob, the boy wonder 0’ two 9911-.
tinents, who was born with a genius which
amounts tor the mirac’lous. As an infant he
could no more keep from 'whlstlin' than he could

 

 
  

eat boardin'-house steak; an’ the epidemic growed
on him ontil he seen he had got tor go out an’
take the ’hull world ter work it ofl" in. He tried
it fu’st on a dog, an’ as it didn’t hurt him, he
went ter Europe an’ whistled ter all the crown-
ed heads. When he whistled, theycomel At the a»
Pyramids 0’ Egypt he met this hyar bear,an’ the ;
two struck up a pardnership, Whistling Jacob,
make yer best obeisancel” .f,

The boy removed his cap and obeyed.

“ As fur me,’,’ went on the l uacious old fol.
low, “I am the chug that ha charge 0’ the
N umidian lions when ome made the gladiators
fight inter them, an’Iso tickled Na leon Bona-
parte when he Visited Caesar. y name was
Vagarius then, but I keep pace with the times;
I am Eliab Godown, n0w. Ehab, make yer
best obeisance l” I

The little old man spread his feet far apart,
plucked ofl? his hat and b0wed so very low that
he almost crawled through between his own
1e s.
glie came up safely, however, his face as dirty
and merry as ever. -

“Now, gentlemen,” he resumed, “you know
us an’ we know you, an’ you shall see what we
can do. I spoke in poetry then, but I wa’n’t ter
blame, no-more nor the gal who fell in love an‘
changed her name. Sech things will break out,
an’ all the ’intment in the world can’t stop the
eruption l”

 

CHAPTER II.
MARKING THEIR mm,

BY this time Eliab Godown had a good audi-
ence, old persons and__éoung alike crowding
around to look and 11: 1:. To most of them,
accustomed as they were to rural scenes, such
a. rapid flow of nguage was strange, and
one man ventured the opinion that the little old
man was crazy.

This idea was not general; the prevailing'
opinion was that he was a good-natured, but
very alert vagabond, and that he bad business
always in mind—the business of giving a .
“ show” for what money he could ge.t from I ‘

them.
Eiiab wheeled toward the boy.
“ Jacob, puckerl’fl _
Jacob was seen- to contract his lips,
Eliab wheeled upon the bear.

“ Peter, prepare!" _ Y 
Peter “ prepared ” ,by rearing upon hi. » .,
haunches. ‘

“ Selahl” 4 _ v

It was to be doubted If Mr. Godown had any
idea what his last-uttered word meant, but it
had a meaning for the other two “ Innocents,”
and the effect promptly followed the cause. In.
stantly the boy began to Whistle, and the bear
began to dance, and Eliab began to stamp one
foot upon the ground and, at the same time,
cla his hands in time, though not loud enou h
to rown the sounds._ The “ show ” Was fair 1

v.

sewn. «in kg..- ea  -‘

2s»

 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
 
  
    

be on. 4 '

it first all attention was on the bear, for noth~
ing could have furnished a greater novelty at r
Birdseye. But, Lightfoot Peter sadly belied his-
sobriquet; he was not light of foot. 0n the con-
trary, he was more clumsy than the average
bear, and he shuffled around in a ludicrous '
fashion, but he was a fascinating exponent of '
the art. If. other dancing bears were comically ‘
dignified Peter simply put them ,wholly in the
shade. Ills ponderous dignity covered him as!
with a garment, and he was as solemn asthough
taking part in his own wake. But, to use a. ’
painfully slangy term, he ‘5 got there just the _
same,” and one old gentleman who had led the ,
village church-choir thirty-seven years and two
months, affirmed that Peter kept perfect time '
and astounded him. _ ,
But Peter’s star was destined to grow dim. ‘ L
Another star was on exhibition, V .
After a little while all except the children be- '
came aware that they were being treated to re-
markable musm. Whistling is a common 'tt, '
and the boy who can’t do something at it a
rare specimen; but nobody in Birdse 6 had even
heard whistling like that of the dar -fwced bo
who gave Peter his ruling impulse. . ’ ' «v

The boy stood erect, turning his dark, flash.
lng eyes, new and then, as than 11 for eflec
and from his lips came a flood o melody thl
seemed to the astonished crowd more like some
wonderful instrument, eclips fienother 198W,
ments they had ever heard. ere were tricks
and devices in the execution which dumfound-i
ed them, but at all times the notes were rich,
[pure and silvery to an amazing degree- “ , .

Birdseye was amazed, and from that moment”
the boy with the flashing black eyes became tho

hero of all- Y
Jacob whistling

 

 
      
 
   

 
    
    
   
   
    
  
  

  

   
 
   
   
   
 

  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
   
   
     
    
   
 
   

 
 
 

 

 

   
 
  
 

  
 
  
  
 
  
   
 
  
 
 

  
  
 

   

And so it wanton, with

 

I

   

v

  

 

Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid.

3

 

 

’ Peter dancing, and Eliab stamping his foot and
i‘ clapping his hands as though his whole heart
was in the work.

Suddenly the show ended for the time. Jacob
' stopped whistling, the bear ceased dancing, and
_ the little old man straightened up like a soldier.
I “ Act first!” he shi‘illy announced, his face all
aglow with good humor and zeal. “ Behold
what this ’ere glorious country can exhibit, an’
then admit that life ain’t lived in vain. Gents,
of you had (lied in infancy, you’d never see’d
that onrivaled bear dance until he follered you
ter the spiritland. And, gents, you wouldn’t
heard no sech whistlin’, nuther."

“ Wherddid you come from 2” asked one of the
, loungers, recovering his breath.

«; “ All over the country.”
.- “‘ Forgot to wash on the way, didn’t you i”

“ Stopped it as soon as I thought 0’ comin’
here, fur I didn’t want ter be out 0’ style.”

“But the boy is washed clean.”

“He has ter be, 1” er the whistle ter get out on
him."

“ Where did he learn the art?“

, “ It was borned inter him.”

“ Give us another time, boy!”

“ Give the bear a show,” requested Eliab
Godown. “ He ain’t got a fan with him, an’ his
shaggy coat ‘is warm fur this weather. I’ve
kuowed him ter sweat so that I had ter scoop
the water away with a. bucket ter keep him
from bein’ drownded, an’ the waves run waist-
high at that 1”

With this voracious statement Eliab launched
forth another speech, his shrill voice piping out
in a most comical way. Whatever he said or
I; did was productive of laughter, for it was col-
i‘i‘ cred wit an individuality which cannot be de-
scribed, and while it put the seniors in great
good humor, it fairly “ caught the town,” as far
as the children were concerned. They stared in
open-mouthed wonder, first at the funny old
man, and then at the funny bear.

Ehab knew his business, and, as soon as he
thought best, Jacob was told to whistle again.
The show was renewed, and, while the boy with
the flashing black eyes thrilled them all with
marvelous music, Lightfoot Peter swung around
inslow and dignified circles.

When this performance was over, Eliab
; . ' showed the crowd that he was not there with-

}.  out an object. He puded. off his battered old
, . hat, and began to make the rounds in search of

.— .7». :2», ..~.-.«

 

\ ers. There was not a. superfluity of cash in
Birdseye, nor were the people particularly gen-
erous, but they knew a good thing when they
saw it, and quite a. harvest rewarded Mr.
Godown’ eflorts. Pennies and nickels rattled
into his hat.

, He had no sooner come to a halt than a dap-
, , 4 per little man stepped out of the crowd.

 ,V “I presume, stranger,” he observed, “that
your bear can do tricks."

. A few—just a few. His specialty is dan-
xn. _ ‘

“ Mr. Piercey don’t approve of dancing,” ob-
served a. voice in the crowd. “He’s an ex-
person!”

The man who had mentioned “ tricks ” turned
quickly.” ‘

“Do notbe unjust, sir,” he blandly replied.
“ This is quite a different matter from that we
haye been discussing. For the sake‘of the dear
children, I am happy to have this intelligent
animal perform, be it in the line of dancin , or
otherwise. Amusement for our little fol is
-,both rational and cod.”

And he smileds eetly upon the staring young-

0

   
  
  
    

 

  
  
   
    
  
    
  
 

rs.

He was well—known there. He was the Rev-
erend Clarence Piercey, a clerg man whose
health, it was said, had compelled im to aban-
don for the time the trying labors of hi! calling.
, Hedid not look strong. He was not over five
- feet and five inches in stature, and was alight
.weight. He was, however, a ve amiable man,
and his smile was 0 n and blan , if not partic-

clergy intelligent. oreover, it was very ‘ gush-

 
   
  
  
  
   
   
  
 
 

carcely had he finished speaking when a man
to his side whose appearance presented

a marked contrast. This man was nearly six
A feet tall and had a form of muscular proportions,
n ‘ but that was all that could be said for him. He

looked more like a New York “ blood ” of doubt-
1111 character than anything else. He sported a
tall white hat; a flaming red neck-tie; a big

watclmhain with a huge pendant ard: an
, checked

 dinniond‘pin, and light-cola
'fi‘flm‘s’m folio he a ifh had
‘ very y W was, an 6
“bean in the cityofGothpthe police would
vo kept a watchful eye on him. ,

  

 
  

   
  

 

    
 
  
 

  
    
  
 

 

 

 
 

  
 
  
  
 
 

   

coins which, he thought, ought to change own-’

view on him; I’ll break his head.

 

“ I second the motion,” he said, with the easy
assurance of a. man of the world. “ I will give
any boy here half a dollar to climb yonder tree
and deposit a scarf there; and I’ll give the
hear one dollar to bring it down. Let the chil-
dren see how a bear can climb. Eh, person?”

The Reverend Mr. Piercey looked with grave
disapproval at the flashy man.

“ it would be amusing,” he agreed; and then
edged a. few paces away from the generous
sport.

It the latter saw this act he did not heed it.
Several boys were at hand to win the half-dol-
lar, and when Eliab Godown had consented to
the arrangement, the sport selected one and the
lad went hurrying up the tree. It was a hard
climb for him, but he accomplished his work at
last, and then the brown bear had his turn. The
way in which he did the job made him'more of
a hero than ever. What Peter did not know
about tree-climbing was superfluous, and he
went up with ease.

While nearly every one was staring at him,
Eliab edged around where he could speak with
Whistling Jacob.

“ Say, be you on ter his nibs in the white
hat?” Eliab asked.

“ Yes,” the boy terser replied.

“ What is he?”

“ A sport.”

“ How bad?”

“ He has a rakish cut of jib.”

“ Whar’d he git the money ter buy them togs?
—make it, or steal it?”

, “ Do you suspect him 3”

“I never suspect till I know, but he’s wu’th
watchin’.”

“ His name is George Messenger; I heard him
so called.” -

“ “(,J'W any more 'bout him?”
0

‘t v

“ Sarculai'e an’ question. Pretend you think
he’s a stunnin’ lacker, an’ learn his biz, an’ w’ot
he is. Be sly, though; he as cunnin’ as a sar-

cut!”

it 17m on 1”

This conversation had been carried on in a
way which could not attract attention. Eliab
and his partner knew their business. Not once
had they looked at the object of their suspicions
while referring to him, and nobody was the
wiser for the colloquy. When it was over they
separated, and Eliab was ready to receive Light-
foot Peter when he came down.

“ The bear takes the dollar!” he shrilly an-
nounced. .

“ And here is the coin,” Messen er answered,
promptly, as he passed it own “ our bear is
a cod one. What more can he do?”

liab had carefully trained his pet to perform
a series of tricks, and these were now shown to
the crowd. Peter seemed also to know what-
ever was said to him, let the words he ever so
new and vague, apd he added a good deal to his
re utation. ‘

_ is master intended to pass the hat around
again, but was prevented by an unlocked-for
occurrence. , -

Around the corner of the store came a wild-
eyed, hatless man, but nobody paid attention to
himlpntfl his loud shouts attracted the attention
0 a .

“ Where‘s Sowders?” he yelled.
Nate Sowders!” .

That person happened to be at hand, and he
stepped forth from the crowd.

‘ Hallo, Sherwin!" he replied; “what’s up?”

“ I want one of your boats right away!” was
the excited answer. “Somebody has stole my
boat, and gone out to steal fish. I’ll have the
The sacred
majesty of the lanust be preserved. I think
it is that dandy from New York, and he’s stole
my boat!”

‘ Shocking!” cried the Reverend Mr. Piercey,
uplifting both hands.

‘ “Why don’t you start?” demanded Sherwin
almost dancing with anger and excitement. “I
want your boat to ketc that thief, and when I
get him, I’ll send him to jail for life 1”

CHAPTER III.
THEY 09 ON rim WAR-PATH.

11' was evident that Sherwin did not (possess
the good will of the citizens in any great agree,
for pearl all of them smiled and began to make
jokes at is expense, but Clarence Piercey set a
good example. '

‘.‘ Outlawry must not flourish in our good
town!” he declared; “and I, for one, am ready
and a’nxious to help Jared Sherwin recover his
own. - , I

“ count me in!” cried Messenger}?

“ Come on, then, gents!” add

i , .
' o

“ I want

\

 

dead, ill‘looking trees on

 

’ét’evam. ,

“ My boats are at your disposal, and we‘ll have
some fun, if nothing more.

“ I’ll have the law of him!” again amrmed the
angry man.

He could not say that no attention was paid
him. Every one who was able to at away fol—
lowed him and Sowders~even liab, Jacob
agd the bear fell in, and the procession started
0 .
Back of the village was a pond which covered
one hundred acres of land. Once it had been
only a fish-brook, but the necessity of controlling
the supply of water for the mills situated on the
stream had led to the building of a wall to stop
the flow, and the result was a reservoir of some
importance—Birdseye Pond it was called. Next,
the State passed a. law that no fish should be
caught during the ensuing three years, and this
term had not expired.

Boats were kept at the dam for use by pleasure
parties, these being in char e of Sowders. Jared
Sherwin owned land whic bordered the lake,
and he, too, kept a boat. It was, however, the
worry of his life, and as he was not a favorite,
it had been used without leave repeatedly, and
until he was a very indignant man. He had no
sympathy. Indeed, so unpopular was be, it had
often been suggested, on the sly, that it would
serve him right to smash his boat. The young,
fellows who said this, thou h, were he t from
action by a potent cause. omely and isa ee-
able as old Jared was, he had a pretty daug ter,
and not one of the “ boys” of the place had t e
heartto deprive Direxa. Sherwin of her fave te
pastime of rowing out on the pond with her own
fair hands.

Through the village to the pond went the
crowd, and Eliab, hanging tightly to Lightfoot
Peter, found another c ance to address his boy

y.

“ That Messenger ain’t a. crop nat‘ral tcr these
parts," Eliab remarked. '

“ He’s a city fellow, sure.”

“Keep yer eye on him, lad!”

“ You bet!” Jacob brieflgarlepli‘ed. ‘

“ He’s jest the kind 0’ a 'rpin ter be in law—
less biz, an’ about the size the robbers would
send up hyar ter find a place where their booty
could be stowed away.” '

“ He’s a s rt,” Jacob acknowledged, in a.
noncommitta way—young as he was, he was
snore inclined to be cautious than was Mr.

own. v

“ I wish one on us could go out in the boat l”

“ Wh ?” _

“ He’ have an all-fired good chanco torsion
up his companions.”

“ I’ll try it.”

iii)?” mi Niall. peculi h j yful

ia e wi a 'a'r, a py, 0
air 001111331 to him, but Lightfoot star was
not inclined to move as rapidly as the crowd
was going, so he and his [master fell behind, and
no further chance for conversation was aflorded,
since Jacob kept up with the others. ‘

The. shore of the pond was soon reached. It
was not the most pleasant sheet of water in ex.
istence, its appearance being marred by an
island in the center, of two acres in dimensions.
This had originally been a knoll, with pine,
spruce and hemlock trees upon it. Some of
these were now submerged near their roots, and
had died out. Thus the island was one crowned
with thick, green foliage but surrounded with
floating logs.

As the alleged boat-thief was not visible, Mr.
Sherwin inferred that he was near the island
unlawfully catching fish. a As the nurious o
farmer was etting nothing for be use of his
boat, the fishing became a positive sin in his

e es.
ySowders had two boats, and there was such a
call for them that both were unlocked. They
were quickly filled, and away they went, wit
the oarsmen 1pulling, briskly. It was not until )
they were we away.from the shore that any
one noticed the fact that Whistling Jacob was
one of the passengers.

“ Hullol youngster, where are you goingi"
demanded Messenger, laugfiion .
“ Out boating,” was the y s laconic reply.

‘~‘ Is this in your line of business?”

6‘ Yes.” ‘

“ Then whistle for us, to v your pan: ”

“No, no!" sharply orderefiherwin. “filth
no noise here, for we want to come 11 n the
thief nnawares. Boy, if you whistle, throw
you into the pond!” . . _

“ I shouldn‘t spill it,” replied Jacob, in his,
peculiar. terse way. . ‘ V

“ Let the boy alonefidinohed Mormon.

\

“Hogs doing no harm,‘aod  not be inb-
if He, should we ‘broufht the bear along,”

  

    

4

Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid.

 

 

suggested Messenger, “ and then, if our thief
had climbed a tree, Lightfoot Peter could have
brought him down.”

No one heeded this remark. The villagers
were inclined to guy old Sherwin concerning
the situation, and they succeeded in making him
more angry than ever.

Their remarks gave to Jacob the information
that the man who was supposed to have stolen
the boat was a young New Yorker who was in
Birdseye on his vacation, and, furthermore, re-
vealed the fact that the young man, who was
named Ralph Littletou, had shown Direxa
Sherwin some attention, and thereby made the
old gentleman his enemy.

“ Another man to size up," thought Jacob.
“ Littleton, like Messenger, is an outsider.
Here are two men who deserve to be looked to
before Eliab and Idecide whom to suspect of
connection with the bank—robbery.”

The boats approached the island, and, at
Sherwin’s earnest re nest, the occupants re-
lapsed into silence. very one looked for the
lone boatman, but he was not to be seen. If he
were engaged in unlawful fishing, he was either
close to the island, or on the opposite side.

A consultation took place, and it was agreed
that the boats should separate, go around the
island, and meet on the op slte side. This
was done; slowly and carefu y the men rowed,
but no discovery was made.

“ He’s on the island 1” declared Sherwin.

“ Fishing on dry land?”

“ Never you mind; you’ll find it as I say,”
was the stubborn answer. “ Put me ashore!”

His allies were not reluctant. They rowed in
among the dead trees, which were often so close
together that the oars had to be lifted as they
passed, and thus reached the land. There a. dis—
covery awaited them—carelessly tied to a tree
was a small boat, and nearly every one there
recognized it as Sherwin’s.

The old man’s eyes glittered.

“ I’ve got him! ’ he declared. “ The scoun-
drel can’t get awa without a boat, and he can’t
have this one. art of you stay here as a

uard, and the rest of us will drop on Mister

ittleton!”
He sprun ashore, and the others followed.
Whistling acob began to be really interested.

The island was a dark, thickly-wooded, gloomy
place, and he could not see why any one should
go out on a leasure-trip and bring up in such
alocality. is mind was just in condition to
receive impressions, and he could not help think-
ing that there was something suspicious about
the matter.

At all events, he was bound to go along and
see whatever occurred.

Jared Sherwin had become wily, and he cre t
u the hillside with as little noise as possib e.
Efllf a dozen persons followed him, with Jacob
among them. The nature of the way, with
short ine brush in abundance, caused him to
spree out somewhat, and thus it was the musi-
callagenius who made the first discovery.

e had parted a fringe of pines, and was
about to creep up the bank beyond, but was
brought to a halt by the sight of a man. Not
twenty feet distant stood a tall, well-dressed
young fellow, and his genteel appearance led

acob to conclude, at once, that it was Ralph
Littletou.

Plainly, the latter had thus far seen and heard
nothing of his enemies.

He presented a striking figure as he stood
there. In strong contrast to his good clothes he
held a spade, one end of which rested upon the
ground, with his left foot planted upon the

lade, while in his hand he held ascrap of paper.
Thus might a farmer be equipped, as far as
the spade was concerned, when going out to dig
up the soil.

But for what was this well-dressed young man
going to dig?

Certainly, he was not there to cultivate the
soil, and a sus iclon at once flashed upon Jacob.
Was it possib e that the wealth stolen from the
bank was to be buried there? No better place
could be found, certainly, if they wished to put
it out of sight entirely, and no one else was like-
1y to go digging around the island.

Sudden] the young man put the paper back
in his poc at and drove the spade far enough
into the soft soil—it was where a tree hadro-
cently been uprooted—to make it stand erect.
Next, he lifted a small rope from the ground
and tied it to the handle of the spade.

Jacob looked in growing wonder. What
kIIEd 9of 3 performance did the man contem-
p to

The boy was not destined to get more 11 ht on
this point. There was a crashing of bus ed at
one side, and, as the man looked up, Jared

 

Sherwin broke from cover and confronted him.
Jared was angry. He was very much disap-
pointed not to have caught Littletou fishing,
but this only added to his wrath, and he was re-
solved to make trouble about the boat.

“ So you‘re here!” he snarled, savagely.

Littletou appeared to be startled and con-
fused, but he made a strong effort to regain
calmness.

“ Yes, Mr. Sherwin,” he replied, politely.

“ Don’t you ‘ mister’ me! I won’t have it!”
and down came the old man's foot on the
ground.

“ Excuse me, sir; I meant no oifense~”

“ Didn’t mean none when you stole my boat, I
s’pose."

“ Stole your boat?”

“ That’s what I said.”

Whistling Jacob saw Littleton’s face flush
deeply.

“ ardon me, but I have not stolen it, sir.”

“ You’ve got it, ain’t you?”

“Yes, sir; but——”

“ Did you get my leave?”

H No.”

“Then you stole it. Hang you, sir, I’ll have
the law of you—I will, by gracious!”

Jared shook his flat at the object:of his anger,
and looked as though he would like to dance
with passion, while Ralph Littletou stood silent
and embarrassed, Clearly, he had some reason
for being confused, and looked like a man who
was in a bad plight and did not know how to
get out of it.

 

CHAPTER IV.

JARED DISCOVERS TOO MUCH.

ALL the members of the search—part were
now at hand, and they stood in a group ack of
Sherwin, watchin and listening, but showing
no sympathy for ared. Whistling Jacob, too,
came out of the pine thicket, and was one of the
most interested Persons present.

The spade stil stood where Ralph had thrust
it into the soft soil, with the rope tied around
it, and, to Jacob, the singular combination
seemed to say, mutely: “ I am a mystery; solve
me if you can i"

Littletou rallied.

“ I trust, Mr. Sherwin, that you are not really
offended,” he answered, paciflcally. “ I have
not intentionally done anything to anger or in-
jure you—J

“ Why did you take my boat?”

