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ENTERED A! m: Post OFFICE AT NEW YORK. N. Y. A? SECOND CLASS MAIL RATES.

  pubmhod 3y.” QBeadZe é fldams. 9311 bl I'Rhel's, Tags? ; 33,, N 0. 4

Wodnflm- 98 WILLIAM STREET. N. Y., May 18. 1887.

 

 

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The Secret of  Secret Seven.

A Wlld Tale of a Nevada Mine.

 

BY CAPT. HOWARD HOLMES,
AUTHOR OF “ FLASH DAN,” “ DENVER [)L’KE "
“(‘OOL CONRAD," “KEEN KENNARD.‘ “MA-l

” JOR‘BLISTER.” “CAPTAIN COLDHRIP," . A
‘ LUCIFER LYNx,“ no, no. i In
N_ Iii r e r i,
I I ’1 i '1 .
CHAPTER I. We mile
THE VERY MAN. .,

“IT lacks five minutes of three. Our man
isn‘t here yet.” ‘

“Give him the full time, mlonel.“

“I am Willing to (in it. I‘ll give him an hm"-
if he proves to be the man We want."

“ [ e‘s the very man."

The clooks of San Francisco were about tn
strike three one sunny afternoun, and the vari-
ous banks were ready tn close their doors for the
dav. . ~

In thodirevtors’ private room of «me sat three / — ' - \e {I ,' 71* N ~  -
WOMAN-awed and Wxxl—hxiking HIP!) of liiiddiu ' ‘ ’ I ' L “4' H
age. and it was from two of them that the words
Just rm-nrded came.

“THE MAN I-‘nmi ‘rmse‘n is MY ui‘mr.“ (‘RIED Tm: SLEI'TH my i’L‘ZZi.E BAH,
Tn Tm: ('R()\\i), “AND \‘(il' (ANNUT HAVE um Nuw.’

 

 

 

In excellent Circle near the‘

:2 ' ‘ Volcano, the ’Frisco Spy. [7 ,

 

 

 

Colonel Butler Bolt was one of the best known
men of ’Frisco, and was at the head of the most
firorEinent banking-house there, the Gold Eagle

an .

A few people did not like him because there
was a rumor that in earlier life he had been a
tough and desperado amon the gold mines; but
now he had the manners o a well-bred gentle—
man, and in all ’Frisco there was no man more
liberal than he. Children he had none: he lived
alone with a young ward in an elegant house,
and everybody knew that some day Lura Bolt
would be the richest woman in California.

Colonel Bolt’s companions in the directors’
room on the day of which we write were men of
his own age, which was near fifty.

One of the pair was a heav set man, with
closeoropped gray whiskers an a cold, almost
expressionless, e e. He was known as Gideon
Gait, or Gray Gid in some parts, and it took no
scrutin to tell that he had been sport and cool
head his life.

The third man was the very opposite of the
others.

While Colonel Bolt and Gideon Galt had ood
physi ues, almost gigantic, he was slim an al-
most eshless, with a sallow face and a mild eye;
in short, he looked like a person who had dro -

ed in to look after a little balance in the Goin

a le Bank.

obody would have taken this person for a
Mormon. yet he belonged to “ the Snints,” and
Colonel Bolt and Gray Gid knew that, as Mor—
mon Mort, he was well known in several places
outside of Salt Lake City.

Such were the three who waited in the Gold
Eagle Bank for some one who had promised to
come at three o’clock.

“ The hour is here,” remarked the banker
glancing at his watch a ain.

The hour of three h arrived and the person,
whoever he was, had not ke t his ap intment.

Beyond the sumptuously urnishe room the
cashier was placing the last books in the ponder-
ous time-lock safe, and another person was shut-
tirfi the front doors of the bank.

A 1 at once a man appeared on the step.

“ Too late, sir,” said the man at the door.
“Bank has closed for the day.”

“I don’t want any of your cash,“ was the an-
swer. “ I think Colonel Bolt is waiting for m
in his private office.” r

The young teller threw a look at the cashier
who happened to meet his look at that moment.
“ That is the gentleman expected, Toby; let

‘ him in.”

The next moment the door closed behind the
stranger, who smiled at the cashier as he passed
his Window on his way to the directors‘ room,
which was straight ahead.

“ Ah! here he is!” exclaimed Galt as the
stran man entered and removed his hat.
“ Colonel Bolt, let me present volcano Van, the
man whom I have recommended for the import-
ant mission.”

Colonel Bolt received the man with undisa

' Eiised oondiality, and as their hands touched

eir eyes met.

“If this is the man I gladly welcome him!”
said the banker. “ it down, sir. But you
haven’t met our friend here.” And the banker
waved his hand toward the Mormon, who was
looking at the caller with a great deal of inter-

“to

“ Ahl this is my Utah friend." exclaimed
Volcano Van, reaching his hand ac the table
and closing on the Mormon’s lon fingers.

“ You have met before, I see,’ remarked Colo-
nel Bolt. I

“Once or twice,” answered Van, a faintsmile
stealiu from beneath the handsome black mus-
tache t at hid his mouth.

The Mormon neither confirmed nor denied the
assertion, and Volcano released his hand and
dro into a chair.

e expected visitor was the oungest man in
the group. He was not over hirty; his figure
was physical perfection, his face strikingly
handsome, his eyes black and full of animation.
His hair was profuse and so 10 that it touched
his broad shoulders and half}? to give him the
air of mountain and lain w ch he carried.

It was not difllcu t to see that this Volcano

V , Van was no city sport, although his clothes did

not sug est a wild life outside.

No y in looking at him ashe was dressed
that day could separate him from the moun-
tains, the gold-camps and the sport’s domain be-
yond the _ved avenues of ’an0. He was an

la in rrowed plumage, and the plumage
di not become him, either.

He had come to the conference indorsed by
Gideon Gait, and when Colonel Bolt had looked
him over from head to foot he was ready to say
that Gray Girl had made no mistake.

After the introduction the ’Frisro bunker
opened a drawer in the table and took out a
ma of Nevada and its gold-camps. . ‘

H’s spread it on the cloth and looked at Gideon
G l

I. t. ~

“ Shall I explain?” he asked.

“ I rather you would, colonel. I guess you’ve
got the whole thing at your tongue’s end.

orge ahead.”
produced a blue

Cdlonel Bolt ncil and made

tah line. The

 

, lower rim of the circle touched the thirty~ninth
‘ parallel.

“ Now to the story,” he went on, drop ing

one finger into the circle as he looked at 01-
cano.
“ W'ithin this circle we want a battle fought.
You may know, and you perhaps do from the
little Mr. Gait has told me about you, that I
have drawn my line around Puzzle Bar, 9. moun-
tain camp inhabited lay a lot of the coolest fel-
lows ahove—ground. ell. There is supposed
to be near Puzzle Bar a secret mine own and
worked by a stock company known as the. So-
cret Seven. This company is all-powerful, not
only at the Bar, but through a great scope of
country roundabout. It allows no one to ill-
trench upon its territory; it has in its employ
a pack of sleepless spies, headed by a man who,
as a watch-dog, has no equal in this country,
big: as it is.”

olonel Bolt paused as if to note the effect
of his words on Volcano, and appeared to be
astonished at the imperturbable countenance.
The man was listening calmly, and did not
seem anxious to hear the conclusion of the nar-
rative.

“We know all this because the company’s
watch-dogs have been tested,” resumed the
banker. “ “'e know that Old Owlet, the
head of this pack, (loserves all the raise that
has been heaped upon him. is under-
lings are no fools. \Ve have the best of reasons
for wanting to discover the secret mine. We
want to get a diagram of its interior, and its
exact location. I will say this: that the mine
worked and guarded by the Secret Seven be-
longs to a person who has been infamously de-
frauded—that before entire 'ustice can bedone a
crime of enormous inugnitu 6 must be punished.
At the head of the company is a man called
Rough Romeo. lie sometimes comes to ’Frisco,
but always under guard. Whenever he comes,
Old Owlet, or some of his satellites, glide at his
heels. His lieutenants are Nevada Nat and
Gold Grip. I can name the entire seven, but
that is not necessary here. The man whom we
send thither will meet them all in time.

“ Now, Volcano, I have said enough to indi-
cate that you have been called here for a certain

urp0se. We are the lea ue against the Secret

ven,” and Colonel Bo t waved his hand to-
ward his two companions across the table.
“ We want an active audfearless agent, a
man capable of coping with Old Owlet
and his Nevada watch-hounds, and with
Rough Romeo and his six so—called ‘invinci-
bles.’ We expect this agent to go alone to the
bonanza country; but 9 shall not fight the
whole battle single-handed. then he goes he
carries his life in his hands; the chances are all
against him. We sent two men into the country,
but they never came back to re rt. There are
in the vaults of the Gold Eng e Bank twenty
thousand dollars to the man who places on this
table the secrets of the Seven within six months.
We do not send our agent out with the dangers
underrated. We want him tounderstand every-
thing before he starts. He will be
the moment he enters the territory; the sus-
picious eyes of Old Owlet will be upon him day
and night; he will always have a human ferret
at his eels. To be su ted there means more
than espionage; it signi esdeathi But, the man
who goes thither in our em 10%, goes to right a

t wrong.’ As he wor e discovers, bit

y bit, a st that demands the wipi out of
the band Seven and their spiss. I vs no
more to‘sa , Volcano. You come to us by Mr.
Galt’s inv tation, and are vouched for by him.
You understand that the offer is made to you—
tsvzenty, thousand dollars for the secrets of the

ve ' r

Th:’Frisco banker leaned back in his chair,
and looked into the stranger’s face. Above the
dark mustache the eyes seemed ‘to get a sudden
twinkle, nothing more. '

Gideon Galt and Mormon Mort did not ak.

“ When must the start be made if” asked an,
breaking the silence.

“ At once.”

The man leaned over the table and studied the
map fora moment as if mentally calculating
' route and distance.

“ I can pfiooto-morrow,” he at last spoke.

Colonel it uttered an exclamation of y.

“Then you are ourman. Mr. Galt d we
could depend on you—”

“Never mind what MrrGalt said,” inter-
ruptede .“Iwanttoknow if I start soon
eno h if I leave ‘Frisco tomorrow?”

“ es. I want to see you in private before
you go: some final instructions,” and he glanced
at Grav Grid and the Mormon. “ Give me your
hand, olcanoi Therewillibe no failure this
time; there will be a report. You were born to
give us victory. Now, we have a match for the
rou ha and toughs of Puzzle Bar 1”

“ think we had better adjourn," remarked
Gait. “We’ve got our man now. ”

“I feel victo in my handl” and Mormon
Mort actually sin led.

Five minutes later Volcano Van walked down
the street alone.

“Into the jaws of death 1” he exolaimed.
“Into the very mouth of hell. for whim—twen-
ty thousand dollars! No! for more than that!”

 

 

CHAPTER II.
A LYING nonnon. ~

WHEN Colonel Bolt of the Gold Eagle Bank
saw Volcano walk from the directois’ room, he
was confident that the right man had been
found at last.

He had laid all the dangers of the enterprise
before him, and he had not quailed.

It is true that he wondered what manner of

rson this could be who would deliberately risk

is life for twenty thousand dollars, a sum not
considered large in the then flush days of ’Frisco.

Could it be that Volcano had some hidden
motive for embarking in the enterprise? Could
he be going into it from a mere love of adven-
ture, from the excitement and the risks the
work would entail? Was be such a money-lover
that twenty thousand dollais could rush him
into the jaws of death with hardly one chance in
his favor?

Questions of this nature puzzled the ’Frisco
bankter not a little after he had dismissed the
spor .

The banker had appointed a meetin with the
new agent at his house that night. ‘he s )l't
had accepted this invitation, and eight o’c ock
that ewnmg found Bolt waiting for his man.

The ’Frisco banker carried his love of luxury
and a display of wealth into his home. His
mansion was one of the finest structures occu-
pied by the California nabobs, and, asalready
itated, he inhabited it with a ward named

ura.

The (private library was on the second floor,
and a cor led from it upona porch from which
as the house crowned a gentle rise, a view could
be had of city and bay.

Colonel Bolt had another similar room on the
first floor, but .when be entertained private visi-
tors or held important conferences, it was al-
ways in the room next to the porch, at that time
covered with a luxuriant crop of vines.

It was half-past eight’ before Volcano Van
rung the bell.

T e banker heard the signal and turned to the
door with a pleasant smile.

_“A little late, but 1 can afford to forgive
him,” he murmured, and then waited till the
opening door ushered in the splendid figure of
the agt nt sport.

“ Ah! I see; in new plumage!” exclaimed the
banker at sight of Volcano who stood before
Lilli; ll; 2d suit fltgzd for his jtgurney, and in which

e no . more ian ever a le to co wi
banded Seven of Nevada. pe th the
. The genteel garments suited to San Francisco
life had gl_Ven place to a dark sombrero, a.
mountain Jacket and close-flttin pantaloons
stuffed into the tops of apair of big boots. His
waist was encirc ed by a belt, at each side of
which appeared the butt of a revolver.

“I’m in my old feathers once more!” was
Ehfi sport’s rgsppnse 1:0 Bb<:)lt’s salutation. “A
e ow never eeswe in rrowed lumes.
least I don’t, colonel.” p At

“ I never did,” was the rep] , and the banker
went on, never thinking that his words had im-
plifd tlhlat thereblci’id b‘elen ks. (lilay when he was
no a riscona . ‘ iet cold the
dress best.” , Datum

“ Then you’ve felt the ease of it, eh!” smiled
Volcano.

The ’Frisco banker made no reply; he had

(taught himself; had be advanced a Step too
or
“ Your presence here tells me that on hav
chan our mind,” he resumed. y an“;
“ 0th ng has hap ned to make me change.”
“ I am glad of tha . I want to tell ou again
that I believe you are the man we’ve u look-

ing for, but I don’t want yo to rush blindfolded
into this scheme. I want _ ou to go to Puzzle
Bar with e es and ears open. A while agoI
prepared a ist of all the inhabitants of the Bar
or of all who were citizens three months ago:
There may have been a few changes, but they
are unimportant ones. The names are all on
this paper.” ‘

Van took the list from the banker’s hand and
begin; at the top.

0 many names were on the a er
than thirty, and as they were plginrly ,wlll'ifieulllolll‘:
soon Ngot to the end.

“ ot a woman among them?” he asked.

“ Not one.“ It is an Eveless Eden,” smilqd co]-
onel Bolt. 1 am inclined to think that several
of the tigers have a soft side for the fair sex,
Rough Romeo himself, and Nevada Nat for in-
stance, but Puzzle Bar has no queen for them to
dispute over.”

‘ Then I will not fall into a tra baited with
black eyes,” laughed Volcano. “ at what kind
of‘a .rson is the last one on the list?”

‘. hi .I thought the name would attract on.
Caliban is the genius of Puzzle Bar. His as
much of a creature in his way as is Old Owletof
the Sleepless Eye. Caliban is a dwarf, so ludk
crousl misshapen that a show would have a for-
tune ' it possessed him alone. He ma beAmer-
man, he may have a dozen national ties mixed
u in him: no one knows. You want to make
friends with Caliban if you can, but you want
to go slow, for the fellow is suspicious, shrewd
an a mystery.” ,

“I’ll remember,” remarked Van, glancing

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I

: Volcano, “’Frisco Spy. A _ 3

 

 

“ I’ll be on the lookout

Remember him, too!”
forgotten the sleep-
ar!” exclaimed the

once more at the name.
for Caliban.”

“ And for Old Owlet.

“Just as if I have alread
less Cerberus of Puzzle
s ort. “ No, colonel; [am not likely to forget
the man against whom I have been pitted."

The ’Frisco banker smiled his satisfaction and
turned to the desk at his left hand. Unlocking
a small d00r he took out a dark-brown envelope
sealed with red wax and held it in his hand as if
we] hing it. .

“ our final instructions I have written out
and sealed.” he went on. “ You are not to open
this until you are within five miles of Puzzle Bar.
I want you to go into the fight doubly armed, and
these instructions will thus equip you.”

He laid the packet on the desk instead of
handing it to Volcano and continued:

“I am glad that Galt selected you, but I have
a curiosity to know where he found you.”

The agent-sport started slightly, but the banker
did not perceive it.

“ I have met Gideon before to-day,” and he
smiled as he answarcd.

“ Outside of ’F‘riseo, I presume?”

“ Yes.”

“ And Mormon Mort?
you came to the bank?”

“I have also seen him before.”

“In Utah?” asked Colonel Bolt, eagerly.

“ In various places.”

The next moment the ’Frisoo banker leaned
forward and lowered his voice:

“ I don’t want to be inquisitive concerning my

rtners, Volcano,” he Went on, “ but I would

ike to know—” _

He stopped abrugtly and threw a furtive
glance toward the cor that opened upon the
vine-covered rch.

“ I would ii 9 to know a little something about
Mormon Mort,” he resumed. “As you know
him and as you are about to quit ’Frisco for a
II, have you any objections to telling me some-
t 'n about him?’

“ aybe I don‘t know very much,” was the
reply.

‘I am sure you know enough to enlighten me.
In the first place, is he really Mormon?"

“ So far as I know, Mormon to the core.”

Bolt looked disappointed.

“In the next p ace, how many wives has the
fellow at Salt Lake" _

“ How many does he confess to?” asked Van.

“ To none. He says that he has no wife at
present. Is that true?” _

A smile wreathed Volcano Van’s lips; a
spar 19 came to his deep black eyes.

“ ou must not believe all you hear, colonel,”
he answered in a light vein.

Color seemed to leave the ’Frisco banker’s
cheeks.

“ Then the fellow has—lied l" he cried shut-
ting his hand that rested on the desk.

‘ He has prevaricated just a little ” assured
the rt. “ My friend, Mormon art, is a
slick ellow, who is always on the lookout for
number one.”

‘ “ How many wives has he?” persisted the
banker. .

“Three, but all are not in Salt Lake.”

4‘ Ah!”

“ One is now in ’Frisco.”

Colonel Bolt started forward.

“ By Jupiter! I want you to show me where
she is!” he exclaimed.

‘ “ I don’t think I could find her now.”

“ When did you see her!”

“ A little while after the interview at the
bank.”

“Does he know she is here?”

“ I rather think not.” .

“You may think all these questions strange,
but the time may come when they will not ap-
pear so.”

The next moment, and before Volcano could

You knew him when

make repl , a piercin cry rung through the
house, an Colonel Bo t left his chair With a
name on his li

“ Lural That is Lura’s voice! My God!
what has ha nod to the child?”

Without dding Van to follow he rushed

from the room.

“ Lura?_ That is the very person I’ve longed
to see!" ejaculated the sport, and he followed
Colonel Bolt.

scarcely had the agent-sport left the room.

when the door leading upon the‘ porch opened,
revealln the head and shoulders of a man, the
face hi tothe chin by a closoflttin black
cloth mask. Behind the mask sparkl a i:-
of eyes that glitteer like. a serpent’s. filthy
seemed to take in everything at a glance, and
the first object that attracted them was the

envelope on the desk, which the banker

sealed
- and Volcano Van in their hurried rush to

Lura’s rescue had left behind them.
In an instant the masked man had seized the

ket but singular] enough in its place he
' i333 package exactlyylike it eten to t e seals!

Then the masked intruder withdrew.

“ We’ll see whose game this is!” were the
Words muttered as the door let the robber out,
and amoment later‘the mandroppodtothe
ground.

 

“ A weasel is never can ht asleep l” he laughed,
moving ofl'. “ Now, co onel, send your man
into the death-traps of Puzzle Bar!”

 

CHAPTER III.
corn) AT PUZZLE BAR.

“ WHAT’S the matter with Caliban? He won’t
lay anything, but sulks like a displeased wolf.
Itried him twenty wa s awhile a o. \Ve don’t
want sulkers hyer. won’t have
’eml”

“ Whar is the hunchback?”

“ At his shanty. Let ’im be. Mebbe he’ll git
over it afore mornin’. I’ll give ’im till then.”

“No; I’ll try ’im now.”

The last speaker left the stool he was occupy-
ing and moved toward the cabin door.

He was a giant fellow, in coarse shirt and
pantaloons, and with a pair of big sparkling
black eyes above his raven beard. Nevada N at
was one of the “chiefs” of Puzzle Bar, but the
man who had complained of Caliban was still
greater than he.

It was Rough Romeo. or, “King” Romeo. as
he was sometimes called, a large, fine-looking
individual of forty-five, with features a little
dark for an American, but not unhandsome.

The two men when standing together, looked
like twin giants, Ajax and Ifector transported
to the mountains of Nevada.

“ You don’t want to r’ile Caliban any more
than he is at present.” warned Romeo, as Nat
paused at the door. " Hunchback though he is,
you know we need him at the Bar.”

Nlevada nodded and answered with a slight
smi c.

He was crouched in one corner of his cabin
like a. sulky dog when I left him. But for one
or two things, hang me, if I wouldn’t have given
him a touch of my boot.”

“ We can’t aflord to do that.”

“ Confound it, no,” growled Romeo.

“ Well, I’ll try him,” laughed Nat, as he left
the room.

“ Thar’s somethin’ that could be done with
the pest if it wasn’t for a certain person,” mut-
tered Romeo as he threw his feet uponthe table
and leaned back in the only chair in the shanty.
“ But we can’t afford to cross thatother person.
Thar’s the rub. We can’t afford to offend the
man who is life and safet to-us at Puzzle Bar.
No! I guess Caliban will ave to have his own
way, though if I could haVe my sa , he’d emi-
grate to other quarte mighty uic .”

Meantime Nevada Nat was c caring the dis-
tance between the two cabins with rapid strides.

“ To-morrow is the day for the annual settle-
ment, an’ mebbe Caliban is sulking for a pur-
pose,” his thoughts ran. “ He su had just a
ittle a year ago tonight, and when induced
Romeo to allow him an extra nu ge _ he soon
got over his pet. I think he is pla ng the same
game over.”

It did not take the citizen of Puzzle Bar long
to reach his destination, a cabin much like the
one he had left.

He rapped lightly on the door and heard a

y Jove!

voice between a growl and a welcome invite him.

inside, and Nevada entered.

The cabin had but a single occupant, a little
bit of humanity, humpbacked and otherwise
deformed. The head was unusually large and
the face was not handsome. The arms were
longklike an ape’s, and the fingers could touch
the nees when thegapossessor stood erect.

This person was iban, the dwarf of Puzzle
Bar, and the person of whom Colonel Bolt had
spoken to Volcano Van.

The dwarf’s eyes at first seemed to retreat
deeper into his end at sifght of Nat, but in a
moment they arkled as i with pleasure.

“ Not so su ky after all,” thought the giant,
seeing the change. ,

“Sit downhlzevada,” began Caliban. “Did

you see Kifig meo awhile ago?”
Nevada at was equal to the emergency.
“ No. Why?”

“ He was here—just left,” continued the
dwarf. “He didn’t find me in very good humor,
and I was mean enough to remain the same
while he stayed. y

“ But you re in a better mood now!”

“A little better,” answered Caliban, and the
smile that accompanied the words sh0wed that
the dwarf’s mout was enormous and out of pro-
portion even to his lar e head. “ You see, when
a gentleman is in love, evada, he lives between
hoge and despair about half the time.”

evada could not suppress the laugh that bub-
bled to his lips.

The idea that Caliban was in love was, to him,
the hight of humor.

The dwarf did not scowl as the mountain rt
gave vent to his surprise. He even seemegci)o to
enjoy the laugh, for his eyes got a pleasant
sparkle.

“I am going to speak in all seriousness, Ne-
vada,” continued Caliban. “ Whan Kin Ro-
meo was here I was undera cloud, but ’m in
the sunshine again.”

“ In other words the object of your love has
noticed you, ha. ha.”

“ Not that, but I’ve got rid of the cloud,” was
the reply, and then the dwarf leaned toward No-
vada and clutched his sleeve.

 

 

“ You don’t want to proclaim my love affair
thro bout the camp,” he went on.

“ course not if you want secrecy. But who
is the fair one who has insnared you, Caliban?”
b Tfie dwarf. dropped the sport’s arm and drew

ac .

"I didn’t think you’d have to ask that ques-
tion, Nevada!” he exclaimed, giving the big sport
a look of astonishment.

" Not when the world is full of retty women i”

“ There is but one in the wor d!” cried Cali-

11.

“Ho! then—”

“ Yes, 1 have found herl
tonight.”

“. 0t Madge?”

Caliban uttered a cry. "

“ Isn’t she the only woman in Puzzle Bar?” he
exclaimed. “ She is to me the only beautiful
creature in existence. I’ve heard the boys talk
about the women they have seen in ’Frisco, Den-
ver and the gold-cam s. but what are they com-
pared to Madge? ave you ever seen a more
dazzling creature, Nevada?”

The handsome sport could not reply seriously,
for the smile that carried away the astonish-
ment until then visible on his face. ,

“Mad e certainly is a beautiful girl,” he re-
plied. ‘ I admire your judgment—”

“ I knew you would. No man can condemn
it, and none can say that I have not given my
first love to the most beautiful creature under
the stars.”

“ But, what does Madge say, Caliban? It takes
two to play the game of hearts successfully you
know.”

“ Oh, I’ve never said an hing to Mad
about my passion,” answe the hunchbac .
“ But she will not resist a person who lives for
her all the time. Why, she dare not do it, Nee
vada!” and Caliban’s eyes got a flash that was
pomtively dangerous.

“I’m not one 0’ these fellows who‘ love for a
time just to fill in,” he continued, the mad li ht
suddenly fadin from his eyes. “ pa on
increases with t e days; it grows as Iylive. a
Madge is the recipient of the love of a lifetime.
Don’t you think I will win in this game of hearts
as you call it, Nevada?”

‘ If no one beats you ” ventured the .

Caliban almost tumbled off the stool be cc.
cupied. The words, the an ion. came like
a thunderbolt from a clear s y.

He tried to answer Nevada, but could not.
His face had wn dark, almost black with
passion, and he ooked like a yperson choking.

“ You—don't—mean that ’ he managed to
articulate at last. “ I cannot be beaten! The
man who outwits Caliban in a love affair, will
wish that he had never seen the sun!”

“ Ho!” laughed Nevada. “ That is no way to
play the game boo; 7,love. I see it is your first

cam ign, Cali .

“ n mylast one!” cried the dwarf. “Do
you want me to repeat my words!”

“ It isn’t necessary,” returned the big sport.
“Why, on ma ham 9. dozen rivals in Puzzle
Bar. T ink of he handsome men we have here
—Kin Romeo. Gold Grip, to say nothing of
mvsel . And thar’s Owlet, an’—”

“Thatis enough!” interrupted Caliban. “I
don’t fear the whole crowd! I’ve taken no half-
way ground in this afi'air. I’m clear over on
the other side. Puzzle Bar will do well to let
Caliban have a clear field. ”

“ Go ahead!” encouraged Nevada Nat. “ If
you can win Mad , you’ll be the successful
man, as a matter 0 course.”

“ If I can win her?” repeated the dwarf, and
the words came through his teeth. “If I do
not. no other man shall l”

The sport appeared to take no notice of the

She is in Puzzle Bar

last sentence which he heard, though the words .

were spoken in a hiss.

“ Don’t you wish me success?” asked Caliban.
“ Can’t I tell Madge that Nevada Nat indorses
my‘ 861th th‘ k it ’d d coat"

on in 0 on an

“ It ni’ight.” y y g

“ Tell her, then.”

“A thousand thanks. The time may come
when I can repay this favor.”

“ Never mind it.”

“You may forget it, Nevada, but Caliban
never will. When I have won the one fair
woman, I’ll help you to the next fairest crea-
ture,” and the dwarf uttered a laugh that seem-
ed to transform him.

“By the way,” he exclaimed, stoppin sud-
denly, “ the man who looked in at the lden
Fleece last night would be a die addition to
the Apollos 0
Nevada?”

“ I didn’t see him.”

“ No? Well, seine o’ the boys did, among ’em
Gold Grip I think.”

“ An’ i 'Owleti” asked Nevadaea ly.

“The sleuth wasn’t thar," was g: re 
“Well, we’ll drop the man. I don’t thing) 0
stayed. Now, Nevada. as I said aWhile ago, I
don‘t want my love affair posted in the camp.
Time enough yet. When I have seen Madge. I

will announce it myself, and receive congratm I

lotions.” . _
A few minutes hfterward Nevada Nat

Puzzle Bar, don"t you think, 

out into the starlight, For a momentum :

 

 

    
 

 

 

I had

4

played upon his face and a gleam of merriment
't n his eyes, but both suddenl disap .

“ his is a state of affairs don’t likel”he
murmured. “ There’s another Richmond in the
field, an’ be comes from an unexpected quarter.
By heavens! I must see to this!”

He walked back to Rough Romeo’s cabin,
which he found empty.

“ Well,” muttered Nevada Nat steppin out-
side again; “ I’ll go down to the Golden i‘leece
and hear something about the man who called
last night.”

A footstep sounded behind him, and, as a
hand fell upon his shoulder. he heard the coarse
but cheerful Voice of King Romeo.

“ l’in lad to find you here, Nevada!” laughed
the he man of Puzzle Bar. “You are the
very man I want to see just now. You shall
bethe first man to congratulate me. I have
won l”

The start made by Nevada Nat told how the
words had thrilled him. He lost color; his look
became a stare.

“ You have won what ?”

“ The heart an’ the hand 0’ Nevada Madge!
The ‘rl has just consented—”

“ 0 become your wife?”

it Yes.”

“ Then look out for the scorpion!”

And without another word Nevada left King I

Romeo in front of the hut.

CHAPTER IV.
UNDER OLD ownic'r‘s EYE.
“WHAT will Caliban sa now?” queried the
s rt, and the veins in his orebead swelled as be
c 'nched his hands. “I’ve a mind to go and

 

break the news to the cripple, but I uessI
won't. He’ll find it out soon enou h. adge
consented to become your wife, di she, King

Romeo? Wal, I‘d like to know what magic you
used with her. We’ll find out some day, maybe.
Let it go now.”

He walked away with one dark, scowlin
glance over his shoulder, a glance which told
that from that hour something stood betWeen
the two partners of Puzzle Bar.

“ What can the fellow mean?” muttered King
Romeo, when he had been so unceremoniously
left alone by Nevada Nat. “ Who does he mean
by the scorpion! Himself? \Val, he‘d better
not! Now that I’ve won the girl. I uess I’m
stron enough to keep her. I oughtto , seein’
that ’m head master b er.” ,

It was true that ing Romeo had gained
Nevada Madge’s consent to the union. and it was
singular that he should succeed on the very ni ht
that witnessed Caliban’s avowal of love for ghe
same person.

The reader will recollect that in the list of
people given by Colonel Bolt. the ’Frisco banker,
to olcano Van—a list which purported to be a
correct census of Puzzle Bar some three months
before—the name of no female appeared.

The colonel had designated the place as an

,“ Evelese Eden.”

At that time Puzzle Bar was an exclusive

cam , but since that census, chance or fortune
brought Nevada Madge to the place.

The girl, for she was no more, was a fair

a young creature of nineteen. with deep brown

eyes, full of animation, and with a graceful, wil-
lowy figure. She was just the creature to take
up with the half-lawless life that existed at Puz-
zle Bar, and when she determined to make the
camp her abode, a new cabin was built for her,
and she was ceremoniously installed therein.

She told nobody from whence she had come,
nor why she had concluded to become the only
female citizen of Puzzle Bar. She seemed to have
no secrets, however; her parents were dead, and
the world was before her. She was an excellent
shot with Winchester and revolver, and more
than once at the faro table in the Golden Fleece
she had taken an animated hand.

Everybod looked for Nevada Madge to ca -
tivate some y, but Caliban, the hunchbac ,
was the last person sup to worship beauty.

The girl had avoid him for some reason,
perhaps because, misshapen as he was, he was
not a very attractive sight. More than once she
had ca ht him eying her intently, but the
matter 0 love was the last thing she thought
about in connection with the dwarf.

Why should she not take up with King
Romeo?

He was good looking, able to protect her, and
as the head of the gold—camp. had unlimited
means at her command. She knew that there
were rded secrets at Puzzle Bar; she had
seen 0 d Owlet and the men under him; she
knew that every stranger who came to camp
was watched by the sleepless eyes, that he was
followed away and kept in sight until the hu-
man ferrets could report that he was no spy.

Certain journeys of Kin Romeo to San
Francisco were not unknown Nevada Mad e.
She knew that he went under guard. and that e
was watched b Old Owlet from the time he left
Puzzle Bar unt 1 his return.

It was not dimcult for the girl to discover the
seven men who formed the secret band of the
mountain camp. She had never played spy, but
there were things she could not help finding out,
and this was One of them.

Thegold mine wasa secret one. Itwas a real

I l

t
l i i

a“. 4‘1, ' ,‘X, .  ~ . , . .5 ‘ .
.s~s,. M4,. .~ a , I . “treks.

Volcano, the ’Frisco

bonanza, enriching all who had a share in it, and
the lion’s share was Kin Romeo’s. Next to
him stood Nevada Nat an then Gold Grip.

Old Owlet was chief of policein the mountain
camp, and a better one it could not have.

There was a tradition at Puzzle Bar that this
human watch-dog never slept. The men be-
lieved it.

When he had a report to make, he made it to
King Romeo, who, if it was important enough,
delivered it in turn to his nssmiates.

To ()ld Owlet was given the task of guarding
the bonanza secret from prying eyes. Certain
startling events, which need not be mentioned
here, already told that he did his duty.

The Secret was yet safe; that is, the location of
the prolific mine was not known to any living
person outside of Puzzle Bar.

Knowing what she did, and we have seen that
it was a good deal, Nevada Madge could not
have left the camp with impunity. She would
have been followed by the slee less eye, and if
she attempted to use her iscoveries, the
Secret Seven would have received a startling
re rt from the chief ferret of the camp.

evada edge, therefore, had probably
thought best to ive her hand to King Romeo.
If there were ot ier suitors the act would settle
the matter once for all.

As we have said, she never thought 0! Cali-
ban. Did she think of any other?

Let us see.

When Nevada Nat left King Romeo, he was

' attracted by a light not far away. His eyes got

a strange, eager glitter the moment they saw it.

“I’d like to know how it came about,” he
muttered. “ Hang me, if I wouldn’t like to dis-
kiver what kind 0’ arts he used. I know that
the thin is done, an’ I guess I’ve got a right to
congrat ate her,” and the handsomest man in
Puzzle Bar went toward the light which soon
turned out to be in a cabin. A few moments
later his knuckles hammered lightly at a door,
and the face that rested him as it opened, ap-
peared a little start ed.

Nevada Nat walked in and turned upon Madge
in the li ht of her lamp.

“ You ll pardon this night call, I hope, but I
can’t help droppin’ in to Wish you—a happy time
with him!”

It was evident that these were bitter words for
Nevada Nat to speak; Madge could see in the
last ones poorly concealed srrcasm.

“ How did you find it out?” she demanded.

“ He told it himself.”

The girl showed her white teeth in a pretty
smile.

“Well. he’s a poor secret kee )er!” she said.
“ Of course I did not tell him to eep it to him-
self, but I didn’t tell him—”

“ To tell it before the engagement kiss war
cold. eh ?” interrupted Neva a.

“ No, not before morning, at least.”

“ W'al, he tole me awhile ago an’ he seemed
almighty willin’ to 1‘Eet rid o’ the secret. Warn’t
it kind 0’ sudden, adge?”

The tall figure of the Puzzle Bar sport leaned
slightly against the wall of the cabin, and with
folded arms he was looking searchineg into the
face of the girl before him.

Madge flushed at the question, and her dark
brown eyes seemed to get a quick sparkle of in—
dignation, just enough for the mountain sport to
catc l.

" I did not know,” she exclaimed, “ that I
had to consult anybody in Puzzle Bar.”

“ An’ you didnt have to." was the answer.
“ Everybody is his own master hyer when it
comes to affairs 0’ this kind. No, you didn’t
have toask anybod_ whom you shall marry, an’
when, but you mig t have given somebody else
a chance.”

Nevada Madge looked at Nat, in doubt
whether to treat his words seriously or to

lalllfh.
e sgoke seriously enough, but there was a
deeply- uried twinkle in his eyes.

“ Ah! who else wanted me, Nevada Nat?”
suddenly exclaimed the irl. “Name the man
and I’ll apologize with the grace I have.”

“No afpology would help it if he loved you,
would it ’ answered the sport. “ Very well; go
and Spologize to Caliban. ’

M ge burst into a musical laugh.

1“Caliban, the toad of Puzzle Bar?” she ex-
c

aimed.
“ The little rattlesnake of Nevada!” was the

nse.
Eghe l lau bed again but she suddenly
mughtgéhe spogrt’s gaze and seemed to fathom

t.

“Ma be some one else wants an apology,”
she hegarked. “If he does he shall have it
now.

Nevada Nat felt the thrust.

“ I want nothing,” he replied.
ourself to the King of Puzzle Bar. I

“ You have

given
recogn the fact that you have a right to
choose. I am nobody’s rdian, Ma ge. I

hope you’ll never regret t 9 choice, but you’ll
have to look out.”

“What is that?” And the girl came toward
the rt with a flash in her eyes. “I see now
that g Romeo had a rival.’

“He had! Thar! my secret isout!”

 

The girl stopped and then drew back.

1

 

SPY:

 

 

ti Eton-37

She checked herself.

“ Yes, Nevada Nat thought as much of you as
an living man ever can!” he suddenl went on.
“ fore the week is out I had inten ed to tell
you this. For the last ten days I have been
waitin’ for an opportunity. But I have lost it
all, fool that I am! No! another man Las mes-
merized you. I have lOSt the prize because of
the arts of the boss sport of Puzzle Bar. Take
him! If you love him better than any man \ on
ever saw, become his wife; but I have a right to
say, beware!” and the sport went toward the
door slightly ajar.

“ What is the threat you make?” cried Madge
clutching him as he )assed. “ As God is my
judge, Nevada Nat, never knew you loved
me.

“ Love is blind they say, ha, ha i” lau bed the

sport as he shook the girl loose. “ be next
time ou’ll go slow, Madge.”

“ e next time?”

“That’s what I said, I guess! You’ve got
more lovers than are in this camp. They re
almost as numerous as Old Owlet’s trails. Good
night, my soon-to-be wedded seraph. If a

shadow stalks between you an’ the mountain
altar don’t blame Nevada Nat. For fortune’s
sake don’t!”

He sprung away before Madge could detain
him and was gone ere she caught her breath.

He appearet at the bar of the Golden Fleece,
flushed over his interview with Madge.

“ How do you like the country?” asked a voice
at his elbow. ‘

“ It is the garden spot of the world.”

The first voice was familiar to Nevada Nat,
the second entirely strange.

As be filled his glass he glanced over his
shoulder.

Old Owlet, the camp watch-dog, was talking
to a handsome stranger.

_“ I] don’t know him,” passed through Nevada’s
min .

This was true, but they were soon to meet,
for the stranger was Volcano Van!

CHAPTER V.
DANGER AHEAD.

THE spy had come to Puzzle Bar.

And what was bad for his future prospects,
the eye of Old Owlet was alyeady upon him! ~

Nevada Nat did not pay much attention to
the stranger. He had not recovered from his
somewhat exciting interview with Madge, and
h e knew that if the visitor was not what he
ought to be Old Owlet would find it out.

He therefore took his drink in silence and
passed out.

“ Yes, this is God’s country,” he remarked.
"If there’s any better out 0’ doors the crow
has never found it. When did you leave
’Frisco?”

This sudden question coming from Old Owlet
was enough to startle the bravest, but Volcano
Van did not quail. '

“ I left thar two weeks ago,” he replied
coolly. “ I’m trying to see a little of the world
——a bit of your Nevada paradise, you know.”

“ Goin’ east, eh T’

“ If I don’t find a place that suits me.”

“ How is ’Frisco. anyway?”
1 (iildd Owlet lleanod against the counter and
00 e care essyinto ea ent-s rts’s fa .

:2 Dial]. Too dull for me.” p0 ce

' 3)
“ gmfot a few acquaintances there.
A singular twinkle came into the watch-dog’s

 

es.

j‘ Yes, I know, let me see—Thar’s my old time
friend Colonel Bolt.”

“Of the Gold Eagle Bank?”

“ You know him, then?”

” I met him once at the bank.”

The words were spoken in an off-hand manner
that uzzled, or seemed to puzzle, Owlet.

“ hen I know other entlemen o’ distinction
in ’Frisco,” he continu . “ It’s full 0’ fellows
0’ that sort.” and he ended with ‘a light chuckle.

Meanwhile just outside the Golden Fleece at
the little window by the door three wild-looking
sharp-eyed men _stood. They were typic
mountain rou he in dark shirts and with black
hallli‘ggat shoo over their shoulders when they
wa .

The right hand of each man gripped are-l

volver, and their 6 es were riveted 11 Old
Owlet and the man he was holding at thlgogar.
The ferret’s face was turned toward the win-
,dow, and, by lookin over Volcano Van’s shoul-
ider. be con d see t 9 eagle eyes that almost
touched the panes.
Was be waiting for a signal of some kind!

. “ They’d like fer show you Puzzle Bar by day-
light,” resumed Old Owlet raising his voice a
li tie, and then glancing over the counter attho
man who dispensed liquor at the Golden Fleece.

“ We take pride in showin’ strangers over the
layout, don’t we. Nantez?”

‘Right you are, Owlet,” grinned Nante who
spoke with a noticeable fore gn accent. “ e’vo
got nothin’ hyer but a mountain town an’ some
scenery. You’ll stay awhile, eh?”

“We’ll let the future take care of that,” re-
plied the banker’s man. "
“ It’ll do it, too. Nantez, entertain this gent;

.qi'i?‘ ,_ _ 

 

 

 

N.» we.

 

.«afl v. . 

 

 

 

N.» '1“

 

Volcano, the ’Frisco Spy.

'\

5

 

 

tell him all you know about the Bar an’ its peo-
ple. You’ve got a tongue that goes like clock-
work. You’ll excuse me, captain. To-morrow
we’ll meet again.”

Owlet ste pod back and touched the brim of
his hat wit a dark hand by way of parting,
and a moment later he had gone.

The three men waiting outside stepped nimbly
forward.

“ We’ve ot a little work on hand jes’ as I
thou ht,” w ispered Owlet. “ The bonanza for
the rst time is in real danger unless we trip the
spy in the outset.”

“The spy?”

“ The spy and sport from ’Frisco.”

“ That man in thar?”

“ Nobody else.”

“ Who is he?"

“Sport'an’ spy.”

“ But his name?”

“Why that?” growled Old Owlet giving the
inquisitor a look of rebuke. “ He may be
George Washington, but, we don‘t care. Nantez
is go ng to entertain him for a time, but thar’s
no danger of Nantcz giving anything away. He
may keep the spy in thar an hour, an’ he may
not hold ’im thirty minutes. You fellows are
armed? Ah yes, I see. Well, you want to
watch this door like three hawks. If the spy
comes out he isn’t to be lost; but he must not
know that he is under guard. I‘ll be back be-
fore long.”

.The three men promised to carry out Owlet’s
instructions, and with a partin glance through
the window the mountain sleut started off.

“ Catch me an’ my ferrets asleep, hey? W'al,
I guess not!” he exclaimed. “ I’m in my
element when I’ve got work like this on hand.
Now, let me surprise an delight the king bee of
this mountain hive.”

Old Owlet proceeded to a certain cabin and
surprised its only occupant by his abrupt en-
trance.

“ You?” cried the man looking up. “ By
Jove! you’re the very man I want to see.”

“ I’m on hand, King Romeo,” and Owlet drop-

u n the stool beside the mascer‘s table.

“ I in wait a few minutes,” mentally ejacu-
lated the spy. “ He wanted to see me; for
what?”

“They say thar’s a scorpion in camdp,” con-
tinued Romeo fixing his eyes on the hea of the
mountain 3 ies.

“In Puzz e Bar?”

H  H

A grim smile came to the comers of Old Ow-
let‘s mouth.

“I 838 you must have dreamed it, captain.
Thar s a scoriion hyer sure enough.”

“Then you now it!” cried Re eo.

“Nevada Nat warned me awh e ago, an’ the
way he did it led me to think that he had just
made a discovery.”

“I didn’t know Nevada knew it.”

“ He must. When I told him that I am soon
to present Puzzle Bar with a queen in every way
worthy of it, he turned all colors an’ said: Loo
out for the Scorpion.’ ”

Old Owlet started.

“ Didn’t Nevada say anything until you broke
the news to him?” he asked.

“ Nothin about the scorpion.”

“ Then. t ere must be two.”

King Romeo was the startled person now.

“ I’m glad you came,” be resumed. “ [ want
you to fathom this scorpion business. If I am
to be stung because I have won the Queen 0‘
Nevada I want to know it a little while before-
hand. You understand it, OWIet? I want a

chance to set my heel upon the scorpion’s head”,

Old Owlet nodded.

“ I’ll give on that chance, ca tale,” he an-
sWered. “ Ify there is a scorpion Puzzle Bar
I’ll find him. I presume I can congratulate you.
It is Nevada Madge, eh ?”

“ The Queen of the Wild Westl” exclaimed
Romeo. “ I believe that I touched Nevada Nat’s
toes a little to-night. The announcement didn t
go down in the easiest manner with him. Do
you know whether he has looked toward Madge!”

“That is one of the things in which I take no
stock—love ” was the answer.

Rough meo tossed his head back and
lau hed.

“ ever mind! you'll get there yet!” he cried.

“ Not while the great secret is to be arded !”
ejaculated Old Owlet. “I am call for life
unless sooner discharged New to m business.

“ Ah! you came for a purpose! by didn‘t
you say so awhile ago?”

“I wanted to hear about Your scorpion, cap-
tain. Now you shall know something about
mine.”

As Owlet finished he leaned across the little

‘table that partly separated them, and thrust one
hand beneath his open jacket.

Rou h Romeo‘s eyes were at once aglow with
curios ty.

He watched his sleuth intently until he drew
Earth a bit of paper not wider than two swarthy

1: rs. .
‘ I have heard from mv ’Frisco correspondent,”

spoke Owlet as he unfolded the paper in a man— l

1101' painfully slow. “ He communicates a bit of
intolli once which you should know. Here it is
ca . Read and digest,” and Old Owlet

 

pushed the paper toward the impatient bonanza
s rt.

PO

Kin Romeo sprung at once to the task, and
the evada sleuth-hound leaned on the table
with two black eyes studying his countenance.

“ I uess he’ll make a remark Eresently,” mut-
tered wlet as Romeo read. “ ar’s some news
in that paper. Ah! he sees it new !”

At that moment a sudden change of color took
place in Romeo’s face, his lips met, and his

reathing came in gasps.

He was reading a letter couched in the follow-
ing terms:

“CAPTAIN Owner:—

“The ‘Frisco banker has secured a new man for

the work-a man who has courage, tact, and splen-

did abilities for the game. in hand. He has promised ,

to perform the duty which has cost more than one
life. The new man was recommended by Gray Girl.
who makes no mistakes. Look out for him. He is
called Volcano Van, but he may enter your territory
under another name. His description will follow my
signature. If you would serve your employers you
must balk this new spy. or the great secret is lost
forever. Don’t sleep. Be, on the alert. My gime
here progresses slowly, but surely. I will w in in the
end. Remember! Volcano Van is your match it you
ever had one. UTAH."

“'hen King Romeo looked up from this letter
and caught Owlet’s waiting eyes, he had not
breath to s )eak.

“ 1t didn t take your breath, I hope?” grinned
Owlet across the table.

“ If it could not nothing can.” was the answer.
“ When did you get this letter?”

“ Yesterday."

The next uestion was natural.

“ Who is ‘ tab "1"

Old Owlet smiled.

“Utah is a man with whom I have dealt in
secret. “’hen I became sleuth for Puzzle Bar,
you told me to serve on well. I have tried to
do so. I have estab ished a correspondent—a
spy, if you wish, in ’Frisco. That letter is from
him. “Utah ” is sometimes called Mormon
Mort.”

King Romeo evinced no surprise at the name,
it was probably strange to him.

“The re ort has put you on guard,” he re-
. ‘ Of course, it beat the new spy to
Puzzle Bar.”

“ By very little,” smiled Owlet. “ Volfano Van
is here now.” .

King Romeo’s look became a startled stare;
the letter from ’Frisco fell from his hand.

“ Where is he?” I

“ I left him a while ago at the Golden Fleece.”

“ Watched?”

“Watched!”

A moment’s silence followed.

“Well, what are you going to do!” asked

meo.
“I guess I’ll resign in favor of Colonel Bolt's
man.”

“You? No! ou’re playing with me now
Owlet,” cried t e master of Puzzle Bar. “I
want straight goods. What are you going to

Old Owlet left his stool and looked down into
King Romeo’s face.
“ "m going to keep the secret safe!” he cried.

CHAPTER VI.
ran nrrnc'r or A Leon.

KING Reno gave Old Owlet a look of min-
gled ride and titude.

“ I you say t at the secret will be kept safe,
safe it is,” he ejaculated, and then he turned to
the messa e from ’Frisco.

“I see ere that ‘Utah’ says that his own
game progresses slow but sure,” he went on,
glancing at Owlet. “ May I ask you what that
means?’

“ Sartainly. Me'mon Mort is looking after
another wife,” was the reply.

“ In San Francisco?”

“ Nowhar else, ca tain. He has got to play a
cool game to get t e woman he wants, but I
guess ‘ Utah ’ is equal to the emergency.”

King Romeo seemed to be interested in the
Mormon’s game for a wife.

“ Who is the lady '1” he asked.

“ Nobod but Lura, Colonel Bolt’s ward, an’
the beauti ul creature who shares his ’Frisco l-
ace with him. Mormon Mort is killin’ two birds
with one arrow. He wants to line his pockets
with gold the same time he gets a pretty wife.
He’s a shrewd fellow, an’. from what I know of
him, as merciless as shrewd.”

“ Colonel Bolt objects to the match, I pre-
sume?”

“ And so does the girl.”

“ Then the Mormon has up—hill work.”

“ Not too much for him to overcome,” smiled
Old Owlet. “ Doesn’t he say in the messa
that the ame rogresses satisfactorily if P litt e
slow? ell, t ere’ll be something startling in
’Frisco if Mormon Mort fails.”

“ D‘l they know that he is a Mormon?"

“ Yes, an’ right there is where the obziection
begins. Colonel Bolt may know that Utah’
has three wives. but for all that he will make
Lura the fourth.”

“ Well I hate Mormons, and you know it,
Owlet.” exclaimed Romeo. . “ If it wasn’t for the
help Mormon Mort has just given us I’d wish him
failure. And then, he is trying tp beat the man

 

3 arrives,” answered Romeo.

who has sent a spy to Puzzle Bar, a paid spy at
that! So I wish Utah’ success. I hope he will
win the banker’s ward, and as he is playin
against Colonel Bolt Iam interested. Is the gir
pretty?”

“ She is female perfection! I saw her once
an’ the image has remained with me. In some
respects she very much resembles Madge, our
Queen of the Bar.”

“ Thanks,” ejaculated King Romeo showin
his teeth. “ I take that as a compliment, an
well turned it was, too. Now let us come back
to this Volcano Van.”

“I’m ready to go to him, ready tokeep the
bonanza secret safe by crushin’ him an’ sending
word to Colonel Bolt that the game has failed.”

“The colonel will get it when the proper time
“I would like to

I  this man.”

 

 

“ Before I arrest him?"

(4 Yes. I,

“ Get ready, then, we’ll go down to the Golden
Fleece.”

The bronze master of Puzzle Bar had but little
preparation to make. He had but to strap on a
belt which held two silver-mounted revolvers,and
having done. this he announced himself ready for
departure.

be two men left the cabin together and walk-
ed with eager strides toward, the Golden Fleece
where Owlet had lately left the bonanza spy en-
tertained by Nantez and guareded by his three
satellites. ,

“ Nantez is holdin’ him yet, ca ’n I” exclaimed
a voice at Owlet’s side as he led ing Romeo up
to the window for the purpose of iving him a
view of the interior of the Golden leece at that
time.

The three watchers now came into view, and
Owlet had but to look through the window to
confirm the words just spoken. ,

Apparently Volcano Van had not stirred since
Owlet’s parting look. He was leaning carelessly
over the counter, and appeared to be deeply in-
terested in the story the barkeeper was spinning
with a rattling tongue.

