HAN BEGAN FVMBLING AT THE LOOK WITH THE GREAT KEY, WHILE BILLY

AND HIS BOYS LOOKED ON EXPECTANTLY.



“ 'umm®§

September 13, 15'

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W; 0'94, Vol. ixi

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on,

N THE EASE of t_h_e_ DEAD ALIVE.

BY J. C. (JOWDRICK,
AUTHOR or “ BROADWAY BILLY ” NOVELS, me.

i
‘
l

, CHAPTER I.
A CRAZY MAN’S srmna: STORY.

LATE one afternoon Detective William Wee-
ton—“Broadway Billy "—-—waa seated in his
office talkin with his two boy assistants Happy
Harry and ilent Seth, when an old man rushed
into the office.

He .was very old. apparently between ei hty
and nmet years of age, with long white air

-  ' and beer , at with a. sprightly step that gave
“‘“”‘_—‘ the lie to is a penance. And a noticeable
peculiarity was t at he was clad in attire more
mitebie for a boy of ten. He wore knee pent:

 

  

2

 

 
 

Broadway Billy’s Brigade.

 

 

 

buttoned to a waist, and black stockings and
buttoned slit-es.

Broadway Billy and his “beagles” looked at
the visitor in surprise, and wonderingly when,
closing the door and fixing his gaze upon Harry,
he demanded:

“ Are you Broadway Billy?”

“Crackers an’ cheese! no!” exclaimed the as-
tonished lad.

“ I am Broadway Billy, sir,” Billy spoke up.
“ Did you want to see me!”

“ You Broadway Billy! “'hy, the news-
papers called Broadway Billy a ‘ Boy Detective.’
You are no boy i”

“ Nevertheless, I am Broadway Billy. lVon’t
you sit down, sir?”

The visitor helped himseli‘ to a chair.

“ I see you are looking at my clothes,” be ob-
served. “Odd, isn’t it, to see a man of my
years dressed so ridiculously? But, it isn’t my
fault, and as I am a crazy man I can’t help it.
Yes, I’m crazy, sir.”

It was a confession which confirmed the sus-
picion of all three.

“ You don’t appear to be very crazy just now,
sir,” Billy observed.

“No: for just now I am in my right mind,
and that is what has brought me to see you.”

“ How came you to know anything about
me?‘

“ By the newspapers. When I am getting all
right in the head I want to see the newspapers
all the time, and in them I have seen accounts
of you and some of your doings. I believe you
are agreat boy—man, I mean, and that you can
help me wonderfully."

“ In what way can I help you?”

“I shall have to tell you my story first, so
that you can get hold of the thing right. It is
a page from the past, and itinvolves a vast for-
tune out of Which my rightful heirs have been
cheated. 1 want you to take the matter in hand
and bring the thing out all right. Do you think
you can do that? Do you think you can find the
silver casket?”

“ The silver casket?”

“ Yes; you see, the valuable papers are hid
away in the silver casket or coffin, which is
buried with me in my grave. I have not told of
this, before, for I was afraid to trust anybody,
but I am going to trust you. Say, do you think
you can find it?”

Billy decided that the man was a harmless
lunatic who had escaped from some institution
or other, and by chance, had found his way
there.

But, if really a lunatic, how could he have
seen the detective’s name in the papers, and
have come there to consult with him? That cer-
tainly did not betray mental obliquity or un-
reason.

Silent Seth looked on with seeming stoic in-
difference, as if taking no interest whatever,
while Happy Harry, his chin in his hands, was
both amused and interested.

“ I don’t know,” Billy made sober response
to theglgist question. “ Are you sure it is in your

ave.

“ Am I sure of itl Of course I am sure of it!
Didn’t I hide it with my own hands the day be-
fore I was buried? It is with me in my casket.”

That statement was conclusivo; the man was
a lunatic.

“And where are you buried?” Billy quietly
asked.

“Where am I buried i” echoed the old man.
“ Where do you suppose, but in the Hearn
family vaults? You can find my coffin there,
with my name on it—Ruford Hearn.”

“ How old are you!” .

“ I was sixty~one years old when I died.”

“And how long have you been dead?” asked
Billy, treating the matter with all gravity.

“ Twenty-two years,” was the prompt an-
swer. i

“ Sixty-one and twenty-two—that makes you
eightv-three years old now, does it not?”

“How can a man get any older after he is
dead?”

“I mean if you had lived,” Billy corrected.
“ If you had lived you would be eighty-three
yen Y's old now.”

“Yes, that is right; Iwonld be eighty-three
no'N.”

“But, if you are dead and buried, how is it
you are here?” he asked.

“This isn’t me,” the answer came promptly.
“ It was Rnford Hearn that was buried. Ruford
Heath is in the casket, sir. Don’t you under-
stand?"

“ I can’t say that I do,” Billy had to confess.
“ Didn’t you say our name is Buford Heart)?”

“ Yes, yes; so t is. I am Ruford Hearn; I
am dead and buried; that part is all straight

 

enough. But, here I am, Ruford I-Iearn, and
they will not let me get into my place.”

Billy scratched his head.

“ I am afraid I can’t do much in your case,

sir,” he said. “It seems to be rather mixed
u .’
“ You don’t understand it, sir, you don’t un-
derstand it yet,” the old man complained.
“Can’t you see how it is? You will have to
get it quick or not at all, for I feel it coming
on again.”

“ You feel what Coming on?”

“My crazy spell. Then it will be dark—all
dark, and you won’t be able to get anything out
of me.”

“ You had better tell me at once, then, all
that is necessary for me to know, and if it is
anything I can take hold of I will do what I
can for you. Go right ahead, sir.”

“ Yes, I will; but it seems so hard for you
to understand. You see, my name is Buford
Hearn, and I died tWenty-two years ago and
was buried. You cannot help understanding
that.” .

“ I follow you so far,” assured Billy. ,

“ I was a rich man, and 1 had two sons and
three daughters. ()ne son and one daughter
were by my first wife, but the other son and
two daughters were by my second wife. The
first son was my favorite child, as his mother
wagwmy first 10%. Do you still understand
me

“ Yes, that is all plain enough; go ahead with
the story."

“ Well. sir, in order to make my will so as to
give most to those who cared for me, and least
to those who cared for my money, I hit upon a
plan to learn which of my children did really
care for me and which did not. But, before
going into it I made all preparations and sealed
up valuable papers in the silVer coffin.”

Billy was watching closely, and following
word for word. This man’s talk appeared to be
sane enough now; but he evidently was growing
restless, as if apprehending something that was
about to come up0n him, and which he dreaded.

“ Yes, yes,” he said quickly; ” valuable
papers—silver coffin; yes, yes, so I did. I was
taken sick then—l, Buford Hearn, you under-
stand; and I died and they buried me. But,
they didn’t know about the silver casket;no,
they didn’t; and that is what would tell a
story for them if they could find it. Nobody
knows about the silver casket sir; no one but
you, and you must find it. You will find it
with me in my Coffin.”

Here the talk was wild again, so Billy decided.
It was all the idle fancy of a disordered mind,
and nothing more.

“But, what will become of you when I take
the coffin up and open it!” the young detective
questioned.

To the amazement of the trio the old man
burst out crying, as any school he “of eight might
have done. at the same time dig g his fists into
his e es in true childish fashion.

“ hat’s the matter?” Billy asked, after a
moment of silence.

“Boo-hoo-00—” came the tearful response,
“I want Bobby to play marbles with me,
and he—boc-hoo-oa—and e won’t do it. Boo-
hoe-,oo-ooa”

In spite of themSelves Billy and Happy Harry
had to laugh, but Silent Seth merely looked on
as unmoved as a statue, yet evidently thinking
deep] about the whole matter.

“I on’t he play with you?” asked Billy, sooth-
ing .

“No, he won’t; an’ be has been callin’ me
names, too. Boo-hOo-Oo—

“ Never mind,” said Billy: “ here is a boy who
will play with you. J ust try him, Both.”

The last was said to Seth, aside.

“ Come on,” Seth invited, “and it’s my first

la .”

p “yNo, it’s my first play l” the old fellow dis-
 “If I can’t go first i won’t play at
al .
“ All right; you shall play first,” assured Billy.
“But, where are your marbles? Have you got
an with you?”

or answer the old man went down into a
pocket and pulled out a big handful of marbles
of all sorts and sizes, and dropping to his
knees on the floor he began to arrange them for
a game.

Silent Seth took part with him, helping
him to arrange them, but irrepressible Harry
stood back and was fair] holding his sides to
keep from ex loding w th laughter, while
Broadway Billylooked on with a smile, rtl
gnawed and partly in sympathy, althoug ba -

e .

There is nothing new under the sun, ’tis said,

 

 

but here was something new in his experience,
fruly. Never had he run up against anything
ike this.

 

CHAPTER II.
ALTOGETIIER A STRANGE MATTER.

IT was an amusng yet a pltiahle sight.

Happy Hurry saw only the ludicrous part of
it, but Broadway Billy was deeply moved by the
spectacle.

Silent Seth, while he was helping to arrange
the marbles, managed to “hOok” several of
them with which to play, and, as soon as they
had been placed the gains commenced.

The old man played, first, and his first play
(lemOnstrated his skill.

The game was one ofthe oldest, knou'n to
every schoolboy, and Silent Seth’s turn proved.
that he knew Soinelhing about it, too.

As the aged man played he moved around
with as much ease as Seth, apparently, and as
the game progressed it was seen that he was
getting the better of his more youthful
Opponent.

“ Crackers an’ cheese!” cried Harry. “ Don’t
let him wax yo that way, Stoick. G0 in all’
show him what ye kin do. You don’t want to
let anybody get ahead of this office at anything,
not even at marbles. Now yc’vc got him; slap
in a sockdolager and swipe his alley.”

“ Ha, ha, ha!” laughed the old man, in glee.
“ He can’t do it! Hold on; no scrougin’ over
the ta‘v, nOW. Don’t you punch, nuther. Ha,
ha, hal You didn‘t do it, and you owe me an—
other oncl Now watch me, and I’ll Show you
how to do it. See? Just this way.”

The d fellow flipped with care, and aWay
went h’s last marole.

“ I haven’t got any more,” Seth had to admit.

“ Why, this is one of my own,” the old fellow
cried, after looking closely at the taw he had
just won. “ You have been stealin’ on me!”

With boyish anger he scowled at Seth, and
immediately began to examine and count his
stock of marbles, to make sure that no more had

been taken from him, and no sooner had he done ,

than he s rung up showing fight.

“ You ave been stealin’l” he cried. “I won
six off 0’ you, and I ain’t got no more’n I had
when I commenced. Come, now, you give me
them marbles or I’ll give ye a ood lickin’, an’ I
can do it too. Give ’em here, say, or I’ll down
ye an’ take ’em.”

“Christopher Columbia !” cried Harry danc-
ing about in high glee. “ You will get it now,
Seth, if you ever didl He’ll varnish
boss, and see which one will come out best man.
This is as ood as a coon weddin’ and a cake-
walk. Wa e up, Philosopher, or y0u will get a
bang on the nose ’fore ye know it.”

The old fellow was moving up to Seth with his

fists doubled and ready for action, but Seth was ,

backing OR to keep out of reach.

“Will e give me my marbles?" tne Old man
demands , sharply.

" I haven’t ot any," Seth declared.

“ Yes you ave, too, and I want ’em. How
did you play if you didn’t have any marbles?”

“ by, I was playing with some of yours. It’s

all right; you have got just as many as, you had, .

and we ilayed only in fun, you know.

The old man began to cry.

“ No, it wasn’t in fun. either," he blurted out.
H 1—hoo-hoo—I was playin’ for keeps, and I—
boo-hoo-oo-v-I want the six marbles too. It ain't
fair, the way you played.”

“Never mind the six marbles,” Billy urgedt

“ the boy did not understand just how you want-
ed to lay. I will get you a nice lot of marbles.”

“ ill you, though? Really?”

The childish old man stopped crying at once,
and his faca beamed.

“Yes I will, truly,” Billy assured. “I will
buy you a nice lot of them some day. But, what
is your name and where do you live?”~

“ My name is Thomas Tobias Brown, sir, and
I live at Doctor Dray’s. They let us play
marbles all we want to, there. They call me
Tommy, sir.”

“ And where is Doctor Dray’s’l” Billy in-
quired.

“ Don’t you know Doctor Dray?” in boyish
amaze. '

“ No: never heard of him.”

“ That is funny; I thought everybody knowed
Doctor Dray.” .

“ Where do you say he lives Tommy!”

Billy was bumomng the o d man s strange
hallucination.

“ And don’t you know where he lives, either?
Whyhall of us boys knew where Doctor Dray

ves.
“ Well, where does be live?”

ou ofl in i
fine style, you see if he don’t. Let’s ma 6 aring, ‘

  

 

.1

 

 

 

 

L

“ In the great, big house around the corner
and next door to the play-ground."

“ Christopher Columbia! ’cried Happv Harry,
“ that’so Straight clew, isn’t it, though! He’s
as crazy as a bed-bug.”

“Who is crazy‘éidemauded the aged boy,” 3

turning upon him.

“ Why the man in the moon, you know,” re-
sponded I—Iarry1 promptly.

“ I thought you meant me, and I was going to
say I’m not as crazy as I look. Seine boys are
fo dish, and that’s a good deal worse than crazy.”

Happy Hurry drew a. long face and put his
hand over his mouth, acknowledging that the
old fellow had hit him once and that he had bet-
ter remain quiet if he did not want to get
worsted.

Silent Seth glanced at him with lhesuggestion
of a smile playing around his mouth.

Billy was interested, puzzled, amuse l.

\Vhat to think of such a case as this, if it
could be called a. case at all, he (lid not know.
The old man had certainly said seine strange
things. He wondered whether he would new
remember anything about the story he had told.

“ By the way, Tommy, how about Mr.
Hearn?" he asked.

“ Eh?” the old fellow queried.

“ How about Mr. Hearn‘i Mr. ttuford Hearn,
you know.”

“Oh, yes! He is dead, sir; he (lied along
time ago. Doctor Dray Used to know him. He
could tell you about him.”

“ Then you didn’t know him yourself, eh?”

“ Oh, no; he died long before I was born.”

“ And how old are you, Tommy i"

“ Eleven, sir.”

Billy saw that it was of no use. The old man’s
mind was new a complete or total blank con-
cerning what he had been talking about so short
a time before.

He was about to question the old luny fur.
ther, to try to draw him out, or to bring his
mind back again to what he had been talking
about at first, but just then the door opened and
another personage stepped into the office.

This time it was a younglman, one not over
thirty, so Billy decided. e entered with an
eager, expectant air, and the moment his eyes
fell upon the old man in the boyish attire, his
face lighted up, and a smile told the story.

He had come in search of the old lunatic.

“ Why, Tommy, what are you doing here?”
he demanded, in a reproving way.

“ I have been playing marbles,” the old man
respectfully answered. “Is it time to go in
now?"

“Yes, it is time to go home now,” was the
rather coaxing response.

As he spoke, the youn man winked at
Broadway Billy, touching fins forehead with
his finger to indicate what was the matter
with the old man.

“ How did you find him here?” Billy asked.

This was the question which had come to his
mind the moment he discovered whom the

oung man was looking for. Had the man
an following? If so, why had he remained
so long in the background? Billy was sus-
picious. The young man’s explanation, how-
ever. appeared to be both reasonable and pro-

e.

“ Why, by a lucky find,” was his response.
“You See, sir the old fellow has spells, when
he is crazy in another direction,’ speaking
low, “and when the change comes on he is
eager for newspapers. When we missed him
we happened to find his coat in the play-
ground where he had been playing marbles,
and in a pOCket of it was a clipping from a
paper with your address on it.”

“And that led you to believe he had come
here, eh i”

“Well, it gave us an idea. We hunted all
around the neighborhood until we had to give it
up; then Doctor Dray told me to come here, as
possibly be had wandered down this way. He
was led to this conclusion by the fact that he
had meantime found more clippings in Tommy’s
rooui concerning some of the work you have
been doing. I take it that you are Mr. Weston,
the detective? AnyhOW. that's the whole of it.
1 ho e he hasn’t been troublesome.”

“ ot a bit," assured Billy.

“ You could see at once that be is off.”

“ Oh! to be sure. Anybody could see that. I
hiimair'eiil hIim.”

e , ’11 take him home, now. I su pose
he has been telling some queer tales.” p

“ He has told onl the truth, I take it. from
what you yourself have said. He said he was
in school or something of the sort kept by Doctor
Dray. He thought it strange that I should not
know the doctor.” ‘

 

Broadway Billy’s Brigade.

“ Yes, that is the way he talks. But, that
was all straight; the wonder is that he did not
annoy you with some wonderful yarns his crazy
mind has hatched out. He has queer fancies,
sometimes, when he is passing from one crazy
spell to the other. It is a peculiar case.”

“ Then he never comes into his right mind?"

“ No, new-r. He is hopelessly mad. He is
old,and there can be but one release for him
now.”

" I see it is too bad. I suppose you are con-
nected with Doctor Dray’s establishment-—
But, you have said as much. Where is this
asylum? It is one I have never heard of, I
believe."

“It is at No. —VVost—street. Yes, I am
a student lllllli‘l' Doctor Dray, iinishing a special
course, and n sort of helperaronnd the institution,
besides. Well, I will be going with my charge
whilehe is in the humor. (Jonie on, 'I‘onnny,
an I we‘ll go home now.”

He held out his hand in a fatherly way, and
the old man rug and placed his hand in it will-
ingly and was led away like u little child.

The young man nodded and smiled a good-by
as he passed out and as soon as the door had
closed after the pair Broadway Billy and his
aids stood for a few moments looking at each
other in expressive silence.

“ Something strange about this,” ilniilly
declared Billy. “ The more 1 think about it the
more I think there is more in it than ainero
Caseof lunacy. That fellow Seemed mighty eager
to learn what the old man had been letting out.
“'e have got something on hand, boys, or I miss
my guess, and I’m going to look into the affair
further and see what will come of if. It maybe
time wasted; but, the detective fever is coming
on and there is only one way to check it. What
do you say ’i"

 

CHAPTER III.
GROWING STRANGER sriLL.

“CHRISTOPHER COLUMBIA i" cried Hurry.
“What do we say? I’ll speak for myself, and
Seth is old enough to do the same; if he won't
that isn’t my fault. I’ll bet crackers an’ cheese
to a Harlem goat there is a son 0’ Ham in the
fence somewhere or other. We have got a rattle-
pated old none-such to deal with. though. and
it's beans to buttons whether We’ll be able to
make head or tail of it or not.”

“That sums it up, I guess.” acquiesced Billy.
“ W but do you think about it, Silent Seth?"

“I think there is something in thatstory about
a silver casket or coffin, but I don’t believe the
old man will ever tell any more about it than he
has told already.”

“ And I about agree with you, too,” said Billy.
“ There has been something in the past to make
such an impression upon his mind, but what it
was is probabl y more than he will eyer be able
to explain in full.”

“ And now you tell us how it strikes you,” re-
quested Harry.

“ I have done so already ” Billy returned.
“You two took it up where I left off and have
about finished all there is to say about it. Re-
garding that silver casket or Coffin as he says it
is, and the secret it contains, however. I will say
that, if there is anything in it I believe others
must know about it.”

“ And that was the reason the fellow was so
eager to learn what the old man had been talking
about, hey?” guessed Harry.

“So it strikes me. There may be nothing in
it at all, but, as we have the time to spare we
will look into it, or attempt to do so. We have
the clew to go to work on, if it proves to be of
any use.”

“ A clew?” questioned Harry. “ You mean
the name he claims is his, and the story he told
about his family affairs.”

“Yes. I’ll inquire into the Hearn family, to
find out whether there ever was a Ru ford Hesrn
or not. If I find there was, I’ll look up his
history and see what became of him, and so get
a start. See?”

“ You bet! I feel my blood begin to ferment,
and I’m ripe for anything that promises fun.
And here’s Seth, my deaf-an’-dumb pard, just
see his eyes snap, will you! I bet he is making
up his mind what he will do if he gets a chance
to wrestle with a. lunatic asylum.”

Billy smiled, and it being about time to
close up, he and the boys left the office and went
home.

On the way Broadway Billy had on his think-
ing cap, and considered the casein all its possible
aspects. What his speculations were we may
infer from the se hence.

Next morning fore going to the office he

 

 

.M...” ,. 1

dropme into an old drug store to look at the
Directory of twenty-two years ago.

It Was handed out to him, and turning to “H”
be came to “ ileum," and then looked for the
name “ Ruiord.” There it was, as he soon found,
and took note of the address

“ Well, there is one bit of proof that the old
man knew what he was talking about, any-
how,” he mused. “There was a Ilnl'ord Hearn
in this city twenty-two yours ago, but there is
no such name to be found to-day. What, Im-
cnme of him! That will be the ilrst step to take
in the case.”

When Billy reached the oilice Harry and
Seth had it opened and ready for business, as
usual.

Why was a little late, and he had barely
entered when a man stepped into the oilice,
the young man who, on the previous day, had
(:0in to take the nut-d lunatic away.

“Gnod-morning!" be greeted, with his easy
nod and smile. “I suppose you did not expect
to and mo i-guin so soon, but here I am. I came
to look for one oi‘ Tommy’s innrbh-s, which he
thinks be list hero. He, he, he! Rather a.
young Him) to be playing at innrbli-s, isn’t he?"

“ Rather young, that is true,” Billy assented,
laiigbingly. “I do not think he lost the marble
here, however. You did not ilnd one win-n you
cleaned out, did you, boys!”

Both nnswvred in the negative.

“ No; he did not lose it here," Bill?r assured.
“If he had, it would have been iscovered.
Too bad, for I slippose the little chap cried about
it, did he noti a, ha, ha!"

“Yes; and is crying yet. Like somebody or
other mentioned in the Bible, he refuses to be
comforted. I don’t know what we’ll do to pacify
him, for he knows every one of his marbles as
well as a mother knows her children, and it
Would be impossible to im ose upon him."

“ His is a strange case, sn’t it.”

“It is that. And, as I told you yesterday. a
hopeless on. “roll. I won’t bother you, since the
marble has not been found. Doctor Dray want-
ed ine to thunk you, by the way, for taking care
of his old patient till I arriVed.”

“Oh! that was nothing; don’t mention it.
And, by the way, I promised biin some new
marbles. If you can wait a few inonients'I'll
send one of the boys out to get him some. It
may pacify him and so save you trouble. It.
might take his mind away from the lOst marble,
you knOW.”