Littletou hesitated.

“ Wasn’t it locked?”

H Yes.”

“ And you used a bogus key, unlocked it,
made 06! with it, used it—in fine, stole it l”

“ Mr. Sherwin, how much does it cost for the
use of a boat here?” suddenly asked the young
man.

“ Sometimes more; sometimes less. You ought
to know. How much did it cost you 7"

“ I will give you five dollars for the use of
your boat, and return the craft within an hour.”

“ No, sir ! ”

“ Ten dollars!”

Jared’s eyes opened widely. It was a sum
which touched him. With the good opinion
which he had of money, that ten dollars would
have unlocked his heart if anything could, but
he was too angry to consider a compromise.
As it was, the crafty, suspicious side of his na-
ture was touched. Ten dollars was a good deal
of money—a vast amount, in his opinion—and,
he thought, nobody would offer it without some
extraordinary motive.

“ What’s up?” he demanded, looking around.
“ Got some crime you want to hide? What’ve
you been doing here, anyhow? Suspicious—-
very l”

“ Nonsense!” exclaimed Ralph, hastily. “All
I want is to avoid trouble. 1 am a comparative
stranger in this town, and I wish to live on good
terms with you all. I have not wronged an
one intentionally, and am willing to pay for a l
I use. Come, Mr. Sherwin, let us go to the
boat, and I’ll then give you ten do lars, and
only ask that I be set ashore by you.” ‘

As he spoke he moved on a few steps in a
very inviting way, but this only made matters
the worse.

“ No, you don’t!” declared Sherwin, his hair
seeming to bristle with suspicion. “There’s a
m story about this island, and I am going to
so ve it I”

“ Nonsense i” cried Littletou.

“ You deny it oh?"

“ Most certain y."

“ Well, I’m going to find out. I haven’t an
too good opinion of you, my fine fellow, and f

anybody lived near here, I should be scared for

.pan

 

their safety. What’re you doing with that.
spade? Been burying somebody l”

“ You can see for yourself that I have not
turned a sod or moved a particle of earth.”

“Humphl Something is wrong, and I know
it. Boys, scatter and search the island 1”

“ What nonsense!” exclaimed Ralph, with

rceptible annoyance and alarm. “Camel.
et’s all go back to the village—"

“nNot until we’ve learned your secret. Come
on!

By this time the old man had interested his
followers. He had talked about mysteries un-
til they had come to believe there was one,
and though they had no love for Jared, they
wanted to see the mystery, if there was one.
They were ready to follow where he led.

He started 03 at once, and there was a
general movement in the same direction. Jacob.
continued to watch Littleton, and he saw an
expression of painful uncertainty on the young
man’s face. He did not stand idle, however;.he-
started after Sherwin, and was the person who!
followed closest.

Only a few steps did the leader go, however,
before he came to a stop. Right ahead of him
was a hut. It was of the rudest kind, being
made of brush, sticks and mud but there it
was, a structure five feet wide and twelve long.

“Ho!” exclaimed Sherwin. " Here is dis—
covery number one. A but on the island, and a.
brand new one at that. Started a colony, have
you? Perhaps on have a bride there, too 1”

The last wor s were ironical, but the speaker
had his answer sooner than he expected. A

oung lady appeared in the doorway and
Jared Sherwin’s lower jaw fell as though sud-
denly moved by machinery. For a moment he
was speechless, and his equally-astonished fol-
lowers were 9 ually mute.

The young ady was Jared’s own daughter,
Direxa Sherwin!

The father’s face lost its blank expression
only to grow pale with anger, but, before he
had recovered the power of speech, the girl
moved toward him. She appeared to be alarm-
ed, but the fact was so evident that an effort
to avoid a. collision would be useless, t at she
did not attempt any. She came (tuicldy out of
the but, and after her came a ony, middle-
aged woman who, likewise, was at once recog—
nized. She was Miss Lucy Sherwin, Jared’s
sister. '

Direxa was a. pretty girl, but, just then, her
beauty was under a cloud of anxiety. Her gaze
sought her father’s face inaway which told:
how _well she understood his temper.

He did not compel her to open the conversa‘

tion.

“ Girl, what are you doing here?" he asked, in
a. shaking voice.

“ I rowed out to see the island,” she replied,
and her voice was far from steady.

‘tWho with 3”

“Aunt Lucy and "v—here the girl flashed a
quick look to Ralph—“ Mr. Littleton.

“ How dared you?” almost shouted Jared.

“ Sir? What harm have I done?”

Sherwin’s hair appeared to bristle more than

ever.

“ Didn’t I tell you not to even speak with
that dandy?”

He pointed contemptuously to Ralph.

“ Excuse me," returned Direxa, her face
flushing, “ but I think that if we are going to
discuss private affairs, we had better do it in.
private.” .

“ We’ll do it now, and here 1” Violent] pro-
claimed Sherwin. “ Everybody knows have
told that young scamp that you are too good
for him, and that I won’t have him around, and
I will show my neighbors how to manage a
contumacious daughter l”

Miss Lucy Sherwin, who was a severe—faced
maiden lady, advanced and spoke in a voice as
severe as her expressnon. .

“ Jared Nicholas Sherwm, if I was on, I
would learn to manage myself, first of a] l” she
proclaimed. “Such lntemperate language, and
public display, is odious to good taste—”

“ So are you I” snapped her amiable brother.
“ Lucy Cyrena, you mind your own business!
I’m going to have a settlement here I’ I _

“ What have you to do with it, if Direxa and
I did come here!” _

“ I forbade her going with that city dandy.”

“ Ain’t she of age?”

“ She’s my daughter, and I choose her com-

y'” I
“From the way you’re trying to disgrace her,
I should say the worst company she could have
was you I" _

“ Lucy Cyrenn,Jyou mind your own business.”

“ Same to you, and Nicholas!”

  

 

 

 

, ‘v \‘tum‘ veilirjfl'm‘ ‘ .

M W:—

“new,

.tss‘v;

5.5»;

 

 

 

 

 

. island where the boats had been le t.

. eta and over logs to the great detriment of
. _outer garments.

,. \keep away or we wi duck him?”

v

Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid.

5

 

 

Brother and sister glared at each other to the
great amusement of the most of the spectators,
who knew their vinegarish temper of old, but
Direxa, who was a modest, amiable and sensi-
ble young lady, looked deeply mortified and
pained.

“ Aunt Luc , do not say any more!” she re-
quested. “ V 9 will return to the house at
once.”

She did turn away, but Jared was as obstinate
as a mule, and was not to be appeased.

“ You can’t browbeat me I” he declared.
“ It’s a duty I owe my neighbors to vindicate
my reputation, and I’ll do it. I want to know
the meaning of all this. Why is this but built
here? Why was it built? Who built it? And,
ingst of all, why does a daughter of mine visit
It

Fiercely the old man glared, but George Mes-
senger spoke in a tone of contempt:

“ If 1 were you, [would look the but over,
instead of standing here and howling like a sore-
headed cur.” '

Sherwin over] )oked the uncomplimentary
part of the remark in view of the importance
of the suggestion.

“I’ll do it," he replied, and at once made a
break for the but.

Whistling Jacob had intended to keep silent,
but his active mind Could not overlook one fact.
He was disgusted with Sherwin, and in sym-
pathy with Di rexa, and he felt pity for her when
she was so publicly abused by her own father.

The boy moved quickly to where Ralph Little-
ton stood with folded arms and a frown on his
handsome face. \

“Mister, don’t you see there is a chance for
you to go?” J acob inquired.

Littleton started, and then looked toward
Direxa.

“ Take her along,” the youth suggested. “ If
she come with you, don’t desert her now.
old gent can’t be any madder, anyhow, and
you can score a big point by beating him out,
and taking her back as you came.”

Ralph allowed his hand to rest upon Jacob’s
arm for a moment.

“My lad, I’ll see you a sin!” he said.

Then he hurried to irexa’s side. Jacob
watched. Direxa seemed to hesitate, but Lucy
Cyrena added her voice,- and, at the end of a
few moments, the trio hastened away. Jacob
chuckled. He knew that the sour, peevish old
man would be full of wrath when he learned the
latest news, and he would be well served. He
would not have a chance to abuse his pretty
daughter further in public.

Disappointment met Jared at the hut. With
the exception of a log, the only Seat there, and a
‘few trifles which indicated nothing whatever,
the but was vacant. Whatever the secret was,
the but was a good custodian; it told no tales
whatever. When convinced of this fact, Sher-
win went outside again.

“ Where is Littleton i” he asked. .

The men looked around.

“ He was here a moment ago,” one villager-re-

lied.
“ Where is Direxa?”
“She was here, tee.”
“ They ain’t here now.
Where’ve they gone i”
Nohod 1 except Jacob knew, but the fact that
Direxa, er aunt and Littleton were alike miss-
ing was very suggestive. 80 thought Sherwin,
and he suddenly rushed toward that art of the
He was
in~a new fury, and be rushed through the thifik-
is

“ The old man is laid ontl” declared George
I Messenger. -

" I hope so,” replied a red-faced man.

“ So do I. What business has he to interfere

Where are they?

' with the affairs ofa man like Littleton'l This

island is now the property of no man and is not
worth a dollar. Sn pose we tell éherwin to

“ To keep away? What has that  do/with

_ his anger against Littletou and Direxa?”

4‘ He ought not be allowed on this island.”
“ Why not?” .
Whistling Jacob waited for the reply even

. more eagerly than the red-faced man. .Wby
~ was Messenger so anxious about the island? r

03.:me v.
. m mxoonms WANT 'ro KNOW. ,
,» ‘ismwm don't own this land, does he?”
Messenger asked.
, u N031 ‘ . I , _ ,
H “ Then he has noright tocome here and annoy
others.” , ‘ ’
his reason did [not satisfy Whistling Jacob,

K-é

The I

 

but doubts of Messenger were for the time put
aside. Jared Sherwin had come to a bait, and
was swinging his arms and shouting words which
would do no credit too good citizen. He had
reached a little point of land where the island
was the highest. and, too, about the only point
where one could get a view of the lower part of
the pond from the knoll.

Such a view he had‘gained, and what he saw
enraged him more than ever.

His own boat was making away with Ralph
at the oars, and with Direxa and Miss Lucy as
passengers.

If Jared had been a sensible man he would
have admitted defeat and allowed the matter to
rest there. He did not live in the Dark Ages,
when a man could lord it as far as his power
would permit, and as Direxa was legally her own
mistres, his authority did not go far. He was,
however, a sensitive man, and the fact that his
neighbors saw him so signally discomflted
aroused all his anger.

Such being the case, he stood on the elevation
and stormed like a pirate until Messenger step-
ped up and pulled axis sleeve.

“ See here, you in e me tired I” declared the
man in the flashy clothes.

u Hey?”

“ Tired!" ‘

Messenger repeated the word laconically, and
in a. tone of disgust. Then he abruptly added:

“ You ought to have a strait-jacket.”

Naturally, this did not improve Sherwin’s
temper, and he came near making an assault
upon the speaker, but the fact that all the other
men were smiling at his expense changed the
old man’s mood. He became angry at them all,
and at once relapsed into sullen silence.

In this mood he descended the hill, and his
companions followed. All entered the boats,
and the return to the village was begun. Jacob
was the quietest person present, but there was
no one who felt like guyiug Jared. Despite the
fact that he was a law abiding citizen. he was
quick-tempered, and if too much stirred up,

might do some reckless deed for which he, as

well as others, would subsequently be sorry.

When the eastern shore was reached, it was
seen that his boat was in its roper~place.

Littleton had made a quic passage and left
it where he had found it.

Jared was the first man ashore from the last
boats, and without a word to his allies, he
marched off home in what Messenger aptly
termed “doublequick time.” It had been ex-
pected that he would. carry out his threat of
having Ralph arrested, a far as possible,,but
clue thought had convinced the old’ gentleman
that he was powerless.

Littletou had no right to take the boat him-
self, but with Direxa. and Miss Lucy along, he
had an undoubted right to its use.

. Ashort distance from the landing-place lay
Eliab Godown and Li htfoot Peter, and as the
others strolled away, acob sought the side of
his old friend.

H on?" >

It was avery brief question, with Eliab as,
the s eaker, but Jacob under .

“ ell, I haven’t found the bank-thieves,” the
lad re lied. -

“ ou’ve had a chance ter size up Sherwin,
Littleton, and Messenger?”

“ Sherwin is a violent-tempered, selfish old
fellow; Littleton looks honest enough ; Messenger
isu sport from head-watersi” v

"Do you suspect anybody?” .

“ N 0, but there’s a story for you to hear.”

Jacob told what had occurred at the island.
Eliab listened attentively, thoughtfully stroking
Lightfoot Peter’s head.

“ A but on the islandl” the leader then re—

eated. “ You an’ me don’t know whether that

s suspicious or not, but it seemed so ter strike‘

them who ought ter know. Then Ralph Little-
ton was about ter dig up the ground. Why?
What furl Odd l” , '

Eliab tapped his long nose meditatively with
his long finger.

“ Odd!” be repeated.

“What about the m e he had just tied to the
spadeehandlei” asked acob. ,

“ Give it up. Ropes an’ spades ’t usually
go together. Jacob Potts, we'll go an’ see the
place ter night i” /

4“ I couldn’t help thinking what a nice spot it‘
would be to bury the treasure stolen from the

bank, if the robbers oculd get it here, and saw
fit to bury it at all.” ‘ » ,

“, Fuck, Potts—fuck! But they won’t now
bury it right there, now they know suspicion is
on its legs—that is, of Littletou is in the game.

“ I doubt if beis.” ' ' ' , ‘

I

e
a.

.A._

‘But that ain’t ter the p’int.

' looked at them with curiosi

 

“ But there is a myst’ry ’bout the island?”

“ There is, indeed. ’

“ Can’t be no buried treasure put thar by old
pirates, robbers, or anybody else, an’ forgot.

o; whatever Ralph was goin’ fer dig fur, it
wa’n’t ter raise up a treasure. Ef any treasure
was at stake, it was one he wanted ter bury."

“ The bank-robbers' plunder.”

“ Jest so. But how about Messenger? He
looks like a city sharper. Never see‘d him
hauled up as a bunco-steerer, hey i”

“ No. He’s a sport, sure, but whether dis-
honest, I can’t say.”

“ Ef thar is one honest sportin' man,” avowed
Eliab Godown, “ he ought ter hev a monniment,
an’ be put up on City Hall steps, N’York.
Cards an’ bosses gnaw the Vitals out o’ a man’s ‘
decency in a twinklin’. The man who shuffles
pasteboards fur money, be it big or little, is on
a center for rdition, an’ be has only ter go for
the race-trac , bet on a sartain boss, an’ be will
git ter perdition. He’ll arrive dead broke, too.
Any more news?”

Jacob went over his story and made the Econ-
liar points stand out more distinctly. liab
brushed a fly from Lightfoot Peter’s nose in a
mechanical way.

“ It won’t do any harm ter keep an eye on
Littleton an’ Messenger. They’re stran ers, an‘
sech are allays open ter suspicion. We’ 1 watch
‘em. We’re on the ground now, an’ the inspec-
tor is down in N’York all on hair-edge, an’ ex‘
pectin’ us tor nab the bank-robbers.”

“ We shall do it, too.”

“ Do it? Why, sartain we shall. The Three
Innocents was never downed yit in a detective
case, an’, they won’t be now. I guess, Jakey,
we’ll go back ter the village an’ try ter turn
another honest penn . Two humans an’ a
dancin’ bear who spen most 0’ their times layin’
on the grass, an’ p’intin’ their toes at Old Sol,
Jupiter, Satan, an’ other overhead planets an’
stars, is liable ter create suspicion. We must
git our bread by the sweat of Lightfoot Peter’s
brow an your whistle.”

‘ “ Why not go down to Sherwin’s house?”
, “ He might eat up Peter, he’s so cranky.”

“ I’d like to see him and Peter in a. scrap.”

Eliab shook his head gravely.

“ I’m astonished!”

“ At what?" ,

“ For a detective, you are reprehensivel
bloodthirsty.” ' A
This was intended as a joke. and Eliab Scram-

bled to his feet as he spoke, and added:

“ Lightfoot Peter, arise! Take up yer carcass
an’ walk! Elevate yer nderous frame an’
move. There is mischie afoot, an’ you must
dance while we smell it out. Hal hal—-—it does
me good, Jacob, ter think ’how we too] the na-
tives. I das’ say there ain’t a more innocent,
lv;ng»abondish, harmless-lookin’ gang out than we

el, ‘

Mr. Godown chuckled cheerfully. It did him
a good deal of good to so deceive people, and
make them think he was only a strolling nobod ,
earning his living by means of Peter’s be
when, really, be was always on the alert, and
criminals had as much reason for fear when
Peter’s nose appeared in town, as though the
most noted of detectives was there, instead of a
mild, jolly little old man, whose double char-
acter was known to but few men. - .

Lightfoot Peter was an obedient animal, and
he arose at the word of command and went'
lumbering down the dusty road With a slow and
stately step.

Peter’s partners had expected to find Jared
Sherwin turning his household into a Bedlam of
words. but, when they arrived, Direxa and Miss
Lucy Cyrena were sitting on the piam in what
seemed a very calm, mood. and the old gentle-
man was nowhere visible.

Jared and his “ tahtrums," as his good sister
expressed it, made up a part of the daily life at
the house,‘and though be bad on this occasion
gone further than usual, and insulted his daugh-
ter by making trouble in public, she was trying
to ignore it. , ‘ -

Ra] h Littleton had escorted the ladies home-
then ared had come, raved for awhile, and
then gone to his room and locked himself in.
After a storm, pence. With Jared, the peace
after the’ storm meant a sulkydperiod, during
which he would not deign to a dress his rela-
tives. ’ .

Up'to the door Eliab Godown led his bear, '
with Whistling Jacob close at his heels, and the
little old man was pleased to see that Direxa.
and interest.

Traveling bears were 0 acts she had rarely
seen. '

Eliah at once raised his shrill, cracked voice:
.“ Maidensall an’ Indies fair, we serlute you!

 

6

Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s

Aid.

 

Behold here the compressed, double-distelled
aggragation 0’ superfine brilliancy an’ merit,
which has dazzed the Old World, and made the
crowned heads caper fur joy like toddlin’ babes,
at sight 0’ this hyar onrivaled combination
knowed in hist’ry, po’try an’ diplomatic circles
as the The Three Innocents. Behold us, one an’
all—man, boy on) bear; especially the bear.
Behold the famed four-legged meteor who has
come out o’ the West like a blazin’, Herculean
comet. Lightfoot Peter, make yer best obei-
sancel”

Thle bear sat up and bowed as gravely as
usua .

“ Mercy! is he run by machinery l” exclaimed
Lucy Cyrena Sherwin.

The good lady referred to Eliab, whose lo na-
city and ponderous words had amazed her, ut
Eliab did not see fit to take the hint. His face
beamed with pride, and he looked at Lightfoot
Peter and wagged his head sagely.

“ No, esteemed madam: my bear is a human
bear, though I allow that sech a brain was
never before set inter a bear’s head. His amaz-
in’ intelligence caused a royal rincess o’ the
Old World, whose name I disreco eck jest now,
ter write a poem about him, which was sum-
inut like this:

' Mr. E. Godown has come ter town,

A matchless gem tor show us:

He’s brought a. bear with shaggy hair
An’ intellect not fur below us.

We are by birth the salt of earth;
The common herd us never leases;

But when them three shall viSit me
The royal flag flies in the breaesl‘

Thar was seventy-three more stanzas, but none
0‘ the rest had quite so much pathos inter them.
Some, too, was flatterin’ tor me an’ Whistlin’
Jacob- Jacob, make yer best obeisancei”

Jacob promptly obeyed.

“ Now, then, ladies fair, allow us ter give ye
a sample 0’ what charmed the crowned heads
an’ made some on ’em sick—with emotion.
Jacob, let loose I”

Bowing, smiling and beaming with good na-
ture, Eliab had rattled off the foregoing as
though his life depended upon it, but Jacob
finally had a chance.

He whistled, and the fact that he had such a
small audience did not cause him to slight his
work. He whistled, and the melody caused
Lucy Cyrena’s severe expression to give place
to one of wonder. There was something re-
markable about the bcy’s execution, surely.

The notes were wonderfully clear and nothing
seemed impossible to him. He had tricks of de-

livery which not one person in ten thousand
could command, and these were used with the
ease of one in whom was born the gift he ex-
hibited.

The Three Innocents had attentive auditors.

If Jacob was grand in his whistling act, the
other corners of the triangle were very funny.
Lighttoot Peter was gravity in the extreme,
and he shambled around curiousl , while Eliab
rippled with good-humor and ‘ost childish
exuberance of spirits.
‘ He had an eyoto business, however, and when
the Innocents rested from their labors, he darted
uptotbe ladies with the ever-greedy hat ex-
tended. ,

“ I don’t very often give to no charity but the
.church,” announced Luo Cyrena, as she drap-
ped apenny beside of irexa’s dime, “ but I

now a ood thing when I see it.”

“Veri , the Lord lovetha cheerful giver,
and the heathen are not all in Central Africa 1”

 

CHAPTER VI.
AND sow CLARENCE is momma.

THESE words were spoken in a di‘awling, na-
sal voice, and Eliab wheeled around and saw
the «ex-Reverend Clarence Piercey. The dapper
little gentleman stood by with a. most bland and
entrancin smile on his weak little face, and
seemed to as harmless as a grinning doll, but
his words were not agreeable tothe leader of
the detective trio. '

“Heathen ain‘t all in Afrikay eh!" retorted
Eliab. “No; I see they ain’t. When .did' you
come away i”

“Nay, dear brother; he not severe in th
iests,” answered Clarence, in gentle reproo .

‘Bcar in mind that ladies are present-rtth
noble said Dear ladies! how I revere and love
them 1”

And Clarence lifted his hands, and rolled his
eyes upward as though trying to discern some
new planet in the heavens. ‘

Eliab was tempted to retort that, if such was
thecase, be pitied the ladies, but he was not at
Birdseye to quarrel with any one.

,.

i “My good man,” added Mr. Piercey, “ will
you give us another exhibition? I have not yet

ad a good chance to witness the antics of your
valuable bear, or to listen to our wonderful
boy? Please accept this smal donation, and
perform for my pleasure.”

