the Young City Detective Pathfinder in a Tight Place! —-\a w fi-W _ , ,._ , \ We \‘Yxx " (‘\ '3 ~ \ . __ x . L75 ' \\ ~ 1 ‘T' h "1‘ -' = ‘ “ 5;. _ W] '-~‘ ,“ic'i! - “" ‘ ____Enrc;evrredAnrs secon Class Mntfitfigr at. the New York. 'Y;,;:F:E)Aifice. I i i C ‘)pyri::hted lflgigwnmum: “Din m.» Ngflmii' L2, 153?. $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLD AND ADAMS. Price No. 800. Y - . M - , V, , , ) 5c g V01. XXXL a ear. M. 95 \MLLIAM erhLT. 5E“ YOhK. en 5- . ‘1‘ n n M » v3---‘ ..".I'L" V [Hr ' i ‘ . . i. ‘ ‘ / ‘. H r‘v . H ‘ ir l i 1 ' ‘1. W, . i q-*‘ " - y!“ .1 flj‘ i i I". n“WillIllumlmullili'nmmrNJ!!!" _ I k’ I i tum!"unulipm‘fl -' - "min ml 3.1% u in “I ‘h-‘Jl'fllnm‘n _‘ m i H “6&1 “Hiiiil‘i‘flinmmlnnm; H _ , 7;: [I I}: ,f “ “ '1 . w 3 ‘ a]. ‘ JIJImimnu _ ‘ \l w- v. I I “‘iziiiimWMWWW i w } @“WWWEIU!?NW mm ' “Whitimmumut,, 1nnnmmmuwmmmmmun:s' 1! mummnumummmmuts H iiim‘mwiif .,I T W fill}? .1 Q‘ 1 1 i ‘ '“ ‘ 7’ ‘V. i 1m —_——— ~.—r—4 ll? W um 'lglhm‘yfldfl Mimi —-—7 I ’ ' ' I 1. ‘ w- :n- (-M‘J V‘ ‘1 ‘ ‘ 1‘ I \\\..‘0W 1" lamp L: r ‘ I > \&\y 3 HE TEAM’S TOUGHEST TUG. The Romance of the Steel Hand Freud. BY J. C. COWDRICK, AUTHOR or “ BROADWAY BILLY ” NO was. “ mo. CHAPTER I. A QUESTION FOR DEBATE. “ BETH, you are twisted. You had better go and stand around behind yourself till you get straightened out." Tue two boys—Broadway Billy’s Team—were alone eogether in the office of their chief, and had been talking over a. new “case” which he had recent] taken hold of. _ - M . v— ' " -- L ‘ ‘ ‘ .ur Happy any was doing most of the’taikmg. “ n' LOOKS AB THOUGH BROADWAY BILLY ans BEEN BAFTLED—DONE FOR. AT LAST 1" ’1’ Broadway Billy Baffled. as usual, but Seth now and then put in a word. And a remark of his had caused Harry to break forth as quoted. j i“ Well, maybe I am twisted,” Seth quietly re- 0 ned. “ Don’t you see you are-l” persisted his chum. “ We can’t see ourselves as others see us,” the “ Stoic ” quoted. “That seems to be your case, anyhow. If you only w0uld talk more I’d like you better,_ Seth; it’s hard work to keep a-workin’ the pump all the time, I tell you.” “Then don’t work it.” “That’s easy enough for you to say; but, if you wanted to draw me out as badly as I want to« r w you, you would pump too.” “ ot necessary to pump you; all there is to do is to turn on the faucet and let you run.” “ You’re talking now 1" “ Because I had a fact to state!” 1 “Well, this is gettin’ away from the subject, as the surgical students said, after one of ’em had jabbed his scalpel into a cadaver and the said cadaver set upa bowl of protest that caused ’em to sit out in a hurr —” “ Turn on the tauCet.’ “Ha, be! You slip up that time. You meant to say turn it o . It is on in good shape. But, as I was coming at, we’re drifting. Do you mean to tell me that the owner of the ‘teel Hand is arbein’ot real flesh and blood, like you and me “Sure.” “Then’ I say again, you’re twisted. “ Yes, I say you are twisted,” Harr repeated, as Seth did not speak. “It the an of the Steel Hand is a real man how is it Billy can’t find him out?” “ That is what uzzles us all.” “ It don’t puzz e me any more, for I have made up my mind that it is a ghost. How could a real man of meat and bone put his arm through the wall and nevor leave a mark l” Seth shook his head: he couldn’t say. “ Of course you don’t know,” cried Harry. “ It is either a ghost, or—” “ What “Or else that woman is batty that’s all. Maybe she rides nightmares, and it is all in her mind.” “ How about the warning letter the Steel Band left, than?” Harry scratched his head at that. ' “That had slipped out of my thinker for the mOment,” be admitted. “ Nothing very spooky about that, was there? Still, maybe that come some other .way and the woman only thought she saw the Steel Hand leave it.” Both smiled his dissent. “ Well. it’s one thing or the other, that’s sure,” Ha assovorated. “ t is a man 0' most, or t’o a spook; that is torso unless it’s nothin’ and the woman dreams it al ” Silent Both had nothing to remark. ’“ And it hoin’ one thing or the other, suro pop, either you are wrong and I am right. or I am riggand you are wron . Which is it?” h merely shrugged his shoulders, disdain- in to notice Harry’s very poor attempt at a O 1 “ I stick to it that I am right,” Harry rsistsd. “ Nothingmbut a spool: could thrust an arm through wall and never leave a mark. You know that.” “ Have yon'tor t tho dagger?” “ That’s more o the woman’s dreams,” Harry declared. “ It’s a ghost, and it Broadway William don’t find anything this time he might "gills". it wound big! stopped oor. ope r young c in tho oflloo. boys looked at him inquirinfil . They had not heard his steps, so silently be put in an ranco. . He was smiling as he entered. “Well, you are bavinga dispute, I and,” he observed. “Istoppedamoment andheard all. Boys. one thing I must caution you about, right and now. I ~ “ Not to talk so loud,” H ry guessed. . “ That is it. And I am surprised at on, Esra. to find on expressing ballet in " " n‘t being,” Harry protested stubbornly. “ Yet on w better am sure.” “W boss, don’t see this time, but toll us what you have found out, tor we are just dy- g‘ to 30w, as,tho school-girls put it; especial- “Itlssoontold. Ibo disccv " i “Then: it hav’n’vt. disoovm m, a: Ewan-runn- crisd; “it’s “on. “ That’s your Opinion, but you might be mis- taken. Notbin’ but a ghost could enter that room and not leave some mark that Broadway Billy Would find, and you are not going to make me 1t'h’ink any other ‘way till you bring the r00 s “ Well, what do you think, Seth?” Billy asked. “ I know Harry has not succeeded in converting you to his spoo ' theory.” “ I think the steel hand belongs to a real man, of course. The note and the dagger prove that, certainly. But, it is strange it baffles you so. It is a sharp scheme.” “ I agree with you, Seth, in all that,” the young chieiI of the trio declared. “ At the same time there is another view to take of it, and that is this: The story of the Steel Band may be a. dream of the imagination on the part of Miss Rullolfl’.” Harry had shown some dejection when Billy favored Seth’s view of the case, but now he brightened up instantly. “ ’Ruh l" he cried. “ That is just what I said. She may have hats in her loft, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she has, either. Old gals often are batty, you know.” “ Still,” Billy went on, “that does not account for the note and the dagger, which, she says positively, the Steel Hand dropped in her room. If she is mistaken about the Steel Hand, then, of course, they came there by some other means, for they are substantial tacts enough even for Har'rl'y’s eyes.” v ' “ hey ought to be evidence,” Seth quietly observed. “ But, I have nt two hours examining that room, and there is positively no hole in the wall anywhere. I am puzzled.” “ Ghost, I tell voul Only disembodied spirits pass through solid walls. Everybody knows that!" asserted Harry, coutentiously. “You know better, Harry; you only talk to hear ourseli'.” . “ ’ell, then, the whole business is humbng— that‘s what!” " One of two things certain.” “ And what’s them?” When Harry was impatient he had little re- gard for the slight knowledge of grammar he “ Why, the Steel Band is real enough, or it is all in the imagination of Miss Rudolfl'.” “ Well, then, as it is ’gainst office rules to bo- lisv‘zip ghosts, I‘ll take that view 0! it and stand on “There is no other explanation ” Billy went on. “ But, I am inclined to think than Rudolff’s head is level enough—that the Steel Hand is a hand of flesh and bone, and that Broadway Billy is merely bellied lor the time being.” ugh??? hauled!” cried Harry. “That’s very “ by not? Better men than I have been obliged to ve up. This may be my homer. But, we sha triit, none the less, boys. Broad- way Billy and is Team won’t pull out of this race “ You bet we won’t—sh, Seth?” demanded Borg, with shar decision. “ ardly,” was th’s response. , “ I knew that well enough,” said Billy. “ But, it may give us something more of a test than any race we have been in. One thin has got to be determined’ first of all, and that 5, whether Miss”Rudoltr is really not the victim of u doin- slon. i “]And I opine she is,” Harry added, assur- n . a {low is that to be done?” questioned Seth. “ y spending a night in the supposed haunted room. “ Are on going to do that?” asked Harry. “I tho’u ht I would lot you do it." “ All rig tl I’m your huckleberry inthat pie!” “ Spite of your belief in g eh? But, I know that would not you. c; I merely said thatto test you. lam going to spend a night there myself." i “ How soon, i” “ To-nigbt. We must push matters.” “ Want us with youl” “ No; I must go alone and booautious about it. I am to be let intotho hanssby the rear way, after ni ht, so that no one can suspect my preo- onco. ” thorn is aghast I will lay it, orgotlaid myself. , V‘You’ll look out for‘that.” “ I’ll try to. ol'ooorlo- Ba! someonols oom- hod hsonhsard,tbs knob turnod,‘ and barely utmod' when the Tho visitor‘wn'u woman. . Bh‘o was about twenty-five your"! up, due- can do aught against a hand of steel looking, and of noble presence, being above the medium height and well proportioned. “ Miss Rudolil'i” So Broadway Billy exclaimed at sight of the caller. ‘ “ As you see,” was the pleasant response. “ I have called rather sooner than you looked for me. “ Rather, that is true.” “ I have not done so without reason, you may be sure.” “ Of course not. But, be sealed, for you look excited and tired. What has happened so soon?” “ The Steel Hand has been at- work again, sir. Scarcely had you gone than this was found in the haunted room, where I went out of curi- osity to see what you had been doing, should there be anything to indicate.” CHAPTER II. \- A STRANGE STORY. HAPPY HARRY and Silent Seth had become quiet immediately upon the entrance of the client, and withdrawing to their respective places on the opposite side of the office sat down. Broadway Billy had taken his seat at his desk, and the visitor occupied the chair nearest to him. ' The statement she made seemed to surprise Billy not a little. “Can this be possible?” he mused. He took from her a folded bit or paper which she held out to him, and read: “ CLnusN'rmn Rnnov PT!— “You are foolish if you think a boy of a detective Dismiss him, for his own good, and warn him to think no more about the matter. No good can come to him in the undertakin He can never serve you. And you, beware! eeLl my warning and« hey my commands. “Tau snows." b Billy read it loud .enough for his two allies to ear. “ This is very strange,” he said, when he had done. “ In what part of the room did you find this Miss Rudolifl” “In the exact spot where the other note and dag or were found.” “ t was not there when I left the room, that is certain. ~ “ Yet it is certain that it was there within five minutes after you\had gone. “ it puzzles, mo entirely. I thought when you had cleared the room of every article, as you did at my request, I shouldsoon be able to solve the myster , but I failed, and hardly was my back turn than the mysterious visitor was than again.” , I t “ And it would look as th h I had not made a thorough search. but I did. examined every ' ' inch of the apartment, floor, sides. and ceiling. I am at less, I admit, to account for it. I have heard of panels movable, and have had experi- ence with such, but there are none in that room. Toonight may tell the tale, however, for I am determined to see this thin totbe end, now that I have undertaken it. t is, with your por- ’ mission madam.” - “And that you have, know. I am only too eager to have on so vs the riddle. But, see the warning the has been sent. Are you not afraid for your llrol” “ No. I have escaped too many times not such traps and plots, and have grown to col: upon danger asa matter or course. I mean to get at the bottom of this, now, it possible. By the .way. you saw no changes in the room?" “ None. It looked just the same as star the furniture had been removed as you directed.” “ And the door was” locked?” . “ Just as you left it.” “And you came to show me this at once so that I could take advantage ot the warning it I felt so disposed!” “I know well enough you would not héed the warning.‘ I came at once, so that you could $13.ka investigate, again, it you desired to do “ Useless, I think.” - “Why so? Might not your trained eyes dis- cover something where mine found nothing?" “ I think not. room, and the slightest change would arrest your attention.” ' , ' “ Well, that is true. I noticed nothing.” “ Have you thought or anything more than yogltold moat \ ' not. . “‘ Would it not be well to‘go over, the mud ‘ once moroéongw that yo: are horsl' Something” , . new ma POI! on 01' m ' l “ It yt’m desire t.” ' A ' .msh _. new a v. _‘ ’ , at You are accustomed to the ' l i l V _ _ 0 _< r," V'-:z_.__::ae<_7—a——-...__‘__-_._ Ww-_u - 1 “ You may oblige me if you will.” “ Where shall I begin?" “ With the story or the Steel Band." “ Very Well. After my mother’s death I went to occupy the room on the right side of the hall, front, which she had always used. M father was dead, as I told you. Iam now a 1 alone, and have come into possession of all my father’s wealth. The room my mother used had the reputation of being haunted. I kn0w little about that; it was always regarded as the invention of Some prattling old servant. “ One night I was awakened, suddenl , to find myself in the most intense darkness. had nevvr known the room to be so dark before, even on the darkest night. I raised myself in bed to look for the windows, and as I didso there came a sudden burst of dull, white light, and in the midst of it appeared a Steel Hand, holdin a piece of paper, which it presently let fall. hen the light faded, and suddenly it was gone altogether.” Bill interrupted. “ as the darkness the same as it had been i” “ I do not know, but I think it was, at first, unless my eyes had been blinded to a degree by the li ht. Presently the windows were to be seen p ainly enough.” “ Here is something I did not ask you before: Was there any small in the room, such as phos- phorus or magnesium would makei' “ I noticed none.” “You said the hand was not over the bed, but as far away as the wall on the other side of the room.” to Yes.” “ Well, go on." “ When I could see the windows, as usual, 1 sprung out of bed and made a light. I am not a. coward, you will understand. At school I was held to be nervy and brave. I say it not as boasting, but to .prove that I was not beside my- :self with fear on this occasion.” “Yes I can believe that." “Well, having made the light, I looked for the paper, and found it. Then my next thought was to try the door. I an posed surely some one had been in the room. he door, howevar, was locked, and there was the m stery. If any one had been in the room at al there was no way of accounting for his disappearance. And that is the mystery still—which is your work to solvo." “ Exactly.” “ I read the note, then. Would you care to hear it again?” “Yes, if you please." “ ‘ Ctsnmma Renown:— “ ‘You are alone in the world. In me you have a faithful guardian. Not only so but .a friend as we if you will but heed my advice. Your hand will sought in marriage soon, but if you value our happiness refuse the offer. You will repent it n bitter tears if on do not. Seek not to learn any- thing about me, or that will be useless. “ ‘ Tan UNKNOWN.’ " This she read in tone loud enough for the ca- gerly listening boys to hear. They had not heard it before. and it can be readily inferred that Broadway Billy was hav- ing it rehearsed for their benefit. 'You have never had the slightest idea who this Unknown i”si" Billy asked. It “ You imagine it to be a woman, you have ted?" “ Yes, that is my view of the matter.” “ Because you fancy the wording of the letter, which you have studied well, is ike that of a woman.” . “That is the reason. Men do not write that way. They are more to the point. Do you see what I mean?" “ Tnis seems to be to the point, I would say.” “ But, men would not bother with talk a nut repentiog in bitter tears, you know. A man would not have put that sentence in at all.” “ Well, I agree with you.” Billy assented. “Shall I make the story briefi I have told it once. you know.” “ I would prefer to have it at length; but, suit yourself.” ",Well, as I told you, I had a suitor at that time, one Barring Delawater and only a day or two after this strange event he propoaed to me. Only for the warning I would have accepted him. As it was, Irefused. As it has turned out, I am heartily glad I did so, for he has proven himself unwo thy the love of any woman. His refusal, however, he would not take as definite; he declared that he would wait one year and offer his hand and heart again. That year is nearly :1 ~. - l)“Mr.Weston,itisnotpleasaniifol'Inetotalk Broadway Billy Baffled. thus to you, and it is only to lend you all possi- ble help that I do so. If there is anything to be learned through it, [ Would hold nothing back. “ l have another lover, Courtney Clellaiid. Him I love, and should he propose I Would accept him. But, here my self-appointed guardian steps in again and warns mu not to marry him. On aii~ oi her occasion I saw the Steel Hand, as i have told you. I awoke suddenly one night, and there it was, with a dagger in its grasp. For a few moments it remained liiotionlcss; thou the dag- ger dropped and the hand dlsnppcal'eil. I got up in haste as before, and there was the dagger, sticking up in the floor. The fact of my per- sisting in keeping the haunted room prows whether I am a coward or not. To the daggi-r was a bit of paper, with these words: ‘Murry not the man you love. This danger indicates your into if you do!’ I “Now, as I loVe Mr. Clellnnd, and intend to marry him if he does me the honor to ask me, I want to know who this mysterious personage of tho Siwl Hand is. Did I tell you that the hand isalm'gc one? It is more like the hand of a man than of a woman. It appoan to ho a scaled gauntlet, like ibo~e of old. Ol’ coursea small hand might be inside, I suppose. But, whether the personage be man or woman, my happiness is threatened, and I must know who it is. I muut know a by I am warned not to marry Mr. Clelland. There is the story, not at such length as I told it before; but, as you have heard it 01109, that does not matter. “ Mind, Mr. \Vcston, I have said things to you as a professional detective that I would not whisper to my most intimate friend. I need not remind you that I have done so in con- fldvnce.” “Things told in confidenCe here are sacredly respected,I assure you,” Billy suid. “Only I and my boys will know anything of this.” He waved his hand toward Seth and Harry. f The Woman turned quickly, and sprung to her set. “ I had forgotten them i" she exclaimed. “I thought they had retiri d—that we were alone!” “ No matter, Miss Rurlolil’. And, let me say this: While you are in client you must trust either or both of these eye as you would trust me. Please do not forget that. You may find occasion to do so.” “ I will not forget; but, it seems so strange to find such young persons in your employ. Well, if that be all, I will go. My servants will be in- structed to let you into the house to-night, as we agreed. G00d-afternoonhsir.” CHAPTER Ill. MUCH mom: or a wsnar. WHEN the woman had taken her leave Happy Herr bounded up from his seat with a whoop. “ {hat did I tell you?” he demanded. B “ Well, what did you tell us!” asked Broadway ill . “I told you that gal has bats in her loft and I want to know if she hasn’t proved itl Don’t you think her mainstay lacks a button somewhere?” “ Show us your proof.” ‘ “ Why see the way she talked about her love affairs! 0 you suppose any girl that was right in her head would talk to you like that?” ‘ She spoke about the delicacy of it,” Billy re- minded. “ When a woman talks with her physician, or her lawyer, or her trusted detec- tive, she has got to go right down to bed-rock, you know.” “ Well, you made me give up the ghost idea, and now you won’t even let me hold to the idea that the woman is rocky in the head." “ I am convinced.” returned Billy, “that the woman knews what she is talking about, and that the Steel Hand is no delusion, or ap- parition, either. I want you to take that view of it, too.” “ Well, s'pose I'll have to.” “ What is your opinion now, Seth?” “ As it was, sir. The hand in that steel glove. if steel it is, is a hand of flesh and lood ” “ That is it. exactly. No other theory is Worthy of thought for a moment.” “ But,” argued Harry, “ if that 13 so, why can’t you find how it gets into the room and out again? That is what stem me.” “ That is for us to flu out,” assumed Billy. “ I shall make the effort to do so this night. I am going to spend the night in that room, and if there is any hestly appearance there I’ll make an eflort to earn what it i8." “ Maybe you'll get the worst on it.” Billy smiled. He had little fear on that score. On the contrary, he was eager for the adventure. “ Ma I say something?" asked Seth. “He l0!” cried happy Harry. “The Stoic has spoken; he must have souiethin’ to pro- )Olllld. Let’s hear from you, Philosopher, and urry, too!” “As I understand, this steel arm and hand appears to come through the wall opposifo the door. If that is the case, then it comes from the adjoining house.” “That is it,” Billy agreed. “I have been into the adjoining house, however, and can find nothing. That house is unoccupied, and the agent let mo have the keys to make a thorcugh examination.” ‘ “ Worse and worse,” muttered Harry. "I’ll stand on my head if you bare to come urouizo to my views at last, See if I don‘t.” “You’ll be Welcome to do that.” “ Well, boss, what is the )‘rogrun i" “I hardly know nhetl or one can be made, at this stage oil| the game,” answm‘ed the y niig chief. “ We can look over the ground, however, and sum—up the points.” “ Well, that’s good enough fora starter, has." “In the first plncc, then, comes th;s Miss Clementine liudolil’, a rich young won an wl‘ose father and mother are dead. She livcsrzlono with her servanis in the old fair.in i'csidntce. You have heard the story she told alzout the Steel Band, the IilySIlI'li.