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N 0' 7 2 6' Wednes‘iay' 93 WILLIAM STREET. NEW YORK. $500 3 Y8“ VOL L V °

 

 

Sop“ lulu-r 21, 1892.

 

 

Copyrighted, 1392. by Bimini-2 AND .\.:.\:.15.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE MAN WITIiRlHE EVH. EYE.

The Romance of a Romp wuh n
Royal Rogue.

 
 

 

BY GEORGE C. JENKS.
AUTHOR OF “BOSTON BOB.” “ THE .100me m;-
,. TEC’I‘IVE,” ran: “ DOUBLE CURVE DAN "
; STORIES, “ran DRUMMER munc-
nvm,” no" ETC., ETC.

‘ CHAPTER I.
A NARROW SQUEAK.

THERE was a. motley crowd at the wharf at
Evansvile, Indiana, one bright morning late in
April to see the circus boat, Parole, pull out
for her long voyage down the rivers to the

Gulf.
She was a regular flat-bottomed, double—decked
side-wheeler, with plenty of room for the bag-

 

 

SAVED MY LIFE,” MURMI'RED THE YOUNG LION-TAMER, GAZING UP INTO

gage and company Of the circus, including half-
a-(lLZren animal cages, the contents Of which “SAM, YOU‘VE
THE DAUNTLESS MAN'S FACE.

Were growling for their breakfast, and xendcr-

.i

 

O

2

‘Fearless 

 

ing'an accompaniment to the mate’s swearing
that was not any harsher than that gentleman’s
tones.

The Parole had been engaged for this trip by
old man Elliott, the owner of the circus. His
full name was Thomas Montgomery Elliott, but
he was always spoken of as the “ old man " by his
assooiates, and only the tent men and roost-
nbouts ever addressed him as “ Mr.” The others
called him “ 'l‘om ” to his face, and “ the old man "
behind his back: .

The colored roustahonis had got everything
allonrd, and were new hauling up the gang-
rlauk to the place where it would be out of the
way on the forward deck, and the old man
was watching the proceedings from the steps
that led to the main deck. where most of
the circus people were in their state-rooms,
arranging their personal belongings for the
trip.

The roustabouts, having triced up the gang-
plunk, were sent to look after the baggage, and
make everything taut,with the mate vociferatiug
a blue streak, after the manner of river mates
from time immemorial. .

The Parole had reached the middle of the
stream, and was being swung around in n. clumsy
fashion, so that she could head down the riVer,
when the warning bell directed the engineer to
buck, and the pilot in the wheel-house shOVed
his helm hard aport, so suddenly that tho grout
boat was head on toward the shore she had just
left before the crowd there realized what was
going on.

“ Easy, tharl Durn yer old pictersl" howled
the captain, who had pulled the signal bell to run
inshore again.

“ What’s ther trouble, Cap?” demanded the
mate, as, hot and flushed, with his broad soft
felt hat pulled down over his beetling brows, he
pushed a negro out of his way and walked for-
ward from the place on the lower deck where the
stowirg of the baggage had been going on under
his personal direction.

“ Why, some durned fool on this hyar boat
made us start without one uv ther principal
peeple in that show. I should think folks
what run sicb or business would know thet
they hed everything aboard afore they let ther
boat leave ther shore. Thor Parole ain’t no
kind uv craft ter be run out an’ run in jlst
for fun. It’s bad enough ter strike the chan-
nel hyar anyhow, without hcvin’ ter do it twice
over.”

The old man replied thus to the mate in a low
growl, as he saw the boat swing broadside on
to the shore, and watched the movements of his
men.

Tne mate jumped to the side of the boat, and
with a few orders, had the great gang-plank
pushed out agpin, and steadied while the essen-
ger they had run in for came careless y and
good-humoredly aboard.

A young girl, with a laughing face, shaded by
fair hair that had escaped from its fastenings,
and fell down in a wealth of golden beauty
from beneath her dainty Paris-made hat. There
was a world of defiance in her dark-gray eyes,
and she cared no more for the growling: of the
captain and mate than she did for the admira-
tion that shone in the eyes of the stalwart brown
negro who followed her closely up the plank to

_ the dock.

 

' which lore and hotevwere into

“Come on, Luke!" she cried to the negro.
“Bring that sachel and take it to my state-
;oon’i; I am tired out, and I want my break-
ast. ‘

She spoke as if she were a queen, and so the
negro seemed to regard her. for he hurried after
her respectfully, gettin of! the gang-plank just
in time to save himself rom being flung into the
river, for the roustabouts swung it around al-
most before he had stopped from it, and the boat
was again in the channel and handle down-
stream in the shortest possible space of me.

The girl was skippiu lightly up the stairs to “
the 1: per deck, bestow ng a careless nod upon
old E liott, who had been watching her, and not
regarding the captain any more than if he had
been bio most insignificant roustobout, when a
hand grasped bor wrist, and she was stopped
short. »-

A cry of fear, that was almost strangled in her
throat, camerfrom her lips, and her face turned
deadly pale.

“ Leonard l” -

A youn man, with a handsome, swarthy
face, blue eyes and thin cruel' mouth, only
partly hidden by a sweepin black mustache,
was looking at her with a on ous ox reunion, in
. I ngled. He
held her wrist with a thin, powerful ri ht hand
that was much whiter than his face, w lie with
his left he raised a broad Panama hat from
thick, clustering black curls in mock respect.

“ You thought you would get awa from me
by accepting this engagement with_El iott, didn’t
you?” he hissed, in a low tone.

“ And what if I did i"

There was an attempt at defiance in the man—
ner of the girl that was pitiful. It was too
evident that she was in deadly fear of this dark,
handsome you g man.

\" Nothing, slle. Only I have signed with
him. too and I shall be at your elbow at all
“tunes. I am going to do my lion-taming act,

 

and I shall ride in the ringr sometimes, when the
old man thinks the circus needs strengthening.
That’s all. YOu know me. You have promised
to be my wife, and you shall keep your word—-
or—- ’

He paused and the girl looked in uiringly into
Rigface as she repeated, in a term 'ed whisper:

r_‘

“ You will dit'!"

He flung hi-r from him, and turned away to
go below, s she continued on her way to her
state-room, where the negro, Luke, had already
depo~ited her sachel, and was waiting at the
door for further orders.

She did not speak to him. Only went into
the little room and shut the door in his face with
a. bang.

“ Fo‘ do Lewd, she’s or honey,” muttered Luke,
as he went forward, and was commanded by the
old man to go below and see that the animal
cages won) all right.

He found Leonard in the cage in which the
largest of the two lions was confined, pulling at
the huge animnl‘s mane and putting his head
alternately, while he talked to him as he would
to a dog.

“Monarch, old fellow, you’ll have some in-
teresting times with me before we get through
with this trip,I can see. You have been too
quiet all winter, and it is going to be a test of
strength before long, so sure as my name is
Leonard Mervillc."

He looked out of the cage and saw Luke.

“ Luke!”

“ Yes, Mas’r Leonard.”

“Bring me a piece of that meat from the
barrel behind you.”

The negro opened his eyes rather wider than
usual, as he stammered:

“ But—Mas’r Leonard! yo’ ain’t gwine ter let
’umpsee dat meat while you is in the cage, are

0
y The young man turned fiercely upon him, and
but that be was in the cage, and the negro out—
side, Luke would have receiveda cut with the
heav blacksnake in Leonard’s hand as sure as
that e was living. .

“ Do as I tell you. When I want a nigger’s
advice I always ask for it.”

Luke did not venture to argue the point any
longer. He went to the barrel, and with a huge
double-pronged piicbfork, brought out a mass of
raw meat and carried it to the cage.

" Shove it through the bars.”

“ It Won’t go through. It’s too big.”

The young man unfastened the etc of the
cage, and Opened it wide enough for t e most to
be pushed through. Then, as the lion with a
grow], moved toward the meat, he gave the ani-

‘mal a kick as be fastened the gate, and stood be-

tween the llon and his prospective breakfast.

“ Now, Monarch, I’m going to give you a, les-
son,” observed the young man, as he gras his
blacksnake flrmlv in his right hand and icked
the meat toward the lion.

Monarch sprung toward the meat, and at the
same instant Leonard interposed himself and be-
stowed a ssvage out upon the lion’s shoulder.

The lion shrunk back, with a cry of mingled
rage and pain.

‘ That’s one chapter of the story I'm going to
tell you,” remarked Leonard, coolly. “ You are
laboring under the impression that you can run
this thing to suit yourself, and I’m going toehow
you that on are mistaken.”

He pic ed up the meat in his left hand and
held it near the lion’s nose. Monarch caught at
the meat. and this time seized it with his teeth.

“ Let 0, you brute,” cried the young man, as
he switc ed the lion across the nose with his whip
and pulled the meat away again.

'Monarch turned around and walked slowly to
the other end of his cage. His tail swung to and
fro am there was a low growling from his throat
that told how his savage nature was being stirred
up by the tantalizing actions of the young man
with the whip. e ..

-" Gatling mad now, ain’t you?” muttered
Leonard. ",Well, that is what went."

He held the meat in his left hand and advanc-
ed toward the corner in which the mighty beast
wu sulkinfiéo

“ Mas'r nerd, fo’ do good Lawd’s sake don’t
do itl He‘done git so mad he jump at you shuab,”
walled Luke. in an agony of terror.

“ Shut your month, you black fool!” was
Leonard Merville’s ungracicus response. “ Do
you suppose I don’t know my business?”

°° Mebbo 0’ do,” muttered the negro, below his
breath. “ ebbe yo’ do. But I never done we
no lion look like that without thar bein’ trubble
for some one."

He was watching every movement of the lion,
and he saw that h I tail was gradually straight-
ening out and that there was a backward furtive
glance in his glowmg eyeballs like that of a bull-

og just before he springs.

Leonard Mervillc seemed to realize that a criti-
cal moment was a touching in his struggle for
the mastery with he lion.

Hergmsped his blacksnake more securely, and
kept his black eyes fastened on tbe‘e es of the
lion, never anering in the least; Re new that
the next few monients would decide which was
to be master. ‘

“,Now, Monarch, we’ll try P’ihe said, softly, as

 

 

he slowly approached and held the meat toward
the fangs that showed themselves between the
snarling lips of the king of beasts.

Step by step he stole nearer, and the lion half
turned, so that he could watch the young man
Over his shoulder, while the great tail, with its
tuft at the end, swung slowly from side to side
and almost straight out.

At last the young man was so near that he
could touch Monarch’s heaving flanks. He
thrust out the meat, and then, before he Could
use his whip, as he had intended, there was a
mighty Tour, and Leonard Merville was pros-
trate, with one great paw on his chest, while
the sound of the tearing meat told that the
great jaws of the lion were at Wl‘l‘k on the
meal that had been withheld from him so long.

Leonard (‘Ollld hurdly breathe under the
Weight of the lion’s paw. His whip had flown
from his hand to the other end of the cage, and
he was utterly helpless.

Luke lnul rushed away simultaneously with
the attack of the lion upon the young man, and
it looked as if Leonard Merville‘s lust hour had
come.

Monarch champed and tore at the meat,
emitting growls and roars continuously, and oc~
('uss'onnlly turning the glance of his bloodsllot
eye Upon Leonard’s countenance, that was an
awful gray, instead of the red-brown that‘ be-
longed to it naturally.

“ As soon as he has finished that meat, he
will begin on me,” thought Leonard, and
somehow the idea did not seem so terrible as
one would have thought. The lion had given
him a shake when he made his attack, and his
victim was lulled into a half-drowsy state of
resignation that he could not have explained,
but that took away much of the horror of his
situation.

He lay calmly watching Monarch tearing at
his meat, and beyond wishing that the pew
did not Weigh so heavily upon his chest, was
comparatively unconcerned.

Suddenly he was awakened from the lethargy
that was creeping over him by the sound of a
cheery voice near the cage, and a rattling of
the bars as the gate was ope ed.

Then there was a cras as an iron bar de-
scended on the head of the lion, and a fearful
roar as the bar was used spear-fashion and
driven into the animal’s neck, and Monarch
leaped back into his corner growling in rage,
that was partly mixed with terror.

“Sam, you’ve saved my life,” murmured the
young lion-tamer, gazing up into the dauntless
man’s face.

“Yes, looks like it, don’t it?" was the half—
comical answvr. “But, we must out of this,”
and, seizing Leonard's hand he lifted him to
his feet, pushed open the door behind him, and,
shoving the tamer out, backed out himself and
closed the door with a clang.

“ That was a close call, Leonard, fer a fact,”
and the round face broke inroasmile, when,
seeing the frightened face of Luke in the crowd
n0w pressing around, the rescuer gays vent to a
hearty laugh. __

CHAPTER II.

LIFE FOR LIFE.

TEE owner of the cheery voice and loud laugh
was a rather short, stout young man, with a
round face, ornamented with a blonds mustache
and a pair of dancing blue eyes. He was dress-
ed in a short, round coat of the sack shape. and
onliiisbhegd he Wore a Paula’smagsg. in nu as

- e a removed the at an, I!)
he stood there in the crowd. and m the
fact that his head was perfectly bald save for a
fringe of light hair that just reached the place
where his bat came when he wore it. His head
shone in the morning GUI]. and fill“, with his
handsome, laughing {‘09. Hilde him 3' P1883803
an object as morning sun ever shone upon.

u Sam Wilson, you’re worthy of your name,”
laid Leonard, shaking the other a hand with fer-
ent vi or. .

v “ Whit—the name of Sam Wilson, eh? Well,
[hope so. I’ve tried to keep it honest. It was
my father’s name, and he handed it down to me
wit-bouts stain upon it. So it was my duty to
try and keep it clean," laughed Sam.

“You know that is not what I meant. The
boys can you ‘Fearless Bam,’ and you deserve
the nume.’ '

“Thanks!” responded Sam. with 8 (109? b?“
as he took off his hat to make it more impressxye.
“if I were you, I wouldn't take chances witg
thet or’nary lion any more. Look at him DOW.

He pointed to Monarch as he spoke, and
Leonard uttered a cry of M88 83 he Sprung ‘50
the door of the cage, and began to fumble at the
bar that secured it.

Sam Wilson placed his hand on the other’s
shoulder, but Leonard’s blood was up, and he
was determined to go into the cage.

“ All right, my boy, in course; of you are de-
termined to take chances, it will have to go.
But I wouldn’t do it, if I were you.”

Sam was speaking quietly, but was watching
the movements of his impetuous companion Very
closely, notwithstanding. -

Leonard tore open the door of the cage, and
then, with n yell of rage, sprung upon Monarch.
whip in hand.

  

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.tbera was a vacant space in which the must-

g mowmen’t of the three, without being seen.

‘ turned and walked rapidly away, in the direc-

   

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“Come out of that corner, you brute!” he
hissed. - . '

The lion may not have understood the words,
but he knew what the tone meant, and he cow-
ered in a corner of the cage like a beaten cur.

Once, twice, thrice, the supple whip came
down on the animal’s ribs, the only response to
the blows being a low snarl of mingled fear and ,
anger. A chance might turn the scale one way
or the other, making the lion the slave of the I
innn, or a wild beast that nothing could tame. ,

Leonard’s eyes flashed as he rained the blowa
on the lion.

“ llo’s getting mad!” observed Sam Wilson, ,
as he leaned carelessly against the bars of the j
cage, outside, and watched the struggle within.

Lconard Merville did not answer, but he kept l
his eye on that of the lion and hit him harder. 

In a fla~h the crisis came. I

Monarch made a spring at his tormentor, and l

i
i
i
l

but for Leonard's agile ni0vements the tale
Would have been told fatally for the man.

But, Leonard was not to be caught twice in
the same way. He ducked and the lion passed
over him, crashing against the other end of the
den with a force that made everything shake,
and threatened to break out the strong wood, l
braced in all directions with iron. ‘

The lion seemed to realize now that. he must :
either fight or give in, and he was anything but i
conquered yet. ‘

Hardly had he reached his feet when he turned,
quick as a can, and was at Leonard again, with
a tremendous spring, that the young man
avmded with equal skill.

Three times was this terrible game tried. and
each time the young man gave the beast a fierce
cut as be avoided his onslaught. ‘

After the third unsuccessful leap the lion
crouched in his corner, with his face tohis foe
and his tail swayin in that ominous manner
that Leonard knew so ell meant mischief.

“ I guess we will end this,” he muttered.

He stepped forward to the side of Monarch,
and attacked him with the whip so rapidly, and
with so much force, that the animal seemed to
be dazed.

Gradually the lion crouched lower and lower
Under the rapid blows, until he was lying flat on
his stomach, while the young man never stopped
his use of the whip.

At last the lion crawled out, flat and with a
world of meekness expressed in his great eyes,
rubbed his mane against his master. ,

Then Leonard Merville ceased thrashing him.

“ Well, Sam, what do you think of him howl”

“ I guess you have got the best of him," was
Sam Wilson’s careless response.

A light step behind him made him turn, and
he removed his but as he saw that it was Belle
Howard.

h‘;flWal, Miss Belle, you got aboard all right,
6

“ Yes.” ._

Belle Mas watching Leonard Merville as if
fascinated by him.

He did not speak to her, but giving the pros-
trate brute a kick, to warn him not to try any
more tricks, he reached to the outside of the
door of the cage, and let himself out.

Then he approached Belle, and suddenly grasp-
ing her wrist, whispered:

“ Come with me.

The girl might hays refused to go, but the
hold on her wrist was so powerful that it would
have been idle for her to resist. ~

Leonard led her away, among the baggage of
the circus—the tent-poles, canvas, trunks and
animal-cages, to the middle of the deck, where

shoots and circus laborers were accustomed to
lounge when their services were not in active
do and. .

m Wilson had not appeared to notice par-
ticularly. but he had seen the Way in which
Leonard took the girl’s wrist, and he did not
like t.

“ NOW. What in thunderatlon does that mean?”
he mutml‘ed- bbed her as if she hadn‘t
any feeling in that ttle white wrist of hers.
Sam. you may find more to do on this byar boat
than you thought. Wal, it's all in my line.”

He strolled carelessly toward the spot where
Leonard was 110' talking earnestly to the girl,
but did not go near enough to hear what the
youn man was an lug.

“ al, of thar n’t that or’nary nigger goin’
up thar, tool Wnl. thu’l something in ther
wind, an’ I’m gom’ fer find on What it la.”

True enough, Luke had run awltly mund
the baggage opposite to Leonard. so that he had
reached the spot without being seen by the girl.
Perha Leonard could not see him, either, but
Sam llaon was not so sure of that.

“Thor’s something between that nigger and
Leon'ard Merville, and whatever it Is does not
mean any good for that gal. I know it.”

He threw himself dOwn on a pile of canvas
and lay at his ease, where he could watch every

The interview between the girl and Leonard
did not last long. There were a few angry ges-
turea from the young man, and a scornrul tom
of the head on the part of the girl; then she

 

tion of the imperturbable Sam.

She had not gone more than half a dozen
steps, when Luke, who had been watching Leon-
ard, sprung forward and grasped the wrist of
the girl.

Hardly had he done so when a young man,
with fair curly hair and a pink-and-wh’ite coni-
plexion, jumped out from somewhere, and
planted his list. squarely. in the negro’s mouth.

“ Take that,you black scoundrel i” he cried: but
no sooner Were the words out of his mouth than
Iwonard Mei‘ville,wbohad given the sign to Luke
Upon which he had caught the girl, shot out his
own fist and catching the fair-haired young
man full in the chest, sent him down in a
heap on top of Luke. Leonard hardly noticed

I the effect of his blow, for he wanted to catch the

girl, who had hastened away as soon as Luke
had been compelled to release her.

He caught the girl by her long flowing hair,
that had escaped from its fastenings and hung
in a long braid down her back, and dragged
her back with so much force that she almost
fell.

Not quite, however, for Sam \Vilson interposed
by throwing his arm around the yOung man’s
neck, and twisting him oif his feet in a very neat,
workmnnlike manner.

“ Hold on. Leonard! This thing has gone far
enough.” observed Sam, coolly. “After this,
Belle Howard is under my protection.”

Leonard was livid with rage.

He draw back, and his hand flew to his hip
pocket.

Ere he could withdraw it he was looking down
the muzzle of a ~H-caliber six-shooter.

“ Don‘t try that, Leonard. It won’t pay you.
And I tell you I do shoot ’most mighty quick
when I hez ter. See?"

The young man folded his arms and looked at
the good-humored Sam , with a curious ex-
pression.

“ Y‘ n saved my life i”

“ When?"

“ Just now. You know all about it. If it
hadn’t been for you, I should have made a meal
for that lion over there before now.”

“ Wal, is that any reason why you should per-
secute a poor gal, who is on this boattoearu her
living, and who hasn’t any one to take care of
her’ln asked Sam, with a little more energy than
he usually displayed.

“ Hold on, there," interrupted the fairlhaired
oun man, who had arisen from the floor where
e h been hurled by Leonard’s fist. “ You are

mistaken. Belle Howard has some one to take

care of her, and his name is Dale Graham.”

Leonard Merville ’favored his rim] with a
gleam of deadly hatred, but did not answer him.
Turning to Sam W ilaon, he said,‘again:

“ You saved my life.”

“ Wall What of it?" n

“ I owe you a life.”

H 1Um 1”

“ And I always Ray my deth.”

“Good habit. ’ish all the people that owe
me money had the same.”

“ Now,Sam Wilson, I’m going to do you up
before this trip is ovor. Remember that.”

“ It is very good of you.
it in mind.

He waved his revolver gentlyin his band as
he spoke, with a significant smile, as Leonard
went on:

“ The first time I have you in my power-”

e paused.

“ Wall" and Sam.

“ I shall pay my debt.”
on I see ”

I will try and keep

.6

A light broke in upon Sam, and he laughed
softly and with extreme enjoyment.

" Only arms will I let you off. After that,
your life is mine, whenever I can take it.”

‘f Whenever you can take itl" repeated Sam,
quiet y. ,

He turned away with a mocking smile, and
ofl'ered his arm to Belle.

As she took it, Sam’s revolver was wrenched
out of his band, and be tripped backward over
some obstruction, and lay at full length on his
back. Then he felt a knee upon his chest, and
the muzzle of his revolver was preaaed l0 hard
against his forehead that it made a deep ring in
the flesh. .

Sam‘s first impulse was to try and release him-
self, but Leonard Merville’s muscles were-like
steel-gprings and be hold his enemy so firmly
that am realized at once that he was werleas.

Dale Graham rushed to the rescue, ut Luke,

who was partially behind him, struck him be-'

bind the ear with such force that he fell sunse-

less.

“Now, Sam Wilson, I am goin to pa my
debt,” hissed Leonard in his ear. ‘gYou u’hden
stand i”

“ Certainly; I understand.”

Leonard Merville arose and handed the re-
volver back to Wilson, who took it without a
word and returned it to his pocket.

“Sam Wilson, I've given you your life for
mine. Look out for me. I shall kill you when-
ever I think it worth my while, or whenever I
think I' have reason, because I do not owe you
anvihing now.” ‘

With a acowl, that took in the girl, the pros-

 

trate Dale and Sam himself, Leonard Merville
walked Swiftly away, closely followed by the
negro, Luke.

Sam WilSon stooped to examine the young
man lying at his feet, and as he found that he
was recovering from the effects of the blow of
Luke’s fist, helped him to his feet, remarking, in
his self-possessed way:

“ There will be fun for me on this boat, I can
see. That young man is decidedly bloodthirsty.”

CHAPTER III,
Two PISTOL-SHOTS.

THE Parole went rapidly down the river, and
by the middle of the day everything on board
had pretty Well assumed a shipshape appear-
ance. -

The circus people had been taking their ease
in their cabins or lounging about the decks, and
there was no sign of the trouble that was brew-
ing for some one, judging by the episode in
which Sam Wilson and Leonard Merville had
taken part.

Sam was leaning against the heavy post that
supported the upper deck, near the bow of the
boat, looking OVer some papers in his pocket-
book.

“Ah!” he muttered. “Here it is. But how
am I to find out what I want to know? My in-
formation reads that the man who burglarized
the Seventh National Bank of Pittsburg is sup-
p0sed to be on board the Parole. I am not told
whether he is young or old, Whether he is a
sailor or a circus performer, a grafter or a gen-
tleman of leisure. All I am told is that he is on
this boat. I am not even informed why the
man is supposed to be here. A hard easel A
hard case! But then, I could not expect any-
thing more from an anonymous letter. It may
not even be the truth.”

Sam Wlison took (if his Panama hat and pol-
ished his glowing dome of thought with a silk
handkerchief till it shone like an opal jar. Than
be resumed his cogilations.

“ Fifty thousand dollars! All in good United
States greenbacks. Numbers not known and
not the slightest claw to the bills themselves.
Wal, wall They call was. pretty slick detective

ut if I am to trace this fellow down, I think i
s all deserve a gold medal. Why durn my pic-
ture! It may he the captain of the boat. or old
Tom Elliott himself, for anything I know.”

“ Sam l”

A squeaky voice at his elbow made him start,
but he did not turn around. He evidently recog-
nized the squeaky voice without moving his head
around, although his eyea involuntarily turned
keenly in the direction of the voice, but without
seeing an thing.

“ Wal, he whispered.

“ Nothing yeti” ~

H N“),

“ Suspect?”
“Not as yet. But I may before long.”
" All right. I’m here.”
:: ’on’t let any one see you talking to me.”
y.
“ I know that, Shad, or you couldn’t be work-
ing fer me.”

As Sam Wilson spoke be sidled carelessly away
from the post against which he had been leaning
and looked at it.

Although he had been talking tosome one who
must have been very near the post-for the con-
versation was conducted in wheezy whispers—
not a sign of human being was to be seen.

Sam chuckled quietly, as he said, in a low
vaice:

“ Some out of that, Shadow, an’ let me see
yer.

Then a funny thing hap nod.

The post against which 1)] had been leaning
was a stout piece of timber, about as thick as the
average telegraph pole, but square, instead of
round. There was nothing also ‘near it, and it
seemed im ible that the individual with
whom Sam ad been talking could be concealed
wgwhere in the neighborhood.

at the post seemed to‘ become suddenly en-
dowed with life, for out of it, as it appeared, a
man came and stood grinning in the sunlight.

“ Well, li‘aarleaa Here I am.”

The squeaky voice belonged to the man, and
was very thin. But, thin as it was, i fitted the

 

owner. He had actuallibeen hiding ind the
post, which had been rge enough tocouoeal
him completely. He had an intelligen ace, but
it was very peaked, and its long, thin ape was

emphasised by a goatec, waxed and brought to f
t icker

a point. The arms of the man were not
than broom handles, and his legs ware like
ball bats. His long, thin fingers weroapread out
as he leaned against the post, and one could al-
most hear his bones rattle whenever he moved.

Such was Tim, or “Shadow " Kolfey, the
“ Skeleton Dude."

“Shad, if you ever get fat, you will lose your
most useful peculiarity.”

Shad trembled, and there was a look of genu-
ine consternation in his face, as be said:

“ Say, Fearless, don't talk like that. You’ll
zlve me an attack of heart disease. Got fat!
Why, what should I do if I was to get fat! How
could I make a living! No, indeed! I thank
kind fortune for making me so that I am always
aura of a living salary from a show, even if I

 

 

 

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I "
.w.
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.

 

 

 

' from me now.

 

 

4

didn’t work for the ‘Grand Combination Detec-
tive.’ I know my advantages, and I would
rather die than lose them.”

The detective laughed.

“ I don’t think you will eVer lose them, Shad.
You always have been thin, and I guess you al.
ways will be.”

“ I hope so,” responded Shad, fervently.

“ Shad l” v

“ Well?"

“Keep your eye on that English concertina-

pla‘yer.
; I Ohoi” whistled the Skeleton Dude, as he

ulled at his waxed goatee and winked knew-
ngly at the detective.

“Thet's all, Shad. You’d better get away
It won’t do any good fer people
for suspect ez you are working with me, don’t
yer see."

Shadow nodded and turned away and—ran
plump into a man with a red face, red mutton-
chop whiskers, and wearing a red-brown suit of
clothes of heavy woolen material.

“Blawst the bloomin’ idiot. Where are you
a-goin’toi Cawn’t you see a cove?” burst from
the red-whiskered man.

Shad grinned as he replied:

“ I saw you, but it seems as if you didn’t see
me. Guess I was standing sideWays.”

“ Ha, hal Well, you are a funny blokel It’s
a wonder [didn’t cut meself bloomln’ well in
:wo against you. You ought not to go about
without a fence or a sign-board on you, so that
tellers could tell where you was.”

Shad slipped behind him, and with a deft
movement he felt in all his pockets before the
Englishman knew that he had been touched.

“ Why, where are you?” he exclaimed, as he
turned around, looking for the skeleton.

Shad dexterously kept out of his sight. and at
last sped swiftly up the staircase, keeping close
to the wall, so that he was out of sight before
the red-whiskered man could bring his vision to
bear on the stairs at all.

“ Well, if he ain’t the bloomin’est cove as I
ever see, may I neVer see Charing Cross again!"
exclaimed the mystified Englishman. “ I’m
blowed if that ain’t unprofessional. But then,
{on never know what blokes will do in this here

lawsted country.”

With this sage reflection, the gentleman dis-
missed the subject from his mind, and drew
from one of his pockets a handhill, on which, in

1 large type, were the words, “Professor Handel

Mont emery, the World’s Greatest Concertina
and armonicum Player.”

“There, Mr. Wilson, what do you think of
that fora L-loomin’ ad.? Ain’t that rich? l’m
goin’to have that in all the pa rs where we
advertise the show. I’m the bio e as will draw
the peeple. I was worth ten pounds a week in
dear old Lunnon, and I’d have got it, too, if it
wasn’t for a teller as was jealous of me, and
kept me out of it. Never mind. I’ll show them
what music is in America. They have been
waiting for me here for a hundred years.”

“ W 0 have been waiting—the policel” put in
the detective, quietly, with a smile.”

“ What d’ye mean? You don’t want to insult
me. I hope. eh?" demanded the other, as his
whiskers seemed to take on a deeper shade of red
in his indignation.

“No, no. Certainly not,” replied the detec-
tive. quickly. “ It was only a joke."

“Coves shouldn’t make such okes. They
ain’t nice to the coves what the okes is made
on.

“ I don’t know about this fellow. Either he
issquare, or else he is very artful. We shall
see. He is the cal person on the boat that I
don’t know someth ng about, and I may as well
keep my eye on him, Some of these English
crooks are almighty IllC'K. An’ all this h ar in.
nocsnos may be put on. I’ll watch him.

“ What say!” asked the red-whiskerec man.

:: Nothing.” "

“ 1Ova“! thought you tpoke.

He took the haudbill the other oflered him,
and with a promise that he would see it put in
all the papers on their route walked aft to
where the anlmals were being fed by Luke, the

he detoctive was in dee thought. He had
taken the position on the srole as advertising
agent for the show. but his main purpose was to
hunt down the robbers of the Seventh National
Bank of Pittsburg, and, if possible, to recover
the money stolen. r

He had had plenty of experience so a show-
man sothat he was at home in the business,
and lie calculated to enjoy a trip down the river,
and do some work at the same time.

So far he was completely in the dark. He
had received the anonymou letter after the
officialsof the bank had pla thecase in his
hand and he had come on the Parole because
he be ieved that there was something in the
statement in the letter, although .he could not
tell how much was true, and how much false.

“ Seems ter me I hev enough ter has me from
goin’ ter sleep ’cevpt in regular sleepin’ hours."
he muttered. “ hat with tryin’ ter find out
who took ther money, an’ keepin’ my eye on my
dear young friend, Leonard, I may call myself
a busy man.”

’ l

 

I

Fearless Sam.

He strolled over to the cage and stood by the
side of Luke as he pushed pieces of raw meat to
the animals.

Luke did not speak, but be favored him with
a look of as much defiance as he dared to throw
into his expression, without drawing upon him
the immediate vengeance of the detective.

Sam watched the lions at their meals, and did
not a pear to notice the negro.

“ earlessl"

A squeaky voice in his ear. He did not turn,
but there was the slightest toss of his head to
shoiv the skeleton Dude that he heard him.

’f Keep your eyes peeled i” added the squeaky
veice.

Another toss of the detective’s head seemed to
say:
it Why?”

“ Leonard Mervllle."

H  I”

The detective uttered this exclamation under
his breath, and carelessly turned his head.

He saw that Shad was squeezed into a narrow
space between two immense trunks that would
not have allowed even a small boy to hide him-
self, while, leaning on one of the trunks, re ard-
infi‘him with a bulelul eye, was Leonard er—
Vi e.

The eyes of the detective and Leonard met,
and then the young man, quick as a flash. drew
arevolver and pointing it at the detective’s head,

red.

There was a loud report, that sounded all the
louder on account of the shot being fired in such
a confined space, but the detective was unhurt.
Just as Leonard pulled the trigger, the skeleton
dude, who had been entirely unobserved by the
young man, reached out of his hiding-place, and
threw up the hand that held the pistol.

There was a curse from the lips of Merville,
simultaneously with the shot, as he saw that he
had missed his intended victim, but neither the
shot nor the curse were to be compared in pierc-
ing sound with a shriek that broke forth from
behind a pile of trunks near the cages.

The next instant Professor Handel Mont-
gomery rushed out with his hand to his forehead,
and with a groan, fell to the floor.

Fearless Sam, disregarding the possibility of
Leonard Merville shooting at him again, knelt
bv the side of the groan ng concertma-player,
and sought for the wound.

“ Where is it?"

“ Oh, in my head,” moaned the sufferer.

The detective carefully removed the traveling
cap, of the same reddish-brown woolen material
as the suit of clothes, and looked at the head of
the Englishman.

“i can’t find it,” he said, quietly.

Handel Montgomer slowl moved himself
from side to side, as i to flu out whether he
could move at all, and then, as he took the cap
out of the detective’s hand, looked at it, and

rumbled:

“ Well, I’m blowed! If the bloomin’ juggins
didn‘t shoot the button of! the top of mi cap.”

The detective burst into a fit of laug ter, and
then something made his revolver long out of his
mint, and another pistol shot rung t rough the

t.
CHAPTER 1V.
two runs or arms.

11‘ was in the full glow of a beautiful Southern
evening that the Parole ran into a small town to
give the first shew of the season.

There was so much unpacking to do for the
opening of the campaign that the hon had
drawn in earlier than was the custom. The
people would take a number of hours to get
everything ready.

Fearless Sam, accogpsuied by Shad and

Men mery, andrtwo cred roustabouts, went
into 0 town with bundles of pa r and paste
and brushes and by midnight be every blank

wall covered with glaring announcements of the
fosmance of “ Elliott’s Aggregation of
Whnders.” that was to exhibit on the next day.

In the mean we, the mmmtions for the per.
formanoe were going on sklg on an open
not far from the river, whic oid Elliott ad,
witha professional eye, selected as soon as he
had landed.

The boss canvasman, with his stat! of amist-
nuts, with lay-out pins, were raising the tents,
and there vans tah smiall cahnvgzucityflin CEIO billg
one etmete -posn nte
topvevn mbegn finished. 8
, It was dark as pitch when Fearless Sam, Shad
and Montgomery returned, and making their
way m the animal tent, prepared to spend the
rest oi the night on the piles of hay that had
been got ready to feed the horses in the morn-
ing.

Sam chose a place immediately beneath the
den in which the big lion, Monarch. was walk~
1 up and down, restlessly. occasionally uttering
a ow growl. . ‘

“ I am glad I didn’t perforate thet youn fel-
ler to-day,” muttered the detective. “ I s onld
like to get through this hyar trap without kill-
ing him. But if he plays many more tricks on
me. I’m afraid thar WI 1 be a funeral. I could
just as easily have ut a bullet through his head
as over it today, a though it seems ter me thet
Leonard can not understand thet. Wei, wal;

a

 

it’s er great pity 92 young fellers hev so little
sense.”

With this
Sam kicked o
hay with a sigh of satisfaction.
exciting day, and he was tired.

He had just closed his eyes when he felt a hand
on his face, feeling about in the dark.

In a flash he was on his feet, with his hand on
some oue’s throat and his revolver pressed
against the intruder’s forehead.

“For’ de Lawd, Massr’ Sam, don’t shoot,"
muttered a trembling voice.

The detective’s answer was to ti hten his
grasp on the throat he held, and to ho d the re-
volver more firmly against the forehead.

“You black scoundrel! What are you doin’
hyar? D’yer think you kin catch Sam Wilson
by any sich trick ez thet?” demanded the detec-
tive, sternly.

“I wuz lookin’ fer some hay, ’deed I wuz,”
stammered the negro.

“I don’t believe you," returned Sam, as he
released Luke and put his pistol back into his
pocket. “ But it does not matter. Git!"

“ Yes, Mas’r Sam,” and Luke was gone.

“ Pretty state of things,” thought the detective.
“ El I’ni ter hev thet nigger chasin’ me, and
Le 'nard Merville alw’ys tryin’ ter git ther drop,
I won’t hev any chance ter rest.”

He was satisfied that he would‘ not be dis-
turbed again for awhile evidently, for he lay
down on his hay, and in five minutes his
regular breathing was mingling with the low
growls of the lion over him, and announcing
that he was fast asleep.

A little distance from Sam another scene was
in progress, that would have interested the de-
tective had he been able to see the proceedings.

Handel Montgomery was sitting on a pile of
hay in front of a monkeys' cage examining
something by the dim light of a lantern that
hung above him.

The something was a fat pocketbook.

“ I’ll just take a look at my bloomin’ money.
When a eove has a little he ought to make sure
that it is all right. I had trouble enough to
get it, and I’m blowed if I want to let go of it
now.

He took out a roll of bills, and turned them
over in his hands loving] . The light of the
lantern fell full upon his hands and their
previous contents, leaving everything else in
deep shadow.

“Ahl All in big bills! I was luck to get
this. I supperse if anybody know had so
much I should be murdered. Well, they sha’n’t
know it. Every one is asleep around here now,
and if any one was awake he couldn’t see me
over here in the dark. Crickeyl I’m glad I
have this money.”

He spoke in a low, muttering tone, that con-
veyed intense enjoyment, while, at the same
time, his furtive glances on all sides indicated
that he was on the watch against eaves-
droppers.

“ Fifty thousand dollars!” he said, in a
slightly louder tone, carried away by his satis-
faction for an instant. Then be carefully count-
ed the money in his pocketbook, and put it
back in his pocket.

“ There is only enough there to make me safe
in case I wanted a sum of money sudden-
ly ” he muttered. But in ’that trunk of mine,
w ere no one suspects, I have the rest.
wouder—”

He stopped and looked around him cautiously.

“ It’s so dark in the night in this here blowst»
ed country that a cove cawn’t see anything.
But I don’t think any of those fellers are awake.
I’m Just going toseo into my trunk and make
sure that it is all ht.”

He arose from h s bed of hay and stole into
the dressing-tout. that was not far from where
he had been lying. A hilt mastilf came toward
him with a grow as he lifted the flap of the en-
trance to the tent, but a word was enough toquiet
the dog, who licked his hand affectionately, and
with a low whine of contentment, stretched
himself again before the entrance to the tent.

It was Very dark. but Montgomery had been
in the dark for so long that his eyes were used
to it, and he made his way without dimculty to
8 06m“! Part of the tent, where a trunk of un-
mistakable English make ironclamped and
studded with great iron nail-heads, stood among
a number of others.

Kneeling on the sawdust—covered ground, the
coucertina-player opened the trunk, and then,
pushing his hand down amogg the clothes in the
receptacle, poked about an he heard a slight
click. Then he withdrew his hand, and a large
open space at the bottom of the trunk was re.
vealed, the clothes all falling to one end, as if in
obedience to some power that was not ap-
parent.

“Aha! loan feel the little darlings. Blow
me tight if it would not kill me if I was to lose
any of ’em now.” he observed, between his teeth.
L‘But’ I wouldn’t trust those circus people, any-

0".

He took a match from his pocket, and lighted
a small bull’s-eye lantern that formed a part of
the contents of the trunk. With this he flashed
a light all around the room.

“ Don’t see nothing in the bloomin’ place but

hilosophical reflection Fearless
his shoes, and lay down on the
He had a long,

l".

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if, V

Fearless Sam.

5

 

myself. I guess I’m safe enough. The dog
wouldn’t let the stran ers come in, and I saw
Sam Wilson, Shad an the Diggers go to slee
some time ago. The coves over here may thin
that they can get the best of the gentlemen from
the other side of the Atlantic, but we know how
to take care of ourselves.”

He chuckled in a self-satisfied manner, and
turning his lantern so that the light fell fullupon
toe bottom of the trunk, sbo wed that there were
a number of bundles of greenbacks, neatly tied
up and labeled with the amounts, just as they
are seen in banks.

He took up one of the bundles, and removing
the rubber bands from it, proceeded to count
the bills.

He became completely absorbed in his occupa-
tion, and a loud noise might havo been made in
his vicinity without his being disturbed.

This may account for the fact that he was
quite unaware that two pair of eyes were watch-
ing him closely, and that every movement he
made was carefully noted.

" Ah, me bloomin’c0veysl” he exclaimed, after
a time, as be fastened up the package and do-
posited it carefully in one corner of the secret
compartment of his trunk. “There’s one bun-
dred hundred-dollar bills in this package. Gowl.
And there’s four more packages of the same
sort. I don’t kn0w about counting them all.
It would take too long. And yet I feel as if I
cawn't leavetliem without. going all over them.”

He remained leaning in front of the trunk,
taking the packages in his hand, one by one, and
apparently gloating Over his treasure. but with-
out takin the trouble to count the bills.

“ I shal take this one trip, because I want to
see all I can of this blawsted country, and this is
a good chance to do it. But it bothers me to
have all this money with me, and yet I daren’t
leave it anywhere.”

He shut down the secret compartment in his
trunk, but immediately opened it again.

“ Somehow, I like to look at you," he mutter-
ed. “ You are so pretty, and then you came to
me so easy. One day I was poor, and then, after
one night, I had fifty thousand dollars."

The two pairs of eyes seemed as if they would

pierce him through and through, and now
One pair was so near that their ownevcould have
put his arms around Montgomery’s neck had he
wanted to do so.

The other eyes were outside the tent, but were
looking through a small hole, from which they
could see everything that took place, but were
too far away for their owner to hear Handel
Montgomery’ssoliloquy.

“Well, I’ll shut upshop and gate bed. Every-
thing is safe.”

He extinguished the light of the lantern and
closed and locked the trunk. Then he walked to
the door of the tent, caressing the big mastiff as
he dpassed him, and strolled leisurely over to his
be on the pile of hay, in a perfect y contented
frame of mind.

No sooner had he disappeared than the man in
the tent glided over to the trunk, and bending
over it, struck a match, that he might see the
keyhole.

The light of the match revealed the thin, peak-
ed face, with the ion waxed goatee of Tim Kof—
fey, the Skeleton Du e, otherwise the “Shadow.”

“[ wonder how he opens this trunk. If I
could only find the way todo it, I would just
take the money out and give it to the governor.
Tm“, would please him, I know. Fearless likes
to we people do things boldly, he always says.”

Shad was examining the lock of the trunk
while thus cogitating, and had now taken from
Flu pocket a penoknife, and was poking at the

ock. ‘

“ No heal I wasn’t made for a burglar. I
haven’t the first notion of how to pick a lock,
and if I had maybe I couldn‘t open the inside
place where he has the bills."

He stood for a moment ruminating, and had
'ust made up his mind that he would go and tell
Sum Wilson what he had seen, when he found
himle lifted in a pair of strong hands, carried
out of the tent and thrown far into the darkness.

CHAPTER V.
'r a l: c o If P A c r .

“ WELL. shiver my bones! Run me through
a zaspipei"

Shad sputtered these extraordinary oaths with
“M utmost solemnity. as he rolled over in the
nqu and sawdust. and brought up against the
u heels of a traveling monkey Page With a bump
that. made every one of his bones ache.

“ Hallo! Whatare yolldOill’. bilwst er? Do
you wantto make a cove keep awake afi night?”
growled a thick voice from beneath the monkey
cage, that Shad recognized as that of the red-
whi~kered concertina-player.

He could not see the skeleton dude. and it was
not Shaii’s purpose to take Handel Montgomery
into his confidence at that moment.

, The dude arose to his feet as soon as he had
stopped, and, without answering Montgomery,
run back toward the tent. He was just. lifting
the flap, when old Elliott and Leonard Merville
appeared in the opening, while the black face of
Luke looked over their shoulders, in the light of
a bright lantern carried by old Elliott.

“ What are yer doin’ here, Shad .7" demanded
(4

 

I '4 >";:{~-. 7 i *' n - , ‘ l

 

Elliott. “Time decent people was in bed.
We have ter be up early in the morning, and I
should think you need all the sleep that can be
got now,”

“I am not doing anything, Mr. Elliott,” re-
turned Shad, in a dignified way. “And I am
going to bed. But I should like to know who
took the liberty of throwing the heroes the lot.
I am not doing an acrobatic turn just now, and
I Obiject to such rough treatment.”

“ )h, git out, Shad. You’re dreaming,” was
Old Elliott’s good—humored reply.

“Am 1? Well, then, I’m having a very bad
nightmare, and I must have tumbled out of bed,
from the way my bones ache.”

Thus saying, Shad retired in a very stiff and
dignified manner, leaving Leonard and Elliott to
go back to their couches or sit up all night, just
as they pleased.

“i don’t know why that nigger, Luke, was

rinning at me like that,” muttered Shad. “ If
I thought he meant to insult me, I’d tan his
black hide so that he would be sore for a month.
I know I shall have to lick him some time. He
called me “old flfty-pounder” the other day.
He may find that fifty- ends of good bone is
better than one hundr and eighty pounds of
hi ger, after all.”
he pursuit of his cogitations brought him to
the lion’s (age, under which still slumbered
Fearless Sam, as peacefully as if there were no
enemies in the world, or as if he were in a castle,
with a strong body-guard around him.

At the first word of Shad to Sam, the detec-
tive was sitting up, revolver in hand.

“ All right, Fearless!”

“ Oh, it is you, is it, Shad?”

H Yes.”

“ I’ve found the money.”

“ What money?"

“The money you are looking for—the fifty
thousand dollars.”

“ The deuce yer hev l" exclaimed Sam, becom-
ing more interested. “ Whar is it!"

“In one of the tents—in a trunk."

“ Whose trunk f"

Shad leaned forward and whispered in his
ear. The detective nodded, approvingly.

“ Hal Thet ’3 what I half suspected. ’

A dark form, that was not noticed by either
the Skeleton Dude or the detective, that was
lurking at the side of the lion’s cage, shook its
fist in im tent wrath at Shad as he whis-
pered to earless Sam, as a voice muttered, in-
audible to any one but himself:

“Curse that skinny fool! If he had spoken
out then, I should have known smoothing that
would have been worth a great deal to me.”

The form retreated silently and swiftly, and
Shad and the detective continued their conver-
sation in whispers.

They were still talking earnestly, when, sud-
denly,‘ a pair of arms Were thrown around Sam
Wilson’s neck, as a woman’s voice whispered
in his ear:

“ Save me?”

“ Wei, 1 should say I would,” returned the
detective, as he gently disengaged the arms
from his neck, and patted their owner on the
cheek.

The Skeleton Dude, who recognized the voice,
although he could not see the features of the
fair visitor, pulled at his goatee and slickened
his hair, from mere force of habit.

t_ “ What is the matter?" inquired the detec-
ivo.

“ Loonard-”

“ IIal Thet young feller Will get himself into
saw-ions trouble atone he’s through,” observed

on

“ lie threatens the life of Dale Graham, as
well as mine, and I am afraid to be near him
at all. That is why I have come at this time
of night to see you. Were he to so: me talking
to you, and know what I am saying my life
would not be worth a moment’s purchase, nor
Dale’s either.”

Sam Wilson polished his bald head vigorously
with his silk handkerchief—a sure sign that he
was thinkin'z deeply. -

“ When did all this hyar take place?”

“Last night, while you were out billing the
town.”

“ Ahl, I shall have to keep a cloner eye on
him than I have. Look hyar, Belle. You to
to your tent and sleep till morning. .He won’t
interfere with either you or Dale to-night. In
the daylight I shall be better able to know what
to do. See?”

“ Yes,” answered Belle Howard. But she
spoke in a tone that betrayed a great deal of
apprehension, nevertheless.

T e detective noticed it, and he said, at once:

“ ’1] walk OVer with youth the tent, if you
don’t like to go alone.”

“Thank you, very much,” returned Belle
Howard, gratefully. .

The detective gave her his arm, and they
strolled across the big space on which the cir-
cus was pitched, the women’s tent being at the
other extremity.

“ Well, that don’t seem to me to be quite
square,” grumbled the Skeleton Dude, as he
strained his eyes watching the retreating figures
of the detective and the girl. “ He knows that

   

 

I have a notion to that Belle Howard, and that
I want to pay her any little attentions that a
gentleman can offer a lady.”

The dude had spoken audibly, because he was
excited, and he did not hear footfalls that would
have caught his quick ear at once otherwise.

“ Quite right, Shad. Quite right,” said a
Voice, and the Skeleton Dude started as he recog-
nized the voice of Leonard Merville.

" What did you s iy?” asked Shad:

“I say it is quite right to take care of the
ladies, and I congratulate you upon being such
a thorough ladies’ man.” .

1‘ Thanks!" returned Shad, with as much
irony as he could convey into his squeaky
voicp. “ I hope I know how to behave my-
self. ’

“ I hope so. But let me give you a word of
advice. Tell Sam Wilson not to interfere With
ladies of my acquaintance, if he values his
life,” hissed the other, as he walked swiftly
across the circus ground after the detective and
Belle Howard.

“By thunder! I suppose it is my fault that
he has gone after them. If there is murder done,
I shall be to blame. I’ll go after him. If there is
to be a fight, I want to be counted in.”

The Skeleton Dude dashed after the young
man as rapidly as possible, and as he had not
much to carry in the way of flesh, he made good
time. He was soon close behind Leonard Mer-
ville, whilea littlein front of him could be seen
the detective and Belle Howard walking leisure-
ly along, Fearless Sam’s right being thrust care
lesst into the right pocket of his sack coat,
wherein the Skeleton Dude knew there was a 44-
caliber revolver ready for instant use being
actually in the hand of the detective.

Shad held a revolver in his own hand, and
was prepared to use it at the first sign of
treachery on the part of Leonard Merville. Al-
together, it will be seen that the jealous young
man with the black mustache and curly hair
was not to have things his own way without the
possibility of a fight.

“ Curse himl” hissed Merville. “ How easily I
could knock his miserable brains out. It is
strange how the love of a girl will alter a man’s
feeling toward another. Twenty-four hours ago
I rather liked Sam Wilson. Now, that he has
stepped in between Belle Howard and me, I find
myself his deadly enemy. Well well, it is the
way of the world. -‘Nine homicides out of every
ten are directly or indirectly the work of
women.”

Leonard Merville found himself philosophizing
thus almost unconscio‘usly as he stole. softly after

the detective and the girl, while his own foot- _

steps were dogged by the skeleton dude, who
would have shot him down like a dog at the first
indication of his injuring the detective.

Fearless Sam had a faithful follower in
Shadow Kofley.

Reaching the doorway of the tent in which the
couches of the women were prepared, the detec-
tive stopped and took the girl's hand, reassur-
ingly.

“ Now. go in and sleep, like a good girl. It is
so late now that you cannot have more than
three or four hours. It must be three o’clock,
and you know everything will be on the move
early. There is a street parade to commence at
eleven o’clock, and it will take some time to get
things res .

“ earless,I trust you to protect mean this
trip against Leonard Merville.”

“ I will.”

“ And still more, to keep Dale Graham and
him apart. If they do come to blows again, I
am afraid that there will be murder done.”

“Never fear. I’ll watch them,” answered
the detrctive, cheerily, as he passed his silk
handkerchief over his bald head, and fanned
himself with his Panama hat.

“ Well, good-night.”

“ Good-night.”

She shook hands heartin with the detectiva
and held his hand in hers for a moment, as
loth to let him go. Then. with a smothered
sigh, she hastily lifted the flap of the tent and
disappeared.

The detective stood where she had left him,
still polishing away at his head, as his custom
was when perplexed. He was evidently in doubt
about what he should do,

At last he turned and walked away.

As he did so be almost touched a figure hidin
in the shad0w of the tent—a figure that gras
a revolver, and that scowled at him with a mur-
derous expression as he strolled by.

" Curse him! I should like to! But—never
minu! I shall have plenty of other oppor.
lunities. In fact, I will make them as sure as
my name is Leonard Merville,” muttered the
man, as the gleaming bald head made itself ap-
parent even in the gloom that would have hidden
anything less efl’ulgent.’

“ GOod boy, Shad. I’m much obliged to you
for 00min after me to see that I was notthe
victim of on] plan. You area good man in a
shooting afi‘ray. No one Could hit you unless he
was a better sharpshooter than 1 ever met,” said
the detective, cheerfully, as he came up with the

Skeleton Dede, who had not missed a single in- »

cident while Sam and Belle Howard had been
standing by the doorway of the tent.

,
.
1..
l"
‘J;
1'

 

  

  

. Worms-rs cu orseback. By the side of Leon-

- Bella

Fearless Sam.

 

 

 

“It’s all right. Fearless, to make fun of my  her broad-brimmed hat with drooping white

thinneSs, but I tell you there is mischief in that l feathers setting off her blonde beauty to perfec-

Leonard Morville.”

“ I know it.”

“ And he is sneaking around th, t tent now.
He was ready to pounce 0n you, bu
he would never have had n chance to do any—

ute.
The two men walkod away, and as soon as

1

they were out of sight Leonard Merville came ,

out of his hidiiig~plaoe, and stepped to the iiap
of the doorway, just inside of which Belle
Howard had been standing, watching the disap-
pearance of the detectiw.

He thrust his hand inside the doorway and
pulled the girl outside. before she knew he had
even seen her.-

“ Belle,” ho whispered, hoarsely. “ If you
want to save the lives of your two friends, you’ll
change your behavior toward me."

“ hat two friends?"

“ You know, well enough.”

“ I suppose you mean Fearless Sam and—”

“ Dale Graham," he said, finishing the sen-
tence for her. “ Yes, those are the friends I
mean. Do you understand me?"

“ What must I do?” asked the girl, faintly, as
her white lips trembled so that she could hardly
articulate.

“Just this: You must not refuse tospeak to
me. You must keep away from Dale Graham,
and on must not go to Sam Wilson in the
midd e of the night, to ask him to protect you
against mel”

“ How do you know I have asked Sam to pro-
tect inc.” -

“ I saw and heard you.”

“Are you the devil?"