The speaker extended a dime, and'did it with
:he smile still upon his face—indeed, that smile
seemed to he a fixture there. Clarence would
have done well to banish it, the smile was sick-
1

yEliab turned to his allies,

“ Let the waters 0’ the great deep be onchain-
ed 1” he cried, in a loud voice. “ Go it, my ven-
erated contem oraries, ar.’ I’ll set down here an”
enjoy a smal mouthful o’ prime terbarker.
Whoop her up in the West Indies, Birdseye an’
all way-stationsl”

Mr. Godown spoke in his usual rollicking way.
but Jacob received a. suggestive glance which
told him that Eliab had some purpose in view.
What it was the boy suspected when his com-
rade sat down and leaned his back against a tree.
He had taken the tobacco of which he badspoken,
and seemed to relapse into a torpid state, but
Jacob knew that Eliab had keen ears, and sus-
pected that he was about to use them.

He was right. *

Clarence ambled up, to where the ladies sat,
and Miss Lucy Cyrena nearly fell over a chairin
her zeal to place it for the gentleman. Others
might say that his smile was insipid, but she
thought it charming,and her onlyregretwas that
he was not only a retired preacher, butrefused to
assist in any and all services, owing, no doubt, to
modesty. ‘

“ Well, dear ladies, are you enjoying good
health?” Mr. Piercey inquired.

“ Lovely l" declared Lucy Cyrena.

“ I am glad—very glad to hear it.”

“ We know how sympathetic you are,
sir.”

“ Indeed I am, and, ladies, I am sorry I was
not at the island to act asa mediator.” .

“ It was a sad aflairl” sighed Lucy Cyrena.

“ And perplexing.” I

“ How so?” *

“ I have heard singular statements to the ef-
fect that Mr. Ralph Littleton had a. hut built
there 81719. was about to dig for something.”

es.

“Surely, he does not expect to strike a gold-
mine there?”

“ Well, I don’t know.”

“ But you were with him?”

“ Ye_es.” *

“ Then I should infer you must know what his
plans and purposes were?” .

Clarence Piercey tried to make his smile more
pretty, charming and expensive as he spoke,

ut it had already trespassed upon the domains
of his ears; he could smile no more widely, but
he did beam like the sun. Lucy Cyrena showed
considerable uneasiness. v
I“; don’t know, dear Mr. Piercey,” she re-
19 . . '
p “ Perhaps Miss Direxa does?”

Clarence turned his head and beamed upon the
younger Miss Sherwin. Now, Direxa did not
admire the dapper little man. From the time
when he first came to Birdseye ’he had shown a
greference for her societ which annoyed her.

he could not admire his richly smile, or his soft,
efleminate voice, and though the liberal way in
which he gave to needy persons in the town
made him exempt from many of the ills to which
man is heir, she did not want his company. ‘

To the last Question she replied: ‘

“ I think I can suggest some one who does.”

" Who, pray i” ~A .

“ Mr. Izittleton, himself !"

Clarence’s face fell. r .
_ :But I thought you would also know about

it.

“About what?”

“ Littloton’s business at the island.”

" And what, pray, do you care about it?”

Direxa’s anner was hostile. She did not
iortunately, inherit the Sherwin temper, and
her air was lady-like in the full sense of the
word, but Piercey was shown that she was not
going to t him as an’adorer. ,

‘- - atu , I am curious,” he treplied,

wealééy. \
“ by should you be?” . .
“Well, it looks odd," declared Clarence,
mildly. “ Of con a. man might build a but
on the island just out of romantic interest, but I
hear that, when interrupted, Littleton was
about to dig for something, and that he had a
,long cord tied to his spade. What was he
going to do with the cord“. Why was he going

dear

 

to dig? For what was he going to dig?”
“  are posers!” asserted Lucy Cyrano,

says she: ‘ This is the place l’ ”

,pe‘rplexed and suspicious.

‘ fully With anything that her com anion said,

 

 

and her manner indicated that she was curious,
not being in the secret.

“Mr. Littleton can probably inform you,” _ l
coldly added Direxa.

“Allow me to ask,” persisted Clarence,
“where was the exact place Where he was to
dig?”

Direxa arose.

“All these questions Mr. Littleton can an- V ,
swer, if he Sees fit. From us you will get no  -
information, for it looks to me as though you
are seeking to pry into what does not concern
you in the least. Excuse my plain talk, but I
do not admire mischief-makers or inquisitive
meddlers!” a

“Direxa Estella Sherwin, be you crazy?” de-
manded Miss Lucy, in deepest horror. “For
shame i—to speak thus to the Reverend Mr.
Pierccy‘; I am astonished at you. Verily,
verily, this is awfully shockingi”

“ And in this generation," deposed Clarence,
rolling his eyes upward, “the viper and the
scoffer goeth abroad to vex the mind of the
faithful with grievous words of levity and un- ‘
kindness, and unseemly contentions afl‘right the '
minds of those devoted to the cause of holiness!" . ,

“Hear his lovely termsl’ uttered Lucy Cy- , .
rena, attempting to roll her eyes as Clarence 3’
had rolled his. ,1 N

Direxa’s disgust .seemed to increase, and, I,“
without any iurther words, she turned and en— ,  i ,
tered the house.  «

‘i This pains mel” declared Clarence. v

“ So it does me.“ "

“But we must remember that the lady is
young.’

“ And foolish!" -’

“ You were at the island, Miss Sherwin?”

“I was.” .

“Did they not confide in you?”

“ Not a. word. I wen". out with them, and, in
spite of my protest, we linded. When we got
to the to of the island, Direxa began to wander
about li e an unquiet ghost. Finally she says,

 

   
  
   
   
    
  
  
   
 
   
  
   
  
  
  
    
  
     
 
  
 
  
   
  
    
   
      
  
   
      
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
    
  

 

“ Where were you then?” Piercey eagerly
asked.

“ On top of the knoll.”

“ But the particular spot?” ‘

“I can’t tell any more than you. It was all a .
jungle there, and one place seemed like an— -
other." - ‘

“What did Littleton do next?”

“Next,” replied Lucy Cyrena, severely,
“Direxa trotted me awa to look at the but,
and there she kept me. can now see that it
was part of an infamous plot, but she made
elaborate excuses. and she kept me in that mis-
erable shanty. What Littleton did. or where he
went, I don’t knew. I am now sorry that I
took his part.” ,

The speaker was frequently sorry for what.
she did, for her impetuosity led her to act, hast-
ily. She made it a. point to be ready to encoun.
ter her brother whenever he threw dpwn the
glove of war, and had only lived up to her record
when on the island, but her present state of ,
mind was brought about solely by her weakness
for the Reverend Clarence. /

“ Who is this Littleton, anyhow?” Piercey abo‘ v ‘
ruptly asked. , ‘ - >
' ‘ A young man from New Yor .”

“What is his business?” ' , '

“ I believ he is an engraver on wood."

“ Humph.——and he has got so rich that he can
come up here, pass the summer and do no,
wglliwd ‘ l l k to hi

e ap r itte‘ man spo e ui roug , ,V
and the sickly smile died out inqhis face. go
bad contracted his brows in a frown, and seemed -

‘Idon’tl know much about him. He comes
often to see Direxa, and that’s all I known". , r '
“It’s my opinion that he is no better than he ‘
ought to be! . ‘
sually, Lucy Cyrena would have agreed

but she had some prudence left. he believed
that Direxa was capable ‘of forming accurate
judgments, and using the same; and as she had
for some time had a theory that ionng Littleto'n v
might yet come into the family, would hem
as well to exercise prudence. 3
Consequently, she blandly observed that» every
one appeared to think well of the young New,
Yorker, and she presumed he was all right:
Then she referred to the lateness of the hon!"
spoke of her household duties, excused 1: ,x
and left the caller. He did not delay in 
hisleave. . ’ ’ ' ‘ :. ' ‘11
He had’forgotten The» Three Innocentsubitt
they were still there. The “Show” was over”.
and Jacob was rolling upon the ground
Peter’s side, and playfully pulling the

 
    
      
  

 

   
 
    
  
 

        

 

Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid.

 

ears; while Eliab sat by the tree with his mouth
wide open and his eyes fast closed, apparently
sound asleep.

Clarence looked first at him and then at
Jacob.

“ How beautiful is youth 1" pronounced the
gentleman, uplifting his hands. “ Thus is it
with us in the morning of our lives; we gambol
on the greensward like lambs. Lovely, and in-
expressively sweet, is youth 1"

lie smiled his broadest smile upon Jacob but
that youth gave no sign that he heard. With
his face averted, he continued to pull Peter’s
ears, and Clarence moved on his way, reached
the main street, and, bowing and grinning to
every one he saw, went to his home.

As he receded, Jacob raised his head and
looked after him with a peculiar expression.

“Gammon!” was his terse comment.

Eliab Godown opened his eyes.

“ How lovely is youth 1” mimicked the leader
- of the Innocents. “ How sweet things he,
‘_ b’mightyl How fresh is natur’, an’ how fresh
’ is that critter! Say, J akey, cf 1 had that chap’s
grin, I’d hang it up in the cornfield fer scare off
crows!”

p . With this comment Eliab scrambled to his

feet.

“ Lightfoot Peter, arisel” he added. “Take
yersclf up an’ walk. Jacob, foller wharI lead,
 fur I" hev words 0’ wisdom ter speak inter yer

 

CHAPTER VII.
 SOUNDS WHICH mvn A. MEANING.
.f TEE Three Innocents went slowly down the

road.
1 “ J akey, what d’ye think 0’ the parsonl‘” Go-
. down asked.

“ I don’t believe he is one.”

“ No, fur he’s retired from service—”

“ I don’t believe he ever was a minister. Men
of that profession have some dignity, and a cer-
tain air that lifts them above the common level.
Who ever saw a minister going around and
grinning like a hyena, and talking in a voice so
flat that it would make a school-girl sick? If

on ever see such a. man, Eliab, steer clear of

im; he’s no good. A silly minister is only to
be found when some dude trips nature up and
gets into the business, instead of teachin school
in an asylum for the feeble-minded. o, sir '
Clarence don’t fill my idea of a minister, and I
don’t believe he is one.”

“ That’s a p’int I hadn’t thou ht on,” gravel
re lied Eliab, “ but I shall thin on it now.

j e that you don’t like him.”

“ don’t.

“ Nor me.”

, “Why is he so interested in the island? It is a
mean li tle knoll, covered with pines and other
timber, which none of the farmers here would
clear 03 for it; yet Littlewn and Piercey are

, mightin in love with it.”

‘ An’ Clarry seems mad ’cause Ralph is in-
t’rested.” '

“ Just so.”

“Jacob Petts. you an’ me want tar take a.

. squint at that island.”

“ Right, Eliab."

“ Can you show me whar Ralph had his spade
grounded, an’ the rope tied to it, when he was
stode in his work?”

“ can."

“ Then we’ll go that tor-night. I noticed that

. a raft was by the shore up yonder—we’ll git that

. an’ paddle over. Folks go ter bed in the coun-

try at nine o’clock; we’ll wait outel twelve, an’
then 0 over.”

“ E b,” said the youth, lowering his voice,

» " you suspect that We are on the track of our
bunk-robbers!”

, “Potts,” quoth Mr. Godown, “him who sus-

V pacts kin never be sure he’s right. We won’t

‘ suspect nobody ontil ou hev the lasso over his

nee an’ the proof in and; but what should we

, investigate, of not the things we consider user?

_Mysteries m the country are not as they in

the city—that is, they are not so thick that they

1 tumble over each other in the streets! But it’ll

amuse ’us, anyhow, ter look at that air island on

m. l

‘ .Withthis non-committal reply Eliab winked
wigs}; at his young ally, and the discussion
a h

r [Theirnext step was _to look for quarters for
‘ the night. The detective trio never went out on
[an expedition without plenty of money, but they
“clung closely to‘ their assumed character, and
, never hired good quarters. Usually, they beg-
’ ed for a place to sleep as meekly as a tramp of
harmless order. I
. Eliab, on this on, had his eye on a barn
"near the pond, and when he learned that the

“,5, 

 

    
     
   
    

 

     
    
  
    
     

  
   
   
  

  

 

 

owner was a good-natured man who had taken
considerable notice of them at the village when
they gave their first exhibition, he made his re-
quest freely, but respectfully.

It was granted. The farmer thought that the
applicants had honest faces, and they were
promptly told that they could sleep in the barn.

Next they visited their quarters, paid the
farmer for a'frugal supper, and, sundown being
near at hand, again visited the main street and
repeated their exhibition. This time there was
nothing to interrupt, and Jacob and the bear
fairly “ caught the town.” The boy, in par-
ticular, was voted a wonder, and every other
boy in the place began to practice anew the art
of whistling.

Some trouble was experienced in shaking off
the young admirers when the show was over,
but it was done at last, and the trio went to the
barn. It lacked three hours of midnight, and,
as Eliab possessed the gift of being able to
awaken very close to a desired time, they lay
down to sleep for a while.

Twelve o’clock found them astir. Lightfoot
Peter then became a fifth wheel to the coach, so
to speak. He was not wanted during the expe~
dition, but they had before then had unpleasant
experiences in leaving him behind—owing to
visits of outsiders—so Peter had to go along.

When The Three Innocents emerged from the
barn all was dark and quiet. Nata light was
visible in the village. Jacob led the Way to the
pond and they were soon beside the raft, which
was uly launched.

Now, Lightfoot Peter was an obedient bear,
but he had never shone in public life as a sailor,
and did not wish to. He objected to embarking
on the raft, and some delay occurred, but he had
a conscientious regard for duty, and finally
yielded to the inevitable.

The raft was pushed out from shore. Eliab
and Jacob had provided themselves with boards
well sha d for paddling, and they went to
work zea ously, while Peter stood timidly in the
middle of the concern and rolled a doubtful, re-
proachful eye around.

In due time the island was reached, and they
went ashore.

They ascended through the thick underbrush ,

and soon reached the but, which was dark and
deserted. There they paused to light a lantern,
knowinv that the jungle of pines, big and little,
would shut in the light.

Eliab held ,the lantern above. his head and
looked curiously at the hut.

“ Quite a palace,” he observed. ~

“ But no rincess in it,” Jacob replied.

“ Skeerce y; an’ I’m lad thar ain’t. We
don’t want spies. The p ce is! empty as Clar-
ence Piercey’s head, ain’t it?”

“ Just about.”

“drip claw tar-why ’twas built, or how ’tis
use . . -

“ I think on will find that the builder had
not got far ong. He was interrupted just as
the business part was about to begin.”

“ That looks reasonable. Wal, we’ll go out
an’ see what he was goin' ter dig fur—or, at
least, see the place.”

Jacob had no trouble in locatin it. The spade“

and the rope had disappeared, an it was proba-

ble that Rel h had taken them when- he left the

place, thou Jacob was not sure, but the latter
ad mark the place well by the trees.

They found the very place where the spade
had been thrust into the earth. '

“ Kinder curious!” Eliab observed. “ As ou
tol’ me, it is where that big tree once stood. he
tree ain’t been blowed over more nor a ear, I
should say, though the loose earth which the
roots nat’rally lifted up has fell back an’ filled
up the cavity about even. Now, d’ye see any-
thin curious?” ’

“ everal things.”

“ So do I. Whatever Ralph was goin’ for dig
fur ain’t been under earth long. A year or two
ago that tree stood here, an you hev only ter
look at the size on’t ter see that nothin was
buried under it. Hencely, the article was hurt-
ied 0’ late, sence the tree blowed over.”

“ Where did the rope come_in?" Jacob asked.

.“ My boy, that’s your question; I can‘t say.”

“ I believe I can.’

I “ Good! Go onl” .
“ Littleton never intended to dig here."
6‘ No?”

Eliab turned around in some sax-gr; .

“ No!” Jacob replied. “ I have
over the very point you mention, and
have solved it, in a measure. Absurd as it may
look, at first, I think that .ro was brought
here to measure something. ' t, if not dis-
tance r , Why was it tied to the spade, unless to
measure away from that point!” '

$1333 ‘

 

“ Jacob Potts, you are a good ’un. Go on!”

“ We will infer that something was buried.
He who did it Wished for secrecy. He put it at
a certain point, and measured the distance to
other points. This tree was one of them—let us
say that the desired place is twelve feet from
here. Well, when Litileton arrived, he found
the tree uprooted. What would be the natural
resort in such a case? Why, to drive the spade
in where the tree had stood, and then take the
measure just the same.”

Eliab rubbed his hands together in'great good
humor.

“ Solid l” he declared. “Solid, as your ideas
ginerally be.”

“ But it leaves us all in the dark.”

(I HOW?”

“ Where are we to dig?”

Mr. Godown’s face grew grave.

“ If my theory is correct,” Jacob pursued,
the buried something lies in a certain direction,
a certain number of feet away. Which way?
And how many feet?”

“ Petts, you rend my feelins’ onmerciful, but
you are solid. I maintain that, whatever he-
falls us; but we are all at sea. We might as
well set up on that tree-trunk an’ bark like 8
fractions dog as ter hunt here. My idea is that
we’d better not hunt, at all—at least, that we

, had better not dig up the ’arth around here, an’

so give away the fact that somebody has been
here. How do we know, anyhow, that the case
is of interest ter us? We‘re in Birdseye ter ketch
bank-robbers. Why should we nose around sech
small secrets as these?” '

Eliab spoke with ill-humor not usual to him.
He believed fully in Jacob’s theory: and the
fact that they had come out on a trip which
could bring no results, since they did not know
where to dig, annoyed him.

“ But this case may connect with ours,” urged
the youth.

“ How can it?"

“We have always worked on the doctrine
that nothing is too small to slight. We—or, at
least, I—have marked three men as worthy of
our attention here—George Messenger, Ralph
Littleton and Clarence Piercey—” .

“ Still down 9n the parsonl”

“ Wait! We have no roof that Piercey is
one, except his word, and wouldn’t give much
for that. That man, and his weak, constant,
silly grin, and his little, die-away voice, influ~
grime1 ,rne strangely. 1 don’t like Piercey; I doubt

in

The youth spoke with a good deal of firmness,
and Eliab, who rarely differed from him, re~
covered his usual serenity.

“ We’ll watch the man. As you say, a man
with a sill grin is not ter be trusted. He’s
either 21,1300 or a rascal, an’ one is as dangerous
as t’other. S’pose we look the island over a bit?
Lightfoot Peter has laid down an‘ gone ter sleep-
we’ll leave him an’ pokin’ around an artom.

Jacob did not object. He did not see that any
good was likely to come of it, for it was not
probable that secrets were lying around loose,

ut Eliab was a thorough-going person, and
owed much of his success as a detective to the
fact that he never sli hted trifies.

They moved towar the southern end of the
island, the leader using the lantern to the best
advantage. Few things escaped his keen eyes.
The ground and the trees were alike subjected
to scrutiny. He deserved well but reached the
lower end of the bi h land without discovery.

There he pan and began to ,comment in
his unique way, but he was rudely interrupted.

A human yell of pain or fear, or both, sud<
denly arose from the place they had just left,
and then came a savage growling, followed by
terrified screeches.

“ Land 0’ Canaan!” cried Eliab. “ somebody’s
in a scrap with Ligbtfoot Peter 1”

CHAPTER V111.
Purim Taxes on His coa’r. .
Emu had not spoken recklessly.
could doubt that the growls came from an ani-
mal of the bear kind, and Peter was the only
bear in Birdseye. It was ite as clear that
the human yells were those 0 some one in great
terror or pain, or both, and the explanation was
easy. Somebody had min into the dancing; bear,
and into trouble, at one and the same time.
“ The hour will kill him!” exclaimed Whis-
tling Jacob. ‘ 1 ‘ V
“ Or he may poke Peter in the ribs with a
lmife.” Ef he does that, I’ll make him‘ a sorry
man.
Before the words were out of Eliab’s mouth,

 

he was running at full speed toward the scene of‘

encounter, and his young all kept by his side.
The disturbance continued. , e unknown man

   

“a... .

Noone‘

 
 

   

 
 

~ 8. big surprise

8

.f

 

yelled lustily, while the bear growled and roared
fiercely, and his master knew his pet’s temper
had been seriously upset.

They broke through a thicket, and Eliab held
up the lantern to discern the cause of commo-
tion.

As he did so, he had a momentary view of a.
Fair of human legs sticking up above the bushes

ike two telegraph poles—then they disappeared,
and a tremendous crashing indicated that man
and bear had fallen down a bank.

Once more Eliab and Jacob hurried forward.
The bank was several feet high, but a. foreign,
dark ob’ect at the foot met their gaze, and they
at once eaped down.

There was Lightfoot Peter, growling and
Izickin around, and tearing at some object which
he hel between his paws.

“Great snakesl he’s killed him 1” , Godown
gasped.

“ lulled whomi He’s not got anybody there;
that’s only a piece of cloth.”

Jacob saw a chance to secure the article, as
he spoke, and he reached down and snatched it
away.

“ Holy smoke l” muttered Eliab.

“ It’s a man’s coatl”

“ Sure’s you live.”

“ Where did it come from?”

“ It ain’t mine—”

“ Bah! why are we so stupid? It belonged
to the man with whom Peter has fought, and
the bear has actually taken it off from him!”

Eliab broke into a. hearty laugh.

“ But the man—”

" Sure enough,” Eliab interrupted, suddenly
becoming grave. “ lVo mustn’t forget the man.
Has Peter killed him, or has he got off an’ run
away?"

The bear had recognized his friends and con-
descended to relapse into silence and a certain
degree of composure, and this enabled Eliab
and Jacob to listen. Not an unusual sound was
to be heard. The former gave the lantern a
sweep around, but no prostrate form was re»
vealed.

“ He’s got away i” Eliab exclaimed.

“ Ci'awlcd oil? on the sly.”

“ Yes. You stay here with Peter. an’ I’ll see
ef I can’t head the Varmint off an' ketch him."

The'speaker set down the lantern and hurried
away. He did not know what had occurred,
but was pretty sure that the unknown was suf-
ficiently frightened to make good use of his
time, and leave the island it he could. Natur-
ally, the encounter with Peter must have been
and it was doubtful if the man
had even yet learned with what he had fought.
Possibly he thought it a veritable demon.

Down to the shore Eliab hurried, and the
result proved that he had gone in just the
right direction. The belt of water-covered
land, with its crop of uprising dead trees, which
encircled the island at all points, was just there
only about fifty yards Wide, and the leafless
trees ave Eliab a good view of the open water.

An there he saw a boat moving away as
fast as the strokes of a pair of cars could send
it, and that was saying a good deal—the rower
Ernie bending his back to the work with frantic

as . ' /

Eliab promptly sat down, rested his elbows
upon his knees and his chin upon his hands
and watched the boat recede. He knew that
the man’s escape could not be prevented. The
detective trio had onlya clumsy raft. and that
could not compete wit the more buoyant craft.
Neither could Godown swim out and overtake

it.

Clearly, there was but one thing todo; it must
be allowed to go unmolested.