‘IlB warnings, and so forth. ” She spoke of one Barring Delawatrr. H0 is something of a sport about town, a fellow who stands will with the ‘ boys.’ but who would not make exactlya moch husband. Then, too, she mentioned Courtney Clelland, who is now her lover. He does not ‘ stand in’ with the ‘ boys,’ but he is a fine man, I Lelieve, from what I have been able to learn. “ These two arc, of course, rivals. Delawater would not accept Lis refusal as final, but said he would appear at the end of a year to ask again, Clvlland is already as good as accepted. There may be trouble etween them before long. So much for that part of the matter. Now, fer the mysteri us persona eof the SteelHand. When Miss Rudolil' was u danger of accepting Dela- water, the Unknown warned her against him in a friendly way. Now, however, that there is a rospect that she will marry (Jlelland, she is for- bidden to do that, and her life threatened. “ What do you boys see in all this?” " Another woman in the case,” answered Harry, promptly. Silent Seth nodded his assent to this inferenced “ Yes, that is the way it looks,” Billy admit- ted. “And, Hurry, that is another clincher against your ghost theory. Miss Rudolff sus- pects a woman as bein at the bottom of it all, and it looks as thong she were correct. The question is, who is the woman!" , “Give it up.” ’ “ Well, let us see. It is some one who was at first friendly enough to warn Miss Rndolff of her danger, yet who is now vengeful enoufila to threaten her. Why did she warn her! by threaten her?” “ You‘ll have to tell us.” I can on] surmise. Supposing herto beone who had no iking for Dclawater, she would nat-l urally balk his designs against Miss Rudoifl. Then supposing her to love young Clelland, would she not order Miss Rudolfl 03 that ground?” . “ That’s it!” cried Harry. “You have hit it, dead center!” ' “ Then your ghost idea falls flat.” “ Let ’er fall.” , “ Then it does not appear that Miss Rudolf! is at all crazy.” “Unless the is craz in love, and dreams all' these things. I won’t et go of that just yet.” “She couldn‘ toream u a real dagger, and real notes on real paper! at, all this will come3 out in good time, or at any rate I hope it will. The uestion is, who is that woman?" “ ay be that won‘t be hard to find out." “ How would you do iti" “ By shadowing Clelland and finding out some gal who is stuck on him.” “Easier said than dcne, I am afraid. I am trying it, but not with any great success. His circle of female acquaintances is large, and I. have not been able to bring suspicion against any particular one of them.” ' How about Delawateri” “ About the same. Some of his a uaintancss are of shady reputation, but so is be h mself, and there is nothing stran e about that. Nov, you will understand wh am talking with you at such length about t e case.” “Jt's so that We'll get it well into our think- ere. “ Exactly. You now know as much about the ', .p' m,‘w,:.-d—W= *:~\Efilh‘W‘aVr¢¢-Q.~MA ‘ L “Mn... .1, ‘3' .‘. ‘. a - ,-.....,,..~ g a.“ r...‘ . l ‘29 u my Bafl‘ied. ‘S'Broadwiay B mystery as I do myself, and are prepared for anything that may crop out regarding it.” “ But, we Won’t be in it with on to-night.” “ No, but, whatever I learn, ’ll unfold to you "when we meet here in the morning.” “And then we’ll raise our banner and sail in for victory, boy?" to the breeze,” corrected Billy. “ And we are on the side of right, every time. You two boys are in part responsible for our banner, too, and I want you to see to it at all times that no stain gets upon it.” “You bet we will!” cried Harry, with much enthusiasm. Seth did not waste words to declare, on his -part, what was readily enough understood. At this stage of the conference the door Opened. ‘ The personage who entered was the well- known superintendent of police, who was friend- , * ly to Billy and who had lent him his 'patronage , i from the first. “ Nothing to do?" he asked. “ We are not doing it fast, at any rate,” was Billy’s response, smiling. 4. The two boys had retired to their seats at once, looking at the superintendent with something akin to awe. . There was an ambition in their lives, and that ambition was, to rise in the confidence o}fJ this man as Broadway Billy had done before t PI". The superintendent had taken a seat. “ What case are you on?” he asked. Merely a little family mystery,” answered 1 . “In you want totackle something bigger?” “ I’m ready for agthing, you 'know.’ “ How does a. mu or case strike you!” " First rate, ii there is mystery about it. If it's only the result of a drunken brawr, then I don’t want it.” ' “ Thatuvould be hardly a case, as we talk about cases, Billy. Here is one with all the " mystery needed for a French novel. If you want it I’ll give you the facts.” . “ Are not your men on it?” “Oh! to be sure; but, there’s room for you. It must be that you have not heard of the murder yet." “ No; I haven’t." “ It was too late for the papers to get hold of it. I’ll give you the points. Barring Dela- water, a sport well-know about town, was found murdered in his room this morning—” "‘ Barrin Delawater, you say i" “Yes. hat interest have you in him?" “No use den ing that I have some, for you . can read meli e’an‘ open beck. He is deeply concerned in this fumil affair I spoke about. ’ .“ And what family 0 yon refer to?” “The Budolfl family, though it is now com- posed of only ‘a single member." “ The dance! Broadway Billy, you always seem to turn up in the right place at the right time. Here is work for on to do, sure enough, work which you are pro bly well fixed to un- damkes” ' ' ‘ “«Why, suspicion ints toward Miss Rudolif mas the one who kill Delawaterl” ' -' Broadway Billy was upon his feet, showing ‘willingly the excitement he felt at this revela- tion . 4 “'Is it siblci” he cried. “ What proof have they age nst herl”, ., " A handkerchief with her name on it was . found in the room, stained with blood. It had the appearance of having been used to wipe a '-ds‘§lgc’r. It was a dagger the man was killed rw . . , i B 11 ’s “ Team " were all attention. ~ “ re is a case, sure enough; now,” Billy said aloud. “I don’t pretend to know much aboat ‘ t- it, but I want to set my first impression down in favor of - Miss Rudolfl. I don’t believe she did I I, this thing. She was in this cfice not more than twenty minutes ago, and l.knowshe believed Delawatcr to he alive then.” , .CHAI’PER IV. I annals'rsn UPON BUSPIOION. ' , ‘ Tm: great thistcatchcr, as he has been called, ' looked at Broadway Billy in a wondering man- ner. , ’ Bare was something, evidently, which he could not Well understand, or at any rate something of whichhclrequired fuller particulars. “‘1 "he said, “that you are oinz into the cue wi "the conviction that M Rudolf! is llmfi‘fiii a the situitio sirl’declsrod am 1 w I . . / “ Our banner, asyou call it, is always flung . ; horse " What has the Rudolf! family to do with it!” “ And you bass that opinion upon the fact that she was here recently and said something to lead you to infer that she believed Delawater alive then.” “ Yes, that and her good character.” “ You have need to go slow, Billy. Don’t do- clare yourself too soon. She may be only plan- ning to makes. Witness out of on. If she is . guilty this would he a neat little ,y-play for her to make, don’t you see?” “ I don’t believe her guilty all the same, chief i" “What was her business here?” “ You ask that because you know I am ever ready to reveal my hand to you, and, since our two cases seem to run together to a certain de- gree, I’ll hold nothing back. But, there must be a condition.” “Name it.” , “ You are not to put your men on this lay.” “All right; I promise that.” . “ And you are not to let them interfere with any of my plans in working it as I see fit." “ Both reasonable, Billy. I agree.” “ Very well, here is the story. then.” And with that Broadway Billy told all that has been made known to the reader concern- I138 Miss Rudolf! and the mystery of the Steel and. v The superintendent rubbed his chin. “ There is something back of all this, Billy,” he said. “ I can now see good reason for your belief in the innocence of Miss Rudolfl’.” f‘ I thought yen would, chief.” "However, we will let the police take their own course and bring all the cvrdence against her they can.” u r! “So that your work in this other direction may remain in the background. By sodoing the suspicions of the guilty one may not be aroused, and we may nab him. or her, before the said he or she is aware of it.” “ Then you’d let them imprison Miss Rudolfl.’ if it comes to that?” , “ Yes; it won’t kill.” “ Nor is it very pleasant. But it cannot be avoided anyhow, till some other suspicion is made stronger. She has not been proven guilty yet, however; that is to say, has not been arrested.” ’ “ She has found my men awaiting her when she returned home from here. She will bere- quired to tell how her handkerchief came there.” ‘ “I think I will so to her at once.” “ With what object?" ' - “To prevent her telling anything about this mysterious Steel Hand." “Not a bad idea, but you may he too late. She has probath been overcome by the arrest, and you will' find that she has been. tellin everything. And, too, upon that will depen in a measure my estimate of her guilt or in- nocence.” H How a” V “ My im ression as to her guilt or innocence, I say Will epend much upon how she conducts if when arrested.” “ If she tells about the Steel Hand, what then i” ‘ v f‘It'will have the appearance of a” pretty fairy tale made up by herself to decsive. You have never seen this Steel Hand, nor has any’ one else, save her, and it would be easy for her to write the notes and produce the dagger, tell-' ing how she had found them.” “Then you believe that of her?” - “ Not at all; I am only dwelling upon the pos- sibilities.” “ Do not condemn her till there is blacker Erect against her than at present. There are a undred ways of explaining how her handker- chief came there, you. known” “I do not condemn, Billy: Ij merely look at both sides without bias. That is what you would do had you not formed our impression by. what you have seen of this ady during the brief time you have kn0wn her.” ‘ ‘ h‘f Jilly impressions seldom. lead ' me astray, c s ‘ ' r “ Well, let’s ‘ see. how nearvyou are right this a. I want you to bring the murderer of Bar- is, you can get in’ ahead of In a.” _“I"ll try it, with the hst of: cam.” , . " Still stick to the Team, eh! i all, they have served you. emciently, that I know. Besidesgl remember wha Now, I go and and the callertook his lea , . t No sooner had be gone than Harry was stand- ings? his hesd in‘ths middlaiof theroom. 11 had got up from his place; too,th exi r ringf Delawater to me. no matter who it be; that- t‘ you were yourself, as a boy._ :- you may carryout your plan;”‘ vs.- ‘veryrosrsfnl'whstjon say. And, it hibited nothing of the excitement his partner: . was manifesting,” “ What’s the matter, Harry?” asked Billy. With a spring Harry righted himself to re— spou . ~ “ The fever is on me,” he declared. “ I feel it gettiu’ higher an’ higher, now, an’ if the try) don’t blow off the jigger it will be funny, that s all. The pressure is getting high.” “ What do you think about the ghost now?” “What do you think about Miss Budolfi’s' bein sound in the head?” “ see you won’t be convinced by anything: but proofs. Well, we’ll go into the case and See- ‘if we can’t make something out of it. You boys may accompany me to the house.” “WhOOpl” cried Harry. gleeful] . “That is just the stuff, you bet! Ceme on, treat for us.” " I’m ready." “ You ain’t got no more feelin’ than a clam, Seth. Why don’t ye show how glad ye are that the boss has asked ye to come along? Why, it’s all I can do to keep from yelling right out.” Seth was as stoical and unaffected as though Pet had been asked merely to step out to post a e tor. His heart, however, was beating high, and he was glad enungh for the o portunity. Arriving at the Rudolfl’presidence, thy found two policemen on guard at the door, but on Billy’s showing his badge, he and the boys Were admitted readily encugh. eth; here’s a They found the bonnehold in a slate of excite-’ ment. The old housekeeper and other servants were in the hall, u hile within the parlor on the right were seen oflicers with their prisoner. Miss Rudolfl’ had been arrested! Broadway Billy entered rt once, the boys. with him, and at sight of .them the excited woman cried out: ’ I ~ “Ohl Mr. W estoni Can’t you save me? Can’t you rove to them it isn’t so?’ -“ nl Broadway Billy,'el.l” one of the (flicers remarked, looking at the newcomers. Billy nodded, and responded to Miss Rudoifr. “ Can’t I says you from what, Miss Rudolfl‘l‘” he asked. “ What has happened? What is. the meaning of this?” v “Oh! they tell me, Mr. Deiawater is dead-— has been murdered, and they accuse me of the deed! God knows I did not do it.” “ On what grounds is she accused?” asked Billy of the « tilt-er. « “Suspicion strong enough,” was the reply. “ A handkerchief with her name was found near- tllie hqu of the murdered: man, all stained with. ood._ “ Is that all!” “ Not by a good deal.” “ What more!” r “Oh! I am, innocent! I am innocent!” the young woman cried, and she wrung her hands- II) a (lnya ' “ but more? Why, in 'her room was found ,- I a dress all stained wnh 'blood, and as if that: were not, enough, in a trunk We found' this dagger, blood-stained as you see it. What. more evidence is wanting?” . Broadway Billy saw a clear case. ‘1’“ At what time was the deed done?” he asked. I “ We do not know} the body was found this. morning.” ’ ' ' ‘ “ When was Dela water last seen alive!” ' ‘ “About eleven o’clock last night. It was dis. covered about six this morning. ’ “ Seven hours. You have been some time in getting here, hava you not? Why the delay i” ‘i Mr. Weston, I was not aware that you bad guy right to put moon the stand.” “Nor had I any intention of doing so,” an- swered Billy. v “ I was only trying to get at the« facts, you see, oflicer.” " ’ “If that was all, no offense is taken. The delay incoming here was due to the fact that no one recognized the handkerchief until some of the blood was washed out of it to see whether it, “bore a mark or not. Then it was that the name of Clementine Rudolff was reVealed. \ This made that point all clear. ‘ . “ But, it is all a mistake,” the prisoner cried. “ I swear that it is all a mistake, or—a $9171th plot against me.” “Can you explain how! the bloodicameE your dress?” asked the detective who h made the arrest. “Can you explain about- “ Miss Radclif.” he now will he used against you at the . l; :/‘ :x i,“ the dgggcrl _‘How carnagthess things in year: ' ‘ Broadway Billy knew she had not yet made. , a . mention of the mystery of the haunted room. . lull. ‘-‘ whatever on my: < at, there-viii - ~ ~--_. \.;;_A.A_gfl,_,_‘ .A H a _ ‘i-l g,_._H 1... .. , ., 1...“... .~. .x’, \ Broadway Billy Baffled. an thing which you have not yet told, do not tell, it at all. I advise that, in your own in- terest.” Her eyes looked a question. “ Shall I keep the secret of the Steel Hand?” he read there.‘ And the answer he made, in words not to be mistaken, was— “ You keep that secret well! By it you may be cleared of this terrible accusation. I have, as you know, excellent reason for thinking you innocent, so be wise, prudent and reticont.” CHAPTER V. HARD TO UNDERSTAND. WHEN Billy said that, the fair prisoner bowed her head as if with the resolve to be as one dumb, almost. The detective in charge looked from her to Billy in a wondering way. “ What is this?” he demanded. “ It is something which cannot be told yet,” Billy answered. “ fit is anything that has bearing upon this case, I demand to know what it is.” “ Sorry, but your demand does not amount to anything. I do not know anything that can brush away these evidences, at present, so your arrest is all right.” “ But, you believe the prisoner is innocent?” “ 1 must assuredly do, officer!” M Why?” “ To tell you that would be to tell you all. I can’t do it. If I am not ’way off in my facts you wiil find out in good time.” “And you, Miss Rudolil’, you declare you are innocent?” “ I am as innocent as your own mother, siri” “ Then why will you not say something to clear yourself? You need not say anything that can be used against you, you know.” “I will not say anything. There is no use in my saying anything." “ Have you come here to take a hand in the ‘cBalsel” and the detective in charge turned to i ly. “ Yes, I am going to try my hand at it.” “‘ And you are beginning with the assumption that the prisoner is innocent?" “That is the stand I take—yes!” “ Well, I hope you will bring the proof to that effect, for in my heart I am sorry and pained to be obliged to make this arrest.” The man meant what he said. Billy knew him, but not as well as he knew some others on the force. His name was Woodmansy, and he was held ‘to be a good detective and a thoroughly reliable man. “ Yet it cannot be helped. under .the circum- stances,” Billy assumed. “ You must bear up, Miss Rudolfi‘, and if you are innocent the proof will be surely forthcoming. Knowing what I do, I have good grounds to Work upon, so be brave now—a I know you will be.” “I trust all to you, and will await patiently for you to solve the terrible mystery.” “Will you permit me to see the proofs you have, Detective Woodmansyi” “ Certainly. Jones has them there in that bundle. J ones, let him look at the articles.” The man addressed laid the bundle on the floor and opened it. First he took out a house dress, One which ‘Billv had seen Miss Rudolf! wearing only a day or two before! The bottom of the skirt, and nearly the whole front of it, was stained and bespattered with blood. It looked as though a bloody hand had been wiped upon it. " When did you last wear this dress, Miss Rudolff?" Billy asked. “ Only yesterday,” :was the prom t answer. “ You see how it looks," put in oodmansy. “ Yes, it looks dark enough." Tile next article displayed was the dagger. Billy recognized at once the Weapon Miss Ru- dolfl‘ had showed him the one she claimed the ‘ mysterious Steel Henri had left. It had been wiped, but was still somewhat stained. Broadway Billy was puzzled. There was in- deed much ere to raise doubts in his mind. Then were displayed a slipper with blood- etaius on it, the handkerchief that had been found near the murdered man, and one or two other articles bearing the same dread mums. Bi'l‘IWhere were these things fouuu’l" asked y. "In the corner of acloset in Miss Rudolff’s room," was the reply. "That is, all save the handkerchief." ' “Had they the appearance of being hidden away!" “Decidedly. They were packed close dawn in the corner, with a- lot of other things over them.” Billy was thoughtful. “ Your case is a clear one, Woodmansy,” he said. “ There is no excuse for your not making the arrest. At the same time, Miss ltiidolll‘, i believe you are innocent, and will do nillcan for you. Only do as I have advised. Make no statement, whatever, for the present, to any per- MiSs Rudolfl' was permitted to prepare for the change, and when ready, was taken to the station in a carriage, the house being left in charge the weeping housekeeper. Broadway Billy and his Team remained there. “ You do not, you can not, believe her guilty 4" the housekeeper asked. “ NO. Mrs. Beauforte, I do not believo her guilty,” Billy declared. “\Vo must prove her innocent; that is our highest duty now.” “ I only hope we can do so quickly, sir.” “ It may take time. \Vo must bo patient. By the way, had your mistress said anything to you about admitting me into the house after dark to-night?" “Yes, sir; she gave the orders that you wars to be let in by tho rear way after dark. None of the others are to know anything about it.” “ Well, I will