Nantez was gossipy; he had a fund of
narrative and auCedote that was Inexhaustible,
and he drew from it in a manner which n as

uite entortainin . Volcano Van was not the
first man be h held for the sleuth-hound of
Puzzle Bar. Another who had been sent out
on the same mission in which he had enlisted
owed his failure and his doom to the glib tongue
of Nantez.

“Thar’s your man.” whispered Old Owlet at
King Romeo’s ear as the master of the bonanza
camp leaned forward with his eyes already
riveted uron the 'Frisco sport. “ If ,you want
a closer view, you’ll have to go inside.

Romeo made no reply.

He stood near the window, his face almost
against the single pane, and with a strange snap
to his eyes.

Volcano Van stood in full view: while he
leaned on the counter the perfection of his figure
could not escape. and Romeo seemed to see that
the man who had come to Puzzler Bar on a mir
sion of destruction was no ordinar foe.

“ Shall we go in, captain?” as ed Owlet, a
little impatient. -

His voice seemed to reuse Rough Romeo; he
stiff“ and “2931?? 1 ded

guessno, e owyrespon .
“ Ah! you’ve seen enough of Colonel Bolt’s

n. « .
“ I don’t want to get a closer view just now,”

was the candid aesurance. « -

A natural uestion came to Owlet’s lips, but
he held it bac .

- “ His glance at Romeo told what it was.

The master of Puzzle Bar had seen the new
enemy somewhere: there could be no other rea-
son for him declinin to meet him face to face.

“ I’d rather you’ not disturb him to-night,”
Romeo added.

Old Owlet showed no astonishment.

“ Just as you say. captain. I’m always under
orders, you know,” he answered. “8a the
word an’ we’ll break Nantez’s narrative ' e a
stick.” »

“ Let him be. I on! wanted to see him,
that is all,” and Romeo ooked through the win-
dow again. “ I know that he is Colonel Bolt’l

detective, for you have said so, Owlet, and that '

is enough. I promise you that I shall not let
the fellow have any string here, for a more dan-
gerous man. more dangerous to our interests, I
mean, then he never entered Puzzle Bar! You
can watch him to-night, I leave the detailsto
you, but I want no arrest made. Time enough
yet. One man can‘t beat us in a few hours.”

Rough Romeo drew back with no intention of
entering the Golden Fleece.

“ Keep your eye on the nabob’s agent,”ha F .

said. with a parting look at Old Owlet. .“Ro-
port to me to-morrow.”

The four men touched their hats to the master
of the gold-camp as he moved off, and the eagla‘

eye of Owlet followed his figure until it was ' ‘
lest. .
“ I’ll go inside an’ help Nantes entertain the s ,

’Frisco fiv,” remarked the watch-dog to his mm.

m

, .

‘Il

.

..
p
.‘3

 

 

 
  
  

“ You fellows can disperse if you like. I’ll ’tmd f‘“ 

to the man in thar.”

There was a separation as Old. Owlet w , I

 
  

e

\

Volcano, the ’Frisco Spy.

 

to the door, and the three lingered long enough
to see him walk toward Volcano Van.

= - Meantime King Romeo had gone back to his
 ' shant . Closing the door behind him, he threw
 f upon a stool and struck the table with

fist.

“ Why couldn’t Colonel Bolt have sent another
man?” he cried. “Why that man when there
 . are thousands in ’Frisco? Gray Gid or Gideon
 Gait recommended him! In the arch flend's
" " name, why didn’t Gideon select some one else?”

' There was no answer to these interrogatives
which followed each other in quick suCCession
from Romeo’s mouth.

Any listener could have heal (1 them, but there

.- ‘1. ._~
v7. 

    
    
  
   
  
 
  
   
   
 
   
      

7.” ' was no eavesdropper plying his sneaking voca-
‘t‘u‘: tion.

_ King Romeo had chan ed color; there was an
 expression of mingled ear and doubt in his
list " eye's-

,{égf .‘ All at once he sprung up and rushed from the
v} cabin like a wild man.

 . “ I’ll get Gold Grip to look at the man,” parted
 hiin as he dashed through the starlight.

 ’ . r A ew strides carried Romeo to a cabin like
f; " his own, but no light was visible beyond the
[3,; 9 window. This did not deter him.

In a moment he had opened the door and was
inside.

“ Who is it?” demanded a voice, and the dim

. flgurfi of a man rose from a cot against the
lo .

“ It is , Romeo,” responded the head tough of
Puzzle Bar. “ Have you seen the man?”

“ What mani”

“ No, you have not! G0 at once to the Golden
Fleece and study the fellow Nantez is lying to
over the bar. Go quick; he may be gone!”

In a minute a man, stalwart and darkly hand-
some like Romeo. was on his feet. He was wide
awake, and his eyes were full of amazement and

eagerness.
' G0! ' I will wait here for your re ort,” and
the hand of Rough Romeo pushed :‘rold Grip
toward the door. “ Don’t disturb the man, but
mdy him from the window. Owlet has got him
in hand. Now be off.”
' Hardly knowing wheiber Romeo was sane or
mad, Gold Grip left the cabin, and the master
of Puzzle Bar began to wait impatiently for his
return.

“ Won‘t he open his eyes when he sees him?”
_ heejaculated. “It’ll startle him as it did me,
 i .and no wonder.”
" ' ‘Gold Gri was not gone more than ten min-
utes, thong the time seemed that many hours
to the man in his cabin. All at once the door
opened and he burst in.

Rafimeo sprung up with an eager question on

‘* ' ~ Th3: was a deep flash in Gold Grip’s eye.
‘ v, u, “ Well, I saw him,” began Gold Grip. " 'Whar
5?" ' did he come from?”
“ From our old enemy, the ’Frisco banker.”
u A spy?”
v, “ A sworn agent, which means that he will
discover the bOnanza secret, beat Owlet and all
. ' ofus, if he can.”
The two men kept silence for a time. King
Romeo was waiting for Gold Grip to speak.
“ I’ve made up my mind about him,’ suddenly
mid Gold Grip.
“Well?”
“ I Won’t lift my hand ag’in’ ’im, so help me

‘i " "Heavenl”
/.

“I .,

-, eyes fastened on his par-d.
' “He may ruin us, he said at last.
i‘fican’t help it.”
, “ e cornes from the most rsistent enemy
‘v the bonanza ever had, Colonel olt, whose past
life before he became a ’Frisco banker is well
= Shown to us. If Volcano Van succeeds, we go

under.”
Gold Grip bowed.
. “ You don’t want to lose the stake now ?” con-
gnuid Romeo, watching the silent man like a
W

H No.”
3 “\But you say that you won’t lift a hand
- .-Igainst the man who has come to crush us for
 ’, another.”
. “ I won’t.”
Romeo hit his lips. '
"‘ Then I’ll let Owlet do all the Work."
Gold Gri looked up with a start.
. '."“Then‘ ’1] kill Owlet!” was his flerce re-
 r.

 

CHAPTER VII.

, A REAL snnszrro‘n.
IT was a strange state of affairs; Puzzle Bar
thud never seen anything like it. '

The two men in the light of Gold Grip’s lamp
had some traces of similarity in looks and fig-
 ure. They might have been ,brothers; but no-
”? body knew them ‘as such in the mountain

, 3' gugh Romeo was the older of the two, that
3 fine evident, but he had not seen more tough
,3: lite than Gold Grip.

' ,- “Good-night,” suddenly exclaimed Romeo
‘ - .with a glance at his com nion. “ I guess we’ll

u

“  this puzzle work itsel out.”
%‘ hat uzzle?"
 “I we mean puzzle,”

    

  

.‘l
.‘u
I

  

4
a

    
   
     
     
    

.6 w
u
ad.

 
    

. H y
i.: [A

h Romeo started and drew back with his

 

answered Romeo, with I

 

“ I mean that we’ll let the mys-
terious spy have thin his own wa .”

“ Not that!” cried old Grip. “ will see that
the bonanza secret remains safe.”

There was no answer, and the retreating foot-
steps of King Romeo left Gold Grip to himself
once more.

“ I don’t like it that he had to turn 11 just
now and in the role of a spy for Butler olt,”
came from his lips in audible tones. “ I can’t
enter the leagirie against him; that is, I can’t
sign Volcano an’s death-warrant, and without
my signature, by heavens! he shall not be con—
demned !”

Gold Grip picked up the slouch hat that lay
on the table, and went out.

“ Still open, and he is still thar I” he muttered,
seeing the lighted window of the Golden Fleece.
“ If he‘s a man to take advice he shall get the
best he ever heard.” 4

A moment later the ard of Puzzle Bar was
walking ra idly towan Nantez’s saloon, and in
a little whi e he stood there once more.

But Volcano Van was gone, and Nantez was
about to close his trap for the night.”

“I’ll strike the trail. I want to know if he
went away watched by Owlet.” And Gold Grip
walked in, much to the astonishment of the only
occupant of the place.

An inquiry drew from Nantcz the very infor-
mation wanted.

Volcano Van had gone away in company with
the watch-dog of Puzzle Bar, who had offered
him a cot for the night.

Gold Grip started slightly at this information,
yet had a faint smile for Old Owlet’s low cun-
nlug.

“Once in that sleuth-hound’s sight, always
thar,” muttered Gold Grip, and he walked out,
leavmg Nantez in a certain state bordering on
bewilderment.

“ What‘s up now?” sudden] exclaimed a
voice and Gold Grip turned to hold Nevada

at.

“Shall I tell Nat abcut the sp i” passed
through the god pard’s mind. “ shawl he
must now that he is here.”

“You walk like you’re on the turf l” con-
tinned King Romeo’s rival, drawing near to
Gold Grip. “ Puzzle Bar‘s got a new citizen an’
Owlet, ii on good Samaritan, has taken him
in

a slight smile.

Gold Grip thought there was a latent flash in
the depths of the speaker’s eyes as if he too had
fathomed Owlet’s cunning, but he did not make
know n his discovery.

‘ Have you seen the visitor?” he asked.

“ Yes, got a glim of him at the Golden
Fleece,” answertd I at. “ He‘s hyer on busi-
ness though he is said to he going to Salt Lake. ”

“ When i”

“ Oh, circumstances will determine that.
They will determine it pretty soon, too, if
Owlet suspects.”

:‘ gout you think he suspects already?”

‘ es.‘

“ What do on think? Go on.”

Gold Grip eaned forward to catch Nevada
Nat’s expression in the starlight. r' He was burn-
ing with eagerness.

‘ Why. the man‘s an agent. You know what
thet means,” was the answer.

“I see you know it,” returned Gold Grip, and
his hand instinctively closed on Nat’s arm.
“ Owlet knows he is.”

“ Then his doom is sealed. Let the blood-
bound of Puzzle Bar have his way.”

Gold Gri ) made no reply, but his hand fell
from Nev a Nat’s arm.

“You war not going to see the suspect, eh?
He’s at Owlet’s shanty, au’ he’ll enjoy the sleep
he gets!”

“ To-morrow is settlement day,” Nat went
on. “ An’ I resume the lion’s share will fall
in the usual p ace.”

“ Why should it not?” asked Gold Grip.

“ Why should it?" was the quick response,
and now there was an undoubted flash in the
speaker’s eyes.

“ Because we owe the bonanza to King
Romeo. He was the finder an’ the guide. With-
out him we ight he paupers to-night, whereas, I
we are bon nza kin H.” l

“ Fudge!” cried at. “ We must give him all i
the credit; we ,must throw the lion’s share once
a year at his feet, an’ give ourselves no credit
for what we ar’!”

Gold Grip could not: but stare at the man who
spoke thus.

What had passed between King Romeo and
Nevada Nat that the latter should use this lan-
gnage?

The consent of Mad e to be the master’s wife
was nnknownto Gel Grip, though he might
have known that such an event was not ode of
the improbabilities of life at Puzzle Bar.

Nevada Nat was the last man to plafirebel.
Why, he was one of the chiefs of the auded
Seven!

“ Mebbe you don’t catch on,” he Suddenly re-
sumed, seeing Gold Gri ’s inquisitive stare.

“ Well,”between you an’ , I’m tired of several i

 

i

“ The world’s afore von, Nevada. an’ it’s no 
little world either. Somethiug’s been going i
wrong.

\ .

I kin see that new.”

“ You do, eh?” came through Nat’s teeth
“ I”r’n glad you see something at last. I‘m going
if

“ From Puzzle Bar?”

H Yes.”

“ But not till after the annual divide?”

” To—morrow, an’ afore that event! I don’t
want a dollar 0’ what his so-called genius has
won for us. Thar’s too much one-man power
hyer for me. B Jove! they talk 0’ scorpions
comin’ up from ’ risco; why, we‘ve had one b er
ever since thar’s been a shanty at the Bar. t
him take the woman he’s Won, but I’ll bet my
head that it’ll be a short honeymoon.”

“ What’s that?”

Nevada Nat burst into a laugh.

“ Mebbe I’d better not go off the handle, I’m
a man, an’ no little affair o’ the heart shall
break me u .”

“Ha! a ove affair. I see!” ejaculated Gold
Grip. “ I thought you war past that stage,
Nevada?”

“ A man 0’ sense never asses it. Thar’s some
traps that’ll catch the o dest fox, but you’re
the first man to know that Madge 0’ Puzzle Bar
cau ht two men at once.”

“ wo men?”

“ Me an’ King Romeo! It hasn’t been three
hours since she promised to become his wife. I
told him to look out for scorpions, and he should.
He’s liable to be stung, stung in a manner that’ll
give Puzzle Bur new no oriety. By Jove! I
hate ’im. an’ who wouldn’t, standin’ in my
shoes? But don’t repeat this. Gold Grip. Let
me say good-by, good-by to Puzzle Bar. To—
morrow the lion will take his share as usual,
that is, if tom0rr0w ever comes to him !”

Nevada Nat took G(fii Grip’s hand impul-
sively, squeezed it for a moment, then passed on.

He was out of sight in a moment, and Gold
Grip was left standing on the seeue of the ren-
contrc like a man suddenly roused from a.
trance. .

“IVonders on wonders!” murmured the Puz-
zleI Bar pard. “ Romeo and Nut finals for
Madge ? l wonder if thar’s an others? I‘m
all tore to pieces. Whar war going when I
met ihe mad man? To see the spy from ’Fi'iSco,
but I’m in no mood to meet him now. Let it go
till to-morrow. Old Owlet will do nothin to-
night. He has the man in his net. and will eep
him there for a time. Although Volcano Van
is Colonel Bolt’s agent, he is just as safe under
Owlet’s roof to—nioht as he would be under
mine,” and Gold ri J turned abruptly and
Went back to his own s anty.

There was something new for him to think
about, and, long after be extinguished the light,
he lay awake on his cot, dwellin f on the two
events that had just startkd him—Volcano
Van’s arrival at Puzzle Bar and Madge’s engage-
ment to King Romeo. s

Not long afterward the gold-camp near the
Utah line grew as still as death. Here and there
a dim light shone beyond a cabin window, but
nobody seemed to be abroad.

It was under these cil‘cnmstances that Gold
Grip fell asleep at last, and did not awake until
the i ht of a new day had come.

Ow et’s cabin was within sight of his own
door. and as he opened it to look out he started
back with a light cry.

“ He is still safe!” he cried, fixing his eyes on
the man who stood in Old Owlet’s door with the.
bright daylight full in his face. “By Jupiter!
I told ’em last night that I’ll never lift my hand
ag’in ’im, spy though he is, an’ I’ll keep my de-
termination to the letter. Don’t I know whose
blood, is in his veins, au’ doesn‘t Romeo know it,
too? They might turn me ag’in’ the World; but
og'P'n’ that man—ag’in" Volcano Van—never I”

he presence of the ’Frisco sport in Oplet’s
door was proof that the whtch-dog of Puzzle Bar
had worked no evil durin the night.

'As Gold Grip watched im he withdrew into
the cabin, and the door swung shut.

Thirty minutes later a man rushed out of King
Romeo’s cabin and uttered a cry that penetrated
every cabin in the gold-camp.

In an instant he was the ccntral figure of an
excited group.

“ Go an’ see for 'el‘selves!” he cried. pointing
toward the shunt e bad just left. “ (in an’ 
the. work of mur er. Warn’t thar a n» u- man in
camp last night? Fly to King Romeo‘s shanty!
If you don‘t see a sight that’ll stir you thar, you \
kin.hang P 111 Potoff without a jurv.”

Needless say, before the man flnishcd there
was a wild rUsh to Rough Romeo’s cabin.

Men almost tumbled over one another in their ‘
eage ness to get there first: there was a crush at
the cor.

The sight that met them was well calculated,
to make them recoil. I

On the floor at the edge of his cot lay the body
of Romeo. ,

The face was white, the eyes had a terrible
stare. and the lips were apart.

In the left breast, and just abovo. the heart,
stuck the instrument that had done the. work—a
dagger with an iron handle with a silvcred top.

All at once a man dropped beside the body and
bent over it.

It was Old Owlet.

“ Stand back !” he cried to the crowd.
a spark 0’ life left in the captain.”

;- 1’: . ‘ I ‘ i .  .
\-’.. ,r-._ _«  . .‘ g  .,‘ ’ .

/

I

“Thar's . ‘

 
   
   
    
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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No.1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

0‘ ‘ ; Owlet.

 

o

' Volcano, the ’Frisco Spy.

 

CHAPTER VIII.
ounxs OF DOOM.

Tim attempt at murder, if murder had not
actually been committed. went like an electric
bolt throu h the Nevada camp.

Among ose who had rushed to King Romeo’s
cabin at the first alarm was Gold Grip. He was
there when the bonanza’s sleuth bent ov«,r the
body on the floor, and made the discowry that
a spark of life still remained.

“ Stand back and give Owlet a chance with
the chief l” exclaimed Gold Grip, pushing tnc
crowd back as he faced it. “ The man who did
this shall not escape; you can bet your lives on
that.”

The temper of the dark men of Puzzle Bar
was shown in their answers, deeply grated
curses and threats of the direst vengeance.

Old Owlet already had borne the body back
upon the ‘ot, and the dagger had been with-
drawn an laid away.

All at once the eyes of Gold Grip encountered
those of Nevada Nat who formed one of the
crowd.

A strange look passed between the tWo men
and it was evident that Nat’s last words had
flashed through Gold Grip’s mind.

“To-morrow the lion will take his share as
usual, that is, if tomorrow ever comes to him!”

Those words spoken in a moment of passion
and by a beaten rival were ominous in the light
of what had ha pened since.

Did Nevada at think of them as he exchango
ed looks with Gold Grip! .

Without a word the two men met on tit: out-
side of the crowd.

Nat was the first to speak.

“Well, the lion won’t get his share,” he re
marked, looking into Gold Grip’s face.

There was something like a tinge of victory
in the sport’s tones, but Gold Grip Could not
determine whether it was real trium )h.

“The hand that did it will be ound out!"
he answered.

“The assassin cannot escape the avengers of
Puzzle Bar.”

Just then some one mentioned “ the man from
’Frisco,” and the next moment the expression
was on a dozen tongues.

“ Hyer comes Madge!
ri ht inside!”

be following moment the only woman in the
cam came up with a white face, and can ht
Gol Grip’s glance with an a papling look. he
did not seem to see Nevada at, the rejected.

“ How bad is it?” she asked.

“ Bad enough, girl," was the reply.

“Can I in?" And before any one could

at rinisSIon she crossed the threshold of
Ermeo s but.

I guess she’s got a

After awhile Nevada Nat turned and walked
toward his own cabin, followed all the way by
the keen and half-accusing eyes of Gold Grip.

When Old Owlet came out he was immedi-
atel surrounded.

The man knew a little something of ovary-
thin , surgery included. and his opinion was
awaited with breathless im atience.

“Out with it, Owlet. ive us the facts as
they stand. What ar’ his chances?” cried the
crowd.

“ His chances ar’ one in a thousand,” answer-
ed the bonanza sleuth.

“That’s almighty slim!” returned a tall man.
“ It’s so slim that I guess We kin begin on the
hound what did it.” .

Owlet threw the man a look.

“ On what hound, Rube Rocket?"

“ On ther one who came in from ’Frisco.”

The answer was applauded, for mire than
ne-half of the crowd shared Rube‘s belief.
“We don’t intend to jump at conclusions,”
haswered Owlet. “Mebbe he’s got away al-
‘ 5.. Look at my shanty. The man speaks

l

r for himself.”

The crowd looked toward 0 wlct’s cabin. which
was visible from the t, and saw a man who
had just come forth. hose who had seen Vol‘o
cano Van recognized him.

“ What does Romeo say?” asked Gold Grip,
and the question brought the toughs back to the
wounded man.

“ He knows nothing. He was struck when
asleep.”

‘ '“ Like a coward! The murderer didn‘t even
warn him as a rattlesnake would have done.
We've got to have. somebody’s blood for this!”

“ An’ sOmebodY’S 5’ 0",”,1111913/ to get,” replied
OWlet. as he turned back into the shanty where
he’ had left Madge With the man who had re.
turned to consciousness.

The girl saw Owlet enter and leaned toward
him and silently pressed his hand. .

.“I wish you’d go back now,” whispered the
mountain sleuth. _

. Madge igot up and threw an annous glance
toward K ng Romeo. . 0 .

'..“I want ou to do your duty.’ she adJured to
“ o matter who did this, I want him

to for it I”

' ,‘Pglyever fear! pay for it he shall!” was the an-

swer, and the girl went out». _ . .
The crowd, or the major part of it, still lin-

 in the sunlight beyond the cabin door.

-. was goiie' be had walked of! alone
amide“ - ' .

  

 

 

 

When Madge appeared the men stepped back
and a few touched their hats respectfullfi.a

“ Thar goes ther only seraph Puzzle r will
ever see !” blurted a big fellow who had touched
his hat.

“ An’ the cap’n in the cabin knows it as well
as you,” another added.

Madge was soon hid by the log structures,
and the gaze of the men could not follow her.

Instead of going direct to her own cabin she

= turned aside and lifted the Wooden latch of a

door which opened instantly.

A mar. inside sprung up from a table at sight
of lici'; he changed color as the young girl saw—

For a moment the parties stood face to face
and speechless. It was look for look.

"' W ell.” suddenly Spoke Madge, “ the scorpion
got his sting. “That It good prophet you are!"

At first a flash lit up the man’s eyes, but it
suddenly cooled.

He took a step forward.

“ I didn’t intcnd to play prophet!” he retorted. ‘

“ But you have seen what has happened."

“ I have seen where the Coward of Puzzle Bar
made his murderous mark. This is what he did
because I (lid not choose him.”

“ Yes.” .
“ Cpnldn‘t you have gone away, Nevada
t?'

‘The next instant the man’s hand was at the
girl’s wrist, holding it as it were in a grip of
steel.

“ What do you mean? Great God! you don’t
think this is m work. eh?"

He leaned ilorward until his face almost
touched hers, and she drew back the length of
his arm.

“ Tell me that you were not out last night,”
she cried, lookin ' into his eyes! “ Stand there,
Nevada Nat, ant say in presence of your Maker
that you were not nee r King Romeo’s cabin be-
tween ttvelve and one.”

Nevada Nat. looked like a person struck dumb,
but by a great effort be got control of himSclf.

v

“ I deny nothing,” he replied. “ I was abroad '
It may have been between twelve ,

last night.
and one; I do not pretend to know.
bod else was out.”

“ ho?" .

“ The person who gave Romeo the dagger.”

“ That is true!”

“The case is in Old Owlet‘s hands. Puzzle
Bar stands ready to hang the man at whom he
points his finger. I do not intend to stand idle
and see the murderer escape. Owlet will ask
me what I know, for, by a certain remark
whichI dropped awhile ago he kn0ws that I
saw something last night. heard something,
to. ,Who was it said, To-morrow the lion will
take his share, if tomorrow ever comes to
him?’ ”

The words went through Nevada Nat with a
thrill that relaxed his grip on Madge’s wrist.

“ You played listener, too, I see!” he cried.
“ I admit that I used those words.”

“ The ‘lion’ was Romeo?”

bl Yes.”

“And you cursed him to Gold Grip?”

“ I did.”

“ Because I chose him instead of Nevada
Natl”

The handsome ton h seemed to recoil from
the brilliant eyes of t 9 girl before him.

But some-

“ The work was not mine!” he cried. “ This
hand, though it has done some prett tough
work. never struck a rival in the dark. t is not

the hand of an assassin!”

“ You’ll have a chance to prove it. This mys-
tery shall be cleared up and the right man
found. The hand that struck King Romeo
struck me. No innocent man shall answer for
this crime if I can prevent. Hark! What is
that?”

The noise that had startled Madge was a lot
of loud voices, and when she opened the door
she loriked once and turned and threw a look into
Nnt‘s face.

“ They are crowding against Owlet‘s cabin!”
she exclaimed. “Hear them! ‘Hang him !’
‘Up with the ’Frisco assassin!’ What do you
so now, Nevada?”

‘ They think they have found the right man.
They are going to swing the man who came in
from the coast.”

“ Who is he?”

“Volcano Van. But look! the pards cant
get into the shanty, because Old Owlet has
planted himself before them. I believe I’ll go
down to the scene.” !

“Go!” cried Madge ste ping back and eying
him. “May be you’d be ter tell the mob that
you were out late last night, that you pro )hesied
that no moming woul come for King omeo,
that you were even at his cabin door—”

“\Voman, in God’s name, why this sudden
transition from friendship to hatred 2‘" he cried.

“I don’t want the innoccnt to suffer.” was
the answer.

“ Nor do I! But you shall know now that
Volcano Van, Colonel Bolt’s bonanza spy, was
also out last night, that he eluded the watch-
dogs of Puzzle Bar, and that he was within
striking distance of King Romeo. Put me on
the witness stand if you lease. Ha! I See I
have new“ you. ‘ We! . i thought I could!"

The n minutaflevada Nat  left Mang

‘ L ‘ A V‘s»: ‘  ' ". I; .

t; ’ a; ,.

 
 
 
 

 
  
 
 

   

in the cabin and was. hurrying to“ ard the
crowd eon regated in front of Old (ln'let‘s door.

Directly fore the door “as a cleared space,
and in the middle of it stood the Nevada watch-
dog, his figure drawn up to its true stature, and
his bronze face calm, while within the (abin, at
the little window, stood the ’Frisco sport gazing
out upon the ravenous horde is ho clamored for
his blood.

“ The man from ’Frisco ismy guest,” cried the
sleuth of Puzzle Bar, and you cannot have him
now. There shall be justice done. but it will fall
upon the right head. Give n 9 time; I‘ve got a
(-leul'.”and you know that lhave never lost a
trai .

The crowd was inclined to draw back.

“ W'hat’s the iroof against the ’Frisco sport?”
asked Nat, tone in” an arm on his right.

“ Proof? Enough to hang a dozen men!
They’ve found the dagger sheath in the shanty,

‘ an’-we all know Old Owlet didn’t do it.”

 

I CHAPTER IX.
om) OWLET’S GUEST.

“’rrn nolittle difficulty Oulot persuaded the
hot-heads of Puzzle Bar to disperse without at-
tempting to take Volcano Van by force.

He did not tell them that the man was not
guilty; he said that the 'erson who had made
' an attempt on the life of ing Romeo should be
handed over to them for vengeance in the due
course of time. After this the Nevada pards
drew back, and the sleepless sleuth turned to the
man who had heard the colloquy without be-
traying any emotion.

On the rough table at his right hand lay the
object which had drawn the men to the cabin.

t was a simple black dagger-sheath empty
now, as if it had lost its blade.

Old Owlet said nothing, but picked up the
sheath and tmk a dagger from his bosom.

“ Do you wonder now that. the boys came
byerf” he asked, as be fitted the dagger into the
5 sheath, and held it up to the ’Frisco spy. “ This
sheath was found here, in this shanty, under the
head of your cot !”

Volcano's eyes instantly yliste ned.

“ W ho found it?’ he asked, quietly.

“ Bedrock Burt.”

“What sort of a man is he 3”

“ One 0’ the most reliable at the bar.”

“ I never saw the sheath before to-day.”

“ Nor the dagger?”

“ I saw it in your hand for the first time.”

“You were out last ni ht.”

Old Owlett looked keen y at the young man as
, he spoke.

The answer was not delayed.

“ You are. right. I was out. '

“ You left the shanty about twelve an’ came
back at one.”

“ I did.”

“ You thought I was asleep?”

M Ya ‘9

“ You don’t know yet that I neVer sleep,”
grinned Owlet. “ W hen you left the shantyI
was playing Weasel. I saw you go out an’ come
back. It doesn’t 10ok very well for a visitor in.
a strange camp. I suppore you're willin’ to

 

I “ I don’t like to be cooped up in a cabin,
; plied Volcano.
2 years. I went out to stroll around.”
I “ With no intentions?”
: “ With no intentions.” _
l' “This man is innocent,” murmured Owlet.
l “ He never struck King Romeo. The blow came
. from another quarter. But. Volcano is a paid
3 spy; he is hyar to discover the bonanza secret,
! anito destroy my usefulness at Puzzle Bar. Eels
i got to be ’tendod to for that. but, by Jupiter!
3 they don‘t swing him for the attempted mur-
der of Romeo. I see that the presence of the
dagger sheath under his pillow is a part of the
' b ag’in’ him. He doesn‘t know that I was at
his heels awhile last night. I wasn’t gone long
from the shanty, fut long enough to give the
real cwriminal a chance to play the game he did
lav;

“ I wouldn‘t advise you to circulate among the
boys much to day," he resumed suddenly to
Colonel Bolt’s man. “ It won’t do for you to
attempt to leave the Bar either.”

hanging over me,” was the quick answer.

“ There ar’ men in camp who think the findin’
of the sheath hyar evidence conclusive.
their”minds it is strong enough to swing twenty
men.

“I’Vth do you think?”

y.
“ I‘ll be honest with you,” answered Owlet as
bluntly. “ I think. you‘re not the guilty man.”
The sport-detective bowed and held out his

hand.
“Ilike your bluntneSs,” he exclaimed. “If
you believed otherwise you would he ' so.”
“You kin bet your head I won! . It is nv‘

duty to ferret out the man who dea‘lt last night’s
blow, an’ if I thought he was you, I’d say so. I
' kin guarantee 1{on safety if you’ll kee tlze

cabin to-day. e boys won’t come bee . for
I’ll see that they cool down.
rock Burt. He looks upon you as 31

aadhisflrst thought was tonal-ch the shanty

 

  

give an account 0' your movements last night.” \
re-

“I haven’t been usedtoit for r V

“ I don’t intend to go away with a false charge

In ..

The chestion was blunt enough to startle anyt \

I don’t blame Beds -‘
stranger, M»:

C .
.r‘fi‘

 

 

  
    

vii “w . r.“ g ;

 

Va; {2be r

‘-
~

\ :-

._,~y. 1 1;

smut—2.»: *
1 u: 3 m5"

.‘.»
‘x s:

s

a?

.f’ .‘1. . _.

7  FE’
 “as: .

v I!“ 

as :j—afif’us lasso.

«at—:43»
’- ‘e. H“ ~.

.7 . i that he heard about the attempted murder.

 

 

 

 

 

8 Volcano, the ’FriscoflSpy.

 

He didn’t put the dagger whar he found it. The l He ke
Nol the assassin is ‘

man is too honest for that.

tryin’ to throw me off the trail. Give me a I

chance.”
“ Is the dagger strange to you?“
“ I never saw one like it," replied Owlet. “ An'
I’ve been hyer ever since the foundin o’ Puzzle

|

 

 

t the cabin as Owlet had suggested, but
now our then presentml himself at the door.
During these intervals he looked anxiously for
Caliban, whom he thought he would know on
si rht.
he dwarf was not to be seen.
It was near sundown when Old Owlet came

Bar.‘ Now, keep the cabin ra ther c ose. The 5 back, and Volcano V an gave him a. questioning
boys’ll caucus at the Golden P ecce, an” if there i look. ‘

be a move made you’ll know it in time.”

When Volcano Van found himself alone he
could not help thinking of the man who had just
left.

This was the famous Old ()'\'let, the sleepless 5

eyed man a ainst wnom Colonel Ilolt had warned
him in San ‘raucisco. It was expected that the
watch—do would be the first one to greet him on
his arrivefi on the battle ground, and sure enough
he had been.

But there was something which still puzzled
the spy, something as yet unknown to 'the
reader.

It will b recollected that the sealed instruc-
tions writfin by the ’Frisco banker for Volcano
Van were stolen from the California library by
a masked man who replaced them with a packet
similarly sealed.

it was the substituted packet which Colonel
Bolt delivered to his agent with verbal instruc-
tions that it was not to be opened until he

I

(Volcano Van) was within five miles of Puzzle .

Bar. .

The agent-sport carried out the instructions to
the letter, and when he broke the seals and
opened the envelope he found, a lot of waste

r!
olcano was both puzzled and surprised.

What did it mean?

Colonel Bolt had told him that final instruc-
tions were in the envelope, but in their stead he
found nothing!

“There’s a mysterious hand in this?” decided
the sport while he stood on the trail which was
about to end in the gold-camp, and then his
thoughts went back to the outset of his meeting
with Gideon Galt and his employment on the
hazardous mission.

“I don’t suspect Gideon,” he cried frankly.
“ I know him to be eager to discover the bonanza
secret and to break up the rei of the Secret
Seven. But my Mormon serpen what of you f”

A smile stole over his face as he thought of
Mormon Mort.

"Colonel Bolt suspects the Utah lizard. for,
why did he question we so closely in the
library? I told him about the Mormon‘s three
wives and he seemed to receive the account
with a good deal of sur rise, and satisfaction.
If Mormon Mort is not p aying a shrewd, deep

ame of some kind, it is because he has suddenly

urned saint in reality. I knew old sli pery be-
fore I saw him in the private office of t eGolden
Eagle Bank. He started when he saw me, and I
em his mind Went back seven years when I
ed a committee which gave him ten minutes
in which to leave Ranch Number Nine, I half
believe this is your work, Mormon Mort. When
we heard Lura’s shriek m the reom below the
library and ran down to find her in a faint,
which she refused to explain, We were twenty
minutes from the room—time enough for some
work of this kind.

“Ve well; I’ll get alon without the instruc-
tions. have had m Wor outlined. I am to
find th bonanza, to iscover who runs it, to di-

1 am i for my employers, and to outwit or get
a and of Old Owlet—a. retty big job. I am to

t twenty thousand do Jars if I succeed, nothing

f -I fail. The last words that fell from Lura

Bolt’s lips were loadings with her father to
kee me back. he prophesied all manner of
evi followed me to the door against Colonel
Bolt’s looks, and begged me to throw up the con-
tract. I coolly refused. and the banker took her
away and laughed good—by.”

These were the circumstances under which
Volcano had lunged into the work before him.
He was too or from San Francisco, and too
near the. battle-ground to report the story of the
substituted package.

Puzzle Bar with its den 11 and desperadoes,
with its bonanza and Old wlet, was just ahead
and, nerved for the task with the chances against
him Volcano Van walked into the awe of death.

Of course he did not know that ormon Mort
had posted Old Owlet about his mission.

If he had known before leavin ’F‘risco that
the Utah villain was in Old Ow et’s , the
chances are that he would have enteresa lt‘

Bar unannounced. But there was a man as

shrewed in some things as the agent-sport, and
that man was Mormon Mort.

Hevhad already made the a uaintance of the
Nevada watch-dog, his first ni t in Puzzle Bar
had been passed under his roo .

Did Owlet suspect? Did he dream that the.
man he was harboring hadxcome tobreak up the

ld-nest in the mountains?

With all his tact and shrewdness was the sleep-
les: sleuth-hound of Puzzle Bar at fault at last?

Volcano Van had not yet seen Caliban, the
dwarf. He recollected that he had been instruct-
ed to on the “ good side" of the hunchback,
but w ere was he to find the little fellow?

The day were on with no fresh developments

 

The face of the mountain detective told noth-
ing it never did.

“ What are King Romeo’s chances now?” ask- 1

ed Van.

“ He’s going to worry through it,~but that
doesn’t lessen the crime in the eyes 0’ Puzzle
Bar,” was the response.

After that Owlet was silent.

It was apparent that the sleuth was puzzled.
If he had been busy all day be had been reward-
ed with nothing satisfactory. He looked like a
bear ready to growl.

“ You want to keep to the shanty to-night ”
he remarked suddenly to the man furtIVe y
studying him. “ I can’t be hvcr all the time to
watch you, but, if anything happens, I’ll not be
far away.”

The singular emphasis was enough to rouse
Volcano Van’s suspicions.

“ Remember! you are my guest and my pris-
oner,” Old Owlet Went on.

“ Your prisoner?”

“ Yes. I’ll explain later,” and out he went
among the gathering shades of night.

Da fled and the moonless darkness came.

01« Owlet had the tread and the eyes of the
fox.

All at once he appeared at the door of a cabin
opened it and went it.

A man looked up from a frugal supper and
started at sight of him.

“ Thar‘s your property 1” and Old Owlet threw
a sheathed dagger on the tin plate.

CHAPTER X.
» THE WHITE FEATHER.

THERE was a moment of silence.

“My property? What do you mean?” cried
the man at the table, as his eyes were lifted from
the dagger to Old Owlet’s face.

“ Nothin more than what I’ve said,” was the
answer. “ on don’t think I’d run the wrong
man down, eh, Nevada?”

“ And you don’t suppose I’m the person who
used that dagger last n ght?”

Owlet’s eyes were answer enough; his lips did
not have to reply.

The person at the table whc was Nevada Nat,
piicked up the da. get and held it up in the light.

9 knew that t e sleuth of Puzzle Bar was
watching him, as indeed he was, and with
the keenest pair of eyes in the gold region.

“ I don’t want what belongs to some one else,”
he remarked. with a faint smile at his lips.
“ This weapon was never mine.”

Owlet looked as if he expected a denial of this
kind; he did not start, but met Net’s look with a
twinkle of derision.

“Come, I don’t want to make a. scene to-
night," he e'aculated. “If you want a blunt
charge, I wil say that I have found the. man
who used that dagger last night, an’ that it is
now in his hands.’

“ For once on are 03' the scent, Captain
Owlet,” cried evada Nat.

“You deny, then ?”

u I do‘” ,

Old Owlét rested an elbow on the table, and
leaned toward the handsome sport of Puzzle

Bar.

“ I hardly thought you’d do it when I faced
you," he resumed. “There is nothing plainer
than my trail. Will you listena moment?”

“Yes; go on.”

"I have picked u a thread here an’ there
until I have enoug to condemn you twice
over.”

“ That is a pleasant outlook.”

“ The start of the whole thin was jealousy.”
continued Owlet, takin no no ice of Nat’s ob-
servation. “ You an’ ing Romeo have been
rivals for the affections of one and the same wo-
man. You were not the successful man, an’
your failure sharpened your teeth an’ heated
your blood. You threatened Romec in Madge’s
presence; you prophesied that he Would never
see to-day—this to Gold Grip. Don't you see
where you have made poor lays? Last night
you were out; you went to meo’s cabin, you
listened at the door awhile, an’ then went in.
You remained there perhaps twenty minutes—
a longer time than was necessary. When you
came out you went toward my shanty, an’ from
thence back to your own nest.

“ Who told you all this?" asked Nevada Nat,
who had heard the mountain detective through
with a look of startled surprise.

“ I picked it up link by link till I have the
chain com lete,” was the reply, accompanied by
a smile of riumph.

“The story of my love came from Madge,
that is plain.” exclaimed Nat. “m hot words
against Romeo from Gold Grip; ut the other
part, my, visit to the cabin, where did you pick

at p

 

“ ere were eyes on the alert last night.”
“ So it seems,” cried Nevada Nat through his

3! !‘ ~.I'.',~1"'i.v'\‘a

t .. ..» ,5, ‘./  ,.
‘h“("’:‘i‘i"‘vi1 ..'I .4 .

teeth. “And they were 9 on that used their
» powers against me! It is 4 me that I was out
i when you say I was. I went to King Romeo’s
5 cabin, but it was not to take his life, though I
did not like him. What does he say?”
“He has been unconscious nearly all day.”
Nevada Nat looked alarmed.
“ Is the man going to die?” he exclaimed.
, “ He hasn’t got a very good grip on life, that’s
i certain.”
i  Didnhe say that I called last night?”
0.
l “I called to say ‘ good-by,’ to tell Romeo that
I had relinquished all my claims to a share of
i the big bonanza, and to Queen Madge, too. We
. parted: on good terms, we shook hands over the
l chasm. By the living God, Owlet. the blood of
.l King Romeo is not on these hands!”
‘ Old Owlet was a man who had never made a
. mistake when on a human trail. Had he caught
', the wrong man now? Had his acumen been
? wasted in the wron direction, and was he
‘ to be forced to acknow edge to the men he served
’ that in the most important hunt of his life he
i had caught the innocent?

No! the man was not one of this kind.

He had rarely caught a man who had con.
fessed to the charges brought against him, and
he had finished the career of several spies who
had come to Puzzle Bar for the purpose of find-
in the bonanza mine.

e was not to be beaten by Nevada Nat's de-
fense.

His thong declaration at the end of his last
s ‘ch that he was innocent of the attempt on
king Romeo’s life, did not affect the old watch-

ilo .

The dagger once more lay on the table, and
Owlet’s hand suddenly caug t it up.

“ I am in duty bound to lay my evidence be-
fore the camp,” he remarked.

“ When?”

“ As soon as possible, for another life is in
dun er.”

“ be life of the man at
claimed Nat. “ You know w
to Puzzle Bar.”

Old Owlet nodded.

“ You stand between Rim nn' theibonanza in
a Very poor manner. re you n to ve
him a chance to get in his work?” go 8 xi

The detective’s answer was a smile.

“If I am to be accused before the camp, the
sooner the better!” Nevada Nat went on, and
pushing his stool back, he rose and stood before
Old Owlet. “You don’t want your reputation
to suffer by the charge that you have caughtfihe
wrong man; I can see that. Captain Owlet.
You told me once that you Would ban the
wrong man before you would let a blin trail
beat on.”

our cabin!” ex-
t brought him

Ow et started.

“When was that?"

“A car ago. I havo not 1 otten it it it
has slipped from our memo . ell, call up

the camp, tell the boys that t e ’Frisco ?y at
your cabin is innocent, and that Nevada at is
the guilty one. Why don’t you fly to your vic-
toi'iy, Owlet?”

he last words seemed to lift the mountain
sleuth to his feet.

“ Brag ocio never saves a man when I have
tracked im down i” he exclaimed. “ When I
was sworn into the rervice of the Banded Seven.
King Romeo, aking for all of you, told me to
spare no one w en on duty. You have not for-
gotten this?”

“I have not.”

“ Then because I have ended my trail at your
cabin, you should not growl.”

“ II) ’will not. Go and proclaim your tri-
um .

e bronzed hand of the athletic sport pointed
toward the door. His lips closed as if he had
spoken for the last time.

“God have mercy on you; I‘m going to do
my duty!” exclaimed the detective. “ I never
though to throw you into the clutches of the
secret code Nevada Nat, but fate has done the
work, not Old Owlet of Puzzle Bar.”

There was no _reply; the tall flgu
sport stood erect in the lamplight, With his hand
covering the door at Owlet’s back.

For a moment longer the old fox looked at
him; then with a sudden flash in his eyes he
turned an ‘walked out with the air of a de er-
mined man.

He had taken the da r with him as if to
throw it into the scales a the proper moment.

Nevada Nat heard his last ootateps with im-
patience.

“ He may make the noose, but he will never
drop it over my head!” he cried. “ He must
never fail: that is his motto. When he finds he
has captured the wrong man he hangs him, and
serves the right one the same trick when be dis-
covers his error. I have told him that the blood
of King Romeo is not on my hands; I informed
him that I went to Romeo’s cabin last night, and
that while I said good-by, I wished him a happy
life with the woman for whom I would have torn
my heart out. I was watched, but I did not
know it. Now I see that the circumstances are
dead against me. In less than thirty minutes I
will be accused of the crime. He will force

 

‘ Madge to tell her story before the crowd,-and.

roof the‘

.I
l
3'5

 

 

  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

 

um». -- ‘

 

 

the men of Puzzle Bar will know that I loved
her and was euchered b Kin Romeo. Shall I
stay for this torture? hall go to the rope b
the evidence of the woman I have loved and sti 1
love? Why not let the thing cool down? Why
not give Owlet a chance to at his hand on the
guilty man? By Jove! I wi . It may look like
cowardice; they will post we like a thief through-
out Nevada; they will brand me as bein all
that is infamous. They will call me Nevada. Tat,
the assassin. Let them! I know that these
hands never struck at King Romeo’s heart to
miss it by a hair. The man who has come from
'Frisco on a secret mission of destruction will

ive them work enough by and by. Volcano
Tan, Colonel Bolt’s sport , Will prove a match
for the king watch-dog of evada. If Old Owlet
wants to save his reputation he had better throt-
tie the agent at once!” '

Five minutes later a man left Nevada Nat’s
shanty, closing the door softly behind him.

He left the lamp burning full on the table and
the remains of a supper interrupted lay around
the tin plate.

“ An exile for a woman’s sake,” muttered the
man as he stepped into the starlight. “ It will
not be alwa s thus. Mebbe if I had gone to her

first I won (1 have won; God kn0ws. She can
watch him back to life and become a Juliet to
Puzzle Bar’s Romeo. I wish her ha piness, but,
by Jove! I cannot like the man w 0 came be-
tween with his arts.”

The next moment the speaker walked away.

Once he glanced over his left shoulder and
caught the leam of a light in a certain cabin a
little ways own the irregular street.

“ It’s a tussle between life and death tharl”
he said under his breath as he looked and kept

on. .

All at once he turned aside, and walked to-
ward a shanty which contained no light at the
time.

“I want to see the scorpion once more!” he
ejaculated between his teeth. “ I haven’t the
heart to say gocd-by to Madge, but by heavenl
I’m in the proper mood to give him a parting
he’ll never forget.”

Nevada Nat opened the door without the cere-
mony of a knock. The interior of the cabin was

dar .
' “Caliban, my
 leaned over the th
 There was a quick response from one of the
i dark corners, the next moment the well-
I known figure of the mountain dwarf was be-
fore him. ‘
N” I’m going off, Caliban!” continued Nevada
t at.
i . The dwarf, uttered a cry of surprise.
3 “ Before I o I want to leave my com liments
on were on my trail last night.”

boy ’ exclaimed Nat as he
res old.

with you.

“ No lies, hunchbaok! I am gain of! because
the work of your sting has been lai at my door!
Now take my partiu gigs.”

The next instant ev a Nat seized Caliban
and lifted him from the floor. One of his velvet
hands was at the dwarfs throat, and before the
deformed could utter a sound it closed there like
a vulture’s talons.
§ The dwarf writhed and struggled in the sport’s
l grip until it tightened like the hand of doom.
t “ You’ll recollect me when you see your hun-
! dred years!” laughed Nat- in the distorted and
‘ blackened face. “ You love like a ervclone, my
‘ imp ’of darkness. Aha! good-by, hope for-

ever!

' ; He flung the little hunchback through the

darkness against the logs .and heard him fall on
the floor, then, With Victory in his eyes, he
wheeled and walked away. ’

Not long afterward he turned his face toward
Puzzle Bar from a rock far above the bonanza
camp, waved a farewell with his big sombrero
and passed again out of sight.

 

i

l

l

E

 CHAPTER XI.
now CALIBAN mam}.

Ir was not long before it was discovered that
Nevada Nat had said good-by to Puzzle Bar.

Old Owlet wassurprised when the discovery
was made. For once the watch of the bonanza
mine had given one of his suspectsa little too
much string, and when he came back to Net’s

he had told his story he found an empty room
awaiting him.

We need not say that the sport’s flight fastened
Nevada Nat’s guilt on Old Owlet’s mind. He
had in an incredibl ' short space of time ferret-
ed out the midnig t assassin, but had failed to
hold him. .

During the excitement that. reigiied in the
' camp after Nat's flight a miner 1m. ed by some
sin ular curiosity looked into Cali n's shanty.

geing nobody he called the dwarfs name and
was answered by a groan that drew him inside,
and the next moment he was bending over Cali-
ban with a lighted lucifer in his hand.

The deformed lay at the foot of the wall where
he had struck it when hurled from Nevada Nat‘s
hands. and his face, still black from the choking,
rendered him an object of disgust.

His fiery little eyes shone like live coals as they

cabin with several determined follows to whom

 

looked up into the face of his discoverer.
had come back to consciousness, but it was evi-
dent that he had had a tough time of it.

“ Somebody has been hyer!” ejaculated the
miner.

“ The devil was here!” answered Caliban
through his teeth.

“ Not as bad as that, I guess, thou b you look
like it,” was the grinning retort. “ ho was he,
an how?"

“The fiend Nevada Natl”

The man gave vent to a cry.

“ He had to do suthin’ afore he left cam . But
wig should he try to choke the life out 0 you?”

a

Volcano, the ’Frisco Spy.

Hel

liban shrunk back like a snail into his shell, 1

but did not speak.

“ Did they catch him?” he asked after a brief 

silence.
“ No; he got clear away with the blood 0’ King
Romeo on his skirts.”

The dwarf’s eye's seemed to get an additional V p

sna . I
“Pl‘hey’ll hang him for it, won‘t they?” he.-

smiled.

“Wal, won’t they?" was the reply. “You
know we’ve got to get him first, but that’s only
a question 0 time. With Owlet to hunt him
down he’s got no chance 0’ ultimate escape. I’ll
go a’n’ see how they’re makin’ it with the other
one.

“ ‘Vhat other one?” asked Caliban as the
miner turned away.

“ Why, the man who has been at Owlet‘s.”

“ Oh, the ’Frisco sport?”

“The man under whose illow Nevada Nat
put the knife after strikin’ omeo. It’s all as
plain as day now. He thought he’d fix the
Frisco sport by that neat trick, but Old Owlet
ran him down, for all. The ’Frisco sport ain’t
'es‘ the kind 0’ man we want hyer, but jest now

evada Nat absorbs everything.”

“ How is King Romeo?’

Caliban tried to ask the question in a tone
that would not betray his intense jealousy, and
succeeded in a manner that deli hted him.

“It is nip an’ tuck with King Romeo,” an~
swered the man. “Now he’s up an’ the next
moment he’s away down.”

“ What do you think?”

“ He’s goin to makea die 0’ it in the long
run,” was the answer.

A ain Caliban drew back into the shadows
for t e miner had touched his match to a lamp
on the table, and there his eyes sparkled again.

Maybe after all King Romeo would lose the
fight for life, and he could still love the woman
w ohad taken by storm the heart in his mis
sha n body.

iban seemed grateful to the man for with-
drawing, and when his figure had passed out he
sprung to his feet and uttered an exclamation
o o . ~

3 (The lever dead or nearl so and another
outlawed!” he exclaimed. “ hat better could
have happened? I did not look for affairs to
take this turn, butI accept them, ha, ha! The

,‘ surrounds a house of death was there.

0... ....-~—......_m._..-.—...»_.. .. m..._.._....

9 i

“We’re not going tolet him laugh over his
success!" was the repl .

“ I thought you wou d not,” cried the dwarf.
: eyin the sleuth.
; be“ f you follow him, Owlet, King Romeo “ill
I

avenged.”
, “I did not say] intend to, but he will not
. boast of his scheme. Nobody ever escapes Old

I Owlet of the Sleepless Eye.”

“Nobody! I’m glad of that!” echOed the
dwarf. .
The faint semblance of glee broadened into a
smile at his lips when the mountain detective

left the hut.

“Better and better!” ejaculated Caliban.
“This is the famous watch—dog known the
country over for his keenness. He lets Nevada
Nat slip through his fingers like melted butter.
Ho! ho! Captain Owlet, you’ll have to do bet-

! ter than this or you‘ll get laughed at for your ,7

ains!” \
The Puzzle Bar detective walked down to
King Romeo's calrln.

Nobody stood before it, and the silence which
Behind

v him was the Golden Fleece where he knew the

Dwarf King of Puzzle Bar is in clover and he 

may yet wear the rose which King Romeo has
pluck to his eternal cost.”

Caliban was still rejoicing in this strain when
a heavy footstep outside caught his ear, and as
he turned the door opened to admit Old Owlet.

For once the hired shadow of Puzzle Bar had
not trflsd to mufile his footsteps.

When he saw Caliban he burst int) a laugh
which made the dwarf frown for he knew that
Owlet was laughin over the terrible choking
he had received at he hands of Nevada Nat.