This was not pleasant, but the detective soon
broke into an amused chuckle. In every way
the iunaway exhibited wild alarm, and as he
had not probava seen any men, and had been
so roughly handled by the bear, it was likely
that he would not soon fOrget his experience.

He watched until the boat reached the shore
next to the village. Beyond that point he could
not, in the dim‘ light, see the man, and he arose
and went back to his ally. He found Jacob
sittin down and holding the coat in his hands.

“ e varmint has got off,” observed Eliab.

“ I judged to.”

“ He had a boat, an’ be pulled away like all
creation. I’ll bet Peter scared him so he won‘t
grow no more for years ter come. A. female
cousin 0’ mine was hit by a mouse when she
was twenty-nine, an’ it stunted her growth pro-
digious. Pity the bear didn’t hang on ter more
than he did.” .

“ He took the man’s coat off.”

“Yes; an’ it wa’n’t no small feat. i. Never

,knowed that Peter aspired ter beaver-lather

Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid.

fore. Varlet is French fur a servant that helps
ou ter dress an’ undress, when you’re too
lained proud ter do it yerself. Jacob Petts,
who was that man i"

“ I didn’t see him.”

“W by was be here?”

“ 1 don’t know.”

“Didn’t it grow out 0’ what happened here
ter-day?"

“I suspect it did.”

“Lemme see the coat."

{It was passed over, and he examined it criti-
ca y.

“ Fine an’ expensive cloth, an’ not made in
Birdseye. Country clothes is slouchy, city
clothes is stylish an’ trim. Potts, we hev a
clew nhere: we must diskiver the owner 0’ this
coat.

Jacob had been sitting; and watching his ally
very quietly, but he now reached out, took'the
coat, separated the cloth and the lining, and
showed Eliab a white piece of goods stitched
inside, upon which something was written.

“ Read 1” he terser directed.

Eliab obeyed and then raised his head quickly.

“ Ralph I/ittleton I” he exclaimed.

“ Just so.”

“ By jinksi was he our maul”

“ So it looks.”

“There‘s his name, anyhow. I thank ye for
hadn’t ought ter needed it. I‘ve see’d garments
afore where the tailor put in the owner’s name
thusly. Hum! hum! Littleton is bound ter
git what he wants here. Sorry he an’ Peter
run 31p ag’in’ each other.”

“ on have not heard all, my good sir.
Naturally, I have made a very thorough search
of this garment. In one of the pockets I found
this paper. It is, as you can readily see, a let-
ter, and you will observe that it is dated ‘ust a
week ago, and written from New York. will
let it tell the rest of the story itself.”

He handed over the sheet of paper, and Eliab
hastened to read. In a bold, systematic hand
he found these lines:

“ Dun X Y Z2—This is to ask you to halt the bear
and be on the picket-post. The good ship Boodle
has touched the pier, and the cargo is discharged.
There is one lot of prime green silks, and one of
steel plates. Neither is marketable, for obvious
reasons, and must be absorbed in the trust. We
shall ship the same, and look to you to rotect from
wind and weather. The green silks 1 clothe our
wives and line our kets in and shape, when
once we can put them on the mar 'et. (They are of
a fashion that never changes.) The value will draw
on a V and four zeros, or near it. The steel plates is
a cumbersome lot. but of high pressure and well
worth storing. Look out for Centrals. a know of
no'stir, but they know the ship is in. and may
forage close for rations. Lock the barn before the
horse is stolen. We look to on to use a can-
tion, for it would be too h to ose the stud. Butter
and cheese are a bit  er, and eggs. of late vintage,
sell at sight. ' Z Y X. ’

Eliab whistled soft] .

“ Say, we’re onto
claimed.

“ Have you.”

“ hat’s the only way ter explain this. At
first blush the whole thing seems ter be out-
rageous rubbish, but thar/is method in it. It’s"
part slang, an’ the rest is meant ter be so blind
that only the receiver 0’ the letter would under-
stand. He was, 0’ course expectin’ it. ‘Bait
the bear' don’t refer ter Peter, by a good ’eal,
an’ I don’t fully ketch on. ‘Be on the picket-
lgt,’ means ter a on the alert. ‘ The good ship

odle has touched the pier,’ means that the
bank has been robbed. ‘ Prime green silks,’
means bank-notes, an’ ‘steel-plates ’ must be
money in coins, gold or silver. ‘ A V and four
zeros, means $50,000; and ‘ look out for Centrals,’
means detectives from the Central Office. The
stqu about butter, cheese .an’ eggs is a joke, I
das’ say.”

“ You interpret it about as I did.”

“ Great Scotti an’ Peter had our robber-
receiver right in his arms, an’ be got away i”

“ But left a marked coat l”

“ Marked ‘ Ralph Littleton i’ "

‘5 Ya.” ' :

“ That lad had an honist face, an’ I sort 0’
hate ter think ill 0’ him, but what else kin we
do? We can‘t overlook all this evidence.”

“There’s no getting around the fact that we
are on the trail of the bank-robbers.”

“ An’ it looks as though this bill was ter play
an important rt inter the me.”

“ It is not t place Ishon d select tosecrete
gape:- money. but every man to his taste.‘ But,

liab, if we assume that Ralph is the Birdseye
ally of the robbers. isn’t h makings mess of it?

e bank-robbers!” be ex-

 

Why did he bring Direxa herwin and her aunt

showin’ it ter me, an’ an old stager like me '

 

here?
game.”

Mr. Godown rubbed his nose thoughtfully.

“ Some things look gueer,” he admitted.
“ Miss Lucy Sherwin tol’ larence Dade PierCey
that, when she, her niece an‘ Littleton went ter
the island, Direxa wandered about awhile, an’
then stopped an’ says ter him, ‘ This is the lace.’
An’ then she got the old lady away, an’ alph
got his spade an’ cord, an' was about ter begin
work, when Jared Sherwin‘s gang interrupted.
That looks as though Direxa had information not
knowed by Ralph, but she would not go there
ter show him where ter bur stolen money.”

“ Eliab, we are not fully on,’ yet.”

“ Mebbe, you’re right.”

“ We haven’t (grasped the whole mystery, but
I have not one oubt as to this note; it is from
the bank-robbers to their ally here, whom we
are to catch.” ,

“ An’ we’ll do it. Ter-morrer, Potts, we’ll find
out somethin’ about this coat. I’ve got enough
0’ the island, fur ter-night, an’ I move that we

0 home. No more is ter be diskivered here.

’e‘ll only stop ter see of our late Visitor left any

more signs.”

 

7 CHAPTER IX.

. THE FLASEY MAN SHOWS A. SCAR.

THE additional search was made, but nothing
came of it. Not even a. lantern was found. It
was thought probable that the pr )Wler had run
upon Lightfoot Peter almost at the start, and
that he had gained no information, if that was
what he came for. However that may have
been, he had certainly no reason to complain
that his trip had been runeVentful, and it was
likely that the clothes which Peter left upon him
bore some marks of the encounter.

Eliab considered the whole affair unfortunate.
Would not the man recognize the fact that his
assailant had been a bear, and, consequently,
suspect The Three Innocents? This seemed like-
ly, but it was by no means sure. The encoun-
ter had been a surprise: the darkness had been
intense; and there was some hope he had been
so frightened that he could not tell whether he
had met a bear, or some infernal imp.

The detective trio returned to the raft and
again crossed the pond.

Considerable caution was used. They first
landed above the village, and only ventured to
return the raft to where they had found it when
a reconnaissance had satisfied them that the
coast was clear. r

Then they returned to the barn and slept the
hi ht out. , ' '

odown had been turning over sundry plans
in his mind, but all were put aside when early
in the morningra boy appeared and said
Ralph Littleton would Ii 9 to have Jacob come

to his room.

Now, this was in keeping with the young -

man’s promise made at the island, when he told

the youth that he would “ see him again,” but!i '

in view of later discoveries, suspicions an
events, it looked as though considerable import-
ance might be attached to it. I

A. nod from Eliab settled Jacob’s course, and“
he went with the other boy. He was conducted
to a neat, white cottage, and was soon in Ralph's
room.

The latter was taking life easy. The day was

warm, and he was without coat or vest. He, '

was reclining in an easy-chair, smokin a cigar.
This was a point in his favor—if he d been
smoking a Cigarette, Jacob would have decided
him guilty at once, for cigarettes and good

character, in Jacob’s opinion, seldom went 

gather.

He was cheerfully greeted and told to  ,
down. He obeyed, and, as he did so, looked, I

critically at his com anion. .

Ralph
fight with a bear;
looked bright, fresh and contented.

“ How do you find yourself this morning!” he '
. . . .L

 

asked. ,
“ uite well, thank you,” Jacob answered. ‘
“ ow is the bear?” ’ “5' ‘*
“ He’s able to make a good breakfast." 7
“Have you and your associates come fart” ‘ 1
“We’ve been on the tramp ever since spring,
sir. l ' . , v r ' -
“ Do on like it?” , ‘ '
‘6  es.”
"‘ You look too intelligent for the work.”

Depend upon it, they are not in the

that 'i

bore no evi once of having been in a‘ v
be was without a snark, and, H

t

   

_ .y’.

 

...- A

  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
   
   
    
    
 
 
 
 
   
  
 
 
 
    
 
 
  
  
   
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
 
 
  
  
 
   
    
  
   
    
  
    
    

" ‘ < ~Mi-9‘osasmuziga ,

 

  
  
  

 

“ 89 is Lightfoot Peter, but he, like

 

   

m H
willing to begin low on the ladder. , ‘
men have. and: there isnotelling  ‘
I may rise.” , ' ’

Ra ph appreciated ‘the joke, and, in
friendlyway. V , I ‘ v, » f, a 

  
  
  
 
   
    

   

 

 

,,
l
i

 

 
   
  
   
  
  
  
   
   
   
    

  

 

 

‘ , like on would be
called

 

Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid. ‘

 

 

“ You took my part at the island yesterday,”
he added.

“ I did tell you to skip while you had a
chance,” Jacob acknowledged.

“ And it was good advice. It came at a time
when I appreciated it, and I then and there de-
termined to reward you for your good-will.
Here is one dollar. The sum is small, but per-
haps it will be welcome.”

“ Bless me, sir!” Jacob answered; “ I don’t
gasei;ye it. I did you no service, only to give a

int.

“ But that was valuable, as I said before.
Let me ask you to accept this trifle.”

The young detective really thought that he
had not earned the money, but it would not do
for one in his position to refuse such a thing.
He took it, and thanked the giver politely.

Littleton lay back in his chair lazily, and
proceeded to enjoy his Cigar. His visitor im-
proved the chance to look around. Ralph were
no coat. Where was it? Had it been taken off
by Lightfoot Peter? There was no 00d evi-
dence of this; a man of Ralph’s standing would
have more than one coat, and if he had lost any,
he would, one would suppose, be all the more
garegul to have a garment of the kind upon his

ac .

Something else caught Jacob’s attention. He
was sitting by a table, and upon it was a pile of
books and papers. Nearer to the boy than any-
thing else was a solitary envelope, the super—
scription looking him full in the face, as it were.

It was Ralph Littletou’s name, but that was
not what made Jacob grow deeply interested at
once. The bold, flowing writing was familiar
—so very familiar that the observer was stag-
gered. It was as much like the writing found
in the pocket of the coat as Were two peas!

He flashed a glance at Ralph. The latter was
lazily watching the smoke of his cigar curl up-
ward. Back went Jacob’s gaze, and fairly de-
voured the post-mark. It was “ New York,”
and the date was only two days previous.

This was startling. The burglar’s letter,
written in what seemed to be the same penman—
ship, had, presumably, also just come from New

or .

How Jacob coveted that envelope! If he had
it, comparison would show whether it matched
the burglar’s note. Could he get ital—without
exciting suspicion:l He had only to drop his
hand over it and the deed was done, but was it
safe? Would it not be missed, and suspicion
thereby awakened?

Littleton suddenly aroused.

“ Jacob,” said he, “ I hate to confess it, but I
am lazy this morning—I did not sleep well last
night, and I feel fagged out. I W at a few
things sent over from the store. Wil you stop,
as ou go back, and order them?”

‘ Yes, Sir."

“ Good! I’ll write of? the list.”

He looked around, and then added:

“ Will you hand me the envelope which is at
your elbow?” '

Jacob half-closed his eyes to hide the sudden
sparkle which crept into them, and very quietly

over the desired article. His companion
scribbled carelessly with a pencil for a few mo-
ments, and then passed the envelope back.

“ You have only to give the order,” he ex-

lained; "‘ they wil son the articles ‘all right.
ere is a quarter for your trouble.”

The young detective expressed his thanks, but
did not as , as he felt, that the envelope was
worth a p' o “ quarters.” He was soon out-
side of the house, but he had no intention of
parting with the envelope. He put it in his
pocket, and going to the store, gave the order
oral .

Thin he went back to the barn.

He entered with some haste, but moderated
his excitement when he saw that Eliab was not
alone. George Messenger we: there, tipped
back in an 01 chair, and taking life easy.

“Hallo!” observed the flashy man; “ here’s
our musical prodigy.” .

“ He is around,” Eliab admitted.

“Been out giving a concert, my ladi” Mes-
sen r continued. ‘

. “ o, sir.” ,1

“ ou ought to (put our talents to better ad-
vm than on 0. ’ye know‘itl”

" at w d you suggest!"

“ Whistle in New York City. Why, a wonder
ood for any stage. I’ve
around to me e a business proposition.

“ I have some influence, and I’ll give you a lift in

the world it you say so—-in brief, put you into
service on the boards. \I can do it any time
after-a few days. Just now I am dead brok ,
but I t some money from a friend in a few

I 1, days, and when Iget the green silks, I’ll start

‘

 

out "as your business manager. What d’ye

so. i

gacob said nothing; he was overpowered.
The offer made him had not accomplished this
result, but something else had. Messenger had
referred to the money—presumably, to bank-
notes~as “ green silks.” The term was pecu-
liar; the young detective had chanced upon it
but once before, and that case had occurred in
the bauk-robber’s letter.

Eliab came to the rescue.

“ Now, don’t you go ter temptin’ my boy!” he
expostulated. “I couldn’t think 0’ partin from
him. Why, Lightfoot Peter an’ me would
waste away ter more shudders o’ grief.”

If‘ lgut I would make it an object to you,
a so.

“ The Three Innocents combination mus’n’t be
broke.”

“ Jacob, have you no ambition?”

. “ I’m afraid I haven’t any more than my pre-
sent business calls for ”—Messcnger did not sus-
pect how much that meant—“ for I am very
well satisfied as it is.”

“He shall think it over, though,” piped Eliab.
“ I ain’t goin‘ ter be selfish, an’ stand in the
way 0’ the boy makin’ a good, fat livin’. He
shall think it over, my frien’.”

“ All right. And I hope he will remember
that money is the lever which moves the world,
and throw no chance away. By the way, I was
over to the island, again, last night!"

The announcement was carelessly made, but
Messenger had two very attentive companions,
right away.

“ Anything new?” asked Eliab, trying to be
as careless as his visitor.

“ Nothing stirring there but myself. I stir-
red a good deal, however—fell ofl of a. bank,
and got that beauty-mark.”

The speaker shoved up his sleeve, and reveal-
eda scratch on his arm which extended from
his wrist to his elbow.

“A dead pine twig caught me there, and it
dgew the blood freely. Almost tore the coat off
0 me. ,

Messenger looked at his companions and smiled
in a good-natured way. Jacob longed to glance
at his friend, but dared not.

“ Looks as though you had been fightin’ a
wildcat,” commented liab.

“ Or your bear!" ‘

Jacob was dumfounded.

“ Didn’t see Peter out, did ya?” serenely in-
quired Godown.

“No. Was he out?"

“ Not arter dark.”

“ I’m not sure but I should like to go around
with the animal myself. He’s a good deal of a
bear, and I rather take tothe life of a Vagabond.
I’ve drifted around the world a good bit, and
Seen somo‘pretty wild times, all of which have
served to make a regular Wandering Jew of me.
I crave excitement and change, and am never so
happy as when I am in some happy-go-lucky,
dare-devil exploit. ”

Messenger was “ giving himself awa ,” he
was doing it with a vengeance, but there e sat
and smiled at them with the appearance of a
man whose mind and conscience were wholly at
ease. * Had his reference to Lightfoet Peter been
accidental, or was it a would-be crafty attempt

to sound them?

Eliab did not know, but he felt a strong de-
sire to “ pump ” the visitor in return,’and did
not see how he was going to do it.

CHAPTER X.
PETER PLAGUES THE ransom. '

“WHY is it,” Eliab asked, “that a man who
craves excitement as “you do, should come ter a
small place like this? ’
_ “ Easy explained." Mesdengeranswered. “It’s
in the me of my business. I have schemes
under wa now which would startle you if you
knew of t em.”

“ Why?" was the blunt question. ,

“ Because they are daring apd audacious.”

“ In what way?" r

“ Never mind. A secret told is wlorth no gold
as my good grandmother used to say. She told
all her secrets, and never got rich. I profit by
her example and fly low. Well, I must go.
Jacob, bear in mind what I have said, and then
decide to come under my wing. I’ll make it an
ob ect. You can whistle like an angel, and such
ta ent mustn’t be thrown away. Comeunder my
wing. So-longl” ‘ ‘

Speaking 'airily, Messenger had moved toward
the door, and at the last words he Waved his
band and went out. He tookadirect course,
and they could see him as be walked away with
a springy stop. They did watch and in silence,
until conversation was safe. Then Godown

 

 

turned to his young ally, shut one eye, and dryly
observed:

“ Over ter the island last night, was he? Fell
down a bank, did he? Scratched his arm on a'.
twig, did he? Wants ter know ef Peter was out
doos he'l. Hum! hum! hum!”

“ Eliab, do you remember your mottoi—never
suspect until you know I” ,

" Potts, in a case like this, rules an’

recedents ma. go ter thunder! I do suspect
essenger. e is here on business, is he?
Graves excitement an‘ wild times, does he!
Never so happy as when in a dare-devil exploit,
is he? Got a scheme on foot which would star-
tle us, of we knowed on’t, has he? Hum! hum! ”

The boy had slley drawn out the envelope se-
cured from Ralph littleton’s room.

“ Partner, feast your eyes on that,” he di-
rected.

“ Huml. An envelope addressed ter Littleton,
post-marked New York. Late date, too, as the
post-mark shows-- Say, whose writin’ is this?”

Eliab had made a start and suddenly grown
eager.

“ Did you ever see any like it?”

For answer the detective leader hurriedly
drew from his pocket the letter which Peter had
secured for them. He spread it out and laid it
beside the envelope. If the resemblance had
been striking before, it had become doubly so.

“ It’s the samel” uttered Eliab. “ Say, where‘d
you git it?”

His ally gave a. terse history of the envelope,
as far as he knew it.

“The same hand writ both I” God0wn declared.
“ Look at the letters separate; same turn in
each. By gracious! we’ve got the clew!”

“A moment ago you were ready to suspect
George Messenger.” ,

“ I s’pect ’em both. They are strangers here,
an’ it’s a safe bet that they are in town ter work
the racket tergether. Now, we hev our men
s tterl l”

“ What if it should be neither of them?”

“ But it is—an’ it’s both. The New York end
0’ the chain 0’ rascality writ ter Littleton. Last
night he went ter the island for some reason,
fell up ag’in“ Lightfoot Peter anl lost hi coat.
He had the tell-tale letter with him, but not the
envelope. This mornin’, arter seeing Messenger,
he sent the latter here ter pump us. The two
are in cahoots, an’ they are our game 1”

Jacob was staggered for a moment, but he
soon rallied. '

“ Let me ask you a few questions," he sug-
gested.

n o on 1"

“ If it was Littleton who went to the island,
how didMessenger get the scratch on hisvarm ?”

“ In some other way,” was the prompt reply.

“ But why did be how the scratch,fiwhy did

he try to give us the idea that he was a wild
sort of a fellow, and why was be so utterly reck-
less as to state that he had been to the island?
Would he not thus start all our suspicions with-
out an gain to him?”
1 Elia was slow with his reply, but it came at
ast: ‘
“ Pi-ob’ly he can prove an alibi, all' he did it
ter draw suspicion away from liittletcn, knowin’
we had the letter—or, at least. so. ctiu‘ it.”

“Then,” added Jacob, swift] , ‘ why did Lit-
tleton send for me, give me 1: at envelope, and
deliberately put crushing evidence into our

hands? If he and Messenger are the culpi-‘iitii:i ‘

and they thought we had “11 letter, why
they furnish just the connecting link we wanted?”
And he tafiped his finger upon the envelo o.
This time liab had no rep y ready. He s ook
his head, looked again at the letter and the en-
velope. meditated, and woundup with the frank

confession :

“ I'm heat; I admit it! All this, hows’ever, ,

 
 

only goes ter show that a deep, cunniu’ game is '

afoot: that we hev ter deal with men as wily as
they are dangerous. .I’ve tramped the soda with
my bear-and-boy combination a good many
year, an’ never yet did I know 0’ the ineme git-
tin’ on ter the racket, or suspectin’ that was
more than a happngo—lucky cld vagabond, until
the not closed 'around him. This time, I guess
that the opposition is outer us.”

“ You may believe that, but I am not going
to until the knowled is forced upon me. As
you say, The Three nnocents have fooled them
all in the pasti‘I don’t believe the combination
has lost its charm.” .

The younger detective exhibited an amount of ' ‘ '

confidence which at once aroused his associate’s
wavering courage. ., ‘
“ Why, or course—of course,” he retu .

“You’re solid, as usual. The combination s an ._ ,

right: no rogue kin: pick it tar pieces, an’ you
will find us come up smilin’in the and o'thel

    

 

   
 

 

10

Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s

Aid.

 

 

flght. Wul, Petts, what d’ye say? Shall we go
out an“ give the folks a sample 0 our skill?”

" I suppose we had better, in order to account
for gur prolonged stay in town. Yes; let’s go

ut.

Lightfoot Peter was sleeping the sleep of the
just, but he was notified that there was work to
do. They went out and walked to the village
sounre, and Eliab relapsed into his own self in
outward appearance—he became the jelly,
cheerful vagabond, and piloted Peter along as
though he had no ambition in the world further
than that.

They soon rounded the corner by ’Si French's
store, and found the usual crowd of loafers
there. A country store beats the world in the
line of loafers, though they are more annoying
than dangerous. Eliab beamed upon this par-
ticu ar congregation of unemployed talent.