“ Perhaps.”

He smiled mockingly, and there was some-
thing ao Satanic in his expression, as the girl
saw it by the dim light that struggled from the
lamp inside the tent. that she could almost be-
lieve he was indeed the arch fiend.

“ Now, will you obey me?”

The girl looked around her, and then seemed
to realiz~- how helpless she was.

“ Yes,” she murmured, in a des airing voice.

“ Very well. That will do. NEH”, you know
what Old Elliott said about our doing that
double trapeze turn, to-morrow. We have done
it before, you know, and one short rehearsal in
the morning, Over the net, is all we shall need.”

“Very well," she answered, indifferently.

“If any one should happen to see us here now
-—asthey may, for people in this business are
always poking their noses into other people’s
affairs—you can say that We Were just talking
over our trapeze act. Do you understand i”

(6 Yes.”

“Very well, then. Good-night. Or, rather,
good-morning."

He took the girl’s passive hand, raised it to his
lips, and was gone, as the girl staggered into the
tent, the picture of utter despair.

Then, and not till then, did a young man

whose fair hair glinted in the dim light from the

tent, step from behind a wagon, where he had
Overheard all the previous conversation, and
shaking his fist in the direction taken by Leon-
ard Merville, exclaimed. in low, fierce tones;

“ Very well, Leonard Mervilla. You will find
that there are two parties to a bargain on the
side of Belle Howard. Not speak to me, chi
The miserable rascal l”

 

CHAPTER Vl.
rnannnss sax PUZZLID.

Tun next day dawned bright and clear, and
no one would have supposed that more than one
tra edy had been narrowly averted among the
wh to tents, with their waving flags, a l the
gayly-caparisoned horses, cbamping thei bits,
and waiting for their no less p cturosquely-at-
tired riders.

Fearless Sam was everywhere. He, With
Old Elliott, directed the people where to'place
themselves ‘in the‘ procession, and law that the
vagious elements of the parade were in proper
or er.

It took a. long time to get everything in order,
so that the circus and its wonders would he
dul impressed upon the citizens of the town,
an make them all anxious to visit the show in
the afternOon and evening.

The band had to behestowed in its gilded
chariot, and the animal cages drawn up in line,
sothat there would be no confusion when the
order to move was given.

[At last, everything was pronounced ready,
and With a blare of brass instrument the march
began, scattering the gaping boys and men who
had gathered to see the start, find who had been
engaged in a runnin flght’wlth the canvasman
ever since daylight n consequence of their per-
sisting in intruding upon the sacred precincts of
the circus ouud.

Sam Wi son and Old Elliott, each bestridin
showy horses, rode ahead of the band, as a scr
dadvance gu 1. After the wagon came the

    

and Hervillo. who, in the ccstume of a French

“ennui-plowed, handsomer than ever, rode
Howard, her bright rod ridindfbabit  -

 ,\

f

  

 

tioii. She smiled right and left as the proces-
sion went along the broad streets of the town,

but she never turned her eyes in the direction of v
if he had, _ Dale Graham, who, being just behind her, occa-

sionally pushed his home forward,so that he

thing else. I’d have shot him down in a iniu- I was nearly on a level With her. ‘
” Leonard Mvrville hardly ever took his eyes off :

the girl, although he writched her in such a fur-
tiVe way that one Would hardly have known
that ho was looking at her.

Further back in the parade, but not so far
away that he could not see Belle Hmvard, was
Shadow Knifey, the “ Skeleton Dude.” He was
on u softly-cushioned sent in a handsome chariot
drawn by two donkeys. By his side sat the

clown, who was handling the reins and driving f

with a burlesque imitation of a stage—driver that
drew forth roars of laughter, ruthei‘ tothedi -
gust of the Skeleton Dude, who preferred that the
people should he impressed with his dignified
aspect, rather than by what he mentally stigma-
tized as the vulgar humor of the clown.

Behind the Skeleton Dude and clown were the
animal-cages, closed and gaudin painted, and
objects of intense interest to the people who
lined the streets and cheered each feature of the
prmession. -

The parade went all through the town, the
band playing loudl , especially in front of the
newspaper office, t e principal hotel and the
post-office, and then, pursuing a devious way,
so as to cover as much of the town as possible,
made a detour toward the circus-grounds again,
followed b the shouting, excited multitude.

Had Bel e Howard kept her compact, so far,
with Leonard Merville?

Leonard himself was not sure that she had
but he had watched her so closely that he could
hardly think she had a chance to talk to either
the detective or Dale Graham. The mere fact
of Dale trying to get near Belle did not trouble
Leonard. He knew that that was natural, and
he felt that it depended altogether on the irl
whether or not his fair-haired rival man to
press his suit.

As for Sam, although he had apparently been
so busy with the arrangements of the parade, he
had been wide awake as to the movements of
the young girl and her persecutor, besides keep-
ing an intelligent and watchful eye on Montgom-
ery. He had hem told all about the money in
the amt compartment of the Eu lishman’s
trunk, and he meant to find out w ere that
money had come from at the first opportunity.

“He’sa very innocent young man, is that
bloomin’ covey,” thought the detective, “ but if
he isn’t the fellow thet worked the Pittsburg
bank job, l’m a ghost, that’s all.”

Handel Mon omery, in the red coat and
boots of a fox- outing squire of E land, e
a big bony horse, and with his . whiskers,
red ace, and very red nose, presented such a
comical appearance that the people laughed at
and cheered him as much as they did the clown.

The parade was nearly over, and the circus
grounds were in sight, when Dale Graham rode
boldly forward and laid his hand on Belle
Howard’s bridle-rein, glancing contemptuoust
full into the face of Leonard Merville at the
same time.

“ Belle 1"

The girl looked at Merville and shrunk away
from Dale Graham, withoutanswering him.

Lwnard Merville muttered “ Beware l” in a
fierce whisper and the girl shrunk still more
from her laver, as she gave her bone a cut with
her riding-whip and made him curvet so that
 was obliged to take histh off the

n e.

Merville laughed and tossed his head so that
the plume on his glitteri helmet danced again.

Graham grew white w th rage, and his hand,
grasping a heavy whip, was raised with eVident

ntenticn of striking h a rival to the earth, when
his arm was caught, and Fearless Sam rode bo-
tween the two men, smiling and unconcerned as
usual.
“ hat‘s the matter. boysi" he demanded,
gOod-hmnoredly. “ Scinethlng ruining youl"

“He-—” began Dale, but Sam Wilson inter‘.
rupu-d him with:

“Never mind about talking now. We can
settle our matters of business on the boat or in
the tent. Must not let the public into our
secrets, you know. It’s unprofessional.”

Leonard sneered at him with a look of venomous
hate, and touching his horse with his heel, hast-
ened after the girl, who had already gouwa
from the quarrellng voun men, and w ri -
ing by the side of Hands Montgomery, ver
much to that red-whiskorod gentleman's grat -
ilcation.

“ See here, Sam Wilson \ on want to keep out
of my way. I have ton. you before,” hissed
Merv lie. ~
“That sol Wal, I always thought mgelf

ootnpany for honest men,” was Sam il-
son’s smiling respon ,. . '

Mervfllo started and allook of indescribable
hatred and apprehension crept into his face.
i “DIWhat do you mezpr’bhe hiuodk , as‘hlfi hand
nv ntsrllysou ,_ I own. ' 0 on

  wathlatr' y

Mum's «c

 

    

 

prise and suspicion crossing his face, but it was
gOne iii an instant, as he replied:

" Wh , you are not a bank robber, or any-
thin 0 that sort, are yet"? Eh?”

Th s apparently careless shot seemed to reach
its. mark, for Merville jerked at his curb-rein so-
Suddvnlv and viciously that he pulled his horse
, almost upon his haunches. '
“ llglloa, Leonard! I thought you “of” '1
E good rider. Thet ain‘t no way ter him. i.-

i thoroughbred,” went on Fearless, ainiabl), 5:,»-
g parently more interested in the homo than his
l rider, but keeping such a close eye on Mervillo
that every twitch in his face was Seen and noted.
“ You are just hastening the day of our reckon-
1 ing, that’s all, Sam Wilson," whispered Leonard,
i fiercely. “ What do you suppow I had to do
with robbing your Pittsburg bank! i believe
you are getting crazy.”

The detective could hardly keep from shouting,
so great was his delight nnd astonishment at this
remark of the young man’s.

“By ginger!” he thought. “This is getting
might interesting! The oung fellow liusgiven
himse f away this time. {lere I have been look-
for a clew, and one falls right into my iingersl”

The party were near the circus tents by this
time. In fact the band-wagon had already
reached its place, and the musicians, glad the
parade was over, were taking their instruments
into the dressing-tent, and preparing to take
their mid—day meal in the cooking-tent, where
long tables were already'arranged for those who
did not care to go aboard the boat.

As the horses stopped, Dale Graham leaped
from his saddle, and was by Belle Howard’s side
in an instant. .

“ Belle. give me your hand.”

The girl hesitated, for Merville was approach-

ng.

“ Dale, 1—” she stammered.

“ Get out of that,you dog 1" whispered Leonard,
scowling at the fair~haired young man.

Dale Graham’s reply was to push him away
with his elbow.

Ever ready with his pistol, Merville had his

band upon it, when the detective, who had been
standing near, saw the movement, and seized
the wrist before the pistol could be drawn.
3 “Keep that thing in your pocket, Leonard
~ Merville. This is no time for shooting. \l alt
till utter the afternoon show, and I will see you,
and give you all the chance to shoot that you
may want."

Leonard jerked his hand away without an-
swering, but did not draw his revolver, althoth
Dale Graham, with a smile of triumph, took the
band of Belle Howard, and with a graceful
movement, assisted her to leap lightly to the
ground.

“ llel” said Leonard, warningly.

The girl, without dcigning to look at him,
much less answer him, took Graham's arm,
and both strolled toward the dressing-tents
where Leonard saw them part with a ban
pressure, that brought a flush into the girl’s face.
She smiled and said a few words lightly to her
companion, who looked around triumphantly,
as he went into the men’s apartment with a.
light step that betokened his thorough satisfac—
tion with things in general.

“ Sol They have defied me, oh!” said Mervllle,
aloud. but to himself, as be supposed.

“ Evidently,” responded the voice f Sam
Wilson who had been just behind him, though
he had not noticed him. -

“ Curse you, Sam Wilson! I mean to make
you answer for theinault you offered me‘just
now.

“What do you mean!" asked Fearless, in-
nocently.

“You intimated that I robbed the Seventh
National Bank of Pittsburg. and I mean to make
you give your reasons for saying so,” replied the
yonu man, as he walked away,

“ iii, if this isn’t a picnic, Sam Wilson, you
never had one! I didn’t say a word to that im-
petuous young feller'about a bank,—et least of
a Pittsburg bank. and hyar he on an’ says he
didn’t rob the Seventh Nations Bank of Pitts-

, burg. Wal, Leonard Merville may not hcv done”
that thar job, but of he doesn’t know something
aboutJ it, he must be blessed with second sight,
or clairvoyance, or something.”

This was an occasion that required of Sam to
take off his broad Panama hat and apply, his
silk handkerchief to his shiny poll. Soho rubbed
away at his head until it looked like a sun that
had somehow alighti-d in the circus grounds on
the detective‘s shoulders.

He was still polishing away at his bald head
when he felt himself touched on the arm.

‘Hs turned quickly, but at first could not see
anything. Then the Skeleton Dude cams into
View.

“Shadow, what makes you stand sideways?
No one can see yer until you ive them the broad
side of on,” he said laughi y.

“Qu t your fooling, Fearless. I was behind
one of the horses. You know that.”

“No. Honest In uni I thought on were
right by". onl wi your side town me. But.
never in... l.

      

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I saw him at his trunk again this morning, and
he took out one or two packages and hid them
about his clothes. He has them with him n0w.”

‘t  £37

“limb!” whispered the Skeleton l‘iiide, as he
began to pull at his waxed goatee in un ostenta-
tioust unconcerned manner. “ Here he is.”

“ I say,” broke in the red-whiskered Concertina-
player, as he stepped up, hot and redder than
ever from his equestrian eXert-ise in the proces-
sion, “ I want to speak to one of you blokes.”

“ Which of us?" asked Shad.

Montgomery looked at the Skeleton Dude with
ill-concealed contempt.

“ Well, hlow mo tight! You are a sight. I
don’t want you. I do not associate with ireuks.”

Hardly Were the words out of his mouth when
Shad iiew at him and aimed a blow at the other’s
chest with his bony fist.

His fist reached its mark, but the Skeleton
Dude was so overcome With his exertion that he
fell back into Fearless Sam’s arms completely
exhausted, while Montgomery, who had hardly
felt the blow, burst intoa fit of laughter that
could be heard all over the grounds.

“ Crikeyl If that ain’t the hioomin’est joke I
ever saw! Shadow, what (lid you do that time?
You almost brushed a fly off my coat. At least
you would have done so, only there ain’t no flies
on me. Haw, haw, haw!”

“ Idiot,” muttered the Skeleton Dude, loftily,
as he stalked away to the cook-tent to get his
dinner.

“ What do you want, Mr. Montgomery i"
asked the detective, as he returned his silk hand—
kerchief to his pocket and put on his hat. ‘

“Just this. You haVe been recommended to
me as a thoroughly honest man. I heard of you
long before I joined this show.”

“Thanksl” put in the detectivo, parentheti-
call .

“lam I want you to tell me where I can put
fifty thousand dollars safely.”

“ What is ther matter with ther Seventh Na-
tional Bank of Pittsburgl Isn’t thet a good
bank?”

The detective bout a keen glance upon his com-
panion’s face as he said this, but there was not
a tremor in the voice or the slightest change in
the exoressiou of the Englishman, as he an-
swered:

“I don’t know. I never heard of the bank.
Do you think it is a good one?"

“ Wal,” thought the detective. “Either he
is one of the coldest crooks I ever met, or he is
innocent.” Then he Said, aloud: “ I think it is
a good hank. But give me a little while to
think of it. I shall be glad to give you my ad-
vice say after the show tu-night, as soon as we
get packed on board the boat again."

“ Thanks! You are awfully good," returned
Montgomery, as he gave the detectivo’s hand a.
friendly squeeze and walked away.

" The plot thickens! It’s gittin’ so thick I
can’t see through it,” was Fearless Sam’s com-
ment to himself, as he, too, walked toward the
cook-teat. ’

 

CHAPTER VII. /
c A N A D A .i A c K .

San WILSON went about his business in get-
ting ready for the afternoon tKerformauce, and
had no timeto think about a bank robbery
and the peculiar manner in which Leonard
Merville and Handel Montgomery seemed to be
associated with it, while not being connected
with each other. so far as he could see.

Old Elliott raged around, givin orders and
getting things into shape. finally to uni: his place
n the ticket-wagon, and selling tickets with
lightning speed to the people who were so
anxious, to get into the circus that they could
hardl wait for their tickets.

At not all were in, and Sam, standing outside
the big tent, was polishing at his head with his
silk handkerchief and thinking about the
robbery and the complications that had arisen
in the matter since ho had taken it hand.

The music in the big tout came out in loud
gut-ts of barman]. generally with a good deal
of big drum and much blaring of the brass in-
struinenta. while over and anon the cheers of
the audience, like distant thunder, broke
through the other sounds usual to a show of
the circus kind. melu'lmg’ the roaring of the
wild animals and the grufl command. of the
tent man to boys to “ CQmG 001‘: Of that," when
they were detected trying to crawl under the

tent.

“If I could only get hold of some of that
money, grbaps I could get some of the bank
people identify it," thought Sam, as he
moved away into a corner of the circus ground,
where the animal-wagons hid a small spot from
general view.

A sudden idea struck him, and he drew from
his pocket a note be had found at the post—omen
addressed to him, that morning.

“ Pittsbur post-mark, obi Yes, an’ by
ginger, hvnrs ther name of ther bank on ther
outside of ther envelope. Been so busy I never
even looked at it."

He opened the envelope and found only a few
words on the paper inside, marked ‘ Confl-
do-utisl.” It went on to say: “ The numbers of

   

v
3

that are known. We found this out by accident,
just now. They may be a New,"

“May he a claw, eh? Will, I should say!”
muttered Sam, and tearing the note, into four
pieces, be carefully set tire to them with a
match. He held them till the last vestige of
the paper was destroyed, and then walked
toward the sheltered spot referred to, and
found himself in the midst of a deeply-engrOss-
all group.

A tall fellow, dressed in a suit of very loud,
cross-barred pattern, and wearing H. shiny silk
hat, was holding a small square hoard, about
the size of a good-sized School slate. on his left
arm, the left hand clutching a deT'lI or 80 of
crumpled bank notes. 0n the liO'll‘il were three
halves of walnut shells anda little black ball
about the size of a. pea.

He was talking rapidly, in this strain: ’

“ "ome along gentlemen; make your game!
I’ll fool you if can! it is the eye against the
hand! That is all. Here are three shells and
one little ball! The ball is under one of the
shells every tiinel If you can guess which shell
it is under, Why bet any sum over tivo dollars,
and you may win two! Here is the little 3' iker.
Who wants to bet he can tell where it is?
Don’t take any bet under two dollars. Make your
game, gentlemen. You can see how it is. If
Kim can win, all right. Il’I lose I don't kick.

y loss is your gain. Hal Here is a gentle-
man guesses right for a ten-dollar bill. Here
you are, sir—two fives. I lose this time.
Well, never say die! There’s plenty of money
in the world, even if I don’t get it all.”

There were two or three people bettin ou
the game, and Sam saw the Operator ban the
two fives to a meek-Inching old man, who
made extravagant expressions of joy at the win-
ning.

“That old feller is ther best capper I ever
saw,” muttered Sam. “ He icoks just like ther
genuine article.”

For the benefit of the uninitiated, it may be
stated that a copper is a confederate, who pre-
terds to win, an 1 thereby encourages victims to
lstake their money on the game, and, of course,
ose it.

The “ shell,” or “ hull,” game, here described
is one of the best known of the many swmdlcs
that are to be found in the wake of circnses, and
it is also one of the most successful, when done
by a. skillful operator, since the victim always
finds himself mistaken. ~

Sam watched the game for a minute or
twig,de then, catching the eye of the operator,
sa

, "bimodal" '
“ That’s my name,” responded the shell man.

“ I want to see yer.” \

“ All right, Samuel.” Then, to the play-
ers around his board: “ Gentlemen, the game
is closed for this afternoon. Come and see me
this evening.

As the crowd dispersed Canada Jack doubled
up his board which was hinged in the middle,
and slipped it into a pocket, with the shells, and
looked at Sam, inquiringly.

” Canada, you know ther lay I am on here?”

“ Cert; I’m with vou.” '

“Wal, I think I hey er clew, and I must
have your help.” '

,“All right; command and I’m at your call.”

“ film] out how much money Leonard Mervfllc

as.

:1 When?” - n

“ 'fmlf’l’lt, if possible.

“ That will do. Don’t stay talking tome. I
am only Sam Wilson to the pie around this
show, exceptto you and the S eleton.”

Jack nodded. He never wasted words and
generally spoke in monoiiyllables except when
engaged in playing his game, and then a stream
of talk was a matter of business.”

“ Meet me right after the show on the bow of
the boat, and tell me what you know.”

Jack nodded again.

“ By the way—” '

Canada Jack had been walking away, but be
stopped as the detective spoke, and waited for
the rest of the sentence.

“ How did your game pan out?”

“ Ten dollars," was Canada‘s brief reply, as he
disappfiiired around the wagons, leaving the dc-
tective thinking about his next move. ,,

“ He’s a gnod fehow for a rafter. Perhaps
his mode of making a living snot above criti-
cism, but, he’s always all right with me so I
have nothing tar say. Now ter see what er-
ville is about. I hev so many thin s ter watch
just now thdt it is enough tor ma 9 me hold-
headed." .

8am chuckled in his own quiet way, and again
had recourse to the polishing process to assist
him in his meditations.

Be strolled into the tent and was just in time
to hear Old Tom anuounoato the audience, in
his foghoru voice, that “ Signor Merville and
Mademoiselle Bails Howard, would perform a
wonderful double leap-for-life on the high tra-
peze that night, and that he hoped to see all his
friends in the town at the evening performance
enjboy the most marvelous and thrilling aerial

 

to
act
twoof the bills were 1001 “(11002. Only ones 'Bta

 

tglut. had ever been wines-ad in tthnlted

 

   
 
 

 

- e_._., a“ __ _ __.__

As the old man bowed to the audience and re-
tire'i io the (li'uSsing-tent, Sam felt a touch on
his shoulder.

lie turned and saw Belle Howard, in the
sp'ingled skirts of a barebacked rider, standing
just inside the dres~ing-tent, and looking at him
with an expression of awful agony in her

eyes.

“What’s the matter, Belle? Not afraid of
the horse, are yer?” asked the detective, with
real concern.

lie knew that circus performers sometimes
lost their nerves without any appurent'reason,
and that when this happened the chances of
their making a. “mistake.” during their acts
\i as so great that they often refused to make the
attempt to go through their Work.

Belle Howard smiled contemptuously at the
detective‘s question.

” Afraid of the horse? No, indeed! Old
White Cloud is'as safe as a baby’s cradle, and I
Can mow about as easily on his back as I can on
a barn iloor."

“ Wal, what‘s ther matter with yer, then i” '

He saw that the girl was pale, even through
the dash of rouge on her cheeks, and that her
eyes were unnaturally bright, even allowing
for the artful lines of black put on with a paint-
brush, to make them sparkle.

She looked behind her to make sure that
there was no one within earshot, and then whis-

red:

“ Look at Leonard.”

“ Where is he?”

“ Just coming on for his jockey act.”

There was a loud burst of music, and a. power-
ful gray horse dashed into the ring and ran
around, While the ringmaster cracked his long
whip and encouraged him to gallop faster.

As he completed the circle something in red
and black sprung from behind the clown, and
the audience burst into Wild applauseasMer-
ville, in a red and black jockey costume, made a.
leap from the ground, and stood on the haunch
of the gray horse, first on one foot and then on
the other, waving his cap at the multitude.

It «as a dashing feat, cleverly done, but the
girl saw that he was not entirely occupied with
the horse. As soon as he reac ed the back of
his steed his eyes fixed themse ves upon Belle
Howard in a half-pleadin , half-threatening
gaze, and never wavered 9.1 through his suc-
ceedin feats.

“What’s he looking at?" whispered Sam to
the girl.

“‘At me.”

“ ’Um! What for?”

“Just now he asked me whether I would
promise to become his wifeas soon as we reached
New Orleans. I said no. We had afew bot
words, and he swore that I should regret my
determination inside of twelve hours.”

“ Buncoinbel He’s said that sort of thing be-
fore. I told you that you bed Sam Wilson at
yer back, and tliar’s Dale Graham, too. He
loves yer, nn’ will go through fire and water for
yer. As for Leonard—-—”

“ Well, what of him?”hissed Leonard, himself,
who had leaped from the back of his horse

last words. ,

Before Fearless Sam could reply Leonard
had leaped upon the back of his steed again, and
was awav, but now he kept both the detective
and the girl within the range of his vision, and
there was an ugly, threatening expression in it
that Sam did not like, on the girl‘s account. For
himself, he did not know what fear meant.

“ He is harmless,” he whispered to the girl, to
keep up her courage.

“ Perhaps,” answered Belle, wearily. “ But
just after our conversation Old Tom went out
and made that announcement about our doing
the double leap-for-llfc . tonight, and I saw a
smile under that cruel mustache of Leonard’s
that made me shiver all over, and I cannot get
over it, try as I will.” '

“ Oh, you are cold, that is all, in that thin
dress. by don‘t you keep a shawl on union
hmltogo into the ring!” asked the detec vs,
k y.

“ I have just throws it off. I feltas if Ishould
suffocate."

Mervnle’s jockey act came to a close, and the
clown did some comic , tumbling, to the acm-
panimcnt of the ringmaster’s whi

Then the white horse White loud. was led
into the ring, and Belle lioward, with a last im-
ploring look at the detective, to which he re-
sponded with a reassuring smile, bounded for-
ward and bowed and smiled as if she had not a
care in the world.

“ Wh , who have we here!” cried the clown,
as he i bet forward. “ It’s Miss Belle Howard,

white horse, Mia! Howard
one of his hands, she placed her foot in the other
and leaped, lightly as a bird, on the back of
horse, standing on it, as she had said to the
tective, as easily as if it had been a barn floor.

“ Poor girl! Thor‘s danger for her, I’m afraid,”

 

away meeting the gaze of
had yuponhimmsbcdidn,

9.,_-.' “,th'
J, t, v . .

 
  

I
A.

within a few feet of the detective, and heard his '

the prettiest, best bare-back rider in. the world. '
Would you like to take a spin on this beautiful '

The girl smiled graciously on bill), and taking ‘

muttered the detective, as hoturucd thoughtfully .
Leonard Mervillc fix-

«

 

 
 
  
 
 

 

 

 

  

_ that may

7 7 “an a. p.» s . a gram. 43": um ,v . ~~ .

CHAPTER VIII.
Tan LEAP FOR LIFE!
IT is the evening performance.
The tent is crowded, and every act has been

I Fearless Sam.

When the girl and young man had met in the
center of the tent, far above the heads of the
people, Leonard had whispered to Belle:

“ You know what 1 said to you this after-

going with roars of applause. The crowd is good- i noon ?"

natured, and as the show is anything but bad,
general satisfaction has been felt with it.

“ Yes,” faltered the girl, breathlessly.
Then they swung back out of earshot of each

Neither Leonard Merville nor Belle Howard i other. but only to come together again.

have ap peared so far, and it is generally under-

“ What is your an sweri” asked Leonard, look-

stood that the double ieap—f'or-life trapeze not i ing straight into her eyes within a few inches of

they will do is all that ought to he demanded of
performers in one night.

Old Tom Elliott has in fact made a speech ear-
ly in the evening to the effect that the feat re-
quiresso much strength and enduranCe that it
would not be safe for Signor Merville and Miss
Belle Howard to use 11);? their vitality by horse-
back performances. e hOpes that the audience
Will therefore kindly excuse their appearing in
anything but this great, marvelous, intrepid act,
etc., etc.

The audience applauds, and Old Tom, satisfied
of having worked up the eople to a proper ap-
preciation of the leap-for- ife act, gOes into the
tent, and, in his husky voice, advises Belle H0w-
ard to show the world what she can do in the
leap-for-life, because the audienca will not he sat-
isfied with anything but neat, clean work.

“ All right, Tom. Don't you worry about
me," responds the girl.

She has not seen Leonard since the afternoon,
and since Fearless Sam has x ssured her over and
over again that she need have no fear, she has
got over her nervousness, and is something like
herself once more.

At last, the time arrives for the leap-for-life.
The tent men go into the ring, and place a lad-
der against the tent pole, so that one of them can
climb up and see if the ropes and wires that hold
the swinging bars are firm.

There is no necessity for this part of the per-
formance, because the ropes have been tested
over and over again in private, but it has an
awe-inspiring effect upon the audience, which is
what Old Tom is after.

Then there is a clash of music, and Leonard
Merville, in acrobatic costume of his favorite
red and black comes forward, leading Belle
Howard, who is in white, and glittering with
silver spangles.

Two ropes have been let down from the top of
the tent by the tent men, One at each end of the
oblong tent. Up these ropes Leonard and Belle
climb simultaneously, and are standing each on
a little platform facing each other, but separated

.by nearly the length of the tent.

Each seizes a trapeze bar, that has been held
within reach by a thin cord. They untie the
cords and 'let them drop, and the audience
shivers as it notes what a long way the cords
have to fall to reach the ground.

All these little things have their effect, and
circus people know it so well that they are care-
ful never to omit any of them.

Belle glances gayly around her but has not
or. looked into Mervilie’s face. I-Ie, on the other
and, has never removed his gaze from her since

he took up his position on his platform.

-Tne music has been playing loudly during the
tests of the ropes, and the climbing up of the
performers. Now it stops, and Old Tom walks
into the ring toyaddress the audience.

He tells them that the feats they are about to
see have been attempted by but few trapezists,
and that they are attended with great danger.

The audience shivers a little in intense en-
joyment of the possibility that one or both of
the performers may be crushed to death before
their eyes, and they applaud loudly as Old Tom
bows and retires. ,

Now for the first time, ’Bello lOOks across the
vast expanse into the eyes of Leonard Mer-
v e. '

E0 is giowering at her with an intense gaze
moan anythin ,’ but that certain!
cotheys love and jealou with other send:

on s.

Belle opened her mouth as if she would speak,
but she realized at once that Leonard could not
hear her unless she shouted so that her words
would be audible to every one in the tent.
Moreover, she had nothing particular to say.
It was only the involuntari desire to do some-
thing to make him remove is balefulstare from
her face.

The music stopped.

“Are you ready?" cried Mervlllc, in clear,
distinct tones.

This was the regular thing in such perform-
ances, and Belle Howard replied, mechanically:

H Rand I” ,
The muysic struck up a waltz, and to its long

swinging cadencas two performers shot away
than the little platforms upon which they had
inset) standing and met in the midst of space
clinging to their trapeze bars.‘

_ Once, twice, they swung across the great tent,
and then back to their platforms. This was
merely to kecp‘up the excitement. So far they
had done nothing but to show the strength of
their arms and their confidence in themselves
and each other.

They now stood facing each other ready for
one of the perilous “ leaps for life.” \

But something had taken place, although the
audience had been in ignorance of it.

 

   
 

her face.

“ No! ” cried Belle, defiantly, and the two bars
parted, and the girl and man were on their plat-
forms.

Fearless Sam, standing at the entrance at the
dressing-tent, where he could See everything,
had noticed that the two had spoken to each
other, and drew his own conclusions. ‘

He looked back into the tent and beckoned to
some one.

Canada Jack and Dave Graham ca me forward,
the “ grafter” in his suit of loud clothes and Dale
in the easy tight-fitting costume of a circus
rider.

“ Boys i” said the detective, keeping his eyes on
the two figures on the platform forty feet above
their heads.

“ Well, governor. What is it?” responded
Canada Jack, while Dale, watching Belle, did
not as a word, but listened.

“I on’t trust that fellow. If he makes her
miss her tip. or anything of that kind, we want
to be ready.”

“ All right," answered Canada Jack, in a mat-
ter-of-fact way.

“He would never do such a thing, surely,”
groaned Dale Graham, hoarsely, as the bare idea
of what might happen sent a shiver through his
frame.

“ Don’t you bank on anything he wouldn't dare
to do,” was the detective’s cool response. “I
have seen men do desperate things when they
Were jealous of a girl.”

“ You bet!” added Canada Jack, in a tone of
conviction.

“ Watch i” said Fearless Sam, as the music
changed to another waltz and the performers got
ready for a swing across the tent.

Leonard and the girl sprung from their plat-
forms agaiu, and when they had met once, Leon-
ard, by a dexterous movement let himself down
so that he was hanging to the bar by his knees,
head down; and hands outspread.

“Now look sharp!” warned the detective.

“All right, govornor,” from Canada Jack—
Dale Graham silent but attentive.

L ke a flash of light the girl came across the
space, and then, as she approached Leonard, she
let go of her own bar and grasped his handf.
He swung back and she reached his platform, as
he released her, and dashing back, cauzht her
empty trapeze and swung upon the platform she
had just left.

Their places were now reversed, the feat hav-
i ng been performed with the utmost neatuess and
certaintv. ,

Dale Graham heaved a great sigh of relief.

J“ fit" right, governor?” observed Canada
so .
“So far,” was the detectivo’s response.

“ Wait a little till they are through."

“ All right." The performers stood for a few
moments to regain their breath, while old Tom
walked into the ring, and motioning to the music
to stop, made another s “on. ,

“ A wonderful feat w ll now be performed,” he
announced. “ I would ask the audience not to
make any noise while it is being donel”

The audience was duly impressed, and Old
Tom, With a sly wink at the detective, stepped to
one side and nodded to the orchestrate resume
operations.

Now/t he girl looked at Leonard more earnest-
ly than at an time since they had been on the
trapeze. Be as a curious expression in his eyes
that she dues not understand, but that does not
reassure her. -

But, there is no time for conjecture. The
music is playing and everything is ready for the
performance. ,

Belle turns around so that her back is toward
Leonard.

In this position she swings out, he being up«
side down, as before.

They meet in the center, and Belle looks over
her shoulder to gauge her distance.

Back they go again, and then once more into
space, Belle with her back toward the young
man.

As they moot for the second time, Belle lets go
of her trapeze and swings around to catch his
hands.

“ Look out, boys!” commands the detective,
Whoso eyes are riveted on the girl.

Canada Jack appears to be careless, but, he is
just as vigilant as Fearless Sam, while Dale
Graham, breathing hard and quick, is in an
agony of suspense.

Leonard watches the girl, and has his hands

outstretched. Then, as she turns around in the
air, tourasp his hands, lie-deliberatein draws
his hands back.

A sharp cry bursts from the girl’s lips, as she
realizes that she is lost; and then, asagroan
breaks forthirom the audience, she plunges
down totho mud, headlong:

  

 

   

CHAPTER IX.

AN unaxrncran roa.

WHEN Canada Jack left the detective in the
afternoon, after closing his “shell game ” be-
hind the wagons, temporarily, he walked briskly
to a distant corner of the grounds, where a tent
was devoted to the exhibition of freaks and
curiosities, living and inanimate.

“ I guess I’ll talk to the Skeleton,” he muta
tered. “ He is pretty sharp, if he is thin.”

There was a large canvas picture of the Living
Skeleton outside one of the side-show tents, and
into this tent Jack walked with the assurance of
a man who was well known to everybody there.

Tim Kofl'ey, the Skeleton Dude, was dressed in
a suit of clothes that fitted him so tightly that it
was wonderful how he had ever got into them.

He was walking about, while Handel Mont-
gomery was playing a solo on his Concertina at
the other end of the tent. with awful contortions
of his visage, as if it were very hard work to
get the right notes out of his instrument.

“ Shadow," said Canada Jack.

“ What do you want?” asked the Skeleton
Dude, with dignity.

“ Where’s Leonard Merville’s trunk i”

The Skeleton looked at him suspiciously.

“ Say, Canada, you haven’t got as low as
that have you?”

“ What do you mean?”

“What do you want to know anything about
Merviile’s trunk for?”

The gambler looked at Shadow for a moment
with indignation biazinz in his eyes. Then he
chuckled, as if highly amused.

‘ “ You think I want to go through his trunk,
eh, Shad? Well, you must be excused for being
suspicious. But, that is not it. I want to know
what he has in it, for the benefit of the gov-
ernor.”

“ Fearless?”

H Yes.”

The Skeleton shook his head.

“ You are on the wrong lay,” he said. “ So is
Fearless. Merville has nothing in his trunk. He
is not the man in that bank scrape.”

“ Who is?”

The Skeleton Dude slyly pointed with his
thumb over his shoulder at the unconscious
Handel, who was twisting himself into all sorts
of shapes in the concluding ngonies of his con-
certina solo.

“ W hat do you mean?"

The Skeleton Dude screwed up his eyes into an
expression of intense knowingness, as he whiy
pere< :

” I have seen the money in his trunk.”

Jack reflected for a moment. Then, as if he
had made up his mind, he whispered:

“ I guess you are H ht, but I should like to
have a look at Leonar Merville‘s trunk, all the
same."

“ Well, I am through here for the present.
We shall not give another show this afternoon.
Come with me. and I will show you.’ The trunk
in which Merville keeps his things is on the boat.
He j ust brought his costumes over to shore in a
valise." "

The Skeleton put on a lon
that completel covered the antastic garb he
wore for exhil tioii pu , and the two stroll-

ed down to the wharf, which sloped into the
river. The Parole was moored out in“ the water
some distance from shore, on account of the
shallowness of the river, and it was necesme ‘50
row out to her in a skifl. Canada Jack kick the
oars, and with a few werful strokes had the
boat alongside the Pure e. / -

In five minutes the two men were aboard the
boat, and were among the heap of trunks and
general lumber on the lower deck.

“ There’s his trunk. That big black one, that
looks as if it had been traveling about the World
for fifty years or so,” observed the Skeleton.
“ But how are you going to open it?"

Canada smiled, as he walked carelessly over to
the trunk and tapped it on the lid, as if asking it
a question. He had never been a thief, but those
long, sup is fingers of his, that manipulated
shells an cards so easily, were dexterous at
anything, he chose to do. One glance at the
lock of the trunk- convinced him that he could
pick it without trouble.

He drew forth a pocket-knife that had a cork-
screwattachment among other things, and that
gas Just what he needed at the present junc-

re.

“ Going to open a bottle of wine?” asked the
Skeleton, jocularly.

it Maybe.”

As Jack thus spoke, in In light t0n8.b0 was
perhaps as near death as a man could be and

ive.

A dark face, evil in its expression, was just
above him, between two piles of canvas carried
by Old Tom for extra tents in case of accidents.

The dark face was that of Luke, tho negroi

light overcoat,

Neither the Skeleton nor Jack saw it, how. V

ever, and they Were equally unconscious of the
fact that Luke held a huge knife above the head
of the grafter, as if he would plunge it into hil,
breast for more deviltry.

He held his hand, but his eyes, with more Whit!
showing than usual were fixed upon the uncona

.,1

 

scious grafter and Skeleton with an expression

gnaw-W

g.“ . « w. .. ,
/ ~‘Ms'z’nnwu -‘«i.a-‘- a.

 

 

 

    

 

‘ /  p} ’. “. J
.j:-  it‘ll

,‘.

Fearless, Sam.

9

 

 

that meant murder should he consider sucha

crime expedient. '

i Canada Jack applied the point Of the cork-

‘ screw to the lock of the trunk and gave it a
twist. The lock Opened as if by a.charm, and
the Skeleton could hardly repress a cry of delight
at the neatness of the Work.

“ Any one would swear on had been a cracks-
man," he observed, as he at dver to obtain a
view of the interior of the trunk.

. He was doomed to disappointment, however.

Canada swung the lid open and was about to
,plunge his hand into the heap of tumbled cloth—
ing, and miscellaneous articles of use, that lay
confusedly in the big receptacle, when some one
caught the Shadow around the waist and sent
him flying over Jack’s head, u a slot of tin
cups belonging tqthe deck ban 8, and that had
been slung on a cord to keep them together, and
thrown carelessly on the deck. ‘ ,

Shadow was so dazed by the suddenness of the
attack, and the rattling of the tins, that he
hardly knew where he was, but he seemed to
realize who was his assailant, for he splattered:

“ Darn your picture, you black curl I’ll
make you pay for this.”

\. Luke laughed conteniptuously, as he leaped
. upon Canada Jack, knife in hand, and bore him
i backward to the deck. '
The grafter was a wir , powerful feIIOW, but
be was so taken by surp so that Luke had him
' down, and his knee on his chest, before Jack
could make any defense.
“’Fore de Lawd, I’ll done kill on if I find
/ {ou’ve stole any of Mas’r Merv lle's things!”
issed the negro, his dirty-brown face within an
 inch of that of Canada Jack. ' .
' The grafter recovered his equanimity at once,
for the life he led had made him used to being in
tight places, and answered, quietly:

“ You‘re a black fool! What are 'you talking
about?”

“I saw you done 0 n that trunk, an’ I’m

‘ Mas’r, Merville’s valet, am." I .
i Canada laughed derisively.
' “Well, what of it? Merville sent me here to
get him a pair of tights.‘ I saw them lying at
the top of the other things as soon as I Opened
the trunk.”

Canada Jack had indeed noticed a pair of
tights/as he said, and the idea of their being
made to help him out of his present )redica-
- . ment Occurred to him on the instant. e was a
5; man of fertile resources, and had trained him-
2 self to make use of any advantage chance threw

in his way.

Luke half-turned to see whether there really
were any tights in the trunk, and on the instant
i I he found himself rolling over and over, in a
i desperate struggle with the white man.
S

l“, .---s,.,._..._.._... . c.

...- w.» 1'4‘W<~\W\'

i'

E
l

 

The Skeleton Dude was still trying to regain
his feet, and Canada J ark could not count on
any help from him until it would most likely be
too late. ’

i The negro was trying to use his knife, but the
gram-r had his wrist in a firm gig, and while
‘ a could not get at his own b0w nife, which
i hung in a sheath in his hip-pocket, he was able
, toXi'event the negro stabbing him. ’ '
i t last, with as might
managed to get Luke lln( erneath, and then, fol-
lowing up his advantage, he snatched the big
' " knife out of the ne ro’s hand.
I “ You skunk!" g9 hissed, breathlessly. “ I'll
i get you out of the way now. Yoa‘ll never try
to do up Canada Jack againi”
I The gambler, generally cool and collected,
' was excited now, and it seemed as if Luke’s
time had come.
The white man’s hand was u fted, and Luke
Would have received his own nife in his heart
in another instant, but that the Skeleton, who
'had kicked his way out of the tin cups at last,
3313!“ Canada Jack‘s arm and arrested the

w.

Shadows strength was not great enou h to
stop the blow altogether. but he managgd to
divert the blow, , so that it just grazed tho
negro’s shoulder and stuck in the deck, instead
of in his heart. As it wua stream of blood
came from the dis“ Wound in the shoulder, and
{he neg50.b with” tad?“ tshility of his race,
ma me 0 art and
oozedg out with his bloalz V ' hi. com-ago

“ Oh, MaS‘r Canada. ou‘ve done gone an' kill-
ed me. I wuzn’t 8:8" he to do any harm.” he
walled. “I wuz on! takin' car’ of Mas’r

. Mervilie’s trunk. as he one tole me." '

Something in the words of the negro seemed
to strike Canada Jack for he drew the knife out
of the deck and flung it far away from him, as

, . he muttered: _ c -
=5 v “ Perhaps the poor devxl is right. He thought
i. Ihad no right to “go thromrh that trunk, and
' perhaps I hadn’t, ough l’d like to havs done
,~ what the governor asked me. and found out
' i ‘ how much money Merville has." '
,  He got up, and Luke, with a rueful coun-
( tenanCe, struggling to his feet. too, and finding
" that the scratch on his shoulder was Only a
, trifle, looked about for his knife.”
 “.Luke.” said Canada Jack.
*4. r h Yes.” ‘
 V a  {Eick’that trunk. It shuts with a spring.”
 vs. _ - ‘
, _ Luke did as he was directed, and seated him-

 

* wrx‘fi' ’Srf’”““""‘ 

  

effort, Canada Jack ‘

 

self on the trunk, as Canada. Jack, beckoning to
the Skeleton Dude, walked slowly to the bow
of the Parole and got into the skifl‘, to pull to
shore, with the Skeleton facing him and wonder-
ini what was to be the next move.

like icked up his knife, and watching the
skiff pull) away, his brow grew blacker than
usual as he muttered:

“You are a thief, Jack, an’ I know it. If
}You think you are gwine to cut Luke without

im glttin even, you are fooled. I’ll help
Mas’r Merville now to—death l” _

Canada, as he pulled at the oars, was think»
ing: “ The nigger was right, and PM have to
try some other plan to get at the amount of
cash that fellow Merville has."

The Skeleton Dude’s reflections were that be
was smarter than any one connected with Tom
Elliott’s show, because he was sure he knew that
the thief of the Seventh National Bank of
Pittsburg was Handel Montgomer , the English
concertina-player, althou h Fear ess Sam and
Canada Jack would persist in suspecting Mer-

ville.

“They’ll all own that I am right in the end,”
observed Mr. Koffey, half aloud. “ Although,
11? gracious, I’m not stuck on Leonard Merville!

e's mean enough to be the thief, even if he
isn’t guilty.”

CHAPTER X.
a TRIUMPH roa ran ACROBAT.

AT the moment that Merville drew his hands
back, and allowed the girl to go fl{ing head-
flrst t0ward the ground, he hardy realized
what he was doing. Some fiend seemed to
control him, and he could not resist the de.
moniacal impulse.

As for Belle, when. she missed the hands
that were to have swept her mm in safety
to the opposite platform, she closed her eyes
.idnvoluntarily to meet what she felt was certain

eath. .

She heard the roaring of the multitude, and
felt herself going down d0wn, down!

Suddenly, she felt a fearful jar, and then be-
came unconscious!

And Fearless Sam! What of him?

He was not altoge her unprepared for a
catastrophe, although e did not know in Igust
what form it would come. He, with ale
Graham and Canada Jack, were watching so
closely that eve movement of the two per-
formers was caug t on the instant.

The detective saw a slight hesitation in the
movements of the young man just before the
girl swung herself to him the second time, and
he smelt mischief.

“ Ther devil!” muttered Sam.

The words were hardly out of his mouth
when the girl was racefully plunging across the
space, and then t e treacherous hands were
withdrawn, and down came Belle Howard, swift
as an arrow.

A half-uttered exolamation came from the
detective’s lips; then he was in the middle of the
riigg, with Canada Jack and Dale Graham at his
s e.

All three, experienced in circus' life, knew
what to do. .

They spread a little apart and extended
their arms toward the center. Hardly had
they done so when a terrific jar knocked Dale
Graham and Fearless Sam oi? their 1 t com-
pletely, while staggering Canada Jack In hat he
too nearly fell.

But they cared nothing for t at. Belle Howard
had fallen on their arms. andt once had dropped
unconscious to the sawdust. She had beensh en
and frightened, but was unhurt.

This much the detective knew as soon as he
had sprung to his feet and looked hastily into
the face of the girl.

The th men who had borne her weight on
their outst tolled arms were somewhat bruised,
but the girl had not sufl'ered an injury.

The audience was wild. bouts, screams
and fainting women were general and, to add
to the hubbub, the band was playing away
vigorously, with a great deal of rassand drum,
in obedience to the command 0 Oil Tom, who
believed there was nothing like music tocalm the

nerves of the public.

“ Help me carry her to the tent,” whispe‘ed
Sam Wilson. ,

Tenderly Dale Graham and Canada Jack
lifted the insensible girl, and the three men
carried her swiftly out of sight of the audience
to the dressing-tent. Fearless Sam could have
carried her by himself easily enough, but he did
not wish to shake her more than was necessary,
and it was better to have the assistance of his

'.two companions.

Old Tom saw that this was a good chasm for
a speech, and as they let down the canvas
flap that hid the interior of the dressing-tent
from the audience, they heard the manager
telling the people in his suave way that Miss
Howard was not hurt, and that the performance
would, with their “kind attention,” proceed
forthwith.

This did not satisfy the people, however, and
shouts of “Bring her out!” “Let us see her!"
“ Belle oward 1" etc, rent the air.

Belle opened her eyes, and taking a glass of

‘ J ‘ s i . - thx'fie / 
i i , .1 ,. , 3 .

 

 

water from the hand of Dale Graham, looked

around her with a shiver.

is  it was horrible 1" she murmured. “Where
9 l

“ Here!” responded a deep voice, and Merville
stood before her, with a dazed expression in his
dark eyes.

The girl shrunk from him, and at the same
moment Dale Graham had him by the throat.

“ You murderous villain i” hissed Dale, as 1
h% shook the unresisting Leonard from side to i 3
81 e.

“ Don’t be a fool, Dale.”

It was the detective who spoke, and he pulled
the young man away with a power that he could
not resist, if he would.

Merville shook himself, with that sneering ,
smile that was so maddening to those against ,-

,whom it was directed, and held out his hand to

Belle Howard. . « ~ :9

To the surprise of Dale Graham and Canada 
Jack, if not of Fearless Sam, the girl, who had ,n ’ '
n0w recovered her customary manner, arose 
from the pile of rugs that had been spread
on two trunks for her, and took Mervillc’s

hand. - - 
Dale Graham seemed to be petrified with as.  '1‘
tonishment, while Canada Jack muttered to .3:

himself in a tone of utterdismay:

“ “’ell, if this girl don’t beat an game I ever
played! Wonder whether she ran ly is gone on " ’ u
that fellow!" v 

Meanwhilh the shouts of the audience outside
were growing louder, and it was clear that the
crowd was getting beyond control, in spite of
the music, that still kept up with tremendous

Vigor.

Old Tom Elliott lifted the flap of the tent, and
his ordinarily red face was flaming with excite-
ment, as he exclaimed; /

“ For heaven’s sake, Belle, come out and shew
yourself. You‘re not hurt. If you don’t come‘
out, them there devils will pull the tent down!"

“ All right. Mr. Elliott; I’ll bring her out,” re-
sponded Leonard Merville, quietly, still holding
the girl’s hand.

Tom Elliott ushed up his Panama hat to
scratch his he doubtfuliy, as he observed;

‘ “Well, you can go out if you like, Merville.
but I don’t know that it will be altogether safe!”

“ Pshawi” replied Merville.

He drew Bell to the opening, pushed aside the
flap, and led her into the ring.

A thunderkof cheering that rolled from one “
end of the large tent to the other, and seemed to r f i
create a ripple in the great canvas roof, arose so
soon as Belle Howard was seen, in her white
castume, b0wing and smiling, and evidently
unhurt.

Then the multitude realized that the man in
red and black who was standing with the girl
was responsible for her fall, and an ominous
chorus of boots and groans mingled with the

cheers.

“ Come back, Leonard! Come back 2” ca me, a
in a warning voice, from Old Tom, standing .
just at the entrance to the dressing-tent, watch-
ing with the eyes of a long experience, the temper ‘ ‘
of the crowd. ‘ -

Leonard waved his hand slightly, as a token
that he heard the manager’s words. Then, with
a smde, be advanced a step, and held up his hand
to request silence from the audience while be ad-
dressed them. ‘

For a moment it was doubtful whether he
would be allowed to tproceed, but something in
the (series flash 0 the dark eyes kept the
audience from interfering, and there was aimed;
perfect quietude as be commenced:

“ Ladies and gentlemen, the accident you '06
witnesed, and that was, happily, unattend by
any inju to the lady, will not prevent the feat
being pe ormed. Miss Belle Howard and I will
go up again and w you that we can do what .
we were trying when my hands slipped, and ’
that such an errdr is not likely to happen again.”

fills bowed and stepped bac to the side of the
ir .
g Fearles- Sam looked into the face of Canada .
Jack, as if asking him what he thought of the
situation, while Dale Graham would have jum
ed forward into the ring had he not been held
back by Old Tom. .

The manager was astonished at the audacity
of the proposition, but with him the show was of
the most importance, and if the performers were , ,,
willing to try the not again, it was not for him we'-
to ent them. i. ‘
he girl grew white to the lips, but as Merville‘s s "
hands touched her she smiled at the audience
and bowed as if in uiescence with the ,w
of her companion in e red and black costun e. .

The audience cheered loudly as the tent-men, ‘ I
at the behest of Old Tom, dextcrously threw two 
ropes up to the trapm-bors, so that the young ,
man and girl could climb  / 

Lightly and swiftly, b0 seized-their ropesyf .
and went up hand over hand. ,

New Old Tom’s thorough understanding of the»
temper of a crowd was shown again. He saw .
that the performance of the “ leap-for-life "4 would i
be n‘good thing, but he'lrnew thgt another led. _ '1
dent, that might result in hurt to the girl, would
cause an attack to be made on his show, and per- 
bans on himself that would mean death to him. 

He was equal to the Occasion. He nodded to,

   
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
  
   
 
   
   
   
 
 
    
    

 

   
  
 

f
.525»,
,3». v

i

' i

  

’10

some of his tent-men, who were just as quick at
Seeing a thing as himself, and four of them
brought forth a square of canvas, about fifteen
feet long each way, and held it under the center
of the tent, just where the girl would fall if she
fell at all. ,

This proceeding was greeted by loud cheering,
flizd Old Toni, seeing that he had done the right
thing, smiled in a self-satisfied way as he signal-
( J to the orchestra to resume its playing.

As they did so, Fearless Sam, Canada Jack
In I Dale Graham stepped forward and took hold
of the canvas, too.

The girl, who was standing on her little plat-
form, looking down carclcssly, ‘sniiied at the
three men, and Dale Graham felt as if he must
go up to her and bring her away before she could
risk her life again with his rival.

There was notime for any such proceeding,
however.

The two performers swung across the open
Space and did the first flight, deScrihed in a pre-
\ ions chapter, and then pre )ared for the feat
that had resulted in iiclle being thrown to the
ground.

This time there was no hitch. The swing was
done as neat! as anything of the kind could be,
and when Bein Howard threw herself around in
mid-air she caught Inouard Moi-ville’s hands and
was borne safely to the opposite platform, while
he in turn, flew gracefully to the opposite.

Thunders of applause went up, and Fearless
S" m and his companions carried the canvas they
h d been holding out of sight, satisfied that there
was no danger threatening Belle now.

Dale Graham stood in the ring, however, de-
termined that he would not allow the fiend in
red and black to speak to the girl when once their
double act was over.

Belle loosened a rope that hung above her
head, and allowed it to drop to the ground. Then
she twisted it about her and came down head-
flrst, in a. spiral motion that was the personifica-
tion of grace. At the same time, Leonard had

 

, also loosened a rope, and just as Belle reached

the ground, he shot down almost as if he were
falling, and was by the side of Belle to take her
hand and share with her the plaudits of the audi-
ence as she left her rope and smiled to the great
crowd.

A huge bouquet of flowers was thrown into
the ring, and” Leonard picked them up and
handed them to her, he whispered:

“ Mind what I tell you! You are mine I”

She la’ncod at him fearfully yet scornfully,
and tr pping away, found herself in the arms of
Dale Graham, just inside the dressing tent.

She oiled herself away from him as Leonard
Mervi is entered the tent, nd with a sardonic
smile, walked to the private mpartment where

uhe could change his gaudy costume for the hu-

  

' 'innfliwi. but there was no mistaking it. it was
that onward Mervillo. '\

biliments of private life.

“I’ll kill that fool yet, if he dOes not it out
of my way,” he muttered, grinding his th.
“ He has interfered with me two or three times
already, but it will not beihoaltliy for him to
Reg; on running against me." - ,

bile Merville was thus sollloquizlng, Fearless
Sam was Eerfecting in his mind a plan for find-
ing out w other the young man had the Pitts-
burg Bank’s money, and at the same time reliev-
31g Belle Howard from his systematic persecu-
on.

 

' CHAPTER XI.
BELLE nowsan's DREAM.

IT was one o’clock in the morning after the
events narrated in the last chapter, and the
Parole was steaming down the river for the next
stop, that would be made at six o’clock in the

morning. .

With the exception 0 the pilot in his glass
case on the hurricano k, and the engineers
working in the glow of their furnaces below,
no sign of life was to be soon on the boat.

The continuous thumping of her machinery
and the bowing and nodding of her walking-
beam, were proof that some one was ,. awake and
lookin after the progress of the crdft, but be-
yOnd t at, the Parole might have'bcen a huge
cemetery, floating with its dead toward 1: e
Ghlf, and thence out to the trackiem 000”.