be here, so be looking out for me.” “ I will.” “ And these two boys, they are my assistants. If I have occasion to send them here for any- thing, trust them as you would trust me.” “ I will.” “And now, Mrs. Beauforte, let us go to the haunted room. I must look around there once more, and at the same time I want my "l‘eam’ to see that apartment of mystery.” “Gladly, sir. Come this way.” It was a house of sorrow. Every servant was weeping, and their grief could not have been greater had their fair mistress been cai‘ried out a corpse. The housekeeper led the way and Billy and the boys followed her to the room in question. The door was locked, the key on the outside. “ Was this door locked last night?” asked Billy. “ Yes, sir.” “ You are sure on that point?” “ I am positive.” “ And how about the door of the room where Miss Rudolf? slept?" “ It was her old room, sir, the one she used to occupy. She went back to it when she had the things moved out of here, as you desired. She always slept with the door secured.” Billy was puzzled. , Tho housekeeper now opened the door. All entered, the two boys for the first time, and Billy looked keenly around. “ So. this is the ghost’s stampin’-grouncl, is it?” spoke Happy Harry, who had now been quiet for an unusually long time. for him. "This is the place,” unawered Billy. “And, Harry, if you will explain the mystery of that Steel Hand business I will promote you and raise your pay. Here is a chance for you i” “ I guess on are safe enough in making the offer,’ was arry’s response. Seth was surveying the room Swiftly yet thoroughly, and soon crossed to the opposite wall nd laid his finger on a spot. Turning, he looked at Billy. The others joined him at once, eager to see what he had found. “ What is it, Seth?” demanded Billy. “ Is it not a spot of blood 1” the silent partner questioned. If it had been such, it was such no longer, for the spot‘ had been scraped as with a knifel Only here and there was a tiny particle of red left visible. “ How did you discover it?” asked Billy. “ By chance, I suppose. It didn’t look like the rest of the wall, so I wanted to know what made it." “ Your eyes were quicker and sharper sighted than mine. This spot was not here when I ex- amined the place last time, I am sure of that, unless I am growing color blind.” “And that can’t be so.” put in Harry. “ Guess we’ll score one for Silent Seth, boss.” “ We shall have to.” Billy was examining the wall with care, hop— ing to (lisf‘llVi‘X‘ something that had escaped his attention before, but he was baffled. There was not the slightest suggestion of a panel or secret door to be found anywhere, search closely as he would. The spot on the wall had given him a ho . Believing Miss Rudolf! innocent, as he 1d,!he had, from the first, suspected the mysterious agent of the Steel Band of the crime. It had all come to his mind at once—the en- trance of the murderer by a secret way, and the damning evidences against the innocent one purposely prepared and left where the police had found theml—a horrible plot indeed. And that being so, did not this spot of blood indicate where the pnnel was? Had it not been imprinted there by accident, and hastily but carefully removed with the blade of a knife!” The theory was reasonable, but the search for the secret way was as fruitless as it had been before. “ Your discovr-ry was a good one, Seth,” Billy said, “ but it leads to nothing. It is how- ever, one link in a chain to save Miss Rudolil‘.” l “ Thank God for that much i” muttered Mrs. Beau f i irte. This spot on the wall, as Billy told his adju- tnnts, was about in the place where Miss Ru- dolfl‘ had seen the vision oi' the Steel IIund. That added to the strength of his theory, but the failure to discover any thing further made it of no value. They finally left the room, feeling that they Wore only the further mystified. Seeing the deor lorked, and giving directions that it was not to be opened again until his re- turn tlnit evening, Billy and his“beagles” re« tired. “ Well, what do you think now i” Billy asked, as they went back to the (like. “My thinker has stopped," answered Harry. “Somethin’ has clogged the Works, and that sonixthin’ is this mystery. It’s too heavy for me. “ And what say you, Seth?” “I say there is no secret way out of that room, sir. If there were, you would have found it long ago. carefully as you haw looked. It has got to be explained some other way." “That thought has Come to me," Billy de- clared. CHAPTER VI. m'ricnvmw WITH CLELLAND. “ SAY, see here," spoke up Happy, Harry. “ Well, what have you to 0 er, Harry?” Billy inquired. “ Seems to me I had better draw out of this c0inbine right away." “ Why so?" “ My opinion don’t seem to count for anything any more.” “ Bless your happy little heart, Harry, we couldn’t spare you. That would stop our clock for us, sure. Besides, you didn’t express any opinion." “ Not express any opinion! What do ye call it, anyhowll Didn’t I say ghost? And there you shut me oll’. Didn‘t say the woman had rats? And there you sot on me. Now if Isay I believe she’s guilty, ou’ll jump on me.” “ I wouldn’t won or if we did,” ngreed Billy. “ Our combination is not oing to say that.” “ Well, I didn’t mean t, but I tell you ‘ I’m stumped.” - “ So are all of us. But, we’ll get there by and by all the same. Come, now get your smile on your face or we’ll have to change your name to ‘ something else.” ’ Harry gave up his little by-play, and was as smiling as over. They did not talk further about the case till the office was reached, when they went over it at length. With all their study and speculation, how- ever, they (‘aine every time to the same dead wall, the mystery of the Steel Band. There, they felt sure, was the key to it all. , Leaving the boys at the office, Billy set out to find Courtney Clellund. . The young man was employed in a down-town bank, holding some responsible position, and was easily found. Billy sent in his card, with a few words pen- ciied on it, and was soon ushered into the young man’s ofllce. “ You‘are Weston, the detective!” the young man asked. “ As my card told you,” answered Billy. “ And you wanted to see me?” “ ()i’ that, ico, you new informed. I haVB called on what may prove a serious errand." The young man’s face was grave. . “ Well, please state your business,” be .‘e- quested. “ You are acquainted with Miss Clementine Rudolfl‘, I believe.” “ I am.” ‘ “ In fact, are regarded as her lover.” , “ What is your reason for speakingthnstomfl- V f Come, sir, be out with it at once. What have you come here for?” “ One moment and you shall knew all.” Billy was giving the young man time to show whether he knew anything of what had taken place. He was now satisfied that he did not. “ You had a rival, I believe,” he added. “1 shall refuso to answer your questions, sir, till I am made aware what your effect 3’ “ And that rival was Barring Delawater." Billy paid no attention to his refusal to answer the query. “ You seem to know all my affairs," Clelland remarked. Perhaps you can t: “ me something more." “ I think I can, sir. But, do not get angry, for I may be able to render you a service, if on are innocent of the murder of Barring elawater.” The young man was upon his feet, his face pale but his eyes flashing. “ What! Barring Delawater dead?” he cried. “You amaze me. And has he been murdered? Surely you do not seriously suspect me of the crime. Tell me all about it, if you please.” Billy had watched him narrowly. That he was innocent of the crime there was no doubt. Of course, the young detective had not thought him guilty, but bad sprung the news upon the young banker to note the effect. “ No, sir, I do not suspect you of the crime,” I he assured. " At the same time you may be able to throw some light upon it.” H ” fl Yea.” “ Pray how i” “ You may be able to point out some one who would do the deed—that is to say, who might be found to have had a motive for it.” “ Impossible.” “ Think well. sir.” :. “ It is useless.” “Then let me know that Miss you, and—” “ Sir, are you not exceeding the length of our—- “ I think not. You are thought favorably of, 1 said, and it ma be that some one else had an object in killing elawater—” “ You talk in riddles. Why do you not come at once to the point?” “ Your interruptions do not tend to hasten the uestion you. I happen to udelif thinks favorably of l “ Well, well, go on. Still, I cannot see in what way the death of Delawater has to do with me and Miss Rudolff.” “ What I had just started to say, Mr. Ciel- land, I will put second to another thought. Are you aware that Miss Rudolf! has a rim-d for your regard?” “ [I am not, sir.” “ Very good. Now, I know that Delawater would not take the refusal that was given to his suit, but declared that he weiild press it again at the end of a year. That time is now nearly gone. Do you sup so, out of her love for you, Miss Rudolf! wou d kill him to remove him from her path?" “ Good heavens! How dare you mention her name in such a connection? Not a breath of sus- picion can blow upon her.” “In that you are mistaken.” “ V: but!” “ Yes, mistaken; for, Miss Rudolfl’ is now un- der arrest charged with the murder of Barring Delawater.” “ My God! Surely you are not in earnest, Mr. Weston. Say you are only trying me, for some purpoae or other, and—” “ It is the truth. She is now in a cell.” “ The fools! To think she would, or could, do such a deed. What were they thinking about?” “ The proofs are all against her, though.” “ And what are the proofs?" The young man was pacing the floor in the greatest of mental anguish. Broadway Billy laid the facts before him. and by the time he had done, Clelland had sunk into a chair With a mean. “ You see how it looks,” said Billy. “ Yes, yes, I see. I see; but, she is innocent, as surely as the sun shines she is innocent.” 41 believe it. sir.” he young banker s run 11 and as Billy’s hand and wrung rit. g p gr ped “Thank heaven for these words from your lips,” he cried. “ Will you help me to prove her innocent?" “ Ieléave already set out to do that.” Billy ‘ lull! Broadway Billy Baffled. “God bless you in your work, then. But. what do you knew? Whom do you suspect of the crime?” "I know nothing, I suspect no one, yet. I have come to you for hel .” “ Would to God that I could help you.” “ I hope you can. The question I asked you a moment ago is on important one. Think well and answer agar" “ What qmstiofi was it?” “Is there any other woman who thinks well enough of you to lead her to take measures for removing Miss Rudol” out of her way‘i" “ Ha! new I catch V our meaning. Killing Delawater and throwing the suSpiciou upon Miss itudolfl would be an easy way of accom- plishing such an end. But, think of the horror of it all—~” “ Then you do not know of such a one?” “ No,-no, I do not." “ 1 had hoped you might.” The young man had resumed his pacing to and fro, his face a picture of mental agony. “No, no, I can think of no one upon whom suspicion can rest,” he declared. “ 1 am all at less. How damning the evidence is l” “ It is, indeed.” “ Why, it is enough to hang her!" “ Nothing but the sworn testimony of eye- witnesses could be stronger.” “ My God! And she is innocent—she is inno- cent. To save her, Mr. Weston, I would take the guilt upon myself.” “ impossible for you to do so, sir. How would you explain away the evidence they have discovered against her? No; the only thing to be done is to try to bring the truth to light.” “ Would that I could point out the guilty wretch to you.” “ I wish you could; but that, too, is out of the question. In the sight of the public Miss Rudolfl’ is guilty. How are we to clear her?” “ If you can do it, Mr. Weston, I will give you ten thousand dollars.” “ No amount of reward can make me put forth more effort than I shall exert on my own account, sir.” “ I know, I know. But, what can I do to assist? You have only to direct me, and i will never tire. She must be saved, and set free as speedily as possible.” “ You are very sure you can name no one who could have an interest in throwing this sus- picion upon NilsB Rudolfi’, eh?” “ I am Very sure.” “ And do you feel as sure that Miss Rudelff has not done it herself, driven to despair by the persecutions of that man?” “ Heavens! would you cast such a shadow upon her good name? She is innocent, I can sweaiJ to it. I Mould still call her innocent, had she been taken red-handed on the spot.” “ Well, in coming to see you has brought me nothing. suppose you will go and see the prisoner i” “As. soon as possible, sir. As soon as I can get there.” “ Well, she may tell you things she would not reVeal to me. f so. you can render her no greater szrvice than to remember well every word that falls from her lips. Something she Eiayrit'evneal to you may be the means of saving er i e. CHAPTER VII. \ YET ANOTHER PHASE APPEARS. WHEN Broadway Billy had taken.bis leave Courtney Clellnnd lost no time in setting 0‘“ to see Miss Rudo’lfi'. The terrible news of her arrest had come upon him like a heavy blew. and he Stflglertd pnder it, hardly able to realize that it could be rue. ' “ She is innorent, she is innocent,” he kept saving to himself. “How can they think her otherwise? Oh! that they only knew her heart as i know it! She is innocent. innocent.” With such evidence against her there could be but the one result. She was held on the charge. and at her hear- ing there could be no other course than to com- mit her for trial. When Clelland reached the place where she was imprisoned he was excited and impatient. Hehcould hardly wait till the doors were opened im. As soon as he was permitted to see the prisoner he caught her to. his heart. “ My darling!” he cried. For the first time since her arrest Miss Rudelfl showed emotion. Laying her head upon his shoulder she wept, clinging to him as though for protection. “You need not tell me it is not true,” 0161. >3: land spoke. speedily set free.” “ Yes. I am innocent, Courtney.” “ No need to tell me. But, why did you not send for me? Why did you not let me know of this trouble?” “ I have hardly been able to think. It came upon me so suddenly, and it is all so horrible. Wh 1 can hiiVe done the deed?” “ Would that I knew!” 5‘ You do believe me innocent of it, don’t you?” “ How can you ask that? You are as guiltless as the angels of heaven.” “ But, they will not believe me so. See the terrible evidence they have found against me.” “ Can you not explain that away i” “Alas! i can not.” . “ Do you mean you will not?" “ No, no; I mean 1 can not. I am lost in mystery.” “ Is it possible that you do not knew how the blood came on your dress, and how the dress came in your closet?" “ I tell you truly that I do not know. I were the dress only yesterday, and did not see. it again till it was discovered by the ( fliCers.” “ Heavens! what a mystery! I know you are speaking the truth, for you could have no object in withholding anything from me. How can it be explained? It must be explained, somehow, or-‘ll h “ Or I am lost.” “ My God! how terrible the thought i” “ But, I have a hope, Courtney; I do not greatly fear.” “Ah! that lifts a load off my heart. Tell me what it is, dear one.” “It is this, that the young detective, Broad~ we?i Billy as he is called, can clear me.” ‘ It was he who told me of your arrest. What does he know? Has be some clew to the inur- derer?” ' “ Yes.” “ Thank Heaven! Tell me what it is.” “ That I cannot do.” “ You cannot tell me I” “ No. I am pledged to not even speak of it to any one. 1 n ade the exception of you, and you must not breathe it.” “Trust me, I will not. This gives me a hope. But, have you engaged a lawyer to defend you? That must not be neglected.” “ 1 had not thought of it. But, Mr. Tilfrey will do that.” “ Yes, and he will come to you as soon as he hears of this. Oh, my darling, to find you in such a situation i” The rest of their talk may be left unrecorded. About the some time there was an interview at Police Headquarters in which we may take passing interest. The superintendent and the inspector were there, and Detective Woodmansy had just come in to make his report of the Delaw-ater case. “ It looks like a clear case,” said the in- specter. “Yes, it looks so.” admitted the superintend- ent, “ but it is far from bein a clear case.” The inspector and the etective looked at b. im. “You doubt her guilt?” u] do.” , see the proof. And, there was an obj ct. She hated Delawater, and he was con- stantly persecuting her with his unwelcome at- tentions. We haw found that be had sworn she should never wed any other but him. She loved Clelland, and may she not, in a desperate mood, have done the deed?” “ The argument is good.” “You must admit that. And, had she not dropped her handkerchief there she would never have been suspec .” “ The handkerchief was found, however.” The experienced superintendent spoke with some stress. “I catch your meaning,” said the inspector. “ You think the view was left on purpose to im. plicn to Miss Rudolff.” u 1’ d0.” “ Will you explain. then, how the blood- stained dress was in the closet in her room? It has been shown that her door was locked at night.” _ “That I cannot do. at present. But. While you are at work on the case, give that young Woman the benefit of a liberal doubt, and do al you can to find some other person who might have had an object in killing Delawater.” “ It shall be done.” “ There are some mints in her favor, spite of all that is against her. 0001 enough to have done the deed, she would have been far too care. ful to have lost her handkerchief there. Then, “I know that, and you shall be " l l l Broadway Billy Baffled. \ 7 she would never have allowed her stained dress to remain in the house Over night.” “ Yet she might.” “ True; but not probable.” " You are givin her credit for great shrewd- ness,” said the etective. “ She has not dis- played much of it since her arrest. This blun- gerisg work seems to me to be about natural for er. “ Well, well, we argue without proofs. What proofs there are are all against her. She must sufl’er, unless something to the contrary can be discovered. Do what (you can for her, for she Will need every frien ly turn she can com- mand.” The superintendent took his leave, at that. “ He knows something he has not revealed, I am sure of that,” spoke the inspector. “ §trange, then, he would not let us know, too. “ He has his reason for not doing so, he sure of it. Well, we must take the hint as has drop- ped, and do what we can for the poor girl. I only ho we can clear her, \Voodmansy. ’ ‘ An so do I. If there is anfi clew we have not got, it is the one Broadway iliy holds.” “ Hal is that young wonder on the case?" “ Yes; and there is something between him and the prisoner. He told her not to reveal a cer- tain thing to any one.” “ That is the secret, then depend on it. If that Ezoung fellow keeps on, in ten years’ time he will a the greatest detective the country can show." “I am aware of it." At that moment a telegram was handed up from the operating-room in the basement of the building. The inspector read it. “ Hello i" he exclaimed. more. Woodmansy.” “ What is it?” “ Hear this: ’ “ ° To INSPECTOR “humus:— “ ‘ If you wantfiirther proof in the Delawater case. examine well the dead man‘s private pa )ors. I Would bring you this word in person. but i lave no desire to spend a term in your Hi'iuse of Detention. For the same reason I sign myself— “ ‘ Axoximous.‘ " “ What do you think of that!” asked the listen- irg detective. “ I don’t know what to think about it. Some- body knows a good deal about the murder, it would seem.” “ You are right. There may be something in the super’s belief.” “ He is not the man to be fooled. There is something in it, depend on it. I Will see what I can find out about this message.” All that was to be learned was soon ascertain— “ Here is something The message had been left at one of the sub- stations by an unknowu person, who disappeared before it was read. There was no clew to that person, and it was useless to try to find him, now. Whoever it had been, he had taken care not to let himself be known at the station, and he could not be de- scribed. “ No use, now,” decided the inspector. “ And shall I act upon the information?” asked the detective. “ Yes; go at once and make the search, and let me know what you find, noting well how you find it.” An hour later the detective was back again. “ Well?” the inspector asked. “ Here, evidently, is what was meant by the telegram.” He handed a letter to his superior as he spoke, and the inspector Opened and r‘ead it. It ran thus: “ BARRING Dsmwarna:-— “ How ma'w times must I tell you your suit is hopeless? I tell you so for the last time. I will u it marry you, positively. Now, if you do not leave me alone I will take measures to make you do so. ks to your threats against C——-. beware! Before I will s e him harmed by you I will kill you will my own hand. Do not goad me too far. Take warning, tori mean what I say. - “ No signature necessary.