“ Tell me all about it,” exclaimed Owlet.
“ on was be here? what did he say? when
did he leave?”

Caliban seemed to smile at the other’s eager-

ness, but nothing loth, he related the story of '

his meeting with the second 5 rt of the Bar.

Of course Caliban chose is language as he
went alon ° there were a few things which he
left out. 9 did not tell quite all, yet he told
enough to satisfy Owlet.

At the end of his sto he put to Owlet the
same interr tive he he put to the miner.

“ How is ing Romeo ettin on?”

“Dead Iguess”wast e reiil .

A thrill startled the dwarf of male Bar.

“ You don’t mean that Owlet,” he ejaculated.

“ Well, the fight can’t last much longer. The
blow was a sure one. I left.l him just a minute
ago. Madge is thar, an’ she’s all tore up, too.”

Caliban’s lips met.

“ What does she think?”

“ I can’t get her to say. She told me that Ne-
vada was out last night; she gave me the first

intern I got, but now she shakes her head.

liban, do you know that Nat thought he had
a claim on t e girl's heart.”

“ I know it.” '

“ He thought he had first claim, ha, ha!”
laughed the detective “He didn’t know that
Ma ge had given her love to King Romeo. The
girl made her own choice, an’ because she did,

the ”knife of a jealous skunk had to take his ‘1

life.
The dwarf seemed to swallow somethin very
uncomfortable. and Owlet did not see t t his

long-fingered hands closed madly at the epithet.
“Are on going to follow Nat?" suddenly
asked 0 iban. - ’

. r ,
r « .

.vs ,
 :i ," '

 

dark-faced and dark—shirted population of the
Bar was discussing the most startling cventsin .
its history. ,’_

Old Owlet drew up to the little window beside 5:‘
the door and looked in. \ ~ '

On a cot under the lam that penetrated the
place with a sick~room lig t lay the burly figure
of King Romeo.

Seated at his side with one of his bronze hands
in both of hers, was Nevada Madge the primal ,
cause of the dark tragedy. {i

The girl’s face was already wan and anxious. .
Her eyes were fixed on the motionless master,
and there was in them an expreSSion of tender-
ness wltie‘u Old Owlet could see from his sta-
tion.

“Thar ain‘t another like her in Nevada,”
murmured the mountain detective. “ That 'rl ,
is worth her weight in gold, an’ worth figh 'n’ 
for if I’m a judge 0’ feminine humanity. If I u
should in thar an’ tell her all I know about 
King omeo it wouldn’t shake her love one
bit. But I’m not goin’ to do it. It’s the last
thing I’d think of. Let Romeo die with the

secret of the past untold. I’m not the man to ~ 1;;
shock that girl with it now.” 

Old Owlet slewly drew away leavin ,Mad 3’"
alone with the king of the mine. e mi: t i

have stepped in and {quired about Romeo, but
he chose not to distur the girl at her vigils.

“ Now for a little 81 play with the dangerous
man from ’Friseo!” e e'aculated to himself.
“ As a matter of course Vo cano V an is to pay for .j ,
his foolhardiness with his life. Colonel Bolt’s 
other two spies did, an’ this one is the third an’ ii

I can let Nevada Net ,_ 0~ till I makea 1'
fatal play against the man who has Crossed two
States for the bonanza secret. Mormon Mort
warned me in time, an’ I have already ot the
spy of the ’Frisco league in the meshes of 00m.”

“ Owlet?”

The mention of his name by some one at his
heels caused the Puzzle Bar detective to start ‘
and turn.

As he executed the latter movement a man
step forward, and the faces of the two almost ' v,- -
touc  i A.  -

In an instant a look of wonder came into Ow—  ‘
let’s eyes.

“When did you come?” he exclaimed. “ I
thought gin were pin in’ your schemes in
’Frisco? our letter sai you were. Why, you
almost beat it ter Puzzle Bar!” -
“ I know it,” was the answer, accompanied by ’ '
a smile. “ 1 left sooner than I expected. Cir- ‘ ;
cunistauces made me show my hand before I ‘
intended to. I played it for all there was in it,
and I guess I won. too!”

“ In what way?” asked Old Owlet, eagerly.

“In the first lace, let me satisf in self about
a matter in which I am intereste ,”t e stranger
cgizi'tinued. “ The man, Volcano Van—came,
e

H Ya.”

“ And you made short work of him, of course?”

“ I intend to.” '

“ What! haven’t you played your famous
hand yeti” exclaimed the man, drawing back.

“ Something else took my attention; something .
that shook Puzzle Bar to its foundations." I
“ Then, I’ll withdraw till you strike. I don’t
want Volcano Van to see me here just now.” .
“ Of course not, Mormon Mort. When hesawm
you last you were in ’Frisco.” ,  , ‘

“1n Colonel Bolt’s bank helping to make the 
plans which I intended shoul never be c
out. I wouldn’t have him see me now for the
riches of the bonanza. I had hoped you had . r
struck.” v ~-

“ But I will! Where is the ’F‘risco wife, Mort!” ‘

“ Not in the Bolt mansion, by along bowl"
laughed the Mormon. “I played a hand that
wins and have astonished al ’Frisco. It was a
lone d and a cool one. Lena Bolt, the bean-
tiful, ison the road to Salt Lake. I have stepped
aside tosee how you got along with the young ‘
California spy and s rt.” ~

Old Owlet drew ck a little and looked at '
the man before him. I

There wasacunning about the Mormonfil— ' '

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘. .7 i " . t s "‘4 L' TIN-V1.

' " I i J.» . » \: _.. f" V "silv'z 1'

 / didnot

‘ ‘ +-~.fio-w-- ' A

 

‘ ed himself to Volcano Van.

' here at once.

. Van.

10

 

lain which his eyes and look threw out for the
ilteuilctive's inspection. Old Owlet could see

a .

“Walk down yonder to the last shanty and
'don’t leave it without my orders," suddenly ex—
claimed Owlet, pointing down the camp street.
"‘ Itis true that fiou don’t want Volcano Van to
see you here. e is in my shanty, an’ I am
goin tohim now. Good-night.”

01 Owlet turned away with the last word, '

leaving Mormon Mort to obey the commands
just issued.

 

CHAPTER XII.
a CRISIS.
“ I WOULD like to know what kind of a game

‘ Mormon Mort played in ‘Frisco, but 1’11 get the

whole story from him by and by,” murmured
Old Owlet while he walked toward the little
house where he expected to find Volcano Van.

He had not turned his head to look after the
Mormon sport, but he believed he had gone to
the last house on the irre ular street, which was
a structure just then wit no tenant.

Owlet could not imagine how the Mormon

latter had escaped from San Francisco With
Colonel Bolt‘s ward, as he undoubtedly had, for
he had just told him that the girl, Lura, was on
her way to Salt Lake City.

The truth is that the detective of Puzzle Bar
did not give Mormon Mort credit for all the
shrewdncss he actually pissessed. If he had
known the Mormon as a ew others' knew him,
he would not have been so stinted with his
praise. and Mort would have received his dues.

01d Owlet passed on to his cabin and found
Volcano Van rather anxious to receive him.

The lam on the table showed the agent-sport
the face 0 the gold-camp ferret, an revealed
to him the existence of a state of affairs which
lease Owlet.

“ We , you haven’t been disturbed?" began
Owlet.

L‘ No."

“ No visitors?”

~A smile came to Volcano Van’s lips.

“ Oh yes, I’ve had a visitor,” he answered.

Old Owlet started.

“ Who was he?"

“ Gold Grip. He has not been gone ten min-

’9

es.

‘f Then he told you—”

9‘ Yes, he said that Nevada N t has run off
and that the chances are against ing Romeo.”

“ Was that all?” I

“All of any importance."

Owlet looked at the man as if he doubted the
truth of the last answer, but did not dispute it.

Suddenly the sound of a voice came into the

I cabin. The two men exchanged quick glances

and listened.

‘5 Hello, Owlet! Owlet!" said the voice.

The watch of Puzzle Bar went to the door.
As he 0 ned it, revealing his figure en sil-
houette be ore the lamp, the shout was repeated
and the detective saw a stalwart man standing
in his shirt sleeves a few feet away.

“ I ass you’re wanted at the Golden Fleece.
The boys hev caught a rat, an’ they’ve got him
that for ’dentitication.”

“ What kind of a rat?” asked Owlet.

“One we never saw h er afore,” was the re-
ply;It “ They want yer own thar ter tell ’em
w ter do. ”

, “ I’m coming,” responded Owlet, drawin

" back into the cabin, where Volcano Van ha

heard the colloquy. “The boys have picked up
some atran er, an’ it’s natural, after what has
happened. t t they should hold him till he’s
vouched for."

“ Certain! '; that is ri ht.”

“I’ll o own an’ ta e a look at him," con-
tinued wlet. “ You kin continue tor make
yerself at home hyer.”

He went out with no further words, and the
aggnt-sport was again alone.

en minutes passed.

“Now you must go!” suddenly exclaimed a
man, who bounded into the cabin, and present-
“ Something has
"ust occurred which tells me you were betrayed

or death lwi’oro you left ’Frisco.”

The handsome sport’s look was a uestion

“ Mormon Mort is at the Golden leece.”

“Mormon Mort?” echoed Van.

. “Mormon Mort, an’ nobody else! The boys

can ht him awhile ago, an’ but for Owlet’s in-

erence they would have swung him from the

his!» before the saloon as Nevada Nat’s accom-
ce. , -

‘p olcano Van stood spell-bound before the ex-

~ cited speaker, who was Gold Grip, the third

man of the Secret Seven.
Suddenly his hands shut.
‘L‘Il’d like to see this Mormon centipede!” he

cri . .

“ You don’t wantto see him—that is certain !”
was the answer. “ You want to get away from
I heard anon h awhile ago to
convince me that the man yed you before
you started on the trip. ”

' “ don’t you 9 me?” asked Volcano
‘ You claim to lieve thatl am the paid
spy of Colonel Bolt, the ’Frisco banker; you
say that l have come here for the purpose of

V discovering the best guaided secret in the world.

 

You are one of the share-holders in that secret,

but yet you want me to get away with my life

when you claim that all spies in Puzzle Bar are

3) be” killed. You are,a strange man, Gold
rip.

“ But I’m no assassin!” exclaimed Gold Grip,
drawing back. "I came here awhile ago an’
advised you to leave.”

“ To run off as Nevada Nat has done !"

“He fled for his life; why not you?”

“ I am not a murderer!”

“ That is true. But with the eyes of Old
Owlet on you, you are not safe here. "He knows
that you are the spy of the ’Frisco banker and
his friend Gray (rid. Mormon Mort, who be«
tra ed your coming by a message of some kind,
is ere himself. w et has just rescued him
from the hands of the filflrds of Puzzle Bar.
Don’t you know what wi happen next? Are
you foolish enough to think that Owlet ever lets
a rat out of the trap on urpose? You don’t
know the dragon who guari s the bonanza secret!
Go! 0! Before it is too late, turn your back on
the eaths of Puzzle Bar. You have no more
chance here than a kid has in the tiger’s claws."

The SEO ’s lips met.

“ I c allenge you to tell me why you take
such an interest in me,” he exclaimed, stepping
toward Gold Grip, who was in earnest.

“ You want to know, eh?”

“Yes; you dare not tell me, I say.”

A mental struggle seemed to be going on with
the man before him.

“ I don’t think we ever met before,!’ the
young detective continued. “I certainly did
not expect an event of this kind.”

“No, of course not,” and Gold Grip’i hand
clutched Van’s arm at the wrist. “ If you will
not 0 without knowing—”

“ may not go then.’

“ Well, come with me! I’ll show you why I
want you to go away. 1 don’t care a curse for
the bonanza. I can live without it, but you
must go. By heavens! you mustl”

The next moment the two men were beyond
the cabin, and on the road to the one occupied
by the Puzzle Bar sport. There was a wild, al-
most insane, eagerness about Gold Gri ’s actions.
When he reached his cabin he kick the door
open and led Volcano Van across the threshold.

“ Stand there!” he commanded, dropping the
hand he had held during the ionrney, and a
moment later he disappeared be ind a curtain
that hung in one corner.

Volcano Van waited five minutes on the man.
When he came out he carried a small, flatfack-
age in his hand, and in a moment he had epos-
ited it on the table.

“ Where is your mother?” he asked, wheeling
suddenly u n Volcano Van. .

“ Myl me her? She is dead.”

“ A ! when did she die?”

“ When I was a boy.”

There was no reply for a moment.

“This is a strange place for family secrets,
said Gold Grip when he s k_e again, and then
his hand pointed to the pee age on the table.

“ Open that and inspect the contents,” he
cried, and then with a revolver in his hand he
gent and leaned against the wall near the win-

ow.

Did he expect an onslaught of some kind?
Was he fearful that the a andoment of Old
Owlet’s cabin had shortened Volcano Van’s
lease of life?

The ’Frisco slpy turned to the pocket and
picked it up. t was not larger than his hand,
and the outside covering was a piece of dirty
buckskin which was wrapped with a piece of
dark co .

Every now and then Gold Grip threw a glance
toward him, but soon returned to his armed
vi lie at the window.

the buckskin was removed the gilded frame
of a daguerreotype came into view, and at last
Volcano Van was gazing into the face of a
woman in the prime of life and beautiful.

“M mother!” he exclaimed in a voice that
to send a thrill through Gold Grip, for
he started.

“ Ha! do you think so?” he suddenly laughed,
in tones total! unlike his natural ones.

“I know it That is' a face that will never
leave my memory while memory lasts!” was the

rel-amuse.
old Grip turned suddenly from the window
and came toward the ’Frisco sport.

“ Yes Volcano, Van, that is your mother,” he
resum , and then he took of! his sombrero, and
holding it respectfully behind him, leaned for—
ward and gazed in silence on the daguerreo-

06.

“There can be no mistake, but in heaven’s
name, how came this picture in your on?"
asked Volcano Van, turning to t 9 sport of
Puzzle Bar.

“You want to know eve ting, I see,” was
the response. “I have amin to tell you noth-
ing more, but to ask you, in the name of our
mother, to withdraw from this game, and mm
this death-trap before Old Owlet and his men
shut ou in forever!”

“ hat is the game, eh?”

“ Yes. The man who went down to the Golden
Fleece, where he,rescned the traitor Mormon,
knows everything, and I know that the highest

..,‘ I.

'... X ’ ' ‘;-
.t .,i.\,. _, .. .,
.ii -_ , ~ .1 .1 a

!

 

Volcano,flt1_ie ’Frisco Spy.

authority in Puzzle Bar has issued commands for
your doom. You will go now, for her sake. won’t
you? If she Were here she’d unite her plea with
mine. My God! if I had known that you were
to enter this service, I would have met you in
’Frisco.”

Volcano Van looked down into Gold Grip’s
eyes. He could not help it.

“Is that all?” he asked. “Do on want me
to play false to Colonel Bolt ause your
watch-dog has scented me?”

“ No, not for that alone!” was the quick an-
swer.

“ Then tell me why?"

Gold Grip dashed suddenly to the window, as
if a sound had startled him. but the next mo-
ment he came back, and caught 11 ) the picture.

“ I guess the son of that mother a right to
save your life,” he exclaimed.

A cry burst from the agent’s lips.

“ What is that? Are on her son too?”

“ I am the older bro her!” And Gold Grip
drew back to let the lamplight fall full on his
bronze face, lit up b a pair of sparkling eyes.
“This is a secret w ich is shared by but one
man in Nevada, an’ be is wrestling with death
now! I am the son of the woman who brought

on into the world. I left home before you were
rn, but I came back once and saw on in your
cradle. You have our mother’s eatures.
knew you on sight. Now, won’t you go away;
For my sake—’
There was now a noise outside; a hum of

cices.
The sport of Puzzle Bar went back to the win-
dow and looked out.

Volcano Van saw his lips twitch and his face
grow darker than ever.

“ Mebbe it is too late, my brother,” be ex-
claimed. “Old Owlet and his dogs have come!”

CHAPTER XIII.
an OUTBUasr or PASSION.

IN the mean time in another quarter of the
camp, and not far away, either, events of an-
other iiature were occurring, and justice to the
render requires us to visit them at once.

Nevada Madge had left King Romeo for a
hurried tri to her own cabin, and the stout
master of uzzle Bar, still hovering between
life and death, was sleeping on the rude bed-
stead from which he had not stirred since the
fatal blow. ‘

If Madge had looked back during her brief
journey she might have seen that she was
stealthin followed by a dwarfed individual who
had a pair of eyes that glowed like coals in a

grate. ~

When the girl had closed the door behind her,
her tracker sprung forward and landed at the
little window near the portal. He was keenly
on the alert, and his brilliant little orbs fairly
snapped when they discovered Madge in her own
cabin.

The girl went at once to the corner of the
structure and unlocked a heavy chest. Diving
into it, her hand fished out a small box, which
she placed on the table under the lamp. Then
she took a chair and opened the box with a good
deal of eagerness.

The eyes at the window saw the whole pro-
ceeding. The saw Madge take from the box a
long neck-cha n, to which was attacheda locket.
The caseglittered as the girl held it up in the
light asi to admire it.

hAll at once she opened the locket and bent over
t

e table.
“ What can be in it?” ejaculated the spy atthe
window, who was none 0 her than Caliban. “ I’d
give my eyes almost to see. She is looking at a
ace that ’m mad to get a p at. Ah! how
beautiful she is! No wonder ing Romeo played
for her when others were dreaming. My adora-
ble creature, the end of the game is not et.
Caliban has not played his winning hand? 0,
no! Ha, ha!” '

Madge had become so absorbed in the. locket
that she was lost to all else. She seemed to be
devouring its contents, and Caliban could see by
beg [going (that tshel was excited.

e i no ream 0 '93. Who would
watch her? All at once Calibasgh left his position
his long fingers gliding along the lo reached
the door—of Course his body follow . ‘

In a little while the door of Madge’s cabin
opened noiselessly. The dwarf stepped inside with
t e tread of a cat: he saw nothing but thefl re
of Madge at the table, with her eyes still get-
eiied on the picture, and oblivious to everything
e se

V

_In a minute he was leaning over her shoulder;
his dark grotesque face and his burning eyes
showed the triumph he had obtained.

Madge was looking at a face in the locket. It

was the face of a man in middle life, “full of ,

expression and handsome,” as the term goes.

‘ Ah!” sighed the rl. “ Lost forever, I fear,”
and then she closed he locket with a snap and
leaned back.

This was a movement totally une cted by
Caliban. His chin came in contact wixthe Madge a
shoulder, and the girl, thrilled by the touch,
turned, looked at him, and sprnn erect.

“ When did you come in?” s e cried. “ Is
this the way vcu visit people, like a thief or an
eavesdropper?” '

. .-~....~..r ‘
a .

N“... ...

 

 

   
  
 
 
 

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Volcano, the ’Frisco Spy.

11

 

 

 

Caliban swallowed the terms and at on his
blandest smile which did not soften his counten-
ance.

“ Pardon me, Madge,” he replied. “ I did not
like to disturb you and so I was waiting for you
to be at leisure.”

The girl seemed to see that the words were in-
tended to hide some cunning.

“ But you were at my shoulder,” she persisted.
“ You are very familiar on your visits. ’

Caliban grinned, nothing daunted, and showed
his teeth.

Madge had never had much to do with the
dwarf of Puzzle Bar. They had met at times,
but only when such meetings were unavoidable;
but no familiarity had resulted. There was
something about Caliban that could attract no-
body, something inexplicable besides his dwarfed
fl re and basilisk eyes.

ge had often wondered why King Romeo
kept him in camp, but he was permitted to re-
main and to have a cabin of his own secured to
him by a roughly-drawn deed, and signed by the
head master himself.

“ I am sorry I have angered you.” the dwarf
suddenly went on. “ If on wi 1 pardon me, I
will never do so a ain. ut I happened to see
you come in, an I want to know something
about you know whom.”

“ About Romeo?” cried Madge.

H Yes-fl

“I have just left him.”

“ I thought so.”

“ Romeo is oing to live!” cried the girl, with
sudden enthusxasm. “ They all say not, Owlet,
Gold Grip, all of them; but I know better. He
is certain to gain a victory over death!”

Caliban could see what pleasure the speaking
of these words gave the fair young creature be-
fore him.

“ It was a close call,” he answered.

“ The work of a coward!" cried Madge. “ The

rson who went to King Romeo’s cabin and

ealt that dastardly blow deserves the most ex-
tBrgne penalty mentioned in the code of Puzzle
n

“ Which is death!”

“Death! was it not murder to all intent!” and
Madge leaned toward the dwarf, who seemed to

lant himself firmer for her action. “ He came
in the night, came to take a life, found his vic-
tim asleep, and struck!”

Madge seemed forget that she held the locket
and chain in her hand. In her excitement she
had forgot to put them up.

“They tell me that the man who did it has
run away ” e aculated Caliban.

“ Nev at has lied!” answered Mad .

“ Owlet let him slip thr h his ngers.
Don’t you think Owlet is losing is grip?"

“ The sleuth of Puzzle Bar is very keen, but
for once he has been beaten,” she replied. “Do
you think Nevada Nat did it?”

“I only know what I hear in this case,”
sln'ewdly answered Caliban.

“That is all any of us know. Nobodg' saw
the blow dealt, not even King Romeow 0 re-
ceived it. Owlet says that Na struck to ge rid
3:: rival. What do you think of that, ali-

l” ,
, The hunchback of Puzzle Bar had himself un-
der admirable control. He did not start at the
girl’s last words as if he had anticipated them.

“ A rival, hey?” he exclaimed.

Nevada Madge smiled.

“ Nat claimed to love me, Caliban but he
found that some one had ahead of him.”

“ Kin Romeo?”

“Yes, ’ and the girl’s face gota sudden low
of pride. “ Owlet’s theory is, that, unabFe to
win me, Nevada Nat went for Romeo with the
da r.’

‘ nd failed!” cried the dwarf.

“ Thank heaven, yes.”

“ I would not have failed, Madge!” suddenly
laughed Caliban. “ Look! In arm is not as
strong as Nevada Net’s, but it wouldn’t have
made a balk of the play for a pretty creature

like you !"

There was a uliar tone in the hunchback’s
voice; but the rl did not seem to notice it, nor
did she take notice of the compliment paid her
in the last sentence.

suddenly Caliban went forward, and folding
his armspn his breast he stopped in front of her
and straightened. Then he struck an attitude
which in a full rown ,man w0uld have been im—
posin , but in ahban it was gm “was.

“ Vghat if I should enter the arena Madge
m beauty?” he exclaimed. “ sum 1 ghoul
take Nevada Nat’s place!" .

The rl looked at him With astonishment do.
picted n her eyes.

“What do you mean!” she cried.

“Can‘t you see?” What if Caliban should
enter the contest for a heart? Hasn’t he a ht
to love a pretty women if he isso inclined

“ Yes ” answered the girl. “ There is nothing
in the evada code—”

“ The code be hanged!” broke in the dwarf.
“I may be in dead earnest, Madge, and yet
Kg: are making fun of me! I have. a heart

9 other people, but you are trifling with
it. Caliban may offer on a warmer love than
that which was pou out b Nevada Nat
andKing Romeo. The dwarf 0 Puzzle Bar is a

i

giant in more ways than one. The rat cf the
cabins may be the lion of the camp one of these

days. You don’t want to listen to me. I see
that.”

“ Go on,” said the girl. “ I have not tried to
check you.”

“ I will speedily finish, I presume the heart
of Caliban would be thrown back at his feet,
while the king of the bonanza band holds breath
in his body!” sneered the Nevada dwarf. “ But
he cannot withhold it when he stands in your
presence. This is no farce; it is as solemn as the
tragedy played the other night. Caliban loves
you, Queen Madge. Loves! that does not ex-
press the situation. He burns for you: his life
is yours, because he lives only for the Queen of
the boundlessWest!”

Nevada Madge seemed to shrink from the
blazing eyes of the little man before her.

“You don’t want to laugh at Caliban’s gas-
sion; you can‘t afford to!” he went on. “ he
dwarf can enter the lists with the giant. I am
no man’s subject. I belong to no league. The
never forced from Caliban the oath that bin 3
the pards of Puzzle Bar to the Secret Seven! 1
am as free as the soaring eagle, as dangerous as
the rattlesnake! You don’t want to make a fool
of Caliban!”

The dwarf’s look spoke as much as his words.

“ They intimate that King Romeo has won
you? Is it true?”

He wanted to hear the truth from Madge’s
own lips.

“ That is why Nevada Nat struck, they say,”
was the answer.

Caliban’s eyes got a dangerous glittar.

. “If he dies. what?” he cried.

“ If King Romeo fails in his battle with
death?”

“We will not talk about that,” answered the

girl. “I have told you that he is going to win
the fight.”
“ Let us say that he might fail. What then?”

“ We will wait till then.”

Did the dwarf take hope at these words? His
slight smile indicated it. But the next sentence
blighted all.

“I shall always remain true to my choice,”
continued Mad e.

“Even if he iesi” e'aculated Caliban throw-
ing‘ his head dwarfed gure forward.

be young girl colored.

“ Let this interview come to an end,” she
cried. “ I have to 0 back to him.”

“ Back to Kin omeo the autocrat of the
camp?” hissed Ca ban. “ You will hear me a
little longer!”

“ Not to-night,” was the firm response.

H  l”

“ Not to-night!” was the re
eyes of Madge flashed u
not seek this meeting.
G0!”

Her outstretched hand leveled at the portal
was above the dark malicious face of the gold-
camp dwarf, who threw up a clinched hand as
he wheeled.

“ By the gods! you pay for this!” he cried.

tition, and the
aliban. “I did
he door is yonder.

 

CHAPTER XIV.
OLD ownn'r‘s swoor. .

NEVADA MADUE did not answer the snarl
with which Caliban chose to withdraw from
her resence. '

A ready she had recalled Nevada Nat’s words

re arding him.

he handsome s rt on the occasion of his de-
claration of love (1 intimated that the dwarf
had formed an attachment for her, and she had
just seen a vivid displa of it.

Not wishing to pro ong the interview and
anxious to go back to the man she had left,
Madge returned the locket to the corner chest
and ollowed Caliban into the night.

The venomous dwarf had already disappeared,
and Madge did not stop to look for him.

“ He says I will pa for this,” she ejaculated,
thinking of the part n . “ What does the toad
of Puzzle Bar mean ’ and then her hands
clinched. “ Let him threaten as lo as he
doesn’t act. Caliban must not sink h s teeth
beneath the skin.”

Madge turned and went toward King Romeo’s
cabin.

“One moment if you please, Madge,” said a
voice behind her.

The young girl turned and stood waiting for
the s ker to come up.

“ ell, whatis it?" she asked, leanin slight-
ly forward as she recognized the er who
was Old Owlet. ’

“ You’ve just had a visitor,” continued the
Nevada ferret coming up.

“ Did you see him?’

“Don’t I see everythin i” laughed Owlet.
“ Caliban showed his teeth idn’t he.”

“ You listened, too!” cried Madge.

“ B Jove! I couldn’t help it. was goin by
Eben heard his voice and it stopped me ' e a

ot‘”

“ What do you think!”

“ 1 know that Caliban is a splendid judge of

 

beau ,” was the answer.
“ let that purest; exclaimed the girl with a

toss of ’the head. id you  his parting!”

m

 

 

“ I guess I heard everything.”

“I shall take no notice of his threats.”

“ Unless he tries toenforce them.”

“In that case, Caliban, the toad, may find
that I can resent insult.”

“You need not lift your hand. Give me a
sign, nod your head when you think the dwarf
has gone far enough, and I’ll check him.”

Madge saw a new light s ring into bein in
Old Owlet’s eyes. It waste er evidence of Earl
blood between him and Caliban.

“ I don’t think I’ll ever have occasion to call
on you,” she answered. “Caliban knows that]
he cannot afford to antagonize me. I cannot
suppress a smile when I think that hethought '
he could woo me.”

“ The fool, the idiot!” laughed Owlet. “ Madge,
whatever happens in Puzzle Bar between now
aid morning, you don’t want to leave the cap-

in. - ' V
The girl gave him a quick inquisitive look. '1 -

"‘ Something is going to happen?” she ex-
claimed.

“Something is liable to,” was the
“Remember! nothing draws you from King
Romeo!”

“ I will not fo et.”

“ Mebbe you’d tter be thar now.” >

” What is the danger?” 

“ Who said that was any?” exclaimed Owlet, 
and then he went on before Madge could an- .71
swer. I’m going to keep the secret safe—the ~. "’
bonanza secret, you know.” ’ -'

“ Ah! I think of your guest now,” and Madge’s
hand stole Swiftly to the ferret’s sleeve. “ Is he
reall a spy, Owlett?”

“ yed in the wool!” came out through Ow-
let’s teeth. “ I kin say to you Mad , that he
came hyer charged with the task of nding out
all about the bonanza and its owners for the
bonanza league of ’Frisco. I’ve just beendown '
to the Golden Fleece hel ing an old friend out
of a little trouble. Now kin turn to the ’Frisco
spy.  to king Romeo, Madge. and don’t let > v '-
an thing—not even a tumult-take ou away!”

ld Owlet did not see fit to tell {fad that
the person he had 'ust assisted was rmon l
Mort. He pushed t 6 girl away with his last ' .
words, and turned toward his cabin without. , 
giving her a chance to continue the conversa— 33.:

tion. . .

“What is ing to hap ?” flashed across I.
Madge’s min as she wampfigd the retreati . ' i i?"
figure of the ferret of Puzzle Bar. “ I know  s;
but one startlin event that can take place and - if

that is a dash or the man who has come frmn 3v

T3631??? ' h; ‘

wethad alread disa   :
continued her ' urney to gr meo’s cab . 
At the door wit one hand on the latch shestood 7 
and listened with her face turned toward the  1':
detective’s cabin, but the camp in that dimtion "1‘
was still enough. . ,  1 "

All at once Nevada Madge pushed the door
0 n and walked in. At the same moment Old

wlet emerged from his own shanty with a 10¢
of mingled rage and resentment on his face. .

Hehad discovered that theman hehad left
there had disappeared.

Madge did not see him glide awa with eyu
that fairlfilslazed. One man had lazer slipped
throu h ' fingers. Was another to do the
same

“ Myoflice is towatch and to revent!” ' ted
Old Owlet as his nimble 1 carried  ,4
the ground. “There is a éht in a cabin up ,
there, and I’ll find Volcano an closeted with a , .
man wbodeclared last night that hewould never - :
lift a hand ag’in’ him." ‘ »

It did not take the mountain sleuth long to .
dficover that Volcano Van was in Gold Grip’l f ‘

nty. ,.
“gs: as I‘iigpectlggl” ejaculated Owlet draw. 'v' _ _.
in c ow me surprise them both.”  ""
k he went to the Golden Fleece. I  i
The men there had barel recovered from his
interference in behalf of t e stranger they had' .'
caught in camp, and nothing but Old Owlot's'
asseverations that Mormon Mort was “ all right”
haghgrei’fnted a b 0 scene. _
ormon withdrawn accord! ‘ a .-
orders to the end cabin of the camp,  . :i
as wellhhe migdhtthtée, that l:Ilwlet had comeba- ..
tween im an swart rds  ’
en‘d liéhe blgvgt Kinfitfigmeoy’splife. _ - l.
o 3, vs a mi rt for ”ex—
clai Owlett addressin them“. an, ' . v»
A shout went n Nantez’s customs:
waited eagerly for t next words. '- . .
“ If we can’t catch Nevada Nat atnpreeent we, ", .
cannullthecaidsonthe’li‘riscospy.  * ”
“ On the man under whose pillow I found the!“
dagger!” cried a big fellow. ‘  ‘ .
“ That is the man.” Was the answer. “While . -
he is guiltless of any attempt on themsster‘s. 
life, he is here to make upers of you all." ' g '
A how! of rage ming ed with curses met Old

Owlet’s words. v.
“W‘hnr is he! Show us the m spy!“ 
iskyden. ‘ 7.,

 

\ V , '_ . J .. ‘ .
s ..‘,:,%n,,k_:fl, IF... 3 _,., V A , C 1

   
   
  
   
  
   
  
 

 

arose on the close air of the wh
“Cool down and don’t lose your beads,” was *  '
theretort “Iwanttoleadmm, notahesdleu:
mob. We want this thing done up hrown;=no' 
slip and no mistake. The ’Frisco agent—Col- E"
one! Bolt’s man—is at Gold Grip’s shim . '
wedon’twanttorushinupmthethird 'ot

   

 

>mm-«
1.x... ‘r -:.

1" 

13:; .ar "y f:  ‘-

‘nvvnsvt “run.

. ans-am“.-
‘7-‘5" Alex-no,

I , silent starlight could not

12

the bonanza seven like a pack of senseless depu-
ties for Sheriff Lynch.”

“ We’ll show you the coolest heads in Neva-
da!” cried the men grouped before the detec-
tive. “ So the agent of destruction is at Gold
Grip’s, eh?”

“He. is thar.”

There was a united glance toward the door.

“ I’ve rot them down to it now,” muttered
Inglet. ‘I guess I kin handle the pards of the

ar.

“ Gold Grip isn’t to be hurt,” he went on to
them. “ The person of the third captain of the
mine is sacred. If he has to be held. do it with
gentle hands: but hold him. all the same.”

“ Is be for the ’Frisr-o spyf”

“Not for him, but he may counsel delay or
something,” answered Owlet, cautiously. “ We
have all got a big place in our hearts for Gold
Grip but we can’t let him nor anybody else
stand between us and a bonanza spy.”

“ Not for a minute. Owlet!” was the response.

“ Follow me, then.”

“ Whit is to be the end?” came from the cen-
ter of the crowd as it started forward.

“ Something for the wind to swing,” answered
the mountain sleuth.

Led b Old Owlet, the pards of Puzzle Bar.
twenty- ve in number, poured out of the Golden
Fleece and arranged themselves under his leader-
ship in the starlight.

here were no loud words now. Shoulder to
shoulder stood the stalwart denizens of the camp
in the mountains, ready for the tragic lay be
fore them, eager to beat Colonel Bolt of’Frisco
at the ex use of a hero’s life.

Owlet Ooked proudly through the crowd and

, knew that he could depend on every man. He
had seen the most of them tried before.

“ Forward!” he exclaimed, and the band start-
.ed for Gold Grip’s shanty.

The band preceded the pards of Puzzle Bar to
the cabin in question and knew that at that mo
r‘rrient it was occupied by Gold Grip and Volcano

an.

The approach of a bodyeof men throu h the

expected to l6 at-
tended with no noise. The main street of Puzzle

. \ Bar had no dust to break the sound of mining

[I
I z

 

as

" we closed a preceding chapter:

‘ boots; it was hard, almost like a floor.
In the cabin Were the quickest ears in the
,camp. Gold Grip had watched at the little win-
‘dow while Volcano Van studied the daguerrco-
t of his mother, but he had left it to make
' t revelation which had startled the man from
’Frisco.
‘ All at once Gold Grip went back to the win-
dow, and then he spoke, the words with which

“ Old Owlet and his dogs have come I"

Volcano Van did not stir, but his hand moved
quickly to the belt under his short coat.

He looked at Gold Grip’s hand; a revolver was
already there.

“They have come for you,” suddenly contin-
ued Gold Grip. “Old Owlet knows—”

The sentence was never finished, for the door
of the cabin was opened, and, as two men caught
Gold Grip before he could lift his hand, a dozen

 3111118 across the intervening space at Volcano
‘ an.

1 3‘9)

 

 

CHAPTER XV.
AN ORDER mom rm: KING.
Tn: agent~sport barely had time to conceal

:' K, the daguerreotype before the bronze stalwarts

of Puzzle Bar were upon him.

1 Old Owlet was not in the charge' Volcano
Van did not know that the mountain sleuth was
the master spirit that controlled it.

Instead of retreating to the wall at his back
and facing the mob with his six-shooters, Vol-
, cane Van let them take him without the shed-
""din of a dro of blood.
are we d have been resistance by another
.man if Gold Gri had not been seized at the on-
; set, and when t e ’Frisco detective lanced at
the minor he saw r t and anger in is eyes.

4 In a moment, as i were, Volcano Van’s ands

[were dashed to his sides and held firme there.
Then for the first time he saw the face of

Owlet.
“ What is this for?” suddenly rung out the

 voice of Gold Grip, who at the same moment

had caught si ht of the camp ferret.
“ You oug t to kn0w without asking,” was

 answer. “You know the code of Puzzle
But. You he] to frame it!”

A about an a laugh at Gold Gri ’sex ass
{broke over the lipsof a few en, ut wlet

stifled ,them with a look. He had respect for

5 Water of the mine.
,‘ i t' means that the ninth article of our code
' has been viola ,” continued Owlet.
‘” Where is the spy?”
. “Yonder he stands!” and the finger of the
sleuth covered Volcano Van. “When a man

a ' comes all the way from ’Frisco to violate the

a.
v

" can’t afford to withhold the penalty.”

", most important article of a code like ours we
Gold Gri was silent.
“Take him away ” said Owlet to the crowd.
“ Not a step!” cried Gold Grip, almost break-
ngfrom the grasp of his captors. “ I forbid

 

volcano, the ‘ ’Frisco Spy.

The men looked at Owlet.

Gold Grip was one of the masters of Puzzle
Bar: Owlet but the head of its police, its human
ferret.

“Take him away!” repeated Old Owlet. “ My
oath requires me. to let nothing stand between
me and the welfare of the bonanza. I keep that
oath against the powers of earth. Take the
’Frisco spy away!"

The gripof the miners tightened on the young
agent sport. The men were with Owlet, though
they did not want to disobey Gold Grip of the
Secret Seven. ‘

“ There’ll be war between us if they do it!”
ejaculated Gold Grip, his eyes fixed on ()wlct,
who, standin at the door. had resumed his com-
posure, whic always boded evil to an enemy.

“ VVe’ll let the future take care of itself!” be
answered, with the semblance of a cynical smile
at his lips, and as he stepped out Volcano Van
qu lifted up and carried bodily from the
ca an.

Just beyond the threshold an exuberant miner
let slip a shout and more than a dozen others
followed in quick succession.

“ What is that, Madge?” asked the man who
occupied the low bed where Nevada Madge sat
with her hands holding his as usual.

The girl went to the door.

Opening it she leaned out and looked down
the street. A dark mass was moving toward
the little square in front of the Golden Fleece,
and Madge knew it was men.

The shouts had grown still as if a sudden
command had silenced them, but she could
guess that they had come from the lungs of the
pards of the Bar.

She went back to King Romeo and told him
what she had seen.

“ I know what has happened,” the. s rt said.
“ Owlet has fallen upon the spy from ’ risco.”

“ I think so," answered Madge.

“ Then, Madge, you must do a little work for
me.”

“ What is it?”

“Summon Gold Grip hither.”

The girl started.

She remembered that Owlet had said that on
no conditions was she to quit the cabin for the
shortest space of time.

She was to keep her station beside King
Romeo.

“ You will go at once—to his cabin,” con-
tinued Romeo. “ He must be found if he is not

there. Go, Mad 9.”
The girl drew ack and then remained m0-
tionless. She was in a dilemma. between

Owlet’s advice and King Romeo’s commands.

“ What is it?” asked the wounded sport look-
ing u into her face. “ I’m not going to cash
in e ips before you can g it back,” he smiled.

‘ It is not that.” ,

“Then, why don’t you fly? The pards may
do something I don’t want done.”

Mad e started forward and bent over him.

“ l t ought you want all spies punished?” she
exclaimed. .

“ I do; but I want to see Gold Grip.”

“ I must tell him.” murmured the girl.

“ I haVe been commanded to remain here, no
matter what happened,” she went on.

King Romeo’s eyes got a sudden expreSsion of
wonder.

“.Who issued the orders?” he asked.

“ Owlet.”

“ Hal 9. trick to keep you off, Madge!” cried
the sport.

“ Do you think so?"

“ Why not? Don’t you see that they have
fallen upon Volcano Van, the ’Frisco sport?
They don’t want any woman around while they
are holding court near the Golden Fleece.
Owlet sees 8. ion ways ahead. I say, go!”

Madge presse the hand she had taken again
and ot up.

“ brea one promise to obe you!” she cried.

“I’ll take the blame,” was t 9 answer. “Let
Gold Grip come here at once. Na he need not
come. I will send word by you. ell him that
the man from ’Frisco must not perish to-night;
tell him to stand between Old Owlet and the
bird he has caught. If Owlet questions the
authority he is to come to me.”

The girl looked once more at Rough Romeo
and started off.

“ 0wlet is a shrewd one,” ejaculated the dark-
faced man, stretched on the cot. “ He didn’t
want Mad 9 to witness his proceedings, for he
feared her cart would melt and that thar’d be
a scene. But Madge doesn’t like spies any more
than I do, though this one touches me in a ten-
der spot.”

'1' he girl was on her way}.o Gold Grip’s cabin.

From toward the square, in the middle of
which grew the lar est tree in Puzzle Bar, the
girl caught the soun of tumult.

A glance in that direction told her that the
door of the Golden Fleece was open and the in-
terior of the saloon illuminated.

She knew, or emed, that some stern work
was about to be one down there.

She had seen the man who had come, had ad-
mired his magnificent figure, his handsome face
and dos dark eyes.

He di not look much like a

y, nor like the
secret tiger he was said to be.

ut Madge had

 

.v  l' ‘,

 ‘ S, a) 1!

 

had no chance to study him; she had not I( oked
below the surface.

She reached Gold Grip’s cabin and was about
to burst inside without ceremon when a figure
starzed from the dark logs an her wrist was
suddenly gripped.

“ What do you want?”

The demand was cold and stem, and Madge,
as she drew buck afi'righted, looked into the be.
smeared face of a dark-skirted guard.

“ You can’t go in thar just now,” continued the

‘ man.
.“ But I must! I am from Romeo!”
I “ A message for Gold Grip?”
! H  3'.
Q The man, without releasing her wrist, looked!
toward the square.

“ Not just yet; wait a little,” he said.

The girl knew what he meant.

“ I am not to wait. It is important;” and she
raised her voice. “I must see Gold Grip, for
Kin Romeo sends me on important business.”

“ edge is out thar!” exclaimed a voice inside,
and the girl could not suppress a start for she
reco ized it.

“ eep your seat, captain,” said another voice
as if the first speaker had started toward the
door. “ We’ll attend to the queen 0’ the camp,”
And the next moment the door opened to let a
man slip out.

Madge sprung forward with a cr .

“ Ah! it is you, Black Quartz, is it?” she ex-
claimed. “I am from King Romeo. I came to
Gold Grip—”

“ With a messa e?” sternly asked the man,
looking down into adge’s face.

. “With important words.”

Black Quartz like the guard at the door looked
down the narrow street.

“ You can’t keep me out!” exclaimed Madge
and the next instant she darted st the man an
threw herself against the ca in door which
opened. .

She burst into the presence of three men one
of whom was Gold Grip under guard as she could
see at a glance.

A hand was thrust forward to keep her off,
but its mission was rendered fruitless by the
girl‘s impetuosity.

“ You are to balk Owlet and his men! The
order is from King Romeo!” she cried clutching
Gold Grip’s arm as she leaned forward. her beau-
tiful eyes aglow. “ If he questions the author-
ity he is to come to the master. Be quick!”

Gold Grip looked at his guards and a smile
came to his face.

As Madge drew hack her eyes fell upon Black
Quartz who seemed to laugh at the delivery of a
futile command.

“ I have orders from Romeo,” exclaimed Gold
Grip. “They must be obeyed at once. I de-
mand to be released.”

“ Sorry. but I have other orders, captain,”
was the answer.

“ Can‘t he go?” rung out the voice of Madge as
she stepped back with her face toward the toughs
of Puzzle Bar. “ Since when has King Romeo
lost his crown?”

“ Eh holds it yet, but the welfare of the Bar
is at stake to-ni ht.” .

“ You are hol ing Gold Grip here till Owlet
adjourns his merciless court in the s unre?”

“We are!” spoke the eyes of the ig man be-
fore the girl.

There was a movement on Madge’s . It
was not toward the door, but back to t 6 wall a
few feet away.

All at once her hand came up from her side
and the men saw in its grip the polished barre
of her well known revolver.

“ Go to your duty!” she exclaimed, with a
swift lance at Gold Grip, and then her eyes
came ack to Black Quartz and his assistants.
“The orders of King Romeo are to be obeyed
and by the man he has chosen. Stand back an
let Gold Grip ss. Please be quick about it,

entlemen. 1%: most important thing on earth
angs on the orders I have brought.”

Gold Grip. already on his feet, waited for the
guards to recoil. He made one 8 ring toward
the door. and the next moment ha vanished!

fit that moment a wild shout came into the
ca ll].

“ Well, we held him long enou h!” e aculated
Black Quartz. “ It is all over!” g j

CHAPTER XVI.
THE SECOND run.

Was it all over?

Had the pards of Puzzle Bar dealt with Vol-
cano Van for the crime of entering the camp as
Colonel Bolt’s agent and spy? ,

It is our duty to see.

When he was marched from Gold Grip’s res.
ence held by the dark hands of the giants o the
cool] ' organized mob, he was at their mercy.

Ol Owlet watched him with the eyes of a hu-
man hawk. He saw the ’Frisco sport in the
hands of men who wanted some kind of a tragedy
for the blow which had brought Romeo to the
confines of life. '

He had satisfied himself that Volcano Van was
the right man. The message received from
Mormon Mort established the fact of his mis-
sion, and the Mormon, then in the last cabin,
had added continuation to his story.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Volcano, the ’Frisco Spy.

Owlet followed the ca tors of the ’Frisco sport,
but kept artially out o sight.

He smi ed to think how he had rendered Gold
Grip helpless, and how easily they had caught
the man who was to dangle from the tree in
front of the Golden Fleece.

A halt was made in the square, and somebody
threw a dark lariat over a limb that had done
similar service before.

There were to be no preliminaries. The tem-
per displayed on every hand was to do away
with a trial of any sort. What was the use of
one:I Old Owlet vouched for the man being a
spy; the sleuth-hound of Nevada never tracked
the wrong person; the pards believed that he
could not fail.

It happened that Nantcz, of the Golden Fleece,
had not c10sed for the night, and the advent of
the mob on the square brought him to his door.
The light that streamed out, meeting the. dark-
ness more than half-way, revealed the scene in
front of the saloon. It brought Nantez a lot of
very thirsty customers, and in less than a min-
ute one-half of the crowd had rushed into the
place to liquor up before they swung the bank-
er’s agent.

Old Owlet frowned when he saw this deser-
tion.

What was to be done had to be done quickly,
and nome ' knew this better than he.

“ Gold . rip might manage to escape from
Black Quartz," muttered Owlet. “ If he does
he will be down here, and will be a hard man to
manage. I don’t want him to come till we’ve
pulled the Californian up, after that he can
come and be hanged!”

A moment afterward he went forward to a
large man who stood lookin at Volcano Van
throu h lashes of the deepest ye.

“ hat are you waiting on, Hilliard!” asked
Owlet.

“ On the fools who have raided Nantez’s
ranch,” snapped the man.

“ Aren’t thar enough 0’ you hyer?”

“ Yes, but the boys won’t like it if we prOceed
without ’em.”

“ I’ll stir ’em out,” and Old Owlet slipped
around the crowd and dashed into the saloon.

“ Go out and let the rformance proceed!”
he exclaimed, haltin be ore the dozen men who
were at the bar. “ on’t you know ye’r’ giving
somebody a breathing spe i? This is no way to
hang a man who has come from ’Frisco to make
paupers of you all!”

The mien of Old Owlet as much as his words
made more than one man put down his glass.

“ Let’sflnish the job, boys!” called out one of
the twelve, as he started toward the door, and
in less than a minute he had the whole lot at his
heels.

Owlet was satisfied but some time had been
lost. \V'nile he bad faith in the vigilance of
Black Quartz and the men who were kee in
Gold Grip back by a. display of firmness, w ic
the occasion seemed to warrant, he had fears
that something might happen to retard the ex-
ecution.

As the men rushed out of the saloon with a
wild hurrah, the eflcts of Nantez‘s liquor, Ow-
let was at their heels.

This was the cry which Mad heard in Gold
Grip’s saloon, the cry which lack Quartz had
taken for an announcement of the completion of
the web’s work.

At that time Gold Grip was bounding toward
the square. He had heard the shout, and it had
thrilled him.

Was he to be too late?

“ What have you done?” be e ted, clutch-
ing the first man he met. ‘ I am here from
head uarters."

“ e deuce you are!” was the answer, and the
pard receiled when he recognized the third man
of the bbnanza.

Gold Grip turned away.

At that moment he saw the man who gave a
new Iglitter to his eyes. _

“ ere! this is to be stopped!” he cried, halt-
ing in front of this person.

M‘”Gold Grip! By Jove! the boys let you go,

“ No! I am here against my wishes. Where
is the man from ’Friscoi Ah! I see him now!
You don’t want to push this aflair. King Ro-
meo says no.”

“When did he say so?”

“Five minutes ago.”

The entire crowd had turned upon the two
men, and they stood taco to face under the tree
which was to have been Volcano Van’s allows,

“Is Romeo in delirium again?” ask Owlet,
with alcolr‘ sneer. “ His last orders to me were
to 3 re not the spy from ’F‘risco."

H 9 has just spoken in a diflerent strain.”

“ Who published the orders?”

“ Madge.”

Old Owlet was seen to start.

“ She brought the command to my cabin.”

" Leaving Romeo alone!”

H Yes."

Owlet could not doubt the authenticity of the

“My «a; fproceed' ihtgi h'
0 on. yo ingsmg ve is
Victiiglmore than a breathing spell. The pends
of Puzzle Barniight resent it.

The brothers had exchanged glances in the

 

light streamin from the Golden Fleece. Vol,
cane Van coul see the intensity that character-
ized Gold Grip’s action.

“Hold the man yonder!” suddenly ejaculated
Owlet. turning upon the men who held the Cali-
fornian. “ I'm goin to King Romeo. There is
some mistake somew ar. I could go on with the
work and receive Romeo’s approval when I see
him.”

The last words were addressed to Gold Grip.

“ You want to see Romeo first,” was the an-
swer.

“ I will. And you?”

“ I’ll wait for you here.”

“ You won’t interfere?"

“ I won’t touch the man from ’Frisco."

Old ()Wlet'stepped back and threw a parting
look into the crowd.

“ I fear the boys fooled With Nantez’s nectar a
little too long," he said to himself, as he turned
toward Romeo’s shanty. “ If he had commenced
when we struck the square, the job would be
done by this time. Curse their thirsty throats,
and Gold (‘rrip’s coming!”

As he walked away his eagerness to reach
King Romeo seemed to increase.

“ The girl disobeyed me!” he ejaculated. “I
told her not to quit the captain’s cabin under
any circumstances, and she promised. Con—
found it! if she knew what I know, she’d have
stayed thar and let the Californian hang!"

It did not take Owlet long to stride over the
Sp?)th between the square and King Romeo’s
ea in.

He believed he would be able to get a counter-
mand which would send him back to the tree
with the life of Volcano Van in his hands.
Kin Romeo was in the shadow of death. He
hadiut to bend over him and say that the ho-
nanza secret was not safe while the Californian
lived to get a new order for the lariat.

“Madge?” he suddenly cried, wheelin at the
sound of footsteps that struck his car w en but
a few feet from the master’s shanty.
h.The girl came up with her eyes fixed upon

1

m.
“ Why didn’t you keep your promise?” growl-
ed Onzlet. “ You were not toquit him for a mo-
ment. ’
“ But the order! Somebody had to carry it.”
“ You could have made a pretense to.”
“ No! he was in his right mind. He issued
the order clearly. I had to hear and obey.”
“ Then the consequenccs be upon your head.”
Iéhe girl’s eyes seemed to light up with fearless

e.

“ I accept them,” she exclaimed. “ I have
fiflfitfli an order which I believe has reprieved a

l e.

“ Not for long,” grated Owlet. “ The days of
the ’Frisco spy are numbered! This is one ser-
pent that does not slip through my fingers. But

ere we are!” ,

And the hand of Owlet
Romeo’s latch.

“I left the lamp burning!” cried Mad ,as
she darted the mountain detective an pre-
ceded him nto the cabin.

“It is out now.”

At the end of his sentence Owlet struck a
match and held it over his head.

The next second a loud and shrill cry peeled
from the girl’s throat, and she threw hersolf to-
ward the cot where she had left the prince of
Puzzle Bar.

