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ENTERED AT THE POST OFFICE AT NIW YORK N Y A!“ SECOND CLASS MAIL RATES.

  Published Every @661,de  J16 . 771 S, Q')I,L 7)Z’Z'S hers, Ten Cents a Copy. N 0 4 8 5
‘ ‘ ' W°dn°3dfiy- 9:; WILLIAM STREET. N. Y., February a, 1888. $500 8 Yea" '

THE TERRIBLE TWINS.

A Real Life Romance of In and
Around New York.

BY JACKSON KNOX,
(OLD HAWK,)

‘mon 01:- “awa HERON. THE FALCON Dn-
TECTWE.” “THE HURRICANE DETEC-
TWE,” “um CIRCUS DETEC-

TIVE,” 1:70., ETC.

CHAHER I.
A TERRIBLE NIGHT.

A WILD night at; Battery Point, in the early
summer of 1887.

A night of fierce gusts shrieking among the
chimney-pots, the Park trees and the adjacent;
forest of masts, and yet of a bright-faced moon,
flying like a hunted thing amid pursuing send,
and revealing at intervals the lashed waters of
New York Harbor, like a maniac’s faca in the
soft luster of a silvar lamp.

[night for an open boat: to be abroad on YOUR CUBSED CUNNING?”

k

 

2

the waters, and a yet wilder for a graceful
female figure to choose that lonely, crime-infest?
ed sea—wall for its promenade.

Yet, such was the case.

The young lady—her youth and breeding were
apparent by her dress and carriage, though her
face was veiled—had but newly alighted from

' the Elevated Railroad terminus.

‘ She was now pacing the esplanade fronting
the sea-wall, heedless of the questioning looks of
a few suspicious lurkers in the vicinity, and
with her eyes anxiously fastened upon the ap-
proaching boat.

.The latter was presently seen to be occupied
by two men—a medium~sized, deep-chested and
“athletic young man, with an authoritative air,
and a gigantic negro of herculean propor-
tions.

They had lowered their sail and taken in their
cars, the flood tide euablin them to pull in close
in under the parapet, wit out the intervention
of a float or bridge.

The young lady presently stooped under the
wall-chain in her eagerness, and stood on the
extreme outer edge.

The strong gale fluttered her dark garments
to one side, while compressing it on the other,

to the revelation of her tail, graceful and yet .

girlish figure, and streamed out her long, fieecy
vail like a gauzy pennant.

Presently, as the boat was brought to, she
made a swift signal with her ungloved hand.

It was immediately responded to in kind by
the young man in the boat.

- Then the young lady called out in a rich
clear voice, that was none the less wary and
cautious: -

.“ What are on, sir?"

- "‘ The Scud,’ was answered; and then,
are. on for?” ‘

“ he‘Seamew.”

. “ Correct. Anything else?”

:i" r “ Yes. Ca tain Grant Marston.”

u? .v ' “And you ” . .

 .r “I am Inez Delorme. the pilot’s grand-

: dau hter.” ,
 v “ ight again.”

“ And you?” ' ~

“ Rowlock Ensco, the Harbor Detective, at
Miss Delorme’s service.”

Inez Delorme made a satisfied gesture, and
nimny seated herself on the edge ofthe wall,
her feet coming within a few inches of the
mimic breakers that dashed below.

" 'A crafty action of the cars on the part of the
giant negro fetched the boat’s stern, in which
Rowlock Ensco was standing erect, hovering

. uneasily directly‘beneath her position.

The young man stood like a rock, and opened
wide his arms.

“ The rocks are dangerous hereaboutsZ and
there is no time for ceremony,” said he. ‘ Miss
Delorme, you must jump for it.”

Instantly, and without hesitation, she cleverly

threw herself out from the wall.

She was as cleverly caught. steadied, and

. seated, while Ensco placed himself at the rudder
near her. ‘
“ Give way, Mingo!” he ordered.
Aug, still under the negro’s werful strokes
they ended out over the som r, storm-lashed

, be . . . ,

it time: there was nothing but the fltful
moonshine, nd then 'n but a rocking ship-
light, to sh w them their way, and yet the de-
fectivo kept a stern and anxious outlook on
everv side,’ as if in precaution a ainst some
much dreaded observation or pursu t.

Was it an elo ment, or- a midnight flight
. from secret enemies, that so much mystery was
preserved? ,

Certame not the former. and not altogether
the latter; and yet the stealthy departure had
*been attended by an incident which would have
increased the anxiety of both the young lady
, and her escort, had they but known of it.

~ While the mysterious watchwords were bein
’ exchanged, a well-known river-thief—one o

3 those lurkers in the night who had been fur-
tivcly watching Inez Delorme’s movements on
the esplanade—had crept unperceived to within
earshot.
' The instant after,she had sprung into the

boat he had  crouchingly awa_ toward the
‘ ', boat-landing in the shadow of the nited States
Barge omce. A lantern was waved thrice, and
then, almost before the detective’s boat was
“fairly headed out. a small but stanch sail-boat,
crowded with desperate men, had shaken out
f 1 her leg-of-mutton sail from under the stone

- pier, and flitted like a storm-bird straight out

' nto the turbulent and uncertain waste. 1 '

‘ " Give ’em ample sea-room, J ago,” cautioned,

“ What

 

 

 

 

man, seemed to be in command of the mys-
terious craft, to the man at the rudder lines.
“If we intercept them anywhere this side of
,- the Seamew, it will answer. Caramba, what a

. hm 1”

, j  B , senor!” was the equally guarded
"_unswer. “ Will that give Senor Juan time for
the arthe istoplayi” .

= “ Dias, I should say so!, The treasure is

hislookont, as the young lady is mine. and we

. 7 have exchanged oaths as to our mutual fidelity.

Though, carajo.” in a lower- and him-grum-

2 - l I..‘: 

 

 
 
 
  
 
   
  

‘flp

with a slightly foreign. accent, a slender young I

, bling voice, “I fancy he has the better bargain
of the two, where danger is reckoned.”
“ Yes, senor,” softly assented the steersman,

“ for but one treasure at a time can be under

the escort of Rowlock, the Harbor Detective—a

thousand maledictions on him and his!”
Here there was a chorus of laughs and oaths
growled, like an echo of the curse, from the des-
, peradoes in the body of the boat.
I This was silenced by a fierce exclamation, ac-
! companied by a commanding gesture, from the
3 slender young man.
After that, silent and lightless, the sinister
; craft swept on, careeniug almost flat upon her
‘ side as she rounded Governor’s Island and
l gradually vanishing amid the weltering hurry
‘ and tumult of the central bay.
In the mean time, the occupants of the Scud,
; as the detectives boat was named, bad proceeded
I more leisurely on their way, without suspecting
l the treachery preparing for them.
I After standing well out from shore, the sail
t had been loosened to the gale, and the little craft
was fairly dancing over the waves.

“I rather think the coast is clear now,” said
Ensco, cheerily. “ If you do not become sea-
sick, Miss Delorine, all should . go well till you
are safe with your grandfather on the gallant
i Seamew.”

“ I am too much of a sailor to four the mal de
mer, Mr. Ensco,” was the collected reply from
behind the fluttering Vail. “ But," a little anx-
iously, “ isn‘t this a. rather small boat for—for
such stormy work?”

He laughed reassuringly as the Scud feathered
the foam-crest of an . unusually big wave, only
to spring, apparently, upon another, with
scarcely a subsidence into the intervening
trou h.

“ 0 fear of that,” said he. “The Scud is of
a life-boat pattern, and fairly unsinkable, I
think.”

Then there was a pause, in which they had a.
chance to study each other at leisure, thou h
the young lady had availed herself of that t 3
very first.

She secretly confessed that the young man’s

arance was not a little in his favor.
at was he altogether a young man?

His fairness of feature, with his curling brown
mustache and thick-crisping light hair, was
certainly indicative of the care-free frankness
of early manhood. ‘But there were stern lines
about the cool, steadfast gray eyes that might
speak of long experience and adventurous aute-
cedents. , r .

As it was, she could only set his years at al-
most anywhere between twenty-five and forty.

For the rest, he was about five feet nine, with
almost any muscular and gymnastic possibilities
underneath the careless boatman's costume of
nav blue that‘he were so becomingly.

“ here was yet another caution that my
grandfather gave me,” said Inez, at last.

_“ I can guess what it was,” replied Ensco,
With his engaging laugh. “ How suspicious is
the old sea-dog !”

“ Can you blame him for that?”

“Not 1.” His brow contracted, and he again
threw a searching gl'ance around over the
tumbling waters. “ ith the powerful machi-
nations of such accom lished scoundrels as those
dare-devil grand—nephews of his, Juan and
Vasco Martez, to be guarded against—but really
I beg your pardon, miss! They must be your
own cousins.”

An impatient gesture of the ungloved treasure
of a hand. '

“ You said you could guess my grandfather’s
parting caution.” _

“ So I can. It was thi: After you were fair-
ly afloat with me, as now, you were to make as-
suran e doubly sure by demanding a_ final proof
that I am I.”

“ That was it.” With a shade of suppressed
curiosity. ,

The moon passed under a cloud. Its recurrin
eifulgence showed the detective to have strip .
his right ‘arm to the shoulder, while steadying
the rebellious tiller with the left. .

,It was a magnificent arm thus bored to View
—shapely as a duchess’s, with a kin seemingly
smooth and hard as marble, masking thaws and
sinews of corded steel, and none the less snowy
of surface, save for a remarkable representa-
tion, 5 readin from wrist to shoulder in deep,
varie and in elible tattoo. ‘

It _was that of an athlete and a serpent,
wreathed in deadly conflict for the mastery,
while from a thunder-cloud was descendinga
crimson arrow, blazoned with the scriptural in-
junction, “ Vengeance is Mine 1”

Inez bowed her head in acquiescence.

She had merely time to note that the pictured
wrestler, albeit in classic semi-nudity was a
passable portrait of the young man be ore her,
while the serpent countenance was strikingly
suggestive of an infuriated woman’s head and
face, beautiful, yet fiendishly malignant, when
the uprolled sleeve was replaced, an the strange
exhibition was at an end: I
‘ 'lf‘he detective had grown grave and thought-

u . - _ v
“You are now to satisfy me inyour turn,”
said he, inalow voice. ’ ., , '
."‘That1am1i’".“ . L

 

 

   

 

  
 

 

Rowlock, the Harbor Detective.

N Yes.”

“ What did my grandfather tell you should be
the test on my part?"

“ I can only answer when I shall have seen

our face.”

She hesitated an instant, and then threw back
her vail.

Rowlock Ensco uttered a low cry, and then
clasped his hands. , _

The cry was expresswe of amazed admiration,
the action of combined wonder, incredulousness
and even resentment, while his handsome face
was the mirror of these conflicting emotions.

The admiration was natural enough—as nat-
ural as that evoked by the inimitable sun-burst
in the skylark’s worshiping hymn.

Such a face is seldom vouchsafed to the privi-
leged gaze as was then and there revealed for
the first time to the enraptured detective.

An angelic face, purely American in its ex-

uiSite fairness (a healthful, lamp—like pallor, is
t e better distinction), statuesque chiseling and
ronounced individuality; Spanish in the soul-
ul duskiness of the large, well-like eyes, with
the perfect brows and long-bent lashes of 'etty
ailkiness, and in the rich wavy masses of lus-
black hair, to say nothing of the perfect figure’s
airly and majestic pose.
he gazer s resentment, or mortiflcation, if
such it could be called, was more inexplicable. :

That the owner of so much loveliness thought
so was speedily apparent. -

“ I see that you, sir, are also satisfied,” said
she, after quickly replacing her vail, while the
moonlight that had transiently assisted the re-
velation was a thing of the past.

.r “ Perfectly," was the low-voiced and- con-
strained answer.

“ And yet-there was something wanting?”

“Not that—something unexpected.”

“ I do not understand. ’ v

“ I was prepared to find in the “pilot’s grand-
daughter a beauty little short of superhuman. ’
In that way, the rovelatibn was a fulfillment
of ,the test that Captain Marston advised me
o ' r

“ Ah I” a little disdainfully. .

“Yes, ‘The enemy,‘ said the old sea-wolf,
‘caunot, with all their cunnin , impose any
feminine counterfeit upon you, 1 you but once
look in Inez Delorme’s iace._ Its beauty is un-
exampled, its loveliness richer than mortal
man’s intensest dream.’ ”

“ Well?” This with a touch of amusement;

“ Well, the conditions of the test are fulfilled.
Therecan be one Inez Delorme, and you are

she.”
“Still on were dissp inted.”
“ No—htartled.” po‘

“That was it. Why?” "

“ Does not your own face suggest another to
your mind?”

" Not that I can recall. A likeness, do you
mean?” ‘

H Yes; or rather a suggestion.”

“ say, a likeness, then. ’

H So be it. A likeness almost equal] b08131"
ml, and yet older and terrible—terrih , 111819“
olent and deadly.” ,

His words were camel; and mournful. The
young girl made an agitated movement. '

“ Be more explicit. My features 511889“ "
resemblance to what others?”

His bent nearer to hers in the darkness.

“Did you mark the woman—face of the m— »

pent on my arm?”

Her agitation was now unmistakable. ‘

“Good heavens, yes!” she faltfired. “And-
Ah, the likeness was there! I see it DOW-
Whab entanslmg mysteiy is this?” 'r

" None}; bflieve nlie, to insnare such purig as
yours. 11 com etc o n sen nce.
Atfligwliaw, I P y 111‘ broke l

35 Bil" am terrified. I know not.’ ,'

“ YES, $5; the Sél'pentrface likewise sugg’efiied,
others. hose?” . ..

Inez shuddered. ~

2-1.4 .
“ My cousins and foes, Juan and Vasco Mar."

tel,” sh?‘§:91i,eg, in a low, .carcely audibée'
veice. e in ernal twi r ran -
father calls them.” ns’ as my 1"” g
2: #bihand 0‘7 none other face—a woman’s?”
- O.

“ Not of one who mi ht be th it mother?” ,
“ fl‘lie Senora Zarapgtta Martiz, surnamed the
White Sibyl of Morons, is personally unknown
to me. That_ terrible -,woman can never have
cast her baleiul eyes upon me. Waiti And yet
_%nd etFE” . .
or an was res d she
was now tremblin? 17:312.;  forehead’ an .
“ G0 on,‘ go on, beseechP"cried the detective.
eagerly. ‘ I_see that some early and dread
recollection rises from oblivious depths to the
surface of memory. B 7%
“Alas, I cannot! I am “bat-rifled! Allis so
veg-fie, so awfuil”m  
e moon was reappearing, and at that
instantMm the gigantic negro roaredfrom '
his‘lgokoui‘.$1333;glows:ta d ' . ‘
angers n‘tastl B Crackyl.
it’s jess as you feared,,Marse Rowlgck. Here
they are, almos’ on board of us!" ‘ ~
The renewed moonlight showed the rufllan-

crainmed pursuin craft to H ,on 3‘. h :
wave, bow-on, hardly a cable’mh any 

    

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' ‘scribable gen eness.

,‘ for us,” she murmured. ‘
5%, glin wretches in the water 1’

Rowlock, the Harbor Detective. . 3

 

 

 

“ Tracked at last, and by Vasco llartez and
his crew!” exclaimed lnez, in an appalled tone.
“ Now Heaven be with me!”

 

CHAPTER II.
INEZ DELORME.

THE boats had perceived each other at the
same instant. .

There was a chorus of exultant yells from the
larger craft—such as might have been suddenly
unmasked upon a trembling and defenseless mer-
chant man from an old-time cut-throat cruiser
of the Spanish Main, with the ominous black flag
unexpectedly flung from her eak.

Then the commander, asco Martez, the
graceful and slender yonng man whom the
reader has already had a glimpse of, sprung
erect in the stern, a glistening revolver in his
right hand. i

“ Hold hard to grapple ’eml" he shouted. “ If
the young lady is surrendered unresistiiigly, no
violence shall be offered.”

Save calling out a few words in a low, dis-
tinct tone to Mingo, the detective had as yet
said nothing, but was sitting calmly with both
rudder and sail under his perfect control.

“ Crouch a little lower under the gunwale,
and fear nothing," he now muttered reassuring-
ly to the trembling Inez, who mutely obe e( .
“ Our coat is of steel, and theirs of wood. T ere
is nothing whatever to fear, as you shall pres-
ently see.”

At this instant the Send was sheared off
slantingly, as if by magic, just as the enemy
came broadside-on, less than a yard distant, and
with every desperado springing to his feet, pre-
parin to lay aboard.

“ ow, Mingo!” called out Ensco, the words

quitting his lips like pistol—shots. “ Now!”
. Instantly the gigantic negro was on his feet,
armed with an enormous belaying pin, from
whose square—blunted end a. short, keen knife-
blade protruded.

He was like an incarnate fiend.

With one lightnin -like sweep of the huge pin
and knife. the crow ed line of radians along the
hofiile gunwale were sent tumbling down like a
re of bricks.

A second, up-and-down stroke split the dgreat

over

. sail, from gafl’ to spanker-boom. as it flo pa

in the heel of the wave, and then t e Night
Hawk as the redatory craft was fltly named,
went drifting elplessly astern, without a single
grapuel having caught.

“ Steady!” called out the Harbor Detective’s
collected voice. “ That will do for the present,
Mingo. Now, again!”

The Scud, obedient to the rudder as a swift
coarser to the master-hand, bad tacked as if by
magic, and now, ised like an avenging bird
on the summit o a huge wave, was hoverin ,
grow-on, over the helpless Night Hawk, whi e

be boom swung easily around to catch the full-
ness on her quarter. .1 ' , 1

Vasco Martez'. Whitefwith baffled fury, leveled
his revolver at the detective's breast.

“ Everlastin Ma'rplotl Hound of a detect-
ive!” he snarle ; “ my mother’s, no less than my
own and my brothers, wrongs upon your ac-
cursed head! Die in your tracks!

The unsteady weapon miSSed fire, and there
was no chance for a second essay.

At that instant the Bond shot forward and
down like a. bolt, her steel prow cutting through

‘ the Night Hawk directly amidships, and then

recalling from the shock, went on with scarcely
a moment’s ause.

" Ensco, aware!” yelled Vasco Martez, a
moment or two later, from his clinging hold
upon a fragment of the wreck. “ Juan has ere
this seized the treasure chest, Inez shall yet be
mine, and the witch—faced serpent of your ac-
curacd emblem shall yet triumph in the strife.”

 x’l’he detective might have been of marble, for

all of response by word or sign, and the wreck-

 

..aglaiwu soon left far behind.
"L, g nez had buried her face in her hands.

“ Weep not lady 2" said Rowlock, with inde-
“ Your danger is a thing
of the past."

" ' ' She raised her face, unveiled now, showing

that it was agitated. but tearless.
“’It is not the danger—that is over and done
“ But ah! those trug_

‘ ey’ll be picked up, never fear—more’s
the ity!” in a hard, contemptuous tone.

“ at then my Cousin Vasco‘s parting threat!
Oh! if the treasure should be gone—if some-
thing dreadful should. haye happened on the
Seamew!” ‘ ‘ .

And she shuddered again, while her'great eyes

questioned him eager] . .
“,A pitiful cowa boastful prediction, in
whichthe h was father to the words—noth-

in more! we itnot another thought l"

Then, seeing that she wassomewhat relieved,
his own face was expremive of eagerness, pain-
fully expressed. I ' -

“ Our fates seem to be closely unscented,
through our common foes ” said he, gnardedly—
“ more closel than I could have supposed.”

“ So it wofid seem. Ah! that mysterious a1-

, "melon. tam. tattooed emblem on your‘ arm!

  

itmmni”

 

“ You shall some time have its solution—that
is, should you desire it.”

“ Desire it!”

“But "—a little timidly—“might not your
own history be more to the point, in view of
present complications?”

She looked at him hesitatingly.

“My grandfather has perfect confidence in
you. He has told me so. Has he not been ex-
plicit in his explanations to you?"

“ No. Captain Marston has thus far given me
buts. faint outline of the perils that threaten
you. Perhaps he opined that his granddaughter
would be more—more trustful."

She had been gravely studying his features in
the moonlight.

“You can be velvet or steel, scabbard or
blade, at need,” she murmured, half to herself.
“ After what has happened to-night, I feel that
I can trust you.”

“ I am sure you can.”

They were just entering the Narrows, though
laboriously against a strong head-wind, the gale
having shifted several pOints, and the short,
thumping seas running yet more vexatiously.

The moon and stars were yet more chary of
their uncertain light, though far away in the
East the increased somberuess was but premoni-
tory of a new day’s dawn. '

It was under these circumstances, and quite
suddenly, without further persuasion, as though
under an impulse she refused to restrain, that
Inez began to recount her brief but eventful
history.

“ Captain Marston, as you doubtless know,.is
my grandfather on my mother’s side. Whether
I am an orphan or not I do not know. I have
an indistinct recollection of my father and
mother. But all is confused, and they somehow
faded out of my life. If they are dead, I know
nothing of their graves: if still living, their
whereabouts is no less a mystery—«that is to me.
On this subject alone, a. subject that is naturally
vital to me, myngrandfather, though in every-
thing else so ki , so tender, so more than in-v
dulgent, has ever been morosely, inexorably
silent. You know his iron mood when once
crystallized into permanency. To say thatvall
mention of the to ic, so dear to my heart, so
haunting to my so , has been interdicted is not
enough. Between my grandfather and me, it
has been as though entombed, or, rather, as un-
born apd non-existent. I have lived within
grandfather as lon as I can remember. 13%
has been all in a to me. As the old pilot’s
granddaughter, I have been his potted treasure,
my every cagrice gratified m sli htest wish
his law. For gpsit is well or th imand me
that my natur is not an exacting one. Other-
wise, I mighthave been 5 iled and be rendered
unhappy by my waywar ness.”

She smiled a ittle sadly, and then, perceiving
the ra t earnestness of her auditor’s attention,
colo a little and proceeded more hurried-

1y.

“ Those earlier years of mine with my good
old grandfather were of unnlloyed hap iness,
though spent in comparative seclusion in his old
yellow mansion and grounds on the breezy river-

ank, near the foot of East Ei hty-sixth street,
wining locality you are per aps acquainted
wit .

Ensco bowed his head.

“ With himself old Mrs. Twiggs, his house-
kee er, and the few servants, I was as ha py
an care—free as the day was long. ‘Whet er
out on the river fishing with grandpapa, the
companion of his cruises in the Seamew, skurr -
ing away over the new-made streets and 0d
lanes on my Mexican pony, devising, home-
sports with my few playmates of the neighbor-
hood (in which grandpapa likewiso seldom
failed to participate.) or in practising m stud-
ies under my visiting governess or an or in
various tutors, he also being mostly resent, t
was a gay and swoetlife, that life 0 my early

irlhood, such as I may never know again.

hen "—sbe sighed deepl' —“ in Second cousins,
the twins, Juan and new artez, became
members of our household, and there was a.
chaiwe—such a change 1”

“ hen was that?” Ensco questioned eagerly,
as she came to a troubled pause. “ Pardon my
impulsiveness, but the time may be of impor—
tance to me. About how old were you than?”

“Eight or nine, I should say; and I am now
nineteen”

“ 0! And the particulars of their arrival—
wou you object to stating some of them?”

“ Not at all." ‘

“ They arrived from—i

“ From somewhere in Mexico or Honduras, I
am uncertain which.”

“You will excuse the apparent importunity
of my interrogations?”

“ ray, proceed.” ‘ »

“How are you related to those young men?”

“They are the sons of a niece of my grand-
father's. the daughter of a wayward sister of
his, so I have understood, by a Spanish mar—
riage. She had married General Marten a
Mexican revolutionist of some distinction, I

lieve, Juan and Vasco being the fruit .of the

ion ”

un . .
“CAB look of hatred flashed over the detective‘s

I

 

il,,,.~,,‘,‘-.,; J‘y: -, '_

 

“ She, their mother—you have never met,
then!”

“ Thank Heaven, no! at least, not to my
knowledge."

“ And yet to-night you have alluded to her by
name—the Senora Zarapatta Marten, surnamed
the White Sib ] of Morona." ‘

Inez gave a ittle shiver.

“ That terrible woman! yes, by reputation
she is known to me."

“The twins, how old were they on their ar-
rival at your grandfather’s?"

“ About sixteen—almost double my own age
at that time, I should sa .”

“ Yet they came not a one?”

“No. They were accompanied by a tall and
graceful woman, whom I took to bola nurseor
trusted dependent. Her face was almost con—
stantly concealed, like that of a nun, with white
wrappings, as then b she mi ht be a. sufferer
from neuralgia, an my gran father seemed to
dislike her, almost to abhorrence."

“Aha! and doubtless with reason. What do
you recollect of her?"

“ But little, for she was with us only two days,
and seemed to avoid me. But I overheard her
and my grandfather in several stormy. inter-
views. They were mostly carried on in the
Spanish tongue, with which I was not then
familiar. But sometimes they spoke in Eng-

18 .

“ Enough to give you an inkling of their dis
putei”

H Yes.”

“ And that was—?”

“ The disposition of a treasure chest of superb
gems, whic the woman and boys had brought
with them, and given into Captain Marston’s
care. It was the same that has caused all the
trouble since—that he is even now so anxious to
carry out of their reach in the Seamew.”

“ Ab! and this treasure?”

“ It consisted of priceless state and other
‘ewels, and had been sent for safekeeping to

aptain Marston by General Marten, as the

chief proceeds of some partly successful Central" I

Americhn revolution in which he was then
enga ed.” .

“ ell?” .

“ Dona Anita, as the strange woman called
herself, wanted my grandfather to convert the

jewels into cash Without delay, for the benefit of ‘ 

the twins and herself, as their guardian. This

he steadfastly refused to do, claiming that to do , a

so would be to betray the trust reposed in him
bylGenei-al Martez, of whom he seemed to have
a igh opinion. Hence the disputes—for he had

secured the treasure beyond the woman’s: reach 

directly upon receivin it. Dona Anita at last

took herself ofl very a ruptly, leaving the lads ‘ h

with us.”
“ And
face?” I v i
“ But once—by" the merest accident—and. that
was once too often. on, it was terrible!” ,
“ In what way?” .
“ 0h, it'was so handful and yet so co
like, and with the exfpression of a fiend! he
was fresh from one 0 those bafliing interviews
with my grandfather, and her lineaments, from

you never saw the/ strange womanls

which she had inadvertently torn the covering»:i ,. '

were distorted with such evil passions as I h

not deemed could find a lodgment in the human. ' I “

breast. Ah! the face of a demoness—a tlgress j,

-—a serpent! It haunts me yet.”
h Indez shuddered, and bowed her face in her
an 3.

When she looked up, Rowlock had again
bared his tattooed arm to her gaze.

“Was it a countenance resembling this?”

And he indicated the woman-face of the serpent ‘

in the emblem. ' '

.Inez gazed with starting eyes.

“ Yes, yes! Heavens! why did I not connect
the two before? The same, the same!” i

The detective replaced the sleeve. ' r _

“Child, it was no nurse-woman's face that
was revealed to you,” he exclaimed, in a deep,
impressive voice. “You then made the ac:
quaintance of the fiend-mother of the demon
twins. Dona. Anita and the Senora Zarapatta ,
Martez were one and the same!” 

“ Hal are you sure?”

“ Perfectly sure.”

“ What! I have really looked
face of that terrible woman—that
monster?”

then, in the
beautiful! -

“Truly; and well may you d ate her a 

monster. Do you know what she di after leav-
ing per precious twins in Captain Moraton‘s ,
care -

“ I know nothing.” ' ‘

“ She hurried back in Honduras, secret! sold, '
her own husband, the unfortuname Mar [
tez, into the hands of his enemies for a. round .
sum, and he was executed the next day at Inns ‘

rise in Comay .” x
“ 0h. shame, gamer!" '

“But the unvarnished truth. Since tint ill-  -

famy, as the White Sibyl of Morons, she has
mostly lived like a so neon in her moun- *
tain of the Co t W loathed a:
dread , on e roceeds o treachery,

sole remaining esires, to
jeweled treasure, through villainous, agency
of her sons,to get you in herclutchesns-the'

 

 

 

 
    
 
 
 

hfl‘aelfoftho L

‘ n

4

' Rewloek, the Harbor Detective.

A. .

 

,,
bride of one of them, she doubtless cures not
which, and-to accomplish my destruction.”

Inez gazed at the speaker with renewed inter-
est in the midst of her terror.

“You, too!” she murmured. “Is your fate,
then, so inextricabl blended with mine?”

He gravely bowe his head, and then extend-
ed his hand.

“ It is even so! Lady, I would be your cham-
pion to the end, whatever that may be. Is it a
compact? If so, give me your fair hand upon
it.”

She seemed to hesitate.

“Perhaps I cannot blame you,” said the de-
tective, mournfully. “ This hand, in which I
ask you to lace your own, is not unstained
with blood, t ough never yet—I swear itl—save
in Self-defense or in a righteous cause.”

ith a sudden impulse, she placed her hand
in his.

He reverently raised it to his lips, while turn-
ing his eyes aloft, at the same time murmuring
an invocation under his breath, and both felt
that a solemn com ct had been sealed.

“It is well,” sai the detective, with intense
thankfuluess. “ Inez Delorme. come what may,
you are from this hour not alone in the troubles
that seem thickening around you—Rowlock
Ensco is henceforth your adviser, your friend
and your champion to the bitter end!”

“ l gratefully accept you as such, sir,”answer-
ed the youn‘r girl, fervently. “ And may Prov-
idence s the virtuous, the weak and the
wronged in whatever trials Fate may have in
store for us!”

“ Amen! Now a few questions more will
elicit the more important elements of your past
history."

“ Put them to me.”

“How long did the twins remain with your
3,. . grandfather?

1, ~ “ Until their twentieth year.”

’ “ What was their behavior?”

_' ’ “That of unconscionable ingrateui lniquity
’u ‘ is in rained in their natures. he were wild,
crue and lawless from the first. hey repeat-

? V edly forged my grandfather’s signature tochecks

‘ ,for inconsiderablo amounts, besides attemptin

criminal practices of a much graver sort, an
were as often forgiven—perforce you might al-
most say. For the resemble eac other so ex-
actly—a slight hirt -mark on Juan’s left cheek
being almost the sole distinction between them
—as to nearly defy the bringing home of any
misdemeanor to them separately, and they were
. shrewd enough to attempt no considerable mis-
l chief in unison.”

" That tellatale birth-mark—the crimson pon-
éar'd—on the elder’s cheek, how well do I know

tl

Here a cheerycall from Mingo, at the bow,
apparised them that the Seamew was at last in

31 t.

5.- En the growing light of the new day, they
)1, could see her rocking gent] at her anchors. e in
' the quiet waters under the es of the Fort ads-
 f worth water-battery, a little to the south of the
‘fi, 1 Clifton, or lower Staten Island Ferry landing.

 

 

CHAPTER III.
THE rasasunn—cnasr.

 

it BUT, as considerable tacking and rough sail-
e-f‘ ing were still necessary before reachin the
 , yacht, the Harbor Detective resumed his inter-
“ rogations.

 ' “What, may I ask, was the cause of the

 

« young men’s final dismissal from your grand-
? ' ' father’s household, Miss Delormei”

i:  Inez colored furiously, as if under a particu-
f I larly exasperating recollection.

“ The dismissed themselves—fled under the
cover 0 night, like the ignominious felons that
they were—rot it would have been the worse for
them. Otherwise grandpapa would have prose-
cuted them mercilessly—they had at last over-
leaped the bounds of his forgiveness!”

' And the cause?"

 “There was more than one. Even at that

fl... age, they had become associated with organized

.1" bands of river thieves and other desperate char-
? acters—much the same class as their money and
fearlemess now enable them to enlist in their
service. More than this, grandpapa discovered
that they had been constantly in secret com-
munication with their infamous mother.”

“ To what end?”

“Ah! can on not guess? To gain possession
of the jewe chest at any cost. It was my
grandfather’s timely detection of a plot, on the

 ,part of Juan and Vaseo. doubtless with the
 counivance of outside confederates, to murder
 him in his bed, in order to t at thestron
room containing the treasure t terrified an
confused them at last. In fact, every member
of the household, with the single exception of
mym‘ self (I was marked as a chief part of
the t

cold bl

 

 

 

,”it seemed) was to be assassinatedin

‘_‘ Monstrous! No wonder they fled on the ex-
posure of such a plot.”
. “Yet there was something that my -
father found lyet more unpardouable. be ex-
posure was in  brought about byr”
She hesitated an the detective, w ose eyes
were thoughtfully lowered, could not see the

 

 

blush of indignant shame that was mantlmg the
pure face.

“By what?” he asked.

“ By—by an indignity offered to me by Vasco.
Though but thirteen, I—I had the appearance
of being much older, and—and—”

“ The scoundrel-l Say no more of it. Oh, how
can you forgive my want of tact—my brutal
inconsiderateness?”

She made a disclaiming gesture, and quickly
recovered her composure.

“ Then," continued the detective, after a long
pause. “ you had no further trouble with the
rascally pair until their recent reappearance in
New York?”

“ No; nor so much as any knowledge of them.
Indeed, my grandfather had begun to hope that
the senora and her sons had given over all de-
signs upon the treasure, and decided to leave
him in peace. But the first of the recent at-
tempts to break into our house, and get at the
strong room, opened his eyes rudel enough to
the false security into which he ha lulled him-
self. Threatening anonymous letters, in one or
another of the brothers’ handwriting, followed,
and these were succeeded by thetwo other house-
breaking attempts, of which you are doubtless
aware.”

The detective nodded.

“ You know my grandfather’s old-fashioned
prejudice against banks and similar institu-
tions,” resumed Inez. “After these last at-
tempts upon the treasure, I became so alarmed
for his safety that I renewed my oft-repeated
entreaties that he would place the dan rous
fascination forever beyond the cupidity 0 those
cunning, powerful, and persistent foes by con-
signing it to the robber-proof vaults of a safe
deposit company]. But, no; he would not hear
of it. It was t on, however, that he consented
to allay my fears by advancing the Quixotic
scheme—an idea, for all the wor d, of just such
an impracticable, dear, darling old sea rover as
he is—of which our present perilous harbor ex-
pedition is one of the primary ste s. Accom-
panied by you and me, together wit such of his
old yachting crew as have been in his pay for
years, and what other seamen might be demand—
ed, he would carry the treasure far away in the
old Seamew to a one island bank that he knew
of in the Caribbean sea. There he would bury
it in a secret spot with his own hands. And
there it should remain undisturbed forever or
until its rightful owners—the unfortunate den-
tral American families who had contributed
their precious heirlooms to speed the political
revolution in which General Martez so fatally
failed, doubtless involving them in his ruin—-
should (present and make good to him their just
deman s for a restoration of the property. ”

“ Still,” said the detective, “ the incorruptible
integrity of the old gentleman in regardinghim-
self as'merely the responsible custodian of such a

, so immense in value, so vague as to its
real ownership, more than condones the Quixot-
ism of thls scheme of his for its safe-keeping.”

Inez adored her grandfather, and she cast a
grateful look at the detective for these kindly
words.

It was. near sunrise, and they were rapidly
approaching the Seamew at her quiet anchor-
age.

“ How beautiful she looks—just like ‘ a thing
of life,’ and yet so ful and secure!” ex-
claimed the lyoung girl. “Ah, surely no mis-
fortune can ave come to any of her inmates!
And yet it seems odd that neither grandpapa
nor one of his men is on the lookout for our com-

in .7,

That Ensco was of alike mind was uite evi-
dent, for he had suddenly grown thong tful and
grave.

“Ease her off, Mingol” was his order as they
were laying alongside. “There!” and down
came the cud’s sail with a run. “ Remain
where you are, Miss Delorme.” .

But, nanticall expert as .she was, Inez had
lightly followed 'm and the negro up over the

yacht 3 side a moment later.
It was only to encounter them, reelin back
out of the cabin entrance, with looks. of error

in their faces.

“Stop, .Miss Delorme, you must not go in
there!” cried Ensco, in a strangely changed,
hoarse vorce, and he made a spring to intercept
Ilium “ 1,0,: is not tit—something has happened.

a y—

But she had evaded him, and was already at
the open cabin door.

Then her shriek rung abroad, and, with wide-
staring eyes fixed upon a ghastly scene, she
would have fallen but for the detective’s sup-
porting arm.

“ Something” had, indeed, ha pened.

The cabin interior was litemJIy wrecked and
evidently the recent scene of a murderous strug-

gle.

The insensible form of Captain Marstonla
behind the overturned chart-table, the venerab a
face streaked With blood, the bald head crushed
in by repeated blows, doubtless from a heavy
chair, whose shivered fragments were strewn
over the body.

Just inside the door lay the captain’s faithful
steward. Mala. an old Sandwich Islander, his
head and face beaten to a jelly.

 \ »

 

The dead body of Hammond, the yacht’s sec:
ond officer, a life-long servicor and friend of the‘
owner, was outside seams foot of the short
com amonway. mummy stabbed, a frown on
the ace, ahmken upstan bar in the knotted

haéads.

lood and confusion everywhere, doubtless the
relics of a murderous midnight strife, in which
crime had triumphed.

And of robbery as well!

The small iron safe, directly behind where the
old captain lay, open, its massive door, with the
combination ock, blown from -its hinges—the
interior empty, the treasure—chest gone!

A single glance had betrayed these ghastly
particulars.

Then, followed by Mingo, the detective had
lost not a moment in bearing the swooning Inez
back to the open air of the deck.

This move had hardly been effected before
there wasa cheery hail from the yacht’s boat
that was approachin from the shore.

In it were John ago, the Seamew’s chief
officer, with two seamen at the oars, all of them
old and trusted hands.

Wholly unsuspicious of the tragic event, as
was evident at a glance. they made the boat
fast and lightly leaped over the side, when the
fainting girl and the appalled looks of the two
men were their first hint of what was in store
for them.

In a moment Dago had taken in the awful
scene, and joined the gran on deck, leavin his
com anions half—para y with horror, be ow.

“ gerciful Heaven l’ he gasped, as soon as he
could find speech, “I see it all now. This comes
of hiring those suspicious-looking new bands,
that I was so dead against, though Captain Mar-
ston wouldn’t listen to a delay that better ones
might be looked up. They’re at the bottom of
this work—I’d swear tom—especially the slim
chap as shipped for bo’sen’s mate."

T e detective caught at the words.

“ What was he like?” was his swift demand.

“Young, supple an’ handsome, black eyes,
black mustache, curling black hair, gentlemanly
an’ soft-spoken, too, barrin’ a treacherous, skulk’
ing look, and with a little red birth-mark, some—
thing like an arrer, on his left check, that he
seemed recious anxious to hide.”

Inez ad reopened her horrified eyes, and
overheard the characteristic description.

“Juan Mnrtez—the elder :of the accused
twins!" she shrieked, springing out of the detec-
tive’s support, and wild] clinching her hands.
“Oh, miser , misery! asco’s boast was not;
an idle one!’

Here one of the sailors came running a the=
companionway, callin out that Captain -
ston was still alive on partly conscious.

Ensco was the first to re—enter the cabin, hav-
ing resolutely intercepted Inez’s frantic rush to
precede him.

As he strode over to where the old captain
was supported by the sailor who had remained
there. something glittering caught his attention
on the floor. ‘

.It was a sapphire rin , set round with bril-
liants, which he succeed in securing without
being perceived.

The terribly wounded gentleman, who was,

obviously near hi3 last extremity, made a si n»
of recognition, an then by an effort be laid is
hand tenderly upon the head of the young girl,
who had sunk, voiceless in her anguish, m a;
kneeling attitute at his aide. .

“‘Ensco,” he gasped, “ she is under your pro-
tection now. You—you will accept the trust?”

“ With my life!” was the stern response.

“The treasure gone—the accursed twins and
their sorceress-dam Victorious at last—but you
will keep up the quest, the defense, the revenge,
Ensco—you will not falter?”

" Not while life. remains to me i” and the de-
tective solemnly raised his hand. “It is an oath
—an oath in heaven 1”

, “Hal Good, excellent! 0h, Ensco!” the dyo

ing man suddenly raised himself, throwing his

limp arms around the detective’s neck. “ Quick.
ere it be too late! There is a secret—the fate of
my daughter, Nessie’s mother, and of George
Delcg'me.k her husiband—N at t 1m ”
pea . gran a a i cried
gueflpwildly. “llr;}pa’r-ei'1pt:—are they alive or
en
11:12:] lazing eyes glared at_her.h k H
ve :- , came ma us w spar
“but. betteliiedea , far better!” y ’
“Say not so! Tell me where they arel
0h, Egndpapa, as you stand in this extremity,
But further speech was im ble.
There was gush of blood om the old man’s
11%: an inarticulatc cry, that sounded like
“ nd ho! land at last!” and then, as the

young girl’s despairing wail went forth, he was

gone i

CHAPTERIV.
A mamou'r LATER.

Ar dusk of a fine day. a fortnight after the
tragedy of the yacht Seamew Inez Delorme
stood in the drawing-room 1 ing the riverof
the old Marston readence. -

Her hat was on. and she was about f0.§i19P'

out into the grounds-

 

 

 

 

  
   
  
 
  

 

.T. H

I‘M eta

paw

 

lam-Animus -' m.

‘05: :;

 

 
   
 
 
 
   

~ And there was a kindly answer to the

,,. ..

Rowlo‘ék, the Harbor Detective.  _ _   , ,  '5

oh _. . .  ..
' ‘. ' l.
!

 

Mrs. Twiggs, the old housekeeper, who had
been almost a mother to the young girl, looked
‘up a little anxiously from her sewiugchair.

“ I wouldn’t go just yet, dear, ’ said she.
"‘ You haven’t yet received Mr.
signal."

'No, aunt,” it was thus that Inez mostly ad-
dressed the housekeeper, “ but look!" and she
i ered out over the lawn and darkening water;
' ‘ yonder is the twinkle of the Seainew’s lantern,
rocking at the anchorage just off Astoria.”

“ But the detective was not to put off for this
interview until quite dark, and the twilight is
not gone.”

Inez sighed.

The wearing shock of her grandfather’s tragic
death—us yet unavenged, or even brought home
to the perpetrators—still showed its snbduin
traces in her soft beauty, though she seeme
lovelier than ever.

“ What of that? It is so stupid, remainin
shut up here so incessantly, as in a hesiege
cabin in the Indian country.”

“There are enemies, more cunning and piti-
'less than red savages, for you to be guarded
against, dearie,” urged the old lady, impressive—

Ensco’s

y.

“ But we have no longer with us the treasure—
chcst. aunt, which all these bolts and bars and
cast—iron regulations were intended to defend.”

Then her lip trembled at the thought that the
dear, good grandfather was no longer with them
either—passed forever to that mysterious bourne
from which no traveler returns.

Mrs. Twiggs looked up at her lovingly over
her s ectacles. - '

“ . ou forget, my dear, that we have still_1n
keeping a yet more priceless treasure, which
those devil’s whelps, Juan and Vasco, are fully
as determined to carry off as was their terrible
mother in the case of the jewel~chest.

A flush of hatred and fear crosscd the fair
young brow, and then the discontent reappeared
in the lovely face.

“ Oh, yes; you mean me, of course.”

“ Of course, dearic!” And Mrs. Twiggs drop-
ped her knitting to take one of the soft, listlessly-
hanging little bands, which she patted and
smoothed |aetween her dry old palms. “Whom
else but my darling?”

“ Treasure, indeed!” Inez’s tone was pas-
sionatel in earnest. “I wish—I wish—”

“ We 1, and what does my darling wish?”

“ Oh! next to bringing Juan and Vasco to the
scaffold, aunt, I wish that I were ugly and poor,
instead of handsome and rich, or else—just
dead!"

“ Tut, tut, tut! Wild words, these, for my
petted Inez to speak!”

“ But I’m not patted—save by you now, aunt.”
pressure
of the fondling palms. "Petted, indeed! to be
up here, day in and day out, as in a jail, with
only an occasional peek out at the door or win-
dow for a mouthful of fresh air!”

“ But it cannot be for long, dearie.
her, it is b Mr. Ensco’s earnest advice.”

“ As it should forget it!”

“ The criminal young men once captured and'
their crimes brought home to them, as the ar-
bor Detective is now striving for, and my dar~
ling will once more have the world of love and
admiration at her pretty feet.”

“ Ah, no, aunt!” despondently. “ Ishall never
love or beloved. Of that I am quite positive.”

Mrs. Twiggs, having forgotten the uncon—
scious hypocrisies of maidenhood, always took
Inez seriously.

“ Not love or beloved!” she repeated. “Bless
me, my child! what else are you made for?”

t

Remem~

I don’t know; to be dogged, and watched, .

and made miserable, I suppose.”

“ Nonsense, sheer nonsense! Why, Mr. Ensco
was saying to me, on the occasion of his last se-
cret visit here— But, bless me! what ails you,
my dear?”

. Inez 11nd snatched away her hand but the old
lady‘s imperfect eyesight fortunately failed to
mark the telltale color——invariably invoked of
late at the mere mention of the handsome detec—
tive’s name in anything like an emotional con-
nection—that had suddenly overspread the pure
pallor of the fair young face.

“Nothing,” was the short reply. “Well,
well, Aaunt Tw1ggs; Mr. Ensco was saying to

on 4’

" That you must still keep close, my dear;
but that, the danger once passed, you might
safely enter but to conquer'upon the world of
wealth and fashion and admiration that is doubt-
less impatient to applaud. your debut.”

“ Oh i” a little disappomtedly.

“ Yes; and that your peerless beauty and
rare accomplishments could not fail, to Win your
choice from among the richest, highest-placed
and nipst distinguished in all the land for a. hus-

3 Indeed 1”
“ Yes: and I couldn’t exactly understand, for
he seemed so downhearted and cheerless-like

while he waspredicting so many pretty and .

brilliant things for you)
“ You are sure he seemed that way?” eagerly
“To be sure I am, dearie: and, as he turned

_ away, he muttered something about a poor and

obscure men having no chance, no matter how

 

much he might love and do for you, as a simple‘
matter of course. ‘ Oh, that stands to reason,
Mr. Ensco!’ says I. ‘Just as our Nessie is a
natural-born princess among girls, just so sure
could she never think of any wooer who might
be only poor, but honest, and otherwise un-
worthy. And for that matter,’ says 1—”

‘, , Inez, or “ Nessie,” cut her short by throwing

her arms around the old neck, and bursting into
a laugh that was like chime of joy‘bells—her
sWeet, natural laugh that had hardly been heard
since the sunrise tragedy on board the Seumew.

“ Oh you dear, darling old goose!” she cried;
“you know all about it, of course. don’t you?
You are just as deep, and penetrative, and far—
seeing as the stupid men themselves, aren’t you?”

“ I really don’t exactly understand, my dear.”

But Nessie was once more at the Window.

“The signal!” she exclaimed. “There it is—
four swings of a red lantern, just as the detec-
tive agreed 1”

“Wait! no haste! Don’t forget his warning
against a false signal, or some other cunning
trick,” said Mrs. Twiggs, who could see better
at a. distance than nearer at hand. “ Ha! Cau-
tion’s the word, Nessie.”

“ Nonsense, aunt!
flashes?”

“ Yes; directly under the lawn’s end there,
while Ensco’s were to come from midstrcam,
while passing from the Seamew to the landing.
Stop, Nessie, stop / Don't dare to forget the
precautions! Some trick, sonic treachery—”

But, Inez had already darted into the hall,
after Vouchsafing a little reassuring kiss.

She could be heard giving hurried orders to
the servant, who was unharring the front door,
for the fort—like safeguards of the old mansion,
instituted by the late eccentric proprietor, had
been sedulously kept up, at the detective’s sug-
gestion.

Then, before Mrs. Twiggs could run after her.
she had disappeared. .

The Marston residence was a somewhat neg—
lected mansion of old—time stateliness. in the
midst of extensive grounds, a little north of East
Eighty—sixth street, on the river-bank—with a
public boating and bathing float below, near the
foot of that rowing thoroughfare, and the
grounds of the ouse of the Good Shepherd ad-
joining on the north—which is familiar to resi—
dents and ramblers in that section of Yorkville
by its incongruous but agreeable rusticity in the
midst of the prosaic brick-and-mortar improve-
ments, finished, finishing, and just beginning, on
every hand except that of the broad river front,
with its superb View of Hell Gate, the interme-
diate island-ends, and the opp0site Long Island
shore, though another pleasant break in the city
river-line is supplied by the East River Park,
adjoining Eighty-sixth street on the south.

nez merely nodded to the old coachmun, who
was sturdin patrolling the grounds, blud eon in
hand, and then sped on throu h the dusk or the
private boat-landing just be ow the lawn-em-
bankment.

The red lantern had repeated the signal, and
then remained stationary.

She had no sooner descended the bank than,
with a swiftlyointerrupted scream of terror, she
found herself a co. tive in the combined grasp of
the dread twins, uan and Vasoo Martez.

Don’t you mark the

CHAPTER V.
THE INFERNAL 'rwnvs’ WORK.

“SILENCE!” exclaimed Vasco, who had the
firmest hold of the young girl, while Juan was
assisting in gagging and controlling her; “silence
or we. shall be forced to kill you! Submit, and
there is nothing but happiness in store for you.”

" He speaks. Iruly, Cousin Nessie,” said Juan.
“ This abduction has become a family necessity
——no more no less. No violence or indignity is
dreamed of.”

,From the hands of the latter especially—stain-
ed with her grandfather’s murder, as she had
not the shadow of a doubt—the young girl
shrunk in a Sort of frenzy, but they were both
sinewy and determined beyond her utmost re-
sistance. _

They spoke in low tones, and were dragging
her toward the small landing, at which their
row-boat, containing the false light that had de-
luded her, was in waiting. ‘

Inez succeeded in uttering yet another half-
scream.

Then a soft and painless but eifective gag was
secured over her lips, and she was hurried into
the stern of the boat, with one of her immediate
captors on either side of her. .

“Give way!” growled Juan. “ Caramba!
that last cry was not unheard.” .

The long, spoon-shaped skulls of four rufianly
oarsmeu bit the shimmering gloom of the water
at the same instant. and the keen, narrow boat
shot out and away like an arrow let fly.

J uan’s anxiety was not misplaced. Nessie’s
last or had not passed unheard.

Old ohn, the coachman on patrol duty, was
already on the retreating bank, calling out her
name and sounding& general alarm in stento-
nan tones.

H No and d n .
“Let  r0033”! commented Yasco, placidly.

 

 

They rowed with the tide which was swirling
up in the direction of Hell Gate with fierce ve-
locity.

But at that instant the true signal. which Nos-
sie’s impetuosity had not been content to make
sure of—four swayings of a red lantern from a.
boat mid way bet ween the Seamew’s distant an-
chorage and the homestead grounds—~flashed up
through the deepening dusk.

The captive made a movement both of hope
and despair, but the young men only laughed.

“ Carojo .’ little good will it do the Harbor
Detective now,” said Juan, lighting a cigarette.

“ No, indeed; our boat may safely defy tpur-
suit,” observed Vasco, " even if they shoul see
us and suspect our mission.”

“You may well say SO. What is the yachts
small boat, with its single rower, even if it he
the detectives black giant, compared with this
barbed clipper of ours?”

“ Hurrah for the red lantern! Aha, that was
a luck trick by which we duplicated the signal
agre on!”

“ Rather say forestalled, Va‘sco. And how
would you have managed but for my overhear

inf,r the parting words between our fair cousin ,

and her bold detective night before last at the
edge of the terrace?”

“True; but if you had knifed him thenand
there between the shoulder-blades, how much
better yet!”

Juan gave an involuntary shudder, which,
perceiving the girl’s eyes bent upon him, he pre~
tended to be a mimic one.

“ For Dias !” he muttered, half—under his
breath; “ wait till you’ve dip .d your own hands
in the red before recommen ing the dye-pot so
freely for others."

“ Don’t be angry, Juan; it was only my
joke.”

“Yes, joke! You can afford it, with Cousin
Nessie there for your prospective bride, and
your share of mother’s recovered jewelmhest to
lavish upon the pair of you at wil . But as for.
me, unjustly accused of my granduncle’s mur-
der, and with all the minions of the law on my

track, to say nothimg of this water sleuth- L

hound, Rowlock Ensco—well, the case is not so
charming!” .
Juan growled out these discontented words in

a mixture of Spanish and English—in which, by . r)

the way, most of the colloquy‘was being carried
on, Inez being fortunately familiar therewith,
through her thorough knowledge of both.

“ Don’t be downcast. I say, amigo,” urged
Vasco, cheerfully. “ They have not caught you
yet. You haven’t thought of how you last your
sap hire ring yet, I suppme?”

uan was craning his neck to starboard
while peering for the detective’s red lantern
which had ceased to swa to and fro, and was
now a more lurid, slight y moving speck out in
the darkness. '

“ No, no!” he replied, absently. , ,

“ Madre de Dws l” and Vasco’s voice fell al-
most to a whisper;
picked up in the cabin of the Seamew after—"-

J nan straightened himself up in a sort of ten“
rifled frenz . ‘

“ Cease your infernal croakings. or we’ll quar-
rel l” he hoarser interrupted, with a. torrent of
Mexican maledictions. “ Found there 5’ Im-
possible—preposterous» false 1"

“ Compose yourself, Juan.”

“ What! must you forever be suggesting hang-

man’s knots and gibbutsi”
“ Pests! Nothing of the sort.”
“And that, with Ensco, the sleuth-hound of

the harbor waves once more on our track? 9

Look out for yourself!”
,Vasco obeyed. «
“You are mistaken,” said be, after a mo—
ment’s scrutiny. “I cannot see that yonder
boat-light alters its position a hair’s-breadth.” x.

“Precisely, for the excellent reason that it is.

heading dead toward us, and at no tortoise jog,
either. v .
Vasco remained silent, while Inez had at-

ready marked the truth of this with a joyful _

heart-leap. .
Availing herself of the negligence into which

her guards had lapsed she now sprung forward 
he red lantern that was ' ‘

unexpectedly, seized t
poised not far away, and hurled it abroad with
all her strength. ,

- .i
It described a bright, crimson are in the
darkness before disappearing.

Juan shouted an imprecation, thrust her  '

furiously, and half-drew his stiletto. . w -
But Vast-o, who had repinioned the you?
girl’s arms from behind, drew her back, an ,
lai'i‘gjhing gayly snatched a kiss. ‘.
bursting into a coarse uflfaw.
“What, Juan,” crie Vasco, “are you so up:
prehensive? Caramba I” _ "
And, releasing Inez, he reheved her 0: die

ag. .
g But her first use of her liberty was not to
scream afresh, as might have been "

It was to fetch him such a box on the ears:

made his senses swim.
She was red with anger. I , _
“ Coward! rufilanly brute 1” she hissed, in bet'
ter Spanish than his own, “ you would dare to

kiss me? Had  but a weapon! Even that, "

“if it should have been,

6 men at the oars, also, took the liberty of w

 

 

6 .

murder-stained villain”—she indicated J uan— I
“ had not offered me such an indignity!”

And she sunk back scornfully in her seat.

Juan, who had begun to smile maliciously at
his brother’s rebuff, grew black, though Vasco’s
good-nature was undisturbed.

“ Ha, ha, ha!” laughed the latter. “ Oarajol
but there’s pith in that shapely arm of thine,
cousin mine. God forbid that its fury, though,
should outlast our nuptials l”

Inez maintained a rlisdainful silenca.

“It ma be well for you to laugh!” snarled
Juan. “ ut none the less has the girl’s action.
signaled her situation to the enemy. I give you
fair warning, if she yells out, my dag er shall

~~ stop her throttle, cousin or no cousip, ride or
I no‘bride!”
*1 And be altered the boat’s course a point or
' two, so as to bug yet closer the dangerous swirl
of the Gate while making for the west current
_ between Ward’s Island and the city shores.
. 4 Inez smiled at the superfluousness of the warn~

in .
iittle need of a signal by scream or otherwise,
since it was evident that the first had hoen so
3., well understood.
7.“ Even at that instant a small rocket shot up
 from tho pursuing craft.
 I . Then, for all of her single rower, the steadfast
‘ i- ' red light in her prow, which was pretty much
all that could be r istinctly seen of her, seemed
_ to be slowly enlarging.

f‘ CHAPTER VI.

-‘ THE ovna HELL GATE RACE.

JUAN was as quick to mark the changeas
Inez. With one of his favorite imprecations he
brou ht a night—glass to bear on the ursuer.

“ e has actually hoisted a. sail!" e growled,
 after an ominous pause. “That explains it.
721”, Diablo! who’d have suspected it in such a
 cochlea-shell?”

He quietly put up the glass, and began to ex-

v amine his revolver, for he could be cool and
deadly enou h on occasion.

Vasco to owed his example, his white, even

teeth glistening between his smiling lips in the

ght of the remaining lantern, an ordinary un-

1i
co cred one.
In fact, sharply contrastin the sullen moodi-
iny of this young
1

 

 

ness of the elr! er twin, the vi
man was invariably tempered by a dare-dev
gayety that would not have been without its
charm in one of a less notorious and incorrigible
viciousness. .

. “I su I have it bred in the bone,” said
, he, lightly, "‘ for my progenitors Were no less
sailors than soldiers. At all events, be it for
life or for death, let me grapple with fate on
the running wave 1”

1 And he broke into a bright bamarolo in a
r ‘ ' rich tenor voice.

Juan nodded a provingly.

“ I. too!” sai he, throwing 03 his jacket,
fend baringlfiiis sinewy arm to the elbow, while
his strong nd opened and shut caressineg on
his glistening revolver’s stock. “ The treach-
erous sea-water for a fighting ground, andevery-
thing equal! I ask for nothing better.”

But here there were unmistakable murmurs
. from the “ crew,” which had before this mani-
- tested some discontent; for it was now the crit-
I led! tidal moment at the Gate, causing the boat
4‘ to pitch about dangerously in the boilin waters;

while, to make matters worse, she be just un-
. dergone a huge “ wash” from one of the Astoria
. ferry-boats, which, with its tall rows of gleam-
. ing cabin lights had swept by within near hail
* on its way to the Ninety-second street dock.
‘ “ Be the powers, thin, it isn‘t meself as agrees
v, , wid aither av ye!”’ dissented the stroke-oar,

“ a beetle-brewed, bull-necked professional river-
thief of immense proportions. ’

“Oho!” sneered Juan. contemptuously with
_r a' Is! ificant flick of his revolver; “ and who
' ask “pour opinion, Mikel”

 “‘ x, but it’s meself—”

“You’ll keep it to Yourself till asked for. or

the worse for you!" This with a yet more men-
! acing air.
a. The rufiian was temporarily cowed, but this
V did not prevent the oarsman next in line, who
= ' ‘ ‘ was quite as dangerous-looking, from taking up
‘ the cue. ‘ ‘

“Wall, for my part,” he drawled out, “I’d
much sooner be rifling an Indiaman’s lockers,
. oreven robbing a new wharf-car o, watchman
" or no watchman, at the moment, t an be in this
imp, if it's that water-devil, Rowlock Ensco,
 in yonder ghostrboat that’s after us. And you

two young gentlemen might as well know it
first as last!”

 

  
 
  
  
    
  
  
   
 
  
  
    
     
   

, Juan had vainly eSsayed to quiet him with a

..stem gesture, and then a quietly murderous

;' look had settled upon his dark face.

, Vasco touched his arm as if to enjoin him to
patience.

‘ Then his own voice was no longer laughing,

but fairly trumpet-like he called out to the

chow—oar: ‘

, “Jago! be ready to put a bullet into Red

, Pete’s neck at the first sign from me. As for

. _', you, Big Mike, bear in mind that you’re doubly

 when disposed to fire of! that flannel-
mouth of yours again. You ought to know

.wp,

 

   

The growing mutiny was thus summarily
squelched, though Juan thought it necessary to
.make a little uiet speech in thieves" latm, with
still further e ect upon the two grumblers, while
Vasco, laughing afresh, gave another snatch of
song, that seemed to complete the restoration
of harmon , so far as it could be said to exist
among suc diverse rufflanly elements.

In the mean time the first of the dreaded tide-
pots of the Gate had been crossed, with two
more to come, so closely were they hu ging in

to the Ward’s Island rocks, perhaps in t e hope ‘

of luring their small pursuer to her destruction,
while the red light was slowly and surely gain—
ing in the chase. ,.

at, in s ite of this apparently desperate look
of affairs, asco threw himself in a careless at-
titude at the fair captive’s side. and endeavored
to engage her in a bantering chat.

“ Confess now, cousin, how you are longing
to be rescued by that devil of a detective back
yonder,” he laughed, pitching his voice in a soft,
musical key, that recalled his comparatively in—
nocent ho hood to her. “ Confess it, thou h
little goo it may do you, my dear. A !
Chiquita min, our wharf-rat refuge is not far
away. Your detective cannot overhaul us, or
he will be killed in the attempt. So, come now,
and chat with me merrily, as you used to do
when we twins were but seventeen angdyou not
ten. Do you remember the banana-b' song of
mine that you used to like?"

And he began to trill it again, a wild and
weird little thing, full of tropical conceits and
summer sea melody. llke an echo of the past.

Notwithstandin her anxieties and resent-
ments, Nessie con (1 not help viewing the young
desperado as a sort of enigma.

In the old da s, when the familiarity of child—
hood had swift y arisen between her and these
strange cousins of hers—the handsome but mis-
chievous and devil may-care boy-twins from the
Spanish Main, Vasco had always been her fav-
orite, he was so jovial, so ready-witted, so brave
and so good-naturedly selfish, in contrast with
the brooding somberness of Juan, that grave
alter ego of is, in body as in disposition save
for that tiny red arrow of the sinister chee .

There was nothing he would not do la. chiquita
sobn’na Inez (the little cousin Inez,) so he called
her, and she even remembered some girlish tears
over his incorrigibleness at the time of his fli ht
with Juan before the righteous wrath of or
grandfather.

And now to what extremities of wickedness
had he descended!

She shuddered as she saw him stretched so
carelessly there at her feet, singin like a bird,
so handsome so graceful in his alf-Mexican
costume, ’ and doubtless as lost and as blood-
stained as the sterner Juan himself, though per-
haps not with the actual murder of her grand-
father and his two followers.

She had read of the wild deeds of the Bucca-
neers, the Marooners, and their Corsair succes-
sors of the tropic seas, and the young men
strongly suggested such a criminal yet romantic
ancestry to her at the present moment in a way
that she did not care todwell on— rhaps for
the reason that there was more or ess fascina-
tion in the idea.

“I wish you wouldn’t sing, sir!” said she at
last. “ It isn’t—becoming.” ‘

Vasoo stopped instantly.

“ Of old you did not dislike my singing,” he
sof (y protested.

t “ edf old, you were not what you are,” she re—
ort .

A look that was not good to see flashed over
his face. '

“ Bueno! but might on not overlook that
 the detective h not come into your

e

A disdainful movement was the only an-
swer.

He seized her hand.

“ Inez, you are to be mine, my bride forever?
be exclaimed, with sudden fierceuess. “Strive
not against the inevitable! I have sworn it. It
is also my mother’s will— Ah! does her mere
name make you tremble, then l—it is likewise
the will of Fate. Child!” /

Crimson with indignation, she was struggling
inefi'ectually to release her hand.

“ It must, it shall be so!” he continued. fierce-
ly. “ Inez, on are mine! Essay not to op
the inevitab e. Family considerations, the dis-
position of the jewel—treasure, my own and my

rother’s security, a hundred complications im«
peratively demand it. You cannot, you shall
not escape! All, this apart from my love, my
passion for you, chiquita querida! It has

indled and mounted throughout the lonely
years until it has become a fiery madness in my
soul. Inez—Nessie! peerless, beautiful, adored!
in :ccgpting, even perforce, this heart, this
an —-

“Awa !” she had succeeded at last in fling-
ing him k; her voice was hoarse with .terror
and disgust: “ the one is black with iniquity,
the other stained with Hood—the blood of my
grandfather, to whose murder, wretch, you
were at least accessory ‘”

Vasco’s laugh was his retort, but with no gay-
6 now—a terrible laugh!

is face had become as a flend’s-a face sug-

 

' Rowlock, the Harbor Detective.

 

gesting his mother's, and consequently the
woman-faced emblem of the emblen in tattoo.

Inez was almost beside herself with nameless
ap rehensions.

ut they were passing through the second
tide—sw1rl of Hell Gate, and at that instant,
Wltll‘l a sharp jar, the boat grated on a sunken
roc '.

Vasco sprung to the ne lected tiller, while
Juan was on his feet like a ash.

“ Back water!” he roared. “ Ease her off two
points! Curse your mooning lolly, Vasco! that
was our fault. Ease her off, I say !"

“ 0 use, senors!” growled Jago, shipping his
sculls, and then twisting in his seat. “Our
bow’sswve in, and the whole river’s coming in
on us.

 

CHAPTER Vll.
THE ROCK STEP TRAGEDY.

“ KEEP Mike and Pete to work, at the pistol’s
point!” shouted Juan.

Then he had fairly scrambled over their
shoulders to the bow, jacket in hand where
J a 0 was already oesaying to plug up the rent.

at it was past remedy, for the foot-boards
were awash.

Nessie’s nerve had unaccountany returned to
her and, with a fortunate s ring, she had suc-
needed in reaching the smoot surface of a rock
that projected out of the boiling waters but a
few feet away, without even wettin her feet.

The green shore of Ward’s Islan point was
about ten yards distant.

Inan instant Vasco was at the young girl’s
side, leaving the boat with its remaining in-
mates to settle as it might.

“ All’s up!” shouted Juan.
rendezvous at Bowery Bay!”

Then he was dimly seen to leap over the dis-
a pearing nwale, and strike out for the
is and, in w 'ch he was followed by his three
companions.

In the mean time. the red lantern of the pass-
ing small-boat was bright and distinct, not fifty
yards away. and she, obedient to her sail, danc-
ng lightly over the perilous eddies as if possess—
ing a charmed life.

“ Inez—Miss Delorme!” it was Rowlock’s
voice, clear but anxious. trumpeting out of the
gloom; “ where are you?”

‘ ‘Here, HERE!” she screamed, in an agony of
delight. “Here upon a small rock! Haste, oh,
haste!”

But, Vasco had grasped her wrist and his
low, fearless laugh sounded hideously in her

ears. -
too- why don’t you tell him

“ I am here,
that r n he hissed. “ Item, too, chiquita querida,

“ Remember the

and. thanks to Vengeance, with my revolvers .

dr l”
gut her fears were now for another than herr ,

self.

“Rowlock, be careful!” she shrieked as the
boat approached. “I am not alone. Vasco is
here. He is armed. Look out!”

Vasco had clutched her with a grip of iron.
His left hand was over her lips in his right

listened his revolver read for instant use on
t enow distinctly-outlined gum in the bow of
the little shallop, just rounding to at the rock’s
edge, and quivering like a'live thing in the
swuft hesitance of her shifted sail.

A fierce laugh burst from the young Hon-
duran’s lips.

“D0 of a detective!” he cried; “ think you
to slant, us forever With your cursed cunning,

Pifl! Alight pull of smoke from the dark
figure in the bow, a report, and then Vast-0’8
pistol went off harmlessl in the air as it was
dashed from his hand y an unerring bullet
striking it in the butt.

“Alls over for the present,” hissed Vasco,
and the next instant he had disappeared head-

long in the seething flood.

, “ 0h, Rawlock, I am so glad—so lad!” and,
without thinking of what 3 e was oing, Inez;
sobbing hysterically, threw herself in the detec-
tive's arms, as he sprung to the rock at her side
after sheerln off the boat by a parting kick 0
his vi orous eel.

A t ‘11 of ecstasy pervaded Rowlock’s frame,
but he was far too enerous to take even an in~

stant's advantage or the»situation to express the ;

emotion that almost controlled him.

He turned from the sobbing girl, after com-
posing her with a soothing gesture.

“Quick, Mingo!”~ he cried. “ Little Starlight
will hold the boat. Overboard after them, and
remember, Juan is our chief game!”

The negro lunged over the taflErail, and was
off in the wa e of the three men who had first
taken to the water, Vasoo having somehow mys-
teriously disappeared after his initial plunge.

The detective helped Inez on board the little
pinnace. , '

“ There! you are almost yourself again,” he
said, Vvith his reassuring entlenesa

“ Oh, yes, sir!” she rep ied, though still trem- .

bling. “That is, I think so.” And she sunk
into a cushioned seat at the stern.

“ Look!” he exclaimed. “ If any man in the
world can make a swimming capture, it« is
Mingo. Stand read with a grapne ,
80!” And the boat egan to creep inshore.

 

25,34

Starlight l -

 

 

 

  

,water, that

Rowlock, the

v .a.,

Harlodr Detec

w

, .

this. 7 "

 

 

The person thus oddly addressed was a queer-
little wizen—faced urchin, in yachting costume,
who obeyed orders with a directness and taci-
turnity that rivaled Mingo himself.

By the starry shimmer that was now upon
the waters, the latter could be seen making
prodigious progress through the swirling tide,
with a formidable jack-knife between his teeth,
in pursuit of the three heads that were making
for the island shore. .

“ I——I think they might as well have been let
go,” staminered Inez “ at least for the present."

“ I don’t,” responded the detective. “Even
one of the minor scoundrels, as a witness against
the others, might be invaluable to us.”

“Ah! but look. Oh, dear, how dreadful!”

The two foi'emOst fugitives had clambered
ashore and disappeared, while the negro had
overtaken the hindmost, With whom he was en-
ga ed in a terrific struggle.

Suddenly both men vanished beneath the sur-
f

ace.

“ Quick, Starlight!” called out Ensco, in a
low voice. “ There. easy now. No fear of
Mingo, in such a tussle.”

He was right. At that moment a huge, mo-
tionless form, motionless save for the unquiet
action of the waves, reappeared on the surface.

It was that of Big Mike, a stiletto still clutch—
ed in one listless hand, the knife of the faithful
negro buried hilt—deep in the lifeless breast!

‘ Bad, had,” muttered Ensco. “ Better to
have had him alive, but it couldn’t be helped!”

Here the boat carecned a little under a giant
gasp on the gunwale, and then the victorious

in o drew himself in from the water.

“ gh l” he granted, shaking himself amid-
shi s. “ No use, Marse Rowlock.”

nd, reaching out to recover his knife, he re-
sumed his duties in the management of the
boat as if nothing unusual had interrupted
them.

Inez shuddered, and she drew her light mantle
more closely about her.

“ What now?" she asked, noticing that they
were heading straight back through the Gate.

“ Around the point,” was the detective‘s
laconic answer, ’as he grasped the tiller.
“ There’s a chance, though only a slight one, of
our intercepting the others in their attempt to
reach their rendezvous at Bowery Bay.”

“ I d ,you know of that rendezvous, then?”

0.

“ But might not the oflicors of some of the in-
stitutions on the island there assist in their cap-
ture, Were you to give the alarm?”

The detective shook his head.

“ Scent time for that. There’s a boat or two
that the scoundrels can have availed themselves
of ere this.”

This was made a parent as soon as the point
had been rounde , for a_ small boat with two
occupants was seen making its way rapidly
across the outer reach toward the Long Island
shore, with the strong tide in its favor, while
there was now nothing but a strong head-wind
for the pursuer.

“ No goodl”'growled Ensco. “ They’ll make
the passage in less than ten minutes, and we are
not strong enough I to follow them into the
gang’s chief fastness to-night.”

And he reluctantly altered the shallop’s
course.

“What gang is it?" asked Inez.

“The powerful gang of river-bandits who
seem to‘render unquestioning obedience to those
scoundrelly brothers.’

“ Ah! but Vasco must have been left behind,
no less than the dead man. There are only two
in yonder boat.” .

“ True; let us hope that he also met his doom
in the depths. ”

“ Oh no! Oh, no!”

“But, why not hope it? There would then be
but Juan, the master-murderer, left.”

“Yes yes; to hope it—to desire it as just and
well! fiat then, Vasco was always so brave, so
venturesome so desperate, especially on the

I cannot think—”

She shrunk dowu in her seat with a scream.

“ Vasoo is here 1” suddenly burst out a defiant
voice, followed _ by a blood-curdling laugh.
“Here to claim his bride, or to dedicate her to
his vengeance!”

He had suddenly risen from the water and
scrambled over the stern, poniard in
a veritable sprite of the waves.

CHAPTER VIII.
a LEAP roa VENGEANCE.

ROWLOCK recoiled from the tiller just in time
to avoid a vicious lunge.of the young bravo’s
knife over Nessie’s shrinking head.

But, as he did so, his revolver leaped into

2 view and spoke with as cunning precision as
I on the previous occas on, the bullet snapping

gig? uplifted poniard’s blade short oil? at the

t.
“Quick, Min 0!” shouted the detective,
ringing straig t at the intruder's throat.

. ‘ But remember. alivkalive, at all hazards!”

But he was intercepted by the tiller striking
him heavily in the breast, in its release, and he
once more went reeling back, while Mingo,
agile though he was, was as yet but midway to

e stem 5 sets,

Vasco broke into a terrible laugh.

hand, like

 

“ Mine in death, if not mine in life i” he yell-
ed, as he caught the shrinking Inez in his grasp,
and jumped with her into the waves.

In an instant they had disappeared beneath
the surface.

A cry of terror (terror for her,) no less than
of fury, bud burst from the Harbor Detective’s
lips, and he was on the tnfi‘rail, with his hands
joined over his head, his body curved for the
pursuing plunge; but a lithe, slight figure—the
figure of the little lad Starlight—flitted past
and before him like a flash.

“I’m best at water-rattln’, Rowlock!" sung
out the lad. “ Whatcher about?”

And his diving form had cut down through
the water like a knife.

Ensco was about to follow when Mingo’s mas-
sive grasp closed on his shoulder.

He turned upon him in a sort of frenzy, but
the ehon face of the African was expressive of
nothing but contentment.

“Golly, Marse Rowlock!
Look; all serene 1"

He pointed to where Inez had just re-appear-
ed, lightly buoyed by the partial inflation of
her garments, and gasping for breath, but oh-
viously more frightened than hurt.

They had her, shivering, on board without
delay, soon to be warmly wrapped up in some
old pea—jackets, which the negro produced from
a convenient locker.

Then little Starlight also made his rel-appear-
ance, scrambling forward, like a half-drowned
but uncommonly lively rat, without vouchsaf—
ing a syllable of explanation.

The boat was again speedily under manage
ment; the spanker filled away, and the altered
course was once more resumed, this time with-
out interruption.

Ensco had anxiously searched the surface of
the water with his eagle glance, but without
detecting the faintest sign of Vasco’s showing
up again.

He looked tenderly down at the rescued girl.

Exhausted by the re ated nervous shocks
she had undergone, an warm] bundled 11
against the night air, the gratefu reaction
come at last.

She had sunk into the brief unconscioness of a
sweet sleep.

The long, bent, silken lashes of the closed eyes
rested upon the fair checks, the pallor of the
beautiful, upturned face was suggestive of deep
peace in the still starshine, her soft breathing
came and went equably through the slightly
parted coral lips, all the more temptin or a

thetic air of weariness, and the uncout cover-
ing just undulatedtothe slumberous rise and fall
of her gentle breast.

The etective gave an inward sigh. How he
had come to adore her!

What would he not have given to imprint but
one kiss that would not be unwelcome, on those
girfeot lips! And his bosom thrilled anew as he

ought of how she had nestled in his arms,
though but for an unconscious instant of m,
back there on the wave-washed river-rock.

He removed his lingering eyes only with an ef-
fort from their flashing gaze.

U Here I”

And, in obedience to an accompanying sign,
the boy Starlight was aft at his side.

“ How did you manage?”

“He was a-treadin’watsr jest under the sur-
face with her sort 0‘ hitched close, boss,” he ex-

lained,“when I bu’sted him full in thebread-bas—
et. Then he sort 0‘ sheared off, and she popped
u ’ards like a bladder-fish.” ‘

‘ Have you any notion what could have become
of him! Could he have been drowned?”

“Not more’n a Tom cod. That duck was as
much at hum under water, boss, as a sculpin or
a bull—frog.”

“ That will do.” .

The boy re oined the negro forward.

Some time ter Inez opened her eyes, and then
started up.

One’s enough.

“ Where are we?” she exclaimed, after recol:

lecting her bewildered senses. “Ab!” and she
took a hurried survey of her surroundings; “ you
are not taking me home.”

“ No, but to the yacht Miss Delorme,” replied
the detective, reassuringly. “ That is best for
the present, because the nearest at hand. Be
composed, I beseech you i”

“ am no ion or discomposed now, thank you.”

“ That is we 1. In the mean time, Starlight
shall convey to Mrs, Twiggs the tidings of your
safety. And, if I mistake not, there are portions
of your wardrobe remaining in the after cabin
of the Seamew.” '

" That is true. Thank you again, Mr. Ensco;
you are very thoughtful. Doubtless it is for the
best. Still l-J’ She shuddered involuntarily.

He understood.

_ “ Ah! you have not been on board since—
Emce the traced y. 1 had almost forgotten. Per-
haps I should land you directly at Astoria?”

“No,” with sudden resolution; “I shall have
to master the re ugnance some time. Why not
now? Besides, t 6 dry garments are indispen-
sage.”

, er courage was noteworthy, e= ‘ally in
View of what she had so recently undgfigone.

Nevertheless, it was with difficulty that she
suppressed another shudder when she gained the

   

yacht’s deck, a. few minutes later, and murmured
an acknowledgment of Chief Officer John Dago’s
res ctful greeting.

ith one other—Tom Goff, the boatswain, a
capital tar—he was the only one of the Seamew’s
original crew that had been retained; while the
detective also had of late made his home chiefly
in the yacht. ,

A commodious stateroom, luxuriously fur-
nished, at the after end of the Seamew’s saloon
cabin, had been occupied by Inez on many a
yachting cruise in company with her grand-
father. 4..

Now, upon emerging from this, after effecting , ‘j
the desired change of garments, she found the ‘
detective thoughtfully awaiting her at the
saloon table, upon which some refreshments had
been placed.

The young lady’s face wore a pleased look, as
she seated herself, and be an to discuss some of
the good things before er, in which, at her
pressing invitation, he joined her, while she told
him the story of her misadventure from begin—
ning to end. , ;

There was not a single reminder of the terrible ,
tragedy of which the place had been the scene; “ ii
the entire interior had been charmingly re.
fitted.

Inez testified her appreciation of it all in
many ways as she talked. She even grew cheer-
ful, and occasionally laughed happily as she fed
a tidbit to the first oflicer’s pretty skye-terrier __
that was romping about the saloon. 

Ensco listened in attentive silence, and then ,
briefl narrated how he had chanced to divine 
her anger, and had headed soopportuuely to I“;
the rescue. ‘i z

“ Now let us sift to-night’s strange happenings
to their bottom,” said he, “and see what useful
hints for our future behoof we can extract from

em.

“ Agreed,” replied Inez. “ But first tell me
what you were examining as I approached the ~
table. It flashed like something precious when ' '
you were sli ping it out of sight.” ‘

Ensco smi ed.

“I intended to exhibit it later on," said he.
“ But let it be now."

And he laid before her the sapphire ring he
ltaad picked up at the first discovery of the

Page 3- .

It was so beautiful that she uttered an excla-
mation as she took it in her hand.

“Be carent how you recs the ring in that

particular way, ease!’ hurriedly cautioned
er companion. ‘There is a dangerous secret ‘
in the gem.” ’

“ Secret—dun erous? Why, what do on"
mean?” And at but instant the terrier famil -
l scrambled into her lap, and paved out play-

ully for the trinket.

Suddenly the little creature withdrew its paw _
with an agoniaed yelp, and rolled from her lap
to the floor, where it ell into convulsions.

Inez was thundersiruck. ‘ .

“ How terrible l’ her lip quivered. “ Oh, it is
horrible! Poor little thing!” .

“By the merest accident, though. It is all .
up with Mr. Dago's pet, I am afraid.” ' '

The animal was indeed dead.

“The ring was doubtlem Juan’s,” explained.
the detective, in answer to the young. girl’s , ~
anguished look of inquiry. “It's secret is a ‘ ,
poisoned dart.” ., - ‘.

She gave a sob of mingled fri ht and grief, '
and dropped the ring with a hon-l ed gesture. . i ~

CHAPTER IX. I
ON ran stmw. *
fiasco returned to the table after causing the  f .-:
removal of the unfortunate animal’s remains. ' ‘~ "
“Com yourself, Miss Delorme,” said he,
cheerfu y. “ I have explained the mishap to
Mr. Dago, who was not inconsolahle. He seems 
not to have cared much for the dog, which was: .
given him by an old messmate only a few da a, 7,
ago. He says you’re not to feel» worried an n- ‘
stunt—otherwise he shall never forgive himself-
for bringing the little brute on board. . '
“ Forgive himself? Oh, Mr. Ensco, the poor,
the innocent, little thin l and so playful, so af-
fectionate, only the ins out before.” v
In addition to her quivering lip, the tears were
streaming down her cheeks. .
With a gesture of dismissing the subject, he.
took up the ring. .
How the rich azure of the stone, with its fiash- _
ing dgirdle of brilliants, glanced and scintin
ate 
Inez clasped her hands, bending forward with ,
redoubled eagerness. . , g ‘
Pet dogs could come and go, wag their tails
and die. but sucha ring, ah! how seldom ,is such
a feast for feminine eyes. \
“ To think of its being so fatal. and yet so‘
beautiful!” she murmured. “ What is the secret
of its deadliness’i" . . 
He pressed the thinnest part of the tiny gold
band with a peculiar touch. A delicate, bluish,
steel point,so small as tobePust g bk,
out from near the centre setting, liketho
tongue of a fairy serpent, and as swiftly vanish-
back ii the removal of the pressure.
“ You 0 anced upon the secret touch by the
merest accident," said Ensco. “ Its discovery,
however, cost me a good deal of struggle.” 

      
 
  
    
 

 

 

  

 

 

     

', J ‘- ‘ _ . .,‘,.. arms

8

 

,1»: . 

Rowlock, the Harbor Detective.

 
   

v“ “i  ' » -,   ' . "

 

 

 

 

“It is Juan’s ring, you say?”

“ Doubtless. I thought so from the first.
Now, from what you tell me of the allusion
made to its loss by the twuis, I am sure of it."

“ You have not told me where and how you
found it.”

He explained.

“ Ali! as a matter of course,” she commented.
“ You should have sell] Juan’s superstitious

anic when Vasco asked if he might not have

ost it hero, in this cabin, on that fatal night.”

“ I can imagine it. No wonder,” as if think-
ing aloud. “ The ring may be the chief witness
in bringing him to the scaffold.”

“ But could it be proved his property against
his denial?”

“ Possibly.”

“ How so?"

“There is an inscription.
nized the inside of the band.

“ What is it?"

“ A full name—Zarapatta Martez.”

" That woman!” With a shudder. ,

“ Truly. Doubtless one of her wedding gifts,
and but temporarily loaned to the elder twin.
A fit hand-friend for the thite Witch of
Morena!"

Inez had fallen into a reverie, her face or
pressing dissatisfaction.

" that is the matter?" he asked.

. “ Oh, not a great deal. But was it altogether
fair?” ‘

“ Was what fair?"

“ Your concealment of this discovery from

’me up ['0 the present time-especially after our
compact.”

The detective slightly colorel. but did not
lose countenance.

“ I may have been in fault.” be admitted,
gravely, “ but do not condemn me unheard.”

“ J do not condemn you at all, only—”

“ Listen, Miss Delorme.”

, “ You may address me by my Christian name.
Are we not comrades?”

He flushed with pleasure.

“Ay; and to the end. Inez. Do not imagine
that I have been forgetful of that sacred, that
inviolable compact.”

“ \Vell, then?"

“ You remember how the public detectives
gestered you the first days following the tragedy?

heir curiosity, their inquisitiveness, their per-
tinacity? I say nothing of the reporters.”

“Remember! Am I likely to forget the or-
deal?”

“ I should say not. Bethink ourself, then,
Inez. In view of our having etermined be-
tween us to keep our oath-cemented detective-
quest solely to ourselwes, apart from all outside
participation, did not that impertinent inquisi-
tion induce you to make one or two admissions
that had just as well been left unsold?”

She colored.

“‘Candidly, yes; more than one or two, I am

‘ afraid.”

M We11_”

“ Say no more. The justice of
faith in me is sufficiently apparent.

“Say not want of faith! You could be dis-
creet enough now, that you have passed through

‘ the ordeal. I only waited for you to be fully on
your guard.”

There was com lete forgiveness in the little
laugh that broke rom her lips.

“ What! must the p‘i‘i‘pil call the master to ac-
count?" she cried. “ ou did just right, I tell

“Thank you!” and his clearing face was good
to see. \

“ But now,” she went on, “that there are no
more concealments— But wait! am I so sure of
that?”

“ You can be, on my honor!”

“Well, then. what of this ring, more than it
was worn by J uan. and probably stamps him as
the master fiend in the horrors of that—that
woeful night?”

“ More than you think.”

“And that is—l”

He bent nearer toward her across the table.

“ That the demon-mother of the demon-twins
——the Senorina Zarapatta Martez, surnamed the
White Sibyl of Morona—is doubtless at this
juncture not far away!”

“ Ha! you mean it?”

“ Yes. and yet more. That she is doubtless
here, in this close vicinity: nay, that she is most
likely in constant communication with her sons,
Siding, counseling, instructing them. and has

in from the very first of their reappearance in
New York 1”

Inez’s lips bad blanched.

' There seemed to be a hideous spell in the mere
whisper of this mysterious woman's name.

It was a minute or two before the young girl
could ask:

“ What are
tion?”

I “ To mention the chief one will be sufl‘eiently
convincing.”

“ Go on, pray !”

“ I cannot as yet tell you of my connection
With that woman’s past. Its picture-writing ”
he indicated the arm that bore the mystic em-

' Mom in tattoo) “ will one day be made clear to
.7 you. But none the less do I know her of old.”

" And he scruti-

your want of

your grounds for this supposi-

 

“ Yes, yes?”

“ Avarice, together with an inordinate, al-
most morbid, passion for precious stones, is one
of the ruling characteristics of the White Sibyl’s
moody, $in and incomprehenSible composition.”

“ es

“ Well, I am morally certain that she would
not part with such a rare jewel as this ring,
even to gratify the vanity (or murderous pro-
pensity—who shall say?) of her favorite son, for
but a brief period, or a special pur )ose.”

“ Ah! I begin to understand. es, you must
be right."

“ Wait; there is yet more—the invisible links,
of which this glittering bauble is the only thing
tangible as yet, may stretch and lead yet fur—
ther. yet more surprisingly.”

“ I half—grasp your meaning. But go on. To
what conclusion ?”

“ That she herself may not only have insti—
gated, but actually led in person, the attack
that culminated in the secret, midnight assassin-
ation of Captain Grant Marston and his two
subordinates on this very yacht!”

Inez maintained her composure solely by a
strong effort.

“ The same appalling thought was dawning in
my own mind,” she said. “ But wait! This, I
fear. is going too far.”

h o‘v?”

“ I have told you what passed between Juan
and Vasco while I was a prisoner in their row—
boat.”

“ Certainly.”

“ Well; from Vasco’s allusions, no less than
Juan’s manner of taking them, I feel certain
that the latter must have been the principal in
—in—let us call it the Mystery of the Seamew
hereafter.”

“ Agreed as to that. But what you say does
not Wholly dispose of my theory.”

«A g

“ Not altogether. Even in forgetting your
presence, they would not be likely to speak of
their mother’s complicity. or leadership, as the
case may be, in such a frightful connection.
Besides, Juan might have been likewise ,pres-
ent.”

H True"? .

After still further discussing the complications
of the case, Inez declared that she must no longer
delay her return to her home.

“ You notified Mrs. Twiggs’l” said she, ris-

in .
[5‘ Yes."

“Then you must see me safely back under
her protection at once.”

CHAPTER X.
ran warm SIBYL. _

UPON gettin once more into the pmnace,
Inez surprised t e detective, who had begun to
head for the Astoria landing, by laying her hand
on his arm. _ _

“ Not thither,” she said, half-healtatingly.
“ Straight back across-stream, if you please.”

“ But the ferry is still running. ’ v

“ I know it; but I prefer this means.”

“Glad you do—With all to heart. Only,”
as the boat’s head was turn , “I should have
thought that this evening’s adventures would
have, made you somewhat coy of an open
boat. ‘

“ Ordinarily it would have been so, but now—
have we consulted quite enough as regards our
future action, think you?" ~

“I thought we had, as re ards the immediate
future, though you must now that I am hap-
py to, continue deliberations indefinitely—With

on.
y “ Thank you. There are several things that
ought to be clearer between us, I think.”

He bowed his head attentively, waiting for
her to begin. -

Though there was no moon, the starlight had
bri , htened greatly. The shallop was slipping
easi y through the shimmering water, Mingo
and little Starlight—the latter having returned
from his erran in time for the duty—sitting
silently forward, with but little to do but drowse
and dream in the light, steadfast wind that was
just bellying the peaceful sail. ‘

“First, Mr. Ensco—"

“ Rowlock. or just Ensco, if
Miss Delorme. I thought it was a
tween us.”

“ So it was. Then why ‘ Miss Delorme ’ me?”

“I sha’n’t forget again.”

“Neither shall I. Ensco. In the first place,
then, as to that rendezvous of the desperadoes
at Bowery Bay.”

H Yes n

 

on please,
argain be-

: vahgn are we to make a descent upon it?”
e

“ Exactly. I shall personally share all the
perils hereafter.”

H Ha,”

“ Perhaps you do not credit me with the re-
quisite nerve and fortitude?”

“ I think you have both.”

“ Or the necessary cleverness?"

“ I know you have that. But—”

“ But what?”

“ You are a young lady—a beautiful and re-
fined young lady.” ‘

“ Thank you. But no matter. I hope before

 

this night is over to convince you into thor-
oughly of m proficiency in camara en's as the
French won (I say, no matter how dangerous or
how arduous.”

“ I hope you may Inez.”

“You shall see. Now when is it to be—that
descent upon the rendezvous you know 9”

“Within twenty-four hours, at the furthest.
I shall have to think it over.”

“ Shall any of the regular police assist?”

Rowlock made an impatient movement.

“ Not at my invitation. You know, I have
severed even my quasi connection with the pub-
lic Detective Bureau, in order to be perfectly
independent and iintrammeled In this great.
sleuth-hunt of ours.” ‘

“ True; and I am glad to remember it. Who
will then accompany us?”

“ Dago and the boatswain, together with
Mingo and little Starlight yonder, ought to fill
the bill.”

“Good! You are familiar with the rendez—
vous, I think you intimated."

“ Not wholly familiar; but I know the place.”

“ What is it like?”

“ The rendezvous is a ruinous stone boat-
house, about a mile from the new hotel and

leasure-grounds that have been established at
wary Bay. A wild, desolate place, but ap-
proachable by both water and land.”

“ You think they can have no hint of our in-
tention to surprise them there?”

“ We must see to it-that they receive none.”

“ Still. their trickin me with regard to your
signal must be remem ered.”

“ Oh, the twins are cunning—cunning as rats
there‘s no denying that. Still, additional pres
cautions are our only safeguard.”

“ Our main object is to run the twins to
earth ?” ,

" To nab ’em—yes, of course. Juan as our
prime game; Vasco next; then any one of the
satellites most likely to give them away at a
pinch.”

“ And the senorinal” ,

“ We must track her down to her most recent
lair. Indeed, that is, after all, our main oint.
Zarapatta once cornered, the rest wou d be
amazingly simplified.”

“ You will hold, then,
is in or near New York l!

“Certainly: or until it is proved untenable
beyond a doubt.”

They were now passing under the light-house
at the upper end of Blackwell’s Island, Ensco
having ( ecided, for reasons that will be under-
stood. upon giving Hell Gate at wide berth on
the return trip.

Inez ave a little shiver, and then her hands
clinched resolutely. _ r,

“ Oh, if we may only take that terrible woman
in the toils 1” she exclaimed under her breath.

(‘i‘ you do not fear her then, so much as you
di l

“Far more so, I think. The very thought of
her fills me with increased and nameless
terror.”

“ And yet—”

,“ And yet I Would dare any peril, encounter
any horror to face her but once on fair terms—
to compel the secret that is dearer than my life
from her lips.”

“Ah, the recovery of the jewelchestl Yes;
next to bringing the murderers to justice, that
is the main object.”

“ You either do not or will not undertand.”

“ Be more explicit. Inez.”

“I did not refer either to jewel-chest or ven—
geance—at least not just then.” '

The young man bowed his face, that she
might not see the troubled look in .117.

“Of c0urse I understand,” said he, in alow
voice. “It is your father and mother you/refer
to.”

a “ Yes, yes!” she clasped her hands. _“ Re.
member my suspense, my anx1etyl Is it not
natural to me on this score?”

“ Must natural, most becoming.”

“And think how my grandfather died with.
out divulging the secret of their whereabouts-—

to your theory that be

their mysterious non—existence for me, their” r

daughter—though the revelation was just trem-'
bling on his dying lips! But he did say that
they are alive—that they are not dead I”

“ Ay; but better deadl”

He was still not looking up.

“ Ensco l”

“ Well, Inez?” '

“You are a man of mysteries—of amyste-
rious past.” '

“ You say so, my friend.”

“ You have confessed as much to me.”

“ Be it so.” ’

“ Apart from our immediate relations in thi
dreadful murder-quest, in which
frank, so confidential with me, you are wholly
unkn0wn, wholly an enigma, to me.”

“ Well?”

“ gsco, you know something of my parents.”
L‘ 

“ Yes; I am sure of it. I feel instinctively

that the secret of their absence, their_non~a
rance, theii;t disgrace, if disguise it be,
wholl or in in your possession.

Heryvoice 3d manner were wildly beseeching,
but he made no answer.

you are so r

 

 

 
 

.fl

 
 
  
 
    

   
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

. Add. .. ,
111‘ A ‘

 

 

   

4‘ ‘ Rowlook, the Harbor» Detective. 9

 

 

“ Look me in the face, Ensco! Oh, why will
you not look up—why will you not answer me?”

He did look up, and she was startled at the
change that had grown into his face—the face
that she had come to love, whose image was
daily deepening in her heart—it was grown so
sad, so pained.

“ Ask me no more,” he said, in slow, measured
tones. “ I cannot, luez, I must not answer you i”

She made a despairing gesture, that seemed to
increase his pain, while it did not shake his reso—
luteness.

She could not but see this.

“ Oh !” murmured Inez; “ how unhappy um 1!
However ”—her eyes flashed, her hands clinched
anew—“ she knows, I am sure of that. And
she shall dissipate my aching suspense, terrible
and implacable as she is, or she shall die!”

“ Poor child! poor Inez!”

“ Why do you say that? Tell me this instant,
sir! How dare you pity and yet be so unkind to
me?"

“I unkind?”

“ Yes, in this, unkind, ungenerous! Other—
wise would you satist me.”

“ Inez, you d i not, you cannot guess!”

“ Indeed, I cannot; that is my misfortune.”

“Rather, your privilege. My kindness is in
my silence.”

‘Oh, you torture, you exasperaie me beyond
words! At least tell me this: does she know?”

“ The White Sibyl?”

H Yes.”

The answer came slowly, unwillingly, but it
came.

“There is nothing concerning you, Inez De-
lorme, that the Senora Zarapatta Martez does
not know.”

 

CHAPTER XI.
THE PHANTOM srnAirLAUNCH.

THEY were at this moment interrupted by the
sudden appearance of a small, swiftly-movin
steam-launch that had unexpectedly round
the light-house point on her up—stream course,
and was making directly across her how.

Glad enough to have the current of her
though tschanged, Inez looked up in surprise.

Though proceeding rapidly, silently, there
was not a glimmer of light displayed by the
launch, and only a soft, creamy wake followed
the almost noiseless revolutions of her propeller.

No more was there any indication of ife or
intelligenceon board, save a single dark-robed
figure, sitting like a statue of lonely meditation

, at the stern.

“ Why, how strange, how phantom-like!”
murmured Inez. “Did you mark how mys-
teriously it came slipping and shooting round
the int, Ensco?”

“ ushl let us wait.” And his voice was
oddl measured and expectant.

“ Vait for what? But do you mark the
solemnity and the strangeness of the thing,I
say? Are there phantom steam-launches, no
less than phantom ships, I wonder? And that
ominous figure at the stern! It looks like a
woman’s— Ha! Heaven protect me!"

And she was cowering. suddenly at her com-
panion’s side.

The fl re had turned its face toward them,
in the to glare of the light-ho lam .

A woman‘s face, the face as one fling dead,
so absolute its marble whiteness! Beautiful,
too, but terrible and haunting, with its stead-
fast, serpent eyes, and every lineament expres-
sive of calm, self-sumcient, balefu! power.

It smiled upon them—a glassy, an inscrutable,
a. deadly smile—and then it was gone.

“Compose hyourself, Inez,” muttered the de-
tective, and s e did her best to obey. “Yes;
theory crystallizes into fact, and most unex-
pectedly.” .

‘,‘ No doubt of it 1”

“None. It wasZarapatta Martez herself,
the White Sibyl of Morena.”

‘ Inez courageously controlled one of her shud-
dering fits. ,

“ ose eyes! that smile! You marked them,
Ensco?”

“ Why not? Ay; and knew them of old, as
well.”

“ Oh! what can it mean?”

“ Time and fate must determine.”

“ But she must be powerful, able, self-confiy

dent. to flit about in this way,”

“ An enchantreSS. or very ike one.”

“ And-our difficulties, our‘ dangers, are vastly
increased.” ‘

“ No; rather lessened by the actual revelation
of this woman’s proximity. She has oven-each-
ed herself—deviltry always does that, sooner or
later. The true deadliness of her power was in
keeping us in the dark as to her proximity.”

“ True; I see that. But what is to be done?”

“Nothing more than we are trying to do,
other than additional caution and cunning on
our part. . The diamond is cut and polished
solely with its own dust. There is a new danger;
but say no more, of it now.”

Inez accordingly rela into silence, which
was not broken till 1: ey were threading the

rounds of the Mnrston House, after leaving

'ngo and Little Starlight in charge of the boat,
was“ parting injunction towatohfulness and
can .

.

 

It was past midnight.

After accosting and passing the coachmau-
patrol, who was still going his faithful rounds
the stood at a side-door of the old house 0
which Inez always carried a key.

Then it was Ensco himself who first resumed
the discussion of the all-engrossing subject in
hand. / ‘

“ I’ve been thinking everything over,” said he.
“And less and less do I like the thought of your
remaining here.”

u “711).?”

“ It isn’t sufficiently guarded."

“The house is almost like a fort."

“ No matter. Since what has last occurred——
the apparition of that woman—”

“I understand. But where could I be more
safe than here, unless it might be on the Sea-
mew?”

“ Well, on the yacht, then. It is your own
property now, and you are its commander.”

“ So is this estate mine.”

“ Still, I can’t think you as safe here as afloat.”

“ I shall remain, though, comrade.” And she
gave her short little laugh.

He sighed.

“I know What that means," she said.

“ IVhat, then?”

“ That it would be all right if you could only
he always at hand as my defender—be perma—
nently one of the household here, in fact—but
that would not be right and proper, in a worldly
sense.” ‘

Rowlock flushed slightly.

“You have divine aright, Inez,” he admit-
ted}; ”“ Such was the exact significance of my
Sig .

“ You admit it?”

“ Free] .”

“Then apart from the bolts, baits and armed
servants constituting my environment, you do
not deem me cunning or able enough to guard
myself against the enemy here, Without your
close attendance?”

“ Frank! , I do not.”

She laug ed again.

“ I am to prove the contrary to you.”

She ran up the steps and noiselessly unlocked
the door.

“ Follow me, comrade ” said she, softly. “ Ac-
cording to Coachman :Iohn. both Mrs. Twiggs
and Sarah, my maid, have long since retired,
after being assured of my safety by your con-
siderate message. The other servants are
doubtless in bed. We shall have the house to
ourselves for my experiments.”

He followed her into a dimly-lighted corridor,
Inez carefully refastening the door.

Thence he was“ conducted into a large apart-
ment, which, upon the gas being turned up,
proved to be the library—a cosey, substantially-

urnished room.

She pointed to the foot of a narrow private
staircase in a short adjoining passa way, and
then to a communicating bedroom oor.

“ That was r grandpa ’s sleeping-room,”
she exclaime , “ and the brary here was his
favorite resort. The staircase leads to mg own
rooms directl above for nothing would 0 but
I should be w thin call. Wait now.”

She disappeared up the stair.

The detective threw himself into one of the
great, morocco-covered arm-chairs, and, while
wondering what could be her intention. fell to
observmg the heavy iron bars of the windows,
plainly visible between the partings of the long
curtains of crimson rep.

“ Inez did not exag rate,” he thought. “The
old gentleman made t 6 old house pretty secure
agfinst intruders ‘while he was about. ‘ Still.
w_ at can‘t an ex rt, determined criminal work
his way throng when once thoroughly pro-
v1ded and alert? But I wonder what the young
lady can be up to.”

A light footfall caused him to turn to the
stairway.

Then a sort of sudden, chilling heart-anguish

ssessed him. ,

A Mexican youth stood before him, in all the
jacketed, Silver-buttoned cavalier braver for
which the nationality is distinguished, sombrero
in hand, a sup‘ercilious curl on the short. deli-
cately-mustac ed upper lip, a look of challeng-

ing askance in the bold, impudent black eyes‘

looking out at him from under a shock of glossy,
curlin black hair.

“ W at, senor!” exclaimed the youth; “ then
you didn’t expect the new Mexican cousin—new
to you—that the pretty Inez was to send down
to you from her rooms?” And then he rattled
(t): at greater length, though in the Spanish

ng'ue. \ i

EpIsco had grown very pale.

“ - o,_air, I anticipated nothing of the sort,”
he replied. huskily, springing to his feet, and
reaching for his hat. “ Pray, ‘give the young
lady my compliments upon her newly-revealed
relative, and say that I wish her joy of him.”

A Silvery laugh—a familiar one—broke from
the young ranchero

CHAPTER XII.
A TALENTED YOUNG LADY.
Tan detective was astounded.
But he had to believe his eyes, if not his care.
For, Simultaneously with the rippling merri-

 

 

ment, the wig and false mustache had been
plucked awa , and there was Inez Delorme’s
smiling and autitul self revealed before him.

“I give in, comrade!" said Ensco, throwing
up his hands. “I, who have made a business
of penetrating disguises, even I was thoroughly
deceived. Even the tone of the voice was it
perfect counterfeit. ”

“ Wait!”

And, with a parting laugh, the real-life actress
disappeared again, but not before a flush in her
cheeks had apprised him that his sarcastic indig—
nation—in other words, the betrayal of his jeal-
ous -—had not been lost upon her.

owever, as it had not been a particularly
displeased blush, he was induced to take heart.

Inez might have shone on the stage as a light.
niifif-change artist with astonishing success.

or next appearance was as a rollicking, fair-

faced, tow—headed midshipman, in which she not :
only characteristically blasted her top lights and 
shivered her timbers to her heart’s cont¢ nt, no ‘-
less than that of her single auditor. lint also
sung,r a song and danced a hornpipe with a breezy
saltiness of savor that was near to dcceiving~
him once more as to her identity.

