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Uaging the 'l_‘e_nTlerlnin Tigers.

BY WILLIAM G. I’ATTEN.

AUTHOR OF “THE SPARKLER SHARP.” “ AZTEC
JACK,” " THE GIANT SPORT,” “ ()Ll) TRUE
BLUE," ETC., ETC., ETf‘.

CHAPTER I.
MIDNIGHT AT ML‘RDucx‘s.

ON Sixth avenue, not far from the point ‘ , ,
where Twenty-third street crassm. there H an e ‘ ‘  2
eating saloon which, at any time during the tlav ' ‘  3 -v t ’7’"  '//,
or early evening, seems like 11 mm, respectable l ‘1  V 
place such nsa maan some Rel esteem need feel ‘ ‘  ‘ ' ~ ' r I ' v ’ 4’
no hesitation about tranizing. '

This is “ Murdock s.” '  :'- ,: .I .,
l The jsign at??? the dog‘rbiafdi 9n the glass .- ' T..--.‘.--A..,r   11L: ' ' ‘ ' . A
vamp! not on (e. a: ‘ ntnental Ladies’ nousmm‘ FACT: ‘7  A AC w x  .‘ : n ‘s ' ‘
find 900W Dininz P811011,” but for all of this s MANAZngiFD"PTl;ERWAEE; 31‘E5?1~§I;sp§ir?1‘;tg \ )m’ m “1‘

\ a .

 

 

J

.backed by his pals, he would “put up a stiff

2V - )Broadway Bob, the Rounder.

 

 

supposed-to-be high-sounding name, none of the t ‘

regular patrons of the place ever think of call-
ing it anything but “Murdoch’s.” It is doubt-
ful if one out of ten of them would know the
place meant if they were asked about the “ Con-
tincntal Dining Parlors.”

Trere are two rooms, both fronting on the ,
avenue, in one of which there is a long bar, 3
with hare tables ranged down the opposite side
from the bar. This room is supposed to be espe— .‘
(rially for the “ gents ” who frequent the place,
but sometimes, when the other room is filled to ‘
ova-flowing, a few “ ladies "may be seen sitting
at tho bare tables.

Throughout the, day the place does a moder-
ate busmess, enough, apparently, to make it
fairly prosperous. At about eleven o’clock in
the evening the rooms begin to fill up with the
(-luss of patrons to which it especially caters.
At twelve the front curtains are drawn. They
are of white stuff, and a person near the win—
(lows can easily see. through them. At one
o’clock Murdock s is in full blast.

if, by any mischance, a res ectahle couple
should happen to wander into urdock’s after
the midnight hour, it would not take them a
great while rediscover the sort of place they had
stumbled :nto. If they were miss, it uould not
take them long to get out.

In the “ ladies’ ” room a row of tables, covered
with white cloths, run down on either side. At
midnight there are as many men in this room as
there are females, and that means that every
table is surrounded.

At a glance, it would seem they were al
there for the purpose of obtaining “refresh-
me its” of some sort, but the truth is not always
discovered at a glance. The “refreshments”
served are mostly liquids, and everything is
drank at Murdock’s. Bottle Deer and Mumm’s
Extra Dry is served at the same table.

The language to be heard in the place at the
midnight hour is not particularly refined, and,
later, one may witnessa free fight or see an
unruly imbiber of intoxicants turned out upon ‘
street.

The class of women who frequent Murdock‘s
at night are nameless, and nearly all manner
of men may be Seen there. It is true the greater
number of the male patrons are of the “ shady”
sort, 'ut newspaper men, clerks and others oc-
casionally drop n of an evening and look over
the “gang.” The newspaper men are in search
of a story, the clerks coking for “ mild dis.
sipstion,” and the occasional visitor seeks ex-
citement.

It is not such a rare thing to see some of the
“ blue bloods ” of Gotham in Murdock’s.

Not far from midnight, on a certain evenin ,
a group of three men sat at the corner tab 9
furthest from the door in the " ladies’ ” room
at Murdoch’s. opened bottles of lager
were on the table before them. and their heads
were close together above their half-emptied
glasses, while they talked in low tones.

They were regular frsquenters of the place,
all of them being well-known there. Perhaps
the mo~t im rtant one of the trio was known
as “Game us,” and he had a reputation as a
nervy gambler.

Game Gus was not more than thirty years
of age and seemed to be a man of some
education. His dress, as was natural, was
rather sporty, and he wore several huge
” sparklers” which he claimed were diamonds
of the first water.

Opposite Gus sat Dave Fuller, known as
“ Dandy Dave, the Masher.” Fuller was dress-
ed in clothes of English material and make, and
wore ‘ a large white chrysanthsmum in his
buttonhole. while a shinin silk tile was nted
back on his head in a rak sh manner. a was
a dapper little fellow with a curling blonds
mustache which he caressed a good deal. all the
while casting “ killing” glances at the best-
lOoking girl in the vicinity.

The third man was'a tough. His character
was plainly evident at a glance. This was Tom
Duke, the Slugger. a person who knew the re-
cord of every prise-fighter who ever lived and
was -rsonally acclimated with a great many of
the lights of t e Squared Circle.” It was
Duke’s groaie<t desire to imitate Sullivan, and,
whenever he became intoxicated, he did so by
beating me small boy or knocking over an in-
offensive old man.

_It must not be surmised'from this that Duke
did not have any courage. He was simply a
brute h nature‘as soon as he had indulged free
ly in st mulants. Hie courage at any time was
not of the sort that produces heroes, but when

 

fight.”

He was not a handsome fellow. A huge scar
run down across his left cheek, ending at the
bulldog jaw and making him look rather repul- ,
sive; but it was said he was proud of this dis- ‘
flgurement.

The Slugger was smoking a very black and I
very vile cigar, and his stifl hat was cooked
over hisleft eye in a decidedly tough‘fashion,
which served to advertise his true character.

“ Thereiis a ‘new deal on.” cautiously declared
Game Gus. “ The police have found out they’re
not in the game with us. Byrnes never cries
quits but he’s ready to pullout.”

 

: at all.

“ Then what do you mean by saying there is a
new deal on?” asked Dandy Dave.

“ I mean there’s a new band we must look
sharp for.”

‘l  ?ll

” A irivtte.”

“ 8: LE.” sneered Tom Duke. “ W’at’s dem
fellers ’mount tar? Dey hain’t no good _on der
eart’, set-Ll Dev’rc jest fit fer chasin’ arter shop-
lifters an’ kids!”

“The usual run am so, I confess,” agreed the
sport. “ But this fellow is not of the usual run
He was on the regular force at one
time.” -

“ W’at was he fired for?” ‘

“ He wasn’t.”

“ Den why is he on his own hooks?”

“ Because he is a holy terror and there is more
money in the business to go it alone.”

“ Well, who is this wonder?” again asked
Dandy Dave.

“ Yes, let us know his name,” urged Duke.

“ It is Dan Dou‘ning.”

“ lloly Sayersl” gasped the pugilist. “ Not
dat Double~voice Daui‘

“ The very same.”

“ But I t’ought dat feller was out of it—t’ought
he’d retired fer good?”

” So he had, but he can’t give up the business.
He has returmd to his old work and says he’ll
die in harness.”

Dandy Dave drew a long breath.

“ This means trouble galore for us,” be
affirmed. “Especially if he takes it into his
head to bother with us.”

“ And that is just what he has done. He
heard how the police have failed in getting at
the gang, and so he said his first work should be
to rake us off the board. It looks to me as if the
cards were running against us.”

“ Dat’s rotl” contem tuously asserted Duke.
“ Ev’ryt’iug has bin roppin right inter our
han’s, an’ I don’t see no sign of der streak turn-
in’. Dis teller hain’t goin’ ter pinch us der fu’st
flop. an’ we kin git outer der ring w’en he makes
a r for us.”

“ may be too late then,” suggested Gus.
“He hasa way of dropping on people without
giving them warning. here must be a meeting
called, so the matter can be discussed. I’m a
dead ame sport, but I’m not playing against a
sure t ing. I know what’s good for my health.
Confinement would cause me to pine.”

“ Don’t mention itl” urged Dang? Dave, with
a fan-like wavo of one shapely ha . “ It makes
me weary to think of doing time and being shut
out from society.”

“ Shut in you mean.”

“ It’s all the same.
strange girl over there, and she’s a bent!”

“ Hang der galsl” growled the slugger.

ot somet’in’ else ter boder with
ou’re allus lookin’ arter der females. ’

“ You mean they are always looking after me;
can’t resist m charms, you know. Oh. I’m
sight]: in it wi h the ladies! They all love me

at D
“ ow look at this!” he added, straightening
up. “ What in the world has Flash Fan dropped
on? She’s coming right this way, and I swear
that is a duck she has on the atria l”

The woman whom he called lash Fan was

ildting a man toward a table near the corner.

he man was dressed like a sailor and seemed to
have been drinking freely, for his step was un-
steady and his manner hilarious.

“ We’s
. is now

 

CHAPTER 7 ii.
DETECTIVE DAN’S DISGUISI.

“ BnuY there, old gall” called. the sailor.
" Heave to and give an account of yourself.
What pormo: bound for?” ‘ l -

“Come ' g!” exclaimed Flash Fan, sharply.
“ Don’t make a show of yourself, Jacki Here’s
a seat at an em ty table.”

" Then we’ll rop anchor right here,” said he,
stumbling over Tom Duke’s outstretched foot.
“ Stickln’ barnaclesl Pull in your timbers,
motel” .

The slug or started up, wling:

“ What srblue blizssr s yer sprawlin’ over
me feet furl" '

“ Avast, there!” exclaimed the sailor. “ Stow
that ii , or I’ll—”

Flas Fan can ht his arm.

“Sit down. J ckl” she commanded. “ If you
get into a scrap here you’ll be walked all over.”

“Whatl me? Me be walked all ovorl Oh,
nol Not for Jack. If these land-lubbers try to
walk over me they’ll find they have run upon a
reefl I’ve fit my way in every country on the
face of the globe, and now I’m oin’ the second
cruise! Walk over Jacki Wa , I should be
surprised l”

“ Darn me skin!” grated the Slugger. “ I‘ll
jest hev ter give dot bloke one in der neck l”

The woman stepped between them, appealing
to Duke: -

“ Renwh‘hor 119’! with me, Old maul”

The pugillsi. hesitated. '

“ Noi’in’ also couldn’t saved him,” he finally
said, sitting down reluctantly. “ I known you,
Fara, an” I lets up till you git t’rough wid dsr
sue er. ‘

‘\.,‘A .
’ WV null-i“ \ w ‘4-

 

Bless my eyes! there’s a.

 

The woman succeeded in inducing the sailor to
sit down, which he did with his back to that of
the man with whom he had so nearly become
engaged in a fight. He allowed Fan to order,
and she took champagne. When he paid for it
be displayed a comfortable roll of hills, which
caused the eyes of the woman vampire to glitter
greedily.

Tom Duke growled a little, and. then the trio
began to discuss once more the matter they
Were talking of when the interruption came.

“ This Double-Voice Dan is a holy terror,” de-
clared Game Gus. “He‘s dead game, clean lo
the ground, and no mistake.”

“ That’s all right,” Said Dandy Dave. “ As
long as he lets us alone we don’t care how game
he is.”

“ That’s where the pinch comes. He doesn’t
propose to let us alone. We must keep our
weather eyes open for him.”

“ I’ve heard he’s slick at disguising himself.”

“ The slickest cove on top of earth.”

“ How can we make sure he’s after the gang?”

“ D’ere’s one way,” put in Duke.

“ Name it.”

“ Wal, it’s £321: ter put anodder detective ter
watch him. i” l

“ That’s a good scheme; but I don’t know
where we’ll be able to find a man to cope with
Dan Downing."

“ They’re not thick,” confessed Dandy Dave.

“ I knows der very man,” asserted Duke.

“ Who!”

“ Did yer ever hear of Bob Sleek, the Shudder
Sharp?”

Dandy shook his head, but the sport replied:

“ Yes, I have heard of him. He’s a man who
can be bought with a dollar.” ‘

“ Dat’s der kind we wants,” asseverated th
Slugger, “ He’s croolco-ll as any of ill."

“ Is he a regular dele:tiVel” asked the Masher.

“ Reg‘lur much as any of dem privates. He’s
got in: ( flies.”

“ And he had rather take a shady gob than a
square one. The result is that he has ound him—
self is more than one tight corner.”

“ But he bain’t never done time," put in Duke.
“ He's t0o sharp for (int. He allus works it so
he gits clean off, no matter w'st happens.”

“ Then he’s our min. The Tigers—”

“ ’Sh! Careful. man!” I ,

Dandy’s face flushed. . '

‘rBlowed if I hnin't getting careless!” be ad-
mitted, glhncing around.

“ You know what the penalty is!”

“ I don’t think on one overheard ms.”

Same one did. T e sailbr with Flash Fan had
overheard' nearly all that passed between the
trio, ev an though he was leaning against the
wall in a state of apparent intoxication and the
woman was talking to him at the same time.

Of a sudden. the Masher started and uttered a
low exclamation of amusement. ‘ -

“ Great Scott l" he muttered. “ What is he in
berevéor"; ' '

“ ho? asked his compsni looki around.

“ Harold St. Clair! He’imgob’s l:fvsl, you
in ow; they’re both laying for thumb girl-
old Webster’s daug ter. St. Clair never fre-
quents places of this sort. He’s one of the godd-
ies on knew."

arold St. Clair was a rather handsome fel-
low, about five feet ten inches tall, and built on
a perfect model. His manner was cool and fear-

less; his face open and frank. He was dressed;
neatly and tastin in black and carried an unor~,

namon cane.

-' Hanged if he isn’t coming right this way!”
mutter’ed the Masher. “ I believes he means to
s \.
Dandy was right. The young man came
straight down to the table where the trio sat,
nodding easily to'them.

“I beg your pardon, fiftiemen,” he said;
“ but I fancy some of you ow Robert Booth.
litigi‘n’k I have seen you in his company. an I
r s. o

i shouldn’t wonder I bit” lied Dand
Dan. something like a sneer on'himce. y

“Do you knew where I can find him!” asked
Harold. ~

" Not just now. He is to meet us here before
one o‘clock.”

“Thank you. I will wait for him.”

St. Clair ooked around and discovered a seat
at 3 "among table. Taking the chair, he sat
down, ordering a glass of seltzer from the
wait r.

“ ow I wonder what he can want of Bob?”
queried Dandy. “ I reckon there’s trouble brew-
lug.”

“ Well, we’ll have a chance to find out imme-
diately,” laughed Game Gus. “Here’s Bob,
I)

A tall, handsome fellow approached, bowing
nowand then to an acquaintance. Harold St.
Clair saw him and cross just in time to confront
him between the row of tables.

“ Mr. Booth.”

“ St. Clairl The deuce!”

Broadway Bob, the Rounder, was astonished.

“ I wish to see you on a matter of importance,” -

dcclared Harold.

Although astounded at the other’s presence,
BOlelely recovered his usual composure.

“ ell, you,can look at me!” he replied, not

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‘ Broadeay Bob, the iROundei'.

 

 

attempting to disguise the sneer in his tone and
manner.

“ Will you come outside!”

it No.”

“ You dare not 1” hotly flashed Harold.

“ You lie!”

“ And you are a contemptible coward i” 're-
torterl St. Clair, suddenly forgetting his resolu-
Cl’lfl not to make a scene and become engaged in
.a broil in that plaice.

With an cxvlamation of rage, Broadway Bob
struck straight at the face of the other, butothe
blow did not land.

Like a fl isli, Harold dodged, rapping his
enemy across the knuckles with his cane. ,

The Rounder gave a cry of mingled pain and
fury, lunging again at his nimble foe.

Fortunately, Harold was a trained athlete,
and a boxer of no mean skill. He aVoided the
rush, ~~triking out, now, will) his clinched fist,
taking Broadway 80‘.) just under the left ear
and knoeking him down insiantly.

“ By tne great John L. l” shouted Tom Duke.
“ I’m into this!”

The Slugger and his companions sprung up,
all of them trying to get at Harold. Encom-
passed by so man] loss, the young man did not
have half a show.

“ Avast there!" roared the sailor, suddenly
rising to his feet and taking a hand in the'fray.
“ If there’s any fun of this kind going, I’m ship-
ped for the cruise !"

At which he struck Duke a terrific blow, up-
setring the Slugger in u twinkling.

Game Gus wheeled and struck at the sailor.
The man dodged. but the sport’s hand swept
away Jack’s beard, which proved to be false.

A smooth-shaved, resolute face was exposed.

" Holy smoke!” gasped the gambler, in great-
est amazement. ‘_‘ It’s Double—voice Dan. the

detective I”

 

CHAPTER III.
AFTER THE PANIC.

DETECTIVE DAN it really wasl
And, as usual, he was defending the weaker

side.

Whenever Dan Downing'witnessed a fight, he
felt an irresistible desire to give the ‘ under
dog ” a helping hand. This impulse had led him
into many desperate encounters.

For a moment after Game Gus’s exclamation

there was a lull in the uproar; than somebody

yelled:

“ Down himl” »

Immediately the' women frequenters of the
place screamed in cho many of them hurry-

ing toward thedoors, whi e the most of the men
-crowded toward the point where the outbreak

had Occurred.
With a smile on his ru ed face, the detective
“ walked into” Harold S . Clair’s assailants, his

hard fists doing effective work.

Harold was surprised by the sudden appear-
ance of this unknown friend, but, finding he
was a friend indeed, as well as a friend in need,
he turned his attention to Broadway Boband

the nth era.

The Rounder, who had been so quickly knock-
ed down, was just getting upon his feet, his face
working with fury.

“ Curse you i” he grated, his eyes on Harold.

‘“ You shall pa dearly for that blow !”

“ It was a ose of your own medicine,” the
you’ng man retorted. “ You attempted to get at
me '

“ I’ll get at you now i” and the Rounder sprung

.at the man he hated.

,Harold met the attack firmly, parrying Bob‘s
blows cleverly and delivering others in return.
“Let me git at dat detective sneak!”crind
gmhlflkenzl‘); v3: tgolf-o up once more. I’ll
c m r swi '
bah” loony!” pa a feller w on he
“ Come right over and get at me,” invited
Dan, as. with his strong ri t hand, be cast
Dandy Dave aside, the Mas er’s shining tile
going to the floor to be rudely crushed beneath

the shifting feet of the mob.

Burldenly a voice cried:

“The policel They’re going to raid the
place!"

It was a trick of the ventriloquist defective.
for such Dan ing was-a ventriloquist of
remarkable skill and the deception was effect-
IVe, for with cries of alarm, the mob rushed for
the doors in that senseless manner so cu-tomary
when a panic of any kind falls on a collection of
human beings.

Their one desire seemed to be to get out—doors
at any cost, and they fought theirway to the
open air. overturning tables and chairs and up-
setting the weaker women in their foolish
frenzy.

In vain Cal Murdock. the proprietor of the
place, called to them. Thev were like a lot of
frightened cattle, deaf and blind.

With horror and rage, Murdock witnes=ed the
confusion of the panic, listenin to the thump,
thump of overturned tables, t e breaking of

losses, and the crash of the big panes in the

001's. -
"Oh the fools!” he cried. “Where is the

man w o yelledpolicel I’ll kill him!”

 

He did not have the privilege of injuring that
person. for no one seemed to know who it was.

As for Broadway Bob and his companions,
they had vanished in a sudden and most remark-
able manner.

Seeing this, Double-voice Dan caught Harold
St. Clair by the arm, saying calmly:

“ Come along, young man. We must not be
found here when the rabble is gone, unless we
are anxious to be turned Over to the police as the
Ones who caused the disturbance”

Harold said nothing, but he allowed the cool
detective to pilot him from the place, and they
worked their way out with very little difficulty.

The interior of Murdock’s looked like a wreck
when the last panic stricken visitor had fought
his way to the open air. Scarcelya table was
left upright, and the floor was covered with
broken bottles and glasses.

Murdock looked blankly at the signs of disas-
ter, fumed a little, and then set his waiters to
clearing up as swiftly as possible.

Several policemen came around and made in-
quiries. As usual, not one of them happened to
beanywhere near at the time of the trouble.
The pro rietor of the “ Continental Ladies’ and
Gents’ ining Parlors ” gave a very plauSible
explanation, refraining ,from making any
charges, and no arrests followed.

Within thirty minutes after the panic every-
thing within Mnrdock‘s looked regular and in
order, the oply signs of an unusual occurrence
being the absence of the usual crewd of patrons
and the board strips nailed over the broken glass
in the doors. a

As soon as they were outside, Double-voice
Dan turned to Harold St. Clair. .

“ Well. youn man," grimly observed the de-
tective, " you d d create a hubbubin that place,
and no mistake! ’

“ Not Il It was the fellow who yelled police.”

“ You can’t lay it onto me that way.

“ I don’t mean you; 1 mean the person who
shouted that the police were about to raid the

lace.” i

“ That was yours truly, Dan Downing.”

“ What?"

“ It is true,” assured the detective. “I am
the ventriloquist-detective, so called, and worked
thu little trick for the hundredth time, so that we
might get out with whole skins. Do you know
you run up against four of the most. dangerous
men in low-dawn Gotham when you tackled
Broadway Bob and his pals? You should have
had the good sense not to tackle them in Mur-
dock’s.”

“ I did not lntx-nd to do so. It was my pur-
pose to call Bob outside, but he would not go and
tried to srrike me.”

“ And with the assistance of his pals, he would
have done you up to the queen’s taste, had I not
chi in.” i
“ thank you for your kindness, Mr. Down-
ing. 1 bays heard of you—as who has not, in-
deed?”

“ I have been on the retired list for two years,
but I could not stand the monotony of business
life. I gave up the attempt to become a busi-
ness man and have returned to the harnesn;
Once more Double-voice Dan is on deck, and
now he romses to make it warm for the crooks
of the enderloin District. My first work is to
make a clearing up in this uestionable. quarter.”

“ That is all right, bu I want to engage

on.

Dan shook his head.

“ I am afraid I have my hands full just now.

A little later I may- -”

" Now or not at al'. You seem toknow about
Broadway Bob. I want you to shadow the
fo-llovv a hit for me.”

They—had born walking down-town, and now
turned into Fourteenth street.

“Come to my office.” said Dan. “ If that is
what you want, we will talk it over."

They walked briskly along until the detoctive’s
office was reached. ‘

“I don’t know why I am inclined to speak so
freelv with you, voung man.” confessed the Go-
It-Alone Detective. When they were within his
office. “ I am usually of a mum disposition so
far as strangers are concerned. But you scarce-
ly seem like a stranger, as I once did some work
for your father.” ~

“I trust you will be able to do this work for
me, Mr. Downing. “I have reason to believe
Bob iaa sooundrel, who is sailing under false
colors to mv injury.”

“ AM .In what way, pray?” queried the
great shnd0wer.

“ Wéll,” spoke Harold, “ we are both in love
with the same girl. and a parently, just at pre-
sent, he has the best of t, for he has told lies
about me that have placed me in shad light.
That is why I hunted him up to-night. I in—
tende to call him out and force him to no-
knowledge he had lied.”

gym is the young lady in the case, may I
as .

Harold looked Dan square in the face, and
than answered:

“ You are the first detective I ever saw who
seemed like a gentlemah, and so I am willing to
toll on.”

" y dear boy,” smiled the inquisitor, “ de-
tectives may have the instinct of gentlemen,

 

but their business may make it necessa for
them to appear like almost anything else. me.
times We are not able to be gentlemen, eVen
though we would like to. Do you see?”

“ I suppose that is true. The young lady is
the daughter of a Wall street broker, Mr. Calvin
lVebstei'.”

Dan started.

“ Do you know the man?” asked Harold.

“ I have heard of him,” was the non-commit-
tal reply. “ So you want me to obtain some
evidence against Broadway Bob — something
that will show him up in his true light?”

“If he is what I suspect him to be, a rascal,
I think Mr. Webster should know it. If he were
an honorable man, I would willingly take my
chances with him in winning Miss rma W eb-
ster. ’

" All right,” nodded the detective, “ I can
look after Robert without putting myself out
to any great extent.”

They soon decided as to terms, and then Har-
o}; departed, leaving the ferret alone in his
0 cc.

“ By Jove!” exclaimed Dan, to himself; “I
have struck business enough! I heard a little
something in Murdock’s to—ni ht that makes me
fancy I will try playing a dou le role. If it can
be worked, I may sometime be known as the
Duplex Detective. Hal hal”

 

CHAPTER 1V.
ROBERT SLEEK, “ PRIVATE DETECTIVE.”

0N Grand street, not far from Broadway,
above a certain doorway hangs a sign which
reads: ~

“ ROBERT SLEEK,
“ Private Detective.”

If the visitor enters the doorway he will find
himself confronted by a flight of unstead and
dirty stairs. Ascending these, he finds h mself
at Mr. Sleek’s door.

The room which serves Mr. Sleek as an office
is small, dingy, dustyvand cobwehby. There is
but one window, and the glass of that is any-
thing but clean. Near the window is an old
flat—top table, on which sits an “ O. N. 1‘."
thread— 1, such as is used by many retail mer-
chants in country towns to hold their entire
stock of thread. There are several drawers in
the box, which serva Mr. Sleek for various pur-

s.
po’fie combined table and thread-box ' is ' the
desk used by the tenant of the little room.
Newspapers, writing-paper, pens, ink, etc., are
to be seen on the table.

in the middle of the room sits a box of dirty
mw-dust, which, as the fiOor around it plainly
indicates, serves as a cuspidore.

In one corner of the room is flung an old hat,
and a pair of worn-out shoes sit staggerineg in
another corner. .

Mr. Sleek nds the greater portion of his
with h 3 feet resting on the table that
serves as his desk while he smokes a very black
and decidedly vile clay pine, now and then rx-
pectorating over his shoulder at the cuepidore,
which he usually misses by about a foot.

This man is sleek in name only, for his up8
pearance is rather slouchy and disneputahlo.
His linen is soiled and his old4ashioned standing
collar limps sadly, having a general tired air.
His ‘ est is usually unbuttoned, some of the but-
ton-holes being burst out and some of the but-
tons having ceased to do duty on the garment.
His ocat fits him illv. his pantaloons being the
only really respectable garment about his per-

son.

Oddly enough, Mr. Sleek insists on being in
style so far as his ntaloons are contemed.
and he is careful to ave a pronounced crease
pressed in them and takes rarticular pains that
they shall not bag at the, knees. This gives him
the appearance of wearing his best trowsers
with his common coat and vest,vmaking one
suspect he has not the money to purchase an en-
tire outfit at one time.

Although Mr. Sleek may be sitting with his
lot on the table when he ears some one as-
cending the stairs. he is never detecled in lhat

attitude if the pram hnp us to enter the '

omce. Mr. Block‘s feet will found benea‘):
the table. at which their owner will be sitting,
writing as if his life depended on it.

The day following the events judt related a
finely-dressed rnd handsome young man ran
lightlv up the dirty stairs and entered Rois-rt
Sleek’s (dice, not pausing to rap or fumble at
the door. '

The “ famous private detectivp” was doubled
over his table in a most painful position.
Scratch, scratch, splatter, splatter, went the
pen that was chasing over subset of paper at
marvelous speed. If Mr. Sleek heard the visitor
enter, he did not look up at once, evidently be-
ing too busy.

“ Mr. Sleek.”

Scratch, splatter went the pen, the‘writing
having the appearance of hen's tracks.

“ Mr. Slee .” somewhat impatiently.

“In a moment, sir,” snapped the detective.
“ Awful rush. Important. ' Sit down."

The visitnr, who happened to be nonedthorr

 

 

 

s23

  

 
 

Broadway Bob, the Rounder.

 

    

than Broadway Bob, the Rounder, looked at the
one spare chair in the ronm, It was covered
with ust, and Bob did not sit dawn.

In a few moments, Robert Sleek stopped
writin , thrust his pen behind his ear and
whirl with startling suddenness toward his

Visitor. -

‘ “ Well, sir, what is it, sir?”

“ A job for you when you get down off your

high horse,” was the reply.

‘ Sir!" cried Mr. Sleek.

“There, there! don’t put on frills with me,

Sleek! I know all about you.”

“ Well, I don’t know about you, young man ”
:aaid the detective. with intended scorn. “ y
1 time is precious—”

i “ Come off i If you want to earn some money,
I will give you an opportunity. If you want to
queer yourself, just keep on trying to do the
lofty act with me. Why, you old rascal, you
haven’t had a job fora week.”

Sleek arose, his manner betraying injured

dignity.

u “ Your language is not pardouable,” he said.
o» “ However, as I have to deal with all kinds of

men, I will listen to what on have to say.”
“ Do you want to make fty dollars a week i”
, “ Fifty — dollars — a — week! Fif—flfty—”
f I Then Mr. Sleek stood gasping for breath.
" “Exactly,” nodded t e ounder.

f ' “ Say, what are you trying to work on me?”

'4 i asked the detectivs. ' A

I. “ This is business. I want to secure your

services, and I am ready to pay you fifty dollars

I a week.”

3, A “ Ah-hum!” said Sleek, regaining his com-

. ~ ‘ are with an effort, thrusting his right hand

A, - nto his pocket and jingling the three last cop-

;, ' m: hepOssossed in all the world. “ Fifty dol-

“ ‘. is somewhat below my regular rates. Sev-

i » I euty-flve dollars a week is—-”

; - Broad way Bob turned toward the door.

 r “ Good-day, Mr. Sleek.”

5“ l ' In another moment the detective had him by

 ‘ the arm.
3:. “Hold onl hold on!” he cried. “Don’t go!

“(5“ w? ' Let’s talk this matter over. Piesihly we can
" make an arrangement. Here take my chair-
sit down. Fifty dollars! Well, what do you

want me to do?”
He had urged Bob into the office chair, and he
now stood between the Rounder and the door,
as if fearing the visitor would make a break to

esca
“I? will be work; Iggbnot going to give you

 

, this money," declared
“ Of course not."
 , , “ Do you know Dan Downing?"
,1  “ Know Double-voice Dani Well, I should
" say I did i”
is ‘ What do you think of him?”
I “ Oh, he’s a fakir—no on earth! Don’t
,7 , trust him with a "job. e’ll throw you down.
 I’ve ot a record—
“ here, there; that’ll do! I know all about
’  you. You have a record that will not bear in-
“. vestigation. It's a wonder you are not doing
, time now.”
u Sir!”
. ~ , I “ Fall oi! your high horse, Sleek! This is not

the time for fooling. I have come to you be-
cause you have that shady record. Do on con-
sider iiprself, as good as Dan Downing ’

e

‘v , “ This is business. You may find yourself
. ‘pitted against him.”
.'  “ What-me—against him!”
a 'v * “ Perhaps you wouldn’t take the johl” ,
‘ . , But Sleek was ready to take anything there
was money in.

. “ Tell me just what it is on want me to do."
it , “ I want you to shadow wning—play detec-
‘ i . tive on him.”

'i’ u  x"

m ‘_  “ Will you do it?” .
5“" “ What do {on want this done tori”,

. “ Answer t e question—will you do it!"

“ For money.”

 ‘ .. " Fifty per Week!"
1' 2 "Make it sixty.” .

:: Sixt i’t’ is—nct another cent.”

“ All right. Now, on are to watch him as a
cat watches a rat. on are not to let him get
out of your sight at all. I want on to find out

J

i V all about his business and hisp ans as far as
 .- pogible. I want you to find out what kind of a
-' » case he is working on and what tra he is

setting. If he intends to make an arr ' , notify
5.,  A me w thout delay. In fact, you must keep me
> as to all he does, says and thinks. Are

: > you nod for it?”
if.» - U “ m I? Is there a man in New York good
" ‘ '1 for it! I’m that man! I have done this kind of

work more than once.”
" That is why I came to you. You will not
bebreaking the law in any we ,and on can

scoop sixty r week without a oubt. on be-
gin now. ome to me at the end of a week for
your ay.”

“ y dear sir," blandly bowed Sleek, “it is
m rule to always receive a week’s pay in

 

Vance."
V f; . Bob hesitated a moment and then he drew
'. . forth a fat pocketbook and passed over sixty

dollars to the detective.

 

l
l

 

Five minutes later, the Rounder was going to-
ward Broadway.

He did not see a man who came out of a door-
way on the op its side of the street from
Robert Sleek’s o co and crossed over, ascending
the dirty stairs.

That man was Double-voice Dan.

 

CHAPTER V.
DOUBTFUL LOVE.

IRMA WEBSTER was certainly a beautiful
girl, despite which fact, even though her father
was wealthy, she was notaspoiled child, remark-
able though the statement may seem. Irma
had inherited her father’s good sense to a great
extent, for her mother was decidedly frivolous
and vain, being one of the persistent followers
of “ society."

Had be chosen to do so, Calvin Webster could
have pointed back tnalong line of noble an-
Cestors. But he didn’t waste his time in point~
ing backward. All his attention was concen-
trated on the present and the future. Webster
was amcney- naker, being a broker in Wall
street. where it takes brains to exist and where
only the fittest survive.

Calvin Webster wns.very proud of his charm-
ing daughter. His wife had never seemed to
take any inter-i st in him or his business affairs.
So long as he. made enough money to keep their
Madison avenue residence running properly and
enable her to indulge in all the new dresses and
jewels she desired, she was satisfied with the
course things were taking.

0n the other hand, Irma seemed to take a
great lnterestin stocks and bonds, and her eyes
would glisten while she listened to her father’s
stories of “corners” and “stampedes.” Out-
side his own home, Webster was a rather cold
and reticent man, but Irma only knew him as
the “jolliest father that ever lived.” Having
no one else to share his secrets, he unbosomed
himself to her.

It was, therefore, no more than natural that
she could confide in him. He was surprised
when she told him she believed herself in love,
and his face plainly betrayed his astonishment.

“Why,yon are nothing but my little girl—
my Irma!’ he exclaimed. “You are not old
enou h to have a lover!”

“ ou forget this is really my second season
out, father,” she replied. “True, I have not
camdto go about so much as most girls, but
mother has been trying to peddle me off to some
count or duke ever since my appearance in
social circles.”

Calvin Webster brushed his hand across his
forehead and drew a’ deep breath.

“ It is really true I am growing old,” he mur-
mured. “And still it does not seem I haven
daughter old enough to get married. All the
years have ,passed so swiftly; they have been
a nt in struggling for money. And when it is
o tained, how very little it amounts to!

“ You fancy yourself in love, dearestl”—He
always called her “dearest.”-—-“Who is the
fortunate man?”

She drew back and blushed.

" Really father, I—I—”

“ Don’t hesitate about telling me,” he urged.
“You know we always share our secrets. It
must be a man who is good and true, else he
need’nct hope to carry off my little home part-
ner.

“ Oh, I’m not goin to leave you now, father
2:015, for a long t me. He mustn’t ask me
t.

“ Who is be?”

A ain she hesitated, finally confessing:

“I—i—don't know,” '

Calvin Webster stared hard at her for some
moments and then he burst into a laugh.

“ This is real! humorous !" he declared. “My
little girl fan es herself in low, and yet she
does not know whom she lovasl If that is the
case, I don’t think there is any great danger of
your leavin me at present.”

“ But, fat er, there are—two!”

He flirted to his feet.

“ Two 7” he gasped.

She nodded, her cheeks being crimson as a

“ Well, this sounds to me “Sea ke!” declared
the broker. “Girls do not sue y fall in low
with two men.”

“ This is an unusual case.”

“ I should say as much. But who are they!”

- “ Robert Booth is one.” s

A sudden cloud darkened his face.

“ Booth! I don’t know—”

“ Nor do I,” she swift] broke in. " He is such
a handsome fellow, an he seems so good and
bravsl I know ten girls who are crazy to win
him.

“ And he-” ,

“ Does not seem to care for any of them.”

“ Does he cure for you?”

“ I think so. You know mother favors him,
now that I will not have Count Muriadto. She
says Robert is the best Yankee she know, if one
wants to fling one‘s self a ay on an American.”

The cloud deepened on t e broker’s face.

“ Your mother’s ideas are not alwa sright. I
am free to coufess I do not fancy R0 rt Booth

 

so very much. If I have heard correctly, he has.
the reputation of being a fullodel‘."

“ What is that l"

“A man about town, and I would scarcely
care to give my innOCent little child—my puree
garden rose—into the care of such a person. ’

“ But I am sure he cannot be so bad, father,”
she protested, the chivalry in her nature aroused.
i‘ He’has always seemed to me like a fine fel~

ow.

“ I do not positively say he is not. Who is
the other?”

“ Harold St. Clair.”

Calvin Webster’s face cleared somewhat.

“ That is better,” he acknowledged. “ I know
something of St. Clair, and he seems like a.
gentleman. Which one do you care for most!“"

“ I—I don’t kDOW.”

“ Then you cannot be very much in love.”

“I did think it was Harold.”

“ You did think so.”

” Yes, until—until—”

“ What?"

“ I heard some things about him.”

“ What did you hear?”

“ Oh, some horrible stories!”

“ Perhaps they are not true.”

“ I’m afraid they are."

“What makes you think so?”

“ I—I asked Robert.”

“ And he said what?”

“Oh, he tried not to say anything about it,
but I made him tell me the truth.”

" What did he tell you i”

“ Enough to make me fear the stories are not.
false.”

Calvin Webster walked up and down the room,.
pausing to question her again. ‘

“ Do you really believe these stories!”

“ I don’t know what to believe.”

“ I will take the trouble to investigate. If they
are not true, you might think more of Harold:
than you do of Booth, eh?"

“ I—I believe so.” -

“ Irma, I scarcely think you care enough for
either of these young men to make the case a.
serious one. You have good sense enou b not to
plunge into any foolish affair, I trust. he man
you are to marry must be square, honorable and
a gentleman. Added that, you must love him:
above all others. Chi d. your head is harboring
some foolish fancies, for your heart is not touched.
Don’t be in a hurry about choosing.”

“ If I- wait too long, mother will have me
married on to some horrid forei ner. I’m
an American, and I believe in Amer ca for the:
Americans.”

Webster smiled. ' .

“Patriotic little soul! Well, I must do some
writing nOW. onight, dearest.”

She kissed him and left him alone in the-
library.

There was a ring at the doorbell, and the ser-
vant brou ht her a card.

Harold t. Clair was waiting for her in- the
parlor.

iiS‘he hesitated but a moment, and then sh
sa i' Z .

“ Tell him I will see him presently.”

Her heart was really bounding excitedly and
her cheeks were flushed with unusual color when
she descended the stairs. She did not analyze
her own feelings, else she might have hesitated
about trusting herself just then.

Harold arose t3 greet bet as she entered the

rlor. She had eterminedto be very:reserved,
Brit she could not bring herself to greet him ‘

ccoll .

“ Iv have come to see you about an unpleasant
matter,” he‘said. “ These stories—”

“ Oh, don‘t speak of them !” she entreated, feel—
ing a sudden re ce for the subject. " Sit
down, Mr. St. is 1'. Let’s talk of something
more pleasant.”

“I-cannot rest so long as there isa shadow
over me,” he declared. “ It is not an easy thing
to traceogossip of such a nature, but I have suc-
ceeded in discovering the source from which
those stories originated. If given time, I can
prove them all false.” \

“ I believe you,” she said. ~

And then she entreated him once more to
speak of other things. He did so and the were
soon enjoying a leasant chat. She felt erself
more and more rawn to him and she began to
wonder how it was she erer iancled she cared
for Robert Booth.

Suddenly the portions parted and a man
s ped into the parlor.

t was Broadway Bob!

—— i

CHAPTER VI. ’ 

FIOKLE LOVE.

Tatar. was a sneer on the handsome face of
the Rounder as be fixed his eyes rn Harold. .

“Well,” said Bob, slowly, “I must say you
have a great deal of check, St. Clair!”

“I return the compliment," flashed Harold.
“ You are an intruder here!" _ .

“ And you dare visit a honse vou have been

invited to keep from until you can wipe the

stains off your name!" ”
“ There are no stains on my'name.
Bob smiled significantly.

0

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ll  oadi’wlay [Bob, the} Rounder.

 

 

“ You make a bold blufi'."

“You tried to stain my name," exclaimed
Harold, who was now on his feet; “but you
failed. I know the truth—you are the one who
ihas circulated the lies about me!"

“ What?"

'The Rounder advanced in a menacing man-

er.
“Exactly what I say!” returned Harold, tak-
.l a step forward.

‘I have a mind to force those words down
; your throat!”

“ That is something you cannot do, Robert
Booth! I am ready to meet you on equal terms
at an time and any place."

Broad way Bob’s fists were clinched and his eyes

‘ll

‘ ,glaring, but the other did not quail in the

least.
B “Were there not a lady present—” began
.' 0b. '

“ You cannot regret it more than I,” came
quickly from Harold’s lips. “ But, as there is a
lady present, perhaps you will have good breed-
ing enough to retire, as I happen to be first to

l

“ I don‘t knOW. I hate to turn my back on a
man like you. You are—"

“ What?" _

tlrma stepped between them.

“‘Gentleillen, stop!” she said.
.gettlng yourselves!"

“ It is true,” confessed Harold.
thousand pardons.” .

Bob boWed coldly.

“ Pardon is granted,” he said.

‘That brought Haroll round in an instant.

'“ I ask nothing of you .'" he cried.

'“ Very Well ” said the Rounder. “1 will see
you later.” Then he bowed himself out of the
.room.

“ Now is my time to test my power,” he mut-
tered, as he made his way to the library, where
Calvin Webster was writing. “ Tonight Will
show who is the bestm'in in the fight."

“ I am so sorry this occurred, Miss Webster!”
said Harold, when Bob 8.) lth was gone. “ I
know I should hlVd‘ restrained myself, but the
sight of that man filled my blood with fin,"

“ I do not blame you at all, Harold,” she do-
clared. “ You did what any man would have
done, and I adinire you all the more. I think
my o-Ves are 0pm at last.”

His heart leaped.

“ What d ) you mean by that, Irina?" he ask-
193, how glowing in his eves. “ Is it true you
really cire '1 little for me?" . '

She b iwed her head, the warm color returning
to her cheeks. - . - I

“ Oh, I have never denied I cared a little for
you; and now—~”

“ And now i” he urged, securing her hand.

She. turned partially away.

“ You are silent," he went on swiftly. “ That
gives me reason to hope. Irma, I asked I you to
read the secret of your Own heart. . Have you

“ You are for-

“Iwa

(done so? If it is true, what has your heart told
you? My darling,”—sud lenly growing hold-—
“I love you truly, dearly! Isn’t it possible you
love me in return? I am sure you do little one!
'lee me the right to protect—to call you mine!
I will protect and shield you from every ill! I
will-J '

“ Wait!” she entreated, trying to draw her
handnfrom his. “ I must not say now, for—
' or— .

“ Now is the time,” he urged. “ Why should
you put it of! longer? Do you still doubt me?
Can it be there is a fear that the lying stories
you have heard are true?"

“ Not the least, Harold; I believe none of
them i”

“ Then why do you hesitate! Confess that
you love me, darling!”

“ Yea, Harold,” she whispered her flushed
face in her hands' “ yes, I confess!”

He. barely. heard her words, but he caught her
'in his arms and kissed her. '

“ And you will never deubt mel”

“ Never !” , "-

What a reat happiness was his at that mo-
ment! He ad won her at'last!
her red lips confess her love! .

~ “ Irma,” he cried, softl , “ you have made me
the happiest man in all
in the world! You shall nevor regret your love
-—I swear it! The future holds much that is
bright with sunshine and joy for us! No shadOw
shall ever come between us again i” ,

“ No. never again!” -

‘ They little dreamed how close the shadows
were.

“ I was in doubt for so long.” she confessed:
“ but the truth was revealed to me when I saw

ou facing. Robert Bonn. There was nothing
as honest indignation in your eyes, and then I
knew I loved you i”

“ Then I am thankful he came here!”

She nestle ! in his arms, for she was like an in-
nocent chil !. Her whole sWeet face was aglow
with the light of love. Again be bent and
pressed his lips to bars.

A cry of anger caused them to start and turn
toward tirigafortieres.

The on us were parted and Calvin Webster

' tetrodednto the room, Broadway Bob pausing at
who‘door.

He had heard '

ew York—the happiest ‘

 

There was a strange look on the broker‘s face
-—a look that Harold did not understand.

“ Young man,” said Webster, “ you will leave
my house without delay.”

And Broad way Bob stood smiling between the
parted orti‘eres .'

Haro d was astonished. '

“ Mr. Webster—” be commenced.

“Not a word, sir!” commanded the aroused
father. “ I have heard and seen quite enough
of you! Sol”

“ But I must ask an e lanation. Why—"

“I understand Mrs. ebster asked you not
to return here until you had cleared your name
of the,diegrdbe upon it. You disobeyed her re-
quest.

" I deny there is any disgrace upon my
name! If you will listen to the falsehoods of
that smiling rascal there ”—pointing at Bob-—
“ I am astonished! You must know his reputa-
tion! Why should you allow his lies to count
against me?”

“ You are not on trial here. Will you be
kind enough to go?”

Irma started forward.

“ Father," she cried, “ you are unjust!”

“ lrma,” came firmly from his lips, “you will
leave this room 1"

She had never Seen him, thus, and she was
terrified.

“ Leave the room!” be repeated.

She dared not disobey.

“ Good-by, Harold,” she faltered.

“ Good-night, Irina,” he replied. “Do not
for etl" *

“ on need have no fear; I shall not change.”

A moment later she was gone.

. “Now,” exclaimed Harold, “givo me a fair
show—let me know what this man has said
about me, that I may force the lies down his
dastardly throat!”

“'I have no further time to waste with you,
young man,” asserted the broker. “ You will
take your hat and cane and go at once. If there
is further parley, I shall call a servant and have
you forcibly ejected.”

“ Then I will go,” came bitterly from the
young man’s lips. “If I Were given half a
show, I could couvincs you of your unjustness.
Good-day.”

As he walked from the room, Bob stepped
aside to let him pass. He felt an almost irre-
sistible desire to fling himself on the smiling
rascal, but, holding himself in check, took his
hat and cane and quietly departed.

This treatment rankled like a poisoned arrow
in Harold’s heart. He did not understand it at
all, and be resolved to know just what it meant.
The inly thing that buoyed him 11 and kept
him from some rash act was the lief that
lrma loved him and would remain true to him.

“ roan trust her!” he thought. “And I wlil
win her in the end. Robert Booth shall not cap-
ture the prize. She give me her word, and
there is nothing but nasty and innocence in
her dear little heart.”

He spent the following two days trying to
find Broadway Bob, being fully determined to
make the Rounder explain.

But he did not meet Bob alone.

I‘lear ni ht of the second day, Harold went for
a ride in t e Park, as was his custom. He was a
fine horseman, rid' g as if a part of his animal.

As he entered i: a Park at Fifty-ninth street
and Fifth avenue, a low cry escaped his lips.

He saw, a handsome carriage rolling toward
him. In the carriage were two persons, and he
recognized them both.

One was Broad way Bob,

The other was Irma Webster!

Harold could scarcely believe the evidence of
his eyes, but there was up doubt about it. Irma
was in the carriage with Robert Booth. '

The Rounder looked up and saw his enemy on
horseback, and just the ghost of an icy tri-
umphant smile across his face. His White teeth
gleamed beneath the, well-trainedvmustache, and
he seemed to look directly through St. Clair.

.Harold was staring in a maze.

Irma raised her eyes and looked straight at
him. In a moment his hat was lifted.

Then a flood of crimson leafed to his cheeks,
for’not the quiver of an eye ash indicated she
had 'seen his salute or recognized him!

It wasa dead cut! '

Harold St. Clair nearly fell from his saddle, so
great was his astonishment and consternation.

The carria e rolled on, and the young man’s
bored carrie hinr down the bridle-path. but
there was a dazeddook in his eyes and a strange.
sickening sensation at his heart.

 

CHAPTER VII.
BLACKMAIL.

” Mn. Wansraa is busy," declared the office
boy. “ Your business must be highly important,
if he sees you.”

“ Well, I should say it is important!”
nodded the rough-looking stranger who had
asked to see the broker.

“ Will you send in your name?”
“ Tell him it’s an old friend.”
“ But I must tave your name.”

in a malicious manner.

 

" All right; it’s Frank W'allace."

The boy disappeared into Calvin Webster's
private office, but quickly returned, saying:

“He says he dees not know you, 811’, and he
cannot ive you any time to-daycf”

“Don t know me!” hawlei allace. “Just
go back and ask if he doesn t remember the time
I saved him from drowning. Go ahead now 1”

W'hen the boy opened the office door a sin,
the stranger forced himself right into the bro or“:
private room. Calvin Webster looked up in
surprise. .

“ How are yel ,” nodded Wallace.

“ Sir,” said the broker, “I don’t know you.”

“ That’s your misfortune,” assured the rough-
looking stranger, as be secured the only remain-
ing chair and sat down, causing the ofiice boy to
gasp with amazement. “ You’ll know me before
long.”

“ Hang your impudence!” growled the. broker.
“ My time is money. Now you are in here,
make haste about stating your business.” .

“ You may go, kid,” said Wallace, Speaking
to the gaping boy. “ Close the door.”

The boy obeyed. .

“ I have come to borrow some money,” de-
clared the cheeky stranger. ,

“ Are you a beggar?” » _

“ No, sir. This is tobe a business transaction.
You are to let me have the money for some-
thing?” r -

“ What?”

“ Silence.”

“ I don’t understand you. Come, come! you
are taking u my time! Get out!”

“ Not till get the mone .”

“ How much do you want?”

“ About ten thousand dollars.”

Calvin Webster wheeled in his chair and
stared hard at the visitor.

“ Where is your dynamite?”

The man laughed.

“ I’m no dynamite crank,” he replied. “ l
hain’t goin’ to blow the office up. All the same
I mean business”! ‘

The broker reached to touch a bell, but his
wrist was caught by some strong fingers.

“Don’t you do it, Webster, old b0 l” advised
Frank Wallace. " If you do, I will ave to tell
the public about a. certaln‘ piece of paper to which'
you signed the name of Bouton, Frazer and Co.
The public would be mightily interested in that
little story.”

The broker turned pale and fell back in his
chair. .

“ What are (you saying?” he finally demanded,
his voice souu ing harsh and unnatural.

“ Is it necwsary to repeat? I might tell them ‘

about a woman who lives in a certain cheap
tenemept on the West Side—a woman who now
bears the name of Bell, but who was once known
as Webster.”

“ What is your game!" asked the broker, after
a moment of silence. .

Frank \Vallace smiled and released his grip on '

the Otbcr’s wrist.

“ Now you are coming to your senses,” he said.
“ I am in need of money.”

“ If I refuse to let yo have any—what?”

“ I’ll make Wall street too hot to hold you!”

“ That is a threat!”

" Take it as such, if you like. I am here for
business. I know all about a certain little
forgery that kept you from rain once upon a
time, and I also know all about woman who
now calls herself Bell, but is better known as
Red Madge.” v

“ This is blackmail!” hissed Web“.

