3 I l I 1 l I I : “1' I“ .' ll ‘H : ' .- ... 3:. M .IF L Q i ., «I V 1 I Published Every GBeadze (f' Jada-7713- (‘7 )’ ’ 7’17.-q739'7‘3: Ten Centsa Copy. N 5 O o . Two Ween 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. $2.50 aYear. O. z'i‘hefiFire-Fiends; or, Hercules? theHunchback. BY .A... P. MORRIS. M» . r y 4‘ U W 1/, ly I m! WM 2 [ ‘ 1 ‘ H; ‘ R I . J , \ f) it ‘ \~:V.;:.{\‘\\ym\§§.fm‘“ ‘ ‘ i1 ‘ V“ f," I‘ H Ink-“'1’ - “ - Mn “ \“V‘H‘x “HQ-W W m .. WM 3 In HUNCHBACK GRASPED HER DISAPPEARING FORM, TRIPPING HIMSELF, AND TOGETHER THEY FELL OUTWABD'. 2 The New York Library. The Fire-Fiends; Hercules, the Hunchback. BY A. P. MORRIS. CHAPTER I. KNIFE AND FLESH. LAVED by the waters of a mighty lake, whose vast bosom smiled back the gleeful sunshine with a'sheen of splendor; kissed by prairie breezes laden with unearthly essence; prosper- ous and beautiful; a proud crty biddiiig' fair .to outvie the metropolis of the Pacific, and dim the glories of the Atlantic wonder—Chicago reared its evidences of amazing progress before the world. In the vicinity of Union Park'stands a dwell- ing of im sing build—an edifice combining comfort wi h display. To the parlors of this residence we invite the reader. Seated near a veranda, seeking escape from the oppressive atmosphere, was a woman of captivating beauty—a brunette, whose dark, flashing eyes were like, in their glance, to the brilliancy of twin jewels, and whose form, alone, rivaled the loveliness of her features. Pacing the room, his face frowning, hands al- ternately doubling and opening, and whole manner that of poorly-curbed impatience, a young man kept her company. She, too, betrayed signs of uneasiness. Anon she would glance at him from under ieyebrows delicate, yet rich as velvet; her foot patted the 'eldin carpet; the perfumed fan swrtched Erking y in her nervous hand. “ Sister!” he said, pausing before her abrupt- y. “Well, brother!” “ The hour is near—” “ ’Sh!” she interrupted, quickly. “ Becareful of your speech.” ‘ Pah! Who to overhear us? The last ser- vant left the house this afternoon,” . “Are you certain of that 7” gazing suspicious- ly around. “ Yes, certain.” “ I say the hour is near—” “The hour!” she interrupted again. “Say the minute. See,” (drawing a watch from her belt, and pointing to its dial While she fixed a piercing gaze upon him,) ‘ it lacks but five minutes to six.” “In five minutes, then,” he added, thought- fully, “ we are twice enriched.” “ And the pledge of the bullet-scar is kept.” He slowly ’ bis ri ht hand before his 0 es, and looked steadfast at the palm. In t 9. very center was a 1i (1 scar, round and 1am. p “Yes,” he uttered, in measured tones, “the pledge of the bullet-scar is kept.” A momentary shudder passed over his frame as he turned from the beautiful being he called “sister,” and a strange look settled on his hand- some features. She had marked that scarce-perceptible shiver; a smile, full of sneering sarcasm, curved her crimson li “ ou fiitate. You regret what we are do- ’1 mg‘Hesitate!”—stop ing short, midway acroa the room' then, dashing his hands to 'h brow, he cried, huskily: “No—I do not hesitate; but would to heaven the thing were done With! It is torturing me.” “ A foolish weakness.” “ Call it what you will. Sister ”—he contem- plated her in an indeflnable way—“are you nerved to fulfill your promise the Hunch- back, when he shall tell us that ortimer Gas- con is-” . , She stayed completion of the sentence by a wave of her fan. , “M duties are my own, Evard; attend to your ebts as I shall to mine.” Another silence filled the room. ' A deep cri- g“ was ptendiii1 in tbs:- house. ; the words, the ans 0 one tra suspense. . Pi-eseniaily a footstei; echoed thebgall. 111;: massive oorswun pen,an a _, human, half indescrfbgble, stood in th pres- ence. .. The woman sprung from her seat. Her com~ men caught his breath, leaned forward, With ds half raised and pallid face. He who ente thus unceremoniously, was a mulatto of dwarflsh stature, with crooked back, broad shoulders, fierce visage, and e es of pierc’ glance. His arms were notice- “ 13' 10118; his eet longerin proportion; hisears grew prominently outw rd; his attire was of a careless kind—and one s eeve rolled up, discov- erod a wrist like a bar of iron, with muscles of steel and stain of night. Across his left temple, rtiall hidden by“: When matted owthof backhar,wasa scar, as f from the on of a knife-blade. he spoke his voice growled and hissed simultane- ously; and while he contem lated the brother and sister, his large lips par-ad with utterance of the brief words: .. .. .. m, “ one er es!” cri e young striding forward and grasping that bare, bar wrist. “Are you sure! he isdead, then?” “I say ’tis.done!” growled the Hunchback, wrenching himself free, and scowling darkly. “When 1 say that, I mean he is dead. Wh ask me if I am sure? Have I ever lied to you ” “ And the body?” interrogated the woman. “Is being attended to now. I brought one with me who knows how to help, with his tongue in clfiains.” t “ utisi nottooeari ? s icionma be—” “Pem- A191 afoo? Wuh-Et Ido,I owell. I tell, you Mortimer Gascon is dead. His body is being borne away this minute.” :: Where to?” asked the young man. You talk too much. But I will answer; mayhap to a dissecting room—” “ Then we are undone!” “Peace!” and there was an impatient accent inhis tone. “There is no ison in him. He died naturally enough. en 'I told you the moment he would die, I did but see. He left the world full half an houra i was for want of care.” Then sharply: ‘ My man , now, Evard Greville. You are rich, since ortimer Gascon is no more, so on may handily give me beyond the sum agreed, upon.’ “I can not pay you now; 1—” began Gre- ville. _ m; g’an not? Why? “81. have no money by me. I must obtain it from a friend,” hastily continued the other, as he caught the menace of the mulatto’s words. Come—beware of tri- “ If you will meet me at the Washi street (tilinn’el, two hours hence, you shall ve your ue. “Enough. See that I am not disappo nted, i Evard Greville," and he concluded, threatemng— ly: “ Do not think I fear for myself, in what has begp done. If you trifle, I Will let out the " You need not threaten, Hercules. I will be prompt.” “ I will be there. Now, Hermoine Greville, fulfill your misc.” She shrun from him. All color receded from her face as this fierce being recalled a dreaded su'lHIect to her mind. ' 6 eyes of the Hunchback bent keenly upon er. “ Hercules,” she faltered, “desist from your fearful claim. Hear me: we are very rich, now —half of my share shall be yours, if you will fore 0—” “ ' is a useless Yprayer. Peace. Let me havek none of it. our pledge, I say. Be quic ! She retreated as be advanced a step. “ No—no—I can not t it!” “ Ha! remember! e alternative is worse!” “God hel me !—it is!” “ Quick, en!” To this demand it was evident that Hermoine had hoped to make such tempting offers in the balance, as would induce the dwarf to release her from her remiss. But she made a mistake. Herculeswas d termined e . 0 Her whole for-m quiverad in a nameless ten-or- as she advanced to a table, whereon lay a sharp knife, and «a plaster, apparently pre 1{OI-Renal}?!"m listeni steel 1 h hand sh n e n er 9 let!” 3 n8 ' “mood! th again and back. I can not 0 itl” she c . “ Oh, spare me this sacrifice !” “ No! It is my price for which I have labored. H‘H'igfiolwmmm "1: th knif (1 hi! u too 11 e e, an w e hogtw fairly hideous i: mien, he drew near to e beautiful Hermoine. “ Maggy Wbil}; watched flthe scene. e vs won e wemustpayouranyhispiiceforadm soon be over and no t harm can conic from it "spoke Greville, $333!: the utterance bolting and his 0 es were fairly starting. “ Prepare .” said the unchback, in a voice of unmistakable ferocity. _ 233% .i‘." “a...” “mr” 8"“ ‘°’°'°"’ n a you othing. , ‘ , Hermoine Gre- ville, or it will be be worse or you.” He touched his thumb to the ruzored blade; then clutched the pearl handle “See, it is nothing; a mere scratc , after all. I, did not mind it much, when it was done to tinstigariiihepointedtethesceronhisown m e. .For a second she stared wildly at him; then with a low moan, she sunk down. Evard made a movement to assist her. “ Stand back!” ordered Hercules. “ It is bet- ter thus. She will not feel the pain. Hand me thenplaster from the table. ” .oturnedtoobe. Whenhe facedthe‘ dwarf—modal: mi} a brief moment later—a dread act been perpetrated. Hermoine Greville was marked by an ugly, bleeding full Ich the left temple, from which a p see of the fair skin had been severed. “ See,’ he said when he arose from his task, “it is all over. better this, than for her to be a lei-I- come the wife .of Hercules, the Hunchback! ‘Ha! ha! ha! is it not so? Now, Iamoif. Re- member, Evard Greville, the Washington street tunririrla’l; two hours hence. Fail me, at your p0 . ; ‘ He shock a dark forefinger toward the one who knelt beside Hermoine, and then disap- : neared beyond the doorway. 1: When hermome Greville revived it was as if gdven her insonsibility had not shut out re- 1 alization of what had tra ired. g Quickly, one hand sough her wounded brow. i There was a chill recoil of her every nerve, and < a groan of esca her. 1‘ ‘Listen! 'gen! onot swoon again!” ' .“ Hercules—where is he?” she breathed with difficulty. “ Gone.” The ansWer strengthened her. Gradual! she : refigned her feet, with his aid, tottering d ' y slip in port. i It was a fate which gave her position directly i before one of the long, ' ded mirrors, and, in a 1 second. she caught 81 t of herself. A loud ‘ shriek through t e room, and Evard held a dead weight in his arms. The picture which met her gare was too much to bear; a face she was once so proud of new, and forever was robbed of its smooth loveli- ness—so disfigured that time nor art could heal over the dreadful mark. Feverish with excitement, the young man dragged her awa . “ ermoine! ermoine!” he called. “Rouse! --rouse yourself! My God! the wretch has killed her!” Swaying under the weight of his burden, he ascended the stairs. In vain he strove to re- store her by words and importunities, till he grew wild with desperation. At the first landin was a table, with pitcher and goblet on it. tically be grasped up' the first—then dashed it from im With a groan of despair. It was empty. . “ She will die! O-h, for some assistance here! Hermoine !—will you never rouse i—ha !—what—— who are you!” ~ As he turned from the stand, to continue up the stairs, he was confronted by a shadowy something, a form dimly outlined in the rays of a street-lamp entering like a ghostly halo at the window. It was a human, et it moved not. Though be challenged, it spo e not. Something was tearing at his heart—fear! for the apparition, so sudden so silent, comiii * when his conscience was fres in wicked har - ' struck dread to the center of his soul. “ o are on?” he cried in, and his voice echoed di ly through the ouse. But only those echoes answered him. No sound, save the tumultuous beating of his heart, broke the grave-like stillness. CHAPTER II. -_ m nasun QUEEN. Tim Hunchback hurried along the broad hall, and out at the front door. i& e descended the steps to the Ema he was busily resolving something in . “Now what,” thought he “can persuade Evard dreville, so far from ome, to pay the money he owes me? The tunnel—it is a long walk froE here. And, nowl think Oltldic lies directly in route or ve near w ' the same. Some also thaxnythis businesswith hm;1 ere. It will do 310 héimh to wa wenwe 'anwa. im Iwill. eothatssem,’therei Trix!” “ Here,” answered a voice to his call. A close cab was stan near the curb, a few pavements distant. He mood to the vehicle, and inside. “ that you, Hercules?” carne‘lowly the de th of the cushions. ‘ Yes it is I. How are you feeling, Mortimer Wntired x. “0!, now to our home in Polk street,” and, 31031; the order, he stepped in and closed the “I waited to secure the prices ed — my reward for killing you,” sai the ‘dgvogf sinking back 'te the form ‘ 131;?” seat. !‘ flow now—are egg :2 Far from it, thank Heaven!” Pm, then. Rest, your tongue, and your mind an The whip of driver was cracking; the cab rumbled swiftly awa . A Neither a! on and on past the numerous blocks t lay between hem and their destination. _ _ “granule; seemed absorbed gummfiitetion_ medi “a' n 0 con. jectures as to what Greville to such a distance from residence, When aplace nearer might as well have suited. An' as before he concluded with a mental resolu n to to w the young man, after they separated v When the cab halted, he called Trix who de- scended from the box and flung cm the door. “ A hand here,” said the Hunch k. The t em, and bore it out. ‘Into a weird-fronted dwelling of three stories, whose door opened, as if by magic, at their 3P- h; and then up a narrow stairway du K ighted by a lamp with red—th shade, whic swung from the ceiling of the passage above. The door closed after them, and a female fol- lowed in their rear. Entering 9. Ion" room on the second floor, they deposited their burden on a luxurious couch, and Hercules said: f‘ Here is your net - lace. How now, Mor- timer Gascon—has the ride disturbed you i” “ I am weak—very weak,” answered Morti- mer. “Peace, then, and rest. You are out of dan- ' both of enemies and sickness. A month W'i make on right a in.” _‘f Is'thisj ortimer ascon?” asked the woman who had followed them. a,“ Yes, it is he—the last of the doomed. A mirach saved him. But that I was the instru- ment used, the pledge of the bullet-scar would have been kept! The a ment was a bed-chamber but there was tha in its furnishings of red, which gave it a fantastic surrounding while long, crimson candles, in lished ho d rs, shed a wavering halo round t ose asembled. Upon the Hunchback the'efi'ect was striking— ' to give his strange, half-devilish form and en a greater rominence. Trix was a mulat ; a boy of about seventeen years. His face was intelligent, his muggin- metrical—broad shoulders, and a stern of countenance betokening strength of muscle and 'purpose. The peculiar mold of feature poise of bod _ and wth of hair, told of Ind an in his veils; an in his da‘rk,’ glittering eyes there lurked a close resemblanceto the'piercing glance of Hercules: ' , The womangm—standing statuedike to one side —was a sin pemp . , wily mask concealZi her face, terminating in ed late that fell, folding, on a full bosom. From beneath the mask volumed rich tresses of hair, black as the stain of a raven’s wing, and drooping—in gloas-like fibers of silk—near] to her est Over ni ht—hued garments, ose unique fit discovered the form of a Venus—and whose skirts trailed far behind herwwas thrown a cloak of red fabric, red a’sthe sinking sun, and scintillatin with sponges—as if the wearer-had b'athbd, ' in asea 0 blood, and afterward in a shower of old. _ Her hands were loved in red and in $116 eyelets of the m —which wo'tild seem to hide the features of a Peri—shone orbs of unearthly brl htness. “ Then Evard Grev le thinks that Mortimer is removed forever from his path 1” “ He does; more, that I, Hercules, was his tool. But save talk. Here is our charge: let us nurse well. Trix, begone—the horses.” ~’Wi’iVilialr'l‘llr‘ew. When he was gone, the fe- mileahhb‘d: both Hermrlesk-you received “. .915. both. but one. Hermoine Greville is marked for life!” Heektended the thinnth of skin fi-‘om the brow of'HermOine. With a nick movement she seized it, “It is no!” she exclaimed, and there was a hiss to her voice, as she uttered the words, “ will not see somnch tochal-m'him now inthe one he calls ‘beautifuchrnidnez’ arid-this is'sorne recom 'nse for what she done to 1?? She conclud _ with a low laugh, mu 0f air significance, yet of silve tone.’ man, aftér .“Zone, what if you do love h n all! There’s ealousy in om‘speec . The Hunchli'ack ed her.steadily; the gatewva that ever welt on his face, grew " - to him !”—an excla'n‘mtion and breathless; “ha! ha! ha! fear not. . on do not yet know sister, Hercules; it is to our interest that slit)qu retain the love of Carl Grand—and he does love me l-but as for my , leving, him—yes—for the part he is to play; no “13%” Youme pun ' r . a on me as w- de‘r; t6) the match—"n mi q po 0 cu notsee ' nterruptsd im tient- ly, “unit if he lime Hermoine dmv‘ilal'e too well my war over him is gone?” “ Yes, see—” “ That power gone} then who will the records in our handsi—the will! , Her- cules! He, alone knows where they are.” “Yes, yes. Enough.” And' he While he gazed down at the blood‘red carpet: “ When does your lover meet you again?” “ T ht.’. . _ 1 “ Ehwy it is but a-‘sin‘gle night since—" “ And this timehthe placeaof meeting hogs!" sugnsdded, without heedfng his words. “ do: 1mm I ani’ tired mwhzfl‘a ' ailnyvid'fl” , u “m then,”- we" unehhact, is whyEvardGreville— butheflnishedaloud ntly lifted the form that had accom- ! . . : With the question: “ Have you done well, ' Zone?” i “ Why not? Evard Grev—” She stopped. short. Mortimer Gascon was ‘ staring at them, and listening with interestto I their dialogue. A sign from Hercules had “ checked her. . “Where are you ‘ g1” asked Zone, as the ! dwarf moved tow the door. “ To meet a debtor.” “ Evar—” but he silenced her, by placing a finger to his lips. ‘ When will you return?” “Early or late, as it best suits,” vanishing as he uttered the indefinite reply. Zone turned to Mortimer ascon. “ You must forget what you heard 'ust now. It can do you no good to strive to reco ect.” Now that we have a chance to view this Mor- timer Gascon, we see that he is somewhat past fifty years—a man whose figure, though at pres- ent worn with illness, bore evidences of a natu- rally stron constimtion. The sunken eyes, c'ol- orless chee , faint voice—all betrayed the se— vere ordeal of an unusual sickness. He was studying his singular companion, and said as she drew near: _“ b0 you wear that mask continually? Will you take it on for my curiosit i” “ No, I can not remove'it.‘ I is better for you not to see my face. Shall I brin on wine She arran a salver at his do, on which was a decan r of rkling wine. Pouring out a giassful she held it to hislips. _ ‘ I win strange company,” he uttered, slow- Mhile he'strove in v to pierce the woman’s “ You are with friends.” “ I do not doubt it. Will you tell me what it was Hercules brought grout—that little thing you snatched so eagerly " “ Alter year questioning, Mortimer GasoOn, or I shall say ‘ no’ to every thing. There—lie down again. Try to sleep. You need rest.” “ You are a sister to Herculesflh‘e continued. “Yet I can scarce think it; t tmasksurely hides a white face——” _ “If you think I am his sister, or thatIam not forget it; You maybe mistaken in either.” en she had settled the invalid comfortably Zone began walking to and fro, her slippered feet sinking noiselessly into the rich carpeting. Her head was bowed, her gIOVed hands were clafiped and hanging listlessly. ortimer Gascon watched her, as the mo- ments seed, and ereihe knew it, sleep closed his eye ids. nggagVen in shfimbem brain was ry'ln 9 upon or i t - e 0% her, m0ved restlean Zone in her walk. was to eviczgthmg save the unspoken shapings of her m “Do Have this man, whose line Ihave sworn to hate—whose'father and mother before him, my father sacrificed in the cause of ven eance; W cm I, as his daughter, the so 0 sur- vivor have sworn to‘ thw in the oath of the bullet scar, and make the instrument of tri- umph over Hermoine Grevillei Have I red to love him? _Was Hercules right in his sus- picion? What is‘ this feeling in m heart—a softness which holds me back when most long to crush bun! What is iti—love? Zonei—girli are you cm?" She sta and glanced uneasil about her, as if fearful that her thoughts struck the ear of an eav r. . But she was alone, save the romance of Morti- mer Gascon: and a ' oe 'the'bed her’ that he was sleeping soundly. Presently- a4 sound-was head,- which mde her start. it we featstep. The heavy, coa- fldent‘tread told thatit was a man. In" another moment the corner hand was upowthd knob. , With inconceivable ckness, she £11138 to onesidcoftheapartm' t, andtonch asprin'g in the wall. thinstalnuy,:'mh, red in lgolds across ' ce ' ell down entire screedm' g weapon-135i: of the room w re Mortimer Gas- con y. . “It is be.“ He has obeyed nightweflons— entered with the key I gave 1 mum to the source of the entry-light, and-4’ ‘ .: The door opened, and Evard Grevdle stood before her. ~ ' Llama the house wherein lay Mortimer Gascon place of , Abrisk walk maker-fly brought him to th I . Th'mg‘heggt hour was early, mgr-swag. with a few lenoerei '4 the ' fiiatwasblowingscemdd - to .moengmlhewigg the ht. He M, argued mum for some sign, cl I . on . face anfiggu" ‘ in the 313m beyond with noisel ‘ Me > - r ... '1 “ 1....-5‘1m1 know that shape. Where we Idemitl .30 matter—I am not here to tax rfly‘hraln .with wondering at ’Sdeath! Gl‘f Hercules started for the ap W . m. .1, 130 _ 3 ville is late. What keeps him? Will he dare— No he knows better.” lie folded those great, muscular arms across his broad breast, then looked around a second time. But he saw no one. t Themialutesl 116ng Eisttfilod there like a hm'go egoomi ; 's g headgrad- nally sunk forward, and his lips mgozred in alow mutter-in . “ Has ' ne done well? Why has Evard Gre- ville come to her house? What if he should dis- cover me therei—learn of our relations? would balk us. Yet she is shrewd. But for her fascination of him, we might labor till eternity— bahlml‘et, Zone be to herself. She will not trip ! “ Tolll—toll!” came the waver of a bell-note, echoing on the still air. Soon another do ed forth its clarion strokes. And another as if in answer, mingled discor- dantly with the first two—the three heralding the outbreak of a fire. He listened. There was something in the sound which riveted him; he glanced up at the sky, which, south of of him, was tremonng in a crimson hue. Brighter grew the rays; steadfastly he watched the luminous glare. A rustling noise drew his attention. The same shad fl which had once be- forepassed himin ed y,alrnost brushing his sleeve as it went. An angry frown wrinkled his dark-skinned brow. “What means this? Am I do i That ' ho is it? shape hasbeen spying upon me? forward in pursuit. He could Devils! I’ll soon find outi’ He sprung faintly discern the fleeing o ject ahead of him, and, with eyes fastened on it, he ran at his ut- most —swift as a hound, and resolum. Sud only it vanished When he reached the spot where he had last seen it, it was gone as m riously as if into the uttering a curse, he continued on in the di- rection of his home. he swimmer m“ as: or i ! e grow ' ppo' . be even with him. Better that he held’a vi to his throat than to trifle with Hercules, Fiends! here is a fire!” the last called forth by noting an e ' increase in the bright reflection overhead; Mr glartilde showed him that the fire was rapr y. “It is coming this way!” he exclaimed, in- his t. “ Has hell burst onto us! See!—- ere’s It seemed to him that a wall of fire, reaching from earth to heaven was marching forward. eve side arose shouts and cries. Engines were rum 'gdpastwithwingedviolence. He saw groups an crowds of men, women and children fleeing preci itately. Already a stranmasge, mastermg' exci nt had his b . From a quick walk, he fell into a run. Turning the corner at Wells street, he hlted abruptly. . . There, in front of him, go in the same di- rection as he, was a s keen eye could not mistake, even in the marvelous c from gloom to g1are._ It was a man—the one who had passed him twice at the tunnel. Only for an instant did he pause. Then, with a rener of his determinatiorrto discover the other’s ideati t, foraard. Halt! , re cri threatenth . But in the din, which now prevailed toa den}- on'ing extent, the figure did not seem to hear. It too, wasrunnlng, andatsolmdof thepur- nerds-voice, it on! sped on faster. “Halt!” cried mules, again,whilehis strain ofeverynervedrewhimnearertotheobjectof his chase each second. “ Haiti—or I’ll twist youlimhfmm limb whenI catch you!” Twice, thrice, be nearly lost ' t of the man, for the street was per: wi humans—ye- ln'cles thundered b r, with household goods, and terrified amiiies. Winn nearly in front of his home, he was but a few leap in the rear. ‘6 Halt, I sayi—I have you"! I would know who you are that dogs “yam—ha! Satan!” The ‘ party w suddenl . . The ' steel, for a second, blinded antinthesameinstant, a stoutarmdealt him a lgw with a weaponegrilist. ch ,: dimly er eunexpectéd' u- sault— ed out into the street, falling. ‘i‘Look out! Look out!” yelled a bonus v0 ce. .Awagea,withlxnsesnenin in tor-madame The driver theraiu- wi theftofier- myandashewssknockedhack ‘to 3:: pavement, he clutched wildly at Iii, -, . . .1 . 1:7 .BhodsiiemdfmmiheaiiIon hilt-could head-halfblindinghim; thethick smokeon- He. eflamel—and therei-and time!” . ‘ was not a coward; yet there was a be 4 The last of the fleeing crowd had disappeared. Half smothered, to his ears came the yells of men, and shrieks of women; while, on the other side, there reared the lurid sheet, which ad- ' vanced in front of the gale. He felt the heat in his face. around him. Presently, above the savage roar of the flames, he heard the scream of a woman. It roused him. Mustering his remaining energies, he started, with a drunken step, to gain the interior of the house. At one wrench he forced the door—closin it quickly after him. And none too soon; for he dy element, actually pressed down by the fierce of the wind, was beginning to shoot through the street like a molten river. “Zone! Zone!” he called. “ Hercules! — here! — here!” answered the voice of Zone; and he made his way in the di- rection of the sound. Up up to the third story. Here he encount- ered Zone and Evard Greville. The latter was ghastly in fear. “To the roof!” cried the hunchback. “The street’s afiame! We must jump from house to housel—and mayhap it is too late for that! To the roof 1” On one side of the dwelling was a space. On the other a long row of houses, joining, offered, perha , an escape. Yet even here there seem- ed litt 6 hope. The trap o ned near the eaves. Zone was t to step out. As she did so, a dense volume of smoke choked and blinded her. She gasped for breath, turned dizzily—tripped forward, and, uttering a loud cry, went hope— lessly over into space! But a- strong arm caught her! The Hunchback grasped her disapgieui form, It(il'ipping himself, and, together, ey fgfi outwa ! As they plunged down he gripped the eaves . mome has to learn what I know. ban —-the rip of a giant— 1 ville, whenhis parents died, wasin New Orleans. with his disen and only that rail hold held t em from death, twisting, swaying, dangling over a mighty oven whose devourin tongues darted up aroun them in hellish g ee! The si ht brought Evard Greville from his stu r. e asped the wrist of the Hunch— . bacgz—pressegrthose steel-wrought fingers tight- ‘ er against the caves, to make their hold the stronger. Then, through the smoke, there ap ared an- other on the scene. It was Trix, t e Indian mulatto. He carried a heavy club, and this he rwauised aloft, as he sprung toward Evard Gre— e. “Let go! Let them fall!” he screamed. ‘e‘ Stand back!” thundered Greville. “Let go! or I’ll strike!” A pistol leaped from the young man’s breast, Sparks showered ‘* 'l t“: The New York Library. ‘ knew the dark visitant was a man, like himselfi there was a something which whispered e ' threatenings in his ear. “ How much further? Cease this. Show Your- self—if you dare.” The light suddenly paused, “Evard Greville, what have you done? Be- ware !——crime has its punishments, sooner or later and our time may be close at hand.” “What ave I done, that you are here to ‘ question me i” ! leveled at your heart. “ Where is Mortimer Gascon?" “ Ha. !—you—what of him?” ' “ A , ‘what of him?’ Where is he, I ask?” “ W hat do 1 know of Mortimer Gasoon?” “He came to your house a month ago,” con- tinued that deep, toomby voice. “ To—da he la in} room up—stairs—now he is gone. ere is e? “Out! I know nothin of him!” “ You lie, Evard Grev' 10—” “Ha! you dare—" “ Stand off!” as the young ward with fist clenched. “ I hold a cooked One more stop, an man started for- istol you die!” Evard shrunk back. As he did so, the figure spoke again. “ What on can not answer I can answer for you; Mortimer Gascon is d .” “Yes, he is dead. What of it?” with an ac- cent of defiance. “Evard Greville, three cars ago a happy familg' lived in peace in t cit . Now, there is no one left. The family lef great wealth, which went to one Mortimer Gascon; then. in case of his death, to his niece and nephew, Her- moine and Evard Greville. Your hand struck 5 out the life of each—sent all before the bar of i D Heaven to charge you as their murderer!” “ It’s a lie I” “You managed it all that you and Hermoine might inherit. But, there is more at; Her— vard Gre- ! He never came North; but another did; that ‘ other was named Carl Grand; and it was Carl 1 l l r ! Grand who had destroyed the family, in keep- i with the pledge of he bullet-scar ' listener was trembling. xénehlsgl’l—wk: mlgdge f hat ha on on my ow o w you ve done?—behold!” The speaker turned the lantern’s rays 11 n. hisown face. He had no sooner doneso t an Greville uttered a sharp cry, and staggered backward to the wall. “ Behold !-one victim escaped you. ” But Greville heard him not; he was lying insensible on the floor, his upturned face white and cold as ‘ marble and while he took a hurried, excited aim, he ‘ didnotneglecthisretainingclasp on thewristv of Hercules. “Help:3 help! he] !” shrieked Zone. But what use in t up ? eath grinned in the faces of the impe ones!‘ CHAPTER IV. 0 MYSTERY AND PLOTS. WI! left Evard Greville, in our first cha r, cowe ' gobefore the shadowy 0 position w 'ch seemed rise in the gloom o the stairway, like a specter, to unnerve and terrify him. His muscles weakened, and he came near let- ting fall the human burden he carried. The fee ing of dread, which seized him now in- as the hostly form vouchsafed no answer to his c enge; he felt the mutation oozing out upon his forehead in icy “ ho are you?” he demanded again, though with faltering voice. 'There was a metallic “ click ” a sliding sound «bright ray of light darted full in his face, discovering its pallor and startled look. The figure had opened a dark lantern on him. Then, from behind the light, which obscured the one who held it, came a sepulchral tone: “ Evard Greville.” “Afivard Greville!” exclaimed the young man, th freer at this evidence of the 011233;: h ty. “ What do you want of “ Evard Greville,” repeated the unseen, slow- y. , “ What mummery is this? Show yourself to me whoever you are." dad he been unincumbered, he would have sprung forward and solved the mystervyficflgxl;l he air about the strange ce, which mi h still have held him in awgfmn " g “If you would see my face, then follow—fol- lov'lv‘ilELardt Greville,” e begin to raced . h ate he advancedh e sup y p As they passed a lounge in the entry, he laid e upon it, still keeping his eyes bent on thedanterfi. h ong t e all, into a side passage, slow] on the went; the silence grew deeper; momengry were creeping over him, for, though he I A few moments the mysterious personage stood contemplating the motionless form; then, extinguishing the lam , he stole noiselesst away —retracing his steps 0 the entry, descending the stairs, and passing on at the front entrance. “What’s that?” he exclaimed, pausing, with the door half-closed. “Ha! ha! ha!” rung through the house in a wild, unearthly strain. It startled him, for he shut the door with a mag; and leaped down the steps. en next we see him, he is the cor- ner at Washington and Ada streets. cab was standing near, which seemed to be awaiting himiqfor he immediately got into it, as g: “ ow then, to the tunnel—go! y your 3...... vehicle was soo onward, its 00- cupant sitting stifl and out, Vania, had it been gamble to see his face, we would have marked erein an expression of intense satisfaction. “Let him ti'unble now!” he muttered with a grit of his teeth. “JOBe Moreno is not dead yet—Madre! no. Ha! h-a-a!”