“ “ It looks darker than ever,” the inspector mused. “ Yes,.it does; but, who was the person who knew tings letter was among the murdered man’s rs “ Hal that is the question—who? Some one who is no friend to Clementine Rudolfl', that is certain. Woodmansy, I see here much room to desist her guilt. I agree with the superintend- en . “ And the man we want, bad, is the one who sent that telegram to you.” CHAPTER VIII. BILLY HOLDING THE BEST HAND. IN the mean time, when Broadway Bill had one out from the office, Happy Harry and ilent ‘eth fell into a lengthy discussion of the merits of the case. That is to say, Happy Harry did. He talked at Seth rather than with him, for Seth, as we know, was not one to waste words in idle argu- ment. IVhen he spoke, however, his words told. And thus they were engaged when a caller en- tered the office. It was a man, one evidently well along in years, for his hair and beard were quite white. “ Mr. Weston is not in?" he observed, looking around. “ No, sir,” he was answered. “ When will he be in?” “ Maybe in an hour.” “ I cannot wait. I suppose you boys can tell him something for me, can on not?” “That’s what We’re here or,” said Harry. “Well, I have come in regard to the Dela- water case; and have in my possession what may be an important clew.” This was something that caused the boys’ hearts to heat wildly, but they did not let it be seen by their faces that they were unusually in- terested. “I believe he has some such case as that on hand,” spoke up Seth. “I think that was the name; was it not, Harry?” “ Something like that,” Harry agreed. The visitor Was eying them keenly, and he seemed to feel relief as.he noted their apparent lack of interest in their master’s affairs. But, he knew not the sort of mateiial he had to deal with in Broadway Billy’s Beagles. Short as had been their interview thus far, the boys had decidedly the best of it. “ Yes, that is it,” the man assured. “ He has interested himself in it. as I happen to know.” “What name shall I mention to him?” asked Harry. _ “ Oh! name does not matter,” was the reply. “ He does not know me and it does not signify anything anyhow. Teli him a stranger called." “ All right, a stranger culled,” repeated Harry, like a parrot. The boy was making himself to appear not over bright. and the man apparently made that estimate of him. “Yes, a stranger called, that Will do," the man went on. “And you may tell him the str'anger said he was sorry he did not find him in. “ To be sure.” ” He had to leave town, though, and could not wait." “ Just so.” “ And then, you may tell him that the stranger had some knowledge about the murder and thought it best to tell somebody.” “ Exactly.” It was Hurry who made most of the replies. “ I thought of telling the police, but they would detain me as a witness, and 1 have not the time to spare.” “ Then did you see the crime committed?” “ Bless you, no; hutI have some idea that I can help the officers to find some proof.” “ Most likely that’s what they want.” “ Well, I can't stay)long. Tell your employer to look well among elawater’s papers, and he may find something, unless the police get ahead of him.” “ All right, sir.” Neither Harry nor Seth allowed himself to show more than passing interest in what the man said. “I will make it a little clearer,” the man offered. “ I knew Delawater slightly, and I saw him the other day. with a letter in his hand. He talked to himself about it, and I heard him mutter something about Miss Rudolff. She, I understand, has been arrested for the crime. That letter may shed some light upon the mys- tery. “ That’s so. Well, we’ll tell him.” “Sorry I could not find him in, and sorry I can’t wait.” . The old man was making his stay very brief. Having said what he had come to say, be was ready to go. “ t’s all right,” Harry assured. “We won’t forget to tell him yOu have been here. Stranger quite an old man, and in a hurry. He’ll ask a about that, you see, so I’ve got it.” “ That’s it. Yes. tell him an old man.” The man opened the door and was gone. at that and the partners looked at each other quickly. “ He has picked us up for flats,” cried Harry, in a whisper. “ He may make up his miudtodrop us for ssharps, before he is done with us,” responded eth. “ Who shall folIOW him?” b0” You, if you want to; I‘ll stay and tell the as. There was no time to debate the question, and Seth was already preparing his disguise. He had flung open the door of a dresser and taken out another coat and hat, and puttinga wig on his head and a mustache on his lip, he was ready. The man could meanwhile no more than have reached the street. Harry had taken his station at the vgindow to see him leave the building, and when.Seth ap- peared below he looked up and Harry indicated the direction the man was taking. It had all been done remarkiib y quickly. “ Seth is onto his buze,” Harry said to him- self, as he drew his head in at the window. “ If he shakes him (if he's a smarter chap than I take him to be. Wonder what in all creation he came here for, anyhow?" The answer did not appear. “ There is a bagful of mystery here,” Harry cogitiited. “ I’ll be glad when we can see the bottom, for it is so deep at present that it makes my head swim to look down. But, give Broad— way Billy a show, and are if he don’t unmask the mystery for ’em. And as for me and Beth —-well, I don’t amount to much in the com- bine, but I’m ready to rally round the banner, every time.” When Harry had no one else to talk to he talked to himself, and he kept it up on this oc- casion till Broadway Billy returned. “ VVIiei'e’s Seth?” Billy immediately asked. “ Give it up,” answered Harry. “ He went out after His Whiskers, and hasn’t got back at.” “ Who was it?” “ Man with white hair and whiskers, came in here sOon after you had gone out.” “ What did he want!" Harry stated the facts in a straight manner. “ Was that man in disguise, do you think?” Billy asked. “ Wouldn’t be amazed greatlv to learn that he was,” aiiswered Harry. “ He didn’t look half as old in the eye as he did in the whiskers.” “And the eye is the place to look. I’m glad you are always on the alert for such games. This fellow came here With a purpose. and he torik the chance to come while I “as out.” “Guess he wouldn’t have left so soon if you had been in." “Hardly; and he knew it.” “ It popped into my head to try to detain him but it popped Ont again u hen I thought it would be best to let him think he had blinded us and then follow him and learn something about him.” “You did just right. Your judgment is sel- dom at fault, or Seth’s either. I am proud of you. Well, I’ll take his hint, anyhow, and see if there is anything in the pretended clew he has put into our hands.” At that moment a messen er came in, with a message from the superinten ent. “ Something has turned up,” Billy said to Harry, when he had read it. “There is some- thing for me at the (thee, and I must go there at once. If Seth comes back you and he wait for me.” In a short time Billy entered the office of the superintendent, in response to the call. ‘ You sent for me,” he said. “Yes! There is a new phase in this case." “ “'hat’s that?” “ The police have a blind clew.” “ They are not of much account—blind clews, I mean.” “ Sometimes not, but in this case I consider this one of considerable account, in one way." “ And what way is that?” “ In the way of bearing out your theory that Miss Rudolfl’ is innocent.” “ Hal now you interest me.” “ Yes. A man sent amessage toHeadquarters telling us to look well into the private papers 0 Barring Delawater and there our man found an impoqmtant letter. Here it is. What do you think of it Billy read the letter, the one quoted in 0 PW ceding cha ter. “It is a aka,” he declared. “ You think so?” “I do, most assuredly.” u Whvr, y s,.|"' p v I. a - as; iffy “£45, flu ‘, “ Well. because in the first place Miss Budolfl I y f ' b" .1 . . . f. i? I,_ .~,....,,......,.'....».. ~.-.s._- ..- ~ .«XM.--o—wwu.-n-. . *- v 8 Broadway Billy Baffled. would not wiite such a note if she really had thought of killing him—" “Unless she isa little insane on the matter, eh?” That was something of Harry’s thuory. “ She is not insane,” Billy declared. “ Her head is level enough. She would never write what she had once told him so plainly. No means no, and no matter how inme times repeated it can’t moun any more. Busnlw,l have the second chapter of this lltlllu by-pluy.” “ Your argument is strong or weak, just as it is looked at,” commented the gin-at chiettztin of the defective art. “ llut, Since you say you have more information in the same line I’ll give you the bent-fit of the doubt. \tht’s your story i” Billy Ftold about. the man who had been at the onion during his absence. “You have it,” the superintendent declared. “It is thesame man, and if your boy (loos his girt well the game will be in your own hunds. I trange they could not leuve well enough uloue. But, then, that ii the way they are caught, a good many times; they owrdo it.” “Silent Seth will folio v him, no matt ir how long the trail,” Billy c mil lently assured. “ And when he repfirts. l’ll let you know what the re- sult has bean. No N, I Illllw'l; go und prepare for the night. If I turn up llllxslllg, you will know where to look for me.” Gil-X l’l‘lCR lX. SETH mars roiNTs. \ it: the mean Ellll" Silent} Sat'n had done well the duty he had undertaken. Taking the cue from Harry, as explained, he set ofi’ up the street, and in a moment had his man in sight. 1n appearance the man'wns old, but there was a rouudness to his legs and a spring to his Stir-p that gave the lie to his appearance, when closely observed. “ He is in disguise, and I know it,” Seth said to himSialf. The man had not gone far when he stopped suddenly and looked back, taking a good survey in the direction of the ofiioe. Silent Seth did not hesitate an instant for to do so would be to invite susp cion. lie kept straight on, pushed the mun without looking at him, and turned the next corner. There was a book-stall, and he stopped there and fingered some of the volumes that lay ex- posed to sun and wind. He did not intend to remain long enough to lose sight of his man but he had good reason to suppose the man would continue on and soon cross the street. And he was not mistaken. In half a minute or so the man appeared, and as soon as he had passed the next corner, Setn resumed his pursuit. \ About half-way up the next block the man came to a waiting cab, which he entered, and the driver started up his horse and the vehicle went whirling away. 1 For the moment Seth was at loss, but not for 0119:. He glanced about, in the hope of seeing a cab he might engnge, but none was in sight. A car clmo along, however, and as that would make about as fast time a< the cab could make, the street being crowded, Seth boarded that and continued tho chase, keeping his eyes "constantly upon the cab. When Union Square was reached the cab turn- ed aside, and Seth left the car and follOWed again On feet. He had not far to go now. ' The cab soon drew in to the curb, and the man got out, tossed the driver his fare, and immedi- ately entered a carriage that was in waiting. Seth was prompt to not, here. Seeing another cab drawing near, he hailed it and said to the driver: “ Want a fare?” “ Cert,” was the brief response. “ See that carriage there?” indicating care- fully. it Yes.” ” Well, keep that in sight. Here’s your money in advance. Look alive, now.” His words were to the point, and springing in- to the cab he drew the door shut and the vehicle rattled off after the coach. Seth made it his business still to watch and not trust all to the driver. and he kept the coach in sight and noted the direction it was going. At last, after going some distance and having made several turns on the way, it stopped. Likewise the cab. A man got out of the coach, a man about thirty-five, apparently, and closing the door and dismissing the driver, sprung lightly up the steps and entered the house before which the vehicle had stepped. There the door closed after him, and the coach had already started on. Silent Seth was again in quandary for a mo- llli‘llt. if this was the man he had seen get into the coach, tlnrn he had laid off his disgmse. On the other hand, if it was not he, then the first man must he in the coach still, and he must make sure of that. It would not do to take anything for granted. The c ibman poked his head around to ask: “That nil yo want, boss?" “ No,” answered Seth. “ Keep it still in sight, for I must know whether there is any one else in it or not.” “ All right. Geo upl” Sl-th had noted the number of the house, and even if he lost his man there it Would not be im- possible to take up the trail again, with that (dew to Work on. The chose continued some distuth further, When the couch drew up before a stuble and the troll ended. When the cob passed it was easy for Seth to usi-i‘rtain that the coach was now empty. That guVe him the proof of his guess, that the inun had Men in disguise. ()r-leri g the cabby to take him back to the neighborhood of the house, he finally dismissed the cab there. His thoughts had not been idle. There were some points he had taken into careful consideration. This house was not a grout distance from the place where Barring Di-luwater had been killed. Then, toe, it was about an equal distance, in another direction. from the Ru lolff residence, where the damning ev1dence had been un- eurthed. it seemed plain that, whoever he was, this man knew something about the crime, and it was not at nll improbable that he had a hand in it himst-lf. If so, he had done a foolish thing in trying to fasten it the more strongly upou Miss Ruiiolfl’. Still, as Seth thought it over, with the evi- dence against the young woman so very strong, was there not just the possibility that she was guilty, after all? Maybe they were mistaken in her. As to that, it remained for Broadway Billy to determine. The mystery of the Steel Hand would throw the right light on the riddle, when that came to be solved. Seth considered that his work would be but half done did he not make some effort to learn the name of this man of mystery, and he set about doing so. He walked past the house, leisurely, looking at it as any idle stroller might. There was nothing about it any more con- spicuous than thousands of other houses in title city, and there was no name-plate on the l’ 001'. Going on, he stopped at the corner. Here was a news stand. A brighteved girl was in attendance upon it, and Seth stopped to ask some questions. “ Do you deliver morning papers in this neigh- borhood?" he inquired. “ Yea, sir, my pa does,” was the answer. “ You take orders, I suppose?” “ Yea. sir.” -“ Well, if [come to board here I’ll give you mine. By the way, do you know who lives down there at 320?" “ That where you're going to board ?” “ No; just wanted to know who my neigthrs Would be. Is that a boarding-house, too?" “Ye ; but a mighty toney one.” “Then maybe I’ll change my mind and go there to live. I’m that way myself, you See.” Seth spoke jokingly, and as a joke it was taken. This girl was about Seth’s own age, and as Seth was [mod-looking, he had found favor in her eyes at once. “ Huva you got the rocks?” she asked. “ Lots of ’em, you bet. Maybe you and I can get acquainted, later on. But, I asked you who lives there." “ That is Mrs. Liverwort’s house.” .“Good name. Do you know the man who hvos there—fellow about thirty-five, with red face?” “ He is Mr. Perrymore. customers.” “ Seems like a nice man.” “ I don’t know; pa says he’s rich.” “ Chance for you,.then, if you work it.” The girl tossed her head. He’s one’s of pa’s “I’m not marrying right away,” she decl “ Besides, I guess he has not a wife. 1 have seen him out with a lady often enough.” “That alters the case. Suppose she lives where he does, eh 3” “ No; and. that’s the funny part of it.” “ \Vlmt h?" “ Why, it she is his wife. I should think they would live together, \\ ouldn’t you?” “ On! to be sure, unless they can’t agree, when they ought to stay stout as far apart as they could get. That would be my plan." “ “loll, I don’t know.” “ Maybe it is (nly a lady he is courting, though." “ That’s s l,” “ Is she y lung and pretty?” “ She Las been pntty, but she is very pale- looking.” " Muer we are wrong in both View s. It may be a rlblf'l" he takes riding. he couldn’t do bet- ter than that.” “ Illuyl c m. I’ll tell you what I’ll do, I’ll take a dny off and find out all about it.” Seth laughed, and dropped the matter at that. “ I vwn’t bother you any more about it.” he said. “ It’s no busimss of ours, anyhow. Well, if i do (-(nie up here I’ll make your acquaint~ ancs, sure.” “ Come along, if there is any ice-cream in it." " Lots of that, you bet." “ All right.” E-‘eih Vi ent on, and as soon as he had turned his back won the girl his face assumed again its serious expression. “ There is a “(nan in the case, then,” be com? nlunl d with liln‘Self, “and this is the one. Ten to one she is il e person who has been wmking against Mi:s Rudoifl‘. We are on the right track now, sure.” He lost no time in getting back to the (flice. Billy was still cut,,so Seth lent himself to Harry’s “ pnnxph g 11.nc-liine,”as be called it, to while away the tune. When Billy came in Seth madea full report of all he had gleaned while cut. NOPdlt ss to say Billy was interested. “ We are getting there, boys,” he cried. “ Keep the banner up, and we’ll come in by and by with flying colors.” “ Ti (it’s what we’ll do, you bet.” The case was talked owr again at length, and plans laid as far as could be done, after which the (flies was closrd frr the day. Cl'léi 1”] I: R X. Tm: HAM) or STEEL. HAPPY HARRY and Silent Seth had each his work to do, but for the present let us leave them and follow Broadway Billy. It was-along in the evening when he made his way to the rear of the Rudolff residence, as had been arranged. Giving the signal that had been agreed upon, the door was soon opened to admit him. He was met by the housekeeper, Mrs. Beau- forte. “ You are prompt,” she observed. “As I always try to be. Has anything also taken place here?” “ Nothing. The house has been as niet as the grave, and it is like a. hou~e of mOurn ng.” “I do not wonder at it. Can 1 get to the haunted room now Without being seen going up there?” “Why are you so secret about it, now that you are in the house?” “It is just as well not to be seen.” “ You apparently do not trust any one here but me.” “ Perhaps I would not trust evon you if I could gain he desired end without help from any one.” “ ell, I suppose you know your reasons, but I do not think it would matter a bit if every one in the house saw you. Yes, the way is clear to the room.” “ I suppose not, Mrs. Beauforte. Lead the way, please." The woman started, in the dark, and in a mo- ment the door of the haunted room was reached. It was locked, as it had been all day, as she sadid, and the key was in the lock on the outer si e. “ Nothing has been replaced in the room, I suppose?” Billy asked. “ Nothing, sir.” i “ I would like a chair, as comfortable 9. one as you have handy.” "There is one here in this other room, sir; I will get it in a moment. Of course you could not stand up all night.” Billy waited in the dimly-lighted hall while the woman went to bring the chair from the \ Broadway Billy Baffled. 