Personations of a poor sewing-girl looking for .
work, an Irish emigrant (girl, with the map of
Ireland in her face, air an brogue, a boy cross-
ing-sweep, done to the life, and numerous others
no less successful, followod in dizzy succession.
the characterizations closing with that of a nut--
brown Central American peon girl of the bean-
tiful-eyed but vacant-minded mountain variety,
that, once seen, is not easily forgotten by the  a
observant tourist. v

“ Well?” '

The erformance was at an end and the pilot’s . r
grand aughter, in her own proper and graceful . 
character, was waiting for the verdict. "

The detective could not abstain from clasping 9 V
her two hands in his. 3-;-

“ Admit-able!” was all he could say. - if.

“ You admit, then, that I might pass in a '
crowd, as a rather expert counterfeit?”

You are inimitable.” .

“And could even cheat our arch-enemy at a
push?” . /
“If any one could do that, assuredly you ,
could.” , i ' .

Her countenance fell a little. v

“ Ahl those frightful eyes that looked out
from that death-white face upon us to—ni ht! I.»
doubt if any art, any cleverness could eceive
them.” -~

“You may not be put to the test. How dial,
you learn all these tricks of the stagei”

“By study and observation. I used to half:
live in one or another of the theaters, alon with ,

oor grandpapa. Then, I think, I may even _ ‘
ittle natural talent for it.” -

“ Not a doubt of it. Andall those costumes?” -

She laughed. ' . '

“Sarah helped me along with most of them, 'j
for I have transmitted some of my enthusiasm 
into her cockney spirit. But the Mexican and ~.‘
sailor-boy make-u s, they’re genuine. That is, "F
they were actual y worn by Juan and Vasco
wh‘eagh’ey were boys of seventeen.”

1 Q

 

    
 
  
  
   
   
  
 
   
 
  
   
 
   

“ Pah! how I hate now to mention their ..
abhorred names! It seems to me—it seems to,‘_
me__” . ~
She had in sed into a. dull, mechanical tone,
and a terrifi look was growing in her face. - '

“What is the matter?”

But he had only to follow the gaze of her .
startled eyes, which was riveted upon the near-
est window. ' -

A white face was pressed a inst the bars,
close to the outer panes—a wh to, sinister face, "
that vanished as he looked. ,

But the glimpse was sufllcient to explain
Nessie’s alarm. “ ‘-

“ The key, quick 1” he exclaimed. . "‘

She mechanically tossed it to h and he was ' :
out of the room, out of the house y the side- ,
door. in a flash. .

“ Don’t leave me alone 1”

But she was unheard. '

He returned in a few minutes, however, -
gloomy and dispirited.

“ Gone! nothing there!” r

She did not seem disappointed, having scarce- ‘
1y ex cted anything better. ' '

“ hat sort of face was it? I only snatched
the nearest glim se. Not her’s 9”

She shook her end.

“ No, I think not—in fact, I am uite sure. It _'
seemed as formless as it was blo ess, and vet' _
—-e man's, not a woman’s, face, I should say.” ; "

Ensco rrflected. ,1 .

“In spite of all, Ines,” said be, “it is as I
first said.” .

H H w?"

“ .u are not safehere.”

“ But the face was outside the bars.” ' < ,

“What are bars, bolts, double-locks, to the
genius of crime, the soul of diabolist By the
way, you go armed i” - L.

She produced in either hand a small revolver.
and a delicate dagger. '

o

\ i ,

“Excuse me, Ensco. I am not without pree-

age“: could use either upon occasion, and with
e . .

i

.10,

‘... '1',” g  ‘  ;
4..  , .,.,  a,
, ,

Rowlock, the Harbor Detective.

 

 

“ That is well—very well!”
“I am glad to have you say that. Good-

! ni ht, then! You must go now.’
e looked at her with mingled surprise and
admiration.

She had suddenly grown perfectly composed.

“When shall I hear from you?” And, re-
ceiving back the key, she made a movement to
lead the way out.

“ Sometime to-mo'rrow—either by Mingo or
little Starlight,” he replied, but without mov-

ng.

“ Why don't you come?”

“Can’t you guess?”

She looked him in the face, and was silent.

The confession of agonized solicitude, the
love, the fear of leaving her alone in the slum-
bering house, that was written there, was un-
mistakable.

It was as much a declaration as the one that
he could have poured forth in passionate utter-
ance, but woul< not.

Was she pleased, or angry, or startled?

Slowly the tell-tale color mounted over the
pure beauty of her countenance, blottin away
its accustomed sweet pallor, as the h ush of
morn might overspread a lily-surface of some
mountain lake. ,

Then she put out her hand impulsively, and
be pressed it to his lips.

‘ Now will you go?” she repeated, softly.

“ Ay, Inez, through fire and flood, to the end
of the earth, at your bidding now!"

Agd he followed obediently, without another
war .

After she had let him out, and the door was
fastened between them, she paused trembling at

' the foot of the little stair.
She trembled, the blushes came and went at
 , liberty now—a red republican riot in the lily
1 , kingdom of her face—her bosom rising and fall—
N ' ing in sweet turbulence, the hand that he had.
 kissed so passionately extended before her glow-

ing‘ eyes.

hen she kissed it herself in the same 5 t,
kissed it repeatedly, after which she flutter up
'the stairs and was one. ‘

As for Iiowlock usco, with a heart beating
, no less exultantly, though after man‘s wont with
x ’ d flercer throb, he first circled about the house
 " , with stealthy and observant steps.

Heat last encountered Gilbert, the stalwart
,7 . gardener, who had taken John’s place on patrol
 ' duty an h ur before.

.—; ,“ All serene?” queried the detective, whose
,‘ oin s and comings had become more or less
4 j ami ‘ar to the domestics. ,
' . “ Yes, Sir; all well,” replied the man. “ And
' the coachman reported the same to me.”

“ Well, keep an extra lookout to-night,
Gilbert: and don’t forget the whistles I taught
you in case of an emergency. I shall be some-
,wheres about.”

, ‘ “ I sha’n’t forget, sir.” .
 Enseo continued his way toward the river,
‘. ' nrposely avoiding the open lawn and keeping
I one side, which led over some soft groun
amid a shrubbery.
There was no path, but occasional glimpses of
 urf spaces more distinctl marked by the star-
. ligh , or less heavily sha owed by the shrubs
. and ornamental trees, than elsewhere.
‘ At one of these he came to a sudden pause.
> It was a patch of spongy turf, and it bore the
g fresh imprint of a human foot—a foot that had
, been incased in a small, arismraticaHy-shaped
- _ man’s shoe or boot.
’ Now, years before, when the Martez twins
had been rather conspicuous young men-about-
town, they had been somewhat noted, like most
.8 nish-American youth, for the elegance and
‘ ,. dfiinutiveness of their feet, as the detective

‘» had learned, together with other minor details.
This fact instantly recurred to him as he
. studied the impression before him.

But no other footprint had been left, the soil
 on] being impressionable in that one place;
an , save thatitwas freshly made, andindlcated
. that the owner had been going toward the
', house—stealthin as a matter of course, or this
' unfrequented approach would not have been
selected—nothing was to be made out of the
~ discovery.
However, was not this a good deal?
‘ Reluctantly leaving the footprint, he reached
'the boatlauding at last, where Mingo and the
ho were found sufficiently on the alert.
estioned, they were certain that nothing
worth reporting had broken the monotony of
their watch. _ y
The adjoining street-end had long been wholly
deserted; by water or land, not’ a single inci-
dent had attracted their attention. .
 , Ensco leisurely began to pace the adjacent
. corner of the lawn, intending to watch, out the
night, it needs were. v
Presently he heard the whistling si nal he
,had communicated to the domestic patro . ’

 

 

 

  
   
      
   

 

‘ CHAPTER XIII.
RESCUE!) AGAIN.

Bx listened again to make sure.
It was repeated. this time unmistakably—

thme meeesave notes, long at either end, a
short one in the middle. ,

' this time. ”

 

It was from the further side of the grounds,
close to the water front.

With a parting sign to the watchers in the
boat, he darted in that direction.

But Gilbert was not on the spot.

Puzzled and angry, Ensco was about to seek
him nearer the house, for an explanation, when
the signal sounded again.

This time it was from the extreme rear of the
grounds.

He hurried thither, but only to find that he
had been again deceived.

No one was awaiting him there.

As be ground his teeth, and stood half-be—
wildered, a low laugh sounded tauntingly at his
veIrIy shoulder.

e wheeled in a flash, but the utterer, if hu-
man uttercr it had been, had effected a disap«
pearance yet more swiftly.

He darted into a laurel clump, where the
laugh seemed to have retreated in its expiring
breath, but there was no one in hiding there.

Satisfied now that he had been systematically
duped, he ran toward the spot where he had ex-
changed words with the gardener-patrol.

His misgivings were justified.

Gilbert lay ace-downward in the grass, in—
sensible from a severe contusion on the back v
of the head. V

With some water from an old well, not far
away, the detective speedily revived him sufli-

 

ciently to sit up.

Even then the injured man was too dazed to
comprehend inquiries until some brandy was 3
trickled down his throat.

“I must have been knocked down from be— !
hind, sir, soon after you parted from me,” was |
the substance of the explanation at last ex-j
tracted from him. “Suddenly it seemed as if ,
a house had fallen on the back of my skull, I
felt the little whistle you had once given me be-
,ing pulled out of my waistcoat pocket, and then
I didn’t know nothing. ”

“ Ha! the rounds must be sewn 'with eaves-
droppers an spies. Here take another pull
from this flask, and try to get on your pins. I
shall make the circuit.”

With that, Ensco dashed away.

But an observant circuit of the mansion re—
vealed no sign of anythin wrong.

Satisfied, however, the there was danger for
Inez afoot, he returned tothe landing.

Here a signal brought Mingo to his side, while
another caused little Starlight to‘ layoff with
aha tboat at a considerable distance from the

oa .

Accompanied by the ne 0, Ensco had just
turned, with the intentiono beatingup through
the grounds on the Eighty-sixth street side,
when something hurtled out of an ad ‘oining
clump/and he felt the back of his neck anned,
as b a dashing bolt.

“ hat was that?” he exclaimed.

“ This I” replied Mingo, with an angry

at.
gr2nd he jerked a still quivering bowie-knife
out of an adjacent fence, into which itwasdeep-
ly imbedded.

Ensco mechanically put his hand to- the top of
his spine, while the African, with a guttural sort
or roar, leaped ino tze clump from which the
weapon had been hurled. '

Tips detective followed, but no discovery was
ma e.

At that instant there was something like a.
stifled or from somewhere far back.

“ Quic !” ejaculated Ensco. “ No. humbug

The were up and away like a pair of blood-
houn let fly.

Two men, with a white-robed burden between.
havin just crossed the- space between the side
of the ouse and the embankment overlooking
the street, were in the act of descending the lat-
ter to a large close coach in waiting below.

A neighboring streetrlamp lent its eflulgency
to the uncertain starshine.

The white-robed burden was made out to be a
graceful female figure, apparently unresisting
and motionless. ‘ .

‘But at Ensco‘s challen 'ng shout, a white
hand, with a jeweled flash mm the fingers, was
waved in mute entreaty.

There was but one other such ahand in the
world, so white, so small, so perfect] '-shaped——-
its fellow—member belonging to Inez elorme.

“ Coming! coming !” shouted the detective;
and his feet were Winged to the rescue, as was
no less the sable giant’s at his heels.

Were they too late?

Yes; for they were but at the top of the em-
bankment as the captive was thrust. into the
coach, with a low moan, and a flair of strong
arms—but woman’s arms, for a that—seized
and sunk back with her into the darkness of the
interior.

No: for the next instant, and just as the
horses were being lashed forward, the Harbor
Detective, covered with dust from ! his hand—
sgring down to the curb was wrenching open
t e ttl’cfor with a grasp that frenzy rendered irre-
sisti e. v,

“No, not too late, for he had even grasped the
form of the young girl, and was tearing it out

 

of the woman’s arms.
A drawn'poniard was in the latter’s, hand, her

 

eyels blazed like a basilisk’s through her black
val . '

" Drive on, coche'ro 1" she screamed in Spanish
to. the coachman; “ allopl run! burn the road
Enth, your speed! ago! Pedro! do you slum-

er

At the same instant she struck full at the do;
tective’s breast, but inelfectually through her
desire to avoid hurting the girl, while the horses
made a great bound forward.

But there they remained, pawing at the air,
as if anchored to a hillside. .,

It might as Well have been so, for Mingo, after
knocking down the two men, had grasped the
hind wheels and, with his feet thoroughly braced
was holding the vehicle immovable.

“ Stick to it, Marse Rowlock!” he shouted
from behind. “ I’ze get de bullgine dead to
ri hts.” ,

owlock was sticking to it.

But just at that moment he tore himself and
his burden out from between the wheels.

None too soon; for simultaneously Mingo
was staggered from his foothold by an immense
fragment of rock, thrown from behind, striking
him between the shoulders, the wheels were torn
from his grasp, and the carriage shot on up the
street—rise.

As it did so, the unvailed face of its baffled oc—
cu ant appeared at the coach window.

t was the same face—white, beautiful, pow-
erful, serpentseyed—that had momentarily re—
vealed itself in the light-house flush from the
deck of the phantom-like steam-launch, though
now positively diabolical in the intensity of its
malevolence and defeated purpose. ’

“ Ensco, beware!” was hissed out at parting.
“ The picture on your'arm—it is but a mid-fight
contest, in which the White Sibyl of Morona
wins at lastl”

Face and voice were no sooner materialized
than they were gone. '

But the noise of the disturbance had not failed
to attract outside attention.

Several policemen were seen running down
from the top of the rise, near the East River
Park corner. ‘

“ Head oif that coach!” roared Rowlock, in a
stentorian voice. “ A crime has been attempt—
ed, and the culprit is within.”

He had just time to note that the oflicers were
succeeding in heading of! and detainin the
equilipage when Mingo staggered unstead' y up
to im.

“ What or wine ter do now, Marse Bow-
lonk?” he f tere out, bewilderedly. ‘

“ What’s the matter with you?”

“ ’8 ct I war stabbed in the back will a bow-
sprit, arse Rowlock. Lor’! you don’t reckon
I d hev dropped dem wheels without bein’ killed,
does er?” A ‘

“ ou’re a trump, Mingol But what has be- ,
come of those two rufl‘lansi” .

“ Dunno. ’Spect dey must hev wriggled oi!
to dere snake-holes.” '

“ No matter now. Come with me to the
lcoach. We’ve got the queen-snake scotched at
ast. ‘

And still carrying the insensible Inez in his
arms, the detective led the we. up the street.

The oflicers had 'ust fini ed detaining the
coach and quifiing t 6 horses, while the coach—
man, an hones enough looking fellow, apparent-
ly btggh frightened and mystified, was already in
cus y. ’ ‘

Ensco briefly‘explained the case.

All the officers had recognized him, for, he had,
a sterling reputation behind him.

“Is the youn lady injured?” askednne- of
them respectful y. ‘

“ N‘o; only in a faint,” and Ensco glanced
down into the sweet upturned face. “ She is
comm to herself already. But be quick; her
would- 9 abductor is inside. ' a '

“ Who is it in here?” demanded another oflcer,
and he strided to the coach-door.

“ The wickedest, the most dangerous woman

in,- the whole world!” exclaimed the detective, ,

impressivel . “God be praised! her career is
checked at st." -

CHAPTER XIV.
COME AND GONE.

HERE the officer opened the coach-door and
unceremoniously thrust his head within.

“ No, she isn’t!
in refutation of the solemn averments of the
detective. “The coach is empty. Holy smoke!
not by a jugfull, either.” I

And he darted back to avoid the spring of a
large yellow serpent, that darted tEast him and
was gone into a neighboring lot wi
‘ofacastlance. ‘ ',

“,We can’t swear that Smith’s got ’em this
time, sure!” said another policeman. “ I saw
tin; gal-mint myself, and will make my affidavit
to t

“Saw itl” echoedihe coach-opener, who was
mopping his brow with’a trembling hand. “ I’d
just time to notice it coiled up On the cushion
when it jumped full at my throat.” . A

“What can it mean?” asked the third, in an

a led tone. v - V , .
pfiglsco, who was now in haste to carry Inez to

the house, offered a hurried explanation. .

No, it ain’t!” he called out, /

the rapidity , I

 

 

.53

  
   
 

 

 

xwaL—f. w-.. . t1,

 

, ,

WBOWIOCII, the Harbor Detective.

    

  

.11 

 

 

 

 

“ The Senora Zarapatta Martez,” said he,
“ for that is the name of the dangerdus woman
I expected to find in the coach, is a tropical
woman, and her fondness for such pets used to
be well known. ”

“ Pets!”

“ Just so. You’ve had a lucky escape, Smith.
It was the yellow adder of Honduras that flew
at you—one of the deadliest snakes known.”

" But the woman herself?” demanded the
r :uudsman. “ Did you see her in the coach,
ltowlock?”

f‘ Distinctly. In fact, she aimed a blow at me
with a dagger just as I was tearing this young
lady out of her grasp—at the moment; the horses
started up the hill."

“ But how could she have escaped?"

“Save your conundrums for your prisoner
there—«they knock me out. Excuse fine now.
Mingo here will tell you further particulars
while I convey this young lady to her home.”

He then hurried away, with his wholly or
half-conscious burden still in his arms.

Tc his astonishment, however, he had no
sooner entered the seclusion of the grounds than
she quietly released herself from his embrace.

“ What!” he exclaimed, joyfully; “ you are
yourself again.”

She was standing half—guiltin before him, her
head bowed that her blushes might not betray
her.

“ Yes,” she replied, in a low« voice.

“ And have been for how long?”

“For some minutes—I hated. to ha‘ve those
men see me come to in—in such a ridiculous
position.”

“Then you saw the snake incident?”

“ Perfectly.”

“ And wit out crying out?” ' ,

“ Yes. Why should I have cried out. It was
horrible, to be sure; but then I—I felt so safe,
so secure, so protected, that—” she could not go

on.

But Rowlock went on, and to greater purpose
than he had dreamed of an instant before.

She had nestled of her own will in his pro-
tecting arms; their fond pressure of her lovely
form had been neither offensive nor distasteful.

“ Inez, I love you!” he burst forth. “Your
image is in my thoughts by day, my dreams by
night! Oh, give me the best of all rights to pro-
tect and guard you henceforth! I love you! ’

Her head was still bent, her figure—the em-
bodiment of perfect grace and rounded symme-
try in its white dressing-robe of delicate. cling-
ing material trimmed and festooned with rich
lace—.strangely agitated in a way he had never
marked before.

A great fear came over him—a fear lest he
might have lost all in risking so much.

“ Have I offended you by my rashnessl” he
faltered. “Does it shock you to have me say
that I love you?”

“N—n-no, not exactly that,” was her scarcely
audible reply. “ In fact, I—I don’t particu-
larly dislike it.”

T on she raised her face, whose garden of
roses was so much more eldquent than words.

Ensco caught her to his heart.

“ Whatl you love ,me—you love me in re-
turn?” he gasped.

She only nestled closer. u ,

“ But say it! My life, my fate, my beautiful!
let me hear you say it.” -

Her response was like the far murmur-lugs of
a harp of gold, swept by the fingers of fate at
the rtals of the inmost citadel of love.

“ ve you? Oh, my darling! _ I have done
so from the very first.”

After the drought the shower, after the shower
the rain, after the rain the downpour, the del-

u 6!
%I‘heir lips met, and then there were “kisses
sweeter, sweeter than anything on earth,” as

:Tenn son sin s.

“ ow didi all happen?” he asked, when they

‘ had recovered from their transports.

 

"‘ What ha pen—~this? I hardly know. It
was all your oing, darling.”

Another. embrace and more kisses.

No, no; I mean the abduction.”

L '  !” .

“ You can’t have forgotten that.”

“ I artly did for a few moments.”

6‘ but was the first] you knew of it?”

“ I was just sitting down, after partly un-
dressing, intending to quiet my nerves with a
French novel before getting to my rest.”

it Yes-’1

“ Sarah hadn’t awakened._ ,I could hear her

, . . d. . ”
sn‘o‘r‘ilr'ig l1pc,a,¢i.cefully in the a Jounng small room.

“Suddenly my room door opened, and two
men entered. Before I could call out the
seized me, one of them pressingadamp ban -
kerchief over In mouth and 1306351115.”.

“ Ha! chloro orm.” - _

" Doubtléss, or something Similar. At all
events, I lost my senses.”

"Altogether?" - .

“All was in confusion at first. At one time I
seemed to hear you about. and I  to cryout,
To wave my hand toyou.”

“Yes; you did both.” ,

; “ After that all was blank, until—you know

when.” . v

 

“ The men—did you get a fair view of their
faceplbefpre being overpowered?”
H es

“ Any recognition?”

I“ Yes; I dimly recognized them both.”

“ You recognized them?”

“Yes, as two Spaniards, named J ago and
Pedro, who used to visit the twins occasmnally
when they lived with my grandfather.”

“Hal Creatures of the senorina, no doubt.”

“ Most likely.”

“ But how could they have entered the house,
secured as it is?”

“ I haven’t the least idea.”

“ Let us make an examination.”

As it was now near daybreak, they aroused
the household upon re-entering the mansion, as
being most fit and proper.

An examination proved that access had first
been obtained to the roof by means of the light-
ning-rod, whence the descent into the house had
been made by forcing a trap-door.

After that, the side—door on the ground floor
near the library had been opened, when the task
of ghaw ould-be kidnappers had been greatly sim—

li e .

p As for the previous mysteries experienced by
the detective—the false signals, which had so
deluded him, and the incident of the bowie—
knife—they were left to conjecture, and nothin
that either the gardener or the coachman coul
suggest threw any light upon the business.

here was an early breakfast, at which Ensco
was forced to remain, Mrs. Twiggs no less urgent
than Inez in urging it.

Before his departure, he was ceremoniously
introduced by the young lady to both the house-
keeper and Sarah, the maid, as her prospective
husband.

“ I’m not astonished one bit,” was the good
old lady’s comment. “ My dear Nessie, Mr.
Ensco will make you an excellent husband, I
am sure. And may the Lord safely see you out
of it, say I!” -

“See us out of what, Aunt Twiggs’f” asked

nez.

“Out of the robbin’ au’ murderin’ an’ kid-
nappin’, an’ everything! Bless me, my dearsl
do you really expect to live through it’l’

‘ We‘ll try to,” said Ensco, laughing, as he
took Nessie’s hand

“Well you’fie not going to get married in a

hung, I ope.

“ ot till my grandfather is avenged and the
jewel-chest recovered,” said Inez, quickly. “ On
that I am determined.”

The detective sighed a little disappointedly, but
the justice and appo riatness of her decision
were too apparent to disputed. .

“ As on will, Nessie; you know best,” was
all he said.

“ I thought it best to make the matter public,” '

she whispered, when bidding him good-by a few
moments later. “ Now there can be no spite—
ful or underhanded talk, you know.” ;

He gassed her in his arms.

“ T t was right,” he said. “ But—”

“But what?”

“ Mightn’t we work up our case a little better
if married right away.”

“No, but quite the contrary. Your own
cooler Judgment will tell you so, darling.”

“ True,” he admitted.

“Good-by now. Oh, Rowlockl it 'tears W
heart to part with ou now, but it must be. e
abrell’ooth in need 0 rest and recuperation. Good-

5’

He held out his hands.

“God keep you in the interval 1'" he exclaimed.
“I shall not be far from you. And you will
have that trap-door secured without delay i”

“Trust me for that. When shall I have word
from you?

“ Probably this evening. But either Mingo
or I Will be on the watch constantly hereabouts.”

As the detec 've was hurrying toward the
boat-landing, W ere he expected to find Mingo
awaiting him, he was overtaken by Nessie’s
English waiting-maid, Sarah Gubhins, who
came running after him with a large well-
filled paper-bag.

Sarah was an unadulterated Cockney of mid—
dle-age, tall, gaunt and angular, with plain
features and a red nose, whose fidelity to her
young mistress was only equaled by her good
opinion of herself. ‘

“ ’Ere, sir, ’ere you are I" said she breathless.
“Something good to heat, what  Twiggs
thou ht your hass1stants might be’ungry for,
you now.” _ r

“Thank you,” said the detective, gratefully,
accepting the package. “ I should have thought
of asking you for something for them. Take
good care of your young lady, Sarah. She is
dearer than ever to me now.”
is was about to go, but she detained him
ng n. '

“ P11 remember w’at you say, Mr. Hensco, but
’old hon a minute, please.”
“ What is it, my good woman?”

“Well, on see, sir, hatter the ’orrifyin’
hevents of ast ni ht—them ’orrid men as would

kidnap beautifu , unpertected oung things,
ugh l—I naturally, sir, feel more out than
hover.” ' .

“Naturally enough.”

\

( 

 

“ Tell me, Mr. Hensco, will there still be such
hawful danger of. bein’ kerried off out of bed by
them hawful men, do you think?” ~

“ I think not, with the fresh precautions that l
will be taken. ‘I think Miss Delorme need not
fear another attempt at abduction, at least out
of her own rooms.”

“ Oh, but I didn’t hallude to her danger, at
hall hevents, not to that alone, you know. ’ ,

“ Ah—oh l”

“ You ’see, I sleep in them some rooms, Mr; ‘,
Hensco." v 

“ You must sleep more lightly hereafter, ,
then.” A

“ Lord! that‘s just the ’orror of it, sir. I
can’t. An w’at if 1 should be habducted in my
sleep, you know?” , '

Rowlock with difficulty abstained from laugh- ' ’
ter, and presently made his escape, after leavmg e a;
the good woman some comforting assurances of v .
a highl com limentary nature. . l A

In a ew minutes he was once more on hisvmy ‘ S
back to the Seamew, with Min 0 and little Star- , ‘
light enjoying the provisions e brought them
with the best of appetites. . I, ,i

Min 0 had reported going to the police station ' " 
with t e officers and their prisoner, the hack- -
man, who had been committed to a Cell, though
it was the opinion of the sergeant in charge that
the man had not been guilty of any intentional
wrong-doing.

“ Sol" said the detective, who had already
formed the same Opinion. ,

Subsequent examination roved the innocence x v, ,,
of the hack-driver/in the a air, and he was dis-  “V
charged, without being able to furnish any clew  r
to the woman who had engaged his services on "
that occasion.

“ Miugo,” said Rowlock, “ let me take a look
at that bowie-knife that so nearly skewered the ,
back of my neck.” ,

The weapon was placed in his hands.

CHAPTER XV.
comnanns STILL. V
A BRIEF examination was sufficient to satisfy
the detective. "
It was an admirable, though hideously Bug-i r
gestive, weapon, of Mexican workmanship. v
En aved on the buckhorn handle Were th‘
initia s, “ Z. M.,” significant of the full name,
Zara atta Martez. , '
" 1; may come in use as a com anion witness
of the sapphire ring,” muttered owlock, as he
clasped t e knife and siligped it into his ocket._ .
“ Douhtless the ponia , with which 6 fair ‘
Sibyl lunged so thirstily at in heart, would
have been similarly inscribed be it come into]-
my‘ possession.” . ’
hen he gave a slight shudder at the recolloc— .
tion of his nez having entered the. contamina» :
tion of that woman’s grasp; though he‘could not,
he] remembering, also. her anxiety to avoid in-.‘
ur n the girl, to which circumstance alone he
oub esa owed his own escape from her fury. ‘ ‘
Tee yacht was reached Without further" inter-
ru ion. . ,-
he detective was very- industrious thereafter
and be permitted three days to elapse befor
seeking another interview With Inez. r
This abstention was not maintained but at the.
cost of much self-denying violence to his inclina-V

tions.

But he thought it for the best in more ways?
than one, and was, moreover, in receipt of con-
stant reports as to the youn girl’s security ‘
from one or another of his fait ful messeng

However, on the morning of the fourth day he:
found himself hurrying up the shaded lawn from ‘
the boat-landing, with a loudly beating heart, to i.
keep an appointment with her. ’ ,A

i As she stepped out from a little summer-house, r"
to meet him, 9 sprung forward with extended,
arms. v ‘»

To his astonishment—for they were out om.
observation—she made a esture of diuent'
though there was nothing ut love for himin
her eyes and face, which otherwise wore a. set!
ous and firm expression. ‘

“Not again, dear l” said she, quietly. “ Not
again. at least, till—you know when.” ‘

“ What! no more endowments?”

“ Not one.” ,

“Until when?” ‘

“ Can you ask? Until our detectiv nest is a
an end—our oath of comradeshipful d.” ‘ ,/

He made a gesture of acquiescence, after a
painful hesitati . r  ,

“ You are always right, little comrade,” laid 
he. “ So be it!” h e c

And he merely pressed the hand that mnp‘w
freelly tendered to him. \ \.

“ t cost me a struggle, too ” she observed.
“ But I knew I was ri ht.” “ yer jo , meet
as it is, and work—the ind of work
cannot go together." , ,, "

“ Of course, not. I shall have you sanctum
——God speed the hour!" . ,1 .

“ Amen! What news do you bring mef', f- . '

“ Wemake the descent upon the Bowery 

.s.

  
 
   
   
    
 
 
   
    
    
 
   
  
  
  
    
   
 
 
    
 
 

 

E

 

rendezvous to-night.” ..
“ So soon? But I shall be ready.” ,' .
“ Po you think you are, quite equal to it, no i

eti’ , .
Look!” she held outfit

“I know I am.
hand. " Firm as a rock!" t

 

 

 _ grasp, any so made her escape up into the ark

 

'ever,1et us talk in the open sunlight.

', my blood.

12

Rowlock, the Harbor Detective.

 

 

“ And lovelier, fairer than a Greek statue’s!”

She frowned commendably.

“ No more such talk—at least, not yet awhile
—or we shall quarrel. But really, I have ceased
to have any nerves, at all.”

" Or, still better, say that you are all nerve
of the right sort.”

“ That is what I meant.”

“ You may need it all.” I,

“ What are my instructions?”

“ You will join me at the Astoria dock at
dusk this evening.

“ By what means?”

“ The ferry-boat."

M So!” .

“ Yes; and little Starlight will be with you.”

“ You cannot come for me, then, in the yacht’s
boat?”

“ No; your last adventures were sumcient in
that line. Besides, the public ferry will be
safer—less room for treachery. After that, you
will be with me.”

‘|  l”

“ You had better come in disguise.”

“ Which of my disguises?”

“ As you may determine.”

At this juncture there was a suspicious stir
outside the summer-house, in which the inter-
view was going on.

Rowlock was out of it in a flash.

“ No one there!" said he, returning. “ How-

After
what has chanced, I almost feel suspicious of the
very air we breathe.”

“ So do I,” said Inez. “ Not only walls, but
trees and bushes may have ears.”

They acted accordingly.

“ You will then meet me at Astoria?” contin-
ued Inez. .-

‘f that is your plan?"

“ It is as yet not wholly determined.”

“ The attack will be made by boat?”

” Chiefly.”
“ And I shall accompany it?"
“ I can’t tell yet. Perhaps, you and Starlight

will be sent on as avant couriers.
disguises would come into play.”

“ I shall take a selection of them with me.”

“ That will be well.”

“You must have made some discoveries in
the past few days."

“ A few, and g00d ones.”

“ What are they?”

“ In the first place, by to—night, or to-morrow
at the furthest, I hope to have tracked La
Senorina to her city residence.”

Inez instantly grew more anxious. .

“That woman! Thank Heaven I was not
conscious when in her grasp! find it been
otherwise, I fear her contact would have de—
stroyed me."

Or one of her pet snakes,[ told you about,

Then your

‘i'night have made your acquaintance. How‘

ever, she mostly has them in subjection, I haven’t
a doubt.”

Inez drew a long breath. ,

“ What a woman 1’”

“ However, she was earnestly solicitous of
your safet ’ , or her dagger might have tasted of

Thank God for that! So on told me.

You think'she secretly resides in t 5 city, than?"

“I am almost sure of it; probably in the an-
nexed district.”

“ Well, what next?”

“Juan and Vasco continue to cover their
tracks admirably. But I have been very care-
ful. My contemplated descent upon their fast-
ness—even my knowled e of its existence—can
hardl besus tedby t em.”

“ 0 , ma it prove so! And you hope to cap-

~" , tare them?’

“Such is my hope—and perhaps the mother,

- as well. She has been known to visit the ren-

dezvoul.”

There was 8. Ion pause, after which the de-
tective held out his and.

“ To-night, then?

“ Yes; but don’t go yet.”

“There is no hurry.”

And the detective sighed inwardly, he so
wanted to take her in his arms, or, barring that,
to escape the temptation.

“There are several uzzli’ng things, Ensco,
t

‘ thathishtoaskyoua u.

“ You have but to speak, Inez.”

“First, then, how do you account for the
Sibyl’s strange evanishment out of that coach?”

“ I don’t attempt to account for it.”

“Might she have slipped out on the opposite
side, directly after relinquishing me to our

unds?’
“It is just possible. But, as I have said,

*- everytbing about that woman is simply unac-

countable—unknowablz."
“ Unknowable?"
“For the present, at least. We must content

' r nirselves with‘heing agnostics, so far as she is
r cogeerned, until we have her in our very clutch-

es.

.“Ahi Heigthol”

.“Do not be despondent, however.
next?”

“ That woman!

What
Could she have had time to

. engage in that attempt to abduct me, so soon

l

 

after we saw her on the phantom steam—launch
as I call it?”
“ Undoubtedly; since she did on age in it.”
“But doesn’t that prove that the awless band,
with which she and the twins are associated,
Ersgnhave some nearer rendezvdus than Bowery

“ They have, doubtless, many such; but the
successive incidents of that eventful night do
not es ecially prove it.”

“ hy not?”

“ She may have had all the assistance neces—
sary on the launch, and then landed anywhere
in this vicinity.”

“ True. ”

“ What next?”

“ Where did you get little Starlight from?”

“From a rather mysterious couple in the
vicinity of Bowery Bay. I believe he was a
sort of adopted son, but they readily enough
adopted him into my service. You may see
something of them before long.”

“ Are they in your interest?"

“ Yes; and as true as steel.”

“ Yet mysterious, you say?”

The detective hesrtated.

“Well, but little can be told of their ante—
cedents, you see. The man is a fisherman.
Name is Emroled. A queer one, eh?”

“ Very. And the boy’s, too; though hardly
his proper one, of course. "

” Starlight? No; I gave him that name,
from the queer way in which I formed his ac-
quaintance. I may tell you of it some time.”

“ You won’t forget?” '

“ Not I. What next?"

“Next and last—this also concerns aname,
and is also somewhat personal.”

“ Indeed! What name?”

“ Your own."

The detective winced a little, but then smiled.

“ Mine?”

“ Yes; of course, Rowlock is not your real
Christian name.”

“ You say so, my dear.”

“ But is it, now?”

“ Don’t you like it?”

“ Of course I do. But is it?"

H NO.”

“ What is your real given name?” "

“ Do you think you ought to know?”

“Indeed I do!” This with a sense of pro-
prietorshiii particularly flattering.

" So do . ’ A little reluctantly.

“ What is it. then?” .

u Douglass.” ,

Inez clapped her hands. .

“ What a lovely name!
would prove so.”

“ You like it, then?”

an I felt certain it

   
   

 

“I adore it! Besides. c . .forget it in my
favorite song?” ‘ ~ g
“ What song is that?”

 

“You shall hear me si' aiii; often enough
after—I mean.” with a blush, “Some time.” '

“ But what is it?” .

“ ‘Dou lass, Douglass, tender and true.’ ”

“ Ah! ut, by the way, comrade—J”

“What now?” : ‘ i"  .. _.

“I wish you would contempyqursélf With
Rowlock —at lens for the fit‘esent. -;

“ Certainly.” hough a tle disdppo'liitedly.

“Au r'evow, comrade.” q. , 3» ,  .. . ,

“ war you haven’t told me how ydfi came to
be called wlock.” ! 5  

“ I can’t—not now. Au rehoir I” ..,  v 
They had risen from the tree-encircling ar-
den seat they had been occupying, an 
with their right hands clasped. '

“One moment!” persisted the girl. “ ome-
how Ifear to let you go—I dread that some-
thin may come between us. .

“ nez my more than friend, my best be-
loved! l‘l’othing, I think, can come between us
more.”

There was a hurtling, whistling sound, a swift
flash in the bright air, and a bowie knife was
quivering in the tree, having passed directly be-
tween their faces.

“Again!” cried the detective, with a sort of
eanperated roar.

And then he had clashed like a tiger into the
line of cedar clumps from which the weapon had
been unmistakably projected.

Inez was very pale when he returned, shak-
gig his head, and with a troubled look on his

row.

“ I can‘t understand it. By Jupiter! it beats
me out!” -

And, plucking out the knife, he doggedly re-
sumed his seat. .

 

CHAPTER XVI.
AN EXPEDITION.

His dejection was so great that Inez, though
gieatly terrified herself, did not venture to dis-
turb him. .*

Presently, however, as he did not look up, she
took the knife out of his hands and examined it.

” Exactly the same pattern of knife as the one
launched at me on that eventful night.” hemut—
tered. “ The design upon the weapon is alone
different.” - .

He had sent her word of the former incident,
3:16.; she eagerly scrutinized the buckhorn han-

r s ..

1:; a,

“ There is nothing here,” she exclaimed.

“ Look on the blade.”

She did so, and then uttered a startled c . ‘

“ Good heavens! an exact duplicate o the
tattooed design upon your arm l”

“ Even so.’

He took the clasp-knife from her, closed it,
and put it out of sight.

“ Au “hair,” and he once more held out his
hand.

“ But’, oh, my friend, my love! this is more
than mysterious. It is dreadful~appalling.”

“True, my poor child, but what can we do?
We can only ho e.”

“ And trust in God,” she added, fervently.

Then she gave him her hand, and they sepa-
rated without another word.

Rowlock did not return directly to the boat
that had brought him from the yacht.

Moodlly pondering over this last alarming in—
cident, he gained the street, and kept along it
till he came to a small German wine-shop, which
he entered.

The roprietress, a comely woman, signed him
toward3 a private room in the rear.

Entering this, he found Tom Gaff, the boat-
swain of the Seamew, evidently expecting him
over a glass of something that looked stronger
than German wine.

and Grfl’ nodded sagaciously as the detective
seated himself at the little table.

A likely-looking sailor-man, this Tom Gaff,
witha shrewd face, a pair of keen, cold gray
eyes, of stocky and Powerful build, and for the
hence with but litt e of the toiling seafarer in
his air or dress.

“ Well !” demanded the detective.

“ Its good goods, sir.”

“ Then the dew was not a misleading one?”

“ Not by a long shot.”

“ You have located the WOman?”

“ Yes, sir-reel”

“ Where?"

“ At Hunt’s Point.”

“ 80 near?”

“ It’s shady, thou h.”

“ What sort of a- ouse?”

“ No house, at all. ”

“ What?”

“Unless you call a canal-boat a house.”

“ Give me the particulars.”

“ I tracked that duck, J ago. what you de-
scrin to me, to the place. It’s one of these
here laid-u hulks what's been turned into a
dwelling. ago made sure he wasn’t being fol-
lered—that is, he thought he made sure—and
then thopped over along plank, an’ disappeared
intoi .

“ What then?”

“Then, pretty soon, some one peeped up out
of the bulk.”

“ Who was that!”

“The woman you warned me of. Ugh!” he
gave a shiver, and drained his tumbler. “ No
mistake, Mr. Ensco. She fairly gave me the
aguer.” '

“Describe the face.” ;

Gad did so. .

“ The same!” muttered the detective.

Then be consulted his watch.

“ Eleven, scant!”

“ Time enough.” _

“ Could we reconnmter by water, and get.
back to the Senmew by return of tide by the
middle of the afternoon?”

“ In a racing shell, and with me at the oars,

es.” 1 '

: ‘ - “Such a one is doubtless procurable. Come!”
“ Won't you have a drin with me before we

3. go, Mr. Ensco?”

' “ No; but as you want another, I’ll take a

‘. ar.’

' '.i,A racing shell was not to be had, but a club

w rking—boat, almost the same thing, was ob-

tained: and, half an hour later, they ushed 03
from the float of the Harlem Boating lub.

“ Don‘t forget me, if you have an adventure
on hand, Rowlock,” called out an athletic gen-
rtlemanly-looking young man from the ge of
the float. I
It was Wright Vanderlynn, a club member
and one of Eusco’s acquaintances, to whom he
was indebted for the loan of the boat.

Ensco and his companion to a pause. after
feathering their oars from the initial stroke,
which had not quite carried them beyond hear-
in .
back

“ 150 you mean one with a spice of danger in
it Vanderl ' n!”

"‘Ay, myygoy, that I do! and the more the
' merrier.” _ ' ,
“ You know where the Seamew lies?"

6 former reflected, and then answered

“ At Astoria!1
H . [n
“ Be there at an hour before dusk tonight.” ’
“ Is there genuine tough work in prospect?
Thigh in an eagz‘r’tone. ‘ g
‘ on wan
“ Couht me in, and a thousand thanks, Row—
lock!” _
The sculls caught the water again, and the
‘ light craft shot away. ,

 

r5

“Ah, sir; I knowed you’d come in season,"'

abs. .

 

 

 

  

slump-u... .- . ‘

 

._. «Haws.-- .s“, .. .

 

 

 

  ' ~ * Easiest, the *Hartar“taeasa:'v  ‘ g " 

“1'3"

 

 

“ Chap looked summat like a tea-party swell I”
commented Ga. .

“ But a capital fellow withal, and the boss
fighter of his club,” replied the detective.
“ We’re not so many—handed but that he may be
of use at a pinch.”

They were both in the club working-uniform,
thanks to the further kindness of Mr. Vander-
lynn -—striped shirts, broad white belts and red
uumcntiouablcs‘, with the addition of broad,
slouching straw hats—and presently the detec-
tive made another pause to add a huge pair of
false whiskers, English style, to the side of his
face.

“ Perhaps it will avail me little in view of
such penetration as La Senorinu’s," said he,
“ but it won’t do to throw away any chance.
You are all right without any more fixing,"a
little enviously, to Gaff.

“True for you!" cried the other, who was

pulling stern—stroke. “ The cut of my jib, thank
the Lord! is as yet unknown to her Highness or
the devil-twins.”

‘ ‘ Catch stroke 1” '

“ One minute!" and, producing a handy flask,
back tilted the sailor’s head with its mouth to
his lips.

Ensco frowned, but said nothing, though the
bottle was one of the otherwise invaluable Tom’s
besetting sins.

The sculls after this were plied so steadily
that in less than an hour they were skirting
Hunt’s Point.

This is a bold, rather rugged point of land,
rapidly being built over, near the confluence of
Bronx River with the Harlem, (here beginning
to form the island-thronged, gradually—widening
neck of Long Island Sound,) and four or five
miles from, the Third Avenue Bridge.

“ There you are!” and Gaff began to ease up.
“ Lying just under the roadside luff yonder.”

Enscodpaused on his oars to observe the‘ spot
indicate .

“ Oho!” he muttered; “ so Madame la Senorina
has fitted up that hulk as her secret palace.”

“Po you recognize it as an old acquaintance,
sir?

“I should say so. It used to be a beer and
eating-saloon, much patronized by road and
river sports. Before that-— Ah! there is the
connecting link of the senorina’s present occu-
pancy.” V

“ HOW so?"

“ Well, now I remember that, originally, be-
fore it was a decent saloon, the place was an in-
fernally murderous hole, kept by one Garcia, 5
Spaniard at that, and a common resort of river
and harbor criminals.”

“ Ah, Isee. Well, here’s luck to the bulk as
she blossoms to-day.” And back went Game
head again, with the flask to his lips.

Ensco lost patience.

_ “I wish you wouldn't,” he said, angrily.
give too much at stake for you to run any

“ But, bless your toplightc, Hr. Emo, I ain’t
a-runnin’ any!" ' »

The drink he. more than

“ You are, though!
9:30 ruined your chances, Tom, and you know
1

Gaff scratched his head and then, u if under
a, sudden impulse, tossed theufluk overboard.

The detective’s brow cleared.

“ Come, now, that is something like i” said he,
encouragingly. v

“ Thankee, air," was Tom’s grateful rejoinder,
though he added in his own thoughts: "You
wouldn’t think so, if you knowed as how 1’d
drained t last drop afore chuckin’ the flask
away. ” Lid he then continued, aloud: “ How-
somever, sir, there was inspiration in that last
pull I took.” -

“In what way?”

“ It gave me an idea—a reg’lar head-light,
Mr. Rowlocki” *
“ Let me have it.” ,

“ A good thing on the‘ senora! Why in
boldly heard her boat-dwellin’ at the water-Si .6
door, an’ urtend as how we take it to be stil,‘ a

beer and ,gnch crib?”

“Yes,sirl We can be sort of slow todis-
cover our fluke, an’ in the mean time mebbe spy
into all the old gul’s secrets.”

“ If we get a mere inkling of what Zarapatta
Martez would hide from the world, well be
more than fortunate. However, nothing ven-
ture, nothincr have. catch stroke 1"

The boat sliot on again, this time directed full
at the hulk under conSideration, less than a,
mile away.

“Be careful now of your part,” cautioned
Ensco, as the cars were slipped and moorings
made. “ The least indiscretion may ruin all."

“Hurrah!” cried Gaff, With assumed. hearti-

mess; “ beer’s my weakness, my boy, andvthere's

lots of it inside, or I’m a horse-marine.”

This was well enough, though the_ detective
watched a little nervously his companion’s man-
nor in tumbling up over the hulk’s Side, fearing
that his happy-go—lucky air might not be alto-
gether assumed. after all. _ .

But the were in for it now, and, accepting
the risks, e followed his companion.

If the outbide of the bulk was battered,
weather-worn and uninviti'ng enough—which it

 

certainly was, together with the deck—there
was a coquettish li tle striped awning over the
companionway, and a glance down into this re-
vealed a tidiness, and even elegance that prty
mised greatly for what might lie in t e interior
beyond.

Above deck, the place was wholly deserted.

“ Come on, friend i” cried Gulf, continuing
the rollicking role, though Ensco remarked with
increased uneasiness that he was really unsteady
on his pins. “ There used to be beer on drought
here, and there must be now. Moreover, I’m as
dry as a gun—wad.”

And he forthwith bliindcrcd down the steps,
the other close upon his heels.

But the door at the foot of the companionan

was suddenly opened, and they stood confronted 3

by a. commanding presence. I

It was that of a vailod lady, graceful but
majestic, in a light gauzy morning-gown of
black lace, the face being hidden, save the eyes
—which were large, melancholy and magnetic—
byalace niantilla arranged around the head
and bust after the charming custom of Spanish—
American fine ladies. '

Diamonds could be seen glittering at the
throat and ears: the shapely hands were loaded

with rings of a like ecstly setting; and nothing ‘

could exceed the mingled courtesy and inquiry
of her quiet bearing.

“ To what am I indebted for this unexpected
visit, senors?"

She spoke in English, though with apparent
difficulty, while her voice was indescribably
soft and milodious.

“ We axes your pardon, ma‘nfi” swaggered
the sailor; “an’I can speak Me ican, if you
prefer, since I’m a sea-dog, at your service, with
evgry lingo on the round earth at my tongue’s
en

“ Quie'n est, senor #7 ”

Gaff hesitated, smacked his lips, and then
reeled off a yard or two of atrocious Spanish
with regard to the thirsty errand of the pair.

The lady courteoust explained in a few
words the mistake that was being made.

"Sad news for thirsty men !" growled Torn
with an ogling look, in 5 ice of Eusco’s rebuk-
ing hand upon his shou der. “ At any rate,
nia’m, we might carry away with us a glimpse
of your figureAhead, to make up! for our disap-
pointment)? v

“ Certano, mars I ” And, with! a low laugh,
she drew back her mantilla.

“ The Lord preserve us!” ejaculated the sailor,
and he stumbl'in ly recoiled into Ensco‘s arms;
“ is it a sea-witc or Davy Jones‘s wife?”

 

CHAPTER XVII.
rim sum. AT‘ Hon. ,

Ton Guru’s excitement and alarm were not
to he wondered at for, though he had once be-
fore caught a. glimpse of senorina’s terrible
face, to thus encounter it at close quarters
for the first time was to experience a decidedly
disconcertin effect.

Terriny utiful ~bcautifully terrible—
hloodlem. yet instinct with life, calm, yet the
index of activifieo—impassive, yet mobile,
souiligbep mysterious, grand, gloomy and po-
c ll‘

Such are the adjectives that would involun-
tarily. arise in the presence of thatvface, and
still would not adequately describe it.

“You mm; excuse my friend’s excitement,

madam‘,” said Ensco, apologetically. “He is a ‘

ro gh saber, little used to the revelation os—of
ex cordinary feminine charms. I regret the
mistake that has been made. We shall take
ourselves of! at once.” .

he bowed, with one hand on his heart,

v whil steadyin Toni with the other.

A ‘T 'c lady _smi ed. ,
1"“ Apologies are unnecessary, and why should
you go?’ she murmured. “Since I have made

- my abode in this queer place, similar misappre-

hensions have not unnaturally occurred.”

“ You are generous. madam.”

“ Not at all, Enter, senors, If this is no
longer a public house, that is no reason why you
should go away without refreshments."

” You're a stunner, ma’am!” cried Gaff, who
had by this time recovered his composure.
“ Thank-e6 a million times, for we are dry arter
our long ull at the oars.” 1

She smiled again, and forthwith ushered them
into a cabin that had been fitted up as a little
saloon regardless of expense.

Here she placed before them a profusion of
wines and dainties.

“ I am, perforce. my own servant at present,”
said she, as the two men, after a. little further
urging, proceeded to help themselves. “ But
you are none the less welcome, senors. You
will excuse me from not joining you, I hope,
though I shall avail myself of this opportunity
to treat my pets to a few tidbits.”

She accordingly sunk into an enormous up-
holstered chair, emitting a soft cooing sound,
and instantly became covered with snakes.

They were of all sizes and patterns; they came
as if by magic out of the billowy crevices and
undulations of the chair; they twine'i about her
arms, her neck, her bosom. the air was filled
with their sharp but contented sibilations.

Tom Gafl bad Just downed his third glass of

a I

iced claret, and had been thinking of trolling out
a song in gratitude for so much unex acted hos-
pitality, when this remarkable exhi ition took
ace.
p Now he stood as if petrified.
“ Great Scott!” was about all he could ejacu-
late. “ Hch I got the jim—jams, or am I in a.
Hindoo snukc—charmer’s palace?”
“Ah! but you mustn’t mind my ets,” said
the senora, as she began to feed t em with
spoonfuls of milk. “Thelir are harmless and
beautiful. Don’t you th'n them lovely?“
I “(i‘andiilly speaking, ma'am, I don’t,’ replied
, Gull’, rapidly opening a fresh bottle and then
1 brimming a tall celery glass with the red wine.
? “ I really don’t in mu to be wantin’ in apprecia-
‘tion. you know, but—well, ma’am, snakes is
‘ snakes! ’ And he forthwith began to tossofl the
unconscionable bumper.

“ And you, sir!" she smilingly turned to

, Ensco.

“ I won’t say that I dislike snakes, ma’m—thut
is, in their lace," said he. with becoming suav-
ity. “ An
beauties.”

“ You are most complimentary.
names!“ At a sudden gesture the serpents dis-
appeared'as mysteriously us they had appeared.
“ You perhaps wonder at me, senors?”

“I don’t!” blurted out the sailor, who had
again recovered his wind, so to speak. “ Why,
ma’m, you might turn your purty self inside-
out now, an’ it wouldn‘t faze me!”

“ I’m something of a professional woman,”

“ and I have my own reasons for making my
home in such odd quarters. Would you, senors,
‘like to look further?”
I Sig; opened a door invitingly, and they fol-
0w .

The saloon in which they had been sitting was
at the extreme aft of the hulk, and she now can
ducted them forward through a succession of

tinuous surprise.

sage, richly carpeted, and hung with crimson
damask.

leaving them standin in the center of the floor,-

he in store for them.

the spell, senors," she cried, in a changed voice.
“ It is the hour, the fated hour!”

Eusco with a swift suspicion.

a smile of si flcant deadlines was frozen u

her' person seemed to enlarge and swell with n
execs of malign pinipoce.

Lastly, a large ye ow serpent, similar to the
one that had escaped out of coach—long,
slender, golden-scaled—writhed silently into
view from amid the u per drapery of her dark,
cloud-like venture, an

festoons. -

and strongly suggesting the line:
“ And 10, about her, fold on fold.
A golden serpent hung-
An eye of jet. 3. skin of gold,
A garnet for a tongue!

was absorbed in a single instant by the horrified ,
before she stamped her foot. -

It was a signal.

The damask hangings :1er on either side,,
cooked revolvers presented.

Both the detective and his companion were
unarmed.

to foot. hemmed in!
The White Sihyl of Morena burst into a te
rihle laugh—a laugh so wild, so discordant, so
baleful, in contrast with her \thei'etofore mellir
fluous accents, that it might have rung forth

deemably lost. .
She menacingly held out one of her shapely

was raised hissingly.

not back their dead !” i .
The detective sprung toward her, but it was

too late. _
She had stamped her foot again.
The floor suddenly 0

were instantly swallow

CHAPTER XV, III.
A DAMP sunrnisn.

up from view.

heads, there was a splash, and the intended vio-
3225 were floundering in deep water amid intense

“Be quickl’lthey heard the senora’l void.

 

as far as snakes go, yours are.

Presto, . . ‘

continued the senora, with increased suavity, -

compartments and passages, the costly elegance .
of whose furniture and appointments was a con- f 
At last she admitted them into a narrow pas- A

Here she paused at the curtained entrance, .
silently wondering w at fresh revelation might '

“ Remain just as you are, or you will break ,

her lips: t e splendor of her large, dilating-g .
eyes was instinct with a nameless ferocity; even ,

A strange spectacle, as fantastic as terrible! I
But Lanna-like us “as the general effect. it ,
men, and they had no time to collect themselvec ‘ ‘
revealing two ruifians— edro and Jago—with ,

They were fairly beset, “ covered ” from head

 

out of the everlasting fire-crypts of the irre-i
!

“Dupes and fools!” she screamed, “did you];
ho a to deceive ‘me with your puerile masquor
re. 9? Down—down into the depth. that give.

nod, and the two men ,_
Tuna the floor closed as suddenly over 

r

Gut! looked at her with gaping astonishment, - « '

Her countenance had also changed. It was  
frightful with a. hushed, but concentrated fury;  _.

ranged itself about her 
neck, bosom and arms in gleaming folds and -. . "

 

 ‘

  
  
    
 
 
   
 
  

arms, twian by the golden snake, whose head  ’

v

 
   

1,4

Ramses the 'Hélibqr' 'betective.

u _.>. y  . ‘w- \

 

 

exclaim. “ Secure their boat by which they
came hither. Then be ready to shoot them dead
should they dive out under the bulk!"

These words, dimly heard, were followed by
the muffled sound of swiftly—retreating footsteps
overhead.

“ Did you mark that, Tom?” demanded the
detective, who was keeping himself afloat with
the ease of an expert swimmer. .

“ To be sure, sir; and may her pet snakes de-
vour her!”

“ Follow me, then! It’s our only chance.”

With that the detective, determining his posi-
tion as well as was possible, dived down and
somewhat to the left.

By good luck, he came up outside the bulk in
the clear sunlight and almost within arm’s-
length of where the boat, as yet undisturbed,
was moored.

In another instant ho had scrambled into her,
pushed ofl’, and seized the sculls.

Then to get possession of a revolver from his
coat-pocket, lying between his feet, was the
work of but another moment, and, as Pedro and

Ja 0 made their breathless appearance on the

. hufii’s deck, pistol in hand, he had the pair of
them covered almost before they could realize
the new turn that had taken place in the mur-
derous game.

“ Hands up!” he shouted. “ Make a single
oflensive movement, or budge but an inch, and
you are dead men in swift succession!”

They obeyed, starin stupidly down at him,
while the detective ared not shift his eyes,
anxious as he was to know what had become of
his com ion.

But t e latter had come to the surface of the

_ water on the shore side, and was presently seen
. boarding the bulk from that quarter With the

A’ agilit and stealthiness of a cat.

r made a gesture, to signify that he com-

prehended the situation, and at once began to

cross the deck, to take the two rufl'lans in the

 

rear.
At that instant, however, the senorina bound-
, ed into view up the companionway.
Her serpent paraphernalia was not on exhibi-
 tion now—save for the hideous, basilisk luster
of her burning eyes.

Herrblack hair was streaming d0wn her back,
in her hand glittered the long dagger with which
she had struck at the detective‘s heart through

V the coach-window.

,: , But she did not see Gair, her gaze being held

1 solel by her own satellites and the action of

2 ,- the etective that rendered them petrified from
the boat.

-,  “ Oafs! cowardsl” she hissed, “ you have then
let him escape? My yen eance upon you !”

“ But it wasn’t our fan (7, senora,” called back

7 Pedro, though neither he nor his companion
, :dared turn from the menacing revolver’s muzzle

= to look at her. “ He had dived under and
 grabbed the skiff before we could put in an ap-

a, A. g i”.

.1‘

- w, v- 1.,

 

.; .lpearme' .
v “ Ay, laggards—snailsl and only to hold you
7,, now paralyzed at his pistol’s point. Ha, ha, ha!
9* However, let him , if but to meet one of the
A torpedoes with w ich my floatin fastnees is
" encircled. Stran e that he esca them in his

" first approach! . here is the scoundrel’s fellow-
; «p ?-—food for fishes, let us ho !”

are, with a piratical yel , Gail! crossed the
, ‘ deck in a couple of concluding bounds, hurling
:3  the two men ead—over-heels into the water.
' “ Your sarvent, ma’ml” he shouted; “ but
where are them snakes!”

 , And with that he, also, had gone over the
’» ', side head-first, and a moment later had resumed
'3, ,his sculls in the boat with the detective.
 “Sheer off, and be careful!” muttered the
| ~ latter, dropping his revolver to take up his pair
,. of oars. “ member her words about the tor-
"., pedoeltzhthoughl only half take stock in them

 

     
  
 

, 1:) se .
‘-” The senora now, with her calmness party re-
"'_ ‘ : stored, was coolly surveying them from the side
,of the hulk, while her disheartened braves were
paddling about in the water, chattering like
. monkeys, and seeking in vain for some means of
climbing' up the slippery side.

“ Adios. senors E” she called out in soft mockery.
“ Adios, Senor Eusco, more especially! When
next we meet, it may be under more favorable

circumstances!”
“Pay 03 there Gaff, and 've no further at—
irected the etective, in a low

  
   
 
  
 
  
  
 
   
    
  
  
   
 
 
  
 
  
  
   
   
   
 
  
   
  

tention toher." d
,..voice. “Look out, or we’ll foul that mass of
g driftvwood. By jove! we have fouled it.” I

As the nose of the boat. under Gail’s flurried
. Ppnllin , drove into the mass to be avoided, it
. must ave given a critical jar to some deadly
submeg‘gded apparatus on which‘the drift was

I I At all events, there was a dull, mumed explo-
sion and, asthe fiendish woman’slaugh rung out
exultm ly, the entire mass sprung high into the

air on. t crest of a sort of a water-spout.

“Give way I" cried the detective. “ Pull for
our life, Tom! We’re uninjured as yet.”

, The keen boat shot out and away, luckily
escaping the drift-wood shower in its descent,

' _ a moment later was out of harm’s way,

though half-filled. with water, and with its occu-

pants drenched to the skin. -

“ By Jupiter !” growled Tom Gad, pausing to

   

“Ev

 

 

mop his brow and take breath; “ it wasn’t all
gammon about them to eeders, after all.”

“ It seems not,” said nsco, and he turned to
make a mock gesture of farewell to the senorita,
but she had disappeared from view.

“ Good Lord, sir! but ain’t she the terror?”

“ She can hold her own pretty well in that line,
I fancy.”

“ Is she human, think you, sir?"

“ Something like it.”

“ A word now to the
the witch and her hul
included.”

“ Catch stroke!—Not yet awhile, at all events. ”

“ Why not, sir?” demanded the sailor, while
fallin to work again.

“ ardly ripe yet.

“ Now or never, I should say.”

“ Wrong! Barring the attempted abduction,
there’s not a ghost of proof against her as yet on
the main issue.”

Gaff looked dissatisfied.

“ You mean in the murder case?”lie asked.

H Yes.”

“ But ain’t actin’ like the devil, an’ havin’ red
an’ yaller snakes fur messmates, a capital
crime?” ‘

Ensco laughed.

“Not quite Tom.”

u Humph z”

“ Besides, my man,” the detective further
vouchsafed, “ we’ve already lost two hours, and
we’re not to forget to-night’s work cut out for us.
Strong as is the tide in our favor, I doubt if we
shall make the Seamew in good season.”

As it was, they reached the yacht a scant hour
before dusk, and just as Mr. Wright Vander-
lyém was also putting in an appearance over her
s1 8.

After resuming his own proper habiliments,
the detective first gave that young gentleman
an outline of the work in prospect.

Little Starlight was then sent off to act as
Miss Delorme’s escort, after which Mr. Dago—
now the captain of the Seamew, though subject
to the detective’s orders in a general way ame
into the cabin with his report of the prepare ‘ons
throughout the day. ‘

These proved to be generally to Ensco's satis-
faction, thbugh not altogether so.

“You reconnoitered the Bowery Bay rendez-
vous afresh, I suppose?" he demanded.

“ Yes, sir.”

“ With what effect?”

“ To all appearance, they’ve not the slightest
suspicion of our intentions. Mr. and Mrs.
Emroled are of the same opinion.”

” Good! They are in readiness to cooperate
with us?”

it Yes.”

“ You .told them of the likelihood of a visit
from Miss Delorme?" .

“ They will expect her.”

“ How many men do the band mostly muster
at the rendezvous?”

“ As many as thirty.”

Ensco turned with a smile to Vanderlynn.

“ And we shall bring six to the attack, in-
cluding yourself,” said e.

The young gentleman stared, but then
laughed.

“ Odds enough to kee us busy!” he replied,
with a yawning stretc of his clinched nds
above his head. “ Hard knocks and a lively
time! That suits me to a T, my boy.”

The detective again addressed h mself to Mr.

lice, then, would bag
establishment, snakes

Da 0.
“SHOW about the mysterious steam-launch,”
he went on. “ What of her?”

-‘ The yacht commander‘s face fell a little.

“ Well, sir, she remains a mystery,” he ad-
mitted.

“ You tracked her?”

“ Yes.”

“But with no chance to slip aboard?”

“ Not the ghost of one. "I

“ What do you know about her?”

“Two things only. That she is piloted by Jim
Farrish, a river-pirate and desperado fr in far
back; and that she’s now moored in a litt e cove
just t’other side of Hallett’s Point.” ,

Ensco arose.

“ I must investigate the steam-launch without
delay,” saidiie.

CHAPTER XIX.
IN ’rnr: snmw’s cum.

VANDERLYNN had also sprung to his feet. and
so suddenly as to attract the attention of the
others. '

His face also wore a startled look.

v “ What ails you?" asked Ensco.

“ Oh, nothing—that is—well,” and the young
man laughed nervously, “to tell the truth, it
just occurred to me, and all in a flash, that it
was in this very cabin those ghastly murders
took place.”

“ Of course. By the way, that very arm-
chair you jumped out of—it has been newly up-
holstered sinceh-Was doubtless the one out of
which old Captain Marston must have sprung
to confront his midnight murderers.”

Vanderlynn shudder-ed.

 

“ This is unlike you, my boy.” the detective
continued. “ You re not afrai i”

“ Of nothing on earth to my knowledge. You
ought to know that, Ensco.”

“ I do know it; and yet your sudden alarm?”

“ I own l’m su erstitious,” said the young
man, frankly. “ hough inscnsible to earthly
fear, as I firmly believe myself to be, I have an
instinctive horror of the unearthly. I can’t.
help it.”

“ Is there aught unearthly?”

“Why, don't you believe there is?”

“ I am with Montaigne. I believe what I
know, or what is knowable. « And I repeat, is.
there anything not of the earth that we being
of. the earth, can have any cognizance of?”

“ I don’t know, perhaps not.”

Mr. Dago smiled.

“But all this has nothing to do with the cabin
here,” he inter ed. “Yonder was where the
poor old captain gave his last gasps to us. In
that corner the poor steward, Mala, the Kanaka,
lay dead; while just outside there was the body
of brave Jack Hammond, the second ofilcer.”

Vanderlynn gave a slight, involuntary shud-

er.

“ But there was nothing unearth] in all these
tragic happenings,” continued the rst officer of
the Seamew. ‘ Indeed, they were eseentially
brutal and of the earth earthy.”

“ Admittedly,” said the youn man, uneasily.
“ Still, there’s always a haun feeling about a
locality where murder has been done, especially
when the murderer has not yet been brought to
justice.”

“ Nonsense, young sir! No more than there
should be about any other lace—that is, if we
look at it in a philosophic wa .”

“I agree with Mr. Dago,” interposed the de»
tective. “ Besides, if the murders committed
here are as yet unavenged. it is only a question
of time when they will be."

“ False! false! false!” at this instant rung out
a thin, airy voice from nowhere in particular.

Vanderlynn, who had resumed his seat, sprung
up as if he had been shot, while Dago and the
detective looked surprised and troubled.

Then the first oflicer clinched his hand, and
bounded up the companionway. muttering:

"‘ Trickery somewhere! Let me but fix it
upon the right man !"

Vanderlynn followed him.

The only one on deck was Jones, a stalwart
young sailor, formerly one of the Seamew’s
trusted crew, and recently re-employed.

And he was sitting carelessly on the starboard

unwale, humming an air while watching the
fights that were beginning to twinkle from the
village opponte.

Questioned, he was sure that no stran r had
approached the yacht’s side, and Mr. off, he
was quite certain, was indulging in a nap in his
berth. .

When they re-entered the cabin it was to find
that Ensco had lighted a lamp, by which he
wristl preoccupied with some penciled memo—
ran a.

“I was sure you would make no discovery,”
said he quietly. ‘
“ Why?” asked VanderlEin. _ _

“Because I recognized e vaice as ventrilo-~
qual at once.” . '

“ Ventriloquiali” ,,

it Yes-1’ V

Dago slapped his knee.

“ But,” continued the youn or man, “ you.
also looked startled and troubl , Ensco.”

‘f Time; for a new and unexpected difllculty
for ye was presented. Treason on shipboard, or-
else afresh outside trickster not far away.”

They reported their questioning of Jones.

“That merely deepens the mystery, and a
mystery within a m ster is always a nuisance.
Wheels within whee s. cam now, Dago, to re-
turn to the steam-launch. Why did you not try
to sli aboard of her?"

“ arrish was in view all the time.”

“ You are ac uainted with him?”

“ Ayhsir; and e with me. There’s the trouble.”

it so ‘

“ Yes, sir. And how could I have made over-
tures to him, without his taking the alarm?”

a‘closer look at that launch, as a preliminary,
right away. Vanderlynn, suppose you accom-
pun, me.’ .

“ ith all my heart!” Vanderlynn seemed
rejoiced to get out of the Seamew’s cabin, and
stay out.

“ You won‘t go now, sirl” queried the chief
'oflicer.

“ Why not?” demanded the detective. “ The
reconnoiter can be made in a quarter of an
hour.” _

“True, sir; but twilight 15 already falling,
~and on are ex ing the young lady. ’ l,

“ ’11 take ‘ ingo, too. 'With  at the
sculls we ought to be back in time. Come,
Wright.” _ . _ I

They took the yacht’s boat, as being roomier
than the borrowed club-shell, and were speedily
afloat. with the gigantic negro at the oars.

He had just stepped on board from an errand
into the Village as they had made their appear~
ance up the com ionway. ‘

“ Don’t forget that I‘m to cute

 

"1.1 the y
lady. if she comes in your absence, sirl” 31%
out pogo from the yacht. ~

“ True; but he doesn’t know me. I shall have .

 

f
I
i
i
l
i
i .
l

I.‘_.

      
      

- ... . mwwwwnn. “.4 .. ..

 

 

 

 

:i

 

 

 

 

 ‘ ‘  " ‘Rowloyck. 'ti'ie'H‘éibdi'Nnétééiiwé.7""; 

9157 p}

 

 

Ensco nodded, and then the boat sheared
away. ,

There was still plenty of 1i ht, and, as they
shot rapidly taward Hallett’s oint, the detec-
tive imparted to his young friend something of
Miss Delormels anticipated share in the night’s
undertaking.

Vanderlynn, naturally enough, was both sur-
prised and interested.

“She must be a strange and a bold girl, that
youn lady,” he commented.

“ on have never seen her?”

And the detective eyed him narrowly, for, be-
sides being a well-known man about town, Van-
derlynn was good-looking, and could doubtless
make himself agreeable.

“ Never.”

“ Well, you are right in your
Delorme is both strange) and brave.’

“ I should say so. hat part can she take in
such an affair?”

“ She will go on ahead by land, and interview
the Emroleds, the odd couple I told you about.”

“ Alone?”

“ No; little Starlight will accompany her.”

b “13h, I remember the boy. Still, he is but a
oy.

“ One in a thousand. ”

“ A boy is a boy.”

I“ Dgiibtless you would like greatly to take her

p ace
Vanderlynn laughed.

“ I don’t know about that. Miss Delorme is
rich as every one knows. But is she likewise
young—attractive?”

. There was something reassuringly refreshing

in both laugh and wor s.

“ Rather, ’ was the detective’s dry reply. '

“But, apart from all that,” said Vanderlynn,
earnestly, “is it exactly the sort of a thing for
a young lady to engage in?”

“ It is Miss Delorme’s desire. Beside, Miss
Delorme is not like other young ladies.”

H  I" _

Upon reaching the cove—a retired spot-.—in
which the steam-launch lay, not a sign of life
was observable on board.

They cautiously rowed around the graceful
craft, but, beyond makin out her name on the
stern, could discover not ing of interest, save
that she seemed wholly deserted, without even a
si n of fire in her engine.

he name, however, was suggestive.

It was the Ghost.

“ She’s a beauty !” commented Vanderlynn,
as they began‘ to row back, for the twilight was
deepening. “ With a good head of steam on,
311119 oiight to slip through the water like a. dol-

in.

“ And with the silence and stealthiuess that
her name implies,” added the detective. “ Do
you recognize her ?” .

Vanderlynn shook his head, after a parting
studg of the symmetrical craft.

“1“: no; she's new to these waters. I’m sure of
a . .
When midway back to the yacht. they came

to a pause as the Astoria ferry~boat, her decks

densely crowded fore and aft with home-return-
ing work-people, was just rounding to as she

Iguess. Inez

« approached her dock.

1; this moment there was something like a scuf-
fle at the edge of her forward deck, and a hand
some lad, dressed or looking like a young Cu ban,

' was preci itated headforemost into the river.

Vander you had opportuner ripped him by
the collar, and thus saved him fi'om bein car-
ried under the wheel, when, amid the con usion
that was incidentally taking place on the fen;-
boat. little Starlight was seen continuing t e

‘ scuflle, and apparently trying to spring at the

throat of a big man, who was keeping him at
arm’s-length with some difficulty.

When the little fellow, however, saw that the
lad oveiboard was out of danger, he relin-
guished his bellicose efforts.

“Look out, Rowlock-it’ me!” he piped out.

With that be tossed a bundle down into 'the
yacbt’s boat, and then followed it himsalf,
alightipg so sirily, after climbing down and
than swag-mg himself out, as to hardly cause a
tremor in the craft. * '

Vanderlynn had by this time dragged the other
led on board, and, as the big ferry-boat swept
on, with achorus of cheers from her crowds,
the yacht’s boat tossed and plunged like a. chip

' on her after-swells.

“ What does this mean?” cried Ensco,
angrily upon little Starlight.
you obey my orders?” , ,

The boy turned his cud and accomplished his
charactech speculation. \ ,
lfgdBetcherlife, boss, an’ live it out, too!” he re-
p I . ‘

“ Where is the young lady?” _ ,

Stoplight. burst into a laugh, in which he was
heartily Jomed by the rescued lad, who was by
this time as thoroughly composed as the other,

ough naturally more or less moist.

“ 0h, boss, but you do sometimes make me

turnin
“ Is this the we?

tired!" cried Starli lit.

The silvery long of Inez had already un-
masked her to the detective.
“ I’m glad you brought away my bundle,

L Starlight,” said she. “ It contains my disguises,

~and a fresh one will be in order before long.”

!

 

CHAPTER XX.
FRESH ADVENTURE. .

I'r took Vanderlynn somewhat longer than
Ensco to realize that the pseudo—young Cuban,
whom he had dragged out of the water, was
none other than Miss Delorme herself.

When he did so his astonishment was im-
mense, if not altogether demonstrative, and she
was not so much disguised but that he could per-
ceive how attractive she was.

“Be quick, and wrap this around you!” ex—
claimed the detective, whipping off his jacket,
and "handing it to her. “You are dripping
wet.

He was secretly not in the best of humor, and
would much rather that he, in lieu of Vander-
lynn. had saved her from the ferry-boat wheel.

Inez made a gesture of dissent, but, neverthe—
less, threw the jacket about her shoulders, after
laughingly declining Vanderlynn’s too ready
assistance.

“The weather is so warm!” said she. “But
for all that I shall be glad to be dry once
more.” ‘

“ Now for an explanation,” said the detective,
while Mingo, after a grunt at the odd nature

Xof the detention, was again bending to his

work.
Inez’s brow became troubled.
“ That big man on the ferry!” she exclaimed.
“I ago sure he jostled me overboard on pur-
ose.
“ You bet he did!” cried Starlight.
“ You tell the story, Starlight. ’ ,
meléelal latter did so, though there wasn’t much

After the mischance to Inez, Starlight had'

accused the big man in liestion of havin pur-
posely occasioned it, and ad then attacked him
with the result that has been seen. '

“ For the ferry-landing, quick, Mingo!” ex-
claimed Ensco, giving the tiller a twist. “We
must intercept the rush of the crowd over the
bridge. Now, Starlight, we’ve only three min-
utes. Describe the big man from head to foot,
so that I cannot possibly mistake him.”

The lad complied.

A moment later the yacht’s boat was at the
side of the dock just as the ferry—boat effected
her landing. with the usual ratt e of chains, in
the slip, and the passengers began to pour out
over is e bridge and through the ferry-house in a
hurried stream.

But at the same instant the detective was out
over the dock, like a shot.

He disap red around the ferry-house, slip-
ped throng the rush like a fish through a net-
work of waterflags, and when he reappeared in
view of his party, the big man who had been
desoribed by the lad was struggling in his
grasp.

Inez gave an anxious little cry, while Star-
light fa rly yelled with delight.

“ He’s nabbed him, Row ock‘s nabbed him!”
he cried. “ But hallo mister!” this to Vendor:
lynn; “help’s wanted.”

Yes; for at that instant the detective was seen,
to he suddenly beset by a dozen or' more of
flercely—gesticulating foreign-looking men, who
were intent upon rescuing his prisoner.

Followed by Starlight, Vanderlynn was out
on the dock in an instant.

And then, it Tom Gaff had been on hand as a.
witness, his doubts as to the young New
Yorkers flstic abilities in a general muss would
have been quickl ‘put to rest.

He washers. t are and everywhere a verit-
able pi'odigy‘of _ pugilism, four men b ting the
dust under blS lightning-like shoulder-hitting in
such rappid succession as to give the impression
that they were'little more than men of wood.

But the odds were too great.

Ensco had in the mean time, held on to his
prisoner with one hand, while eflectively strik-
ing out n ht and left with the other, and little
Starli ht ad heroically upsetaman darting be
tween is legs, but the assailants suddenly or-
ganized a. sunultaneous rush, and then all was

over.

When the detective and his assistants emerged
from the hors du combat, in which they had been
temporarily placed, the enemy had all disap-
peared in the dusk, and nothing was to be con-
fron but a policeman or two and a throng of
excited onlookers.

Mingo, whcse added energy might have_turn-
ed the scale of the contest, had tamed behind to
make fast the boat. and was consequently on
hand too late to be of any assistance.

“ I almost had the fellow,” regretfully mutter-
ed the detective. on the way to the yacht.
“ However, I shall know him again.”

“ Did you recognize him as belonging to the
band?” asked Inez, in a low voice.

He shook his head.

No sooner was the deck of the Seamew reach;

ed than she snatched her. bundle and disap«

peared.

But when Ensco and Vanderl nn entered the
cabin’saloon, a few minutes ' ater, she reap-
peared from the after compartment in her owu
character, her costume being an admirably-fit-
ting walking-suit of serviceable material.

Vanderlynn was so struck by the girl’s beauty
that he could only look and remain . Silent,
which, however, was sufficiently impressive.

 

The detective on his part, surveyed‘her with
surprise. ~

“ You know that expedition is about to start!”
he ueried. '

‘“ do know it, comrade.”

“ You will not go in disguise?”

“ To what good?" '

“ But even I did not see through your last
one until you spoke, after being dragged out of ‘
the water.”

“ But the bi man, on the ferry-boat, who
pushed me 'over oard l” '

Rowlock Ensco knitted his brows.

“ True; he must have penetrated it—or some
one else for him."

“ Probably the latter.”

“ Did you mark any one observing you?”

“ Yes; a tall woman, closely vaileil. 7

U Aha!” -

“ Little Starlight had just called my atten-
tion to her, in a whisper, when the push or
scuffle occurred in which I lost my balance.”

“ That doubtless explains it.”

“ At all events, I shall enact my part just as
I am. Or, in case of great need, I have another
disguise—in fact, more than one—With me.”

And she made a movement with the bundle,
which she still carried in one hand.

Ensco stepped to the door.

" Starlight!”

The b0 appeared.

“’ You ave your instructions.
is ready.”

Inez stepped forward with unquestioning self: ‘7
reliance. ‘ ’

“ One moment!” continued the detective, with
a swift, anxious look.

“ Well, Rowlock?"

“ I know from the

Miss Delorme

t that neither the senor

-nor the twins are des rous of working, you per-

sonal harm.”

“ Well?" _

“ Otherwise, you should not go.”

Inez laughed, perhaps to conceal the loving
look she was giving him.

“ Excuse me, my friend,” she said, “ but, hav-
ing once made up my mind, I would go underI
any circumstances.”

“ You would?” 1

"‘ Ay, indeed, Ensco. I am armed, and the -
wheels of my destiny shall never roll backward.
Adios, ami o I” - . ~

And, motioning the boy to precede her, she
sprung after him up the companionway.

The detective restrained a movementtofol-

low and bring her back. .

Then was heard the splash of oars, indicating '4 l 2"

that the oung l was on her way to the shore. '

But ri ht anderlynn had restrained his
open object ons to the mission of Inez with even
greater difficult than Ensco had felt. ,

“ It isn’t righ !” he burst out. _

“What isn’t?” said the detective, with the
utmost coolness.

“ Can you ask? Why, the: do re of Miss
Delorme on such an errand. ‘It outrageous!” ' .

“ Indeed! If you were her escort, it would‘
doubtless be more hi hl pro r.” . 1

The young man as ed, at be retained his,
com osure. . ‘

“ t would certflnly be less dangerous for her, ‘
Ensco. But you rong me by those words.”

“I would not wrong you.” ~

“ Confess that there is danger!”

“ To her, or for her?”

6‘ Yes. ”  .

“ No, I shall not. But, admitting that there
is, what of that if she
solutely forbid?”

H You I” . i

ii yes, Ln .

“ What do you mean?"

“ That Inez Delorme is m ,

Vanderlvnn's manner ins ntly changed. , "

“Good eavensl forgive me, ’ he exclaimed. ‘ .
“ I did not dream-W x ‘

“(3f course not, so say no more on the sub- ‘
ject. ' i

“ Still, are . you so sure that our chief enemies
would db the youngllad no personal ham 7”,

“ Certainly; or s e s ould not have quivted. -
the yacht.” ‘ .
“ But that veiled woman on the ferry-boat,
and Miss Delorme‘s misadventure there!” »

betrothed.”

“ I have thought this thing all out, Vendor; ‘ ‘

lynn. There was some misunderstanding 
tween that woman and her out; or, at all
events, if that woman was our c iéf enemy, as’I
suppose, it was not b her desi that Inez was-
thrown overboard. ome on eck." . ,
When they reached the deck the Seamew wasj
already under way, heading up-stream, with a
liglht but favorable wind. ,
he expedition a ainst the fastness of the
river—pirates was at . fully on foot. .

 

CHAPTER mix.

A HYS’I'ERIOUS couan. ‘ ‘ V _ ‘

Dummy on being laced ashore 'from’tho
yacht, Inez and her litt e com on V of
horse-car for the Bow Bay each, threomiles‘r
distant,.which had on y come into vogue the:
preceding year as a. transient summer resort. ' r
“ I’ll show yer est when an’ where to get out,
miss,” whispered 'ttle Starlight, with a 

t

, .

wtll go, andIdonotab—i : '

 

  

 

 

expected, then?”
I Mr. Ensco said.

 

16

"fiovlociz’; assurances... ' ~   

 

 

responsible, proprietary air. “ You’ie to take
your one from me.”

He rolled his everlasting quid from one cheek
to the other, but deferentially expectorated from
behind his hand.

Inez had come to like the little fellow, no less
than to trust him, and she struggled to hide the
amused look that was in her eyes and lips.

“ Thank you, Starlight,” said she. “ I shall
not forget that you are my counselor and guide.”

“ More special,” he continued, “ if any cuss
should hop aboard here, an’ attempt to gun you,
you’re to cave it all to me.”

“ To gun me!”

“ Don’tchersec? To mash yer, you know.”

“ Oh!” And this time she burst out laugh-

in .

gut, Bowery Bay Beach being rather a day
than evening resort, there were but few other
passengers. and those of a kind apparently little
give; to gunning or mashing in the sense im-

ie .

p When within half a mile of the hotel the pair

alighted from the car, and Starlight led the way

l3; striking off into a woodland path that was

ibes but invisible, for the night was cloudy at
t. '

“ This ’ere foot nth, miss,” the boy exclaimed,
‘.‘ cuts off the swc lbeach grounds, an’ takes us
around Bowery Bay Point. ’

“ It is a. good thing that you seem to know
the way so well," said Inez, courageously kee
‘ing at his heels in the little less than solid dar —
ness.

“ I oughter, miss. I’ve knowed it from my
fu’st an’ earliest youth.”

“ Oh, dear! and how old are you now, Star-
light?”

“ Fourteen.” And she heard him expectorate
with impressive solemnity.

" Bless me! what a retrospect is yours! And
have you also chewed tobacco from those re-
mote days?”

His sigh sounded somewhat blase in the still-

- ness of the deep wood, broken solely'by their

rustling footfalls.
‘ “No, Miss Delorme; it’s a vice of my later
years. Please don‘t call me a brute, miss.”

“ By no means—the idea i”

“ Besides, I know it to be a beastly habit.
I‘m knocking ofi‘, as it is—sort of tapering down
the ractice."

“ hat is good!"

“Yes; I only chew two papers of fine-cut a
day now.”

“ Astonishing! This path leads us directly to

' the Emroled cottage?”

“ Straighter’n a dead shot !"

They presently emerged from the wood, and
found themselves near a small cabin, that was
perched upon a considerable eminence close to
the water’s edge.

It overlooked a wide expanse of lonesome
water, dotted here and there with islands, all

«1 ing peacefully in a soft, opalescent light that

one from the fleecy clouds, although there was

noI'M)“ sed tth to r h d
nez pau a e p o t eeminence an
looked around. ,

“ No sign of the Seamew yet!"

“It ain’t time for her,” said the b0 .
“Look!” and he polan away. “Do yer tw g
that sort of tumble-down lookin‘ chebang among
the rocks yonder, half a mile awa i"

“.I don’t know. What is a che angl”

“ Crib, ranch, roost,den, buildin’—why,house!"

“Oh! as, now I see—that ruinous aflair at
the meat of a. sort of creek, isn’t it?”

“ Dat’s de cheese, miss."

“Well, what of it?” ‘

“It’s the pirates’ chebang!" explained Star-
light in a hoarse whisper.

‘What! the place to be surrounded undat-
tacked to-night?’

He nodded.

Here the door of the cabin opened, and a wo-
man appeared—a still yoimg-looking, but
strange and care-worn figure, frat ed. in the

, outpouring lamplight. ,
"I thought heard voiCes,” she said, in a
strangely hushed, timid voice. “Is it Miss

Delorme?”
“Yes,” said Inez, napping forward, while

I Starlight. with a or; of, “Mammy! mammy!”

rushed before her, like a little child, and threw
his arms around the woman’s person. “ I was

Oh, yes, miss; for some days from what
_ Step in, please; Mr. Emroled
will be here presently.” ‘
And Mrs. Emroled, while fondling the boy
tender] , never took her eyes off the young
woman s face as she ushered her into the cabin.
Inez was making good use of her own eyes, in
her turn.
In Mrs. Emroled she saw a much-broken
woman of thirty-six or eight, with an abun-
dance of snow-white hair, and the traces of
great beauty.
_ But there was a mysterious shifting expres-
swn of the worn face and hollow ‘eyes—apiu-t
from the latter’s steadfast regard at the present

', moment—that both mystified and startled the

gazer.
“He is very fond of you, and you of him,”
said Inez, smiling at Star ight’s demonstrations.

 

Mrs. Emroled smiled in return, but it was the
saddest smile imaginable.

“ Yes,” and she absently patted the little fel-
low’s cheek. “ Little Starlight was a baby
when he first came into our care. Mr. Ensco’s
taking him away and making a little man of
him hasn‘t made any difference in his affection
for us-God be praised!” this last with a wild
sort of fervor.

“Have an always called him Starlight?”

“ No; r. Enqco gave him that name. I sup-
pos - it was because of the wonderful starrincss
of the night when be rescued him from drowning
out yonder in the buy.” And the woman's arms
instinctively closed more tlghtly round the boy.
“ But that was three or four years ago. ”

“ Four last month, mummy!” chirped up the
little fellow. “ I’d been upset when out clam-
min’. Lordy! but wasn’t the water cold!”

“ He was only little Jimmy before that,” said
Mrs. Emroled, softly; and from ‘an inaudible
motion of her lips Inez inferred that “ Jimmy ”
had been a poor foundling.

“ Then you hav’e had no children of your own,
I presume?” inquired the young girl, gently.

The effect of the question was so painful that
she heartily wished that she had not asked it.

“ What? 1? Oh, nol—that is— Oh, how
terrible! the idea!”

The poor woman was so unaccountany over-
whelmed that the entrance of her husband was
no less a relief tn herself than to her visitor.

“ George, this is Miss Delorme.”

Ha cast a lightning-like glance of startled
curiosity—or so it seemed to Inez—at the young
lady, and then, with a surly attempt at cour-
tesy, went to deposit some fishing-nets that he
was carrying in the chimney-corner.

“ What a very sin ular couple!” thou ht

‘Inez, to herself, and s 8 had to confess t at

Mr. Emroled was more singular-looking than
even the wife.

He could have been but little over forty, yet
his spare, vigorous figure was partly stooped as
with years; they were doubtless handsome e -
tures which his stragglin iron-gray beard ren-
dered unkempt and ill- coking; and there was
the same shifting, unsatisfied—one might say,
absolutely hopeless and despairing—expression
in the eyes that: distin ished the woman’s, only
in his there was the a dition of a. savage, resent-
ful suggestion that was wanting in hers.

After that first look at the young girl, how-
ever he seemed to avoid turning his eyes upon
her face. '

He had seated himself morosely u n a stool.

“ The Seamew has just round the point,”
said be, after 3. Ion pause.

“That’s the ta] . dadd l” cried Starbfiht,’
rs.

looking up from his knee ' g position in
Emroled’s lap. “Now what are you goin’ ter
do? Here we are on hand, as you see.”

“ That’s just it, Starlight ” the man went on,
in a complaining tone. ‘ ll help close the back
passage of the boat-house, against the river-

oun s‘ escape Just as I promispd Mr. Ensco to
do. It’s a risky job but I reckon you and I
might manage it. but what to do with this
young lady, save to leave her here to tremble
along with your mommy, I don’t know.”

Inez made a determined movement.

“ That you will certainly not do with me, sir!”
she said, quietly. “ I am here to be of use—to
share the danger, if necessary—not to tremble
uselly in any one’s company. I have abrave
spirit, am armed "—she coolly reduced her
revolver—“ I demand to be at the rent!”

Mrs. Emroled whitened a little, while her hus-
band distrustfully eyed the young girl’s skirts.»

“ These would be in the way,” he growled,
indicating them with an impatient gesture.
"‘ It’s a rough and briery way to the cave-pas-
sage to the river pirates’ water-fort.”

“ Is that all? Wait!” Rising, she perceived
a communicating door. “ You will rmit me
the use of that inner room a moment ’ This to
the woman, who wonderingly inclined her head.
“Thank you. I shall be back in a moment.”

Then she disappeared with her bundle.

When she reappeared, it was as a very char-
fiiing, but none t e less capable-looking, sailor

“ Is this any improvement?” she asked, de-
murely; while little Starlight setup a sort of
approving hurrah.

" Humph!”

That was Emroled’s sole comment, and he at
once began making ready for the expedition by
putting on his hat, lighting a dark lantern. and
tucking under his arm a long, heavy cudgel.

Inez was the last of the trio to step over the
threshold.

As she was doing so. much to her astonish-
ment Mrs. Eniroled caught her in her arms.

“ ou must not go i” cried the woman, wildly.
“ There is danger—perhaps unsuspected horror!
I cannot let you*— Oh, my child, my darling,
my beloved! you must not 0.” '

Fearing that the woman was beside herself,
the young girl hastily disengaged the straining
arms, though ‘not without a considerable exer-
tion of strength. ,

“Madam, you forget yourself,” said she,
haughtily. “ I cannot account for your extra-
ordinary conduct.” - ‘ ,

But the woman, who seemed half frantic

\

 

with fear, again seized her, and this time im-
printed kiss after kiss upon the lovely face.

“ I sha'n’t let you go!” she wailed. “ My
God: if anything should befall you!”

“ Thanks, that is my own concern. Madam,
at another time you shall explain yourself!”

And, a ain tearing herself free. the pseudo
sailor-lad ad sprung out into the night.

Strange Mrs. Emrolod sunk back with asort
elf wail, supporting herself by the hack of a
c- mir.

Suddenly, however, she uttered a little cry of
relief.

Inez had returned so quickly that it hardly
seemed she had been gone.

She was no longer angry. but with a troubled,
penitent look in her sweet face.

“I don‘t know why it is, ma’m,” said she
very gently, “ but I am sorry 1 repelled you so
rudely. 1—1 was never kissed just that way
before, and—and would you mind doing it just
once more?”

The woman caught her to her breast, and
kissed her again and again—hungrin and des-
perately, Inez thought. '

Then she would have continued her entreaties,
but the young girl would not listen to them.

Again she broke away, and this time did not
pause till she had joined Emroled and Starlight,
who were awaiting her at the foot of the hill.

As for the lonely. hollow-eyed woman in the
house, she had sunk into a seat, and there was
nowa sort of ecstasy in her face.

“ She came back,” she murmured, “of her
own will she came back, and she kissed me! God -
be thankful for kthat, if for never anything
more!” .

‘ And sinking down upon her knees before the
chair, her trembling hands were joined together,
and she prayed in silence.

CHAPTER XXII.
HOLDING THE FORT.

BEFORE the trio of adventure seekers turned
their backs u on the water tostrike oil into a.
wooded path t at crept off from the foot of the
hill, they saw the Seamew come into view from
around the point, making a very pretty picture
as her dark sail caught the gentle wmd, of
which there was just enough to belly it out
smoothly. . _ '

“ There are not many rettier Single-stickers
in the world than the eamew, tomy mind,”
said Inez, as they struck into the path. “I am
glad she In my property.”

“ You ought to be,” observed Emroled, curtly.
“ A beauti ul hoat!’ ‘

“She’s a sol-earner!” cried Starlight, enthusi-
astically. “ Oh, if you’d only belong to a club,
Miss Delorme, how the Seamew would paralyze
'em!” ‘ 4

“Not so loud,” cautioned Emroled, who was
leading, with an occasional gleam from his
lantern. “We are approaching the enemy’s
country.” ‘

“ There is one. thing I can’t understand, 311',”
said Inez, in an obediently guarded voice, after

a use.
P“.Whnt may'that be?"
“How Ensco can hope

 

to “take the band by

‘surprise in the Seamew, which is so well known

to river men, and on such a night as this, which
is b no means a very dark one.” '

“ nsco is no man s fool.”

“ I am aware of that.” .

“But his game is especially deep in acting
just as he does.” -

“That is what I am seeking information
about.” _ ‘ _

“Well, it is Just because the debt is so well
known, and is so often seen cru sing hereabonts,
night and day, that he knows he can count on
exciting’no suspicion with her.”

“Oh!

“Whereas, if he’d come slippin
open boats, with all his force plai y visib e, it
would be adead fi've—away from the start.”

“ Thank you. ' understand better now.”

“ You’re welcome, young sailor chap.”

“ Would you mind,” asked Inez, after another
pause, “ lettin me know more articularly
what sort of c peration is expect? of us?” ‘

“It‘s this way: The old stone boat-house, in
which the gang meet to divide their river plun-_
der and hatch fresh devjltry, has but two en-
trances, and censequently but two modes of
e ess. V

‘5 Yes.” And at the sometime Inez wondered
not a. little at the other’s fair choice of lan»
guage, considering him a simple East river fish-
e man. .

“The chief of these is by WEtfir,”<‘0Dtinued

mroled. “and thereabouts, at the mouth of
the creek. the gang keep moored such of their
boats as are too big to be pulled in under the
boat-house after them. For you must bear in
mind that the greater part is uilt out over the
water.

“ I understand.”

“ Well, it is by that point that Enmo will

’make his attack. in the hope of bagging the chief

' ter.”
gains that be is of

“ To enable him to do that. we,must black the ‘

only ave'nue of escape by land. This is a cave
passage, communicating With the hack of the.

olon in'

.b

 

 

   
   
   
 

Minn“. . ,,

 

 

 

A  ~ ,.. - _ .,,

l

Rowena, theVHarbor' vegans ‘

 

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boat-house, the entrance of which is about thirty
yards distant from it.”

“ Ah 5"

" This passage is seldom made use of by the
thieves, being only relied on for an unexpected
emergency.”

“ Well?”

“Well,” dryly, “it will be a good thing for
us if to-night’s emergencyshall be as unexpected
as possible."

“ \tht else, please?”

“ Well, we’re to hold or block the passage,
while Ensco sails in on the scoundrcls with his
crowd. A rocket from him is to signal us that
he has smashed in their boats and cut off escape
by water. Then we send up a rocket, to let him
know that we have the back door shut. Then
tne scrlnimage, if there is any, begins.“

“ Thank you, Mr. Emroled. How many men
do the pirates muster, think you?”

" From twenty to thirty; to—uight about

_ thirty, I fancy—a full quorum, you might say.”

“And does Mf. Eliseo hope to capture all
those ruflians with the few men at his com-
mend."

“Perhaps not; most likely the majority will
be laid out or make their escape somehow."

“ But isn’t there Something foolhardy in such
an attack, think you?"

“\Vell,” said Mr. Emroled, evasively, “Mr.
Ensco just won’t call in. the help of the regular
police. That’s the long and short of it, young
sailor chap.” '
fi Inez began to like Mr. Emroled better than at

rst.

It was some time before she spoke again. but
sfhe did so at last, and more guardedly than be-

ore.

“ Mr. Emroled?” ‘

“ Yes. " ”

y “ You must be well kpown, personally, to the
river pirates, sir.” ~

“ Better than I like to be.”

“ And they have not molested you, I sup—
pose?”

“ No; river thieves aren’t often stealing old
fish-nets'and the like.”

“ But do you not dread a reprisal from them,
after thus assisting in their capture?”

Mr. Emroled coughed roflectively.

“ Young sailor chap George Emroled, though
he mayn’t exactly look it, has got a. knack of
taking care of his own skin—on occasion."

J This was said in a 'manuerto close the col-
uy.
ey had been traversing much broken coun-
try with at times the bay in sight, but mostly
with rough woods as their surroundings.
' Emroled at last held up his hand, as a sign
that the utmost caution-must be observed.
They at last arrived at the sought—for passage-

entrance.

This Emroled and Starlight proceeded to‘
block up as well as they were ab 9 by rolling
great stones and stacking brushwood intothe
entrance. -

Inez was posted on a little eminence to one
side as a sentry, a post which she held, revolver
in hand, and with a fastpbeating heart. .

It was a most unusual duty for a delicately-
nurturod young lady to fill, but the excitement
called up a lively glow in her veins, and she
was not ashamed to confess to herself that she
found it to her liking—«so far, at least.

From her slightly elevated lookout, she could
see the back of the ruinous bathhouse—original-
ly a rather extensive structure—and, just be-
yond, a strip‘of placid water where the creek
came into the river. .

There was not a glimmer of light for the
house, but an occasional indistinct murmur of
voices. - _ . _

Presently the Seamaw rounded like. a beauti-
ful vision into view, her great sail still flowmg
gently. \ I .

‘ A moment later she was hidden by a long line
of trees stretching out from the water-front.-

Inez step back to where her companions

* were atrwor '

They had succeeded in blocking the cave-
entrance so that but a narrow space for egress
remained, and now stood in readiness, Emroled
with his cudgel handy, Starlight seated on a
rock, and com lacently holding a cocked revol-
ver that look almost as big; as himself.

Inez whispered that the yacht had entered the

com. .
“All right!” replied Emroled. “Keep your
lookout, ypung sailor-chap. We’re ready when

_— they are.”

i Inez stepped back to her post of observation.
which was but a dozen yards away, with a
thicket as her near back round. °
A few minutes later t ere was a. rocket from
the water-space just beyond the boat-house. '
,, Emroled instantly responded With one from
his position. ,
Then there suddenly‘broke upon the night a

v ‘ . pandemonium of shouts, yells and curses from

 

 

the boat-house, as a sufficient indication that

the river—pirates were surprised and attacked in .‘

their chosen lair. '

At first the oung '_ 1’s heart stood still, then
it leaped, wh the b ood coursed tumultuoust
in her veins. 4 .

, “ Heaven be with our cause l” she murmured.

 

“ Oh, if both Juan and Vasco be only taken!
Oh, if I could only do something!”

The tumult on the water-front, mingled with
occasional shots, continued. .

Then there was a crashing sound from the
passage-entrance, together with some angry
cries, that were muffled, as if coming from
underground.

Inez felt her blood to be on fire.

She could not resist the temptation to step
back and look.

A motionless figure lay at the narrow opening,
just stretched out there by a blow from Em-
roled’s blurlgoon, curses and oaths were being
hurled from the interior, and little Starlight
was executing a sort of pigmy warrdance, pistol
in hand.

Emroled sternly motioned her away.

“Back to your lookout!” he exclaimed. “It
is most important, and be on your guard. Look
on every side of you at once, if that is possible.”

Inez obeyed.

But, on returning to her pest, her eyes were
unfortunately only to the front, with no atten-
tion to the thicket in her rear.

Suddenly and unawares, from this thicket
there crept forth a form, and from this form
there was outstretched a pair of hands and

arms.

Inez feltlike the blooded racer that is ignobly
stalled and haltered within sound of the mo-
mentous contest In which he cannot share.

Her nostrils quivered, her hand tightened
upon the revolver.

“Oh, if I could onl do something!” she re«
peated to herself. “ here must be something
that I can effect!” ,

Useless heroics. A

And that instant she was helpless in the grasp
of that pair of hands and arms—helpless and
voiceless.

Her struggles were as vain as those of the
woodland fawn in the boauconstrictoi'b folds.

The weapon was torn from her hand.

The dark form, with the psucdo sailor youth
in its grasp, stepped back into the thicket, with-
out a sound.

Inez had been eliminated from the scene as
effectually as if the earth had swallowed her
11 .
pIn the mean time Emroled and the boy were
having their hands full in defending the pas-

v sage.

Two other motionless figures were stietched

‘ at the mouth of the cave entrance—one from a.

pistol-shot, the other by a. bludgeon-blow—and
still were the most fearful oaths and threats
poured out from the croWd of desperate and en-
trapped men of the deep interior.

But the place was intact, no damage was done
by the shots now and then fired out of the cave,
another rush was not attem ted from within,
and Emroled, the mysterious mroled, felt him—
self the master of the situation.

Presently, however, a. shot came, not from
within, but from without, and a bullet sung un-
pleasautly near his head, .

“ What can this meanf” said he. “ Step over
to the young lady’s post Starlight, and see what
she» is, up to. Perha s that was only a random
shot from her pisto .”

In a moment Starlight returned with the
ominous report of the young girl’s disappear-
ance.

v ‘ Simultaneous with this, there were more shots

from without, and then two men suddenly
sprung upon the passage-defenders from the
bosom of the thicket behind. - .

The boy went down under a. crack on the head,
but not before his pistol had spoken again with
some eflect. ’

Then Emroled was beset by the two assailants,
while a fresh one darted out upon him from the
cave month. '

He made a desperate fight to redeem the situ-
ation.

But none the less was the breach made at last
—the subterranean passage in the hands of the
besieged.

 

CHAPTER XXIII.
THE RIVER PIRATES AT BAY.

As the Seamew rounded into the cove to make
the attack, Ensco and his men kept crouched
under the bulwarks.

Mr. Dago, at the wheel, was the only man in
sight to any jealous or suspicious eyes that
might have questioned the apparent peaceful-
ness of .the yacht’s miSSIou from the shore.

“So far all is well,” whispered the detective
to Vanderlynn, who was crouching at his
elbOW. “ Look away, and say how many boats
you can make but at the mouth of the creek.”
Xanderlynu lev‘eled his night-glass over the
ra .
“There are four," he replied,,after a pause.
“ A small single—sticker and three light yawls.”

“That is well,” and Ensco rubbed his hands.
“ I doubt if they have taken any boats in under
the arch at all.”

“ We’l have ’em dead, ehi”

“It looks like it. If we can only stave in
them bottoms without detection, we are all
right.” '

“You are sure that the underground passage
will likewise be. blocked?” . ' r ' *

 

“Quite sure, if Emroled has obeyed my in-
structi'ons to the letter.”

“ And the young lady?”

“Don’t fret about her. Mrs. Emroled will
have’kept her back in the cabin out of harm's
way.

“I wish we could be dead certain of that,”
said Vanderlvnn. doubtfully.

“Drop it, I tell you!”

“ All right." .

“ The creek is deep, though narrow. Bring"
your glass to bear again. I want to be sure
that the boats in view are all those to be dis-
nbled.

Vander‘lynn again leveled the glass.

“There’s nothing up the creek," he began.
“Nothing that I can see. Hold onl By
Jupiter! yes there is.” ’

“ What do you make out!”

“ Look for yourself 1"

At that instant the mysterious steam-launch
cnme slipping out of the creek, silent as a ghost,
swift as i winged by invisible pinions.

Ensco stared, and there was not a man on the
yacht but felt more or less awed.

The launch had been missing from the cove in
which Ensco and Vanderlynn had reconnoitered
her at dusk, much to the mystification of the
yacht’s occupants in slipping up the river on
this momentous expedition, but not a soul on
board had dreamed of meeting her under the
present circumstances, when her appearance
was doubly ominous, to say the least. ‘

Ensco gritted his teeth.