“ I knew something would happen if she de-
serted him ” ejaculated the Nevada sleuth. “I
can't watc everybody at once so I put her on
her guard. What has happened hyer?”

He leaned forward so as to let the flame of his
match fall upon the girl and her surroundings.

Madge looked up showing him wild eyes and a
pallid face.

“ What is it?” -

“ Can’t you see?” she answered, drawing back
and showing him the face she had just covered
with her own. “ The demon who is bent on tak-
ing Romeo’s life is here yet! Do you think
Nevada Nat would come back to strike a second
time? I don’t!”

Old Owlet saw the wild death-struck face of
the king of' the secret bonanza.

There was nota si of life about the man
who lay on the tumbfeld cot.

“ Look!” cried Madge, catching up the lamp
to which Owlet had touched his match before it
expired. "' He did not yield without a strug-
gle. The two stools are overturned; the cot
clothes are rum led. I tell you King Romeo
fou ht for his li e!”

“ hich he need not have done if you had
kept our post."

‘ God! don’t throw any blame on me!”
was t e response, and Madge recoiled with a
horrified countenance. “ He sent me away with
orders, and you know I would hava done. any-
thing” for him. It happened while I was

ne.

“ It will nevsr happen again!” flashed Owlet,
and the next moment he wheeled and rushed
from the cabin leaving Madge to go back to the
bonanza sport with wildly throbbin heart.

She was alone on the scene 0 a second
tragedy, and the puff of wind that opened the
poorly closed door found her on er knees with
a. woman’s lips glued to those of Eng Romeo.

I

fell upon King

 

13:

CHAPTER XVII.
OWLET coaancrs A “ MISTAKE.”

THE light that shone in Old Owlet’s eyes when
he left the cabin, leaving Madge alone with King
Romeo told a good deal. While it did so italso
showed that the sleuthzhound of Puzzle Bar was
still puzzled over something, and when he found
himself in the light. he stopped, as if to collect
his thoughts for work.

Was he ready to admit that he had made a
mistake; that, after all, Nevada Nat might not
be the attempted murderer of Romeo?

It did not seem possible that the sport had
colme back and watched his opportunity to finish
a ife.

“ By Jove! if I am wrong the boys shall never

know it!” ejaculated the mountain detective. -

“I’m not going to parade the mistake before
them. They can hold Volcano Van 'till I go

back. Hilliard will do his duty, and the ’Frisco ,

spy is safe for me where he is at this moment.”

A moment later Owlet had started off again,
and was walking rapidly down the shanty-lined
street.

“ Now for the tussle!” he exclaimed, turning
sudden] toward a certain cabin. “ If the toad
is here ’1] win one of my silent victories and do
a little avenging before I go back to the
crowd.”

The last word, mentally spoken at the cabin-
door, was followed by Owlet‘s entrance without
a knock.

There was no light in the cabin. but the camp
ferret soon produced one with a noiseles
ina‘t;h. f n , n

he e ow is playin possum, 'nned
Owlet, as he held his littlegtorch over agglot on
which lay the well-known figure of Caliban, the
dwarf. “ Don’t I know that he’s no more
asleep than I am? Here, get up, hunchback!” .
And Owlet held the flame of the match under
the dwarf’s nose.

There was a quick start and a cry on Caliban’s
part, and the following moment he was
into the face of Owlet.

“I thought I’d break your deep slumbers!”
laughed the watch-dog. “You were ‘
asleep. I see, but a foretaste of what is to come
opened your peepers. Get 11 !”

The final words were couched in a tone that
might well startle Caliban.

‘ What has happened, Captain Owlet?” be ex-

claimed. . L

“ I’ll explain b and by. Ah! on have your
clothes on. Wal,yyon won’t havey to dress."

By this time the dwarf of Puzzle Bar was on ,

his feet.

“ You couldn’t keep your hands 03, could
you?” continued Owlet. “ I guess theothertime
I pounced on the wrong man.”

A sparkle came to the hunchback's eyes, but a '
look of well-feigned wonder soon drove it hence.

“ You haven’t told me what has he. nod,” he
remarked. “ Here you come and me out of
a good sleep. Owlet, and I am left to guess why.
Aren’t you going to enlighten Caliban!"

A sneer of derision was ‘he first

response and a
the left hand of the Puzzle Bar spotter  

forward and clutched the dwarf.

“ You’ll hear it all if ou’ll just curb your his
patience!” he cried. “ on are going with me
now.

Caliban instinctively drew back.

“ Come along. I’ve got the true Owlet grip
on on and no man ever broke from it."

e dwarf in the hands of the
ing. He was dragged f om the cabin with!»
preparation. and when he had fully recovered

is scattered senses Owlet was hurrying him to-
ward the western confines of the bonanza cu

Owlet’s fingers seemed to sink through '-
ban’s garments and into his flesh, and whenever
the dwarf glanced up into his face, he encoun-

tered a pair of cold eyes that did not passed; ( 1"“

gleam of mercy.

giant was not». ,.

 

Did Caliban know why he was being subjected/7, 

to this strange treatment by the sleuth of the
bonanza band? Could he not guess to what fate ’
he was being hurried by the rapid strides d
Owlet through the starlight?

Not a word was spoken during the singular " I

journey. Owlet avoided the crowd left on the
square by darting between the cabins and strid-
ing on with but a swift glance toward the Gold-
en Fleece.

At last the twain reached the limits of _.
gain!)Ii 'Il‘the hast cabin was behinilhthem and I Z:

ore, ar an gigantic against e sta m’ 

the gold-ribbed mountains of the Ne  ,

“What have you got to so V’suddenly de- '
manded Owlet of the little
and dragged from the cabin.

“About what?” asked Caliban in a

voice which seemed tolack all elements of fear. '
I want no falsehoods!” was 11." T

“See hyer!
response. “I have just come from King Bo- ,
meo’s cabin.”

Caliban did not start, although the eyes the 

looked down into his were dark and full of loci-

sation. .
“What of King Romeo?” he asked. ,
“ You ought to know. You were there awhfi*
o . .

“Caliban?”
“ Caliban, the little assassin who told me
that she would pay for laughing at his large

I

v

yhehadcarrhd  T

. .41;

 

 

  

1fiakingl It was your second attempt, eh, Cali-
1”

n
The dwarf, stoutly held in Old Owlet’s clutch,
made no reply, but drew back and looked stead-
ily at him.

“ Come! You see I make no mistakes. I
found. something at King Romeo’s door that
gives you away. . . .

“You found nothing,” cried Cahban, in a
blufling tone. .

Owlet thrust one hand into his pocket, but
seemed disappointed over the result.

“I told on so!” exclaimed the dwarf’s eyes.

“ I have cat the confounded thing—it was so
small I" ejaculated Owlet. “ What I found was
one-half of a gold ring. Where is your ring,
Caliban?”

The dwarf glanced at his left hand, and then
'a his gaze became fixed upon it. A smile broad-
'." 1 ened on Owlet’s face.
,i \r “ Don’t you see I have you?” cried the bonanza
ml ,3 ‘ watch. “ The missing ring, a piece of which I
"Hf ‘ found, tells the wh01e .~tory of the murder.
4 . _ Say, wasn’t it the second time, my crippled

scorpion?”

. Once more Caliban refused to reply to the
question.
. . “ Ver well!
5‘} ' tinued wlet. coldly.

‘ ‘ a ’ « \. .’

 

.4»... .-._ -s.‘ nu-
' :‘5 V. 1‘. I ‘

We’ll proceed to punish!” con-
‘ This is one of the cases
which I settle myself. I don’t like these secret
‘ executions, but personal olicy sometimes calls
‘ for them. Say, Caliban, id you ever suppose
on could win the Queen 0’ the Bar l”
“ Mebbe I’ll do it yet!’ was the answer.
“You?” laughed Owlet. “Why, ou’d better
be thinkin about something else. hen I saw
Romeo ly ng on the floor, with the furniture
overturned, the truth came to me like a flash.
The l accuses Nevada Nat no longer. Why
.1_ " iron (1 she?”
f ‘ “ Does she accuse me?” asked the dwarf, show-

t

_ lag his teeth.

‘ ! She knows that Nat did not come back.
There was aJWa s something deep in her heart
that he t her rom wholly believing Nevada

nil : ut you see I can’t afford to call him
t.”

,‘ A i
“ Why not Owlet?”
L7 , “ I acc him of it before the rds of Puz-
de Bar and don’t you know that always find

the right man?”
a A little smile seemed to appear at the corners
E.  ’of thedwarf’s mouth. _
r “ Nat can stay exiled With the char 9 of mur-
d‘eragainst him,” Owlet went on. “ in not 0-
iling to expose my mistake by removing t e
' charge. I’m no fool, Caliban. The record I
 five made is not to be broken. Remember! I
ways find the right man, and I have found
‘him now.”
‘ There was no answer, the e es of the two
Linen met again, and Owlet su denly caught
Calihan with the other hand and lifted him
from the ground.
“Do you ever pray?” came from the detec-
1

s
_“ Norz'nd I will not now, Owlet,” was the re-

? s

' " w’let strode forward again. All at once he

- turned to the right.
“ You know where we are, Caliban," llt‘ said,
flocking into the lace of the dwarf. "Afew
1} laps will bring me to the mouth of the shaft
.5 , we sunk when we first came to Puzzle Bar. God
have what is at the bottom of it now. I
,"Jnven’tbeen hyer fer flve years. You won’t
say that you aren’t guilty, Caliban?”
 You say I am.” '

-~ " .“ By heavens! I know it! You broke the ring
.. In the tussle with Kin Romeo. Why did you
I " ndt'miss it till just aw ile a 0? ha, ha! Come,

 don’t want to flit down 1; e old shaft with a
' pt back. Be a man, Caliban.”
. .“" Old Owlet heard human teeth meet firmly af—
gem his last words.
‘ , “Keep silence then!” he grated. ,
 ' 1“ Ah! hyer’s the pile 0’ old machinery that
sharks the location of Fool’s Shaft,” and the
mountain watch-do stopped among a lot of
timbers and au bed in Caliban’s face.
At eir feet yawn a pit darker than the
. ~’ that surrounded it.
 n knew what it was.

‘3" He remembered how he had gone into its
' depths years before and while the pards of Puz-
‘K ale Bar were trying to strike it rich immediately

we: their ceming to the bonanza grounds.

, He knew that from the foot of this shaft ran
_ ranother into the bowels of the earth, and he
  d recall the oaths of re e and disap int-
C»' t which followed the iscovery the the
. tufts had been sunk for nothing.
a“: No old was there!

i l Calfiian had never visited the old shaft after
* she abandoning, and he little dreamed that he
_ ,W to go back to it in the merciless grip of the

“Heath of the bonanza bar.
a * "9 We’ll stand on no ceremony Caliban!” sud-
gt
" den exclaimed Owlet ashe held his deformed
; ‘ ve over the edge of the gaping pit.
, "I punish in secret for good reasons. The
Bar will think that Nevada Nat
_ back and completed the work, and when
* min on I’ll suggest that you’ve concluded
' nt at or uarters. Don’t on see, Caliban!
gemgoingto avenge King ineo and keep

t

 

1-0
5"
5'

i;

M8 of Puzzle

 

,1

' the bonanza secret safe.
'got the ghost of achance.

  

 

Volcano Van hasn’t

A thousand Gold
rips can’t save him. Oh, I’m master h er,

Caliban. The eye that never sleeps may e a

little mistake now and then, but the world at

large never finds it out—never, my imp o’ the
niard!”

Another step was taken by Owlet, and Caliban
shut his teeth. He knew what would follow;
there was no escape from it.

A full confession would not save him now.

“ Down you go!” ejaculated Owlet. “ Carry
my compliments to the imps of the Fool’s Shaft,
and tell ’em that Owlet corrects his mistakes in
secret. Good-by, Caliban!”

The next moment an ab'ect human, yet gro—
tesquely shaped, fell from wlet’s hands and dis-
ap ared like a ball!

here was no cry; no parting shriek cut. the
gir, nor awoke the birds in their retreats near

y.

‘ ‘ One mistake corrected!” ejaculated the Sleep-
less Eye as he drew back from the shaft. “ Now
I can return and wrestle with the man from
’Frisco.”

He kept on until he entered the camp again
and turned toward the square.

CHAPTER XVIII.
THE sacs: AT ms: WINDOW.

SOMEHOW. just how can never be explained, a
rumor that “ something ” had happened at King
Romeo’s had reached the men waiting in front
of the Golden Fleece for Owlet’s return.

It was first said that the king of the mine had
succumbed to the wound received in the dark,
the first Wound, of course. and more than one
fierce look was sent toward Volcano Van still in
custody, though Gold Grié) stood at his elbow.

Not a man blamed the alifornian with King
Romeo’s death, but the need of a victim Since
Nevada Nat’s esca was felt by all.

In plain terms, uzzle Bar wanted blood.

As Owlet had not come back, he having
“ other business” on hand, as we have just seen,
several men withdrew from the crowd and start-
ed f’or Romeo’s cabin.

Their strides were long and agile, and all at
once the foremost. a strapping ellow with a
beard like a pard, burst into the place.

He was met by a young girl who sprung up
from the floor, and turned a pale and tensely-
drawn countenance to him.

It was Nevada Madge.

The entrance of the men was robably the first
disturbance since Owlet had le t her.

“ What is it, Madge i” inquired the leader of
the party.

Her reply was to point at the motionless figure
on the low cot.

“ Bead!” ejaculated all the men, starting for-

war .
“ Almost at the end,” answered Madge, and
the words seemed to come through her teeth.
“A man can’t withstand all the strokes of a
steel-armed coward!’

A lamp was held over Kin Romeo, and the
men all leaned forward. while adge stood aloof
and e ed the vivid grou .

“T ere’s breath hyer.” cried one.

“ I said so,” was the rep] .

“ When did he begin to sink?"

“When the assassin delivered the second
blow.”

“ Oh. you don’t mean the one the other
night?”

“ No; I mean the second attempt,” and Madgfi
came forward. “Open his shirt and you w
understand me.”

The men’s faces grew dark, and their bronze
hands obeyed the girl with a tenderness they did
not seem to possess.

It took but a glance to show them that Romeo
had been lately attacked, and that by an enemy
who was determined to succeed.

There were several ashes near the first which
had been bandaged iy some rough mountain
surgery. The men uttered cxclamatirns of sur-
prise nnd rage when they Saw the work of the
assassin.

Then Madge ppintefi out the evidences of the
struggle which ad not escaped her eye, and it
was gain enough to all.

“ asn’t he Spoken since you found him,
Mad e?” asked one of the pards.

“ ut once.”

“ Well, What did he say i”

The girl started.

“ I’d rather not tell you now,” she said at
last.

“Saving it for Owlet eh? Well, we have no
objections to that. Nobody can hide lon from
him. All the camp must know this. 0 and
tell the boys on the Square; tell Hilliard. .By
Jove! the hound who did this may still be With-
in reach.”

The men who had accompanied the speaker to
the cabin drew back and went away.

Madge came toward the man left behind, and
said in ow tones as she looked up into his face:
“ What did you do with the man from ’Frisco?”
she asked. ,

“ Oh. they’re holdin’ him yet: they’re waitin’
for Owlet who war summoned to
by Gold Grip. We’ve got him on the Square

  

Romeo by.

 

Volcano, the ’Frisco' Spy. V

under the tree, and, Madge, if we thought he
had any hand in this—”

“ He is guiltless of this work. I will answer
for him,” answered the girl. .

“ Owlet didn’t more’n half believe the orders
Gold Grip brought.”

" They were genuine.
to Gold Gri .”’

“ From log Romeo?”

(I Yes.”

“ Why did he grant the respite?”

“I don’t know,” and Madge threw a swift
look toward the master of the mine. “ He
didn’t choose to tell me why he issued the
command, and you know it was not my busi-
ness to ask.”

“ Of course not.”

“ He’ll explain when he gets better,” con-
tinued the girl.

“If he sees fit. Madge do you believe that
FingRomeo wants the 'F’risco sport to go scot

ree

The girl shook her head in doubt.

“ He didn’t say that, did he?” exclaimed the
man.”

H No.”

“ He only ordered a stay 0’ proceedings, eh ?”

H Yes. ,7

“ I thought so. If it war in Gold Grip’s
hands, I b’lieve he’d give the fellow a safe
port back to ’Frisco. His actions indicate that,
anyhow.”

“Why, Dorsey?”

The man who was Dark Dorsey, one of the

I carried them myself

most rominent of the miners of Puzzle Bar,
seem to be framing his thoughts into suitable
expression.

“ You need not answer if you don’t want to,”
suddenly continued Madge. “ I will let you
keep your opinions, Dorsey. But you will tell
me one thing. I hope.”

“ Well?”

“Who is the man Owlet rescued from a possi~
ble noose at the Golden Fleece to-night?”

“A fellow whose outward appearance looks
like a prayer-book,” grinned the miner.

“ You were gping to hang him weren’t you?”

“It might have come to that point. Some of
the boys were ready for anything.
the attack on King Romeo whetted our 3. pe-
tites for ven sauce, and as the poor devil ap-
pened lobe ound in camp at a bad time for
him, he was tumbled into the Fleece ready for
the halter. Jingo! how the fellow begged. He
swore b all that was holy to him, and to hear
him tel it. he is a saint, that he never thed a
drop 0’ blood, and when he wound up by de-
mending that word be sent to Owlet we were
floored.

“When Owlet come, What?” asked Madge,
her face ievealing that she was deeply inter-

es .

“ W'hy the fellow’s eyes lit u with he and
I would have bet that Owlet “gs goingptg’give
him a good send-off, which he did. Owlet seemed
surprised to seethe man. but he wasn’t long
tellin’ us that he was Mr. Jason Brown a camp
person who was well known to him. Well, as a
matter of course, we let up and the fellow
slipped away without asking the cr0wd to take
something." '

“ Did he leave camp?”

“ I resume he’s several miles away by this
time; ooked like he was anxious to git away.
Did on see him, Madge?”

“ don’t know” answered the girl with a
faint smile at her ips. “ Was he smooth-faced,
with a pair of deep~set eyes that sparkltd?”

“ That’s him!” ejaculated the miner.

‘f Then I’ve seen him " replied the girl. “He
paid his I'OSpeCtS to me fore he went away.”

“ How?”

“I saw a face like his at the window yonder
awhile ago,” was the reply.

“ Confound it! he’s a n‘owier just as I thought
he was the first time saw him!” cried Dark
Dorsey. “He left when he saw your eyes on
him, didn’t he?”

“Yes. I barely (got sight of him.”

The miner woul have made a reply if the
door had not opened at this 'uncture, and the
two saw the figure of Old Ow et there.

The detective’s eyes still showed the triumph
he bad Just accomplished, and with n glance at
Madge and her friend he walked forward and
held the lamp over King Romeo.

“Why he beats a cat for living!” the two
heard him exclaim as he assumed an erect posi-
tion a sin.

“ ell, nothing has been lost.”

Nevada Madge took a step forward. .

There is hope yet,” she ejaculated with a
glance at the master sport. ' ,

“I’m glad o’ thet. You beat all the doctors
thet eVer .killed a patient!” and Owlet showed
his teeth in a grin; then he turned upon Dark
Dorsey and Went on.

. “These are flash times, ain’t they? 1 have
Just let Gold Grip carry the day.”

::In what way?” asked the miner.

Oh. I let him carryoif the man from ’Frisco,
the fellow he wanted to help so had from some
reason. But don’t think, Dorsey, that OWIPt in—
tends to. fold his arms and sleep. I know a few
things which I will work tot advantage of

Puzzle Bar. King Romeo you er didn’t select 1

Yousee,

 

 

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, _t_he ’Friscd

15

 

 

me for chief 0' police to let the big secret go to
’Frisco in a human breast, to be opened in the

rivate chamber of Butler Bolt, the California

abobl There is ncthing between Gold Grip
and me as fur as I’m concerned. The man may
have a motive for arresting proceedings against
Volcano Van, who is now known as Colonel
Bolt’s agent. He only prolongs the game by
gettin him out o’ the noose to-night. A thou-y
sand ld Grips can’t defeat Old Owlet’sfinal
victory any more than a fly can outweigh a
mountain!’

Owlet spoke with that coolness so well known
to the denizens of Puzzle Bar.

There was no visible excitement about him
now; and Madge when she looked at him ad-
mired him for his stern determination.

She knew that the man lived for but one
thing—the keeping safe of the bonanza secret
which more than one league had tried to dis-
cover to its sorrow.

After awhile Dark Dorsey withdrew and left
the watch-do and Madge alone with ROmeo.

Time wonl tell whether the last attack had
been successful.

If Romeo died the current of more than one
life would be changed.

While Owlet bent over him in his cabin, not

far away in another but a man was leading
with V0 cano Van to quit the camp wit cut de-
lay.

Need it be said that the pleader was Gold
Grip?

 

CHAPTER XIX.
SOME sranrmne Nizws.

DURING the next two days Puzzle Bar was
interested in watching King Romeo's desperate
battle for life.

Nobody seemed to take any notice of Volcano
Van, who, despite his narrow escape from the
noose of a bronze mob, still remained.

Gold Gri , the newly-found brother, seemed
to have exhausted his treasury of arguments;
Colonel Bolt‘a a cut was one of the determined
sort, and he resolvod to do his duty at the
risk of life.

The absence of Caliban soon came to be no-

'ced

This was natural, for a prominent individual
like the dwarf could not disappear without re-
mark.

Old Owlet, with no outward sign that he
knew anything about Caliban’s end, said the
dwarf had left camp and probably would never

return.

If Caliban had fallen to the bottom of the
Fool’s Shaft—and what was there to prevent?—
he had left the game forever.

Meantime Owlet had not ceased to watch Vol-
cano Van. He who had marked the Californian
from the moment of his coming, was not the

rson to relinquish the espionage. If Gold

rip had carried his int in cheating the moun-
tain detective in theghuare before the Golden
Fleece, he had by no means driven Owlet from
the field.

The detective was shrewd enough. He let the
he of Puzzle Bar think that the two blows
fallen from Nevada Nat’s hand; he even

encoura them in the belief, for he never in-
tended admit e mistake he had made—a
mistake corrected hen he threw Caliban into
the dark do he of the old shaft.

Mormon ort kept close to the cabin in which
he had taken refuge.

As Volcano Van had the freedom of the camp,
though watched like a hawk, it would not do for
the Mormon to venture out. Owlet did not want
a collision between Van and the trailer, and the
Mormon, who knew the Californian, was quite
willin to avoid any meeting.

“ ere is the colonel’s daughter i” asked
Owlet, suddenly, as he confronted Mormon
Mort, the third night after his arrival.

“ 0n the roadl to Salt Lake." was the reply.

“ In charge of trusted men ?”

6‘ Yes”

“ Don’t you know that they are after you i”

A smile passed over the Mormon’s face.

“I did not expect to get off without some ef-
fort being made to capture me.” he answered.
“Of course Colonel Bolt will put forth every
effort, but he can’t succeed.”

“ He has flooded the country with circulars.”

“ Oh, I can outWit them.”

Owlet went to one _of his pockets and produced
a small hand-bill which he handed to Mormon
Mort who took it With a derisive smile.

The paper was headed “ 810.000 Reward!” and
then proceeded to state that the ward of Colonel
Butler Bolt, President of the Gold Eagle Bank
in San Francisco, had been abducted b a man
known in some uarters as Mormon ort. A
complete description of the Mormon was given,
and it was added that the girl, Luru, was sup-
msed to be on the way to Utah where the vil-

u expected to make her mistress of his Mor.
mon household. .

“ I’m worth somethin , you see,” smiled Mor-
mon Mort as be him ed the paper back to
Owlet. “ My dear friend,the colonel, is attached
to Lura the beautiful, and considers her return

' and my a prehension worth ten thousand dol-

lars. Bu how did this handrail reach Puzzle
am”

 

“ Not by accident but by design,” was the reL
Elly. “ A man bought it down from Sirocco.

e is paid to distribute them among the camps
in these paits. Fortunately he came to me first
and I received all the bills he had for the Bar.”

“ And sent him on?” asked Mormon Mort a
little nervous.

“ Yes. I would not let him see anybody
here.”

“ You have my thanks, Captain Owlet.”

“If I had let him have his way, don’t you sec
that tho pards of the Bar would have recognized
you by this description?”

it y’es.”

“ I told the messen or that in all probability
you did not break for 'tah.”

“ Good. What did he say?”

“ He replied that there were rumors in
Sirocco that you had passed through that
town.”

“ By Jove! I did I” cried Mormon Mort. “ I
couldn’t help it.”

“ Where did you leave Lura?”

“She’s nearer than you think, Owlet,” was
the answer spoken in a lowered voice. “ I re-
alize the danger now, curse the infamous hand-
bills!”

“ They’re always dangerous,” replied Owlet.
“If Lura is not across the Utah line they will
give you trouble.”

“ She isn’t there by a long distance. Her
escort is waiting for me, and I have remained
here waiting for orders from you.”

Old Owlet smiled.

“ Can you trust your servant!" he asked.

“ Can I trust a man who was once tied up by
the thumbs and whip wed, all by Colonel Bolts
orders?” laughed the ormon.

“ He wasn’t ‘ Colonel Bolt.’ then. It was
down on the Arizoniun frontier, and you kn0w
who and what he was, Owlet. He’s president
of the Gold Eagle Bank now just as that hand-
bill says. You may bet your head that 1 can
trust Frijo Frank who was whipped as I have
told you. Why, bless you,” continued Mormon
Mort leaning forward and touching Old Owlet’s
arm, “the girl believes that Colonel Bolt isn’t
just the man totake care of her. I have thrown
out hints enough to poison her mind.

“ But not enough to make her believe that she
is eager in your hands than under the banker’s
roof ‘

“She’ll get there presently,” returned the
Mormon.

“ If your game succeeds.”

“What! do you think I’m oing to lose?”
ejaculated Mormon Mort. “ he handbills
can’t find me, and Colonel Bolt may scatter
them over every were between here and Frisco.
I’ve ot the utiful prize, and by heavens! I
shall eep it! did u :tgi to Frisco and pla
my cards to lose on the threshold of success. I
played two games, you know, and both danger-
ous ones too. I was your 8 at the same time
I was scheming for a wife. hat would Colonel
Bolt and Griiy Gid have done had the dis-
covered that was Old Owlet’s spy, that sent
word ahead of their agent. that it was I who
stole spy’s orders, and substituted a package of
blank paper in their place? Why, my life
wouldnt have been worth the snap of your
fingers. I’ve taken risks, Captain, risks equal.
to those taken b Volcano Van who, for some
reason, is permit to have his own way at
Puzzle Bar. ‘

Old Owlet colored, and his eyes got a look of
anger. .

‘ I am running that game,” he exclaimed.
“ And no man wants to interfere."

“ I beg ardon: no offense intended,” was the
quick apo ogy. “ You’ll not catch me question-
iug your labors. If you will let me go tonight,
I will outwit the ’Frisco banker and land my
prize across the border.”

“ I would like to see the agirl."

Mormon Mort started ightly, and tried to
analyze the detective’s look.

“ You can see her if she must be seen.”

“ When i”

“ Within two hours.”

“ Mebbe you’d not like to have her see me.”

“ Why not? She doesn’t know Owlet, the
Nevada sleuth.”

“Are you certain of that, Mormon Mort?”
and Owlet leaned forward with a smile. “ You
swm to forget that I have been to ’Frisco, that
I have transacted business with Colonel Bolt.
Why, I have even been his guest.”

“ he deuce you have!” ejaculated the Mor-
mon. “If this is the case, why do you want to
see Lura ?”

Old Owlet was silent for a moment.

“ I want to ask the girl one or two questions,”
he said at length.

“ About the colonel?”

“ About the colonel, and something else.”

“When shall we go?”

“Within ten minutes. Wait for me here.”

The next moment Mormon Mort was alone.

" They are after me like a pack of blood-
houndsl ’ he ekchimed. when the door had
closed on the figure of the camp watch. “ By
Jupiter! lam indebted to Owlet for taking al
the haudbills intended for Puzzle Bar, and for
dismissin the messenger. A few more miles

and I wil boufe. Then letColpnel Boltspcnd

 

his money for something he can never accom-
plish. I suppose he wishes he had Volcano Van
to set on my track. The fellow has ke t me
housed up ever since I came here. Why cesn’t
Owlet crush him as he has crushed the other '
5 ice? Has he lost power here. or has King

omeo, d 'ing where the other beautiful crea-
ture is, to (1 him to stay his hand .7”

Mormon Mort was eager to ret away.

The distribution of the hand ills worried him.
He knew that Colonel Bolt would scatter them
broadcast over Nevada, that every camp near
the Utah line would be flooded with them. It
was by the merest accident that Puzzle Bar had
escaped being posted.

What if some keen eye had discovered, during
the past two days, that he was a tenant of the
last cabin?

lf Volcano Van had seen him, the situation
would be more thrilling still.

Minutes seemed hours to the Mormon sport.

Old Owlet had probably gone to give orders
to his men who were watching the Californian,
or to visit Romeo before his departure.

Mormon Mort prepared for flight. He was
about to take t! e gold-camp sll nth to Lura,
after which he would resume his journey.

There was no light in the cabin.

He and Owlet had conversed and looked into
each other’s faces in the light of the stars.

All at once Mormon Mort heard a footstcp on
the outSIde.

He stepped toward the door with an inward
ejaculation of joy. ‘

Old Owlet had come at last.

The following moment the door 0 nod, and
be caught sight of a figure between him and the
stars.

A cry burst from his throat as he leaped to the

is.

‘Pln God’s name what fetches you here?” he
cried, sinking his hand into the man’s arm. “ I
told on not to leave her for a moment.”

“ 'cll, I'm hyer, you see,” was the reply. in
insulting tones.

“ Where is Lum 1’"

“She gave me the slip.”

Mormon Mort’s grip lOOSened and he fell back,
his look a stare, and a cry of deep disappoint-
ment on his lips.

“ She did it when I expected nothing of the
kind,” continued the man. “ She came this
way. I trailed her to Within a mile of the camp.
There are haudbills offering ten thousand ft'l'
.303 all, along the road. I picked up all I could

u -

“Hang the postersl I’m interested in the

girl—in the angel of San Francisco. The next '

man I hire—”
“See hyer! no fault-finding!” interrupted a

stern voice. as a hand fell upon the Mormon’s I

shoulder. “ I’ve done my duty. Say I have

not, and. by the eternal! I’ll throw you dead to

the dogs!” __ - -
CHAPTER XX.

on Tim RAGGED EDGE. '

Tim threat was one which the man who nude
it looked capaple of accomplishing.

He was magnificent in physical proportion:
and his black eyes seemed to look Mormon Mo ,‘
through as he let slip the harsh sentences.

The Mormon did not want to srir him up. .

“I can't afford to file Fri ’0 Frank,” thought
Mormon Mort. “ The girl, are, has _ot awn ,
he says: thereis no help for it now. Mebbe
fellow did do his duty.
her now. I must have some excuse ready by the '
time he comes up.”

Then he looked at the man before him.

“How did you know whar to find me?” he 

asked. with a smile at the corners of his mouth.
“ Oh, I’m up to findin’ people," grinned Frijo

Frank in return. “ In the last cabin. ain’t you, 'V

or the first, jes’ as one looks at it?” _
“ So you tracked Lura towards Puzzle Bari”
“Yes. She may have picked up some 0’ the:
handbills on the road; I don’t know.”

“ I don’t care if she did!” exclaimed Mormon 

Mort with assumed fearlessness. “ Do you think L
she came to cam i?” i >

“ I don't think anything about it. I’m almost l

certain she did.” . 

The Mormon started. I >

“ HeaVens! you send a thrill through mel‘lhe'
cried. “But one thing is in our favor. , '
don’t know anything about the ’Frisco nabob
handbills'

“They don‘t. eh?” ejaculated Frijo Frank, _,
astonished. “Why, I thought the messenger:
was hyer.” 

“So he was, but he bunched his lot, and
dropped them into one hole.” -

At that moment a stentorian “ Yo-ho—o—of"
rung out on the night air, and the two men.
turned toward the point from whence the shout'
had come.

It was seen ata glance that there was cum- 3
motion in front of the Golden Fleece. and a lot;

of men were rushing from the saloon. , .
“What’s in the wind now?” whispered Frijo,
Frank. 
“ Look at the big fellow who has mounted the
whisky barrel in front of the trap." replied 
Mormon, touching his servant’s sleeve. “ 
the saints! he’s got one o’ the handbills." ‘

I can’t take Owlet to ‘ '

 

 

 

 
    
 

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“ Shoot me for a Digger if he hasn’t! Listen.
A thousand to ten that that galoot has lungs
like a brass 'ant.”

Mormon ort was in no humor for listening,
but the breathless crowd seen around the man
on the barrel, and the attitude of the man him-
self attracted him.

“ Thar goes the colonel’s reclamation!” ejac-
ulated Frijo Frank as the ig pard started out
with a paper held before him in the light of the
lamp which had been placed on the outside of
the saloon.

For the next three minutes the two men just
inside the cabin and the crowd in the Square lis-
tened to the‘reading of Colonel Bolt’s handbill.
The reader read with no little oratorical effect,
and could be followed easily from a distance.

At the end of the bill a dead silence fell over
the scene.

There was a smile at Frijo Frank’s lips as he
waited for the storm.

“ That man’s been hyer!” suddenly cried a
man on the outside of the crowd. “ It fits the
fellar Owlet rescued, to a dot.”

“ Did Owlet rescue you, captain?” asked
Frank.

“ Yes, and from those very rascals out you-
der, too,” growled the Mormon.

“Then you don’t want to tumble back into
their hands. I’ve an idea that Owlet couldn’t
prevent you from goin’ overland to ’Frisco.”

Mormon Mort seemed to recoil.

“ I don’t intend to go back,” he replied in a
manner that hes ke the desperate man.

“B Jove! I‘ rather meet and fight it out
with olcano Van."

“Is he here?”

“ He is Owlet has played with him.”

“W .ere is he?”

“Under Gold Grip’s protection. But what
are the pards going to do? Our orator has left
his barrel.”

“And all have gone inside to discuss the
situation over Puzzle Bar whisky. Our time
is now.”

It  fl g”

ijo rank drew back and gave the Mor-
mon a stran e look.

“ I don’t a ndon the 'girl,” exclaimed Mor-
mon Mort.

“ Not with twenty-five pards like those you-
der knowing that you have committed an act
which is punished with death in the Nevada

‘ earn 7”

“ hey catch a man first!” came throu h the

Mormon’s teeth. “Not one of them nows
I have been the inmate of this

A residence in this shanty renders a man safe.”
“Safe, eh?” cried Frijo Frank. “You are
safe nowheres. You are the most marked man
west of the Missouri. I don’t suppose you’d
take my advice?”
“ What is it?”

. “ Let the girlbgo”and get out of Nevada as
6.

quick] as possi
,- “I see death first!” was the answer. “ I’ve
been piayin too 10 for beauty and booty to
do any suc thing. by, Lura Bolt, as she is
: called, though that is not her name, is worth to
msmore than her weight in gold. You don’t
intend to desert me, do you?”
Frijo Frank was silent, and Mormon Mort
' who was watching him closely took it for a
sign of desertion.
‘ I have a friend here who will stand by me
throu h thick and thin,” he cried.
“Od Owlet?” asked Frank.
' ‘ “Old Owlet!”

“ Then, keep him!”

One of Frank’s feet moved back as he spoke.

4‘ I don’t want a dollar,” he continued as the
Mormon’s 1ilia‘nd moved ltovgardhiilismbosoU ml.J “I
agreedtoepyouwit te ta,no
to play ainst odds in Puzzle$an Keep your
money, ormon Mort. If I know anything at
allyou’li need it if you take up a new hand
here. I am going after other stakes, if you
won’t uit this accursed camp.”

“No without Lura the beautiful!” was the
answer.

Frijo Frank crossed the cabin’s threshold and
threw a look toward the open door of the Golden
Fleece.

“Here c0133 a man i" he exeglag'gied, as htlhe

' figure of a estrian appear tween 'm
v and the light.

Mormon Mort uttered a cry.

. “ If it be Owlet we are safe,” he whispered, as
Frank rejoined him.

The door of the cabin was noiselessly shut and
the eager eyes of the two pards appeared at the
window.

From their station the could still see the open

tals of the Golden sees, and the figure of

0 man between them and the lamp.

It was a moment of suspense.

The solita figure portended something, and

i  as it approac ed the cabin, as if its destination

 ed in Frijo Frank’s hand.
‘I in doubt.

4.3“.

 

was the door something suddenly bright gleam-

thef Mormon,

“It may be Owlet.” whi
n a moment. No!

“ We will know

' by heavens! it is Volcano Van !”
, ’7 The next moment the man came 13) and stood
in the road in front of the cabin.

is face was

 

turned toward the structure and the two men at
the window could almost read the inquisitive
look in his eyes.

“That is the man who was to have fallen
into Owlet’s snare the moment he struck Puzzle
Bar!” exclaimed the Mormon. “ He knOWS
that I havo been in hiding here. See how he
watches the cabin.”

“But he seems to believe that the bird has
flown,” was the answer. “ If Volcano Van sus-
pected that you were here he’d not stand out
there and eye the shanty. By Jove! he’s taken
a step forward. He is going to investigate!”

“ Good!” grated Mormon Mort leaving the
window. ‘ I wish he would. ’11 show the
pards of Puzzle Bar that I’m better than Owlet
to protect their interests.”

“ No! he is going back as if satisfied that
this shanty is empty.” resumed Frank. “ He
changed his course rather suddenly. Something
has happened. Ah! I see what it was now.
Another man!”

The Californian who had been disturbed in
his investigations by some person had moved
away as fast as he had approached the cabin,
and a moment later a footfall reached the
door.

As it opened Mormon Mort leaned forward
to inspect their visitor.

His name was pronounced.

“By Jove! Captain Owlet, I thought you
were never coming back !” he exclaimed.

The well—known voice of the gold-camp
sleuth broke out into a laugh.

“An unexpected incident detained mei” he
cried.

“ What was it?”

“ Strange to say while I was at King Romeo’s
Mad e received a visitor.”

‘t o!”

“It was the ’Frisco girl.”

“Lural” broke from the Mormon’s throat.
“ She gave Frye Frank the slip! So she is really
at Puzzle Bar ’

“ I left her at Romeo’s,” was the answer.
“ The two girls are fast friends already.”

The Mormon Apolsle bit his lip.

“Then, I have not lost her!’ he suddenly ex-
claimed, looking at Owlet. “ I have just heard
the bi miner read the handbill from the whisky
barre , but no one knows I am here.”

“No one? Don’t deceive yourself, Mormon
Mort. A man just left this vicinity. You saw
him?”

“But he did not see me.”

“ Ah! he knows that you are here.”

“ Has he seen Lura?”

“ Not yet.”

“ Then help me play a hand before he does!”
and Mormon Mort clutched Owlet's sleeve.
“Help the ’Frisco prize back into my power.
Frank is here. He will he] us with the game
which must win if you head t, Owlet.”

Did Mormon Mort see the twinkle that came
into the eyes of the mountain detective at his
words?

Old Owlet shrug his shoulders and smiled.

“ My great dutyeds to keep the bonanza secret
safe,” he ejacula . “ I did not promise to
play any cards for Iyou, Mormon Mort.”

‘ But the news sent you from ’Friscoi” ex-
claimed the Mormon his brow darkenin . “ Turn
about is fair play, Ca tain Owlet. I Volcano
Van is still Colonel Bo t’s sleuth, whose fault is
it? Not mine!"

“No not yours!” and Old Owlet leaned to-
ward t e Mormon with fire in his eyes.

“ One game at Puzzle Bar is enough at a time.
I have the floor at present, and I advise you to
quit this camp at once and toturn our face
toward Utah; for in such a move es your
bodily safetfi. ’

Mormon ort seemed thunderstruck by words
like these.

Had there been da light in the cabin, Owlet
would have seen his s rp face become colorless.

“ Have you—” he began, then checked him-
self, for the admonishing hand of Frijo Frank
was at his wrist.

“ I give you ten minutes,” resumed Old Owlet
as coldly as before. and without another word
he turned and walked away. with the Mormon’s
eyes looking dagggers at his back.

“ Lura has ascinated the Nevada spider!”
cried Mort. “ I see it all, Frank 1”

CHAPTER XXI.
rail: Lrncanas’ Linn.

TRUE itwas that Lura Bolt had arrived at
Puzzle Bar, and that she had already met Ne-
vada Madge.

The young girl of the camp had not dreamed
of such a meeting.

The existence of the banker’s ward was not
known to her, and when she turned from her
vi is at King Romeo’s cot to stand face to face
w h Mormon Mort’s victim, she started back
with a cry.

Old Owlet had found the girls together,
friends already, for Lura had told in a few
brief sentences her experience with the Mormon,
but the sight was not the one that startled him.

He saw that the two girls were strikingly
alike in form and future they had the same
e. es, the same contour of see, and the resem-

ce was increased when they smiled.

 

 

King Romeo stretched on the cot saw the

cou 1e together and heard their whispers, but
9 no sign.

His eyes were fixed on them, but more par-
ticular] on Lura; they followed ever motion
of her 'ps, and drank in her smiles l' e a man
strangely infatuated.

“ I would like to rest here,” spoke Lura, turn-
ing to Old Owlet, as he gave her a look are he
moved toward the door.

“ You shall. Stay here as long as you want.
You will keep Madge company. I am sure
Mad e would not be willing to give you up.”

“ ou shall not 0!” cried the beauty of uzzle
Bar. “Mormon ort shall not reclaim on,
and you need not go back to ’Frisco for a ong
time.”

Old Owlet turned away.

“ Hang me if I hel to throw that child back
into the web of the tab spider!” he exclaimed.
“She escaped from him and she deserves to re-
main free. I know he helped me to some very
important information about Volcano Van, the
s y, but I will pa him back in another manner.

9 cannot have t e ’Frisco angel!”

Thus Owlet made up his mind about a certain
matter as he walked back to where he had left
Mormon Mort. He did not know that Frijo
Frank, Lura’s guard, had come to camp but
this addition to the Mormon’s forces would not
deter him. \

We have seen how Owlet met the Mormon,
and have heard him give Mort ten minutes to
leave Puzzle Bar.

Mormon Mort’s opinion that Lura had cap-
tivated the mountain sleuth was nota correct
one.

There was no danger of Owlet fallin under
the spell of bright eyes; he had passed t e dan-
ger int and was safe.

hen he walked from the cabin leaving the
{Mormon in a rage there was a quiet smile at his
ips.

He went down to the Golden Fleece, about
whose counter the miners of Puzzle Bar were
crowded.

Against the wall near the door stuck one of
Colonel Bolt’s handbills, A bowie kept it to its

lace, and it was significant that the blade
divided the name of Mormon Mort.

Every eye saw Owlet the moment he entered
the ranch, and a dozen hands pointed at the

ter.
po'lg‘he watch of the camp turned and read it as
carefully as if he had not seen it before.

“ Ain t that encroachin’ on the feller you took
from us t’other ni ht?” queried one of the men.
“ The descri tion ts him exactly, an’ we’d like
ter rake in t or ten thousand fora ch 6.”

Old Owlet came toward the crowd w th that
expression which never told anything.

‘ So you want to make the reward, eh!” he
asked, looking it over.

“ Don’t we, Cap’n Owlet. We didn’t get to
swing the ’Frisco rt, an’ we think we deserve
ter nab Mormon ort who played the cool cards
ag’in’ the nabob.”

Old Owlet wondered if Mormon Mort had
obe ed his last commands.

ore than ten minutes had passed. He did
not think that, with the odor of ten thousand in
the hands of the miners, he would attempt to re-
main at the Bar. ‘

Mormon Mort was shrewd; he ought to know
that he could play no new ame, against Lura
without the assistance of wiet, and that he
could not get.

“ Mebbe the feller might have come back,”
Owlet said to the crowd when he had revolved
several things in his mind. ,

“ If he has we’ll catch him. Whar do you
think we ’d be most likely for find 'im, cap’n ’

“ I don’t know, but I th ht I saw a match
in Nevada Nat’s shanty awh e ago.”

“ Nat wouldn’t come back,” was the quick re-
sponse. “ The man who struck King Romeo
twicel wouldn’t be sneakin’ around the halter like
a foo .

“ No; Nat would not be there,” answered
Romeo. “ I don’t say that the man I took away
from you the other n1 ht has come back. I on]
mention that I thong t I saw a light in Nuts
shanty to-night.” -

There was a certain significance to Owlet’s
words that caused the rds of Puzzle Bar to
look at one another. e had given Mormon
Mort time enough to quit the cam , and he
wanted to keep h m away by setting men on
the lookout for him.

By a movement of this kind he would be *

guarding Lura from further molestation, and
would in the end balk the Mormon me.

After som consultation the crow determined
to move cautiously aiépon the cabin.

“If we find Nev a Nat, what, cap’ni” cried
the leader at the door.

“ Oh, swing him i” laughed 'Old Owlet, who
thought that he return of the accused sport was
one of the most unlikely events on the calendar.

He saw the pards depart with a twinkle in his
deep eyes.

“ A wild-goose chase. Nantez,” he ejaculated
as he leaned on the counter in front of the man
who kept the Golden Fleece.

“ Of course. Mormon Mort may be hundreds

of miles from hyer. if your friend warhim,

 



“fixw ‘ "

ll

   

I Volcano, the ’Frisco Spy.

l

17

 

 

ou did
ut you

Owlet, and you owed him anything,
right ter take him from the boys;
couldn’t do it again.”

“ Maybe I wouldn’t try,” was the answer.
“ I guess I paid him of? when I ste ped in at the
right moment the other night. hey wouldn’t
swin him if they caught him, eh?”

“ o: they’d hold him until he produced the
girl and then they’d waltz him into Colonel
Bolt’s presence an’ claim the reward. Colonel
Bolt! Look hyer, Owlet?”

“ Well. Nantez?”

“ You told me once that our old friend Xeno-

hon Zook, or Captain Xenophon, was a nabob
in ’Frisco.”

Owlet was looking into Nantez‘s face without

a re )ly.
“ )What did become of him .3” continued the
bartender. “ After the death of the ranch king.
Sol Selden, Captain Xenophon disappeared. We
never saw him again, an’, by the way, we lost
the captain of our own camp the same week.”

“ I see you have a good memory, Nantez, an
excellent one,” came over the bar from between
Owlet’s lips which did not seem to move.

“ I don’t forget some things ” continued Nan-
tez, with a smile. “ I remember that Sol Sel-
den had a beautiful wife and two little children,
"iris they were. IVe always thought that the
hand which finished Sol that night was Captain
Xenophon’s.”

Old Owlet showed that he was listening by the
slightest bow.

“ That used to be your opinion, cap’n.”

“ Mebbe it is yet.” -

“The evidence war against Xenophon Zook.
I guess it war strong enough to have swung
him. That war a long time ago; you have said
that he went to ’Frisco, an’ that he got to be a
nabob thar. Now, the only ’Frisco nabob I
know anything about is Colonel Bolt. Can he
be Captain Xenophon?” _

The sleuth-hound of Puzzle Bar drained the
glass before him before he spoke again.

“ Nantez, my old boy, you keep a trail well—
in our mind,’ he answered, with a slight smile.

‘ I know that Colonel Bolt is Xenophon Zook l”
exclaimed Nantez. “Come, Captain Owlet;
give me what ‘you know about it before the boys
come back. e are alone now, and will be for
a little time. Go on. What became of Mrs.
Selden and the two little ones?”

Nantez’s eagerness was great. He rested an
elbow on the counter and riveted, his eyes on the
Nevada watch-dog, who gave no evidence that
he was going to im rt any information. .

“ You are riggit, antes, the ’Frisco banker is
Captain Xenop on,” he replied after cashing an-
other liquid check at the whisk bank of Puzzle
Bar. “ I'm not going to fol ow him from the
time he left Arizona till ,he became president
of the Gold Eagle Bank, because I don’t know
much about his life between those events. Mrs.
Selden, the widow of the murdered rancher, is
dead; the children—”

Old Owlet paused sudden] .

“ Thy were girls. I recol act that!” exclaim-
ed Nantez. “ I forget their names, however.”

“ Pearl and Ruby.”

“ By J ovel your k-rect!” cried the barkee r,
striking the Counter with his fist. “ Mrs. Se den
need to call ’em her jewels. Well, what became
of them?”

“I don’t know.” And Owlet gave Nantez a
look which seemed intended to kill further in-
quiry in that direction. “ It was a sin ular
tragedy, with a good deal of mystery in it.
Colonel Bolt remembers it very well, I pro.
sume,”

“ He ought to. Don’t you know Owlet, that
thar’s a fortune for the man who knows about
the Seldom tragedy? J ehosaphatl that man
could walk into the Gold Eagle Bank a pauper,
and come out a nabobl” .

Nantez‘s eyes fairly glistened while he ke.

“ Mebbe you’d better try it,” smiled Ow at.

The bartender drew back. _

“ I never did blackmail anybody, but this is a

idea opportunity that oughtn’t be let slip.

hink of it! Colonel Bolt woul ln’t be dropped
from his high estate for—no, not for twenty
thousand.”

“ Tr it,” grinned Owlet.

“ W y, he’s let Mormon Mort keep Lura and
recall all his posters sooner than have ’Frisco
know that he was once Xeno hon Zook.”

The smile grew broader on' ld Owlet’s face.

“ Why don’t you tr him. Nantez?” he asked.

Th6 next moment a. oud shout came in at the
door. slightly ajar. .

“The boys are back!” ejaculated Nantes. “Of
course they found nothing—3’

“ Come out an’ see ’im, Captain Owlet!” called
out a man who burst the door open at that
moment.

‘* See who?” cried the Nevada ferret, starting
forward. .

“ The man we caught in Nevada Nat’s cabin.
By Jove, it was a find sure enough!

Nantez leaped over the counter and ran to the
door.

There was a crowd in the square in front of
the Golden Fleece, and Owlet was received with
a shout. .

' “ Look at ’im. Owlet. The fool did come

‘ hack, sure enough!” .‘

 

A human body was swingin back and forth
under the lynchers’ limb, and 1d Owlet sprung
toward it with a cry on his tongue.

 

CHAPTER XXII.
carasrnornn.

THE li ht that streamed from the door of the
Golden leece when it was wide open, as now,
revealed the scene in a measure as just de-
scribed.

Old Owlet saw only the man swinging in the
night wind, and for the moment be quite forgot
the breathless pards who leaned forward with
grin and leer to see what he would do.

“ Great heavonsl it is Nevada Natl” rung sud-
denly from ()wlet‘s throat.

“ Who did you think it was? Didn’t we say
that the fool had come back?” ‘

The sleuth of Puzzle Bar wheeled upon the
crowd. ’

“ IVhar did you find him?” he exclaimed.

“In his shanty, whar you saw the match
awhile ago, you know.”

“I didn’t think you’d find him, by Jove! I
didn’t!" cried Owlet, and then he went on to
himself:

“I wonder what fetched him back? Did he
come to clear himself of the charge of attempt-
ing King Romeo’s life? The pards believe he’s
the man, and he’ll never make me acknowledge
my mistake. They’ve settled it forever.”

“He seemed surprised ter see us,” suddenly
broke forth the broadshouldered leader of the
miner pards. “ We went thar ter look for
Mormon Mort, you know, but we found that
one. It was fish when we looked for fowl,
Cap’n- Owlet; but no difference. Thar war
Romeo ter be avenged, an’ I guess we’ve done it.
Thar’s nothin’ slow about Puzzle Bar when she
gits ter work.”

Owlet turned from the spokesman to the body
that almost touched him.

“Mormon Mort has quit camp,” he mentally
e' culated. “ I guess ten minutes war more
t an he wanted.”

Then he told the crowd to go into the Golden
Fleece and drink at his expense, an invitation
which they were not 10th to accept after the
tragical ending to their hunt for the Mormon.

Owlet was thus left alone with the body under
the limb.

“ I want to make sure thet he’s got nothin’ on
him that’ll give the boys any inklin’ of my
error,” said wlet, as he plunged one hand into
Nevada Nat’s bosom. “I don’t mind hanging
the wrong man occasionally, but I’ve got a
record for makin’ no mistakes that I don’t want
to break.”

“ Who did this?” asked a sudden voice at the
sleuth’s back.

Old Owlet turned and saw Madge so near that
he could have touched her.