“ Now, gents, don’t you think we want ter get
all yer cash an’ bullion, fur We ain’t gluttons.’
We hev come for Birdseye an’ been received like
lords 0’ the land, an’ there is a tender spot in
our hearts fur you citizens. But that ain’t all—-
thar is also a. tender spot in Lightfoot Peter’s
nigh forrud shoulder, an’ we are reluctant ter
force him ter travel in sech condition.”

It may be remarked that thelamenessreferred
to always assailed Peter, if his master was to be
believed, when The Three Innocents wished to
linger at any place, and the hear was so well
trained that, when commanded, he would limp,
but the lameness was a myth, a deception, and
a snare. '

“ Now, then,” added Godown, briskly, “ as
the infirmity don’t bender Peter from dancin’ on
his hind le 3, we will proceed ter give an exhi-
bition. 0 will conduct it on jest the same
lines that so affected the crowned heads 0’
Europe, an’ led one o’ the princesses ter discom-
pose an epic poem beginnin’ thusly:

“ ‘All hail! ye glorious shootin’ stars!

We yield ye love 1111‘ adoration;
With you ter cheer our lonesome hours,
The heav’ly stars may go ter thunderation.’

‘fThat sounds an artom rude, but a princess
0’ royal blood must be allowed ter hev her say.
That princess had hern. Now, then, Innocents,
heads up an’ make read fur biz. Lightfoot
Peter. scratch gavel] histlin’ Jacob, twist
{gr l:lips. I.311 nds, make yer best obeisancel

t or go

The exhibition began, and Jacob soon proved
that he had lost none of his ability. His won-
derful whistling again held them spellbound, and
Idghtfoot Peter swung around in the same awk-
ward circhs as of old. There were men in the
crowd who had seen a good many dancing-bear
combinations in their day, but they free y ad-
mitted that all others were put in the shade by
The Three Innocents.

As the performance ended, the Reverend Clar-
ence Piercey moved through the crowd. His
stereotyped smile was as broad and as sickly as
ever, and, raising both hands, he spoke in a voice
even more die-away and sfllv than usual:

“ This sight cheers me beyond the powar of
description. It is goodto have relaxation from
the severer duties of life now and then, and
though I do not afpprove of levity, harmless
amusement is good or all. How sweet is lifel
With the deer birds of the air, the lovely flowers
of the garden, the odorous asses of the field,

, and the sweetness of perfec content; well may

we so that our lot is cast in pleasant places!
Dear 'ends, how pretty and lovqu it is tohave
men thus tender in their daily association one
with another!”

Eliab Godown was moved even more than
Clarence but in a different way. That any
man could be so silly astonished him, and he be-
came in a fever to get away from that voice and
that smile.

t. Not so with another member of the combina-
ion.

Lightfoot Peter had settled down stoically
when the dancing was over, and, a parently
lost all interest in things earthly, but e ricked
up his ears and grew interested when rence
spoke. There are different ideas as to what
ccnstitutes eloquence, and there was room to
suspect that Peter was deeply moved. But he
did not get into a frame of mind in accord with
the orator's. 0n the contrary, his manner
became belligerent, and he suddenly uttered a
ferocious growl, swung around and laid violent
hold of Mr. Piercey.

The latter uttered a melancholy, feminine-like

“0h! ohl” he cried, in terror. .“ Save me
from this horrid beast! I shall be killed! Take
him oil-please take the dreadful thing 03. or I
shall fuintl”

' Clarence struggled feebly, and tried in vain to

 

pull away. Peter had him fast, and his re eat-
ed growls made the dapper little man as pa e as
a sheet. Yet, he was receiving no injury; the
bear’s claws were tightly fixed in the man’s coat,
and his hold was firm, but he offered no further
violence.

“ Ohl please, please take away the dreadful
animal!” walled Clarence, piteously.

Eliah had been dnmfounded by the bear’s out-
break, but he at last aroused, sprung forward,
caught Peter by the throat, and began to box
his ears soundly.

“Let up, yo tarnal critter!" he commanded.
“ What in time d’ye mean by sech reprehensible
rudeness?”

“ Ohl put a muzzle on him, so he won’t bite
me!” implored Clarence. “ My flesh is awful
tender, and if he should scratch me, I might get
cold in it. Oh! dear Mr. Godown, please don’t
let him hurt me 1”

Tears rolled down the speaker’s face, and his
voice trembled and quavered in a way that was
very comical to all but himself.

CHAPTER XI.
JACOB ADMIRES THE POSTVMARK.

LmHTroor PETER. was not in a very dan-
gerous mood, and he condescended to loosen
his hold and let his master drag him away.
Clarence sunk down on the lowest step to the
store-piazza.

“Please get me some ammonia!" he gasped.
“I feel—oh! so dreadfull—and I think I shall
faint!”

A hearty slap on the back from the hand
of a brawny old farmer almost knocked Clar-
ence over.

“Brace up!” was the reply. “We haven’t
any use around here for men that faint. A
pailful 0’ water poured over your head is what
you need.”

“Or a glass of whiskyl” another man sug-

gested. , _ ' ,v _

“ Loosen his stays,” grimly adVised a third.

“ Hit him with a. club!” still more rudely ut-
tered a fourth.

“ Heartless wretchesi” moaned Clarence.
wringin his hands. “ I think you are real
mean. guess you wouldn’t laugh if a hm
bear should rudely seize you!” I

“ He’s layin’ ofl tar get a drink 0’ whisky."

Even larence was not proof against all of
these taunts, and he gathered himself up on his
feet in indignation.

“ I am not to be insulted,” he averred.
“ Every man who has scoffed at me in my great
peril shall henceforth be my enemy. I disdain
to chastise him, but I know whatfiI think of him.
He is awful wicked and unfeelingl”

Clarence drew n his little form to its full
hight—flve feet an five inches—and attain ted
to crush his companions with a look. The e art
was a failure, but one good result followed—
:he sickly smile was for the time gone from his

ace.

“ Allow me, gents,” Eliab interrupted, “ ter
say a word in the case. I want ter apologize in
the humblest way fur what my bear has done.
I am shocked ”—there was a merry twinkle in
his eyes which he carefully kept from Piercey’s
notice—“ positively shocked by his conduct. I
shall unish him by givin’ him a poor quality 0’
food ur a week ter come. Why, I never know-
ed Peter fer break out like this store, an" I feel
hurt—hurt ba-wd !”

The last word was prolon with ludicrous
gravity, and Eliab wagged is head as though

is felt all broken up over the occurrence.

“ Cheer ‘ up, Clarryl” he added. “ Nobody
ain’t goin’ ter hurt ye while I’m around, an’
that’s flat. Why don’t somebody bring that
ammonia!” ’ ,

“ Thanks!” answered Clarence stiflly, for he
had recovered from his fright, and felt ashamed
as well as annoyed by the manifest contempt of
the men; “ thanks, but I will not trouble any
one. The brute of a. bear is still looking vicious-
ly at me, and I will depart.”

He turned and walked uickly away.

Lightfoot Peter had sti been looking at him
in a hostile wa . and the fact was surprising.
Never before 8 nos Eliab first took him on the
road had the sagacious animal offered to molest
angle“: d ad ped has lost sis”

in a eer rn rn ca
observed Godown.y qu '

f‘ He has done a good deed,” quickly returned
’81 French. “ Pity he did not eat up that little
wretch. Some folks adore Clarence Piercey,
but I don’t. A man with a voice and grin like
his, and such general silliness, ought to go for
hour’s-meat, were it not that it would he an out-
rage on the bear,” ,

‘You look at it too trivially,” declared Mr.

 

 

Godown, mournfully. “ I feel hurt that Peter
should act so tarnation onruly, an7 I reckon I’ll
take him back ter the barn an’ talk sense to him.
Sech lawless conduck is lamentable 1"

He swung the bear around, though the fact
that he showed no harshness in doing it might
well have suggested the theory that e did not
feel as had over it as he pretended. The Three
Innocents returned to their quarters in silence.

When they were in the barn, and the door
closied, Whistling Jacob broke the spell.

“ Eliab, I want to call on Clarencel” he an-
nounced.

u 

“ Yes, I do.” _

“ What in the world do you want 0" himl"

“ I want to look around his room."

(I 

“ I ma make discoveries.”

“ S ea plain, Pettsl”

“ by did the bear attack himl”

“ ’m a bit puzzled ter know.”

“ am not. Eliab, that outbreak of an ani-
mal which we know to be as docile and good-
natured as a kitten, is significant. He knew his
man; and I’ll bet several dollars that he was the
senile person that Peter hugged on the island last
ni t1

g‘ I won’t dispute ye, lad; but why?"

“ Peter was standing there as peace-able as he
ever was in his life, but the moment that he got
sight of Pierce , his mood changed. He shot
the man a bosti e glance, and then went for him.
Now, there was cause for this. He recognized
by sight or by scent, some one he had cause to
dislike. Yesterday, the dude stood here and de-

livered an oration, right in front of Peter, and ,

the bear did not raise a finger, so to ak.
Clearly, the cause of trouble came later. hen,
if not on the island, last night? Peter recog-
nized the man with whom he had once before
htziid a, grapple, and was anxious to renew hostil-
1 es. -

Eliab shook his head slowly.

“ I won’t dispute ye, Jacob Potts, fur my own
opinions lie right alongside yourn, but you add
ter the weight we hev ter carry on our shoulders.
Ef we admit that Clarry may hev been at the
island,we must bar out Littleton an’ Messenger.”

“Do it!” guickly advised Jacob.

“ But at C arry is a parson—”

“ Don’t apply the word to him! I’ve seen
such men, and they are possessed of dignity, one
and all. Pieroey is a grinning, silly creature,
who would disgrace the pulpit. He 33$ he is a
retired minister. I don’t believe it. ell, call
him by his name, and let the minister part go.”

“Al right, my lad. So you fix on Clarryl’,’

“ I have faith in Peter’s instinct."

“ And no faith in Piercey?”

“ Watch him, Eliab; watch him i”

“ So we will. I wouldn’t bet a red heriin’ on
him myself. Yes, we’ll watch him.”

“ éhall I go and call on him?”

“ What excuse could ye makel”

“ Say that you feel had over the trouble, and
hope the bear has done no serious damage.”

“ You kin try it.”

This was enough for the younger detective.
He arose and left the barn. He did not know
where Clarence was to be found, but inqu' led
to the information that he boarded at rs.
Piper’s, and Mrs. Piper’s house was pointed out
in the distance. He went there, and a ponder-
ous old lady met him at the door.

“ Excuse me, ma’am, but is Reverend Mr.
Pierc inl” he blandly asked. _: "

“ o, m child, but I expect him every mo-
ment. on’t you come in and wait?”

Jacob thought he would, and did so.

“ You’re the boy that is with the bear, ain’t
you?” she added.

“ Yes, ma’am.” '

“ You do well to come to deer Mr. Piercey for I

advice.”
“ I suppose he is a very good manl’"
“ Goo l” echoed the old lady, looking up at

the ceiling in profound emotion. “ Youngman,

words can‘t begin toexpress it. Mr. Piercey is

Meg!” -
“ e doesn’t preach. I believe!” .,
“No. His vocal 0 ans are not strong, and
he has been ordered do no preaching for a
few years.”
“ 1’.“ me see—did he once preach in Temple.

nl’ .
“I don’t know; but he never mentioned
preaching anywhere but down in Maine.”

It occurred to Jacob that Piercey had had
the point well away from Birdseye, for pru- ’

dential reasons. .

“How does be support himself?"

“ 0h! he is a man of some financial means—a
lovely man i” , ,

  

.rs

 

 

“Wimp,”

 

 

v «r,

 

 

 

Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid.’

11

 

“ Being so popular, he must get a good many
letters?”

“ Well, not—not so very many,” Mrs. Piper
replied meditatively. “He has cousins in New
York who write often. It is a large family, for
a good many persons write from there to him.
There is one letter for him now.”

She pointed to the article named, which was
on a shelf beside the big old-fashioned clock.

“ That’s a small, neat stamp they use in New
York for the post—mark,” observed the visitor.
“ May I look at it closer?”

“ Dear heart, yes l”

The young detective arose and looked. He
was not working without an object. Whoever
was the bank-robbers’ agent at Birdseye must
hear from them often, and the letter found in
the coat would not naturally be the only one.
The boy had “ fished ” for information. and had
received it promptly. Learning that Piercgy of-
ten heard from his cousins (f) in New ork,
and that one missive was even then awaiting
him, Jacob was eager to see the supercriptions.

He looked, and another discovery was made.

It was the same writing seen in the “ X Y Z >”
letter, and on the envelope secured from Ralph
Littleton.

Truly matters were becoming warm. ,

“Do on thick of asking dear Mr. Piercey’s
help in usiness‘l” came Mrs. Piper’s veice. “I
think he would do it for you. He is a lovely
maul”

The visitor was aware that he made some re-
ply, but his mind was not on the subject. He
was trying to settle one point which perplexed
him. It hud ecu said in his hearing that
Piercey and Littleton were rivals for the hand
of Dircxa Sherwin, and that there was no love
between them. Late discoveries seemed to con-
nect them with each other, in other ways, as
allies. Unless there were two handwriting";
wonderfully alike, the writer of the “ X Y Z ”
:lEetter had lately written to both Ralph and

ierce .

Coul)d it be that the men were alliesi—that
their rivalry for Direxa’s hand was only a cun-
ning, unfeeling artifice to hide their alliance in
crime, by making it seem that they were not on
friendly terms?

Jacob disliked to believe it.

It was very hard to think that Ralph would
be in an enterprise, honest or not, with such a
man as 'ercey. _

However that was, the detective had made a
discovery of vast importance by learning that
an unopened letter from the New York'agant of
the criminals awaited the so-called minister.

Jacob would not admit the posmbility of
doubt on that point, and he felt that his excuse
of looking at the post~mark had borne good
fruit.

He sat down with the intention of asking
more questions, and unsus icious .Mrl. Piper
was as ready as a sieve to at out information,
bui there was an interruption to this little in-
vestigation. '

A voice sounded near the door With the ques-
tion:

“ Is Reverend Clarence Piero'ey in?”

CHAPTER XII.
noon “ nmsrs ma rim was.”

A nit stood at the door whom Jacob had
never seen before, and Mrs. Piper's manner soon
showed that he was a stranger to her.

“His Reverence is out, just now,” she said,
replying to the question.

‘ He ives here, don’t he?" continued the man.

“ Yes. sir.”

“ Will he return soon?”

“ I expect him every moment.”

“ Then, with your leave, I’ll wait.”

“Certainly, sir; Sit down. I presume you
know him?"

“A good deal better than you do, madam l”

Jacob could not help regarding this reply as
significant, as he looked at the caller. That
Eamon had accepted the invitation and sat

own. Hewas a young man whom sober, vei-

respectable dress did not hide a certain rakish
air. He had a. small, straw-colored mustache,
the ends of which were turned upward, and, on
the whole, he presented a strong contrast to
Clarence Picrcey An expert would have said
of him: “A city man, and Wide-awake all
through!” . _ .

He eposited himself easily in the chair.

“ Is Piorcey busy now i” he asked.

“Not particularly. I think."

“ Does he preach much?” ‘

“ No, sir.- his bronchial tubes are so bad that
he is restin from all arduous duties.” >

“ Is it so A as that? I was in hopes to hear
him berm I went back. His eloquence, logic

 

 

 

and piety always ive me new ideas. That man
is bound to m 6 his mark in the world,
ma’aml"

“ He is a lovely man i” deposed Mrs. Piper.

“True and noble!”

“ We all love him here i”

“You have cause. Among those who know
him best he is regarded as very useful. I do not
know a better person to raise money when a
great cause is concerned.”

Was it fancy, or did Jacob see a sly twinkle in
the rakish stranger’s eyes.

“ Attendance at our Ladies’ Missionary meet-
ings has increased one-half since he began to at-
tend.” explained Mrs. Piper.

‘ ‘ He always was popular, and raising money
for the heathen was his favorite occupation.
You can give charge of yourj finances to no
better person than Piercey, if your object is to
have a balance on the right side. He is devoted
to the heathen, and when he gets money he
knows what to do with it l”

The young detective listened breathlessly.
Grave as the speaker’s manner was, Jacob be-
lieved there was double meaning in all that he
said; and that the “ heathen ” referred to were
the members of the robber hand. But Mrs.
Piper had no such idea.

“ He is a lovely maul” sho declared.

Jacob was disgusted. Such hero-worship
would have been bad enou h under any condi-
tion, but if, as hesuspected, iercey was a fraud,
it was criminal. Shallow-headed Mrs. Piper,
however, had no doubts.

It was the decree of fate that, at that junc,
turc, a boy should appear and say that Mrs.
Piper was wanted for a few minutes at the
house of a neighbor. The good woman’s con-
fidence in human nature, and in honesty, was
shown to be strong when she requested her visi-
tors to “keep house” while ghe was gone, and
left them in possession.

The stranger immediately assumed an easier
position and looked critically at Jacob.

“ You’re not her son l" he observed.

“ How do you know?” our young detective
asked.

“ Leghorn hens are never mother to eagles l”

“ You don‘t compliment Mrs. Piper much,
but you are right in your opinion. I’m not her
son. ’ ,

“ Neighbor?”

“ Just now, yes.”

“I fancy you don’t live in Birdseye.”

“I do not.”

“Noted the people as I came along, and was
 to see the amount of hayseed in their

air

The speaker threw one leg over the back of a.
conlvepient chair and drew a Cigar out of his

:e ».

“ While the cat's away the mice will play,”
he added. “ Will you smoke, young feller?”

“No, thank you.”

“I will. Smoking, my lad, is one of my fail-
ings. Some persons decry the habit, and it
does take money, and may not be healthy- but
the point is right here—I like to smoke, an I’m
going todo it. If I didn't smoke. I could get
rich. It costs me a dollar a day ' three hundred
and sixty-five dollars a ear; t ree thousand,
six hundred and fifty do lars over ten years-
and if I should smoke one hundre years. as
possibly shall, it would roll up the tidy sum of
thirty-six thousand, five 7 undred dollars. That
would be a. ti ht smart stock of green silks,
alias greenbac .”

These words were uttered flippsntly. The
stranger had his cigar in full blast, and was loll-
ing back in his chair and looking meditativer
at the ceiling.

His mathematical calculation did not .intorest
Jacob, but the way that he wound up did. For
the third time the youth had heard the peculiar
e ression “ green silks.” He had seen the cir-
cu ars which counterfeiters had before then sent
out to their victims, in which the term “ green
goods” was used; but had first happened on
“ green silks” when Lightfoot Peter secured the
“ ¥hY Z1: 13mm beg to h k d i

e rs is strap er an ave a cop nv
terest for young Mig‘. Pet-ts.

“I don’t think Mr. Piercey smokes,” he re-
marked.

“ Don’t you?” ,

“ I have never seen him.”

“ Ministers rarely do.”

“ Mr. Piercey must be a very good man,” was
the wry reply. . .
“Oli! he’s a darling! If any one was ever
born free from guile it was our Clarence.”

“ Every one here thinks very highly of him.”

“ They don’t begin to know him at.”
“ He must be real smart.” ,

 

“ He’s got his brilliant streaks, and one of
them is to pull the wool over the eyes of the
Wicked. Take, for instance, the case of some
man who is rich, penurious and fliiity~hearted.
Upon such a person Clarence is as effective as a
mustard-plaster. Knowing that the heathen in
Africa and elsewhere need money, Clarence will
lay himself out, and the first thing our miser
knows, he is minus a pile of green silks.”

“ That’s about What I thought,” modestly ano
swered Jacob. “ Do you remain long in irds-
eye, sir?”

“ Only until tomorrow.”

It flashed upon Jacob that the stolen money
was to arrive at Birdseye that ni ht, but he kept
his face as grave as ossible an went on with
the conversation. everal times he tried as
much as he dared to get indiscreet remarks from
the stranger-rho gave his name as Merdell—but,
though the latter was flippant, and made a few
suggestive remarks, he did not betray himself to
any great extent. It was clear, h0wever, that
he was a very “fly” young man, and not the
kind of a friend a real minister would select.

Mos. Piper soon returned. Jacob remained
long enough to hear her twice assert that Mr.
Piercey was “a lovely man,” and then, as the
object of her idolatry did not return, the detec-
tive decided not to remain any lon er.

He was anxious to see Eliab an tell him the
latest news.

He left the house, but was not destined to go
back to his ally at once. On the way he en-
countered Ralph Littleton. -

“ Are you busy?” the latter asked.

“ No, sir.”

“ Do you want a job?”

H You bet 1”

” Then, if you will go over to the island, I will
find use for you. What do you say?”

It did not take Jacob long to decide. He did
not know what Littleton intended to do at the
island, but the prospect of witnessing whatever
might occur made him feel like dancing for
Joy. Too Wise to exhibit his exhilaration, he
answered with assumed carelessness:

“ All right, sir. I am not busy, and I’d just
as soon go as not. I’ll enlist for the war, so to
speak!” ,

“ Come ahead, then. I have one of Sowders’s
boats engaged, and will not this time vex Mr.
Sherwm by appropriating his.”

“ Wasn't he a bit hasty yesterday?”

“ Man never deserved censure less than I did.
I can’t well say more, but on will remember
that I had companions. If y had no right to
the boat, who had?” '

Jacob found himself growing more and more
a partisan of young Littleton, and he expressed
his sympathy. They reached the gland; Ralph
unlocked one of Sowders’s boats; ey entered
and pulled away to the island.

As before, Ralph landed at the northern end,
and they were soon ascending the knoll. _At
one thicket the leader paused, ran his hand in-
side and brought out his spade. The long,
slender rope, 'or cord, was still tied to it.

9 That’s a queer combination," Jacob , an-
nounced. .

“ You shall soon see the result of it. I had to
dispose of it hastily the other day,when Sherwin
made matters so warm for me.”

“ Have you been here since?” the detective

carelessly asked.
(A N” n

“ I didn‘t know but you would come over to
see if the but had been molested.”

“ The place is of but li‘tle consequean I
have had occasion to be bore considerable, and
may continue to do so, and I put up the but.
It was, however, done more for idle sport than
real use, though I have found it useful, several
times, when a sudden shower came up.”

By that time they had reached the place
where Ralph had once planted his spade in the
ground for some unknown person. Now he
seemed to be in no hurry. He sat down u on
the fallen tree, drew from hi pocket w vat
looked to be the same paper Jacob had seen him
have before. and began studying it anew.

What could be his secret!

He finally arose and removed his coat.

“ I shall have to stri to it somewhat,” he re-
marked, “ for the wor is hard on a fellow’s
garments. I had an old coat which I kept here
but some prowler stole it a. few days ago, so
311311111313.” kl“.

sec 3 eyes spar

“ Was it a coarse, my coat!” he asked.