“If we might only settle with her first!” he
muttered.

“Couldn’t we manage to board her?" whis-
pered Vanderlynn.

“Impossible! Look!” -
Dark, throbless, without a pulsation and with i r
scarcely a streak of foam in her wake, she was , ,
shooting past like an arrow. -.

“ There’s but one (i re on deck,” Whispered ’
Vanderlynn again. “ hat! is it a woman?”

“ Like enough.”

The phantom launch—the Ghost, as she was
most aptly named—was hardly studied well be-
fore she was gone.

She actual y seemed to melt away into the
shadow of the shore, without being seen to round
the point at all, by which the Seamew had en-
tered the cove. '

Ensco drew a long breath": - F

“The suspicions of the- 3 have not been 5;
aroused.” said he, as the vo ces from the interior ‘
of the boat-house were now distinctly heard.
“That is the main int.” ‘

He signaled Mr. ago, who gave the necessary
order, and the sail was silently lowered, leaving ‘
the Seamew lying broadside before the water—
arch under the boat-house.

Then Tom Gaff, to whom was disputed the
task of disabling the outlymgoiioats, tumbledf
over the side into the small , followed by
Mingo and Jones. and provided with an 11. r

A few minutes later they signaled t the
work was accomplished. »

Instant] the detective sent 03 the rocket as a ~
si nal to mroled. '

t was answered almost on the instant.

Then a tremendous shout burst from every.
throat in the attackin party, there was a hub-
hub of confusion ins do the boat-house, with _
every other indication that the surprise was ' ’
complete. 4

A dozen or more heads came peeking out from ;,
along the narrow footpaths underneath the r ‘
water-arch, accompanied by the glistening of '
arms.

_But the Seamew blocked the entrance. broad-
side on, and the small boat, with its three armed
men,a_ud Mingo towering head and shoulders,
over his companions, begun to move in under
the arch. »

“‘ Surrender!” called out the detective in his
ringing voice. “Criminals! we have got you
dead. Surrender at discretion 1”

“ You be hanged I” yelled a voice in response.

Then a broad, flatrhottomed boat, crammed
with infuriated armed desperadoes, with Juan
and Vasco at either end, darted out from under ~
the arch, there was a series of sharp reports,
and the battle was begun. '

There were thirty robbers of them, in all, a -
considering the disparity of numbers. it was
such a rash attempt, after all, this effort to
board the yacht, and fight their way out. .

But it Was none the less unsuccessful.

Ensco, Vanderlynn and Dago began to
shots into them from the Seamew's deck, w 116,
on the part of the small boat. Gal! and Jones
peppered away without ceremony, leaving the
giant Mingo ample room for the sweep of an
immense capstan bar, with which. standing 1: '
right. with one foot on the low gunwnle, ‘
swept the bravo-lined starboard guard of the
barge like a bosom of destruction. 

Juan Martez, it is true—dagger between teeth
and revolver in hand—succeeded in getting halt,
over on the Seamew’s deck. "‘1

But a shoulder-hitting blow in the g'ullet, from;
Vanderlynn’s trained right hand. sent him v
ing and writhing back into the bottom of
barge. and not one of his followers had suo- _
ceeded in following his lead. V
Then at this juncture Mr. Dsgo unlide

v

 is. ,

 

 

    
 
   

 I, his face was perfectly bloodless, save

 
   

18

'waiock; "the saw nétéétie."

‘ /

 

'and brought to bear the yacht’s brass signal
gun, which had been loaded with old nails and
scrap-iron for just such an emergency.

Ensco was still busy with his revolver, so
Vanderlynn found opportunity to lend a hand
in steadying the little cannon and depressing
the muzzle over the bulwark for the necessary

ran e.

“$00k out below there!” roared the first

officer, in mercy to the pirates. “We would
. sooner capture than kill.”

And then the gun was discharged, tearing a
hole. literally big enough to run a wheelbarrow
through, in the bottom of the doomed barge.

There followetla chorus of despairing yells,
and the robbers that were able sprung for the
side- ths leading in under the arc .

“ tier them!” shouted Ensco. “The rear
passage is secured. Give ’em no time to breathe !"

He leaped into the club-boat, followed b
Vanderlyun, while Mr. Dago was alone lo t
to look after the yacht.

Then, although the sunken barge almost
blocked u the water-way, both boats pushed
in until a oothold was gained for the occupants

on the side—paths.
Ensco was the first to bound into the large in—
terior, closely followed by Vauderlynn.
The woodwork of the sort of amphitheater

‘y » surrounding the inside boat-landing was already

ablaze from an incendiary torch, and apparently
the last of the gang was disappearing into a
gloomyldoorwa far back in the rear.

“ M go Ga , Jones!” ordered the detective;
“quick, off with you around to the cave open-
ing I told you of, or Emroled and Starlight may
be overpowered! Follow me, Vanderlynn!”

The three men addressed had disappeared
back under the arch, in obedience to the order,
and the detective was darting toward the door,
when there was a yell of warning.

It was from Vanderlynn.

“ Look out!” he cried. " Danger at hand!”

And his own cheek was grazed by a pistol-
ball fired by Vasco Martez, who at that in-
stant rose from behind one of the broken
benches, his handsome dark face gleam-lit by
the conflagration, the dare-devil laugh on his
fearless lips.

Vanderlynn snap
turn, but it missed re. .

Castin the useless weapon aside with a mut-
tered 0a 11, he s rung at the Honduran youth
with fine clinch ‘ natural weapons that he used
so w .

But Vasco was in under his guard like a flash,
with his own hands hooked like claws.

“ All right i” growled the New Yorker; “have
' it rough-and-tumble, if you insist on it.”

a revolver at him in re-

Ths next instant they had grappled, stumbled, ‘

and plunged splashineg into the inner horse-
shoe of water, which was very deep, for the tide
was at flood.

In the mean time Ensco had turned at his
friend’s warning ye! , but only in time tore-
‘ oeive a blow on the head with a blazing brand
in the hand of Juan Martez, who had sprung
view no less unexpectedly than his twin
brother. -

In Juan’s other hani was a cocked re-
volver. '

“Blenth‘hound of a detective!” he hoarser
ejaculated; "serpent doomed athlete! the
my,,tirrow smites thee from out the cloud at

His eyes were ablaze with maniacal ra e, mad
or t e
birthmark arrow on his left cheek, where it
seemed to be defined in dazzlineg red out-

me.

« But the detective had staggered back under
the blow from the brand, was still reeling wa-
veringly, in fact, and to this he owed his immu-

' nity from the pistol-shot that accompanied

the youthful desperado’s allusion to the tattooed

emblem.

As a matter of fact, and a most wonderful
coincidence, the bullet comp etely ripped up the
sleeve of his right arm to the shoulder, thus re-
vealing the mystic emblem in the fierce blaze of
the burning room.

Juan started back in momentary suspicious

“Ah omen!” he gasped. “Par Dias! an

I, Women!”

This gave the detective time to recover his
Wontedenei-gies.

' “Murderer of Grant Marston! assassin of
' lleegilng men! purloiner of the jewelachest!” he
. oxc 'med, in aterrible voice; “but it is for the

' scaff'old, the hangman’s cord, that I reserve

ee.

With that his own revolver spoke out exal-
tantly.

. , It was that favorite shot of his, and the young
bravo’s l, shattered at the shock, flew out of
his han

. The next instant he was wreathed in the de-

‘ tectivefs anaconda grip.

But ust then an unlocked-for incident favored
the ouduran, whose doom might otherwise

' haye manéegled.

. om a urst into viewb the passe door

in a state of excitement thatytook in nogging of

' ,thesituation in the blazing a rtment.

“Ali’s up!” he roared. “ ey’ve escaped-

 

 

Emroled and the kid done for—and the young
lady dead or carried off!”

As Ensco’s grasp on his foe instinctively re-
laxed at this terrible intelligence, Juan managed
to tear himself free.

. With a wild lau h, he took a header into the
water, diving out n the direction of the arch-
entrance.

And at this moment Vasco and Vanderlynn
arose, partly separated, from their sub-aqueous
strugg .

The former, who had just caught a glimpse of
Juan’s disappearing form, lost no time in fol-
lowing in his wake, and the next instant had
dived out of sight.

Ensco uttered a few words of explanation
and then darted away throu h the arch, follow
by Gafl’ and Vanderlynn, w 0 had by that time
climbed out of the water.

“The yacht first!” shouted the detective, as
he ran. “ Remember Dago is there alone.”

'But the yacht and Dago were found to be
intact!

“ Miss Delorme is gone—perhaps murdered!”
then faltered the detective.

“ Not so!” cried Mr. Dag-0, pointing solemnly
with his hand. “ Look l”

The phantom steam-launch was again noise-
lessly sweeping by.

Of the two female figures in view on her
deck, one was Inez Delorme!

CHAPTER XXIV.
AFTER THE FIGHT.
t. THERE was no escaping this terrible revela—
ion.

The slighter of the two female figures on the
deck of the Ghost was a: helpless captive in the
other’s grasp. - -

As the phantom launch sped by on her noise-
less oourse, the faces of both were turned to—-
ward the yacht, and both were distinctly visi-
ble in the spectral opalescent ll ht. ,

One was mute, ale, beautif and despairing
—-the face ofPInez elorhae.

The other was calm, bloodless, majestic, ex-
ultant—also beautiful, but with the sinister
s lendor of the fallen angels—the face of the

enora Zarapatta Martez, the White Sibyl of
Morona, and mother of the demon twins.

The young girl’s lips parted, as if to make an

ap ling cry.

store it could be uttered she was slowly, ir-
restibly folded away into the somber-garmented
bosom of her captor.

Silence, but not altogether inaction, had
rei ned on the yacht. _

hastly pale with suppressed emotion, Row~
lock Ensco had leveled his revolver at the
senora.

But, uuerring marksman as he was, be yet
dared not risk a shot at that evil breat, which
had become partly shielded by the inert, passive
form of the girl he loved.

His hand fell to his side, and he gave an
audible can. ~

Thent ephantom steam-launch had slipped

past- .

Headed for the open river, she swept out with
her noisele, fateful speed, and an intervening
island QEICkly hid her from view. .

“ Not ing can be done"at present,’ muttered
the detective.

Here Mingo and Jones made their appearance.
carrying between them the insensible form of
little Starlight, who had been stricken down by
a blow on the head.

“What is your report?” demanded Ensco,
turning to Mingo, after the boy had been car-
ried b ‘ow.

It was simply to the eflfect that the fugitive
robbers hadjust succeeded in making their es-
cape by the cave-passage, after disposing of
Emroled and the boy, as the three men from the
attaoiking party put in an appearance at that
pom .

v The fugitives had taken to the thick woods,
rendering pursuit impracticable.

Emroled had also been overpowered and
stricken down, but had been able, in spite of
severe injuries, togo off without assistance in
the direction of his cabin.

Then Ensco spoke.

“ My friends," said he. “ our expedition, so
far as its chief objects are concerned, has ended
in grief and failure, and that is all there is to be
said. Captain Dago, have Starlight’s injuries
‘atrended to. and then take such risoncrs on
board as are lying wounded or disa led on the
sunken barge and elsewhere. Then be pre-
pared to start for Hunt‘s Point on the Harlem,
without delay. I shall be with yqu again at the
earliest moment. Vanderlynn, I wish you
would go with me to the Emroled Cottage. We
must first investigate the particulars as to Miss
Delorme’s misfortune.”

But very little was to be learned at the cabin. 1

upon this deeply interesting point.

Mrs. Emroled could only tell of her ineffectual
attempts to dissuade Inez from attending her
husband and little Starlight on the expedition
that had ended so disastrouslv.

Mr. Emroled, who was beaten black and blue,
besides suffering from some severe contusious of
the head. could only tell how he had posted the
young girl on lookout duty, as taking her some-

i

 

what out of the most imminent danger. and of
her unaccountable disappearance therefrom.

“ But for the young lady’s unmistakable cour~
ago,” said he, “ I should have said that she had
voluntarily deserted her post through fright.”

“She must have been surprised, and carried
off,” said the detective. “ She is now a prisoner
in the hands of the Senora. Martez.

Mrs. Emroled started to her feet—she had
been ministering to her disabled husband’s needs
—with a half-suppressed scream.

“ Don’t tell me that—don’t!” she cried, clasp-
ing her hands. “ My darling—that is, Miss
Inez, that brave, innocent child—in the hands
of that woman! Oh, it cannot be! God would
not permit it—it is too, too horrible!”

Both the detective and her husband gave her
a *(Luick, startled glance of caution, and she
sun ,

with a weak moan, at the side of her I

couch on which Emroled was lying, and buried
her face in her hands.

It was all enigmatical to young Vanderlynn,
on whom, however nothing was lost.

Then Emroled alluded to the unexpected at~
tack from outside the caveentrance, by which
Starlight and he had been surprised.

“ But for that,” said he, “ we could have held
the passage against double the number that
were trying to force it. I had already laid two
of them out with my club, and the boy’s pistol
had brought down another with a shot in the

le ."

gl‘he detective had knitted his brows.

“ That is the key to our defeat-that outside
attack upon you,” he said. “Even if the rein-
forcement that rescued you had arrived sooner,
I doubt if it would have availed after that."

“ Were the men we laid out made prisoners
by your men?” asked Emroled.

“ No; the fugitive gang must have succeeded
in carrying them off.‘

Before takin his departure, the detective‘

took Mrs. Emro ed b the hand, speaking a few
consolin words to er that Vanderlynn could.
not over ear: and also asked if he should send a
guard to the cabin from the yacht.

The man of the house shook his head.

“Still,” urged Eusco, “you must remember
that the ruder elements of the band will now
have reason to seek revenge upon on.”

Emroled pointed to a shot-gun caning in the
corner. ‘

“That will serve me for them,” said he, sig.
nificantly. “ As for the ruling intelli ences in
the band, you ought to know, sir, whet er they
have most cause to hate or fear me.”

The visitors then took their departure, the
detective saying as he went: '

“ Be of good heart both of you. I shall send

ou the first news I may receive of Miss De-‘
orme’s safety—and, as for Starlight, he shall
not want for the best of care and treatment."

“ An odd couple!” commented Vanderlynn,
on the way back to the yacht.”

“ Ver .

“ Have probably known better days?” -

“Like enough.”

“ The woman’s interest in M1 Delorme
specially intense."

“ So it seems.”

“ Even emotional.”

“ You think so?” -

“ Who wouldn’t? But what seemed to me
particularly mysterious '- was the woman‘s

regular agony over the thought of Miss De—

lorme’s situation.” .

“ The world is full of mysteries, my friend."

Though by no means satisfied, after this the
younger man was prudent enough to hold his
peace. .

One of the pleasant surprises of their return
to the Seamew was the spectacle of little Star-
light on deck, with his head swathed almost out
of sight in white bandages, but apparent] ;
neither hisphvsiCial health nor his indomitab e
spirit much the worse for the hard knocks he
had undergone. '

“ They wanted me to keep to my bunk. even
after I’d come to myself, sir, he cried to Ensco.
“But not much of that soft slop in mine! as I
said to Mr. Dago. Hurrah for our side, boss!
Take a squint at our prisoners over there in the
sen pers- ’ , .

he prisoners were Six in number, all more or

less badly wounded, and not one of whom the.

detective could identify. " i

' There were two dead bodies, however, that
had been 'flshed out from under the sunken
barge, one of which he recognized as that of the
river—pirate, Red Pete, who had been one'of
Juan’s favorite personal attendants. ‘

These were the on! bodies that had been re-
covered, though both ago and Gaff were of the
opinion that several more might beunder the-
river’s surface.

Sail was now made without any further de-

3 .

{than was made at one of the apps; New
York piers, where the detective placed as
oners and the dead bodies in charge ,0 the
police authorities, With the necessary explbna-
tions. . .

Withafavoring windhthe Seamew reached
the White Sibyl’s strange hulk~dyvelling at about
three in the morning, but not Without very can.
tiously feeling hei- Way into moorings, in View

I

. 0

 

 

«as; r ‘

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

of the torpedo experience of the previous after-
noon. -

But the place was found to be absolutely de-
serted, notwithstanding that there were abun-
dant evidences of a hasty visit, doubtless on the
part of the proprietors, but a few hours be-
fore.

Ensco, Vanderlynn .and Gaff explorel the in—
terior thoroughly, after forcing an entrance.

Much of the finer and even some of the
furniture, which he been remarked on the
former occasion, had been hurriedly removed.

“ If the senora has only taken her snakes with
her,” said Tom Gaff, "there’s a bit of comfort
in that.”

“ ‘ Easy things to understandl’ ” exclaimed
Ensco, bitterly—and doubtless unconscious of
quoting a fragment of the Poet Laureate’s
‘ Locksley Hall ” in saying so. “ She has been
here before us, and is doubtless up and away
again, with her prisoner, iii that demon launch
of hers.”

“ Looks very much like it,” said Vanderlynn.
“ The devil himself couldn’t overtake the craft,
and she might live more commodiously in the
launch than here.”

“ More of a steam-yacht than a steam—launch,”
coincided Gaff. “ Barring the devil’s crew she
may carry, I wouldn't back out from crossing
the Atlantic with her in summer weather.”

“ If I could only be sure—if I could only be
sure!" repeated the detective, with his eyes
restlessly searching the floor of the saloon in
which they were standing. .

“ Sure of what?” queried Vanderlynn.

Here Ensco made a. dive into a corner, and
returned bearing a strip of red ribbon, with a
tag of paper pinned to it.

“ A clewl" he exclaimed, triumphantly. “ I
have it!”

“ What is it?" cried Vanderlynn and Gaff in a
breath.

Ensco was examinin his find under a lamp.

“ The ribbon was iss Delorme’s,” said he.
“ This gaper contains some penciled words,
in her andwritingl”

CHAPTER XV.
A F R E s H C L E w .

THE communication—almost illegible, doubt-
less either through extreme haste or trepidation
—was finally made out as follows:

“Ex :—

“Vggoare here but a few minutes while my cap-
tor‘s minions are transferring some of her eflects to
the steam-yacht, which she perhaps intends to be
my prison un il you can rescue me, or Heaven comes
to to relief in some other form. Wereit not for
you, could almost wish that it were in the form of
death. Alasl I cannot afford you the slightest hint
as to our destination. This terrible woman! to
what fate docs she destine me? And yet she wants
to be kind, in her awful way. Will this ever reach
you? Heaven knows, or to what benefit. even
though it may fall in your hands. But I know you
will not rest in seeking for me. That is mEsole
consolation. I. ."

But for the necessity of his spelling out the
foregoing with much diaculty, the detective, in
view of its somewhat emotional tone, would
scarcely have read it out aloud, or at least With-
out some judicious reservations.

As it was, Vanderlynn eyed him a little jeal-
ousl as he finished the reading.

“ he loves him—him, the etective, the ob—
scuremanl” he thought. “Let it be no more
denied that the pearl of woman’s love is in a
wheel, the blindfold drawmg of which is the
purest lotteer What are my wealth, my posi—
tion, my sudden but powerfu passxon for that

rless girl, when the wealth of beauty and'

Bart are so lavishly bestowed upon this name-
less detectivei” ‘

Vanderlynn was a good, manly fellow for all
that, and he none the leg made up his mind that
he would never willingly look on the dangerous
fascination of Inez Delorme’s face a sin.

“ Nothing more is to be done—at east for the
present,” said Ensco, reluctantly. “ There is no
claw—no trace.”

“ I wouldn’t say thatI nfiy friend ” said Van-
derlynn, energetically. ‘ or would I let the
matter rest for a single hour.”

The detective smiled a little s'arcastically.

“ Come, then, Vanderlynn,” said he, “ what
is it that on would do?"

“ Put t s New York police detective force of
the whole countr , if needs were—on the track
of that infernal ev11’s yacht without delay."

“ But if she has left no track—no more than
the dimipated foam-hells in her stealthy wake?”

“ 'Oh, the lice would manage it somehow!
And I w make the matter public anyway.”

“ Well I wouldn’t,” said the detective, cold-
ly; “ and. moreover, I shall manage the matter
somehow—have no fear of that." '

“ I hope you may!” this with a slight sneer.

Ensco marked the young man’s irritable hu-

mor, and penetrated its cause.
, He, howavsr made no reply, but led the way
to the deck of the hulk, which communicated
with the shore by- a long, slender plank.

“ Wright Vanderlynn,” he then said, after
motioning Gan to return to the Seamew’s deck,

" if I err not, your participation in to—night’s‘

adventures was your own seeking?"
“ Correct, my boy," replied Vanderlynn, who

 

 

Rowlock,;jlthe Harbor nettctivaif ’   i 3 -.‘

v 1.:

 

was beginning to feel uneasy, if not wholly
peniteut, under the other’s steel—cold ioiness of
manner.

“ In return for your request to join us,” con-
tinued Ensco, “ I promised you any number of
hard knocks—what you ath etic club men con-
sider a. high old time—did I not?”

“ Yes, you did."

“ Well, you got them, didn’t you?”

“ I should say so.”

The detective held out his hand.

“ Good—by, then,” said he. “ The morning
breaks, but you may get into bed before your
aristocratic family are nstir.”

The young man flushed, and he would gladly
have temporized, but there was something alto-
gether new in the detective—new to him, at
least—that held him off.

He lau hed, nodded, touched the outstretched
hand, an then sprung along the gang—plank.

“ Snubbedl" he muttere to himself as he
ained the road, “ teetotally snubbed, and by a
etective, tool”

But, as was said before, and. was subsequent]
proved, Wright Vanderlynn was a thoroug
good follow, for all, and with his heart in the
ri ht place.

here was literally nothing more to be done
at that time. \

The Seamew accordingly returned to her an-
chorage at Astoria, word was sent to the Mar-
ston residence of the misadventures that had be-
fallen its young mistress, and the worn-out
sharers of. that night‘s extraordinary incidents
sought the rest and recuperation of which they
were in such abundant need.

Though the newspapers duly got hold of the
stirring aflair with the river pirates and made
sensational reports of the same, without know—
ing or sayin anything about the inside
romance of it l, even to the extent of remain-
ing ignorant of the abduction feature—Ensco
managed that shrewdly enough—four anxious
and suspenseful days passed without the faint-
est sign or trace of the unknown region into
which the demon steam yacht, with her ter-
rible mistress and beautiful captive, seemed to
have mysteriously melted.

For once in his life, the Harbor Detective was
not on] at his Wits’ end,-hut almost in despair.

The aunch and her inmates could hardly
have disap cared more absolutely than if she
had sudde y sunk like a plummet into the
deepest under—world mountain—gorge of the
Atlantic Ocean’s imperfectly-mapped, vaguely-
sounded bottom.

Ensco was reluctantly thinking that he would
have to seek the aid of the regular police detec-
tive force at last, and incidentally do what he
had heretofore so shrunk from domg—namely,
give the painful inside history of Inez Delorme’s

amin affairs to the harsh ordeal of public
criticism—when relief came to him from an al-
to ether unex cted source.

t was in t eshape of a note from Wright
Vanderlynn, dated at Nyack, on the Hudson,
in whose neighborhood the young man was

spending a few days at his wealthy mother’s,

country place.
It was as follows:
“ Dm mmz—Mter treatln the matter to a
ood dose of sober second thong t,‘I find that I
on’t retain any hard feelings— owever on may
feel on the subject—for your rather caval er man-
ner— rhaps deserved on my part—when we last
sopar d. In proof thereof, here is a secret for

you:

“The Ghost is lyin in a secluded little cove.
called Deep Cove, 3 s ort diA'auce south of this

lace, and not far from an odd little American-

utch village of same name.

“I made the discovery. while out shooting, by
the merest accident, but didn‘t venture upon any
inquiries or investigations.

“Yours truly, , .
“Wme Vacuum."

“ At last i” sighed the detective, drawin a
long breath. “ By Jovel I did treat Van er-
lynu cavalierly. and he is a perfect brick.”

Then he hurried to consult over the letter
with Mr. Dago. .

The latter’s face also lighted up as he read it.

' “ A boon, indeed l” he exclaimed. “ And hid-
ing away in such a place, too 1"

“You know the cove?"

“ Perfectly.”

“ The particulars, please?” .

“ Oh, there are not many to give. Deep
Cove is about as secluded a corner, or rather
cranny, of the Hudson as I know of. I was
born within five miles of It."

“West side?”

It es?”

‘.‘ Above or below Nyacki"

“ Below, sa two miles.”

“ Best ra i route there?”

“B the est Shore “Road.”

’ “ hat station?”

“‘ ack.” ' ‘

“ Wyhat, and that further on?” «

“Yes; the last station thiaside is five mil
distant.” . '

“ Describe the cove.” .

“ A gap in the wild river-bank, so narrow as
scarcely to be discerned from a passing steam;

or.”
“ Well?”

 

“ There’s where the railroad bridges it, at the
narrowest part. Further back the cove widens
gut, y,but not greatly, and the water is very,

eep.

“ Anything more?”

“ No; just the sort of hole in the clifls where a. ..
yacht might lurk, unsuspected and unquestion-
ed, for a twelvemonth.”

” The village near at hand that Vanderlynn
mentions?”

“Village! Yes, a blacksmith, a church, and
Eerhaps ten houses and hen-coo s. Colonial

utch from away back. I doubt ut the folks-
Epeak, in Rip Van Winkle Dutch to the present ,

a

" Good-by l"

“ What! oil? at once?" '

“ Yes; for secret preliminary investigations...
You can get the Seamew ready in an hour?”

‘ es '

“I’ll meet you at the mouth of Deep Cove.
You”ought to be there by daybreak to-mor-~
row.

“ Yes, with the south wind holding.”

“ Make no mistake then."

“ Hold on! Won’t you take even Starlight.
with you?”

But Ensco was already getting a few travel--
ing necessaries together, for this was in the--
cabin of the Seamew.

“ No; better alone.”

“ Shall I send word to Mrs. Twiggsl”

“ Not a syllable.” .

“gow long will the expedition last, think -

ou

“ Till we have cut out the Ghost, set Miss Do-
lorme at liberty, and clapped handoufls on the
senorina.” -

And then the detective was already half up
the companionway.

This was late in the afternoon. By dusk ho‘
had boarded a. West Shore train.

CHAPTER XXVI.
A RAILROAD INCIDENT.
TEE detective had calculated that he should
reach Nyack in an hour's time.

He would there disguise himself, and hire a
team for Deep Cove without delay.

After that he would be overned in his in-
quiries concerning the ambus ed steam yacht by
circumstances.

But the mapped-out designs of men, like those
of mice, “ gang aft agley.”

He was not on the train five minutes before he
was convinced that he was the object of suspi—
cious watchfulness on the part of four rough—
looking, sinister men;

A glance of his eye revealed that they were ‘
not strangers to each other, though they wished
to a pear so.

“ should have donned my dis uise before
quitting the yacht,” he thought, “ hi: there is
no help for it now.’

The train had just started when he saw Hank
Williams, a trusted Express messenger of his new ‘
quaintance, passin hurriedly forward. ,

The man caught is eye at the same instant,
and gave him a signal. *

A moment later they were in conversation on ‘
the forward platform, adjoining the Express
com rtment of the age car. i

“ ou saw those four suspicious-looking man!”
asked the messenger.

u Y I”

“ What did you think?” ‘ i

" That they might be spotting me.”

“ on are on a vital mission then!”

" as; but only as far as N yeah.”
3 You air? somewhat out as to the four men.”

In .
“ I feel certain of it.”
t: Howl‘sol”
' ‘ 1|
,u gaggle they are tracking, not you.

“One of them has been dodging me all the
way from the officer the others joined him at
the depot.”

“ Indeed 1” And Ensco felt comparatively m~
lieverl on his own account.

“Will you stand by me at a pinch, old fol--
low?” was the messenger’s next question. ,

“ I should say so.” ‘ ‘

‘f Come with me into In car, than. I am car-
ryin a larger amount o-the company than
usua , and naturally feel a little nervous. "

Iie opened the door of the Express cu-
w1th his key as he spoke, and they entered it.

 

'~

“You can go now,” said the mesaengertoa .,

trainman', who was keep guard over the
safe. “ I shall make it rig t with you before
we so arate.”

He at the man out by the same door, and then
carefully looked it.

Besides the burglar-proof safe, there were
some few kc and chests in the compartment,
which had siding side-doors, like those of the
ad oinin baggage-car. ‘

ne 0 these side-doors, the one,looki
ggfir the river, was open, the eveninggge
Ty

table and the messen speedil roduced h
bottlé and two glasses. gar y p

“ Let us be comfortable,” said he, as them , 7

tested themselves.

. ' l

Io?“

out.
1,“

The'car also contained some chairs and a small“ '

 

  

 

 

20

" *Rawnca thé”"Hsjido"étectié” 

 

The detective joined him in a glass.

“You see,” said Williams, “under the sus—
picious circumstances, I naturally feel sort
of backed up in the society of a man like you,
Ensco.”

_ “Thank you; but, as I said, I go no further
than Nyack.” '

“ And just there another old friend of mine
will board the train,.so that I shall have com-
pany as far as my destination.”

"Good! but may you not be mistaken with
I‘L'g‘lll‘d to those four chaps?”

'. “ Certainly; but can a man be over careful or
over-suspicious in my place?”

“ No; hardly.”

Then the detective took a survey of his surn
roundings. ‘

“Combination lock?” he asked, referring to
the safe.

I _ H Yes.”

“ ouldn’t you get into'it. yourself .4"

“ No; the combination is only known to the
agent at the end of my route. "

“ What could robbers do, then, even with you
at their mercy ?”

"‘Tumble it out over the cliffs, and burst it
open at their leisure.”

“Ah! I understand. What may those kegs
contain?” i

“ Silver specie.”

“ And those little chests?"

“ Gold coin.”

“ The deuce! but you arevloaded this time.”

“More than ever before in my experience.
That was what made me nervous—before meet-
.ing on.”

‘~ ou’ve been with the company a long time,
Hank?”

“ Eighteen years a messenger.”

“Must have had some adventures with bad
men?’

:2 3 gozhen or more: b

i t e ever ge away wit on?”

“ Once onyl’y.” y

“ Give us the yarn."

. “ It was in Missouri, on the Iron Mountain
_ Dad. I was stunned, on my back, bound hand
and foot, almost before I realized my danger.”

“ Did they get the swag?”

“ Yes; but fortunawa a light one. I was
badly h’urt, and the company paid hospital ex—
’ uses.

“ Was that your worst snap?” ,

“ Not by a ugfull! I fought 03 five masked
inch on (in: nlifin tPacific for more than an

our an roug o 1:: pac too.

“ Tell about that one}, mes,

The messenger complied, and in this manner
the time slipped unconsciously along.

, The last station before Nyack had been called,
3 and the messenger was deep in a fresh story of
2’- adventurt.

.Suddenly the small door flew open, as if
neither locked or latched. and three rufians,
armed to the teeth, bounded silently into the
compartment.

Ensco and Williams were on their feet in an
instant, but before they could draw a weapon
: . , 1the scoundrels had closed with them in a desper-
t” ate hand-to-hand grapple.

 To add to the disparity, afourth ruflan swung
, [,1 in by the side door, from the roof of the car,
\ and at once participated in the attack.

 It was soon over. ‘

'21-: Ensco reeled back earl in the strug e, al-
.« most prostrated from a b ow with a piste ~butt.
fr . ‘ When he recovered two of the men had him
,,  , tightly pinioned, while the two others were
‘, leaning over the messenger, who was bolnd
{3 hand and foot, bringing him around from a
t. 1 .faiut by dashing cold water on his forehead.

; x, Williams gnashed his teeth when he realized
,v ,, the'situation. ‘

. ,r , ” But ou’ve had your trouble for nothing,”
 he grow ed, defiantly. “ The chests and he s
,1. , are too henv for you to carry oil’, and I couldn t
 show you t e combination of the safe if I
 wished. I am as ignorant of it as yourselves.”

The men, who were identical with those sus—
pected by the detective at the outset, were
~villa1nous-looking scoundrels of somewhat for.
on?) aspect.

\ he one who seemed to be their leader took it

:upon himself to answer the messenger’s defi-

, ance, and m a most unlocked-for fashion.

“ You’re somewhat out!" said he, with a
slight foreign accent. “ We don’t want your

‘ treasure.”

The messenger was astounded.

“Not robbers?” he gasped; “ not after the

ttrfagirire, in my charge?"

, . o

.

 

“ Then what do you want?”
7 The leader pointed, with a sinister’ smile, to
.Ensco. .. '

I“ That man’s life 1” he replied.

The detective understood in a flash. His first
wressmn as to the man’s object had been cor-

Scaroelyhad the leader spoke .beforen the two
men havmg Ensco in their grasp made a move-
ment to hurl him out of the sidedoor.

The train‘ was going at express ; out-

 

 

, V was the sheer wall of the precipitous river-

  

tors, with an involuntary exclamation of hor-

ror. .

“ Fight to the last, Rowlockl” yelled the
messenger. “ Would to God I could lend you a
hand!”

But, all four rutfians assisting, Ensco was
once more overpowered.

“ Be ready now!” said the leader, and, grasp-
ing their victim securely, they imparted a
swinging, seesaw motion to his body. “ That’s
it. Oiie—two—three!”

And the unfortunate detective was hurled
into space.

But even in this terrible crisis Rowlock re—
tained something of his presence of mind.

Down, down, down!

This was his first sensation, as he expected to
be dashed to death every instant.

Then he struck upon something elastic and
springy. ,

After that he seemed to bound up and off,
like an indie-rubber ball, and the next instant
was floundering in deep water.

CHARTER XXVII.
DEEP COVE.

COMING quickly to the surface, the astonished
detective succeeded in reaching the shore.

It was a bright night. with a new moon.

The ,causes contributing to his extraordinary
escape from death explained themselves.

A hundred feet overhead, cutting into the
face of the sloping precipice, ran the line of the
railroad.

There was a narrow field between the foot of
the precipice and the water, and on this narrow
field a small barn, with a huge, half-overturned
haystack beside it.

The haystack had saved him.

He had doubtless alighted on its summit in a
sitting position, bounded thence oil? into the
river; and, moreover, he was certain that he
had not sustained any injury whatever.-

Congratulating himself, the detectlve was
proceeding along a faintly-defined road under
the cliff when he came to a narrow inlet, and at
the mouth of the inlet there was a small cottage

Meeting a. boy, he inquired as to his where

outs

The lad was frightened, and replied in a sort

of ibberish that could not be understood.

ut just then a woman appeared at the door
of the cottage, and with her the detective was
more successful, for she answered him in tolera-
ble English.

“We don’t often see strangers along shore
here, sir,” she explained, in response to his first
advances. “ The be is from back in the settle-
ment, where they so dom speak English, among
th‘e‘n'is'egvzsdat lfiast.” k 1”,

a o t e 5 rs ‘

“Low Dutch.’y pea ’ p y

“Oh! and what may be the name of this
place, ma’aml”

“ Deep Cove.”

Ensco repressed an exclamation.

Here he was at the very threshold of his des-
tination at the narrow mouth of Deep Cove, it-
self a d through the very mishap that was in-
tend for his destruction.

“ You are drip ing wet sir,” said the woman,
peering out at im. “ ave you met with an

 

accident?”
“ Ye-e-s; a sort of one.”
“Ah, I see; on have perhaps been fishing,

and fallen over oard. That sometimes happens
hereabouts. Will you come in and dry your—
self? My husband will be home presently.

Rowlock gratefully accepted the invitation,
and, while following her into the cottage,
managed to slip on his false beard, being satis-
flled tlhat she had not as yet observed his face
c ose y.

This proved to be the case.

The woman’s husband made his ap arance
while the detective was drying himsef at the
kitchen fire, and he groved as hospitable as she.

They seemed to e a simple, hard-working
couple, also of Dutch descent but with wine-
thing more of worldly knowledge than their
Deep Covian neighbors, with whose family af-
fairs they seemed quite familiar.

Ensco permitted them to retain the impression
that he had fallen overboard from a fishing—
boat, and was soon sharing their frugal supper
with them, and feeling himself generally at
home.

“ You have a quiet, secluded spot here,” said
he. “ I wouldn‘t mind being better acquainted
with it. Is there good fishing in the cove?"

“ Only in spots.‘ replied the man, “and the
villagers are careful to keep them secret. We
are very stupid and old fashioned,” he continued,
smiling, “and strangers are not always wel-
come among us.” -
th“ Ynou seem to be an exception to the rule,

en.

“We once passed a whole winter in Tarry-
town," interposed the woman, with some con-
scious pride. “ We’rea little more civilized than
others around here." '

“ And I worked a whole year over in the new
aqueduct,” supplemented her husband. ' “ If In
health hadn't broken down in the tunnels,

. , ’ wouldn’t be back here owin otatoes amon
“ The detective suddenly broke from -his cape| these people.” gr 3 p g

 

 

“Ah, indeed! Nothing like travel and wide
intercourse to enlarge one’s ideas. Now I’m
rather fond of solitude and the picturesque.”

“ I ain’t!” said the cottager, decided] .

“ Nor me nutherl” echoed his better— alf.

“Still,” added the detective, deprecatingly,
“ you allow for a difl’erence of tastes?”

“Oh, of course!” from both.

"Now, I’ve taken a notion for a moonlight
trip back yonder in your cove. Anything worth
seeing up there?”

The couple exchanged glances

“ You’d better not try it~.at ~least, not by
night,” advised the man.

“ No, indeed!” added the woman.

“ Why? Haven’t you a boat to spare—for
pay, of course?”

“ Oh, yes: we’ve a boat you’d be welcome to.”
And the man uneasily crossed his legs afresh.

“ Then what’s your objection to my going?”

“There ain’t no objection, only—”

“ Only what?”

“Everything ain’t just right back in the
cove, sir,” said the man, huskily, while his wife
drew closer to the fire.

“Not right? Oh, nevermind the Dutchmen’s
want of hospitalit l I sha’n’t trouble them.”

“It ain’t the utchmen, sir,” interposed the
good-wife, solemnly. “,They’re harmless enough,
and they can be kind, too, for that matter.”

“ What is to be feared, then?” ,

“The Ghost I” the man took it on himself to

reply.
he detective dissembled his increased inter-
est, which was sufficiently viv1d.

“ A ghost?” he cried, laughing. “ Come, now,
I have a sort of fancy for hosts. What sort of
one is it that haunts Deep ove—male or female.

“ Neither, sir. It’s a ship, or rather a sort of
witch‘s steamboat, and that’s her name—the
Ghost.” '

“ Oh, is that all? only her name?”

“But that ain’t all, 811'! She’s a. ghost by
natur’, no less than by name—or the devil him-
self, for that matter—and the devil’s witch com-
mands and lives in her.”

“ Dear me! but, my ood friends. you only
increase my curiosity. ive me some rticu-
lars of this strange craft, which I rea ly must
investigate by moonlight.” ,

“ Don’t do it, sir!” they exclaimed in the one
breath. i

“Well, satisfy my curiosity anyway. When
did the Ghost arrive in the cove?” r

“Soon after daybreak, four days ago,” said
the cotta e. “She’s all dead black; she slips
through t a water like an arrow, but without a

ripple; there ain’t a sign of captain, crew or.

engineer; only the devil’s white witch that runs
her, and a r, purt little gal what may be
her slave, astened own to her side by some
hi eons spell.” '

he wife at this~ uucture shuddered, and ,

threw her apron over or face and head.

“ Now this is interestingl” And the detective
rubbed his hands.

“I call it horrible i” said the man. '

“Never mind, tell me more. You saw the
witch’woman, then?”

“We all saw her, that is, on the first day,
when she even went into the village to bu some
vegetables. Since then she’s kept outo sight,
thou h still on board.”

“ ow do you know that?”

" By her voice—her occasional singin’, which
is as wild and beautiful as her face is flightful
—so them say as heard it.”

“ Perhaps it was the captive, the young girl
under the spell, they heard.”

. “No; the witch spoke to several when on
shore. The singin’ is hers; every one is agreed
on that.” , , _

“Did the young girl go With her when she
visited the shore? ' .

“ No; she was only seen once, when on deck
with the witch.”

‘ “ What is the witch like?" .

“Like a live corpse, only beautiful and—
dreadful, with eyes in her head what would
mesmerize a—a ox!”

“Tell him about the snakes!" interposed the
woman, With a sort of wail. “ Don’t furgit to
tell about the snakes!”

“ Oh !” and the cotta er hurried himself to the
front, so to s cak; “ was nigh to furgettin’
that. Yes; i: ere’s snakes!”

“ Snakes?” r

“Yes: sort of pets—yeller, blue, white an’
speckled. Two young men who were fishing
near the steamboat the first day, saw her wit
’em. They crawled all over and around her.
Luke‘Van Tassel, one of the young chaps, swore

he saw her swaller one a yard long, an’then,

coax it back again out of her left ear witha
stick of candy.” , .

“ Really? This is astonishing. Come, In
friend, your boat, your boat! I sha’n’t rest
I’ve had a 1001! at this goblin craft.” ‘

The detective was now so thoroughly in earn-

est that they gave over the attempt to dissuade_

him.

Five minutes later, as Enscootepped into the
cottager’s rickety skiif at the mouth of the cove,
he dropped a coin into the man’s palm.

“ It’s gold—a flvedollsr piece!” exclaimed the

man, staring at the coin in the moonlight.

 

-' nan-..»

“was.
m ,.

 

 

 

 

. summon:

., . _, h... min

..H,W.Mwis ._ _-._ . .,...,-,»~—-.- ..

 

 

  

' Rowlock, the HarborDetective. '

 

 

 

“ For your secrecy, no less than for your boat.

Be faithful until my return, and you shall have'

as much more.”

"Oh, Lord, sir! I’m your man.”

“ Wait; a yacht may draw in here by day-
break, before my return. Her arrival is also to
be kept secret.”

“ All right, sir; all right!
you !”

The detective rowed off up through the dark
neck of Deep Cove.

By less than half an hour‘s cautious pulling,
he was in the deep shadow of an overhanging
bank, directly under the Ghost’s quarter.

CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE PHANTOM LAUNCH AGAIN.

ENSCO was satisfied in his own mind that he
had approached thus near to the phan‘om yacht
without attracting attention, even supposing a
lookout to be on board, which did not seem like—

God preserve

yIn fact, the strange vessel had every appear-
ance of being wholly deserted.

Presently, however, a low, sweet voice, in a
wailing Spanish or Portuguese song, came float-
ing from somewhere in the interior. -

“ Ahl” thought the detective, “the simple
country folk were doubtless ri ht. Though I
can’t remember to ever heard Aara atta Mai‘tez
lift her voice in song in the old Wilt’ days, I feel
quite certain that the voice is hers.”

He lay on his oars in the deep shadow of the
bank for some moments, listening in silence.

' The eflfect amid the profound solitude of the
land-locked inlet was impressively weird and
sad. '

A few lights were still twinkling in the little
hamlet on the hillside opposite, but that was all.
On every other side the dark hills rose abruptly
from the water’s edge, the inlet being so com-

letely and loftily folded in that even the moon~
Pght only Spangled and mottled it in small
spaces. ‘

Shaking off the spell of the music with an ef—
fort Ensco was about to risk a stealthy circu1t
of the vessel, in the hope of more satisfactory
discoveries, when the soft, swishing plush of
mufl‘led oars reached his practiced car.

He accordingly drew yet closer under the
bank, and waite .

A moment later, the dark outline of a boat

. containing four cecupants, slipped out from

near where he lay on her way to the Ghost.
When a narrow strip of moonlight was crossed

the detective’s hands tightened on his cars, and

his jaws came together with a soft but decisive

sna .

El; had recognized the occupants as the same
ruflians who had so recently hurled him to his
seeming doom out of the Express messenger’s

car.

The boat touched the steam yacht’s side, and
her inmates disappeared over the rail.

“ So,” thought the detective “ we shall make
even a better haul than could have been antici-

ted when we cut out that accursed yacht. In
addition to cutting the White Sibyl’s claws and
restoring Inez to liberty, we shall have a. chance
at those last would-be murderers of mine.
Patience, my soul 5 patience and prudence!”

Nevertheless, his desire to make further in-
vestigations without‘ delay—especially with re-
gard to Nessie’s continued presence on board—

' presently became overmastering.

He only waited long enough to improvisea
muflling for his own cars, out of some rags and
cord that he found in the skifi’s locker, and
then stealthin pulled out from the-shadow of

' the bank.

By incessant caution, and an avoidance of
every patch of moonlight when possible, he
managed to make a complete circuit of the ves-
sel without attracting attention from on board.

He finally came to a pause directly under the
deg) overhang of the stern.

are he remained listening intently, for a
faint li ht was now visible in the after ports,
whose cad-lights were wide open, and he could
Just catch the murmur of voices within.

However,rtho words were not audible, or dis-
tinguishable, and his impatience increased.

A fresh risk mlght be destructive, but he re—
solved to take it.

Fortunately the moon was on the vessel’s bow,
which left the shadow of the stern overhang
broad, dense and deep.

Making his skifl’ fast to the rudder, he suc-
ceeded in climbing in through a port-hole with-
out making a sound.

He was in a small extreme-aft compartment,
separated by a ground-glass door from the ad-
joinin cabin, in which the light was shining,
and w ence the‘murmuring voices proceeded.

He could distinguish the words now, but only
with the utmost straining of his sense of hear-
mg.

There were two voices, of one of whichhe had
no doubt, but of the other he was a. little less

certain. ‘

The latter, very soft and musical, seemed to
be the senora’s. , _

The former, also low- itched, but none the less
masculine, he was sure on to the leader of
tho rufllanly group who be hurled him from
the Express car. r

‘ heard enunc

 

“ For Dias !” murmured tho womanish voice;
" if you have killed the Harbor Detective, that
is the main point—a glorious point.” ,

“ He can’t have escaped l" ' '

“13:1le Rowlock is said to have more lives than
9. ca .

“ If he had had a hundred, they would have
been dashed out of him. You should have seen
how we sent him flying!”

There was a low, musical laugh. with enough
of the devil in it to be the White Sibyl’s.

“ Wouldn’t I have liked to? It was a deep
abyss. then?”

“ Two hundred feet, if a yard, with rocks and
the river below i”

“ Bueno ! You got off the train at Nyack, of
course?”

“ Yes; and then hurried back here.”

‘t‘al‘lo talk there about our presence here, as
ye ’.’ '

“ Not a word.”

“ Excelente ! We are still secure, then, and
have only to keep up our mysterious movements
and appearances to continue the awestruck
attitude of the simple yokels hereabouts.”

“ Any further orders?” .

“ No; that will do. Take your mates into
the forecastle, and get something to eat. Jago
is on deck, now?"

u Yes-71

“ Buenas noches !"

And then, as a door was heard to close, the
muswal voice took up its sweet, melancholy
Singing again, as an indication that its owner
was once more alone.

Not the least allusion to Inez, so far!

Still not fully satisfied that the voice was the
senorina’s, and 10th, in spite of the continued
risk, to relin uish the hope of catching sight. it
the merest g impse of his dear betrothed, the
detective was hesitating what next to do, when
he suddenly had his first named doubts set to
rest, and in a most unexpected manner:

A'seréient—one of the yellow variety that the
White ibyl seemed most to affect in her ex-

‘traordinary tastes—crept into view from amid

the rich hangings of the compartment in which
he crouched, and crossed the floor in a lazy,
leisurely way before disappearance.

It might even have crept over and perhaps
strung him while he had been listening so in-
tently there.

ln s ite of his nerve, a cold perspiration suf-
fused im.

“ A doubtin Thomas himself would be satis-
fied now,” be t ought.

The next instant he was half out of the win-
dow by which he had entered.

He was clinging with one hand, with his head
just under the taffrail, when a stealthy step Just
behind it startled him.

He held his breath, eered up, and waited.

Then the bushy headJ and eVil face of the man
Ja 0 were craned out over the rail.

.he men‘s eyes met, but before Jago could
start back or sound an alarm, his throat was in
the detective’s grip of steel.

It was a critical redicament for Rowlock,
but his decision was aken in an instant.

His reserve force of muscular power was sim-

prodigious.

pl , .
{Totwithstanding the Spaniard being a burly,

strong man, slow] and noiselessly in that tre-
mendous one-ban ed grip was be drawn out
ovar the stern, the detective in the mean time
feeling his way down the stern-post With his
feet and remaining hand. . _

Still as the next best thing to his getting
with his throttled prisoner into_the skiff direct-
ly, which he foun an impossibility, Eusco at
last quietly dropped into the water With him.

Here, while holding on to the rudder, and us-
ing his teeth to haul on the skiff’s line, a most
unexpected interru tion occurred.

There was a su den swish of the rudder, a
twirl of the propeller screw, and the Ghost be-
gan to forge swiftly a head,

Losing hold of t e rudder, the detective had
just time to seize the skifl’s gunwale, while still
hanging on to his captive, when he was drawn
over on his back by the rapidity mthmhicb he
was being dragged through the water.

Bettering h position fly a great effort, be
still retained his clutch 0 hot skid and man
until the yacht had made a. complete circuit of
the land-locked space, and returned to her prigi-
nal anchorage, where she again became motion-
less.

.All this was immenselfigiot to saiiincomfort-
ably, in sterious to our rbor De ctive.

How ad the Ghost heaved anchor, got up
steam and started her engine in such aboliite
silence? And what had been her object in mak-
ing the brief and apparently useless circuit of
the cove?” ,

. Relegatin the first question to the choral
unaccounta ility of the Ghost‘s nautica char-
acter, Ensco answered the last by inferring that
it was merelflin keeping with the plan he had

ted by the musical voice—i. e., to
keep up a certain mystery of movements and
appearances, for, the benefit of the awe-struck
yo els of the neighborhood. ‘

While revolving these things in his mind, he
had climbed into the skill! with his captive, cut
the painter-line, and, by a careful sculling move<

\

i

 

ment of one car, was slipping away into the
shadows toward the narrowing neck of the
cove.

When at last he released his iron gripu n
the Spaniard’s throat. there certainly seem to
have been no need ol’ the clutch for some time '
back, so far as preventing an outcry was con~
cerned.

The man fell over, limp and apparently life~
less, in the bottom of the skifl’.

“No wonder!” thought the detective. “ I
should have thought of that before. Between
the choking and the drowning the cor devil
has undergone, it would be little ess than
miraculous if he were not done for completely.”

owever, after rowing as far back as mid~
way into the neck of the dive, he set~about try—
ing to bring the fellow back to consciousness,
and at last succeeded. I

Jago opened his eyes, sat up, stared about ,
him, and at last seemed to comprehend the sit- . ,
nation. . ‘
“ ere I” said the detective, tendering his
brandy—flask. “Take another and along pull
at this. It may sort of brace you up.”

Jago obeyed, and with such literalness that
the flask was twothirds drained when it was;
returned. ’

He then, however, though apparently fully re—
stored, merely wiped his bearded lips with the
back of his hand, and, with a low grunt, prop.
ped himself in the stern in stoical silence,
though casting another longing look at the flask,
as the detective returned it to his pocket.

I“ Now, my man,” said the latter, “ I: want to
have a little fipiet talk with you.”

“Me no ta ,” said the Spaniard, and he was
about as good as his word.

The detective’s most genial and persuasive

l

efforts to extract some information with regard

to the inmates of the Ghost, and especially as to
Miss Delorme and the senorina, might as well
have been exerted upon the air.

Jago sometimes grunted, and occasionally be 
smiled, but not an articulated syllable m ould he '- -
vouchsafe in response. ' .

“ This is growing a trifle monotonous,” ob-
served the detective, smiling. :2.

He produted a special revolver of his, slowly v ,2,
denuded it of the rubber sheathing that had key: 3 —
it dry from the river’s drenching, and examined, , 
its chambers carefullly. , 

Then he coolly coo ed it, presented it point-
blank to his prisoner’s heart, while the smile on
his lips took on a peculiarly deadly aspect.

“ ow will you answer ~niy questions?” he
demanded, in Spanish.

CHAPTER XXIX. ., ‘ 
susrnusnrun nonunrs. ' it”

BUT the Spaniard was true grit.

He had slightly started at the first blush of the
leveled revolver, and he was not unfamiliar with _
the iron determination of the manthat presented
it to his heart, but that was all. ' , “

He merely yawned sleepily, threw back his;
head with a sense of weariness, and closed his
eyes as much as to say:  .

“ Well, blaze awa ; but, for mercy’s sake, .,

 

 

 

don’t talk me to deat l”

Ensco’s eyes glittered savagely. '

“You know the 1 enalty of your refusal?”

At last Jago did speak. 7 ' . 

“Yes. senor, I do,”he replied, with the lit“. "’
most calmness, while slowly opening his eyes. ‘

“ It is death!” said Rowlock, sternly.

“ I know it, senor.”

“ And you still refuse to answer?” ,

“ Certainly, senor. There is crime, even blood, .
on my hands, but treachery to a master or mis—
tress~neverl” ,

Rowlock uncooked and put up the weapon
with a muttered oath.

“You’re a brave man. whatever you may -
have been 1” he said, sullenly. ‘

The man inclined his head, and seemed w
lapsing into his stubborn silence. ~

The detective was not inclined to give up.

It seemed more important than it really
that his prisoner should be induced to on
himself. ”

Suddenly a fresh thought occurred to him. - “.» r.

He regimduced, not the revolver, but the u
brandy- sk. ' *

“See, my man!” and he dandled it in the.
moon-rays so that the considerable uantity of
spirits yet remaining sparkled ver mpti ly
through the glass. ‘ ould you ike notifier '

ui i’ ,

IThe temptation in that accursed form has“ . .
overcome many and many a better and stronger «,.
nature than the poor, ignorant bravo's.

A new eagerness had sprung into Jago’s dark
eyes.  ~
He stretched'forth his band, and there wens"

tremor in it. i.

“ Yes, yes, senor l” he exclaimed, fawmngly. 7
“ More cognac—moregniore!” .

“ Not so fast! Answer my questions first, then
all that remains in the flask is yours.” , fl
“ 99, no, senor;' the cognac first—the cognac
Ensco reflected. and then resolved to take the
Chfinl’ces' ise to ti truly «1:36

min answer my use one -.
youshallhavedrsiiki" q .’ ’ .

  
  
     
   
 
   
   

 

 

  

A‘

22

Rowlock, the Harbor Detective.

 

“ No, no; ah, senor! we cannot promise.”
“ Bueno, then! No promise, no' brandy!
That’s the talk."
“Oh, but, senor, me very foolish, me very
talky when me drunk!"
The detective handed over the flask.
When it had quittcd the Spaniard’s eager
lips, not a drop remained.
Jago returned the flask with a polite smile,
and cleared his throat with a sort of reluctant
usto, though it was a large pint that had gone
gown his red lane within a, space of twenty
’ minutes. ,
“Ah!” commented Rowlock his good-humor
already restored; “nothing like that devil’s
stuff to loosen a stubborn tongue—that is, in
some folks. Eh, J o?” ‘
J a o smiled appreciatively.
“ léow to business!" And, rubbing his hands,
the detective began to go over his questions

again.

Short-lived exultation!

The Spaniard was once more as dumbas an
oyster. ‘

It began to dawn slowly upon our professional
friend that he might have been taken in.

“Curse you!” he cried; “lyou promised that
the stuff would make you tal .”

J a o smiled deprecatingly.

“ V$hen drunk, yes, senor,” said he. “ But
many little flasks like that wouldn’t make me
drunk.”

Ensco gritted his teeth, and tossed the flask

.away.

Then, more ashamed of himself than angry
at the Spaniard, he forced the latter to take to
the cars, and continued his course through the
neck of the cove.

When near its mouth, the sound of other
muffled oars than their own fell upon their ears.

“ It’s too early for the Seamew people to ar-
rive yet," thought the detective. “What can
this be?”

And he steered in under the high bank, en-
forced silence on the Spaniard’s part 'at the
point of the revolver, and waited.

,A large yawl, with a number of rowers, keep-
in excellent precision with their long, power-
ful all but soundless strokes, came into view
, from the midmost waters of the lordly Hudson.
. ' A near strip of moonlight was crossed, and
‘ Juan Martez, moodily contemplative, was
visible at the stern. ' ,

The soft pure light flashed for an instant
over his bended head, upon his burnished re-
‘volver and niard-hilts over the dark, sway-
ing forms 0 his bearded followers, and then all
had vanished up into the deep cove‘s narrow
throat.

In afew minutes the yawl was out of sight
and hearin

g.
“Good!” said the detective, unconsciously -

his thought. “ So many more to be
scoope in when we cut out the steam-launch."
~ Jago giive a guttural exclamation, and he
seemed a cut to speak.

But he did not, and the detective knew better
than to renew the attempt upon the fellow’s
'taciturnity. ’

An hour was yet wanting to daybreak when
'the cottager’s little landing place was reached,
, .and it would not do to re-enter the cottage, with-

- gieitrcertain explanations that might not be pru-
nt.

» So, having nothing better to pass the time

'with, the detective kept his risoner leisurely at
the oars a little offshore, an continued waiting.

It was wearisome enough, but soon after the
first dawn—streaks began to appear in the East,
the well-known yacht came in sight, tacking up-
stream in the teeth of a. dry, gentle, northwest

wm .

w Ten minutes later Ensco was on board, with
his risoner in irons. '
e consulted with Dago and Gail’, after re-
vcounting his ex riences. ,
With the sma 1 number of men at command——
[only six in all, including Mingo, Jones and little
' ~ Starlight-it was immensely risky to make the
' :attack, even if a perfect surprise of the Ghost
were effected.

But it was decided to make the attempt, as the
ropportunity’omight never again occur.

-“Witha at four more good men, I should
feel secure,” said the detective. “ Or even if

voicin

1' I, Wright Vanderlynn might alone be 'with us

> once more.”
“Wait,” said John D c. “As I told you,

Mr. Enseo, I was born reabouts, and am

{hmiliar with the neighborhood."
 , f‘ What of that? The cove doesn’t require any

- piloting, and is less than a mile in extent."

“I ought to beaware of that. But did you
'notioam large, dark old house, high up ona
wooded hillside just at the first widening of the
im‘i‘er cogs?”

es.
“Four stalwart, dare-devil brothers, former
schoolmates of mine, who would ' at the
[Nchance of sharing in our proposed“In suture,
ht to be still living there.”
, ’ What is their name?”
‘ ,“ Ten Eyck.”
“ Ah Dutchmen, too?”
Mr. ago smiled.
“Of that extraction, am I, likewise,”, be

 

 

rejoined. “ I think I could secretly bring them
to join us, while the rest of you are towing in the
Seamew. I suppose that will be safest, eh? to
make the attack with the yacht herself?”

“ By far the safer," assented Ensco, cordially
grasping his hand. “ You have taken the steel
ram on our bow, of course.”

“Yes; and with any sort of momentum,
the Seamew would cut her way through a line-
of—battle ship.”

“ Good! and may the wind necessarily be
forthcoming on the inside, though I doubt it.
All right, then; and I only hope you may find
the stalwart brothers at home.”

The Seamew had all this time been slowly on-
tering the mouth of the cove, though the wind
was now almost m'l by reason of the inshore
loftiness of the hills.

Accordingly, while Mr. Dago forthwith
pulled away on his mission in the cottager’s
skiff, the rest of the force proceeded to tow in
the yacht in her pinnace.

The moon had sunk behind the hills, and there
was yet a good half-hour of the latter’s deep
shadowmgs to be looked for before the new
gown should have greatly increased its signal

res.

Moreover, they proceeded with muffled ears,
and, as has been said, the inlet did not stretch
very far into the land.

“This is prime,” commented Starlight, who
had wholly recovered his strength and vim, and
was manfully doing his share of the work. “ I
feel romantic, I do. ’

Mingri gave his contemptuous grunt.

“ What's yer gwine tor do, young teller?” he ,
inquired. “An what makes yer feel more-
antic?”

“ 011, it’s bully, Mingo. I feel like Bullrag,
the Buccaneer, on his we. to cut out Fire-Flip-
per, the Red-avenging irate of the Gulf.
Didn’t you ever read that book, old man?”

“I don‘t read no sich trash, nur nuflin’ else,”
growled the sable giant, bending to his oar.
“ Go ’longr wi’ you, bantam cock.”

Here silence was enjoined, and the slow work
proceeded.

And it was slow work.

However, just at the inner winding of the
neck there came a puff of wind, and the droop—
ing sail of the dragged Seamew began to fill
out.

“ S lendid.” ejaculated” Tom Gad, under his
breat . “ It’s shifted fully two points east, and
we’re in luck.”

Here Mingo dropped his oar and stared back
at the yacht, every one else following the direc-
tion of is game.

A dark figure, moving with seeming diEcul-
ty, was trying to manipulate her rigging in
some way.

“ It’s my risoner, that infernal Spaniard!”
exclaimed wlock. “ Back water, and be
lively! He’s up to some mischief, I’ll be
sworn!” .

Mingo did not wait for the comparatively
slow action of the boat, but was overboard in
an instant, swimming back to the yacht as only
he could sw1m.

When the rest of the party at on board
three minutes later, the black ha the Spaniard
underneath him on deck, and the latter was un-
dergoing a terrible stran ling, which in another
minute must have prover? fatal.

“He was tryin’ to cut the halyards,” cried
Mingo, as Ensco rushed u in him to interfere.
“In anudder minute he’ hev bed do big sail
down.”

“ No matter,” and here the detective succeed-
ed in rescuing the Spaniard, in the nick of time.
“ He’s a brave man, Mingo for all his devilt ,
and if he meets death it s all be at the pub ‘c
executioner’s hands.”

J ago was secured afresh and taken below.

At this juncture the skiff‘ was seen returning,
and four men were in it besides Mr. Dago.

A few minutes later the four Ten Eyck
brothers were introduced on board by their an-
cient schoolmate.

They were powerfully-built, fearless-looking
countr men, who, moreover, appeared to be

- ea or Or the fray.

Welcome!” said the detective, takin them
successively by the hand. “I doubt your
willingness, my friends, when Dago acknowl-
edged that you were Dutchmen, but I gladly
ask rdon for my mistake."

“ utch be hanged, sir!” cried Jake Ten
Eyck, the elder of the stalwart brothers, his
broad shoulders shaking with his good-humored
laugh. “ We’re true American farmer men, by
two hundred and fifty years descent, and there’s
not a man of us has ever backed out of a square,
hard fight in an honest cause.” ‘

Everybody joined in cheering the Ten Eycks,
though With more earnestness than vociferous—
ness, and it was the general impression that
thepttacking force was now but httle short of
invincible. '

“ What luck! what glorious luck!” exclaimed
Dago, who was at the wheel. “ Just look at her
fill out, Ensco!” ~ ‘

In,fact, the wind which had freshened not a

ttdle,hwas now fiairly onto 1gb; flamew’sggarga
an sewassprn a war as s
that knows his ri or.8 V

1 Behind was the glowing redness of the increas-
: ing day; before stretched the widening cove,
i but even more deeply shadowed now than when
only the moonlight touched its mirroring sur—
face; beyond, faintly outlined against the (leader
background of the heavily—wooded shore, lay
the steamyacht, perfectly motionless upon the
tideless cove.

“The Seamew’s occupants waited in breath—
less suspense.

“Shall we cut right into her amidships?”
queried Dago in a low voice.

The detective nodded.

On and on headed the white-winged yacht,
her knife-like ram leveled straight at the sleep-
ing enemies’ waist!

CHAPTER XXX.
“WHEN GREEK MEETS GREEK.”
IT was a moment of intense and painful sus-

 

pense.

The Ghost might have been a floating tomb,
for all of life or movement that was visible
aboard.

Black, graceful, silent, unconscious, she
seemed no more than a nautical cor se, insen—
sate and indifferent to her seeming y certain
doom.

Suddenly a. paralyzing thought flashed through
the detective’s brain.

Inez Delorme! .

Might she not—indeed, was she not more than
likely to—mect her death or agonizing injury in
the shock that was now inevitable?

The thought turned him cold, but it wastoo
late now.

The Seamew was silently ressing on, her
knife-like steel ram cleavin t e wave with the
arrowy stealthiness of a back shark’s razor—
back fin.

Not a cable's length was now remaining be—
tween the ram and its destined prey.

Suddenly, however, and with the spectral un-
expectedness of her character, the Ghost spun
around, as if upon an unseen pivot, and her
prow, instead of her broadside, was presented to
the rushing blow.

Nor was this all.

f Something was noted, entirely unexpected be-
ore.

Her prow was, likewise, provided with an
added metal nose that answered as a ram.

lision, which occurred almost instant! . '

Her blow was a pewerful, thong slanting
one, and the Ghost shivered under it from stem
to stern, while her above-water casing was rip-
ped off like so much card-board for a length of
a dozen feet. _

But instant] her deck was black wlth man,
she sheared o easfly, VA hile the Seamew was re-
calling with her first shudder, and

calling on their men to stand fast.

The next instant, however, the Seamew was
graggiled to her.

“ teeny, there 1” shouts? the detective, in his
cold. steely tones. “Now ”

And the ten men of the attacking par , with
waving weapons, poured like a living, evasta-
ting torrent down over the steam-yacht’s deck.

Little Starlight had not been so Quixotic or
far out of the way in likening the situation to
the days of piratical romance.

It was an old-fashioned sea-flght—a page out
of the pictures ue ash—and ri ht there in the
bosom of New or State in t e year of 1887.

The day had broadened, so that everything
was distinctly visible.

The Ghost men, though outnumbering the ass
sailants two to one were at first swept into rout
by the fury of the boarding party, notwith-
standing the frantic bravery ol the twin com-
manders.

But they made a stand aft, and then the fight
was at its climax. ‘ .

Revolvers cracked, knives flashed, bludgeons
rose and fell, and there was a pandemonium 0:
shouts, curses and yells.

with stout hickory staves, were like backwoods
screamers from away back, Mingo was a whole
team in himself, every one else in the attacking
party seemed nerved to the performance of pro-
digies, and. moreover, organized discipline
seemed to be in the ascendant on the part of the
Seamew’s people. '
Several of the river-pirates had been laid out
in the first rush, and now they were still gettin
the worst of the blows and peppering, thong
doggedly holding their groun at the head of
the com nionway. ' ‘
. A slig t diversion .was oflered in their favor

making his appearani e
frantically falling upon the assailants”
with a flourished capstan

“ Bravo, muchache I” yelled Vasco. 3‘ You’re

n

 

v

However, the Seamew had the best of the col- '

the rip
voices of both Juan and Vasro could be 11% ‘

But the four Ten Eycks, though armed solely . 

b Ja 0 again burstin his bond and sudden] ' :
y g 8 from th: Seaman!i and.

in man J ! Keep it up! Down with the ,
sleyutb-hdu e3133mm I”

“ He’s my man now. and worthy of my bullet.  i
too!” growled the detective, who had wheeled .
,upon his heel in time.’ “Jago, you seem bound . .-
to have it” I .

His revolver spoke yet more emphatically
‘ thanhistaigue, and the Spaniard, at the

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instant toppled overboard with the leaden mis-
sivc in his heart.

Then, as Mingo, closcly seconded by the Ten
Eycks, suddenly freshened his assault, after
snatching up an enormous crowbar, With which
he sent down all before him, Ensco saw his
longed-for opportunity. _ _

Darting through the staggering ruffians like a
bolt, he dodged a dig from Vasco’s poniard,
and the next instant had Juan Marten in his
tremendous embrace. .

“ Murderer of Grant Marstoul you are mine,
mine at last i” _

But Juan as like an electric eel even in that
crushing gr p, his eyes glowing like cools, the
birthmark arrow standing out in startling dis-
tinctness on his ghastly cheek.

“He laughs who wins!” he gasped, and one
arm was again free with the dagger in its clutch.
“ Kill me, if 'it is Fate’s will, but 1 will bite and
stin unto the last!"

“ ill you so? No; for the hangman, Juan.
for the hangman alone is this dainty morsel of
your life !"

Just then, however, Vasco once more rushed
upon the detective with uplifted knife.

There was no help for it. The latter had to
disengage one arm with which to hurl himback,
and then Juan succeeded in tearing himself

free.

The fight was almost at .an end, with fully
half the pirates rostrate, the rest in panic, and
no serious casualties whatever as yet on the part
of the boarding-party.

“ All’s lost!” cried Juan.
can!”

With that he leaped overboard, closely fol-
lowed by Vasco and such others as were equal

ttem t.
militia dilaml” shouted the detective; “let
not one escape l” ‘ ‘ .

And then, while the remaining Victors were
tumbling into the ginnace, to pursue the sw1m-
ming fugitives, he ashed below.

The cabin, with its saloon and state—rooms,
was em t .

He rugged through the lace, calling loudly
but vainly upon his belov ’5 name.

There was no answer but the echoes—not a
trace of either of the senora or her .captive:

Whose voice had he then heard singing, if not
the senoraYS? . _ . _

It occurred to him With crushing .81 nificance
that Vast-ifs voice was wonderfully ike hers,
and he also remembered—alas! when too late—
to have heard from Inez that the oung _man
was an adept in sweet and melancho y muic.

“Follow me who

“Yes; the incident of the yellow snake’s ap—,

nce was no lon er confirmatory—it might
ave been accidental y left behind in the senora’
hurried desertion of the GhOSt. perhaps hours,
rha da 3 before.
“realism gonfronted the fact that he had been
self-deceived.

He struck his forehead. _

But at that instant his foot 'touched a [31906 of
pa r, which rustled beneath its tread.

fig snatched it up. ' '

Yes; hope for a. second time baffled, deception
confirmed!

It was another message from lnez, the merest
despairing line, but bearing a date that was
two days old.

“ Ensco :——She is taking me away once more—out of
the steam-yacht that has been my temporary prison
--out into the unknown—whither I know not!

is Imz."

This was in the saloon) _ _ I

Be reeled under the bitter disappomtment,
but sta gel-ed toward the companiouway. _

Anot or paper, crumpled and'sofled, as if

rapped by accident, and then inadvertently
trampled under passing and repassmg steps,
attracted his dazed attention. .

This he likewise took up and examined, though
with flaggin interest. _ _
_ It seemed o be a pen-and-ink communication
in Spanish. .

He thrust it, together with Nessie’s message,

‘ into his pocket, and staggered up the com-

..

./ was hue and

'panionway.

His frantic search had not consumed three
minutes, but it seemed to have lasted indefi-
nitely.

The fresh upper air, however, restored him to
himself.

The pinnace, crowded',with men, was already
in hot pursuit of the swimming fugitives. yvhilo
Gaff and Starlight were just putting OH in the
cottager’s skiff.

The detective fiercely hailed the latter.

Inez was still lost to him—the White Sibyl of
Morena as yet beyond his vengeful grog—but
lgerefivas at east :1. next best satisfaction ose at

an

In another minute he was in the skifl, and it
cry upon the miserable sinners,
with a shOrt shrift for the hindmost. ,

, The pinnaee had all-cad overhauled and drag-

ed two dripping‘ wrote as on .
fiifl was close and eager behind,jwhile an ex-
clamation from Mr. Dago, who °was looking
back, diverted the urpose in hand. i _

“Great l” e 0 "ed, ‘f look at that deVll
of causing chi” ‘ ,

the shore.

board. and the.

 

No need of a second bidding.

All eyes were at once fastened upon the ex-
traordinary vessel indicated.

She had snapped or cut her anchor-line, spun
around like a water-top, and, with her spectral
ease and noiselessness. was heading out of the
cove at her accustomed phenomenal speed.

“She is the devil, and no mistake!" gas ed
Dago. “You were below in her, sir?” an be
turned to Ensco.

“ Yes; and only to find her interior deserted,”
was the moody response. “ However, I did not
look in the engine-room.”

Pursuit of the swimmers was about being re-
sumed when another exclamation, this time
from Tom Gaff, permanently interrupted the
affair.

“ Shiver my timbers!” he yelled, “look at the
Seamcw. She’s sinking!"

It was true.

The gallant yacht’s sail had been hastily
brailed up at the time of the rush of her entire
ship’s company over upon the Ghost’s deck, and
now, the gra plings having been mysteriously
cast off by the latter in her phantom-like re-
treat, tho Seamew was unquestionably healing
over and fast settling down at the bows.

“Jago’s work!” roared Eusco, at the same
time ordering a recall from the pursuit. “ The
clover hound must have scuttled her before ’at-
tacking us in the flank 1”

So it proved, but fortunately the damage to
the yacht was not irreparable.

The auger-hole in her how was speedily plug-
ged, and half an hour later the water was
pumped out cf her' though all avreed that she

ad had a close call, and that acbrief delay in
Ehe clliscovery of her condition would have been
ata .

The two prisoners taken out of the water were
unrecognized rufllans, both of whom died soon
after beingr hoisted on deck by reason of in-
juries received in the initial fight; the remain—
ing swimmers had made good their esca e to
With the exception of Jago’s )ody,
which was never found, the other sufferers of
the fight, wounded or dead, had been carried
away on the deck of the disappearing Ghost.

Such was the result.

Somewhat later a joyous exclamation of the
detective called 1'. Dago into the Seamew’s
cabin, into which the former had stopped but a
few moments before.

“ What is it?” demanded Dago.

Ensco was waving the crumpled and stained
letter in Spanish over his head.

“ A clew! an unexpected claw!" he cried.

“ To what—to Miss Delorme’s whereabouts?"

“ No; but the next best thing. A clew to the
stolen jewel-chest!”

CHAPTER XXX].
A SECRET DIVULGED.

Tun detective quickly explained his possession
of the letter, which he had just succeeded in
translating.

“ It is rom Juan Mnrtez to his mother, the
senorinal" he exclaimed. “ The date is on the
day following the triple tragedy on this yacht!”

“ How does it read?” inquire Mr. Dago.

“ Listen. The letter is dated at Tompkins-
ville, Staten Island; I will translate its contents
as well as I can to you.”

And the detective accordingly did so to the
following effect:

“ MY WISE Momm— .

"I have carried out your lprofound Elan to per.
faction. The troublesome ol senor an two of his
followers are in Paradise—or elsewhere. It was
murderous work, but last night finished the job.
Jewels intact. I have Just returned from burying
them at the extreme west end of Rockaway, in the
spot on selected The. second of the outer reefs,
cup-shaped, that are Visible at low tide. We can
carry them off with us in the Ghost when the ex-
citement incident to the affair shall have blown
over, together with our little _lnez. Vasco did not
interce t the accursed detective. who has reached
the yac tto discover~defeat. Nevertheless, lshould
have scuttled the Seamew directly following the
affair. Our river hand continues faithful to the
death. Will visit you in person tomorrow;J '

um. ’

Mr. Dago rubbed his hands.

“Nothing could he more opportune than this
information,” he exclaimed. ‘- Don’t you ad-
vise roceeding to Rockaway at once?”

“ 19 must think it ovar. Are you familiar
with the locality speCified?”

“ Fairly so. I have some information of those
outlying reefs or ledges.”

“ And they are mostly under water?”

H Yes.” .

“ A queer place to bury awa a treasure!"

“A capital place, for all t at. Why, that
was where the mythical Captain Kidd treasure
was first looked for years ago!”

“ But what would prevent the recurrin tides
from washing even a heavy object, once uried
there, out into deep. water?”

“ The cupshaped character of the reefs, as
alluded to in that/letter.” ‘

“ They are of rock then, and not sand-bars,
like the adjoining island?"

“They are both.”

“ How is that?” ‘ ‘

“ The foundation of the reefs is rock, worn in

 

. out through the neck of the inlet.

deep holes, or pockets. Into these the sand
washes in and out from the neighboring beach
with the ebb and flow of the tides, though they
are mostly more or less filled up. whic gives
them the appearance of shifting bars, when
visible at all.’

n o :11

“Any heavy object. laid away down under
the sandy covering into one of the deeper of
those rocky pockets or cups, would be secure
from the action of the sea for ages.” ‘ ,

“As little time as ssible should be lost in 1.
making an investigation there. Isn’t that your
opinion?”

“Of course," said Dugo. “The senora may
take a notion to transfer the treasure to the
Ghost at any hour.”

“ Heavens! what if the launch should be a1-
read y of]? on that errand?”

“Not very likely,” said Dago, after reflecting.
“In the first place, the senora is not'now on
board of her.”

“No; that is a certainty. Beyond two or
three men who must have remained secreted in
her en ins—room, from whence they could also
work or steering apparatus there could not ~ ;_
have been a soul below decks during the fight. I I 4
explored everywhere else thoroughly.” ' ‘

“Well, her present flight cannot be to any ' 5,
great distance. That is settled. But the twins 51$
have escaped, and there is no telling how soon r
they may re-man her. Yes: there had best be
the least ossible delay in our seeking the jewel-
chost’s hi lug-place at Rockaway Beach. ” .

“ Is the Ghost sufficiently large and staunch
to make a sea voyage?"

“A short one, yes.”

“As far as I‘ruxillo, Honduras?”

“ At this season, undoubtedly. It would be a ‘7
pleasure voyage over summer seas." :3

“ We shall then but pause long enough to dry— -  ’
dock the Seamew, and after that start for the
Rockaway reefs.” ‘ ,

“That will answe: for the Ghost must need “ '3
repairs for more than we. Our ram tore up her v '.
side badly.”

“And in the interim, fresh word may be ob- ! ‘ '
tained of Inez. My possession of this letter
must not be known beyond ourselves"

“Of course not.”

v While this conference had been going on the
Seamew had been making the best of her way

.w

 

 

At its mouth the Ten 130k brothers were put .
ashore, after being cordi ly thanked for their
services, and the cottager’s skiff was at the same
time returned to him, on which occasion the de- ‘ '
tective did not forget the additional compensa- ' ’ '
tion that had been romised. ~

The Seamew fina y was just bidding farewell
to the thenceforth memorable waters of Deep ,
Cove when she ran u n a cleverly planted tob- ‘
pedo, in the middle 0 the narrow channel. I

There was a tremendous explosion, and the

acht lost her steel ram attachment which was -
roken short ofl of its fastenings, but beyond
that sustained no serious damage. ‘ ' .

There was no doubt whatever that the torpedo .
had been placed in the channel by the duper-3'
adoes remaining on the Ghost. " ,

After that, the Seamew reached the dock-yard =
usually evoted to her repairs, at the foot of '
an Ens ide New York street, without further
interruption. . \ _ 

It was by this time past noon, and all the V
battle-worn ship’s company of the gallant yacht
were glad enough to seek the rest and repose of
which they were in such great need.

For this purpose, Ensco repaired to the Mans. 1
ton residence, where he knew that Mrs. Twiggs '.
would be glad enough to furnish him with ac- 'v
commodations, and which he had not visited for -
several days. .

John, the old coachman, sorrowfuIIy touched -
his bat to him as he was passing through the 1'
grounds. , 5‘

There was no longer the old-time patrol duty _
kept up there, since neither of the recious,
Marston treasures—neither the jewel-c est 1101‘ ,
the beautiful young mistress herself—was a3
longer there to be defended, but John continu
to carry his heavy stick, perhaps more from

ubit than anything else. . x

“ Any news, sir?” he asked. , v.

The detective sadly shook his head, and vouch-.
safed a brief account of the recent exciting hap-
penings. ‘ '

‘f How is Mrs. Twiggsf” the detective then in-

qu .
The old servitor—he had been in the Mars

employ long before Inez was born—sorrow-

shook his head in his turn. . ’ r .
“Fairly, sir, fairly enough in body; but in

heart~in mind i”
A hopeless gesture completed the old man’ '
a 

 

 

  
  
  
   
    
  
 
    
  
  
 
 

sentence. .
“Poor woman] that is only to he
,said Ensco. “I shall do what I can to 00
her. though it can‘t be much, and 1am almost
heart-broken myself, besides being worn out.”
“Ah, sir; these be hard tinime I
John, “and Ialmost fear that we’ll look long;
for better.” ' - ‘
He was moving away with tea: in his ey
when the detective detained him. ‘ .
“A moment more, John,” said the lath!

 

A ’a bullet

24

“ The patrol is no longer continued, I suppose?”

“Ah, no, Mr. Euscol Where would be the
use, sir?”

“True; but I wish that it might be renewed
for to—night.”

“ Whati you still have hope, then?”

“I never lose that, my man. You will at-
tend to the matter? And Gilbert is still able
and willing to share your watch?”

“ That he is, your onorl Trust me for the
rest. Isupposo it’s yourself that will think of
resting withmi”

“That is just it. There is no telling, you
know, whether I may not already have been
tracked hither. ”

“True for you, sir.

sir?"

“ Yes. If Mingo and little Starlight shall have
been sufllcwnt-ly rested, they will be at the boat-
Ianding for me at midnight.”

“ An’ in that case your Honor would wish to

‘ be‘ptiri'igg.”

Any further orders,

“ I’ll see that you’re wakened, sir. Trust it
all to me.”

After 5 nding an hour or two in trying to
console  Twiggs, who was little less than
inconsolable, the detective at last sought his
much needed rest, it being then about sunset.

Ensco had been given a pleasant room on the
second floor, overlooking the front piazza.

He chanced to aken toward midnight, when
several remarkable incidents occurred.

The moonlight was brightly flooding his
apartment.

Presently something, apparently a pebble,
flew through the open window, and dropped upon
the floor. ‘

Then there was a queer little cry in a woman’s
voice, followed by a half-smothered oath, from
somewhere outside.

' The detective sat in bed, and listened with his
soul in his ears.

s

CHAPTER XXXII.
STRANGE HAPPENINGS.

THE sounds were repeated, followed by a rust-
ling noise, as of some one pursuing another
through the shrubbery.

After that, silence.

Ensco slipped out of bed, and stole to . the
window. ‘

Nothing was visible on the grounds.

Then he sought and picked up the object that

had dropped on the floor.

It was a scrap of paper weighted by a. pebble.
" Try the hulk-palace again.”
Such were the written words on the scrap of

r.
pagigarcely had Ensco mastered them before
there was a slight movement outside, as of some
one trying to scale the piazza.

Obeying a sudden instinct, instead of again
adhnciug to the window, he stole back to bed.

The bed was somewhat back in shadow, the
rest of the room being brightly bathed in the
moonlight.

He had just ensconced himself therein afresh,
revolver in readiness, when the window was
darkened by a stealthy human form. '

Its slender gracefulness caused the detective’s

a heart to leap.

Then when the figure’s face was turned to the
li ht, he could have cried out for joy.

t was the face of Juan Martez, murder in the
eyes, a poniard in the clinched teeth.

The haggard face of a worn-out, desperate,
but still murderously resolved, man.

The figure remained framed in the window
for an instant, looking in as though to take its
bearings thoroughly before entering.

The detective s right hand crept from under

V' , the sheet, secure in the shadow, and his revol-

ver covered the midnight intruder’s heart.

‘7! ‘ Should he shoot?

It was a hard struggle with his natural in-
clination, but he silently put aside the pistol out
of his hand.

No; alive and for the hangmanl

Such had been his iron determination, such it
should remain. - ‘

I ’But scarcely had the intruder’s feet touched

' the floor than the detective was upon him with
a tiger spring.

i There was just time for the dagger to flash
amp uselesst aloft in the weird light when its
olwner - was in that terrible, that adamantine
c utch.

A sort of muffled roar burst from Juan’s lips,
be gnas‘ned his teeth, writhing his sinewy body

_ like a serpent.

' But in vain.
The detective gave a low, terrible laugh.
“ At last and foreverl” he muttered. “ My
' murderous little J nan I could kwe thee at this
moment, thou art so close, so dear to me! It is
doom.” . I
v ut still there had been some strufiling resis-
jtanco, and it had Prought Ensco ck to the
window. -»
Now there was a click, a muffled report, and
his ear.
To wheel, still clutching his

prey, was but an
‘ instant‘s time for the detective. ,

Ryowlocki, the H

. hutI

 

,' '-:,.J-’.\
.I, ,,

Vasco was at the window, his revolver cooked
for a second shot,

Ensco made an involuntary movement to one
side as the second bullet sped. '

That saved his life, but caused his victim’s
cheek—the left cheek—to be redly furrowed by
the speeding shot, as a companion scar to the
arrow birth—mark on the other cheek.

But yet again was Vasco’s ready revolver on
the cock, 9. fit accompaniment to the murderous
lau hter in its wielder’s eyes.

T e detective was compelled to reach out and
grasp the weapon.

This enabled Juan to writhe out of his grasp
by a renewed efiort, suddenly exerted.

Then the detective was sent reeling backward
by a flush blow full in the throat.

When he recovered, brief as had been the re—
spite afforded, the twins had vanished.

Ensco threw on his 'clathes with a baffled,
savage disappointment at heart, such as he had
never felt before.

As he finished dressing, J ohn’s voice was heard
calling him from below.

“ Is there anything wrong, sir?" the coach-
man called up as the detective again appeared at
the window.

“ I should say so!” was the answer.

“ Mingo and the lad are at the landing, sir.”

“ All right, J ohnl 'Where are you last from?”

“ The landing, sir.”

“ Directly before that, I mean.”

“Talking to a wild woman, sir.”

“ What?"

“ Yes, sir; but she’s gone, now. That’s what
I wanted to ask you about when they signaled
me at the landing.”

‘t  ll?

“ Shall you come down by the side-door, sir?”

“ No; this will answer."

And the detective was out over the piazza
roof and down at the patrol’s side in short
order. ’ .
“ Why did you first ask me if anything was
wrong? he demanded,

“ I was hurrying up from the landing, sir,
when I thought I heard a couple of smothered-
like reports.’

“ Ahl then you saw no one?”

“ No, sir; only the woman. Bless me, sir!
waswthere anything else! Have you seen any
one ,

“ It is no matter. Now about this woman,

tell me of her.” And the detective led the way

a little further from the house.

“Ah, sir, such a woman! She came upon me
all breathless, saying some one was chasing her,
could see no one.”

“ What more did she say?” ~

“ That she was a friend of yours, and had
thrown a piece of paper contamingimportant
intelligence into your window.” ‘

65 oho l”

“ She wasn’t certain that she had chucked it
through the right window. That was why she
accosted me, apart from being scared by the
fancied pursuit.”

“ Fancied?”

“ I thought so, sir; though she was willing to
swear that a man with a knife had made for
her the instant after she had thrown the pa-
Pe‘r‘lAhl” .

“But she was awfully glad when I told her
that she had chanced on the right window—
your room-window, sir.”

“ What became of the woman 3"

“ She was so earnest and wild-like, and beg,—

ged so hard, that I let her go without any more r

questioning. Directly after that Mingo’s signal

took .me down to the landing.”

h “ But what was the woman like? Describe
er.

J onn did so, after his fashion.

Nevertheless, the detective, much to hism ti—
fication, recognized by the description— rs.
Emr led.

“ at will do, John. I shall not return to
my room, so you may consider your patrol duty
at an end.”

Then the detective hurried down to the land-
ing, where Mingo and Starlight were awaiting
him in a hired boat.

“ To Hunt’s Point, direct!" was his
he got on board.

But no sooner had they shoved off than a wo-
man was seen beckoning to them from under
some trees at the opposite side of the grounds.

It proved to be Mrs. Emroled, who was taken
on board at her earnest solicitation.

“ I want you to land me at Bowery Bay, sir”
said she. “The ferry that brou ht me to this
side is no longer running, it is so te.”

r'é‘he detective nodded, and gave the necessary
0 er.

She had settled down at‘ his side in the stern,
on his making room for her.-

“ I see you must have got my missive, sir.”

. “ I did, Mrs. Emroled, thank you!”

“ Oh, if it may onl lead to somethin l”

“ How did you 0 tain the informa ion that
inspired the line you sent me, madam?"

‘ From my husband.”

“ And he?”

“ Is now lying at the point of death, I fear.”

“ You exaggerate.”

order as

rbor Detective.

firs f”

 

   

“ No, no; I only wish I did.”

“How could you leave him, then i”

“It was only at his express injunction—4n
order to‘convey the message to you.” ,

“ Where did he obtain his information?”

“He wouldn't tell me. But I suspect it was
from a stran e ruffian whom he killed in a des-
perate strugg' a last evening in the wood back of
our cabin. .j

“ Hal the fellow had attacked him?” , , ,

“ Yes, sir. My husband, before mastering
him, received the injuries that I fear must cost
him his life.” ,‘7,

“ And the rufllan?”

“I think he must have become conscienge-
stricken just before his own death, and then i ~-
parted to George the information he insisted am
my conveying to you.” ,

"This is all very extraordinary.” «

“ Oh, yes, sir! but do make them row fast. Ii
fear my husband may die before my return.”

“The man and boy are doin their best,.
ma’am. If there were more oars, would taken
pair myself. Is your husband alone in the
cabin?” _ ’

“The physician may be with him by this.
time. He was to have come at midnight.’

“ Try to compose yourself, ma’am.’

“I am trying, but it is so hard."

“ How did Emroled ‘know that I would be»
found at the Marstou residence?”

“ He did not know; we took the chance of
finding you there.”

“ A fortunate chance.
verbal message?” .

“Only to beg that you would bring Inez.to~
us the first thing, should you succeed in effect-
ing her rescue. Oh, you Will do so, you will,
sir, will you not?” -

She clasped her hands in an agony of en--
treaty.

“Do compose yourself, Mrs. Emroled,” said
the detective, after a pause.
done."

“ Oh, thank you, sir, thank you i”

, “Nonsense! Now satisfy my curi
certain point.” , ‘ ,

“ Oh, of course, sir.” ‘

“ Directly utter tossing the weighted message-
into my room window, were you really pursued,
as you asserted to the coachman?"

“Oh, truly, sir!”

“By whom?" -_

“By a terrible-looking oung man, with a.
knife in his hand, and a mark on his cheek.
He disappeared as I ran out of the shrubbery to-
ward the coachman.”

“Ah, that Will do.”

l‘Were you in danger, sir? Had I interrupt-
ed him in a contemplated crime?”

“ It matters not now. All‘s well.”

Nothing more was said until Bowery Beach
wet? reached, in the vicinity of the Emroledt
ea in.

Ensco assisted Mrs. ‘Emroled ashore with the
respect that he might have shown to a dis-
crowned and unfortunate queen.

“ You won't forget, sir?” and ,she again-
cla her hands. “You will bring her to us

“ My word is passed, madam. God eed you,
and ,rnay your husband- he found in better

im.

She darted away among the trees. ‘

" For Hunt’s Point!” repeated the detective on
resuming his place in the bout.

CHAPTER XXXIII.
sunsm AT LAST. .
SOON after starting afresh, it'occurred to Enlco
to ask about the Seamew. .
“ She’ll be all right to-morro w, boss,” said

Did he not also send a.

  

On a:

' i

Starlight in answer to the inquiry. “ Mr.
Dago will have her at the Astoria anchorage by
noon.”

“ That is well.”

“I say, boss.” continued the boy after along.
silence, only broken by the dip of th .

e oars. ,
“Well, my lad?” 
“What was the matter with Mammy Em-

roled, that she wouldn’t hardly notice me to-

night?” ,

“She was too much occupied.”

“I should say ‘so— gaddin’ round the river-
fronts at this time of night! Of course, I ain’t
nothin’ to her, an’ never was. Oh, no.”

“ Your ‘mammy ’ is in great trouble,” said
the detective, gravely. ‘

“ What about, six i”

“ She fears her husband is dying.”

Starlight dropped his oars to burst into tears.

The Emroleds had reared him from infancy.

Great] touched by the lad‘s exhibition of
feeling, sco did his best to comfort him, and
with some success. ‘ r I

A new day was affording ifs hints as the boat
rounded the northern end of Ward’s Island. and
thence headed in a straight line for Hunt’s

Point.

Asthe hulk drew in sight, the, detective fas-
tened his eyes upon it hungril , fiercely.

Success was not to be' snatc ed from him this
time, he was certain of it.

The shrewdness of the senora in returnin
with her captive to the bulk, directly after

should be found apparently deserted by her for = -

“ Tins shall be»;

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look. the Harbor Detective.

    

   

 

good, struck him as something little short of
sublime.

That is, on the supposition that he would find
such to have been the case, of which he now felt
there could no longer be any doubt.

Yes; her astuteness in such a move was to be
admired.

None other could have so much insured. her
SI" urity, or have been so apt to disarm suspicion
1.: to her whereabouts. _

As they drew nearer the bulk, it appeared, ox-
ternally, more battered, deserted and forlorn-
' ~oking than ever before.

But the detective was not again to be deceived
by appearances. ' _‘ . ‘ '

‘ With torpedo—remembrances still v1v1d in his
mind, he cautioned his oursmen to the utmost
prudence, and Softly guided the way into the
narrow water-space between the bulk and the
shore.

ere his first movement was to noiselessly un-
s the gang—plank, and set it floating.

6 had scarcely done this, and was moving
stealthin .along, when movements and voices

I were distinguished as coming from within the
" hulk ‘

The early morning light was as yet but semi—
darkness. . - .

He held up his hand,‘his followers sat in the
boat like statues.
’ The sounds increased, but were still vague and
meaningless. _

The trio in the boat Were 11] the shadow of
the hulk’s prow, and between it and the shore.

At this juncture .Mingq Silently drew out the
boat, so that a better View of the river was
commanded, and then slowly pointed with his
hand. i

Something was looming up over the water, a

'va ue bulk in the thickness of the gleaming.

hat was it?
Then the Ghost made her presence evident.
She was upgroaching the hulk, but more
with less of the gliding, mys-
terious case, than had heretofore distinguished

her.
“Aha!” thought the detective; “ our ghost-
ship still aches from that dig of the eamew’s in

. your black ribs, and you are also short-manned.

do much the better!”

As the steam-launch, nevertheless, drew up to
the o’uter side of the bulk, the noises in the'lat—
ter interior resolved themselves into hurrying
steps on the companionway. "

Ensco made a sign, by which Starlight re-
mained in the skiff, while Mingo followed his
own example in peeping over the hull-1’s deck.

The next instant the senora, followed by Inez,
made her appearance at the top of the compan-
ionway.

The detective recognized them both, notwith-
standing that their figures were much enveloped
in wrappings. ' . _

The senora. made an impatient Sign to the one
man that was visible at the Ghost’s gangwav.

“ Nearer!” she called out in s anisb. “ Oar-
amba! how can we jum that c asm?” _

“ I’ll throw out a plan ,” replied the man, in
the same tongue.’ “ Our side is badly ripped,
and We dare not come nearer."

“ How many of on?” she demanded, while he
was stooping over he plank. _

“ Only the engineer and steward, besides my

lf."
56At this instant the detective and Mingo
bounded on the deck.

The senora uttered a snarl, Inez a scream of
delight.

Then Ensco had seized the latter, pressed his
1i 5 to her forehead, and passed her over to

ingo, while he himself made a spring for the
White Sihy]. ,

But the latter was not so seizable as her
whilom captive, by reason of her bosom com-
panions, the snakes, having taken the alarm.

In fact, a dozen or more hideous flat headg
were already darting out from amid the folds of
her garments, she seemed sheathed in an atmos—

phere of angry hissings, and moreover her long, ' ~

gleam-lit dagger glistened in her desperate

and.

“ Quick, J im—Farrish!” she screamed. “ To
the rescue, or we are lost!”

The maniat the plank—the desperado launch-
captaiu—was at her side in an instant, revolver
in hand. _

But the detective dashed hlm aside, evaded
the Image of the senora's poniai'd, and, in an-
other instant, had got her in 1115 steel-like clutch,
despite her serpent guardians. .

“ Bag! foul witch!” he growled; “your time
is come. The woman-serpent is at last helpless
in the athlete‘s clutch!”

She was a powerful woman, and was still
struggling demoniacall . . ‘ _

“ ever!" she gasped! through her gnashing,
teeth. fl“ Still, as of old, are you subject to. my:
werl '

He felt a dozen stinging sensations on his face
*and hands, and knew that he was as repeatedly
bitten by the reptiles, but it only nerved h
enormous strength afresh. \

iI’I‘he next moment he hurled her through the
a . -

Then, merely rceiving that she fell in a
heap on the dec of the Ghost, which was

 

 

i

now shearing off yet further from the bulk
in a crippled, uncertain manner, he wheeled to
confront the anticipated onset of Farmh.

But that rufllan was already writhing in the
mighty grip of the negro Colossus, who had
thrust Inez behind him to meet the former’s
rush.

Jim Farrish was a trained desperado, of im—
mense physique and bulldog courage; but he
was nolmore than a wooden effigy in Mingo’s
tremendous grasp.

“ Give me a show can’t you?” snarled out the
rufiian, with an out .

“ Dat’s what I’se gwine ter do, boss,” was the
panted reply. “ Hyar yer go!”

With that the launch-captain was whirled
aloft and out over the intervening water-space,
as if shot out of a catapult.

He struck the side of the launch with a force
that must have broken half the bones in his
body, and then fell into the water, a motionless,
mutilated mass.

A man had appeared upon the Ghost’s deck
and helped the senora to her feet.

Now the vessel quickly roundcd out, and
steamed away.

Inez was ere this snbhing and moaning in her
lover’s arms. ‘

Eusco gave orders to his followers to remain
on the lookout, and then drew her with him
down the companionwuy.

“ Are we alone hero?” he asked, after striking
alight, and looking around him in the saloon
they had entered.

“ Yes, yes; there was no one else here, and she
will not return. She was on the point of aban-
doning this place forever. My love, my dar-
ling! But how strangely you look!”

“Oh, Inez! I fear we meet but to separate
forever.” '

“ Heavens! what mean you?”

“ Look at my hands, my face! I am hopeless-
ly stung by her accursed serpents." '

Inez gave a cry, but it was one of relief.

“ Their bites are painful, but harmless. Wait!”
She ran to a drawer, and returned with a little
cup full of a greenish-colored paste.“ “ Here, let
me apply this Ointment. There; is it not a. re-
lief?"

“ Wonderful! The pain is gone already. She
had had the poison—fangs of the creatures ex-
tracted, than?”

“ Yes; or she would never have handled them
so recklessly;- They would bite her at times,
though, and then she used this paste as a relief.
You are sure the pain is all gone?”

‘5 Yes.”

“ Then it will not return.” ,

She ut the cup away, and once more melted
in her over’s embrace, but without the accom-
panying sobs and tears.

Joy, pure rapture and thanksgiving, were
now in the ascendant.

“ Did the senate treat you cruelly ?” asked
Ensco, when these transports were somewhat
subsided. ‘ .

“ No; beyond deprivin me of my liberty and
never letting me out of or sight, she was not
unkind.” ’

“You must tell me the details of your cap-
tivityat once.”

“ Now and here?” .

“Yes. After that there is much for you to
do”in my company—that is, if you are equal to

1t. -

“ I am equal to anything now! What is in
store for me?”

“ A visit.”

“A visit?”

“ Yes; and a revelation.”

“ Come now; whither must I then
you? Direct to dear Aunty Twiggs?
fallen sick, then?"

“ No; full of suspense and anxiety on our
account, but no worse. After you shall ave
told me your story, which will doubtless quiet
your excitement, you must first accompany me
to the cabin of the Emroleds.”

“ That strange couple l”. _

“ It is solely to their information that you
owe your rescue. Besides, I have promised,
and r. Emroled is probably on his deathbed.”

“ ct us start at once, then. I can tell you
my story on the way.” _

“That is far the best,” said the detective.
“ To tell the truth, I am not comfortable in this
uncanny place." ' ' -

When seated together in the stern of the open
boat, with Mingo and Starlight once more at
the cars, Inez told the story of her adventures.

After being so unceremoniously gagged and
dragged into the thicket, during the attack
upon the boat house, she discovered her captor
to be the‘launch captain, who had shortly before
her rescue met his death at Mingo’s hands.

. ,. By this man she had been burned into a small
boat, in waiting not far away, and thence taken
on board the Ghost. _

There the senora had received her, and with-
out further ado she had been carried away to
the bulk at Hunt’s Point.

CHAPTER XXXIV.
Ian TELLS HER STORY.

“ How did the senor». receive you?” asked the

detective.

go with
Is she

 

    
  
  
      
   
   
 
   
  
    
  
    

“ With ceremonial sternness at first," replied
Inez. “ She said that she was my natural
guardian. If obedient to her wishes, I would

nd her indulgent kind and amiable; if un-
tractable, I would find her just the reverse, and
she would make me very unhappy.”

“Did you temporize with her?’

“ Not at first. I was far too incensed and in-
dignant. I not only defied her, but boldly
taxed her with being privy to my grandfather s
murder and the robbery of the jewels.”

“ Ah! and then?”

“ She flew in a dreadful rage at first, and I
really feared she would kill me in her fury.
She controlled herself, however, after a time,
and affected to treat my charges with contempt.
' You are a headstrong, frolish girl,’ said she.
‘ By and by, you will see that it is to your in-
terest tojconciliate me and be subservient to the
future I have in store for you.’

“ I asked her what that might be. She said
that, after she had arranged a certain business
in this vicinity, she would carry me with her to
her mountain hacienda in Honduras, where I
should marry Vasco—who had fallen deeply in
love with me—and be very, very happy for the
remainder of my days.”

“ Indeed! and did she vouchsafe to explain
this pressing business that delayed such a joy-
ful‘clgnsummation?” t t ”>

‘ art] in answer 0 m sarcas ic in u' .

“ Whatywas the business?” q my
, “ To first assure herself of her sons’ safety

agrom” pursuit, by accomplishing your destruc-
ion.

“ Ah! my death was indispensable to that
end, eh?” »

“ Yes; she frankly acknowledged that so long
as you lived she and her SOUS could not count
upon a moment of security.”

“ Well, anything more?”

“Yes; that blissful object accomplished, she
would only have to take on board the Ghost a
certain buried treasure, after which it would be
‘Ho; for Honduras!’ with never a care or un-
easiness but might be left behind.”

The detective knitted his brows.

“God willing, we’ll forestall her'in that busi-
ness too i" he muttered. '

“ Was it the stolen jewel-chest she referred
to, think you?"

“ Undoubtedly.” , '

“But on cannot know where ’it is secreted.”

“ That do, my darling! And our first busi- ‘
ness, after this visit to the Emroled cottage,
shall be to go in quest of it.” ,

Inez clasped her hands. ‘

“ The jewel-treasure—our treasure!” she ex-
claimed. “ Can it be possible?” '

“ It is true.” And be related the manner of
his obtaining the information.

“ That letter of Juan’s!” she cried. “It is"
strange that the senora should have been lo : V
careless as to lose it. She was exceedingly .3,
jealous of her correspondence.” r ~
I “1"I’ow let me hear you continue your story,

nez.

“ Well, after our arrival at the bulk, the”
senora introduced me to her serpent-pets, and in ,
other ways so terrified and humbled me thatI r‘ \
gave up my defiant attitude. After that, she
was much kinder to me. I soon found that her
object was to elude pursuit by not remaining
with me long in one place. Our departure
from the hulk was as hurried and unexpected as
our arrival there. I was barely given time to
secretly scrawl that first note of mine to you,
which I see you must have received.”

Ensco nodded, and she proceeded:

“ Again on board the Ghost, we went to a.
secluded inlet somewhere up the Hudson. Juan ‘
and Vasco were then with‘ the steam-yacht. to-
gether with a large crew of desperate men. But
they were very careful about not showing them-
selves, and to an outsider the Ghost must have
seemed as unaccountany deserted et alert as it
had to me on that first occasion w on her first,
appearance'so terrified us all. During this time. ,
I also got an idea of the stringent regulations by,”
which this air of mystery and ghostliness was so‘
thoroughly maintained.”