9 “c m mentioned, and when she came back they , Entered the haunted chamber together. They did not carry a light with them. The young detective had reasons for not doing r80, the chief of which was that a light might rc- yeul his plans. “ Is there anything more I can do for you?’ the woman asked. ’ “ Nothing, unless you will pass around the room, and see that everything is in order as it Was} “ Why, there is nothing here—” “I know; I meant satisfy yourself that the 'wall is as it was." “ Why, 1 will do that, certainly. \tht is yOur object in having me do it? I cannot see.” “If necessary to prove how I found the room, I can call upon you to testify. That IS all, Mrs. Beauforte.” H p1 The woman made the circuit of the room, in the dark, and was soon back to report. “ The walls are just as they aIWays were,” she said. “Very well; that is all. When you go out you will pleaSe lock the door on the outside, the same as it was last night.” The woman looked at him. “What will you have it that way for?” she asked. “ And why not that way?” “ How will you be able to get out?” _ "I don’t intend to get out. If I want to go I wilkmake noise enough to rouse you up to let me out. ’ “ But, your object in it? I don’t see that.” “ Is it neCessary you should?" “ No; but—” “ Nevertheless I will tell you it. I want the room toappear as though no one is here. If I have not been already discovered I do not want it suspected that any one is in this room.” “ Well, I’ll do what you say, but I don’t see anything in it.” “ Maybe you will, later.” “ What do you mean?” “ Just what I say. If I learn anything to- night, and the locked door plays any art in it all, I’ll tell you about it to-morrow. gee?” She said she did, whether she did or not, and withdrew. Billy heard her turn the key in the lock, and trying the door, found it was locked fast enoulgh. “ hat woman is no coward,” he said to him- self. “And, she wants to kiiOw considerable of my purpose. Am I wrong in not suspecting her ,more than I do? I wanted to test her nerVe, the reason I asked her to make the circuit of this haunted room.” he gaVe the question considerable thought. If she was concerned in it, he could not see juilit what her part had been unless a chief '70 6. And it seemed harsh to accuse her of such per~ fldy to one who had been so good to her as Miss Rudolff was known to have been; and yet, if Miss Rudolfl’ herself was moment the suspicion must fall Somewhere. But, he was not hasty to judge. He recalled what Silent Seth had learned, and knew he had to find yet an ther Woman in the case. Having placed his chair in a corner, he sat down and began his vigil. The noise in the street came to him as a dull, monotonous roar, and besides this few sounds , were heard. \ Several times he heard doors in the house closed: but, finally, all was still, and the night dragged on its gruesome pace, he remaining as silent as a part of the night itself. He certainly had no thought of sleeping, yet sleep he didl It must have been the very stillness of the house, together with the drowsy hum of the street, that lulled him without his knowledge. Be that as it may, the fact remained that he slept, and he knew it not until he suddenly awiikened, to find that mysterious hand of steel all too plainly visible! Strong of nerva as he was, Billy gave a start. There it was, simply a hand and forearm, and nothing more, and these being in the form of a great steel gauntlet. All around the terrible apparition was a halo of dull white light, light that did not appear to illuminate as natural fire would do, but which seemed to make the background eVeii blacker. “ Well, here we are,” Billy said in mind. “ And, now that I confront the thing, what am I going to do about it?” He sat still, his hands upon the arms of his chair and holding himself in readiness to spring up instantly if occasion required. The hand of steel was motionless for some sec- onds, the palm downward and the lingerslist- less, but presently it began to stiffen and straighten up, and the index at last pointed straight at tho wondering (ictectivol “ I've a notion to try ii snap-shot at it, just for luck," Billy decided. “ I’ll bet there would be a howl of piiin if ldid. But, n): I’ll wait and Boo what’s coming of it. It’s got the drop on me with that linger, that’s sure. I don’t wondcr the girl was frightened.” A voii-o now spoke, in low but distinct tone. “ Broadway Billy,” it said, “ make no at- tempt to use that weapon your hand is on. To do so will be to give the signal for your death.” As he had thought, he was seen. “ All right,” Billy answered, promptly. “But, (‘onio out and show yourself, like a man, and give me a. chance at you.” “ Thank you; but i come not for that pur- pose; I came, here to warn you.” “ i am not greatly in need of warning, Mister SpOok of the Steel Hand.” “ You were warned lwi’ore, but you heeded it not. It might have Cost you your life. llo warned now; drop out of this matter, and lot events take their course. There is nothing to be gained by pushing on.” “ I have only your word for that." “ You shall have the proof of it, too, if you make it necessary for us to act against you." “And I suppose you want my answer here and now, eh’f” “ You guess nriglit, sir. We must have your pledge that you will give up the case, or—” Ll “.hflt?” “ Or the worst will befall you.” “ Have you ever had any acquaintance with me?” “ Very little.” “ But you have heard of mo?” “ Yes; and who has not?" “ And you know the reputation I enjoy?" “ Yes; you are said to be a very bulldog when you take hold.” “ Well, I have taken hold here," Billy fear- lessly declared. “ My banner is waving, and I'm on deck. I give you fair notice that I am going to sift this thing to the bottom if life is spared me.” “ You mean that?” “I do.” “ Then you will never carry out yourintention. Now, here is a proposition we have to offer you. Leave this house, and wash your hands of this case, and you shall live. You will never hear of us again. If you persist in remaining you will surely die. Take your choice.” The dread hand of steel seemed to advance n little, and the index finger to point with more deadly intent. “ You have heard what I have to say,” was the fearless response Broad way Billy made. “ You are welcome to do your Worst. If death comes, Well and good; I should hold myself as unfit to live were I to prove a coward to the trust that has been i-eposed in me, and Clemen- tin‘enRudolfI suffered for the crime she never (II( o “ How do you kn0w she never did it?” “ Well enough.” “ You are mistaken. She is guilty, and her soul is black with crime. She has duped you as she has duped manv another before you. Trust her not, but take your life and let the law deal With her as she deserves. ” “ I will not.” “Then upon your head be the consequences of your rashness.” ' So be it. And n0w, if you are going to open the ball, why, let the fun begin at once.” CHAPTER Xi. BILLY IN noxoaon. BROADWAY BILLY felt that n struggle was to come, and he thought the sooner it was begun the better his chances. As he uttered the words he leaped from his chair and darted forward straight at the “(Hill of Steel. He believed that a man of flesh and blood like himself was there some where, and he had enough confidence in his own prowess to cope with him. The instant he left his chair the light vanished however, and he found himsel groping in dark- ness. But, he did not stop for that, for to do so would invite defeat. The room, he knew, was empty, and there was nothing for him to run against unless it was the mysterious personage of the Steel Hand. He heard, or fancied he heard, a movement somewhere, and then came a mocking laugh. “ Ha, ha, hal” it defied him. “ Do you expect to catch a shade from the other world, Broad- way Billy’i You are good at catching mortals, but here is something proof against you.” “ You dare not show yoursolf,” Billy cried. “ You have seen the Steel Hand; there ll nothing more to see.” “ liot mo see it again.” " lla, ha, hill What good will it do you? Know you not that it is not of this world? It is the band of knighthood of a RudoliI of old.” “ You tell a detestablo lie.” “llavoacare, sir; your life is in the bal- ancc.” Billy know ho could see just as far in the dark as any other pen )1), and that no one could see him here. He hudu purpose in making this personage talk. lle wanted to locate the direction of the voice, intending to make 0110 more effort to grapple with him. And now he had done so. Moving forward in the direction of the voice, as the man spoke, he gave a leap just us he finished, and in doing so he came into collision with a man! The follow went crashing back against the wall with fOI'Cl‘, and an oath escaped him. “ Curse you !" he hissed. “ You’re a pretty solid ghost,” cried Billy. In the sumo moment the young detective had hold upon him, and the struggle in the dark was begun. “ Curse y0n l” tho man hissed again. “ You’ll repent this. I’ll have your life and leave your body here, another mystery for the police to study upon." “Two can play at that game," averred the ilotectiVe. “ Surrender to me, or take the cou- sequeiiCes.” u N‘,v‘,l.p) Billy found the man wasa match for lfim, sturdy young giant that be was, in strength, and realizod that he had his hands full. Thatth not make him any the less able to co With the Unknown however. II: exerted all his strength, and the two rock- ed to and fro, each determined to gain the mastery. This had lasted fully a minute, when, flndin that the victory was not his, the man utter the single word in a hoarse whisper—“ Help I” Instantly the dull light flashed forth again, and the Steel Hand appeared. It was close tothem, and advancing rapidly, it laid hold upon Billy‘s shoulder with crushing force. . Billy felt as if the very bones were being crushed in that terrible grasp, and under the sickening pain he was obliged to let go of his adversiiry. By the dull light he could see the man with whom he had grappled. lie was a tliickset fellow, with broad shoul- ders, and a mask was over his face to hide his features. Behind the Steel Hand, too, was another per- sonage, as coulzi be seen at close quarters. A film-like garment charged with the luminonl substance had made him invisible before. But such strength did not seem possible for a human being to p09~ies8. , Upon Billy’s shoulder it was more like the grip of a powerful machine than like anything else. The youug detective could not avoid uttering a groan. “Ha, ha!" laughed the man with whom he had grappled. “ Whatdo you think of it now!” “Let go!” Billy ordered. “ Be you man or devil, 1’” test you with a bullet if you don’t! Let go, I say l” For answer the grasp only tightened the more, and Billy was made to bowl with the agony it produced. Never had he experienced the like. “ Another threat,” he was warned, “and this Hand of Steel will crush your shoulder to pulp.” Billy monle in his almost excruciatin agony; but, brave soul that he was he woul not compromise. “ no you surrender?” was demanded. ” Never!” Billy grated. “ A movement to draw that weapon,” warned his recent opponent, “ will signal your instant death.” Billy had been making an effort to get hold of a revolver with his left hand, but now he saw his intention was discovered, so he desisted. “ Well, you hold the best band now,” be ad- mitted. “And you are our prisoner, willingly or not. Are you ready to listen to reason i” “I will not compromise one iota. It is use- 10 Broadwav Billy Baffled. less for you to waste time harping on that. It is war to the end." “ Then you will not take your life and liberty, and dro out of the case?” “ I wi i not I” “ That settles it, then. us.” On one of Billy’s shoulders was the Hand of lSteel, and on the other a hand of flesh was now aid. The man with whom he had had the brief struggle now took his hands and snapped a pair of handcuffs on his wrists, thus rendering him helpless. " There you are, in good shape‘l” he said. “ The way you have fixed many others you yourself are fixed at last. How do you like it?” That terrible Hand of Steel had now been re- mOVed, and Billy could speak without being in- fluenced by the excruciating pain. “ You have got me, I must admit,” he an- swered. “And we are going to keep you, too. You are a smart fellow, in your line, but you are young yet. You have many things to learn.” “Of which I am well aware.” “ And you will be even better aware before we are done with you. Now, the next step is to blindfold you.” Not a great deal of noise had been made thus far, strange as it may seem, and care was being taken to make as little as possible. Billy offered no resistance, but allowed the blindfold to be put on. He did, though, note well the position in which he stood, in order to determine in which direction he might be taken out of the room. He would take care to note how far he was turned around, when the start was made, and in which direction. From that he would be able to judge on which side of the room the secret exit was. As soon as the bandage had been securely fixed over his eyes he felt the pair'of hands laid again on his shoulders. He was turned partly around, and knew that he was facing the wall opposite to the door. There, then, must be the secret exit, in spite of all the care he had used to discover it. He wondered how it could be concealed so well. But, he was not sure. There was a moment of hesitation, and then the order: “ Now, step forward.” At the same time the person behind pushed him along. He advanced, and in a few steps felt himself passing through a narrow opening somewhere. “ Mind the steps,” came the caution. There was a breath of cold, damp air coming up somewhere, and at the next step Billy’s foot descended to a stairs. Down this he was guided till four steps had been passed; then he was turned abruptly to the right and seven more were descended in that direction. The ste s were narrow and quite high. At the ottom of the seven another turn to the right was made, and seven more steps followed, the way lying through a very narrow age, and so it continued until a long descent ad been accomplished. Broadway Billy’s mind had been at work the while. He had been trying to find some explana- tion for this mysterious passage, and now be- lieved he had hit upon the truth. in the room, in that side from which he had pa-sed, was a big chimney with a broad, heuvy mantel, but with no fireplace in it, and in the adfwining house was the same arrangement. , t must be that these steps were arranged within what was supposed to have been a chim- nev, but which, in fact, was this secret passage. e had examined tiiat chimney well, in the haunted room, but finding nothing suspicious about it, had finally passed it over. HoweVer it was opened, it was too Well hidden for him to discover the secret way. At the bottom of the last of the short flights a halt was made, and Billy heard an iron door opened. Here the air was Cold and damp, and he knew he had been taken below the surface. \ The door opened, he was pushed through and the door clanked shut after they had passed. Then followed a walk of some distance through a low, narrow passage, until another iron door was finally reached. This being opened, warm air was felt immedi- ately, and Billy was not mistaken in believing the seal of the mysterious journey had been A or , lghen this iron door clanked shut, a voice Ill : You will come with “ Well, you have brought him, eh?” “ As you see,” was the response. “ He would not be reasonable, so he must suffer the conse- quences.” “ You bet! Well, wait till we mask and then you can remove that bandage and let him take a look around his new quarters to see how he will like the situation. You are in for it this time, Broadway Billy; you’ll never drive your tandem colts again i” CHAPTER XII. BILLY IN A NEW RULE. BROADWAY BILLY was in a desperate strait, and he knew it. Those two locked iron doors between him and libert gave him much concern, for being hand- cufi’e he could not hope to pass them. And, the secret way being so very secret, he could entertain little hope that his friends would discover and rescue him. The outlook was dark enough, certainly. He remembered, though, that he had told the superintendent all about the Steel Hand, and the mystery of the haunted room, and felt ac- cordingly hopeful, for if any one could help him he was the man. “Yes, it looks that way,” he cheerfully re- sponded to the observation made. “ And you will find the facts don’t belie the looks, either,” was the assurance. “ You’ll never get out of here.” “ Or if he does,” spoke another voice, “ he will go without eyes or tongue, so he will not be of much use as a detective any more. How will you like that, my gallant William?” “ 1 had rather you kill me than that,” was the firm answer. “ Ha, ha! We don’t doubt it." A moment passed, and then the bandage was taken from his eyes. Billy’s first glance took in the situation pretty well, and he realized th t he was in the com- pany of some five or six asked men. He Was in a well-lighted apartment, the 11 )or and sides of which Were of stone and the ceiling of bricks in arches supported by iron beams. The ceiling was low and frowning. The place was lighted with gas, and in one corner g10wed a heated furnace, an open chim- ney over it giving draft to the fire and ventila- tion to the room. On the right was an archway, opening into another similar apartment, where some sort of machinery was in motion. Billy could not get a good view of it from where he stood. “ Well, what do you think of us?” one of the masked men inquired, grimly. “ By the looks of things,” answered Billy, “ I think you are a precious set of rascals who are afraid of the light of day." “ Ha, ha, ha! You do us rank injustice, boy. No one is fonder of the daylight than we, and not a day passes that we don’t enjoy it more or less. How would you like to be one of us?" “ It seems I am one of you, or with you, just now.” “That’s the fact, and here you will stay as long as we want you to live. If you make your- self useful, you may not fare so badly." “ Useful in what Way?” “ At work.” “ Then you want me to earn my keep?" “ Just so. You will have a good home here, and the world will neVer know what has become of you." “ You don’t imagine I will stay here and not try to escape, do you i” “Of course not, but your efforts will be in vain. When we are here we can watch you, and when we are out you will be securedso that you cannot help yourself." “ That will be rough.” “It’s the best we have to offer you. If you carry yourself straight, you will be allowed to live, but it you give us trouble you will be put out of the way with mighty little ceremony." “ You talk as though you mean business.” “ That’s what we do mean.” “ And you mean that I am here to stay.” “ Just so.” “ Dead or alive.” “ Exactly: and it makes no difference to us, and can’t make much differenCe to ou. The only thing is, if you live you will fee on hope, if there is any satisfaction in that thought." “ Well, there is, some. A live man is worth a dozen dead ones.” Bill had by this time taken in the full mean- ing 0 this den, and made up his mind he had gotten into a counterfeiters’ headquarters. “Then you agree to work for us, and to give us as little trouble as possible, do you?" i, " . . "/ \ h . a - . ' ' 1‘ ‘ ‘ 4, ’ {-us‘maf'hg. it...“ .5 . I " . . “ You demand my answer now?” “ Yes, the sooner the better.” “ Well, then. I take the terms offered.” “There you show your sense, for life is sweet. Do you comprehend the meaning of what you see here?" “ It looks like a bogus mint.” “ Ha, ha! That is just what it is. You see, we have no fear of telling you the secret, now that you are here and there is no escape for you. We are trying to aid the Govsrnnient all we can in the matter of coinage.” There was no doubting the truth of it. Billy had seen such places before in his career, and recognized the tools he saw in use. He looked around for the steel hand, too, but that had disappeared. It had probably served its purpose and was now laid aside. There was still, however, much to puzzle the young detective chief. What Were these fellows to the Rudolfi’s? W hv u as the exit from their den in the Rudolfl.‘ house? \Vliat had they to do with the happiness of Miss Rudolfl'? What had they had to do with the murder of Delawater? It “as still a great mystery, and here was a part of it which had not been dreamed of—this den of counterfeiters. If the police were in search of such a place Billy had not heard of it, and he had reason to believe he had fallen into an unexpected piece of information. But, little good it was likely to do him. A pair of great iron balls were chained to Billy’s ankles, and that. done, he was disarmed and his hands were freed. “ There you are.” one of his captors cried. “ And a good joke it is. Here is a spotless de- tective actually going into the counterfeiting business.” hiHe laughed at his joke, and the others with m. Billy knew there was little use weeping over what could not be helped, and it was not his nature to give up. “ Well. “here will you have me begin my ap- prenticeshipi” he asked. “ You can take hold there and blow the bellows, for your first lesson,” he was told. All was said in a joking tone, though the men were in deadly earnest. “That is a g0od as anything. I suppose the pay will be good, with the 1prospect of advance- ment as I grow more usefu .” ” You will be given your board and a place to sleep, and our cast-(ff clothing will be good enough for you.” “ And it’s a lifetime situation, is it?" “ Ha, ha, lial Yes, "on will never need to look for another job as long as you live.” “ That‘s good. 1 like that. It has always/ been a hustle for grub with me as far back as I can remember. and this is a relief.” “You take it easy.” “ What is the use of repiningi” , “ Well, it wouldn’t do any good in your case.” “ The only thing I ol.jcct to is this chain and ball business.” “You will get used to that, in time. A man can get used to anything when he has to.” “ Well. seeing that I am in for it, there is one favor I would ask." “ And what’s that? You are so cheerful that we are inclined to be reasonable with you, since it is all one-sided." “ My detective fever has been auav up, to learn all about that Delawater mystery, and if you will explain that it will ease my mind and ’ll feel quite content to make the best of the fix.” The men looked at one In other. - “ How should we know anything about that?” asked the one who had done most of the talking, and who was evidently the chief of the band. “ If you do not know about it no one dms, for you have means of knmving whether Miss Ru- dolfl‘ is innocent or guilty.” “ How do we kn0w that?” “ You could enter her house at any time, night or dav.” “ Even so, we could not spy upon her at all times.” “But, I have seen the notes the Steel Hand left for her, and the dagger. If she did not kill Delawater then your band did.” “ What leads you to that conclusion i” “ Horse sense. ’ “ Well, which do you think is guilty?” “ It looks prettv dark against the young wo- man, I must say.” “ You are inclined to believe she did it?” “ It will take some strong proofs to clear her, that is certain.” Again these men exchanged glances with one another, the meaning of which did not appear. \ Broadway Billy Baffled. 