“ Do you think so?” ' "i _

“ I know it!” ' ‘

“ All the same, youcan't afford to have the
world know these things.”

“ I can have you arrested and imprisoned.”

“ That will ‘not silence my tongue."

“ But—” ,

“ But money will.”

“ For God's sake, how did you find out!"

The visitor smiled.

“ I have a way,” he declared.

“You have no proof of the charge of the-

gory?”
“ Haven’t If” ‘
H No.”
“That’s where on are mistaken.”
“The check is estroyed.”

“It was destroyed," conic-ed Wallace. ‘9 3'...
the man who detected the to cry and could
have ruined yofi at the tigie s an amate‘iji‘r

hotogra er. e took a ancy tophotogra
hat cine?"

“ I do not believe it!” .

lvfi‘imili? 23mph“ “3.223” flail—i." h of

it .t e v tor a o p
a check befo’re the eyes of the broker,

Calvin Webster was very pa
“ How much will you to
“ Ten thousand dollars.”
“ Are there any more like it?” ,
(t  -

“ How many?"

“ Several.”

“ How much will urchase them all?”
“ Fifty thou nd ollars."

“ And if I re use tobe bled?”

Frank Wallace shrugged his should“

 

5

srinnins'

le.
e for this?" he asked

 

at. l.

.1 “first i

   
 

 

“4.”. w .. ..... “V. w. .i.  1. . r- a. ._..

a Broadway Bob, the Ron

 

“ The newspapers will pay Well for a good
sensational story,” he reti rte !.

” Bring me every one of these things in your
'posse~sion and I will talk bu~iness With you."

“ All right; but I happen to need money just
n0w, and 1 must have ten thousand to—day."

“ You will not get ten cents!"

“ Do you defy me?"

“ I refuse to pay a cent to-day. Bring me all
evidence in existenCe Concerning this check, and
then I will make you an offer."

“ How about the B ii! Woinani" - .

“ I care unthing about h r. You cannot bleed
me through such a channel." '

“ I may take a fancy to :h0w this photograph
to the managing editor of some news-paper.”

“Then you will only get what he will pay for
the story. If you bring me the mates to this, I
will pay you more than any newspaper would.”

A few minutes later, the strange visitor de-

rted from the broker’s office. Behind him he
efta man whose head was bowed on his desk

and who was shivering as if witha chill. At
4 length, he lifted a white face, muttering:
'o “ It has come at last, and just when I least

dreamed it would! That one desperate act saved
me from ruin then, but it may ruin me now. I
had begun to believe there was no danger. Great
Heaven! had I given way to my feelings to-day.
I would have done anythinito obtain possession
of the proofs. It was only y the greatest effort
I ke t a steady nerve. '

“ hat man was in disguise. I am sure the
beard he wore was false. Who can he be! and
how did he obtain possession of the proofs against

me?

“This is blackmail, but I dare not call on the
police. If 1 wish to get out of the trap, I must
rely on a private Whom I can trust. I only
know of one trustworthy man. I must see Dan
Downing without delay."

CHAPTER Vlll.

THE DETECTIVE TRAPPED.
‘DISGUISED as a common Irish laborer, Double-
voicel Dan was shadowing Brdndway Bob. The
Rounder led Dan 8. hot chase, but the ferret was
« - not to hethrown off the scent. At length, the
' » detective saw Bob enter a saloon away over on

.the West Side, not far from the river.

,“I wonder what he can want in Butch
McGode‘s dive?” muttered the ferret. “I will
follow and find out."

A patently Dan was well under the influence
of l quor when he staggered into McGode’s, al-
though he was neither boisterous or helpless.
His entrance seemed to attract very little

I. ‘ notice.
*“ ._, ‘ “ W’at’ll yer hev’?" growled the bartender,
r V singling outthe disguised detective. “ Beer?”

Dun nodded.

“ Not that Oi loike th’ stcof, do yez moind,” he
said; “ but whin a mum is full to th' chook wid
whisky an’ doon’t biv but live cinrs to kape oop

, - th’ foo lls will, whot th’ divvil will he do av he

(f , V don't drink beer, Oi dunno!" ' -
’ . He fished in his pockets until he discovered a
nickel, all the while leering around at the assem-
bled patrons of the place. it did not take -him
long to discover Broadan Bob, who was sitting
in a dark corner and talking earneetly to a
tough-looking man.

After inakin sure his game was there, Dan
scarcely seems to notice any one within the
place. He drank his beer, falling intnconver-
sation with a man at the bar, who happened to
be a German.

., . l'f Bioadway Bo: knew he was being shnd~
if owed, he did not trav the fact in any wav.
Still Dan had sized the Rounder up as a. shrewd
fellow, who was not by any means an ordinarv
cr.iok. While being haul in glove with “ shady ”
-chamcters, Robert Booth managed to keep in
society and was respected by many honest men.

After a time the Rounder arose and left the
saloon by a side door.

1. Dan d d not dare W‘l t too long before he fol-

 ; lowed, for he feared B b would give him the

,1 . s!ip,sohe actually tore himself from the exu-
‘i' \ berant German and staggered out.
He found himself in a narrow alley that ran
_ ' down into the darkness betWi-en the ramshackle
’; buildings. Looking around, he could see nothing
 of the man he was following.
4 Which way had Bob turned?
“1 Looking down the alley, he saw a dark form

 

 

goes a ray of light that came from a dirty and
when window. '
It WEI Bob!
Like a cat the detective sneaked down the al-
, ley, crouching to pass beneath the window, so
the light would not reveal to the Rounder that
he was followed.
, Dan seemed to have the eyes of an owl, for he
, could follow the movements of the man he was
"i ‘ shadowing, even though it was so extremely
dark down there. -
The alloy turned to the ri ht, and Dan hasten-
' ed fOrward gripping the utt of a ready re-
volver. for he knew not what more lay in wait
for his feet. '
“ This in fine place to murders man!” he
‘ thought. “ The police would not get track of
the crime very easy.”
lBut he felt fully able to take care of ,him-
3 .

ginto it also. \

 

He reached the corner in time to s-e the ;

Rounder’s dark form disappearing into ulow 
doorway.

“ He may be intending to give me the slip,”
muttered Dan. “ It would be an one thing to ;
go in there and come out somewhere e se.” i

He lost no time in reaching the doorway,
which still stood wide open.

It wasa strangely silent and deserted place
down in that grim alley.

Looking in at the Open doorway, Dan could
see nothing. He wondered where the Rounder
hail gOne, and for some moments he stood still,
hesitating about the best course to pursue.

“I will go in," he finally decided. “If Bob
Boiith is one of the Tenderloin 'ngers, he may
lead me to the lair of the dreaded animals.”

“ The “ Tenderloin Tigers ” were a desiierate
set of men who Were banded together for the
purpose of pillage and plunder. Their chosen
“ stamping ground ” was the “ Tenderloin
District” in the heart of the great city, and
they had made themselves hated and feared by
honest men. The police. had not been successful
in bringing the chief criminals to justice and
breaking up the band, and now Double-voice
Dan had taken it upon himself to accomplish
What the regulars fail to do.

The detective had reason to believe Broadway
Bob was one of the terrible Tigers, and so he
was shadowing the Rounder, hoping to strike a
warm trail. '

Having decided to enter the doorway, Dun
hesitated no longer. Staggeringatrifle and hic-
Coughing like an intoxicated man, he entered,
feeling his way along with one hand,,while the
other was on the butt of his revolver.

Suddenly the door closed behind him. He
knew this did not happen by chance, and
through his head flashed the thought that he
had wandered into a trap. He stood still and
listened.

In a moment, there came to his earasoft
rustling sound.

“ Oi my,” be called; “ what th’ divvil did yez
warnt to be either closin" th’ dure for? Ui
can’t see me harnd before me face.”

Then, with the silence of a moving cat, be
shifted his pesition a few feet.

Dan had remarkably keen ears, and he heard
some one cautiously crossing the floor toward
the point where he had stood when he spoke.
There was something about the cautious,
creepy, snake-like sound that chilled his blood
for a moment.

“ I am in fora struggle,” he told himself. “ It
mea’ns life or death, and the chances are against
me.’

He heifated about his next move.

Suddenly, he heard his unknown companion
go longing forward at his side, and then a savage
curse fell on his ears, telling him the other had
discovered Dan had moved.

All at once, the detective was grasped by a
pair of strong arms. It happened so unexpect-
edly that he was taken by surprise.

Dan was a trained athlete, and be immediate-
ly turned on his unseen foe.

Then a desperate battle began.

Neither man spoke a word. Round and round
they turned, fighting with the silence of bull-
dogs. Just what his ice was trying to do, Dan
was not able to Comprehend, for the man did not
appear to be endeavoring to injure him in any

war.

Suddenly there was a tremor beneath their
feet, and a moment later the floor gone way. I

A cry of dismay broke from the lips of the de-
tective’s assailant, and he broke clear of Dan’s
grip, plainly trying to save himself from falling.
He had been trying to cast Dan into the trap,
but, by some miscalculation, he had blundered

Down went the defective and his unknown
enemy.

They did not fall far.

For a moment after striking the groundyDan
was stunned, but he quickly rallied, knowing
his life might depend upon his alertness.

Even though he had fallen into a trap, he
was not the man to give up easily. If he was
“ wiped out,” he meant to go under fighting
like a man.

losing no time, he crept from the spot be- .

heath the trap.

The damp ground beneath his hands told
him he was in a collar, and in a moment he
reached the wall. There be halted, his revolver
in his hand. . .

All was silent in the cellar. He wondered
what had happened to his unknown foe who
fell through the trap with him.

0! a sudden, there was a slight noise, and
then a surprising this occurred.

A ray of light Iho acrons the cellar, being
focused on the spot beneath the trap-door.

The detective’s enemy or enemies were armed
with a dark lantern!

 

CHAPTER IX.
A nEsrnsA'rE BATTLE m was DARK,

A Low exclamation of surprise came from
the lips of Dan Downiug’s unseen foe when he
discovered the detective was not beneath the

trap.

 

 

nder.

 

 

'l hen the ligzit began mow’ng about, plainly D
Search for the trapped ferret.

\i'nen Dan was revealed, it was probable his
foe would attempt to make short work of him.

" I must stop that,” thoiight the detective.

A moment later, his revolver spoke, the report.
sounding fearfully loud within the confines of;
the cellar. ’

A jingle of broken glass and sudden dc.an-
ness followed. _

Dan had shot out the light!

In doing so, he betrayed for a moment his
position, and a second shot sounded almost like
the echo of his weapop.

A bullet fairly grazed his clleek and lodged.
in the “Hill behind him!

It was a close call for Dan.

The flash of his enemy‘s revolver showed the ‘

detective a man who crouched against the oppo-.
site wall. The man’s face was bearded and.
there Was a murderous gleam in his eyes.

“I am good for him, if there is only one,“
thought the undaunted ferret, us he swiftly and.
silently changed his position. ” It is probable-
both of us will not go out of this cellar alive.
This is a battle to the end!"

Gripping his revolver firmly, he listened, hop-
ing to locate his foe by some sound. In this
he was partially successful, and again he pulled
tri ger.

arely had the weapon spoke when Dan sunk;
flat on the ground.

None too soon.

A fourth shot followed, and the bullet buried
itself in the crumbling wall directly behind the
place where Dun had been a moment before.

The flash of the weapon was a revelation to_

Dan.

He saw two men crouching at the Opposite-
slde of the cedar, one of whom wore a mask.

There were two of his enemies, insti ad of
one!

He was fighting against (dds.

“ They will find me a hard man to dawn, just
the same,” he thought, as he crept along the
walla few feet. “ This is not the first time I.
have bucked against odds,” ' '

He paused again, listening once more.

How still and dead everything seemed down!
there in that old cellar! The pistol-shots had
not been heard outside, or, if;they had, they at-
tracted no attention.

Hashing his breath, Dar. could only hear the
beating of his own heart, which sounded abnor—
mally loud just then. Still he knew his deadlv
foes were crouching in that very cellar, only
waiting for a sound to tell them where to place.
their’next bullet. ' .

“ More than one can play at this game,” said
Dan, inwardly. “ My patience is as good as
theirs." .

Placing his back against the wall, he sat there
.on the ground, the self-cocking revolver resting
on his right leg, his finger toucbin the trigger.

The minutes dragged by slow y, each one
seeming like an hour. i Ten minutes pa'ssed, and
still the silence of death reigned in' the cellar.

Suddenly, from above somewhere, a voice
called down: . .

“Have you finished him, boys?"

It was the voice of Broadway Bob!

“ Not yet l"/Dan- cried,in reply. “ I will live
to do for you, Bob Booth!”

A curse came back. apd two revolvers spoke
in the cellar, both of the detectiVe’s foes taking a.
shot at the point from which his voice had
seemed to come.

The ferret heard the bullets strike the stones
and mortar above his head, and then, like ii
flash, he fired twn shots in return.

A cry of pain r225 through the cellar!

He had not was his lead!

With a feeling of triumph in his heart be;
shifted his position once more.

“ I’ll be in the ring to the finish he thought.
“ When my attempt to knock me out in this.
fashion they have tackled a comfortable job.
This is not exactly sport, but I have been in as
had a scrape many a time.” '

He settled de and listened again.

His enemies were very silent, and his imagine»
tint:l pictured them creeping toward him inch by

no .

Then he remembered there were but two Fhf'lS
left in his revolver, as he had already discharged
the weapon four timm.

Feeling in‘ the side-goeket of his coat his fln-
gers encountered anot er cylinder that he km.w
would {it the w poo, and he wascertain it was-
properly load , as it was his plan to carry an
extra cylinder for emergencws. >

When he had fired theremaining two shots he- ‘

Would make the lhift.

Of a sudden he heard a faint whispering at the-
opposite side of the cellar.

His foes‘wore holding a consultation.

Locating them as well as he could, he fired
again, moving quickly to the left when he had
done so.

Crack! crack!

There were two shots in return, and he dimly'

saw the outlines of his two enemies.
Still he remained uninjured. ,
But the singular battle in the dark cellar

could not continue indefinitely. In time,'some- ‘

body must get the wors: of it. _ .

I

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If Dan had known of any way to escape
from the cellar, he would have done so with-
out delay, for he did not relish his position at
all. Fven though fortune had seemed to stand
by him all his life, it might prove fickle in
this emergency, and that meant that his ene-
mies would triumph. In such a case Double-
voice Dan, the ( readed enemy of rasculity,
would disappear from the world in a most un-
accountable manner. The secret of his death
might never be made public.

Still, he did not speculate much. He was
too busy trying to lociite his foes, who, like
himself, changed their positions every time they
fired their revolvers.

Suddenly a thought SII‘lle him.

Why could he not Use his ventriloquial powers
to deceive them? Many a time the gift of
“throwmg his voice” enabled him to escape
from the most deadly traps, and now it should
serve him again.

The most skilled ventriloquist is only able to
make it seem that he “ throws his voice," Ioi- he
does nothing of the kind. He simply muffles
and disguises it in such a way that it is im musi-
lile to tell from what point it proceeds. 'l'hen,
aided by his own looks and gestures, be de-
ceives his auditors inton believing the sounds.
come from a certain point. ‘

It will be readily seen that such a deception
would be most difficult in the dark, for the ven-
triloqmst could not aid in the deception by any
gesture or look of his own.

But Dan’s ability was quite out of the ordinnry
and he knew he could puzzle his foes completely.

“ Hello!” he called.

No living being but himself could have told
from what point the word wasspoken.

Pluiuly his enemies were puzzled, for a dead
silence followed.

“ Hello there!” he called again.

Then he heard a whispering that told him
where his foes were.

“ Now I will completely fool them,” he
thought.

Then he lifted his revolver and fired his last
shot, repeating his ruse of getting out of the
we}; as quickly as possible.

' e was not an instant too soon.

From the Opposite side of the cellar came two
spouts of flame, and two reports followed.

But Dan was untouched.

However, he uttered a groan that seemed to
come from the spot where he crouched when he
fired the last time.

Even as he did this, his nimble fingers were
shifting the useless cylinder of his revolver for

~the,loaded one, and he was ready for business

once more.

Again he ‘groaned. It was a dismal, blood-
chilling sound, seeming like that of a man in
mortal agony. Such a sound in the darkness of
the dark old cellar was doubly horrifying.

He heard his foes whispering again.

“ We’ve plinked him l”

The words came plainly to his ears.

“I think so,” was the answer. “ Curse him! I
have one of his bullets in my shoulder!”

“ Hear him groan l”

f‘ He won’t groan ag’in arter I git at him! I’m
goin’ over there an’ finish him off."

“ \Vhat'll you do!”

“Cut his throatl"

Dan Dawning's teeth came together suddenly.

‘ It was life or death, and he no longer felt-any

hesitation about placing his bullets where they
would be the most effective. Self-defense is the
first law of nature.

,.“Sav,’~’ he called, maklng his voice seem to
come from the point where he was supposed
to be lym: wounded, “ you fellows have done
for me." '

One of the men laughed harshly, triumphant-
ly, and then he heard them slowly crossing the
cellar.

Silently he crept toward the point where they
had been a few moments before, intending to
turn the tables on them.

“ We’ll do for yOuY” one of the villains retort—
ed. “This is your last job, Dan Downiug‘l”

Again calling his ventriloquial powers into
play, he begged for many in a most pitiful
manner. .

“Hanged if he hai ’t squealin'!" chuckled

ions of the two ruflians, with lien-lth satis-

.faction.' “ It has been said no man could make

' him beg."

_Suddenly, a surprising thing occurred. The
sound of a blow reached Dan's ears, and then
be heard a desperate struggle taking place With-
in the cellar.

At first, he could not understand it, but the

truth of the matter suddenly dawned upon him.

By some strange mischance, his enemies had

mistaken each other for him, and they were

engaged in a desperate hand~to~hand encounter.
_1_ '

' CHAPTER X.‘
A svarnisn FOR BR ADWAY BOB.
FEILING not a little surprised by the unex-
pectettjurn events had taken, Dan stood liSIen-
n to‘the sounds of battle. There were dull,
den‘ blows. and he heard the panting-breath-
ing of the deluded men as they fought like

Irtigera .

 

He knew this could not last long. for they
would soon disenver their astonishing blunder.

“ Help, Jim !” called one. And then he
shriekeo:

“ My God! I’m cut!”

Dan Downing shudder-ed a bit.

The battle suddenly ceased, and then he heard
two sodden falls.

How bad it ended?

He heard the wheezing breathing of one of
th; men, but no sound seemed to come from the
ot er.

With his han'd against the crumbling wall,
the detective moved slowly along.

Of a sudden he discovered a. break in the wall,
and a closer examination convinced him he had
reached a passage that led from the cellar.

Only a moment did he hesitate.

“ My enemies entered by this passage," he
thought. “That is why they clung to this side
of the cellar until I lured them across by a
trick. If I follow this, I may find a way out.”

He listened again.

The wheezing breathing still sounded in the
cellar, and he heard something creeping slowly
alon the ground.

“ ood-by,” he said, mentally.

Then he started along the passage.

He felt his way along carefully, not knoeing
what kind of a trap he might stumble into. He
did not proceed far before he came to what he
believed was another cellui.

Dan paused long enough to light a match.

As the tiny blaze flared up, he glanced around,
making an instantaneous 'survey of his sur-
roundings.

As he had thought, the passage had led him
into a second cellar, which was filled with old
bOXes, beer barrels and other stuff.

To his left, he saw a flight of stairs that led
upward to a closed door.

The light caused several rats togo scampering
and squealing across the cellar. '

The match went out and the dauntless Double-
voice detective was again in the dark. He had
already decide l on the course he would pursue,
and, without delay, he made for the stairs. up
which he softly crept.

He heard vomes in the room above.

“ I wonder if I am in for more trouble here?”
he thought. “ These people must have heard
the sho iting in the cellar, so they are probably a
part of the gang."

The stairs creaked somewhat, but he did not
pause until he had reached the door.

There he listened.

“ I don’t hear any more shots,” said the voice
of a female. “ They must have finished him.”

“ Yes, I think so," was the reply, the second
speaker being Broadway Bob. “ This night
ends the career of Double-voice Dan. We will
not bother ourselves about him after this.”

“ Do you really think so?” softly chuckled the
man on the stairs. “ That is where you fool
yourself, dear boy. Dan' Downing is destined
to cause you any amount of trouble before you
are through with him.”

“ Why wereyou so determined to have this
man put out of the way ’9‘" asked the woman.

“ Because he had hecxune our worst foe. Not
only had he started in on the task the police
failed to accomplish, breaking up the Tigers,
but he was engaged by your dear husband of

,other days to track down and pull in our re-

presentative. Mr. Frank Wallace, otherwise
kn0wn as Game Gas.” 7

“ Engaged by whom?"

“ Your former husband, Calvin Webster.”

“ Is ti is true?”

“ It is head straight. With the information I
obtained and a photograph of the forged check,

Gus attempted to squeeze old Webster, as we.

planned.. Tlidold fellow appeared Very docile,
but the moment Gus turned his back, he put Dan
Downing on his track]. D0wning would soon
have obtained evidence enough against us to jug
the leaders for various jobs, and .that wOuld
have left Cril lVebster at liberty to leisurely
close up his business and skip to parts unknown.
We were compelled todo for Double-voice Dun.”

“Many thanks for the explanation l" silently
laughed the man on the cellar stairs. “Now I
fully understand the game. Oh, I am playing
in luck 1" ,

“ What will be done with the detective’s
bait?” asked the woman, who was evidently as
cool and as demand as her companion.

“ Burr and Jones have a pick and shovel with
them. They are going to bury him in the cellar
and then caver the place with barrels and
hOXes’. They are probably selecting a spot
now.

“ You would hea bit surprised if you knew
the truth," thought the detective behind the
door. “ It’s one or both of your own pals you
may he called on to bury. Dan Downing is still
on deck. He has a singular habit of bobbing up
serenely." ‘

In truth, it seemed almost impossible to get
the best of the “ Ventriloquist Vid .” as
Double. voice Dan was sometimes called.
times had his enemies fancied him dead. but like
the famed Phenix, he seemed to arise from his
own ashes.

Dan wondered who the woman could be for
Calvin Webster had not fully hobo-owed him-

any

 

self to the detective, having failed to mention
his former wife, a creature who had led him a
wild life and from whom he had been divorced.

“ If I could get to see her face, I might know
her,” thought the ferret, who had the features
of nearly all New York’s crooks, high and 10w,
photographed in his memory.

He contemplated opening the door and step-
ping in upon the two, but a desire to hear more
of their conversation prevented the move. He
(lid not know but they might speak of something
glint would prove of the utmost importance to

im.

The man paced up and d0wn the room, while
the woman watched him. Now and then they
would listen for further shooting or some sound
from the cellar.

“It is strangely still down there,” muttered
Broadway Bob, uneasily. “ I don’t like it. I
wonder if anything has gone wrong. I should
think one of the boys would come up and tell me
what they have done with the cursed blood-
hound.”

“ It must be they have fixed him,” said the wo-
man; “ Burr and Jones never slip up on such a
J“ ,

“ They are reliable, and neither one fears the
devil himself. Iadmire them for that. They
have done more than one rough piece of work
for the gang."

“ So my dear husband of the pleasant past re-
fused to be squeezed? He was always an obsti-
note man. He used to try to deprive me of all my
little innocent pleasures. Why, he even insisted
that I must come in nights before twelve o’clock!
Anv one knows there is not a bit of sport going
in New York until after eleven at night. I sup-
pose I’did scandalize the poor soul most fear-
full .’

“)l3ut he was not so wealth then, eh?"

“Not by any means! Ha he been I mi ht
have knuckled enough to keep in with im. e
was able to live comfortably, but he objected
when I blowed a hundred or so on some fancy.
That made me dead sore.”

“ I should think you would have struck him
for scads long before this.”

“I might had I kept any track of him; but,
up to,date, Red Madge has always been pretty
flush. ’ '

Red Madge!

Double-voice Dan knew the woman now. She
was one of the moat famous female criminals of
the great city—a veritable queen of the crooks.

“ So she is a sample of the associates of
elegant Robert Booth, the handsome pet of
swell society !” thought the detective. “ How
many of Booth’s fashionable friends dream he is
a confidence man, a swindler, a crock of the
most pronounced sort? I have a grip on him
now, and it will not be long before his photo is
added to Byrnes’s little collection. His tony
friends can go down and look at it.”

“ I wonder what those men can be doing
down in the cellar all this time?” impatiently
cried Broadway Bob. “ Not a sound can be
heard nou'.”

“ Y: 11 had better go down and see,” suggested
Red Midge. . ' '

“ Not 1. I don’t care to help them plant the
corpse. But I am going to open this door and
see if I can hear an) thing then.”

Dan bend the Rounder advancing toward the
cellar door and tie dent-tire instantly decided
on the course he would pursue.

“ Isn’t it possible they may have met their
match in this fly sharp?” questioned Madge. '

“ Don’t fool yourself by thinking 80; Dan
Downing will never trouble us again,” declarei
Bob. as he opened the cellar door.

“ My dear fellow, you are talking through
your hat,” said the detective, as he coolly
stepped into the room.

 

CHAPTER XI.

. DAN DISAPPEABS.

Tait Rounder fell back, literally gasping for
breath, but being unable to utterasound for
some seconds, his face turning pale and his eyes
bulging. Never in all his life had he been so
utterly amazed and dumfounded.

Red Madge gave a little scream, looking as it.

she saw a spirit. ‘

And the deteCtive enjoyed the situation.-

Closing the door behind him, Dan placed his
back against it, glancing swiftly around the
room. There were two other doors, and he de-
cided in a moment on the one he believed would
lead to open air and liberty.

He intended to leave the room by that door
when he departed.

The ferret was as cool as an icicle, looking as
if he were perfectly at ease, even tho neither
hand had sought a weapon. But 0 could
‘,‘draw ” with the awil‘tnesa of a Western
despot-ado. a fact which was demonstrated when
the Rounder made a motion toward his hip
pocket. .

A brace of revolvers seemed to lea
Downing’s hands, and the monies o the wea-
polls were turned toward the woman crook and
her companion.

“ Slow and easy, Robert,” advised the Double-
voice Detective. “ I am in this little game,

'

into Dan ‘

tau-‘5

 

 
   

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Rounder.

  

 

 

sing} hold a pair of sixes. A good bluff hand,
e

Bob did not dare produce his own weapon,
and he fell back another step, his eyes glitter-
ing.

" You infernal devil!” he said, slowly. “ Will
1] thing kill you?"

“ Never,” was the reply. “It will take, some-
thing to do that little job. Iintend remaining
On top of earth for some time to come.”

" Well. 1 have no row with you."

“ Oh. you haven’t! That sounds nicely! Per-
haps l have a score to settle with you.”

" li'ou are not an authorized officer of the
aW.’

“Is that so? Even if it is, I wish to tell you
I haye brought better men than you to jus-
ticv.’

“ Why do you trouble the?"

“ Does it trouble you to he watched? An
honest man can stand scrutiny. But you are a
re. cal, Booth—a sleek villain. Your proper
place is behind the bars.”

” By the gods, you shall pay dearly for this!
I will—”

“ Now, what will you do? Just go right ahead
and say it. I am interested in your future
plans."

“The sooner your interest ceases the better it
will be for you. I am no criminal to be spotted
like a sneak-thief !”

“ Now, is that sol”

“ You devil!” »

“ Hard names break no bones."

“ My hands would break your bones, if I could
get hold of you!”

“Even in that you are mistiken.”

“ He was listening at the door," cried the wo-
man.

"Perhaps you nre right, in dear Madge,"
bowed Dun. “At any rate, {could have no
donut of you. You were on my little blacklist
at least sevun years ago."

The woman glared at him fiercely. Although
dissipation had left marks on her features, her
fa e .1 nd form were still attractive. In former

eat-s, she h-id b--en called one of the great

aunties of the metropolis.

However, q ieen of criminals though she were,
she had managed to avoid arrest on any serious
charge, and the fund of ready money at her
Command had prevented her doing short periods
of time.

F u' t iis reason, her past connections had Slip

,4 ped from Dan Downing’s memory. Now, how-
‘ ever, he was quite aware he was in the employ

of the man who had at one time been forced
to seek legal separation from the wanian, whose
indiscreet acts—not to use a harsher term—were
bringing shame and ridicule upon him.

“So you were listening at thedoor!” grated
Broadway Bob. “ Little good will what you
heard do you i”

“ Do you real] think so?"

“ i know so. on could prove nothing, if you
escaped; but I scarcely t.;ink you will leave this
place in a hurry.”

“Then I shall leave it leisurely.
very litile difference to me.”

“ You are cool, because you think you have
thfii’i’pp ‘r hand. That’s where you fool your-
se . '

It makes

“ How d ) you like the looks of my toys?
They are both loaded with good cartridges and
either one is good for six line. i feel very com-
fortable. having them in my possession.”

“ But I have plenty of pals at my cal‘.”

“ You won’t call.”

, “ What makes you think so?”

“ Because I hold the dr0p, as they say in the
wild and woolly West. It you yawped, I might
takes fanc to see what kind of an opening:
bullet wo.il make‘in our system.”

“ That’s all bluir. ou wouldn’t dare shoot.”

“ That remark shows you do not know me
very well, Robert. Dare! Mv dear rascal,
do you imagine there is anything I can do
that I dare not do! You set two of your dogs
on me a short time ago. One of them triedto
cast me down into‘ the cellar where the other was
waiting to finish me. The first made a miscel-

'CUlatlon and want through the floor with me.

That upset their plans somewhat, but the two of
them attempted to finish me. I am here.
W here are your tools?"

These words ma lo the Rounder furious.

Su'idenly, one of the doors Opened and two
men stepped into the mom. They were both
deipe ate looking rnfl‘lius, and Dan knew them
instantly as “ wanted " men.

When these fellows saw the detective, they
“um-d hack, uttering cxclamzitions of alarm.

“ it’s Downin’l”

" Double-voice Diinl"

Then looks of fierce satisfaction overspread
their faces, and both shouted for ihelp, at the
same time producing weapons.

‘fThat settles our hash, Dan Downingi”
exultantly cried roadway Bob. "There will
be ten men here within as many seconds!”

Dan knew the crisis had arrivad. It would
not do to retreat into the cellar, for he would
still be in a trap. If he could only reach the

ibertyl
' in another instant, a yell broke from his lips

'  he sprung forward.

“ Stop him i” roared the Rounder.

Bob set the example, but Dan had thrust his
reVolvers out of sight and caught upachair.
With this Weapon, he sent Bob Booth reeling to
the floor, after which, he hurled it at the other
two raScals.

Reaching the door, he tore it open and bounded
through. The cries which came to his ears were
those of triumph, and a sudden suspicion that he
had made a false step assailed him.

Through a dark passage he plunged, hearing
his foes in pursuit. He came upon another door
and flung himself against it, bursting it open.

“This way!" he heard Broadway Bob shout-
ing to his pals. “ He can’t slip as now!”

‘ We will see about that!" grated Dan.

He suspected the trap that lay before him.

Reaching an outer door, he flung it open ani
then slammed it shut behind him.

Broad wa Bob and his allies were in close pur-
suit, but t ey paused when they reached the
outer door.

“ He cannot escape from the yard in a week!”
exultantly asserted the Rounder. “The fence
is too high for any man to scale, and there is
nothing to assist him. He will make a fight for
it here. ’

They knew what that meant, and they were
in no particular hurry about rushing out into
the yard. As a fighter, Dan D0wning was
feared liy the best of them, and now he was
Cornered, they knew he would be doubly desper—
ate.

For some moments they talked over the situa-
tion, carefully preparing their plans and getting
their weapons ready for instant use.

Then Broadway -Bob cautiously opened the
door and led the way, his pals following closely.

Out into the dark yard they sallied, just as
they heard a voice calling to them. They saw a
dark figure advancing across the yard and they
were on the point of opening the attack when a
strange voice cried:

“ This way! this way!
into that 00"”? th« re!”

“ Who in bias-s are you?" exclaimed Broad-
way B ib.

“ Wu , I’m Sleek. I was watching for Down-
ing, an I saw him come out.”

he Rounder was suspicwus.

“ Turn the light on him, Dave,” he command-
ed.

The next moment one of themen flashed the
light of a dark lantern on the man they had
found in the yard.

The face and form of the Shadow Sneak was
revealed.

“ By Moses! it is Sleek!” broke from Bob’s
lips. “ How in thunder did you come here,
man? I don’t understand it at all.”

“ I am simply attending to my duty, sir,” as-
sured the Grand street detective, rubbing his
hands together. “I presume that is what you
engaged me for.”

“And your duty—”

" To watch Dan Downing.”

“ That brought you here? How did you get
into this yard?” ,

“ Dropped from the top of the fence there
when I saw D0wning come out.”

“ You must have the eyes of a hawk to recog-
nize him in this darkness."

“ I heard him speak to himself, and I recog-
nizn! his voice." .

" What _were you on the fence for?"

“ Trying to devise some means of getting into
this building, sir. I knew Downing wasiu there
somewhere. ’ ,

“ Well,” said Bob, “ you may be a shrewder
man than I thought. OtherWise, i don’t under-
stand how you located Double-voice Dan here.
But, evan though you could drop into this yard,
Downing couldn’t drop out of it. Did you see
him go toward that c.ruer i"

H Yes."

“ Then come on, boys. He must be crouching
behind that barrel over there. We will soon
rout him out.”

He led the way to the corner, but Dan Down-
ing was not found there. Every inch of the

ard was searched, and retreat into the house
in carefully guarded, still the detective was
not ound. ‘ ’

He had mysteriously diSippeared.

I saw him run over

 

CHAPTER Xll.
'rsn nurserivs‘s mama sraa'rsonm.

Bananwar Bon and his pals were both amazed
and enraged 'They could not understand how
Double-voice Dan had given them the slip so ef-
fectually. ,

“ It’s jest like ther cuss,” declared one of the
old offenders, who had been twice sent up through
the efforts of Dan Dawning. “ He’s slicker than
grease. Never yit was a trap thet’d hold him.”

The Rounder again questioned Bob Sleek close-
ly, but the Sneak Detective was ready with his
answers. He was certain he saw/Downing rush
toward the corner of the yard where the barrel

stood.

“ Did you watch him thenif' '

“No; ldro ped into the yard. I didn’t see
him atterwa .” - ‘

 

“ Well. he is gone,” Booth confessed, with

 

 

   

reluctance. “ There is no doubt about that.
Just how he Worked the trick does not appear.”
They returned disconsolatel y into the house.
Red Madge was waiting for them. ' .
“ Have you downed him?" she eagerly asked.
“ He got away,” acknowledged Bob.
Then the woman broke into a torrent of such

1 language that even those who knew her best

were astonished.

“ He will cause us no end of trouble,” she fin-
ished. “ He must be kille I, if I have to do the
'ob! ‘
J “ if the whole police force are not able to get
at the gang, I fancy we will prove too much for
any one man,” said Bob. Then he uttered a 10w
exclamation of disgust when he discéveied
Sleek was with ti em, his ears wide open to
catch every word.

After this there was little delay in getting rid
of the Grand street shar , for they dand not
talk freely before him. "hey knew his treach-
erous nature too well. Booth made an appoini-
ment with him for the folloiving day, and Sleek
was sent away to search for Dan Dow ning. Leing
instructed to shadow the Veniriloquist Detec-
tive as soon as the latter was found.

Burr and Jones, the two thugs nitli whim
Dan Downing had engaged inadesperate ens
COUIltII‘ in the cellar, were forgotten for the
moment, but Burr soon appeared. He came
staggering into the room where the BSSPll‘ibll'd
rascals were, his clothes torn 'and covered with
dirt, while he was weak from loss of blood.
The moment he appeared he fell in a senseless
heap.

Examination showed he was wounded in a
manner that might prove fatal, and ii physician
was at once sent for, while some of the men en-
tered the cellar to look after Jones.

They found the around thug weaklyxrying to
creep along the passage from one cellar to the
other. He, also, was out in a terrible manner,
having lost a large amount of blood.

The doctor drched the wounds of both men.
but would not say either of them Could recover.

In the mean time gnards had been stationed
on every hand to give warning if the police at- ‘
tempted a raid. For all of this the toughs did
not feel at all at ease, and they lost little time in
aben inning that vicinity. .

That night there was a gathering of tlze Ter-
derloin Tigers in the secret underground apart-
ment where they had their headquarters. ,

The light of several red-globed lamps fell on
a singular scene. _

r In the place of masks the assembled trot-1's
wore an arrangement that made. it seem as .r ’
the heads of tigers Were set upon the shoulders
of human beings. There were‘thirteen of them,
the odd one beluga woman.

They assembled silently, and one who secmed
to be their leader called them to (bier, eddiess-
ing them first. They listened with the greatest
graVity, no one interrupting cr ( il'ering a sug-
gestion in any manner. -

Various things were spoken of, and then the
matter that brought them so hastily togethir-
was called to their notice. ' ' i.

“We have an enemy who'is causing us most
trouble ” said the chief. “He is a dangerous
foe, an we have assembled to decide upon 5. me
plan of disposing of him. Isni Fp‘rakll‘g if the

rivate detective known as Dan Downing, or

cubic-voice Dan.” " ._ g

A muttered growl went around thv‘c-irrle of
Tiger. hich plainlyeex ressed their beiings.
toward e famous Go-lt- lone Detective.

“ This fellow is no ordinary man," (ominued
the chief. “ What happened this iiigH prom!
that. He can fight ii on wildcat, and It «lies
not fear the very devil. But, worst of all. IO‘
trs seems efiicient in 'holding him. ll» bids
de ance to the best-laid snares, and just v hen it
seems an easy thing to crush him, he vaniibes.
Now, we must form a grand combine that elm”
put him out of the way. This must be done lip-

ore we attempt any further operations in the

Webster case. It does not work to select moor

three to dis se of Dan Downing, while the

others atten to' the regular business. ‘That has
been tried. If weal] unite in jumpingc-n him,
some of us must succeed in crushing him.” v'

No: all, however, were named on this point,
and a discussion arose, which was indulged in
prett freely, various views being advanced.

Su denly there was a rep at the heavy dc( rof
the underground apartment. V

The Tigers etarted and loode from oueto
another, astouishment and alarm expressed in
the eyes which showed tLrough the holes in the»
strange masks. ' v

The knock was repeated-

It was the private signal known only, as they
gu , to the members of the hand. ' As them
were but thirteen regular members who ever

alped admittance to that cellar,and thirteen
were now New“. their consternation canbe
readily understood!“ EM .

‘ 08 a rap 1 the chief. “The lice

must have dropped-down on the place 1" p0 '

Whig another. .9 ,V
H pen the door,” commanded the chief. ,

n Then’ I will look u, 0 .  ,
who is knocking.» " “8h the mp hollrand ‘

  

1

 

is We must take flight by an secret pgmgep'. ,,

l

Two of the Tigers hastened to what “9M! 4‘

y .
a «m... . «Maw... - _- -,

i r véb‘M-sfli- . brief

   
  
    
   
     
     
        
       
     
        
           
            
        
     
                
           
     
           
 

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1...“ ares-wind. QMV‘J‘aV -
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4.

Broadway Bob, the Rounder. 9

 

 

the solid wall, but their ready fingers found and
opened a concealed door, beyond which a dark
and narrow passage Was revealed.

Then the chief ()[ll‘lli‘d a small aperture in the
heavy door and peered through.

“ Who‘s tht re?" lw called.

“ Damon," was the reply.

“ Let’s see your face.”

Beyond tn" door a parlor-'itatch flashed up,
showing the Matures of the Inn!) who had given
ti'e signal l-IIll'Ck.

A cry of amazement broke from the lips of
the Cblt‘f, and he quickly unbarred the door.

Into the cellar sprung a man, who cried:

“I woul-l have been here on time, but Dan
Downing nipped me and turned me over. I
ginnnged to break away, and made straight for

ere.’

“ Great thunder!” shouted the leader of the
Tigers. “ There are thirteen of us nowl”

“ Then one does not belong to the band!” de-
clared the late comer.

“ Youarerightl” burst from the lips of the
head Tiger. “ There is a spy among us!"

“ A spyl a spy!” echoed the others. '

A revolver appeared in the hand of the chief.

“ Unmaski” he thundered. “ The man who
hesitates I will shoot in his triicksl”

Oii‘ Came twelve imitation tigers’ heads.

The last man snatched off his disguise and
flung it fairly into the face of the leader of the
band, uttering a ringing shout of defiance. '*

The man was Double-voice Dani

 

CHAPTER XIII.
A DASTARDLY DEVICE.

THE daring of the Double-voice Detective
was simply astounding. In some mysterious
way, he had obtained information Concerning
the Tigers’ place of meeting and code of signals,
and he had not hesitated to venture there, hav-
ing entrapped one of the band and left him safe-
ly guarded, as he supposed.

Had his plan worked as it should, he would
have escaped without detection and been in pos-
session of the plans of the Tigers. With so
much knowledge, he could have 0215in frustrated
all their evil designs and brought them to justice
wit :out delay.

But now his scheme was suddenly frustrated
and“ he was placed in a position of deadly
per . -

Dan’s unexpected movement in flinging his dis—
guise into the face of the chief so disconcerted
the man with the revolver that the detective es-
caped being shot down on the instant.

The Tiger nearest the detective happened to
be a small man, and before the little fellovv
could make a move, he felt himself snatched
from his feet.

Grasping the lightweight crook by the ankles,
Dun sw‘ung the rascal around his head and
charged on the other! like a thunderbolt.

Down Went two of the Tigers, knwked from
their feet by the strange weapon in the grasp of
the dauntless ferret.

Shrieks of terror broke from the lips of the
small man who was being used in such an un—
cerenionious manner by Dan Dawning, and
pandemonium reigned within the Tigers‘ air.

‘f Shoot him! Down him!” screamed the
chief, matching the cowl from his face and try-
ing to get at the fighting bloodhound. “He
can’t escape us now!”

It did seem that Double-voice Dan wasina.

trap from which there could be no escape.

Suddenly, still grasping the small man’s
ankles, Downin let the unlucky fellow han
head downwar on his back, dartin town
the open door of the secret passage. he dazed
and dizzy Tiger served asashield for the de-
tective, preventing the~other crooks from taking
snapshots at the disappearing ferret.

Into the tunnel plunged the detective, drop-
ping his burden the moment the darkness con-
caged him. h l

e knew e woud be hotly ursu and
he well understood he was not fat onetdbf the

trap.

What learnt the other end of the underground
passage? as there another secret door, which
onl those who knew the means could Open?

I so there was no possibility of escape.

Still he ran on, hearing the excited cries of
the Tigers behind him. All he could do was
take his chances on there being another door
which he could not open.

Once before, that very night, had he made an
almost marvelous escape from the Tigers and
their hired assassins, and be trusted fortune to
pull him out again.

He noticed _the cries of the Tigers grew
fainter and fainter, finally ceasing altogether.

Dan knew not what kind of a trap he might
be hurrying into, but he . was forced to take

his chances on that. He ran one, hand along

the damp and dirty wall, thus literally feeling
his way, even though in swift flight.

Suddenly there came a shock and he was
thrown violently to the ground. For some mo-
ments he was dazed, but he finally struggled to
his feet and lighted a match. The light showed
him he had reached the end of the pamage, and
there before him was another heavy door.

This door was bolted on the side next to him,
and he lost no time in throwing back the rusty
irons. One of them moved with the utmOSt re-
luctance, but he succeeded in casting it from its
socket.

Then be grasped an iron handle and pulled on
the door.

It did not stir!

Bracing his foot against the wall, Dan gave a
savage surge, and the heavy door Swaiig open.

The smell of beer and liquors instantly as-
sailed his nostrils.

He did not venture further in the darkness,
but lighted another match. The light showed
him he was, as he suspected, about to enter a
cellar where liquors were stored.

“ This must he beneath a saloon,” he mut-
tcrwl. us he stepped into the cellar, closing the
(lot 1' behind him.

The match went out and he struck another.

Then he turned to look for the door to thi-
paSsage, from which he had just entered the
cellar.

He could see no sign of it, so cunningly was it
concealed.

“I have no time to make investigations,” sail
Dan, softly. “ I must get Out of here at once.”

He found the stairs and crept swiftly upward.
Fortune favored him, for the door at the top was
not locked. Not a sound came from beyond it.

Dan knew morning could not be far away, and
he felt ever ' moment to be precious, even thou h
the Tigers had not followad him far along t e
underground passage.

Opening the door and striking another match,
he found himself in the back rootn of a saloon.

How was he to got out upon the street?

The back door was close at hand, and, to his
intense satisfaction, the key was in the lock and
he was able to shoot buck the bolts.

A moment later, he was in the street.

Dan lost no time. The nearest policeman was
requested to watch the saloon, the detective
showing his authority. As Dan had once been
on the force and was known to every bluecoat in
the city, he was readily obeyed.

Then other officers were quickly stationed to
watch the regular entrance to the Tigers’ re-
treat, while a call for more men went to Head-
quarters. .

The gray light of morning was breiking over
the city when Dan Downing led a squad of
armed men down into the collar where the Ten-
derloin Tigers had held their secret meetings.
Sametliing told him he would not find his game,
so he was not surprised to discover the cellar
deserted.

.A rigid and thorough search failed to reveal
any trace of the vanished crooks, save one of the
tiger-head cowls they had used as a disguise.
That was sufficient to show the police how close
they had come to scooping tho troublesome
crooks, and some of the officers expressed their
feelings in language more forcible than elegant.

The band had left no clues behind them, but
Dan Downing knew more than one of them,
for they had unmasked before him. He also
knew the combine was made up of no common
material, the rougher and more brutal rascals
not being admitted to the Thirteen, as a rule.
The gan was all the more dangerous for being
composer? of men who had brains, for all of their
crooked Be(propensities. The more brutal rascals
were u simply as hired tools.

The sun was well up and the city astir when
Detective Dan made his way to his ofilca His
head was teeming with new schemes and plots,
for he now understood he had undertaken no
ordinary task in breaking up the Tigers. It was
to be a ll ht to the bitter end, and the dreaded
combine new who their worst enemy was.

Unlocking the door of his oflice, Dan entered.

The muffled report of a pistol followed the
opening of the door, and the Go-It-Alone Detec-
tive reeled back, clasping one hand to his breast.

“ I’m shot!” he gasped.

There was a pufl of smoke within the office,
which seemed to tell him the would-be assassin
‘“ll“i“.ii‘°’°t

r n ng is white teeth together, Dan leaped
forward, ready to grapple with his enemy.
H Then a cry of astonishment broke from his

ps.

Therewas no living being besides himself in
the oflcel ~ -

Arranged on a chair directly opposite the
door he discovered a strange contrivance—an
infernal machine, indeed!

Set in a block‘of wood and pointed .directli
toward the door was a small pistol from whic
weapon the shot had come. On the floor was
an electric battery, and two wires ran across
the floor, making the connection neCessary for
opdration when the dorr strung open. The
whole devilish arrangement had been so cun-
ningly devised that the opening of the door
I would set the electric current in motion and dis-
charge the pistol. The weapon had been pointed
at the spot where a man’s breast would naturally
he were be entering the door.

It. was certainly an ingenious and fiendish
device, showing the Double-voice Detective how
skillful and determined wvre his foes.

“ I Wonder what saved me?" muttered Dan.

‘ He drew forth his watch, and the question was
nswe

 

 

The beautiful and costly chronometer was
ruined for the bullet frOm the pistol was im-
bedded in the very center of the timepiece!

 

CHAPTER XIV.
HAS SHE .L DOUBLE.

FOR two days Harold St. Clair was not him-
self. Whenever he thought of Irma “’ebstei’s
treachery he felt like raving, and when he
thought of Broadway Bob’s triumphant letting
smile he felt like committing murder.

A thousand times he reviewad every feature
of the singular affair. He remembered how he
had apparently won Irma’s entire confidence
and love and she had promised to be true.

“I shall not change.” .

Those Wl‘l'e her porting words, and the very
next time he saw her, she had cut him in a most
maddening manner. He had always believed
hwr utterly artlcss and innocent, but now he was
inclined to doubt.

Sometimes be u mild feel that he must see her
and demaul an explanation, and then it would
seem that he could never look on her sm—et,
beautiful, treacherous face again.

“ I fear I should curse her i” he hoarser
muttered.

After a time, he gradually cooled and came to
his sober Senses.

“Am I goin to leave her to the tender mercy
of such a rasca as Robert Booth l” he asked him-
self. “Isn’t it my duty to save her if I can!
It would be a sweet revenge to show him as he
is in his true light and then leave ’her without a
v. ord, no matter what appeal she made.

“ I cannot understand Calvin Webster’s
harboring Booth. Irma once told me her father
did not seem to like Bob at all, and yet—and
yet—. There is something back of all this—
something I do not understand. I believe I
will attempt to solve the mystery.” \

Then he took to watching the broker’s hand-
some residence on Madison avenue. He saw
Broadway Bob enter and depart. The Rounder
seemed confident of his reception, and his manner
caused the watcher to grind his teeth fiercely.

“I believe you are a rascal through and
through!” muttered Harold. “If not, how do
you livc? You have no visible means of support
yet you are always expensive] dressed an
seem to have plenty of money. mean to probe
your career.”

He saw another man enter the house.

“ I believe that is Dan Downing, the detective
xx ho saved me from the Rounder’s pals at Mur-
doch’s. What business can bring him there?”

When Dan came out Harold accosted him.

“Artrn’t you Dan Downing?”

“ I am. Hello. young man. How are you
coming on with Broadway Bob?"

“ I was about to ask you that question. I be.
lieve I engaged you to shadow the fellow a bit,
but I had forgotten it. If I had not seen you
coming out of Webster’s I mighflnot have re-
membered it at all.”

“I 'am coming on wall, St. Clair—well
enough. But we must not talk on the street
here.” ‘

“ Why not?”

“I will tell you, but you must not start and
look around. Keep perfectly cool. We are
watched.”

f‘Watched? By whom?"

“ One of Bob Booth’s spies. It is nothing new
for me. I have from one to four of them dog-
ging my steps the greater portion of the time.
Occasionally, when I wish to do some important
work, I don a disguise and give them the slip."

“ Where is the man who is watching us!”

“Stop here a moment. We will talk care-
lessly, while you watch the opposite sidewalk
near that lamp-post. In a few moments you
will see a man in a gray suit saunter along,
swinging a cane and smoking a cigar. That II
the sp .

In 3: short time Harold saw the detective’s
shadow saunter carelessly past.

“ I should think you would get tired of such
surveillance, Downing."

“ Oh, I don't mind it.” smiled Dan. “ It
amuses them and it dOesn’t harm me. As for
Broadway Bob, he will not trouble you long, I
promise you that.” ~

Harold’s face lighted.

“ You have discovered something of import-
ance concernin him?”

“ I could pul him now, if I wished; but there
are others I intend to net. In the mean time he
hopes to do me tip—down me for keeps.”

“ For heaven’s sake don’t let him succeed l”

“ I don’t intend to.”

“ I believo the rascal be! some kind of a pull
with Calvin Webster, for he goes there.”