“ I can imagine all that,” said the detective.
“Tell me if you Were annoyed by either Vusoo
or Juan during your last sojourn on the Ghost.”

“ Not to any great extent though Vasco per-
sisted in singing for his mother and me a ,‘
deal. 1 am compelled to say that he has a moot _
exquisite melancholy voice, which, strangely
enough. likeWise bears a strong resemblance to
his mother’s.” ‘3 , .

“ I discovered that, to my coat.” in coed
the detective, a little bitterly. “ But go on, my
darling!” ,

“ Besides.” continued Inez, “ We were not long;
enough in the Ghost for even Vasco to make
many advances toward inc. . At dusk of the
evening following our arrival in the secluded in! r
let 1 have alluded to, the senorina gave me, a
glassof wine. sayings: ‘ My child, I wantyou to
drink this. It will support you over a taugh- ” r
journey that I find we must set out upon 7171 ,- v
out another hour’ delay.

- “ Much as I feared the senora, I was quite cert
tain that she did not desire my death, and so,
drank the roffered wine without demur. .  -

“ Instea of supporting me,,the draught QI-

   
    
 
  
    
   
  
    
   
   
  
    
 
   
  
 
   
    
 
  
   
   
   
     
     
  
   
   
  
  
  
    
  
  
   
  
     
    
   
     
    
  
 
  
 
   
     
   
   
 
    
   
   

    

  

    

  

  

 
    

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
   
 
 
  
    

r fto a teller what once was your guide and per-
'ce tor?” ‘

true name hereafter—‘ Douglass,

' w

‘ her with an imploringg

26

Rowlock, the Harbor Detective.

 

most instantly threw me into a. sort of speech-
less trance.

“ In this condition I was dimly conscious of be-
ing taken to the shore, of getting With the
Honors into a coach, of reaching some town, of
crossing a great river—doubtless the Hudson—
of a brief railroad journey; and when I recov-
ered my normal senses at last I was once more
in the bulk.”

“ Ah! she had drugged you to speechlessness,
to prevent your appealing to outsiders for pro-
tection against her en route.”

“Yes; so I thought afterward. But before
the wine had quite accomplished its deadening
effect, I had found time to scribble another line
for you and drop it in the Ghost‘s cabin.”

“ found it, at the same time that the letter
i531 Spanish so opportuner came to light,” said

nsco.

“ Well, but little more is to be said. After
that the senora and I were altogether alone in

‘her hulk-palace. But I had even less chance for

esca than before. .

“ ‘he watched me as a out would a mouse.
She was jealous of my slightest movement. And
I am sure that she must have secretly given me
a sleeping potion regularly before resting, to
make sure that I would not make an attempt to
escape during her own slumber.

‘ had almost given up all hope of being res-
cued by you, and grew very despondent. But
last night at midnight the senora awoke me.
She hid me to make myself ready, as the Ghost
might call for us at any hour. and we would
never come back to the bulk again.

“The senora seemed restless and anxious—
what I had never remarked in her before. She
even shed tears at the thought of leaving so
much flue-furniture and other property behind

V , as were in the bulk.

“ I asked her why she could not take her pro-
perty with her on the Ghost. She said there
would not be time. Her manner became more
and more anxious and depressed as the time
wore away without the launch putting in an ap-
pearance.”

“Hal she must have got secret news of our
battle in Deep Cove. She felt that she was get-

ting at the end of her rope, and the sensation

was doubtless unpleasant l”

“ A battle?”

“Yes; I shall tell you of that presently.
Did she also seem to be anxious about er sons?”

“ Yes; terribly so. But at last she seemed to
be aware of the Ghost‘s approach. And she
hurried me up the companionway. You know
the rest.”
mThe detective now had his story to tell in his

rn.

When it was con\clnded the boat had reached
its destination.

“ I say, Miss Delorme,” said little Starlight,
as Inez stepped ashore. ” Ain’t you goin’ to do
ing more than jest nod and say Howdy

eyoun girl laughed for her old buo anc
gif spirits gas almost re'stored to her b; thiys

me.

“ I don’t know about that, Starlight,” she re
plied, stopping to pat the boy’s brown little face.

‘ What more should I do?”

“Nothing now, miss!” and, rubbing the is
she had patted, he kissed his palm. “ No fe er
could ask for any more sweetness than that.”

She laughed a sin, nodded brightly to Mingo,
and accompani Ensco in the path leading up
to the cabin.

“Under what other strange circumstances
was I in this neighborhood once before l” she ex-
claimed. “1 do hope that we shall find Mr.
Emroled in better case than you said.”

Then she noticed how grave her lover had
grown, for it saddened him to think of how
soon her sunniness of feeling might be over-
,shadowed.

“What is the matter, Douglass?” she asked.
“ Yes; I am going to address you onl£by our

oug ass,
tender and true!‘ Why are you so shockingly

! " sober? Ah, I remomber—I am to be treated to
,. a revelation, you said.”

They were now near the cabin.
He merely drew her hand through his arm

' saying. “May you be able to support it!” an

then they entered the door side by side.
‘Emroled lay on the couch, apparentiy near
his end, his Wife kneeling at his side.
But at the sight of the beautiful young girl
the flush of life seemed to return to the dying
man’s face, and his eyes to brighten with a wild

new be

‘ . Mrs. Ens-clad had sprung to her feet, her face

the index of conflicting emotions, her breast in

tumult.

“ y child!” she cried, seizing the girl’s

3. “Come, be quick! to is dying—he

have you kiss him before he passes

awayl" - . .
Emroled was also stretching out his arms to

esture.

Inez was drawing'bac , bewildered, frightened,
but mostly indignant.

(Kim him—a perfect stranger, or little more

than a stranger to her—kiss him even when
a 41m! . ’

 

Was the woman mad, were they both mad?

What could it mean?

She turned inquiringly, half-resentfully, to
the detective.

The latter was very ale.

“ Go to them, Inez,” e faltered. “ It is meet,
it is just that you should. They are your
parents, child!”

Her parents!

It was too much.

She reeled and fell.

. CHAPTER XXXV.
A REVELATION.

BUT it was in her own mother’s arms that
Inez fell when overcome by that unexpected
shock.

It was her own mother’s pained, long-suffering
eyes that first met hers when she again opened
them, with a dim realization of the astounding
revelation that had been made. ,

“Speak to me, my darling, my daughter!”
cried the woman wildly. “Tell me that you
did not faint with shame, with mortification,
that you had found your parents in us!"

For a first answer, Inez impulswely threw her
arms about the withered neck, drew the poor
lipfi down, and kissed them tenderly, thank-
fu y.

It was more than had been hoped for. The
woman we t such tears of joy as she had never
known he ore, and there was also a. sound of
weeging from the couch.

“ name! mortiflcation!” repeated the girl
' " Wherefore anything but joy and
ecstasy for me. I cannot miderstand—it all
seems strange and dream-like. But he”—-indi—
eating her lover with a grateful gesture—“ has
said it. Hence it must be true; and it needs but
that to be everything that is holy and sweetl”

Then she hastened to throw herself beside the
couch, her lips were pressed to the marbling
brow of its occupant, and the mother hovered
over both while the trembling hands of the dying
man wandered over the lovely bended bead.

“ Ensco, quick, come here!” cried Delorme at
last. “Justify me in her sight—tell her my
story’so that I too can hear you before’I am

one!
beghe detective had come to the foot of the

“ Listen to the story of your father’s wrongs,
Inez,” said be. “Your mother’s father-«your
grandfather, Captain Marston—was at first set
isfied that she should marri your father, George
Delorme. But the latter ad been loved pre-
viously by a woman who swore to wreck the
happiness of the young couple. That woman
was she whom you have known as the Senorina
Zara tta Marten.

“ ough herself married to a' worthy gentle-
man and already the mother of the twins, Juan
and asco, she had wedded for money and posi-
tion, and the thought of her secret first choice
becoming the husband of another turned that
former love to undying hate, and she succeeded
but too well in keeping her infernal oath of van-
geance.

“ As Captain Marston’s niece, she readily be-
came a guest in his house.

“ Your father and mother were also living
with the captain, and you were then but a few
months old.

“ In a few Weeks after the young senora‘s ar-
rival there was a tremendous forgery perpe-
trated upon the Gotham Bank, in which Cap-
tain Marston was heavily interested, besides
bein one of the directors.

“ unds deposited therein to the amount of
nearl a million, belonging to the first Honduran
Reva utionary Party. of which General Martez
was the chief, were paid out on aseries of checks
or drafts that subsequently proved to be
clever forgeries.

“ The bank was already in difliculties, and the
making good of the amount paid out on the
forgeries completed its misfortunes.

“ It failed, with eat financial los to its di-
rectors and stock olders. Your grandfather,
especially, Idez, was for the time bein ruined.
Beggary stared him in the face, an be was
furious.

“ It was at this critical time that participa—
tion in the forgeries was seemingly brought
home to your father, George Delorme.

“The evidence against him, though subse-
quently proved—to have been manufactured, was
sufficient to satisfy’a jur of his guilt.

He was convicted, an
term of imprisonment. The old ca. taiu was
lcold and deadly in his animosity to ' son-in-
aw. ' r
“ The young wife was forbidden to ever men-
tion her husband‘s name, on pain of being
driven forth upon the world; and the Senora
Martez returned to her tropical home, secretly
rejoicing in the success of her plot; for it was
solely owing to perjured testimony, Secretly
secured by her wealth, that the unfortunate
Delorme had been consigned to a felon’s cell.

“ Your scarcely less unfortunate mother lived,
suflered and hoped.

“ At last a gleam of relief was hers.

“When {on were little more than three years
old, your ather, George Delorme, effected his

sentenced to a severe

 

 

escape from Sing Sing, and successfully eluded
all efforts to recapture him.

“Your mother, however, was in communica-
tion with him, and lost no time in announcing
to her father that she was determined to resume
relations with her husband—which, by the we ,
she had never considered more than temporari y
interrupted.

“The captain swore that in such case he
would disown her, and she should never more
be child of his; but that he would, nevertheless,
treat her child as his by and heir, on condition
that both parents wou d abandon every claim,
and consider the child as dead to them.

“Your mother knew that her father would
keep his word, and she made her choice.

“She sacrificed her affection for her child,
and 'oined her husband.

“ rom that day to this have the faithful, sor-
r0wing couple buried themselves in this rude
cabin, secure in their toilsome obscurity and in
their assumed name of Emroled, which is noth-
ing‘ more than a reversed spelling of Delorme.”

he detective came to a pause, but the dying
man raised his hand supplicatingly.

“ Don’t forget the Vindication!” he gasped,
with lpitiful eagerness. “ Don’t forget that for
her, nsco.”

“ I would not have forgotten it old friend,”
said the detective, gently; and he then went on:
“ Within a few years of. your father’s escape
from prison, Inez, and while you were et very
young, it all came out that your fat er had
suffered a cruel and irreparable injustice.

“ One of the false-witnesses, who had been
suborned by the young senora’s money, through
a Spanish agent of hers, made a dyin confes-
sion to that effect, which wmublish .

“The confession was sp ‘ly confirmed by
various circumstances.

“ The newspapers took up the subject. George
Delorme’s innocence was made apparent. Had
he remained in prison, he would have been
speedil restored to liberty by legal methods,
probab y with some sort of re aration.

“But injustice had made a' ittermisanthrope
of the man.

“He had, moreover, found a species of balm
in his poverty and retreat, and resolved to re-
main dead to the world. His wife cleaved to
him.

“ They were confirmed in this resolve, not-
withstanding that it separated-them irrevocably
from their child, by the attitude of Captain
Marston himself.

“ Just and generous in other things, he re-
fused to believe in his son-in-law’s innocence,
and remained implacany prejudiced to the last.

“In fact, this was a warp, anda most un-

leasant one, in the old pilot’s character that I
ave never been able to understand.

“I have sometimes thought that he was
hardened to this continued injustice through his
doting love for ou, who had become the apple
of hi eye: and t at he dreaded a resumption of
decent relations with your parents lest it might
separate you from him. .

" At all events, he remained deaf to the ap-
peals of justice and of nature. Your parents
accepted the continued hardship, thou h it was
breaking their hearts, day by day an inch by
inch, and the stern, unnatural old man remain—
ed, on this int, relentless and immovable to
the end of his tragic death.

“Since then your parents. acting upon my ad-
vice, have still kept silent, intending to. remain
so, even to the further violence to their instincts
and their lon ‘ gs, until your grandfather’s
murder shoul have been avenged. and you
yourself relieved of the suspense_ and unhappi-
ness attendant upon the uncertainty and mys-
tery of the affair. '

' Fate has willed it that the revelation should
be hastened.

“ I should have mentioned that even General '

Martez, who was an honorable but over-adven-
turous man. became greatly alienated from his
'wife through the detestable part he believed her
to have been guilty of. .

“Indeed and finall , I know of my own know-
ledge, that this main y prompted him to commit
to your grandfather’s c arge the jewel-treasure
whose possession has proven so fatal and so
tragic.

“ True its transfer was intrusted to the senor-
ina herself, but under safeguards that she could
not violate: and it was only after the general’s
death that she was enabled to bestir herself to-
ward the commission of the terrible crimes that
followed. _ .

“ Inez, the story is finished. Child and parents
are reunited at last, inseparably reunited, let us
ho e.” a

‘9 Yes, inseparany l” gasped Delorme. “ I feel
it, I know! Death steps in, but his separating
touch is only apparent, not real. Marguerite,
my wife! Inez, my child I” _ I

“ Ah, he is dying l” sobbed the girl, Wildly.
“My father! my father 1” I,

But even as she implored the world—worn and

suffering spirit passed from its earthlygtene- '

ment. _ .-

After the first transports of grief had in a
measure subsided, Inez insisted that she should
remain in the cabin until such time as her mother
could leave it with her. -

 

 

  
 
 
 
 
  
  

 

 

 

 

  

“Roster; die” Harbor

n

Detective. 5

l ' »
i i i
, .

27‘

 

 

But Mrs. Delorme would not permit this:
neighbors were sent for who consented to share
her watch over the dead; and the detective at
last succeeded in leading the weeping girl away.

It was but natural that Inez should feel her
father’s loss less deeply than had it occurred
after she had more fully realized the restored
paternal relationship.

She turned to Ensco, with brimming yet still
curious eyes, when they were once more in the
open air.

“ And what must be your strange history, my
beloved,” she murmured, “ when you seem to
have mixed so mysteriously and intimately in
that of me and mine i”

“ Though brief as strange, my darling,” he
gravely replied, “it must yet for ashort time
remain untold.”

He might have said more, but just then there
was a warning whistle, and little Starlight ap-
peared in the path they were pursuing.

“ Hist, boss!” ha ejaculated, in a hoarse whis-

r. “ The game’s on foot again I”

“ What is it?" demanded the detective.

“ The Ghost is a-cruisin’ near. Mingo thinks
she may be lookin’ for the twin devils to take
’em aboard.” _

“ Ha! Where is Mingo and the boat?”

“ Down in liidin’ near the boat-house what
was gutted and burned. It’s in among them
willows. I’ll show you.”

“ N 0,” said the detective, after a slight pause.
“ I know the spot. Starlight, run into the
cabin. Afterward you can find means to rejoin
us.”

“ What’s up, boss?” *

“ Poor Mr. De—Emroled is dead.”

A lump rose in the boy’s throat.

“ He was a father to me. boss,” he half—sobbed.
“ Thank you, boss!” And he hurried away.

“ I gall go with you,” said Inez.
Eu -0 hesitated.

“ There may be fresh danger.”

“ No matter; if I cannot remain with my
mother, my place is at your side.”

When they reached the spot where Mingo had
concealed the boat, the negro was found covertly
studying the movements of the Ghost, which
had come to a pause just off the point.

“ See!” said he. “ Dere’s her small-boat,
Marse Rowlock, loafin’ up an’ down, back an
forth, jest before de ole boat-house. Oh, I
knows it, Marse Rowlock, I feels it in de bones!”

“ What is it you feel and know?”

“Dst some of dam debbi'ls is a-hidin’ some-
wheres hyarabouts, boss, an’ the ole she-dehbil
am gwineter pick ’em up, if possible. Dere!
what did I done tell yer, boss?”

A man was here seen to wade out to the small
boat and climb into her.

“He! You are right.” exclaimed the detec-
tive. “ Come with me, Mingo!”

 

CHAPTER XXXVI.
A CAPTURE.

1m also accom nied them, and they crept
around the curve 0 the bay, under cover of t 9
trees and undergrowth, to a oint close under
the ruins of the oat-house, w ence the Ghost’s
small boat was visible close at hand, the steam-
launch herself lying a short distance further
out.

The senora’s solitary figure was the only thing
of life visible on the yacht’s deck.

But her eyes seemed to be fastened anxiously
on the shore-line and the hesitating movements
of the boat.

The latter contained but one oarsman and the
man Who had waded out to her, both foreign-
looking men whom Ensco and his companions
failed to reco ize. . _ '

“ Hold on, arse Rowlock l” whispered Mingo.
“ Dere’s more to come yet—I feel it in de bones.
Garry! elf it might be dem twin-debbils, an’ we
could get our hooks on ’em at dis last minute I”

“ Too good to hope for, I am afraid,” said the
detective. “But I can understand how some of
the fugitives from the Deep Cove affair might
have ’made their way back here as affording
them a tem rary Security. Still, that Juan
and Vasoo s ould have done so is more than I
can believe.”

Hardly had be spoken before the first-named
twin, Juan, broke cover from close at hand, and
was the next instant running out through the
shallow water like a hunted deer.

Without waiting for permission, Mingo was
aftfiir him in an instant, With a whoop and a
3’0 - .

Ensoo was about to follow when Inez laid a
teach ufiojn his arm.

She was pointing through the underwood to
Vasco, who, seeing that his brother was being
pursued, had come to a startled pause at the
water’s edge, just under the shadow of the-same
thicket from which Juan had just emerged.

‘Both young men were a desperate and hunted

air.
While still hesitating at the water’s edge,

Vasco suddenly drew his revolver and leveled it -

at his brother’s gigantic pursuer.
But before it could be discharged th Harbor
've was upon him with a panthei bound.
There was a desperate struggle, the young

 

 

Honduran seeming gifted with a desperate
strength that was little short of superhuman;
while Ming? had almost overtaken Juan, who
seeiried to e partly dazed, about midway to the
yaw .

The senora saw it all.

Inez could (plainly mark her excited move-
ments up and own the yacht’s deck, and could
guess the agony of maternal suspense that in—
spired them.

It was like a ti ess witnessing a murderous
attack upon her be oved cubs, and she wounded,
or helpless in the meshes of the hunter‘s snare. ‘2

The detective had finally succeeded in over-
mastering his prisoner, and snapping a pair of
handcuffs on his wrists. _

But at that instant there was a shot from the

awl, and Mingo was seen to come to a stagger-
ing pause.

A moment later, Juan, after hesitating wheth—
er to return to his brother’s aid or continue his
flight alone, was seen to clamber wearin into
the boat.

The latter then pulled back to the Ghost with-
out delay, notwithstanding that the scnora was
frenziedly shrieking her otest against the
abandonment of Vasco to his fate.

Shortly after this, the Ghost steamed out of
sight, Juan and the two other men being last ob-
served on her deck, apparently doing their ut-
most to subdue the transports of the enraged
senora.

In the mean time, as Inez came hurrying to his
side, Ensco had completed Vasco’s subjection,
and Mingo was slowly staggering back through
the shallows toward the group.

The latter, however, sudden] came to a pause,
and, dropping to his knees, p unged his woolly
head repeatedly in the water.

After this, much to the astonishment of his
friends, he came trotting to the shore, with his
vigor apparently altogether restored.

“ Garry, Marse Rowlock !” he exclaimed, with
his champion grin; “ I done t‘onght I war done
gone in, shuah. But look i” he exhibited his car,
which was slightly bleeding. “ It w.:r de wind
ob de bullet, an’ dat am do fact!”

“ You are extremely fortunate, Mingo,” said
Ensco, heartily, while Inez also congratulated
him on his escape. “ See; we haveono prisoner,
at all events.”

Mingo looked down 11 “in the helpless Vasco,
who had, however, by t is time ut on a reck-
less and indifferent air, and theus ook his head.

“ Ah, but dat udder one, be war de king-pin
ob de pair, Marse Rowlock,” he murmured. “ I’d
hev got him, shuah, but fur dat bulletl Oh,

orry, gorryl to t’ink dat Min go war knocked out
by jess a breaf ob air—0y de wind oh a bullet!
I’se ’shamed ob yer, Mingol 1’se ’shamed oh you
from dis time fort’, I isl’

Nevertheless, he cheerfully carried the ris-
ouer to the boat, all the party got on boar , in-
cludingIStarlight who had returned from the
cabin, is eyes red with weeping, and the prow
was next headed for the Marston grounds at the
foot of Eighty-sixth street.

“ Thank Heaven! it is broad, sunny daylight,
with plant of river-craft in sight,” said Ensco
to Inez. ‘ It is not likely that any accident or
interception can rob us of such prey as we have
succeeded in securing.” ’

Low as he spoke, Vasco, who was lying bound
not far away, had overheard the words.

“That is true, Enscol” he cried out gayly;
“and I suppose you are in sympathy With the
old saying Better half a loaf than no bread.’
Inez, my ear cousin! do you remember the last
pretty song I sung for you! Carqjol I am still
in time, if you say the word.”

No attention was vouchsafed him, but he,
nevertheless, did begin tosin 7, and when handed
over to the police, was as lithe and 'oculsr
with them as they were carrying him 0 to the
prison confinement which he might not per-
manently quit, save to meet a felon’s death.

Having dispatched Mingo and Starlight to
carry word to Mr. 'Dago, Eusco lost no time in
hurrying into the mansion, where the lost one
found was already being overwhelmed by the
c0ngratulations of the household.

Mrs. Twigrrs was in an ecstas of tears, while
the joy of Elie young girls’ ockney maid-in—
waiting was especially demonstrative.

A little later, when Ensco and Inez were
alone, the former signified his willingness to tell
her his historly. ,

“ Though may appear much younger,” he
began, “ I was born in New York thirty-nine
years ago. So, I‘am nearly, if not quite. double
your age, my darling.” And he looked at her

vwith a. slight shade of anxiety in his inquiring

gaze. “Dnes not that make me seem very
ancient to you i?”

Her soft hand stole into his.

“ I would, assuredly, not have you a day
younger, Douglass,” she replied with much sim-
plicity. .

“ But why ?” ,

“Because, I would not.”

“ That is no answer.”

“ Because I love you as you are, then.”

“But I cannot forget that youth attracts
youth by natural law—that most oung girls
are best pleased with young men as overs.”

Her arm was about his neck, hes-lips at his

many secret bickerings, an

 

ear, though the deepening blush on her perfect
face was not wholly hidden away.

“ You darling! you brave, you dauntless dar-
ling l” she murmured. “ I love you, not for
your youth nor for your years, but for yourself
alone i”

“Trul i”

“Ah, ut you do not you can never doubt it!
Would I have you unseared by a single experi-
ence or adventure that may have written over'
the dark pages of your varied life? No, not for
the world! My heart could never have been
given save to a man, and as such, have I found
you, my hero, my ideal!”

“ Sti 1, if I were (just a little younger?”

“ Then you woul notbe ourself—my ‘ Doug-
lass, Douglass, tender and no.”

“ Still—~"

But the perfect lips were now kissing away
Eis words, and more in that vein she would not

ear.

“ Your story!” she murmured, presently.
“ Let me have the story of your life.”

“Well, there is yet more against me than my
hoar antiquity.”

“ s it possible?”

“ My arents were poor and obscure persons,
of Scotc extraction, and are long since dead."

“ I have always admired Scotland. The
Highlanders are a noble race, barring the ba -
pipe, the horrid kilts and bare knees: while
just dote on Bobby Burns and Walter Scott.”

“ I never had either brother or sister.”

“ Nor I; which makes us even.”

“ But I hardly ever even went to school; am
almost wholly self-educated.”

“ Self-made men are my admiration, when
not too worshipful of their maker, as I am sure
you are not.”

“ Thank you. But, hang it all, my love, I‘m
not self—made. After my long battle with the
world, I am or today as a church mouse.”

“ Poor in lthy lucre, you mean." ’ w

‘ By Jove, Inez! you won’t permit me to
make out my own photograph.”

“ Self—depreciation is not good. Will you go
on with your story, sir?” I

CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE DETECTIVE’S HISTORY.

_“IEARLY went to sea,” went on the detec-
give, ‘_‘ and thereafter the water was chiefly my

ome. \
“ t the age of eighteen, I found myself. after '
years of restless adventure, 8. member of Gen-
eral Martez’s revolutionary force in Honduras.

“ The general had not long been married, land

I became a favorite with both his young wife
and himself.

 

“The Senora Zarapatta was at that time a I

singularly beautiful and attractive woman, with

little if any manifestion of the evil inherent in ,

her nature. The twins were beautiful children,
of five or six years. V
“I was a sort of privileged retainer in the

family, then second to none in Central America .

in wealth, influence and social standing, though
constant! in more or less hot water through the v
general’s urbulent revolutionar tendencies.

” These also occasioned home iflerences. The
general was a Liberal of the Liberals in politics
and religion—a Democrat and born leader in
one; his wife sympathized with the most bigoted
of Conservatives, who were mostly in Wer in
Church and State—an arialo of the old,0
torial stock.

and he had brought her wealth and refiec
honors. For appearances’ sake, they were
seemingly one in everything though there were
d her violen cruel
as it develo d itse t, was

and eartless temper

a source of much suhering to his onorable and ‘

gGPGI'OuS a hit.

‘,Thoug nearly a man grown, I was at that i‘

time of very boyish appearance, fair~skinned,
fair—haired, rudd —cheeked,bright—eyed, just the
sort of a C'olo'ra o to hit the fancy of the senori-
tas of that summer clinic, who are mostly of a.
dark beauty and languishing manners, which

latter, however, are so often the mask of vol-- ’

canic passions, that may be
thwarted or roused.

“I thus allude to my rsonal appearance as
the only possible explana 'on of the favoritism
in which the Senorina Martez held mewat first;
It was not love, but a mere caprice, on her part.
I was her protege. She called me her Ameri-
cam Colorado, and made much of me. For my
own pa rt, I early penetrated the beautiful crea—
ture’s fierce, false and treacherous disposition
rind (fame to hold her in secret distrust and
( res .

“Moreover, she had even that early in life
come to like such pets assnakes, jaguar cubs,
and similar unglensant companions, which
were no less her
own.

“ I was brave and adventu us in the intes».
tine military and political ubles. of which i
Honduras was more or less constantly the thea-

dangerous when

ter, and soon became a favored member of v

General Martez’s stair.
“ The revolution of which I spoke was by no
means the first or onlyons inwhich I was enm

gsged.

Inquisi- _
“ However, she had been poor and ambitious ' ‘ ‘

usband‘s abhorrence than my ,

   

 

28

“ The second, which occurred a year later,

laced Martez in power. But the differences
between him and his wife had increased, and he
was the more inclined to favor a proposed visit
to her New York relative at that time. He even
made her a sort of Government financial-agent,
and, when she took her departure, it was in
company with a couple of native merchants,
trusted and experienced men, supplied with
large sums of money, for the furtherance of
political recognition and commercial alliances.

“The senora, on the occasion of that visit,
left her twins at home.

rather, George Delorme, which, as you already

know, was indeed 'the private object of the 

V0

be forced to allude tothis melancholy subject
again.

“The senora’s visit did not last a twelve-

 month, but what a long period is that for a -
country, the chronic prey to political earth- I

quakes!
' " She left us in full feather, at the apex of the
governmental fabric; when she returned, we

were hunted fugitives in the mountains, our .

'army a ragged remnant, our comisam'afo the

'wild game of the primeval woods, the remaining ;

. bulwarks of. defense our shivered bayonets and

a broken swords. We had been up and soaring;

'5 " I we were down again with a vengeance-41m
,IOcket-and-stick business over again.

“ Then did the treacherous, ingrate nature of i

* ‘the Senora Martez declare itself at last. Her
'mask of hypocrisy was flung aside. She de-
‘nounced her husband and his cause, openly
espoused the Conservative Church party, then
'again in power, and even donated a large sum
of money to its success in hunting down the un-
f‘ fortunate Martez and his followers.

a; “By strange coincidence, the sum of money
:9 thus infamously contributed was identical with
' that obtained from the Bank of Gotham on

been sent 1’0
 up again,

: in which Geor e Delorme had
State Prison—a l I have brought
though it was hardly to be helped!

Inez interrupted im with a passionate ges-

 

re.

“God of justice!” she exclaimed, inconceiv-
ably shocked, “had the vile woman actually in-
stigated the forgeries herself?"

The narrator shook his head dubiously.

“ That is not known. probably never. will be
known to a certainty. But the fact is as I have
stated. There was no other source from which
the senorina could have obtained such a great
sum, though she pretended there had been and
hinted of secret operations in the New York
goldf aliarket, which had been unexpectedly suc-
cess u . .

“ But her own husband at that time believed
her capable of such baseness. There were others
-—men not in political affiliation with him either
—-who secretly coincided with his opinion.
.7 Moreover, of the two merchant a ents who had
accompanied her mission, oneh mysteriously
' disappeared, and the other, a Colonel Blanco,
 . returned in such suspicious familiarity with the
.47 fair traitress that his name was coupled by
- rumor with hers in a manner by no means com-
plimentary to the morals of either. But of all
‘this there was no proof; it was rumor and sus-
~ 'picicn—nothing more.”

.- ‘ Inez threw up her hands with a hopeless, de-
7- . apairing air.

‘7 “ My father, my poor father!" she half—subbed,
l ' “ what chance had hc—what chance might any
" honorable, unsuspecting man have had—when
‘environed by such toils? Oh, it is too, too hor-
rible!" ,

The detective hastened to continue his nar-
rative:

“ Our cause— that is, General Martez’s cause—
was almo\t at its last gasp, but such of uses
*were left alive continued to stick together. But
the armed search for us was incessant and
severe.

“A year after the beginning of our misfor-
‘ times, was taken prisoner in one of our fl ing
skirmishes in the heart of the Cordilleras, a cut
sixty miles south of Comaygua, on the Nicara-
guan frontier.

“ The Senora Zarapatta had in the mean time
risen greatly in the estimation of the governing
power, and had established herself in a wild,
mountain-gilt and fortified hacienda, one of her
husband’s cnnflscated estates, which had been
presented to her as a reward of her treachery.

“Its deep. hot valleys comprised indigo and
coffee plantations, that were immensely lucra-
tive, and there she held a sort of isolated and
barbaric court, surrounded by her peons and
retainers, among whom, by reason of her friend-
liness With serpents, no less than by numerous

 

 

held in myste ' awe as the W “Sibyl of
Morena—this l_ _ being the ancient name of the
fhacwnda, or miniature principality, over which
‘ , aha lIis-ld abervtl’ute sway}. th I sed red

. was y one o e icen 1) etc
hands attached to her estate that I chanced];
.. bedeaptuied, and I was brought before her for

men ..
“ wo years had passed since we had last met,

 

Rowlook, the He

That was also the occa- 
sicn of her accomplishing theruin of your poor ;

Yage- . I
“Don’t look so distressed, for I shall hardly ‘

forged acceptances, and for alleged participation '

other eccentricities, she was alreadyknown and ;
i

 

r'  3" ~ '  ‘ .“w‘ H
\

‘ l
' and no sooner was I in her presence than I un-
; derstood one of the qualifications of her new ap-
pellation.

f “ Her complexion, which had formerly been
1 of pure and transparent though healthful pul-
' lor, had already assumed that dead, bloodless
and absolute whiteness which has ever since re-
mained one of her characteristics. And added
to this. her eyes and general expression had
somehow taken on that serpent suggestiveness
which even now contributes so greatly to render
her beauty so terrible—so magnetic and yet so
re ugnant.”

nez shuddered involuntarily at the recollec~
‘ tion of her recent forced companionship with
the senora.

“ She smiled strangely when I was brought, a
captive, into her presence, and by a. gesture dis—
missed the guerrillas guarding me.

“ I was then alone before her. She was mag—
nificently throned amid gorgeous trappings and
upholsterings on a sort of dais of red velvet,
fringed with golds, while the numerous pet ser—
1 pants twining about her person seemed fitly eni-
blematic of her untrammeled and evil power.

“ She spoke me very sweetly at first, refer-
ring to her former liking for me, and her regret
that we were no longer friends.

“ I began to secretly congratulate myself one.
prospect of getting out of her clutches easily;
for former prisoners from our band had, almost
; without exception, been tauntingly dismissed
i from her presence to be shot on sight.

“ But her next words dashed me from the
1 pinnagle of hope to the depths of despair.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
THE DETECTIVE'S HISTORY, CONTINUED.
“ SHE coolly proposed that I should betray

l

 

l the last fastness of my leader (her own husband v

i —the father of her children) and his followers

1 into her hands, that they might be extirpated

l forthwith.

l “ This was her infernal pro osition. Compli-
ance therewith was to be richly rewarded; the

reward of its refusal was instant death.

“ On my instant and contemptuous rejection
of her reposition, she flew into a fury that
positive v appalled me.

“ She loaded me with reproaches and the pe-
culiarly diabolical epithets that are the special
property of the Spanish tongue, swore that she
had always secretly hated and despised me, and
then called in her swarthy minions to lead me
out to my death. _

“ Upon their appearance,
changed her mind.

“ I should have mentioned that, in my pas-
sionate and unguarded rejection of her proposi-
tion, I had permitted myself to allude mocking-
ly to the Serpent-suggestiveness of her counte-
nance.

“ She remembered this now, and, controlling
herself, said: ‘ Waitl Americana Colorado, I
shall reserve you for another fate. You have
alluded to the serpent-element of my beauty. I
shall so brand you that you shall never lose the
sense of my power, and after that you shall pine
in perpetual imprisonment.’

“ She then ordered that her twin boys should
be brought in. and also engaged in consultation
with one of her peons, an aged Maya Indian,
who proved to be a professional embalmer and
tattooer among his tribe.

“ Then I was unpinioned, thrown down, my
arm bared, and there, in the presence of her
twin-devils and herself, I was subjected to the
o ration that left me impressed with the em-
b ematic (lev1ce that you have seen.

“It was indescribany painful, even agoniz-
ing, and the more so that there was then and
there performed swiftly and at once a tattooing
elaboration that is seldom, if ever, effected in
the course of many successive days.

“ But I bore up, and not a complaint or pro-
test escaped me during the torturing ordeal,
notwithstanding the taunts of the senora, the
oping amusement of her retainers and the mock-
ing laughter of the juveniles, who seemed to
deem my suppressed anguish the rarest of
SP

however, she

orts.

“ \Vhen the design was fastened indelibly
upon my arm, the senora surveyed it critically,
but not with uumingled satisfaction.

“ ‘ It is not altogether as I would have had
it,’ she said. ‘ There should more unmistakable
signs of the athlete succumbing to the ser nt
in the contest, and the red arrow from the c oud
-—as symboling Heaven’s assisting vengeance at
my supplication, no less than duplicating the

-—might have'been represented as already find—
ing its rankling home in the wrestler’s breast.
However, it must answer. Away with him to
the prison-cell that shall likewise be his tomb.’

“ For five days I nursed my painful arm and
the hope of vengeance in the solitary prison-
cave to which the senora’s serpent-malice had
consigned me.

“ On the Sixth day I effected my escape, and
rejoined my fugitive brethren. But. alasl
they were by this time reduced to a pitiful hand-
ful. Shortly after this we separately effected
our escape over the San Salvadorean frontier.

“Years later my wandering and adventurous
life again led me to Honduras.

 

 

 i” ~ 

divine birthinark on my elder twin’s fair cheek'

rbor ljete'ctive‘.

 

4

...,,__.,._._-_.,,,.,,m

“The indomitable Martez was once more at
the top of the revolutionary caldron, or nearly
s

0.

“He was heading a powerful liberal faction'
in an endeavor to get possession of the govern-“
ment, and, what was yet more strange, his wife,-
the senora, had temporarily throw her con-'
versative friends over, and was a partner of his
enterprise.

“ I could never quite understand how the
general had consented to a reconciliation, but
have a general idea that it was brought about
solcly for political motives. At all events,
though they were living in the same palace,
their establishments were otherwise distinct,
and I soon found that their intercourse was con—
fined soler to public occasions.

“ I was once more persuaded to cast my errant
fortunes with the revolutionists, and again be-
came an officer on General Martez’s staff.

“Three days later we we were beaten in a
decisive battle with the Government troops on a.
plain midway between Truxillo and Ccmuygua,
and were once more fugitives and proscribed.

“ However, a considerable force still remained
to us, though our future locked dismal with
difficulties daily thickening around us.

“ It was at this time that General Martez dc-
cided to send away for safe-keeping the jewels
that had been but recently contributed by
numerous wealthy and influential Liberal fami-
lies for the benefit of the cause, until such time
as they might be converted into cash, or re-
turned to their original owners according as
the next turn in the tide of war might deter—

ine.

“ He had become an intimate and appreciative
friend of your grandfather, Captain Marston,
during his exile, and pitched upon him as the
custodian of the treasure. I think his selection
of his wife as the treasure-bearer (under certain
outside and accom anying supPrVIsion that was
trustworthy) was etermined upon, chiefly with
the desire to secure her absence, together with
that of her twins, from Honduras, for he had
evidently never lost a fear of fresh treachery on
her part, and the sons were so much under their
mother’s influence that he had hardly any more
confidence in their profeHSed good faith than in
hers.

“ So it was arranged. You know the rest, or
most of it, Inez.

“ The senora’s vain attempt to obtain the
jewels from your grandfather after they had
been delivered into his custody: her return to
Honduras, leaving the twins to become your
household companions; her subssquent treach-
er , b which her unfortunate husband was, for
a dire; price, betrayed into the hands of hi exe-
cutioners. These are facts already within your
knowledge.

“There is not a great deal for me to add. Be"
fore the senora’s return from her second mission
we had been defeated in a second battle and
hepelessly scattered. Soon after the gallant
general’s death I managed to escape from the
country, never to return. The senora had re-
tired with the proceeds of her treachery to M0-
rona.
“ There she continued to live in rather reduced
splendor, apparently nursing the dream of
sooner or later obtaining possession of the jewel
treasure—whose value was doubtless exaggerat-
ed in her imagination—by fair means or foul.
Her sons, upon their return to Honduras, were
entered into the naval service there, in which I
have learned they chiefly distinguished them-
selves by» careers of lawlessness, insubordina-
tion and crime. But it’s a mighty one-horse
sort of a navy, for that matter. - ,

“Their reappearance here of late, and the
crimes ' that signalized their preSence in New
York are too fresh to ‘be dwelt upon between

us.

“Several years ago I entered the detective
service here, and had already somewhat distin-
guished myself in my specialty when I made
your grandfather‘s ac uaintance. My former
intimacy with General artcz was a further in-
troduction into his good graces.
his friend and confidant. Then came the whirl
of darkness and crime that made me your friend
and counselor.
lover. I feel that our long and stormy quest, is
nearly at an end. Then you will be, my bride,
my wife, in eternal. My story is ended.” ‘ ’ .

He opene wide his arms, and Inez showed
her appreciation of the strange, eventful histi 17
by melting upon his breast. .

“ Tell me one other thing.” she said, at last.

“ What is it?” . ‘

“ Should the senor». succeed in carrying the
treasure away—” , ‘v

“ But she shall not succeedl We shall he be-
forehand with White WltCh,if there isjnstioe
in FrovirlenCe and the old wind—charm m the
Seamew’s white wings?”

“ I said if—”

“ Ah, ardonmel”

“ If she should succeed?’

“Well?” *
“Would she be able to apply their money

value to her own use?”

“with scarcelya doubt. The famfliesthat .
originally contributed the jeweled heirlooms
are no longer in exutence. I think that, with

 

He made me __

Thank God; I am also your- [

 

 

‘NMV W,

 

 

     
    
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 

 

 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 

 

    
  
 
 
 

Rowlock, the Harbor Detective.

 

 

scarcely an exception, they were literally ex-
terminated, root and branch, by the bloody, re-
lentless reprisals following upon that last crush-
ing defeat of the liberal cause in Honduras.”

“ Then if we should obtain possession of the
’ewels?”

“Then they would be ours, or rather yours,
as being a part of your grandfather’s estate,
subject solely to the proofs of other ownership,
in total or in part, being non-existent, accord-
ing as systematic and honorable inquiry might
determine.”

“That was what I wanted to know.” '

It was now late in the afternoon. and at this
'uncture it was announced that little Starlight

ad returned from the dockyard Witha message
for Ensco from Mr. Dago.

 

CHAPTER XXXIX.
PREPARING FOR A LAST EXPEDITION.

Tun messenger was at once admitted, and his
tidings proved to be of the utmost importance.

Mr. Dago was already on his way to the
Astoria anchorage, with the Seamew in perfect
trim.

Mr. Dago would also anxiously await fresh
orders there. and the good northwest wind was
freshening, with indications that it would hold.

Ensco at once arose with an eager look.

“ Hooray i” cried Starlight, wholly unsub-
dued by the unusual splendor of his drawing-
room surroundings. “It’ll be up anchor and
away again. Won’t it, boss?”

The detective gravely nodded.

“ What is your plan?” asked Inez.

“ Undetermined as yet. Shall have to con-
sult with Dago.”

" Well, 1 shall get on my things in no time.”
And she started to quit the room.

“ Hold on! Surely you are not going?”

“Am I not? Then I don’t know in self.”

f‘ Run on down to the landing, tarlight.”
And then, after the boy had disappeared. “I
really have not thought of you accompanying
us dearest.”

1‘ But I have meant it from the first.”

“ There’ll be a heavy swell on, like enough,
down the lower bay.” _

Worse than on the stormy night when I first
began to—to know you?”

He flushed with pleasure.

“ That terrible, yet partly joyful, flrshni ht i”
he muttered. ” No, no; of course not. till,
down Rockaway Reef way, with this freshen-
ing wind l”

“ An ofl-shore one, before which the Seamew
will glance and skim in the moonlight, like one
of her white-feathered namesakes in the wild
wave’s runni wake!” And then her soft
touch was on is arm. “ Besides, when has
lower bay ground-son troubled a tried salt
like me?"

He took her in his arms, gazing lovingly down
into the sweet. brave face.

“ You will have it so?”

“ I shall not sever from you again—even ad-
venture must not separate ,us more i"

“Fresh danger,_ perhaps; I doubt not that the
Ghost maylikemse choose to—night’s low tide
for a like attempt.”

“ Have I ever, shrunk from danger when
shared with on?

“ This is 33 soon upon the shocks you have
sustained—the recent revelation—your new-
found arentsi” _

“ A  and my poor father dying on the
threshold of it alll But that is why 1 must _go
with you.” She dashed aside the springing
tears. “ I would not forget—no, nol bill?
must have change, excitement, and sympathy

,shared’ny you. Oh, Douglass! don’t you under-

stand?
“ Yes,” and he kissed her brow.
make yourself read , in God’s namel’

.rne boat, with ingo and Starlight at the
oars, was _in readiness when they reached the
little landing, and, better than that, the grace-
ful Seamew could already be sighted at her
Astoria omng.

Half an hour later Ensco, Inc and Mr. Dago
were consulting in the yacht’s sa 0011.

m“ 313%. is low-tide at the reef?” demanded

e we.

"‘tfiimhour after midnight,” replied the yacht
on

R And the moon 3”

"‘ T1191! at its meridian.”

“ Had We not better start at once?”

“ There 13 ample time‘, but we are already get-
ting under Way-_ In fact, there was no particu-
lar need 0‘ “fining up here from the dry-dock.
but 11‘ xrgrélcsrgo see how the Seamew would

i ' ’
woffiow does she wgrigpnd repairs.

(5 Beaqlélflflly—tg a charm!”

“ Has 1 occur” ‘0 you that one or two of u

- rudently reconn ‘ - 5
mi N 15%” t b ,)y rim}; by running down

is ' 115 I won t be . .
’11 make the reagegglary. With this
with peril“?s a“ 9‘“ “filmma- hen the re

exam-51 n bus1ness is not yet fun
we, at the beach, and we’ll be like}  er
wgtmsuwseekmg 3“ to ourselves” “7°

“ Go and

.\- l w

by midnight, '

 

“ Unless the Ghost should choose the next low
tide for her opportunity, too.”

Mr. Dago shifted his position a little uneasily
at the table where they were sitting: only look-
ing up to nod his acquiescence to Gaff, who at
that moment looked in to announce that the
yacht was under way.

“ Of course, that has occurred to me,” said he,
afterapause. “But I’ve thought it all over,
and we would have the advantage of that infer-
nal steam-launch in more ways than one, should
we chance to be at cross-purposes with her
again. Of that I feel assured.” _

“ Please explain,” said the detective, while
Inez was no less interested. “How would we
have the advantagei—apart from fighting her
oil at a pinch, I mean, as a matter of course.”

“First, I am satisfied that the Ghost is seri—
ously crippled—too much so to put to sea with
{alhe treasure, even if the latter were secured by

er.

“ I doubt that. The senora would take the
risk, an Way: so that such a thing as our being
foresta] ed must not be thought of.”

“ Well and good. Next, she draws too much
water to get within twenty rods of the reefs,
with safety to herself."

H Ah!”

“ So that she would have to operate with a
small boat, which would necessarily divide her
fighting force in case it should come to blOWS.”

“ A good ointi”

“While t e Seamew, with the center—board
up, can dance like a duck within a biscuit’s toss
o the inner reef, which the Spanish letter indi-
cates as the one containing the buried treasure.”

“ I seel we shall have the advantage, as you

”

{Stillfl’ said Inez, “ let us hope that we shall
not be interrupted. The Ghost as lost some of
its mysterious terrors for me. She looked so
forlorn, and labored so uneasily, when she took
Juan on board this morning, after Vasco’s cap.
ture that she no longer seemed formidable.”

“ There’s intelligence and life in her yet, Miss
Delorme,” said Dago, “and let us not forget
that the terrible senora herself is now the mas-
ter-s irit.”

“ e’re not likely to forget that.” said the
detective; “and for that reason I sincerely hope
we may come at cross-purposes tonight.”

“ You do hope it 1” cried Inez, in surprise.

“ Certainly. Do you not see that such a. meet-
ing may constitute our only remaining 0 por-
tunity for the capture of Juan and his mot er?”

“I do see it now. The are doubtless equally
responsible for the mur ers that took place on
that terrible night.”

“ Let us only capture them, and that will he
left to the courts.” _

He went on deck to find that they were slip-
plt'jlfi easily down the river.

5 wind continued to freshen, and after
passing Governor’s Island, shortl after sun-
set, the gallant Seamewrwas lai upon afree
course, with eve stitch drawing and the water
runnin back un er the rail like a mill-race.

“If t e wind doesn’t shift,” said Mr. Dago,
“we ought to reach our destination by eleven
o’clock. Let us go down to su per.”

Inez, upon returning to t e saloon, found
that an unexpectedly elegant repast had been
provided.

“You are having better living on the Sea-
mew .than I thought," said she, with pleased
sur rise.

r. Dago modest] ex lained that he had on
dered the su per 0 a ashionable down—town
restaurant, fore quitting the dock-yard, in
antiwation of her resence on board.

“. . hat! you r y did look for me in the ex-
pedition?” exclaimed Inez, while the discussion
of the repast was forthwith begun. “That is
more than Mr. Ensco did.”

“ Don’t _be so sure of that,” observed the de-
tective, With a smile. ,

“ What, Sir! did you not try your best to dis.
suade me from going?”

u,Most assuredly, as I was in duty bound to

do.’

“ Well?”

“ But that doesn’t follow that [ had any idea
of your permitting yourself to be dissuaded.”
And he laughed in a way that she could ‘not
take offense at."

0‘ ’Oh, indeed! Well, perhaps I shall know
just how seriouslIy to take you ereafter.”

u But really, nez, I was nothing if not seri-
ous in my attempt ,to dissuade you.” said the
detective, gravely. ‘ But at the same time I
felt almost certain that you would over-ride my
ob'ections, no matter how strongly presented.”

lehen ou must take it for anted that I am
a very willful and headstrong ndividual.”

“ I am ' tial to a strong Will—«in a woman.”

u Even if there be danger of it clashing with
your own?” ”

“That depends'

u Depends on what?” . I

“0” who the woman is, and how much she
may care for me and. I for her.” ‘

She only replied with a pleased look, and then
they both burst out laughing together.

“For my part 1’ said John Dago, uietly. “I
felt pretty sure t 1; M1 Delorme’sa venturous
d. .tion would not fail to demand a share in

\

 

what is likely to prove the crowning ante rise
of our excitin nest. And I could not elp,
moreover, in t ' ing of the old lines in her
connection:

‘ When a woman will. she will,
You may depend on‘t; ,
And when she won‘t, she won't,
And there‘s an end on't.’

Then they all laughed, and so it was in very
confident spirits that they were proceeding upon
this crowning adventure.

But it was destined that all should not be
smooth sailing and fair-weather fortune.

Just outside the Narrows the wind shifted
dead around from northwest to southeast, and
theéilfeforth the Scamew was to have it in her
tee .

It was now past eight o’clock, and, to make
matters worse, the night, prior to moon-rise,
was shutting down extremely dark, with here
and there but an occasional star in the fleeting:
interstices between masses of threatening cloud.

The lower he seemed aimolutely deserted of
all sorts of or t, and even the Gravesend and
Staten Island shore-lights seemed unnaturally
far away, with something unreal and uncertaim
in their twmklings.

“ The devil's in the wind 1” owled Toni Gad;
who was at the wheel. “
to-windward v’yage of it, even fur such a mis-
erable little one-horse run i"

“ It is worse luck than we had a right to ex-
pect,” admitted Mr. Dago. “ But growling
won’t better it.”

Inez, who had also come on deck with Ensco,,
looked a little anxious.

“ Still,” she asked, “ we shall reach the reefs-
in time, shall we not?”

“ Oh, yes, without a doubt, I hope,” replied:
the yacht-captain, cheerfully. “ That is, unless
a r
isn’t at all likely at this season of the year;
or——"

He hesitated.

“ Or what?” demanded the young mistress 
the Seamew. ‘ ,
. “ Or unless something more unforeseen shoulda‘
interfere,” he added, With less ho fulness.

“How provoking you are! on might as
well have answered at once, ‘ Oh, yes, we’re:
bound to get there, Eli—that is, if we don’t I’ ”

Da olaughed. .

“ ell, but candidly, Miss Delorme, can any-
thing better be predicted of almOSt every enter-
prise in which we take the chances?”

“Perhaps not. But you might specify the
‘ something yet more unforeseen" that may
interfere.”

“ There it is now~look i”

It was her lover-detective who spoke, and he!
1v:'a.sdpointing away through the gloom with him

an .

A graceful black craft, with a single red!
lantern, like a bloodsliot eye at her prow, was.
silently forging past them, headed for the opem

sea. .

“ It is the Ghost 1” faltered the young girl,.
instinctively drawing closer to his si .

There was no denying it.

Their witch-like water~enemy was once more:
unmistakably on hand.

 

CHAPTER XL.
nocxawsv nrnr.- “

Ma. DAGO was, however, rubbing his hands”
together after a rather reassuring manner of

his.
“ It is all rightl” he said, softly.» “ It is all'
right enough i” _
‘ It is also well tohave a sanguine disposition,”
observed Inez, a lit! 1e sarcastically. “ Steam
isn’ta bit superior to sails Yin a head-wind, as a‘

matter of course. h, nol’

“You are unnecessarily ironical, Miss Dev .

lorme,” said the ca tain, with his smile-
“ Are you sure 0 that?”
"Quite sure. A mere glance should convince

you that the sea-witch, that has caused us so".

much trouble, is no longer to be greatly
feif‘fi” , a!
at 5 true, interposed the detecti .
studying the receding outline of the Ghosvize";
stern. “Every movement is labored. Thai-sis;
scarcely a trace of the silent ease and fleetnesa
that used to mystin and incense us.” 3
_“Oh. she’s a hopeless cripple, and the devil
himself, though she be his pet craft. couldn't
hel her in a gale. I tell you, it’s all right!"

ere the Seamew went over on her starboard .

tack, the hillocky water seething under her
counter like a cataract.
“But, barring the gale,” said Inez, “won‘t;
she reach the reefs before us?” ,
“Undoubtedly, if she doesn’t blow ii ,” re-
sponded Dago. “ But the tide hurries an
for no man—nor woman, either.”

aresuniption of his satisfied look.

no treasure.” -
“Desperate as the senora must be,” said Ines,

after a reflective pause, “I do not think she! 1
gold t’ry to go out to see, under any W‘
noes.

29'

ks like a reg’lar ,

egular southeast gale should set in, which '

wdtd‘:
“It will be well,” muttered the detective, with l

“ We shall .
have another chance at the Ghost, treasure 01‘~

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 stamped. in blood.

30

."d. aw.“ .

  

to, l ,ii‘f"'nf:..‘~.:‘{iv"‘:\i :* *3: i

\

\

Revilook, the Harbor Detective.

 

 

“ Why not ?”

any regard for the lives of the perhaps innocent

“Do you forget that she has but one twin men with you!”

with her?
listen to a proposition to leave Vasco behind.”

“ I am not so sure of that."

“But, whatever their faults and crimes, the
brothers are devoted to each other.”7

“ Granted But Vasco has still a chance of
escaping conviction.

Even Juan would not, I am certain, ‘

 

A hoarse, snarling laugh was his sole response,
and Juan seemed to give an order to his fol-
lowers without turning his head.

Here was a, surprise.

The two oarsmen suddenly resumed their in—
terrupted stroke, and instantly two other ruf-

Thcre is no tell-tale sap- ‘ flans, heretofore lying concealed under the

ihire-ring, nor yet a pair of mottoed bowie- . thwarts, sprung into view at Juan’s back, armed

l'.l\'PS, to plead directly against him.”

it True),

“ While I am satisfied that the murders of the
Seamew can be swiftly brought home to both
Juan and his mother.”

“ You still have the poison-ring?”

“ Of course.”

“ And the two knives?”

“Yes. Oh, never fearl It is not as if Vasco
were desertin his brother and mother. That
would be like caving them in the jaws of death,
indeed l” _

It seemed that Ensco was to prove right, and
Inez wrong, so for as the intention of|the Ghost
was concerned.

When the Seamew came within View of the
reefs at about midnight, with a stormy moon to
light up the scene, the steam-yacht was waiting
0 the outer line, but with everything snug,
and a general aspect of being ready for sea.

The Seamew was enabled, by her light
draught, to obtain an inside position, and pre—
sently took in sail and came to anchor close to
where the boiling and frothin water indicated
the presence of the second ree , still submerged,

in whose pocket the jewel-treasure was said to ‘

be buried.

The last of the ebb was hurrying out, and the
two vessels, about a hundre rods apart, had
the appearance of silently and jealously watch—
ing each other like animate and wary water-
beasts of prey, each intent upon some antici-
pated quarry, and equally determined to fore-
stall the other in the critical spring.

There was not a sign of life on the adjacent
beach, ordinarily by day and evening the resort
of pleasure-seeking throngs a little later in the
season.

Neither was there the glimmer of a ship-light
far and near, other than was displayed by the
rival vessels.

Above was the storm scud of the flyin rack,
with the haggard moon running at hi e-and-
seok from rift to rift like a hunted thing; below
and around nothing but the loneliness, the soli-
tude and the save cry of sea and sand.

But Ensco and ago had quietly formulated

' their plan of operation with the utmost confi-

dcnce.

Scarcely did the unquiet water over the inner
reef give indications of material] shallowin
before the detective, accompanied y Gaff an
Jones, were overboard, kneedeep in brine, and
spade in hand.

. True. just then, the Ghost’s small boat, con-
taining three men—in itself a confession of the
weakness of the senora’s force—was seen to put
off, and begin to round the outer ed 9 of the
outlying reef with the intention of isputing
the digging claim, so to s k.

But a moment later, t e Seamew’s pinnace.
with Mr. Dago himself at the helm her small
sail fluttering in the strong wind, little Starlight
in the waist, and the giant form of Mingo at the
prow, slanted out from under the yacht’s quar-
ter, heading away to round the inner point of
the same obstruction, and thus cut of! communi-
cation between the steam-yacht and her boat.

Inez, who was left alone on the Seamew, took
up a position, revolver in hand, by which she
could command the entire scene, and anxiously
awaited developments.

Presently she uttered a satisfied exclamation.

The Ghost’s boat, after a hesitating pause

" upon perceiving the countering tactics that

were being made manifest, at length continued
her course for the shallowing ledge. on which
the tide-water was by this time less than ankle
deep; while the innace, upon her part skimmed
away toward t e steamer, which, if all went
well, would ere long experience such a disabling

' ' torpedoshock under her sternpost as would put

an end to her seavgoing dreams indefinite] .
It was’nn intensely dramatic and exciting sit-

 uation, especially for the on-looking Inez.

Her eyes were still following the pinnace,

" when Ensco’s shout of warning almost under
‘ the

acht’s rail caused her to hurry thither
andkook over, though crouching behind the bul-
war

The water had entirely receded from the reef,
and both Gaff and Jones were diggingin the
sand as if for dear life, while the detective, his
feet still washed by the retreating waves, was
standing guard over them and holding of! the

V 'Ghost’s boat, now but a cable’s length away,

revolver in hand.
.Itwas Juan Martez himselfwhowas at the

bow.
Inez could plainly distinguish the d rate
ness of his wild face in the moonlight, his
k e es ablaze with reckless domination
the rud y arrow standing out on his check as if

“Once more, Juan Mai-tea,” called out the

 

~detective, “ I warn you to stand ofl, ifyou have "

to the teeth.

Though taken aback somewhat, the detective
fired on the instant, bringing one of the men
heavily down over the gunwale; but as the boat
bounded forward, a second attempt, with equal-
ly fatal intention, was a miss—fire.

Juan burst into his hoarse laugh again, and
with his revolver, drew a point-blank bead upon
the Harbor Detective’s heart at less than six re-
maining yards.

Inez uttered a scream, and, leveling her small
revolver, fired almost at random.

J uan’s pistol-hand fell helpless to his side with
a broken wrist.

But at that instant the boat grounded high up
on the reef.

Followed pell-mell by his three remaining fol—
lowers, Juan, with his revolver in his left hand,
was out in 9. tries. and, while the detective was
suddenly beset by odds, the young Honduran
made a desperate attack upon Gafl.’ and J ones,
who had 'ust succeeded in unearthing a steel-
bound cas at, about a foot square, whose bur—
nished hoops or guards glistened brightly in the
moonlight.

It was the jewel—chest, and for a moment
there was a wild and desperate struggle for its
possession.

But Inez succeeded in getting in another shot,
that dashed aside J uan’s revolver just as it was
pressed against Gail‘s ear, causing the shot to
explode harmless! ; and this enabled both Get}!
and Jones to fig t with their spades, while the
second of the two armed men, who had so sud-
denly sprun into view, staggered back, with
an ounce—bal from the detective’s six-shooter in
his side.

Almost at the same time, however, a second
left-handed essay on the part of Juan was suc-
cessful, and Jones was down on his hands and
knees, directly over the treasure-box, with the
blood Spurting over it from a deep wound in the
shoulder.

Then Gaff began to play his‘ spade u on the
detective’s two remaining assailants, wh is both
Eusco and Juan simultaneously grasped the
chest at either end.

“ Hold onto it, Douglass l” screamed Inez, half-
beside herself with excitement, and she was al-
ready half over the yacht’s side. “ I». am com-
ing to your aid 1”

he then lost her footing and pitched forward,
fallin partly in the water and part1 on the
sand, ut none the less firing her revo ver once
more as she went down.

Juan started back, dropping his end of the
chest, and uttering a soar of pain while press-
ing his hand to his side, where the bullet had
glanced from a rib after inflicting a dangerous
flesh wound. -

The next instant the detective had sprun
upon him like a , er, while Inez, who he

uickly scrambled to er feet, grasped the chest,
agged it from under Jones’s prostrate form,
and then, a final exertion of all her strength,
lifted it up in her arms, and hoisted it up over
the rail upon the Seamew’s deck. ‘

Just then, however, Ensco unfortunately
mapped a random ‘ blow from an oar in the
hands of one of his original‘assailants, and stag-
gered back, relinquishing his grasp upon Juan.

Here there came the sound of firing, mingled
with furious cries in a woman’s voice, from the
direction of the steam-launch.

“ Ali’s lost !" cried Juan, after giving one wild
look. " Quick, there, you two.”

And he forthwith scrambled back into the
boat, after pushing her 011'.

 

CHAPTER XLI.
“LAST SCENE or ALL."

Gm had also been momentarilybeaten back,
so that his two opponents were enabled, though
both were bruised and bleeding, to obey their
young master’s order.

In another moment the boat was hurriedly
rounding out, to return to the Ghost, With Juan
and his two remaining ruffians on board, and
the form of the dead one still hanging limply
over the gunwale.

The roof had been held, and the treasure-chest
was wonl

Ensco sent a last bullet after the boat, which
caused the strokeoarsman to thr0w up his
hands with a yell, and then turned to clasp Inez
in his arms, regardless of the fact that Gaff was
looking on. ‘

“Noble woman! but for you weshould have
been overpowered,” was all he could say.

Then, Inez assisting J ones was helped up over
the yacht’a side, and all were once more on the
Seamew’s deck, with the dearly-bought treasure
at their feet; '

\

 

mt ‘
,.

 

“I’m “9"” Pafofll‘ffiofd mr-Hyins‘.

  

f‘ I {,eel better already. How is the pinnace do-
In ‘ .

ut Inez insisted on ministerin to his hurt
then and there, though occasiona y looking u
to follow the eyes of Ensco and Gaff, whic
were directed to the exciting scene going on in
the vicinity of the Ghost.

This may be briefly described.
The pinnace had come to a
rectly under her counter, and in 0 was crouch-
ing behind a heavy plank which e had raised
as a shield against a succession of shots that
were being poured out rnd down from over the
steamer’s taffrail by the Senora and her remain-
ing crew, four in number, she herself being con—
s icuous by her fierce cries, while Dago and

tarlight, somewhat similarly protected by a
raised plank, were managing the boat to the
best of their ability, and Occasionally responding
with a shot or two.

At length Juan and his two men were seen to
reach and be helped up over the Ghost’s side.

At that same moment, however, the Seamew’s
pinnace, caught a fortunate pull in her sail,
and was seen to dart under the overhang of the
Ghost’s stern.

Then there was a second pause, during which
Mingo was dimly seen to reach out toward the
stem-post with something dark and heavy in
his hands.

He was cmpt -hand a moment later, when the
pinnace sheere oif and was away again, like a.
storm-bird on the wing. ,

The senora, with the tempestuous hood of her
midnight hair streaming in the wmd, was seen
to wave her followers to the opposite side of the
poop for a resumption of the firing upon the fly-
ing pinnace. ‘

Then there was a flash under the steam-
yacht’s counter, followed by an explosion.

The entire stern seemed to be hurled high in
the air, and the sea was torn piecemeal in its
vicinity.

“ Heavens!" exclaimed Ensco; “that is more
than we intended. See! instead of merely the
rudder and the screw, half the entire stem is
ripped out of her.”

And Gaff and he at once began hoisting the
anchor and getting the Seamew under way.

“ Oh, it is worse than that i" cried Inez who
had by this time succeeded in making Jones a
good-deal more comfortable. “ Look! the
Ghost is on fire!”

This was true.

By the time the Seamew had rounded out
from between the reefs and taken her pinnace
and crew on board, domes were darting out
from many parts of the steam-yacht. _

" That’s the last of her 1” shouted the detective.
“ Lay up as close as possible, Dago. There’s yet
a chance of our savin some one, and Juan and
his mother may yet ta e to the small boat.”

This was accordingly done, though thepaptain
shook his head, and the pinnace was again made

use almost di-

read .

Bu’t the Ghost must have had a magazine con-
tainin considerable material,_ for a moment
later t ere was a terrific exploswn from some-
where amidships, and she seemed to be literally
torn in halves engthwise. ' _ \

The darkness was sown w1th flying fragments
of burning material, inte rsed with heavier
(ggjects, probably the mutilated forms of human

in

Orig: of these fell with a dull splash close under
the bow of the Seamew.

It was the dead body of Juan Martez, the elder
of the demon-twins.

,It floated fora moment, with its blackened, .

distorted face, still bearing a sort of defiant men-
ace in death, and was then borne rapidly away
by the tail—end of the ebbtide.

Inez had seen it, and she fell on her knees be-
hind the rail. burying her face in her hands.

A shout of mingled satisfaction and horror
from her companions caused her to raise her
head and look again in obedience to a species of
fascination.

The last reco izable fragment of thevdoomcd
steam-yacht, w ich comprised the greater part
of her after cabin, wreathed in- flames, was drift-
in out to soa.

its fiery center‘was the terrible Senorina , -
Zarapatta, twined round by her pet serpents,, 4 ~ *'

awfully beautiful, ap ' llin ly defiant to the last,
her hair in the win , her _
out toward her pursueis in the attitude of an
undying curse.

There came a. fierce gust of the wind, a sort of

whirling eddy. and she disappeared in a curtain
of fire, to be known of man no more, _save as a
smoldering, rapidly fading spot, tossing afar
on the bosom of the 0011:1'111111111 tide. V

“ Terriblein life, terrible in atb!” exclaimed
Rowlock Ensoo, in a. solemn and im ve
voice. “ The world has seldom, if ever held a
more dangerous and wicked woman than she

who has gone to her frightful doom. May her .

future reward be such as is her due, no more, no
less!” '
Inezhad fainted. '
When shereoovered shown: alone in the .-
Icon of the Seamew with her lover.
The latter, while watching her restoration,
had bar-ed his right arm. , .3 
Now, catching'her glance, be. gazed r ,‘ n ; I

x;

 ‘ M". (.«.M'!“~l‘: i‘m:i~‘$"'~~ J"

 

 

arms stretched:

 

    
   
       
 

 

 

 

 
   
 
 
 
 

Rowlook, the Harbor Detective.

31'

 

upon the emblem thereon tattooed, with a satis-
fied smile that was sufficiently Significant to
her.

 

CHAPTER XLII.
CONCLUSION. _

THE murder-mystery of the yacht Seamew

was finally unraveled, though the erpetrators
of the crime were never brought to Justice in the
le a1 sense of the term. . _
O days after the tragical circumstances not
the host 5 destruction were made public, w ith
such sensational accompaniment as can be readi-
ly imagined, Vasco Martez was found .dead in
his prison-cell, the victim of a self-inflicted
wound. ‘

The suicide occasioned general surprise, as the
young man had been in his usual reckless high
5 irits up to the last that had been seen of him
a ive, and he had already secured eminent legal
defenders in the criminal hue.

But there was no longer any surprise when it
was found that he had left a written confession,
which was Speedin made public. '

In this confession he plain] stated that his
brother Juan, with five ruflian y followers, had
accomplished the murder of Captain Grant;
Marston, his second oificer and steward, to-
gether with the robbery of the jewel-treasure,
:and that the senorina had directly instigated
the crime. . i

There was yet other matter embodied in the
confession, the nature of which is not relevant.

It seemed that Vasco had really lost heart com-
pletely, on being informed of the terrible

.doom that had overtaken his mother and

brother, and had then predetermined his suicide,

.even while keeping up an outward show of

bravado and high spirits. I

Inez and Ensco were married on the Fourth of
July following. I _

They are now traveling in Europe, accom-
panied by Mrs. Delorme, who, 1D. the sunshine of
rehabilitated fortunes and a tender daughter’s
love, is once more knowing something of happi»
ness and joy. ‘

The gallant Seamew and her crew—including
Sailor Jones, who speedily recovered from his
weimd; Mingo, whose giant strength is still the
wonder of harbor and river men and little Star-
light, whose future is secure if Inez and Ensco
can make it so—are yet here and there in New
York waters, awaiting for whatever orders may
be forthcoming from Skipper Inez, as honest
John Dago insists in speaking of the Froprietress.

The origin of the strange steam- aunch, that
has figured so prominently throughout our story,
has never been determined, and she carried the
secret to her grave. _ ' I

Negotiations are still geing on for the discov-
ery of the original owners of the contents of the
jewel-chest, but without much success; and the
probability is that the gems—said to be worth a

v uarter of a million—will ultimately bedeclared

t e To of Inez.
Bgt t are is one heirloom that will doubtless

I 'be treasured as a strange and valuable curiosity

by both Ensco and his wife. _ _ '

It is a. diamond-girt sagfihire, in unique setting.
and the poison-secret Of e tiny blade that 13 its
occult property must ever remain a souvenir of
the perils and escapes that were hazarded in or-
der to bring its companion-jewels of the stolen
casket to light, When the fair young girl herself
became the fairest gem in the reward vouchsafed
to Rowlock Ensco, the whilom Harbor Detective.

 

Beadle’s _D_irpe Library.

   
  
  

2 THE DARE-DEVIL. y Col. P. In raham
8 KIT CARSON, JR. By Buckskin m
4 THE KIDNAPPER. ByaPhilig S. Warn
.5 THE FIRE FIENDs. y A. . Morris.  .
6 WILDCAT BOB. By Edward L. Wheeler.
7 DEATH-NOTCH. TIIE DEsTROYER. 011 GOOD}
8 THE HEADLEss HoRsEMAN. By Mayne Reid...
9 HANDY ANDY. By Samuel Lover. .   1
10 VIDOCQ, THE FRENCH POLICE SPY. B himself. 10c
11 MmsHIPMAN EASY. By Capt. Marya t . . 10
12 THE DEATH-SHOT. B Capt. Mayne Reid.
‘18 PATHAWAY. By Dr. . H. Robinson.  ‘ , 10c
14 THAYENDANECEA, THE SCOURGE. Ned Buntlme. 10c

  

YER. B GustaveAJmard.... . 00

l5 T“ Wfissilifimn. By Ned Buntli'ne. .. .. 10c

' 17 NIonTsnADE. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. .. .. 10c
16 THE SEA BANDIT. By Ned Bunthne.. . 10c

19 RED CEDAR. By Gustave Aimard . . . . . . . . . .  100
20 THE BANDIT AT BAY. By Gustave Aimard... 10c
21 THETRAPPEn’s DAUGHTER. GilstaveAimard . 10c
22 WmTELAw. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. .. .10c
23 THEE-ID WARRIOR. By Ned Buntline . . . . . .. 100

‘24 THE PRAIRIE FLOWER. By Gustave Aimardl 10c

25 Tan GOLD GUIDE. By Francis Johnson ..... ... 10¢
‘35 T“ D . Francis Johnson . . 10c

29 TIGEEDICK. THE FARO KING. P. s. a e...100
30, GOSPEL GEORGE. By ngph E. Haggai-fir .. 10°
81 THE Niw YORK SHARP. yAlbert .Aikenu 100
mBHomorlALE. ByJolmD.Vose' . . . . . ... 10c
330mm. ByAlbenW.A1ken . . . . ...10c
34 ROCKY MOUNTAIN Ros. By Albert W. Aiken. 10c
35 KKNTUCK, THE SPORT. By Albert W. Aiken. 10c
an INJUN DICK. ByAlbei-t W. Aiken  ..... .... 10c
37 Km. Tin Harmon. ByJ.H. Robinson....10c

.

 

‘40 THE LONG HAIRED ‘ PARDs.‘

 

.158 THE DOOMED 1.10an. By

 

164 THE KING’S I. By C. D. Clark

88 VELVET HAND. By Albert W. Aiken.  . .. 100
39 THE RussIAN SPY. By Frederick Whittaker. 100
E. Badger, Jr.. 100
41 COLD DAN. By Albert W. Aiken. . . . . . . . . . .. 10c
42 THE CALIFORNIA DETECTIVE. A. W. Aiken. . .. 10c
43 DAKOTA DAN. By Oil Coomes . .  ..
44 OLD DAN RACKBACK. By 011 Coomes. , . .
45 OLD BULL’s EYE. Bv Jos. E. Badger, Jr
46 BOWIE-KNIEE BEN. y 01] Coonies .
47 PACIFIC PETE. BV Jos E. Badger, Jr
48 IDAHO TOM. By Oil Coomes.
49 THE WOLF DEMON. Byi Albert W. Aiken.
50 JACK RABBIT. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr . .
51 RED Ron, THE BOY ROAD-AGENT. Oll Coomes.. 100
52 DEATH TRAILER. By Wm. F. Cody . . . . . . . . . . .. 10c
53 SILVER SAM. By Col. Deiie Sara . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 10c
54 ALWAYS ON HAND. Bv Philip S. Warne . . . . .. 100
55 THE SCALP HUNTER-i. B Ca t. Ma no Reid... 10c
56 THE INDIAN MAZEPPA. _ VA ertV . Aiken... 10c
57 THE SILENT HUNTER. By Percy B. St. John... 100
58 SILVER KNIFE. By Dr. J. H. obinson . . . . . .. 10c
59 THE MAN FROM TEXAS. By Albert W. Aiken. 100
60 WIDE AWAKE. By Frank Dumont . . . . . . . . .  100
61 CAPTAIN SEAWAIE. B Ned Buntline . . . . . . . . .. 10c
62 LOYAL HEART. By ustave Aimard,.  . . .. 10(-
63 THE WINGED WHALE. By Albert W. Aiken.... 100
64 DOUBLE SIGHT. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. .. . . ,.
65 THE RED RAJAH. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. 10c
66 THE SPECTER BARQUE. By Ca t. Mayne Reid... 10c
67 THE BOY JOCKEY. By Josep i E. Badger, Jr... 100
68 THE FIGHTING TRAPPER. By J. F. C. Adams. 10c
69 THE IRISH CAETAIN. B Capt. F. Whittaker. 100
70 HYDRAEAD. y Dr. J. , . Robinson . . . . . . . . .. 10c
71 CAPTAIN COOL BLADE. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.. 10c
72 THE PHANTOM HAND. By Albert W. Aiken. . 100
73 THE KNIGHT OF THE RED CRoss. By Dr. J.

H. Robinson . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . ... 100
74 CAPTAIN OF THE RIFLES. Capt. Mayne Reid. 100
75 GENTLEMAN GEORGE. By Albert W. Aiken... 10c
76 THE %UEEN’S MUsKETEERs. By Geo. Albany. 100
77 THE DESK OF FRISCO. By Albert W. Aiken.. 10c
78 THE MYSTERIOUS SPY. By A. M. Grainger.. .. 10c
79 JOE PHENIX; By Albert W. Aiken ..  10c
80 A MAN OE NERVE. By Philip S. Warne .... .. 10c
81 THE HUMAN TIGER. By Albert W. Aiken. 10c
82 IRON WRIST. By 001. Thomas H. Monstery.. 100
83 GOLD BULLET SPORT. By Buffalo Bill .. . ..
84 HUNTED DOWN. By Albert W. Aiken  ., 10c
85 THE CRETAN ROVER. By Col. P. Ingraham  100
86 THE BIG HUNTER. Author of 5‘Silent Hunter." 10c
87 THE SCARLET CAPTAIN. By Col. Delle Sara... .. 100

     
  
  

 

88 BIG GEORGE. By Jose h .Bad or, Jr . . . . . .. 10c
80 THE PIRATE PRINCE. v Col. P. ngraham.. .. 10c
90 WILD WILL. By Buckskin Sam . . . . . . . . . . . .. 10c
91 THE WINNING OAR. By Albert W. Aiken. .. 10c

92 BUFFALO BILL. By Major Dangerfield Burr .. 10c
93 CAPTAIN DICK TALBOT. By Albert W. Aiken. 10c
94 FREELANCE, THE BUCCANEER. By Inzrahain . 100
95 AzHORT, THE AKMAN. By Anthony P. Morris. 10c
96 DOUBLE DEATH. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. 10c

 

 

97 Dawn: JACK. By Albert W. Aiken . . , 10c
98 THE ROCK RIDER. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 10c
99 THE GIANT RIULEMAN. By Oil Coomes . . 10c
100 THE FRENCH SPY. Morri 0c

13 A. P. s . . . . . . ..7 1
101 THE MAN FROM NEW Hoax. By A. W. Aiken. 100
102 THE MASKED BAND. By George L. Aiken .. 10c
108 MERLE. THE MUTINEER. Col. P. Ingraham.. Inc
104 MONTEZUMA, TEE MERCILEss. By Ingraham. 10c
105 DAN BROWN or DENVER. B Jos. E. Badger.. 10c
106 SHAMUE O’BRIEN. By Col. elle Sara . .  10c
107 RICHARD TALBOT 0F CINNABAR. BV Aiken. .. 100
108 THE DUKE or DIAMONDs. By Fred.Wliittaker. 100
109 G Am KYD. By Col. Prentiss Ingrath . 100
110 SILENT RIFLEMAN Bv H. W. Herbert . 10c
111 THE SMUGGLER CAPTAIN. By Ned Buntline.. 10c
112 JOE PHEN‘IX, PRIVATE DETECTIVE. By Aiken. 100
113 THE SEA SLIPPER. By Prof. J. H. Ingraham. 10c
111 THE GENTLEMAN FROM PIKE. By P. S. Warns 10c
115 THE SEVERED HEAD. Bv Cant. F.Whittaker. 10c
116 BLACK PLUME. THE DEVILOE THE SEA. By Col.
P. Ingraham  .. .. .. 100
117 DAsHINo DANDY. By Major Dangerfield Burr. 10c
118 THE BURGLAR CAPTAIN. By J. H. Ingraham. 100
119 ALABAMA JOE. By Joseph E. Bad er, Jr.... 100
120 THE TEKAN SPY. By Newton M. rtis. . 10c
121 THE SEA CADET. Bv Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 10c
122 SAUL SABEERDAY. By Ned Buntliue  . 10c
128 ALAPAHA, THE SQUAW. By Francis Johnson. 10c
124 AssOWAUM. THE AVENGE'R. Francis Johnson. 10c
125 THE BLACKsMITH OUTLAW. By H. Ainsworth. 100
126 TREDEMON DUELIsT. By 001. T. H. Monstery. 100
127 SOL SCOTT. THE MAsKED MINER. By Badger. 10c
128 THE CHEVALIER CORsAIR. By the author of
“Merle, the Mutineer," . .
129 MississIPrI Moss. By‘Edward Willett. .  10c
130 CAPTAIN VOLCANO. By Albert W. Aiken. .. .. 10c
131 BUCKsKIN SAM. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.. 100
132 NEMo. KING on THE TRAMPs. By Capt. Fred.
Whittaker... .. ..  ... 10c
133 BODY, THE ROVER By William Carleton... 10c
134 DARKIE DAN. By 001. Prentiss Ingraham. 10c
135 THE BUSH RANGER. By Francis Johnson... 100
1315 THE OUTLAW-HUNTER. By Francis Johnson. 10c
137 LONG BEARD, THE GIANT SPY. By 011 Coomes. 100
138 THE BORDER BANDITs. By Francis Johnson. No
139 FIRE-EYE, THE SEA HYENA. By Ingraham 100
140 THE THREE SPANIARDs. By George Walker.. 100
141 EQUINOX TOM. By Joseph E. Badger, r.... 100
142 CAPTAIN CRIMsON. By Major Dan erflel Burr 10c
143 THE CzAR‘s SPY. By Thos. H. onstery.... 10c
144 HUNOIIDACK or NOTRE-DAME. Victor Hug
145 PIsTOL PARDs. By Wm. R. E ster . .
140 THE DOCTOR DETECTIVE. By eorge Lemuel 10c
147 GOLD SPUR. By Col. Prentiss lngraham. .. 013
148 ONE-ARMED ALE. Coomes . 100
149 THE BORDER RIFLES. By Gustave Aimard.. 10c
150 EL RUDIO BRAVO, THE INC on THE SWORD-
MEN. By 001. Thomas Bayer Monstery. .. . 100
151 THE FREEBOOTERs. B ustave Aimard.... 10c
152 CAPTAIN IRONNERVE. , v Marmaduke Dey . 100
153 THE WHITE SOALPER. By Gustave Aimard. 10c
154 JOAQUIN,THE SADDLE KING. ByJ. E. Badger. me
155 THE COEsAIR QUEEN. By 001. P. Ingraham. 100
156 VELVET FACE. By Major Dangerfield Burr. 100
157 MOURAD THE MAMELUKE. By Col. Thomas

Hoyer Monste . . . . . .. . 10c
Dr. Frank Powell... 10c
By Ca t. Fred’k Whittaker.. 100

  

159 BED RUDIOER.

1110 Son HAND. SHARP. William R. sten. 10c
161 THE WOLVES or NEW YORK. A.W. iken. 10c
62 MAD MARINER. By 001. . Ingraham . 100

158 BIN BRION, THE TRAer CAPTAIN; or RED-
PATH. THE AVENEER. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. 

{r I ,. I I r.

 

' :

 

 

‘ivm - .. I

165 JOAQUIN, THE TERRIBLE. By Jos. E. Badger. 10c
166 OWLET, THE RosDER PRINCE. By Septimus
R.Urban   ..  10c
167 THE MAN or STEEL. B A. P. Morris. . .. Inc
168 WILD BILL, THE PISTOL EAD SHOT. By Col.
Pi-entissln chem. .   
169 CORPORAL ANNON. By Col. Monstery . . . . .. 10c
170 SWEET WILLIAM. By Jos. E. Badger, JI-  10c
171 TIGER DICK. THE MAN on THE IRON HEART.
By Philip S. Wame. . .
172 THE BLACK PIRATE. By Col. Ingrnliam.
173 CALIFORNIA JOHN. B Albert W. Aiken.. ..
174 PHANTOM KNIGHTs.  Capt. F. Whittake ..
‘ARU.

  

 

175 WILD BILL’s TRUMP By Major BuiT. 10c
176 LADY JAGUAR. By Capt.MaI-k Wilton. .. ICC
177 DON DIABLO. By Col. Prentiss lngra‘ham. 100

178 DARK Dasnw con. By Major S. S. Hall. .. 100
179 CONRAD, THE CONVICT. Prof. S. Gildersleeve, 10c
180 OLD ’49. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.. , 1
181 THE SCARLET SCHOONER. By Col. Ingrah
182 HANDS UP. 
183 GILBERT, THE IDE. By C. Dunning Clark. 10c
184 THE OCEAN VAMPIRE. By Col. P. Ingraham. 10c
185 MAN SPIDER. By A. P. Morris ..  .. 100
186 THE BLACK BRAVO. By Buckskin Sam. .  10c
187 THE DEATH‘s-HEAD CUIRAssIEEs. Whittaker. 100
188 PHANTOM MAzEPPA. Major Dangeifleld Burr. 10c
189 WILD BILL’s GOLD TRAIL. By P. Ingraham. [Do
190 THE THREE GUARDsMEN. By Alex. Dumas.. 100
191 THE TERRIBLE TONKAWAY. By Buckskin Sam. 10c
192 THE LIGHTNING SPORT. By Wm. B. Eyster. 10c
193 THE MAN IN RED. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 100
194 DON SOMBRERO By Captain Mark Wilton . 10c
195 THE LONESTAR GAMELEII. B Buckskin Sam. 100
196 LA’ MARMosET. BV Albert . Aiken...  me
197 REVOLVER ROB. By Joseph E. Badger. Jr... 100
198 THE SKELETON SCIIOONEII. By P. Ingraham. 10c
199 DIAMOND DICK. By Buckskin Sam. .. . '
200 THE RIFLE RANGERS. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 10c
201 THE PIRATE on THE PLACERs. B Badger. 10c.
202 CACTUS JACK. By Captain Mark 1 "ilton.... 100
203 THE DOUBLE DETECTIVE. By A. W. Aiken.. 10c
204 BIG FOOT WALLACE. By Buckskin Sam.  10c
205 THE Cinema PIRATE. By (‘01. P.1ngi‘aham. 10c
206 ONE EYE. THE CANNONEER._ By \\‘liittaker.. 10c
20? OLD HARD HEAD. .1! Philip S.Wdrne...  100
208 Tim WHITE CHIEF. y Ca t. Mayne Reid. 1013
209 BUCK FARLEY. IyEdwar Willem... 
210 BUCCANEER BESS. By Prentiss Inciahnm... 10c
211 THE UNKNOWN SPORT I‘y Capt. Whittaker. 10c '
2 2 THE BRAzos TIGERS By Buc skin Sam. . 100
213 THE AR TRAIL. By Captain‘Mayne Reid. 100'
214 THE Two COOL SPORTs. B Vim. R. Eyster. 10c
215 Rumor: JIM. By Captain
216 THE CORSAIR PLANTER. By (‘01. Ineraham. 10c ’
217 THE SERDENT or EL PAso By Buckskin Sam. 100
218 THE-WILD HUNTREss. By Capt.liiayne Reid. 1110
219 THE SCORPION BROTHERs. B Us I. Wilton. ICC
220 THE SPECTER YACHT. By (.0 . P. graham. 10c
221 DESPERATE DUKE. By Buckskin Sam. 100
222 BILL. THE BLIzzARD.
223 CANYON DAVE. By Ca Iain Mark Wilton  100
224 BLACK BEARD. By CO . Prentiss Ingraham.. 10c
225 ROCKY MOUNTAIN AL. By Buckskin  10c
220 MAD HussARs.
227 BncKsnoT BEN. aptain Mark Wilton. 100
228 THE MAROON. By apt. Maylilie Reid ...... .. 10c r
229 CAPTAIN CUTsLEEvn. By W lam R. Eyster. 16c .
280 THE FLYING DUTCHMAN or 1880.. By Capt.
Frederick Whittaker

  

B8; Wm. B. Eyster ' 100
U

.  .. 10¢: .
231 THE Km GLOVE MINER. By Col. Ingraham. 100 , -

282 OBSON Oxx. THE MAN or IRON. By Isaac
Hawks, Ex-Detective  .   me

233  OLDJ BOY or TOMBBTONE. By Joseph E.

a Ker, r. . ..   
234 THE HUNTERs’ BEAM. 13 Capt. Mayne Reid. 100
235 BED LIGHTNING, THE AN on CHANCE. By
ColonelPrentiss Ingraham... ..... . . . . . .. 10c
236 CHAMPION SAM. By Col. Thos. H. Monster-y. 101:
237 LONG-HAIRED MAX. B Capt. Mark Wilton. 100
2‘18 HANK ROUND. By A. .Mori'is.. . ..  100
239 THE TERRIBLE TRIO. By Buckskin Sam. . .. ' 100
210 A COOL HEAD. B Isaac Hawks. .. 100

241 SPITF‘IRE SAUL. Jos. E. Badger Jr.::::'.. me
242 THE FOG DEVIL. y Capt. Fred. Whittaker. $3
243 THE PILGRIM SHARP. B Buffalo Bill ..... .. I '

244 MERCILEss MART. By uckskin Sam. .... .. 10c
215 FARRANCA FILL. By Cagt. Mark Wilton 10c,
246 QUEEN HELEN. BV Col. rentiss Ingraham. 100',
247 ALLIGATOR IKE. . Capt. Fred. Whittaker. 10c
248 MONTANA NAT. By Edward Willett. . . 10::
219 ELEPHANT TOM. By Jos. E. Badger. Jr.. . .
250 THE ROUGH RIDERS. By Buckskin Sam. .. ‘
251 TIGER DICK vs. IRON DEsrARD. By Warns.
252 THE WALL STREET BLOOD. By A. W. Aiken.
258 AYANKEE COSEACKL By Ca t. F. Whittaker.
254 GIANT JAKE. By Newton .Cui'tis. .  1
255 THE PIRATE PRIEsT. By Col. P. Ingraham.
256 DOUBLE DAN. THE DAsTARD. Buckskin Sam.
257 DEATH-TRAP DIGGINGs. Iiy Jos. E..Badgor.
258 BULLET HEAD. By Ca tam Mark Wilton. 
259 CUTLAss AND CRoss. y Col. P. Ingraham.
260 THE MAsKED MYSTERY. By A. P. Morris. ..
261 BLACK SAM. By Colonel JO Yards .......... . .
202 FIGHTING TOM. By Col. T. H. Monste 
263 IRON'ARMED ADE. By Capt. Mark “‘1 ton...
204 THE CROOKED THREE. B Buckskin Sam...
265 OLD DOUBLE-SWORD. By a t. F. Whittaker.
266 LEOPARD LUKE. By Capta in Mark Wiltonu. 1
267 THE WHITE SQUAW. y Capt. Mayne Reid.
268 MAGIC MIKE. By W 1am R. Evster . . . . . .. 1
269 THE BAYOU BRAvO. By Buckskin Sam ..
270 ANDRos. THE FREE ROVER. B Ned Buntline.
271 STONEEIST, OE BIG NUCOET END. By Ca .
MarkWilton..... .. ..  
272 SETH SLOCUM. By Ca tam Fred. Whittaker.
273 MOUNTAIN MosE. ckskin Sam.. ,.
274 FLUSH FRED. By E ward Willett.. .
275 THE SMUGGLER CUTTER. BVJ. D. Oonro ..
276 TEXAs CHICK. Bv Captain Mark Wilton.... 10o
277 THE SAUCY JANE, PRIvAmn. By Capt. Fred. ’~
Whittaker.  . ..  . . . . . ..
278 HERCULEs GOLDst By 011%. H. Holmes,
9279 THE GOLD-DRAGON. By Wm. .Manning
280 BLACK-Hose BEN. Philip S.  .

  

101:
106
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100
100
00
100
100
10c
100
100
106
l8:
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100
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100
106
10c
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100
10c
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2

1 inc

1281 THE SEA Om... By 01. Prentiss Ingrahmn. 10c-7 >

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B'EADLE’saeDIMEaeflBRARY.

Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers.

 

AA

BY COL. PREN’I‘ISS INGBAHAM.

2 The Dare Devil; or, The Winged Sea Witch.

85 The Cretan Rover; or, Zuieikah the Beautiful.

89 The Pirate Prince; or. The Queen ‘of the Isle.

94 Freelance. the Buccaneer.

103 Merle, the Mutineer; or. The Red Anchor Brand.
104 Montezuma. the Merciless.

109 CaptainKyd. the King of the Black Flag.

110 Black Plume; or. The Sorceress of Hell Gate.
121 The Sea Cadet; or, The Rover of the Rigoletts.
128 The Chevalier Corsair; or The Heritage.
131 Buckskin Sam. the Texas Trailer.
184 Darkey Dan, the Colored Detective.
189 Fire E e; or. The Bride of a Buccaneer.
147 Gold pur. the Gentleman from Texas.
155 The Corsair Queen: or. The Gypsies of the Sea.
162 The Mad Mariner; or. Dishonored and Disowned
168 Wild Bill. the Pistol Dead Shot.
172 Black Pirate; or. The Golden Fetters Mystery.
177 Don Diablo, the Planter-Corsair.
181 The Scarlet Schooner; or. The Sea Nemesis.
184 The Ocea I Van: ire- or. The Castle Heiress.
189 -\'ild Bill‘s Gold rail; or, The Desp::rate Dozen.
198 Tue Skeleton Schooner; or, The Skimmer.
205 The Glmbi'fl‘ Pirate; or. Lady of the Lagoon.
210 Buccaneer Bess. the Lioness of the Sea.
216 The Corsair Planter; or. Driven to Doom.
220 The Specter Yacht; or. A Brother‘s Crime.
224 Black Beard. - e Buccaneer.
231 The Kid Glove 'ner; or. The Magic Doctor.
1285 Red Li htning the Man of Chance.
246 ueen also, the Amazon of the Overland.
255 he Pirate Priest; or, The Gambler’s Da htet.
259 Cutlass and Cross; or, the Ghouls of the es.
281 TheSea Owl; or. The Lady Ca tain oi the Gulf.
807 The Phantom Pirate; or, The ater Wolves.
818 The Indian .succaneer; or, The Red Rovers.
8% The Gentleman Pirate; or. The Casco Harmits.
829 The League of Three; or, Bumalo Bill’s Pledge.
886 l‘he Magic Ship; or. Sandy Hook Freebooters.
841 The Sea Desperado.
846 Ocean Guerr llas; or, Phantom Midshi man.
862 Buflalo Bill‘s Grip; or Oath Bound to uster.
804 The Sea Fugitive; Or, The Queen of the Coast.
309 The Coast Corsair; or, The Siren of the Sea.
873 Sailor of Fortune; or, The Barnegat Buccaneer.
877 Afloat and Ashore; or, The Cormr Cons irator.
388 The Giant Buccaneer; or. The Wrecker itch.
893 The Convict Ca tian.

899 The New Monte 'sto.

418 The Sea Siren' or. The Fugitive Privateer.
as The Sea Sword; or. The Ocean Rivals.

480 The Fatal Frigate; or. Rivals in Love and War.
435 The One-Armed uccaneer.

446 Ocean Ogre. the Outcast Corsair.

497 The Sea nsurgent.

469 The Lieutenant Detective.

476 Bob Brent, the Buccaneer.

BY WILLIAM H. MANNING.
m This Gojld Dragoon, or, The California Blood-
oun . .

2!?! Colorado Rube. the Strong Arm of Hotspur.
885 Will Dick Turpin, the Leadville Lion.

.406 Old Baldy. the Brigadier of Buck Basin.

415 Hot Heart. the Detective Spy.

427 The 'Rivals of Montana Mill

487 Deep Duke; or. The Man of Two Lives.

442 Wild West Walt. the Mountain Veteran.

449 Bluff Burke. King of the Rocin'es.

456 Yank Yellowbird, the Tall Hustler of the Hills.
483 Gold Gauntlet. the Gulch Gladiator.

470 The Duke of Dakota.

479 Gladiator Gabe, the Samson ot Sassajack.

/

BY EDWARD WILLETT.

120 Misissippi Mose; or. a Strong Man’s Sacrifice.
209 Buck Farley, the Bonanza Prince.

C28 Bill the Blinard; or. Red Jack‘s Crime.

.248 Montana Nat, the Lion of Last Chance Camp.
074 Flash Fred, the Mississippi Sport.

m9 Flush Fred‘s Full Hand.

m8 Logger Lem; or. Life in the Pine Woods.

I ate Hemlock Hank. Tough and True.

815 Flush Fred’s Double; or, The Squatters’ League.
827 Terrapin Dick. the Wild wood Detective.
~88"! Old Gabe, the Mountain Tramp.

848 Dan Dillon. King of Crosscut.

868 The Canyon King; Or. a Price on his Head.

BY JACKSON KNOX—“ Old Hawk.”

886 Hawk Heron. the Falcon Detective.
424 Hawk Heron's Deputy.
444 The Magic Detective; or, The Hidden Band.
451 Griplock, the Rocket Detective.
402 The Circus Detective.
.167 Mainwarlng. the Salamander.
'm Dead-arm Brandt. '

n

3% Old Fork

 

BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. W. F. Cody).

52 Death-Trailer. the Chief of Scouts.

83 Gold Bullet S rt; or, Knights of the Overland.
243 The Pil rim bar ;or, The Soldier‘s Sweetheart.
304 Texas ack. the rains 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.
401 One-Armed Pard; or. Borderland Retribution.
414 Red Renard, the Indian Detective.

BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR.

28 Three-Fingered J ask, the Road-Agent.
30 Gospel George; or. Fiery Fred, the Outlaw.
40 Lou -Haired 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.
64 Double-Si ht, the, Death S at.
67 The Boy ockey; or, Honesty vs. Crookedness.
71 Captain Cool Blade; or. Mississlp iMan 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 S01 Scott, the Masked Miner.
141 Equinox Tom, the Bul‘y of Red Rock.
154 Joaquin, the Saddle King.
165 Joaquin. the Terrible.
170 Sweet William, the Trapper Detective.
180 Old ‘49; or. The Amazon of Arizona.
197 Revolver Roh‘ or, The Belle of Nugget Cam
20] Pirate of the Pincers: or. J oaquin’s Death
233 The Old Boy of Tombstone.
241 S itflre Saul, Kin of the Rustlers.
249 lephant Tom. 0 Durango.
257 Death Trap Diggings; or, A Hard Man from
'Way Back.
283 Sleek Sam, the Devil 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.
ed Lightninr. the Solitary.
331 Chispa Charla . the Gold Nugget Sport.
339 S read Eagle m, the Hercu es Hide Hunter.
345 asked Mark, the Mounted Detective.
351 Nor‘ West Nick, the Border Detective.
855 Stormy Steve, the Mad Athlete.
360 Jumping Jerry. the Gamecock from Sundown.
387 A Royal Flush; or, Dan Brown’s Big Game.
372 Captain Crisp, the Man with a Record.
879 Howling Jonathan, the Terror from Headwaters.
887 D Il‘k Durg. the Ishmael of the Hills.
896 Deadly Aim. the Duke of Derringers.
403 The Nameless Sport.
409 Rob R0 Ranch' or, The Imps of Pan Handle.
416 Monte im the Black Shee of Bismarck.
426 The Ghost Detective; or, e Spy of the Secret

ervice.
483 Laughing Leo; or, Sam's Dandy Part1.
4’18 Oklahoma Nick.
443 A Cool Hand; or, Pistol Johnny’s Picnic.
450 The Rustler Detective.
458 Dutch Dan. the Pilgrim from Spitzenberg.
466 01d Rough and Rectifieiszhe Sage of Sundown.
474 Daddy Dead-Eye, the pot of Dow Drop.

unt.

BY CAPTAIN HOWARD HOLMES.

278 Hercules Goidspur. the‘Man of the Velvet Hand.
B94 Broadcloth Burt, the Denver Dandy.

321 California Claude, the Lone Bandit.

335 Flash Dan. the Nabob; or, Blades of Bowie Bar.
840 Cool Conrad. the Dakota Detective.

847 Denver Duke. the Man with “ Sand."

352 The Desperate Dozen.

365 Keen Kennard. the Shasta Shadow.

874 Major Blister. the Sport of Two Cities.

$2 The Bonanza Band; or. Dread Don of Cool Clan.
892 The Lost Bonanza: or, The Boot of Silent Hound.
400 Captain Coldgrip; or. The New York Spotter.
407 Captain Coldgrip’s Nerve; or, Injun Nick.

413 Captain Coldg'rip in New York.

421 Father Ferret. the Frisco Shadow.

484 Lucifer Lynx, the Wonder Detective.

441 The California Sharp.

447 Volcano, the Frisco Spy.

458 Captain Coldgrip’s Long Trail.

400'Captain Coldgrip. the Detective.

468 Coldgrip in Deadwood.

480 Hawkspear, the Man with a Secret.

BY LEON LEWIS.

428'The Flying Glim; or, The Island Lure.
456'The Demon Steer.
481 The Silent Detective; or, The Bogus Nephew.

BY PERCY B. ST. JOHN.

57 The Silent Hunter.
86 The Big Hunter; or. The Queen of the Woods.

BY PHILIP S. WARNE.

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.
54 Always on Hand; or. The Foot-Hills Sport.
80 A Man of Nerve; or, Caliban the Dwarf.
114 The Gentleman from Pike.
171 Tiger Dick. the Man of the Iron Heart.
207 Old Hard Head; or. Whirlwind and his Mare.
251 Tiger Dick vs. Iron Drspard.
280 Tiger Dick’s Lone Hand.
299 Three of a Kind; or, Tiger Dick. Iron Despard,
and the Sportive Sport.
338 Jack Sands. the Boss of the Town.
359 Yellow Jack, the Mestizo.
380 Tiger Dick’s Pledge; or, e Golden Serpent.
404 Silver Sid; or, A “ Daisy ” Blufl.
431 California Kit, the Always on Hand.
472 Six Foot Si; or, The Man to “Tie To.”

BY ALBERT W. AIKEN.

27 The Spotter Detective: or. Girls of New York,
81 The New York Shar ; or. The Flash of Lightning-
33 Overland Kit; or, he ldyi of White Pine.
34 Rocky Mountain Bob. the California Outlaw.
85 Kentuck the Sport: or. Dick Talbot ol' the Mines.
36 Injun Dick; or. The Death-Shot of Shasta.
38 Velvet Hand; or. lnjun Dick's Iron Grip.
41 Gold Dan: or. The White Savage of Salt Lake.
42 The California Detective: or. The Witches of 
49 The Wolf Demon; or. The Kanawha Queen.
56 The Indian Mazeppa; or. Madmen of the Plains.
59 The Man from Texas; or. The Arkansas Outlaw.
63 The Winged Whale: or. The Red Rupert of Gulf.
72 The Phantom Hand; or The 5th Avenue Heiress.
75 Gentlemen Geor e: or. Parlor. Prison and Street.
77 The Fresh of F sco; or. The Heiress.
79 Joe Phenix, the Police Sp .
81 The Human Tiger: or. A eart of Fire.
84 Hunted Down; or, The League of Three.
91 The Winning Car: or. The Innkeeper‘s Daughter.
98 Captain Dick Talbot. King of the Road.
97 Bronze Jack. the California Thoroughbred.
101 The Man from New York. i
10! Richard Talbot. of Cinnabar.
112 Joe Phenix. Private Detective. :
180 Captain Volcano; or. The Man of Red Revolver ‘.
161 The Wolves of New York; or, Joe Phenix’s Hunt.
178 California John. the Pacific Thoroughbred.
196 La Msrmoset. the Detective Queen.
203 The Double Detective; or.The Midnight Mystery.
252 The Wall Street Blood; or. The Telegraph Girl.
82) The Genteel Spotter; or. The N. Y. Night Hawk.
849 Iron-Hearted Dink. the Gentleman Road-Agent.
854 Red Richard; 01 The Crimson Cross Brand.
363 Crowningshield. the Detective.
870 The Dusky Detective; or. Pursued to the End.
870 Black Beards: or. The Rio Grande High Horse.
881 The Gypsy Gentleman; or, Nick Fox, Detective.
384 Injun Dick, 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.
42! The Lone Hand; or, The Red River Recreants.
440 The High Horve of the Pacific.
461 The Fresh on the Rio Grande.
465 The Actor Detective.
475 Chin Chin, the Chinese Detective.

LATEST AND NEW ISSUES.

482 Ocean Tramps. By 001. P. Ingraham.

483 Flush Fred. the River Sharp. By Ed. Willett.

484 Captaiin Ready. the Red Ransomer. By Leon
Low 3.

485 Rowlock, the Harbor Detective. By Jackson
Knox. Ready February 8. -

Ka Kitten. the Northwest Detective. By

486 H. Manning. Ready February 15.

487 Sunshine Sam. a Chi of the Old Block. By
Capt. Howard Holme‘s. Ready February 29. ‘

488 The Thoroughbred yer-t. By 303. E. Badger, Jr.
Ready February . _

489 The Pirate Hunter. By Col. Prentiss Ingram
Ready March 7. I v_,

490 The Lone Hand in Texas. By Albert W. Aiken. ,1 .
Ready March 14. i

and Cutt. the Invincible Deter-Mun: By-
491 mg? St. Mex. Ready March 21. r ' 7

A. new him every Wednesday.  ~ ‘
Beadle» mme Library is for sale.
Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by
receipt of twelve cents each. ,
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  Published Every @661,de  J16 . 771 S, Q')I,L 7)Z’Z'S hers, Ten Cents a Copy. N 0 4 8 5
‘ ‘ ' W°dn°3dfiy- 9:; WILLIAM STREET. N. Y., February a, 1888. $500 8 Yea" '

THE TERRIBLE TWINS.