“ What makes you want to know, girl?” was
the question as he leaned forward. “This is
Nevada Nat, the runaway; he came sneakin’
back for a purpose, proba ly to try the third
time—

“ Aren’t you going to cut the body down?” in-
terrupted the girl, stepping nearer and throw-
ing 3 one hand.

‘ ebbe the boys wouldn‘t like it.”

“I say cut him down! You have a knife,
Owlet. The man may not be dead."

“Dead es a door nail!” eiaculated Owlet a
savage glitter in his eyes, and then he raised his
voice till it could be heard in the saloon a few
feet away:

“I say this is the boys‘ hangin’, an’ I’m not
authorized to cut it down."

“No cutting down out thar!” swiftly came
the response from the Golden Fleece, and a big
man appeared at the door.

“This is brutalit enough to disgrace sav-
ages!” announced ge, facing the man in the
door. “I say that your victim shall be cut
down !"

By this time half a dozen men had emerged
from the Golden Fleece, ’and the young girl
stood before them with undaunted mien.

“ You gentlemen will stand back while Owlet
lowers the body,” she went on. “I want no
collision with the people among whom I have
dwelt. Nevada Nat had no trial—”

“ His going off proved it i”

“Proved what?’ and Madge looked squarely
at the sullen speaker.

“It proved that he tried for take King
Romeo’s life," was the answer.

A faint smile was seen at the corners of
Mad e’s mouth.

“ hy don’t you proceed, Owlet?" she cried,
turning from the crowd to the detective, who
had not even drawn his knife for the purpose of
severing the rope. ,-

Owlet threw a look toward the miners.

“ Let her have her way. Thar’ll never be a
trial for Nevada Nat,” the leader said.

The next moment the big blade of Owlet’s
knife gleamed in the lamplight, and then came
the thud of the body as it struck the ground,
where it lay black and motionless.

The miner pards grinned at Madge as if they
wondered what would be her next movement.

“ I call this a piece of work which will forever

 

a

stain the name of Puzzle Bar l” the girl ex-
claimed, walking forward. “ You ought to
know that this manshould have had a trial.”

She had looked up and encountered the half-
threatenin eyes of Owlet.

“ Why didn’t you give him a chance?” she
went on. ‘ A
“I didn’t get the chance to,” he answered.
“ He was swinging hyer when the boys called

me out to see the body.”

A moment later Nevada Madge was bending
over the body, and her fingers loosened the
noose which seemed to have sunk into the neck.

The crowd standing a little ways off watched
her in silence. There were triimiphant twinkles
in the eyes of some, and only a few wished
they had been less hast .

All at once Madge loo 'ed up.

“There is a s rk of life here!” she exclaim—
ed. “The bear beats!” ‘
There was a visible start on the part of the
crowd. '
“ Are you going to stand there and let that
spark go out for want of fanning?” she went
on with flashing e es. “ Has Nevada Mad e no
friend in Puzzle ar who will lend her a .nd
she needs? Are. you all so eager for blood that

you won’t give me a lift?”

It was an appeal which proved irresistible.

As for Owlet he did not move, but nearly
one-half of the crowd came forward, and the
big leader so brutish a moment before asked
the girl for orders.

“Pick the man u and take him to my
cabin,” she replied, an then almost instinctive]
her eyes sought out the mountain sleuth. “ e
may have a chance to prove his innocence yet
if innocent he is.” v :

Owlet made no reply, but with the sullenness - .
that characterized him when crossed he walked
toward the Golden Fleece, leaving Madge to
have it out with the men.

He did not stop to resume with Nantez the ' 
conversation about Colonel Bolt’s past life, but ‘2,
lanoed into the bar-room as he passed, and ’

rowned.

“ There ar‘ too many bosses b er for me!” he
growled. “I see that I’ve go to reduce the ,
number or give up the game. Nat is too far 
to all him back to life. I’m ":5

gone for M
not afraid of hot. see thet I’ve got to play ~f‘
a deadly card against the spy from Them. f 7.

Gold Grip must shield him no longer. Before
the morning comes I will make the bonanza
secret forever safe!” .
Meantime the strong arms of four men were V; 
bearin Nevada Nat toward the cabin occu led v‘i‘;
by Ma ge. The girl had gone ahead to m a  “‘
few simple preparations for his reception.
The carriers, as they trumped through the

starlight, looked down into their victim 3 face ' r 
with eyes softened, as it were, by Madge’s solici. I :-
tude. If the to tie-enact the scene, it was 13:-

evident that t are would not be so much haste. L4"

The ' i met them at the door of the cabin, 
and loo ed anxiously at the hanged sport. 

“ How is he, Hilliard!” she asked. 

“The sports thar yet, miss,” was the reply. * 'r
“ If anythin , it seems a little stron r.”

“ Thank eaven!” ejaculated edge, and
when the men had deposited their burden on the
cot she 'had re rel for it, she turned to them
with some we -c osen words of thanks.

“I promise you that he will stand trial if he
lives,” she said. “But I sav that no hand of
his ever drew a dro of King Romeo’s blood.”

The pards look at Madge astonished, and
then at each other.

“ Let us wait until then "she went on. “ Give
Nevada Nat a chance. e went away for an.
other purpose. I now know why. If Hilliard
will, remain and help me, the rest of you am

0.

It was the strong hands of Hilliard that had
seized Nevada Nat in his cabin, it was the same
hands that had thrown the noose over his head,
and it was his voice which had given the whine
pered command to “ pull!“

Despite all this. Hilliard was read to remain
behind and help Madge bring Neva a Nat hack
to life, and in a little while they were the only
active occupants of the cabin.

Hilliard of Puzzle Bar was a man who had . ‘ 4:,
roughed it in a dozen rough parts of the Wild 
West. He had once seen a hanged man resusci- ‘ 
fated, and he told Magge about it in disjointed .
sentences, as he work with Nevada Nat.

The girl took courage from the start. and ' -‘-"
when t e spark of life. which she had discovered
in Nat’s breast had gr0wn into long breaths. her
face beamed with ' y. .

“ You can flnis him now ” she ejaculated,
clutching Hilliard’s sleeve. “1 have been away
from Romeo too long already. I left LII!“
there—”

“ Who is Lure?” interrupted Hilliard. '

“ What! don’t you know? Ah! her arrivslls ,
not known to the whole camp. Lure. is Colonel '
Bolt’s daughter.” ~

“ The one Mormon Mort stole from ’Friscol
Jehosaphat! she has escaped from the modal.” ’

“She is free!” exclaimed Madge. “ I left her‘
with Romeo. One look at him, a Word with” 
Lure, and I will come back.” ' . .

The girl was gone before Hilliard could fame ~,
anmwer. He heard bars moment beyond“ 

 

 

 

 

 
    
  
 
 

MW ..... a» ..,,.—._. ... .......-._.......,.._.. .... n... .._. _

 18

Volcano, the ’Frisbo Spy.

 

/
 dioor and then went back to his victim and pa-
42 1 1; out.

“ I did not reach the mob a second too soon,”
ejaculated Mad e as she bounded thro h the
starli ht towar Romeo’s cabin. “Ow et did
not 1i e in interference, but he dared not lift
his hand. stand too close to Romeo, the King
of the Mine. Owlet knows that Nevada Nat
might prove his innocence and forever ruin his
fame as a mountain detective.”

“ Thank Heaven! you have come!” exclaimed
a voice, as Madge opened King Romeo’s door.

as ' w— .- ~
v r"; n. '~.:~ '.)-&Z.'—"—

_ _< 3—1;? am
7,..." m'r‘mw‘

in, “I wanted to summon you, but I dared not
{it r leave him alone.”
71'. “ What has happened?"

“He talked about a thousand things awhile
ago, he asked for pencil and paper. I gave him
both, and he wrote like a mad rson for
a while. He is quiet now, asleep, I lieve.”

Nevada Madge went forward to the bed, fol-
lowed by Lura.

She took the lamp from the table and held it
‘over King Romeo’s face.

shamans-fies:

~_'f—‘w-r

id latitét last,” she suddenly cried~ “ MY God! at
.1” - i

it The cause for her wild exclamation was ap-
! ’3 parent enough.

this King Romeo was dead!

,1.
5.

 

'- w-‘vrmar we

CHAPTER XXIII.
WITHIN AND wrrnoor.

/ THE battle which had been going on for some

‘ days between death and man had resulted in
' favor of the Kin of Terrors.

' King Romeo, be head master of the secret

bonanza, had died as quietly as a child slee 5,

without even disturbing the vi ils of Lura, w 0

had been left to guard im b is betrothed.

For a moment after Ma ge’s startli dis-
covery of death, the two girls stood silent do
the couch.

The face of Nevada Madge was pale, and
moisture glistened in her deep brown eyes.

There was no doubt of her affection for the
big rough fellow whose word had been law to
the staIWart men he had gathered around him.

“ One life has just gone out, there is another

, ' to be saved. two of them, perhaps," suddenly
' exclaimed Madge, turning upon Lure.
’ “ What do you mean?”

The girl of the cam went to the door and
looked carefully out be ore she replied:

“ Let the secret of this death bekept from the
camp awhile,” she wh' red, comin back.
“Puzzle Bar must know t soon, but t ere are
two men who must know it now. Volcano Van
is oneof them.” '

Lnra started.

She knew that the ’Frisco sport was in camp,
but th had not met. Her last sight of him was

‘ when s pleaded with Colonel Bolt not to send
him on the hazardous mission, and when he held
her back and let him depart.

, Now fate had thrown them into the same
mountain nest.

“ Gold Grip cannot save him if Owlet pushes
his hatred,” continued Madge. “ When the
sleuth of Puzzle Bar knows that King Romeo is

‘ ‘ dead he will play one of those terrible hands for

r 7" ’ which he is famous. I know the man."

' ' “Who succeeds to Romeo’s place?” asked

Lure.
“ Nevada Nat by right, but he has just been


i4 1!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
  

’ ' der is against him.”
' “ Who is the third man of the Seven!”
“ Gold Grip; but he has made enemies by ro-
' tecting Volcano Van. Don’t you see the an-
gerous state of affairs? There are two men in
camp who are at the mercy of Owlet and the
men he can influence. After Gold Grip comesa
man called Bowie Bart, who never felt a spark
of humanity warm his heart. He and Owlet are
not the fastest of friends. If Hilliard stood next
. toGold Grip the crisis would not beso great, but
he is the very last in the line of succession.
know the whole code of Puzzle Bar; it is intri-
cate and dark; there is not another like it in
existence. Will you watch Kin Romeo awhile
"longer, Lura? There is someth. ng to be done
now. Ah! you know it.”
, Yes, Lura Bolt knew that a crisis had come.
,I “Go! do your work. Warn them. Don’t tell
Mm that I am here, else he might want to re-
' main. I tried to keep him back in ’Frisco, but
, 2 Colonel Bolt drove him to the trail. I will guard
the dead.”
, Madge threw a look toward the cot, then re-
. turning caught Lura’s eyes.
 i “ You say he wrote something before he
'  ,died?” she said.
 r “ He did.”
“ Where is it?”
“Under the pillow, probabl .”
“Hold the lamp down that may look for it.”
Lura obeyed and watched her companion with
much interest while she sought for the docu-
.' mt.
, 7 It was not under the pillow as Lura had sup-
" ‘ ' , nor did the dead man’s hands hold it.
ge’s search proved futile, and when she
showed iLara her face again, it was seamed with
ntment.

rescued from the noose, and the charge of mura

“ ’oould not have destroyed it?” she asked.

Y  «RH/1M,
> a» . r.
 ,. . . . r ,.
H, >  . figs}, .2412“:
‘ i. ’3‘!" '-‘r’# * IA

 

“I cannot think so. It was too important for
that ”

“ It must be found, Lura. It may have been
his will, a command. and it should fall into the
right hands. Look for it while I am gone, for I
cannot tarry here. Above all things. Lura,
don’t let anybody come in till I come back.”-

Lura’s look was promise enough, and the next
moment Madge was off.

There was a bolt on the rou h door, one of
the few bolts in the camp, for um er the floor in
a stron chest King Romeo kept wealth enough
to enric more than one man.

Lura pushed the bolt into its socket after
Madge’s de rture and went over to the dead.

Never be ore had she been thrown into a posi-
tion of this kind. Her earliest recollections
were of luxury, and not. of the wildness of a gold-
camp. She had never kept vigils over the dying
or the dead, much less had she ever been calle
upon to search a corpse for a concealed player.

Nerving herself to the task imposed by adge,
Lura went to work. She wanted to et through
with it as quickly as siblc, but s e intended
to make the search a t orough one.

In the midst of the work she heard the fall of
a booted foot.

It was outside and only once she heard it.

As a thrill swe t over her her hands grew
Still and she turn her head taward the win-

ow.

There were no victorious eyes to reward her
look, but something told her that she should not
go back to her task.

Lura rose slowly and slipped to the door.

In a moment she knew that she had not been
startled by a false alarm.

There were voices Pust elzzyond the door.

Just above the ir ’s h hung the leathern
belt of the man w o lay dead on his camp cot,
and above it peeped two reVOIVers.

Lura’s eyes seemed to get a thankful look as
she saw formidable helps that silently offered
themselves and the next moment her hand drew
one out and found it already cocked.

“ There’s a curtain at the window,” ejaculated
a voice, which was clearly heard by the breath-
less 'rl at the door.

“ an’t you see anything at all 1”

“Only t e lamp on the table and something
like a man’s body on the bed.”

“ That is Romeo. Madge isn’t in there, and
we know it; the other one must be.”

“ I don’t see her.”

There came a moment of fate and silence.

“I’ll try the door,” came the reply at last.
“ These mountain cabins have no bolts.”

“ Try this one and see,” mentally e aculated
Lura, as she threw a glance at the big it rest-
ing securely ih‘ its soc et.

After a little pause the latch clicked slightly,
and the door was pushed inward, but of course.
did not open.

“ A bolt, by all that’s holy!” exclaimed a
voice outside. “ The girl is a stran er here, and
girl-like, she’d naturally bolt it i thar was a
bolt handy. What’s to be done?”

“ We must get in or she must come out. Give
me a chance.”

Lura heard some one uit the door, but a mo-
ment later the latch clic ed as before.

“ We’re bolted out!” grated a voice; “ but
bolts and bars don’t keep me from the final
stakes. Go out there and stand guard.”

“ In the street?”

“Yes, but in the deep shadow of the shanty.
The ards 0’ Puzzle Bar ar’ at the Golden Fleece,
and he door is shut. Owlet, the double-face, is
the rson we ar’ to guard against.”

“ hat are you going to do?”

“ I intend to charge the door, and make the
bolt yield like a stick!”

The girl inside stepped back and clutched her
revolver with a firmer grip. Her beautiful face
without color was strikingly defiant, and her
fine figure, drawn up to its true hight, was the
acme of statuary magnificence.

“I don’t want the life of the infamous ser-
pent out yonder,” passed over her lips. “ I am
willing that justice shall strike him with another
hand than mine.”

Then she took one step toward the door, and
spoke in clear tones.

“ I am here and have heard all,” she exclaim-
ed. “I know that on are Mormon Mort, the
man who won in Ca ifornia to lose in Nevada.
I am not going back to the toils. This is King
Romeo’s castle, and an attempt to force it might
be followed b disastrous results.”

If Lura cou d have looked though the heavy
door at that moment she would have seen the
man whom her words had startled.

At the first sound the tall figure of Mormon
Mort had sprung back, and he was listening
with bated breath to the girl’s words.

She knew him! Why attempt concealment
now?

“It is all the same, my fair child, whether
you open the door or not?” he suddenly exclaim-

ng going back to the portal. “ The man with
you is past half:é if you think that Mormon
Mort, who has en proscribed because of your
beauty, intends to be chased 01! by a threat,

on are sold. Shall you witness a charge for
ove, or will on save King Romeo’s door by
opening itto he Mormon King?”

     
 

 

“ 1 open nothing to you!” was the quick re-
ply, and then Lure step away and halted by
the table awaitin the c arge.

Outside the ormon threw a look over his
shoulder at the dark figure standing in the

street.

He still had Frijo Frank in the game: a new
bargain and a promise of big stakes in Utah
had kept the sport at his side.

All at once the Mormon drew off and looked
at the cabin door. It was tobe human stren th
against a bolt, and Mormon Mort had bound ess
confidence in his pOWers.

“ Look out, Frank.” he cried to the man in
the road, as he gathered strength for the dash.

“ Hold on a moment!” and Frijo Frank came
bounding forward.

“What is it?”

"The girl may be quietly waiting for you
with a six-shooter.”

“ Lure?”

it Yes. 1)

“ She’s got nothing of the kind.”

“But King Romeo has.”

1_ ‘éHe can’t lift a toy pistol if Owlet hasn’t
ic .’

“ Let me look in once more.”

Mormon Mort made no reply but let his pard
carry out his urpose.

l Frijo Fran did not remain at the window

on .

“ ell?” remarked Mort as he rejoined him.

“ The irl is standing at the table, and there
seems to e something in her hand.”

A light laugh full of derision, broke over the
Mormon’s lips.”

“ The crash will confuse her!” he exclaimed.
“I wouldn’t like to charge if it was Madge who
has been raised in the mountains, but the child
of luxui —bah! she won’t hurt anybody!”

Fri 0 rank walked OH with a look that called
the ormon sport a fool.

.The followin moment Mormon Mort collected
his strength or the second time, and then
sprung forward like a Titan.

The collision was as terrible as a desperate
man could make it.

Fri 0 Frank turned as he struck the door.

“ a! hit! The girl touched the tri get. I
knew she would!” cried the pard, for ormon
Mort. was staggering away with his hands
clutching the air abOVe his head!

 

CHAPTER XXIV.
FOLLOWED TOO FAR.

Tm: reader must not think that since his com-
ing to Puzzle Bar, Volcano Van had forgotten
his mission.

1? bid film i b on o l

esp to s esponage y W at, and not-
withstanding the startling events which follow-
ed it he had gained a point or two which promo
ised to be of great advantage to Colonel Bolt.

The unexpected revelation that Gold Gri was
his true brother—the ’Frisco sport did not oubt
it now—had filled him with amazement; but
Gold Grip had failed to coax or frighten him
from camp.

The secret of the bonanza was still a secret:
the men who went to it did so in the dark hours
that preceded the dawn, and came away during
the night.

But the events with which we have dealt, had
kept them from the mine, and Van’s cautious
espionage had not furthered his cause to any ex-

tent.
“Ve. well,” Gold Grip had said to him at
the en of the last appeal for flight. “I will

never lift my hand algainst you, but I cannot
promise protection. f King Romeo should die,
Owlet Will be the master spirit here if he chooses
to assert himself openly. An oath stands be-
tween me and the secret you want to carry
back to ’Frisco. It seals my lips; but if you find
the bonanza I will not try to prevent you from
taking a report back to the man you serve. The
field is open to you, but be careful. You cannot
make a movement here without being seen. You
are under the Sleepless E 9.
And to be under the eye was to be seen by
the most merciless of western Sleuths.
While Mormon Mort, who would not go of! as
long as Lura remained at Puzzle Bar, was pre-
aring to throw himself against the cabin door,
olcano Van was following the mysterious
movements of a man in the suburbs of the

camp.

He had caught sight of this person in the
canipitself, and by some shrewdness on his part
had discovered that it was his old enemy, Owlet.

It was probable that the mountain detective
was up to something by his shadow movements
among the scattering cabins, and olcano Van,
ever on the alert for a clew which would finally

take him to the hidden mine, was not going to -

lose sight of him.

For once Owlet seemed to think that he was
not followed, or at least not by the man whom
he had sworn to entrap.

He led Volcano Van a circuitous chase among
the rocks and bushes which hemmed the camp
in like ran art-i512}?! wall. English at (guice heldis-
ap as i e groun open an in~
gum him.

A gleam of intense satisfaction came to the!

<14.-.

Remember that.” r

~s.. «v...

 

   
 

 

      

‘ and the chain len thened enough to let the red

‘ .

I Volcano, the ’Frisco Spy.

19

 

 

gentleman sport’s eyes when he saw that the 
man of cunning had vanished. ,

It meant simpl that Owlet had reached his !
destination, and t at that destination was the i
lost mine! 

After a series of cautious, fox-like movements, !
Volcano Van reached the spot where be last
saw the figure of the Sleepless Eye. 1

The place was gloomy, almost entirely dark, ,
rocks and bushes on every side.

The brilliant stars gave light enough to show
him that the ground under his feet had been trod '
before. A little path, hardly more than a trail,
was revealed to his i‘estive e5 es.

Crawling forward and piercing the bushes,
revolver in hand, he entered an opening whose
walls and ceiling were hard.

The lost bonanza!

No wonder that the thought sent a thrill to ,
the heart of the cool detective. 1

Before him was sty ian gloom and silence. 4
If it had Swallowed Ol( Owlet, and it certainly 
had, no sound came back to proclaim the cav- ‘
ern’s triumph. !

|
i
i

It was not Volcano Van‘s intention to let the '
present discovery suffice for the night. He had i
ound just enough to urge him on.

Still carryin the cocked revolver in a posi-
tion which ren ered it available for instant ser-
vice, he pushed on.

The deeper he went into the darkness the
surer became he of the importance of his find.

Old Owlet, the guardian of the secret, had led
the Californian say to it! There was poignant
pleasurein this t on ht to Volcano Van.

On, on he went, as f the narrow passage was
to lead him underground to ’Frisco. At last he
emerged into a chamber whose ceiling he could
not touch.

He halted in the darkness and listened.

After a long while he heard a noise. The
walls seemed to bear the not unmusical sounds
to his ears, and by close attention he was en-
abled to detect the direction from which they
came.

When he moved forward again, it was to the
noises he had heard.

Somebody was striking rock or metal with a
steel implement. Volcano Van’s experience
with mines told him this.

Now and then the sounds would cease, but‘the
walls would soon echo them anew.

Was it Owlet?

At length the ’Frisco sport had to crawl
through a narrow pa .

He was almost upon t maker of the sounds.
At the end of the corridor he would certainly
find him.

Durin all these movements Volcano Van did
not thin that he might be decoyed into a new
trap. Cool and so. acious, he thought, and with

ood reason, too t Old Owlet had come to
h elsmine, dreamless that anybody was at his
ee. .

When the Calfornian emer ed from the corri-
dor he came into the rays 0 a light that ren-
dered ghostly everything he saw.

The sounds were now rightly located, and in a
moment Volcano Van was gazing at a solitar
miner who, pick in hand, was attack' a wa l
groin which pieces of rock flew and fel at his

ee .
“ By Jove! a red miner!” ejaculated the Cali-
fornian almost aloud. “ And he is chained to
the wall, too!”

The Sight was so startling, that Volcano Van
bounded forward and halted in the light hich
came from a lamp fastened against the we just
above the miner’s head. .

Riveted to the groiind as it were, by the
strange si ht, Volcano Van saw nothing but the l
stalwart, f naked man Who swung the heavy
pick as though it was a toy..

He was a full-blood Indian, with a mass of
black hair hanging down his back and tied here
and there with pieces of deer-hide. His nether
limbs were clad in dirty buckskin and the sem-
blance of a fringe still adhered to the seams.

The massive chest and the Atlantean shoulders,
the muscled arms and the kineg head of the
red giant weie enough to excite the Californians
wonder and admiration.

One of the Indian’s ankles wore a muscle,
and to this was attached a chain which per~
mitted him to stand back far enough to wield
the heavy pick. .

He assaulted the wall With an intensity which
seemed to say that he was trying to cut his way
to freedom beyond it.

Volcano Van crept nearer.

There was a thick dust on the floor of the
cavern and his ap roach was not heard. He
wanted to see the iidian’s features; the figure
rendered him curious. ‘

All at once the blows ceased, the red miner
lowered his pick and set it fininst the wall.

“ All right, Rod Crest. e fool has come!”

The words came from a point behind Volcano
Van. At sound of them the Indian wheeled and
saw him irresolute among the stones.

The next moment there was a cry and a bound

miner touch the ’ i isco ferret!
“ Not Vt! this is a game for two !” ejaculated

1* and the broad bosom that rose and fell

‘ stone with a chain about his ankles?

 

Volcano an, slipping away before the touch of

v- the fingerlbecame-a grip of steel.

The Indian was like a mad mastifl’ at the end
of his chain.

“ You will keep your distance!” cried Van,
covering the red-skin with his revolver. “ Stoo
to loosen your chain for a second leap, and I’
put an end to your mining.”

He wondered wh there was no voice behind

‘ him, and in the si once that followed his Own

words he saw the flashes of the Indian’s 0 es,
ike
waves in a storm.

The strange miner was handsome for one of
his race, but there were seams in his face, and a

, Curtain look which breathed of a spirit cowed

by the slavery of chain and pick.

“ What white fool come for?” suddeulfi asked
the Indian. “ Does he want to fight t eI gollld
s t e
white eagle tired of the skies that he seeks the
heart of the ground to keep Red Crest com-
pany? He is a fool!”

T e Indian’s voice was not unmusical. As
he finished he threw his head back and struck
an attitude of pride.

“ They’ve caught you, I see,” replied Volcano
Van, throw” a glance downward at the
chain an ! iron racelet.

“The band of the pale—faced serpents caught
Red Crest in their trap. He trailed them to the
bonanza and in an evil hour, when he thought
he had a secret to sell the rich men in the city
by the great waters, the trap was sprung.
Then came the chain and ick, and the band
that never touched the too of the slave was
made to work for life. The Navajoes watch
for the chief who was to find the gold—mine,
but he comes not with the secret. The pale
foxes say that, if Red Crest picks his way
through the wall he can go back to his people.
Has the white man come to help him i”

“ To be chained like on to life-Ion slavery?”
cried Volcano Van. “ have come ither for
no such thing 1”

The Indian leaned forward, a sudden sparkle
in the depths of his black eyes.

“Why did the rattlesnake of the mountain
den tell Red Crest that the fool had come?” he
ejaculated.

Instinctively the Californian drew back.

“The voice I heard awhile ago was his?” he
exclaimed.

“It is the voice of the man who entrapped
the eagle of the Navajoes.”

“ And the owner 0’ that voice is in pretty
good repair!” was the answer from a spot be-
ymfii the circle of light cast by the light on the
wa .

Volcano Van’s hand got a firmer grip on the
revolver as the words struck his ears.

“Come out!” he cried to the speaker. “I
challenge you to a combat, a duel to the death,
for the secret of the Puzzle Bar bonanza! I
know that I address Old Owlet, the ferret of the
Banded Seven! Come forward.”

The Indian looked across the cavern, and
Volcano Van wai in the light, but Owlet’s
answer to the c llenge was a laugh of
triumph.

 

CHAPTER XXV.
Tali: WARNING.

WHAT of Nevada Madge’s mission?

The girl was left on her way to warn two men
to look to the future, for King Romeo was dead.

“ If 1 can save them I will be satisfied,” she
murmured. “ The truth when it comes out Will
turn the cards of Puzzle Bar against Nat, and
Owlet, without Romeo to curb him, will turn
upon the ’Frisco sport.”

Madge proceeded first to her own cabin, where
she had left Nevada Nat under Hilliard s care.

The eyes of two men met hers as she opened
the door and crossed the threshold.

" It is all over,” she exclaimed in a low voice.
as she sprung forward, her look seeming to meet
all eyes at once.

Hilliard started.

“ Death has won, then i” he ejaculated, and his
lips met firmly behind the last word.

“ Romeo is dead?”

Was it strange that Hilliard’s glance should
seek Nevada Nat’s face?

“ You must go i” cried Madge, touching Nat’s
arm.

" Why?” was the question that met her. “ The
blood of Kin Romeo is not on my hands. Did
he ever say i was?"

H No. ”

The man whose head had lately filled a tight-
ened noose got up.

“I am ready for trial!” he cried.

“But they won’t give you any!” was the quick
response. “ The report of Romeo’s death will
make tigers of the pards of Puzzle Bar. I know
them a , and so do you.”

Nevada Nat did not answer.

“ Who saw Romeo die?” asked the giant Hil-
liard.

U Lural,’

“ Didn’t he say an thing before he went off?”

Madge thought of he writin Lura had spoken
of, but she wanted to see that rst.

“ He went to sleegaand died." she replied.

Hilliard looked (1 pointed.

“This is strange.” giant muttered. “He

   
 

 

told me once that if he felt the worst coming, he
would leave some orders behind. But if he died
without doing it, thar’ll be a time in camp.”

“ You won’t give them a chance to repeat the
episode of the Square, will you?” suddenl%vre-
sumed Madge, turning to Nevada Nat. “ by;
don’t you put in a word for me, Hilliard? Don
you advise flight?”

Thus appealed to, Hilliard felt obliged to de-
liver an opinion.

“ I wouldn’t like to rim off if I war innocent,”
he answered.

“ But with a lot of madmen—a mob—to fight,
with a man like Owletr—J’

“ Han Owlet!” interrupted Nat. “The
sleuth 0 Puzzle Bar has been my secret enem
ever since his shadow fell on our ground. f
be is to show his hand, I will remain.”

For an instant the eyes of the girl flashed up.

“ You underrate the watch-dog of vour
bonanza, and yet you ought to know him!” she
cried. confronting the hanged sport. “ It is not
cowardice to fly from a most ceriain death.
Hilliard knows the temper of the men who will

respond with cries of vengeance to the report of .

King Romeo’s death. He knows that the crown
of Puzzle Bar will descend to Bowie Bert."

“ I am the first in the line of succession, but I
yield my claims," smiled Nevada Nat.

“ It is well you do, for they would not be re-
spected. Gold Grip’s mysterious friendship for
Volcano Van has removed him from the line,
and the rulership of this camp will fall to a man
without mercy.’

“ I know Bowie Bart!” replied Nat. “ For
years that man has had his eye on the title which

y common consent we ave to Romeo at a
meeting of the bonanza Ven. But I am not
afraid to test his courage.
here, we’d get along.”

A faint smile at Hilliard’s lips was suddenly
chased away by a frown.

“ Make up your mind!” ejaculated Madge,
drawing back, “Help him to a right decision,
Hilliard. You know the situation. Don’t show
a fool’s courage, Nevada Nat. Good—night.”

“ A fool’s courage, eh?” laughed Nevada Nat,
as the door closed behind the girl and he caught
Hilliard's eyes. “ You have heard the stor of
my love for that girl. I have told you, 1-

liard. how, when I‘went to her to tell her all I
know that 1 left camp to escape the muddle into
which Owlet was about to throw me.

rects a mistake. I came back to Puzzle Bar for
no man‘s blood. You found me in my cabin,
Utah Spider. Another crisis has come, Hil-
liard. The man who came between Madge and»
these bands. What would you do in my place?
Put yourself there for a moment, and speak as

The two men stood face to face in
of Madge‘s lamp.

Hilliard could
not evade it in any way. . ,

“ What would 1 do under the circumstances?”
saints! I’d stay an’ fight it out!”

“ Thanks, Hilliard.” cried Nevada Nat.
stand my ground against the blood-hunters of
Puzzle Bar!” -
blood-hunters,” e‘aculated Hilliard. “I speak
to you as I’d spea for myself were I in your
war a time when I believed you as guilty as
Judas.”
fingers of the giant Hilliard closed about it in
a grasp of friendship.
tinned.

“ I don’t ask it; only don’t be against me.”
forelock. There is a play which if well made
may dull the teeth of our Nevada tigers.

“ I am at your heels, Hilliard.”

“ Then take this. You may need it,” and the

found that she had chosen King Romeo. on
for once to find the right man; but he never cor—
where vou expected to find Mormon Mort, the
me is dead, but with not a drop of his blood on
you would speak for yourself.” the light
The appeal was irresistible.
he suddenly exclaimed. “ By the souls o’ the
“Were I guilty 1 might go, but innocent I
“ That’s jes’ what they‘ll be before an hour—-
boots. I believe in your innocence, but that
Nevada Nat held out his hand. and the big
“ Mebbe I can’t help you much, Nat,” he con:
“ I’ll not be your fee. Let us take time by the
you follow me i”
ker handed Nat a revolver from his own

9'13ea ,
belt. “ The boys took yours when they pounced

upon you in the shanty, and I don’t know what
became 0’ them. We will make the announce-
ment that is expected to revolutionize Puzzle

If it was Hilliard'

He failed ,

Will

‘

Bar, and we’ll do it whar we’ll have the biggest v

audience.”

A moment later the two men went out and"

the neatest cabin in Puzzle Bar, because it was
Madge’s, was deserted.

Nevada Nat still felt sore from the mm which i

had nearly strangled
how miraculous '
whom he owed his life.

him to death. He knew‘ ‘
escape had been andto.

Did he think that with King Romeo dead and ‘
Caliban and his dagger strangely missing, there '

was still a chance for the heart of Madge of the
bonanza camp?

Meantime the girl. doubtful of the 8000888 of‘.  1"

her mission to Nevada Nat, had hastened to
Gold Grip’s cabin. - '

By the merest chance she missed ' Mo
Mort and Frijo Frank advancing to the at

.3

 

.a

dog”... _..- u-._‘..,. . ._

.--,--. r

:9!" Van‘s! mfzvv‘JI-rnaufi .
t- “

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. ' ' hwy-Q-  . 45-4,», «
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*"s.

 

’20

Volcano. the ’Frisco Spy. Hy ,1

 

 

on Romeo’s shanty, and when she found Gold

Grip he was alone.

A look of surprise lit 11 his eyes when he be-
held the girl, and then he saw the inquisitive
look she threw around the room.

“ My ward, as Puzzle Bar calls him, is not
here,” smiled Gold Grip.

Madge showed her keen disappointment.

“ When will he come back?” she asked.

“ Within an hour, perhaps.”

“ Does he know that the catastrophe has come
at last? No, he cannot know it.”

“ What has llilplx-‘lletlrl

The girl caught Hold Grip‘s intense eagerness
End lowered her voxce as she leaned toward

im.

“ The king is dead. "

Gold Grip drew back with a quick start.

“When did it happen?” he asked, in a wild
manner.

“ Awhile ago.”

“ What was his last command?”

The girl looked strangely at the man before

ei.

Hilliard had asked the same question. What
did it mean?

“ He left no commands. Lura says.

“ He always said he would. Didn’t he write
before he (lied—not a line, not a word!"

Madge hesitated, and saw the accusing eyes of
Gold Grip upon her.

She had professed at different times to see a
mysterious bond of union between the two men.
More than once she had seen them in secret con-
ference until she believed that a link of some
kind united them.

“ I can trust Gold Grip ” she thou ht. “ He
is not like Hilliard, to whom I dare not talk
about the writing Kin Romeo left somewhere.”
And then she went on the Nevadan.

“ He wrote something before he died,” she re-
marked.

" Ah! I thought so. Where is it, Madge?”

Gold Grip held out his hand, but the girl shook
her head, with a smile.

L; We haVe been unable to find it," she
88 .
“ Where did you look for it?”

“ Under his head, among the bedclothes—

. everywhere.”

I_ - I know that Romeo is dead."

i

“ No, not everywhere, girl !” cried the s rt.
“Let me try my eyes in the cabin a 'ttle
while.”

“You can do so, but I remain here.”

“ Why 3"

“ Volcano Van may come back, and I want to
Xian}, him that the death of Romeo is against

m.
“It is dead against Nevada Nat, too.”

9‘ I have just come from him."

“Will he go?”

“ I left him undecided with Hilliard to urge
him toget away.”

“ My word he will not go. I can tell you that.”

"‘ Then he must take the consequences. ’

“ Oh he‘s been told what the ‘11 he,” smiled
Gold Grip. “ He came to Puzz e Bar with not
alingle chance in his favor and the skies have
darkened since his coming. on can’t move him
:11 hghcvp‘mes beck. Does uzzle Bar know of the

ca

“ Not yet. When I have seen the ’Frisco sport -

it may know. ”
The followin _ minute Madge was alone in her
cabin, and God Grip was on his way to the

“ He'wrote something that the girls cannot
find, did he?" he s ulated. “Let me get my
hands on it, and 1’! 'be armed against them all.
He promised me that he would leave something,
and I never thought he could make Madge his
wife with the past that was behind him.”

It was not long after the assault by Mormon
Mort and Lura’s shot throu h the door when
Gold Grip reached the mounta kin ’s abode.

The girl. who waited for a renewa of the at-
tack, waited revolver in hand, heard his heavy

m C
‘POpen to Gold Grip!” he exclaimed. finding
the be t still in its place. “ Icome from Madge.

Eager to have a friend b her the banker’s
word 0 ned the door and Go d Grip strode in.

He not give Lura a chance to narrate her
defense, but went to the cor and ran his arm
under the lost blanket. T e next moment a
smile lightened his bronze face.

He had found something.

CHAPTER XXVI.
ussranmo rm: SITUATION.

“ DON’T you know? King Romeo is dead?”

The man to whom these words were addressed
by the darkest skinned man in Puzzle Bar wasa

who had just entered the Golden Fleece.

The bearer stopped and for a moment looked
undecided.

It was Owlet.

“80 death got the fatal grip?” he ejaculated,
u be moved forward suddenly.

“ He is cold by this time,” answered the man
who had made the announcement, and then he
approached Owlet and continued in lower tones:

I’d like to see you fora few moments in pri-

y “Ifot now, Bart.”

“ Not for a moment?”
“ Not for a second,” and Old Owlet pushed for-
' ward to the bar. “ I’m goin down to Romeo‘s
now. Somebody may be 11 ed there. How is
‘ Nevada Nat coming on? Did Madge bring him
to.”
 “ He just left hyer,” said Bowie Bart through
1 his teeth and in no good humor.
l “ And you know that Romeo war dead?”
l These words seemed to be addressed to the
whole crowd. ‘

I “ Hilliard came with ’em, and after a confab '

we decided to give Nat a show to prove his in-
3 nocence.”
,5 Owlet lowered his brow, and lifted the glass
‘ he had filled.
l “ Give him a chance, boys. I won’t complain,”
] he remarked, chasing the frown away with one of
4 his peculiar smiles which fewof his pards under~
1‘ stood. “ Mebby we have been too fast with
Nevada. Give him a dozen chances if he wants
: ’em. Fix the time by mutual agreement and
l let’s have fair play.”
i Some of the men looked into each other’s
‘ faces.

Was this the man who knew that Nevada Nat
had taken King Romeo’s life by blows struck at
different times! Surely behind his willingness
‘ to give the accused sport a chance to clear hiin-

self lny some deep scheme worthy the brain of
the Sleepless Eye.

Old Owlet was watched with a great deal of
curiosity when he turned on his heel and walked
out.

Bowie Bart was not far behind him.

“ One moment and now,” exclaimed a voice
behind the bonanza sleuth, and Owlet turned
with an expremion of pique and waited for Bart
to come up.

“ Well. what is it?” he asked brusquely.

“ The death of King Romeo leaves Puzzle Bar
without a chief,” said Bart laying the tips of his
long fingers significantly on Owlet’s arm. “ You
know that Nevada Nat stands next in the line
of promotion, but there’s a charge against him;
then comes Gold Grip. ”

“ Well i”

“ Can we afford to take for king one who
harbors spies?"

Owlet id not unglue his figs;

“ After Gold Grip comes wie Bart at your
service, and on know that we need a man who
will walk 3 raight to duty without fear or
favor.”

The dark sport of Puzzle Bar was talking for
hi

mself.
“ Is it time for this yet?” asked Owlet.
“ Wh not? There is to be a trial for mur-
der, an after that another trial for spyin .”
“Don’tbe too sure of all of this,”grinned
Owlet. “The trial for spying ma never take
place,” and he added signi cant y, “I don’t
think it ever will i”
Bowie Bart’s look preceded his natural ex-
pression by an instant.
“ What! has the fellow run away?”
“ I have not said so. We’ll attend to the suc-
cession some other time—tomorrow. rhaps.”
“ The trial may take )lace then. e’ve about
agreed as to the time. y that I can rely on

 

“ For elevation to the place held by King
Romeo.

Old Owlet seemed to draw back a pace.

“I can’t promise now,” he remarked, quiet-

] .
yBowie Bart hit his lip under the mustache that
droo over it.

“ ve all warning now,” he grated, “ that
we ob act to Gold Grip‘s promotion.”

His eyes were flashing like the orbs of a teased
tiger. and Owlet seemed to en oy his rage.

‘ You may not find Gold rip contentious."
Owlet said, coolly. “ The right is his, if he
wants to exercise it. ”

“But what will you do if he attempts it?“

“ VVnit till the emergency arrives.’

“ No!" And Bart’s fingers got a sudden grip
on Owlet’s arm. “I want to know now; there
are others back 0’ me. You must not forget
that I am a member of the Seven.”

The next instant the sleuth of Puzzle Bar
jerked from the clutch and threw up his hands
as he looked into Bart’s blazin eyes.

“And you want to remem r that the bo-
nanza secret owes its existence as a kept secret to
me!” he exclaimed. “lsaved it tonight. Go
back to the Golden Fleece, or elsewhere. You
can’t force Owlet to your designs by any re-
minder of authority. I am here by a decree
which cannot be altered without a certain sig-
nature, and the on] hand that could make it
lies yonder cold an dead! I trust there will
be no conflict of authority in Puzzle Bar at this
time. We can’t afford to have it, Bowie Bart !”
And with the last word Old Owlet wheeled and
walked off. with the tread of a victor through

the starli ht.
Bowie art looked at him like a man in a
maze

“ He takes the bull by the horns with a ven-
geance,” he 0 minted. “What did he mean
when he said e has just saved the secret? I
thought I could draw him over to my scheme,
because he doesn’t like Gold Grip for interfering

 

. « ‘3’ 'i.";«rxl, . / ‘ 4 .
I“  ._ ,4 ,..If\«, . _, . \ V” . .

'thar must be orders 0’ some kind, we don’t want

 

in Volcano Van’s behalf. But here he declines l
to come over, and advises me to wait till to- l
morrow. I know where he will be when the a
crisis comes. He didn’t try to conceal his pref-
erence.” i

Bowie Bart walked back toward the Golden
Fleece in the very worst of humor. and Owlet
was permitted to march on to King Romeo’s
cabin, where he found both Lura and Madge, ?
the latter having lately arrived from Gold Grip‘s j
where she had waited without results for Vol- ?
cano Van‘s return. -

The coming of the mountain sleuth was total«
ly unexpected, and the two girls greeted him
with disturbed faces.

Gold Grip had gone without telling either that
he had found something under the dead man,
and Madge had just completed another fruitless
search. ,, I.

“ What made that hole in the door—a bullet?” " 3
suddenly ueried Owlet.

“A bu let.” replied Lura. “Awhile ago I
was compelled to defend the cabin against an , -
assault.” 3 ‘

“ By whom?"

“ By Mormon Mort.”

“ After you yet, eh?” ejaculated Owlet.

“She hit the villain, too!” exclaimed Madge,
putting in her voice ahead of Lura.

“ At close range, too, and with one o’ Romeo’s ,
fort -foursl” ' §

“ e fell out in the road,” answered Lura ' '
calmly. “ I hope I haven’t finished him, for I .
don’t want even a rascal’s life. After he fell he 3
rose and staggered off till he was caught by a
man who helped him away.”

“ That man was Frijo Frank. who won’t lead
any revenges for the Utah adder,” exclaimed
Owlet, and then he picked up the lamp and held
it for a. little while close to the set features of
the king of the mine. , -

Old Owlet seemed to fall into a deep study .,’ E
over the dead man, and the two girls, wonder— ' i»
fully alike even in the poor light, watched him
from a little distance with Wedded hands.

The Nevada detective seemed to see some 
wonderful change to be brought about by the "
death of Romeo. The designs of Bowie Bart
threatened rebellion, and rebellion meant the
opening of the bonanza secret to the world and
t e‘final victory of the ’Frisco league.

At that moment the famous sleuth of the
mines would have given much if King Romeo
were king still.

All‘l at once he set the lamp down and stepped

c

 

w. ~ r a
I -,,.~.‘ 

.r. .. ow.-.
s . W "'

“ (y I ask you girls to retire for a moment?”
he sai turning to the two fair and silent 4
spectators of his action. “ Go to vour cabin, :

edge, both of you, and come back any time a
at the end of thirt minutes.”

The Queen of uzzle Bar gave him a look
of wonder but did not put in a remonstrance.

“We will go ” she replied taking Laura’s
hand. “ We wi remain away an hour or till
morning if you wish it, Captain Owlet.”

“ Till to-morrow then.” was the answer, and
the two girls left Owlet alone with the dead.

No sooner had they gone than he sprung for-
ward and began to search the bed with eager
hands. He let nothing escape him, his hands
were everywhere. Not only did he search the
couch, but the cabin also.

“ I guess he left no commands,” he mur-
mured. “ He used to say, he’s told me a thou—
sand times, that he‘d do it when he found he
was ing to death’s counter with his life chips.
But ere he has died without doing anything of
the kind. He had hopes 0’ getting well and
mebbe death struck ’im kind 0’ sudden. Well,

.... ,c w~a...

“Wu... ... I _

(way. my... m." A...

u . :4  5

my»; . ._ ,_.

.. .y',:.., A, .‘M,

a rebellion now—not after what has just occur-
red. The secret won’t be safe with a thing 0’
that kind under way and I’m sWOrn to keep it
safe regardless 0’ con uencesl”

Five minutes later ld Owlet was seated at
the little table in the cabin. There was a serious
icok in his deep set eyes.

Before him were some rude Writing materials
which he had fished up from a heavy chest
which he had found under King Romeo’s floor.

“ I’ve got to take the bull by the horns, and I
do it for the salvation 0’ Puzzle Bar. Nothln’
else will save it.”

These words passed his lips as be bent, pen in
hand, over the paper which he had spread be-
fore him. . r'.

After that Owlet went to work. and for the ‘1 '
next few minutes his pen moved back and forth fa
over the sheet.

“ Thar! that saves or fails l" he ejaculated
holding the writihg away and reading it with a

rceptible movement of the lips. It’s a lie.

ut what of it? It is policy!” And far the .
second time, with a growing look of satisfaction,
Old Owlet read what he had written as follows:

“To run PARDS or Pout: Bu!
“ FRO! rat Kine.

 

 

" Being near death by the hand of a base assassin ,
I. Romeo, master of the Bonanza Mine and King of 1, -
Puzzle Bar. do issue my last command to the loyal ' ;
pards as follows: ‘ ,1

“First: I command that the succession be kept. -.‘ 
true to the sworn constitution. first Nevada Nu,’ , 3.
second Gold Grip, and so on down. ‘

" Second: I intrust to our safe guard Owlet the ‘ '

  

i fix

 . ‘ .

3..--..u—A- -' , .  r , .

.. ., 1,." -.. A—‘W‘ v.» z .. ,_

 

“mg n .M. ("v.n-u- -v‘- »,. -..._.

l .

 
  
 

I is longer. It is safer to-night, safer in one sense

duty of carrying out these commands, and I cal
upon all who are loyal toobey him I give him, over
my last signature. until the succession is settled, all
the ower held to this time by me. .

‘Bet him be obe ed. No quarrels, no rebellion for
the c. own of Pu e Bar. Rollo.“

It was not singular that Owlet the sleuth
should read his work with glittering eyes. The
forged signature was still moist when he reached
the bottom of it for the second time.

“ That’ll trip Bowie Bart, but it will not save l
Nevada Nat. ‘

l
!

 

He can be tried all the same and _
swing. After him Gold Grip, but I am the real .,
monarch now.” . .

The man rose and put the writing materials ;
away, then with the paper undcr‘his coat he 3
wentto the door. As he opened it he saw a !
figure step forward, and the next moment an
arm went up covering him with a revolver
behind which glittered two cool, mischievous
e es.

y“ Take from your b0som and tear up what
you have written or fall across King Romeo
with a bullet in your brain!” hissed a voice.

CHAPTER XXVII. i

I
THE KING-MAKER. 1
OLD OWLET did not have to lean forward to j
see who the speaker was.
Bowie Bart the would-be king of the mine 3
stood before him, and the hand that was thrust
forward held the heavy six-shooter in a steady

 

 

ri .
g ‘P The paper! out withit and tear it to pieces,”
came Over the weapon in tones which told that ,
the speaker was growing impatient. ‘

The cool sleuth of the camp made no move.

“It is in the pocket on the left side, Ca itain ‘
Owlet," continued Bart. “ Failin’ to flu any
commands, I em you wrote ’em to suit your-
self. We don t intend to stand any foolishness
over the succession. Come, Owlet. Go to work.
I‘m ettin’ kind 0‘ nervous.”

ich was not true, as Bowie Bart’s grin at-
tested for his nerves were as steady as ever.

Old Owlet knew his man.

There was but one thing to do. and that was
to comply with the request which had come over
the leveled istol.

Shutting is teeth hard the ferret of Puzzle
Bar thrust one hand beneath his coat and drew
out the document which had just cost him a
good deal of labor.

The next mgment hehtortia it ifnutwain,li::il(.i
thenagain' an in,te ecesain ini
showers of whitzgaat his feet? 3

All the time the revolver in his front did not
deviate a hair’s breadth.

“ I guess that satisfies on!” grated Owlet,
looking up into Bowie Bart 5 face.

“ As far as it goes,” was the answer. “ You
don’t want tointerfere With any subsequent rt»
ceedings. There. is a clause in the constitu 'on
of Puzzle Bar which gives to its citizens the fix-
ing of the succession under certain circum-

stances.”

“In the absence of any proclamation by the
kin ' I know that.” '

“ ell, there is no proclamation," and Bart
glance: with a grin at the bits of paper on the
groun o

Owlet said nothing. He saw the drift of the
gold sport’s game.

“ Very well.” he thought. “ If he beats me
in the end I‘ll submit.”

“ We can‘t afford to have any dissensions,”
continued BOWle Bart. _ “ A majorifi of the
boys have selected their master, . ey Wm

eak to-morrow. Now, good-night, Owlet.”

01d Owlet saw the man turn coolly on his heel
and walk away. .

His eyes followed him with looks of madness
until he disa peared. _

“Beaten or the first time, and by a man I
have always despised!” cameover his lip as_he
left the cabin. ‘ He has set his pins to be King
of Puzzle Bar. It has been the dream of Bowie
Bart’s life, and I think I know what makes him
so anxious.

Old Owlet walked brzsidly from the cabin, but
not after Bart, who gone toward the Golden
Fleece.

He came soon to Gold Grip‘s shanty, and his
advent over the threshold was in the nature of a
surprise. _

“Are you afraid?” was the question with
which Owlet startled the man who looked up at
his com .

.“ Afrai i What do figu meant” ,

The sleuth of Puzzle . r dropped upon a stool
and looked into Gold Grip’s eye. _

“ You are kin of the bonanm mine,” he went
on. “ Nevada at can’t succeed King Romeo,
for he is under a cha that will lengthen his
neck robably before _ morrow n ht. There
are signs of rebellion in camp. he biggest
rascal in it thinks he sees his chance to Win the

lace he has coveted ever since he linked his
fortunes to the secret. I mean BomeBart.”

There was a slight start on Gold Grip’s part.

Did he fear the usurperl . .

“ I am ainst that man-against him to the
bitter end, Owlet went on. ‘ Let him become
master, and the secret won’t last six months

. continued. “

 

than it ever has been. I am gomg to keep it so’
if I have to resort to the tri er. Now.”

He seemed to approach (1 Grip though he
did not move.

“ You must lay king in more than name,” he
on must assert your title right
away and before the pretender makes another
move.”

“Then he has made one?”

“ Yes,” hissed Owlet throu h his teeth. “You
have paper and us here. et them out. You
write your roc amation and I will post it at
the Golden leece l” ‘

Gold Grip seemed to hesitate.

“ Romeo may have left commands'” he said.

“ But he did not. He died without an uttered

‘ or a written wish.”

“ Are you sure of that?”
“I am. I have just come from the corpse.
What makes you ho (1 back, Gold Grip?”

" I saw the dead before you reached the cabin,”
was the reply.

“ Well?”

“ I searched for certain writings which I ex-
pected to find.”

" But you found nothing.”

In reply Gold Gri a hand became lost to sight
in his bosom, and wlet’s eyes seemed about to
quit their sockets as he waited for the hand to
rer ar.

“ on see a man can be mistaken," Gold Grip
suddenly resumed as he drew forth a paper
which he began to unfold in the bonanza slauth’s
presence. ‘ I found this just where I thought
it would be if it were in existence, and Romeo
told me that he would not die without leaving
something behind.”

Owlet’s impatience was fast gettin the better
of him while Gold Grip exhibited no aste.