“ You may be right. Webster does not seem
like himself. He has a strange, dazed air a
great deal of the time, and he does not seem to
know just what he wants to say. I believe the
man is not well.

“ But 1 cannot waste any more time. I will
see you again before long. Good-day.”

They parted, Dan hurrying down the avenue.
Before Harold turned into Thirty-second street.
he paused to look back. The gray-clothed man
had quickened his step and was sauntering along
in the same direction Downing was taking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

, glul.‘ i met you!

' no (I ll'erence.

: your guard. Something tells me

I hsitzrtsd, fixed his dark eyes

_ Harold, jealousy so

 

Q  It was certainly more
 calls at the house, I

'  Broadway Bub, theRounder. ‘

_.._ _ mm...” ..

,\ .‘i .1 ;,.' .

 

 

Harold was soon on Broad way.

Almost in front of the Fifth Avenue Hotel he
came face to face with Irma! 

Harold started and turned pale, expecting she
would pass on without recognizmg him. What
was his amazement when she came directly to
ward him a light of pleasure in her eyes.

“Uh, Harold!" she exclaimed. “I am so
I have been looking for you.”

" Looking for me?” he managed to mutter,
feeling a trifle dazed.

“Yes. Idid not expect you to come to the
house after—after—”

“i should think not!” cause bitterly from
£13 lips, as he thought of the meeting in the

ar‘:

" But you know I um ever the same, Harold.”

Ha, felt more dazed than ever.

“ Do If” he said, doubtfully.

She frowned and pouted prettily.

“ What is the matter with you?" Irma asked.
“ You do not seem at all like yourself.” .

“ l havo geod reasons for seeming different.”
d “fisml, you trust me, Harold—I am sure you

0!

What could he say?

“ I must have a talk with
Harold. “ This is no place.
hotel.” .

In a corner of the parlor of the hotel they sat
down close together.

“ Why didn’t you recognize me in the Park
Tueuinyi” he asked.

“ Tuesday 1”

‘I Yes."

“ In the Park?”

‘6 Yea."

“ I was not there l”

Harold was astounded.

“It must be you have forgotten, Irmhl” he
cried. “ I saw you there.”

She shook her head.

“ I did not leave the house Tuesday.”

“ Do you really mean it?"

She looked at him reproachfully.

“ Of course I mean itl Do you think I would
,tell on a falsehoodi”

“ ’9, no!” he quickly exclaimed.‘ “ And

“ What is it? I see somethin strange has
happened. Tell me everything.” 8

Her gloved hand was on his arm, her melting

on,” declared
ome into the

eyes looking pleading! into his face.

“ I was ready live notes ago to take my oath
I saw you in the Park Tuesday.”
“ Then ou must see how easy it is to ,be de-
ceived. was not there."
He passed a hand across his forehead, as if to
brush away the dazed feeling.
“ It is strange—unaccountable.
double?”
“It must be. Who was this person who looks
like me with?”
“Romrt Booth.” .
She started back. '
“ And you could think it possible I would
be seen in Central Park with him! Why, I
detest the very ground the man walks on! I have
rown to hate him most sincerely. Harold, you

not trust me!”

“ Yes, yes—I do! But the lady with him
was cur perfect counter art. I bowed, but
she d d not recognize me. on can understand
my feelings.”

‘ You thought I gave on the cut?" I

“ I could not help thin ing so.”

“ Now,‘I am rea l'y angry at you! Had I not
given you my word to remain true? And you
could believe me so heartless!”

“ Forgive me, Irma! I am only tooovsrioysd
toknow it was alla wretched mistake! will
never doubt you again-menu!”

She sunk back into the chair, smiling.

“I suppose I shall have to overlook it this
tithe, but do not darn doub me again! No
matter what happens, Robert th can neVer
ho , anything to me. It is true father has
ch ed and seems to like him, but that makes
My father will not be cruel
enough to force me into an alliance against which
my heart rebels. In the end I believe it will all

outobeon

ooth is about

to make a desperate play."
Almost at the door ’of the hotel they came
face to face with Broadway b. The Rounder
Irma’s and lifted

Have you a

l

“I trust so, but I must warn

hat.
She bowed mechanically.

 

CHAPTER XV.
a carers.

9' War did you no uiza him Irma!” asked
ng in his breast ones

“ I don’t know,” she replied.
was something in the manner that

  

‘ ,Earolddidnotlikebuthshadpromisedtotrust

” he confessed. '
lady-like. While he
I must. recognise

her.
“ Perhaps it were better,

  

suppose

9' .

 they partsd.Barold;lost no as. In an.

. again.

 

seeing Dan Downing. He was fortunate in find-
ing the detective.

Seated in Downing’s office, the young man
told him of the affair from beginning to
end.

“Now, what do you think of it?” be con-
cluded.

“ lt appears that Irma Webster must have a
double.”

“Just what I thought,” nodded Harold.
“ I believe there is a big conspiracy afoot.”

“ Of what nature?” “

‘ “ I am not prepared to say for certain, but is
it not possible Bob Booth means to substitute
this strange double for Irma!”

“I have heard of such things,” confeseed Dan.
“But, if that is his purpose, be was foolish to
appear in public with Irma Webster’s double.
Still, it will be well to watch out for any such
an attempt.”

Dan was not inclined to communicate his
plans, but he promised Harold to let him know
if he saw anything that indicated Broadway
Bob contemplated the desperate move of which
they had spoken.
parted Dun promised to discover if Irma had
left the house at all Tuesday. For all his asser-
tion that be trusted her, there was still a vague
doubt in Harold’s mind.

That Very night he received a note from
D0wniug, which read as follows:

“ MY DEAR Sr. Cum-z

“lhnve made inquiries concerning the point
spoken of, and] find Miss Webster (lid leavo the
house l‘uesday afternoon. More than that “earn—
ed she went out to drive with R )bert Boot l. whose
turnout stood fifteen minutes before Calvin
\Vcbsier'sdoorl Hastily. Dowmuo."

Harold read the note over several times, a
dull pain in his heart. At first, he could not
believe it was true, but the conviction that
Irma had deliberately deceived him slowly
forcsd itself upon him.

" Still, I do not understand it ” he muttered,
hoarsely. “ W by should she wish to deceive me
in such a manner—why should she deliberately
tell me a falsehOod?

“ Well I will go away and never see her
here is no reason why I should remain
here now. She needs no protection from the
man she deliberalely chooses as her companion.”

For all of this decision, he could not bring
himself to believe everything was as black as it
appeared on the surface.

“ Is it not possible I met and talked with her
double in the Fifth Avenue Hotel! No, no, no!
Such a thing is utterly out of the question. Tlgt
was Irma! My only hope is that Downing is
mistaken."

He was tortured mentally ins mostdistrsct-
lug manner; but the very next day the final
blow camo. He met a friend, who said:

“ Are you in the secret, Harold, old man?"

“ What secret?” asked Harold.

“Why, about the sudden marriage of your
Madison avenue friend. It is to be a very qmet
affair, but, of course you know all about it.”

Harold’s heart stopped beating for n time.

“ Possibly I have not been informed.” he said,
speaking as calmly as he could. “ Give me the
points. Who are the parties?"

“ Bob Booth is the lucky man.”

St. Clair’s hand fell with a grip of steel on
the arm of the other. .

“ Who is the bride?”

“ Why, Irma Webster. I thought you were
favored there at one time. Geod God! What
is the matter with you?”

He sprung to support Harold, who was sway-
ing blinle, and whose face was like that of a
corpse. But hil'auistance was not needed.

“ When did this marriage take place?" asked
fiarpld, suddenly straightening up, his eyes

az n .

“ ion did it take placei"

“Yes, yes! Speak, man! Speak, before I
tear the words from your lips!”

“ Why, it hasn’t taken place yet.”

:‘ I‘Votnyetl” \

. o.

“ Then, when is it to occur!”

“ This evening.”

“ You are sure this is true. Pe star!"

“ Certainly. It is not open reported but
still it has got about. 1mm asort of pri-
vate affair. The bride and groom will sail to-
morrow for Europe.”

“Peyster,” said ‘Harold, slowly, his voice
sounding harsh and shaky, “there will be no
wedding l”

.“ What do you. mean!”

“ Just what I , said. Read the papers to-rpor—
rOw morning i” ‘

With that, he turned and dashed away, leav-
lnfil’eyster open-mouthed and astounded.

arold sought for Double- voice Dan. a

“The defective will know just what to do,”
he thought. “ Bob Booth must be amisted on
some charge. That is the only way to rovent
this marria s. It must hedelayod unti Down.
ing gets al the evidence he needs against the
Rounder.” I
Double-voice Dan was not easy to find just
then. but Harold did not give over the search

 

\

._4,

.. until he  placed his I hand on the detective’s

Before the young man de- m

       

 

The lights were beginning to twinkle from
the windows and street lamps.

“ I know all about it," declared Double-voice
Dan, before Harold could speak a word. “ Leave
ever thing to me.”

“ on will prevant this horrible affair from
taking,r place Downing?"

u Yes.”

“ Will you arrest Booth?”

“ No. I have another plan.”

“ What is it?”

“ Never mind. I have given you my word to
spoil the game; that is enough. I will see you
again.’

The detective disappeared into the throng.

llarcld was in anything but an enviable frame
of mind, but be trusted everything to Dan
Downing. There was really no other course for
him to pursue.

Howewr, eight o’clock in the evening found
him on MndISon avenue in the vicinity of Cal-
vin Webster’s house. The mansion was brilliant-
ly lighted, but Harold could not see many peo-
ple astir about the place.

Later, a carriage drew up at the door and two
gentlemen left it for the house. The watcher
iBiiade out that neither of-them was Broadway

0!).

Within thirty minutes a closed cab rolled up
and stopped in front of Webster’s. Two more
med left the cab, and within ten minutes,
several carriages had dropped people at the
door.

‘ Harold’s nerves were atremble, for he knew
the critical moment was at hand.

Would Downing keep his promise and baffle
Bob Booth’s plot?

Among the carriages remaining in front/of ,

the door was one to u hich a handsome and met-
tlesome pair of greys were attached. The
horses were fiery and impatient, and the driver
was forced to talk to them a great deal in order
to keep them quiet.

Harold paid no heed to anything outside the I

house now, for he felt that the ceremony was on
the point of taking place. He came down the
sidewalk and paused under the parlor window,
which was open, although the shades were
closely drawn. As be halted there, he heard
some words which brought his heart into his
throat.

“ If any person know just cause wh this man
should not take this woman to be h lawfully
wedded wife, let him speak now, or forever
after hold his peace 1”

Then there‘ was a sudden commotion within
the room. The man outside heard cries of
astonishment and anger, a woman’s shriek, and

.and then the shade at the window was torn

down.

The lights within the parlor reVealed a strange
scene.

The man who had torn down the window
shade held the form of a beautiful girl, dressed
in white, upon his arm, while he turned back
and menacsd the others within the room with a"
revolver. His face was cov by a bushy
Mai-k beard, and he looked like a most desperate
TU an.

The girl on his arm was Irma Webster, and
she seemed unconscious or in a state of stupor.

Only one instant did the man pause, then he
sprung out through the window. and swun him-
self lightly to the stone steps, down which he

dashed. 1

Within the parlor, lying prone on the richly
carpeted floor, stricken senseless by a terrible
blow on the bead, lay a man clothed in a full-
dress suit and wearing white gloves on his

hands. '
The bridegroom was completely knocked out!

CHAPTER XVI.
DAN HOLDS “ run naor.”

HAROLD ST. CLAIR was astounded by tho
daring act of the kidnappsr, but his wits worked
swiftly, and he leaped forward tops-jeth the
a u on.

The dr ivsr of the spirited turnout divinsd the

oung man’s pn , and struck at Harold’s
head With the butt of a heavy Whip. The blow
was effective, for the young man was sent stag-
gering backward, to drop I mply on the walk, a
million colored lights seeming to blaze and burst
before his 0 es.

Into the yearn-lags the kidnappsr swung m.
precious burden, and when Harold sta ered to
his feet the mettleomne gray; were dashing down
the avenue.

“ After them!” yelled .Hnrold, leaping toward
the nearest cab and swinging himself up beside
the driver. “ Fifty dollars if you overtake them
_yeg, a hundred dollars!”

« Do you‘ mean it?" lmsped cabby. ' ,

“My God ves! Be lively! I’ll give you
gmncymve dollars whether you catch them or
not!

Whig up! whip up!”
He snatc ed the whip and rained blows on the
frightened horse. which went longing down the
avenue in ursuit of the carriage a sad.
Out of ebster’s rushed several negro, and
t the

     
     

    

third carriage was soda in partial other;
two. - , .
The kidnappers hadths advanm  

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, Unsolved. The police seemed to feel certain the

   

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Broadway Bob, the ’ Rounder.

11

 

 

possessed the boot tcam.
it"xoy struck Twenty-third street, and from
‘1‘wenty-third street they turned down Broad way
'to Fourteenth.

Still the cab kept them in view and still Har-
old urged the driver on by increasing his bribes.
llis heart was sinking, for he saw the cab horse
has no match for the grays. To his surprise
the kidnappers turned to the east when they
struck Fourteenth street.

The grays Were a long distance ahead when
{he y turned into Second avenue, but Harold had
_ :ot given up hope. Some accident might com-
pel them to halt.

The team disappeared from view, and Harold
WMS amazed to find himselfclose upon the greys
m-ht-n the cab reached the avenue. In fact, the
fugitives seemed to have suddenly lost their
great desire to escape.

“ We’ll overtake them !” exclaimed Harold,

nexultuntly.
. “ Little good it’ll do,” answered the cabman.

“ What do you mean?"

“ They've got rid of the gal.”

It was true. The girl was no longer in the
carriage, and her bushy-bearded kidnapper had
also vanished!

“ Tricked!” cried Harold.

” Sure as fate,” r tortmi cabby.

“ But they shall suffer for it! I’ll have that
«driver arrested, if we can overtake him i"

That, however, they were unable to do. The
driver soon whipped up again, and it was not
long before pursuit was abandoned.

Already had the police been notified of the
most daring abduction ever known in New York,

:and they wore laying their snares to revent the
kidnappers from escaping out of t e city. It
seemed that it would be no great task to discover
the driver of the greys and force the truth from
his lips. ‘

But when another mornin came, no trace of
‘the kidnapped girl or her a actors had been
discovered. The mornin papers contained a
full account of the astonishing occurrence and
commented editorially on the amazing daring of
the kidnappers, moralizing to the effect that liv-
'ing in New York was getting to be asdangerous
as livin in the bandit infested regions of the
Wild on.

High and low Harold St. Clair sought for Dan
Downing, but the detective had disappeared and
was not to be found.

Reporters rushed to interview Calvin Webster,
but the broker seemed dazed, and he could give
them very little satisfaction. When asked what
he progised to do, he seemed uttev ly at a loss to
tell a had formed no plans, but seemed wait-
ingto hear from the police. '

roadway Bob was like a raving madman,

his tury was so great. He made dire ‘threats,

git hedalso  lags dble of doing anything
war unear h t no a rsscuin

his intended bride? ' . ppm . g

Strangest of all, the y horses and their
driver had vanished an were not to be found
by the police.

The whole afi’uir was most singular and once.
countable, and the afternoon papers devoted
columns to the story. The whole cg? was agog
with excitement, for never before b there been
in case like it. '

Another night came, and still the mystery was

kidnapped girl had not been carried from the
city, but they were still unable to locate her.

Broadway Bob and Dandy Dave were drink-
ing together in a Sixth avenue saloon when they
were approached by a familiar figure. Bob ut-
tered an exclamation as his eyes fell on the ssedy
goat and ongoitu pressed pants of Sleek, the

: w
in? Grand street detective made an excited
but cautious signal.

“ Come here," commanded Booth.

Thebogus detective s proacbed, nodding to-
ward DandyDavs in a ifloant manner.

“ Sit down,” ordered the Rounder, plat-in a
--uhair at the little table. “ This is a portion M
{218113 of mine. You can speak right out before
i m.

Sleek hesitated. .

“ I’m in the ring.” assured the flasher. “ Let
her slide, old host!” ,4

“ I believe I have found the girl,” ventured
the Shadow Sneak.

In a moment Bob Bootb’s baud fell on Block’s
wrist With a grip of iron, and the der de-
mended:

:2 must girl!”

' s one who was kid last night."

“ The deuce you tbinko3p°$VMt makes you
believe an thing of the sort!”

“ I saw er face at a window!”

“ Where!” 

“ Over on the East Side.”

“ How did on he to be there!”

“I follow Dan Downing to the place.”

“ That settles it! You must take us there
within,” a moment’s delay. In Downing there

new . ' '

“ No; he was in Trainor’s at Thirtyothird
street not fifteen minutes ago."

“ Then no time is to be lost! Lead on! Dave
.and I are with you!”

From Madison avenue I hailed and the driver was given instructions by

Block, after which all three piled in and were
whirled rumbling over the uneven streets of the
worst paved city in America.

The cab took them directly to a disreputable
locality on the East Side. Bob settled with the
driVer, and then, with Dandy Dave, followed
Sleek down a dark alley.

" Are you prepared to fight, Dave!” asked the
Rounder.

“ If I have to,” was the Masher’s reply.

Dave did not have a great reputationas a
fighter, but he was known to be reliable and
nerv y. .

Down in the darkness of the alley the bogus
detective paused at a little door.

” This is the way to get in,” he said.

“ Go on,” commanded Bob.

The three silently entered the building. The
Grand street sharp seemed to know the way

retty well, for he only hesitated once or twice.

e whispered an explanation that he had enter—
ed the building and attempted to get away with
the girl, but had not been able to do so.

Up some uncertain stairs they crept.

“ What is the matter with this place!” ques-
tioned Bob. “ It seems deserted.”

“ It should be,” cautiously replied Sleek. “ It
has been condemned as unsafe and the tenants
forced to evacuate. It is to be torn down in a
few days.

At the head of the second flight, the Grand
street sharp whispered.

“ The room where the girl was to-day is right
ahead. You had better remain herea moment
and let me investigate. If the count is clear, I
will hiss. Then you are to come on.”

Like a creeping oat, he sneaked alon the
passage. Once a board creaked a bit on er his
feat, but he had well—earned the title of the
“ Shadow Sneak.”

They heard him open a door that .aqueaked a
little on its hinges, and then—

“ Help! help!”

Following the cry, came the sound of fierce

struggle and the slamming of a door.

‘V

   

 

)Wheu they were outside, the nearestcab was

The cry for help had been in Bob Sleek’s
voice! 1

“ Come, Dave!” shouted the Rounder, spring-
ing forward without hesitation. “Sleek is in
trouble!”

Dandy followed, although his nerves were

bagll shaken. . d d M h b
n n n a oor you w c t e
Shadogv ape me two men leaped

neak had! i
into the room beyond. '

Of a sudden, a bright light flared u . and
the saw a ma sittin astrids a chair, the
bee of which his ban 3 rested.

And each hand clasped the butt of a self-
cocking revolver!

“I hold the drop, gentlemen,” calmly de-
clared Double-voice Dan, a placid smile on his

rugged face.

 

CHAPTER XVII.
LEFT :0 DIE.

“ Dim Downmoi"

“ The devil !”

In all New York it would have been impossi-
ble to find two more astonished men than Broad-
way Bob and Dandy Dave.

They could scarcely believe the evidence of

their eyes.

“ I assure ou I am not the devil," smiled the
Go-It-Alnoe etective.

“ Then on are in league with him i” retorted
the Bonn tr.

“ i have no dealings with your master,”re—
turned Dan, readily. ,

“ Help! help!” shouted the muffled voice .of
Sleek. the Shadmv Sncak, seeming to come from
another room. “ Don’t let ’em murder me."

.“Your friend is calling you,” smiled Double-
voiro Dan. ‘ ‘

“ The curled us into this trap!” hissed Booth.

“ That is no fault of his,” assured Dan Dawn-
ing. “I knew he was shadowing mo, and I
plavod my cards accordingly. He was badly
fooled.”

“ I believe he is in with you.”

“ That is something of n joke. I am not en-
tering into partnership with any of your $0018,
Broadway Bob, I assure you of that.”

The sound of a struggle came from the adjoin
ing room, and Black’s voice was heard alternato-
ly raving and begging.

“ He seems restless.” observed the Double-
voice Detective. “ HOwever, I fancy my friend
will take care of him very well.”

“ I hope your friend will fix him so be will ‘

never lead me into another snap of this sort!”
and”? the Rounder. “What do yen propose
O .

“I am thinkin of forciu on to produce
Irma Webster’s dguble.” ' ‘ y ‘ .

" Fer double!” ‘ ‘~

“ That’s what I said.”

:‘ .kauowpof no double?“ a m “a.

‘ ouma orma no u
I know you {wafer t; lie any zine!“

“ You infernal—" ’

" Now, go slow. my boy! Remember your
position. I hold trump  and I may take
a notion to lay my hand for all it is worth. I
wouldbsdomgthsmntny‘sssrviosifltooka

  

   

 

notion to see what kind of a looking corpse you
would make. You have tried your best to
lay me out; and turn about is fair play, you
know”

“This is all talk!
do?"

“ Don’t get impatient, Robbie. There is lots
of time; in fact, we have the whole night before
us. See how easy I take things, and profit by
my example.”

The Rounder raved, while Dandy Davo mut-
tered some savage words beneath his breath.

.Dan Downing seemed to enjoy the scene 1m.
mensely.

“ I would ask you to have some chairs, but
this ranch does not seem to be overstocked with
furniture,” he said. “You will have to lean up
against the wall and let it go at that. 1 really
did not expect you would bring a friend with
you, Robert.”

“ Where is Irma Webster!” the Rounder
suddenly asked.

“ How should I know!”

“I believe you had ahand in that job last
night."

“ What you believe doesn’t count, Robert.”

“ You do not deny it!"

“ I won’t take the trouble, dear sir.” ,

" I dare you to don it!”

“ I am too old a bird to be worked by that
trick.” "

“ By Heaven fit you did that job, you have.
made yourself an outlaw! I can have you sr-‘
rested and punished!"

“ You must remember it is always necessary ,
to have a little proof before you can secure con—
viction.”

" That I have."

“ Do you really think so?" I

“I know it! Bob Sleek saw the girl in this
house. and now I have found you here."

“ Did Sleek séy he saw the girl hereT’

u Yes.”

“ Then Sleek lied, for he never saw Irma
Webster in his life. Besides that. do you
imagine ftramoment his word would be be-
lieved. Why, he is notorious for his crooked-
ness! You have him in your employ, but I
warn you to look sharp after him, else he will
sell you out.” -

" It won’t be well for him if he does!”

“ Dropping this, I’ll tell you just what I want

What do you proposeto

of on now. t is what you are so impatient
to ow."

H Yes.”

“ All right. I’want on to—“

“ Hark!” exclaimed andy Dave, interrupting
the detective.

“A fire en ine has flogged on
this block! Hear the crow yelling! T also
fire near! [smell me I” w

" Imagination !” asserted Dan. “ If you
keep in Bob Booth’s company, you are liable to
smell brimstone."

“ I am not mistaken l” affirmed Days. “There
comes a second engine! Listen! My Moses!
this building is aflre!”

He was right. A sudden puff of smoke came!
up from below and they heard_thc soft creeping
crackle of flames!

The old building had received the attention of
a prowling fire-bug!

Akcrash down below told the firemrn were at r
wor .

“I am sorry to be interru ted in such a
manner, gentlemen,” said Dan owning: ‘,“hut
it seems that we shall have to postpone this
interview until alater date. You will oblige
me by turning - hare around and walking out
through the door which you entered.” '

The obeyed. he threatening pistol told
them 1: was the best thing to do.

Dan slammed and bolted the door beLind

them.

Then tho-v realised their situation.

“ Holy Heaven!” gs Dandy Dave. “ We
arei by:le There cuts us 03 from the
BIB. P8

As if to corroborate his declaratimi, a Hidden V
burst of flame csme u from below, illuming the
interior of the old r00 erg; . 

The two men looked to each other’s eyes, - '
their facts blanched. ‘ . ,

“ The door!" Bob suddenly cried. “Dawn it 

he!!!"
8 He whirled and flung himself Extinct the door
Dun Downing had bolted. .Onco—twice—tbo
third time it gave way and they rushed back i
into the room. . - "

The ht of the fire now showed them , _ _
wave the hurried intotbenextroom. 7 . v
' Bob stumb over something, and tin ‘tbo
voice of Sleek, the Shadow Sneak, cried: ' ' I

“ Help! Set mofree! See, I am bound, bands
and feet! I’ll be roasted by the firs if you don’t;
frsc me!” ’ ~ r' ,

“ Then roast!” was Broadway‘Bob’s brutal ris- 
tort. “You got‘us intotbis trap.de wo’lllet‘
’°i‘-t‘°‘€“”"“ ’°" “writ... a the pitiful

0! 00. "in IP'

pads of the detective. ,

i , CHAPTER XVIII. . . 7
- “man‘s ruin a surf no. 
"Em!" shrieksd the voice of Bobfilcsk. 7

“ Don’t leave me here to die—pleas don’t have
menus! Bavomslmvsms!" v ‘ . \ ‘

z

 

     

     

 

12

Broadway Bob, the

Rounder.

 

 

Dandy Dave whirled, but Broadway Bob
caught his arm.

“ Where are you going?” the Rounder de-
mended.

“ Back to set that poor devil free and give

. him a chance for his life.”

“ You won’t do anything of the kind l”

'Q “It is inhuman to leave him to be burned
‘ alive!”

“ It is the easiest way we can get rid of him.

He is proving of no earthly use Sure to lead us
, into snares, and he knows too much concerning
y me. He could swear us both into hock if he
‘ took a. notion, and he is ju-t the kind of' a man

who is “’2er to take a notion. Come on i”

, The Masher was controlled by the master
-' mind, and reluctantly followul.

Was Sleek destinedto perish in the burning
building?

“ I wonder where Dan Downing is,” came
from Broadway Bob’s lips. “ If I could see
him— Hal who are those?”

He caught a glimpse of two figures disappear-
ing into a room, the door of which was violently
CIOsOd.

“Great blizzardsl” shouted the Rounder. “I
believe that was Downing and the girl!”

They dashed forward and tried the door.

It was immovable.

“Give me room l” commanded Bob, as he
backed away.

The next moment he made a rush at the door,
and it fell with a crush before his assault.

Dandy Dave follovved his leader, but they
found the room empty, and there was no other
door leading from it.

“The window!” cried the Masher. “They
must have gone that way 1”

Through the window came the light of the
rising flames and the sounds of the fire-engines.
They also heard the crowd shouting some-
thing.

Rushing to the window, they looked down. A
wretched tire-escape was close at hand, but
there was no one on it below. Still, they saw
the upturned faces of the gathering crowd, as if
the people were watching smoothing above.
Broadway Bob looked upward, and he was

ust in time to see the legs of a man who was
saving the fire-escape for the roof.

“ They have gone upward!” he exclaimed. as
he scrambled through the window onto the fire-
escape. “ Come on, Dave! We’ll follow ’em
c1099!”

Up the iron ladder he went, Dandy Dave not
far behind. When the roof was reached, they
were just in time to see the head of a man who
was vanishing into another part of the building
by the skylight.

The pursucrs lost no time in following. They
found the skylight open, but when Bob reached
downward with his feet and felt fer the steps or
the ladder, he found none.

“ We’ve got to drop for it i”
“ They’ve taken the ladder away.”

He swung down by his hands and dro ped
into the’ darkness below. Then Dandy Bave
heard him call up:

“ All right. Be liVely, pull”

The Masher followed.

“ Here are some stairs,” said Bob. “ Come
on! They must have gone down!”

Down the stairs they plunged, losii: no time
until the ground floor was reached. here they

found an outer door standing wide open, but
{hey saw not a. trace of the ones they were fol-
ow ng.

“ Shipped up!” snarled Bob.
got away 1”

Some of the assembled spectators were near
at hand, and the Rounder eagerly asked if any
3! them had seen some one come out of that

oor.

“ I did, mister ” declared a street gamin.

“ How mun f’

“ uni-tor oga. dollar, boss.”

6‘ hat?”

“ Quarter of a dollar, boas."

With a muttered expression of anger, the
Rounder snatched a. dollar from his pocket and
placed it in the hands of the shrewd gamin.

"There was two of them," the boy instantly
replied. -

‘ Was one a woman 1”

“Yep, she was a female. She had a vail
over her face, so -I didn’t see if she was a good
looker."

“ Whi~h way did they go?”

“ Fuller me; I’ll show er.”

The boy quickly led them through a narrow
passage and they found themselves on the main
street.

“ They kem through dere,” the gamin assert-
ed; " but I don’t know where day went after-
wuds."

The Rounder made many inquiries, but not
one of the slatternly women or blear-eyed men
of the neighborhood had noticed the strange
man and woman.

“I believe that boy lied!” Bob finally ex—
claimed. “ Where is he?"

The crafty young rascal had vanished.

Disgusted beyond measure, the two baffled
rascals turned back. They were amused to
come face to face w ith Sleek, the Shadow Sneak.

“ We were just going back to pull you out of-

“ They have

he gritted. '

 

that,” the Rounder quickly declared. “How
did on escape?”

“ managed to get my hands tree,” was the
answer. “But I am done with you! A man
who will leave any one to roast in that way is
too menu for me!"

“ Didn’t I tell youI was on the point of going
back to pull you out? Don’t nuke a foul of
yourself. Sleek! I was So but after Dan Down-
ing just then that I did not know what I was
doing. Do you think that I would really have
left you there? Of Course you don’t 1”

“ It looked that way.”

“Take my Word for it, I would have been
back there within two minutes. I Was so ex-
cited IIHD that 1 did not think of the peril you
were in. Don’t you bulieVe me?”

Sleek hesitated.

“ You may be telling the truth,” he acknowl-
edged; “ but—”

“It’s all right. man,” and Bob patted the
bogus detectiw soothingly on the back. “I
have plenty of work for you, and I'll raise your
pay, if you do wall.”

“ Then 1’“ try to forge-t this night. It’s moncy
I need, and 1 am with yin, if you shell out
properly.”

The three ncn wrnt away together, paying
no further intuition to the burning building.

Thnt night the 1 olive Were notified Dan Down—
ing knew “'lil'lo lrna Webster was. Robert
Booth mndo tho accusation. and he further
stated he llclir ved thc Go-lt—Alonc Detective hnd
bven at the invltmii of the kidnapping. He was
astonished and angered when he saw the officers
put little credit in his words.

In the mean time, an oldislrnppearing woman,
who was closely veiled, and a rather handsome
young fellow, who seemed like her son, seemed
waiting for the appearance of some one at the
DvsbroBScs Street Ferry. The young man
accrued nervous and impatient, but the woman
sat quietly in one of the long seats that runs
around the wailing—room.

The two attracth some attcntion because they
allowed Several boats to leave while they still
lingered, the young man walked up and down,
now and then pausing to speck to the woman,
who replied in an indistinct murmur, or b nod»:
and shakes of her head. Not once did s 8 lift
her vail.

New Yorkers are nuiurully suspicious of any
one who appears a trifle odd, and it was but
natural the strange couple should be favored
with many searching glances.

At length, an old gray-bearded man came in
and hastened to greet the women. He was
dressed and appeared like a countryman.

“ Why, howdy-do, Sarah!” he cried, grabbing
both her hands and shaking them exuberantly.
“ I’m nish tickled to death to see ycl An’ this
is my little nevvy, Jacki Why, whatastrappin’
great boy he’s grown to be—he’s a man now!
Looks a little Soft an’ cityficd, but I s’pose livin’
’round these r-arts makes one that way.”

The woman still kept her vail down, replying
in a low tone, but the young man came forv ard
and shook the old country man’s hand, say-

ing:

“ I am glad to see you. Uncle Jim.”

“ Now, be yo really i” chuckled the old fellow.
“ Hain’t a bit ’shamed o’ n e, I s’posei”

“Not at all uncle,” asserted the young man,
but he looked around as if anxious to avoid
notice. “Why didn’t you come right to our
house in Jersey City as soon as you got here!”

“Didn’t know’s you’d care to be bothered
with an old coon like me. I’d made up my mind
to see New Yoke ’fore I died, an’ soI 19st kem
down, makin’ up my mind to go it I one, an’
show the folks I wasn’t sech a’tarnal green-
horn as they thought I was.”

“Come!” exclaimed the young man. as the
gatcman’s whistle sounded. “We’ll bus to
burr . or we’ll lose this boat.”

" kin hurry,” assured the old fellow. “ I’m
jest about as spry as I uster be when I could
thro’w your dad flam outer his back at every

fio .

'Ilhey hastened through the sliding door, being
just in time. as it cloned in the face of a man
who happened to be behind them. The old fel-
tow was talking all the while.

“ Ben was pritty good at backs,” he said, “ but
I was more’n his match, far all that. My great
snap was side-bolts. Oh, I was a ri per at side-
holtsl Never yit got bolt 0’ the fel ow as could
fii me that way.’

0 rattling of chains told that the bOat was
on the point of leaving the slip.

“ Get a movo on there!” shouted a uniformed

man.

But sudden] two cfilcers, who had apparently
been waiting or some one, stopped the trio.

“ I beg your pardon, lady,” said one, with a

life bow.’ “I trust you will .not be offended,

ut I wish to ace your facei”

The Woman started back angrily, while the
old countryman pushed forward and looked the
officer over.

“ Wal, by gosh i” exclaimed the old man.
“ You bev got about the biggest gall of any fellcr
I ever saw 1”

“ Button up your lip, old man,” advised the
second ofiicer. “ You will get yourself into
trouble.”

 

 

This caused the countryman to fairly dance»
with anger.

“ By gum! this is more t an I kin stand l" he
shouted. spitting on his hands nnd rubbing tl‘cm
together. “ I don’t ’l0w nobody to talk to me in
that way, eye-n if he does wear brass buttons all
OVéI‘ him! I hain’t bid a good Old scrimmagu
for a long time. but I’ll bet I hain’t forgot how."

Havingr exir nzscd bimsrlf thus, he suddenly
let go at the (fllccr, who was taken by surprise
and knocked oown in an instam. Then he
whirled on the other, and a terrific leftrhander
upset number two.

“ Skodaddle fer the boat 2” shouted the victor,
catching the old woman up in his arms and
starting on a run down the incline carrying hel"
as. easily as if she did not weigh a pound.

The young fellow u as at his side.

Already was the ferryboat Swinging clear ( f
tho bridge, and there was a wide gap.

The old man did not hesitate to make the leap,
no one happening to be at hand to stop him, and
he lundcd safvly on the boat. The young fellow
also jumped and was successful.

Standing outside the iron gate- of the boat, the
old countryman turned and gayly waved his
hand at the two officers, who had picked them-
selves up and dashed down the bridge, only to
find the strange trio beyond their reach.

CHAPTER XIX.
TOM DUKE‘S BOLD STROKE.

“Goon BY, hobbies!” cheerfully railed the old
country mnn. as the ferry-bOat left the slip where!
the two bellied (flicers were fairly dancing with
fury, “ Don’t you never try tcr fool round Old
Sol‘Plunkctt ng’in. I may be a little grern, but
I hsin’t no ’tarnal fool, by gosh!”

The boat hands had been astonished by the old
man’s wonderful leap, but 110w two of them
rushed up, one (pening the iron gate while the
other cxpostulnted with tho country mun.

“ I‘on’t you know betur than to do a thing
like that?” rxclaimcd tlic angry dick-hand.
“ It’s a wonder you ain’t in the drink, along
with that lady. Come, git inside here!”

“ Now, don’t you git funny, my friend,” ad»
viscd the man from the country, as soon as he
wns inside the gate. “ If you’ve got cnny advim
tcr give me. jest do it in a kinderdecent way, or
me an’ ou’ll hev trouble."

But cw of the pram r;ch ltad witness+d the

 

rather exciting leap of the countryman, but.

one who had seen it turned to another, saying
gunrdcdly:

“ If t ese people aren't three crooks, I’m
mistaken! They slipped those (fiicers m atly
enough.”

“ Dat’s drad right,” agreed the one spoken to,
nodding his ,head knowingly. “ Datold cove is:
a scrapper frrm dcr word go. Why, dcr way ho
swiped dem fly cops made me t’ink o’ der blister-w.
w’ot Corbett spotted on Sully’s nose. If dcr 01.5:
boy warn’t quite scr aged, he might make a good
man fer dcr ring.”

The first speaker drew away somewhat, as if"
the language of number two had not particularly
pleased him, but he said:

“ Don’t you ima ine for a. moment that:
countryman is as o d as he seems. He has a
pretty good make-up on, and that 18 the secret
of the whole businesr."

“You t’ink he’s wesrin’ n rig?”

“ I am pretty sure of it.”

“ Well. I guesses ye’r’ rig! t. All der same, it.
hain’t [1339. of my cheeze, an’ I don’t put me nose.
in. See

The man with the tcugh dialect waved his:
hand and the other seemed to decide he was
not in congenial company, for he slowly edged

away.

The last speaker was Tom Duke. the Slugger,
whom the reader last saw in Murdoch’s, on Sixth
avenue. His curiosity had betn aroused. although
he pretended carelessness, and he resolVed to-
kcep his eyes on the countryman.

The old lady and the young mm hurried into
the women’s passenger room while the old fel~~
low stood wrangling with the deck-hand. Duke
allowed thvm to go on, thinking he would have
no trouble in finding them later.

The excitement of the old man seemed to daze
him somewhat, for he made for the dark portion
of the boat which is Named for teams. paying
no attention to the call of the man with whom
he had been talking.

Tom Duke followed. .

“ Youwe don’t give me der slip, old grout,"
muttered the Slugger. “ I’m goin’ ter sec v.1" . 0
you go.” .

The countryman dodged in and out amid the
teams and Duke bad dlfliculty In keeping track
of him. Had there been a large number of
teams, it is ponible the pugiiist would have been
given the slip without trouble. As it was, the
man from the country vanished, and then, as
Duke was hastening forward, a dark figure up-
rose before him. .

The next instant Tom Duke rcceivcd a terrific
blow between the eyes. As he fell, his head struck
against the hub of a wagon-wheel, and he was
stunned for some moments.

When he recovered, the Slugger sought for
the old man in vain.

The Jemy shore was not reached before a
police tug darted past the ferry-boat, and more

1?... In»-

 

 

 

e“. w.

. _ W P ;=_v..c:-..,.M... urghqu- v w...» . .

\

Broadway Bob, the Rounder.

13,

 

 

‘than one of the passengers felt confident the trio
who had escaped from the oflicers on the New
York side would be arrested at the landing

But where were the trio? Like the old coun-
tryman, the young man and the vailed lady had
apparently vanished, for Duke was unsuccessful
in his search for them.

“ Ddy’re playin’ slick,” the Slugger acknowl-
lrdged. “ Dey oughter git away, but I’d like for
swipe der feller w’ot hit me! Me head’s got a
'hig knob on de'r front side where he put his flat
on’ unnoder on der back side where der whecl
'nti'UCk.”

As had been expected, a number of policemen
wvre waiting when the boat run into the Jo‘sey
slip. The chains were made fast and the gates
op mod, and then, as the passengers came off, the
oilicers scanned them closely.

Just as he was leaving the boat, the {non of a
very pretty but rather pale girl attract-3d the
attention of Tom Duke. The girl was in the
company of a middle-aged man, whose hair and

mustache were tinged with gray and who walk- 2

cl with a slight limp.

“ Where have I seen dst piece of silk before?”
thought the Slugger. “ l’m dead sure I hev seen
her, but I don’t seem— I hev itl”

The pugilist looked at her again, and then be
repeated:

“I have it, swipe me if I hain’ti Dat’s der
gal w’ot Bob Booth is havin’der fuss over. I
Saw him ridin’ with her once. Dat’sder very
gal w’ot was taken right out of his fingers jest
w’en he was goin’ ter marry her! Holy jveel but
hain’t dere a bold game bciu’ played!”

The Slugger was not naturally a quick-witted
man, but it slowly crept through his brain that
the girl he now saw with the middle-aged man
was the vailed “ old woman " who had been
brought aboard the boat in the countryman’s
arms. W'hile crossing the North River, the
girl had found an opportunity to remove her
veil and shift her make-up and appearance so
she did not look in the least like the one who
boarded the boat in such :1 remarkable manner.

It also became plain to Duke that if it were
truly Irma Webster, she was not an unwilling
captive. Instead of that, she was doing all he
could to aid her kidnappers. This was some—
thing he did not readily understand, but he did
mt spend any time in puzzling over it just

then.

W o was the man with her?

“ is (111‘; def ol.l cow?” Teri questioned him-
s:l.“. “N a, it bnin’t him. Don it must be—
yes, it is der youngr fellcrl”

Another Chang" had been made, and the two
were going to boldly run the gantlet of the po-
liceman’s keen eyes. in fact, they were chatting
“pleasantly, seeming quite unconcerned, when
they left the boat.

The officers scrutinized them no closer than
‘the others, and they passed on without being
clnllonged.

“ Dnt's a bold game!” muttered Duke, in ad-
miration. “ Dat gal’s got nerve!”

He followed them, thinking what admirable
crooks they would make, if they could slip the
officers so easily every time they were “ wanted.”

“ Dey’d oughter b’long tor der gang,” he
thought. “ Never no such peOple was cut out to’
be honest!”

Neither the girl nor her companion seemed in
any haste, for they walked along slowly, and
any one near them might have noticod they were
di zcussing the merit of some well-known play
and the actors who took part in it. This was
the most natural thing in the world, and they
more not given a second look by those around
t em.

Together, they made their way to the spot
where a cab appeared to be waiting. The man
spoke to the driver, but Duke was not near
enough to hear what he sail.

“ I believe I know (lat cabby,” muttered the
Slugger. He hurried up, discovering he was cor-
rect in his surmisal.

“ Hello, Pete,” he called, making amysterinus
signal to the man on the cab. “How goes it?”

“ Same old way,” was the reply, while the
driver nodded in a manner that indicated he un-
derstood the signal.

The man had helped the girl into the cab, ask—
ing no assistance of the driver but he paused
with his hand on the open door, looking back to-
ward the slip. The electric light which shone
full on his face showe l a look of anxiety there.

“ Is he coming?” whispered the girl.

“ I don’t 8 'e anything of him,” was the guard-
ed reply.

“ Can anything have happened i”

“ Trust Dan Dowuingto take care of himself.”

Had Tom Duke heard these words, he would
have knowu the old countryman was none other
than the famous Go-It-Alone Detective whose
colossal nerve and limitless daring had made
him the terror to evil-doers that he was.

In none of his acts was Dan Downing conven-
tional. He never attempted to work out a case
on the lines that would naturally be employed
by the regular detectives, and this made him
'still more successful and still more feared. He
always arrived at the ends he sought by some
:startling and unexpected turn. which an ordi-
inary man would not have dared adopt.

 

 

The ordinary detective would have brought a
charge against Broadway Bob ‘and caused his
arrest just before the wedding was to take place,
preVeuting the ceremony in that manner.

Dan Downing did nothing of the kind. He
had reasons to believe Irma Webster was in the
power of the Rounder. and he did not hesitate to
get her away from him by a most daring and un—
expncted trick. Calling on a young Jersey City
detective whom he know reliable, he actually

1 kid "d‘pplld the girl at the very monr-nt the min-

ister ,was about to pronounce her Robert Booth’s
wife!

This was not done without the previous knowl-
edge of Calvin Webster, which will be explained
anon.

In attempting to destroy the Tender] )in Tigers
Dan knew he hail tackled the biggest job of his
life, and he realized the whole band was pitted
again-«t him in his battle with Broadway Bob.
If he made a few arrests he would f‘lii in the
grand coup he had planned, and he mi"! 'r not
be able to sustain any charges, as his cvricnce
was sadly lacking. It was true he had seen

‘2 enough, but other witnesses were necessary.

Dan's detective friend had been with him in
the East Side‘ rookery, from which they were
driven by the fire. The Double-voice Detective
had intrusted Irma to the other’s care, while he
remained behind to fling Broadway Bob and
Dandy Dave off the scent. The meeting nt
Desbrosses Street Ferry was planned in a few
moments, but the interference of the officers was
not looked for. However, Dan had given them
the slip in his usual nervy manner.

Tom Duke understood the cab was waiting
for the second man, and he suddenly resolved on
a bold move. » Slipping around behind it, he
suddenly sprung out on the man by the door.
Out shot the Slugger’s big fist, and Downing’s
detective friend was upset in a twinkling,

“ Drive like der devil, Pete!” hissed Tom, as
he sprung,r into the cab and closed the door.

Then he turned his attentiontotbe startled
girl. who uttered a cry of fear.

“ Shut up!” he grated, grasping her roughly
and placing a hand over her mouth.

The cub was bouncing over the stones, and
Irma Webster was in the power of a desperate
and conscienceless rascal!

‘ CHAPTER xx.
PROVING HIS POWER.

TOM DUKE had struck the Jersey City detec-
tive a fearful blow, and when the unlucky fel-
low was assisted to his feet by some men who
hurried up, the cab had disappeared around a
corner.

“ Which way did that cab go?” the unfortu-
nate man cried, his only thought being to start
immediately in pursuit.

Being given the general direction, be rushed
away like a madman, leaving th0se who had
gathered around him tosDeculate over what had
happened.

For a little time Irma Webster fought des-
perately with the big rufllan who had entered
the cab, but she was no match for the brute.
and Tom suddenly found an unconscious girl
in his arms. 9

“ That makes it all der easier!” he chuckled.
“ I hope she’ll stay dis way till I gits her inter
Tony Smike’s. I’ll be all right den.”

At length, when they were on a. dark street,
he opened the door and called to the driver:

“Pete—hey, Patel"

“ What yo wrnr, Tomi”

“ Take us ter Smike’s.”

U 0. K.”

Then Tom closed the door and drew the cur-
tains almost down. The flitterirg lights on
either hand shot ghostly rays into the cab, now

and the showing the death like face of the un-
ggnsciou girl or the grim, bulldog features of
e man.

The cab-driver took care to avoid the princi‘
pal streets. He knew very well where Smik’es
was, and before long he drew up at the door.

Once more Tom opened the door a bit, calling
to tl‘ 9 driver:

“ Say, old men, tell Tony 1 want a room-ser-
ciooded one. Do yer ketchl”

“ I’m on." .

“ I gotter stay here an’ look arter our sick
friend,” added the Slugger

The cabby dropped to the ground and hurried
into a side door of Tonv Smike’l resort. In a
few moments he returned and informed Duke it
was all right. "

The pngilist got' out of the cab and glanced
around. It happened to be a favorable moment
for his purpose, as there seemed to be no one in
the immediate vicinity. He quickly lifted Irma
groin the cab and hurried' in by the darkened

cor. -

Tonv Smike himself was on hand.

“ What‘s the lay. Duke?” he demanded, sus-
piciously. “Is she full?" -

“ As a queen,” was the instant retort. “ She’s
had der jims, an’ she jest piled der stuff inter
her till she was flat."

“ Is this straight!”
ure ”

“ I didn’t know but it was somethin’ crooked.

 

You know I can’t afford to take too big
chances, for the police have their eyes on this

place. There have been complaints. It’s only
my pull that keeps the dome open.”
"This is all right," assured Duke. “ She

gits crazy as u bug sometimes, but she’ll be
all right artor her reg’ler comes.”

“ Her re r’ler?”

“ Dcr blokv- wot she’s stuck on.”

“ Tin-n it ain’t you ?”
“ No; it’s Bob Booth. You know Bob?”

H “Tog.”

“Den youse know he’s der right sort. Let me
have a room where I can put dis lady—a room
where it won’t do no hurt if she makes a devil of
a row w’en she gits over dis racket. She’s
noisy w’en she has her tantrums.”

“ All right, Foller.”

Up two flights of stairs they went, and then
they reached the room. Smike lighted the gas,
and then Tom saw there was not a window in
one of the wells. Light and air came in by a
window in the roof, that was far beyond the
reach of any one who might occupy the room.

“These walls are extra thick,” explained the
proprietor of the place. “ All the \ellin’ that’s
done in here won’t be apt to disturb anybody
else in the place, for you see the doors are double,
one oponin’ inter the room an’ the other out of
it, and they close against each other, makin’
two thicknesses.” .

“Dis is great!" exclaimed the Slugger, with
satisfaction.

“ There‘s bin some things done in this room
What I hope the walls’ll never tell,” significantly
declared Tony Smike.

The unconscious girl was laced on the bed, .
null then Smike gave Tom the eye. They went
out, leaving Irma alone in her prison.

Duke‘s first act was to settle with the cabman,
who was patiently waiting at the door.

“ Here’s a fiver, Pety,” he said, as he gave the
driver acrisp bill. “ Let dat keep yer mouth
CiOBBd.” . ‘

“ All right, old man. I know my biz.”

Duke went back.

“ I don‘t like ter go ofl’ an’ leave dat gal in a
faint,” he muttered. “ Wot if she took anoshun
not ter come out of it? Holy jeel”

He hurried up to the room where he had left
Irma, hastily unlocking the doors. When he
stepped into the room, he was startled and re-
lieved to find the unlucky girl sitting up on the
bed. She stared at him in a. dazed way.

“ Howdy-do, miss,” bOch the Slugger, his
awkwardness pronounced. “ I’m glad to see

ou’ve come round.”

She stared hard at him and then looked around
once more before speaking.

“ How did I come in this place?” she finally
asked, her calmness surprising him.

“ You was brought here,” evasiver answered
D

uke.

” Not by Double-voice Dan?”

“ Not exactly,” confessed the pugilist.

Irma put her hand to her head and seemed
thinking.

“ Something happened I don’t seem to remem-
ber. What was it?”

“ Yer mustn’t ask too menny questions now,
miss. It’ll all be told to you later.”

“ But I must know now—I demand to know!
I seem to remember crossing the ferry, and
then—add then—”

She paused, puzzled again. The color was
coming back into her cheeks, and she madea
very pretty picture. Tom Duke felt the slug-
gish blood stirring in his veins, and an evil
light began to glow in his eyes.

“ Hanged if you ain’t a beaut’l” he cried,
admiringly. “I don’t wonder Broadway Bob is
stuck on yer 1”

She started.

“ Yon are one of Robert Booth‘s friends?”

Duke bowed.

“ Then I understand it all! I have fallen into
his vile hands through some mischance of fatal
01h, ,Heavenl After all the struggle to escape
h ml

She seemed overcome for a moment, and then
she arose to her feet.

“ Open that door 1” she commanded.

“ W’ot yer goin’ ter do!"

“ Leave this place.”

“ Don’t be in a hurry,” half-grinned the Slug-

r.
86“ I will go!”

“ Mebhe so: but Bob’ll have for say when.”

She suddenly covered her face with her hands,
her slender body swaying with the force of her
emotions. The sight was too much for Tom
Duke, and he crept stealthin toward her, the
evil light in his eyes grown to a lare.