All the circus people were tired with their

long day’s work, and, thc,tentc and animals hav- ‘

ing been got aboard and stated for'thoir con-
venient anrria 0 down the river, there was notho
ing to be done at to try and t up strength for
the next day’s toil by sleep ng as soundly as
all ht be. '
nd yet there was more than one wakeful
person. on the boat besides the pilot. engineer
and other poo is necessary to look after the
Parole during t night.
“'00 they all were will be developed further

alun . .

“ Erika." whi red a voice, in the impenetra-
ble darkness w era the animal cages and the
tents and poles of the circus were stowed on the
lorrer doc

“Yes, sub.” " -

“ Listen!” ~
“ Tnat’s what I’sa ‘wine for do.”
The voice that spo o to Lake, the negro. was

i

first. lie is of the most imports

 

 

‘3', "i: x 5", 9’
. s .-_. ' ‘1

Fearless Sam.

“ They‘re on the track, and I think I shall get
out of this at the first chance.”

“ Yes, sah."

The negro answered in a matter-of—fact tone
as if ha did not see anything extraordinary in
this resolve of the young man.

“ You Will have to help me, Luke."

“ Shuah!”

“ Good! I supposed I could trast you.”

“ To the death. Mas’r Merville,” returned
Luke, with a fierce earnestness that contrasted
strongl,‘ with his previous indifferent tone.

“ Wei], when I get (if this boat you know who
I mean to take with me, eh i"

“ Shuah l"

“ it may he a hard j )h, but—”

“ We done g’wine ter do it, all the same,” put
in Luke, as the other paused.

“That’s- right, Luke, and when we get away,
and everything is settled, you shall have more
money than you chr saw in your life. Do you
hear?”

“ Yes, lias‘r Mr‘rvillc.”

“Now, is the swag safe?”

IL Yes.”

“ Where is it'i'1

“ \Vhar I ut it—dOvvn below.”

At this po nt there “as a little rustling behind
where the two men crouched by the big lion’s
cage and Luke started up in a hurry.

“ ore de Lawd, Mas’r Mcrvillc, I done
thought that big lion, Monarch, was gitting out
a am.

Merville drew a. knife, and searched behind
the cages, without saying a word. He returned
to his former place in a minute or two and
remarked:

“ I wasn’t quite so sure, Luke, but that there
might be some one sneaking around here. But
I guess it was only old Monarch moving around
in his ca e.” ’

“ That s all, Mas’r Merville.”

Indeed, that seemed to be the cause of the
slight disturbance they had noticed, for Mon-
arch was standing up in his cage, whence his
(eiyeballs glowed like incandescent lamps in the

arkness.

“Now, Luke, remember that I may want you
at any moment, and I shall expect you always
to be ready.”

“ You can bet I’ll be ready, Mas’r Merville."

“ Remember, too, that there is something else
I mean to do before I leave this boat!"

“ What i"

“‘To wipe that fellow, Sam \Vilson, off the
faceof the earth, and to thrash Dale Graham
within an inch of his life, but without quite
killing him. 1 want him to live, so that he will
know I have the girl he has presumed to favor
with his re ard. The reptile!

“ All ri t, Mas’r Merville; I’m with you on
that, toofhut there’s something I have to do,

ton.

“ What is it?”

“ You know Canada. Jacki”

“ The grafterl ' Well, what of him?”

“He cut me yesterday,” said the negro in a
sullen tone that was the very embodiment of
ham and revenge.

“He didn’t iurt you much, did no?" askcd
Leon rd, carelessly.

“ T at don’t matter.

It Ah :1)

Pas gwine tcr kill him.”

i“ Yes, Math Merviilc an” I want you tor help ,

me with him, same as sw‘ar to belpyou wit
Fearless Sam."

“ Fearless Sam!” repeated Leonard, contempt-
uously. .
“ That’s what they call him, an" he ain’t afraid

of nothing, for a fact,” returned the negro, dog-

gerlly.

“ All right, then, Luke. it’s c. bargain. There
are three men to be fixed—J’

“ Three!” interrupted the u re. “ Canada
Jack. Fearless Sam and Dale Gra am."

“Yes only you should have put.Sar.iWilson
ncc,” laughed
Leonard, in a way thdt indicated how little be
cared for the commission of such a crime as
murder, if it suited iii: purpose. ,

" Not to me. he ain’t. ‘

" Well, Luke, we’d better get to bed. I don’t

see any chance of our doing anything for a do

or two, and we have to do our regular wor
with the circus until the time comes, so that
there shall not be any suspicion.”

Leonard strolled carelessly to the bow of the
boat and looked down at tho dari: waters, that

rkled here and there where a star caught a
Sapient where a gleam from thelnmp swing-
ing at the must in tho vary front of the boat
lighted up a small patch of the rushing river.

“Belle Howard and Sam Wilson-Fearless
Sam, my lava and my hate,” he muttered.
".When shall I have you. both’i cfore long, or
m name is not Leonard Mervilie."

Then we went up to the main deck, and in ten
mirfitu was sleeping in his berth as soundly as
a 0 do I '

, Luke stalked away to the stern, where the
quarters of the deck hands were, and was soon
as sound asleep or bimpartncr in crime.

Then it was that a bull's-eye Iantern‘was
opened near the spot at which the confab bad
'tako place between, Mei-ville sill Luke, and
two are shown in the‘unallcirclo of light.

Ii, , g  . z
i’ ' .

 

One face was smiling as if enjoyingagOod
job, while the other, a very! thin, cadaverous
visage, was evidently that of a man in consider-
able perturbation.

The faces were thcse of Sam Wilson and
Shadow Koifey, the Skeleton Dude.

“ Well, Fearless, the game is going on,”ob-
served the Skeleton, as he tried to read his com-
panion‘s thoughts in the small portion of his
visagethat could be seen in the circle of light
from the bull’s—eye lantern.

“ Splendidlyi”

\ “ You think so?”

“ Yes. Don’t you?”

The detective glanced at his attenuated friend
with a quizzical expression. He enjoyed the
Skeleton‘s discomflture sometimes.

“ I don’t know whether I do or not,” returned
Shadow. “1 don’t think it h a good prospect
when that rascally Luke is so thick with Leon-
ard Merville, You heard what the said. They
will settle you, as well as Belle oward and
Canada Jack."

“ if 1 don’t settle them,” observed the detec-
tive, with a smile. “ You see, it is an all-around
game, without limit, and any one can take a
hand that desires to do so.”

“ Well?”

"‘Woll, I am not going to waste any more
time over them. I have strong reason to he-
lieve that Merville was concerned in that bank
job in Pittsburg, even if he didn’t do it all by
himself, and I am going to bring it home to him
as soon as. pOSSill‘IP. have wasted too much
time over him already. Besides—”

The detective paused, and the Skeleton looked
at him inquiringly.

‘l Besides,”'went on Sam, “ i am going to save
that girl, and the best way to do that is to place
Leonard where he cannot do harm, as soon as
may be."

The Skeleton was about to reply, when, sud-
denly, something cold touched his hand and
made him start back with a cry of deadly afv
fright, at the same moment that the detective
closwd the slide of tbelantern, leaiingeverything
in black darkness.

“ Holy svnokel What’s that?”

There was no mistaking the genuine terror
of the Skeleton Dude as be made this exclama-
tion, and the detectiVe, whose eyes were as sharp
in the dark as a tiger’s, ras some one who
halt; appeared hetWeen t e keleton and him-
se .
“ Thunderl B'llei” exclaimed the detective,
but in a low, guarded tone. He was too ex-
perienced in his business to make the blunder of
speaking loudly, no matter how surprised he

ay havo been.

a“ Yes, Belle,” responded the (girl, whose cold
hand on, the Skeleton’s wrist he made that gen-
tleman fear that he was in the clutch of some-
thing from the other‘world.

“ I thought you were in bed and asleep long
ago," said the detective, reassuringly, as he
patted her cheek in a brotherly way.

Fearless Sam had a soft heart where helpless-
.nm and innocence were concerned, hOwever
fierce he might be with villainy.

“ Sol waspc’earlesu. I was asleep, and then
I had such a horrible dream, and something
made me get up and come here.”. '

“ What was t?" '

“ I seemed to see the face of Leonard Mar.
ville, and he was wavin his hands before 111
face, and an ing to me, in a law but comman -
ing voice: ' ou must bomy wife within twenty-
four hoursi’" ‘ '

“And then?" ,

" Then he went on: ‘Will you do as I ask you?
Say you) Icould not help‘mylelf, it seemed to
me, so i said es. Then he mailed, in the awful
way that he id when we were doi g the leap
for life last night, just before I et go of the
trapeze bar when he drew his hands back. I
would have screamed, but it seemed as if my
breathing were stopped, and I could not utter a
WU .

“ A bad dream," remarked the Skeleton Dude,
contentious] . .

“I think t was worse than a dream,” said the
detective, upon whom the girl‘s narration was
making a strong impression,

“vies, yes, n’cariess, indeed it was worse than
a dream. It was like a dreadful nightmare.
As soon as I said yes, Leonard hissed: ‘Go
to the lower deck, and wait for me just in front
of the cage of the big lion, Monarch,’ and then,
before I could reply, he vanished.” /

i “Wenishédi’firepeated the Skeleton, inquir-
ng .

“ If“. that is the only (ay I can describe it.
I did not see him walk away. Besides, when I
started u , with a cry, as I recovered my
breath, I ound that the door of my stalk-room
was tightlyegasmumi, so that no one could poo-
sihly have n in the room.”

“ Go on,” said the detective, quietly.

“ I got up, throw on a wrapper. and ran down
here. and—found you and Mr, Kofi’e .”

For fully a minute the detective did not say a
word, during which time the Skeleton Dude
thought he could hear his heart beating above
the sound of the irl’ hurried breathing.

 

down _

 

“ Belle,” said earl Sam, at last, as he took I

rm?

“3* '

 

 

'w. u—“a

 

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= -. ax

 

      

 

.. W. .ssao ....

 

 

 

  
    
 
 

' but the routine work 0

 

'11

 

 

off his broad hat and polished his head with his
silk handkerchief.

“ Yes?” ,

“Go back to your room. I can romise that l
you will not be disturbed again. a the morn-
ing—or rather when daylight comes, for it ‘is
morning now—I will go deeper into this thing.” I

The girl threw her arms around the detec-
tive’s neck and wept wildly, as she clung con-
vulsively to him.

“Oh, Fearless you will be] me, will you not? .
lam so afraid 0 Leonard. 1e would not stop
at anything—even murder—40 gain anything
he bod set his heart on. You don’t know him.”

“ Don‘t Ii Well, that is where you are mis-
taken, my dear. I do knew him, and because I
do know him i shall be able to circumvent him
without so very much trouble. Come, I will go
up—stairs with you and see you to your state-
room door. Don’t be afraid.”

The girl linked her arm in his, and he led her
to her room, leaving her there with afew re-
assuring words, and then going down to the
spot at which he had left the Skeleton Dude.

‘ Shad0w, do you know what that dream of
Beile Howard’s means?" he asked.

“ Nightmare. That is what i toll her it was,"
answered the Skeleton, with a superior air.

“Ahl You have only hit upon half of it,” ob-
served the detective. “There was something
more than simple nightmare.”

“ What?" ‘ _

“ Hypnotism,” returned the detective, im-
pressively. “ That young man, Leonard Mer-
x'iuo, has been exercising that mysterious in-
fluence over her that science hardly understands 3
as yet, and we have to fight the occult as well as
more human rascality.”

“ Moses 1” exclaimed the Skeleton, rather
overcome by the apparent familiarity. of the
detective with a power that Shadow had always
regarded as mythical, or, to use his own ex- i
pressive slang, “ a fake.”

CHAPTER XII.

A cosrnsr or WILL rowan.

A wank passed away, during which nothing
the circus occupied the
attention of any of the characters of this narra- l
the. The detective, Shadow and Canada Jack
kept a coastant leokout to try and find out who
was the thief that had captured the 850000
from the Seventh National Bank of Pittsburg,
and Fearless Sam never gave Leonard Merville
a chance to disturb Belle Howard.
The detective took the girl under his especial
' r .tection. and as it did not suit the purpose of I

sound Merville tocome to an open rupture
again, with the‘ detective, before the other
people in the show, there was no attempt to
carry out his plan to capture the girl and put
Fearless Sam out of the way forever. 2

To an outward observer it appeared as if
everything were peaceful and as if brotherly ;
andsisterly love were the only sentiments that ;
tound a place in the bosoms f the employees of
Old Tom Elliott's “ greatest show on earth.”

But below the smiling surface there vvere evil l
thoaghts that would have broken out into a ?
thunderstorm of bitter hate ht the least provo-
cation.

The detective must be credited with keeping
things as quiet as they were. ‘Not only was he .
careful not to give Leonard Merville an excuse
for quarreliug, but be restrained the ardor of ,
Canada Jack and Kelley, the Skeleton Dude, 5
that would have set all prudence at naught but ‘
for the warnings of Fearless Sam. ‘

As for Handel Montgomery. the concertina- ;

 

 

, player, be rendered his part of the programme

every day. and spent all his leisure time in ex-
amining his treasure in his trunk, and trying to .
devise some safe means of keeping it. It
worried him to have so much money with him
even althoug: be believed that no one suspec

it. Had he nown that the Skeleton Dude and
Fearless Sam were so well cquainteri with his
monetary affairs. he won have been much
more disturbed than he was.

It was a dark night, as the Parole pulled
away from a little town hel0w Helena. Ar-
kansng, where a performance had been given,
and eVerytlilnff had been going along smoothly,
when Leonard Merville and Fearless 81m met
,face to face on the lower deck'at the favorite
lounging—place of the young man, near Monarch’s

ca e.

The detective had been working hard at his
regular circus Militia” 0' “"11"”an the show
in the town. and dOlnB the thousand-and-nne
tasks that fell to him as the second in command,
He had thrown himself upon a pile of canvas,
and (iron intoa dose, from which he was
awaken by hearing his name called in a low, 5
but sharp. tone: I

“ Sam 1"

The voice was that of Merville. but there wad
a peculiar ring in it that was not alwa vs notice.
able, and, quick as a flash, the detective knew
what it,meant. : , i

.“ Sam l" repeated Leonard, as the detective‘
did not answer. » '

Fearless Sam, who had slowly Opened his
eyes when he was first called, now fixed them 1
upon those of Leonard with a stony gaze, as if

 

he saw through him, and was looking at some- 1

thing a long way beyond. .

“ Good!" muttered Leonard, under his breath.
“ Now my chance has come, as I thought it
would.” ,

He raised his long, thin hands, and after
rubbing their palms together for a moment,
waved them before the eyes of the detective.

Fearelss Sam’s gaze did not falter. but there
seemed to beasort of film passing over them,
such as has been observed in the eyes of Bom-
nambulists.

Merville half smiled, as he kept hishandswav-
ing before the face of the detective, with a steady
motion, while he looked into the eyes of Sam
Wilson with his own dark orbs, as if he would i
read the detective’s very soul.

The detective could hardly help laughing, but
he saw that here was a chance to find out some-
thing about Looaard that might never come to
him again. ’

“ The young fool thinks he can hypnotize me,”
were the thou hts that were passing through the
brain of the etective, as he pretended to yield
to the influence of the young man. “He thinks
he has a stronger will power than mine. Well,
we shall see. But if the biterisn’t bitten this
time, then my name is not Sam Wilson 1”

1n the meantime Merville could hardly restrain
his joy as he thought he saw that he had obtain-
e.l control of the detective, and could make him
do anvthing that might serve the purpose of him-
self (L"()ll8l'd.)

He kept on with his passes until he felt sure
that the detective was completely overcome, as
evidenced by his having allowed his chin to fall
upon his chest, and his eyes to close.

“ Now forit!” muttered Leonard. Then, aloud.
“ Sam 1" ' _

“ Wall" answered the detective, adopting the
Western dialect that he generally used, but that
he let drop on some occasions, as the reader has
noticed in previous chapters.

‘f What is your business on this boat? Are you
not a detective?”

“ Oho," thought Sam. ‘ He knows me, does
he? 1 shall have to be rs eful, or I may give
in self awuy.”

earless Sam was a man of quick brain. aml
he weighed the matter pro and con in an instant,

. are he replied. H be denied that he werea de-

tective, when it was evident that Leonard Mer-
ville knew he ‘was, it would prove that he was

not hypnotiZed, but was in possession of his senses ,

to such an extent that he could try and guard
his secret. So he answered, in a monotonous
tone: ‘

“ I am a detectivei”

“ Exactly. And you are trying to find who
stole the money from the Seventh National Bank
of Pittsburgi”

. N Yes i)

.“ Whom do you suspect?"  ° ,

“ The artful young rascal,’ thought the detec-
tive, before he answered, in the lame monoto-
nous way: 1

“ Handel Montgomery, the concertina-player."

Merville started, and although the detective
pretended that his eyes were closed, he saw the
start and understood it. . ‘

“ What do you intend to do to Leonard Mera
ville if you get the opportunity?" was the next
quéstion. '

Fearless Sam paused before answering this ques~
tion, because he enjoyed the eagerness of Leon-
ard, and was determined not to gratify his curi-
osity too quickly. At last he said:

“ He’s a poor wretch, beneath my notice! .He
annot do any harm, and I shall not do anything

him, except perhaps to ‘11P his face some time
to teach him to behave himself.”

The young man could not repress his rage. He
raised his hand as if he would strike the detec~
tive in the face,: but changed his mind, and hiss-

‘ ed. in low tone:

“Ah, welll Lat budget The time will come
when I shall be. revenged. It would not do to
wipe him out now. I don’t want to hang or go
to the Penitentiary for him.” -

Of course these words were all perfectly
audible to the detective, because Leonard, sup-
posing Sam was under the hypnotic influence,
did not trouble to speak in a very low tone.

“I am glad I know what he is going todo,”
thought Fearless Sam, “ because I can regulate
mficonduct accordingly.” -

at now Leonard Merville showed that he was
not through with the detective yet. Hehad laid
a plan some time ago, that he was prepared to
carry out atlany auspicious time. That time he
believed had now arrived unexpectedly.

Looking cautiously'around him by the dim
light of the boat's lanterns, that were kc t
alight all night now, while passing through t e
shoals of the Mississippi, where there was always
danger of running aground or co'min into col-
lision with some obstruction, Leon” saw that
he and the detective had this part of the deck to
themselves.

The detective would have given something to
look around, too, but could not «without letting
Merville know the he was not so much under the
influence as the yo ng man supposed, and it was
he! his purpose to confess the pretense just yet.

 

Leonard ul red a low whistle. ‘ .
Scarcely h a he don: “when  was.

: a I,

     
 

 

another whistle, from the detective, but in an
altogether different key.

Leonard turned sharply, and looked keen]
and suspiciously at the detective, who 8 ,
with his eyes closed and his head sunk on his
chest, without having moved in the slightest.
He was the picture of an innocent subject of
hypnotism, with no thought of guile.

“Ah, to be sure,” muttered Leonard, with a
little laugh. “He’s under the. influence, and
when Iwaistle, he whistles too. He is u very
easy subject. I can make him follow me with-
out the least trouble." ~

Fearless Sam almost ex'ilodld into a fit of
laughter as he heard Leonard make this explana-
tion to himself, but he managed incontrol him-
self, and keep on the owl-like look of wisdom he
had assumed as the proper expression for a man
being hypnotized.

MerVille Whistled again, and the detective
echoed the sound but in a different key.

“Coniouud those fellows! I hope they are.
listening for my signal. I have told them often
enough to ready at all times,” grumbled
Leonard to himself, as he made a iew more
passes before the detective’s eyes to put him more
completely to sleep.

Thought Frarless Sam: “ It is a good thing I
have this excuse for whistling. I am not afraid
that Canada Jack and the Skeleton will nothe
listening. Ah! There they are!”

Although his eyes were half-closed, be discerned
the Skeleton and Canada Jack \‘ing along in
the shadows, unseen by Leonard. but gradually
sum aching. They seemed to know and undera
stand the situation at once, for when they were
within a few yards of where Leonard Merville
and Fearless Sam stOod they stopped, behind
Merville, but so that Sam could see them when
he opened his eyes a little.

“ Now let us See what this racket is to end in.
I don’t care so long as I have the two boys hand
with guns in their pockets.
as good as a big man when he is armed, and he
dOesu’t know vu bet it is to'bc afraid."

Thus thought Fearless Sam, as Leonard looked
around him and for the third time whist
echoed by the detective. Fearless Sam con
have got along without the whistle now, slam
the men he was to summon were within reach,

but he had to keep up his assumed characterofa.
hypnotic subject, so he whistled chainsaw,

vi lienever Leonard did the some thing. ’

The third ‘whistle was not without it nit.
,. A shamhling figure was 8961) coming toward
him from the forward part of the boat, and
Fearless Sam recognized the lank fi re and
peculiar gait of Lake, the negro, even fore he
could distinguish his features, by the dim light
of the swinging lantern. . t '

“ Halloa, Luke,” muttered Leonard.

“ HallOa, Mas'r Leonard.”

“ Everything ready—the shit! and the pro
visions?” asked Leonard.

“What in thunder is coming now?" thought
the detective.

“ Ever thing is done ready,” answered Luke.

" All r ght- Then follow us.” ,

“ ’Deed I will,” ansWered the negro, although

That Skeleton s5

 

,.

the distention of his eyes, so that they showed a ‘

great deal of white, proved that he was very
much mystified at the spectacle of Fearless Sam
standing in such a peculiar way in front of
Leonard, without saying anything.

The young man made a few more sees in

front of Fearless Sam’s face, and said, in a com-,

mending manner:

“ Go up to Belle Howard’s room, and tell her
to dress and come out-at Once." '

“ The scoundrel!” thought the detective.

But he did as he was ordered. He turned 1, «
around, and walked up the stairway to the main ‘ -

deck with a slow and stately step, such as be
conceived tobe the proper thing fora man in
his sup condition, and knocked at Belle
Howa ’5 door. ’

“ Who’s that?" asked Bella’s voice, in startled
tones. ~

Leonard Herville whispered in thh detectivck:
ear: “ Fearless Sam.” ‘The detective repeated ‘

after him. but aloud: “ Fearless Sam!”

“Goodl” muttered Leonard, was at the, 
ing without ’ I

success of his plan so far, and a
thinking.
“ Good l” said the detective.

Vi ';dWhat did you say!” asked Belle,   J
us. a. ,
“ Get up, dress yourself and come out. I want .‘c , *
Leonard in Sam '

I

to speak to you,” whispered
Wilson’s oar, quickly, but distinctly. v

The detective repeated the words exactly”, '

the"' were given to him
gir , wi
ri ht.’

b‘y. , and the , .
ut a thought of anger, cried: “All .
ait a minute,” as she hastily put on her  .
ra meat, preparatory to coming out into the;
corridor. She had no fear so long as it was  

Wilson that called to her.

The detective took this opportunity bf looki 1 3

amund him in the gloom of the corridor,

what he saw filled him with the pleasurable e‘xe ‘,

citement that is so heartily enjoyed by the bravo

man when be cases fight imminent and knows

that he is in the right. ‘ .
Resaw Canada Jack and the Skeleton Du'de

standing close to the wall at the end of the. 5

corridor, sheltered so much by‘q large coil of

z
‘ ,

 
  
 
 
  
 
  
  
   
 
  
  

 

«no

.,

 

 
 

 

12

.( I ,‘-

Fearless Sam. ’

a.

 

 

rope hanging on a nail that they would never l

have been observed by any one who did not
know of their presence.

Standing close behind Leonard Merville was
Luke, who had come up with the detective and

his cOmpanion, and who was ready to obey;

any orders that might be given him by the
i young man whom he served with such blind faith—
fulness.

“ There will be fun here before lon , but I can
afford to wait for it,” thought the etective, as
he allowed his right hand, that was hanging
,, at his side, to feel that the big revolver he
always carried was safe in the pocket of his pea-
jacket.

“ What a deuce of a long time that girl isl”
growled Leonard, impatiently, as be shifted from
one foot to the other and looked t u see that Luke
was at his elbow.

The detective began to repeat the sentence, and
had got as far as “What a deuce of a long
time, ’ when Merviile clapped his hand over
Fearless Sam’s mouth, so that the mumbling of

the sentence, which the detectiVe was determined ,

to complete, could not be distinguished by the
girl in the state-room.

“ Wha' does that mean, M‘is‘r Leonard 7” asked
Luke, whose woolly hair was almost coming out
of curl in his su rstitious awe of the proceed-
ings that be con d not understand. ‘

" it’s all right, Luke. I have him mesmerized,
that‘s all.”

“ Hil Yes.i I know. I done see a man do
that business once in a show, but it was a fake."

“ This is not a fake, Luke,” observed Leonard,
shortly.

“ Isn’t it?" thought the detective.

At this moment Belle H0ward opened the door
and came out.

The first person she saw was Merville, and
with a startled cry, she half retreated into the
state-room, when she saw Fearless Sam standing
like a statue looking at her.

She moved impulsively toward him, and then
stopped, as she noticed that he was looking
straight before him, with a funny expression she
had never seen in his face before.

But just then the detective slowly closed his v

left eye and managed at the same time to throw
a world of meaning into the other.
That was enough. Belle came forth and stem

by the side of the detectiVe, facing Merville, as ‘

in, calm tones she asked:
“ What do you want with me?”

CHAPI‘ER XIII.
A QUEER VOYAGE.

. Harmer. Monroonaav was itting at the bow

‘j-cfthe Parole obj-lying a quiet pipe. He liked

. smoking, but could never get used to cigars. In
England he had always used a very black meer-
schaum pipe, and it was this slime pigs, almost
strong enough to run the engine of t e Parole,
that he was pulling at as he sat, ectivsly, on
the capstan, thinking about his money and hop-
ing it was safe.

“ It seems to me that I’d be better of! without
the blomninz coin altogether,” he ejaculated be-
tween the whifi’s of his/pipe. “ Ever.since I‘ve
, had it I’ve thought as every blooming cove was
tryling to get it away from me.”

e uffed'at his meerschaum silently for at
least ve minutes, butah intense reflective ex-
pression could have been seen on his face. had
there been light enough for any one to see it, or

 

" had he been otherwise than alone on this dark

early morning.
“Crikey!” he went on. “How tired I do get
. of this playing the concertlna every day for a
small salary, when I could bu u the whole
blooming show if I wanted to. I aha i be lad to
get back to England and put on airs w th the
{glotvpf the rich blokes over there. And I'll do it,

-He smoked vigorously for a few minutes
longer, lost in thought, and enjoying his tobacco
to the fullest extent. It was Handel Mont-
gomery’s habit to take a quiet smoke on the deck
in this way when the hoist had got fairly under
way at the last stand. He always said that he
never enjoyed the flavor of tobacco so much as
under these circumstances, and the complacent
way in which he smoked seemed to bear out his
assertion. I

Suddenly something struck his ear that made
him remove his pipe from his lips and pull his
long red-whiskers as he listened intently.

A rippling of water that was not only that
made by the progress of the Parole.

‘1 There’s no blooming mistake! [heard some-
thing. or I’m a Dutchman,” muttered Handel.

/ Handel Montgomery was not a quick man,
either in thinking or moving. Therefore it
took him at least a minute to get himself into
such shape, mentally and physically, as would
warrant his getting up to see what the mysteri-
ous ripple was.

He got up at last, howaver, and walked on
tiptoe to the port side of the boat. »

It was Very dark, and at first he could not dis-
tinguish anything unusual. Then, as he strain-
ed his eyes, he uttered a low exclamation:

“ By George 1"

He crept along, under, c0ver of the deck above

1 him, that throw him into dee shadow, and by

f ' \

 

 

slow degrees,’ reached a s about half-way ‘
. l ‘ 

along the boat, where an opening in the bul-
wark was protected by aheavy wooden bar that
could be raised or lowered on a hinge. A glance
told Handel that the bar was raised, although an

' hour ago he had seen it dropped and fastened

with an iron bolt.

“ Some blooming game going on here,”
thought Handel Montgomery, as he crept along
in the shadow and looked over the side of the
boat at the black water, which broke into little
splashes of white where it was caught under the
keel and thrown up.

,“Seems to me I can see somethin black in
the water just under the taifrail. wonder—
Yes, by gracious! It is a boat! Well, they

ain’t going to leave Handel Montgomery out of
this game. I am the wrong sort of cove to be
caught that way."

The boat came from under the stern of the
Parole, and Handel could see plainly enough
now that it contained six persons, one of whom
he felt sure wasa woman.

“ This is bloomin interesting. Who is the
woman, I wonder? It does not matter. I am
going in, tOUl”

As he muttered these words the boat glided
along until it- was just belOW him. Without
hesitation Handel dropped into it, on top of one
of the two men who eri'e rowing.

“ Fore de Lawd, you’ve squashed me,” came
in a voice that Handel recognized at once as that
of Luke.

“ What—what iaup?”

The Englishman was completely dumfounded
by what he saw in the boat, and could not speak
coherenth in his astonishment.

Seated in the stern was the detective, looking
straight before him, withoutsayiug a word, and
keeping his left arm around the girl. His right
was in the pocket of his pea-jacket, where,
although Handel could not see it, it was holding
a sixvshooter with a firm grasp.

in the seat in front of them were Canada
Jack and the Skeleton Dude, each with a revol-
verin his hand, which were pointed at the heads
of Luke the negro and Leonard Merville, who
were r0wing. '

Without understanding what it all meant,
Handel took the vacant seat in the bow of the

. skiff, at the fierce order of Canada Jack, who

appeared to bein command of the boat, for the
detective was apparently in a dnadpnd did not
take any interest in the proceedings.

“ We i, if this isn’t the bloomingrst lark I ever

struck,” observed the Englishman, as he looked
friiagi one to the other of the strange crew in the
sk .
“ You infernal fool! Shut your mouth!”
growled Merviile, as he pulled away at his car
with the long, sweeping stroke of an old sailor,
that sent the skiff flying along with the least
possible expendi are of labor on the part of the
oarsluan. Besi as being a trained athlete, Moro
ville had had experience as a sailor, and rowing
was child’s play to him.

The Englishman pulled his red whidkers and
glanced in the direction of Leonard as if he
would have liked to fly at him, but a significant
movement of Canada Jack’s revolver warned
hiln to remain quiet.

“ Keep away from the steamer,” was the brief
order of Canada Jack, to the rowers, as he paw
that their course hitherto was close under the
lee of the Parole.

In the little light that was now cast upon the
dark waters by the needy-risen new moon,
Handel could see that Merville scowled, but the

revolvers invthe hands of Canada Jack and the

Skeleton Dude, warned him that there would be
no use in insubordlnation. Those pistols were
liable to go oil! at any moment.

“ Pull over to that headland about half a mile
below, on the eastern shore.” ~

For the first time since Handel had been on
the boat he heard the voice of Fearless Sam. .

The detective was sitti quietly b the side
of Belle Howard, apparen y taking 1 ttle heed
of what was going on, and leaving the manage-
ment of the ex dition, whatever it was, to
Canada Jack. ut the decided way in which
begavethis order now indicated that he was
not as deeply buried in his own reflections at one
might have thought. In fact, be was keeping a
wary eye upon all that was in progress, and
was as alert at he always was, wherever he
mi ht be. ' ‘

he girl by his side, wrapped in a shawl that
was drawn over her head—for the night breezes
on the river were chilly, althOugh it was warm
enough during the da -—dld not seem to be as
frightened of Leonar Merville as usual. She
had Fearless Sam by her side, and she felt that
she could trust him to protect her, no matter
what befall. ‘

The oarsmen obeyed the detective’s command,
and the boat, suddenly changing its course,
headed straight for a jutting piece of land that
could just be discerned a long .way ahead upon
the ort bow. ’

“ hat in the blooming nation are we going
to do?" burst from Handel Montgomery, who
found his curiosity overcoming his prudence.

“ Shut up!" commanded Canada Jack.

“ But I want to know where I am going,” re.
monstrated‘tbe Englishman. _ , ,
was“; liars interposod:: ' a

. . , . .g L f
  , ,r a ‘ 1’

    
 

 

“ You were not asked to come, Handel, and
now you are here, you must have patience, like
the rest of us, and see what turns up. You are
not afraid, are you‘i’

Before Handel Montgomery could indiznant—
ly declare that there was nothing under the sky
that could frighten him, the piping voice of the
Skeleton Dude struck in:

“ Of course he is afraid. He thinks he is go-
ing to meet some Indians, who might scalp him
and carry oil? his red whiskers for fuel.”

“ You skinny travesty on human nature!”
spluttered Handel. “ l’ll—I’ll—I’ll-—”

“ Well, what will you do?” inquired the
Skeleton, in mocking tones, as be balanced his
pistol in his hand and looked very straight at
the indignant concertina-player.

“ Put down that gun, my bloomin
a,nld I'll make cat’s-meat of you in hal ajifi’yi
ll —I’ll—” '

“Ohl I’ll put down the gunl I ain’t afraid
of you, anyhow,” retorted the Skeleton, half
rising from his seat.

The detective placed his hand on the Skele-
ton’s shoulder and made him sit d wn, although
he did not use much more force hen he would
have exercised on an obstreperous rabbit. The
Skelton's pluck was altogether disproportionate
to his strength.

“ Shadow!” said the detective, sternly.

“ Yes.”

‘ “ You are under my orders no'w.”

“ I know it, but—”

“ That’s enough. You are to keep your pistol
in your hand, ready for use on either Leonard
Merville or Luke, if I give the word.”

“ I know. That’s what you told us.”

“Well, then, if you have any quarrel with
Professor Montgomery, settle it at some other
time. That is, if he lives beyond this night."

Montgomery shudliered at these words of the
detective, but he did not allow any one to see
that he was at all apprehensive. On the other
band», he was anxious to fight with the Skeleton
Dude there and then, declaring that he would
eat him alive, bones and all, if he ever got near
him.

The detective looked over to the concertina-
player and remarked, as politely as if he were
stating some ordinary, common-place fact:

“Another word from you, Handel Mout-
gomery, and I will throw you overboard with
mv own hands. You know me!”

Montgomery dld know Fearless Sam. and
shut up like a clam for the rest of the voyage on
the skiff. _

uNow,\pull hard! It Will be daylight before
long, and I don’t suppose any of us want to be
surprised at our work when morning comes,”
continued the detective. '

Whatever was the purpose of the trip on this
boat, and however antagonistic some of the

pie in the skiff might be to others, it was
evident that Ieonurd Merville was as anxious to
get back to the Parole as soon as possible as was
Fearlessfiam. ‘

The two lo oars took on aquicker move-
ment. Leona was pulling “stroke,” and Set
the pace for the negro to follow, and the any
the skit! leaped through the water reminded
Handel Montgomery of the rush of the "Var-
sity ’ boats from Putney to Mortlake on the old
Thames, in the great 'early race, as he observed
in a general wayto w omsoever might be listen-
ing, as he sat in the bow and watched the water
dashing away from the keel.

The Parole was still loddin steadily along,
hei- engines at only ha f-s , for there was
plenty of time to reach the next stand before it
would be necessary to commence building the
tents, and there would be no sense in wasting

coal. \

The lights that hung about the steamer here
and there were only oil anterns, that gave forth
a very feeble glimmer. and the boat stood forth,
a great black mass, hardly lighted a; all by the
lanterns, or even the furnace fires, that glowed
occasionally with a dull red as the firemen
opened the doors to wood up.

Ewdently no one on the Parole had noticed
that the skiff had dropped away, and was follow-
ing a little cistern. with 'a speed almost as
smooth, and beyond any reasonable, “or nn-,
reasonable, manner of doubt, as great as that
of the stoamer’s own,

“Here we are l” exclaimed the detective, at
last. ‘i Pull in!” 4

The skiff swung around in response to/the
movements of the 'oarsmen, and a few more
strokes sent her rushin into asIOping, sandy
bottom with such a su denness that it threw
Handel Montgomery ofl’ his seat, and nearly _
pitched him head-first into the water, to his uu- .‘
speakahle disgust.

‘ You are a clumsy man for a professional,”
cried the Skeleton, who had never forgiven the
Concertina-player for making fun of him on the
first day the circus gave a show, and'was always
ready to rejoice in his discomfiture.

Handel recovered himself, and was coming
along the boat full tilt to chastise the Skeleton,
when the detective looked at him, and he
changed his mind. _

“Leonard and Luke, if you stir from your
seats till I give on leave, I ll give you a bullet
apiece,” observ Fearless Sam, politely,’

covey,

‘ i
l ; , 3“,“ 

I

s.

y'h .

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The detective evidently meant what he said,
and the two prisoners, (for it was plain now that
Leonard and Luke were such), Sat still as Sam
helped the girl out of the boat and led her a little
way up the bank to where a blqu of rock pre-
vented further regress.

“ Stand here a moment, Belle.
afraid, are you?”

“ Oh, no. I am never afraid so long as I know
I have you near to protect me.”

Fearless Sum smiled. Although he was not
the man to care for com pliments, there was
something fascinating in the innocent confidence
br-stOWed upon him by this helpless girl, and he
liked it.

A sign to Handel, who was as completely un-
der the influence of the detective as every one
became when Sam chose to take the p0sitioh of
leader anywhere, aud the concertina~player had
Jumped out of the skiff and was by his side.

“ Stand by Miss Howard and take care of her
for a moment.”

“ All right, my covey,” responded Professor
Montgomery, cheerfully.

“Got a weapon?"

“ Only my dukes.”

“ Dukes?’

“ These. .My dukes, mauleys, bunch of fives,
whatever you like to call them,” answered
Handel, holding up his fists.

“ All right. You can use them, I suppow?”

“Try me. Just let me get a chance at that
Skeleton, and I’ll show you!" ' .

“ You need not use them on the Skeleton.
There is no credit in punching a man that you
Could blow off his feet,” was the dry response of
the d tective, as he turned away and went down
to th boat. -

In obedience to his sign, Merville got up and
walked doggedly up the bank away from the
boat, with Fearless Sam at his side, revolver in
hand, while Canada Jack escorted Luke, and the
Skeleton brought up the rear, as a sort of guard
of honor.

Arrived at the bluff, the doieCthe suddenly
fared around to his captive, and slid, sternly:

“Leonard Merville, open that door!”

With the howl of a hunted beast who finds
himself at last in the hands of his enemies,
Leonard turned to spring on the detective.

He stopped as the muzzle of a six-shooter was
thrust in his face, while Fearless Sam remarked,
' uietlv:

“ Quit that, Leonard, or you’ll get hurt!”

You are not

 

CHAPTER XlV.
now it HAPPENED.

THE reader has doubtless been surprised to
find Fearless Sam and his party in charge of the
skiff that was obviously intended for the sole use
of Merville.

it may, therefore, not be out of place to ex-
plain how the tables were turned so completely.

We left the detective standing outside the
door of Belle Howard’s state-room on the Parole,
repeating words that were placed in his month
by Merville.

The young man thought that he had Fearless
Sam completely under the hypnotib- influence,
and that he could do anything he pie with
him. Hew‘much he was mistaken 0 the sub-
jeut the reader knows,

Fearless Sam was a g00d actor, but he was not
a hypnotic subject. His willpower’ was too
great for that.

He allowed Merville to believe that he.was
still under t e influence while the youn man di-
rected him bring Belle Howard own the
stairs and along the lowar deck to the stern,
where, on the port, side, just out of reach of the

' great wheel turning slewly at the back of the

mat, and sending it on its way, was a large
sklfl, fastened by a rope and being towed along
in the wake of the Parole.

Canada Jack and the Skeleton were very
near to being discovered when the party com-
menced its march for Leenard moved quickly.

' and the others had to do the same thing, at his

ooiiimand. He had whispered to the detective
in the monotonous tone he used in his character
of a hypnotist to walk as fast as he could“ and
the detective had obeyed by dragging the girl
along the corridor at such a rate that she had
almost fallen, but not without managing to
whisper in her ear:

“ Fear nothing. You are perfectly safe.
Tru~t me 1" ,

A slight pressure on his arm told the defective
that the girl understood the situation, and he
enjoyed the way he was fooling Mervillrm long
as he knew the girl would not spoil t lngs by
making a disturbance.

The defective had: formed a plan while pre-
tending to be hypnotized, and was anxious to
carry t out. He knew that he could de ed
p pon Canada Jack, and even the Skeletion ude
was not to be despised, because, although he
could not do much in an actual stru gle that
Called for physical strength, be con 4 aim .a
pistol as well as the next man, and ‘wrs not
afraid to do it.

Although the detective had appeared not to
be noticing anythl , he had kept his eyes open
and had pose that is followers were not far
away, and that they were watching his move-

 

ments, ready to spring to his assistance so soon
as they should see-that it was needed.

The strange procession went down the stairs
to the lower deck, where Monarch was walking
uneasily up and down in his cage, and perhaps
thinking of the native forests where there
would be fine game at~ihis dark time of the
m'irning.

Past the cages and other things that in-
cumbered the deck, and ’past a dark hole
where the bunks of the deck hands and tent men
were, went the party.

Merville kept close at the side of the detective,
and occasionally made a pass or two in front of
Fearless Sam’s face, asif to make sure of his
still being under the influence, at which the de-
tective could scarcely forbear laughing out-
right, and thus spoiling evethhlug. At last
thev stood at the side of the Parole where the
skiff could just be distinguished bobbing up and
down on thedark waters.

“ Whar we gwine, Mas’r Merville?” asked
Luke. in a whisper.

" None of your business,” was the courteous
re ly.

hen Merville seemed to think that it might

'be as well to let the negro know, so he added, in

a more polite wiry:

" We are goi g to the bluff, to the crib I have
just below here.”

“Hi!” simulated the negro, with a peculiar
intonation signifying that he was very much in-
terested as well as astonished.

The detective-pricked up his ears. This was
important news to him, and might solve the
problem that he had been working on ever since
he had been traveling with the Parole.

The bluff he had heard of, but until now had
no idea whereit was situated. It might have

'been in any part of the United States for all he

knew, and now the unguarded remark of
Leonard Merville was likely to guide him direct
to the spot! Decidedly, he would go with
Merville, on this strange voyage.

“ What is the bluff?" asked Luke.

“ Look along the river in the dark to a place
about three-quarters of a mile down there, in tha
east shore,” said Merville.

“ it is so dark I can’t see anything.”

“ Exactly. But if you could see you would
find that there is a headland away out, and in
that headland is the secret entrance to the crib I
am gdi‘hg to visit."

Luke looked around him, and glanced at Mer-
ville in a warning way.

The yoifn man understood the glance, and
shrugging h s shoulders, he replied to the aunt-
tered caution: -

“That’s all right. Fearless Sam is in a deep
sleep, and as for Belle. she will have everything
Iown, including myself, so it does no harm to
let her know where my treasures are kept.”

“ Well, I s’pose you know best.”

“11 suppose I do," returned Leonard Merville,
coo ly. .

The two men had not been idle while talking.
Leonard was pulling at the lin that held the
skiff, and now the negro jam in and gotthe
ours‘ready for business. ‘

“ Go into‘ the skiff. Belle!” commanded Mer-
ville, politely enough, but in a tone that implied
he was not to be trifled with.

She was still learning on Sam’s arm, and a‘

slight pressure directed her to obey. She was
quick at understanding hints, no matter how
they might be given. A

“ Good l” muttered Leonard. “Obedience’is
what I want.” -

He assisted the girl to leap lightly into the
boat, when Luke took her hand, and led her to
a seat in the stern where a large‘rug had been
spread to make the hard seat more comfortable.

“‘Now, Fearless!” whispered nerd, waving
his hands in front of the detective‘ face.

He expdcted to see the detect we follow his
command and step into the skiff, too. But,
something slipped up in the combination.

There was a blinding flash in Menville’s eyes
as the defective struck him a well-directed blow
in the cheek. The, next instant he was on his
back. with Fearless Sam kneeling on his chest.

Luke had been arranging the seat in the skiff
for the girl, and had not seen the blow, but he
understood at once, from the noise of the scuffle.
that something was wrong, and, grasping the
side of the Parole. was about to swing himself
on deck. when a man jumped at him all in a
heap, and he fell back into the skid with his as-
sailant on to of him. '-

“Gollyi is hyar is nice!” exolaimed the
negro, breathlessly, as he strove to free himself
from the mighty clutch of the stranger .

“ Keep still. you black rascal, or I'll choke
you i” cried Canada Jack, for be it was who had
so promptly come to the assistance of the detec
tive. \

Luke seemed to think that it would be of no
use his trying to get free, so he la still while
the detective, taking away from erville the
pistol he tried to draw,1ifted him by the collar
of his coat and dropped him into the skiff like a
bag of flour. , I

“ Come on, Shadow!" cried Sam. “Jump in,
and if either of these rascals tries any monkey
business, put a bullet in him.”

“ That's what I will," squealed the Skeleton,

 

suddenly appearingtfrom nowhere, as it seemed
to the bewildered erville and Luke, and drop-
ping into the boat with his pistol ready in his
hand.

“ I’ll make you fellows pay for this,” hissed
Leonard, with an evil scowl that showed he
meant what he said.

“ All right, Merville, but it is you that will
have to do the paying first,” returned the detec-
tive, cheerfully.

Fearless Sam was methodical in his movements
now,

He_went through the pockets of his prisoner.
one by one, and took from him a bowie-knife, as -
well as the pistol. Then he commanded him, in
a cold voice, to take his seat and seize an oar.
Merville looked around him, to ace what pros-
pect there might be of escape from the predica-
ment in which he so unexpectedly found himself.
He decided that tin-re was none, so he took the
car, as the defective commanded.

The Skeleton seated himSelf just in front of the
young man, With his pistol ready for use, and an
expression in his deeply-sunken eyes that boded
ill for the prisoner should he attempt any hostile
movement.

By this time Canada Jack had placed the negro
beside his chief, with an car in his hand, after
taking from him the long knife that had once
figured so painfully in a struggle between the
negro and the white man who was now ordering
him about.

When these arrangements were completed, the

detective removed his large, broad-briniiiied hat \

and used his silk handkerchief Vigorously on his
polished head. He had been under restraint for
so long, pretendin that he was under the hyp-
notic influence of card Merville, that he felt
the need of a little relaxation in the shape of a
geod, hearty rub of his head.

“ Phewi” he cried. “ That was one of the fun. -~
niest things as I ever had anything t‘er do with. '

Leonard, what in thunder did you think you bed s

in me—a sucker?"

“ Cures you! I’ll get even yet,” growled the
young man, as he bent his dark eyes fiercely up-
on the innocent blue orbs of the detective, and

clinched his fists in impotent rage.

Fearless Sam, still spealgng in the Western
dialect that was natural to im, although, as we
have seen, he could throw it off at will, answer-
ed, with a child-like smile:

“ I don’t doubt your desire to even things with
me, Leonard, but for the present you 'hev busi-
ness on hand with thet car. So jest pull for ther
headland be10w thar, an’ we’ll see what is in thet
crib of yours, in a set. his sort of way.”

The mocking tones of the detective maddened
the young man, but he was powarless, although
for the moment be determined to rebel by refus-
ing to re w. ‘

“A pistol pointed straight at his head, with a
certain light in the blue eyes that indicated a de-
termination io fire, if necessary, made him
change his mind, and pulling methodically iii the
direction pointed out by Sam, the negro took his
time from the “stroke,” and the skiff moved.
swiftly along by the side of the Parole, keeping
so close to her that Leonard Merville hardly had
room for his oar rt of the time, and was com-
pelled to unship it occasionally to prevent its
breaking against the side of the steamer. Pris-
oner as he was now, and rewing against his will,

his professional pride as an oarsman would not ' V
permit him to break an out by mere clumsiness, 

such as would have been implied had he not an-
shipped it at critical moments.

The detective was taking observations of the f

Parole, to make sure that this secret expedition,
in which six people had become involved insuch “
a remarkable way,was not being watched by ahy
one on the steamer, when a sudden exclamation

followed by the tumbling into the boatof Handel I

Montgomery, made him sit straight up. and pro:
tend to be lost in thought, as already described.

CHAPTER XV.
' run cam in run BLUFF.
WHEN Mei-Ville jumped at the detective, and

 

was so promptly called down at the muzzle ot- . H

the revolver, Luke, who had been watching for
some sign from his chief that should re ulate his
own action, made a simultaneous attac on Can-
ada J sell.

The grafter happened to be half turned from ,

his prisoner at the moment, watching Handel  

Montgomery and the Skeleton pulling the skill a
little higher up the bank,\so that it would not --
drift away. ‘ "

- 1‘3.

 

.1

 

This 8"" the negro a slight advantage, which I  S

be improved by throwing his heel behind that 
of Canada Jack, and overturning him. ’
The negro stooped to snatch the pistol from
the hand of his fallen enemy, but, hewaniot
guick enough, for the g'rafter suddenly gave, .
uke a kick in the shin that doubled‘him up and
resulted in his being held by the collar in Canada V.
Jack’s left hand while a pistol in his right was.
pressed against
than is occupied in telling it. ~.. ‘
“ Yo’ is a thief, Canada Jack, an’ I didn't iii. _
thieves,” rowled Luke, as he nursed his chin.

“I don t ,like them either, Luke, and lthat’l 

the reason I’m not stuck on you. ,
He then directed the concertina- layer to -
keephis eye on Lake, while the Ske eton 

 

e negro's forehead, in less tine  »

 

 
 
 

 
 

 

14

 

  

 

2“,“ q "3w In it.

Fearless Sam.

'3 - ,__ .. ‘  I . 
/ .. . .HWV y, ’ I; i‘ 4-,.“ r. 

 

 

the same, as Fearless Sam led Mei-ville tothe
bluff and repeated to him his command to open
the way into the secret chamber that he now
know was in existence somewhere in the vi-
cihity.

Merville looked around for some way of es-
cape. but could see none.

“After all,” he thought, “I, intend to wipe
this fellow out; he shall never get a chance to
turn me over to the police own if he finds out
anything, which I don‘t think he will.”

The detective was watching him so closely by
the light of the new moon that had now escaped
entirely from the clouds and made everything
dimly visible, that he seemed to be almost read-
ing the exact thoughts of the yOung lion-tamer,
but he did not utter a word as Merville walked
‘up to the bluff, with Sam's revolver just behind
his ear, and pointed to one spot in the rocky
face of the bluff.

At a sign from the detective, Canada Jack pro-
ceeded to dig at the spot indicated by Merville,
using his bowie-knife for the purpose.

Fearless Sam had anticipated, the spot
proved to be soft earth. although it looked like
all the rest of the bluff, and would have been
mistaken for rock, at a casual glance.

' Canada Jack poked at the place, and then us-
ing his hands, pulled out the earth until he had
made a hole big enough for a. man’s head.

“ Hallo!" suddenly exclaimed Canada Jack.

“ What’s ther matter?” from Fearless Sam.

" I can feel something like a door-handle."

“Pull it!” directed Leonard Merville, brief-

3‘. .

Canada Jack obeyed, and as he pulled at the
knob, was surprised to find that a large section
of the bluff was coming out.

In another moment a door, ingeniously cov-
ered with paint and a covering of loose earth
fastened on with tar, was discovered open. and
‘Canada Jack, with a shout of triumph, rushed

a.

He came out immediately, however, with a
cry of pain and rage.

Leonard Merville laughed.

, “ What’s ther matter, Canada?" asked the de-
, ' tectivc.
’ ' \ “ Durued if I know. I ran with my face into
I what seemed to be like a hornets’ nest," an-
swered the grafter, ruefiilly.

He was holding his hands to his face, which, it

cOuld be seen, even in the dim light, was badly
, scratched in all directions.
' “ Little too quick, eh, Canada!" laughed 8am.
" W311, I guess you are, not badly hurt, are
you t
The detective had drawn his useful bull’seve
lantern from his pocket—a convenience he was
never without after dark, having it so arranged
'1 that it could fold up, with the light inside, and
 flt.into one of the pockets of his peajscket, with-
out being in the way. He opened the slide, and
= allevved a strong flood of light to enter the black
I. doorway that had been Opened by Canada Jack.
'/ HB/SJIW at once what had causal the pain to
the grafter—s heap of shrubbei‘y of the cactus
- family, all points, and forming a formidable
barrier to the entrance. i
“ How does this work, Lennard?" he asked,
riefly. . ,
V " Sh ii I show you?”
It Yes.”
, i The young man stepped into the cave and
. pulled at the shrubbei‘y, while the detective
. ‘ opt his revolver Carefully pointed at his ear.
' ‘ It seems to be stuck in some way,” exclaimed

‘ l

i ,HerVille, nth-r he had worked at the shrubiiery

. for a minute or two. “ It always comes out
_ {easily enough when the proper combination is
‘ worked, but it won’t answer this time.”
“ Try again,” the detective ordered. ,
"I ' Merville pulled and tugged, but without any
: particular rehult, the detective watching him

,nspiciohsly, and wandering whether there was.

'dnything wrong with this mysterious guard of

i ' the care, or whether it was all a trick on the

rt of the young man to gain tim.

“He’s trying some monkey business with mei'

i feel sure. muttered the detective, “but it wii
‘ not help him. At the first treacherous move I’ll
,  shoot him down like a d .”

' ' The detective was loo ing at the girl by his

side. ,'
f‘Msrville. I bi'iicve you can open that thing
if you want tor," he said. “ Now, l'll give you
jist one minute more, and if you hev any
~qnss you won’t tell me or show me and ther
'rsst thenyou hev not lions it by that time. If
, 'ybu hev not got it open then, I'll take you
isoner as a detective in the employ of the
, tote of Mississippi, where we are now, and
 hold you for abduction of this girl, Miss 'Belle
' Howard. and other crimes of whicle can rove
: {on g llty. You hear what Isay, an you
now at I don’t fool over such matters." /
 ,The stern tones of the detective were enough
 its satisfy any one that he was in earnest, and
 Mes-ville wassosatis ed.
' He looked around at the detective with a
neat expressiOn, that was not lessened in
of the bull’weye lantern, and said, dog-

  



 I'am telling you the truth. I cannot open
NI thing mmylelf. t its strong inner door,
by cactuses. and it has got stackdn

, ,

 

 

' the Parole just before da. ll it. and got aboard

 

same way. Let Luke help me. He has the
Combination, and he will know just how todo
it.

Fearless Sam hesitated. He suspected
treachery, but at the same time he did not see
how he was to get into the crib unless he let
LeOnaril open it in his owu way.

“ Luke,” he called out.

The negro mowed, with Handel still holding a
revolver at his temp e.

“ Go in thar and help Leonard, but remember,
both of you, that any trick will meana bullet
apieCe."