“ Look at that,” he went on pushing the paper
toward Owlet. " It is short and is soon read.
You will see that he reaches the point with no
waste of words, for he was dying when he
wrote-it.”

Alread Owlet with eager eyes was devouring
the no scrawl before him, watched eagerly
by 1d Grip at whose mouth lurked the shadow
of a smile.

“ Heavens! do you think he meant it?” sud-
denly exclaimed Owlet, falling back and giving
his companion a look of blank astonishment.

“ He meant everything he di ,” was the quiet
answer.

“ But this—this! wh , it is the ruin of Puzzle
Bar. We might as we I throw the secret at once
into the hands of the man Colonel Bolt has sent
after it. He ignores you, don't you see? He has
issued a command which he knew was not just,
for he im resses us with the fact that it comes
from a d ng man and as such should be obeyed
without uibble. I say noto anything of this
kind. ow does it sound to you? Listen.”

And the next moment Old Owlet read the fol-
lowing:

“AN ORDER (THE LAST; FROM THE KING:

“ Kin Romeo from his death-bed commands that
Bowie be regarded as the next in the line of
successxon, because Nevada Nat has flrd with a
charge a ainst him. and Gold Grip is his brother.

Let the t command of the king be unalterable
law. Rolso.“
“Thar it is! He was out 0’ his head when

he wrote that,” exclaimed Owlet lookin u .
“ So he acknowledges on his death-lied) that
you are his brother?”

“ I’ve suspected that more than once, but it
was none 0’ my business,” was the answer.

“ War thar an more 0’ you?”

“ There were t ree.”

“ What’s become 0’ the other?”

Gold Grip threw a swift glance toward the
door, but it did not open to admit the third one,
Volcano Van.

“ I don’t know where he is just now,” he said,
avoidin Old Owlet’s piercing eyes. “ But never
mind; t at paper is the last command of King
Romeo.” -

“ And you are willing to carry it out?”

H Yes.”

A frown made still darker the bronze face of
the Cerberus of the secret.

“ I am not and it shall not be carried out!”
he exclaim , rising to his feet. “ Get out your
writing materials. This command won’t do i”
And to Gold Grip’s consternation he thrust it in-
to the flame of t a lamp on the table.

Gold Grip sprung forward with a cry, but the
£223 of Owlet clutched his wrist and held him

\
“ eeppff!” he cried, showing a countenance
like a maddened ti er’s. “ I want no quarrel
with on. Old 0w at was sworn to one thing
when e entered the service of the Banded Seven,
and that was to guard the secret of the mine.”

Meanwhile the last command of King Romeo
was being consumed, and the menace of a human
eye coupled with the strength of a giant hand
was keeping Gold Grip back.

“ There is no aut oritv for Bowie Bart’s
crownin now I” laughed wlet as the burnt re—
mains o the document fell from his fingers.
f‘ 1% will have a new order and you will pen

“ Never 1” cried Gold Gri

“ Then go and stand at t door.”

Volcano, the ’Frisco Spy.

I

 

 

21

Owlet dropped the wrist he had held, but the
sport of Puzzle Bar did not leave his tracks.

“ I wrotea proclamation awhile ago, but I had
to destroy it before a revolver,” the bonanza
sleuth went on. “The next one stays! If you
won’t write it, I will. What is your decision :”

“ Will it keep back rebellion?” asked Gold
Gri .
“gt will do nothing less. It will nip in the
bud the Work of a man who can never be king
of all Puzzle Bar even though he should reach
the pOSItion by right. Place Bowie Bart over
us and a dozen men will leave before to—morrow
night. And the secret will be carried to the four
quarters of America.” .

Gold Grip went toward a chest in one corner

of the cabin.

“ I’ll keep the other pa rs till the ’re needed !”
he ejaculated under his reath. “ he time will
come for them.” .

When he came back to the table he had writ“
ing materials in his hands and Owlet‘s eyes got
a gleam of satisfaction.

The result of the next ten minutes was a proc-
lamation by Gold Gri assuming the mastership
of Puzzle Bar, and ca ling on all loyal people to
support him.

Old Owlet watched him with eagerness till he
dashed his signature across the bottom of the
page: then his lips fell apart with an ejacula-
tion of joy.

“ l’ll attend to the balance!" he cried, snatch-
in r up the document almost before it was dry.
“ Tou‘ll know before long that you’re master
hyer not in name only, but in reality.”

While he spoke he rushed out, cleared the
space between cabin and Square with a few
bounds, and walked triumphantly into the
Golden Fleece.

Without a word he walked around the counter,
placed the paper against the wall, and pinned it
there with a bowie!

“ King Rome )‘5 last command makes Gold
Grip king. That is the new master’s procla-
mation,” he said to the crowd staring at his
work.

Then he quietly called for a drink.

CHAPTER XXVIII.
OWLET on CALIBAN?

THERE was one man in the Golden Fleece at
the time who was amazed at Owlet’s coolness
and unexpected action.

This person shut his teeth hard when he saw
the mountain sleuth pin the proclamation to the
wall, but he did not object until Owlet had
washed down his drink and departed.

“ I presume we have to submit to everything i”
he exclaimed, coming forward, for during Ow-
let’s brief sojourn at the saloon he had kept in
the back und. “ Gold Grip proclaims himself
master w on he is not only not in the direct line 0"
succession, but when he has just harbored a sp
whose mission is to break up Puzzle Bar. {
would like to see Romeo’s last will. Owlet said
that it proclaimed Gold Grip king 0’ Puzzle Bar
but whar is it? Why ain’t it thar beside Gold

 

Grip’s roclamation? I’ll tell you why,” and
Bowie showed the silent crowd a pair of
flashing eyes. ‘

“ Thar ain’t any last commands!” he cried.

These words were received with some degree
of enthusiasm.

“ The man what harbors the ’Frisco ferret has
no ri ht to assume authority as he stands before
us. f he had not stepped between Volcano Van
an’ the nocse, thar might be some excuse for a

roceedin’ 0’ this kind, but as it is thar’s none.

evada Nat, who stands next to Romeo, can’t~

be master because the charge 0’ murder stands
ag’in’ him. Shall we respect that assumption 0’
power? Shall Puzzle Bar see kings man who
may want to elevate the bonanza’s worst enemy
to the position 0’ crown prince?”

There was an ouburst of hfi'ative ejaculations, <

but not from all of the crow

Bowie Bart’s eyes singled out those whose lips
had not parted.

He saw that he had carried more than one-

half of the pards with him, and when he invited "

the crowd to drink at his expense. near! all
a proacbed the bar and took advantage 0 his
liberality.

Meantime a man outside had heard Bowie

Bart's outburst of remonstrance. Old Owlet
as if he had 9 ted something of the kind, had ‘
sto near V Golden Fleece, and with a lie

at s lips. had heard every word.

“ Bart has the crowd with him!” he encu-
latod under his breath. “ Gold Grip hurt -
self with the boys when he took sides with Vol-
cano Van. I could go back thar an’ turn the
tide by tellin’ ’em that Gold Grip an’ Romeo ar'
brothers, but I won’t do that. I’ll turn itby
another play.
Bowie Bart. The crown 0’ this bonanm
will never sit on our head. Not while 0
Owlet is ca le 0’ eepin’ it away}

Owlet ls t Bart and his rebe
themselves and walked away.

On his we
looked in at evada Net’s window.

“He’d better be fixing for his defense,” he
muttered. seeing the figure stretched on the cot
inthe lamplight. “Of course it’ll be a

packed ,7 .
jury, with not a bit 0’ show for him, for Bart  ‘

 

Play king for a little while.

7
lious pards to _ .
through camp he stopped  “ 

 

 

 

 

I 30911

= stop a human failing head

’ , his la
‘ ‘ Distinctly to his ears came the sound of blows

\ had come to Puzzle Bar.

M
v tank!” cried Owlet as he listened.
Navajo has forgotten in

22

has a crown in his head, and he’ll let no heir
escape.”

At one time Owlet seemed on the point of en-
tering Nat’s but, but be conquered the impulse,
and went on.

" I’ve got a curiosity to see what became 0’
him I” he ejaculated when some time later he
went through the cam in the starlight.

He carricd a let 0 rope across his shoulder,
and moved toward that portion of the countr
waere we saw him once, and only once, with,
C diban the dwarf for a prisoner.

Owlet had not visited the place since.

When the hunchback dropped from his hands
into the depths of Fools’ Shaft, he turned away
fully believing that he had put an end to the

arson who had wielded the dagger against
.Jmeo.

He had not apologized to Nevada Nat for

suspecting him of the crime. He did not intend
to apolo 'ze, for Owlet, as we know, admitted
no mista es.
He ke t on until he reached the gaping shaft
whose Sepths he could not penetrate. The
silence and the darkness of the grave came up
from the bottom.

Near by lay a heavy pole which, as a part of
the old machinery, had had its day, and had
been left to rot by the disappointed miners.

Old Owlet took it up an laced it across the
shaft, then be fixed one en of his rope to the
center and let the bulk of it drop into the chasm.

Nobody had visited Fools’ Shaft for years. It
had cost a good deal of hard Work and had
yielded nothing; the miners shunned it on ac—
countof its exasperating memories, and Owlet
knew that, as Caliban’s tomb, its solitude would
never be disturbed.

When he had dropped the rope into the shaft
he crawled out on the wooden beam and lowered
himself fearlessly on the strong cord.

Down he went, hand over hand. All at once
he struck a lot of limbs, and masses of leaves
and branches brushed his face.

“ What does this mean i” cried Owlet. “ There
were no trees here when we abandoned Fools’
Shaft. The have grown out of the rocks since.
Who would ave thought of this?”

He paused in his descent and felt a network of
be be around him.

“ ld these limbs have sto ped Caliban?” he
mentally exclaimed. “ No! f they had, the

y

 would have hunted me up with another

ponlard.”

Astonishment was depicted in Owlet’s eyes as
he fought his way through the limbs. He had
good-sized trees thrive in the rocks of cliffs,
but never before in a shoft. However, believing
that those through which he was passing had
not stopped Caliban in his descent, he kept on

down. '
At last the limbs filew less impeding, and
when Owlet found h self clear of them, he

, uttered an ejaculation of

oy.
He found the bottom 02 the shaft littered with
a lot of mining machinery just as the men of

Puzzle Bar had left it when the disappointing -

operation came to an end.

Much of it was overgrown with a rank grass
that thrives in the dark, and some timbers were
ready to fall to ieces from sheer rottenness.
Old Owlet, w th a little dark lantern searched
thes t for the body of the dwarf, but it was
not i: ere.

He threw his light into every crevice of the
place, but Caliban did not reward him.

All at once he stopped and drew back.

Before him in the soft top of the ground was
a distinct footprint.

Owlet held his bull’s-eye close, and stared at it

he a man thoroughly amazed.

“ Caliban’s. by the s!” he suddenly ex-
claimed. “ How did t e toad get down here
with life in his carkisel A feather would go
through the limbs above then how can they

long through space—
thrown from my hands, too?’

Owlet drew a revolver and followal the foot-
prints that Went before the one he had dis-

led him toward the main chambers of
the a ndoned mine, and were visible in the
Ion ,undisturbed dust which covered the floor
of corridor.
Several days had passed since his adventure
n

7 with Caliba .

During the time Romeo had died and Lura
Caliban had no rival
now, but he had an enemy who would give him

i 'V ' , no rest if he lived, and that enemy was the ho-

nanza sleuth.

Owlet searched the main chamber; the trail
led across it and he went on.

Suddenly he stopped and shut OK the light of
ntern.

Int 8111thng wal
Jehul it is Red Crest at his fruitless
“The old
dealings with the
’F‘rlsco siy who found h at work, and has
e bac to his labors. I wonder if Caliban

toad heard the red miner when he t here?”
“ Caliban heard him Captain Owlet
. The sleuth of Puzzle bar wheeled as u a snake

had hissed at his heel.

 

The words clearly spoken seemed to have
emanated from a spot very near. They had
been spoken with startling emphasis; and while
the voice had an unnatural sound, Owlet knew
it was the dwarf’s.

After all the toad of Puzzle Bar was not dead.
By some means he had escaped in his descent of
the shaft, and the watch-dog of the mountain
bonanza. had found him in the depths of the mine
ijn which he had discovered no avenue to free
( om.

Owlet could imagine Caliban famished after
his enforced fast; he could see him leaning
against the wall for support like a starved wolf,
or a fastin brave.

He raise( his lantern and put his finger on the
spririg that moved the slide, but there he hesi-
tatm . .

What if Caliban was waiting for light for
some movement! What if. panther-like, he was
crouching for a leap that would sink his skeleton
flu are into his enemy’s throat?

gwlet judiciously drew back. The movement
was accompanied with no noise, and when he
stepged out from the wall the slide slipped off
the ull’s-eye.

For a moment he saw nothing where he expect-
ed to find the dwarf, but all at once his eye caught
si ht of the toad of Puzzle Bar.

ouching the wall with one shoulder, and with
his hideous body bent forward stood Caliban.
His eyes seemed on fire, and his pinched features
bore the marks of starvation. A grin added to
his grotesqueness when he saw the light of
Owlet’s lantern playing on him and the wall.

“ I knew you would come 1” he suddenly laugh-
ed. “ That is why I have waited here.”

“ You could not get out!” was the answer.
“ The old mine is a trap that lets no rats go. But,
in heaven’s name, how did you get here alive?”

“ The trees! you did not think of them.”

“ I knew notbin about ’em,” replied Owlet,
biting his lip. “ ell, they stopped you. I see;
they gave you a chance to explore the shaft that
gave us no gold for our trouble.”

“ Abandoned too soon, Captain Owlet.”

“How is that?” cried the bonanza sleuth lean-
ing forward.

‘ You gave up the shaft when you were at its
wealth,” the dwarf went on.

“ Oh, cu can’t lay that game, Caliban!”
laughed wlet. “ ou can’t buy your way out,
not since your last blow succeeded.”

A stran e ejaculation came from Caliban’s
throat. e took two bounds forward before
Owlet could throw n his revolver.

“He is dead then ’he cried. “The king of
Puzzle Bar is out of Caliban’s way! Ha! ha!
hurrah for that. Look out, Captain Owlet.”

The next second something shot toward the
bonanza sleuth like a missile from a catapult.
There was no escape from it; the collision was
unavoidable.

All at once up went Owlet’s lantern to be
buried twenty feet away, and the next moment
he was pressed against the dam wall of the
chamber by a strength that seem superhuman.

“ My God! I am in the clutches of a toad
turned devil!” burst from Owlet’s throat, as be
exerted himself totear the incubus loose. “ I
can’t afford to let Caliban gain a victory here.
The bonanza secret is not yet safe. Without me
Bowie Bart will succeed in his rebellion, an’ the
secret Will reach the world. Oh, you rascal! oh,
you toad with a dozen lives! Where is your
windpipe for Owlet’s grip?”

It was a wild struggle that .followed in the
darkness, for the lantern had gone out, and the
only sounds that prevailed came from the throats
of the wrestling twain.

Caliban may have been starved, but he was
still wiry and stron .

At last the strugg e grew still.

Who had conquered—Owlet or Caliban?

CHAPTER XXIX.
A TURN IN THE TRAIL.

WHAT motive had Old Owlet for prying into
Caliban’s fate?

Was he afraid that by some inter ition of
fortune, the hunchback of Puzzle r had es-
caped the death to which he had been hurled
down Fools’ Shaft?

Owlet had a motive, but when in the gloom of
the underground chamber he felt \the vise-like
clutch of Caliban at his throat—two demon
bands which he could not loosen with all his
power—he probably wished himself on the solid
ground above.

When the struggle had grown still a human
figure tottered a ng the wall, gasiping as it went
as if breath was as scarce as prec ous.

“ I’d go back and hold the toad an hour if I
thought char was a chance for him 1” muttered
this person. “ I don‘t want to take an risks. I
can’t afford to. Let him go. I’m g to get
0!! as I am.”

The man was Owlet, who by the skin of his
teeth, as it were, had come out of the conflict
r with his life.

“ I’d like to get my hand under his jacket just
for a minute,” e went on, still talking to him-
self. “ I think the fellow carries a secret thai‘.
I’m almost sure he does. I didn’t know much
about it when I tossed him down the shaft, but

 

some singular things, have happened in camp
, x .

 

Volcano, the ’Frisco 81337.77

 

 

since then. I’ll obackto my rope and hunt

the upper air. t the toad go. One 0’ these
daygsgdf he remains here, he’ll give up the se-
cre .

Owlet oped his way back to the shaft where
he found is rope where he had left it.

“ Hark!” he suddenly exclaimed. “ That was
a step behind me. I barely heard it, but it was
a step all the same.”

The Nevada sleuth had 10st revolver and knife
in the tussle with Caliban, and the thought that
the vicious dwarf was stealing upon him through
the darkness was not very reassuring.

For several seconds, with his hands on the
rope. he waited and listened.

‘ I might be fooled. I hope I am,” he ejacu-
lated. “ I don’t hear Red Crest’s pick any more
either. Nor Volcano Van’s voice,” he laughed.
“ No, nor Volcano Van!”

The next moment the mountain detective
caught the rope with both hands and began the
aScent.

The shaft was not wide and he could touch the
walls with his feet as he went up. This greatly
assisted him and he made good progress hand
over hand.

“ Somehody’s beneath me i” he suddenly cried.
“ Asnl live, I am not the only person on this
ro .

he thought made Owlet ate his teeth. He
leaned over the abyss and ooked down, but all
was dark and he saw nothing.

Still this did not prevent him from feeling
another weight on the rope, and he knew that
while he was climbing upward another was do-
ing the same.

b, for a knife to cut the rope between him
and his pnrsuer.

Old Owlet kept on; he passed the limbs which
he now knew had miraculously reserved Cali-
ban’s life, and then pressed wit all his might
over the home stretch.

His intentions Were to wrench the wooden
beam from its ition when he reached the
upper ground an again send the dwarf to the
bottom of the shaft.

It was an exciting race for the top of the
shaft, but Owlet had the advantage, and be
pressed it with all his might.

When he touched the beam he could not keep
back a cry of triumph. Winding his hand over
it, he drew himself out of the pit and landed on
the ound at the dark edge.

“ ow, my mountain toad !” he cried, seizing
the beam.‘ “ You’ve not got out of the woods,
for Old Owlet has the everlasting call on the
stakes.”

Then he raised the beam and pushed it toward
the middle of the abyss with all his might.

“Thar! down you go!”

The next moment the pole to led over the
chasm, but ere it disa peared, apggure
out and darted away w th a devilish laugh.

Owlet stood spellbound.

He had been an instant too late, for Caliban
had effected his escape and was bounding away
like a deer!

“ Hades an’ horns!” burst from Owlet’s throat.
“ The deformed villain is on top 0’ ground a ,
an’ he’s likely to give somebody trouble. ell,
he’ll get no com romise out 0’ me, an’ if he
wants to keep a w ole skin he wants to keep out
o’ my road. He’ll bother Madge now“ He took
Romeo’s life because the girl decided in his
favor. She must know at once that the bunch-
back is on deck.”

When Owlet left the shaft he went toward
Madge’s cabin.

The girl met him at the door.

“ You want to be on the lookout,” he aid.
“The toad of Puzzle Bar is back.”

The news startled the rl.

“You have seen him she asked.

“ I have.”

“Where is he?”

“ Probably in caienf.”

A smile brighten Madge’s face.

“ I presume you wouldn’t like to let me get
my hands on himl” she answered.

‘ Why not, Madge?”

“You know what is likely to take place to—
morrow. The men miizidecide to try Nevada
Nat for the killln of ng Romeo. The man
is innocent. You now it, Owlet.”

The sleuth of the cam made no reply.

“ You once hunted at down for the crime,”
Mad 9 went on, leanin toward him until he
saw er. eyes riveted on is face. “ You have a
reputation for never accusing the wrong r-
son, but vou must admit failure for once. on
know who the guilty one is; you have just
warned me to beware of him.”
thOwlelt seemed about to draw back and desert

e r .

“ want Caliban,” she continued. “Thain-
nocent is not oing to sufler for the guilty. I
know that Go Grip has issued his proclama-
gion”as King of Puzzle Bar. I can appeal to

1m

M“d.You’ might appeal to the wrong person,
a e.

“ hen I will play the hand that suits me
best. Where have you been for the last hour?
agn’gyou know what has happened within that

e v

Owlet said “ no ” mechanically.

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Volcano, the ’Frisoo Spy.

23

 

 

 

“Come in,” resumed the girl, holding wide
the door of her cabin. “Lura isn’t With me
now.”

Owlet’s answer was a stare, for he saw that
they were the only tenants of the sha ity.

“ I left you girls together,” he exclaimed. _

“So you did, Owlet, and until a little while
ago liura was my companion. But Puzzle Bar
is a place where one event follows another in
bewildering succession.”

“ For heaven’s sake, come down to busmess,”
cried Owlet, burning with impatience. “What
has happened during my absence?”

Nevada Madge seemed to take delight in men—
tally torturing him.

“ If you don’t tell me I’ll find out elsewhere!”
he exclaimed.

“ Patience, patience, OWIet. I never saw you
in such a stew before. Lura has gone back to
’Frisco.”

Owlet uttered a cry.

“ She’ll never get thar With the wounded Utah
tiger to take her trail.”

‘ I beg your ardon,” smiled Madge.
is no wounded tab tiger.”

“ \Vhy not?”

“ Because Mormon Mort is dead!”

“What! did Lura finish him when she shot
through the door i” cried Owlet.

“ No. Fri j.) Frank, his confederate, dragged
him away and wanted to save him by keeping
him out of Puzzle Bar. He was not wounded
ba'lly- a shot through the shoulder-that was
all. ell Mormon Mort, crazy with rage,
came back for van eance, while Frijo Frank,
who thought he ha served the rascal long
euou h, turned his back on him.”

“ \fiell what happened next?”

“ The ormou came into camp with the noise
of a crippled lion. He found the cabin-—
Romeo’s, I mean—and broke in the door. Lure.
was not there. Then he began a search for her,
and so bunglineg was it conducted, his wound
and anger gettin r the best of him, that he was
caught b Bowielliart and two other men who
ha n to hear him. Mormon Mort struggled
tillP e broke from their grip, and as he ran the
three fired, all at once."

“ A poor chance he had!” answered Owlet.

“You ma well say that,” was the reply.
“ Mormon ort fell dead before the revolvers
of Bowie Bart and his companions, and the
corpse is lying under the gallows-tree in the

care.”

‘ He deserved nothing better, after all!”
rated Owlet. “ I suppose the outcome pleased
ura?”

“She did not rejoice. Shortl after the shoot-
ing she encountered Volcano an—”

‘ No!” interrupted Owlet. “ She did not meet
the ‘Frisco spy. She could not. That were im-
possible.” _ .

“ Perha you think so,” re lied Madge, smil-
ingly. “ know, however, t at the two met,
and that they are now on the we back.”

Old Owlet stood before the gir like a man in
a maze.

“ I say it‘cannot be!” he exclaimed. “Why,
if Volcano Van leaves Puzzle Bar, he does so
with the bonanza secret.”

“ Then it is gone!”

“ I won‘t believe it!”

“ Go and see for yourself!”

“I will! Some men have doubles, and this
’Frisco s y has one.”

“I calfed him Volcano Van.”

“ Then you saw him?”

“I did. ’

“And you were willing to let him take the
secret away?” _ _

“I did mt think of it. Lure. wanted to go
back, and under his protection, too. She tried
to keep him from comingohither, and of course
she would not want him stay.’

Owlet left the girl without an answer.

“ One moment,” called Madge after him.
‘ ‘ Will you help catch Caliban for me?”

“ For tomorrow?”

‘t Yes.”

“ I may not be here tomorrow," was the an-

“ There

swer.
“‘Don’t you want to bury the man you have
served?"

“ King Romeo?” came through Owlet’s teeth.
“ He can be put under the mountain sod without
my help. I attend to the living, and while the
bonanza secret is in danger I have nothing to do
with the dead!" . .

Owlet was boulnding away with the last words
fallin from his ips.

He gwent through the gold-camp like a man
with a dozen red-s ins at is heels. He up
among the rocks and bushes in the suburbs, and
then was lost to sight.

Some time later he reappeared in an under-
ground cavern, whose floor was covered with

of rock. .
Owlet held a little torch over his head. ‘
“Thor’s no Red Crest here!” he cried, as he

found a broken staple in the stone wall. “ Our
Navajo eagle has escaped at last.”

Then he went down a narrow corridor, and
threw the light of his torch u n a stone which
lay a inst the right—hand w l.

‘ was right!” he cried.
trail to,’ riscol”

“ I take the

l

 

CHAPTER XXX.
BROKEN BARS.

IF Volcano Van was on the road to ’Frisco
then the bonanza secret was not safe.

Let us see.

The reader will recollect that we left the
naboh’s s iy in “the chamber occupied by the
captive avnjo whose zeal iu the hunt for
the well-guarded mine had made him a prisoner

. chained to the bonanza’s wall.

Volcano Van‘s trailing of Old Owlet had led
him to the secret mine and iiitoa trap as well,
for the mountain sleuth knew allthe time that
the trailer was at his heels.

It was after Owlet’s rejection of the chal-
lenge to fight a duel in the cavern for the pos-

session of the secret, that Volcano Van found .

himself suddenly face to face with the bonanza
sleuth whose two revolvers covered his breast.

Behind the Californian lay a corridor through
which a man could walk With some case. Into
this place he was forced by the leveled revolv-
ers, and a short march brought him to a smaller
chamber With no outlet save the one by which
he had reached it.

A dark lantern fastened to Owlet’s belt had
afforded light for this play and when the Cali—
fornian had been marched to the new chamber,
he was abruptly deserted by the sleuth.

“ You will keep Crest company for
awhile,” ejaculated Owlet

“ The sound of the red fool’s never-ending
work will rin in your ears until you will wish
it a thousani miles beneath you. This cave is
to be our abode, Volcano Van, until the hand
of Ow et chooses to open the doors and that will
never be. Colonel Bolt sent you to find the ho-
nanza of Puzzle Bar. Behold it! You stand
beneath the roof of one of the gold-chambers;
you have ke t a part of your a, cement; you
have found t e mine, but the ot er part—the
re rt and the diagram—will never be fulfilled.”

olcano Van made no reply, but watched the
glare of the bull’s-eye disappear down the nar-
row ssage he had just traversed.

A1 at once he started forward.

“ I don’t perish here like a penned wolf !” fell
from his lips. “ I will force the sleuth of Nevada
to fight for the secret.”

'He reached the mouth of the corridor as a
crash struck his ears, and the next moment the
entrance was completely blocked by a bowlder
which had fallen from above!

another second and he would have been crush—

Neither around nor over the rock was there
go for a human body. and the Californian
ound himself in a livin tomb!

After awhile he hear the chained Indian at
work. Blow after blow struck the echoin
wall, and Volcano Van imagined that Red
Crest was attacking it with more than usual
ferocit .

The interior of his prison was dark, but some
bunched matches relieved the gloom and showed
him the bare walls, and the rock which had
fallen in his path.

Above the bowlder was a small openin ,
through which he could see the light by whic
the Indian worked. Now and then he thought
he can ht sight of the busy pick, but no part of
the . -skin’s body was to be seen.

Minutes were hours to the Californian penned
up in the mine.

He examined the walls of his prison again and
again, but always with the same result; he
found no avenue of escape.

All at once the sounds in the Indian’s chamber
changed in tone. I

Volcano Van s rung to the blocked mouth of
the corridor and istened.

but did it mean?

Mingled with the blows which he heard was a
sound of assaulted steel.

What was the Indian doing?

If he could have looked into the cavern where
the lamp rested against the wall he would have
seen Red Crest at work, but not at the t

,where he had been trying to pick his way to ib-

ei throu h solid rock.

ith al his strength, and with the blaze of
demonism in his eyes, the Navajo was attacking
the heav chain which held him to the wall.

Alrea y the links bore scars of the pick, but
the blows had effected nothing. Now the In-
dian was assaultin the chain and the staple,
more especially the tter, as if he would dig it
out of the stone.

It was like a Cyclops at work. He never
paused for breath, at rained his blows against
the ob ect of his attack with all his might.

If olcauo Van could have seen the red giant
he would have taken hope.

For a full hour it was thus; then the attack
ceased as suddenly as it had begun.

With a savage_ ejaculation of delight, Red
Crest threw the pick at his feet and sprung to
the middle of the chamber, dragging after him
his manacle and chain.

No longer was be fastened to the wall!

“ By Jove!” cried Volcano Van who saw the
giant figure of the Navajo riso before him far
away. “ As I live! the red ea 19 is free!”

Suddenly Red Crest stoo
his chain, then he regained his
the lamp from the wall.

and cagght 11
pick a too

 

There was a wild light in his eyes.

“He hasn’t forgotten me!” eagerly cried the
Californian who, watching over the top of the
bowlder that made him a prisoner saw the cor-
ridor darkened by the Navajo’s figure.

In a little while he heard an exclamation of
surprise just beyond the stone.

“ White man alive?” asked the Indian.

“ I am here!” was the quick response. “ You
are free, Red Crest?”

“ The eagle of the Navajoes has cut the bars
of his cage. He will go back to his people and
then turn on the gold vultures of the mountains.
It would be better for them if they had killed
the eagle when the trap caught him. Does the
white man want out?”

“ Does any one want to die in a place like

' this?” exclaimed Volcano Van.

 

“ Let him see what Red Crest can do. The

‘ rock is heavy, but the Indian is strong.”
Situated as he was the Californian could lend .

the Navajo but little assistance. He. could do
little more than stand back. and let the chief do
all the work.

Red Crest went to work with all his might.
The pick could not be used in the narrow cor~
ridor, and the Indian searched the mines until
he found an iron bar with which he came back
to the task.

With the strength of a Hercules he pried the
bowlder back against the right hand well, he
moved it inch by inch, working till the veins in
his forehead seemed ready to burst.

At last he held it back, putting all his strength
imthe effort.

“ Now let the. white man be a weasel l” be ex-

claimed. “ Bed Crest has done his best. He
can move the rock no further, and the pale-face
must slip out or perish.”
Volcano Van did not hesitate to try the peril-
ous passage. His life depended on is success,
and when he saw the red giant straining every.
nerve with the iron bar he wormed his body into
the narrow way.

It was the tightest work of his life and th
most dan erous. '

If the ndian’s muscle failed him, if the iron
bar gave, he would be crushed.

But one look into Red Crest’s face, one glance
at the glued lips and the steel nerves reassured
the ’Frisco spy.

Inch by inch he made his way between the
bowlder and the wall, and when the Indian
moved and the rock fell back he was free!

For a moment neither spoke.

“ Come! the eagle of the Navajos is goin to
the skies!” suddenly ejaculated the I .
“ Does the white man want to stay here?”

“ No! I have the secret!” cried Van. “ I
can afford to go back now.” , ‘

Red Crest gave him a nick, inquisitive look.

“Where did the white ace come from!”

“ From San Francisco.”

“ For the secret of the mountain mine!”

H Yes.”

Volcano Van thought he saw a faint smile
grow into existence at the Indian’s mouth.

“ A red fool and a white one !” exclaimed Red
Crest. “ But the Navajo will throw the secret

1,3
. M

to the wind, when he reaches his people. They '. 

will come down upon the gold men 1 e a. storm

in winter. '
“Wait till I report. Give me a chance to tell . - I 

the ’Frisco league that I have the secret. The
gold men will not escape.”

“ The chief called Owlet will follow us.”

“ Let him! If he follows you he will fall into
the traps of the Navajoes.” '

“Whichare tra of death!” hissed the In-
dian, drawing bac .
tain with his chain. The fires of the Navajoea
will burn it 0!!! Let the white man go to'

‘Frisco with what he knows about the mine. 

When he sends Red Crest a message, the Navajo

storm will destroy the gold-camp. . 7.:

Not long afterward olcano Van stood in the

starlight that showed the silent camp with 'x V

“He goes to the moun-' . 

beauty. . . 
The Indian held out his hand, and with a

hearty pmure which told that they were for-
ever friends, the two went in opposite direc-
tions. .

Volcano Van walked toward Gold Grip's whit: f .

“ One word with him and then for ’Friscol”
murmured.

On his way he reached Madge’s abode, and a 

voice on the inside sent a thrill to his heart; .
It was a voice he had last heard in ’F‘riscoand
in Colonel Bolt’s palace of luxury. A moment 2
later he opened the cabin door and
himself to the astonished girls. Lura
before him, as beautiful as when she threw her
self before her fatherand begged him not tossed

a third man to perish for the secmtof the b0». i ’
nanza mine. ~ . \

resented
m.

Thirty minutes later Volcano Van was the 3;

com nionand escortofayoun girl whom-
ahogfromPuzzleBar ‘8

It was their intention to reach the railroad at 11*
long ride tinny";I ,

acertain min -town a good
and when thingCalifornian looked into Lure

beaming eyes he felt that he was hikingth to J ,\
um, elm“ 

’Frisco something more valuable
of the mine. , 
Alread Bowie Bart and his companions had
finished career of Mormon Mort, and whfiu

\

 

 

_ a

 

«

Volcano, the ’Frisco Spy.

 

 

 

Volcano Van and the banker’s ward rode down
the mountain trail the sleepless guard of the mine
was making preparations to playa hand that
could not fail.

’Frisco was far away and Old Owlet was still
in the path.

It was midnight when a stern-faced man laid
his hand on Bowie Bart‘s shoulder and whis~
pered:

“ I’m goin’ away. No assumption of power
tillIcome back. I can kill kings as well as
make ’em!” And the astonished sport saw him
ride off.

 

CHAPTER XXXI.
THE TRIAL roa LIFE. '

“ YOU had better stay. Captain Owlet. Some—
thing might happen while you‘re gone!“ laughed
Bowie Bart as he watched Owlet disappear.
“ I’ve seen you make kings. but by Jove! I never
saw you kill any. You can’t play Warwwk at
your notion in t is camp if I say no. You‘d bet-
ter not 0, ca tain, but if you think I’m goin
to stan bac at your commad a bigger foo
than you never galloped from Puzzle Bar.”

Owlet mi ht not have left the bonanza camp
when he di if he had known that the proclama-
tion of Gold Grip which we have seen him post
at the Golden Fleece was there no longer.

He did not know that a man had entered the
saloon and taken down the document. The doer
of this act was Bowie Bart himself, and it was
the first act of the assumption of power against
which Owlet had just warned him.

The few men who witnessed Bowie Bart’s act
put in no voice of disapproval.

In fact,‘the would-be usurper had the cam at
his back. A man charged with murder, like
Nevada Nat, could not be King of Puzzle Bar,
and one who had protected a spy, as Gold Grip
had done, could not be trusted.

This was the prevailin sentiment while Old
.Owlet rode down the ’ riseo trail. He was
leaving Puzzle Bar on the eve of a dangerous
rebellion, with nob )dy to lift a hand strong
enough to stem the tide.

No one? We shall see iii the natural course of
events.

The day as it broke again over the Nevada
cam saw three men halt at Gold Grip’s door.

A-Iight knock caused it t.) be opened, and the
miner confronted the stalwart trio at whose
head was Bowie Bart.

“ We’ve got a painful duty ter perform,” be-
fian Bart as he strai htened in the rowing

ht and looked Gold rip squarely in t e face.
“ e’ve concluded that the manner 0’ existin’
things in Puzzle Bar doesn’t exactly suit us.”
Bart was trying to put things as politely as pos-
sible. “ We’ve concluded to choose a master for
ourselves till a few things ar’ settled, an’, as a
committee 0’ three from the meetin’, we’re hyer

‘ fer ask on to resign ther powers thrust upon

on by ing Romeo's last orders.”

' ' Gold Grip seemed to smile.

Indeed, he appeared impatient for the end of
Bowie Bart’s long sentences.

“Nothing suits me better,” he answered.
“ Heaven knows I want no nlastership.”

The three men threw astonished looks into

' each other’s faces.

‘ i . whole camp were arrayed against him.

" physical stren

Was the rebellion to reach its (ads with no
more exciting scenes than this?
“ We thought you didn’t want the place!” re
' marked Bart, when he got his breath. “ Mebbe
we’ll have to thrust the 1place upon somebody.
You know that Nevada at can t succeed, for
he’s to be tried this day for givin’ Romeo the
wounds that lost him life an’ his crown.”

‘The adroit sport did not tell Gold Grip how
the secret meeting at the Golden Fleece had de-
cided to proceed to harsh measures if he (Gold

‘ Grip) should refuse to resign; he said nothing
about the unanimous election of himself as
“King: of Puzzle Bar. No! Bowie Bart kept
these 'ngs back. There had never been any-

gressive about Gold Grip. He was
known or his lain, almost polished manners,
and for his coo as well.

If he had asserted hisxight to the “crown ” of
Puzzle Bar, he would have maintained it Bif tlhe

at e
recalled one of the pa rs found under Romeo‘s
cot, in which he had n ,shut out because he
was Romeo’s brother, a secret known to no one
then in the camp. .

Bowie, Bart and his companions walked crest-
fallen from the cabin. Conscious of their
since the whole ‘camp with
several except ans, were for a new order of
thingt, they rather hoped for a little resistance.

is r so the could have something to (put down. But
here gold Gri

had uietly yiel ed, despite the

‘ . manifesto wh ch Ow at had rather pompoust

at the Golden Fleece.
“ The runawa next. We’ll have a diversion
than!” exclaime Bart. as he led the

« “committee”back to the whisky saloon, where
the rebels awaited the report.

Gold Grip's resignation was received with

cheers. and a score of dark-faced men drank

 : ' rBowie Bart’s health in not very clean glasses.

The sun came up through a cloudless sky, and
when it was midway betweed the horizon and

 ,lenith, Nevada Nat found himSelf visited by five
m

They announced, without a waste of words
that he was to be tried at once for the murder 0
King Romeo, and with very little ceremony he
was placed under arrest.

The handsome sport of Puzzle Bar expected
this. He had already told Hilliard that he would
never turn his back on the mountain camp until
he had established his innocence to the satisfac—
tion of his most persistent licenser.

But how was he to do this alone, with apacked
jury under the very tree where Mad e’s sudden
intervontion had previously saved his life, and
with Romeo lying unburied in his shanty?

“ Lead on. gentlemen,” answered Nevada Nat
in quiet tones, after the arrest. “ You don’t
find me turning my back on the Bar.”

“But you did once,” replied a voice, and Nat,
turning upon the speaker, transfixed him with a
withering glance.

"‘ I went for a lurpose. I came back for one,”
he replied. “’ i0 is our king nowi”

“ B )WIO Bart,” was the response.

“ Where is Gold Grip?”

“ In his shanty. We don’t take men who
stands by ‘Frisco spies.”

Nevada Nat made no reply. He seemed to
fathom at once and fully the meaning of the an-
swer as it applied to him.

Under the wide—spreading boughs of the tree
in the Square a bronzed group awaited the pris—
oner.

Mormon Mort’s body was no longer there, for
during the night it had been givena shallow
grave on the nearest mountain.

Bowie Bart fixed his eyes u n the accused
s rt with a look of triumph w ich he had not
t e wer to subdue. He saw in Nevada Nat a
riva for the “crown” of Puzzle Bar if for
nothing else.

In the midst of the crowd the prisoner drew
himself up and looked at the pards.

It was no ordinary occasion; a life was envel-
oped iii the passing hour. I

“ This court is opened,” suddenly cried Bart,
who rese from one of the rough card-tables
which had been transferred from the Golden
Fleece to the Square. “ Nevada Nat of Puzzle
Bar is accused of having stabbed to death
Rough Romeo, late king of this camp. The
prisoner stands before his peers, the pards of
the Bar. He has heard the charge. What
does he say?”

Bowie Bart did not fairly confront Nevada
Nat until he uttered the last words. When
they had ceased to sound the two men stood
face to face.

The answer that came clearly to the ears of
all was not unexpected.

Nevada Nat took a sudden step forward and
throwing one hand toward the sky, seen through
the leafy bou he, cried thrillingly:

“‘In the sig t of God, not guilty !” .

A strange silence followed the declaration;
eye met eye, and here and there was seen a
smile of derision.

“ I am ready !” suddenly continued Nat. “ The
accusation has been made. I challenge roof.”

“ The prisoner shall be accommodated?” and
Bowie Bart stepped out from the table, his giant
figure seeming to get larger still as he made the
display. “The roof or a part of it consists of
the dagger which after the first attack on
Romeo was found under the ’Frisco spy’s pil-
low, but no man believes that he struck the
blow. That dagger was thrown upon the pris-
oner’s table by Captain Owlet, who, as we
know, neVer finds the wrong man.”

From Bart‘s first word to the end of a faint
smile, was at the corners of the prisoner’s
month.

“ Is this your testimony i” he asked.

“It is not all. The court will prove that the

risoner and King Romeo were rivals for the
Ihve of Nevada Mad e, that he said thatacertain
day mi ht never awn for Romeo, and that
when wlet accused him of the crime, he left
thekcgmp, fled like a man who flies to save his
nee .

The arms of Nevada Nat left his sides at this
juncture and were crossed quiet] on his breast.

Just then somebody at Bowie art’s elbow ex-
claimed “ The girl! ’ and the new monarch of
Puzzle Bar turned to see Madge quietly reach
the inner circle.

“ I didn’t want her hyer, but thar’s no be] for
it,” mentally ejaculated Bart. “ I wan the
whole thing put through without her resence.
I haven’t for at what she did once he ore; but
by heaven! s 9 doesn’t re t the trick."

For a moment the coming of Nevada Madge
seemed to embarrass the packed court, but
Bowie Bart beat his embarrassment back, and
looked at the risoner. .

“We’ll cal Gold Grip himself to prove the
prisoner’s threats.” he exclaimed. ‘ dozen
men will swear that he was abroad the night
King Romeo was stabbed. and as for the rival-
ship for a woman’s love. there is a person pres-
ent who will confirm it all.”

Nearly every eye became fixed upon the girl
thus singled out.

Bowie Bart had not even looked at her, but all
knew whom he meant.

As for Madge she turned toward the gold-
camp king and gave him a smile while a flush

 

suddenly suffused her, face.

7

“ Do you want my testimony now?” she
asked.

“ N ot just yet,” was the reply. “ We‘ll hear
first from those who saw the prisoner abroad
that night, ay, who saw him at King Romeo’s
very door.”

“I would rather talk new,” persisted Madge,
and the next moment she came forward and
halted in a little cleared space and not far from
Nevada Nat who gave her a look of admiration
and wonder.

A half»suppressed murmur ran through the
twentty bronze men who made up the mountain
cour .

“ Well, go on!” growled Bart.

t. All at once Madge’s eyes lit up with anima-
101].

“ The prisoner came to me with words which
were too late,” she began. “ He came after I
had given my hand to King Romeo. He told
me to look out for a scorpion’s sting. It tried
its force that very night.’

“ \Ve know it!” exclaimed Bowie Bart. “ That
night King Romeo got the poniard sharpened to
a needle’s point by disappointed love.”

“And in the hand of a creature half-toad,
half-man!” cried Madge. “The da ger in the
black sheath belongedtoCaliban and the dwarf
of Puzzle Bar is the assassin! I stand his ac-
cuser before you all. The innocent lives; the
guilty dies!"

 

CHAPTER XXXII.
MADGE'S FIGHT AGAINST FATE.

THE thrilling sentences of the young girl who
faced Bowie Bart and his court were not with-
out their effect.

This accusation of Caliban was in the nature
of a surprise; nobody looked for it.

4; We’re not here to hear char cs against an-
0 er person,” exclaimed Bart, he first one to
disturb the silence. “We are trying Nevada
Nat just now. You said, I believe, that be con-
fessed that he loved on ’9'”

" Do I blame him or that? No!” cried Madge,
and then she moved backward toward the pris-
oner, who with folded arms was looking at her
with an interest which took the eyes of the

crowd.

“ We are tryin him for the death of King
Romeo,” resum Bowie Bart. “ The witnesses
who saw him at Romeo’s cabin will step to the
front.”

In an instant the girl’s eyes flashed.

“ I am not to be heard?”she exclaimed.
char e against Caliban—”

“ e can’t take it. I’m sorry, Madge; the
dwarf isn’t hyer.”

“ You can wait till he is found,” was the quick
rcplv. “I think you will wait.”

Already four men had advanced from the
crowd and stood a little‘to the front, and in the
middle of the uare. They were the persons
who were to test fy that Nevada Nat was seen
at the door of King Romeo‘s cabin at a certain
hour the night of he first attempt on his life.
Madge threw a glance toward them from Bowie
Bart, but the same second she turned back upon
the new king.

“ You are going on with the trial in spite of
everything?” she asked coony, but not without a
slight trembling of the mute.

‘ I ess we ar'.”

“Proceed then,” she answered, and the next
moment she stood at Nevada Nat’s side waiting
for the testimony of the four.

Bowie Bart thought he had won a victory
over the girl whose appearance on the ground at
one time hreatened to interrupt the proceedings.
Against Puzzle Bar a oung creature like her
could do nothing; her beauty could not arrest
the condemnation and execution of the man
arrai ned for murder. _

Ma ge listened quietly to the evidence as it
came from the tongues of the four miners. Each
one had seen Nevada Nat in front of Romeo’s
cabin, nothingemore.

After this stimony Bowie Bart called the
name of a man who stepped forward with singu—
lar haste.

“Sicorro Sam!” murmured Madge when she
saw the man almost dwarfish in stature and with
a pair of eyes never still for an instant. “ With
those eyes he ought to see everything.”

it soon transpired that Sicorro Sam had seen
even more than the four who had just preceded
him. He had seen Nevada Nat emerge from
Rough Romeo’s cabin and walk rapidly toward
his own.

This testimonv produced a sensation. When
he had given it Sicorro Sam walked back to the
crowd with the air of a man who had performed
some startling act.

Madge’s eyes followed him.

“That man has been coached!" she cried.

“ Whether he has or not, he told the truth.”

The reply was spoken at her elbow and the
following moment she was staring into the
prisoner s face. _

“ You were there?” she exclaimed.

“ Yes.”

‘ Inside of the cabin?”

“ Inside.”

Then Nevada Nat raised his voice.

U 

 

“Gentlemen, I admit the truth of the testi-
mony just heard!” he exclaimed. “I was at

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25

 

 

lomeo’s cabin that night. I was on the inside.
' rds, but while I was

 

W e had some warm we
there no blow was dealt. I went to say good-
hy—to will m share of the annual lelde to the
pards of Puzz e Bar.” .

A derisive smile came to Bowie Bart's lips; he
threw back his head hau htily and ran one of
locks on his shoul-
ders.

“ I guess the prosecution can rest,” he remark-
cd. “I don’t see what more is wantin’, after
the prisoner’s confession. It seems enough to
put an end to the trial. This rourt is closed so
far as the hearing 0’ testimon is concerned.”

“ Is there to be no defense? asked Madge.

“ What’s the use 0’ one?” was the answer.
“ You’ve heard what the prisoner has just said.
He was with King Romeo that night; they had
hard words, of course, about you, girl. Shortly
after he left Romeo was found stabbed with a
dagger, which Old Owlet, the never-failing
sleuth, said belonged to Nevada Nat. By
heavens! you’re the most exacting Woman I
ever saw. The jury stands yonder, and nothing
is to be done now but to wait for its verdict.”

The jury was the crowd of bronzed men who
had heard the proceedings, and as Bowie Bart
waved his hand toward them his countenance
lit u with an expression of triumph.

“ shall appeal to a higher court, if the ver-
dict of you jury is death. after the testimony
just heard!” suddenly rung out the clear voice
of Nevada Madge, as a step carried her for-
ward. “ This, in fact, is no court. Nobody
has been swm'n, and no legality invests its pro-
ceedings in any shape. Organized to convict,
for a purpose which anybody can see, it has car-
ried out its mission. I shall appeal to the real
courts of Nevada—”

A loud laugh burst from the throat of a man
in the middle of the main crowd.

“The rufilan who laughs at Nevada 'ustice
may taste it before he ends his career!” ashed
Madge, as she singled the fellow out and looked
him in the eye. “ Ve know that men who have
come to Puzzle Bar are exiles from justice, and
it is the hight of injustice to make them the
jurors of a mountain court. Will Mica Marle
come forward?”

The man who had laughed hung back, but all
at once the hands of those nearest hi I) were laid
on his shoulders, and he was pushed forward
amid the smiles of his companions.

" This man is a specimen.” continued Mad e,
covering the big rufllan with her finger as s e
turned to Bowie Bart. “ Here is one of your
jurors, Ca tain Bart. Look at him. He laugh-
ed with erision when I spoke of courts of Jus-
tice in Nevada. Why, I know something about
Mica Marie. and 1 do not wonder that he thinks
all courts travesties of justice.

The man standing before Madge gave hera
look of intense curiosity. He suddenly lost color
and seemed uneasy. _

“ That man was once before a court himself,”
resumed the girl with calmneis. “ He may won-
der how I know, but I have not lived in Puzzle
Bar all this time for nothing. Mica Marie once
had a wife, a young girl who really loved him."

“ What if I had?” blurted the writhing rough.
“ What has this to do with the proceedin’s 0' this
court?"

“ Silence!" cried half a dozen voices in the
crowd. " Give Madge a chance.”

“ I only want to show what kind of men form
the juries of the so-called mountain courts," re-

illed Madge. “ Ah! I was talking about Mica
harm’s wife! Well, the young creature got
more blows than love from her husband. It
went on in this way for months. One day dur-
ing Mica Marie’s alrehce the girl-wife was found
dead in the mountains. her back was cut into
strips, and in her hands—” _ .

“ That is false—false as perdition !” roared the
mountain tough, almost while with rage. "I
never had a wife. I hate women, have hated
them all my life. I protest—I~"

“ Gentlemen, don’t you see the man from
Gopher Gulch will convict hiinSeIf by his vehe—
mence if he goes on?" interru ted Mad . equietly.
“ When he came back to t e camp ewas ar-
rested for murder, but, strange to say, the. jury
which consisted of the camp’s population rompt-
1y acquitted him. The ewdence against 'm was
overwhelming, but the child-wife never had a
friend at Gopher Gulch. Why, the villains of
the camp hardly granted her decent burial.”

“ That is against the facts!” cried Mica Marie
with clinched hand. _ .

Madge drew back With a smde of cutting de-
rision.

“ There, gentlemen, is a member of Puzzle
Bar’s jury," she went on. “Shall I call out any
more? Or are you satisfied 1” i

For a moment there. was no reply.

Mica Marie radually recovered his color, but
his eyes sent g ces of rage at the girl who had
ex him.

‘ We can’t accept such things in the prisoner’s
favor,” suddenly said Bowie Bart. “ Mira Marie
will got vote with the rest on the prisoner’s

t.

“ Because the girl has brought to light the lie
of some old enemy!” cried the rufilan.

“Silence!” thundered the same chorus from

[the crowd. “Now, gents, you will vote,”snd ,

i, ,/

 

Bowie Bart went back to the card-table and
picked up paper and pencil. “All who believe ;
the prisoner guilty will hold up their right *
hands.” ,

All at once a number of hands were elevated l
and the li of the new king counted them.
“Down! Now all who believe him not guilty I
will vote in the same manner.” !

A hand here and there crept up one after an- 5
other until there were five. !

“Eighteen against five,” announced Bowie;
Bart. “This is the verdict o‘ the court. It!
means death accordiu’ to the code made an’!
signed a long while ago.”

At the moment of this announcement Nevada
Nat’s arms dropped to his side.

“ \Vhere is Captain Owlet?” he asked.

“ He is not here at present!” answered Bart.

“ \Vherc is Gold Gri ?" l

“ In his shanty,” sai some one. i

l
l

 

“ There shall be no execution of any sentence
until Owlet Comes back.”

The crowd looked at the speaker, and more
than one eye twinkled.

“There shall be no death till Owlet comes,”
cchoeda clear voice, and Madge appeared at
the prisoner’s side.

“When he comes the crime will be fixed on f
Caliban. The jury that has just delivered a ‘
one—sided verdict shall condemn no innocent
man in in presence without giving him a
chance. ll. ica Marle has gone back to the men
with whom he associates. Why don‘t you force
the truth from the wife-killer of Gopher Gulch?
Look! his right hand is touching Restless Rube.
\Vith that hand the member of Bowie Bart’s
jury whipped'his child wife to death.”

A score of eyes were turned instantly 0n the

singled-cut rufiian, and those nearest him shrunk
awa '.
“Give Nevada Nat two days,” continued
Madge. “I stand good for his appearance at
the end of that time. Give me time to lay my
hands on Caliban.”