She heard him and started ck. In a mo-
ment she read his intent in his face, and she real-
ized her great peril. In another moment she
had snatched a revolver from her besom and
thrust the muzzle within a foot of Duke’s head.

“Try totouch me, and as there is a Heaven
above, I will shoot you dead 1" she cried.

He hesitated, and yet he intended to spring
upon her. risking a shot; but there was a deadly
look in her eyes. and, despite her excitement, he
s'aw her hand did not quiver in the least. 80m
thing to'd’him she would really shoot.

Irma suddenly exclaimed:

 

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“Get back—get back, you wretchl If you
don’t, I will end your life in an instant! I be-
lieve I will shoot you anyway i”

Duke retreated in real alarm.

“ For God’s sake don’t shoot!” he gasped. He
was it Coward when it Came to facxng a deadly
wen u.

“ lxzwess I’ll leave this cat fer Bob t/Jr handle,”
he muttered, as he suddenly plunged out through
the doors, closing and locking both behind him.

When he was gone, Irma sunk sobbing and
moaning on the bed, her strength completely

one.
g “ Thank Heaven Dan Downing gave me this
revolver!” she exclaimed, being unable to ex-
press her gratitude over her escape.

Still, she was a captive.

Tom Duke lost no time in getting back to New
York and hunting up Broadway Bob. The
astonishment and delight of the Rounder when
he heard Duke’s story cannot be described.

“ You’re a brick, Tom!” he declared. “ I’ll
fatten your purse for this little piece of work!”

Tom turned over the keys of the room where
Irma. was confined and not much time was lost
before Broadway Bob was on his way to Jersey
Cit .

I: was morning when the Rounder reached
Tony Smike’s: but he seemed utterly tireless.
He at once proceeded to the room where his bird
W48 caged. _

Exhausted nature had asslarted itself, and she
was sleeping peacefully on the bed when he on-
tered. e had thought it barely possible Tom
Duke had made a blunder, but he saw the Slug-
ger had really secured the kidnapped girl. V

Bob stood looking down on her for some time.

" She shall not have one charge against me,"
he muttered, “ even though she is helpless and in
my power. Why should I hasten, when she wrll
soon be legally mine! I do not propose to lose
my hold on her now until she is my wife. After
that, I can snap my fingers in the taco 0L Dan
Downing. With “old Webster’s wealth at my
disposal, I will be able to cover my tracks and
live hey-ind the reach of the law. If not, then
the money will aid me to get out of the country
in a hurry.”

Irma stirred, smiled in her
murmured a name.

“ Harold !"

“ So she dreams of him 1” grated the dark-faced
man by the bedside. " Well. let her dream!
know my power, which is a secret to (11 others.
No one suspects the truth. When Irma marries
me, it will apparently be of her own free will.
Ha! ha! bal’

His laughter awoke the sleeping girl. She
started up and saw him standing there.

“ Robert Booth l” she cried.

He bowed, smiling.

“ At your service, Miss Webster.”

“ Then take me to in home and my father,”
she demanded, facing :11.

“ In due time.”

“ Now—at once i”

“ That v. ill delay our marriage.”

" Marriage! Do you think I will marry you!”

“I know you will.” \ ‘

“ Never!”

“ That is an easy word to speak, but it means
3 great deal. You will marry me within three

ays.

“1 will take my own life first!”

“Ali! that reminds me Tom said you had a
pistol. Give it to me.”

“ I will not!”

He fixed his eyes on hers.

" Give it to me!” ,

She hesitated, seeming to struggle againsta
will stronger than her own. She tried to turn
away, but could not do so. Her hand went to
her roast and she took out too revolver, which
she passed to Broad way.Bob.

He smiled.

. . “Will you be ready to marry me in three
, do. I?” he asked. .
eeha’uically she answered:

e

“Y

He had proven his power.

CHAPTER XXI.

A saw nova IN run cans.
1m remained very passiVely in that prison-
room, while Bob Booth returned to New York.

He had decided on the course he would pursue.

her two days Broadway Bob was H on about
his familiar haunts, and all his old ncquaiutancos

spoke of the change in his appearance.
Meantime, the poliu-e were searching for the
‘ missing girl, but, truth to tell, they had not
struck upon the ghost of a clue. floweVer2 the
new pars declared ti o oflicers were on a ‘ hot
scent" and it could not be ‘a great while before
‘ they discowred .Calvin Webster’s beautiful
.. don hter and brought the daring kidnappers to

‘slecp and softly

 

The father’s manner was so strange that the

porn and the public commented on it freely.
, ver since the vanishing of his child he had
seemed in a dosed condition. taking no measures
«surge on the search and not even showin the
mac! grief. Somed his in
, was .a by the shock. but this idea was gon-
prsily scoffed at.
~  ; At regular intervals BroadwayBob'visitsd tho

I "

  

 

 

Madison avenue mansion and talked

with Mr. Webster; but just what passe between

them on these occasions no one but themselves I M .rion Berkley.
, could have told. ~

As for Double-voice Dan, the detective seemed
to have vanished from the face of the earth. The
Rounder urged Bob Sleek to do his best to dis—
cover the whereabouts of the Go—lt-Alone Detec-
the, and the Shadow Sneak assured his employ-
er he had made every alien and fai'ed.

“ IdOu’t belieVe Downing is in New York,”
Sleek asserted. “If he were, 1 could find him
or get some trace of him. I have not been able
to do so, sir.”

“ Keep at it, and report to me as often as pos-
sible. Try your luck in Jersey City.”

“ What could take him there?”

“ It doesn’t make any difference what could
take him therel That is nothing to you. 1 tell
you to look for him there, and that settles it.”

“ Of course—of course,” Sleek meekly agreed.
“ Only I didn’t want to waste my time and be
taking your money.”

“ Don’t let that worry on. Just do as I tell
you, and it will be all rig t.”
J Then Sleek disappeared, evidently going into

ersey.

The Rounder found Game Gus in Murdock‘s.

“You are the very manI am looking for,”
Bob asserted. ‘

" Want to scare up a little game?” inquired
the sport.

“ l have a big game on my hands now, and I
want to take you in.”

“ Count on me, if there is a chance for sport
and ossible boodle.”

“ do not mean the kind of a game you are
thinking of, Gus. There is boodle in the one I
am playing. As for the sport of it, that is ac-
cording to the way you look at it.”

" Let me in.”

’ “"1 have done you more than one good turn,
eh?

“ Sure-3

“ I want a favor, and I came to you because I
knew I could rely on you. Tom Duke already
ku0ws the lay, but I don’t dare trust a beautiful
girl in his charge. Tom might forget I was a
friend.”

“ So there is a girl in the case? What—not the
girl?”

“ Exactly.”

“ But I t ought—”

“Never mind what you thought. Come with
me where we can talk it over without a possi-
bility of being overheard.”

Together they left Murdock’s.

At a. late hour that night, Broadway Bob and
Game Gus crossed into Jersey. Apparently
they had male to an understanding and an
agreement.

They took a car at the ferry, and it was not a
great while before Bob fancied he discerned a
familiar figure on the front end. A closer in-
spection revealed the fact that the man looked
like Sleek, the Shadower. \

“ I wonder what the fellow is up to now,”
thought Bob. And then he told Game Gus of
his discovery. ‘

“ I don’t want him to see me,” said the Round-
er. “ We will drop off the car quietly.”

They proceeded to do so, slipping down a side
street. Still Bob was Uneasy and kept glancing
back in a covert manner.

“Sleek is all right in his place, but I don’t
fancy his getting onto too many of my secrets,"
said 800th. “ The fellow might take a fancy to
sell me out.”

They hastened into a dark alley and concealed
themselves. Within a few moments a figure
came swiftly down the alley, peering to the
right and left. They crouched low and al-
lowed the man to pass. When he had disap-
peared, they hastened back to the street again
and went on.

“ That was Sleek " said Broadway Bob. “He
was dogging me! I had a great notion to ve
him a tap on the head that would teach im
better, but I didn’t wan’t the fuss. I shall have
to give him the bounce before he gets a hold on

me. ,

“ I fancy that would be a good plan,” agreed
the gambler.

They made, their way to Tony Smike's and
IBob vihited Irma, while Game Gus waited be-
ow.

" Get ready for a long journey,” commanded
the Rounder. v

She lifted her eyes beseechingly to his, but the
words she would have s ken died on her lips.
Within two do s she h inst much of her peach-
like bloom, bu she was still beautiful. ‘

“ I don’t think it is good for you to be shut up
here,” added the man; "and so I am going to
give you ataste of wuntry life. Before morn-
ng, as will be more than twenty'flvo miles from
here. . .

Her face remained impassive. The thou ht
.of escaping from that dismal prison cham r
didth seem to cheer her in the least. There
wasa dreamy hare over her eyes, and she a»
poured like one in a trance.

In a short time, Irma was ready to leave the

room.
“Now "said Broadway Bob. “you are my
.l tandl" ,,

invalid star. Do you under:
. \' _

rivatel y

‘ who met him and spoke of the missing rl.
V e

 

 

v

She slowly bowed.
“if any one usstions you, your name is.
ow, what is your name!”

" Marion Berkley.” ,

“ You must remember that. You look rather
pile, and you must bays a languid air. You.
are threatened with consumption.”

She bowed regain.

"’ Who um I?" questioned Bob.

“ You are my brother.” ‘

“Your very dear brother; remember le;l..
My name is Jack.”

Ho assisted her in descending the stairs, and
she leaned heavily on his arm, seeming indeed
like a semi-invalid. At the foot of the second.
flight Game Gus was waiting.

“ Hello, old man!” be called, as if he had just.
seen Bob for the first time. “ Where are you;
going?”

“ On a nine trip.”

“ Who is this lady with you?”

“I am his sister, sir,” replied Irma, slowly.
“ This is my very dear brother, and his name is»
Jack.” ‘

The two men exchanged significant glances,
and Game Gus muttered beneath his breath:

“ Booth is the devil!”

They went out together, enterin: a cab that
stood at the door. hey were taken directly to
the West End, where they took a train for the.
northern part of the State.

Bob breathed freely when Jersey City was
left behind and they were rolling through the
night.

” You are playing a desperate game," guard—
edly declared the gambler.

‘ The stake is well worth the venture,” was:
the reply. “ I am not suspected. If I had not
been pressed for time, I should have taken her
out here with a carriage, instead of on the
train; but I must be back in New York at an
early hour. No one suspects me, except Dnn
Downing, and he has disaufleared ina singular
manner. I hope he is dead l’

“I hope so for our sakes.”

When the conductor came around, Bob asked‘
him if they stopped anywhere in Rockaway
Valley. I

“ No night trains stop there,” was the reply.

“ What are you going to do?” asked Gus, when.
the oificial had passed on.

" Get off at the nearest stop and hire a
team,” answered the Rounde .

This they did. The chic rascal seemed to.
know exactly where he was going, for he gave
the driver minute directions. Hewever. in order
not to arouse an suspicion, they left the car-
riage at a farm— ouse, more than a mile from
their real destination, pretending they meant
to stop there.

When the carriage had disappeared in the
darkness that lay over the winding road, they
set out on foot.

In the most lonely portion of Rockaway
Valley stood an old house that was deserted
and bore the reputation of being haunted. Some-
years before, the Owner of the place had been
brutally murdered there, and no one had lived
in the old house since. Strange stories were told
concerning it, for it was said the spirit of the‘
murdered man lingered nb ~u_t his old home.

To this house the strange trio made their
way. It was plainly evident the Rounder had
been there before. And that dismal place was.
to be Irma’s prison!

—_

CHAPTER XXII.
ran nm'raon noaoxus.

As he had planned, Broadway Bob was back'
in New York at an early hour. e had man-v-
agedlto snatch some sleep on the return tri v.
and a hath made him appear as fresh and smil-
ing as was his usual wont. Looking into his.

. handsome face, no one could have imagined him

the villain he actually was.

“ I am confidint the police are on the right
track at last,” he told a chance acquaintansef
bavo every reason to believe Irma ter has
not been harmed, and she mav be restored to-
me within twent ofour hours. I trust so.”

Sleek, the Sha ow Sneak turned up.

“ I saw you in Jersey éity last fight,” tire-
shadow prompt] declared, “ and I ed to get.
a chance to speak with you; but you slipped me
some way.” .

“ Why did you wish to speak with me!”

“ I had s tted Dan Downing.”

“ Is this mist”-

“ You can bet your life on it!”

“ Where did on see him?"

“ In Jersey :1.”

“ What part 0 Jersey,”

“ When I saw him he was hanging around.
Tony Smike‘l.”

" The dance!" -

Broumgy Bob was startled.

“ You aren’t stringing me, Sleek?"

“ Not a bit."

'“ Why didn’t you keep close watch of Down.

i 1”
ma He tumbled to me."
so You mun have bungled.”
“I didn’t; but he suspect. I am

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“Then you must disguise yourself, man!
Dan Downing is the sharpest detective living!
Hanging around Tony Smike’sl Great blazes!"

The Rounder was agitated. He now wished
he had allowed the Shadmv toovertake them
the night before, for if Dowuing had been in the
vicinity of Smike’s it was pretty certavu the
Double-voice Detective had struck the scent.

“ I got Irma away from there just in the nick
of time,” thought Bob. “ But I wonder if I was
followed? Had I dreamed Dan Downing was
anywhere about I would have disguised myself
and Irma.”

“ Did you have an encounter with Downing?”
be asked Sleek.

“ No: he suddenly vanished." '

“ Well, here is more money. Get after him
again. and don’t let him give you the slip. Have
you got nerVe, Sleek?"

“ I think so.”

“ Enough to tap a man on the head?”

“ That depends on the kind of a chance I get.”

“ The chance i”

“.Yes: whether he’s looking or not. I will
add, the inducements amount to something.”
Mr. Sleek winked and grimaced in a manner
intended to be highly significant.

. “ There is a certain man I would like to have
disposed of, Sleek.”

" I think I know him.”

“I think you do. If you could manage to
bring me proof that he had crooked you might
receive a valuable present.”

The sneak nodded and rubbed his hands to-
gather.

“ Um—ahl About how valuable?” he in-
quired.

“ Say five hundred dollars.”

“ Um-ah l” gruntad Sleek again.
would be greater inducement."

“ Five hundred is the limit.”

“ Well, I will think of it. It is quite pOSsible
an accident will happen to the gentleman you
are thinking of just now.”

The information he had received Concerning
Double-voice Dan made Broadway Bob terribly
uneasy.

“()ne never knovvs just when that man is
going to strike,” he thought. “ I begin to feel
as if I was followed out into Jersey. If that is
true, he will regain possession of Irma again,
which would upset all my plans. By Jove! I do
not dare keep her there until after we are
married, as I originally intended to do. I must
work some other scheme.”

He thought it all over and decided to brin‘g
the girl back to New York without delay.

“ She will swear to any kind of a story I
compel her to, and I will fake up a yarn about
tracking down the kidnappers and rescuing her
from them. That‘will make men hero in the
eyes of the public, and the newspapers will
emblazon my gldry.” ,

He was delighted with the scheme, but he
feared he was being watched by Dan Downing
or some other spy. This caused him to take
great pains in securing what he considered a
very good disguise. He left New York and
reached Jersey by a roundabout course. think-
ing he would throw any shadower and avoid
sus icion in that manner.

he street lamps were beginning to twinkle
when the Rounder ordered soup in a second-
class restaurant in Jersey City. He was hungry.
but his make-up would not allow him to eat in a
first-class place.

“ I’ll throw of! all disguise the minute I start
back toward New York with Irma,” he thought.
“ Then, I shall not fear Dan Downing, for she
will be an unconscious all y.” ‘

When he had satisfied his hunger, he id his
check and made for the railroad station. A
short time later, he was being carried out into
N them New Jersey once more.

he train made a brief stop at Boonton Falls,
and there Bob got off. He thou ht of hiring a
team to take him to Powerville, but decided not

A thousand

to do so.

“ I’ll (cot it,” he muttered.

The distance was not great.

He started out at a swinging pace, and Boon-
tou Falls was soon left behind.

The Rounder was thinking deeply. and he did
not glance back for mule time. Finally he did so,
and he was startled to see a figure suddenly
sink into the darkness at the side of the road.

He was being followed. .

“Ten to one it is Dovming!" he grated,qu-
ly. “ What shall i do?"

He walked on, as if he had not noticed any-
thing, and all the while he was busily thinking
over the discovery he had made.

Before he badgoue a great distance be came to
a sort of way-aid inn. '

“ I’ll stop here,” he decided. .

Entering the place, he discovered some men
pla in! cards in the room whom liquor was
:31 . He orderqi adrink and pretended to watch

a game.

It was not long before a man tired-ed like a
Jersey farmer came alounhing in. He was a
rather disreputable - appearing old man. his
clothes being 8011“! find greasy. Around his
neck a dirty bandaqu handkerchief was tied,
with the ends of which new his mouth after
drink“): the cider be orde at the bar.

   

 

 

Without pretending to do 80, Broadway Bob
covert] scanned the new-comer. The old man
coml his tobacco-stained whiskers with his
fingers and took a position where he could watch
the game of cards. Bob saw something sus—
picious in the fact that, although the farmer
seemed quite at home there, none of the men
within the plaCe appeared to know him.

“’I’d like to get a. yank at those whiskers and
see if they would come off,” thought the disguised
Rounder.

Knowing how skillful Dan Downing was at
disguising himself, the naturalness of the. farmer’s
get-up did not impress Bob at all. Finally, the
rascal resolved to make a move.

“ You don’t seem to be playin’, old man,” he
said, with an affected accent. “ S’pose you come
up an’ have a drink with me.”

“ I don‘t usually make a practice of drinkin’
with strangers,” he said; “ but you look all right.
nn’ l’m purty gaul—darned dry tar-night, so I
don’t mind."

They moved up to the bar. and the on man
ordered cider once more, while Bob called for
whisk .

“ B‘long round here?” asked the Rounder.

“NW. B’long up in Hohokus. Jest down
this way to see ’bout a farm I’m thinkin’ of buy-
in’; but I find this more of a millin’ then a
farmin’ country. If I hed plenty of money, I’d
start a new mill in I’owerville, hanged if I
wouldn‘t!”

“ I’ll send you to start a new mill in Sheoli”
snarled Broadway Bob. as he suddenly snatched
out a wicked-looking knife and made a lungs at
the throat of the other.

CHAPTER XXIII.
a DESPERATE BATTLE.

AN ordinary man would have been taken quite
off his guard by the rapid movement of the dis
guised rascal, but the man from Hohokusseemed
quite prepared for it. as he caught the Rounder’s
wrist with fingers that seemed to have a grip of
steel.

“ Well, I’m darned!” be gasped, as if great]
astonished. Then he whirled Brand way Bog
around and caught him by the collar and a con.
venient portion of the pantaloons. The next
moment the would-be assassin was being run
across the room in a" most ignominious manner.

Straight for an open window the old fellow
ran the Rounder. When the window was reach-
ed, Bob felt himself lifted and thrust headlong
through it, to fall heavily to the ground outside.

“ Darued if I’ll ever take another drink with
a stranger!” declared the old farmer, as, with a
sudden sh0w of fear, be quickly sneaked out at
the door, leaving the astonished witnesses of the
affair to stare at each other and wonder what it
all meant.

Bob, who was slightly stunned, slowly picked
himself up, not fullv comprehending what had
h appened. Sudden y be snatched out a revolver
and arose to his feet, looking in at the window,
hoping to see the man who had handled him so
ruthlessly.

The farmer had disappeared.

Fum'iug with rage, the discomflted and hu-
miliaied R under madea dash around the inn.
hoping to find some trace of the one who had
need him so unceremoniously.

He made a complete round of the building, but
found no sign of the farmer from Hohokus.

The men within the place had stopped their
game and come out to see what had become of
the li.W0 men, so Bob hastened away, having no
desire to answer questions. .

“ I know that was Double-voice Dan 1" be kept
telling himself.

Time at ter time, he paused to look back, feel-
ing that he was still followed: but, if this were
true. he saw no further sign of the shadower. '

“ I’ll flx him yet!” grated Bob.

He left the main road and struck across the
valley. Knowing just where the haunted house
stood, he look the shortest cut to reach it.

Before long the grim outlines of the old placa
loomed up before him. looking sullen and forbid-
ding. Near the house two dead trees stretched
their bare skeleton arms up into the night.

Borith paused to look up at a certain window.
No light shone from it, and be muttered his sat-
isfaction. ‘

“ Gus is a good mam—reliable as a clock. He
has taken pains to double-curtain the windOW,
asI instructed."

He made his way around to the back door
and readily gained admittance. Something
caused him to take a fancy to creep cautiously
up the stairs.

When he was near the top, the sound of
voices came to his ears.

He started and listened. ‘

_ “ The deuce and all!” he muttered. “What
is the meaning of that!" v

Then his hand sought out his revolver
"10:3, v. hde he crept swiftly but silently for-
wa .

The voices came from a certain toward
\which the Rounder made his way.mm’

“ Irma. Irma!” some one was saying. “ Why
do you act so strangely! Don‘t you know me!”
" 0f owns I w you,” was the low replv.

“ I have come here to save you.” the first
speaker went on. .f‘ Inch by inch I have traced

 

   

 

 

i you, without the aid of a livin soul. You can-

not understand my joy when found I had dis-
covered you at last. I will take you back to
your father and your home.”

“ Mr. B0 )th will take me back.”

“ Booth? Has he promised you that? I
thought you his captive.”

“ I thought so once. He told me I was his
sister and his name was Jack. When he had
brought me here, he told me I was not his sister,
but that he intended to make me his wife.”

“Great Heaven! How strange you appear!
Irma, Irma! has what you have passed through
turned vour brain? You would not marry Bob
Booth?”

“ Oh, yes, I would.”

“ Have you forgotten you are promised to me?
You said you would never change.”

“ I—I don’t seem to remember.”

“ Then your brain must be truly affected!
Is all my work to amount to nothing? I have
captured your guard, and he is now a helpless
prisoner, bound hand and foot and gagged.
There is not the slightest reason in the world
why you should not leave this house within five
minutes and he in your own home in a few
hcurs. I am determined you shall go. Whether
you are willing or not, I will take you back to
New work i”

“ I’ I bet you ten to one you don’t do anything '
of the kind, Harold St. Clair!” cried Broadway
Bob, as he suddenly sprung into the room.

St. Clair it was who had found the kidnapped .
girl and was attempting to induce her to return
to the city with him. He wheeled to face thn
Rounder.

“ Bob Booth !”

“Right here,” fell from Bob’s lips. “80 you
hava been playing detective on your own book,
St. Clair?”

“ I have.”

“ You will wish you hadn’t, directly.”

“ I knew on for a consummate villain. Bob
Booth. but fail to understand our real mo-
tive in keeping a prisoner the rl whom, by
some vile means, you forced to consent to a
marriage with you.” ‘

“ My motivas are nothing to on.”

“gill you allow me to take er back to the
c tv

Booth laughed sneeringly. ‘

“Do you think I am a tool? You are liable
never to see New York again, my gentle dove!"

“ What do you mean!”

“ It is possible fyou do not yet frilly under-
stand the kind 0 a man I am. I have you
foul l” ‘ ‘

There was a fiendish ring to the villain’s voice,
and Harold undersde him then.

There was to baa battle between them!

“Come on!” the younger man cried, boldly
facing the other. “ May the best man win!”

Bob ted ‘the challenge and sprung at
Harold‘sthroat. They grappled, and a desperate
life-struggle began.

Irma sat still and watched the struggle,
scarcely seeming to take any interest in the l
fierce encounter that really meant so much to

)erI

Like mad creatures, the rivals surged and
swayedztheir eyes glorimz and their breathing
growing Ult‘lfl‘l’. Round and round they
whirled, neither seeming to have the advantage
at Stir»

Strangely enom'lt. Bob Bmth seemed to have
forgotten he possest any other wappons than
those given him bv nature. His one greatde-
sire appeared to be to get his fingers on Harold’s
throatt \

“ I’ll fix you!” be grated. '

Harold made no reply, but seemed to redouble
his eflorts. Instead of abating in the least, the
battle waxad fiercer and fiercer. ‘

The most deadly hatred was expressed on tho
Rounder’s face. while there was anything but a
light of love in Harold’s eyes. Once the younger
man forced his foe upon his knees, but, with a

mighty effort. Bob arose to his  again, and I l

the fight continued.

More than one heavy blow was dealt, and
Harold drew the first bbod. ‘

The floor of the chamber was loose in places,

and the boards rattled beneath their feet. Once >

both slipped and fell, striking on their sides so

violently the whole house trembled. Had either ‘

been dosed b that fall the other would have
swift]

but t immediately arose to their knees. .
where y clutched each other again, and the ,
terrible encounter continued; 1 "

After a bit both mans to get upon their
fast. They were breat ing like overworked
cart-hares, but their efforts were not abatinr.
It began toseem asif the battle would baorie’oi’
endurance, the man with the best “ wind” com.
log out the victor. ' '

“ You may as well give up,” declared Broad. ;

waynhoo. “You’ll have‘to go under initbe

‘ That’s .3611“: you fool oursalf,” was 

firm reply. you amasgooda‘rnaa
as ryou are—and a littlabattsrf" .
trsallv began toseam that Harold socket!»
truth. While he appeared to be getting his seem
oudwind. as it were. Bob thawed for the“
time, that the fight wastsllingcn ism.- . .,

 

 

   

himself the victor in the battle. 

ct

vs

 

 

 

 

 

d

 

m   l *

 

 

 
    
    
   
 
 
   
     
   
   
 

The Rounder realized that he was failing, and
he made one last mad surge.

Fortune favored him.

A loose board tipped and sent Harold stag-
gering backward.

Bob was quick to grasp the advantage, and a
telling blow caused Harold to go crashing to the
floor.

In on instant the panting Rounder drove his
hendel knee into the pit of the fallen man’s
stomach and fastened his sinewy hands on Har-
old’s throat.

“ Ha! ha!" rung out the evil Illllgh of the suc-
ce=sful villain. “ What do you think about
getting back to New York now?”

CHAPTER XXIV.
LEFT To TllE RATS.

HAROLD ST. CLAilt could not reply, for the
shOCk of the tall, the jib of his enemy’s knee
and the strangling strength of the hands on his
throat robbed him of the pHWL‘l' of speech, He
felt his senses swiftly slipping away, and the
thought came over him that his last hour had
come, for Bob Booth certainly meant to murder
h.

. .a—i

im. .

That thought caused the dazml and conquered
man to make one more wild surge to throw off
his bitter enemy and tear these choking fingers
from his windpipe.

He was purtiallly successful, but it was only
for a moment. hen the Rounder forced him
down again.

“It’s no usel” grated Booth, with fierce joy.
“ I’ve got you foul!” ,

The fin ers closed on Harold’s throat once
more. he luckless young man could not
breathe, and all the blood in his body seemed
rushing to his head, which felt as if it would
burst with the terrible pressure. He saw crim-
son colored clouds floating before his eyes, and
then came a blank.

When he became conscious once more, he
found himself bound hands and feet and lying
helple es on his back. A dim light showed him he
was no longer in the chamber of the haunted
house. He was stretched upon the dank ground
and a wall of stones and cement was close beside
him. The air of the place was heavy with moist
and mold.

He lacked arbund for Irma. She was not
there. but the dim light showed him the 8711
gguse of Broadway Bob sitting on a box near at

an . ‘ ~ -

The Rounder gave a grunt when he saw his

' captive was conscious.

' “Took you long enough to ome around,” he
g‘il-pwled. “ I have been waiiin to tell ou some
t age that I know will make you fee mighty
pleasant and comfortable."
~ Harold gazed at the other scornt'ully, but ’did
’ not speak.

“Oh, on can’fi knock me out with dagger
looks,” aughed oh, the dim light making his
"handsome face have a decidedly ilendish a ct.
, while the huge shadow he cast on the 'al of

stones lookei like a silhouette of the Evil One.
‘ “ I have you rizht where 1 want you, Mr. Har-

om St. Clair. How do you thin v
I to remain here, instead of going back to New

York with Irma?”

,‘,_ “You dog!”

 The Rounder started a bit.
' I , “ Better keep your tongue between your teeth,
if you feel like calling names, St. Clair!” he
'- said. ."Iam in the position tomake you swal-
' low vour yards.”
“lf'you think so, you make the mistake of
~ life. You cant make me swallow ‘sn -
thing. The tortures. of the fiery pit woud
not make me retract for you i” ,
_ " You still have spirit.” “
a “ What did you expect? An accident gave
r .you the advantage just when you were failing
up. In I few moments more, I would have had
you foul." , ‘ ,
g "I will say one thing, St. Clair. and that is
that 'I misjudged your fighting ability. You
are a better man than I thought. ' '
 ",‘And
fins load. That is saying lots.”
‘ y". his seems to be a case where rsscality
\ psycfi laughed Bob. . “ It is only in novels vir-
‘itue always tiium he. I have found that in
real life the crews have, the, fattest times,
awhilehonest men sweat and toil, aini‘ng noth-
‘worth having and dying in the midst of

"the wretcbcdiiessi”  '
i“ do think so pm, but this game’ has not

' ayed throughmo the end. At last you

ugly defeated, and justice and honesty may
’ "I ' i
'“ won’t be on

h over you.” ,
, ell, one thing is sure:
afto enjo my dewnfsll. ‘ our bones will
in ’the on er of Rockaway. Valley’s haunted
on. ,

 
 

  

 
 
  

   
 

What? ‘ i u
“1 sin gain to leave you to the r'stll?’

 awe J ’ 1 . . I

t willbatnurderll' he declared. » ' _
  lookat‘ it that “1:1 don’t
,  , gr. Powwow“
 It MW Isms'soin
  ‘93“.- Wk, 

   
      
   
   
 

 

'l

y

you will like '

you are a bigger villain than Lever

    
 
 
 

 

She has agreed to help me out in a little plot '

I have arranged. I shall tell the gullible pub
lic h0w I rescued her from the wicked men
who kidnapped her, and she will declare it is
true. The story will be believed, and I shall
be regarded as a lion. The Wedding has been
delayed some“ hat, but she is willing to have
it come off as soon as is proper after her re-
storation to her father’s arms.”

Harold’s eyes seemed to pierce the triumphant
speaker through and through. For some time
both were silent, and then the helpless man
cried:

“What hellish spell have you placed upon
that gi r1?”

“ What spell?"

H X798.”

U N'nne.”

“ You lie l”

The Rounder started to his feet and lifted one
foot as if to set his heel upon Harold‘s lips; but

the, captive did not flinch in the least.

Bob hesitated.

“ What is the use?” he finally cried. “It
wouldn’t be any satisfaction. Your tongue can’t
hurt me.” _

“ Nothing can hurt you! You are utterly be-
yond shame!”

“ ’Ii‘ire awayi ‘ This is the last chance you will

ct.

g “Don’t be too sure of that. The only way
you can be certain is to murder me before you
leave me."

“ Do you really think so? That is where you
fool yourself. This old bone» is supposed to be
haunted, and none of the pen is hereabouts will
venture near it. If one shon d happeh to stray
close enough to hear your cries for help, he
would flee in terror from the spot, thinking he
hadsurel heard the voice of a spook. So you
see, my ear St. Clair, it will be a sure way of

etting rid of you to leave you here in the cellar
or the rats to feast upon."

“ And do you think on will escape your just
deserts in the end? hen you deceive yourself,
for just as sure as time continues, you will meet
with retribution! You may stand there and
smile in that sardonic way, but I am telling you
the truth. The road of crime may seem smooth
and pleasant for a time, but it is sure to bring
:he vyetch who chooses it to the hell of retribu-

ionl ’

“Bravo, St. Clair! You should Shave been a
reacherl Still, let me say before I take m
eave, I rather admire your nerve. I did thin

milk and water ran in your veins, but I reckon
there’s good blood there.”

,“ Thank ,you for nothing. I put no value on
those words, coming from your lips. I had
rather you would hate than admire me."

“ I don’t doubt it, and that makes me admire
on all the more. Still, I am not fool enough to
of. my feelings lead me into any soft action. I

recognize you as a foe whom I must dispose of
and that is why I leave you here. As for Dan
Dawning— Hal you start at his name! Per-
haps you fancy he may save youl If so, you
may as well dismiss the hope, for I finished him
this night." ~ ,

There was a question in the eyes of the help-
less man.

“Yes, I finishel him,” lied Bob. “ He was
dogging me, disguised as a Jersey farmer. I
hid for him and gave him the length of my
knife in the heart, after Which I threw his body
into Rackaway River. He Will not bother me
anv more. , -

“ Oh. I tell you the game is all mine!”

Harold hit his lips until the blood came.
It was hard to have to lie there helpless and
listen tovthe gloating words of the triumphant
rascal. ’ -

Bob saw the look on the captive’s face and
fightly interpreted its meaning, whereupon he
an

" Well. I must leave you now,” he said, taking '

up the‘bit of candle. “ Try to make yourself as
comfortable as possible until the ,rats come.
You will hear them squealing and rustling as
they come out of the wall and creep toward
you. I wonder how loud you will yell when
the first one takes a nibble at you! Ha! ha!
ha! So‘long, St. Clair. S-e you in——you know
where.”
Thea he departed from the cellar. leaving
Harol to a terrible fate. The hel less man
watched his bitter foe until Booth 6 ' fired
up the stairs, and then he listened to thev llain’s
dying footsteps. The sounds grew fainter and
fainteruntil he could hear them no ion r, and
Harold wasalone with darkne- and co in
the dark cellar.

Alone? '

The rats were there!

———.'—{

2 CHAPTER XXV.
, ran vsmrs mun, ,
-ASCINDING to the chamber where the string;
glsbwlth. Harold battalion place, Broadwfiz
found Game , and Irma there.
armamerhtr mi in. '1'"
’ ‘ ' area I . V
 ’ " ‘  .fellowW‘he“

‘ .

       

“ Left him in the cellar,” was Bob’s reply.
. “ What will become of him? He will starve.”

“ I don’t think so. There are probably rats
about this old place. They will take care of
him.’

Gus shuddered.

“ That i< tough!” he declared,

“ Dr) you feel like letting Hm loose?" asked
the Rounder, the question being a sneer.

“ Well, I should say not! Great jiggersl what
a slug he did give use on the head! Knocked
me silly, and when I came round, he had me tied
up helpless as a kitten. I thought he held all
the fancy ('ards then and I vias out of the
game.” .

“I happened along just in time.”

“ You. sa ‘1‘” the pot. He Would have cleaned
the board in a short time more.”

“ Well, we will return to New York now.
There is no roasdn why we should bother our-
selves any more about him. It is pretty certain
he won’t bother us any more.”

In a short time they were ready to start, and
the haunted house of Rockaway Valley was left
behind. '

At the nearest possible place, they secured a
team and were driVen to the first railway sta-
tion. There thev took utrain for Newark, going
over the Morris 8; Essex.

It happened the train was delayed somewhat,
and they did not reach Newark as soon as they
expected.
fore they were in Jersey City once more.,

“ Everythin is all right,” laughed the
Rounder. "‘ '9 will be in New York shortly.”

Then Game Gus made the startling assertion
that he believed they were-shadowed. I

“ Impossible!" cried Bob, startled despite him-

If.

“ I (inn’t know about that,” returned the
sport. “ I think a cab followed us from the
railwa station here to the ferry.”

“Di you notice the people who were in the
cab?”

“ Two men got out. I spotted one of them.”

“ Keep your eyes on him. ’

More and more certain
that they Were followed.

“ We are going to have trouble,” he said, as
the ferry-boat was taking them across the
river. -

“ The man who interferes with me had better
order his coffin!” growled Broadway-Bob.

Irma wore a veil, and the chief rascal had in-
s'tructed her to keep it down. She was a pretty
girl, and he knew she would attract a la: ge
amount of attention, being seen with two men
at that hourof the night. If she took any in-
terest in what was gomg on she did not betray
the fact in any way.

The Rounder grew nervous. I

“ If there is anything makes me hot it is to he
wowed,” be deflated. " Gus, you must keep

‘rench the New York side.” .-
“ All ri ht. I have lost track of them just
now, but will hunt them up and make trouble
“That’s ri t. Do anything to keep them oi!
me till I get rmainto a cab. The moment I do
that I am all right.”

When the boat ran into the slip the gambler
was watchi aman he believed had l e :n in the
pursuing ca \ Bob and Irma Were. among the
first to reach the ground, and Gus saw his man
following swiftly. I

“ I'll get in my Work right now 1" he thought,
as he ran forward and grasped the stranger by
the collar. ' i

“ Give me back my watch !” shouted the sport
in the car of the ast0nished man. .

In another moment he was engaged in a hand-
to-hand encounter with the fellow he had

Broadway Bob hurried Irma toward a cab
which happened to be lingering near the outer

gate. .
“ Keb, sir, hot i” called the driver.
The Rounder nodded. , ‘
“Just hold stead till I‘tell you to nsrt.”.he
said. “ I expect a riond along in a minute.”
l “ All ri ht, sir." . ‘ i
d Bob assIsted Irma into the cab and closed the

oor.
“ I wonder if Gus will need snv of my assist-
ance,” he muttered, as“
the surging knot of men gathered where the row
was taking place. “ He must get out of that be-
fore a cop shows up.” _ '
Then to is can came a signal for aid. . .
“ Great Scotti he’s getting the worst of it"? .

him, his hat mashed ovor his eyes and his 

to .
It” to one aretoo many l” exclaimed the
gunner, “u but fellow had friends, and they

ye t0. '
“3‘ T113219!» was following mi” .
" Guess not. That was my blunder."
‘.‘ Well, get on here lively, and we'll get out.”
“ I’ll not go inside ” s .

 

Down
em” -

     

‘ d." ' ' A I I,
“"5" with the trunhemkl‘ This is:

However, it was not so very long be- -

became the gambler '

those fellows from interfering with us when we"

if I fancy they are going to chip in ‘on'this‘denlfl .

he stood looking back at .

But he had not gone far toward the scene of _'
the encounter before Gus came running toward 1

“ Oubidr-hohindl-anywhm; sort of shady}:

  
  
      
       
     
       
       
     
     
       
       
     
     
     
     
       
       
     
     
           
       
     
     
       
         
         
       
       
         
       
     
       
     
         
       
     
       
       
     
     
           
           
 
       
    
       
     
         
           
     
       
       
   
   
      
 
        
 
     
      
     
  

       
       
 
 
 

    
 

  

{'1 "ll

flaw“???

. 5-1;. A:

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.u. , ;.’ £5.35: Vi";   ,;. Q ‘, ‘
0 81'. ' " ‘

 

Game Gus was “ cranky ” sometimes, and,
having taken a fancy to ride that way, Bob
knew it would be useless to urge him to get in.

The Rounder opened the door an i entered tne
cab, which was soon on Canal street.

Feeling that eVerything was all right, Bob
turned to his companion, who lay back in a
dark corner of the cab, still having the vail
down. The Rounder had not attempted to
make love to the girl while she was his captive.
Feeling sure she would soon be legally his, he
had not considered it necessary to hasten with
his wooing.

But now he took a fancy to show his ardor
somewhat. \

“We are almost home, darling,” he mur-
mured, his voice now being soft and musical.
“ You will soon be with your father.”

An indistinct murmur came from the corner.

“ You know I love on more than all else in
the wide world, and will do my best to make
you perfectly happy when you are my own deur
‘ ittle wife."

A stran
corner.
him? .

Suddenly catching hold of the curtain, he ran
it up, allowing the glare of the electric lights to
sift in at the window.

" Lift your vail, dearest!
swaet face once more!”

The vail was suddenly lifted.

“ Hell’s furiesl” gasped Broadway Bob, as he
fell back in the opposite corner.

His companion was not Irma, but—

Double-voice Dun !

ly-smothered sound came from the
as it possible Irma was laughing at

I want to see your

CHAPTER XXVI.
rna TALKING CYLINDER.

. Bon’sl strength had completely deserted him,
and he lay back staring at the Go-It-Alone De-
tective'as it he saw a ghost. '

Downing snatched the veil and hat from his
head and flung them at his feet.

“ I don’t hardly think you cared so very much
about seeing my sweet face,” he softly laughed,
as t e cab rumbled over the stones.

“ ou—you—devil!” panted the Rounder.

“ Ha! ha! hal It was only a moment ago you
were calling me darling and dearest. Ha! ha!
ha! This is really t-ie best joke I ever had any-
thing todo with! Why, Bobbie, you were ac-
tually getting spoony on mel I never dreamed
you loved me more than all else in the wide
world! Ha! ha! ha!" -

Nothing could have cut and humiliated the
rascal like the laughter of this man whom he
hated sointensely. And to think he had been
saying such things to his most uncompromising
enemy. The thought was maddening.

But suddenly, just as the Rounder was going
to mate aclutch at Dan’s threat, the electric
lights glintad on something bright in the detec-
tive‘s hand.

It was a revolver! . .

“ Now don’t kick up a fuss, Robert,"‘advined
the ferret. “It won’t do any . and you
may get hurt in the fracas, or t reaboute.’ I

. generally go loaded for b’ar, and it doesn’t take
' . much to make me harmful.”

“ How in thunder did you work it?" asked the
still untied rascal.

"‘ knew that would bother you. It was dead
easy. I was watching for a chance, and it came
when on started toassist your pal, after put-
ting t edglrl into the cab. I snapped her out
then an turned her over to a friend, only re-
taining her hat and vail, so I might take her
p are.

“ But how did you happen to be' on hand? I—
I thought-4’

“ You thought the ‘ man from Hohokns’ was
saggy out in the Jersey derness somewhere,
cl:

“ Then you were really that old jay!”

“ The old jay was Dan." - . .

" Then I don’t understand how you came back
here.” '

“ Possibly not. I may do lots of things you

3 “2 You have friends, I know.”
“1 have.”
“ But I might make a serious charge against

, yen.”

“ How serious?”

“ Ki- lnupping.”

“ You couldn’t prove it.”

“ Do you think so?” ,

“ 1 know it. I might make a counter charge.”

“ W hat?”

“ Kidnapping.”

“ Do you think you could prove that?"

“ It would be true.”

“ But could you prove it?”

“ Yes.”

(I 110w?”

“ By Irina.”

“ All! but you haven’t Irma.”

“ I would make yOu produce her."

“Eisler Said than done. I am not in this
game for fun, Booth. I will tell you now that

could wmd up your career without delay, if
I took the UOili‘D." ’

“ thy don’t you do so?”

“ I have good l‘easOIB."

“ What are they!"

“ You know I have set out to break up the
Tigers.”

“ A big job.”

“ You are one of them.”
~ “You have only your own word to prove
that." '

“ Don't be sure.”

“ But I am sure. I will tell you now, seeing
we are having a spell of telling each other
things, you will never succeed in your under-
taking. Evon if I should confess just now, that
we are along together, that I am one of the
Tigers, what would the'coni'easiou anmunt to?
Afterwards, I could swear I said nothing of
the kind, and my word would be as good as
yours.” '

“ Do you dare acknowledge you are one of
the Tenderloin Ti era?”

Broadway Bob esitated.

“I thought so!” sneered Dan. “You have
not nerve enough to confess it to me, even
though we are alone. You say I am a private
detective. and private detectives are under a
ban in this town, believed to be metals as
great as the criminals. Their word under oath
in doubted: and still you fear me so much you
dare not be a man and acknowledge yourself
chief of the Tenderloin Tigers.” 4

“ Do you think I fear yonl".

“ I know it.”

“ You are fooling yourself.”

“ Prove it.” '

“All ri ht. I will tell on now thatIam
the chief o the Tenderloin Tigers! I throw my
defiance boldly in your face! If on were not
a private detective, you would now I stand
in with a certain portion of the police, and it is
utterly impossible to cruin me. Why,'some

bu‘ttlgnslll" m

‘ er a you im as you are telling me
somethingpl do not know. My'dear sir, I quite
budorstand what it is to harm a. pull with the
police and the politicians of this big town. Still,
there are honest men enough in New York City
to support any oue who‘has tug nerve to fight
police and political corruptidu. ‘

“Bah! he honest men in this town are:
cowards! Especiall lathia true it they be pen’
to have a little was th. You might have n
a rich man and retired by this time if you hadn't
been so devilish honest, A: it is, the Tiger! are
pretty sure to {it you for a prettyfilittle lot in
Greenwood.”

“ It may comfort you to think so.”

“ You may as well make your will.” i

“. That isqnim unnecessary. At any rate, you
would not he mentioned in- it.”

“ Well you need not bother to mention your
friend, . Harold Bi. Clair. He will haveno
further need of earthly treasures." ‘

“ What do‘you mean?"

“ Never mind."

“ But I do mind. Have you harmed 8t.

won‘t understand. But it was my getting back .Clairl"

_ to Jersey City after 3’0“ 80:79 me the slip. I
i watched for you, and I will fortunate in strik—
7 ’you the moment you appeared. That was

' ;“'I:.hen you did follow us from ,the Jersey
at ‘
“Just-about.” . I >

‘0  your, ' > ‘
“ Your curlel are music! And Bib“ were to
hie, how

loving a short time ago! Oh,

changeable you rel” ‘1 .
The Bean er airly writhed in torture.
" You are avin your turn now!" hesnaried,

all the music gone his voice.
“I always have a way of taking

f battlinith’is little shtu'glai"
“ t on t over 0 .
“ Not Then yo’ii meanto make more trouble!”
- “ You will find out!" . , i . ,
“ 1123,”, what if {I should take a notion to run

you . ., ”
..“Iwouldbofreeto-morrow.,
chi" . 

 

, bestof the game.
my turn.

Did you really think you were going to come oil" ‘

' in" dildo“),

I

" That is for you to discover.”

“ If you have. I will—” , _

“You won’t have any time. Dan Downing.
the Tigers will put on out of the way within
forty-eight boursl hat is why I fear
little. You will not live to work upany clues
you may have." ' J l ’

This did not seemed to disturb Dan. ,‘ ~
_ “You are welcome to think so; but time will
tell. Just now, you must molest! have 

“ I shall immediately inform the police where
to look farther." , '-
“ You will do nothing of the kind.” ”
Why not?” ‘ " v
"6:33:11 do, I wifll have onubpulled and turn
. scr 'd ' t u.
:91?qu apo evi cues are agamu yo
' n shoal ' . ; I
Booth!” I store. change! This is hiniiens,

The Benign _ {tended tohnld bani; word!
at" t-was plain they had 

 

The detective ed led: . ‘
“ I’willtelr ftltl 3 will: . '
youhaveuid inc ,, ,

     

  

 

of your worst enemies are the men who wear,

you no.
truth. And‘then headded:

Irma is beyond your reach.“

0 it so hot for you you will wish your:

 

the chief of the Tenderloin Tigers. I have the
evidence.”

“ You lie!”

“ It may make you feel better to think so. 1
have been carrying around a present gotten up
especmlly for your benefit. Reckon I will give
it to you now.”

The Double-voice Detective made a sudden
mOVe and—click, click—Broadway Bob felt his
wrists encircled by irons!

“ Do you mean to run we in?” he asked, with
forced calmness

“ Not now, Robert. I give you ticse as a
warning. There is a little motto engi'aven on
them--something for you to read. I see we are

otting well up-town, so 1 will haveto leave you.
-night, darlingl Don’t forget you love me
more than all «‘13-» II) the wide world.”

Without stopping the cab, Dan opened the
door and sprung out. The Rounder inunediate-
l shouted to the driver, and then yelled to Game

US!

“ Stop him! That is Dan Downing! Stop
him!” . ‘

But the ferret darted swiftly around a corner
and vanished.

Two hours later Double-voice Dan was alone
in a private room, and there was a smile of set-
isfaction on his face.

“ This has been a royal night's work i” he mut-
tered. “ I am making good progress nOW.”

He unhnttoned his coat and took out some-V
thing that, like a detective camera, had project-
ed a kind of flaring “mouthpiece” through a
buttonhole. _
able to set revolving by means of a spring. The
cylinder was hidden in a small square box-like .
arrangement. Taking the cylinder in m the box,
he examined it clasely, his eyes gleaming. At
length, he a kc, triumph expressed in his voice:

“ This ta king cylinder,” cried Double-voice
Dan. “ hears the evidence that Will convict the
chief of the Tenderloin Tigers!” '

In fact, the small roll was a portion of a tiny
Edison uonogra h be had worn concealed be-
neath his coat. is plans had worked to perfec~
tion, for, while in the cab, he had angered Broad.-
way Bob into saying many indiscreet things.
The Rounder had confessed himself the chief of
Tigers, and the phonograph had recorded his
words! '

The craft of the Go-IbAJone Detective, like ‘
his courage, was limitless.

CHAPTER XXVII.
“ran WAGES on em 18 aural”

TEE fury of Broadway Bob when he thought
over all that had happened was someth ng
terrible. .

“ Furies take that internal bloodhound l”. he
grated, as he twisted at
wrists. “Isn’t this the fiend’s own trick-to
put the irons on a fellow and then leave him to
get them of! as best he can!"

 

Game Gus was with him, and the cab-driver ‘ ~ V

had been instructed to take them to a certain
number on Third avenue. V '

“Never mind, old fellow,” said the sport, by 
way of consolation. although it almoat seemed, x
there was a touch of scorn in his voice. “ We-
will soon be with Nascn. and he will knock those
irons ed in short order.”

“That’s not it!” flashed the Rounder. “ To 3
think that whelp of a detective should get the, r
best of me by such a trick after the game was 
right in my hands. , That's what makes my 3 _
blood boil!” _ , -

“ The game is not ended.” .

“ Ri tl" .  . f,
“ You may hold best cards on the new deal.” 

“ That’s just what I will! There is to he no
more fooling—no more delays! Dan Downing
must be put out of the way as speedily as .
possible! He knows altogether too much, and 1
by heaven! I fear he will take a‘ notion to use his ;
knowledge! It is the first time in all my life!
ever really experienced 'fear of any living 
mortal: but I’m hangedifthil creature 
like a mortal l” _ “ 

“ Still we know hail.” \r  . 

“It is simply marvelous how he get! .
Why Gus! that fellow was away out in erg
just hefore I turned _up at the old house! 
was followingme. disguised as an old farmer”
from Hohckus, ‘ I twigigiid his little racket and;

i"

made for him with a at 3' g
9 But didn't stick him - 1 i
“No,” confessed Bob. hesitating to tell the

“ Thanlippefl‘

jumped. out of the Window of the hare. ‘ 

where we wereyand got away in the am" ‘.
.:‘*Madea sneak?” . .  y 
v “ Yes. Iexpected he would follow 

but he diduot mmtodo’so. I .' <30

  
 

 

    
 
 
   
   
    

 

It was a tiny‘ cylinder he had been  .

the handcuffs on his v 

    

  
 
  
 

  
   
 
 
  

 
  
 

 

» was not so very lon before he had freed

aw

 

“ Coast is clear,” he announced, after looking
around.

The driver was told to wait, and Bob alighted.
Then the two rascals hurried into a dark door-
wa , where a bell was promptly rung.

'they were forced to ring several times before
a voice came down the tube, asking who was
there and what was wanted at that time of the
hi ht.

b made reply, and, with a click, the door
opened. Then they passed into the hallway and
stumbled up the stairs.