11 “ See here,” the leader demanded, “ were you working for Miss Rudolf! or against her?” “ Well, she had engaged me to investigate about the Stem Hand before I knew anything about the Inirder, in fact, before the crime was committed.” “ And after that you had your doubts.” “ Wouldn’t you have had?” “Any man would. Well, we’ll answer your question: Miss Rudolfl.’ did murder Delawater, and We know it.” “ It is as I feared.” “ Are on satisfied, now?” “I sha l have to be, I suppose.” “ We can tell you more. We saw her come to her room that night, with her dress all bloody, and we saw where she hid the things.” “ That settles it, then.” “ And does your fever go down any?" “ It has dropped to zero. But, would she haVe escaped, only for the tell-tale handkerchief i" “ Not at all, for we would have put the police Won her track, giving them the proofs we held. e were saved that trouble.” “ You were not friendly toward her, then?” “ How could we be, when she was the bitter foe of the leader of our gan ?" “Hal that was it, eh? I‘hat explains it all. Now my mind is easy, and I’ll blow wind for you with a will.” Billy was ever quick to recogniza truth from falsehood, and he believed this statement con- cerning Delawater was true. The case seemed a little clearer, now, but he was in no position to take advantage of his discovery. CHAPTER XIII. snru's LONG VIGIL. LEAVING Billy at work at the bellows, some of the men drew apart to talk together. Others went on with their work, and Billy was given every opportunity to see what their work was. This very liberty Was all he needed to con- vince him what their intention concerning him- self must be. They meant to make use of him as long as he was useful, and then kill him. It was plain they never expected him to leave their den alive. The coins they were making were gold imita- tions, five and ten-dollar pieces, and their pro- cess was their secret. Billy was allowed to handle some of the stuff, and had to admit to himself the perfection of the counterfeit. The weight, the color, the “ ring ” —evsrything seemed to be there. “ We are doing a thriving business,” the chief remarked. “ You seem to be, that’s the fact." “ Yes, we are. And at the same rendering valuable aid to the Government.”- “ For which they would amply reward you, if once they could surprise you at your work.” “ Ha, ha, ha! Yes, that’s so. Wouldn’t you like to be the one to carry the neWs to them? It would be a star in your crown.” “ I warn you to take good care that I don’t get the chance.” “ Never fear. We’ll look out for that.” There was a clock in the den, and Billy noted the hour. It was past one o’clock, and from that time to three the men bent to their tasks and had little to say. At three o’clock they stopped, and their tools ware put away. The fire was raked down, and in a brief time they Were ready to go away. A chain was now put around Billy‘s waist and locked there, and when his hands had been haml- cuifed as at first, they were secured to the chain, leaning him only enOugh freedom for necessary nee 3. He was shown, then, where some food and water could be found within his reach; a piaco was pointed out where he might sleep it he felt soinclined, and the men took their leave, closing the iron doors upon him and leaving him there a helpless prisoner. “ Sweet pertatersl” Billy muttered to himself, making use of his old-time exclamation. “ Here is a diffikilty, sure enough. I’m swallowed by a horned dilemma this time, and that’s the fact. They seem pretty confident, too, that I’m not going to get away, and I don’t know but they are right. It looks as though I have come to the end—that Broad wav Billy has been baffled— beaten, done for at last! “ Don’t see how they are going to find me," he further communed, after a pause in which he did some hard thinking. “I‘ll show up missing in the morning, and they will make a hunt for me but that secret room will baflie them as it baffled me. Then they will set up a howl, and Byrnes will let loose the dogs of war; but, without a clew, what can they do? Still, it will be a des- perate case, and they may go for the walls of that room with an ax.” He was thoughtful again. “Yes, they may do that, but they can’t get here without these fellows having plenty of warn- ing, and I’ll be a gown before they can help me any. If I only had the use of hands and feet—” ut, he hadn’t, and he stopped short. There was no use speculating with “ifs,” for that word was an unknown quantity in his pro- fession. One gas-jet had been left burning, out of his reach, and by its light he was enabled to study well the situation in which he found himself. He scanned the place well, only to arrive at the conclusion he had formed at the first—that he was indeed a helpless prisoner, and likely to remain one. For the present, at any rate, he gave it up. Helpirg himself to some of the food and drink that had been left for his use, upon one of the benches, he finally dropped upon the rude bunk underneath the bench, and went to sleep. 8 Lgaving him thus, let us return to Harry and et . When they Went from the oilice at closing timle that afternoon, each had his Work to do, as salt . Seth was to go again to the nei hborhood where the man Perrymore had been ocated, to Ery to get some further knowledge concerning im. Happy Harry was to observe the movements of Courtney Clelland, to learn whether he had been holding anything back that might have im- portant bearing upon the case. If a woman had killed Delawater for love of him, thrOwing suspicion upon Miss Rudolil’ so as to make a mariiage between her and Clelland next to impossible, that woman might be dis- covered by keeping close watch upon Clelland’s movements. She might seek him. Let us follow Seth first, since by chance his name has been first mentioned. When he came to the neighborhood of the place where he had run his man down, he looked for the chic little girl at tho news-stand. She was not there now, but a rough~looking man had her place, and havinglittie to gain and much to risk by entering into conversation with him, Seth passed on without stopping. He passed the house, keeping to the opposite side of the street, and observed it closely with- out appenriug to do so. There was nothing to be gained by this as was proved. Still, Seth had hoped that by rare chance he might see his man at one of the windows, if he was in. That chance, however, proved too rare to fall to his luck, and when he had gone by, he could not say whether Perrymore was in the house or out. and he did not see clearly how he was to learn. But, he had his instructions. To go to the house to inquire for the man, without some reasonable excuse for doing so, would be to arouse suspicions. Broadway Billy had told him, simply, to watch the house. If the man was Within he would come out some time, and if not, he would 8(l)0nel‘ or later return, since it was his boarding- p ace. The uncertainty of it, however, nettled Seth, nevertheless He was a be of rare patience, however, and finding a suitab e place to watch, he began his v i . file was rewarded sooner than he had thought reasonable to expect. Just as it was growing dark, and when he was thinking about moving nearer to the house, his man came out. Stopping on the stoop, he looked up and down the street for some moments, while he idly icked his teeth. Then glancing at his watch, 8 descended the steps and strolled away. Seth had been watching from behind a friend- ly sign, an undertaker’s monstrosity that stood near the curb, and so had escaped being seen. He had taken his station as far from the house as he could trust his sight with certainty, too. Allom'ng the man to have a good start, he fell in behind and shadowed him. He had not far to go, at first. Two blocks away the fellow turned into a handsome saloon and billiard parlors, and hur- rying forward, Seth saw him greeting some others. Being in disguise as a oung “ bleed ” of the day, Seth entered after h m, and strolled around the place as though he owned a good-sited slice of the establishment in his own right. \ Perrymore talked for some minutes with the three men he had met, and after a time the four took possession of one of the tables and began playing pool. Seth took a seat on one of the leather-covered settees and watched the games, but watched his man more, though not appearing to do so. Perrymore and his companionsplayed steadily for nearly two hours. At the end of tnat time, glancing at his watch, the suspect put up his one and donned his coat: and hat. Seth took the hint and strolled out. taking his station now on the opposite corner, where he could watch the entrances to the saloon on both streets at the same time and so run no risk of losing his man. He could have remained behind and followed him out, but doing that, some of the man’s friends might take notice of him. Presently Barrymore came out, aloue. He moved away at a lively pace, and Seth took up the trail again. This time it was of considerable length, the man keeping up his rapid stride for nearly thirty minutes. Seth kept mental note of the route, and at last. had the satisfaction of seeing his man mount the steps of a darkened house, where he let himself in witha latch-key. This house was in a respectable quarter of the town, but the street was not Very light, and few of the houses displayed Inore than a hail— light, with here and there lights in some of the rooms. Seth noted one thing peculiar about the man’s. conduct as he entered the house, and that was, that be deposited something in a niche at the head of the stoop railing. Having done that, he entered and closed the door after him. After a time, while Seth still watched, another man came along and mounted the steps of the same house. This man, Seth observed, felt in the niche where the first had left something, and after unlocking the door, returned that something to its place. “ That is the key l” Seth exclaimed in mind. The temptation was great for him to take it and let himself into the house. but Broadway Billy had enjoined caution upon him. He was not to put himself in the way of dis-e covery, for that might be to foil everything. Once suspicion was aroused, the case would be— come ten times more difficult. “No, l’d better go slow,” he said to himself. “ I’d better follow orders and not try any- thing on my own account this trip. That key will come in handy, though, if the bess wants to raid ’em.” Presently yet another man came and let himself in in the same manner, he, too, re- turning the key to the place where he had found t. And this was kept up till no less than six men had entered the house. Seth‘s mind was busy with the problem of guessing what their business therehcould be, since not a sign of a light had been seen from within. And, as he thought, he remembered that this house was in the same block with the Rudolil’ residence, and the idea came to him like a revelation that these men, in some way, fiered responsible for the appearance of the Steel an . That idea having taken root, his vigil was: tire-less. He felt that he “as destined to play an important role in the game. The hours dragged by, and never had a pit lit seemed so long to Seth. It was not till after three in the morning, nearer to four, that the men resp- peered. CHAPTER XIV. TERRIBLE TESTIMONY. Now for Happy Harry. His instructions had been similar to those given Silent Seth. He was, as said, to play the spy u 11 Court- ney Cielland and learn what he was a Is to learn about him and his associates. Knowing the young banker’s address he set- out for his residence as soon as he had forti— fled his inner man for the work before him, he and Seth dining together and parting immedi- ately after. When he came to the house he was just in time to see a cab draw up before the door. d The driver sprung down and ran up to the cor. 12 It was opened to him, and after a few words to the personage who had answered his ring, he returned and mounted his vehicle. Happy Harry stationed himself near in a place where he could see all that might take place. Presently the door opened again and young Clelland came out. He hastened to the cab, and giving a hasty di- rection to the driver, got in and was whirled rapidly away. It was not yet dark, and Harry had to use caution. About the time the cab started a gi'ocer"s wagon dashed along, and Harry caught on be— hind that and clamhercd in. The driver did not notice him, and he was borne safely along, close to the cab, till the lat.- ter turned down one of the avonues and the wagon turned up, going in oppositedirections. Out of the wagon bounded Harry and caught on to a car that happened to be just in time for his purpose, and in this manner the cab was held in sight for a considerable distance further, when it made another turn, and Harry had ‘then to make use of his legs. The final destination of the cab was the place where Miss Rudoli’f was imprisoned. There Clelland sprung out and entered with impatient haste. Harry could not follow without running tl.o risk of discovery as a spy upon Clelland, so he stopped at a safe distance away and set about recovering his wind. W'hile he stood there his attention was drawn to a woman who was pucmg up and down the opposite side from the prison. She had a vail on, and appeared to be nervous. Only a little distance from her was another cab, the driver of which was watching the woman. It was growing dark, n0w, and the shadows made it possible for Harry to draw quite near without fear of being suspscted for a detective. The woman was Certainly watching the doors of the priSon on that side, as it‘ in waiting for some one to come out, and Harry watched her, determined to learn what her interest was, if possible. Clelland was gone a considerable time. With our license of privilege we may look within the walls and learn something of his errand there. “ Then you declare the writing is not yours, dear one?” he was just asking the prisoner, as he held her in his arms. “It is not mine,” she responded. wrote such a note to him in my life. would say so.” “ I know you would, to me if to no one else.” “ And yet you blame me because I have one secret from you.” “ Yes, darling, for this reason: The secret ought to be known so that every possible help could be brought to your aid.” ‘° I am trusting that young detective, fully.” “But, he is oung, and may not handle the matter just rig t. An older head would be bet- ter, loVe.” “ Well, I must wait at least till I seediim once more and hear what he has to say. Then I will ask leave to disclose it to you and others.” “ But, you are mistress of the situation; he is not your master; you only hire his service, you know.” “ Yes; but I trust him.” “ Well, I will say nothing more about it now, then.” “ And where are y0u going now?” “ To see Tilirey.” “ he has been here.” “ But, he does not know of this letter the police have found.” “No, I suppose not; but, that makes it only the blocker against me, and what is the use of trying to defend me?” “ Pshawl do not despair that way, loved one. We know you are innocent, even if the whole World calls you guilty, and we will fight for you witpout a moment’s rest till we have prOVen you .so. “ I hope you can do that, for this is terrible.” “ Would that I might take your place!” . There was then a fond farewell, and the young banker took his leave of the prison and entered his cab again. Happy Harry, watching, had noted a change ‘to come over the vailed womanvat the sight of Clelland, and she hastened to her own cab, spoke to the driVer, and got in. When Clelland was driven away the woman followed him. “Here’s a go, sure pop!” Harry cried. “ This “ I never If I had I Broadway Billy Baffled. cabnis goin’ to follow t’other one. and here goes me. With that he caught hold behind the second vehicle, yet keeping a watch upon the one ahead, to be quite sure he was not nii~taken in his idea. “ Christopher Columbial” lie ejaculated to himself. “This here is gettin’ to be rich, bless me if it ain't. Tnis must be the other woman in the case, sure. Crackers an’ cheescl how am I goin’ ter teller ’em both when they divide again?” He gave it up. “Broadway Billy would give a dollar ter know all about this woman, I knew he would,” the lad mused. “At the same time my orders is ter foller Clelland aii’ see. what he does, an’ who he talks to, an’ who talks to hiiii— Hello! ain’t l gettin’ at it all in good shape?” He thought further upon it. “ Sure I am,” he decided. “ Sure, Mike. Crackers an’ cheese, yes! That’s what is the mutter wi’ Runner. The jeebeeb hath spoken. Selah! I’m ter foller Clelland to try to get on track of the woman; that’s the object. And if this is the woman I’m after, why, here the trail ends so far as the man is concerned. Anyone withnbrains would ’a’ thought it all out an hour ago. He was trotting along after the cab, and it was not hard work, since he \\ as able to support most of his weight with his arms. There was no longer any doubt now that the one cab was t'oll0wing the other, for it kept it flew in sight. A A considerable distance was traversed, but linully the leading vehicle drew up before a house. The second Went along and drew up to the curb on the opposite side of the way. Hurry remained where he was, for the pres- ent, the cab being in a shady spot and he not likely to be discovered. The woman got out at once. “ What street is this?” she asked of her driver. She was informed. “ And can you tell me who lives over there in that house?” “ No, ma’m; not bein’ acquainted, I can’t.” At that moment a colored man came out of the area gate of the house nearest to them. The woman accosted him immediately. “ Do you live here?” she asked. “ Yes, ina’in.” “Well, who lives over there?” and she indi- cated the house she meant. “ I prides myself on do tack dat I knows ebery family on dis street, ’tween dese avenoos,"de- clar the darky with a grin. “ Dat am where Mister Tilfrey, de lawyer, done lib, lady.” “Thank you, sir.” She dismissed the man at once, turning her back upon him and giving her attention to the other side of the street. There had been a dim light in the front room. but now it brightened up, and the shadows of two men appeared upon the white curtains. One was portly and heavy-looking, while the other was plainly that of the young man who had recently entered. They engaged in conversation, the younger man showing by his manner that he was the more excited. N 0 words of what they said could reach the watchers without, and since we can imagine the drift of the talk, we will not give ear to it. Clelland was in the house about half an hour, when he was seen totake leave of the lawyer, and 301m after appeared at the door and came down to his cab. At sight of him the woman crossed the street, and as he was about entering the cab, she called to him. He. stopped short, and touching his hat re- spectfull , waited for her to address him. “ Will you step this way, so I may haven word with you, sir?” she asked. “I do not know who you are,” was the re- sponse. “ My time is not my own to-night, lady.” “ I will not detain you long, and I will make mvself known to you.” She led the way back across the street again, and young Clelland followed her reluctantly. They stopped behind the cab which had brouaht the woman there. “ You are working to free that girl,” the wo— man now spoke, bitterly. “ She is unworthy one pure thought of yours. Why will you not accept love such as mine?” “ In HeaVen’s name who are you, then?” “ Look and Sec.” “ Roselle Beaufortel" “ The same: who loves you madly.” \ \e A ' “You, you speak as though you have som _ knowledge of—” “()l’ the murder of Delawater? Yes, so I have. I suw the deed done.” “ Heavens! You saw it done?" ‘i \7( SI), “Ti-ll me, then, who did it. Surely, you do not mean-—” “ The one who did that deed was Clementine Rudolii', 1 saw it with my own eyes. Only say that you will take me to your heart, Court- ney Clelland, and I will never tell wliatI know, and she that you love more than me may escape her doom.” CHAPTER XV. A DECISIVE s'ricr TAKEN. COURTNEY l'l.liI.L;\Nl), as Happy Harry could see, stood as one struca dumb with |i(Ji‘l‘()l‘. And the woman, no longer young, but faded, pale-faced and sad, held out her hands to him in un iniploriiig manner. “ Are you sure of what you say, Roselle?” Clelland asked. “That 1. leve yoizi” “ No, no; that you saw Clementine strike the blow that killed Delawatei‘.” “ Yes, [am sure. Oh! if you could but know how false she is! She killed him in his own room, late at night, you know.” “ It’ you speak the truth, Clementine is un- worthy to be saved from the fate she justly de- BerVes.” , The woman caught his hands. “ And I do spcuk the ti uth. Will you not believe me? I tell you I saw it all with my own eyes; I rely not on the report of another. Still, 1 would lie to save her, if that would please 0".” “ What would you say 3” “I would swear that I spent the night with my mother, and that I slept with Clementine, if need be, and that she did not leave the house that night. That is, 1 will do this if you will only give me the love my heart craves. Will you? Say that you will, and I am your slave.” Tney spoke in low, earnest tones, but Happy Harry, under the back of the cab, Could hear well enough. “ It is so sudden, Roselle,” the young man pleaded. “Give me time to think it ovor, be‘ fore I reply.” “ How much time do you ask?” “Give me till to-morrow night.” “ Well, I will do that, and then I will come to you for my answer—” “ No, I will go to you. Meanwhile, I will see Clementine and force her to own to the truth, if I can.” ' “ You had better not see her, for she will lie to you and you will then doubt me. Ohl if I could only show her to you for what she is. I would die to save you from her, Courtney.” “ I can well believe it, Roselle. But, your statement must be proven, you are aware, be- fore it can have weight against her.” “And I will prove it, never fear.” “ Why did she kill Delawaterl” “Can you not see?" “I ask you.” “ Why, her good name was in his hands, and she loved you. He threatened her, and to rid herself of him and the danger of exposure at the so me time, she dealt him the deadl blow.” The young banker mopped his row as these words fell upon his ears. Could it be possible that Clementine Rudolfl, so fair, could be so false at heart? He thought of the damning evidenca against her, and knew that if this woman’s story were told, nothing could save her. Still he loved her! “ Is it possible—can it be truel” he gasped. “You still doubt me? Let me tell my story to the jury and see if they will doubt.” “No, no, Roselle, you must not breathe this to another soul. EVen if she. is all you say, I cannot forget that I loved her. Let her escape if she can, and let her conscience be her punish- merit.” “ Only love me, Courtney, and I will 'do any- thing.” ” You would even swear falsely to save her?” “ Yes, yes, anything.” “ Well, give me the time I have asked, and iii the meanwhile I will make up my mind what my course shall he.” I “ Very well; but. take warning. Unless you grant what I ask I will tell what I know and \ furnish the proofs to hear me out in my state- ' ments. I am prepared to do it. I have nothing agglugt Clementine, but I will neversee her your WI 9. . I . 