—a savage chuckle — “ look to ourself, Carl Grand! You may think tha _as you are warned, you will escape! Try it! ‘ Wrong for wro ,’ is my motto; and I never forgive! When t e cab paused at the west end of the tunnel, it was ap roached b a man who wore a heavy slouched‘liat pulled Own over hisbijow tillonlyaheavy growth ofbeard, andapairo r—like eyes were visible. ‘ me, Miguel,” said the one in the cab, throwing open the door. . “Am not coming?” returned this new party, in a surly tone. . Step inside, he seated himself with a bum threatened to start the rings and ventgd a grunt, as he settled himseflJ orta- bl . y‘You are 1i or-soaked!” catching a dense odor of whisky i: the other’s breath. “ “Can you blame meT’—meu3817- 00" ta! how I have on kept me waiting?— Enn! Andmgbctween eyachIw a glass of spirits, so that I could count them tter. “I have been to the house of Carl Grand." “ Don’t I know that?”—sna pishly- “And-I have learned some 8- “What is it, then?” “Mortimer G the last of the doomed line, was killed to-nig t!” “Sol Well?” , “Hercules, the Hunchback, was the instru- Vol. I. ment used by Carl Grand, in carrying out the pled of the bullet-scar!” “ ercules the Hunchback!” cried ' el, in astonishment; “why, we pitched him rom a roof in New Orleans—” “True; yet he is here. I saw him. He bore the mark of my knife on his temple.” “ The fellow is a cat !—he has nine lives!” “More: the old wench, his mother—as he calls her—is close by, too.” “ No! And we killed her, besides—” “Tried to, and failed. A word from Hercu- les, or from the negress, will send us to the gal- lows perhaps.” “ Cos ita. it is horrible to be hanged! Thisis news. e must find her—eh?” and the “eh” had a significant prolongation as it came from the iard’s lips. “ ere’ll be no trouble in it. I followed her to her den this momin .” “Good! we’ll visit hier at once—eh? This time we’ll make sure, purposely to ite the Hunchback. I hate him because he di not die when we tried to make him do sol—well, what ails you, fellow?” The cab had halted, and the driver was peer- ing in through the box-window. ‘ I sa , is it here you want to step?” Joe g ced out. “ Yes,” he said. “Come on, Miguel.” The two alighted, and paying the man, moved away. Skulking along South Water street for some distance—proceeding in a manner honest men do not assume—tng presently step before a narrow, private ey, next to a g oomy ware- house. it el. 1’ “ Well, I am here,” growled Miguel. “ Be quick!” and, with cat-like tread, continued on. Into a yard of cramped hmit; then they ad- vanced to a cellar-door. ' “Who’s that?” challenged a low v0ice. “ Jose Moreno.” “ Glad to see on, captain-pass.” A man stood t the wall of the build- ing, invisible at a distance of five feet. He was evidently a guard. Our y of two raised the cellar-door, and descen ed—to be faced by four ghoul-visaged rufilanswho seemed at firstto regardthem as intruders, for one presented a cocked pistol. “ Put away your weapon,” said Jose. “Glad to see you, captain!” exclaimed the four, together. 0 . Let usmake anoteof thissignificant assem- ey were in the rear cellar of the_warehouse. On all four sides brackets were fixed in the walls, and from the brackets dark-lanterns shot forth their rays to a common center. , A glance at the four men discovers themto be hardened ruflians, strong of limb and muscle, repulsive in feature, by nature devilish, by pro- fession, thieves. Jose Moreno—miled their captain—was a Spaniard He was of slim figure, supple, alas. tic: his face wearing an expression not overgood, whilslthe glance of his eye was full of a snaky spar e. Hewhoaccom 'edJose wasalsoas a, He stood about fleet, four inches: warm” nearly as broad as tall. His countenance of beard and bloat a. treacherous mold; his can-lags was dare-deVil—with a swagger, and jerk of the “Wilder‘s: his whole appearance that of a half- l'eckless. half-cowardly ully, and a man to be feared in the dark. His firstutterance was a snarlat themanwho had drawn the pistol. . “ Look, now;s,hallItw1styour head at! Hide that istol, or— “ t! tut! Miguel,” interru'pted Jose; “What He should know better than— Hold captain! 1 don’t with on!” the last as Jane frown- ed an took a ste ward him. “Quiet yourse , then,” advised Jose; and he continued, to the others: “ Our plans, comrade. —are they laid?” H Y“, “83' Feminism... p... “ e 0 cm ' a roll f ' It was a map of the city. 0 meat. ASTEO gleanctgdlpver italic said: u m 0 ere, h the fires?” , w ere you will light H Yes. )7 “You must besure to pet all at once.” “ No fear on that—eh, comrades?” exclaimed their spokesman. “ No fear,” answered the three, in chorus. “l'l'hey will batch it. I ~wssor—” been Mi- gue . “grist!” ordered Jose. ' “ I not ,quict enough?" growled the % thing well ” continued theircaptain and we’ll have the city ablam. Chi wui “1 m “swung “a W '3? W... he am 61'. V8 mg I! —- ‘92.; I ah!” inserted fine]. “I have not drankforanhourpast.” They vanished in the dark shade of the alley, ‘ “N”? .4 Wu “we «new A No. 5. torch when the clock strikes twelve.” Each took a lantern from its bracket, and moved toward the door. - _ “Halt there!” inte Miguel. “ Will on leave us in the dark! Devil catch you! I 1— hold, captain! I don’t quarrel with you!” J ose had him by the collar. “ That tongue of ours wags too glib.” “ And why shoul it not?” returned the bully half whining. I must move it, else it wui stick fast, it is so dry. There! we are in the dark. A ghost will grip us!" “We, too, have businea. Come.” “ The sooner the better. Let us be out of this black hole—o—h! ow! ouch! oo-o-o!” “ Fool! You will have the police down on us! What’s the matter?” In his haste to ascend the ladder-steps Miguel had tripped and scraped his shins severe . “ O-h! my legs—captain! my legs— ey are broken!” “ Bah! go on.” When t ey reached the gate, Jose paused, and Miguel grunted as he ran against him. . H l “ ’Sh!” imitated Miguel. “ Do you know where we are goin l” “ How should I, when you havené told me?” exclaimed the Spaniard, under his breath. “ While our men are setting fire to the ci , we’ll go to the negress who calls herself 0 mother of Hercules. ’ it Good !” H 1811 m “ ’Sh!” imitated Mi el, “We know that s e buried money in New Orleans—” “ So we do—” breaking in; “ but where? Did we not half stran le her, and then toss her into the Basin? Yet, id we find out? Devilcatch her! she has died once, and will die again, be- fore—” “ No harm in trying. She may know us bet- ter now.” “ True. Lead on, ca tain,” but he_ added, quickly: “ Look now; she can fight furiously! “ You do not fear her!” “ Boo! fear a womani—not I. Who says I ever ran from a woman?” “ Come on—‘sh!” “ ’Sh!” and Miguel ti toed after the captain. “See!” exclaimed ose, suddenly. ‘ Some one is ahead of us!” “Cospita! yes.” ‘ They saw a bright glare in the heavens, and, liu the same moment the quick strokes of ' the alarm-bells rung out on the air. CHAPTER V. zon AND m Lona. FOB some time Evard Greville la insensible in the darkness of the room where e had been confronted by a face which caused him a deep, m rious, overpowering dread. ut his brain was too excited b the events of the evenin —independent of his ear, when dis- covering tge identity of the figure—to permit of a long unconsciousness. When he recovered, it was with a gasp and a nervous contraction of limb which brought him tJ a sitt, posture; and he stared wildly around, tr to ierce the thick gloom. Then he I as if expecting to hear a footfall, or the ration of another presence. All was still. heart thumped; he trembled despite himself. . owly he regained his feet, and groped to- ward the mantlepiece. Striki a light, he turned quickly, as though tomeet e attack of an enemy lurking near him. By the stare of his eyes,‘t_he flush of his coun- tenance, tremor of either 11 , and twitching of the fingers, we see plainly t at the strange, an. expected visithad some powerful effect—caus- ing him, even now, in the b t blaze of the chandelier, to glance fearf 1y about, and breathe like one who had , panting and warm, from a deadly st is J " he ejafixls’atedeet‘aiyerishly. :31?! is? 098! e grave in givenu 1 e It is fate! What shall I dot—41h! ermoine!” He suddenly recollected that he had left Her» moine unconscious, on 'Wlth a quick step, he left the room. “But she was no! She was not on the l e, nor was are any answer when be loud- ly led her name. in the utter pearanoe. . “ Poor Hermoine!‘ he broke forth musingly. "‘She is disfigured for life. to love that girl—oh! take care, Carl Grand— take care—it is not yet time for her to learn { poured into his em on prevmus occasions: but u are not her brother. You may love r never, till now, had she gone so far as to inform sat rocking that her -—what’s that?" He heard wheels outside on the street. A ve- hicle of some kind linseed before the door. He‘ looked at his watch. It is the cab I ordered. I must disappoint I guess he ltistime for mete goand - The Fire-FiendS; 0 ! the lounge in the entry. , ‘ Zo I For a brief s he forgot the recent ordeal ‘ laugh at me? See! it is b eminent created by her disap- ; ten.” How I have grown l a fee g o g.» m... " ‘ p1. Yes—I love both Hermoine and Zone—” “ Clang! clang! spoke the bell in the hall be10w. “ Hermoine! where are you?” he called out for the last time ‘ There was no response. “ Perhaps she has recovered and gone to bed, or into the garden. Feb! I have no time to worry over her now.” Descendin the stairs, he snatched his hat from the me and went out at the front door. “ ‘iime, sir,” said the cabman, who stood on the steps. “ Number —— Polk street,” he ordered, as be seated himself inside the conve ance. As he was borne along, his t oughts centered again on his late visitor. “Yes, it was Jose Moreno. What can he , mean to do? If I could but get at his intentions, i I’d thwart them. Will he charge me, openly, r with havin attempted his lifel—faster, there, ! driver!—an send me to rison for the murder of Evard Greville? W at a fool I was! I might have killed him then, to a certainty, had I not fainted like a baby!” one hand gliding to 1 You will do what a revolver in the pistol pocket of is pants. ! “And, perdition! he might have killed me for 3 revenge, while I lay there be] less. Yes, I have ‘ been a fool! Give me ano her chance, Jose 1‘ Moreno and if I don’t bore a hole through your brain. then proclaim me to the authorities! , He continued these meditations inwardly, settled back in the cushions, and folded his arms. Reaching the house to which Hercules had ’ conveyed Mortimer Gascon, he entered by means of a key which he had in his ket. “Now the direction was: ‘ Fo ow to the source 0 the entry light,’”—proceeding u the stairs—“ ‘ then, the first door to the ngh ’—so -—here it is,” and Evard Greville found himself face to face with the masked queen, as he opened the door in obedience to instructions he had received. “ Zone, I am here.” “ Welcome, Evard.” The words that came from behind the mask were low and sweet; she held out her gloved hands, and he took them in his own with a warm ressure. “ Sit down, Evard.” At one side was a rich sofa, and toward this she drew him, seatin him beside her. “Zone, why is it am so happy when with yew}: ha 1 ” tl ‘ er u ove me, promp y. “She ispsnfigtht,” he thoright; and then aloud: “Yes Zone, it is because love you. You are a g guesser. And dare I hope—” ‘How can £ou love one whose face you have never seen?” e interrupted, laughing lowly—a silve ri lethatwaslikethemurmurofa fai roo . “ ’11 venture.” There was a pause. Her beautiful eyes to the carpet, and she appeared to be mg. “ What is it, Zone?” “\ vardmllipgw much would you do for me-—" “ ‘Any 1: ,” fervently. “ I am about to ask a favor.” “ Well?" ' “ Do you believe in the art} profess?” “I never did believe in fortune-tellers, Zone until I met you. My love for you has conve me n ad a dream last night.” it I h “A dream!” he exclaimed, playfully. “It is the dream which makes me ask the favor. Listen: I thought I was in your house. I was wandering along until I came to a desk. By my side, following close, was a spirit. This irit bade me open thedesk. I didso. In a rawer or box, I saw a roll ofgmrchment, tied with a hlack ribbon and the r1 bon secured by a black seal—what is it, Evard?” “Nothin , Zone; go on.” She had elt the hand she held suddenly start and tremble. But he was outwardly calm, and deeply interested. ' “ I thought this spirit wished me to take up the parchment," she continued; and in the same breath, hastil : “Seal—see there! There is the same spirit w ch followed me in my dream!” as! E“Lg(!)’l,ri” pointing across the room, “see it, var , “ Zone, you est. 'ihere is nothing there.” “ Nothin ere!” im tiently. “ Do on g gding me go on. ' Evard Greville was not naturally. ' persti- tious tho h his love for Zone had led him into r, Hercules, Hunchback. W H “08, now. See that each man applies his { see Zone. And why do I go to see her at all? ‘ fused, from some cause. The spirit frowned. ‘ It frightened me. I put forth In ' hand to obey —— hen, just at that point, I awo c. It was not much of a dream, yet—ah! new look!”—again inting across the room. “The spirit is still here! In its hand is the very roll! Hear!—it whispers—” He could see that her eyes no longer flashed upon him; they were closed. “It whispers; it tells me you know where that chment is—tied with a black ribbon, . seal with a black seal. You must procure it for me.” “ Zone !" “Hush! Hear; yes, you must procure it— onl you—and bring it to me.” S e ceased abruptly. Again those brilliant grbs in the eyelets of the mask were gazing at ' 1m. “ Evard do you know of such a parchment?” “Zone, I—” e hesitated. ‘ “ I see, you do. You must find it, and bring it to me. When workin with my instruments, to-day I had to cease. ntil 1 get that parch- ‘ ment, I can not 0 on with what I am doing. ask?” ' “ Yes—I will do so.” He glanced at her in a peculiar way. Through his brain flashed the following: “By heaven! the girl must be a screens! The very hment I have noticed, a down ' es in 6 secret pigeon—hole of m desk in the lihrary. What can it contain? hat does she want with it—l” ‘( 1” “ What did you hear?” “The bells! There mustbea .” “ Oh, I heard the alarm some ti e ago. ” “ But I did not—” “ You were communing with—” “ Let us take a look.” ' She ran to the window and threw open the shutters; for she had hea another sound The tramp of feet, the rumble of wagons, lend cries, all mingled in a dintomake her fear the fire was close at hand. ' ' And she was ri ht. Looking out, 5 e drew back, with a startled exclamation. ' “ Evard! The heavens are on fire!” “ Say, rather, the whole cita is ' up!” They saw great tongues of shoot up- ward. In the street below, crowds were hurry ing past, and yells and curses, and the screams of affri hted ones, greeted them, as they re- mained sfixed in their gaze u n the scene; Already, a house directly o te, was catch- ing the hun element on its roof. A cloud of smoke and ower of sparks, hurled in their faces hy the driving gale, forced ’them away from the window. “Come, come! we have hot a moment to lose!” she cried, excitedly. » They could hear the great roar of wind and flame as it rapidly advanced. But Zone uscd sudden] in her flight. She had though of Mortimer n. , i “I cannot go! Merciful heaven i—begone, Evaéd! Save yourself I” I lea ‘ “ one, are on crazy? will not ve« on here. Comc!’y ' y “No! no! I tell you to save yourself! Fly while you have time~” “ This is madness! We shall be burned alive! Will you come?” Just then rung a voice in the lower hall. It was the Hunchback. CHAPTER VI. _ THE STRUGGLE FOR LIFE. Jose and Miguel moved ra idly awa from the rendezvous, watching as t .y went e in- creasing glare of the fire. The .irection they pursued was almost in a direct line toward hat point where the flame first fanned into a blaze, thou h after a long walk the turned and continu along to Jack— son stree . . “ Cospita!” exclaimed Miguel, “ the whole city is going. See, captain! as I live I saw the flames." “ So much the better,” returned Jose. “ Some accident, perha , has set off the basses, and our men make it a conflagra on ere it ends. But wait; still now. Here’s the house.” “She lives well.” commented Miguel, on the building before which the paused. “No one is near ” said ose, whisperingly, as he glyanced . “ es—there’s a d . .Shall I make him snarl for company’s sake? picking up a stone as he awe toward her. He forced himself to believe much of the strange sayings she had' him of the remnce of a irit! He look or pay attention. And in that inde- cision he was silent. Zone went on, rockin slightly to and fro Hercules. will not be very angry. if while speaking, as if tin or some mesmeric in- I have the money ready when he comes to grow! nuance. his dissatisfaction. “ When told search the parchment, I re- e. " Fool! you will ruin us. Come, now, fol: ‘ low.” ! “ Lead on, ca tain; I’m not afraid.” In the back _ ment of the house an a crib. and low] hummin a tune, ; the words to which she decipher-ed vnth much at her fixed y, undecided whether trouble in a worn book which she held. She was over sixt years. Her face was black as chaos; her orm, as if untouched by the warps of Time, was heavy and muscular. The rays from the lamp on the mantel‘Pleoe. fell u the crib and its occupant—the latter 9. M23 boy of not more than five summers. ..._. is» -. .9-..N. . fromw tbelo 6 .. In his face there was a celestial sweetness of ex- pression; the long, dark lashes, pure skin with rosy color, and 1i of carmine, contrasting in a fairy picture wit the profusion of golden curls that seemed to uiver on the downy pillow. But he was no asleep, as the woman supposed him to be. Two large, wondrous eyes, eep as the blue of the skies at midni ht were fixed upon her, gazing steadily into t dark-skinned features, and half intent with listening to her weird notes. After a while the book was lowered to her lap. She looked down at the floor, the bum- ming ceased—reverie enslaved her. Then her meditations formed into speech. “Three long yearsi—three lon years!” she utte slowly, ” and here’s li e Carl kept to him. Six long years l—six long ears! and ne, dear child, hasn’t got the yet. I wonder if she’ll ever get them? ‘ And that Hermoine, too, 'has played cun- ningly. Carl Grand, with all his brain don‘t know who she is yet. I wonder he’ll ever find her out? records, then she won’t have any more use for Carl Grand—and she’ll kegs her vow. Wléatf. ity, when her father kill he mother 0 ar tell her sonshe was the victim If Zone can get the, rand, there was life enough eft in the ? ymg woman to . o awndetta. And then, how shrewd to write 1 “ NOW!” yelled Jose. “ At her, Miguel! Let one take a broken head, and the other stab 1 her for his comrade! But, don’t harm the boy. I want him!” ' “Dice! ou may~talle the broken head, cap— tain, and ’ll—ha! now, on wench! . Jose closed with her. imultaneousl , Miguel, by an adroit movement, gained a ho! upon the to en from the li of the b0 rung one wild terrified shriek, as Ilse saw theydeadl steel as1 cend in Jose’s hand, and poise above ' head! CHAPTER VII. THROUGH FIRE. Lin the crash of a myriad cymbals in ,the hands of demons, rung the alarm bells, _a shriek- 11353 utocsm,’ withering timid hearts with its death- , Fire! Fire! Fire! To right,teleft,infront, , behind, everywhere—hissing], surging, menus —on! on! came the anaconda- ike mes, wreath- _ ing spout-columns of destruction, and striking terror into the multitude. Chicago was doomed. With its vast wealth of ca ital and beauty; it was tOppling under the relen swoop of e Fire—Fiend, rushing for- : ward, on hurricane wings, more fierce, more overwhelming than the death-blast of the that false note, which set Carl Grand on e ‘ desert. track of the Gre ' es, and made him swear “E the bullet-scar in is palm, never to rest till cf the line of Greville were exterminated. He! he! he! There wasn’t much trouble in getting ; Hermoine to believe half—for that was all he told. her. He didn’t tell her that he had killed her fatherland mother; no. But it was a story to suit his plans. Her father and motheri—ha! ha! ha! And. he would have killed her, too, only he fell in love with her! What if he knows that Hermeine is laying a as bold as his own—eh? what t en? An what would they both as. if they knew I hadlittle Carl here, safe, where can’t——” 1‘“?th that you’re talking about, Amity u The n started. “Notthi g, nothing, child. Bless the boy! 1 th t u were sound asleep. ere, now, no net right over and shut them eyes—- ! who’s you? What you want?” the last with a quick sharp tenation of voice, as two figures fiat-pod in at the openwindowand contented J'ose and Miguel. “ Wha, “tyne want here I say? Ah—it’s Jose Moreno! cu tried to kill old Lu once!” ’ “ Yes, it’s J cse Moreno, you hag-Jon recol- fi when we half strangled you d Miguel "What v on want here,Isa P’scowling de- fiantl .' y y “Yy mone !” owled Migu_ ' el. “Come, show :swwhem'it 13,8; by $1. horns of Lucifer, wewili e ouagain “mm of yeul”defied the negreg. “Bettergo’lo .” “Loch nowaI’ll scare you to death!” and vanced, frowning. k as a. fiashher brawnyarms shotout; there was a dull thud—he went spinnin across the room, stumin , striking the gall, en fall— 0 _ floor ' a pamflul' sn catchmyou! you’Ve bruised me!” he snarled, scrambling to his feet. “‘ I’ll have your whim?" hiscribandperching Yrom . him. her ,she upapair But that pause was or a second. anothermoment came the. , P of conflict. Notasound escaped her ps'as she met the fierce attack of the two men—cue , darting, "W: .W . B “be”, in tmn ) behind, around er— g their knife-blows, and anon I a well stroke that e them . ger reel. Now orward, new backward; e bright steel rings! her wmm... never touching . ndinherblaekeyes, erewas a lit glow ghat told of a determination to fl“Sudal’enly she the am party. There was a marvelous stre h that right arm of for it beat them k, back until they a the walls, and fo ht desperately now save their heads from crushed. b0"guide! ha-atii’ she screamed, “ I shall kill you reeen y mi: w they were bruisedand Inthemidstofitshemadeamisstep, and tri ! m a bowl they rushed to a fresh malt» But, on her lenses—for, with her burden, and mwarding oi! their murderous thrusts. she not rise—she fought on, fought starch. terribly, to keep them 0 . l‘ d! fell th u signings: 8r “.1...” l 3., new a m . Gun m w ted. ‘ thitmiliiaeaves shdtfmm And” ontheroof of a house inPolktsgfetnan exciting scene was progressing, a con 0 y second the strife waguliF between the Destroy- in Angel and his merc' ess torch, and the re- ,. 0,8 3! man. , “Stan back! Stand back!” cried Grenlle, as the be , Trix, halted at the frowning , $ulzale of e pistol. “Stand, I sayi—or you i e , gull}; belittlifion of Iamsecond!” The bag: club twirled in the air. “ Crack!2 wentthe , ,. The aim was fiurri and bad; the bullet miss- With a yell, Trix struck the weapon from his ed its mark. 8 InI ion-date ,Greville had to lease his hold upon the Hun k. The grappled. Evard wrenched the club tr%mt 1 ti stro H u was an 9 ac ve, . e clung to gala: wild, :fiitching m in . gm the eaves, catching short breaths in the thick smoke, hard and painful . sav 1 each , for the . “ y! Zone!” ci‘vledtheH . back, the veinsstandingoutonhisface 1e cords, in severe 'cal tax he was enduri g, and look- ing verifyh a demon, himself, ii? the bright 8m, with bloodemeared face and status eyes. “Zone! Zone!’ KW" m... 0...... . ve cu. _ mea utt eneck. ck?” 11011: a secondl she had obeyed, clingingtothe “ Hold f ! Hold fast, now!" swi round, with a lightning movement, and , > an ad- gitiolnal“ p on. the xgazes, with nleaseld an . ow w . you up reac over, , , grits? e maid: 3 the covet!” the closing order in reathlees Then, slowly, with the (lougle weight strain- ing those more than human militia, hedrew himself up. “Keep cool! Keep cool—now 1” Stan 1 calmthroushoet thqwnme ordeal. ed ling: ,woutone ' d h . Wl‘low‘efilfid Cili, b on mydglhculder! Up qulilpeugirced her upward, yawning mm. In , self and her of a single band " —a Hercules, m“ firmer?“ “a?” u s e pa , u rmga . di ' toonesid for fig.” 0’ Two men were swa As it b m copsen they Wed back from theytreac '. . .1112“ might: m I o 7 i ’ clugfi’boundfl tire front 0 the home. , “ ne!—mam: 1t lumen!” shout ged reville. Hercules was an the 1:001. histired t him. ' ngthalm en extricate r page lav hiemdanger, saw the club poised to e. ‘ ~“‘Tl'ix! Boyi—youaremad! off!” :: ROI-Elm lfit mad! I’m'got med WI]. wbu 0—— —- . ey ll“ glittle timer. and it is murderous intent! t ced off the tern is, 0 hand that held i blew was severe. The skin was blokes, and fresh blood streamod forth from the woun . Then setof than cloaedonthethroat of the unchback; ' on swam in the vor- tex of partial insensibility. “ Remember the Rose-Lip!” hissed the boy. The New York Library.“ I‘ll-1 “ Murderer of my mother i—rememberl It was yoa‘ilwl'lho killeilito t1ll)ie! die dhfial’hn 'g ter,tig rp_ estrang' g gen; darker ew the brain of Hercules, as he quiver- ed help essly, for he dare not let go his hold on the eaves. Nearly overcome by his wrestle with man. smoke and heat, Greville tottered forward. A blow with his fist laid Trix senseless. Aided by Zone—who mused from the momen- tary stupor which seized her when she first saw the men in combat—he grasped Hercules by the collar and dra ged him in. . “ Fly!” was 516 first hoarse word of the res- cued man. Without waitiug to hear more, Zone and her loverhurried away over the roofs, fiee' from the devouring fires which roared around em. But, they went alone. ! Hercules turned to the trap. “ He must not die !” he muttered. save him, if it cost my life!” He was thinking of Mortimer Gascon. After all this trial, danger, excitement, suf- fering, when nearly suffocated by the dense volumes of smoke enshrouding him—burned scorched, blistered b fiying sparks and spits of flame thrown upon ' by the howli wind— blinded with heat and blood—he sudden] re- membered the helpless invalid below, and re- solved to save him from the horrible death pending. _ _ He eard the Window-glam cracking and jinglin as it fell. The house had caught in the sea of me; not a moment was to 8 He could hear the loud crash of 1 ° build- ' close at hand. ortimer Gascon had risen from his couch, and was standing weakly, holding to the bed- frame for support. “Herculesi—what is all this?” he asked, as the other appeared. ' “Judgment Day !—or the army of Satan broke loose!” cried the Hunchback. “The city is doomed! Eve house is going to. ashes! Harkl—ycu can ear the flames spurt: .hke fountains! I must use you rough] ,Mofimer n, if I would save you. on can not walk!” .As he spoke, he lifted the invalid, and bore him out. The fire had entered the first and second stories. Twwe was he forced back from the stair-(nee by the chokeful, cindered air that poured in through the open trap. But escape y the roof was out OK. Like ariver in mid-air, floated the dread ele- ment overhead; to venture out was to die. Then, down the stairs, groping as if through an oven of heat and must, the dwarf started with his burden. “ Conra here! Bury your face in mycoet; else on w strangle!” “ ercules, we are doomed!” m hig‘tlzg!” exclaimad the W m pain part wx e tion. big] oi—noxt dggmed, through §atan himself were dingus urage, lay. Ay, courage. Both need it. It seemed to Guiscon~ his bearer was wadin m an avenue of hungry fiame, over a He could hear the sings of hair on the dwarfs head. His own flesh was cris ing. All around them closed the tongues—dart- ing in every. side, searching for that with w ich feed their glowing palates. But Hercules hel his urden ter, and, with a whng cry, ressed onw Soon ey reached back door—when lo! it was fastened; and the key had been withdrawn. Their last he seemed ne! Only the spo whereoa he had been forced to pause was free from h as yet; and this must be enveloped shortly. They had passed the h the fire, which now grew more raging behigd them, as if angered at their preeerv» m‘fih ‘ k! what was that? A dull, crackling soundzthebuil waninkinginu nthem. At the some t, there from the d' e above a demoniacal howl. :‘fiefir the Hose-Lip! Remember—ha! ! Wafnellof doom it rung in'the dwarfs ears, for .t recalledha dark scene of the orevi now w an encompassed l‘redwallso death! - y CHAPTER VIII. as surname mac. “ HUM? Zonel—in here, and we are safe. The fire will never come this way.” Evard Greville drew the strueifiogirl into his 1101138, away from the hustling wing, shout- »ingseaofhumans, that had almosthftedthem ! from their feet, as they fled with the current of I gousfands who were driven from their homes on 3 at earful ht. 1 In the silerli‘ég of the broad hall they paged— I panting with exertion wank ex with ex- ‘ citement—and listened to the withou Which came to their ears like the mumwr an surge of a StOI‘TIl-lfl'dli‘il «mean on :. rod.