At the head of’the first fliLEht were some
rooms over a little shop kept by B‘cnwich Nason,
a professed locksmith. At the door of these
rooms they paused and rapped impatiently.

“ In a minute,” said a surly voice from beyond
the door. “ Give a man time to get his pants
on, will you!” '

In few minutes the door was opened, and a
man with long hair, frowsly beard and keen
black eyes appeared, lamp in hand. One sus-
pender had been thrown OVeI‘ a shoulder to sup-
port his pautaloons, but he had not paused to
draw stockings on the feet which were thrast
into an old pair of slippers.

“ What in the name of all that is bad brings

on here at this hour?” he surlin demanded.

‘ It cannot be far from three o’clock in the
mornin , and I have just found my way to bed
andnto s eep, when your infernal ringing awoke
me.

“ I propose tadpa on for breaking your
slumbers,” asser t e ouuaer.

“ You always pay,” bowed Nason, his manner
suddenly becomi obsequious.

“ That’s dead right. l’m no heat, whatever
else my foes may say of me.”

“ How can i serve you?”

Bob held up his manacled wrists.

" Whewl” whistled the frowsy-headed lock-
smith.

“ I want those ornaments taken of! in double-
quick order," said Bob. =

“ I thought you were too sharp to get into
any trouble with the police,” ventured Nason.

" No matter what on thoaghtl" sharply
snapped the Rounder. ‘ You don’t know that I
have been in trouble with the police. All you
have to do is to take these thinge off and receive
your money. Where are your tools?" ,1

I “ 1n the shop below.” I

“ Can't you bring them here?”

“ It will better to go to the shop.”

“ How?”

" By the back way.” .

“ All right Lead on.”

The locksmith did so, and his visitors fol-
lowed. Do u into the dusty and dinggelittlo
shop they cut, and there’ putting the News
to work, he soon had a bright light in the forge
that illumined the whole room brightly. By
thi ight Nason examined the handcuffs.

fl “ eat bracelets these,” he said, with admira-
on,

Bob uttered an impatient exclamation.

“ You are wasting time, and my time is
precious just now i"

“ What is this inscription on them?”

“ What is whati”

-“ There is some lettering here.”

Then the manacled man remembered Dan
Downing had said somet ing about a warning
on the handcuffs—bad sai there was something
engravpn there.

“Let me see!” he cried, as he held them nearer
the light.

The lettering was plain enough, and the
Rounder's face turned paler when he read the
words on the manacles:

“ The wages of sin is death I”

“ Knock the scanned things of! quick l”

asped the Rounder, with sudden emotion.
‘ They strangle me-strangle me!”

His agitation was a parent and inful.‘ His
face was paler than ame Gus ha ever seen it
before, and the sport saw the hands of his mas—
tsr tremble.

“ Things are getting in a bad way when Bob
10sec his nerve,” Gus told himself, and he was
not far from right.

The locksmith went to work without delay.
He knew how to make stroke and file tell, and it

Broad-
way Bob of his un smut ornaments.
‘ What shall I o with them!” he asked.

“Anything, you lease,” was the reply. “ I
never want see in again! I breathe more
freely now.” "

He gave Nason a ten-dollar bill; then they
ascended to the roams above by the back stairs.
The locksmith let them out, and they found the
cab waiting.

To their amusement, just as they war on the
point of tting into the cab, a agar. :ame

nickliy orward and ,a hand touched the
icon er’s arm. ‘

Bob wheeled with a snarl, his hand going

I back toward his hip pocket.

“ What in biases-
L. Ho paused abruptly, for he saw who the man

Sleek. the Shadow, stood there!
:Whero did you come from!”

CM"

all over. I have something to tell

i

  .‘ I] =. .

A ~  some...» is.

.him money to put Downing out of the way, but

,terious power would conquer everything else.

 

“ I anrlistening.”

“ D. D. has the girl.

“ H0w do you know?”

“ I saw her with him on Sixth avenue.”

“ Did you follow l”

“ Of course I did, and he knocked me over for
my trouble, curse him!” i

“ HOW long ago was this?”

“ Only a short time.”

“ Didn’t follow Downing after he struck you i"
“ He said he’d blow the top of my head off if
I did.” ,

“ That scared you out?” ,

“ I think a great deal of my head. It wouldn’t
look well without a top.”

“ Sleek, you are a wretched coward, but you
may still preve of some value. If you will find
where he has taken that girl, Iwill put a hun-
dred dollars extra money in your hands. if
you Will do that other little job 1 spoke oi', you
will find the five hundred waiting for you. Get
about your work, and don’t sleep over it.”

Then Game Gas and the Rounder got into the
cab, which rumbled away.

The sound of an Elevated train rumbling along
overhead drowned the noise that came from
Sleek’s lips as he watched the retreating cab
but, from the expression of his face, a casua
observer would have sworn he was laughing.

It was nearly an hour after this that Dan
Downing, in the seclusion of a private room, ex—
amined the talking cylinder which held such
fearful evidence against Broadway Bob!

 

CHAPTER XXVIII.
snersR AGAINST swan.

WHEN Robert Booth was. alone, he fell to
thinking it all over, and be fully realized what a
fearful foe Dan Downing was. He also began
to have some doubts about his wisdom in hav-
gig anything to do with Sleek, the bogus detec-

Ye.

 

“ That creature is getting to know too much i”
he muttered. “ I don‘t like it. The rascal is
not anybody’s fool, and he may take a notion to
turn. Of course he could not prove I offered

these stories would tell against me. It would
have been better for me had the treacherous
snide failed to esca [)9 from the burning building.
That would have put him out of the way.”

He paced up and down his room, his forehead
knotted and a deadly light in his dark eyes.

“ One dog is out of my path!” he finally cried.
“ Harold St. Clair will not cause me more trou-
ble. Downing must follow him, and that right
soon! With the implacable detective disposed
of, it would be pretty plain sailing. My mys-

“ I went into this thing for money in the first
place, but I real] begin to fancy I want to
possess that fair an i. l have taken great pains
to get Wooster foul. It was only by means of
my secret power that 1 obtained possession of
the photographs of that forged note. Game
Gus helped me out by acting as Frank Wallace
and tr ing to force the old n:an to cdme down,
but I ehster engaged Downing to get after
Wallace when he shOWed up again. Asa re- .
suit, nothing more has been seen of W'allace up I
to date. . A .

“ But I am not to be baffled. The moment I i
see my way'open to push matters again, I Will ;
do so. The Tigers are with mo to the last one,
but they do not dream I am simply using them
as tools. They are aroused against this infernal
detective, because he has started in to break
them up, and so they stand ready to do any-
ghing’ that brings safety to them and dismay to

m

 

The mornin light was creeping over the roofs
and stealing n at his window when he flung
himself on his bed without undressing and fell
into a troubled slumber.

Rascal though he was, it was an unusual
thing for Broadway Bob to be troubled with
dreams. Now, howwer, he teased and moaned
and own uttered curses through his clinched
teeth, while there was alook of fear and pain on
his handsome face.

The strain was beginning to tell upon him.

Through his dreams ho was pursued b a
fiend with flaming eyes and iron hands. 6
name of the fiend was chiseled on his forehead,
and he knew it was Dan Downing. If those
iron hands closed upon him, he would be drag-
ged to a dungeon—to the gallows! Like a hunt- '
ed animal he fled on and on, now and then paus-
ing to hide in some dark spot, where he w ld
remain until he saw those iron hands creepi‘ g
slowly and surely in upon him—anti I the gleam
of those terrible eyes pierced the darkness and
made his place of concealment no longer avail-
a e. .

For a while, he dreamed of Irma. He thought
she was at his side, dressed all in while, about
to become his bride. She shrunk from him and ;
feared him, but he hold her silent and passive l
with his strange pawcr. There were many I
guests. but they all thought her willing to be- ,
come the wife of the handsome man at her side. '
They knew nothing of the mystic power that
froze her tongue when she would utter her own ;
thoughts and compelled her to speak the i
thoughts of another. ‘

 

 

hithenafigaeh 

 

The ceremony was being spoken. She would
soon be his.

Suddenly the lights faded and the guests
melted away. He was alone—alone ui:h lrmn.
She was still there, for he could see her “hit:
dress in the darkness.
her, but her hands clutched his wrists and pre-
vented. How cold and hard those hands were!
They crept up his arms—up and up, While tlze
figure in white gradually changed. He felt ti 0
hands at his throat, and he knew they Were of
iron. Then the demon eyes burned into his
soul, the cold, metallic fingers closed on his.
throat, and he felt himself being Strangled to
death. '

“I know you i" he groaned, fighting totear
the hands from his neck. “ You are that devil
called Dun Downing: l”

Then he awoke, and he was covered from head
to feet with cold perspiration, his blood seeming
frozen in his veins, even though the warm sun-
light streaming in at the window fell full on the
bed where he lay.

Shaken and unnerved, he arose and looked
into the mirror. He was horrified at theI-ag»
gard features he saw there. It seemed that in a
few short hours he had aged years.

“Is it possible Dan Downing is going to break.
me down and be triumphant?” he muttered,
even his voice sounding unnatural. “ No, no,
no! I will not have it sol I haven’t been using
myself right lately. All I need is a few drinks
to brace me up."

It was the same old story. The unrelenting
persistence of the Double-voice Detective and
the impossibility of getting the better of him
had crushed the nerve of many a famous crimi-I
ha] and brought them to justice.

Bob made his Way to the nearest bar, as soon
as he had left his room. There he stood up and
turned down enough raw whisky to make an
ordinary man drunk. The barkeeper looked at.
him in amazement.

“ thisky at this time of day~ l” he cried.
“What have you been up to. Benthl Great.
Scott, man! you are turning the stuff into you.
as if it were water!”

The R'zunder forced a smile and tried to make
a careless motion with his hand.

“ The wages of sin is death 1”

Those words were ringing in his ears. He
turned to see if some one had not spoken them,
and then he hit his lip, knowing it was a freak.
of his disordered imagination.

He could not eat anything. and he started out
to walk off his nervousness. His steps led him to
the Bowery.

Suddenly he started, brushing his hand across "

his eyes. Dan Downing, the ubiquitous, was.
crossing the street a short distance ahead.

“Oh, you devil!” he growled, unmindi‘ul of
being overheard. “How I would like to put a
bullet through you 2”

He followed Dan, taking care not to be detect.
cd. He felt sure the sleuth—shudom-r did not
know he was being shadowed.

It was apparent business had brought Double-I
voice Dan to the Bowery, for he walked along
briskly, as if he had a distant destination in View.
I) )wning was not a man to waste any time in
sir-i 11mg around for pleasure.

Suddenly, Broadway;Bob saw a low-browed,
evil-looking man standing on a corner, scowling
at the pedestrians who passed.

“That's my maul” he thought, as he swiftly
made his way toward the tough. “ I know
him, He will cut a man’s heart out for flity
dollars.”

“ Hey, Jake l” he growled.

The rufiian started.

"Wai, what cher wont?” be snarled, show-
ing his shaggy teeth. “This quarter is gittin’
run all over with Johnnies in good clothes,”-
und he glanced scorni'ully at Bob’s immaculate
attire. '

“ L )ok here; I know you, Jake.”

“ i don’t knew you.” -

“Yes, you do. I’m the man who saved on
from being sent up for knocking Bandy ike
on the head. Tom Duke got me to, use my pull
in getting you out.”

“ An’ you done it—I remember now. W’at kin
I do far you?” >

" Do you want a hundred dollars?”

” Do I? I hain’t had a feed sence day before.
yesterday, an’ I was jest thinkln’ how I could
git at some cove’s’ change."

“This is cuttings I will pull you through it
you are pinched; at you must try to get out of?
the way. Are you in W"

“ For a hundred—stirs.

“ Come on

It did nothskc Bob long to show Dan DOME

ing to the thug. The under WM not only
(impel-ate, but he was losing his keen judgment.
He thrust a roll of bills into the ruillan’s hands,
and Jigger Jake followed the detectiveintoa low
Inon.
“Dan was standing at the bar- in the act of
drawing a glass of self from a siphon bottle
when fortune caused in tolook in the mirror

before him. .

There he saw the reflection of a low-brewed;

upon him, having a glittering knife

murderous-eyed tough who was coming "yme
Quick as thought, Double-voice Dan when“

.  {z . 
:5... if.

He would baVe enibracld ‘

   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.1;

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

.r

and pressed open the valve of the siphon bottle,
squirting a stream of seltzer into the face and
eyes of the paid assassin.

CHAPTER XXIX.
DAN TAKES THE FILE.

THE detectiVe’s means of defense was certain-
ly unexpected and novel, therefore it was most
effective. The force of the seltzer fairly made
the thug stagger, and before he could recover,
himself, Dan Do xx ning was upon him.

Spat!

The blow was a terrific one, and Dan’s hard

1 fist caught Jigger Jake fairly on the point of the
jaw, lifting the desperado from his feet and

 

sending him headlong under a table, knocked
senseless.

Having thus disposed of his adversary, the
ferret turned back to the bar, drew the lust of
the seltzer from the bottle into a glass, drank the
liquid, and then settled for the whole bottle.

The irequenters of the saloon seemed some-
what dazed by what had occurred, but the cool-
ness of the man won their admiration until some
one whispered that he was Double-voice Dan
Downing.

“ Jake was tryin’ to settle an old score, most
likely,” remarked one of the witnesses.

The sentiment toward Dan seemed to change,
and the men who were on hand pulled the un-
conscious ruflian from beneath the table, while
they scowled blackly at the detective.

Dun knew what had occurred had spoiled the
success of his visit to the Bowery by attracting.
attention t'l him, and so, without haste, hecalm—
ly walked out of the saloon.

Broad way Bob was lingering in the vicinity,
and acurse fell from his lips when he saw the
invincible Dan come sauntering quietly out. He
did not know what had happened, but fancied
that Jigzer Jake had betrayed him making no
aittempt to earn the money already in his posses-
s on.

” The end is not yet!” grated the Rounder, as
he started to follow Dan once more.

He was seized by a fierce longing to make an
attempt on the detective’s life himself. He
thought how easily he could steal up behind him
and send a bullet into his back from such short
range that failure in his purpose would be im-
possible.

But, fortunately, his madness had not reached -
the point that led him to utter and unreasoning
abandon. He knew he could not escape arrest
and sure nishmeut if he did such a thing, and
he held himself in check.

He now realized his. folly in induciu Jigger
Jake to make an attempt on the ferret’s lie, for,
bad the thug killed Dan, a thorough investiga-
tion of the murder would have followed, and
Broadway Bob must have been entangled.

“ The place was too public,” be thought. “ It
is probable even the nerve of the tough failed
him when he saw how he could not escape after
he had cut Double-voice Dan down.”

Suddenly Dan darted in atalittle side door
and disappeared.

Bob hurried forward to the door and looked up
a flight of stairs.

“ Wonder what he has gone up there for?” he
muttered. “ I will wait near until he comes
out.”

Within a minute, Sleek the Shadow came out
of that very door!

Bob hurried forward and intercepted him.

“ Did you see Downing?” anxiously asked the
Rounder.

The bogus detective looked,daned for a moment,
then asked:

" Where!”

“ Up there. He went up the stairs."

Sleek shook his head.

“ Didn‘t see him.”

“ Then he must be up there somewhere now.
Is there any other wav out?”

“ Only these stairs.”

“ Then we must watch for him to appear.”

They watched in vain for nearly an hour;

then the Rounder said:

“ You stay here and get after him the moment
he a pears, if he does appear.”

“ here are you going?” ,

“ To see if I can find him up there.”

Up the stairs went Broadway Bob, H. was

' gone at least fifteen minutes,’and Sleek was

waitln when he returned.
“ Di you find him i" eagerly asked the
"got a trace,” was the reply. “ Has be com.
out

The Grand street shark shook his head.

Trlaen the Rounder burst into a torreutof fierce
WO 8.

“ he devil has again given me the slip!" he
raved. “ It does not seem pOssible to keep track
of him! He knows every crook hnd turn of
New York, and can vanish in the most remark—
able manner.” _

To this Sleek fully agreed.

“ The end is not yet-l the and in not yet!”
Booth kept repeating savagely. “ The fight is
only fairly begun!” .

he Shadow Sneak kept at his side, and they
hurried up-town. seemed to find t
necessary to walk swiftly to work ofl' his anger.
Funny, they crossed over to Broadway and

“ my  R 

 

   

took a car. Sleek asked no questions, but seem-
ed determined to stick close to his master.

At Thirty-third street they leftthe car and
turned east, soon finding themselves on Madison
avenue.

Then, for the first time since leaving the
Bowery, Broadway Bob seemed to realize that
Sleek was with him.

“ So you came along,” he said. “ Well, I
don’t know as I have any use for you up here.
i am going to make a. call. If you will wait
outside—”

“ Oh, certainly, certainly!" bowed the bogus
detective. “ I will wait for you.”

“ Then wait here on this Corner.”

Bob went on, while the Shadow stood on the
corner and watched until his employer ran
li htly up some steps and ulled at a bell-knob.

a house was that of Ca vin Webster.

A servant soon appeared, and the Rounder
was readily admitted.

“ Mr. Webster is in the library,” said the ser-
vanh

Bob went directly there, as if he were familiar
with the place, and was a faVored person which
he seemed to the servants. He did not even
flame to rap on the door, but entered with a
boldness that was astonishing.

Calvin Webster was sitting in an easy-chair,
a strange, and look on his face. He started up
at the unceremonious intrusion of his visitor,
but sunk back when he saw who it was.

“ Booth—you ?”

“ Yes, I,” nodded the Rounder. quite coolly.

The broker’s face flushed at the familiar, not
to say insolent, manner of his visitor.

“ What word do you bring concerning Irma?”
he asked, repressing his feelings.

“ Why should ou ask me about her!”

“Why should 1 Why shouldn’t I?”

“ I presume she is safe with your chosen

pup."

‘ Sir, this is insulting!” and the broker start-
ed to his feet. “I do not understand your
language. and I will not endure it!”

Broadway Bob sunk into an easychair,
selecting a cigar from a silver holder on the
table and giving a careless wave of his hand.

“Don’t mount your high horse, Webster!"
he advised. “ I now the whole gag from
start to finish.”

Then he leisurely lighted the cigar.

Calvin Webster s rage was with difliculty held
in check.

“ What do you mean by coming into my house
in such a manner and using such language?” he
demanded. . .

“Sit down, man, Sit downl” returned Bob,
shooting a glance at the other—a glance which
caused Webster ‘to suddenly drop into a chair.
“That is better. You make me uneasy when
you stand up and glare at me in that glowering
fashion.”

The broker 0 ned his lips to makearetort,
but suddenly c used them.

“ I will tell you what I mean,” said the

Rounder, blowing a perfect ring’of milky-blue ‘

smoke from his mouth. “I now understand
your little trick. I understand why you have
not been more. aroused over the kidnapping of
your dauahter.”
“yell?” .
“ (m knew the kidna pin was oi .totahe
plqcle bifoz’e it occurred?" 9' a n0 -

“ Don’t lie, Webster 2"

65 sh. 1”

Bread way Bob did not even glance at the man
he had insulted, but he made a peculiar motion
with his hands. -

“ You should have known better than toiiave'

attempted to fdol me, Calvin Webster." he said.
“ You might have imagined I would not take
kindly to it when I tumbled to the truth, which
could not be so very long.” '

“ I--I don‘t know what you are driving at,”
feebl asserted the broker.

f‘ as you do!" firmly returned Booth. “You
know you entered into a compact with that in-
fernal shark who calls himself a detective. Dan
Downing, and by that agreement he snatched
your daughter from mv side not as she was
about to become my wife! Don t deny it!”

Mr. Webster nrose to his feet again.

“ I have no intention of denying it,” 310 slowly
said. “ It is all quite true. . sought thi man
to give my child ti no protection I could u give
her. I never willinglv gave my consent to her
marriage with you, for I believe you to be a
scoundi‘ell I knew not what devlish power. it is
that comes over me at times and makes me any.
thing but myself. When those spells are on me,
I appear like your friend. Another will than my
own governs me. i feared the spell that would
mane me to give my child info your care. and I
made the compact with Double-voice He
was delayed until the last minute in carrying
out his plan of taking my child away. but he
succeeded just in the nick of time. She is safe

with him.”

“ Think on sol Well, then. let me tell you a
little comet on: For the past three days she has
been with me! I took her from Downing and
carried her away out into Jersev. Your won-
derful ally did not prove no (fleacious as you
imagined him. Ha'l'hat in!" .

  

 

    

   
   

19

“I do not believe you speak the truth i”

“ You are not compelled to do so.”

The Rounder seemed utterly indifferent.

Calvin Webster started to pace up and down
the room but, Bob looked at him and ceriimanil-
ed him to sit down. For a moment, the broker
Seemed struggling against a w ill stronger than
his own; then he succumbed, sinking into li~r
chair once more.

“ N ow be sensible,” advised the diabolical ras~
cal. “I am in no mood for fooling. I have
come here on business.”

“ What bnsiness?” ,

“ I want that money.”

“What iiioue  ’

“ The money asked you for.”

“ I don’t remember anything about it.”

The Rounder arose and Went OVer to Webster,
taking the Cigarirom his lips.

“ Look at me!” he commanded.

The broker did so, and for some seconds the-
two men gazed into each other’s eyes. Gradu-
ally the expression on Calvin Webster‘s features
changed and a hazy look came into his eyes. At
length, Broadway Bob stepped back a puer- and
looked at the man, a triumphant laugh breaking
from his lips.

‘ we r over this man is new complete l”"
he muttered. “ Had I know my ability to con-
trol him some time ago, there would haVe been.
no need to call the assistance of any one else. 1'.
need not l-ave botherq d me about the forced
check or forced the truth from the lips of Red.
Madge."

Then he turned to his victim.

“lProduco that money i" he ordered, impera-
tive v.

Mechanically Webster arose and walked.
across the room to a tiny desk. from which he-
tock a package of bank bills. These he brought.
to Bob, placing them on the table.

“ Is this the. exact sum?” asked the trim ant--
scoundrel, his eyes gleaming with 8a

“It is,” was the low reply.

“ Even five thousand dollarsi”

“ Yes.” .

“ Good! It is just what I need.”

“ It is just what you won‘t get i"

A hand- reached under Robert Booth’l arm

and snatched the package of bills.

With a startled
wheeled and found himself
Dan Downing!

cry, the astounded Rounder
face to face with.-

CHAPTER XXX.
rim nnrxcrrvn’s’mnnmm noon.
ASTONISHED beyond measure, the villain {elk-
back a co, his face blanching.
.Dou e—voice Dan coolly pocketed the roll of

ills. .

The parted portions told how he had entered
the room. The servant in the kitchen could
have told how he entered the house by the back:

Wu 0

J I see I happened along just in time,” the do»
tecti‘ve remarked.

“ How‘in blazes did you manage to get here?"
asked Bob. '

“ That is for you to find out. I am here; 'let:
it go at that.”

“Hand over that money!”

Dan smiled.

“ Will you have it now, or wait until you get:
it?” he biandlv inquired.

“ It is mine! Hand it over, or I’ll—”

“ What?”

'1 hey glared into each other’s eyes. Suddenly
Broadway Bob brought all his h pnotic war
20 play on the detective. Dan aughed in) his

ace.

“ It won’t work, Robert. I have practiced it"
myself, and I am not a good subject for you to.
experiment on. Indeed, I can beat you at that
very game!" ‘ f

A snarl broke from the Rounder’s lips. '

“ It must be you are in league with the Evil'
One!” he cried.
~ “ I heard you say something like that oncsbe-
fore, and the answer] made to you then holds
good—I transact no busine with your master.”

“ You have no right to bat money.”

“ No more havo you.”

“ It was gun me by Mr. Webster.”

“ Pah! on forced him to give it up.”

Pit tblslimddtitd ‘3' "Oh?" this money of

‘ e_ er, n ongveme ‘
your own free will?”

A mechanlml “ yea” was the reg] .

" It wi’i‘s in payment of a debt, e C;

9‘ You

"Well, you have worked him for all you are: ‘

worth,” nodded Dan.

“Doyoustilldenymyri httotheino ' i-y’

“ Of course I do. I was hind those
when {,on first asked him about it. He was in-
his rig tinind then, and he knew nothiugof it.
You threw him into this hypnotic state,
thenYcom 29d him to produce it."

t‘ w ' .

"Haveacare, Booth! Iamnothere  phy 

with on.”

": oortbeoryisahsurd. Noouewill benevol

“ n is nits possible it might be doubted, tut.
Mqunotmake itan the less true. This
man, in ink right-find,

  

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over him and fears it. He has told me that. At
some previous time, when you had thrown him
into this condition of passivity, you ordered him
to bring that package of bills to this room. He
did so, but, in his right mind, he remembered
nothing about them.”

“ That is all preposterous. The money was
given me in payment of a debt, and I demand
.ii l”

“ What was the debt—how contracted?”

“None of our busines~!”

“ Very we 1; you won’t get the money.”

“ I will i“

Like a leaping tiger, Boo‘h launched himself
‘at the throat of the Double-volca- Detective.

'l‘bey grappled, and a fierce battle began.

It would have been swiftly ended, for Dun
founder’s master,

 
 

 

    
    
    
  
    
  
   
  
   
      
   
    
  
   
  
      
    
      
   
   
   
   
  
  

Downing was more than the
but. Bob sow he was to be 0v come, and Called
to C ilvin Webster:

" Here—help me handle this robber! Quick!
Hit him on the head with something—anything
that will knock him out!”

The broker seemed to hesitate, but Bob caught
his eye and repeated the order.

Again he proved his marVelous power.

Webster caught up a. heavy round paper
Weight that lay on the little table, and the next
moment had struck Dan Downing a. stunning
blow on the head.

The great detective sunk down limply.

In an instant, Broadway Bob was kneeling on
the rostrate form, his hands fastened on the
tarri le shadower’s throat.

“Get me arope of some kind, Webster,” he
ordered. “ Be lively 1"

And the spell-bound man obeyed, hastening
from the room and quickly returning with a
rope. Following the directions of the master
mind, he aided Bob in binding and gagging the
helpless ferret.

‘ Ha! ha! ha!" laughed the villain, ashe took
'the money from Dan 5 pocket and transferred it
to his own. “ This time I am chiefl I have
you now, and I do not mean to let you slip me
again!" . , ' .

Calvin Webster stood looking on, as if he took
'no real interest in what was occurring.

“Webster,” said the Rounder, rising to his
feet, “ I want to take this man into the cellar.
You must go out and see if the coast is clear.
.1! any of the servants are about, send them away.
‘Do you understand?”

I The broker bowed.

“ Go ahead 1”

. Webster left the room‘.‘

‘ “If I get him safely into the cellar I will fix
him so he’ll never leave this house! declared
Broadway Bob, as he stood looking down at the
helpless man. “ I have failed to put him out of
the way several times, but there shall be no
lailure now. Calvin Webster will aid me. If
Dan Downing di ppenrs, no one will ever think

, ‘ of looking for his y in the cellar of Webster’s

_ ison avenue residence.”

’flHe laughed to himself with fiendish satisfac-
s on.

The broker soon returned.

“ Is it all right?” asked the waiting villain.

“ All right.”

“ Then take hold here and help me carry him

into the cellar.”

Webster ohsyed, and they descended into the

cellar without bein seen by any One.

As they placed owning on the cemented

'4 bottom of the cellar, he opened his eyes and
i looked at them. .
, “ So you are consciousl" exclaimed Bob. “ I
.am glad of it, for I want you toknow thW'I have
- - _- the best of you, after all, you infernal snake. I
 am going to kill you!” .
'  There was no doubt but he really mount to
{carry out his deadly design. There “as murder
V in his black ey‘ea.
Dan could not reply, for the gag rendered him
 , ‘ bless, but there was’ no look of fear or ap-
,  - ouhis thee. ‘ '
'_ “ erhaps you think I am fooling,” added
‘ r r ' h. “ If so, you will soon find out your mis-
 ‘tnks. .I have brought you here into this cellar
 to put you out of my way foreVer.
less you have made me fear you, for you have
-~-scsrceiy roomful like a human being.

 

 

  

 
 
 

  

6
‘ ways, and it has not seemed possible to get at
' , soot in your make-up. You have with
food bullet and steel; but i have a severer test
 or u. . " ,
_- e ganndgto gloat over his victim.
; g “ 1 now not what you have done with Irina,”
The finally went on: “but 'I will find a way of
 discovering. With the-wondrous power 1 ave
A 'y {Bumslbogiutobellovelclndo
 hing. hat pom has‘lu'ought you here
pleas at my feet. With on out of the way.
, g ew York shall be in kingdom!
»  ,‘f There will .be no sugar that your fate will
ever become known. Your body will not be
" touch. for it shall disappear from the face of the

"u on see: that big furnace thorel ’ It is
 ‘ f thissutire win cold weather.
 muse rein itnow, tIsmgoiugto
‘ re W8! somathin‘g horribly significant-ill

1.-

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4
i=2

  

   

  

 
 

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i will cone.

I You have,
and vanished in the most remarkable

I-Ie stepped to the furnace and threw open the
big iron door. A low exclamation of satisfac-
tion escaped from his lips, for he saw a lot of
wood therein. Bones that had been opened in
the Cellar during warm weather had been broken

, in pieces and thrown into the furnace to get

them out of the way.

“ All I need is some shavings,” said Bob, and,
looking around, he soon discovered some.

It tOok him but a short time to arrange the
shavmgs. His hands were trembling somewhat,
but there was no thought of mercy in his black
heart.

When everything was ready, he turned to
Dan again:

“ It is probable you understand what I am go-
to do; I intend to start that fire and then chuck
you in there to roast, you infernal detective-
hound!”

There was the look of a fiend in his eyes.

Having 0| (lured Calvin Webster to stand ready
to help throw the defenseless captive into the
furnace, Booth took out a silver match-safe and
extracted a parlor match therefrom. Then he
scratched the match and carefully lighted the
shavings.

A tiny blaze sprung up.

“ All ready; lift himl’ commanded the relent-
less wretch.

Double-voice Dan was lifted from the cellar-
bottom. Once, twice they swung him back and
forth between them, and then Broadway Bob
softl cried:

“ n be oesl”

With all their strength they cast the helpless
detective headlong into the furnace where the
fire had been kindled!

Then Broadway Bob shut the iron door with a
loud clangl

,

———._..

CHAPTER XXXI.
BROADWAY eon ramurnaur.

FOR a moment after casting Douhle-vdice Dan
into the furnace the two men stared into each
other’s eyes. Horror mingled ’With fiendish

, satisfaction was expressed on the countenance of

the Rounder, whilea dim understanding of the
terrible truth seemed creeping over Calvin
Webster.

Suddenly both men turned and hurried up the
cellar stairs, leaving Dan Downing to be de-
stro ed in the furnace.

hat a horrible thing it was; Evan Broad-
way-dBob shuddered when he thought of it after-
war . ~

But it was such a good way of disposing of the
tireless blwdliound. The body would be utterly
destroyed, and no traces of blood or shreds of
clothing yvould be left behind to Serve as a clue
to the mdnncr of his taking off.

Bob Booth’s brutal heart was leaping with
satisfaction, and he kept thinking over and
over:

“ He’ll never trouble me again! he’ll never
trouble me again!”

They reached the library without being seen
by a single servant, and there the Rounder turn-
ed on Calvin Webster.

“ What hashnppened i” he asked.

' “ l—I don’t know,” faltered the broker, vague-

lys ‘

“That is right—you don’t knOw—you must
never know. I command you to forget forever
what happened in the cellar just now! You are
never to think of it again. Do you under-
stand?"

“I do.” '

GI Gom1.” '

He walked up' and down the room to steady
his nerves. but that did not seem to accomplish
the desired pu

“ Ring up a servant and order whisky, Web
ster.” he commanded.

The broker obeyed, and the liquor was soon
brought to them.

“ Here’s forgetfulness of the past and success
in the future.” muttered Bob, as be swallowed
several brimming,r glasses.

The liquor had the desired effect, for the blood
returnnd to his cheek and his nerves became
steadier. '

Glancing at his watch, he discovered it was
time for lunch. ‘ .

“And by Jove! i am hungry,” he said:

Then he turned to Calvin Wenster,‘sddlngz

“ Thirty minutes after I leave the house you
will he yourself again. Still, you must remem-
ber nothing that took place in the cellar.” A

One minute later, he was on the strret.

I _ He walked with a w uging, sprinzy stop. and
the perfect flush of hen th seemed in his cheeks.
His eyes were bright and clear, and no trace of

wguilt had left its mark onhis handsome face,

Again he seemed like the old-time Rounder.
He forgot to look for Sleek, the Shadow
Steak, and the bogus detective did not appear. ,
Straight down to Delmonico's he made his
way, and there he. ordered a lunch that cost
more than most workin men earned in a week.
He ate heartily of what is desired and nibbled
at manydalat dishes for which he really cared
tier; w on he paid his score, the ill was

  
 
 
  

   

 

 

taken _ it in ’hichther _as ri -
casinos 9” . "-  °~“

 .n (n... u... M n

he had glanced at the printed words.

 

When he was on the street once more, Bob
told himself he had never felt better. On Broad-
way be nodded to many acquaintances, not a
few of whom were recognized as belonging to
the fashionable clique of the metropolis.

Something led him to Koster & Bial’s saloon
at the corner of Two. ty-fourth street and Sixth
avenue. There he descended to “ Ye Olden
Tavern "—50 called—bencath the saloon and dis-
covlertd Game Gus sitting all alone at one of the
tall es. ' .

" Hello, Gus, old mnn!” called Bob. “How
are you feeling this most 11 agnificent day I”

lie dropped into a seat at the ganibler’s side,
and Game (ins looked at him critically.

“ W hnt’s happened, Bobi" he asked.

“ Why 1"

“ It can’t be you have drank enough to get
so gay. Something must have happened.”

“ You’r» right, pal—dead right! Waiter,
cigars 11’" e.”

“ Wh-it’s the cause of all this thusness?"
urged the sport.

“We are dead in it!"

“ What way?”

“Double-voice Dan has given up in disgust
and retired from the game.”

“ You don’t mean that l”

“ He has retired.”

“ Bob, you are deceiving yourself. 1! Dan
Downing has given the impression he has re-
tired, take my word it is all a trick."

“ Not much.”

. “I know him too well.”

“He didn't have anything to say about re-
tiring, but he has retired just the same. You
won’t ever see anything of him again." -

Gus looked at his companion searchingly.

" I don’t kndw as I in ly understand you,” he
"Give us a square open deal and let
What has become of

confessed.
me in on the ground floor.
Downing?”

“ He’s gone.”

“ W here i”

“ Straight to the hot placa l”

“ Tell me everything.”

" I have told you enough, my dear boy. If I
did not trust you thoroughly, I would not have
told you so much. Don’t forget what I say:
Downing will trouble us no more. I do not
usually talk through my hat, and I know what
I am saying just now.”

Just then they were interrupted by a rather
tough-looking character who came strolling in
and made straight for Bob. The man looked
“ rocky,” to say the least and had a patch over
his left eye. ' '

“ I iknews you,” he declared to the Rounder.
“Yer helped me out one time. I’m dead down

on me luck now. ' Gimme der price of ,'a drink

an’ 1’“ give yer distract w’ot a Salvation Army
cha l chucked inter me han’ outside der door.”
“ ere you are,” said Bob, giving him a dol-
lar. “ I don’t want your old tract.” ‘
But the fellow insisted on leaving the tract,
hurrying awa With the money he had received.
After they ad convened a while longer B313),
picked up the pamphlet and looked at the he ' - ’
ing, which was printed in large black letters.
In a moment he leaped to his feet, dashing the
tract down on the table with an expression of
mingled rage and horror.
The heading of the tract read:

“ The stages of sin is death I”

 

CHAPTER XXXII.
swamp. .
“ Wan is the matter with you. maul” asked

Game Gus, in astonishment, as Bob continued 7 f

to rave. "You not like a lunatic!”

“Road that i” cried the Rounder, pointing at‘
the ominous words. .

" Well, what of it?” demanded the sporg, after
‘ on’t
see anything in that to stir you up this way.”

“ Have you forgotten those were the ;

words on those bracelets that cursed detective-J" “:
glanced I v _

The Rounder paused suddenly and -. _
around, realizing he had draivuthe attention of
every one within the place to himself. His face,
which had been pale, flushed somewhat, and he,
forced a laugh. . r

“ I guess I have been drinking too much," he

said, loud enough for the spectators to hear. “ I 2 ,

must have some fresh air. Demo on.”

Tbs-gambler followed Bob from the place.

“ You must be on the Verge of getting looney"
pal.” said the rt. g 7

i‘ It is not at.” assured Bub. “ But those
words—they seem to haunt me!” ‘ _

“ All imagination l” y

“ Pimsiblv- but I don’t like it.
to see the'foll

Game Gus did his best to {rid his comrade of _.
what haconsidered a silly notion and Bob ' was
actually laughing at his own folly when they

However, the Rounder was not in nearly as
high spirits as he had been. effect of the
mu 9 occurrenco'had been depressingnoira‘y
the east, and something like the haggard loci: L
and haunted light of a short time microbe:
turned tohis face andcyes. - 

I

 "

I‘would liks ' 
ow who dropped that tract there.” 2 

   
  

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He made his way directly to his apartments
in one of the fashionable hotel;

A large accumulation of mail was waiting for
him, much to his astonishment.

“Wonder who in the world all these letters
can be from?" he muttered, as he glanced them
over.

The chirography on every envelope was differ-
ent, some being scruwling, some precise, some
dainty and feminine and some coarse and decid-
edly masculine.

Bob tore open one and drew forth a sheet of

pa "Ir.
glx words were written on it.
“The wages of sin is death 1"

For some time he sat staring at those ominous
w0rds, the lines in his face growing deeper.

“ Well,” he finally Said, “ the joke is being
kc t up in great style!” I

6 opened another letter and read the same
six word-w.

One after another. he opened every letter of
the entire lot, finding every one contained that
one startling sentence.

“ i would like to got my hands on the author
of this!” he grimly exclaimed.

And then he sud icnl'y thought:

“ The authorl Great Heaven! This is a quo-
tation from the Bible, and Double~vcice Dan was
the first to spring it on me. Thismust have been
his work. if no, it was his last, for he is now
where he is receiving the fullbenefit of the wages
here spokcn of.”

He gntbcred the letters and carefully did them
up in a bundle. Then he rung up a servant and
{equestcd that the bundle be burned without dc-

av.

. Having disposed of the odious letters, he
breathed easier. Lighting a cigar, he walked to
his window, which looked down on Broad-

way.

Bob Was possessed of a decidedly keen pair of
eyes, and he immediately noticed the figure of a
man w o seemed to be lounging opposite the
hotel. here was something familiar about the
figure, nd he soon recognized in the lounger the
tough ho Wore the patch over his eye and had
given him the tract.

“ By Moses! I’ll have a closer look at that fel-
low!” he cried, catching up his hat and darting
acro<s the room.

He rung the elevator bell frantically and was
soon being carried swiftly down to the ground.
The moment he could get out of the elevator, be
rushed out ‘on the street and looked for the man
with the patch.

He had disappeared!

Bob spent thirty minutes in useless search for
the unknown, then returned in disgust to the
hotel. With a slight shock of dismay, he dis-
covered that, in hidhaste, he had left the door
of his room unlocked. '

“I don’t fancy any one has been. hora,” ho
muttered; “ but it was a car-clear trick.”

Something lord him to the window a, and,
to his unutterahla amazement and disgust, the
first figure he saw was that of the man with the
patch, who was lounging in almost exactly the
same spot Opposite the hotel.

“Hung: you!” he snarled.
this time i”

Again he hastened down to the street, taking
care to lock his door this time. ..

Once more he was unsuccessful, for the one
he sought was not to be found.

“ I don’t like this!” he acknowled ed to him-
self. as he returned to his room. ‘ I wonder
if it is all a trick of my eyesight—an optical
illusion! If so, I must bevbreakin down.”

The first thing he did on roach ug his room
was to hasten to the window and look down.

He nearly coils .

The man with o tch was in his position on
the gpposite side of t a street!

" hemisdsomoltlhi? marekthan clhanceinthlsi”

he matters , as e c and a

chair. “ It unnerveo moi” rapped into
* “ The wages of sin is death!”

He started and looked around.

" Who spoke?" he cried. -

There wua wild glare in his eyes as he stared
into every corner. HI! II had 10“ their color,

“I will pin you

' fund his naturally lump c eeks learned canker.

g“ Bab!” he snar- ed. “ it was fancy l" ‘ ,
' ud then he seemed to hear strange Whisper.
in the air all around the room. On every

A
', in}:
si 9 those terrible words were repeated over and

over. He in . to his feet and put his hands Over

his ears, whi e be looked for the lips which were I

whis ring that fearful sentence.

“ ythe living gods!" he suddenly shouted;
“ if any one has entered my room and is playing
this trick on me, he shall sun‘erl”

He snatched out a revolver and sought every

lace of concealment about his apartments.
ere was but one which could possibly have
hiddeu'a maniefl’ectivoly, and that was a small
wardrobe. ' .-
‘He looked there, but discovered no living

thing.

Still the terrible and mysterious whispering
continued! _
.,.I.‘£riabfl:o towenduro it any longer, be rushed
 m I ammo r " .‘3

‘A y ' seconds later, a man appeared from

a. -. J

   

 

behind a long mackintosh that hung in the,
little wardrobe and also hastened, out of thei
apartment.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

\VHAT BOB FOUND IN THE FURNACE.

IT was immediately noticed by the friends of
the Rounder that he took to drinking an aston-
ishing amount of 1i uor, although he never be-
Canm intoxicated. he fiery poison did not seem
to affect him at all, save to send a ilush to his
checks and make his sometimes unsteady hand a
trifle firmer.

He was continually restless and unsettled, and
he had a strange manner of wheeling with rc-
markahle swiftness and glaring aroun at every
one. At times, his black eyes gleamed with a
fire that was not pleasant to see.

These orld actions set those who knew him to
speculating on the cause, and, by many, it was
agreed that the loss of his intended bride had
broken down Bob in a measure. He was over-
whelmed with consolation.

The disappearance of Irma W'cbster remained
a mystery, and the police seemed no nearer
reaching the truth than when they announced
they were “hot on- the trail,” without really
having,r a. clue to work on.

Repeatedly did the Rounder urge Sleek, the
Shadow Sneak, to do his best to find some
trace of the broker’s daughter, but the bogus
detective did not seem able to do so. Had
Boll known the truth, he would have found
Slcek was busy shadowing him the most of the
limo. '

But it was not Sleek who caused the villain
the most annoyance. On numerous occasions
Bob saw the man with the tch Over. his eye
lingering about or following im stealthily along
the streets.

These discoveries angered the Rounder, and he
made several attempts to get hold of the strange
man, but the unknown would disappear in the
most unaccountable manner.

At last, Bob began to doubt the evidence of
his eyes, and he asked many of hisfriendsif they
saw the man, carefully pointing him out. Once
he called on the police to arrest the follow, dc-
claring he had made an attempt at robbery; but
even the oifcers Were unable to get their hand
on the mysterious individual. '

Booth grew to fear the unknown.

The haunted rascal longed to inspect the fur-
nace in Calvin Webster’s cellar, and, naturally,
he would have bad nerve enou b to do such a
thing: but within a few days a 1 his old boldness
had been sorely shaken.

He finally forCed‘himself to visit the broker.

Again he found Webster in the library, and
the broker started to his feet with a cry or
nervous surprise when the visitor walked uncere-
moniously in upon him.

“Keep your seat, Webster,” said Bob, with
an attempt at his usual insulting freedom. “I
know you are delighted to see me, but you
needn’t rise.”-

The broker stood with a banana the back of
the chair, a 1001: of mingled horror and fear in
his even.

" Deli hted to see you,” he slowly repeated,
as if so clog the Rounder’s words. And then
he suddenly cried: ‘

“ I had rather see the devil!”

“ Well, that is complimentary l” grinned Bob.

” owever, my skin is thick, and can stand

“ What do you want?” .

“ Are you in such a hurryto findoutl”

“Yea-f,

it Why on

“ I would have you state your desire as
quickly as possible, and then depart.”

“You don’t sayl Well now, I am liable to
stay quite a‘ little bit.”

The Rounder sat down in an myochoir, as-
suming his usual arrogant familiarity, as he
made a careless motion with one hand.

“ Sit down, I tell you, Webster."

. fib‘ifiié‘ri’iii; b i 
e e rows n '

“ Itebelling, eh

“ It is high timel”

“ Sit down i” .

.The broker closed his lipafirmly and remain.
ing standing. ' t >

" Sit down I” V

Bob did not speak very loudly, but he turned
the glare of his mldn ht eyes on the man cud
there was a certain mmuding intonation in
his voice that scented cflecti’ve, for Calvin
~Webeter slowly sunk into the chair. ~ 

“‘All right," nodded, the rascal. “I thought
 “Eulgcomet to tigahgfow, we" are like

0 c ums~ we 2 v" '
., floater shudderchm ' ' '
u Bu“, it
although
lulled IEO in doing the slickest job 1' my life.”

The mixer stared stonily, but so d‘ nothing.
“. I suppose you don’t rcmemb‘er that jobl"_ -

‘9 1' £5032“ not.” studied tbeyilihin. and. 

it

is very ap llcable.‘ We are pals,

 

  

 

 

. . 1’ .,
You don’t like that word?" Bob wont on. l ‘
you' may a t know it' now. You

 

was smart I: ' ’ ' '
 murmur

 

n’t

  
    

 

    
  
   
   
    
  
  
    
  
 
    
  
  
  
   
    
  
  
    
   
   
   
    
 
 

The older man moved restlesst in his chair.

All at once Broadway Bob turned and stared
hard at the broker. Webster lowered his eyes
and seemed to be trying to avoid that gaze, but
he was not successful, for in a few seconds, he
was looking straight at the Rounder.

For a little time they sat thus, like two graven
images, and then the master mind was com-
pletely the victor.

” Get up,” ordered Bob. ‘ ’

W ebster arosr. .-

“ You cannot sit down again.” , 5

The broker tried to sit in the chair, but was
unable to do so.

“ Do you see this cat I have here?” asked
Booth, picking up a book from the table.

The other nodded.

“Take her,” and the book changed hands.
“ Look out that she does not scratch you.”

A sudden cry of pain broke from the broker’s
lips and he dropped the book. .

“ What’s the matter?" demanded Bob.

“ The cat scratcl cdl See how she lacerated
my hand! See how it bleeds!” ‘ ‘

Bob was satisfied, and he picked up the book,
replacing it on the table.

“Never mind a little scratch like that,” he
said. “ Yr u may sit do“ u now. That is right.
I want to ask you some questions. Where is
Dan Downing 3” -

“ I do not know.”

“ Is be dead or alive?”

“ I cannot tell, but—but—”

“ But what?”

“ It Seems as if he is dead.”

“It seems St ?”

6‘ Yes.”

“ You would not take oath to his death?"

H No.”

  
     

“ Are you sure on do not know how he died?"

“ I don’t think know.”

“ Well, aren't you sure you do not know ?”

“ Yes, I am sure.”

“ If any one else should ask you, you would-
tell them you did not know i"

“ I would.”

“ That is right; he sure to tell them
nothing about it.”

There Was a look of absolute satisfaction on.
the Rounder’s face, and he muttered: .

“Even if he were thrown into a hypnotic
trance by some other gerson, he could not tell
them of Dan Downing death, becausel bade
him forget it.” , '

The secret of Broadway Bob’s power over.
Calvin Wilson and his daughter was that the,
villain was a hypnotist. He had not practiced
the Satanic art for years and had almost for-
gotten he possessed it until recentl . When he
discovered the struggle for Irma ebster'c ha (1
Eng: going against him, he tried his power on her
a er.

Calvin Webster proved a good subject.

The first time Bob succeeded in gettivng com;
plete control of the broker was the a eboter
ordered Harold St. Clair from the once. At
that moment Calvin Webster was com letely -
under the control of the Rounder, and he did
exactly what Broadway Bob had di cted.

Elated at his success, the Round r tried his ,
art 0n , and in her he found ancther who
ject. That really made him in command of the
situation.

Harold St. Clair did see Irma Webster in
Como] Park with Robert Booth, but the girl
was in a hypnotic trance at ‘the time, and she

ward remembered nothing of theoccurrcnce. ’ '
That was why she to firmly declared she had not
been driving with Bob. , After heiu released "
from those hypnotic trainees, neither ther nor
daughter could tell anything that occurred
while» they were under the influince of the
master rascal. ‘

Being informed concern what hotbed doner
Webster came to understan I he was completel
at the mar of a conscienceless scoundrel, h h" ;‘
he was at a as for some means ofesco ,

Having roulved to lose no time, Bage‘can’scd
the if: to give out that Irma was 
mam , and a certain number of invitations
were sent around. All the conventional in i
were thicken, and the rather swallsocict'y w 9,. ‘
recognized the Webster: were somewhat scan- 
daliaed by melrrcgularityof thooflair. Ruben ,
Boom cored nothing for this, it he could only;

aims and finally obtain?

possession of Calvin Webster’s daughter and‘
which. However much he cared for Irms,,tti;' I
was the broker’s wealth be mainly sought. ‘ ‘
 When Bob saw. thingscomin ' 
com 'y. be regretted he he an )  "
pr‘lgers in the attempt to pluck the broker  f;
knew the spoils would have to  ,
Still, he tended the Tigers would 7e ofoomb, ‘1
use, for they. uld be easily“ ir 

        
     
        

you know

   
      
           
            
   
             

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he had done the v .1: most eflective’ly. body
was destroyed. 5“ ' his ‘ ‘wer over WW
madeit true, as he lie , that!» 
oculd testif against him. ' , c ’
 li”m".a"’£i”.. ‘ ”
"fir ‘ .  .

there been .:

   
    
  

     
 

 

 

    

 

    
  

.iv:?;!:s." 3' .. - A

   
 

 

 

A  and low for her!”

, .oool, triumphant smile on his face.

 

 

.\’

s I, H I ~'Broz'aclwayBeb, the Rounder.

Y

 

 

to effectually consume the body of the detec-
tive?

His nerve had returned to him in a measure,
and he decided to investigate.

“ Webster, lead the way to the cellar.”

The broker obeyed.

In a few moments they were standing before
the great furnace, Broadway Bob having
brought a lighted lamp. For a brief space of
time he hesitated, then he passed the light to
Webster for hini to hold,

Lifting the iron catch, Bob pulled open the
door.

“ Hold the light lower.”

The broker obeyed, and Bob gazed into the
forums.

Only a mass of ashes greeted his gaze.

He took an iron rake and poked in the ashes,
“soon disclwering something which be grasped
and held up to view. '

It was a large bone!

0

4 CHAPTER XXXIV.
THE LOST IS FOUND.

 

WITH a gasping cry of horror, Broadway
Bob flung the bone back into tie ashes of the
furnace, hastily closing the deer.