Luke stepped into the opening by the sideof
Down], and seized a portion of the shrubbery,
at which Leonard had been pulling. ‘

“ Now, Luke, both together!” exclaimed
Leonard, as he gave the negro a warning
nudge.

Luke, on the alert, pulled at the shrubbery,
while watching closely to take his one from
Leonard whenever it should be given.

” Wul, Leonard, ther minute is nearly up,”
remarked the detective, in a warning tone.

“ Is it?" veiled Leonard, as with a pull at the
cactus as if he would tear the whole shrubout
(if the earth, he fell back against the open outer
( 00".

At the same moment the negro dropped upon
his knees: then the outer door shut with a ban .
just as two pistol-shots rung out in the stil
morning air. ' I

“ Come. boys! Ge fer ther doori” yelled Fear-
less Sam.

Canada Jack thrust his hand into the hole
and ulled at the knob, but without effect.
The car was immovable!

“ Curse those fellows! They have disconnect-
ed the handle, I suppose,” exclaimed Canada,
ruefully. “ By ginger, they’re too slick for us.
I hate to he done by a nigger, too! I don’t
mind so much for the white, but that coffee-
colored coon oughtn’t to be able to do up an old
grafter like me!”

Jack was evidently so deeply grieved at the
thoughtof bein outwitted that Fearless Sam
was obliged to augb, mad as he was at Mer-
ville’s escape just as it seemed as if the mystery.
of the Pittsburg bank robbery was about to be
cleared up.

“Never mind, Canada! There’s plenty of
slick nigger-i in ther world, an’ you ain’t ther
first white man they hev done up. You 0 an’
play policy, an’ you’ll find that niggers are just
as slick at thet as you are with your three little
shells and your One little pea.”

This badlnage did riot lesson Jack’s wrath,
and he tugged at the knob in the small hole with
all his might.

But in vain. It was evident that the oc-
cupants of the cave possessei some means of
disconnecting the knob with the machinery that
opened the door, and that they had done so
now. ,

“ Give lt' another whirl, Canada. Perhaps it
has caught in something, like the inside door,”
suggested the detective. I

Canada Jack seized the knob once more in
his right hand. and putting his right foot
against the bluff. to give him a good purchase,
he braced himself, and tugged at the knob
with all his might. . ' ‘

The result was rather unexpected.

At the first tug,'the knob came away in his
hand, and the unlucky grafter , turned a
somerset, bringing up so near the water’s
:idge that his feet actually flopped into the

ver.

The detective burst into a joyous laugh, that
was echoed b all his com ions, even Belle
Howard, join g in. worri as she was by her
fear of harm from Mei‘ville.

“ Well done, Canadal I don’t believe thsr is
er tumbler with trier show as could hev beaten
thet.” exclaim 1 Sam. “ You did as prettya
triple sonierse that time as I hev ever seen in
all my experience in ther circus business. Let’s
see you do it again.”

But Jack was too mad to reply. He picked
himself an, and stepping up to the bluff, gave it
a kick that probably made his toes ache, but
that eased his mind, for he turned away and
walked down to the skiff with an almost placid
exiirv-ssion on his face. .

“ Coming?” be queried, briefly.

" You think it is no good our trying t r git in-.

ter this place new, eh?” asked Fearless am.

“ Sure of it.”

“ Guess you‘re right.”

“ Sure I am i”

The gutter spoke in such a confident tone that
it seemed as if he must have possessed some
private information. ~ But he did not. He
simply spoke from an inborn conviction fomided
on hisexperienee with the recalcitrant handle
of the cave, and that he was now holding in his
hand. With a piece of‘very stout wire attached,
intending to keep it for the rest of his life as a
memento of the occasion when, as he said, “ a

coon did him up.”
It was a rather discomfited rty that reached

     

from the skin' without being seen by any one,
but Fearless 8am . ‘ Bells Howard were both
consoled to some ex, lit. . v ’

q
,

   

 

 thought it. had.

i
seen the last of Merville’, and would not be p-r-
secuted by his hateful attentions any more; and
the detective felt satisfied that he had at last
found out not only the man who had robbed the
Seventh National Bank of Pittsburg, but had
him) discovered the hiding-place of the swag.
Ten minutes after the skiff had discharged its
passengers on the Parole, every one of the p irty
was in bed trying to recuperate after the fatigu—
ing and exciting events of the night.

 

CHAPTER XVI.
IN A LIVING TOMB.

WHEN Merville and Luke managed to close
the outer door of the cave in the face of their
enemies, it was with no other idea than to pre-
veni: them getting in and learning secrets that
were not for them.

Luke had not known anything about the com-
bination, because Leonard was not the man to
trust an important secret to any one, but when
the young man had said that he did know if,
and had suggested that he come and help, the
negro understOod it was a scheme of his
“ mas’r," and obeyed unquestioningly.

No sooner was the outer door closed with a
bang than Leonard tore away a connecting wire
that would allow it to be opened again by the
knob outside. Then he sunk upon the ground in
aoorner,to get his breath, while a sardonic
smile played around his lips, as he listened to
the talk‘outside. The cave was so arranged that
ever word spoken outside was plain] audible

with a, while nothing said inside cool  heard ‘

witi out. ,

“Canada Jack is mad at you, Luke,” be ob-
servad, quietly. “.Do on hear himl’

“ Yes, and fore de
day,” replied the negro.

“ But wha’ wegwine to do, Mas’r Leonard?” ' 9
continued. “ They can’t git in here, can they l"

“ No. 1'” give them everything I have if they
can break open that door now that I have dis-
connected the haudle and wire,” replied tie
young man with a grin.

A flood of light new came as Leonard struck a
match, and lighted a railroad lantern that Was
concealed there for a purpose

“ No’w, Luke, help me get\t.his stuff out of the ‘

way."

It was the work of buta minute to remove
the cactus barrier. A sudden tug brought away
thelvvhoie heap, revealing a rough door, fastened
by an ordinar lock.

Drawing a ey from his pocket, the young
man opened this door, and lantern in hand, with
Luke at his heels, he went into the inner recesses
of the cave and closed the door afier him. i

It wasa mere hollow in the side of the hill,
made there perhaps by the Indians, centuries
ago, and fitted with a modern door by some of
the river phat/ea, who saw that it would make a
good hiding-placa for booty and for themselves
when the law pressed too heavily.

Leonard hung his lantern ona nail on the wall,
and went over to a large iron-bound box that
stood in one corner of the apartment.

It was flattened by a combination look. like
that of an ordinary bank safe, and when he
opened the lid, it was revealed that the box was
really of thick iron, covered with wood, and then
iron-clamped again.

} In the box was another box that nearly filled .

t, and that was fastened down by screws driven
through the bottom into the enters-mack.
To open this Leonard took a smallke that hung
arg‘iiind his neck, under his clothing. y & Illken
co .
As the inner box was opened a large quantity
of gold coin, a heap of jewelry of all kinds, in-
cluding many unset diamonds. and several
bundles of greenback. were revealed.

The negro‘s eyes git-toned.

\ “ All yours, Mas r Leonard?"

i“ No. This belongs to the'gang. I am merely,
the treasurer." ‘

“ Golly! , I should like to be treasurer.”

“ It would not help you any,” was Leonard’s
dry response. “Even if I were-to try to mile
this stuff, I couldn’t get away with it. The
gsngis too sinait for that. I am watched all
the time, and it is only my share of it that I can
handle, and that only at the regular division
time, worse luck!”

Leonard was talking more to himself than to
his companion, as he took some of the unset
diamonds in his hand and allowed them to run
through his fingers in a stream of sparkling, ever-
ohanging light. / .

He was thinking of what should be his next
move. Just as he thought he had everything in
his own hands, it was too bad that is plans
should have miscarried ‘because he had misculcu-
iated on the detective. He had intended to come
to the cave, in he prisoners of.Belle, the deteob
tive and Calm a Jack and then return for the
rest of the “ swag,” whatever it was.

“ Well. Luke. empty our pockets,” he said at
length with a sigh of d sgust. '

The be re now took from his blouse that he
were u or his‘pemjacket veral cka‘ges of
greenbacks, squeezed into he smsi est possible

  

s cc. for convenience of carryl and handed
132... t  . n8. _ ,

awd, 1’“ kill him, some - '

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“ One, two, three, four, five, of five thousand
dollars each. That’s right, my boy,’ observed
the young man, as he took the packages from
the negro and depOsited them in the box. “ That’s
half (f it. I shall have to get the other half
when I can.”

Luke did not reply, and Leonard closed the
two boxes, turned the combination, and sat
down on the box, as if tired of being bothered.

“ Where dOes the circus show tc-day, Luke?”

” About five miles below this.”

“All right. Now we had better get some
sleep. We are both about played out.”

“ ’Deed We are, Mas’r Leonard.” .

The negro threw himself on the earth floor,
and curling himself up like a huge dog, was
asleep in a few minutes.

Mervillo was apparently not so OlSpOSed to
to sleep as he had said, for he got up and
walked up and down the cave for at least half
an hon in deep thought, before he, too, threw
himself down and anewed‘the schemes that hazl
occupied his waking thoughts to be carried on in
his dreams.

Neither moved for a long, long time. There
was goal Ventilation in the cave, although where
it Came from could not be discerned by the casual
observer, and the sleep of the two men who were
willing to be murderers, and who had confessed
themselves thieves, was as peaceful as that of
children.

At last, Leonard stirred a little, and then,
with a sudden movement, sat up, broad awake.
He could not tell what had disturbed him. The
negrowas snoring in regular cadance, and was
evidently good for many hours of sleep yet, if he
were let alone. ,
lBefore lying down Leonard had put out the
light in the lantern, and the cave was quite
dark, save for a streak of daylight that came
from a crevice high up in the wall, and that
suggested the manner in which the cave was ven-
tilated. , ‘

“Strange!” muttered the young man. “It
seems as if I must have heard something, or I
Would not have woke up in this way.”

He got on, his feet, and put his hand instinctive-

,ly to his hip-pocket, and then snatched it away

with an exclamation of rage.

“ I forgot! That infernal Sam Wilson took
my revolver. Well, I have another in the chest
there, if I should happen to need it.”

 

better hurry up, for he’s kicking like a two-
year-old colt.”

Leonard went to one corner of the en ve,iaud
from a small box t0ok a pair of handcuffs.

Dale Graham started.

“ What are you geing .to do!” he demanded,
as he vainly tried to escape from the grasp of
the negro.

“ You’ll see, Mr. Graham,” returned Leonard,
coolly, as he snapped the handcuffs on Graham’s

wrists with the ease of a professional, and then,

made a sign to Luke to stand aside.

Behind the negro, where they had not been
noticed by him, were a pair of heavy iron
shackles, fastened by a chain to the i-..cky wall.

The chain was long enough to allow any one i

fastened in the shackles to sit or lie down, but
within a small radius.

Dale Graham saw the shackles and under- ;
stand the purpose of Leonard Merville eVeu be- ;‘

fore that gentleman seized him and dragged him
over to the wall.
“ You villain!" cried Dale.

Leonard Merville replied with a sneering'

laugh, as he dexterously snapped the shackles
around the other’s ankles, thus making him a
complete prisoner.

“Come, Luke,” said Leonard, in a matter-of- '

fact tone.
“ All right, Mas‘r Leonard.”

“ What are you going to do?” demand/ed Dale. '

“ Not leave me here?”
The only answer was a laugh from the two

rascals, as they went hastily out of‘a rear door, .

‘ Iy means of which Dale Graham had found his

 

He felt his way to the wall, where he knew the s

lant'ern hung, and fuck it dawn, while he fumbled
in his pocket for a match. Y

He had the match in his fingers, and was just
about to draw it alOng the leg of his trowsers,
when—some one seized him by- the collar, and
with a muffled cry of "Villain!" form-d him
against the wall so iirml that, for the moment,
he could not free himsel .

But, only for a moment, for, with a wrench he
had torn himself loose from the clutch of his uno
known assailant. and then threw himself for-
ward with all his force, to find himself locked in
the deadly embrace of a foe almost as strong as
himself. , \

For a moment the two wrestled and tugged
with a mighty power, breathing heavily with
their exertions. Then some one else took a hand
in the proceedings, in the person of Luke, who.
rudely awakened by the name, sprung to his feet
and immediately fall over the lantern that had‘
dropped from the. hand of Merville at thafirst
onslaught. I

Luke opined that nothing could be done in
thedark; so, while the racket that he did not
understand was ing on, at his side, he philo-
so hically light: the lantern. .

osooner was light cast over the interior of

the cave than he uttered an exdamation of our;

rise, silmultaueons with a bowl of rage from
or .

The man locked in the arms of Merville, who
was trying his best to get at the mug man’s
throat, was none other than—Dalc- rahaml

h"?‘if,ou rascal!” gasped Graham. “Where is
s e ' '

The two men were holding each other in a
grasp of iron, and their faces were within a few
inches of each other. '

hie-nulls favored his rival with a mocking

rm.

8 “Belle Howard? What do I know about her?
I thought you were the favored one. She won’t
100k at me, you kn w." '

“ Liar i” howled rsham,
his foe back to the floor.

Luke, having hung the lantern on the nail,
thoughtitzime to interfere: so stepped behind
Graham, and putting one of,' his long, sinewy
arms around the young man’s neck, he pulled
him back, and taken by sur ise, Graham was
perfectly helplest in the huh I of the negro.

Leonard, as soon as he found himsef free,
shook himself, and, with a sardonic si ile, ob-
served:

as; he tried to, force

“ You see, Lake, a fellow never knows when '

he is safe. I new-r thought about that door at
the other end of the cave. It has not been used
for a years. and I thought it was covered owr

wit earthsothat it could not be seen or dis-,

covered. However. now that llr. Graham has
chosen to thrust himself upon our moiety, I guess
we will prcceed to make him wolcome.‘

right,” answered Luke. “ But, MN

4 ii i

   

 

   

wayin, shutting it after them with a bang, and
fastening it with a rusty bolt on the outside,
that had hitherto been concealed by a pile of
loose earth.

Dale Graham was a prisoner alone in a cave,
where he might starve to death, for anything
he could do to help hims. if.

_—

[CHAPTER XVII.
“ I AM nasal"

THE Parole was drawn up to the bank of a
small town a‘ few miles below the secret cave.

It was the morning after the adventures of ,
the detective and his companions with Leonard '

Mo‘rviile and Luke, but there was nothing in the
manner of Sam Wilson or any of those thaV‘had
been with him to indicate that they had passed

1 through such an exciting series of experiences as

have just been dethiled.

Sam Wilson “had been busy all the morning
making the presence of the'circus known in the
town, and the performers were all reaiy for ,the

afternoon performance, whet: Old Tom Elliott r

rushed excitedly into the drmzsing tent to inquire
for Leonard Merviile and Dave Graham.

“ Where are them two, fellows?” he hawled.
“ I don’t want togive a show with half my peo—
ple, and [depended upon Leonard for a bare-
back principal act for the second turn. I’ll fine
him twentygfive dollars if he does not come to
time. We shall be ready to start in half an
hour, and if Merville is not ready then I shall
have to fix overlthe procramme again, and put

1 “ Now, Fearless, what am I to do?” resumed
Old m, scratching his head in his perplexity.

“ ’al, I hardly know,” returned Fearless Sam.
“ You see, Leonard Merville—"

“ is here!” broke in a ringing voice, and Mer-
ville, cool, smiling and debonair, stepped into
the circle, and looked around him with satisfac~
tion over the sensation he had caused.

Sam was surprised at the audacity of the
young athlete, but he was too old astager to
show his astonishment. He removed his wide
hat and polished his bald head with his silk hand-
kerchief, but that n as the only indication of his
agitation that he allowed himself, and that was
not enough to provoke Comment.

The detectivi: looked around and was not at

all taken aback when he saw Luke, the negro,
moving about, as naturally as ever, doing the
odd jobs that came within his range of duties
with the sham
i " More check than I gave him credit for,”
thought the detective, “ but it will not make any
: difference. Iknow where the crib is now, and
i’m going to take possession as soon as I’m ready.
He’ll want to sneak back there before long, and
i when he does, I’ll go back with him.”
i “ Where have you been, Leonard i" demanded
ON T( m, in a pleasant enough tone, for he was
f So glad to see the young man lack that he wal
not in the humor to quarrelwith him now. .

“ Oh. I had a little business with a friend of
mine near here, and I left the boat as soon as We
pulled in here and took a walk to cee him, know-
ing I should be back in time for the show. I
should like to have got off this afternoon and
evening, if it were possible.”

“ Utterly impos~ib‘e, Leonard! You know
I that!" returned the nlBlle( r, uickly. “ We
. are short of people as it is, antici depend upon
i you and Belle Howard to carry the sh0w. Dale
Graham told me last night he was sick, and as
- he has not shown up this morning, I suppose he

,soon as this afternoon show is going good.”
‘ Fearless Sam raised his eyebrows as he heard
, the manager talk about Dale Graham.
i “ l’li hev ter see intei' this,” he muttered. “ If
i that boy hcz come to any harm through Leon-
} ard Merville, then thar’s going to he a private
‘ circus hyar, as sure as my name is Sam Wilson.”
The show went on all right that afternoon,
with Leonard Mervnle and Belle Howard doing

, their double lea -for-life on the flying trapeze, I

, and with both 0 them in their bare-hack riding
 acts. They were the strong features of the show,
‘ and the multitude applauded them to the echo.

But where was the. detective?

Fearless Sam had gone straight to the side-
sh0w in which Tim Ki fl'ey, arrayed in HS pro-
fessional ecstume as the Skeleton Dude, had just
,I finished entertaining an audience, and was wait-

ing for another to come in. He came down

; from his platform at once as soon as he saw the r.

' detective, and waited for him to speak.
“See hyar, Shadow.
ther wind with thet thar devilish Leonard Mer—
ville, and I’m going to find out what it is. I

* want you to be ready to go with me as soon as
I you get through to-night, to that crib we went
I to last night. I’m certain that Leonard and

something in for his act., I don‘t know how lamil ther nigger are going there, and I mean to fol-

to do that without spoiling the whole show; [

haven’t got too many performers at the best, |

and I can’t make people do too much, especially
for the afternoon, or they’ll be all played out for
the evening.”

Cid Tom delivered this long sermon in a loud
voice, and raged around the tent like one of the
wild beasts of his menagerie let. loose. He talk-
ed to every body in general, and to Sam Wilson
in particular, being accustomed to rely upon the
detective w hen anything went wrong.

Fearless Sam was sitting on a trunk, smoking
a cigarette. that he had rolled while listening to
the peroration of the governor. Now he pnfi’ed
a thin wreath of blue smoke from beneath his
hlonde mustache, and smiled as Old Tom paused
for want of breath.

“ I don’t think Leonard Msrville will be here
this afternoon," he observed, nietl y. ,

“ Wha-a-a-at!" yelled Old cm, with blazing

eves. -
“I don’t think he will be here this after~~

noon,” repeated Sam, sending out another put!
of smoke. ,

Old 'l‘nm gasped, and tried to speak, but his
indignation was too/ great, and he could only
stars and grant.

“ I’ll do a concertina turn on horseback, if you
like,” here put in Professor Handel Montgomery,
stroking his long, red whiskers, and lookin at
the manager with a propitiatory smile. “. be-

lieve I could stick on, with a good wide pad, or A

even bare-back, if you put plenty of chalk on the
.horse." V

“ ldintl” growled Old Tom sotto voice.

" I beg your pardon,” cried Handel. “ [didn’t
catch it. Do you want me to do the ac‘. ?”

“ No!” roared the irate manager. -“ I don't
want to turn my big tent into a monkey show."

Handel Montgomery went to a trunk and sat
down, with an indignant expression of counte-
nance, and sought consolation for the affront in
thinking of the. money he had in his trunk, and
the use he would make of it when he got back to
the "(lid country." V  , v

“ low them and bring this thing to a close.”

“All right. I’m with you,” squeaked the
; Skeleton. “ Who else will you take along!”
' “ Canada Jack.”

“ And Handel? I owe him one, and if therein ;

1 any discomfort in this adventure, as I suppose

. there will he, I want him to have his share of ' 

‘ it."

 

laughed the detective. “However. if youylike,
I have no objection to his going. He will fight,

 

| up the gloom.” , t
The detective walked away, and Shadow

, glanced malignantly to the other end of the ‘L
’ tent, where Handel Montgomery was examining .'

his concertina and playing snatches of melody,
. as be generally was w
' his money or performing bemre an audience.
\ "He has made fun of me several times, and
I’m bound to get even with him,” muttered the
Skeleton Dude.

~ DOW.
3, He walked past the red-whisker concertina‘»

l

fairly sizzle Within. The concrrtina- layer took-
the utmost delight in teasing Mr. Ray, al-
though he did not like the Skeleton to turn the
tables on him, as we have alrsad seen. '
The detective walked aroum

bind the animal-cages, entertaining a select
audience with his shell game. " '
He closed business at once as s‘oon as he saw

in the course of an hour," and walk
with Fearlm Sam.~ , ,

“ “fell, Sam, what‘s in the wind! Anything
newl‘

night show is abOut over, and I want you to go
along. He read y for trouble.” ,
i “ i always am,” was the brief response.

 

,15 ,. ,

is in his bank. I will go and look after him as'

 

Thar’s something in‘ '»

s. 

“Thet’s a very Christian feeling, Sh‘adow,”

if necessary, and then his red Whiskers will light ,‘

on his was not counting l

 

“I’d have done it last night";
i but for Sam, and I’m Just waiting for my chane, *

player, who only vouchsafed him a patronia. V
ing smile, that made the peppery Skeleto‘n'

the grounds, .
and, as he expected, discovered Canada Jack be... ‘

the detective, with a brief: “ Will open 3p again. .
' any, ,

“ Yes.’ I’m going to ther crib as soon as their; ,

six

      

16

- words.

   

   

diva/g \ ,4 , g V \  I‘m,
. r «.1
~ /! ‘ l

1

“Good! We may meet some to-night. I’m
going to find out what is in thet thar cave ter-
night, of it takes er leg.”

“ All right. I’ll be ready 1”

“ Well heeled!”

“ Well heeled l” repeated Jack.

 

CHAPTER XVIII.
DALE Ix QUEER QUAKTERS.

WHEN Merville and Luke shut the door of
the cave and left Dale Graham a prisoner there,
the prospects did not look very bright for the
young man.

He was anything but a coward, but his situa-
tion was one in which he might be forgiven for
feeling some dismay.

He did not know how long Leonard and the
negro might remain away, or whether it was
their intention tostarve him or put hiui to death
in some quicker way. He. had no doubt that
they would put him out of the World in some
manner. it was simply a question of method.

He was the rival of Leonard Mcrville in the
affections of Belle Howard, and, what made it
worse for him now, Belle favored Dale’s suit,
and would not accept that of Leonard.

Dale thought of all these things, and he deter
mined that if anything was to be done for him,
he must do it himself.

The prospects were not very hopeful.

He was fastened by the legs to the shackles
that held him in a ve y confined space, and his
hands were held toget net with stee) handcuffs.
He was as helpless as a trussed tnrke .

“ But I/avn not caught yet, Leonar Mervillel”
he muttered. “ I have my wits about me pnd 1
think I shall find some means to settle our long
score yet. For ’Belle’s sake, as well as my own,
I'll try.” '

He dropped upon the flmr and mused deeply
upon his situation, in the hope of finding some
way out of it.

“ If I only had my hands free, it would not
be so had,” he said, half aloud. “Well, why
not 3’

He held up his hands and shook the hand-
cuiik as he thought. '

“ By heavens! This one on the right hand
is not so very tight. I wonder—”

WhateVer he wondered he did not finish in
But he twisted his wrists so that the
steel band on the right hand was braced a ainst
the inside of that on his left, and pulled w tb all
his might, while be compressed all the fingers of
his right hand into as small a Space as possible.

“I never had a handchfl’ on before, but it
seems to me as if my wrist docs not fill the
space. I beliéve I can slip it over my hand.”

Even as he spoke he felt the steel slipping
over his knuckles, and the next minute he ut-
tered a cry of, triumph as one of the steel brace-
lets dangled from the other on his left hand.

He pulled away at the one on his left hand,
but, although it gave way a little, and he felt
convinced he could get in oil’ in course of time,
he did not think it worth while to trouble
about it now. It would not hurt him to let
the two handcuffs dangle from his left wrist,
and he wanted to use all the time and strength

’ he had in getting out of the cave.

‘ it. Then he found be con

He took la match from his pocket and lighted

(i just reach the
lantern that Leonard Merville had left in the
cava. When this was slight Dale had a hetiér
chance to operate, and it was with considera-
ble oy that he found that his shackles were
old- ashioned arrangements that had probably
been used in old times for guarding refractory
slaves and that he could easily open them
with his pocket-knife which was, fprtunately,
large and strong.

In less than an hour from the time that Mer-

Jillo and Luke had left the cave Dale Graham

was, free from his log-irons and was confined
only by one hand by the handcuffs.

“Before I go out I’ll exnlore this lacs 8
little," he said to himself, with a am e. “I
have no doubt that I can find my way out of
the cave easily enou h when I want to go."

To make sure tha he could do so, however,
Dale went to the front door, by which Leonard
and Luke had entered and which they had
shut in the faco of Fearless Sam and his com-

ions, and withone or two shoves. after
rawing back an inside bolt, he found himself

' outside, looking at the Mississippi River, flow-

" box in the corner.
V however, and as he 0,!

.‘ward determination to come back

 

. ing past and glittering in thesun in all the

beauty of a bright spring day.

Returning to the cave. but leaving the door
0 n, so that he had the benefit of the day-
l ght, the young man tackled the ll‘OIl-bOllnd
It was too securely fastened.
'd not know the combi-
nation, he gave it up after a while, with the in
later wit
Fearless Sam. '

Dale Graham seated himself on the ground
{not outside the cave, and gave himself upto

bought. Then it struck him that he was hungry

‘ and he looked around to see what chanCe there

'2, and 1 am not in the humor for it just now.

 

might be to get something to eat.
"I shall not 0 to the show at all to-day. If
I do, Old Tom ill make me go into the rhifii

, \

just take a day off."

 

  

..>,«.

flig  '. i‘ ' V: ' v I , ’\ ‘

Fearless Sam. '

The place he was in was far from human habi-
tation, and the prospects for finding any house
in which he might be fed were not bright.

“ I believe I am in about the wildest part of
this country,” was Dale Graham’s reflection,
when he had walkedn mile or so back from the
river, in the hope of finding some farm-house,
where he could be supplied with some hoe cake
and milk, or some other homely fare such as is
always to he found in Southern farm—houses,
where the hospitality of Dixie is proverbial. ,

He walked on for some distance, and then
fOund himself in swampy ground, into which
his feet sunk at every step. Then he saw a
forest a short distance away, and, impelled by a.
curious feeling that he could not understand,
but that he was equally unable to resist, he
walked on and plunged into the thicket.

“ I don’t know what is the reason, but it
seems as if I must go on and see what is in that
wood. I am very hungry, and something seems
to tell me that [shall get something to eat there.
In my present half-starved condition I cannot
afford to fool with my chances of obtaininga
square meal.”

The young man felt in his hip pocket to make
sure that he had a six-shooter close to his hand,
and then thinking it might be better to have it
in the outer pocket of his sack coat, 0 that he
could get at it more readily, shifted it to that
position and at the same time made sure that
there were six good cartridges in if.

“You can’t tell what you will meet in a
strange part of the country,” was his sage re-
flection, and it was not so long before he wk
glad that he had taken the precaution of having
his Weapon in a most cor: enient place.

As he brushed aside t e tall sycamores and
the thick sumachs on his way into the wood he
could not prevent a feeling of superstitious awe
creeping over him.

“They say there are all sorts of strange
things in these swampy woods,” thought Dale,
“but the main thing I am afraid of is snakes.
I shouldn’t like a healthy rattler to tackle me
here, by myself, but by heavens this is the sort
of place where you are likely to ,meet beasts of
that kind. If I do meet a rattlesnake I do not
know what I shall do. It would be no use to
blaze away at him with a revolvor. I could
not hit him once in ten shots, and he would
bar: finished me long before 1 could give him
six. I
He puthed his way further into the wood,
however, in spite of his apprehensions as to
snakes. The ground was very'soft in some places,
whilein others it was firm and covered with
dense underbush. ,In either case it was hard
to get throagh, and Graham began to think
that he was going through a great deal of hard
labor on the,very slim chance of getting some-
thing to eat eventually.

“ I would not keep this n merely for grub,”
he grumbled to himse f. ‘.‘ ut, ‘somehOW, I feel
that I shall find something that Will pay me for
all my trouble.” ,

As he thus soliloquized he caught sight of a
spiral wreath‘ of blue smoke rising above the
trees straight up into the still air, and he felt a
thrill run through him as he realized that he
must be near some human habitation.

“Who the deuce lives In the recesses cf this
wild place, I wonder? Whoever it is I will in-
terview them, and try to get a note meal, for
I am-pretty well played out. n any case, it
will be something to remember and to tell yarns
about when I get back to New York~if ever
do get back.”

The young man was full of the spirit of adven-
ture. as the reader will see, but he was very
doubtful about the sort of place he was going to
find himself in.

He walked for some distance further before he
found the source of the smoke that was so plain-
l y a parent above the trees.

“ wonder if it is some ghostly fire,” be though t.
“I have heard of fires being built by mysterious
hands that disappeared when a human being
went near them. leaving nothing behind but a
strong smell of brimstone. I hope that this is
not one of that scrt of fires.” ' -

Even as he thus reflected he laughed at his
own superstitious apprehensions, and pushed
on more earnestly to find the fire, whatever it
might be.

The trees were so close that the daylight
had become more gloom, and he could not
see; to make his way without considerable difll-
cu ty.

At last he caught sight of a structure of logs,
plastered with mud such as thanegroes as well as
poor whites use for habitations in localities where

tis impossible to get well-built houses Without

considerable expense. '
“ I sh0uld like to know whojs in that shanty,
before I tackle it," observed Dale. » “ But I am
too hungry to spend any time in trying to make
out who the host is in there, ovided he will
give me something to eat. I s all go right in
and see.” .
‘ But though D de talked to himself thus deter-
minodly, he did not plunge into the unknown
without reconnoitering. , u
He mad- a circuit' of the mysterious log hu
from which a column of smoke ascended from
the center of the roof. and in which there was no

i

 

 

 

other sign of life, so far as could be seen from
the exterior.

There was one small window, but it was high
up in the wall, and was covered with dirty. mos-
quito netting, so that nothing could be seen of
the inside through it. The door was a heavy
boarded affair of rough-hewn planks, tightly
closed, and there was but the one.

Dale walked around the shanty, gradually
coming nearer, until at last he stood in front
of the heavy door. He rapped with his
knuckles, but there was no rhsponse, so he gave
it two or three hard cracks with the butt of his
sin-shooter.

A hoarse cry from within be interpreted as an
invitation to enter. So returning his revolver to
his coat pocket, but taking care that it was ready
for instant use, he pulled the piece of dirty string
that hung through a hole in the door and forced
the dour back.

A puff of smoke drove him back for an instant,
but us it thinned n'little, he plunged into the
dark interior of the hut.

At first he could not see anything but a dim
fire burning in the middle of the place,
revealing itself in a spot of dark red. But,
as his eyes became accustomed to the gloom,
be discerned a bundle of something dark that
eventually disclosed itself as an old negro woman,
bending over the fire and crooning to hersolf in
a low tone.

Standing behind the old woman, and gaz-
ing at him curiously, was a stout wench,
very black, but wearing a good-natured expres-
sion], that showed a rOW of white teeth in a half
am] e. - .

“IVhat yo’ want?” ueried the old‘woman,
stopping her crooning ong enough to ask the
question, and resuming it at once. ‘ r

“ Grub!” was Dale Graham’s laconic answer.

“ ’Deed, then, honey, we ain’t got much."

“ I don’t want much.” .

“ Well, we give you what we hez,” said the
old woman. Then. addressing the girl: “ Yo’
Chloe, don’t be shif’leSs. Git de gemman some
ob dem co’n cakes, an’ tote’em ’roun’ right lively,
too. Yo’hyarnief".

“Yes, mummy,” answered the girl, as she set
about the preparations with a smile at Dale that
broadened into a grin. .

The old woman took no further notice of her
visitor, but resumed her crooning over the fire,
while the girl lighted a candle, and then got the
supper. She was handy, as ninst Southern
ne ro wenches arc, and in less than an hour
Du e was sitting in front of a very appetizmg
meal of corn cakes, fried rk and steaming
coffee, ata rickety old tab e, in the corner of
the cabin, and perfectly contented with his sur-
roundings. ,

He finished his meal after awhile, and then,
ashe lighted a cigar he was lucky enough to
find in his pocket, he was startled by a vivid '
flash of lightning followed hya deafening peal
of thunder.

“Hallonl ~That’s pleasantl” he muttered. .

As he uttered the words, it seemed as if the
floodgates of heaven were opened, for the rain
came down as if it had been emptied out of an
ocean altogether, and the storm such as oc-
casionally visits the Mississippi valley, heat
about the but as if it would wash it away, while
the forked lightning and roaring thunder made
up a combination of natural terrors such as he
had never experienced in his life, especially
amid such weird surroundings. .

“ It must be pretty late ” he thought. “ And
this means that PM have to stay here till, morn-
ing. Well, I might do worse. ’~ It is comforting
to have any shelter at all in such a storm, and
besides, I am interested in the old lady. And,
by the way, how she is enjoying that old corn-
cob pipe!" _ i ‘

 

CHAPTER Xix.
THE VOODOO DANCE.

Jr was nearly midnight ' when two men might
have been seen plodding thrOugh the forest in
the direction of the old woman’s log house, tak-
ing advanta e of each flash of lightning to see
their way a ittle further toward their destina-
tion.

The two men were Merville and Luke, the

neggol"

th men seemed to know their way, and al-
though they spoke but little to each other. they
walked on With one accord, as if each knew the
thoughtsof the other.

The rain, that had been coming .down with
fury for several hours. had Blackened. but the
thunder and lightning were as fierceas ever, and
the sky was black with clouds.
h‘LThers it is, Mas’r Leonud," said Luke, at

s

u  A

“ Just ahead of us. Don’t yer see, near that
old burned stump over there, under the syca-
more.”

“ You’re right, Luke. Let’s go right in.”

“ All right, Mas’r Leonard."

“ Wonder.whether any of the gang will be
there. This is the time they oughtto be around
if they are in this part of the country at all,‘l
mu Leonard. o I ,

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The negrocould not‘ distinguish his compan- , g

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‘ Fearless Sam.’

 

 

 

ion’s words, but that did not trouble him. He
had blind confidence in Leonard Merville, and
Was prepared to follow him anywhere and to do
anything that was asked of him without ques-
tion.

The young man exarcisod a pOWer over the
negro that was as complete as it was myste-
nous.

Boldly the young man strode forward, just as
a vivid flash of lightning revealed the‘ rough pine
dOor of the negro woman’s log-hut.

He knocked at the dOor, and without waiting
for a response, entered, closely followed by
Luke.

” Yo’ come?” asked the old woman’s voice,
although the room was so dark and filled with
smoke tilat‘LeUanI could not tell where the
owner of the voice was.

“ Yes. l’ve come. Who’s here?"

“ The spirits." _

“Oh, quit your jargon, and give me a sensi-
ble ansWer," returned Leonard, impatiently.
“ You don’t suppose I believe in your nonsense,
do you? Save it for the darkies and tell me
whether the gang are here at once.”

As he spoke, Merviile marched further into
the room, and almost fell over the old woman,
who was crooning OVer her small fire, much as
she had been hours before, when Dale broke in
upon her.

A flash of blue lightning forced itself through
the chinks of the cabin, and as the crash of
thunder came almost simultaneously, Leonard
burst into a sardonic laugh, as he saw Luke by
his side, trembling from head to foot, and look-
ing at him with an expression of intense fear.

The young man distinguished several dusky
figures enveloped in the smoke that came from
the fire of damp wood, but he could not tell what
their faces were like save that they were of
varying shades of blackness, set off by eyes roll-
ing in a great deal of white.

i “, Dis hyar de vood00 night, Mas’r Leonard,”
whispered Luke, crouching close to the young
man and speaking in an awe-stricken .whisper.

“Wha’ yo’ say?” suddenly shrieked the old

Woman, as she rose from her stool by the side of'

the fire and stretched her skinny right arm in
the direction of the shivering Luke.

Luke sunk to the earth on his knees, with his
teeth chattering like castunets, as the old wo-
man went on, in la horrible high treble:

“ Yo’ or’nary nigger! Yo’ Wine ter come
hyar an’ talk, ’bout de voodoo! ha’ yo! mean?
’Deed I curse yo’ ef yo’ $one say ’nother word

like that. De voodoo ma e yo’ teeth drop out,
yo’ hair burn up, yo’ eyes go blind, yo’ ile
eat into de flesh, an’ yo’ inside shrivel up! 0‘
hear e!”

The Voice of the bag gradually rose till it be-
came a shriek, and she spread out her fingers as
she waved her hand Over the unlucky Luke till
they seemed to him like; claws that would pluck
out his heart.

He dropped upon the floor and groveled with

his face buried in the dirt that formed the fl-lOl‘
of the hut. ‘
- o The old woman turned away from him with
a gesture of disgust and dropped upon her steel,
where she resumed her crooning as if she had
never stopped it.

Merville tossed his head in contempt of the
whole proceeding. and stretched out his hand
as if he would give the old woman a shake, when
she suddenly started up, and glared at him wrth
her skinny arms extended toward him, and a
dangerous gleam burning in her bleary eyes. 

“ Sit down, yo’ Leonard Merville, an’ I show
ydh something! Yo’ laugh at de voodoo. But,
do voodoo is what yo’ want to keep yo’ from de
gallomz! Yo‘ hear me!"

There was something in the bug’s manner that
impressed Leonard ,in spite of himself, and he
dropped upon an old chairugainst the wall, with
Luke sitting upon the floor, a demoraliZed heap,
by his side. ’

The storm continued, and now the rain added
to the uproar crbated by the thunder that reared

.in com py with the flashes of blue and yellow
forked ightning that showed themselves through
every chmk an cranny of the crazy old but.

It was a fitting night for incuntations! '

Evidently the 0] ’woman thought so, for she
laughed with dam lacul glee as she thrust her
sleeve up from her skinny arms, and called to
Chloe to give her the “ yarbs."

The young woman who had served Dale Gra-
ham with his supper came out of the gloom and
handed the old woman something in an old rag,
and immediawa rcti into the shadows on the
other side of the cabin again.

The fire had, burned low, and the old woman
was only ust visible, hovering over it like an
unclean t n .

She dip her skinny fingers into the bag,
and then. muttering something in a low tone,
gropped a few herbs into the fast-expiring

ame. '

It .leaped up in a lurid blaze, bringing the
hug and several aweastricken negroes standing
in a cluster opposite Mervillc, into bold relief.

The crooning of the old woman arose to a wail
here, is she walked slowly around the flu, wav-
ing her long, scrawny arms over it, with her
oyocglittering, and her expression that of one
in superstitious cam). '

    

\

 

A roll of thunder at this moment assisted in
making the scene still more weird, and Luke
dropped upon his knees at the side of Leonard,
and moaned as if he were suffering physical
pain.

Again the bag dropped some herbs into her
fire. and again the croorfing rose higher and
higher, as the old woman moved faster and
faster around the glowing embers. that dropped
into a dull red each time after the spurt of flame
cansed by the placing of fresh herbs on the fire.

“De,voodoo ain’t gwine to wo’k till I git
money!" proclaimed the ,old woman, after she
had put several pinches of herbs into the fire,
and had crooned herself hoarse.

There was a ru‘stling among the negroes at the
other side of the room, and then they came for-
ward ono by one, and dropped some coins into
the old Woman’s hand.

Although she was pretty warm and excited
Over her incantations, she was self-possessed
enough to count the money and see tl‘at it was
not ( uite as much as she wanted.

“ ree dolla’s an’ fiftv centsl I must hab five
dolia’s or do voodoo not wo’k," she proclaimed,
looking sioelong at Le inard.

He uttered a sneering laugh, and pu ting his
band in his pocket, drew forth two si vfr dol-
lars, which he placed in the.old woman 3 out-
stretched palm.

She grasped the money with achnckle, and
hid it in her clothing somewhere, as she stretched
forth her other hand to the girl for the rag that
held ‘the herbs, and that she had given her to
hold while she collected her fees.

The scene was resumed where she had left off,
and to the accompaniments of lightning and
crashing thunder, the bag circled around her
fire in a horrible dance, that became more ex—
cited as she went on.

She did not utter any intelligible words, but
her weird singing neyer ceased as she danced
about her fire. throwing her arms wildly above
her head, and throwing her herbs into the fire at
intervals.

Her dancing grew more excited as she went
on, and her long, bare arms looked like blasted
limbs of trees as she threw them over her head,
and occasionally pointed a skinny linger at the
grou of negroes on the other side of the cabin,
or di)rectly at Luke. Her clothing had fallen
from her shoulders, and her chest heaved as if
under the influence of fearful \excitement,
while the perspiration poured down her face
in streams.

Luke was completely overcome with horror,
while even Merville, devil-maycare rascal as
he was, could not help being impressed by the
supernatural suggestions of the scene.

Tue negroes were now grovoling in the dirt
on the floor, whil the girl, who had kept close
to the fire throng out the wild dance of the
old woman, preseu M an appearance of abject
fear very different from that of the smiling in-
difference with which she had greeted Dale
Graham early in the ensuing.

The old woman’s dance had been growing
faster until it Was an abandoned gallop such as
is ascribed to the witches of old. Her face had
taken on an expression of’insanity, and if she
did not believe in the voodoo she was invoking,
she was making a very good imitation of be-
lief in her aspect and actions. v

Suddenly she dropped at full length upon the
floor bv the side of her fire, where she .lay
sprawling, with her arms still moving, as if even
the givin out of her strength could not make
her give p her attempts to invoke the aid of her
familiar spirits to charm {ire money out of the
pockets of the awe-stricken egroes.

“infernal tOmfooleryl“ growl Merville to
himself, as he bestowed a hearty ick n the
person of pr0utrate Luke, without obtain ng any
res (YDSP saw 8. groan. ‘1‘

e strode across the cabin, and looked down
at the other Degrees, who were lying in a ter-
rified heap in a corner, mumbling and toss-
ing about ike the demented creatures that they

were. I

"I was to meet some of the gan here,” he
went on, to himself. “ This is the ate, and it
is more important than ever that I shouldseo
some of them, and tell them of the danger we
are all in.‘ That miserable S-un Wilson means
mischief and unless we can get the swag out of
thiit enave right quick we may lose the whole
th ng. '

He was stooping over Luke to give him a
harder kick than before when something bound-
ed out of the blackness on the opposite side of
the cabin. and he received a blow in the face
that knocked him backward through the door-
way, on t0p of the door, that hisweight had
forced from its crazy hinges.

 

CHAPTER XX.
“ HALT!" ‘

To spring to his feet and grapple with his un-
known antagonist was the work of an instant
for Merville. . ‘

The fire had flickered and gone out. the clouds
that obscured the heavens were a thick black
pull that showed no sign of lifting for the pres-
ent. '

' \
. I

 

Merville, therefore, could not see who it was
that had made the sudden attack u 0 him, but
he found him to be a lithe, pOWerfu fellow, who
understood the science of pugilism and wres-
tling, and who was able to hold his own with
Leonard in the struggle.

“Curse you! W ho are you?”howled Leonard.

There was no answer, save a closer bug that
seemed as if its purpose was to crush his bones
into pewder. Leonard tried to strike at his op~
ponent, but he was held in such a fearful grip
that he was absolutely powerless. ,.

He tugged and strained, and he thought he
was at last making some impression, when a
hated voice sounded in his ears—that of Fearless
Sam. which said:

“ Better give it up, Leonard.
yer.” '

Then his hands were suddenly jerked behind
him, and a pair of handcuffs snapped on his
wrists, as a blaze of light from a bull’s lantern
was thrown upon the face of the detective. so
that there should be no doubt in the mind of the
young man as to who was his captor.

Another lantern was produced then, and, as it
was opened, so as to cast a glare all around,
Mcrville found himself in the presence of Handel
Montgomery, Canada Jack, the Skeleton Dude,
Fearless Sam and Dale Graham.

Finding himself helpless, Leonard Merville
looked around him with his usual sneer, and
881i 2

“Seems to me you have brought the whole
show with you. Where’s Tom Elliott and—7
Belle Howard? She—” '

Graham’s hand was clapped over Merville’s
mouth, as the young man hissed:

“ Mention that young lady’s name again, and
I’ll strike yOu dead where you stand, you in-
human villain l”

“Oh, indeed l” snarled Leonard.

I’m on ter

“ And how

long havo you had the right to be her champion?

As the afilanoed husband of Miss Howard, I claim
to beas much interested in having her treated
with respect as any one!”

The smile that accompanied this remark was
toomuch for Dale. He sprung upon Leonard
and forced him to the ground, clutching his
throat with a fieroeness that would have ended
the career of the villain there and then, had it
lasted a few moments longer.

“What er durned idiot you young tellers
are!” exclaimed Fearless Sam, as he coolly,
and without any exertion, apparently, seized
Dale by the back of the coat collar, and jerked
him away. “ What is ther use of you exciting
yerselfi We are going to take Mr. Merville
back ter ther show, an’ we don’t want him all
broken up before we get him thar. Besides, he
is handcuffed, an’ I believe in giving every man
a show, no matter what he’s done, or how or’nar
he may be!" '

He lifted Merville to his feet, and stood be-
tween him and Dale Graham to prevent further
hostilities.

“ Thanks, Fearless! I believe you are a
square man to that extent. You and I are
enemies, but We would not touch each other ex-
cept in a square fight. As tor this cur, he dare
not touch me except when I have my hands
hitched behind me—” i

“ Liar!" broke in Dale Graham, hotly.

“‘ Keep it up!” sneered Merville. “ You can
call me iar or anything now, while I have these
handcuffs on.” ’

“You did not hesitate to put them on me,
though, did you I” retorted Graham, displayin , ‘
his ri ht hand, upon the wrist of Which the stag .
brace ets still dangled. F - ‘

“ And it didn‘t take four or five men to put ',
them on you, either.” sneered Leonard.

“ Enough of that,” put in Fearless Sum. “ Quit
your quarreling. Come on, boys! We are goin
back. We have to get back to the show.

romised 01-! Tom I would be back in the mom-
ng, with all his performers.

“.This is a nice way to take me back, with my
hands behind me. Isn't it!" asked Mervilie," ‘
savagely.

“ hat‘s all right. I’ll take them of! before it
is time for you to go into the ring,” answered
Fearless, cheerfully. « /

Then, as he caught sight of a heap of humanity
just inside the door of. the hut-a bundle of some-
thing dark, with staring eyes and quivering
month, he burst into a loud laugh. ‘ ’ ‘

“ Wal, I’ll be durnedl Luke!”

He stepped inside and dra ed out the negro,
who, more dead than alive, ookcd from the dog
tective to Leonard, and back again, and thenjrh
to the faces of the rest, with an expression 0!
such intense misery, that even Leonard Mervilie
could not help smiling. ' 

“ Oh.\Mas’r Leonard. What a fearful ’sporh‘
encel 'Deed, she's a great voodoo woman. I _'
never done see nothin’ like it atom in my life.
’Deed I didn‘t. l‘se sure she's dc sisteroh do 
debbil. Dat’s what she is. Oh, glory! glory?" ‘

“ The nigger's crazy with that thar monkey \-
shine in that,” exclaimed the detective, as he 2
shook the disgruntled Luke till his teeth rattled 

° and his eyes rolled loosely in their sockets. :

He turned toward Merville and motioncdjto
himtomove away from the but. The you“
man obeyed, and Canada Jack walked into the
forest for a few moments, whilev Fearless 8am

 

 

 

“ ‘.l

 

   

 

 

 

\ '18

i
kept his eyes on Leonard, but vi ithout appearing
to do so.

Soon Canada Jack returned from his mysteri-
ous mission into the forest, and then the pawmg
of hoofs was heard, as if there were a number of
horses in the vicinity.

“ Got ’em all, Canadai” asked the detective.

H Yes.”

“ Good!

“ Weli i”

“ Get on till-i hor e.”

” flow can i. with my hands fastened?" asked
Leonard, gruflly.

“ Come, don’t give mo any gulf of thet thar
kind," returned Sum. “This hyar’s your own
ring horse, Starlight, an’ you kin git on his back
liar:ng fast or not. You know thet as well as i
( o.

“ Guess'you‘ro right, Fearless. I didn'. know
it was Starlight, or I would not have objected.
Here, Btarlightl"

The horse—a magnificent black thoroughbred
-sidled over to Lornard as he heard his voice,
and rubbed his nose against the young man’s
chest, With a loving movement.

" I can’t pat you, Starlight, for my hands are
behind me, but I’ll owe it to you," said Leonard.

Then he turned half around so that his right
elbow rested on the horse's back, and, with a
sudden and vigorous movement, was in the sad-

Leonard i”

t‘.

“ Well done, Leonard! Blamed ifyou ain’t a
spry boy, if yer are er rascal,” muttered the do-
tective, half aloud.

Jack was bringing four other horses and a
donke y forward from the dense torest, and Sam
was about to apportion them among the crowd,
when a slight stir in the rear made him start
and draw his six-shooter. " ,

There was a galloping of boots and a wild cry
of triumph from Merville, as the detective»
blazed away in the direction of the disturbance,
and then threw himself upon the back of one of
the horses at his side. ’

“Ha, ha, ha!” laughed Merville, and the de-
tective knew that the young man had got the
best ol‘ him in some n ay.

“ Wliar’s thct nigger, Luke?" he cried, as he
looked hastily around him, With the aid of his
bull‘s-eye lantern.

“Deed then, Mus’r Fearless, l’ui all right,” rc-
sponded the negro's voice, and the detective saw
that Luke was on a horse, ad was galloping
away at the heels of Starlight, who was ~howing
his thoroughbred origin by s» inging along at a
pace that could not be e unlml by any hor—e lei't

ehind with the detective .— party.

“That darned nigger hez another horse, near-
ly as good as Starlight, too," rowlcd the detec-
tive, in disgusted tones. ” e’ll hev t» r let ’em
go this time, I s’pore. But if they ever get near
the Parole again, I bet 1’” keep my eye on them
until 1 probe this bank business to the bottom.”

“Well, gbvernor, what are we going to do?
Shall we go back to the cave, and try once more

. to get into iti You think the money is there,

7/
s. ' ’ -
» I
.‘l' l
I
A:
U." .
.\
l
1'.
I
l
2:
' “t
.i
rt,

' tired enough to want to

donLifvoul”,asked Jack.

e Canada. l’m convinced that the key
I'to this mystery is in that cave, but we have
tried all we could to get into it, and it is evident
that we must'have the assistance of Mer-
ville to accomplish our purpose,” answered
Fearless, rather dejectedly, for he felt keenly
the triumph of Leonard, even although it was
but to rary, as he was convinced.

i Dsi‘s raham heard .mut Sam had said about
the cave, but he did not think it a propitious time
to go there, although heknew that he could
take them into it, if he chose, when the opening
of tho iron—bound; box that contained at least
half of the money that tho detective was
after, would be but a question of time and
patience.

Tlale Graham was only human; and he was
get-back/w the" Parole
‘,for a ood refit, to say nothing of his hope of
bond up with Leonard again; and help on
V’h‘and to protect Belle Howard, should I be

necessary.
“ Wal, boys, let’s travel,” said the detective,

h

‘ after 6 moment’s pause, during whlcn be up

' . lint streak of light in

d to be thinking deeply. “I can see a
. _ her clauds ()Vel' thar in
thor east, au‘ it’ll be, broad daylight by ther

{time we git over that to ther Parole a sin.
 Although he had leaped u n the
, horse, with the intention of ollowing Ixonard

ck ofa

., and the negro h had caught himself in time

with the reflecting that it would be onl waste
of energy to do it. 80, as he sat on b s horas

. likes status, the Others moved around him and

’thoyd

could talk to him while making preparations to

vs . ,
4 The inmates of the but all teamed to be
Exhausted, and none of them .came out tori-e
what was going on. They were probably ac-
customed to unusual procaedlugs—that is, pro-
ceedings thatvwould be unusual elsewhere—and
d, not regard it as their business to inter-

fere in anything that might be done by visitors
to the old sibyl are back there in the forest.

“ What are we go rig to do about these horses,
Fearless?” asked Canada Jack. “ There’s only
two besides the chasing”

I ll “:Wal, let me u锑returnsd 8am. “You

  

 

 

‘FearleSS Sam.

Then we can put Montgomery on ther donkey,
and Shad0w, who doesn’t “ eiin ver much, can
ride on the jackass with Handel. het’il be er
very good arrangement.”

“Will it?” spluttered the Skeleton, who had
been listening wit‘ much interest to the re-
marks oi’ the detec ive. “Well, I don’t mean
to ride with that Englishman, so I tell you,
right now.” ‘

“Andl think it’s bad enough to put me on
a blooming donkey, without insulting mo any
asking me to take that kcletcn covo on the
animal with me.
any wnyS.”

"hero would probably have been a breaking
out ol‘ the ever-smoldering animosity between
Mr. K tiny and tho Concertina-player had not
the detective prevented it by hastily SUtlfe‘t-
inp; that the Skeleton should lide with Graham.

Dale acquiesced in this arrangement cheerfully,
and tho Skeleton, with much dignity, expressed
his satisfaction. So it was settled trat way, ul-
tliough "Handel Montgomery took his seat on
the back of the donkey with considerable dis-
gust.

“Now for the Parole,” said the detective.
“ March 1” v»

The cavalcado moved away through the trees
into a clearing where they could make pretty
good time, just as the gray dawn broke owr the
scene, and showed how utterly desolate was the
spot in which tho voodoo woman had her abode.

“ I’ll be glad to see the old Parole agn".i,” ob-
sorved Jack.

The Words Were hardly out of his mouth when
four masked men rode out from n clump of
bushes, each with two six-shooters in his hands,
and commanded the party to halt.

Sam took in the situation instantly, and he
drew up without a Word.

masked party, and fiw pairs of hands went up
Over the heads of the detective and his followers
without a word.

“ What’s ther troublcl” asked the detective,
calmly.

game to yer.”

‘* It ain‘t no hold-up,” returned tho leader.
“ But it will probably be er string.in when we
gitbai-k to town with yer. 'Them bosses thet
you hev belong ter some of the citizmls, an’ I tell
yi—r wn our death on hoss-thieves in this hyer
section."

“ ()n,’ is thet all?” observed the detective, with
a sigh of relief.

 

CHAPTER XXI.
A MISCELLANEOUS LOT.