“ :14)“. “I must No. 5. “ Hercules!” she exclaimed, suddenly, and in anxious in uiry. Not until1 now had they noted his absence. “He probably lost us in the crowd ” returned Greville. “ It is too late to think 0 him now. No doubt he will be here in search of on soon —knowing we fled together. Come with me. ” She followed him to the parlor. The lights were burning Just as he left . them when he started, in the early evemng, to keep his engagement With the young fortune- teller. _ ” “Alas, Evard! I fear I am ruined. “Ruined? How?” . “ I had a great deal of money in bonds—my . They were in the Red Room at my house. ’ “Every thing there is certainl _lost. Why did on not think of it before our ht?” “ scarce know; I was so exlfited, {lorgotfl’b “You have gassed thro enoug to ro you of reason!” e exclaimgtf recalling the re- cent accident and battle on the roof of Zone’s house. I She shuddered at thought of her narrow es- cape from death. “All my instruments, too, and books—they are lost.” . “You will never need those again, Zone, if you will but return my love.” He fixed his eyes in a ionate on that rude mask, which, he fel sure, was ut a screen to features even more beautiful than her form. But a new thou ht entered his brain. What if Hermoine sho d discover Zonet—ascertain the latter’s character—a fortune-teller, profess- ing affiliation with spirits of another world, a knowledge of the secrets of the firmament, mes- meric powers, all of which gave her a _ sway over that minority of people whose solid sense took flight before the exercise of trickish m stification. hat if Hermoine was listenin 3—had heard him betray his love for the mask ueen? He knew the woman he called his sister was sensitive, proud, exacting. Then, would there not be discord in the house ere long? He must conduct her elsewhere, and that immediately. While these conjectures acrom the mind of Evard Greville, a feeling of equal 'in- tensity, though diflerent in mold, was kindling a new excitement in Zone’s bosom. that house was a record of some kind—of great value to her—tied with a black ribbon, sealed with a black seal. Only Evard Greville knew where it w only he could give it to her; ‘ and she had won his romise to let her have it. ~ Yet, a plan had ormed within her. _ Why not secure the record herself since .Circum- stances had thrown her here in its pronmityi “Evard,” she said “I am worried. I fear all is not right withHercules.” . He was returning from the doorway, whither he had stopped to see if Hermoinewaseaves— drop ing. “ not be anxious, Zone.” “ Yet, Evard, I—” “ What will you have me do?” He saw that she hesitated in asking something. “ Humor me. Won’t you go and look for ’ I’ “ As far as the door?” “No; further. Walka few squares over the route we came.” 6 “Way it h folly! The streets are crowded. Even dwemeet,we might pass each other unawares.” “ Still, I know on will humor me. I am sure he will come the way, if he comes at all; and I would have you hasten him.” Uptothismomenthehadnot recurred, men- tally,tohisfirst risew inthehouseo Zone, he saw that .s and the .unchback were acquainted. Now the singularity of the occur- rence, the signs of recognition between them, struck him. He was shrewd, keenly rceptive, suspicions by nature—doubl so by hip: evil life, and con- sequent fears. ough hoodw . in more ways than one, owing to his mysterious infatu- ation with a womandwhose face hgs‘lniad never seen he was et isposed' qu on those things which re semblance to personal in- “mg? he asked himself “How game she to know the Hunchback? Wh is she so anxious about him?” rd was gazing intent] at her. “Will ougo, Evard ’ “ Zone,’ slowly, “how long since you made the acquaintance of Hercules - She started as he put the abrupt question; ‘ but that start was so adroitly played into an- other movement it esaiiped him, She saw that she betrayed herself, She must answer promptly. “I have not known him long, Evard, He saved me from ingry about a month ago, from that same mad y you encountered on the roof. Who he is I know not. But I m twice in his debt now—for my life. Is it not natural that I should feel gateful to m 'Wf You would have lost ne, but for un. Her closing speech had more effect thanau she had said preceding it—as she intended. Still he asked: “ And who is that mad boy!" J W The Fire-Fiance; “A stranger. He came to me once to know his fortune. Since the moment of our interview he has—~has—” . H “ Ridiculous as it may seem, Evard, he has loved me. He told me so. afl'ection seem so nonsensical, that I believe it has been the cause of his insanity. And, his love turning to hate he—” “ Never mind. Wait till I return, and tell me more. I will go after Hercules. But, first, promise me you will not stir from this room— that you make no noise to betray your pres ence.’ “ I promise.” She was gladonanyconditiontoseehim de- I made histale of __or,_Hercules, V the Hunchback. _ 2' I back, back—a fearful struggle such as can only be where it is a fierce contest for life, with odds on a murderous side. Miguel was enraged. Busying himself with striving to give his com nion a chance for the i death-stroke, he was, att e same time, growling monstrous oaths, swearing the ne for her co Sud enly, the glittering ward. The b of blood. “’ith a moaning cry, she sunk over, and by sabre. cursing and endurance. steel hissed down- lade was crimsoned by a spurt §Jose snatched the screaming boy from liu‘ arms. “Out of this quickly, now!” Jose cried, stifling Carl with his broad hand! “ Out it is!” exclaimed Miguel. “ Curse Ever-d Greville walked, with his head hung, 1 the wench!—did I not say she would fight furi- after leaving the house. He was pondering 1 ously? I ambruised to death!” dee l . erycules the Hunchback, had been his tool in removing ortimer Gescon. Hercules and Zone were acquainted. Zone had requested him to give her a certain parchment roll, which through some mystery, she knew to be where co (1 find it. What use had she for that parchment? Should he believe in .the recent sorcery at the house of the fortune-teller? Items of this ilk were not overlooked by a man of his character, even under the spell of love. He had thought himself to sift those com lica- tions in life which bore directly on pe sur- roun ' ; and with crime on his conscience fear of his his ghostly visitor in his heart, and conjectures as to the extent of the intimac ex- isting between Hercules and Zone, coming his meditations, he had not taken a dozen steps ere he forgot why he was there on the street—ob- livious to the cat excitement prevailing on every side, h less of those who rushed past him with a push and a jolt, sending up the scorching cry (1. “fire ” from their hoarse “gnaw. When he left the rlor he closed the door, and Zone heard him the he in the lock. She arose quickly, and tried 1: knob. “ He has tastened me in!” she exclaimed, low- ly. “What shall I do? Lu said the old desk ustbein the house' and thereoordsareinthe esk—hark! what’s 7” There was a light footfall in the entry; the rustle of a dressttold it was a woman. She drew back, glancing around her for a place of concealment. She was as anxious to remain unseen as was Evard Greville to have her. sence ke tsecret. “ must not found here; it will ruin my plan. Perhaps it is a servant, and she will de- soon—if she enters at all, since thedoor is ocked.” Ilefore she could take a step, the door flew Wide . “ Deofi'EIRiVJen 1-4st here!” It was Hermoine. But how much unlike the beautiful woman of a few hours gone! The plaster over the ugly kmfe—wound was displaced a little, and clots of bloodstained her cheeks—cheeks of a deathly hue. The lips were urpled and swollen, as if she had been cruelly i them with her white, even teeth; her hair was ' beveled; her attire was torn and loose; and in her large, lustrous eyes therewas a pecu- liar, vacant stare, that could have but one mean- —insanit . inng smil strangely,inawa idiotic and beckoned, with a nervously-worqu hand, to Zone, who stood transfixed in contemplation of the unexpected sight “Seel’, said the maniac, avoice so low, so weird, so melodious, that it sounded like the 1i uid murmur of some unearthly instrument, “ e im risonedyou. It was unkind, wasn’t it? But I’ liberate you. How queer- on lock! What’s that on our face? Take it 0 —don’t be afraid; Iwon’thiirt you. Hathalha! Come— come with me, I say; I’ll take you away from ” She receded slowly, beckoning Zone to follow. CHAPTER IX. ._ Joan uonrxo assuage A Pain. “ STRIKE! Strike now I” roared Miguel, as he wrenched the tongs from their intended victim, and caught her arm in a like Shriek after shriek rung from s lipsof little Carl. Lu was silent. She glared upon them with a deadl hateb ' in her great ' e es, and greathed between he}- tightfioc ed teeth. She ' ht hav saved herself from the im- bac e would not do. mghe saw 3:111:th had dgtermmeldgn possessw'n vechild,' maresouon re- vent this had alone nervedherto a three old strength in her des rate rearstance. But Jose found t dimcult to make the fatal thrust, without injury to the boy. “Strike, there!’ snarled l, a , as he heldontothearm whichstill tight ' , while the negress kept her eves fixed upon Jose More- no. “ Strike, now! What are you att-there’ll be a batch here, presently!” And all the while Lu was dragging haul: nd b ttinggotheboyandspring- p8 gutthissh catch me! the whole city isaflre! Jose was disa g through the doorway . ;Miguel was fo owin , when he felt a pair of Ion arms glide aroun him. his he could reCOVer from his surprise, he was hurled to the floor. The negress had not been killed, as the vil- ’ lains supposed; but on her neck was a br b 3311 leeding gash that told how near the knife striven for its mark. She glowered over him, one knee on his breast one hand at his throat—the other clenched and quiviegin aloft. ah ” th “ v' lyouare 've again' ! e‘aculated e astoundedruman. J “ es!” she hissed, b ' that claw-like hand deeper and dee r in his esh; “ I’m alive! You thought you’ killed old Lu, eh?—- on tho ht you’d killed me! You tried to o ’t once ore, in New Orleans! But you couldn’t Ha! h-a-al I have you, now !—I have you!” jet-ti:f him roughly and bumping his head spi y. He emayed, in vain, to release himself. He was strangling. That savage hold on his throat was _closin ltighter, tighfier, till his ears were ringing - ace ng. “Leave off! Ha lFflhn’t you see you are hurting me?” he 'culated, in a half-choked, lumchus whine. h I Y “ urti you!—— urtin on, an 3 es—I’ll kilIl) youtielllgl1 kill you!” t g y i e process 0 strangulation, mag raved, snarled, blasphemed—all use case 1y; he was taken at a disadvantage, she had ' him firmly pinned, and, angered by the smart of the wound she had received, she pulled, shoo scratched, choked him, dealt him blows with r bony fist, while he writhed beneath her like a conquered t. Sudden] .she She heard the tramp of feet in t e entry. “thaw”? m ms: “9' ° “£23 quiver, an a - ‘ ' - itll‘llg a human burden, staggegggng'unklg‘niy into room. It was the Hunchback, with Mortimer Gas- con! In her astonishme t at hisunexpected ence, his terrible apgearance, she rel her enemy and sprung up. Miguel was gone with the quicknes of a flash —leapmg out at the window, and dashing 0! at a furious pace. _ “ Cospita!” he muttered, as he found himself in the midst of confusion and terror that pre- vailed in the street. “What’s this, now? Devils Where’s the captain? Ha! he lied to me. He said Mortimer Gascon was dead; and I have just seen Morti- mer Gascon with his eyes open! There’sm - tery! Hey, girl—stop! Look, now; b5 e impel here’s a sweet rose.” The last to a eeing gir , who was ring weekly, half-delirious, along with the righted thron . - . By the bright lare, which fit up the street hkeasuna "ht,hesawthatshewas beautiful of form and feature. Instantly his blear e es burned with a lustful gaze. “W yousto 1” seizingherbythewrist. “ 0h, sirl—he p me—help me—I cannot much further; I am falling. I shall perish!” “ Look, now; I’ll he] you—if you will his me once, with those 11 ” Hehaxdeglaoedanarmrom d her-waist,th sheutte ascream and struggledto fresher- se 1f. “ Lynch him! Lynch him!” yelled a voice. A outhful launched itself upon ' l, and salt the latter a shotrlike Llow in the ace. “ Take that l—devil eat you!” howled the ruf~ flan, as he felled his assailant with one sweep of his ponderous fist. _ ’ But Miguel was now in trouble. The girl as caped him; several of the throng were rushing upon him, their cries telling of a determination to ish him ' v. ewasc , 'et his ragie was wise; and his discretion, coup ed a ho. "-fcar for his per- sonal safety, caused him to wheel and—run against a diminutive object, ovo ' ' it completely. and musing from it an ear ueal. sq'l‘he object was a man, ve short, ve thm,‘ who carried a pa t-bag. 25 Le the carpe Wh" fromhishand,andMiguel snatched it up, Continuing his flight withthe stolen property under his arm. A save —.—.—.—. . .. a Jame.— *x ~.m_m...___ ...... . . _.......~_‘... .... -....«.. -_. ' articulate; -rol.ling a cloud 8 “ Stop thief!” gelled the diminutive man, darting after the paniard with the velocity of a meteor. I And as he ran, he was saying, muttering, cry— I ing to himself: “That’s him! That’s Mi ell How fortu-I nate! I’m on the track! oorayl—stop thief! I’m after the whole nest now, certain! Stop thief !—stop thief!” “ Step thief!” bellowed the pursuing crowd. Among the dense mass of men, women and I children that poured through the Washington street tunnel, flying from the red-hot walls which were closing on the doomed city, a man was excitedly elbowing his way, glancing back occasionally, with an anxious expression on his swarthy face. ' man was Jose Moreno. In his arms he carried the boy, Carl, and anon he hissed in the ears of the terrified child: “ Be stilll—be still, I sa , or I shall kill you!” I There was an exultant g cam in his dark eyes, ‘ a steely glitter that bespoke, together with the grim wreathing of his lips, a secret rejoicing. ___—. CHAPTER X. AFTER AN ENEMY. Hllnmn in on every side b the licking fires that spat upon them as if wit a devilish glee; weakened of heart by the demoniac voice that issued through the flames above: nigh filled I with despair at finding the door—their only I hog—fastened, Hercules groaned aloud and in I sp 't, and, setting Mortimer Gascon on his feet, I be pressed his burned and blistered hands to his I throbbing temples. I The heat was terrible. Denser with the lapse of eve second closed the seething walls around ; eath seemed inevitable. But the indomitable nature of the Hunchback I was not yet conquered. I “Courage!” he hissed, with a stifled breath. I , Mortimer Gascon; we are not dead I y ! how hot! Bear up! Bearup!” : Stripping the coat from his back, he threw it arouvr‘rr the invalifd’s he‘aaadlit‘l I” h to ‘ ‘ rap your ace ig y e managed “Pull it close, for your life l” Then as ' gifted with a fresh energy, he } drew of! a pace or two—suddenly castin him- self with a batteringJJlunge, against the cor. The gauge] crack . Again and a sin he I threw forward, his dwarfed, ye Hercu- I lean form striking the door with an almost re- sistless force. Presently, the panel awned. Round the small opening clinched t ose fingers of iron, with muscles of steel and ' t strength. Crack! Crack! gave the stuff in his mad— dened grip. _ And there was another crackling sound, a sound asof a dull explosion mingled with the strain of weighty timberrf. “The roof ” moaned Gascon. “ It is falling in! The walls are tottering!” Hercules uttered a sharp yelp cry, and tugged and wrenched at the ope with a. desperate ‘ tand !” he gasped. @‘t’l’f mm“ ‘h’twd‘ligied‘ti‘ ‘22:: companion an e w form after him. By a miracle, the back of the house was not yet consumed in the raging element; an avenue of escape—tho h dangerous-lay open; and panting in the eated atmosphere, t e dwarf once more took him in his arms, and staggered awa . N gitlsulirlroarifn cgash, like rattlingmuake , e ,sootinga tower of cindered flame high to the air and of sparks on! on! in the hurt- lingkgale, to aid the FireFiend at his hellish wor At the same moment Hercules effected his es- cape at the rear of the burning building, there was a loud jin 16 of b ' lass at the front asthelndian y, Trix, cast mselfoutof one of the secondetory windows. It was like the ap ition of a demon, as he shot from the glow mass, and descended with terrific velocit to the street below. But he struck wi hout so much as spraining an ankle, and, uttering a shrill scream, _darte( ofli With clothes ablaze, and swinging his arms wi . ‘fd’fiank God! we are saved!” exelaimed Gas- con, as he and the dwarf got further and further from danger. ' “Not saved et, Mortimer Gascon! The fire is close on us -—and I am weakening. But, courage! When I cry ‘en h ’ then we’ll say ougrsf’ayers and die l—and I never cry that w He was making for the house of Lu, the ne ter a severe struggle with his overtaxed nerves, he finally reached the goal. Reeling in, as we have seen, he dltpflad his burden, and sunk forward on his knees, com- pletely exhausde 80 wild and «11229.; ":01, ay, hideous, was his 4 The New Y lmadly “See ‘ The earth is ablaze from end to end! I turned the diminutive man with .4-._‘ £8.00, that the negress did not, at first, recognize 1m. , But then she cried out in amazement: “ What’s thisl—Hurl-J’ “ It is what is left of him!” he broke in, half . us! we are nearly burned to ashes!” Then, for the first time, the murmuring tmnult of the night attracted her. “ What is it?” she asked. “ What’s all that noise about?” “Noise! Where have on been? Been asleep? ‘ Are you deaf l—blind ?—- hat you ask me what it 3 means? The whole city is being swept away! Look there!” pointing to the window. She hastened to glance out. A quick-breathed exclamation escaped her as she saw the lurid glare, the hurrying peo 1e, flying panic-stricken —heard a moanin rum le, as if the thunders of heaven were belc ing hoarsel in the distance. But paramount to her thong ts was little Carl. She turned to the Hunchback with a half-cry, half-wail. “ Hurll—the boy !——the bo !” “ What mean you?” quic y. “ He’s one!” “ Gone l” ... mm... ‘ e i 0 out— an ' fallen the child?” “ I tell you he’s gone—they carried him off!" “And ask who ‘they’ are? Will you an- swer'!” “ % ose’ Moreno and Miguel, his follower!” “ 0! “ I tell you yes!” she screamed. “ They here? Impossible!” and he stared in astonishment. “ Yes, they are here! The ’ve got the boy! They’ve got Carl! They’llk' him!” Hercules was on his feet in an instant. ‘ A new strength came to him. The intelli- ence appeared to rouse him to a state of frenzy, I or, while his eyes fairly danced, he cried out: “Which way? Set me on their track! Be ‘ quick—they’ll murder him!” The negress indicated the window, through which she had seen Miguel make his exit. The dwarf sprung t0 the pursuit. There was a ferocious gleam in his evil eyes, and his white, I regular teeth began to grit and grind till they seemed to be pulverizing. He reached the street just as Mi el over- e carpet- ba . fluttering an oath of sav e frame, he dashed after the Spaniard, soon 1 eg in the race with those who would have punish rude treatment of the girl. He had recognized an old enemy, a man he hated, and upon whom he had sworn to wreak a terrible vengeance. To Jose Moreno, and his companion, the'bully, Hercules owed that ugl scar on his templz' and now, mad as a bloodhound on the scent o adoomed game he glided at a pace of incredible swiftness—his face darkly ' , and his hands working as if they were ready throttling the ob'ect of his hatred. e saw something in Miguel’s arms—thought it must be the child; and this lent a double vigor to his pursuit. Miguel ran fast. Behind him came the small man whose carpet-ha he had stolen, speeding after his property, an gaining ra idly. And on pressed Hercules, his warfed body appearin even smaller as he bent to the trial of . wind an muscle, and flew ahead with the leaps of a race-horse. “Go it! Go it!” vociferated the man of the carpet-ha , as the Hunchback mm, “catch m! He’a tmy clothes! Lord! how that fellow runs! t a dollar he’s got gum elastic tied to his heelsl”. llsrcules swept by, as if on the wings of the wm . - Soon the three men left the other parties to the scene far in the rear, and these having more urgent affairs of their own to look after, in the excitement of flight before the conflagration, drew off. I I The Spaniard was making for_the tunnel, having crossed the Adams street brldge. Presently he cast a hurried glance over his shoulder. Then he paled, fothe saw the form of the Hunchback, knew who it was, and a cow» ardl fear seized his ruflian heart. “ evils of earth!” he , interror; “if he once lays hold upon me, How came he at m heels? And the captain has deserted me! shall be murdered!’ He ‘ t[git his severest bottom to the test, as he sought sees that dreaded enemy in his rear. _ Anothgr glance back ' another weakening tremor in the limbs that he worked to their ut- most strain. “ Dios! he is gainin' on me.” Faster. faster ran guel. But the Hunchback came whizzing on. Not all his fatigue, his torturous condition after hav- ingnpassed the ordeals of our revious chapters, co (1 deter him now; nor co d Maiguel—though he tried his best—prevent the ate y closing u of the space which intervened between him an the man he had good cause to fear. ork- Library. Vol. I. Miguel for his ‘ amadead maul! CHAPTER XI. A PRIZE FOUND AND LOST. Wrmm Evard Greville had been engaged with I Jose Moreno, in the room at the rear of the * house, Hermoine had returned to consciousness. But her return to life was even worse than death—at least, it was no better. ‘ The horrible operation performed by the Hunchback—which, as of the price de- ! manded for the remove of Mortimer G-ascon, we know was at the instigation of Zone—had so worked upon her nerves, that the brain was ‘ shocked, and Reason forced from its throne. I she sat upright on the lounge, she heard I voices not far off, and with an instinctive curi- osity, fOHOWed in the direction of the sound, tip. tomg stealthily, and pausing, anon, to listen. Then there was a cessation of the dialogue; ‘ she detected the ap roach of some one, and shrunk back in a me e that was purposed for statuary. A figure passed by her, treading with a noise— | less step. The maniac followed. As Jose passed out at E the front door, it was her laugh, so Wild and I stran , that had startled him, and caused him I to quicken he (is l l l l 7 After aIfew moments, she ught the sound of footsteps 1n the hall above, a. d fled silently to the rden. ile Evard Greville searched for her she was hidin in an arbor, laughing to herself as ’ he called or name. When he returned, after a long absence. ac- ; compamed- b Zone, she was watching them from_the sha e of the oppom'te parlor—her eye". glowrng like the orbs of an animal, as she gazed I upon the masked 'rl. But she did not tra herself—stood motion- : less and attentive to al that passed, and Gro- ; ville’s avowal of devotion seemed particularly ‘ to interest her. .As soon as he left the house, for the second ‘ time, she procured another key, and unlocked the 101' door—to confront one who evidently hel a secret regardin her; for Zone’s immedl- ate exclamation, as t e maniac faced her, dis- covered the fact of this knowledge. As Hermoine moved awa , beckoning Zone to folélgmr, the latter stood as ' riveted by an irre- sls e m e ism, ' vacant] at the t where_she . stood;a in lare doom}; . her mind trained thwe exclamatory oughts: | “This is Della Riversl—the woman I have cause to hate with all my heart! She robbed | me of my rights—my all ;' destroyed my beauty ‘ and sought my life! But for my mask, she might have recognized me—though she is crazy, an it has been long since we stood face to face. The last tune we met— No matter. What ‘ shall I do? The record !—I must have it. But she will watch me now.” She raised her hand to her bosom where it clasped the pearl hilt of a keen-edged poniard; and beneath the black mask there was a stern, resolute expression of feature. “ Let her watch me then!” she added, half- aloud. “I’ll make more disfigurement in her, if she dares too much. Oh! how I hate her!” With a firm, yet silent step she glided out of the parlor. But she paused, and returned for one of the fancy lamps that stood on the mantel iece; for the entry was dark and ominous. hen she started a 1n, wavlng the 1i ht before. Hermorne had dlsaelépea . Slowly she ascend the stairs. She glanced into the rooms on the second floor. Everything was still within the house. “Not here. If there is a desk, as Lu said there was, it must be in his library. Where is the library?” She continued into the back build ,ooca- sionall pausing as shewent, looking be (1, to see if s e was dog . Though she saw no one, there was a pair of I burning eyes fixed uggn her, a pursuing form I flitted, shadow-hke, yond the reach of the ' larfip-rays. l ermoine was noting her every movement. Soon Zone found what she sought—the libra- . ry; and there, at one side, was a towerin desk l of antique finish, combined with a dusty- nted ¥bc’glircm'dx” r u hispe' r h 1i mm c w rrn rom er . “ mg? be higezgam 8 P8 It tting e p on a table she turned to t I desk. Drawer after drawer, was drawn 01111:; and rummaged by those red-gloved fingers; a I pile of papers lay scattered around her; still she I 'd not discover what she wanted. ! _Then we row of pigeon-holes in the far inte- a rlor— ullm out successively the numerous ; cobwe bed es, and glancing over them with 2 exerted eagerness. - I And all the while, outside the door, the man- I we was intently wate ' her. While Zone was I rapt. oblivious to all else I her lurch for the ! article so coveted, Hermon“? Slipped 111, Without I so much as the rustle of a garment. She advanced a step. pan-ed. loaned forward with stretched neck, to see what the other was doin -—-then another step, a second pause, while i her ace wore a look paltvacant, part of in. 1 quiry. geamwmmm The Fire-Fiends; or, Hercules, the Hunchback. __ _ 9 Presently, Zone uttered a half-suppressed ] A light. weight lay on her shoulder. Hermoine sentiment t0ward Hermoine Greville—held Zone stood e51 cry. de her. silent. At that moment naught but words of She had found the parchment tied with a. As she looked up, she started back. Rapid as taunting triumph could come from her lips; her black ribbon, sealed with a black seal. thought, the poniard leaped, glistening to her i triumph was over Hermoine. To speak would “I have it! I have it! Now tremble, Delia hand! ; be to sting the maniac; and in that case, per~ Rivers! Ha! ha! ha! At last! At last the But Hermoine only regarded her steadily, " haps she was not yet safe in her rejoicing, even game is mine!” without moving. ’ though she held the prize in one hand and With a trembling hand she broke the seal and “ What’s it all about?” asked that low, melo- : learning weapon in the other, with which to tore open the document. Instantly a laugh of dious voice, after a brief silence, during which J efend herself. or 'JHHM .Hm: '2 " \~ \4' “L II 7,‘ ‘I. w m I, - sew H1 “W ‘| xx. ll ' In ll")!!! ~ . ,, x , llll'i I" ) H_ r if“, '1. I; " 5. , '// , i i ll; . Hl' l‘h' . [uh 1% KW 5: r.‘ I)“ ' I ” '3’ i w ~ 2 l‘nll'nllllv- I ; r , :9 g l l Illlliwlnlhyl gm, it “w. ‘ ;. c ‘g “4* x “will will”. 1 ‘ ‘5. \ ’ ’il'n'hgllh‘ilfg‘fi'lll ‘u: P‘llllllllllnllhil 11:, Ilium“. It “will .8? Will f. fligl' ‘- lmm * :pfiqq'liit wimp-l llllllll l 1» ,ll' WIT-'1 l, film“: ll! .r; I r ! mi!" 1, a I” Ml all I l I» r 1 ‘2" “ONE MORE STEP, AND YOU DEW—Page 4. wild joy burst from her lips; and when she had I space the orbs in the mask were fair] scintillat- Hermoine framed. mam her excitement somewhat, she read ing. “Tell me what you mean? on said De- , “Won’t ou tell me? Come, ou’d bettet. tho-headin _to the rohment: . lia Rivers, didn’t you? Let—me—see—yes, I I‘m queen ere; and if on don’ tell me, I’ll .“ Last 2a and estammt of John Ltsle.” used to hear that name somewhere. Herbal have you put back in rison. When he The other MS. was a, record of some kind. he! isn’t it queer? You lost: somethin ? How oomeS, he’ll condemn you, i I tell him to. He “ Ha! h-a-al found! Let Delia. Rivers look to did you lose it here? HOW did it come erei—I ' loves me, and will do whatever I ask. And I love him, too. I am not his sister; so We’ll be married, some day. Do you love him? If I heme!!! My triumph is at hand! 1—” She ‘ never saw you before.” stopped short; the words died in a quick gasp. J A strong emotion—one fraught with bitterest m..— A... .4 -—i. .w <-a'~‘-—_Irv-—w v- 10 T918 Newfisrknlzibrari - .. w, Vol. I. thought you did, I’d kill you! Hal—stop!— sto there!” fine had wheeled suddenly, and was about to run from the room. But the maniac was too quick for her—catch- ins,r her by the dress, and, ere she could en- deavor to prevent it, or deal a blow with the sharp poniard, had snatched away the valuable a p Ella! ha! ha!” laughed HermOine, 11100111118“- ly. “ You‘ve had your hunt for nothing: I’ve got your prize!——i vc got it! And l’m gomg to 1111.! out what it all means, too! Ha! ha! ha!” h Wits a scream oi anger, Zone sprung toward 02'. But she vanished in the darkness of the entry, flUJl'lS ling the papers aloft. In tie same moment a noise at the open win- do .v drew Zone’s attention. A large shirle tree grew outside, extending its luxuriant branches close to the house. On one of the foiiagel boughs was a man, with eyes 11ch full upon her. As she saw him, she uttered an exolan'iation of astonishment. . "Heaven! Can the grave 've up its dead? It is Eward Greville—the true vard Greviilel” CHAPTER X'II. THE ENCOUNTER IN THE TUNNEL. As Jose Moreno pressed onward with the fu- tives that were flyin through the tunnel, his ark countenance wrin led in a smile—a devil- ish smile—his snaky e es shone with a hard litter, and his white th listened between 6 arted lips, as he hissed t ose intimidating wor s into the ears of the frightened child: “ Be still, or I shall kill on!” And then he muttered, ubilantly, to himself: “Oho! a prize! a prize! What will Carl Grand say when I tell him that the heir of N el- son GreVille still lives? Admirable fate! So, you’ll bribe Jose Moreno to aid in your lots, and then seek to .rid yourself of him? adre! what a mistake. How uncircumspect, when it was not intended that Jose should die an un- natural death! Ha! ha! a rize! But where can Miguel be? Curse the ellow! he has no brains at all, and 'is ever making trouble for himself. Can he— The devil I” As he vented the closing exclamation to his mutterings, he stopped short and gazed in as- tonisth on a man before him. It was Evard.Greville. At that juncture there seemed to be a break in the fleeing crowd. No one was near. The two men eyed each other with all the hot emotions of enmity and deep—set hate contort- their faces. 1“0§eyhsflr§clwspegkl “ tagain o, e an sneer weareme Carl Grand!” ’ mg L ’ . “Jose Moreno!” . “Yes, it ishe—at our service for a due! to the death, if you Wis it. You did not kill me, after all, most generous emplo er!” , Evard purpled. One hand s 'd to his pistol- pficket, and fingered the revolver he carried r . Jose noted the movement. In 9. tries he was covering his enem with the muzzle of a similar wea n, While esaid, threateningly: , “One litt e motion, Carl Grand—just a ittle flail you die! You know I amone to keep my wo .’ . . ' . Then Evard’s. attention was attracted to the child.. At first lance he started' then he whit- ened, drew one iid across his brow as if he doubted his vision. “ What is that?” he cried. “ Who—” “A-h! 