" There is nothing left but his bones!” he
muttered, as be straightened up. “ The fire has
done its work faithfull . No one will think of
looking there for a man s bones. I am safe!”

Then he ordered Calvin Webster to lead the
way from the cellar, and they Were soon in the
library once more.

Bob breathe-l with greater freedom.

“ Ha! ha!” he laughed, as he paced the room.
'“ I am the king-pin now i” '

Then he suddenly paused.

“ Where is Irma?” ‘

He asked himself the question, fully realizing
the fate of the fair girl was unknown to him.

“ There is one streak of luck that still holds
«against me,” be thought. “ I know not what
Dan Downing did with her. She must be found,
and that right soon.” .

Suddenl an idea struck him, and he turned to
look at Ca vin Webster.

“ Is it not possible to make him tell me how to
find heri” ho murmured. " Such things have
been done with hypnotic subjects. They have

been known to reveal the hidin -place of buried
treasure. or to tell where rich m use were located.
"Why shouldn’t Calvin Webster tell me how to
find his daughter! There is a bond of s mpathy
between them that should make an a thing
possible. I will try. ,
! “Webster?”

"‘ Yes, sir.”

"‘I want you to do a little searching for me.”

"" All right, sir.

““ I want you to find your daughter, Irma.”

‘“ It is not necessary to search.

Bob started forward.

‘“ Not necessary to search?”

I! N0 9’

“‘ Why no i” l
"‘ I know here she is!”
‘“ The blazes you do!”

'“ It is true.”

“ Is it far?”

“Not very.”

‘“ How fari” ,

'“ Two flights of stairs I”
The Rounder fell back and caught a chair.

'“ Do you mean to say she is in this house?" he
finall asked, speaking slowly.

We star bawed. .

u I do.” I

"‘ How long has she been here?”

“For several days.”

“ And I have he a sea'rching New York high
umed the astounded man.
‘“ All this time has been wasted! Hanged if I
haven’t half a mind to—" He advanced on the
broker with clinched fists, but suddenly used.

“ No; i can’t strike him while he is in con-
dition. But I. will see Irma at once.”

Then he ordered Webster to lead the way to
the room where his daughter was.

Up the stairs they went, finally pausing be-
fore a door on which the broker rapped.

\ ‘.‘ Who’s there?" asked a musical voios mom

“album—a voice that caused Broadway Bob’s
blood to leap more swiftly in his veins.

“ It is I,” answered Webster.

Immediately the door was opened and Broad»
'way Bob was the first to step nto t e room.

Irma was there. She fol back with a cry of
dismay and fear, on sesin the Rounder. .

‘“ Good-evening, Miss ohster,” bowed Bob, d
t *1 b “ I knobs;
you were no expat as me ut you must
pleased to see your amonon husband.”

That the sight of him inspired her with the
greatest terror was plainly a parent, for she
caversd her face with her han s. swaying a hit
unsteadin and shrinking still further away.

“You?” she whispered, huskily; “you have

found me!” .
“ Thanks to nobod I have. You, were hid-

, ing from me in youryf’athsr’s own house!"
, Yes.”
" “How foolish that was! Why, when you

was bringing you here.”

She suddenly tried to dart past him and es-
cape, but he caught her arm.

“ None of that!” he savagely snapped.

She uttered a scream of fear.

" Shut up!” was his brutal order. “ You will
arouse the servants l”

“ Tako your vile hands from y wrists!” she
suddenly commanded, all the sp rit in her pas-
sionate l, od y aroused.

The resenl laughul.

“ Do you actually think you can make me
obey? I fancied you knew better by this time.
I am muster.”

Shepturned to her father.

“Help me, father!” she appealed.
this human monster let me alone!”

VVebste-r Sr-emed struggling with himself, but
Broadway Bob quickly settled the struggle by
saying: ‘

“ You will not interfere, Calvin “lobster.”

The parent was unable to lift a hand in his
child’s behalf, no matter how much he desired
to do so.

Then the Rounder forced Irma ’to look into
his buruimr eyes. She struggled against his
will, but the struggle was no more effective
than that of a bird being charmed by a serpent.
In a short time she was completely beneath his
control.

“pr, my dear,” said the villain, suavely,
“ you are going to leave the house with me.
will not take you far. but. by the living gods! I
am guise: to have the credit of rescuing you
from )(iur kidnappers! The story shall be
printed in all the morning papers. Dan Down-
ing robbed mo of my glory once, but he will not
do so this time. be game shall be played
through to a finish, just as I originally planned.
Get ready to go out without delay."

She obeyed.

“ Make

 

CHAPTER XXXV.
DISAPPEARED.

A CAB drew up at the door of Calvin Web-
sier's magnificent residence, and, a few IDO-

steps.

One minute later, the cab was rolling down
the avenue.

“ Hal he!” laughed Broadway Bob. “Who
says fate is against me now? Everything is
turning my way i”

Irma had worn a heavy cloak and vail, so she
would not be recognized by any pedestrian who
she came out. s new lay back in the cab, not
offering to speak.

The triumph of the Rounder seemed complete.
In truth, it appeared as if everything had turn-
ed his wsy, for who was there n0w to throw an
obstruction in his pathi The helpless victims of
his evil power were fully at his mercy.

Villainy was victorious!

His blood was bounding as he sat there beside
the girl he had plotted and schemed and com-
mitted murder to obtain. He felt a desire to
shout his satisfaction, but kept his feelings
partially in check. \

Suddenly a new thought came to him.

What need had there been of taking her from
the house in order to carry out the deception of
a mock rescue? He might havo left her there
and reported the rescue to the pclice, which
would have served his purpose quite as Well.

He fell to wondering if the servants knew of
her presence in the house. Certain] none of
them had seen her leave it, for he ad taken
care to have the by notized broker get the ser-
vants in a part of he house where they could
not possibly see anything that transpired in
front.

“ Irma.”

“ Yes, darling."

“ Do you love me?”

“ With all my heart!”

Her li uttered ‘the words, but the answer
was mec animal and spiritless.‘ somehow it did
not satisfy' him at all.

Sudden y there was a great commotion on the
street. Shouts, cries of fear and warnin , tt-e
clanging of a bell, the rattle of w heels, an . then
there came a terrific shock that overturned the
cab in a moment. ‘

Booth was stunned and lay helplessly amid
the wreck. ‘

Three big policemen dashed u and attended
to the plunging and frighten horses, while
isome of the gathering crowd looked after the
inmates of the cab. ‘ . '

In a few moments. the Rounder regained con-
sdonsness and looked around.

“ What was lip-what happened!” he asked.

“ A runaway tire-truck overturned on, sir,”
was the reply. “You don’t seem to cut or
bruised that I can discover.”

“ But the lady who was with mo—where is

she?‘ ,
“A lady—was there a lady with you?”
“ Yes, yes!” -
“ I have not seen her."

 

 

“ She was uninjured ” declared another. “ She
was taken away by a, rlond.” '

were taken from me by that infernal detective I I

 

ments altar, a man and a woman came down the .

happened to he gassing her father’s house when !

 

 
  

“A friend!” shouted Bob, in greatest amaze-
ment. “Whoi”

“ I don’t know who he was.”

“ A maul”

H Yes.”

“Young or middle—aged?”

“ Well, now, I can’t say. I was paying more
attention to you. It was thought you were seri-
ously injured.”

“Can no one tell me who took’the lady
away?"

No me rcpliml.

In vain the Rounder made inquiries. The
voilcd lady had vanished in a most singular
manner, and not a person seemed able to tell
who the friend was that took her away.

Then Broadway Bob raved and fumed like
one gmo insane. Indeed, it was thoueht. tl.e
shock he had r _eived havl injured Lilli incu-
ially. He utterly refused at that to state. who
the lady was, but he was finally induced to
tell the police it “as Ir-nn. Vyclust r. Then it
became necessary to explain how rho happened
to be in the cab with him whcn all New York
supposed her dead or in the hands of kidnap-
pers, and he told a rather incoherent story
about rescuing her from the rascals who_had ah-
ducted her. -

Bob found himself besieged by a host of re-
porters and by the police, and he grasxxed the
first opportunity to escape from them.

His first act was to rush ban to Irma’s
home and discover she was not there. After
that, he started all his 1’ iends to search for
her, but this roved fruitless. ,

I rma had isappearal once more.

Not a trace of her or her mysterious friend
could be found.

The morning pers had a new sensation.
They told in various ways the remarkable tale
of the broker’s daughter being rescued from
her dastardly kidnappers by her nflianced hus-
band, Robert Booth. Broadwn y Bob was made
to seem a perfect hero in eyery report. Then
the pa )ers went on to describe the collision

' with t e runaway fire-truck and the strange

after-vanishing of the rescued girl.

“This second mysteriou's disappearance ” read
one of the papers, “ is astounding, to any t e v: ry
least. It does not seem possible one of the unfortu-
nate rrircipals in such an accident could so swiftly
and so completely vanish in such a remarkably brief
space of time, for search was institute‘d for her im-
mediater on the recover y of Mr. Bcotb. who was
only dazed or stunned fcr a very few moments.

“Another mystery is the ir‘enti'y of the unknown
man who came forward at the time of the accident
and took the girl away. That she must have known
him is certain, else she wculd not have gone with
him so readily, for it is asserted she was not injured
in the least. as far as could be. ascertained.

“It is also mOst remarkable that no‘ one can be
found who can nccurntcl dq scribe its a penrnncs
of this man. Twent di ercnt witnesses ave given
as many different dyescrl lions. Some declare he
was an old, white-hair gentleman, while others
assert he was young and wcll—drcsscd. One woman
asserts he was a rather rovr’yisb-nr vcsring fellow,
who wore a black ratch (ver his in t eye, but it is
not possible the daughter of Calvin Webster should
goccgdnize any such a person among her personal

men S.

“From beginning to end, this whole affair has
been shrouded in mystery, and at the present time
tl;c m story seems deeper than ever.
time, he police are hard at work?

Another paper contained a crisp editorial that
cast rather grave reflections on the police, ridi-
culing'them foritheir inability to track down
the kidnappers and rescue the girl, a feat that
land been accomplished by the “ gallant and
grief -distracted bridegroom.” The editorial
ended by calling on the department to reclaim
itself by solving without delay the secret of this
srccnd disap arance and restoring the missing
pirl to her other and the “ brave man who
loved her.”

Broadway Bob eagerly scanned the papers,
and there was a feeling of satisfaction in his
heart when he saw how well a. portion of his
plot worked. Not the least discredit was cast
on his wonderful talc of the rescue of the unfor-
tunate girl from her kidnappers.

A sudden startled cry broke from his lips,
however, when he perused the descripticn of the
gum who had taken Irma away after the acci-

ent.

“ A rather rowdyish-appesring fellow who
wore a black patch over his left eye!” he shout-
ed. “ Holy smoke! It is my evil genius!”

None of the other descript ons interested him
after seeing that, for be firmly believed it to be

correct.

“ Now that Downing and St. Clair are dead
another whelp seems to ho ve arisen to per-tor mel
If I find him, I will be able to trace Irma.”

He sought Sleek, and was successful in finding
the bogus detective. .

“ l have work for you.” Bob declared.

“ Dan Downing has—”

“ Dan Downing has nothing! This is not con-
nected with him in any way.” -

“ But I thought he had secured the girl again!”

“ You thought so? Look here, Sleek, I’m
hanged if you don’t seem to know too much
about this affair! You an you thought he had
secured the girl again. Now, I can’t say I like
the sound of that word 'agsin.’
mean by it?"

 
 

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In the mean '

What down,

 

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. BroadWay Bob, the Rounder.

'17,

23

(1,! w- . a? Emir,“ . I».  -.

glen _ .

 

 

“ Nothing—nothing at all.”

“ Are ,you sure?"

“Yes.

“Well, let it drop. As I said, I have work
tor on."

“ am ready.”

“That is good. I want you to find the man
who has Irma Webster."

“ Who—Downing?”

“ Not at all. You need not trouble yourself
cutout him any more.”

“ i haven’t been able to get my eyes on him
intelv.”
. _"Never mind if you do not get your eyes on
him at all. He has withdrawn from the game.”

“ What do you mean?”

“ It won’t hurt you if you don’t kDOW.”

“ But I fancied the girl was with D0wning.”

“ That is where you fancied wrong. I am al~
‘lnost persistently followed by a slouchy tough-—
a fellow with an evil face and a patch over his
aye. Look here.” -

Bob gave the bogus detective the paper in his'

band, pointing to the description of the rowdy-
Fish fellow who, the unknown woman asserted,
.ha‘d taken the girl away.
M ‘I see—_I understand,” nodded the Shad0w.
‘Y‘QF believe that description is correct.”
es.

“ You want me to find this fellow?”
“ I do "

:‘ I Will try it.”

,‘ If 3'0}! find him, track him to his hole."

‘ All right, sir.”
I “Then come tome wtthout delay. This will
3’0 mom’y in your pocket, if ou su
have worked hard enough att is little aflair,
and now I deserve what 1 have earned.”

‘The wages of sin is death l" a mysterious
"voice scorned to whisper in the air.
. The Rounder turned pale and the haunted
400" appeared in his eyes for a moment.

CHAPTER XXXVI.
NOT DEAD.

HAROLD Sr. Cmn’s relatives began to be
:nlarmed by his prolonged absence and their
inability to get any trace of him. It began to
look suspicious, and they called on the police to
'trace him.

Then the newspapers had another sensation,
"which they connected with the puzzling Webster
a flair, for it was known the young man had been
an admirer of the broker’s dau hter. ‘

One paper came out hinting and insinuated
that possibly the missing man ad been in some
n ay connected with the kidnappin , as he wasan
unsuccessful suitor for Miss We r’s band.
I" visibly he was ” laying low " just then.
> _ 'lbis brou ht a chuckle of satisfaction to the
lips ff Blip: ,wa Bob.

“ can u 1: ve them think
'WSillhl‘l plelaselmedmorelll'Lhe mutterzllfitmng that

e on y c on on hori w sooo
“vanishing of Irma. m ” t‘he nd
fihat had become of her?
0 man wit the tub over his e e
“ keeping shady.” pa y was a!”

Sleek did not seem able to get a trace of the
'fellow.

But Bob himself was more fortunate.

_ The night following the accident that had
robbed him of Irma he saw the man with the
patch hurrying swiftly along Twenty-Fourth

street.
gpb imlr‘n lately followed.
I ie an nown seemed in'a t h
evndently did not imagine sister; 353;!ng 612:
beltook not alutiolns to foil the tracker. ,
n a ra cw ocalit n t
avenue the unknown engngafrlrggwn
between two miserable wooden buildings.
mags shadowcrbeliurried forward and peered in-
o passage ng just in tin
figure disappsi’sr into a doorway.“3 to see ‘ dark

«I an, 3019 to follow, come what in l”
grated Bob as c lun cd i v
the place. ' p g ate the darkness of

The doorway was standin wide I
enfiergd, being fogunatienmingeetingzgegh:rd he
u,ater ein ehowa
wiggoh my tobzum. 8 a s at a loss
it ga ut,hesawarayofl ht
mine through a tiny crack some distant; “any?

Cautioust he strode to the crack, to which he

.apfilied his eye. ‘
9 near] uttered a or! of satisfaction.

He foun himself looking into a room which
wnn lighted by a small lamp, and the light
'showed him the man with the tch.

At last, the mysterious indl’v‘idual had been
traced to his retreat.

Somehow, Bob fancied fliers was something
tamilar about the appearance of the man. a.“

lie was not prepared for what followed.

The man snatched the old hat from his head
and also removed the patch from over his eye.
Then he took of! a wig of false hair and washed
some of the lines from his face, showing the
had been skillfully penciled there. As he turn ,
towel in hand, having wiped his face, Broadway
Bob nearly fell helpless to the floor.

“ Great Heaven !” the Rounder gasped. “ It

he could regain his composure

is not possible!”
As soon as
'vlomcwhat, he again peered through the crack.

 

  

The man within had restored the towel to
its book and was putting on a decent coat in
place of the ragged one he had removed.

Broadway Bob breathed hard. He was really
tempted to turn and take to his heels, believ-
ing he saw something superhuman, but he
rightly reasoned that spirits did not. wash their
faces and comb their hair.

“ That is Harold St. Clair, or his double!”
whispered the man peering through the crack.

In truth, the person within the room was
the perfect image of young St. Clair.

Bob scarcer thought it peasible at first that it
could be his hated rival, but with each passing
moment, he became more and more convinced
that, in some remaukablc manner, Harold had
escaped death in the cellar of the haunted house
in Jersey.

He was not long left in doubt. .

A door opened and another person entered the
room, at the sight of whom the Rounder smote
his fis together with joy and satisfaction, for
it was Irma!

'l‘he'moment the 'girl saw the other person in
the room, she uttlfl'i’d a glad cry and rushed to-
ward him.

” Oh, Harold!” she exclaimed.
you are back!"

, It was truly Harold St. Clair.

He caught her in his urine and held her close
to his breast, looking lovingly into her eyes.

“ I am glad to get back to you. my darling,”
he tenderly declared.

He kissed her again and again, and she sub-
mitted to his caresses, a sight which aroused
the hot blood of the watching man beyond the
partition. 3"

“ It is so lonely here i” she finally said, “and
these rooms are so bare and cell!”

“ They are not much like your own luxurious
chambers, I know. Irma, hadn’t you better
change your mind and permit me to take you
back to your home i"

“ No, no; not nowl” she cried, with a sudden
show of tear. “ I am safer here then in my own
home!”

“ I think that is true, but can you endure this

“ I am so glad

‘ kind of life?"

“ Oh, yes. Mother Grogan is very kind to
me. She has told me how you saved her» boy
from drowning once and how much he thought
of you all his life, poor fellow!"

“ Why, he is not dead!”

“ Is not dead?” repeated Irma, in an
“ Mother Grogan mourns him as one dead.

“ She may not livo to him in. He was
given fifteen years for aving a hand in the
taking of! of a West Side tough. Danny swore
he dropped the fellow through the floor in self-
defense; but he was sent it just the same, as he
had a crooked record be ind him. It nearly
broke his old mother‘s heart.”

“ It does not seem as if such a kind old lady
could have a wayward son.—But, tell me the
very latest news.

' “ There is not much to tell. The police haven’t
struck the faintest clue to .work on. Of course
the excitement over your second disappearance
is great.” '

' Did you see Robert Booth?”

“ Not this time.”

“ My' only fear is that he will find me here.”

“ You need not fear that, for there is not one
éhance in a hundred that he will find you. Such
a thing will not happen.”

“ Don’t fool yourself l” cried Bob, as be cast
himself against the door and burst it open. “ I
am here!”

His entrance was something in the nature of a
thunderbolt from a clear sky. The lovers
started back, Irma uttering a little shriek of
terror and pressing her face down on Harold’s
shoulders, while the young man encircled her
waist with his strong arm.

“So on are not dead!” sneered Broadway
Bob. ‘ it takes more than rats to kill you, eh?
Well. I won’t leave you to the rodents next time.
I will finish you myself!”

“ You may not have the chance,” was the
Calm reply. “I know you for just what you
are, Booth: and not much time will pass be
you stand at the bar of justice tounswer for
your crimes.”

“ Pan! That sounds well, but it is all wind!
I have come for that girl."

“ You will not ,get her i"

“ We shall see.

Bob started forward.

“ Back i” flashed Harold, suddenly producing
a pistol. “ I will shoot you like the hound you
are, if you attempt to puta hand on heri”

Bob paused a moment, and then he made a
awift spring, striking fairly in the middle of the

001-. 5.

Another leap would bring him within reach
of the lovers. a

It was not made.

The floor gave way beneath his feet, and
vgthlha hoarse cry, he shot downward out oi
a . ' .

rise.

 

CHAPTER XXXVII.
a srauccu or run cram.
Tm: sudden disappearance of Broadway Bob
was astounding, to. say the very least.

 

 

In the center of the at the, very spot

  

where he struck on making the leap, a large
square opening appeared.

There had been a hidden trap-door in the
floor, and the weight of the Rounder had burst
it open.

Booth had plunged into the cellar.

How far had he fallen?

The door opened into utter darkness, but
Harold caught up the lamp and was on the point
of advancing and peering d0wnward. Irma,
however, caught him by the arm and held him
back, crying warning:

“ Look outl He may not have been injured,
and he always carries a pistol!"

“ I do not fear his pistol."

“ Still, he might shoot you from the cellar.”

At this juncture. the d00r to the adjoining
room opened and a fleshy old Irish woman wad-
dled into the room. She started back with up-
lifted tands when she saw the open trap in the
floor.

“ Howly Mitherl” she cried.
trap-dare isn’t oyfln, Oi dunno!”

“ Don’t go there, Mother Grogan—don’t go
near it!” cried Irma.

“ Whoy not?”

“ There is a man in the cellar.”

“ How th’ divvil did he come theerc?”

“ He fell through the trap.”

“ Well, thin, it's kilt he may be intoirely, for
it’s throth thot silfsoame thra me Danny drop-
ped th’ Knifer. Sure an’ th’ nifer shtruck on
his own stabbcr, which soame he hid in the
harnd av him, but th’ fall is no smarl distance.”

" If Broadway Bob is dead, it will be a bless-
ing!” declared Harold. “ But that rascal is not
killed so easily.”

“ Right you are, St. Clair!” cried a voice from
the darkness of the cellar. “I will liveto do
you up yet i”

Irma nearly fainted with terror.

“ Oh, let us fly from this place!” she panted.
“ He will find his way out of the cellar in a few
moments, and then—"

“And then I will meet him fairly. He shall
not touch you, my darling.”

But Irma was too terrified to be quieted, and
she would not think of remaining there.

“ We will have to leave here anyway,” she de-
clared. “ Mother Grogan has been very kind,
but we can stay here no longer, now‘that wretch
has discovered our place of concealment."

Harold knew she spoke the truth.

“Where shall we go?"

“ Auywhcrc~anywberc to get away from here
-—and him i"

It was useless for Mother Grogan to urge them
to stay, for the fear-shaken girl would not listen.
Irma lost no time in securing her wraps, and
they were soon ready for the street.

“ Where is the opening to the cellar!” asked
Harold.

“ It cooms out in th’ alley,” replied the good-
hearted Irishwoman, who really grieved to part
with them.

“ Then 'you do not fear any harm from Broad-
wa Bob

‘ Nivvcr a bit. All me loife hiv 0i bin in th’
midst av thieves arnd tonghs, an’ nivver yit war
0! afeandav one av thim.”

Being thus assured, they had no hesitation in
leaving her. Their only fear was that Bob had

“ Av Danny’s

already escaped from the cellar and was waiting ‘

for them in the darkness of the .

This did not prove to be true, however, and
they were soon on the street.

“ We will take the first cab we come upon,”
said Harold. ,

' But they were not destined to take a cab very
scan.

Three semi-intoxicated toughs came swagger-
ing along and nearly ran them down. r

“ Hey, be here!” criedpne. “ Who might
dis be wid h best galf’

Irma uttered a little cry.

The voice was that of t a thug Tom Duke.

A. the girl shrunk back, the hunt glare of a
street-light fell on her pale but beautiful face,
and the Slugger snared an exclamation of
astonishment.

“Blow me stiff!” be growled. “ Dis is dcr
gal w‘ot dor Rounder is a - a fuss OVfl‘l
Hully jecl I jest guess we‘re right in it!”

He advanced to clutch Irma.

Noyer in all his pugilistic encounters bad
Duke received such a terrific swinging blown
struck him then. He was hit fairly on the left
ear, lifted from his feet and cast headlong” the
rough. cobble-stoma of the street, where he lay
like one hit by lightning.

The Elmer’s companions were astounded by
the sudden and unexpected overthrow of their
mate, and they stood for some seconds.
first at the prostrate form of Tom Duke a

then at the slender, white~faccd young  who -

had knocked the thug down.

“ Do me eyes boholc such t’ings as dis!" cried '

cue. .
“ Holy smokes! w’ot did der teller have in his
flat?" inquired the other. ‘

Irma tried to drag Harold away, but the '

young man knew better than to turn his back
on the tougbs, for they would have leapedon
him in an irritant. v

 

 

“We’lljesthavetsrdodisfellérl” ' ,  5 

“ Dat’s w’ot we willl” .

  
    

 

 

 

‘24

Harold thrust Irma behind him and prepared
to meet the men squarely, although the odds!
WH‘O against him. 3
~ g ‘ “You had better keep away !” he cried. “I
Ls . will turn you both over to tho police!”
 He could not have spoken n more unfortunate

thing. The mere mention of the police seemed

to arouse the rufliains to the greatest fury, and
they sprung forward.

“ Swipe hfml"

“ T’row him cold!”

But they were not destined to find Harold an
easy victim. They had been drinking, which
was somewhat to St. Clair’s advantage, and he
made the very most of his opportunities.

Smack! hif‘i’! First one and then the other
felt Harold’s hard knuckles, and they were
sent staggering to the right and left. In a
moment they had recovered and were at him
a sin. Blows fell thickly, and the young man
d d not escape entirely unscathed. Howaver,
he scarcely seemed to notice when he was hit,
but he delivered such tellinglhtrokes in return
that the thugs were somewhat dazed.

“He’s der devfll” panted one. “I can’t git
me grippers on him l”

“ No more can I,” returned the other. “ He’s
like a jumpin’ frog!”

Suddenly lowering his head, Harold sprung
forward and drove it full into the stomach of
one. of the toughs, upsetting the fellow in in
instant. .

He turned just in time to dodge a blow from
the other, and he caught his breath when he
saw the weApon in the man’s hand.

fl No longer were the thugs fighting with bare

etc.

They were armed with sand—bags!

Harold thought of his revolver and tried to
get it out, but the hammer caught and re—

. Vented his accomplishing his purpose, w 110
one of the two wretches came near laying him
out with a well-directed blow.

“This can’t keep up long,” thought Harold.
“ We must attract somebody’s attention.”

‘ Then he shouted for help.

“ Git at him lively!” snarled the one he had
batted over, as he scrambled to his feet. “He’ll
wake der hull neighborhood 1"

Once more he had both of the thugs after
him, and it was only with the greatest skill at
dodging he avoided being knocked senseless.

He did received two heavy blows, one on the
arm and the other on the shoulder, which
seemed to henumb his whole side for a. moment.

Still he did not falter. He knew what it meant
to be overcome just then, and he had made/up
his mind that they should not down him.

A savage kick again sent one of them tothc
‘coblesmnes, and then, to avoid being hit with
the terrible bag, he grappled with the other.

The excitement of the fight had in a measure
cleared the fellow’s brain of the haze liquor had
put upon it and he showed he was no mean an-

nist. l3ut for the fact that Harold was an

a ive m her of the Manhattan Athletic Club,

he might ve been easily overcome.

“ You’s puttin’ up a stiff scrap fer 'a softiol”
floated the tough, who really felt some admira-

on for the man he was tryilpdg to “do.” “I
‘never knowed any of your ki ter do anyt’ing
like dis afore!” v

Harold made no reply, for he did not believe

.3. in wasting his breath in such a manner.

Suddenly getting as for under the tough as
possible, he lifted the fellow from his feet and‘
gave him a backward mag. V
, Both went down, but arold was uppermost.

: .Ho tore himself free and arose to his feet, being
barely in time to avoid a blow from the other
wrctch, who had recovered his footing.

\ Then came another clinch.
Fortunately, this fellow did not prove asstroug

I as his comrade, out! Harold managed toiling

 i . l f I 1 [ti] th
' e 60 01' “111 ram one 0 8 u

*  up "can!

 ~wm°m 35's."? “ “it: use“ “MM

cu v s
, , , oncoglthonscals. 
 ha (199me wheeled and struck!“ the

H  ounnmsn'agdn, and Harold was not succels-
" - f; uliu entirely avoidingtho blow. He was t

v _ ‘ cring backward, only keeping from all-
- r "in; by catching.atalamp-post, and thou the
'  thugs suddenly vadlshcd m the gloom of on
‘ '- 2 “a
spot on

i " ' but“ oaths tofcolla 'n .
 a bank he p° . “I avg? {or

 from those dastardly wrote i”
"  _’ ‘twsiw’ed who, young fcnerl’flasksd one of the

 pro'ldg braced up and looked around“ for

rma. - \
 She had din '
f Tom Duke h

 

  
  
    
   
   
  
   
    
    
  
   
  
   
    
   
  
   
     
   
  
   
   
  
  
   
   
   
  
    
  
  
  
   
   
  
   
   
   
  
  
  
   
   

  

 
 

policeman who came panting tothe
ho ygnang man clin lug so the lamp-
qven 1”

also vlhnishsd!
I . , 
CHAPTER XXXVIII. .
. g ‘ m oneness-oars Lsrr. . /
., g5 Pam-me '

 
 
 
   
  

  
  

,5 We  amfgadespmmmmomog

e  Q,  DE" 0 . W 

1 at , no, and watched Haroldmondssful bani;
odd . . cut she.

   

   
   

 

:1

use"

see him knocked down by one of the two thugs,
but still he kept on his feet and continued to
deal fearful blows right and left, causing his
assailants to rm 1 and curse.

“Heaven help him!” entreated the poor girl.
“ Save me from again falling into the hands of
Broads ay Bob or his villainous tools!”

She paid little heed to. Tom Duke, who it
seemed, had been knocked out by that first
terrific blow from the iron fist of Irma’s
brave protector. Had she noticed the chief
Enscul more, it would have been better for

er.

After a few moments, Duke sat up and gazed
around, a trifle duzml, still comprehending what
had taken place. He saw the swaying and leap-
ing figures of the fiercely-struggling men, but he
did not (.fl‘cr to aid his friends.

“ Dey’ll be abh- ier down dat tender kid,"
thought the Slugger. arising to his feet. “I’ll
take kecr of Her 1.11.1.”

Like a cat, he crept'up behind Irma, suddenly
grasping her and placing a hand over her mouth,
while he hissed:

“ If yer makes a yowl, I’ll twist yer woozle—
yes, I’ll help dem boys do dat tender mug w’ot
ye’r‘ stuck on up so he won’t git out der howital
fer six weeks!”

Irma did not make an outcry, and Duke drug-
ged her swiftly away. '

“ Don’t you be a fool l” advised the Slugger.
“ Me and Bob Booth is yer best friends, see!
We’ll use yer right. Why, dcr Rounder was
goin’ her take yer home all ..r~quee! Why didn’t
yer let him, ’stead of skippin’i You're a daisy,
but you makes me languid, see?”

“ lease don’t crush my arm! You hurt me
so!” subbed the poor girl.

“ Hurt yer?" gasped Tom, surprised. “ Well
ouse must be tender! Dat’s an easy grip. I
nows w’ot 'yruse wants—~yer wants ter break

an’ make a run fer it."

“Oh, no, no! You hurt me—you really do!
I feel so strangely—I—I think I’m going to
faint!"

“ Holy jee! don’t do dat!” cried the pugilist,
in great alarm. “ I dunno w’ot tcr do for a gal
dat faintsl”

Irma staggered somewhat, and he almost car-
ried.her. For a time she scarcely knew what
was happening, for she wasin the border-land of
unconsciousness, evon though she did not quite
lose her senses.

Duke soon turned into a dark and ndrrow al-
ley, a place that seemed utterly deserted. ‘

“Dem boys ough r hev dat kid laid out by
dis time,” he mutte , pausing a momentand
peering, back. “Dey won’t know w’ot has he-
come 0 me.” -

Of a sudden, Irma seemed to realms her posi-
tion—seemed to understand she was completely
in the power of this unscrupulous wretch and
was being dra ed into the darkness of a de-
serted alle . ith a fierce burst of strength,
she broke om Duke’s clutch, struck him full in
the‘; face with both her clinched hand, and then
turn to flee. . Maw

She tried to scream for help, but her panting
breaths out the cries short in her throat.

For one instant, Duke was astounded beyond
measure, and then he sprung after her. He
quickly overtook the girl and caught her up in
his arms. - '

“Dem me if der little“ bird wasn’t goin’ to!"
fly!- Now, I can‘t have dot—I really can’t!”

“ Help!’ screamed lrmh.

His broad hand closed over her mouth and he
plan back into the darkness of the alley.

“ ry ulp dot uawkin'!” was his brutal
order. “ er poops roun’ here won’t bodder
am heads ‘bout youse, my pritty.” '

Down into the gloomy 'allo he hurried, carry-
in her as easil as if she ha been a child. . She
di not strug 0 now or make an attempt to
cry out. In fact, she hyso passive yin his arms
that he began to row alarmed. ‘

Reaching a dar nook down by some stagger;
ingnsteps, he stopped and placed her on her

ea .

V “Stan' up here, gal,” he ordered. “ Don’t
try none 0’ ye; funny rackets on dis mug! Yer
can’t fool me.

EB? she only sunk down limply in cheap at,

est. ,
“1 Well he growled “dis is w'ot I calls great
sport! in be kickod'if dat pi don’t not user.”
Tom lighted a match-and held it close to rma’s
fhiie.’ Her eyes were closed and she was very

a. ' i .

“ Guess dis is a faint,” he muttered. as the
match want out. “ I told her better—told her I
didn’t know how tor tend a gal w’ot fainted.
She’d cughter bed ’nulf consideration for my
feelin’s tor keep all right.” i

For some moments he stood with his hands on
his hips, staring down at that dark bundle at
his. foe and then a sudden thought seemed to
strike h m.

"All right,” the Slugger nodded. ‘ “I’ll jest

let her be‘so. She won’t givo me so much
trouble. Ifshs was allri ht, she might use]
or. somot’in’; but dare h ’t no, danger her

  
   

n’ now. An’ she won’t run away. - I’ll,
m pull‘h’sr in Ld’or  here, while I trot
buys; have“ done dcr softiaz’h .

0 ~' , I) 3 0

   

figure! l

  

 

,8" its cerebral berm. 9‘" WM

steps, and then he turned and hurried back
along the alley, soon reaching the street.

At that moment, tWo panting figures came
sneaking swiftly 11k ng.

Tom gave a bias, which was answered in a
similar manner.

“Is dat youse, Murphy un’ Fund?”

“ You bet!” “‘us the reply, as the two figures
instantly approached.

“Did yer go t’rough der bloke?" asked Tom.

“ Go t’rough nuthin’!” was the disgusted reply.
” Dat feller was der biggest scrappcr 1 ever run
up against!"

“ Dat’s w’ot he was.” the other thug agreed.
“ An’ dodgc~he could dodge chain lightnin’l”

“ An’ dl'l' lists of him was junks of iron l”

“ An’ he used his head as a batterin’-raml”

“ An’ he kicked like a mule l”

“ All’ hollcred l”

“ Den dcr coppers showed up.”

“ ’Bout dat time we sprinted.”

They paused for breath, and Tom asked:

“ Didn’t yer git one rap at him?”

“ None (lat ’mounted ter anyt’ing.”

“ Well, I‘ll have for hunt him up,” asserted the
pngilist. " He billed me a good one, an’ I per
pose ter square (lel score.”

“ Where is der gal?” \

“ Oh, I got her all right,” triumphantly as-
sured the Slugger. “ I t’cught youse fellers was
good fer (lat one mug, and so I slid out wid der
gal. She fainted same as dem soft gals do, an’ I

lit-fr. lwr down here while I looked fer yours.

Come on.”
tic led the way into the alley, and his villain-
ous companions follovved elore at his heels.

In a few seconds they )‘Pal'Leil the stsps where ’

Tom had left Irma chhblx‘I‘.
To their disgust and dismay, she was not
there!

CHAPTER XXXIX.
noun-mun PROTECTION.

IRMA had not fainted at all, but she re—
temieu to be unconscious in order to deceive om
Duke.

She succeeded in her purpose.

The moment the Slugger left her, she arose to
her feet and stole away down the alley, her
heart throbbing painfully and her breath flutter.
in: over her period lips. ,

She knew not where she was going, her only
thought being to get way from the wretch who
had dragged her to that dismal place.

On and on she ran, holding out her hands
blindly, Once she tripped and fell, but quickly
scrambled to her feet and ran again.

She fancied she heard pursuing feet behind
her, and that nerved her to greater exertions.

Suddenly, she found further progress checked
by a but? wall. -

Despa r in her heart, she tried to find some
exit from the place.

In vain! .

It was a blind alley, and there was but one
entrance and exit! , .

She was still in a trap! '

“ What can I do! what shall I do?” she panted,
feeling as if she were now on the verge of faint-
ing in earnest. “ I must get out of this
that wretch will find me again!”

How was it to be done”

She turned back,

In a few moments she heard the sound of sp-
Epheshlng voices among which she mug,

u s. ‘

“ I am lost!” she gasped,
place of concealment. V ,

She saw some steps'thst led downward into
the darkness, and another moment found her
feeling'her way down them.

There was a door ‘v at the bottom, but she
succeeded in, cabin it open. The dank, un-
pleasant me! of a leased cellar came to her
nostrils, but she did not bcsitste about entering
the place feeling that it might afl'ordsholter
from tho human brutes she feared ‘

looking around for a

* Slowly she made her way intothe darkness

pf this éoomy place, holdingout' her hands in
ron ‘
tion; in this manner sh 'made her way to a
cemented wall that was w
touch.
, S‘ e paused and listened.
What was that? I
Thump! thump! thdmpl . ' ' ‘
The sound of blows came from beyond the:
wall. Atfirst. it seemed as if the sounds were
caused by the beating of her own heart but she
soon discovered her error. .
Moving slowly along, the wall, she soon cane
to the, spot nearth t e sounds, an thereon

found a heavy door, which was qu vexing and ' -
meant. Ashe stoodthero‘. “ “

shaking with every blow.

Wondering what it all I V .
in the darkness of the wretched place, listening
to thesodden sounds. .

At length, the door gave somewhat, and to  

her ears came a low cry of joy and the

words: . ,
“ i will soon befrcc~fresl” ' ,. '
Then she understood {that in the cellar beyond

was a captive who was worlds for .,

 
 

place, or p ‘

her to avoid running into any ohstruc— , ' 
and chilling to the 3"” I

 

 

      
 

 

 

        
     
       
       
       
       
         
     
         
   
    
       
      
         
       
     
       
           
     
     
 
 
  

    
 
  
  
     
   
  
      
    
    

 

     
         
      
       
      
    
      
     
      
     
      
   
          

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'him. Examining the door by means of touch,
she soon discovered the fasteningr but tno
eflforts of the captive made it impossible for her
to move them.

“ If he would only stop pushing and pounding
on the door,” she thou ht.

Summoning all her ldness, she called:

“ Hello!”

“Who calls?" came back, in hollow, muffled
tones.

“ A friend."

“ Good! Help me open this internal door,
friend. I will pay you well to set me free.
Make haste l" ,

But she recognized the voice now, and she fell
back in sudden horror, gasping:

“ It is Bob Booth!”

The diSCovery seemed to rob her of her

strength for the time, and she felt as if she were
stifling, while her limbs trembled beneath her.
' It seemed that cruel fortune was against her,
for she had been driven back to this spot, and
was in danger of again falling into the hands of
the chief rascal of the Tenderloin thugs. ,

She felt that she could not remain there.
Better to take her chance in the alley, for Broad~
way Bob might burst down that door at any
moment.

Without delay, she sought the exit from the
cellar and hurried out into the open air. Trust-
ing to luck, she hurried along the. alley.

For once, it did seem that fortune was with
her, as she turned from the three toughs and
soon found herself on the street. .

Breathing a prayer of thankfulness, she sped
swiftly away, and in a very short time was out
on Eighth avenue.

At about nine o’clock in the evening Eighth.

avenue from Fourteenth street to the Park is
one of the liveliest thoroughfares in New York.
Here all classes beneath the top crust of fashion
seem to meet and mingle. Of course none of the
Four Hundred are ever seen in that locality,
but the frequenters of the avenue do not seem to
miss them at all.

A trifle dazed, Irma staggered through the

throng, utterly unable to tell where she was,

going. She did not heed the many admiring
glances she attracted, and she was not aware

she receiVed special notice.

Suddenly, however, she found a sho'wily-
dressed man at her side. The stranger wore a
silk hat and carried a waxalwood cane that was
ornamented with a profusion of silver. Rings
adorned his ungloved hand, and a diamond
flashed in his spotless cream-:olcred ascot tie.

" V His heavy black mustache glisteued With bril-

laintine and was waxed to diamond points.

This individual lifted his, hat with ‘true Eighth
avenue courtesy, and spoke to Irma in a manner
that was intended to be " killing” in the ex~
"treme. '

To his surprise. she stavtel from him, uttering
a little cry of fear, a look‘bf ten-or appeariug in
heneyei. ’ .

“ Now don’t 0 to bein’ leery, m ' dear,”

urred the sWe l, as he reached her at eagaiu.
’ ‘ I don’t mean to frighten ynuse, You re a
lad , and I knows it. I’m a gent, see?” .

a had described himself accurately by‘that
one telling word—“gent.” No one would dis-
puts his claim to the title. ‘

“ Go away!” entreated Irma.

“ Oh, come now, darling! 1—”

She caught her breath and fled across the
street, dodging between a silently flitting bicycle

.and a heavy truck.

The “gent” was astonished and angered by
her sudden wave, and he lost no time in follow-
ing her. , .

‘ I ain’t in der habit of havin’ ducks skip me
i this way i” he muttered. “ When Elegant
. im makes a brace at a ‘rl, she allus flops right
_ is shy, but I‘ll catch
her yit."

Glancing back, Irma saw she was pursued,

Elegant Jim, as the masher had called him-
self, misinterpreted the meaning of that lance.

“ I knowed she was alhrightl" chuck edit“,
cur, as he quickened' his steps. “She’d never
lobked back‘if she hadn’t wanted me to tailor.
If she wasn‘t fine as silk, I’d let he: o for playin’
soft that way; but I swear she is a sut'!"

Seeing a policeman, limb was on the point of
appealing to him for protection. when she sud.
denly remembered who she was and that she
might have to give an account of herself to the
officer. ' T
' “ Merciful Father l” she sobbed. ,“ I dare not
speakto him! I must trust to myself to get-
away from this brute who is following me.”

Elegant Jim chuckled againyhen he saw the
girl turn down one of the dark streets, leaving
hibd avenue. '

“ Dis is a reg er chase!" he laughed. “But
der game is wort’ tryin' for.”

” He hastened down the dark street, seeing the
figure flitting along before him. ‘ On the avenue

I Jim would not have ruined his dignity by run-

ning, but he did so now. -

“ Wonder how she happens to be livin’ down
here?" he thought. “ She was dressed out o
si ht, au’ dis‘ls a reg’ er tough section.” a

e was overtaking the 39908 1'1. She heard
his pursuing footsteps behind er and turned
her head to glance back. As She did so, her

.The outside of the

 

foot caught and she fell heavily being a trifle
stunned.
. Elegant Jim picked her up. '

“ Too bad, darling l” he said, in a manner that
was meant to be soothing. “ I’m sorry yer
took a tumble, but yer hadn’t ougntér run for
it. I knows all about shy birds, but dey git used
to me pretty quick, an’ dey finds me a jolly good
teller. By jeel you’re a beut’ of der first water!
I’m dead stuck on your style. Gimme kiss!"

He had her in his arms and Lis vile lips were
approaching her unsullied Ones. She felt his
hot breath on her cheek, and her very soul was
stirred with deepest horror and repugnance.
With the last bit of strength she possessed, she
tried to break from his grasp, begging piteousl y
for mercy.

” What are you doing to that girl, Elegant
Jim?" asked a feminine voice. _

He started and uttered an exclamation of an-
ger.

“ Dat you, Mug?” ‘ '

“ Yes. Let that girl alone!”

“ Who are you orderin’?"

“ I know. I saw you when you pursued her
off the avenue. She was nearly frightened out
of her senses."

“ Dat’s} all game.
catch a sucker.” .

“ 1 kn .w better, Jim. I know a pure face
when I. see it, and this girl is not the kind you
think.”

“ Well, ouse hain’t no business settiu’ your-
self u as er protector.”

n by notfin

f‘ Your record ain’t none too clean.”

“ That doesn’t make any difference.”

“ Oh, save me!" implored Irma. “ Save me
fronii,this creature, and I will do anything for

on ‘

“ Let her go, Jim 1"

“ I wun’tl” , .

“Then I’ll blow your last job to the lice.
They would like to know who strangl poor
Maggie O’Brien." '

“For God’s sake, Madgel” gasped the man,
suddenly stricken with fear.

“ Come with me,” and the woman took Irma’s
arm.

“ She can go," snapped Elegant Jim; “ but I
wouldn’t give much fer der kind of pertectiou
she’ll get out of you, Red Madge l" ’

CHATER XL."
A TOUCH or HUMAN NATURE.

THE unfortunate girl was only too glad to es-
cape by any means from the licentious wretch
who had pursued' and overtaken her, and she
clung to the arm of the kindly-spoken woman as
they moved from the spot; .

Elegant Jim evidently feared ‘the woman, for
he did not follOW them.

“ Where is your home?" Irmn’s protector
asked.

The girl hesitated.

“ I have none-now,” she finally replied.

“Then I will take you to mine.”

“ Oh, you are so kind i”

In a short time they reached their destination.
house looked wretched
euou h. and Irma was surprised to find it com-
forta ly, almost luxuriously, furnished when
{I}? had entered. - ’

ha woman notiCed Irma’s wonderin looks.

“You den't understand it, eh? “Fh , my
dear, I have lived in one of the mbst fash onable
quarters of the city. Just now I am living here
i e1'aUse 1 can have those I chose as associates
visit me here without arousing sn piciou.‘ Now,
you may not understand that, but it is all the
explanation I shall make. I know you did not
ask me for as much as that, for you are too well
bred. At the same time, I saw the question in
your eyes.” . .

Irma looked at the woman. She was fashion~
ably dressed and, just then, had the appearance
ofa Fifth avenue promenader. Her face was
rather handsome, although there was soinething
about it that did not impress the girl favorably.
That something was the trace of dissipation,
which the greatest art could not fully hide.

“ Make yourself uite at home my dear,”
urged the mistress o the place. “ vifou have not
told me your name.”

The girl spoke before she thought what she
was saying: a

“ It is Irma Webster. '

Like a flash, the Woman turned upon her, her
eyes blazing strangely.

“What did you any?” she asked, plainly re-
straining her feelings. , I.

‘I‘rnia stammered, startled beyond measure.

Did you say your name is Webster?" came
BIOle from the woman’s lips.- ‘9 Are you Cal-
vm‘ Webster’s daughter?” 

I am—but ohl- do not turn me over to'the
Police! I must not return to my father now-—
i dine uotl,’ , ‘ , ’
t “ Your father would not harm you!" r

o, no: it is not that! I love my father, but
I urn not safe in in own home.” .

I am sure I r 0 nor. understand you. Not
“‘83 Surely you are |safer than you could be
adrift on the streets and in danger of falling in-

to the hands of such v . .
wort time ago.” men as I saved you trout:

She was just playin’ ter

 

 

“ Even the dangers of the streets are to be pre-
ferred to the horrors of my own home. I cannot
explain so you will understand, but if I return
home, I shall fall a victim to the will of a bold
villain! I cannot escape him!”

“ Your father will protect you.”

“ He is unable to do that.”

The woman looked puzzled.

“No,” she s10wly ackn0wledged, “I do not
understand. I fear your brain is turned. Who
is it you fear?”

“ A man named Robert Booth.”

“ Broadway Bob?" ‘

“ Sometimes so called, I believe. Do you know
him?”

"“ I should say I did!” laughed Red Madge.

Irma sprung up in terror.

” Is there an danger of his coming here?”

“Not in the east,” was the reassuring reply.
“You are perfectly safe here, my dear girl I
see you are tired and nearly unneri ed. You
must take off your wraps and rest here."

A sudden thought came to Irma.

“ Haroldv‘l” she exclaimed —— “ I must find
Harold!” '

“ Who is Harold l”

The girl hesitated, her eyes drooping and the
faintest tinge of color coming to her cheeks.

“ I understand,” smiled Red Madge. “ But
you are not strong enough to find him now.
After on have rested, you may seek for him.
He is aIl ri h —" ‘

“Oh, I on’t knowl” sobbed Irma, suddenly
breaking down. “ The last I saw of him he was
fighting with two terrible ruffians. Perhaps
they murdered him! .Oh, Harold! Harold!”

She Would have hurried from the house to
seek for him, but Madgeprevented.

"‘If you go out alone, you will be certain to
run into Elegant Jim, or some of his like. This
is not a good locality for a girl like you'to wander
about in at this time of night.”

That restrained Irma, f0r she stood in greatest
terror of Elegant Jim. She sobbed as if her
heart would break, and Madge did her best to
comfort the girl. The Queen of the Crooks had
some tenderness left in her heart, for she was
really touched by the distress of the girl,

For the time, the woman forgot Irma was the
daughter of the man she had once called husband,
but’whom she now hated most intensely.
~ After a little, Madge brougth something in a
wine-glass, bidding Irma drin . ’

“It will do you good, my dear," was the as-
surance. “ You need somethin to quiet your
nerves. If you keep on, you wii have hysterics
soon.” , “

So the unsuspecting irl drank.

Afters time, her so hing ceased and sthe-
gun to grow drowsy. With all her energy, she
sought to throw off the feeling. -

” Won’t you go out With me?” she asked. “ I
must try to find Harold. He will ‘not know
what has become of me. It would he so good of
you, and you are kind—very kind.

“We still go out in a little while,” softly as-
sured Madge. “ You must lie down and rest
first. Here is a nice, soft bed "—throwing open
some portieres. “ Let me help you to the bed.
You need to rest, my dear.”

“ Iain tired,” confessed Irma- “and sleepy—
oh, so sleepy! If I should fall as esp—you would
wake—mo soon?”

“ Yes, dear." ~ .

Red Madge assisted her to the bed, and Irma
flung herself heavily upon it, murmuring:

“ Oh, so sleepy—sleepy! Wake_ me—in a few
—miuutes. You are—so kindl ‘ I love you—‘
and—” . _ .

~She slept! - . ‘ ,1

Red Madge stood looking-down atthe placid
end sweetly beautiful face and her own features
softened somewhat. '

" Poor childl” she murmured. “ She is so
innocent and trusting and she actually said'she
loved me! Loved me! I have heard those
words many times, but it has been years since I
last heard them spokenwith tenderness and sin—
cerity. I wonder what Satan's brew it was in
my blood that made me turn my back on an

honorable life and become what I am? To-day ’

I might be livmg with Calvin Webster, a court-
ed and re ted woman, holdin a place in so.
cietv, but preferred the crock path. :3;

“'Webster married again when he was clear-

of me, but this child’s mother‘rests over in _

Greenwood. It is business now. Fortune has
thrown Webster’s daughter who my hands, and
he shall pay dearly before he looks on her fine

a sin. .

E“ And still shasald she loved me! Once I was
pure and innocent as she. But, h or law,
there is little shelter for innocence an [purity in
this great city! * V

“ Sleep on, my poor dearl You know not
what disgrace or sorrow life may bring tooIou.”