A Real Life Romance of In and
Around New York.

BY JACKSON KNOX,
(OLD HAWK,)

‘mon 01:- “awa HERON. THE FALCON Dn-
TECTWE.” “THE HURRICANE DETEC-
TWE,” “um CIRCUS DETEC-

TIVE,” 1:70., ETC.

CHAHER I.
A TERRIBLE NIGHT.

A WILD night at; Battery Point, in the early
summer of 1887.

A night of fierce gusts shrieking among the
chimney-pots, the Park trees and the adjacent;
forest of masts, and yet of a bright-faced moon,
flying like a hunted thing amid pursuing send,
and revealing at intervals the lashed waters of
New York Harbor, like a maniac’s faca in the
soft luster of a silvar lamp.

[night for an open boat: to be abroad on YOUR CUBSED CUNNING?”

k

 

2

the waters, and a yet wilder for a graceful
female figure to choose that lonely, crime-infest?
ed sea—wall for its promenade.

Yet, such was the case.

The young lady—her youth and breeding were
apparent by her dress and carriage, though her
face was veiled—had but newly alighted from

' the Elevated Railroad terminus.

‘ She was now pacing the esplanade fronting
the sea-wall, heedless of the questioning looks of
a few suspicious lurkers in the vicinity, and
with her eyes anxiously fastened upon the ap-
proaching boat.

.The latter was presently seen to be occupied
by two men—a medium~sized, deep-chested and
“athletic young man, with an authoritative air,
and a gigantic negro of herculean propor-
tions.

They had lowered their sail and taken in their
cars, the flood tide euablin them to pull in close
in under the parapet, wit out the intervention
of a float or bridge.

The young lady presently stooped under the
wall-chain in her eagerness, and stood on the
extreme outer edge.

The strong gale fluttered her dark garments
to one side, while compressing it on the other,

to the revelation of her tail, graceful and yet .

girlish figure, and streamed out her long, fieecy
vail like a gauzy pennant.

Presently, as the boat was brought to, she
made a swift signal with her ungloved hand.

It was immediately responded to in kind by
the young man in the boat.

- Then the young lady called out in a rich
clear voice, that was none the less wary and
cautious: -

.“ What are on, sir?"

- "‘ The Scud,’ was answered; and then,
are. on for?” ‘

“ he‘Seamew.”

. “ Correct. Anything else?”

:i" r “ Yes. Ca tain Grant Marston.”

u? .v ' “And you ” . .

 .r “I am Inez Delorme. the pilot’s grand-

: dau hter.” ,
 v “ ight again.”

“ And you?” ' ~

“ Rowlock Ensco, the Harbor Detective, at
Miss Delorme’s service.”

Inez Delorme made a satisfied gesture, and
nimny seated herself on the edge ofthe wall,
her feet coming within a few inches of the
mimic breakers that dashed below.

" 'A crafty action of the cars on the part of the
giant negro fetched the boat’s stern, in which
Rowlock Ensco was standing erect, hovering

. uneasily directly‘beneath her position.

The young man stood like a rock, and opened
wide his arms.

“ The rocks are dangerous hereaboutsZ and
there is no time for ceremony,” said he. ‘ Miss
Delorme, you must jump for it.”

Instantly, and without hesitation, she cleverly

threw herself out from the wall.

She was as cleverly caught. steadied, and

. seated, while Ensco placed himself at the rudder
near her. ‘
“ Give way, Mingo!” he ordered.
Aug, still under the negro’s werful strokes
they ended out over the som r, storm-lashed

, be . . . ,

it time: there was nothing but the fltful
moonshine, nd then 'n but a rocking ship-
light, to sh w them their way, and yet the de-
fectivo kept a stern and anxious outlook on
everv side,’ as if in precaution a ainst some
much dreaded observation or pursu t.

Was it an elo ment, or- a midnight flight
. from secret enemies, that so much mystery was
preserved? ,

Certame not the former. and not altogether
the latter; and yet the stealthy departure had
*been attended by an incident which would have
increased the anxiety of both the young lady
, and her escort, had they but known of it.

~ While the mysterious watchwords were bein
’ exchanged, a well-known river-thief—one o

3 those lurkers in the night who had been fur-
tivcly watching Inez Delorme’s movements on
the esplanade—had crept unperceived to within
earshot.
' The instant after,she had sprung into the

boat he had  crouchingly awa_ toward the
‘ ', boat-landing in the shadow of the nited States
Barge omce. A lantern was waved thrice, and
then, almost before the detective’s boat was
“fairly headed out. a small but stanch sail-boat,
crowded with desperate men, had shaken out
f 1 her leg-of-mutton sail from under the stone

- pier, and flitted like a storm-bird straight out

' nto the turbulent and uncertain waste. 1 '

‘ " Give ’em ample sea-room, J ago,” cautioned,

“ What

 

 

 

 

man, seemed to be in command of the mys-
terious craft, to the man at the rudder lines.
“If we intercept them anywhere this side of
,- the Seamew, it will answer. Caramba, what a

. hm 1”

, j  B , senor!” was the equally guarded
"_unswer. “ Will that give Senor Juan time for
the arthe istoplayi” .

= “ Dias, I should say so!, The treasure is

hislookont, as the young lady is mine. and we

. 7 have exchanged oaths as to our mutual fidelity.

Though, carajo.” in a lower- and him-grum-

2 - l I..‘: 

 

 
 
 
  
 
   
  

‘flp

with a slightly foreign. accent, a slender young I

, bling voice, “I fancy he has the better bargain
of the two, where danger is reckoned.”
“ Yes, senor,” softly assented the steersman,

“ for but one treasure at a time can be under

the escort of Rowlock, the Harbor Detective—a

thousand maledictions on him and his!”
Here there was a chorus of laughs and oaths
growled, like an echo of the curse, from the des-
, peradoes in the body of the boat.
I This was silenced by a fierce exclamation, ac-
! companied by a commanding gesture, from the
3 slender young man.
After that, silent and lightless, the sinister
; craft swept on, careeniug almost flat upon her
‘ side as she rounded Governor’s Island and
l gradually vanishing amid the weltering hurry
‘ and tumult of the central bay.
In the mean time, the occupants of the Scud,
; as the detectives boat was named, bad proceeded
I more leisurely on their way, without suspecting
l the treachery preparing for them.
I After standing well out from shore, the sail
t had been loosened to the gale, and the little craft
was fairly dancing over the waves.

“I rather think the coast is clear now,” said
Ensco, cheerily. “ If you do not become sea-
sick, Miss Delorine, all should . go well till you
are safe with your grandfather on the gallant
i Seamew.”

“ I am too much of a sailor to four the mal de
mer, Mr. Ensco,” was the collected reply from
behind the fluttering Vail. “ But," a little anx-
iously, “ isn‘t this a. rather small boat for—for
such stormy work?”

He laughed reassuringly as the Scud feathered
the foam-crest of an . unusually big wave, only
to spring, apparently, upon another, with
scarcely a subsidence into the intervening
trou h.

“ 0 fear of that,” said he. “The Scud is of
a life-boat pattern, and fairly unsinkable, I
think.”

Then there was a pause, in which they had a.
chance to study each other at leisure, thou h
the young lady had availed herself of that t 3
very first.

She secretly confessed that the young man’s

arance was not a little in his favor.
at was he altogether a young man?

His fairness of feature, with his curling brown
mustache and thick-crisping light hair, was
certainly indicative of the care-free frankness
of early manhood. ‘But there were stern lines
about the cool, steadfast gray eyes that might
speak of long experience and adventurous aute-
cedents. , r .

As it was, she could only set his years at al-
most anywhere between twenty-five and forty.

For the rest, he was about five feet nine, with
almost any muscular and gymnastic possibilities
underneath the careless boatman's costume of
nav blue that‘he were so becomingly.

“ here was yet another caution that my
grandfather gave me,” said Inez, at last.

_“ I can guess what it was,” replied Ensco,
With his engaging laugh. “ How suspicious is
the old sea-dog !”

“ Can you blame him for that?”

“Not 1.” His brow contracted, and he again
threw a searching gl'ance around over the
tumbling waters. “ ith the powerful machi-
nations of such accom lished scoundrels as those
dare-devil grand—nephews of his, Juan and
Vasco Martez, to be guarded against—but really
I beg your pardon, miss! They must be your
own cousins.”

An impatient gesture of the ungloved treasure
of a hand. '

“ You said you could guess my grandfather’s
parting caution.” _

“ So I can. It was thi: After you were fair-
ly afloat with me, as now, you were to make as-
suran e doubly sure by demanding a_ final proof
that I am I.”

“ That was it.” With a shade of suppressed
curiosity. ,

The moon passed under a cloud. Its recurrin
eifulgence showed the detective to have strip .
his right ‘arm to the shoulder, while steadying
the rebellious tiller with the left. .

,It was a magnificent arm thus bored to View
—shapely as a duchess’s, with a kin seemingly
smooth and hard as marble, masking thaws and
sinews of corded steel, and none the less snowy
of surface, save for a remarkable representa-
tion, 5 readin from wrist to shoulder in deep,
varie and in elible tattoo. ‘

It _was that of an athlete and a serpent,
wreathed in deadly conflict for the mastery,
while from a thunder-cloud was descendinga
crimson arrow, blazoned with the scriptural in-
junction, “ Vengeance is Mine 1”

Inez bowed her head in acquiescence.

She had merely time to note that the pictured
wrestler, albeit in classic semi-nudity was a
passable portrait of the young man be ore her,
while the serpent countenance was strikingly
suggestive of an infuriated woman’s head and
face, beautiful, yet fiendishly malignant, when
the uprolled sleeve was replaced, an the strange
exhibition was at an end: I
‘ 'lf‘he detective had grown grave and thought-

u . - _ v
“You are now to satisfy me inyour turn,”
said he, inalow voice. ’ ., , '
."‘That1am1i’".“ . L

 

 

   

 

  
 

 

Rowlock, the Harbor Detective.

N Yes.”

“ What did my grandfather tell you should be
the test on my part?"

“ I can only answer when I shall have seen

our face.”

She hesitated an instant, and then threw back
her vail.

Rowlock Ensco uttered a low cry, and then
clasped his hands. , _

The cry was expresswe of amazed admiration,
the action of combined wonder, incredulousness
and even resentment, while his handsome face
was the mirror of these conflicting emotions.

The admiration was natural enough—as nat-
ural as that evoked by the inimitable sun-burst
in the skylark’s worshiping hymn.

Such a face is seldom vouchsafed to the privi-
leged gaze as was then and there revealed for
the first time to the enraptured detective.

An angelic face, purely American in its ex-

uiSite fairness (a healthful, lamp—like pallor, is
t e better distinction), statuesque chiseling and
ronounced individuality; Spanish in the soul-
ul duskiness of the large, well-like eyes, with
the perfect brows and long-bent lashes of 'etty
ailkiness, and in the rich wavy masses of lus-
black hair, to say nothing of the perfect figure’s
airly and majestic pose.
he gazer s resentment, or mortiflcation, if
such it could be called, was more inexplicable. :

That the owner of so much loveliness thought
so was speedily apparent. -

“ I see that you, sir, are also satisfied,” said
she, after quickly replacing her vail, while the
moonlight that had transiently assisted the re-
velation was a thing of the past.

.r “ Perfectly," was the low-voiced and- con-
strained answer.

“ And yet-there was something wanting?”

“Not that—something unexpected.”

“ I do not understand. ’ v

“ I was prepared to find in the “pilot’s grand-
daughter a beauty little short of superhuman. ’
In that way, the rovelatibn was a fulfillment
of ,the test that Captain Marston advised me
o ' r

“ Ah I” a little disdainfully. .

“Yes, ‘The enemy,‘ said the old sea-wolf,
‘caunot, with all their cunnin , impose any
feminine counterfeit upon you, 1 you but once
look in Inez Delorme’s iace._ Its beauty is un-
exampled, its loveliness richer than mortal
man’s intensest dream.’ ”

“ Well?” This with a touch of amusement;

“ Well, the conditions of the test are fulfilled.
Therecan be one Inez Delorme, and you are

she.”
“Still on were dissp inted.”
“ No—htartled.” po‘

“That was it. Why?” "

“ Does not your own face suggest another to
your mind?”

" Not that I can recall. A likeness, do you
mean?” ‘

H Yes; or rather a suggestion.”

“ say, a likeness, then. ’

H So be it. A likeness almost equal] b08131"
ml, and yet older and terrible—terrih , 111819“
olent and deadly.” ,

His words were camel; and mournful. The
young girl made an agitated movement. '

“ Be more explicit. My features 511889“ "
resemblance to what others?”

His bent nearer to hers in the darkness.

“Did you mark the woman—face of the m— »

pent on my arm?”

Her agitation was now unmistakable. ‘

“Good heavens, yes!” she faltfired. “And-
Ah, the likeness was there! I see it DOW-
Whab entanslmg mysteiy is this?” 'r

" None}; bflieve nlie, to insnare such purig as
yours. 11 com etc o n sen nce.
Atfligwliaw, I P y 111‘ broke l

35 Bil" am terrified. I know not.’ ,'

“ YES, $5; the Sél'pentrface likewise sugg’efiied,
others. hose?” . ..

Inez shuddered. ~

2-1.4 .
“ My cousins and foes, Juan and Vasco Mar."

tel,” sh?‘§:91i,eg, in a low, .carcely audibée'
veice. e in ernal twi r ran -
father calls them.” ns’ as my 1"” g
2: #bihand 0‘7 none other face—a woman’s?”
- O.

“ Not of one who mi ht be th it mother?” ,
“ fl‘lie Senora Zarapgtta Martiz, surnamed the
White Sibyl of Morons, is personally unknown
to me. That_ terrible -,woman can never have
cast her baleiul eyes upon me. Waiti And yet
_%nd etFE” . .
or an was res d she
was now tremblin? 17:312.;  forehead’ an .
“ G0 on,‘ go on, beseechP"cried the detective.
eagerly. ‘ I_see that some early and dread
recollection rises from oblivious depths to the
surface of memory. B 7%
“Alas, I cannot! I am “bat-rifled! Allis so
veg-fie, so awfuil”m  
e moon was reappearing, and at that
instantMm the gigantic negro roaredfrom '
his‘lgokoui‘.$1333;glows:ta d ' . ‘
angers n‘tastl B Crackyl.
it’s jess as you feared,,Marse Rowlgck. Here
they are, almos’ on board of us!" ‘ ~
The renewed moonlight showed the rufllan-

crainmed pursuin craft to H ,on 3‘. h :
wave, bow-on, hardly a cable’mh any 

    

,‘ “:1. 1531‘. _.

r I

,, disc/L» 4‘

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.9.

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, "Cup-Lia»; 

 

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l. '
1

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St

   
  
 

 

' ‘scribable gen eness.

,‘ for us,” she murmured. ‘
5%, glin wretches in the water 1’

Rowlock, the Harbor Detective. . 3

 

 

 

“ Tracked at last, and by Vasco llartez and
his crew!” exclaimed lnez, in an appalled tone.
“ Now Heaven be with me!”

 

CHAPTER II.
INEZ DELORME.

THE boats had perceived each other at the
same instant. .

There was a chorus of exultant yells from the
larger craft—such as might have been suddenly
unmasked upon a trembling and defenseless mer-
chant man from an old-time cut-throat cruiser
of the Spanish Main, with the ominous black flag
unexpectedly flung from her eak.

Then the commander, asco Martez, the
graceful and slender yonng man whom the
reader has already had a glimpse of, sprung
erect in the stern, a glistening revolver in his
right hand. i

“ Hold hard to grapple ’eml" he shouted. “ If
the young lady is surrendered unresistiiigly, no
violence shall be offered.”

Save calling out a few words in a low, dis-
tinct tone to Mingo, the detective had as yet
said nothing, but was sitting calmly with both
rudder and sail under his perfect control.

“ Crouch a little lower under the gunwale,
and fear nothing," he now muttered reassuring-
ly to the trembling Inez, who mutely obe e( .
“ Our coat is of steel, and theirs of wood. T ere
is nothing whatever to fear, as you shall pres-
ently see.”

At this instant the Send was sheared off
slantingly, as if by magic, just as the enemy
came broadside-on, less than a yard distant, and
with every desperado springing to his feet, pre-
parin to lay aboard.

“ ow, Mingo!” called out Ensco, the words

quitting his lips like pistol—shots. “ Now!”
. Instantly the gigantic negro was on his feet,
armed with an enormous belaying pin, from
whose square—blunted end a. short, keen knife-
blade protruded.

He was like an incarnate fiend.

With one lightnin -like sweep of the huge pin
and knife. the crow ed line of radians along the
hofiile gunwale were sent tumbling down like a
re of bricks.

A second, up-and-down stroke split the dgreat

over

. sail, from gafl’ to spanker-boom. as it flo pa

in the heel of the wave, and then t e Night
Hawk as the redatory craft was fltly named,
went drifting elplessly astern, without a single
grapuel having caught.

“ Steady!” called out the Harbor Detective’s
collected voice. “ That will do for the present,
Mingo. Now, again!”

The Scud, obedient to the rudder as a swift
coarser to the master-hand, bad tacked as if by
magic, and now, ised like an avenging bird
on the summit o a huge wave, was hoverin ,
grow-on, over the helpless Night Hawk, whi e

be boom swung easily around to catch the full-
ness on her quarter. .1 ' , 1

Vasco Martez'. Whitefwith baffled fury, leveled
his revolver at the detective's breast.

“ Everlastin Ma'rplotl Hound of a detect-
ive!” he snarle ; “ my mother’s, no less than my
own and my brothers, wrongs upon your ac-
cursed head! Die in your tracks!

The unsteady weapon miSSed fire, and there
was no chance for a second essay.

At that instant the Bond shot forward and
down like a. bolt, her steel prow cutting through

‘ the Night Hawk directly amidships, and then

recalling from the shock, went on with scarcely
a moment’s ause.

" Ensco, aware!” yelled Vasco Martez, a
moment or two later, from his clinging hold
upon a fragment of the wreck. “ Juan has ere
this seized the treasure chest, Inez shall yet be
mine, and the witch—faced serpent of your ac-
curacd emblem shall yet triumph in the strife.”

 x’l’he detective might have been of marble, for

all of response by word or sign, and the wreck-

 

..aglaiwu soon left far behind.
"L, g nez had buried her face in her hands.

“ Weep not lady 2" said Rowlock, with inde-
“ Your danger is a thing
of the past."

" ' ' She raised her face, unveiled now, showing

that it was agitated. but tearless.
“’It is not the danger—that is over and done
“ But ah! those trug_

‘ ey’ll be picked up, never fear—more’s
the ity!” in a hard, contemptuous tone.

“ at then my Cousin Vasco‘s parting threat!
Oh! if the treasure should be gone—if some-
thing dreadful should. haye happened on the
Seamew!” ‘ ‘ .

And she shuddered again, while her'great eyes

questioned him eager] . .
“,A pitiful cowa boastful prediction, in
whichthe h was father to the words—noth-

in more! we itnot another thought l"

Then, seeing that she wassomewhat relieved,
his own face was expremive of eagerness, pain-
fully expressed. I ' -

“ Our fates seem to be closely unscented,
through our common foes ” said he, gnardedly—
“ more closel than I could have supposed.”

“ So it wofid seem. Ah! that mysterious a1-

, "melon. tam. tattooed emblem on your‘ arm!

  

itmmni”

 

“ You shall some time have its solution—that
is, should you desire it.”

“ Desire it!”

“But "—a little timidly—“might not your
own history be more to the point, in view of
present complications?”

She looked at him hesitatingly.

“My grandfather has perfect confidence in
you. He has told me so. Has he not been ex-
plicit in his explanations to you?"

“ No. Captain Marston has thus far given me
buts. faint outline of the perils that threaten
you. Perhaps he opined that his granddaughter
would be more—more trustful."

She had been gravely studying his features in
the moonlight.

“You can be velvet or steel, scabbard or
blade, at need,” she murmured, half to herself.
“ After what has happened to-night, I feel that
I can trust you.”

“ I am sure you can.”

They were just entering the Narrows, though
laboriously against a strong head-wind, the gale
having shifted several pOints, and the short,
thumping seas running yet more vexatiously.

The moon and stars were yet more chary of
their uncertain light, though far away in the
East the increased somberuess was but premoni-
tory of a new day’s dawn. '

It was under these circumstances, and quite
suddenly, without further persuasion, as though
under an impulse she refused to restrain, that
Inez began to recount her brief but eventful
history.

“ Captain Marston, as you doubtless know,.is
my grandfather on my mother’s side. Whether
I am an orphan or not I do not know. I have
an indistinct recollection of my father and
mother. But all is confused, and they somehow
faded out of my life. If they are dead, I know
nothing of their graves: if still living, their
whereabouts is no less a mystery—«that is to me.
On this subject alone, a. subject that is naturally
vital to me, myngrandfather, though in every-
thing else so ki , so tender, so more than in-v
dulgent, has ever been morosely, inexorably
silent. You know his iron mood when once
crystallized into permanency. To say thatvall
mention of the to ic, so dear to my heart, so
haunting to my so , has been interdicted is not
enough. Between my grandfather and me, it
has been as though entombed, or, rather, as un-
born apd non-existent. I have lived within
grandfather as lon as I can remember. 13%
has been all in a to me. As the old pilot’s
granddaughter, I have been his potted treasure,
my every cagrice gratified m sli htest wish
his law. For gpsit is well or th imand me
that my natur is not an exacting one. Other-
wise, I mighthave been 5 iled and be rendered
unhappy by my waywar ness.”

She smiled a ittle sadly, and then, perceiving
the ra t earnestness of her auditor’s attention,
colo a little and proceeded more hurried-

1y.

“ Those earlier years of mine with my good
old grandfather were of unnlloyed hap iness,
though spent in comparative seclusion in his old
yellow mansion and grounds on the breezy river-

ank, near the foot of East Ei hty-sixth street,
wining locality you are per aps acquainted
wit .

Ensco bowed his head.

“ With himself old Mrs. Twiggs, his house-
kee er, and the few servants, I was as ha py
an care—free as the day was long. ‘Whet er
out on the river fishing with grandpapa, the
companion of his cruises in the Seamew, skurr -
ing away over the new-made streets and 0d
lanes on my Mexican pony, devising, home-
sports with my few playmates of the neighbor-
hood (in which grandpapa likewiso seldom
failed to participate.) or in practising m stud-
ies under my visiting governess or an or in
various tutors, he also being mostly resent, t
was a gay and swoetlife, that life 0 my early

irlhood, such as I may never know again.

hen "—sbe sighed deepl' —“ in Second cousins,
the twins, Juan and new artez, became
members of our household, and there was a.
chaiwe—such a change 1”

“ hen was that?” Ensco questioned eagerly,
as she came to a troubled pause. “ Pardon my
impulsiveness, but the time may be of impor—
tance to me. About how old were you than?”

“Eight or nine, I should say; and I am now
nineteen”

“ 0! And the particulars of their arrival—
wou you object to stating some of them?”

“ Not at all." ‘

“ They arrived from—i

“ From somewhere in Mexico or Honduras, I
am uncertain which.”

“You will excuse the apparent importunity
of my interrogations?”

“ ray, proceed.” ‘ »

“How are you related to those young men?”

“They are the sons of a niece of my grand-
father's. the daughter of a wayward sister of
his, so I have understood, by a Spanish mar—
riage. She had married General Marten a
Mexican revolutionist of some distinction, I

lieve, Juan and Vasco being the fruit .of the

ion ”

un . .
“CAB look of hatred flashed over the detective‘s

I

 

il,,,.~,,‘,‘-.,; J‘y: -, '_

 

“ She, their mother—you have never met,
then!”

“ Thank Heaven, no! at least, not to my
knowledge."

“ And yet to-night you have alluded to her by
name—the Senora Zarapatta Marten, surnamed
the White Sib ] of Morona." ‘

Inez gave a ittle shiver.

“ That terrible woman! yes, by reputation
she is known to me."

“The twins, how old were they on their ar-
rival at your grandfather’s?"

“ About sixteen—almost double my own age
at that time, I should sa .”

“ Yet they came not a one?”

“No. They were accompanied by a tall and
graceful woman, whom I took to bola nurseor
trusted dependent. Her face was almost con—
stantly concealed, like that of a nun, with white
wrappings, as then b she mi ht be a. sufferer
from neuralgia, an my gran father seemed to
dislike her, almost to abhorrence."

“Aha! and doubtless with reason. What do
you recollect of her?"

“ But little, for she was with us only two days,
and seemed to avoid me. But I overheard her
and my grandfather in several stormy. inter-
views. They were mostly carried on in the
Spanish tongue, with which I was not then
familiar. But sometimes they spoke in Eng-

18 .

“ Enough to give you an inkling of their dis
putei”

H Yes.”

“ And that was—?”

“ The disposition of a treasure chest of superb
gems, whic the woman and boys had brought
with them, and given into Captain Marston’s
care. It was the same that has caused all the
trouble since—that he is even now so anxious to
carry out of their reach in the Seamew.”

“ Ab! and this treasure?”

“ It consisted of priceless state and other
‘ewels, and had been sent for safekeeping to

aptain Marston by General Marten, as the

chief proceeds of some partly successful Central" I

Americhn revolution in which he was then
enga ed.” .

“ ell?” .

“ Dona Anita, as the strange woman called
herself, wanted my grandfather to convert the

jewels into cash Without delay, for the benefit of ‘ 

the twins and herself, as their guardian. This

he steadfastly refused to do, claiming that to do , a

so would be to betray the trust reposed in him
bylGenei-al Martez, of whom he seemed to have
a igh opinion. Hence the disputes—for he had

secured the treasure beyond the woman’s: reach 

directly upon receivin it. Dona Anita at last

took herself ofl very a ruptly, leaving the lads ‘ h

with us.”
“ And
face?” I v i
“ But once—by" the merest accident—and. that
was once too often. on, it was terrible!” ,
“ In what way?” .
“ 0h, it'was so handful and yet so co
like, and with the exfpression of a fiend! he
was fresh from one 0 those bafliing interviews
with my grandfather, and her lineaments, from

you never saw the/ strange womanls

which she had inadvertently torn the covering»:i ,. '

were distorted with such evil passions as I h

not deemed could find a lodgment in the human. ' I “

breast. Ah! the face of a demoness—a tlgress j,

-—a serpent! It haunts me yet.”
h Indez shuddered, and bowed her face in her
an 3.

When she looked up, Rowlock had again
bared his tattooed arm to her gaze.

“Was it a countenance resembling this?”

And he indicated the woman-face of the serpent ‘

in the emblem. ' '

.Inez gazed with starting eyes.

“ Yes, yes! Heavens! why did I not connect
the two before? The same, the same!” i

The detective replaced the sleeve. ' r _

“Child, it was no nurse-woman's face that
was revealed to you,” he exclaimed, in a deep,
impressive voice. “You then made the ac:
quaintance of the fiend-mother of the demon
twins. Dona. Anita and the Senora Zarapatta ,
Martez were one and the same!” 

“ Hal are you sure?”

“ Perfectly sure.”

“ What! I have really looked
face of that terrible woman—that
monster?”

then, in the
beautiful! -

“Truly; and well may you d ate her a 

monster. Do you know what she di after leav-
ing per precious twins in Captain Moraton‘s ,
care -

“ I know nothing.” ' ‘

“ She hurried back in Honduras, secret! sold, '
her own husband, the unfortuname Mar [
tez, into the hands of his enemies for a. round .
sum, and he was executed the next day at Inns ‘

rise in Comay .” x
“ 0h. shame, gamer!" '

“But the unvarnished truth. Since tint ill-  -

famy, as the White Sibyl of Morons, she has
mostly lived like a so neon in her moun- *
tain of the Co t W loathed a:
dread , on e roceeds o treachery,

sole remaining esires, to
jeweled treasure, through villainous, agency
of her sons,to get you in herclutchesns-the'

 

 

 

 
    
 
 
 

hfl‘aelfoftho L

‘ n

4

' Rewloek, the Harbor Detective.

A. .

 

,,
bride of one of them, she doubtless cures not
which, and-to accomplish my destruction.”

Inez gazed at the speaker with renewed inter-
est in the midst of her terror.

“You, too!” she murmured. “Is your fate,
then, so inextricabl blended with mine?”

He gravely bowe his head, and then extend-
ed his hand.

“ It is even so! Lady, I would be your cham-
pion to the end, whatever that may be. Is it a
compact? If so, give me your fair hand upon
it.”

She seemed to hesitate.

“Perhaps I cannot blame you,” said the de-
tective, mournfully. “ This hand, in which I
ask you to lace your own, is not unstained
with blood, t ough never yet—I swear itl—save
in Self-defense or in a righteous cause.”

ith a sudden impulse, she placed her hand
in his.

He reverently raised it to his lips, while turn-
ing his eyes aloft, at the same time murmuring
an invocation under his breath, and both felt
that a solemn com ct had been sealed.

“It is well,” sai the detective, with intense
thankfuluess. “ Inez Delorme. come what may,
you are from this hour not alone in the troubles
that seem thickening around you—Rowlock
Ensco is henceforth your adviser, your friend
and your champion to the bitter end!”

“ l gratefully accept you as such, sir,”answer-
ed the youn‘r girl, fervently. “ And may Prov-
idence s the virtuous, the weak and the
wronged in whatever trials Fate may have in
store for us!”

“ Amen! Now a few questions more will
elicit the more important elements of your past
history."

“ Put them to me.”

“How long did the twins remain with your
3,. . grandfather?

1, ~ “ Until their twentieth year.”

’ “ What was their behavior?”

_' ’ “That of unconscionable ingrateui lniquity
’u ‘ is in rained in their natures. he were wild,
crue and lawless from the first. hey repeat-

? V edly forged my grandfather’s signature tochecks

‘ ,for inconsiderablo amounts, besides attemptin

criminal practices of a much graver sort, an
were as often forgiven—perforce you might al-
most say. For the resemble eac other so ex-
actly—a slight hirt -mark on Juan’s left cheek
being almost the sole distinction between them
—as to nearly defy the bringing home of any
misdemeanor to them separately, and they were
. shrewd enough to attempt no considerable mis-
l chief in unison.”

" That tellatale birth-mark—the crimson pon-
éar'd—on the elder’s cheek, how well do I know

tl

Here a cheerycall from Mingo, at the bow,
apparised them that the Seamew was at last in

31 t.

5.- En the growing light of the new day, they
)1, could see her rocking gent] at her anchors. e in
' the quiet waters under the es of the Fort ads-
 f worth water-battery, a little to the south of the
‘fi, 1 Clifton, or lower Staten Island Ferry landing.

 

 

CHAPTER III.
THE rasasunn—cnasr.

 

it BUT, as considerable tacking and rough sail-
e-f‘ ing were still necessary before reachin the
 , yacht, the Harbor Detective resumed his inter-
“ rogations.

 ' “What, may I ask, was the cause of the

 

« young men’s final dismissal from your grand-
? ' ' father’s household, Miss Delormei”

i:  Inez colored furiously, as if under a particu-
f I larly exasperating recollection.

“ The dismissed themselves—fled under the
cover 0 night, like the ignominious felons that
they were—rot it would have been the worse for
them. Otherwise grandpapa would have prose-
cuted them mercilessly—they had at last over-
leaped the bounds of his forgiveness!”

' And the cause?"

 “There was more than one. Even at that

fl... age, they had become associated with organized

.1" bands of river thieves and other desperate char-
? acters—much the same class as their money and
fearlemess now enable them to enlist in their
service. More than this, grandpapa discovered
that they had been constantly in secret com-
munication with their infamous mother.”

“ To what end?”

“Ah! can on not guess? To gain possession
of the jewe chest at any cost. It was my
grandfather’s timely detection of a plot, on the

 ,part of Juan and Vaseo. doubtless with the
 counivance of outside confederates, to murder
 him in his bed, in order to t at thestron
room containing the treasure t terrified an
confused them at last. In fact, every member
of the household, with the single exception of
mym‘ self (I was marked as a chief part of
the t

cold bl

 

 

 

,”it seemed) was to be assassinatedin

‘_‘ Monstrous! No wonder they fled on the ex-
posure of such a plot.”
. “Yet there was something that my -
father found lyet more unpardouable. be ex-
posure was in  brought about byr”
She hesitated an the detective, w ose eyes
were thoughtfully lowered, could not see the

 

 

blush of indignant shame that was mantlmg the
pure face.

“By what?” he asked.

“ By—by an indignity offered to me by Vasco.
Though but thirteen, I—I had the appearance
of being much older, and—and—”

“ The scoundrel-l Say no more of it. Oh, how
can you forgive my want of tact—my brutal
inconsiderateness?”

She made a disclaiming gesture, and quickly
recovered her composure.

“ Then," continued the detective, after a long
pause. “ you had no further trouble with the
rascally pair until their recent reappearance in
New York?”

“ No; nor so much as any knowledge of them.
Indeed, my grandfather had begun to hope that
the senora and her sons had given over all de-
signs upon the treasure, and decided to leave
him in peace. But the first of the recent at-
tempts to break into our house, and get at the
strong room, opened his eyes rudel enough to
the false security into which he ha lulled him-
self. Threatening anonymous letters, in one or
another of the brothers’ handwriting, followed,
and these were succeeded by thetwo other house-
breaking attempts, of which you are doubtless
aware.”

The detective nodded.

“ You know my grandfather’s old-fashioned
prejudice against banks and similar institu-
tions,” resumed Inez. “After these last at-
tempts upon the treasure, I became so alarmed
for his safety that I renewed my oft-repeated
entreaties that he would place the dan rous
fascination forever beyond the cupidity 0 those
cunning, powerful, and persistent foes by con-
signing it to the robber-proof vaults of a safe
deposit company]. But, no; he would not hear
of it. It was t on, however, that he consented
to allay my fears by advancing the Quixotic
scheme—an idea, for all the wor d, of just such
an impracticable, dear, darling old sea rover as
he is—of which our present perilous harbor ex-
pedition is one of the primary ste s. Accom-
panied by you and me, together wit such of his
old yachting crew as have been in his pay for
years, and what other seamen might be demand—
ed, he would carry the treasure far away in the
old Seamew to a one island bank that he knew
of in the Caribbean sea. There he would bury
it in a secret spot with his own hands. And
there it should remain undisturbed forever or
until its rightful owners—the unfortunate den-
tral American families who had contributed
their precious heirlooms to speed the political
revolution in which General Martez so fatally
failed, doubtless involving them in his ruin—-
should (present and make good to him their just
deman s for a restoration of the property. ”

“ Still,” said the detective, “ the incorruptible
integrity of the old gentleman in regardinghim-
self as'merely the responsible custodian of such a

, so immense in value, so vague as to its
real ownership, more than condones the Quixot-
ism of thls scheme of his for its safe-keeping.”

Inez adored her grandfather, and she cast a
grateful look at the detective for these kindly
words.

It was. near sunrise, and they were rapidly
approaching the Seamew at her quiet anchor-
age.

“ How beautiful she looks—just like ‘ a thing
of life,’ and yet so ful and secure!” ex-
claimed the lyoung girl. “Ah, surely no mis-
fortune can ave come to any of her inmates!
And yet it seems odd that neither grandpapa
nor one of his men is on the lookout for our com-

in .7,

That Ensco was of alike mind was uite evi-
dent, for he had suddenly grown thong tful and
grave.

“Ease her off, Mingol” was his order as they
were laying alongside. “There!” and down
came the cud’s sail with a run. “ Remain
where you are, Miss Delorme.” .

But, nanticall expert as .she was, Inez had
lightly followed 'm and the negro up over the

yacht 3 side a moment later.
It was only to encounter them, reelin back
out of the cabin entrance, with looks. of error

in their faces.

“Stop, .Miss Delorme, you must not go in
there!” cried Ensco, in a strangely changed,
hoarse vorce, and he made a spring to intercept
Ilium “ 1,0,: is not tit—something has happened.

a y—

But she had evaded him, and was already at
the open cabin door.

Then her shriek rung abroad, and, with wide-
staring eyes fixed upon a ghastly scene, she
would have fallen but for the detective’s sup-
porting arm.

“ Something” had, indeed, ha pened.

The cabin interior was litemJIy wrecked and
evidently the recent scene of a murderous strug-

gle.

The insensible form of Captain Marstonla
behind the overturned chart-table, the venerab a
face streaked With blood, the bald head crushed
in by repeated blows, doubtless from a heavy
chair, whose shivered fragments were strewn
over the body.

Just inside the door lay the captain’s faithful
steward. Mala. an old Sandwich Islander, his
head and face beaten to a jelly.

 \ »

 

The dead body of Hammond, the yacht’s sec:
ond officer, a life-long servicor and friend of the‘
owner, was outside seams foot of the short
com amonway. mummy stabbed, a frown on
the ace, ahmken upstan bar in the knotted

haéads.

lood and confusion everywhere, doubtless the
relics of a murderous midnight strife, in which
crime had triumphed.

And of robbery as well!

The small iron safe, directly behind where the
old captain lay, open, its massive door, with the
combination ock, blown from -its hinges—the
interior empty, the treasure—chest gone!

A single glance had betrayed these ghastly
particulars.

Then, followed by Mingo, the detective had
lost not a moment in bearing the swooning Inez
back to the open air of the deck.

This move had hardly been effected before
there wasa cheery hail from the yacht’s boat
that was approachin from the shore.

In it were John ago, the Seamew’s chief
officer, with two seamen at the oars, all of them
old and trusted hands.

Wholly unsuspicious of the tragic event, as
was evident at a glance. they made the boat
fast and lightly leaped over the side, when the
fainting girl and the appalled looks of the two
men were their first hint of what was in store
for them.

In a moment Dago had taken in the awful
scene, and joined the gran on deck, leavin his
com anions half—para y with horror, be ow.

“ gerciful Heaven l’ he gasped, as soon as he
could find speech, “I see it all now. This comes
of hiring those suspicious-looking new bands,
that I was so dead against, though Captain Mar-
ston wouldn’t listen to a delay that better ones
might be looked up. They’re at the bottom of
this work—I’d swear tom—especially the slim
chap as shipped for bo’sen’s mate."

T e detective caught at the words.

“ What was he like?” was his swift demand.

“Young, supple an’ handsome, black eyes,
black mustache, curling black hair, gentlemanly
an’ soft-spoken, too, barrin’ a treacherous, skulk’
ing look, and with a little red birth-mark, some—
thing like an arrer, on his left check, that he
seemed recious anxious to hide.”

Inez ad reopened her horrified eyes, and
overheard the characteristic description.

“Juan Mnrtez—the elder :of the accused
twins!" she shrieked, springing out of the detec-
tive’s support, and wild] clinching her hands.
“Oh, miser , misery! asco’s boast was not;
an idle one!’

Here one of the sailors came running a the=
companionway, callin out that Captain -
ston was still alive on partly conscious.

Ensco was the first to re—enter the cabin, hav-
ing resolutely intercepted Inez’s frantic rush to
precede him.

As he strode over to where the old captain
was supported by the sailor who had remained
there. something glittering caught his attention
on the floor. ‘

.It was a sapphire rin , set round with bril-
liants, which he succeed in securing without
being perceived.

The terribly wounded gentleman, who was,

obviously near hi3 last extremity, made a si n»
of recognition, an then by an effort be laid is
hand tenderly upon the head of the young girl,
who had sunk, voiceless in her anguish, m a;
kneeling attitute at his aide. .

“‘Ensco,” he gasped, “ she is under your pro-
tection now. You—you will accept the trust?”

“ With my life!” was the stern response.

“The treasure gone—the accursed twins and
their sorceress-dam Victorious at last—but you
will keep up the quest, the defense, the revenge,
Ensco—you will not falter?”

" Not while life. remains to me i” and the de-
tective solemnly raised his hand. “It is an oath
—an oath in heaven 1”

, “Hal Good, excellent! 0h, Ensco!” the dyo

ing man suddenly raised himself, throwing his

limp arms around the detective’s neck. “ Quick.
ere it be too late! There is a secret—the fate of
my daughter, Nessie’s mother, and of George
Delcg'me.k her husiband—N at t 1m ”
pea . gran a a i cried
gueflpwildly. “llr;}pa’r-ei'1pt:—are they alive or
en
11:12:] lazing eyes glared at_her.h k H
ve :- , came ma us w spar
“but. betteliiedea , far better!” y ’
“Say not so! Tell me where they arel
0h, Egndpapa, as you stand in this extremity,
But further speech was im ble.
There was gush of blood om the old man’s
11%: an inarticulatc cry, that sounded like
“ nd ho! land at last!” and then, as the

young girl’s despairing wail went forth, he was

gone i

CHAPTERIV.
A mamou'r LATER.

Ar dusk of a fine day. a fortnight after the
tragedy of the yacht Seamew Inez Delorme
stood in the drawing-room 1 ing the riverof
the old Marston readence. -

Her hat was on. and she was about f0.§i19P'

out into the grounds-

 

 

 

 

  
   
  
 
  

 

.T. H

I‘M eta

paw

 

lam-Animus -' m.

‘05: :;

 

 
   
 
 
 
   

~ And there was a kindly answer to the

,,. ..

Rowlo‘ék, the Harbor Detective.  _ _   , ,  '5

oh _. . .  ..
' ‘. ' l.
!

 

Mrs. Twiggs, the old housekeeper, who had
been almost a mother to the young girl, looked
‘up a little anxiously from her sewiugchair.

“ I wouldn’t go just yet, dear, ’ said she.
"‘ You haven’t yet received Mr.
signal."

'No, aunt,” it was thus that Inez mostly ad-
dressed the housekeeper, “ but look!" and she
i ered out over the lawn and darkening water;
' ‘ yonder is the twinkle of the Seainew’s lantern,
rocking at the anchorage just off Astoria.”

“ But the detective was not to put off for this
interview until quite dark, and the twilight is
not gone.”

Inez sighed.

The wearing shock of her grandfather’s tragic
death—us yet unavenged, or even brought home
to the perpetrators—still showed its snbduin
traces in her soft beauty, though she seeme
lovelier than ever.

“ What of that? It is so stupid, remainin
shut up here so incessantly, as in a hesiege
cabin in the Indian country.”

“There are enemies, more cunning and piti-
'less than red savages, for you to be guarded
against, dearie,” urged the old lady, impressive—

Ensco’s

y.

“ But we have no longer with us the treasure—
chcst. aunt, which all these bolts and bars and
cast—iron regulations were intended to defend.”

Then her lip trembled at the thought that the
dear, good grandfather was no longer with them
either—passed forever to that mysterious bourne
from which no traveler returns.

Mrs. Twiggs looked up at her lovingly over
her s ectacles. - '

“ . ou forget, my dear, that we have still_1n
keeping a yet more priceless treasure, which
those devil’s whelps, Juan and Vasco, are fully
as determined to carry off as was their terrible
mother in the case of the jewel~chest.

A flush of hatred and fear crosscd the fair
young brow, and then the discontent reappeared
in the lovely face.

“ Oh, yes; you mean me, of course.”

“ Of course, dearic!” And Mrs. Twiggs drop-
ped her knitting to take one of the soft, listlessly-
hanging little bands, which she patted and
smoothed |aetween her dry old palms. “Whom
else but my darling?”

“ Treasure, indeed!” Inez’s tone was pas-
sionatel in earnest. “I wish—I wish—”

“ We 1, and what does my darling wish?”

“ Oh! next to bringing Juan and Vasco to the
scaffold, aunt, I wish that I were ugly and poor,
instead of handsome and rich, or else—just
dead!"

“ Tut, tut, tut! Wild words, these, for my
petted Inez to speak!”

“ But I’m not patted—save by you now, aunt.”
pressure
of the fondling palms. "Petted, indeed! to be
up here, day in and day out, as in a jail, with
only an occasional peek out at the door or win-
dow for a mouthful of fresh air!”

“ But it cannot be for long, dearie.
her, it is b Mr. Ensco’s earnest advice.”

“ As it should forget it!”

“ The criminal young men once captured and'
their crimes brought home to them, as the ar-
bor Detective is now striving for, and my dar~
ling will once more have the world of love and
admiration at her pretty feet.”

“ Ah, no, aunt!” despondently. “ Ishall never
love or beloved. Of that I am quite positive.”

Mrs. Twiggs, having forgotten the uncon—
scious hypocrisies of maidenhood, always took
Inez seriously.

“ Not love or beloved!” she repeated. “Bless
me, my child! what else are you made for?”

t

Remem~

I don’t know; to be dogged, and watched, .

and made miserable, I suppose.”

“ Nonsense, sheer nonsense! Why, Mr. Ensco
was saying to me, on the occasion of his last se-
cret visit here— But, bless me! what ails you,
my dear?”

. Inez 11nd snatched away her hand but the old
lady‘s imperfect eyesight fortunately failed to
mark the telltale color——invariably invoked of
late at the mere mention of the handsome detec—
tive’s name in anything like an emotional con-
nection—that had suddenly overspread the pure
pallor of the fair young face.

“Nothing,” was the short reply. “Well,
well, Aaunt Tw1ggs; Mr. Ensco was saying to

on 4’

" That you must still keep close, my dear;
but that, the danger once passed, you might
safely enter but to conquer'upon the world of
wealth and fashion and admiration that is doubt-
less impatient to applaud. your debut.”

“ Oh i” a little disappomtedly.

“ Yes; and that your peerless beauty and
rare accomplishments could not fail, to Win your
choice from among the richest, highest-placed
and nipst distinguished in all the land for a. hus-

3 Indeed 1”
“ Yes: and I couldn’t exactly understand, for
he seemed so downhearted and cheerless-like

while he waspredicting so many pretty and .

brilliant things for you)
“ You are sure he seemed that way?” eagerly
“To be sure I am, dearie: and, as he turned

_ away, he muttered something about a poor and

obscure men having no chance, no matter how

 

much he might love and do for you, as a simple‘
matter of course. ‘ Oh, that stands to reason,
Mr. Ensco!’ says I. ‘Just as our Nessie is a
natural-born princess among girls, just so sure
could she never think of any wooer who might
be only poor, but honest, and otherwise un-
worthy. And for that matter,’ says 1—”

‘, , Inez, or “ Nessie,” cut her short by throwing

her arms around the old neck, and bursting into
a laugh that was like chime of joy‘bells—her
sWeet, natural laugh that had hardly been heard
since the sunrise tragedy on board the Seumew.

“ Oh you dear, darling old goose!” she cried;
“you know all about it, of course. don’t you?
You are just as deep, and penetrative, and far—
seeing as the stupid men themselves, aren’t you?”

“ I really don’t exactly understand, my dear.”

But Nessie was once more at the Window.

“The signal!” she exclaimed. “There it is—
four swings of a red lantern, just as the detec-
tive agreed 1”

“Wait! no haste! Don’t forget his warning
against a false signal, or some other cunning
trick,” said Mrs. Twiggs, who could see better
at a. distance than nearer at hand. “ Ha! Cau-
tion’s the word, Nessie.”

“ Nonsense, aunt!
flashes?”

“ Yes; directly under the lawn’s end there,
while Ensco’s were to come from midstrcam,
while passing from the Seamew to the landing.
Stop, Nessie, stop / Don't dare to forget the
precautions! Some trick, sonic treachery—”

But, Inez had already darted into the hall,
after Vouchsafing a little reassuring kiss.

She could be heard giving hurried orders to
the servant, who was unharring the front door,
for the fort—like safeguards of the old mansion,
instituted by the late eccentric proprietor, had
been sedulously kept up, at the detective’s sug-
gestion.

Then, before Mrs. Twiggs could run after her.
she had disappeared. .

The Marston residence was a somewhat neg—
lected mansion of old—time stateliness. in the
midst of extensive grounds, a little north of East
Eighty—sixth street, on the river-bank—with a
public boating and bathing float below, near the
foot of that rowing thoroughfare, and the
grounds of the ouse of the Good Shepherd ad-
joining on the north—which is familiar to resi—
dents and ramblers in that section of Yorkville
by its incongruous but agreeable rusticity in the
midst of the prosaic brick-and-mortar improve-
ments, finished, finishing, and just beginning, on
every hand except that of the broad river front,
with its superb View of Hell Gate, the interme-
diate island-ends, and the opp0site Long Island
shore, though another pleasant break in the city
river-line is supplied by the East River Park,
adjoining Eighty-sixth street on the south.

nez merely nodded to the old coachmun, who
was sturdin patrolling the grounds, blud eon in
hand, and then sped on throu h the dusk or the
private boat-landing just be ow the lawn-em-
bankment.

The red lantern had repeated the signal, and
then remained stationary.

She had no sooner descended the bank than,
with a swiftlyointerrupted scream of terror, she
found herself a co. tive in the combined grasp of
the dread twins, uan and Vasoo Martez.

Don’t you mark the

CHAPTER V.
THE INFERNAL 'rwnvs’ WORK.

“SILENCE!” exclaimed Vasco, who had the
firmest hold of the young girl, while Juan was
assisting in gagging and controlling her; “silence
or we. shall be forced to kill you! Submit, and
there is nothing but happiness in store for you.”

" He speaks. Iruly, Cousin Nessie,” said Juan.
“ This abduction has become a family necessity
——no more no less. No violence or indignity is
dreamed of.”

,From the hands of the latter especially—stain-
ed with her grandfather’s murder, as she had
not the shadow of a doubt—the young girl
shrunk in a Sort of frenzy, but they were both
sinewy and determined beyond her utmost re-
sistance. _

They spoke in low tones, and were dragging
her toward the small landing, at which their
row-boat, containing the false light that had de-
luded her, was in waiting. ‘

Inez succeeded in uttering yet another half-
scream.

Then a soft and painless but eifective gag was
secured over her lips, and she was hurried into
the stern of the boat, with one of her immediate
captors on either side of her. .

“Give way!” growled Juan. “ Caramba!
that last cry was not unheard.” .

The long, spoon-shaped skulls of four rufianly
oarsmeu bit the shimmering gloom of the water
at the same instant. and the keen, narrow boat
shot out and away like an arrow let fly.

J uan’s anxiety was not misplaced. Nessie’s
last or had not passed unheard.

Old ohn, the coachman on patrol duty, was
already on the retreating bank, calling out her
name and sounding& general alarm in stento-
nan tones.

H No and d n .
“Let  r0033”! commented Yasco, placidly.

 

 

They rowed with the tide which was swirling
up in the direction of Hell Gate with fierce ve-
locity.

But at that instant the true signal. which Nos-
sie’s impetuosity had not been content to make
sure of—four swayings of a red lantern from a.
boat mid way bet ween the Seamew’s distant an-
chorage and the homestead grounds—~flashed up
through the deepening dusk.

The captive made a movement both of hope
and despair, but the young men only laughed.

“ Carojo .’ little good will it do the Harbor
Detective now,” said Juan, lighting a cigarette.

“ No, indeed; our boat may safely defy tpur-
suit,” observed Vasco, " even if they shoul see
us and suspect our mission.”

“You may well say SO. What is the yachts
small boat, with its single rower, even if it he
the detectives black giant, compared with this
barbed clipper of ours?”

“ Hurrah for the red lantern! Aha, that was
a luck trick by which we duplicated the signal
agre on!”

“ Rather say forestalled, Va‘sco. And how
would you have managed but for my overhear

inf,r the parting words between our fair cousin ,

and her bold detective night before last at the
edge of the terrace?”

“True; but if you had knifed him thenand
there between the shoulder-blades, how much
better yet!”

Juan gave an involuntary shudder, which,
perceiving the girl’s eyes bent upon him, he pre~
tended to be a mimic one.

“ For Dias !” he muttered, half—under his
breath; “ wait till you’ve dip .d your own hands
in the red before recommen ing the dye-pot so
freely for others."

“ Don’t be angry, Juan; it was only my
joke.”

“Yes, joke! You can afford it, with Cousin
Nessie there for your prospective bride, and
your share of mother’s recovered jewelmhest to
lavish upon the pair of you at wil . But as for.
me, unjustly accused of my granduncle’s mur-
der, and with all the minions of the law on my

track, to say nothimg of this water sleuth- L

hound, Rowlock Ensco—well, the case is not so
charming!” .
Juan growled out these discontented words in

a mixture of Spanish and English—in which, by . r)

the way, most of the colloquy‘was being carried
on, Inez being fortunately familiar therewith,
through her thorough knowledge of both.

“ Don’t be downcast. I say, amigo,” urged
Vasco, cheerfully. “ They have not caught you
yet. You haven’t thought of how you last your
sap hire ring yet, I suppme?”

uan was craning his neck to starboard
while peering for the detective’s red lantern
which had ceased to swa to and fro, and was
now a more lurid, slight y moving speck out in
the darkness. '

“ No, no!” he replied, absently. , ,

“ Madre de Dws l” and Vasco’s voice fell al-
most to a whisper;
picked up in the cabin of the Seamew after—"-

J nan straightened himself up in a sort of ten“
rifled frenz . ‘

“ Cease your infernal croakings. or we’ll quar-
rel l” he hoarser interrupted, with a. torrent of
Mexican maledictions. “ Found there 5’ Im-
possible—preposterous» false 1"

“ Compose yourself, Juan.”

“ What! must you forever be suggesting hang-

man’s knots and gibbutsi”
“ Pests! Nothing of the sort.”
“And that, with Ensco, the sleuth-hound of

the harbor waves once more on our track? 9

Look out for yourself!”
,Vasco obeyed. «
“You are mistaken,” said be, after a mo—
ment’s scrutiny. “I cannot see that yonder
boat-light alters its position a hair’s-breadth.” x.

“Precisely, for the excellent reason that it is.

heading dead toward us, and at no tortoise jog,
either. v .
Vasco remained silent, while Inez had at-

ready marked the truth of this with a joyful _

heart-leap. .
Availing herself of the negligence into which

her guards had lapsed she now sprung forward 
he red lantern that was ' ‘

unexpectedly, seized t
poised not far away, and hurled it abroad with
all her strength. ,

- .i
It described a bright, crimson are in the
darkness before disappearing.

Juan shouted an imprecation, thrust her  '

furiously, and half-drew his stiletto. . w -
But Vast-o, who had repinioned the you?
girl’s arms from behind, drew her back, an ,
lai'i‘gjhing gayly snatched a kiss. ‘.
bursting into a coarse uflfaw.
“What, Juan,” crie Vasco, “are you so up:
prehensive? Caramba I” _ "
And, releasing Inez, he reheved her 0: die

ag. .
g But her first use of her liberty was not to
scream afresh, as might have been "

It was to fetch him such a box on the ears:

made his senses swim.
She was red with anger. I , _
“ Coward! rufilanly brute 1” she hissed, in bet'
ter Spanish than his own, “ you would dare to

kiss me? Had  but a weapon! Even that, "

“if it should have been,

6 men at the oars, also, took the liberty of w

 

 

6 .

murder-stained villain”—she indicated J uan— I
“ had not offered me such an indignity!”

And she sunk back scornfully in her seat.

Juan, who had begun to smile maliciously at
his brother’s rebuff, grew black, though Vasco’s
good-nature was undisturbed.

“ Ha, ha, ha!” laughed the latter. “ Oarajol
but there’s pith in that shapely arm of thine,
cousin mine. God forbid that its fury, though,
should outlast our nuptials l”

Inez maintained a rlisdainful silenca.

“It ma be well for you to laugh!” snarled
Juan. “ ut none the less has the girl’s action.
signaled her situation to the enemy. I give you
fair warning, if she yells out, my dag er shall

~~ stop her throttle, cousin or no cousip, ride or
I no‘bride!”
*1 And be altered the boat’s course a point or
' two, so as to bug yet closer the dangerous swirl
of the Gate while making for the west current
_ between Ward’s Island and the city shores.
. 4 Inez smiled at the superfluousness of the warn~

in .
iittle need of a signal by scream or otherwise,
since it was evident that the first had hoen so
3., well understood.
7.“ Even at that instant a small rocket shot up
 from tho pursuing craft.
 I . Then, for all of her single rower, the steadfast
‘ i- ' red light in her prow, which was pretty much
all that could be r istinctly seen of her, seemed
_ to be slowly enlarging.

f‘ CHAPTER VI.

-‘ THE ovna HELL GATE RACE.

JUAN was as quick to mark the changeas
Inez. With one of his favorite imprecations he
brou ht a night—glass to bear on the ursuer.

“ e has actually hoisted a. sail!" e growled,
 after an ominous pause. “That explains it.
721”, Diablo! who’d have suspected it in such a
 cochlea-shell?”

He quietly put up the glass, and began to ex-

v amine his revolver, for he could be cool and
deadly enou h on occasion.

Vasco to owed his example, his white, even

teeth glistening between his smiling lips in the

ght of the remaining lantern, an ordinary un-

1i
co cred one.
In fact, sharply contrastin the sullen moodi-
iny of this young
1

 

 

ness of the elr! er twin, the vi
man was invariably tempered by a dare-dev
gayety that would not have been without its
charm in one of a less notorious and incorrigible
viciousness. .

. “I su I have it bred in the bone,” said
, he, lightly, "‘ for my progenitors Were no less
sailors than soldiers. At all events, be it for
life or for death, let me grapple with fate on
the running wave 1”

1 And he broke into a bright bamarolo in a
r ‘ ' rich tenor voice.

Juan nodded a provingly.

“ I. too!” sai he, throwing 03 his jacket,
fend baringlfiiis sinewy arm to the elbow, while
his strong nd opened and shut caressineg on
his glistening revolver’s stock. “ The treach-
erous sea-water for a fighting ground, andevery-
thing equal! I ask for nothing better.”

But here there were unmistakable murmurs
. from the “ crew,” which had before this mani-
- tested some discontent; for it was now the crit-
I led! tidal moment at the Gate, causing the boat
4‘ to pitch about dangerously in the boilin waters;

while, to make matters worse, she be just un-
. dergone a huge “ wash” from one of the Astoria
. ferry-boats, which, with its tall rows of gleam-
. ing cabin lights had swept by within near hail
* on its way to the Ninety-second street dock.
‘ “ Be the powers, thin, it isn‘t meself as agrees
v, , wid aither av ye!”’ dissented the stroke-oar,

“ a beetle-brewed, bull-necked professional river-
thief of immense proportions. ’

“Oho!” sneered Juan. contemptuously with
_r a' Is! ificant flick of his revolver; “ and who
' ask “pour opinion, Mikel”

 “‘ x, but it’s meself—”

“You’ll keep it to Yourself till asked for. or

the worse for you!" This with a yet more men-
! acing air.
a. The rufiian was temporarily cowed, but this
V did not prevent the oarsman next in line, who
= ' ‘ ‘ was quite as dangerous-looking, from taking up
‘ the cue. ‘ ‘

“Wall, for my part,” he drawled out, “I’d
much sooner be rifling an Indiaman’s lockers,
. oreven robbing a new wharf-car o, watchman
" or no watchman, at the moment, t an be in this
imp, if it's that water-devil, Rowlock Ensco,
 in yonder ghostrboat that’s after us. And you

two young gentlemen might as well know it
first as last!”

 

  
 
  
  
    
  
  
   
 
  
  
    
     
   

, Juan had vainly eSsayed to quiet him with a

..stem gesture, and then a quietly murderous

;' look had settled upon his dark face.

, Vasco touched his arm as if to enjoin him to
patience.

‘ Then his own voice was no longer laughing,

but fairly trumpet-like he called out to the

chow—oar: ‘

, “Jago! be ready to put a bullet into Red

, Pete’s neck at the first sign from me. As for

. _', you, Big Mike, bear in mind that you’re doubly

 when disposed to fire of! that flannel-
mouth of yours again. You ought to know

.wp,

 

   

The growing mutiny was thus summarily
squelched, though Juan thought it necessary to
.make a little uiet speech in thieves" latm, with
still further e ect upon the two grumblers, while
Vasco, laughing afresh, gave another snatch of
song, that seemed to complete the restoration
of harmon , so far as it could be said to exist
among suc diverse rufflanly elements.

In the mean time the first of the dreaded tide-
pots of the Gate had been crossed, with two
more to come, so closely were they hu ging in

to the Ward’s Island rocks, perhaps in t e hope ‘

of luring their small pursuer to her destruction,
while the red light was slowly and surely gain—
ing in the chase. ,.

at, in s ite of this apparently desperate look
of affairs, asco threw himself in a careless at-
titude at the fair captive’s side. and endeavored
to engage her in a bantering chat.

“ Confess now, cousin, how you are longing
to be rescued by that devil of a detective back
yonder,” he laughed, pitching his voice in a soft,
musical key, that recalled his comparatively in—
nocent ho hood to her. “ Confess it, thou h
little goo it may do you, my dear. A !
Chiquita min, our wharf-rat refuge is not far
away. Your detective cannot overhaul us, or
he will be killed in the attempt. So, come now,
and chat with me merrily, as you used to do
when we twins were but seventeen angdyou not
ten. Do you remember the banana-b' song of
mine that you used to like?"

And he began to trill it again, a wild and
weird little thing, full of tropical conceits and
summer sea melody. llke an echo of the past.

Notwithstandin her anxieties and resent-
ments, Nessie con (1 not help viewing the young
desperado as a sort of enigma.

In the old da s, when the familiarity of child—
hood had swift y arisen between her and these
strange cousins of hers—the handsome but mis-
chievous and devil may-care boy-twins from the
Spanish Main, Vasco had always been her fav-
orite, he was so jovial, so ready-witted, so brave
and so good-naturedly selfish, in contrast with
the brooding somberness of Juan, that grave
alter ego of is, in body as in disposition save
for that tiny red arrow of the sinister chee .

There was nothing he would not do la. chiquita
sobn’na Inez (the little cousin Inez,) so he called
her, and she even remembered some girlish tears
over his incorrigibleness at the time of his fli ht
with Juan before the righteous wrath of or
grandfather.

And now to what extremities of wickedness
had he descended!

She shuddered as she saw him stretched so
carelessly there at her feet, singin like a bird,
so handsome so graceful in his alf-Mexican
costume, ’ and doubtless as lost and as blood-
stained as the sterner Juan himself, though per-
haps not with the actual murder of her grand-
father and his two followers.

She had read of the wild deeds of the Bucca-
neers, the Marooners, and their Corsair succes-
sors of the tropic seas, and the young men
strongly suggested such a criminal yet romantic
ancestry to her at the present moment in a way
that she did not care todwell on— rhaps for
the reason that there was more or ess fascina-
tion in the idea.

“I wish you wouldn’t sing, sir!” said she at
last. “ It isn’t—becoming.” ‘

Vasoo stopped instantly.

“ Of old you did not dislike my singing,” he
sof (y protested.

t “ edf old, you were not what you are,” she re—
ort .

A look that was not good to see flashed over
his face. '

“ Bueno! but might on not overlook that
 the detective h not come into your

e

A disdainful movement was the only an-
swer.

He seized her hand.

“ Inez, you are to be mine, my bride forever?
be exclaimed, with sudden fierceuess. “Strive
not against the inevitable! I have sworn it. It
is also my mother’s will— Ah! does her mere
name make you tremble, then l—it is likewise
the will of Fate. Child!” /

Crimson with indignation, she was struggling
inefi'ectually to release her hand.

“ It must, it shall be so!” he continued. fierce-
ly. “ Inez, on are mine! Essay not to op
the inevitab e. Family considerations, the dis-
position of the jewel—treasure, my own and my

rother’s security, a hundred complications im«
peratively demand it. You cannot, you shall
not escape! All, this apart from my love, my
passion for you, chiquita querida! It has

indled and mounted throughout the lonely
years until it has become a fiery madness in my
soul. Inez—Nessie! peerless, beautiful, adored!
in :ccgpting, even perforce, this heart, this
an —-

“Awa !” she had succeeded at last in fling-
ing him k; her voice was hoarse with .terror
and disgust: “ the one is black with iniquity,
the other stained with Hood—the blood of my
grandfather, to whose murder, wretch, you
were at least accessory ‘”

Vasco’s laugh was his retort, but with no gay-
6 now—a terrible laugh!

is face had become as a flend’s-a face sug-

 

' Rowlock, the Harbor Detective.

 

gesting his mother's, and consequently the
woman-faced emblem of the emblen in tattoo.

Inez was almost beside herself with nameless
ap rehensions.

ut they were passing through the second
tide—sw1rl of Hell Gate, and at that instant,
Wltll‘l a sharp jar, the boat grated on a sunken
roc '.

Vasco sprung to the ne lected tiller, while
Juan was on his feet like a ash.

“ Back water!” he roared. “ Ease her off two
points! Curse your mooning lolly, Vasco! that
was our fault. Ease her off, I say !"

“ 0 use, senors!” growled Jago, shipping his
sculls, and then twisting in his seat. “Our
bow’sswve in, and the whole river’s coming in
on us.

 

CHAPTER Vll.
THE ROCK STEP TRAGEDY.

“ KEEP Mike and Pete to work, at the pistol’s
point!” shouted Juan.

Then he had fairly scrambled over their
shoulders to the bow, jacket in hand where
J a 0 was already oesaying to plug up the rent.

at it was past remedy, for the foot-boards
were awash.

Nessie’s nerve had unaccountany returned to
her and, with a fortunate s ring, she had suc-
needed in reaching the smoot surface of a rock
that projected out of the boiling waters but a
few feet away, without even wettin her feet.

The green shore of Ward’s Islan point was
about ten yards distant.

Inan instant Vasco was at the young girl’s
side, leaving the boat with its remaining in-
mates to settle as it might.

“ All’s up!” shouted Juan.
rendezvous at Bowery Bay!”

Then he was dimly seen to leap over the dis-
a pearing nwale, and strike out for the
is and, in w 'ch he was followed by his three
companions.

In the mean time. the red lantern of the pass-
ing small-boat was bright and distinct, not fifty
yards away. and she, obedient to her sail, danc-
ng lightly over the perilous eddies as if possess—
ing a charmed life.

“ Inez—Miss Delorme!” it was Rowlock’s
voice, clear but anxious. trumpeting out of the
gloom; “ where are you?”

‘ ‘Here, HERE!” she screamed, in an agony of
delight. “Here upon a small rock! Haste, oh,
haste!”

But, Vasco had grasped her wrist and his
low, fearless laugh sounded hideously in her

ears. -
too- why don’t you tell him

“ I am here,
that r n he hissed. “ Item, too, chiquita querida,

“ Remember the

and. thanks to Vengeance, with my revolvers .

dr l”
gut her fears were now for another than herr ,

self.

“Rowlock, be careful!” she shrieked as the
boat approached. “I am not alone. Vasco is
here. He is armed. Look out!”

Vasco had clutched her with a grip of iron.
His left hand was over her lips in his right

listened his revolver read for instant use on
t enow distinctly-outlined gum in the bow of
the little shallop, just rounding to at the rock’s
edge, and quivering like a'live thing in the
swuft hesitance of her shifted sail.

A fierce laugh burst from the young Hon-
duran’s lips.

“D0 of a detective!” he cried; “ think you
to slant, us forever With your cursed cunning,

Pifl! Alight pull of smoke from the dark
figure in the bow, a report, and then Vast-0’8
pistol went off harmlessl in the air as it was
dashed from his hand y an unerring bullet
striking it in the butt.

“Alls over for the present,” hissed Vasco,
and the next instant he had disappeared head-

long in the seething flood.

, “ 0h, Rawlock, I am so glad—so lad!” and,
without thinking of what 3 e was oing, Inez;
sobbing hysterically, threw herself in the detec-
tive's arms, as he sprung to the rock at her side
after sheerln off the boat by a parting kick 0
his vi orous eel.

A t ‘11 of ecstasy pervaded Rowlock’s frame,
but he was far too enerous to take even an in~

stant's advantage or the»situation to express the ;

emotion that almost controlled him.

He turned from the sobbing girl, after com-
posing her with a soothing gesture.

“Quick, Mingo!”~ he cried. “ Little Starlight
will hold the boat. Overboard after them, and
remember, Juan is our chief game!”

The negro lunged over the taflErail, and was
off in the wa e of the three men who had first
taken to the water, Vasoo having somehow mys-
teriously disappeared after his initial plunge.

The detective helped Inez on board the little
pinnace. , '

“ There! you are almost yourself again,” he
said, Vvith his reassuring entlenesa

“ Oh, yes, sir!” she rep ied, though still trem- .

bling. “That is, I think so.” And she sunk
into a cushioned seat at the stern.

“ Look!” he exclaimed. “ If any man in the
world can make a swimming capture, it« is
Mingo. Stand read with a grapne ,
80!” And the boat egan to creep inshore.

 

25,34

Starlight l -

 

 

 

  

,water, that

Rowlock, the

v .a.,

Harlodr Detec

w

, .

this. 7 "

 

 

The person thus oddly addressed was a queer-
little wizen—faced urchin, in yachting costume,
who obeyed orders with a directness and taci-
turnity that rivaled Mingo himself.

By the starry shimmer that was now upon
the waters, the latter could be seen making
prodigious progress through the swirling tide,
with a formidable jack-knife between his teeth,
in pursuit of the three heads that were making
for the island shore. .

“ I——I think they might as well have been let
go,” staminered Inez “ at least for the present."

“ I don’t,” responded the detective. “Even
one of the minor scoundrels, as a witness against
the others, might be invaluable to us.”

“Ah! but look. Oh, dear, how dreadful!”

The two foi'emOst fugitives had clambered
ashore and disappeared, while the negro had
overtaken the hindmost, With whom he was en-
ga ed in a terrific struggle.

Suddenly both men vanished beneath the sur-
f

ace.

“ Quick, Starlight!” called out Ensco, in a
low voice. “ There. easy now. No fear of
Mingo, in such a tussle.”

He was right. At that moment a huge, mo-
tionless form, motionless save for the unquiet
action of the waves, reappeared on the surface.

It was that of Big Mike, a stiletto still clutch—
ed in one listless hand, the knife of the faithful
negro buried hilt—deep in the lifeless breast!

‘ Bad, had,” muttered Ensco. “ Better to
have had him alive, but it couldn’t be helped!”

Here the boat carecned a little under a giant
gasp on the gunwale, and then the victorious

in o drew himself in from the water.

“ gh l” he granted, shaking himself amid-
shi s. “ No use, Marse Rowlock.”

nd, reaching out to recover his knife, he re-
sumed his duties in the management of the
boat as if nothing unusual had interrupted
them.

Inez shuddered, and she drew her light mantle
more closely about her.

“ What now?" she asked, noticing that they
were heading straight back through the Gate.

“ Around the point,” was the detective‘s
laconic answer, ’as he grasped the tiller.
“ There’s a chance, though only a slight one, of
our intercepting the others in their attempt to
reach their rendezvous at Bowery Bay.”

“ I d ,you know of that rendezvous, then?”

0.

“ But might not the oflicors of some of the in-
stitutions on the island there assist in their cap-
ture, Were you to give the alarm?”

The detective shook his head.

“ Scent time for that. There’s a boat or two
that the scoundrels can have availed themselves
of ere this.”

This was made a parent as soon as the point
had been rounde , for a_ small boat with two
occupants was seen making its way rapidly
across the outer reach toward the Long Island
shore, with the strong tide in its favor, while
there was now nothing but a strong head-wind
for the pursuer.

“ No goodl”'growled Ensco. “ They’ll make
the passage in less than ten minutes, and we are
not strong enough I to follow them into the
gang’s chief fastness to-night.”

And he reluctantly altered the shallop’s
course.

“What gang is it?" asked Inez.

“The powerful gang of river-bandits who
seem to‘render unquestioning obedience to those
scoundrelly brothers.’

“ Ah! but Vasco must have been left behind,
no less than the dead man. There are only two
in yonder boat.” .

“ True; let us hope that he also met his doom
in the depths. ”

“ Oh no! Oh, no!”

“But, why not hope it? There would then be
but Juan, the master-murderer, left.”

“Yes yes; to hope it—to desire it as just and
well! fiat then, Vasco was always so brave, so
venturesome so desperate, especially on the

I cannot think—”

She shrunk dowu in her seat with a scream.

“ Vasoo is here 1” suddenly burst out a defiant
voice, followed _ by a blood-curdling laugh.
“Here to claim his bride, or to dedicate her to
his vengeance!”

He had suddenly risen from the water and
scrambled over the stern, poniard in
a veritable sprite of the waves.

CHAPTER VIII.
a LEAP roa VENGEANCE.

ROWLOCK recoiled from the tiller just in time
to avoid a vicious lunge.of the young bravo’s
knife over Nessie’s shrinking head.

But, as he did so, his revolver leaped into

2 view and spoke with as cunning precision as
I on the previous occas on, the bullet snapping

gig? uplifted poniard’s blade short oil? at the

t.
“Quick, Min 0!” shouted the detective,
ringing straig t at the intruder's throat.

. ‘ But remember. alivkalive, at all hazards!”

But he was intercepted by the tiller striking
him heavily in the breast, in its release, and he
once more went reeling back, while Mingo,
agile though he was, was as yet but midway to

e stem 5 sets,

Vasco broke into a terrible laugh.

hand, like

 

“ Mine in death, if not mine in life i” he yell-
ed, as he caught the shrinking Inez in his grasp,
and jumped with her into the waves.

In an instant they had disappeared beneath
the surface.

A cry of terror (terror for her,) no less than
of fury, bud burst from the Harbor Detective’s
lips, and he was on the tnfi‘rail, with his hands
joined over his head, his body curved for the
pursuing plunge; but a lithe, slight figure—the
figure of the little lad Starlight—flitted past
and before him like a flash.

“I’m best at water-rattln’, Rowlock!" sung
out the lad. “ Whatcher about?”

And his diving form had cut down through
the water like a knife.

Ensco was about to follow when Mingo’s mas-
sive grasp closed on his shoulder.

He turned upon him in a sort of frenzy, but
the ehon face of the African was expressive of
nothing but contentment.

“Golly, Marse Rowlock!
Look; all serene 1"

He pointed to where Inez had just re-appear-
ed, lightly buoyed by the partial inflation of
her garments, and gasping for breath, but oh-
viously more frightened than hurt.

They had her, shivering, on board without
delay, soon to be warmly wrapped up in some
old pea—jackets, which the negro produced from
a convenient locker.

Then little Starlight also made his rel-appear-
ance, scrambling forward, like a half-drowned
but uncommonly lively rat, without vouchsaf—
ing a syllable of explanation.

The boat was again speedily under manage
ment; the spanker filled away, and the altered
course was once more resumed, this time with-
out interruption.

Ensco had anxiously searched the surface of
the water with his eagle glance, but without
detecting the faintest sign of Vasco’s showing
up again.

He looked tenderly down at the rescued girl.

Exhausted by the re ated nervous shocks
she had undergone, an warm] bundled 11
against the night air, the gratefu reaction
come at last.

She had sunk into the brief unconscioness of a
sweet sleep.

The long, bent, silken lashes of the closed eyes
rested upon the fair checks, the pallor of the
beautiful, upturned face was suggestive of deep
peace in the still starshine, her soft breathing
came and went equably through the slightly
parted coral lips, all the more temptin or a

thetic air of weariness, and the uncout cover-
ing just undulatedtothe slumberous rise and fall
of her gentle breast.

The etective gave an inward sigh. How he
had come to adore her!

What would he not have given to imprint but
one kiss that would not be unwelcome, on those
girfeot lips! And his bosom thrilled anew as he

ought of how she had nestled in his arms,
though but for an unconscious instant of m,
back there on the wave-washed river-rock.

He removed his lingering eyes only with an ef-
fort from their flashing gaze.

U Here I”

And, in obedience to an accompanying sign,
the boy Starlight was aft at his side.

“ How did you manage?”

“He was a-treadin’watsr jest under the sur-
face with her sort 0‘ hitched close, boss,” he ex-

lained,“when I bu’sted him full in thebread-bas—
et. Then he sort 0‘ sheared off, and she popped
u ’ards like a bladder-fish.” ‘

‘ Have you any notion what could have become
of him! Could he have been drowned?”

“Not more’n a Tom cod. That duck was as
much at hum under water, boss, as a sculpin or
a bull—frog.”

“ That will do.” .

The boy re oined the negro forward.

Some time ter Inez opened her eyes, and then
started up.

One’s enough.

“ Where are we?” she exclaimed, after recol:

lecting her bewildered senses. “Ab!” and she
took a hurried survey of her surroundings; “ you
are not taking me home.”

“ No, but to the yacht Miss Delorme,” replied
the detective, reassuringly. “ That is best for
the present, because the nearest at hand. Be
composed, I beseech you i”

“ am no ion or discomposed now, thank you.”

“ That is we 1. In the mean time, Starlight
shall convey to Mrs, Twiggs the tidings of your
safety. And, if I mistake not, there are portions
of your wardrobe remaining in the after cabin
of the Seamew.” '

" That is true. Thank you again, Mr. Ensco;
you are very thoughtful. Doubtless it is for the
best. Still l-J’ She shuddered involuntarily.

He understood.

_ “ Ah! you have not been on board since—
Emce the traced y. 1 had almost forgotten. Per-
haps I should land you directly at Astoria?”

“No,” with sudden resolution; “I shall have
to master the re ugnance some time. Why not
now? Besides, t 6 dry garments are indispen-
sage.”

, er courage was noteworthy, e= ‘ally in
View of what she had so recently undgfigone.

Nevertheless, it was with difficulty that she
suppressed another shudder when she gained the

   

yacht’s deck, a. few minutes later, and murmured
an acknowledgment of Chief Officer John Dago’s
res ctful greeting.

ith one other—Tom Goff, the boatswain, a
capital tar—he was the only one of the Seamew’s
original crew that had been retained; while the
detective also had of late made his home chiefly
in the yacht. ,

A commodious stateroom, luxuriously fur-
nished, at the after end of the Seamew’s saloon
cabin, had been occupied by Inez on many a
yachting cruise in company with her grand-
father. 4..

Now, upon emerging from this, after effecting , ‘j
the desired change of garments, she found the ‘
detective thoughtfully awaiting her at the
saloon table, upon which some refreshments had
been placed.

The young lady’s face wore a pleased look, as
she seated herself, and be an to discuss some of
the good things before er, in which, at her
pressing invitation, he joined her, while she told
him the story of her misadventure from begin—
ning to end. , ;

There was not a single reminder of the terrible ,
tragedy of which the place had been the scene; “ ii
the entire interior had been charmingly re.
fitted.

Inez testified her appreciation of it all in
many ways as she talked. She even grew cheer-
ful, and occasionally laughed happily as she fed
a tidbit to the first oflicer’s pretty skye-terrier __
that was romping about the saloon. 

Ensco listened in attentive silence, and then ,
briefl narrated how he had chanced to divine 
her anger, and had headed soopportuuely to I“;
the rescue. ‘i z

“ Now let us sift to-night’s strange happenings
to their bottom,” said he, “and see what useful
hints for our future behoof we can extract from

em.

“ Agreed,” replied Inez. “ But first tell me
what you were examining as I approached the ~
table. It flashed like something precious when ' '
you were sli ping it out of sight.” ‘

Ensco smi ed.

“I intended to exhibit it later on," said he.
“ But let it be now."

And he laid before her the sapphire ring he
ltaad picked up at the first discovery of the

Page 3- .

It was so beautiful that she uttered an excla-
mation as she took it in her hand.

“Be carent how you recs the ring in that

particular way, ease!’ hurriedly cautioned
er companion. ‘There is a dangerous secret ‘
in the gem.” ’

“ Secret—dun erous? Why, what do on"
mean?” And at but instant the terrier famil -
l scrambled into her lap, and paved out play-

ully for the trinket.

Suddenly the little creature withdrew its paw _
with an agoniaed yelp, and rolled from her lap
to the floor, where it ell into convulsions.

Inez was thundersiruck. ‘ .

“ How terrible l’ her lip quivered. “ Oh, it is
horrible! Poor little thing!” .

“By the merest accident, though. It is all .
up with Mr. Dago's pet, I am afraid.” ' '

The animal was indeed dead.

“The ring was doubtlem Juan’s,” explained.
the detective, in answer to the young. girl’s , ~
anguished look of inquiry. “It's secret is a ‘ ,
poisoned dart.” ., - ‘.

She gave a sob of mingled fri ht and grief, '
and dropped the ring with a hon-l ed gesture. . i ~

CHAPTER IX. I
ON ran stmw. *
fiasco returned to the table after causing the  f .-:
removal of the unfortunate animal’s remains. ' ‘~ "
“Com yourself, Miss Delorme,” said he,
cheerfu y. “ I have explained the mishap to
Mr. Dago, who was not inconsolahle. He seems 
not to have cared much for the dog, which was: .
given him by an old messmate only a few da a, 7,
ago. He says you’re not to feel» worried an n- ‘
stunt—otherwise he shall never forgive himself-
for bringing the little brute on board. . '
“ Forgive himself? Oh, Mr. Ensco, the poor,
the innocent, little thin l and so playful, so af-
fectionate, only the ins out before.” v
In addition to her quivering lip, the tears were
streaming down her cheeks. .
With a gesture of dismissing the subject, he.
took up the ring. .
How the rich azure of the stone, with its fiash- _
ing dgirdle of brilliants, glanced and scintin
ate 
Inez clasped her hands, bending forward with ,
redoubled eagerness. . , g ‘
Pet dogs could come and go, wag their tails
and die. but sucha ring, ah! how seldom ,is such
a feast for feminine eyes. \
“ To think of its being so fatal. and yet so‘
beautiful!” she murmured. “ What is the secret
of its deadliness’i" . . 
He pressed the thinnest part of the tiny gold
band with a peculiar touch. A delicate, bluish,
steel point,so small as tobePust g bk,
out from near the centre setting, liketho
tongue of a fairy serpent, and as swiftly vanish-
back ii the removal of the pressure.
“ You 0 anced upon the secret touch by the
merest accident," said Ensco. “ Its discovery,
however, cost me a good deal of struggle.” 

      
 
  
    
 

 

 

 

. Add. .. ,
111‘ A ‘

 

 

   

4‘ ‘ Rowlook, the Harbor» Detective. 9

 

 

“ Look me in the face, Ensco! Oh, why will
you not look up—why will you not answer me?”

He did look up, and she was startled at the
change that had grown into his face—the face
that she had come to love, whose image was
daily deepening in her heart—it was grown so
sad, so pained.

“ Ask me no more,” he said, in slow, measured
tones. “ I cannot, luez, I must not answer you i”

She made a despairing gesture, that seemed to
increase his pain, while it did not shake his reso—
luteness.

She could not but see this.

“ Oh !” murmured Inez; “ how unhappy um 1!
However ”—her eyes flashed, her hands clinched
anew—“ she knows, I am sure of that. And
she shall dissipate my aching suspense, terrible
and implacable as she is, or she shall die!”

“ Poor child! poor Inez!”

“ Why do you say that? Tell me this instant,
sir! How dare you pity and yet be so unkind to
me?"

“I unkind?”

“ Yes, in this, unkind, ungenerous! Other—
wise would you satist me.”

“ Inez, you d i not, you cannot guess!”

“ Indeed, I cannot; that is my misfortune.”

“Rather, your privilege. My kindness is in
my silence.”

‘Oh, you torture, you exasperaie me beyond
words! At least tell me this: does she know?”

“ The White Sibyl?”

H Yes.”

The answer came slowly, unwillingly, but it
came.

“There is nothing concerning you, Inez De-
lorme, that the Senora Zarapatta Martez does
not know.”

 

CHAPTER XI.
THE PHANTOM srnAirLAUNCH.

THEY were at this moment interrupted by the
sudden appearance of a small, swiftly-movin
steam-launch that had unexpectedly round
the light-house point on her up—stream course,
and was making directly across her how.

Glad enough to have the current of her
though tschanged, Inez looked up in surprise.

Though proceeding rapidly, silently, there
was not a glimmer of light displayed by the
launch, and only a soft, creamy wake followed
the almost noiseless revolutions of her propeller.

No more was there any indication of ife or
intelligenceon board, save a single dark-robed
figure, sitting like a statue of lonely meditation

, at the stern.

“ Why, how strange, how phantom-like!”
murmured Inez. “Did you mark how mys-
teriously it came slipping and shooting round
the int, Ensco?”

“ ushl let us wait.” And his voice was
oddl measured and expectant.

“ Vait for what? But do you mark the
solemnity and the strangeness of the thing,I
say? Are there phantom steam-launches, no
less than phantom ships, I wonder? And that
ominous figure at the stern! It looks like a
woman’s— Ha! Heaven protect me!"

And she was cowering. suddenly at her com-
panion’s side.

The fl re had turned its face toward them,
in the to glare of the light-ho lam .

A woman‘s face, the face as one fling dead,
so absolute its marble whiteness! Beautiful,
too, but terrible and haunting, with its stead-
fast, serpent eyes, and every lineament expres-
sive of calm, self-sumcient, balefu! power.

It smiled upon them—a glassy, an inscrutable,
a. deadly smile—and then it was gone.

“Compose hyourself, Inez,” muttered the de-
tective, and s e did her best to obey. “Yes;
theory crystallizes into fact, and most unex-
pectedly.” .

‘,‘ No doubt of it 1”

“None. It wasZarapatta Martez herself,
the White Sibyl of Morena.”

‘ Inez courageously controlled one of her shud-
dering fits. ,

“ ose eyes! that smile! You marked them,
Ensco?”

“ Why not? Ay; and knew them of old, as
well.”

“ Oh! what can it mean?”

“ Time and fate must determine.”

“ But she must be powerful, able, self-confiy

dent. to flit about in this way,”

“ An enchantreSS. or very ike one.”

“ And-our difficulties, our‘ dangers, are vastly
increased.” ‘

“ No; rather lessened by the actual revelation
of this woman’s proximity. She has oven-each-
ed herself—deviltry always does that, sooner or
later. The true deadliness of her power was in
keeping us in the dark as to her proximity.”

“ True; I see that. But what is to be done?”

“Nothing more than we are trying to do,
other than additional caution and cunning on
our part. . The diamond is cut and polished
solely with its own dust. There is a new danger;
but say no more, of it now.”

Inez accordingly rela into silence, which
was not broken till 1: ey were threading the

rounds of the Mnrston House, after leaving

'ngo and Little Starlight in charge of the boat,
was“ parting injunction towatohfulness and
can .

.

 

It was past midnight.

After accosting and passing the coachmau-
patrol, who was still going his faithful rounds
the stood at a side-door of the old house 0
which Inez always carried a key.

Then it was Ensco himself who first resumed
the discussion of the all-engrossing subject in
hand. / ‘

“ I’ve been thinking everything over,” said he.
“And less and less do I like the thought of your
remaining here.”

u “711).?”

“ It isn’t sufficiently guarded."

“The house is almost like a fort."

“ No matter. Since what has last occurred——
the apparition of that woman—”

“I understand. But where could I be more
safe than here, unless it might be on the Sea-
mew?”

“ Well, on the yacht, then. It is your own
property now, and you are its commander.”

“ So is this estate mine.”

“ Still, I can’t think you as safe here as afloat.”

“ I shall remain, though, comrade.” And she
gave her short little laugh.

He sighed.

“I know What that means," she said.

“ IVhat, then?”

“ That it would be all right if you could only
he always at hand as my defender—be perma—
nently one of the household here, in fact—but
that would not be right and proper, in a worldly
sense.” ‘

Rowlock flushed slightly.

“You have divine aright, Inez,” he admit-
ted}; ”“ Such was the exact significance of my
Sig .

“ You admit it?”

“ Free] .”

“Then apart from the bolts, baits and armed
servants constituting my environment, you do
not deem me cunning or able enough to guard
myself against the enemy here, Without your
close attendance?”

“ Frank! , I do not.”

She laug ed again.

“ I am to prove the contrary to you.”

She ran up the steps and noiselessly unlocked
the door.

“ Follow me, comrade ” said she, softly. “ Ac-
cording to Coachman :Iohn. both Mrs. Twiggs
and Sarah, my maid, have long since retired,
after being assured of my safety by your con-
siderate message. The other servants are
doubtless in bed. We shall have the house to
ourselves for my experiments.”

He followed her into a dimly-lighted corridor,
Inez carefully refastening the door.

Thence he was“ conducted into a large apart-
ment, which, upon the gas being turned up,
proved to be the library—a cosey, substantially-

urnished room.

She pointed to the foot of a narrow private
staircase in a short adjoining passa way, and
then to a communicating bedroom oor.

“ That was r grandpa ’s sleeping-room,”
she exclaime , “ and the brary here was his
favorite resort. The staircase leads to mg own
rooms directl above for nothing would 0 but
I should be w thin call. Wait now.”

She disappeared up the stair.

The detective threw himself into one of the
great, morocco-covered arm-chairs, and, while
wondering what could be her intention. fell to
observmg the heavy iron bars of the windows,
plainly visible between the partings of the long
curtains of crimson rep.

“ Inez did not exag rate,” he thought. “The
old gentleman made t 6 old house pretty secure
agfinst intruders ‘while he was about. ‘ Still.
w_ at can‘t an ex rt, determined criminal work
his way throng when once thoroughly pro-
v1ded and alert? But I wonder what the young
lady can be up to.”

A light footfall caused him to turn to the
stairway.

Then a sort of sudden, chilling heart-anguish

ssessed him. ,

A Mexican youth stood before him, in all the
jacketed, Silver-buttoned cavalier braver for
which the nationality is distinguished, sombrero
in hand, a sup‘ercilious curl on the short. deli-
cately-mustac ed upper lip, a look of challeng-

ing askance in the bold, impudent black eyes‘

looking out at him from under a shock of glossy,
curlin black hair.

“ W at, senor!” exclaimed the youth; “ then
you didn’t expect the new Mexican cousin—new
to you—that the pretty Inez was to send down
to you from her rooms?” And then he rattled
(t): at greater length, though in the Spanish

ng'ue. \ i

EpIsco had grown very pale.

“ - o,_air, I anticipated nothing of the sort,”
he replied. huskily, springing to his feet, and
reaching for his hat. “ Pray, ‘give the young
lady my compliments upon her newly-revealed
relative, and say that I wish her joy of him.”

A Silvery laugh—a familiar one—broke from
the young ranchero

CHAPTER XII.
A TALENTED YOUNG LADY.
Tan detective was astounded.
But he had to believe his eyes, if not his care.
For, Simultaneously with the rippling merri-

 

 

ment, the wig and false mustache had been
plucked awa , and there was Inez Delorme’s
smiling and autitul self revealed before him.

“I give in, comrade!" said Ensco, throwing
up his hands. “I, who have made a business
of penetrating disguises, even I was thoroughly
deceived. Even the tone of the voice was it
perfect counterfeit. ”

“ Wait!”

And, with a parting laugh, the real-life actress
disappeared again, but not before a flush in her
cheeks had apprised him that his sarcastic indig—
nation—in other words, the betrayal of his jeal-
ous -—had not been lost upon her.

owever, as it had not been a particularly
displeased blush, he was induced to take heart.

Inez might have shone on the stage as a light.
niifif-change artist with astonishing success.

or next appearance was as a rollicking, fair-

faced, tow—headed midshipman, in which she not :
only characteristically blasted her top lights and 
shivered her timbers to her heart’s cont¢ nt, no ‘-
less than that of her single auditor. lint also
sung,r a song and danced a hornpipe with a breezy
saltiness of savor that was near to dcceiving~
him once more as to her identity.

Personations of a poor sewing-girl looking for .
work, an Irish emigrant (girl, with the map of
Ireland in her face, air an brogue, a boy cross-
ing-sweep, done to the life, and numerous others
no less successful, followod in dizzy succession.
the characterizations closing with that of a nut--
brown Central American peon girl of the bean-
tiful-eyed but vacant-minded mountain variety,
that, once seen, is not easily forgotten by the  a
observant tourist. v

“ Well?” '

The erformance was at an end and the pilot’s . r
grand aughter, in her own proper and graceful . 
character, was waiting for the verdict. "

The detective could not abstain from clasping 9 V
her two hands in his. 3-;-

“ Admit-able!” was all he could say. - if.

“ You admit, then, that I might pass in a '
crowd, as a rather expert counterfeit?”

You are inimitable.” .

“And could even cheat our arch-enemy at a
push?” . /
“If any one could do that, assuredly you ,
could.” , i ' .

Her countenance fell a little. v

“ Ahl those frightful eyes that looked out
from that death-white face upon us to—ni ht! I.»
doubt if any art, any cleverness could eceive
them.” -~

“You may not be put to the test. How dial,
you learn all these tricks of the stagei”

“By study and observation. I used to half:
live in one or another of the theaters, alon with ,

oor grandpapa. Then, I think, I may even _ ‘
ittle natural talent for it.” -

“ Not a doubt of it. Andall those costumes?” -

She laughed. ' . '

“Sarah helped me along with most of them, 'j
for I have transmitted some of my enthusiasm 
into her cockney spirit. But the Mexican and ~.‘
sailor-boy make-u s, they’re genuine. That is, "F
they were actual y worn by Juan and Vasco
wh‘eagh’ey were boys of seventeen.”

1 Q

 

    
 
  
  
   
   
  
 
   
 
  
   
 
   

“ Pah! how I hate now to mention their ..
abhorred names! It seems to me—it seems to,‘_
me__” . ~
She had in sed into a. dull, mechanical tone,
and a terrifi look was growing in her face. - '

“What is the matter?”

But he had only to follow the gaze of her .
startled eyes, which was riveted upon the near-
est window. ' -

A white face was pressed a inst the bars,
close to the outer panes—a wh to, sinister face, "
that vanished as he looked. ,

But the glimpse was sufllcient to explain
Nessie’s alarm. “ ‘-

“ The key, quick 1” he exclaimed. . "‘

She mechanically tossed it to h and he was ' :
out of the room, out of the house y the side- ,
door. in a flash. .

“ Don’t leave me alone 1”

But she was unheard. '

He returned in a few minutes, however, -
gloomy and dispirited.

“ Gone! nothing there!” r

She did not seem disappointed, having scarce- ‘
1y ex cted anything better. ' '

“ hat sort of face was it? I only snatched
the nearest glim se. Not her’s 9”

She shook her end.

“ No, I think not—in fact, I am uite sure. It _'
seemed as formless as it was blo ess, and vet' _
—-e man's, not a woman’s, face, I should say.” ; "

Ensco rrflected. ,1 .

“In spite of all, Ines,” said be, “it is as I
first said.” .

H H w?"

“ .u are not safehere.”

“ But the face was outside the bars.” ' < ,

“What are bars, bolts, double-locks, to the
genius of crime, the soul of diabolist By the
way, you go armed i” - L.

She produced in either hand a small revolver.
and a delicate dagger. '

o

\ i ,

“Excuse me, Ensco. I am not without pree-

age“: could use either upon occasion, and with
e . .

i

  

 

 

     

', J ‘- ‘ _ . .,‘,.. arms

8

 

,1»: . 

Rowlock, the Harbor Detective.

 
   

v“ “i  ' » -,   ' . "

 

 

 

 

“It is Juan’s ring, you say?”

“ Doubtless. I thought so from the first.
Now, from what you tell me of the allusion
made to its loss by the twuis, I am sure of it."

“ You have not told me where and how you
found it.”

He explained.

“ Ali! as a matter of course,” she commented.
“ You should have sell] Juan’s superstitious

anic when Vasco asked if he might not have

ost it hero, in this cabin, on that fatal night.”

“ I can imagine it. No wonder,” as if think-
ing aloud. “ The ring may be the chief witness
in bringing him to the scaffold.”

“ But could it be proved his property against
his denial?”

“ Possibly.”

“ How so?"

“There is an inscription.
nized the inside of the band.

“ What is it?"

“ A full name—Zarapatta Martez.”

" That woman!” With a shudder. ,

“ Truly. Doubtless one of her wedding gifts,
and but temporarily loaned to the elder twin.
A fit hand-friend for the thite Witch of
Morena!"

Inez had fallen into a reverie, her face or
pressing dissatisfaction.

" that is the matter?" he asked.

. “ Oh, not a great deal. But was it altogether
fair?” ‘

“ Was what fair?"

“ Your concealment of this discovery from

’me up ['0 the present time-especially after our
compact.”

The detective slightly colorel. but did not
lose countenance.

“ I may have been in fault.” be admitted,
gravely, “ but do not condemn me unheard.”

“ J do not condemn you at all, only—”

“ Listen, Miss Delorme.”

, “ You may address me by my Christian name.
Are we not comrades?”

He flushed with pleasure.

“Ay; and to the end. Inez. Do not imagine
that I have been forgetful of that sacred, that
inviolable compact.”

“ \Vell, then?"

“ You remember how the public detectives
gestered you the first days following the tragedy?

heir curiosity, their inquisitiveness, their per-
tinacity? I say nothing of the reporters.”

“Remember! Am I likely to forget the or-
deal?”

“ I should say not. Bethink ourself, then,
Inez. In view of our having etermined be-
tween us to keep our oath-cemented detective-
quest solely to ourselwes, apart from all outside
participation, did not that impertinent inquisi-
tion induce you to make one or two admissions
that had just as well been left unsold?”

She colored.

“‘Candidly, yes; more than one or two, I am

‘ afraid.”

M We11_”

“ Say no more. The justice of
faith in me is sufficiently apparent.

“Say not want of faith! You could be dis-
creet enough now, that you have passed through

‘ the ordeal. I only waited for you to be fully on
your guard.”

There was com lete forgiveness in the little
laugh that broke rom her lips.

“ What! must the p‘i‘i‘pil call the master to ac-
count?" she cried. “ ou did just right, I tell

“Thank you!” and his clearing face was good
to see. \

“ But now,” she went on, “that there are no
more concealments— But wait! am I so sure of
that?”

“ You can be, on my honor!”

“Well, then. what of this ring, more than it
was worn by J uan. and probably stamps him as
the master fiend in the horrors of that—that
woeful night?”

“ More than you think.”

“And that is—l”

He bent nearer toward her across the table.

“ That the demon-mother of the demon-twins
——the Senorina Zarapatta Martez, surnamed the
White Sibyl of Morona—is doubtless at this
juncture not far away!”

“ Ha! you mean it?”

“ Yes. and yet more. That she is doubtless
here, in this close vicinity: nay, that she is most
likely in constant communication with her sons,
Siding, counseling, instructing them. and has

in from the very first of their reappearance in
New York 1”

Inez’s lips bad blanched.

' There seemed to be a hideous spell in the mere
whisper of this mysterious woman's name.

It was a minute or two before the young girl
could ask:

“ What are
tion?”

I “ To mention the chief one will be sufl‘eiently
convincing.”

“ Go on, pray !”

“ I cannot as yet tell you of my connection
With that woman’s past. Its picture-writing ”
he indicated the arm that bore the mystic em-

' Mom in tattoo) “ will one day be made clear to
.7 you. But none the less do I know her of old.”

" And he scruti-

your want of

your grounds for this supposi-

 

“ Yes, yes?”

“ Avarice, together with an inordinate, al-
most morbid, passion for precious stones, is one
of the ruling characteristics of the White Sibyl’s
moody, $in and incomprehenSible composition.”

“ es

“ Well, I am morally certain that she would
not part with such a rare jewel as this ring,
even to gratify the vanity (or murderous pro-
pensity—who shall say?) of her favorite son, for
but a brief period, or a special pur )ose.”

“ Ah! I begin to understand. es, you must
be right."

“ Wait; there is yet more—the invisible links,
of which this glittering bauble is the only thing
tangible as yet, may stretch and lead yet fur—
ther. yet more surprisingly.”

“ I half—grasp your meaning. But go on. To
what conclusion ?”

“ That she herself may not only have insti—
gated, but actually led in person, the attack
that culminated in the secret, midnight assassin-
ation of Captain Grant Marston and his two
subordinates on this very yacht!”

Inez maintained her composure solely by a
strong effort.

“ The same appalling thought was dawning in
my own mind,” she said. “ But wait! This, I
fear. is going too far.”

h o‘v?”

“ I have told you what passed between Juan
and Vasco while I was a prisoner in their row—
boat.”

“ Certainly.”

“ Well; from Vasco’s allusions, no less than
Juan’s manner of taking them, I feel certain
that the latter must have been the principal in
—in—let us call it the Mystery of the Seamew
hereafter.”

“ Agreed as to that. But what you say does
not Wholly dispose of my theory.”

«A g

“ Not altogether. Even in forgetting your
presence, they would not be likely to speak of
their mother’s complicity. or leadership, as the
case may be, in such a frightful connection.
Besides, Juan might have been likewise ,pres-
ent.”

H True"? .

After still further discussing the complications
of the case, Inez declared that she must no longer
delay her return to her home.

“ You notified Mrs. Twiggs’l” said she, ris-

in .
[5‘ Yes."

“Then you must see me safely back under
her protection at once.”

CHAPTER X.
ran warm SIBYL. _

UPON gettin once more into the pmnace,
Inez surprised t e detective, who had begun to
head for the Astoria landing, by laying her hand
on his arm. _ _

“ Not thither,” she said, half-healtatingly.
“ Straight back across-stream, if you please.”

“ But the ferry is still running. ’ v

“ I know it; but I prefer this means.”

“Glad you do—With all to heart. Only,”
as the boat’s head was turn , “I should have
thought that this evening’s adventures would
have, made you somewhat coy of an open
boat. ‘

“ Ordinarily it would have been so, but now—
have we consulted quite enough as regards our
future action, think you?" ~

“I thought we had, as re ards the immediate
future, though you must now that I am hap-
py to, continue deliberations indefinitely—With

on.
y “ Thank you. There are several things that
ought to be clearer between us, I think.”

He bowed his head attentively, waiting for
her to begin. -

Though there was no moon, the starlight had
bri , htened greatly. The shallop was slipping
easi y through the shimmering water, Mingo
and little Starlight—the latter having returned
from his erran in time for the duty—sitting
silently forward, with but little to do but drowse
and dream in the light, steadfast wind that was
just bellying the peaceful sail. ‘

“First, Mr. Ensco—"

“ Rowlock. or just Ensco, if
Miss Delorme. I thought it was a
tween us.”

“ So it was. Then why ‘ Miss Delorme ’ me?”

“I sha’n’t forget again.”

“Neither shall I. Ensco. In the first place,
then, as to that rendezvous of the desperadoes
at Bowery Bay.”

H Yes n

 

on please,
argain be-

: vahgn are we to make a descent upon it?”
e

“ Exactly. I shall personally share all the
perils hereafter.”

H Ha,”

“ Perhaps you do not credit me with the re-
quisite nerve and fortitude?”

“ I think you have both.”

“ Or the necessary cleverness?"

“ I know you have that. But—”

“ But what?”

“ You are a young lady—a beautiful and re-
fined young lady.” ‘

“ Thank you. But no matter. I hope before

 

this night is over to convince you into thor-
oughly of m proficiency in camara en's as the
French won (I say, no matter how dangerous or
how arduous.”

“ I hope you may Inez.”

“You shall see. Now when is it to be—that
descent upon the rendezvous you know 9”

“Within twenty-four hours, at the furthest.
I shall have to think it over.”

“ Shall any of the regular police assist?”

Rowlock made an impatient movement.

“ Not at my invitation. You know, I have
severed even my quasi connection with the pub-
lic Detective Bureau, in order to be perfectly
independent and iintrammeled In this great.
sleuth-hunt of ours.” ‘

“ True; and I am glad to remember it. Who
will then accompany us?”

“ Dago and the boatswain, together with
Mingo and little Starlight yonder, ought to fill
the bill.”

“Good! You are familiar with the rendez—
vous, I think you intimated."

“ Not wholly familiar; but I know the place.”

“ What is it like?”