'you look frightened. Don’tYyou know who it is Your memo is bad. on forget faces! Stud closer—it Carl Greville, heir of Nelson Gre e—” - . “You'lie!” “Oh, no; I never tell lies. You did not kill him, either. The devil is you; and so is Jose Moreno. Can you fig t Jose Moreno and thedevili Hal-«take care! If you draw that pistol, I shall certainly shoot you !” Just then came a cry from behind Jose—a . yell, half—screech “ Caggtain ! captain !” shouted the voice. “ Save me! tanisat my heels! HelplorIshall be murdered!” Jose knew it was Miguel. But he was not “ green ;” he did not turn to see the cause of the disturbance tho h the appeal for aid and the tterin of feet ld him that his follower was diffic ty. And it was fortunate for him that he did not look around, for, in one second, Greville would have shot him. “ Captain, help i” shouted Mi el, 'n. Then there was another cry rom t e lips of the Hunchback. He had recognized Jose. Both of his hated enemies were now before him; and the fury of a demon warmed his veins, as he dashed On, close upon Mi 0!. The voice of Hercules ved too much for even the schooled nerves, of Jose Moreno. He knew who it was; he was thrown 03 his guard; howheeled to save himself from one whom he feared far more than Evard Greville. Crack! went Grcville’s pistol. Jose stag . recover himself little Carl was torn from his arms. But he still held the revolver. . As Miguel came up, panting and snorting in terror, the wounded man raised his weapon and fired at the pursuing form. . Hercules reeled, for the ball his tem- ple, and stung like fire. Migue , with unerring aim, sent the carpet-bag whizzing into the face of his foe. - o The Hunchback fell, and over h'ui tripped the small man, who sprawled full length. _ n a mo- ment he was writhing under the grip of the dwarf, who, half-stunned, half-blind, supposed himtobeone of the S 'ards; and the iron fingers closed in deadly hold around the throat of the struggling ca tive. “ Say! Say! old oni—no I mean let go! Murder! You’ve made a mistake! Lord! you’ll strang—urg—murder!” squealed the diminutive humanit , as he wriggled and squirmed like an eel on a 00k. “A curse upon oul” snarled the Hunchback, as he released t 6 man, and tattered to his feet. But, Jose and Miguel had disappeared—Gm ville and the boy had disa peared. . The break in the crow now filled up; again the fugitives of the night were hurrymg through the tunnel. Hercules strode on to the west entrance, where he glanced on eve side, in vain, for a sight of the two villains. en he retraced his stein, angry and gloomy in his discomfiture. slim shadow, closely hugging the wall, watched him till he was lost to View, finally moving away in the direction of the west 0 'n- tight! grasping a carpet-bag, and With sat action. Hercules suddenly remembered that he had left Mortimer Gascon in peril. The fire was marching northward; he saw that, with the heavy gale blowing nothing could save that portion of the city w 'ch lay directly in front “The fillies‘roafing sh t f red hi h e , ee 0 , w c was rs. idly tfevourin lock after block, was now as into the fa heart of a mud city—plung- in its brands of ruin and esolation on! on! w h a sweeping ferocity no effort of man 00111 The home of the negrem was already envel- o . pH: q‘fiickened his pace. But it was a. useless walk; 0 was soon forced to pause. The engines were driven from their posts; the heroic firemen, worn and desperate, were beaten back back, as the soot ' vortex of destruc- tion hurled itself upon their stands, seeming to swallow, in huge gul all that came in its way —burstin doors, shivering windows, top ling down no le edifices—nothing could on are, everything must pe ‘ . And the Hunchback looked anxiousl ahead, then around among the fleeing multitu e, for a signofthe negress; ibr he knew she must be driven from her house, and an uneasines for the safety of Mortimer Gascon possened him. CHAPTER XIII. Joan: HA8 AN onJiic'r. thMmusu. assisted hisd capta‘li‘ni to ring, and, in epassagoo asecon was gging imaws. Jose breathed hard. He was, evidently, goat pain; yet, with the other’s aid he once before the Hunchback discovered who itwas eheldinhissa gri. “B the saints!” 0W Miguel, “that man nearly killed on.” “ Do you know him “ Know him! How should I!” :: Yet”you havi! seen him often.” “ Yes—in New Orleans.” - H All-n “ It was Carl Grand.” “May he die by the rope! I’ll have his blood for this, captain! “Faster, Miguel, that curled dwarf may still be“m 1— lil:’ mil Miguel lanced uneasil an back to so?)g if Hercules was Igor them, while I. shiver passed over his bulk frame. Ast eypessed into an turned northward alon Morgan street, 0 bully aged- “ ereare ouhitiAs .in handis red with blood!y You are bleeding badly !” “ No matter—hasten." “But ouwill die ca tain! ital if you die,Iailiriruin .— collide ammonia “ But this wound?” “ I am stanching it with my handkerchief. Cease your bother. ’ thicse was ill-humored. Bestigdes his ntg‘om wound hewasdisa poin gm ya v- ing lost thé boy, Carl; :nd the two combined to force a vent of snappishnem. Miguel suddenly paused on the corner of Ran- dolph street. ‘ 14001:, DOW,”.he cried. “there’s a c woman. See! whats. fright! A she-devil, wi her head broken, as I live. Can we not pick her pockets?“ - gored to his knees, and are he could I Jose looked and saw a female drawing near swinging her arms, laughing, making faces a those who were hurrying past her. She was not the only case of insanity on the streets of Chicago during that dreadful night; and while many gazed. in silent awe upon the poor creature, some sickening at the ghastly si ht she presented, nonedreamed of the cause of her condition—none imagined how she re- ceived that fearful gash across the tem 1e, where the plaster was nearly torn OR, and c ots of blood disadme a face that once was beauti- ful as colo statuafiy. The woman was ermoine. She held a roll of MS in one hand, wavmg it over her head oc- casionally; alternately chattering in an incohe- rent manner, and roamni aimlessly along, seeming to enjoy the exci ment around her, and glancing careless! at the lurid heavens. Jose Moreno knew er even in her horrible He was, for a moment, dumb in as- tomshment; then hekgrasped Miguel by the arm, and whis red,quic y: “It is ermoine Greville!” “No!” returned Miguel, amazed at the an- nouncement. ~ ' “I”would know her in a worse guise than “ Devils! I know her, too, now.” Jose suddenly threw 08 the other’s hold, and advanced toward her. She saw him approaching and paused, con- tem lating him. “ y, he said. “Lad 1” she repeated. “ Why, that isn’t my name. on’t you know me. They call me Sa anella.” “ Satanella, then,” acquiesced Jose. “ Where are ao’u going” “ ing? ow funny,” musingly. “ Do you know, I was on a mision of some kind—but I have forgotten. What will my father say? Ha! ha! ha! Well, I don’t care.” Then, abruptly, “Who are on?” “I can te you what your mission is,” evaded Jose. “ Can you? How opportune! That’s good—— w me." “ You are seeking some one.” “A? I? I don’t know. Who is he! Is its man ' Y “ E33111 Evardi” greeted the maniac. half- aloud. “I have h that name somewhere. I guem you must be ri ht. Seehere—I’ve a m for him.” She eld up the papers. 1 “ ould you go tohim?” Jose inquired, gent- y. “Yes; letusflndhim. Youwillshowmethe wa i” I I will. Como—ltake mfiarm.” “ Your arm? Oh yes! a! ha! ha! Ididn’t think Come ahead, now.” She slid her and in his, and he led her slowly awa . ngxnoine became silent as they moved along, looking down at her feet and unconscious of the steadfast game which .Iose was flxin on her bowed head—a gsgfiithat, at times, wan to h , as ough the Spaniard the rs she th longe’dptg himself of them. And in mind he was saying: “ If on knew what the documents contained, Dem vars, you would eat them sooner than carrythem about. And I must havethem at all hmrds!” Forhehsdrecognisedtheblack rib and black seal, and knew well the contents the MS. Miguel, who had been attentively watching the movements of his captain, stood staring va- cant! after the cou lo. . - “ ow, mayhis ernalma makeades sort of my carcass! If that is ermoine Gre- ville, she is i What (1 the gsptain want with Hex-mains ville! would he take her! Cospital—is hccrazyi” He followed after them, wondering smash with ever ste . , Jose led hispcom 'on a longwalk. When he used, it was on a two-story house‘oi nea appearance. oman in the doorway, look- A.w wen u at the fire-lit sky. As we come closer ' 1135!; she is an Indian crane, of withered form and time-worn countenance. Her piercin eyes bent upon the comers, and she was abou to speak; but Jose made asign which she understood, for she stepped aside and allowed them to pass. “.Who ighthat queer woman?” asked Her- mome, as ey entered. “A friend to both of us,” answered Jose. “Go on, my Satanella; we will soon find him whom you seek.” “What’s this?” hissed the crane. in his ear. while Hermoinegmcms‘, “Id casting curious in a - “Thegvmm who calls herself Hermoine Grams,» he replied, in a quick, low atone. “Give me the best room in your house—the safest 101,-, .. prison. Henry and I will pay you roundly. . ~ “ can’t ve ou thebest. Trixliesin e butEhalf-bugii'nedyte death, and with a I of bruises." i l g D vs... “1--.- .h..._.., en.-- w—gl...“ . n ...-‘_..... .....a.—.._.. _ . - No. 6. __-._._. “Ha! how happened it? what has the boy been at 3” I . “ He tried to avenge his unther, and failed— but, see, the woman is watching us. Follow 7’ “ Come, Satanella,” Jose said, turning to Hermoine, “this way, and we’ll soon find your lover.” “ Lover? I have no lover—-stop!—yes I have o—one. But he Went out a little while ago. _I must hasten home again. He is back by this time—” “ No; come this way.” “ I can‘t, I tell you. I must go home to meet :11 lover. Show me out.” e seized her bythe arm as shetookastep toward the door. “But you must i” “ Who sa ‘must’ to me?” demanded the . ‘L t 80. 7’ “ Come, come; you can go in a few moments. I won’t kee you. ’ . esitatingly. U 9) “Well, I’ll trust you. I must make haste with m errand, though. I wonder what I am to do w en I see him?’ They were ascending the stairs behind the crone. “You go first.” Hermoine paused short as she spoke. _ Jose did as she wished; but he was watching her closely. _ As they passed around the landmg on the stairwa , a black s10uch hat ap at the rlor oor. The hat was follow by a boarded ace, and two blear eyes gazed after the trio. It was Miguel. When the front door was ban ed in the Spaniard’s face, he immediately soug t the par. lor window, and with the systematic celerity of a burglar—as e was—here 'ned. ingress to the house, determined not to one sight of his ca tam. find there was another form, small elastic, shado, that dodged hither and thither close behind iguel. CHAPTER XIV. ‘ JACK waus save “ nan-r!” 11' was a e, haggard face that looked in upon Zone. mm the fgreen bough, where the small 'circle of light rem the lamp fell in a weird halo. As she uttered the surprised exclamation, the , face vanished, and its owner slid quickly to the nd—scaling the garden wall, and disappear- n in the gloom. roused herself. Her first action was to seize the lamp and start in (pursuit of Hermoine, ' the poniard an determined to get k the papers, of which she had been robbed. But she was foiled. While searching for the maniac—rushing through nearly every room in the house, the object of her search ghded out into the street and fled from the scene. “ Delia Rivers!” she cried, madly, “bring back those papers.” git“ medfiwn' bagrined red be en ' ppoin , c , ange - onfiafllggitrolhshe retur'ililed to the témrlgrhaépd r0 0 hismfly as e an v : “Gone!—-—lostl d I mu m hand! Have I forgotten how to use at 1 Have I become a mere child, that I s ould be thwart- edno easily] ’Sdeathl If I but had her here now, I‘d-— ’ completing. the sentence with a stamp of her foot, a gr) “tin of the pearly teeth, and clenchin her fist till 0 flesh nigh bled be- neaflictlihe nu th ste acres the er new e ps - m3: excitgd heaved her bosom, as it mi the mastering emotions Within her. Then she paused. _ “It will never do for me to remain here! I have not time to restore things to rights in the library—and Carl Grand ma be here at any moment. 0-h! to think that should have the prire snatched from my ve hand!” ' In comin to the house of vard Grevxlle, she had turned8 her cape—which was black on the wrong side—and wrapped it about her head, thus can the fact that she wore a mask. Gotn to the oor, she paused to draw the cape closely over her, and hen sped away, gomg westward. As she went, she was uttering to herself: “ [have seen Evard Greviile—the true Evard Greville! Or have my eyes deoeiied me? No no; I am too wide awake in my age“ But mi ; be even with you yet, Delia Rivers!» The owner of the face which had a at the library window of EvardGmmm continued on, after making his exit from the garden, until he reached a saloon maretired section, whose exterior was dim, dirty, looking. Our character entered by a side-door, to a room where several chhirs and tables, and ., rickety counter, constituted the ma e-up of a card-cribywith poor-stocked bar, an dingy at- I~nfiohshswersdeserted:allv'hohtldbfl'n prising r‘oughs and liquor-Millers— The ‘Fire-Fiends; W or, _Hercules, Hunchback. having turned out, during the earlier part of the great fire, for questionable purposes. But the keeper of the saloon was on hand; more careful of his business than to desert it on this, his favorite night. By the aid of a sputtering lamp, we see that the 3011 comer 1s clad in threadbare cloth, with b shoes and torn hat. Yet beneath that hat—which he pushed back as be advanced to the counter—there was a pale, handsome face, with high, broad brow, piercing eyes, and lips of firm compresson. He called for a drink; and while the man was setting out the liquor, he looked down, long and hard, at the note he was about to spend. “ My last cent!” he uttered, slowly. ‘ The last I own in the world; while there are others who drink from golden goblets, and spend their cash freely—my cash! ut it won‘t be for long; no——ha! hal—well, I’ll soon spoil their enjoy- ment, that’s all.” Ptaying for his drink, he retired gloomily to a Sea . “ It is time Jack Willis was here,” glancing at a clock, which ticked, with a dismal voxce against a besmeared wall. “ He said he would follow immediatel , and meet me here to-night. Ah! he is a shrew fellow, Jack is. How fortu- nate that I ha pened across him! But what can detain him —-with another impatient glance at the clock. Now, the diminutive man with the carpet-bag was the identical Jack Wiilis referred to b the gloomy young man who sat in the out-o -the- wa saloon. ack Willis was a detective—a. Chicagoan b birth; a sharp, active member of the S. 8.. wit a reputation of worth well merited by his ad- mirable abilities. A few years prior to this eventful night, he had removed to reside in New Orleans; and now he was back in his native city—on “busio ness.” as we may easily judge. Let us follow im. He hurried westward from the tunnel, con- fiil-‘atulating himself on his release from the vice- ' 6 fingers of the Hunchback, clutching the carpet-bag tightlti, and bent on keeping his ap- polintment With e lone oceupant o the distant sa oon. He had not gone far before he stopped short, and caught his breath. Directly ahead of him were J ese and Mi el. “ Ha!” be exchanged, “ there‘s Miguel again— rascall Look—the other fellow is wounded. He staggers. Heard a pistol go ofl—vergvdan- gerous weapon. See em—new, Jack illis, you want friend Mi el. Got a warrant for his arrest. 80 Ev Greville must wait-he’s done worse waitin before, and I guess a little 1011 r won’t hurt ' .” followed the pair. When they ped upon meeting Hermoine the detective hal also, with eyes widened an mouth puckered. He, too, reco ized Hermoine—lmowing her well, as the rea er will learn anon. As Jose led the maniac away, and Miguel fol- lowed after, Jack Willis dogged the trio—intent though circumspect. He saw the two enter the house; he saw Miguel climb in at the parlor window; then, ad- Lu‘s ing the carpet-bag, he drew a pistol from ' breast, took the weapon between his teeth, and muttered: “ Now it’s my turn. Look out, friend Miguel, I’m on your heels!” He raised himself to a level with the sill, and m. ’ Miguel was looking out into the entry. The detective swung one leg over, and gained a sittinfilposture. . Just t en the Spaniard heard his ca tain and the crone re ' . Not caring to ca ht acting the part 0 a spy, he started for window. Jack leveled his pistol. “ Halt!” he ueaked just above a whisper. Miguel sta ; then, with a self-supde oath, he ran to an alcove, where he secreted himself; for not a moment was to spare—Jose was close to the door. ' . The detective spnmg nimny mto the room and whisked himself out of sight behind one of the window-curtains. . He saw that Miguel was as anxious as he to remain unseen, and, feeling safe on that score, he determined not to retreat. xI‘gidanother second, Jose and the crane en- “ Btrange ” said the first, using in the door- way, and g ncigg along t 8 hell; “ what can she have done wi them, I wonder?” CHAPTER XV. ran NEGRESS ON rm: mam. As Hercules dashed out of the basement room, in pursuit of Miguel, Mortimer _who was waiting himself by a chain—suddenly felt a can come over him, and be swayed unsteadil . The negressy spruugotahis assistance. “%sru man! y!" shecried. m“m&tsrr em me somewateri” gaspedthe v . 11 She hurriedl furnished him what he desired, and the draug t revived him. “ Who are you?” demanded Lu: but she add— ed, in the same breath: “Oh! it is Mortimer Gascon! Why did Hurl bring you here?” “Yes, it is Mortimer Gascon. And you— you are Lu?” “You know me, eh? Well, fEgon ought; the uncle of David Greville ought know old Lu well enough.” At that instant, some one kicked in the base- ment window, shivering frame and glass, and a strained voice bellowed: “ Ho, there! if you don’t want to be roasted, you’ll get out of this! Fly! for your lives, y! “The fire is on us!” exclaimed Lu, as she ran to the window and looked out. “ Come, We must fly!” I am too weak. See—I can “I cannot. scarcely stand.” “ And I am weak from this cut on my neck— ’sdeath !” beginning to tie up the wound inflict— ed by Jose. They could hear the crackling, explosive sound of the rapidly devouring fire. The room was lighted by t e blaze without, and the shouts and cries that rent the air, grew hoarser, more excited as they mingled with the ominous murmur of the night. Then the took him in her brawny arms, and made her way to the street. As they issued forth, the gale threw a cloud of smoky sparks over and around them, and, for a se- cond, brought them to a halt. A man with a ush cart was coming along, on a wild run, wit terror depicted in every outline of his features. The negress hailed him. “Stop! Stop, there! Lend us a hand, if there’s a heart in 'our breast!” “How much ' you give?” yelled the man, half-pausing. . “ Fifty dollars. I have no more.” “ ’Twon’t do. Make it a hundred, and—” He never completed the sentence. A heavy engine came thundering down upon him—driven from its post by the awful heat of the rav 'ng flames. The horses were mad with t, and the excited driver, with teeth clench , and eyes starting, tried, in vain, t turn them aside. The beasts were heedless of the strainin reins though their mouths foamed and bled heath the savage tension of the bit, they plunged 01:, at a headlong speed, scattering every thing be fore them. ’ “Take c—a—r—e!’ shrieked the driver. Too latte; The drinflpnrgcufigge man was sent spinning one si ,‘ sensel erhaps killed outright. F It was no time to hesitate. The negressseiaed the cart, and, placin Mortimer Gascon in it, pushed ahead; while s e glanced back, at times, upon the great maelstrom of fire which was in- gulfing the city. She was soon out of dan r from thedread element. But a new peril atened; she had lost considerable blood, and began to feel a sleepy exhaustion. To sink down now, waste court death, either by bein trampled on, orpu- ishing when the flames, at last, rushed upon the Hers was a strong nature, however, and with tléat nature she fought the treacherous weaknem o . After traversing a number of blocks—anon - speaking encom-agingly to her char , who was in an extremely nervous co dition, u called to a ho who was tearing rest them. “ ere!” she cried, " ush this cart for and I’ll pig}; you five do rs.” Even urchin was keenly alert for businen contracts, for he dcmurred: t8“ ,I’t‘ive dollars? That ain‘t enough. Gi’ me n, s “ Ten, then. Take hold, quickly.” “ Gi’ me the mone first.” When he had received the rice of his services the cross- ieee of in advance, the ho grasp of! briskly. Lu f lowing the cart and st close behind him. Sudden] , she stood still, and glanced at a two-story ouse on her left. , There was a man in the doorway—just in his rear, the bent form of an old woman; and the first one was callinfieout: “ Ho, Miguel! w re are you? Come here.” The eyes of the negress glowed like living coals “ It is Jose Moreno!” she muttered, breathing hard, while her veins warmed. “ He must have ‘ven Hurl the sliph And he has the boy. ittle Carl is m t t house. I must gethim back agrin.” But s e remembered that she was not alone. She wheeled about to stay the boy who was in her emlplov He was gone. Whi e she was gazing anxiously around her, the door of the house banged shut. “ l have last him. Curse that ho iwhydidn’t he halt when I did? But I can’t d Mormaer' Gascon-n0w: no use in hunting. He is ne for ton! tanyhow. MaytheIordl attai- As she concluded, she advanced to the narrow \ I me, 12' « The New York Library. V01. r, pon, surveyed the diminutive humanity in his harmed. Like a rocket, he darted out, utter-hi th, then, grinding an imprecation between 4 a defiant ell and discharging another bang is tobacco-stained teeth, he slunk back to his . at the bulky spaniard, who was rushing upon l m . concealment. 1 h . ‘ I I Jose and the crone returned after a few mo- The bullet whistled spiteftu close to Miguel merits. ‘ ear; and then he paused short, and swede “ What’s all that blood?” demanded she, now upon a square mng in the floor, down which seeming to notice, for the first, the Spaniard’s 1 the detective had vamshed. condition. ' I .. “A bullet from the pistol of an enemy,” ex~ l CHAPTER XVII. ' alley at the side of the house, bent on recover- , in the lost child. The gate was 0 n, and she entered. A low, ' threatening snar greeted her; a large dog made : toward her. The cellar entrance was at her side. To es- cape the hungry teeth of the brute, she fled down this, closing the door after her—the fierce jaws comm together with a loud snap, as the animal trier? to ite her disappearing hand. plained Jose. “Curse him l—he was quick on THE sermons TEIAT srsrnn A ennui. the tri ger, and treacherous as he was quick. WHEN Evard Grevrlle snatched the boy from Here—- ook.” Jose’s arms, after wounding the latter, in the When he had bared his breast, she examined v tunnel, he fled with all possible speed from the the torn flesh, frowning as she bent her glitter- j scene of the encounter. _ , ing eyes u n the wound. i And as he went, casting uneasy glances he- The boy who was pushing Mortimer Gascon before him in the cart, had seen the negress m, but thought she would soon overtake Not until he had turned several corners, did , ____u,._.._~.~,: i.- mad-av..< MW"“~“ ’, 7 e realize that she was no longer with him. He could not 0 back—or would not, though gascon strove to bribe him with a liberal of- er. Then, becoming involved with the crowd on Randolph street, a fear for his rsonal safety took ion of him and he ed, leaving the helpless invalid directly in front of a lumber- w on. ‘ Git out of that, or I’ll mash you !” screeched the man in the wagon, as he craned his neck over a bundle of dry-g Gascon threw up his arms imploringly, and cried, in faint tones: “I cannot; I‘m sick and exhausted! Turn aside!” “ Naryatuml”witha jerkof thereins. “Gee up, heyi"; If you don’t git, I’ll run you down, m if“ A lithe figure rushed forward when the hooked wagon‘tongue was almost crashing into the frail conv'e ance, and a pair of red-gloved hands drew 'm out of danger. “ This is fortunate, Mortimer Gascon. I was just in time i” It~was Zone. She started ahead with the cur- rent of men, horses, vehicles; while be thanked her from his heart for her providenti'al com- mfi'swpr Sto I” cried a voice in the rear. “ I”el Morgmer Gasconl Hold, there, I la ghe paused. In another moment Hercules, the Hunchback, was with them; and his first words were: “Godbepraised! Ifeared the worsthadbe- fallen you, Mortimer Gasoon. But where is Lui‘ Speak—where is she?” CHAPTER XVI. } “m YOU spasm m on: 7” ‘ Tm: crane, the S iard and the maniac en- tered a comfortab e a at in the secOnd star? of the house, and ose’s teeth glistened be- hin his half-parted lips, as he turned to the prisoner with: “ Here we are, my Satanella.” “ All right ” she re lied, carelessly, as she ad- vanced,l g abou her. ‘f It is here you will see your lover.” “All'right, again. But she rceived that the were the sole oc— cupants o the room; and a eeling of distrust ydprekyied' upon her, for she wheeled an as : “WP”. “ doa't see him. There is no one here. You haxefieceived me.” H m no; rest easy. e come s‘oon enough—Iain!” the last to the Indian woman. Their fiancee met- with quick, noiseless steps th gli out, while Hermoine was gazing a ' were .p... .. ' oyoce eoor eircativeand descended the stairs. p ’ “:3? window,” interrogated Jose; “is it e “ Safe enough—nailed till it is half iron.” “ Did you see the papers she carried?” ‘ “Yes. When she came in she had them; when we left her, they were gone—” “ 1 yes; I remember: as we Went out of the room, I missed them. They are in harbo- hapsi I must have those papers, Iain.” “ are not in her bosom, nor on her per— , son at ,” crooked the woman. “How do you know that?” anxiously. “No matter; but I’ll swear it.” “ Strange ; what can she have done with fhem, I wonder?” this as they entered the par- or. ' “ Eaten them, no doubt-” “S l” he interru . “.My man, Miguel, is anti 0. The fellow is cursing me roundly by thifiatime. Let 1:16 call}, him.” fI-edou tot e front door andcall‘ed Migue» by name—in vain, of cours’e. The In- dian woman still kept close behind him. The P1! hadno sooner left the doorway than Migue , determined to make his presence known, came from behind the curtains of the alcove. But he halted suddenly. Jack Willis con- fronted him, With revolVer at a level; and the detective’s eye danced threatenineg as he “ t about, friend Miguel~jumpl Go hide y . Mindi—I’m a, ‘ wder alma- sunpo nsc,1nd '1] put cold weather into our life quicker than frost! Hear met—ii ht a at!” Miguel looked at the dark :11qu of the wee..- Bad— d—bad,” she uttered, slowly, as the blood began to flow afresh. “Howl you don’t mean that I am in dan- ge‘ri’s’rand a shivoring sensation crept over him. ‘ es.) u N0___n “ But I say yes. Do you know more than I, when medicine has been my study, and the lligdahn’g of flesh my practice? You must go to “ Impossible—” “And remain quiet,” continued the woman, , without noticin his interruption, and proceed- ing to bathe t e wound with water from a pi cher on a near table. “ Do you think I will die, Lela?” stammered Jose. “ Ma be not. ~. Come—to bed. The sooner, the be r; and I’ll dress it for Iion.” “To bed? No! 1 can not. la, I am pla — ing a game, in which human wits are the card: To lose time, now, would be to defeat myself.” “Hark!” broke in the crone, bending to a listening attitude. The savage snarl of a dog was what called forth her exclamation. “ It is your pet,” said Jose. “And when he growls, there is cause for it,” wh' red she. “ ah! no matter. Perhaps some one, me“ through the alley,has red him. This worm -—I must not go to bed, ; I have too much work to do. Is there nothing to heal it at once —for a time—afterward, I can lie upon my back for a year, if need be.” The Indian woman studied him keenly, and, for a long while, was silent. “ Are you afraid to die?” she asked, at len “ Diel’ Jose started. “ What mean you ” “ This: I can cure you for twenty-four hours —make you strong as ever. But, when that twenty-fourth hour rolls aro ,” dwelling stran el on the last, “it may be that all the arts 0 d lain. knows will not save you! Worse flame will be in the hurt; there will begreat danger. Will you try it?” Jose Moreno was very pale as he weighed the words of the Indian woman. as he brave enough to test the ordeal? could he accomplish in twenty-four hours the purposes he had in View? and if aecOmplished, what were his ciliancves of deriving benefit from the labor of his p ans “Cure me at once!” he exclaimed, after a moment’s thou ht. “You’ll find me brave en . And ' I die, what matter after all?— for ‘ I am unsuccemful, I do not care to live!” Simultaneous with the utterance of this reso- lution, there was a low groan in the direction of the cove. l—ruflan as he was—idolized Jose Mor- eno is captain. When he heard the reckless declaration, he felt miserable, and all the call- tion he could muster would not check the groan which rose to his lips- yet, while his feelings were sincer he cursed himself for his weakness. In a secon ’s flight {pee sprung forward and tore the curtains aside. He grasped his follower b the throat, and dragged him to his knees ere e discovered who the eavesdrop r was. “ ISimiléndrel ” he cIrieid. ,t with ” " o captainl— on quarrel you, spurted e bully. “ Miguel !”—in astonishment, “ you here! How is this?” “The devil!” snorted Miguel, feet and shaking himself. ‘I amoramped to death, then broken to pieces! Would you tear my head of! with that gri of yours?” . f‘How came you here ’ questioned his cap» tam. “ I’ll answer that another time. Look, now: there’s another spy in this room. ” “What mean on?” AndJack Wi ' set histeeth'hard, and mat- tered inwardly: “The cat’sout, and I’m in! Here’s a mess! Coffee!” ‘ ‘ There!” growled Miguel, pointing to the win- dow curtains. Jose understood for he turned around and ste toward. the place indicated. Bang! wen the ambushed revolver. The Spaniard reeled backward his face burnt by the explosion, but not seriously hurt. rising to. his Mi elven an angry, oath. He drew a pisto,and.firetecl'1at that portionof thecurtain suscep awakened by Greville’s harsh tone and whence had come the shot at his ca tain. But Willis emerged fromvthe at r side,"un- l hind him, a devilish expression settled in his’ I face. Jose Moreno had said that this child was the last survivor of the famil of Nelson Grev'ine, and heir by law. It will remembered that, in a former chapter, Jose charged Evard Grei ville with the murder of Nelson Greville and his family, for two objects: first, in keeping with the mysterious pledge of the bullet-scar; second that he and Hermoine might gain possession o the moneys and estates coming to them in case of the decease of Mortimer Gascon, who was the only remaining member—known—at the be- ginning of our narrative, to interfere with-their inheritance. Now, as he hurried on, clenching the child ih a fierce hold, and silencing it by horrible three I he realized that his foul wor in the past ‘ not been thoroughly done; for here was an ob ject sprung up unexpectedly in his way, which might ruin him, and eventually drag his crime.» stained soul into the black pit of retributiv. justice. - He was aman bold as he was hardened. it was not, then, a look of fear which overspreadj his features, at the uprise of so dreaded an obstacle; but, rather one expressing a deter- mination to defy the fate which threatened to shake his security. , He could hear the thunderous crash of falling! buildings, the hoarse roar of utin flames, crackling of timbers, shrieks o whist es, plan; of bells, and cries of aifrighted people. in his rear; the howling gale swept about him, and (long since bare-headed) fanned the hair back from his white, cold forehead. ' All around was lighted up, as if it were sun- rise in a realm of vortexed nature, where the laws of earth convulsed beneath the onset of a myriad of demons, let loose from their chamed' 111173 w ingqu mankind in misery. Alison has awed us with his descri Of the burnin of Moscow—where, as in t e fear- ful fall of hicago, the sweep of an autumn made hideous the progress of the wrathful ele~ merit—the explosion of oils and see, soaring balloons of flame, burnin towers, raining sparks,- hillocks o smoke, vomiting, spitting, roaring, hissing, seething, crashing in t e vast, hell-like sea of fire; and two centurion ago. the dark angel laid a great Metropolis, be- yond- the Atlantic, wide and waste in ashes-,- more merciless than the havoc of a barber” army, deadlier than the wave of the rushing whirlwind. . . But here, quick asthe destruction of DJth, in Arabian tradition, it would seem thata whole population were doomed to death in a angle night,‘so rapid, so overwhelmin was the; one. swee of the irresistible fiend—ca hinfi, coiling- roun devouring, overthrowing thi .