“Really,” res .ionded the young man, “ I
think that won] do it. but I did not want to
mention it to you. He has been com lainin
that you promised him some marbles iut ha .
not sent them. I intended buyin him some in -
self and telling him they were rent you. e
have to do all aorta of things to keep their dis-
ordered wits under proper control. you know."

“ Yes, I see. I'll send tin-m as I promised, so
you will not have to flu about it. Here, Harry,

you step out and buy a dozen of the prettiest,

you can find.”

And giving Harry Some money, the boy went
off at once upon the errand.

“ How many such patients does Doctor Dray
have?” Billy inquired.

“ We have over twenty of them, sir, just now.”

“ I imagine they are not all so peaceable as
the old man who was here.”

“ No, indeedl Some of them have to be dealt
with pretty severely once in awhile, to bring
them to their senses.”

“ And they have all sorts of queer ideas in
their nddled brains, I suppose? I heard of a
crazy man once who has ined he was a fly, and
who worried himself to eath because he had
lost the use of his wings.”

“Yes, yes; they have all manner of notions.
There is Tommy—Brown, I mean, who was
here ;—-he has a belief that be is dead, and that
in life he was somebody else. It’s a wonder he
did not tell you all about'that. But, [suppose
marbles had taken possession his mind."

“ He had marbles on the brain, badly. Who
does he think he used to be? But, of ooiimegou
pay little attention to his prattle, and it 003
not matter,” .

“ No, I don't know much about it. He thinks
he was a rich man, and I guess he has had some
money tmuble of some sort some time in the
past. Knowing who he is, however, we know
he Was never Very rich.”

“ You say his name is Brown!”

“ Yes; Thomas Tobias Brown. Na me enough.
you will agree.”

“Quite. I was not sure; I know you men-
tioned Brown, but was not certain it was not
your own name.”

81 “"Oh, no; my name is Gaddas—Alaric Gaddu,

l‘.

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Broadway Billy’s Brigade.

1
$3

 

There was further talk, which was inter-
$11de by the return of Harry with the mar-

es.

“ Hal these are nice ouesl” said Billy.
“ The will make the heart of the old fellow glad,
I thin . At any rate I hope so. Take them to
him with my best regards. He seemed to take a
tune tome.”

“ will do so. Yes, he thinks quite well of
you, and has mentioned your name a good many
times this morning. For the most part though,
in connection with the promise you made. Well,
I’ll be off. We’ll try towatch him better so
that he will not trouble you again.”

With that the man took his leave, carrying
the marbles with him, while Silent Seth gazed
thoughtfully at the clused door.

“NOW it’s one thing or the other,” mused
Billy. ‘ Either he came on purpose to try
again to find out what the old man had been
telling here, or his story was true. I’m inclined
to think it’s the latter.”

“ Crackers an’ cheese!" ejaculated Harry.
“ That son 0’ Hum in the fence is stirrin’, for I
begin to smell him. Don’t it hit y0u that he has
come here mighty early in the mornin’, boss?
They know what you are, when you get hold of
a m stery, and I bet they don’t rest easy.”

“ t’s the fact that he was here early, for one
thing, that leads me to believe his story to be
true,” responded Billy. “You have to weigh
eVerything, you know, in getting at the bottom
of a matter. Then, if you took notice, it was I
who turned the conversation upon the old fel-
lows peculiar madness. Gaddas made no more
than a passing remark.”

“ Well, you had orter know best; but I smell
nigger all the “same, and the fever is on the
rise.”

“ And what think you, Silent Seth!”

it was Seth’s plan never to speak unless he
had something to say, and he seldom expressed
an o inion unless asked for it.

“ think I’d like to know the secret of that
silver casket,” was the reply. “ I feel sure there
is such a thing, or something tostart the idea, and
the more I think about it the more I want to
know more about it.”

“Christopher Columbia!" exclaimed Happy
Harry, springing forward and laying a hand
under Seth’s chin as he stopped speaking.
" Don’t you know any better than that, Seth?
You mustn’t undertake to say so much all at
once; no telling what awful consequences ye
ma bring upon yourself.”

‘ That s m case, exactly," declared Billy
rejoining to th’s response. “ I havo found
out that there was a Rufus Hearu in this city
twenty-two years ago, and I know where he
lived. I am going, now, to see if any of the
family are living there still and to learn what I
can about them. You boys hold the office dawn
until I return.”

Billy was about to take his leave when the
door opened and awoman came in, a woman
past the middle age of life.

“Are you Mr. Weston, sir?” she asked, at
once.

“ I am,” answered Billy.

“And you are the detective, Broadway
Billy?”

“ Yes, madam.”

“Then it’s you I want to see. My house has
been robbed, in a mysterious manner, and I want

on to find the thief and recover the stolen
hings."

“ Pray sit down and tell me all about it, and
I will see what can be done. Give me your
name and place of residence first.”

“ Well, my name is Jane Beam, and I reside
at No. — street. The house was entered
yesterday while I was taking my afternoon nap,
and some valuable papers were stolen. How the
thief got in and out again, puzzles me; but I
think it must have been a boy, for I found this
marble on the floor.

 

 

CHAPTER IV.
COMPLICATIONS ARISING.

Hm was a surprise.

As the woman spoke she held a marble up to
view. and the trio instantly recognized it as be-
ing similar to several which the old man had
played with there in the office on the previous

a .

{t was on] by bringin his will powerto serve
him prompt y that Br way Billy avoided ex-
claimin “ Sweet pertstersl” while Happy Har
had to c a his hand over his mouth to hold bac
the “ Ch Itopher Columbia l” that rose to his
lips, but Silent Seth—he remained as stoical and

aluminum udian.
one brief second many thought: posed

 

through Billy’s mind. The street and number
the woman had given were the same that, as he
had learned by the old Directory, had been the
address of Rui’ord Hearnl Then, this marble—
Had the crazy man paid a visit to that house be—
fore coming to the office, and there lost it? That
he had lost one somewhere had been declared by
Gaddas.

And if so, then what? Was he not really Ru-
ford Hearn, as he had declared his name to be
(hiring his interval of semi-sanity? And if Ruford
Hearn, why was he called Thomas Tobias Brown,
at the asylum? Here was a mystery, truly. The
clew of the lost marble forged a strong ink in
the chain of circumstances which went to prove
that there was truth at least in the story the old
fellow had told. If the old man was Ruford
Hearn, then Buford Hearn certainly was not
dead. Perhaps he had been wholly sane for a
brief while, and had visited his old home?

All this passed through Billy’s mind in a mo-
ment, as said, but his face gave no indication of
his thoughts.

“ Let me see the marble,” he requested.

The woman gave it to him.

There was no mistaking it; it was exactly like
some the crazy man had shown among his col-
lection.

“ You are sure this was not in your house be-
fore the robbery, madam?” Billy inquired.

“ Of course I am sure,” emphatically. I swept
the house with my own hands this morning, and
had it been there I would have found it."

Jane Hearn was clearly a positive woman.
She had a grim face, and her thin lips closed in
that straight line which always implies, flrm-

ness.

“ If that is the case,” remarked Billy '.“ it is
pretty certain the intruder lost it there. I agree
with you, too, that it is a sign the person was a
boy. But, you say he took important papers?”

“ Yes, sir; important papers.’

“That gives it a different aspect, fora boy
would have been more apt to take money or
trifles; don’t you think so?’

“ Yes, that s so,” thoughtfully.

:Ythat sort of papers were taken 3” Billy next
as e .

“ All the valuable ones I had, sir; deeds,
bonds, andso forth. They could not possibl
be of any use to any one else, yet very valuab e
to me. That being the case, does it not still
look reasonable that the rascal was a boy i"

“ Well, yes; unless on have some relation
who is your enemy, an who could in some way
make use of the papers is ainst you.”

“ I have not; and, y could not be used
against me.”

“ Then, perhaps, some enemy who, by de-
stroying them, would work out a spite or wrong
against you that way.”

“I do not think have an enemy, sir; and I
certainly have none who could know anything
about the papers. I tell you I am greatly in s-
tifled over it. What puzzles me most, how id
the rascal get in?”

“ To offer any explanation of that, madam, it
will be necessary for me toexaminc the premises.
But have you no suspicion against any one!
Perhaps it has been a servant, one now in our
employ, or one who has been dismissed? ink
well and perhaps you will—”

“ o, no, it’s nothing of that kind. I have no
servants, and have never had any. The truth
is, I live all alane.”

“ Then it is stra nge.”

“ Of courSe it is strange, sir, or I would not
have come to you. I am good at thinking, if I
do say it myself, but I could not fathom this
matter.”

“ You mentioned bonds among the papers
missing: Was there among them one which
some person might particularly desire to see de-
stro ed?”

“ believe not. They were old papers, all of
them, and have been in force for years, and
always honored. I can see no object why any
one should want to take them.”

“You say your name is Jane Hearn? Are
you a widow?"

" No, I am a maiden lady.” _
gagow long have you lived all alone, if I may
as

“ good many years. sir. But, why do you
ask suc questions? How can this have anything
to do with the case?”

“ In this way: Living alone, perhaps you
walk in your sleep, and it may be you have
taken these papers ourself and put them in
some other place. I c not say it is so; I merely
suggest it.” ’

The woman smiled disdainfully.

“ I am not a slee walker.sir,” she declared. “ I
should have to it out long ago. Why would

 

I not have disturbed something before? Besides,
do you forget the marble I found?” .

“No, I do not forget it,” Billy made answer.
“Mind you, I only make suggestions. Do you
want metotake the matter in hand, madam,
tolearn whatI can about it? If so, I will go
with you to your home and look around the
premises, after which I may be able to suggest
something.” ,

“ That was what brought me here, sir. I
have read a great deal about you of late, and I
thought if any one could solve the mystery you
could.”

“ Thank you. I will go with you at once and
we’ll see what is to be discovered there.”

With some words of instruction aside to Harry
and Seth, Billy set out with the woman for her
residence.

No sooner had they left the office than Harry
tossed his hat to the ceiling, executed an excited
but silent dance in the middle of the floor, and
then, to give further vent to his feelings, stood
upon his head.

Silent Seth looked on in sixiical fashion, but
did not take any part in the demonstration, al-
though he understood full well the occasion of
Harry’s antics.

“ Why don’t ye say somethin’. Philosopher?”
fIliarliiy demanded, when he had righted himself,

as y.

“ Because I have nothing to say.”

“ Nothing to say? Christop er Columbia!
Would you say anything if the house was stirs!"

Seth merely shrugged his shoulders.

“ You beat all the Dutch in Hohoken,'that’s
what you do,” Harry declared. “ You haven’t
any more sensibility than a clam. Don’t you
see what’s in the wind? The boss has got hold
of the big end of one of the consarnedest diffi-
kilties you ever heard of,.and if there isn’t a
sifting of secrets before long you may take my
head for a stonethumper.”

Seth nodded.

“That yarn your marble chum told was all
true, and more too; crackers an’ cheese, yes!
He’s Buford Beam, and you can bet on it; the
only thing is, he isn’t as dead as he thinks he is.
You wait till the boss comes back and see if he
don’t have a tale to unfold that will make your
two eyes bulge out. I told you I smelt nigger in
the fence, and so I did. But, we haven’t he us
to get at the bottom of this matter yet. l’ll et
there’s more than one interested in that silver
casket if there is such a thing,” and Harry
rattled on until the door opened to admit another
caller.

This time the visitor was a man past middle
age—a brisk, business-like person, who, sharply
glancing around the room, inquired for the pro-
prietor.

,“ He has gone out, sir,” answered Harry.
“ He may be back in an hour or so. Will you
leave your card, sir’l”

“ Are you two the lads who are working with
him in the detective line, and with such good re-
sults, as I have seen by the ’papers? If so, I’ll
leave word with you for him.

“ We’re his team of nice. sir.”

“You look like it, ’ smilingly. “Well, my
name is Tilford Millard. I am a lawyer. My
ofiice is at No. -' —— street. Don’t forget the
name and address, for your employer may want
to come and see me.”

“We’ve got it chalked down on the slate 0’
memory, sir,” Harry assured.

The lawyer smiled.

“ Very well: here are some papers which I
will leave with you to be given to your master
as seen as he comes in. Tell him I found them
in my office in a rather remarkable way, and
seeing his name and address penciled on the
back of the package, have brought them to him.
It is a mystery how they came in my office, but
as his name and office address are on them
take it he has some knowledge of it. so 1 will
leave them here. Tell him they have bearing on
the Hearn affair—”

“ Christopher Columbia!” ejaculated HarTYa.
at mention of that name.

“ What’s the matter?” asked Mr. Millard.

The mention of the name had not caused so»
much as the lifting of a br0w on the part of the
im rturbable Seth.

‘ Why, it seems the Basra affair has taken
possession of this office just now, sir,” Harry
admitted before he gave thought to the disclos-
are he was making. “ That is the business Mr.
Weston is on now, sir, and when you mentioned
the name it naturally struck me.”

“ I see; and that being the case, of course he
will know all about these papers. It is a case that
created a great sensation some twenty odd years
ago, and that it should be coming up again is a
surprise. I happened to figure in it at that

 

 

 

 

 

 

_:

 

 

 

ask .
:zThorou hly, sir.”
I

Broadway Billy’s Brigade.

 

 

time; in fact, I occupy the office Mr. Hearn
used to have. But, this can be of no interest
toyou. Just tell your master I brought the
papers in person, and that I am rather curious to

now how they came in my ofllce, if nothing
more."

With that the lawyer delivered the papers to
Harry and was gone, when Harry immediater
proceeded to stand on his head as before, flourish-
ing his legs wildly.

CHAPTER V.
THE PECULIAR PAPER.

IN the mean time Broadway Billy had ac-
companied Spinster Hearn to her home, a
quaint, old-fashioned house on a quiet street
that had somehOW been left behind in the march
of progress business had been making since
it was built.

Little had been said on the way, and nothing
concerning the matter in which they were in-
terested. As soon as she had opened the door
and admitted the detective, however, the wo-
man turned to him and invited him to proceed
in his own way to make an investigation.

“I noticed that you opened the door With a
latch-key,” remarked Billy. “ Is that the only
fastening it has?”

“ Oh! nogl bolt it with these two bolts at
night, besides locking the big look. No burglar
could possibly get in this way.”

“ But. how was it yesterday afternoon when
you were taking your map? It was then, ycu
say, that the robbery was committed. Was it
bolted then?”

“ No; but the latch was on, and I know there
is only one Key that fits it and l have that. You
may think it oesible that some one did enter
this way, but know better, sir.”

“ Why are you so positive?”

“ Because the lock is as old as the house itself,
nearl , and I have the only key.”

“ ell, taking that view it, let us see what
other means was possible for the offender to
gain admission into the house. How about
the windows, madam?"

“They were all secured as you see them
novv.”

“ And the rear door?”

“ Was bolted.”

“Then what other chance was there for any
one to get in, besides the chance that some one
had a key to the front door?”

“ It was to learn just that. sir, that I called
upon you. The front door is not to be con-
sidered, for there is but one key to it, and
here it is. It was in my pocket at the time.”

“ Very well, taking your view of it we will
drOp the front door entirely for the present.
Have you disturbed any other door or wind0w
since the robbery took place? If.not, I will
go and examine them one by one, and it is
possible I may discover some signs.”

“Not a window has been disturbed, but I
have looked at every one. from the top of the
house to the bottom, and every one is fast.
The doors havo been used since, of course.”

“ When did you discover the robbery,
madam?”

“ Last night."

“ How came you to make the discovery?”

“ i went to my desk for the purpOse of
making out a bill for rent for one of my ten-
ants, and found the drawer unlocked and the
papers gone. That set me to searching around,
and I found the marble,”

“ I see. And where was the marble found?”

“ Here in the hall, between the front door and
the door of the library.” '

“ That is enough. I will not take the trouble
to look at any other doors or windoiws, but will
take y0ur word for the condition they Were in.”

Billy had made up his mind, knowing what he
did, that the robber had been none other than
the crazy man, and believed that he had gained
admission to the houso by means of a latch-key.

“ Let me see the desk.” be next asked.

He was conducted into the room called the
library, where a large, old-fashioned desk occu-
pied a place at one side. .

“ You kept this locked ?” Billy asked.

“ Yes; but the key was usually in the lock,
for, being alone, I never thought it necessary to
\take it out. My father usually did the same."

“ I take it he is dead.”

“Yes; he died twenty-two years ago.”

Billy drop it at that, for the present. He
rknedw now t t Jane was the daughter of Ru-
or .

“1 suppoge on have searched the house well
for these missing papers, have you not?" he next

T ion is only one thing to think about

 

 

it, and that is that they were taken by some
person who had an object in taking them, or
else by a common thief, who grabbed them in
haste and made off, thinking he had made a
valuable haul.”

“ But, how did he get in and how did he get
out 8 sin?”

“ here were you when taking that nap,
madam?”

“ I was lying on the lounge, in the room right
next to this."

“ And you are positive the robbery was done
while you were there, are you?”

“It could not have been done at any other
time, for l was at the desk in the morning, and
the papers were here then.”

That settled it in Billy’s mind.

“ If you will give me a description of each
paper that is missing,” he said, "" it will help me
to recognize them if they come to my notice
anywhere. This has the appearance of a hope-
less case to on, no doubt, but I think I fee light
ahead, and will undertake to do what I can.”

“ What do you think of the explanation of it,
sir?”

“ I prefer not to say, yet. I believe I have a.
clew, however, and will set to work at once.”

“Well, I supposeI shall have to trust it to
you. If you discover anything. of course you
will come here and let me knoe f"

“ You shall be informed, certainly.”

The Woman gave a descri tion of the papers,
Billy making a note of one , and then he took
his leave.

It had been his intention to question the wo-
man about her father and the family in general,
but on second thought he had decided not to do
so, since it would arouse suspicion.

He could, he believed, easily find some one
who had kn0wn Mr. Hearn. and who could give
him the story of the old man’s life in full. The
affair had taken on such a peculiar phase that
he wanted to be sure of his ground before mak-
ing anything known to this woman.

One thing he considered strange. If she knew
aught of the aged crazy man and his passion for
marbles, why had she not suspected him? He
was led to the conclusion that she could know
nothing about him and his claim to bcing Buford
Hearn. There was a. mystery here,und it seemed
to be growing deeper at every step. What was
to come of it all?

Billy had spent a considerable time at the
house, and 110w set out upon the return to his
office.

Meanwhile something of importance had been
taking place there.

After the departure of Mr. Millard, the law-
yer, and while hilarious Harry was giving ex-
pression to his exciiennnt by standing on his
head, Silent Seth took the papers to look at
them, which had the effect to bring Harry to

business, and together they proceeded to scruti-

nize the documents,

“ Christopher Columbia i” cried Harry, at
once. “It i9 jest as I thought, an’ that’s what
made me antic up so. I thought right ofl’ tln-se
were the papers the woman had missed, Seth,
and now I know it! See, there’s her name!”

Silent Seth nodded to that.

“And, you can bet your boots it was the old
man who left them at the lawyer's ofllee. Didn’t
Mr. Millard say he had the same omci- Buford
Hearn usedio occupy? I tell you, Seth, we are
onto it as big as a house, now, as sure ascrack-
ers an’ cheese is a dish for a king.”

“ He didn’t say Ru ford Hearn.” Seth remind-

e .

“ I know; but here is Ruford Hearn, on these
papers, and he’s the man he meant, sure
enough.”

They took the papers up one by one and ex-
amined them, taking note that they were in the
nature of deeds, bonds, mortgages, etc. and
that nearly every one bore the name of Hearn.

I The last paper of all, however, was a puzzle to
t mm.

It was not folded like the rest, and did not ap
pear to have been one of the same packet. t
was yellow with age, dirty and worn with long
use. and was torn in half, down the center, one
half being missin .

It had always [been folded in one way, through
the center and once over from that, and the cen-
ter fold had worn the paper away so that it had
evidently dropped apart at last, or had been so
very easy to tear that some slight strain had
separated the halves.

On one corner of the half that remained was
the rude picture of a coffin, dver which was a
drawing of a common try-square with the inches
indicated upon it, evidently for the purpose of
indicating the size of the cofiin. If this were so,
the coffin was only a miniature affair, being not

. papers he had pocketed.

 

more than sixteen inches in length and otherwise
properly proportioned.

The body of the paper contained drawings,
evidently the plan of some building or part 0 a
building, with indicating figures here and there
upon it. At the bottom was writing in what
appeared to be some system or other of short-
hand. In the center of the paper, as it had been
as a whole, were illustrations of a square, com-
pass, trowel, etc., grouped, and partly below
these was an index pointing toward the top of
the half of the pa ier that was wantigg.

“Christopher ‘olumbial" explod Harry,

when the two lads had studied it for some
moments in silence. “ Whath ye make of it,
Seth?”

“ I think it’s the key to the hiding—place of the
silver casket,” was the secretive boy’s repl . “

“ It’s beans to buttons you are right," arry
assvrtod.

They fall to studying it again.

Time passed rapidly, lor the more they pored
over the peculiar paper the more puzzling it be-
came, and they were still at it when the door
opened and another culler dropped in.

It was an old, wrinkled mun, small in stature,
with the face of a hawk for hoenncss and cun-
ning. His eyes snapped and flashed as he
glanced around the room. He was clad in
seedy black, and Wore a silk hat that had long
since been out of style. He appeared very

ea er.

Seth thrust the torn paper into a. pocket,
while happy Harry stepped forward tolearn.
the man’s business.

The man, hoWeVer, did not speak, but looked
eagerly about the floor, as if searchin for some-
thing. Then he stepped toward the oak, where
the papers lay, and as he looked at them an ex-
clamation escaped him.

“ Hal” in an exultant way; and before either
of the boys could guess his purpose he had
gathered the papers up and had thrust them into
his pocket. ___§ 1

CHAPTER VI.
onowmo IN INT'iT'JST.

“Cnmsrorium COLUMBIA!” cried Harry, as
soon as his surprise enabled .iim to speak.
“ What are you up to, anyhow, mister? If you
don’t want to get into n consarned diflikilty, you.
shell out those papers, and do it quick, too",
The jcebeeb hath spoken. Sl'lllll "

Harry was almost as big as the little old man
and bristlcd up to him in a way: that meant
business, like u. young lmntam looking for fight.