“ The rendezvous is a ruinous stone boat-
house, about a mile from the new hotel and

leasure-grounds that have been established at
wary Bay. A wild, desolate place, but ap-
proachable by both water and land.”

“ You think they can have no hint of our in-
tention to surprise them there?”

“ We must see to it-that they receive none.”

“ Still. their trickin me with regard to your
signal must be remem ered.”

“ Oh, the twins are cunning—cunning as rats
there‘s no denying that. Still, additional pres
cautions are our only safeguard.”

“ Our main object is to run the twins to
earth ?” ,

" To nab ’em—yes, of course. Juan as our
prime game; Vasco next; then any one of the
satellites most likely to give them away at a
pinch.”

“ And the senorinal” ,

“ We must track her down to her most recent
lair. Indeed, that is, after all, our main oint.
Zarapatta once cornered, the rest wou d be
amazingly simplified.”

“ You will hold, then,
is in or near New York l!

“Certainly: or until it is proved untenable
beyond a doubt.”

They were now passing under the light-house
at the upper end of Blackwell’s Island, Ensco
having ( ecided, for reasons that will be under-
stood. upon giving Hell Gate at wide berth on
the return trip.

Inez ave a little shiver, and then her hands
clinched resolutely. _ r,

“ Oh, if we may only take that terrible woman
in the toils 1” she exclaimed under her breath.

(‘i‘ you do not fear her then, so much as you
di l

“Far more so, I think. The very thought of
her fills me with increased and nameless
terror.”

“ And yet—”

,“ And yet I Would dare any peril, encounter
any horror to face her but once on fair terms—
to compel the secret that is dearer than my life
from her lips.”

“Ah, the recovery of the jewelchestl Yes;
next to bringing the murderers to justice, that
is the main object.”

“ You either do not or will not undertand.”

“ Be more explicit. Inez.”

“I did not refer either to jewel-chest or ven—
geance—at least not just then.” '

The young man bowed his face, that she
might not see the troubled look in .117.

“Of c0urse I understand,” said he, in alow
voice. “It is your father and mother you/refer
to.”

a “ Yes, yes!” she clasped her hands. _“ Re.
member my suspense, my anx1etyl Is it not
natural to me on this score?”

“ Must natural, most becoming.”

“And think how my grandfather died with.
out divulging the secret of their whereabouts-—

to your theory that be

their mysterious non—existence for me, their” r

daughter—though the revelation was just trem-'
bling on his dying lips! But he did say that
they are alive—that they are not dead I”

“ Ay; but better deadl”

He was still not looking up.

“ Ensco l”

“ Well, Inez?” '

“You are a man of mysteries—of amyste-
rious past.” '

“ You say so, my friend.”

“ You have confessed as much to me.”

“ Be it so.” ’

“ Apart from our immediate relations in thi
dreadful murder-quest, in which
frank, so confidential with me, you are wholly
unkn0wn, wholly an enigma, to me.”

“ Well?”

“ gsco, you know something of my parents.”
L‘ 

“ Yes; I am sure of it. I feel instinctively

that the secret of their absence, their_non~a
rance, theii;t disgrace, if disguise it be,
wholl or in in your possession.

Heryvoice 3d manner were wildly beseeching,
but he made no answer.

you are so r

 

 

 
 

.fl

 
 
  
 
    

   
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

.10,

‘... '1',” g  ‘  ;
4..  , .,.,  a,
, ,

Rowlock, the Harbor Detective.

 

 

“ That is well—very well!”
“I am glad to have you say that. Good-

! ni ht, then! You must go now.’
e looked at her with mingled surprise and
admiration.

She had suddenly grown perfectly composed.

“When shall I hear from you?” And, re-
ceiving back the key, she made a movement to
lead the way out.

“ Sometime to-mo'rrow—either by Mingo or
little Starlight,” he replied, but without mov-

ng.

“ Why don't you come?”

“Can’t you guess?”

She looked him in the face, and was silent.

The confession of agonized solicitude, the
love, the fear of leaving her alone in the slum-
bering house, that was written there, was un-
mistakable.

It was as much a declaration as the one that
he could have poured forth in passionate utter-
ance, but woul< not.

Was she pleased, or angry, or startled?

Slowly the tell-tale color mounted over the
pure beauty of her countenance, blottin away
its accustomed sweet pallor, as the h ush of
morn might overspread a lily-surface of some
mountain lake. ,

Then she put out her hand impulsively, and
be pressed it to his lips.

‘ Now will you go?” she repeated, softly.

“ Ay, Inez, through fire and flood, to the end
of the earth, at your bidding now!"

Agd he followed obediently, without another
war .

After she had let him out, and the door was
fastened between them, she paused trembling at

' the foot of the little stair.
She trembled, the blushes came and went at
 , liberty now—a red republican riot in the lily
1 , kingdom of her face—her bosom rising and fall—
N ' ing in sweet turbulence, the hand that he had.
 kissed so passionately extended before her glow-

ing‘ eyes.

hen she kissed it herself in the same 5 t,
kissed it repeatedly, after which she flutter up
'the stairs and was one. ‘

As for Iiowlock usco, with a heart beating
, no less exultantly, though after man‘s wont with
x ’ d flercer throb, he first circled about the house
 " , with stealthy and observant steps.

Heat last encountered Gilbert, the stalwart
,7 . gardener, who had taken John’s place on patrol
 ' duty an h ur before.

.—; ,“ All serene?” queried the detective, whose
,‘ oin s and comings had become more or less
4 j ami ‘ar to the domestics. ,
' . “ Yes, Sir; all well,” replied the man. “ And
' the coachman reported the same to me.”

“ Well, keep an extra lookout to-night,
Gilbert: and don’t forget the whistles I taught
you in case of an emergency. I shall be some-
,wheres about.”

, ‘ “ I sha’n’t forget, sir.” .
 Enseo continued his way toward the river,
‘. ' nrposely avoiding the open lawn and keeping
I one side, which led over some soft groun
amid a shrubbery.
There was no path, but occasional glimpses of
 urf spaces more distinctl marked by the star-
. ligh , or less heavily sha owed by the shrubs
. and ornamental trees, than elsewhere.
‘ At one of these he came to a sudden pause.
> It was a patch of spongy turf, and it bore the
g fresh imprint of a human foot—a foot that had
, been incased in a small, arismraticaHy-shaped
- _ man’s shoe or boot.
’ Now, years before, when the Martez twins
had been rather conspicuous young men-about-
town, they had been somewhat noted, like most
.8 nish-American youth, for the elegance and
‘ ,. dfiinutiveness of their feet, as the detective

‘» had learned, together with other minor details.
This fact instantly recurred to him as he
. studied the impression before him.

But no other footprint had been left, the soil
 on] being impressionable in that one place;
an , save thatitwas freshly made, andindlcated
. that the owner had been going toward the
', house—stealthin as a matter of course, or this
' unfrequented approach would not have been
selected—nothing was to be made out of the
~ discovery.
However, was not this a good deal?
‘ Reluctantly leaving the footprint, he reached
'the boatlauding at last, where Mingo and the
ho were found sufficiently on the alert.
estioned, they were certain that nothing
worth reporting had broken the monotony of
their watch. _ y
The adjoining street-end had long been wholly
deserted; by water or land, not’ a single inci-
dent had attracted their attention. .
 , Ensco leisurely began to pace the adjacent
. corner of the lawn, intending to watch, out the
night, it needs were. v
Presently he heard the whistling si nal he
,had communicated to the domestic patro . ’

 

 

 

  
   
      
   

 

‘ CHAPTER XIII.
RESCUE!) AGAIN.

Bx listened again to make sure.
It was repeated. this time unmistakably—

thme meeesave notes, long at either end, a
short one in the middle. ,

' this time. ”

 

It was from the further side of the grounds,
close to the water front.

With a parting sign to the watchers in the
boat, he darted in that direction.

But Gilbert was not on the spot.

Puzzled and angry, Ensco was about to seek
him nearer the house, for an explanation, when
the signal sounded again.

This time it was from the extreme rear of the
grounds.

He hurried thither, but only to find that he
had been again deceived.

No one was awaiting him there.

As be ground his teeth, and stood half-be—
wildered, a low laugh sounded tauntingly at his
veIrIy shoulder.

e wheeled in a flash, but the utterer, if hu-
man uttercr it had been, had effected a disap«
pearance yet more swiftly.

He darted into a laurel clump, where the
laugh seemed to have retreated in its expiring
breath, but there was no one in hiding there.

Satisfied now that he had been systematically
duped, he ran toward the spot where he had ex-
changed words with the gardener-patrol.

His misgivings were justified.

Gilbert lay ace-downward in the grass, in—
sensible from a severe contusion on the back v
of the head. V

With some water from an old well, not far
away, the detective speedily revived him sufli-

 

ciently to sit up.

Even then the injured man was too dazed to
comprehend inquiries until some brandy was 3
trickled down his throat.

“I must have been knocked down from be— !
hind, sir, soon after you parted from me,” was |
the substance of the explanation at last ex-j
tracted from him. “Suddenly it seemed as if ,
a house had fallen on the back of my skull, I
felt the little whistle you had once given me be-
,ing pulled out of my waistcoat pocket, and then
I didn’t know nothing. ”

“ Ha! the rounds must be sewn 'with eaves-
droppers an spies. Here take another pull
from this flask, and try to get on your pins. I
shall make the circuit.”

With that, Ensco dashed away.

But an observant circuit of the mansion re—
vealed no sign of anythin wrong.

Satisfied, however, the there was danger for
Inez afoot, he returned tothe landing.

Here a signal brought Mingo to his side, while
another caused little Starlight to‘ layoff with
aha tboat at a considerable distance from the

oa .

Accompanied by the ne 0, Ensco had just
turned, with the intentiono beatingup through
the grounds on the Eighty-sixth street side,
when something hurtled out of an ad ‘oining
clump/and he felt the back of his neck anned,
as b a dashing bolt.

“ hat was that?” he exclaimed.

“ This I” replied Mingo, with an angry

at.
gr2nd he jerked a still quivering bowie-knife
out of an adjacent fence, into which itwasdeep-
ly imbedded.

Ensco mechanically put his hand to- the top of
his spine, while the African, with a guttural sort
or roar, leaped ino tze clump from which the
weapon had been hurled. '

Tips detective followed, but no discovery was
ma e.

At that instant there was something like a.
stifled or from somewhere far back.

“ Quic !” ejaculated Ensco. “ No. humbug

The were up and away like a pair of blood-
houn let fly.

Two men, with a white-robed burden between.
havin just crossed the- space between the side
of the ouse and the embankment overlooking
the street, were in the act of descending the lat-
ter to a large close coach in waiting below.

A neighboring streetrlamp lent its eflulgency
to the uncertain starshine.

The white-robed burden was made out to be a
graceful female figure, apparently unresisting
and motionless. ‘ .

‘But at Ensco‘s challen 'ng shout, a white
hand, with a jeweled flash mm the fingers, was
waved in mute entreaty.

There was but one other such ahand in the
world, so white, so small, so perfect] '-shaped——-
its fellow—member belonging to Inez elorme.

“ Coming! coming !” shouted the detective;
and his feet were Winged to the rescue, as was
no less the sable giant’s at his heels.

Were they too late?

Yes; for they were but at the top of the em-
bankment as the captive was thrust. into the
coach, with a low moan, and a flair of strong
arms—but woman’s arms, for a that—seized
and sunk back with her into the darkness of the
interior.

No: for the next instant, and just as the
horses were being lashed forward, the Harbor
Detective, covered with dust from ! his hand—
sgring down to the curb was wrenching open
t e ttl’cfor with a grasp that frenzy rendered irre-
sisti e. v,

“No, not too late, for he had even grasped the
form of the young girl, and was tearing it out

 

of the woman’s arms.
A drawn'poniard was in the latter’s, hand, her

 

eyels blazed like a basilisk’s through her black
val . '

" Drive on, coche'ro 1" she screamed in Spanish
to. the coachman; “ allopl run! burn the road
Enth, your speed! ago! Pedro! do you slum-

er

At the same instant she struck full at the do;
tective’s breast, but inelfectually through her
desire to avoid hurting the girl, while the horses
made a great bound forward.

But there they remained, pawing at the air,
as if anchored to a hillside. .,

It might as Well have been so, for Mingo, after
knocking down the two men, had grasped the
hind wheels and, with his feet thoroughly braced
was holding the vehicle immovable.

“ Stick to it, Marse Rowlock!” he shouted
from behind. “ I’ze get de bullgine dead to
ri hts.” ,

owlock was sticking to it.

But just at that moment he tore himself and
his burden out from between the wheels.

None too soon; for simultaneously Mingo
was staggered from his foothold by an immense
fragment of rock, thrown from behind, striking
him between the shoulders, the wheels were torn
from his grasp, and the carriage shot on up the
street—rise.

As it did so, the unvailed face of its baffled oc—
cu ant appeared at the coach window.

t was the same face—white, beautiful, pow-
erful, serpentseyed—that had momentarily re—
vealed itself in the light-house flush from the
deck of the phantom-like steam-launch, though
now positively diabolical in the intensity of its
malevolence and defeated purpose. ’

“ Ensco, beware!” was hissed out at parting.
“ The picture on your'arm—it is but a mid-fight
contest, in which the White Sibyl of Morona
wins at lastl”

Face and voice were no sooner materialized
than they were gone. '

But the noise of the disturbance had not failed
to attract outside attention.

Several policemen were seen running down
from the top of the rise, near the East River
Park corner. ‘

“ Head oif that coach!” roared Rowlock, in a
stentorian voice. “ A crime has been attempt—
ed, and the culprit is within.”

He had just time to note that the oflicers were
succeeding in heading of! and detainin the
equilipage when Mingo staggered unstead' y up
to im.

“ What or wine ter do now, Marse Bow-
lonk?” he f tere out, bewilderedly. ‘

“ What’s the matter with you?”

“ ’8 ct I war stabbed in the back will a bow-
sprit, arse Rowlock. Lor’! you don’t reckon
I d hev dropped dem wheels without bein’ killed,
does er?” A ‘

“ ou’re a trump, Mingol But what has be- ,
come of those two rufl‘lansi” .

“ Dunno. ’Spect dey must hev wriggled oi!
to dere snake-holes.” '

“ No matter now. Come with me to the
lcoach. We’ve got the queen-snake scotched at
ast. ‘

And still carrying the insensible Inez in his
arms, the detective led the we. up the street.

The oflicers had 'ust fini ed detaining the
coach and quifiing t 6 horses, while the coach—
man, an hones enough looking fellow, apparent-
ly btggh frightened and mystified, was already in
cus y. ’ ‘

Ensco briefly‘explained the case.

All the officers had recognized him, for, he had,
a sterling reputation behind him.

“Is the youn lady injured?” askednne- of
them respectful y. ‘

“ N‘o; only in a faint,” and Ensco glanced
down into the sweet upturned face. “ She is
comm to herself already. But be quick; her
would- 9 abductor is inside. ' a '

“ Who is it in here?” demanded another oflcer,
and he strided to the coach-door.

“ The wickedest, the most dangerous woman

in,- the whole world!” exclaimed the detective, ,

impressivel . “God be praised! her career is
checked at st." -

CHAPTER XIV.
COME AND GONE.

HERE the officer opened the coach-door and
unceremoniously thrust his head within.

“ No, she isn’t!
in refutation of the solemn averments of the
detective. “The coach is empty. Holy smoke!
not by a jugfull, either.” I

And he darted back to avoid the spring of a
large yellow serpent, that darted tEast him and
was gone into a neighboring lot wi
‘ofacastlance. ‘ ',

“,We can’t swear that Smith’s got ’em this
time, sure!” said another policeman. “ I saw
tin; gal-mint myself, and will make my affidavit
to t

“Saw itl” echoedihe coach-opener, who was
mopping his brow with’a trembling hand. “ I’d
just time to notice it coiled up On the cushion
when it jumped full at my throat.” . A

“What can it mean?” asked the third, in an

a led tone. v - V , .
pfiglsco, who was now in haste to carry Inez to

the house, offered a hurried explanation. .

No, it ain’t!” he called out, /

the rapidity , I

 

 

.53

  
   
 

 

 

xwaL—f. w-.. . t1,

 

, ,

WBOWIOCII, the Harbor Detective.

    

  

.11 

 

 

 

 

“ The Senora Zarapatta Martez,” said he,
“ for that is the name of the dangerdus woman
I expected to find in the coach, is a tropical
woman, and her fondness for such pets used to
be well known. ”

“ Pets!”

“ Just so. You’ve had a lucky escape, Smith.
It was the yellow adder of Honduras that flew
at you—one of the deadliest snakes known.”

" But the woman herself?” demanded the
r :uudsman. “ Did you see her in the coach,
ltowlock?”

f‘ Distinctly. In fact, she aimed a blow at me
with a dagger just as I was tearing this young
lady out of her grasp—at the moment; the horses
started up the hill."

“ But how could she have escaped?"

“Save your conundrums for your prisoner
there—«they knock me out. Excuse fine now.
Mingo here will tell you further particulars
while I convey this young lady to her home.”

He then hurried away, with his wholly or
half-conscious burden still in his arms.

Tc his astonishment, however, he had no
sooner entered the seclusion of the grounds than
she quietly released herself from his embrace.

“ What!” he exclaimed, joyfully; “ you are
yourself again.”

She was standing half—guiltin before him, her
head bowed that her blushes might not betray
her.

“ Yes,” she replied, in a low« voice.

“ And have been for how long?”

“For some minutes—I hated. to ha‘ve those
men see me come to in—in such a ridiculous
position.”

“Then you saw the snake incident?”

“ Perfectly.”

“ And wit out crying out?” ' ,

“ Yes. Why should I have cried out. It was
horrible, to be sure; but then I—I felt so safe,
so secure, so protected, that—” she could not go

on.

But Rowlock went on, and to greater purpose
than he had dreamed of an instant before.

She had nestled of her own will in his pro-
tecting arms; their fond pressure of her lovely
form had been neither offensive nor distasteful.

“ Inez, I love you!” he burst forth. “Your
image is in my thoughts by day, my dreams by
night! Oh, give me the best of all rights to pro-
tect and guard you henceforth! I love you! ’

Her head was still bent, her figure—the em-
bodiment of perfect grace and rounded symme-
try in its white dressing-robe of delicate. cling-
ing material trimmed and festooned with rich
lace—.strangely agitated in a way he had never
marked before.

A great fear came over him—a fear lest he
might have lost all in risking so much.

“ Have I offended you by my rashnessl” he
faltered. “Does it shock you to have me say
that I love you?”

“N—n-no, not exactly that,” was her scarcely
audible reply. “ In fact, I—I don’t particu-
larly dislike it.”

T on she raised her face, whose garden of
roses was so much more eldquent than words.

Ensco caught her to his heart.

“ Whatl you love ,me—you love me in re-
turn?” he gasped.

She only nestled closer. u ,

“ But say it! My life, my fate, my beautiful!
let me hear you say it.” -

Her response was like the far murmur-lugs of
a harp of gold, swept by the fingers of fate at
the rtals of the inmost citadel of love.

“ ve you? Oh, my darling! _ I have done
so from the very first.”

After the drought the shower, after the shower
the rain, after the rain the downpour, the del-

u 6!
%I‘heir lips met, and then there were “kisses
sweeter, sweeter than anything on earth,” as

:Tenn son sin s.

“ ow didi all happen?” he asked, when they

‘ had recovered from their transports.

 

"‘ What ha pen—~this? I hardly know. It
was all your oing, darling.”

Another. embrace and more kisses.

No, no; I mean the abduction.”

L '  !” .

“ You can’t have forgotten that.”

“ I artly did for a few moments.”

6‘ but was the first] you knew of it?”

“ I was just sitting down, after partly un-
dressing, intending to quiet my nerves with a
French novel before getting to my rest.”

it Yes-’1

“ Sarah hadn’t awakened._ ,I could hear her

, . . d. . ”
sn‘o‘r‘ilr'ig l1pc,a,¢i.cefully in the a Jounng small room.

“Suddenly my room door opened, and two
men entered. Before I could call out the
seized me, one of them pressingadamp ban -
kerchief over In mouth and 1306351115.”.

“ Ha! chloro orm.” - _

" Doubtléss, or something Similar. At all
events, I lost my senses.”

"Altogether?" - .

“All was in confusion at first. At one time I
seemed to hear you about. and I  to cryout,
To wave my hand toyou.”

“Yes; you did both.” ,

; “ After that all was blank, until—you know

when.” . v

 

“ The men—did you get a fair view of their
faceplbefpre being overpowered?”
H es

“ Any recognition?”

I“ Yes; I dimly recognized them both.”

“ You recognized them?”

“Yes, as two Spaniards, named J ago and
Pedro, who used to visit the twins occasmnally
when they lived with my grandfather.”

“Hal Creatures of the senorina, no doubt.”

“ Most likely.”

“ But how could they have entered the house,
secured as it is?”

“ I haven’t the least idea.”

“ Let us make an examination.”

As it was now near daybreak, they aroused
the household upon re-entering the mansion, as
being most fit and proper.

An examination proved that access had first
been obtained to the roof by means of the light-
ning-rod, whence the descent into the house had
been made by forcing a trap-door.

After that, the side—door on the ground floor
near the library had been opened, when the task
of ghaw ould-be kidnappers had been greatly sim—

li e .

p As for the previous mysteries experienced by
the detective—the false signals, which had so
deluded him, and the incident of the bowie—
knife—they were left to conjecture, and nothin
that either the gardener or the coachman coul
suggest threw any light upon the business.

here was an early breakfast, at which Ensco
was forced to remain, Mrs. Twiggs no less urgent
than Inez in urging it.

Before his departure, he was ceremoniously
introduced by the young lady to both the house-
keeper and Sarah, the maid, as her prospective
husband.

“ I’m not astonished one bit,” was the good
old lady’s comment. “ My dear Nessie, Mr.
Ensco will make you an excellent husband, I
am sure. And may the Lord safely see you out
of it, say I!” -

“See us out of what, Aunt Twiggs’f” asked

nez.

“Out of the robbin’ au’ murderin’ an’ kid-
nappin’, an’ everything! Bless me, my dearsl
do you really expect to live through it’l’

‘ We‘ll try to,” said Ensco, laughing, as he
took Nessie’s hand

“Well you’fie not going to get married in a

hung, I ope.

“ ot till my grandfather is avenged and the
jewel-chest recovered,” said Inez, quickly. “ On
that I am determined.”

The detective sighed a little disappointedly, but
the justice and appo riatness of her decision
were too apparent to disputed. .

“ As on will, Nessie; you know best,” was
all he said.

“ I thought it best to make the matter public,” '

she whispered, when bidding him good-by a few
moments later. “ Now there can be no spite—
ful or underhanded talk, you know.” ;

He gassed her in his arms.

“ T t was right,” he said. “ But—”

“But what?”

“ Mightn’t we work up our case a little better
if married right away.”

“No, but quite the contrary. Your own
cooler Judgment will tell you so, darling.”

“ True,” he admitted.

“Good-by now. Oh, Rowlockl it 'tears W
heart to part with ou now, but it must be. e
abrell’ooth in need 0 rest and recuperation. Good-

5’

He held out his hands.

“God keep you in the interval 1'" he exclaimed.
“I shall not be far from you. And you will
have that trap-door secured without delay i”

“Trust me for that. When shall I have word
from you?

“ Probably this evening. But either Mingo
or I Will be on the watch constantly hereabouts.”

As the detec 've was hurrying toward the
boat-landing, W ere he expected to find Mingo
awaiting him, he was overtaken by Nessie’s
English waiting-maid, Sarah Gubhins, who
came running after him with a large well-
filled paper-bag.

Sarah was an unadulterated Cockney of mid—
dle-age, tall, gaunt and angular, with plain
features and a red nose, whose fidelity to her
young mistress was only equaled by her good
opinion of herself. ‘

“ ’Ere, sir, ’ere you are I" said she breathless.
“Something good to heat, what  Twiggs
thou ht your hass1stants might be’ungry for,
you now.” _ r

“Thank you,” said the detective, gratefully,
accepting the package. “ I should have thought
of asking you for something for them. Take
good care of your young lady, Sarah. She is
dearer than ever to me now.”
is was about to go, but she detained him
ng n. '

“ P11 remember w’at you say, Mr. Hensco, but
’old hon a minute, please.”
“ What is it, my good woman?”

“Well, on see, sir, hatter the ’orrifyin’
hevents of ast ni ht—them ’orrid men as would

kidnap beautifu , unpertected oung things,
ugh l—I naturally, sir, feel more out than
hover.” ' .

“Naturally enough.”

\

( 

 

“ Tell me, Mr. Hensco, will there still be such
hawful danger of. bein’ kerried off out of bed by
them hawful men, do you think?” ~

“ I think not, with the fresh precautions that l
will be taken. ‘I think Miss Delorme need not
fear another attempt at abduction, at least out
of her own rooms.”

“ Oh, but I didn’t hallude to her danger, at
hall hevents, not to that alone, you know. ’ ,

“ Ah—oh l”

“ You ’see, I sleep in them some rooms, Mr; ‘,
Hensco." v 

“ You must sleep more lightly hereafter, ,
then.” A

“ Lord! that‘s just the ’orror of it, sir. I
can’t. An w’at if 1 should be habducted in my
sleep, you know?” , '

Rowlock with difficulty abstained from laugh- ' ’
ter, and presently made his escape, after leavmg e a;
the good woman some comforting assurances of v .
a highl com limentary nature. . l A

In a ew minutes he was once more on hisvmy ‘ S
back to the Seamew, with Min 0 and little Star- , ‘
light enjoying the provisions e brought them
with the best of appetites. . I, ,i

Min 0 had reported going to the police station ' " 
with t e officers and their prisoner, the hack- -
man, who had been committed to a Cell, though
it was the opinion of the sergeant in charge that
the man had not been guilty of any intentional
wrong-doing.

“ Sol" said the detective, who had already
formed the same Opinion. ,

Subsequent examination roved the innocence x v, ,,
of the hack-driver/in the a air, and he was dis-  “V
charged, without being able to furnish any clew  r
to the woman who had engaged his services on "
that occasion.

“ Miugo,” said Rowlock, “ let me take a look
at that bowie-knife that so nearly skewered the ,
back of my neck.” ,

The weapon was placed in his hands.

CHAPTER XV.
comnanns STILL. V
A BRIEF examination was sufficient to satisfy
the detective. "
It was an admirable, though hideously Bug-i r
gestive, weapon, of Mexican workmanship. v
En aved on the buckhorn handle Were th‘
initia s, “ Z. M.,” significant of the full name,
Zara atta Martez. , '
" 1; may come in use as a com anion witness
of the sapphire ring,” muttered owlock, as he
clasped t e knife and siligped it into his ocket._ .
“ Douhtless the ponia , with which 6 fair ‘
Sibyl lunged so thirstily at in heart, would
have been similarly inscribed be it come into]-
my‘ possession.” . ’
hen he gave a slight shudder at the recolloc— .
tion of his nez having entered the. contamina» :
tion of that woman’s grasp; though he‘could not,
he] remembering, also. her anxiety to avoid in-.‘
ur n the girl, to which circumstance alone he
oub esa owed his own escape from her fury. ‘ ‘
Tee yacht was reached Without further" inter-
ru ion. . ,-
he detective was very- industrious thereafter
and be permitted three days to elapse befor
seeking another interview With Inez. r
This abstention was not maintained but at the.
cost of much self-denying violence to his inclina-V

tions.

But he thought it for the best in more ways?
than one, and was, moreover, in receipt of con-
stant reports as to the youn girl’s security ‘
from one or another of his fait ful messeng

However, on the morning of the fourth day he:
found himself hurrying up the shaded lawn from ‘
the boat-landing, with a loudly beating heart, to i.
keep an appointment with her. ’ ,A

i As she stepped out from a little summer-house, r"
to meet him, 9 sprung forward with extended,
arms. v ‘»

To his astonishment—for they were out om.
observation—she made a esture of diuent'
though there was nothing ut love for himin
her eyes and face, which otherwise wore a. set!
ous and firm expression. ‘

“Not again, dear l” said she, quietly. “ Not
again. at least, till—you know when.” ‘

“ What! no more endowments?”

“ Not one.” ,

“Until when?” ‘

“ Can you ask? Until our detectiv nest is a
an end—our oath of comradeshipful d.” ‘ ,/

He made a gesture of acquiescence, after a
painful hesitati . r  ,

“ You are always right, little comrade,” laid 
he. “ So be it!” h e c

And he merely pressed the hand that mnp‘w
freelly tendered to him. \ \.

“ t cost me a struggle, too ” she observed.
“ But I knew I was ri ht.” “ yer jo , meet
as it is, and work—the ind of work
cannot go together." , ,, "

“ Of course, not. I shall have you sanctum
——God speed the hour!" . ,1 .

“ Amen! What news do you bring mef', f- . '

“ Wemake the descent upon the Bowery 

.s.

  
 
   
   
    
 
 
   
    
    
 
   
  
  
  
    
   
 
 
    
 
 

 

E

 

rendezvous to-night.” ..
“ So soon? But I shall be ready.” ,' .
“ Po you think you are, quite equal to it, no i

eti’ , .
Look!” she held outfit

“I know I am.
hand. " Firm as a rock!" t

 

 

 _ grasp, any so made her escape up into the ark

 

'ever,1et us talk in the open sunlight.

', my blood.

12

Rowlock, the Harbor Detective.

 

 

“ And lovelier, fairer than a Greek statue’s!”

She frowned commendably.

“ No more such talk—at least, not yet awhile
—or we shall quarrel. But really, I have ceased
to have any nerves, at all.”

" Or, still better, say that you are all nerve
of the right sort.”

“ That is what I meant.”

“ You may need it all.” I,

“ What are my instructions?”

“ You will join me at the Astoria dock at
dusk this evening.

“ By what means?”

“ The ferry-boat."

M So!” .

“ Yes; and little Starlight will be with you.”

“ You cannot come for me, then, in the yacht’s
boat?”

“ No; your last adventures were sumcient in
that line. Besides, the public ferry will be
safer—less room for treachery. After that, you
will be with me.”

‘|  l”

“ You had better come in disguise.”

“ Which of my disguises?”

“ As you may determine.”

At this juncture there was a suspicious stir
outside the summer-house, in which the inter-
view was going on.

Rowlock was out of it in a flash.

“ No one there!" said he, returning. “ How-

After
what has chanced, I almost feel suspicious of the
very air we breathe.”

“ So do I,” said Inez. “ Not only walls, but
trees and bushes may have ears.”

They acted accordingly.

“ You will then meet me at Astoria?” contin-
ued Inez. .-

‘f that is your plan?"

“ It is as yet not wholly determined.”

“ The attack will be made by boat?”

” Chiefly.”
“ And I shall accompany it?"
“ I can’t tell yet. Perhaps, you and Starlight

will be sent on as avant couriers.
disguises would come into play.”

“ I shall take a selection of them with me.”

“ That will be well.”

“You must have made some discoveries in
the past few days."

“ A few, and g00d ones.”

“ What are they?”

“ In the first place, by to—night, or to-morrow
at the furthest, I hope to have tracked La
Senorina to her city residence.”

Inez instantly grew more anxious. .

“That woman! Thank Heaven I was not
conscious when in her grasp! find it been
otherwise, I fear her contact would have de—
stroyed me."

Or one of her pet snakes,[ told you about,

Then your

‘i'night have made your acquaintance. How‘

ever, she mostly has them in subjection, I haven’t
a doubt.”

Inez drew a long breath. ,

“ What a woman 1’”

“ However, she was earnestly solicitous of
your safet ’ , or her dagger might have tasted of

Thank God for that! So on told me.

You think'she secretly resides in t 5 city, than?"

“I am almost sure of it; probably in the an-
nexed district.”

“ Well, what next?”

“Juan and Vasco continue to cover their
tracks admirably. But I have been very care-
ful. My contemplated descent upon their fast-
ness—even my knowled e of its existence—can
hardl besus tedby t em.”

“ 0 , ma it prove so! And you hope to cap-

~" , tare them?’

“Such is my hope—and perhaps the mother,

- as well. She has been known to visit the ren-

dezvoul.”

There was 8. Ion pause, after which the de-
tective held out his and.

“ To-night, then?

“ Yes; but don’t go yet.”

“There is no hurry.”

And the detective sighed inwardly, he so
wanted to take her in his arms, or, barring that,
to escape the temptation.

“There are several uzzli’ng things, Ensco,
t

‘ thathishtoaskyoua u.

“ You have but to speak, Inez.”

“First, then, how do you account for the
Sibyl’s strange evanishment out of that coach?”

“ I don’t attempt to account for it.”

“Might she have slipped out on the opposite
side, directly after relinquishing me to our

unds?’
“It is just possible. But, as I have said,

*- everytbing about that woman is simply unac-

countable—unknowablz."
“ Unknowable?"
“For the present, at least. We must content

' r nirselves with‘heing agnostics, so far as she is
r cogeerned, until we have her in our very clutch-

es.

.“Ahi Heigthol”

.“Do not be despondent, however.
next?”

“ That woman!

What
Could she have had time to

. engage in that attempt to abduct me, so soon

l

 

after we saw her on the phantom steam—launch
as I call it?”
“ Undoubtedly; since she did on age in it.”
“But doesn’t that prove that the awless band,
with which she and the twins are associated,
Ersgnhave some nearer rendezvdus than Bowery

“ They have, doubtless, many such; but the
successive incidents of that eventful night do
not es ecially prove it.”

“ hy not?”

“ She may have had all the assistance neces—
sary on the launch, and then landed anywhere
in this vicinity.”

“ True. ”

“ What next?”

“ Where did you get little Starlight from?”

“From a rather mysterious couple in the
vicinity of Bowery Bay. I believe he was a
sort of adopted son, but they readily enough
adopted him into my service. You may see
something of them before long.”

“ Are they in your interest?"

“ Yes; and as true as steel.”

“ Yet mysterious, you say?”

The detective hesrtated.

“Well, but little can be told of their ante—
cedents, you see. The man is a fisherman.
Name is Emroled. A queer one, eh?”

“ Very. And the boy’s, too; though hardly
his proper one, of course. "

” Starlight? No; I gave him that name,
from the queer way in which I formed his ac-
quaintance. I may tell you of it some time.”

“ You won’t forget?” '

“ Not I. What next?"

“Next and last—this also concerns aname,
and is also somewhat personal.”

“ Indeed! What name?”

“ Your own."

The detective winced a little, but then smiled.

“ Mine?”

“ Yes; of course, Rowlock is not your real
Christian name.”

“ You say so, my dear.”

“ But is it, now?”

“ Don’t you like it?”

“ Of course I do. But is it?"

H NO.”

“ What is your real given name?” "

“ Do you think you ought to know?”

“Indeed I do!” This with a sense of pro-
prietorshiii particularly flattering.

" So do . ’ A little reluctantly.

“ What is it. then?” .

u Douglass.” ,

Inez clapped her hands. .

“ What a lovely name!
would prove so.”

“ You like it, then?”

an I felt certain it

   
   

 

“I adore it! Besides. c . .forget it in my
favorite song?” ‘ ~ g
“ What song is that?”

 

“You shall hear me si' aiii; often enough
after—I mean.” with a blush, “Some time.” '

“ But what is it?” .

“ ‘Dou lass, Douglass, tender and true.’ ”

“ Ah! ut, by the way, comrade—J”

“What now?” : ‘ i"  .. _.

“I wish you would contempyqursélf With
Rowlock —at lens for the fit‘esent. -;

“ Certainly.” hough a tle disdppo'liitedly.

“Au r'evow, comrade.” q. , 3» ,  .. . ,

“ war you haven’t told me how ydfi came to
be called wlock.” ! 5  

“ I can’t—not now. Au rehoir I” ..,  v 
They had risen from the tree-encircling ar-
den seat they had been occupying, an 
with their right hands clasped. '

“One moment!” persisted the girl. “ ome-
how Ifear to let you go—I dread that some-
thin may come between us. .

“ nez my more than friend, my best be-
loved! l‘l’othing, I think, can come between us
more.”

There was a hurtling, whistling sound, a swift
flash in the bright air, and a bowie knife was
quivering in the tree, having passed directly be-
tween their faces.

“Again!” cried the detective, with a sort of
eanperated roar.

And then he had clashed like a tiger into the
line of cedar clumps from which the weapon had
been unmistakably projected.

Inez was very pale when he returned, shak-
gig his head, and with a troubled look on his

row.

“ I can‘t understand it. By Jupiter! it beats
me out!” -

And, plucking out the knife, he doggedly re-
sumed his seat. .

 

CHAPTER XVI.
AN EXPEDITION.

His dejection was so great that Inez, though
gieatly terrified herself, did not venture to dis-
turb him. .*

Presently, however, as he did not look up, she
took the knife out of his hands and examined it.

” Exactly the same pattern of knife as the one
launched at me on that eventful night.” hemut—
tered. “ The design upon the weapon is alone
different.” - .

He had sent her word of the former incident,
3:16.; she eagerly scrutinized the buckhorn han-

r s ..

1:; a,

“ There is nothing here,” she exclaimed.

“ Look on the blade.”

She did so, and then uttered a startled c . ‘

“ Good heavens! an exact duplicate o the
tattooed design upon your arm l”

“ Even so.’

He took the clasp-knife from her, closed it,
and put it out of sight.

“ Au “hair,” and he once more held out his
hand.

“ But’, oh, my friend, my love! this is more
than mysterious. It is dreadful~appalling.”

“True, my poor child, but what can we do?
We can only ho e.”

“ And trust in God,” she added, fervently.

Then she gave him her hand, and they sepa-
rated without another word.

Rowlock did not return directly to the boat
that had brought him from the yacht.

Moodlly pondering over this last alarming in—
cident, he gained the street, and kept along it
till he came to a small German wine-shop, which
he entered.

The roprietress, a comely woman, signed him
toward3 a private room in the rear.

Entering this, he found Tom Gaff, the boat-
swain of the Seamew, evidently expecting him
over a glass of something that looked stronger
than German wine.

and Grfl’ nodded sagaciously as the detective
seated himself at the little table.

A likely-looking sailor-man, this Tom Gaff,
witha shrewd face, a pair of keen, cold gray
eyes, of stocky and Powerful build, and for the
hence with but litt e of the toiling seafarer in
his air or dress.

“ Well !” demanded the detective.

“ Its good goods, sir.”

“ Then the dew was not a misleading one?”

“ Not by a long shot.”

“ You have located the WOman?”

“ Yes, sir-reel”

“ Where?"

“ At Hunt’s Point.”

“ 80 near?”

“ It’s shady, thou h.”

“ What sort of a- ouse?”

“ No house, at all. ”

“ What?”

“Unless you call a canal-boat a house.”

“ Give me the particulars.”

“ I tracked that duck, J ago. what you de-
scrin to me, to the place. It’s one of these
here laid-u hulks what's been turned into a
dwelling. ago made sure he wasn’t being fol-
lered—that is, he thought he made sure—and
then thopped over along plank, an’ disappeared
intoi .

“ What then?”

“Then, pretty soon, some one peeped up out
of the bulk.”

“ Who was that!”

“The woman you warned me of. Ugh!” he
gave a shiver, and drained his tumbler. “ No
mistake, Mr. Ensco. She fairly gave me the
aguer.” '

“Describe the face.” ;

Gad did so. .

“ The same!” muttered the detective.

Then be consulted his watch.

“ Eleven, scant!”

“ Time enough.” _

“ Could we reconnmter by water, and get.
back to the Senmew by return of tide by the
middle of the afternoon?”

“ In a racing shell, and with me at the oars,

es.” 1 '

: ‘ - “Such a one is doubtless procurable. Come!”
“ Won't you have a drin with me before we

3. go, Mr. Ensco?”

' “ No; but as you want another, I’ll take a

‘. ar.’

' '.i,A racing shell was not to be had, but a club

w rking—boat, almost the same thing, was ob-

tained: and, half an hour later, they ushed 03
from the float of the Harlem Boating lub.

“ Don‘t forget me, if you have an adventure
on hand, Rowlock,” called out an athletic gen-
rtlemanly-looking young man from the ge of
the float. I
It was Wright Vanderlynn, a club member
and one of Eusco’s acquaintances, to whom he
was indebted for the loan of the boat.

Ensco and his companion to a pause. after
feathering their oars from the initial stroke,
which had not quite carried them beyond hear-
in .
back

“ 150 you mean one with a spice of danger in
it Vanderl ' n!”

"‘Ay, myygoy, that I do! and the more the
' merrier.” _ ' ,
“ You know where the Seamew lies?"

6 former reflected, and then answered

“ At Astoria!1
H . [n
“ Be there at an hour before dusk tonight.” ’
“ Is there genuine tough work in prospect?
Thigh in an eagz‘r’tone. ‘ g
‘ on wan
“ Couht me in, and a thousand thanks, Row—
lock!” _
The sculls caught the water again, and the
‘ light craft shot away. ,

 

r5

“Ah, sir; I knowed you’d come in season,"'

abs. .

 

 

 

  

slump-u... .- . ‘

 

._. «Haws.-- .s“, .. .

 

 

 

  ' ~ * Easiest, the *Hartar“taeasa:'v  ‘ g " 

“1'3"

 

 

“ Chap looked summat like a tea-party swell I”
commented Ga. .

“ But a capital fellow withal, and the boss
fighter of his club,” replied the detective.
“ We’re not so many—handed but that he may be
of use at a pinch.”

They were both in the club working-uniform,
thanks to the further kindness of Mr. Vander-
lynn -—striped shirts, broad white belts and red
uumcntiouablcs‘, with the addition of broad,
slouching straw hats—and presently the detec-
tive made another pause to add a huge pair of
false whiskers, English style, to the side of his
face.

“ Perhaps it will avail me little in view of
such penetration as La Senorinu’s," said he,
“ but it won’t do to throw away any chance.
You are all right without any more fixing,"a
little enviously, to Gaff.

“True for you!" cried the other, who was

pulling stern—stroke. “ The cut of my jib, thank
the Lord! is as yet unknown to her Highness or
the devil-twins.”

‘ ‘ Catch stroke 1” '

“ One minute!" and, producing a handy flask,
back tilted the sailor’s head with its mouth to
his lips.

Ensco frowned, but said nothing, though the
bottle was one of the otherwise invaluable Tom’s
besetting sins.

The sculls after this were plied so steadily
that in less than an hour they were skirting
Hunt’s Point.

This is a bold, rather rugged point of land,
rapidly being built over, near the confluence of
Bronx River with the Harlem, (here beginning
to form the island-thronged, gradually—widening
neck of Long Island Sound,) and four or five
miles from, the Third Avenue Bridge.

“ There you are!” and Gaff began to ease up.
“ Lying just under the roadside luff yonder.”

Enscodpaused on his oars to observe the‘ spot
indicate .

“ Oho!” he muttered; “ so Madame la Senorina
has fitted up that hulk as her secret palace.”

“Po you recognize it as an old acquaintance,
sir?

“I should say so. It used to be a beer and
eating-saloon, much patronized by road and
river sports. Before that-— Ah! there is the
connecting link of the senorina’s present occu-
pancy.” V

“ HOW so?"

“ Well, now I remember that, originally, be-
fore it was a decent saloon, the place was an in-
fernally murderous hole, kept by one Garcia, 5
Spaniard at that, and a common resort of river
and harbor criminals.”

“ Ah, Isee. Well, here’s luck to the bulk as
she blossoms to-day.” And back went Game
head again, with the flask to his lips.

Ensco lost patience.

_ “I wish you wouldn't,” he said, angrily.
give too much at stake for you to run any

“ But, bless your toplightc, Hr. Emo, I ain’t
a-runnin’ any!" ' »

The drink he. more than

“ You are, though!
9:30 ruined your chances, Tom, and you know
1

Gaff scratched his head and then, u if under
a, sudden impulse, tossed theufluk overboard.

The detective’s brow cleared.

“ Come, now, that is something like i” said he,
encouragingly. v

“ Thankee, air," was Tom’s grateful rejoinder,
though he added in his own thoughts: "You
wouldn’t think so, if you knowed as how 1’d
drained t last drop afore chuckin’ the flask
away. ” Lid he then continued, aloud: “ How-
somever, sir, there was inspiration in that last
pull I took.” -

“In what way?”

“ It gave me an idea—a reg’lar head-light,
Mr. Rowlocki” *
“ Let me have it.” ,

“ A good thing on the‘ senora! Why in
boldly heard her boat-dwellin’ at the water-Si .6
door, an’ urtend as how we take it to be stil,‘ a

beer and ,gnch crib?”

“Yes,sirl We can be sort of slow todis-
cover our fluke, an’ in the mean time mebbe spy
into all the old gul’s secrets.”

“ If we get a mere inkling of what Zarapatta
Martez would hide from the world, well be
more than fortunate. However, nothing ven-
ture, nothincr have. catch stroke 1"

The boat sliot on again, this time directed full
at the hulk under conSideration, less than a,
mile away.

“Be careful now of your part,” cautioned
Ensco, as the cars were slipped and moorings
made. “ The least indiscretion may ruin all."

“Hurrah!” cried Gaff, With assumed. hearti-

mess; “ beer’s my weakness, my boy, andvthere's

lots of it inside, or I’m a horse-marine.”

This was well enough, though the_ detective
watched a little nervously his companion’s man-
nor in tumbling up over the hulk’s Side, fearing
that his happy-go—lucky air might not be alto-
gether assumed. after all. _ .

But the were in for it now, and, accepting
the risks, e followed his companion.

If the outbide of the bulk was battered,
weather-worn and uninviti'ng enough—which it

 

certainly was, together with the deck—there
was a coquettish li tle striped awning over the
companionway, and a glance down into this re-
vealed a tidiness, and even elegance that prty
mised greatly for what might lie in t e interior
beyond.

Above deck, the place was wholly deserted.

“ Come on, friend i” cried Gulf, continuing
the rollicking role, though Ensco remarked with
increased uneasiness that he was really unsteady
on his pins. “ There used to be beer on drought
here, and there must be now. Moreover, I’m as
dry as a gun—wad.”

And he forthwith bliindcrcd down the steps,
the other close upon his heels.

But the door at the foot of the companionan

was suddenly opened, and they stood confronted 3

by a. commanding presence. I

It was that of a vailod lady, graceful but
majestic, in a light gauzy morning-gown of
black lace, the face being hidden, save the eyes
—which were large, melancholy and magnetic—
byalace niantilla arranged around the head
and bust after the charming custom of Spanish—
American fine ladies. '

Diamonds could be seen glittering at the
throat and ears: the shapely hands were loaded

with rings of a like ecstly setting; and nothing ‘

could exceed the mingled courtesy and inquiry
of her quiet bearing.

“ To what am I indebted for this unexpected
visit, senors?"

She spoke in English, though with apparent
difficulty, while her voice was indescribably
soft and milodious.

“ We axes your pardon, ma‘nfi” swaggered
the sailor; “an’I can speak Me ican, if you
prefer, since I’m a sea-dog, at your service, with
evgry lingo on the round earth at my tongue’s
en

“ Quie'n est, senor #7 ”

Gaff hesitated, smacked his lips, and then
reeled off a yard or two of atrocious Spanish
with regard to the thirsty errand of the pair.

The lady courteoust explained in a few
words the mistake that was being made.

"Sad news for thirsty men !" growled Torn
with an ogling look, in 5 ice of Eusco’s rebuk-
ing hand upon his shou der. “ At any rate,
nia’m, we might carry away with us a glimpse
of your figureAhead, to make up! for our disap-
pointment)? v

“ Certano, mars I ” And, with! a low laugh,
she drew back her mantilla.

“ The Lord preserve us!” ejaculated the sailor,
and he stumbl'in ly recoiled into Ensco‘s arms;
“ is it a sea-witc or Davy Jones‘s wife?”

 

CHAPTER XVII.
rim sum. AT‘ Hon. ,

Ton Guru’s excitement and alarm were not
to he wondered at for, though he had once be-
fore caught a. glimpse of senorina’s terrible
face, to thus encounter it at close quarters
for the first time was to experience a decidedly
disconcertin effect.

Terriny utiful ~bcautifully terrible—
hloodlem. yet instinct with life, calm, yet the
index of activifieo—impassive, yet mobile,
souiligbep mysterious, grand, gloomy and po-
c ll‘

Such are the adjectives that would involun-
tarily. arise in the presence of thatvface, and
still would not adequately describe it.

“You mm; excuse my friend’s excitement,

madam‘,” said Ensco, apologetically. “He is a ‘

ro gh saber, little used to the revelation os—of
ex cordinary feminine charms. I regret the
mistake that has been made. We shall take
ourselves of! at once.” .

he bowed, with one hand on his heart,

v whil steadyin Toni with the other.

A ‘T 'c lady _smi ed. ,
1"“ Apologies are unnecessary, and why should
you go?’ she murmured. “Since I have made

- my abode in this queer place, similar misappre-

hensions have not unnaturally occurred.”

“ You are generous. madam.”

“ Not at all, Enter, senors, If this is no
longer a public house, that is no reason why you
should go away without refreshments."

” You're a stunner, ma’am!” cried Gaff, who
had by this time recovered his composure.
“ Thank-e6 a million times, for we are dry arter
our long ull at the oars.” 1

She smiled again, and forthwith ushered them
into a cabin that had been fitted up as a little
saloon regardless of expense.

Here she placed before them a profusion of
wines and dainties.

“ I am, perforce. my own servant at present,”
said she, as the two men, after a. little further
urging, proceeded to help themselves. “ But
you are none the less welcome, senors. You
will excuse me from not joining you, I hope,
though I shall avail myself of this opportunity
to treat my pets to a few tidbits.”

She accordingly sunk into an enormous up-
holstered chair, emitting a soft cooing sound,
and instantly became covered with snakes.

They were of all sizes and patterns; they came
as if by magic out of the billowy crevices and
undulations of the chair; they twine'i about her
arms, her neck, her bosom. the air was filled
with their sharp but contented sibilations.

Tom Gafl bad Just downed his third glass of

a I

iced claret, and had been thinking of trolling out
a song in gratitude for so much unex acted hos-
pitality, when this remarkable exhi ition took
ace.
p Now he stood as if petrified.
“ Great Scott!” was about all he could ejacu-
late. “ Hch I got the jim—jams, or am I in a.
Hindoo snukc—charmer’s palace?”
“Ah! but you mustn’t mind my ets,” said
the senora, as she began to feed t em with
spoonfuls of milk. “Thelir are harmless and
beautiful. Don’t you th'n them lovely?“
I “(i‘andiilly speaking, ma'am, I don’t,’ replied
, Gull’, rapidly opening a fresh bottle and then
1 brimming a tall celery glass with the red wine.
? “ I really don’t in mu to be wantin’ in apprecia-
‘tion. you know, but—well, ma’am, snakes is
‘ snakes! ’ And he forthwith began to tossofl the
unconscionable bumper.

“ And you, sir!" she smilingly turned to

, Ensco.

“ I won’t say that I dislike snakes, ma’m—thut
is, in their lace," said he. with becoming suav-
ity. “ An
beauties.”

“ You are most complimentary.
names!“ At a sudden gesture the serpents dis-
appeared'as mysteriously us they had appeared.
“ You perhaps wonder at me, senors?”

“I don’t!” blurted out the sailor, who had
again recovered his wind, so to speak. “ Why,
ma’m, you might turn your purty self inside-
out now, an’ it wouldn‘t faze me!”

“ I’m something of a professional woman,”

“ and I have my own reasons for making my
home in such odd quarters. Would you, senors,
‘like to look further?”
I Sig; opened a door invitingly, and they fol-
0w .

The saloon in which they had been sitting was
at the extreme aft of the hulk, and she now can
ducted them forward through a succession of

tinuous surprise.

sage, richly carpeted, and hung with crimson
damask.

leaving them standin in the center of the floor,-

he in store for them.

the spell, senors," she cried, in a changed voice.
“ It is the hour, the fated hour!”

Eusco with a swift suspicion.

a smile of si flcant deadlines was frozen u

her' person seemed to enlarge and swell with n
execs of malign pinipoce.

Lastly, a large ye ow serpent, similar to the
one that had escaped out of coach—long,
slender, golden-scaled—writhed silently into
view from amid the u per drapery of her dark,
cloud-like venture, an

festoons. -

and strongly suggesting the line:
“ And 10, about her, fold on fold.
A golden serpent hung-
An eye of jet. 3. skin of gold,
A garnet for a tongue!

was absorbed in a single instant by the horrified ,
before she stamped her foot. -

It was a signal.

The damask hangings :1er on either side,,
cooked revolvers presented.

Both the detective and his companion were
unarmed.

to foot. hemmed in!
The White Sihyl of Morena burst into a te
rihle laugh—a laugh so wild, so discordant, so
baleful, in contrast with her \thei'etofore mellir
fluous accents, that it might have rung forth

deemably lost. .
She menacingly held out one of her shapely

was raised hissingly.

not back their dead !” i .
The detective sprung toward her, but it was

too late. _
She had stamped her foot again.
The floor suddenly 0

were instantly swallow

CHAPTER XV, III.
A DAMP sunrnisn.

up from view.

heads, there was a splash, and the intended vio-
3225 were floundering in deep water amid intense

“Be quickl’lthey heard the senora’l void.

 

as far as snakes go, yours are.

Presto, . . ‘

continued the senora, with increased suavity, -

compartments and passages, the costly elegance .
of whose furniture and appointments was a con- f 
At last she admitted them into a narrow pas- A

Here she paused at the curtained entrance, .
silently wondering w at fresh revelation might '

“ Remain just as you are, or you will break ,

her lips: t e splendor of her large, dilating-g .
eyes was instinct with a nameless ferocity; even ,

A strange spectacle, as fantastic as terrible! I
But Lanna-like us “as the general effect. it ,
men, and they had no time to collect themselvec ‘ ‘
revealing two ruifians— edro and Jago—with ,

They were fairly beset, “ covered ” from head

 

out of the everlasting fire-crypts of the irre-i
!

“Dupes and fools!” she screamed, “did you];
ho a to deceive ‘me with your puerile masquor
re. 9? Down—down into the depth. that give.

nod, and the two men ,_
Tuna the floor closed as suddenly over 

r

Gut! looked at her with gaping astonishment, - « '

Her countenance had also changed. It was  
frightful with a. hushed, but concentrated fury;  _.

ranged itself about her 
neck, bosom and arms in gleaming folds and -. . "

 

 ‘

  
  
    
 
 
   
 
  

arms, twian by the golden snake, whose head  ’

v

 
   

1,4

Ramses the 'Hélibqr' 'betective.

u _.>. y  . ‘w- \

 

 

exclaim. “ Secure their boat by which they
came hither. Then be ready to shoot them dead
should they dive out under the bulk!"

These words, dimly heard, were followed by
the muffled sound of swiftly—retreating footsteps
overhead.

“ Did you mark that, Tom?” demanded the
detective, who was keeping himself afloat with
the ease of an expert swimmer. .

“ To be sure, sir; and may her pet snakes de-
vour her!”

“ Follow me, then! It’s our only chance.”

With that the detective, determining his posi-
tion as well as was possible, dived down and
somewhat to the left.

By good luck, he came up outside the bulk in
the clear sunlight and almost within arm’s-
length of where the boat, as yet undisturbed,
was moored.

In another instant ho had scrambled into her,
pushed ofl’, and seized the sculls.

Then to get possession of a revolver from his
coat-pocket, lying between his feet, was the
work of but another moment, and, as Pedro and

Ja 0 made their breathless appearance on the

. hufii’s deck, pistol in hand, he had the pair of
them covered almost before they could realize
the new turn that had taken place in the mur-
derous game.

“ Hands up!” he shouted. “ Make a single
oflensive movement, or budge but an inch, and
you are dead men in swift succession!”

They obeyed, starin stupidly down at him,
while the detective ared not shift his eyes,
anxious as he was to know what had become of
his com ion.

But t e latter had come to the surface of the

_ water on the shore side, and was presently seen
. boarding the bulk from that quarter With the

A’ agilit and stealthiness of a cat.

r made a gesture, to signify that he com-

prehended the situation, and at once began to

cross the deck, to take the two rufl'lans in the

 

rear.
At that instant, however, the senorina bound-
, ed into view up the companionway.
Her serpent paraphernalia was not on exhibi-
 tion now—save for the hideous, basilisk luster
of her burning eyes.

Herrblack hair was streaming d0wn her back,
in her hand glittered the long dagger with which
she had struck at the detective‘s heart through

V the coach-window.

,: , But she did not see Gair, her gaze being held

1 solel by her own satellites and the action of

2 ,- the etective that rendered them petrified from
the boat.

-,  “ Oafs! cowardsl” she hissed, “ you have then
let him escape? My yen eance upon you !”

“ But it wasn’t our fan (7, senora,” called back

7 Pedro, though neither he nor his companion
, :dared turn from the menacing revolver’s muzzle

= to look at her. “ He had dived under and
 grabbed the skiff before we could put in an ap-

a, A. g i”.

.1‘

- w, v- 1.,

 

.; .lpearme' .
v “ Ay, laggards—snailsl and only to hold you
7,, now paralyzed at his pistol’s point. Ha, ha, ha!
9* However, let him , if but to meet one of the
A torpedoes with w ich my floatin fastnees is
" encircled. Stran e that he esca them in his

" first approach! . here is the scoundrel’s fellow-
; «p ?-—food for fishes, let us ho !”

are, with a piratical yel , Gail! crossed the
, ‘ deck in a couple of concluding bounds, hurling
:3  the two men ead—over-heels into the water.
' “ Your sarvent, ma’ml” he shouted; “ but
where are them snakes!”

 , And with that he, also, had gone over the
’» ', side head-first, and a moment later had resumed
'3, ,his sculls in the boat with the detective.
 “Sheer off, and be careful!” muttered the
| ~ latter, dropping his revolver to take up his pair
,. of oars. “ member her words about the tor-
"., pedoeltzhthoughl only half take stock in them

 

     
  
 

, 1:) se .
‘-” The senora now, with her calmness party re-
"'_ ‘ : stored, was coolly surveying them from the side
,of the hulk, while her disheartened braves were
paddling about in the water, chattering like
. monkeys, and seeking in vain for some means of
climbing' up the slippery side.

“ Adios. senors E” she called out in soft mockery.
“ Adios, Senor Eusco, more especially! When
next we meet, it may be under more favorable

circumstances!”
“Pay 03 there Gaff, and 've no further at—
irected the etective, in a low

  
   
 
  
 
  
  
 
   
    
  
  
   
 
 
  
 
  
  
   
   
   
 
  
   
  

tention toher." d
,..voice. “Look out, or we’ll foul that mass of
g driftvwood. By jove! we have fouled it.” I

As the nose of the boat. under Gail’s flurried
. Ppnllin , drove into the mass to be avoided, it
. must ave given a critical jar to some deadly
submeg‘gded apparatus on which‘the drift was

I I At all events, there was a dull, mumed explo-
sion and, asthe fiendish woman’slaugh rung out
exultm ly, the entire mass sprung high into the

air on. t crest of a sort of a water-spout.

“Give way I" cried the detective. “ Pull for
our life, Tom! We’re uninjured as yet.”

, The keen boat shot out and away, luckily
escaping the drift-wood shower in its descent,

' _ a moment later was out of harm’s way,

though half-filled. with water, and with its occu-

pants drenched to the skin. -

“ By Jupiter !” growled Tom Gad, pausing to

   

“Ev

 

 

mop his brow and take breath; “ it wasn’t all
gammon about them to eeders, after all.”

“ It seems not,” said nsco, and he turned to
make a mock gesture of farewell to the senorita,
but she had disappeared from view.

“ Good Lord, sir! but ain’t she the terror?”

“ She can hold her own pretty well in that line,
I fancy.”

“ Is she human, think you, sir?"

“ Something like it.”

“ A word now to the
the witch and her hul
included.”

“ Catch stroke!—Not yet awhile, at all events. ”

“ Why not, sir?” demanded the sailor, while
fallin to work again.

“ ardly ripe yet.

“ Now or never, I should say.”

“ Wrong! Barring the attempted abduction,
there’s not a ghost of proof against her as yet on
the main issue.”

Gaff looked dissatisfied.

“ You mean in the murder case?”lie asked.

H Yes.”

“ But ain’t actin’ like the devil, an’ havin’ red
an’ yaller snakes fur messmates, a capital
crime?” ‘

Ensco laughed.

“Not quite Tom.”

u Humph z”

“ Besides, my man,” the detective further
vouchsafed, “ we’ve already lost two hours, and
we’re not to forget to-night’s work cut out for us.
Strong as is the tide in our favor, I doubt if we
shall make the Seamew in good season.”

As it was, they reached the yacht a scant hour
before dusk, and just as Mr. Wright Vander-
lyém was also putting in an appearance over her
s1 8.

After resuming his own proper habiliments,
the detective first gave that young gentleman
an outline of the work in prospect.

Little Starlight was then sent off to act as
Miss Delorme’s escort, after which Mr. Dago—
now the captain of the Seamew, though subject
to the detective’s orders in a general way ame
into the cabin with his report of the prepare ‘ons
throughout the day. ‘

These proved to be generally to Ensco's satis-
faction, thbugh not altogether so.

“You reconnoitered the Bowery Bay rendez-
vous afresh, I suppose?" he demanded.

“ Yes, sir.”

“ With what effect?”

“ To all appearance, they’ve not the slightest
suspicion of our intentions. Mr. and Mrs.
Emroled are of the same opinion.”

” Good! They are in readiness to cooperate
with us?”

it Yes.”

“ You .told them of the likelihood of a visit
from Miss Delorme?" .

“ They will expect her.”

“ How many men do the band mostly muster
at the rendezvous?”

“ As many as thirty.”

Ensco turned with a smile to Vanderlynn.

“ And we shall bring six to the attack, in-
cluding yourself,” said e.

The young gentleman stared, but then
laughed.

“ Odds enough to kee us busy!” he replied,
with a yawning stretc of his clinched nds
above his head. “ Hard knocks and a lively
time! That suits me to a T, my boy.”

The detective again addressed h mself to Mr.

lice, then, would bag
establishment, snakes

Da 0.
“SHOW about the mysterious steam-launch,”
he went on. “ What of her?”

-‘ The yacht commander‘s face fell a little.

“ Well, sir, she remains a mystery,” he ad-
mitted.

“ You tracked her?”

“ Yes.”

“But with no chance to slip aboard?”

“ Not the ghost of one. "I

“ What do you know about her?”

“Two things only. That she is piloted by Jim
Farrish, a river-pirate and desperado fr in far
back; and that she’s now moored in a litt e cove
just t’other side of Hallett’s Point.” ,

Ensco arose.

“ I must investigate the steam-launch without
delay,” saidiie.

CHAPTER XIX.
IN ’rnr: snmw’s cum.

VANDERLYNN had also sprung to his feet. and
so suddenly as to attract the attention of the
others. '

His face also wore a startled look.

v “ What ails you?" asked Ensco.

“ Oh, nothing—that is—well,” and the young
man laughed nervously, “to tell the truth, it
just occurred to me, and all in a flash, that it
was in this very cabin those ghastly murders
took place.”

“ Of course. By the way, that very arm-
chair you jumped out of—it has been newly up-
holstered sinceh-Was doubtless the one out of
which old Captain Marston must have sprung
to confront his midnight murderers.”

Vanderlynn shudder-ed.

 

“ This is unlike you, my boy.” the detective
continued. “ You re not afrai i”

“ Of nothing on earth to my knowledge. You
ought to know that, Ensco.”

“ I do know it; and yet your sudden alarm?”

“ I own l’m su erstitious,” said the young
man, frankly. “ hough inscnsible to earthly
fear, as I firmly believe myself to be, I have an
instinctive horror of the unearthly. I can’t.
help it.”

“ Is there aught unearthly?”

“Why, don't you believe there is?”

“ I am with Montaigne. I believe what I
know, or what is knowable. « And I repeat, is.
there anything not of the earth that we being
of. the earth, can have any cognizance of?”

“ I don’t know, perhaps not.”

Mr. Dago smiled.

“But all this has nothing to do with the cabin
here,” he inter ed. “Yonder was where the
poor old captain gave his last gasps to us. In
that corner the poor steward, Mala, the Kanaka,
lay dead; while just outside there was the body
of brave Jack Hammond, the second ofilcer.”

Vanderlynn gave a slight, involuntary shud-

er.

“ But there was nothing unearth] in all these
tragic happenings,” continued the rst officer of
the Seamew. ‘ Indeed, they were eseentially
brutal and of the earth earthy.”

“ Admittedly,” said the youn man, uneasily.
“ Still, there’s always a haun feeling about a
locality where murder has been done, especially
when the murderer has not yet been brought to
justice.”

“ Nonsense, young sir! No more than there
should be about any other lace—that is, if we
look at it in a philosophic wa .”

“I agree with Mr. Dago,” interposed the de»
tective. “ Besides, if the murders committed
here are as yet unavenged. it is only a question
of time when they will be."

“ False! false! false!” at this instant rung out
a thin, airy voice from nowhere in particular.

Vanderlynn, who had resumed his seat, sprung
up as if he had been shot, while Dago and the
detective looked surprised and troubled.

Then the first oflicer clinched his hand, and
bounded up the companionway. muttering:

"‘ Trickery somewhere! Let me but fix it
upon the right man !"

Vanderlynn followed him.

The only one on deck was Jones, a stalwart
young sailor, formerly one of the Seamew’s
trusted crew, and recently re-employed.

And he was sitting carelessly on the starboard

unwale, humming an air while watching the
fights that were beginning to twinkle from the
village opponte.

Questioned, he was sure that no stran r had
approached the yacht’s side, and Mr. off, he
was quite certain, was indulging in a nap in his
berth. .

When they re-entered the cabin it was to find
that Ensco had lighted a lamp, by which he
wristl preoccupied with some penciled memo—
ran a.

“I was sure you would make no discovery,”
said he quietly. ‘
“ Why?” asked VanderlEin. _ _

“Because I recognized e vaice as ventrilo-~
qual at once.” . '

“ Ventriloquiali” ,,

it Yes-1’ V

Dago slapped his knee.

“ But,” continued the youn or man, “ you.
also looked startled and troubl , Ensco.”

‘f Time; for a new and unexpected difllculty
for ye was presented. Treason on shipboard, or-
else afresh outside trickster not far away.”

They reported their questioning of Jones.

“That merely deepens the mystery, and a
mystery within a m ster is always a nuisance.
Wheels within whee s. cam now, Dago, to re-
turn to the steam-launch. Why did you not try
to sli aboard of her?"

“ arrish was in view all the time.”

“ You are ac uainted with him?”

“ Ayhsir; and e with me. There’s the trouble.”

it so ‘

“ Yes, sir. And how could I have made over-
tures to him, without his taking the alarm?”

a‘closer look at that launch, as a preliminary,
right away. Vanderlynn, suppose you accom-
pun, me.’ .

“ ith all my heart!” Vanderlynn seemed
rejoiced to get out of the Seamew’s cabin, and
stay out.

“ You won‘t go now, sirl” queried the chief
'oflicer.

“ Why not?” demanded the detective. “ The
reconnoiter can be made in a quarter of an
hour.” _

“True, sir; but twilight 15 already falling,
~and on are ex ing the young lady. ’ l,

“ ’11 take ‘ ingo, too. 'With  at the
sculls we ought to be back in time. Come,
Wright.” _ . _ I

They took the yacht’s boat, as being roomier
than the borrowed club-shell, and were speedily
afloat. with the gigantic negro at the oars.

He had just stepped on board from an errand
into the Village as they had made their appear~
ance up the com ionway. ‘

“ Don’t forget that I‘m to cute

 

"1.1 the y
lady. if she comes in your absence, sirl” 31%
out pogo from the yacht. ~

“ True; but he doesn’t know me. I shall have .

 

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I
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i
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i
i .
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9157 p}

 

 

Ensco nodded, and then the boat sheared
away. ,

There was still plenty of 1i ht, and, as they
shot rapidly taward Hallett’s oint, the detec-
tive imparted to his young friend something of
Miss Delormels anticipated share in the night’s
undertaking.

Vanderlynn, naturally enough, was both sur-
prised and interested.

“She must be a strange and a bold girl, that
youn lady,” he commented.

“ on have never seen her?”

And the detective eyed him narrowly, for, be-
sides being a well-known man about town, Van-
derlynn was good-looking, and could doubtless
make himself agreeable.

“ Never.”

“ Well, you are right in your
Delorme is both strange) and brave.’

“ I should say so. hat part can she take in
such an affair?”

“ She will go on ahead by land, and interview
the Emroleds, the odd couple I told you about.”

“ Alone?”

“ No; little Starlight will accompany her.”

b “13h, I remember the boy. Still, he is but a
oy.

“ One in a thousand. ”

“ A boy is a boy.”

I“ Dgiibtless you would like greatly to take her

p ace
Vanderlynn laughed.

“ I don’t know about that. Miss Delorme is
rich as every one knows. But is she likewise
young—attractive?”

. There was something reassuringly refreshing

in both laugh and wor s.

“ Rather, ’ was the detective’s dry reply. '

“But, apart from all that,” said Vanderlynn,
earnestly, “is it exactly the sort of a thing for
a young lady to engage in?”

“ It is Miss Delorme’s desire. Beside, Miss
Delorme is not like other young ladies.”

H  I" _

Upon reaching the cove—a retired spot-.—in
which the steam-launch lay, not a sign of life
was observable on board.

They cautiously rowed around the graceful
craft, but, beyond makin out her name on the
stern, could discover not ing of interest, save
that she seemed wholly deserted, without even a
si n of fire in her engine.

he name, however, was suggestive.

It was the Ghost.

“ She’s a beauty !” commented Vanderlynn,
as they began‘ to row back, for the twilight was
deepening. “ With a good head of steam on,
311119 oiight to slip through the water like a. dol-

in.

“ And with the silence and stealthiuess that
her name implies,” added the detective. “ Do
you recognize her ?” .

Vanderlynn shook his head, after a parting
studg of the symmetrical craft.

“1“: no; she's new to these waters. I’m sure of
a . .
When midway back to the yacht. they came

to a pause as the Astoria ferry~boat, her decks

densely crowded fore and aft with home-return-
ing work-people, was just rounding to as she

Iguess. Inez

« approached her dock.

1; this moment there was something like a scuf-
fle at the edge of her forward deck, and a hand
some lad, dressed or looking like a young Cu ban,

' was preci itated headforemost into the river.

Vander you had opportuner ripped him by
the collar, and thus saved him fi'om bein car-
ried under the wheel, when, amid the con usion
that was incidentally taking place on the fen;-
boat. little Starlight was seen continuing t e

‘ scuflle, and apparently trying to spring at the

throat of a big man, who was keeping him at
arm’s-length with some difficulty.

When the little fellow, however, saw that the
lad oveiboard was out of danger, he relin-
guished his bellicose efforts.

“Look out, Rowlock-it’ me!” he piped out.

With that be tossed a bundle down into 'the
yacbt’s boat, and then followed it himsalf,
alightipg so sirily, after climbing down and
than swag-mg himself out, as to hardly cause a
tremor in the craft. * '

Vanderlynn had by this time dragged the other
led on board, and, as the big ferry-boat swept
on, with achorus of cheers from her crowds,
the yacht’s boat tossed and plunged like a. chip

' on her after-swells.

“ What does this mean?” cried Ensco,
angrily upon little Starlight.
you obey my orders?” , ,

The boy turned his cud and accomplished his
charactech speculation. \ ,
lfgdBetcherlife, boss, an’ live it out, too!” he re-
p I . ‘

“ Where is the young lady?” _ ,

Stoplight. burst into a laugh, in which he was
heartily Jomed by the rescued lad, who was by
this time as thoroughly composed as the other,

ough naturally more or less moist.

“ 0h, boss, but you do sometimes make me

turnin
“ Is this the we?

tired!" cried Starli lit.

The silvery long of Inez had already un-
masked her to the detective.
“ I’m glad you brought away my bundle,

L Starlight,” said she. “ It contains my disguises,

~and a fresh one will be in order before long.”

!

 

CHAPTER XX.
FRESH ADVENTURE. .

I'r took Vanderlynn somewhat longer than
Ensco to realize that the pseudo—young Cuban,
whom he had dragged out of the water, was
none other than Miss Delorme herself.

When he did so his astonishment was im-
mense, if not altogether demonstrative, and she
was not so much disguised but that he could per-
ceive how attractive she was.

“Be quick, and wrap this around you!” ex—
claimed the detective, whipping off his jacket,
and "handing it to her. “You are dripping
wet.

He was secretly not in the best of humor, and
would much rather that he, in lieu of Vander-
lynn. had saved her from the ferry-boat wheel.

Inez made a gesture of dissent, but, neverthe—
less, threw the jacket about her shoulders, after
laughingly declining Vanderlynn’s too ready
assistance.

“The weather is so warm!” said she. “But
for all that I shall be glad to be dry once
more.” ‘

“ Now for an explanation,” said the detective,
while Mingo, after a grunt at the odd nature

Xof the detention, was again bending to his

work.
Inez’s brow became troubled.
“ That big man on the ferry!” she exclaimed.
“I ago sure he jostled me overboard on pur-
ose.
“ You bet he did!” cried Starlight.
“ You tell the story, Starlight. ’ ,
meléelal latter did so, though there wasn’t much

After the mischance to Inez, Starlight had'

accused the big man in liestion of havin pur-
posely occasioned it, and ad then attacked him
with the result that has been seen. '

“ For the ferry-landing, quick, Mingo!” ex-
claimed Ensco, giving the tiller a twist. “We
must intercept the rush of the crowd over the
bridge. Now, Starlight, we’ve only three min-
utes. Describe the big man from head to foot,
so that I cannot possibly mistake him.”

The lad complied.

A moment later the yacht’s boat was at the
side of the dock just as the ferry—boat effected
her landing. with the usual ratt e of chains, in
the slip, and the passengers began to pour out
over is e bridge and through the ferry-house in a
hurried stream.

But at the same instant the detective was out
over the dock, like a shot.

He disap red around the ferry-house, slip-
ped throng the rush like a fish through a net-
work of waterflags, and when he reappeared in
view of his party, the big man who had been
desoribed by the lad was struggling in his
grasp.

Inez gave an anxious little cry, while Star-
light fa rly yelled with delight.

“ He’s nabbed him, Row ock‘s nabbed him!”
he cried. “ But hallo mister!” this to Vendor:
lynn; “help’s wanted.”

Yes; for at that instant the detective was seen,
to he suddenly beset by a dozen or' more of
flercely—gesticulating foreign-looking men, who
were intent upon rescuing his prisoner.

Followed by Starlight, Vanderlynn was out
on the dock in an instant.

And then, it Tom Gaff had been on hand as a.
witness, his doubts as to the young New
Yorkers flstic abilities in a general muss would
have been quickl ‘put to rest.

He washers. t are and everywhere a verit-
able pi'odigy‘of _ pugilism, four men b ting the
dust under blS lightning-like shoulder-hitting in
such rappid succession as to give the impression
that they were'little more than men of wood.

But the odds were too great.

Ensco had in the mean time, held on to his
prisoner with one hand, while eflectively strik-
ing out n ht and left with the other, and little
Starli ht ad heroically upsetaman darting be
tween is legs, but the assailants suddenly or-
ganized a. sunultaneous rush, and then all was

over.

When the detective and his assistants emerged
from the hors du combat, in which they had been
temporarily placed, the enemy had all disap-
peared in the dusk, and nothing was to be con-
fron but a policeman or two and a throng of
excited onlookers.

Mingo, whcse added energy might have_turn-
ed the scale of the contest, had tamed behind to
make fast the boat. and was consequently on
hand too late to be of any assistance.

“ I almost had the fellow,” regretfully mutter-
ed the detective. on the way to the yacht.
“ However, I shall know him again.”

“ Did you recognize him as belonging to the
band?” asked Inez, in a low voice.

He shook his head.

No sooner was the deck of the Seamew reach;

ed than she snatched her. bundle and disap«

peared.

But when Ensco and Vanderl nn entered the
cabin’saloon, a few minutes ' ater, she reap-
peared from the after compartment in her owu
character, her costume being an admirably-fit-
ting walking-suit of serviceable material.

Vanderlynn was so struck by the girl’s beauty
that he could only look and remain . Silent,
which, however, was sufficiently impressive.

 

The detective on his part, surveyed‘her with
surprise. ~

“ You know that expedition is about to start!”
he ueried. '

‘“ do know it, comrade.”

“ You will not go in disguise?”

“ To what good?" '

“ But even I did not see through your last
one until you spoke, after being dragged out of ‘
the water.”

“ But the bi man, on the ferry-boat, who
pushed me 'over oard l” '

Rowlock Ensco knitted his brows.

“ True; he must have penetrated it—or some
one else for him."

“ Probably the latter.”

“ Did you mark any one observing you?”

“ Yes; a tall woman, closely vaileil. 7

U Aha!” -

“ Little Starlight had just called my atten-
tion to her, in a whisper, when the push or
scuffle occurred in which I lost my balance.”

“ That doubtless explains it.”

“ At all events, I shall enact my part just as
I am. Or, in case of great need, I have another
disguise—in fact, more than one—With me.”

And she made a movement with the bundle,
which she still carried in one hand.

Ensco stepped to the door.

" Starlight!”

The b0 appeared.

“’ You ave your instructions.
is ready.”

Inez stepped forward with unquestioning self: ‘7
reliance. ‘ ’

“ One moment!” continued the detective, with
a swift, anxious look.

“ Well, Rowlock?"

“ I know from the

Miss Delorme

t that neither the senor

-nor the twins are des rous of working, you per-

sonal harm.”

“ Well?" _

“ Otherwise, you should not go.”

Inez laughed, perhaps to conceal the loving
look she was giving him.

“ Excuse me, my friend,” she said, “ but, hav-
ing once made up my mind, I would go underI
any circumstances.”

“ You would?” 1

"‘ Ay, indeed, Ensco. I am armed, and the -
wheels of my destiny shall never roll backward.
Adios, ami o I” - . ~

And, motioning the boy to precede her, she
sprung after him up the companionway.

The detective restrained a movementtofol-

low and bring her back. .

Then was heard the splash of oars, indicating '4 l 2"

that the oung l was on her way to the shore. '

But ri ht anderlynn had restrained his
open object ons to the mission of Inez with even
greater difficult than Ensco had felt. ,

“ It isn’t righ !” he burst out. _

“What isn’t?” said the detective, with the
utmost coolness.

“ Can you ask? Why, the: do re of Miss
Delorme on such an errand. ‘It outrageous!” ' .

“ Indeed! If you were her escort, it would‘
doubtless be more hi hl pro r.” . 1

The young man as ed, at be retained his,
com osure. . ‘

“ t would certflnly be less dangerous for her, ‘
Ensco. But you rong me by those words.”

“I would not wrong you.” ~

“ Confess that there is danger!”

“ To her, or for her?”

6‘ Yes. ”  .

“ No, I shall not. But, admitting that there
is, what of that if she
solutely forbid?”

H You I” . i

ii yes, Ln .

“ What do you mean?"

“ That Inez Delorme is m ,

Vanderlvnn's manner ins ntly changed. , "

“Good eavensl forgive me, ’ he exclaimed. ‘ .
“ I did not dream-W x ‘

“(3f course not, so say no more on the sub- ‘
ject. ' i

“ Still, are . you so sure that our chief enemies
would db the youngllad no personal ham 7”,

“ Certainly; or s e s ould not have quivted. -
the yacht.” ‘ .
“ But that veiled woman on the ferry-boat,
and Miss Delorme‘s misadventure there!” »

betrothed.”

“ I have thought this thing all out, Vendor; ‘ ‘

lynn. There was some misunderstanding 
tween that woman and her out; or, at all
events, if that woman was our c iéf enemy, as’I
suppose, it was not b her desi that Inez was-
thrown overboard. ome on eck." . ,
When they reached the deck the Seamew wasj
already under way, heading up-stream, with a
liglht but favorable wind. ,
he expedition a ainst the fastness of the
river—pirates was at . fully on foot. .

 

CHAPTER mix.

A HYS’I'ERIOUS couan. ‘ ‘ V _ ‘

Dummy on being laced ashore 'from’tho
yacht, Inez and her litt e com on V of
horse-car for the Bow Bay each, threomiles‘r
distant,.which had on y come into vogue the:
preceding year as a. transient summer resort. ' r
“ I’ll show yer est when an’ where to get out,
miss,” whispered 'ttle Starlight, with a 

t

, .

wtll go, andIdonotab—i : '

 

  

 

 

expected, then?”
I Mr. Ensco said.

 

16

"fiovlociz’; assurances... ' ~   

 

 

responsible, proprietary air. “ You’ie to take
your one from me.”

He rolled his everlasting quid from one cheek
to the other, but deferentially expectorated from
behind his hand.

Inez had come to like the little fellow, no less
than to trust him, and she struggled to hide the
amused look that was in her eyes and lips.

“ Thank you, Starlight,” said she. “ I shall
not forget that you are my counselor and guide.”

“ More special,” he continued, “ if any cuss
should hop aboard here, an’ attempt to gun you,
you’re to cave it all to me.”

“ To gun me!”

“ Don’tchersec? To mash yer, you know.”

“ Oh!” And this time she burst out laugh-

in .

gut, Bowery Bay Beach being rather a day
than evening resort, there were but few other
passengers. and those of a kind apparently little
give; to gunning or mashing in the sense im-

ie .

p When within half a mile of the hotel the pair

alighted from the car, and Starlight led the way

l3; striking off into a woodland path that was

ibes but invisible, for the night was cloudy at
t. '

“ This ’ere foot nth, miss,” the boy exclaimed,
‘.‘ cuts off the swc lbeach grounds, an’ takes us
around Bowery Bay Point. ’

“ It is a. good thing that you seem to know
the way so well," said Inez, courageously kee
‘ing at his heels in the little less than solid dar —
ness.

“ I oughter, miss. I’ve knowed it from my
fu’st an’ earliest youth.”

“ Oh, dear! and how old are you now, Star-
light?”

“ Fourteen.” And she heard him expectorate
with impressive solemnity.

" Bless me! what a retrospect is yours! And
have you also chewed tobacco from those re-
mote days?”

His sigh sounded somewhat blase in the still-

- ness of the deep wood, broken solely'by their

rustling footfalls.
‘ “No, Miss Delorme; it’s a vice of my later
years. Please don‘t call me a brute, miss.”

“ By no means—the idea i”

“ Besides, I know it to be a beastly habit.
I‘m knocking ofi‘, as it is—sort of tapering down
the ractice."

“ hat is good!"

“Yes; I only chew two papers of fine-cut a
day now.”

“ Astonishing! This path leads us directly to

' the Emroled cottage?”

“ Straighter’n a dead shot !"

They presently emerged from the wood, and
found themselves near a small cabin, that was
perched upon a considerable eminence close to
the water’s edge.

It overlooked a wide expanse of lonesome
water, dotted here and there with islands, all

«1 ing peacefully in a soft, opalescent light that

one from the fleecy clouds, although there was

noI'M)“ sed tth to r h d
nez pau a e p o t eeminence an
looked around. ,

“ No sign of the Seamew yet!"

“It ain’t time for her,” said the b0 .
“Look!” and he polan away. “Do yer tw g
that sort of tumble-down lookin‘ chebang among
the rocks yonder, half a mile awa i"

“.I don’t know. What is a che angl”

“ Crib, ranch, roost,den, buildin’—why,house!"

“Oh! as, now I see—that ruinous aflair at
the meat of a. sort of creek, isn’t it?”

“ Dat’s de cheese, miss."

“Well, what of it?” ‘

“It’s the pirates’ chebang!" explained Star-
light in a hoarse whisper.

‘What! the place to be surrounded undat-
tacked to-night?’

He nodded.

Here the door of the cabin opened, and a wo-
man appeared—a still yoimg-looking, but
strange and care-worn figure, frat ed. in the

, outpouring lamplight. ,
"I thought heard voiCes,” she said, in a
strangely hushed, timid voice. “Is it Miss

Delorme?”
“Yes,” said Inez, napping forward, while

I Starlight. with a or; of, “Mammy! mammy!”

rushed before her, like a little child, and threw
his arms around the woman’s person. “ I was

Oh, yes, miss; for some days from what
_ Step in, please; Mr. Emroled
will be here presently.” ‘
And Mrs. Emroled, while fondling the boy
tender] , never took her eyes off the young
woman s face as she ushered her into the cabin.
Inez was making good use of her own eyes, in
her turn.
In Mrs. Emroled she saw a much-broken
woman of thirty-six or eight, with an abun-
dance of snow-white hair, and the traces of
great beauty.
_ But there was a mysterious shifting expres-
swn of the worn face and hollow ‘eyes—apiu-t
from the latter’s steadfast regard at the present

', moment—that both mystified and startled the

gazer.
“He is very fond of you, and you of him,”
said Inez, smiling at Star ight’s demonstrations.

 

Mrs. Emroled smiled in return, but it was the
saddest smile imaginable.

“ Yes,” and she absently patted the little fel-
low’s cheek. “ Little Starlight was a baby
when he first came into our care. Mr. Ensco’s
taking him away and making a little man of
him hasn‘t made any difference in his affection
for us-God be praised!” this last with a wild
sort of fervor.

“Have an always called him Starlight?”

“ No; r. Enqco gave him that name. I sup-
pos - it was because of the wonderful starrincss
of the night when be rescued him from drowning
out yonder in the buy.” And the woman's arms
instinctively closed more tlghtly round the boy.
“ But that was three or four years ago. ”

“ Four last month, mummy!” chirped up the
little fellow. “ I’d been upset when out clam-
min’. Lordy! but wasn’t the water cold!”

“ He was only little Jimmy before that,” said
Mrs. Emroled, softly; and from ‘an inaudible
motion of her lips Inez inferred that “ Jimmy ”
had been a poor foundling.

“ Then you hav’e had no children of your own,
I presume?” inquired the young girl, gently.

The effect of the question was so painful that
she heartily wished that she had not asked it.

“ What? 1? Oh, nol—that is— Oh, how
terrible! the idea!”

The poor woman was so unaccountany over-
whelmed that the entrance of her husband was
no less a relief tn herself than to her visitor.

“ George, this is Miss Delorme.”

Ha cast a lightning-like glance of startled
curiosity—or so it seemed to Inez—at the young
lady, and then, with a surly attempt at cour-
tesy, went to deposit some fishing-nets that he
was carrying in the chimney-corner.

“ What a very sin ular couple!” thou ht

‘Inez, to herself, and s 8 had to confess t at

Mr. Emroled was more singular-looking than
even the wife.

He could have been but little over forty, yet
his spare, vigorous figure was partly stooped as
with years; they were doubtless handsome e -
tures which his stragglin iron-gray beard ren-
dered unkempt and ill- coking; and there was
the same shifting, unsatisfied—one might say,
absolutely hopeless and despairing—expression
in the eyes that: distin ished the woman’s, only
in his there was the a dition of a. savage, resent-
ful suggestion that was wanting in hers.

After that first look at the young girl, how-
ever he seemed to avoid turning his eyes upon
her face. '

He had seated himself morosely u n a stool.

“ The Seamew has just round the point,”
said be, after 3. Ion pause.

“That’s the ta] . dadd l” cried Starbfiht,’
rs.

looking up from his knee ' g position in
Emroled’s lap. “Now what are you goin’ ter
do? Here we are on hand, as you see.”

“ That’s just it, Starlight ” the man went on,
in a complaining tone. ‘ ll help close the back
passage of the boat-house, against the river-

oun s‘ escape Just as I promispd Mr. Ensco to
do. It’s a risky job but I reckon you and I
might manage it. but what to do with this
young lady, save to leave her here to tremble
along with your mommy, I don’t know.”

Inez made a determined movement.

“ That you will certainly not do with me, sir!”
she said, quietly. “ I am here to be of use—to
share the danger, if necessary—not to tremble
uselly in any one’s company. I have abrave
spirit, am armed "—she coolly reduced her
revolver—“ I demand to be at the rent!”

Mrs. Emroled whitened a little, while her hus-
band distrustfully eyed the young girl’s skirts.»

“ These would be in the way,” he growled,
indicating them with an impatient gesture.
"‘ It’s a rough and briery way to the cave-pas-
sage to the river pirates’ water-fort.”

“ Is that all? Wait!” Rising, she perceived
a communicating door. “ You will rmit me
the use of that inner room a moment ’ This to
the woman, who wonderingly inclined her head.
“Thank you. I shall be back in a moment.”

Then she disappeared with her bundle.

When she reappeared, it was as a very char-
fiiing, but none t e less capable-looking, sailor

“ Is this any improvement?” she asked, de-
murely; while little Starlight setup a sort of
approving hurrah.

" Humph!”

That was Emroled’s sole comment, and he at
once began making ready for the expedition by
putting on his hat, lighting a dark lantern. and
tucking under his arm a long, heavy cudgel.

Inez was the last of the trio to step over the
threshold.

As she was doing so. much to her astonish-
ment Mrs. Eniroled caught her in her arms.

“ ou must not go i” cried the woman, wildly.
“ There is danger—perhaps unsuspected horror!
I cannot let you*— Oh, my child, my darling,
my beloved! you must not 0.” '

Fearing that the woman was beside herself,
the young girl hastily disengaged the straining
arms, though ‘not without a considerable exer-
tion of strength. ,

“Madam, you forget yourself,” said she,
haughtily. “ I cannot account for your extra-
ordinary conduct.” - ‘ ,

But the woman, who seemed half frantic

\

 

with fear, again seized her, and this time im-
printed kiss after kiss upon the lovely face.

“ I sha'n’t let you go!” she wailed. “ My
God: if anything should befall you!”

“ Thanks, that is my own concern. Madam,
at another time you shall explain yourself!”

And, a ain tearing herself free. the pseudo
sailor-lad ad sprung out into the night.

Strange Mrs. Emrolod sunk back with asort
elf wail, supporting herself by the hack of a
c- mir.

Suddenly, however, she uttered a little cry of
relief.

Inez had returned so quickly that it hardly
seemed she had been gone.

She was no longer angry. but with a troubled,
penitent look in her sweet face.

“I don‘t know why it is, ma’m,” said she
very gently, “ but I am sorry 1 repelled you so
rudely. 1—1 was never kissed just that way
before, and—and would you mind doing it just
once more?”

The woman caught her to her breast, and
kissed her again and again—hungrin and des-
perately, Inez thought. '

Then she would have continued her entreaties,
but the young girl would not listen to them.

Again she broke away, and this time did not
pause till she had joined Emroled and Starlight,
who were awaiting her at the foot of the hill.

As for the lonely. hollow-eyed woman in the
house, she had sunk into a seat, and there was
nowa sort of ecstasy in her face.

“ She came back,” she murmured, “of her
own will she came back, and she kissed me! God -
be thankful for kthat, if for never anything
more!” .

‘ And sinking down upon her knees before the
chair, her trembling hands were joined together,
and she prayed in silence.

CHAPTER XXII.
HOLDING THE FORT.

BEFORE the trio of adventure seekers turned
their backs u on the water tostrike oil into a.
wooded path t at crept off from the foot of the
hill, they saw the Seamew come into view from
around the point, making a very pretty picture
as her dark sail caught the gentle wmd, of
which there was just enough to belly it out
smoothly. . _ '

“ There are not many rettier Single-stickers
in the world than the eamew, tomy mind,”
said Inez, as they struck into the path. “I am
glad she In my property.”

“ You ought to be,” observed Emroled, curtly.
“ A beauti ul hoat!’ ‘

“She’s a sol-earner!” cried Starlight, enthusi-
astically. “ Oh, if you’d only belong to a club,
Miss Delorme, how the Seamew would paralyze
'em!” ‘ 4

“Not so loud,” cautioned Emroled, who was
leading, with an occasional gleam from his
lantern. “We are approaching the enemy’s
country.” ‘

“ There is one. thing I can’t understand, 311',”
said Inez, in an obediently guarded voice, after

a use.
P“.Whnt may'that be?"
“How Ensco can hope

 

to “take the band by

‘surprise in the Seamew, which is so well known

to river men, and on such a night as this, which
is b no means a very dark one.” '

“ nsco is no man s fool.”

“ I am aware of that.” .

“But his game is especially deep in acting
just as he does.” -

“That is what I am seeking information
about.” _ ‘ _

“Well, it is Just because the debt is so well
known, and is so often seen cru sing hereabonts,
night and day, that he knows he can count on
exciting’no suspicion with her.”

“Oh!

“Whereas, if he’d come slippin
open boats, with all his force plai y visib e, it
would be adead fi've—away from the start.”

“ Thank you. ' understand better now.”

“ You’re welcome, young sailor chap.”

“ Would you mind,” asked Inez, after another
pause, “ lettin me know more articularly
what sort of c peration is expect? of us?” ‘

“It‘s this way: The old stone boat-house, in
which the gang meet to divide their river plun-_
der and hatch fresh devjltry, has but two en-
trances, and censequently but two modes of
e ess. V

‘5 Yes.” And at the sometime Inez wondered
not a. little at the other’s fair choice of lan»
guage, considering him a simple East river fish-
e man. .

“The chief of these is by WEtfir,”<‘0Dtinued

mroled. “and thereabouts, at the mouth of
the creek. the gang keep moored such of their
boats as are too big to be pulled in under the
boat-house after them. For you must bear in
mind that the greater part is uilt out over the
water.

“ I understand.”

“ Well, it is by that point that Enmo will

’make his attack. in the hope of bagging the chief

' ter.”
gains that be is of

“ To enable him to do that. we,must black the ‘

only ave'nue of escape by land. This is a cave
passage, communicating With the hack of the.

olon in'

.b

 

 

   
   
   
 

Minn“. . ,,

 

 

 

A  ~ ,.. - _ .,,

l

Rowena, theVHarbor' vegans ‘

 

\

 

 

boat-house, the entrance of which is about thirty
yards distant from it.”

“ Ah 5"

" This passage is seldom made use of by the
thieves, being only relied on for an unexpected
emergency.”

“ Well?”

“Well,” dryly, “it will be a good thing for
us if to-night’s emergencyshall be as unexpected
as possible."

“ \tht else, please?”

“ Well, we’re to hold or block the passage,
while Ensco sails in on the scoundrcls with his
crowd. A rocket from him is to signal us that
he has smashed in their boats and cut off escape
by water. Then we send up a rocket, to let him
know that we have the back door shut. Then
tne scrlnimage, if there is any, begins.“

“ Thank you, Mr. Emroled. How many men
do the pirates muster, think you?”

" From twenty to thirty; to—uight about

_ thirty, I fancy—a full quorum, you might say.”

“And does Mf. Eliseo hope to capture all
those ruflians with the few men at his com-
mend."

“Perhaps not; most likely the majority will
be laid out or make their escape somehow."

“ But isn’t there Something foolhardy in such
an attack, think you?"

“\Vell,” said Mr. Emroled, evasively, “Mr.
Ensco just won’t call in. the help of the regular
police. That’s the long and short of it, young
sailor chap.” '
fi Inez began to like Mr. Emroled better than at

rst.

It was some time before she spoke again. but
sfhe did so at last, and more guardedly than be-

ore.

“ Mr. Emroled?” ‘

“ Yes. " ”

y “ You must be well kpown, personally, to the
river pirates, sir.” ~

“ Better than I like to be.”

“ And they have not molested you, I sup—
pose?”

“ No; river thieves aren’t often stealing old
fish-nets'and the like.”

“ But do you not dread a reprisal from them,
after thus assisting in their capture?”

Mr. Emroled coughed roflectively.

“ Young sailor chap George Emroled, though
he mayn’t exactly look it, has got a. knack of
taking care of his own skin—on occasion."

J This was said in a 'manuerto close the col-
uy.
ey had been traversing much broken coun-
try with at times the bay in sight, but mostly
with rough woods as their surroundings.
' Emroled at last held up his hand, as a sign
that the utmost caution-must be observed.
They at last arrived at the sought—for passage-

entrance.

This Emroled and Starlight proceeded to‘
block up as well as they were ab 9 by rolling
great stones and stacking brushwood intothe
entrance. -

Inez was posted on a little eminence to one
side as a sentry, a post which she held, revolver
in hand, and with a fastpbeating heart. .

It was a most unusual duty for a delicately-
nurturod young lady to fill, but the excitement
called up a lively glow in her veins, and she
was not ashamed to confess to herself that she
found it to her liking—«so far, at least.

From her slightly elevated lookout, she could
see the back of the ruinous bathhouse—original-
ly a rather extensive structure—and, just be-
yond, a strip‘of placid water where the creek
came into the river. .

There was not a glimmer of light for the
house, but an occasional indistinct murmur of
voices. - _ . _

Presently the Seamaw rounded like. a beauti-
ful vision into view, her great sail still flowmg
gently. \ I .

‘ A moment later she was hidden by a long line
of trees stretching out from the water-front.-

Inez step back to where her companions

* were atrwor '

They had succeeded in blocking the cave-
entrance so that but a narrow space for egress
remained, and now stood in readiness, Emroled
with his cudgel handy, Starlight seated on a
rock, and com lacently holding a cocked revol-
ver that look almost as big; as himself.

Inez whispered that the yacht had entered the

com. .
“All right!” replied Emroled. “Keep your
lookout, ypung sailor-chap. We’re ready when

_— they are.”

i Inez stepped back to her post of observation.
which was but a dozen yards away, with a
thicket as her near back round. °
A few minutes later t ere was a. rocket from
the water-space just beyond the boat-house. '
,, Emroled instantly responded With one from
his position. ,
Then there suddenly‘broke upon the night a

v ‘ . pandemonium of shouts, yells and curses from

 

 

the boat-house, as a sufficient indication that

the river—pirates were surprised and attacked in .‘

their chosen lair. '

At first the oung '_ 1’s heart stood still, then
it leaped, wh the b ood coursed tumultuoust
in her veins. 4 .

, “ Heaven be with our cause l” she murmured.

 

“ Oh, if both Juan and Vasco be only taken!
Oh, if I could only do something!”

The tumult on the water-front, mingled with
occasional shots, continued. .

Then there was a crashing sound from the
passage-entrance, together with some angry
cries, that were muffled, as if coming from
underground.

Inez felt her blood to be on fire.

She could not resist the temptation to step
back and look.

A motionless figure lay at the narrow opening,
just stretched out there by a blow from Em-
roled’s blurlgoon, curses and oaths were being
hurled from the interior, and little Starlight
was executing a sort of pigmy warrdance, pistol
in hand.

Emroled sternly motioned her away.

“Back to your lookout!” he exclaimed. “It
is most important, and be on your guard. Look
on every side of you at once, if that is possible.”

Inez obeyed.

But, on returning to her pest, her eyes were
unfortunately only to the front, with no atten-
tion to the thicket in her rear.

Suddenly and unawares, from this thicket
there crept forth a form, and from this form
there was outstretched a pair of hands and

arms.

Inez feltlike the blooded racer that is ignobly
stalled and haltered within sound of the mo-
mentous contest In which he cannot share.

Her nostrils quivered, her hand tightened
upon the revolver.

“Oh, if I could onl do something!” she re«
peated to herself. “ here must be something
that I can effect!” ,

Useless heroics. A

And that instant she was helpless in the grasp
of that pair of hands and arms—helpless and
voiceless.

Her struggles were as vain as those of the
woodland fawn in the boauconstrictoi'b folds.

The weapon was torn from her hand.

The dark form, with the psucdo sailor youth
in its grasp, stepped back into the thicket, with-
out a sound.

Inez had been eliminated from the scene as
effectually as if the earth had swallowed her
11 .
pIn the mean time Emroled and the boy were
having their hands full in defending the pas-

v sage.

Two other motionless figures were stietched

‘ at the mouth of the cave entrance—one from a.

pistol-shot, the other by a. bludgeon-blow—and
still were the most fearful oaths and threats
poured out from the croWd of desperate and en-
trapped men of the deep interior.

But the place was intact, no damage was done
by the shots now and then fired out of the cave,
another rush was not attem ted from within,
and Emroled, the mysterious mroled, felt him—
self the master of the situation.

Presently, however, a. shot came, not from
within, but from without, and a bullet sung un-
pleasautly near his head, .

“ What can this meanf” said he. “ Step over
to the young lady’s post Starlight, and see what
she» is, up to. Perha s that was only a random
shot from her pisto .”

In a moment Starlight returned with the
ominous report of the young girl’s disappear-
ance.

v ‘ Simultaneous with this, there were more shots

from without, and then two men suddenly
sprung upon the passage-defenders from the
bosom of the thicket behind. - .

The boy went down under a. crack on the head,
but not before his pistol had spoken again with
some eflect. ’

Then Emroled was beset by the two assailants,
while a fresh one darted out upon him from the
cave month. '

He made a desperate fight to redeem the situ-
ation.

But none the less was the breach made at last
—the subterranean passage in the hands of the
besieged.

 

CHAPTER XXIII.
THE RIVER PIRATES AT BAY.

As the Seamew rounded into the cove to make
the attack, Ensco and his men kept crouched
under the bulwarks.

Mr. Dago, at the wheel, was the only man in
sight to any jealous or suspicious eyes that
might have questioned the apparent peaceful-
ness of .the yacht’s miSSIou from the shore.

“So far all is well,” whispered the detective
to Vanderlynn, who was crouching at his
elbOW. “ Look away, and say how many boats
you can make but at the mouth of the creek.”
Xanderlynu lev‘eled his night-glass over the
ra .
“There are four," he replied,,after a pause.
“ A small single—sticker and three light yawls.”

“That is well,” and Ensco rubbed his hands.
“ I doubt if they have taken any boats in under
the arch at all.”

“ We’l have ’em dead, ehi”

“It looks like it. If we can only stave in
them bottoms without detection, we are all
right.” '

“You are sure that the underground passage
will likewise be. blocked?” . ' r ' *

 

“Quite sure, if Emroled has obeyed my in-
structi'ons to the letter.”

“ And the young lady?”

“Don’t fret about her. Mrs. Emroled will
have’kept her back in the cabin out of harm's
way.

“I wish we could be dead certain of that,”
said Vanderlvnn. doubtfully.

“Drop it, I tell you!”

“ All right." .

“ The creek is deep, though narrow. Bring"
your glass to bear again. I want to be sure
that the boats in view are all those to be dis-
nbled.

Vander‘lynn again leveled the glass.

“There’s nothing up the creek," he began.
“Nothing that I can see. Hold onl By
Jupiter! yes there is.” ’

“ What do you make out!”

“ Look for yourself 1"

At that instant the mysterious steam-launch
cnme slipping out of the creek, silent as a ghost,
swift as i winged by invisible pinions.

Ensco stared, and there was not a man on the
yacht but felt more or less awed.

The launch had been missing from the cove in
which Ensco and Vanderlynn had reconnoitered
her at dusk, much to the mystification of the
yacht’s occupants in slipping up the river on
this momentous expedition, but not a soul on
board had dreamed of meeting her under the
present circumstances, when her appearance
was doubly ominous, to say the least. ‘

Ensco gritted his teeth.

“If we might only settle with her first!” he
muttered.

“Couldn’t we manage to board her?" whis-
pered Vanderlynn.

“Impossible! Look!” -
Dark, throbless, without a pulsation and with i r
scarcely a streak of foam in her wake, she was , ,
shooting past like an arrow. -.

“ There’s but one (i re on deck,” Whispered ’
Vanderlynn again. “ hat! is it a woman?”