- massive structures, melting iron and stone, blackening in sh‘alpeless heaps, all that was grand an beautif in architecture. Yet, amid this frightful turmoil, amid“ the! consuming excitement that wrung the breast every human, and made dumb beasts shrink in- horror before the advancing doom; when; _. noble city was ing down under that ii sickle like ri wggat at a cradler’s front, a ward Grevi e heeded not his , , he was calm by force of will, and thought upon- nothing save the child he carried , weak frame, and yet an object of fear and hatredi On he went; then, when at a safe distance,-h‘ relaxed his e toa hurried stride that took him in the direction of Union Park. . Zone was forgotten; Jose Moreno Hercula, Hermoine, all were struck from hit} on to in the sole occupation of mind with this ch' When he reached his house, Zone had long since gone; all was still within. Then, for the moment, little Carl forgot the threats of his cdptor and cried: “Where’s aunty Lu? Where is she? Irv-lit aunt Lu!” . “ ,still, you brat!” hissed Greville, shaking the punv form roughly. . . ,. But thisd treatment only increased the child’l terror, an it be 11 to scream: “ I want aunt gaLu! I want annty 1m!” whifl the tears roller; hot and fast down its soft cheeks. . . . - .. Even the immature hm“ m owes» mg look' a keen ption was inthe, young ham; or fee ' , . widths. senses of a pending something to he'dreaded. H , He went straightway to his library. fl banged the door s :rzt. ., I \ - “wan. :- 4 .u. i A cuss 'himl lipid. “mm—w m The Fire—Fiends'; or, HerculesLthe Hunchback. ,7 l3 Lighting a lamp, and turning round, the first There was another sound—a cracking, crash- is still alive, for we have seen him within the thin raise 'rested u nwas the heapofdis- arragiged pgers on thepgoor. Involuntarily he glanced up at the desk, and so saw that some one had been busy there during'lus absence. . One of his hands was placed firme over the boy’s mouth, to prevent outcry—the other held the captiveto his breast; and he nearly dropped both-these holds in the suddennem, if not the sig- nificance of the sight, for in that desk were many papers he durst not let the world look upon. . But he did not pause to ask himself who had done this. He had sought the library for a palgpose; that purpose—diabolical asitwas fear- -soon became apparent. At one side was a lounge. On the lounge was a pillow; and Evard Greville released the boy’s mouth to take this pillow up. . His e es were lowering, brow frowning, his teeth clenched sternly, his whole mien Sa- tanic for there was a murderous object stamped ' in every lineament. Am? from between the locked jaws came a soulless voice: “ Letus see now, Carl Greville, whether I fail you from my path! I’ll send you to fat. or and mother who were the destruc- tion of my father’s family—send on as another evidence that I have not forgogten the ledge of the bullet—scar, 'ven at the bedside o a dy- ing mother! Ha! ! ha!” It was a half-crazy b that issued from his bloodless lips, as he f: eavored to force the child down upon the range. Carl read the closin doom. He saw that this mm W” seeking his li e, and his faint voice rose in a piteouspleadingasthe strong foe gradually overcame him. “Don’t! -oh, “ Don‘t kill me!” he shrieked. don’t.” In vain the appeal. Backward, slowly back- ward, arms and limbs, the villain weigh 'him hecouldplaeealcneeonhis breast' and then the pillow was clapped over the pale, beseeching face by a remorse ess hand. 7 One more wild, useless appeal—a wail of de~ spair that floated out through the open window on a responseless air, and then came a gur ling, choking sound that. told of suffocation, whfie the suflering form writhed in its struggle against fast-griping death. Bu t e murderer used in hishellish work. The cold sweat that ed his brow began to trickle like streams of ice oyer his clamm skin, for there was an interruption to the to scene { of‘his crpation'. I I I” be fed ra . ra _ rap rever ra . through the owergisll, 'mp at the front door. I He started with a 11 toward the doorof e li rary, as if explecting tbpared f his I leaped f 'ts k re ; or revo ver rem i poc ‘- 3 and, with finger on the trilgsr he waited. thijap rance, as he retai t e fatal pillow in its p ace and leveled the weapon wi h his ' ed hand; was wild, defiant, unearthly. CHAPTER XVIII. m m soon or mmcnms. ran gm rantishment of] thee detgctive wits aslunex ' asi wascompe :an mflf'lm’s mouth yawned, as be halted on the very go of the hole, and gazed down into the darkness. “ The devil!” he enunciated, in a startled way, as he nearly lost his equilibrium, and. came nigh gain over himself. V “ What’s this ” exclaimed Jose, turning to the crane for an explanation. The speaker’s face was burnt, blackened and conical, and Miguel laughed ltturally at his captain’s pearance, even w ' e he felt . _ It’s angels over the cellar,” answered . “ I found it'when we moved here, and closed it the best I could. But it was not strong enough, after all—” ' .“ Then the spy will escape us!” interrupted Jose, making a movement toward the entry, in— iending to intercept Willis, who, he thought, must emerge from the door in the yard. But the woman detained him. “Sta —no danger; he is a fast prisoner. Be- , etwill tear ou to pieces, if you go out he. t ourse f.” .“ But ow he a prisoner?” the S ' askeg. 1‘, Can he not get out at the rear ’ 01— .’ _ “ The cellar is bricked across, midway, Trix \ and I fixed it. And could he pass Pot? Ha! ha! ha! why, the dogkwould rmid him in shreds! I had meant. to 7I’m; 6 the thing a trap, and now it is used easdy. I “ Captain l—he has broken his head! Hear that,” spoke Miguel. ‘ A series of painful . us came up from-the dark cavity and they had. “‘If the f .has killed him, somuchfliebet. ,. We 1 not be troubled With him,” mid »“ you!” slapped 1: “bison? and smell—then who will bury "i" m V . y « mull“ no" ink-my. an imperative summons . i ! 4 I headlong attack of an enemy—and e was and a number of liquids she lug, rattling noise. The Indian woman seized the lam from the ‘ table and, by aid of a string which Miguel pro- duce , lowered the light into the hole. All were wondering}. “As I live, 6 is breaking his own bones!” whispered the bully. The rays shewed them a uare, damp, gloomy, tomb—like place, dev01d of outlet. Against one side stood two candle-boxes, end on end, which the crone had cast down there the day previous; but, with this exception, the I prison-cellar was bare. Jack Willis had vanished again. The lamp was hurriedly drawn up, and the ‘ trio looked at one another blankly. ' "Where can he be?” cried Jose, more to him- self. “In one of the boxes,” ventu‘red ' el. “Bah! a man in a candle—box? fool!” The woman said nothing. She was supersti- tious b nature, and the disappearance of the man w she knew, could not escape from the 3 cellar in so short a time by ordinary means, led ‘ her to believe the occurrence wrought by spirit- ual agency. She motioned them to assist her in re-adjust— ing the trap, and the two men were as silent as ghehin’ actual amazement, while they lent a an . Suddenly Jose Moreno felt a dizziness in the head, and stag cred, clutching modically at the thin air. e would have f n but for the timel support of his follower. “ a!” cried the woman, recalled to a sense ’ of his condition, “he is weak' steady him. Bring him along up-stairs. Quickly, now.” Miguel bore his captain from the parlor to a ‘ bed in the second stfiry; and, for the time, Jack Willis was forgottc . “ Grandmother, is that you?” inquired a low voice from the ad'oinin room. _ “Yes, it is I,” s e rep ied, 53mg to a door be- tween. “ Quiet yourself. ow do you feel now, boy?” H l3etiwrI 71 “ Who is it?” asked Jose, half rising to his elbpw on’the bed. “ Ah! he had slipped my memory. You said he was hurt in trying to ayenge his mother?” “There, there—— on talk too much. Peace.” be“ Dcécter lliim Iaslti, 011d wpman, or there will a unera,as ve pu inMig-ue,grow- ' ly, for he saw that Jose was about to faint. he applied restoratives; and when the wound- ed man was somewhat stien him with his follower and retired to a sort of tremor, and glanced 2 closet near the foot of the couch. A fluid lamp was ignin beneath a rusty pan, , ured in soon be- gan» to steam., Then, when t 0 mixture reached a boil, she took various herbs from their books on the side-shelving, and added these to the de- ; coction. - With a monstrous ladle she stirred the mass around, humming to herself a low, weird strain that was like the murmur of a queer strung m- 3 J emrhld thin thatpassed, dh ose cou see eve g - an e la» fliers watching gr intently. viguel cast suspicious sco ed in silence. He etested medicine, and its nufacture in this instance seemed to ' like t a creation of poison. While working steadily away, the lndian doctress was called by the occupant of the next room. ‘ I “’Grandmother—the cordial. I am weaken- b ‘égltir this,” salin it; to Miguel, indicating the u in , pasty qm . . Only is): ces at the pan, and i 8 emergency of the case overcame his . repugnance for the task;_and even then it was not without much hesitation that be advanced and did as she requested. it . killed!” be muttered, usmg treme caution, and on the alert to jump at the least s' of combustion. “It is the wine of the devd. and the captain’s soul is lost when_he drinks it i—h-a!” a slight spatter in the steamm mass made his nerves tw1tch, and he stood 0 at arm’s length, continuing to mutter uneasily, “ Trix?” called Jose, inquiri “I am here—and near_ done. That is Iyou, Captain Moreno?” .“ Yes; and am half lulled myself. What ads on be ?” “Xim’i yat the life of him who sent my mother to or grave; I notonly failed, but fared badl for my pains. ’ “ ow happened it?” “Peace!” interposed the woman. “Neither of on have strength to spare in talking. Be stil , I say.” But Trix explained. He told how he had as-‘ mer Gascon in, and laid him on a lo saulted the Hunchback on the roof, amid the glare and smoke and heat of the are; he ‘ minutely detailed all that even to his own md ous deggs from the bugfi building conclu that nutme- 3: . hadgorllhedin "flames. “Not so,” said use, atthelut. “Bunnies c ‘ I 4 ou’re a ened, she left : curst thing will shoot 01!, and I shall be ' the ladle with ex- . l . dealdgfg’r what I have ‘ ~ hour ne.” ! “We have!” indorsed Miguel, with 83113;, ' as he thought of his narrow escape m ‘ ed enemy. _ But,unseen by Jose or Miguel, there was a strange scene enacting in the room where lay the suffering Indian boy. ‘ The crone had grasped him by the arm, halt- jerking him to a sitting posture, and her small, dark orbs were mapping in excitement, as she Cried: “ What ?—what’s that you say? Hercules 1 hun by one hamd from the roof, and the weight [ of ime upon him—both in mid-air—death for each in the fall ?” “ It was so. But I cared not; I sought van-j 1 co, and though s. hundred perished with ‘Efginitwasthesame tomesolongashediedl” ‘ “ boy you are mad!” ! 1‘ “No,lamnot—” V I H i, “ But I say you areI—you are mad! Zone is , your own eater!” ! x ! CHAPTER XIX. A FOE ON m noon-3m. Tuna cc of Hercules on the scene of confusion when throu h a miraculous Provie deuce—which uided ne thither—Mortinmr ‘ Gascon ewe. injury, perhaps death, was a source of coura tothe invalid, and a fortunate occurrence for he frail girl, who was seeking to extricate herself, with the cumbersome push- ! cart, from the jostlin , frantic crowd. “God be thanked! uttered Gascon; and an Exclamation of like fervency fell from Zone’s ps. “ Where is Lu?” repeated the Hunchback, as the were compelled onward in the shouting, . ha ooing, surging mass. 1‘ I ‘ “I have not seen her tonight,” Zone In- ‘ swered. . E “ She was with me only a short while ago,” said Gascon, faintly; “and employed a to ! push this cart along. But, we got se ggfid the boy deserted me. She.was hurt, ( 9’ “ Yes. I saw blood upon her neck.” , | “ Ha !——-say you so?” Hercules thought .01 1 what the negre had told him—the recentsp- ‘ pearance of Jose and Mi e1 at her home, and the theft of the child; as he at once suspect- ed them to be the authors of her hurt—he in- gardly vowed a double vengeance on the two pa 8. “ Here—this way. Follow me,” he commande- ed Zone, as he whirled the cart into a side street, ' and hastened northward, where there was lea ‘ to obstruct his rogress. _ l “ Hehas fain !” whispered Zone, presently. g And it was so. Mortimer Gascon’s weak con- ‘ dition was a prey, at last, to the excitem which had threatened to rob him of his senses } every moment since the terrible ordea1,in:the burning house, and he lay insensible in the botr . tom of the conveyance. . . . “This will not do! He must be revived. Hon l there! woman, a cup of water, quick, to save a, ‘ life!” pausing near a doorway, where several females were huddled together. . .One of these disa , and returned short- ly with the cool liquid. him : ercules bathed the brow and wrist: of ! unconscious man; and Gascon soon opened/g 3 eyes to life “ Bear said the Hunchback. , “Did I amt?” asked the invalid; bewildered- y. “Yes. But you must keep your strength. now; there is dan r ev where about us, and : it is no time for aints. ell, what now, boy; | —where’s your tongue? Have you ought tosay —tAien it.” cad ha . ' pantin , ga ing, dirty-fa urchin (1‘ run up to ' ,End was now trying to catch breath enough to say something. t was the ‘ boy who ha been emplo ed by the negrea‘to wheel Mortimer Gascon a ay from a dangerous cinity. . “ Say!” he blurted, “why, I’m sorry, I left that era mister by ' an’ I’ve come to see ’f I can’t ’pologise for ’t. I was close b you all, when I heerd you askin’ the girl there w re ‘ ‘ was, an’ I 5’ Lu ’s the onefat paid me tohelp ’er. I don’t know where she is: but I can show i you where it was about ’at I lost ’er, if youwa'nt , me to. ! Hercules interrupted him by turning nic‘kl " ‘ to the woman who had furnished theqclp 0% ! wafer. . - “ Have you room for a man and girl in m 1 l 1 bonsai-and I will pay you for it. Let stay with you til I come back. It may not be for long.” ' » She consented" The Hunchback bore. Morti- ‘ “Poor ml Wal'he hurt by a Pm oneofthewomen. . , . , _ tl‘I‘esiee—hels been burnt, too!” exclaimed an: o r. _ igfiowdidithsppsnf’qnssdonsdthstldrdd Butflemnl‘ ‘espaidlthsunoheed. - 113:3?"— "33‘:-_—_“:'.‘-t 'r—cr'ds . - _ _-.. r _ _ . ‘v ,fi..,.¢.‘-‘ (SW «1-: «w. \n_ .2 . 5 what means , to dissemble mortal injury—which he did, by' i. ' ,But, when the trap was raise 14.- Zone to care for their char e, he slip into the boy’s hand and ba e him 1 on. The New York _ Library. w a note 1 “Jack Willis you’re can ht!” he exclaimed, half-aloud while he smoot ed his nose with They hurried off, back over the course they , thumb an fln er. “I wonder what Evard Gre- had come by—with the exception that, instead ville will thin of trying to force their way against the current of humans on Randolph s pursued a roundabout way. uring t, they Soon they were on the spot where the boy 3 had seen Lulu halt and gaze at the man in the doorway. ' “ Here’s the place, mister,” said the boy, halt- , and explaining what he had seen. ‘ Are you sure?’ “ Of course I am. Now, I can’t do no more,” and with this the ragged lad darted oil out of giglht, adding, to himself: “ My, what an ugly 8 er!” Hercules glanced up at the silen spectral- shadowed house before which he stoo The 10- cality was rather a deserted one; and in the demi-solitude—where the murmuring din of the night sounded strangely in his ears—he paused to wonder if Lu was in that house, what had brou ht her there, and what he should do. “ e must not be se arated,” he resolved; “ and if she is here, I wil brin her out. ” He advanced boldly and pu led the bell. As he did so, he heard a disturbance at the rear of the house—a pistol-shot, the fierce snarling and snappin of a dog, accompanied by a cry from human . A bar struggle of some kind was goin on. His first im uise was to hasten aroun to the rear, to asce in what was transpiring, what these sounds of conflict meant; but, while stand- ing irresolute, a window in the second story was thrown open, and a head thrust out. “ Who’s there?" demanded a blunt voice. The tone was snappish, the speaker ill—hu- mored. ' “ One who would enter,” replied the Hunch- back egually as sharp. ' “ An what do you want, eh?” “ Admittance. ” “Begone, whoever ou are; I‘am .” “I will see the insi e of this house. 0, open the door, or it goes down,” growled back Her- gules, who saw that he was dealing with a spit- re. The noise of combat at the rear was still kept up; only, the dog was now howling between snarls, as if it was getting worsted by an antag- onist. The head at the window disappeared, and the sash fell with a whack that shivered some of its glass. “Something is wrong,” he muttered; “else hat racket? Ho, there! open the door, I say,” and he thumped impatiently on the panel. ‘ Pretty soon a pair of clumsy feet came shuf- fling over the entry oilcloth, and, in another 1 moment, the door swung back on its hinges. “ Who and what are you, that threaten the house of a eable female?” cried the Indian woman, ha y, as Hercules placed one foot on the sill, and started to enter. list he paused. Just then a faint boyish votes uttered a cry behind him—a wild a pea], suchtss one will send up when in peril cm a dreaded source. you dareto CHAPTER XX. anLA'uNG Paosrnc'rs. - WI have said that Jack Willis was a small man. That the reader may form some positive ’ idea of his diminutive anatomy, let us look after him, and ex lain his disap rance from the cellar, to whic he had dentally con- ed himself. i hen trap fell, and he was reci itated downw, I the one thought that iias ed nto his mind wgs that he would be instantaneously kille But he alighted squarely on his feet—unhurt, save in ex riencin a disagreeable jolt. His fert 1e brain me ately prompted him groaning at a fearful rate, as we have seen. In the same brilliant turn of mind, he re- solved upon hiding in the candle-boxes, which were dimly discernible in the light that came from above One end was knocked out of each of these in a trice; he stood one the other over him res ing the two demolished ends together; and within this cramped 'coin- —hardl more than sufficient to secrete the orm of a c ild—he managed to pack his short slim bod away—twining his le together, an winding is arms spirall aroun himself. Then, through a crac , he saw the lamp de- scend by means of the string; saw three pair of aeyes turned anxiously in search of him- and while he viewed the three dar wondering faces, an inward chuckle caused is mouth to packer as he thought: “ Three big Tomocam fooled by a little rat !” d up and secured, and' he ventured, with aching limbs, from his concealment, he stoltfid still, in the impenetrable ' ' to ask himse “ hat next?” . ' Heheard the trio leave thh: parlor; and in the sdlymrhisdhmslsltus on. ox. inst the wall and dreW' of my keepin him waiting so long? I wonder where-that- lia Rivers is?— what those h ones have done with her? And I wonder how ’m going to get out of this? Lord! what a hole. They’ll leave me here to starve— no doubt of it. Starve? ugh! that’s a horrible death! I’d rather be drowned!” He groped cautiously around, feeling care- full every ste more. And that’ll be the end of John Wil- lis, Esq,” he muttered, running his hands ov‘er the damp cold walls. Presently he felt bricks, and he stop still. “ Now, what’s this?” he asked himse . “ Be- fore I came into the infernal dwelling, I noticed that it must have a long cellar. Here it is not over twelve feet from wall to wall; and, unless I’m con- siderably knocked out of geo a hical calcula- tion, this is the back. What d8: t ey have stone foundations on three sides, and brick on the other for, eh? Singular that. And here’s only halt the cellar of a thirty-feet deep house.” His foot caught something which slid, scrap- ing over the earth floor. toopin , and picking the article up, he was elated on covering it to be his revolver. “Four barrels loaded yet, too!” he exclaimed. “ Nowig’ou old ha —and on hawk-faced vil~ lains-' on show he poin of an eyebrow, I’ll send the eadache into on by gosh.” He pounded againsz the bricks with his wea n, evidently searching for some sign of a wea place; for, almost involuntarily, he deter- mined that his only chance of escape lay in this direction. It was with an indescribable thrill that he started on hearing a responsive knock upon the other side. He struck the bricks again; and again came the answering sound. , 3%(illop’tlfie cged th esti nin 1 0’8 ere was 0 u o , faintl audible. q E rep y “ el Jack Willis! Detective! Who are you?” he shouted and asked at once. But, instead of an answer, Willis detected a scratchi , di ging, thumping noise at his feet, and he n in I astonishment. This stran proceeding continued for some time; then he lea d backward with a squeal—— for he felt some ncg wriggling about his limbs, which presently Iai hol upon him. “ What the devil—” he began, as he hopped on one foot, and to ed to release the other; ut a voice interrup him—a voice that seemed within the same apartment. “ What are you doing there?” “ What are you doing there? Let go In 1e !” and when he was freed, he said, w ile e elt down to the ground, expecting to grasp some one: ’ “ Pm aprisoner. Pretty near killed by a flock of vultures. Who are you?” “ A risoner, like yourself. We must help each ct er.” “ The deuce! I’ve got into a private peniten- tiarz. But where are on?” groping vainly to lay ands upon the er. “I am on the other side of the wall. These bricks do not belong here. Whoever built them up was a tool at making risons. They are out upon the ground—withou depth. See— I have scraped through, and dust now I had you byi‘i’ht‘ is” imi- .2 ........ ' ’ was e pro onge -w ex- clamation of the detective. ‘ Then he added: _ “ That’s all very fine. But, I say—have on‘ got a battering ram 01% pickax handy—else we ‘ can’ at out. ‘ “ es, we can. See this ”—wrenching at one of the lower bricks. “The mortar is not dry, and, with tience, we can make an opening.” “ 0-hl” e exclaimed again. r Willis moved one hand over the bottom of the wall and, after a moment, a Erojectin brick, which the other had iall 'cked ou toward him. In a few seconds t is was re- moved, and the two went to work arduously. “ Careful, there i—vou’ll skin my knuckles!” cried Jack as a heavy foot struck his fingers and made him jump with ain. It was slow work: but i was certain, and the incentive was all-powerful. Occasionally the paused in their labors, to ascertain whether t eir enemies had discovered what they were at. But all was still overhead. When, at last, the detective crawled through and arose to his feet, he could hardly suppress a groan; for he was still enwglgped in darkness, and he believed himself as y of! as ever. He knew that his partner in difficulty was a woman. He had touched herdrees as sheas- sisted him throu h the hole they had made. “ Can you 11 h 7” she asked ardedly. ‘ “Figh ! adam I’m a w ole regiment of rides when I ’03 !” wi‘t‘thme, then. We have a wicked foe to deal ’ “ Lead the way. We’ll demolish the indivi- dual on short notioe-” "Iii-notsmhhomu'u-nm p. “ f there’s a well here, I’ll go down some ‘ VOL I! “ Eh? not a man?” She drew himto the ladder-steps, then paused and whispered. “ Do you hear?” ’ “ Yes. What’s that, now?” The hu do owned by the Indian crone, and which he no got over its disappointment at the esca of the negress, now lay with its nose close to he cellar-door, breathing an occasional growl, and on the watch for the reappearance of the one who, his instinct told him, was an enemy to his mistress. “A big bull-pup!” said Jack, cocking his re- volver and bracing himself for an encounter. “Come on—if he gets a chance at me, hope I ma die !” imultaneouslv they sprung up the steps. CHAPTER XXI. A manna CREATED. “ RAP! rap! rap! rap! rap!” came a repetition of the summons at the front door of Evard Gre- ville’s house; and uicker than the raps palpi— tated the heart of t e desperate man, as he stood listening, waitmg, defiant, in the stillness which succeeded the demand for admittance. Then there was another sound. Impatient at the delay, and seeming resolved upon an entrance, those on the outside to force the door, thr0win themselves against it, while the quick thud a heavy timber made the barrier tremble. ' He glanced at the form of the child. Not a motion was perceptible. Then be altered his mind, for he left the lounge, evidently going to meet these unexpect- ed, unwelcome intruders. , ‘Curse their interference!” he muttered, as givnun'iedly descended the stairs; “who can it But he used with a new thou ht. " It wi never do for the child be discover- ed-a dead child. That would ruin all. And mayhap it was his last cry that broufit e them. A , hammer away you fools!”— last a: the cmonstrations of the impatient par- ties redoubled. ' “ Let them wear themselves out ”—retracin his steps—“ it will take them some time to go in; 811;. when they do succeed, there will be no danger. I can easily hide the body.” He was ri ht in udgin it to be the boy’s cry for help tha had wn e now angry men to his house; the loud shriek had reached them as they were hurrying past, and there was no mis- taking its import. They instantly concluded that a foul deed‘of some kind was being done inside the large dwelling—and a brave man never hesitates to answer an a pen] for help. Evard Greville re-entered 9 library. But he uttered an exclamation of astonishment. Little Carl was gone. At the same instant of this discoverv there was a crash in the hall below, followed] bythe tram of numerous feet. “ is way!” ordered a. grufl voice; “there’s certainly somethin’ onnatural a- oin’ on, for I heerd some one yell ‘murder,’ know~a wo- man, I t ' !” Under an im also, Greville rushed to the win- do]? mild {100:1} 1°31? t nfla tag 0 ogrea co tiontoeast- ward, he saw that which well gTrniught draw a fierce oath to his lips. / , At the far side 0 the garden, where a thickly- overgrown Era rack reached above the vine- clad wall, t e gm of a boy was climbing n ward, looking ack over his shoulder as e climbed, and grasping the frail support with tremblin , nervoushands. . The li le fellow was not unconscious as Gre- ville ima ed himto be, when the latter went from the brari; and the moment he was alone, he sprun to t e window, thence to the over- hanging h of the tree before-mentioned, and made his we. to the ground with remark- able agility—stimulated to the daring feat ,by the intense peril of his situation. Greville zed him: but he did not think then 033;: tree its facilities. t h The nce e groun was grea - e e recked not the hazard. He onl saw hi; thud- ed victim eeca ing; and while s hitherto e face redden in a new excitement, he po himself, for a second, on the sill-then took the dangerous leap. hAi: 1he shot out the air, three men entered t e i raryon a -run, and 'ust cau ht ht of his vanishing form. J g '18 “Told you sol” exclaimed one, as 11.11.93.201 - ran to the window and red downward. -there’s a broken nec !” A still shape lay on the sward below; but no sound or sight, save this, greeted their anxious eyes and ears. - They hastened out to th en. Greville wasl ' g i e—having miscal- culated the bafTslrfce of his. spring, and fallen with a force that deprived him of consciousnem. He was borne into the parlor and laid u g l inthere cold water was used freely his li w. paJWith the first return of life, his wits were paramount—he remembered every thing; and 0 N915 an apt story answered the eager inquiries of the three men. . _ “ You were just in time,” he said, simulating more weakness than he really felt. “ I was at- tacked by two rufiian's, who entered my house from, a paSSing crowd. Their object was plun- der. “ Told you so, didn’t I!” exclaimed the owner of the gruif velce, nodding to his compamons. "I resisted,” continued Grevdle, "and they dragged me to the library. But for your ar- riv I would have been killed, I fear.’ “ Which way did they go?” “ I cannot say. Even while you were knock- ing at the door, they were strangling me—" ‘The rascals!” .. “ And when you forced your way In, I man- aged to escape them. I jumped from the win- dow—the rest you know. Did you meet no one as you came in?" At 37 “ Then the got off.” “Are you urt much?” “Not much; but my two ankles pain me a little.” He spoke the truth in this, for his ankles were sore and aching. The men soon left him, readjusting the demol~ ished front door in the best way they could, and firmly believing the lie imposed upon them. Once alone, the villain started up. Despite his weakness, his paining ankles, the severe shock upon his nerves, he paced to and fro, fuming, muttering, scowling, clinchin his fists, and gulping down enormous quantities of liquor from a decanter. ‘Curses! Curses! Games on my fate! Satan is leagued inst me! If that boy lives, then the Lvard reville who now rolls in wealth, will eventually be ex , be dragged to dis- race-by whom? Ay, who will it be? Jew filoreno—would he were deadl—would I had not left in work half-done when I sought to rid myse of the man who ew in me !-—- he will find him again, and hold him, like a sword, over my head. That Spaniard is the very devil at cunning. But stop—did I not shoot him in the tunnel? M'a hap the wound will rcve his death—I pray or it! O-h!”