And steeping, Red Madge, Queen _
Crooks, tenderly ~iouched her lips to the
check of the unconscxous girl! r

 

CHAPTER XLI. '
A srmnoa woman. I .

Tux strange woman softly stole from the room,
closing the poflieres behind hei. ‘

“ Now,” she muttered, the hard iook'roturniug _ 

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Broadway Bob, the Rounder.

 

 
  
     
   
   
   
   
  
    
  
  
  
   
   
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
   
   
   
     
  
   
    
   
   
  
  
    
   
  
  
   
    
  
  
   
 
   
   
    
   
  
   
   
 
 
    
   
     
    
    
   
   
  
       
   
  
   
   
   
  
 
   
    
  
 

to her face, “ I will make a call on Calvin VVeb-
ster. Hal ha! ha!
since he looked on my face, but he shall see me
to-uiglt. 1 need some money, and he must come
down generously. l have a fancy Broad way

Bob is playing a double game here, and I will at-
tempt to scoop a little something on the side.
Booth will have to rise early if he gets ahead of
Red Madge and the Tigers. He had better have
a care, or the Tigers may take in fancy to rend
him. He must use us square.”

She donned her wraps and soon left the house,
carefully locking the door behind her.

It was not long before she found a cab and
was rolling comfortably to the eastward. In
this manner she arrived at Calvin Webster’s
Madison avenue residence.

Ascending the steps, the notorious woman un-
hesitatingly rung the hell. I

The servant who appeared at the door inform-
ed her it was too late for Mr. Webster to receive
any callers.

“Tell him my business is of the utmost im-
pgrtance,” she said, arrogantly. ” It will not

best for him to refuse to see me.”

" It is utterl
rejoinder. "
must obey.”

But she had forced her way into the house
when the door was 0 nod, and she refused to
leave until Calvin We ster saw her. Finding it
was useless to argue with her, the servant asked
for her card.

“Never mind the card. Tell him it is a lady
who wishes to see him on vital business. 1 will
wait in the parlor.”

She proceeded to make herself quite at home,
while the servant, finding no other Course possi-
ble took her message to he masterof the house.

He soon'returned, saying courteously, yet with
a tin e of triumph:

“ r. Webster says for you to call in the
morning. He will soon retire for the night.”

She leaned forward in the upholstered chair,
. her eyes flashing brightly.

- , ' ‘ “ The gentleman will have to see me to—night,”
declared Red Mad e, Queen of theCrooks. “ I
have called on bus ness that concerns him much
more than it does me, and he is very uncourt-
eons, to say the Very least.”

The servant stood stolidly before her. -

Taking out a card-case and producing a gold
pencil that was set with rubies and diamonds,
the determined woman wrote a few words on
the back ofa plain card. They were:

useless, madam,” was the firm
e have our orders here, and we

"If Calvin Webster wishes to see his daughter
again, he will see me without a moment‘s delay. 1f
3e dbo'es not, he wil regret it until the day of his

cat . ' ,

“ Give your master that,” she ordered, impe-
riously. ‘-‘ If he declines to see me after reading
it, I will go quietly. Only, you must not fail to
give him the card. Go now,”

There was something about her manner that
brooked no refusal, and she was obeyed.

When the servant returned, he informed her
Mr. Webster would be down in a few moments.

Red Madge smiled a bit and lay back in the
comfortable phair to await the broker’s appear-

ance.

She did not have to wait long.
, Calvin _Webster came down the stairs and en-
‘ .. ' tcred the parlor..

‘ “ I be your pardon if I have kept you wait-
ing, ma am,” he said; “ but I trust you will
understand the situation. The hour is late,
pnd— My God i"

He fell back when she arose toher feet, allow-
ing the light of the chandelierto fall when her
face. He Could scarcely believe the evidence of
his egos.

“ cod-evening, palvln.”

She spoke with perfect coolness, a calm, seme-
“ hat sneering smile on her face.

“ You?” he said, faintly.

“ Yes. I seeyou know me.”

" Know you—yea.”

_“ Then the years have not changed me so very
much?”

' ' He did not reply.

“Why did you come here, Jane?” he asked.
somewhat hrokenly “Have I not enough to
endure just now? Have you come to mock me
-—to sneer at me?” ' ‘

In truth that had been a part of her purpose,
but when she saw him standing before her so
(finged, so unlike his old proud self, 'a strange

ling crept into her heart—-a feeling to which
she had been a stranger for mouy years. She
did not analyze it, but it 369de to he a min-
gling of pity and—was it love?”

Bah! oi She had ceased to care for this
man long, long ago, and she was certain she did
not care for him now. Even if a spark of affec-
tion remained in her heart, she was Red Madge,
Queen of the Crooks. -

Not eVen the broker himself could have

_ his emotion as he looked on the face of
her who had once been the wife of his heart. In
the days forever gone he had really loved her,
but in er own wild, relentless way she had slain

‘ {all his sifectt n and forced him to sunder the
‘. ‘ bond between them.

, 'e,had paled when be recognised her, and his
- trembled a bit. . She saw the snows of old

It has been many years.

 

age were creeping into his once black hair, and
Time had left Other indelible marks upon him.

He put out his hand and rested it on the back
of a chair, steadying himself in that manner.
She felt a great impulse to offer her support,
but she knew it would not be accepted. He
might scorn her, and she meant to show him
how proud she really was.

So they stood and looked into each other-’s
eyes, silence resting for a time betWeen them.

“ Why have you Come here?" he asked again.

“ Did you read what I wrote?”

it Yes."

“ Then you know what brought me here.”

“ My child—you know something of her?”

It Yes")

“ What is it?”

He spoke the words imploringly, and again
she felt a thrill of sympath . It angered her to
think she was so “ soft,” or she had believed
such emotions Quite foreign to her nOW.

“ Did you expect I would tell you so readily?
Did you imagine it was love (r compassion for
ygu that brought me here? You could not have

on so foolish l”

He spoke slowly.

“ I understand you, I think. I had hoped we
might neVer meet again, but fate has brought
us together. Féte has been very cruel to me of
late, but I suppose I deserve it all, so I try to
accept my lot as humbly as possible.”

Again she noted how changed he was. In the
olden time he would have shown his pride and
scorn.

.“ I did not expect to find you like this.”

He did not understand her meaning.

" I know not what you expected, only know
how I am bent beneath the load I havr‘. to bear.
If you must add to that burden, speak quickly.”

“ I know where Irma is.” ‘

“ Have you come to tell me? You must know
my heart is torn with the torture of sus ense,
but you cannot know how helpless I am. find
myself unable to protect my own child, even
when she is in the home nest. That is what has
crushed me the most. Satan and his emissaries
seem triumphant.” o

“ Perhaps I have a price for telling you where
to find her.” '
cted as much,” he confesse l.

“ Wil you pay?”

“She is my child—my only chi‘d. I am not
going to make an appeal to you, for you may
not know how much that means to a man like
me who is all alone in the W('I‘l(l.”

. For a little time the Woman was silent.

“I think I do know,” she “finally said. “ It
must be horribly loner in this great house. I
should die here! But. I am sure you cannot
understand the perils your daughter encounters
when she is not beneath this roof. This Very
night I rescued her from the talons of a human
hawk who haunts the avenues and preys on

outh and innocence. This vampire already

ad her in his wer—held her in his embrnCe.
Alone and unaided, she could not how obtained
her freedom until he relinquished her. You
know what that means.” ~

“ (in, Heaven! And you—you saved her?”

“ I saved her l”

“ God bless you for that one act, Jane! I—I
can’t say morel” .

She tried to forco a scornful laugh, but it was
quite a failure. v

“ Blessings Will not buy bread, and I loves.
little cake now and then.”

“You shall be paid—I will pay you for what
,you have done.”

“ You are willing!”

“ Why shouldn’t I be? Irma is all I have.
Without her my wealth would be dross, fori
have not so very long t.) need it. i did not feel
this way a few weeks ago, but I am like an old
man now. All the life—all the ambition has
been crushed out of me. I feel that I am fast
becoming a wreck 3”

She saw he was in almost. Had he rebelled,
she would have gr mud his neck beneath her
heel and felt that her revenge on him was com-
plete. But it seemed brutal to add tb the sore
afflictions of this unfortunate man, even though
she hated him so deeply.- .

Hated him? She questioned herself. Was
that hatred so intense as she had imagined?
Somehow it was strangely softened and
ciilanged. She was not sure she hated him at
8 o ‘ ‘ i

“ Are you ready to pay me five thousand
dollars for what I have done and for taking you
to «your daughter?”

‘ Is that what you demand?”

It Yea.”

“ hen do you want it?"

‘6 Now."

“I have not the mono

“ I will take your dra
of your stopping it.” I

He did not demur. Going to the library. he

at hand.”
and run my chances

drew up a check for the sum stated and brought

it to her, having first learned thename she
wished it made payable to. She took it from
his hand and read it twice, making sure it was
correct. Then she tore it. into fragments and-
cast the pieces at her feet. ' ‘

“Como,” she said, wondering at herself; “I
will lead you to Irma.”

 

He did not understand her, but be was soon.
ready to accompany h‘er. Something told him.
she was sincere.

They left the house and entered the cab, the
woman giving instructions to the driver.

Thirty minutes later, they were at Red
Madge’s door.

He followed her up the steps and into the ‘

house. As they entered, they came face to face-
with a man who held an unconscious girl in his
arms.

And that man was Broadway Bob!

 

CHAPTER XLII.
THE aovxmm STILL TRIUMPHANT.

OF course the girl was Irma, who was still
under the influence of the drug given her by the.
Queen of the Crooks.

BroudWa y Bob was startled by the sudden ap'-
pearance of Rel Madge and Calvin Webster.

He was on the point of carrying Irma from
the room.

“ Mv child!” cried the broker.

“ llob Booth 1” exclaimed the Queen of the
Crooks.

“ Hello, Madge l” saluted Booth. “ It was
jolly good of you to take her in and keep her
for me.”

“ What are you doing with that girl!” asked
the woman, sternly.

“ I am about to take her away,” was the cool
reply. “ She has given me the slip times-
enough.”

“ Put her down!”

“ Wretched villain!” cried the father. “ Have
you not caused me misery enough? Let me
have her and depart!”

The Rounder whistled. \

“This islike a scene in a play i” he sneered.
“ The father demands his child. Ha! ha!
Really, it is amusing!"

“ How did you happen to find her here?” asked
Red Madge.

“ Good luck brought me here, and I entered
by the secret way.”

“ Ill luck brought you here, Bob Booth l” - .

Bob looked at Red Madge in puzzled astonish-
ment.

“ What is the matter with you?" he asked.
“ You have struck a new string.”

“ That girl is beneath my roof and under my
protection, Bob Booth!” she retorted. “ At-
tempt to take her from here at your peril l”

“ This is melodrama l” he sneered. “ Let the
calciums blaze—touch off the red iirel
have the thing done up right!”

“ I am iu‘earnestl”.

“You aflpear so, but, by Jove! I think you
are daft, adgel I can’t account for it any
other way.”

“Think what you like, but place that girl on
the couch there!” . '

“ If I refuse, what then?”

“ Refuse if you dare l”

“ Very‘ well, I dare and do refuse most em-
phatically.” .

A tiny bejeweled revolver suddenly appeared

Let's

. in the hand of Red Madge, and it was pointed

directly at the head of Broadway Bob.

" You knew I can shoot, Bob Booth!"

Hewas astounded. ' '

“ I know it, Madge; but I did not fancy you
would turn a weapon on me.”

“ Well. you see you were mistaken. I tell you
what I mean to do, if you don’t put that girl
down—I mean to send a bullet through your
head!"

Something in her manner convinced him she
was in deadly earnest. .

“ Curse it all!” he snarled.
against me?’ .

“ Put down the girl l” " .

hHe obeyed, turning savagely to confront
t om.
‘,‘ If it is to be a fight I can fight better with
my hands free. What does it mean i” ‘

“ There is no chance of a fight," asserted the
Queen of the Crooks. “ If you attempt to kick
one up 1’“ knock you over. Now be decent,
Bob, and let me have my way. You ought to
be aware I will have my way when I set out.”

“ But i am blowed'if I see what you are driv-
ing at. Yesterday you were my friend and in
with me on this game l”

“ I fancy you are playing the game for your-
self and not for others who are interested. I
have changed since yesterday, Bob.”

" You don’t mean to try to blook my tricki”

“ What if! do?”

“ You can’t do .it.” I

“ I will tell you what I mean. I intend that,
this girl shall return to
father. I gave him my word to that effect, nd.
Red Madge never breaks her word.” ' '

‘ “ How much did you strike'him for?" ~

“ That is none of your business l” ' l

The Rounder saw the woman was in a danger-
ous mood, and he fancied she had been'drinklng
heavily. He knew Madge was a ” terror” when
she took to drink, and he did not care to really
arouse her then.

‘9 Are you turning

What if Irma was taken home by her fatherf' '

That would not baffle his aims in the least.
Perhaps it would he better to get the struggle
over in that way. . .

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Then he suddenly thought of three men he
had left outside the house. He wondered if they
would understand the situation and get in their
work.

Anyway, he decided to trust to luck. If Irma
was carried home, he would let her go; but
would lose little time in making her his wife.
His fearful power would compel her to become

“All right," he laughed, assuming an easy
manner and stepping from the c0uch. " As you
say, I am in your house, and I suppose you are
mistress here. Let it go at that. If Webster
wants his daughter, there she is.”

The broker gave a cry of joy and hastened to
lrma’s side, catching her up in his arms and
kissing her again and again.

“Why don't ou awaken!”
“Speak to me— ook at me!
father!"

“She will awaken in time,” assured Red
Madge. “Just now she is under theinfluence
of a sleeping powder I gave her. Do not be
alarmed b the soundness of her slumber.”

Calvin ebster breathed a sigh of relief.

“You have been kind, June,” he said.

he entreated.
It is I—your

“I

' Will never forget this!”

“ It’s nothing,” she declared, a strange break
in her voice. “ I shall feel the better for doing
one more decent act before I die. Take her
and go. The cab is standing at the door, and
you can take her home in that. If you will set—
tle the whole bill with the drivar, I’ll call it
square," and she forced a short laugh.

He lifted the sleeping girl in his arms and
moved to the door which she held open for him.
Broadway Bob did not offer to interfere.

“ Good-night and good-by," said the strange
woman.

" Good-night,”,he replied, as'he went out.

A moment later, a cry of,pain and the shuffle
of feet came from the street. Red Madge and
Broadway Bob hurried out.

Calvin Webster lay stretched on the ground,
but his daughter was gone.

“ This is the work of your hired tools !” cried
the Queen of the Crooks, turning fiercely on
Broadway Bob. ,

His reply was a laugh of triumph.

 

CHAPTER XLIII.
- BOB IN A BAD HUMOR.

TOM DUKE and his two thug pals had been
lingering outside the house Occupied by the
Queen of the Crooks ,

One of the window panes did not happen to be
closely drawn, and through the flimsy folds of a
lace curtain, they send! that transpired with-

in.

“Holy 'eel” whis red the Slu er. “ Der
old gal ha'sJ turned OEOBOD!" gg '

They saw Red Madge pull a revolver on the
Rounder and force him to relinquish Irma Web-
ster.

“Dat’s a (neer game fer Madge,” observed
French. “ V onder w’ot she’s at?”

“Dunno,” confessed Murphy. "Looks like
she is playin’ inter t’oder feller’s han’s."

“ Dat’s der gal’s fadder,” informed Dukc.
"Red Madge has brought him here, dough I
don’t see w’ot fer.” -
“Der old cove is goin’ ter git erway wid der

“ We'll have tor stop dat."

So when the father came out With the uncon-
scious child in his arms, he was promptly
knocked over. The anan on the cab that was
waiting in front of Red Madge’s house saw three
figures spring out of the shadOWs, heard a blow.
and when the figures vanished, he discovered the
body of a man stretched on the walk,

“Great smoke I" gasped 'the driver.
looks like murder! ' I ain’t in it!” -

With sudden and unreasonable fear, . he
whipped up and went rumbling away in the
darkness.-

When Broadway Bob and Roi Mad e came
from the house they found Galvin ‘l/Vebgtpp
stretched on the stones. while the rumbling
wheels of the cab could be heard in the distance.

“ This is the work of your hired tools!” cried
the woman.

The Rounder laughed. ~

“ If so, they have done their work well,” he

“ This

. said.

“ The girl has been taken away in that cab.”
“ It appears like it." ‘

In truth. the three rufilsns with the girl in,

their clutches were crouching within hearing of
their valves, being unable to flee up or down the
street without being discovered.

“ l have a mind to send a bullet through your
.heartl‘ exclaimed the Queen of the kas. ‘

Bob folded his arms.

“ Go ahead," he calmly said. ‘

“ Help me carry this poor man into the house,” .

Madge commanded.

Requesting her to stand aside, the Rounder
lifted the unconscious broker and bore him
into the house, placing him carefully on the

' sofa.

“ NOW, you may go.” said the woman
In the mean time, the three thugs had moved
away as swiftly as possible, choosing dark alleys

‘B'roadway Bob,

1

and passages, first one and then another carrying
the still Senseless girl.

Finally, they halted.

“ W’ot next, boss?” asked Murp

“ I’ll take care of der gal now,’

“ W’ot’svdat mean?"

“ You tellers can slide.”

“ But we’re in dis racket wid yer.”

“ You’ll git paid fer w’ot you’ve done w’en I
sees yer in der morning.”

They did not seem to take much stock in this.

" Dat don't go down.”

A “ It has for, see? I’m runnin’ dis biz.”
“ Well, you’re broke, so how yer goin’ ter
a l

“ I’ll make der Rounder c0me down wid
der stuff, don’t yer worry ’bout dat. Dis
is his gal, an’ he’ll pay fer her. If we should
hurt her in nry way, dat cove would do der whole
crowd. Catch on i"

“ W’ot be you goin"ter do wid he i"

“ Take her ter a place where der Rounder’ll
find her all 0. K. Dis is straight goods. I gives
yer der word of a gent of der ring dat you shall
have yer scads fer der job in drr mornln’. Meet
me at.Jackson‘s on der Bowery.”

French and Murphy hesitated in a doubting
manner, but they were afraid of the Slugger,
and they finally slunk away in the darkness.

“ Dem fellsrs do fer dirty work,” muttered
Duke; “ but dey hain't ter be trusted in der gang.
We are all gents in der gang, an’ dat's w’ot
makes der Tenderloin Tigers 9. hard crowd ter
dowu. Dere hain’t one of us but has inflooance
wid der high muck-a-mucks o’ der Tenderloin
Precinct. '

“Now, We’re all in dis ’game ter squeeze old
Webster, an’ I reckons wed better take dis gal
where We kin kee her till der ole bloke comes
down wid der sca . Might as well makea bold
blufi’. Art” der old gent pays fer gittin’ his gal
back, den Bob kin have her, if he wants her.”

Watching his chance, the pugilist sneaked
swiftly along, carrying the girl with ease: Once
he came nhar being discovered, but he showed
tact by playing a. shrewd game. Placing the
girl on her feet he held her up, saying angrily:

“ Come erlong. ole w0man! Blame yer! u’ot
yer want ter go git loaded in dis way fer! It's
der disgrace 0’ me! Don’t I s’port yer well?
Hsin’t it my dollars dat puts der flue togs on yer
back? An’ now yer goes an’ gits drunk in apub-
lic place! I’m der only one as has a right tea
git loaded. , COme erlong, lsay l”

The passinz pedestrian scarcely gave them a
glance. It was quite durkright there, and the
man must have possessed the eyes of a hawk had
he discm ered anything more thana drunken wo-
man and her angry companion.

“ Holy jw! hut dat was sung!" breathed Tom,
when the danger was past. ” If he’d nosed
around, I‘d give him a slug w’ot’d made him
tired!” . >

He liked the girl and hurried on again. At
length, be found himself in a maze of alleys and
narrko streets, every inch of which he seemed
to know perfectly.

Dark figures skulked along the shadows. Now
and tnenronemvould speak to the man with the
girl, but he sdemed to know them all.

In fact he was in a perfect rogues’ retreat.

A secre‘ signal admittM him to what seemed
a. low groggery. He spoke. a few words totbe
proprietor, yvho nodded assentingly, and then he
carried lrma along a dark passage. A flight of
stairs carried him into some cellar rooms, be-
neath the groggery, anl another passagejed to
the second and latest retriat of the Tenderloin
Tigers. .

hy.
replied Duke.

Two hours later, Broadway Bob foundl‘rma-

Webster there. The Rounder expressed his
feelings in language unprintable, for he was in
no wav pleased.

“ Why in the name of all that is evil did you
bring her here!" he snarled at the Slugger.

“Where was I to take her?” was the sullen
question.

“ Anyw‘here-eanvvvhere but here i"

“ Why not here?"

“ B cause the devil is apt to be to pay! The
whole town is aroused over the troubles and
mysteries of this girl. and should she be traced, it
would be the ruin of us all! A common offense
we might smooth over, but the kidnapping of a
rich man’s daughter is something that will
make the populace cry out for our punishment,
if we are discovered.” » .

“ Den we mustn‘t be'discovered. Dere hein’t
anv great danger.” _ .

" Why not?" >

“ D n- til.’ we was der most skeerd of won't
bodor us.”

“ Who?” . i . o

»“ Double-voice Dan.” ..
What do you know about Double-voice
Dan?” ,  ,_. "
“ Ga ne Gus says he’s out o’ it.”
" Gus talks toomuchi The police are still in

.lt. even if we are not troubled bv Downing.”

\' “ Dey hain’t never bin able ier do much.”

1‘ Which is not a sure sign they never may.
What do you think we are going to do with
the girl?“ -

‘ l have seen some oft-der gang, an’ dey’re

 

in for holdin’ her fer ransom.” .
“Oh, they are! Well, we will see ’about

 

that! If it is done, it must be done by the
vote of a majority."

“ Dat’s all right.”

“ Do you think the boys will vote to do such

a desperate and dangerous thing?”
- “I reckon dey will w’en dey finds dey have
der gal. Look here, pal, it kinder seems like
y'ouse wanted ter swaller der hull plum an’
freeze der rest out."

This aroused Bob still more.

“ I don’t care what it looks like i” he hotly de-
clared. “ The Tigers would not have noticed
Calvin Webster at all but for me.”

“ Well, now you’s taken der gang in, you’d
better stan’ by der deal. Der man w’ot tries ter
play double gits it in der neck- hill?!”

“ Do you dare charge me with double play?"

“Idon’t charge nobody, but even der boss
won’t be excepted. “You knows who is chief
of der Tigers,~an’ I guess we understan’ each od-
der pritty well. Youse don’t want a scrap wid
me. for I’d—” ‘

“ Now don’t you threaten me, Duke! I won’t
stand it, and there will be trouble instantly. I
hare put lots of money into your hands, iir'st
and last, and [can put a good deal more. Bill:
you must stand by me.” I ’

“Dat’s all right. I’m wid you solong as it
don’t put me opt wid der T. Ts.”

And so the conversation ended in anything
but a satisfactory manner to the Rounder. He
did not venture to see lrma just then, but was
told she had awakened and was calling for her'
friends. . ' t

CHAPTER XLIV.
a NIGHT or wnsrcnnDNEss.

A GROAN of dismay broke from Harold St.
Clair’s lips when he discovered Irma had disap—
red

 

“ They have dragged her away l” he cried,
huskily. “ Follow those de‘vils, officers—follow“
them quickly l"

“ Look at here, young man,” g:
of the policemen', “ you’re drun .
run ou in!” '.

“ am not drunk,” asserted Harold, stepping
away from the lamp-post. “ I was attacked by
three rumans.” , .

“ Get into a street rpw, eh i” sneered the sec-
ond cop. “The judge ll make it cost you for
that.”

“ There was a young lady with me! She has-
been carried away by those wretches!"
Both policemen laughed in unison.

“ It’s likely she was carried of her own free
will,” the first one said. “ I reckon you was
worked, young feller. Them cows as jumped
you was her friends.”

“ Ha! ha! he!” laughed the other officer, as if
it was all a great joke.
raised in the woods, boy. You’re surely pretty
fresh.” .

All‘this was maddening to Harold.

“ What do - you take me for?" he shouted.

my spoke one!
I guem we’ll

“ All my life has been spent in New York, .

and—”
“ There is plenty of woods in Harlem, or need

be.

“ But I am telling you the truth. Three men
jumped on me. I knocked one over and kept
the other two off until you came. You must.
have seen the-m running. I think the first man
carried off the young lady. Come on! I call on
you to assist me in finding them and taking her
from them i” '

“ He‘s certainly loony,” sneered one of ‘the_
policemen. “ I guess he has been druggeda
Did you take lunch with the lady?”

Ha rold paid no heed to the question.

“ if you will not aid me, I must follow them
alone.” .

One of the policemen was inclined to arrest.
him, but the other advised against it, and
Harold hurried away.

But he really had nothing to aid hfin in his v
search, and he soon discovered/how useless it: p

WBS.

he muttered, helplessly.
am nearly crazed! Where can Double-V
Dan be? He seemstohave vanished corn
Is it sible his enemies have succeeded
ting im out of the way!” _
In truth. Dan Downing might have prov...“
great mittsnce to him then. He owed

1y vanished from view, for Dan it was who had
saved him from death in the cellar of the haunt-~
ed house of‘Bockaway Valley. -

Although Broadway Bob was not aware of it, -

he was followed by the detective after leaving
tbt‘ coedside inn. This work proved extg'emely
difficult for Dawning, as the st , I 0f the
villain were aroused, and he was on the watch;
for a.tracker. ~ ‘ .

However. Dan Incceided in trailing. him into
the vicinity of the haunted ho'use before Bob‘
quite gave the ferret the slip. . ‘ ,

It was only a short time after Broadway Bob,
Game Gus and Irma_ left the house that the «dc.
tectiVe approached it. He was prowling about
the place when he heard a cry or help, yhicb
seemed to lane from the cellar.

Although  was cautious as wellas brave.-

“ You must have been' -

u If Ionly had Dan naming, min nIie nozl’; '
‘ car i a ma . .

mac 5 ~
to the Go-lt-Alone Detective, who had sostrange-- ‘ ‘

 

 

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28

if 'Broadw

 

 

the detective scon recognized the voice as that
of HaroLd St. Clair. He did not lose much time ,

in reaching the young man and releasing him i
from his unpleasant tion.

From Harold’s lips Dan learned what had oc-
curred, and they were soon on their way to the
nearest railway station, havin hired a trap
and driver at an exorbitant price. They were ‘
taken to the Del., L'IC. & Western railway sta- F
tion at Bionton Falls, where a train that did I
n it usually stop at that point was flagged.

Now it happened teat Booth anl Game Gus i
had taken Irma to Denville, where the started
for Newark by the Morris & Eisex. I will be
remembered the train was delayed, which al~
lowed Dan and Harold to arriva in Jersey City
first. Good fortune had led the two to intercept
the villains. and the tric‘; which Din played on
the Rounder was carried out on the spur of the
moment, Harold taking Irina away,~wbile the
detective entered the cab in her place.

Dan had told the young man of a plan to
break down the nerve of the chief rascal by
means of a quotation from the Bible conceruin
the wages o! sin, and the young man had agre
td‘keep entirely out of sight, so Bob might be-
have him dead.. In his way, he had aided ‘
Downing in the roject..

Happening to 6 near when the runaway fire-
truck overturned the cab contii'ning Bob and
Irma, Harold promptly led the girl away. He
had some difficulty in getting her out of the-
crowd without being questioned, but succeeded.

The shock of the, accident had broken the
hypnotic trance into which Broadway Bob had
'thrown the ‘fair girl, and, when she fully under-
stood what had happened, she entreated Harold
not to take her back to her home.

" Take me somewhere that I will be safe from
Robert Booth!" she entreated. “ In my own
home I am completely at his mercy. My father
'cannot save me from him.”

He could think of no other place than Mother ,
~Grogan’e, and she willingly accom anied him
there, knowing it would be impox'si is for her
to put up at a hotel without attracting atten-

‘ tion and soon being found out.

The old Irishwoman was very kind to the
; rl, as soon as‘she knew Irma was the sweet

eart of the brave young man who had once he-
friended her Danny. But ill-luck had led their
bitter foe to the spot, and now—

Where was Irma?

, The question filled the helpless young man
with despair. In vain he wandered about,
searching for the lost love. At length, a thought
came to him and he turned quickly toward
Madison avenue.

Chartering a carriage, he'was soon at Calvin
Webster‘s door. His disappointment and despair
tron learning the broker ad left the.house ten
minutes before can be better imagined than de-
acribed. .

“ E verything is turning against me!” he cried,
brokenly. “ Oh, where is Dan Downing?"

Where, indeed?

He was swiftly driven back to the locality

’ where the street encounter had occurred, and
once more the blind, hopeless search began.

He finally appealed to a policeman.

“For god’s sake help me find her!" he on-
treated, after he he told what took place.

The officer looked him over carefully.
.Harolil’s face was ashen and his eyes wild and
restless. .

. “ Oi balieve ye hiv been hittin’ th’ poine.” ns-
cserted the officer, with a rich brozus. “ Av Oi
know a smoker whin ()i say wan, yure tiat

. 'scamp. Yez hid betther go home an’ toake a

clamps. Thot soame is whot yez nade.”

be young man turned awiiy in despair, real-

;liziigngdhow impossible it was to make himself he-

v . .

All the lon night he wandered about the

 ts, search ng, 'Psearching. In the morning

he was found sitting on some steps, his head
bowed bOtween his bands. '

After being aroused to a sensibility of his po—
sition, he started for his home. By chance, he
met a friend who had been ‘akin a night of it,

. :and, for the first time, Harol ’s story was
‘Iistouedrto‘lnd believed. »

“Great Scott, man!” cried his friend. “ This
is terrible! Why, I know little Miss Webster!
Fine girl! Never liked Bob Booth. If I under-
stand vou, he is mixed in the business. He’s a

ow, look here. old fellow, come into this
_' cafe with me. I know you do not usually drink,’
‘ but you must have something to brace you up
now, for you look like a ghost. We’ll talk it
own.” . ~
Delighted at finding some one to whom he ‘
- could tell the whole pitiful tale, liarold allowed '
himself to be lei into the place and final] drank
seems whisky, which served to stimulate i‘m for

 

man the menu proposed they visit Superin-
‘tendent Byrnes, and n a few moments they
were on their way to Police Headquarters,
where they. hogd to be received by the greatest
'mgumwher America. ‘

 

CHAPT R'XLV.
V ml: uvsrn toys voxca.
CALVIN W sasrnn was alone in his library

 

non the morning after' his adventure at Red

.\

-—-‘—'—

 

Meg’s, when the door suddenly opened and
Broadway Bob stepped coolly in.

“ Villain!” cried the broker, springing to his
feet. " Do you dare face me again!”

The Rounder sneered. ‘

“ Don’t make a fool of yourself, Webster.”

The unfortunate father put one hand to his
head, around which there was a bandage.

“ I know now you mean to ruin me!" he said,
huskily. “Perhaps you‘have worked the ruin
of my child already! What accursed fate ever
threw me into your power? Where is m little
girl? Wi'etch, what have you done with eri’“

“You’re getting excited, man,"came slowly
from the Rounder slips. “ It doesn’t pay to get
excited."

A sudden change came over Webster. He
held out his hands appealing to the black-
hearted rascal.

“ For God’s sake, Booth, bring my daughter
back to me!” heiinplored. “I am an old man
-—I know it now—and she is all I have left!
Would you rob me of the last ray of sunshine in
my dreary lifel You cannot be socruel! Bring
her safely back to me and 1 will bless you on
my handed knees!" .

‘ To Satan with your blessingsl What do I
want of them! I want money.”

“ I will pay you."

“ How much i”

“ How much will you do this for?"

“ Well, let me see. About how much are you

‘ worth, Webster?”

The question was asked with the greatest
sang/from.

“Devil! do you mean to rob me of my last
dollar?” ,

"That is not answering my question.”

“ I cannot answer it without time to do figur-
ing. But why should you ask such a thing?”

“ I want to iliid out just how much on will
give to have me bring you back your child—”

“ You must bring her back unharmed.” ,

“ --To bring you back your child—unharmed
—and take my departure, never to bother you
again. I, don’t know as I feel like marrying
just at present.”

“ Thank Heaven!” .

“ But it will cost you money to buy me off.”

“ You _mean to perpetrate blackmail?”

“ Do you fancy the word? If so, call it that.
I have little care.”

“ Dog! 1 can have you arrested and impris-
oned for what you have done i”

“ Do you think so?"

" I know it.”

Bbb smiled, calmly.

“ That is where you make a big error," be de-
clared. “ How can you prove blackmail?"

“ By mv own testimony and that of Irma.”

“ To hezin with, Irma. is not at hand. Even
if she were, neither of you could uttera word
against me." _

“ Why?” .

“ You know my power. The moment you at-
tempt to speak, I would make you say some-
thing other than you intended.“ .I won d baffle
you completely. Why, I could make you act so
strangely you would he declared insane."

A groan came from Calvin Webster's lips, for
he knew the ram! spoke the truth. Fpr a time,
he had forgotten the evil influence Bomb could
exercise Over them.

“You now understand your own footing,” '
“If you wish to make a‘

said the Rounder.
char 3 against me, you are at liberty to’do so,
huit _l,t’now you will never be able to prove any-
t i ng.

The broker suddenly turned on Bob.

“‘But there is other evidence against you. I i

am not the only one. The cellar holds a
secret!" , .
The Rounder started back, paling a trifle.

“ The cellar?" he repeated.
mean? I do not understanl on?

“ You do!"- screamed ebster, in .llldden
triumph and fury. "I can see it in your faced
What crime did you commit in the cellar of this
verv bonsai"

“ He cannot know i” thought the villain. “ He
was in a trance at the time, and I bade him for-
get. Simethiug has aroused his suspicion, but

8 cannot know the truth.” '

Await he said: ' :

“ ell, what of the cellar? What crime do
you speak of, man?” i
. Then came the startling response:

“ Murder!" ,

Despite‘his steadied nerves, the accused man

fell back. ~
“ Murder!" be repeated his eyes fastened on

Cilvin Webster’s face. z"I‘hcn yoii know the;

secret of the furnace?"

“I kn0w the secret!" was the triumphant as- I

sartioo.

“ You know too much for your own 2006!" '

snarled the Rounder, his face like a thunder-
cloud. “And you would ‘bahhlel I don't

kn w bevv you obtained the secret, but I begin i
to ear you. You need not smile. for I promise
I will not i

1 was now attracted to the strange voice and to,
the pale faced man who stood clinging to the »

you that fear shall cost vou dear.

stand in fear of any living person. Do you

, knr‘igbwgiat that rrligansf’d . I

. a uw0u.mur erme arha. fso.
readvyo for you!" . ' p w .

From a drawer in a little desk, Calvin Web-

0 .

 

“ What can you ,

star suddenly snatched a tiny revolver, which
he leveled at Robert Booth’s head.

The eyes of the two men met and they stood
like statues for some moments. Then Bob
laughed.

“ It is useless for on to try it, my dear sir,”
he said. “I am bu let proof. Put down that
wen u!”

ebster obeyed.

He was under the evil spell once more.

Bob walked over to the desk picked up the re-

volver, which he examined, finding eyery
chamber loaded.
’ “Shall I kill him?" he asked himself, glanc-
ing secretly at the entranced broker. ‘ That
would put him out of the way, but it Would
fasten another crime on my shoulders. No, I
have a better plan. He shall kill himself !"

He put the revolvsr down again. '

“ Webster.”

“ Yes, sir.”

“After I am gone a servant will call here.
You will tell him to come back in an hour for
some letters you are going to write.”

“Yes, sir.’

“When he is gone and about thirty min-
revolver from your desk, cock it, place it
against your left breast and pull the trigger. Do
you understand!”

“ Yes, sir.”

Ten minutes later, Robert Booth left the
house. As he was going out, he told the servant
in the hall that his master vi ished to see him.

He had carefully laid his lane, and he felt
confident of success, so he smi ed as he tl‘0ught:
“ Webster will be seen alive since I left the
house, and so the least suspicion cannot fail on
me. I could not let the man live. for I had
really begun to fear him. How did he ever
cents to know anything of what cccurred in the
Cellar? It is not impossible my power over him
has begun to mine.”

I‘ He paused suddenly, a startled look on his
ace. '

“ If that be true, he may not carry into effect
the work I have ordered!"

After a n‘cment, he went onward again.

“ He will not escape; he was completely be-
neath my control.”

Feeling as if 'he needed a drink, he made his
vi fly to a little saloon on Sixth avenue.

ioucli en the arm and turned to see Slc‘tk, the
Shadow Sneak, at his elbow. »

from?” ,

“ From a fruitless hunt,” was‘ the reply. l‘ I
do rot seem to be making any headway at all.”

,“Nevsr mind!” laughrd the Rounder. “ I am
making headway enough for toth of us.”

“"Then you can give me a pointer to work
on?

“ I don’t know as I shall need your services
any longer.”

The Shadow draw back scowling.

“ You are going to discharge me?”

“What if I am?” and Bob whirled suddenly;
“ What would you do!" ‘

“ I don‘t know; I haven’t thought it over.”

“ You would do something?” _

“ Well, when {on are through with me, I may
i know a few th rigs some other people will be

willing to pay for. _ .

The Rounder caught the bogus detective by
the shoulder. V

“ lathis a threat i’ is demanded, sternly. “ I
am not to be trifled with. Men who threaten
me have a strange way ofsdying suddenly l”

The Grand street shark showed signs of fear.

“ Oh, no, no i” he hastened to say. “ It is not
a thi eat—not at all—not it ill 1”

“ Good l” said Bob, releasingthe other. “ Have
a drink with me. I fancy I may still find some
I use «or you. I only wanted to see what you
i would say if .you thought I was going to drop
.‘ 011." i
y All at once, as they stood there at the bar,
Bob fancied be heard strange whisperings in ‘the
air all about his «head. He looked around, but
could see no lips to utter the whisperings.

“it’s my cursed nerves again!” he thought,
but his hand shock when be poured out another
drink. He lifted the liquor. and unit trucbed his
lips, these words were biased in his ear:

“ The wages of sin is death l” i

Down dropped the glass to be shattered on the
bar, while the- Rounder whirled and 'caught
Sleek by the neck.

3‘ What are you trying to do?” the excited
mm may-ed, while the teeth of the bogus detec-
tive fairly chattrred. -

And then, apparently from beyond the closed
(learnt the closet where the choice liquors were
kept. a voice cried: - .

“ Robert Booth! Robert Booth !”

“ Who calls me?” demanded the startled vil-
. lain. '

“Stand up and listen to the sentence of the
' court!” came back from the closet.

The attention of every man within the saloon

 

' bar.
“ You are found guilty of murder in the first
degree, and it is my duty to’santpnee you to he

 

utes after I leave the house, you will take this '

 

 

Bob was standing at the bar when le felt a.

" Hello!” he etclaimed. “ Where did you come . ,

 

 

 

 
      
   

  
    
   
 

  

' :— Q. ‘ - ,_,,_ M" .. "M, ..... .. _... _..__. ._._....._-_.-... ,

 

29

“ I must have on» of thou papers!” | Bob chewed nervously at his black mustache. .
He put on his'hat and sauntered carelessly : Usually that mustache had been waxed and ‘
outto the elevator. He even whistled a bit to carefully trained, but now it was ragged and

 . . Broadway Bob, the Rounder.

 

 

 

executed in the manner prescribed by law!”
seemed to come from the wine-closet.
“Curses on the fen! who is hidden in there

 

 

- and t ing to work this on me!” shouted Booth, prove his utter freedom from care, and he tried ; scraggy in appearance. There were rims of red
u . snatch u out a revoIVer. “ it shall be the last to crack a joke with the elevator man, al- 3 around the man’s eyes, and the pallor of his face
‘ practica joke of his life!” though he fancied the fellow stared at him i seemed to have a blue tinge. He was enduring

He leaped forward and tore open the door of I strangely. ' tprfture, although he tried to appear calm and
seI -

Walking slowly tothe door, he waited till a ’

 

 

 

 

 

 

' the closet. A lighted gas-jet threw its rays;

fairly into the small place, showing no living
person was beyond the door.

boy happened to bepassing and then he pur-
chased a paper. As he turned back, afriend

For some moments Bob stood staring into the 1 collared him.

closet, holding fast to the door for support, his '
! Webster, eh i” the man said, and Bob fancied be

All at once he caught his
groan, flung the door
rushed wildly from the

face devoid of color.
breath with a gaspin
shut, then whirled an
saloon.

People turned to look at the white-faced and
wild-eyed man who tore so madly along the
streets. Some of them heard him mutter:

“It was the spirit of that cursed detective!
I am a haunted man 1"

CHAPTER XLVI.
8010101 on nuanxai

STRAIGHT to his hotel Broad way Bob hurried,
and when he was within his room he carefully
locked the door behind him, drawing a breath
of relief.

Still there was a glare in his eyes and a sink-
ing of his once plump cheeks, while his nerves
were far from stead

He paced up and down the floor for a time,
now and then peering out of the window.

“ The man with the patch " was not below to
still further unnerve him.

After a time, having wn calmer he lay
down on the bed and t ed to secure the sleep
be sorely needed.

He must have slept! on the bed for hours, but
he did not think he had slept, when he a sin
seemed. to hear that hated voice repeating those
ominous words:

mitted suicide.

Suicide?

Nay, murder!

The life-blood of the man was on the hands of
the one who had been dreaming of the country
and his mother’s grave! .

He dreamed no longer.

 

“By George, Booth! that’s bad news about

was lOoking into his very heart. “ Shot 'him-
self! Poor devil! I wonder what he had been
up toi' May have been all over his girl, or he
may have been involved. Don‘t seem like a
man to shoot himself while the fate of his
child is still a mystery. What do you think”

Bob assured the other he had not yet read the
account, and then he hurried to the elevator,
breathing softly:

“ Hang him! He looked at me suspicious] !”

The moment he reached his room he felto
reading the account in the pa r. Suddenly
the sheet dropped from his shaking hands and
he sunk into a chair.

He had read that, although dangerously—
probahly fatally—wounded, Calvin Webster
was not yet dead. Further than that, it was
hinted there-wuss mystery about the suicide
that the dying man might possibly clear up be—
fore the end came.

I .” .

For a long gme he paced up and down the
room. Finally, he went to the window again.

Another boy was crying his papers on the
street.

“ Murder!”

That was the word whichkcame upto Bob’s
ears. It put him in a perfect panic.

“ Webster has blowed i” he gasped.

“He got out a small grip. and carefully
gathered all his small valuables, an unreason-
ng fear u u him. He could not take his

 

“ Curse Webster!” _

“ Why, he’s dying. Killed himself, you know.
Some say it was murder, but I don’t believe
that, do you? They say you was the last to see
him before the shooting. I wonder the officers
wt’ttct’lme after you to tell what you knew

I s, '

 

“ don’t know anything at all about it ” he
hastened to say, as if trying to vindicate im-
self in Sleek’s eyes.
right when I left him.”

“ uodyou really think he was governed by his
own ' I when he attempted to take his life?”

Bob tried to re ly, but a huge lum arose in
his throat and b ocked the words. hat was
this man driving at? Of a sudden, he began to
fear Sleek, whom, up to that moment, he had
held in the greatest scorn. '

“ It is possible he may have been led to kill
himself,” the Shadow Sneak went on, his eyes
seeming to burn into Booth‘s very soul.

Where had Bob seen those eyes before he met
Sleek? The fascinated and unnerved him.

“ I havent time to discuss this matter ” he
finally forced his lips to utter. “What did you
bring me in here for?”

He had ordered whisky, which was now
placed before him. His hand shook so the neck
of the bottle rattled against the glass as he
poured out the liquor. .

SI“ I think I know where the girl is,” said
eek.

hack in his chair and glaring at the other. Then
he caught up the glass of liquor and tossed it off
at a single swallow.

Still those burning eyes were watching him
with the gene of ahawk s.

“ Why, you are strangely excited!” said the
bogus detective, up ntly at a loss to under-
stand the actions 0 the other.

“ Look here, Sleek,” and Bob issued for-
ward over the table, assumin a confidential
tone, while with his left hand e pulled fltfull

, “ Satan on! kn0ws what it all meansi” be For a long time Bob sat in his chair, staring “ The deuce you do!” cried Booth.
muttered. “ t could not have been fancy, for straight ahead, but seeing nothing. At length, The Shadow nodded.
i the others in the saloon heard the voice as well he arose, forcinga laugh. " She is in the hands of the Tenderloin
1 as I. And mun livin thing larger thanarat “I reckon he’ll croak without bloyvi . It Tigers.”
i could have n ounce ad from my gas in that isn’t half-possible he knows himself just w y be ‘ Curse youl how did—”
'5 closet!” did the shootii Booth interrupted himself suddenly, falling
i

 

“I am not—before Heaven I am not!” cried
the ueen of the kas, with strange fervor.
“ hen explain it all to me.”

“ I do not know as I can make you under. -

stand, gr, if you understand, I do not know as
you wil believe. I gave you a pawder to make
you sleep—"

9

 . it’at.‘ » ,

“Mr. Webster was all ‘

 

“ The wa es of sin is death 1" clothes his trunks, only the things that at his ragged mustache. “ how much money 0 
' He sta up. . . could be easil carried in one small bag. Hav- you want to retire from this business and keep 
I 3 Going to the window, he flung it open toget ing packed t cos articles, he waited for dark— your mouth shut forever after.” 
. a breath of fresh air. Below him lay Broad way, ness. “ I don’t knowas I know just what you mean. {iv
up and down which the surface cars were creep- Not a mouthful of food pained his lips, but at What do you want me to keep my mouth shut ’ "5,;
lug, while the people, looking like mimharen the earliest possible moment after the shadows about!” ' 
dwarfl. WON swarming 31008 the Sidewa ha. of night came on he slunk from the hotel. “ Anything and everything you know of the 
Cuba and carriages mOVed to and fro, and the On the corner he felt a hand fall on his arm Webster affair.” ' ’ 5‘?
familiar sounds of the city came up to his ears. and a voice spoke his name. He wheeled and " You will pay well?” '33;
All of a sudden, as he stood there at the win- struck the man full in the face, putting all his “ As well as I can.” 
dow looking downward, this man was seized by strength into the blow. “ Then you must have good reasons for doing . z-o'
a feeling of unuttsrahle loneliness and desolation. Then he fled on and on, like the guilty, 1” 
He could not understand it, for it was a new sen- hunted wretch he was. ‘ ° " It makes no difference what my reasons are, 
sation to him, or, at least, one not experienced And beneath all the broad heavens there was so ion as pay. I  '2':
since boyhood-since the da he made his first no face that could shelter him from the retri- “ “sell, I will keep still for about ten thousand ‘ Tl:
appearance in New York w th all his earthly but on cocomel . dongs," » . 
pOSSGSSkADB inl the litltle griip hilsl mgther hzdfiiven - Bob fell “ck. _‘ V 
him, an no iviug Gilli! D t c 9 8m 0 1 t0 “ Ten thousand devils " . - -  5'3-
;peak kindly to him and give him a helping CHAPI’ER XLVIL The door of the'saloxonhoopsfingd and a man i ' 
and. _ i - came in» Bob saw him enter but the back of 
If that mother had lived, it might have been THE SHADOW “Nuns DOUBLE“ the Shadow was toward the door. The jaw of
different with him now. He could not helpthink- As he skulked like a homeless dog along the the Rounder suddenly dropped and he stared
ing of that. She had been a good woman, and. dark streets, Broadwa Bob, no onger the hard at the new-comer in the ssloon,and well he
like all good mothers, she wasvery proud of her ele ant, debonair ,roun er, came face to face might, for he was the riect double of the man
, handsome boy. She had prayed that he might wit Sleek, the Shadow. with whom he was ta .
grow up a noble man, respected and honored. “Just the man I wautto seal” cried the bogus Were there two Bob Sleeksl 
The city had exercised a strange fascination detective. , - _ It seemed so just then. Number Two stepped '
over him. He had won his way into so. “ Get Out!" snarled Bob. “I don’t want to up to the bar and ordered adrink. His voice
ciety, but he had also made familiar w th com« see you l I am in a hurry.” - sounded exact! like that of the genuine Sleek! we
panions whom he should have avoided. He was “ But I have something to tell you." “ Have you rd the latest news about that I
sure he did not inherit the evil turn in his nature, “ Tell it some other time; can’t stop now.” Webster affair!” asked the man at the bar,
but that it had grown and developed there as be But Sleek w0uld not let him go On. speakin to the barkeeper. “ It seems the dying ‘7
grew more and more familiar with all the high- “ You must listen!” he asserted. broker has made a charge of murder against ‘
we a and byways of the~‘glittsring, alluring, de- “ Then lets get into this dive, where we will Retort Booth, who has been practicing hypno-
lus ve city. be out of sight. . ' , tisru on him. Booth put him into a trance and
And now, all at once, the city was repugnant b was nervous and restless, continually . then compelled him to shoot himself." ‘,
to him.‘ He hated it: How gladly wou d be fly glancing about him, as if dreading the appear- “ That sounds like a fake !” returned the har- '
from it to the quiet and peace of the blessed .ance of some one. He intended to deceive keeper, laughing at the apparent absurdity of
(loam-{l He despised the, loomy streets where Sleek by mgetting the Sneak to enter the rum- the stor . '
the buildings shut out sun. In the coun- shop in vance and skipping him as he passed All '0 a sudden, Booth cried:
try the warm sunlight was not cut off by brick through the door. ‘ “ 1’" not be in this way !”
walls. But the Grand street shark pushed the door Then he flung h mself against the table, which
Then he thought of the old home. He would open and held it for Bob to enter first. he overturned, at the same instant upsetting the
abandon the city and return there to spend the Within the dive, which did not happen to be man who sat oppmite. -
 rest of his life in . The im shadows might filled with patrons at. that hour of the night. Like a panther, he leaped out through the A
3* not follow him. 0 would v t the little grass- they passed to a little table at the back.‘ Bob side door of the saloon and fled, anting and is.
ggmu cemetery and stand with bowed head insisted on' sitting down so he could see the stumbling, into the darkness of an afiey.
his his mother'sgravs. All hlsold life should door with“: turning his head in the least. no a v ,
be at behind him. placed his grip on the table, and Sleek looked CHAPTER XLVIII. 
h“ was “It” A shrill c came up from at it keenly, observing: rss riosns ans mrrsn. ‘ a
the street-aha voice of a news y who seemed “ Any one’d think you was making a skip fer Ran Mm: found Irma Webster a captive in 7.,
to be yelling 8' loud]! as he could. The man in it with that thing in your hand." the Tlgers’ den, and she did her best to comfort i?
the window caught ‘the words. Bob started a bit, feeling a thriliof fear run tbeunfortunate irl.
“ Eeextrawl E~e-extraw! All about der over him. -- “ How. came in this horrible place?” lrma
sewyslde! Webster, der Wall street broker, “ Never mind what anybody’d think ” he asked again and again. , ii
shoots hisself! E-e-extraw!” growled. “ I haven’t much time to waste.” . “ You were brou ht here by enemies, dear.”
Bob Baoth fell back. M if he feared somebody The Shadow eyed him keenly. “ But the last Ig remember, I was in your
. outside would notice his sudden excitement. " You act mighty odd,” he declared. “ What’s house. I fell (sleep. It cannot be you are my . .
So his scheme had worked—Webster had com- up? Heard about Webster, I s’posei”. enemy g" . .1

 

 

 

   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

‘ her father was injured in any way.