4.- ~< 4—4—---_Mm_——-.—. ‘w— .-_... . ..,_.—__—-"—m—~ #‘x "Have no fears; I would not wed a murder— She now released his hands and moved toward the door of her cab, and he retreated across the street. “ Tomorrow night at this hour,” she called out to him. “ Yes, to-morrow night at this hour, or sooner ” he answered back. And so they parted. The woman entered her cab, and it started away immediately. Needlessto say, Happy Harry went with it, having made up his mind what his duty was. “Christopher Columbia!" he said to himself, “but this is ettin’ thick an’ no mistake about it. Wonder f t‘other gal really did do the deed? If she didn’t, then I guess I know who did. Selah I” He kept as far under the cab as he could, in order not to be seen, for this was about the surest we of following he could adopt. ‘ Crackers an’ cheese!” he further mused. “Wonder what William 0’ Broadway will say when 1 poor this little tale into his ear? Guess he’ll think there is meat in the egg somewhere, sure pop. Wonder if Silent Seth is reapin' a harvest like this? I bet we will get there now, with both feet.” To quote bis musings at length were to leave room ior nothing else. The destination of the woman was finally reached, and she alighted and dismissed the cab and entered the house. Happy Harry took note of the street and number, and presently dropped off from the cab and set out in the direction of home, much elated at the success of his work. On the following morning Harry and Seth compared notes. Both were elated, and were anxious for the arrival of their chief so they might give in their reports. They were somewhat anxious about Billy for he had not been at home all night, and nothing had been heard from him. And, finally, when the opening hour passed and he had not yet appeared, they concluded that something ad happened to him. “ What’s to be done, Seth?” Harry asked. " If you ever talked, talk now.” “I think we had better go right to the superintendent, the first thing,” was the Silent Shadower’s suggestion. “That’s the stuff,” Harry agreed. “He will know where Billy is, if anybody, for he is in this case. too. And if he don’t know, he’ll help us find him. Come on.” Leaving a brief note for their chief, they looked the office and set with without delay. The superintendent knew them by sight, and as soon as they entered his office he read in their faces that something was wrong. “ What is it, lads?" be asked. “ Has Broad- way Billy not turned 'up this morning, after his night inrthe haunted room i” “ No sir,” answered Harry. must ’a happened to him." . “ So I fear. Here. Jones, go with these boys at once to the Rudolf]? residence and learn what you can about Billy Weston.” The man addressed was a detective on his staff, and he set out with Harry and Seth imme- diarely. Arriving at the place of their destination, their ring was answered by the housekeeper, Mrs. Beauforte. “ Has Mr. Weston gone away from here yet, madam?” the detective asked. “ He has, sir, and very mysteriously.” was the somewhat excited reply. “ The door is looked just as I left it last night, but he is not there.” “ Show us the room at once.” - The woman obeyed, and they were soon at the door of the haunted room. “ Why, the key is on the outside, madam.” cried the detective. “ How is ;this if he was within?” “ He told me to lock him in, and so I did,” the woman truth fnlly testified. Jones looked at her searchingly. Whatever his thoughts, be made no comment, but opened the door and went in. The r00m contained nothing but the chair “ Somethin’ . Billy had occupied, and there .was nothing to indicate the means of his exit. “ You are sure you did look the door, madam?" the detective asked. “ Yes, air; to be sure I am.” “ And it was not unlocked during the night!” “Not to my knowled e.” . , “ And what time di you come up here this morning?” , _ - “ As soon as I was up, for I thought the Broadway Billy Baffled. young man would want to come out. [opened the door, when, what was my surprise to find him gone.” “ And the door was still locked?” “ The door was still locked.” Jones shook his head in a puzzled way, and began a closo inspection of the room. “Here are some pretty sharp heel marks on the floor,” Silent Seth called attention. “ it looks as if there had been a struggle here.” “ Hal that is sol” cried Jones. “ Yes, and here’s a buttoul” cried Happy Hairy, with delight. “ There has been a struggle, that is plain,” the detective decided, “ but it has been a bloodless one. Broadway Billy has been taken pris- oner.” “How can it be possible?” queried the house- keeper, in amazement. “ We shall have to call upon you to help us in explaining that,” was the detectivé‘s res onse. “ Consider yourself under arrest, madam.’ “ Under arrest!” “ Exactly. One of you boys go and bring a couple of policemen as soon as you can. Sit d0wn, madam, till their arrival." The woman took her seat in the one chair the room held, her face ver pale and her hands twitching nervously, and out to obey the directions of the officer. “ Why am 1 under arrest?" the woman asked. “ Because, madam. this is a house of mystery, and the police are determined to get at the bot— tOm of it.” “ Then you do not believe that I have spoken the truth?” “I see only the facts. Detective Billy Weston came here last night to s nd the night in watch- ing, and he is gone. 0 are determined to know how he went and where he went to. The fact that the key was on the outside of the door is very suspicious, to say the least.” " But, it was by his orders; to that I will swear, willingly." “ The chance will be giVen you. Let me warn you that anything you may say now will be used against you.” In 'a little time Harry was back again with the officers, and Detective Jones left them in charge of the house while he went to procure the proper papers for the arrests, and a thorough search of the premisas. Harry and Seth want with him, and the two were soon closeted With the superintendent in his private office. Here was marked the beginning of the end. CHAPTER XVI. rm: roucs TO THE masons. THE stories told by the two boys were listened to With rapt attention. Vi hen they had done, the superintendent con- gratulated them warmly upon the manner in which they had done their work. “I do not wonder Broadway Billy puts so much reliance on you,” he declared. “You hava done work here that veterans might wall be proud of. You have as good as solved the mystery.” “ Not too thick, please," said Harry, blushing violently. “We’re young and modest, and we can’t stand it, ’specially Seth.” Seth was as iuiperturbable as ever. Nothing in his face indicated what his thoughts or feelings were. “ Well, I’ll say no more about it now, then,” the superintendent laughingly returned. .“ I will, however, act upon this information imme- diatelyy and you boys shall enjoy taking part in it. Jones?” “ Yes sir.” “ Fim Woodmansy, if you can, and you and he together take this matter in hand. G0 at once and arrest Roselle Beauforte and Jacob Perrymore, separately, and se arately brin them here. Arm yourselves wit warrants, 0 course. Do not let them see each other till they meet here for the first time.” “ But, what about Broadway Billy?” asked Harr , anxiously. “ 6 shall be attended to next,” was the re- sponse. “I believe his safety depends on our getting hold of these two persons before they take alarm, and if he is yet living, we may rescue him unharmed.” Seth nodded his head approvingiy, but did not waste words to say that he had thought that would be the proper course. “That’s the cheese!” Happy Harry cried, gleefully. “ Christa her Columbia! if there won’t be a snr rise or somebody you can call me a ‘gmung. jeebeeb has 3 e’il do ’9 up, you bet! The poken. ' l v They went out, then, eteotive Jones, appy Harry hastened 13 and the superintendent sent at once for the iii-- spector to consult with him. While they were talking Courtney Clellandfi entered, somewhat excited. He made himself knewn, and immediately" asked: “ Can you tell me where I (‘illl find Mr. “1-5-- ton—tnat is, BromiWay Billy i” “ We are about to make an effort to find him. ourselves," was the response. “1 have reason to fear he has gotten into trouble, sir.” “ If that is the case I must make a disclosure-- to ‘you, geiiiloiiien.” ‘ Wnat is it?" “ l believo I have found the person who killed: Barring Delawater.” “ So do we, too. Whom do you suspect?" “ A Woman who is partly, if not indeed quite, demented. Her name is Roselle Beauforte.” “ It is the same,” Was thequict return. “ She will be have midi-r arrest in a short time. My‘ advice to you is not to meet her, for she might: kill you, if she has a weapon.” “ W b y, what do you know Concerning her and mel’ “ I happen to have knowledge of the conver» saliou you held with her last night, and that is what has led to her arrest." The young man looked at him wonderingly. “ Then there is nothing i can tell you more," he said. “ You may depend on it that Miss“- Rudolf)? is innocent, and in my talk with this woman last night I merely played into her hands ,to pacify her." “ 1 see. Well, the chance-s are that Miss Ru— doll! will speedily be cleared, if our suspicions are correct. We can promise nothing definite- ly, howeVer, till we rescue Broadway Billy. We believe he holds the key to the situation, if he is alive." The young ninn went away, and the official! continued their plannings. in the mean time Harry and Seth had gone with the detectives to make the arrests. . Woodmansy had been found, Jones knowin where to look for him, and Seth accom )anieg one tomake thearrest of I’erryniore while nrry went VI iih the other to find and arrest the wo- man Beauforte. Both quests were successful. Perry more was found in bed, and when arrest« ed his very actions betrayed his guilt. The woman, t0o, was greatly excited, and her wild talk about murder, counterfeiting, and what pot, led them to believe her out of her mind bad-I yThey were taken to Headquarters at once. Psrrymore was the first to arriVe, and as he confronted the su erintendent and the inspector he tried to brave t out. “ What am I here for, gentlemen?” he demand— “ You have been arrested for your part in the Dela water murder,” was the cold response. At that moment the door opened, and Roselle Beauforte was ushered in and the guilty pair faced each other. “ Curse you for the confession you have made i” cried P -rrymore, fiercely. “ It is to you we owe our ruiul No other way could suspicion have come upon us!” “ I h we c mfessod nothing,” cried the woman. “ What are you talking about?” “ That is enough.” spoke the inspector, stern- ly. "-By your own lips we have a confession of guilt. You are both to be held to answer for the crime and for all the mystery that at- taches. Here is the button wanting on your can . “ Is that all we are to be held for?” asked the man. “ No; you are to be responsible for the life and safety of Detective William Weston.” “ What do you imagine I know about himi” “ Everything, and it will be the better for you if you make a clean' breast of the whole matter.” “ Ha, be! Do you think me a fool’i Well, make the most of it. I guess you will have to let me go in the end. .As for Weston, I know nothing about him, and if I did—” “ And if you did?" , “ Why, I certainly would tell you, of course.” And as the man said that, alight laugh came from his lips, as if of defiance. The man and woman were sent away to be locked up, with strict orders that they be not al- vlowed to communicate with each other. ' The superintendent and the inspector had arranged their lane, and when theyhad ven instructions to t e detectives. the latterset orth to carry the plans into execution. Harry and Seth went with them. ' ' 7" Detective Woodmansy and his ‘men, with .Billy g 14 Broadway Billy Baffled. Silent Seth, went to the house to which Seth had followed Perr more on the previous night. Detective ones, with his men and tireless Harry, returned to the Rudolfi.’ residence to continue their investigations there, with the de- termination to solve the mystery of the haunted room if possible. At this house the policemen Were yet on guard, and Mrs. Beauforto was still a guarded prisoner. Armed now with a warrant for her. Detec- tive Jones took her into custody prOperly. “ You may as well confess} madam,” he said. “Your daughter, Roselle, and Jacob Perry- more, are locked up, and they have told enough to make it useless for you to deny anything." “ My daughter arrested!” the woman cried. “ Ha- d and fast, madam,” was the assurance. “ And for what has she been arrested?” “ You can answer that question yourself, so there is no need for me to tell you what you knew already.” The woman protested, and would reveal nothing, thinking it was a trap laid for her, no doubt, so she was taken away, and then began the examination of the mysterious haunt- ed room. Two or three of the men were armed with hammers, and they began sounding the wall in earnest, having little regard for the amount of hard-finish the knocked down as they pro- ceeded, and finaliy the chimney claimed their undivided attention. Under the heavy bless it gave forth a sound that was not natural for a genuine chimney, and attacking it with vigor, an opening was at last forced. A piece of the wall crashed in, and the stairs were revealed. When the hole had been made larger, some of the men crowded in, and when a light had been prov1ded the secret was laid bare. There was a framework of steel filled with a layer of bricks, and upon that the wall had been finished. Machinery moved the chimney apart and so well concealed was the jomt that it could not be discovered on the outside. So much had been gained. They went down the stairs, and finallycame to the iron door, which they set about breaking Open at onca. This occupied them a considerable time, but finally it swung open to them and the passageway was rsvoaled, along which they hastened, wea- pons ready for use, wondering into what manner of secrets the were forcing their way. Meantime oodmansy and Silent Seth, and those with them, had gone to the dark house of mystery. Arriving, they did not force the front door thinkln it might be useful for the catching of others 11 the scheme, if their work could be kept secret for a time, to leave the door as it was. There was a passage between this house and one of its elbow neig hers, and through this the detectives made their way to the rear. Here they forced an entrance by one of the windows. and began to explore the premises thoroughly. Their search was not a long one, for they were trained searchers. There was a plain trail leading from the front door to the rear stairs, over the bare floor, and down the rear stairs and to the door leading into the cellar. This they followed, and in the cellar they came to an iron door, one similar in all respects to those the other detectives had encountered in the Rudolf! residence, and in a similar way they proceeded to form it. Meanwhile, what of Broadway Bill l Once falling aslee , the stillness o the place gas such that he id not awaken for several ours. ' When at last he did open his eyes he did so with a start, at his unusual surroundings, but immediately his adventures of the night came to him, and be realized the fix he was in. The gas was burning steadily, and by its light need at the clock. It was after ten. “ Sweet portatersi” he exclaimed to himself. “What a snooze I have taken! guess I am here to stay, sure enough. Wonder what they think has become of moi I’ll bet my boys are hustling to find me. But, they’ll hustle in vain, I fear, this time." CHAPTER XVII. m I!!!) or ran: rut. Bu.“ stirred about as much as his slight degree of liberty of action would allow, attend- .1 323’ ing to his wants and partaking again of the scant store of provisions the locker contained. While he was thus engaged the sound of dis— tant pounding Came to his ears, and he dropped everything to listen. He was not mistaken; there were the heavy sounds, sure enough! “ It can’t be the rascals themselves,” he de- clared, “for they would have no need to make such a noise as that. Is it possible it’s a rescue party, and that they have got on the track of me so soon? Some clew must have been left in that room last night, after my struggle there.” He listened eagerly. Finally the pounding ceased, and for a time all was still. The next he heard was the sound of voices, then the hasty tread of feet, and after that came a heavy rap upon the door of his prison. “ Come in!” Billy called out cheerfully. “ That’s him i" cried the voicc of Happy Harry. “Bu’st ’er open, pardsl We are after ye, Broadway Billy. Hooray—hooray!” “ Good for you 1” Billy shouted back. “ Break down the door, for I am helpleSs to do anything on this side. Here is a pretty surprise for you, I can tell you. Sock it to her!" The men worked with a will, and while they were at work on that door there came the sound of heavy blows on the other one. " Bang aw:iyi”' cried Billy. “ The more the merrier. You will find me here when you get in, and you will find me in a new role, too.” 1“ That is Broad way Billy,” he heard Seth de- c are. “ Hello, Seth i” cried Harry, across the yet un- seen room. “ You on deck also?” “Don’t waste time shouting,” Seth shouted back. "‘ Break your way in l” The doors were strong and offered a good deal of resistance, but presently they gave way, and both fell in with a crash at about the same time. Then followed a scene fora few minutes which almost baffled description. The two boys em- braced their chief; the detectives went into ecstasies; and everybody talked at once—except Silent Seth. Presently, though, the first burst subsided and while explanations were made‘ all around the men set about freeing Billy from his shackles. “Then it seems I owe everything to you, Seth and Harry,” said Billy, as he shook im- self, once freed. “ Yes, everything,” declared Woodmansy. “ Only for them you mi ht have rotted here. They are the best pair 0 young detectives in New York to-day.” “ And the case is theirs, and they have all the honor of it,” Billy vowed. “ I' was not in it, this time, at all—or, rather, I was in it only too well. As you said, Woodmansy, only for them I might never have got out.” While they were preparin to leave the place, still talking among themse ves, there came to them the smell of smoke. “ What is that?” questioned Detective Wood- mansy. “ I should say it is smoke,” Detective Jones made answer. “ Oh, I know that well enough; I mean, where does it come from?” Broadway Bill had noted it, too, and he and gas others were coking about for an explana- on. They were not held long in doubt, for pre- sently a great volume of it rolled into the den from the passage on the right. “ Christopher Columbia i” cried Happy Harry. “ They have holed us, and they mean to smoke us out like rats!” “ Or smoke as in, like herrings,” added Silent Both in his dry way. “ It means something, sure cried Billy. “ You did not notice any fire when you came alo‘nlgI that way, did youl” o “ Then the rascals have discovered you, and they mean to finish us. The smoke has a vil- lainous smell, that is certain, and it may be poisonous.” ‘.