“ Keep cool, sonny, keep eooll" t“: o'ld fellow
enjoined, as he coolly buttoned his coat over the
“ 'Thc:cd<"cunients are
mine, and i came here on purpose to sin them.
It is all right. It is all right, sonny, it is all
right. Don’t let us have any trouble about it
now. Just tell your employer the owner called
for them—m

“No, I’ll be hanged if it’s all right!” cried
Harry. “You are not going out of this office
with those papers before the boss comes, and
don’t you forget it. I don’t know you, and I
don’t belleve you knew the papers were here un-
til you snw them. Hold on, now, for it ain’t
any use; you can’t take ’em oil‘, and that settles
it. Seth, you just fasten that door, and we’ll
See if we can’t hold the fort till the boss comes.”

Seth had already taken his station at the door,
and his hand was in a place wheres weapon
might be.

“There is no need for this harshness oung
gentlemen," spoke the old man, in the mi ( est of
tones. “ The papers are mine, and I shall cer-
tainly take them with me. It will be all right“
all you have to do is to tell your elnployerl‘.
came for them in person, and it will be all
right.”

“ Who told
manded.

“ Why, your employer, of course; I have seen
him and it is all rlght——”

“Taper ri ht off there. nOW,”Harry inter-
rupted. “ on are telling a lie, straight from
the shoulder. The boss don’t know himself, yet,
that the papers are here. You ust drop ’i-m.”

“ Ha l” the man exclaimed,” f to himself, “so
much the better, then. Why, boy, how dare
you use such language to a man of in years?"
he demanded sharply and in a lou er tone.
“Stand out of my way, for I must be going.
J not say to your employer that I came—”

“I have got somethin’to say to you first,”
cried Harry. “ Either you give up those paper
or you stay right here. We mean business, an
you can bet on it.”

“ I’ll do neither the one nor the other. young
upstart!" cried the old man. his eyes 5
“ Out of my way 1”

you they were here?” Harry de-l

 

 

 



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8

Broadway Billy’s Brigade.

 

 

 

 

 

He started, but Harry sprung back a step and
leveled a. was on at him.

Broadway illy had instructed his team never
to use a weapon unless nothing else would do,
and Happy Harry considered this just that kind
of a case.

The man recoiled from before the wee on, his
face grewing white, but his keen, snake— ike eyes
flashed with rs e, and without speaking he fixed
his gaze steadi y upon the boy who confronted
him.

Seth Marten, too, had drawn a weapon, and
with his back against the doorto prevent the
man’s escape, he watched the conflict between
the two with keen interest. There was some-
thing in the eyes of the man that made Seth feel
numb, impassive.

And if that was so with Seth, how fared it with
Harry, upon whom the old intruder’s gaze was
fixed steadily?

The man’s manner was like that of a snake
when tr ing to charm its prey, and ion. few
seconds arry’s eyes appeared to grow glazed,
and his arm with the weapon began to fall.

Seth waited to see no more; but, fearful lest
he might be brought under some baleful spell or
influence, he opened the door and glided out into
the ball.

This was not cowardice, hut prudence.

Allowing himself to be thrown into the con-
dition in which he had seen his partner falling,
of what use would he be to protect his
employer’s interests?

No sooner out than he darted down the stairs,
having put away his weapon, and, as he ran, be
adjusted a mustache to his lip and made such
changes in his appearance as were possible.

Reaching the street, he crossed to the opposite

'side and waited.

He could have wounded the man, but Broad-
tmay Billy had given the strictest orders against

at.

Never. he had instructed him and Harry, must
they actually shoot unless to save their own
lhiVes. Seth’s life had certainly been in no danger

ere. ‘-

Meantimeit was faring ill with Harry. Lower
dropped his arm, until it hung nerveless at his
side, and he was as utterly helpless as be well
could be. ;

“ Now, sir, sit down!” the little old man
ordered.

Harry obeyed promptly.

“ And now see that you do not get up from
there for an hour, sir. Hal where is the other
rascal?’

He looked around for Seth, whose silent exit
he had not noticed, and was surprised not to find
him there. But, he did not look for him.

” Gone to brin a policeman perhaps,” he said
to himself. “ ell, he will ave to be lively
to find me here when he comes back, I can
tell him that. They do not know Doctor Dray,
I uess. Ha, ha, hal”

e took another hasty look around the office,
particularly about the desk, but finding noth-
ng more he wanted, hastened to get away.

Openin the door, he looked out, and seeing
the way c ear, hurried out and dawn to the street.

He made no sto there, but cast one swift
look around to find eth.

“ He Will not find me when he gets his
policeman,” he said to himself. Hal they can-
not cope with Doctor Dray. They never could.
I have the pa rs, and they do not know who
1 am. How ucky that I happened to think
the might be there i”

e chuckled to himself, rubbing his hands in a
delighted way.

“The silver casket will be found now,” he
communed. “I have the claw at last. Tommy
has had it in hiding all these years, and his

“reason has just returned sufficiently for him to

unearth it. I found him poring over the half
of the peculiar chart, and the thought came to
me immediately that he had lest the other half
at the office of that young detective. Ahl I
am wide awake for them—too wide awake, as
they will find.”

Again 'he chuckled, almost laughed outright,
rubbing his hands the more, fairly hugging him-
self, as it were. I

“And, lucky for me I happened there when
I did, too,” he further cogitated. “From
what the boy said, the detective had not seen
the papers yet. That is strange, too; I can’t
understand that, for Gaddas said he was there
in person when Tommy was there. But, if he
has not seen them, so much the better, and
especially if he has not seen the other half of the
chart. That would no doubt have filled him
with desire to unravel the mystery. But, I have
the best of them all around, for they will never
know who their visitor was. Ha, ha, ha!”

 

Could he have known the Silent Shadower was i I don’t know; but I suspect it was some one.
even than upon his track he would not have felt so i from that insane asylum—maybe Doctor Dray

sure of his game.

Seth had been gone from the office something
like twenty minutes or half an hour when
Broadway Billy returned, and on entering found
Happy Harry in the same position in which the
doctor had left him.

“ Sweet pertiitersl" Billy ejaculated. “ What’s
been going on here, Harry?”

Happy Harry neither moved nor spoke, nor
showed by any sign whatever that he heard.
There he sat, bolt upright and staring straight
ahead, his arm with the revolver in his grasp
hanging idly by his side. His face was almost
expressionism, and Billy was alarmed.

be young detective noted everything at
once; the absence of Seth, and the fact that
Harry had drawn his revolver for some purpose
or other.

He knew that something very out of the
ordinary had been taking place in his absence.

Stepping forward, he gave Harry a hasty in-
spection.

He had half-feared he might be dead, or bad-
ly hurt, but finding be was neither, gave him a
hearty shaking to amuse him.

" Come! Harryl Rouse up, herel” he cried.
“ What’s the matter with you? ’

Harry came out of his stupor with astart,
and leaping to his feet, looked eagerly around,
as if in search of some one, holding his weapon
ready for action if needed.

“ Who are you looking for?” Billy demanded.
“ What has been going on here? Where is
Seth i”

“ Where is that old codger?" asked Harry.

“ What old codgerl”

“Why that wrinkled old man that took the
papers away.”

“ What papers, Harry? What are you talk-
ing about? Are you in your right mind?”

‘ Christopher Columbia!” cried Harry. “ I
don’t know whether I am or not, and that’s the
truth. I’ve been knocked out, bad.”

“Well, tell me about it."

“ Didn’t you see Seth?”

M NO.”

“ Then I hope he’s after that imp of Satan.
Crackers an’ cheese! he looked at me till I was
clean gone and that’s the last I remember
about it. Never saw such a pair of eyes in my
life.”

“ You have been mesmerized 1” Billy decided,
at once. ’

“ I’ve had something done to me, and that’s a
fact. I feel creepy yet. But, let me tell you all
about it.”

“ That is what I have been trying to lead you
to do. You can wait a few moments, how-
ever, until you get your grip again. This beats
anything we have ever run up against I take
it. ’

“ I should say it does!” admitted the boy.

He waited a few moments to pull himself to-
gether, so to say, when he launched forth to ex-
plain what had taken place.

He told about the coming of Mr. Tilford Mil-
lard, the lawyer, with the batch of papers, and
what that gentleman had said. Then he stated
what the papers were, so far as he and Seth had
ascertained.

Particular stress was laid upon the mysterious
diagram, chart, or map, which had been found
in part, in which Billy was keenly interested.
After that Harry related all about the coming
of the little old man, and his claiming the papers
as his and carrying them off.

Billy paid close attention to evervthing, and
saw that Harry had been overConie by the
power of mesmerism, for but for that he would
have carried his point and held the mysterious
old man risoner till his, Billy’s, arrival. The
absence 0 Silent Seth, h0weVer, went far to re-
assure him that the trail was not a lost one, for
he believed the Silent Shadower had followad
the old man away.

CHAPTER VII.

BILLY HEARS THE HEARN STORY.

“YOU couldn‘t help it, Harry.” Billy said,
when the boy had told him everything. “ The
old man had one gun too many for you, so
don’t take it to heart so. You will get a chance
to square the account with him later on, I
guess.”

“ hope I will, anyhow,” responded Harry.
“ But, what do you make out of it, hossi What
right had the old codgertothe papers? And how
did he know they were here anyhow? I knew
he lied when he said you told him they were here,
for you didn’t know it ourself.”

“ Of course he lied, rry. As to who he is,

 

 

himself.” .

“ Crackers an’ cheesel What makes you thin
that?”

“ No one else is interested, so far as I know,
and they are the only ones who are aware
the old luny was here. Still, I may be mis-
taken. YOu Would know the man again, if you
saw him, of course.”

“ You bet!”

“ That is good. Oh! we shall have them yet
if the wheels stay on, unless they prove too many
for us.”

“I‘d like to know about that little silver
cofiin, wouldn‘t you? What do you think _of
the paper I told you about with all the pic-
tures and funny jiggers on it? What d’ye s’pose
it is?”

“ I suspect it is a map to indicate the hiding-
place of the casket.”

“ Christo her Columbia! That was just what;
Seth and said. I’d like to know whether-
Seth held fast to it or not.”

"Hal is there a chance that he did and that
the old man did not carry it off?” asked Billy,
quickly.

“Yes; for Seth folded it up when the door '

opened but I didn’t see where he put it. I hope,
he stuck it in his pocket.”

“ So do I, for I want to see it. Still, the
chances are that he laid it down upon the other
papers, for he could never suspect they would be-
carried off.” ,

Thus they talked till, finally, Billy declared
his intention of going to see Lawyer Millard.
Leaving Harry at the office, with instructions to
detain Seth if he came back, he set out.

Arrivin at the lawyer’s ofiice, he was for~
tunate in riding him in, and disengaged. I

They were strangers to each other, but Billy
quickly made himself known, and stated the
business which had brOught him there.

“ Then you did not know anything about the
papers?” the lawyer asked, in much surprise.
“ I supposed you must, from the fact that your
name was on the packet, though it puzzled me
to know how they had come here.”

“ Under what circumstances were they found i”
asked Billy.

“ The most eculiar, sir. I had business out
for a little whi 0 yesterday afternoon, and when
I came back I found the documents lying here
on my desk.” .

“ The door was open during your absence,
then?”

“ Not so, for bad it been there would then
have bien nothing so peculiar about it. The
door was locked.”

“Well, it is strange, very. Who has a key
besides yourself?”

“ No one, sir; I carry the only one.”

Billy was thoughtful.

The matter was no great puzzle to him, know—
ing what- he did, but he did not want to reveal
his hand too readily.

" It is a air: nge matter,” he remarked. “M
office-boy told me that you let fall the remar
that this office used to be occupied by a Mr.
Henge. May I inquire what Mr. Hearn that-
was ’

“ It was Mr. Ruford Hearn, sir. Your oflice~
boy, too, by the way, said something to lead me
to believe that you Were interested in some mat.
ters pertaining to the Hearns or their estate,
and that naturally confirmed my thought that
you must know something about the papers.”

“ What did the boy tell on?”

Billy wanted to know his ground before push-
ing ahead.

‘ Why, to the effect that the Hearn case,
whatever it was, had taken possession of you,
and he said you were out upon it then.” I

“ Exactly; and now I will tell you something-
about it. Are you acquainted with a Miss Jane
Hearn, an elderly maiden lady who lives at
No. —— — street? ’

“ Why, sir, she is Buford Hearn’s daughter,
and that is where he used to rekide. I know of
her, but nothing more. Have never seen her
since the case was in the courts. years ago.”

“ You were then her counsel?”

“Not so; I was working for the interests of

her halt-brother and sister, Buford Hearn,‘

Junior, and Anne—now a Mrs.-Atwall.”

“ Do you mind telling me all about that mat.
ter?” Billy asked.

“ Certainly not, sir. It is. an old story, and
has nearly passed out of mind, but I’ll rake it
together and give it to you, for I begin to see
that you have an interest in it somewhere.”

“ I believe I have.”

“ Well, here it is, as I recall it: Mr. Buford
Hearn was a man of considerable means, a very

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eccentric fellow, and perhaps, as some thought,
partly crazy at times. Be that as it may, it is
certain that be was queer, to say the least. He
was an architect and builder, and this room was
his office for many years.

“Ruford Hearn was twice married. By his
first wife he had a son and a daughter, the two
I have just mentioned. By the second he had
three other children‘ Hugh, Jane and Susan.
The latter became a Mrs. Muster. At the time
of his death all these were away from home,
except Jane, and I suppose it was just as well,
for he died of a contagious fever.

“ When his will was brought to light it was
found that the children by the second wife had
received all of his property, while those by the
first had been cut off with a trivial sum, just
enough to debar them from breaking the will.
Nevertheless, as it was so well known that Mr.
Hearn had been of partly unsound mind for
years, the case was carried to the courts, where,
in the interest of the brother and sister by the
first wife, I did succeed in winning a perCentage
from each of the other heirs, but only a trivial
sum compared to what they should have re-
ceived justly. .

“ There you have it sir; not much of a story
after all.”

“ Do you know the addresses of these several
heirs?” Billy inquired.

“ Not now, sir: I did have them, but of course
so many years have passed that they may be
dead.”

“ Will you give me their old addresses?”

“ I will if I can find them, which is doubtful.
I will see.”

Above the lawyer’s desk was a great set of
letter-boxes with different dates upon each.

Running his fingers along these till he came
to the one whose date indicated twenty-one years
past, he opened it, taking out the papers it con-
tained.

“ Ha! here they are,” he said. “ I have
proved the value of this system in a thousand
instances, and here it is proven again. I re-
member the year, you see, and here are the
pa ers.”

6 read off the names and addresses, Billy
taking notes of them as he did so.

“ Ha!” the lawyer presently exclaimed, “ this
paper reminds me of something else regarding
the matter. Strange thatit should have slipped
my mind at all. About the time the will matter
was settled by the courts there arose a new sen-
sation regarding the affair.”

“ What was that?"

“Why, a personage appeared on the scene
who declared that he was Ruford Hearn, not
dead at all!” ‘

“That was rather remarkable, was it not?
Upon what grounds did he set up his claim?
This case grows interesting as you proceed.”

“Well, I’ll tell you about that, too. The
will was not settled in a day, you understand,
but it dragged on for a matter of four,years af-
ter the death of Buford Hearn, When this
man appeared, nearly five years had elapsed. .

“ The man was an older man than Mr. Hearn,
for one thing, and much thinner in person.
There was a slight resemblance, but that was
all. He came with no proofs, but simply de-
clared himself to be Ruford Hearn. He talked
wild] about a silver coflin, and a secret, and it
soon ecame apparent that he was deranged.

“None of the children could as. it was Mr.
Hearn, and the three of the secon wife were
posmve it was not; as in fact it could not be,
since Hearn had been dead and buried for so
long, a fact well enough known to all. Finally,
diligent search having been made, it was dis-
covered that he was a harmless lunatic named
Brown—I believe it was Brown, who had been
for a matter of ten years or more an inmate of
a private asylum in this cit .”

“ That exploded the bubble, then.”

“ Certainly.”

“But, what theory was advanced to explain
what had put so strange an idea into the crazy
man’s head?”

“ Why, it was said that he was assionately
fond of newspapers, and it was not t 6 first time
he had believed himself to be some one else, a
person whose name he had often seen in print,
generally.”

“ That seemed reasonable, of course.”

“ Quite reasonable. During one political cam-
paign. for instance, he came to believe that he
was a candidate for the Presidency, so it was
shown, and he carried on quite a lively campaign
in the institution among his fellow lunatics.”

“ Enough, certainly. And of course his claim
was all in the wind, after that, eh i”

“There had been no bottom to it before, for
hlswild talk about a silver coflin had stamped

 

him a lunatic at the outset. Oh, no; there was
nothing to it, for all knew Hearn was dead."

“ If he had been Hearn, of course the children
would have known him at sight, in spite of the
time."

“Exactly; especially his daughter Jane, who
had been lns housekeeper for years. And so
with Hugh and Susan, who had seen him often.
The other two, liOWever, had seen less of him
and So could not take oath.”

“ They had a. doubt, then?”

“ At first they expressed doubts,
speedily convinced.”

“What was your own opinion?”

“ You have had it.”

The lawyer’s opinion, then, had been the same
as that of the others. He had t iken no stock in
the story the crazy man had told.

“ I suppose your sympathies in the matter of
the will were with the son and daughter of the
first marriage, were they not?” Bill y questioned,
endeavoring to make doubly sure of his ground.

“Decidedly, sir,” declared Mr. Millard, em-
phatically. “Even at this late day, Mr. Wes-
ton, Were I to discover anything that woul 1
balance that account more in favor of my clients
I would go for the others at once. To tell
you the truth, I did not like them, not one of
them.” s

but were

 

CHAPTER VIII.
st‘sriCIONs CONFIRMED.

BROADWAY BILLY had gained his point. He
now knew that he might trust Lawyer Mil-
lard fully, and resolved that he would no so.

A'roudy he knew more about the caso than
the lawyer himself, and while there was plenty
of room for him to be mistaken, yet he fully
believed that Buford Hearn was still living, and
that (-razv Tommy Brown was the man.

“But,” the lawyer immediately added, re-
mindingly, “you have not told me what you set
out to tell; that is, what your interest in the
Hearn matter is.”

“True enough, ‘so I haven’t,” acknowlelged
llilly. “ I’ll tell you now. This morning a wo-
man came to my office to engage me to recover
some papers which had been stolen from her
house.”

“ Papers?"

” Yes, sir; and that woman was Jane Hearn,”

“ The deuce you say! Young man, Were these
the apers~—these I found here?”

“ ndoubtedly they were, sir, but I have not
seen them yet, so cannot be sure on that point.
I have every reason to believe they were the
same.”

“ You have not seen the papers? This seems
to grow stranger each moment. 1th not un-
derstand it, now, at all. You have not seen the
papers, yet my leaving them at your office has
brought you here.”

“ You understand it all right " reassured
Billy. “The fact is, you see, my boy told me
all about the papers, or as much as he knew
about them. but they had been taken from my
office by force before I arrived there, which ac-
counts for the fact that I have not seen them.”

“This begins to savor of mystery, Mr. Wes-

n.
“I should say it does. How, think you, were
these papers stolen from the Hearn residence,
and how brought here and put in your office,
when in both instances the doors were locked l"

“ I am puzzled. Were I a believer in spooks I
might suspect there has been something superhu-
man about 'it. As I am not, however, I must
simply give it up. This sort of thing is more in
your me. What do you make of it?”

“ What would you say were I to tell you I be-
lieve Ruford Hearn is alive?”

The lawyer sprung to his feet in excitement
supporting himself by one hand on his desk, and
stared at Billy for a moment blankly.

“ You cannot believe anything so absurd as
that!’_I he cried.

“ _Slt down and let’s consider it from that point
of View,” said Billy. “ We will see how it looks,
anyhow.”

he lawyer resumed his seat and awaited for
Billy to speak.

“ Did you look at the papers before on brought
them to my office?” Bil y made inqu ry.

“I did, sir. I naturally would, finding them
here on my own private desk in the manner in
which 1 did.”

“Certainly. Did you notice the one-rather
part of one—which was a sort of map, chart, or
drawing?”

us Yes, yes.” .

“ You noted the coffin upon it?”

“ Yes, yes yes. What in hehven’s name is
back of this? ’

" “ Let’s look at it carefully, and perhaps we

\

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i. ‘b‘;

 

shall be able to find out. Now, first to consider,
these papers relate to Hearn affairs. They were
taken t'roni the residence of Buford Heara in a
mysterious niunnor. Second, they were bi‘ou hi:
to this ofllce, which formerly belonged to {u-
ford Hearn, and were put in here on your desk
in us mysterious a manner as they Were taken
from the house. Do you see anything remark-
able in this!"

” Yes, yes. Go on, go on.”

“ You have told me that the crazy mun,
Brown, who claimed to be Ituford Hearn, talked
about a silver coiliii and a si-crct. Ilern, on one
of these documents, you found the drn wing of a
coilin. You have said Mr. Iiearn was an urchi-
tect, and he would be just the person to make
such a drawing. I did not see the paper, you
understand, but I judge by what my boy has
Said that it was well executed. Here, then, we
have some strong points in filViil' of the theory I
advance. I believe ituford liearn is alive, and
that it was he who took the papers from the
house and left them here.”

“ But, it’s impossible!" cried the lawyer.
“Even if living he would be a very old man
now, and incapable of doing it. But, he has
been dead for years, there is no doubting that.
The doctor, the undertaker, and his own daugh-
ter, all gave ample proof on that point.”

“ And how about the crazy man, Brown?"

“ i suppose he must be dead, too.”

“ Well, I happen to knew that he is not dead,
Mr. Millard."

“ You do? \Vhat do you know about him?
Is tigers any end to your knowledge in this mat-
tel'?

“Yes, and the end is reached only too soon.
I wish I knew agood deal more about it. I took
the matter up out of more curiosity at first, and
now my curiosity has got the better of me.
must push on whether I would or not.”

“ But, how do you know Brown is living?”

“ Ho was at mv office yesterday.”

“At your oflicel”in astonishment.
was he doing there!”

“He came to see me on business; and that
business was—to establish his identity as Ruford
Heal-n.”

“ Wonder of wonders! W'hnt is coming of
this, young man? be you really and seriously
believo that this man is Ruf'ord Heard—that he
can be ltut‘ord Hearn?"

” 1 do, most asmredly, Mr. “’illurd.“

“ Then you must have some further proof.”

“ W hat leads you to that conclusion f"

“ I know detectives are slow to come to posi-
tive conclusions, Sir.”