30"”

Broadeay Bobft‘he Rounder. ,

n

 

Irma uttered a cry.

“ You drugged me?”

“For your own good, my dear. You were in
a terrible state bordering on hysteria. Had
you not been quieted, a severe illness must have
follow~d.”

“ But, while I was unconscious, I was brought,‘

here. I do not understand that.”
Madge told her the truth, only failing to state
rma lis-
tened and believed.

" I thought I could not be mistaken in you,”
she said, with childflike trust. “ Something
mad: me feel you. were my friend, and I trusted

UU.

“ You shall not regret that trust my dear,”
whispered the Queen of the Crooks. “ I will
save you yet !”

Irma clung to her. .

“ You are so good—so good i” she aobbed.

Red Madge released the hold of the girl.

“ Do not touch me!” she said, and there was a
strange quiver in her voice. "I am not fit for
such as you touch! I am a wicked, sinful crea-
ture. and you are a pure, innocent girl i”

“ No, no!” cried irma; “don’t say. you are
wicked and sinful! I'll not believe it! You
have a good face—you have been good to me.”

But Red Madge drew away when the girl
Would have taken her hand. 4

“ I have been kind to you,” she acknowledged:
“ but it is the first act of genuine disinterested

. kindness I have done for years. Here you are a

captive in the hands of wicked men—criminals.
How/does it hapgisn I am here with you, free to
go and come? es it not look suspicions?”

“ Still, you have a true face. It may be some
one you Love is here, and that makes you the
companion of these villains. It must be that!”

The woman shook her head.

“ You are wrou ,” she declared. “ I am here
of my own free w l. I will. tell you 'who I am.
Among these men lam known as Red Madge,
and I am called the Queen of the Crooks!”

Irma shrunk back a bit, causing the other to
laugh bitterly.

“ I knew you would shrink from me, but I do
not blame you. Now—now you loathe me i"

“ No, no; I do not—I pit ! It cannot be you'
.areJier'e from choice—I wi i not believe it, even
though you tell me so! Sonic cruel fate dragged
you to this!" '

“ You think so because you do not know the
impulses which govern some women’s lives. You
have never been tempted. But, oh! beware of
the future! You cannot know what is to
come!”

“ You say you will still befriend moi”

“ Yes.” Red Madge glanced about to make
sure she was not overheard. “ 1 will assist you
to escape from these wrstches. When you get
back to your home, vou must refuse to ever see
Bob Booth again. Your father knows him now
for what he is. He is a dastard!”

“Oh, I know it—I know it! But I fear him!
He possesses some strange and wonderful
, war! g. '

“If he does notice you at all, he will not be
able to bring that povver into play.” '

It was hours after that when Red‘ Madge
heard of the probable suicide of the broker.

“Poor little Irma-v-poor child 1" muttered the
Queen of the Crooks. “ Her father needs her
now and I must go to her at once."

When the woman entered the Tigers’ den. she
was oowrod by a loose, flowing wrap and a
val! hid her face. She lifted the vall to speak to
the apparent proprietor of the strange groggery.

“I don’t want to be seen coming in here too
often in the da time,” she laughed. “ This vail
hides my idea ty.” -

The man dec ared it was a good scheme, and
she went on into the cellar retreat.

That night, near the hour of twelve, the Ten-
derloin Tigers assembled in the “council cham-

ber,” so called, to discuss a matter of import ,

iance. 'They had been ordered to wear the
tigar’s h--ad cowls, and all were gathered but
Red Madge. For some reason the Queen failed
to appear. ‘

“ We shall have to proceed without her,” said
the chief, whose voice was strangely excited
and husky while his hands were seen to falter
now and then. “This may bathe last meeting
of the m”

l llglutta of astonishment went around the
‘cr 0. . .

“ The last meeting!” exclaimed one. “ Why
should it be, oh chief?”

“ Because we are in the greatest dan er, al-
though you may not be aware of it. ble-
vonce Dan is dead—dead asold Adam! .But it
seems as if the spirit of the accursed bloodhound
were still at the old work! I have has dogged
from one place to another by an invisible
tracker! To-night I heard that it was known
where Irma Webster was held a captive. I feel
that disaster is close upon us, and the only way
to avert it is to disband for a time.” ‘

'To this there was no road assent. The Ti ers
looked at each other in ismay, andthec is!
continued:

“Our me with Calvin Webster is played
out. He ad shot himself, but he tellsso e wild
Earn about being forced to do the act by bert

both. My identity is no secretto you. lam

  

".r’J'\ I

3.. Rx

 

.
:  a   m -

Robert Booth. This makes it necessary for me
to shake the dust of New York from my feet for
a time. As We can get no money from Webster,
I suppose you will be more than glad to get rid
of the girl, so I will take her with me. She will
go along and do exactly as I wish. Disguised
as an aged couple, we can give the police the
slip, I think. .

“ It is a mad scheme,” boldly declared one of
the Tigers, rising to his feet. “ If you are going
to sneak away, you had better go alone."

The speech angered the chief, and for a time
there was danger of an encounter. He still in-
sisted on taking the girl with him, declaring he
would run whatever risks might come, rather
than give her up. ‘

“ I have fought and schemed for her,” he de~
clared, “ and now I will possess her! Let her
choose whether she will go With me or not.”

He knew his power, and he meant to make her
choose to go.

(‘ne of the hand went to the place where the
girl was confined, unlocked the door and led her
out into the lighted cellar.

Then a. cry of astonishment came from the
Tigers.

It was not Irma, but Red Madge, the queen!

“ What does this mean?" cried the chief.
“Where is Irma Webster!”

“ So to beyond your roach, Bob Booth,” return-
ed the woman, gazing at him with flashing eyes.
“ I have set her free and sent her to the side of
her dying father!”

The chief was furious.

“ lVonian," he raved,
this!”

Re"! Ma 9 laughed in his face.

“ I do no fear you,” she declared. “ At heart,
you are ‘no better than a coward! This very
night you mean to get out of the city to escape
the consequences of your crimes. A man worthy
to be chiet’ of the Tenderloin Tigtrs would re-
main and face the thing out.

“ I am proud of having robbed you_of the fol"
girl yoa would have destroyed! r I took her place,
and, disguised by my wrap and vail, she made
her way to freedom. I had told her how to act
and what to say, and she must haVe played hu‘
part well.” - -

“ So you have turned on the gang?”

{‘No! , I deny it! I have not worked against
them, but you have played a deuble game. You
start, for you know it is true! The gang served
as your tools—nothing more. Your aim and ob-
ject was to obtain possession of Irma Webster
and her father's wealth. Then you would have
vanished and your pals could have whistled.”

“ It is Ialse!’

“ It is true—you know it is true!”

Suddenly, without the least warning. there
came a thundering thumping at the heavy door.

Appalled, the Tigers started back.

Crash! crash! came the blows on the door—
blows which made it shake and totter.

“ The cops!" gasped Broadway Bob, flinging
aside his cowl. “ We must escape the secret

wa !”

‘?Stopl”lcried one of the Tigers, blocking the
path. “ Stop, I command you!”

~ “ Who are you!”

“ Your bitter foe !”

The tigcr’s head c0wl was flung aside!
theDmfbls-voice Dan, alive and in the flesh, stood

rs '

"you shall suffer for

 

CHAPTER XLIX.
~ wnlcn CLosss ran BOOK.

Wrra a groan of horror Robert' Booth
crouched to the ground, trembling like an aspen,
all his old bravado goner He was sure he looked
upon a disembodied spirit. _

Not so with his companions.

Dan Downin knew they would fight, and a

lrd of glisten ng revolvers appeared in his

an as . s

A: the same instant the heavy door fell with
a crash, and men in the uniforms of the police
burst into the room. '

“ Give up quietly,” ordered Dan Downing.
" It will be the worse for you if you resist !”

Still some of the Tigers fought.

A single pistol-shot was heard!

At the sound Dan leaped forward. and bent
over 'dBob Booth, who lay stretched on the
roun . .

The miserable wretch had shot himself!

“ Don’t touch me!" he shrieked, being still
conscious when the detective bent over him.
“ You have hunted me to my death! Are you
satisfiedl”

Despite Booth’s terror Dan tore open his
clothes and looked at the wound. A glance
phovlved him the villain had not many minutes to

1V6

‘.‘Well, you have done it!" said the Double-
v0ice Detective in disappointment.

Bob’s wild eyes were staring at him.

“ Are you really alive!” he gasped

‘f Certainly I am,” assured 'Dan.
built to‘be killed by your kind !”

“ How in the name of God did'you escape!” ‘

“ From the furnace?” .

it Yu” V
_“Tha_t was  The fire you lighted was
still a tiny blaze w on you cast me in. I‘struck

fairly upon it, and the flames were smothered.

.“ I was not

i

 

I was not burned at all, and you utterly
failed in your dastardly purpose. I know not
what chance brought a vin Webster into the
cellar, but I had managed to work my lips free
of the gag, and when I called, he opened the
furnace door and dragged me out. He knew
not how I came there, as he was completely
within your vile power when he aided you to
cast me in. I explained all, making him
promise to keep my secret. I caused the wood
in the furnace to be burned and some bones of
an animal were cast into the fire to fully carry
out the deception in case you investigated.”

The dying wretch groaned.

“The end has come as you said it would!” be
gasped. “Where have you been ance getting
out of the furnace?” ,

“Shadowing you. You made a compact
with Bob Sleek, but I knew all about it. I
bought the treacherous Grand street fake and
made him disappear from view. Since you
met him in his oifice and offered him sixty
dollars aweek to do your dirty work you have
not seen him until this very night, when he
came into the saloon where you and l were
talking together. I made up like Sleek and
played a duplex game. I'was two detectives
in one.”

The dying man did not doubt the story, for
he now believed Dan Downing could do any-
thing he pleased.

“ As a ventriloquist I was able to make you
believe you were haunted. Concealed in your
room, I nearly frightened you into a spasm. and

.I it was who produced the mysterious \\ hisper-

ings in the air. It was I who sentenced you, as
it seemed, from the wine-closet of the Sixth
avenue saloon.

“ You have played a losing game—a criminal
always does. He may seem to be lucky for a
time, but he is bound to lose at last.”

“ I believe you,” faintly whispered Booth.
“ Honesty is the only policy that really pays.”

Then he hogan to wander in his mind. In a
short time he was dead.

 

The Tigers were all captured, but.the. in-
fluence of Double-voice Dan enabled Red Madge
to escape, as she was represented to be a captive
in their hands.

“ Take warning by what you have seen and
experienced.” the detective advised. “There
is but one kind of a life to live—that is a square
one. I have saved you because of your kind-
ness to little Irma. That one act, in a great
measure, atones for yoar shadowy past. Put
all the old life behind you and try to be a better
woman in the future.” .

She thanked him. She was not humble, but
sincere. -

T 9 news apers for days were filled with
stor es of an Downing’s remarkable scoop.
He was given the credit he really merited, for
Byrnes himself, always just, alwa s magnani-
mous, asserted Downing had been 0 inestimable
assistance to the police.

Restricted by no rules and under the orders of
no superiors, the Go-It—Alone Detective had
worked the case out in a manner most satisfac-
tory to himself. Those who question his methods
should look at his success.

Fortune turned Calvin Webster’s way :.t last,
for he did not die from his wound. Irma’s gen-
tle nursing brought him back to health, and
there was no reason why he should again feel a
thrill of fear on account of the wonderful hyp-
notlc power which had so nearly ruined him and
robbed him of hislit'e.

When his infamy was fully kno Robert
Booth had no friend to give him urial or
mourn his and. Dan Downing settled the un-
dertaker‘s and sexton’s bills, and the only stone
that marks Booth‘s last resting place is one hear-
ing these words: ,

" The wages of sin is death.”

Game Gu Dandy Dave and Tom Duke were
captured with the other Tigers, and their pun-
ishment was sentences of various lengths. The
entire gang met their deserts, and the great
Tenderloin District was never again troubled by
them.

Calvin Webster had no thought of putting a
barrier between his dear daughter and the brave
youn man she loud, and, in due time, Irma
and arold were married. '

Dan Downing. looking eVery inch the gentle-
man iu his dress suit, was man. I

Red Madge disappeared from the places that
had known her best in the rent city. Calvin
Webster never saw her ag n, but he received
a letter from the Woman—a letter which be
has never llhown to a hiring being and which
he treasures with the greatest care. Some-
times he takes it from its place of concealment
and reads it carefully through. A strange soft-
ening will come to his features and he will mur-
mur:

" Poor Jennie! She had a geod heart after
all i”

Dan Downing is still in the field, and the

rogues of New York regret he has returned to '

his old profession. They hate him most heartily
and. at the same time, their admiration for him
is unbounded.

THE END.

 

 

    
  

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*DIMrflBRARY.

.:

 

 

Pubic.st Every lVednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. N0 Double Numbers.

 

BY WILLIAM II. EYS'I‘EIS. 

718 Uncle Bedrock's Big Bounce.

'70? The Rival Rovers,

1287 Double Cinch Dan. the Sport With a Charm.
é.“ )1r.Jackson, the. (lent from Jaybird.

t 3;! Gilt-Edge Johnny: or. Roldan and His Rovers.
v.10 Lucky Lester‘s Lone Hand. .

“J4 ()ld Halide-art's Bitr Dump.

0.; The All Around Sports.

3303 Deser. Alf, the )lan With the Cougar.
(lentie Jack, the High Roller from Hutnl up}.
578 Seven Shot Steve. the Sport with a Smile.
3158 [‘he Dude Detective. '

' liurruh Harry. the High Horse from Halcyon.
lelshazznr iirick. the Bailiff of Blue Blazes.
.533 Oregon. the Sport \\ itha Scar.

2325 Fresh Frank, the Derringer Daisy.

'30. The Dude from Denver.

1. Pinnacle Pete; or. The Fool from Way Back. 1
459 Ma'or Sunshine. the Man of Three Lives. ’
429 Hair Trigger Toni of Red Bend.

‘10:! Snapshot Sam: or. Tne Angels’ Flat Racket.
.396 The Piper Detectiw; or, The Gilt EJge Gang.
3"" Royal George, the Three in One.

.356 Three Handsome. S torts: or, The Combination.
314 Double Shot Dave oil the Left Hand.

7" Derringer Diek. the Mun with the Drop.

.300 A Sport in Spectacles; or, Bad Time at Bunco.
“265‘ Magic Mike. the Man of Frills.

229 Captain Cutslr-eve: or, The Little Sport.

214 The Two Cool Sports; or, Gertie of the Gulch.
192 The Lightning S )Ul'il. .

.182 Hands Up; or, '1 1e Knights of the Canyon.

it'll) soft Hand, Sharp: or, Tlr- Man with the Sand.
14.) Pistol Pards; or, The Silent Sport from Cinnabar

BY CAPT. FRED. \VHITTAKER.

‘614 The Showman Detective; or, The Mad Magician.
609 The Texas Tramp; or. Solid Saul. . .
445 Journeyman John. the Champion.
412 Larry Locke. the. Man of Iron.
406 Old Pop Hicks, ‘ iowtnan.
378 John Armstrong, Mechanic. .
 The Whitest Man in the Mines.
3310 The Marshal of Satanstown; or, The League. .
1303 To -Notch Tom, the Cowboy Outlaw. ‘ ,
295 Ol Cross-Eye. the Maverick-Hunter.
 The Lost Corvette; or, Blakeley’s Last Cruise.
284 The Three Frigates; or. Old Ironsides’ Revenge.
'27? The Saucy Jane, Privateer.
272 Seth Slocum. Railroad Surveyor.
 Old Double-Sword; or, Pilots and Pirates.
‘253 A Yankee Cossack; or.The Queen of the Nihilists.
247 Alligator Ike: or, The Secret of the Everglade.
2.42 The Fog Devil; or, The Ski r of the Flash.
230 The Flying Dutchman of 1 .
2'20 the Mad Hussars; or. The 0’s and the Mac’s.
"315 Parson Jim, King of the Cowboys.
211 Colonel Plunger; ‘or, The Unknown Sport.
‘206 One E 'e. the Cannoneer.
193 The n in Red; or, The Ghost of the Old Guard.
'18? The Death’s Head Cuirassiers.
2174 The Phantom Knights.
'159 Red Rudiger,.the Archer.
 gems. Kigali; glde Tram s.
' he eve e ' or.T (Castl . Socre .
133 $319 ankle fifidDiambngz. 8 com? t
. e oc er; or. be S irit otth S m.

96 Double Death; or, The S ypof Wyonginlge.

69 The Irish Captain. A Ta 6 of Fonteuby.
65 The Red Rajah; or. T e Scourge of the Indies.
39 The Russtan Spy; or, eStarry Cross Brothers.

BY GEORGE C. JENKS.

726 Fearless Sam, the, Grand Combination Detective.
719 Boston Bob, the S )ort Detective.

‘572 Jaunty Joe, the Jlockey Detective. .

.554 ad Sharp, the Rustler.

 Rube Rocket, the Tent Detective.

526 Death-Grip, the Tenderfoot Detective. ‘

.507 The Drummer‘Detective.

432 The Giant Horseman.

.398 Sleepless Eye. the Pacific Detective.

BY PHILIP S. WARNE.
5% Captain Adair. the Cattle King.
'56? Captain Midnight, the Man of Craft.
544 The Back to Back Pards.
Egg £110 (ghalm ionkThli‘ee.
- are ac uc '. tie Centaur of th
472 Six Foot Si; or, The Man to “ Tie T3.Rlun&
431 California Kit, the Always on Hand. .
 Silverglidé or lA “ Daisy " Bluff. ' '
zer c ‘s Qd ; or The Gold .

359 Yellow Jack, the Meestizb. e‘i-Semm ‘
~23 %ack Satndtihth: Boss)?! the T0wn.

‘ . nreeo a 'n :or, ck,Desparda d .
280 Tiger Dick‘s Lone Hand. n the Sport
251 Tiger Dick vs. Iron Des ard
997 Old Hard Head: or. “ irlwind and his Mare.
111 Tiger Dick, the Man of the Iron Heart.
'114 The Gentleman from Pike.

80 A Man of Nerve; or. Caliban the Dwarf.

54 Always on Band; or. The Foot-Hills Sport.

29 Tiger Dick, Faro King; or, The Cashier's Crime.
1 4 The Kidnapper; or, The Northwest Shanghai.

1 A Hard Crowd: or. Gentleman Sam's Sister.

" BY LEON LEWIS.
'699 The Cowboy Couriers.
686 The On-the-Wing Detectives.
62-1 The submarine Detective: or, The Water Ghouls.
 '(rlilptglln Regdy. tth': Red Ransomer.
1e ‘i ent etec lve’. or, The Bogus Ne how.
456 The Demon Steer. , p
428 The Flying Glim; or, The Island Lure.

BY PROF. J. H. INGRAHAM.

316 Lafitte’s Lieutenant: or. Child of the Sea.
814 Lafitte: or. The Pirate of the Gulf.

118 The Burglar Captain: or. The Fallen Star
113 The Sea Slipper; or, The Freebooters.

BY DR. NOEL DUNBAB.

730 Duke Despard. the Gambler Duelist.
604 The Detective in Rags; or, The Grim Shadower.

'I
14:1
:J

2
CD

A

5
a
Li:

 

500 The True-Heart Paras.

BY CAPTAIN HO‘VARD HOLMES.

721 Captain Hercules. the Strong Arm Detective.
"‘ Dan Dutnun. the Gilt-Edge Detective.

.—
H

. l
701 Silver Stew, the Branded Sport.

694 Gideon (lrip, the Secret Shadovver.

684 Vrlvet Von. the Mystery Shadower.

67* 'l‘heliude Desperado

671 Jason Clew. the Silk—Handed Ferret.

601 )Ionk More], the Man-Hun er.

6’31 Sol S Wins: the Ferret Detective.

612 Red ard and Yellow.

608 Silent Sam. the Shadow Sphinx.

592 Cu )tttin Sill. the Shasta Ferret.

579 Old Cormorant. the Bowery Shadow.

Doll Captain Cobra. the Hooded Mystery.

5'39 Danton. the Shadow Sharp.

550 Silk Hand. t e Mohavl- Ferret.

58 The Magnum Detective.

532 Jack Juvert. the independent Detective.

5'33 Reynurd of Red ‘Jack: or, The Lost Detective.
512 Captain Velvet‘s Big Stake.

505 Phil Fox, tlu-(lentecl Spotter.

496 Richard Retit‘tre, the Tim Worlds’ Detective.

487 Sunshine Sum, a Chip of the Old Block. '

480 Hawkspear. the, Man with a Secret.

4 8 Coldgrip in Deadwood.

460 Captain Coldgrip. the Detective

453 Captain Cold rip‘s Long Trail.

447 Volcano. the nsco Spy.

411 The California Sharp.

434 Lucifer L’ynx, the \\ onder Detective.

421 Father Ferret. the Frisco Shadow.

413 Captain Coldgrip in New York.

407 Captain Coldgrip’s Nerve; or. In'un Nick.

400 Captain Coidgrip: or. The New ork Spotter.
392 The Lost Bonanza: or, The Boot of Silent Hohnd.
382 The Bonanza Band: or, Dread Don of Cool Clan.
374 Major Blister. the Sport of Twzl Cities.

365 Keen Kennard. the Shasta Shadow.

352 TheDes rate Dolen.

347 Denver like. the Man with “ Sand.”

340 Cool Conrad. the Dakota Detective.

335 Flash Dan; the Nabob; or. Blades of Bowie Bar.
321 California Claude, the Lone Bandit.

294 Broadcloth Burt. the Denver Dandy:

278 Hercules Goldspur, the Man of the Velvet Hand.

BY WILLIAM H. MANNING.

714 Gabe Gall the Gambolier from Great Hump,
763 Spokananul, the Samaritan Susan.

692 Dead-Shot Paul, the Deep-Range lorer.

655 Strawberry Sam. the Man with the irthmark.
646 Dark John, the Grim Guard.

638 Murdock, the Dread Detective.

623 Dangerous Dave, the Never-Beaten Detective.
611 Alkali Abe the Game Chicken from Texas.
596 ustler Ru e: the Round-Up Detective.

v 585 an Dixon’s Double.

575 Steady Hand, tho Napoleon of Detectives.
563 Wyoming Zeke, the Hotspur of Hone, suckle.
551 Garry Kean, the Man with Backbone.
539 Old .Doubledark. the Wily Detective.
531 Saddle-Chief Kit: the Prairie Centaur.
521 Paradise Sam: the Nor’~West Pilot.
513 Texas Tartar, the Man With Nine Lives.
506 Uncle Honest. the Peacemaker of Hornets’ Nest.
498 Central Pacific Paul. the Mall Train Spy.
492 Border Bullet, the Prairie sharpshooter.
486 Kansas Kitten. the Northwest Detective.
479 Gladiator Gabe, the Samson of Sassajack.
470 The Duke 01’ Dakota.
468 Gold Gauntlet. the Gulch Gls later.
455 Yank Yellowbird, the Tall ustler of the Hills.
449 Elm! Burke. King of the Rockies.
442 Wild West Walt. the Mountain Veteran.
447 Dee Duke: or, The Man of Two Lives.
The vals of Montana Mill.
415 Hot Heart, the Detective S v.
405 Old Bald , the Brigadiert 1” Buck Basin.
885 Vi 11.! Die Turpin, the Leadviile Lion.
297 Colorado Rube. the Stron Arm of Hots ur.
279 The Gold Dragoon, or, allfomla Bloo hound.

BY WM. G. PATTEN.

715 Double-Voice Dan on Deck.

70:! Double-Voice Dan, the'Alwuys-on-Deck Detective
696 Double-Voice. Dan, the Go-it Alone Detective.
689 The Sparkler Sharp. '

676 Hurricane Hal. the Cowboy Hotspur.

66) Old True Blue, the Trust . .

663 The Giant S )ort; or, Sol to' Satan.

056 Old Plug  the Rough and Ready.

648 Gold GIOve 'd the Man of Grit.

641 Aztec Jack, the esert Nomad.

6‘31 Colonel 0301. the Santa Fe Sharp.

602 Ca rain Nameless. theMountain Mystery.
571 Ol Dismal. the Ban 3 Detective.

545 Hustler Harry, the Cowboy Sport.

BY CAPTAIN MARK WILTON.

323 Hotsnur Hugh; or. The Banded Brothers.
811 Heavy Hand: or, The Marked Men. '
305 savor-Plated Sol, the Montana Rover.
291 Horseshoe Hank. the Man of Big Luck.-
295 Lightning Bolt, the Canyon Terror. .
276 Texar Chick the Southwest Detective.
271 Stoneflst, of Big Nugget Bend.
266 Leopard Luke the Kin of Horse-Thieves.
263 iron-Armed Abe, the unchbuck Destroyer.
258 Bullet Head. the Colorado Bravo.
245 Barranca Bill the Revolver Champion
237 Long-Haired Max; or, The Black Les .
227 Buc shot Ben, the Man-Hunter of Idafig.
$22.3 gang? D;ve,BtheaMan of thfi Mountain.
e orp on r0 ers: or. ad Tom’s Mission
202 Cactus Jack. the Giant Guidé.
194 Don Sombrero. the California Road Gent.
176 Lady Jaguar. the Robber Queen.
BY “\ROLD PAYNE.
727g getectiive gun-‘3 Foil.
etect ve nrr. the Head uarters Special.
713 Detective Burr‘s Spirit
7&5 Detective Bu r'r's Seven Clues.
698 Thad Burr, the invincible.
690 The Matchl Detective.

‘p

6m XX, the Fats Cle'w.

q

   

 

BY NE D BUNTLINE.

657' Long Tom. the Privateer.
633 The Sea S y. 1
6:21 The Red lrivateer; or. The Midshipman Rover
584 Fire Feather. the Buccaneer King.
517 Buffalo Bill s First Trail. c
361 Tombstone Dick. the Train Pilot.
270 Andros. the Rover; or. The Pirate's Daughter.
122 Soul Sabberday. the Idiot Spy.
111 The Smuggler Captain; or. The Skipper’s Crime.
61 Captain Seawnif. the l’rivatwr. '
23 The Red Warrior; or. The Comanche. Lover.
18 The Sea Bandit; or. The Queen of the Isle.
:16 The White Wizard; or. The Seminole Prophet.
14 'l‘hayendanegea,the Scourge ; or, The “hr—Eagle.

BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID.

$7 The White Squaw.

251 The Hunter's Feast.

228 The Maroon. A Tale of Voodoo and Obz-tah.

21* The Wild Huntress: or. The Squatter.

213 The War Trail: or, The Hunt of the Wild Horse.

208 The, White Chief. A Romance of Mexico.

.200 The Rifle Rangers: on Adventures filliexico.
74 The Captain of the Ritles; or, The ke Queen.
66 The Sp'tter Barque. A Tale of the Pacific.

55 The Sealp Hunters. A Romance of the Plains.
1:2 The Death-Shot: or. Tracked to Death.
8 The Headless Horseman.

BY COL. THOMAS H. MONSTERY.
8‘32 Spring—Hui Jack: or, The Masked Mystery.
262 Fighting: Tom. the Terror of the Toughs.
236 Champion Sam: or. The Monarchs of the Show.
169 Corporal Cannon. the Man of Forty Duels
157 Mourad, the Manxeluke; or, The Three Sword
masters.
150 El Bubio Bravo. King of the Swordsmen.
143 The Czar‘s S y; or, The Nihilist League
1% The Demon uelist: or, The League of Steel.
, 82 Iron Wrist, the Swordmaster.

BY COLONEL BELLE sans. ’

106 Shamus O'Brien, the Bould Boy of Glingal.
87 The Scarlet Captain: or. Prisoner of the Tower.

BY JACKSON KNOX—“ Old Hawk.”

732 The Hurricane Detective.

643 Casclemaine. the Silent Sifter.

616 Magnus. the Weird Detective.

606 The Drop Detective.

596 Wellbom, the Upper Crust Detective.

582 Joram. the Detective Expert.

574 Old Falcon‘s Double.

561 The Thug King- or, The Falcon Detective’s Foe.
548 Falconbridge: t e Sphinx Detective.

536 Old Falcons Foe; or. The Detective's Swell Job.
515 Short-Stop Ma 9, the Diamond Field Detective.
509 Old Falcon. t e Thunderbolt Detective.
501 Sgringsteel Steve, the Retired Detective-.6
494 T e Detective‘s S y.

485 Rowlock. the Ear r.Detective.

477 Dead-arm Brandt.

467 Mainwaring. the Salamander.

462 The Circus Detective.

451 Griplock. the Rocket I‘etective.

444 The Magic Detective: or, The Hidden Hand.
424 Hawk Heron‘s De uty. -

386 Hawk Heron. the alcon Detective.

' BY K. F. BILL.
721 Sam Saunders, the Go-As-You-Pleasc Detective.
410 Sarah Brown, Detective. .
BY CHARLES MORE].
589 Prince Hal. the Rattling Detective.
330 Cop Colt, the Quaker City Detective.
MISCELLANEOUS. *

566 The Dauntless Detecilve: or, The Daughter
Avenger. By Tom W . King. ‘

542 The Ocean Drift; or, The Fight for Two Lives.
By A. F. Holt.

Cave. Marmaduke Dey.
518 Rtgal Ric and, the Thoroughbred. By J. W.
S n '

366 The Telegraph Detective. By George H. Morse.
353 Bart Brennan; or. The King of Straight Flush.
Bv John Cuthhert.
350 Flash Falcon. Societ Detective. By W. J. Cobb.
312 Kinkfoot Karl, the ountoin Scourge. By Mor-
- ris Rodwing. ‘ .
275 The Stnuggler Cutter. Bly J. D. Conroy.
261 Black Sam, the Prairie hunderboit. By Col.
Jo Yards. '. _
190 The Three Guardsmen; B Alexander-Dumas.
179 Conrad. the Convict- By L Gildersleeve.
166 Owlet. the Robber Prince. B S. R. Urban.
15s The Doomed Dozen. By Dr. :11: Powell
152 Captain Ironnerve. the Counter-feler f.
146 The Doctor Detective. B Geo mm
144 The Hunchback cf Notre Ruler? wor ago.
140 The Three Spaniards. By Geo. a! r.
133 Body the Rover. By William Csrzetbn. ' , ‘
125 The Blacksmith Outlaw. By E. Aiusworth.
110 he Silent Rifleman. By H. W. Herbert.
102 e Masked Band. By George L Aiken.
78 The Mysterious  By Arthur M. Grsinmr.
76 The n's Nu oer-s. B George Albany.

11 Mids ipman Easy. By Ca tam Marryatt.
10 Vidocq, the French Police py. By himself.
9 Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover. .
6 Wildcat Bob. By Edward L. Wheeler.

A new have every Wednesday.
Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale by all

receipt of twelve cents each.
BEADLE AND ADAMS, Panama.
98 William Street, New York. fl

 

53 Silver Sam; or, The Mystery of Deadwood City. '

534 Green Mountain JOe: or, The Counterfeier '

68 The hting Trap .r. By pt.J. F. C. Adams.
60 Wide Awake. the .bber King: By F. Dumont. '
82 B’ho of Yale: or, The Scrapes of Collegian;

Newsdealers, ten cents per copy. or Sent by mail on

 

 

  

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I " BEADLE’SatDIMEqIJBR/XRY.

Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Um‘form‘Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers.

 

 

' BY COL. PREN'I‘ISS INGBAHAM.

704 Invisible lvan.’ the Wizard Detective.

685 The Red-skin Sea Rover.

679 Ri-vello. the Pirate Cruiser; or. The Rival Rovers
672 The Red Rapier; or, The Sea Rover’s Bride.

662 The Jew Iletective; or, The Beautiful Convict.
640 The Rov r‘s Ret ibution.

635 The Ex Buccaneer; or, The Stigma of Sin.

630 The Sea Thief

625 Red Wings; or. The Gold Seekers of the Bahamas.
615 The Three Luccaneers.

610 The Red Flag Rover; or,White Wings of the Deep.
605 The Shadow Silver Ship.

600 The Silver Ship: or. The Sea Scouts of ’76.

593 The Sea Rebel; or. Red B were of the Revolution.
587 Conrad. the Sailor. Spy; or. True Hearts of ‘76.
581 The Outlawed Skipper; or, The Gantlet Runner.
560 The Man from Mexico.

553 Mark Monte. the Mutineer; or, The Branded Brig.
546 The Doomed Whaler: or. The Life Wreck.

540 The Fleet Scourge; or, The Sea Wings of Salem.

530 The Sav es of the Sea.
524 The Sea aser; or; The Pirate Noble.

516 Chatard, the Dead-Shot Duelist.

510 El Moro, the Corsair Commodore.

49:! The Scouts of the Sea.

499 The Pirate Hunter; or. The Ocean Rivals.

483 Ocean Tramps' or. The Desperadnes of the Deep.
47:5 liob Brent.the Buccaneer; or. the Sea Raider.
469 The Lieutenant Detective; or. the Fugitive Sailor.
457. The Sea Insurgent: or. The Conspirator Son.
446 Ocean Ogre. the Outcast Corsair.
435 The One-Armed Buccaneer.
430 The Fatal Frigate; or. Rivalsi Love and War.
425 The Sea Sword; or. The Ocean vais.

418 The Sea Siren: or. The Fugitive Privateer.
399 The New Monte Cristo.
893 The Convict Captian.

388 The Giant Buccaneer; or. The Wrecker Witch.
377 Afloat. and Ashore: or. The Corsair Conspirator.
873 Sailor'of Fortune: or. The Barnegat Buccaneer.
369 The Coast Corsair: or. The Siren of the Sea.
364 The Sea Fugitive; or. The Queen of the Coast.
846 Ocean Guerrilias; or. Phantom Midshipman.
041 The Sea Desperado.
836 The Magic Snip' or. Sandy Hook Freebooters.
825 The Gentleman Pirate; or. The Casco Hermits.
818 The Indian Buccaneer: or. The Red Rovers.
307 The Phantom Pirate; or. The Water Wolves.
281 TheSea Owl; or. The Lady Captain of the Gulf.
259 Cutlass and Cross: or. the Ghouls of the Sea.
255 The Pirate'Pi-iest; or. The Gambler‘s Dan bier.
m ueen Helen. the Amazon of the Overlan .
235 (1 Lightning the Man of Chance.
231 The Kid Glove Miner: or. The Magic Doctor.
224 Black Beard. the Buccaneer. -
220 The Specter Yacht; or. A Brother‘s Crime.
21 The Corsair Planter; or. Driven to Doom.
21 Buccaneer Bess. the Lioness of the Sea.
205 The Gambler Pirate; or. Lady of the Lagoon.
198 The Skeleton Schooner; or The Skimmer.
#4 [he Ocean Vampire; or. e Castle Heiress.

l The Scarlet Schooner: or. The Sea Nemesis.

177 Don Diablo. the Planter-Corsair.
172 Black Pirate; or. The Golden Fetters M story.
162 The Mad Mariner: or. Dishonored and isowned
155 The Corsair Queen: or, The Gypsies of the Sea.
147 Gold Spur. tn « (i wieman from Texas.
139 Fire Eye; or. T: a Bride of a Buccaneer.
134 Darke Dan, the Colored Detective.
131 BucksEin Sam. the Texas Trailer. '
128 The C evalier Corsair; or. The Heritage.
121 The Sea Cmiet; or The Rover of the Rigoletts.
116 Black Plume; or. e Sorceress of Hell Gate.
109 Captain Kyd. the King of the Black Flag.
104 Montezuma. the More less
109 Merle, the Mutineer; or. The Bed Anchor Brand.

94 Freelance. the Buccaneer.

89 The Pirate Prince; or. The Queen of the Isle.

85 The Cretan Rover; or. Zuleikah the Beautiful.

2 The Dare Devil; or. The Winged Sea Witch.

BUFFALO BIL]. NOVELS.
By Colonel Prentiss lngraham.

735 Buflalo Bill and H’s Merry Men.

781 Bugalo Bill‘; Beagles: or Silk Lasso Sam.

7‘27 alo Bill a Body Gnai .

722 Buffalo Bill on the Wur- th.

716 Butts Bill‘s Scout Shh overs.

710 Bu! 0 Bill Bailled; or. The Desi rter Desperado.
697 Buffalo Bill's Buckskin Brotherhood.

691 Buffalo Bill‘s Blind Trail- or. Mustang}! 9.
667 Buffalo Bill‘s Swoop; or. The King of be M nes.
658 The Cowboy Clan; or. The Tigress of Texas.

653 Lasso Ki s Le e:or. Buck Taylor in Texas.
649 Battalo B'lfi’s (mic of Cow s; or. Buck Taylor
614 Builalo Bil 's Bonanza; or. s v er Circle Knights.
862 Buflalo Bill'sori ; or. OatscBound to Custer.

329 Bu lo Bill's Pl go; or, The League of Three.
:8:  Bill‘s Gold Trail; or. The Desperate Dozen.

B “‘9 Trump Card: or. The lndlan Heiress.
168 Wild the Pistol Dead Shot. ,

ny Bull'an mu.

639 The Gold King: or. Montebelio. the Magnificent.
599 The Dead Shot Nine: or. My Pards of t e Plains.
414 Red Renard. the Indian D ctive.

401 One-Armed Part1; or. Bur erland Retribution,
397 The Wizard Brothers: or. White Beaver's Trail.
394 White Beaver. the Exile of the Platte.

319 Wild Bill. the Whirlwind oi' the West.

804 Texas Jack. the Prairie Rattier.

~ 243 The Pilgrim Sharp; or. The Soldier's Sweetheart.

88 Gold Bullet Sport: or. Knights of the Overland.
52 Death-Trailer. the Chief of Scouts. .

By Leon Lewis, Ned Buntltne, etc.

689 Bufl'aJo Bill‘s Secret Service Trail. '

6129 Buffalo Bill‘s Darin Role; or Daredeatb Dick.

517 BuiYalo Bill’s First rail; or. The Express Rider.
159 Buffalo Bill. Chief t f Scouts. .

117 Buffalo Bill‘s Strange Pard' or, Dashing Dandy.
92 Buflalo Bill. the Buckskin King.

J‘

1

BY JOSEPH B. BADGER, JR.

720 The Secret Six; or, O'd Halcyon.

712 The Man of Silk. -

705 Bantam Bob. the Beauty; from Butte.

693 Kent Kasson, the Prt-ac er Sport.

683 Bob Breeze, the Rounder Detective.

675 Steel Surry, the Sport frum Sunrise.

668 Solemn Saul’s Luck Str. ak.

661 The Get-There Sharp.

651 Silvertip St-ve, the Sky Scraper from Siskiyou.
645 Gopher Gabe, the Unseen Detective.

636 Dandy Darling, Detective.

627 Mossback Mose, the Mountaineer.

617 The Gri Sack Sharp‘s Even u l.

597 Big Bum y, the Brigadier of Brimstone Butte.
588 Sandy Sands. the Sharp from Snap City.

576 Silver-Tongued Sid: or. Grip Sack Sharp‘s Sweep. I
561 The Grip-Sack Sharp: or. The Seraphs of Sodom. .

555 Grip-Sack Sid. the Sample Sport. .
5-17 The Buried Detective; or, Soul’s Six Sensations.
541 Major Magnet. the Man of Nerve.

5115 Dandy Dutch. the DeCorator from Dead-Lin.
5‘27 Dandy Andy. the Diamond Detective.

614 Gabe Gunn. theGrizzlilfrom Ginseng.

I04 Solemn Saul. the Sad an from San Saba.

405 Rattlepate Rob; o_r. The Roundhead‘s Reprisal.
as The Thoro nbreu Sport.

474 Damaging-Eye. the of Dow Drop.
466 Old ugh and Ready, t 0 Sage of Sundown.
4158 Dutch Dan. the Pilgrim from Spitnenberg.

450 The Rustler Detective.

443 A Cool Hand: or. Pistol Johnny's Picnic.
418 Oklahoma Nick.
433 Laughing Leo; or. Sam‘s Dandy Pard. I
426 The Ghost Detective: or. The Secret Service Spy.
416 Monte Jim. the BlaCK Sheep of Bismarck.
409 Rob Roy Ranch; or. The lmps of Pan Handle.
40?: The Nameless Sport.
895 Deadly Aim. the Duke of Derringers.
387 D Irk bury. the ishmael 01' the Hills.
'879 Howling onathan, the Terror from Headwaters.
372 Captain Crisp. the Man with a Record.

367 A Royal Flush: or. Dan Brown's liig Game.

360 Jumping Jerry. the Gamec 1: from Sundown.
355 Storm Steve. the Mad Ath ete. ‘

851 Nor‘ est Nick. the Border Detective.

345 Masked Mark. the Mounted Detective.

839 Spread Eagle Sam. the Hercules Hide Hunter.

Charley. the Gold Nugget Sport. _

orked Lightning. the Solitary. '
317 Frank Lightfoot. the Miner Detective.
302 Faro Saul. the Handsome Hercules.
292 Moke Homer, the Boss Roustabout.’ ~
286 Pistol Johnny; or. One Man in a Thousand.

283 Sleek Sam. the Devd of the Mines.
257 Death Tra Diggings: or. A Man ‘Way Back.
249 Elephant om. of. Durango.
241 Spitfire Saul. King of the Rustlers.
£33 The Old Boy of Tombstone.
201 Pirate of the Pincers: or. do uln’s Death Hunt.
197 Revolver Rob: or, The Belle 0 Nugget Camp.
180 Old ‘49; or. The Amazon of Arizona.

170 Sweet William. the Trapper Detective.

165 Joaquin. the Terrible ‘

154 Joaquin, the Saddle King.

141 ulnox Tom. the llul'y of Red Rock.

127 So Scott, the Masked Miner. '

119 Alabama Joe: or. The Yazoo Man-Hunters.

105 Dan Brown of Denver: or. The Detective.

88 Big George; or. The Five Outlaw Brothers.

71 Captain Cool Blade: or. Mississippi Man Shark.
67 The Boy Jockey; or, Honesty vs. Crookedness.
64 Double-Sight. the Death Shot.

to Jack Rabbit. the Prairie Sport.

47 Pacific Pete. the Prince of the Revolver.

45 Old Bull‘s-E e, the Lightmn Shot.

40 Long-Hal Pards; or. The arters of the Plains.
30 Gospel George: or. Fiery Fred. the Outlaw.

28 Three-Fingered Jack, the Road-Agent.

BY J. C. COWDBICK.

696 Ducats Dion. the Nabob Sport Detective.

6151 Sheriff Stillwoocl. the Reguiator of Raspberry.
598 The Dominic Detective.

591 Duke Daniels. the Society Detective.

580 Shadowing a Shadow.

565 Prince Paul. the Postman Detective.

557 The Mountain Graybeards: or. Riddles‘ Riddle.
519 Old Riddles. the Rockfi Ranger

499 Twilight Charlie, the oad . port.

478 Gilbert of Gotham. the Steel-arm Detective.
452 Rainbow Rob. the Tulip from Texas.

486 Kentucky Jean. the S rt from Yellow Pine.
422 Blue Grass Burt. the old Star’Detective.

390 The Giant Cupid: or Cibuta John‘s Jubilee

BY LIEU'I‘. A. K. SIMS.

7‘23 Teamster Tom. the Boomer Detective.

709 Lodestone Lem. the Chum ion of Chestnut Burr.
695 Singer Sam, the Pi] rim etective.

688 River Rustlers; or. t e Detective from ’Way Back
673 Stuttering Sam, th Whitest SE rt of Santa Fe.
666 Old Adamant, the n of Roe .

618 Kansas Ks r1. the Detective King.

559 Prince Primrose, the Flower of the Flock;
528 Huckleberry. the Foot-Hills Detective.

'l nitlnnonn PAYNE.

731 Detective Burr‘s Foil: or, A Woman‘s Strategy.
728 Detective Burr. the Headquarters Special.

713 Detective Burr‘s Spirit Chase. .

706 Detective Bu rr’s Seven Clues.

698. Thad Burr. the. Invincible: or, The “L ” Clue.
690 The Matchless Detective.

680 XX, the Fatal Clew; or. Burr‘s Master Case.

BY MAJOR DANGEBFIELD BUBB.

448 Hark Kenton. the Traitor. .

166 The Phantom Mazeppa: or. The Hyena.

1|6 Velvet Face. the Border Bravo.

142 Captain Crimson, the Man of theiron Face.

 

 

117 Dashing Dandy; or. The Horspur or the Hills.

Dick Talbot Series.

741 Dick Talbot’s Close Call.
737 DlCK Talbot in Apache 1 and.
733 Dick Talbot. the Ranch King.
729 Dick Taib‘ot‘s Clean-Out.
72') Dick Talbot in No Man’s Camp.
384 Dle Talbot in the Rockies: or. injnn Dick.
354 Dick Talbot: 01. The Brand of Crimson Cross.
349 Dick. the Gentleman Road-Agent.
‘ 107 Dick Talbot. of Cinnabar.
} 93 Dick Talbot. King of the Road.
{ 41 hick Talbot in Utah: or, Gold Dan.
i
i

! ALBERT w. AIKEN'S novnns.
i
i
i

38 Dick Taibot’s iron Grip; or. The Velvet Hand.
36 Dick Talbot: or. The DeathShot of Shasta.

35 Dick Talbot at the Mines: or, Kentuck. the Sport.
34 Dick Trtlbot‘s Foe; or. Rocky Mountain Rob.

33 Dick Talbot at Whize Pine; or. OVerland Kit.

Aiken’n Frr sh of Frisco Series.

660 The Fresh in Montana' or. Blake's Full Hand.
652 T e Fresh‘s Rustie at Painted City. ‘
647 The Fresh at Santa Fe; or. The Stranger Sh'1 rp..
556 Fresh. the Sport: or. The Big Racket at S ide Out,
537 Fresh A ainst the Fie d: or. Blake. the Lion.

; 5%! The Free of Frisco in New York.

; 497 The Fresh in Texas; or. The Escobedo Millions.

461 The Fresh of Frisco on the Rio Grande.

173 The Fresh in Arizona; or. California John.
97 The Fresh in Big Walnut Camp; or. Bronze Jack
77 The Fresh or Frisco.

Alken’s Joe Phenix Series.

708 Joe Phenlx's Siren; yr, The Woman Hawkshaw.
700 Joe Phenix’s Unknown; or. Crushing the Crooks
681 Joe Phenix‘s S cials; or. The Actress Detective
‘ 637 Joe Pnenix in ‘razy Camp.
632 Joe Phenix's Master Search.
_ 628 Joe Phenix’s Combin ; r.tne Dandy Consp'rator
620,109 Phenix’s Silent Six. '
' 601 Joe Phenix‘s Shadow ; or.the Detective‘s Monitor
419 Joe Phenix., the King of Detectives
391 Joe Phenix‘s Still Hunt.
161 Joe Phenix‘s Great Man Hunt.
112 Joe Phemx. Private Detective; or The League.
79 Joe Phenix. the Police Spy.

 

 

Aiken'a Miscellaneous Novels.

1
, 717 Captain Pat McGowen, the Greencoat Detective.
. 674 Uncle Sun Up the Born Detective.
i 670 The Ifiightweight Detective.
‘ 665 The sco Detective; or. The Golden Gate Find.
613 Keen Billy, the Sport.
607 Old Benzine the "Hard Case " Detective.
594 Fire Face, the Silver King’s Foe.
585 The Silver Sharp Detective. \
577 Tom, of California; or, Detective‘s Shadow Act.
570 The Actress Detective: or, The Invisible Hand.
562 Lone Hand. the Shadow.
520 The Lone Hand on the Caddo.
490 The Lone Hand in Texas.
475 Chin Chin. the Chinese Detective.
465 The Actor Detective. '
440 The High Hor .e of the Pacific.
425 The Lone Hand; or, The Red River Recreants.‘
408 Doc Grip. the Vendetta of Death.
881 The Gygzy Gentleman; or. Nick Fox. Detective.
876 Black ards: 01. Theme Grande High Horse.
370 The Dusky Detective: or. Pursued to the End.
363 Crowningshie d. the Detective
820 The Genteel potter; or The N. Y. Night Hawk-
252 The Wall Street illood; or. The Telegraph Girl.
203 The Double Detective; or.'l‘he Mid night Mystery.
196 La Marmoset, the Letrctive Queen.
130 Captain Volcano or. The Man of Red Revolvers.
101 The Man from New York.
91 The Winning Oar: or. The Innkeeper’s Daughter.
Hunted Down: or. The League of Three.
81 The Human Tiger: or. A Heart of Fire.
75 Gentleman George: or. Parlor. Prison and Street.
7:! The Phantom Hand ; or. The 5th Avenue Hen ass.
63 The Winged Whale: or. The Red Rupert ot Gulf.
59 The Man from Texas; or. The Arkansas 0utinw..
56 The Indian Mazeppa; or. Madman of the Plains-
49 The Wolf Demon; or. The Kanawha een.
42 The California Detective: or. The Witc esot NY~
81 The New York She ; or. The Flash of Lightning.
27 The Spotter Detect ve: or. Girls 01 New York.

- LATEST AND NEW ISSUES.

'; rat The Never-mu Detective. By Captaixi Howard

 

Holmes.
737 Talbot in A ache Land. By Albert W. Ail‘ en.
738 Detective ‘laxton, the Record Breaker. By
Wm. H. Manning.
739 Buffalo Bill's Bl nd. B Col. P. Ingraham.
740 Captain Clew, the Fighting Detective. D;-

Jackson Knox.

741 Dirk Talbot‘s Close Call; or. The Cowboy Dead!
Shot. By A. W. A ken.

742 Detective Burr Among the New York Thugs. By
Harold Payne. '

743 Buffalo Bil.‘s Flush Ham; or, Texas Jack‘s,
Bravos. By Col. P. Ingraham

744 SWeepstakes Sam, the Silver Sport- or. Ma r
Hard-up Shows His Hand. Bfi‘J. E. Badger ' .

745 Joe Phenix’s Mad Case: or, he Doomed SyL~

- dicate. By Albert W. Aiken.

746 The Dragmn Detective; tr. A Man of Destiny..
By Dr. Frank Powell.—" White Beaver."

747 Double‘voice Dan's Double Disguise; or. Broad.
way Bob. the Rounder. By Wm. G. Patten.

748 Arizona Charlie, the Boss of Lasso 'lhrowers.
By 00'. Prentiss Ingraham. ,

Ready February 28.

A new issue every Wednesday.
Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale by all:
Newsdealers, ten cents per copy. or sent. by mail on
receipt‘of twelve cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS,

Publishers, 98 William street. New York.

/

 

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