—- grin ingehis teeth in sava thought—“ this is a nice sta of aifairsl An .where is Hermoinel ~where is Zonei—1whc was it that rummaged in the dark! The; night has been enough to drive me mad!” He'stood in the middle of the room, , swaying from foot to foot, with arms folded, ds patting nervously on the el- bow and the lower of an angered spirit traced in his dark-knit brows. And while the defeated wretch was broodin over his strait, Carl was racing away through the streets—he knew not, cared not whither, so long as he escaped from the large house, where a demon, in the guiseof a man, had striven to other out his young life. As the little fellow ran, great tears started from his eyes and trICkled down his rosy cheeks like the wash of warm dew on a crimson flower; andfloccasiomilly, a convulsive sob broke from his pa, for he felt that he was entirely alone, ' ted fromtho only one whose care; he cmd remember—Lu, the negress. The fire,’ the the shouts, the thunder of vehicles and scream of whistles, all flbmfl" ""“°ed’°°“e:?“-dfi“"i‘°i'°“d‘ . ese, , on rig w ic wrung his timid ; and, though his little limbs were tiring with exertion, he paused not for a moment. -, Block after block he went over, fleeing wildly, blindly, wrought upon by a nameless dread, mg 0 in a 101;, piteopioisd Wig;l th . to ut denl stop . e 0M side oi the along which he was ' “°“"“°°i.’:°dm “ ism“ M ‘ w vo in ' 0 WI a woman. gghenggrm and voice were familiar to him. He hadseen their owner at Lu’s home more than once;and than, after a second-ofhard thoughthho had. heard uen . ~ . “ urllyHurl!” hccricd, as he dashed across. “ Hurll—here—save me!” In another moment the dwarf-giant had seized it“ wage.” “Mm” °““ ‘i‘mtfimm'ih ex a anceo a In ready her an attack. CHAPTER XXII. mouse an sum. 11' was when the Indian crone cried out the relationship existing between Zone and Trix that the loud summons of the Hunchback at the front door rung through the house, and startled the occupants of the upper rooms by its sudden- ness and force. ' And it was in the same moment there came another sound from the yard, at the k, which told that the large dog was sorely t by enemies. There was no time now for e ticn in an- swer to the surprised exclama on which died, unfinished on Trix’s lips: at trout and wasthefirst feeling in t womamushe released the boy and returned, hastily, to, the 1 nextroom. II‘he Fire-Fiends; _or,v_I:Iercules, the Hunchback. “What now?” inquired Jose, in suppressed tones. midnight “ Satan himself!” growled Miguel, ceasing to stir the liquid, and listening with the others. “ He has come to taste this stuff, as I live!" “And somebody is fighting with Pet! Did you hear the shot? ’ she uttered, breathlessly. “ Not a shot—it was a snap of the devil‘s jaws!” declared Miguel. “But see who it is, or the will break the door down,” said Jose; and e added, as she crossed the room and raised the window-sash, “ be careful how on show yourself. There are men at riot to-nig , and you ma get hurt.” “ Who‘s there ?’ peering over the sill at the solitary form. What ed we have seen. When the Indian woman slammed down the sash, she faced the men with widened eyes and 3 peculiar look. “You would not guess who it is!” scarce above hex-"breath. “The Hunchback!” “WHAT?” “Hercules, the Hunchback! ste .” ' he announccment was so unexpected that Miguel drong the ladle, and stared, half in amazement, alf in terror. Jose started up, to the edge of his bed. “You jest, Lela?” “ I do not jest,” impatiently. “The Hunch- back is here! he wants admittance. And I shall let him in!” “Eh? No! don’t‘ let him in!” s uttered Mi- 1 guel. “We shall all be s ! Cospita! ’ whatafix! Ca tain, tell hm himout!” “I shall let im in,” repeated e woman, while an ominous leam came into her eyes. Jose understood er. Immediame he said: “ Yes—let him in,” and his own eyes glittered devilishly. “ Are you strong enough to aid?” ‘3 Yes- ) “ Captain!” Miguel stammered. fearfully, “we are dead men !” “Silence fool! Lala, go on.” She hurried from the room. “Captain, your wound has made you mad!” “Nerve yourself to aid, if there should be , ' ' , bangvof the sash as it ' “ oman, halt!” he cried. é placehgsusigifi’sl Are you a witchl—keeper of a need of your arm.” Jose arose, steadied him- self then walked firmly forward as he spoke. iguel stared the more; his lower jaw fell- he entirely forgot the hissing and spitting o the boiling, bub ling, steaming man in the “ Aid! Aid in what?” ht, perhaps.” i ht who?—Hercules—” “Ay, He es. We shall capture him.” The idea of capr the Hunchback seemed, “ Who can that be? Do you have peo- ' ple calling, for medicine at this hourl—it is nigh she put, with s irill bluntness, . Heison the‘ 15 scarce see anything but a pair of eyes that sparkled defiantly. . “ I don’t like her!” whispered Carl, timid] . “Hush, boy; there is no danger from er. We’ll search the house. B my soul! I think this is a wicked den; and ' Lu entered here. like enough she has been foully dealt with.” “ Why don’t on come on?” exclaimed the . woman, mooring y, as she retreated at a slow pace backward; then tnrnal quickly when he neath the entry light, to prevent the rays falling on her face. The dwarf was not one to be turned aside by such a reception. The interior of the house was before him; he had resolved to find Lu, who, he now felt convinced, was here; and, moreover, he was impelled by a sudden, involuntary curi— ; osity to see that woman’s face—an unexplaina— ' blescmethin; told himhehad known her in past associations. Closing the door, be advanced. After aglance into the two parlors, he continued on. Carl was now silent. The little fellow felt safe in those strong arms. As Hercules ascended the stairs, he paused You are a coward, She shall not this turn was a Window; and he had seen a face It was onl too, aha he pointed 'w‘ ward it. “ Come—come—come. intimidate me—and I will see her face, yet; for abruptly about midway. At the landing there was a turn; opposite pgelssed close against the panes, looking straight a 1m. visible for a second; vanished quicker than it had appeared Eittle Carl saw' it, While Hercules stood still, the voice of the crone came from above: aftoralll Ha! ha! ha!” “ Perdition catch that woman! I believe I know her.” He started forward, and reached the hall in 3 the second story. But here he paused a second c. He heard a low, musical voice sing' in a , room to his left, an air that was weird an fasci- ‘ natin ; but it stopped suddenly and was fol- low by a strange, wild laugh that almost caused his blood to curdle. At that juncture, too, the window behind him raised a little, and another voice squealed, with a isnetrating sharpness: “ out, there, IOfiIl”—Cllt short by the e “What sort of But she disappeared into the front room on the left, saying: “Come on———come on; you are a coward, after all! Ha! ha! ha!” CHAPTER XXIIL if my?” 1 h Ill): infill-ted mil ewasaaossors ; one on: “ B the nose of lzebub! you don’t mean , A m “Gm ON OUR m' it? e fellow will eat us up! He can whip a BY fortune the house into which Morti- mountain, and is more sav the wild , mer on had been conveyed was occupied tiger! Let me be, out of this.” He made a g by two families—one of these a young ysi- movement to dash off; but Jose the k. . “ Sheep!” sneered Jose.” “ Not a sheep, but a lion in chains! tainl let us fly! I am not a raid—not Il—but the smell of that ’curst ii (1 has turned my stomach till I amhelplessasacat! Youcan were”. m... a... h... “ 'ence ose , a warnin ly, as he heard the woman ' door, then ca ' ht the harsh which she met intruder. Herculesgraspedthebo tighterashoturnsd to meet the expected attack But there was no one to dare hiss-eady front, and he asked: “How now, child! Where have you been! What has ha ned you?” fore Car could answer, the Indian woman _ “ You have come to my house like-a man who has lost his brains! What do you seek? Finish our businem and -bego e.” a hood over her Y She had hurriedly ‘ head. as she moved alogg the hall to admit him, this she kept pull _ well forward over her , to hide her identity; for, had Hercules once su ted with whom he was dealing even his anmety to find Lu could not have wu him into that dwelling. To her words, he replied, s 1y: “I am told theta no . en red this house. If it’be true, and she 18 still here, I would see r. “ I shall tell you nothing.” “ You defy my naturel’ .i What you lease. If there is “git here Eon h’iive a righ to find, then look fcri if you “ If I dare?” “Yes. You are a bulle and a coward, for on trite frighten me. ow, if you want any flung, nnt it out—come.” For a second be regarded her keenly. But the shade of the hood was effectual; he could I Oh, cap- l ing the ; d condition—” ense, with grip ; Clan, 'ust embarking in his profession, Wise- gglckycoward byhiscoatlapehandhurlgghim ' J in an economical way, with wife and c . The doctor was ring over the of a Siedical volume, w en some one tapfi at the cor. “ Who’s there?" carelessly. " You’re wanted down-stairs.” “ Wanted, eh?" absentl , and without rising. “ Yes. Come quick— ere’s a gentleman in a “ tleman in a dying condition!” closing the book with a clap; and opening the doorln a hurry he added: “ Why didn‘t you say so! make -then.” The woman led the way down-stairs. ‘ He was soon bending over the invalid, feeling ons. - . the looking grave, askmg :igisic hasn’t he?” . so replied Zone. “ In! ervous prostration—thin blood-too much exdternent. Some wine, ; quick- ly!” to one of the females who stood near awod by his professional gravity, and the fierceliristle o a s ling goatee. When d % dgank of the wine, he felt stronger: an w .e nervous young man had gotten at the patient’s precise condition, v comfortable arrangements were soon per- f Gascon was rumored-to a room upstairs, and he and Zone were left alone to await the return of the Hunchback. “I fear on haye undergone too great atrial ne said solicitously, as she drew a chair near to his 'de. “ In-feel better now. These people am very d. “Would it not be better for youto tryand get some sleep?” “No. I can not sleep, though 1 know the doctor gave me something to produce it.” ‘ He was 100 steadil at her. She had moved the cape rom her now, and ' Garcon was riveted in his game into re- the thatshcneintheeyelehofthc fightorhs mask.- fl . _ The New York Library: Vol. I. “You are a stran e girl,” he said, presently, hours, but dwelt not on her conversation with “Tell me, at least, why you and Hercules in a slow thoughtf way. i the invalid. have taken so great an interest in me?” “ I?" , l And, all along, his eyes bent fixedly on that ' “It is not important.” “Why do you wear a mask? I know you 1 screening mask. “ There must be some especial satisfaction in must be beautiful.” ‘I “ Come,” he said, at length, “will you grant savin me from the abominable hatred of an un- “I have reasons.” ; what I ask?” grate nephew.” She started. “ Mortimer Gascon "—looking up from a mo- “ What are they 1” “ That I can not tell you—” i “ No. Impossible.” . ment’s gaze at the carpet—“ I can tell you some- “ But I wish you would,” he interrupted. “Have I ever met you when the maskdid not thing .to astound you. Will you swear to me “ Let me see your face. ” i ’ that, if I divulge certain secrets, you will never hide your features?’ ‘3’ l i '1' W ‘ ‘ 'l‘l‘ will ‘ HIM W71 1 , s in: l ' Mam!“ .. w! . l. i ‘ .7 . ‘ J " H W1 I a? V ‘ .. 1. ; x»; “ I ' r I .1 r . ' , ‘ Mi . ' '\ \\ y A {r ' UV [I V ‘ ‘ W I l 1 I4 \ . -_::\‘“« ‘ V‘ I Y‘ _\\\\, 1m . l _\. .~ \ , :1; .g.‘ _ . ,. \ ll . l'f fil‘ill ‘2 ll WWINH ' 0, fl 1 :~' “con, con, cons: l” sss nacnnsn, nncxoxme zonn r0 FOLLOW.-—Page 7. “ I cannot. Won’t you go to slee i” “ No "—after a second. _ s . hint at, write or make knownin any way “I could not sleep if tried. ake 03 the l A slight shade of disappointment fell on 1118 at WhiCb I confide?” and let me see your face.” I face; for. besides a desire to know why she wore “ I swear itl” he assented, not a little surprised “ ave I not already told you, it is best you a mask, he had he that he knew her at some at her earnestness. should not?” . period previous—t is hope natural. when findlng “ Prepare then for a terrible shock. You have "' Yet I am not satisfied.” bet she was interested in his welfare. been terriblgrrdeceived—” ’ There was a 10m; pause. Zone a peared to be Another pause ensued. But Zone was not “ Deceive - deeply—and she was. if?» mind. was long left to silent meditations, for Gascon ques- “The Evard Grevine, living near Union Park, ‘wan‘defing‘ back over the scenes of the past few tioued her agmn: , is not your nephew.’ 5. N o. “ What?” “ There has been a strange, strange plot pro gressing in this city, of late years, one fraught with crime—ay, murder.” His surprise deepened. “ It is not the true Evard Greville,” she pur- sued. ten; nor is the Hermoine Greville, now iving with him, his Sister—she is a mere adventuress, and her name 15 Delia Rivers.” The Fire-Fiends; or, Hercules, the Hunchback. 7 “His real name is Carl Grand. Stop—lis- ; 1'7 - for the waif until it was verging on woman- ‘ gether, they resolvedto wreak ven eance on the hood, when there came a man to the house who } inoffensive man—for she was wic ed at heart, saw, admired, loved the beautiful girl. This 1 like her husband. ‘ man was half white, half Indian; was working “They (lid not go to work at once, but wait successfully in the routine of civilization, am : ed until the married cou le were blessed With was rapidly accumulating wealth. By resents, 1 two children, a girl and 0y, the first the 01d- kindness and close attentions, he at ast per- est. suaded the Quadroon to marry him, and the “ One night the Quadroon was in the nursery, l two started new in life together, very happily. with her two children, when two stealthy forms 1 He called his wife ‘ Rose-Lip.” ‘ entered the room, and stabbed her in the back. In I u r mill ll 1: n‘ , L ‘ ‘l‘l than ‘ l H m. P J . I, . i‘ll‘llll'llll x x II l ; 4'!“ ~\ \_ 1H “t ,l, ,M PM]? mi! ‘N l ‘ I’LLJU‘L“ ll l ML 1 m llu Mflinllh. ' *1 1‘ \/‘Ir{“"mfi,'~ " llhlfilnr‘llplil‘Hh ,Fhl , fly I I; ~ ei- m In 7 ‘ i Us?!" \ \IIIIHHIHW M l “l mu ., ‘Tn‘ “ miningth y 1 . , 'lll "‘ HI: 1 ‘ ‘ y. ,i 3‘ m, , ‘ t,i{*‘x‘i§:‘lilllnulp ,gx‘l‘ .1 H ‘il ‘1 . I - 1 . h'n‘" l" v “in 1% ~ 91;.-. will“ i “a? ‘29 e n N a! I j, Illlvil'u ulllllwinl'fi In 'I I “Hull.” u lllfl‘lh'h l "In-T n‘ ,, I I] I , '1 ' ‘ r I hill‘lill‘lm‘l'l ‘ , \ lllliy'lln . ‘ ,lmmllhv 11mm 1 “.1 , \‘vtidlll‘ll‘hlllp .7: / / / , ~ / v/x/ 214/14 4 III . m llilz‘f‘ I, , ~> ‘ Hm ‘: . \~ g - H"- ; 1' g It v' . ‘ ““ <~La5""//' '/ t = ‘ " " 1'.""1:I.Ilnlml '1 “1’ mil}? . < ’ M In , Wu H fl{ '1 II .N I, mum“ llt ” ‘ Hmnnmfi] Dl LET DELIA RIVERS LOOK T0 HERSELF! MY HOUR 01" T31 _.u_ “ HA I H-A-A l—FOUN UMPH Is AT HAND—Page 9, “Girl—what’s this—” “ Residin near by to this cottage was 3, mar- I She was not killed at once; cried loudly for “ Wait, 1 am resolved to tell you more—yes, l ried man, 0 wicked temper and devilish by na— help. The husband came running to the scene, I “ill tell you all.” ' ture, by name Burt Grand. He had long had but was met by a cruel blow, that knocked him “Go on ’—quickly. his eyes on the lovely Quadroon, for an evil ; senseless. . . “The Victim to this foul lot eventually died. *‘ It was years ago, a little cottage nestled {pur ose: and when he saw her become the wife 1 . among trees and roses, on the outskirts of this ‘ of t e Indian, he was enraged, for she was now But John Lisle, the Indian, ad other enemies. very cit . In the cottage lived a negress. with protected against his Wiles. He deceived his There was a prewous suitor for the hand of the herchild: The child was a Quadroon—not her wife into believing that the Indian had done Quadroon—a mulatto, dwarfed, and horribly ' own, but adopted by her. She nurs‘ed umlmu-ed him some great wrong in the past, and, to- deformed, who was known to many as Herc“. at? 18 h _, I The New York Library. les, the Hunchback This hunchback hovered persistently around, ever after the hour of his rejection: and when Burt Grand and his wife stabbed the Quadroon, he was outside the win- dow, on a balcony used to sun flowers. He saw the perpetration of the crime. He saw, also, that the wounds inflicted might not prove fatal; and Satan entered his heart, for he resolvod to finish What had been half done. He sprung for- ward into the room, and, while John Lisle lay insensible in the doorway, stooped to draw out the knife, which remained rotruding where the fiends had struck. While his hand was upon the hilt, and ere he could deal a blow the mother of John Lisle, wh08e name was ve her presence to the tableau, and recognized im. Hercules fled. “When John Lisle bent to catch the last words of his murdered wife, he learned who the murderers were. Lala declared that it was the Hunchback; but, the Quariroon—who had swooned at the time—had not seen Hercules; nor had John Lisle seen him. But he did see the man who struck him down—Burt Grand; and he swore to exact a terrible penalty of the two wretches. Lala, however, maintained that the door of the deed was Hercules, and vowed to seek his life. “John Lisle began action on his oath, within twenty-four hours after the death of his wife; but it was years before be accomplished an - thin . The ilty wretches vanished from t e neig borh of their crime, and so cunnineg did they manage that the shrewdest detectives were defeated. John Lisle, though, was hound- ing on their track—an avenger who could not be deceived by false trails and artful maneu- vers. “It was in New Orleans he overtook them, and almost immediately, Burt Grand paid - alty with death. A nick, mysterious deat it was, for no one co d discover what was the cause. “ Let me tell you, here, I am the daughter of John Lisle—Trix, whom you saw to-night, is his son. The boy does not know, however, that I am his sister, and I will explain presently how that happens. “ I was uite a large 'rl when my father struck out t e life of Burt rand. Burt Grand’s wife soon followed; but he had to accomplish this second act of vengeance in a different way. He shot her through a window, from an elevated gorch while she sat reading. Her son, Carl rand, was in the room at the time. When my ’father fired, he leaped to the ground, in haste to escape, for the household was amused in an in- /stan . In that leap he injured himself so badly astodieinafewdas. - “When we left Lhicago to pursue the man and woman I was the only companion of my father. After his death I was alone—in a strange city. I learned of everything that had ired, and, young as I was, I saw that, if I w keep the law from sifting the matter, and mini? me, some must be done to throw susri onin another irection. ‘ I had noticed that the son, Carl Grand, had an intimate friend, whose name was Evard Gre- ville. The two figung men resembled each other very close! . wounded and dying woman waslinge her last day of life on , when I wrote a note and signed the name of Evard Greville. The note read simply: ‘I did an Fatewaswith meinthe hasty act. My hand was rather masculine: the was like Greville’s; and, more than all, ar rand had , had a quarrel with his friend, on the night pre- vious. “ The conclusion arrived at was that the shot was meant for Carl Grand. This note Was nevor made ublic, and the death of the victim of John ' e was shrouded in m stery. Carl Grand was drawn to his mothers bedside, ere she breathed her last, and made to swear that he would exterminate the whole line of Gre- villes; and. to add to the solemni of the oath. a istol-bullet wound was infli on the palm 0 his ri ht hand, that the scar might serve as a constan reminder—” Go on!” exclaimed Mortimer Gas- eon. as he listened, in breathless amazement, to the strange recital of the masked girl. Zone had paused, as if she were strivin to remember a 0pod way ahead, before proceeding further withe’her narrative. CHAPTER XXIV. IN THE TRAP. Tm: huge dog, Pet, as he la with his muzzle the cellar oor, waiting for' . another chance at the woman who had escaped ,him, was suddenly hurled over on his back. Jack Willis and the negress had dashed up withune ted quickness, and were farrl in the ard fore their foe could regain his eet. Tgen there issued an angr haying bowl from the red frothin throat, an ,with aws yearn- . ing and fang-ugh glistenin , the ferocrous brute launched itself u n them. ! went t e revolver; and the animal, the sting of a dangerous 1; sprung through the gaunt form, midway, by the throat, and, with a superhuman dexterity, sent it rolling over on the ground. The ne rress was not idle. In the cellar she had founi a barrel-stave; and with this she met the second spring of the dog, as he renewed the attack, snapping, snarling, and bent on tearing them to pieces. ‘ The revolver cracked a ain. Thud! thud! thud! thu ! fell the stave 0n the shaggy head. Pet sunk to his knees, with glaring eyes—still doing battle with his enemies, and seeming to feel that his mistress would, ere many seconds more, come to his assistance. But no aid came. His back was broken; the blood poured from those fatal bullet-wounds; he was fast sinking. Yet he fought on, draggin himself hither and thither, frenzied in the mad- ness of defeat and expiring life—for his two an- tagonists belabored him mercilessly, until, with one final snap at the detective, the brave thing went down, glaring defiantly at them from the dim, glassy eyes. It had not taken lonv to end the scene' and now they turned away 50111 the stiffened form, to attend to other matters. Jack Willis uttered an exclamation, as he glanced across the yard. (zitdlong one side 0 the high board fence lay a er. They were in luck. This ladder they had, in a few seconds, filaced against the roof-ed of the one-story bu ding, and in a few more fie detective was at the win- dow overlooking the stairway—Lu following close] . “ ist!” he exclaimed; “stoop down—they’re coming up-stairs.” But Lu cast a cautious glance through the panes and her heart gave a great thump as she saw ercules, with the boy in his arms. She was for entering at once, but Willis held her back. “ Hold on!” he said' “ let‘s see what’s up, first. Hear the old witch—s e’s calling him.” The stooped low beneath the sill as Hercules we on; and when his shadow moved away, illis ventured another scrutiny of the interior. He saw the Hunchback pause, hesitati , on the second floor; and it was he who call out :vamingly to the man who was being led into a rap. Hercules started forward again, as the voice of the Indian woman came from the room where- in she had disa peered. Little Carl 0 ung closer to him. When the Hum hback reached the doorway he used and looked ahead. 9 room was bare of every thing. Between the es of the only window, and its closed shu r, his quick eye car‘ght sight of iron bars, and instant] he suspec foul play. He wgul f gave retireatled; alread he but; cognizan o anger, or 0 saw in t t glance that the woman (1 vanished by some means known only to herself. But the crone and her accomplices worked well together. . An ax-like blow fell on the neck of the hesita- man, knocking him forward on his face. frightened cry of Carl, as he saw the si- lent flgure glide swift and menacineg from the opposite room, was not in time to warn of the fee in the rear. And Jose Moreno uttered an oath of savage lee as he pulled the massive door shut and gamed the key in the lock. At the same moment there was a faint, hollow, threatening voice, seeming to issue from the wall of the prison apartment, cr 'ng: “You’re caught! You’re caug t! Hercules-— murdererI—ycu are in the power of Iala, the mother of John Lisle! \Remember the RowLip, and tremble for yourself! Ha! ha! ha! ha!” CHAPTER XXV. zoxn’s s'ronv rOLn. Mon-nun stcom as he listened to the strange story Zone was tellin , raised to his el- bow and grew impatient for or to proceed. r a short pause, she resumed: “ When Carl Grand had buried his mother, he immediately went to work to carry out the fearful oath of the bullet-scar. With two hired he struck out the life of Evard Gre- ville. en, when the vile deed was done, and he had once d ed his heart in wickedness, a bold Elan formed tself in his mind. He knew that e was an exact counterpart of the murdered man, and be resolved to rsonate him. It had been several years since rreville left his home. av'd, With this to further aid him, he stuted horth, comin to Chicago. where he was A- ceived by the amily as their son. .“ But there is a parallel here. Nelson Gre- ville and his wife had a daughter: named Her- mome. This daughter was taken to Euro . at an early 3 e. to perfect her education. bout this time s e was returnin to her home. It is a. strange coincidence that ermome, 8190. had a counterpart: a clings-mate of hers, named Delia , Rivers, who resembled her‘so close! y that it was only when they stood side by side you could Vol. I. i ‘1 perceive a difference. This woman, Delia Ri- ; vers, was com anion to Hermoine, on the home- , ward tri . he was a beautiful being; but with not ing besides her education to sustain her—and keen wits. The were in New Orleans! Delia Rivers, during t e voyage across the ocean, had conceived a plan recisely like that which took Carl Grand no ward viz.: tore- present herself as Hermoine Greville, and thus hrow herself at once into the independent ease of wealth! To do this, Hermoine—her unsus- pecting and loving friend—must be first remov- , ed. And she was. “By an artful use of poison, the foully-be- trayed Hermoine was put to sleep forever. Of course, there was great excitement in the city— here had been four mysterious deaths within a month. But I will not dwell on particulars too much. It was a fateful combination which threw me into ccmpany where I saw this wo- man. 'lhough my ((mleexicn was dark, I 09- sessed a tolerable know edge of the Spanish au- gua e—-being educated with great care by a pro essor whom my father employed to travel with us, during the first few years of our chase after Burt Grand—and it being rumored that I had considerable rroney, I was known as a Span- ish heiress, and mingled freely in society. ’ “ She was remaimn in New Orleans until the excitement should lul -—having given her own name to the authorities as that of the dead girl: and afterward telegraphing to Nelson Greville that she, Hermoine, would reach her home ina short time. ‘ i “ While thus stopping, she was, unfortunately, seized with a burning love for a young man who, while he admired her beauty and accom- lishments, never once thought of reciprocating er passion. It was known that I had lost my father, since coming to New Orleans, and was entirely alone; and this, coupkd with personal attractions—for I was considered beautiful— drew ugor; me many, very many kind atten- tions. minent among those who devoted themselves to leasing me was the oung man on whom Delia 'vers—or the false ermoine— E had centered her aflection. She grew enraged at both of us—hatin him, and vowing some dee injury to me. would not have believed the one so lovely would do what she did; but listen, and you shall learn what a fiend she was. “ I retired one night, with a queer feeling in my heart—a resentrment of sending danger. Andeas no uselessl werrie . I all never for t with what thril of horror I was aroused, j as a distant clock struck one, to find. three masked fl 3 standigg beside me. But, even in my frig t, I snatch a pistol from beneath my pillow—I always slept with the wea on there after m father’s death—and fired, wi a hurried, hop em aim. The shot was not fatal, though it hit its mark. There was a shrill cry —a woman’s voice; and I recognized Delia Ri- vers my enemy. They disarmed me, dra me rom my bed to the middle of the room en bound and gagged me. Delia Rivers saw that I had discov her identity and she removed the mask. It is im 'ble or me to describe the dark dark look a t was in'her‘face—it was awful. l‘Iow I perceived that she was there for a terrible purpose. Before me was a small charcoal furnace, glow red, and two long irons were heating in it. he pointed to these irons, t uponcme, called me vile mines; and I was not long in full comprehending the in- tense ril of my situa ’on. “ ow they ever got into my room so quietly I do not know. One of them was rummaging over the contents of my trunk, and he found a gackage tied with a black ribbon, sealed with a lack seal. It was my father’s will, with a record of his life—both of incalculable value to me. Delia Rivers seized it, and, to this day, I have been striving in vain to recover it. “When the iron in the furnace was heated red, this fiend-woman took it from the glcwmg mass, and flourished it before my eyes. I saw what her diabolical intentions were. By eve 'ble motion, by . by fnghtenesi ooh lored her to east m her horrible plan. Bu she was a flfind incarnate! While til: two men held me ti t—oven My 8|701’!) 8‘ '11 nostrils,so thagI could scarce groan—ahead: vanoed; and swept the hot iron across my "‘God!