“ It was neither. To be exact. it was nearly
black, and of tolerath flue material; was out in
‘frogk’ pattern, andwas not ill-looking in its

ay.
This description, as far as it went, applied

 

     

 

.12

Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid.

 

 

very well to the coat Lightfoot Peter had confis-
cated, and Jacob would have exonerated his
companion had he not remembered the tell-tale
envelope.
Ralph tossed him one end of the rope, and ad«
(1

de :

“ Now, then, be so good as to stand exactly
where I planted my spade yesterday, and hold
one end of that cord while I proceed to the next
stage of aflairsl"

CHAPTER XIII.
DUG UP FROM THE DEPTHB.

JACOB obeyed these directions to the letter.
and Littleton took the loose end of the cord and

need away about thirty yards to the south.
fie then called his assistant and bade him stand
where his leader had stopped. Next, Ralph
measured several yards to the left, and brought
up at a pine tree.

“Struck it, the first time!” Jacob heard him
mutter.

The detectiva’s curiosity could be curbed no
longer.

“ any, is there buried treasure here?” he

'

O .

“ Not to my knowledge.”

“ You ain’t a surveyor?”

“ I am, just at present.”

“ Going to lay out a town here?”

“ There is something buried,” answered Ralph,
gravely, “ but it is a more serious matter than
treasure would be. Wait patiently, and you
shall see the result.”

Working steadily, the speaker measured back,
to and past Jacob, and at a distance of a few
yards paused. He gathered up the rope, and
flung it over an adjacent limb. Next, he
ordered the spade brought, and drove it into the
ground where he stood.

“ Another step gained 1” he announced.
“ Don’t think me insane, my lad, but take a look
at this paper!”

Once more he produced the article named. It
was a queer, but not a complicated affair. The
most prominent thing about it was a figure
made by means of two straight lines. These in-
tersected in such a way as to form an imperfect
letter “ T,” one-half of the cross-line being
longer than the other. Beside of the longer
mark was the number “90.” One-half of the
cross-line was labeled “ 35,” and the other " 30.”
At the extreme end of the shorter portion was a
small cross, and at the bottom of all were two
words in writing—“ Dig there!”

“ I suppose you’ll do it?” mechanically asked
Jacob, who was a good deal excited.

“ Most certainly. You see, I have been along
time in locating this spot. My first directions
were: ‘ Find a big tree, in the south side of the
trunk of which is a deep doublemt in the form
of a cross ;’ and then 1 was directed to measure
away from it as you have seen me do. I
searched long and carefully. Big trees were
abundant, but upon none could I find the double-
cut in the shape of a cross, and it was not until
I had the clew from Miss Direxa Sherwin that I
got an? start. She came over and located the
tree. had feared that the passage of years had
caused the cross to become over-grown and ob-
literated, but she remembered seeing it. The
"fissiwfisf‘i ’22?“ “"5? ma" .1 h begs

a a en :1 e s e an e n
to digplustily. 9 pa ’ ‘

The soil was soft and somewhat dam .

“ If anythin but metal was buried there, it
stands a poor s ow of being there now,” observed
the detective.

, “ We shall find something—enough toshock at
least one of us.” ’

The words were spoken gloomil , and the de-
tective began to experience consi erable uneasi-

‘ nets. What did Littleton expect to exhume'i

The man worked well: in fact, he showed a
nervous energy which indicated a. mind ill at
ease. Could it be pMsible that a human being

rested there? Jacob had an unpleasant suspicion

that such might be the case, but it did not seem
likely. If it was so, some crime was likely to
have existence with it. The dark, somber knoll
was not the place any “sane person would choose
for a last resting- lace. '

Lar er grew t e excavation. Once. Ralph
pauses to rest, and his companion volunteered
to relieve him, but the odor was not acce ted.
The work went on until the worker stood nee-
deeglin the pit, which, curiously enough, he was
ma ‘ng oblong, much like a gravo.

Discoveries began at last. ,

He cast up a eful of earth; it struck near
Jacogs feet, bro 9 and rolled apart in fine frag-
men

The boy uttered a startled exclamation and
Ralph looked up. - ’ '

 

“ What is it?” he asked.

Jacob silently painted. At his feet laya frag-
ment of bone, and it needed no close survey to
show that it was a joint—all that remained of a
larger piece. Ralph’s face lost color perceptibly,
and he muttered:

“ Time’s hand has fallen heavdy. At all
events it proves that I am on the right track.
Boy, this bone was once part of a human being,
like you and me. The sight is not pleasant, but
inexorable duty drives me on. You can retire
to a distance if you wish.”

He plunged his spade into the earth again, but
his ally did not retire. Unpleasant though the
scene was, it had a fascination, and Jacob, in his
ofl‘icial capacity, ought to see all that was to be
SCBD.

Luckily, there were but few more fragments
of mortality. Time and the damp earth had
done their work well. But a second discovery
was at hand.

The spade struck some other object, and, as
Ralph seemed to suspect what it was, be dug
around it carefully until a surface a foot square
was revealed. He lifted it; the damp, clinging
earth fell away, and something like a box re—
mained in his possession. He stepped out of the

it.
p “ Our work is done!” he announced.

“ What in the world have you there?”

“ That for which I dug.”

“ Looks like a box.”

“It is.” '

The speaker gazed at the object for a moment
in silence, and then put it down carefully.

“ I will first restore this sepulcher of the dead
to its former condition,” he added.

He did so, putting back the pieces of bone, but
the work had but ittle interest for Jacob. He
was lookigg at the box, and wondering what
secrets it ld. Its weight showed that it could
not be filled with coins, and the idea of treasure
was not to be entertained. What, then, was
there? If anyI papers had been buried, he doubt-
ed that they ad withstood the effects of time.
Had the box been found only to be proved value-

less?

Ralph completed his work, and'spread refuse

matter over it until he had efl’aced, as far as

ible, all signs of the excavation. He then
ifted the box again. He seemed to forget his
companion entirely, and started oil? at a brisk
walk, but Jacob was not to be gotten rid of
iikte that. He followed, and was led to the

u .

They entered, and Littletou at once took a
stone and struck against the side of the box.
Some sort of fastening was there, but it‘gave
wa at once, and the cover sprung up partially.
Ra ph raised it entirely. '

The interior was comeletely filled with a com-
pact package which, acob thought, was oiled
silk. His curiosity had never been greater than
then, but it was doomed to disappointment.
With the fascinating, perplexing secret almost
in his own grasp, all ope of learning it was cut
03. Ralph felt of the package, appeared satis-
fied. and then suddenly closed the ox again.

“ It will wait,” he said laconically.

“Ain’t you going to look at it now?” asked
Jacob, his face falling.

“Not until I reach my room.” ,

“What is it, anyhow?" was the blunt ques-

tion.

" I don’t know, exactly.”

“ You’ve got a pretty close idea.”

, “So I have, but it will wait, as I said before.
If it is good for anything, it is too good to open
anywhere except in the privacy of in own
room. I must- say that am agreeaby sur-
prised to et it. It has seemed only a forlorn
hope, but t eimportance of the affair has led
me to rsevere. I am glad now that I did.”

“ W at’s its value in dollars and cents?” lainly
demanded the boy, who was not in the tof
humor. '

“ Not one penny l”

“ Then what do you 'want it for?” '

“There is more in this world than money,
boy: a good deal more. Powerful as money is.
it will not do all things, or give a contented
mind. Now, may I ask you to keep. this day's
work an entire secret? There are men I would
not willingly have know of it.” '

“ Clarence Piercey. for instance.”

“ Wh do you mention him’f"

“ He rs you no good will.” ,

“Right, though why he has such a spite I
don’t know.”

' ‘9 He likes Direxa Sherwin—” . ‘

“ That does not fully explain it. Before I
ever saw Miss Sherwin, Piercey had betrayed
his ill will. For some stran reason be dis-
liked me at the. start, and think he would

 

gladly do me mischief. I place but little con-
dence in his professions of goodness; b word
and glance he has betrayed a state 0 .mind
nothing short of hatred. I doubt the man, and
it maybe laid down as a safe rule to never
trust any man with a flat, die-away voice, and
a sill smile constanth upon his face.”

" ust my ideal” acob agreed. “Further-
more, I believe you do well to be suspicious of
Piercey.”

2: Isam not hafraid of him.” b 7”

u pose e uts up some jo on on

“ Thgt is possible.” y ,

The detective looked Ralph full in the face,
and continued:

“ He might even send you a letter which
would lay a trap for your feet l”

Littleton started. Jacob' had spoken witha
clear idea in mind, but his companion did not
suspect the fact. But if the start, and the
thoughtful look which followed, furnished any
criterion, a train of meditation was aroused in
the young man’s mind which was not inSIg-
nificant.

“Certainly, certain] l" was the reply, after
brief hesitation. “ ell, let us go back now; I
have no more to say l”

He was evidently determined not to make any
confidences, and Jacob urged him no further.
After secreting the spade, they wentto the boat,
and were soon homeward bound. Ralph’s mind
was busy, and he worked the oars and showed
no disposition to talk. Jacob humored him,
and the trip was made in total silence. When
they landed, however, the young man gave his
ally a dollar, spoke pleasantly to him, and ex-
pressed the hope that they would meet again.

Then, with his box under his arm, he walked

aan.

Jacob looked after him reiretfully.

“I’d give this dollar bac , and a good many
more on top of it, to be in his room when the
box is opened. Still, it can‘t be that the con-
cern, buried as it has been for probably twenty
years, can have any connection with the ban
robbery of a few days ago; and I sup Jose I
should merely be a meddlenl without go cause
if I looked into this matter further just now.”

Acting upon this idea he hastened back to thé
barn, anxious to see Eliab. ~ _

The barn was empty, as far as Eliab and his
bear were concerned, but in a conspicuous place
was the following painfully-spelled notice:

“ ’Rasnm‘ Gacus:—i have gon two giv the beer a '

lit’l ’xercize, But Wil Be Back soon. wate untill i
cum, if U ain’t in two moutch hurrie. Ewers truhe,

" Esau Ann oonouwn."

Jacob had to smile. Eliab Godown, despite
the crude way in which he talked, could write
and s 11 correctly when he wished. When he
wishese otherwise, he made an equal success of
bad spelling.

 

CHAPTER XIV.
JARED TALKS or srncum'rxoa'.

THE young detective did not have long to
wait, for Eliab soon made his appearance.‘ He
at once began talking in a shrill voice.

“ So you’re here, youngster? Well, I’m glad
on’t, for I want to ask your advice. Lightfoot
Peter don’t get no better 0’ his lameness, an’ be
actually limped considerable as we was a-comin’
home. I’m afeerd he has at rheumatism in that
shoulder, an’ it may be ad bard ter drive
out. My great-uncle, Peletiah Godowu, had
rheumatism so bad that he went lame when he
tried ter feed hisself. It was all through his
systerm, an’ when he had a tooth pulled, it stag-
gered an’ limped!” '

This information was rattled ofl volubly and
in the little old man’s usual happy way, but
Li htfoot Peter received no sympathy. The
[legion of his lameness was an old one.

Eliab suddenly sat down and demanded:

“ How’s things?"

“ Flourishing!”

“ I b’lieve you. The pot is gettdn’b’ilin’ hot.”

" How so?” 5

“ I’ve seen a familiar face.” ‘

“ Whose?" ‘ i . _

“ Hickory Jim’s. You may not know him,
but I do. He is a rogue who has, by good luck
escaped gettin’ up a. world- 'de reputation, but
he‘s none the less dangerous. .He’s in Birdseye,
an’ of I read the signs right, it means that the

/

bank-mone , stole by the ang is here or aboiit .
ter come. ery likely, Hgickory Jim is here u
an advance ard, as it were.”

“ Where id you see him?”

“ Met’ him in the street half an hour agog RH.  V
went ter the hotel, but is sailin’Jow'i a most .3

harmless-actin’ duck you couldn’t
“ Describe him!” - '

 

 

 

+9.

Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid.

'13

 

 

Eliab did so.
2 Was, any one with him?” Jacob added.

“ Well, the man has a friend here, as I happen
to know, and he called upon the friend before he
went to the hotel. Are you sure he is Hickory
Jim?”

“ I be.”

“ Then I know the Birdseye agent of the rob-

rs.

“ Who is he?”

“ Clarence Piercey I”

Eliab whistled softly.

“ Your Jim’s first move was to call upon
Piercey,” added the oung detective. “ I was
there, saw him and ked with him; and I spot-
ted him at once as a man no better than the law
allows. I thought then as you think now, but,
aslong as you know him, it adds proof to sus-
picion.”

“ Did he have any package with him?”

‘5 No.”

“ Then the boodle ain‘t come. Ef there is
coin in it, ez we hev been tol’, it can't be carried
around in the pocket like a toothpick. The
crisis is nigh, an’ we hev our man spotted. We
will discard Littleton, myster’us as he is, an’
hold Messenger on suspicion, but as for Clariy
Piercey—well. we drop on his racket an’ see him
one better, You said all along that a man with
a baby veice an’ a silly grin was not to be trust-
ed, an’ you had it solid. Clarry is our pie-plant,
an’ we W111 serve him up hot. In my opinion,
Petts, the stolen boodle comes ter town tor-night,
an’ we inust be on the watch. Probably it will
be kerried ter Clarry’s room, ter be housed ontil
the robbers think safe ter sarculate it.”

“ No doubt.”

“ I s’pose we must see the local ofiicers.”

“ Yes.” .

“ I hate ter 'like p’ison. You know my fail-
in’, Jacob; I like ter have only reg’lars inter
my games. These country ofiicers are an artom
thick headed. They find it hard ter be’lieve
that a homely old critter who goes cipherin’
’round the back lots with a brown bear is a
mi hty detectivejn disguise, an’ they hate ter
yie d obedience.”

“ Suppose we leave them alone?”

“ An’ miss our quarry.”

“ Not so. Let’s enlist Ralph Littleton, and
the three of us are enough to ‘ do up ’ the heathen
-—with Lightfoot Peter's hel’p. You’ve not heard
all my story; let me go on.

He told what had occurred at the island, and
then resumed his suggestion that Littleton be
added to their party, but Eliab would not con-
sent. It was all very well to think the young
man worthy of confidence, and Godown did not
object to this theory, but when it came to trust4
ing him With important secrets, it wasavery
different matter. . Good or evil, he was hemmed
in with secrets. bimSelf, and such a man might
well be handled gingerly until he was proved
worthy of confidence.

Jacob did not object to this decision and Lit-

tletonwas left out of the plan for the future.
_ Elieb was anxious to see What was transpir-
ing in the village. The natural inference was
that Merdell, or, rather, Hickory Jim, was the
only one o_! the burglar band in Birdseye, with
the exception of the regular agent; but this was
by no means a positive fact—there might be
more, Actuated by this knowledge, Eliab de-
termined to go out and have an eye on local
aflairs.

Once more The Three Innocents went forth.
Deeming it adVisable to enter the village, from a
new point, and not make too conspicuous the
fact that they were taking life very easy for
med poor men. they_decided to go down the

past Jared Shermn’s_house, and then bear
around and enter the main street at the lower
6 . .

They went accordingly. '
When they n red ared’s place they had a
chance to see y Clarence iercey had not

beenfound at home. He and Jared stood on
the 1am, talkingEearnestly.

“ e’ll stopl" liab announced. “As you
hev been for see him, it will clear awn possible
SUEPIFIOD at we stop now an‘ palaver larry.”

his plan was wise, and when they reached

the house they paused. The remained at the ,w
edge of'tho road. Piercey wasy seen to give them'

one glance, but if he had any privacy, be ap-
parently considered the Innocents unworthy
of notice. . ' ,

“ I advise W It, dear sir.” he was saying.
“ At our age, it is indium-est.” .

“ are ain’t anyefiood reason why I shouldn’t
make money. 9' W ‘ as a ounger man,” an-
swered BMW-n- ‘ True. I vs no son to leave
it to, but I like money, myself.” ‘

 

 

“ But 5 ulation is risky,” Piercey argued.

“ I shal look into it before I invest."

“ But will you be satisfied Without a home?”

“ The speculation will soon make me another,
a good deal finer than this.”

“ Yet, it will not be the old homestead. How
long have you resided on this farm, and in this
house?”

“ I was born here.”

“ Ah! ah! Then it must have a wondrous
hold upon you, dear Mr. Sherwin. When one
has so long lived at a lace, and grown old
while thus iving the ten rils of love reach out
and twine around his heart as the vine clings to
the stately oak. ‘ Be it ever so humble, there’s
no place like homel’ To me there is nothing
sweeter than life, nothing dearer, tenderer or
more pathetic, than this same attachment of an
aged man for his ancestral home. When he
goes out, the lilies of the field welcome him as an
old friend, and he looks upon them, and a great
peace is upon him. All! ahl Sweet is homel”

And Clarence uplifted his hands, and looked
touchineg at the roof of the piazza.

“ So is money sweet 1” grimly answered Sher.

Win.

“ Its love is the root of all evil.”

" I’ll take my chances."

“ Think seriously before you act. Do not
deprive yourself of a home in old age for any
trifling return. Homel Ohl blessed world! I
seem, dear Mr. Sherwin, to look back to my
own childhood’s paradise. I see my good

rents; my dear little brother, Guy; my sweet

ittle sister, Pansy; I see the big dog, Freddie—

and, ah! I see a t gained-fowl that we called
Dickie. I wish bad Dickie, now, to fold to
my bosom as I did in my childhood’s happy
hoursl”

Clarence folded his arms, as tho h, in fancy,
‘13: bfiid the fowl then, while Eliab odown mut-

re :

“Fan me with a brickl—I feel pooty weak
an’ tired l” ‘

“ Sentimentisn’t business l” Sherwin returned
doggedly. “Unless I change my mind, I shall
sellout. Of course, as these parties, who offer
me a chance to Speculate, are strangers, I shall
not act hastily, but I think I shall invest."

“ Of course you will use your own judgment.
I know but little about worldly business, while
you are a shrewd man of long business expe-
rience. I do not assume to set my judgment u
in opposition to yours, but it seems a pity to se 1
the dear old homestead. Well, I will leave you
now, but will drop around again soon.”

He received a cordial invitation to do so, and
then started away. He smiled beamineg upon
The Three Innocents.

“ Peace be upon you, dear friends," he said,
blandly.

‘f Sir, we thank ye right hearty,” answered
Eliab, humbly, “ an it’s right ood in ye, arter
(tihg iinpefliteness ,ter you that ightfoot Peter

i .

I“ Do not mention it. I was foolish to be so
disturbed by the event, but my arduous profes-
sional labors have seriously ranged my
poor. poor nerves!”

“ The bear was monstrous rude.”

“ Only playful,-dear friend—only playful.”

“ Then you don't lay up nothin’ ag’in us?”

“ Not a thing.”

“ It’s right good in ye, I do declare! I’ve been
thinkiu’ on’t, an’ as I thought e had good cause
ter be put out, I sent my 0 , Jacob here,
around ter your house for ofler our perlitest
apology. You wa’n’t in, but the apology is
made now.” ' ‘ ‘

_ “ I wish I had been there to greet the dear
little boy, but rha he will call again I
should be glad i): see goth of you. Believe me,
I hear you only love and good Will.” .

Very blandly Mr. Pierce‘y ke, but he kept a
wary eye upon Lightioo eter, and did not
seem disposed tollnger. He made a.few more
remarks, and then walked toward the north.
ghe Three Innocents went in the opposite direc-

ion.

“ More villainy afoot l” growled Eliab.

“ How so?”

“ Did ye hear the talk" about Sherwin sellin’
his farm en‘ puttin’ his money inter specula-
tioni"

l‘ Ya.” ‘ U

“ The gang has Qt arter him. There is some
swindle, an’ the a has of Plereey hev. marked
Sherwin as a victim."

“ But Pierce advised against it.”

“ He did, mi 1 . I kin plainly see why. ‘He
is goin’ ter stay ere awhile, he bein’ the man
who is ter house the stolen money until the
thieves think they can safely pass it. an’ he ain’t
goin’ ter draw suspicion or ill-willterhimselt

 

 

by plainly advisin’ Sherwin ter go inter the ‘
wild-cat scheme. He’s too shrewd fur that, but
it is probable that the gang hev got the old gent
Well on the hook, an’ think they will land the
flshanyhow.”

“ Will they, Eliab?"

“ I should smile! All the fish they land;
here wouldn’t feed much of amultitude. The
Three Innocents hev got an eye open, an‘ I
fancy thar will be a smash here soon. We want
tier scgre another big scoop, an’ we’re goin’ ter ,

o itl L

CHAPTER XV.
HOW run GRAVE WAS FILLED.

THE detective trio had just reached the south
end of the main street, near the depot, when
they saw Ral h Littleton Walking rapidly to-
ward them. be same idea at once occurred to-
both Eliab and Jacob. Ralph was unusually
well-dressed, and carried a small hand—bag. It
was nearly time for the south-bound train, and
it looked very much as though he was about to
leave town.

“ He’s excited l” Jacob observed. “ I’ll bet
that he found the contents of the box rather
startling.”

“ Question him!” _

Mr. Godown had time to give no further di-
rections, for Ralph was at band. The latter,
however, did not wait for them to open conver-
sation. He addressed Jacob abrupt y:

“ Boy, what has become of that envelope I
gave you?” he demanded. ' i L

His manner had no touch of hostility, but it
was a hard question to answer.

“ You gave me the envelope to take to the
store,” Jacob returned.

“ So I did, but you did not leave it there; you-
gsve the order orally for the things. I wanted.

hat became of the envelope?” '

“ He tore up a lot 0’ old paper,” put in Eliab
glibly.

“ That envelope was im ortant.”

“ Then why didn’t you cap it when you had
' 3

 

“ I did not realize its value then.”

“ Will its loss do you any harm i”

“No: but its sion might do a good deal
of good. - To te the truth, I want it to try and.
nab a rascal.” . g '

Jacob looked at Eliab in Silence.

“ Littleton,” the detective leader spoke, “ kim
you rove ter us that you are an honest man?”

“ I) can convince you beyond doubt, by means
of papers I have at my roam, or, it an one
doubts it, he can telegraph to the Mayor 0 New
York City. That‘ gentleman lsa personal friend
of in late father: has known me all my life;
an 1y am Willing to submit my character to
him, and rise or fall according to how his ver-
dict oesl” _

RaIph spoke with worthy pride—not the kind.
common to shallow minds: but that of an hon-
est man who resents any‘slight cast ii on his}
honor. Eliab we looking at him keen y tr -
ing to read him through and through, and t 9
im rassion was ver favorable. -

‘ May I ask,” e mildly returned, “ why
you’re goin’ away i” ‘

“ I cannot tell that.”