“ Like enough.”

The phantom launch—the Ghost, as she was
most aptly named—was hardly studied well be-
fore she was gone.

She actual y seemed to melt away into the
shadow of the shore, without being seen to round
the point at all, by which the Seamew had en-
tered the cove. '

Ensco drew a long breath": - F

“The suspicions of the- 3 have not been 5;
aroused.” said he, as the vo ces from the interior ‘
of the boat-house were now distinctly heard.
“That is the main int.” ‘

He signaled Mr. ago, who gave the necessary
order, and the sail was silently lowered, leaving ‘
the Seamew lying broadside before the water—
arch under the boat-house.

Then Tom Gaff, to whom was disputed the
task of disabling the outlymgoiioats, tumbledf
over the side into the small , followed by
Mingo and Jones. and provided with an 11. r

A few minutes later they signaled t the
work was accomplished. »

Instant] the detective sent 03 the rocket as a ~
si nal to mroled. '

t was answered almost on the instant.

Then a tremendous shout burst from every.
throat in the attackin party, there was a hub-
hub of confusion ins do the boat-house, with _
every other indication that the surprise was ' ’
complete. 4

A dozen or more heads came peeking out from ;,
along the narrow footpaths underneath the r ‘
water-arch, accompanied by the glistening of '
arms.

_But the Seamew blocked the entrance. broad-
side on, and the small boat, with its three armed
men,a_ud Mingo towering head and shoulders,
over his companions, begun to move in under
the arch. »

“‘ Surrender!” called out the detective in his
ringing voice. “Criminals! we have got you
dead. Surrender at discretion 1”

“ You be hanged I” yelled a voice in response.

Then a broad, flatrhottomed boat, crammed
with infuriated armed desperadoes, with Juan
and Vasco at either end, darted out from under ~
the arch, there was a series of sharp reports,
and the battle was begun. '

There were thirty robbers of them, in all, a -
considering the disparity of numbers. it was
such a rash attempt, after all, this effort to
board the yacht, and fight their way out. .

But it Was none the less unsuccessful.

Ensco, Vanderlynn and Dago began to
shots into them from the Seamew's deck, w 116,
on the part of the small boat. Gal! and Jones
peppered away without ceremony, leaving the
giant Mingo ample room for the sweep of an
immense capstan bar, with which. standing 1: '
right. with one foot on the low gunwnle, ‘
swept the bravo-lined starboard guard of the
barge like a bosom of destruction. 

Juan Martez, it is true—dagger between teeth
and revolver in hand—succeeded in getting halt,
over on the Seamew’s deck. "‘1

But a shoulder-hitting blow in the g'ullet, from;
Vanderlynn’s trained right hand. sent him v
ing and writhing back into the bottom of
barge. and not one of his followers had suo- _
ceeded in following his lead. V
Then at this juncture Mr. Dsgo unlide

v

 is. ,

 

 

    
 
   

 I, his face was perfectly bloodless, save

 
   

18

'waiock; "the saw nétéétie."

‘ /

 

'and brought to bear the yacht’s brass signal
gun, which had been loaded with old nails and
scrap-iron for just such an emergency.

Ensco was still busy with his revolver, so
Vanderlynn found opportunity to lend a hand
in steadying the little cannon and depressing
the muzzle over the bulwark for the necessary

ran e.

“$00k out below there!” roared the first

officer, in mercy to the pirates. “We would
. sooner capture than kill.”

And then the gun was discharged, tearing a
hole. literally big enough to run a wheelbarrow
through, in the bottom of the doomed barge.

There followetla chorus of despairing yells,
and the robbers that were able sprung for the
side- ths leading in under the arc .

“ tier them!” shouted Ensco. “The rear
passage is secured. Give ’em no time to breathe !"

He leaped into the club-boat, followed b
Vanderlyun, while Mr. Dago was alone lo t
to look after the yacht.

Then, although the sunken barge almost
blocked u the water-way, both boats pushed
in until a oothold was gained for the occupants

on the side—paths.
Ensco was the first to bound into the large in—
terior, closely followed by Vauderlynn.
The woodwork of the sort of amphitheater

‘y » surrounding the inside boat-landing was already

ablaze from an incendiary torch, and apparently
the last of the gang was disappearing into a
gloomyldoorwa far back in the rear.

“ M go Ga , Jones!” ordered the detective;
“quick, off with you around to the cave open-
ing I told you of, or Emroled and Starlight may
be overpowered! Follow me, Vanderlynn!”

The three men addressed had disappeared
back under the arch, in obedience to the order,
and the detective was darting toward the door,
when there was a yell of warning.

It was from Vanderlynn.

“ Look out!” he cried. " Danger at hand!”

And his own cheek was grazed by a pistol-
ball fired by Vasco Martez, who at that in-
stant rose from behind one of the broken
benches, his handsome dark face gleam-lit by
the conflagration, the dare-devil laugh on his
fearless lips.

Vanderlynn snap
turn, but it missed re. .

Castin the useless weapon aside with a mut-
tered 0a 11, he s rung at the Honduran youth
with fine clinch ‘ natural weapons that he used
so w .

But Vasco was in under his guard like a flash,
with his own hands hooked like claws.

“ All right i” growled the New Yorker; “have
' it rough-and-tumble, if you insist on it.”

a revolver at him in re-

Ths next instant they had grappled, stumbled, ‘

and plunged splashineg into the inner horse-
shoe of water, which was very deep, for the tide
was at flood.

In the mean time Ensco had turned at his
friend’s warning ye! , but only in time tore-
‘ oeive a blow on the head with a blazing brand
in the hand of Juan Martez, who had sprung
view no less unexpectedly than his twin
brother. -

In Juan’s other hani was a cocked re-
volver. '

“Blenth‘hound of a detective!” he hoarser
ejaculated; "serpent doomed athlete! the
my,,tirrow smites thee from out the cloud at

His eyes were ablaze with maniacal ra e, mad
or t e
birthmark arrow on his left cheek, where it
seemed to be defined in dazzlineg red out-

me.

« But the detective had staggered back under
the blow from the brand, was still reeling wa-
veringly, in fact, and to this he owed his immu-

' nity from the pistol-shot that accompanied

the youthful desperado’s allusion to the tattooed

emblem.

As a matter of fact, and a most wonderful
coincidence, the bullet comp etely ripped up the
sleeve of his right arm to the shoulder, thus re-
vealing the mystic emblem in the fierce blaze of
the burning room.

Juan started back in momentary suspicious

“Ah omen!” he gasped. “Par Dias! an

I, Women!”

This gave the detective time to recover his
Wontedenei-gies.

' “Murderer of Grant Marston! assassin of
' lleegilng men! purloiner of the jewelachest!” he
. oxc 'med, in aterrible voice; “but it is for the

' scaff'old, the hangman’s cord, that I reserve

ee.

With that his own revolver spoke out exal-
tantly.

. , It was that favorite shot of his, and the young
bravo’s l, shattered at the shock, flew out of
his han

. The next instant he was wreathed in the de-

‘ tectivefs anaconda grip.

But ust then an unlocked-for incident favored
the ouduran, whose doom might otherwise

' haye manéegled.

. om a urst into viewb the passe door

in a state of excitement thatytook in nogging of

' ,thesituation in the blazing a rtment.

“Ali’s up!” he roared. “ ey’ve escaped-

 

 

Emroled and the kid done for—and the young
lady dead or carried off!”

As Ensco’s grasp on his foe instinctively re-
laxed at this terrible intelligence, Juan managed
to tear himself free.

. With a wild lau h, he took a header into the
water, diving out n the direction of the arch-
entrance.

And at this moment Vasco and Vanderlynn
arose, partly separated, from their sub-aqueous
strugg .

The former, who had just caught a glimpse of
Juan’s disappearing form, lost no time in fol-
lowing in his wake, and the next instant had
dived out of sight.

Ensco uttered a few words of explanation
and then darted away throu h the arch, follow
by Gafl’ and Vanderlynn, w 0 had by that time
climbed out of the water.

“The yacht first!” shouted the detective, as
he ran. “ Remember Dago is there alone.”

'But the yacht and Dago were found to be
intact!

“ Miss Delorme is gone—perhaps murdered!”
then faltered the detective.

“ Not so!” cried Mr. Dag-0, pointing solemnly
with his hand. “ Look l”

The phantom steam-launch was again noise-
lessly sweeping by.

Of the two female figures in view on her
deck, one was Inez Delorme!

CHAPTER XXIV.
AFTER THE FIGHT.
t. THERE was no escaping this terrible revela—
ion.

The slighter of the two female figures on the
deck of the Ghost was a: helpless captive in the
other’s grasp. - -

As the phantom launch sped by on her noise-
less oourse, the faces of both were turned to—-
ward the yacht, and both were distinctly visi-
ble in the spectral opalescent ll ht. ,

One was mute, ale, beautif and despairing
—-the face ofPInez elorhae.

The other was calm, bloodless, majestic, ex-
ultant—also beautiful, but with the sinister
s lendor of the fallen angels—the face of the

enora Zarapatta Martez, the White Sibyl of
Morona, and mother of the demon twins.

The young girl’s lips parted, as if to make an

ap ling cry.

store it could be uttered she was slowly, ir-
restibly folded away into the somber-garmented
bosom of her captor.

Silence, but not altogether inaction, had
rei ned on the yacht. _

hastly pale with suppressed emotion, Row~
lock Ensco had leveled his revolver at the
senora.

But, uuerring marksman as he was, be yet
dared not risk a shot at that evil breat, which
had become partly shielded by the inert, passive
form of the girl he loved.

His hand fell to his side, and he gave an
audible can. ~

Thent ephantom steam-launch had slipped

past- .

Headed for the open river, she swept out with
her noisele, fateful speed, and an intervening
island QEICkly hid her from view. .

“ Not ing can be done"at present,’ muttered
the detective.

Here Mingo and Jones made their appearance.
carrying between them the insensible form of
little Starlight, who had been stricken down by
a blow on the head.

“What is your report?” demanded Ensco,
turning to Mingo, after the boy had been car-
ried b ‘ow.

It was simply to the eflfect that the fugitive
robbers hadjust succeeded in making their es-
cape by the cave-passage, after disposing of
Emroled and the boy, as the three men from the
attaoiking party put in an appearance at that
pom .

v The fugitives had taken to the thick woods,
rendering pursuit impracticable.

Emroled had also been overpowered and
stricken down, but had been able, in spite of
severe injuries, togo off without assistance in
the direction of his cabin.

Then Ensco spoke.

“ My friends," said he. “ our expedition, so
far as its chief objects are concerned, has ended
in grief and failure, and that is all there is to be
said. Captain Dago, have Starlight’s injuries
‘atrended to. and then take such risoncrs on
board as are lying wounded or disa led on the
sunken barge and elsewhere. Then be pre-
pared to start for Hunt‘s Point on the Harlem,
without delay. I shall be with yqu again at the
earliest moment. Vanderlynn, I wish you
would go with me to the Emroled Cottage. We
must first investigate the particulars as to Miss
Delorme’s misfortune.”

But very little was to be learned at the cabin. 1

upon this deeply interesting point.

Mrs. Emroled could only tell of her ineffectual
attempts to dissuade Inez from attending her
husband and little Starlight on the expedition
that had ended so disastrouslv.

Mr. Emroled, who was beaten black and blue,
besides suffering from some severe contusious of
the head. could only tell how he had posted the
young girl on lookout duty, as taking her some-

i

 

what out of the most imminent danger. and of
her unaccountable disappearance therefrom.

“ But for the young lady’s unmistakable cour~
ago,” said he, “ I should have said that she had
voluntarily deserted her post through fright.”

“She must have been surprised, and carried
off,” said the detective. “ She is now a prisoner
in the hands of the Senora. Martez.

Mrs. Emroled started to her feet—she had
been ministering to her disabled husband’s needs
—with a half-suppressed scream.

“ Don’t tell me that—don’t!” she cried, clasp-
ing her hands. “ My darling—that is, Miss
Inez, that brave, innocent child—in the hands
of that woman! Oh, it cannot be! God would
not permit it—it is too, too horrible!”

Both the detective and her husband gave her
a *(Luick, startled glance of caution, and she
sun ,

with a weak moan, at the side of her I

couch on which Emroled was lying, and buried
her face in her hands.

It was all enigmatical to young Vanderlynn,
on whom, however nothing was lost.

Then Emroled alluded to the unexpected at~
tack from outside the caveentrance, by which
Starlight and he had been surprised.

“ But for that,” said he, “ we could have held
the passage against double the number that
were trying to force it. I had already laid two
of them out with my club, and the boy’s pistol
had brought down another with a shot in the

le ."

gl‘he detective had knitted his brows.

“ That is the key to our defeat-that outside
attack upon you,” he said. “Even if the rein-
forcement that rescued you had arrived sooner,
I doubt if it would have availed after that."

“ Were the men we laid out made prisoners
by your men?” asked Emroled.

“ No; the fugitive gang must have succeeded
in carrying them off.‘

Before takin his departure, the detective‘

took Mrs. Emro ed b the hand, speaking a few
consolin words to er that Vanderlynn could.
not over ear: and also asked if he should send a
guard to the cabin from the yacht.

The man of the house shook his head.

“Still,” urged Eusco, “you must remember
that the ruder elements of the band will now
have reason to seek revenge upon on.”

Emroled pointed to a shot-gun caning in the
corner. ‘

“That will serve me for them,” said he, sig.
nificantly. “ As for the ruling intelli ences in
the band, you ought to know, sir, whet er they
have most cause to hate or fear me.”

The visitors then took their departure, the
detective saying as he went: '

“ Be of good heart both of you. I shall send

ou the first news I may receive of Miss De-‘
orme’s safety—and, as for Starlight, he shall
not want for the best of care and treatment."

“ An odd couple!” commented Vanderlynn,
on the way back to the yacht.”

“ Ver .

“ Have probably known better days?” -

“Like enough.”

“ The woman’s interest in M1 Delorme
specially intense."

“ So it seems.”

“ Even emotional.”

“ You think so?” -

“ Who wouldn’t? But what seemed to me
particularly mysterious '- was the woman‘s

regular agony over the thought of Miss De—

lorme’s situation.” .

“ The world is full of mysteries, my friend."

Though by no means satisfied, after this the
younger man was prudent enough to hold his
peace. .

One of the pleasant surprises of their return
to the Seamew was the spectacle of little Star-
light on deck, with his head swathed almost out
of sight in white bandages, but apparent] ;
neither hisphvsiCial health nor his indomitab e
spirit much the worse for the hard knocks he
had undergone. '

“ They wanted me to keep to my bunk. even
after I’d come to myself, sir, he cried to Ensco.
“But not much of that soft slop in mine! as I
said to Mr. Dago. Hurrah for our side, boss!
Take a squint at our prisoners over there in the
sen pers- ’ , .

he prisoners were Six in number, all more or

less badly wounded, and not one of whom the.

detective could identify. " i

' There were two dead bodies, however, that
had been 'flshed out from under the sunken
barge, one of which he recognized as that of the
river—pirate, Red Pete, who had been one'of
Juan’s favorite personal attendants. ‘

These were the on! bodies that had been re-
covered, though both ago and Gaff were of the
opinion that several more might beunder the-
river’s surface.

Sail was now made without any further de-

3 .

{than was made at one of the apps; New
York piers, where the detective placed as
oners and the dead bodies in charge ,0 the
police authorities, With the necessary explbna-
tions. . .

Withafavoring windhthe Seamew reached
the White Sibyl’s strange hulk~dyvelling at about
three in the morning, but not Without very can.
tiously feeling hei- Way into moorings, in View

I

. 0

 

 

«as; r ‘

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

of the torpedo experience of the previous after-
noon. -

But the place was found to be absolutely de-
serted, notwithstanding that there were abun-
dant evidences of a hasty visit, doubtless on the
part of the proprietors, but a few hours be-
fore.

Ensco, Vanderlynn .and Gaff explorel the in—
terior thoroughly, after forcing an entrance.

Much of the finer and even some of the
furniture, which he been remarked on the
former occasion, had been hurriedly removed.

“ If the senora has only taken her snakes with
her,” said Tom Gaff, "there’s a bit of comfort
in that.”

“ ‘ Easy things to understandl’ ” exclaimed
Ensco, bitterly—and doubtless unconscious of
quoting a fragment of the Poet Laureate’s
‘ Locksley Hall ” in saying so. “ She has been
here before us, and is doubtless up and away
again, with her prisoner, iii that demon launch
of hers.”

“ Looks very much like it,” said Vanderlynn.
“ The devil himself couldn’t overtake the craft,
and she might live more commodiously in the
launch than here.”

“ More of a steam-yacht than a steam—launch,”
coincided Gaff. “ Barring the devil’s crew she
may carry, I wouldn't back out from crossing
the Atlantic with her in summer weather.”

“ If I could only be sure—if I could only be
sure!" repeated the detective, with his eyes
restlessly searching the floor of the saloon in
which they were standing. .

“ Sure of what?” queried Vanderlynn.

Here Ensco made a. dive into a corner, and
returned bearing a strip of red ribbon, with a
tag of paper pinned to it.

“ A clewl" he exclaimed, triumphantly. “ I
have it!”

“ What is it?" cried Vanderlynn and Gaff in a
breath.

Ensco was examinin his find under a lamp.

“ The ribbon was iss Delorme’s,” said he.
“ This gaper contains some penciled words,
in her andwritingl”

CHAPTER XV.
A F R E s H C L E w .

THE communication—almost illegible, doubt-
less either through extreme haste or trepidation
—was finally made out as follows:

“Ex :—

“Vggoare here but a few minutes while my cap-
tor‘s minions are transferring some of her eflects to
the steam-yacht, which she perhaps intends to be
my prison un il you can rescue me, or Heaven comes
to to relief in some other form. Wereit not for
you, could almost wish that it were in the form of
death. Alasl I cannot afford you the slightest hint
as to our destination. This terrible woman! to
what fate docs she destine me? And yet she wants
to be kind, in her awful way. Will this ever reach
you? Heaven knows, or to what benefit. even
though it may fall in your hands. But I know you
will not rest in seeking for me. That is mEsole
consolation. I. ."

But for the necessity of his spelling out the
foregoing with much diaculty, the detective, in
view of its somewhat emotional tone, would
scarcely have read it out aloud, or at least With-
out some judicious reservations.

As it was, Vanderlynn eyed him a little jeal-
ousl as he finished the reading.

“ he loves him—him, the etective, the ob—
scuremanl” he thought. “Let it be no more
denied that the pearl of woman’s love is in a
wheel, the blindfold drawmg of which is the
purest lotteer What are my wealth, my posi—
tion, my sudden but powerfu passxon for that

rless girl, when the wealth of beauty and'

Bart are so lavishly bestowed upon this name-
less detectivei” ‘

Vanderlynn was a good, manly fellow for all
that, and he none the leg made up his mind that
he would never willingly look on the dangerous
fascination of Inez Delorme’s face a sin.

“ Nothing more is to be done—at east for the
present,” said Ensco, reluctantly. “ There is no
claw—no trace.”

“ I wouldn’t say thatI nfiy friend ” said Van-
derlynn, energetically. ‘ or would I let the
matter rest for a single hour.”

The detective smiled a little s'arcastically.

“ Come, then, Vanderlynn,” said he, “ what
is it that on would do?"

“ Put t s New York police detective force of
the whole countr , if needs were—on the track
of that infernal ev11’s yacht without delay."

“ But if she has left no track—no more than
the dimipated foam-hells in her stealthy wake?”

“ 'Oh, the lice would manage it somehow!
And I w make the matter public anyway.”

“ Well I wouldn’t,” said the detective, cold-
ly; “ and. moreover, I shall manage the matter
somehow—have no fear of that." '

“ I hope you may!” this with a slight sneer.

Ensco marked the young man’s irritable hu-

mor, and penetrated its cause.
, He, howavsr made no reply, but led the way
to the deck of the hulk, which communicated
with the shore by- a long, slender plank.

“ Wright Vanderlynn,” he then said, after
motioning Gan to return to the Seamew’s deck,

" if I err not, your participation in to—night’s‘

adventures was your own seeking?"
“ Correct, my boy," replied Vanderlynn, who

 

 

Rowlock,;jlthe Harbor nettctivaif ’   i 3 -.‘

v 1.:

 

was beginning to feel uneasy, if not wholly
peniteut, under the other’s steel—cold ioiness of
manner.

“ In return for your request to join us,” con-
tinued Ensco, “ I promised you any number of
hard knocks—what you ath etic club men con-
sider a. high old time—did I not?”

“ Yes, you did."

“ Well, you got them, didn’t you?”

“ I should say so.”

The detective held out his hand.

“ Good—by, then,” said he. “ The morning
breaks, but you may get into bed before your
aristocratic family are nstir.”

The young man flushed, and he would gladly
have temporized, but there was something alto-
gether new in the detective—new to him, at
least—that held him off.

He lau hed, nodded, touched the outstretched
hand, an then sprung along the gang—plank.

“ Snubbedl" he muttere to himself as he
ained the road, “ teetotally snubbed, and by a
etective, tool”

But, as was said before, and. was subsequent]
proved, Wright Vanderlynn was a thoroug
good follow, for all, and with his heart in the
ri ht place.

here was literally nothing more to be done
at that time. \

The Seamew accordingly returned to her an-
chorage at Astoria, word was sent to the Mar-
ston residence of the misadventures that had be-
fallen its young mistress, and the worn-out
sharers of. that night‘s extraordinary incidents
sought the rest and recuperation of which they
were in such abundant need.

Though the newspapers duly got hold of the
stirring aflair with the river pirates and made
sensational reports of the same, without know—
ing or sayin anything about the inside
romance of it l, even to the extent of remain-
ing ignorant of the abduction feature—Ensco
managed that shrewdly enough—four anxious
and suspenseful days passed without the faint-
est sign or trace of the unknown region into
which the demon steam yacht, with her ter-
rible mistress and beautiful captive, seemed to
have mysteriously melted.

For once in his life, the Harbor Detective was
not on] at his Wits’ end,-hut almost in despair.

The aunch and her inmates could hardly
have disap cared more absolutely than if she
had sudde y sunk like a plummet into the
deepest under—world mountain—gorge of the
Atlantic Ocean’s imperfectly-mapped, vaguely-
sounded bottom.

Ensco was reluctantly thinking that he would
have to seek the aid of the regular police detec-
tive force at last, and incidentally do what he
had heretofore so shrunk from domg—namely,
give the painful inside history of Inez Delorme’s

amin affairs to the harsh ordeal of public
criticism—when relief came to him from an al-
to ether unex cted source.

t was in t eshape of a note from Wright
Vanderlynn, dated at Nyack, on the Hudson,
in whose neighborhood the young man was

spending a few days at his wealthy mother’s,

country place.
It was as follows:
“ Dm mmz—Mter treatln the matter to a
ood dose of sober second thong t,‘I find that I
on’t retain any hard feelings— owever on may
feel on the subject—for your rather caval er man-
ner— rhaps deserved on my part—when we last
sopar d. In proof thereof, here is a secret for

you:

“The Ghost is lyin in a secluded little cove.
called Deep Cove, 3 s ort diA'auce south of this

lace, and not far from an odd little American-

utch village of same name.

“I made the discovery. while out shooting, by
the merest accident, but didn‘t venture upon any
inquiries or investigations.

“Yours truly, , .
“Wme Vacuum."

“ At last i” sighed the detective, drawin a
long breath. “ By Jovel I did treat Van er-
lynu cavalierly. and he is a perfect brick.”

Then he hurried to consult over the letter
with Mr. Dago. .

The latter’s face also lighted up as he read it.

' “ A boon, indeed l” he exclaimed. “ And hid-
ing away in such a place, too 1"

“You know the cove?"

“ Perfectly.”

“ The particulars, please?” .

“ Oh, there are not many to give. Deep
Cove is about as secluded a corner, or rather
cranny, of the Hudson as I know of. I was
born within five miles of It."

“West side?”

It es?”

‘.‘ Above or below Nyacki"

“ Below, sa two miles.”

“ Best ra i route there?”

“B the est Shore “Road.”

’ “ hat station?”

“‘ ack.” ' ‘

“ Wyhat, and that further on?” «

“Yes; the last station thiaside is five mil
distant.” . '

“ Describe the cove.” .

“ A gap in the wild river-bank, so narrow as
scarcely to be discerned from a passing steam;

or.”
“ Well?”

 

“ There’s where the railroad bridges it, at the
narrowest part. Further back the cove widens
gut, y,but not greatly, and the water is very,

eep.

“ Anything more?”

“ No; just the sort of hole in the clifls where a. ..
yacht might lurk, unsuspected and unquestion-
ed, for a twelvemonth.”

” The village near at hand that Vanderlynn
mentions?”

“Village! Yes, a blacksmith, a church, and
Eerhaps ten houses and hen-coo s. Colonial

utch from away back. I doubt ut the folks-
Epeak, in Rip Van Winkle Dutch to the present ,

a

" Good-by l"

“ What! oil? at once?" '

“ Yes; for secret preliminary investigations...
You can get the Seamew ready in an hour?”

‘ es '

“I’ll meet you at the mouth of Deep Cove.
You”ought to be there by daybreak to-mor-~
row.

“ Yes, with the south wind holding.”

“ Make no mistake then."

“ Hold on! Won’t you take even Starlight.
with you?”

But Ensco was already getting a few travel--
ing necessaries together, for this was in the--
cabin of the Seamew.

“ No; better alone.”

“ Shall I send word to Mrs. Twiggsl”

“ Not a syllable.” .

“gow long will the expedition last, think -

ou

“ Till we have cut out the Ghost, set Miss Do-
lorme at liberty, and clapped handoufls on the
senorina.” -

And then the detective was already half up
the companionway.

This was late in the afternoon. By dusk ho‘
had boarded a. West Shore train.

CHAPTER XXVI.
A RAILROAD INCIDENT.
TEE detective had calculated that he should
reach Nyack in an hour's time.

He would there disguise himself, and hire a
team for Deep Cove without delay.

After that he would be overned in his in-
quiries concerning the ambus ed steam yacht by
circumstances.

But the mapped-out designs of men, like those
of mice, “ gang aft agley.”

He was not on the train five minutes before he
was convinced that he was the object of suspi—
cious watchfulness on the part of four rough—
looking, sinister men;

A glance of his eye revealed that they were ‘
not strangers to each other, though they wished
to a pear so.

“ should have donned my dis uise before
quitting the yacht,” he thought, “ hi: there is
no help for it now.’

The train had just started when he saw Hank
Williams, a trusted Express messenger of his new ‘
quaintance, passin hurriedly forward. ,

The man caught is eye at the same instant,
and gave him a signal. *

A moment later they were in conversation on ‘
the forward platform, adjoining the Express
com rtment of the age car. i

“ ou saw those four suspicious-looking man!”
asked the messenger.

u Y I”

“ What did you think?” ‘ i

" That they might be spotting me.”

“ on are on a vital mission then!”

" as; but only as far as N yeah.”
3 You air? somewhat out as to the four men.”

In .
“ I feel certain of it.”
t: Howl‘sol”
' ‘ 1|
,u gaggle they are tracking, not you.

“One of them has been dodging me all the
way from the officer the others joined him at
the depot.”

“ Indeed 1” And Ensco felt comparatively m~
lieverl on his own account.

“Will you stand by me at a pinch, old fol--
low?” was the messenger’s next question. ,

“ I should say so.” ‘ ‘

‘f Come with me into In car, than. I am car-
ryin a larger amount o-the company than
usua , and naturally feel a little nervous. "

Iie opened the door of the Express cu-
w1th his key as he spoke, and they entered it.

 

'~

“You can go now,” said the mesaengertoa .,

trainman', who was keep guard over the
safe. “ I shall make it rig t with you before
we so arate.”

He at the man out by the same door, and then
carefully looked it.

Besides the burglar-proof safe, there were
some few kc and chests in the compartment,
which had siding side-doors, like those of the
ad oinin baggage-car. ‘

ne 0 these side-doors, the one,looki
ggfir the river, was open, the eveninggge
Ty

table and the messen speedil roduced h
bottlé and two glasses. gar y p

“ Let us be comfortable,” said he, as them , 7

tested themselves.

. ' l

Io?“

out.
1,“

The'car also contained some chairs and a small“ '

 

  

 

 

20

" *Rawnca thé”"Hsjido"étectié” 

 

The detective joined him in a glass.

“You see,” said Williams, “under the sus—
picious circumstances, I naturally feel sort
of backed up in the society of a man like you,
Ensco.”

_ “Thank you; but, as I said, I go no further
than Nyack.” '

“ And just there another old friend of mine
will board the train,.so that I shall have com-
pany as far as my destination.”

"Good! but may you not be mistaken with
I‘L'g‘lll‘d to those four chaps?”

'. “ Certainly; but can a man be over careful or
over-suspicious in my place?”

“ No; hardly.”

Then the detective took a survey of his surn
roundings. ‘

“Combination lock?” he asked, referring to
the safe.

I _ H Yes.”

“ ouldn’t you get into'it. yourself .4"

“ No; the combination is only known to the
agent at the end of my route. "

“ What could robbers do, then, even with you
at their mercy ?”

"‘Tumble it out over the cliffs, and burst it
open at their leisure.”

“Ah! I understand. What may those kegs
contain?” i

“ Silver specie.”

“ And those little chests?"

“ Gold coin.”

“ The deuce! but you arevloaded this time.”

“More than ever before in my experience.
That was what made me nervous—before meet-
.ing on.”

‘~ ou’ve been with the company a long time,
Hank?”

“ Eighteen years a messenger.”

“Must have had some adventures with bad
men?’

:2 3 gozhen or more: b

i t e ever ge away wit on?”

“ Once onyl’y.” y

“ Give us the yarn."

. “ It was in Missouri, on the Iron Mountain
_ Dad. I was stunned, on my back, bound hand
and foot, almost before I realized my danger.”

“ Did they get the swag?”

“ Yes; but fortunawa a light one. I was
badly h’urt, and the company paid hospital ex—
’ uses.

“ Was that your worst snap?” ,

“ Not by a ugfull! I fought 03 five masked
inch on (in: nlifin tPacific for more than an

our an roug o 1:: pac too.

“ Tell about that one}, mes,

The messenger complied, and in this manner
the time slipped unconsciously along.

, The last station before Nyack had been called,
3 and the messenger was deep in a fresh story of
2’- adventurt.

.Suddenly the small door flew open, as if
neither locked or latched. and three rufians,
armed to the teeth, bounded silently into the
compartment.

Ensco and Williams were on their feet in an
instant, but before they could draw a weapon
: . , 1the scoundrels had closed with them in a desper-
t” ate hand-to-hand grapple.

 To add to the disparity, afourth ruflan swung
, [,1 in by the side door, from the roof of the car,
\ and at once participated in the attack.

 It was soon over. ‘

'21-: Ensco reeled back earl in the strug e, al-
.« most prostrated from a b ow with a piste ~butt.
fr . ‘ When he recovered two of the men had him
,,  , tightly pinioned, while the two others were
‘, leaning over the messenger, who was bolnd
{3 hand and foot, bringing him around from a
t. 1 .faiut by dashing cold water on his forehead.

; x, Williams gnashed his teeth when he realized
,v ,, the'situation. ‘

. ,r , ” But ou’ve had your trouble for nothing,”
 he grow ed, defiantly. “ The chests and he s
,1. , are too henv for you to carry oil’, and I couldn t
 show you t e combination of the safe if I
 wished. I am as ignorant of it as yourselves.”

The men, who were identical with those sus—
pected by the detective at the outset, were
~villa1nous-looking scoundrels of somewhat for.
on?) aspect.

\ he one who seemed to be their leader took it

:upon himself to answer the messenger’s defi-

, ance, and m a most unlocked-for fashion.

“ You’re somewhat out!" said he, with a
slight foreign accent. “ We don’t want your

‘ treasure.”

The messenger was astounded.

“Not robbers?” he gasped; “ not after the

ttrfagirire, in my charge?"

, . o

.

 

“ Then what do you want?”
7 The leader pointed, with a sinister’ smile, to
.Ensco. .. '

I“ That man’s life 1” he replied.

The detective understood in a flash. His first
wressmn as to the man’s object had been cor-

Scaroelyhad the leader spoke .beforen the two
men havmg Ensco in their grasp made a move-
ment to hurl him out of the sidedoor.

The train‘ was going at express ; out-

 

 

, V was the sheer wall of the precipitous river-

  

tors, with an involuntary exclamation of hor-

ror. .

“ Fight to the last, Rowlockl” yelled the
messenger. “ Would to God I could lend you a
hand!”

But, all four rutfians assisting, Ensco was
once more overpowered.

“ Be ready now!” said the leader, and, grasp-
ing their victim securely, they imparted a
swinging, seesaw motion to his body. “ That’s
it. Oiie—two—three!”

And the unfortunate detective was hurled
into space.

But even in this terrible crisis Rowlock re—
tained something of his presence of mind.

Down, down, down!

This was his first sensation, as he expected to
be dashed to death every instant.

Then he struck upon something elastic and
springy. ,

After that he seemed to bound up and off,
like an indie-rubber ball, and the next instant
was floundering in deep water.

CHARTER XXVII.
DEEP COVE.

COMING quickly to the surface, the astonished
detective succeeded in reaching the shore.

It was a bright night. with a new moon.

The ,causes contributing to his extraordinary
escape from death explained themselves.

A hundred feet overhead, cutting into the
face of the sloping precipice, ran the line of the
railroad.

There was a narrow field between the foot of
the precipice and the water, and on this narrow
field a small barn, with a huge, half-overturned
haystack beside it.

The haystack had saved him.

He had doubtless alighted on its summit in a
sitting position, bounded thence oil? into the
river; and, moreover, he was certain that he
had not sustained any injury whatever.-

Congratulating himself, the detectlve was
proceeding along a faintly-defined road under
the cliff when he came to a narrow inlet, and at
the mouth of the inlet there was a small cottage

Meeting a. boy, he inquired as to his where

outs

The lad was frightened, and replied in a sort

of ibberish that could not be understood.

ut just then a woman appeared at the door
of the cottage, and with her the detective was
more successful, for she answered him in tolera-
ble English.

“We don’t often see strangers along shore
here, sir,” she explained, in response to his first
advances. “ The be is from back in the settle-
ment, where they so dom speak English, among
th‘e‘n'is'egvzsdat lfiast.” k 1”,

a o t e 5 rs ‘

“Low Dutch.’y pea ’ p y

“Oh! and what may be the name of this
place, ma’aml”

“ Deep Cove.”

Ensco repressed an exclamation.

Here he was at the very threshold of his des-
tination at the narrow mouth of Deep Cove, it-
self a d through the very mishap that was in-
tend for his destruction.

“ You are drip ing wet sir,” said the woman,
peering out at im. “ ave you met with an

 

accident?”
“ Ye-e-s; a sort of one.”
“Ah, I see; on have perhaps been fishing,

and fallen over oard. That sometimes happens
hereabouts. Will you come in and dry your—
self? My husband will be home presently.

Rowlock gratefully accepted the invitation,
and, while following her into the cottage,
managed to slip on his false beard, being satis-
flled tlhat she had not as yet observed his face
c ose y.

This proved to be the case.

The woman’s husband made his ap arance
while the detective was drying himsef at the
kitchen fire, and he groved as hospitable as she.

They seemed to e a simple, hard-working
couple, also of Dutch descent but with wine-
thing more of worldly knowledge than their
Deep Covian neighbors, with whose family af-
fairs they seemed quite familiar.

Ensco permitted them to retain the impression
that he had fallen overboard from a fishing—
boat, and was soon sharing their frugal supper
with them, and feeling himself generally at
home.

“ You have a quiet, secluded spot here,” said
he. “ I wouldn‘t mind being better acquainted
with it. Is there good fishing in the cove?"

“ Only in spots.‘ replied the man, “and the
villagers are careful to keep them secret. We
are very stupid and old fashioned,” he continued,
smiling, “and strangers are not always wel-
come among us.” -
th“ Ynou seem to be an exception to the rule,

en.

“We once passed a whole winter in Tarry-
town," interposed the woman, with some con-
scious pride. “ We’rea little more civilized than
others around here." '

“ And I worked a whole year over in the new
aqueduct,” supplemented her husband. ' “ If In
health hadn't broken down in the tunnels,

. , ’ wouldn’t be back here owin otatoes amon
“ The detective suddenly broke from -his cape| these people.” gr 3 p g

 

 

“Ah, indeed! Nothing like travel and wide
intercourse to enlarge one’s ideas. Now I’m
rather fond of solitude and the picturesque.”

“ I ain’t!” said the cottager, decided] .

“ Nor me nutherl” echoed his better— alf.

“Still,” added the detective, deprecatingly,
“ you allow for a difl’erence of tastes?”

“Oh, of course!” from both.

"Now, I’ve taken a notion for a moonlight
trip back yonder in your cove. Anything worth
seeing up there?”

The couple exchanged glances

“ You’d better not try it~.at ~least, not by
night,” advised the man.

“ No, indeed!” added the woman.

“ Why? Haven’t you a boat to spare—for
pay, of course?”

“ Oh, yes: we’ve a boat you’d be welcome to.”
And the man uneasily crossed his legs afresh.

“ Then what’s your objection to my going?”

“There ain’t no objection, only—”

“ Only what?”

“Everything ain’t just right back in the
cove, sir,” said the man, huskily, while his wife
drew closer to the fire.

“Not right? Oh, nevermind the Dutchmen’s
want of hospitalit l I sha’n’t trouble them.”

“It ain’t the utchmen, sir,” interposed the
good-wife, solemnly. “,They’re harmless enough,
and they can be kind, too, for that matter.”

“ What is to be feared, then?” ,

“The Ghost I” the man took it on himself to

reply.
he detective dissembled his increased inter-
est, which was sufficiently viv1d.

“ A ghost?” he cried, laughing. “ Come, now,
I have a sort of fancy for hosts. What sort of
one is it that haunts Deep ove—male or female.

“ Neither, sir. It’s a ship, or rather a sort of
witch‘s steamboat, and that’s her name—the
Ghost.” '

“ Oh, is that all? only her name?”

“But that ain’t all, 811'! She’s a. ghost by
natur’, no less than by name—or the devil him-
self, for that matter—and the devil’s witch com-
mands and lives in her.”

“ Dear me! but, my ood friends. you only
increase my curiosity. ive me some rticu-
lars of this strange craft, which I rea ly must
investigate by moonlight.” ,

“ Don’t do it, sir!” they exclaimed in the one
breath. i

“Well, satisfy my curiosity anyway. When
did the Ghost arrive in the cove?” r

“Soon after daybreak, four days ago,” said
the cotta e. “She’s all dead black; she slips
through t a water like an arrow, but without a

ripple; there ain’t a sign of captain, crew or.

engineer; only the devil’s white witch that runs
her, and a r, purt little gal what may be
her slave, astened own to her side by some
hi eons spell.” '

he wife at this~ uucture shuddered, and ,

threw her apron over or face and head.

“ Now this is interestingl” And the detective
rubbed his hands.

“I call it horrible i” said the man. '

“Never mind, tell me more. You saw the
witch’woman, then?”

“We all saw her, that is, on the first day,
when she even went into the village to bu some
vegetables. Since then she’s kept outo sight,
thou h still on board.”

“ ow do you know that?”

" By her voice—her occasional singin’, which
is as wild and beautiful as her face is flightful
—so them say as heard it.”

“ Perhaps it was the captive, the young girl
under the spell, they heard.”

. “No; the witch spoke to several when on
shore. The singin’ is hers; every one is agreed
on that.” , , _

“Did the young girl go With her when she
visited the shore? ' .

“ No; she was only seen once, when on deck
with the witch.”

‘ “ What is the witch like?" .

“Like a live corpse, only beautiful and—
dreadful, with eyes in her head what would
mesmerize a—a ox!”

“Tell him about the snakes!" interposed the
woman, With a sort of wail. “ Don’t furgit to
tell about the snakes!”

“ Oh !” and the cotta er hurried himself to the
front, so to s cak; “ was nigh to furgettin’
that. Yes; i: ere’s snakes!”

“ Snakes?” r

“Yes: sort of pets—yeller, blue, white an’
speckled. Two young men who were fishing
near the steamboat the first day, saw her wit
’em. They crawled all over and around her.
Luke‘Van Tassel, one of the young chaps, swore

he saw her swaller one a yard long, an’then,

coax it back again out of her left ear witha
stick of candy.” , .

“ Really? This is astonishing. Come, In
friend, your boat, your boat! I sha’n’t rest
I’ve had a 1001! at this goblin craft.” ‘

The detective was now so thoroughly in earn-

est that they gave over the attempt to dissuade_

him.

Five minutes later, as Enscootepped into the
cottager’s rickety skiif at the mouth of the cove,
he dropped a coin into the man’s palm.

“ It’s gold—a flvedollsr piece!” exclaimed the

man, staring at the coin in the moonlight.

 

-' nan-..»

“was.
m ,.

 

 

 

 

. summon:

., . _, h... min

..H,W.Mwis ._ _-._ . .,...,-,»~—-.- ..

 

 

  

' Rowlock, the HarborDetective. '

 

 

 

“ For your secrecy, no less than for your boat.

Be faithful until my return, and you shall have'

as much more.”

"Oh, Lord, sir! I’m your man.”

“ Wait; a yacht may draw in here by day-
break, before my return. Her arrival is also to
be kept secret.”

“ All right, sir; all right!
you !”

The detective rowed off up through the dark
neck of Deep Cove.

By less than half an hour‘s cautious pulling,
he was in the deep shadow of an overhanging
bank, directly under the Ghost’s quarter.

CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE PHANTOM LAUNCH AGAIN.

ENSCO was satisfied in his own mind that he
had approached thus near to the phan‘om yacht
without attracting attention, even supposing a
lookout to be on board, which did not seem like—

God preserve

yIn fact, the strange vessel had every appear-
ance of being wholly deserted.

Presently, however, a low, sweet voice, in a
wailing Spanish or Portuguese song, came float-
ing from somewhere in the interior. -

“ Ahl” thought the detective, “the simple
country folk were doubtless ri ht. Though I
can’t remember to ever heard Aara atta Mai‘tez
lift her voice in song in the old Wilt’ days, I feel
quite certain that the voice is hers.”

He lay on his oars in the deep shadow of the
bank for some moments, listening in silence.

' The eflfect amid the profound solitude of the
land-locked inlet was impressively weird and
sad. '

A few lights were still twinkling in the little
hamlet on the hillside opposite, but that was all.
On every other side the dark hills rose abruptly
from the water’s edge, the inlet being so com-

letely and loftily folded in that even the moon~
Pght only Spangled and mottled it in small
spaces. ‘

Shaking off the spell of the music with an ef—
fort Ensco was about to risk a stealthy circu1t
of the vessel, in the hope of more satisfactory
discoveries, when the soft, swishing plush of
mufl‘led oars reached his practiced car.

He accordingly drew yet closer under the
bank, and waite .

A moment later, the dark outline of a boat

. containing four cecupants, slipped out from

near where he lay on her way to the Ghost.
When a narrow strip of moonlight was crossed

the detective’s hands tightened on his cars, and

his jaws came together with a soft but decisive

sna .

El; had recognized the occupants as the same
ruflians who had so recently hurled him to his
seeming doom out of the Express messenger’s

car.

The boat touched the steam yacht’s side, and
her inmates disappeared over the rail.

“ So,” thought the detective “ we shall make
even a better haul than could have been antici-

ted when we cut out that accursed yacht. In
addition to cutting the White Sibyl’s claws and
restoring Inez to liberty, we shall have a. chance
at those last would-be murderers of mine.
Patience, my soul 5 patience and prudence!”

Nevertheless, his desire to make further in-
vestigations without‘ delay—especially with re-
gard to Nessie’s continued presence on board—

' presently became overmastering.

He only waited long enough to improvisea
muflling for his own cars, out of some rags and
cord that he found in the skifi’s locker, and
then stealthin pulled out from the-shadow of

' the bank.

By incessant caution, and an avoidance of
every patch of moonlight when possible, he
managed to make a complete circuit of the ves-
sel without attracting attention from on board.

He finally came to a pause directly under the
deg) overhang of the stern.

are he remained listening intently, for a
faint li ht was now visible in the after ports,
whose cad-lights were wide open, and he could
Just catch the murmur of voices within.

However,rtho words were not audible, or dis-
tinguishable, and his impatience increased.

A fresh risk mlght be destructive, but he re—
solved to take it.

Fortunately the moon was on the vessel’s bow,
which left the shadow of the stern overhang
broad, dense and deep.

Making his skifl’ fast to the rudder, he suc-
ceeded in climbing in through a port-hole with-
out making a sound.

He was in a small extreme-aft compartment,
separated by a ground-glass door from the ad-
joinin cabin, in which the light was shining,
and w ence the‘murmuring voices proceeded.

He could distinguish the words now, but only
with the utmost straining of his sense of hear-
mg.

There were two voices, of one of whichhe had
no doubt, but of the other he was a. little less

certain. ‘

The latter, very soft and musical, seemed to
be the senora’s. , _

The former, also low- itched, but none the less
masculine, he was sure on to the leader of
tho rufllanly group who be hurled him from
the Express car. r

‘ heard enunc

 

“ For Dias !” murmured tho womanish voice;
" if you have killed the Harbor Detective, that
is the main point—a glorious point.” ,

“ He can’t have escaped l" ' '

“13:1le Rowlock is said to have more lives than
9. ca .

“ If he had had a hundred, they would have
been dashed out of him. You should have seen
how we sent him flying!”

There was a low, musical laugh. with enough
of the devil in it to be the White Sibyl’s.

“ Wouldn’t I have liked to? It was a deep
abyss. then?”

“ Two hundred feet, if a yard, with rocks and
the river below i”

“ Bueno ! You got off the train at Nyack, of
course?”

“ Yes; and then hurried back here.”

‘t‘al‘lo talk there about our presence here, as
ye ’.’ '

“ Not a word.”

“ Excelente ! We are still secure, then, and
have only to keep up our mysterious movements
and appearances to continue the awestruck
attitude of the simple yokels hereabouts.”

“ Any further orders?” .

“ No; that will do. Take your mates into
the forecastle, and get something to eat. Jago
is on deck, now?"

u Yes-71

“ Buenas noches !"

And then, as a door was heard to close, the
muswal voice took up its sweet, melancholy
Singing again, as an indication that its owner
was once more alone.

Not the least allusion to Inez, so far!

Still not fully satisfied that the voice was the
senorina’s, and 10th, in spite of the continued
risk, to relin uish the hope of catching sight. it
the merest g impse of his dear betrothed, the
detective was hesitating what next to do, when
he suddenly had his first named doubts set to
rest, and in a most unexpected manner:

A'seréient—one of the yellow variety that the
White ibyl seemed most to affect in her ex-

‘traordinary tastes—crept into view from amid

the rich hangings of the compartment in which
he crouched, and crossed the floor in a lazy,
leisurely way before disappearance.

It might even have crept over and perhaps
strung him while he had been listening so in-
tently there.

ln s ite of his nerve, a cold perspiration suf-
fused im.

“ A doubtin Thomas himself would be satis-
fied now,” be t ought.

The next instant he was half out of the win-
dow by which he had entered.

He was clinging with one hand, with his head
just under the taffrail, when a stealthy step Just
behind it startled him.

He held his breath, eered up, and waited.

Then the bushy headJ and eVil face of the man
Ja 0 were craned out over the rail.

.he men‘s eyes met, but before Jago could
start back or sound an alarm, his throat was in
the detective’s grip of steel.

It was a critical redicament for Rowlock,
but his decision was aken in an instant.

His reserve force of muscular power was sim-

prodigious.

pl , .
{Totwithstanding the Spaniard being a burly,

strong man, slow] and noiselessly in that tre-
mendous one-ban ed grip was be drawn out
ovar the stern, the detective in the mean time
feeling his way down the stern-post With his
feet and remaining hand. . _

Still as the next best thing to his getting
with his throttled prisoner into_the skiff direct-
ly, which he foun an impossibility, Eusco at
last quietly dropped into the water With him.

Here, while holding on to the rudder, and us-
ing his teeth to haul on the skiff’s line, a most
unexpected interru tion occurred.

There was a su den swish of the rudder, a
twirl of the propeller screw, and the Ghost be-
gan to forge swiftly a head,

Losing hold of t e rudder, the detective had
just time to seize the skifl’s gunwale, while still
hanging on to his captive, when he was drawn
over on his back by the rapidity mthmhicb he
was being dragged through the water.

Bettering h position fly a great effort, be
still retained his clutch 0 hot skid and man
until the yacht had made a. complete circuit of
the land-locked space, and returned to her prigi-
nal anchorage, where she again became motion-
less.

.All this was immenselfigiot to saiiincomfort-
ably, in sterious to our rbor De ctive.

How ad the Ghost heaved anchor, got up
steam and started her engine in such aboliite
silence? And what had been her object in mak-
ing the brief and apparently useless circuit of
the cove?” ,

. Relegatin the first question to the choral
unaccounta ility of the Ghost‘s nautica char-
acter, Ensco answered the last by inferring that
it was merelflin keeping with the plan he had

ted by the musical voice—i. e., to
keep up a certain mystery of movements and
appearances, for, the benefit of the awe-struck
yo els of the neighborhood. ‘

While revolving these things in his mind, he
had climbed into the skill! with his captive, cut
the painter-line, and, by a careful sculling move<

\

i

 

ment of one car, was slipping away into the
shadows toward the narrowing neck of the
cove.

When at last he released his iron gripu n
the Spaniard’s throat. there certainly seem to
have been no need ol’ the clutch for some time '
back, so far as preventing an outcry was con~
cerned.

The man fell over, limp and apparently life~
less, in the bottom of the skifl’.

“No wonder!” thought the detective. “ I
should have thought of that before. Between
the choking and the drowning the cor devil
has undergone, it would be little ess than
miraculous if he were not done for completely.”

owever, after rowing as far back as mid~
way into the neck of the dive, he set~about try—
ing to bring the fellow back to consciousness,
and at last succeeded. I

Jago opened his eyes, sat up, stared about ,
him, and at last seemed to comprehend the sit- . ,
nation. . ‘
“ ere I” said the detective, tendering his
brandy—flask. “Take another and along pull
at this. It may sort of brace you up.”

Jago obeyed, and with such literalness that
the flask was twothirds drained when it was;
returned. ’

He then, however, though apparently fully re—
stored, merely wiped his bearded lips with the
back of his hand, and, with a low grunt, prop.
ped himself in the stern in stoical silence,
though casting another longing look at the flask,
as the detective returned it to his pocket.

I“ Now, my man,” said the latter, “ I: want to
have a little fipiet talk with you.”

“Me no ta ,” said the Spaniard, and he was
about as good as his word.

The detective’s most genial and persuasive

l

efforts to extract some information with regard

to the inmates of the Ghost, and especially as to
Miss Delorme and the senorina, might as well
have been exerted upon the air.

Jago sometimes grunted, and occasionally be 
smiled, but not an articulated syllable m ould he '- -
vouchsafe in response. ' .

“ This is growing a trifle monotonous,” ob-
served the detective, smiling. :2.

He produted a special revolver of his, slowly v ,2,
denuded it of the rubber sheathing that had key: 3 —
it dry from the river’s drenching, and examined, , 
its chambers carefullly. , 

Then he coolly coo ed it, presented it point-
blank to his prisoner’s heart, while the smile on
his lips took on a peculiarly deadly aspect.

“ ow will you answer ~niy questions?” he
demanded, in Spanish.

CHAPTER XXIX. ., ‘ 
susrnusnrun nonunrs. ' it”

BUT the Spaniard was true grit.

He had slightly started at the first blush of the
leveled revolver, and he was not unfamiliar with _
the iron determination of the manthat presented
it to his heart, but that was all. ' , “

He merely yawned sleepily, threw back his;
head with a sense of weariness, and closed his
eyes as much as to say:  .

“ Well, blaze awa ; but, for mercy’s sake, .,

 

 

 

don’t talk me to deat l”

Ensco’s eyes glittered savagely. '

“You know the 1 enalty of your refusal?”

At last Jago did speak. 7 ' . 

“Yes. senor, I do,”he replied, with the lit“. "’
most calmness, while slowly opening his eyes. ‘

“ It is death!” said Rowlock, sternly.

“ I know it, senor.”

“ And you still refuse to answer?” ,

“ Certainly, senor. There is crime, even blood, .
on my hands, but treachery to a master or mis—
tress~neverl” ,

Rowlock uncooked and put up the weapon
with a muttered oath.

“You’re a brave man. whatever you may -
have been 1” he said, sullenly. ‘

The man inclined his head, and seemed w
lapsing into his stubborn silence. ~

The detective was not inclined to give up.

It seemed more important than it really
that his prisoner should be induced to on
himself. ”

Suddenly a fresh thought occurred to him. - “.» r.

He regimduced, not the revolver, but the u
brandy- sk. ' *

“See, my man!” and he dandled it in the.
moon-rays so that the considerable uantity of
spirits yet remaining sparkled ver mpti ly
through the glass. ‘ ould you ike notifier '

ui i’ ,

IThe temptation in that accursed form has“ . .
overcome many and many a better and stronger «,.
nature than the poor, ignorant bravo's.

A new eagerness had sprung into Jago’s dark
eyes.  ~
He stretched'forth his band, and there wens"

tremor in it. i.

“ Yes, yes, senor l” he exclaimed, fawmngly. 7
“ More cognac—moregniore!” .

“ Not so fast! Answer my questions first, then
all that remains in the flask is yours.” , fl
“ 99, no, senor;' the cognac first—the cognac
Ensco reflected. and then resolved to take the
Chfinl’ces' ise to ti truly «1:36

min answer my use one -.
youshallhavedrsiiki" q .’ ’ .

  
  
     
   
 
   
   

 

 

  

A‘

22

Rowlock, the Harbor Detective.

 

“ No, no; ah, senor! we cannot promise.”
“ Bueno, then! No promise, no' brandy!
That’s the talk."
“Oh, but, senor, me very foolish, me very
talky when me drunk!"
The detective handed over the flask.
When it had quittcd the Spaniard’s eager
lips, not a drop remained.
Jago returned the flask with a polite smile,
and cleared his throat with a sort of reluctant
usto, though it was a large pint that had gone
gown his red lane within a, space of twenty
’ minutes. ,
“Ah!” commented Rowlock his good-humor
already restored; “nothing like that devil’s
stuff to loosen a stubborn tongue—that is, in
some folks. Eh, J o?” ‘
J a o smiled appreciatively.
“ léow to business!" And, rubbing his hands,
the detective began to go over his questions

again.

Short-lived exultation!

The Spaniard was once more as dumbas an
oyster. ‘

It began to dawn slowly upon our professional
friend that he might have been taken in.

“Curse you!” he cried; “lyou promised that
the stuff would make you tal .”

J a o smiled deprecatingly.

“ V$hen drunk, yes, senor,” said he. “ But
many little flasks like that wouldn’t make me
drunk.”

Ensco gritted his teeth, and tossed the flask

.away.

Then, more ashamed of himself than angry
at the Spaniard, he forced the latter to take to
the cars, and continued his course through the
neck of the cove.

When near its mouth, the sound of other
muffled oars than their own fell upon their ears.

“ It’s too early for the Seamew people to ar-
rive yet," thought the detective. “What can
this be?”

And he steered in under the high bank, en-
forced silence on the Spaniard’s part 'at the
point of the revolver, and waited.

,A large yawl, with a number of rowers, keep-
in excellent precision with their long, power-
ful all but soundless strokes, came into view
, from the midmost waters of the lordly Hudson.
. ' A near strip of moonlight was crossed, and
‘ Juan Martez, moodily contemplative, was
visible at the stern. ' ,

The soft pure light flashed for an instant
over his bended head, upon his burnished re-
‘volver and niard-hilts over the dark, sway-
ing forms 0 his bearded followers, and then all
had vanished up into the deep cove‘s narrow
throat.

In afew minutes the yawl was out of sight
and hearin

g.
“Good!” said the detective, unconsciously -

his thought. “ So many more to be
scoope in when we cut out the steam-launch."
~ Jago giive a guttural exclamation, and he
seemed a cut to speak.

But he did not, and the detective knew better
than to renew the attempt upon the fellow’s
'taciturnity. ’

An hour was yet wanting to daybreak when
'the cottager’s little landing place was reached,
, .and it would not do to re-enter the cottage, with-

- gieitrcertain explanations that might not be pru-
nt.

» So, having nothing better to pass the time

'with, the detective kept his risoner leisurely at
the oars a little offshore, an continued waiting.

It was wearisome enough, but soon after the
first dawn—streaks began to appear in the East,
the well-known yacht came in sight, tacking up-
stream in the teeth of a. dry, gentle, northwest

wm .

w Ten minutes later Ensco was on board, with
his risoner in irons. '
e consulted with Dago and Gail’, after re-
vcounting his ex riences. ,
With the sma 1 number of men at command——
[only six in all, including Mingo, Jones and little
' ~ Starlight-it was immensely risky to make the
' :attack, even if a perfect surprise of the Ghost
were effected.

But it was decided to make the attempt, as the
ropportunity’omight never again occur.

-“Witha at four more good men, I should
feel secure,” said the detective. “ Or even if

voicin

1' I, Wright Vanderlynn might alone be 'with us

> once more.”
“Wait,” said John D c. “As I told you,

Mr. Enseo, I was born reabouts, and am

{hmiliar with the neighborhood."
 , f‘ What of that? The cove doesn’t require any

- piloting, and is less than a mile in extent."

“I ought to beaware of that. But did you
'notioam large, dark old house, high up ona
wooded hillside just at the first widening of the
im‘i‘er cogs?”

es.
“Four stalwart, dare-devil brothers, former
schoolmates of mine, who would ' at the
[Nchance of sharing in our proposed“In suture,
ht to be still living there.”
, ’ What is their name?”
‘ ,“ Ten Eyck.”
“ Ah Dutchmen, too?”
Mr. ago smiled.
“Of that extraction, am I, likewise,”, be

 

 

rejoined. “ I think I could secretly bring them
to join us, while the rest of you are towing in the
Seamew. I suppose that will be safest, eh? to
make the attack with the yacht herself?”

“ By far the safer," assented Ensco, cordially
grasping his hand. “ You have taken the steel
ram on our bow, of course.”

“Yes; and with any sort of momentum,
the Seamew would cut her way through a line-
of—battle ship.”

“ Good! and may the wind necessarily be
forthcoming on the inside, though I doubt it.
All right, then; and I only hope you may find
the stalwart brothers at home.”

The Seamew had all this time been slowly on-
tering the mouth of the cove, though the wind
was now almost m'l by reason of the inshore
loftiness of the hills.

Accordingly, while Mr. Dago forthwith
pulled away on his mission in the cottager’s
skiff, the rest of the force proceeded to tow in
the yacht in her pinnace.

The moon had sunk behind the hills, and there
was yet a good half-hour of the latter’s deep
shadowmgs to be looked for before the new
gown should have greatly increased its signal

res.

Moreover, they proceeded with muffled ears,
and, as has been said, the inlet did not stretch
very far into the land.

“This is prime,” commented Starlight, who
had wholly recovered his strength and vim, and
was manfully doing his share of the work. “ I
feel romantic, I do. ’

Mingri gave his contemptuous grunt.

“ What's yer gwine tor do, young teller?” he ,
inquired. “An what makes yer feel more-
antic?”

“ 011, it’s bully, Mingo. I feel like Bullrag,
the Buccaneer, on his we. to cut out Fire-Flip-
per, the Red-avenging irate of the Gulf.
Didn’t you ever read that book, old man?”

“I don‘t read no sich trash, nur nuflin’ else,”
growled the sable giant, bending to his oar.
“ Go ’longr wi’ you, bantam cock.”

Here silence was enjoined, and the slow work
proceeded.

And it was slow work.

However, just at the inner winding of the
neck there came a puff of wind, and the droop—
ing sail of the dragged Seamew began to fill
out.

“ S lendid.” ejaculated” Tom Gad, under his
breat . “ It’s shifted fully two points east, and
we’re in luck.”

Here Mingo dropped his oar and stared back
at the yacht, every one else following the direc-
tion of is game.

A dark figure, moving with seeming diEcul-
ty, was trying to manipulate her rigging in
some way.

“ It’s my risoner, that infernal Spaniard!”
exclaimed wlock. “ Back water, and be
lively! He’s up to some mischief, I’ll be
sworn!” .

Mingo did not wait for the comparatively
slow action of the boat, but was overboard in
an instant, swimming back to the yacht as only
he could sw1m.

When the rest of the party at on board
three minutes later, the black ha the Spaniard
underneath him on deck, and the latter was un-
dergoing a terrible stran ling, which in another
minute must have prover? fatal.

“He was tryin’ to cut the halyards,” cried
Mingo, as Ensco rushed u in him to interfere.
“In anudder minute he’ hev bed do big sail
down.”

“ No matter,” and here the detective succeed-
ed in rescuing the Spaniard, in the nick of time.
“ He’s a brave man, Mingo for all his devilt ,
and if he meets death it s all be at the pub ‘c
executioner’s hands.”

J ago was secured afresh and taken below.

At this juncture the skiff‘ was seen returning,
and four men were in it besides Mr. Dago.

A few minutes later the four Ten Eyck
brothers were introduced on board by their an-
cient schoolmate.

They were powerfully-built, fearless-looking
countr men, who, moreover, appeared to be

- ea or Or the fray.

Welcome!” said the detective, takin them
successively by the hand. “I doubt your
willingness, my friends, when Dago acknowl-
edged that you were Dutchmen, but I gladly
ask rdon for my mistake."

“ utch be hanged, sir!” cried Jake Ten
Eyck, the elder of the stalwart brothers, his
broad shoulders shaking with his good-humored
laugh. “ We’re true American farmer men, by
two hundred and fifty years descent, and there’s
not a man of us has ever backed out of a square,
hard fight in an honest cause.” ‘

Everybody joined in cheering the Ten Eycks,
though With more earnestness than vociferous—
ness, and it was the general impression that
thepttacking force was now but httle short of
invincible. '

“ What luck! what glorious luck!” exclaimed
Dago, who was at the wheel. “ Just look at her
fill out, Ensco!” ~ ‘

In,fact, the wind which had freshened not a

ttdle,hwas now fiairly onto 1gb; flamew’sggarga
an sewassprn a war as s
that knows his ri or.8 V

1 Behind was the glowing redness of the increas-
: ing day; before stretched the widening cove,
i but even more deeply shadowed now than when
only the moonlight touched its mirroring sur—
face; beyond, faintly outlined against the (leader
background of the heavily—wooded shore, lay
the steamyacht, perfectly motionless upon the
tideless cove.

“The Seamew’s occupants waited in breath—
less suspense.

“Shall we cut right into her amidships?”
queried Dago in a low voice.

The detective nodded.

On and on headed the white-winged yacht,
her knife-like ram leveled straight at the sleep-
ing enemies’ waist!

CHAPTER XXX.
“WHEN GREEK MEETS GREEK.”
IT was a moment of intense and painful sus-

 

pense.

The Ghost might have been a floating tomb,
for all of life or movement that was visible
aboard.

Black, graceful, silent, unconscious, she
seemed no more than a nautical cor se, insen—
sate and indifferent to her seeming y certain
doom.

Suddenly a. paralyzing thought flashed through
the detective’s brain.

Inez Delorme! .

Might she not—indeed, was she not more than
likely to—mect her death or agonizing injury in
the shock that was now inevitable?

The thought turned him cold, but it wastoo
late now.

The Seamew was silently ressing on, her
knife-like steel ram cleavin t e wave with the
arrowy stealthiness of a back shark’s razor—
back fin.

Not a cable's length was now remaining be—
tween the ram and its destined prey.

Suddenly, however, and with the spectral un-
expectedness of her character, the Ghost spun
around, as if upon an unseen pivot, and her
prow, instead of her broadside, was presented to
the rushing blow.

Nor was this all.

f Something was noted, entirely unexpected be-
ore.

Her prow was, likewise, provided with an
added metal nose that answered as a ram.

lision, which occurred almost instant! . '

Her blow was a pewerful, thong slanting
one, and the Ghost shivered under it from stem
to stern, while her above-water casing was rip-
ped off like so much card-board for a length of
a dozen feet. _

But instant] her deck was black wlth man,
she sheared o easfly, VA hile the Seamew was re-
calling with her first shudder, and

calling on their men to stand fast.

The next instant, however, the Seamew was
graggiled to her.

“ teeny, there 1” shouts? the detective, in his
cold. steely tones. “Now ”

And the ten men of the attacking par , with
waving weapons, poured like a living, evasta-
ting torrent down over the steam-yacht’s deck.

Little Starlight had not been so Quixotic or
far out of the way in likening the situation to
the days of piratical romance.

It was an old-fashioned sea-flght—a page out
of the pictures ue ash—and ri ht there in the
bosom of New or State in t e year of 1887.

The day had broadened, so that everything
was distinctly visible.

The Ghost men, though outnumbering the ass
sailants two to one were at first swept into rout
by the fury of the boarding party, notwith-
standing the frantic bravery ol the twin com-
manders.

But they made a stand aft, and then the fight
was at its climax. ‘ .

Revolvers cracked, knives flashed, bludgeons
rose and fell, and there was a pandemonium 0:
shouts, curses and yells.

with stout hickory staves, were like backwoods
screamers from away back, Mingo was a whole
team in himself, every one else in the attacking
party seemed nerved to the performance of pro-
digies, and. moreover, organized discipline
seemed to be in the ascendant on the part of the
Seamew’s people. '
Several of the river-pirates had been laid out
in the first rush, and now they were still gettin
the worst of the blows and peppering, thong
doggedly holding their groun at the head of
the com nionway. ' ‘
. A slig t diversion .was oflered in their favor

making his appearani e
frantically falling upon the assailants”
with a flourished capstan

“ Bravo, muchache I” yelled Vasco. 3‘ You’re

n

 

v

However, the Seamew had the best of the col- '

the rip
voices of both Juan and Vasro could be 11% ‘

But the four Ten Eycks, though armed solely . 

b Ja 0 again burstin his bond and sudden] ' :
y g 8 from th: Seaman!i and.

in man J ! Keep it up! Down with the ,
sleyutb-hdu e3133mm I”

“ He’s my man now. and worthy of my bullet.  i
too!” growled the detective, who had wheeled .
,upon his heel in time.’ “Jago, you seem bound . .-
to have it” I .

His revolver spoke yet more emphatically
‘ thanhistaigue, and the Spaniard, at the

m;

 

 

 

mm...

u

‘i

 

oral-i (DIRT ||

   
  
  
    

 

 

 

 

 

Rowlock, the Harbor

       

  4, s  ' 

m," 

betec

 

tive. 9 ' 2'3

 

 

instant toppled overboard with the leaden mis-
sivc in his heart.

Then, as Mingo, closcly seconded by the Ten
Eycks, suddenly freshened his assault, after
snatching up an enormous crowbar, With which
he sent down all before him, Ensco saw his
longed-for opportunity. _ _

Darting through the staggering ruffians like a
bolt, he dodged a dig from Vasco’s poniard,
and the next instant had Juan Marten in his
tremendous embrace. .

“ Murderer of Grant Marstoul you are mine,
mine at last i” _

But Juan as like an electric eel even in that
crushing gr p, his eyes glowing like cools, the
birthmark arrow standing out in startling dis-
tinctness on his ghastly cheek.

“He laughs who wins!” he gasped, and one
arm was again free with the dagger in its clutch.
“ Kill me, if 'it is Fate’s will, but 1 will bite and
stin unto the last!"

“ ill you so? No; for the hangman, Juan.
for the hangman alone is this dainty morsel of
your life !"

Just then, however, Vasco once more rushed
upon the detective with uplifted knife.

There was no help for it. The latter had to
disengage one arm with which to hurl himback,
and then Juan succeeded in tearing himself

free.

The fight was almost at .an end, with fully
half the pirates rostrate, the rest in panic, and
no serious casualties whatever as yet on the part
of the boarding-party.

“ All’s lost!” cried Juan.
can!”

With that he leaped overboard, closely fol-
lowed by Vasco and such others as were equal

ttem t.
militia dilaml” shouted the detective; “let
not one escape l” ‘ ‘ .

And then, while the remaining Victors were
tumbling into the ginnace, to pursue the sw1m-
ming fugitives, he ashed below.

The cabin, with its saloon and state—rooms,
was em t .

He rugged through the lace, calling loudly
but vainly upon his belov ’5 name.

There was no answer but the echoes—not a
trace of either of the senora or her .captive:

Whose voice had he then heard singing, if not
the senoraYS? . _ . _

It occurred to him With crushing .81 nificance
that Vast-ifs voice was wonderfully ike hers,
and he also remembered—alas! when too late—
to have heard from Inez that the oung _man
was an adept in sweet and melancho y muic.

“Follow me who

“Yes; the incident of the yellow snake’s ap—,

nce was no lon er confirmatory—it might
ave been accidental y left behind in the senora’
hurried desertion of the GhOSt. perhaps hours,
rha da 3 before.
“realism gonfronted the fact that he had been
self-deceived.

He struck his forehead. _

But at that instant his foot 'touched a [31906 of
pa r, which rustled beneath its tread.

fig snatched it up. ' '

Yes; hope for a. second time baffled, deception
confirmed!

It was another message from lnez, the merest
despairing line, but bearing a date that was
two days old.

“ Ensco :——She is taking me away once more—out of
the steam-yacht that has been my temporary prison
--out into the unknown—whither I know not!

is Imz."

This was in the saloon) _ _ I

Be reeled under the bitter disappomtment,
but sta gel-ed toward the companiouway. _

Anot or paper, crumpled and'sofled, as if

rapped by accident, and then inadvertently
trampled under passing and repassmg steps,
attracted his dazed attention. .

This he likewise took up and examined, though
with flaggin interest. _ _
_ It seemed o be a pen-and-ink communication
in Spanish. .

He thrust it, together with Nessie’s message,

‘ into his pocket, and staggered up the com-

..

./ was hue and

'panionway.

His frantic search had not consumed three
minutes, but it seemed to have lasted indefi-
nitely.

The fresh upper air, however, restored him to
himself.

The pinnace, crowded',with men, was already
in hot pursuit of the swimming fugitives. yvhilo
Gaff and Starlight were just putting OH in the
cottager’s skiff.

The detective fiercely hailed the latter.

Inez was still lost to him—the White Sibyl of
Morena as yet beyond his vengeful grog—but
lgerefivas at east :1. next best satisfaction ose at

an

In another minute he was in the skifl, and it
cry upon the miserable sinners,
with a shOrt shrift for the hindmost. ,

, The pinnaee had all-cad overhauled and drag-

ed two dripping‘ wrote as on .
fiifl was close and eager behind,jwhile an ex-
clamation from Mr. Dago, who °was looking
back, diverted the urpose in hand. i _

“Great l” e 0 "ed, ‘f look at that deVll
of causing chi” ‘ ,

the shore.

board. and the.

 

No need of a second bidding.

All eyes were at once fastened upon the ex-
traordinary vessel indicated.

She had snapped or cut her anchor-line, spun
around like a water-top, and, with her spectral
ease and noiselessness. was heading out of the
cove at her accustomed phenomenal speed.

“She is the devil, and no mistake!" gas ed
Dago. “You were below in her, sir?” an be
turned to Ensco.

“ Yes; and only to find her interior deserted,”
was the moody response. “ However, I did not
look in the engine-room.”

Pursuit of the swimmers was about being re-
sumed when another exclamation, this time
from Tom Gaff, permanently interrupted the
affair.

“ Shiver my timbers!” he yelled, “look at the
Seamcw. She’s sinking!"

It was true.

The gallant yacht’s sail had been hastily
brailed up at the time of the rush of her entire
ship’s company over upon the Ghost’s deck, and
now, the gra plings having been mysteriously
cast off by the latter in her phantom-like re-
treat, tho Seamew was unquestionably healing
over and fast settling down at the bows.

“Jago’s work!” roared Eusco, at the same
time ordering a recall from the pursuit. “ The
clover hound must have scuttled her before ’at-
tacking us in the flank 1”

So it proved, but fortunately the damage to
the yacht was not irreparable.

The auger-hole in her how was speedily plug-
ged, and half an hour later the water was
pumped out cf her' though all avreed that she

ad had a close call, and that acbrief delay in
Ehe clliscovery of her condition would have been
ata .

The two prisoners taken out of the water were
unrecognized rufllans, both of whom died soon
after beingr hoisted on deck by reason of in-
juries received in the initial fight; the remain—
ing swimmers had made good their esca e to
With the exception of Jago’s )ody,
which was never found, the other sufferers of
the fight, wounded or dead, had been carried
away on the deck of the disappearing Ghost.

Such was the result.

Somewhat later a joyous exclamation of the
detective called 1'. Dago into the Seamew’s
cabin, into which the former had stopped but a
few moments before.

“ What is it?” demanded Dago.

Ensco was waving the crumpled and stained
letter in Spanish over his head.

“ A clew! an unexpected claw!" he cried.

“ To what—to Miss Delorme’s whereabouts?"

“ No; but the next best thing. A clew to the
stolen jewel-chest!”

CHAPTER XXX].
A SECRET DIVULGED.

Tun detective quickly explained his possession
of the letter, which he had just succeeded in
translating.

“ It is rom Juan Mnrtez to his mother, the
senorinal" he exclaimed. “ The date is on the
day following the triple tragedy on this yacht!”

“ How does it read?” inquire Mr. Dago.

“ Listen. The letter is dated at Tompkins-
ville, Staten Island; I will translate its contents
as well as I can to you.”

And the detective accordingly did so to the
following effect:

“ MY WISE Momm— .

"I have carried out your lprofound Elan to per.
faction. The troublesome ol senor an two of his
followers are in Paradise—or elsewhere. It was
murderous work, but last night finished the job.
Jewels intact. I have Just returned from burying
them at the extreme west end of Rockaway, in the
spot on selected The. second of the outer reefs,
cup-shaped, that are Visible at low tide. We can
carry them off with us in the Ghost when the ex-
citement incident to the affair shall have blown
over, together with our little _lnez. Vasco did not
interce t the accursed detective. who has reached
the yac tto discover~defeat. Nevertheless, lshould
have scuttled the Seamew directly following the
affair. Our river hand continues faithful to the
death. Will visit you in person tomorrow;J '

um. ’

Mr. Dago rubbed his hands.

“Nothing could he more opportune than this
information,” he exclaimed. ‘- Don’t you ad-
vise roceeding to Rockaway at once?”

“ 19 must think it ovar. Are you familiar
with the locality speCified?”

“ Fairly so. I have some information of those
outlying reefs or ledges.”

“ And they are mostly under water?”

H Yes.” .

“ A queer place to bury awa a treasure!"

“A capital place, for all t at. Why, that
was where the mythical Captain Kidd treasure
was first looked for years ago!”

“ But what would prevent the recurrin tides
from washing even a heavy object, once uried
there, out into deep. water?”

“ The cupshaped character of the reefs, as
alluded to in that/letter.” ‘

“ They are of rock then, and not sand-bars,
like the adjoining island?"

“They are both.”

“ How is that?” ‘ ‘

“ The foundation of the reefs is rock, worn in

 

. out through the neck of the inlet.

deep holes, or pockets. Into these the sand
washes in and out from the neighboring beach
with the ebb and flow of the tides, though they
are mostly more or less filled up. whic gives
them the appearance of shifting bars, when
visible at all.’

n o :11

“Any heavy object. laid away down under
the sandy covering into one of the deeper of
those rocky pockets or cups, would be secure
from the action of the sea for ages.” ‘ ,

“As little time as ssible should be lost in 1.
making an investigation there. Isn’t that your
opinion?”

“Of course," said Dugo. “The senora may
take a notion to transfer the treasure to the
Ghost at any hour.”

“ Heavens! what if the launch should be a1-
read y of]? on that errand?”

“Not very likely,” said Dago, after reflecting.
“In the first place, the senora is not'now on
board of her.”

“No; that is a certainty. Beyond two or
three men who must have remained secreted in
her en ins—room, from whence they could also
work or steering apparatus there could not ~ ;_
have been a soul below decks during the fight. I I 4
explored everywhere else thoroughly.” ' ‘

“Well, her present flight cannot be to any ' 5,
great distance. That is settled. But the twins 51$
have escaped, and there is no telling how soon r
they may re-man her. Yes: there had best be
the least ossible delay in our seeking the jewel-
chost’s hi lug-place at Rockaway Beach. ” .

“ Is the Ghost sufficiently large and staunch
to make a sea voyage?"

“A short one, yes.”

“As far as I‘ruxillo, Honduras?”

“ At this season, undoubtedly. It would be a ‘7
pleasure voyage over summer seas." :3

“ We shall then but pause long enough to dry— -  ’
dock the Seamew, and after that start for the
Rockaway reefs.” ‘ ,

“That will answe: for the Ghost must need “ '3
repairs for more than we. Our ram tore up her v '.
side badly.”

“And in the interim, fresh word may be ob- ! ‘ '
tained of Inez. My possession of this letter
must not be known beyond ourselves"

“Of course not.”

v While this conference had been going on the
Seamew had been making the best of her way

.w

 

 

At its mouth the Ten 130k brothers were put .
ashore, after being cordi ly thanked for their
services, and the cottager’s skiff was at the same
time returned to him, on which occasion the de- ‘ '
tective did not forget the additional compensa- ' ’ '
tion that had been romised. ~

The Seamew fina y was just bidding farewell
to the thenceforth memorable waters of Deep ,
Cove when she ran u n a cleverly planted tob- ‘
pedo, in the middle 0 the narrow channel. I

There was a tremendous explosion, and the

acht lost her steel ram attachment which was -
roken short ofl of its fastenings, but beyond
that sustained no serious damage. ‘ ' .

There was no doubt whatever that the torpedo .
had been placed in the channel by the duper-3'
adoes remaining on the Ghost. " ,

After that, the Seamew reached the dock-yard =
usually evoted to her repairs, at the foot of '
an Ens ide New York street, without further
interruption. . \ _ 

It was by this time past noon, and all the V
battle-worn ship’s company of the gallant yacht
were glad enough to seek the rest and repose of
which they were in such great need.

For this purpose, Ensco repaired to the Mans. 1
ton residence, where he knew that Mrs. Twiggs '.
would be glad enough to furnish him with ac- 'v
commodations, and which he had not visited for -
several days. .

John, the old coachman, sorrowfuIIy touched -
his bat to him as he was passing through the 1'
grounds. , 5‘

There was no longer the old-time patrol duty _
kept up there, since neither of the recious,
Marston treasures—neither the jewel-c est 1101‘ ,
the beautiful young mistress herself—was a3
longer there to be defended, but John continu
to carry his heavy stick, perhaps more from

ubit than anything else. . x

“ Any news, sir?” he asked. , v.

The detective sadly shook his head, and vouch-.
safed a brief account of the recent exciting hap-
penings. ‘ '

‘f How is Mrs. Twiggsf” the detective then in-

qu .
The old servitor—he had been in the Mars

employ long before Inez was born—sorrow-

shook his head in his turn. . ’ r .
“Fairly, sir, fairly enough in body; but in

heart~in mind i”
A hopeless gesture completed the old man’ '
a 

 

 

  
  
  
   
    
  
 
    
  
  
 
 

sentence. .
“Poor woman] that is only to he
,said Ensco. “I shall do what I can to 00
her. though it can‘t be much, and 1am almost
heart-broken myself, besides being worn out.”
“Ah, sir; these be hard tinime I
John, “and Ialmost fear that we’ll look long;
for better.” ' - ‘
He was moving away with tea: in his ey
when the detective detained him. ‘ .
“A moment more, John,” said the lath!

 

A ’a bullet

24

“ The patrol is no longer continued, I suppose?”

“Ah, no, Mr. Euscol Where would be the
use, sir?”

“True; but I wish that it might be renewed
for to—night.”

“ Whati you still have hope, then?”

“I never lose that, my man. You will at-
tend to the matter? And Gilbert is still able
and willing to share your watch?”

“ That he is, your onorl Trust me for the
rest. Isupposo it’s yourself that will think of
resting withmi”

“That is just it. There is no telling, you
know, whether I may not already have been
tracked hither. ”

“True for you, sir.

sir?"

“ Yes. If Mingo and little Starlight shall have
been sufllcwnt-ly rested, they will be at the boat-
Ianding for me at midnight.”

“ An’ in that case your Honor would wish to

‘ be‘ptiri'igg.”

Any further orders,

“ I’ll see that you’re wakened, sir. Trust it
all to me.”

After 5 nding an hour or two in trying to
console  Twiggs, who was little less than
inconsolable, the detective at last sought his
much needed rest, it being then about sunset.

Ensco had been given a pleasant room on the
second floor, overlooking the front piazza.

He chanced to aken toward midnight, when
several remarkable incidents occurred.

The moonlight was brightly flooding his
apartment.

Presently something, apparently a pebble,
flew through the open window, and dropped upon
the floor. ‘

Then there was a queer little cry in a woman’s
voice, followed by a half-smothered oath, from
somewhere outside.

' The detective sat in bed, and listened with his
soul in his ears.

s

CHAPTER XXXII.
STRANGE HAPPENINGS.

THE sounds were repeated, followed by a rust-
ling noise, as of some one pursuing another
through the shrubbery.

After that, silence.

Ensco slipped out of bed, and stole to . the
window. ‘

Nothing was visible on the grounds.

Then he sought and picked up the object that

had dropped on the floor.

It was a scrap of paper weighted by a. pebble.
" Try the hulk-palace again.”
Such were the written words on the scrap of

r.
pagigarcely had Ensco mastered them before
there was a slight movement outside, as of some
one trying to scale the piazza.

Obeying a sudden instinct, instead of again
adhnciug to the window, he stole back to bed.

The bed was somewhat back in shadow, the
rest of the room being brightly bathed in the
moonlight.

He had just ensconced himself therein afresh,
revolver in readiness, when the window was
darkened by a stealthy human form. '

Its slender gracefulness caused the detective’s

a heart to leap.

Then when the figure’s face was turned to the
li ht, he could have cried out for joy.

t was the face of Juan Martez, murder in the
eyes, a poniard in the clinched teeth.

The haggard face of a worn-out, desperate,
but still murderously resolved, man.

The figure remained framed in the window
for an instant, looking in as though to take its
bearings thoroughly before entering.

The detective s right hand crept from under

V' , the sheet, secure in the shadow, and his revol-

ver covered the midnight intruder’s heart.

‘7! ‘ Should he shoot?

It was a hard struggle with his natural in-
clination, but he silently put aside the pistol out
of his hand.

No; alive and for the hangmanl

Such had been his iron determination, such it
should remain. - ‘

I ’But scarcely had the intruder’s feet touched

' the floor than the detective was upon him with
a tiger spring.

i There was just time for the dagger to flash
amp uselesst aloft in the weird light when its
olwner - was in that terrible, that adamantine
c utch.

A sort of muffled roar burst from Juan’s lips,
be gnas‘ned his teeth, writhing his sinewy body

_ like a serpent.

' But in vain.
The detective gave a low, terrible laugh.
“ At last and foreverl” he muttered. “ My
' murderous little J nan I could kwe thee at this
moment, thou art so close, so dear to me! It is
doom.” . I
v ut still there had been some strufiling resis-
jtanco, and it had Prought Ensco ck to the
window. -»
Now there was a click, a muffled report, and
his ear.
To wheel, still clutching his

prey, was but an
‘ instant‘s time for the detective. ,

Ryowlocki, the H

. hutI

 

,' '-:,.J-’.\
.I, ,,

Vasco was at the window, his revolver cooked
for a second shot,

Ensco made an involuntary movement to one
side as the second bullet sped. '

That saved his life, but caused his victim’s
cheek—the left cheek—to be redly furrowed by
the speeding shot, as a companion scar to the
arrow birth—mark on the other cheek.

But yet again was Vasco’s ready revolver on
the cock, 9. fit accompaniment to the murderous
lau hter in its wielder’s eyes.

T e detective was compelled to reach out and
grasp the weapon.

This enabled Juan to writhe out of his grasp
by a renewed efiort, suddenly exerted.

Then the detective was sent reeling backward
by a flush blow full in the throat.

When he recovered, brief as had been the re—
spite afforded, the twins had vanished.

Ensco threw on his 'clathes with a baffled,
savage disappointment at heart, such as he had
never felt before.

As he finished dressing, J ohn’s voice was heard
calling him from below.

“ Is there anything wrong, sir?" the coach-
man called up as the detective again appeared at
the window.

“ I should say so!” was the answer.

“ Mingo and the lad are at the landing, sir.”

“ All right, J ohnl 'Where are you last from?”

“ The landing, sir.”

“ Directly before that, I mean.”

“Talking to a wild woman, sir.”

“ What?"

“ Yes, sir; but she’s gone, now. That’s what
I wanted to ask you about when they signaled
me at the landing.”

‘t  ll?

“ Shall you come down by the side-door, sir?”

“ No; this will answer."

And the detective was out over the piazza
roof and down at the patrol’s side in short
order. ’ .
“ Why did you first ask me if anything was
wrong? he demanded,

“ I was hurrying up from the landing, sir,
when I thought I heard a couple of smothered-
like reports.’

“ Ahl then you saw no one?”

“ No, sir; only the woman. Bless me, sir!
waswthere anything else! Have you seen any
one ,

“ It is no matter. Now about this woman,

tell me of her.” And the detective led the way

a little further from the house.

“Ah, sir, such a woman! She came upon me
all breathless, saying some one was chasing her,
could see no one.”

“ What more did she say?” ~

“ That she was a friend of yours, and had
thrown a piece of paper contamingimportant
intelligence into your window.” ‘

65 oho l”

“ She wasn’t certain that she had chucked it
through the right window. That was why she
accosted me, apart from being scared by the
fancied pursuit.”

“ Fancied?”

“ I thought so, sir; though she was willing to
swear that a man with a knife had made for
her the instant after she had thrown the pa-
Pe‘r‘lAhl” .

“But she was awfully glad when I told her
that she had chanced on the right window—
your room-window, sir.”

“ What became of the woman 3"

“ She was so earnest and wild-like, and beg,—

ged so hard, that I let her go without any more r

questioning. Directly after that Mingo’s signal

took .me down to the landing.”

h “ But what was the woman like? Describe
er.

J onn did so, after his fashion.

Nevertheless, the detective, much to hism ti—
fication, recognized by the description— rs.
Emr led.

“ at will do, John. I shall not return to
my room, so you may consider your patrol duty
at an end.”

Then the detective hurried down to the land-
ing, where Mingo and Starlight were awaiting
him in a hired boat.

“ To Hunt’s Point, direct!" was his
he got on board.

But no sooner had they shoved off than a wo-
man was seen beckoning to them from under
some trees at the opposite side of the grounds.

It proved to be Mrs. Emroled, who was taken
on board at her earnest solicitation.

“ I want you to land me at Bowery Bay, sir”
said she. “The ferry that brou ht me to this
side is no longer running, it is so te.”

r'é‘he detective nodded, and gave the necessary
0 er.

She had settled down at‘ his side in the stern,
on his making room for her.-

“ I see you must have got my missive, sir.”

. “ I did, Mrs. Emroled, thank you!”

“ Oh, if it may onl lead to somethin l”

“ How did you 0 tain the informa ion that
inspired the line you sent me, madam?"

‘ From my husband.”

“ And he?”

“ Is now lying at the point of death, I fear.”

“ You exaggerate.”

order as

rbor Detective.

firs f”

 

   

“ No, no; I only wish I did.”

“How could you leave him, then i”

“It was only at his express injunction—4n
order to‘convey the message to you.” ,

“ Where did he obtain his information?”

“He wouldn't tell me. But I suspect it was
from a stran e ruffian whom he killed in a des-
perate strugg' a last evening in the wood back of
our cabin. .j

“ Hal the fellow had attacked him?” , , ,

“ Yes, sir. My husband, before mastering
him, received the injuries that I fear must cost
him his life.” ,‘7,

“ And the rufllan?”

“I think he must have become conscienge-
stricken just before his own death, and then i ~-
parted to George the information he insisted am
my conveying to you.” ,

"This is all very extraordinary.” «

“ Oh, yes, sir! but do make them row fast. Ii
fear my husband may die before my return.”

“The man and boy are doin their best,.
ma’am. If there were more oars, would taken
pair myself. Is your husband alone in the
cabin?” _ ’

“The physician may be with him by this.
time. He was to have come at midnight.’

“ Try to compose yourself, ma’am.’

“I am trying, but it is so hard."

“ How did Emroled ‘know that I would be»
found at the Marstou residence?”

“ He did not know; we took the chance of
finding you there.”

“ A fortunate chance.
verbal message?” .

“Only to beg that you would bring Inez.to~
us the first thing, should you succeed in effect-
ing her rescue. Oh, you Will do so, you will,
sir, will you not?” -

She clasped her hands in an agony of en--
treaty.

“Do compose yourself, Mrs. Emroled,” said
the detective, after a pause.
done."

“ Oh, thank you, sir, thank you i”

, “Nonsense! Now satisfy my curi
certain point.” , ‘ ,

“ Oh, of course, sir.” ‘

“ Directly utter tossing the weighted message-
into my room window, were you really pursued,
as you asserted to the coachman?"

“Oh, truly, sir!”

“By whom?" -_

“By a terrible-looking oung man, with a.
knife in his hand, and a mark on his cheek.
He disappeared as I ran out of the shrubbery to-
ward the coachman.”

“Ah, that Will do.”

l‘Were you in danger, sir? Had I interrupt-
ed him in a contemplated crime?”

“ It matters not now. All‘s well.”

Nothing more was said until Bowery Beach
wet? reached, in the vicinity of the Emroledt
ea in.

Ensco assisted Mrs. ‘Emroled ashore with the
respect that he might have shown to a dis-
crowned and unfortunate queen.

“ You won't forget, sir?” and ,she again-
cla her hands. “You will bring her to us

“ My word is passed, madam. God eed you,
and ,rnay your husband- he found in better

im.

She darted away among the trees. ‘

" For Hunt’s Point!” repeated the detective on
resuming his place in the bout.

CHAPTER XXXIII.
sunsm AT LAST. .
SOON after starting afresh, it'occurred to Enlco
to ask about the Seamew. .
“ She’ll be all right to-morro w, boss,” said

Did he not also send a.

  

On a:

' i

Starlight in answer to the inquiry. “ Mr.
Dago will have her at the Astoria anchorage by
noon.”

“ That is well.”

“I say, boss.” continued the boy after along.
silence, only broken by the dip of th .

e oars. ,
“Well, my lad?” 
“What was the matter with Mammy Em-

roled, that she wouldn’t hardly notice me to-

night?” ,

“She was too much occupied.”

“I should say ‘so— gaddin’ round the river-
fronts at this time of night! Of course, I ain’t
nothin’ to her, an’ never was. Oh, no.”

“ Your ‘mammy ’ is in great trouble,” said
the detective, gravely. ‘

“ What about, six i”

“ She fears her husband is dying.”

Starlight dropped his oars to burst into tears.

The Emroleds had reared him from infancy.

Great] touched by the lad‘s exhibition of
feeling, sco did his best to comfort him, and
with some success. ‘ r I

A new day was affording ifs hints as the boat
rounded the northern end of Ward’s Island. and
thence headed in a straight line for Hunt’s

Point.

Asthe hulk drew in sight, the, detective fas-
tened his eyes upon it hungril , fiercely.

Success was not to be' snatc ed from him this
time, he was certain of it.

The shrewdness of the senora in returnin
with her captive to the bulk, directly after

should be found apparently deserted by her for = -

“ Tins shall be»;

3,:

 

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L laboriously, an

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Row

Bligfiflyfi u 1

look. the Harbor Detective.

    

   

 

good, struck him as something little short of
sublime.

That is, on the supposition that he would find
such to have been the case, of which he now felt
there could no longer be any doubt.

Yes; her astuteness in such a move was to be
admired.

None other could have so much insured. her
SI" urity, or have been so apt to disarm suspicion
1.: to her whereabouts. _

As they drew nearer the bulk, it appeared, ox-
ternally, more battered, deserted and forlorn-
' ~oking than ever before.

But the detective was not again to be deceived
by appearances. ' _‘ . ‘ '

‘ With torpedo—remembrances still v1v1d in his
mind, he cautioned his oursmen to the utmost
prudence, and Softly guided the way into the
narrow water-space between the bulk and the
shore.

ere his first movement was to noiselessly un-
s the gang—plank, and set it floating.

6 had scarcely done this, and was moving
stealthin .along, when movements and voices

I were distinguished as coming from within the
" hulk ‘

The early morning light was as yet but semi—
darkness. . - .

He held up his hand,‘his followers sat in the
boat like statues.
’ The sounds increased, but were still vague and
meaningless. _

The trio in the boat Were 11] the shadow of
the hulk’s prow, and between it and the shore.

At this juncture .Mingq Silently drew out the
boat, so that a better View of the river was
commanded, and then slowly pointed with his
hand. i

Something was looming up over the water, a

'va ue bulk in the thickness of the gleaming.

hat was it?
Then the Ghost made her presence evident.
She was upgroaching the hulk, but more
with less of the gliding, mys-
terious case, than had heretofore distinguished

her.
“Aha!” thought the detective; “ our ghost-
ship still aches from that dig of the eamew’s in

. your black ribs, and you are also short-manned.

do much the better!”

As the steam-launch, nevertheless, drew up to
the o’uter side of the bulk, the noises in the'lat—
ter interior resolved themselves into hurrying
steps on the companionway. "

Ensco made a sign, by which Starlight re-
mained in the skiff, while Mingo followed his
own example in peeping over the hull-1’s deck.

The next instant the senora, followed by Inez,
made her appearance at the top of the compan-
ionway.

The detective recognized them both, notwith-
standing that their figures were much enveloped
in wrappings. ' . _

The senora. made an impatient Sign to the one
man that was visible at the Ghost’s gangwav.

“ Nearer!” she called out in s anisb. “ Oar-
amba! how can we jum that c asm?” _

“ I’ll throw out a plan ,” replied the man, in
the same tongue.’ “ Our side is badly ripped,
and We dare not come nearer."

“ How many of on?” she demanded, while he
was stooping over he plank. _

“ Only the engineer and steward, besides my

lf."
56At this instant the detective and Mingo
bounded on the deck.

The senora uttered a snarl, Inez a scream of
delight.

Then Ensco had seized the latter, pressed his
1i 5 to her forehead, and passed her over to

ingo, while he himself made a spring for the
White Sihy]. ,

But the latter was not so seizable as her
whilom captive, by reason of her bosom com-
panions, the snakes, having taken the alarm.

In fact, a dozen or more hideous flat headg
were already darting out from amid the folds of
her garments, she seemed sheathed in an atmos—

phere of angry hissings, and moreover her long, ' ~

gleam-lit dagger glistened in her desperate

and.

“ Quick, J im—Farrish!” she screamed. “ To
the rescue, or we are lost!”

The maniat the plank—the desperado launch-
captaiu—was at her side in an instant, revolver
in hand. _

But the detective dashed hlm aside, evaded
the Image of the senora's poniai'd, and, in an-
other instant, had got her in 1115 steel-like clutch,
despite her serpent guardians. .

“ Bag! foul witch!” he growled; “your time
is come. The woman-serpent is at last helpless
in the athlete‘s clutch!”

She was a powerful woman, and was still
struggling demoniacall . . ‘ _

“ ever!" she gasped! through her gnashing,
teeth. fl“ Still, as of old, are you subject to. my:
werl '

He felt a dozen stinging sensations on his face
*and hands, and knew that he was as repeatedly
bitten by the reptiles, but it only nerved h
enormous strength afresh. \

iI’I‘he next moment he hurled her through the
a . -

Then, merely rceiving that she fell in a
heap on the dec of the Ghost, which was

 

 

i

now shearing off yet further from the bulk
in a crippled, uncertain manner, he wheeled to
confront the anticipated onset of Farmh.

But that rufllan was already writhing in the
mighty grip of the negro Colossus, who had
thrust Inez behind him to meet the former’s
rush.

Jim Farrish was a trained desperado, of im—
mense physique and bulldog courage; but he
was nolmore than a wooden effigy in Mingo’s
tremendous grasp.

“ Give me a show can’t you?” snarled out the
rufiian, with an out .

“ Dat’s what I’se gwine ter do, boss,” was the
panted reply. “ Hyar yer go!”

With that the launch-captain was whirled
aloft and out over the intervening water-space,
as if shot out of a catapult.

He struck the side of the launch with a force
that must have broken half the bones in his
body, and then fell into the water, a motionless,
mutilated mass.

A man had appeared upon the Ghost’s deck
and helped the senora to her feet.

Now the vessel quickly roundcd out, and
steamed away.

Inez was ere this snbhing and moaning in her
lover’s arms. ‘

Eusco gave orders to his followers to remain
on the lookout, and then drew her with him
down the companionwuy.

“ Are we alone hero?” he asked, after striking
alight, and looking around him in the saloon
they had entered.

“ Yes, yes; there was no one else here, and she
will not return. She was on the point of aban-
doning this place forever. My love, my dar-
ling! But how strangely you look!”

“Oh, Inez! I fear we meet but to separate
forever.” '

“ Heavens! what mean you?”

“ Look at my hands, my face! I am hopeless-
ly stung by her accursed serpents." '

Inez gave a cry, but it was one of relief.

“ Their bites are painful, but harmless. Wait!”
She ran to a drawer, and returned with a little
cup full of a greenish-colored paste.“ “ Here, let
me apply this Ointment. There; is it not a. re-
lief?"

“ Wonderful! The pain is gone already. She
had had the poison—fangs of the creatures ex-
tracted, than?”

“ Yes; or she would never have handled them
so recklessly;- They would bite her at times,
though, and then she used this paste as a relief.
You are sure the pain is all gone?”

‘5 Yes.”

“ Then it will not return.” ,

She ut the cup away, and once more melted
in her over’s embrace, but without the accom-
panying sobs and tears.

Joy, pure rapture and thanksgiving, were
now in the ascendant.

“ Did the senate treat you cruelly ?” asked
Ensco, when these transports were somewhat
subsided. ‘ .

“ No; beyond deprivin me of my liberty and
never letting me out of or sight, she was not
unkind.” ’

“You must tell me the details of your cap-
tivityat once.”

“ Now and here?” .

“Yes. After that there is much for you to
do”in my company—that is, if you are equal to

1t. -

“ I am equal to anything now! What is in
store for me?”

“ A visit.”

“A visit?”

“ Yes; and a revelation.”

“ Come now; whither must I then
you? Direct to dear Aunty Twiggs?
fallen sick, then?"

“ No; full of suspense and anxiety on our
account, but no worse. After you shall ave
told me your story, which will doubtless quiet
your excitement, you must first accompany me
to the cabin of the Emroleds.”

“ That strange couple l”. _

“ It is solely to their information that you
owe your rescue. Besides, I have promised,
and r. Emroled is probably on his deathbed.”

“ ct us start at once, then. I can tell you
my story on the way.” _

“That is far the best,” said the detective.
“ To tell the truth, I am not comfortable in this
uncanny place." ' ' -

When seated together in the stern of the open
boat, with Mingo and Starlight once more at
the cars, Inez told the story of her adventures.

After being so unceremoniously gagged and
dragged into the thicket, during the attack
upon the boat house, she discovered her captor
to be the‘launch captain, who had shortly before
her rescue met his death at Mingo’s hands.

. ,. By this man she had been burned into a small
boat, in waiting not far away, and thence taken
on board the Ghost. _

There the senora had received her, and with-
out further ado she had been carried away to
the bulk at Hunt’s Point.

CHAPTER XXXIV.
Ian TELLS HER STORY.

“ How did the senor». receive you?” asked the

detective.

go with
Is she

 

    
  
  
      
   
   
 
   
  
    
  
    

“ With ceremonial sternness at first," replied
Inez. “ She said that she was my natural
guardian. If obedient to her wishes, I would

nd her indulgent kind and amiable; if un-
tractable, I would find her just the reverse, and
she would make me very unhappy.”

“Did you temporize with her?’

“ Not at first. I was far too incensed and in-
dignant. I not only defied her, but boldly
taxed her with being privy to my grandfather s
murder and the robbery of the jewels.”

“ Ah! and then?”

“ She flew in a dreadful rage at first, and I
really feared she would kill me in her fury.
She controlled herself, however, after a time,
and affected to treat my charges with contempt.
' You are a headstrong, frolish girl,’ said she.
‘ By and by, you will see that it is to your in-
terest tojconciliate me and be subservient to the
future I have in store for you.’

“ I asked her what that might be. She said
that, after she had arranged a certain business
in this vicinity, she would carry me with her to
her mountain hacienda in Honduras, where I
should marry Vasco—who had fallen deeply in
love with me—and be very, very happy for the
remainder of my days.”

“ Indeed! and did she vouchsafe to explain
this pressing business that delayed such a joy-
ful‘clgnsummation?” t t ”>

‘ art] in answer 0 m sarcas ic in u' .

“ Whatywas the business?” q my
, “ To first assure herself of her sons’ safety

agrom” pursuit, by accomplishing your destruc-
ion.

“ Ah! my death was indispensable to that
end, eh?” »

“ Yes; she frankly acknowledged that so long
as you lived she and her SOUS could not count
upon a moment of security.”

“ Well, anything more?”

“Yes; that blissful object accomplished, she
would only have to take on board the Ghost a
certain buried treasure, after which it would be
‘Ho; for Honduras!’ with never a care or un-
easiness but might be left behind.”

The detective knitted his brows.

“God willing, we’ll forestall her'in that busi-
ness too i" he muttered. '

“ Was it the stolen jewel-chest she referred
to, think you?"

“ Undoubtedly.” , '

“But on cannot know where ’it is secreted.”

“ That do, my darling! And our first busi- ‘
ness, after this visit to the Emroled cottage,
shall be to go in quest of it.” ,

Inez clasped her hands. ‘

“ The jewel-treasure—our treasure!” she ex-
claimed. “ Can it be possible?” '

“ It is true.” And be related the manner of
his obtaining the information.

“ That letter of Juan’s!” she cried. “It is"
strange that the senora should have been lo : V
careless as to lose it. She was exceedingly .3,
jealous of her correspondence.” r ~
I “1"I’ow let me hear you continue your story,

nez.

“ Well, after our arrival at the bulk, the”
senora introduced me to her serpent-pets, and in ,
other ways so terrified and humbled me thatI r‘ \
gave up my defiant attitude. After that, she
was much kinder to me. I soon found that her
object was to elude pursuit by not remaining
with me long in one place. Our departure
from the hulk was as hurried and unexpected as
our arrival there. I was barely given time to
secretly scrawl that first note of mine to you,
which I see you must have received.”

Ensco nodded, and she proceeded:

“ Again on board the Ghost, we went to a.
secluded inlet somewhere up the Hudson. Juan ‘
and Vasco were then with‘ the steam-yacht. to-
gether with a large crew of desperate men. But
they were very careful about not showing them-
selves, and to an outsider the Ghost must have
seemed as unaccountany deserted et alert as it
had to me on that first occasion w on her first,
appearance'so terrified us all. During this time. ,
I also got an idea of the stringent regulations by,”
which this air of mystery and ghostliness was so‘
thoroughly maintained.”

“ I can imagine all that,” said the detective.
“Tell me if you Were annoyed by either Vusoo
or Juan during your last sojourn on the Ghost.”