“ Well, yes, I have further prolif. I will lay
it before you, since we seem to have been
thrown together in this matter. This man
Brown is eightythree years old, and the inmate
of an asylum kept by one Dr. Dray—l’

“ Drayl That was the name of the doctor
grth figured in the affair at first. I remember
t. '

“ So much the stronger the case, then. The
old man came to my ofiice clad in a suit of boy-
ish clothes and had his pockets bulging with
marbles. He was craz , no question about that,

at there was math in his madness withal.

or a brief time I know he was uite rational.
He declared his true name was Iiuford Hearn,
and he wanted to engage me to restore to his
wronged heirs a fortune out of which they had
been cheated.”

“ This is simply amazing, Mr. Weston."

“ He wanted me to find a silver cofiin, which,
he said, contains valuable papers. He gave me
an idea where it is, declaring he had no er told
anybody before, but said he felt he con (1 trust
me. But, his mind wandered, and while be de—
clared himself to be Buford Hearn, he at the
same time averred that he was dead and buried.
It was impossib‘le for him to tell a connected
story, but he did tell enough to satisf me that
he is indeed the supposed dead man. 0 said he
died twenty-two years ago: that he had been a
rich man, and had a family of two sons and
three daughters one son and one daughter by
his first wife and the others by his second. You
see, sir, it tallies exactly.”

“ It certainly does.”

“ That is not all. As I said, he had a‘pocket-
ful of marbles, and presently, when his mind
wandered more, he became the same as a little
b0 and wanted to play at marbles, and in order
toiumor him I allowed one of my office-boys to
play with him. They played fora little while
the game finally ending in a uabble, and abou
that time a young man from t e asylum came to
take him away—

“ And you made known to him what the old
man had said—”

“ Well, hardly, sir.

“ \V'bat

I have cut my eye-teeth,

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if you will excuse me for saying so myself.
But, as I was going to say, you see I had a gOod
chance to see the marbles, and while I thought
nothing of them at the time, their kind and
color became fixed upon my mind. Well, when
Jane Heai'n came to me this morning with her
case, she had a clew to the robber in the shape
of a marble which she had picked up on the
floor in the hall, and it was exactly like some of
those the crazy man had had. Now, adding it
up, what is the sum you get?”

"2 By heavens, sir, there may be something in
it!

“ There certainly is something in it, as we are
bound to discover. I came bars for the purpose
of learning all about the life of ltuford Hearn,
and as you unfolded it to me I was sure there
was no mistake. Be the explanation what it
may, Mr. Millard, I believe it is certain that
this crazy man Brown and ltuford Hearn are
one and the same, and that Buford Hearn never
died as it was said of him. That he died of a
dangerous‘fever is another point to be considered,
in the light of all the other evidence we have.”

“You are right, youngman, you are right.
You must look into this matter further, and if
you discover that you are right in what you
suspect—”

“ Then, what!”

“Then we will make it hot for the kiiaves,

that is all. Let me get hold of proof for what
you suspect is so, and if I won’t put them in a
sweat-box it will be funny, that is all.”
‘; The proof will be forthcoming; I am sure of
it.’
“But, you said the pa rs had been taken
from the offlae? Who 0 you suppose took
them? But, of course you know that. ’

“ No, I do not know, but I at first suspected
it was Doctor Dray, and now I suspect him
all the more. It was a little, withered old
fell0w, and he mesmerized my office-boy in
order to carry out his scheme, showing that he
was master of magic as well as of lunatics.”

“ The rascal! But, be having the papers, you
have nothing to work on. What can you do?”

“There are plenty of directions in which to
begin work, sir. I’ll have the papers back again
unless he puts them out of the way by destroy-
ing them. And it is not likely he will do that.”

“ Possibly not.”

“One other point, sir: I want the name of
that undertaker who had a hand in this affair
at the time of Hearn’s supposed death.”

“ You shall have it.”

The lawyer turned again to the papers he had
taken from the letter-box, and the name was
soon learned.

“ His name was Peter Fryers,” said the
lawyer, “ and his place of business was then at
No. — —— street. Whether he is living or dead
now, I cannot say.”

“I can find out. Meantime, do not saya
word to any one concerning this affair. If it
turns out as I think it will, I’ll put the proofs
into your hands and you can then give them the
scorching they deserve.”

Broadway Billy took his leave, going back
again to his office, where, to his surprise, he
found the woman, Jane Hearn, awaiting his
coming. The truth flashed upon him at sight of
her, and he knew her errand before she opened
her mouth.

 

CHAPTER IX.
GOING roa raoor POSITIVE.

PURPOSELY, the young detective showed some
surprise at seeing the woman, and she hastened
to make known her business.

“I see you are surprised to see me again
so soon, sir," she said, “but I have come to
tell yea the papers have been found and that
tyeou need not give the matter any further at-

ntion.”

“Ha! so they have been found, have they?”
observed Billy. “ I suppose it was as I hinted,
that you had mislaid them yourself and for-

otten where you had put them. Am I not right?

on see, it was simply impossible for any one to
have gained admission into the house when it
was locked as it was.”

The woman’s face lighted, and in her eyes
Billy could read triumph.

“ You are nearly right, sir,” she declared.

, “ The papers were not taken, but I had not

put them away not knowin where; I am
not so crazy as that yet. t ank goodness.
You see, sir, they had slipped out over the
back part of the drawer and fallen down into
the body of the desk. I ha period to think of

that after you had gone, an on looking, there I
found them.”
“ Quite wonderful; and you were fortunate. I

 

Broadway Billy’s Brigade.

was sure they were in the house somewhere,
madam. Allow me to congratulate you.”

“ Yes, I was lucky, and I feel ashamed for all
the trouble I have made for you.”

“ Do not mention it, madam.”

“But, how much do I owe you, sir?
pay you. of course.”

“ You owe me nothing, madam. Since you
had no case, it havingr been all a mistake, I will
charge you nothing.”

“\Vell, I am greatly obliged to you, I am
sure. Of course you will give the matter no
further thought. Iain sorry now that I trou-
bled you at all. And Iain evm‘so much obliged.”

She took her leave, and Billy turned to Harry
to find him standing with a forefinger premed
against the side of his nose and one eye closed.

“ “'ell, what do you see?” asked Billy.

“She must think we don’t know green from
red,” answured the boy, “to come here with
such a yarn as that.”

“Then you don’t believe she has found the
papers at all? If that is so, what brought her
here?”

“ To call off the dogs, of course!”

“Isee you catch on, Harry; that certainly
was her object. There is a good deal back of
this, and that was the reason I let her think she
was closing my eyes. We are going to yank
this skeleton out to the light if it takes a leg.”

“You bet we are! The jeebeeb hath spoken.
Selahl That old codger that got the papers
here has put her up to snufl’, and she thinks she
has sprinkled some of it in our eyes. She’s left,
had. She hadn’t anything to say about the
marble this time, had she?”

“You see it all, Harry; no need to make a.
map of it for you. What had she to say before
I got here?"

“She wormed for points, bad, but I didn’t
know anything. She must ’a’ tho’t I hadn’t
brains enough to sort rags in a junk-shop—an’
I dunno but she was right.”

“ You played it well, Harry. I can trust you
to do your part in any case that turns up, I
guess.”

“After the way I allowed that old fellow to
get away with the papers~”

“That was something you could not help,
Harry. Now, we can do nothing more till We
hear from Silent Seth— Hal here he is!”

The door opened and the Silent Shadower
came in.

A glance at Billy and Harry told him that
Harry had made known all that had taken
place, so Seth came right to the point.

“ I know where the papers are,” he said. “ I
followed the man until he parted with ’em, and
then I came hereto report. He left them at
No. -— —— street.”

“ Bet your boots he did!” cried Harry, with
delight. “ We guessed it, didn’t we bossl—that
is to say, you did. Seth, my deaf an’ dumb
pard, we have got onto this thing as big as an
ox, and we are going to make Rome howl, yes
shriek!”

Seth looked at Billy questioningly.

“It is so, Seth,” Billy declared. “We felt
sure of it, but that does not detract from the
good stroke of work you have done. You bring
as proof for our suspicions. You have done
well, and I am proud of you. But, tell us all
you know. Did you learn who the old man
was?’

“ I suspect he’s Doctor Dray, for I follOWed
him first to the asylum. He went in there, and
while I was waiting to consider what to do he
came out again in a hurry and made oti’ to the
Hearn house. He had the papers in his hand all
the way, and when he came out of the house he
hadn’t them, so I concluded he had left them
there and I came here.”

“ Not at once, th0ugh.”

“ No; I followed the man back to the asylum
first. and then jumped a car.”

“I thought so. If you had come direct you
would have got here ahead of the woman. She
has keen here to call ofl.’ the dogs, as Harry

3.

“ And she came with the biggest kind of a lie,
too,” added Happy Harry, to let Seth into the
whole matter. ‘ She said the papers had been
found behind the desk. Oh! it don’t take a
soar to see through the little game, you bet.”

“But, it will take some Work to show the
scheme ii‘p,” declared Billy. “and it may give
us trouble before we are done with it. The
most important thing to be considered just now,
however, I take it, is dinner. What do you
ho 8 say to that suggestion?"

he remainder of the day was spent by Billy

and his team in looking up the members of the

IBloom family; that is, the children of Buford
“ml

I will

i
i

l

l
l
l
l
i
l
l

 

Jane,
as we have s so, was well off, and so were her
brother and sister, Hugh Beam and Mrs. Mus-

All were found, and living in the city.

ter. The half-brother and sister, on the other
hand, Were poor.

All were well on in years, the youngest being
fifty, at the least, and their descendants were
numerous. Buford Hetlrll, Ji-., had grand-
children grown, as had also his sister. It was
to these two that Billy gave particular atten-
tion, to judge for himself respecting the estimate
the lawyer had made.

That business done, Broadway Billy met
Lawyer Millard by appointment.

The whole ground was gone over at length,
and the lawyer agreed with Billy in his view of
the matter. Indeed, he could not well do other-
Wise.

“ And now regarding this peculiar chart,”
said Billy, taking from his pocket the half of
the mysterious map which he had got from
Silent Seth. “I believe this has some likeness
to the plan of the Hearn house.”

“ You think so?"

“ I Certainly do. And, I think, it is the plan
of that library from which the woman said the
papers had been stolen.”

“ More likely to be that than any other room
in the house, I should say. But, of what use is
it to us without the other hall? We can make
nothing out of it. ”

“ Half a loaf is better than no bread,” remind-
ed Billy. “ We’ll make the most we can of it
and trust to luck for the rest. We must get into
that house somehow and investigate.”

“ But. how i”

“We’ll think about that later. For the pre-
sent I have something more important on hand.”

“ What’s that?”

“ We want positive proof whether Buford
Hearn is living or dead. Not that 1 am doubt-
ful about it myself, but we must have the
best of proof to make out a case that will stand
the test.”

“ Well?”

“To go to the cemetery and open the ccflin
will givo us the proof.”

“ Hal that is so. But, are you not afraid, in
case the report was true, that you may take the
disease?"

“ After all these years? Hnrdly.
myself; I do not ask you to go along. But, upon
this will hinge the whole case. If there isa body
in that Coffin, then my caSe will be Weakened.”

“ And if not—”

“ If not, then I’ll get there with both feet.”

“ And if I cannot help you at this, what can
I do, Mr. Weston? You have only to direct

I am going

me.”

“ You can help me, Mr. Millard. I want to
tackle that cemetery armed with the proper
sort of warrant of search, and you can help me
to go get just what is needed.”

“ Yes, I can do that, and will.”

“ And that is all I Will ask of you. I’ll have a
storv to tell you to-morrow, I rather think.”

“But, even if you get the warrant, how will
you get into the vault at night’il A warrant
won’t unlock the doors for you, will it?”

“ Once I get the warrant I’ll go to the office
of the cemetery people and command their co-
operation in the matter. And I’ll go to-night in
order to save time on the case, you see.”

Leaving the chart, or plan, with the lawyer
for safe-keeping for the time being, seeing it
put away in the safe, Billy and the lawyer next
Went to the office of a notary where the neces-
sary paper was taken out, and there they part-
ed, Billy promising to see Millard again at ten
next morning.

Billy went straight to the office of the come-
tery company.

When he had made himself known, and had
stated his business sufficiently, he was given the
required help.

A letter to the superintendent of the grounds
placed the vault at his disposal, and he appre-
hended no further difficulty in that direction.
The proof once in his possession, the rest would
be easy.

He made no stop in his preparations until he
had even the superintendent and evvry ar-
rangement for the unenviable nocturnal business
had been made complete. A man was surplied,
one of he oldest employees of the cemetery,
and it was after dark when‘the venture was
made. '

Billy and his team—Harry and Seth, and
the cemetery man, made up the company.

“ Faith, and it’s an uncanny business for the
night,” the old employee complained as they
made their way to the vaults. ,

“ It is a business that could not be done by'
day,” explained Billy, “for it has to be done

 

 

 

 

Broadway Billy’s Brigade.

 

A

very secretly in order that it may not be known
to the rascals we want to trap.”

“ Well-a, well-a, I suppose it is all right, and
it is all one to me. Night or day, I can lay my
hand on any slab in this whole place, young
man, and tell you who it covers. And as for
the Hearn vault, I don’t believe it has been
opened thesa twenty years. I mind well when
the old man Hearn was laid away— Ahl here
.it is.

 

CHAPTER X.

THE SILVER COFFIN DISCOVERED.

RUFORD HEARN, the architect, had had his
owu ideas regarding what was the proper thing
in vaults.

This place, where he was believed to be asleep
with his fathers, had been of his own designing,
and was about as simple and plain as can be
imagined.

It was marked by a marble p ramid, several
feet in hight, consisting of four ayers of marble
and a cap stone. The earth was sloped up to the
base of it, and on one side was a cut.

This out, or leveled pathway, led to an iron
door, which was under the base of the pyramid.
The door was secured with a very heavy lock,
the key to which was in the ion of the
family. There was a duplicate, however, held
by the superintendent of the cemetery.

This key the man with Billy carried in his
hand, and as he broke off suddenly in his conver-
sation be hanged with the key on the iron door.

“ Hold on a moment before you open it,”
Billy commanded. “ You were just saying you
remember when the old man Hearn was put in
here.”

“ Yes, I do that, sir.”

“ What kind of a funeral did he have?”

“ Faith, it was no funeral at all, sir. He was

brgught here and put in, and that was the all of'

“ What was the reason for that?”

“ He died of some ketchin’ ailyment, sir. He
was brought in a dead-wagon, with Only two
men aboard of it, and a kerridge behind with
only a man and woman as mourners.”

“ Did you help put the coffin in here?”

“ I did that. It was hefty, and as they told
me it was sealed and there was no danger, I t0ok
a hand with them and we boosted it in, and here

_ it has been ever since.”

“ All right; go ahead and open the door.”

Billy was not greatly encouraged by these
reports, for it appeared that Mr. Hearii had
either really died of a dread disease, or the
scheme had been carried out to the very last act.
That, h0wever, was nothing to discourage his
suspicions.

The detective furnished the light, having a
bull’s-eye in hand, and the old man began
fumbling at the lock with the great key, while
Billy and his boys looked on expectantly.

At first he could make no headway at all,
for the key would not go in, but at last
it went in, when it was found that it would
not turn. The old man, however, was prepared
for that.

He had brought along a little oil, and blowing
some of it into the old lock, a few minutes’ work
had it open.

“There 'we arel” he said. “And now step
back out of the way and allow the air to
fresh the place up a bit and We’ll go in.
Of all ill smells, the breath of a vault is the
worst."

Billy and the boys drew back, and the old
man tugging the door Open upon its rusty hinges,
followed their example.

They waited several minutes, to allow the
fresh air time todisiiifect the place; then they
all entered.

A square chamber was revealed, on two sides
of which were sarcophagi.

Billy stopped and looked at these cofilns for a
moment, after which he inquired which was the
right one. . _

'l‘ue cniiietery man indicated it, and while he,
Happy Harry and Silent Seth stood by, the
latter with something of a feeling of awe, Billy
played the light of his lantern upon the top of
the receptacle.

“ Yes, this is it,” he agreed. “ Here are the
initials. Now, to lift the lid from this stone
chest. Do you think we can do it?"

“ I guess the four of us can make a good try
of it, anyhow,” answered the old attendant.

Billy put down his lantern and all took hold
for the effort.

It was a heavy lift, but the lid was raised and
gradually taken of! and laid at one side.

Within the sarcophagus was discovered a
coma, to which time had done little damage, it

 

having been protected from the air, and on a
plate on the eoilin was the name——

“ Ruroan HEARN.”

“Now for it!" said Billy. “ Hold the li ht,
and I’ll open the thing an we will see how r.
Hearn is getting along.”

The old man took the light, sun with a screw-
drivvr Billy proceeded to loosen the screws in
the coffin-lid preparatory to removing it and
disclOsing the ghastly contents to view.

Not accustomed to that line of business, he
was rather slow at it, but at last the final screw
was lifted and the lid could be taken oil’.

“ Get your grip on your nerves, now,” Billy
precantioned.

“ l’ve got it.” declared Harry.
tain go up.”

He spoke more bravely than he felt, just then,
it may be surmised. As for Seth, he said noth-
ing, as usual.

Billy took a firm hold upon the coffin-lid, and
after an effort or two it came off, when a sight
met their gaze which caused them to mood in
horror for the moment.

To Broadway Billy and his team it was a
sight unexpected.

There, in the coffin, was the yellowed face of an
old man, looking simply hideous in the glare of
the light, and even as they looked the skin
began to fall and the dust to crumble away
from the bones, leaving naught but a grinning
skeleton for them to look upon.

We have said it was a sight unexpected by
Billy and the boys, because they had been led to
believe they should find the coffin filled with
stones or some heavy material, having the
piroof they had that Buford Hearn was still
i ving.

“ Ha, ha!” laughed the old man of the ceme-
tery, to whom this was no new sight, evi~
dently; “what makes ye start back so? Are
you skart, boys?”

“It was rather startling,” admitted Billy,
“ when nothing of the sort was looked for. This
puts a damper upon my theory, and a bad one,
too. 1 expected to find this coffin full of
bricks.”

“ Bricks! What an idea i”

“ A mighty wrong idea, it seems.”

Billy re laced the lid and set d0wn the screws.

While e did so his mind was busy, and an
idea came to him as he worked.

“ Will you allow me to say something, boss?”
Silent Seth asked, when Billy was nearly done.

" Certainly,” was the prompt leave.

“Christopheir Columbia, yesl” cried Harry.
“ It isn’t often you speak of your own accord,
Seth, and when you want to do so you ought to
have the floor.”

“Yet he doesn’t always get it when you are
around,” Billy suggested.

“ Enough said,” Harry closed up.

“ A thought has come to me, that is all,” now
spoke Seth. “ Here are three other stOne boxes,
and if they really wanted to make a mystery of
it wouldn’t they have put the empty coffin into
some other box than the one bearing the
initials?”

“ You have hit it,” decided Billy. “That is
the very thought I have been trying all this
time to get through my hair. Ibelieve that is
the secret of it.”

“ Let the cur-

“ You are mistaken though,” spoke up the
old man. .“ As I said, I had a hand in bringing
tlicncoilin in here, and this is the box we put it
Ill-

“ Besidvs, there is the plate on the coilin,”
argued Harry.

“ All of which is good,” continued Billy,
“ but it would not be much work to come here
and Change coflins from one box to the other and
change the plate. We’ll sea what there is in the
idea. anyhow.”

Having secured the lid, they lifted the stone
cover back to its place and Billy examined the
other sarcophagi.

“ It’s impossible to tell who is who,” he mused,
“so we’ll make a guess as to which one they
would naturally make the exchange from, and
I’ll say this one. You see its position would
make it handy for the work to be done.”

He indicated one with his foot.

“ That’s so,” admitted the old servitor of the
cemetery.

“Then we’ll off with the lid and see whether
we have struck upon the truth or not.”

Again the light was put down and they bent
their strength to the lift, and the lid was taken
03 and laid aside as the other had been.

Here was another cofiln, and at sight of it the
young detective uttered an exclamation, for
upon it was no plate, but the marks were plain
to be seen where one had been.

 

J

“ This is it, beans to buttonsl” avowed Harry.

“I believe it is," agreed Billy. “Anyhow,
we’ll soon know.”

The old man holding the light as before, Billy
set at work to take out the screws, and in a few
minutes the upper part of the lid was removed.

“ Hal” cried Billy. “ We have struck oil this
timel”

The cofiin was filled with bricks, between and
around which were wrappings and stufilngs of
rags and paper!

“You hit it, Seth, sure,” cried Happ§Harry
executing a fling on the stone floor. ‘ ou had
something to say that time when you spoke, sure
enough.”

Broadway Billy was busily examining the con-
tents of the coilin. He had removed several of
the bricks, enough to convince himself that the
upper part of the recoptacle for the dead con-
tained nothing else.

Next, he removed the screws from the lower
half and removed that, but at the first glance
nothing but bricks was to be discerned.
moving some of them, however, he came to
something else.

This something else was an object wra ped in
acloth, and which was in the shape 0 a tiny
cofiinl V

“The sIIVer coflinl” cried Happy Harry at
once.

Silent Seth was eager, but he was as imper-
turbable as ever. Nothing, it seemed, could ex-
cite him.

Even Billy himself marveled at his impassive-
ness, for his Own impatience was great toremove
the cloth to learn what was within.

Dropping to the floor, he made haste to re-
move it, and there sure enough was the little
silver cofiinl black with age, almost, but unmis-
takably the object indicated upon the paper
chart.

“ We have got itl” cried Billy. “ The victory
is ours, and nothing remains but to unmask the
villains and right the wrong that has been done.
Never a word of this night’s work, old man,” to
the cemetery employee, “ till the case has been
ended and you are given leave to speak."

Wrapping the mysterious object up ain
Billy gave it to Seth to hold while he rep aceti
the bricks and closed the cofiln up as he had
found it.

CHAPTER XI.
CALLING our TUE BRIGADE.

As nearly as possible everything was ar-
ranged as it had been found, and the four pre-
pared to take their leave from the vault.

Broadway Billy took pains to conceal the fact
that any one had been there, but it was inipOssi-
ble to hide all evidence. Therewas, for one‘tliing,
the oil on the lock, proof that it had been opened.

Still, he had little reason to believe that any
one would suspect a visit to this reposing place
of the dead, since it Was clear enough that no
one had ever dreamed the little silver casket was
there. Besides, he had acted so promptly in the
matter that it was hardly probable any one
could have knowledge of his mow-manta.

He had not yet, howeVer, correctly estimatOd
the villains with whom he had to deal.

When they were ready Billy took charge of
the little silver Cofiiu himself and they flied out
from the vault, the old man stopping to lock the
door, Billy holding the light so he could see.

That done, the light was turned oi! and they
flied out from the dismal place to the main path-
way.