“ I can guess. Partly on account 0’ that let.
tor, an’ partly because 0 What you found in the
box, you’re goin’ for a detective!”

The statement was a sunnise, pure and
simple, but the shot had been _well sped. Ralph
looked at the speaker in surprise.

“Perhaps on can tell me where to find a de—
tective,” be c , somewhat ironically.

u I can-fl

" Where?”

“ Do you‘really want one!” "

H Yea.” _

“ Convince me 0’ that tack. an‘ you shalli
have him right soon. my frien’.”

Eliab spo e confidently, but Ralph looked at:
him in considerable bewilderment. Ordinarily
he would have wondered why in the name of'
common sense he held an » conversation on such
a subject with a little 0] man who went roam-
ing about the country with a dancing bear, but»
he had been influenced both strangely and
strongly by the detective ir. a stood
and stared at Godown unti a loud nmnt'
revealed one fact—while he had stoodini chose,
the train had reached the depot and was just:
starting away.

“ Too late l” he muttered. lrritably. _

“ That's a fack. Better take us to your room,
young man.” .
Somehow, Eliab had grown honor and more
intelligent of apramcethon before. in Ralph’i:
e es. and thong the question seemed snperla~

ver foolish to him, helmpulsively asked: .

 

“ It may be that one was among them.’ ' ,

 

l14

A

Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s

Aid.

 

 

“ Are you. a detective?"

“Ef not, I’ll show ya one when I git ter
your room.” .

Ralph gave one regretful look at the fast-de-
parting train, and then turned submissively.

“ Do with me as you will," he directed.

“Jacob, take the bear ter his quarters, an’
then come ter me,” Eliab added.

The die was cast, and the two men walked
back together. Ralph felt half—angry with him-
self for being led into serious association with
his humble-looking companion, but, as long as
he had missed the train, be determined to carry
the matter to an end, and either have some
satisfaction or prove Godown a. fraud.

When they reached his room they settled
down at once, and Eliab asked for roofs that
Littleton was an_ honest man. hey came
promptly, in the form of letters and recom-
mendations from prominent men. In some
cases the writing was familiar to Eliab, and he
was not long in being convinced. When this
point was reached he made a revelation in re
turn, and laced before his companion ample
proof that e was a detective.

He had expected that he would have to lead
the way with further confidence, but, when
Ralph had recovered from his bewilderment, he
said:

“ I should as soon have expected toflnd a. de-
tective in some old farmer here, but am now
gepared to believe that some detectives are to

found in strange disguises. More than that,
I have a case for you."

“ Prob’ly I’ll take it," Godown answered.

Ralph opened his traveling-bag. The first
thing that Eliab saw was the oiled-silk, but the
younger man gave that only brief attention.

rom the interior of the bag he produced a tin
box, small and dingy, and opened it. The only
thing inside was a paper. It needed no explana-
‘nation to tell the detective that all these things
had come from the larger tin box, excavated
from the island-knoll, but, despite the size of the
mappings, he was surprised to find the paper
in such good condition. '

Hiscompanion spread it out and briefly di-
 1”

Dim and faded was the ink, but it was still
easy to read.
“ JUNE 11, 1853.

“ 1, Ethan A. Littleton, native and resident of
New York City, being now at the point of death, do
make the following statement, and solemnly swear
that it is true in every particular:

" My business has been that of a speculator in
cattle, I going out into the count , in various direc-
tions, to buy animals, which terwards I would
shi to market. Two days ago I came to the town
of irdseye, and began to look around for bargains,
having at that time a considerabl sum of money in
my possession I soon made the acquaintance of a.
man who called himself Fernando Emmets. I can
tell no more about him, except that he claimed to be
in the same business as myself. I now believe that
he was a liar, as he has proved himself a villain and
a. murderer.

“ He decayed me to this lonely hill, where in
body will be found, and then fell upon me with
assassin hands. I know not what his original pur-
ggse was, further than to rob me, but this is what

poned: His first blow, struck with a heavyaclub
fel ed me to my knees. I struggled, but he (1 all
the advantage, and showered blows upon my head
until I lost consciousness.

“When I recovered he was gone, and my money
had gone with him. I realized that he had deliber-
atei lured me here for the pu . I tried to shout
for elp; my voice was too fee 1e to be heard ten
rods away. I tried to crawl away; my lower limbs
and spine refused to obey me; I was artially ra-
lyzed. [gig some one comes spe y I sha die
without any one to whom I can tell my story,
so I am now writing it.

“ I ask the Christian beings who find m remains
to at once send word to m brother, or r S.
Littleton, Wall street New ork. I can to no
more. I would add a description of Emmets, but my
strength fails. They saw him at the hotel.

" Em A.

on.”

The signature was a mere scrawl, indicating
that it had been made with the dying man’s last
$133?ng the u

up narra ve° A ,

“He was my uncle; the liar-per Littletou
mentioned was my father, now deceased. My
uncle disappeared in steriously, at about the
time of in birth. 6 was searched for long
and caref y, but never found. Naturally, my
father and the detective be employed could ar-
rive at onl one conclusion—that there had been
foul play— at all eflorts to learn just when, or
where. he disappeared, were vain.

‘i No light was ever gained until a few months
a whena criminal named Alf Varne died.

1 Jmadeaconlflessggg in which be m that,
n une 1858, e acted asaccessnrytoone
‘Meek Moses,’ another criminal, in the murder

 

 

of a cattleman near Birdseye. My uncle, you
will notice, does not mention more than one
man, so I do not know just what part Varney
took, though he was not present at the murder.

“ it seems that, after finishing the letter, my
uncle expired. Varney was the one who found
him. According to his story, which I believe,
he had entertained no suspicion that murder was
to be done when he agreed to aid ‘ Meek Moses.’
Hearing from the latter how my uncle had been
left, Varney crept back to the place. My uncle
was (lead.

, “ Varney was terrified by the probability of
exposure, and he went back and secured a spade
and then buried the body. He found the writ-
ten paper you now hold, and some strange im—
pulse led him to preserve it. He had with him
two tin boxes; one his lunch-box and the other
a match-box-those boxes you can now see on
the table—and he prepared the whole as I after—
ward found it, and added it to the contents of
the grave. Then, when it was refilled and all
tell—tale signs obliterated, be marked a. cross on
a large tree, made sundry measurements to lo-
cate the grave, put them down so that he would
not forget, and fled.

“ Such was the story he told before his death.
My father had passed to the unknown land, and
only I was left to investigate. I came here as
soon as possible. Varne had left no account of
where the body was buried, except that it was
near a large, cross-marked tree, distant a cer-
tain number of feet, as indicated by the map he
had made at the time, and always possessed;
while In uncle had referred to the locality only
as ‘ this ovely hill.’ Look around and see the
many hills near this village, and you will gain
some idea of how hard a task I have had here.
After a while I settled upon the island—in my
uncle’s day the reServoir had not been construct-
ed, and only a fish-brook lay between here and
the knoll—but the marked tree had fallen, and I
could not locate it until one who remembered
blaving seen the cross in the past gave me the
c ew.

“ The story is told.”

Littleton ceased speaking and, leaning back in
his chair, looked anxiously at Eliab.

He had had an attentive listener; not a word
had been lost. This applied not only to Eliab,
but to Jacob, who had entered softly.

“ I hev reason ter believe,” the detective re-
marked, “ that you can never revenge your
uncle. but some one else has been more fortu-
hate.”

L‘ Y”

“ The helpers 0’ Judge Lynch. ‘ Meek Moses’
was hung by a mob, ten years ago!”
CHAPTER XVI.

“HONOR mono warms” NOT ms norm.

“ You knew him, then 1” Ralph exclaimed.

“ I knowed of him. He was a big ’un, who
had tried his duck at all sorts of villainy. He
died a miserable death, an’ I guess, from all re-
ports, that he might hev envied the man hung
by process of law—the lynchers hated him, an’
giv him a cold deal.”

“ It seems, then, that my discovery is too late
for use.”

‘3 Yes.”

“ Why was he called ‘Meek Moses?’ ”

“ Because he was the biggest hypocrite that
ever walked. All sorts 0’ crime Was athis door;
but he invariably acted as bland, gentle, an
meek as the Moses of old. He disgraced re—
ligion by pretendin’ tar be pious, sung hymns
like a Methodist revivaler, an’ was a veritable
sheen in,wolf’s clothes.”

“ Just like Clarence Piercey,” suggested Jacob.

“ Eh?" cried Eliab, with a start.

Jacob repeated his statement, but the elder
detective did not answer. He sat in silence, his
face gravely thoughtful. »

“ Now,” continued ph, “ I have spoken
very frankly to ’you, and would like some confi-
dence in return. , l

“ What d’ye want ter know?”

“ You are not here without an object.”

“ That’s a fact.”

“ What is it?”

Eliab hesitated. He had decided that Ralph
was trustworthy, and hoped to secure his aid,
but it was gomg a good ways to make a full
confession. - -

“ The fact that you go around with a dancing
bear as a shield to your plan shaws you to be a.
deep one,” Littleton added, “ and I am sure you
have work to do at Birdseye.
command me.”

“ We accept your oflor. Now, how about the
onvolope you want tar get back? Why do you
think it in) t?" ‘

“ IIIch in it wasa letter in which I am in-

If I can belpyou, '

 

vited to become the agent of counterfeiters, and.
the sender asked leave to place bogus coin in my
possession, for me to pass—you shall see it soon
—it is out of the ordinary run. It is not a trap
for an unwary, but a. glittering bribe to a dis-
honest man.”

“ Why do you argy?”

“ A moment ago our friend Jacob spoke
rather slightingly of Clarence Piercey, compar-
ing him to ‘Meek Moses.’ I infer you have not
a high opinion of the man.”

“ We ain’t.”

“ Well, I may be wrong, but I have figured
it out that his record won’t hear scrutiny. He
hates me—wants to get rid of me. How could
he better do it than by getting me into the
meshes of the law, by means of a trap?”

“ Well spoken.”

“ I want to know who wrote the letter to me,
and if it should prove that Piercey had a hand
in it, I would put him through.”

“ I‘m free ter say I b’lieve he’s jest as big a
hypocrite as ‘ Meek Moses.’ He can’t be the
same, though, fur Moses, ef alive, would be
twenty-five years older than our grinnin’ gorilla

“ Certainly."

“ Now, then, as long as you’ve volunteered
your aid, we will let ye into our game an artom.
You look like a brave man.”

“ Try me!”

3 An’ one willin’ ter help the law.”

“ We will, but the service may bring forth hot
flghtin’.” '

:: Agaipst criminals, of course."

es. ‘

“ Then I’m with you, through thick and thin.”

His hearty manner pleased Eliab, who pro-
ceeded to unfold as much of the case as was
necessary. He'franklgstated tho stolen money
was soon to arrive at irdseye, a d be thought
it would be brought during the n ght. A train
always passed through the tow shortly after

midnight, and it was probable t at the custo- ~

discs of the treasure would arrive by it. Mela
dell, alias Hickory Jim, was undoubtedly an
advance agent, and the mone , it was inferred,
would be placed in charge of iercey.

Plans were laid for the night, and then Eliab
and Jacob took leave of their new ally. Going
down the street, they met George Messenger,
who carried a covered birdvcage under his arm.

“ Aha!” he said, saluting them, “ you are just
the persons I want to See. I am about to leave
town, and, before I go, I Want an answer to my
proposal to this boy. Will he, or will he not,
enter professional life under my wing, and
whistle from Cape God to the Golden Horn?”

“ Jacob kin answer,” observed Eliab.

“ I shall have to decline,” Jacob returned.

“ Think of the glory and—the money l” urged
Messenger.

“ I’m well mtisfled as it is.”

“ I'll give you fifty dollars a. week.”

“ Mister,” put in Eliab again, “ I’d like for
know what idea you hev in your noddle.”

For answer, essenger uncovered the bird-
cage, and arooster was revealed inside.

" See any thing peculiar about him?” asked the
master’s owner. ,

“Don’t, eh? How many legs does a rooster
usually have?" ~

“ “7 George! this one has fourl l”

“ ell, rather! Perha 5 you ca h on now.
I am the agent for Spark e 8: Bonneham’s Great
Mastodonic Circus and Menagerie. At present,
that unrivaled combination exists only on
pa r, but by another spring we shall be in the

,fle d to the rent detriment of all other shows.

Sparkle an Bonneham have men all over the
world looking for curiosities. Four-legged roose
ters, two-headed cows one-eyed shee ; horses
with wool, instead of hair; women w o won’t
gossip, and men who won’t lie, are especially
esired. All freaks of naturg and /wonders of
real life will be taken to our bosom. Now is
the chance to enlist under our banner, and be
a. part of the unparalleled aggregatlou—the
greatest show on'this or any other globe 1”
Mr. George Messenger talked like a race-horse.
His loquacity, so like that of Mr. Godown in
moments devoted to business leased the detec-
tive, and he then and there di something in the
way of business. He romised that Jacob should
consider the odor, an , also, engaged Messenger”:
services for the night, without, however, reveal-
ing anything which could act against them.

Midnight! ‘ _ ,
The train from the south rolled into Birdse e
and paused in front of the depot. This did

 

mean the scene of bustle' and confusion which,

 

  

. 1,4.”

Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s

Aid.

 

.r—

stations in large places exhibit in such cases.
Birdseye had never hustled in its life, least of all
at the late hour mentioned.

On this particular night Clarence Piercey had
made his appearance at the station a little before
train—time, and a gleam of recognition came in.
to his dull eyes when two men alighted from one
of the cars.

Both shook hands with him, and then one re-
turned to the train, and was borne away when
the snorting engine settled down to business
again.

He who was left was a very respectably-
dressed man, but, sober and black as was his
attire, he had the same poorly-concealed, rakish
air appearance which had marked Merdell, alias
Hickory Jim. The stranger carried a valise
such as an honest traveler might carry, but
there were eyes upon him which sent very in-
quisitive glances toward his baggage.

Piercey and his friend moved away. Leaving
the station, they walked slowly down the street.
Appearances indicated that they had it all to
themselves, no one else being visible, so they
gave no attention to their surroundings.

Perhaps they would have done better had they
looked sharply; they might have seen the dark
figures sku! ing along near them.

The went a hundred yards and then Piercey

a .
“I want a word with you, Kidder,” he ob-
served.

“ Say on.” -

“ Jim is over at my room, waiting for us.”

“ According to agreement. Well?"

“ Kidder, you are on the ‘ make ’?”

“ Well, rather!”

“ The chance is before you. The original fifty
was decreased by corporation taxes,and so forth."

“ What is to hinder you and me from raking
in the whole pile?” inquired the model man of
Birdseye. “ We have only to skip and it isours.
I am tired of working for the corporation, and
believe that I could make more money alone
than when in witha gang.”

“ Dro it, for the Lord’s sake, Pete!” exclaim—
ed Kid er. “ Your palaver may be of use to
subdue idiots to your will, but it is too silly for
me. Turn traitor to the gang? Never!’ the
speaker sharply added.

“But just think—”

“ I refuse to think; and I shall report your
proposed treachery to the corporation!”

“ Dear friend, you would not do that—"

“ But I would, and shall!”

“ Then, darling, I will bid you good-night!” ‘

Piercey spoke in his most sickly voice, but at
the last words he suddenly snatched the valise
frtgthidder’s hands and darted away down the
s so .

 

CHAPTER XVII.
m WORLD KNOWS am as HE IS.

PIERCEY’S bold robbery was a com lets sur-
prise to Kidder. Hehad not been holding the
valiso tightly, and it was easy to snatch it
away; and he was so dumfounded that the
robber had gained several yards’ advantage be-
fore he recovered sufficiently to pursue.

He was aroused by the sight of several dark
figures which flashed past him, and then he
stirred into life and Joined in the pursuit. Who
the others were he did not know, but his anger
burned so hotly against Piercey that he was
reckless of consequences.

When a few rods had been passed, the runners
settled down into relative positions like par-
ticipants in a go-as—you-please race. Piercey
led; then came a boy and a man almost side by
side; than two more men; and, last of all,
Kidder. , .

Had the street been occupled, instead of total-
ly deserted by all save this party, the foremost
pursuers might have been recognized as Jacob
and Littleton for the first couple, and Eliab and
Messenger for the second.

The turn of events had surprised no one more
than Elmb, although, now that it had come, he
was not astonished that Clarence should turn
traitor even to his boon companions.

Piercey run well and kept his wits about him.
Silly as he was'in manner—and his ways were
natural—he usually had plenty of courage in
emergent-lee.

He suddenly turned and darted into a puss-

eway between some outhouses. The natural
impulse of a pursue:- would be to follow direct,

. sshe had well calculated, but there was one

on his track who knew the 'ti f

Elie“: various buildings there, and Willie

at once. v ‘

“also?”  Jag: cried to Littletdn;
0 ng he ks t

, definsteadm W, P 011

 

He soon reached a corner, and then, looking
back, perceived that he was alone. His request
had been unheard or unheeded. This did not
stop J ucob. He hurried along a few yards
further, on the cross street, and then reached a
narrow gap between two of the out-houses. It
was his theory that Piercey would seek to evade
his pursuers, and if he could once got out of
their sight, the obscure opening on the crosst
street would furnish a line avenue of retreat.

The result proved that Jacob had very accu-
rately surmised the man’s intention.

The former had barely reached the desired
point when he heard the sound of footsteps,
and, in a moment more, Piercey darted out.

Exultation was in the man’s mind. He had
doubled and dodged to good advantage, and had
left his bafiled ursuers behind.

But he had fai ed to count upon one thing.

As he darted out of the alley in light form
dropped upon his shoulders; a muscular leg was
twisted around his own; and he fell to the
ground with Jacob on top of him. The fall was
a shock both to his system and his hopes, but,
looking up, he recognized his assailant, and a
serpent-like hiss escaped his lips.

“ Curse you!” he exclaimed; “ if you don’t let
me alone, l’ll strangle you l”

He made an effort to choke oil! the boy and
rise, but found that he had run against an ob—
stacle. Jacob held on, and foiled the man’s ef-
forts to rise. Piercey made a clutch for the de-
tective’s throat, but missed his hold, and a. tre-
mendous struggle began on the ground.

Back and forth they rolled, but luck was
against Jacob. They rolled into the ditch, with
him at the bottom, and the hollow frustrated
his efforts to reverse their pOSitions. Piercey
dealt him aetinging blow on the wrist and suc-
ceeded in breaking away.

The robber sprung to his feet.

He knew he had but little spare time, and
must get away before the other pursuers ap-
peared. He was eager to again secure theyalise
and resume his flight. Knowmg that his pro-
cious burden had been dropped near at hand,_ he
turned to secure it. Then cameo. fresh surprise,
and a striking pause. _

The robber reooiled. The money-laden valise
lay upon the ground, with Lightfoot Peter
standing over it threateninglyl ' ~

The bear knew his old enemy, and his gleam-
ing eyes and exposed teeth showed that he would
be de 'ghted to renew hostilities, while . Piercey
was very reluctant to go near him. The planes,
brief as it was, proved sumcient for the car’s
young master to regain his feet. .

“Good boy, Peterl” cried Whistling Jacob.
“ We’ll defend the money-bag to the last!”

Voices so ded close at hand, and Piercey
grew despor to. He made a dive for the valise.

A roar followed from the bear, and in a mo-
ment more the robber was wrapped in a fervent
embrace and folded to a hairy breast.

“Help! help!” he wailed. piteously.

Help came. Eliab and Ralph dashed out of
the passage, but stood amazed at what the
saw. - Jacob was laughing heartily, whi e
Piercey squirmed in Peter’s grasp like a. bruised
snake. The boy however, did not for et bus:-
ness, and it was he who sprung forwar and se-
cured the precious valise.

Eliab caught on to the situation, and, hurry-
ingto Peter’s side, ordered him to release his
victim. Somewhat strangely, the bear had
never been in a more obedient mood; be relaxed
his hold, and Piercey fell to the ground.

.“Oh! I am killed!” he lamented. “Dear,
kind gentlemen, please 0 for a doctorl”

Ralph lifted and shoo him roughly.

“ For a thorough-paced rascal, you are a con-
temptible specimen. You are not hurt; brace
up and be a mam-if on can!” V

Really, Pierce h received no severeinjury.

The other rob er had disap cred. Possfb
it had dawned upon him that e was in danger-
ous company and while they were searching
among the buildings, he had got out of si ht.
The valise, however, was recovered, an a
tightly-tied package inside satisfied them as to
its contents

The nextiiove was to visit Piercey’s room.
The presen of Li htfoot Peter on the scene
had been a. surprlse, at he had won fresh glory,
and no one wished to bar him out. He was
allowed to follow while they went down the
street, and, with Memnger, left outside as a

srd.
guAll the others entered the house.

Piercev's room was invaded without ware-
mony. It was thick with tobacco-smoke, and
Hickory Jim was nonchalantly puma? cigar.
His mood changed suddenly and radi y when
he saw the intruders, but the hostile air which

 

came over him was quickly subdued when
Eliab drew a revolver and turned it upon him.

Jim was a wise man. He saw that he was ir-
revocably in the toils, and be determined, at
once, to seek favor from the law by submitting
with good grace, which he did accordingly. He
was dismayed to see the valise in the hands of
the detective, but exhibited so much resent-
ment he learned of Piercey’s treachery, that
Eliab had an idea and sent the risoner out of
the room in charge of Jacob and alph

“Now, then, Hickory Jim,” pursued Mr.
Gordon, “ I know you an’ your record, but you
ain’t the biggest knave out. Tell me all about
Piercey who stumps me, an I’ll stun’ by you
when you're on trial.” .

“ I’ll do it,” was the ready response. “ The
fellow is a knave and traitor, as well as a fool,
and he shall pay for it. His real name is George
J. Jasper, and he is one of the most dangerous
men in the country. Born and bred in crime,
he has followed it all his life. His dodge is to
profess to be a minister, and it works to a charm.”

“ Kin you locate him more precise?"

“Not ofl-hand, but I’ll give you facts, later.
He has been in many places under different
numes,and has long been a member of acombina—
tion of sharpers. They work together, and as a
check to treachery, each one has ten thousand
dollars—-tho proceeds of robbery—in the hands
of the directors of the band. That ten thousand
draws interest as long he remains honest to the
band, but he, of course, forfeits all if, asPiercey
tried to do, he deserts.”

“ An interestin’ gang !” commented Elinb.

“ But now likely to be broken up, and all on
account of Piercey. Malediction on the fellow!
I’d like to see him served as his father was!"

“ How was that?"

“ He was lynched ten years ago. He was a
good deal like Clarence, only not so silly. He
was bland and dangerous. His sob'riquet was
‘ Meek Moscél" ”

‘l Eh?”