“ Not to any great extent though Vasco per-
sisted in singing for his mother and me a ,‘
deal. 1 am compelled to say that he has a moot _
exquisite melancholy voice, which, strangely
enough. likeWise bears a strong resemblance to
his mother’s.” ‘3 , .

“ I discovered that, to my coat.” in coed
the detective, a little bitterly. “ But go on, my
darling!” ,

“ Besides.” continued Inez, “ We were not long;
enough in the Ghost for even Vasco to make
many advances toward inc. . At dusk of the
evening following our arrival in the secluded in! r
let 1 have alluded to, the senorina gave me, a
glassof wine. sayings: ‘ My child, I wantyou to
drink this. It will support you over a taugh- ” r
journey that I find we must set out upon 7171 ,- v
out another hour’ delay.

- “ Much as I feared the senora, I was quite cert
tain that she did not desire my death, and so,
drank the roffered wine without demur. .  -

“ Instea of supporting me,,the draught QI-

   
    
 
  
    
   
  
    
   
   
  
    
 
   
  
 
   
    
 
  
   
   
   
     
     
  
   
   
  
  
  
    
  
  
   
  
     
    
   
     
    
  
 
  
 
   
     
   
   
 
    
   
   

    

  

    

  

  

 
    

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
   
 
 
  
    

r fto a teller what once was your guide and per-
'ce tor?” ‘

true name hereafter—‘ Douglass,

' w

‘ her with an imploringg

26

Rowlock, the Harbor Detective.

 

most instantly threw me into a. sort of speech-
less trance.

“ In this condition I was dimly conscious of be-
ing taken to the shore, of getting With the
Honors into a coach, of reaching some town, of
crossing a great river—doubtless the Hudson—
of a brief railroad journey; and when I recov-
ered my normal senses at last I was once more
in the bulk.”

“ Ah! she had drugged you to speechlessness,
to prevent your appealing to outsiders for pro-
tection against her en route.”

“Yes; so I thought afterward. But before
the wine had quite accomplished its deadening
effect, I had found time to scribble another line
for you and drop it in the Ghost‘s cabin.”

“ found it, at the same time that the letter
i531 Spanish so opportuner came to light,” said

nsco.

“ Well, but little more is to be said. After
that the senora and I were altogether alone in

‘her hulk-palace. But I had even less chance for

esca than before. .

“ ‘he watched me as a out would a mouse.
She was jealous of my slightest movement. And
I am sure that she must have secretly given me
a sleeping potion regularly before resting, to
make sure that I would not make an attempt to
escape during her own slumber.

‘ had almost given up all hope of being res-
cued by you, and grew very despondent. But
last night at midnight the senora awoke me.
She hid me to make myself ready, as the Ghost
might call for us at any hour. and we would
never come back to the bulk again.

“The senora seemed restless and anxious—
what I had never remarked in her before. She
even shed tears at the thought of leaving so
much flue-furniture and other property behind

V , as were in the bulk.

“ I asked her why she could not take her pro-
perty with her on the Ghost. She said there
would not be time. Her manner became more
and more anxious and depressed as the time
wore away without the launch putting in an ap-
pearance.”

“Hal she must have got secret news of our
battle in Deep Cove. She felt that she was get-

ting at the end of her rope, and the sensation

was doubtless unpleasant l”

“ A battle?”

“Yes; I shall tell you of that presently.
Did she also seem to be anxious about er sons?”

“ Yes; terribly so. But at last she seemed to
be aware of the Ghost‘s approach. And she
hurried me up the companionway. You know
the rest.”
mThe detective now had his story to tell in his

rn.

When it was con\clnded the boat had reached
its destination.

“ I say, Miss Delorme,” said little Starlight,
as Inez stepped ashore. ” Ain’t you goin’ to do
ing more than jest nod and say Howdy

eyoun girl laughed for her old buo anc
gif spirits gas almost re'stored to her b; thiys

me.

“ I don’t know about that, Starlight,” she re
plied, stopping to pat the boy’s brown little face.

‘ What more should I do?”

“Nothing now, miss!” and, rubbing the is
she had patted, he kissed his palm. “ No fe er
could ask for any more sweetness than that.”

She laughed a sin, nodded brightly to Mingo,
and accompani Ensco in the path leading up
to the cabin.

“Under what other strange circumstances
was I in this neighborhood once before l” she ex-
claimed. “1 do hope that we shall find Mr.
Emroled in better case than you said.”

Then she noticed how grave her lover had
grown, for it saddened him to think of how
soon her sunniness of feeling might be over-
,shadowed.

“What is the matter, Douglass?” she asked.
“ Yes; I am going to address you onl£by our

oug ass,
tender and true!‘ Why are you so shockingly

! " sober? Ah, I remomber—I am to be treated to
,. a revelation, you said.”

They were now near the cabin.
He merely drew her hand through his arm

' saying. “May you be able to support it!” an

then they entered the door side by side.
‘Emroled lay on the couch, apparentiy near
his end, his Wife kneeling at his side.
But at the sight of the beautiful young girl
the flush of life seemed to return to the dying
man’s face, and his eyes to brighten with a wild

new be

‘ . Mrs. Ens-clad had sprung to her feet, her face

the index of conflicting emotions, her breast in

tumult.

“ y child!” she cried, seizing the girl’s

3. “Come, be quick! to is dying—he

have you kiss him before he passes

awayl" - . .
Emroled was also stretching out his arms to

esture.

Inez was drawing'bac , bewildered, frightened,
but mostly indignant.

(Kim him—a perfect stranger, or little more

than a stranger to her—kiss him even when
a 41m! . ’

 

Was the woman mad, were they both mad?

What could it mean?

She turned inquiringly, half-resentfully, to
the detective.

The latter was very ale.

“ Go to them, Inez,” e faltered. “ It is meet,
it is just that you should. They are your
parents, child!”

Her parents!

It was too much.

She reeled and fell.

. CHAPTER XXXV.
A REVELATION.

BUT it was in her own mother’s arms that
Inez fell when overcome by that unexpected
shock.

It was her own mother’s pained, long-suffering
eyes that first met hers when she again opened
them, with a dim realization of the astounding
revelation that had been made. ,

“Speak to me, my darling, my daughter!”
cried the woman wildly. “Tell me that you
did not faint with shame, with mortification,
that you had found your parents in us!"

For a first answer, Inez impulswely threw her
arms about the withered neck, drew the poor
lipfi down, and kissed them tenderly, thank-
fu y.

It was more than had been hoped for. The
woman we t such tears of joy as she had never
known he ore, and there was also a. sound of
weeging from the couch.

“ name! mortiflcation!” repeated the girl
' " Wherefore anything but joy and
ecstasy for me. I cannot miderstand—it all
seems strange and dream-like. But he”—-indi—
eating her lover with a grateful gesture—“ has
said it. Hence it must be true; and it needs but
that to be everything that is holy and sweetl”

Then she hastened to throw herself beside the
couch, her lips were pressed to the marbling
brow of its occupant, and the mother hovered
over both while the trembling hands of the dying
man wandered over the lovely bended bead.

“ Ensco, quick, come here!” cried Delorme at
last. “Justify me in her sight—tell her my
story’so that I too can hear you before’I am

one!
beghe detective had come to the foot of the

“ Listen to the story of your father’s wrongs,
Inez,” said be. “Your mother’s father-«your
grandfather, Captain Marston—was at first set
isfied that she should marri your father, George
Delorme. But the latter ad been loved pre-
viously by a woman who swore to wreck the
happiness of the young couple. That woman
was she whom you have known as the Senorina
Zara tta Marten.

“ ough herself married to a' worthy gentle-
man and already the mother of the twins, Juan
and asco, she had wedded for money and posi-
tion, and the thought of her secret first choice
becoming the husband of another turned that
former love to undying hate, and she succeeded
but too well in keeping her infernal oath of van-
geance.

“ As Captain Marston’s niece, she readily be-
came a guest in his house.

“ Your father and mother were also living
with the captain, and you were then but a few
months old.

“ In a few Weeks after the young senora‘s ar-
rival there was a tremendous forgery perpe-
trated upon the Gotham Bank, in which Cap-
tain Marston was heavily interested, besides
bein one of the directors.

“ unds deposited therein to the amount of
nearl a million, belonging to the first Honduran
Reva utionary Party. of which General Martez
was the chief, were paid out on aseries of checks
or drafts that subsequently proved to be
clever forgeries.

“ The bank was already in difliculties, and the
making good of the amount paid out on the
forgeries completed its misfortunes.

“ It failed, with eat financial los to its di-
rectors and stock olders. Your grandfather,
especially, Idez, was for the time bein ruined.
Beggary stared him in the face, an be was
furious.

“ It was at this critical time that participa—
tion in the forgeries was seemingly brought
home to your father, George Delorme.

“The evidence against him, though subse-
quently proved—to have been manufactured, was
sufficient to satisfy’a jur of his guilt.

He was convicted, an
term of imprisonment. The old ca. taiu was
lcold and deadly in his animosity to ' son-in-
aw. ' r
“ The young wife was forbidden to ever men-
tion her husband‘s name, on pain of being
driven forth upon the world; and the Senora
Martez returned to her tropical home, secretly
rejoicing in the success of her plot; for it was
solely owing to perjured testimony, Secretly
secured by her wealth, that the unfortunate
Delorme had been consigned to a felon’s cell.

“ Your scarcely less unfortunate mother lived,
suflered and hoped.

“ At last a gleam of relief was hers.

“When {on were little more than three years
old, your ather, George Delorme, effected his

sentenced to a severe

 

 

escape from Sing Sing, and successfully eluded
all efforts to recapture him.

“Your mother, however, was in communica-
tion with him, and lost no time in announcing
to her father that she was determined to resume
relations with her husband—which, by the we ,
she had never considered more than temporari y
interrupted.

“The captain swore that in such case he
would disown her, and she should never more
be child of his; but that he would, nevertheless,
treat her child as his by and heir, on condition
that both parents wou d abandon every claim,
and consider the child as dead to them.

“Your mother knew that her father would
keep his word, and she made her choice.

“She sacrificed her affection for her child,
and 'oined her husband.

“ rom that day to this have the faithful, sor-
r0wing couple buried themselves in this rude
cabin, secure in their toilsome obscurity and in
their assumed name of Emroled, which is noth-
ing‘ more than a reversed spelling of Delorme.”

he detective came to a pause, but the dying
man raised his hand supplicatingly.

“ Don’t forget the Vindication!” he gasped,
with lpitiful eagerness. “ Don’t forget that for
her, nsco.”

“ I would not have forgotten it old friend,”
said the detective, gently; and he then went on:
“ Within a few years of. your father’s escape
from prison, Inez, and while you were et very
young, it all came out that your fat er had
suffered a cruel and irreparable injustice.

“ One of the false-witnesses, who had been
suborned by the young senora’s money, through
a Spanish agent of hers, made a dyin confes-
sion to that effect, which wmublish .

“The confession was sp ‘ly confirmed by
various circumstances.

“ The newspapers took up the subject. George
Delorme’s innocence was made apparent. Had
he remained in prison, he would have been
speedil restored to liberty by legal methods,
probab y with some sort of re aration.

“But injustice had made a' ittermisanthrope
of the man.

“He had, moreover, found a species of balm
in his poverty and retreat, and resolved to re-
main dead to the world. His wife cleaved to
him.

“ They were confirmed in this resolve, not-
withstanding that it separated-them irrevocably
from their child, by the attitude of Captain
Marston himself.

“ Just and generous in other things, he re-
fused to believe in his son-in-law’s innocence,
and remained implacany prejudiced to the last.

“In fact, this was a warp, anda most un-

leasant one, in the old pilot’s character that I
ave never been able to understand.

“I have sometimes thought that he was
hardened to this continued injustice through his
doting love for ou, who had become the apple
of hi eye: and t at he dreaded a resumption of
decent relations with your parents lest it might
separate you from him. .

" At all events, he remained deaf to the ap-
peals of justice and of nature. Your parents
accepted the continued hardship, thou h it was
breaking their hearts, day by day an inch by
inch, and the stern, unnatural old man remain—
ed, on this int, relentless and immovable to
the end of his tragic death.

“Since then your parents. acting upon my ad-
vice, have still kept silent, intending to. remain
so, even to the further violence to their instincts
and their lon ‘ gs, until your grandfather’s
murder shoul have been avenged. and you
yourself relieved of the suspense_ and unhappi-
ness attendant upon the uncertainty and mys-
tery of the affair. '

' Fate has willed it that the revelation should
be hastened.

“ I should have mentioned that even General '

Martez, who was an honorable but over-adven-
turous man. became greatly alienated from his
'wife through the detestable part he believed her
to have been guilty of. .

“Indeed and finall , I know of my own know-
ledge, that this main y prompted him to commit
to your grandfather’s c arge the jewel-treasure
whose possession has proven so fatal and so
tragic.

“ True its transfer was intrusted to the senor-
ina herself, but under safeguards that she could
not violate: and it was only after the general’s
death that she was enabled to bestir herself to-
ward the commission of the terrible crimes that
followed. _ .

“ Inez, the story is finished. Child and parents
are reunited at last, inseparably reunited, let us
ho e.” a

‘9 Yes, inseparany l” gasped Delorme. “ I feel
it, I know! Death steps in, but his separating
touch is only apparent, not real. Marguerite,
my wife! Inez, my child I” _ I

“ Ah, he is dying l” sobbed the girl, Wildly.
“My father! my father 1” I,

But even as she implored the world—worn and

suffering spirit passed from its earthlygtene- '

ment. _ .-

After the first transports of grief had in a
measure subsided, Inez insisted that she should
remain in the cabin until such time as her mother
could leave it with her. -

 

 

  
 
 
 
 
  
  

 

 

 

 

  

“Roster; die” Harbor

n

Detective. 5

l ' »
i i i
, .

27‘

 

 

But Mrs. Delorme would not permit this:
neighbors were sent for who consented to share
her watch over the dead; and the detective at
last succeeded in leading the weeping girl away.

It was but natural that Inez should feel her
father’s loss less deeply than had it occurred
after she had more fully realized the restored
paternal relationship.

She turned to Ensco, with brimming yet still
curious eyes, when they were once more in the
open air.

“ And what must be your strange history, my
beloved,” she murmured, “ when you seem to
have mixed so mysteriously and intimately in
that of me and mine i”

“ Though brief as strange, my darling,” he
gravely replied, “it must yet for ashort time
remain untold.”

He might have said more, but just then there
was a warning whistle, and little Starlight ap-
peared in the path they were pursuing.

“ Hist, boss!” ha ejaculated, in a hoarse whis-

r. “ The game’s on foot again I”

“ What is it?" demanded the detective.

“ The Ghost is a-cruisin’ near. Mingo thinks
she may be lookin’ for the twin devils to take
’em aboard.” _

“ Ha! Where is Mingo and the boat?”

“ Down in liidin’ near the boat-house what
was gutted and burned. It’s in among them
willows. I’ll show you.”

“ N 0,” said the detective, after a slight pause.
“ I know the spot. Starlight, run into the
cabin. Afterward you can find means to rejoin
us.”

“ What’s up, boss?” *

“ Poor Mr. De—Emroled is dead.”

A lump rose in the boy’s throat.

“ He was a father to me. boss,” he half—sobbed.
“ Thank you, boss!” And he hurried away.

“ I gall go with you,” said Inez.
Eu -0 hesitated.

“ There may be fresh danger.”

“ No matter; if I cannot remain with my
mother, my place is at your side.”

When they reached the spot where Mingo had
concealed the boat, the negro was found covertly
studying the movements of the Ghost, which
had come to a pause just off the point.

“ See!” said he. “ Dere’s her small-boat,
Marse Rowlock, loafin’ up an’ down, back an
forth, jest before de ole boat-house. Oh, I
knows it, Marse Rowlock, I feels it in de bones!”

“ What is it you feel and know?”

“Dst some of dam debbi'ls is a-hidin’ some-
wheres hyarabouts, boss, an’ the ole she-dehbil
am gwineter pick ’em up, if possible. Dere!
what did I done tell yer, boss?”

A man was here seen to wade out to the small
boat and climb into her.

“He! You are right.” exclaimed the detec-
tive. “ Come with me, Mingo!”

 

CHAPTER XXXVI.
A CAPTURE.

1m also accom nied them, and they crept
around the curve 0 the bay, under cover of t 9
trees and undergrowth, to a oint close under
the ruins of the oat-house, w ence the Ghost’s
small boat was visible close at hand, the steam-
launch herself lying a short distance further
out.

The senora’s solitary figure was the only thing
of life visible on the yacht’s deck.

But her eyes seemed to be fastened anxiously
on the shore-line and the hesitating movements
of the boat.

The latter contained but one oarsman and the
man Who had waded out to her, both foreign-
looking men whom Ensco and his companions
failed to reco ize. . _ '

“ Hold on, arse Rowlock l” whispered Mingo.
“ Dere’s more to come yet—I feel it in de bones.
Garry! elf it might be dem twin-debbils, an’ we
could get our hooks on ’em at dis last minute I”

“ Too good to hope for, I am afraid,” said the
detective. “But I can understand how some of
the fugitives from the Deep Cove affair might
have ’made their way back here as affording
them a tem rary Security. Still, that Juan
and Vasoo s ould have done so is more than I
can believe.”

Hardly had be spoken before the first-named
twin, Juan, broke cover from close at hand, and
was the next instant running out through the
shallow water like a hunted deer.

Without waiting for permission, Mingo was
aftfiir him in an instant, With a whoop and a
3’0 - .

Ensoo was about to follow when Inez laid a
teach ufiojn his arm.

She was pointing through the underwood to
Vasco, who, seeing that his brother was being
pursued, had come to a startled pause at the
water’s edge, just under the shadow of the-same
thicket from which Juan had just emerged.

‘Both young men were a desperate and hunted

air.
While still hesitating at the water’s edge,

Vasco suddenly drew his revolver and leveled it -

at his brother’s gigantic pursuer.
But before it could be discharged th Harbor
've was upon him with a panthei bound.
There was a desperate struggle, the young

 

 

Honduran seeming gifted with a desperate
strength that was little short of superhuman;
while Ming? had almost overtaken Juan, who
seeiried to e partly dazed, about midway to the
yaw .

The senora saw it all.

Inez could (plainly mark her excited move-
ments up and own the yacht’s deck, and could
guess the agony of maternal suspense that in—
spired them.

It was like a ti ess witnessing a murderous
attack upon her be oved cubs, and she wounded,
or helpless in the meshes of the hunter‘s snare. ‘2

The detective had finally succeeded in over-
mastering his prisoner, and snapping a pair of
handcuffs on his wrists. _

But at that instant there was a shot from the

awl, and Mingo was seen to come to a stagger-
ing pause.

A moment later, Juan, after hesitating wheth—
er to return to his brother’s aid or continue his
flight alone, was seen to clamber wearin into
the boat.

The latter then pulled back to the Ghost with-
out delay, notwithstanding that the scnora was
frenziedly shrieking her otest against the
abandonment of Vasco to his fate.

Shortly after this, the Ghost steamed out of
sight, Juan and the two other men being last ob-
served on her deck, apparently doing their ut-
most to subdue the transports of the enraged
senora.

In the mean time, as Inez came hurrying to his
side, Ensco had completed Vasco’s subjection,
and Mingo was slowly staggering back through
the shallows toward the group.

The latter, however, sudden] came to a pause,
and, dropping to his knees, p unged his woolly
head repeatedly in the water.

After this, much to the astonishment of his
friends, he came trotting to the shore, with his
vigor apparently altogether restored.

“ Garry, Marse Rowlock !” he exclaimed, with
his champion grin; “ I done t‘onght I war done
gone in, shuah. But look i” he exhibited his car,
which was slightly bleeding. “ It w.:r de wind
ob de bullet, an’ dat am do fact!”

“ You are extremely fortunate, Mingo,” said
Ensco, heartily, while Inez also congratulated
him on his escape. “ See; we haveono prisoner,
at all events.”

Mingo looked down 11 “in the helpless Vasco,
who had, however, by t is time ut on a reck-
less and indifferent air, and theus ook his head.

“ Ah, but dat udder one, be war de king-pin
ob de pair, Marse Rowlock,” he murmured. “ I’d
hev got him, shuah, but fur dat bulletl Oh,

orry, gorryl to t’ink dat Min go war knocked out
by jess a breaf ob air—0y de wind oh a bullet!
I’se ’shamed ob yer, Mingol 1’se ’shamed oh you
from dis time fort’, I isl’

Nevertheless, he cheerfully carried the ris-
ouer to the boat, all the party got on boar , in-
cludingIStarlight who had returned from the
cabin, is eyes red with weeping, and the prow
was next headed for the Marston grounds at the
foot of Eighty-sixth street.

“ Thank Heaven! it is broad, sunny daylight,
with plant of river-craft in sight,” said Ensco
to Inez. ‘ It is not likely that any accident or
interception can rob us of such prey as we have
succeeded in securing.” ’

Low as he spoke, Vasco, who was lying bound
not far away, had overheard the words.

“That is true, Enscol” he cried out gayly;
“and I suppose you are in sympathy With the
old saying Better half a loaf than no bread.’
Inez, my ear cousin! do you remember the last
pretty song I sung for you! Carqjol I am still
in time, if you say the word.”

No attention was vouchsafed him, but he,
nevertheless, did begin tosin 7, and when handed
over to the police, was as lithe and 'oculsr
with them as they were carrying him 0 to the
prison confinement which he might not per-
manently quit, save to meet a felon’s death.

Having dispatched Mingo and Starlight to
carry word to Mr. 'Dago, Eusco lost no time in
hurrying into the mansion, where the lost one
found was already being overwhelmed by the
c0ngratulations of the household.

Mrs. Twigrrs was in an ecstas of tears, while
the joy of Elie young girls’ ockney maid-in—
waiting was especially demonstrative.

A little later, when Ensco and Inez were
alone, the former signified his willingness to tell
her his historly. ,

“ Though may appear much younger,” he
began, “ I was born in New York thirty-nine
years ago. So, I‘am nearly, if not quite. double
your age, my darling.” And he looked at her

vwith a. slight shade of anxiety in his inquiring

gaze. “Dnes not that make me seem very
ancient to you i?”

Her soft hand stole into his.

“ I would, assuredly, not have you a day
younger, Douglass,” she replied with much sim-
plicity. .

“ But why ?” ,

“Because, I would not.”

“ That is no answer.”

“ Because I love you as you are, then.”

“But I cannot forget that youth attracts
youth by natural law—that most oung girls
are best pleased with young men as overs.”

Her arm was about his neck, hes-lips at his

many secret bickerings, an

 

ear, though the deepening blush on her perfect
face was not wholly hidden away.

“ You darling! you brave, you dauntless dar-
ling l” she murmured. “ I love you, not for
your youth nor for your years, but for yourself
alone i”

“Trul i”

“Ah, ut you do not you can never doubt it!
Would I have you unseared by a single experi-
ence or adventure that may have written over'
the dark pages of your varied life? No, not for
the world! My heart could never have been
given save to a man, and as such, have I found
you, my hero, my ideal!”

“ Sti 1, if I were (just a little younger?”

“ Then you woul notbe ourself—my ‘ Doug-
lass, Douglass, tender and no.”

“ Still—~"

But the perfect lips were now kissing away
Eis words, and more in that vein she would not

ear.

“ Your story!” she murmured, presently.
“ Let me have the story of your life.”

“Well, there is yet more against me than my
hoar antiquity.”

“ s it possible?”

“ My arents were poor and obscure persons,
of Scotc extraction, and are long since dead."

“ I have always admired Scotland. The
Highlanders are a noble race, barring the ba -
pipe, the horrid kilts and bare knees: while
just dote on Bobby Burns and Walter Scott.”

“ I never had either brother or sister.”

“ Nor I; which makes us even.”

“ But I hardly ever even went to school; am
almost wholly self-educated.”

“ Self-made men are my admiration, when
not too worshipful of their maker, as I am sure
you are not.”

“ Thank you. But, hang it all, my love, I‘m
not self—made. After my long battle with the
world, I am or today as a church mouse.”

“ Poor in lthy lucre, you mean." ’ w

‘ By Jove, Inez! you won’t permit me to
make out my own photograph.”

“ Self—depreciation is not good. Will you go
on with your story, sir?” I

CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE DETECTIVE’S HISTORY.

_“IEARLY went to sea,” went on the detec-
give, ‘_‘ and thereafter the water was chiefly my

ome. \
“ t the age of eighteen, I found myself. after '
years of restless adventure, 8. member of Gen-
eral Martez’s revolutionary force in Honduras.

“ The general had not long been married, land

I became a favorite with both his young wife
and himself.

 

“The Senora Zarapatta was at that time a I

singularly beautiful and attractive woman, with

little if any manifestion of the evil inherent in ,

her nature. The twins were beautiful children,
of five or six years. V
“I was a sort of privileged retainer in the

family, then second to none in Central America .

in wealth, influence and social standing, though
constant! in more or less hot water through the v
general’s urbulent revolutionar tendencies.

” These also occasioned home iflerences. The
general was a Liberal of the Liberals in politics
and religion—a Democrat and born leader in
one; his wife sympathized with the most bigoted
of Conservatives, who were mostly in Wer in
Church and State—an arialo of the old,0
torial stock.

and he had brought her wealth and refiec
honors. For appearances’ sake, they were
seemingly one in everything though there were
d her violen cruel
as it develo d itse t, was

and eartless temper

a source of much suhering to his onorable and ‘

gGPGI'OuS a hit.

‘,Thoug nearly a man grown, I was at that i‘

time of very boyish appearance, fair~skinned,
fair—haired, rudd —cheeked,bright—eyed, just the
sort of a C'olo'ra o to hit the fancy of the senori-
tas of that summer clinic, who are mostly of a.
dark beauty and languishing manners, which

latter, however, are so often the mask of vol-- ’

canic passions, that may be
thwarted or roused.

“I thus allude to my rsonal appearance as
the only possible explana 'on of the favoritism
in which the Senorina Martez held mewat first;
It was not love, but a mere caprice, on her part.
I was her protege. She called me her Ameri-
cam Colorado, and made much of me. For my
own pa rt, I early penetrated the beautiful crea—
ture’s fierce, false and treacherous disposition
rind (fame to hold her in secret distrust and
( res .

“Moreover, she had even that early in life
come to like such pets assnakes, jaguar cubs,
and similar unglensant companions, which
were no less her
own.

“ I was brave and adventu us in the intes».
tine military and political ubles. of which i
Honduras was more or less constantly the thea-

dangerous when

ter, and soon became a favored member of v

General Martez’s stair.
“ The revolution of which I spoke was by no
means the first or onlyons inwhich I was enm

gsged.

Inquisi- _
“ However, she had been poor and ambitious ' ‘ ‘

usband‘s abhorrence than my ,

   

 

28

“ The second, which occurred a year later,

laced Martez in power. But the differences
between him and his wife had increased, and he
was the more inclined to favor a proposed visit
to her New York relative at that time. He even
made her a sort of Government financial-agent,
and, when she took her departure, it was in
company with a couple of native merchants,
trusted and experienced men, supplied with
large sums of money, for the furtherance of
political recognition and commercial alliances.

“The senora, on the occasion of that visit,
left her twins at home.

rather, George Delorme, which, as you already

know, was indeed 'the private object of the 

V0

be forced to allude tothis melancholy subject
again.

“The senora’s visit did not last a twelve-

 month, but what a long period is that for a -
country, the chronic prey to political earth- I

quakes!
' " She left us in full feather, at the apex of the
governmental fabric; when she returned, we

were hunted fugitives in the mountains, our .

'army a ragged remnant, our comisam'afo the

'wild game of the primeval woods, the remaining ;

. bulwarks of. defense our shivered bayonets and

a broken swords. We had been up and soaring;

'5 " I we were down again with a vengeance-41m
,IOcket-and-stick business over again.

“ Then did the treacherous, ingrate nature of i

* ‘the Senora Martez declare itself at last. Her
'mask of hypocrisy was flung aside. She de-
‘nounced her husband and his cause, openly
espoused the Conservative Church party, then
'again in power, and even donated a large sum
of money to its success in hunting down the un-
f‘ fortunate Martez and his followers.

a; “By strange coincidence, the sum of money
:9 thus infamously contributed was identical with
' that obtained from the Bank of Gotham on

been sent 1’0
 up again,

: in which Geor e Delorme had
State Prison—a l I have brought
though it was hardly to be helped!

Inez interrupted im with a passionate ges-

 

re.

“God of justice!” she exclaimed, inconceiv-
ably shocked, “had the vile woman actually in-
stigated the forgeries herself?"

The narrator shook his head dubiously.

“ That is not known. probably never. will be
known to a certainty. But the fact is as I have
stated. There was no other source from which
the senorina could have obtained such a great
sum, though she pretended there had been and
hinted of secret operations in the New York
goldf aliarket, which had been unexpectedly suc-
cess u . .

“ But her own husband at that time believed
her capable of such baseness. There were others
-—men not in political affiliation with him either
—-who secretly coincided with his opinion.
.7 Moreover, of the two merchant a ents who had
accompanied her mission, oneh mysteriously
' disappeared, and the other, a Colonel Blanco,
 . returned in such suspicious familiarity with the
.47 fair traitress that his name was coupled by
- rumor with hers in a manner by no means com-
plimentary to the morals of either. But of all
‘this there was no proof; it was rumor and sus-
~ 'picicn—nothing more.”

.- ‘ Inez threw up her hands with a hopeless, de-
7- . apairing air.

‘7 “ My father, my poor father!" she half—subbed,
l ' “ what chance had hc—what chance might any
" honorable, unsuspecting man have had—when
‘environed by such toils? Oh, it is too, too hor-
rible!" ,

The detective hastened to continue his nar-
rative:

“ Our cause— that is, General Martez’s cause—
was almo\t at its last gasp, but such of uses
*were left alive continued to stick together. But
the armed search for us was incessant and
severe.

“A year after the beginning of our misfor-
‘ times, was taken prisoner in one of our fl ing
skirmishes in the heart of the Cordilleras, a cut
sixty miles south of Comaygua, on the Nicara-
guan frontier.

“ The Senora Zarapatta had in the mean time
risen greatly in the estimation of the governing
power, and had established herself in a wild,
mountain-gilt and fortified hacienda, one of her
husband’s cnnflscated estates, which had been
presented to her as a reward of her treachery.

“Its deep. hot valleys comprised indigo and
coffee plantations, that were immensely lucra-
tive, and there she held a sort of isolated and
barbaric court, surrounded by her peons and
retainers, among whom, by reason of her friend-
liness With serpents, no less than by numerous

 

 

held in myste ' awe as the W “Sibyl of
Morena—this l_ _ being the ancient name of the
fhacwnda, or miniature principality, over which
‘ , aha lIis-ld abervtl’ute sway}. th I sed red

. was y one o e icen 1) etc
hands attached to her estate that I chanced];
.. bedeaptuied, and I was brought before her for

men ..
“ wo years had passed since we had last met,

 

Rowlook, the He

That was also the occa- 
sicn of her accomplishing theruin of your poor ;

Yage- . I
“Don’t look so distressed, for I shall hardly ‘

forged acceptances, and for alleged participation '

other eccentricities, she was alreadyknown and ;
i

 

r'  3" ~ '  ‘ .“w‘ H
\

‘ l
' and no sooner was I in her presence than I un-
; derstood one of the qualifications of her new ap-
pellation.

f “ Her complexion, which had formerly been
1 of pure and transparent though healthful pul-
' lor, had already assumed that dead, bloodless
and absolute whiteness which has ever since re-
mained one of her characteristics. And added
to this. her eyes and general expression had
somehow taken on that serpent suggestiveness
which even now contributes so greatly to render
her beauty so terrible—so magnetic and yet so
re ugnant.”

nez shuddered involuntarily at the recollec~
‘ tion of her recent forced companionship with
the senora.

“ She smiled strangely when I was brought, a
captive, into her presence, and by a. gesture dis—
missed the guerrillas guarding me.

“ I was then alone before her. She was mag—
nificently throned amid gorgeous trappings and
upholsterings on a sort of dais of red velvet,
fringed with golds, while the numerous pet ser—
1 pants twining about her person seemed fitly eni-
blematic of her untrammeled and evil power.

“ She spoke me very sweetly at first, refer-
ring to her former liking for me, and her regret
that we were no longer friends.

“ I began to secretly congratulate myself one.
prospect of getting out of her clutches easily;
for former prisoners from our band had, almost
; without exception, been tauntingly dismissed
i from her presence to be shot on sight.

“ But her next words dashed me from the
1 pinnagle of hope to the depths of despair.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
THE DETECTIVE'S HISTORY, CONTINUED.
“ SHE coolly proposed that I should betray

l

 

l the last fastness of my leader (her own husband v

i —the father of her children) and his followers

1 into her hands, that they might be extirpated

l forthwith.

l “ This was her infernal pro osition. Compli-
ance therewith was to be richly rewarded; the

reward of its refusal was instant death.

“ On my instant and contemptuous rejection
of her reposition, she flew into a fury that
positive v appalled me.

“ She loaded me with reproaches and the pe-
culiarly diabolical epithets that are the special
property of the Spanish tongue, swore that she
had always secretly hated and despised me, and
then called in her swarthy minions to lead me
out to my death. _

“ Upon their appearance,
changed her mind.

“ I should have mentioned that, in my pas-
sionate and unguarded rejection of her proposi-
tion, I had permitted myself to allude mocking-
ly to the Serpent-suggestiveness of her counte-
nance.

“ She remembered this now, and, controlling
herself, said: ‘ Waitl Americana Colorado, I
shall reserve you for another fate. You have
alluded to the serpent-element of my beauty. I
shall so brand you that you shall never lose the
sense of my power, and after that you shall pine
in perpetual imprisonment.’

“ She then ordered that her twin boys should
be brought in. and also engaged in consultation
with one of her peons, an aged Maya Indian,
who proved to be a professional embalmer and
tattooer among his tribe.

“ Then I was unpinioned, thrown down, my
arm bared, and there, in the presence of her
twin-devils and herself, I was subjected to the
o ration that left me impressed with the em-
b ematic (lev1ce that you have seen.

“It was indescribany painful, even agoniz-
ing, and the more so that there was then and
there performed swiftly and at once a tattooing
elaboration that is seldom, if ever, effected in
the course of many successive days.

“ But I bore up, and not a complaint or pro-
test escaped me during the torturing ordeal,
notwithstanding the taunts of the senora, the
oping amusement of her retainers and the mock-
ing laughter of the juveniles, who seemed to
deem my suppressed anguish the rarest of
SP

however, she

orts.

“ \Vhen the design was fastened indelibly
upon my arm, the senora surveyed it critically,
but not with uumingled satisfaction.

“ ‘ It is not altogether as I would have had
it,’ she said. ‘ There should more unmistakable
signs of the athlete succumbing to the ser nt
in the contest, and the red arrow from the c oud
-—as symboling Heaven’s assisting vengeance at
my supplication, no less than duplicating the

-—might have'been represented as already find—
ing its rankling home in the wrestler’s breast.
However, it must answer. Away with him to
the prison-cell that shall likewise be his tomb.’

“ For five days I nursed my painful arm and
the hope of vengeance in the solitary prison-
cave to which the senora’s serpent-malice had
consigned me.

“ On the Sixth day I effected my escape, and
rejoined my fugitive brethren. But. alasl
they were by this time reduced to a pitiful hand-
ful. Shortly after this we separately effected
our escape over the San Salvadorean frontier.

“Years later my wandering and adventurous
life again led me to Honduras.

 

 

 i” ~ 

divine birthinark on my elder twin’s fair cheek'

rbor ljete'ctive‘.

 

4

...,,__.,._._-_.,,,.,,m

“The indomitable Martez was once more at
the top of the revolutionary caldron, or nearly
s

0.

“He was heading a powerful liberal faction'
in an endeavor to get possession of the govern-“
ment, and, what was yet more strange, his wife,-
the senora, had temporarily throw her con-'
versative friends over, and was a partner of his
enterprise.

“ I could never quite understand how the
general had consented to a reconciliation, but
have a general idea that it was brought about
solcly for political motives. At all events,
though they were living in the same palace,
their establishments were otherwise distinct,
and I soon found that their intercourse was con—
fined soler to public occasions.

“ I was once more persuaded to cast my errant
fortunes with the revolutionists, and again be-
came an officer on General Martez’s staff.

“Three days later we we were beaten in a
decisive battle with the Government troops on a.
plain midway between Truxillo and Ccmuygua,
and were once more fugitives and proscribed.

“ However, a considerable force still remained
to us, though our future locked dismal with
difficulties daily thickening around us.

“ It was at this time that General Martez dc-
cided to send away for safe-keeping the jewels
that had been but recently contributed by
numerous wealthy and influential Liberal fami-
lies for the benefit of the cause, until such time
as they might be converted into cash, or re-
turned to their original owners according as
the next turn in the tide of war might deter—

ine.

“ He had become an intimate and appreciative
friend of your grandfather, Captain Marston,
during his exile, and pitched upon him as the
custodian of the treasure. I think his selection
of his wife as the treasure-bearer (under certain
outside and accom anying supPrVIsion that was
trustworthy) was etermined upon, chiefly with
the desire to secure her absence, together with
that of her twins, from Honduras, for he had
evidently never lost a fear of fresh treachery on
her part, and the sons were so much under their
mother’s influence that he had hardly any more
confidence in their profeHSed good faith than in
hers.

“ So it was arranged. You know the rest, or
most of it, Inez.

“ The senora’s vain attempt to obtain the
jewels from your grandfather after they had
been delivered into his custody: her return to
Honduras, leaving the twins to become your
household companions; her subssquent treach-
er , b which her unfortunate husband was, for
a dire; price, betrayed into the hands of hi exe-
cutioners. These are facts already within your
knowledge.

“There is not a great deal for me to add. Be"
fore the senora’s return from her second mission
we had been defeated in a second battle and
hepelessly scattered. Soon after the gallant
general’s death I managed to escape from the
country, never to return. The senora had re-
tired with the proceeds of her treachery to M0-
rona.
“ There she continued to live in rather reduced
splendor, apparently nursing the dream of
sooner or later obtaining possession of the jewel
treasure—whose value was doubtless exaggerat-
ed in her imagination—by fair means or foul.
Her sons, upon their return to Honduras, were
entered into the naval service there, in which I
have learned they chiefly distinguished them-
selves by» careers of lawlessness, insubordina-
tion and crime. But it’s a mighty one-horse
sort of a navy, for that matter. - ,

“Their reappearance here of late, and the
crimes ' that signalized their preSence in New
York are too fresh to ‘be dwelt upon between

us.

“Several years ago I entered the detective
service here, and had already somewhat distin-
guished myself in my specialty when I made
your grandfather‘s ac uaintance. My former
intimacy with General artcz was a further in-
troduction into his good graces.
his friend and confidant. Then came the whirl
of darkness and crime that made me your friend
and counselor.
lover. I feel that our long and stormy quest, is
nearly at an end. Then you will be, my bride,
my wife, in eternal. My story is ended.” ‘ ’ .

He opene wide his arms, and Inez showed
her appreciation of the strange, eventful histi 17
by melting upon his breast. .

“ Tell me one other thing.” she said, at last.

“ What is it?” . ‘

“ Should the senor». succeed in carrying the
treasure away—” , ‘v

“ But she shall not succeedl We shall he be-
forehand with White WltCh,if there isjnstioe
in FrovirlenCe and the old wind—charm m the
Seamew’s white wings?”

“ I said if—”

“ Ah, ardonmel”

“ If she should succeed?’

“Well?” *
“Would she be able to apply their money

value to her own use?”

“with scarcelya doubt. The famfliesthat .
originally contributed the jeweled heirlooms
are no longer in exutence. I think that, with

 

He made me __

Thank God; I am also your- [

 

 

‘NMV W,

 

 

     
    
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 

 

 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 

 

    
  
 
 
 

Rowlock, the Harbor Detective.

 

 

scarcely an exception, they were literally ex-
terminated, root and branch, by the bloody, re-
lentless reprisals following upon that last crush-
ing defeat of the liberal cause in Honduras.”

“ Then if we should obtain possession of the
’ewels?”

“Then they would be ours, or rather yours,
as being a part of your grandfather’s estate,
subject solely to the proofs of other ownership,
in total or in part, being non-existent, accord-
ing as systematic and honorable inquiry might
determine.”

“That was what I wanted to know.” '

It was now late in the afternoon. and at this
'uncture it was announced that little Starlight

ad returned from the dockyard Witha message
for Ensco from Mr. Dago.

 

CHAPTER XXXIX.
PREPARING FOR A LAST EXPEDITION.

Tun messenger was at once admitted, and his
tidings proved to be of the utmost importance.

Mr. Dago was already on his way to the
Astoria anchorage, with the Seamew in perfect
trim.

Mr. Dago would also anxiously await fresh
orders there. and the good northwest wind was
freshening, with indications that it would hold.

Ensco at once arose with an eager look.

“ Hooray i” cried Starlight, wholly unsub-
dued by the unusual splendor of his drawing-
room surroundings. “It’ll be up anchor and
away again. Won’t it, boss?”

The detective gravely nodded.

“ What is your plan?” asked Inez.

“ Undetermined as yet. Shall have to con-
sult with Dago.”

" Well, 1 shall get on my things in no time.”
And she started to quit the room.

“ Hold on! Surely you are not going?”

“Am I not? Then I don’t know in self.”

f‘ Run on down to the landing, tarlight.”
And then, after the boy had disappeared. “I
really have not thought of you accompanying
us dearest.”

1‘ But I have meant it from the first.”

“ There’ll be a heavy swell on, like enough,
down the lower bay.” _

Worse than on the stormy night when I first
began to—to know you?”

He flushed with pleasure.

“ That terrible, yet partly joyful, flrshni ht i”
he muttered. ” No, no; of course not. till,
down Rockaway Reef way, with this freshen-
ing wind l”

“ An ofl-shore one, before which the Seamew
will glance and skim in the moonlight, like one
of her white-feathered namesakes in the wild
wave’s runni wake!” And then her soft
touch was on is arm. “ Besides, when has
lower bay ground-son troubled a tried salt
like me?"

He took her in his arms, gazing lovingly down
into the sweet. brave face.

“ You will have it so?”

“ I shall not sever from you again—even ad-
venture must not separate ,us more i"

“Fresh danger,_ perhaps; I doubt not that the
Ghost maylikemse choose to—night’s low tide
for a like attempt.”

“ Have I ever, shrunk from danger when
shared with on?

“ This is 33 soon upon the shocks you have
sustained—the recent revelation—your new-
found arentsi” _

“ A  and my poor father dying on the
threshold of it alll But that is why 1 must _go
with you.” She dashed aside the springing
tears. “ I would not forget—no, nol bill?
must have change, excitement, and sympathy

,shared’ny you. Oh, Douglass! don’t you under-

stand?
“ Yes,” and he kissed her brow.
make yourself read , in God’s namel’

.rne boat, with ingo and Starlight at the
oars, was _in readiness when they reached the
little landing, and, better than that, the grace-
ful Seamew could already be sighted at her
Astoria omng.

Half an hour later Ensco, Inc and Mr. Dago
were consulting in the yacht’s sa 0011.

m“ 313%. is low-tide at the reef?” demanded

e we.

"‘tfiimhour after midnight,” replied the yacht
on

R And the moon 3”

"‘ T1191! at its meridian.”

“ Had We not better start at once?”

“ There 13 ample time‘, but we are already get-
ting under Way-_ In fact, there was no particu-
lar need 0‘ “fining up here from the dry-dock.
but 11‘ xrgrélcsrgo see how the Seamew would

i ' ’
woffiow does she wgrigpnd repairs.

(5 Beaqlélflflly—tg a charm!”

“ Has 1 occur” ‘0 you that one or two of u

- rudently reconn ‘ - 5
mi N 15%” t b ,)y rim}; by running down

is ' 115 I won t be . .
’11 make the reagegglary. With this
with peril“?s a“ 9‘“ “filmma- hen the re

exam-51 n bus1ness is not yet fun
we, at the beach, and we’ll be like}  er
wgtmsuwseekmg 3“ to ourselves” “7°

“ Go and

.\- l w

by midnight, '

 

“ Unless the Ghost should choose the next low
tide for her opportunity, too.”

Mr. Dago shifted his position a little uneasily
at the table where they were sitting: only look-
ing up to nod his acquiescence to Gaff, who at
that moment looked in to announce that the
yacht was under way.

“ Of course, that has occurred to me,” said he,
afterapause. “But I’ve thought it all over,
and we would have the advantage of that infer-
nal steam-launch in more ways than one, should
we chance to be at cross-purposes with her
again. Of that I feel assured.” _

“ Please explain,” said the detective, while
Inez was no less interested. “How would we
have the advantagei—apart from fighting her
oil at a pinch, I mean, as a matter of course.”

“First, I am satisfied that the Ghost is seri—
ously crippled—too much so to put to sea with
{alhe treasure, even if the latter were secured by

er.

“ I doubt that. The senora would take the
risk, an Way: so that such a thing as our being
foresta] ed must not be thought of.”

“ Well and good. Next, she draws too much
water to get within twenty rods of the reefs,
with safety to herself."

H Ah!”

“ So that she would have to operate with a
small boat, which would necessarily divide her
fighting force in case it should come to blOWS.”

“ A good ointi”

“While t e Seamew, with the center—board
up, can dance like a duck within a biscuit’s toss
o the inner reef, which the Spanish letter indi-
cates as the one containing the buried treasure.”

“ I seel we shall have the advantage, as you

”

{Stillfl’ said Inez, “ let us hope that we shall
not be interrupted. The Ghost as lost some of
its mysterious terrors for me. She looked so
forlorn, and labored so uneasily, when she took
Juan on board this morning, after Vasco’s cap.
ture that she no longer seemed formidable.”

“ There’s intelligence and life in her yet, Miss
Delorme,” said Dago, “and let us not forget
that the terrible senora herself is now the mas-
ter-s irit.”

“ e’re not likely to forget that.” said the
detective; “and for that reason I sincerely hope
we may come at cross-purposes tonight.”

“ You do hope it 1” cried Inez, in surprise.

“ Certainly. Do you not see that such a. meet-
ing may constitute our only remaining 0 por-
tunity for the capture of Juan and his mot er?”

“I do see it now. The are doubtless equally
responsible for the mur ers that took place on
that terrible night.”

“ Let us only capture them, and that will he
left to the courts.” _

He went on deck to find that they were slip-
plt'jlfi easily down the river.

5 wind continued to freshen, and after
passing Governor’s Island, shortl after sun-
set, the gallant Seamewrwas lai upon afree
course, with eve stitch drawing and the water
runnin back un er the rail like a mill-race.

“If t e wind doesn’t shift,” said Mr. Dago,
“we ought to reach our destination by eleven
o’clock. Let us go down to su per.”

Inez, upon returning to t e saloon, found
that an unexpectedly elegant repast had been
provided.

“You are having better living on the Sea-
mew .than I thought," said she, with pleased
sur rise.

r. Dago modest] ex lained that he had on
dered the su per 0 a ashionable down—town
restaurant, fore quitting the dock-yard, in
antiwation of her resence on board.

“. . hat! you r y did look for me in the ex-
pedition?” exclaimed Inez, while the discussion
of the repast was forthwith begun. “That is
more than Mr. Ensco did.”

“ Don’t _be so sure of that,” observed the de-
tective, With a smile. ,

“ What, Sir! did you not try your best to dis.
suade me from going?”

u,Most assuredly, as I was in duty bound to

do.’

“ Well?”

“ But that doesn’t follow that [ had any idea
of your permitting yourself to be dissuaded.”
And he laughed in a way that she could ‘not
take offense at."

0‘ ’Oh, indeed! Well, perhaps I shall know
just how seriouslIy to take you ereafter.”

u But really, nez, I was nothing if not seri-
ous in my attempt ,to dissuade you.” said the
detective, gravely. ‘ But at the same time I
felt almost certain that you would over-ride my
ob'ections, no matter how strongly presented.”

lehen ou must take it for anted that I am
a very willful and headstrong ndividual.”

“ I am ' tial to a strong Will—«in a woman.”

u Even if there be danger of it clashing with
your own?” ”

“That depends'

u Depends on what?” . I

“0” who the woman is, and how much she
may care for me and. I for her.” ‘

She only replied with a pleased look, and then
they both burst out laughing together.

“For my part 1’ said John Dago, uietly. “I
felt pretty sure t 1; M1 Delorme’sa venturous
d. .tion would not fail to demand a share in

\

 

what is likely to prove the crowning ante rise
of our excitin nest. And I could not elp,
moreover, in t ' ing of the old lines in her
connection:

‘ When a woman will. she will,
You may depend on‘t; ,
And when she won‘t, she won't,
And there‘s an end on't.’

Then they all laughed, and so it was in very
confident spirits that they were proceeding upon
this crowning adventure.

But it was destined that all should not be
smooth sailing and fair-weather fortune.

Just outside the Narrows the wind shifted
dead around from northwest to southeast, and
theéilfeforth the Scamew was to have it in her
tee .

It was now past eight o’clock, and, to make
matters worse, the night, prior to moon-rise,
was shutting down extremely dark, with here
and there but an occasional star in the fleeting:
interstices between masses of threatening cloud.

The lower he seemed aimolutely deserted of
all sorts of or t, and even the Gravesend and
Staten Island shore-lights seemed unnaturally
far away, with something unreal and uncertaim
in their twmklings.

“ The devil's in the wind 1” owled Toni Gad;
who was at the wheel. “
to-windward v’yage of it, even fur such a mis-
erable little one-horse run i"

“ It is worse luck than we had a right to ex-
pect,” admitted Mr. Dago. “ But growling
won’t better it.”

Inez, who had also come on deck with Ensco,,
looked a little anxious.

“ Still,” she asked, “ we shall reach the reefs-
in time, shall we not?”

“ Oh, yes, without a doubt, I hope,” replied:
the yacht-captain, cheerfully. “ That is, unless
a r
isn’t at all likely at this season of the year;
or——"

He hesitated.

“ Or what?” demanded the young mistress 
the Seamew. ‘ ,
. “ Or unless something more unforeseen shoulda‘
interfere,” he added, With less ho fulness.

“How provoking you are! on might as
well have answered at once, ‘ Oh, yes, we’re:
bound to get there, Eli—that is, if we don’t I’ ”

Da olaughed. .

“ ell, but candidly, Miss Delorme, can any-
thing better be predicted of almOSt every enter-
prise in which we take the chances?”

“Perhaps not. But you might specify the
‘ something yet more unforeseen" that may
interfere.”

“ There it is now~look i”

It was her lover-detective who spoke, and he!
1v:'a.sdpointing away through the gloom with him

an .

A graceful black craft, with a single red!
lantern, like a bloodsliot eye at her prow, was.
silently forging past them, headed for the opem

sea. .

“ It is the Ghost 1” faltered the young girl,.
instinctively drawing closer to his si .

There was no denying it.

Their witch-like water~enemy was once more:
unmistakably on hand.

 

CHAPTER XL.
nocxawsv nrnr.- “

Ma. DAGO was, however, rubbing his hands”
together after a rather reassuring manner of

his.
“ It is all rightl” he said, softly.» “ It is all'
right enough i” _
‘ It is also well tohave a sanguine disposition,”
observed Inez, a lit! 1e sarcastically. “ Steam
isn’ta bit superior to sails Yin a head-wind, as a‘

matter of course. h, nol’

“You are unnecessarily ironical, Miss Dev .

lorme,” said the ca tain, with his smile-
“ Are you sure 0 that?”
"Quite sure. A mere glance should convince

you that the sea-witch, that has caused us so".

much trouble, is no longer to be greatly
feif‘fi” , a!
at 5 true, interposed the detecti .
studying the receding outline of the Ghosvize";
stern. “Every movement is labored. Thai-sis;
scarcely a trace of the silent ease and fleetnesa
that used to mystin and incense us.” 3
_“Oh. she’s a hopeless cripple, and the devil
himself, though she be his pet craft. couldn't
hel her in a gale. I tell you, it’s all right!"

ere the Seamew went over on her starboard .

tack, the hillocky water seething under her
counter like a cataract.
“But, barring the gale,” said Inez, “won‘t;
she reach the reefs before us?” ,
“Undoubtedly, if she doesn’t blow ii ,” re-
sponded Dago. “ But the tide hurries an
for no man—nor woman, either.”

aresuniption of his satisfied look.

no treasure.” -
“Desperate as the senora must be,” said Ines,

after a reflective pause, “I do not think she! 1
gold t’ry to go out to see, under any W‘
noes.

29'

ks like a reg’lar ,

egular southeast gale should set in, which '

wdtd‘:
“It will be well,” muttered the detective, with l

“ We shall .
have another chance at the Ghost, treasure 01‘~

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 stamped. in blood.

30

."d. aw.“ .

  

to, l ,ii‘f"'nf:..‘~.:‘{iv"‘:\i :* *3: i

\

\

Revilook, the Harbor Detective.

 

 

“ Why not ?”

any regard for the lives of the perhaps innocent

“Do you forget that she has but one twin men with you!”

with her?
listen to a proposition to leave Vasco behind.”

“ I am not so sure of that."

“But, whatever their faults and crimes, the
brothers are devoted to each other.”7

“ Granted But Vasco has still a chance of
escaping conviction.

Even Juan would not, I am certain, ‘

 

A hoarse, snarling laugh was his sole response,
and Juan seemed to give an order to his fol-
lowers without turning his head.

Here was a, surprise.

The two oarsmen suddenly resumed their in—
terrupted stroke, and instantly two other ruf-

Thcre is no tell-tale sap- ‘ flans, heretofore lying concealed under the

ihire-ring, nor yet a pair of mottoed bowie- . thwarts, sprung into view at Juan’s back, armed

l'.l\'PS, to plead directly against him.”

it True),

“ While I am satisfied that the murders of the
Seamew can be swiftly brought home to both
Juan and his mother.”

“ You still have the poison-ring?”

“ Of course.”

“ And the two knives?”

“Yes. Oh, never fearl It is not as if Vasco
were desertin his brother and mother. That
would be like caving them in the jaws of death,
indeed l” _

It seemed that Ensco was to prove right, and
Inez wrong, so for as the intention of|the Ghost
was concerned.

When the Seamew came within View of the
reefs at about midnight, with a stormy moon to
light up the scene, the steam-yacht was waiting
0 the outer line, but with everything snug,
and a general aspect of being ready for sea.

The Seamew was enabled, by her light
draught, to obtain an inside position, and pre—
sently took in sail and came to anchor close to
where the boiling and frothin water indicated
the presence of the second ree , still submerged,

in whose pocket the jewel-treasure was said to ‘

be buried.

The last of the ebb was hurrying out, and the
two vessels, about a hundre rods apart, had
the appearance of silently and jealously watch—
ing each other like animate and wary water-
beasts of prey, each intent upon some antici-
pated quarry, and equally determined to fore-
stall the other in the critical spring.

There was not a sign of life on the adjacent
beach, ordinarily by day and evening the resort
of pleasure-seeking throngs a little later in the
season.

Neither was there the glimmer of a ship-light
far and near, other than was displayed by the
rival vessels.

Above was the storm scud of the flyin rack,
with the haggard moon running at hi e-and-
seok from rift to rift like a hunted thing; below
and around nothing but the loneliness, the soli-
tude and the save cry of sea and sand.

But Ensco and ago had quietly formulated

' their plan of operation with the utmost confi-

dcnce.

Scarcely did the unquiet water over the inner
reef give indications of material] shallowin
before the detective, accompanied y Gaff an
Jones, were overboard, kneedeep in brine, and
spade in hand.

. True. just then, the Ghost’s small boat, con-
taining three men—in itself a confession of the
weakness of the senora’s force—was seen to put
off, and begin to round the outer ed 9 of the
outlying reef with the intention of isputing
the digging claim, so to s k.

But a moment later, t e Seamew’s pinnace.
with Mr. Dago himself at the helm her small
sail fluttering in the strong wind, little Starlight
in the waist, and the giant form of Mingo at the
prow, slanted out from under the yacht’s quar-
ter, heading away to round the inner point of
the same obstruction, and thus cut of! communi-
cation between the steam-yacht and her boat.

Inez, who was left alone on the Seamew, took
up a position, revolver in hand, by which she
could command the entire scene, and anxiously
awaited developments.

Presently she uttered a satisfied exclamation.

The Ghost’s boat, after a hesitating pause

" upon perceiving the countering tactics that

were being made manifest, at length continued
her course for the shallowing ledge. on which
the tide-water was by this time less than ankle
deep; while the innace, upon her part skimmed
away toward t e steamer, which, if all went
well, would ere long experience such a disabling

' ' torpedoshock under her sternpost as would put

an end to her seavgoing dreams indefinite] .
It was’nn intensely dramatic and exciting sit-

 uation, especially for the on-looking Inez.

Her eyes were still following the pinnace,

" when Ensco’s shout of warning almost under
‘ the

acht’s rail caused her to hurry thither
andkook over, though crouching behind the bul-
war

The water had entirely receded from the reef,
and both Gaff and Jones were diggingin the
sand as if for dear life, while the detective, his
feet still washed by the retreating waves, was
standing guard over them and holding of! the

V 'Ghost’s boat, now but a cable’s length away,

revolver in hand.
.Itwas Juan Martez himselfwhowas at the

bow.
Inez could plainly distinguish the d rate
ness of his wild face in the moonlight, his
k e es ablaze with reckless domination
the rud y arrow standing out on his check as if

“Once more, Juan Mai-tea,” called out the

 

~detective, “ I warn you to stand ofl, ifyou have "

to the teeth.

Though taken aback somewhat, the detective
fired on the instant, bringing one of the men
heavily down over the gunwale; but as the boat
bounded forward, a second attempt, with equal-
ly fatal intention, was a miss—fire.

Juan burst into his hoarse laugh again, and
with his revolver, drew a point-blank bead upon
the Harbor Detective’s heart at less than six re-
maining yards.

Inez uttered a scream, and, leveling her small
revolver, fired almost at random.

J uan’s pistol-hand fell helpless to his side with
a broken wrist.

But at that instant the boat grounded high up
on the reef.

Followed pell-mell by his three remaining fol—
lowers, Juan, with his revolver in his left hand,
was out in 9. tries. and, while the detective was
suddenly beset by odds, the young Honduran
made a desperate attack upon Gafl.’ and J ones,
who had 'ust succeeded in unearthing a steel-
bound cas at, about a foot square, whose bur—
nished hoops or guards glistened brightly in the
moonlight.

It was the jewel—chest, and for a moment
there was a wild and desperate struggle for its
possession.

But Inez succeeded in getting in another shot,
that dashed aside J uan’s revolver just as it was
pressed against Gail‘s ear, causing the shot to
explode harmless! ; and this enabled both Get}!
and Jones to fig t with their spades, while the
second of the two armed men, who had so sud-
denly sprun into view, staggered back, with
an ounce—bal from the detective’s six-shooter in
his side.

Almost at the same time, however, a second
left-handed essay on the part of Juan was suc-
cessful, and Jones was down on his hands and
knees, directly over the treasure-box, with the
blood Spurting over it from a deep wound in the
shoulder.

Then Gaff began to play his‘ spade u on the
detective’s two remaining assailants, wh is both
Eusco and Juan simultaneously grasped the
chest at either end.

“ Hold onto it, Douglass l” screamed Inez, half-
beside herself with excitement, and she was al-
ready half over the yacht’s side. “ I». am com-
ing to your aid 1”

he then lost her footing and pitched forward,
fallin partly in the water and part1 on the
sand, ut none the less firing her revo ver once
more as she went down.

Juan started back, dropping his end of the
chest, and uttering a soar of pain while press-
ing his hand to his side, where the bullet had
glanced from a rib after inflicting a dangerous
flesh wound. -

The next instant the detective had sprun
upon him like a , er, while Inez, who he

uickly scrambled to er feet, grasped the chest,
agged it from under Jones’s prostrate form,
and then, a final exertion of all her strength,
lifted it up in her arms, and hoisted it up over
the rail upon the Seamew’s deck. ‘

Just then, however, Ensco unfortunately
mapped a random ‘ blow from an oar in the
hands of one of his original‘assailants, and stag-
gered back, relinquishing his grasp upon Juan.

Here there came the sound of firing, mingled
with furious cries in a woman’s voice, from the
direction of the steam-launch.

“ Ali’s lost !" cried Juan, after giving one wild
look. " Quick, there, you two.”

And he forthwith scrambled back into the
boat, after pushing her 011'.

 

CHAPTER XLI.
“LAST SCENE or ALL."

Gm had also been momentarilybeaten back,
so that his two opponents were enabled, though
both were bruised and bleeding, to obey their
young master’s order.

In another moment the boat was hurriedly
rounding out, to return to the Ghost, With Juan
and his two remaining ruffians on board, and
the form of the dead one still hanging limply
over the gunwale.

The roof had been held, and the treasure-chest
was wonl

Ensco sent a last bullet after the boat, which
caused the strokeoarsman to thr0w up his
hands with a yell, and then turned to clasp Inez
in his arms, regardless of the fact that Gaff was
looking on. ‘

“Noble woman! but for you weshould have
been overpowered,” was all he could say.

Then, Inez assisting J ones was helped up over
the yacht’a side, and all were once more on the
Seamew’s deck, with the dearly-bought treasure
at their feet; '

\

 

mt ‘
,.

 

“I’m “9"” Pafofll‘ffiofd mr-Hyins‘.

  

f‘ I {,eel better already. How is the pinnace do-
In ‘ .

ut Inez insisted on ministerin to his hurt
then and there, though occasiona y looking u
to follow the eyes of Ensco and Gaff, whic
were directed to the exciting scene going on in
the vicinity of the Ghost.

This may be briefly described.
The pinnace had come to a
rectly under her counter, and in 0 was crouch-
ing behind a heavy plank which e had raised
as a shield against a succession of shots that
were being poured out rnd down from over the
steamer’s taffrail by the Senora and her remain-
ing crew, four in number, she herself being con—
s icuous by her fierce cries, while Dago and

tarlight, somewhat similarly protected by a
raised plank, were managing the boat to the
best of their ability, and Occasionally responding
with a shot or two.

At length Juan and his two men were seen to
reach and be helped up over the Ghost’s side.

At that same moment, however, the Seamew’s
pinnace, caught a fortunate pull in her sail,
and was seen to dart under the overhang of the
Ghost’s stern.

Then there was a second pause, during which
Mingo was dimly seen to reach out toward the
stem-post with something dark and heavy in
his hands.

He was cmpt -hand a moment later, when the
pinnace sheere oif and was away again, like a.
storm-bird on the wing. ,

The senora, with the tempestuous hood of her
midnight hair streaming in the wmd, was seen
to wave her followers to the opposite side of the
poop for a resumption of the firing upon the fly-
ing pinnace. ‘

Then there was a flash under the steam-
yacht’s counter, followed by an explosion.

The entire stern seemed to be hurled high in
the air, and the sea was torn piecemeal in its
vicinity.

“ Heavens!" exclaimed Ensco; “that is more
than we intended. See! instead of merely the
rudder and the screw, half the entire stem is
ripped out of her.”

And Gaff and he at once began hoisting the
anchor and getting the Seamew under way.

“ Oh, it is worse than that i" cried Inez who
had by this time succeeded in making Jones a
good-deal more comfortable. “ Look! the
Ghost is on fire!”

This was true.

By the time the Seamew had rounded out
from between the reefs and taken her pinnace
and crew on board, domes were darting out
from many parts of the steam-yacht. _

" That’s the last of her 1” shouted the detective.
“ Lay up as close as possible, Dago. There’s yet
a chance of our savin some one, and Juan and
his mother may yet ta e to the small boat.”

This was accordingly done, though thepaptain
shook his head, and the pinnace was again made

use almost di-

read .

Bu’t the Ghost must have had a magazine con-
tainin considerable material,_ for a moment
later t ere was a terrific exploswn from some-
where amidships, and she seemed to be literally
torn in halves engthwise. ' _ \

The darkness was sown w1th flying fragments
of burning material, inte rsed with heavier
(ggjects, probably the mutilated forms of human

in

Orig: of these fell with a dull splash close under
the bow of the Seamew.

It was the dead body of Juan Martez, the elder
of the demon-twins.

,It floated fora moment, with its blackened, .

distorted face, still bearing a sort of defiant men-
ace in death, and was then borne rapidly away
by the tail—end of the ebbtide.

Inez had seen it, and she fell on her knees be-
hind the rail. burying her face in her hands.

A shout of mingled satisfaction and horror
from her companions caused her to raise her
head and look again in obedience to a species of
fascination.

The last reco izable fragment of thevdoomcd
steam-yacht, w ich comprised the greater part
of her after cabin, wreathed in- flames, was drift-
in out to soa.

its fiery center‘was the terrible Senorina , -
Zarapatta, twined round by her pet serpents,, 4 ~ *'

awfully beautiful, ap ' llin ly defiant to the last,
her hair in the win , her _
out toward her pursueis in the attitude of an
undying curse.

There came a. fierce gust of the wind, a sort of

whirling eddy. and she disappeared in a curtain
of fire, to be known of man no more, _save as a
smoldering, rapidly fading spot, tossing afar
on the bosom of the 0011:1'111111111 tide. V

“ Terriblein life, terrible in atb!” exclaimed
Rowlock Ensoo, in a. solemn and im ve
voice. “ The world has seldom, if ever held a
more dangerous and wicked woman than she

who has gone to her frightful doom. May her .

future reward be such as is her due, no more, no
less!” '
Inezhad fainted. '
When shereoovered shown: alone in the .-
Icon of the Seamew with her lover.
The latter, while watching her restoration,
had bar-ed his right arm. , .3 
Now, catching'her glance, be. gazed r ,‘ n ; I

x;

 ‘ M". (.«.M'!“~l‘: i‘m:i~‘$"'~~ J"

 

 

arms stretched:

 

    
   
       
 

 

 

 

 
   
 
 
 
 

Rowlook, the Harbor Detective.

31'

 

upon the emblem thereon tattooed, with a satis-
fied smile that was sufficiently Significant to
her.

 

CHAPTER XLII.
CONCLUSION. _

THE murder-mystery of the yacht Seamew

was finally unraveled, though the erpetrators
of the crime were never brought to Justice in the
le a1 sense of the term. . _
O days after the tragical circumstances not
the host 5 destruction were made public, w ith
such sensational accompaniment as can be readi-
ly imagined, Vasco Martez was found .dead in
his prison-cell, the victim of a self-inflicted
wound. ‘

The suicide occasioned general surprise, as the
young man had been in his usual reckless high
5 irits up to the last that had been seen of him
a ive, and he had already secured eminent legal
defenders in the criminal hue.

But there was no longer any surprise when it
was found that he had left a written confession,
which was Speedin made public. '

In this confession he plain] stated that his
brother Juan, with five ruflian y followers, had
accomplished the murder of Captain Grant;
Marston, his second oificer and steward, to-
gether with the robbery of the jewel-treasure,
:and that the senorina had directly instigated
the crime. . i

There was yet other matter embodied in the
confession, the nature of which is not relevant.

It seemed that Vasco had really lost heart com-
pletely, on being informed of the terrible

.doom that had overtaken his mother and

brother, and had then predetermined his suicide,

.even while keeping up an outward show of

bravado and high spirits. I

Inez and Ensco were married on the Fourth of
July following. I _

They are now traveling in Europe, accom-
panied by Mrs. Delorme, who, 1D. the sunshine of
rehabilitated fortunes and a tender daughter’s
love, is once more knowing something of happi»
ness and joy. ‘

The gallant Seamew and her crew—including
Sailor Jones, who speedily recovered from his
weimd; Mingo, whose giant strength is still the
wonder of harbor and river men and little Star-
light, whose future is secure if Inez and Ensco
can make it so—are yet here and there in New
York waters, awaiting for whatever orders may
be forthcoming from Skipper Inez, as honest
John Dago insists in speaking of the Froprietress.

The origin of the strange steam- aunch, that
has figured so prominently throughout our story,
has never been determined, and she carried the
secret to her grave. _ ' I

Negotiations are still geing on for the discov-
ery of the original owners of the contents of the
jewel-chest, but without much success; and the
probability is that the gems—said to be worth a

v uarter of a million—will ultimately bedeclared

t e To of Inez.
Bgt t are is one heirloom that will doubtless

I 'be treasured as a strange and valuable curiosity

by both Ensco and his wife. _ _ '

It is a. diamond-girt sagfihire, in unique setting.
and the poison-secret Of e tiny blade that 13 its
occult property must ever remain a souvenir of
the perils and escapes that were hazarded in or-
der to bring its companion-jewels of the stolen
casket to light, When the fair young girl herself
became the fairest gem in the reward vouchsafed
to Rowlock Ensco, the whilom Harbor Detective.

 

Beadle’s _D_irpe Library.

   
  
  

2 THE DARE-DEVIL. y Col. P. In raham
8 KIT CARSON, JR. By Buckskin m
4 THE KIDNAPPER. ByaPhilig S. Warn
.5 THE FIRE FIENDs. y A. . Morris.  .
6 WILDCAT BOB. By Edward L. Wheeler.
7 DEATH-NOTCH. TIIE DEsTROYER. 011 GOOD}
8 THE HEADLEss HoRsEMAN. By Mayne Reid...
9 HANDY ANDY. By Samuel Lover. .   1
10 VIDOCQ, THE FRENCH POLICE SPY. B himself. 10c
11 MmsHIPMAN EASY. By Capt. Marya t . . 10
12 THE DEATH-SHOT. B Capt. Mayne Reid.
‘18 PATHAWAY. By Dr. . H. Robinson.  ‘ , 10c
14 THAYENDANECEA, THE SCOURGE. Ned Buntlme. 10c

  

YER. B GustaveAJmard.... . 00

l5 T“ Wfissilifimn. By Ned Buntli'ne. .. .. 10c

' 17 NIonTsnADE. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. .. .. 10c
16 THE SEA BANDIT. By Ned Bunthne.. . 10c

19 RED CEDAR. By Gustave Aimard . . . . . . . . . .  100
20 THE BANDIT AT BAY. By Gustave Aimard... 10c
21 THETRAPPEn’s DAUGHTER. GilstaveAimard . 10c
22 WmTELAw. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. .. .10c
23 THEE-ID WARRIOR. By Ned Buntline . . . . . .. 100

‘24 THE PRAIRIE FLOWER. By Gustave Aimardl 10c

25 Tan GOLD GUIDE. By Francis Johnson ..... ... 10¢
‘35 T“ D . Francis Johnson . . 10c

29 TIGEEDICK. THE FARO KING. P. s. a e...100
30, GOSPEL GEORGE. By ngph E. Haggai-fir .. 10°
81 THE Niw YORK SHARP. yAlbert .Aikenu 100
mBHomorlALE. ByJolmD.Vose' . . . . . ... 10c
330mm. ByAlbenW.A1ken . . . . ...10c
34 ROCKY MOUNTAIN Ros. By Albert W. Aiken. 10c
35 KKNTUCK, THE SPORT. By Albert W. Aiken. 10c
an INJUN DICK. ByAlbei-t W. Aiken  ..... .... 10c
37 Km. Tin Harmon. ByJ.H. Robinson....10c

.

 

‘40 THE LONG HAIRED ‘ PARDs.‘

 

.158 THE DOOMED 1.10an. By

 

164 THE KING’S I. By C. D. Clark

88 VELVET HAND. By Albert W. Aiken.  . .. 100
39 THE RussIAN SPY. By Frederick Whittaker. 100
E. Badger, Jr.. 100
41 COLD DAN. By Albert W. Aiken. . . . . . . . . . .. 10c
42 THE CALIFORNIA DETECTIVE. A. W. Aiken. . .. 10c
43 DAKOTA DAN. By Oil Coomes . .  ..
44 OLD DAN RACKBACK. By 011 Coomes. , . .
45 OLD BULL’s EYE. Bv Jos. E. Badger, Jr
46 BOWIE-KNIEE BEN. y 01] Coonies .
47 PACIFIC PETE. BV Jos E. Badger, Jr
48 IDAHO TOM. By Oil Coomes.
49 THE WOLF DEMON. Byi Albert W. Aiken.
50 JACK RABBIT. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr . .
51 RED Ron, THE BOY ROAD-AGENT. Oll Coomes.. 100
52 DEATH TRAILER. By Wm. F. Cody . . . . . . . . . . .. 10c
53 SILVER SAM. By Col. Deiie Sara . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 10c
54 ALWAYS ON HAND. Bv Philip S. Warne . . . . .. 100
55 THE SCALP HUNTER-i. B Ca t. Ma no Reid... 10c
56 THE INDIAN MAZEPPA. _ VA ertV . Aiken... 10c
57 THE SILENT HUNTER. By Percy B. St. John... 100
58 SILVER KNIFE. By Dr. J. H. obinson . . . . . .. 10c
59 THE MAN FROM TEXAS. By Albert W. Aiken. 100
60 WIDE AWAKE. By Frank Dumont . . . . . . . . .  100
61 CAPTAIN SEAWAIE. B Ned Buntline . . . . . . . . .. 10c
62 LOYAL HEART. By ustave Aimard,.  . . .. 10(-
63 THE WINGED WHALE. By Albert W. Aiken.... 100
64 DOUBLE SIGHT. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. .. . . ,.
65 THE RED RAJAH. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. 10c
66 THE SPECTER BARQUE. By Ca t. Mayne Reid... 10c
67 THE BOY JOCKEY. By Josep i E. Badger, Jr... 100
68 THE FIGHTING TRAPPER. By J. F. C. Adams. 10c
69 THE IRISH CAETAIN. B Capt. F. Whittaker. 100
70 HYDRAEAD. y Dr. J. , . Robinson . . . . . . . . .. 10c
71 CAPTAIN COOL BLADE. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.. 10c
72 THE PHANTOM HAND. By Albert W. Aiken. . 100
73 THE KNIGHT OF THE RED CRoss. By Dr. J.

H. Robinson . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . ... 100
74 CAPTAIN OF THE RIFLES. Capt. Mayne Reid. 100
75 GENTLEMAN GEORGE. By Albert W. Aiken... 10c
76 THE %UEEN’S MUsKETEERs. By Geo. Albany. 100
77 THE DESK OF FRISCO. By Albert W. Aiken.. 10c
78 THE MYSTERIOUS SPY. By A. M. Grainger.. .. 10c
79 JOE PHENIX; By Albert W. Aiken ..  10c
80 A MAN OE NERVE. By Philip S. Warne .... .. 10c
81 THE HUMAN TIGER. By Albert W. Aiken. 10c
82 IRON WRIST. By 001. Thomas H. Monstery.. 100
83 GOLD BULLET SPORT. By Buffalo Bill .. . ..
84 HUNTED DOWN. By Albert W. Aiken  ., 10c
85 THE CRETAN ROVER. By Col. P. Ingraham  100
86 THE BIG HUNTER. Author of 5‘Silent Hunter." 10c
87 THE SCARLET CAPTAIN. By Col. Delle Sara... .. 100

     
  
  

 

88 BIG GEORGE. By Jose h .Bad or, Jr . . . . . .. 10c
80 THE PIRATE PRINCE. v Col. P. ngraham.. .. 10c
90 WILD WILL. By Buckskin Sam . . . . . . . . . . . .. 10c
91 THE WINNING OAR. By Albert W. Aiken. .. 10c

92 BUFFALO BILL. By Major Dangerfield Burr .. 10c
93 CAPTAIN DICK TALBOT. By Albert W. Aiken. 10c
94 FREELANCE, THE BUCCANEER. By Inzrahain . 100
95 AzHORT, THE AKMAN. By Anthony P. Morris. 10c
96 DOUBLE DEATH. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. 10c

 

 

97 Dawn: JACK. By Albert W. Aiken . . , 10c
98 THE ROCK RIDER. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 10c
99 THE GIANT RIULEMAN. By Oil Coomes . . 10c
100 THE FRENCH SPY. Morri 0c

13 A. P. s . . . . . . ..7 1
101 THE MAN FROM NEW Hoax. By A. W. Aiken. 100
102 THE MASKED BAND. By George L. Aiken .. 10c
108 MERLE. THE MUTINEER. Col. P. Ingraham.. Inc
104 MONTEZUMA, TEE MERCILEss. By Ingraham. 10c
105 DAN BROWN or DENVER. B Jos. E. Badger.. 10c
106 SHAMUE O’BRIEN. By Col. elle Sara . .  10c
107 RICHARD TALBOT 0F CINNABAR. BV Aiken. .. 100
108 THE DUKE or DIAMONDs. By Fred.Wliittaker. 100
109 G Am KYD. By Col. Prentiss Ingrath . 100
110 SILENT RIFLEMAN Bv H. W. Herbert . 10c
111 THE SMUGGLER CAPTAIN. By Ned Buntline.. 10c
112 JOE PHEN‘IX, PRIVATE DETECTIVE. By Aiken. 100
113 THE SEA SLIPPER. By Prof. J. H. Ingraham. 10c
111 THE GENTLEMAN FROM PIKE. By P. S. Warns 10c
115 THE SEVERED HEAD. Bv Cant. F.Whittaker. 10c
116 BLACK PLUME. THE DEVILOE THE SEA. By Col.
P. Ingraham  .. .. .. 100
117 DAsHINo DANDY. By Major Dangerfield Burr. 10c
118 THE BURGLAR CAPTAIN. By J. H. Ingraham. 100
119 ALABAMA JOE. By Joseph E. Bad er, Jr.... 100
120 THE TEKAN SPY. By Newton M. rtis. . 10c
121 THE SEA CADET. Bv Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 10c
122 SAUL SABEERDAY. By Ned Buntliue  . 10c
128 ALAPAHA, THE SQUAW. By Francis Johnson. 10c
124 AssOWAUM. THE AVENGE'R. Francis Johnson. 10c
125 THE BLACKsMITH OUTLAW. By H. Ainsworth. 100
126 TREDEMON DUELIsT. By 001. T. H. Monstery. 100
127 SOL SCOTT. THE MAsKED MINER. By Badger. 10c
128 THE CHEVALIER CORsAIR. By the author of
“Merle, the Mutineer," . .
129 MississIPrI Moss. By‘Edward Willett. .  10c
130 CAPTAIN VOLCANO. By Albert W. Aiken. .. .. 10c
131 BUCKsKIN SAM. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.. 100
132 NEMo. KING on THE TRAMPs. By Capt. Fred.
Whittaker... .. ..  ... 10c
133 BODY, THE ROVER By William Carleton... 10c
134 DARKIE DAN. By 001. Prentiss Ingraham. 10c
135 THE BUSH RANGER. By Francis Johnson... 100
1315 THE OUTLAW-HUNTER. By Francis Johnson. 10c
137 LONG BEARD, THE GIANT SPY. By 011 Coomes. 100
138 THE BORDER BANDITs. By Francis Johnson. No
139 FIRE-EYE, THE SEA HYENA. By Ingraham 100
140 THE THREE SPANIARDs. By George Walker.. 100
141 EQUINOX TOM. By Joseph E. Badger, r.... 100
142 CAPTAIN CRIMsON. By Major Dan erflel Burr 10c
143 THE CzAR‘s SPY. By Thos. H. onstery.... 10c
144 HUNOIIDACK or NOTRE-DAME. Victor Hug
145 PIsTOL PARDs. By Wm. R. E ster . .
140 THE DOCTOR DETECTIVE. By eorge Lemuel 10c
147 GOLD SPUR. By Col. Prentiss lngraham. .. 013
148 ONE-ARMED ALE. Coomes . 100
149 THE BORDER RIFLES. By Gustave Aimard.. 10c
150 EL RUDIO BRAVO, THE INC on THE SWORD-
MEN. By 001. Thomas Bayer Monstery. .. . 100
151 THE FREEBOOTERs. B ustave Aimard.... 10c
152 CAPTAIN IRONNERVE. , v Marmaduke Dey . 100
153 THE WHITE SOALPER. By Gustave Aimard. 10c
154 JOAQUIN,THE SADDLE KING. ByJ. E. Badger. me
155 THE COEsAIR QUEEN. By 001. P. Ingraham. 100
156 VELVET FACE. By Major Dangerfield Burr. 100
157 MOURAD THE MAMELUKE. By Col. Thomas

Hoyer Monste . . . . . .. . 10c
Dr. Frank Powell... 10c
By Ca t. Fred’k Whittaker.. 100

  

159 BED RUDIOER.

1110 Son HAND. SHARP. William R. sten. 10c
161 THE WOLVES or NEW YORK. A.W. iken. 10c
62 MAD MARINER. By 001. . Ingraham . 100

158 BIN BRION, THE TRAer CAPTAIN; or RED-
PATH. THE AVENEER. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. 

{r I ,. I I r.

 

' :

 

 

‘ivm - .. I

165 JOAQUIN, THE TERRIBLE. By Jos. E. Badger. 10c
166 OWLET, THE RosDER PRINCE. By Septimus
R.Urban   ..  10c
167 THE MAN or STEEL. B A. P. Morris. . .. Inc
168 WILD BILL, THE PISTOL EAD SHOT. By Col.
Pi-entissln chem. .   
169 CORPORAL ANNON. By Col. Monstery . . . . .. 10c
170 SWEET WILLIAM. By Jos. E. Badger, JI-  10c
171 TIGER DICK. THE MAN on THE IRON HEART.
By Philip S. Wame. . .
172 THE BLACK PIRATE. By Col. Ingrnliam.
173 CALIFORNIA JOHN. B Albert W. Aiken.. ..
174 PHANTOM KNIGHTs.  Capt. F. Whittake ..
‘ARU.

  

 

175 WILD BILL’s TRUMP By Major BuiT. 10c
176 LADY JAGUAR. By Capt.MaI-k Wilton. .. ICC
177 DON DIABLO. By Col. Prentiss lngra‘ham. 100

178 DARK Dasnw con. By Major S. S. Hall. .. 100
179 CONRAD, THE CONVICT. Prof. S. Gildersleeve, 10c
180 OLD ’49. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.. , 1
181 THE SCARLET SCHOONER. By Col. Ingrah
182 HANDS UP. 
183 GILBERT, THE IDE. By C. Dunning Clark. 10c
184 THE OCEAN VAMPIRE. By Col. P. Ingraham. 10c
185 MAN SPIDER. By A. P. Morris ..  .. 100
186 THE BLACK BRAVO. By Buckskin Sam. .  10c
187 THE DEATH‘s-HEAD CUIRAssIEEs. Whittaker. 100
188 PHANTOM MAzEPPA. Major Dangeifleld Burr. 10c
189 WILD BILL’s GOLD TRAIL. By P. Ingraham. [Do
190 THE THREE GUARDsMEN. By Alex. Dumas.. 100
191 THE TERRIBLE TONKAWAY. By Buckskin Sam. 10c
192 THE LIGHTNING SPORT. By Wm. B. Eyster. 10c
193 THE MAN IN RED. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 100
194 DON SOMBRERO By Captain Mark Wilton . 10c
195 THE LONESTAR GAMELEII. B Buckskin Sam. 100
196 LA’ MARMosET. BV Albert . Aiken...  me
197 REVOLVER ROB. By Joseph E. Badger. Jr... 100
198 THE SKELETON SCIIOONEII. By P. Ingraham. 10c
199 DIAMOND DICK. By Buckskin Sam. .. . '
200 THE RIFLE RANGERS. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 10c
201 THE PIRATE on THE PLACERs. B Badger. 10c.
202 CACTUS JACK. By Captain Mark 1 "ilton.... 100
203 THE DOUBLE DETECTIVE. By A. W. Aiken.. 10c
204 BIG FOOT WALLACE. By Buckskin Sam.  10c
205 THE Cinema PIRATE. By (‘01. P.1ngi‘aham. 10c
206 ONE EYE. THE CANNONEER._ By \\‘liittaker.. 10c
20? OLD HARD HEAD. .1! Philip S.Wdrne...  100
208 Tim WHITE CHIEF. y Ca t. Mayne Reid. 1013
209 BUCK FARLEY. IyEdwar Willem... 
210 BUCCANEER BESS. By Prentiss Inciahnm... 10c
211 THE UNKNOWN SPORT I‘y Capt. Whittaker. 10c '
2 2 THE BRAzos TIGERS By Buc skin Sam. . 100
213 THE AR TRAIL. By Captain‘Mayne Reid. 100'
214 THE Two COOL SPORTs. B Vim. R. Eyster. 10c
215 Rumor: JIM. By Captain
216 THE CORSAIR PLANTER. By (‘01. Ineraham. 10c ’
217 THE SERDENT or EL PAso By Buckskin Sam. 100
218 THE-WILD HUNTREss. By Capt.liiayne Reid. 1110
219 THE SCORPION BROTHERs. B Us I. Wilton. ICC
220 THE SPECTER YACHT. By (.0 . P. graham. 10c
221 DESPERATE DUKE. By Buckskin Sam. 100
222 BILL. THE BLIzzARD.
223 CANYON DAVE. By Ca Iain Mark Wilton  100
224 BLACK BEARD. By CO . Prentiss Ingraham.. 10c
225 ROCKY MOUNTAIN AL. By Buckskin  10c
220 MAD HussARs.
227 BncKsnoT BEN. aptain Mark Wilton. 100
228 THE MAROON. By apt. Maylilie Reid ...... .. 10c r
229 CAPTAIN CUTsLEEvn. By W lam R. Eyster. 16c .
280 THE FLYING DUTCHMAN or 1880.. By Capt.
Frederick Whittaker

  

B8; Wm. B. Eyster ' 100
U

.  .. 10¢: .
231 THE Km GLOVE MINER. By Col. Ingraham. 100 , -

282 OBSON Oxx. THE MAN or IRON. By Isaac
Hawks, Ex-Detective  .   me

233  OLDJ BOY or TOMBBTONE. By Joseph E.

a Ker, r. . ..   
234 THE HUNTERs’ BEAM. 13 Capt. Mayne Reid. 100
235 BED LIGHTNING, THE AN on CHANCE. By
ColonelPrentiss Ingraham... ..... . . . . . .. 10c
236 CHAMPION SAM. By Col. Thos. H. Monster-y. 101:
237 LONG-HAIRED MAX. B Capt. Mark Wilton. 100
2‘18 HANK ROUND. By A. .Mori'is.. . ..  100
239 THE TERRIBLE TRIO. By Buckskin Sam. . .. ' 100
210 A COOL HEAD. B Isaac Hawks. .. 100

241 SPITF‘IRE SAUL. Jos. E. Badger Jr.::::'.. me
242 THE FOG DEVIL. y Capt. Fred. Whittaker. $3
243 THE PILGRIM SHARP. B Buffalo Bill ..... .. I '

244 MERCILEss MART. By uckskin Sam. .... .. 10c
215 FARRANCA FILL. By Cagt. Mark Wilton 10c,
246 QUEEN HELEN. BV Col. rentiss Ingraham. 100',
247 ALLIGATOR IKE. . Capt. Fred. Whittaker. 10c
248 MONTANA NAT. By Edward Willett. . . 10::
219 ELEPHANT TOM. By Jos. E. Badger. Jr.. . .
250 THE ROUGH RIDERS. By Buckskin Sam. .. ‘
251 TIGER DICK vs. IRON DEsrARD. By Warns.
252 THE WALL STREET BLOOD. By A. W. Aiken.
258 AYANKEE COSEACKL By Ca t. F. Whittaker.
254 GIANT JAKE. By Newton .Cui'tis. .  1
255 THE PIRATE PRIEsT. By Col. P. Ingraham.
256 DOUBLE DAN. THE DAsTARD. Buckskin Sam.
257 DEATH-TRAP DIGGINGs. Iiy Jos. E..Badgor.
258 BULLET HEAD. By Ca tam Mark Wilton. 
259 CUTLAss AND CRoss. y Col. P. Ingraham.
260 THE MAsKED MYSTERY. By A. P. Morris. ..
261 BLACK SAM. By Colonel JO Yards .......... . .
202 FIGHTING TOM. By Col. T. H. Monste 
263 IRON'ARMED ADE. By Capt. Mark “‘1 ton...
204 THE CROOKED THREE. B Buckskin Sam...
265 OLD DOUBLE-SWORD. By a t. F. Whittaker.
266 LEOPARD LUKE. By Capta in Mark Wiltonu. 1
267 THE WHITE SQUAW. y Capt. Mayne Reid.
268 MAGIC MIKE. By W 1am R. Evster . . . . . .. 1
269 THE BAYOU BRAvO. By Buckskin Sam ..
270 ANDRos. THE FREE ROVER. B Ned Buntline.
271 STONEEIST, OE BIG NUCOET END. By Ca .
MarkWilton..... .. ..  
272 SETH SLOCUM. By Ca tam Fred. Whittaker.
273 MOUNTAIN MosE. ckskin Sam.. ,.
274 FLUSH FRED. By E ward Willett.. .
275 THE SMUGGLER CUTTER. BVJ. D. Oonro ..
276 TEXAs CHICK. Bv Captain Mark Wilton.... 10o
277 THE SAUCY JANE, PRIvAmn. By Capt. Fred. ’~
Whittaker.  . ..  . . . . . ..
278 HERCULEs GOLDst By 011%. H. Holmes,
9279 THE GOLD-DRAGON. By Wm. .Manning
280 BLACK-Hose BEN. Philip S.  .

  

101:
106
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100
100
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100
100
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100
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106
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106
10c
100
100
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2

1 inc

1281 THE SEA Om... By 01. Prentiss Ingrahmn. 10c-7 >

A new mac wary Wednesday“,

Beadle" Dime Library .is for sale by all.
Newsdealers. ten cents per copy, or sent by mii on
receipt of twelve cents each. BEADLE & ADM
Publishers, 98 William street, New York. . . ,.

red. Whittaker. 100 f I

By Edward wniettfi.‘ 10c 7

ByBCagtain Fred. Whittaker. 10c - .

I

l

  
  
   
     
  

.' ~ . ~  .1 "'1"
; *. ,., ,. I

.J W WY '2"

'.. ts _ . let-uni 

B'EADLE’saeDIMEaeflBRARY.

Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers.

 

AA

BY COL. PREN’I‘ISS INGBAHAM.

2 The Dare Devil; or, The Winged Sea Witch.

85 The Cretan Rover; or, Zuieikah the Beautiful.

89 The Pirate Prince; or. The Queen ‘of the Isle.

94 Freelance. the Buccaneer.

103 Merle, the Mutineer; or. The Red Anchor Brand.
104 Montezuma. the Merciless.

109 CaptainKyd. the King of the Black Flag.

110 Black Plume; or. The Sorceress of Hell Gate.
121 The Sea Cadet; or, The Rover of the Rigoletts.
128 The Chevalier Corsair; or The Heritage.
131 Buckskin Sam. the Texas Trailer.
184 Darkey Dan, the Colored Detective.
189 Fire E e; or. The Bride of a Buccaneer.
147 Gold pur. the Gentleman from Texas.
155 The Corsair Queen: or. The Gypsies of the Sea.
162 The Mad Mariner; or. Dishonored and Disowned
168 Wild Bill. the Pistol Dead Shot.
172 Black Pirate; or. The Golden Fetters Mystery.
177 Don Diablo, the Planter-Corsair.
181 The Scarlet Schooner; or. The Sea Nemesis.
184 The Ocea I Van: ire- or. The Castle Heiress.
189 -\'ild Bill‘s Gold rail; or, The Desp::rate Dozen.
198 Tue Skeleton Schooner; or, The Skimmer.
205 The Glmbi'fl‘ Pirate; or. Lady of the Lagoon.
210 Buccaneer Bess. the Lioness of the Sea.
216 The Corsair Planter; or. Driven to Doom.
220 The Specter Yacht; or. A Brother‘s Crime.
224 Black Beard. - e Buccaneer.
231 The Kid Glove 'ner; or. The Magic Doctor.
1285 Red Li htning the Man of Chance.
246 ueen also, the Amazon of the Overland.
255 he Pirate Priest; or, The Gambler’s Da htet.
259 Cutlass and Cross; or, the Ghouls of the es.
281 TheSea Owl; or. The Lady Ca tain oi the Gulf.
807 The Phantom Pirate; or, The ater Wolves.
818 The Indian .succaneer; or, The Red Rovers.
8% The Gentleman Pirate; or. The Casco Harmits.
829 The League of Three; or, Bumalo Bill’s Pledge.
886 l‘he Magic Ship; or. Sandy Hook Freebooters.
841 The Sea Desperado.
846 Ocean Guerr llas; or, Phantom Midshi man.
862 Buflalo Bill‘s Grip; or Oath Bound to uster.
804 The Sea Fugitive; Or, The Queen of the Coast.
309 The Coast Corsair; or, The Siren of the Sea.
873 Sailor of Fortune; or, The Barnegat Buccaneer.
877 Afloat and Ashore; or, The Cormr Cons irator.
388 The Giant Buccaneer; or. The Wrecker itch.
893 The Convict Ca tian.

899 The New Monte 'sto.

418 The Sea Siren' or. The Fugitive Privateer.
as The Sea Sword; or. The Ocean Rivals.

480 The Fatal Frigate; or. Rivals in Love and War.
435 The One-Armed uccaneer.

446 Ocean Ogre. the Outcast Corsair.

497 The Sea nsurgent.

469 The Lieutenant Detective.

476 Bob Brent, the Buccaneer.

BY WILLIAM H. MANNING.
m This Gojld Dragoon, or, The California Blood-
oun . .

2!?! Colorado Rube. the Strong Arm of Hotspur.
885 Will Dick Turpin, the Leadville Lion.

.406 Old Baldy. the Brigadier of Buck Basin.

415 Hot Heart. the Detective Spy.

427 The 'Rivals of Montana Mill

487 Deep Duke; or. The Man of Two Lives.

442 Wild West Walt. the Mountain Veteran.

449 Bluff Burke. King of the Rocin'es.

456 Yank Yellowbird, the Tall Hustler of the Hills.
483 Gold Gauntlet. the Gulch Gladiator.

470 The Duke of Dakota.

479 Gladiator Gabe, the Samson ot Sassajack.

/

BY EDWARD WILLETT.

120 Misissippi Mose; or. a Strong Man’s Sacrifice.
209 Buck Farley, the Bonanza Prince.

C28 Bill the Blinard; or. Red Jack‘s Crime.

.248 Montana Nat, the Lion of Last Chance Camp.
074 Flash Fred, the Mississippi Sport.

m9 Flush Fred‘s Full Hand.

m8 Logger Lem; or. Life in the Pine Woods.

I ate Hemlock Hank. Tough and True.

815 Flush Fred’s Double; or, The Squatters’ League.
827 Terrapin Dick. the Wild wood Detective.
~88"! Old Gabe, the Mountain Tramp.

848 Dan Dillon. King of Crosscut.

868 The Canyon King; Or. a Price on his Head.

BY JACKSON KNOX—“ Old Hawk.”

886 Hawk Heron. the Falcon Detective.
424 Hawk Heron's Deputy.
444 The Magic Detective; or, The Hidden Band.
451 Griplock, the Rocket Detective.
402 The Circus Detective.
.167 Mainwarlng. the Salamander.
'm Dead-arm Brandt. '

n

3% Old Fork

 

BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. W. F. Cody).

52 Death-Trailer. the Chief of Scouts.

83 Gold Bullet S rt; or, Knights of the Overland.
243 The Pil rim bar ;or, The Soldier‘s Sweetheart.
304 Texas ack. the rains 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.
401 One-Armed Pard; or. Borderland Retribution.
414 Red Renard, the Indian Detective.

BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR.

28 Three-Fingered J ask, the Road-Agent.
30 Gospel George; or. Fiery Fred, the Outlaw.
40 Lou -Haired 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.
64 Double-Si ht, the, Death S at.
67 The Boy ockey; or, Honesty vs. Crookedness.
71 Captain Cool Blade; or. Mississlp iMan 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 S01 Scott, the Masked Miner.
141 Equinox Tom, the Bul‘y of Red Rock.
154 Joaquin, the Saddle King.
165 Joaquin. the Terrible.
170 Sweet William, the Trapper Detective.
180 Old ‘49; or. The Amazon of Arizona.
197 Revolver Roh‘ or, The Belle of Nugget Cam
20] Pirate of the Pincers: or. J oaquin’s Death
233 The Old Boy of Tombstone.
241 S itflre Saul, Kin of the Rustlers.
249 lephant Tom. 0 Durango.
257 Death Trap Diggings; or, A Hard Man from
'Way Back.
283 Sleek Sam, the Devil 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.
ed Lightninr. the Solitary.
331 Chispa Charla . the Gold Nugget Sport.
339 S read Eagle m, the Hercu es Hide Hunter.
345 asked Mark, the Mounted Detective.
351 Nor‘ West Nick, the Border Detective.
855 Stormy Steve, the Mad Athlete.
360 Jumping Jerry. the Gamecock from Sundown.
387 A Royal Flush; or, Dan Brown’s Big Game.
372 Captain Crisp, the Man with a Record.
879 Howling Jonathan, the Terror from Headwaters.
887 D Il‘k Durg. the Ishmael of the Hills.
896 Deadly Aim. the Duke of Derringers.
403 The Nameless Sport.
409 Rob R0 Ranch' or, The Imps of Pan Handle.
416 Monte im the Black Shee of Bismarck.
426 The Ghost Detective; or, e Spy of the Secret

ervice.
483 Laughing Leo; or, Sam's Dandy Part1.
4’18 Oklahoma Nick.
443 A Cool Hand; or, Pistol Johnny’s Picnic.
450 The Rustler Detective.
458 Dutch Dan. the Pilgrim from Spitzenberg.
466 01d Rough and Rectifieiszhe Sage of Sundown.
474 Daddy Dead-Eye, the pot of Dow Drop.

unt.

BY CAPTAIN HOWARD HOLMES.

278 Hercules Goidspur. the‘Man of the Velvet Hand.
B94 Broadcloth Burt, the Denver Dandy.

321 California Claude, the Lone Bandit.

335 Flash Dan. the Nabob; or, Blades of Bowie Bar.
840 Cool Conrad. the Dakota Detective.

847 Denver Duke. the Man with “ Sand."

352 The Desperate Dozen.

365 Keen Kennard. the Shasta Shadow.

874 Major Blister. the Sport of Two Cities.

$2 The Bonanza Band; or. Dread Don of Cool Clan.
892 The Lost Bonanza: or, The Boot of Silent Hound.
400 Captain Coldgrip; or. The New York Spotter.
407 Captain Coldgrip’s Nerve; or, Injun Nick.

413 Captain Coldg'rip in New York.

421 Father Ferret. the Frisco Shadow.

484 Lucifer Lynx, the Wonder Detective.

441 The California Sharp.

447 Volcano, the Frisco Spy.

458 Captain Coldgrip’s Long Trail.

400'Captain Coldgrip. the Detective.

468 Coldgrip in Deadwood.

480 Hawkspear, the Man with a Secret.

BY LEON LEWIS.

428'The Flying Glim; or, The Island Lure.
456'The Demon Steer.
481 The Silent Detective; or, The Bogus Nephew.

BY PERCY B. ST. JOHN.

57 The Silent Hunter.
86 The Big Hunter; or. The Queen of the Woods.

BY PHILIP S. WARNE.

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.
54 Always on Hand; or. The Foot-Hills Sport.
80 A Man of Nerve; or, Caliban the Dwarf.
114 The Gentleman from Pike.
171 Tiger Dick. the Man of the Iron Heart.
207 Old Hard Head; or. Whirlwind and his Mare.
251 Tiger Dick vs. Iron Drspard.
280 Tiger Dick’s Lone Hand.
299 Three of a Kind; or, Tiger Dick. Iron Despard,
and the Sportive Sport.
338 Jack Sands. the Boss of the Town.
359 Yellow Jack, the Mestizo.
380 Tiger Dick’s Pledge; or, e Golden Serpent.
404 Silver Sid; or, A “ Daisy ” Blufl.
431 California Kit, the Always on Hand.
472 Six Foot Si; or, The Man to “Tie To.”

BY ALBERT W. AIKEN.

27 The Spotter Detective: or. Girls of New York,
81 The New York Shar ; or. The Flash of Lightning-
33 Overland Kit; or, he ldyi of White Pine.
34 Rocky Mountain Bob. the California Outlaw.
85 Kentuck the Sport: or. Dick Talbot ol' the Mines.
36 Injun Dick; or. The Death-Shot of Shasta.
38 Velvet Hand; or. lnjun Dick's Iron Grip.
41 Gold Dan: or. The White Savage of Salt Lake.
42 The California Detective: or. The Witches of 
49 The Wolf Demon; or. The Kanawha Queen.
56 The Indian Mazeppa; or. Madmen of the Plains.
59 The Man from Texas; or. The Arkansas Outlaw.
63 The Winged Whale: or. The Red Rupert of Gulf.
72 The Phantom Hand; or The 5th Avenue Heiress.
75 Gentlemen Geor e: or. Parlor. Prison and Street.
77 The Fresh of F sco; or. The Heiress.
79 Joe Phenix, the Police Sp .
81 The Human Tiger: or. A eart of Fire.
84 Hunted Down; or, The League of Three.
91 The Winning Car: or. The Innkeeper‘s Daughter.
98 Captain Dick Talbot. King of the Road.
97 Bronze Jack. the California Thoroughbred.
101 The Man from New York. i
10! Richard Talbot. of Cinnabar.
112 Joe Phenix. Private Detective. :
180 Captain Volcano; or. The Man of Red Revolver ‘.
161 The Wolves of New York; or, Joe Phenix’s Hunt.
178 California John. the Pacific Thoroughbred.
196 La Msrmoset. the Detective Queen.
203 The Double Detective; or.The Midnight Mystery.
252 The Wall Street Blood; or. The Telegraph Girl.
82) The Genteel Spotter; or. The N. Y. Night Hawk.
849 Iron-Hearted Dink. the Gentleman Road-Agent.
854 Red Richard; 01 The Crimson Cross Brand.
363 Crowningshield. the Detective.
870 The Dusky Detective; or. Pursued to the End.
870 Black Beards: or. The Rio Grande High Horse.
881 The Gypsy Gentleman; or, Nick Fox, Detective.
384 Injun Dick, 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.
42! The Lone Hand; or, The Red River Recreants.
440 The High Horve of the Pacific.
461 The Fresh on the Rio Grande.
465 The Actor Detective.
475 Chin Chin, the Chinese Detective.

LATEST AND NEW ISSUES.

482 Ocean Tramps. By 001. P. Ingraham.

483 Flush Fred. the River Sharp. By Ed. Willett.

484 Captaiin Ready. the Red Ransomer. By Leon
Low 3.

485 Rowlock, the Harbor Detective. By Jackson
Knox. Ready February 8. -

Ka Kitten. the Northwest Detective. By

486 H. Manning. Ready February 15.

487 Sunshine Sam. a Chi of the Old Block. By
Capt. Howard Holme‘s. Ready February 29. ‘

488 The Thoroughbred yer-t. By 303. E. Badger, Jr.
Ready February . _

489 The Pirate Hunter. By Col. Prentiss Ingram
Ready March 7. I v_,

490 The Lone Hand in Texas. By Albert W. Aiken. ,1 .
Ready March 14. i

and Cutt. the Invincible Deter-Mun: By-
491 mg? St. Mex. Ready March 21. r ' 7

A. new him every Wednesday.  ~ ‘
Beadle» mme Library is for sale.
Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by
receipt of twelve cents each. ,
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