The crowd seemed to surge forward and a
united c went up.

“ Give im the two days i” it said.

Captain Bart ground his teeth.

 

 

CHAPTER XXXIII.
OWLET ON THE TRAIL.

MEANTIME a man well mounted was riding a
strong, black horse down the somewhat tortu-
ous mountain-trail which ended at a certain
camp miles away.

This erson was of compact build, and filled
the sad le with grace as the wind blew his black
hair almost straight out behind. His feet, in-
cased in strong boots that were covered by his
dark pantalocns. filled the stirrups, and now and
then the left heel pressed a spur against the
steed’s bowels.

It was Owlet.

From the gold-camp, which was his destina-
tion, the cars could be taken for San Francisco.

“ I keep the secret safe—that’s m life-work;
that is what I swore to do when entered the
service of the Seven!” he remarked, addressing
himself aloud as he rode along. “The Indian
whom we should have killed, and not chained to
the wall—that was a wee o’ sentiment hatched
out by Gold Grip—t e Indian, I say, will go
back to his people and tell a tale that will stamp
him the boss bar in a red skin. I want to find
Volcano Van, the man who. in spite. 0’ me, got
the secret, and who is now going back to his em-
ployers with it and the ’Frisco nabob’s ward.
may not catch him this side 0’ Poker City; meb—
be not that; but, by heavens! I catch ’im some-
whar!”

A good part of the night which had 'ust passed
Old Owlet had s at in the saddle? Nothing
tired the man, not ling daunted him. He knew
that he had left Puzzle Bar in a bad state: he
did not believe that Bowie Bart would obey his
last commands, and when he thought of the re-
bellious sport, his lips would meet firmly. and
the flash of a vengeance to come lighted up his

eyes.

It was late. in the afternoon of the first day
out when the boots of Owlet’s horse struck the
dust of Poker City. '

It was quite a place, and the miner’s shanty
had given way to substantial frame buildings.
The railroad ran through the middle of the
town, and the depot was a hotel, in front of
which was a green plot with an artificial foun-

in.

As Owlet rode down the street toward this
place, the whistle of a locomotive came from the
east.
“Just in time. if that is the ’Frisco Express,”
he murmured, giving his horse the spur. “I
don’t know anything about the new-tangled
railroad card, but I know that one man won’t
start for the coast if he holds a ticket for the
train just comin‘ in.” '

Several minutes later the bonanza sleuth rode
$0 the little square in front of the depot hotel.

s appearance was not such as to attract the
loungers and travelers con gated there.
Owlet did not come often to P0 .er City, but he
knew it as Well as some who lived there.

The train whose whistle he had heard was

 

pushing through the first gorgeeutaf thetown.

   

«ii i:  a," i" ‘1‘: f ’3‘ (5
. v .9. . , -",’ _ s'

 

A glance at the personnel of the people at the
depot told Owlet that it was a passen er train.

All at once he beckoned to a boy, w oran for-
war‘d and waited for commands at his horse’s
hea .

“ The ’Frisco Express, ain’t it?” asked Owlet.

“ It’s nothing else, cap’n,” was the answer.

“ Lead my horse around the hotel an’ hold
him.”

“Yes, sir.”

Owlet slipped from the saddle and went
toward the depot.

“ He won’t attempt to board ’er if I’m in the
way!” he muttered, as be planted himself near
the track and swept the crowd with an eagle
eve.
"The next moment the pulling train came in
sight, and soon drew up before the crowd in
waiting. ,

Owlet shrug ed his shoulders anll scrutinized
everybody. ot a face escaped his searching
look, and when the train came to a dead halt he
walked forward and planted himself near the

cars.

What Owlet wanted to show was his presence.

More than one person noticed the bronzed and
black-eyed man who stood at the car watching
evei'ylxxly with the eye of a falcon.

Owlet did not seem to breathe again until 
the train moved on.

Volcano Van and Lura had not boarded it,
and with a grim smile that lingered at the
corners of his month. he watched the cars till
they dashed from sight. , ,.

“ Is that the. regular Express?” he asked aman w.
w o wore a broad-brimmed hat like his own. ’

‘ Ther reg’lar, cap’n,” was the reply.

“ Only passenger west a day now, eh?”

“ Yes, but an extra went through about noon.” , _

The intelligence seemed totake Owlet’s breath. ‘ ' _,

“ Hades an’ horns!” he ejaculated. “An extra, 7% ;_
eh? Whar from?” 

“Ogden: had some 0’ the officers of the road \ 2-:-
on board, I heard.” u 2’,

“ Did it sto hyer?” 2:
“ I b'lieve i did.” . is
“Anybody boardit?" , . ..v.:

The man sh00k his head. ' l ‘1:

“ I warn’t hyer when she went through. "
Somebody said though, that somebody got on,
but hang me, if I know how it war.”

Owlet walked toward the depot. I I

“An extra west, stopped here, took on some .v 
one. Jehu! has he escaped me?” -‘ ».

The depot of Poker City did not do much
business. In the building more drinks were sold h 4
than tickets, and Owlet walked straight tothe 
bartender whose left hand window looked out ' = "L
upon the track.

“ I’d like to get a bit of information,” remark-
ed Owlet leaning on the counter.

“About Poker City ?”

“ About the extra that stopped hyer today.”

“ Oho! had the new directors on board.
Bouncers I tell you. They left a fifty bye! for
the boys to-night. Regular scraphs them ellows ,
were, on in word.” I 

“Han t e directors!” growled Owlet under ‘
his breat . then aloud. ' , 

“ Did anybody board the train hyerl'" ‘ .-,' is

 

“ The extra?”

‘6 Yes.”

“ I don’t think anybody did.”

Owlet caught a breath of relief. 

“Thar war somebody got on. Julius?” called ~ 1'?
out a voice from an adjoining room where a;
young man with a pale and femininish counte-
nance was idly playing billiards by himself. .

The sleuth of Puzzle Bar turned to the voice,1/
and saw the speaker in the open door. -

“A gent and lady got on. I saw ’em,“flie
youth went on. “ I heard one o’ the directcn ‘
say that it warn’t a re ’lar train, but that, ’
under the circumstances, t ey’d take 'em on.” \

“Under what circumstanCes?” asked O'elvlet’.‘f 

“ I didn‘t hear that, the young man talked H
to the director ratht r low." '

Here was bitter disappointment: In one moi
ment the hopes of the bonanza sleuth had been
raisied and dashed to the earth. '

He Went toward the young man as if he
were about to crush him for imparting than" -~
formation just given. 

“ What war the couple like?” he demanded-

“ He war rather tall w.th a r‘andy black eye;
looked like he’d be a bad man in a tussle, m0"
she was pretty as women go nowadays, and '
seemed eager to get away.”

“Not from the man?” . . ,,

“ No. on the train.” ‘ ‘ 

“ There can be no mistake,” muttered Owlet, 4,
and his brow darkened at the words. “ I am a
little too late. Thev must have had splendid.
horses, and he knew how to use ’em too. Well, . 
hang it all. I kin go back an’ wait till they come ‘
for the prizc: then I can pit cunning against
cunning. or I can follow to ’ano‘ and heat
Colone Bolt. alias Xenophon Zook, on his on
ground. Three hours too late!”

He walked back tothehar. ':‘ ‘

“ When does the next passenger leave for"
Frisco?” '

" Eleven forty-five to-night.” , v

“That’s acre in’ midnight,” smiled Ow“. 
“ ostg'ps liege ways!” ,

yes.
11* ‘ .. y K ’ . ‘ ‘ ‘ '

 

  
 
  
  
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
     
  
 

 

 

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Volcano, the ’Frisco Spy.

 

 

   
   
 
 
   
   
  
   
    
   
  
   
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
    
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
     
     
   
 
     
   
   
 
 
    
  
 
   
  
   
   
     
  
   
  

-' w ' , v The youn man was invited to the bar, where
i . he was to] to select his drink, and Owlet saw

. { him till his glass to the brim.

“1 ho you’ll catch ’em!” exclaimed the
youth, I ting his liquor above his mouth ere he
attacked it.

“ Catch whom?” cried Owlet.

“Why, the young couple who boarded the
extra. Of course ou’ll follow on the ’leven
forty-five. I told ill Blister, when I saw the
young pair together, thet thar’d be somebody on
the trail afore night. Bill knowcd ’im.”

, “ Ba!” and Owlet started forward. “ Do you
lay your partner knew the man who boarded
the extra?’

“Thet war the remark, cap’n,” was the re-

sponse.

“ Who does he say he is?”

“A young fellow who’s been shinin’ around
Eureka for some months, comes up hyer occa-
sionally an’ gives the faro—banks some tough
work. ” Bill called ’im—let me see—Gilt—edged

J .
653m you sure of that?” and Owlet leaned to-
ward the young man with his eyes almost
ready”to leave his head. “ I want no mistake
e

“ I . only tell you what Bill professes ter
know.”

“ Whar is Bill?”

0‘ Thar.”

At that moment a genuine young sport, a
little the worse for liquor, swaggered into the

room.

“ Hyer. Bill! This entleman wants ter know

, for sartain whether t 6 man what boarded the
. extra to-day war Gilt-edged Jerry,” cried Owlet’s
comrade to the new arrival.

Bill Blister threw back his head and looked at
Owlet, with a half—drunken leer that _made the
' "sleuth grate his teeth.

“ Mebbe thar’s suthin’ in this?” he said.

“ Thar’s a good solid drink 0’ the bar’s best,”
; '  cried Owlet, who felt his im atieuce at his fin-
 ger-ti . “Come, captain, want to know
~:' somet ing about those parties. Do you know
that the man was Gilt-edged Jerry, of Eureka?”
. _ “If that young lout tells on anything, it’ll
be a lie, captain!” thunder , a voice, and the
 next moment a bearded man, car in a hu 6
I _six-shooter already cocked, str e into t e

room. ‘

There was danger in his give.

“See hyer!” cried Bill lister, wheeling to-
ward the new-comer. “ I don’t want to have it
\ out h er, Cold Deck.”

 9 “ 0, you miserable mountain skunk-~you

drunken poker thiet—”

 _ A cry of rage from the young sport‘s lips was
the sudden interruption; he stopped suddenly
back and threw one hand toward his big.

The next moment the revolver of the ig man
came lip and then—a flash, a report, and a
has all!

. . Oglet would have interfered, but all this had
 , been too quick for him.
He knew that it was only another mountain
y which would never be avenged, but it
' v sealed the lips of the only man who could
4.. settle the identity of the passenger of the xtra.
,  . For Bill Blister, on the floor, had a bullet n his
' (A brain.

 

CHAPTER XXXIV.
WHAT OWLET WAITED FOR.
“ UNLESS somebody can prove that the man
. r who boarded the directors' train was Gilt-edged
5 Jerry I go to ’Frisco to-ni ht. The person who
. ’ knew lies yonder, dead. 6 didn’t speak quick
' h. Confound the man who shot him!’
0] Owlet had left the hotel where the swift
tragedy had occurred, and had recovered his

* A crowd had already collected in front of the
31 building, and some stern looks were directed at
.5 the, man who had stained his hands with blood.
’ ‘, ,‘I'he sleuth of Puzzle Bar had learned that Bill
Blister. the victim, was a wild, drunken, good-
. . or-nothing fellow, always insulting somebody,

«I rand very da erous.
,' The man w 0 had done the shooting told his

ry to the crowd, and the solitary billiard

saver and the bartender testified that the young
ruman was drawing when killed. ‘
-‘ After this the slayer invited the crowd to tho
.har and thin few feet of the stiffening corpse
allde t his xpense.

owl'et mounted and rode to another hotel
,zhere he had his steed stabled, and prepaml to
is, sit for the night train.
;‘  He was not cntirel satisfied about the identity
“ ' 'Of the couple who iad boarded the extra and
‘73 his doubts increased when the landlord of the
Mountain Rose told him Gilt-alged Jerry the
Eureka sport had been killed some months be-
I

ere.
,i This was perplexing. and when Owlet was di-
-, to a man who would know for certain, he

cut of! with the hope of getting some substan-
i information.
“ Gilt-edged J crry dead 1” exclaimed the man
{when Owlet broached the subject nearest his
,heart. “ I guess he’s the lchliest mortalabove
ground. He was hyer to-da i"

‘tLeft on the extra, di n’t he?” inquired
bwlet.

;

  
  

  

  

“ Very likely he did. He was running of! with
a young girl from Eureka—”
“80” thought from what I gathered at the

de t.

LXI saw Jerry myself and talked with him,
but he talked about oin’ East,” the man went
on. “ I rather think e did go to Ogden.”

“You’re liable to be mistaken, though,”
ventured the Puzzle Bar shadow.

“ Do you want to catch ’em ?”

“ No. I want to make sure that the man who
left Poker City to-day with a female was the
Eureka sport; that is all.”

“ I’d bet my head on it, cap’n ” exclaimed the
man with a positivencSS that ( ispelled Owlet’s
doubts, and he went back to the Mountain Rose
pretty well satisfied.

As he walked into the small reception-room in
one corner of which was the inevitable western
bar, the landlord gave out a piece of startling
news.

“ That young cou le won’t never see ’Frisco!”
he exclaimed. “ The directors’ car has been
wrecked, thrown over the Lost Pine Bluffs-—
gone to the woodbine, engineer and all!”

Owlet started.

“ It was a dispatch." continued the landlord,
“ a dispatch from the Express that left hyer an
hour or so ago. All dead, I guess. What did
Jackson say about the young chap what j’ined
the directors hyer?”

“He said it was Gilt-edged Jerry the
Eurekan.”
“ Ha! I thought Jerry was dead.”

“ I know it!” exclaimed a broad-shouldered
man who had listened to Owlet and the landlord.
“ The reason why I know it, cap’n, is that I saw
’ini immediately after the affair.”

“Jackson says he talked with Jerr to-day,
that he was eloping with a Eureka be] e.”

“ Jackson has been hoodwinked, ha! ha!”
laughed the big man. “ A man who has been
dead for three months doesn’t run ofl.’ with young
ladies. Well I guess not.”

Owlet could not repress a smile at the contra-
dictions and confirmations he had received since
coming to Poker City.

“ But what did the dispatch say?” he asked,
turning to the landlord.

“ Not much as to iculars,” was the an-
swer. “Train of! at t Pine Bluffs, all prob-
ably dead.”

“Probably?” echoed the bonanza sleuth.
“ That war the ver word used.”
Owlet was again t rown into perplexing un-

certainty. At one time he was ou the evs of go- ,
ing back to Puzzle But, the next moment he was ,

determined to push forward.

He was determined to keep safe the secret of
the bonanza mine, and if Volcano Van had
taken it toward ’Frisco, he ought to pursue.

While the afternOon was dozing away Owlet
tried to trace the Californian and Lura into
Poker City. Nobody had seen them enter, but
more than one Irson referred to the couple
who had board the directors’ car.

Volcano Van or Gilt-edged Jerry? Which?

The enigma was perplexing.

Night came at last, and Poker Cit swarmed
with a life it did not know by day. he bronze
miners came in from the mines to spend their
rest in the various gaming dens scattered
throu bout the city. No more telegrams had
come rom the wrecked train. Owlet thought it
was because the operator was a surly fellow who
never imparted any information unless he was
in extra good humor, which just then he did not

possess.

The Puzzle Bar sleuth knew that Lost Pine
Bluffs were near a mining town of considerable
size, and he made up his mind to go thither on
the night train. If he could there learn the
identity of the couple that so puzzled him he
would either push on to San Francisco or turn

ac .

At ten o’clock he had completed his arrange-
ments, and was watching about the depot with
all the nature of the sleuth-hound aroused.

Around him Poker City was full of life, and
the voices of its motley population continually
rung in his ears.

Eleven o’clock came, then the half-hour
waned. '

In fifteen minutes the night train. if on time,
would pull in alongside the depot-hotel, and he
would quietly board it for the ride to Lost Pine
Bluffs, if not to the‘Golden City by the sen.

All at once the shriek of the locnmotive
startled Owlet. It was in the gorge beyond the
camp, and several minutes would elapse before
he could be a midnight assengcl‘.

“Grunt Cresan” and only ejaculated Owlet,
us two horses came betwomi him and the win-
dow of the bar-room. “ The man at. the Bluffs
is Gilt-edged Jerry, for yonder is Volcano
Van 1”

Already a man had slid from one of the sad-
dles and had turned to help his companion, a
young girl, down.

“We have no time to lose,” Owlet heard him
say. “ The horses—we’ll lot the pards of Poker
City take care of them. Ah! the journey home
commences here!”

The answer was an exclamation of delight by

 

the young woman

.' 4'5 i

     

9., ‘

l

'out in a blaze, was bending forward almost

within clutchin distance of his prey.

“Get to ’Frisco if you can!” he ejaculated.
“I’d like to know whar you’ve been in hiding
all this time. Afraid to take a day train, eh?
Well, I don’t blame you.”

The roar and rumble of the approaching train
was the only noise heard.

Owlet did not see it as it came dashin along,
as if it intended to ignore Poker City. 0 saw
only the man who had led the young person to-
ward the wooden platform in front of the
depot.

All at once the bonanza sleuth left his shadows

 

 

and crept forward.

“ I keep the secret safe or know why!” parted
his lips. “ Ha! ha! Volcano Van; if the depths
of the mine can’t hold you, the talons of Owlet
will try their strength!”

There was no bustling among passengers as
the train grew still, for there were none to ush
forward for precedence. Several men alig ted
in a minute, and Volcano Van helped Lura up
the stc s.

Old wlet stood near like a ti

“ I don’t caie for the girl.

r in waiting.
he can go back

' to Coloncl Bolt or Xenophon Zook, as he used to

be. I want the California bonanza-hunter and
I’ve got ’im now!"

The next moment the bonanza sleuth executed

a nick move forward.

he conductor who had just consulted with
the operator concerning the accident to the di-
rectors’ train had called out “ All abroad,” Hid
Volcano Van had reached the first step.

In the space of a. flash the hand of Owlet fell
upon Volcano Van’s arm, and the nextsecond
he was jerked back with tigerish em hams.

“What means this?” cried the alifornian,
wheeling upon his assailant.

“ Business!” and then he caught sight of Ow-
let and his blazing eyes.

“ Ho! it is my old friend Owlet!” be ex-
claimed. “ I am going back to ’Frisco—”

“ Now i”

“ On, this train, Owlet.”

“We’ll see about that!” came through the
watch-dog’s teeth. “ The girl can go alonel
Volcaiio Van, you will remain behind for a
s ll.

pThe train started at this moment and Volcano
Van felt the fingers of Owlet sink deeper into
his arm. '

He lunged forward almost throwing the moun-
tain detective of! his feet.

“ M grip is death 1” laughed Owlet. “It
holds tter than the bonanza mine!”

Then began a stru gle which from the onset
was desperate. Neit er could draw their wea-
pons; it was arm against arm, man to man.

The train was gaining speed; but it could be
caught by a good\run down the track.

Suddenly Owlet was charged with an im-
petuo/sity perfectly irresistible. All the stren h
of Volcano Van was in the new tactics and e
fresh assault. Owlet went back, he tripped,
wavered, and his hold relaxed!

The next moment he was shaken loose, and
then the clinched hand of the Californian was
lifted.

Owlet tried to avoid the blow, but swish! the
hand struck him fairly in the face, and he reeled
awa !
lecano Van let slip a 'cry of victory and
turned toward the train. Like a young stag be
bounded down the track, and thanks to his en-
durance and speed he caught the guard and
drew himself u .

“The secon time! By heavens! the‘man is
a bummer. I have waited all da for what?—
A broken nose and empty hands! can go back
to Puzzle Bar. Mebbe I’m needed thar. J ehosa-
phat! I feel like riding rough shod over the
world.”

Of course the speaker was Owlet'and when he
turned away with a wl the Night Express
was s ing toward Frisco.

He ad found Volcano Van and had lost him.

“Now,” grated Owlet as he walked moodin
toward the Mountain Rose, “if Bowie Bart has
failed to obey my commands I’ll discipline him.
The bonanza secret is rushing toward ’Frisco,
but the mine is ours still. Something tells me
that I'm needed at the Bar.”

“ You ar’. cap’n,” exclaimed a voice, and a
man reached the sleuth’s side. “I am ’ust in
from the camp. Bowie Bart is king, Ma ge has
saved Nevada Nat, and—~”

“ I’m off for Puzzle Bar!” cried Owlet.

.——...

CHAPTER XXXV.
A MAN FOR THE HOUR.

Sons hours after these events a grim-looking
man rode quietly into bonanza camp.

Another day had just departed and the Golden
Fleece was enjoying a rush of custom which was
keeping Nantez busy. _ .

\ ithout ceremony we will inform the reader
that the rider just mentioned was the Sleepless

6.
)Owlet had ‘come back from his perplexing ad-
ventures at Poker City, and empty-handed, too.
The man who had ridden al the way from
Buule Bar to tell him about Bowie Bart s usur

Owlet, with his dehp, dark eyes readyto break patios, Madge’s temporary triumph and a few ,

   
 

   

 

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i J) King’ of Puzzle

' mind. He shut his hands with stem emphasis as b
 they and when he threw up his head l avenge him let'himstep fort !” z
1, Owletwajtedfat’ Whack.
.w _ i x : z.

4 .) r. ». Hum], .-.' " . i
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Volcano, the ’Frisco Spy. 1

K. M .a. . . ‘2,

2'7

 

 

had remained behind, as if he had l
himself among the toughs he had

“ Where are the traitors?” he asked, and his
lips Were scarcely stirred b the syllables.

“The boys are at the Go den Fleece.”

“ And Bowie

“ I left him thar.”

“Madge, my child, after this affair, you shall
. have help.” continued Owlet, taming to the girl.

“ You don’t want to miss the play,” was the

nick response. “ They are all for the new king

ere.”

“ We will see how they stand in an hour from
now. Will you go down, Hillia‘rd ?”

The giant of Puzzle Bar hesitated.

other things
feared to risk
betrayed.
Owlet had an eye for everything as he came
down the narrow street betWeen the cabins. He
saw the lighted window of the Golden Fleece and
heard a boisterous laugh which seemed to tell
him what was trans iring inside. .
“ The girl first, guess she knows all,” mut-
tered Owlet and soon after his return he opened 1
the door of Madge’s abode. _ ‘
“ Captain Owlet, you are Just too late,” she
exclaimed as the penetrating eyes of the bonanza
sleuth found her. I “ Ah! I seel You don’t want to compromise
“ Too late for what i” ! yourself. That is right, Hilliard. I wouldn’t
“ For the burial," ansWered Madge. i have you do it for the bonanza itself. Do they
“ King Romeo is under round, then 3" l know I am in camp?”
“ Yes. It was done to- ay.” l “ They sus icion.”
Owlet came forward. \ g “ The wilrknow before long,” smiled Owlet.
“What about the living?” he asked. “ Who is I The ’ollowing moment with a wave of his
kin of Puzzle Bar?” l hand he walked away, leaving Hilliard and
“ hey have acknowledged Bowie Bart.” l Mad e alone.
“ Gold Grip with the rest ?” l “ is entrance will be the signal fora volley!”
“Yes.” . cried the girl, springing to Hilliard’s side. “ N0
“ By Jehu! I thought he’d stand the racket,” , one man can overthrow the kingdom of Puzzle
owled Owlet. “Madge, I hear that you inter- 3 Bar. A hand of iron cannot crush this rebel-
ered again?” lion.”
“ I (lid. I ot a stay of two days.” replied the “ Let him try it.” exclaimed Hilliard. looking
girl. a flash 0 ride lighting up her eyes. “ Ne-  down into the girl’s face. ‘ “I saw him crush a
vada Nat shall) not swing for a deed he never mutiny worse than this.”
did. For once CaptainOwlet accused the wrong I “ But not here.”
man.” , “No. It was years ago, but Owlet has lost
“ You can say that with impunity,” exclaimed l none of his ower, none of his courage."
the bronze sleuth a slight smile at his lips. ' Nevada. adge went to the door and looked
“ The wrong man, Madge? Who is the right out.
one?” . “ Somebody just lided awa ,” she exclaimed,
“ Caliban.” coming back to H iard. “ e was at the win-
“ Ah! the toad we have harbored for years; dow.”
the hunchback King Romeo kept in camp under “ Mebbe it was Caliban.” smiled Hilliard.
the plea that dwarfs are good luck! You want “ I hope it was,” answered the girl. “ I shall
to find Caliban, my child?” 've myself no rest until I have given the mur-
“ He shall be found! The Satanic imp shall glerer of King Romeo up to justice.”
stand between Nat and the mountain rope. You At this moment a few ards from the cabin
have come back to find him for me, haven’t you, stood a dwarfish figure With a pair of brilliant
Ca tain Owlet?” eyes fastened on the window.
he detective drew back and looked at her. “She is as pretty as ever, and Caliban will
" Me find Caliban to prove that I have made the mountain jewel over all the hunters.
a mistake?” he ejaculated. “ Why, this would She heard him run awa , but she does not know
disgrace me for life l” that the toad of Puzzle ar as she calls him is
‘ Very well! then I will find the dwarf my- about to claim his queen.”
lf.” These words from the figure in the dark were
“ You, Madge?” and before the girl could an- supplemented by a laugh full of victory, and a
figdhe caught her arm. " Where is Nat?” he moment later the spot was deserted.

Meantime one of the coolest men in the gold
“ He has been here all day. I have told him country was walking toward the Golden Fleece.

to sta . The trails about Puzzle Bar I have He seemed in a hurry to reach the saloon yet

hun for myself. I came in just awhile ago.” he did not push forward with any undue haste.
“ Out after Caliban?” Walking straight to the door he pushed it open
“ Out after Caliban.” and stepped into the light.

“ Do you expect to find the hunchback in the
vicinity of his crime, calling him guilty 1”

“I do not know," answered Madge, and then
quickly continued: “ If, as you have said, the
food had a passion for me would he go far?"

Old Owlet could not reply before a light rap
sounded on the door and the girl weht forward
With a quick glance at him.

Owlet stepping back among the shadows got a

limpse of a figure in dark shirt and a banded

t.
d “ What is it, Hilliard?” asked the girl at the
oor.
“They say Owlet has come back,” was the
re ly. “ I came to ask if you have seen him.”
The girl did not betray the gold camp watch
who almost touched her. .
“ Why do you ask, Hilliard 1" she went on.
“ They want to find him."

A dozen men Were at the bar, a few occupied
the bles in the middle of the place, but all
saw im at once.

“ Captain Owlet l" exclaimed nearly every
man, but there was one who did not speak.

It was toward this silent person who stood
erect at the counter that Owlet walked, but not
with his eyes fixed upon him.

“What’ll you sample, captain?” asked Nantez
as Owlet came alongside.

There was no answer, for the next second the
left hand of the bonanza sleuth caught Bowie
Bart’s wrist and he leaned forward with a him
on his tongue.

“ Rebel! traitor! you’re no longer King 0’
Puzzle Bar!” he cried. “.Hunt a crown else-
whar, or leave the camp you can never run!”

The cry that parted Bowie Bart’s lips sounded
like the roar of a wounded lion.

“ Who do?” . Owlet." pushed him from him and then threw
“ The new king and his council.” his hand toward his hip. At the same moment
“ Why?” the hand of Bart sought his belt.

“ Didn’t Owlet post Gold Grip’s proclamation,
and don’t they know that if he comes back King
Bart’s reign may not be prosperous? We can’t
hold the camp together under Bart. . In less
than twenty-four hours. unless something hap-
pens,\the bonanza secret will be on its way to
the four quarters of the compass for the men
are oing to leave.”

“ re you for Owlet!"

“I am for keeping the secret.”

The next moment Owlet stepped forward and
confronted Hilliard. who greet/ed him with an
exclamation of astonishment.

" The king wants me, does he?” he said calm- deadly revolver.

l , but plainly through his teeth. “ lVell, Under a table where he had dropped with a
wlet wants the king!” thud lay the usur r of Puzzle Bar.

“ You don’t want to push things,” answered The toughs loo ed at Old Owlet with flashes
.the giant sport cautiously. “ There are bfit four of indignation. A spark would set off the mag
men in Puzzle Bar who are not ready to cheer azinc for many a bronze finger rested nervously
when Bart’s hat goes up.” , . on the trigrgcr, I,

“ Does the estimate include Hilliard?” “ Gentlcmcn 0’ Puzzle Bar, we must keep the

The sport answered with a bow. bonanza secret safe,” continued the guardian.

For a moment the sleuth of the mountain camp “ The king 0‘ the camp must be a man who has
Seemed to weigh affairs in silence- no ambition beyond that. Before long we will

The secret was more than ever at stake; the have to stand shoulder to shoulder in‘a common
mine which he had guarded for years was to be cause. The spy who came from ’Frisco has gone
run by a man whose sole ambition was to rule back.” And Owlet ground his teeth over his
and make money. ‘ failure at Poker City. “ Give the assurance that

“ Without Bowie Bart we can successfull there shall be no more usurpations of authority
fl t the ’F'risco lea e and save the secret. Wit here. and the war will be carried to ’Frisco and
ar. the secret is lost.” fought out there single-handed by Captain Ow-
two sentences formed rapidly in Owlet’s let of Puzzle Barl Duty demanded the death 0’
Bowie Bart. If he has a 1' end who wants to

The following second the two men straightened
on the floor, and then came the shot! '

A shot and a cry, then a man pitching against
the wall. ;

“I had to do it,” said Owlet under the lifting
smoke... “The bonanza secret must be kept at
all hazards!” __

CHAPTER XXXVI.
UNCONQUERED.

COOL and collected before the startled deni-
zens of the gold—camp stood the mountain sleuth,
the fingers of his right hand still encircling the

 

        

Silence "was the answer
. ' V ._ l

atHilliardhewasmorethannady.
‘3‘ i I . v ! l r .» up.“ -.~_ :
We; .'.

 

 

the counter with the semblance of a smile at
his lips.

For several minutes the stillness was not
broken, but all at once the voice of a man rung
out in the crowd.

“The bonanza first, boys! We must save it
in s ite of the new king’s death!”

The next moment the crowd moved forward
and when he looked into the eyes before him
Pigs: knew that his desperate play had not

ai . .

“ I guess I won the play,” he ejaculated, open-
ing the door of Madge’s cabin a few minutes
later. “ The boys-—”

He paused abruptly, for‘Madge was not pres-
ent to greet him; the little cabin was empty.

OWIet walked away and went over to Gold
Grit’s abode.

“ I know all,” said the sport. “ You played a
bold hand with the chances against you. But
the secret is safe.”

“ Safe! There will be no rebellion, and the
men who had been won over to Bowie Bart will
stay. But Nevada Nat must stand trial. The
two days granted him for Madge‘s sake end to-
inorrow.”

“ The man is innocent!” exclaimed Gold Grip.

Owlet made no answer.

“ I see. You don’t want it said that you ever
made a mistake, nor that you ran down the
wrong man. Captain Owlet, I found under
King Romeo’s cot more documents than his last
proclamation.”

“ Wha ar’ they?”

Gold rip walked to his brassvbound chest in
one kcorner of the cabin and took out a small

‘ et.

“ You are not to burn these papers as you did
the others,” he continued, coming forward.
“ You must promise me that first?”

“ I do,” answered Owlet. “ Those papers
shall not touch the flame,” and be thrust his
hand across the table for the packet held by the
miner.

“ Look at that one first,” remarked Gold
Grip, extending a paper. “Remember, as you
read, that Romeo and l were brothers.”

For a minute Owlet read in silence then he
looked up suddenly.

“Great heavens! did you know this before?”
he exclaimed.

“ 1 have suspected it,” was the answer.

“ So have I. When Selden the Southwest
rancher was killed years ago the crime was ut
on the shoulders of two men—Captain Xenop on
Zook. and the boss of our camp.”

“ What did you think, Owlet!” asked Gold

Gri .

“xi tho t then that Zook was the man. but
lon since changed my mind. Xenophon Zook
dri ted around for some years and finally set-
tled down in ’Frisco where as Colonel Bolt be is
president of the Gold Eagle Bank, and the man
who wants the secret of our bonanza."

“ What became of Mrs. Selden and her chil-
dren. the two little girls?”

Gold Grip’s voice betrayed his deep curiosity.

“ The mother is dead; the children—what! is

it possible that. you saw no resemblance when-

they were together liver!”
A cry burst from Gold Grip’s throat.
“ I see it now! Lura Bolt and Madge of Put-i
zle Bar—”
“ Are the children of Selden the rancher who
was killed by King Romeo 1”
G 'f There shall be restitution,” ejaculated Gold
ri .

p
“Restitution of What kind ?” cried Owlet lean- ,

 

ing forward as he crushed the paper in his ' " '

hand. .

“ I see now that the location of our mine was
one of Selden’s secrets, the one which probably
cost him his life,” the Nevada sleuth went on.

“ King Romeo ’would never tell where he got the .

old diagram which gave us the clew.”
“ He tells it in these papers,” cried Gold Grip,
holding up the packet.

“ Before he died be con- ’

 

teases to all, to the crime that orphaned tho'f

rancher’s children. to the theft of the diagram,
and even to attempts to direct suspicion against
Xeno on Zook. Owlet, we can’t keep the ac-
curset thing. The bonanza 0’ Puzzle Barbe-
longs not to 113—” * ’

Hush!” thundered the bonanza sleuth. “ You ‘

forget that I am enlisted for life! You forget

that a man is lying dead among the tables of the 
Golden Fleece, that the secret was considered in 

peril when I killed him there!

upyet. I stand by it to the last.”

Gold Grip, unmoved by Owlct’s fierce outburst.

“It belongs to the men who hold it!” was the ‘
“Old Owlet stands between the bo--
nanza secret and the man who would render it .

answer.

val-Jeless to Puzzle Bar Blood has been shed for,

it, and I havefrlvm the best years of my life to I 
t shall not be given up: not while, ,
wlet has cunning left, not while he has an arm _
to defend it! Shall I appeal to the pards of 
Puzzle Bari What do they care for the heirs of
a man they have never heard of? Give Madge "

rding it.

We don‘t give it . ‘
It belongs to the children of Selden,” said ,

 

the life of Nevada Nat: that will satisfy herl 

She’d sooner catch Caliban than walk into full:

possession of the golden secret.” _
on Owletthnew the paper on the table .lma

"Try—.w-iW—v.’ _-...V ..  .Ac.‘ .,.
1-..; _- .... .... . ... . .r

w.

‘.\.-,-‘: ;,

—.‘. ‘—

V '<‘ <, ‘ z). . 1‘ ‘
‘.Iw v.._.,_g_.._ ...,._ "s “a

“‘1ng

“K;

,- ‘57..”— .»z-. . .

a . ,.
_.. .mgvghrx



 -2.»

.t‘

v ‘ \
‘p‘sa‘f:

'. 

..

., g.

x

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z



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,3. . ..

W.  ° "I;



y

x

3.;

 

28

.»--~7._-.7._—~.~.a. 4.....~_—~-...1..-_ -_ ...~ .:‘§..‘...r_’ .-.-'_:_...'- h “*ci

i Volcano, the ’Frisco Spy.

 

“You three brothers have had singular
careers l" he went on with a smile. “ You and
Romeo have profited by the death of the man

who died years ago because he was supposed to .
have a lot of valuable papers. The younger -‘

brother turns up as the agent?y of Colonel
Belt, and his mission is to flu out the big
bonanza secret. It is stranger than fiction eh,
Gold Gri )? I do not wonder that you stood by
Volcano Ian when my traps menaced him.
Blood is thicker than water, ha, ha! Now you
would giVe up the secret; you want to sur-

render it to two irls who can live without it. .

Owlet says no! e holds in his hands the cards
that can win against the biggest odds. The men
of Puzzle Bar are at his back. The secret is to
be fought for if Colonel Bolt turns a lot 0’ ’Frisco
tigers loose on us!
than one trail out 0’ Puzzle bar. If you cannot
stay with the future I have pictured before you,
you can depart.”

miner.

“ Which means the throwng up 0' the hand
:we’ve held for years. and the abandonment 0’
the Bar to the foe! No! when you men, as the

Branded Seven, took Old Owlet from his moun- .

tain shanty where he was happy and made him
the watch-dog and defender of the bonanza secret,
you changel his nature. for life! Tho man who
gives out the secret or who turns his back on
the Seven must feel the hand of the life—long
sleuth!”

Owlet was at the donr as the last word fell
from his lips.

Gold Grip gave him a look full of resentment
and feelin .

“ Ah!
.Golden Fleece!” cried a man who reached the
sleuth’s side as he left the cabin.

“What has happened there?”

“The girl, Madge! She has found Caliban,
the dwarf. Awhile ago she dragged the Ser-
pent-eyed imp into the house and told us that
she had found the murderer 0’ King Romeo.”

Old Owlet uttered a cry and bounded away.

As he came in sight of the square in front of :
the famous resort he saw lights and a surging I

crowd.

Several shouts of recognition greeted him as l

he came up.

“ Look yonder! I found him and they took
him from me!” cried a voice as a hand closed on
his own and he threw a look down into the face
of Nevada Madge.

dan l from the lynchers’ limb. and in the
circ e made by the crowd.
“That is Caliban!” cried Owlet.

“ It is the toad of Puzzle Bar—the right man, 1
‘; with the mar er of Selden, the Arizona rancher,
look as he went

as on know, Captain Owlet!”
wlet‘s eyes got a satisfied
forward.

“ 0h, he confessed, cap’n!" exolaimed a dozen
voices. “We took ’im from the girl and give
”im ther noose.”

A minute later the sleuth of Puzzle Bar stood
at the irl’s side.

“ W r did you find him?”

“ Prowling about like a wolf. I stole a march
on him and forced him into the Golden Fleece.
The Wronged man shall not be tried now. ”

“ He shall not," answered Owlet, and' he
walked away.

“ 1 shall now make the secret forever safe l”
he exclaimed.
dare not!”

That same night a man on horseback rode
Westward, from Puzzle Bar. He was alone, and
his countenance cold and stern told that he was
on one of the most important missions of his

6.

taward ‘Frisco.

CHAPTER XXXVII.
FOLLOWED To run: END.

ON. still on!

There seemed no rest for the rider of the lithe-
limbed steed that cantered out of Puzzle Bar
and left it and the bonanza mine behind.

No re »t from the saddle till Poker City was
reached, and then it was a leap from the stir-
r ' to the platform of the ’F‘risco Express.

“This time there was no Bill Blister to declare
that Gilt edged Jerry and his sweetheart had
boarded the train, no doubts about the seen-
gfrs of the directors’ train and no tuss 0 with
olcano Van at the de t.
y We can push ahe a little in our romance

and inform the reader that the ’Frisco agent-
apbrt reached the Gold Ea le Bank in safety,
and that Lure. was restor
lhome.

But Owlet was still on the trail and the time
was near for the sleuth of Puzzle liar. the Sleep-
less Eye of N evada. to play his last card.

Colonel Bolt was delighted; he had reason to
congratulate himself, for the third spv sent to
the dangerous ground had come back alive—
not only alive, but with Lura and the secret!

Gra Gid, the banker's partner, was also in
good umor. He saw just ahead new riches,
and another turn at the wheel of fortune.

He had reached it all by no risk of his own;

The man was Owlet, and his face was turned :

 

Gold Grip, there is more:

aptain Owlet, they want you at the l

 

The egirl was pointing toward a body that:

. schemer despite his position. and a fit compan-

ste
' ‘PHe never goes back! By the eternal heavens!
~ he remains in 'Frisco, and the secret he brought

“Gold Grip will do nothing—he ‘

to Colonel’s Bolt’a

 

I UV,-

. Volcano Van the man of his selection, had
1 raked the

olden chestnuts from the fire! ‘
Gideon alt did not see the man who saw him ‘
emerge from the Gold Eagle Bank, one da not
long after Owlet’s last departure from zzle
Bar. When he started up-town he had a man

4 at his heels a human watch—dog, with restless

eyes and noiseless step.

It was getting late in the afternoon, and Gid-
eon kept on until he was stopped by a man with
whom he began to talk.

The human trailer came up unpcrceived, and
by using the arts of the practiced detective he
managed to hear something which interested
him.

“ We set out day after tomorrow ” said
Gray Gid to his friend. “ Of course under the
leadership of Volcano Van, who has discovered
the secret.”

“ What if Volcano Van should die before that

v, time?”
“All I ask is justice, Owlet,” answered the'
‘ Gideon Gait.

we can’t think of that I” "cried
“ The secret he ferreted out is
his secret now. He is keeping it until we reach
the battle-ground.”

“ Hasn’t he imparted it to Colonel Bolt?” J

“ No. I have seen the diagram he has of the
mine, but the location of the bonanza he holds
himself.”

“ Where is he?”

“ Sometimes at the colonel’s where he seems to
have taken a fancy to the girl he brought back, 

“ Heavens!

‘ and sometimes on the street.”

“ He runs some risk. 1 should say.”

“ Not much risk to the chances he took when
he went to Puzzle Bur. I guess the camp ferret, I
Owlet, won't try to play any card here."

The man who was listening to these Words let
a c- nical smile appear at the corners of his lips,
am when he walked off it broadened there.

“ Day after tomorrow, eh?" he muttered.
“ I haven’t struck ’Frisco too soon. They are to ‘
come down on the bonanza likea pack 0’ wolves
and Volcano Van is to show them the wealth I ,
have sworn no man outside of the Seven shall 2
ever touch. Will he guide them back? Will i
they open the bonanza and turn Puzzle Bar into "
Colonel Bolt’s bank? We shall see!”

Gideon Galt had made no foolish assertion !
when he said that Volcano Van, the Californian :
s rt, had found the banker’s home an attrac- 
tive place. Perhaps it was because Lura had
bright eyes and a pleasin voice. We know it
was not because the ban or had sent him into
tha‘gaws of death for gain.

0 hours went by on airy Wing to the ouug
sport. and the time was near at hand for im to
lead a picked company over the trail for a final
tussle for the Nevada mine.

There were pers out. charging King Romeo

and with the theft of the original diagram of the
mine. It was also said that the bonanza be-
longed to Lura, now openly declared to be Sel-
den's child, and while Colonel Bolt said that the
crusade was to be taken in her interests, it was
in reality in his own. For Butler Bolt was 9.

ion of Gideon Galt. the gentleman tough.
For some time keen eyes had watched the
banker’s house, and Volcano Van’s every foot-
had been persistently dogged.

from Puzzle Bar he shall keep forever !”
Old Owlet said this, and the spy of Nevada
was not powerless in the gold-coast city.

 

“ So we go tomorrow ni ht. eh i” asked a man
who glided up to Volcano an and accested him
near the entrance to the Occidental Hotel.

The agent-s art looked a , him, and saw a per-
son with a ful black beard, nd well dressed.

“ Ah! on don’t know me? Well, mebbe not." ,
continu the speaker. “ I’m one o’ Colonel !
Bolt’s picked pa rds. You are. Volcano Van, the
man who is to lead us. Are you certain thar ar’
no black sheep in the flock cap’n’!”

“ I ought to he." smiled an.

“Wal. I hope ye‘r’ right. but I don’t kn0w,”
replied the man, doubtiugly.

‘What do you knowi’

“ N ot hyer mph,” and the speaker lowered
his voice. “ If We could find a quiet place—”

“ Come to my room!”

Volcano Van led the man to his room on the
fourth floor.

He had seen all the men who had been picked
for the enterprise. and there were a dozen with
black beards and bright eyes like this one.

Volcano Van reached up to turn on the gas
after he crossed the threshold of the room.

All at once the man leaped at him and clutch-
ed his throat.

“ The game ends in ’Frisco. Volcano Van!”
hissed a! voice. as he was borne hack. “ You es-
caned me at Poker City, but I hold you hyer!”

It was Owlet!

The thought flashed through the sport’s mind
before he touched the wall.

Nobody heard the struggle in the dark room;
nobody saw the foes who writhed back and forth
over the soft carpet now Owlet uppermost, now
Volcano Van claiming the mastery.

More than the Nevada bonanza was in the
scales. Life itself was the prize.

 

At last a man rose panting from the floor.

He stood erect a moment, then staggered
across the room and threw up the window.

For several moments he stood there, inhaling
the fresh air that came up from the bay, then he
walked back and held a match over a man
stretched on the carpet.

“ A tiger in human skin!” he ejaculated, when

‘ he saw that the prostrate man was breathin .

“I guess the bonanza secret has been doub y
earned.”

He locked the door behind him when he went
out, and, a few minutes later, two police came
and picked up a half-senseless person.

The victor in the struggle went down on the
street and walked rapidly away.

He was not followed.

As for the man left behind. he was revived at

‘ the police station, where somebody called him

Owlet, of Puzzle Bar.
h_“ Where is he?” asked Owlet, glaring about
1m.
“The man who fought you at the Occiden-
47
“‘5: Yes...
“ He walked away, apparently unhurt.”
The lips of the sleuth quivered with suppressed

emotion. -

“After all, failure !” he muttered. “After
ears of sworn uardianship the secret is lost!
Jet them take t e bonanza, but may they in-

gent with it the curse of Old Owlet, of Puzzle
ar!"

That night nobody watched the man who was
ke t at the station charged with deadly assault.

n the morning some one found him lying on
his face in the cell.

In one of the stiffened bands was a piece of
iron. and its sharp point had traced 0n the floor
this one sentence:

“ Owlet never survives defeat!”

Thus in the night, in the heart of ’Frisco, when
no man watched, died at the end of his last
game, the Sleepless Eye of the mountains!

 

it was Volcano Van’s fortune to lead the
picked men to Puzzle Bar, where they accomv
Blished their purpose with little trouble, for

wlet being no more, the mountain pal‘ds had
no one to lead them, and Gold Grip’s influence
was against bloodshed.

It was then fully known that Mad e was
Lura’s own sister, and the pards at the or de-
clared that she should share equally with the
banker’s ward.

In the course of time the queen of the camp
became Nevada Nat’s wife, and the handsome
man who went into the jaws of death with the
chances against him, led Lura Selden to the
a tar.

There came a time when Red Crest, the red
miner, came back to Puzzle Bar for revenge but
he found Volcano Van in charge there, an ' no-
bod for him to fight.

T e bonanza turned out to be worth playin
for. It still further enriched Colonel Bolt an
Gray Gid, and made the longsse rated sisters
happ , but nobody connected wit it has forgot—
ten t e terrible espionage of the Sleepless Eye.

THE END.

 

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BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER.

15 The Sea-Cat; or, The Witch of Darlen.
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150 Lance and km; or, Thu Children of the Chaco.
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885 The Tiger Tamer; or, The League of tho Jungls.
881 Black Nick, the Demon Rlilar.
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HY HI'CKSKIN’ SAM (Major Sam. S. Hall.)

884 Oidkllocky’a “lioyees;” or, Health, the Young Horso-
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248 Giant George; or, The Ang‘l oitho Range.
275 Arizona Jack; or, Giant Goorgs's Pard.
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898 Romeo and the Reds; or, The Belosguarod Ranch.
404 Little Lariat; or. Prcan Pete’s Big Rampage.
414 The Daisy frol- Dem er.
427 The Three Trailers; or, Old Rocky on tho Ramps”.
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BY EDWARD “'ILLETT.

167 Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy.

199 Featherweight, the Boy Champion of tho Mmhin‘nm.
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288 The Typo Detective; or, Wanna], the Boy Tramp.
’95 Fearless Phil; or, The King of Quarizvillo.

811 The Roving Sport; or, The Pride of Chuckaluck Camp.
88. NeIno, the Detective; 0r, Kit Konyon‘s Vondotia.
840 Clip, the Contortionist; or, The Montana Vigilan

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860 Silver-Mask. the Man of Myltery.

869 Shanta, the Gold King; or, For sues Years Dead.

420 'llq‘he Detectives Apprentice; or, A 30, WNW. .
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424 Clbut- John; or, Red-Hot T.mea at Auto Bar.
“9 Sandy Sans, the Street Scout.

48? Disco Dan. the Daisy Dude.

490 Broadway Billy. the Boothack Bravo,

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‘97 Bob 0’ the Bowery: or, The m... «Mulberry 3m».
415 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bow", 3.5:. Boon.
458 llotspur Bob. the Street-Boy Dana".

460 The Lawyer’s Shadow; 0:, Luhy. hm.

418 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King.

494 Surly Sin, the Young Ferryman Dotoctivo.

BY CAPT. MARK WILTON.

856 Young Kentm-k; or, The Red Lasso.
870 Bil-lard Ben; or, The Riot at Kano Camp.
888 Josh. the Boy Tenderfoot.

BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID.

78 Blue Dick; or, The Yellow Chief’s Vengeance.

81 The Land Pirates; or, The Loans of Dorll's island.
18? The Helpless "and; or, Backwoods Retribution.
889 The Gold-seeker Guide; or, Tho Lost Mountain.

BY BRACEBRIDGE HEHYNG.

89 [.I.||d Jim; or. The Pet oltho Family.
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BY GEORGE WALDO BROWN]: \

88 Dandy Rock, the Man from Texas.
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54 Ned Hazel, the Boy Trapper.

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70 (lid Zip's Cabin; or, The Greenhoru in tho Woods.

81 Lightning Jo, the Terror oi the Prairie.

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8O Roaring Ralph Rockwood, the Ranger.

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185 Captain Paul; or, The Buy Spy of the Mountains.
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485 Git Thar Owney, the l'nknown.
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194 Bull'an Bi-ll'l Bet; or, The Gambler Guido.

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50 Burt Bunker, the Trapper.
58 The “'hite Buifaio. A Tale of the North‘s... .

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97 The Outlaw Brothers; or, Tho Captive oitho H.”

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801 Leadvilie Nick, tho Boy Sport.
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888 Brimstone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Qurtola.
888 Tombstone Tons. the Arisons Boy or “Sand.”
859 IInranm. "nu'. the Y um: ‘hmn- .nn “Miler.
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840 Rapier Raphael; or, The Swords-son aim

881 Kid-Glove Kit, the Dandy of the Rockies.

898 Kid-Glove Kit and Pard; or, Tho Gold King.

400 a; lad Man-Banter; or. Tbs Ilystory a! Cola.

 

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815 Ned, the Cabin Boy.
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127 Wild-Fire. the Boss of the Road.

140 Blue Blazes; or, The Break 0’ Day Boys of“, b
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185 Evil Eye; or, The Vultures o! the Rio Glands.

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BY IIARR Y HAZARD.

888 Arkansaw Jack ; or, The Scourge of tho Mines.
889 Red-Skin Ton; or, The Damon’s Trail.
848 The Mountain Devil; or, Yellow Jack, tho On“

BY COL. A. I". HOLT.

899 Black Buckskin; or, The Maskod Man a!“ Ca”
41’ Kenneth, the Knife-King.
“5 Little Lighti'oot, tho Pilot ‘ the Woods.

BY J. W. OSBON. '

488 The Rival Giants ofNowhar'. \
498 Cactus Barr, tho Man from Hard Lack.

BY FREDERICK DEWEY.

818 Cilnarron Jack, the King-Pin oi Rina-Shots.
478 Tange-und, the Desert Detective.

MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS.
4 Hunters. B) Capt. Mayo. “a ‘
9 Adventures oi’ Baron Munchausen.
12 Gulliver’a Travels. By Dan ~wiit.
14 Aladdin; or, The “'onderful Lamp.
16 Robinson Crusoe. (21 Illustrations.)
18 Slndbad the Sailor. His Seven Voysa'eo.
28 Lhei Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusos. DyJ‘
W I.
88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of -7
Carribees. By S. W. Pierca.
86  Boy Clown; or, The Queen of tho Arena. 8, Frank
111).

88 Ned W'ylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack.
61 Tchle Boy Rifles; or, Tho Underground Camp. Dy Archb-
. runs.

05 The Rival Rovers; or, Tho Freebooterl of tho Mississippi.
By Utah-Col. Haultlna.

98 Robin Hood, the Outlawed Earl: or, The Merry Men oi‘Grosa-
wood. By Prof. Gilderslosva.

105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By w
Hamilton Holmes. .