“ You’ve heard of him, I reckon.”

“ Wal, I should smile!”

Eliab did not smile, despite his statement' he
was too much bewildered. He had heard of
“ Meek Moses ” before—he remembered him as
the man who had killed Ralph Littleton’s father
on the island, over twenty years before.

Mr. Godown suspected, too, that he could at
last see why Piercey had so early shown hatred
for Ralph.

“ He’s a tough customer,” Elisb declared,
“ but I reckon we have him under our thumb l”

 

The later sconce/at Birdse e had been in the
nature of an explosion. n the ruins were

cleared away, the scene was found to be as fol- ~

lows:

Captured and brought to trial, Clarence
Piercey was given a sentence to prison which,
on an accumulation of charges, made up a
term of twenty-five years.

Hickory Jim gave evidence which broke up
the robber band, and escaped himself with a
1i ht sentence.

1; was learned that Piercey had formed a.
scheme to swindle Jared Sherwin out of all his
money, and would have sprung the tra as soon
as prudent. When this was proved to herwin,
be utterly collapsed, but established the fact
that he had some common sense in his stubborn.
head—he withdrew all objections. to the mar-
riage of his daughter and Ralph.

The letter received by the latter, in the en-
velo which has so often been mentioned was
anot er of Piercey’s traps. Knowing of the
murder of Ethan Littleton, he had recognized in
Ralph a man who might yet be dangerous, and
had directed a. New or]: confederate to start a
scheme which would get Ralph into trouble.

George Messenger soon left Birdseye. There .

y‘ had never been cause for suspicion against him.

He was a decent kind _of a man, and when he
left town. it was to renew his efforts to get un-
natural curiosities for the circus and menagerle.

Direxa and Ralph were married. The are
happy, and both Jared Nicholas and my
Cyrena are very proud of young Littleton.

The money stolen from the bank, was all ro-
covered.

Last of all we have to mention The Three In- \
nocents. Ellab and Jacob took Lightfoot Peter
quietly sway. During Piercey’s trial their pecu-
liar methods were kept shady, and, when it was
all over. they were free to go out in a new lo-
cality, in search of ew game.

And wherever E! h ed his detective trio,
and Whistling Jacob made music for. theta
Elf, and Peter danced his awkward shame,

sves and criminals had goodcansoto tremble.
- 'rn'n mm. ‘

15

 

E;

«.14

.2

 

 

a , ..‘,

BEADLE’SieHALF-DIMEieLIBRARY.

'Publiehed Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents.

No Double Numbers.

 

 

BY EDWARD L. WHEELER.

Deadwood Dick Novels.

*eadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road.
)ouble Dagger-i or, Deadwood Dick‘e Defiance.
luifnlo lien; or. )endwnml Dick in Diuruhie.
8 Wild Ivan. the lioy Claude Duval.
42 Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick‘- Bonanza.
49 llmnlia 0“ M Deadwood [link in Dunner.
Deadwood )lelz’n Englea; or, The Pnrde of Flood Bar.
78 Deadwood Dick on Deck; nr. unlumitv June. the Heroine.
77 Corduroy Charlie; or. Deadwood Dick’e Liut Act.
100 Deadwood Dick in Lead ville.
104 Deadwood Dick‘n Device: or. The Double Crou Sign.
109 Deadwood Dick an Detective.
129 gehdwood Diek’n Double: or, The Chart of Gorgon'e
u c .
188 Blonds [ill]! or, Deadwood Dink’n Home Brae.
149 A Game oi’ hold; or, Deadwood Dick’. Big Strike.
156 Deadwood Dick oi’ Deadwood or, The Picked Part .
19.") Deadwood Dick'- Dream; or, ' he Riv:.i- ol the Ron .
201 The lilaek "llll Jezebel; or, Deadwood Dick'i Ward.
205 Deadwood Diuk‘l Doom: or, Calamity June’a Lent Ade
ven ure.
21? Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Bri and.
221 Sn sir-Coated Saul: or, The Blue Gown.
232 (do d-Dluit Dl'ek. A Romance of ROIIKlH and Toughn.
i368 Deadwood Dlek’l Divide nr, The Spirit of Swamp Lake.
Dim Deadwood Diok’n Death rail.
809 Deadwood Dick’ii Big Deal; or. The Gold Brick of

@regnn.
821 Deadwood Diek’n Dozen: or, The Fakir qi‘Phiintom Flute.
347 Deadwood Diok‘a Ducata: or, Rainy Duyl in the Dig.

[High
851 Deadwood Dick Senteneed: or. The Terrible Vendetta.
862 Deadwood Dick’tt Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Euro

till.
405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City.
‘10 Deadwood Dick'a Diamonda; or, The Myttery of Joan

Porter.
421 Deadwood Dick in New York; or, A " Cute Care."
430 Deadwood Dick's Duet; unThu Chained Hand.
4A8 Deadwood Dick, Jr.
448 Nickel-Plate Ned; hr, Deadwood Dick Jr’t Defiance.
453 Sunflower Sam, oi Shanta; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’l Full

I‘ll .
469 Flash Fan, the Ferret; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’n Big Round.
‘85 Pliilo Fly, 0! Phonix; or, Deadwood Dick .11”: Racket at
Claim 10

471 Bozerrian Bill; or. Deadwood Dick .ir’a Corral.
476 gaggnldt Harry, the Hurricane; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’-
tire.

481 Moll Myster } or, Deadwood Dick Jr. in Deadwood.

491 Prince Plato the King of tlie Wen; or, Deadwood nick
Jr’a Compact.

Mon 9 Cr ato. Jr.i nr, Deadwood Dick Jr’s lrilicrllanno.

teal wood Dick’s Dig rigs ; or, Dr. Dutthp’e Snoop.

tea wum De veranee.

tea no... Protezee. ‘

te ‘hree

 

 

 

 

WW -
can run. lancer Duel".

tea ww. Death llunt.

w Dirk Jr. in Texas.

a were. Dick, Jr. the Wild Wat Vidooq.
tea or Dick on ille Mattie.

e w Dick, Jr. In Gotham.

v w  :- 'i°'i‘,‘h"i . . 
v. e , r. n a. e

e... "um Die-k, Jr. in Chicago?

lea. wum Dick, Jr. Afloat.

tea w ' Jr. in Denver.

tea wu
tea or

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coney a nd.
e wu Dick Jr’a Leadviiie Lay; or, Brietolend
ricket'e noon .

Other Novela by E. 1.. Wheeler.

6 Oioven Hoof, the Bufl'itlo Demon.
2 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Deni-Shot.
2 Death-Face. Detective; or, Life in New York.
us 01.] Avalanche - or, Wild Ednn, the Girl Brigaud.
B I ill a r., the Boy Pheiilx.
1 luckimrn D II or, The Rad Rifle Team.
69 (told Ride the hhar theater: or. Th. Bo Dung...
0 Roachud llob h r. ufiget Nod, the KnlghL
4 Idyl. the Girl iner; or, Rolebud Rob on Hand.
8 Pilot ra'h l’hll; or, Rosebud Rob’e Reap a,
a a Chet; or, Old Annmnda in sitting Way.
6 Wateh-E a; nr, Aruba and Angela oia Great City.
8 Jack lloy e the Young Smulntor.
llt—Edlcd Dleii. the Sport. Detoctlva
I Illa-non Chip, the Girl Sport.

M nor.
a 'ing of Boothlath.
lid Sam the Boyhood-Agent.
Cant'ugu erret, the New York Detail"; 0!, Boa Bob'-
[1

New York Noll the Boy-Girl Make.
hb Nick offlievada; or, The Sierra Seampe.
ild rank, the Buck-kin Bravo.
ritl, the Bound-Boy Detective.
Pitt to the Front} or, The Ventriianiat Hunk.
Shoo-or the Buy Slurp: or, The Anb etective.
polio thin, the Trail Ternndo.
alon-- i the Young Gindininr.
er“ lam. the Frontier Ferret.
Sierra nta'e Secret; or The Bloody Foot rink.
Sierra ain’a Ford; or. The Angel on Bi lite.
8 Biorr aio’a Seven or. The Siulfll Bri e.
e the iin ' ntrul; or, The Rival Heirl-
Denver Dol’l
enver Doll’s Victor

. the tective Queen.

1.
Donvor Dall’a Deooy : or. Lillie Bill'e Banana.
1 Turk, the Boy Ferret.
Denver Doil‘a Drift or. The Road Qua. .

No. I, the Dulrin ell-Taker.
’ 5 Jane. the Qir Miner; or. the lion-de Sport.
.33 r'fithfl'l'fi‘ifi """i’i‘ '1’???“ "7%
9 II a - 0 or o I nee o
M 00 Ki ho’Myuorioua Miner.

 

 

 

 

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-:~ “33:32!”
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r- , ihe Gopher.
868 Viola Jill. the Gold-Gatherer; or. The hwy of
e a Yréko .n-i.

Prue.
ad; or, The Secret “Sin City.
2 Cool Ki the Kin of Kid. on A Villdn’a vw
6 Yreka J an «later; or, il'he luv-amt“ Nae.
cycle Ba; or. The Lion 5! Lightning Lode.
rota III of You in».
rilklofiuflte Ni‘hbWe Detective.
igh flat any, the Bee- Ball Dot-tin.
la- Blahlid th Dov re.

a - De
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BY CHARLES MORRIS.

18 Will Some", the Boy Detective.
22 Phil llill‘di', the Bole Buy.
1 20 Picayune 'ote; or, N icodemul, the Dog Detective.
80 Detertive Dick; or, The Hero in Rage.
42 "and-onto Ilarry, the Boothlnrk Detective.
4? “ lli W ldiire, the Thoroughbred.
52 lilac-Ii “can. Will Wildfire e Racer.
? Mike Merry, the Hnrbnr Police Boy.
62 “'lil Wildiire in the Woodil.
65 Billy Ba age, tho Railroad 
70 A T iird; or. Will Wild ro Wine and Lola.
kett: or, Mysterlu of New York.
- (at! the Bank Runner.
en ilund - nr, wan wuaaw. Revenge.
yard, this Lite Boat Boy; or. The Smugglerl.
Nit iioh Roe (ett; or, Driven to the Wall.
iNi shadowed ; or, Bob Rnckett'l Fight for Life.
i 06 Dllrk Paul. the Tiger King.
1 12 Dot-hing Dave, the Dandy Detective.
i 20 Tom Tanner; or The Black Sheep 0! the Flock.
‘35 Sam Charcoal tie l’i'mriitmi Durky.
8i") Shadow Sam. the lllrllellgel‘ Boy.
42 The Two “ ilioodn "; orI Shenandoah Bill and Hie Gang.
52 Dick Dnnhaway; or, A Dakota Boy in Chm n.
i 62 The Young Sharpe: or, Rollickiiig Miku’n ot Trail.
7-! Jolly Jim. the Detective An irentice.
39 Jolly Jim’a Job; or, The utian Detective. ,
9K The “'ater-llolnid; or, The Young Thoroughbred.
05 (ila-hiiway, oi' Dakota: «.r, A Weller!) Led in the Quaker
‘ t

i v.
2-1 Ralph Ready. the Hotel Boy Detective.

41 Tony ’l‘horne. the Vnpabond Detective.

58 The Reporter-Detevtlvez or, Fred Flyer‘e Blizzard.

67 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boynl‘the Times.

79 Larry. the Leveler; or, The Blood- oi' the Boulevard.

03 Firein Jack. the River-Rat Detective.

23 The Loat Finger; or. The Entrnpped Cashier.

28 Fred Fiver. the Reporer Detective. '

82 invincible Lo an, the Pinkerton Ferret.

“56 Billy Brick. line Jolly Vagabond.

L68 \I'Ide-Awnke Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive.

T9 Dptektlve Dad 1- z or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty.

87% “ ild Dir-k Rae wt.

01 linotr. the Boy Fireman : or, T00 Sharp '0? “10 Slim?-
66 The Neel-0t Pei-vine Boy Detective.

598 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolvee.

BY 0LL 00031118.

5 Vagabond Joe, the Young “Wandering Jew.
13 The Dumb pr.
2? Ann-lo e Abe, the Boy Guide.
81 Room nife, the Prime of the i’rniriee.
4i Lam Jack, ill-9 Young hiiietnnger.
58 The Border Kin ; or. The Secret Foe.
71 Delaware Dick, t it Young Runner Spy.
74 ilawk-efi'e llarrv Ilia Young Trapper Ranger.
88 Rollo, o iio lliin er.
184 Sure Shot Fat. , the y Riflemnn.

Sear-Fave Saul. the Silent-Hunter

146 .‘ilver Rtar. the Boy Knight.

158 Battle Hit. the Boy Demon.

168 Little Texas, the Young Mnetanger.

178 Did Solitary, the Hermit Tm per.

182 Little Hurricane, the Boy nptiiin.

202 Proufieet Pete ; or, The 'ouiie Outin Hunldn.
201% The 0 llercnlrex or, The Prairie Tramp.
.18 Tiger Tom, the Ten: Terror.

224 Daahln‘fi Dick; nr 'i‘rnpper Tom’l Cattle.

2am Little Ildiiro, than... PralrieNi-mnd.
288 The Parson De Motive; or, The Little Ranger.
248 The D [iii-ed Guide: or, Wild RIVGII, tho Rang”.
280 Dare. evil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger.
272 Mink-kin Mike, the iioy Shnrpehootar.

290 Little Foxiiro. the Boy Spv.

800 The sk Demon ; or. Ruinbnlt, the Ranger.
384 thiv- in: Joe, the Bar Rutichern.

409 lien-ale: or, Dirk. the y Ranger.

41‘! \Vehfoot one. the Trump Demure.

Bah Sam, the Ray Ginnt iii the Yellow-tone.
444 Litt e Buck-kin. tue Young Prnirle Centaur.
45? “'Inzedi’oot Fred; nr. (lid Polar Saul.

488 Tnmarae Tom, the Big Tmaper Buy.
478 (Did Tom Rattler the Red iver Epidemic.
4S2 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojnn.

562 Binnderial Basil, the Hermit Boy Tapper.

BY '1‘. C. IIARBAILGII.

28 Nick 0’ the Night; or. Th-- Bo Spy oi ’16.
8? The Hidden Dodge: or The L ttlw Hunter.
47 Nightin ale hilt; or, Tne Pure“ Ca tnlul.
84 Daad Jack; or, ‘he Outlumi oi the gon
Ki arei’oot the ood-Hnwk. .
94 Midnight Jae-Ir}i or. The Bov Trapper.
06 old Fro-3y, llio nide‘ ur. The White Queen.
’8 Kiowa Charley the White hlullIMGP.
89 Jud o 1. nah, Jr.t or. The Bow Vigilante.
55 001 l r, the s rt; or. The Girl Avenger.
89 Tornado om; nr. njun Jet: From Red Core.
88 Ned Temple, the Border Boy.
98 Al'llll ; or. The Qam n at F'nte’e Revenge.
IO? Navajo Nick the Boy Gold Honor.
“5 Captain Bill an or. Little Tonhnai’tCruuiio.
281 Plueky Phil; or. Run, the Rel Jeuhel.
l4‘l Bill Bravo; or, The Bought oi the Rookie; y
ollc- the King-Pin at v
in Detective.
or, The Buckskin D Moon.
04 by an; of, The Bowie B lid. of Coehetopa.
02 Q on I Detective; or. The Trigger Bar Belly.
16 Old Eclipse, rump Curd oi Ariaonn.
8 The Ten Parde; or. The Terror of Take-Noun.
86 um oi the lo.
45 Pltiieu Matt: oan Thunderhoit’e Scent.
56 i‘o-ti Mun and Pnrdz or The Terrible Bil.
M Velvet Foo the indien Detective.
’33 Captain Cut on or, The ll-veuinur’l Girl Foo.
96 Roll in Bob} or. he Twin Champlain 0! Blue 810'.
A 11 The Dilken ago ‘or. The Rm oi Randi Ratio.
R Felix Fox. the y .
Texae Train . the Border Rattler.
out ire: or Bed Rail-’- firm.
inn. 1' y 'or. The but "an o Kaolin.
e lg); Shadowt or. Felix Fox'e i-innt. .
Exoohior Sport: or, The W
lit. tin One-Eyod Spott-
n, the Night Ferret.
the wharf-Spy Detective.
r":
- I .
l the Dock Ferret.

‘ Double; or, The Rival Day M
L- neeperate Can.
. the Boy Vldocq '
o Shadowe.
Dick'- Drop.
the Bul-Blnurboteetivo.

 

 

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BY 00LONEL PRENTISB INGRAIIAM.

7 The Fl in: Yankee; Dr, The Ocean Outuut
17 Ralph o ', the Boy Bum-timer; or. The Fugitive Yncht.
24 Diamond Iirk Lor, The Mystery of the Yellow-tone.
82 The Hliadow S in; or. The Rival Lieutenante.
75 The Boy Duelist; or, The Cruile oi the Sea-Wolf.
102 Dick Dead-Eire, the Boy Smuu ier.
111 The Sea-Dev l; or. The Midin pmnn’e Legacy.
116 The Iliinaar Ca tnin; orY 'i‘he Hermit 01‘ Hell Gate.
19? Little Grit; or, rule, the Sior-k»'i‘ender‘r Daughter
204 Gold Plume; or, The Kid-Glove Sport.
216 Ill-on BHI the Prime oi the Reine.
222 Grit, the ilravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer.
229 Crimean Kateé or, The Cowhoy’n Triumph.
237 Lone Star. the owhoy Cii lain.
245 Merle the Middy or, ' he Freelnnre Hair.
260 The flldnhlpinan . llltineer; or. Brandt, the Buccaneer.
264 The Floatan Feather; or, Merle Monte'a Treuuro

I-iuna.

269 The Gold Shi ; or, Merle, the Condemned.

276 glori’e Mantel; Cruise; or, The Chute o! “The Gold
. iip.’

2H0 Merle Monte‘a Fate: or, Pearl, the Pirate'e Bride.

2 The Sea Marauder; or. Merle Monte’l Pledge.

2H? ililiy Blue-Eyed, the Boy Rover hi the Rio Grunde.

804 The Dead Shot Dandy or, Benito, the Boy Bugler.

308 Kano Kit: or. Dead Shot nndy‘e Doifhle.

814 The Mynterioun Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Long;

irnii.
87’? Ronodel, the Boy Rover; or, The Flu lei- Schooner.
888 The Indian Pilot: ur,Tha Seurcii for rate inland.
887 VNarpath Will, the Boy Phuntoni.
898 "enwaii‘. the tiny Lieutenant. ‘
402 endor, the Young Con-nirator; or The Fetal Rogue.
40’? l‘lie lln Insurgent; or, l'he Cuban Vendetta.
412 The “'i d Yaohtemnn; or, The War—Clouu‘e Cruiu.
429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Relugee. ‘
483 A Cabin Bo ’n Luck; or, The cor-air.
487 The Sea Ra dor.
441 The Ocean Firefly; or, A Middy’i Vengeance.
448 llaphalard liarry; or. The Scepegraoe oi the Sea.

450 Wizard Will: or. The Boy Ferret of New York.
454 Wizard “'ili’e Street Scouts

469 The Born Guide: or. The Sailor Boy Wanderer.
488 Neptune Ned, the Boy Center.

474 Flora; or, Wizard Will’l Vagabond Pard.

483 Ferrets Afloat; or, Wizard Wili'e Lut Cue.
48? Nevada Ned, tho Revolver Runner.

495 Arizona Joe the Boy Pnrd oi‘ Taxu Jack.

49? But-k Taylor. King oi the Eowboya.

508 The Royal Middyt or, The Shark and the See Cat.
50': The llunted Midshipman.

511 The Outlawed Middy. '

520 Buckakin Bill, the Comanche Shadow.

525 Brother: in Buckskin.

580 The Buck-kin Bowers.

586 The Buck-kin Revere. ' .

540 Captain Ku-Kiux, the Marauder oi the Rio.
545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Letitia.

550 Lafitte‘a Legacy: or. The Aveuxing Son.

555 The Creole Cot-lair.

560 Pawnee Bill, the Pnirie shallower.

666 Kent. Kingdon, the Card King.

570 Camille, the Card Queen.

575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective.

580 The Outealt Cadet; or, The File: Wyn
586 The Buck-kin Avenger. '
591 Delmollte, the Young Sea-Rover.

59‘! The Young Texan Detective.

602 The Vagabond of the Mince.

60'! The Rover Detective; or, Keno Kit'e chmpim

 

BY BUFFADO mu. (no... w... r. My).
8 Kan.“ Kill“ or, The Red Right Hand. ‘
19 The Phantom Spy: or, The Pilot oltlu Prairio.
55 Bulk-Eye, the Unknown Scout.
08 Border Robin flood; or, The mm. Rover.
158 Fan, Frank of Colorado; or, The hepper’u m

LATEST AND new ISBUIS.

Pitch Demti e’ Foil or Doubi em our.
“8 333i. l’llyfrfiy (in. admit... ’ ’ ° ' ‘

‘m Boily Dorrituthe \‘etenlgogetutlm er, Little Ughtirlu

invincith By ohn V1.0.

610 Old Skinner, the Gold Bhu-it; or, Tony Ship n Curd. By
T. C. Harbaug .

611 Bildad Barnacle. the Detective Hare-lee; or, The Tank at.
Tulile Mountain. By Lint. A. K. Elna.

d od Di k Jr. in Detroit or Tull the To.be
0“ Kath? By Mimi L. Wheeler. ’ ' °‘
618 Billy Dialer; or. The Skeleton’l Legacy. 3y P.5.Warne.
014 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’n Aid; or, The Queer Com-
hination. y Jo Pierce. ‘ ~
6 i Ran the Chime! Chained C title; or The
1‘ EeIfthhlinnifiinu’e iiuon. By). C. Cowdrlek. y "
ml! Detective «.1110 Last Curiae o! the Black-
‘1. l3: oily Geo. C. Jeuhl. ndy May )4. , ,

it .51.» Se Roldan me tin:
“1 33:4} l'lut'l'fiiifiudo. a, “133.3? Rania-a.

Ready May 91. .
Dead nod m Ir Jinn Cincinnati or n. ciao...
.u Compean. By  it. Wheeler. Reedy Ma’y I".

, The Deubi Wit-
‘1" it: ‘tfivfiftmfi‘tfi‘dflat'... ' W!
« I The I dbl-lead.
m flatworm,- .42.: m r
A New hale Every hadn’-
l'henalf-Di-CLihrary Io tar ale hyeii Mira"
mnmwreenby-dloeuulptddamanl I
anon: AND “All. hill-hon, ‘ ‘
‘ 08W!” I...“ IowYUL ‘,'