—can such a ' be possible?” cried Mortimer Gascon, who was acutely work- ed u by these revelations. “ m doubt it, then look at me!” As e spoke, she quickly tore away the mask that concealed her face; and, simulta- neously, another cry broke from Gasccn’s lips. Hers had indeed been lovely features, at one time for, even now, while the scars of the burn! alluded to branded her with frightful disfigure- gintt, there were still traces of symmetrical u y. It was a painful Eight—nearly all semblance of herself forever 1 ; noth' left but those dark, lustrous eyes, whose do of glance and ex ression were enchaining. e was for a moment dumbstruck. “You see, Mortimer Gaseou—it is her work! —-the work of the lovely creature who fondled, . on year neck only a short time ago, while you . behaved her to be your niece, and innocentof No. 5. wron . But, now you have seen. I told you it were tter for you not to see. ” “No, n0' I am lad you did this. But, go on — on. What e ?” ‘ While engaged in her hellish work,” con-- tinued Zone, readjusting the mask, “there was an interruption. I had swooned from in and terror, an the portion I tell you now, learned afterward. At first intimation of discove , Delia Rivers escaped unseen. And, before 3 e fled-roused to a pitch of frenzied excitement, by what she had been doin —she struck at my heart with a poniard. God preserved me from the deadly intent of that blow, though the scar is yet fresh on my bosom. ‘ The intruder on the scene was Hercules, the Hunchback. I will not stop to explain how he happened there, so opportunely; but he was there, knew what was gomg on, and arrived in time—for, I doubt not, she would have mime to death ere she left me. Hercules came into the room b one door, asthe two men through ano er. He pursued them to the roof of the house. As he stepped out to do battle with them, theKJteok advantage of his 'tion, and knocked 'm from the roof. How mas saved from death, in that fall, is a mira- cle. But [when the accomplices of Delia Rivers returned to the room where they had left me, I was ne. “ he negress, the mother of the Quadroon— whose name was Lu—was with Hercules. W'hen he pursued the rutiians to the roof, she grasped me up in her arms and carried me 03. It was along, 10 time before I knew that I lived. When I di begin to realize in sad state, Her- cules was ly' near me, unab e to move, so se- vere had been ' in‘uries from the fall. “ It seems that, w an my father and I started in pursuit of the murderers of the Quadroon the funds left to support Lu soon dwindled down till (not knowmg where we were) she wasohliged to go out as a servant. The same fate whifh created m an history am now ou, house of the Grevilles—” y “ Yes, I remember well having seen her "broke in ‘9 When Carl Grand came as Evard Greville, she did not recognise in him the boy she had seen years back, as the son of Grand. Almost immediawa upon his arrival, Nelson Greville died suddenly. Mrs. Greville soon followed— the third victim to the oath of the bullet—scar. Lu detecteighehrfigrdgrelr wheln he had poisoned the o han 0 Air, an ,using promptl all thgpantidotes she knew of, this life was save! She fled to New Orleans, taking the child with her. But she sent the child to a. place of safet , a long time before she herself departed from c house, which was after the coming of the second lement of the her to the “Delia Rivers hastened to Chicago m the character of Hermoine Greville. Carl Grand had heardof her and of her expected arrival, and layed his part, at and after their meeting, blv. She, be' so much like the true Hermoine, was receiv even by those who had pictured how the child, whom the had seen, would look as a woman. She gleaned enough from her companion ‘across,’ to make her safe; she sustained her role to rfection and none suspected. When she and arl Grand not, it was a case of mutual love at first sight. Up to te-day, he hesitates between that love— though it is not so strong now as it was—and the . edg: he gave his dying mother. Each knew Eat e or she was not the other’s blood relative; therefore each one feels justified in his or her love. But neither dares to on the subject knowing it would betray t e deception—and each one is certain that the other is the true child. “ Need I say that, when I recovered, 1 regis- tered a vow—one to be even with Delia Rivers, and prevent Carl Grand roceedinglany further with his oath of the bul et—scar? ercules, Lu and myself came to Chicago to carry out our lans. We all had hurts to mend, and vows to Beep; for the same two men who assisted Delia } Rivers inher outr upon me, had attempted | Lu’s life shortly ter she arrived in New Or- leans, believing her to have money hid away. “ It was then that Hercules made known to me the part he had yedatthedeathof the Quadroon. I believed his sto , behaved hnn innocent—do believe so still. c said, though he was so much older than I, he would be a Mafia-tome. And he has kepthisword. A bro couldnothemorekindthanhehas even if he (s, at times, rather blunt spoken. '“ncomiBCWChica-gmlus therole Of a 19mmr. IA! a home m her. self, With the child Carl in her mm, intending, at an early date, when we had arranged mat- ters thoroughly, to expose the in To carry out in vow of hate against ' Rivers, I saw that had but to destroy Carl Grand’s love for her, and he would sacrifice her in his oath of vengeance. I laid my plans accordingly, and soon had the satisfaction of trapping my game. By mystiflcations and delusive speeches, won his love. He would gladly wed me, to. morrow,if‘lweietoconsen alth hehas aeversaenmyfaos. Delia 'm on, willd“! The Fire-Fiends; or, HerculesmtliejHunchbacx. “ Lu, the negress, in reply to questions I put to her, said she had seen a roll of MS, tied with a black ribbon, sealed with a black seal; had seen Delia Rivers place it carefully away in an old desk that was in the house; and I resolved ‘ that Carl Grand should be the means of giving me back my inheritance. “But, I like to have forgotten: Trix, my brother, never saw me, from the time John Lisle started to hunt down his enemies, until I Z returned to Chicago. We had not long been 1 here when he came to my house, seeking em- ployment. I reco ' him, but, for cogent reasons, did not let him know it. Hercules, also, knew who it was. He was a miserable, halfstarved boy, and this prevailed upon me, besides the fact of his relationship, to take him in. I never treated him as a servant, and he i must have noticed it. But, after what has‘ transpired to—n' ht—much that you have not seen—I believe t at Trix was sent by his grand- i mother, Lala, to destroy Hercules-han im- ‘ pressed it upon his mind that the Hunch k was the true murderer of the Quadroon. ” Zone paused at this point, as if her narrative was concluded. “Is there no more?” inquired Gascon, with ‘ quick warmth. “ There may be much more; but I have told you all I can. Do you believe now that—no, : stop; there is more that I can tell. Hercules . was recently in the emplogeof Carl Grand—” “ Yes, I remember his ing there when I ar- rived.” “The false Hermoine had asked Carl Grand what had caused the sudden decease of her father and mother. In re 1y he informed her ‘ that their uncle—you—ha poisoned them—” 1 “ God! what a wretch!” “He further said that he had sworn, by the . scar in the palm of his hand, to have your life. ‘ You were coming to his house soon, and he , called upon her, in the name of the dead, to as- , sist. She, fully his equal in wickedness, readily , acquiesced; for she saw that this would increase ‘ their wealth. By skillful management on the . part of Hercules, you have been saved to con- ound them—” “And I will i” he interrupted, vehementhé “Once let me ggt stron again, and I will only tooeager crush ev1pers that have been stin ‘ng at my life, and usurping the heirdom } of reville. But tell me, how did Hercules 561513“) the employ of this murderous scoun- re Whatever reply Zone would have made it was stayed by the opening of the door, and one of the women of the house said: “ Here’s a gentleman who says he must see you. Zone uttered a cry. Mortimer Gascon gared . in astonishment. The unexpected visitor was Evard Greville— g the owner of the (pale face that had appeared at v the library win ow of the large house near Union Park. CHAPTER XXVI. A srawon was. So sudden and systematic was the delivery of the blow which felled the Hunchback—well cal- culated, sped with all the force of hate, by an arm nerved to its a1greatest strength—that the victim was parti y stunned, completely sur- perised, a close prisoner within the passage of a w seconds. Little Carl slipped from his arms, and fell heavily. But the child madeno sound; remain- ing quietly prostrate till he should be spoken to l — or he knew that they were in trouble, readily perceived that the occupants of the house were their enemies—and he waited, listening;de fearing0 at the terrible stroke had kil his . protec r. ' In the center of the ceiling of the room which was now the Hunchback’s .rison, was a small ‘ skylight, through which a mi, uncertain glim- mer, caused by the conflagration, quivered and ,‘ broke the thick murkiness of surrounding ob- 5 Jects. I At one side was a fire-place. Thetop of this i fire-place, inside, was firmly shut With an arch i of brick; but, on that side next to the room in 9 which the maniac was co ed, there was an exit, cunningly contrived—and b this means, ' Lala had disap ared: crying outt esigniflcant l words from be ween the walls. which struck like i a knell into the ears of her enemy. i Lala emerged from the fire-place into Her- moine’s presence. The maniac was sitting upon the floor, with her head bowed, swayingtfigitly as she worked I and twisted her fingers ugh her long di- . sheveled hair. i “She does not see me.” thought the Indian : woman, as she glided, swift and noiselem, across , the apartment. _ . i Jose was on mamas. prompt in carrying . glut the plan was understood between em. . A She lanced at Hermoine—then gave owl quick, Eiud knock on the deor. “Yes. Hurry.” , ing the ladle round and round. ' With it. Captain, this is a foul liquid of poison!” 19 In another moment she was out of the room, and Jose re-locked the door. But the maniac No sooner was she gone than Hermoine started up: and while her strang‘aily brilliant eyes lighted with a peculiaé'lszper e, an unreadable expression dweltinher ' , blood-stained face, she glanced alternately to- ward the door and the fire-place; then ad- vanced to the latter on tip—toe, examining it curiously. “ That ueer woman again!” she said to her- self. “ 0 can she be? So ugly, too! Here —she came out of here. I saw her. That’s funn —the place hasn’t any hole in it—no. I won er how she did it?” She continued thus, all the while looking and fingerin about the interior of the chimney. Migue had joined his ca tain when Lala came out, haying assured ' elf that the Hunchback was safely caged. She frowned on the bulk Spaniard, as she caught Jose by the arm an half dragged him Lee to the medicine room. “ Fool! you have left my lotion to burn!” she exclaimed. “ Back with you! and stir it quick 1y, or the captain will die.” “ Cospita! he must not die i” cried Miguel, as he returned in haste to the pan. And he was just in time. Another second of neglect, and the stuff would have becn ruined. “ Smell this,” he muttered, vigorously twirl- “ I am sick “Mind your duty, there, and talk less,” snap~ ped the woman. , “ Eurgh! Can I do more than I am at?” sharp and savage. “ He is safe-safe!” said Lala to Jose, as she made the latter lie down again on the bcd. The exertion had cost him dear, for he was now too weak to reply. She saw this; and when she had fixed him comfortably, she turn- ed her attention to the steaming an. “It is done. You may leave 0 .” Miguel was glad to retire. He went to the bedside of his captain, and while he still re- garded Lala covert] , he whispered: “ Are you sure hat tiger is safe? If he should get out, he will iclaw us to pieces in a minute—” “ Cease {2311‘ gabblel” commanded Lala, who overheard ' . “ He can not talk—do you not see it? Wait till I have done with him.’ “ You are an old snarl—dragon!” growled Miguel. u Pm. ” ghPeaee it 1:121 then.” m k w e prepa a large c laster, or - tice, and soon had it applied to tile wound. ext she held a small via .neath the nose of her patient with one hand, while2 with the other, | she occasionally wet his lips with the contents of i a second vial—presently ddin Miguel' hold his hands tightly. g A perce tible effect was soon produced. The plaster ac on the wound; the inhalation and swellin threw him into a dozing, drowsy state; and gravely watched the progress of the cure. “Hist!” said Miguel “his hands are hotas coals. As I live, he will burn up !” g “ Silence! Hold tight.” glint, there are};m rkslifere,1too! The i —' isa ry; or amtrem'; and hem uirks are ing through me!” Sudden] e patient s arms con , with a jerk, an it was so unexpected that Miguel nearl let go. “ old tight. Straighten them out—rub,” or- dered Lila. He was mystified, and obeyed in silence. The fever relaxed at a rapid rate; and the In- dian woman soon nodded her head with satis- faction, as Jose seemed to fall into an easy. re- freshing sleep. She motioned him away; and they stood 0!, looking at the still form. ' use, him slumber—it works well. All is n . / ‘ How long?” uestioned the Spaniard, under his breath. q “ Not many minutes. ” “ Are you sure of that?” “ How? Am I charlatan? Hold yourtangus, or on will make trouble for yourself.” ‘ I do not like the looks of this,”penisted Miguel, dubiously. ‘ Of what? whom?” . - “ The captain. See—he is white as death.” “ He is not dead, though; nor will he die. Fear nothing.” “Look now; if he should die—by the teeth of Satan! I’ll have your life—” Cut short by a movement on the part of the; woma who made a quick step toward raising er claw-like hands, as if to scratch, uttering a sound hke the pusegrowl and spit of a cat. Being totally unprepared for such a. demon— strati ' 111m back' her I .,°Pvm$"ieid Ped. t;me his e half witha force that brought stars to mm .“ Now, be still.” she said, chuc ' “I could strangle you!” he « m it.” ube mend. 20 But Mi 6] stood too much in awe of her to attempt i “ ,” wntinued Lala; “already he wakes.” Jose’s eyelids were slightly trembling. After a brief space he sighed heavily, then opened his eyes. “ You feel better?” asked the Indian woman, looking down at him. “ Yes. Is ital] over?” “ There was nothing done. sleep. Get up now.” Jose arose. To his surprise, he found that nearly all his former strength had returned. _Miguel, in an ecstasy of delight, embraced him. “Remember,” said Lala, “ I told ou I would cure you for twenty—four hours. ow you are astron man;butbesure and return to me in time, 6 you may die at a breath.” Jose Moreno drew a knife from his breast, and felt of its keen edge. “ Miguel, you will await me here. I am off on business. “ Business, captain—and with a knife? But you should take me—” “ It cannot be so,” interrupted Jose. “I must go alone. Will you obey me i” “ Anything you say, captain. But the Hunch- back!” ‘s eyes widening at the sudden thought. “ What if he should break out? We shall be de- voured without a chanca!” “ Pah!” exclaimed the erone. a“ No danger,” Jose assured him. He left the room, left the house—moved rapid- ly along the street. ’ The course he pursued was in the direction of Union Park. “ If I can but find Carl Grand,” he muttered clenching his fists and scowling ominously, “I will square my account with him! He tried to kill me chi—tried to kill Jose Moreno, who served him well as a tool once. Better that he had drank of ison! He shall die !—die! I am resolved on i . So I’ve ot the boy in hand again? I might let Carl rand live, and yet be rich myself, if Lala can cure this ’curst wound -—no, no, no; Carl Grand shall die!” He soon reached the house. The broken door- wa afforded him an entrance. 'ning the house, he advanced with a cat-like stealth, and grasped the bright-bladed knife hard and firm by the hilt. CHAPTER XXVII. TEE DUEL AND THE DEATH. Tm: solitary occupant of the large house situ- ated near Umon Park. paced to and fro for a lon time, broodin over the occurrences of the few hours, an cursing his apparent ill-luck with voluble vehemence. Time flew by. Soon the pain in his ankles became so intense that he was obliged to throw himself upon the lounge. As he sat there the moments multiplied. The night was advancing rapidly, yet he heeded it o . 11 But, dee as were his cloudy meditations, he started w en the sound of a faint, cautious footste fell upon his ear. He istened. Some one was in the entry— thiy approached the parlor. e looked toguickly up; and what he saw was so unexpec and significant, that a! 's effort at self-control could not check the ex mation of on his lips, the thrill of uneasiness ‘ in his eart. You here!” “ Jose Moreno! The Spaniard stood in thc doorway. A smile that was devilish parted his lips, showing his white, regular, listenin teeth; a look that was strange made ' smafi, dark eyes glance with a fiery sparkle: and while he met the other’s gaze, there rushed from his tongue’s end, half-hissing, half-whis ring: I am here. an you guess what brings me I only put you to “I am no guesser—nor am I a fool! - You have no business in this house!” ' “A man’s business sometimes forces him to unpleasant planes and to un leasant duties. And I am here on business—wit you.” “ gegone, I say !” “ lowly—slowl , Carl Grand. Let me tell you something: ose oreno was once your affectionate dog—he used to do your biddin for the money and smiles of a rov on i him. He he ped you to kill 1 elson re 'le— and after the last, you thought you would kill J Moreno, to be rid of h in. Is it not so? hen I first came here to-night I told you our day of reckoning might not be far off. en you shot at me a few hours ago in the tunnel. have a bullet of yours in my shoulder! Madrel but you are generous—you have sought twice .to end my troubles in this world. by sendin me to the next. How am I to thank you enoug I” “W means this tongue-wagging? Ha! theres a e in your hand!” 1.." “a $3.5??? ii?“ “'3.” J°‘°’ d” “ upon a g n' s x n . Earl Grand (as we mfiovg 0 him) had the butt of his ever-present revolver. ut ere he could use it, Jose Moreno was on him, and knocked it from his hand beyond reac Begone ! as“ “The New Y_ork "Library. The knife circled through the air, and fairly wlIrsizzed in descent. h h 1 ft h guar ' g rom tl wit is e arm,t e deaeg aim WES tllfrsfed; then his knuckles cracked as they shot out and hit the Spaniard between the eyes. Jose staggered, but did not go down. As Grand repelled the attack of his enemy, his eye caught sight of a shining object on the carpet, near his feet, which, notwithstandin all .his recent moving to and fro, had remaine unseen till now. It was the knife that had been used by Her- cules, in our first chapter, to cut the flesh from Hermoine’s brow. With a cry, he sprung forward and gained ssession of the wea n before Jose recovered rom the blow that had been dealt him. The were now evenly matched; for we have said t t Cari Grand was no coward, and his unyielding nature made him a stem antagonist for the man who faced him, mad for ven ance, and enraged at the defeat of his first tric . “Now, then, Jose Moreno, we are armed alike!” the young man ground out between his teeth. “Come on! and we’ll see Who is the quickest on muscle. You know me well enough —know that I never turned my back to an enemy. Come on, then—come I” The speaker’s body was leaning forward, with right limb to the front, knee slightly bent, every muscle in his frame schooled to steel-like elasticity, and wea n ready. He glared defiant y at his foe, and waited for him to close. . The S aniard was calm —the only sign of the fire and rate which was consuming him visible in the snaky eyes, that were fixed, hard and glittering, on Carl Grand. Not a word more passed while they eyed each other for several seconds: during which time Jose took off his short coat and wrapped it care— full round his left arm. T on he planted himself in a ition much like that assumed by Grand; bu he was not stationar ; by a motion of the feet, that scarce disthurbe the body, he drew nearer, inch by inc . Grand clutched the knife-hilt firmer. Nearer came Jose. Suddenly, with a sna of his jaws and drawings short breath, he launc ed himself, headlong, into the duel. Carl Grand struck uick and fierce at the Slpaniard’s neck; but t ere was onl a ringing c ash of steel, a spark or two, and t en the ter- rible struggle began. In vain each tried to seize the other’s knife- hand; and, meantime, many ugly wounds were exchanged. Jose’s coat served him well. It received a number of lightning thrusts, that would have proven fatal had they reached their marks. Now forward, now backward went the two men, their bodies, arms and limbs bending cir- cling, twisting; and the knives clashed a ove their heads and about their sides and backs, in stroke or parry—anon reaching an accidental mark and wringing a curse or a groan from the lips of the unfortunate one. Presently the tripped over a chair, and fell. Satan favore Jose Moreno, for, as they went down, Carl Grand was undermost, and Jose’s knife, which was beneath him, pierced deep into his left side. ' A shriek of agony rung through the house, as that sharp point entered the Vitals of the worsted man; and the Spaniard tottered to his feet, and sunk onto the sofa, gasping for breath, and bleeding from a dozen cuts. But through all the smear of blood upon his face, there was a hideous expression of triumph. Carl Grand, his hated enemy, was dead. When he had somewhat recovered himself, he raised the red-stained corpse in his arms, and walked hastily from the room, in the direc~ tion of the cellar stairway. He knew that there was an old well in the cellar—one that was long neglected and had been boarded over years ago. He meant to consign the body to this hole. When he had descended, he searched care- fully about, feeling with his feet. In a few moments he stood upon the planks. Then a wild cry escaped him. The timber was rotten and weak, and ere he could. retreat it gave way, and he was reci ltated into the black pit in compan with is g astly burden. Another cry a ye l of terror and d smay, and Jose Moreno had perished in the very hour of his triumph. CHAPTER XXVIIL ran LAST HOUR. HERCULES regained his feet, and muttered a dire imprecation as he glared in the direction of the door. . ' The blow he had received had injured him in no way, save in climaxing the intention of his enemies, to make him risoner. “ Hurl! Hurl!” litt 6 Carl ventured to when he saw that the Hunchka was n harmed. . “ Are you hurt, boy? Rise up—there—no, you are sound.” “ I’m not hurt, but I’m frightened,” said the -., I Vol. I. “No matter; while I am with you you are safe enough—unless they starve us to death. They dare not come in here where I am.” “And where are we? What is this dark place?” “ We are trapped, child,” adding half aloud: “Ma the infernal fires burn that hag! Why , was so blind? why did I not stop to reckon my } duarégerl'? Did you see who struck me?” the last 1 ‘ar “ Yes—it was the same wicked man who car- ried me off to-ni ht, when they came to Lu’s house, and had a ght—” “ They were Jose Moreno and the wretch Mi- el!” broke in Hercules. Then he hung his ead in thought. “ Perdition! I am can ht indeed! Lala will have my life because I killed the Quadroon wife of her child; while I—I would sacrifice m eyes, if I could get rid of the bloody vision tha has haunted me ever since I -—but, there, there! I will not torture myself for it is no use. Those Spaniards! They would kill me because they fear me. How will they do it? Some wa . And this poor boy! Why should he die? s there no escape?” As he questioned himself, he glanced about; but there was no hope in what he saw. The dcor was of stout timber—the lock ar- ranged so that he could not at at it. The win- dows Were barred heavil ; t e sk light was far beyond reach of his an the room Was bare of everything that co d assist him. He be an pacing the narrow limit of his pri- son, wit qurck, long strides; grinding his teeth together, cursirgg his enemies, and snarling like an an anim in its cramped cage. Car retired to a corner, and sat down upon the floor. He watched this strange man, with ' his large, blue eyes opened wide, and silent in a , sort of awe. Pretty soon there was a rap on the panel, and a mu h voice shouted: “ 0, there, Hunchback! how is it now—eh?” It was Miguel. After Jose’s departure, he ,; andtthe crone went to the door to tantalize their ' ca ive. he Spaniard being well assured that there was no danger to be apprehended, grew very bold, and he ra ped spite ully with his knuckles, as he called. ercules was enra ed. “ Begone from there, you do I’ he cried back. “Dog yourself!” retorted iguel, “for on are m as with hydro hobia, and only ogs have it! I fancy I see he froth at vour lips! hoi—and the green in your eyes! Your long teeth are ready to bite the first you can! Hear! You are the dog! What do you think of your- self, crookback? Do fyou know me? It is I, Miguel, who cast you rom the roof in New 01-- leans, tried to break your bones! I laugh at ou— ’ ‘ Begone, I say!” growled the prisoner, sav- agely. “ You are a coward!” The crone was grinning. She saw that her . companion was torturing the Hunchback with his boastful language. “ Oho! a coward! ’ ursued Miguel. “You shall see. am commg in there to fight ou. I shall bring a stick, and kill you!” “ vavould that I could catch you once y the throat-” “ But if I come I shall beat your brains out! , 41:? what‘s that? Lala, did you hear?” 1 Both distinctl ‘heard the shiver and crash of fallin glass wit in the room. “ e skylight!” she whispered, anxiously. “ No—the Javelin of the devil!” exclaimed Miguel. “He has thrown it in, that the Hunch- back may have a weapon to defend himself! Next thing, he will take him in his arms, and bring him out here! Hark !—somebody is talk- in to him. Let us run!” hi e would have fled at once, but Lala detained m. “ There is some one on the roof ” she said. h“I,.’et them stay there, then! ’m of! out of t is! “No; you mustgoup with me to see who it t, “I? You are a fool! Wherefore should I burn myself with trouble, when—now, then! Cospita !—look!” He pointed to the ladder lead- ing to the trap-door, which Opened on the roof. Lala wheeled quickly—then uttered a cry. Mi e1, with a snorting shout, rushed back into e medicine-room. I That which startled them was the figure of a woman. The woman was Lu. She was half- way down the ladder before they discovered her. Her glance was menacing, as she slowly continued to descend; and in one hand she car- is blood of Lala’s dog. They knew eac other; and, although there was no prevrous cause for enmit between them, the now were faced, by force 0 circumstances, as eadly foes. Jack Willis and the negress from their . tion at the stair window, h’ad seen all iii. When Jose Moreno delivered that telling I blow which :Iliockfiii8 Herculeiformréd inlto the Iroom stand as prison, 'uc noon“ restrain herself. ried the thick barrel-stave, still wet with the , _._ ___ —_~._4~_..__..~_-_ .._..~_- __.-._._~§ ' -._._-—._.-.~'—-—~4w , __ i e... .. No. 5. Her dark visage was doubly dark in its fierce scowling expression; and while she muttere something unintelligible to the detective, she laid hold upon the sash to raise it, and would have dashed in to the rescue. But, again he ke t her back. “ Now, just waz‘ I” he expostulated. “ Darn it alll-can’t ou see that, if we pitch in on such unds, we get our heads chawed ofi'? Why ere’s a couple of big men—and, I’ll bet, that old woman can fight hke a tom-cat! Wait!” “I don’t fear them!” hissed Lu. “That may be so—neither do I. But, what’s the use of running risks? We may get that fel- low out without havin any fuss at_all.” “ How?” She look closely at him. “ Easy enough. Unless these houses have been altered within a few years, I know that each one has got a skylight. I was here when they built this row.” “ And you mean—” . “ To pull him through the skyhght, for its right over the room where they’ve got him locked in.” “Goodi—if it is so?” “Sol—of course it is sol’l “How to t up, now?” “With a adder.” “ Ha! yes—the ladder.” She understood, and, without further talk, the turned to where the ladder was leaning. I? was ,a lon time ere they accomplished the half of their 0 ject; and Jose Moreno had left the house, on his errand of hate and murder, be fore they succeeded in placing the ladder against the eaves of the higher roof. Jack was first to ascend. When he reached the top he uttered an explamatmn of satisfac- tion. There was the skyhght. He stepped over to it at once. . . Lu did not imitate him. She had discovered the trap leadin to the interior of the house, and in her fear ess nature, she resolved to enter. Willis mashed a pane of glass, and called, ardedly: “Hello, down there?” . _ . “ Well?” was the answer inquiry. “I’m oin to get on out. ’ “ Yougarega friend?” o“ Of course I am—” ' “ Go for help, then,” interrupted the pris- oner. “No use in that; I’ll get you up through here.” 21‘ I must t er wa . I.) “That’znonsense—” _ “ Do as I say, if you are a friend. Make haste. Mortimer Gascon is at No. —, — street, and he will wonder at my lbng absence.” “ The man’s half lunatic!” thought Willis. “Mortimer Gascon—who’s he? 0h, yesl—Bro- ther-in-law to old Nelson GreVille. I knew him well. Yes, I knew him.” I He returned to the ladder, and rapidly made his way to the ground—entirely forgetting Lu for the moment, and not noticing that she had out through the door. I’ll go no Rignm'ng out at the alley, he collided with a figure that stood near the steps, like a dark statue. - “ Out of the road, you 'ackass!” he ted, recovering his breath, wit a gasp; bu be ex- claimed immediately: . ,. “Why, hellol—Grevflle!” “That you, Jack Willis?” H Y$_me_” “Why did you fail to meet me at the saloon?” . “ No time now to answer questions!” inter- rupted the detective. “We’re in for a grand row! This house is full .of tom-cats and repro- bates! Jose Moreno, Miguel—” “ Jose Moreno, you say i” u Yes- ” d “ Then I was ri ht. I was ' here, an saw the rufi‘lan cofne out. _I tmghg he looked like one of the men who tried to assassmate me in New Orleans.” “Yes, yes, es; but there’s no time to waste. You’ll find Mortimer Gascon at o.—-, — street. Maybe h needs you right away. lg urry yourself. I’mo !” hands are full. darted across the street to halt two men who were hurrying past, intending to enhst their services in the liberation of the Hunchback. Evard Greville—the true Evard vafile— was not a little mystified by the detective’s ex— citement. But he caught and understood the mention of Mortimer Gascon, and, fearing that his uncle was in danger, h started, at a swift pace, to find the house Jack illis had named. CHAPTER XXIX. rim cum. THE negress and the Indian woman lured at each other vziiltlh all the ferocious ha of rival beasts dis u a re . “ Whatde goupwznt here?” demanded the crime." _ n “ The man who is mttlhat mg. m” “ There’s nobod in ere. o “ You lie, you {vitch !—Hercules, the Hunch- b‘ck is a risoner in there. Let him_out.” “ I shall1 not!” snapped she, perceiving that attempted falsehood was useless. “ But you will!” The V jFire-Fiends; or,_Hercules, r Hunchback. 21 “Try me, and see!” defied Lala, her eyes flashing, while she crouched to receive the leap ‘, she saw her enemy was about to make. . At that juncture, Miguel appeared at the ‘ door of the medicine room. n one hand he held the heav iron ladle, and he held this to- ward her, whi e he cried: “ Here!—take this, Lala, and beat her in pieces! I can’t stop, or I would help you de- vour her! Kill her before she can pray! must be 017‘.” He dashed toward the stairway. intent upon escaping; for he lainly saw that Lala was hardly a match for the muscular ne- he had felt her prowess, and dared not to ace her in combat: more, he saw that Hercules must soon be at liberty; and to be in the house, with the Hunchback free, was to be in the very jaws of death. But the Spaniard was not to get off. ! At one 8 ring Lu left the ladder, and landed directly in his path. Miguel’s hand was upon his revolver in an in- , stunt, for he divined her purpose. Ere he could use the weapon the barrel-stave whizzed above his head, and descended with terrific force. He tried to dodge—in vain; and uttering a tremulous groan, he sunk down insensible. ‘ But the negress was soon bus . Lala rushed upon her and, with artful preCision, dealt her a b ow with the massive ladle. Lu staggered: and before she could return the blow, the Indian woman had gra pled with her—biting, stratching, tearing—fig ting with limb, tooth and nail, and striving to fasten her decayed snatgs in the throat of her antagonist. With the ury of a mad wolf, the suppleness of a snake—now yelping, now hissing, now spitting and snapping like a monstrous cat, she I sorely pressed Lu to ieir utmost resistance. 