Here they met with a sudden surprise and at-
tack.

Without the least warning several men sud-
denly set upon them, and they were severely
dealt with,

Broadway Billy receiVed the first blow, one
that sent him senseless to the ground, and the
old employee of the cemetery was sent to follow
him speedily. Harry and Seth sprung bravely
into the fight, but their help was useleBS.

It was soon over, and quiet reigned.

The next Happy Harry knew it was broad day-
light, and he came to, to find himself lying be-
tween two graves.

There was a soreness about his head; and feel-
ing with his hand he found a lump on his
cranium as big as an egg. He had been knock-
ed senseless, and unconsciousness had followed.

“ Christopher Columbia 1” he eXClalmed, sit-
ting up and rubbing his eyes open wide.
“ Here has been a pretty go, sure as scissors.
What have they done with Billy and Seth, I
wonder? And what has become of the silver
coilini Who was in that gang, anyhow!"

 

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No.35 . I

 
 

sum: we“: «.-  ~-

Broadway Billy’s Brigade.

 

 

But for the soreness in his head he was all
right, as he soon found, and having got upon his
feet and recovered his hat, he looked around for
indications of his missing companions.

There were evidences of the fray, and some
marks of blood, but neither Broadway Billy,
Silent Seth, nor the old man of the cemetery,
was to be. found.

Nor was the silver coilin anywhere around.

“ Crackers an’ cheese!” ejaculated Harry.
“They have done us up bad this time, and no
mistake about it. They took us when we wasn’t
lookin’, and we got dumped. I wonder where the
boss and the Philosopher are. And where’s that
silver coffin? Reckon they have gobbled that
sure enough. And what am I going to do!”

He had acquired Billy’s habits of scratching his
head when puzzled, and now scratched it with
V] or.

e made a careful survey of the grounds for
some distance around, hoping to discover some-
thing in the way of a clew, but the search was
entirely fruitless.

Presently, however, be discerned further
traces of blood, some distance up the path, and
decided to follow and learn where they might
lead to. At about every fourth or fifth step was
a drop.

The trail was plain and he had no difficulty in
following it. It brought him to the main gate-
way of the cemeter , where it passed around to
the rear of the bui ding at the entrance to a
basement room that was occupied by the em-
ployees of the huriul'grounds.

Harry found the door open, and stepped in.

There sat the old man who had accompanied
them on the previous night, and a younger man
was bandaginga wound on his head.

“ Hello!” greeted Harry. “ You came off
alive, did you?”

“That is about all he did, too,” answered the
younger man. “ What do you know about this
affair?" ' .

“ Not half as much as I’d like to, you can bet!
Haven’t seen anything of my boss and my deaf
and dumb pard, have you? They seem to be
considerably absent at this roll-call.”

“Where did you come from?” inquired the,

old man.

“ From the place where 1 just waked up,” an-
swered Harry. “They laid me out for all night.
I followed your trail of blood here.”

“And I hardly know how I got here. I re-
member waking u some time in the night, but I
was dazed, and guess it was by habit that I
came here. My son found me unconscious on
the step when he came.”

“ And what do you think about it all?"

“I don’t know. I never met the likes of it in
all my experience here, that is sure.”

“ Did you see any one of the fellows well
enough to describe him i”

“ Not a one. It was dark, you know, and the
light having just been put out made it all the
darker for us.’

“ What are you going to do about it? Do you
suppose they were common rascals who just
made the attack for the fun of it? Or do you
think they followed my boss for the purpose of
laying him out?”

“ How should I know that, lad i”

“ You don’t know; I asked you what you
think.”

“ Well, I think they had the plan laid for him,
then. As to what I’ll do, I’ll attend to getting
well of this crack on my pate."

“ You’ll report the case, though i”

“ To the superintendent, yes to be sure.”

“’,And I suppose he’ll report? it to the police,

’9

“Little good it will do him, I think. We
don’t know who they Were, and I guess they
didn’t carry off any monuyments with them.
What are you going to do?”

“ That’s what’s puzzling me sore,” answered
Harry, taking off his hat and giving his head
another raking. “ I think I’ll get out Broadway
Billy’s Brigade, however, and do some tall hus-
tling to find him.”

“ Broadway Billy! Broadway Billy, the detec-
tive? Was that young man Broadway Billy?"

“ Well, he just was, uncle! And, if he’s alive,
you can bet a spade or two he will make it lively
for these rascals when he gets after them again.
glut,” I’m 011?. Don’t say too much about

3.

Without waitin to hear what the old fellow
said in response, arry made his way out of the
grounds and took a our leading toward the
erry.

He made no stop for anything until He reached
home, where he found Billy’s mother and step-
father in the greatest anxnety about Billy and
the boys. They were very much troubled.

 

 

“ Where is my boy?” asked Mrs. Watts,
eagerly.*

“Here‘s your youngest, which is the only
edition I am able to account for this morning,"
answered Harry.

“ But, where is Billy l” demanded Roger.

“ That’s what I want to know,"echoed Harry.
“I hoped I’d find him here. Haven’t you seen
Seth, either?”

“Neither of them. What has happened?
Where did you leave them?"

“We all got left together, mom. There has
been one of the consarnedest dililkilties we have
been in for a gOod while.”

Harry went ahead from that, and gave the
details, as far as he was able, telling them every-
thing.

“ What is to be done, Roger?” Billy’s mother
asked.

“ I think the police had better be set to look
for him,” the old run or advised.

“ And 1 think the rigade had better be called
out,” sup lamented Harry.

“The rigade?"

“Cert. You, Fatty-Skinny, and me—there’s
three left for duty, anyhow, and we must buckle
on the armor and wade in.”

“ But, what can we do?”

“Do? There’s plenty to be done! We have
got to find Broadway Billy and Silent Seth, if
we have to turn New York and her neighboring
cities inside out to do it. We have got to
get up and hump. The jeebeeb hath spoken.

elab!”

“ To be sure we have got to find him,” agreed
Roger, “ but I don’t know how to go about it.
Now, if it was bear, Injun, or renegade, I’d
know just how to set to work; but as it is I am
all bemuddled. What is your plan, my boy?
Fain ’know more about the ways of the city than

0.

“ Well, I think I’ll go and put the police onto
it, the first thing. They will buckle to it to a
man. when they find Broadway Billy is in
trouble. Then we will begin operations on our
own hook. I have got a good grip onto the case
as it is, knowin’ about all the boss and Seth
found out, and I think we can make a good
showin’ for our side.”

“What of the lawyer you and Billy talked
about at supper last night i” asked Mrs. Watts.

“Crackers an’ cheese! that is jest the ideel”
cried Harry. “Guess I’ll go see him first of
all, and pour my tale or Wile into his off ear.
He’ll be able to tell us sometme sure. ’Sides,
he is one of the Brigade in this casc.”

This move was decided upon.

Harry was provided with some breakfast and
Billy’s mother bathed the wound on his head,
and while this was being done who should come
in but Fatty-Skinny.

He entered blOWing like a porpoise, for he was
so fat it was hard work for him to climb stairs.
The moment he appeared he demanded to know
where Billy was.

The story was rehearsed for his benefit.

“Great ginger!” the ex-lean lieutenant ex-
claimed. “I knew something was up.
dreamed about Billy all night, and that’s the
reason I came here. You can count me in this
thing, even if I am on the retired list.”

The matter was considered at length, and
finally the three, Roger Watts, Fatty-Skin!)
and Happy Harry, set out for the office of Ti -
ford Millard.

It was still early in the morning, and they
reached the lawyers office not much behind the
lawyer himself. -

Mr. Millard recognized Harry at once, but
looked at the others interrogatively.

Harry made them known, and stated their
business.

Mr. Millard gave the matter attention, and
looked serious about it. And, at Harry’s sug-
gestion, he assumed the role of chief of the
Brigade, and the headquarters for the present
was to be his office.

About the time their conference ended, who
should enter the office but the crazy man,
Thomas Tobias Brown!

 

CHAPTER XII.
BILLY’s MAD MESSENGER.

“ HELLOl Hello!"

So the old man exclaimed the moment he on-
teiied the office and looked at the group in sur-
pr se.

Harry quickly made known to the lawyer who
the old fel10w was, though that was hardly

 

‘ It will be remembered that Billv’s mother had
married Roger Watts. the old scout who accompanied
Billy home from the West. .

 

necessary, since the man’s appearance was
enough after the description Broadway Billy
had given of him.

“What’s wanted?” the old man asked.
“ W'hat are you all doing here? Don’t you
know this is a private office? Who let you in
here?”

He lOoked from one to another as he put the
hurried questions. It was plain to Harry that
be me not just now Tommy Brown, the marble-
player. The lawyer was as quick to see that.

“ How do you do, Mr. Hearn?” be greeted.
“ We were waiting for you. What has detain-
ed on?”

“Why, they have had me dead and buried,”
was the strange response. “ I an: getting the
best of them now, though; I am getting the
best of them.”

“Why, what strange talk, Mr. Hearn. What
do you mean by saying you have been dead and
buried? You know that can’t be, for if you
were once dead you would be always dead.”

“That’s what I say; I’m getting the best of
them.”

“ The best of whom?”

“ \Vhy, the ones who buried me when I told
them not to do it. I’ll show them they can’t
cheat me.” .

“ Have you found the silver casket yet?" Mr.
Millard asked. .

“ Ha! No, I have not found it yet, but I am
on track of it. Did you see the papersl left
here?”

“ What papers?”

“ One was the chart of the secret niche where
the casket is.”

“ There are no such papers here, Mr. Hear
Besides, you said the silver casket was burie
with you.”

The old man gave a start.~

“ That’s so!” he cried, “that’s sol What am
1 thinking about? I thought it would be safer
there, so I put it in the foot of the coffin. But,
who are you? It was not you I told about
it. ’

“ Yes, it was; don’t you remember?”

“ N0.” and he seemed confused.

“ Well, where did they bury you?”

“ Why, in the family vault, to be sure.”

“ Then isn’t that the place to go to look for the

coffin?”

“Why. sure enough! Why didn’t I think
about it before? But, then, I forget that I have
been dead.”

“ And that is strange, too. If you were dead
how did you our get out of the coffin, and out
of the stone box, and out of the vault, to come
here? You must be mistaken. You must be
dead yet.”

The old man’s face was terribly expressive of
the conflict that was going on within, reason
trying to rise above the clouds which rested
upon it so heavily. He had come to the office
in something of his old self, but now hewas get-
ting.r befogged and uncertain.

“Besides, you are not Buford Hearn, any.
how ” the lawyer declared.

“ lot Buford Hearn!” '

“ Why, no; you are Tommy Brown.”

“That’s not so—not sol” the old man cried,
em hatically.

e seemed to be fighting off an impression that
was growing upon him.

“Why, yes you are,” the lawyer persisted.
“ Don’t you know? You live at Doctor Dray’l,
and you play marbles. See, your pockets are-
full of them. ’

The old man’s efforts were useless. His mind
slipped from him and he began to cry like a
schoolboy.

“ Well, what’s the matter, Tommy?” the law-
yer then asked.

“ Boo-hoo-oo--” the poor old man blubbered ,
“ Doctor Dray took it away from me and won]
not let me have it any more—Boo—oo—oo-«”

“Took what away from you? There, there,
now, dry your eyes, Tommy, and tell us all
aboat it.”

“ He took that—that pa—that paper, and he
won’t give it back to me. It is mine and I want
it, ton. He’s got to give it to me."

" What paper was it, Tommy?” _

“ The one with the funny figures on it.
you make him give it to me?”

The lawyer gave a significant nodto the others.
and continued his playing With the broken old
man.

“ Of course we will make him give it to you,
Tommy. What are you going to do with it,
though?”

“ I am keeping it for Mr. Hearn. He told me
to keep it for him and I am Wing to do it.”

“That is a good boy.

Won’t

 

nowi”
'
b
, 2
‘l
,5 a l v) A  a \ ‘
“~71- u " dew ' a l «.

here is the dam

 

 

Broadway Billy’s Brigade.

 

 

“I suppose he is in his office. He took the
paper and went there.”

“ And how did you get out, Tommy?”

“I got out of the playground. They don’t
know how I get out of there, but I know.”

“Are you not afraid they will find you and
take you back and punish you for running away,
Tommy? You know you are only a boy.”

The old face took on a look of alarm.

“I don’t want to go back!" he declared.
“ Doctor Dray said if I ran away again he would
kill me.”

“Then how would you like to go to another
home where you would be used better?”

“ I would like that. But, would they let me
play marbles there?”

“ To be sure."

“ Then I want to go.”

He had dried his tears now, and his face
brightened with boyish expectancy.

“ Very well; you need not go back any more,
Tommy. We will take you to another place
where you will like it ever so much better. You
may play on the floor with your marbles
now."

The hint was enough. The poor old man re-
tired to a corner where he began at once to ar-
range his marbles to play for his own amuse-
ment.

“ This is a sad case,” remarked the lawyer to
the others. “I suppose you see the scheme I
have in view.”

“ You mean to steal him away from Doctor
Dra ,” guessed Happy Harry.

“ xactly. I would not consider the old fel-
low’s life safe there, if he is really Ruford
Hearn, and the proof is about complete.”

“That would be Broadway Billy’s plan, you
can bet!” averred Harry. “But, this is not
finding him very fast. What do you say, Mr.
Millard? We must get him and Seth out o’
limbo, if it takes a leg apiece l”

“ The police must be informed, the first thing,”
was the answer. “They can handle the case
better than we can.”

“But, you will have to tell them the whole
stor ” reminded Fatty-Skinny.

“ o matter about that; the superintendent is
to be relied upon, and he and Billy are friends,
yiou ,know. He will make every effort to find
i) m.

“That’s the best thing to do,” urged Roger,
the Rover. “ But, where are you going to keep
this harmless old fellow? If you lose him you
lose your case, it seems to me.”

“ And you are right. I shall take him to my
home and detain him there. His mind can be
kept occupied till he is wanted. Better still, I
will strive to bring him back to his right mind
as nearly as may be.”

They arranged their plans, and finally the trio
of the Brigade made their departure, leaving the
law er to deal with the crazy man.

hen they had gone the lawyer opened his
flats and took out the paper Billy had left with
im.
.Crossin to where the old man was amusing
himself w th the marbles, he laid it on the floor
before him and awaited to see what he would

0.

The old man did not notice it at first, but
presently he did, catching it up and looking at
t eagerly. His marbles were forgotten at once,
and a new expression came upon his face.

“ What have you there?” the lawyer asked.

“ It is the other half,” was the joyous answer.

“ The other half of what?”

“The plan. Now I can find the place again
wiahout trusting to my head and m aking it ache
so.
“But, where is the other half of it? I should
think you would need both halves, to make it of
any service to you. Have you lost it?”

The old fellow immediately searched his pocket.

“Yes, it is gone,” he cried. “Now, where
have I put that? Hal here it is I guess.”

He drew a folded piece of paper from his
pocket as he uttered an exclamation, but the

awyer saw at a glance it could not be the other
half of the chart.

Indeed, he knew well enough that was not in the
old man’s possession, since he had given roof
that it had fallen into the hands of Dr. ray,
that again being proof as to how that rascal had
learned what be how».

The lawyer believed, of course, it had been
the doctor, or his tools, who had attacked Billy
and his companions in the cemetery.

“ That isn t it,” he remarked.

“ No, so it isn’t,” was the old man’s return.

“ Let me see what it is,” Mr. Millard request-
ed gently.

The paper was put into his hand without
question, and he opened it. He had no idea it

 

11

 

 

was anything of interest, but he was mistaken
in that.

Upon opening the paper he gave a start of
surprise, for it was a written message contain-
ing the signature of Broadway Billy. It was
addressed to no one, but it told its own story.

It read like this:—

“ in the power of that villain, .DOUIOI‘ Dray, and
confined in his iinidhouse. lh-iniii [he bi-uror and
keep him from falling again into llrny's hands.
Ilis‘ life is not safe lii'rc. Decoy Dray iiwny from
ht‘l‘c uni tin-n come to my rescue. If my two boys
have lllllpel'll‘f‘d you will find them useful. Trust
them fu ly. Yours, WILLIAM \VESTON."

“ This is good news!" the lawyer said to him-
self. “ He has taken a long chance with this,
for it might have been discovered. Still, he
knew what he was about, no doubt. Perhaps
he helped the old man to escape, and has been
the one to put it into his head to come here.”

In spite of the rascals, there was light ahead
now, and it only remained to rescue Billy and
make the arrests.

“But, what of Silent Seth and the silver
casket?

CHAPTER XIII.
CONCERNING BILLY AND SILENT sum.

THAT afi’ray in the cemetery had been, as we
have shown, altogether a one-sided affair. 1

Coming as it had, suddenly and unlocked-for,
there had been no opportunity for defense, and
Billy and his team, together with the old man,
were speedily overpowered.

All had been knocked senseless save one, and
that was Silent Seth. He had been sent spin-
ning to the ground, and seeing the uselessness of
further eii'ort, remained quiet. There were four
of the attackers, and he could do nothing against
so many.

“There, curse them! I guess we have fixed
them,” he heard one of the men mutter.

“ And what’s to be done with ’em?” he heard
another ask. “We want to get out of this as
soon as we can.”

“ We must take that detective with us,” yet
another directed. “ The others can be left right
here. They’ll never be able to trace us.”

“ All right; lay hold onto him, then.”

“ But the thing he carried—be sure to get
tliat.’ hat is more important than anything
e se.’

t Silent Seth had not forgotten the silver recep-
acle.

He was looking around in the dark to dis-
cover it, but it was too dark for him to discern
anvthing.

The men moving of! from him a few steps,
he raised himself upon his elbow to get a better
chancs to search, but leaning own for support
upon his hand he thrust his arm into a hole to
his shoulder.

His accident made only a slight noise, not'

enough to draw the attention of the men to him
again, and after a moment’s pause he procaeded
to extricate himself from that dilemma. In
doing so, he had to reach out with his other
hand, and as he did so that hand came into con-
tact with the Very thing he wanted!

He felt something like cloth, under which was
a hard object, and he knew at onca it was the
silver casket.

With a thrill of delight he laid hold upon it;
thin came the question, what was he to do with
it

That was immediately answered.

That he must dispose of it was certain. for,
unless he did so, the men would speedily find it
and it'would be wrested from him. .The hole he
?ad_tdliscovered by accident was just the place

or i .

The men had moved still further off, and tak-
ing the object up carefully and wrapping it,
Seth dropped it into the hole.

The hole was not very deep, for the casket
touched bottom immediately, and by reaching
down Seth could feel it with his hand. The hole
had evidently been made for the setting of a

S .
p0Having dropped the casket in, Seth drew
some earth down upon it with his hands, and
his task was done.

It had not taken him more than a minute at
the most, but, he had no time to spare, for
barely had he done when the men came back to-
ward him. I

Seth rolled over several times to remove him-
self from the hole, and lay perfectly still as the
men came up, feeling around in the grass for the
object they were in search of.

" Curse the luck i” cried one. “ What has be-
come of it, anyhow 3”

“It’s here somewhere, that’s sure,” another

 

responded. “ It couldn’t get away unless one of'
those cusses did, and we got eVery one of them.”

“And they couldn’t swallow it, either,” ob-
served a third. “Where’s that lantern they
had? Which one of them had it?”

“ The boss had it.”

“ Get it.”

The bull’s-eye was speedily forthcoming, and ,
as Billy had not put it out they quickly had.
light upon the scene.

All were unconscious save Silent Seth, as said,
and he feigned it so well that he deceived the
rascals completely. No attention was paid to
him, save once when one fellow turned him
over with his foot.

The men growled, and from growling began
to swear roundly. That availed them nothing,
however, for the silver casket was not to be
found.

When they had made their search a thorough
one, and all Were utterly disgusted, one fellow
proposed their getting away from there, and the
notion finding favor, they did not stand long
upon the order of their disappearance.

Broadway Billy was taken up by three of
them, while the fourth, who appeared to be an
old man, led the way out of the place.

When they had gone some distance Silent
Seth scrambled up, and with due caution, fol-
10wed them.

To remain was useless; to take the silver
casket from its hiding place was dangerous.
while to follow and see where Broadway Billy
was taken was hi hly important.

First shaking arry, to find whether he, too,
was shammiug, and next feeling to learn
whether he was living or dead, and discovering
that he lived, Seth set off in the direction the
men had taken. He could not see them new,
but could hear their steps.

Making haste, he came up with them as close
as he dared approach, and, Silent Sliadower
that he was, they were not lost sight of.

He felt that a great weight of responsibility
now rested upon him, since he was the only
one of the trio capable of doing duty,and he
did not want to make any bad plays in the
game.

That Harry would presently recover and
make his way home he had no doubt, while the.
security of the silver coflln St‘l'llled assured.
The men had passed and repassed the holes in
their search, but no one of them had givena
thought to the possibility of its being there.

The men made their way to one of the less im-
portant entrances to the place, where the en-
tered a waiting carriage, having first paced
Broadway Bill within.

Seth immediately adopted the old plan of
catching on behind, the only plan now open to
him, and when the carriage started off he ran
along with it with ease. He had tried to swing
himself up underneath, but there was no sup-
port within reach.

He could hear the men talking inside, but the
rumblln of the vehicle and his unfavorable posi-
tion me e it impossible for him to catch what
was said.

So the race was kept up for a long distance,
and so it would undoubtedl have been kept up
to the end, for Seth was tireless; but an acci
dent ha pened that was as peculiar as it was un-
looked- or.

They came Bresently to a place where the
pavement had sen torn up for the purp0se of
repairs to One of the street-car tracks, and Seth
could not know anything of this, of course, un-
til he stepped ofi’ into the hole. Even then it
would not have balked him, but the next mo-
ment one of his feet caught fast in a fork of the
track and he was jerked loose from the carriage
and sent to the ground with stunning force.

The carriage went on, but Seth lay there
bleeding and senseless, and so he continued to
lie until he was at last discovered by a police-
man, along in the small hours of the morning,
when he was taken to a hospital.

Meantime Billy had been taken on, across the
ferry, and still on until at last the carriage drew
into the yard at the rear of Dr. Dray’s private
asylum.

By this time the young detective bad recover—
ed c0nsciousness, but he was agged and bound
securely and thus rendered he pless to offer any
resistance or make any outcry that might draw
attention. ‘ '

He was lifted out. taken into the building, and
confined in a cell from which escape was next
to impossible, bound as be was.

For the remainder of the hi ht be was left to
himself, and nothing occurr until morning.