“ Rim: along in front of us, an’ don’t try tor
do anything crooked or yer'll die on ihe spot.
Understand?" asked the leader of the paity, as

tive and his followers were toga, and which
Fearless Sam noted, was away from the town
and almdst in the direction from which they had
come. '
“ W‘ouder what’s up?" thought the detective.
He did not so anything, but using his left
hand on his bridlyerein, in accordance with the
command of the leader, he turned his horse and
rode on, with his peo lie behind him, and the
masked men behind t em, still holding their
revolvers ready for action. while the detective
and his party kept their right hands in the air
above their heads. ’ .
They were a rennarkable-lmking procession,
but no one seemed disposed to enjoy the humor
of the situation.
Sam was thinking hard, and he was satisfied
that he had about unraveled the meaning of
this (hold-up on a trumped-up accusation of
horse-stealing. He did not communicate his
suspicious to his, companions for never!
rename, the most important being the fact
that ho had no opportunity to address them
while the six-shooters of his captors were so
handy and evidently ready to discharge their
loads at the least cxcusc.
It was a beautiful morning, after, the rain,
and the wet grass sent up a fragranco that was
like wine to the'lired men. The detective, who ‘
never permitted himself to bo warriod if he
could help it. whatever happened, gave himself
up to the enjoyment of nature, and gradually
allowed his hand to drop until it restedOn hi1!
shoulder. ‘
Jack and tho Skeleton were accustomed to
watchin Fearless and taklrg their cue from
him, an when they saw that be had let his
right hand drop to some extent, they foll0ue‘i
his example.
“ Hands up, thar!” suddenly commanded the
leader of the other part y, in gruff and threaten- ‘:
lug ton in. '

His der was instantly obeyed, but not with-
out retest on the part of the detective. ,
" hyar, stranger,” he said, “ it’s impossible
fer men tor ride all tber morning with their
hands up in ther air. We are in your power—
yon hev tbor drop on us, 110an yer?" I
The leader did not vwoboafe any answer, and '

 

d Dale Grnbainthor actor.

   

unhov  horse on

 

  

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more, and most certainly gou might do without 5

I never could abido thin mcn, g

“Hands upi” continued the leader of the:

“Is this uyer er hold-up? El" itia,I ;
tell per you will find that it will be an expensive ;

he pointed with his pistols which way the.ii»tsc- 2

i “Wok [yer hov, whether yer answer me or

i not. Now, why can’t you let us drop our
hands. We 0! uldn’t donothin’ without you git-
ting er chance ier plug as over an’ over again
first.”

The leader whispered to the man riding by his

l side and then, with a nod, responded:

“Thor’s sense in what you say.

I hands, butyou know what you’ll git of you try

any monkey business.”

“Curt,” answered the detective, cheerfully,
as he allowed his right hand to fall carelessly to
: his side, just level with the top of the )ocket in

his sack coat in which- reposed his revolver.

His com, anions all dropped their hands, too,
while lhey kept their eyes on the detective, as
closely as they dured, as if seeking a hint from
him. ‘

Sam could feel that his revolver was all
right, and that, with a quick movement, he
might draw and fire, although it would be at the
imminent risk of his life, for he could not hide
‘ from i imself the fact thathis captors favored

him with more attention than they gave to the

1 rest, as it' recognizing in him the most dangerous

‘ man in the party.

i For some time they rode on, until the detec-

' tive noted, with an interest that almost made
him forget that he and his companions were

i prisoners, that they Were nearing the r ive which

i he had been. trying to and his way into earlier

; in the morning.

i “I believe can see through all this hyar

1 scheme," he muttered, " an’ of I can, why, there

I

l

l

i

will be a good stroke of business done today,
after all.”

Sure enough, the party rode up to the rear
entrance of the cave, by which Dale had made
his way into the cave, but which the detective
had not been able to find, and then one tf the
masked men went inside.

Where Fearless S-am sat on his horse he had
a good view of the interior of the cave, and he
saw the man open the iron-bound box, and tin!)
observed that there were bundles of green-backs
inside.

The moment for action had now arrived.

IIe glanced sideways at Jack, and saw that
he was ready for whatever it might be neceso
sary‘to do. He was familiar with the expres-
‘sions of Canada’s face, and, knew that the

graftir could be depended upon in cases of
, emergency. "As for Graham and the Skeleton,
, there was no question about their readiness, and
i he felt pretty sure that the red-whiskered.
l‘petulant Montgomery would be found Iq::al
, to a sudden demand upon his c0urage and ac-
‘ tivity.

The masked leader of the party was sitting at

4 the left of the (letFK'thP, with his revolver pivlm'd

in his hand, and the muzzle pointed directly at
\ Sam’s forehead.
l [t was’a ticklish moment for the detective, irut
‘ he knew he must take chanCes, as he had lun-
dreds of times before in his life.

His hai d had sttlen into the pocket of his
pilot coat and was firmly clas ed over the in?

of his reVOIVer, with his fore nger on the tii -
per. The qiiestlt n was whether he could raft- y
drnw the weapon and discharge it. I

A m' ment’s consideration convinced Fearless
thatihis would be taking too much risk. At
the same time, hedlnew that now was the time
to climate from his present predicamentlflhe
“'Pretvcl‘ to do so. The talk about his party
being suspected to be horse~tbievos he knew was
duly a rose. lut he was not sure that the
might not suffer more than if’they had been not
if they did not get away from this gang at,
once. i l .
One last glance at Jack to make sure that he
was ready and then, without taking his hand

‘ from the pocket (f bisooat,‘ he pulled the trigger

oi his revolver. ,

Although Sam had no OPFOHUDily cf taking
precise aim, he hit what he fired at; ,

Ills hullct struckdho pistol in the ha d of the
leader of the masked gang, and sent itgpinning
away, {at- out of reach. , t

The di-tectivo followed up his shot by spring.
inl: upon the "Tan. W ho was confused by the
suddenness of the attack, and the two men were

. rolling on the ground, while Graham, Canada,

   

' Jack and the Skeleton were upon, the ,other two,

and had disarmed them, .

At the same instant Montgomery re'd a u arn~
ing shot close to the tar of the man u the cave,
who was bending over the strong-box, and kept
his revolver pointed at him, till he saw how
things would turn out with his friends.

The vic 'ory was completes

In less ime than it takes to tell it, the situa-
tion was exactly reversed from that of a minute
before, and the (our masked men were sitting
on their horses, without arms and completely at
the mercy of 8am and his friends.

“Take their masks off,” commanded the
detective, and tho Skeleton Dude, who was

i enjoying himself anwzingly, obeyed on the in.
r slant. ‘ i ‘

As Sam had expected, two of the rascals
proved to be Leonard Merviile and Luke, ,while

, the other two were men well known to that'etéc- '
: tive as professional thieves. . ' - , '
.u Wal, Leonard l” obserth thedotective, with 

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“ Well,” returned the young man.
“ It didn't go, did it, eh?”
“ No; but it will some day.”

“ Maybe. It the mean time, Iam going to
take charge of this cash. I guess I haveas much
right to it as you.” ‘

‘Howe you? That remains to be seen. By
what right do you go into a plum that belongs to
me and take money that is my own? If I see fit
totake care of of my money by hiding it, in-
stead of placing it in a bank, what business is
‘that of yoursl”

“ You are a pretty smart fellow, Merville but
that sort of thing does not go. I shall not keep
the money if you can prove as it’s yours. Ef
you can‘t, why, We will try and find out whose
it is. See?"

“This outrage will cost you dearly, Sam Wil-
ton. You mark my Wortli-‘l” snarled Leonard.

“ And you mark mine, Leonard Mervillc," re—
turned the detective with more heat than he
usually displayed. “You have done enough
crooked thingswhile you hev been with Tom
Elliott's show to put you in ther Penitentiary
for or long term of years.”

“ Have ll”

“ Yes, you hev, an’ don’t you r’ile me, or it
will heiworse fer yer new. I am on tlier track
of or certain bank robbery, an’ until I run my
man down I’m goin‘ ter take charge of any cash
I may find thet don’t seem ter be in ther hands
of its rightful owner. Until I get that cane
worked up I don’t propose fer let you out of my
sight.

“ So we are going back to the show, are we?"

“ We are. And when we get thar you just
attend ter yer business, an’ you may get along
fer awhile without looking horns with me. Ef
you don’t, why——”

The detective did not finish his sentence in

\ words, but there was a look in his blue eyes that

the young man fully understood, for he did not
say anything in reply, as Sum directed Mont-

, Emery and the Skeleton to pack all the money

two large canvas bags that were in the box

The detective’s orders were obeyed, and
Handel was standing by the side of Sam’s horse,
asking him whether he should carry all the
money himself, or trust some of it to Shadow,
when an ejaculation from Jack made him turn
quickly and instinctively dodge to one side.

It was well that he did so, for he only just
missed a desperate lunge from a long knife that
Luke had managed to hide in his clothing. and
that he had aimed at the middle of the detective’s
back, where it would certainly have found his
heart and ended his career forthwith.

‘f What or blackguard you are, Luke 1” ob-
serrmd Fearless, calmly, as he slap the negro
on the side of the face with such orce that he
knocked him off his horse, while the knife flew
from his hand a long way beyond his reach.

The detective did not make any more remarks
on Luke’s futile attempt to murder him, but just
set we whole party in motion, and they went at
a brisk trot to the little town down the river
wnere the Tom Elliott show was to appear the
next day.

They did not follow the windings of the river,
but by cuttiu across country, managed to get
own with the lmat before she had gone very far
on her way. - .

It was late in the afternoon when they sighted
the Parole steaming lazdy down the stream, and
before the detective had tried to signal her he
had the satisfaction of seeing her heading direct.

, ' ly for the shore toward a spot where there was a

guru! depth of water near the bank, and when; it
would be, ible to run the horsesup the broad
gang-p without danger of the boat ground~

“I?
“What have You there?" were the first word.
of Old Tom as Fearless Sam made all the party
“10 boat‘s 10wer deck ahead of him.
The detective took of! his hrond—hrimmed hat
and brought the silk handkerchief into use in
lluhlnfi bl! shin head, as he answered: l
‘" A "TY 311808 Ineona lot, Tom."

I QHAPTER XXII. .
mAiiLiiss Ana‘snors A 311.1,,

Wars Sam had his men safely on board of the
Parole he felt ‘easwr in mind than he had for
some time. .

rm- first thing he did when the boat pulled out
into the middle of the stream'sgain was to ask
Tom Elliott whether there was any intention or
icing unhore before tlie_morning, when it was
“poem to reach Delta. just above Vicksburg,
where there wasto beashow given the non

(“Janet much,” was ¢ld Tom's response.
‘H An right. then. I'll turn in and hev ther
flmgood sleep I’va lied for several days. I am

“ a la ado t."
Bfihfit’: rigii’t. 8am. You’ve earned a sleep.

A But tell me, u here did you find that confounded

hard 1” , .
Lesl‘ll tell you when 1 get up. Tom. But, keep
for treachery. Ef he or Luke

“ And what about them other fellers that you
have brought with you? Do you want them i”

“ Wal, yer see, I her no right ter do anything
with them onless I can get something ag’iu’ ’em.
I know they are professional crooks, but so long
as they are not doing anything 1 don’t know
what I can do.”

“ But didn’t they try to kidnap yer? The
Skeleton said something about it.”

“ Durn that K' ffey! He must go talking.
Wal, Tom. try to keep ther fellers aboard, but
particularlv watch Leonard and Luke. They
are ther fellers I hev ter pick er bone with. I
don’t s’pose they’ll trouble you fer some time.
They’re about as tired as I am, i guess.”

The detectiVe’s assumption was correct. Of '

all the party that had come back from the
woods where the voodoo dance was held, and
where the inonegothat the detectiVe had safely
deposited in the
remained about the boat.

All had retired. Leonard and Graham went
to their own state-rooms in as matter-offset a
way as if they had never been away from the
Parole save to appear at the shew, and Luke
was fast asleep on a heap of waves on the lower
deck. Montgomery and Shadow, who were not
so high in rank in the show as Dale ahd Leonard,
were asleep in the long saloon, on cots set apart
for the cheaper people of the show, although
they ware as far apart as they could manage,
for they had not settled their animosity yet, and
it . med as if they never would.

e horses, which were all the property of Old
Tom Elliott, were comfortably disposed, and as
the boat “out down the Father of Waters, by
the light of the moon that was just struggling
above the horizon, there was nothing to indicate
that the Parole held anything buta peaceful and
happy family, brute aud'human. "

Those who had taken part in the night’s ad-
ventures in the woods were still asleep when
Belle Howard, as bright as the morning itself,
came from her state-room, and stood thought-
fully in the b0w of the boat, watching the water
and the scenery of the banks on either Side.

She had not been there long when she heard a
step behind her, at the same time that a voice

said:

“ Bi‘llel”

She turned quickly, with a smile, and held out
her hand to Dale Graham.

_ “ Dale, I’m glad to see you.”

“Thanks.” '

“ That’s rather a short w'ay to receive, my re~
mark " she laughed. “I suppose you are not
thinking what you are saying, or who you are
saying t to."

“ I beg your pardon. Belle,” returned the
young man. “No, you are. right. 1 was not
thinking just what i was saying. I was trying
to make up my mind what i had better doabout
Merville.” "

“ Don't do anything, Dale. I do not fear him
noW. I have you to protect me, and Sam Wil-
son is always on the watch, too.”

,“ True, Belle, but LeOnard is a desperate man,
who is plunged deeper into questionable business
than on have any idea of.”

“ ' ell, really, Dale, I do not see {that his
doings have to do with me, for I never can to
haVe anythin more todo with him th u I can
help, although," with a shudder, “ he exerts such
a strange influence over me sometimes that I am
afraid of him." .

Dale Graham’s brow grew dark.

“ if he tries anything of that kind again it
will he the worse for him," he mum-rod.

“ Where did you go yesterdavi Old Tom
Elliott was asking for you. but Sam said you
were all right, so I did not worry.”

“,Would you have worried otherwise?“ asked

the' youn man. while a deep glow of pleasure
suffused h scheek. ‘
, “ I should worry about any friend I have
whom I thought was in peril," she answered,
evasively' but, there was a telltale blush that
satisfied ( raham. '

“ 1 just took a little ride intothe country, that
was all,” he said, for he did not think it worth
While to tell her of all his adventures. and how’
neaiily he had been prevented from coming back
ate . '

“Well. all i have to say' is that you musti

watch Mervllle. He is dangerous.”

” I am not afraid of hini,”auswered the young
mannlightlv.

“Glad to hear it,” chimed in the voice of
Leonard, as that young man stepped forward,
nest and clean, and showing no traces of the
rough time he had had the'night before says in
the shape of adiscolored eye, as the result f Dale
Grahmu’l fist having been planted the in the
scnfi‘h near the Voodoo woman’s bur.

Graham stoodxclme by the side of Belle How-
ard, and as Leonard approached her, hcr-‘lover
placed his arm around her waist.

“Good-morning, Leonard." said Belle, ner-

7vously, for she felt instinctiver that there was

danger of some kind in the atmosphere, and she
thou ht it Well to be polite to the young man,
man as shedisllked as well as feared him.

“ I said just what I meant, Merville," said

~Dale‘, as’he looked fiercely into the sneering

face‘of his enemy.

 

“"I am not. afraid of on
andJouRuow‘it." ' ,> \.~ ,.  i ,y , '

 

7 a

   

at’s safe was hidden, not one ;

 

P “ At least, you might be polite enough to re-
frain from Elk scrt of talk in the presence of a

, lady," retor d Leonard.

“ That comes well from you .' You are so par-

‘ ticular about the rules of politeness! I think I

3 would rather be a little lux in thatdirection

i than be cowardly enough to try and kill that

v same lady by an unprofessional trick."

l Merville’s hand moved quickly to his hip-

? packet, and Graham was no less rapid in reach-

, lug for his side—pocket. .

,j “ What do you mean?” asked Leonard, as he
dropped his hand with a contemptuous toes of

, the head. '\

i “ Dale, for my sake—" whis red Belle.

v “ For your sake,” he retina-Orin the same low

Ethan“ I mean to tell this fellow what I think of

i in).

“ What do you mean?" repeated Leonard,
who had seen that lhere was some interchange
j of words between the two, and suspected strong-

ly what had been said.

I “I mean, that your act on the trapeze the
I other day was an unprofessional as it was cop‘-
j ardly. That you purposely aIIOWed this girl to
i miss her tip, \‘ltll the chimes—the almost cer-
i tainty—of her .elng killed. It was not your
l fault her friends were on the watch and fros-
1 treated your fiendish scheme.”
Merville's face became livid, al10wing the

,‘ black mark under his eye to stand out with fear-
, ful distinctncss.

— “ You lie!"
~ teeth.

Dalemsde a step forward, and Leonard threw
himself into a posture of defense.

“ Dale —- Leon rdl” cried the young girl,
alarmed to such a degree that she could not re-
strain herself.

“ Belle,” whispered Dale, “go away! I must
settle this trouble at son-e time, and 1 may as
well do it nOW. Don’t you see that?”

Belle Howard was used to seeing contests of
skill and strength between men—and women,
too, and she saw at once that Dale was right.
She hesitated for a moment, and then, that
peculiar power that it seemed hs if Merville
could exercise over her at will, made her move
away, leavi the two men alone.

“ Now, Da 9 Graham, I in going to get even-
with you for this,” hissed onard.

He made a sweeping motion toward his dis-
colored eyc, and Dale smiled.

“ What are you going to do—shootl”

“ No. I am going to thrash you with my
fists. Do you understand? I am going to whip
you. like a dog.”

“ When is this whipping to take place?" asked
. Dale, who was ming Cooler in proportion to
his enemy‘s increase of excitement.

it Now.”

“ Come on, then i”

Dale threw himself into the easy posture of a'
trained athlete handy with his fists. Merville
did the same. ‘ »

They stood, face to face. looking straight into-
each other’s eyes, for perhaps half a minute,
whén a man stepped between them. I ‘

he hissed, between his set

 

It‘wss Fearless Sam!

He held his hat in his left hand, vi hile his right,
holding a red silk handkerchief, was industrious-
ly polishing his bald head. ’
.\“ Wal, what's up!” he asked, carelessly. ~

“ Stand on one side. Sn m Wilson! I'll at—
tend to you later,” commanded Leonard, savage-

] D
yu I I “fit.” .

Iponard Mervil'e, in a paroxysm of rage,
aimed a blow at Fearless Sam, and the n It.
moment he was sprawling on. the deck, a bile he
detective was coolly whiping his head with his
silk handkerchief. .

“ You should not try ter fool with yer
uncle," observed Sam, cheerily. “Seems for
me. Merville, as if you never would learn sense, ,
soit does.” .

Leonard slowly arose to his feet, while Sam
kept a we eye on him. ’ ‘ ,

“Sam \ ilson, I am going to a ht this fellow '
Graham with my bare hands. ‘ am going to:
whip him till he can‘t stand, and if you are any
man at all you will not interfere." 

The young ma n spoke distinctly, but with {out
Gfiort,‘provmg how hard he was trying to cop
his ra e within bounds.

Gra am, who had dropped his hands at the
detective‘s interference. at who was readyto

 

usume hostilities at a m ment's notice, waited - . v
curiously to see the end of the dis uts. \ \fl g 

The defective turned toward Dale. v 

“ Dale, is this a fact? Is he going to whip you '
till you can’t stand, as be i" ' .

" So he says,” answered Dale. with a mule
that exasperated the acrobat to an almost yua-
bearable point. ~

“you will you be doing while he is whipping ,
yer / '

“ Trying to make it interesting for him." 

“ So i supposed. Wal, pow, I’ll tell yer,
_ Leonard: You an’ this hyar young feller stem
to hev got inter or dispute that must be aided;
somehow, and on seem ter want ter do it with
yer fists. All right. I hevn’t anything for my
ag'io’ thet. It's er good, manly way ter- do it."
But, as decent felli rs, yer ought ter do it accord-
in’ tar IMP "Ila u! that rina‘ ah!” - V

\.

 

   

  
    
   
   
    
   
   
  
    
   
   
  
    
   
  
    
  
  
        
   
    
   
   
  
  
   
   
 
    
      
  
  
       
     
       
      
      
     
       
       
       
 
       
           
         
              
      
   
          

 
   
 
       

      

 

 

  
 

. ever hit you store.
‘ youkn0w that, Shadow. Now. don’t you?’

‘I an

20

“ Any way he likes,” returned Leonard, care-

.a 4.. ‘

v v

essly.
“Good! And what do you say, Dale?"
“ I don’t care.”

“Goml again. Wal, you can’t do it right

hyar, ’cause you would interfere with business, -
Do you

an’ it would be altogether too public.
take me?”

The detective’s silk handkerchief was in full
use now, and he was polishing away at his head
until it shone like a mirror.

The two young men nodded.

“Now, Just step hyar back of the animal'

cages, and we‘ll boy as pretty er little mill as
Yusgvel‘ seen at the Manhattan Club or anywhar
e <0.

He mdtioned to Merville to go first. Then he
came, followed V Dale.
two foesnto commence tearing at each other
umil everything was arranged according to his
owu rather fastidious notions of what Was
right in such a matter.

CHAPTER XXIII.
1 A cowaan'ann a con.

“HELLO, what‘s the blooming fun?” cried
Montgomery, as he met the procession passing
the foot of the staircase leading from the main
deck.

The concertina-pluyer, like the rest, felt all.

the better for his sleep, and with his red whiskers i

flowmg down to his shoulders alinostpand a
generally spruce air, was as gay an ob ect as
could be seen along the whole length of the
Mississippi that morning. ' l
“Handel, come along. You may be useful.
You know all about this hyar sort of business, I
know,” said the detective. ,
- ‘;What is it? Not a blooming dog-fight,'is

“Better! Amill!”

“ Jiminy crikeyl I haven’t seen such a. thing
for a year’l, These two blokies are the principals, j
ose.

“ es, and we want you for a bottle-holder.” [

“ I’m your man! My! isn’t this a. prime larkl
I was just dying for some excitement." i

In his enthusiasm Handel put up his own i
hands and s arred away at the wind in most 3
scientific sty e, finishing by bestowinga swing- I
ing tight-hander—full into the stomach of the‘
Skeleton Dude, who had come up behind him
unseen by the concertina-player.

The unfortunate Skeleton Went spinning
across the deck, doubled up and bowling with
pain and rage.

“ All right.” muttered Handel to himself; “ that
squares things with that blooming bag 0’ bones.
[didn’t mean to do it, but as I have done it,
let it go.” Then, skipping over to the SkeletOn,
he picked him up, nquiring most solicitously
whether he was hurt. .

For a moment Mr. Koi’l’ey could not speak,
but as soon as he recovered his voice, be ex-
claimed: ‘

“ ‘hat means a licking for you, Mr. Handel
Men gomeryl You are always doing something
like that!"

“Why, 3’ help me never!” cried Handel, “if I
I wouldn’t do it a-purpose,

He did not want the :

‘ .. ,1: r, .y a; V my,  , ‘ .V -..

i

Fearless Sam.

l

: handed a damp sponge and towel to the Skeleton
—who evidently did not know what to do with

1 them—and kept the others himself.

i “ Now then, come forward and shake hands.”

‘ The two young men looked at him, but did

not make any approach to the formality sug-

gested.

“ Oh, I forgot! You had better take (if your
coats, i guess,” he said, as he noticed that the
prospectivecombatants were their regular pilot
j-n-kets, which would be likely to hamper their
movements.

Without a. word Dale and Leonard removed

their coats and vests, and fastened their sus—
penders around their waists. Then they rolled
up their shirt sleeves, and the detective thought,
as he looked from one to the other, that both
Were excdlent specimens of physical manhood.
« “Look lit to tight for their lives,” was his
muttered comment, as he eyed them over with
the discernment of a connoisseur. “ And I
shouldn’t wonder if that is what they will have
to do,” he added, significantly, as he noted the
determination in the face of each.

As the young men came forward after taking
oil‘ their outer clothing, the detective again di-
rooted them to shake hands.

“ We will dispense with that part of the busi-
ness ” snid Leonard, coldly.

“ 5ut you can’t, you know,” put in Handel
Montgomery. “It won't be legitimate if you
go battering each other without shaking hands.
Besides, the seconds have to shake hands across
the ring, too. It is the regular thing, don’t you
know. i‘m abloomiug goat if I see how we can
go on without it.?’

“ Well, I’ll tell you one thing,” observed the
Skeleton, addressing everybody except Handel,
“ I don’t mean to shake hands with that red-
Whiskered kangaroo, so that settles that.”

, “ What’s that?" burst from the concertlna-
player, as his face got as red as his whiskers at
the insult.

“ Shut up!" cried the detective. “Time!”

He had made up his mind that it was altos
gether too serious a matter for hand-shaking.

The two combatants, both of whom were
somewhat disgusted with the delay that had
taken iplace in accordance With the whims of
Handel Montgomery, marched toward each
other, with their hands up in scientific pos-
ture. ,

it was apparent at‘ once that both were well
versed in the noble art of self-defense. Their at:
titudc was such as would have delighted a pro-
fessor of boxing, and their movements, quick as
those of a cat, as they sparred for an opening,
made Montgomery, a fair judge of such things,
fair] writhe with admiration.

“ ’m hlowed if they don’t handle their innu-
layls like Britons,” he exclaimed, enthusiasti-
cal v.

Eich man held his left well advanced, with
his right guarding his face; Merville’s guard was
rather lower than that of Dale, but otherwise
their poqitious were about the same.

“Come, get ter work,” cried the detectiv .
" London prize ring rules govern. You fight ti 1
one of yer is down. Go ahead." ‘

It was hardly necessary for Fearless Sam to
give thesis orders. The spurring did not last
more than five seconds, for Leonard made a
terrific lungs at Dale’s nose, which was neatly

 

Shadow was too indignant'to reply, and he
stalked after the two young men and the detec-

the, who had reached the proposed "battle-

s

gcond Leonard
/

, ‘ground b this time, and were looking it over to
, see that t ere was room.

The Skeleton did not know what was going to
take place," but he went with the crowd, ac-
cording to his invariable custom, for excite-
ment of an’ kind was the breath of life to him.

“ Hallo,
sparring?" asked Fearless Sam, as the Skeleton
appeared on the scene. s

x" Everything.” \

"Then u are just the man we want. You
and you, Handel, take care of

ill? Graham. l will be time-keeper."

“ Wait while I get a blooming sponge and
things,” cried Handel. “ We can’t go on till
things are in some sort of shape, don’t you
know.

Handel was enjoying the affair intensaly, and
it did not take him more than a minute to find
a pal] of water, twospcnges and a bottle of
vinegar. Then be rushed upstairs to get some

’ towels, and came dewn waving two of those

‘

' each (rousideer
without so much loss and feathers;

articles triumphantly in his hands.

“Crikey! Ain’t ,this a harneyl I havon‘t
had so much pleasure since I left Old England.”

Handel Montgomery was taking the matter
into his own hands, so. far as details were con-
cerned, but Fearless Sam kept a watchful eye
upon the two princi ls, and particularly on
,Leonard, whom he di not trust further than he
could seeghim. 1'

Neither of the young men moved, beweVer.
They stood several feet a art, looking somewhat
contem tuously at Han el as be hustled about
over h s preparations. and it was evident that
the difficulty might be settled

He

  

At last Handel declared himself ready.

' " had placed the pail of water to one side, and had
\ y

hudow, what do you know about .

lofted, Leonard receiving a sounding tap on the
cheek. ‘ ‘

“ Well done, Dale, m covey!" exclaimed
Handel, who was dodgihg around the com-
batants with a. sponge and towel, Only too anx-
ious for an opportunity to show his skill as a
second. -
1"No remarks, please,” cautioned the detec-
t ve.

The rebufi' that Leonard received on making
his first run!) rendered him rather more can-
tious. He was boiling with rage within, but
outwardly bore hlinsel coolly enough, and most
certainly he did not allow his wrath to afi'ect his
tactics as a sparrer.

A few more passes, and then there was a re.
soundin crash. as Dale caught Leonard on'the
shin an sent him in a heap upon the floor.

As Leonard fell. and saw theg m of triumph
in his rival’s eye, he could t restrain him-
self, and all his customary coolness vanished in
an instant. ,. v

Montgomery had approached Dale, (:filcious-
ly, with his sponge and towel, and the Skeleton
was looking at Leonard in a start of doubt as
to what he ought to do, when Leonard settled
the manor by springing to his feet and drawing
his revolver from his hip-pocket, firing straight
at Dale Graham. «

W ii that Fearless Sam was on the watch for
treachery, or moat assuredly Dale’s career
would have ended at that moment.

There was a loud report, but the bullet buried
itself in the thick lining of the lion’s cage, sev-
eral feet over the intended victim.

Sam had knocked up the pistol just as Mer-
ville‘pulled trigger. ' ’ ‘

iWith an oath, the young lion-tamer leveled
his weapon again but the detective was ready
for him, and one etenmlned in was enough to
enable him to force it out of t a hand of the
now maddenod Merville and [push him in a cor-

imlel in the grasp of

 

I

    

\

 

Canada Jack, who had just arrived on the scene,
and was in time to be of excellent service.

Graham, pale, but determined, stepped up to
Merville, and snapping his fingers in his face,
said. in a low, fierce tone:

“ Leonard Merville, you are a coward and a
cur! If I fight you again, it will be With a
horsewhip. I will lay it about you as I would
any other dog 1" .

And he walked away, leaving his rival fairly
foaming with impotent rage. '

 

CHAPTER XXIV. ,
ANOTHER ACT IN THE vnxnnrrA.

THE fight between the two young men, that
had ended so unsatisi'actorily for Merville, had
hardly been settled when the boat drew into
Delta, where there were to be two shows given
~—afternoon and evening.

The usual bustle took place in getting the can-
vas out and putting up the tents, and the two
rivals were brought into contactinore than once
during the preparations.

But there were no disturbances to mark the ill-
feeling that prevailed between them.

They regarded their performances in the ring
simply as business, and although, in a tumbling
act, Dale Graham had to stand on Leonard Mer-
ville’s shoulders, and then hold his hands as he

inth over being brought into apparently amica-
ble relations. They o ere performers, and as such
knew that such awkward meetings were un-
avoidable. '

It must not be supposed, however, that there
was any abatement of the hate that each felt for
the other. Leonard Merville would like to have
throwu his rival head-first to the ground while
he held him feet upward in the air. But he did
not do it. He had too much professional pride
for that. He Would not. spoil his act for the sake
of gratifying his revenge, even. ‘

So the performance went on, and the people
who applauded had no idea that there wasa
tragedy beneath the spangles and glitter of
the ring. The sh0w was drawing to a 01099, and

show to the tents, and were only waiting for the
conclusion of the performancs in the big tent to
pack that away too.

The animal cages were all on board, and the
property of the show was being removed piece-
meal to the boat as the show progressed.

In this work, Handel Montgomery and the
Skeleton Dude were taking an active part, since
they did not have to appear in the big tent until
the concert that followsd the main perform-

ance.‘ I

The had blood between Shadow and Handel
was still boiling, and many Were the sly nudges
and jars they gave each other in handling the
various thing~~ that had to be packed on Wagons
or carried aboard the Parole. r

“ See here, Shadow, you havsn’t any reason
to knock the corner of that blomni g trunk into
a cave, have you?" demanded Mr. ontgomery,
angrily, as the Skeleton maliciously tip d over
a trunk that was standing on end, an sent it
against the concertina-player’s shins.

Shadow only grinned .until his jawbones crack-
ed, without replying, and Handel ulled his red.
whiskers viciously, as he lungs to slap the
Skeleton, but hardly dared to attempt it while
Fearless, Sam was in the neighborhood. He
knew the detective was always prepared to
defend his skin friend in extreme cases.

“ I could doubre you up with one twist,” went
on Handel, who could not resist the temptation
to say something. just to relieve his mind.

“ Could you i” angered the! Skeleton. “ I think
I could double you up in jail if I Will! to try.”

The face of the concertina-player mean... as
red as his whiskers at this insult, and he leaped
over the trunk and fell upon the unhappy Skele-
ton with all his force.

0! comes the Shadow fell under the weight of
v his migersary. Handel u as rather a heavy man,
and :0 knocked Tll‘i‘. Kofl‘ey down by sheer
 ta ‘

“ You infernal idiots! What are yer doing?”
demanded the detective. as he dragiled “’9
Skeleton from beneath Montgomery and Rave
that dignified concertina-piayer a warning kick
at the some moment.

“ It’s that blooming bag-o’bones! He’s always
up  something. He’s the silliest bloke I ever

At this instant the colored man, Luke, strolled
up to the spot and began draggi g at the trunk
tohplnfce it on a handcart and ta e it dOWn to the
w ar .

it required some strength to do this, and the
concertinp-pla yer and Fearlem Sam each assisted
in the work.

lid came partly open. and the,deteetive directed
the negro to let it alone.

“ Whaffori” asked Luke.

“ Because i say so,” returned the detective,
sternly.

“ That ain’t no rcasoh,"grotoated Luke, dog-
gedly. still keeping his han on the trunk.

 

.,\

turned upside down, neither felt any embarrass- 

already the canvas-men had removed the side- .

As the trunk was heaved upon the truck the I

      

With a swift movement the detective caught ' i
I , V ' '

 

 

My;

u'lv. Y’ V‘

a. «m... ..

{'IW-‘ql‘wwc ram. an.» . .

 

“was .-..~.<...~..-... v“, 

 

.. to.“ my .

 

- Va»... A ‘ "

..—........._..... .

‘ do“ war» a

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Fearless Sam. '

4 . \ .... c‘ >...... p:;.‘;.;;.’; .:..;_-~.:.. 323;” *N- -—-- ""l""_'"““;..l.'_‘:  -“f‘ , —-.

‘\

x4 21

 

the negro by the coller, and swung him away
several yards.

Sam was not so big as Luke, but he was as-
tonishingly muscular; so it was no surprise to
an one that he handled the negro so easily.

uke‘s hand stole to his belt wherea long knife
was hidden by the coat he wore, buta glance
from Sam’s eye was enough to make him draw
his hand away and walk off, muttering between
his set teeth in a threatening manner.

“ Sam,” whispered the Skeleton.

“ Wall"

“ That nigger means mischief.”

“ I know it.”

The detectiVe spoke in a careless tone, as he
deliberately opened the trunk and examined its
contents, but he kept a sidelong glance on Luke,
notwithstanding.

A cursory examination of the trunk, which
was the property of Merville. satisfied the detec-
tive that there was a large sum of money in it—

robably the rest of the cash stolen from the
Seventh National Bank of Pittsburg. It will be
remembered that he had already got most of it
from the cave in th woods.

Here was the m ney; still the detective did
not feel justified in taking it now, becau he
could not prove that it was stolen.

The Skeleton understood the situation as u ell
as the detect've, and was curious to know how
Sam would ll

" What are you going to do, Sam?” he asked.

“ Help me with this trunk. I will take it on
board myself,” said the detective, calmly.

Montgomery had a very hazy idea of what it
all meant, but he was always ready to obey
Sam. So he and the Skeleton handled the
trunk, and all three shoved the handcart down
to the wharf and up the gang-plank to the deck
of the Parole. _ .

In the mean time, Luke, after'seemg what the
detective was about to do, made his way into the
big tent. where Leonard and Belle Howard were
just performing their “leap for life,” and wait.
ed until the young man descended and reached
the dressing-tent.

Then, in a few words, Luke told Leonard what
had been done.

The young man’s dark eyes blazed with fury.

‘“ Do you mean to say that he has taken my
trunk?” .

" Yes, Mas’r Leonard, that’s what he done,
shuah.”

“ That settles it. I will brin
end before tomorrow night.

“ Yes, Mas’r Leonard.”

f‘ Be within call at all times.”

“ Yes, Mas‘r Leonard.”

“ You have your knife!”

The negro did not answer in words, but he
stealthin drew forth his long blade so that it
flashed for‘an instant in the dim light of the
corner of the dressing-tent where they stood.

“ Good! You hava a revolver!"

“ Yes, Mas’r Leonard.”

“\Von’t be afraid to use your weapons, eh?
On Fearless Sn m, 0r Canada ack ?” ‘

A demoniacal gleam of fury. in the negro’s eye
made the oung man smile grimly. He was an.
swered. e knew lie-could depend upon this
fierce dark—skinned giant to the death.

“ Go away now, but be within reach, iii case I
should want you. I do not know when I shall
strike, but it will be soon." hissed Leonard.

“The sooner the betterl’fl

“ Spoiling for a fight, ehi’ g .

' “ I want to pay dat Fearless Sam, and dat
Canada J ack fo’ whs’ they doneto me, wled
Luke, with a now], as he disappearetfnunder
the flap of the tent and went outside. ,

“'Inhetesting gentleman!” common the
youn man. “ I’m glad that Fearless m and
Can a Jack have both abused him. He will
fight for his own revenge, as well as for my in-

rest.”

“ Bareback act, Leonard," growled Old ,Tom
Elliott, in his husky tones, looking, in from the
big tent to make the announcment.

‘ All rightgm" ,

" Hurry! ours is the last act but one. and I
giant to sgbfouflh Is soon as l can," continued

e man . 2

“ Coming." responded Leonard.

He could be“ Old Tom pompoust announcing
that Signor Leonardi Marvilleaux would now ap-
pear in his unrivaled act of ridln , barebacked,
a. Wild need from T3mry, all then Leonard
sprung out of the droning-tent and into the ring
smiling on every side with such grace that. bd
captivated thetlgzafiégngzzrzllhupgretd Young

D n

HOW little did they suspect that this innocent
“sweet—looking young man,” as they mentally
designated him, had murderin his heart, and was
even now making plans for carrying out his
crime.

this thing to an
on understand?”

Round and round the ring he went, standing'

on one foot, on his head, on One hand and on his
shoulder, on the horse’s back. He leaped to the
ground and back again half a dozen times, and
did all his feats with a Precision and Business
that called forth salvos o applause from his d8_
lighted audience, who saw in him a model a:
manly beauty and strength,

il.~ had just about finished his act, and was

about to wind up With his feat of turning a triple

-  U  . ‘ ‘l

 

I somerset through a hoop—a thing that is very , Belle, and was listening, with an amused look.

seldom done, and that showmen who have never i for the answer, and if he had had a pistol about
happened to see it often declare impossible—l him at that moment there is little doubt that
when he saw Belle Howard, who had just man- ‘ two shots would have ended the lives of Belle

aged to finish dressing herself in her street gar-
ments, standing at the entrance to the women’s
dressing-tent.

She strolled out of the tent to the general
dressing-tent or greenroom, where the perform-
ers generally remained when they were not in
the ring, and he saw, with a gang of jealous fury,
that Dale Graham was near er.

“ The hound i” muttered Leonard. “ He won’t
take my warning, and I shall have to settle him,
too before I leave this show." -

I-le was whirling around the ring at a break-
neck speed. so as to get all the impetus for his
triple somerset that the movement of the horse
could give him, while the c10wn and Old Tom
were getting ready the hoop through which he
was to drop after turning three times in the air.

He needed all the attention possible for his
feat, but he could not keep his eyes of! the girl,
who was standing watching him closely from the

entrance to the tent, held to some extent b that
mysterious hypnotic wer that he seem to be
able to exercise over or at will.

The horse was oing at a fearful now,

but Leonard at on his balck as easi y as if he
had been on the floor of a ball-room.

The clown brought the hoop and mounting on
a. box, held the hoop over his head, but where
it would not interfere with the movements of
the horse or his rider. The clown was an old
circus man, and knew just how to hold a hoop
so that the feat to be performed by LeOnard
would be rendered as easy as all assistance
could make it.

He had been cracking old jokes and jumping
about the ring, awkwardly avoiding the ong
lash of that whip that Old Tom Elliott c k-
ed in the professional style, so that whie it
made a great noise, it did not hurt the clown.
Now he asked, in a loud tone:

“ What would you like, Signor Leonard?”

Leonard answered, mechanically: “ A hoop.”

" A hoop? Well, that’s funny. Here’s a
hoop, right in my hand.”

“Shut up!” commanded Old Tom, slashing
the whip about the clown’s legs. “ Attend to
business.”

The clown howled, and the audience roared
with laughter, as Lmnard brought his horse to
a walk while the clown indulged in a little
badinage.

“ say, Mr. Blliott." cried the clown.

“ Well, what is i'l’

“ See this hoop?”

(6 Yes.”

“ Why is this hoop like Signor Lwnardi’s love
for a'certain oung woman?” '

Laonard w 0 had been quietly standing on
his horse as it walked around the ring, with
his eyes fixed on Belle Howard, sthrtad and
glanced angrily at the clown.

Tom Elliott took no notice of this, however.
He want on with the conversation, repeating the
clown’s questiOn, in regular ring style: '

“ Why is that hoop like Signor Leonardi’s
love\for a certain young woman?”

The clown deliberate y turned on his box and

inted first at Leonard and then at Belle

oward, as he answered: v

“ Because any one can see through itl”

Tom Elliott slashed at his legs again and
signed to the band to go on with the mu c, so
that the bare-back act should have all the lory
of loud music, when the clown held up his and
to stop them.

“ Wait a minute. I have another one.”

“You have another one? Well, out with it.
Signor Leonardl wantstogo on with his act,
and you are wasting time.”

Leonard was {rewning at the clown now
with an intensity that might have made that

jiker nervous if he had noticed it. But he did
not care for anythin. else Just then. So he
Went on with his qu on:,

"Why": this hoop like Signor Lwnardi‘s
jealo'i'niy on account of that certain young wo-
man
- The horse was just (passing the clown at this
moment, and Leonar ., with a low growl like
that of a wild beast, aimed a vicious cufi' at the
mlowu’s head. \ ,

The clown was on the alert, however, and
being almost like lightningin his movements,
ducked, so that Leonard’s clinched fist passed
over his head. only Just catching one of the
grotesque balls of colored wool that adorned
his clown’s tight-fitting white skull-cap.

The audience laughed. They thought it was
part of the show, and would have been astound-
ed to know that it was really meant, and that
it would have given the clown aheadache for
many a day had it taken effect. ‘-

The clown did not knew whether ‘Leonard
was in jest or earnest, but he had no time
to figure it out then, so he roceeded with
his business of howling as 0d Tom Elliott

sent the lash of the whip after him and repeated

the words:
. "Vthy is this hoop like Signor Leonardi’s
Jealousy on account of that certain « young
woman?”

Leonard saw that Graham had stolen closer to

p  . 1,,

 

 

and her lover at once.

But he was unarmed now, of course, for
a man who had to perform such a feat as
a double somerset on a bare-backed horse
would not be likely to incumber himself with
more clothing than he could help, without think-
ing of a pistol.

The clown
no end,” and 1d Tom started the hand without
any more delay.

Away went the horse at full speed, and as the
music played louder the horse seemed to move
faster, and all was intense excitement.

Three times around the ring went the horse,
and at the last fii ht up went the hoop in
the experienced han s of the clown, as L90nard
leaped high in the air, turned over, once, twice,
Enrice, and came on the horse’s back through the

cop.

The leap and somerset had been splendid.
ly done, and as Leonard rode around the ring,
bow ing to the plaudits of the multitude, he felt
the exultntion attendant upon any brilliant feat
well performed, that mane him for a second for.
get to watch Belle Howard.

Only for a second, however. Then his dark
eyes turned in her direction, and his blood soothed
in his veins.

Graham was close at her side, and one arm
was thrown carelessly about her waist.

Like a meteor he scprung from the back
of his white horse, an , bounding across the
ring, he bowed once more, and then ran full
tilt against Dale, forcing him into the dressing.
tent.

The impetus of Leonard was such that the
two young men rolled on the fioor.together,
and Leonard sought to get a hold on his rival’s
throat.

" Luke l” he yelled, hoarsely.

The negro appeared, as if by magic, and com-

drawn his long knife, and was trying to find an
opportunity to use it, when, suddenly he received
a cuffon the side of his head that knocked him

anta nist, and regain his feet.

“ ‘ t up, hyar, Leonardl Don’t yer hear
them calling fer yer?” observed the detective, as
he lifted the youn man to hisJeet and gave
him a vigorous ick that-landed him in the
middle of the ring, where he stood bowing in

wher. he wis or how he came to be before the
nudigzce algal]. M m h '
“‘y e,tshyariser gtygood
thing. ’I could never hev put that nigger
ter sleep so neatly without it,” laughed Fear-
less, as he showed the inside of his right hand to

ale.
“ What is it, Fearless!”

flesh of ther hand.
and then, when I give er tough a crack with my
open hand, it tells. Savyi” .

“ You haven’t killed him, I hogs.”

“ Not much. It will take a angnan’s r0 6
ter kill that feller. He’s coming around now.

As the detective spoke Luke icked himself
up, in a dazed fashion, recovered is knife from
the spot where it had fallen, and made his way

at the detective that Sam thoroughly under-
stood and which would have put him on his
guard even if he had not always been prepared
on the part of Luke

for treachery, especial]
and his master, Imaniylerville.
CHAPTER XXV.
a CLOSE CALL.

THE bustle of getting the rest- of the show’s

property on board the Parole stopped
hostility on the part of the little notot men
who, as we have seen. had established a van-
dctta that meant death before it could be set-

 

was strong enough to make all his people re-
strain their private animoaities while there was
work to be done, and it will be noticed that
even when Leonard Merville flew=at Dale

had finished his bare-back act, so that the au-

had nearly been consummated just inside of the
dressing-tent. 7
Sam kept the men at work getting the things
aboard, and although several times be was
brought into contact with Leonard Merville, not
a word was exchanged between them. H
Leonard was disposed to ask him about the

wait until the boat was on the move. That
detective and Leonard felt, but each wastoo
wary to reveal auyinkliiga of his plans tothe
other. In fact, Fearless m was rather play
ing a waiting game, and his course would depen .

 

largely upon what was done by Leonard.

,.
U l
\

senseless, just as Dale managed to shake off his

such a dazed condition that he hardly knew -

“ Why, d’yer see? It is a neat piece of brass '
covered with wash-leather, so ez to look like ther. .
I just hold it in my palm,

further '

tied.
The discipline maintained by Old Tom Elliott

ave the answer, “ Because it has l

prehending the situation in an instant, had ‘ .

out of the tent. but not without a haleful glance .

Graham in the circus tent, it was not until he , l

dience had no idea of the murderous assault that v»

trunk that had been taken possession of by the ,
detective, but decided that he could aflord to _ 

something decisive was to be done soon both m l, 

 

  

,v .  I, v ..
i ‘ ., gif 

Fearless 8am.

 

 

 

ready to pull out into the stream, wnen Old om
announced that the boat had run out of sugar,
completely.

There was a bowl at once from such of the
company as heard him, and numberless remarks
to the effect that it would be impossible to make
break‘mst without sugar for coffee were heard
on every side.

The concertina-player, in particular, was very

much di<gusted. ,
- . “ This is the worst blooming country I was
3 ‘ ever in," he declared. “ Here we are in the g
 very bent of a sugar-growing district, and no !
sugar for breakfast. I’ll be jolly glad when I
get back to England.”

“ Why don’t you go out into the swamp there

 

At last all ,was snug, and the boat was "ust §

 

V13“,  and pick enough sugar off the trees for your
mi -_ / Own use,” suggested the Skeleton, with a pro- l
.1" t, ‘ voking grin. I

5;"  "Nam-Rattlebones, don’t you be so blessed | in the darkness, when the st-orekeeper followed‘

funny. It don't sound Well for a thin cove like {
you to talk to a man,” answered Handel, with ;
dignity. ,

“ Who are you calling a rattlebones? I’d
rather be thin than a red—whiekored cocknoy
pig!" retorted the Skeleton, shaking his head
till it seemed ready to roll off his shoulders.

“ Shut up, bones!”

“ (i l and eat salt, whiskers!”

This was more than Handel Montgomery coull
stand, and he flew at the Skeleton with the ob-

, Vioiisl intention of breaking him in two, when
\' Fearless Sam interfered, ‘

l” “You infernal idiots! What are yer always
Iquarreling aboutl You are both professional
maple, and you ought ter .hev more dignity.
gee hyar, Shadow, if I hear any more of this
byar foolishness I’ll shove you n a stove-pipe

' an’ keup yer thar till yer can behave yerself."
, “Good!” chuckled the comedian-player.
," zlGogdi That’s what ought to be done with

m. A

“An’ as fer lyou, Mr. Montgomery, I’ll use
your head for indling—wood, an'set flre ter it

i with yer whiskers!”

Handel Montgomery swelled with indignant
rage, but he know better than to retort to the
detective and he therefore contented hunself
with shaking his filtclyly at the Skeleton, but

, /without saying another word.
. “ I'll hev ter go an’ git some sugar. That’s all
Y about it," continued Fearless, addressing Old
".1 Tynm. “ Who can go along ter help me carry
. it . ,
' ' “ Oh, some of. the boys. Here, Luke!”
- , “,Well,” answered the negro, who had just
@ ' been passing, and had caught the manage‘s eye
‘ at tile moment.
“Go with Mr. Wilson, and help him carry
sdme sugar.”
“ Yes, nah.”
, I Fearless Sam wr"ld rather have had any one
45," '. else for his companion, but he did not offer any
a ~ audible objection.

1" Feeling in the right-hand ocket of his pea-i

‘ .jacket, to make _sure that h six-shooter was

.‘ ready tohis hand, be skipped lightly down the

g},  gang-plank, and walked up the long, sloping

" V ank wit out looking back,tosee whether the
3r." ' , negro w following him.

’ I ' “ Wha’ you gwinoi" cried Luke, after a few
minutes, as the detective walked up the bank so
swiftly that the negro could hardly keep up

, J with him without running.
 “Tul‘ that storehouse at ther trip of ther
_ wharf,” answered the detective, briefly, without

1* * slackening his pace.

Not another word was s ken until Sam found
himself in front of an o d frame building, the

, ‘ windows of which were closely shuttered, save
27,. ‘ one on the second floor. where a feeble glimmer
“ ‘ I: to indicate that some one was occupying
It we... a storehouse where supplies were kept

, for the river boats,» and the keeper of it was
‘ :30: to being dismrbed at all sorts of uncanny

rs.

A few pebbles throvm at the window, and a
V “vigorous kicking at the door, soon brought down
{the proprietor, who opened the door and ad-
. ,. mitted the ,detective and Luke into a room
» , ,' ' nearly filled with barrels, sacks and crooks, con-
‘ ’ " tain’iug sugar, coffee, butter, crackers and other
. r .r _ things needed for boat provender, while stacks
V of large loaves of brand were piled up on the
,-, - rough counter. r ,
 ' Twonty- ve pounds of sugar were soon pur-
 chased, an the detective motioned to the" negro
,” to take the sack. and get down with it to the
boat, while Sam stayed for a few m nutel’ con-
'vmnrinu with theproprietor of the store.
V y “Who’s that nlg r. Sam!” asked the store-
. / keeper, familiarly, or he had met Sam once he-
. ,; fore, and thatwu (finite enou h. in his own
.‘  o inion, for him to ad recs the etective like an
at odd usintance. '
“ “ ongs tor ther show on {her boat.”
_ “Mean cuss!” commented the Itorekeeper, in
,.~ _, t ' ._o matter-cunt way.
 ~ “Think Io?" ‘ ,
‘ ' "Know so.”
This conversation was punctuated by the store-
koaper biting oil? a hu 0 mouthful from a plug

....

we

3*
' v4

 

   

of tobacco while the de ctive, who was always,
19min queer characters, looked at him ad-

   

mirineg as a specimen of humanity that he

would like to have in amuseum, and show to

the cple of large cities.

“ by do you think he’s or mean cuss?” asked
the detective, after a pause.

“His color l”

“ Color?"

” Yes. Muddy brown.”

u Ah!”

“ Niggers
mean.”

“ .“il look out fer niggers thet are muddy
brown after this,” observed the detective, with
a smile.

” You’d better. ’Spocially when they look
at you out of the corners of their eyea, like that
one.”

“ Thanks for tbor pointer,” and Sam turned to
leave the store. “ Good-night.”

The detective had taken a step or two outside

muddy brown nearly always

him to the door, 80 that hi ‘ figure showed in sharp
relief against the brightness within.

“ Say l” he cried, hoarsely.

“ \Val?”

“ Mind what I told you, Samuel!”

“ I will.

“All right. Grind-night.”

The storekeepor idiot his door and the de-
tectivo heard him bolt it in the inside. Then
he walked briskly down the wharf toward the
Tth‘l'.

The night was very dark, and Contrasted with
the light within the store, the wharfwas no black
that for a dozen steps or so he did not know
where he was walking. He could not dis-
tinguish anything but what seemed like a black
Wall.

“ Wonder Where that fellor, Luke, is," he
muttered. “ Muddy brown and look out of
the corners of their eyes. There is or good
deal of hard common sense in wh thet fel-
ler back thar says. Wal, I always (0 look out
for their nigger, so that advice is nothing new to
me.” ,

By this time his eyes, being accustomed to the
gloom, he could just distinguish the water rip-
pling below, and could, make out a large pile of
railroad ties that he remembered to have seen on
his way up the wharf.

“ We came up clow to them,” he said to him-
self. “ They make er good guide ter ther boat.
I can’t see anything of ther Parole, but I know
she’s down thar somewhar." '

He walked along, trying to see Luke, but the
negro was not to be discerned anywhere on the
wharf. ,

“ Guess he must hev reached ther boat an’
gone aboard with ther sugar. I suppose they
won’t go until I get down.”

He uttered these words as he was abreast of
the tiel.

Then he stumbled over something soft, on the
ground, and nearly fell. He managed to save
himself, however and at the same time saw that
the something soft was the sack of sugar.

He had hardly time to_ wonder where Lake
had gone, when a band clutched him by the left
arm and something stung him lathe shoulder.

Fearless Sam was a quick thinker. ,

He knew in an instant that his assailant was
Luke, and with a muttered “Muddy brown,
sure enough.” be grasped the hand that held the
knife and placed the muzzle of his revolver
against the negro’s forehead. ,

“ Move er hair’s breadth or bven breathe, and
I’ll blow yer brains out!” he hissed, fiercely.
“ Drop that knifel"

Luke did not move.

" Drop that knife!” repeated the detective,
“Willi” agar]?! : iced th (1 dl

‘ at n e as e n o e .
“ Who’s got a knife?" a" , 088 ' y

The baleful look out of the corner of his-eye
was ilxud ufpon the detectivels face, but at last it
dropped be ore Sam’s steady gaze. "

_ “ Did ye hear mei’ said t a detective.

The muzzle of the pistol was now pressed so
hard against the negro s forehead thatit sunk in-
to the flesh '

With a muttered oath, the negro o ned his
right hand and the big knife rattl on the
stones of the wharf.