1 But we have already seen the nerve, the en- ‘ durance, the uncon uerable nature of the ne- ! gress, in an unequa combat with two strong ! men; and when she recovered from the first shock, she, too uttered a yell, and bent her muscles to the fierce struggle. Drop ing the stave, s e doubled one fist, while 3 e wound an arm round the crone’s neck, and forced her chin up—then, like ahammer, fell the fist, and Lala slirieked with pain. Trippin over the prostrate form of Miguel, they roll down the stairs, continuing the ght on the landing—then went tumbling, doubling, screaming, ouging down to the lower hall. Lu shook erselfl ., and bounded back up the stairway—just as Willis, with two men at his heels, entered by the front door. “ Hold that witch l” cried she to the detective. But Lala had breathed her last. As they fell down the steps, her head had caught between the uprights of the banister, twisting her neck nearly in two, and she was dead ere the new- comers reached her. As Lu made toward the door of the room where Hercules was confined, Mi el recovered. He leaped to his feet, and struc her with his fist, from behind -—a blow that brought her to her knees. But her hand was upon the key, and ere he could force her to loosen her grasp, she had wrenched it round in the lock. He saw that all.was lost—escape by the stairs‘ was impossible, as he heard the tramp' of those who were ascending. ‘ Half-snorting, half-crying, in terror, at his I hopeless situation, he fled precipitater to the ! medicine-room, meaning to jump from the 1 window. . ‘ But his cry turned to a Wild, despairing shriek- for there was a roaring voice rung out behind him, and the form of the Hunchback shot through the air, squarely onto his shoulders. The fittest coward will fi ht when death stares ' in the face; and 'guel struggled des rately. ut as well attempt to sta by hand a heavy fiy-wheel as to resist the erculean embrace which closed around him. ' He fired one barrel of his revolver fairly into the face of Hercules, but the bullet missed the mzzk for which it was intended—and hit an- ot r. Hermoine had discovered the opening in the fire- place, and came through, ust at the critical moment. The bullet whistl past the ear of the Hunchback, crossed the hall, entered the room op ite, and struck the manure in the center 0 the forehead. Without a groan she fell dead. Hercules was a demon in.every lineament as he felt his hated enemy s uirmmg in his hold. In less time than we . _e to te 1 it, he threw Miguel to the floor. Twmmg his fin rs in the hair of the doomed man, he bum his head with all the savage_strength he could command. The Spaniard’s Vision began to blur—he howl- eld‘in on. Butthegripthatwaskillinghim s ck no . Thudl thud! thud! struck the head. Blood poured from the ears. the nose. the mouth; there was :lgasping, tremulous moan, and Miguel was past aid. Then a pistol cracked. Hercules uttered a quick ,cry, and tottered to his feet. In the doorway of the adjoining room stood ' dian boy. the burnt and blistered figure of Trix, the In- He held the fatal weapon with.its smokingomuzzle half lowered, and his eyes seemed burn as he cried: " Murderer of Rose-Lip—die I” The dwarf sprung at him. He did not bud . Again the pistol blazed forth its deadly conten - then those arms of iron, with muscles of stee and giant strength, grasped and raised the b0 on high! One moment’s poise, and he was hur - I , ed across the room, to the opposite wall, with a force that seemed to crunch the bones in his y. It was the last act of a dyin man. Both shots delivered by the boy had §0und a vital 5 0t; and the unchback sunk down, with g aasy e es rolled up in their sockets. Jack illis and his assistants bounded in, in time to witness the last act of the tableau. Lu came in, carrying little Car] in her arms; 1 but ere she could realize how matters stood, , Hercules was no more. A strange, awful silence settled where had so ‘ recently reigned the sounds of deadly strife; and while the negress looked down on the last one who had rished, a single tear, great and hot, trickled own her cheek—and this, and the quivering lip, told how deep! she felt the loss at a companion whose frien ship was dear to er. The tragedy of our romance is over. When Evard Greville entered the room where Zone and Mortimer Gascon were, he was recgfi- ) . nized at once by them; and Zone exclaim ; half to herself: “ It is true, then! Edward Greville did escape the assassin‘s knife! It was his face I saw at Gascon held a hand out to the comer. In a morlnent the young man was embracing his unc e. We will not impose a useless dialogue on the patience of the reader at this late hour in our stor . Let it suffice tosay that there were long exp ations asked and made between uncle and nephew—mostly bearing on the substance of Zone s narrative. It was near morning, when Jack Willis, re- membering the number of the house, given him by Hercules, guided Lu to the locality. The negress carried Carl in her arms: Willis carried his carpet-bag, which he had recoveer from behind the parlor curtains of Inla’s home. Zone saw a roll of MS. in the detective’s hand, i the library window!” ‘ and it was tied with a black ribbon, sealed with a black seal. In another second that which, was. to restore her inheritance was in her pas-i sesswn. “ Where is Hercules?” inquired Mortimer Gascon. For a while no one spoke. Then Lu answered, sadl : t t ’5 “ Dead !” The word was repeated in a whk- per. “Yes,” said Jack: “he’s lgone upl—that is, he’s defunct. 80’s that fem 9 piece of imposi- tion who called herself ‘ Hermoine Greville.’ You see, Mr. Mortimer Gascon, I used to livein Chicago; and I was here when this adventuress came to personate Miss Heimoine. I knew she was a fraud; for the true child used to hive a dark, hairy mole on her left arm below the elbbw, when she was a child. 1 saw it! and this impostor didn’t, because she were short sleeves on severial occasions, and l was unlucky enough to notice it! Mind, I say unlucky. For, before I could do any thin toward exposing her, she found out that ’d found her out, and she hired two rascals to drown me out on the lake. They came prett near doing it, too! But I got off, and went to ew Orleans ——scared thy near to death! I became a de- tective. hile plying my profession there, I met your ne hew. He to d me what he’d been through, an what he wanted to do. I wanted some satisfaction myself in the same direction: and sowe came to Chica o. I was on theth of a house-thief, nam Miguel at the time; and to-ni ht I saw him here. But our friend, the crook ck, kindly saved me some trouble by thum ' the fellow’s brains out! And there s one of the remarkable sketches of my life. We’re all here, aren’t we? Now, I guem every thin will soon be all right.” “ ow did you come by this?” asked Zone indicatin the MS. “ Delia Rivers had it.” “Faun it on the stair-landing, at the house where we’ve just had a muss,” was all the ex- planation he could give. (The mania' c lad, With a quick motion, depos- ited the valuable papers up in one corner of the stair-landing, when she was following Jose, Moreno and the crone to the second story of the latter’s house; and the roll had remained there unseen. until the keen glanceof the detective had discovered it. . Ifthereismqmteaddlet the readeru'ucise his or her imagination. . We have finished our work—and woven an; other item into the events of that memorable " night, when Chicago sunk in ruins under the scourge of fire. m IND. Beadle &' Adams’ Standard Dime Publications. Speakers. 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The d of Esopus. .3 313. TheRed Bro harhood 23. Winifred Winthrop. i314. Rival Lieutenants. 24. The Trail Hunters. 7 316. Hurricane Bill. 25. The Peon Prince. I 317. Tigp , the Texan. 80. Put. Pomfret’sWard. m2. Oi 31. Double Hero. ,323. The Bee ing Draw 32. Irona. 1 Wfions. 33. Maum Guinea. 20c. : 324. -o’-the-Wisp. 34. Ruth Ma erie. Dashing Dick. 35. East and est. .326. Old Crossfire 36. The Riflemen of the 1327. Ben Bramble. Miami. 328. The Brigand Captain 88. The Wrong Man. 329. Old Strategy. 89. The Land Claim. 330. Gray Hair, the Chief. 40. Union‘s Daufilgterfllc 331. The Prairie Tigers. 42. The Kiriig‘s n. 332. The Rival Hunters. 44. Agnes alkland. 333. The Texan Scout. 46. Wreck of the Albion. 334. Zebra Zack. 47. Tim Bumble’s Charge 335. The Masked Messen- 51. The Two Guards. ger. 53. Hates and Lows. 336. Mo an, the Pirate. 54. Mmle. 337. The car Sply. 56. A 0’s Plot. 338. Tahle, he railer. 60. J o Daviess’ Client. 339. The Boy Chief. 61. Laughing Eyes. 840. Tim, the Trailer. 62. The nknown. 341. Red Ax. 68. The Indian Princess. 342. Stell%the S y. 64. Ran rsof Mohawk. 343. The bite venger. 65. The recker’s Prize. 344. The Indian King. 68. The B ntine. 345. The Long Trail. 69. Black ollow. 346. Kir the Guide. 70. The Indian eon. 347. The antom Trail. 72. The Moose unter. 348. The A che Guide. 73. The Silver Bugle. '349. The ad Miner. 77. gluindaro. 350. Keen Eye, the Ranger 84. e Seminole Chief. 351. Blue Belt, Guide. 85. The Fu itives. 352. On the Trail. 87. On the Dee . 353. The Specter S y. 88. Captain Mo y. 354. Old Bald H . 90. Cast Away. 855. Red Knife Chief. 93. The Creole Sisters. 356. gill: Cone, Trapper. 96. Little Moccasin. 357. 6 Bear Hunter. 98. Ruth Harland. 358. Bashful Bill S . 101. Maid of Wyoming. 359. The White orig. 102. Hearts Forever. 300. Cortina, Scourge. 104. Guilt or Not Guilty 361. The Squaw Spy. 106. Simpie Phil. 862. Scout of ’76. 110. The idden Home. 363. S nishJsck. 113. Rattlepate. 364. asked Spy. 114. Ned Starling. 365. Kirke, Ren ads. 115. The Sons 0 Liberty 366. Dingle, the tlaw. 116. Port a Last. 367. The Green Ranger. 117. The Mohegan Maihen 368. Montbars, Scourge. 118. The Water Wait. 369. Metamora. 119. The Five Cham ions. 370. Thornpath, Trailer. 121. Vailed Belief was 871. Foul-weather Jack. 1233. The Missin Bride. 372. The Black Rider. 124. Sumter's cuts. 373. The Helpless Hand. 1%. The Hunted Life. 374. The Lake 127. Bald Eagle. 375. Alone on the 128. The Gulch Miners. 376. Phantom Horseman. 129. Blackeyes. 377. Winona. 132. Old Honesty. 378. Silent Shot, Sis or. 135. The Cherokee Chief. 379. The Phantom hip. 189. The Border Foes. 380. The Red Rider. 149. The Sagamore I" 381. The Grizzlfigunters. o. 382. The Mad er. 154. Rob Ruskin. 383. The Specter ipper. 159. Snowbird. 384. The Red Co ote. 165. The Unseen Hand. 385. The Hunch k. 176. The Trader 8 y 3&1. The Black Wizard. 207. Buffalo 387. The Mad Horseman. 215. The White Hem t .888. ThePrivateer’sBride 219. The Scioto Scouts. 389. The Jaguar Queen. 224. The Mohave Captive. 390. Shadow Jack. 227. The orest Princess. 391. Eagle Plume. a The Mute Chief. 392. The Ocean Outlaw. The Prairie Queen. 393. M Slayer. 294. The Forest Specter. 394. The Phantom Foe. $9. Old Zip. 395. The Blue Anchor. 242. Graybeard. 896. Red-Skin‘s Pledge. 248. The Black Princess. 397. The Suadroon py. 244. Keetsea. 398. The lack Rover. 246. The White Apache. 399. Red-Belt, the Tusca- 250. The Border Renegade rora. $6. Antslo Abe. 400. The Two Trails. $8. The to Brave 401. The Ice Fiend. $3. ThoBorderHuntmss 402. heRedPrincs. $4. Mountain Kate. 403. The First Trail. $9. Ruby Roland. 404. Sheet-Anchor Tour. 283. The Lone Chief. 405. Old Avoirdupfl. %. fie Young S y. 406. ghiteogladiator. . 0 oon uts. 40?. us" ppsr. U. my 408. but 409. The Fire-Ester. 429. Ethan Allen‘s“. 410. Blackhawk. 43). Little Thunder 411. The Lost Ship. 431. The Falcon Rov 412. Black Arrow. 438. Honest , 413. White Se ent. 483. The Stone Chief. 414. The Lost ptain. 434. The Gold Demon.| 415. The Twin Trailers. 435. Eutawan the SW- 416. Death’s-head Ran- 436. Guide. ger. The Conspiratora 417. Captain of Captains. . Swrftwin . 418. Warrior Princess. 439. Caribou p. 419. The Blue Band. 440. The Privateer. 420. The uaw Chief. 441. The Black 421. The ying Scout. 442. The Doom Rm 4 422. Sonora Ben. 443. Burden, the 423. The Sea ' . 444. The Gray Scalp. 424. Mountain G1 455. The Peddler Spy. 425. Death Trailer. 446. The White Canoe. 426. The Crested Ser- 447. E hPeters. nt. 448. T 6 Two Hunters. 427. Arkansas Kit. 449. The Traitor S . 428. The Corsair Prince. Others in THE momma]; om]: POCKET NOVEIlQ~ Comprisi the best works on of the most po living wri rs in the field 0 American romanel Each issue a com ete novel, with inuminated cosz rivaling in eflect e‘popular chrome. 1. Hawkéeze Harry. 73. The Skeleton Scout. 2. Dead 0t. 74. Little Rifle. 4. Blue Dick. 75 The Wood Witch. 5 Nat Wolfe. 76 Old RumtheTr-a 6 The White . Scarlet Sho 7 The Outlaw’s Wife. 78. The Border Rifleniu 8 The Tall Trapper. 79 outlaw Jack. 9 Lightning Jo. lger Tail, the Scan! 10 The Island Pirate. nole. 12 TheBfiyfigsr. 81 Dealer, thv Bess e per wnee Scourge. 13. The Fromm py 82. Kenton, the Ra . 14. Long Shot. ' The Specter era 1 15. Gunmaker of Border. man. i 16. Red Hand. 84. The Three Trapglefa 17. Ben the Tra r. V 85. Kaleolah, the m‘ 18. Wild Raven, finger. son. 19. The gator Chi . 86. The Hunteer 20. The ar—Killer. 87. Phil Hunter, the 21. Wild Nat. Sla or. 22. Indian Jo, the Guide. 88. The dian Scorn. 23. Old Kent, the Ranger. 89. The Girl Ave . 24. The One-Eyed Trap- 90. TheRed Herm ten. per. 91. Star-Face, the Slam 25. Godbold, the Spy. 92. The Antelope Boy. 3 Shin P... .3 . ng e e. om e 28. Indian Jhn. 95. The Red Wizard. , 29. The Scout. 96. The Rival Tra 30. Eagle Eye. 97. The w 8 31. The Mystic Canoe. 98. Dusky ick. 32. The Golden Harpoon. 99. Colonel Crockett. 33. The Scalp King. 100. Old Bear Paw. s seer .. R... 13' we... _ e . . . . . 36. The Boyt’Pioneer. 103. The Indian w 37. Carson, the Guide. 1%: Scarred Eagle. 88. The HeartrEater. 1 Nick DEE-e. 39. Wetzel, the Scout. 106. The In Spy. 40. The flu Hunter. 107. Jo Dean. 4;. {Vim Na theTrspper $11119 , . -ca . . e [3‘ fl, fitht’e Outlaw. gills: tbepggougnn . eDog'I‘railer. . e exas '. 45. The Elk . 112. The Crosse'd‘lgiv. 46. Adrian, the lot. 113. Tiger M 47. The Man-hunter. 114. TheMasked-Aveut 49. Moccasin Bill. 115. The iPirstea 50. The Wolf Queen. :16. anther. .. 51. Tom Hawk, the Trail- 117. A oi, the A 7 er. 118. Cato the Crag 52. rhe Mad Chief 119. Two-Handed 53. The Black Wolf 1530. Mad Trail Hunter: 54. Arkansas Jack. 121. Nick. 55. Blackbeard. lfl. B -y g. ghe £3111; Rifles. 1% e S r m / 58. Cloudwood 1%. The Girl Ca %. M Texasmligwks. ankee . e . . versprr. 41. "ad Anthony’sScouts 12s uattsr Did. “‘4. w ouckless per 129. eChildSpy. e m... s“- s- W... 64 The pper. . . , 65. Wolf-Ca . 132. CLvde, the Traiia. so. ck. 133. Lost Cache. 67. S e. 84. e Cannibal 68. Iron- d. in. 69. The Yellow Hunter. 18 Scarlet Moccasin. 70. The tom . 137. Kidnamd. 71. Delaware Tour. 138. The d of b 73. Silver 6. Mountain. SONG BOOKS. man's Dirt: 80mb Nos. 1 to the only molar coilsction copyrk’ it?“ found 11 market. —— mscnnmnous nun new Puckst' Joke Book. i WM— 1. BEABLE’S HALF-DIME LIBRARY. Every one or them “Live” Stories by “ Live” Authors. Each number a Complete Novel, at the extraordinary price Ora HALF-DIME. Deadwood Dick, Tn Panto: or ran ROAD. By Edward I). Wheeler. 2 Yellowstone J k: or, TEE TEAM-Ea ormENonANTsD mm. J.E.Bad er,Jr. Kansas Kin ; or, THE RED IGET HAND. B Bungle Bill (Hon. Wm. F. Cody). The Wild-Horse Hunters. By Capt. Mayne Reid and Ca t. Frederick Whittaker. 5 Vagabond Joe; E]: YOUNG WANDEE- ntG Jaw. By Oil Coomes. 6 Bill Biddon, Tra er; or, Lm TN Tus Noarn'wu'r. By ward 8. Ellis. 7 The Flying Yankee; or, TE: OcsAN Carcas'r. y COL Prentiss lngraham. 8 Seth Jones; or, Tm: CAPTIV‘II or m From By Edward S. Ellis. 9 The Adventures of Baron Mun- chausen. 10 Nat Todd; or, TEE FAT: or Tn SIOUX Cm By Edward 8. Ellis. 1 1 The Two Detectives; or, TEE FoaTUNrs orABowaaY Gm. A.W. Aiken. 1 Gulliver‘s Travels. A Voyage to Lilli ut, snda Voyage to Brobdin . 1 The IJumb Spy. By 011 mes, author of “ Vagabond Joe." etc. 14 Aladdin; or, TEE WONDmu-UL Lap 15 The Sea-Cat; or TEE Wn-cn or DAmsN. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 1 Robinson Crusoe. mflifil Lifet1 am; S risin Adventures, nan-a ans, 1 7 Ballgh y, The oy Bucca- neer. By Col. Prentiss Ingram, 1 Sindbad the Sailor. His seven voy- ages. From the Arabian Nights. 19 The Phantom Sp : or, THE PILOT or m Puma. By unalo Bill. 20 The Double Daggers; or DEAD- . wOOD DlCl'S Dar-LANCE. ByELWheeler, 21 Frontier Angel. A Romance of Kentucky Rangers' Life. By E. 8. Ellis. 2 The Sea Serpent; or TEE Boy Romsos Causes. By COL juan Lewis. 23 Nick 0’ the Nash : or, Tin BOY SP! or ’76. B '1‘. . Harbaugh. 24 Diamond D k; or, TEE MYSTERY or m YawasTONa. By CoL 1mm 25 The Boy Ca tain; or, TEE PmATa’s DAUGnTaa. yRoger Starbuck. 26 Clowgsd [13%. lthe Demon. By Edw ee er. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. By 011 Coomes. 28 Buflalo Ben; or. DEADWOOD Dxcx 1N Dreams: B EdwardLWheeler. 29 The Dumb Py e; on, TEE DOGI’S DAUGnTsa. B a t. F. Whittaker. 30 Roaring Rafph ckwood, TED RDCKLESS RANGm By Harry St. George. 31 Keen-Knife, TEE Pachs or Tn Pinata. Oll monies. 3 Bob Woogthe Border Human; or, Tn: GraL DEAD-Saar. E. LWheeler. 33 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, TEE RED PlaATrs ormCAamsnm. S. W. Pierce. 3 Oregon Sol; or, Nxcx WEIrrLas’ BOY SPY. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 3 Wild Ivan, THE BOY CLAUDE DUYAL; By Edward L. Wheeler. 36 The Boy Clown; or, THE QUEEN or m ANENA. B Frank S. Finn. 37 The Hidden Lodge; or, THE erru HUN-ma or run onmNDAcn. Harbaugh. 38 Ned Wylde, TEE BOY SCOUT. By Texas Jack. 39 Death-Pace, the Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler. 40 Roving Ben. A story of a Young American. By John J. Marshall. 41 Lasso Jack, THE YOUNG MUSTANG- sa. B 01] Coomes. 42 The Phantom Miner; or, DEAD- woon Drcx's BONANzA. By Ed. LWheeler. Dick D” . the Pony Express Rider. By apt. F. Whittaker. 44 3““ Rube; or, THE NIGHT- EAWKB 0! ENTchY. B Ha St. George. 45 01'! Avmche. the rent An- m‘tor- BY Edward L.Wheeler. 46 G13!” 379’ the Great Shot ofthe West. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 47 Ni htingale Nat; on, Tm; Fons-r (59mm. By T. C. Hal-b. h, 48 Black John. the Re -Agent. By Joe. E. Badger. Jr. 49 Omaha Oil; or. DEADWOcD Dtcx m DANGn By Edward L Wheeler. 50 Burt Bunker, THE TNArrEE. A Tale of the Northwest. By C. E. Lasalle. 51 The Bog Rifles; or, THE UNDER.- GEOUND . By Archie 0. Iron. 52 The White Bufl'alo. A Tale 01 Strange Adventure. Charles E. Lasalle. 53 Jim Bludsoe. J r., THE BOY PEENIx; crimsoan To m DEATH. E. LWheeler. 54 Ned Hazel, THE BOY TRAPPIB; or, mPaAmu Famous. ByJ. F. 0. Adams. 5 5 Deadly-Bye, TEE UNKNOWN SCOUT; By Buffalo Bill. 56 Nick Whifles’ Pet; or, IN THE VALLEY or Durs. Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 57 Deadwood Dick's Ba les; or, Tu PAnDs or FLoOD BAD. E. Wheeler. 58 The Border King; or, THE SECRET For. By 011 Coomes. 59 Old Hickory, or, PANDY ELLxs’s SCALr. By E St. George. 60 The White In ian; or, TEE SCOUT or Tin Yumws'mn. By J. F. C. Adams. 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, THE RED RIFLE Tux. By Edward L. Wheeler. 62 The Shadow Shi ; or, TEE RWAL LIEUTENANTs. By Co Prentiss Ingraham. 63 The Red Brotherhood; or, TEE Twnvs AVENGERS. By W. J. Hamilton. 6 Dan Jack; or, TEE OUTLAW or m NEGON TRAIL. By T. C. Harbaugh. 65 Hurricane Bill; or, MUSTANG SAM AND we “PAND.” By Joe. E. Badger, Jr. 66 Single Hand; or, A LIFE son A LIFE. By W. J. Hamilton. 67 Patent-Leather Joe; or, OLD RAT- TLsaNAs Tn Canaan. By P. S.Warne. 68 The 80 er Robin Hood; or, TEE Plums Rom By Bunalo Bill. 69 Gold Rifle; or, THE BOY DETECTIVE or Tin: BLACK RANGE. By E. L. Wheeler. 70 Old Zip’s Cabin; or, THE GREEN- noaN IN THE WOODs. By J. F. 0. Adams. 71 Delaware Dick; THE YOUNG RAN- Gnn SrY. By 011 Coomes. 72 Mad Tom Western, TBI Tam RANGra. By W. J. Hamilton. 73 Deadwood Dick on Deck. By aid?" I“ “Eta, T... Y w -e e . OUNG 74 TurnayRAnGla. By 011 Coomes. 7 5 The Bog Duelist; or, TEE Cams: or Tin n Wou. By COL P. Ingraham. 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. By Albert W. Aiken. 77 Corduroy Charlie; or, TED LAsT ACT or DEADwoon Dion. By E. LWheeler. 7 8 Blue Dick; or, TH]: YELLOW Cnmr’s VINGIANCI. By Captain Mayne Reid. 7 9 Sol Gin er, TEE GIANT Turns. By Albert . Aiken. 80 Rosebud Rob; or, NUGGET Nan, m KNTGET or m Gums. By E. L. Wheeler. 81 %n% Jo, TEE TERROR or Tin , y Captain J. F. 0. Adams. 82 mt Huefoot. TEE WOOD-HAWK; or, OLD Powona-FAUE. By T. C. Barbs h. 8 Rollo. the Boy 1-; or, H] Ramses olmGOLDKN Hoax. 011 Coomes. 84 Id 1, the Girl Miner; or RosanD 1%.. ON HAND. By Equd L. Wheeler. 8 5 Buck Buchanan; on, Bus, THE FE- uALa TRAPPED. B Cs t. J. F. C. Adams. HE-. 86 Dand Rock. [AN-FROM-TEX- As. {v G. Waldo BrOWne. 8 7 The Land Pirates; on, THE LEAGUE or DmL‘s IsLAND. By Cent. Ma. e Reid. 88 Photograph Phil: on. OSEBUD Ron‘s mrrunncg. By Ed. L. Wheeler. Island Jim; on. I‘HE PET or THE 9. FAMILY. By author of “Jack Harkaway." 90 The Dread Rider; on. THE TEXAN DUELrsT. By Geo e W. Browne, 91 The Ca tain o the Club. By me age Hemyng, (Jack Harkaway.) 92 Canada Chet; 01', OLD ANAOONDA 1N SITTING BULL's Cm. By E. LWheeler, 93 The Boy Miners; or, TEE ENCEANTED Isuzu). By Edward S. Ellis. 94 Midnight Jack, Tm: ROAD-AGENT. By T. C. Hartman _ 9 5 The Rival Rovers. By Lieutenant Col. Hazeltine. 96 Watch . E 9. TH! Drum By Edward L eeler. 7 The Outlaw Brothers; or, TE: 9 CAm ormmlu’ls. By J. J.Marsha.ll. 98 Robin Hood. Tn OUTLAWID EAEL. By Prof. Stewart Gildersleeve. 99 Tame: M B! W 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. J angEdeaurdeazhaeelis: New York. 1 0 1 By Bracebri Heymyug. 10 Dick Digestgo-l (5,3551: BOY SMOO- GLEN. y . n Ingraham. The Lion ofthe Sea. By Col. Delle Sara. 10 4 Deadwood Dick’s Device. By Edward L. Wheeler. 105 Old Rube, THE HUN-ran; or, Tin Caow CAPTWI. By Ca t. H. Holmes. Old Frosty, the uide. By T. C. Harbauizh. One-Eyed Sim; or, Tn: ABAN- DONE!) Foam Hons. B J. L. Bowen. Daring Dag, THE OUNG BEAN Knua. B a St. George. Deadwood Dic as Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler. 1 The Black Steed of the Prai- ries. By James L. Bowen. 1 1 The Sea-Devil; or, THE Mmsmr— IAN’s LEGAUY. By COL P. lugraham. 1 The Mad Hunter; or, TEE CAVI. or DEATa. By BurtonSaxe. 1 1 3 Jack Hoyle, THE YOUNG SPECU- 1 1 “Ton. By Edward L. Wheeler. The Black Schooner. BY Roars STAasucx. k 1 1 5 The Mad Miner. BY GEOEGs WALDO BROWNI. 1 The Hussar Captain. BY COL. PaaNTIss INGaAnAu. 1 1 7 Gilt-Ed ged Dick, THE SPORT-DI- TEc'rlvE. By Edward L. Wheeler. 1 1 8 Will Somers, THE BOY DETEC- TIVE. By Charles Morris. 1 1 9 Mustang Sam; or, THE KING or TEE Puma. B Joe. E. Badger, Jr. The Branded and; or,TEE MAs or MYs'rEaY. By Frank Dumont. Cinnamon Chi , THE GIRL SPOET. By Edward L. eeler. 12 Phil Hard , The Boss Boy. By Charles orrls. 1 2 3 Kiowa Charleg. THE WHITE MUs» TANGsa. B T. . Harbaugh. 124 Tigpy, the exan; or, THE YOUNG WION. By Geo. Gleason. 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner; or, Tun Faun: FORGED. By Ed. L. Wheeler. Picayune Pete; on, NICODEMUS, ran '00 DETECTIVE. By Chas. Morris. 12 Wild-Fire. THE Boss or ran ROAD. By Frank Dumont. * 1 2 The Young Privateer; on, THE PtaAm‘ STRDNGBOLD. H. Cavendish. Deadwood Dick’s Double. A Story of Wild-Cat City. E. L. Wheeler. Detective Dick; or, Tn: HERO 1N RAGs. By Charles Morris. The Golden Hand; or. DANDY Recs To run Rssccs. G. W. Browne. 13 The Hunted Hunter; or, Tns STRANGE Hoasnux. By Ed. 8. Ellis. Boss Bob, THE KING or Tns BOOTELAcxs. By Edward L. Wheeler. 1 Sure Shot Seth, THE BOY Rm MAN. By Oil Coomes. 1 3 5 Captain Paul, TEE Moossnma or KENTUCKY. B C. D. Clark. 1 Night-Hawk Kart ; or, THE DAUGH- m or Tun: RANOEI. J. E. , Jr. The Helpless Hand; or, AC:- woons RE'mIDUTION. Capt. Mayne Reid. 1 Blonde Bill; or, DEADWOOD Drcx’s Hons BAsE. By Edward L. Wheeler. % Z 9 J“%§°m1‘”%§’€8 ‘nii‘LJfSE. Boy Blue Blazes; OR, THE BREAK 0' DAY BOYs. By Frank Dumont. 1 Solid Sam: OR. THE BOY Oumw' By Edward L. Wheeler. 1 Handsome Harry, TED Boo-n. macs Dnscnvs. By Chas. Mon-ls. A new issue every week. The Half-Dime Library is for sale all Newsdealers. flve cents per co Mr an by 0. recei t or six cents each. D a ADA“ Pub hers, % William Street. New York. For. BALI BY BEAnLE’s LIBRARY. 32 Large Three-Column Pages. 1. A Hard Crowd : 0R, GENTLEEAN XAH’s SISTER. By Philip S. Warne. 2. The Dare-Devil; OR, THE WINCED firms or THE SEA. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 3. Kit Carson, J r., THE CRACK SHOT OF THE WEST. By Buckskin Sam. 4. The Kidnapper; OR, THE GREAT SHANGHAI or T'IE NORTHWEST. By Philip S. Warne. 5. The Fire-Fiend“ UR, HERCULES, THE HUNcnnACK. By A. P. Morris. 6. Wildcat Bob, THE Boss BRUISER ; OR, THE BORDER BmODHOUNDs. By Edward L. Whee- ler, author of “ Deadwood Dick." “ Double Daggers.“ 7. Death-Notch, THE DESTROYER; OR, THE SPIRIT LAKE AVENGERs. By 011 Coomes. 8. The Headless Horseman. A strange story of Texas. By Capt: Mayne Reid. 9. Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover. 10. Vidocq, THE FRENCH POLICE SPY. Written by himself. 1 1. Midshipman Easy. ryat. 12. The Death-Shot; 0R, TRACKED TO DEATH. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 13. Pathawa ; 0R, NICK WHIFFLES, THE ‘OLD TRAPrER or THE inson. By Capt. Mar- 14. Thagerdanegea. THE SCOURGE ; on. THE WAR- AGLE or THE MOHAWKs. By Ned Bunt- ine. author of “ The White Wizard." 15. The Tiger-Slayer; 0R, EAGLE- : HEAD To THE REECUE. By Gustave Aimard. , 16. The White Wizard; OR, THE (mm 1 PROPHET or THE SEEINOLEs. By Ned Buntline. 17. Nightshade. THE ROBBER PRINCE or HOUNsLow HEATH. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. 7 18. The Sea Bandit; OR, THE QUEEN I on THE Inn. By Ned Buntline. I 19. Red Cedar, THE PRAIRIE OUTLAW. By Gustave Aimard. 20. The Bandit at Bay; OR, THE PI- . RATES or THE PRAIRIEs. By Gustave Aimard. : 21. The Trapper’s Dau hter; 0R, THEOUTLAw’s FATE. By Gustave A mard. 22. Whitelaw; OR, NATTIE on THE LAKE SHORE. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. 23. The Red Warrior: 0R, STELLA‘ DEIoRIIE‘s COHANCHE LOVER. By Ned Buntline. ‘ i 24. Prairie Flower. By Gustave Ai- ’ mard, author of “Tiger-Slayer." etc. ; 25. The Gold-Guide; OR, STEEL ARM, THE REGULATOR. By Francis Johnson. i 26. The Death-Track; OR, THE OUT- ? LAws or THE MOUNTAIN. By Francis Johnson. 27. The Spotter-Detective: OR. THE GIRLs or NEW ORK. By Albert W. Aiken. 28. Three-Pingored Jack, THE ROAD- AGENT or THE RoCKIEs- on, THE BOY MINER or H LUCK. By Joseph E. Bhdger. Jr. A“ 29. Tiger Dick. THE FARO KING; or, THE CAsHIER’s CB1“. By Philip S. Warne 30. Gospel Geor : or. FIERY FRED, THE OUTLAW. By Josep E. Badger. Jr. 31. The New York ‘Sha :’ OR, THE l FLAsH or LIGHTNING. By Albert W. iken. i 32. B’hoys of Yale: OR, THE SCRAPEs OI'A HARD SET or COLLEGIANs. By John D. Vose. k33. Overland Hit. By Albert W. en. 34. Rocky Mountain Rob. bert W. Aiken. 35. Hentnck. the Sport. By Albert W. Aiken. Ai BY Al- 36. Injun Dick. By Albert W. Aiken. 87. Hirl, the Hunchback: 03. TB! | l l ORTHWEsT. By Dr. J. H. Rob- i ! SWOEDIIAEER or THE SANTEE. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. 38. Velvet Hand; on, THE IRON GRIP or INJUN DICK. By Albert W. Aiken. 39. The Russian Spy; OR. THE BROTH- ERs or THE STARRY CRoss. By Frederick Whittaker. 40. The LonguHaired ‘Pards;' OR, THE TARTARs on THE INs. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 41. Gold Dan; OR, THE WHITE SAVAGE or THE GREAT SALT LAKE. By Albert W. Aiken. 42. The California Detective : OR, THE WITCHEs or NEW YORK. By Albert W. Aiken. 43. Dakota Dan, THE RECKLESS RANGER; or. THE BEE~HUNTERs‘ EXCURSION. By 011 Coomes. 44. Old Dan Rackback. THE GREAT ExTAREINATOR; or, THE TRIANGLE’s LAsT TRAIL. By 011 Coomes. 45. Old Bull’s Eye, THE LIGHTNING SHOT OE THE PLAINS. By Joseph E. Badger. JR. 46. Bowie-Knife Ben, THE LITTLE HUNTER or THE NOR‘-WEsT. By 01] Coomes. 47. Pacific Pete, THE PRINCE or THE REVOLVER. By Jos. E. Badger. Jr. 48. Idaho Tom, THE YOUNG OUTLAW or SILVERLAND. By 011 Coomes. ~49. The Wolf Demon: or, THE QUEEN or THE KANAWIIA. By Albert W. Aiken. KIT CARsON, JR—No. 8. 50. Jack Rabbit, THE PRAIRIE SPORT; or, THE CHILDREN or THE LLANO ESTACADO. By Joe. E. Badger. Jr. 51. Red Rob, THE BOY ROAD-AGENT. By 011 Coomes. 52. Death Trailer, THE CHIEF or Scams; or, Life and Leve in a. Frontier Fort. By Hon. Wm. F. Cody. (Buffalo Bill.) 53. Silver sum; or, THE MYSTERY or Deadwoon Cm. By Col. Delle Sara. 54. Always on Hand: or. THE SPORTIVE SPORT or THE FOOT HILLs. B Philip S. Warne author of “A Hard Crowd." “Pa nt Leather Joe.’ 55. The Scalp Hunters. AROMANCE on THE PLAms. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 56. The Indian Mas? a: or, THE MAD MAN or THE PLAINs. By 1 rt W. Aiken, 5'7. The Silent Hunter: or, THE SCOWL HALL MYsTERY. By Percy B. St. John. 58. Silver Knife; or. WICKLIEEE, THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN RANGER. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. 59. The Man From Texas; or, TI-IE OUTLAW or ARKANsAS. By Albert W. Aiken. 60. Wide Awake: 01‘. THE IDIOT OF THE BLACK HILLs. By Frank Dumont. 61. Ca tain Seawaif. THE PRIVATEER. By Ned Bun line. Each Number Complete. Price 10 cts. 62. Loyal Heart; or, THE TRAPPERS or ARKANsAs. By Gustave Aimard. 63. The Winged Whale. W. Aiken. 64. Double-S ht, the Death Shot. By Joseph E. Badger, r. - 65. The Red Rajah; or, THE SCOURGE or THE INDIEs. By Captain Frederick Whittaker. 66. The Specter Barque. A TALE or THE PACIFIC. By Captain Mayne Reid. 67. The Boy Jockey; or, HONESTY VERSUS CROOHEDNEss. By Joseph E. Badger. Jr. 68. The Fighting Tra per; or, KIT CARSON To THE RESCUE. By Cap . J. F. 0. Adams 69. The Irish Ca tain: A TALE or FONTENOY. By Captain Fr erick Whittaker. - 70. Hydrabad. Tan STRANGLER; or, ALETHE, THE CHILD or THE CORD. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. 71. Captain Cool-Blade, or, THE MAN SHARE or THE MISSISSIPPI. By Joe. E. Badger. Jr. 72. The Phantom Hand. A STORY or if: YORK HEARTHs AND Hours. By Albert W. en. 73. The Knight of the Red Cross: or. THE MAGICIAN or GRANADA. A Tale of the Al- hambra. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. 74. Captain of the Rifles. A ROMANC'. or THE MExICAN VALLEY. By Captain Mayne Reid. '75. Gentleman George, or, PARLOR, PRIsON, STAGE AND STREET. By Albert W. Aiken. 76. The Queen’s Husketeer, or, THIsEE, THE PRINCEss PALHIsT. By George Albony. 77. The Fresh of Frisco. or, THE HEIREss 0E BUENAVENTURA. By Albert W. Aiken. 78. The Mysterious Spy; or, GOLDEN FEATHER, THE BUCCANEER's DAUGHTER. By A. M. Gralnger. 79. Joe Phenix, THE POLICE SPY. 33 Albert W. Aiken. 80. A Man of Nerve: or, CALIEAN. TEE DWAHr. By Philip S. Warne. 81. The Human Tiger: or, A HEART or FIRE. By Albert W. Aiken. 82. Iron Wrist. the Swordmaster. By Col. Thomas H. Monster-y. 83. Gold Bullet Sport; or, THE KNIGHTs or THE OVERLAND. By Buffalo Bill. 84. Hunted Down; or, THE WHITE WrrcH. By AlbertW. Aiken. 85. The Cretan Rover; or, ZULEIEAH, THE BEAUTIFUL. By Col. Prentice Ingraham 86. The Big Hunter; or, THE QUEEN or THE WOODs. By the author of “ Silent Hunter." 87. The Scarlet Ca tain; or, THE PRIsONER or THE TOWER. By 1. Delle Sara. 88. Big Geor e. THE GIANT or THE Gown: or. THE FIVE UTLAW BROTHEEs. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 89. The Pirate Prince: or, PRETTY NELLY, THE QUEEN or THE 1813. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 90. Wild Will, THE MAD RANCEERO; or. THE TERRIBLE TEXAN. By Buckskin Sam. 91. The Winning Oar; or, THE INN- EEErER's DAUGHTER. By Albert W. Aiken. Ready April 7th. 92. Bufi‘alo Bill. THE BUCKSKIN KING; or THE AMAZON or THE WEsT. B Ma’o D ~ iledBurr. Ready April 21st. y ‘ r anger 93. Captain Dick Talbot. KING or By Albert . THE ROAD; or, THE BLACK-H0008 or Bruin-A. By Albert W. Aiken. Ready May 5th. A new issue every two weeks. Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale an Newsdeaiers, ten cents per copy or sent by m on new of twelve cents each. BEADLE at Anna, Pub hers. 98 William Street. New York.