It was a long night to Billy, for sleep was
out of the question, and as the hours dragged
by he fretted and fumed at the mishap that had

 

   

 

.-‘,; .M_. ......»< N. -4.

.x. an :
s ~-—......_._.._.

, 34.1- m‘—\‘7— . .

 

12

...-... .....
\qmvnflt .

Broadway Billy’s Brigade.

.--,> -3. I ‘

 

«overtaken him and at being thus conflned at
that critical stage of the game.

He was left bound and gagged all night, too,
and when he was at last released he was so still?
he could hardly move.

Some food was brought to him, and later on
he was honored by a visit from Dr. Dray.

“ Ha l” the old vulture exclaimed, looking in,
“ what have we here?”

“ You may live to find out,” cried Billy
vengefully.

“Mad, mad,” muttered the doctor, with a
shake of the head. “ Nothing but confinement
will do for you.”

 What are you holding me for?” demanded

l y.

“ Why, do you not know that you are crazy,
and that your friends have put you here for
treatment?”

This was spoken with asmile that was dia-
bolical.

Billy gave a sneer of contempt, and did not
«consider it worth his while to respond.

“ Yes, as crazy as can be,” the old knave de-
clared. “ There is but one way to convmce us
otherwise, and that will be to reveal some secrets
which we suppose you have in your keeping.”

Billy was silent, willing to let the man have
full length.

“ I may as well be plain with you,” the demon
went on. “We want to know what you did
with that object you had under your arm last
night when some fellows set upon you, and also
what you have done with a certain paper that
was in your possession.”

Still Billy maintained silence.

“ You no doubt have some desire to get out of
here. Very well, give us this information and
we will consider about letting you out.”

“ Is that all?” Billy asked.

“Yes, that is all.”

“Then go about your business and leave me
alone. if you think to get anvthing out of me
by force, you will be mistaken.”

With that Billy turned his back tothe door
and would make no response to anything, even
though the doctor stood there for sometime,
execrating and threatening, by turns.

Finally he gave it up and went away, vowing
that he would find some means of gaining his
desired ends.

it was not long after that when another face
looked through the grating, and this time it was
the face of the crazy old man, 'I‘omniy Brown!

Broadway Billy advanced at once to talk with
him, and a conversation ensued at greater
length than can be noted here.

Billy knew the old man’s weakest points. and
played upon him accordingly, to gain his ob-
Jei't.

The result of his work has been shown. In
going to the office of the lawyer the old fellow
was only carrying out the ideas which had been
put into his mind by Billy, in much the same
way, figuratively, as the note had been put in
ill? pecket. And the venture had been success-
' u .

 

4 CHAPTER XIV.
SPRINGING A SURPRISE.

FATTY-SKINNY, Roger Watts, and Happy
Harry, when they took their leave from the
lawyer’s oflice, set at once about the business
the had in hand.

he first two were to pay a visit to the in-
stitution kept by Dr. Dre , while Harry was to
g1), in something of a isguise, to watch the
earn residence, to learn if possible something
about the silver casket, which naturally all sup-
posed had been taken off by the men who had
made the attack at the cemetery.

Before setting out upon his misson, however,
Harry paid a visit to the office, to find whether
Silent Seth had yet appeared or not.

He had not, and Harry was eXCeedingly anx-
ious about his silent partner. He believed,
though, that he had met the same fate that had
ov¢+rtaken Billy, whatever that had been.

While Harry was making up his disguise some
onehtried the door, which Harry had secured
wit in.

Opening the door, the youth-detective found

there Mr. Gaddas, the young man from Dr. ‘

Dray’s institution.

He stepped in with a smile and looked around
the room.

“ Hasn‘t Tommy been here?” he asked.

“ NiXey l” answered Harry. “ His shadder
hasn’t been on the wall this mornin’. Why, has
he slgped of! again?”

“ es, he has got out again, and is giving us

no end of trouble to find him. It he should
come here would you telephone to us! You see,

 

there is danger that he will get run over in the
street.”

“ Yes, we’ll ’ hone to you, cert.”

“ Where is r. Weston this morning?”

“ He hasn’t got around yet.”

“ It’s past his oflice hour, though, isn’t it?"

“ Yes; but he can’t always run by the clock,
you know. The best of trains fail toconnect
sometimes.”

“ I suppose so.”

“ Did you want to see him?"

“ Not particular. Merely asked for him.”

The young man bowed himself out, and as
soon as the door had closed Harry laid a finger
alongside his nose and closed one eye.

“ Christopher Columbia!” he said to himself.
“ 'l‘hey sheet over the mark every time the gun
gees olf. Might jest as well told me he was
one of the feliers last night. Only wanted to
fish for p’int-x, that’s all.”

A new thought had come to Harry, and
hastily changing his disguise, taking up an old
man’s wig and beard and an old hat, he went
out and down to the street, being careful to look
well about before he made his appearance.

He caught sight of his man some distance
away, and followed.

The fellow evidently had no suspicion of being
shad0wed, for he went straight ahead without
once looking back.

His destination was the Hearn residence,
where the door was opened to him by Jane
Heai‘n. He was admitted immediately, proof
that he was no stranger there.

Harry waited around for awhile, keeping
well out of sight, or as much so as possible,
and finally had the satisfaction of seeing the
man come out again, and this time in com-
pany with Dr. Dray!

Harry trailed them, and was led to the
asylum, where he gave up the trail and returned
to shadow the house.

In the mean time Fatty—Skinny and Roger
Watts had reached the asylum and had been
shown into the private office to await the doc-
tor’s coming, having been told he had gone out.

When the doctor and his assistant entered,
both cast sharp loiiks of inquiry at the visitors.

“Are you Doctor Dray, sir?” asked the ex-
lieutenant.

“ Yes, sir,” was the smiling response. “ What
can I do for you, gentlemen?”

“We have called to inquire your terms for
taking patients here, and would like to get your
IOWest rates for a long term, since the one we
have in view is probably incurable.”

“ Is the patient a man?”

“ Yes, a man about seventy years old.”

“ ’Um. Not likely to be a very long boarder,
then.”

The doctor made known his terms and Waited
to hear what the applicants had to say.

“I think we could pay that; oh, uncle?” and
appeal was made to the old ranger for his
opinion.

“ Yes, I think so,” was his response. “ You
had better tell him all about the old chap,
thopgh, James. He’s a little onruly at times,
sir.’

“ We care nothing for that,” declared the doc-
tor. “We can tame the worst of them, here.
We have dark rooms padded cells, and every—
thing in that line. We do not care how unruly
they are.”

“ Would you mind shewing me through your
asylum?" asked Skinny.

“ Why, certainly not. Alaric, just take them
through. You will find everything in order,
gentlemen.”

The younger man obeyed at once, opening one
of the doors leading from the room and bowing
them out into a hall.

They were taken through the building and
shown the various rooms on the floor above,
some of which were well furnished and spoke
well for the establishment.

“ And where is that padded cell, and the dark
room?” asked Roger.

“ Yes, we want to see everything while we
are about it,” declared the fat partner. “We
think a good deal of uncle, crazy as he is, and
would not want to put him where he would be
abused or hurt in any way.”

“No fear of that, here. sir. if anything, we
are too easy with them. If We were more severe
we might have less trouble with them, yen see.
We put up with a good deal before We reSort to
harsh measures. This way to the lower floor.”

They had returned to the main floor, and were
now led be10w to the basement.

Here were the cells, arranged much as a prison
is arranged. and the place had a damp, chilly
feeling, real or fancied.

“ This is the padded cell, gentlemen,” the man

 

announced throwing open the door of one.
“ You see, no matter how obstreperous a sub ect
might be, he could not harm himself in here.’

The floor and sides were thickly padded, anda.
bull might have raged in the cell without harm
to itself or anything else.

“ 1 should say this is a good thing,” Roger ob-
server].

“Yes, it must be,” agreed Skinny. “No
chance to harm themselves or any one else.”

“And the dark room l" suggested Roger.

“ Well, here is one,” throwing open another
door.

It was a dismal place, and the visitors quickly
signified their satisfaction.

“ Do you have to use these places?” asked
Skinny.

“ Yes, occasionally,” was the response.

“Any one in them new?”

“ We have one very unruly subject in that one
at the far end of the passage,” was the answer.
“ Have you seen enough, gentlemen?”

“ Well,about enough,” answered Fatty-Skinny.
“ I suppose it is necessary to have such places as
these, but, really, I hate to have uncle put in
one; don’t you, Uncle Roger?”

“ Yes, lad; it is rough, that’s a fact.”

“ I must take a look at that man you spoke
about,” and the ex-lieuteiiant started toward the
end of the passage.

“ You had better not,” called out the assistant.
“ He is really dangerous, and you will only ex-
cite him by going there; you had better not,
sir.”

“I won’t speak to him: 1 just want to look in.
He can’t hurt me through the bars, of course.” .i

“ May as well let him have his own way,” re-
marked Roger. “ He’s bound to see it al , any-
how.”

Mr. Gaddas appeared greatly displeased. and
went along after the self-willed visitor, Roger
following after him.

Skinny was pressing forward, looking into
every door he passed, until finally, coming to the
end one of all, he gazed in and there saw the ebv
ject of his search!

Broadway Billy, with a gag in his mouth to
prevent him from making too much noise!

It was light enough for them to see well, and
Skinny saw his partner’s face light up as he re-
cognized him through the bars.

Mr. (laddas had new come up, looking cnnsid.
erably troubled and very anxious to get the visi-
tors up to the other floor again; whereat Skinny
drew back from the door in pretended alarm.

“ Well, are you satisfied?” the young man ask.
ed.
“ Goodness, yes!” answered the ex-lieutenant.
“ What is the matter with him?”

“ He is mad, desperately mad! If he were to
get out i would not want to answer for the min
sequent-ea.”

“So, he’s mad, is he?’ (luoth Roger, after he,
too, had taken a peep. “ ’li bet he ain’t half as
mad as we are, eh, pardner?”

The old ranger brought a “pepper” to light
from under his coat tails, as he spoke, and Skin.
iiy did the same. both drawing a bead on the
nose of Mr. Guddas, who turned as pale as death.

“ Not near as mad,” averred the fat partner.
“We‘re just mad enough to order you to open
this door, and if you don’t do it on the jum we’ll
be mad enough to blow the whole thatch o from
your think-box, and don’t you forget it. We
mean business, so mosey, or shoot it isl”

“ Heavens!” gasped Gaddas, “ what are you
thinking about?”

“ We are thinkin’ whether it will be best to
plug ye in the eye or in the neck,” answered the
old ranger, sternly, “ye thunderin’ villain!”

“ And if you make any noise, or try to give an
alarm, we’ll try you in both places,” declared
Skinny. “ We came here to get Broadway Billy
and we are going to do it, too, if we have to kill
six men to do itl”

This was too much for Mr. Gaddas.

“ I give in,” he said. “ You have done me
browu this time. I’ll let him out if you’ll only
promise to let me go--” -

“ You’ll let him out anyhow,” broke in the fat
pard, “ and then the chances are that you will
be allowed to go up the Hudson for your health.
Open that door, now, and no more delay, or you
will get a dose that won’t set well on your
stomach." ‘

 

CHAPTER XV.
PREPARING THE PROGRAMME.

Ma. Gannas Was cornered, for a fact. He
had been neatly overreached by these unknown
members of Broadway Billy’s Bri ade, and he
had no way of getting out of the di emma.

“Yes, yes,” he said; “I’ll do it, I’ll do it.
Only don’t be hard on me. I am only employed

  

 

T. . _.___~. "w-v—on-4s.‘ u"

 

 

 

 

Broadway Billy’s Brigade.

 

 

here, you know; Doctor Dray is the one who is
responsible for everything, you know."

“ No more palavor, now!’ ordered the rotund
Skinny, savagely, “ but open that door at once.
If you are talking to gain time you will find it
won’t work. Not another second delay. or you
will hear something drop. Get a move on
you !”

The fellow had been edging near the door;
now he reached up and drew the lever that re-
moved the bolts and allowed the door to swing

open.

Broadway Billy stepped out and greeted
Skinny and Roger with a nod of approval.

Roger immediately removed the gag and
freed his hands.

“ You are trumps!” Billy cried, grasping
their hands. “How did you find me so soon?
But, no time for questions now; let’s finish this
job first.”

“ If you’ll only let me off easy,” Mr. Gsddas
was pleading, "I’ll help you take the doctor,
and I’ll do anything you say.”

“ I guess we can get along without your help,”
retorted Fatty-Skinny. “ You 'ust fix him in
the same way he had you fixed, illy, and we’ll
make short work of the other rascal. ’

“ I’ll do it with real pleasure,” protested Billy,
and the gag was adjusted on Gaddas’s mouth
with deft dispatch.

“ N 0w,” said the fat partner, when the fellow
had been gagged and his hands tied, “where
are our weapons, Billy i”

“ ive it up,” Billy answered. “ The old
mummy took them from me when they dumped
me in here last night. But, where are Harry
and Seth?"

“Harry is all right, but Seth hasn’t turned
up yet.”

‘ We must hustle, then.”

“Well, here, take my pistol,” urged Skinny,
“ and make the old rat disgorge. We kn0w
where to find him.”

“All right: lead the way! Roger, you hold
fast to the prisoner.”

“He’s as fast as a b’ar in a trap,” the old
ranger assured. “ He won’t git out of my grip,
you bet! I’ll stick him under the ribs if theres
an need of it.”

hev made their way up the stairs to the main
floor, Broadway Billy and the obese lieutenant
ahead and the old ranger coming after them
with the prisoner.

Once on the main floor Skinny took the lead
and proceeded to the office where the doctor
had been left.

He opened the door and Broadway Billy step-

in first, revolver in hand, and confronted the
infamous old scoundrel.

“ Hal” the old ruflian exclaimed, springing to
his feet, “ what means this? I want to know
what you are doing here, and how you got out—
Hol Ha!”

The fat partner had follOWed in, and after
him Roger Watts and the prisoner. At sight
of them the astonished doctor broke off in what
he was saying and uttered the ejaculations.

“ You will find out what I am doing here, you
old knavel” cried Broadway Billy. “ You have
put your foot into it bad, this time, b making a
prisoner of me, even if that were the east of the
crimes of which you are guilty. Where have
you put my weapons and the handcuffs you took
from me?”

The doctor was almost purple in the face, so
great was his rage, and was almost choking

oo.

“You—you—you will find out!” he cried.
“How—haw dare you come into my presence,
this way? By What right do you enter my
establishment? How dare you hint that I made
a risoner of you? Are you mad?”

‘That‘sort of blaster won’t save you, you
infamous scoundrel! and you need not try the
influence of your baleful eyes upon me, either.
I am looking at the tip of your nose, and you
will tempt me to try a shot at it if you do not
come to time, promptly; 80 obey orders!” and
Billy held his revolver unpleasantly near, at
the same time telling his fat partner to search
the office for his weapons and bracelets.

This Skinny did, in 3 its of all the old repro-
bate’s bluster. The art cles were soon discover-
edtlyiag on a shelf in a closet and were restored
to air ri htful owner.

“That the idea i” cried Billy. “NOW. in“
try this pair of darbies on the old dragon's
 and see if they will fit. I think they

At this the doctor made the stron est kind
ofa rotest, but he was as nothin in t e asp
of t e tpondergus “Skinny.” :19 11?; soils
were u can sun to other no 57.

“ t lookalike sai Billy. “ ow, the

 

13

 

next thing to be done is to send.for police to take
charge of this den until we have time to put the
thing in proper shape. Skinny, you go and—”

Just then the door was opened and into the
room stepped Lawyer Millard with half a
dozen officers at his back! -

“ Just in time for the bull,” greeted Billy.

“ So it seems,” responded Millard. “ Your
friends had little need of us, it appears.”

“ We have need of you now, hOWever. These
officers can take charge of this place, and our
prisoners can be held here until we are ready for
them. We must pay attention to the others.”

It was arranged, and leaving officers in
charge, Billy and the others took their leave.

Anxious about Silent Seth, Billy’s first move
was to go to the office, for he knew if Seth was
alive and free. he would make his way there as
soon as possible.

When they arrived there they were in time to
find a District Messenger boy trying the door.

“ What do you wnntl” asked Billy.

“ Are you Mr. Weston i" asked the boy.

it Yes.”

For proof, Billy unlocked the door and ushered
the way in.

“ Then here’s a message for you," said the
bov, “and an answer is wanted to it, quick.”

Billy tore open the niissive in haste, and found
it to be from a hospital across the river.

It informed him that a boy named Seth Mar-
ten was there, and that he wanted tosee him,
as speedin as possible, upon an important mat-

ter.

“ I will go to him at once,” decided Billy, and
such was the answer he sent by the messenger.
“ We must have a conference here first, how-
ever, so that each will understand his part.”

Suchaconference was held. At the end of
half an hour it was done, and each knew what
was expected of him, and set forth to do his

art.

Broadway Billy was to go and see Silent
Seth. He believed the boy had some knowl-
edge concerning the silver casket, since search
had failed to bring it to light at the doctor’s

office.

Lawyer Millard was to attend to the crazy
man, ommy Brown—or Mr. Hearn, and if pos-
sible keep his mind upon the idea that he was in-
deed Ruford Hearn. It had been thought best
to take away the marbles and to dress him in a
manner becoming to a man of his years.

Fatty-Skinny and Roger Watts were to pay a
visit to each family of the Hearn descendants to
request their presence at the old homestead
dwelling at a certain hour, and, too, they were
to see to the arrest of the undertaker who had
had a part in the affair of years gone by.
Bach, as said, had his part, and each understood

it.

Billy lost no time in reaching the hospital.

He made himself known and was taken to see
Silent Seth at once findin him sitting bolstered
up in a chair with his hea bandaged.

“He urged 80 em haticall ,” exclaimed one
of the attendants, “t at we t ought it best to
send for you with haste, for at the time it was
feared that his skull was fractured and that he
would worry himself into a fever.”

 He knew what he was about,” assured

i y.

“ But, it is strange,” observed the attendant,
“ for since telling him that you had been sent
for he has hardly spoken a word. He is a pecu-
liar boy. Why, he was determined to leave here
as soon as he came to, and we had to detain him
by force, really by force.”

“ I am not surprised, and I am glad you have
sent for me. What do you think of his con-
ditioni”

“ Why, it is not dangerous. In fact, We can
permit him to go if he Will be careful. It is not
so bad as we thought it at first.”

These remarks had been exchanged a little
distance from Seth, and Billy now advanced to
greet his Silent Shadower.

“ Well, Seth,” he said, “ they laid you out
bad didn’t they ?”

“ t wasn’t that,” Seth made response; “this
was an accident.” And he told his employer all
that had 

“ You id agood stroke,” Billy complimented,
“ and on would have done better still, only for
this. n you and Harry I have a team to be
proud of. Well, they say on may go, so I will
get a cab and we will be 0 at once.”

Seth was feeling well enough to travei,and
really was all right save for a deep cut in his

‘scalp and abig swelling on his head; soBilly

was allowed to take him away. .

They set forth at once in a carriage, and in
due time were at the cemetery where they had
met their mishaps.

 

Driving as near to the Hearn vaults as possi-
ble, they alighted and went forward on foot,
and were soon upon the scene of their surprise.
and defeat, where Seth looked around to get his
bearings.

SI range to say, no holes were n0w to be seen,
nor had any new fence been out n . A moment’s
investigation, however, showed w ere they had
been and had been filled and covered over that
very morning! Had the silver receptacle been
discovered?

That question immediately suggested itself to
Billy and his aid, and their eyes met.

An employee passing the spot just then, Billy
hailed him.

“ Did you fill these holes?" he asked.

"Oi did dliat same,” was the response, with
an accent that plainly was not French.

“ Di 1 you find a box in one of them?"

“Sure, Oi did not. An ould fince was taken
d0wn yisterday, and Oi was tould to fill the-
holes, so Oi did.” -

That settled the matter. The silver casket
was probably just where Silent Seth had left
it, and the man was engaged there and then to-
look for it, Seth indicating as nearly as he could
where he had put it.

.—

CHAPTER XVI.
THE RASCALS consonnnnn.

IT was late on that afternoon when Jane
Hearn, answering the bell at her residence, re~
ceived a surprise.

The person she found there was a young man.
with a graceful mustache, who brought her, he
explained, a message from Dr. Dray, to the ef—
fect that she should prepare to receive some
callers that evening at nine.

This oung man, it may as well be said, was.
Ha py my in disguise.

he woman Questioned him, and Harry told
her it was the doctor‘s intention to meet some
members of the family there to settle a matter
of business.

When she had gone back into the house, after
the departure of the messenger, she fell to won-
derin what it could mean. There was little
time for her to inquire, so she accepted the case‘
as it was and pre red for the guests.

The first to arr ve were Hugh Beam and Mrs.
Muster, her brother and sister, who were as.
much in the dark as Jane herself.

All they knew was that their presence had
been requested by Dr. Dray, and so there they
were.

They talked the matter over, making all man-
ner of surinises, and as the hour drew near they
were anxious for the doctor’s coming.

Finally came a ring, and, Jane answering it,
she was almost floored with amazement at what
she beheld. There on the step stood Buford.
Hears, and with him a host of other persons.

With a gasp expressive of her amazement and!
terror, the woman fell back, and into the house
the company filed; Lawyer Millard, Broadway
Billy, Fatty-Skim , Roger Watts, Silent Seth
and the prisoners— r. Dray, Undertaker Fryers,

Alaric Gaddas, and others; and with them Ru- '

ford Hearn, Jr., and his sister, Mrs. Atwall.

If this had been a surfirise to Jane Hearn, it‘
was none the less so to ugh and Mrs. Muster,
when the company entered the room.

Broadway Billy arranged the company, plac-
ing the wily old doctor behind the others so that
he could not so easily exert his baleful mesmeric
powers upon any one; after which he addressed
the company.

“ Gentlemen and ladies,” he said; “this select

rty has been arranged for the purpose of right-
ing, as far as possible, a wrong that has been
done. About twenty-two years ago a piece of
villainy was consummated which has just come to

light in a strange manner. Mr. Millard will give

you the matter in detail.”

With that Billy gave the floor to the lawyer,
who was fired for the occasion.

The prisoners, and also the three of the Hearns
who were in league With them, looked very pale,
and moved uneasily upon their chairs. _ '

“Yes, a most detestable piece of villainy it
was,” cried the lawyer, as he row to speak.
“Mr. Ruford Hearn was pronounced dead, and
pretended to be buried, while he was in reality
confined in a private mad-house where constant
harrowing finally did unsettle his already weak-
ened mind. But, Providence has interfered, and
we are here on this occasion to expose that vii--
lainy and to restore the much wronged old man.
to his ri his.