The defective kicked it away, and then com-
manded, in a voice that meant mines:

" Pick up that sack of sugarl".

“ No!" shouted Luke, recklessly. “ I ain’t
gwino tar wo’k fo’ you no more. Carry your
own an arl”

" Pic up that sack of sugarl" repeated the de-
tective, with a dangerous calmness.

The negro hesitated, but, something in the de-
tective’s manner was too much for him, and he
grudgingly stooped and raised the heavy sack to

is shoulder. . r

“ N'ow trot ter ther boat!" « ‘

Luke did not answer, but he marched sullonly
down the wharf, with] the sugar on his shoulder,
while the detective, after picking up the big
knife, and carrying it in his left hand, his rl ht
still holding his trusty lix'shOOter, followed h m
down to the water’s edge. ‘ ‘

The gangvplank was thrown out, and Luke
and 8am walked to the lower deck. ,

\The mzro carried the sugar kit to ho cook-
houso, and the detectivetturned town the cap-

.) '- \ ' ‘n V ‘ ‘ ’ '

 up 4

 

   

lain and told him to send the boat straight out
to the middle of the river.

“ What for?" asked Old Tom Elliott, who had
heard this request with some wonderment, for
the detective did not often concern himself about
the direction of the boat.

“ 1’]! show yer directly, if ther captain will do
what lack.”

“Sart’inly, Fearless,” put in the captain, n
rough-and-ready riVer man, with whom the de-
tot-tive was a particular favorite.

He gave the necessary signals to the pilot,
and the Parole backed away to the middle of ~
the great river.

It had just reached a spot that was about an
equal distance from either shore, when Luke
slouched forward, looking corncrwise out of his
eyes for Merville. ,

“Come hyar, Luke,” commanded the detec-
tive. in the tone that the negro knew must not
he (“SOhiH'I‘lL

He shuffled toward Fearless Sam, who was
standing on the port side, close to the edge of
the boat, where thch was no guard-rail, to pre-
vent a careiess person falling overboard.

The detective and Luke looked at each other
for I moment, (ire Sam observed, in a good-
humored manner: ,

“ Xou are a nice colored gentleman, ain’t
or? ‘ ‘

“ ’Deed, I think l’se good as any dther man.”

“ I)o yer? \Val, you are too good far this
boat, I think!”

Then, with a Swift movement, the detective
seized Luke around the waist, and with a mighty
effort, threw him far out in the dark riwr. ‘

 

CHAPTER XXVI.
A MIDNIGHT DUEL.

Tax not was so sudden that no one knew what
the detective Was going to do.

The first intimation Old Tom or the captain
had that there was any danger threatening
Luke was when they heard the solash and saw
Sam standing at the edge of the boat watching
the place where the negro’s head had disap-
peared."

T “ What’s ther trouble, Fearless?" asked Old

om. ,

The detective pulled off his coat and showed
that his shirt-sleeve was stained with blood.

“ He cut me,” he said, coolly, “ and I’m get-
ting even.”

‘ Crikey l” observed - Handel Montgomery.
“ That was a nice throw, Samivel. I couldn't
have done it better myself. I’m blowed if 1
could."

“ You couldn’t throw a baby overboard,”
piped the Skeletal), who had silently joined the
group.

The interest in Luke’l fatewas too great to
permit of the concertina-player carrying on his
feud with the Skeleton just then, so be con—
tented himself with a freezmg. look, and then ave
all his attention to the river, watching for aim
to reappear. .

” Blow me tight!” he exclaimed, delightedly.

“ There he is. 'Don’t the blooming rascal
swim!" ,

'l‘ho negro’s head could just be distinguished
bobbing up some yards from the boat when the
detective took deliberate aim with his revolver
at the water about a foot from the negro”: head
and pulled the trigger.

Crack! ~ .
The"uegro dived like a duck, and Handel
rubbed his hands in enjoyment of the scene. ‘
“ Don’t you want him aboard again?" asked

Old Tom? ‘ ,

“No,” answared the detective, shortly. “ Do
you i" ‘ r ‘

“Not 1. There’s a week’s wages coming to
him, but he can collect them some other time.”

Old Tom laughed heartily at this joke. It was
all the more enjoyable because he was getting
the best of albargain with Luke.

“Keep ther boat steady,” “quested Samof
the captain. , i.

‘i‘Sai-tainly,” responded the captain, with a ._
8" no ' n
The negro stayed under wdter for along
time, but he was compelled to come to the sur-
face to breathe after a while, and the detectin
sent another shot near enough to make him
dodge and go under again. ‘

Handel‘s enjoyment of the fun was intense.

" Let me havaashot at him, Fearless!” he

said. . v
but, the detective would not allow it. ,
“ Your aim might not be good one h, and I
don’t want tor kill that poor wretch, returned
the detective, as he sent another shot into

the vicinity of the bobbing head, that was now

some distance from the boat and moving toward
the shore. ,
The clouds had now dispersed to a considerable
extent, and there was moonl ht, as well as.
starlight now, to enable the etective to see
his mark. '

“No one would trust you with a gun yoa/ 

know, Handel," observed the Skeleton. “ ou’d
be shooting off those whiskers of your: the first
thing we’d know. Though that would improve .
your appearance, certainly, come to think at
t.



 

 

 

 

 

 

   
   

 

 

 

. -< «a...

 

 

 

 3h plenty of time to

 

 

 

 

 

“ I’d like to throw you after the blooming nig-
ger," growled the concertinaplayer. Only I
wouldn’t want to drown even suchacontemp—
tible object as you. And I’m afraid a bone
would not float.”

‘ “ Bah!” grcwled the Skeleton, who was too
mad to say anything else.

Luke turned away, with a concluding shake
of his fist, and disappeared behind the pile of
railroad ties, as he walked up the wharf.

“ So much for Luke!” exciaimed,the Skeleton,
with a chuckle.

“ I’ll see him azaiu," muttered the detectiVo,
a: he rolled up his shirt- sleeve, and satisfied
himself that the wound from the negro’s knife
was a mere trifle, not worth, in his estimation,
even the solace of a bandage.

He pulled down his sleeve and put on his pea-
jar'ket, and turned to find himself face to face
with—Leonard Merrille.

“ Sim Wilson, you are a cowardl" hissed
Leonard, livid with suppressed rage.

“Indeed? Why?” '

“ You threw that poor colored man overboard,
and then half-drowned him in your attempts to
murder him.”

“Ah P1

“ Yes, I saw you,”

“ Did you?”

“ Yes, and I am prepared to settle that matter
with you now, if you are ready. This boat is
not big enough for both of us."

The others had moved away, the Skeleton and
Handel Montgomery having gone to their bunks,
while the captain had invited Old Tom into the
pilot house for a chat and smoke while he took a
trick at the wheel.

The detective looked around him, and saw
that he was alone with the young man.

“ Leonard,” he said, calmly.

“ Go on.”

“ You say truly that this boat is not big
enough for both of us, and I promise you that by
this time tomorrow one of us will not be aboard
of of it.”

“ Which one?”

“ That remains to be seen.”

“ What do you mean?" asked Leonard, eagerly.

“ I’ll tell you to-morrow.”

“ I cannot wait till to-morrow, and I pro
that this thing shall be settled within lal an
hour.”

“ in What way?”

“ You must come ashore with me, and fight
me with pistol or knife, whicheVer you choose,”
hissed the young man, savagely,‘ss he hit his
thin lips until the blood came.

“ You’re a fool, Leonard Merville,” returned
the detective, with more show of feeling than
was usual with him.

The young man raised his hand as if he could,

' ha ve struck the other in the face, but the detec-

tive, witha contemptuous las h, seized the hand
with an iron grasp and f it to his side.

“ You don’t think you could do anything with
me in the: way, do yer? I thought I'd shown
yer thet you would be helpla in my hands if I
chose ter exert my strength."

Leonard did not answer, and the detective,
still with the contemptuous smile curling his
lip, went on:

“ A man fights a duel with his equals-”

“ Do you mean to say I’m not your equal!”
broke in Leonard in a fury. '

“That’s whuti mean ter say,” returned the
detective. provokinsly-

“In what way?"

“ In many ways. In the first place, although
I throw niggers overboard. I do not try ter kill
young girls." _

‘ The young man winced.

“ Moreover, I don‘t think you are much of a
man from any point of view. A man that would
attscsawcman and tr to break her neck is
not much good for anyt ing else.”

“ I’m good snoagh to light with you.”

“ I don’t think so," -

For an instant Leonard looked into the detec-
tive’s eyes with an expression of devilish hate.
Then, before Sam knew what he was about to do,
the young man‘s hand shot out.and he caught the
detective’l nose between his anger and thumb,
giving it a wrench that made the tears come into
Sam’s eye and caund him to utter a cry of
pain, lnvo untarily.
~ The detective aimed a blow at Ward’s face
but this youns m was groper“, and warded
oi! the blow as ha 168 c on of reach.

“ Now will you fig tmei" he Med.

",Yes, answered the detective, with . qum
determination that Leonard
chief.

The young man smiled with an air of triumph.
He felt that he had gained one victory, how-
'el‘er the duel might result.

“ Follow me," he said. “ I will get the aim
was we need once before, on a certain occa-

‘flon. We can easily ull ashore in it, and the

one that survives sho d be equal to rowing back

4 b himself.”

yfl‘his cold-blooded suggestion with the
d ive’s humor, so he only ded as he fol-

10 ed Leonard aft to where the skiff was trail.

1:: alone in the wake of thejsteamer.

L E‘ne Parole was running at IIlg‘fhspeed, for
the next

 

knew meant mil:

 

stand, and there was no use in wastiniz steam-
It was an easy matter, therefore, to cast off the
skiff, and the two men sent the boat flying across
the dark waters in long jerks as they bent to the
care. Leonard was pulling stroke, so that he
sat in front of the detective. Fearless Sam had
had too much experience with the young man
to trust him. .

The clouds, that had rolled away and all0wed
the moon to light up the scene to some extent,
had again gathered. thicker than ever, and it
was impossible to distinguish anything more
than a few yards from the boat, while on the
shore the darkness was absolutely impenetrable.

The keel of the boat grated on the sandy bot-

‘iom at last, and the detective leaped lightly

ashore, and pulled the skiff up the bank.

“Now, Leonard,” he said. “Where is this
thing ter be done?" .

“ It is too dark to see what we are doing, l’m
afraid,” answered the young man. “ But if we
use bowie-knives. I suppose we can feel to kill
each other.”

” We shall not use beside-knives," observed the
detective, calmly, but decidedly.

“ \Vhy not?”

' .“ Because I, as ther challenged party, have
ther right ter cheese weapons, an’ I choose
_pistols.” -

Mervdle laughed, Contemptuously. I

“ It will be an easy matter for either of us to
keep out of range in this thick darkness. I sup-
pose, that is what you want.”

There was soni thing so irritating in Merrille’s
laugh and cool, sneering manner that the detec-
tive found himself taking oilf his hat, a) that he
could wipe his bald head on the silk handkerchief
before referred to.

N either could see the other, but the sound of
their voices told them that they were Only a few
feet apart.

"See hyar, Leonard. This is what we'll do,
and we’ll do it right hyar. Hev yer a cigar in
yet: ket’i”

s l

“ Wal, light it.”

“ What for?” ' 

“ Light your cigar, and I’ll light another. Then
we’ll step twenty paces away from each other,
and fire till one of us drops. .ei"

“ Not exactly. What are the cigars for."

“ To guide our aim. We’ll smoke all through
ther fight, and ther light of ther cigars will tell
us whar to aim.”

“ I understand.”

Leonard took a cigar from his pocket, and as
he lighted it the detectivc saw that there was
a frown of murderous determination upon his
countenance.

Sam Wilson lighted a cigar, too,aud puffed
aws vigorously. ,

“ ow, Leonard, come here.”

The answer u as a shot from a revolver that
passed dangerousl close to the detective’s ear.

“Thet’s dirty, - hard. I wouldn’t do that
again.”

“ It was an accident,” replied the young
agrgbat. “ I was feeling the trigger, and it went
0 . .

“ Bahl I don’t believe yer. But, never mind.
Stand right whar yer are. Thet’s just about
twenty paces. It's near enough. We are not
splitting hairs. Let her go.”

Bang! Bang! Ban 1 Ban 1

Four shcts were flr in quic succession, and
then the combatants stopped for an instant as if
by, mutual consent. _ ,

“This is great shooting, Leonard,”obserVed
Fearless.

The answer was another shot. The bullet
went through the broad hrimmed hat of the de-
tective. I I .

Fearless Sam looked steadily at the
light of Leonard’s cigar. that seemed to float
1r;l ‘tthe blackness, and taking steady aim, fired
a

Out went the red light, as, at the same in-
stant the detective threw his own cigar to the
ground. .

“ Just what I thought,” muttered Sam. " He
has one of those long cigars, and he has been
holding it sideways so as to deceive my aim.
tYl’oal,”l’ve knocked it out of his mouth, any-

W.

'" That was a pretty :1 shot ” said Leonard.
“lYou” will havs to 3% till 1 light another
c ar. n .

I‘ Go ahead.” i

There was silence for a few moments; and
than, Just as the detective felt the cold muzzle of
a pistol thrust against his cheek, it was knocked
away, explodin as it did so, as the voice of
Canada Jack ed:

“ What made you trust that miserable skunk,
i “i was a fool to do it,” res dad the de-
tective. “ But, I thought I woll‘lji'll give him .
lesson and a chance to show his courage at the
same time.” _

" Well; it’s a good job the Skeleton and I came
ashore in that little sklfl' just when we did. I
ran up against the two of you in the dark, and
it was more by luck than judgment that I man.
ag‘etho kngcek hg‘ggn awayfi: ”

out a now, earlsu, ‘ l
Skeleton. “ I am beta” . -. I '- pm the
_ .I . ‘ . . . '-' t i

    

 

  

The detective wts about to reply, when splash
of cars was heard in the river.

“ Jump fer t'other boat and pull. He’s making
er break ta get away i” yelled the detective, as
he ran down to the large skiff, in which he and
Leonard had come ashore, and, hardly giving
Canada Jack and the Skeleton time to get in,
began to pull with all his might for the spot
where the splashing of the cars and the loud
breathing of Leonard Merville told them he was
rowing with all his strength.

 

CHAPTER XXVII.
IN ran 'rost AT LAST.

“TAKE one of these cars, Jack," said the
detective, when he had rawed for several
minutes, without coming up with the lighter
skill” promlled by Merville.

Canada Jack silently stepped over the inter-
vening seats and seized the bow oar, pulling
with the carelessness and apparent readiness to
at-cppt whatever came along that was chracter-
istic of him.

The Skeleton sat in the stern and kept the
boat straight.
steered, for Sam was doing that himself With
his car.

“ Hold on,” warned the detective.

Canada Jack stopped rowing.

“ Thet feller has got away, sure. I can’t hear
him. We), he’s left his trunk, anyhmv, an’ if I
get ther money back fer ther bank, I suppose
they will be satisfied. ButI did hope ter stop
his gallop altogether, this time." . i.

The detective spoke resignedly, but it could be g V >

He can hardly be said to have 

detected from his tone, that be was very much , '2,
disappointed. ‘- . -
“ Where are we going, Fearless?” asked the . 

Skeleton.

“ To the Parole, if we can flud‘her.”

“ There she is, over to your right." returned
the Skeleton. “ I can see her lights.”

“ Guess you are right. Skeleton. Wait a
minute, Canada. Durned if i don’t feel hot, in
more ways than one.“

Fearless Sam removed his hat and shoved a
finger ruefully through the hole made by
Leonard Merville’s bullet. Then he drew out
his red silk handkerchief and rubbed his polisr-ed
bald-head viciously, as if he must find some out-
let for his feelings, at any cost.

Canada Jack did not make any comment. He
knew that Fearless Sam was mad and dis-
appointed, but there would be no sense in talki
about it. So he followed his usual custom, a ,
kept his mouth shut. , ‘ 

Ten minutes’ rowing brou ht them up to th: ’1 ’
side of the Parole, that was

 

owly drifting down

the river, the captain having stopped the engines ' g ‘

altogether. \

The Skeleton had pulled himself aboard, and
Canada Jack was about to follow when he sud-
denly stopped, and. touching the detective on the
shoulder. said: '

" What?"

“ Just back of the wheel.”

“ J e-rusalem '” I

The detective hastily climbed to the deck of ,
the Parole, and ran along until he was absft the ,t if
great side-wheel. Then he looked over the side 
and began hauling on a rope. - '

“ Sure enough!” he inultered. “ Wal, if he :9;
isn‘t er daisy !"

“ The rope was attached to the lifer skifl' in
which Leonard Merville had rowed away. and "
the water in the bottom as well as on the~blsdes v i
of the cars, indicated that it, lad only just been ,
vacated by the young man.

H What d'\er think of it, Canada!" asked 

Fearless, as Jack stood at his side.
“ I think that you will have all you can do tel ,3
catch this fellow asleep. Be is a terror.”
The detective walked slowly upstairs to the

main cabin, and as he did so noted that there , ' ' l _-x '

was bright light in the saloon partitioned of! at ,
the rear, and that there were voices, as if a, .. 5:
social party were in progress. ' , §

He walked along, and pushing open the door » r
could‘not repressa start at the sight that met
his 9 es. ’

Se: at a small table were Old Tom Elliot, ,.
Hands Montgomery, Dale Graham and—Leon. l '*
ard Merville, all deeply engrossed in a game d '. .-"
draw-pokerl v ,

Leonard was facing the door, and, as the de-
tective entered. closely followed by .‘
Jack and the Skeleton, tn youngmsn looked
into his face with an express on of innocent un- ui. .
mncern, that thttia detgctu; mentally set down as .
the v rise on 0 ac ng.

“ e’t ’filler is such or treat that I can almcdt
forgive him fer being or rascal,” he muttered. '

The ame was not stormed by the appearance _,
of the rec new-comers. Leonard was dealing, \t
and he gave out the cards without a tremor 0!
the fingers suggesting that he was embnvasssd .
by the appearance of the man with whom he _
had fought a duel half an hour before, or of the ._. »
other men who had arrived Just in time to pro--_ "
vent his taking a treacherous advantage of hi ,
an ouist. ;

'It‘ligre were several piles of greenbacks on the
table. the largest heap being at the elbow of 
Handel Montgomery; and the next largest‘in : .

lg

 

     

  

I

V , bankruplcy of

 
 
 
 

24

 

v r

Fearless Sam.

 

a

 

possession of Leonard Merville. The customary
chips were being used, but it appeared as if the
money was kept on the table to promote con-
fldeuce in the bosoms of the players that there
was money to cash in all the chips that could be
produced.

Thegdetective, Canada Jack and the Skeleton
drew a little closer to the table, without speak-
ing, the players not making any sign of recog-
n tion.

A minute’s observation informed the detective
that the stakes were high, and that Leonard
Merville was winning.

r His long, slim fingers handled the cards deli-
cately, and he seemed to make them flutter, so
swift] did he deal them and shuffle them.

“ hat do yer think of it, Canada?” whis-
pered Fearless Sam.

“ He’s too slick for his com any. I could not
do it better‘ myself, I don't lieve,” answered
the grafter, in the same low tone, “and I have
been making a. living out of cards and, such
thi s all my life.”

"‘ ho’s ther pigeon, (1’ er think?”

“That poor wretch 0 an Englishman, Han-
del, I guess.” .

“Glad of it.” put in the Skeleton, who had
caught the last observation. “ He thinks he’s so
smart that he deserves to be plucked. I hope
they won’t leave a feather on him."

“ Shut up, Shad!” commanded the detective,
in a sterner tone than be generally used to the
Skeleton.

The playing was going on, and now there was
some flerce' betting going on between Mont-
gomery and Merville.

There was a large pile of money in the center
of the table, for the two men had discarded
chips now, and were using money instead.”

“ I’ll see that thousand and go it two thousand
better,” Handel said as he brought out a num-
ber of greenbacks from his pocket and piled
them up in the center. He was flushed, but de-
termined.

Leonard Merville, pale and composed laughed
as he said: “ I’ll make it five thousand,” at the
same time putting the money down in thousand
dollar bills!

" Curse him!” muttered Fearless Sam.
“ Whar did he get thet money, I wonder? I ll
hev er nice job with him when Ido put the
hi rs on him fer good.”

andel Montgomery pulled his red whiskers
and looked doubtful for a moment, Leonard
watching him like a hawk the while. At last,
with a sigh, he pulled out ten thousand dollar
bills, and said: “ Ten.” '

“ Twenty!”

“Thirty!”

u Forty 1‘9

Merville was sndling likes handsome fiend,
as he said, slowly: .
maYlo’u cannot bluff me, Mr. Montgomery.

“ his is getting interesting,” whi .red Jack
to the detective. “ Fifty ’thousandsgi‘ollars is a.
neat sum to be bet on one hand of poker.” ~

“ Wait a minute and watch,” answered the
detective, in a whisper.

" I’ll cover your fifty,” said Montgomery
in a,fever of excitement that made him shout
the words. as he the money on the
table. “It’s all New, show your
cards!”

With the same demoniacal grin, Merville
threw down four aces, simultaueculy with
Mozt‘gomery laying down four kin .

_T concertina-player clasped Ell hands to
his forehead with a gesture 0t despair that
’made even the Skeleton Dude feel a thrill of
Eity much as he disliked the red-whiskered

n lishman

‘ e

“ It‘s—it’s all I have!" murmured Handel, in
a dreamy tone, as if he hardly realized the full
sense of his loss. ‘ “You see. it makes a cove
feel rather shah , when he loses all his bloomin'

u. And —I expected to get back to the
oi country this year. Criseyi‘ This is ’ard-—

very ’erdl
particularly. '

have.

But no one noticed him
Merville. still with the devilish smile rais-
ing his mustache and curling his thin lip, reach-
odacross the table for the pile of reenhacks,
when Dale Graham, who, with Old om Elliott,
had been sitting as eager, but silent witnesses
of the exciting lflay that had ended in e
ontgomery, thrust forth is
hand and seizad Leonard by the wrist.
“ Hold!” he cried, in a voice intense with ex-
citement. ' ‘
Merville twisted his wrist out of the cther’s
, gras , as he said contemptuously:
, “ ousrecrazyl”
395°“ ‘“  i p...
flavor is was go ng to say was etc
by the detectivepwho clasped his hand over
the speaker’s mouth in an imperious manner
.that. Graham never resisted, any more than
did others who were brought into contact with
Fearless.
“Never mind about finishing what yhu were
going to say. Gentlemen do‘ not talk in that
way, ’ observed the detective, with a meaning

smile. ‘
.“ All right, Fearless. But, I, should like to

f" " i" explain how I/came to'be sitting here playing

i

cards with a man I despise,” returned the young
man, impetuously.

“ You have not been playing since I came in,
so I’ll suppose you were not in the game,”re-
sponded the detective.

“ But I was. He has taunted me so much,
and it has seemed so impossible to get satisfac-
tion from him, that I agreed to play a game
with him, the loser of a certain sum of money to
give up all claim to Belle Howard.”

H  I" \

“ Yes, I know it is. But if you had heard how
he taunted me, you would not be surprised that
I agreed to the arrangement. I felt sure that
the justice of my cause must make me prevail.”

“ How does the game stand between you
novvi” - '

“ Even." '

“ Wal, let it go at that. .Leonard Merville.”

“ Yes, ’ said the young man, coolly.

“ I’ll play this game out with you.”

H YOU r)

Why not?"

“ Oh, nothing. Only I did not think you
spent your time on cards. I did not know that
you could play poker at all.”

The sneer was still on Merville’s face, and he
looked at the detective with a cool contempt that
would have maddi-ned any man with less control
over himself than Fearless Sam.

The detective did not take any notice, how-
ever, but took the seat that Montgomery sur-
rendered to him.

The others watched the game w’ith the rent-
est eagerness, Canada Jack, in particular, ing
prepared to catch every point in the game, with
the eye of an expert.

For half an hour the game went on between
the two men, the detective winning so often that

he had a large portion of his adversary’s pile at’

his hand. A

Montgomery watched the playing with a sad,
dreamy, far-away expression in his eyes, as he
saw that the money being passed over by
Leonard Merville to the detective was that which
he (Handel) had so often gloated over in the
trunk)

At last there was a large pile in the middle of
the table, and by rapid betting it was increased
till it reached forty thousand dollers.

“Now, show what you havs,” suddenly cried

m.

Merville was taken somewhat by surprise. He
could not helpa slight start, but the start was
seen by the detective, as he kept his eyes fixed
on those of his adversary, and waited for him to
show his hand.

Merville fumbled a little with his cards, and
then threw down four aces.

Like a flash of lightning, Sam had the muzzle
of his revolver within an uch of Leonard’s face.

“Don’t stir, or I’ll drill a hole in you before
you can speak 1” hissed the detective, in a low
tune, while the others waited to see the outcome
of this strange proceeding.

“ Canada,” went on the detective, without
removing his eyes from those of Merville.

“ Step around there and turn his right hand
palm u ward.”

Calm y and without nail lug Jack obeyed.

In the palm of his han , eld there dexterous-
ly by the contraction of the muscles, wasa deuce
of s dec.

erville had held, an ace there, and when he
was fumbling with his cards before throwing
them upon the table he had changed the ace for
the dance, and kept the smaller one in his hand,
while usin the ace to enable him to win the
money on t e table. .

He had done it by the simple trick known
as “palming,” an accomplishment by which
Prof. Herrman‘ and other well~known profes-
sional magicians perform most of their appar-
ent miraculous tricks with cards.

‘° at will do Canada. Just stay thar a
moment. Now, l-Iandel, take ther money you
lost of! thet table." '

Merville made a slight movement, but the
‘cold muzzle of the pistol touched his face and
warned him toremain quiet, as Canada placed
his hand on the young man’s shoulder, while
still holding -the hand with the deuce of spades
in its palm with the other.

Montgomery, with a grin on his counte-
nance that contrasted well with the look of
misery it had worn before, grabbed at the
notes, and in an incredibl short time had
gathered up fifty thousand do lars. /'

“That all, Handel?” asked the detective.

“ That’s all.” -

“ Wal, take it and get out. You had better
turn into yor bunk an’ stay thar. An' ef’you’il
take my advice, you wont try ter fool with
ther grestAmerican game of poker again. It’s
er sure loser fer ther man that plays er strai ht
game. An’ even ther teller who is croo ed
gets gelled down at ‘last, as you cansce In this
case. *

He nodded toward Merville, who scowlcd in
return, and Handel retired, hugging his money
to his bosom, with the firm resolve to take the
detective’s advice, and never be induced to
touch a card again as long as he lived.

 

“Dale, what did he win from you?”
“Nothing.” I g - i,

I .V.
.

\,.

 
 

 
 

 

 

“ And you, governor?” to Old Tom Elliott.

“ Oh, only a few dollars, and he’s welcome to
them. I guess he got them on the square, be-
cause there ain’t a man living that can do me up
at cards," returned Old Tom, who would rather
lose a. fortune than admit that any one was
shar r than himself.

“ Veil, now that you have arranged evory-
thing to your OWn satisfaction, perhaps you will
let me pick up my money and leave,” said

Leonard. ,

“ Not so fast, my younIg friend. I hev some
thing against you, and propose to hold this
mone in trust until Certain matters are cleared
up, d yer see?”

The eyes of Merville blazed with fury.

" By what right do you do this?” he demand-

“Plenty of ri ht," returned the detective,
calmly: “ Iam a etective in the employ of the
Secret Service of the United States— ’

Loonard interrupted him with a laugh.

“What is thatto do with me? I have not
committed any crime against the United States.
And if I had done anything against State laws
elsewhere—as I am told you think I have— on
cannot arrest me in the Statelof Mississippi
without a warrant.”

“ indeed? You seem ter know er great deal
erbout ther law. We], let me tell you thetI
hold er commission as detective under the Gov-
ernor of Mississippi.”

Merville’s scowl grew darker than ever, as he
began to think that perhaps he was trapped,
after all.

“I don’t care for that,” he said, with an air
of bravado. “ Where is your warrant?”

The detective drew a paper from his coat
pocket and waved it in the face of the young
man as he exclaimed:

“ fiere is my warrant,”aud, dexterously slip- .
ping a pair of handcufls on Merville’s wrists,
‘ here is my authority 1”

 

CHAPTER xxvui.
CAUGHT IN THE ACT.

“THIS is oing to be tiresome to me,” ex-
claimed Old om, when he saw that the detec-
tive had dutermined to bring to a close his long
chase for Leonard Merville.

H  .?“l

“He’s the most useful man I have in the
ring,” grumbled the manager. “ And I don’t
see any chance of. getting any one to fill his

lace unless Ican strike some one in New Or-
eans, and even if I do that I’ve got to wriggle
alon till we reach there.” ‘

“ on can make any use of me that you
please,” suggested the Skeleton, with a pro-
pitiatoiyosm rk.

Mr. i‘fey had enough confidence in his own v
abilities to believ,e honestly that he could do
anything in the show that any one else could do,
even to the “ leap for life” or taming old Mon-
arch, the bi lion.

' Old Tom id not answer him, therefore, know-
ing that he meant well, butturned toward Fear-
less Sam for some solution of the difficulty.

“Thor’s no need for Shad ter 0 inter ther
ring,” observed the detective. ‘ Byar’s Dale
Graham. who’s never hed er good chance. He’s
been practicing retty hard as I know, an’ ther
is no reason w y he shouldn’t do everything
’09 t, perhaps, f001 with Old Monarch.”

(graham’s face flushed with eagerness.

“ I can do even that if necessary. He knows
me pretty well andf have been putting him
through his tric s for the last few weeks.’

Old Tom scratched his head doubtfully. while
Merville, who had regained his customary com-
pooure, smiled in en yment of the perplexity
caused by the turn h s affairs had taken.

“ Better let me go with the show till we
strike New Orleans,” he suggested. with as
much coolness as if the outcome did not concern
him rsoually in the least. _

“ al, then, ou'll use Dale Graham, wdi

er?” u ed the etective to Old Tom, without

ing he words of Leonard Merville.

“ I s pose that’s all I can do,” answered Old
Tom, mournfully6 ‘

" I told you at I would do anything " put
in the Skeleton. “ It you want me to o the
leap for life with Mi- Howard, you have only
to say an.” - ,

Tim Kofi'ey looked so ridiculous, with ,his thin
arms and l , Innd his cadaVerons face, with
the heard %3 ustache waxed to points, as
usual, that ld Tom could not help laughing

;

cu laughing at?” demanded the
Skeleton, wrst fully. “ Do you think I couldn’t
do it? You ought to know that the thin, wiry
man has often more strength, and always more \
agility, than the stout fellow, all the world-
over.

“ That’s so,” observed Canada Jack, gravely.

The Skeleton Dude immediately shook hands
with Canada Jack, with a great deal of warmth. _
' “ Canada, you are the most sensible man in,
this whole outllt. That is what you are i”

“ Thanks.” ’

“ I beg your pan don, ShadOW.” said Old Tom.
"I wasn’t laughing at you. One of the clovvn’s
new j okes that he got of! yesterday just struck

t _ ‘ 1

;0r as»

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
           
  

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Fearless Sam.

 

 

me. Inever could see the point of it before,
and I had to laugh when it hit me just now.”

The Skeleton Dude looked at the manager
doubtfully, but as Old Tom had thoroughly re-
covered his gravity now, he felt constrained
to accept the explanation. So he shook hands
with the manager in a veryimpressive man-
ner, that almost made Old Tom burst intoa
guffaw again.

“ Canada,” said the detective, “ just lead Mr.
Merville back thar ter ther animal cages.
That’s thet one thet we hev ready for ther lion-
ess we are ter git in New Orleans. Clap him
in thar, and fasten the padlock, an’ he’ll be safe
eruough."

“ Shall I take the bracelets off him?"

“Not at present. He’s too handy at picking
locks, an’ I don’t think or pidlock would hold
out against him long if he had ther use of his
hands.” ‘

Merville smiled contemptuously, but follow
ed Jack tractably enough, rather to the suro
prise of Sam, who took the precaution to
walk behind him, pistol in hand, with the
Skeleton by his side, who enjoyed the impor-
tance of the occasion immensely.

i‘Throw in some straw,” su gested the de-
tective when Canada had plat his prisoner in
the cage and was busy at the padlock, which
fastened with a spring.

Old Tom handed the key of the padlock to the
detective, taking it from a huge bunch that he
carried in his coat pocket, and the strong iron
cage was opened so that Canada Jack could
throw in a good-sized bundle of straw.

“ How long am I to stay in this place?” asked
Leonard, as the three moved away.

“ Depends on circumstances,"
\Vilson, carelessly.

“Does, eh?” muttered Leonard, under his
breath. “ Well, maybe the circumstances won’t
be just what you expect.”

He threw himself upon a bed of straw, which
was soft and comfortable enough, and was
asleep in two minutes.

Meanwhile something was going on within a
few yards of him which would have surprised
him had he known anything about it.

The cages Were well at the back of the boat,
as the reader will remember. Immediately in
front of him was Monarch, walking restlessly
up and down, and occasionally emitting a low
growl, as he longed, perhaps, to be rampaging
over the dark country that he could just see on
each side of the river.

As Mei-ville threw himself upon his straw,
a dark face appeared above the edge of the
deck from the river and tried to peer into
the darkness, so as to distinguish what was
there.

It was very dark, although alantern here and
there made “the darkness visible,” as it
were.

The detective, Old Tom and Shadow ,had
gone, and Were turning into their bunks, with
the determination of not troubling any one till
morning was well advanced.

EVen Parole itself Was restin . 5s stated be-
fore, the engine was not wor ing,so that the
great paddle-wheels were still allowing the
boat to drift lazily down the wide riVer, while
the pilot in the wheel-house on the hurricane
deck kept the boat straight by a few touches of
the helm once in a while.

The whole scene was one of peace and secu-

answered

i'it .

The dark face remained where it». was for
perhaps half a minute, as the eyes moved to and
fro like those of a wild animal that fears to run
into ambush. ‘

Then, with a uick, but noiseless, movement,

, the face was foilowed by the rest of a man’s
body,'whlch crouched down under the side of
the boat.

But the deck hands were all fast asleep, and
the canvasmen and other laborers belon ug to
the 'circus ha.l been working too hard the ay be-
fore to be awake when they were not required
for anything.

The stranger, whoever he was, need not fear
interruption unless he made an unusual noise.

He movod swiftly forward until he stood
where one of the dim lanterns on t its light full
into his face and revealed him to the negro,
Luke! .

“ Sho’, I Wlsb I knew whar young Mas’r
Leonard is. Cain’t do nothin' without him, no-
h0w," he muttered.” be shivered involuntarily,
for his clothes were soakin with water,

He ste pad in from 0f ld Monarch’s cage,
and thel on,apparently resenting the familiarity,

’threw himself with all his might against the
iron bars, with one claw outside, uttering a des-
perate growl at the same time.

The claw just touched Luke’s shirt—for he
were no coat—and inflicted a slight scratch (in
his arm. e

He flew back as if he were shot, and the move-
ment brought him with a ban against the cage
in which lay Merville, fast as eep. ,

With another exclamation of alarm, the negro
sprung away from this cage, too, and stool
under the lantern, panting.

“end!” he exclaimed. “ l’se nervous. It’s
’cguge I‘m tired, with, being in the waterso long,
I guess. I done swim a good deal since dat

 

Fea’less Sam threw me in de ribber. Wonder
who’s in dat other cage over there, anyhow.”

Cautiously he approached the cage in which
Leonard Merville was still peacefully sleeping,
and looked through the bars, with the aid of the
dim lantern, that he had removed from its nail
to aid him in his investigations

“Fo’ de Lawdi It’s a maul” he cried, in
irrepreSSible astonishment. “ An’ he’s locked in,
too. VVouder who it is?"

Leonard had thrown his arm over his face,
and was lying with his back to the bars, so that
it was impossible to see who it was.

“I done gwihe to find out who dat man is

befo’ I go ’way from hyar,” muttered Luke, who ‘
had a slight suspicion that it might be the young ‘

giaililfor whom he w0uld be willing to lay down
is l e. \

He tried to reach the slee ing figure with his
hand, but his arm was not on enough. Then
he saw a long-handled fork, t at was used to
place the meat in the cages of the dangerous
wild beasts, and he saw how he could use it in
this case.

Pushing the handle into the cage, he gave
Leonard a gentle prod, and then, as that had no
effect, a harder one.

The young man started angrily to his feet.

“ Well, what’s going on ?"’ he demanded.

“ Oh, fo’ de L-iwdl It’s you, Mas‘r Leonard.
It’s you, cooped up in dat there way, like a hog.”

“Stop your howling,” commanded Leonard.
“ Where have you come from this time?”,

“Out of de ribber, Mas’r Leonard.”

“ So I should think, from your appearance.
Well, you see the fix I am in.”

The negro raised his eyes and hands, and was
about to break into fresh lamentations, but
Leonard stopped him.

“Never mind about spuealing any more. I
want you to get me out 0 this right away.”

d ‘é’Snuah, Mas’r Loonard. What else would I
o

“ All right,” interrupted Leonard, testily, and
not at all mpressed with the fidelity of the negro,
apparently. “ This is what you have to do.
Listen to me."

" I’se listening, Mas’r Leonard.”

“ You know where Fearless Sam’s state-room
is? Curse him?"

“ Yes. Uuss him l”

“Go to his room, and get his keys. Then go
to his trunk, that is in his room, and take out all
the money you find there. The money is mine,
that be robbed me of, just now, and I’m going
to have it."

“ Shuah, Mes’r Leonard.”

“ The key of this padlock is of brass, and the
top of it is of a peculiar shape, like an “8.”
Make sure it is on the bunch, and get back as
qpigkl’y as you can, so as to let me out of this
p a e.

“ Shuah, Mas’r Leonard. But—what de mat-
ter with yo’ han’s? Are dem handcuffs?"

“ Yes. The handcuii’ key I always carr is in
my hip pocket, so that I can’t get at it. ake it
Out and unlock these things."

Leonard turned his back to the bars, and

.the negro reached into his hip pocket, took out

a handout! key, and in a moment had the hand-
cuffs off.

“ That’s all right, Luke. Now, hurry. But, be
careful. That fellow sleeps with one eye‘ open
most of the time, I believe.”

With his obedient “ Yes, Mas’r Leonard,” the
negro sped away, only anxious to please his
young master, and caring little for himself, so
that Merville Leonard were saved.

He knew the Parole so well that it was no
trouble to him to find Fearless Sam’s state-room
on the main deck, above, where it was, as the
reader Will remember, across the'corridor from
that occupied by Belle Howard.

The door was unlocked, for a wonder, al-
though an ordinary lock would not have stopped
Luke ver long.

Softly e pushed open the door, and saw. by
the lighted lantern that hung from the ceiling,
that Fearless Sam was lying on his back on his
bed, fast asleep. . ,

Noiselessly the negro stepped across the nar-
row space between the door and the bunk. and
reachedtoward the detective’s coat, that hung
above his head. Putting his hand into one of
the deep inside peckeis, he felt a knife, which,
as soon as he had drawn it out, he recognized as
his own, that Fearless Sam had taken from him
on the wharf.“ ~-

Luke grinned from ear to car as he placed the
weapon in his belt, and felt in the other pockets
of the coat for the keys.

"‘Hyar’s his revolver! I won’t take that. Fse
Wand of it." he thought. “It ’u’d bring me had
luck, shuahl”

He felt in another pocket, and smiled as he felt
the keys.

“ Hyar they are. Wonder if the brass key is
hyarfl
He would have preferred to take the keys and
get out, but he dared not disnlwy orders.

,He looked carefully through the bunch, and
haw that the brass key was absent.

“ Guess l’d better get the money ’fore I look
for the brass lmv,” muttered Luke.

He epsuiv piclu-d out the trunk key, because
he had seen it many times before in Fearless

‘ /

 

..,,.,

Sam’s hand and recognized it at once. Open- .
ing the trunk, he saw the money lying just in- 1_.
side, tied up in bundles of greenbacks of large

denominations, and it did not take him long to ‘ ,.
clear out all the bills and stufi’ them into his 3
pockets and inside his shirt, until he was well ,

\

padded with mouey. v

“The bills will get Wet,” he muttered, nith ,
a grin, “ but I dunno but what wet money is '3
as gOod as dry, anyhOW.” “9

This part of his task done, but not without ’
many a cautious look at the detective, pence-
fully slumbering in his berth, the negro stole
over to the bed to try and find the brass key that
would mean liberty for his master.

Something seemed to assure Luke that the key
was under the pillow of Fearless Sam, and it
was there that he looked for it.

Witha gliding motion, like that of a snake,
the negro’s hand, slid under the pillow, with the
detective breathing steadily within a few inches » .-
of his face the While, until he felt something
hard, that he knew, instinctively, was the key ,
he sought. t;

More cautiously than ever, he pulled away at - *3 E
the key, and at last had the satisfaction of hold-  33
in it in his haul. 

‘5

'1
w...» '_ _.

a. .s- ' 2 *‘l. ,u
. i», ...._...  ,,,.,.....,.,,... .5, ...,,,.

' MW)“: r.

e could not repress a chuckle! .3};
That chuckle betrayed him! i; ’.
He had reached the door, with the keys in his ' 

hand and the money hidden in his clothing,
when he was brought to a stop by the sudden
command, in the well-known toue of Fearless

“ Haiti”

Sam was sitting on the side of his berth, with
Ihisk revolver pointing straight at the head of

u e.

 

CHAPTER XXIX.
rm: warm. or Drain.

FOR a moment the negro did not know what
to do. Then his wits came back, and he decided
upon a plan of action as promptly as the detec-
tive himself could have done it. '

Apparently doubling himself up into a ball, ,
Luke flew at the detective, and knocked e pis-
tol from his hand. Then before Sam on ld re-
cover himself, he had reached the corridor after
slamming the door behind him, and sped like the
wind down the corridor and the stairs, and
reached the cage in which Leonard Merville was
walking impatiently up and down.

With trembling fingers, the negro thrust the
brass key into the padlor-k and in a moment had
the iron door open and Leonard was free.

“ What‘s the matter?” asked the young man,
coldly. ” What are you so excited about!”

“ Fo’ de Lawd, Mns’r Leonard, he’s coming!”

“ Who is coming?”

“ Him—Fea’less Sam. We must run.”

At this n-« invnt Leonard’s sharp ears detecwd
the sound of Wilson’s footsteps on the foot of the
stairs at the other end of the deck.

' He hastily opened the lantern and blew out the ,
light, and then, taking Luke by the hand, led
him to the side of the boat.

“ Curse himl What did you do to wake him , '-
up, Luke?” , {a

“ Nothing, fo’ de Lawd l” stuttered the excited . - .3“

 

 

negro.
“ I don’t believe you. Hewever, this is no

time to argue about it. Come with me. He’ll

have the whole boat alarmed directly, I suppose,

,curse him!”
" Indeed, it seemed as if the opinion of Leonard

Merville was to be borne out by the facts.  f.'.- .
Hardly had the two fugitives got away from , ‘2’?

the Vicinity of the cages when the detecthe dis- w;
cova that Leonard Mervilie had escaped. He f 

suspected that some move was on hand to get
Merville out as soon as he saw the negro, and he
had come straight down to the cages as soon as
he had got the door of his state-room open and »
picked up his revolver from the floor. ‘j
No scener did he see the cage door open, they, v .
than he cried out to Canada Jack to come and ' a
helpbini. He was so determined thatLeonard  . x.
Merville should not escape him, n0w that he ind
recovared the mono that be was sure was stolen -.
from the Seventh ational Bank of Pittsburg
and had the evidence all nicely worked up, the .
he did not care how many people helped him to '
recapture his prisoner. As for Luke, he had,
chosen to come back into the lion's jaws, when,
he had a chance of getting away, and honest
suffer too. , -
in less than two minutes, Fearless Sam had .
Canada Jack, the Skeleton and Handel Moat- _<
gomery all helping him to trail the two men, and
he might have had everybod else on board, ,
enly that he thought it advisa le for most of ,.
them to watch different parts of the boat where
the fugitives might have run.to,‘rather than to 7
keep with him in hunting in the direction in  ‘
which he knew they had gone. '
Meanwhile, Merville and Luke were hard '
pressed. _
Leonard had been staying on the boat more in
a spirit of bravado than anything else, sina he
had known that Belle Howard would not have _ _
anything to do with him, and since his hiding- ‘ 13,;
place, near Arkansas City, where the voodoo 3‘
woman had so norked upon the feelingsof Luke, s
had been discovered by the detective. He wouhi

 

 

 

   

.\~

Fearless Sam.

 

 

like to get even with Dale Graham, and he had
sworn to kill Fearless Sam Wilson. But he did
not mean to risk his liiwrty even for revenge.
He could get that some other time.

He was a desperate man now, and determined
that he would not be taken ulwc.

He was crouching by the side of the Parole,
just abuft the wheel-box, so that as helOokcd
down to the water he could Just distinguish the
wide, slimy paildlc-S of the wheel rising above
the surface, and running up, like steps of a lad-
der, into the wheel-box.

“ Luke!”

“ Yes, Mas‘r Leonard." >

“ How did you get aboard—in a skiff?”

“No, Mas’r Leonard. I done swnnmed it,”
anSWere-d the negro, with a grin.

“’Um! That’s what I supposed. Well, it
makes no diiference. It would not be safe for
us to rowawuy now. They would be after us
like bloodhounds. Our only chance is to hide
somewhere aboard the boat until We get a chance
to escape.”

The young man was talking more to himself
than to his companion, but Luke answered him:
“ Dey’s comin’ mighty clase, Mus’r Leonard.”

“ Let them come. I have a pistol. Have you
anything?"

“Band I has. Look at my knife. It‘s a
dais ,” answered Luke, feeling the edge of his
bis 8 lovingly on his nail. “ I like just to put
this into dot Canada Jack first, and den into
Fea’less Sam. Wish I’d done that when I was in
de cabin.”

“ 1 wish you had. However, it is no use talk-
ing about’it now. It is going to be a close
shave.”

“ Hyar dey is,” burst in the negro, in an ex-
cited whisper. “ Whnr will we gof’”

“ Follow mel” was Merville’s hasty com-
mand.

He had buttoned his coat closely around him,
so as not to impede his movements, and he now
leaped over the guard-rail, like the trained uth-.

I I .. late that he was.

“Fo’ de and, Mas’r Leonard, whar you
gwinel" asked Luke. in horror. “You drown,
shnuh, if you git in do track ob de paddle-'
wheels."

“ You ass! Don’t you see that the wheels are

, not moving? Follow me, and don’t talk."

He let himself down gently into the water,
and then grasping one of the slippery paddles,

ulled himself up until he was hidden completely
tom the view of any one on deck by the wheel-

box.
“Golly! Ho t’ink ob t’ings dnt would ncber
’cur to me,” muttered Luke, in a spasm of admi-

r ration of his master.

Ho folIOWed the example of Leonard without
hesitation, for he could hear the voices of Sam
and the Skeleton Dude very near, and there was
no time to waste if he meant to avoid being
made a prisoner, and perhaps being consigned to
a Stain Prison for a long term of years. He

'knew he need expect no mercy now. .

Luke was not so agile as the acrobat, but he
was quite as strong, if not stronger, and he
climbed up to a pore just below his master with
I nimblensés that won for him a grunt of praise
from Leonard, as he sat on his slippery seat.

“I could almost her sworn they wore hyar a

' , moment ago,” they heard Sam,say,a minute

 

,g
"(3

later. just over their heads.

“ Perhaps they have jumped overboard,” sugo
gated the Skeleton. ‘

“ What a blooming silly notion,” put in Han-
del Mantgomery, who, pleased hs he was over
moveriug his money, could not resist the temp-
taticén to pick on the.Skeletou at every oppor-
tun . ,

"F’sarless, I with you would not let red-whis-
kerod men interfere with things they don’t un—
derstand," sold the Skeleton. "They are very
“moving to men of sense.” ,

“You—you—animated toothpick,” spluttered
Mantgomory. “ Go and hide yourself! in a gas-
pipe will you?"

, “ '1! hide you both inasack and throw you
' overboard‘if you do not keep quiet,” growled
snadsJack. ‘ "

Canada Jack soon had reason to be sorr that
he had spoken, for both the Skeleton and andel

to turned on him for his interference with a round

in! abuse that made him wince.

._“ When I’m discussing anything With agentie-
man. even if he is I. Skeleton, i don’t want any
blooming grafter or short-card man to put his

 I our in,"observe-l Handel, with much dignity.

“And when I have a few remarks to make to

‘ sgeutleman with red whiskers Who plavs the

' ‘olono.

’“l’ En lish concertina, I can settle my difficulty

 wit‘ him myself,” added the Skeleton.
' ‘ " You are in: impertinent fellow,” observed
the Eu lishman.

“ Am a know-nothing,” said the Skeleton.

, “ Not fit to associate with professional people,”
‘ declared Handel. '

“ Shut u l” commanded the detective, “ or I’ll
throw all t roe of you overboard. Canada, you
on.“ to know en b to let these two idiots

I am usham of you."
“I am ashamed of myself,” said Canada J ark,
contritely, “ but they make me so mad some-
thut I can't keep still.”
2... “adorns” the «active, in I reflective

  

 

tone, as if he had not been paying any attention
to the lust remark of his companion.

is Yes."

“Those fellows went over ther side of ther
bout just hyar. I can see ther Wet mark of
Luke‘s clotheS. When he came into my cabin I
noticed that he was ull Wi‘t, as of course he would
be, unless he bed bed a chance ter get or new snit
of clothes somewhnr, which is not likely at this
time in the!“ morning.”

“ You have a great head, Fearless,” observed
Canada Jack, adinirincly.

The detective took off his bat and used the silk
handkerchief to polish the great head, without
replying in words to Canada Jack’s encoinium.

“ Where do you think they Went then? Swam
away?”

“ I s’pose so. l’m thinking \\ hether it would
not be well toget the skii‘i’s out and go after
them.”

“ I don’t think so, Fearless. We shall have a
better chance if we wait till dayli ht, and then
make a hunt for them on shore. hey can’t get
far in two or three hours.”

“ Thar’s Sense in what you say, Canada. We’ll
take another good look about that boat in ther
meantime, in case they might hev crawled aboard
again, after climbing OVer tber side ter throw us
off ther scent. D’yer see?”

As he thus spoke, the detective moved away,
follOWed by his three companions, and Luke and
Leonard Merville, in their wet, uncmnforiable
hiding—place ou the great paddle-wheel, breathed
freer.

“How soon will it be safe for us to get out
ob hyar, Mas’r Lconard i” asked Luke, when he
had been sitting quietly for perhaps ten minutes
after the departure of the detective and his two
com nion8.

“ L ot for some time yet. Fearless and those
other fellows are on the watch, I guess. In the
course of an hour, if we don’t hear anything
we can swim around to one of those skiffs,
muffle the oars and row a long way down the
rivm', so as to fool them. They think we are
ashore near here.”

“Gond idea. Mm’r Leonard!”

Leonard was about to reply, when something
happened that made his hair stand on end
and the cold perspiration run down his fore-
head, in spite of his wet and uncomfortable situa-
tion. '
Luke noticed it, at the same moment, and al-
though his woilly hair did not straighten out,
he felt a creepy, crawly sensation all over him
tlmt seemed to freezia his blood.

The wheel was trembling preparatory to
turning I

For an instant the two men were paralyzed
with horror!

Then the negro, who was belovv, began to
climb rapidly down taward the water, Leonard
following him.

Too late! ~

The wheels begun to revolve, and they could
not get from one to the other of the paddles. al—
though they were moving slowly, as quickly as
the paddles went up.

For an instant or so, the two men managed
to hold their own, and save themselves from be-
ing drawn clear over. Then, the wheel gave a
sort of flurry as if increasing its speed, and
Leonard went 0vcr with the wheel and was
dashed into the water on the other side, just as
the negro, too, was caught by the paddle he
was on, and was dragged over after his com-
panioni

 

CHAPTER XXX.
LUKE AND LON.

Tm: action of the wheel was so sudden, that,
before the two men knew ‘they had been caught,
they found themselves hurled against the rough
bottom of the boat, under water, gasping and
choking. .

Both were good swimmers, and after the first
involuntary opening of their months, as they
were twisted so unceremoniously into a position
from which it seemed impossible that they could
escape, they struck out in the hope of getting
above water again.

The great vessel glided alon , and the splint-
ers on the rough board at the ttom tore holes
in the clothes of the two men, and scratched
theirhands and faces in a terrible manner.

They did not feel their hurts, however. The
stron excitement prevented their being aware
of or inary injuries, and they only bent all their
energies toward getting out, without thinking
whether they were hurt or not.

Of course neither could see the other. The
time that they were under the boat was one
of black awful terror, during which they cauld
hardly t ink, and were guided almost entirely
by the animal instinct that is as strong in man
as in any of the lower creatures. , l

Leenard Merville was the first to reach the
surface of the water. He partlv swam and
partlv pushed himself along by the flat keel of
the Parole. He did not know which way he
was going, or whether he was going further
under, instead of moving toward tho edge.
The onl guide he had was the grain of the
wool, at, whom-«i and rough as it wan,
could; », i ' $9 know that the long

I
i

l

 

  

 

 ‘4. j;_.' .1: .  . . fa IL 

 

 

way of the wood was the long way of. the hour,
so he worked himself across.

It seemed to him in if he would nevcr be char
of the monster calmly gliding over his bend.
The slight forward [notion of the bout threw
him diagonally across, which made his juurucy
longer than it would oiherwiso have born.

This may have been n good thing for him in

one respect, since it sent him clear of the whrcl '

wbcn lli‘ got many at las'.

The nom- mode by the boat passing over him
Consul as he dived nicclnunicnlly to avoid an 0b-
struction tIIflt threat: ncd his head. Then he
Swain upward, and the ith instant he found
himself above the surface, breathing with the
long inspirations that a r man naturally takes
after a narmw escape from suffocation.

“Where’s that nigger, I wonder?” was his
first audible remark, as he tried to pierce the
glomn that yet hung over the water.

“ Hyui‘ Iis, bores!”

The accents were weak, but were those of
Luke, unmistakably.

“ Where are you, Luke?”

M Ryan”

A hand was laid on his shoulder as be half
turned, and he found the negro swimming by
his side.

“ Hurt, Luke?”

“You bet lis. Idcne b’lieve l’ve had my
scalp lifted 'cl’ar off me," was the response.

Mervillc had recovered his devn-may-care
spirits, and he laughed as carelessly as if he had
been sitting comfortably in an aim-chair in a
parlor, instead of being in 1129 river. cold, bruised
and bleeding, and with enemies on allsides of,
him.