‘ Let’s get out as fast as we can, then,” sug- gested Jones. “But we don’t want to desert the den," ro- minded oodmansy. .“Nor must we, if we can hold it,” cried Billy. “ Here, let’s put up the broken door in place, and see if we can’t s it." l:Il‘hey laid hold upon the iron door to lift it to p co. As they were in the not they heard a noise behind them, and looking that way, were start- led by what they saw. ~ There, in the passageway, and just behind where the door had been, a huge iron shutter was being let down into place With a rapid run, and before they could move to stop it, it had blocked the passage. “ Trapped!” cried Woodmansy. “ Look out here, for another the same,” Broad- way Billy called attention. He indicated the opposite passage, the one through which the smoke was coming. And, eVen as he did so, the creak of another descend- ing shutter was heard. “Quick!” Billy cried. “ Let’s shove this iron door under it, and so stop it and keep the pas- sage open. If we allow them to trap us, we may die here by inches of starvation.” Willing hands caught hold upon the 'unhinged door afresh, and it was pushed forward quickly, but lack seemed to be against them. The door caught by one corner on a stone that stood above the rest of the floor, and before a second niove could be made, the shutter had fallen to p ace. ' Then it was a taunting laugh was heard: “ Ha ha, ha, ha! There you are, like rats in a trap! ’ “ Crackers an’ cheese! Christopher Colum~ biai” exclaimed Happy Harry. “We are in for it now, sure enough,” Billy observed. “ life may get done up yet, pards.” “ We must batter our way out. one nay or the other,” spoke Silent Seth. “ No time to be lost about it, either." “ Right you are, Seth,” agreed Billy. “ Lay hold upon something to hatter with, men, and we will try to get out this side opposite where the smoke is coming in.” The smoke was still coming in, finding its way through numerous small holes in the iron shut- ter, and even as they looked about them there came a thump against the shutter, and flames poured in through every hole, crack and crevice. “Ha, ha, ha ha!" rung out again the taunt- ing laugh. “ Bie, like the dogs you are!” “ It looks pretty dubious for us, I’ll be hanged if it don’t,’ muttered Woodmansy, as he was helping to get one of the iron doors into position to be used as a rama ainst the shutter. “Never say die,’ cheered Billy. “ Make haste, boys,” “ That’s what’s the matter i” cried Happy Harry. “ We may beat 'em yet, if we loo alive about it.” “ We haven’t got long to do it in, though I’ll bet,” said Seth, in his business-like way. ‘This smoke means death, if we don’t get out of it.” “ Or get it stopped,” added Jones. ‘ “ And there’s no stopping it ” averred Billy, “ with the flame coming through with it. They have run a fiery furnace right up against the door, and the advantage is all on their side.” “ Ain’t there any other way of escape?” ques- tioned a policeman. “ No other,” Billy declared. “ This way or none.” The batterin -ram had now been made ready, . and those who ad it in hand went forward with a rush toward the iron shutter. There was a crash, a sharp metallic ring, and arecoil that nearly carried the men of! their feet, and again came to their hearing the sound of that hated laugh. “ Ha, ha’rha, ha! Little that will accomplish for you. his place was made for just such a purpose as this. You have discovered us, but your discovery will mean death for you.” “ It would mean that for you, if we could face you,” cried Billy. “ You have got all you want to face ri ht there,” came back the taunting reply. “ on are facing death, and it is not far away, either. Ha, ha, ha, ha!” , Bang: went the batterin -ram again and yet again, at with no more c act than at first. The officers were nning to look at one an- other with blanched c eeks. “ Be hivvins, but it’s a bad fix we are in,” re- marked one. “ You are right, man,” his companion agreed. “ And can’t on be after getting us out, Mis- ter Broadway illyf” yet another crisd. “ Sure. it’s dhs devils own imp s have been for getting out av scrapes yourse f, as Oi have read sheet ,, . e. y “ I’m going to get out or bu’st abutton, you can bet on t,” answered Billy. “Keepastifl 111T??? lip, and remember you are one of the nest. “ Have lyou got your lifsinsured, Mikel” asked another 0 the officers, forcing a jolt. “0i have dhot same, thank my stars,_ "w" a use. p . A a they made a rush with the ram, this time with more force than ever, if po-ible, but i Broadway Billy Baffled. 15 still with no success, and the recoil sent some of them to the floor. By this time the air had become almost-ex- hausted, and the smoke Was stifling. I It was plain they could not stand it much onger. Suddenly a thought came to Broadway Billy, and be condemned himself severely for not hav- ing thought of the scheme before. “Here, lend me a hand,” he cried, springing to where the forge and bellows stOod. “We’ll see if we can’t blow ~ome of that smoke the other Wa . Here, too, is a vent to open!” e opened the vent through which the forge smoke had been allowed to escape, and the bel- lows was speedily placed facing the place where the smoke was coming in, together with the hot flames, and two of the policemen set at work blowing with a will. This bettered their condition in a few min- utes. In the mean time Harry and Seth had not been idle, but had been making a must thorough (-x- ploratiou of the den, in the hope of finding something that would help them in their deeper ate efforts to escape. s Presently they came upon a small iron box in an out-of-the-way corner. It had a lock to it, but the look was open, and removing it and raising the lid they wondered what their find was. There a full dozen or more of objects that look- ed not unlike huge candles, except that they were black. Then, too, long strings on them gave them more the appearance of firecrackers. “ What are they, Seth i” asked Harry, eager- ly. “ Give it up, Harry,” was the response. “ We’ll show them to the boss.” _ Taking the box up, they carried it out into the other room, where Billy was, and there showed their find. “ It looks like powder,” Billy said immedi- ately. “ And dhat same it is!” cried one of the police- men. “ Sure, many a wan av dhem Oi foired on dhe Boolevard, before Oi got on dhe force. We’ll be out now, me lads, and don’t ye forget it i” CHAPTER XVIII. ESCAPE AND CONCLUSION. an hope was now in every breast, and their faces had taken on brighter looks than they had had for some minutes. The policeman who declared himself to be an expert with the wder was given charge of the explosives, and iliy told him to’go ahead and blow one or both of the shutters down. “ 0i will dhat same ” was the assurance. “ Wan av dhe pieces will be enough to do dhe business.” . “ Which one should he try?” asked Wood- man'ls‘y. “ no one where the fire is, by all means,” said Billy. “ We may get a shot at the infernal scamps.” . “ Best‘ that is what I was going to suggest. Go”ahea , Gallagher, and show us what you can do. “ Yes, let ’er go, Gallagher!” cried Happy Harry. "And if you blow them all up at the same time it won’t matter a bit.” “ Oi onl ho 0i can do it.” All this ad n spoken in low tone, for it was thought but not to let on to their enemies the find they had made. The policeman got down and crawled to the door, and placing one of the wder-bolts in sition, he lighted the fuse an hurried away, y- ing to the others: “ Into dhe other room wid yez, now, loivslyi” He had picked up the powder.box, closed the lid, and with a couple of lengthy strides had cleared the spa co and was out of den or. The rest were right with him, and a l crouched in the furthest corner of the inner room while they waited for the blast to go off and tear a passage for them out of their novel prison. The seconds seemed minutes while they waited, but they were not ks t a great while in su use. There came limu taneously a cannon-ii s re port. a shock that flung them back against the wall with no gentle ores, and a tearing and crunching as though the very rocks were being torn asunder. “ It’s all oyeri” , “$0 cliledwtbe 901110;? who had maizagod the mg,u a u n-oon waoaan- boa on the pub c works.2 8 y g g in hand all He led the way and with woa he other room, n the dark, now, followed him to t for the lights had been extinguished by the con- ou . Bits of fire lay scattered all around, where the iron shutter had been, and by the dim light they made the effect of the blast could be partly seen. The shutter had been torn loose from one side, and was bent backward, leuvmg the passage 0 en. p“ Bully for Gallagher!” cried Happy Harry. “ Dhe same for all av usl” cried the happy policeman. “ Dimt wns phwat did dhe business fur dhem, me b‘y.” “ Lot's after them,” urged Broadway Billy. “ We may nah them before they make their es- ca 8." “ Better go slow, boss,” suggested Silent Seth. “ They may give us a dose of the same medicine if we don’t look out.” “ We’ll take the chances. Not likely they had any explosives except these in the iron box. Come on, W'oadmansy; come on, all of you.” The smoke was now so thick that nothing could be seen more than afootahead in the dark passage, even with the light from the scattered coals, and as soon as they had been passed every- thing was absolute blackness. Bro'idway llilly led the way bravely, the others close upon his heels, all proceed ng as rapidly as possible, and in due time they came to the house by which Woo'lmansy, Silent Seth, and those with them, had gained entrance to the underground den, where they found a door barred against them. “They have reached here first and escaped," Billy cried, in disappointment. “13,.gol-m, dhey left before dhe explosion,” declared Oil‘icer Gallagher. “ If dhey hadn’t. we would have found dhem on dheir backs in dhe tunnel.” “ I guess you are right, and there is nothing to be done but to go back, now, and let you blow open the other deor. They no doubt think they have left us there in the death-trap to die.” “ Dhe which some dhey haven t dhough, be- gnb'n They retraced, their way to the den, where a, light was made, and acharge of powder was put under the other door, or shutter. This, like the first, was blown aside sufficient- l to admit their passage out, and so, thanks to the powder and the boys who had found it, their They had been in a tight place. “ That’s the stuff!" cried Happy Ha , filled with delight. "That is What they didn t have down on their programmei” “ And you two boys are something else they did not figure on as largely as they should have done, either," commented Detective J ones. “ ’81)! don’t talk that way before Seth.” Harry cautioned aloud. “ You don’t know how modest he is. lie don’t say much, but he hears agood deal. and when you talk about him it makes him blush all over.” ” Which Harry never does.” spoke seth' briefly. “Bil faca is never still long enough. The others lau had. and that was the end of their jesting, for illy called them to business preparatory to leaving the place that had come so near to being their tomb. Some of the detectivos, well-armed, were left in charge of the den while Billy, the be I, and the others, went to headquarters to te their story. The disclosure of the counterfeiters’ den made a great sensation, and ate a were taken at once for the a prehension of al concerned in it. With the help of Seth, who had seen most of the rascals, the arrests were speedily made, and the entire gang imprisoned. A good eal of the bogus stuff was found in the place, and so well was the counterfeit ex- ecuted that it was hard to estimate how much pif the product of the den might be in circula- on. Thcprough search, too, discovered the Steel an . It wasahuge auntlet of steel, into which a man could put his hand, and by simply closing the hand the gauntlet clowd With a force that could be made to crush a block of wood to splin- ters. ‘ Attached to the uatlet was a great cloak of black, covered :0? some greasy substance which was the sou ‘ of the ll ht that had sur- rounded the haad when it ha been soon. By rubbing theclOak with the hands the incandes- cence could be made to appear. its disappear- ance was occasioned by the more opening of a bottle of some volatile substance in the posses- sion of the wearer. The examination of Clementine Rudolfl was set for that day, but it did not come 08. She was released, and the other risonars were held to answer for the crime that been laid to her charge. When the work of the detectives was done the escape was made sure. case had been made complete against them, and there was nothing to save them from their merited fate. These counterfeiters had operated in New York for many years. They had conlined their product to a certain quantity, steadily, in order not to create suspicion against themselves, and Were rapidly amassing fortunes. For their perfect security they had bought houses in ii. respectable quarter of the town, and made their den as it has lwen disclosed, to ins ec- tion. Later they sold one of these houses to lr. {u lolil’, one being enough to answer tlwil‘ pur- pose, or rather two, for the one adjoining the Rndolil’ residence was in their hands. Mrs. Beaui'orte, the housekeeper at the Ru- dolll‘ l'e‘lldi’nCl‘, was on.- of the band, and her daughter wns the “ quoen " of the gang. She it WHS who passed most of tho “goods” into the clumneh of trade. linrring llelnwater was the caotuin of the band, and Roselle was his w ife, so called. Later, he fell in lovo with Miss Rudolil', and Roselle showed j-‘fllousy, at first, but when she found his suit was spurnwl, she wasdelighted. From that time Delawator hated her, nml cast her oil’. She made friends then with l’erry- more. the wound in conmmnd. In her spying upon Miss Rudolfl‘, she mum to learn of Courtney Clellund, and fell in love with him at sight. She tried every way to win him, keeping her true character in the background, but her efforts were useless. That being so, she resolved to make a bold stroki'. She killed Del- awater, having arranged over thing to lay the crime upon Miss Rudolii’, and l’errymore helped her, for he thought could they get a hold upon the young banker they could push their counter- feit product the faster upon the market, and soon reach the amount of fortune they aimed at. Besides, by Delawater’s death he would come in- to the ilrst place, which he had so long coveted. S», the crime wns done. as it has been set forth. But, as is usually the case, they overreached themselves, and in the end came their merited disaster. Needless to so , Miss Rudolf! was cleared and fully exonerate , while the guilty wretchel were punished as their crimes deserved. The den was cleaned out and it was blown up with explosives and filled in with earth, a l traces of it being renmved and the houses re- stored to their former order. Courtney Clelland and Clementine Rudolf! were married, but they did not go to reside in the Rudolf! residence. That had too many un~ leaaaut memories; and besides, the oung ban- ker had a new and finer residence a ready pre— pared for his admirable bride, in which they are duly happy, as they deserved to he. The press and the police made much of Broad- way Billy and his tandems, but they did them no more honor than was justly earned. Billy’s hun- ner had been lifted even higher than before, and around it his devoted allies rallied for further conquests in their chosen field. Seth had not much to say, but his determined face was index enough to his intentions. Harry was outspoken, of course. “ Here we are,” he. declared boldly' “riper than ever for any difiikiltyl o’ll tackle any- thing. from a ghost to the mafias. Christopher Columbia! but we did make things hum that time. though! And we’ll do it again too— crackerl an' cheese, yes! The 100th both spoken. Bolahl” TEE IND. Beadle’s Half-Dime library. BY 00!. A. 1". "OUT. .99 Black Buckskin; or. The Masked Men of Death Cum. 419 Kenneth, the Knife-King. ‘85 la ttlo ngltf‘not. the Pile! of the Woods, .88 The llamly flporu or Thu Klng Pin Cons lratov. 678 Ilemlllgllt llurry’l Il'aaardt onTho ng thing lxpm Detectlw. 69‘ Headlight "any? llaul. 797 Ilcadllgbt “any I film-n. 759 Headlight llarry's Heritage. In GEGIIKGIC 0. JEN Kb. 486 Glt Thar llwney the Unknown. 493 Git Thar flwney’a Pledge. 518 The Demon lbootor. Mil Double-Curve Dan. Ina Pltcher Detective. 598 Il‘lut ‘, the Singer Dutcclivo. 008 The 'ltoher llotectlvc'a Poll: or, Dan’s Double Play. 616 The "00." Detectives or. The Lani Crulu of tho Black Bear. mu The l’ltohor lief-oetlvo'l Ton heat Tussle $86 Barr the Thoroughbrodg or, i5»... on Ivory Side 79 Iron land, the Charmed Dmcilu. A New lune Every Tuesday- flo Half-Dino “bras-y Is for solo by on I'm In antipersonoruatbymalloamslnofdxmmh. READ“ AND ADAII, Publlalon. ‘ 98 William Itroot, New York. 1 "u ,5! '3 Broadway Billy“ ‘— v _.._.. _— By J. C_.__qiwdrick. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo; or, Brought to Bay by a Bold Boy. 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle; or, Clearing up a Strange Ca~e. 536 Broadway Billy’s “ Diflikilty;” 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. 605 Broad wav Billy; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Innings. 628 Broad way Bill y’s Dead Act; or, The League of the Sworn Seven. 669 Broadway 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. A: l ~ in The 63min Detective'a Donia Snap at Santa Fe. .1: a curnun. "Wu um - "mg-n; 753 Broadway Billy in Denver; or, The On-the— Catch Combination. 762 Broadway Billy’s Bargain; or, The Three Detectives in Denver. 769 Broadway Billy, ihc Retriever Detective; or, How the City Buzzards Were Brought In. 775 Broad way Billy’s Shadow Chase; or, Materi- alizing the Spozks. e o- . . v . The Iame Dinppunmo t .' atMaalwu Springs. f r ‘. I loll]:- 0' G.“.m ‘ ’ '3 I n . “1-m- MI... 783 Broadway Billy’s Beagles; or, The Detective Trio’s Uncanny Quest. 786 Broadway Billy’s Team; or, The Detective Oombine’s Big Pull. 790 Broadway Billy’s Brigade; or, The Case of the Dead Alive. 796 Broadway Billy’s Queer Bequest; or, Sitting the Santvoord Secret. 800 Broadway Billy Bafliled; or, The Team’s Toughest Tug. 696 Broad way 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 Bill ’3 Curious Case; or. The Mysterious isappearanoe .at Manitou Springs. latest amulew Issues. 792 Deadwood Dick, J r.’s, Double Device; or, The Tussel with Satan. By Edward L. Wheeler. 793 Dick Doom in Chicago; or, The Ferret of the- Golden Fetters. By Col. P. Ingraham. 794 Headlight Harry’s Hunt; or, The Railroad Pards’ Tonal: Run in Satan’s Camp. By Col. A. F. I-loli. 795 Kit Bandy in R d Ruin; or, The Young By 011 Coomes. Whirlwind of tile Hills. 796 Broadway Billy’s Q'lePl‘ qunesr ; or, Sitting the Santvoord Secret. By J. C. Cowdrick. 797 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Desperate Venture. By Edward L. Wheeler. 798 Dick Doom in the “'ild Vest; or, Shudowed to the Shades. By Col. P. ingraham. 799 Kit Bandy’s Big Rustic. By Oll Coomes. l , 9‘ ~ ~ ,. The New York pull-gun in " [lard-up Camp. ‘ ‘ « “rm-Sal qy I c mwnvu .mc- Inn-0'.qu ‘1 cnuvni '-’ «M r . an. .m- D-h— ~m‘ ovum-pr 800 Broadway Billy Baflied; or, The Team’s Toughest Tug. By J. C. Cowdrick. 801 Kent Kirby, the High-Kicker from Kill- buck. By Lieut: A. K. Sims. 802 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice. By Edward L. Wheeler. 803 Dick Doom in Washington. By Colonel; Prentiss Ingraham. Ready December 13th. A New Issue Every Tuesday. BEADLE’S HALF-DUKE LIBRARY is for sale by all newsdeaJers at five cents per copy, or sent by mail, post-paid. on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, ' 98 William street, New York. I ‘ 'ld ovels in Beadle’sflali—flime Library.