“ I wi begin by questioning the most in: r-—
taut witness present, and that witness is— r.
Buford Hearn himself.”

 

 

._...._... _.__.,._.,_. .u

 
  

 

14

There were exclamations of amazement from
Ruford, J r., and his sister.

A chair was placed, and Mr. Hearn was asked
to step forward and occupy it, which the old

. gentleman did promptly and withaiirm step

and manner.

“ What is your name i” the lawyer asked.

“ Rudford Hearn, Senior,” was the response.

“ Cnn you prove your identity?” was the next
inquiry.

“ I can.”

it £10“,v g”

“ By producing from its hiding-place, before
"these witnesses, mv will, the only will I ever
signed, together with other valuable papers.”

“Very well, sir; you are at liberty to pro-
coed.”

The old man arose with calm dignity and took
from his pocket the two parts of the mysterious
chart, or plan, which had been restored to him
for the purpose, and laid them together on the
table. -

Then, with a draughtsman’s rule, square, and
compasses, he proceeded to measure along the
flour and wall, going by inches, squares, parts
of circles, etc., as indicated on the chart, until
finally, when the interest of the company had
been worked to a high pitch, he finished.

Pressing with his finger upon the wall at the
point where his last measurement ended, a
Secret door there flew Open, greatly to the sur-
prise of all save the few who were in the
secret.

The door being open, the old man reached up
confidently and felt for something, but finding
nothing he drew buck with a frightened look
upon his face, while he exclaimed:

“ The silver casket! It is gonel’.’

“ As crazy as a bug,” sneered Dr. Dray,
aloud.

“Not so crazy as you would hey-3 him ap-

ar.” retorted the lawyer. “ Sit dewn again,
. r. Hearn, and answer a few questions.”

The old man obeyed, resumiu his chair.

“‘ Twenty-two years ago, Ru ord Hearu, you
executed your will, making it more in favor of
the two children by your first wife than of the
three, by your second. Do you remember
that?”

“ Yes. certainly, I do remember that; and I
put the Will in the little silwr cofiin casket. and
the coffin in the secret niche, making these
plans at the same time so that 1 could not fail of
finding it again, yet making them so puzzling
that no one else would be likely to discover the
place”

“Exactly. Well, after you had made your
will you felt that rhaps you had dealt un-
justly with the chi dren of your second union,
so you undertook ascheme to learn just which
ones of your children really cared for on. You
took into your confidence Doctor ay and
"Peter Fryers, two trusted friends. The plan
was that you were to pretend illness. The doc-
tor was to pronounce it a dangerous and very
contagious malady, and you were to pretend to
die. The undertaker was to take charge of the
matter then, and bury the coma without per-
mitting any one to see you.”

“ Yes, yes; I recall all that.”

“Well, the plan was carried out. and from
the moment when your ailment was pronounced
so dangerous, not one of the three children of
your second marriage could be urged to go near
you. The other two came promptly, to offer
their help, but they were denied the privilege.
You died, it was said, and you were privately
buried, your daughter Jane finally agreeing to
accompany the body to the cemetery, in com-
pany with her brother Hugh. Now, do you re-
member what you did with the silver casket on
the night before your funeral, when the coffin
rested ovor there, filled with bricks—”

“ Hal Yes, yes! Now it comes to me! All
alone here, I took the silver coflin casket from
its hiding-place and put it in my coffin, deter-
mined that it should be safe till such time as I
could make up my mind to reveal myself.”

“Exactly, sir; and there it was found last
night. And, here it is, in the possession of this
gentleman. Will you now open it for us?”

Roger Watts produced the little silver recep-
tacle.

It was laid upon the table in the presence of
all; then the aged man went forward, and, with
trembling hands, touched a secret spring, and
the lid of the little coffin-shaped casket flew
open at once.

“This is it! This is it!” the old man cried
joyfully. “ And, here is the willl And here
are the other papers! Yes, yes! It is just as I
left it; it has never been opened l” r

“ That will do,” said the lawyer. “ Sit down
again, and I will conclude, exposing the dia-

Broadway Billy’s Brigade.

bolical game that was undertaken and success-
fully carried out.”

Mr. Hearn sat down, and the lawyer resumed:

“ Your two pretended friends, Dray and
Fryers, played you false. They had pledged
you their word that they would help you to play
the part, and in the end would acknowledge it
so that there could be no question of your pur-
pose, or your identity, if that should be donbti d.
' Late on the night before your funeral Dr. Dray
came here and you went away with him to his
residence. You never was yourself again.
Under his keeping your mind was disordered.
He and the undertaker had p10th to betray
you, and once you were in their power they laid
their scheme before the three children of your
seciind wife. A will was to be forged, leaving
everything to these three, and they, in turn,
were to pay the doctor and undertaker round
sums for their part in the matter. So it was
agreed, and so it was carried out.

“ You escaped them, and did appear to make
your identity known, but your word was doubted
in the face of the evidence. Then came Dr.
Dray, swearing that you had been for years in
his care and that your true name was Brown.
This was investigated, and by the doctor’s skill-
ful workings his story was proven true. So the
case ended. It wasadastardly piece of business,
but it was successful, and while you have been
all these years in a mad-house, and your favorite
children kept in comparative poverty, these
I rascals have enjoyed your wealth. So it might
have goneon to the end, but for the visit you
paid to the office of this young detective, during
one of your spells of part sanity. He read the
truth of your statement with that keen insight
the true detective alone possesses, and took up
the case for you at once. Favored somewhat by
circumstances, he has been able to bring the
villainy to light in a remarkable manner in a
very short time. I now leave it for him to pre-
sent the proofs.”

The lawyer sat down and Broadway Billy
once more took the floor.

“ You have all heard the story,” he said.
“The truth of it is written plainly upon the
faces of the guilty ones. The proof of it is in
the fact that Ruford Hearn is before you alive,
now in his, eighty-third year. Last night I
paid a visit to the Hearn vault, and from the
coffin that was supposed to contain his body, but
which was filled with bricks,I took this little
silver casket. My visit there was suspected, or
else Mr. Hearn had let out the secret to Doctor
Dray, and I was set upon and taken risoner
and confined in the mad-house, where might
have remained but for the promptness of my
two boy assistants in finding me out and res-
cuing me. These proofs, the em ty coffin, the
presence of the man himself, an the papers in
the silver coffin, are enough. There is nothing
further needed to convict.”

“ Still I laugh at you," cried out Doctor
Dray. “This is only a scheme to blackmail
us. It is well gotten up, but it will not work.
I defy you l”

“Let us see about that, you rascal.” spoke
up the aged man. apparently now in full pos-
session of his mind. “Let the papers in the
silver cofiin be brought out and read.”

Broadway Billy stepped forward and took
them up.

“The first was the will, which divided the
estate between the two children of the first
marriage, leaving only small sums for the
other three. Then was taken up another paper
which proved to be a written agreement be-
tween Mr. Heal-n on one hand and Dray and
Fryers on the other, in which was set forth
his scheme and their agreement to serve him
in it for considerations named. Further, and
the worst, was another paper setting forth the
truth that the three children of the supposid
second marriage were not heirs at all, they
really being the offspring out of wedlock. And
then appeared other papers and documents to
prove the truth of these statements.

The evidence was ample and not to be set
aside. Broadway Billy was triumphant, Happy
Harry was jubilant, and Silent Seth was con-
tent. The expose was perfect, the victory com-
plete. ,

The half-hour that followed can better be
imagined than described. .

The unprincipled old doctor and his rascally
accomplice, the undertaker, had been caught
in their own trap. and were obliged to ac-
knowledge the truth of their whole villainous
scheme. -

The three supposed heirs were overwhelmed
by the revelation which had been made, and
were more than vehement in their protestations

 

 

 

 

 

 

i

and wild in their indignation. There were the
proofs, however, and there was old Buford Hearn
in )erson to support them.

he detective and the lawyer had taken out
warrants, and all the prisoners were arrested
and committed for trial, on several counts for
heinous offenses.

By the efforts of Lawyer Millard the old case,
so long ago settled, was reopened, and there was
a complete reversion. Not only so, but the
guilty ones Were, in brief time, duly sentenced
for their crimes.

Old Mr. Henri), with his wits quite restored,
now that the power of the old doctor was
broken, resumed his abode at his old resi-
dence, “'hi‘l‘ii he was cured for by his daughter,
Mrs. Atwall, and her children, she being a
widow.

The old will was permitted to stand in favor
of his son nnd daughter, and is hidden away in
the little silver coffin—casket in the secret niche
in the wall—now secret no longer yet known only
to those who are interested.

Happy Harry and Silent Seth speedily re-
covered from their slight wounds, and were none
the worse for them.

Tliey,with the other members of the “ Brigade”
were proud of the achievement Broadway Billy
had made with their help, and Lawyer Millard
whose lasting friendship all had won, was proud
of them all.

Roger Watts and Fatty-Skinny, though now
on the retired list, as Skinny expressed it, de-
clared themselves ready for duty at any time
when it became necessary to call out the whole
Brigade. They had donea good stroke this time,
certainly.

The case made quite a sensation, and Broad—
way Billy and his “ team” were extolled great-
ly. Silent Seth took it all with his usual philo-
sophical imperturbability, but the irrepressible
Harry showed his delight much after the man-
ner of a frisky colt. Billy was quiet about it,
save in the home circle, where he declared he
had been only a lame horse in the race this time,
and that he would surely have been left badly
had it not been for his “ Brigade.”

“ We got there, you bet, and with both feet
tool” was Harry’s exultant declaration. “ And
we’re going to get there every time, too. Chris-
topher Columbia! we are in the race to win.
and when we don’t win it won’t be our fault;
crackers and cheese, nol I s ak for Silent
Seth, too, since he is too bash ii] to speak for
himself. We are open for business at the old
stand, and whenever any consarned diflikilty
presents itself we are going to crack the whip
and go for it. That’s the kind of cherubs we
are. The jeebeeb hath spoken. Selahl"

THE END.

 

Beadle’s Dime library.

BY CAPT. FRED. \VHITTAKER.

614 The ShOWman Detective; or, The Mad Magician.
609 The Texas Tramp; or, Solid Saul.
44.5 Journeyman John. the Champion.
412 Larry Locke. the Man of Iron.
406 Old Pop Hicks, Showman.
878 John Armstrong, Mechanic.
326 The Whitest Man in the Mines.
310 The Marshal of Sainnstown; or, The League.
303 To -Notcli Tom, the Cowboy Outlaw.
295 Oli Cross-Eye. the ll'Iaverick-Hunter.
290 The Lost Corvette: or, Blakeley's Last Cruise.
214 The Three Frigates; or. Old Ironsides’ Revenge
277 The Saucy Jane, Privateer.
272 . nth Slocum. Raiiroad Surveyor.
26.") Old Double-Sword; or, Pilots and Pirates.
2.3% A Yankee Cossack; or,The Queen of the Nihilists.
247 Alligator Ike: or, The Secret of the Everglade.
242 The Fog Devil: or, The Skipper of the Flash.
230 The Flying Dutchman of 1 .
‘26 The Mad Hussars; or. The 0’s and the Mac’s.
215 Parson J im, King of the Cowboys.
211 Colonel Plunger; or, The Unknown Sport.
206 OneE e. the Cannoneer.
193 The ll an in Red; or, The Ghost of the Old Guard.
187 The Death’s Head-Cuirassiers.
74 The Phantom Knights.
159 Red Rudiger, the Archer.
132 Nemo, King of the Tramps.
115 The Severed Head; or. The Castle Coucy Secret.
108 The Duke of Diamonds.
98 The Rock Rider; or. The Spirit of the Sierra.
96 Double Death; or. The S y of Wyoming.
69 The Irish Captain. A Ta e of Fontenoy.
65 The Red Rajah; or, The Scourge of the Indies.
39 The Russian Spy; or, The Starry Cross Brothers.

A new issue every Wednesday.
Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale by all

 

Newadealers. ten cents per copy, or sent by mail on r
receipt of twelve cents each. BEADLE a ADAMS, '

Publishers, 98 William street, New York.

7..-“. m.‘ . . .. .
Hu—Mv . J - —-_c “w...

 ..._A

. raw-g;- a:

 

 

 

-.— \. ——-—-~‘

Awe... 7

IV"

.629 Dead wood
63-! Deadwood

.644 Deadwood

’ 624 Deadwood D ek.

64’? 'I'
r 059

 

BEADLE’erALF-DIMErLIBRARY.

r

 

Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Um7f07'm Price of lilive Cents. .No Double Nmnbers.‘

 

DY EIHVAIID L. “'IIICELER.
Deadwood Dlek Novel-t.

Dlek, the l’t'inm- oi the Rand.

Dlvl.'- Dellanee: or. lMuhlc Dangers.
DIeI. III DingltIv-e: nr, liull'nl; Iir'il

DIeI. la III» (“a 'tIe.

Dlek‘n Bonanza: m. 'l‘ln- .nnrlnln Miner.
DIek in Danger: nr. Unmnnnll.

DIeICN Hauler-z ur, 'l'ln- I‘ardaul Fluml liar.

‘l Deadwood
20 Deadwood
2H Deadwood
3' Deadwood
4‘ Deadwood
Iii! Deadwood
5i Deadwood

(v

78 Deadwood Diel. on Del-h;ur.('ulnx|ult\'.1 vnu, thr- llm-uino.
77 Deadwood Diel.‘~ Inn-l Ant: --r.(‘.miurn,- (,‘lmrlin.

Dlek In I.ead\IlIe.

Iiiek'n i’0\ lee; or, The Dunhle Crmn Sign.
Dirk an Detective.

"[0]", "9" blag or. The (.‘urgon‘n Gulch Ghost.

v

ltil Deadwood
104 Deadwood
109 Deadwood
[29 Dead wood

“55 Deudnood Diek'u Ilolne Dane: or. lilnn-lr- liiil.

'l-iit Deadwood Dlek'r- Iflg Strike; nr, A (inn... .4 “2.1.1,
156 Deadwood DIeI. oi' Deadwome or. Th.- l’ir‘nnd Party.
‘95 Deadwood Dlek‘u Dream: nr, 'l'he Kim]. M r)... “muL
24H Deadwood Diel.‘n \I'nrd: --r.’i'h~- IIIill'll ilillK .Ie/J'ln'l.
205 Deadwood Illt-k'n Doom; or, Cnimnily J:u..:‘.. Adventure.
217 Deadwood I’ll-L‘s Dead Deal.

Dlt-lCr- Death-Plant.
DIt-L. r\ liuurnuv‘e ui' Hollng and 'I'nnzhs.
 Bi\‘it<:(""~r.l'{ln- Spirit ol'h‘wrunp Luke.

(‘ 4 I 1‘“ l r“ -

I)“.ka "0"]; or, 'I'liu Hold Brink of tin-gun.
Dlek'n Dozen: or, The Fukir l-i l'hnnlmu hints
DielUn Dlteului or, linys in the Itiugings.
Ilb’llelli'fitinlte'need: Ur. '1 no 'l‘erribie Vendetta.

e ' ll ‘ a m.

Dlel.‘ in Dead i‘lly.

Dlel.’n Diamondtl.

Dlek In New \ ark: or. A “Cute Case."
Bit-k5: lDal-t; or, The Cinnned Ihunl.

e . . r.
Dlek .Il'.'~
 ogr-I": 'Illlllgland.

e . r. n. t: oumI-Up.

' Deadwood Dlekz Jr. n. Raeket at Claim 10.
il=eadlwoodI  1r. N. norm“; or. Illuzrumu Bill.

em wom e ‘ . r. u 0.: «out we.
Beatiwom:  .:r.: In( Deadwood.

eat woo! e ' . r. n ‘olnpaet.

Deadwood Dix-k: J r.:~: inheritance.
readwom:  .Ilr.‘r-. ll’Mmglnmn

beat wool - e' . r.‘n ellveranee.
51:. Deadwood Iiiek: Jr.'u: Quantum

522 Deadwood Dlek. Jr.’n. 'I hree.

Dlek. Jr.‘u. Danger Ducks.
Dick. J r.‘~, Death Ilnnt.
Dlek. Jr.. in Texan.

Diek, Jr.. the Wild VI'eat Vldooq
Diek. Jr.. on “In Mettie.
Dlek. Jr.. ill Gotham.
Diek. Jr.. In Don-ton.
Dlek, Jr.. In Philadelphia.
Riot, gr" klflfhieauo.

e '. r. oat.

Dirk, Jr... in Denver.

Dlek. Jr.’u. Deeree.

Dlek. J r., In Iieelzebnb'l Basin.
illek. Jr., at Coney Inland.
Jr.‘n, Leadvllie Lay.

Jr.. in Detroit.

Jr.. Ila Claellhuatl.

r.. n ova a.

Ir. in No Man's Land.
 Roadwood  el'z, an; iutllir 'trh'e Queer.
l‘fll W001 e , r., n u a o.
«48 Deadwood 1) eh, .I r.‘n, Chane Aerou the Continent
 Reagwom} D ek, gm: Aiaong the limouglera.
on W004 r. u rmuranee ‘ane.
606 Deadwood Jr. hook in the Milton.
672 Deadwood Dlek. Jun: In Duranxot or, “ Gathered In.”
 Beatlwoot: Blot,  Bigglvery; or, Found-Fortune.
. emwom e ', . . . I e.
690 Deadwood D ek Jr.'a. Dollars.
695 Deadwood D ek: J r., at Danger Divide.
3‘"; li““‘.l“'°°‘.i m‘l‘.‘  35°?" r .

0 ea woo e ', r.. a > . o .
710 Deadwood Dirk, Jl‘u In‘fi’n Franeilco.
Till Deadwood D ek, J htlll Ilullt.

7’32 Deadwood D ek. Jr.’n, Dolninoeu.

7BR Deadwood D ek. Dlugaine.

734 Deadwood D ek, Double Deal.

 Reagwoog ilieatgllwtateh.
on woo on e .

'35? Deadwood D ek, Deothblow.
 Beugwoog 3 ok, :M'npt‘ll'llltt‘ Stu-alt.
ea woo .one all .

71’0 Deadwood D ek, Jr. Dol‘eat.
776 Deadwood D ek. Jr.’n,

lie-arreetion.
?58 Deadwood D ck, Jr.’n, Dark Days.

221 Deadwood
232 Gold-Dart
£68 Deadwood
‘ Deadwood
Deadwood
Deadwood
- Deadwood
>85] Deadwood
Deadwood
’ Deadwood
~4I0 Deadwood
42l Deadwood
430 Deadwood
Deadwood
Deadwood
Dead wood
Deadwood

De ii a nee.

no.

589 Dead wood

64" Deadwood
551. Deadwaod
.56] Deadwood
567 Dead wood
672 Deadwood
57K Deadwood
5N4 Deadwood
.690 Deadwood
59.3 Deadwood
4300 Deadwood
ooo Deadwood
«l2 Deadwood
flit-l Deadwood

630 Deadwood D ek,

 

BY J. O. ODWDRIOK.
Broadway Billy Novels.

490 Broadway Billy. the Boothlnck Bravo.
514 Byoadwni Dilly’n Boodle.

536 Broadway Illlly’u ‘Dlltlkilty.”
557 Broadway lillly'u Death Rat-ket.
579 Broadway Billy‘u liar-prime I’arty

   

 

 

60» Broadway "NIH “n'l'hu- Buy Duetecllvuflal lnnln .
“$8 1 roadway ""ly’l Dead Aet. K g

669 iroadwny Dilly Abroad.

61' iroadway Dilly’n Ilentl "Mic-atan San Francisco'lFlnolt.
63-: "- wuy y In Clover.

mm -_-‘ ".wlty Dilly in Texan.

208 [roadway Illlly‘n Brand.

 

 

7" Broadway Dilly I" "fl'ltll Fe-

?20 Broadway Dilly’r I"all .
785 Drom way Dilly) I‘qu
783 Broadway Dilly II (or D Cale.

  

l
“'58 Broadway "I"! I" "‘""""‘~

 

1'62 {roadway Dilly." “'"W"“'

739 gnmdwny “lny. tln~ Rmrn-n-r petecttn.
775 {roadway Iiilly'fl *hlldllw Lhnfleo
788 irondwn)’ Billy”: Bent]?!-

0ther Novels by J. C. Cowdrlek.

8.0 Sliver-M k the Man ot'hl)"‘°"y' i

Bill? film—t“, 1:; 430m Kim” or, For Seven Your: Dead.

490 The lieteetive’n A prontleet 0': A 30y Without - Nam.

434 Olbuto John 3 or. «ad-Hot Tune- at Auto Bu.

489 Sandy Ham, the Strut Scout.

467 Di-eo Dan. the Dairy Dude.

506 lledltght Ralph the Prince of the Road.

584 T e Engineer Detective.

548 Mart. the Night Expreu Detective.

5?] A‘ir-ldne Lake the Young Engineflc

593 'i he Boy Pinkerton. -

615 Fighting “arr the Chief of Chained C_ clona.

040 Bareback Bet , the Centaur of the Circe-
pewritor Tilly, the Merchant’l Ward-

oonlight Morgan, tbs " Pilenelt " Man of All“ 3"-

;

 

l

 

 

(Ither .Voveln by E. L. “'heeler.

(‘lovcn "001’ illl! linilhlu ilvtuon.

Iloh \Vooli'; hr. The Girl ih-nd-Shnt.

Death-I‘ are. 1"'l"'il\‘t‘; H". I‘ll" in VI-\\' York.

Did AHIInIteIIe: “r. \\'il.l lirlnn. Hm iiirl ilritznnd.
Jlm Illnd’uoe. .Ir., tlm in.) I‘ll-mix.

Iiuekhorn IIIII: nr. 'l‘lw llmi iiith- 'i‘wun

“"Id "Hie, tln- \llur mil-mtI-r; or, The “MY [inter-live.
Rout-had Holt: my. “:1; -' N l. lln- Knight.
Idyig the (-'Irl “iller. vIr. ltnnwhnrl lluh n Ilnnd.
Photograph I’hll: hr. lurllt'ltllil Huh“. Ill-illi'u-nl'ulll'ti.
92 ('anltda ('l-et; m. Ulrl Annmndn in .x‘luin: Ilnll'rl Camp.
\\ nieh-I‘Iye: H". \rnh. uni .\n:-.--l win Great City.
Jaek illifi'it‘ lllv' Yu'lng Spr-r-ulutur.

ll? Glit-ICdged Dir-h, Hn- fix in Dru-rum

l2l (‘Innamun l‘hln, iln- -.rl Spun.