“Your scalp is all right, Luke. I can see
your wool. And, as for your head, it is too
hard to be broken by such an adventure as this.
You are all right.” .

“ Glad to hour ycu say so, Mss’r Leonard. I
thou ht I was a one coon, bluish.” ,

“ ushl They re looking for us."

“ lV ho?”

“Quiet, I tell you.
stopped. But they are keeping her moving-just
a little. 1 am almost exhausted. We must
hang to her for awhile, till we get rested a
little.”

As Le spoke, Merville made a dash for the
stern of ti o Parole, where he noticed a cable
hanging our the tefi‘rail. The exertion “as
too much hr him. Senietbing seemed to shoot
through his hcnrt like a knife, and, even as he
sp: ix», he threw up his arms and sunk.

Like n iiaeb Luke,sprung after him, lining
himself half-why out of the water, and then
div+d likes duck. He caught Merville by the
hair before he bad bad time i0 go down very far,
and the next instant he was clinging to the rope,
holding the insensible form of the other in his

arms.

“Gollyl He’s all over blood! He must buve
dune got himself hammered against the Lu“.
W but w ill 1 do now ?”

The strain upon his arms was terrible, for l e
n as being towed along at arm’s length, hauling
his companion above the surface in a cramped,
awkward position, that took all the strength the
negro pl sse~sed to keep him safely abow writer.

He could hear the voices of the detective and
Handel Montgomery in the boat, and be was
sure that if he showed his head above the lad-
rail they would see him.

“Can’t help it!" he muttered. “I done got
ter do somefing. Can’t let dis hyar boy die in
my arms, nohow, an’ be will die, shuub, of I
don’t get him on board.” '

Luke Jut forth a berculean effort, and man-
aged to drag himself close to the,boat, and then,
threwing the inanimate form of Leonard Mer-
ville over his shoulder climbed up the rope hund
Over hand till he could clutch the railing.

So far he was safe. The baggage was piled up
at the stern of the boat, and he could crawl on
deck without immediate danger of being caught.

'l‘o lay Leonard on the deck, wipe the blood
from his face, and make an examination of his
limbs, to satisfy himself that they were, not
broken, was for Luke the work of a very few

minutes. Then he looked about him anxiously,
to find somothing to revive the voun man.
“ He’s just done fainted. Thats what. I

must now some liquor for him, somehow. I’ll
just go to the kitchen, and if I don’t scare that
durned nigger cook inter giving mesometbing,
I don’t know my own name,” muttered Luke.

He found some loom canvas among the bag-
gage, and he threw it over Leonard, in the hope
of preventing him from taking cold, for it must
be remembered that both were soaked with
river water, and that the air of the early morn-
ing was sharp even on the lower Mississippi.

“ NOW for the cook l” '

Looking cautiously about him, Luke went
forward careful] but swiftly.

The cook’s gal cy, which communicated with
the kitchen, was on the lower deck, a dumb-
waiter leading from the kitchen to the dining-
r00m on the main deck above. There was a
rear entrance to the galley, so that it was
possible for Luke to obt in access to it without
going into the kitchen at all. This was his pur-

po'l‘iio door was  with

 ‘~

’l-n 14'"

The old boat has almost '

 

 

. “a , t

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

2315mm. 

 

 

 

 

    

‘30 come

   

Fearless " Sam.

w.a~-.¢‘ .. ,

 

side, and he knew it was the habit of the cook

to keep the door fastened, so as to keep out the I:
deck hands and others who might try to help i

themselves to delicacies from the galley without 5
ipacked away snugly on the shelvos of the

permission of the cook or steward.

“ Golly!
to go around to the kitchen.
them high-toned stewards uud waiters, ~ and
have .110: of trouble,” grumbled Luke to him-
self, as he trie l the door of the galley and found
it fast.

For a moment he stopped, in deep thought.
He was nonplnsed. The thought of Leonard,
lying: helplms and unconscious on deck seemed
to stimulate his brain, however, and he knocked
gently at the door, while a knowing smile crept
over his mahogany features. _

There was no response to his knock, and he
repeiiixxi it. .

“ Wal, what yer want?” demanded a vowe
from within that one could have sworn was
that ofa Louisiana negro no matter where it
was heard.

“ Loni” whispered Luke, in as soft a tone as
he could use.

“Hiyi!” responded Lorenz \, the cook, in a.
sort of ecstasy. “ Is that you. Chloe?"

“ ’Desd it is,” whispered Luke, in a soft
falsetto, while a broad grin Overspread his
features as he thought of the surprise he would
afford his friend Lon in another minute.

“ What yo’ want, Chloe?” asked Lon.

“ Want yo', of course,” replied Luke. “ What
should 1 want? Lemme talk to yof." _

“Sa , Chloe," whispered Lorenzo, with his
face cose to the door. “Thar’s the steward
toting himself roun’ hjar. Wait till he goes
out. Den I open the dad.”

“ Ef yo’ don’t open it now you needn’t do it at
all. I guess Sam nckson wouldn’t. keep me
wnitiu' of I wanted to speak to him,” answered
Luke, in a tone of annoyance.

Poor Lon was in aquandary. The steward
was bustlin about the kitchen, and the door he-
tWeen the itchen and the galls was partly
open, so that it would be impossib e for any one
to visit the cook without being seen by his
superior. The orders were very strict against
opening the door of the galley, and Lou knew
that the steward, who was an elderly negro,
with an exalted idea of his own importance,
would visit his wrath upon him without hesita-
tion if orders were disobeved. On the other
hand, here was Chloe, one of the chambermaids,
upon whom he had been Sweet since the begin-
ning of the voyage, and who he flattered him—
self, he had taken away from that hateful Sam
Jackson, a deck-hand, who had been trying to
wiu the smiles of the dusky Chloe since he had
first gazed upon her.

“ Are yo’ gwine to open this hyar doo’?” de-
manded Luke, who felt stronglyinclined to kick
it in, in his desperation, as he thought of Leon-
ard Merville’s plight.

Inn hesitated no longer. He undid the latch,
'aud at the same instant, he found a pair of
sinewy arms thmwn around him, While a hard
head was butted into his mouth with such force
asto stifle the cry that was about to proceed
from it.

The half-open door between the galley and
kitchen allowed Luketoseethed ifled steward
-a large man, with snow-white air falling in
a crinkly mass to his shoulders—moving about
among his plates and table-linen, and occasion
my step ing near the door, as if half-inclined

Eito the galley. _ _

Luke knew that he must act quickly, if he
meant to t away without discovery. ,

“ What yer rum?” he demanded of the
trembling Lon, as he still held him in a fierce
embrace.

“ I don’t—don’t—”

“ Tell me yer don't know, an’ I’m gwine ter

kill yer,” interrupted Luke, drawing his long
knife, and, flourishing it in the eyes of Lon.
. The knife was wet from being in the rivnr,
but as Luke had been cut an'i bruised from his
tamblinx about in the bottom of the boat, some
of his bloiirl had got upon the knife and min-
glcd with the water. ' To the terrified Lorenzo it
appeared to be all b10011.

“ It’s—it’s—In ther kitchen,” gasped Lon.

Luke knew, from his manner and a rance,
that he was speaking the mini, and he felt that
he was not out of his difficulty yet.

“ Look hyar,” he sold. after a moment’s
pause, ache moved the point of his long knife
up and down before Lou's staring eyes. “ Yn’
go inter that kitchen and bring me a bottleof
rum, and bring it right away. An’ of I see yer
make any movamant ter speak tar ther'stcward,
1'11 carve yer inter minoemeat. 1"

Then he releucd the other, and, knife in hand,
watcl ed hits slip through tho:j nariitlitw space left

mo 11 car, an we over to a
:i’oset onplt‘he {the-.9: sid‘e of the kitchen. ,

The dignified stoward glanced carelwa at
the cook. and asked him, casually, what he
wantedc , .

Lon saw Luke standing in the galley with his
knife in his hand, and he ltummered:

«11m don. want some maple syrup. Dat’s

n

«Thor‘s some in tbcr closet, over dar,’f said
' X I . x} I. , /.

 

If he don’t open that door I’ll have f
Then I'll meet all i

 

l

   

the steward, and took no more notice of the.
; take better cure of myself.”

cook. ,
With trembling fingers, Lon selected a bottle
that he knew Contained rum from a numbn-

Globet. and lost no time in getting back to Luke.
“ Come with me.” cOmmaudeu Luke, briefly.
“Without a word, Lon obeyed. 'cle follOwed

!

his companion to the end of the deck, and then ;

started back in horror as his gaze fell upon the

bloodstained form of Leonard Mervdlc, lying at ‘

full length, his heavy eyelids slightly raised, as
the young man sleuly returned to conscious-
11958.

“ Fo’ de and! “'ha’s thnt?” gasped Lon.

“ It‘s M'as‘r Leonard. That’s who it is. Who
did yer think it was?” demanded Luke, as be,
poured it little of the rum into the mouth of the
young man, and smiled to see that it was reviv—
ing him.

" ’Deed, I th0ught it was the debbill”

Hardly were the Words out of the unfortunate
Lorenzo 8 month, when Luke gave him a re-
sounding Slap on the side of the check that sent
him reeling leeward.

“ Yo’ low down nigger!” growled Luke. “ Yo’
talk to a gemman like dati Say Mas‘r Leonard
look like do debbil! Fo’ do Lawd, it’s a wonder
I didn’t kill yer."

“ Shut up, Lukel” interposed Merville. “ Do
you want to bring the wholefboatrload of idiots
upon us? Who is this fellow?”

“ Dc cook, sah,” answered Lon. “ l gib Luke
some rum for you, sub.”

“Luke, we must get a skiff and dro nstern.
Then they may not see us. It is not so. e to stay
here any longer,” said Leonard, faintly, as he
managed to raise himself to his feet with the aid
of the colored man who was so faithful to him,
whatever faults he may have had.

“ We’ll have tor take this hyar nigger with us,
then. We can’t leave him here, or he’d put
ewerybod y on to us at once.”

“ As you please,” returned the young man,
Wearily, as he put the bottle to his lips again.
“ Onl let us get off this unlucky boat."

“ cs, Mas’r Leonard.”

Luke sneaked quietly tower! the taffraii on
the side where he had noticed a skiff towing,
and was already throwin some canvas into it
for a covering for Leona , when he was startled
by a cry from the young man, and saw him dart
forward in thegvery direction of the spot where
he knew the detective, Canada Jack and the rest.
of those he feared so much Were standing.

“ Gollyl He’s gone cl‘ar crazy, shuah l” mut-
tered Luke, as he went alter the young man.

 

CHAPTER XXXI.
ESCAPE cur orr.

LORENZO saw Leonari and Luke disappear
behind a pile of trunks and other baggage, and
then made tracks for his alley with all speed.
He found the steward t ere, examining some
eggs that Lon had had upon the fire at the mo-
ment he had been interrupted by Luke, and that
Were now, it is unnecessary to say, as hard as
base-balls.

The steward was a dignified gentleman, as has
been intimated already, and Lou felt as if he
Would, have been pleased to sink through the
floor into the river itself, to escape the reproach-
ful. questioning gaze of his suporior.

For at least a minute after Lon had returned
to the galley not a word was spoken. The stew-
ard stood with the handle of the saucepan in
which the unlucky e gs lay in the bubbling, boil-
ing water. clasped n his hand, and his gaze
seemed to Lon as if it would pierce him through
and through.

At last he spoke.

“Lorenzo, wha’ kind of cookia’ do yer call
dis hyari 'Eow long do yo’ think eggs should
done b’ilci"

Lon did not answer. His offense was so rank
that he. could not find words to excu it. So he
held his peace, and looked at the steward with
an expression like'thnt of a dog caught in the
act of stealing, and
fromhis master.

Then the grave and dignified steward wok
the four eggs out of the saucepa one by one,
with a spoon, and hurled them With all his force
at the gillsy door, where they made a noise like
a base- ll hitting I back-stop. ving accom-
plished this feat, all the time hardly removing
[1:5 gazf frog: Lon’fwwiretohed face, he turned on

i s bee an mare into the hi °
the door behind him with a when' mung

“ Golly! De ole man is mad, shuahl ’Dced
I thought I was a dead nigger when he looked
at me the fu’st time. Now, what shall I do?
Dey is all looking for dat ’nr Mas’r Leonard
an’ of I don’ toll ’em whar he is run be I’ll bi;
pécer’iory after dc fac’. 0h, Lawdl 'ba’ shall

0 ‘ ’ I

In his agony of uncertain and apprehensio
Lou had uttered this 13: sentence aimii'
although he 1was utterly unawrre of the fact:
It was with a tremendous start, therefcm. that
he heard a voice replying to what he believed
wn‘ahis m‘sviigal quesktiom

, coo me some eggs and vs

a011,”! m 11 M with

 
   
 
 

    

' i
Inc-some
., , ,

who expects a thrashing.

most emphatic ‘

 

 

   
  

ger. I believe, 1 shall be getting thin if 1 don't

Lon laughed :1 home laugh, for he recognized
the piping acornts of the Skeleton Dude, and the
idea of his losing any more flesh struck the
negro as being a remarkably funny conceit.

“ What do you mean by laughingr when l
speak to you, you ill-conditioned Fifteenth
Amendment,” said the Dude. “There is noth-
ing laughable in my appehrance, is there?”

“ No, rah—no, Shh,” returned the negro, hast-
ily, for he did not feel inclined toyvanlonly
otl‘end any one else now if he could avoid it.
He had had all the strife he wanted for one
day.

“Then cook me the ham and eggs, and do it
carefully, or I’ll grind you to powder with one
blou' of my flat.”

“ Where will you have your meal, sah?”

“Oh, in the kitchen. I am not particular.
I so lpOSe I can go in there?“

“ on can if toe boss will let you.”

“ Who do you call the boss?"

“The steward, sail.”

“The steward, indeed! I should like to see
him interfere with me--a professional,” ob-
served the Skeleton Dude, wiih dignity, as he
opened the door of the kitchen, and seated him-
self at a table, with a haughty glance in the
direction of the old steward.

Lon did not hear any disturbance, so he sup-
posed that Tim Kofley and the steward had ar-
ranged matters to their mutual satisfaction, and
he went on cooking the ham and eggs With the
philosophical reflection that it they killed each
other they could not agitate him much more
now that he had seen so many peculiar occur-
rences on this boat.

He was worrying himself as to whether he
ought to tell same one that he had seen Leonard
Merville and Luke under such suspicious circum.
stances, but he was in too much fear for his per-
sonal safety to do anything, and by the time he
had the ham and eggs ready to serve to the
Skeleton Dude he had made up his mind that it
would be better for him not to say a word to

anybody.

6 took the ham out of the skillet and arrang-
cd it neatly on a warm plate. Then he placed
the eggs, fried on one side, on the hmn,. and
licked his lips as the appetizing odor of the
dish crept about his nostrils. ./

“ Gollyl Dat’s almost too good for that
Skeleton Dude!” he observed, aloud, as he looked
lovingly at the dish.

“ You are right,” broke in another voice, that
he recognized as that of Handel Montgomery.
“And I beg to inform you that no blooming
Skeleton is going to eat. it.”

“Sail?” exclaimed Lon, starting back with his
egg-slice still in his hand.

‘ You heard what I said. I’m the cove as is

oing to slash himself across the chest with that
Em and eggs, so give the blooming stuff here.
Quick!”

The concertina-player pushed the cook to one

side, and, seizing a knife and fork, attacked the ,

savory meat and eggs with the voracity of a.
man who had not eaten anything for some hours,
and who could not hold out any longer. The
dish was on a small shelf or stand near the stove,
too high for him to sit at it, but he did not care
for that. He was content to stand so long as he
got the meal, and as he mumbled, with his mouth
full, he would have stood on his head to enjoy
such a meal. .

“ Where’s the bread?” as demanded. _

“ In the kitchen,” answered the trembling
Lomnm.
“ Go and fctoh it.”
“ Sahl”

“You heard what I said. Go and fetch it.
Agentleman cannot ent’nm and eggs without
bread."

Lon looked imploringly at him for a moment,
for he knew t t as soon as he opened the door
he would be confronted by the Skeleton Dude as
wellnsthc steward and after that he did not

know what would happen to him. But there -

was no sign of rclenting in the face of the con-

‘certiuc-piayer, who was still making terrible

ravages in the ham and eggs, and be opened the
door with a groan of despair.

No sooner did Lou show his face in the kitchen
than Tim Kofl’ey flew at him, and seizing him
by the shoulder, demanded to know what he had

“ He done eat them, Still" gnlped Lon. .

“ Who?” thundered Tim, if he cwld be said to
thunder with the voice nature had given him.

“ He, nah !"

Souic occult intelligence flashed through the
brain ofthe Skeleton Dude, and hedmned the
truth. '

With one leap he had dashed through the door
into the cook-house and thrown himself bodily
upon the concertina-pln yer, just as that voracious
gentleman was carrying a piece of ham to his
mouth. The Dude gran ,d the fork, and, with
a bowl of rage. convey the tempting morsclto
his mouth. " .

“ You rascal! You unprofcmouni pig!” bc~
Ipiuttorcd. “ To dare to come here an take
my breakfast from my very mouth. Who doyow

'done with the ham and eggs.

think , with your conceriim- laying v
“flunk queers the shawl

have,

)

  

 

 
    
  

 

 

 

frown of fierce determination on his

 
 

28

 

Fearless Sam.

 

 

you discharged! No, I won’t.
kept on, in the curio hall, amon
the man with the iron nerve.
do!”

Out of breath with his objurgations, the Dude
took some more of the ham, and, as the con-
certina-player looked at him, too surprised to
say a word, he cleared of! every scrap from the
plate, and then ate all the bread in sight.

Just as be accomplished this feat the concer—
tina-player reCOVered his powers of motion.
He snatched the plate away from the Dude, and
deliberately broke it over his head. Then, be
seized the nose of the Dude, and was about to
give it a good pull, when Tim, who did not
lack courage, doubled his flat, and hit the
Englishman a tremendous blow in the face.

This was the signal for a rough-andtumble,
hammer-and-tongs fight, and the twu men
went for each other like demons. It coald not
last long. The Skeleton Dude was weaker than his
opponent, and he sovm found himself lying in a
heap with Montgomery standing over him,
shaking his fist. ,

What more might have taken place can only
be conjectured, for at this moment a noise of
purses and kicking could he heard outside the
door, and Lou opened it wide.

One glance showed him that another contest
was in full force outside. Leonard Merville,
with the blood still on his face, was locked in
the embrace of Fearless Sam, who was trying
to slip a ir of handcuffs on his wrists.

“ I tol you I would come back to you and
settle on, and I will do it now!” cried Merville.
“ I di not mean to do it quite so soon, but the
sight of you was too much for me."

The detective did not reply, but there vlv’as a

row

I’ll have you
the freaks, as
hat’s what I’ll

different from his usual quiet expression.

The two men tugged and strained, and it was
evidentl a struggle to the death, when the
sound 0 hurrying footsteps resounded along the
main deck above.

Luke who had been tryin to help Leonard,
but Wio could not do sofiiecause the com-
batants changed positions so often, darted into
the fray, and seizing Merville with an iron
grip, dragged him away bodiiv.

“Run Mas’r Leonard, run!” he whispered.
“ We’ll x him another time—but not now i”

Loonard Merville was a quick-witted young
man, and he saw that the advice of Luke was
sound. 80 he scuttled along the deck, to the
Item, to lock for the sklfi'. ’

It was gone!

The detective Tom Elliott, Handel Mont-

omery, Tim K’ofl'ey, and Lou were all 01099
hind them.

Without hesitation Leonard Merville jumped

_ overboard, with Lake by his side.

\

The dark waters closed over them, and those
who were watching them never saw them rise.

“ That’s the last of them i” said the detective,
solemnly.

“Ease‘ her! Back her!” cried the captain to
his engineer, and the great boat went slowly
back up the river.

“ What’s that for?” asked the detective.

“ So that we won’t drift away from them too
fast, if they are here, don’t you see?" said Old
Tom, answering the question himself. “ Tne
boat will remain jast about in the same spot, if
the engine lakept slowly backing. and if they
are anywhere about we ought to see them.

“My Opinion is that we shall never see them
again,” returned Sam.

 

CHAPTER XXXII.
mum on man.

WEAK as he was, Leonard Merville knew that
he must make a struggle if he was toescape
"am his predicament the second time with even
bisiife. ' Be dived deep as he struck the water,
and then as he felt a slimy something touch
him, tried to rise. ‘ ‘

A thrill of deadly horror passed through him.
He was in the clutches o a many armed man-
ster that held him, he pleas, in the soft mud
of the river-bed I I ‘-

anou h his bursting brain ran wild visions of
a devil- sh, such as Poe has described in one of
the most terrible of his stories. Could such a
creature be holding him prisoner now? The
thought was frenzy!

Lemard Mei-ville was no coward, whatever
faults he rni ht sees.

After the rst awful moment he set himself to
get away. Fortunately for him, he was a
strong-lunged fellow, in the full, glow of health,
although Weakened by his experiences of that
morning. He could hold his breath longer than
any of 18 acqluaintances. and when a boy had
often amused imSelf by staying under water an
unconscionath long time when swimming with
his playmates, for the benevolent purpose of
frightening the wits out of them.

Therefore, he was able to bear the pressure of
the water upon his head, and the absence of air
to his lungs, much better than most men.

His wits, that had been somewhatscattered by
the snddenness of his plunge into the river, and
the twisting around him of the long, slim arms

' of hi< unknown enemy, returned with Vigor in

preportion to his peril. .

  

 

He laughed inwardly at his own idea that he
was in the grasp of a devil-fish, and wondered
at his own foolishness when he recognized his
foe as nothing more or less than the roots of a
gigantic tree that had been beaten down from
the bank at some previous time and cast into
the river, to annoy pilots and threaten With
destruction many a good craft. The current
drew the waving roots down-stream, and they
kept up a constant motion, so that it would be
excusable in a person with no previous knowl-
edge of “ snags, ’ as they are called, to mistake
them for some hideous subterranean creature.

Still, the fact that it was a snag, and not a
devil-fish, that held him, did not relieve him
from apprehension. He had heard of many
a death caused by these treacherous roots, that
became knotted around the body of some luckiess
roustabout, who had fallen overboard, and been
caught before he knew what had befallen him.
He knew that men had struggled with their foe for
a few minutes, until consciousness had departed,
and how their decomposing bodies had come to
the surface weeks and months afterward, when
the action of the water had released them, and
cast them to the surface, with all semblance of
their former selves departed.

The thought was madness to Leonard, and he
made a herculean effort to free himself. At first
all his efforts were in vain. As he cast off one
root, another would twist itself around him with
relentless persistency, and ere he had got rid of
that one, still another would catch him.

The roots were ion and flexible, and in their
determination to ho] him down and drown him,
seemed to have the cunning and intelligence of a
human being lost to all sense of mercy. They
neVer ceased their oscillating, and it seemed to
Leonard as if he could hear them laughing, in

r lOW, chuckling tones, over his desperate light.

For nearly a minute he had been gliting
against what seemed to be his fate, and still he
was in almost as tight a grasp as ever. His head
was nearly bursting, and he could feel his heart
heating with 9. ft rce that seemed to bring it up
into his very throat.

At last he managed to get his right arm free,
and a thrill of delight went through him as he
got his hand to his pocket and drew forth a large
jack-knife. It was with considerable difficulty
that he managed to open the blade with his teeth,
and be accomplished the feat only with the un-
fortunate accompaniment of getting his mouth
full of muddy water.

A person who has never tried to get water out
of his month while his head was covered can
have but a faint idea of the impossibility of do.
ing so. There was only one thing to be done,
and that was to swallow it, nasty as it was.

All this was accomplished in much less time
than it takes to tell it. Even while Leonard was
swallowing the nauseous draught he was slashing
at the roots with his keen knife, and then, push-
ing hard at the bottom of’the river, he went up
with a rush.

How he enjoyed his first full draught of free
.air! Paddling gently, to keep himself afloat, he
looked around him to see where he was.

Hardly had he had time to do so before he saw
a shadow almost above his head, and then he
dived just in time to avoid being struck by the
keel of the Parole that was coming along slow! y,
but surely. '

Under the boat he felt the rough wood of the
keel, and then, with a great effort, he shot him-
self out, and was again in free water, with a
chance to breathe.

“ Mas’r Leonard l”'

The voice was close to him, and almost before
he realized that Luke was by his side, the negro
had patted him on the shoulder in an ecstasy of
delight at seeing him alive.

“ Luke l"

“ Yes, Mas‘r Leonard.- It’s Luke. What hab
you been?”

“ Down below, examining the bed of the Mis-
sissippi," turned Leonard, with grim humor.
“ It’s dam dowa there, and there are rather
more snags than I care for, but it is interesting
nevertheless.”

The two men were swimming side by side un-
der the port b0w of' the Parole, getting their
breath preparatory to doing whatever seemed
wise under the circumstances.

It was broad daylight new, and the shore line,
nearly half a mile away, Was becoming more
and more distinct, as the haze of the morning
liftHi by degrees. To swim for the shore was
obviously the only thing left for them, unless
they gave themselves into the power of the de-
tectiVe on the boat, which was not to be thought
of now.

“ Come, Luke.
shore.”

“ All right, Mas’r Leonard. And then. what?”

“ Then, Luke, we will see!” returned Leonard
Merville, with a grinding of his white teeth.
“I have not done with Sam Wilson yet, as he
will find. Curse him i”

“They will see us from the boat, I’m ’l'raid,
Mas’r. I.eonard,”obsm'ved Luke, quietly. “ A

We must make a dash for the

shot will trziboel mighty fast—faster than we r

can swim.”
“ DiVel” said Leonard, sententiously.
He turned from the boat as he spoke, and
struck out vigorously for. the shore. He seemed
\ “a ,V , V 

 

l

to be stronger in the water than out of it, and
he felt scarcely any effect from his adventures
that had resulted in his being so bruised and
battered. Notwithstanding the weight of his
clothes, he felt as if he could swim all day if
necessary. As for Luke, he swam like a duck,
never noticing that it required ex artion, but
moving his arms and le mechanically.

Hardly had Leonard ‘ erville taken a stroke,
however, when he found himself once more in
the poWer of an enemy that was as relentless as
any with which he had had to deal.

t dealt him a buffet on the back of his head
that partly stunned him, and dashed him a lon
way under water. He swam involuntarily, an
came to the surface almost immediately.

Then it was that he realized where he was.

Another blow on the right arm that rendered
it almost powerless, and he found himself whirl-
ed out of the water in a network of wood and
iron, with green slime entering his mouth and
eyes, and rendering him blind and giddy. He
was in the paddle-wheel, for the second time I

His only hope was to cling to the wheel,
he knew, and he did cling with the tenacity of

defferation.

ardly had he been dragged up into the in-
terior of the wheel-box, with great beams
threatening him on every side, when he was
dashed into the water again. but still hanging
to the blade of the wheel, because afraid to

let 0.

Egre he sunk into the water he had a hasty
glimpse of the face of Luke, above him, and
wearing an expression of terror foreign to the
countenance of his generally careless folIOWer.
Luke was horror-stricken now, and he showed
it in every lineament. ‘

Battered, tossed and bleeding. he was hardly
into the water before he was out, and continu-
ing his wild ride on the paddles. He saw Luke
being plunged into the water as he himself was
lifted out, and then both were out together.

If the engine would only slacken!

It was not running Very fast, but to the two
men on the outer edge it seemed to be travaling
with lightning speed. In and out they were
dashed, and still they maintained their positions
on the Eaddles, just out of the reach of the
beams t at threatened to brain them at every
revolution.

“ Mas’r Leonard l” shrieked Luke, when they
had been around four or five times. _

Before Leonard could answer the negro had
disappeared beneath the water, and the young
man had followed him. They arose again and
Luke shouted:

“ Let us yell together i”

“All right. The next time!” answered Leon-
ard, and then they were ingulfed. As they rose
they united in a wild shriek of despair, that,
however, was quite inaudible to those on the
deck of the Parole, through the clanking of the
machinery and the angry. swish of the water by
the immense paddles. he walking-beam kept
up its steady ug and d0wn movement, and the
two poor wretc es clinging to the wheel were as
far from any help from the people on the boat as
if they had been a hundred feet beneath the, bed
of the Mississi pi.

They were shed into the water, and again
as they arose they shouted:

“ Help! Help! For the love of heaven!
Helpi”

Tney might have spared their breath. The
swishing waters seemed to mock them as the
paddles dashed them under water again, and
drew them 11 in the hideous whirl that seemed
as if it won d keep on forever. A grinding
demon, that knew no pity!

pea red beneath the water.

Up again, and then Leonard saw with dismay,
that the iron frame of the negro was relaxing,
and that he evidently could not hold out much
longer.

“ Don’t give up, Luke,” he cried, as loudly as
he could, although conscious that his voice was
getting weaker, and that either succor or death
must come soon. ” Stick to—” \

Down into the muddy waters, and then, as he
came up he looked at Lake more anxiously than
might have been expected‘of so selfish an indi-
vidual as Leonard Merville. ’ -

Luke was unconscious. He was so twisted in
among the beams and supports of the wheel that
he could not fall «if very well, , but he was no
longer holding by his hands.

“Poor devil!" muttered Leonard, as he went
down again. “ I shall be the same way in
another nnment unless I can find some way of
getting out of this.” '

He madeadesperate resolve. The next time
he went under he would cast himself loose, and
, take his chance of getting clear of the wheel be-
? fore itcmil-i strike him and drag him upinto the
It was a slight hope, but he

 

i machinery again.

T felt that he could not afford to let it 20.

l He was down, and up before he could put
his plan into execution this time, and he saw
l that Luke’s unconaK-ions form was still staying

‘ in its pmi'tion where it would not be in any
’ more danger than it had been.

1 Down went Leonard again. and this time he
tried to disengage itself. But be found that
he had not taken into sufficient consideration the

“ Mas’r Leonard l” gasped Luke, as he disap- '

 

 

   

 



 

 

 V

.J

Fearless Sam.

 
 

.29

A

 

buoyancy of the water. Had he been in the air
he might have jumped off the wheel long ago,
with no more peril than of a hard bruise, or
perhaps a broken limb. But under water it was
different. He was kept floatin against the
wheel, and could not get aw».y. be water kept
him there, in spite of all hi. efforts.

Leonard was so nonpluSed by this unexpected
experience that he was dashed into the water
three times before he could collect his thoughts
sufficiently todecide what he would do next. It
seemed to him as if his last hope was gone, and
he looked at the inanimate form of.Luke With
somethinglike envy that his companion was no
longer aware of his terrible predicament.

Leonard Merville sunk in a heap Into one cor-
nor of the little neck into which he was packed,
and something that was worse than despair
crept into his heart. He felt like a rat in a trap,
where he coald not even make an attempt to
rescue himself. .

“This is a, nice way for a man to end his
life,” he reflected bitterly, “and with such a
debt of revenge to pay. That smooth-faced
Dale Graham will have it all his own way with
Belle Howard, while [—1 shall be here, ground
into a horrible thing that she will not be able to
look at.”

The thought was agony. Involuntarin he
stretched himself as he pictured to himself his
rival, rejoicing in the possession of Belle How-
ard as his aflianced, while he, Leonard Mer-
vilie, had been destroyed in this ignominious
manner, without a chance of fighting for his
life. ‘

It happened that the wheel had just drawn
him out of the water as he raised his head.

The movement was a deadly one for him. A
projecting bar caught him squarely on the tem-
ple, and as he sunk back into the wheel, he was
thrown OR by centrifugal force until he fell up-

' on the body of Luke. Then he was under water,

and up again.

Strangely enough, the NOW on Luke’s body
when Leonard fell against him revived the
negro, and he came partly to himself. He
caught hold of his companion involuntarily, but
as he did so there was another fearful jar, and
Leonard had again been struck upon the temple
by the iron bar.

“ Oh, Mas’r Leonard,” cried Luke, faintly.
“ Mus'r Leonard! ls yo’ hurt?”

All the answer he received was to he dashed
into the water, and as they came up that cruel
bar struck the head of the unconscious young
man with a blow that seemed to go to the heart
of the negro. As they sunk again Luke made a
desperate effort and drew his companion a little
further in toward the center of the wheel, and
this time he missed the bar.

“ Thank the Lawd l” groaned Luke, fervently.
“ ‘Pears to me that thing is enough to kill him.”

He drew the wounded head of the young men
close to his breast, and as he was drawn down
again, with his senses in a whirl, be actually
contrived to wipe the blood from the wet face of
Leonard with an old pocket-handkerchief. But
the handkerchief was torn out of his hand at the
next revolution of the wheel, and then, with a
last despairing cry for help—a cry that could no
more have been heard by those on deck than by
the men working in the fields across the broad
river two miles away, he. too, became uncon-
scious again.

And still the awful wheel went round and
round, carrying with it the two men whom no
one could tell whether they were dead or alive.

 

CHAPTER XXXIIL
ran ran: 18 roan.

Wm tho detective and his companions

moved away f m the side of the boat near the

lo-wheel, t y made a careful search over the

t, in the slight hope of finding that they

had come on to hide until they could
mo 0 to get away without being seen.

“ o, they've gone, sure erucugh, but I'll

t ’em in thor morning, euro as my name’s
53m Wilm," growled the detective.

“Well. Fearless. what‘s the matter now!"
asked the captain, who had come down from
the pilot house to see what all the movement
below might mean.

“ Nothing, ‘only those two skunks hev got

awa .”

“ {Vhat skunks!”

The detective explained in a few words.

“ Oh, well, that Will be all ri ht, You an
easily catch them as soon as t is daylight,
They can’t get far awa from here. Pu can”
to track any one in 0n in a few hours,
unless they know the country ’a good do“ but"
than i do, which is not likely.,

“I’m pretty well-a uaiiited with it, too, for
that matter," said the etective.

“ Well, then, what are you worrying about,
Better go and turn in an hour or so and wait
for daylight. Durn me if I know when yon
circus people sleep. You seem to be around all

time.”
fl‘Thus saying .the captain went back to the
pilot house and the detective walked over to the
spot shaft the wheelhouse that seemed to have a
mysterious attraction for him that he could not

oxplain.

I

‘  4 W ‘
 M ., I - 
y, ~. l;.. ‘ ' H *

 

It was just at this moment that the wheel
dragged over Merville and the negro.

“ Heavens 1” suddenly exclaimed the detective,
with more emotion than Canada Jack had ever
seen him display in all his life. “ Thar they are,
sure as I'm alive!”

“ What?" asked the Skeleton, who happened
to be nearest the side.

But, there was no need to ask. The white face
of Merville appeared for an instant at the sur-
face of the water, and then went up on the wheel
out of sight.

“Tell the captain to stop the engine l” yelled
the detective.

Montgomery flew up the stairs as if a tiger
was at his heels. 'If he had known how to ive
the signal to stop it might have been done quic er,
so there was nothing for it but to go up to the
pilot-house to the captain.

The wheel made half a dozen revolutions more
before there was any slackening in the speed at
311. Each time the white face of Merville ap-
peared, and before anything could be done, went
around the wheel and up again.

He’s entangled in the paddles,” murmured the
detective. “ There is some blood on his face.
He must have been crushed against some of the
beams inside the wheel-box."

“ Will the wheel ever stop?” said Canada Jack,
clinching his hands in agony of excitement.

“ It is stoppin now," observed the detective,
who had drop his western dialect now that a
moment of deep and awful interest had arrived.

As he spoke, the wheel, which had just taken
the inanimate body of Leonard Merville out of
sight, Went much s10wer, and stopped just as it
brought the white face once more above the sur-
face of the water.

Carefully they drew him out of the entangle-
30th of slippery boards and laid him on the

ecx.

Fearless Sam, who had had enough experience
in the course of his adventurous life to be able
to tell when a man was fatally hurt, pronounced
upon the present case as soon as be had made a
cursory, or superficial, examination.

“ He has settled everything in this world," he
said, solemnly, removing his broad-bummed
hat.

The morning sun Was just showing itself above
the horizon, and its first rays fell across the face
of the inanimate form and cast a red glow on the
pale features that made it lard at first to believe
that the detective in as correct.

“ Is he dead i” asked a voice that caused every
one to move aside.

It was the voice of Belle Howard, who, some-
how, had heard that there was trouble in which
Merviile was concerned, and had come dOWn
jiusi;t in time tosee his dead body lying on the
( ac .

“ Yes. All is over!” answered the detective,
as he took her arm, and led her away.

" Poor Leonard 2” she murmured.

Dale Graham was at her side and she threw
herself into his arms, with her head resting on
his shoulder, where she indulged in a passionate
fit of weeping.

“ And yet you would not have married him!”

uestioned Dale Graham, in a whisper, with a
ight pang of jealousy for the dead that he
could not repress.
“No oh, no!" shuddered the girl. “But, is
it not dreadful for a'young man to wants his
life and die like thatl"

“ Dreadful, iiideed l" he said, as he led her for-
ward. “ And yet, Belle, it must have been
either he or 1. He would have killed me had

he lived.”

The girl's response to‘ this was acouvulsive

clinging to her lover, and Dale seemed to see in

the ght glow of the earl mornin sun the
remiss of a ha ier life tvhan he had ever
nown, with Belle oward always b his side.

While Belle and her lover were at he forward
end of the boat, a miserable, wet, forlorn-look-
ing object was crawling over, the guard-rail at
the stern.

“ ’Fo' de Lawdi i had a narrow swaps,” the
forlorn-looking ogect was so in . “ Wonder
wha’ become ob as’r Leona . sf he come to
harm then Luke don’t want to live very much.”

“Then I gue- ou had better die," links in
the voice of Can a Jack, as be seized the negro
by the arm and pinned him against the back of
one of the animal-cages. I ..

“ What’s this?” cried the detective. “Luke,
all??? dWher’e did ygi‘ilec’omle from?” d

unno, anew t e negro oggedl
“an’ I don’t cu", nOw Mas'r 1.00an ha doze,
no. He was allers good to me, so he was.”

There is little more to tell.

The money found on Luke was not all that
had been taken from the Seventh National Bank
of Pittsburg, but some of the hills with the
numbers that the detective had were found
among it, and the not was afterward found in
a false baltom of Leonard Merville’s trunk.
Luke was allowed to turn State’s evidence, and
was not sent to prison, as he expected.

The full amount was refunded to the bank, and
then, in searching among the effects of the dead
man, a will was found. dated just before the
Parole left Evansville, in which he bequeathed
all his property, real and personal. to Belle
Howard!

 

‘a’
. 779 Iron “and, the Charmed Detective.

 

He ve as his reason, in the will, that he
loved er, and would make her his wife, if he
could, and if he Couldn’t he would like to place
her above want. He stated, too, that most of
the property was honestly come by. There
might be a few thousand that Were not. If
Belle Howard had any compunction about re-
ceiving that, she could turn it over to some
charitable institutions.

Much of the property was in the shape of real
estate in Chicago, St. Louis, New York and
New Orleans. '

Who and what Leonard Merville Was no one
but Luke and Belle Howard knew, and they
never told.

Dale Graham was married to Belle Howard in
just three months from the time that the dead
faCe of Leonard Merville was seen coming out of
the water on the paddle-wheel, and they are as
happy a couple as you can find in all the big
city of New Orleans, where they have made
their home. Luke, the ne 0, who, next to
Leonard Mervilie, lovsd Bele Howard better
than any one in the world, is their coachman,
and a thoroughly trustworthy servant.

Handel Montgomery has gone back to Eng-
land with his money, that was a bequest from a
relative in the United States, but that, at one
time, caused him to be suspected as connected
with the robbery of the Seventh National Bank
of Pittsburg.

Tim Kelley, the Skeleton Dude, is still in the
show business and travels all over the country
with circuses 1n the summer, and exhibiting his
noble proportions, in museums, in the w inter. 1

Canada Jack dropped dead, of heart disease,
one day, while in the very act of throwing
three—card monte.

Old Tom Elliott has been athered to his
fathers, after living a jolly 1i e, and doing no
particular harm to any man, which his friends
consider a fair enough record.

Sam Wilson, “Fearless Sam,” was paid a
large sum of money for his excellent services
in recovering the money for the SeVenth Na-
tional Bank of Pittsburg. He has had one or
two other big jobs since that one, and is now
one of the most trusted men in the employ of the
United States Secret Service.

He has not given u the theatrical business al-
together, but is at this Very time the advertising
mans er at one of the rincipal theaters in
Brook yn, New York. T e theatrical rt of
his career is his recreation. His real bus ness is
as FEARLESS 8AM, rm: “Gama COMBINA-
TION" Darnc'nva.

THE IND.

\

 

I Beadle’s Half-Dime library.

BY GEORGE 0. JENKS.

486 an Thar owney the Unknown.
492 (Ht Thar owney’o Pledge.
513 The Del-ow Ibootor.
6H1 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective.
595 Flute, the Singer Detective.
608 The Pitcher Deteetlve’o Foil; or, Dan's Double Play.
filo The ocean Deter-"vet or. The LutCrulu ol’the Black Bear.
«8| The Pitcher Detective’l Tot-float Tussle.
Bil Larry the Thoroughbred; or, ton on Every Sine.

 

BY 30 PIERCE.

I Bob o’ the Bowery t or, The Prince of lulhorry Street.
d]. The Vde Detective; or. Bowery Ioh’s so...
“8 l-loto ur Bo tho Shoot-Boy Detonlvo.
460 The wye a Shadow; or Luke's Legacy.
‘1. .launty Joe. the Yuan Hons-King.
404 flurly Sim. the Young orryman Detective.
n: 5": 3-we- P-e. .. .., N...
no ' r; t e u or yo.
5H! Tartar I" or. Five Points Phil's Moo-gods.
538 North River Not. the Pier Detecth
"3 Wrestling Rex. the Pride emu Sixth Ward.
54! {oi Flk- or, the Stable Boy Detective.
.5] hick Netti tho Bo Shadow. \
“O IIaI-le- Jae , the es Boy Detective.
509 Brooklyn Ben. the Oa-Hls—meflook Detective. 1
I7? Pave-cut Pete the Secret sin". .
I88 Jack-chunk". tho Undersea Proopostor.
I08 WldbAwaIto Bert. “0 Street-3W-
.I‘ “’hlotlin. Jacob, the Dotoctirc'l Aid.
CI. nick Ill-blob“ tho Harlem Hummer.
no a i a» iniioi" 3.47"" ' Snooping aims...
.— I .t e wary get: or, a
058 Mt oRoeItot Rob. tho Lilo-Savor.
l'tpoter Sol, the New York Navigator.

 

05 Flipper Flynn, tho Stunt Patrol.
7] Foxy Fred I 0dd Pal-It or, The Koo-ot'l Hugo Hustle.
31 Cum Cale. the Season!“ Dot-tun.

as was. ti. ra'r'rnn.

ass Tho Mano-d Sport or, The Double loos ofBod Boat.
51. (la-lul- ‘yote tor, vein Ono.
.81 II “are the port from Dana.
58'! old which. the Ranger Detective.
604 [ro- For. tho Man of Fire.
010 The Bo ramp Dclcetlvet 07.11: Double GrlpWitnaaa
629 Violet awe. tho Velvet s
641 I’ll-ll Dove‘l "and ard.
651 Round Boy Frank. t o Young Amateur Detactivo
688 "iv-let _Vane’a Victory.
«so Wild V Ilean, the Lona-Range Rldor.
0’8 Violet and Daisy, the foe Psi-do.
205 Violet Vane‘o Vow: or. T 0 CPI“! DOWNVVI CNN
4 0M Misery, thc Man from Missouri.
Violet \‘ane‘s Ve- ance-
\Iolet Yale‘s Yer let.
Violet ‘ane. the Venirl ulst Vidooq.
‘10th 'nne. the Vanqul ed.
Violet "line’s VII-ion.
Clear.ch (Jul, the Nova-Say-Dio Defective.

A New lune Every Tuesday.

f The llali’JDI-e Library a for sale by all low-doom“
m"m..'.fll by mulcnroooiptoidxaoauoaol l

BEADLE AND ADAII. Publishers.

“#40140.”

98 VII“.- “root. New York .

r..-

 

 

 

 

 

‘1

 

 

 

  
  
   
  
  
   
  
   
    
 
   
     
  
   
    
    
  
   
 
    
  
 
 
   
   
  
   
   
   
    
 

   

 

 

 

'0’“ Broadway Bil y In

3
in. Broadway
3
1‘

I

 7 BEA’EEE‘S.

 

v 4;.“

AIJFQDIMEékLIfiRARYf  

Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers;

‘_ ,...» ,-. :.

 

 

"Y El)“'.\ "D L. “'IIEHLER.
Deadwood Dlek Non-la.

I Deadwood Dlek, Ihe l‘ruier Ul tln- Ilmul.
20 Deadwood Dleh'n Dellaaee: w. lh-uhl-c Duran-r5.
2“ Deadaood Dle In Dluuuhe: I-r. Ilnilali mu
“5 Deadwood Dlek Ia III- (‘a ile.
42 Deadwood Dir-k'n Ilomnuu: w. 'i‘h.- .imiium Miner.
49 Deadwood Din-I. In Danger: wr. Uniuniiill.
I'M‘ Deadwood Dlek'l I‘Inlrlcw: or. The I'ur‘l-nl Fluml Ilnl’.
7H Deadwood DIeI. on Deck; -r. I 'ulmnny .‘. 'lle.t.he llurolne.
7T Deadaood DIeI.'I lav-l Ant: 'rr. (.UI'AIIII’HJ' Charlii.
100 Deadwood Dlei. In Leadvflle.
III} Deadwood Dlek‘n "l‘i lee: nr, Il'e Double Crou Sign.
109 Deadwood Dirk n- Deteeth e.
129 Deadwood Dlek‘n DouIrIe: Ur. 'l'hr Hurzhn'n Hulvh Ghost.
lil". Deadwood DIM.“ Home Ila-e; Hr. lllwlnln- Mill.
I-Iti Deadaood Dlek’n Illa hit-Ike W. A i-‘munui‘t-‘nl'l.
166 Deadwood DIeL oI' Deadwom : or. Th.- l'iriu-ui I'nYI)‘.
195 Deadwood DIeL'a Dream: or. The Rirnld 0! the limul.
Deadwood Dlek'n Ward; or, The Him-i. IIIII'».I«‘I.v‘I:eI.
20in Deadwood Diek'a Doom; ur. CnlmullyJuhe‘i Adventure.
Dead\vooanIeI.’n Dead Deal.
Deadwood Dlek‘n Death-Plant.
232 Gold-Dun! Dir-L. :\ Iii-unim-e.ul'llnuyhunnd Touzhx.
fill“ Dead“ ood IIII-k'a Dh Idei nr. The Spirit offiwmny Lake.
.“N Deadwood Dlek’a Death Trail.
809 Dead“ ood Diek'u Deal: nr,'i'hr (IUIII Ilrii'h .tinregun,
Deadwood Dlelt‘a Dozen: or. The l"nklr ul I’halitnm Hut:
'4? Deadwood Dlek'I Dru-alas or, liayh in tho- Digging...
Deadwood Diek fleniem-edi ur,'l'ho 'l'errihle Vendetta.
“$2 Dead“ ood ch-k'l ( Iaim.
405 Dead“ ood Dlel. In Drnd I‘lty.
‘IlIi Deadwood Dlek'l Diamonds.
Deadwood DIM. In New York: or, A “Cute Cast."
‘3" Deadwood Dick‘- Dnntt ur,'l'ho Claimed “and.
443i Deadwood Dlek. Jr.
44‘ Deadwood Din-L. Jr.’~. Dellnnee.
4.33 Deadwood Dlek. Jr. a. Fall Ilaml.
4.59 Deadwood Dlek. Jr.'~. Bl: Round-Ill).
4055 Deadwood Diek. .lr.‘n. Raeket at (.‘Ialm ID.
Deadwood DIeL. Jr.°l. Corral; or, Hum-umn BIII.
4?“ Deadwood Dlek. Jr.'n. Doug Deteeilve.
Deadwood Dir-It. Jun. In Deadwood.
Deadwood DIeL. J12“. ('ornpaet.
45m Deadwood Dick. Jr.'-. lnherltaaee.
Deadwood Dlek. drill. Dig nga.
Deadwood Diek, Jr.’a. Del veronee.
Deadwood Diek. Jr.‘a. Protect-e.
Deadwood Dick. Jr.‘a. Three.
Deadwood Diet, .lr.'n. DMKer Daeka.
Deadwood Die ' Jr.'a, at Iunt.
Deadwood Dirk. Jr.. In exan.
Deadwood Diek. Jr.. the Wild Went Vidoq
Deadwood Diek, Jr.. on Ilia Mottle.
554 Deadwood Die ', Jr.. In Gotham.
Deadwood R, Jr.. In Bot-ton.
567 Deadwood Melt, «In. In l’hlladelphla.
572 Deadwood Die ’, In, In ('Irieago.
57H Deadwood DIe . r.. Afloat.
this Deadwood Dirk, r.. In Denver.
59 Deadwood Die '. Jr.'a. Deeree.
595$ Deadwood Diet, Jr.. in Beelzehub’a Dada.
adwood Die ', Jr.. at Cone Inland.
006 Deadwood Ilie '. Jenn, Leadv Ile Lay.
(Ila Deadwood Die '. .lr., In Detroit.
“in Deadwood Die . Jr.. In Cincinnati.
62% Deadwood Dlek. Jr., In Neva a.
880 Deadwood Dick. Jr.. In No Man'a Land.
In, Afler tho Queer.
Deadwood Dick, Jr.. In lialfalo.
«Ali-i Deadwood Dick, Jr.'-. Chaac Aaron the Continent
' r.o Among the Snuggle".
«0 Dead wood Dick, Jr.'- lnaaraneo Case.
606 Deadwood Dir-Ia, Jr., ’8an In the Mir-en.
Dirk, Jr.. In Durangoi or. ” Gathered In."
. .lr.'-. Iii-eovory; or, Found-Fortune.
6H4 Deadwood Dlek, :I'r. Dazzle.
r.

. Dollars.
is adwood Dick. Jr., at, Danger Divide.
700 Deadwood Diet. Jr.‘n, Drop.
704 Deadwood Dick, Jr.. at Jack-Pot.

o

oaoweaour
phonon-z:
ch:+=uv1:

   
 

   
  

710i Deadwood Didi. Jr? In San Francisco.

718 Deadwood Diek. Jr. I, fill" Ilunt. -
T82 Deadwood Diek. Jr.'n, \
703 adw Diek. Jr.‘o.

784 Deod Die): r.‘a.

wood ,
740 Deadwood Diek. Jr)»,
42 Deadwood Iiiek. Jr.'-.
62 Deadwood Dick. r.'-. .
. Strait.

rreotIOI.
Days.

BY J. 0. CDWDBIOK.
Broadway Billy Norah.

‘90 Broadway Dilly. the Boothinck Bravo.
514 Broadway Bill)". Boodle.
5:. Broadway llilly’a ‘ Dillikilty."
b ? "roadway "III 'II Death llaeket.
879 Broadway BII y‘n Harpriue l'urty.
roa‘dway all?” alri'l'h‘; “Ky Eeurtlvo'l Big Inning.
roa wa ya ea 1- *
059 Krudwa; Billy Abroad.
6 ti roadway Billy’s lie-i; onfleltlngsuimm'l'lnuiv.
6 1 Broadway III] in allover.

exal.
08 Broadway Billy'n Brand.
ll Broadway llllly at flantn Fe.
'0 Broadway Iiiiiy'a Full "and.
3 Broadway Billy's Ila-inn. '
3 Broadway  Cartoon (You.

y n nver.

82 Broadway Blily'u Bargain. I
:2 ll'°"‘.l"" ‘illlllt"i1ilfll'.lii"'c'l“l”.‘él"'
roa war a
88 Broadwa: BIIIy‘I Beagles.

Other Novel. by J. C. Cowdflck.

. I00 "Ivor-Moot. the Bu 0! Mylto . -

ry .

‘9 Ella-ta. the. “old Kin-i or. For 80"- Year-Dead.

so Tho-Detoctivo’l A 'rontleei or. A Boy moo-um...
~Hot 'l‘ulm at no Bar.

.1 Di Don. tho Dab Dude.

:00 Red“?! ht Ralph t . rm. «mm.
The E'aginoor Detective-

‘8 Hart. the Night Ilpflll Detective.

[fine Fake tho Young Engineer.

2? Air-
oy in e o
Ill Fighting ll rr the Chief of Cit-ind clans.
Bareback the Contour of the Circe.

rd.
laud " In ethic In.

a 0
at; ynwritor T'In'y, o. Momhant'IWa
65 ooallght Iowan. tho “ r

 

()iher Novel: by Ii. L. “'heeler.

26 (‘Ioren "not the linthllu l).-mnn.

“2 lloh Woolt': or, The l-iri hurl-Shut. I

D" "(WWII-Fave. Ih-i. rtlre; or. Lilu in New York.

4.3 "Id Avnlunphe; ni‘. “'th l-lilmi. llm Girl :irlgnnil.

.524 Jim lilmiuoe. Jr.. the Ilu\ I’m-nix.

III Iluekhora XIII: nr. 'I"‘e lit-ti liltin Team,

“9 “old |{|flp, the \Ii'if’NIiIIIIIr'r. or‘ The Ill-v liriw‘tlve.

HO Roan-had Holt; vr. .\'u_'uv~' V 1. tin Knight.

5“ Id)'ly the Irlrl “III P; 'Ir. Rum-hurl Rnli n Iluml.
W" Photong II I’hll; ur. .nm-iu-ui Haifa He‘llvilr‘tlrlillf‘o.
92 I'll! Itln (' H; or. I iI-I I‘lli‘ll‘ll :la in Sitting Ilull‘» Camp.
II“ H notch-H's; --r. Ami-w .ml ,\hu.~| utntu'rent. Ulty.

I'll J nods “Inlo the Yuuhg Siwrulutur.

l 7 (All l-‘ god Din-L, ii.» \‘p n lh-imiix-o

I l‘hln, ti..- Uni Sport.

“In Dorian . liIII. )IIm-r.

“it! "Am! “0|, the Kin; ni Iluotiilru'ka.

  

    

I4! HoIId Sam the itm ituml Aguni.

i453 (‘uotaln {l‘erreth the Firm York Da-Iertlvo.

I“! .‘t'w YOPK Nell, the lit-v-lel lint-«tire.