118 The Mad Hunter; or, The Cave of Death. By BurtoaSsan.
I“ EDDY. the Texan; or, Tho Young (Man-mica. By Goon.
88801.1.

188 The Youn Privateer; or, Tbs Plrato’a Stronghold. Dy
Harry Csvo iah.

148 flh-rp 3...; or, The Adventures ofa Friesdlosa Boy. 8, J.
Aisxander Patten. -

8.7 Dusky Darrell. Trs per: or. The Green Ranger oi thoYol-
low-tone. By Edward non.

M1  Fearnaught, the Now York Boy, 3, an," I.
l on.
866 Rillb‘ar the Guide or Da c k tt’
By EnailJC. D. “'arren} ’ v, M ° I Crooked 'I‘r‘.

898 Red Claw the One-Eyed Trapper, or, The Mad oltho 03'.
By Captain omstock.

81'! Peacock Pete. the Lively Lad from Loadvillo. ByLIso-V

tenant Aiirod Thorns.

888 The Sky Detective; or, A Boy’s tight hr Lil'ssadllonsn.
By Mayor Mickey Free.

850 Red Ralph. the River Rover; or, Tho Brother‘s Bo-
vonn. By Nod Buntlina.

888 Balti-ore Ben, the Bootblack Dotoctivo. By A. P. m
814 goal-Dost Ton; or, Ben’a Donbls Hatch. By Goal-[o 11.
878 California Joe’s First Trail. By Colonol no.
Hoyt-r Mons '.

an Billy Bo—hsheil. ch. cur Clinhor. By I: s. Wintth
“0 Little Foxi‘oot, the Gold Bowl. Kid. ByArtinn C. Ch.
878 The Black Ship. By John 8. Warner.

884 lUgo-antic Dick and His Three Invineihloa. H

an 1. atlas.
488 The Din-old Sport; 0r, Tho Donhlo has oiled lath.
By Win. 0. Patton.
A New Isone Every Today.

The Half-Dino Library is for salo by oil Mb
mum,¢~atbymdl on roosiptolsixosntaoaeh.
BRAD“ AID ADAXI. Plum
’8 Willia- sums, New Y‘.

.. m..-.. «e... .. W-.~-......'.., .r -'-—

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as High [lat Barry

.( BEADLE’S*HALF-DIMErLIBRARY.

Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers.

 

 

, BY ED‘VARD L. “’ll I'IELER.
l Deadwood Dlr-lr, the Prime of the Road.
20 Double Daggera; or, Duilwood Dicll’l Defiance
L'il Clove" lluoi’, liu- lsulhilu Demon.
28 Bull'ala lien: or. l)wllil\V0iIIl Dirk in Disguise.
82 "oh Woolf; <-r, ’I'ii. um [trail-Shut.
85 ‘51“! It'ltn, ilw: lin,’ (ilziude “null.
39 Dentin-Pure. llallfcllb‘l'; or, Die in New York.
4% Phantom Elinor; 0r. llvndwm-d Dick’s bonanza.
45 Did Avulnnche; or. Wilxl Ednn, the Girl ilrigaud.
49 Olnflha I)“; or. Deadwood Dirk in Danger.
53 Jim Kind «)0. Jr.. the Boy Phenix.
5K Deadwood Dick'u Eagle»; or, The Pardl of Flood Bar.
Cl, lluckllorn “III; or, The lied liille Team.
69 Gnld lililv, Um sharpshooter; or. The Boy Dhrtive.
73 Deadwood Dlvk on Deck: nr. Calamity June, the lloroina.
7‘! ordm-oy (‘hurlle or. ilemlwoml lliv-k‘n Lint Act.
80 mbuil L'th or, 'ugget hell. tllu Knight.
84 ldyl. the (-‘Irl dinner; or, anhud Rob Oil "and.
88 Phctu raph Phil} or, Rnaebml Rob‘l Rennpeamnro.
9. Cana a (fillet; or. Olil Auntomla in Sitting Hull's Camp.
96 \Vatch- Eye: or, Arab! and Angels of u. Grout City.
100 Deadwood Dir-k in Leadvillo.
104 Deadwood "Ick'n "oi lee: or, Tho Double Crou Sign.
109 Deadwood Dick n- Detective.
113 Jack Iloi'le the Young Spo-rulutur.
117 Gilt-Edged Diok. tlw Sp url Detective.
1.1 Cinnamon Chip, the (hrl Sport.
185 Bonanza Bill. Miner.
fiwood Dick‘s Double: or. The Gboot o! Gorgon'n
u c .
lloae llob the King of Boothluclu.
188 illonde lull: 0r, Deadwood Diuk‘l Home Duo.
14! iloiid Sam, the llny ltoiuirAgunl.
145 [mania Ferret, the New York Dn-uctlvo; nr, Bou Bob'o
ob

 

149 A Game of Gold: or. Denclwoml Dickk Bi: Strikc,
156 Deadwood Dick 01' Deadwood i u". The Picked Party.
161 New York Nell the Iloy-ir‘lrl hum-m».
1?? Hobby Nick oi’lh'evodiu or. The Sierm- Scamp.‘
(l ‘runk, the Burhkln BI’llV‘.
195 Deadwood Dlok’a ream; M, The Riv In with. Road.
903 The Black )Illla J zebel; or, l)"'ldW00il D l'k'l Ward.
30 Deadwood Dick'l Doom; or, Ciiluuiily Juno’s Lani Ad-
venture.
the Bound-Boy Detective.
Front; or, The Ventrllnqullt Hunter.
-Shot, the Girl liri and.
Ham: or, The Blar (town.
Slut : or, ’i he Aral) Duet-ti".
A .omunro ui’ Rough: and Tonal”.
the Trail Tornado.
the Young Gladiator.
thu Fron tlrr Ferret.
Secret; or The Blmdy Foot rlnu.
Pard; or, The Angel at Big lata.
Seven; or.Tho Stolen Bride.
‘I Divide or. Th» Spirit olSwunp Lah.
Death rail.
Buy Patrol; or, The Rival Hula.
the Detective Queen.
Victory.
Decoy 3 or. Little Bill'a Bola-u.

Ferret.

Drill or. The Road Quota.

o. I. the Dalhlnx nil-Taker.

Jane, tho Girl Miner; or. the iron-Nona! Sport.
wood Diek'a Big Deal; or, The Gold Brink of

Dolen ; or, Tho Faklr “Phantom Fina.
Co- an . tho Sleuth: o! Philath
3 or, he Ml Fae. of Damnvllio.

or. The Myutorloul Minor.

Racket.

the Bowury Blood.

Duoatu or, Rainy Dlyl in tho Dig-

mu.
.5 Seadwaod Dick Sentenced; or. The Torrlblo Vendetta.
:58 Pint-Clan Fred. J»! Ham lrum (lnphnr.

n Deadw

 
  
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
    
 

, the

ver
VOI'

    
 
  
 
 
 
 
  

F ood Diek'a Cid-l or. Tia Fairy Paa- ol Fm
Ian.
“8 {links Jim. tho Gold-Gatherer; or, Th Lottary or

I Yrolra Jinn’a Prize.
8 8 Nabob Ned; or, Tho Semi oi Blah City.
. Cool Kl tho King of Kids; or, A Villaln'l Vrranu.
Yreka J Ia‘a Joker; or. The Rivala or Bad g...
g: ioyele Ben; M. Th. Linn oinghtnln‘ Lode.
reka Jinn 0 Yu a Dan.

00 Wflllkl“, the Night-Winch Douala.
Deadwood Did: i d City.

Deodwood Diok’a homo-dag or, ’l‘ba Myuory o! to“

not.
the Rue Boll Dobetln.
Deadwood Dick in New York; or, “ A Onto Can.”
lla- Shield“ tho Beggar-Boy Detective.
Deadwood Dick'- Dnatt or The Chained Hand.
'11- k and Pal. Prlvm banana.
ans... 3‘ Sfi, :10 JShah-r.
w e r.
S Nickel-Plato N31]; 0509de Dick Jr'l Mann.
Sunflower D“, at Shula; or, Dudwood Dick Jr’a Full

Hood.

luah r... in. l’cmt; or, Deadwood Dick Jr. 313 Round-
“5 he Fly, oi Phenix; or, Deadwood Dick Jr'l Built at
‘71 Basil-ha Billi or, Deadwood Did: It”. Corral.

 

'4'. Humboldt Harry, tho Hnrvima; or, Donood Dick Jr's
De rtl

to, u.
a Moll Hutu-y: or. Deadwood Dick Jr. in Deadwood.
Sealaki 8a.. tho 8 iarlilor.
PHI" $1.001. tho in; of the Walt; or, Dode Dick
Jr’s Comp-rt.
4n Monte Cristo, .Im or. Deadwood Dick m inharitanu.

500 Deadwood Dick'o Dim-gas or, Dr. Datbflrlp'a Snoop.

t

BY JQEPII E. BADGER, JD.

.11) T .
. gdh'fli? $333.13.»; oleiz'Onilhw'l Burnt.

' "'31!an ill; or. Mouton: Sun and Hi. Pard.
I um. Sal- or.'l'llo King of tin Plain.
ht-l awk 1.; M, The bought» of tho Bunch.
nee t e lloy Bpo .
’llfller Paul: or, Dainty Lance to the Rome.
' ‘ho Black (“anti or. Dainty Lance In Jupardy.
Deadly D h or, 'izhting Fir. with Flu.
g‘ho Boy Til-tiller" or. Daln y Lane. on tho War-Path.
i'ho Bo Pll'llll or, Dainty co Unmulia.
Croole Cale, thou Caliban oi Colutlal City.
‘ho Barron-a Wolf; or, The Boautliul Decoy.
“he Black Igdort or The HomvThionI’ We.
on Double in; or, ‘ri. sin... Guido. . ,
' he King 01 the Woodal or Daniel Boo“ I [out Trail.
ll“ '08. tho m M Duncan.

 

 

BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAIIAM.

7 The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Ouirmt.
17 Ralph lo , the Boy Buccaneer; or. The Fugitive Yacht.
24 Diamond llrk Lor, The Mystery of the Yellow-tone.
62 The Shadow H In; or. The Rival Lieutrnunll.
75 The Boy Dnellut 3 or, The Cruiiie of tlm Sol-Wolf.
102 llloli Dead-E 1-, than May Swimmer.
I II The Sou-Devil; or, The Midulilpmzm’: Luxury,
116 The lluaaur Curtain; or, The lievlllli oi llell Gate.
19? Llule (Al-It; or, ioxaiu, this Stork-Teiiilir'l Daughter.
“04 Gold l’lumcz or, The Kid-iiimws Sport.
2|“ lllllon “Ill, thr l'rinco oi the Reina.
829 Grit. the llravo Sport; or, The “'nman Trailer.
229 Crim-on Katee or, The (‘uwhoy’u 'l‘riumph.
237 Lone Star, thn owboy Cu lain.
245 Merle the Mlddy or, ' ‘he Freelance Hair.
250 The .Vlldahlpmun . utineer; or. Brandt, the ilnccanoor.
264 The Floating Feather: or, Merle Montu'l Tnaluro

inland.

389 The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Cnnrlemm-d.

$16 glen-Le Monte. Crulae; or, The Clix-Io of “The Gold
. lp.

2S0 Merle Monte’a Fate: or. Pearl, tlm Pirnle'l Brido.

.84 The Sea Marauder; or, Morin Monto‘l Pledge.

987 llllly Illue-I'Iyea. llm liuy liovrr 1-! line lilo (iramlo.

804 The Dead Shut Dandy; or, Benita. the Buy Buglor.

308 keno K“: 0r, Dead Shut llnniiy'u Double.

314 The] Myateriouu Marauder; or. The Boy Bugler’s Long

m .
877 Bonodel, the Boy Rover: or,Thr Flaklou Schoonor.
Ill-i3 The Indian Pilot; nr, Tim Search for Pink inland.
887 \l arpnth “'ill. tlm Boy l'lmntolu.
git: 1:0u‘r'ull', |I‘lio‘liuy Lieutenant.

0 an or. t e 'oung Conn Irator; on'i'ha Fatal Laughs.
407 The Boy Inf-urgent; or. The (Julian Vendetta.
412 The “I d \ achtmman: “r. The War-Clouu'a Crulao.

9 Duncan Dare. til» liny ltnl'uuee.

483 A (‘abin Do ‘a Luck; or. This Cor-air.
48? The Son Ila der.
44] The (Mean Firefly: or. A Mlildy’n Vengeance.
440 llaphazard Harry: or. The Scape race or the Sn.
450 “'Izur‘d \Vill or, he llo Ferreto New York.
451 “'Izard “'1” I Street «auto.
469 The Horn Guide; or. Tim Sailor Boy Wandoror. '
468 Neptune Ned, the Buy Ctmotrr.
474 Flora; 0?, Vi'innl Wlll‘l Vagabond Yard.
488 Ferreta Afloat: or. leunl WIII’. Lut Can.
4"? Nevada Ned. the llnvnlwr ltnngwr.
495 Arizona Joe illr lluy Pnnl oi'l'vxnn Jack.
49? But-k Taylor, Kim: nl thu Cowboys.
508 The Royal Mlddy | or. Tho Shark and the Sn Cat.

BY BUFFALO BILL (lion. Wu. F. Cody).

8 lianaaa King; or, The Rail Right lllnll-

19 "he Phantom S y z or, The Pilot of tho Pralrio.

55 ’Mdly-Eye. the 'nknoqucuut.

68 llorder Bahia flood; or, The Prairie Rover.

158 ll‘ancy Frank of Colorado; or. Thu Trapper’n Tmt.

 

BY CHARLES MORRIS.

Will Son-en, the Boy Dmctin.
Phil Ilardy, the Bull Buy.
I’luay uno ’ete: or, ledomul. tho Dog omen".
Deter-the Dick: or, The Hero in Rap.
laud-one Ilarry, tho Baothluk Datutlu.
Wildfire, tho Thoroufhbnd.
k "can, Will “'ililliro I Racer.
Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy.
iinll Wildfire in rim "1 no
no. I re re .
A ’ ‘ruml Card; or, Will Wild!" Win and Lou.
fluh Roe (on; or, Mysteries of Now York.
Dob Roo let the Bank Runner.
The “Mr on land tor, Will Wildfln'u Rana".
S yard, this It. Bout Bov- ar. The Snuggle".
l'l Bob lloe kettz or. Driven to the all.
I'll shadowed or, Bob Rochtt'l Fight for lab.
“00 Dark l’au . tho Tim-r King.
fill) Dal-hing Dave, the Dandy Donal".
:00 Tom 'l'anner or Tho B ack She-p oi the flock.
'85 Sum Charooa the Premium Darky.
’85 Shadow Sum. lb Manama" Boy.
on The Two “ Bloods”: or, Shenandoah Bill and iii. Gang.
359 Dirk Daahavray i or. A Dakota Boy in Chicago.
I“ The Young Sleuth-3 or, Rolllchlng Mike’s Hot Trail.
'74 Jolly Jill; ill. lletootlva An runtloo.
9S9 Jolly Jinn a Job; or, The can Domtlvo.
898 The “'aterJloundi or, The «lung Thoroughhr‘d.
80* Daahaway, oi' Dakota: or, A Win-torn Lad in tho Quuu

City.
"4 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective.
5-“ Tony Thor-e, lho Vagabond Dotxtiva.
.58 The R porter-Detective; or, Frod Flyar’c Bllmm.
50? Wide- wake Joe; or,VA Ha «I o «a.
8‘!” Larr . the Loveler; or, The Bloodl oi the Boulovard.
408 Firefly Jack, the River-Rat Dumtlvo.
The Loot ill-gen or, The Entrappod Culilor.

428 Fred Fl or ii Rayortrr Detective. ‘

iaeib e Lo I. the Pinkerton Fumt.
450 [Mil Brit-k, i. o Jolly Vagabond.
4 enAwake Jerry, Deuctlu; or. Entombed All".
1;: ae‘tmive 3 or, Tho Myltory of Frank Hearty.

no
3

«Nata: 99¢
:.....s=:...2
=1-
2.5

 

nun-a—u-un-u-n-a-a—u—
3'.
’9
i
—
—
3

id Dick Rae et.
501 Book. the Boy Fireman t or, Too Sharp [or the Sharp“.

BY ALBERT W. AIKEN.

11 T 0 Two Detective: or.Tho Fortunoa ofa Bow! Girl.
16 A. Colt, tho Crow-Kl lor; or, Tho Grant Fighting oi

0 Watt.
79 Sol Gin . the Giant 'i'ra pow.
u of Angela an Illa Boy Ford.
447 New York Nat. A Talon! Trlch and Trapa in Gotham.
4:43 New E land Nick; or. The Fortunes of. Fondling.
4 Nil-bio lelr. the Clmu Princo.
4.” The. Ted, tn. Arllolm Sport.

BY EDWARD S. ELLIS.

C Bill Blddoa, Trayrr.
8 Seth Jone“ or o Captive. of the Frontier.
:9 gr good or, in. Full. at tho Sioux 0mm.
9 root or n .
a. Boy liner-.55.. 1m. Enobnwl mad.
he Hunted Banter; or. The Sin- Hon-ma.
“4 The Half-Blood; or, Thr Panther o the Plain.
I71 The flag. Banter; or, The Guam Prairi- In.

t. l  

 

BY OLL COOMES.

5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew.
18 The Dumb Spy.
2? Antelope Abe. the Boy hide.
31 Keen-knife, the Him-e of the Prairies.
4| Luuno Jnck, lhr Young Mustang".
58 The Border Kin ; or, The Secret Foo.
?1 Delaware Dick, 1 e Yvullg Rm." Spy.
74 Iluwke‘ye llarr -, the Young Trapper Bangor.
33 “0"09 t e lio I anger.
184 Sun- Shot, Set , lh» lioy liiilemnn.
148 Sour-lice haul, tl eSiient liuntrl’.
146 Silver Star. the Boy Knight.
I58 Eagle Kit. the Boy Demon.
168 Little Texaa, the Young lllmunger.
17% "Id Solitary, the Hermit 'l‘rn .ppr.
1S2 Little Hurricane, th~ llo nptain.
902 PH)! eet Pete : or, The zoning Outlaw Hunters.
20s The cry llerculoax or, 1 in. Prairie Trampa.
DIS Tiger '1 om. the ’l'enu 'i‘m-ri-r.
284 Danhln Dirk; or. 'l'rapper Tom’l ('aado.
223 Little \ 'lldllre. the Ynunx Prairie Nomad.
288 The l’araon De tel-the; or, The Little Rang-r.
248 The Diagulncd Guide; or, “'ilil Ravel, tho Range.
260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger.
272 Mlnknkln Mike, the iioy Shurpallootor.
290 Little Foxfire, the Buy Soy.
800 The Sky Demon t or. lialnbnit, the Ranger.
884 \l'lliD-klng Joe, the Hm Rniichero.
409 "('H'llleu or, nli'k, the Boy Rnnger.
4]? \Vebfoot A one, [he Trump Delrrllve.
‘38 “3|, Hum, ilu- llny Giant ul ille Yellow-tone.
444 Little Buckakln. the Young l’rairle Contour.
45? “’Inzedi‘oot Fred; M. Hid l’olm Saul.
Tainan-ac Tom, the Big Tra liver lioy.
418 mu Tom Rattler, the er {lvrr Epidemic.
482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan.

DY T. C. IIARBACGIL

38 Niel: o’ the Night: or. Th» Boy Spy oi '76.
37 The Hidden Lodge; or The Littl» Hunter.
4? Nightinfaie but m, The Forest Ca talnI.
64 "and ack; ur, ha Outlaws of the

89 Kit urei’oot the Wood-Hawk.

94 Midnight Jack; or The Bov Trapper.
106 Old Fruaty, the Uni e; or, The “'hite Quota.
128 Kiowa Charley the White Mil-tang".
189 Jud e L noh, Jr.t or. The Bov Vigilante.
155 Goii Tr ‘ er. llu- Syn"; or, The Girl Ave-pr.

169 Tornado on; :r, njun Jack From Red Cora.
ISS Ned Temple. the Border Boy.
19" Arxanaaw r or, The Quart: ol Fnta'a Revenge.
20? Navajo Nlok. the Boy Gold Hunter.
8H5 ()uptuln Ill-lieu or, thtlc Topknoi'l Cree-do.
Dill PIm-ky l’hll: or. Roan, the it» I Jeubol.
241 “Ill llravo: "r, The Rough- oi the Rae“...
255 (‘aptaln Apnll , the King-Pin n! Bowie.
26‘? The littekahln Detertlve.
279 old “'Im-h; ur. 'i‘lie Buck-kin Desperation.
294 Dynamite "ant or, The Bowl. Hindu or Cochotopa.
803 'l‘ e Mountain Detective; M, The Trinar Bar Bull].
816 "H Eolipae, Trnmiu Curd ni’ Arlsnna.
820 The Ten I’nrda; -~r. The Terror orTakerNotlco.
536 Big Ben-0|” or, The Queen of the LA-ao.
345 l’itlleu Matt; 0', Red Thunderboll’a Scent.
850 I‘m-l ~~um v.1“! Par '3 0" The Turribia Six.
866 Velvet Foot. th- lnriian Detectlvo.
8845 Captain Cutlana; or, ' he B-'ccnnur’l Girl Foo.
89G Rough nob or. The lwin Championl oi Blur Dial.
411 The liken am or, Tho Ron of Raul: Robin.
41!! Felix Fox. the Buy .Kztur.
5 Texan Tru- . t e rder Rattler.
430 Phil Flash t e New York Fox.
445 The on Sleuth-t or, w Rolh'aflpoa.
46l One A a It Fifly; or, The Laat Mu oi lino Mr.
470 0y Shallow ; or. Fall: Fox'a Hunt.
47? The Excelaior Sport or, The Washington Spotter.
499 Single Si ht, the 0na- yod Sport
50. Branded on, tho Night Fomt. .

Trail.

IY PHILIP S. WARNS.

01' Patent-Leather Joe; or. Old Rattlumh the Gar-ca
1 5 Captain Ariaonat or. Patent-Luther Joe'a ill; 0....
1 I flaptala Maak; or Patent-Leather Joo’l Defeat.
no in. ml. the Dueling or, The Mountain vmpir...
.88 i T: h Boy 3 or, The Dwori’l Revenge.
.68 1M0 ornado; or,’i‘ho ()ntcaliaoltho Glen.
.ittle lingo; or. the Queer Pard.
'88 Little Oh-ny or, Caught In His Own Trap.
Little Shoo- lyé or. A Race (or a Ranch.
408 Little Leather- rmheaz or. Old Jumbo‘n Geno.
1 Little Ah Sin; or, The Cur-co ood.
1 Colorado Rate. A Tale of tho Illa“.
'l‘hroo Jolly l’ardn. ,

LATEST AND NEW ISSUES.

“4 Five Polnta Ph . the Plum-lit Prince; or, Caught in tho
Spider'l “'ub. By 0 Pierce.

505 Powell‘a Pard; or, TboOm-Arnud Giant. By M4. H. 3,
Stoddard

- ut.

500 grillight Ralph. the Prim of the Road. By J. C. Cow.
C .

 

507 The lluated MidahIp-aa. By Col. Puntin- ingraham.
508 Deadwood Dick's Deliverance. By E. 1.. Wheeler.
‘09 Jack Jmefflg ii" Butch?! Boy Detectlu. By Jo Pierce.
510 Cool Colorado, the Hall-Breed Detective. By A. w. Anion.
511 The Outlawod Middy. By Col. Pnntla lngrabam.

518 Dodger Dick. the Wharf-Spy Detective. By 1‘. C. Hub-ugh.

518 The Demon Doctor. By Geo. C. Jenh.

514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle. By 1. C. Cowdrlck. '

515 Deadwood Diok'a Protr r or, Baby has, the Girl Gold
Miner. By E. L. Wheeler. ady June 1.

516 Tartar Tin: , Fl Pl Phii' Man-pr! .
Pluto. Ready “n.0,”. v. on“ ' .

517 A Cold Deal; or. The Jolly M “Down.” By P. 9.
Warm. Ready June 91.

518 Cool Colorado in New York. 3y Albwt W. Aiken.
Randy June 98.

519 Captain Mystery; or,Fln anno. By William G. Patten.
Ready July 5.

By J»

A New In. Every Tuesday.

The Half-Dime Library In ior .an by oil lowldoalon. 1v.
eonu par copy, or not by mail on mlpt chi: «In cub.

BAD ND ADA P ill-hot‘
3 LE 98 Willi...“ New orb

   

v...»

a... “yum-v <

'«aiAflfi'g '

 

< in. ‘.»,§f-‘1T""

 

 

 

.

BEADLE’SrDIMEiEDBRARY.

Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers.

 

 

BY WILLIAM B. EYSTEB.

145 Pistol Pards; or, The Silent Sport from Cinnabar.
160 Soft Hand, Sharp; or, The Man with the Sand.
182 Hands Up; or, The Knights of the Canyon.

192 The Lightning Sport.

214 The Two Cool Sports; or, Gertie of the Gulch.
229 Captain Cutsleeve; or, The Little Sport.

1268 Magic Mike. the Man of Frills.

800 A Sport in Spectacles; or, The Bad Time at
Bunco.

833 Derringer Dick. the Man with the Drop.
844 Double Shot Dave of the Left Hand.

856 Time Handsome Sports; or, The Double Com-
bination.

675 Royal George, the Three in One.

896 The Piper Defective.

(02 Snapshot Sam; or, The Angels' Flat Racket.
‘29 Hair Trigger Tom of Red Bend.

BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID.
' 8 The Headless Horseman; A Strange Story of
Texas.
12 The DeathoShot; or, Tracked to Death.
55 The Scalp Hunters. A Romance of the Plains.
66 The Spi-cter Barq'ue. A Tale of the Pacific.
86 Tiieagaptain of the Rifles; or, The Queen of the
es.

200 The Rifle Rangers; or. Adventures in Mexico.

me The White Chief. A Romance of Northern Mex-
100,

213 The War Trail: or, The Hunt of the Wild Horse.

218 The Wild Huntress; or, The Squatter’s Ven-
geance.

228 The Maroon. A Tale of Voodoo and Obeah.

284 The Hunter”: Feast.

87 The White Squaw.

BY CAPT. FRED. WHITTAKBB.

39 The Russian Spy; or, The Starry Cross Brothers.
65 The Red Rajah; or. The Scourge of the Indies.
09 The Irish Captain. A Tale of Fontenoy.
96 Double Death; or. The Spy of Wyoming.
98 The Rock Rider; or. The Spirit of the Siam
108 The Duke of Diamonds.
115 The Severed Head; or. The Secret of Castle
Coucy.
182 Nemo. King 0! the Tramps.
150 Red Rudiger, the Archer.
174 The Phantom Knights.
187 The Death‘s Head Cuirsssiera
198 The Man in Bed.
not One Eye. the Cannoneer.
811 Colonel Plunger; or, The Unknown Sport.
215 Parson Jim, King of the Cowboys.
m The Mad Hussars; or. The 0's and the Mach
Ill) The Fivinz Dutchman of 18m. .
242 The Fog Devil; or, The Skipper of the Flash.
247 Alligator Ike; or.‘ The Secret of the Everglade.
$8 A Yankee Cossack; or.The Queen of the Nihilists.
265 Old Double-Sword; or, Pilots and Pirates.
1279 Seth Slocum. Railroad Surveyor.
an The Saucy J ane, Privateer.
$4 The Three Frigates; or. Old Ironsides' Revenge,
:90 The Lost Corvette: or, Blakeley’s Last 0mm
‘3” Old -Eye, the Maverick-Hunter.
no.) Top-N tch Tom, the Cowboy Outlaw.
610 The Marshal of Satanstown; or. The Cattle-
Lifters‘ league.
am The Whitest Man in the Mines.
678 John Armstrong. Mechanic.
406 Old Pop Hicks. Showman.
(12 Larry Locke, the Man of Iron.

BY NEWTON ll. CUBTIIS.

120 The Texan Spy; on The Prairie Guide.
SI Giant J akenthe Patrol 0! the Mountain.

BY JACKSON KNOX—“ Old Hawk.”

no Hawk Heron; the Falcon Detoctivo.
on Hawk Heron 3 Deputy.

It runs! n. or. Jam.

amuse-en ta. ~
nhngnugic,moumumwm

 

BY CAPTAIN MARK WILTON.

176 Lady Jaguar. the Robber Queen.

194 Don Sombrero, the California Road Gent.
202 Cactus Jack. the Giant Guide.

219 The Scorpion Brothers; or, Mad Tom‘s Mission.
223 Canyon Dave, the Man of the Mountain.

227 Buckshot Ban, ihe Man-Hunter of Idaho.
237 Long-Haired Max; or, The Black League.
245 Barrnncn. Bill, the Revolver Champion.

258 Bullet Head, the Colors/lo Bravo.

263 iron-Armed Abe, the Hunchback Destroyer.
266 Leopard Luke the King of Horse-Thieves.
271 Sioneflst. of Big Nugget Bend.

276 Texa ; Chick the Southwest Detective.

235 Lightning Bolt, the Canyon Terror.

291 Horseshoe Hank, the Man of Big Luck.

805 SilverPlated Sol, the Montana Rover.

311 Heavy Hand: or. The Marked Men.

823 Hotspur Hugh; or, The Banded Brothers.

BY SIM S. HALL-“ Buckskin Sam.”

8 Kit Carson, J r., the Crack Shot.
90 Wild Will. the Mad Ranchero.
178 Dark Dashwood, the Desperate.
186 The Black Bravo; or, The Tonkaway's Triumph.
191 Trio Tsar-rims Tonkaway; or, Old Rocky and his
ar

195 Tili‘gaiiaone Star Gambler; or, The Magnolias

199 Diamond Dick, the Dandy from Denver.

204 Big Foot Wallace, the King of the Lariat.

212 The Brazos Tigers; or. The Minute Men.

217 The Serpent of El Paso; or. Frontier Frank.
221 Desperate Duke, the Guadaloupe “ Galoot.’

235 Rocky Mountain Al; or, The Wall of the Range.
289 The Terrible Trio; or, The Angel of the Army.
644 Merciless Mart, the Man Tiger of Missouri.

250 The Rough Riders: or, Sharp Eye the Scourge.
256 Double Dan the Dastard; or, The Pirates.

264 The Crooked Three.

269 The Bayou Bravo; or, The Terrible Trail.

276 Mountain Mose. the Gorge Outlaw.

282 The Merciless Marauders; or, Carl's Revenge.
28? Dandy Dave and his Horse. White Stocking.

298 Stampede Steve; or. The Doom of the Double
8.09. '

301 Bowlder Bill; or, The Man from Taos.

coo Raybold, the Battling Ranger.

an The Crimson Coyotes; or Nita the Nemesis.
88 King Kent; or. The Bandits of the Basin.
842 Blanca Bill. the Mustang Monarch.

856 The Prince of Pan Out.

871 Gold Buttons; or. The Up Range Pads.

BY DB. J. 1!. ROBINSON.

18 Pathaway; or, Nick Whiflles, the old Nor’west
Trapper.

17 Nightshade; or, The Robber Prince.

22 Whiteinw; or, Nattie of the Lake Shore.

87 Hirl, the Hunchback; or, The Santos Sword-
maker.

58 Silver Knife; or. The Rocky Mountain Ranger.

70 Hydrabad. the Strangler.

78 Tifiaglnflts of the Red  or, The Granada

163 Ben Brion; or, Redpath, the Avenger.

BY FRANCIS JOHNSON.

5 The Gold Guide; or. Steel Arm. Regulator.
m The Death Track; or. The Mountain Outlaws,
128 Alapaha the Squaw; or, The Border Renegades.

124 Assowaum the Avenger; or, The Doom of the
Destroyer.

185 The Bush Ranger; or, The Half-Breed Rajah.
186 The Outlaw Hunter; or, The Bush Ranger.
138 The Border Bandit; or. The Horse Thiet's Tran.

BY GEORGE ST. GEORGE.

296 Duncan, the Sea Diver.
07 Tucson Tom; or, The Fine Men.

BY'C. DUNNING OLABB.

164 The Ki ‘s Fool.
188 Gilbert t a Guide.

 

J

BY COL. THOMAS H. MONSTEBY.

82 Iron Wrist, the Swordmaster. d
126 The Demon Duelist; or, The League of Steel.
143 The Czar's Spy: or. The Nihilist League.

150 El Rubio Bravo. King of the Swordsmen.

157 Mourud, the Mameluke; or, The Three Sword
masters.

169 Corporal Cannon. the Man of Forty Duels.

236 Champion Sam; or, The Monarchs of the Show
262 fighting Tom. the Terror of the Touzhs

382 Spring-Heel Jack; or, The Masked Mystery.

BY ISAAC HAWKS, Bx-Deieotive.

232 Orson Oxx; or, The River Mystery.
240 A Cool Head; or, Orson Oxx in Peril.

BY PROF. J. H. INGRABAM.

113 The Sea Slipper; or, The Freebooters.

118 The Burglar Captain; or. The Fallen Star. 
814 Lafitte; or, The Pirate of the Gulf. . ‘
816 Lafltte's Lieutenant; or, Child of the Sea. 

BY GUSTAVE AIMABD. i

15 The Tiger Slayer; or, Eagle Heart to the Rosana

19 Rod Cedar, the Prairie Outlaw.

2) The Bandit at Bay; or, The Prairie Pirates. . ‘
21 The Tragper’s Daughter; or, The Outlaw‘s Fats. ‘
24 Prairie Flower.

62 Loyal Heart: or. we i‘rappers of Arkansas.
149 The Border Rifles. A Tale of the Texan War.
151 The Freebooters. A Story of the Texan War.
158 The White Scalper.

 

MISCELLANEOUS.
6 Wildcat Bob, the Boss Bruiser. By Edward I. ‘ *2
Wheeler. ‘* 
9 Handy Andy. By Samuel lover.
10 Vidocq, the French Police Spy. Written by .
himle' it. : y;
11 Midshipman Easy. By Captain Maryatt. ' . 
82 B‘hoys of Yale; or, The Sci-apes of Collegian; 
60 Wide Awake. the Robber King. By Frank DIP ' g -r
mon fa

68Th 'htinTr r. (h 
Aelite s appe By ptainJFO.

76 The Queen’s Musketeers. By George Albany.
78 The Mysterious Spy. By Arthur M. Gamer.

103 The Masked Band- or, The Mali without a Name.
By George L. on.

110 The Silent Rifleman. By H. W. Herbert.

125 The Blacksmith Outlaw' or Merrie Eng“
By Harrison Ainsworth: ' '

188 Body the Rover. By William Carleton.
140 The Three Spaniards. By Geo. Walker. . .
144 Th1; Hunchback of Notre Dame. By M

ugo.
146 The Doctor Detective. By George Lemuel
158 Captain Ironnerve. the Counterfeiter Chief.
158 The Doomed Dosen. By Dr. Frank Powell.

166 Owiet, the Robber Prince. By Septimus 3
Urban.

'm Conrad, the Convict. By Prof. Gilda-sleeve.

190 The Three Guardsmen. By Alexander-Dames.

251 also; signs... the Prairie Thunderbolt. By 00‘!
0 J.

215The Smu ier Cutter; or The van 
01m. 3%. D. Conroy. ' ea in a” ’ ‘
612 Kinkfoot Kari. the Mountain Scourge. Mor-
ris Redwing w
630 0gp Crag, the Quaker City Detective. By Gnarls:
o .
850 Hgshoggllfon, the Society Detective. By Weldon
658 Bart Brennan; or. The King of Six-night m ' “3‘
By John Cuthbert. ' '
866 Tii? Telegraph Detecfivc. By George Henry 1 
arse. ~ -

410 Sarah Brown. Detective. By I. 1'. Hill. ' ' .5
48 Threeming Glim; or,The lslandLum. Dylan

0

 

Ammova-yvnmuq. "i.
Beadlo’s Dime Library h huh I!“ ' ‘
hewsdeaieratencentsperoopymrndbymniio .
receipt of twelve centnaaoh. momentum. t
WBWMRewYa-k. 

 

 

 

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. 1.77 _-‘.: ._..._..—..:.... f w ... _. 2 _. .. -... »..’4 .70.; ..:....-.._:_ 2... Any;

BEADLE’S*DIME*EBRARY.

 

Published Every iVecliwsday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Umform Price of Ten Cents. N0 Double Numbers.

BY 00].. PREN'I‘ISS INGRAIIAM. :

2 The Dare Devil; or, The Winged Sea Witch. f

I 85 The Cretan Rover; or. Zuleikah the Beautiful. ,
89 The Pirate Prince; or. The Queen of the Isle. j
04 Freelance. the Buccaneer.

108 Merle, the Mutinei'r; or. The Red Anchor Brand.
104 Montezuma. the Merciless. |
109 Captain Kyd. the King of the Black Flag. 1
116 Black Plume; or The Sorceress of Hell Gate. ‘
121 The Sea Cadet; or, The Rover of the Rigoletts. f
128 The Chevalier Corsair; or The Heritage.

181 Buckskin Sam. the Texas Trailer. i
134 Darkey Dan, the Colored Detective. |
139 Fire Eye; or. The Bride of a Buccaneer. ‘
147 Gold Spur. the Gentleman from Texas. |
155 The Corsair Queen: or, The Gypsies of the Sea. I
162 The Mad Mariner; 0r. Dishonored and Disowned ,
168 Wild Bill, the Pistol Dead Shot.

172 Black Pirate; or The Golden Fetters Mystery.
177 Don Diabio. the Planter-Corsair.

181 The Scarlet Schooner; or. The Sea Nemesis;

184 The Ocean Vam he or. The Castle Heiress.

189 wild Bill‘s Gold rail; or. The Des mite Dozen.
1% The Skeleton Schooner; or, The Sk miner.

205 The Gambl'-r Pirate; or, Lady of the Lagoon.

210 Buccaneer Bess. the Lioness of the Sea.

216 The Corsair P anter; or, Driven to Doom.

The Specter acht; or, A Brother's Crime.

224 Black Beard, lhe Buccaneer.

281 The Kid Glove Miner; or, The Magic Doctor.

%5 Red Ll htning thd Man of Chance.

246 ueen elen, the Amazon of the Overland.

255 he Pirate Priest; or, The. Gam bler‘s Dau hter.
259 Cutlass and Cross; or, the Ghouls of the .
28l TheSea Owl; or, The Lady Ca tain of the Gulf.
$77 The Phantom Pirate; or, The ater Wolves.

818 The Indian Buccaneer; or. lhe Red Rovers.

825 The Gentleman Pirate; or The Casco Hermits.
329 The League of Three; or, Buffalo Bill's Pledge.
896 The Magic Ship; or, Sandy Hook Freebmters.
841 The Sea Desperado.

846 Ocean Guerrillas; or, Phantom Mldshi man.

, 362 Buffalo Bill’s Grip; or Oath Bound to uster.
364 The Sea Fugitive; or, The Queen of the Coast.
309 The Coast Corsair; or, The Siren of the Sea.

373 Sailor of Fortune; or, The Barne at Buccaneer.

377 Afloat and Ashore: or, The Corn; 1' Cons irator. }

388 The Giant Buccaneer; or, The Wrecker itch.

393 The Convict Captian; or, The Battles of the
Buccaneers.

899 The New Monte Cristo.

418 l‘he Sea Siren; or, The Fugitive Privateer.

425 The Sea Sword; or. The Ocean Rivals.

4&1 The Fatal Frigate' or, Rivals in Love and War.

416 The One-Armed uccaneer. ,

 

BY OLL COOMES.

' 7 Death Notch. the Destroyer.
48 Dakota Dan the Reckless Ranger.
44 Old Dan Rackhack, the Great Extarminator.
45 B)wie-Knife Ben, the Nor‘West Hunter.
48 idaho Tom the Young Outlaw of Silverland.
51 Bed Rob, the Boy RoadAgi-nt.
99 The Giant Rifleman; or. Wild Camp Life.
137 Long Beard, the Giant Spy.
148 One-Armed Alf. the Giant Hunter.

BY CAPTAIN HOWARI) HOLMES.

l
278 Hercules Goldspur the Man of the Velvet Hand. !
294 Broadcloth Burt. the Denver Dandy. ‘
321 California Claude, the Lone Bandit. ‘
385 Flash Dan. the Naboh; or. Blades of Bowie Bar.
840 Cool C inrad. the Dakota Detective.
847 Denver Duke. the Man with " Sund."
352 The Desperate Dozen.
365 Keen Kennard, the Shasta Shadow.
874 Major Blister, the Sport of Two Cities.

‘ 882 The Bonanza Band; or, Dread Don of Cool Clan.
392 The Lost Bonanza; or, The Boot of Silent Houn i.
400 Captain Coldgrip; or. The New York Spotter.
407 Captain Coldgrlp‘s Nerve' or. Injun Nick.

416 Ca taln Coldgri in New ’York.

421 Fa her Ferret, t e Frisco Shadmr.
484 Lucifer Lynx. the Wonder Detective.
441 The California Sleuth.

BY ANTHONY P. MORRIS.

5 The Fire Fiends; or, Hercules. Hunchback.

05 Azhort. the Axman; or. The Palace Secrets.
100 The French Spy; or. The Bride of Paris.

167 The Man of Steel. Tale of Love and Terror.
185 Man Snider; or The Beautiful 8 hinx.
268 Hank Hound the Crescent City tective.
$0 The Masked M stery; or, The Black Crescent.
188 Electra Pete. t e Man of Fire.

am The Roughs of Richmond.

818 Mark Magic/Detective.

884 TlaaCyipher Detective; or, Mark Magic‘s New

848 The Head Hunter; or. Mark Magic in the Mine.
357 Jack Simona. Detective.

BY MAJOR DANIEL BOONE DUMON'I‘.

88 Silver Sam, the Detective; or, The Butte City
Bustiers.

889 Colonel Double-Edge, the Cattle Baron‘s Pard.

411 The White Crook; 0r. 0 d Hark's Fortress.

420 The Old River Sport; or. A Man of Honor.

 

489 Salamander Sam.

BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. “f. F. Cody).
5'1 Death-Trailer. the Chief of Scouts.

8‘! Gold Bullet Sport; or. Knights of the Overland.
243 lhe. Pilgrim Sha ); or. The Soldier‘s Sweetheart.

r
1 304 Texas Jack. the Ilrairie Rattler.
. 319 Wild Bill, the Whirlwind of the West.

394 White Beaver. the Exile of the Platte.
397 The Wizard Brothers; or, White B aver's Trail.

1 401 One-Armed Pnrd: or, Borderland Retribution.

414 Red Renard, the Indian Detective.

BY MAJOR DANGERFIELI) BURR.

92 Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King.

117 Dashing Dandy; or, The Hots ur of the Hills.
142 Cu tain Crimson, the Man of he Iron Face.

156 V«- vet Face, the Border Bravo.
175 Wild Bill’s 'l‘rump Card; or, The Indian Heiress.
188 The Phantom Mazeppa; or, The Hyena.

BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR.

28 Three-Fingered Jack, the Road-Agent.
30 Gospel Gem u; or, Fiery Fred. the Outlaw.
40 Lou -Haire Pards; or, The Tarters of the Plains.
45 Old ull’s-Eye, the Lightning Shot.
47 Pacific Pete, the Prince of the Revolver.
50 Jack Rabbit, the Prairie 8 rt.
61 Double-Sight, the Death S 0t.
67 The Boy J ockey; or, Honest vs Crookedness.
71 (‘aptain Cool Blade; or, Mississippi Man Shark.
88 Big George; or. The Five Outlaw rothers.
105 Dan Brown of Denver; or. The Detective.
119 Alabama Joe; or. The Yazoo Man-Hunters.
127 Sol Scott, the Masked Miner.
141 Equinox Tom, the Bul'y of Red Rock.
154 Joaquin, the Saddle King.
165 Joaquin the Terrible.
170 Sweet illlam, the Trapper Detective.
180 Old '49; or. The Amazon of Arizona.
197 Revolver Rob' or, The. Belle of Nugget Cam .
201 Pi rate. of the Pincers; or. Joaquin’s Death unt.
233 The Old Roy 01‘ Tombstone.
241 S itflre Saul, King of the Rustlers.
2'19 lophant Tom. 0 Durango.

. 257 Death Trap Diggings; or, A Hard Man from

‘Way Back.

i 283 Sleek Sam, the Bowl of the Mines.
‘ 286 Pistol Johnny; or, One Man in a Thousand.

292 Moke Homer. the Boss Roustabout.

302 Faro Saul, the Handsome Hercules.

317 Frank Lightfoot, the Miner Detective.

324 Old Forked Ligh tnin ', the Solitary.

3:11 Chispa Charle . the Gold Nugget Sport.

3‘39 S read Eagle am. the Hercules Hide Hunter.

315 i asked Mark, the Mounted Detective.

351 Nor‘ West Nick, the Border Detective.

355 Stormy Steve, the Mad Athlete.

360 Jumping Jerry, the Gamecock from Sundown.

367 A Royal Flush; or, Dan Brown‘s liig Game.

372 (‘aptuin Crisp. the Man with a Record.

379 Howling Jonathan, the Terror from Headwaters.

387 D u'k Dnrg, the Ishmael of the Hills.

395 Denle Aim, the Duke of Derringers.

403 The. Nuneicss Sport; or, The Kilkenny Cats of
’Way-U ).

409 Rob Ro Ranch: or, The Imps of Pan Handle.

«116 Monte 11", the Black SheeB of Bismarck.

425 Th; Gliiost Detective; or. T e Spy of the Secret

(rI‘V UP.
433 Laughing Leo; or. Sam‘s Dandy Pard.
4 .8 Oklahoma Nick.

2’ 441 A Cool Hand; or. Pistol Johnny's Picnic.

BY ED‘V.‘ RD WILLET'I‘.

1211 Mississippi Mose; or. a Stron Man's Sacrifice.
209 Buck Farley. the Bonanza Pr nee.

222 Bill the Blizzard; or. Red Jack’s Crime.

248 Montana Nat, the Lion of Last Chance Camp.
274 Flush Fred. the Mississippi Sport.

289 Flush Fred‘s Full Hand.

298 L gger 'Lem; or. Life in the Pine Woods.

303 Hemlock Hank. Tough and True.

815 Flush Fred‘s Double; or, The Squatters‘ League.
327 Terrapin Dick. the Wildwood Detective.

887 Old Gabe, the Mountain Tramp.

348 Dan Dillon. King of Crosrcut.

368 The Canyon King; or. a Price on his Head.

BY NED BlJN'I‘LIHE.

l4 Thayendane ea, the Scourge‘ or,The War-Eagle.
16 The White igizard; or, The Seminole Prophet.
18 The Sea Bandit; or, Tne Queen of the Isle.
2'1 The Rad Warrior; or, The Comanche Lover.
61 Captain Seawalf, the Privateer.
111 The Smuggler Ca tain- or. The Skipper‘s Crime.
122 Saul Sabberday, t e Idiot S v.
270 Andros the Rover: or. The rate's Daughter.
861 Tombstone Dick, the Train Pilot.

BY WILLIAM II. MANNING.
279 The Gold Dragoon, or, The California Blood-

oun .
297 Colorado Rube. the Strong Arm of Hotspur.
385 Wil l Dick Turpin the Leadville Lion.

405 Old Baldy, the Brigadier of Buck Basin.

415 Hot Heart, the Detective S y.

42'? The Rivals of Montana Mil

487 Dee: Duke the Silent Sleuth.

442 Wil West Walt. the Mountain Veteran.

BY COLONEL BELLE SARA.

5‘1 Silver Sam; or, The Mystery of De dwood City.
87 The Scarlet Captain; or. Prisoner of the Tower.
‘ 106 Shamus O’Brien, the Bould Boy of Glingal.

BY PHILIP S. \VARNE.

1 A Hard Crowd; or. Gentleman Sam’s Sister.

4 The Kidnap er; or, The Northwest Shanghai.
29 Tiger Dick. aro King; or, The Cashier‘s Crime.
51 Always On Hand; or, The Foot-Hills Sport.

80 A Man of Nerve; or. Caliban the Dwarf.

l 111 The. Gentleman from Pike.

l 171 Tiger Dick. the Man of the Iron Heart.

207 Old Hard Head; or, Whirlwind and his Mare.

251 Tiger Dick vs. iron D spard.

280 Tiger Dick's Lone Band.

299 Three of a Kind; or, Tiger Dick, Iron Despard
and the Sportiv. Sport.

338 Jack Sands, the Boss of the Town.

359 Yellow Jack. the Mestizo.

380 Tiger Dick's Pledge; or, The Golden Serpent.

404 Silver Sid; or, A ‘ Daisy ” Bluff.

431 California Kit. the Always on Hand.

BY J. C. COWDRICK.

390 The Giant Cupid; or Cibuta John’s Jubilee.

422 Blue Grass Burt. the Gold Star Detective.

436 Kentucky Jean, the S art from Yellow Pi ,e; or,
Blue-eyed Belle of ended Bow.

 

BY GEORGE C. JENKS.

398 Sleepless Eye the Pacific Detective.
432 The Giant Horseman; or. Tracking the Red
Cross Gang.

BY ALBERT W. AIKEN.

27 The Spotter Detective; or Girls of New York.
81 The New York Shsr ; or, The. Flash of Lightning.
33 Overland Kit; or, he idyl of Whi e Pine
34 Rocky Mountain Rob. the California Outlaw.
35 Kentuck the Sport: or, Dick l‘albot or the Mines.
36 Injun Dick; or. The Death Shot of Shasta.
38 Velvet Hand; or, injun Dick‘s Iion Grip.
41 Gold Dan: or. The White Savage of Salt Lake.
a The California Detective: or, The “'1' ches oi' N.Y.
49 The Wolf Demon; or, The Kanawlin Queen.
56 The Indian Mazeppa; or. Madman or the Plains.
59 The Man from Texas; or, The Arkansas Outlaw.
6'3 The Winged Whale; or, The Red Rl‘pi‘rl of Gulf.
72 The Phantom Hand; or, The 5th AVi'lllll‘ Evil 9514.
75 GentlemanGeor e; or. Parlor. Prison and Street.
77 The Fresh of Frisco; or, The Heiress.
79 Joe Phenix, the Police Spy.
81 Tne Human Tiger; or. A Heart of Fire.
84 Hunted Down; or, The League of Three.
91 The Winnin Oar; or, The Innkeeper’s Daughter.
93 Captain Dic Talbot. King of the Road.
97 Bronze Jack. the California Thoroughbred.
101 The Man from New York. ‘
107 Richard Talbot. of Cinnabar.
112 Joe Phenix. Private Detective.
130 Captain Volcano: or. The Man of Red Revolvers.
161 The Wolves of New York' or. JOe Phenix‘s Hunt.
173 California John. the Pacific Thoroughbred.
196 La Marmosr-t, the Detective ueen.
20‘) The Double Detective: or,The idnight Mystery.
252 The Wall Street Blood; or The Telegraph Girl.
320 The Genteel s tter; or. The N. Y Night Hawk.
349 Iron-Hearted 11 k. the Gentleman Road-Agent.
354 Red Richard; Ol The Crimson Cross Brand.
3&3 Crownin held. the Sleuth; or. Pitiless as Death.
370 The Bus y Detective; or. Pursued to the End.
370 Black Beards; 01. The Rio Grande High Horse-
38) The vas Gentleman; or Nick Fox, Detective.
884 Injun Dic , Detective; or, Tracked to New York-
391 Kate Scott. the Decoy Detective.
408 Doc Grip. the Vendetta of Death.
419 The Bat of the Battery; or. Joe Phenix. Detective-
421 The Lone Hand; or, The Red River Recreants. .
440 The High Hor e of the Pacific.

LATEST AND NEW ISSUES.

444 The Magic Detective; or, The Hidden Hand. By
Jackson Knox.

445 Journeyman John. the Chamgion: or, The Win--
fling Hand. By Capt. F. W lttaker.

446 Ocean Ogre. the Outcast Corsair: or. The Good
Ship of ill-Omen. By Col. P. lngraham.

447 Vo'cano. the Frisco Spy. By Captain Howard
Holmes.

448 Hark Kenton. the Traitor' or The Hunted Life.
By Maj. Dangerfield Bur}. Ready May 25.

449 Bluff Burke. King of the Rockies. By Wm. H.
Manning. Rea y June 1.

450 The Rustler Detective: or. Tho Bounding Buck
from Buffalo Wailow. By Joe. E. Badger, Jr.
Ready June 8. '

451 Grlépiock. the Rocket Detective.

nox. Ready June 15.
A new term every Wldneaday.

Beadle’n Dime Library is for sale by all
Newsdealers, ten cents per copy. or sent by mail on
receipt of twelve cents each. -

BEADLE AND ADAMS. PUHJSBIRS.
98 William Street, New York.

 

By Jackson

 

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