135 Iionanza Dill. \Iiner.

ii “our! “oh tln- In“; .rl I'nmllrlnrkfi.

| Rulhl Sam the llu\ ilvmnl .\';--n..

5

!

-

 

(inntain .‘errelr. HI" New Yurk Dntm'tlvo.
New York Nell, Inn liu\'-‘-'lrl llr-l.rl1\'I-.
. Nobb ' Niel. of Nevada: wr. ’i'in- Sir-rrna Svrnups.
: “'lId ’

l'iari—x

‘I‘llilL, llh- IIIII m4th Hm

Fritz, the Iluulnl lluy lh-turhve.

Fritz to the I"ront u-r. ’l'h.- \'.‘ulril...lul.p Humor.
Snoozer. llm Hwy Slurrn. M. 'I in- Arnl. Dunn-two,

.\ [HDIIO “ill, llm 'I mil 'i’ornuuln.

&~_—‘——
A
v
'

 
  

2 I0 (‘ elone kit. the inn“: ll'lnilintr-L

2.! i .~' erra Hum. Uh hmun-r l"<-Ir.-t.

2-!“ Sierra Hnm‘u Set-rel. ~ «u, 'I'lm Illumlv Footprints,
258 Sierra Ham’s- I‘ard .r, in.- Angel Irl ill-1 Vian

.n‘lerru Sam'r- \‘e\ en . r. 'l'ln- \‘IuI.-n Ilrldo.
27.". Jumbo Joe, lm- llu\ l':urnl: ur. 'l'ln- Rival Hut"-

277 Denver Doll. l‘rr- l).-l.~rtl\.- (innnn.
2!” Denver Doll‘u \ Ietory.

lit-aver Doll‘n Deeny; ur. Lilllu ilili’s llunuula.
Turk the Iioy Ferret.

Denver Doll‘n Drll’l : “r. ’I'hu llnnd Queen.

A No. l, tho Dunhinu 'l'..|l.'r,.k.,r.

not! ‘I'.lza Jane. HH- ‘lirl Minn-r; ur. the lmn-Nnrwd Snort.

' I‘l'Iit‘Y9 Ili(‘li(‘y J' (70.. line l).~L.-r-ti\'.-n ot'I‘hlIudu-Ilrhln.
Liliil‘ Quirk-Nita! I or. The I)|Il|ti have of IMKgumleo,
Kangaroo Kilt or. 'I'lm Mysterious Miner.
Kangaroo lilt’n Iloeket.

Mallhntlan Mike, the llmvvry IiImItI.

ll‘lrnlt-(‘Innu Fit-1|, ‘lw (lent lrunl (itlplwh

y“. 'a .IIuI.l It' Hold-littlhel'et or The Llf '.
Yreka Jlln‘u I’rize. I ’ . Lam"
Nllitlt)?  0t}: or, The Sr rrel oi Slnh Cit“

(‘00 ( 1., ln- Kin: ni Iiirln; or, A Villain’u Vnn mung .
Yrel.a Jim‘u Joker; or, 'i‘hu Ilivnla nl' Rud Nil-o. .
Ilieyele lien: m. 'I‘lm Lion of Lightning Lode.

8 4 Yre ’a Jim ol' Yuha Dam.

400 “'rlnklen. the Night Watt-h Ileh‘l‘iivfi.

416 High Ilal. Harry. the ilmn- ilnll Detective.

426 h‘am Hlabuiden. the llnuguuullm- ilutentive.

484 .lim Beak and Pill. Prlvute Detectivu.

Alli-l h’anta I"e Hal. tin- Siluilof.

“6 Sealakin Ham. tho Spnrlthnr.

DY T. C. IIAllilAIlGii.

93 yil‘i‘ 0’ the Night: or. 'I'Ii" Iio Spy "(’76.
37 The Iliddea Lodge; or The L tti-- Hunter.
47 NIu-htiu ale 3 at: ur, ’i'm- Pun-xx (‘nptnlnn
“4 "Ml"! ~ "0k: “T, The Untluws ur' the Oregon Trail.
82 kit ilarel'oot tho Woml-Ilnwk.
94 .‘iililliflilt J “('L: on'l'ln- llo_\‘ 'I‘rupi‘u'.
100 Qld Fronty, the Guide; or, The White Queen.
128 kiown Charley 1h.- Wnlm Minimum".
18” Jud e‘i. 'neh J r.x or. 'l'lm lluv \‘iuiinnto.
155 G‘oll ’l r 3 er. the S »« rt; ur. 'l‘ln. lel Avenger.
Ill" Tornado ’ am; or, njun .hu-k Frum' Rvd Core.
183 Ned Temple. the Iiwrtlttl’ Ilnv.
ll!“ Arkanuawx nr, The (in... n (A Fun". Runny.
at}; gavtallo  tho Ilov Gold Hunter.
an a n n etx --r, l.lttl.~ Tonknot‘l Crusade.
28! I’lueky I’hlit ur. Rona, the RM I Jezebel.
94‘ “in “I'llVOS "r, The RHIth of the Raritth
255 (:aptain Anoill . um Klanln of Ilowlu.
867 'l he Iiuekukin Deteetive.
279 Did “'Iueht or. The inwiuxin Scum-radon.
294 Dinalnllo Dan; or, The Iiowlt! Rind.» of anchotnpa.
802 ’I 0 Mountain Deleetlve; m, ’l‘ho'l‘riager liar Bully.
816 Qid iwiipue. 'I'runm Curd of Arllona.
826 'I he 'l‘en I'nrdn: ur. Tim 'i‘urror o.’ Take-Notice.
83“ "it: Dent-on: or. Tim Queen of tho Lawn.
8‘“? I'itileu Mat it or, Red Thuudrrholl'n Set-rut.
BTW "voo' Mom 2 w "hr-l; m The Terrible Six.
806 ‘ eivet Foot. [hr Indian Dt'h-t'ih'r.
8N“ (‘anlaln (‘utla-n; ..r_ in. ll mumrr'n (llri 1’00.
3”" Rough "0b: ul’. 'I'l e 'wllo Clnuupiunn ol' Illuo Iiiuu.
4" The Hllkrn Inn-no: --r, The ttoroul‘ilnnch Robin.
4i” Felix Fox. lhu I'my Spoiler.
425 Texan 'I rump. lllu ll. rlit'I' Rntlh-r.
43“ ithii Fianh. the New Turk Fox.
445 'I he l‘ity Vampire-I: or. Red Ruin-'- Mama.
4“! line [\tzaInr-t. I’Il‘t y: or. The Last Man nt'Keno Bar.
470 The Iioy Shadow: or. Full: Fox'a Hunt.
477 The Exact-Im- hluncl ; ml, The Washington Spotter.
499 Killuie Night. the liar-I'Iyod Sport.
509 iiranded lien. tin- Muhv Furrrt.
5H3 Dodtzer DIeL. tin- “hurt—5n). Dru-Mire.
62I Dodger Dlek‘n Deal Dodge.
52% Fox and I’nleon. tin- liowvryShadows.
53" Dodger Diek. llm llm'k Furn-t.
ms Dodlter mom Double: «nun-mu! Boy Detective-
553 DmlLrer DII-k‘n De-perale Cane.
5K“ Dodger "it‘k. iIlt' Iluy Vldoeq.
678 The Two Shadow-n.
5&2 Dodter Dlek'n Drop.
59-} Little Lon. tln- Shunt-Singer Detective.
6 [0 Did Skinner. lln- Hold Slnu-k; or, Tony Sharp on Guard.
“26 The (‘hamnlon I’ardn.
till? Djek Donn. tin- hm'Il llvv Detective.
645 kit. the Paw-meat Shari)-
658 Illlly Bantam, the Bar "Mille-

6Ti Jerney Jed. the Dev Ila-tier; or, Shadowing the Shadower.
0S5 Happy “ugh. the Roy Mluivinn Duh-olive.

70i Photograph Fred. the Cnnwrn Sharp.

715 “'Ide Awake Len. thu Quaker City Ferret.

782 Dalny Dell. tho anmnent Detecting or, Trapping R g Game.
749 Billy ‘Vinka, the Bell iiuy Detertive.

754 Billy “'Inkd. the Run Ila" Shadow.

“(68 Eagle Ned. the Roy on Guard.

780 Tonkaway Tom, the Rod Wizard.

 

.
BY BUFFALO BILL (non. Wm. F. Cody).
3 Kano” King; or, The Rad Right Hand.
19 The Phantom Spy: or,’i‘ho Pilot of tho i’ralrll.
‘5 Dudly-Eye. the Unknown Scout.
‘8 “0"”? Robin flood; or, The Prairie Rover.
'53 PM”! Frank at“ Colorado: or, The Trapper'l Tum,

 

 

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656

709
707
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I‘ 'I'lte Midshipman Mullnt-c 1':

[he (.o.d snip; I.

~ iionodel. the Ito) Iirnel'

" “urn-all: \h I“. ll!“ 'I'I‘II‘H" ‘- lltl . II- VI

PI The Ilnrenneer

 

e. . __.__.

DY (r‘DIADNICI. I’IlI-IN’I‘IHN IN“ RAMA“.

The I"l_\ int: Yankee: m. 'l'ln- ann “Mum.

“Hillh I:1I_\.illl' I'm} I'mrl' |ll er; or. 'i' h.- l"u;-ll|\.- anht.
Diamond Dirk: m, ’I In- M. in; wl'lin» lulu... turn»,

The ~Inulou ‘ hip; «r, lin- I{.\nl |.l.-ulv-unnl~4.

The Do) Din-lid: 1|. 'l h' in  I l lnn- ‘u-n \\'uli.

"lei. iM-tul-I‘Ige, lln- l Murmur-x.

'I'Iu- hen-Illa I. : m. l Ill idllnruu'u I..--_-n. y,

The Illt~nx||~('up1;.l'i: w, ii..- llmme w. liulltlrt."
Illlli" (ii-ii. luv u lI. ‘ 'l he Flu: -.-'l‘.-lnl. r'. i':ll|;;l:lr3r..
Hull'an Ill 1. Kim I'ml. ilxi I-- llniu-r,

Iilmlll Iilil. I'm I‘Iiill't' ul i1... -‘ -'. ur, l'nll'n'n l‘-i!l‘-. I'lm‘h.
(Irll. the Iir'lu Finli'i; , 'I in. \\ nun lil inn]...
(‘I-lmmm Lulu. l  I. .l 'l' .w

  

      

 

 

I' .
i.0l|'~ ~\lur, lnw 1U.“ In) t‘nirm u

‘l'.'l MN “twin-rt
‘li. ll

 llunrhvm|
r l nu ( n .n l‘lm'lnnrv.

nr. limndt. lhv lint « nneor.
1r I l" .\I“i HUN 'I'rvnw'll'.

 

Merle. the ,‘.lld('._‘. : I‘ICH

'l'he :"Ioatinl; heather: H.
Huh-,1in
Merle \Ionle'nl'rnhe:H1 "
\ierie Munle'n but»: i" 1""
)It't'it' 'tIori‘e‘n 5 led-'1”. Mr. "
IiIII) Blue-1')er liv' |‘-n\ |.w\r r
'I'ln- Dena N ..| nu...” ; ur,izrrrltu,l'n~l1u) iluglur.
lend “MINI. Dnnd) r. i3tl|lit'.‘.
'I'Ite NI yhit‘rionn Marauder; WU.  llnv lluulo-r‘u'l'rnilo

.rr_'i ln~ l'l ‘Rav ~>-« IiH nrl.
'l‘he Indinl. I‘ilol: ‘l. 'i in- S- .u. I. iwl irrn: l lnrnl.

' 'lrintum.

lllund-u

  

 

    

 

Hen“ nIl'. Il-
Imndor. the for
The Ilov Iu~nr e;
The \\ ild \ xu-hl
Dam-an Dare. Hn. .
i‘lltbltlill Carl, inn l'nl'rav; <1, ;\ nhl l'm\ '\ Inuit.
'I‘he Hen Raider: m', '1 ln- llnwlm n: l' e ill-J...
'I‘he “eeull Flu-ll) ; nr. A \liddy'w \w 3- un...
Ilaohnznrd Ilnrry: nr, Th.» 51"”: .vnu-o “I the Sea.
\‘ I1.nrd \\ III. lin- “Muller \“lli‘lu'l'.
“'Izard “'ill‘n Mreet. lit-null.
The Horn Guide: nr. 'l‘im >srilur .uy Wanderer.
Neptune \ed. tnu liny (foam-r.
\li'izard “'III‘M Varahond I'nrd.
“'Izurd “'ili‘n Lav-l (‘nnet nr. i-‘mmtn [\IIl-iii.
Netadu Ned. i‘I-- Itvrlllt'rr “mg...
.\ rlzolvn Joe. the iiuy l‘nrd m 'l‘uxu lmk,
Dal-I." Taylor, ix'uu: oi 1h.» Unwind».
’I'he Ila) nI “hilly: or. The Sh...h 3|an ti'n Sm Cult.
The iillllll‘li .\I Id-hlpman: or. ‘l‘hu Y. on: firm Ranger.
The Hollow .\I Iddy; . r. 'l l..- Yuun; l‘nnlul Sm Ranger.
"uphold" "III. the l‘onunr'iu- shadow.
Ilrolheru In Iilleiuliiilll -r. 'i‘hu l‘nngh-d 'I‘rniiu in Tull.
'I‘he Duelmld I How era.
The. line nl.In Novel-n; or, . .- l'rulrh- Fumtlvu.
(‘aptaln Iiuvk'lux. the MnmndI-r m the Rio.
Lieutenant Leo, the Sun of Jump,
I.niilte‘- Learnt-3': or. The Awnulmt Sun.
1"“. (‘m-"lq- rum-“Ir: or. 'i h.- Gnirlml “din;- of ill. Gulf.
I’a“ nee “III. Llu- i’luirlr- S. mlowoi‘.
Kent King-Ion. Ilu' ("ml KIW-

in: nu. l‘hv- .‘ I nlrtun Trull.
De‘eethe.
A“: ‘3' »~"

 

w tire.
‘ i . -. ,Ieliuo.
Delmonte, the '. 1 . Law-x; nu, . Avonglllfl Sailor.
'l‘he Young Texan ' eleethe; - 'l'h--l k Ilrnvol.
'I he \‘na'nhond ol'the )1! u.
. e Rover Deteetiv ; v", 'y no
Ilhlnh, the Dead-Sim. Kean” n. 
Butterfly Dilly" Debut.
Hatter-fly "lily, the > -y Rider Detective; or, Bud-Io
Illll'a I. Print.
Butlerin Iliiiy’n Man iluut.
Ilntterlly IIIlIy‘n Bonanza.
M Idnhlnmant or, Tho Sm I'mver'l Run.
The “'izurd Sailor: or. Red Ralph, the Rnwr,
'I‘he h‘ea Shadowert Dr. The Frunnmuur's Imxnvv
Drillndo. the Oman Free Flay: or. The Tal'nIIhI-d Name,

     
     

 

(‘hulnplunm
..mch.

2 The “In” filmrpu ur, Ruin-m. lln Sorrel Service. Scout.

The Nearlet Sombrero: or. The Sharp from ’i‘uxnnl

"Inc .I “0L0: “I”; or, The Ilml lint. llunuern' lied Hui. Ruth“
The lied Hombrero llauuernt ur, Ih-dl'ern'u Lnll. Trail.
(‘arI, the Mad (‘owboyl or, 'l‘iu~ Lariat Quren.

I'aw nee Ilill‘n I‘Iedget «Ir, Thu (‘1)Wh0)‘ Kitlnaplmv'l Doom-
Daring Diek, i’nwnr-u llill'x l‘urd. ur,'i' .1 Red Cavalry Raid.
linth Redmond, Iin- on] Sinnluwur.

Iilleli Taylor. the (nnmnrh 'n l'nl-tlvo.

Duck 'I‘aylur‘u lioynz nr,’l‘lnr Rail ILl-h-rnol’ille Rio Grand;
Dar-hing (‘harllex or, 'i‘hu Kl'lliill‘ll)‘ Tenderfooi'l Find Trail.
Dar-hing (‘harlle'u Der-tiny; or, The chcundu’l Clpllm
Dar-him: l‘harlle‘n I'awnee l'ard.

Dar-hing ('hal‘lie. tlm ilm-uvr.

Diek Doom‘n DetliII-(Iript nr, 'i‘lm Ddrctlvc by Daltlny.
Diel. Doom‘n Dentin“ or, 'i‘hu Rivar IiiucLlog’I Terror.

LATEST AND NEW ISSUES.

DIeI.’ Doom. tho Darth-Grip Deim‘ilve: or, The Sharp. and
Shark» c-l' New Yorl.. il_\- (fol. I'm-"HM ' “rtlIllllll.
Lone Iluml J"... (in) (nmrult . affine: or. 1‘]... spook
Sleml vi lln- Noun (‘..rrw-'. lly l hvul. \. I\. Slum.
Broadway Dilly'r 'I'ellllll “r. Tl"! Dvhwllvo Colnhino‘I
l'. g I‘ull. li_\' .l. (‘. \IIHVIII'Hh.
"(‘tldwr . d IeIi. JI‘u Lit‘iit'dl 0r, The l‘rlnee of Pluto]
I'Wkl'l. ll_\' i':d\V.'.rll i.. “'hwler.
Diek I). "I" in Dov-lam nr, A Man of Many Mle 11,.
"ul. I'l‘un .inumhaln.
Sum Sheridan. Im- Sl't‘rrl H- rt h-r- Special; or, The Jmnhouo
nt nrly Illrd liar. Ily Wnn'f. l'nllun.
Ikr‘uulu'uv iiiiiy’" “I‘ifl‘lllio; HP, The Cum of ill“ Delhi
All”. “5 J, C. ('nwdl'lt‘lr.
Kit “‘tllld)’ iilltiied: m‘,'l‘lu- Infant Giant. ByOll Counter.
Deadwood Dielu Jin'n. Double Derqu or,'l'iw Tun.
Iel with ‘nlnn llv Edward I.. “mm-1..“

Ilmniy Suptrlnhrr '.’7.
Incl.- Doom In l'hlenuo; nr, The Ford of the Golden
1"rttr-rn. Il\ l‘ol. I'vu-nlnln lnurahnnr.

Randy ()r-tuher «l.
Headlight llarry’n Tron-are ilunt; or, The Qua: [or
tin- (‘nehu- villinlu . Ii) Col. A. I". “I'll.

Ready Ortuln'r ii.

A New lune Every Tue-day.

The lialf- Dime Library In for rule by all rum-«lame '

“Ml

per copy, or unt by mail on rocelpt at It: cont: ear-h.

BEADLE AND ADAMS. Pain-Item
98 William Street, New York-

 

 

  
   

 

 

By J. C;_Qiiwdrick.

490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo; or,
Brought to Bay by :1 Bold Boy.

514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle; or, Clearing up a
Strange Czbe.

536 Broadway Billy’s “ Difiikilty;” or, Old Rod-
man's Millions.

557 Broadway Billy’s Death Racket; or, The
Street Arab’s Wake.

579 Broadway Billy's Surprise Party; or, The
Chimney Spy.

 

 3f
manila-Bi;th

. .' u tags-nu;
‘ M.WIAINI‘I|'-A “

    

 

 

605 Broadway Billy; or, The Boy Detective’s
Big Innings.

628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Act; or, The League
of the Sworn Seven.

669 Broad way Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack
Bravo in San Francisco.

675 Broodway Billy’s Best; or, Beating San
Francisco’s Finest.

687 Broadway Billy in Clover; or, The Ruction
at Lake Tulare.

 

 

696 Broadway Billy in Texas; or, Rounding Up
the Red River Rustlers.

703 Broadway Billy’s Brand: or. The New York
Delegates in Hard-up Camp.

711 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe; or, The Pard
Detectives’ Clever Deal.

720 Broadway Billy’s Full Hand; or, The Gamin
Detective’s Double Snap at Santa Fe.

735 Broadway Billy’s Business; or, Waking Up
Wind Canyon Camp.

738 Broadway Billy’s Curious Case; or, The
Mysterious Disappearance at Manitou

Springs.

 

 

Broadway Billy Novels in fleadle’s Half-flime Library.

   
 

 ,/ 4,4;

.._ 1 ‘ .‘ 1/ "  u

y -..” ,_ -

.. ‘4 mounmmv.~.am
8an at Santa Fa.
.12; 

mums L '
no mu. m I“

-: "my-mm‘
‘WmVn-w—hhilllyv‘fi
'l_a.-'I|Ma_llla|-;ln‘

‘- . ‘ )

4 WI lu‘ III- \

._.'.....r.... “m “ I”

"LDJ-‘v- nlfifith In .—

753 Broadway Billy in Denver; or, The On-the—
Catch Combination.

761’. Broadway Billy’s Bargain; or, The Three
Detectives in Denver.

769 Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective;
or, How the City Buzzards Were Brought In.

 

775 Broad way Billy’s Shadow Chase; or, Materi-
alizing the Spooks.

783 Broadway Billy’s Beagles; or, The Detective
Trio’s Uncanny Quest.

786 Broadway Billy’s Team; or, The Detective
Combine’s Big Pull.

790 Broadway Billy’s Brigade; or, The Case of
the Dead Alive.

 

 

 

latest and New Issues.

784 Dick Doom, the Death-Grip Detective; or,
The Sharps and Sharks of New York. By
Col, Prentiss Ingrahum.

785 Lone Hand Joe, the Committee of One; or,
The Spook Steed of the Stone Corral. By
Lieut. A. K. Sims.

786 Broadway Billy’s Team; or, The Detective
Combine’s Big Pull. By J. C. Cowdrick.

 

787 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Defied; or, The Prince
By E. L. Wheeler.

of Pistol Pocket.

 

h Milt-I!!! -

 

788 Dick Doom in Boston; or, A Man of Many
Masks. By Col. P. Ingraham.

789 Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special;
or, The Jamboree at Early Bird Bar. By
Wm. G. Batten.

790 Broadway Billy’s Brigade; or, The Case of
the Dead Alive. By J. C. Cowdrick.

an.
begin York Delegam‘in

«

a. ‘ Hudzp Camp ’

 

 

79] Kit Bandy Rattled; or, The Infant Giant.
By 011 Coomes.

792 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Device: or,
The Tussel with Satan. By Edward L.

Wheeler.
Ready September 27th.

A New Issue Every Tuesday.
BEADLE’S HALF-DIME LIBRARY is for sale by

' all newsdealers at five cents per copy, or sent by

mail, post-paid, on receipt of six cents each.

BE ADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers,
98 William street, New York.