If? Nohh Nlel. ot‘ Nevada: M. The Sierra" Scamp;
I'll “'Ild rank, III" “illkJ-lli “Pl

209 I-‘rltz, the Bound-Hwy Ila-torture.

2“: Fritz to the Front ur. ‘l‘h.- \'.~ntrll~qul~d Hunter.
8'36 Summer, t'n- ii i. . up: --r. |h~- Ami: Detective.
23“ .\ [Hilli' "III, the Trail 'l'nrmnlu.
2 ID (‘ elonu K“, the You've ‘5' niintur.
2 I 3 H (-rru Hum, 'h- I'rnhtwr l'n-ru-t.
2 in filrrra Ham'n Seen-t: on The liiomiv Footprint...
2517 \Ierra Ran.“- I‘ard: --r. l‘hr Allgaj in Big Vina.
25H ~Ierra Num'n Flt-vent ur. 'l'in- \iulo-u Frill".
273 Jar-ho Joe, rhn Iiu\ l'utrt-i: or. The KIYIII Ileirl.
2?? Denver Doll. I'm lh-Lm tlu- (gm-en.
.‘l Denver Doll'n Victory. ’
I‘D Denver Doll'n liq-coy: or. Lillie Iiill‘u Bonanza.
It" ’I‘urk the Iioy Ferret.
“INK Denver Doll’n mm : hr. The Ituml Queen.
999 .\ No. I. the Dashing Tull-Taker.
80‘ ’Lizn Jane. Il'r 'lirl Miner; ur. the Iran-Nrrwd Sport.
80:: Kelley. "letter .it I‘m. Un- item tlven qu‘liilndn-lphlh.
380 Little Ou'aLm“ or; "r. I'M lieml Fur» of Dagger-villa.
"D I Kanknro.) K“: or. ’l‘lm Humilqu hlluer. '

Kangaroo Klt'n Raekei.
.4“ Manhattan Hike. th- iimvrrv lilmd,
8:." r'r-l.(‘luaa Iv‘n-d, h.- iu-nr irum Gopher.
I“! Vreka Jlrn. the HolIi-iiulherer; or, The LII. Lottery.
8?. Yn-La Jim‘s Prize.
8?~ Nubuh Nod: ur, The Sven-t anhh City.
852 (Foul I‘It. the KlIIL' HI Kids; or. A VIIIAIII'I Vengeance.
8N5 Y reka Jim‘s Joker; or, 'I'Im Riv-dc at Rent Now.
839 HIeyele "on: u- . The Lion of Lightnlng Lode.
894 Yroka Jlrn of Yaha Darn.
400 WrIlILlen. th. NigIIt-Wntvh lieiortlvc.
416 High "at flurry, that little Hull Detoctlvo.
32 Sam Nlabnldea. the Beggar-Him liniectIVO.

Jirn Beak and Pal. Private Dotectlvoa

8 Rant“ ll‘o flal, the Sluhnr.
O Seal-I‘ll: Sam. the Sparkur.

 

B" T. C. llAlilIACGfl.

93 Niel: o’ the Night: or. Tho- Ito Spy nt'".

37 The Hidden Lodge: or The L ttl~ Iluutcr.

4? Nllhtln ole hat; or, Tm Fort-It (‘u tnlns.

M Daad Iaekt nrY 'h» Outlaws of th- rogon Troll.
89 Kit arei‘oot tho Wand-Burk.

94 Midnilht Jael. or Tim lh-v Trapper.

0 uldr; or. Thr “'hitg QM

I 6 old Frooty, the

ID Kiowa Charley the “'hlto Muninnpr.

III Jud r l. neh Jr.t MUN” I5“ ' Hun-nu.
155 “old'l'rly or. Ihe 5 wt; If. T 0 Girl Avoagor.
“Iii Tornado on; or, njun .Iiu'l From Rod Con.
I’m Ned Temple, tin Border Boy.

I93 Arkanauw ; or, The Quann ht Fnto'l Roan".
207 Navajo Nick. the Bar Gnid Hunter.

Elli Captain Bullet: nr. thtlr Tonkrwt’l Cruudo.
.III I’laeky I’hlli )r. Rom, thn Rni Jezebel.

041 Hill Bravo; or, The Rnnghn oi the Rookies.

:55 Captain Apolh, mo Kinan or Bowlo.
Id? The liaekakia Deteellvo.
.79 "Id Winch; or. The Buchuin - uprradooo.
.94 ID ng-“Q “In; or, Th! Boon Iilndo of Cochotopl.
i 'l' e lountaln lieteetlvei m.1‘hoTrl“vr Bar Bully.
816 "Id Ballpae. Trump Curd u! Arllunn.
0 Ton I'ardnt or. Tin 'I'urorm Talia-Notion.
886 "I. “Gillan! ur, Thot mum of the Laura.
8415 I’Ifllou Milli 0'. Re! Thnrulerholl’l Secret.
'6“ "-ml ram and Pard: or The'l‘orrihlo Six.
IMO Velvet Foot. th» Indian Detrrilvu.

or. The 1 who Champiqu 0! Blur, Blunt.

mun-o: «r. The Now or Ranch Robin.

dl Felix Fox. the tiny Spotter-

‘25 Tequ Trump. the Iii-rile? Rattler.

4 0 PD“ rllllh. the New Turk Fox.

4 IS The (‘Ity Van- ilreII: hr, ltwi itnii‘r'l Pin-nu.

dill Duo Apr-lull. I" fly; or. 'I'iu- hm Mun or Keno Bor.
0 Roy lladow: nr, Felix l-hx'n Hunt.

477 The l-IxeeI-Ior nnorti to. The Washington Spotter.

499 filljlu KI hi. the line-Evert Sport.

lhanded ten. the Night Ferret. .

nioan lNek. the WhanSpy Detective.

 

 

 

62! H dler Dlek‘n Bent Dodge.

52“ I’D! Drill Faleon. 1hr Mower) Shading,

DB" ‘. _.. Iliok. tho Dork Ferrri.

I5 is ‘ -. . Dlek’n Double: or, 'I‘iu- Rival Boy Detectives.
ISM! ‘ - Dir-It‘ll lit-operate Clue.

has .-. Dir-k. u..- Buy Vldocq.

 

 

The Two Rhadown.

5 9 Dad er Dlek'a Drop. .

594 J" r Lon, the Street-Ringer Dem-tire.

6 I0 “Id Iklaner. the Gold Shark; or, Tony Shun» on Gold.
038 'l‘ho Champion Paulo.

0187 Dick Donn. "t" Dm‘k For Detective.

Mn Kit. the Pavement flharn.

05‘ "I"! llnnianl. the For Deny".

071 Joraey Jed. the lioyllultlor; nr. hihruimvlng the Shadow".
085 Happy "ugh, the Boy Min-trim Detective.

l3'01 Photograph Fred. the Camera Sharp.

715 “'ido Awake Lea. Iho Quaker Clly Ferret.

78. Daily Dell. tho Pavomnnt Dchttlvrt or, Tnpyinl Bl. Gama.
74' Billy “'IIRI. the Ball Boy helm-ti".

754 BI"! WlnkI. the Ball Buy Shodow.

768 Eagle Ned. tho Iioy on Guard.

780 Toalaway Toll. the Red Who'd.

 

BY BUFFALO BILL (llon. WI. 1'. Cody).
8 Kan-an King; or, The Rad Right Hand.
1. The Phantom lpyi or, Tho l‘llot of tho Pnldo.
‘3 Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Scout.
.8 Border Robin flood; or, The Prulrio Rotor.
I“ I‘m: Fro-k or Coioradot or, '11.. mm». Trout. \

V785 Lane "and Joe. the (‘mmmu

 

 

IIY CDLDNEI. PDENTISS INGRAIIAM.
7 The PI) Ing Yankee: or, The Ot‘rnn (hittan

 

 

 

17 Ralph Nov, the liuy Illlt'l'dlln‘f; or, The Fugitive Yacht.
5“ Diamond Dirk; -n‘. The My rr_\' ol'the Yellnnrluue.
62 ' he hhuilnu' hhlp; ur,'lh.- llunl Lieuteuuntn.
7:! 'I‘IH' Iloy "hell-l; or. The ('ru 30‘ vi Ilir Sea~“‘0lf.
102 Dir-I. Dead-[<23 e, IIIFII4')‘51I|II‘_'L’IVT.
I II The Sea-Dev“: or, 'l'h.- )luHiirumh's Legury.
I III The Hun-“r Captain: nr,'li.rli.~uniu1iluillinte. ,
‘l 1? LIftle Grll, tin-a i'v iltl Ithleru 'll Stork-'I'emh-r'n Daughter.
l

'2”
..

“Infill” "III. ihe l’t-hj. I‘Z‘qires’ I er.

2|“ Blnon "III, the I'ruue ui the lip-ins. I'I'. Ilutl'uln liill's I‘luck.

222 Grit. the "r11er hpuri : :r, The “'omun Trailer.

YT}: ‘ ('rirnnon Kate. in. I-‘ni 'i‘r iler.

2“? Lone Star. th:- ('0“ IH'.\' (‘nptalnz hr, The Hyatt-rim: [tum-hero

2-1-7 Merle the Middy : or, 'I lie lIn-lr ' Inn (Ii mm hreelnnee.

~’ .2 The fildnhlpmaa Mntlaeer; lil'. Iirnmit. tlm Buccaneer.

261 The Floatlnx Feather: «r. Marl» Shane‘s 'l‘ruumrc.

36'. The Gold F5 In; or, Merle, the CHIHIOIIiIH'iI.

27“ .Vlerle Monte‘a (‘ruioeg or, “'I he i-‘ulil Ship " Chule.

2‘0 .VIerIe Monte‘n rate; m, The i’iruu'a him...

I» )Ierle \lonte‘u l'leilge; nr. ’i'Iic >cu Marauder.

2h? ICIII)‘ lllnr-tlyen, IIH' it. liuwr.

120‘ The Dem! Knot Dandy lit-min, the Buy Iluzlcr. ‘

“0" Dead tht Damlv‘n lhnilil’J.

8| I The Myrterioa- . aruuderx or. ’.':.u ltny Bliular’u Trail.

1177 Bonodel. the Iloy Ilou'r. ur.'l h-- FI'rKItS! Srhimner.

“as The Indian I'ilot; u-r, 'i‘iw Sun. h {M I‘irnte Mum].

3N: “'arpath “'Ill. lhu ’l'r..iiur tiumw «r. The liuy I'hnntoru.

51m Nowaii’. lhv Ill-y Llrutrnnut: 1‘." The IIe-I l'lxuqu-d Ilulnls.

402 lamlor. the " "II (‘oanplralorx w-r. 'l‘h.- Fntnl League.
The Bov Innorxent vr. 'n-(fnhnn "t‘nllulifl.

4": The \V "cl \' ai-hiv n; PT. The Wur-L‘louu’l Cruhe.

4 "9 Dunc-an Dare. vim . .- Refugee.

1x3 I'IIDIRIII ('arl. Ilh' Form”; or, .\ enhln Ila)". Link.

48? The “on "nigh-r; or, The Iinn'liu Uf‘Il” Hook.

4~il The "roan I'll-ell} ; or. A )litllly‘n Vet gvanre.

440i Ilaplmzard Ilnrrv; or. The Scrip grace m the Son.

.159 Wlmnl “in. the\Yunder-“Writer.

diui “'Izard Will’n Htreet heouin.

40': The Horn Guide: or, The suilm ..oy Wanderer.

' Ne tune Ned. the I>1)‘Cm\.~tvr.

4? I “ zard Wlll‘n V ahond I'm-d.

458 “V Izard ’ ('II031W. hrn-u Afloat.

H? .‘tevada Neal. 1‘ tiwr “tum-r

495 Arizona Joe. H v liwy l’iml m 'I'exu Jm-k.

49? Book Taylor, K'm: m lhv (‘nwhoym

mm The Royal )liddy x or. The Sh. ck and the Sm Cat.

507 The Hunted .VIId-nhlpman: or. 'I'hu Yum: Sen Ranger.

fill The "Milli" Mlddy: hr. The Young I‘ntrlut hen Ranger.

520 Iim-ludtln Bill. 1h.» I'nrliant‘llr Shadow.

52.") Brothers In IthL-kln: 'r. Tim t'uuxh-d Traiil In Tex-l.

530 The Duels-dd * Bowen.

5355 The line nLIn Rover-ax ur. . .- Prairquumtire.

540 ('aptaln Ka-KIax. the Mummirr Oi the Rio.

546 Lieutenant Leo. the Son ui‘ .utitte.

550 Lulltie'n Leguey: or. The Avenuinz Son.

565 The (‘reole (‘on-alr: 0r, 'l he (Golden Wing: of tho Gull.

5‘30 I’awnee "III, the Prairie S" minwer.

31% Kent Klnrlon, theL'nrd Kin .

5‘30 famine, t no I'nld " l' m: w, l w rhelrwn Trail.

575 The Surgeon-{Wont Deieetlve.

550 The Dali-ant C'lv‘t‘“. ', l ' .‘ulm .IH-qfivo.

5H6 The Book-kl ‘ I re. . )r. . uni...» A ..i‘r. .‘Irdgo.

53H Delrnonte, the Tm”; Se.) Zvavcr; or, The Avuglnz Sella.

59? The Young Texan T‘eteetlvc; In The l'im-k Bravo.

602 The Vagabond ofthe MI :9. .

802 . 'ie Dover Deteeuw ~, 01-, who L’-'- Chumpiom.

6i? llglph, the Dead-SIN: ilk-out; II. the «olden.

644 Butterfly Dill ‘~ Debut. _

650 Butterfly BII y, the i ‘y Rioer Detective) or, Bulalo
Itill'l I» v Ford.

856 Butterfly Billy's Man Boat.

66! Butterfly lllily’u Bonanza.

mm The Ham-aneer Midnhlpntan: «.11.. Ba Ronr’o Run.

674 The “'Izard Manor] or, Red Ralph, tho Rover.

679 The Sea fihadower; or, The I'reebootar’n Le any.

6”“ Iirlando. the (Run Fro. Flair: or, The 'I‘umluhe Name.
The Rival flharpa' or, erfrrn. the Serra-t. Serviu Scoug

097 The sour“: flambrgro; or, The Shlrp from Texas.

‘HV' lilac Jacket IIIII; or, Tu. ltcd “at Runuorl’ Bad Not Rocket

70‘? The Red Sombrero Ranger-g or, Rodkrn'n Lott Trail.

718 Carl, the Mad Cowboy; or, Tho Lm'lnt Queen.

1'19 Pawnee lllll'n I‘Iedgei or,Tha Cowl-0y Kidnlwm'lboom-

79:, “fl”. "wk, Pawnee Bill's I’aril; or, T a Red Cavllry Raid.

7!” Ruth Redmond, the (Sill Shudewvr.

78? “Mel: Taylor, the (‘omnurh -’n ('uptlra.

748 But-Ii Taylor": Boy-z or.'I‘hu Red Iliilenoftho Rio Grand...

7-19 Dali-Ill Charlie; or, The Kentudty Tondorloot’o Flni'l‘raii.

7:56 liar-hing Charlie‘n ire-tiny; or. The Rena-60’- Captivo

760 Dar-Mn. (‘harlio‘a Pawnee Pard.

766 Dan-hing Charlie, the Relener. .1

772 Diek Doom‘a Death-Grip; or, The Ditectlve by Destiny.

7?? Dlek Doom‘l Denilny; or, The River Dim-kiosk Terror.

LATEST AND NEW ISSUES.

784 Dirk Doom. thr DrniiI-Grip Detective; or. Tho Sharp. and
Shark. of New York. By “'1. I‘rv'itlu i-- 'rnhnm.

. of One: or, Tho Spook

Ste-d I the None (‘urrwl L')‘ LienL \. K. Slmn.

730 Ill-(milan Billy" Tenm; or, The Detective (Tomhlmh
in; Poll. Iiy .i. r. l.’owdnrk.

79? Dendwtmd Iek. In, Dried; or. The Prlnu of Pistol
Pocket. By Edw;rd L. Wheeler.

7%“ Dirk Di "III In lIo-ton; or, A Mu: of Many Min-h. By
Col. l’nn: . lugruhani. ‘

7139 Ram Bheridan, thu- Serret. Service Special; or, Tho Jumbo”.
at mrly Hint liar. By Wu. '3. Patten.

790 Broadwa Dilly'l Drlgade: nr,’l‘hc Cou o! the Dead
Allvo. By l. C. anIlrIck. .

791 K“ Bandy Ilattlrdt onTha lnflntGlani; By OIIICoomeo.

799 Deadwood Dir-Is. .Ir.‘-. Double out... or, Tho Tu.
«I with Satan. By Edward L. Whorirr.

Randy Soptemhcr ‘21.

798 Did: Doom la (‘hiea «a or. Th0 Fer-rut of the Gold.-

Four". Ih- (‘01. Puntiu nmhnm.
Bondy October i.

 

 
     

 

     
 

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ol. A. I". Holt.

794 iload Icht llarrg‘n Tram-ore “not, or, 1‘. Quart t.
at. (‘u y C _

we of Gold.
Ready October II.

A New Inna Every Tuesday.
The Ilalf- Dirac Library in for rain by oil mu‘h
unto pr «toy, or Iont by mull on receipt at In a“. each. '
BEADLE AND ADAII, Pnhliohoro.
OI Willia- Strut. low root.

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113 The Sea

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” BEADLE‘S

    

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.1 654: ’

Pubhshed Every iVednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers.

 

 

 

BY XVILLIANI R. EYS'I‘EIK.

2‘07 The Rival Rovers.
1197 Double Cinch Dan. the Sport Wit h a Charm.
677 Mr. Jackson, the Gem from Jayhird.
6.31 Gilt-Edge Johnny: or. Roldan and His Rovers.
6.70 Lucky Lostcr‘s Lonn- Hand.
(if-ll ()ld llandcart‘s Big Dump.
6'32 The All Around Sports.
6071 Dt-son Alf. the Man With the Cougar.
5-1’ (ii-ntlc Jack, thc High Roller from Humbug.
{17-4 Seven Shot Ste-w, the Sport with a Smilc.
Fi' [‘hc Dildo Detoutlve.
Hurrah Harry. the High Horsv from Halcyon.
5111 llolsnuzmr Brick. tho Bailiff Of Blue Blazes.
.71 ()rctzi’m. the Sport WithaSrar. .
:33.‘ li‘rosh Frank, tho Derringer Daisy.
.3 n; The Dude from Denver.
‘175‘ Pinnacle Pete; or. The Fool from Way Back.
1.3. Mu'or Sunshine, the Man of Three Lives.
49.1 llmr Trigger Tom of Red Bond.
402 Snapshot Sam; or. Tho Ania-13‘ Flat Racket.
396 The Piper Detective; or. The Gilt Edge Gang.
375 Royal Geo) e, the 'l‘lll‘efl in One.
356 Thri-e Ham some Syorts; or, The Combination,
till Double Shot Dave 0 the Loft Hand.
. : Derringer Dick. tho Man with the Drop.
31' A Sport in Smctaclos; or, Bad Time at Bunco.
21’»! Magic Mike. the Man of Frills
229 Captain Culsloeve; or, The Littlo Sport.
211 The Two Cool Sports; or, Gertie of the Gulch-
192 The L'whtniug S )ort.
182 Bands p; or, 16 Knights of the Canyon.
160 soft Hand, Sharp: or, Thr- Man with the Sand.
11.5 Pistol Paras; or, The Silent Sport from Cinnabar

BY CAPT. FRED. WHIT’I‘AKER.

611 The Showman Detective; or, The Mad Magician.
600 The Texas Tramp; or, Sclid Saul.

445 Journeyman John. the Champion.

412 Larry Locke. the Man 01’ Iron.

406 Old Pop Hicks, Showman.

878 John ong, Mechanic.

326 The Whth Man in the Mines.

310 The Marshal of Satanstown; or. The League.
305 To ’Notch Tom, the Cowho ' Outlaw.

295 Ol Cross-Eye. the Maveri -Hunter.

290 The Lost Corvette: or, Blakeley‘s Last Cruise.
264 The Three Frigates; or. Old Ironsides' Revenge.
277 The Saucy Jane, Privateer.

1..
V'v
J..£

v

Na

.1.

v

» 272 Seth Slocum. Railroad Surveyor.

2115 Old DoubleSword; or, Pilots and Pirates.
253 A Yankee Cossack; or,The Queen of the Nihilists.
217 Alligator Ike 3 or. The to! the Everglade.
242 The Fox: Devfl; or, The Ski r 01' the Flash.
2:32) The Flyinz Dutchman of 1 .
2:26 The Mad Husssrs; or. The 0's and the Mac’s.
21:") Pll‘SOll Jim. King of the Cowboys.
211 Colonel Plunger; or, The Unknown Sport.
206 One E c. the Cannoneer.

193 The . in Red; or, The Ghost of the Old Guard.
187 The Death‘s Head Cuirassleis.

174 The Phantom Knights.
159 Red Rudiger, the Archer.

13:! Nemo, King of the Tramps.

11:3 Tnc Severed Head; or. The Castle Coucy Secret.
10% The Duke of Diamonds.

98 The Rock Rider; or. The Spirit of the Sierra.

96 Double Death; or, The S y of Wyoming.

69 The Irish taln. A Ta e of Fontenoy.
ah; or, The Scourge 01’ the Indies.
39 The Russian Spy; or, The Starry Cross Brothers.

\ .

r ' BY 0LL GOODIES.

619 Kit Bandy & Co , the Border Detectives.
148 One-Armed Alf. the Giant Hunter.
137 Loni: Beard. the Giant 811$
99 The Giant Rmemnn: or. ild Camp Life.
51 Red Rob. the Bo Road-Agent.
48 ldaho Tom, the onus? Outlaw of Silverland.
4“ Bifii"“‘ll§%f££d“€§tl"“""‘E”“"“"-
44 0 an , or root xtarmlnat
43 Dakota Dan. the Recklvns Ranger. or
7 Death-Notch. the Destroyer.

BY PHILIP S. WARNE.

Ca tuin Adair. the Cattle King.
:2?! Cagr m Midnight. the rdluau of Craft,
e s.

l

544 , ack to Back Pa
522 The Chum ion Three. .
502 Bareback ,uck, the Centaur of the Plains.
47‘.) Six Foot 81‘. or, The Man to “ Tie To.”

431 California Kit, the Always )n Hand.

404 glllver or Ad“ Daisy; Blgflid

380 get c '8 1.16 : or, ne "0 en Se 11:.
359 Yellow Jack. e €091,120. me

338 Jack Sands. the Boss of the Town.
299 To ree of a Kind; or Dick. Despard and the Sport.
280 Tiger Dick‘s Lone and.
251 Thzer Dick vs. Iron DWI-d
207 Old Hard Head; 01‘. irlwlnd and his Mare.
171 Ti r Dick. tho Man Of the Iron Heart.
114 The Gentleman from Pike.

30 A Man of Nerve' or, Caliban the Dwarf.

54 Always on Han : or. The Foot~Hllls Sport.

29 Tiger Dick. Faro K1915: or. The Cashier‘s Crime.

4 The Kidnapper; or. he Northwest Shanghai.
1 A Hard Crowd: 0?. 063119111811 Sam’s Sinner.

mt LEON LEWIS, .

699 The Cow Couriers.

636 The On-the- in Detectives.

624 The Submarine receive: or, The Water-Ghouls,
481 Captain Ready. the Red Ransomer.

‘ 4.1 The Silent Detective: or. The Bogus’ Nephew.

4151) The Demon Steer.
£28 The Flying Glim; or,Ths Island Lure.

BY PROF. J. H. INGRAHAHI.
816 Lafitte‘s Lioutentmt: or. Child of the Sea.
814 La ttc; or. The Pirate of the Gulf.
118 Th Burglar Captain: or. The Fallen Star

llppcr; or, The hreebooters.
BY DR. NOEL DUNBAB.

004 The Detective in Rm: or. The Grim Shadow».

‘500 The ’l‘ruc‘Heart Pnrds.

1 BY CAPTAIN “()‘VARD HOLMES.

l 711 Dan Damon, the Gilt-Edge Detective.

' 701 Silvor Stove, the Branded Sport.

’ 691 Unlcon Grip, the Secret Shadowcr.

681 Yr-iwt Van. the Mystery Shadower.

674 The Dude Desperado

671 J'lSOll Claw, the Silk-Funded Ferret.

664 Monk Morel, the Mun-llun or.

651 Sol S )hinx. tho Ferret Detective.

612 Red ’ard and Yellmv

608 Silent Sam, tin- Shadow Sphinx.

59;. Cupt‘ILlll Sid, the Shasta Ferret.

579 Old Cormorant. the Bowery Shadow.

569 Captain Cobra the Hooded Mystery.

559 Danton. the Shadow Sharp.

530 Silk qunl, the Mohqu Ferret.

513 The Magnum DUIPCHVU.

5'12 J no t Javcrt. the lndopcndcnt Detective.

51.3 Rcynard of Rod Jack: or. The Lost Detective.
51? Captain Volvet‘s Big: Stake.

505 Phil li‘ox. tlecntm-‘l Spottcr.

496 Richard Rodin-o, thr- Two Worlds‘ Detective.

487 Sunshine Sun), a Chip of the Old Block.

480 Hawkspcar. the Man with a Secret.

4'38 Coldgrxp in Deadwood. 1

460 Captain Coldgrip. the Detective

453 Captain Coldgrip‘s Long: Trail.

447 Volcano. the Frisco Spy.

411 The California Sharp.

434 Lucifer Lynx, the Wonder Detective.

421 Father F crret. the Frisco Shadow.

413 Captain Coldgrip in New York.

407 Captain Coldgrip’s Nerve: or. In'un Nick.

400 Captain Coldg‘rip: or. The New ork Spotter.
392 The Lost Bonanza: or, The Boot of Silent Hound.
. 2 The Bonanza Band: or. Dread Don of Cool Clan.
374 Major Blister. the Sport of Two Cities.

365 Keen Kennard. the Shasta Shadow.

352 The Des rate Dozen.

347 Denvrr uke. 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.

W8 Hercules Goldspur, the Man of the Velvet Hand.

BY WM. G. PATTEN.

715 Double-Voice Dan on Deck.

702 Double-Voice Dan, the Always-on—Deck Detective
696 Double-Voice Dan, the Go-it Alone Detective.
689 The Sparkler Sharp. ‘

676 Hurricane Hal, tho owboy Hotspur.

669 Old True Blue, the rusty.

663 The Giant S ort: or, Sold to Satan.

656 Old Plug gclfi’. the Rough and Ready.

648 Gold Glove d the Man of Grit.

641' Aztec Jack, the Desert Nomad.

1381 Colonel Cool, the Santa Fe Sharp.

602 On taln Nameless. the Mountain Mystery.

571 01 Dismal. the Run 13 Detective.

545 Hustler Harry, the owboy Sport.

BY CAPTAIN MARK WILTON.

323 Hotspur Hugh; or. The Banded Brothers.
811 Heavy Hand: or, The Marked Men.

305 Silver-Plated Sol, the Montana Rover.

291 Horseshoe Hank. the Man of Big Luck.

285 Lightning Bolt, the Canyon Terror.

276 ’l‘cxa < Chick, the Southwest Detective.

271 Stoncflst, of Big Nugget Bend. ,
266 Leopard Luke the King of Horsefl‘hleves.
263 Iron-Armed Abe, the Hunchback Destroyer.
258 Bullet Head. the Colora'lo Bravo.

215 liarrancu Bill the Revolver Chum ion

237 Long~Hairod Max; or, The Black Lea .
227 Buckshot Ben, the Man-Hunter of Ida 10.
223 Canyon DJVS, the Man of the Mountain.

219 The Scorpion Brothers; or. Mad Tom’s Mission
202 Cactus Jack. the Giant Guide.

194 Don Sombrero. the California Road Gent.
176 Lady J aguar. the Robber Queen.

v

BY SAM S. HALL— “ Buckskin Sam.”

511 Paint Pete. the Prairie Patrol.

371 Gold Buttons; or. The Up Range Pards

358 The Prince of Pan Out. .

342 Blauco Bill, the Mustang Monarch.

323 King Kont: or. The Bandits of the Bason.

322 The Crimson Coyotes; or, Nita, the Nemesis

399 Reynold, the Rattlinz Ranger.

301 ilowlder Bill; or, The Man from Taos.

293 Stampede Stove: or, The Doom of. the Double.
287 Dandy Dave and his Horse, White Stocking.

282 The Merciless Marauders; or. Carl’s Revenge.
273 Mountain Mose, the Gorge Outlaw.

269 The Bayou Bravo; or, The Teri-.ble Trail.

264 The Crooked Three.

256 Double Dan. the Dastard; or. The Pirates.
2130 The Rough Riders; or, Sharp Eye, the Scourge.
914 Merciless Mart. the Man Tiger of Missouri.
289 The Terrible T-rlo- or, The Angel of the Army.
25 Rocky Moun in Al; or, The Wolf 01' the Range.
221 Desperate Du e. the Guadaloupe“‘Gsloot."
217 The Serpent of El Pasv or, Frontier Frank.
212 The Brazos Tigers; or, The Minute Men.

204 Big Foot Wallace, the Kin of the Lariat.

199 Diamcnd Dick. the Dandy rom Denver.

195 The Lone Star Gambler: or. Magnolia‘s Maid.
191 The Terrible Tonkawav; or. Old Rocky’s Pards.
186 The Black Bravo: or. The Tonkawny’s Triumph.
178 Dark Dashwood. the Des rate.

90 Wild Will, the Mad Kane ero.

8 Kit Carson, Jr., the Crack Shot.

in! 001.. THOMAS H. MONSTEBY.
£32 Spring-Hem] Jack: or, The Masked Mystery.
262 Fighting Tom. the Terror of the Touxhs.
3336 Champion Sam; Or. The Monarchs ot‘ the Show.

169 Corporal Cannon. the Man of Forty Duels
157 Mournd.the Mameluke; or, The Three Sword

mama's.
150 E1 Rnbio Brawn. Kim: of the Swordsmen.
196' The Demon uelist: or. The Leagu 0! Steel.

 

148 The Czar’s Sgy: or, The Nihilist League ‘
6
82 Iron Wrist, e Swordmaster.

 

BY NED BCNTLINE.

657 Long Tom. the Privateer.

6313 The Sea Spy.-

‘21 The Red Privateer: or. Tho Midshipman Rover.
5‘34 Fire ’Fcather. the Buccaneer King.

51 13anan Bills First Trail.

361 Tombstone Dick. the Train Pilot.

220 Andros. the Rover; or. The Pirate‘s Daughter.
1'12 Saul Sabberday. the Idiot Spy. -

111 The Smugglcr Captain: or. The Skipper’s Crime.
61 Captain Scawaif. the PrivatJi-r.

The Red Warrior; or. The Comanche Lover.
The Sea Bandit; or. The Queen of the Isle.

, The \‘Vhitc Wizard; or. The Seminole Prophet.
14 Thaycndancgcadhe Scourgezor, The War-Eagle.

BY EDWARD “'ILLETT.

49.3 Flush Fred. the River Sharp.

368 The Canyon King: or. a Price on his Head.

Dan Dillon, Kin}.r of Crosscut.

3‘37 Old (lube, tlw Mountain Tramp.

" Terrapin Dick, the Wildwood Detective.

315 Flush Frrld’s Double; or, The Squatters' League.
3013 Ilmnlocl; llank, Tough and True.

L . L grcr Lem: or. Life in the Pine Woods.

2‘49 Flush Fred‘s Full Hand.

274 Flush Fred. the Mississip ‘11 Sport.

W Montana Nat, the Lion 03 Last Chance Camp..
232 iii] the Blizzard: or. Red Jack’s Crime.

21? Buck Farley. tho Bonanza Prince.

12.9 Mississippi Mose; or, a Strong Man '5 Sacrifice.

BY CAP’I‘AIN MAYNE REID.

$7 The White Squaw.

211 The Hunter’s Feast.

228 The Maroon. A Tale of V00doo and Ohnah.

214 The Wild Huntress' or. The Squat-tor.

213 The \Var Trail: 01', The Hunt of the Wild Horse.

20% The Whit» Chief. A Romance of Mexico.

200 The Rifle Ringers: or. Adventures in Mexico.
74 The Captain of the RifleS' or, The Lake Queen.
66 The SDPCl/Pl‘ Barque. A ale of the Pacific.

55 Th:- Scalp Hunters. A Romance of the Plains.
12 The Death-Shot: or. Tracked to Death.
6 The Headless Horseman.

BY HAROLD PAYNE.

713 Detective Burr’s Spirit Chase.
706 l)et-~ctive Bu rr’s Seven Clues.
698 Thad Burr. the Invincible.
690 The Matchless Detective.

680 XX, the Fatal Clew.

BY COLONEL BELLE SARA.

106 Shamus O‘Brien, the Bonld Boy of Glingal.
87 The Scarlet Captain- or. Prisoner of the Tower.
58 Silver Sam; or, The Mystery of Deadwood City.

BY JACKSON KNOX-“Old Hawk.”

643 Castlemaine, the Silent Sifter.
3(1): Magnus, the Weird Detective.
The Drop Detective.
595 Wellborn, the Upper‘Crust Detective.
582 Jorarn the DetectiveExpert.
574 Old F con‘s Double.
561 The Thug King' or. The Falcon Detective’s Foe.
548 Falconbri c. the Sphinx Detecrive.
536 Old Falcon s Foe: or. The Detective’s Swell Job.
515 ShowStop Ma'e, the Diamond Field Detective.
509 Old Falcon. t e Thunderbolt Detective.
501 Sfidng‘stoel Steve. the Retired Detective.
491 T eDetect-ive’s S y. ' ‘
485 Rowlocit the Hargor Detective. *'
477 Dead-arm Brandt.
467 Mainwaring. the Salamander.
462 The Circus Detective.
451 Griplock. the Rocket Detective.
444 The Magic Detective: or, The Hidden Hand. 1.
424 Hawk Heron‘s De my.
386 Hawk Heron. the alcon Detective.

MISCELLANEOUS. ‘

566 The Dauntless Dctec-live: or, The Daughter
Avenger. By Tom W. King.

542 The Ocean Drift; or, The Fight for Two Lives.
By A. F. Holt.

534 Green Mountain Joe: or, The Counterfeiter‘l
Cave. Br Marmaduke Dry.

518  Richard, the Thoroughbred. By J. W.

H ._.
:72  ‘1

03'
m»:
* an

.1
~
J)

s n.

419 Sarah Brown. Detective. By K. F. Hill.

366 The Telegraph Detective. By George H. Morse.

853 Bart Brennan: or, The King 01'. Straight Flush.
Bv John Cuthbert.

350 Flash Falcon. Society Detective. By W. J. Cobb.-

312 Kinkfoot Karl. the Mountain Scourge. By lion?

rig/Redwing.
275 The Smuggler Cutter. Ball D. Conroy. l
261 Black Sam, the Prairie ' underbolt. By Col.
Jo Yards.
190 The Three Guardsmen. Bv Alexander
179 Conrad the Convict. By rot. Gildersleeve.

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,i-,

l“

m 0mm, the Robber Prince. By s. R. Urban. .2  ‘

15‘! The Doomed Dozen. By Dr. :31: Powell.

152 Captain Inonncrve. the Counterfeith Chief

146 The Doctor Detective. B George Lemuel.

144 The Hunchback of Notre ame. By Victoer

140 The Three Spaniards. B Geo. \\ alker.

133 Body the Rover. By W1 am Carleton.

125 The Blacksmith Outlaw. By H. Alusworth.

110 The 8 km: Rifleman. B H. W. Herbert.

102 The kid Band. By ome L. Aiken.

78 The Mysterious S )y. By Arthur M. Graham.
76 The cen‘s Mus ~retool-s. B Geome Albany.
68 The gluing Trap )er. By pt.J. F. C. Adam
60 Wide Awake. the hber King.
82 B‘hovs of Yale: or, The Scrapes of Collegian.
11 Midshipman Easy. 13y Captain Marryatt. ‘

10 Vidocq, the French Police Spy. By himself.
9 Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover.
5 Wildcat Bob. By Edward L. Wheeler.

A new him every Wednesday. .
Boadle’n Dlme Library is for solo 1) III
ewndcalem. ten cents per copv or sent by m in.

moi of twelve cents each. BBADLB a: ADA“,
rs. 98 William street. New York. - _

By F. humour. ., '

1;

 

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  

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611 Alkni A

Q .

I BEADLE

\' '. I I , -i,

’SrDlMEruBRARY. 7“ ’

Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers.

 

 

BY JOSEPH B. BADGER, JR.

712 The Man of Silk.

705 Bantam Bob. the Beauty from Butte.
693 Kent Kasson, the Preacher Sport.
683 Bob Breeze, the Rounder Detective.
675 Steel Surry, the Sport from Sunrise.
868 Solemn Saul‘s Luck Striak.

 

. 661‘ The Get-There Sharp.

651 Silvertip Steve. the Sky Scraper from Siskiyou.
645 Gopher Gabe, the Unseen Detective.
636 Dandy Darling, Detective.
627 Mossback Mose, the Mountaineer.
617 The Grip Sack Sharp‘s Even u i.
597 Big Bandygthe Brigadier of B mstonc Butte.
588 Sandy Sands. the Sharp from Snap City.
576 Silver-Tongued Sid: or. Grip Sack Sharp s SWeep.
564 The Grip~Sack Sharp; or. The Seraphs of Sodom.
555 Grip-Sack Sid. the Sample Sport.
517 "he Buried Detective; or. Saiil's Six Sensations.
541 . Iajor Magnet, the Man of Nerve.
535 Dandy Dutch. the Decorator from Dead‘Lift.
527 Dandy Andy. the Diamond Detective.
514 Gabe Gunn, tiie Grizzl from Ginseng.
504 Solemn Sun]. the Sad an from San Saba.
495 Rattlepate Rob; or. The Roundhead‘s Reprisal.
488 The Thom ughbred Sport.
474 Dadd Dea -Eyc. the Despot 0f Dew Drop.
466 Old ugh and Ready. the Sage of Sundown.
458 Dutch Dan. the Pilgrim from Spitzenberg.
450 The Rustler Detective.
443 A Cool Hand; or, Pistol Johnny‘s Picnic.
'4'58 Oklahoma Nick.
483 Laughing Leo; or. Sam’s Dandy Pard.
426 The Ghost Detective; or. The Secret Service Spy.
416 Monte .iiiii. the lilaClt Sheep of Bismarck.
409 Rob Roy Ranch; or, The Imps of Pan Handle.
40:: The Nameless Sport.
895 Deadly Aim. the Duke of Derringers.
3S7 I):HK Durg. the Ishmael of the Hills. .
379 Howling Jonathan, the Terror from Headwaters.
872 Captain Crisp. the Man with a Record.
367 A Royal Flush: or, Dan Brown‘s llig Game.
360 Jumping Jerry, the Gaiiiecocl: from Sundown.
355 Stormy Steve. the Mad Athlete.
351 Nor‘ West Nick. the Border Detective.
315 Masked Mark. the Mounted Detective.
339 Spread Eagle Sam. the Hercules Hide Hunter.
. 331 CillS’Da Charley. the Gold Nugget Sport.
3% Old Forked Ligh tninc. the Solitary.
317 Frank Lightt'oot. the Miner Detective.
302 Faro Saul. the Handsome Hercules.
292 Moke Homer. the Boss Roustahout.
286 Pistol Johnny; or. One Man in a Thousand.
283 Sleek Sam, the DeVll of the Mines.
257 Death Trap Diggings; or. A Man ’Way Back.
249: Elephant Tom. of Duraiizo.
241 Spitfire Saul. King of the Bustiers.
233 The Old Boy of Tombstone.
201 Pirate of the Pincers: or. J0 uin‘s Death Hunt.
197 Revolver Robz‘ or, The Belle 0 Nugget Camp. ,
180 Old ‘49; or. The Amazon of Arizona.
170 Sweet William. the Trapper Detective.
165 Joaquin. the errible
154 Joaquin. the date King.
141 E ulnox Tom. the Bully of Red Rock.
127 So Scott. the Masked Miner.
119 Alabama Joe: or. The Yazoo Man-Hunters.
105 Dan Brown of Denver: or. he 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.
54 Double-Sight, the Death Shot.
50 Jack Rabbit. the Prairie Sport.
47 Pacific Pete. the Prince of the Revolver. i
45 Old Bull aggro, the Lightnin Shot.
40 Long-Hal Pards; or. The nrters of the Plains.
so Gospel George; or. Fiery Fred. the Outlaw.
28 Three-Fingered Jack, the Road-Agent.

BY WILLIAM H. MANNING.

714 Gabe Gall the Gambolier from Great Hump,
70!) Spokane iii, the Samaritan Bus ct.
m Dead-Shot Paul. the Deep- sage x loror.
955 Strawberry Sam the Man wit the irthinark.
545 Dark John, the Grim Guard.
598 urdock. the Dread Detective.
rous Dave the Never-Beaten Detective.
the Game Chicken from Texas.
595 Rustler Ru - thglnound-Up Detective.
u e.
575 Steady Hand. the Na oleon of Detectivea
g8 (Wyomig: has, the Ho it uwfkgnc, sucklo.
1 a Man I! c no.
omnb‘ginrk. the W1 Detective.
Saddle-Chief lit. the Prn rio Centaur.
Paradise Sam. the Nor‘-West Pilot.
'l‘exu ' arm. the Man With Nine Lives.
506 Uncle onest. the Peacemaker of Hornets’ Nest.
498 Central Pacific Paul. the lull Train Spy.
492 Border Bullet. the Prairie Sharpshooter.
485 Kansas Kitten. the Northwest Detective.
479 Gladiator Gabe, the Samson or Smjock.

 

' 470 The Duke 01' Dakota

459 Gold Gauntlet. the Gulch Gladiator

4&5 Yank Yellowhird. the'Tall HustlJr of the Hills.
449 Bluff Burke. King of the Rockies.

442 Wild West Walt. the Mountain Vetoran.~ ,
487 Deep Duke: or. The Man of Two Lives.

427 The Rivals of Montana Mill.

415 Hot Heart, the Detective 

405 Old Bald . the Brigadier o ck Basin.

885 “11.1 Dic Turpin. the Leadmle Lion.

M Colorado Rube. the Strong Arm of Ho ur.
279 The Gold Dragoon. or. alifornia hound.

BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS.

\
709 Lodeuone Lem. the Champion of Chestnut Burr.
995 Singer Sam. the Pilgrim Detective.
688 ’The River Rustlers.
678 Stuttering Sam, the Whitest S ort of Santa Fe.
056 Old Adamant, the Man of Roc .
518 Kansas Kari. the Detective King.
552 Prince Primrose, the Flower of the Flock.
528 Huckleberry, the Foot-Hills Detective.

 

 

BY COL. PREN'I‘ISS INGRAHAM.

704 Invisible lvan, the Wizard Detective.

685 The Redskin 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 Detective; or, The Beautiful Convict.

658 The Cowb' y Clan; or. The 'i igress of Texas.

653 The Lasso King‘s League. A companion Story
to “ Blick Taylor, the. Saddle King."

640 lee. Row r‘s Ret ibution.

6‘15 The Ex Buccaneer; or, The Stigma of Sin.

6250 The Sea Thief

625 Red Wings; or. The Gold Seekers of the Bahamas.

615 The Three l iiccaneers.

610 The Red Flag Row r; 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 Rovers of the Revolution.

5‘17 Conrad. the Sailor Spy; or. True licaits of ‘76.

581 The Outlawed Skipper; or, The Gaiitlet Runner.

560 The Man from Mexico.

5.13 Mark Monte. the Mutineer; or. The Branded Brig.

516 The Doomed Whaler: or. The Life Wreck.

510 The Fleet Scourge; or. The Sea Wings of Salem.

530 The Savages of the Sea.

521 The Sea Chaser; or. The Pirate Noble.

516 Chatard, the Dead—Shot Duelist.

510 El Moro, the Corsair Commodore.

493 The Scouts of the Sea.

489 The Pirate Hunter; or. The OCean Rivals.

482 Ocean Tramps; or, The Desperadoes of the Deep.

476 Bob Brent.the Buccaneer; or. the Red 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. Rivals in Love and War.

> 425 The Sea Sword; or. The Ocean Rivals.

418 The Sea Siren: or. The Fugitive Privateer.
399 The New Monte Cristo.
39:5 The Convict Captian.
385 The Giant Buccaneer; or. The Wrecker Witch.
377 Aiioat and Ashore: or. The Corsair Conspirator.
373 Sailor of Fortune; or, The Barnegat Buccaneer.
369 The Coast Corsair: or. The Siren of the Sea.
864 The Sea Fugitive; or. The Queen of the Coast.
316 Ocean Guerrillas; or. Phantom Midshipman.
341 The Sea Desperado.
896 The. Magic Snip; or. Sandy Hook Freebooters.
325 The Gentleman Pirate; or. The Casco Hermits.
318 The Indian tsuccaneer; or. The Red Rovers.
307 The Phantom Pirate; or, The Water Wolves.
2%] The Sea Owl: or. The Lady Captain of the Gulf.
259 Cutlass and Cross; or. the Ghouls of the Sea.
255 The Pirate Priest: or. The. Gambler’s Dau hter.
246 ueen Helen. the Amazon of the Overlan .
235 , Lightning the Man of Chance.
281 The Kid Glove Miner: or. The Magic Doctor.
224 Black Beard. the Buccaneer.
220 The Specter Yacht; or. A Brother's Crime.
216 The Corsair Planter; or. Driven to Doom.
210 Buccaneer Bess. the Lioness of the Sea.
$15 The Gambler Pirate; or. Ladv of the Lagoon.
198 The Skeleton Schooner; or he Skimmer.
164 the Ocean Vampire; or, The Castle Heiress.
161 The Scarlet Schooner: or. The Sea Nemesis.
177 Don Diablo. the Planter-Corsair.
172 Black Pirate; or. The Golden Fetters M stery.
162 The Mad Mariner: or. Dishonored and isownod
155 The Corsair Queen: or, The Gypsies of the Sea.
147 Gold Spur. the Gentleman from Texas.
139 Fire Eye; or, The Bride of a Buccaneer.
184 Darke Dan, the Colored Detective.
181 Bucks in Sam. the Texas Trailer.
128 The Chevalier Corsair; or. The Heritaee.
121 The Sea Cadet; or The Bever of the Riiroletts.
116 Black Plume; or. e Sorceress of Hell Gate.
109 Captain Kyd. the King of the Black Flag.
104 Montezuma. the Merciless.
109 Merle, the Mutlneer; or. The Red 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 Sen Witch.

BUFFALO llllala NOVELS.
Number: ‘ are from the pm of 1!qu10 Bill.

715 Buith Bill‘s Scout Shadowers.

710 Bulnlo Bill Baffled.

or: 31117510 Bill‘s Biwkskln Brotherhood.
091 Muir-lo Bill's Blind Trail.

582 Buffalo Bill's Secret Service Trail.

557 Buifalo Bill‘s Swoo ;or. The King of the Mines. '

549 Buck Taylor. the die King.
644 Buflalo Bill‘s Bonn! u.

.039 The Gold King: or, Montebello. the iflcent.
529 Daredeath Dick' 0r, Buffalo Bill‘s Da n Role.

um The Dead Shot Nine‘ or My Pards of the min-

517 sumo Bill‘s First Trail.

.414 Red hard. the Indian Detective.

‘401 One-Armed Part1; or, Borderland Retribution.

*997 The Wizard Brothers: or. White Beavers Trail.

‘891 White Beaver. the Exile of the Platte.

852 Buanlo Bill‘s Grip; or Oath Bound to Custer.
829 The Lea no of Three: or. Bunalo Bill’s Pledge.

‘819 Wild Bil . the Whirlwind of the West.

‘804 Texas Jack. the Prairie Rattler.

‘243 The Pil in She. : or. The Soldier's Sweetheart
149 “‘11:! B 11's Gold rail; or. The Desperate Dozen
175 Wild Bill’s Trump Card: or. The lndian Heiress
158 Wild Bill. the Pistol Dead Sh
158 The Doomed

Scouts.
117 Buffalo Bill‘s Strange Part).
92 Buffalo Bill. the Buckskin King.
‘88 Gold Bullet Sport: or. Kai hts of the Overland.
‘52 Death-Trailer. the Chief o Scouts.

BY MAJOR DANGEBFIELD BUBB.

448 Hark Kenton. the Ti-aitor.

189 The Phantom Mazeppa: or. The Hyena.

156 Velvet Face, the Border Bravo.

142 Captain Crimson, the Man of the iron Face.

117 Dashing Dandy; or. The Hotspur of the Hills.
99 Buflalo Bill. the Buckskin King.

1

05.
Dozen; or. Buffalo Bill, Chief of ‘

l BY ALBERT ‘V. AIKEN.

717 Captain Pat McGowen, the Greencoat Detective.
708 Joe enix's Siren.
700 Joe henix’s Unknown.
681 Joe Phenix‘s Specials.
674 Uncle Sun Up, the Born Detective.
670 The Lightweight Detective.
665 The Frisco DetectiVe; or, The Golden Gate Find.
660 The Fresh in Montana.
‘ 652 Jack son Blake. the Bouncer Detective.
647 The Fresh or Frisco at Santa Fe.
637 Joe Phenix in Crazy Camp.
632 JOe I’henix's Master Search.
628 Joe Phenix’s Combine.
620 Joe Phenix’s Silent Six.
, 613 Keen Billy, the Sport.
1 607 Old Benziiie, the “ Hard Case " Detective. ’
601 Joe Phenix‘s Shadow.
594 Fire Face, the Silver King‘s Foe.
586 The Silver Sharp Detective.
577 Tom of California.
570 The Actress Detective; or. The Invisible Band.
562 Lone Hand. the Shadow.
556 Fresh, the. Sport-Chevalier
537 Blake. the Mountain Lion.
529 The Fresh in New York.
520 The Lone Hand on the Caddo.
497 The Fresh in Texas.
490 The Lone. Hand in Texas.
475 Chin Chili. the Chinese Detective.
465 The Actor Detective.
461 The Fro-sh on the Rio Grande.
440 The High Her e. of the Pacific.
425 The Lone Hand; or. The Red River Recreants.
419 The Bat 01‘ the Battery ; or. Joe l’henix. Detective.
408 Doc Grip. the Vendetta of Death.
391 Kate Scott. the [H'ch Detective. ,
_ 384 lnjun Dick, Detective; or. Tracked to New York.
._ 381 The Gygsy Gentleman: tr, Nick Fox. Detective.
376 Black eards: 01. The Rio Grande Hi h Horse.
' 370 The Duskv Detective: or. Pursued to t e End.
363 Crowniiigshield. the Detective
351 Red Richard: 0i the Crimson Cross Brand.
349 iron-Hearted Dir k. the Gentleman Road-Agent.
- 320 The Geiiteel Spotter; or The N. Y. Night Hawk.
2523 The Wall Street Hood: or. The Telegrai 11 Girl.
203 The Double Detective; cr.The Midnight Mystery.
196 La Mariiioset. the Leteciive Queen.
173 California John. the Pacific Thoroughbred.
161 The. Wolves of New York: or. Joe Phenix‘s Hunt.
130 Captain Volcano or. The Man of Red Revolvers.
I 112 Joe Phenix. Private Detective.
107 Richard Talbot. of Cinnabar.
101 The Man from New York.
97 Bronze Jack. the California Thoroughbred.
93 Captain Dick Talbot. Kink of the Road.
91 The Winning Car: or. The Innkeeper’s Daughter. ‘
84 Hunted Down: or. The League of Three.
81 The Human Tiger: or. A Heart of Fire.
79 Joe Plienix, the Police Spy:
77 The Fresh of Frisco; or. e Heiress.
75 Gentleman George: or. Par or. Prison and Street»
7:! The P antom Hand: or. The 5th Avenue Hen ess.
63 The \\ inged Whale: or. The Red Rupert 01 Gulf.
59 The Man from Texas; or. The Arkansas Outlaw.
56 The Indian Mazeppa: or, Madman of the Plains.
49 The Wolf Demon; or. The Kanawha ueen.
42 The California Detective: or, The Wilc es of N.Y.
41 Gold Dan: or. The White Savage of Salt Lake.
38 Velvet Hand; or. liijun Dick‘s iron Grip.
36 Injun Dick: or. The Death-Shot of Shasta.
35 Kentuck. the Sport: or. Dick Talbot of the Mines.
34 Rock Mountain Rob. the California Outlaw.
33 Owr and Kit: or. The 1d 1 of White Pine.
81 The New York Sher :or. 9 Flash Of liming.
'27 The Spotter Detect ve: or. Girls of New ork.

BY J. C. COWDBICK.

6m Ducats Dion, the Nabob Sport Detective.
612 Sheriff Stiilwood, the Regulator of Raspberry.
598 The Dominic Detective.
591 Duke Daniels. the Society Detective.
580 Shadowing a Shadow.
. 565 Prince Paul. the Postman Detective.
l 557 The Mountain Graybeards: or, Riddles’ Riddle.
519 Old Riddles. the Rock er
; m Twilight Charlie. the port.
, 478 Gilbert of Gotham, the Steel-arm Detective.
452 Rainbow Bob. the Tulip from T

ens.
from YellowPim.
422 Blue Grass Burt. the old Star Detective.
' 890 The Giant Cupid: or Cihutn John‘s Jubilee.
LATEST AND NEW ISSUES.
, 718 Uncle Bedrock's Big Bouncc- or. The Bad Men,
. of Mineral Bar. Bme. B. yster.
719 ‘lliosi‘on Bob. the Sport Detective. By George C.
en a.
- no The Secret Six; or. O'd Halcyon. theStnnger
l Within the Gates. ByJos. n. l adger.
- 721 Sam Saunders. the Go-As-You-Plem Detective;
or. Hunted Around the World. By K. F. Hill.
722 Buffalo Bill on the War-path; or, Silk Lasso
Sam. the Will-0‘ the-Wisp of the Trails. By Col.
Prentiss i nhain.
723 Teamster cm. the Boomer Detective; or. The
Sweepstake at Shoshone. By Lieut. A. K. Slim.
7‘24 Captain Hercules. the Strong Arm Detective.
By Galptain Hownrd Holmes.
725 Dick albot in No Man‘s Camp. By A. W. Aiken
726 Fearies Sam. the "Grand Cmnbinntion" Detec-

tive. Gauge C Jenks.
727 Buffalo Bill's ody Guard. ByCol. P. Ingraham.
728 Thad Barr's Strategy. By Harold Payne.
Ready October 5th.
729 Dick Talbot. the Ranch King. By A. W. Aiken.
Ready October 12th.

A new More every Wednesday.
Bendie’n Dime Library is for sale by all

, Newsdealers. ten cents per copy. or sent by mail on
v receipt of twelve cents each.

BEADLE AND ADA MS. Pvnusnnu.
98 William Street. New York.

 

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